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Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza nears 32,000: ministry

Xinhua) 09:52, March 22, 2024

An Israeli tank maneuvers amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict near Nir Am, a kibbutz in southern Israel, on March 21, 2024. the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza said Thursday in a statement that the Israeli army killed 65 Palestinians and wounded 92 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 31,988 and injuries to 74,188 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

GAZA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,988, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Thursday.

The ministry said in a statement that the Israeli army killed 65 Palestinians and wounded 92 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 31,988 and injuries to 74,188 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023.

This comes as the Israeli army continues its operations in the Shifa hospital in Gaza City for the fourth day, during which about 600 Palestinians have been apprehended, and more than 140 others have been killed, the Israeli army said in a statement Thursday, claiming all of them are militants.

"Several weapons and intelligence documents" were discovered during searches in the hospital, according to the statement.

Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage.

Airdropped humanitarian aid falls toward the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, seen from near Nir Am, a kibbutz in southern Israel, on March 21, 2024. the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza said Thursday in a statement that the Israeli army killed 65 Palestinians and wounded 92 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 31,988 and injuries to 74,188 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Smoke billows in Gaza amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, seen from near Nir Am, a kibbutz in southern Israel, on March 21, 2024. the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza said Thursday in a statement that the Israeli army killed 65 Palestinians and wounded 92 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 31,988 and injuries to 74,188 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

An Israeli tank maneuvers amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict near Nir Am, a kibbutz in southern Israel, on March 21, 2024. the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza said Thursday in a statement that the Israeli army killed 65 Palestinians and wounded 92 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 31,988 and injuries to 74,188 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

An Israeli tank is seen amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict near Nir Am, a kibbutz in southern Israel, on March 21, 2024. the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza said Thursday in a statement that the Israeli army killed 65 Palestinians and wounded 92 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 31,988 and injuries to 74,188 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Photo taken on March 21, 2024 shows a view of destroyed buildings in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, seen from near Nir Am, a kibbutz in southern Israel. the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza said Thursday in a statement that the Israeli army killed 65 Palestinians and wounded 92 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 31,988 and injuries to 74,188 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

An Israeli tank maneuvers amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict near Nir Am, a kibbutz in southern Israel, on March 21, 2024. the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza said Thursday in a statement that the Israeli army killed 65 Palestinians and wounded 92 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 31,988 and injuries to 74,188 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

A man stands on the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on March 21, 2024. The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,988, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Thursday. (Xinhua)

People are seen among the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on March 21, 2024. The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,988, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Thursday. (Xinhua)

People are seen among the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on March 21, 2024. The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,988, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Thursday. (Xinhua)

People stand on the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on March 21, 2024. The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,988, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Thursday. (Xinhua)

People are seen among the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on March 21, 2024. The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,988, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Thursday. (Xinhua)

People are seen among the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on March 21, 2024. The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,988, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Thursday. (Xinhua)

People are seen among the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on March 21, 2024. The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,988, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Thursday. (Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian speaks at a press conference in Beijing, on March 21, 2024. [Photo/fmprc.gov.cn]

China strongly deplores and firmly opposes U.S. interference in the China-India boundary question, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday.

Lin's remarks came after the U.S. State Department spokesperson said that the United States recognizes the so-called "Arunachal Pradesh", which is China's Zangnan, as Indian territory.

"The China-India boundary has never been delimited," said Lin at a regular press briefing, adding that Zangnan is China's territory, a basic fact that is undeniable.

Lin said the China-India boundary question is a matter between the two countries and has nothing to do with the U.S. side.

"It is known to all that the United States has consistently spared no efforts to provoke and take advantage of other countries' conflicts to serve its selfish geopolitical interests," said Lin.
LINCOLN  Less than a week after the Nebraska Supreme Court said state agencies can impose a special service charge to cover the cost of non-attorneys reviewing public records to determine whether they can be withheld, the Legislature stripped them of that authority.

On Thursday, state lawmakers gave final approval to a measure (Legislative Bill 43) that Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad said includes a host of remedies to our states public records laws to reset the balance in favor of the citizens of Nebraska.

Inside LB 43, a package bill designated as a priority of the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee this year, was Conrads LB 366, which lengthened the amount of time state agencies must provide free work for citizens who request records from four hours to eight hours.

The bill also requires the custodians of those records to attest under oath to any estimate they give for fulfilling a voluminous public record before providing that estimate to the requester, and allows for a potential waiver of the fee if the records are determined to be in the public interest.

LB 43 also differentiates between resident and nonresident requesters  those from outside the state  and how they can be assessed fees.

And it prohibits state agencies or other governmental bodies from assessing a special service charge or fee for attorneys and non-attorneys who review the requested records seeking a legal basis to withhold them from being made public.

Conrad said that provision of the bill, which passed final reading 39-0 Thursday and was sent to the desk of Gov. Jim Pillen for his signature, was in anticipation of the issues raised in last weeks Supreme Court decision.

In its 23-page order, the state Supreme Court said state lawmakers had previously prohibited agencies from charging requesters for the services of an attorney, but not other staff.

Had the Legislature intended to exclude time spent by any employee reviewing the records for a legal basis to withhold them, it could have done so, the court wrote. But the statute specifically limited the exclusion to services of an attorney. And we cannot read those words out of statute.

The issue of what and how state agencies can charge media organizations and others for access to public records arose when Flatwater Free Press, a nonprofit news outlet, sued the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy after the department estimated it would cost more than $44,000 for five years of records related to drinking water and nitrates.

At trial in Lancaster County District Court, the state argued that state law allowed for agencies to charge for time spent reviewing records to determine if they could be legally withheld; an attorney for Flatwater said that provision was not a part of state law.

The court said reviewing was intrinsic to the act of searching for and identifying records, reiterating state statute did not prohibit agencies from assessing special charges for those activities as long as they were not performed by an attorney.

Under LB 43, the fee for records shall not include any charge for the services of an attorney or any other person to review the requested public records seeking a legal basis to withhold them.

I think that these are very important updates to our public records law, Conrad said, who added she planned to introduce an interim study to see if additional changes to the statute were needed.

The bill passed with an emergency clause, which means it will take effect if Pillen signs it.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of March 2024
LINCOLN  Nebraska is slated to pay $4.45 million to a Kearney man who sustained lasting injuries as a result of a 2017 police chase.

The Nebraska Legislatures Business and Labor Committee is working on an amendment to fund the recent settlement, adding it to a routine bill that pays for other claims that have been settled by the Attorney Generals Office. The amendment includes $4.45 million for Miles Margritz and his wife, Christy.

In addition, the state would pay a combined $3 million to two life insurance companies connected to the case. The state previously paid $50,000 as part of this case, bringing the total settlement to $7.5 million.

According to a legal complaint filed in 2020, Nebraska State Patrol officers on Dec. 20, 2017, were pursuing Jose Ortiz, who was fleeing in a stolen vehicle. Ortiz then collided with Margritz in the intersection of Old Potash Highway and U.S. Highway 281 in Grand Island. According to a Lincoln Journal Star report, Ortiz was driving over 140 mph.

Ortiz died in the collision. Margritz, who was obeying traffic laws, was seriously and permanently injured in the crash, including both external and internal injuries. A state trooper who was one of the first on the scene said he thought Margritz was hit so hard, theres just no way he could survive.

He did survive. But the original complaint alleged that Margritz incurred over $648,000 in medical bills as of late 2020, and lost at least $54,000 in wages. Christy Margritz served as his caregiver through his long recovery, along with caring for their two young children.

Under state statute, Nebraska is liable for injuries to innocent third parties caused by state law enforcement during vehicular pursuit. The complaint alleged that the patrol officers were negligent and acted against their own policies and state law by not de-escalating or stopping their pursuit of Ortiz to prevent the danger that Ortiz was creating while he fled.

The NSP officers and employees of the state knew or should have known that their active pursuit would have and did have an effect on the actions of Ortiz which resulted in the collision with Miles, the complaint reads.

Assistant Attorney General Phoebe Lurz said the state has insurance that should cover a majority of the cost of the settlement. Once the Legislature approves the $7.45 million appropriated through the amendment, she said the state should be reimbursed over $4 million, meaning the states net payment for the incident would be about $3.1 million.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of March 2024
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has begun sensitisation programme for telecommunication consumers in Ekiti State on safety measures against cyber theft.

The Commission said the hydra-headed problem of cyber theft had wreaked havoc on many Nigerians, making them lost valuable property and money to fraudsters, who used Information and Communication Telecommunication infrastructures to defraud innocent citizens.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti during the 104th Consumer outreach programme, Jide Azeez of the Consumer Advocacy Group of NCC, urged consumers to be cautious of information they divulge to people on social media and other ICT platforms.

The stakeholders programme was attended by traditional rulers, students, youth groups, faith-based groups, artisans, market men and women as well as civil servants.

While speaking on the theme: mitigating effects of cybercrime: role of telecom users, Azeez disclosed there was need for consumers to avoid unnecessary discussion with unknown individuals on social media platforms.

This, he said, is the best way to fall into the traps and net of the fraudsters.

He added that many Nigerians have lost their lives as a result of trauma caused them by ICT fraudsters, saying consumers must protect their personal data from being stolen by ICT theft.

These fraudsters attack consumers on social media, website where consumers carry out financial transactions by using credit/debit cards. Our mobile devices and computers are the targets of yahoo boys.

So, users must be aware that this fraud and attacks can emanate from any part of the world as long as the devices are connected to the global super highway known as internet.

So, we must take precautions on our SIM cards, by not using preregistered cards .

Follow guidelines on SIM replacement and where you lose your phone, or SIM quickly contact your bank to stop transactions on the account, he advised.

Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, MTS Felicia Onwuegbuchulam, said the programme was packaged by NCC to sensitise and conscientise telecommunication users on how best to protect their lives.

The Director, who was represented by Deputy Director in the Department, Ismail Adedigba, said the NCC will continue to take actions that would protect the rights and lives of consumers.

It is our belief that without consumers becoming aware if cybercrime trends and making efforts to ensure safe use of connected devices, cyber criminals will continue to make ICT space unsafe.

We are concerned about curtailing the activities of dishonest people who are bent on using ICT for illegal businesses and this awareness campaign is part of that strides to make consumers enjoy the fruits if their labour, she said.

She added the sensitisation programmes will help to reduce telecommunication consumers exposure to the antics of cyber criminals.
The Federal Ministry of Education has apologised to the management of Maryam Abacha American University of Niger, Maradi, in the Republic of Niger, over the embarrassments caused to it by a circular from the office of the Head of Civil Service, Zamfara.

The apology was contained in a letter, with reference number FME/S/174/C.2/IX/20, dated 14th March 2019 and addressed to the President Founder, MAAUN, Maradi, Republic of Niger.

This was disclosed in a statement issued in Kano on Friday by the president and founder of MAAUN, Adamu Abubakar-Gwarzo, a professor.

The letter was signed by Mrs Giginna L. I., Education Support Services Development, Evaluation and Accreditation Division on behalf of the Minister of Education.

The circular from Office of Head of Service, Zamfara had directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) under Zamfara Government, not consider certificates awarded by MAAUN Maradi, for any appointment, promotion, advancement or change of cadre.

The State Government further wrote a letter to NUC and Federal Ministry of Education requesting confirmation on the status of certificates awarded by the university.

In its response, the Federal Ministry of Education, through a letter, with reference number FME/S/174/C.2/B/IX/19 and dated 14th March 2019, confirmed the presence of MAAUN Maradi on the ministrys list of accredited institutions in Niger Republic.

The letter further stated that the ministry has approved the evaluation of certificates awarded by the institution for the purpose of employment, promotion, change of cadre, admission and the National Youth Serce Corps (NYSC) mobilisation in Nigeria.

The ministry then drew the attention of Zamfara government, or any other interested organisation, to avoid making hasty conclusion on matters related to recognition of foreign certificates without recourse to Federal Ministry of education.

The letter also requested Office of Head of service, Zamfara to recant publications credited to it on social media that disparaged the credibility of the MAAUN and to write apology letter to the institution to avoid diplomatic damage between the Nigeria and the Republic of Niger.

It should be noted that there is bilateral agreement between the two countries on recognition of educational certificates awarded by either of them.

The management of Maryam Abacha American university of Niger, Maradi, is by this development calling on all graduates and students of MAAUN to disregard any mischief against this great institution as their certificate is internationally recognized.

MAAUN is approved and recognized by both governments of Nigeria and Niger Republic, read the statement in part

Post Views: 75
There are currently over four million jobless people in Kano due to poor development agenda of successive governments.

The Dean of Dangote Business School, Bayero University Kano, Prof. Murtala Sagagi, said this in a paper he presented at a forum organised by Kano Concerned Citizens Innitiative (KCCI) on Saturday in Kano.

The inability of politicians, communities, academicians and other relevant stakeholders to collaborate in comprehensive strategies for economic development and prosperity of the state has made the state to remain backward.

Over 500 industries are currently shut down in Kano due to lack of consensus for development and effective implementation of government agendas and policies, Sagagi noted.

He said that in spite of the efforts of government to revamp the agricultural sector, more needs to be done to revitalise it especially through comprehensive transformation of farming methods.

According to him, the state has done nothing yet to set the agricultural sector in the right direction.

In his speech, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, advised the Federal Government to review its policies on agriculture and industries to provide enabling environment for job creation.

According to Dangote, the Federal Government should also intensify efforts on power generation, lamenting that most industries collapsed largely due to inadequate power supply.

Dangote noted that although government alone cannot meet the jobs needs of all citizens, it was necessary for it to create enabling environment for people to engage in self-employment.

Earlier, Chairman of KCCI, Alhaji Bashir Uthman-Tofa lamented that Kano state currently remains backward and called on all stakeholders to put heads together to rescue the state from current slide.

He noted that not only has Kano lost its status of being the commercial centre of the North, its industrial hubs have remained shut.

Uthman-Tofa, therefore, called on key stakeholders to wake up and salvage the state from its present predicament of collapsed economy, unemployment and lack of investment.

In his remarks, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, frowned at the current condition of the city wall which have been encroached into with corner shops being constructed.

The Emir urged Dangote and Uthman-Tofa to urgently find a way of rebuilding the city walls because of their historical significance.

Sanusi also spoke on the high rate of drug abuse in the North and its attendant consequences on peace and stability of the region.

He said rampant drugs addiction was a result of mass poverty, broken homes, high divorce rates among others.

He also explained that the Kano Emirate Council had set up a committee which came out with suggestions on how to tackle the issues of divorce and abandonment of women by their husbands.

The Emirate Council is working to present a bill to the state government for the state assembly to enact a law that will enforce the responsibilities of the husbands on their wives and children, Sanusi said.

Post Views: 18
Mr Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Thursday in Abuja expressed satisfaction with the level of preparation for the June 12 Democracy Day celebration.

Mustapha disclosed this when he led members of the 2019 Presidential Inauguration and June 12 Democracy Day celebration committee on inspection of facilities at Eagle Square, the venue of the celebration.

He said that the expectation of Nigerians on the Democracy Day celebration was high and that the committee would ensure that their hopes were not dashed.

Preparation is going on very well and we are confident that we will be able to put a befitting Democracy Day.

It is going to be interplay of our culture, military parade and eventually, the climax will be the new Democracy Day broadcast by the president.

I believe that Nigerians are expectant and they will not be disappointed, he said.

President Muhammadu Buhari had in June, 2018 directed that effective 2019 Democracy Day, marked every May 29 for the past 18 years, be shifted to June 12 to honour Moshood Abiola, the winner of the 1993 presidential election.

The Federal government had announced that the 2019n presidential inauguration ceremony would be low-key as a number of the events slated for the occasion had been moved to June 12 Democracy Day.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, a member of the 2019 Presidential Inauguration and Democracy Day Celebration Committee had announced that the official commencement of the new Democracy Day in 2019 was in fulfillment of President Muhammadu Buharis declaration in 2018.

He said that the Federal Government had invited world leaders for the maiden June 12 Democracy Day celebration instead of the inauguration ceremony to save cost. (NAN)
Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, paid a visit to the immediate past governor of Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai.

Kashim Ibrahim Imam, and others were also part of the delegation that met with El-Rufai at his home.

The visit is coming a few hours after the former governor visited the secretariat of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Abuja.

Though the details of the visit are yet to be made public, it has sparked reactions among Nigerians on social media, with some netizens speculating that El-Rufai may become a part of President Bola Tinubus cabinet.

Some others view the visit as part of efforts to stop El-Rufai from dumping the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He won the 2023 gubernatorial election with a landslide victory. Not because other opponents slept during the campaign, but because he performed creditably to the advancement of the state in all facets of development.

His widely applauded generosity of spirit, large-heartedness, liberal disposition and non-antagonistic political and leadership style were in evidence during his hosting of his immediate predecessor, Barr Muhammed A. Abubakars landmark elevation as Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Despite whatever political friction that transpired between them in the less than cordial transition in 2019, when M.A Abubakar unexpectedly from All Progressives Congress (APC) calculation failed to secure, a second term mandate, governor Bala Muhammed led members of the state executive council to celebrate with the erudite legal giant who had risen to the apex of his career in the legal profession, and the first indigene of Bauchi State to attain such status.

The amiable incumbent was munificent in his laudation of his predecessor who responded in kind with no less charitable encomiums on his successor. This perhaps unanticipated fallout of the gesture of Bala Muhammed, as many analysts pointed out, was M.A Abubakars physical presence at the lavish State Banquet, the first of its kind in history, the former was seen publicly or privately in company of his successor at an occasion hosted by the state despite imaginary political differences that was grossly misunderstood, misinterpreted and twisted by blind opponents of good governance.

Balas exhibition of humility, charitableness, and affability that was largely responsible for the rapprochement is symptomatic of his signature political style on display.

In his usual style, Governor Bala Muhammed does not allow the immense powers of the exalted office he occupies to induce in him a sense of hubris.

The photographs of Mr. President and preceding governors of the state relating amicably on that occasion was amply publicized in the media courtesy of Comrade Mouktar Gidado (Special Advisor) Media/Communication to Governor Bala Muhammed, and Bauchi State is most likely the only state with that kind of governance continuity where the governors since creation in 1976 could still affect that degree of cordiality despite the albeit brief break in political transmission with most of the past governors.

While Bala has received accolades for his unaffected and unobtrusive leadership style as governor during his first tenure, others have not failed to paint out what they perceive as a weakness of this disposition to politics in a complex, cosmopolitan city like Bauchi where leadership cannot afford to be perceived as a popularity contest and the governor must be prepared to take some hard decisions to enforce law and public order.

Those who argue for a tougher governance stance on the part of the governor contend, for example, that even though Bala Muhammed was responsible and responsive in reacting to pockets of organized labor protests that rocked several states, exhibiting commendable emotional intelligence in handling the situations, he did not firmly communicate to labor leaders that the state will not tolerate a descent to anarchy. Instead, he initiated an amicable settlement with labor.

After all, the nationwide protests were against the federal governments salary structure, condition of service and other fringe benefits which had nothing to do with Bauchi State civil service directly. Still as a leader, he quickly intervened and brokered truce with labor for the good of the system. Not only that, he had earlier before then, directed payment of accrued leave grants to civil servants while meeting the already steady payment of pension and gratuity to those that deserve.

At a time when security situation in the state capital and few other places was becoming worrisome, the governor, had only an option to ban commercial motorcycle operation. He immediately cushioned the effect with 1000 tricycles that were distributed evenly and extended support to registered vigilante groups operating throughout the state.

Not only that, security agencies operating in the state were supported with gadgets fitted vehicles and other incentives for optimum result excluding other periodic supports.

Then there was the battle for the governors second term in 2023 which was hotly contested and overheated unjustifiably. This was no function of a less-than-exemplary performance in his first tenure.

Indeed, across sectors, the administration had embarked on landmark projects with Bauchi State becoming a virtually construction site across the 20 local governments.

His adroit handling of the Corona virus pandemic early in the life of his administration was a pointer to his no mean leadership capacities. Because he kept his eyes firmly on the ball, his administration successfully midwife the delivery of such epochal projects as the over 3000 housing scheme across six local governments, the completion of the Bauchi Greater Water Supply and the rebranded, befitting Bauchi Government House edifice among others.

The intensity of the 2023 gubernatorial contest in Bauchi State was influenced largely by envy, hate, ethnic factors cum religious propaganda, misdirected youth angst and complacency of few cases on the part of the ruling PDP cadres that had become too used to seemingly effortless success in past elections before 2015.

This also resulted in the partys alienation from several of its traditional high-vote constituencies that displayed apathy to the polls. That the governor still won a reasonable emphatic victory was indicative of the satisfaction of large segments of the electorate with his leadership and performance despite constraining primordial tensions and sectarian pressures. It was a glaring landslide victory even affirmed by the Supreme Court.

What then should we expect of Governor Balas performance in his second term? The anticipation of the people is high and the Governor knows of it. If the morning of the commencement of the second term is an indication of what the day will bring, we are expecting a less pacifist, more activist and a, no nonsense Bala Muhammed who goes for the best.

The governors body language is clear that he will not tolerate the sad news of poor corporate governance, irresponsibility, and managerial incompetence emanating from some components of his government.

Governor Bala Muhammed is an exceptional leader when it comes to service. He works 24/7 round the clock attending to state matters for the service to appreciate. He has groomed us in such a way that we hardly get tired. He sets the pace which we follow. His journalistic training is still very much with him. He is a leader anywhere, anytime and anyhow. We are proud to have the opportunity of associating with him in serving humanity.Comrade Mouktar Gidado (Special Advisor Media/Communication).

Muhammad is a commentator on national issues

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The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a 17-year-old secondary school student, simply identified as Wumi, for allegedly stabbing her foster mother, Mrs Funmilayo Adelayi, to death.

It was gathered that the incident occurred at their residence in Oda, Akure last March 13, 2024.

Confirming the incident, the commands spokesperson, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, said: The suspect is in our custody and we have started an investigation into the matter but the family told us that the suspect had a mental health issue.

So, we are waiting for the medical report to ascertain that. The deceased is a foster mother of the suspect, she had been taking care of her since her childhood.

National Daily gathered that the suspect, who was in SSS2 had to be withdrawn from school at a time when her mental challenge became pronounced.

She was later said to have been enrolled in a private school where she continued her education until she murdered the victim.
Police operatives in the FCT, Abuja have arrested a 28-year-old man identified as Pascal Akuh for allegedly faking his own kidnap.

Akuh was among the suspects paraded at the commands HQ in Abuja on March 20 by the FCT Commissioner of Police.

According to the CP, On March 14, 2023 at about 5:30pm, Akuh Chinemezeh reported at Apo Divisional HQ that his younger brother, one Pascal Akuh, 28 years called him saying he was arrested by Police & taken to SCID custody.

On the strength of this, the police & suspects family went to SCID, IRT and FCID detention facilities, only to discover that he is not in any of the aforementioned facilities.

With the help of a tracker using coordinates, the suspects vehicle was traced to an area in Wumba, Apo.

Acting on this intelligence they traced the suspect to a hotel in Lokogoma later in the night and arrested the suspect.

During interrogation, the suspect confessed that he only faked his own kidnap to prank the lady he intended to marry to know if she really loves him.
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People walk past an apple store in Washington, D.C., the United States, on March 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

The U.S. Justice Department, along with 16 other state and district attorneys general, on Thursday filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Apple, accusing the tech giant of illegally maintaining a monopoly over smartphones.

"Apple has maintained monopoly power in the smartphone market not simply by staying ahead of the competition on the merits, but by violating federal antitrust law," Attorney General Merrick Garland said at a press conference in Washington, D.C.

"We allege that Apple has employed a strategy that relies on exclusionary, anticompetitive conduct that hurts both consumers and developers," said Garland. "Consumers should not have to pay higher prices because companies break the law."

The attorney general said Apple carries out its exclusionary, anticompetitive conduct in two principal ways: First, Apple imposes contractual restrictions and fees that limit the features and functionality that developers can offer iPhone users.

Second, Apple selectively restricts access to the points of connection between third-party apps and the iPhone's operating system, degrading the functionality of non-Apple apps and accessories.

Additionally, iPhone users perceive rival smartphones as being lower quality because the experience of messaging friends and family who do not own iPhones is worse -- "even though Apple is the one responsible for breaking cross-platform messaging," he said.

Apple has justified its practice of regulating downloads through the App Store, arguing that it is essential for maintaining the iPhone's security by minimizing the risk of viruses and fraudulent activities.

Tech giants have been facing growing scrutiny in recent years. After a 16-month investigation into Apple, Amazon, Facebook (now Meta) and Google, the antitrust subcommittee under the House Judiciary Committee released a report in October 2020, arguing that the four Big Tech companies enjoy monopoly power and need more government regulation.

The lawsuit against Apple marks the latest action taken by U.S. antitrust authorities against the "Big Four". Antitrust regulators have also filed antimonopoly lawsuits against the other three.
Nollywood actor, Emeka Ike has welcomed a baby girl with his South African wife, Yolanda Pfeiffer, on his birthday.

Sharing the joyous news on his Instagram page, Emeka Ike expressed his gratitude to his wife while introducing their daughter to the world.

The proud father shared heartwarming images of their adorable bundle of joy, named Chidera Comfort Thando Ike.

He appreciated his wife for the incredible gift and described the arrival of their daughter as a profound source of comfort and blessing to their family.

Reflecting on the loss of his late mother, Comfort Okwuchi Ike, Emeka expressed gratitude for the divine provision of another Comfort in their lives during such solemn times.

Sharing photos of himself, his wife and their new-born, Emeka Ike wrote; ITS A DOUBLE BLESSING FOR ONE LOSS

Happy *BIRTHDAY* to me and WELCOME to baby, Chidera COMFORT Thando Ike

The good LORD has filled the huge vacuum that Mama COMFORT Okwuchi Ike left behind, with another COMFORT Chidera T Ike

My family and l are COMFORTED and cant ask for any better, this solemn times

Thank you to my beautiful wife for taking the pains, of this wonderful gift. I THANK YOU GOD!!!

KanyiDaily recalls that Emeka Ike was recently in the public spotlight as he revisited the issues surrounding his failed marriage and divorce from ex-wife, Suzanne Emma in 2017.
Hanks Anuku



Veteran actor, Hanks Anuku has urged fans to celebrate him now that he is alive.

The actor shared a new photo on Instagram and wrote: Celebrate me and appreciate me now that Im alive.

The Nollywood actor has had a difficult time in recent years. Months ago, specifically in November 2023, he cried out to Nigerians for financial help while revealing that he has been without employment for an extended period.


The Board of First Bank Nigeria, FBN Holdings Plc has appointed Femi Otedola, as it announced the appointment of five new directors.

The Company disclosed this in a statement sent to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), adding that the appointments of the five new directors are subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The Companys secretary, Adewale Arogundade, in the statement, stated that the Board has announced the appointment of Olusola Adeeyo and Viswanathan Shankar as non-executive director and independent non-executive director respectively in FBN Holdings.

The Company also announced Remilekan Odunlami as non-executive director for First Bank while Anil Dua and Fatima Ali were appointed as independent non-executive directors.

The appointments of the five new directors are subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) the statement added.

Adeeyo, a former banker and ex-Chairman of AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, is currently the Chairman of Astral Waters Limited, a water bottling and delivery company.

READ ALSO: FBNH rejoins UBA, Dangote, Zenith, others as Nigerias most valuable listed companies

Shankar, the Chief Executive Officer of private equity investments firm Gateway Partners, previously served as the CEO of Standard Chartered Plc.

Odunlami has served as Director at CitiBank Nigeria Limited and FirstBank. She currently sits on the Board of Access Pensions Limited as an Independent Non-Executive Director and the Board of Rand Merchant Bank Limited as a Non-Executive Director.

Also, Dua has sat on the Board of Dangote GSP Offshore FZE, Seychelles International Mercantile Banking Corporation, Heirs Holdings Oil and Gas Limited, Matador Investment Management Limited and Africa Property Development Managers Limited.

Mrs Fatima Ibrahim All founded Santi Food and Beverage Limited In 2015, drove the companys strategic direction and orchestrated business development efforts that yielded over 300 per cent growth in consumer retail and supply channels within the first five years of establishment.

She currently sits on the Board of Reconnect Health Development Initiative International, a mental health charity organisation and she also partners with other government and non-government organisations to champion the course of education for less privileged children across Nigeria.
With the appointment of Adaora Umeoji as the first female Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, the number of women leading Nigerian banks have risen to an historic high.

Nigeria currently has 25 major banks with the number of female bank chief executives soaring from just one in 2019 to 10 in 2024, representing 36 per cent of Nigerian major banks chief executive officers.

Umeoji whose appointment was announced on Tuesday will succeed Ebenezer Onyeagwu, the current GMD/CEO whose 5-year tenure will elapse on May 31.

Before the announcement, two other females such as Yetunde Oni was appointed as the managing director/CEO of Union Bank of Nigeria in January. And last month, Bolaji Agbede was appointed as acting group CEO of Access Holdings after the death of Herbert Wigwe.

Many other women have paved the way for Umeoji in the banking sector, leading her to be recognised as the 10th female MD in Nigerias banking history.

Miriam Olusanya made history as the first female Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank).

READ ALSO: Zenith bank leads as NGX Banking index showcases remarkable growth

With a background in Pharmacy from the University of Ibadan and an MBA focusing on finance and accounting from the University of Liverpool, she brings 26 years of banking experience and a reputation for strong leadership and financial inclusion advocacy.

Miriam was announced as GTBanks MD in July 2021, and still holds the position to this day.

Yemisi Edun achieved a similar milestone as the first female MD/CEO of First City Monument Bank (FCMB). Armed with a chemistry degree from the University of Ife and a masters in international accounting and finance from the University of Liverpool, she excels in risk management and corporate governance, contributing to FCMBs growth and diversification.

Yemisi Edun has been the MD of FCMB since July 2021.

Halima Buba, MD/CEO of SunTrust Bank, stands out with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Maiduguri and an MBA from the same institution. She champions entrepreneurship and small business development through initiatives like SME Flash, recognizing their vital role in Nigerias economic progress.

Halima has been serving as SunTrusts MD since January 2021 after serving as the deputy general manager in Ecobank.

Ireti Samuel-Ogbu leads Citibank Nigeria as its first female MD/CEO, bringing a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Finance from Middlesex University and an MBA from the University of Bradford. With a background in international banking, she focuses on innovative financial solutions and technological advancements for enhanced customer experiences.

Ireti took on the role of Citibank Nigeria MD in September 2020.

Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe took the helm of Fidelity Bank, becoming its first female MD/CEO since its inception in 1988. Armed with degrees in Law and extensive experience, she spearheads Fidelity Banks digital transformation, aiming to make financial services accessible to all Nigerians.

Onyeali-Ikpe was announced as Fidelity Banks MD in December 2020, and she assumed her role in January 2021, and is still serving in this role.

Tomi Somefun leads Unity Bank with expertise gained from Harvard Business School and Columbia University, complementing her degree in English Language from Obafemi Awolowo University. She prioritizes rural banking and financial literacy, aiming to empower underserved communities across Nigeria.

READ ALSO: Fidelity Bank restricts transfers to Opay, Palmpay, others

Somefun was confirmed by CBN as Unity Banks MD August 2015 and has served in the role ever since.

Kafilat Araoye, MD of Lotus Bank, brings over 30 years of banking experience, advocating for ethical banking practices and community investment. With a degree in History and an M.Sc. in Industrial Relations & Personnel Management, she focuses on sustainable financial initiatives.

Kafilat is the pioneer MD/CEO of Lotus Bank which was registered in May 2021.

Bukola Smith heads FSDH Merchant Bank, leveraging her B.Sc. in Economics and an MBA from Alliance Manchester Business School. Her expertise in investment banking fosters FSDHs growth, while her mentorship supports aspiring female leaders in the finance sector.

She became the MD of FSDH Merchant Bank in April 2021 and still serves in this capacity.

Yetunde Bolanle Oni recently assumed the role of MD/CEO of Union Bank in January 2024, marking a significant milestone in the banks leadership. With degrees in Economics and Business Administration, including executive training at Oxford University, her appointment is poised to shape Union Banks strategic direction.

The rise of female Managing Directors in Nigerian banks underscores the growing recognition of womens potential and contribution to the countrys economic development.

It reflects a progressive shift towards gender equality and inclusivity in corporate governance, signalling a departure from traditional patriarchal structures towards a more equitable and diverse leadership paradigm.
He explained that to be part of the group of happening boys, he dropped out of school, but later regretted his decision and went back to complete his education





Tahir Monguno

Tahir Monguno, the lawmaker representing Borno North Senatorial District, has opened up on how he dropped out of school and planned to become a driver.

The senator claimed that he dropped out because he was trying to attract girls in his community.

He said a traditional practice influenced his decision to leave school.

According to the lawmaker, the trend then was that the best girls usually went for drivers.

He explained that to be part of the group of happening boys, he dropped out of school, but later regretted his decision and went back to complete his education.

Monguno stated this at the Senate session while contributing to a motion sponsored by Adebule Oluranti (APC, Lagos West) on the need to find a solution to the increasing number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.

I now said okay, if that is the case, let me also go and be a driver so that when we line up for festivities, girls will also come and invite me to dance with them. So, because of that, Mr President, I dropped out of school, he said.

Monguno, narrated the story of his early life to underscore the disadvantages of children quitting formal education to pursue other interests.
The family back in Akure received a video showing Agnes and one other tied, gagged, and groaning with blood droplets around them.





The Lagos States Police Command has arrested four suspects, Esther Anyanwu f aged 24, Margret Itodo f aged 25, Agnes Ogbeh f aged 23, and Anthony Chinakwe m aged 24 for faking the abduction of Agnes Ogbeh, to extort money from her family.

A statement released by SP Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesperson of the command, said on March 19, 2024, Agnes Ogbeh, a resident of Akure, had travelled to Lagos and was reportedly kidnapped in Lagos. The family back in Akure received a video showing Agnes and one other tied, gagged, and groaning with blood droplets around them.

The kidnappers demanded the sum of Five Million Naira for the release of Agnes.

Upon receipt of the complaint, detectives of the Command commenced a discreet and diligent investigation into the matter. The hideout was located where Agnes, the other lady in the video and two others were found living freely together.

Further investigations revealed that Margaret Itodo is a professional make-up artist who was hired to make the video look real. All four have made confessional statements and are to be arraigned at the conclusion of the investigation.

Hundeyin added that the state Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade, while commending the detectives for a timely investigation, called on Lagosians to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity around them to the nearest security agency.


 Flash

A man stands on the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on March 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,988, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Thursday.

The ministry said in a statement that the Israeli army killed 65 Palestinians and wounded 92 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 31,988 and injuries to 74,188 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023.

This comes as the Israeli army continues its operations in the Shifa hospital in Gaza City for the fourth day, during which about 600 Palestinians have been apprehended, and more than 140 others have been killed, the Israeli army said in a statement Thursday, claiming all of them are militants.

"Several weapons and intelligence documents" were discovered during searches in the hospital, according to the statement.

Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage.
BLOOMINGTON  A 24-year-old Springfield man has been arrested by Illinois State Police in the Bloomington area and faces charges related to human trafficking.

Marcus D. Bender was arrested March 20 after the ISP Division of Criminal Investigation Trafficking Enforcement Bureau identified him as a person who "compels others into the commercial sex industry through force, fraud and coercion," according to a Thursday evening news release.

Bender is charged with one count of involuntary servitude, a Class X felony, and three counts of promoting prostitution, Class 4 felonies.

The investigation also involved the Bloomington Police Department, the McLean County State's Attorney's Office, East Central Illinois Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigations.

Bender appeared in detention court Friday afternoon, but no further information was available by The Pantagraph's press time.

The news release urged residents to visit the National Human Trafficking Hotline's website to educate themselves on the topic at humantraffickinghotline.org/en/human-trafficking/recognizing-signs.

Those who suspect someone may have been trafficked can contact the hotline at 888-373-7888 or by texting 233733. ISP also can be contacted via email at ISP.CrimeTips@illinois.gov.

Updated mug shots from The Pantagraph Bryant Lewis Derek Roesch Justin M. Mata Marcus D. Wesley Phillip Tinch Trisha L. Hanke William B. Givens David L. Oliver Kenneth E. Funk Jordan R. King Holly M. Isaacson Kenneth L. Minton Tony L. Jackson Britley L. Hilger Jasmine L. Smith Jackie S. Claypool Noah R. Demuth Brandon L. Parsano Alexander N. Williams Carlos Sanchez-Solozarzano Jaylin S. Bones Jordan R. King Dominique M. Banks Austin T. Daugherty Sandra M. Lewis Samantha E. Morris Nolan C. Love Nikkita L. Sandefur Katlin M.B. Wilson Eli C. Garozzo Tysean T. Townsend Curtis J. Byrd Noral K. Nelson Charles J. Tankson Davis, Micah S Livingston, Joshua D. Kevin L. Ewen Emmanuel K. Mpay Ahmad S. Manns Dylan R Mann Tony L. Jackson William R. Linden Zadek U. Moen Zachary T. Willis Cecily M. Sexton Tonisha A. Jackson James A. McConnaughay Jessica M. Longberry Barry D. Guyton Keon E. Spiller Melina Aguilar Carlos D. Cregan Wayne M. Damron Terrance L. Ford Stanley M. Miller Darryl R. Vinson Jarvis K. Heads Wesley M. Noonan Brad Carter Brian K. Burnett Kenneth D. Downey Kenyon J. Bones Brittany N. Greiner Maylon Tate III Maylon Tate IV
BLOOMINGTON  Unofficial election results rolled in late Tuesday night, ending several Republican primary races ahead of the general election in November.

The McLean County Clerk's Office reminded residents the election results will not be official until after April 2 because mail-in ballots are counted up to 14 days after Election Day.

Metamora school district

Voters in Metamora Community Consolidated School District supported the district's request to increase the maximum tax rate dedicated to the education fund, which pays for salaries and other instruction-related expenses. The maximum tax rate for the fund would change from $1.52 for every $100 of equalized assessed value to $2.13 for every $100 of EAV.

District leaders said the measure was necessary after years of state funding shortfalls, noting that 10% of the district workforce had been eliminated in the last three years. Unofficial results Tuesday night showed the measure passing, with 1,690 Woodford County voters in favor to 724 against.

Olympia school district

Residents in the Olympia school district, which reaches into Woodford County, also approved ballot questions to allow the district to increase tax rates for two funds: the education fund and the operations and maintenance fund.

With voter approval, the district is authorized to change the operations and maintenance fund tax rate from 50 cents to 75 cents per every $100 of equalized assessed valuation, and the education fund from $2.90 to $3.40 per $100 of equalized assessed valuation.

17th Congressional District

After an apparent victory for Joe McGraw in the GOP primary for the 17th Congressional District, the former judge is on course to challenge incumbent Democrat Eric Sorensen in November.

Retired judge and former prosecutor McGraw defeated opponent Scott Crowl, a farmer from Milan and a former president of a local of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

The 17th is a C-shaped district that includes the urban cores of Bloomington-Normal, Peoria, Rockford and the Quad-Cities area, along with significant portions of rural northwestern and central Illinois.

State legislative races

105th House District

With the majority of votes counted, state Rep. Dennis Tipsword Jr. is expected to hold his 105th District seat in the Illinois Statehouse, winning over Donald R. Rients for a second time.

The Associated Press declared Tipsword's victory just after 10 p.m. Tuesday.

Tipsword, chief deputy for the Woodford County Sheriff's Department, has served in the House since the start of 2023, after overcoming Rients and two other Republican candidates in the 2022 midterm elections. The incumbent filled a seat left empty by Bloomington's Dan Brady, who unsuccessfully ran for secretary of state as a Republican.

37th Senate District

In the Illinois Senate's 37th District, which stretches from Woodford to Ogle counties and includes part of the Quad Cities area, Republican Liandro Arellano emerged over rivals Tim Yager and Chris Bishop.

Preliminary results on Tuesday night, with 92% of precincts reporting, showed Arellano earned 9,001 votes  just over 50% of the total. Trailing him were Yager with 5,933 votes (33%) and Bishop with 2,864 (16%).

53rd Senate District

Grundy County Board Chairman Chris Balkema of Channahon will be the next state senator for Illinois' 53rd Senate District, winning over three other challengers.

Preliminary results Tuesday showed Balkema with 10,576 votes, followed by Livingston County Farm Bureau member Jesse Faber with 6,866, Livingston County Board member Mike Kirkton with 2,419 and Susan Wynn Bence, chief of staff for departing state Rep. Tom Bennett, with 1,690 votes.

With no Democrat on the November ballot, Balkema will succeed Bennett, who previously served in the Illinois House from 2015 to 2023. He was appointed in January to fill the 53rd Senate District seat vacated by former state Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington.
How Time Flies is a daily feature looking back at Pantagraph archives to revisit what was happening in our community and region.

100 years ago

March 22, 1924: Final arrangements for the "Forty and Eight" state meeting to be held in Bloomington today and tomorrow have been completed. The event program opens with a banquet at 6:30 p.m. at the Lafayette Inn. The Forty and Eight is a patriotic organization of U.S. veterans that was founded in March 1920 as an honor society of The American Legion.

75 years ago

March 22, 1949: A resolution passed by the McLean County Board of Supervisors will place Grade A milk on doorsteps April 1 and thereafter. Roughly 130 producers, most of them in McLean County, have obtained Grade A permits, meaning they have met qualifications for producing clean raw milk as set forth in the regulation.

50 years ago

March 22, 1974: The Unit 5 Education Association negotiating team walked out on Unit 5 Board of Education representatives after both sides refused to offer counterproposals on a salary scale. The team wants a $9,100 base salary plus cost of living; the board's offer was an $8,546 base.

25 years ago

March 22, 1999: Gridley has joined the ranks of communities nationwide that earned the designation of "Tree City USA." The McLean County village is among just 12 Illinois muniipalities in the program, which also includes Bloomington, Gibson City, Paxton and East Peoria.

Vintage Pantagraph newspaper ads for medicine, 'magic' remedies Clover Blossom Extract - Nov. 15, 1883 St. Jacobs Oil - July 14, 1887 Castoria - July 26, 1892 Rheumatic Ring - May 29, 1894 Beefmalt - May 29, 1894 Wakefield's Cough Syrup - Feb. 13, 1908 S.S.S. - April 23, 1908 Olive Tablets - Nov. 20, 1911 Cold-go - Dec. 11, 1911 Dr. Danby - Dec. 11, 1911 Allcock Plasters - March 2, 1917 Olive Tablets - Feb. 23, 1918 Laxative Bromo Quinine - Oct. 16, 1918 Bayer Tablets of Aspirin - April 24, 1919 Bayer Tablets of Aspirin - April 29, 1919 Snake Oil - Nov. 22, 1919 Beecham's Pills - Nov. 22, 1919 Snake Oil - Nov. 29, 1919 Doan's Kidney Pills - March 8, 1920 Bayer Tablets of Aspirin - Sept. 21, 1920 J.C. Hutzell's Eczema Treatment - Nov. 11, 1922 Gude's Pepto-Mangan - April 2, 1923 O-Joy Corn Wafers - March 4, 1930 Dr. Pierce's Favorite Prescription - March 19, 1930 666 Tablets - March 25, 1930 Cuticura - March 25, 1930 Geo-Mineral - Dec. 8, 1948 Anacin - Jan. 16, 1963 Liquiprin - Aug. 27, 1970 Icy Hot - Nov. 20, 1977
BLOOMINGTON  The League of Women Voters of McLean County will host an informational program from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 1613 Emerson St., Bloomington.

The program, titled "Lessons Learned From Elections After the Dobbs Decision," will focus on women's reproductive health. It is free and open to the public.

Rianne Hawkins, senior director of public policy and advocacy for Planned Parenthood of Illinois and Planned Parenthood Illinois Action, will be the guest speaker.

Doors will open at 6 p.m., with the program starting at 6:30 p.m. Coffee and dessert will be served. There will be time for questions and discussion following the program.

Attendees are asked to register at lwvmclean.org/Dobbs before the event.

PHOTOS: Illinois beats Morehead State in the first round NCAA Morehead St Illinois Basketball NCAA Morehead St Illinois Basketball NCAA Morehead St Illinois Basketball NCAA Morehead St Illinois Basketball NCAA Morehead St Illinois Basketball NCAA Morehead St Illinois Basketball NCAA Morehead St Illinois Basketball NCAA Morehead St Illinois Basketball NCAA Morehead St Illinois Basketball NCAA Morehead St Illinois Basketball NCAA Morehead St Illinois Basketball NCAA Morehead St Illinois Basketball NCAA Morehead St Illinois Basketball NCAA Morehead St Illinois Basketball NCAA Morehead St Illinois Basketball NCAA Morehead St Illinois Basketball APTOPIX NCAA Morehead St Illinois Basketball NCAA Morehead St Illinois Basketball NCAA Morehead St Illinois Basketball
 Flash

At the invitation of member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha will pay an official visit to China from March 25 to April 1, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian announced on Friday.
SPRINGFIELD  Nineteen local farms will receive a combined $1.8 million in grants to fund infrastructure projects aimed at developing their ability to produce and distribute food around the state as part of the Local Food and Infrastructure Grant Program.

The grants come from the Illinois Department of Agricultures budget but were managed by the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, a local food and farm advocacy group. Grantees were recognized by a small group of bipartisan state legislators and the Alliance Wednesday morning at a Capitol news conference.

Grants were awarded to farms across Illinois, including several in the Chicagoland area. Five of the recipients will receive the maximum amount of funding, which is $150,000.

One of the farms receiving the maximum grant amount is The Flock Farm in southern Illinois. Brent Glays, a marine veteran and the farms owner, said the hardest part of producing meat in that area is processing it. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture, the closest poultry processing plant is in Central Illinois.

Glays said his farm will use the grant money to build a local U.S. Department of Agriculture-approved poultry processing center and educate other farmers on how to humanely raise animals and process meat. That includes creating workshops on food safety management and regulations.

Im not looking at this poultry plant as a processing facility per se, Im viewing it as a classroom, Glays said.

In Chicago, another $150,000 grant will be awarded to Eden Place Farms, an urban agricultural center. Founder Michael Howard said the grant money will allow them to build new kitchen, storage and processing infrastructure other urban farmers can use to distribute their products.

This is the first tangible funding that has come out of Springfield to urban farms, Howard said.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker did not propose ongoing funding for the budget year that begins July 1, but advocates, including the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, are pushing for legislation to make the program permanent. Senate Bill 3077 would officially establish an ongoing Local Food Infrastructure Grant program with at least $2 million in annual funding.

One of the bills sponsors, Sen. Dale Fowler, R-Harrisburg, said the program is just the start of alleviating our food deserts and food insecurities.

The bill recently passed unanimously through the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Photos: Pritzker Military Archives Center
The impending closure of the Logan Correctional Center, a women's prison in Lincoln, Illinois, has provoked strong reactions.

Those most familiar with the prison say "It's about time; the place is falling apart." Local officials bemoan the potential loss of jobs now filled by area residents.

As one familiar with the prison, I would like to ask a simple question? Why must we have prisons at all? If the purpose of prisons is to prevent injury to the society, prisons are by their reactive nature unable to justify their own existence. Criminals are sent to prison after the harm has been done. High recidivism rates are further evidence of the futility of building and operating prisons.

The existence of prisons can be justified only if punishment (out of a drive for retribution) is the goal. There is little doubt that involuntary incarceration weighs heavily on prisoners. But what good does the pain of imprisonment produce? It's not hard to see why prisoners might leave prison filled with resentment and feelings of loss. Their families are likely to share these negative reactions to the imprisonment of their loved ones.

Granted that society may need institutions designed to contain individuals whose mental illnesses make them a demonstrated threat to society. But once such individuals are restored to mental health there is good reason for returning them to their communities rather than placing them in prisons.

So the question facing us is why would we want to rebuild prisons when they were not needed in the first place? Why not contain the mentally ill who are likely to continue to injure others and instead of punishing them exact restorative reparations while they continue to live in their communities?

Abolish prisons. Don't rebuild them.

Gary Davis, Lincoln
Speaking at a National Policy Dialogue organized by Women in Mining Ghana, in Accra on Thursday, 21st March 2024, The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, has expressed the government's unwavering commitment to partnering with Women in Mining Ghana and stakeholders across the industry to drive meaningful changes for a more inclusive and prosperous mining sector which is fit for purpose.



Addressing the theme of *Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging: Actions for the Mining Sector*, Hon. Jinapor underscored the importance of investing in women's empowerment, aligning with the recent International Women's Day celebrations.



Highlighting Ghana's rich mining history and its pivotal role in the national economy, Hon. Jinapor emphasized the government's vision to position Ghana as the primary hub of Africa's mining activities.



He stressed the significance of inclusivity and justice in broadening participation in the industry, applauding Women in Mining Ghana for its advocacy efforts and commitment to core industry values.



Regarding economic empowerment, Hon. Jinapor pointed out the substantial contributions of women to the mining sector, citing examples of local content initiatives such as catering services, which generate significant revenue, as much as 2 million dollars and over.



He emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for women to participate in all aspects of the industry, especially in the ranks of administration, from entry-level positions to leadership roles, highlighting the need for training and education support in fields like geology and chemical engineering.



"So I charge the Women in Mining to pay particular attention to training because Part of inclusion is training and educating the women to become part of the process from the very beginning. Taking relevant programmes that will make them qualified from the word go so that there is no reason not to include them"



Expressing determination to align government policies with the needs of women in mining, Hon. Jinapor called for collaborative efforts to enhance inclusivity and promote women's success in the sector.



"There is the need to come together to tweak policies and practices that promote gender equality, creating opportunities for women to advance in their careers, and fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity within mining companies". He added.



The Minister in his statement reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to fostering an environment conducive to women's advancement, echoing the sentiment that when women succeed, the nation prospers.



The Chairman of the occasion, Mrs. Judy Nakuor Crayem, CEO of Rapport Services and Member of the Board of the Minerals Commission in addressing the state of women in artisanal mining noted that, although women constitute 50% of labour in the mining sector, they are left out in critical decision making in the industry.



She affirmed that challenges faced by women can be dealt with by providing a level playing field without discrimination for all women in the sector.



Mrs Crayem announced that, WIM in partnership with the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Mining (GNASSM) are offering women other avenues for training in jewellery making and lapidary as an alternative livelihood and also as a way to address the lagging issues in the mining industry.



The President of Women in Mining, Ghana, Mrs. Georgette Barnes Sakyi-Addo, in her welcome statement, explained that after significant research made, aimed at shining light on the realities faced by women in the mining sector, challenges such as access to information, financial resources, and inadequate policies to support active involvement have been identified.



The President continued that the policy dialogue is not just to acknowledge the challenges, but to focus on actionable solutions.



She called on all stakeholders and participants to take the agenda of diversity, inclusion and belonging forward, not just within borders but to the broader African Union and ECOWAS."Let us make this a collective effort, a united stand for a more inclusive and prosperous mining sector"



There were also Solidarity messages given by other Presidents of Women in Mining Africa from Congo, Niger, Nigeria and Namibia.









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
Toyota Ghana Company Limited has introduced a new Genuine Motor Oil (TGMO) into the Ghanaian automobile market to help its customers afford and purchase the original oil in the Ghanaian market.



The New TGMO is specially formulated with optimum cleaning and protection capabilities for your Toyota vehicle, it also provides complete engine protection against friction and heat press for better performance and maximum engine life.



The Managing Director of Toyota Ghana Company Limited, Kohji Yanaka addressing customers said ,this time with focus on the Toyota Genuine Motor Oil (TGMO) and for this period they are running with the theme: Nothing Makes Your Toyota Happier Than Toyota Genuine Motor Oil.





The lifeline of an automobile is clean lubrication. The longevity of your cars engine is greatly assured when you use a genuine engine oil recommended by the manufacturer, he said.



According to him, Using motor oils that are not suitable for Toyota vehicles creates unwanted particle buildup in your engine thereby causing your engine oil to deteriorate faster and reduce the overall life of the engine.



He urged its customers to keep their vehicles functioning optimally that is why the TGMO was specifically developed. Since the introduction of the TGMO into the Ghanaian market, we have seen tremendous growth in its usage. However, we believe there are still more Toyota users who do not know about it, he added



Kohji Yanaka called on customers to partner Toyota Ghana to be a distributor and an ambassador of the oil. We have developed different partnership packages which come with some exciting support and benefits. We will share more details of these options with you in the presentations that will follow my address.

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
Yesterday, In a remarkable display of proactive engagement, a team from Forbes Africa Magazine, representing a pan-African media company, paid a visit to the office of Director-General John Boadu at the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA).



Their mission: to delve into John Boadu's illustrious career as a strategic leader, both in politics and public service, particularly highlighting his tenure as the Director-General of SIGA.



During the interview, Director-General Boadu shared invaluable insights gleaned from his experiences in managing institutions like SIGA, emphasizing their pivotal role in nation-building and economic development.



His depth of knowledge and proven track record captivated the interviewers, shedding light on the significance of effective leadership in shaping the trajectory of state entities.



Following the enriching exchange, Director-General Boadu and his team embarked on a courtesy visit to the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) to gain firsthand insight into their challenges and explore potential government interventions. Welcomed by Managing Director Alhassan Yakubu-Tali and his team, discussions ensued regarding ADB's hurdles and notable achievements.







Director-General Boadu commended the ADB team for their accomplishments and encouraged them to persist in fulfilling their mandate and vision.



Undeterred, the SIGA delegation, under the guidance of Director-General Boadu, proceeded to the Ministry of Finance for a pivotal meeting with Hon. Mohammed Amin Adam, the esteemed Minister of Finance.



Here, Director-General Boadu elucidated the financial obstacles confronting certain state entities, articulating how the Finance Ministry could intervene to restore their former glory.



Graciously receiving the concerns raised, the Finance Minister pledged immediate action, underscoring the government's commitment to fostering sustainable growth and development.



In this tale of collaboration and commitment, Director-General John Boadu emerges as a beacon of leadership, bridging the realms of governance, media, and finance to pave the way for a brighter future for Ghana and its institutions.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Construction works at the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) which is part of efforts to upgrade the Institute into a full-fledged university is about 60% complete.



The project includes the construction of four hostels with a 100-bed capacity each, a 1,200-capacity auditorium, 600 capacity lecture halls, and an astro turf among others.



This was made known when the Parliamentary Select Committee on Local Government and Rural Development paid a working visit to inspect the project.



The Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Emmanuel Akwasi Gyamfi, expressed satisfaction with the progress of work.



He assured that the Committee will facilitate the timely release of funds to ensure that the project is completed as scheduled.



"The visit has given us insight over funding challenges and what is being done and we will look at how best we can support to ensure the timely release of funds to meet the completion date," he stated.



The Select Committee however recommended the inclusion of alternative power supply ie renewable energy and the convention of the astroturf to natural glass to reduce maintenance cost.



The Ranking Member on the Committee, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, on his part also recommended the improvement of security on the campus.



He was of the view that high-profile individuals will be using the facility when completed, therefore security needed to be upgraded to protect everyone.



"I want you to take a second look at improving the security on campus including installation of CCTV to protect the huge clientele including the high profile individuals who will be using the campus," he advised.



He also urged the Institute to market itself beyond the shores of Ghana adding that " with this kind of facilities, we cannot only focus on those within our reach but look beyond Ghana".



The Director of ILGS, Prof. Nicholas Awotwi explained that the construction and renovation of the institute is aimed at the institute becoming a fully-fledged university by the end of 2024 and thereby making it Africa's leading centre of excellence for local governance and development.



A representative from FeDems- the Consultant working on the project, Arch. Vicky Nartey assured that the project will be completed in time if the remaining funds are released on schedule to facilitate the progress of work.



The project which is being funded by the Government of Ghana, through the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) started in January 2023 and is expected to be completed in July 2024.



The physical infrastructure at both the Akumadan and Tamale campuses of the Institute is also being expanded and the renovation of existing facilities is ongoing. The Parliamentary Select Committee is expected to visit these projects as well.



The Institute of Local Government Studies is a public management development and training institution established in 2003 by an Act of Parliament (Act 647) to build capacity for effective local governance through education and training, research, consultancy and advisory services.



Before 2003, ILGS operated as a project commissioned in 1999 by the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development (MLGRD) to enhance the capacities of Local Governments in Ghana.



The Institute is accredited by the National Accreditation Board (NAB) and affiliated to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) with a standing relationship with other reputable international institutions of higher learning.

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Leading communications and broadcasting company, Global Media Alliance, successfully hosted a thought-provoking thought leadership event for the women in the organization as part of the International Women's Month activities.



The event, centered on the theme Inspire Inclusion held on 20th March, 2024 at Silverbird Cinemas, featured esteemed panellists who shared valuable insights and experiences to empower women and promote diversity and inclusion.



The panelists included: Dr. Irene Stella Agyenim-Boateng, Vice Chairperson of the Public Services Commission, Adelaide Abbiw-William, CEO of SES HD Plus Ghana and Fafa Gbeho, Group Head of Human Resource, Global Media Alliance. The discussion moderated by Eunice Tornyi, focused on strategies and best practices for fostering inclusion and empowering women in leadership roles across various sectors. The panelists shared their personal journeys, challenges faced, and lessons learned, inspiring the audience with their stories of resilience and success. They also urged women to make their voices count wherever they find themselves.



According to Dr. Mrs. Irene Stella Agyenim-Boateng, Vice Chairman of the Public Services Commission, women leaders should be mentors for all women. Women leaders need to be able to tell their stories so that other women can be inspired by these stories and know that it is possible to get to the top and you can do that without using unorthodox means but can actually get there on merit, she said.



She encouraged women not to be afraid to take up leadership positions but to believe in their abilities and train themselves to excel in roles they take up.



The CEO of SES HD PLUS Ghana, Adelaide Abbiw-Williams advised women not to be afraid to take up leadership roles in the technology space and also should avail themselves of learning opportunities to grow and develop themselves.



Fafa Gbeho, the Group Head of HR at Global Media Alliance advised women to be apprised of the labour laws that protect them in the workplace to ensure that they are not discriminated against because of their gender.



On her part, the Chief Director of Global Media Alliance, Emma Wenani remarked, "We are honored to have had such a meaningful and impactful event that celebrates the achievements of women and promotes a culture of inclusion. Through the insightful discussions and shared experiences, we are happy to contribute to the growth of the women at GMA and in driving positive change and empowering women to reach their full potential."



Global Media Alliance Thought Leadership event was sponsored by Ghandour Cosmetics and Flow Wellness.



International Womens Day is celebrated every year in the month of March and this year, the focus was on the importance of including women in the development agenda to accelerate progress in society.







Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Minority in Parliament has criticized the Majority for challenging the Speaker's decision to suspend the approval process for nominated Ministers and Deputy Ministers of State.



According to the NDC MPs, the Majority should accept responsibility for the situation rather than shifting blame.



They accused the Speaker of intentionally stopping the approval process, thereby impeding the President and his government from receiving the necessary support.



In a press release issued on Wednesday, March 20, the NPP MPs called on the public to condemn Speaker Alban Bagbin's actions.



However, their counterparts, in a subsequent press statement, described their position as "bizarre and unfortunate" and urged Ghanaians to ignore their rhetoric.



The Minority reiterated that the Majority Caucus is engaging in deliberate distortions and extensive propaganda to provoke public sentiment against the Speaker.



"After falling on its own dagger in Parliament on Wednesday, our attention has been drawn to a mischievous statement issued by the Majority Caucus blaming the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament and the Minority Caucus for the development in Parliament."



"It is bizarre and unfortunate that the Majority Caucus accuses Mr. Speaker of arbitrariness and falsely claims that the Speaker and the Minority are sabotaging so-called government business."



"The Majority Caucus is engaged in deliberate distortions and grand propaganda to whip up public sentiments against the Rt. Hon. Speaker and the Minority Caucus with these false claims, an excerpt from the Minoritys statement said.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com









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Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Majority Leader and MP for the Effutu constituency has raised concerns over what he perceives as a lack of succession planning within the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).



In an interview on the Happy Morning Show mornited by Peacefmonline.com, Afenyo-Markin pointed out the absence of a clear succession plan within the NDC, particularly in light of President Mahama's candidacy and his running mate Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.



He emphasized that this lack of urgency regarding succession could lead to instability within the government, with potential contenders vying for positions from day one.



"With President Mahama having just one term, and his running mate being a retired person, there's no sense of urgency in their government," Afenyo-Markin stated during the interview. "From day one, people will be fighting for succession, leading to instability within the government."



Afenyo-Markin further questioned whether Ghanaian voters would want to support a party that is already embroiled in internal power struggles from the outset of their term in office.



He emphasized the importance of governance stability and called for a clear succession plan to ensure continuity and effective leadership.



Afenyo-Markin further stressed on the importance of foresight and planning within political parties to maintain stability and governance effectiveness.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com









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The Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame has asserted that every step towards passage of the Human Sexual and Ghanaian Family Values bill is "politically motivated".



He, however, prescribes a holistic legal approach to issues by all, and a halt in the "unnecessary tit-for-tat" actions by certain individuals with vested interest in bill.



The Attorney-General, also held that the Speaker of Parliament, Hon Sumana Kinsford Alban Bagbin was either misled or misinformed when he decided to suspend the approval of ministerial nominees until the Supreme Court completely dealt with the anti-gay bill cases before them.



Speaking in an exclusive interview with TV3 monitored by Peacefmonline.com, Mr. Dame said, "Every aspect of this bill is politically motivated. Otherwise, there is really no urgency. I remember mooting the contract management bill, a bill that had the potential to save the state millions of Cedis in judgment debt, passed by parliament in July 2023, it was only presented to the president for his assent about three weeks ago. Every step in this matter is politically motivated.



''This is a time we have to look at things legally, through the appropriate lenses and with all respect stop the unnecessary tit for tat being done by some people," he added.



The Speaker on Wednesday, announced the suspension of the nominee ministers presented to the Parliament by President Akufo Addo.



The Speakers decision to suspend the vetting of the appointed ministers comes in the wake of the Presidents letter to the Speaker instructing the house to cease and desist from transmitting the Human Sexual and Ghanaian Family Values bill for his assent. The Presidency, in his view, awaits the supreme verdicts on the suit presented by some two persons who seek to challenge the passage of the Anti-gay bill.



Reacting to this, Mr. Dame was of the opinion that the Speaker's action was possibly based on a representation of facts or deliberate act of deception and the bill was hastily handled.



I think that it is either the speaker was misinformed or misled by those who were mooting the action, he said.

Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









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

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A gray seal swims in Casco Bay, off Portland, Maine, in this Sept. 15, 2020 file photo. Seal die-offs from the bird flu have been detected everywhere from New England to Chile. Credit: AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, files

Avian influenza is killing tens of thousands of seals and sea lions in different corners of the world, disrupting ecosystems and flummoxing scientists who don't see a clear way to slow the devastating virus.

The worldwide bird flu outbreak that began in 2020 has led to the deaths of millions of domesticated birds and spread to wildlife all over the globe. This virus isn't thought to be a major threat to humans, but its spread in farming operations and wild ecosystems has caused widespread economic turmoil and environmental disruptions.

Seals and sea lions, in places as far apart as Maine and Chile, appear to be especially vulnerable to the disease, scientists said. The virus has been detected in seals on the east and west coasts of the U.S., leading to deaths of more than 300 seals in New England and a handful more in Puget Sound in Washington. The situation is even more dire in South America, where more than 20,000 sea lions have died in Chile and Peru and thousands of elephant seals have died in Argentina.

The virus can be controlled in domesticated animals, but it can spread unchecked in wildlife and marine mammals such as South America's seals that lacked prior exposure to it have suffered devastating consequences, said Marcela Uhart, director of the Latin America program at the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center at the University of California, Davis.

A baby harbor seal rest of Eastern Egg Rock off the coast of Maine in this July 9, 2007 file photo. Seal die-offs from the bird flu have been detected everywhere from New England to Chile. Credit: AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, file

"Once the virus is in wildlife, it spreads like wildfire, as long as there are susceptible animals and species," Uhart said. "Movement of animals spreads the virus to new areas."

Scientists are still researching how the seals have contracted bird flu, but it is most likely from contact with infected seabirds, Uhart said. High mortality has affected South American marine mammals consistently since the virus arrived late in 2022, and birds in Peru and Chile have died by the hundreds of thousands from the virus since then, she noted.

The virus is still spreading and was detected in mainland Antarctica for the first time in February.

The deaths of seals and sea lions disrupts ecosystems where the marine mammals serve as key predators near the top of the food chain. Seals help keep the ocean in balance by preventing overpopulation of the fish species they feed on.

Dead elephant seals line the beach at Punta Delgada, Chubut, Argentina, on Oct. 10, 2023. Bird flu has killed tens of thousands of seals and sea lions around the world and scientists aren't sure how to stop it. Credit: Ralph Vanstreels/UC Davis via AP

Many species affected, such as South American sea lions and Southern elephant seals, have relatively stable populations, but scientists worry about the possibility of the virus jumping to more jeopardized animals. Scientists have said bird flu might have played a role in the deaths of hundreds of endangered Caspian seals in Russia last year.

"The loss of wildlife at the current scale presents an unprecedented risk of wildlife population collapse, creating an ecological crisis," the World Organisation for Animal Health, an intergovernmental organization, said in a statement.

In New England, scientists with the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University found an outbreak of bird flu that killed more than 330 harbor and gray seals along the North Atlantic coast in 2022 turned out to be worse than initially thought. It's possible the seals contracted the virus from gulls by coming into contact with sick gulls' excrement or by preying on an infected bird, the scientists reported.

Dead elephant seals line the beach at Punta Delgada, Chubut, Argentina, on Oct. 10, 2023. Bird flu has killed tens of thousands of seals and sea lions around the world and scientists aren't sure how to stop it. Credit: Ralph Vanstreels/UC Davis via AP

The U.S. government determined the seal die-off was an "unusual mortality event" attributable to bird flu. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has declared the event is over, but concerns remain about a possible repeat.

"Marine mammals are still pretty unique in the scale of the outbreaks that are occurring," said Wendy Puryear, an author of the Tufts study. "One of the connections is there is a lot of virus that circulates in coastal birds. A lot of opportunities for those wild birds to host the virus and pass it on to marine mammals."

Some scientists and environmental advocates say there could be a link between the outbreaks and climate change and warming oceans. Warmer sea temperatures off northern Chile decrease the population of forage fish, and that makes sea lions weaker and more susceptible to disease, said Liesbeth van der Meer, director of the environmental group Oceana in Chile.

A gray seal surveys it's surroundings on a ledge off the coast of Camden, Maine, in this April 25, 2011 file photo. Scientists are working to understand how to deal with the dangers to the seal population caused by bird flu. Credit: AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, files

Scientists and environmentalists are hopeful vaccinating poultry will help lessen the spread of the disease, van der Meer said, adding that it's also important for people to avoid potentially infected animals in the wild.

"Authorities have carried out campaigns about the disease, strongly recommending to stay away from seabirds or marine mammals with symptoms or found dead in the coastal areas," van der Meer said.

Even seals in aquariums are not considered completely safe from bird flu. The New England Aquarium, where outdoor harbor seal exhibits delight thousands of visitors every year, has taken strict sanitation precautions to prevent transmission of the virus to its animals, said Melissa Joblon, the Boston aquarium's director of animal health.

Staff aren't allowed to bring backyard poultry products to the aquarium, and an awning protects the seal exhibit from birds that could carry the virus, she said.

A young harbor seals rests on a small island in Casco Bay, off Portland, Maine, in this Sept. 16, 2020 file photo. Avian influenza is killing tens of thousands of seals and sea lions in different corners of the world, disrupting ecosystems and challenging scientists who don't see a clear way to slow the devastating virus. Credit: AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, files

"We do know that it's a risk for the animals that reside here," said Joblon, adding that none of the aquarium's seals have been infected.

The deaths of marine mammals are even more concerning because of mutations of the avian virus, according to a paper in the journal Nature Communications last fall. The mutations "warrant further examination and highlight an urgent need for active local surveillance to manage outbreaks and limit spillover into other species, including humans," the study stated.

Another study, published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases in February, found the bird flu virus has adapted to spread between birds and mammals. Researchers found nearly identical samples of the virus in dead sea lions, a dead seal and a dead seabird. They said the finding is significant because it confirms a multispecies outbreak that can affect marine mammals and birds.

Dead sea lions are seen on an Atlantic Patagonian beach near Viedma, Rio Negro province, Argentina, in this Aug. 28, 2023, file photo. Bird flu is killing sea mammals from New England to Chili. Credit: AP Photo/Juan Macri, files

Harbor seals keep watch from a small island off Portland, Maine, in this July 30, 2020 file photo. The problem of bird flu jumping from birds to marine mammals, such as seals, is worse than initially thought, scientists say. Credit: AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, file

More seal deaths could disrupt critical ecosystems around the world, said Lynda Doughty, executive director of Marine Mammals of Maine, a marine mammal rescue organization that responded to seals with bird flu during the New England outbreak.

"You need this happy ecosystem. If we're taking out some important species, what is the trickle down effect of that? That's the million dollar question," Doughty said.

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

A Sacramento judge upheld a decision by California's water regulator to cut back agricultural and municipal water use from the San Joaquin River. The decision could lend support for future regulations in the rest of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta system.

It comes amid declining fish populations and increasing pressure on water supply due to climate change. But rather than move forward with strict regulations, the state agency is considering a plan pushed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that would grant water districts more flexibility.

The Friday ruling by Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Stephen Acquisto rejected a litany of lawsuits by water districts against the State Water Resources Control Board's plan to boost river flows and help revive struggling native fish populations.

Agencies that filed suit against the state's plan include large agricultural water suppliers such as the Modesto Irrigation District, Westlands Water District and Merced Irrigation District, as well as the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and city of Modesto.

The judge ultimately supported the agency's water quality plan for the lower San Joaquin Riverincluding the Tuolumne, Merced and Stanislaus river tributarieswhich set specific goals to protect water flows for key fish species such as chinook salmon and steelhead trout.

In his ruling, he wrote there is "more than enough valid scientific evidence in the record to support the Board's general conclusion that increased flows in the lower San Joaquin River and its three eastside tributaries are of critical importance to reviving and sustaining native migratory fish populations."

He denied all the petitioner's claims about the water board's 2018 plan for the river that was passed with much controversy. That included complaints about the water board's process and contentions that the agency had abused its regulatory authority.

In the San Joaquin River, which begins high in the Sierra Nevada and flows through the the northern San Joaquin Valley before reaching the ocean through the San Francisco Bay, sometimes more than 80% of its flow is diverted for farms and cities.

The Delta is ecologically ailing. Populations of salmon, delta smelt and other native species have been on a steep decline in recent years. Regulators shut down the fishing season last year because populations of fall-run Chinook salmon last year were so low.

Under its San Joaquin river plan, the water board would limit diversions during certain times of the year to between 5070% of the river's total flow. Lawsuits quickly followed after the decision. More than five years later, the rules have not been implemented.

Developing regulations for the Delta, the beating heart of California's water supply system, demands not just scientific research but also the ability to balance a variety of stakeholders with competing interestsagriculture, cities, fisheries and ecosystems.

Last week's ruling comes as vindication for the agency as it continues a years long process of updating an overarching plan for the Delta. The 2018 San Joaquin plan was only one part one of the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan, which in itself was the product of nine years of research and stakeholder inputthe plan has not seen a substantial update since 1995.

"It's a real validation," said Felicia Marcus, who oversaw the 2018 plan's adoption as then-chair of the water board. "We have over-diverted from our rivers, for good things like agricultural and urban development, but diverted so much that we've shorted the environment. We were re-balancing the system."

The agency is currently considering two different options for the Bay-Delta plan. Traditional regulations would set a minimum flow standard for rivers, such as the one adopted for the San Joaquin and supported in court. But over the last year, the Newsom administration has promoted another approach.

Called "voluntary agreements," his plan would let water agencies pledge to forgo certain amounts of water while funding wetland habitat improvement projects. The governor has framed the plan as a rejection of "old binaries" in favor of new solutions.

But leading water experts, including Marcus, argue that voluntary agreements would only be successful if used to supplement strong regulation. A recent Stanford University report she co-authored concluded that the current proposal is "a perilous strategy."

"It can't be either or," she said. "A voluntary agreement is only good if it's good and this isn't good enough yet. There's got to be a more concerted effort and you're not going to get it unless you move forward with regulations."

Some environmentalists are less optimistic about voluntary agreements, arguing that they lack accountability to meaningfully improve river flows. Under the agreements, science director at Baykeeper Jon Rosenfield said the path toward native fish extinction would only accelerate.

"In the abstract, this ruling should mean full steam ahead for the water board updating its water quality standards," Rosenfield said. "In the real world, we have a governor actively resisting new standards because he favors a voluntary approach negotiated with water users in a back room, and is forcing the water board to consider if not adopt it."

Managers of water districts such as Westlands in the western San Joaquin Valley, one of the litigants against the 2018 plan, continue to prefer a voluntary approach. Strict flow regulations in the Sacramento River would mean less water for the agricultural powerhouse.

"We're reviewing and evaluating next steps," said Westlands Water District spokesperson Elizabeth Jonasson of the court ruling. "We're fully engaged in the voluntary agreements process... we believe in a comprehensive strategy achieved by working together."

A public workshop on voluntary agreements is expected to take place this spring at the water board but has not yet been scheduled.

2024 The Sacramento Bee. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Map showing localities that produced the fossil specimens described in this paper. (A), location of the Oulad Abdoun Basin, central Morocco; (B), localities of hadrosaurids recovered from Sidi Daoui, Mrah Lahrach, and Sidi Chennane. Credit: Scientific Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53447-9

Why are fossils of duckbill dinosaurs, a North American family, found in North Africa?

Dinosaurs couldn't just walk there. Sixty-six million years ago, when duckbills suddenly appear in Africa's fossil record, the world's land masses formed a series of islands. A seaway divided eastern and western North America; Europe was an archipelago. South America, India, Australia and Madagascar were all island continents, surrounded by ocean.

Africa was an island tooit was impossible to walk there from North America. And yet, somehow, we've now found fossils of duckbill dinosaurs in Morocco.

Continental breakup

Go far enough back in time, 200 million years ago, and the continents are all united into one land mass, the vast supercontinent of Pangaea. At this point, you could've walked between North America and Africa. But this doesn't explain the mystery of Africa's duckbills. Pangaea broke up tens of millions of years before duckbills evolved, and by 100 million years ago, Africa had split off from South America and became isolated.

The first duckbill dinosaurs evolved in North America around 90 million years agoafter all the land connections were broken, when Africa was isolated by hundreds of kilometers of open sea.

But five years ago, our team of paleontologists found the jawbones of a tiny dinosaur in Morocco. These fossils come from a little, pony-sized animal we named Ajnabia odysseus, the first African duckbill. Somehow, little Ajnabia's ancestors got to north Africa.

Now, we've found new fossils in Morocco which deepen the mystery. They not only confirm that duckbills colonized Africa, they show duckbills rapidly diversified once they got there.

More little duckbills

One of these fossils is the partial skull of a new species, Minqaria bata (Arabic for "beak" and "duck"). Minqaria's teeth are broader and blunter than Ajnabia's, and the jaws have a sinuous shape, suggesting it filled a distinct ecological niche. Minqaria also preserves a braincase. The skull bones are tightly knit as in adults, so despite its small size, Minqaria was fully grown.

North American and Asian duckbills were giants: they grew up to 15 meters long and could weigh 10 to 20 tons. Minqaria was just a few meters long and weighed maybe 250kg; Ajnabia was similar in size. Two bones found a few kilometers awaya humerus and a femurcome from bigger duckbills, 5-6 meters long, hinting at a third, larger species.

It seems that once duckbills arrived in Africa, they quickly diversified, exploiting open niches. They may have specialized in the small herbivore niches, where they faced less competition from the giant, long-necked titanosaurian sauropods.

Curiously, Minqaria's skull resembles that of French and Spanish duckbills, confirming our hunch that the Moroccan duckbills are related to the European species. It appears duckbills emigrated from Europe, but how?

Hundreds of kilometers of ocean separated Africa and Europe in the Cretaceous. Emergent islands may have helped to bridge the gap, but there's little evidence for a land bridge. Duckbills couldn't walk to Africa. That leaves us with an ocean crossing.

This seems unlikely, but as Sherlock Holmes said, "When you have eliminated the impossible, then whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth."

There are several ways animals might cross an ocean. Some animals can float long distances. Tortoises float surprisingly well, and can survive months without food or water.

In 2004, a tortoise washed ashore in Tanzania after drifting from the Seychelles, 700km away. The animal had been at sea so long, it was covered in barnaclesyet, astonishingly, it was alive. That's probably how tortoises colonized the Galapagos.

Sometimes animals hitch a ride on floating vegetation. In 1995, after a hurricane hit the Caribbean, a group of iguanas washed up on Anguilla, clinging to debris. They probably came from Guadeloupe, 300km away.

Many species swim well. Deer swim frequently, and have been seen swimming up to 25km between islands in the Great Lakes in North America. Elephants can swim almost 50km to reach offshore islands. That's probably how deer and elephants got to Crete and Sardinia during the Pleistocene.

One way or anotherfloating, rafting, swimmingduckbills crossed water to Africa. Possibly a herd was washed out to sea, then drifted and swam with the currents. And while full-grown duckbills would have been too big to raft, tiny hatchlings could have ridden on floating vegetation. However it happened, duckbills crossed the sea. And since Europe was also isolated from Asia by a seaway in the Cretaceous, they may have first had to cross water to get to Europe.

This sort of thing may be far more common than we think. A number of other perplexing dinosaur occurrences hint at oceanic dispersals. The spread of titanosaurs from South America to North America, and the spread of another tribe of duckbills, the kritosaurs, into South America probably involved ocean crossings.

The big picture

Why does it matter if dinosaurs crossed oceans?

It matters because it shows how rare, extreme, improbable events can have a big impact on evolution. Charles Darwin thought everyday processes drove evolutionprocesses like competition, predation, mate choice. And given time, everyday events will add up to create huge changes. But it's also the case that if you wait long enough, very weird, unlikely things happen. Given time, highly improbable events can become highly probable, even inevitable. Over vast spans of time, freak eventsasteroid impacts, "Snowball Earth" glaciations, massive volcanic eruptions and oceanic crossingsshape evolution. Not just dinosaur evolution, either.

Human evolution could be one of those astonishingly rare occurrences, or maybe the result of a series of highly improbable events. Curiously, when our primate ancestors came from Asia to Africa 50 million years ago, it was still an island. The arrival of primates in Africa, which began the evolution of monkeys, apes and finally Homo sapiens, was also due to an incredibly lucky ocean crossing. A small group of primates was swept out the sea. Against all odds, they survived, perhaps clinging to rafts of floating trees. Then, improbably, they washed up in Africa, survived, multipliedand evolved into us. What the fossils tell us is that evolution isn't just about survival of the fittest. As much as anything, it's about the survival of the luckiest.

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Colorized transmission electron micrograph of Avian influenza A H5N1 viruses. Credit: Public Domain

Minnesota has reported the U.S.'s first ruminanta group of animals including cattle, sheep, and goatsto test positive for avian influenza.

The finding is "significant" because "it highlights the possibility of the virus infecting other animals on farms with multiple species," State Veterinarian Dr. Brian Hoefs said in a March 20 news release from the Minnesota Board of Animal Health.

The animal to test positive was a goat kid, or juvenile goat, from a backyard farm in Stevens County, according to officials.

The farm had a flock of poultry that tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), specifically the H5N1 strain, in February.

Officials said they were alerted to unusual deaths among baby goats on the property in early March.

Before the poultry flock was quarantined and eventually culled due to the presence of the virus, the birds and goats shared a space and drank from the same water source, officials said.

One of the dead goats was brought for testing which revealed the presence of H5N1, according to officials.

"Samples from the adult goats were negative for HPAI and all appear healthy," the board said.

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture "to investigate the transmission of the virus in this case," officials said.

The virus has been found in just over 200 individual mammals including foxes, skunks, raccoons, harbor seals, and bears since 2022, but never in a ruminant species until now.

Stevens County is about a 160-mile drive northwest from Minneapolis and has only one reported outbreak since 2022.

National H5N1 outbreak

The current avian flu outbreak in the U.S.caused by a variation of the H5N1 virus first detected in 1996began in January 2022.

Genetic adaptations allow the new variable to spread easily among wild bird species, leading to an "uncontrollable global outbreak," according to researchers.

The spring migration of wild bird populations brings a higher risk of transmission to poultry birds, officials said.

To date, more than 82 million birds in the U.S. have been affected by the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The mortality rate in poultry, specifically chickens, infected with the virus is 90% to 100%.

H5N1 in mammals

"Mammals appear to be dead-end hosts, which means they're unlikely to spread HPAI further," Hoefs said.

While data on mammals' susceptibility to the virus is limited, small-scale experiments on ruminant species offer encouraging insights.

In 2008, researchers in Germany inoculated four calvesanother ruminant species with the H5N1 virus to better understand their risk of transmission.

All four calves remained healthy and were able to develop their own antibodies to the virus.

H5N1 in humans

The risk to to humans remains "extremely low," according to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health.

"Any risk of infection is limited to people in direct contact with infected animals," the board said.

"To date, no people in the United States have become ill following contact with mammals infected with this virus," officials said.

In April 2022, the U.S. reported it's first and only case of H5N1 in a human, according to the CDC.

The individual was directly involved in culling a population of infected birds. The patient reported fatigue, but made a full recovery, the CDC said.

Over the last 20 years, 882 cases of H5N1 in humans from 23 countries have been reported, according to data from the World Health Organization. Of those 882, 461 were fatal resulting in a fatality rate of 52%.

To protect animals, officials recommend "cleaning equipment and housing regularly, separating livestock from wild animals, and calling your veterinarian when animals appear sick."

2024 The Charlotte Observer. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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A series of Indus seals from Iravatham Mahadevan, a scholar and author who has studied Indus script for decades. Credit: Florida Institute of Technology

The civilization of Indus River Valley is considered one of the three earliest civilizations in world history, along with Mesopotamia and Egypt. Bigger geographically than those two as it unfolded starting in 3300 BCE across what is now Pakistan and India, the Indus civilization boasted uniform weights and measures, skilled artisans, a multifaceted system of trade and commerce, and upwards of 500 symbols and signs for communicating.

But one question has vexed scholars for decades and hindered attempts to learn more about this civilization: Were those characters a language or more akin to pictograms? Even as some experts begin to translate the right-to-left script found in Indus inscriptions, there is little agreement.

"That's a controversy which is not yet settled," said Debasis Mitra, a professor of computer science who is now connected to this quest thanks to a novel grant he was awarded from the National Endowment for the Humanities: "Ancient Script Digitization and Archival (ASDA) of Indus Valley Artifacts using Deep Learning."

Graduate student assistant Deva Atturu, who will defend his master's thesis in April, is assisting Mitra with conducting the grant-funded research. Just this month he and Mitra virtually attended the South Asian Archaeology Conference 2024 from the University of Chicago, where Atturu presented on their work.

The writings they are studying may be a series of symbols like the equivalent of dollar signs and business transaction images, or those symbols may be graphemes, the individual letters or groups of letters that represent speech sounds.

"Both sides have very strong arguments," Mitra said.

He is not looking to solve the argument but to empower those who will by developing a machine learning algorithm for identifying and digitizing the Indus civilization's ancient script. There is a paucity of digitized data that Mitra is hoping to address.

The process uses an automated script recognition (ASR) system to extract coded sequences of graphemes from a dataset of more than 1,000 photographs of Indus seals. Using two-staged artificial neural networks, the ASR has achieved 88% success in detecting graphemes.

Still, the process has been challenging. Often machine learning is empowered by inputting huge amounts of data to basically train the system. In this case, however, there is not much data to enter. And what data there is can sometimes be "noisy" or distorted.

"I work on medical imaging and some of the challenges are similar," Mitra said.

Mitra applies different machine learning elements to the project to try to generate new data or see if another approach may work better. And he also finds himself at conferences not usually on the schedule for computer scientists, like last year's Annual Conference of South Asia hosted by the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, where he presented on this machine learning project.

Attending these keeps him in contact with archaeologists who can feed him more data. "I go to these conferences and try to talk to them," he said.

He also enlists the help of students at the Indian Statistical Institute in his native India. Together they are making progress. They can digitize some motifs and graphemes and, depending on the amount of data, even create a script. Doing that and getting it into a database is the goal of the initial grant funding.

The next phase? Create a system that allows archaeologists in the field to snap a smartphone photo of a text or symbols and have it routed into the database for digitization.

That these efforts are designed to help illuminate and better understand one of the great civilizations in the history of his country is added motivation for Mitra.

"It's part of my history, so there is extra motivation for that. And obviously I see Indian students are very interested because of the same reason," he said. "But one of the first breakthroughs was by a couple of American students who had strong interest in India, and some of them said they visited India afterwards."
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BurstCube, shown in this artist's concept, will orbit Earth as it hunts for short gamma-ray bursts. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab

NASA's BurstCube, a shoebox-sized satellite designed to study the universe's most powerful explosions, is on its way to the International Space Station.

The spacecraft travels aboard SpaceX's 30th Commercial Resupply Services mission, which lifted off at 4:55 p.m. EDT on Thursday, March 21, from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. After arriving at the station, BurstCube will be unpacked and later released into orbit, where it will detect, locate, and study short gamma-ray burstsbrief flashes of high-energy light.

"BurstCube may be small, but in addition to investigating these extreme events, it's testing new technology and providing important experience for early career astronomers and aerospace engineers," said Jeremy Perkins, BurstCube's principal investigator at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

Short gamma-ray bursts usually occur after the collisions of neutron stars, the superdense remnants of massive stars that exploded in supernovae. The neutron stars can also emit gravitational waves, ripples in the fabric of space-time, as they spiral together.

Astronomers are interested in studying gamma-ray bursts using both light and gravitational waves because each can teach them about different aspects of the event. This approach is part of a new way of understanding the cosmos called multimessenger astronomy.

The collisions that create short gamma-ray bursts also produce heavy elements like gold and iodine, an essential ingredient for life as we know it.

Currently, the only joint observation of gravitational waves and light from the same eventcalled GW170817was in 2017. It was a watershed moment in multimessenger astronomy, and the scientific community has been hoping and preparing for additional concurrent discoveries since.

"BurstCube's detectors are angled to allow us to detect and localize events over a wide area of the sky," said Israel Martinez, research scientist and BurstCube team member at the University of Maryland, College Park and Goddard.

"Our current gamma-ray missions can only see about 70% of the sky at any moment because Earth blocks their view. Increasing our coverage with satellites like BurstCube improves the odds we'll catch more bursts coincident with gravitational wave detections."

BurstCube's main instrument detects gamma rays with energies ranging from 50,000 to 1 million electron volts. (For comparison, visible light ranges between 2 and 3 electron volts.)

When a gamma ray enters one of BurstCube's four detectors, it encounters a cesium iodide layer called a scintillator, which converts it into visible light. The light then enters another layer, an array of 116 silicon photomultipliers, that converts it into a pulse of electrons, which is what BurstCube measures. For each gamma ray, the team sees one pulse in the instrument readout that provides the precise arrival time and energy. The angled detectors inform the team of the general direction of the event.

BurstCube belongs to a class of spacecraft called CubeSats. These small satellites come in a range of standard sizes based on a cube measuring 10 centimeters (3.9 inches) across. CubeSats provide cost-effective access to space to facilitate groundbreaking science, test new technologies, and help educate the next generation of scientists and engineers in mission development, construction, and testing.

"We were able to order many of BurstCube's parts, like solar panels and other off-the-shelf components, which are becoming standardized for CubeSats," said Julie Cox, a BurstCube mechanical engineer at Goddard. "That allowed us to focus on the mission's novel aspects, like the made-in-house components and the instrument, which will demonstrate how a new generation of miniaturized gamma-ray detectors work in space."

BurstCube is led by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The BurstCube collaboration includes the University of Alabama in Huntsville; the University of Maryland, College Park; the University of the Virgin Islands; the Universities Space Research Association in Washington; the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington; and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville.
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Credit: University of Colorado at Boulder

In K-12 schools across the country, a new gold rush of sorts is underway: Classrooms nationwide are racing to bring the latest artificial intelligence tools, such as platforms powered by the chat bot ChatGPT, into the classroom.

Alex Molnar, a director of the National Education Policy Center (NEPC) at CU Boulder, sees a danger in this hurry to introduce AI to schools. These platforms, he said, use opaque and usually proprietary algorithmsmaking their inner workings mysterious to educators, parents and students alike.

"What you have is a pocketful of promises that AI will deliver as promised," said Molnar, a research professor in the School of Education. "The problem is there is currently no way to independently evaluate the claims being made."

In a new report, Molnar and his colleagues highlight the potential pitfalls of AI in education and call for an indefinite "pause" in integrating AI into K-12 learning. Co-authors included Ben Williamson of the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom and Faith Boninger, assistant research professor of education at CU Boulder.

Molnar gives his take on why AI is a risky gamble for educationand what concerned parents and others can do to get involved.

Does new technology pose risks to K-12 education?

There have been all kinds of issues associated with the use of digital platforms in schools, even before the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence.

Student data are often not properly protected. For example, there have been all kinds of leaks from third-party vendors, and there's no law or effective policy that holds them accountable. You also have an awful lot of beta testing going on in schools. Marketing claims sound good, but digital platforms often don't produce the promised results and are riddled with technical issues.

Digital technologies have made it difficult or impossible to answer fundamental questions, such as: Who's deciding the curriculum content that gets built into these platforms? Who's reviewing their work?

Could AI make those issues worse?

All of the issues related to digital technologies tend to be amplified by artificial intelligence.

So-called AI uses algorithms and massive amounts of computing power to produce results based on countless calculations of probabilities. For example, what is the probability that the next word in a sequence will be 'juice'? These calculations do not produce 'truth' or even, necessarily, accuracy. They produce probabilistic output.

Currently, the construction and operation of AI algorithms is largely outside of public view and without any public accountability. Nevertheless, school people are being pushed, both by marketers and government entities, to be seen to be in the forefront of this alleged digital revolutionturning more and more school processes over to technologists with little or no knowledge of pedagogy or school curriculum.

A lot of people call AI tools a 'black box." What does that mean?

To use an old-world explanation, imagine if you said, "I'd like to see my child's geography textbook." You might say, "I have some issues here." You could talk to somebody about it, somebody who could possibly explain those issues. But with AI, you can't do that.

You can't go in and say, for example, "How did the scoring on this work?" The answer would be, "Well, we don't know." "How do we know that this content is accurate?" "Well, we don't know that, either."

Is the concern, then, that AI might make decisions in place of educators or parents?

You can use AI to assist you in determining if a child cheated. You use it to determine whether or not a child should be in this program or that program. You can use AI to decide all kinds of things about a child, and the child is locked in with little or no recourse.

Parents can complain all they want. They still can't get the information about the basis for a decision made by AI because the principal doesn't have it. The teacher doesn't have it. The superintendent doesn't have it. It's hidden behind a proprietary curtain by a private vendor.

You advocate for a 'pause' in the use of AI in schools. What would that look like?

The solution would be for state legislatures to, by statute, say, in essence: Public schools in this state may not adopt artificial intelligence programs unless and until those programs are certified by this governmental entitythey'd have to create the entity. It has reviewed these programs. It has said they are safe for use, and it defines what the appropriate uses of the program are and for whom.

In other words, nothing goes in the schools until we have the statutory and regulatory framework and institutional capacity in place to independently assess AI platforms that are proposed for school use.

What can parents, or anyone else, who are concerned about this issue do?

Demand that your representatives take these issues seriouslyfirst of all, to legislate a pause in the adoption of AI in schools. Period. Then they can ask their representatives to create a state entity that is designed to regulate the use of AI in schools.

This is a political problem. This is not a technical problem.

We have a long history of tech companies failing to follow their own rules, which are themselves laughably inadequate. For anybody who's seriously trying to figure out how to responsibly use AI in education, if they're not talking political action, they're not really talking. The technologists won't save us.

More information: Williamson, B., Molnar, A., & Boninger, F. (2024). Time for a pause: Without effective public oversight, AI in schools will do more harm than good. Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center. nepc.colorado.edu/publication/ai
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Students who ride newer, cleaner-air buses to school have improved academic performance, according to a University of Michigan study that documents the effects on students who ride new school buses rather than old ones.

Prior research by Meredith Pedde and Sara Adar epidemiologists from U-M's School of Public Health, found increased student attendance in U.S. school districts that replaced older buses with newer, cleaner buses. Their research revolves around an ongoing U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rebate program that randomly awards funding to school districts to replace old buses with cleaner models that produce less pollution.

In the latest study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, Pedde and Adar linked school bus funding information with standardized test scores and found improvements in reading/language arts and math scores when the oldest buses were replaced with newer vehicles.

Pedde explains more about the study, titled "School Bus Rebate Program and Student Educational Performance."

What are the main findings, takeaways of this latest study?

Our study found that among districts randomly selected by the EPA to receive funding to replace the oldest, dirtiest, buses (pre-1990) with newer, cleaner buses, educational performance improved after the new buses were in use. Replacing newer buses, however, did not show the same benefits. Our findings are noteworthy as the randomized allocation of funding by the EPA allows for strong conclusions to be made on the educational impacts of school districts switching to cleaner buses.

We believe that these results reflect the fact that when kids are riding buses with less pollution, their health is better which leads to them missing less school and learning more in their classes.

What did your study find statistics-wise?

We found that districts selected for the EPA funding that replaced the oldest, pre-1990, model-year buses had, on average, a 0.06 SD higher reading/language arts and 0.03 SD higher math average test scores in the year after the EPA funding lottery as compared to districts not selected for funding.

For context, these results are equivalent in magnitude to average district income increasing by 10% and 4% for the reading/language arts and math subjects, respectively. The magnitude of the reading/language arts impact was also roughly equivalent to 25%30% of the observed effect on test scores for a reduction in class size of seven to 10 students. There was little improvement observed for applicants that replaced model year 1990 and newer buses.

Would you say this current study is less clear-cut on the causal effects between riding old school buses on student academic performance than your prior study linking increased student absences in districts with old school buses?

I think both studies provide strong evidence that there are attendance and educational benefits to kids who switch from riding older school buses to riding newer school buses. The only difference between the two studies is that when we looked at results regardless of the age of the bus that was replaced, we did not see any suggestion of educational improvements overall, while we did find attendance improvements overall. However, both studies found strong evidence of positive benefits to kids from replacing the oldest, most polluting school buses.

Do the results apply to all students or just those with asthma, a student population that can be most adversely affected by exhaust, pollen and dust?

Our results were derived based on average test scores for the entire school district. However, earlier research by Adar found that the improved health and attendance impacts of reductions in school bus diesel emissions in Washington state were strongest among students with asthma, leading us to hypothesize that our attendance impacts are largely driven by reductions in asthma exacerbations among asthmatic students. However, they might also occur due to fewer respiratory symptoms, in general, among all students as a result of reductions in emissions from the newer, cleaner school buses.

What is unique about this study?

Our study leveraged the randomized allotment of clean bus funding to estimate the causal impact on school districts of switching to cleaner school buses while previous studies have relied on districts self-selecting bus replacements.

This random assignment helps to ensure that school districts that adopted cleaner buses are otherwise the same as districts or times without cleaner buses. This design reduces concerns of confounding by measured or unmeasured school district-related characteristics. This is a key strength of this study as compared to all other studies in this area.

Do you want your research to encourage more districts to participate in the EPA's cleaner vehicles program? Is this funding going unused by districts?

Our work suggests that school districts with very old buses would benefit from participating in clean school bus funding programs from the EPA. In addition to millions of dollars of investment by the EPA to hasten the transition of school bus fleets to cleaner vehicles, there is substantial funding also available through the recent infrastructure bill.

Would you advise children to be driven to school by a parent or caregiver instead of riding a school bus?

It's important to note that school buses are the safest means to transport children to school from a traffic accident perspective. Additionally, from a community perspective, there are air quality and congestion benefits to having children ride a bus rather than having 70 passenger vehicles transport the same number of children as one bus.

That said, our earlier work found that asthmatic children riding on older, dirtier school buses experienced the most adverse health and attendance consequences, so special consideration might be warranted if your child has asthma and typically rides an older school bus.

Is there anything parents, teachers, others can do?

In last fall's new infrastructure bill, the U.S. EPA received nearly $1 billion to direct school districts to replace old school buses with newer, cleaner buses. They could find out if their school district has applied to the EPA for school bus replacement funding and if not, encourage them to do so. The EPA program now prioritizes lower-income school districts as well as rural and tribal districts.

Are electric buses preferable to new diesel buses?

While the direct emissions originating from electric buses into the community are clearly lower than those originating from diesel engine school buses, determining the overall benefits of electric vs. new diesel buses is still an active area of research. What we do know, however, is that the most important thing is to replace the oldest buses with new buses regardless of their power supply.

More information: Meredith Pedde et al, School Bus Rebate Program and Student Educational Performance Test Scores, JAMA Network Open (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.3121 Journal information: JAMA Network Open
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Timeline of policy developments for public sector artifi cial intelligence (AI) adoption, April 2018 to March 2024. Credit: Use of artificial intelligence in government (2024)

A new report on the UK government's use of AI offers insight into accelerating its adoption and overcoming the barriers to transforming public services, saving the taxpayer billions of pounds.

The "Use of Artificial Intelligence in Government" report considers how effectively the government has set itself up to maximize AI opportunities.

The National Audit Office report, co-authored by the University of Exeter Business School's Professor Alan W. Brown, finds that AI is in its early stages and deployment remains limitedthough interest and investment in AI are growing.

However, the report warns that the wide-scale benefits of AI will require not just the adoption of new technology but also significant changes in business processes and the workforce.

Gains will only be realized if the UK government ensures that its overall program for AI adoption is supported by a "realistic plan" to tackle its aging IT systems, which addresses skills gaps and improves overall data quality, the report says.

Among the many details included in the study, a survey of UK government bodies found that AI was not yet widely used across government, with just over a third of respondents (37%) having already deployed AI, with typically one or two use cases.

However, the survey suggests that the UK Government is rapidly increasing its AI activity. Nearly three-quarters (70%) of government bodies responding to the survey are piloting or planning AI, with typically four use cases being explored per body.

Credit: University of Exeter

Examples include departments using AI to analyze digital images, automate routine checks as part of application processes, and draft or summarize text.

Alan W. Brown, Professor of Digital Economy at the University of Exeter Business School, said, "The National Audit Office 'value for money' study is an important review of the opportunities and challenges of applying AI at scale. It highlights priority areas for AI deployment and identifies the tensions between government teams focused on driving AI innovation and the range of compliance, reporting, assessment, and governance obligations typical of all public sector activities."

"This study into AI in the UK Government confirms what we're seeing across much of our research into digital transformation at the Initiative for the Digital Economy at Exeter (INDEX)achieving AI-at-scale requires finding ways to balance a wide range of competing concerns and requiring consistent cross-organization communication, extensive knowledge and asset sharing, and alignment of key roles and responsibilities."

"By effectively addressing these considerations, digital transformation in large, complex organizations can be brought more sharply into focus to achieve the potential offered by advances such as AI."

Professor Brown's comments are echoed by Gareth Davies, head of the NAO: "AI offers government opportunities to transform public services and deliver better outcomes for the taxpayer."

"To deliver these improved outcomes, the government needs to make sure its overall program for AI adoption tackles longstanding issues, including data quality and aging 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."
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PCB warning label affixed to a railroad signal power supply transformer dating from the 1930's at CP-SLOPE interlocking, west of Altoona, PA on the Norfolk Southern Pittsburgh Line. Credit: Sturmovik/Wikipedia

A trio of researchers at Chemistry Matters Inc., in Canada, has found evidence suggesting that more polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are being generated today than before they were banned.

In their study, published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, David Megson, Ifeoluwa Grace Idowu and Courtney Sandau reviewed the process used to make several products known to generate PCBs as byproducts to determine the amount generated; they used this data to calculate the estimated annual production rate of unintentional PCBs for the United States.

In the 1980s, PCBs in manufactured products were banned around the world after researchers discovered that the chemicals could make their way into the environment, causing major health problems for animals and humans. But many products are produced via chemical reactions that result in the creation of PCBs as byproducts, which are not being monitored. Because of that, the research team undertook a limited study to make estimates of their own.

To find out which products lead to PCB byproducts and in what amounts, the researchers searched the PubChem database and found 69 such instances. They then looked at the amounts of each product created in the U.S. for the year 2019 and used that to calculate how much byproduct PCB would be produced by all of them.

It came to approximately 43,000 metric tons, more than the 39,000 metric tons produced directly in 1970, the highest known amount per year before the ban.

The research team acknowledges that their estimate is rough and that the real amount could be more, or possibly less, than they calculated. But their main point remainshuge amounts of PCBs are still generated around the world and nobody is monitoring them. It is not known, for example, what is done with them, or if they are being introduced into the environment.

They suggest more work is required to pinpoint which products result in the creation of unintentional PCBs and then to either ban them or regulate them.

More information: David Megson et al, Is current generation of polychlorinated biphenyls exceeding peak production of the 1970s?, Science of The Total Environment (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171436 Journal information: Science of the Total Environment

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Cross-section of curly birch and its plantation. Credit: Lidiia Vetchinnikova

Curlyor Karelianbirch is a mysterious tree with a patterned wood texture and a bizarre trunk shape. Unlike the elegant white-stemmed traditional birch, the Karelian one may seem unsightly at first glance: It is a low-growing, sinuous tree with bumps and bubbles. But the Karelian birch is famous for its wood. With its beautiful shade, patterns, and durability, the material has been used since the XVIII century in the manufacture of furniture, even for the royal chambers. For this reason, the Karelian birch was called the "royal tree" and "wooden marble."

For more than a hundred years, there have been many debates on how the birch acquired such properties. A team of scientists from Skoltech, Saint Petersburg State Forestry University, and Forest Research Institute of the Karelian Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences (FRI KarRC RAS) managed to solve the mystery of the Karelian birch and found that its wood pattern results from a mutation of one gene. The study is published in Scientific Reports.

"Most likely, this is a mutation in one gene, and we know on which chromosome this gene is located. We assume that the breakdown of this locus causes the disruption of normal xylem formationthe main water-carrying tissue in the plantand the manifestation of Karelian birch's pattern in its appearance," said Elena Potokina, the head of the study and a professor at the Agro Center.

What complicates the research and cultivation of Karelian birch is the problem of determining this variety. There are two ways to "recognize" a Karelian birch: either to see the pattern on the cut or to determine the features of the trunk by sightthe second method is often used by experienced foresters. Karelian birch's signs only become visible after eight to 15 years of growth. Even if getting seeds by crossing two Karelian birches, only 60% of all birches may turn out to be Karelian ten years later.

"We were lucky to cooperate with the Saint Petersburg State Forestry University and FRI KarRC RAS. We received a list of phenotypes from colleaguesabout 200 trees in totaland leaves of the Karelian birch, from which we obtained DNA. The specialists of FRI KarRC RAS managed to protect two populations of offspring from crossing Karelian birches," continued Potokina.

"One population was raised to the age of 16, and the other to the age of 35 years. Each tree received a professional assessment from the famous curly birch specialist Lidiia Vetchinnikova regarding which birch trees are Karelian and which are not."

"We generated DNA libraries and sequenced them using GBS technology, which entails sequencing random regions of the genome. After sequencing, we received information throughout the population about those mutations (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) that fell into the pool of random sequences," said Rim Gubaev, the first author of the study, a Skoltech graduate of the Life Sciences program.

"After that, we evaluated the population structure based on these mutations and showed that the curly phenotype is evenly distributed within two populations: this means that the foresters didn't make a mistake and that this phenotype has nothing to do with the population structure. Our study demonstrates that there are no specific subspecies of the Karelian birch in a broad sense. There is a locus in the genome that is responsible for this trait."

The team proposed a molecular marker that can be used to identify Karelian birch in just three hours of laboratory procedures (PCR). The 10th chromosome, where the candidate gene is located, was found to have a significant amount of insertions and deletions.

"We compared this region of the genome in Karelian and European silver birch and found that the Karelian one differs in numerous deletions. Colleagues suggest that this is caused by the high activity of 'mobile DNA elements or transposonsthey move through the genome and are activated by various factors," Gubaev added.

"This region is long for non-Karelian birches, and short for Karelian ones because of numerous deletions. This difference is easy to reveal with a simple PCR. Now, to determine the Karelian birch, it is sufficient to isolate DNA, conduct a PCR test with the primers that we found, and get a result within just three hours. In our sample, the test showed a 92% accuracy."

"The industry receives an instrument that aids in understanding whether a tree will have a Karelian phenotype at any stage of the plant developmenteven on a monthly sproutand thus in choosing a sprout for the plantation. We offer a powerful tool to establish and manage Karelian birch tree plantations for industrial production," concluded Potokina.

The researchers are optimistic that this method will also enable the protection of this valuable and rare red-book variety of birch from being illegally logged in its natural habitat.

More information: Rim Gubaev et al, Dissection of figured wood trait in curly birch (Betula pendula Roth var. carelica (Mercklin) Hamet-Ahti) using high-throughput genotyping, Scientific Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55404-y Journal information: Scientific Reports
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

For many educators today, introducing race into curricula is a fraught proposition. So how do teacherstasked with new learning imperativeseven begin to introduce the subject to young children?

Jacquelyn M. Urbani, an associate professor of early childhood special education at Northeastern University, has published new research in The Reading Teacher that offers direction to help teachers prepare instruction that reflects "the varied experiences of diverse Americans."

Urbani recommends using "read-alouds" of children's books as a way to introduce complex issues to grade-school students.

The researchers note that reading aloud to children is a "common and pedagogically sound practice across grade levels."

"I think books are really a way to get kids just so excited about stories and learning and knowledge," Urbani tells Northeastern Global News.

Urbani says read-alouds also provide teachers with the opportunity to explore children's literature that directly address the complexities of America today.

One book, "Let the Children March," by Monica Clark-Robinson, published in 2018, is offered as an example of a text that teachers can integrate into their curricula.

The picture book documents the Children's Crusade of 1963, when more than 1,000 children and teens skipped classes to march to downtown Birmingham, Alabama, calling for an end to segregation. The march was a key moment in the civil rights movement.

The research provides steps for how to implement the text into second-grade instruction. Teachers should start with an "engaging read of the story" followed by subsequent re-reads; ask open-ended questions to facilitate conversations that "investigate multiple perspectives"; and anticipate student questions.

Researchers outline four key goals for the read-alouds, which include "establishing a safe community, choosing books purposefully, reading in an engaging manner and providing extension and enrichment activities."

Apropos of those goals, Urbani says that teachers should explore topics such as:

How do you establish a community that is respectful of each other, regardless of the age of students you're working with?

How do you choose which books are going to be appropriate?

How do you engage students with the reading, and during the multiple re-reads of the texts?

And how do you extend the topics and reading to other areas of your teaching?

Urbani notes that there have been challenges to "Let the Children March" amid a wave of book bans that have swept over America in recent years. The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom found 1,269 demands to censor library books and resources in 2022, with censors singling out more than 2,500 unique titles. That was roughly twice as many challenges documented in the prior year.

Urbani emphasizes the importance of talking to children about race at a young age. The American Psychological Association in 2020 found that children pick up on racial differences several years before adults typically talk to them about race.

"The research shows that little kids, toddlers essentially, understand racial differences," Urbani says.

More information: Jacquelyn M. Urbani et al, Learning about America's Racial Issues: Beginning Difficult Conversations through ReadAlouds, The Reading Teacher (2024). DOI: 10.1002/trtr.2285
About 60 students, faculty, and staff from local high schools converged on a Crandall Library Thursday for a discussion of all things plastic, but with a focus on single-use plastics such as soda and water bottles, grocery bags and the plastic clam shells and food containers taken from grocery stores. The day included presentations, lunch and discussions about the lifecycle of plastic and the way it burrows into every facet of life, often with debilitating effects.

Guest Speaker David Sayer of Beyond Plastics, a nonprofit organization dedicated to lowering the total tonnage of plastic in the environment, began the day with discussion about the way micro- and nanoplastic particles have been found everywhere on the planet.

He highlighted all the ways that plastic is used on top of plastic, with a school lunch served in a single-use plastic tray and food, such as a bag of chips, in plastic on that tray.

One slide showed precut fruit at a grocery store in plastic containers, a particularly annoying choice for one student who quipped: If only fruits had some sort of natural covering.

Anywhere scientists care to look, plastics can be found, Sayer told those gathered, adding that last year scientists found nanoplastics, the tiniest of pieces of plastic, in clouds. That location joined the long list of other places from the snow and ice of Mt. Everest to the depth of the Pacific Oceans Miriana Trench, about 36,000 feet below the oceans surface.

The particles are found in mothers milk, in a babys poop and in other living beings. Plastics can attach and melt into geography such as rocks and become part of the landscape. At multiple times, he said he was done with examples only to add another. It was all part of his presentation called The Plastic Crisis: Turning off the Tap.

Our only recommendation (at Beyond Plastics) is that we have to reduce plastic production. We have to turn off that tap, the plastic production tap, Sayer said.

After his discussion, students went from the basement of the library to the second floor for break-out sessions involving ways to think about the total plastic production, using plain white rice as stand-ins for plastic bottles produced.

Environmentalists brought a hawk, an owl and a vulture to show, with discussion of the ways that plastic affects animals. Trish Marki of the Wildlife Institute of Eastern New York, told the students that the vulture is the raptor most susceptible to plastic consumption.

That was an echo from Sayers earlier presentation.

Sayer showed a picture of scattered remains of an albatross carcass, with a pile of plastic where its stomach should have been. The plastic likely made the bird feel full so it ate too little and died. However, the story does not stop there, he said.

Since the plastic does not breakdown, other animalsperhaps a carrion-eating vulturecould ingest pieces of the plastic that already killed one bird.

Warren County Solid Waste Coordinator Scott Royael also highlighted something Sayer turned to a number of times: Much of the trouble with plastic was unintentional. Royael said that plastic bottles may have been developed to help get water to locations that did not have it. The bottle was a safe, effective way to transport water, but it is now his job to help reduce that reliance on plastics in the county, he said.

Sayer listed a similar example of water filters designed to clean water and make it safe for drinking. The filters often have plastic components, and the smallest particles leave the filter and enter the water so that a quart of water in a plastic bottle has as many as 250,000 nanoparticles of plastic.

The day was an event hosted by Crandall Librarys new Sustainability Committee, which acknowledged in a statement that plastic plays an important role in the modern world, particularly in the medical fields and PVC piping, but the goal was to educate people about the role of single-use plastics.

Committee chair and local attorney Elizabeth Little-Hogan said in the statement that the library hopes to educate and motivate students about the issue without increasing students eco-anxiety.

Library Director Kathy Naftaly added, in the statement: Libraries throughout the world are discovering that libraries are excellent venues for demonstrating sustainability to our communities. Teaching youth is a good place to start.

Sayer offered some close-to-home changes they might try in their schools, such as asking the cafeteria to hold a no plastics day. Or they can encourage the schools to switch to aluminum cups if they currently use plastic cups and finger foods at various events to limit the amount of plastic ware.

Students from Queensbury, Glens Falls and South Glens Falls participated.
Just completed and awaiting your arrival. Newly remodeled high-end construction throughout this two-bedroom, two full bath, 1st floor 2-unit condo. Owner lives on the 2nd floor. Just steps from the bay and a short stroll to the beach, Ozzie's, Catch, the Longport Public Library, and the public fishing pier with gazebos & rocking chairs to watch the beautiful sunsets on the water. Features include private one-car off street parking with a Tesla EV charger in the driveway, covered front porch with EP Henry cobblestone pavers, new exterior patio furniture, table and chairs, propane BBQ and tools, private outdoor shower, and all new energy efficient windows & 2 exterior doors. The tasteful interior boasts custom furnishings along with : Mohawk top-quality vinyl plank flooring, Wellborn Designer open- concept kitchen cabinets with marbled countertops & above the peninsula bar, glass tiled backsplash and a fully stocked kitchen, for those who love to cook. Cutco knives make meal prep a breeze. The appliances are custom Italian Bertazzoni with convection cooktop and induction oven, dishwasher, fridge, and a Sharp In-Drawer microwave. The master bedroom has a queen size bed with 2 separate wall sconces and a master bath with walk in shower. The guest bedroom has two twin beds. Remote control ceiling fans with light in both bedrooms & living room. Custom tile work throughout. Sound barrier insulation was installed in the ceilings, bathrooms & bedrooms for maximum quiet and efficiency, and a separate thermostat for your personal comfort. Full sized Electrolux washer & dryer, a 55'A smart Samsung TV with sound bar in LR & a 42'A Samsung in master. All closets custom fitted with Elfa Container Store components for maximum efficiency & storage. All new plumbing, electric, HVAC, and central air conditioning complete this fantastic & meticulous restoration. No pets & no smoking or vaping of any type allowed on the property. 4 seasonal beach tags are included. Available May 15 , 2024 - June 27, 2024

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GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP  To link students with potential employers, especially in the education field where there's a shortage of teachers, Stockton University hosted its second annual Education Career Expo on Wednesday.

About 100 students attended the event at the school's main campus.

"The expo was initiated last year in response to the teacher shortage occurring across the state, said Jennifer Houser, Stockton's undergraduate fieldwork coordinator in the School of Education. The aim is to support our partners in their endeavor to recruit the next generation of educators, while simultaneously providing our student-teachers with an opportunity to build their professional network.

About 20 school districts were present at the expo. The expo gave the districts a chance to meet with candidates, which was a first for the Upper Deerfield Township School District, said Peter Koza, the superintendent.

Weve always been able to fill our positions, but this has given us more exposure, Koza said. You get to see the interaction of students and see how serious they are in working with education. That first impression goes a long way.

Students also got the chance to get more information from the districts and got experience talking with administration that could potentially hire them.

My high school principal is here, and it was really strange walking in and seeing someone who I could potentially be interviewing with in the future, said Karly Pratt, a senior at Stockton who majors in psychology with a concentration in elementary education.

New Jersey expanding student loan forgiveness for teachers amid shortage A state education authority is expanding its student aid services in an attempt to increase New Jersey's education workforce.
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE  With races for the Democratic nomination for Senate and the House of Representatives, Cape May County Democrats have decided not to endorse candidates before the June primary.

We felt as though the races were still very much in play, said Marie Blistan, the Democratic leader for Cape May County.

The party membership felt strongly that it did not want the party to endorse for the primary, as has typically been the practice in the past, and that members needed to be unified for the general election, Blistan said.

The process of county endorsements, and of candidates running on a county line in a primary, has come under increasing criticism this year, particularly in the Senate contest. In Cape May County, some Democrats have spoken against the practice for years.

It should be the voters choice. Thats what the primary is for, to pick who we want, said Ted Kingston, of the Strathmere section of Upper Township, who has been a vocal critic of endorsements prior to primaries.

Kingston said he gives the county party credit for the decision this year.

Lets hope it sticks, he said.

Blistan said the decision is only for this year. It could change in future election years depending on the circumstances.

Sen. Bob Menendez says he won't run in Democratic primary U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey says he will not run in the Democratic primary as he faces federal corruption charges, but he is leaving open the possibility that he would reenter the race as an independent later this year if he is exonerated at a trial. Menendez made the announcement in a video released Thursday afternoon. The decision comes as Menendez fights federal bribery charges, along with his wife, Nadine, and three business associates. Menendez and his spouse are charged with taking bribes of gold bars, cash and a Mercedes-Benz in return for the senators help with projects pursued by three New Jersey businessmen.

The top of the ticket is all but decided, with an expected rematch of President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Voters in New Jersey are not likely to wield any influence there in the June primary, much less in Cape May County.

But the race is very much on for the nomination for Senate and for the chance to take on incumbent Republican Jeff Van Drew to represent New Jerseys 2nd Congressional District, which sprawls from the beach towns of Cape May County to the Delaware River in Salem County.

The district went twice for Trump, by narrow margins, and voted for Democrat Phil Murphy for governor in 2017.

For Senate, Murphys wife, Tammy Murphy, is battling 3rd District Rep. Andy Kim, among others, for the nomination to succeed longtime Sen. Bob Menendez, who remains in office under a cloud of federal corruption charges. Menendez said Thursday he wont run in the Democratic primary.

There is also a crowded Republican field for the Senate nomination, including Curtis Bashaw of Cape May and five other candidates.

Van Drew, a former Democrat, has the Republican nomination for another term tied up. Three are running for the Democratic nomination to challenge him, including former candidates Tim Alexander and Carolyn Rush, and Joe Salerno of Lower Township.

Alexander won the nomination over Rush in 2022 but lost that November to Van Drew, who took close to 60% of the vote. A fourth candidate, Middle township resident and Coast Guard veteran Brandon Stafford, ended his campaign this month.

All three Democratic congressional candidates spoke to the Democratic organization at a recent meeting at the Old Court House on Main Street in Middle Township, the site of innumerable debates, meetings and events for both parties for decades.

Atlantic County Democrats back Andy Kim for Senate, Tim Alexander for House of Representatives Atlantic County Democrats gave ringing endorsements Sunday to U.S. Rep. Andy Kim, D-3rd, in the upcoming Senate race and to congressional candidate Tim Alexander.

Representatives of both Tammy Murphy and Kim also spoke. Both have been visible in South Jersey in the runup to the primary, and Murphy was in Cape May recently.

Kingston said he was inspired by the speeches, and the example of small d democracy in action.

Primary ballot positions also are the subject of a federal court challenge filed by Kims campaign, arguing that ballots should not include a party line, that it is not constitutional. The line puts the candidates under the same slogan as the rest of the ticket, potentially providing an advantage compared to candidates listed off to the side.

The campaigns have been battling for county backing up and down the state, with Atlantic County Democrats recently lending their support to Kim.

Both will appear under the Cape May County Democratic organization, as will all three congressional candidates for the nomination, Blistan said.

There are not all that many Democratic voters in Cape May County, with registered Republicans far outnumbering them. The GOP has a lock on county offices, and has for decades, and a majority on municipal governments in the partisan towns in the county.

County records show 32,786 registered Republicans as of the last election, compared to 18,441 Democrats. Thats out of 75,689 registered voters. The only county with fewer registered Democrats is Salem, with 14,487, according to state records. But the numbers there are more evenly split with 15,258 registered Republicans.

A former Dennis Township mayor and member of the county governing body, Van Drew was the countys most successful Democrat in memory, spending close to 20 years in Trenton and working his way up the ticket to a congressional seat. He changed parties in 2019, declaring his allegiance to Trump.

Upper Township Republican nomination to go to a primary A Wednesday vote by the Upper Township Republican Committee endorsed two challengers over the incumbents for Township Committee, setting up a local primary fight.

Within Cape May County, Blistan did not have any names for potential candidates for county or municipal offices.

This year, Cape May County Commissioner Director Len Desiderio plans to seek another term. Since the departure of the previous director, hes the longest-serving member of the county board. He said he was elected in 2002 to fill in the unexpired term of Van Drew when Van Drew became an assemblyman.

He has often run unopposed for reelection, as looks likely this year as well.
Theres a fight for control over the Cumberland County Democratic Party, with a breakaway group trying to end the ability of the county chair to decide who gets the county line.

On Thursday night a group of county committee members  including the Millville and Bridgeton municipal chairs and the Vineland vice chair  met and voted to amend the groups bylaws to stop giving the chair the sole unencumbered discretion to award the party slogan.

Running under the county slogan  also called the county line  gives a great advantage to candidates.

The breakaway group, which claimed it represents a quorum of the Cumberland County committee, also voted to replace Chair Kevin McCann and Vice Chair Bonnie Martin, as well as to remove the steering committee, according to a news release signed by six municipal chairs and three vice chairs.

With the passage of all three motions, no longer will the Cumberland County Democratic Party be run by one person, the release states. This marks a new beginning for the committee, where the people will decide who they want to represent them!

McCann said in a statement on the county committee web page that the meeting was not legal and no action from it would be valid.

To be clear, there is no Cumberland County Democratic Committee meeting scheduled on March 21, 2024. Any action(s) taken at non-sanctioned meetings will be considered invalid and will have no effect on the Committee, McCann wrote.

McCann said he would have to approve the calling of any meeting for it to be official under the committees bylaws.

Neither McCann nor Vineland Vice Chair Joeigh Perella, who sent out the release, could be immediately reached for comment Friday.

On March 7 at the Democratic County Convention, the same group tried to pass similar changes to bylaws, but Perella said then that McCann would not allow votes to proceed.

The convention was then adjourned without making endorsements.

The future of the county line is uncertain, as U.S. Senate candidate U.S. Rep. Andy Kim, D-3rd, is suing to end use of the county line in New Jersey.

Kim is in a tight race for the Democratic nomination for the Senate seat now held by U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, who lost party support after facing multiple corruption charges and has said he is considering running as an independent.

Menendez has pleaded not guilty to various charges.

Earlier this week, state legislative leaders sent out a statement vowing to begin a public process on ballot design in the state. New Jersey is the only state in the U.S. to use a county line design, although Salem and Sussex counties have already gone to a different ballot design. Cape May County Democrats have also said they will not award a county line this year.

Along with rank-and-file members and former Cumberland County Commissioner Director Donna Pearson, those attending the Hampton Inn meeting included a majority of the municipal chairs and vice chairs, including Wanda Cortes, Millville Chair; Damita White-Morris, Bridgeton Chair; LaRae Smith, Commercial Township Chair; Karena Wilson, Down Township Chair; Sandy Acevedo, Upper Deerfield Chair; Marion Kennedy, Fairfield Township Chair; Rachel Green, Millville Vice Chair; Nick Acevedo, Upper Deerfield Vice Chair; and Joeigh Perella, Vineland Vice Chair, according to the release.
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DES MOINES  Proposed legislation that would have banned citizen police review boards in Iowa will not become law this year, a key state lawmaker said Thursday at the Iowa Capitol.

The proposed ban on the boards, previously passed by the Iowa Senate with bipartisan support, will not advance any further in the Iowa House, said state Rep. Jon Dunwell, a Republican from Newton.

Dunwell, who managed the bill in its early legislative steps in the Iowa House, said there are many unanswered questions about the bill and its potential impact, and the proposal needs more work.

Because of that, he said, the bill will not advance any further this year.

With everything on our agenda, we felt it was a better time to wait, do some more work, make sure we fully understand everything thats in the bill before we move forward, Dunwell said.

Under the proposal, all citizen police review boards would have been banned in Iowa. Currently, five cities  Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Coralville, University Heights and Dubuque  have the boards.

The city of Cedar Rapids did not formally register in support of or opposed to the bill, despite requests from advocates for the city to oppose it. The city instead remaining undecided, according to state lobbying records. Mayor Tiffany ODonnell eventually told The Gazette that she favors keeping Cedar Rapids board in place.

I think it has worked really well in Cedar Rapids, ODonnell said. I do believe it is a best practice.

The bill, Senate File 2325, also would have made changes to city civil service commissions that oversee the testing, hiring, promotion and discipline for police officers, firefighters and other civil service positions.

Rep. Sami Scheetz, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, described the bills death as a double-edged sword because while he did not want the proposed ban on citizen police review boards, he did like the bills provisions on civil service commissions.

I think its very good that places like Cedar Rapids that have had citizen review boards that have built community trust, have built stronger bonds between our community and the police force, I think thats critically important for cities across the state of Iowa to be able to have the ability to institute those boards, Scheetz said.

At the same time, obviously anytime theres legislation to protect public sector workers, as a union member and as somebody who works for a public sector union, I think that would have been very good for Iowans to have, Scheetz said, referring to the civil service provisions.

The bill as originally written only contained the civil service provisions. The proposed ban on police review boards was added later, during floor debate in the Senate.

During that debate, Sen. Scott Webster, a Republican from Bettendorf, criticized past discussions about policing policy by Iowa Citys Community Police Review Board.

Webster also asserted citizen review boards give no due process to a police officer at all, even though the Iowa City board, according to that citys code, has only limited civil, administrative review powers.

Dunwell did not rule out further consideration of the bill during next years legislative session. The makeup of the Iowa Legislature will change to some degree with this falls statewide elections.

Its an important topic for all those who have an interest in the conversation, Dunwell said. Whether youre someone whos concerned about police officers, or fire persons, or someone whos got some concerns from the community, its important for all. So we want to make sure we do it right.
A Rock Island man wanted in connection with a shooting outside a Davenport tavern in 2022 was in custody Thursday.

Paris Montrell Randle, 37, is charged in Scott County District Court with one count of intimidation with a dangerous weapon, a Class C felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of 10 years.

Randle also is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of five years.

According to the arrest affidavit filed by Davenport Police Officer Daniel Reeves, at 11 p.m. March 22, 2022, Davenport police were sent to the 300 block of North Pine Street to investigate a report of shots fired.

Upon arrival, officers found a red Dodge Caravan with Illinois plates parked in the 300 block of Pine Street that had been struck multiple times with bullets.

Officers canvassing the area located numerous shell casings and a bullet hole in the front window of Scotts Shovelhead Shed, located at 220 N. Pine St.

According to the arrest affidavit, Randle was attempting to enter the van when he was fired upon by another person. Randle then wielded a handgun and fired back multiple times at the other shooter.

As he was fleeing the scene, Randle fired one round into the front window of Scotts Shovelhead Shed at near point-blank range, according to the affidavit. The round went through the window just a few feet from where a patron of the business was looking out of the window. The business was occupied by several customers at the time of the shooting.

Randle was seen on surveillance cameras before, during and after the shooting, and was positively identified by police officers who were familiar with him from past interactions.

Randle is prohibited from possessing a firearm as he has a felony conviction in Rock Island County for aggravated fleeing and eluding from 2007.

Randle was being held Friday night in the Scott County Jail on a bond of $10,000, cash or surety.

During a first appearance on the charges Friday in Scott County District Court, Magistrate Peter Gierut scheduled a preliminary hearing for March 29.

Davenport police have not said if the other shooter in the case has been identified.
A former Pleasant Valley school board candidate is suing an Iowa journalist over alleged libel in an article about book banning from 2022.

Peter Olsen, the plaintiff, ran for Pleasant Valleys Director District 3 seat in the regular school/city elections this fall but was defeated by Nikhil Wagle, the incumbent school board president.

On Monday, Olsen, through attorney Alan Ostergren, filed a lawsuit against defendants Laura Belin, a capitol reporter for KHOI radio in Ames and lead author of Bleeding Heartland, a progressive website covering Iowa politics; Marie Gleason, a guest contributor for Bleeding Heartland; and Bleeding Heartland, LLC.

Ostergren  a prominent attorney for conservatives in Iowa  also represented Pleasant Valley school board member Jameson Smith in recent controversy over Pleasant Valleys Director District 6 recount, which ended with Smith keeping the seat.

Olsen's suit cites a Bleeding Heartland article titled, How one Iowa school district rebuffed attempted book ban, penned by Gleason and published on May 14, 2022.

The article covered a Pleasant Valley School District Reconsideration Committee meeting on April 29, 2022. The meeting was held to determine whether to remove the frequently-challenged book All Boys Arent Blue from the high school library.

Both Gleason and Olsen attended the meeting, where Olsen spoke in opposition of the book.

In her coverage, Gleason wrote:

As if trying to ban a book werent bad enough, Peter Olsen of Bettendorf threatened the committee with a comment along the lines of, I know who you are, and I know where you live. After a break between the public comment portion and when deliberations were to start, the chair shared that some had viewed the comment as threatening. Olsen was given an opportunity to clarify his remark. (...) He used the time to grandstand and talk about his military experience, which also came across as threatening. He refused to yield the floor, which also felt threatening until the crowd would have no more of it. Because of the disruption, the chair decided to change from open deliberations to closed session.

Citing an audio recording from the April 29 meeting, the suit argues Gleasons accusation that Olsen made a comment along the lines of, I know who you are, and I know where you live  is false  also claiming he did not make that statement or any similar statement.

The suit argues Bleeding Heartland published this statement with reckless disregard for its truth or falsity and the statement itself was not a matter of public concern, causing subsequent damage to Olsens reputation.

It also points to the Bleeding Heartland websites typical unique daily traffic of between 2,000 and 5,000 visitors including lawmakers, staffers and other insiders, the suit states.

While the suit does not explicitly quote Olsens statements, the Quad-City Times/Dispatch-Argus obtained a copy of an audio recording from the April 29 meeting from Pleasant Valley schools.

During the meeting, Olsen is first heard saying this board is going to be held accountable to the decisions about appropriate district library content, saying that it is a parents job to control the sexuality and morality of our children.

After suggesting that the committee consult with Dr. Cory Jewell Jensen, a leading consultant on sex offenders, rapists, child molesters, etc., Olsen later adds the following:

"I'm going to hold your names accountable to this vote because I'm never giving up on this, and there are a heck of a lot of us who are never giving up on this, he said. If you don't love your children the way I love my children, I don't know where this ends  but my kids are going to understand that they have a school board and school members here who have lost the bubble, proverbial speaking.

Olsen declined to comment when contacted by the Times on Thursday.

Contacted by the Quad-City Times on Thursday, Belin referred to her comments published in the Des Moines Register on March 20:

"We have this in the hands of our attorneys, and we will respond appropriately in court," she says in the Register article by William Morris.

Inside the book-ban machine: The rise of 'parental rights' groups and their efforts to ban books Inside the book-ban machine: The rise of 'parental rights' groups and their efforts to ban books Conservative education groups have spread rapidly, frequently in areas with politically mixed populations New conservative book rating sites are fueling book bans Regional groups are also organizing to challenge books: About 1 in 6 complaints nationwide in 2022 were from St. Tammany Parish New state laws support attempts to restrict library materials
An Iowa physician accused of sexually exploiting a patient has been granted probation and will not be placed on the states sex-offender registry.

In March 2023, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reported that a Linn County woman using the pseudonym Jane Doe was suing Dr. Scott Piper of Cedar Rapids Piper Family Medicine, alleging he initiated a personal, sexual relationship that crossed professional boundaries and also involved the regular prescribing of drugs to address mental health issues.

Later that month, Linn County prosecutors charged Piper with sexual exploitation by a counselor or therapist.

Six weeks ago, as part of a plea deal with Assistant Linn County Attorney Katherine Shimkat, Piper agreed to plead guilty to the offense of assault causing mental illness. The prosecution agreed that it would not resist Pipers request for a deferred judgment that will wipe the public court docket of any mention of the case once Piper successfully completes two years of probation.

In addition, prosecutors agreed that while Piper, as a condition of his probation, must enroll in a sex-offender treatment program, his name will not be added to the states registry of sex offenders.

According to the Iowa Board of Medicine, it renewed Pipers medical license in October, seven months after the criminal charges were filed. The board has not publicly charged Piper with violating any of the states rules or regulations on the practice of medicine, and Piper has no history of any prior disciplinary actions.

The civil case that was filed by Doe one year ago remains active, with a trial scheduled for November of this year.

In that case, Doe alleges Piper served as her primary care provider as far back as 2013. Over the years, Piper treated Doe for anxiety, depression, attention deficit disorder and polysubstance abuse, according to the lawsuit.

In September 2020, Piper allegedly sent Doe message that said, Its been a while. Hope you are doing well despite the pandemic and derecho. Been a crazy year, huh? Just wanted to catch up. Scott.

The two then exchanged messages, leading up to an October message from Piper that allegedly stated, So after I cut you off your mom messaged me on Facebook. Accusing me of giving you prescriptions basically for sex. And she supposedly had messages or texts where i asked you to breakfast. I had no idea what she was talking about  She was going to turn me in to the state medical board. It was all weird. I just didnt answer.

Later, Piper allegedly wrote again to say, I certainly dont recall asking you to breakfast. And even if I did, there is nothing wrong with that. Im friends with a lot of my patients.

In April 2021, Piper allegedly messaged Doe and wrote: I want to make sure that you know. My friendship has been one of admiration as you try to overcome your old life  But I want to be clear, in case this is something that you have worried about, that I have no interest romantically whatsoever. Im trying to figure out how to save my own marriage. Thats hard enough lol.

In May 2021, Piper allegedly sent messages inviting Doe to talk, and after receiving no response, wrote: Time for a booty call but no time to get your meds. I see how it is, and later wrote: You suck.

In September 2021, after another series of exchanges, Piper allegedly messaged Doe: Dont you dare get pissy and cut me off like this yet again. I mean, wtf. Im trying my -ing hardest to help you despite being treated like -.

In October 2021, Doe alleges, she and Piper engaged in sex, which reportedly led to messages in which Doe accused Piper of prescribing her drugs to control her behavior  an allegation Piper denied.

In December 2021, Piper allegedly sent Doe a message, offering to run up and drop off your keys and then, in an apparent reference to her treatment, informed her that from now on I cant do anything without a legit appt.

Doe allegedly responded: Right, and what about less 3 am visits for sex with your patient then stop all meds and contact and make it then feel like they did something wrong.

In January 2022, Piper allegedly messaged Doe about some sort of financial arrangement between the two, stating that he got the line of credit converted to a loan and that he was hoping she could begin making payments. All I need is the 2500 and then the 350 that I loaned you from past rent Piper wrote, according to the lawsuit. No interest or fees. Pretty sure you can pay me via PayPal. I have my bank account linked to it. My daughter is needing a new used car soon so we can use the money. Thanks.

The lawsuit alleges Piper knew or had reason to know that Doe was significantly impaired with regard to her ability to withhold consent to sexual conduct, and also claims Piper inappropriately treated her for mental health and substance abuse issues.

In the civil case, Piper has denied any wrongdoing.
A controversial item in a contract agreement between the Pennington County Commission and the Central States Fair banning firearms during the fair was rescinded Tuesday morning at the county commissioners meeting.

'Section H' of the contract between the county and Central States Fairground included wording about a firearms ban on the fairgrounds. The issue took root after several incidents caused concern for the safety of fair-goers.

Until recently the county had a no weapons ban in place and the use of metal detectors at the fair entrances. In a meeting last month, the commission removed the use of metal detectors but delayed a decision on the weapons ban until the Tuesday meeting.

After an executive session Tuesday during the middle of the meeting, the commissioners returned to public session with a dozen people signed up to speak regarding the issue. All of the speakers who signed up to make public comments, spoke on the gun ban at the fairgrounds, stating a ban is in violation of the Constitution, and others reminded the commissioners of their oaths of office.

After a back and forth, 'Section H' was removed from the fairgrounds agreement with a unanimous decision. The commission did not amend or replace Section H and decided the fairgrounds will be governed only by state laws on carrying weapons.

Commissioner Travis Lasseter wanted to avoid any more confusion with extra wording, adding, as long as the commission abided by the law there should not be a problem.

First and Second amendment rights are huge for me, said Commissioner Deb Hadcock, stating she didnt agree with the fairgrounds agreement, adding to leave it to be determined by state and federal laws. She said she didnt believe the fairgrounds could ever be secured enough and when you tell people not to do something they will do it more.

Commissioner Gary Drewes stated there are exceptions with certain special uses of the fairgrounds. Commission Chair Lloyd LaCroix addressed concerns such as beer and guns together, but was content with the settlement on the issue, stating, As it sits now, it is good.

The metal detectors had also been removed from the fairgrounds, as agreed by the fair board at the Feb. 6 meeting.

South Dakota is an open carry state. Those 18 or older are able to carry openly or concealed in South Dakota without a permit. There are exceptions to state law, such as any place posted with signage that does not allow open carry. The state laws apply to the fairgrounds.

South Dakota prohibits concealed carry in locations where alcoholic beverages constitute more than 50% of their business, such as beer tents at the fairgrounds.

"We had a discussion where if something happens, we can have an emergency commission meeting and make some changes, if needed, if we have a violent act where we need immediate action," LaCroix told the Rapid City Journal Thursday.

The Pennington County Commission meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 9 a.m. in the Commission Chambers inside the County Administration Building, located at 130 Kansas City Street, Rapid City.
The South Dakota Department of Transportation held an open house to lay out its planning phase of collecting information on the possible closure of one or more bridges or underpasses along Interstate 90 across Pennington County, between 151st Avenue and the Big Foote Road Exit 121 near the Jackson County line.

The first public meeting was held Wednesday, March 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the New Underwood Community Center.

While no one from the state addressed the crowd in attendance as a whole, a video played on a loop covering a brief history of the bridges, pointed out the crossings under consideration for removal, and the state's reasoning for the removals. SDDOT experts were also on hand to speak one-on-one with residents, asking and answering individual questions.

The study will involve a total of 12 crossing which are considered low-volume crossings. Some of these bridges are thought to have such minimum traffic the cost to maintain doesnt benefit the use of keeping them in service.

The crossings at risk of removal are 151st Ave., 154th Ave., Weiser Road, 164th Ave., 167th Ave., 169th Ave., 171st Ave., 173rd Ave., 175th Ave., Crooked Creek Road, Cedar Butte Road and Big Foote Road.

Any road crossings in the same vicinity not listed in the study are not being considered for removal.

Each one of these crossings are near the end of their life span, which will require critical repairs or to be replaced sometime in the next decade.

Most of the bridges are in good shape structurally, said local resident Jim Wilsey who lives near exit 90. Sometimes some of them dont have enough width or clearance. Theyre going to rebuild the interstate eventually and this is just part of that project.

The I-90 crossing study began in the fall of 2023 and is expected to be completed later this year, possibly in August, but the SDDOT says any action taken would be years from now.

Several factors will be considered in which crossings to remove. Traffic amount, accidents, snow drift pileup, year constructed, condition, does it meet the minimum clearance of todays standards, and geometric deficiencies are all things taken into consideration.

We're here to gather information on the usage of the process, thats it, said Katrina Burckhard, planning engineer with the South Dakota Department of Transportation. No decision will be made at this time. Were listening to what residents are saying, where they live and what bridge they use the most.

Burckhard told the Rapid City Journal any actions taken would not be until 2027, at the very earliest.

It depends on politics. It depends on budget, among other factors, added Burckhard.

Public feedback at the open house in New Underwood was mixed. Some people were furious at the idea and others wanted to see what would be considered and which bridges were more likely to be removed than others, but no answers could be given at the time.

Some people living across the road have land on both sides and are gonna have to go a long ways just to get across, said local resident Wes Reeves. Things wear out and they didnt know that to begin with? They hope to save money, I guess.

Steve Gramm, planning squad leader for the South Dakota Department of Transportation, told the Rapid City Journal the public meeting was to only better understand what the crossings are used for, agricultural or transportation, and how often.

Gramm said it could possibly be beyond 2030 before any crossing is removed.

The South Dakota Department of Transportation has planned to host several other meetings regarding the I-90 crossing study. Gramm said the DOT will post updates online and inform the community for the next public meeting planned for sometime this spring.

SDDOT would like to hear from residents and commuters that use the crossings under consideration for removal. For more information and to fill out a survey, visit www.I90LocalRoadCrossingStudy.com or contact Steve Gramm, SDDOT Project Manager, by phone at 605-773-3281 or email, steve.gramm@state.sd.us.
MISSOULA  Meg Euclide credits her deep-rooted passion for wildlife and ecosystems to countless backpacking and fishing excursions out West alongside her father. Now she is carving out a career for herself in conservation inspired by those cherished experiences.

Euclide is one of just three graduate students at UM pursuing a professional masters degree in wildlife biology. The two-year program includes a unique blend of coursework and hands-on experience, and unlike traditional thesis-based programs, students complete a professional paper. This paper is not just an academic exercise, but a tangible contribution to the field of wildlife conservation.

In May, Euclide will be the first to graduate from the UM professional masters program in wildlife biology.

After finishing her bachelors degree in environmental science at the University of Vermont and spending time working on fisheries- and wildlife-related projects throughout the West, Euclide saw the professional graduate program at UM as an opportunity to merge her academic pursuits with real-world applications.

As part of the requirements of the professional program, she chose to work with local nonprofit Bitter Root Land Trust, having been drawn to the organizations mission of community-driven conservation.

In between classes, Euclide makes the 45-minute drive south of Missoula to Hamilton twice a week to receive mentorship and assist the organization with its work conserving land, wildlife and water in the Bitterroot Valley through conservation easements.

Having the opportunity to take graduate classes while also working on local conservation efforts has been a great way to apply what I am learning and gain experience in the field, she said. Bridging both worlds has been a really great way to learn.

Euclide has helped with every aspect of conservation easement work, from monitoring the easements and writing reports to talking with landowners.

Montana is an awesome place to be involved in conservation efforts," Euclide said. Meeting landowners whose families have been in the Bitterroot for generations and getting to discuss how and why they want to conserve their land has been a pretty unique experience.

This summer, Euclide cowrote a grant with Bitter Root Land Trust that secured $10 million in funding through the Natural Resource Conservation Service to support private landowners in conserving and stewarding forested lands in the Bitterroot. It was her first time writing a grant  a skill set she was hoping to build while in school.

The Bitter Root Land Trust has provided Meg with an experience of being a professional in conservation, Vicky Dreitz, interim program director of UM Wildlife Biology said. It has enabled her to understand how conservation works on the ground, the value of collaboration and that conservation of wildlife and natural resources requires individuals with varying skills.

There are over 1,000 land trusts partnering with landowners and local communities throughout the country, and most are growing to meet conservation demand in their communities, Gavin Ricklefs, executive director of the Bitter Root Land Trust said. As a conservation practitioner and employer, we badly need more people like Meg who have both the academic and practical experience to hit the ground running in their professional careers. Thats what this unique professional masters degree provides.

The origin of many professional masters degrees, including the professional masters in wildlife biology at UM, was to provide an opportunity for working professionals lacking an advanced degree to pursue additional advanced education without the research or thesis requirement, said Chad Bishop, the Wildlife Biology program director.

The professional paper further reflects the fact that those professionals arent conducting research in their jobs but rather working on other types of wildlife management and conservation projects, he said.

At many universities, he added, professional/non-thesis masters degrees are now a standard offering to students regardless of whether they are in a professional position or not.

Employers at the state and federal levels, as well as nonprofits and (non-governmental agencies), are increasingly requesting that universities provide coursework to graduate students that extends beyond what is typical of a research-based thesis degree, Bishop said. Yet it isnt practical for a student to take that breadth of classes if they are doing a research thesis. Thus, some employers are evidently starting to prefer professional/non-thesis masters degrees when hiring certain types of positions.

Euclides funding mimicked UM support for thesis-based graduate students: She was paid a salary, offered health coverage and had her tuition covered.

Dreitz emphasized the importance of the professional masters degree in addressing the diverse needs of wildlife conservation. A students professional paper, for example, may be a management plan for a specific conservation activity.

The professional MS has equal value to a regular MS degree  its just filling in different needs within the field, Dreitz said.

Research isnt for everyone, and its just one skill needed to make an impact on wildlife conservation issues.

For UM, the professional program educates wildlife biologists as the field continues to grow in subdisciplines, Dreitz said. For Montana, its continuing to provide the skills and training to help conserve and manage the states wildlife populations.
What America has to look forward to if Trump is elected is being played out now in Israel. Netanayu's objective is to maintain his grip on his country in order to stay out of jail. His hard-right government, bent on self-preservation, failed utterly to protect Israel from an attack that should have been prevented. The result is a war that should not have happened that inflicts endless suffering on a civilian population, and that lacks any play for it conclusion.
Richmond restaurants on Thursday expressed mixed reviews to the news that Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed legislation to make cocktails to-go permanent in Virginia.

Virginia is the 26th state to make cocktails to-go permanent.

Among the bills Youngkin signed Wednesday was House Bill 688, sponsored by Del. Jay Leftwich, R-Chesapeake, which allows Virginia restaurants to serve cocktails-to-go permanently.

As a board member of the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association, we fought really hard to get cocktails to-go permanently through legislation, Liz Kincaid, owner of the RVA Hospitality Group, which includes Tarrants, Bar Solita and And Dim Sum, said recently. Were really excited to see it come to fruition.

Eric Terry, president and CEO of VRLTA, added: Permanence for cocktails to-go is a great win for Virginias restaurants. It helps our restaurants which are still trying to recover from the pandemic.

The House of Delegates and the Senate passed companion bills House Bill 688 and Senate Bill 635 that would permanently allow to-go cocktails to be sold from bars, restaurants and distilleries, as well as allow alcohol delivery.

Cocktails to-go for takeout and delivery in Virginia were set to expire July 1. The policy was established during the pandemic to help restaurants generate revenue. It was extended for two years in 2022.

During the pandemic, cocktails to-go were a critical source of revenue for many businesses, Andy Deloney, a spokesperson for the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, said in a statement.

Cocktails to-go took off during the pandemic for Richmond-based Cirrus Vodka. On Thursday, Cirrus Vodka was busy making and packaging a large batch of to-go cocktails in its tasting room at 1603 Ownby Lane for the Fredericksburg Food and Wine Expo and other events.

Its a really positive thing for small business owners, said Tom Ellington, sales and marketing director. Our sales of cocktails to-go have stayed fairly consistent, we still offer to go cocktails in our tasting room, through our website and through Door Dash. A lot of people will buy them for parties and events. Its been a really great way to get our brand out there.

Origins date to COVID-19 policy

In March 2020, then-Gov. Ralph Northam announced that any restaurant in Virginia with a valid license to sell wine and beer on-premises could sell wine and beer to go and for delivery without applying for additional permits. Northam announced the change in response to his ban on public gatherings of more than 10 people, enacted to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The ban essentially shut down dine-in business for Virginia restaurants. The change allowed restaurants to have third-party services, such as Uber Eats, deliver their wine and beer.

In April 2020 Northam directed the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority to let businesses with mixed-drink licenses  like restaurants and distilleries  to sell mixed drinks with takeout and delivery orders. It allowed cocktails to-go when coupled with a meal and under safety guidelines for the containers. Cocktails to-go must be sealed, without a straw, and placed in the trunk of a vehicle or in an area that is rear of the drivers seat if being transported.

The General Assembly initially extended permission for cocktails to go for a year, to July 1, 2022, and then for two additional years.

The 2021 legislation, with the initial extension, asked ABC to convene a group of stakeholders to study the issue. In late 2021, the group of about 40 participants recommended extending cocktails to-go for two years while ABC would collect and analyze data regarding compliance with rules. It also recommended legislation to license entities carrying out third-party deliveries and legislation to modify which containers could be used.

While many restaurants were glad to hear the news about the legislation, others expressed ambivalence. Michelle Williams, co-owner of the Richmond Restaurant Group, which manages The Hard Shell, West and East Coast Provisions and The Daily Kitchen & Bar, said that cocktails to-go is such a small percentage of their business that she did not feel strongly about the issue either way.

I believe it is ill advised

Some groups and individuals are directly opposed to the new legislation, expressing concerns about public safety and drunk driving.

Michael Byrne, president of the Virginia Restaurant Association, said that the industry is concerned that the legislation encourages people to drink and drive.

The restaurants I represent dont think its being enforced, therefore its not a good idea, Byrne said. To let someone get a cocktail, to go get in a car and drive away is what this law allows.

Joe Vitanza, a reader from Chase City, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch: I believe it is ill advised and the potential injuries or deaths that it may create far outweigh the benefits to restaurant owners.

Kurt Erickson, president of the Washington Regional Alcohol Program, known as WRAP, said the organization did not take a position on the legislation because WRAP is data driven and it did not have sufficient data to draw conclusions about the policy.

That shouldnt be interpreted that we dont care about the issue, said Erickson. Were an anti-drunken driving organization. We always care about anything that would contribute to this.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 25 states, including Connecticut and Delaware, as well as the District of Columbia, have enacted laws to permanently allow cocktails to-go. Now Virginia is the 26th to do so.

Virginia consumers, restaurants, bars and distilleries can all toast to the fact that cocktails to-go are here to stay in Virginia, Deloney, from the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States said in a statement. Cocktails to-go provide stability for hospitality businesses and offer a great way for consumers to enjoy their favorite cocktails at home.

Top five weekend events: Kings Dominion opening weekend, Dog Jog, Ceramics Kings Dominion opening weekend Richmond SPCA Dog Jog Richmond Ballet's New Works Festival 'Madama Butterfly' 'Coalescence'
University of Richmond officials on Friday identified the person found dead Thursday night in Westhampton Lake on the universitys campus as Christopher Elvin, of New Jersey.

Crews with Henrico County and Richmond police responded to the scene at around 9:30 p.m. Thursday and recovered Elvin's body from the lake, Richmond police spokesperson James Mercante told the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Mercante said no foul play is suspected at this time, and that the incident looks to be a tragic circumstance.

The University of Richmond is mourning the loss of a member of our community. Please take care of yourselves and each other. pic.twitter.com/kj5NU72ED0  University of Richmond (@urichmond) March 22, 2024

Elvin was a sophomore studying business administration and Chinese studies at UR, according to university President Kevin Hallock. He was a member of the ultimate frisbee team and the president of West Indian Lynk, a Caribbean student organization.

We extend our deepest sympathies to Christophers family, his many friends on campus, and all who knew him, Hallock said.

Elvins death has profoundly affected the campus, said university spokesperson Sunni Brown. The university flag will fly at half staff in recognition of Elvins passing, and school chaplains will be available to offer support to students and staff.

The investigation is ongoing.

From the Archives: University of Richmond in the 1970s
Despite the soaking rain at the beginning of the month, the surface soils dried quickly over the past week across Virginia. Strong winds on Wednesday and the especially low humidity provided ideal conditions for rapid fire spread.

As a few trees came down in the strong west winds and power lines sparked, wildfires grew quickly  especially in and near the Shenandoah Valley.

Lighter winds on Thursday slowed down the spread of the fires, but winds will pick up again on Friday, this time from the southeast, the opposite direction from Wednesday. Those winds will not be as strong, and they will begin to increase the humidity, easing the risk of rapid fire spread.

Just when it is needed, soaking rain settles in statewide on Friday night.

Rain tapers off by middle afternoon in Richmond, and around noon in the Shenandoah Valley where the fires have been the worst, effectively ending any additional fire threat.

Statewide, some heavy periods of rain will move through late Friday night and early Saturday morning, so there is a modest potential of flooding of streams and creeks, but the dry weather of the past week has left stream flows lower than normal for the vast majority of the state, so widespread flooding is not expected. Nonetheless, dont be surprised to see standing water in a few places on Saturday morning.

This storm center will be passing just south, then east of Virginia, which means the southeast wind that develops on Friday will turn more from the northeast by late Saturday. Even though it will not be consistently windy while the rain is falling on Saturday, wind speeds will increase to 15-25 mph Saturday night and Sunday, with some gusts approaching 40 mph on Sunday.

The stronger onshore winds this weekend may yield minor tidal flooding from the lower James and York rivers and the north facing shores of Hampton Roads communities. These are also the locations where the rain will be heaviest and the wind will be strongest, so be prepared for windswept rain if heading toward the Virginia waterfront or the northern Outer Banks this weekend.

Aside from the winds, Sunday will be sunny in Richmond, but the afternoon will hold in the 50s with that chilly northeast wind. Wind speeds will ease on Monday, but continue from the northeast, as a strong cell of high pressure in southeastern Canada will funnel cool air southward down the eastern side of the Appalachians for a couple of days. This will lead to the unusual situation on Monday where Virginias mountains will be a few degrees warmer than the areas east of the Blue Ridge.

Richmond will not go long before the next rain arrives, as the next system approaches Wednesday into Thursday of next week. Many questions remain about the precise timing and intensity of that storm, but early indications are for another modest soaking rain of at least a half-inch.

But that should give us a dry final Saturday of the month in the storms wake, something that has been tough to find so far in 2024.

Close The Washington Monument is seen from the Tidal Basin amid cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Visitors walk along the Tidal Basin beneath cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Visitors walk beneath cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week along the Tidal Basin in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Cherry blossoms flower on a cherry tree, which enter their peak bloom this week along the Tidal Basin in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) A visitor takes a photo amid cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week along the Tidal Basin in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Visitors gather beneath cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week along the Tidal Basin in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. The Washington Monument is seen on the left. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Visitors walk beneath cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week along the Tidal Basin in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) A visitor takes a photo along the Tidal Basin amid cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) A visitor takes a photo of cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week along the Tidal Basin in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) The Washington Monument is seen from the Tidal Basin amid cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) A visitor walks along the Tidal Basin beneath cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Visitors walk along the Tidal Basin beneath cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Visitors walk along the Tidal Basin past cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) The Jefferson Memorial is seen amid cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week along the Tidal Basin in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Visitors walk along the Tidal Basin beneath cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) The Washington Monument is seen from the Tidal Basin amid cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Visitors walk along the Tidal Basin beneath cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Visitors walk along the Tidal Basin beneath cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) A visitor takes a photo of cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week along the Tidal Basin in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) A visitor walks along the Tidal Basin beneath cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Photos: DC cherry blossoms reach peak bloom at earliest date of last 21 years According to the National Park Service, the cherry trees in the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., reached peak bloom this year on March 17. According to NPS data, that's the earliest date in the last 21 years. Past peak blooms have been as early as March 15 (1990) and as late as April 18 (1958). The Washington Monument is seen from the Tidal Basin amid cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Visitors walk along the Tidal Basin beneath cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Visitors walk beneath cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week along the Tidal Basin in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Cherry blossoms flower on a cherry tree, which enter their peak bloom this week along the Tidal Basin in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) A visitor takes a photo amid cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week along the Tidal Basin in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Visitors gather beneath cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week along the Tidal Basin in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. The Washington Monument is seen on the left. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Visitors walk beneath cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week along the Tidal Basin in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) A visitor takes a photo along the Tidal Basin amid cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) A visitor takes a photo of cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week along the Tidal Basin in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) The Washington Monument is seen from the Tidal Basin amid cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) A visitor walks along the Tidal Basin beneath cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Visitors walk along the Tidal Basin beneath cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Visitors walk along the Tidal Basin past cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) The Jefferson Memorial is seen amid cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week along the Tidal Basin in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Visitors walk along the Tidal Basin beneath cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) The Washington Monument is seen from the Tidal Basin amid cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Visitors walk along the Tidal Basin beneath cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Visitors walk along the Tidal Basin beneath cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) A visitor takes a photo of cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week along the Tidal Basin in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) A visitor walks along the Tidal Basin beneath cherry blossoms, which enter their peak bloom this week in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
The U.S. Department of Education found that Virginia fixed significant issues with its special education programs that had been an issue since 2019. It also found new, less serious issues with the states compliance with federal special education law.

The federal education departments Office of Special Education Programs sent a letter last week that identifies new areas in which Virginia is out of compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. That federal law, passed in 1975, ensures that students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education.

The new monitoring report identifies issues with the states complaint procedures for parents, confidentiality guidance, independent educational evaluations, and due process issues. The fixes for the issues are mostly regulatory. The state education department will bring the several regulatory actions to the Board of Education next week to bring the department into compliance with many of federal offices new recommendations.

Last year, the U.S. Department of Education threatened to withhold federal funding from the state and said that Virginia had one year to get into compliance with the law before it could face sanctions. Virginia is now in compliance with those issues, first raised in June 2020 during then-Gov. Ralph Northams administration, and that monitoring report is closed out.

We are pleased that OSEP has acknowledged the significant improvements in Virginias special education programs and that previous issues cited have been corrected and resolved, said Todd Reid, a spokesman for the state education department. Our focus is on providing the highest quality programs for Virginias special education students.

The 2020 report found that Virginia inadequately oversaw special education complaints against local school systems. It also criticized the state agencys lack of procedures in responding to and monitoring complaints related to special education programs.

A 2022 letter raised concerns that Virginias deficient leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic may have led to noncompliance by school districts.

Virginia Superintendent Lisa Coons in a letter to the U.S. Department of Education last week thanked the department for working with the Virginia education department to recommend changes to help improve services to children with disabilities.

We are committed to ensuring all children in Virginia receive high-quality instruction, with strong systems of parent and family engagement, prioritized monitoring and support, as well as an emphasis on postsecondary pathways for all learners, Coons wrote.

The Virginia Department of Education provided a plan of corrective actions for last weeks monitoring report that include regulatory changes, following up on pending monitoring of local school divisions, changes in state education department guidance and a change to the model state complaint form.

Virginias ability to properly serve students with disabilities is a longstanding issue.

A study in 2020 by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, the legislatures watchdog agency, found that Virginia school divisions rely on underprepared teachers to fill gaps in special education teaching positions. The same study found that the state education department rarely ensures that noncompliance is corrected or that any negative effects of noncompliance on students are remedied through makeup services.

At Coons request, the state education department last year commissioned two external evaluations of Virginias special education programs and is using feedback from those reports to develop a new strategic plan for special education. The education department paid $200,00 for the experts reviews and recommendations.

9 Richmond-area restaurants that closed in 2024 Hurleys Tavern SB's Main Street Love Shack Nick's Roman Terrace Baker's Crust City Dogs District 5 Nama Indian Hatch Local Food Hall Coco + Hazel
Electric cooperative members interested in installing solar panels had a point with their concerns that the co-op board was not listening to them, the state Court of Appeals has ruled.

That concern started 12 years ago when members asked the Rappahannock Electric Cooperative board to disclose monthly fees and was heightened in 2017 when the board wanted to double its monthly access charge.

That move on the access charge, the members argued, was meant to discourage them from installing solar panels to cut the amount of electricity they received from the cooperative.

The cooperative serves 170,000 people in 22 counties, from Frederick County at the northern end of the Shenandoah Valley through northern Hanover County to King and Queen County in the Middle Peninsula.

The appeals court ruled for the members challenge to the cooperatives requirement that it takes a two-thirds vote of members to amend or repeal bylaws.

It held that the supermajority requirement was not legal under Virginias non-stock companies act.

Co-operatives are governed by this act because they are owned by their customers and are supposed to operate for their benefit.

But the appeals court did not agree with the members argument that a lower court should have ordered the board to implement bylaw changes that would require the board to disclose directors pay and that dealt with voting by proxy at membership meetings.

The most significant thing is rejecting the arguments of the board that it can ignore members, with the supermajority ruling, said Seth Heald, one of the co-op members who sued.

Casey Hollins, the RECs communications manager, said the cooperative is pleased with the appeals court ruling on the proxy voting bylaw proposal. It is also pleased with the trial courts decision in favor of REC on the petitioners proposal for a bylaw requiring board meetings be open to members.

She said the cooperative has already changed its bylaws to address the petitioners request for prior notice for any changes to board compensation.

Heald said he began a campaign for more transparency in 2012, proposing a bylaw change to require disclosure of board pay in the cooperatives magazine.

The board refused to allow it to be voted on and then within a month amended the bylaws to require that future proposals could not be submitted unless the submitter obtained 500 signatures from all over the co-ops 22-county service area, he said.

Heald and two other members tried again in 2018, asking the board for its required petition form in order to get the 500 signatures.

The board refused to give us the form. So we havent been able to get our proposal on (the) annual meeting ballot for 12 years, much less have an election and try to obtain a two-thirds majority, he said.

Heald said the decision means he and the two others should now get the form to begin the process of trying to amend the co-op bylaws.

He has complained that Rappahannock does not disclose members capital credit balances  that is, their share of the excess of revenue over expenses that a co-op can use for investments, but that if not needed for that are to be returned to members.

Heald, who has tried to win a seat on the board, has also objected to the co-ops 2017 decision to increase its monthly access charge  the portion of its bill thats fixed no matter how much electricity a member uses  from $10 to $20.

The increase would hit members who used less than average amounts of electricity harder, for instance if they had installed solar panels. He and other members launched a group, Repower REC, to push for more financial disclosure and the proxy voting changes, which are intended to allow members who cannot attend the annual meeting a chance to vote on directors.

The State Corporation Commission later cut back the amount of the increase to $14 a month.

From the Archives: Richmond's 200th Birthday
A baby siamang, a type of endangered ape, was born Friday at the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk, surprising keepers with the arrival.

The baby was born to mother Malana and father Bali, and is the fourth siamang to be born at the zoo. Keepers arrived Friday morning to find the baby clinging to Malana, the zoo announced.

Keepers had suspected Malana was pregnant, but were not able to confirm without invasive testing. The babys gender has not yet been confirmed.

Malana is an experienced mom, having given birth five times. Prior to the new arrival, she most recently gave birth to Lovejoy in June 2022. The siamang family at the zoo consists of Malana, 35; Bali, 20; Lovejoy and the unnamed infant.

Malana is considered a senior animal. The median life expectancy is about 27 years, though siamangs have lived up to 40 years in human care. Siamangs can give birth throughout their lives, according to the zoos reply to a social media comment.

Keepers have been monitoring the family since the birth. Siamangs form tight bonds, the zoo said in a news release, and fathers play a significant role in raising the young. Bali and Lovejoy have been calm and curious around the mom and baby, taking turns grooming Malana. The family has been singing together  a behavior that helps solidify bonds.

Siamangs typically mate for life and have a song, or a series of calls, that is unique to a pair. The sound, composed of barks and booms, can travel more than a mile. Siamangs have inflatable throat sacs that amplify their calls.

Following the birth, the family resided in private dens in the Asia: Trail of the Tiger section of the zoo. Starting Tuesday, the group was visible in their dayroom. Malana has the option to move between private dens and the public dayroom as needed.

Four siamangs have been born at the zoo. The birth was the result of a breeding recommendation from the Siamang Species Survival Plan, which coordinates population management for the species.

Siamangs are native to the treetops of tropical forests in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. They are lesser apes, meaning they are smaller than other types of ape. The species is endangered due to destruction, degradation and fragmentation of their habitats, as well as hunting and poaching.
Longtime Richmond-area business leader Bob Sledd has left his role as senior adviser to Gov. Glenn Youngkin a month after taking the job.

Youngkins office confirmed Sledds departure but offered no explanation.

The governor appreciates Mr. Sledds service as a senior adviser, Press Secretary Christian Martinez said on Thursday. He provided valuable insight on a number of initiatives and we wish him the best as he moves back to the private sector. We will continue to call on his deep experience as an informal adviser in the future.

Sledd, the co-founder of Performance Food Group and former interim leader of Owens & Minor, a medical supplies firm, joined the administration early last month as a senior adviser on transformation and good governance issues. His new role coincided with the departure of Eric Moeller, the states first chief transformation officer, who played a major role in cutting costs and setting targets for sales revenue and profits at the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority while Sledd served on its board of directors.

In a text message on Thursday, Sledd said he still considers himself the governors senior adviser, but not as a full-time paid state employee.

Im happy to continue contributing in a non-paid capacity, he said. I have stepped down from full time to part time, primarily because they are fully staffed in the area they wanted me to evaluate for them. They dont need me serving full time which works well.

He added: Im here because Youngkin does have a good heart.

Sledds sudden departure comes two years after another Youngkin appointee, Phil Wittmer, resigned as chief information officer at the Virginia Information Technologies Agency after less than a month on the job.

Sledd stepped down from the ABC board when he accepted the job as a senior adviser to Youngkin. It was the second time that he had served as adviser to a Virginia governor.

In 2010, he became an unpaid adviser to then-Gov. Bob McDonnell, who originally had named him as secretary of commerce and trade. McDonnell withdrew the nomination after Sledd declined to relinquish positions on three corporate boards, including Owens & Minor, a health care logistics company based in Mechanicsville, and Universal Corp., a tobacco company based in Richmond.

Unlike his role advising McDonnell, Sledd was a full-time state employee during his brief time as adviser to Youngkin.

His departure comes with ABC in turmoil. It lost three executives, including CEO Travis Hill, last fall, after Moeller pressured the board of directors to adopt a budget that cut investments in employees and technology to boost profits for the state budget by $21.3 million in this fiscal year. Subsequently, liquor sales declined dramatically below the 5% annual revenue growth that ABC promised in the budget that it adopted in August and that Youngkin advised the Governors Advisory Council on Revenue Estimates in each of the next five years.

The ABC board, including two new members whom Youngkin just appointed, reviewed an updated financial forecast on Tuesday that predicts a $110.1 million shortfall in profits for the two-year state budget that the governor and General Assembly are struggling to adopt before the end of the fiscal year on June 30.

Youngkin appointed Sledd to the ABC Board on July 1 to replace Maria Everett, a former legislative analyst for the assembly committees that oversee ABC laws.

Close An employee works at new Virginia ABC headquarters and distribution Center in Hanover County, Va., on Monday, June 21, 2021. An employee works at new Virginia ABC headquarters and distribution Center in Hanover County, Va., on Monday, June 21, 2021. The state-owned liquor monopoly sharply lowered its expectations for profits, faced with declining sales revenues as consumers bought less expensive brands of distilled spirits and smaller bottles. Cases of products moved through the new state ABC authoritys liquor distribution center in Hanover County on Monday. Gov. Ralph Northam (center) shares a laugh with Virginia ABC CEO Travis Hill (center left), Public Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Brian Moran (center right) and others during the ribbon-cutting. Governor Ralph Northam speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of new Virginia ABC headquarters and distribution Center in Hanover County, Va., on Monday, June 21, 2021. Governor Ralph Northam speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of new Virginia ABC headquarters and distribution Center in Hanover County, Va., on Monday, June 21, 2021. Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of new Virginia ABC headquarters and distribution Center in Hanover County, Va., on Monday, June 21, 2021. Virginia ABC CEO Travis Hill speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of new Virginia ABC headquarters and distribution Center in Hanover County, Va., on Monday, June 21, 2021. The Hanover County site is home to a 95,000-square-foot, three-story office building and a 315,000-square-foot warehouse. PHOTOS: Virginia ABC Headquarters and Distribution Center in Hanover County An employee works at new Virginia ABC headquarters and distribution Center in Hanover County, Va., on Monday, June 21, 2021. An employee works at new Virginia ABC headquarters and distribution Center in Hanover County, Va., on Monday, June 21, 2021. The state-owned liquor monopoly sharply lowered its expectations for profits, faced with declining sales revenues as consumers bought less expensive brands of distilled spirits and smaller bottles. Cases of products moved through the new state ABC authoritys liquor distribution center in Hanover County on Monday. Gov. Ralph Northam (center) shares a laugh with Virginia ABC CEO Travis Hill (center left), Public Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Brian Moran (center right) and others during the ribbon-cutting. Governor Ralph Northam speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of new Virginia ABC headquarters and distribution Center in Hanover County, Va., on Monday, June 21, 2021. Governor Ralph Northam speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of new Virginia ABC headquarters and distribution Center in Hanover County, Va., on Monday, June 21, 2021. Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of new Virginia ABC headquarters and distribution Center in Hanover County, Va., on Monday, June 21, 2021. Virginia ABC CEO Travis Hill speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of new Virginia ABC headquarters and distribution Center in Hanover County, Va., on Monday, June 21, 2021. The Hanover County site is home to a 95,000-square-foot, three-story office building and a 315,000-square-foot warehouse.
Mark Whitfield feels like he is doing a life sentence. Hes just not incarcerated.

His 9-year-old daughter, Markiya Dickson, enjoying a Memorial Day community cookout with her family, was petting a pony when she was killed by a stray bullet during a shootout at a South Richmond park in May 2019. An 11-year-old boy who was playing tag nearby was wounded.

A playground is now named for Markiya at Carter Jones Park, where she was killed.

Two of the shooters were sentenced to 33 years, and a third was sentenced to 22 years.

Her killers will eventually be released. Thats why Whitfield has testified against legislation that would allow some prisoners to petition for early release, a bill commonly known as second look.

I cant get my daughter back. I cant take her to school. I cant watch her grow up  but (criminals) deserve a second look? Whitfield said. My daughter cant get a second look.

Senate Bill 427, which lawmakers carried over this year for consideration in 2025, would have let inmates petition a judge for reconsideration of their sentences after they have served 15, 20 or 25 years, depending on their crimes.

A judge who decided a petition lacks merit could dismiss the inmates bid in chambers rather than continuing the process and reaching out to victims. The victims would have the ability to stop the process should they oppose the perpetrators case. If a petition advances to the point of victims being contacted and they dont respond, it would also stop the process.

Inmates would also be limited to filing only twice, with three years between their attempts.

The bills sponsor, Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, has pitched it as a beacon of hope for inmates  something to strive for and a measure that would encourage good behavior. At the same time, he has had to fight to win over colleagues wary of being viewed as soft on crime. He has had some success among Republicans.

Del. Wren Williams, R-Patrick, who supported the bill this year after voting against last years version, called the tiers of sentences in the measure, and levels of input that include victims, a balance between the individuals who are getting a second look and protecting the sort of mental and emotional state of the victims.

Hanging onto hope

Its hope that fuels Richmond resident Sheba Williams (no relation to Del. Williams) support of the bill. While Whitfield has spoken against second look bills when they have come before the legislature, Williams has spoken in support.

There are people who change and grow and I have been able to witness it, she said.

Williams is the director of Nolef Turns, a nonprofit that provides resources for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people. Through her advocacy, she says she has met people who are getting their lives back on track.

Growing up, both of her parents were incarcerated. While her mothers sentence was brief, she witnessed the challenges having a felony on a record can create for someone.

Williams also knows the pain of gun violence. She lost her nephew TeVon Cook, who was killed in 2018. Another passenger in the car with Cook on the night of his death had gotten into an argument with the shooter, who was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to five years in prison.

Its hard, Williams said of her multiple windows into the criminal justice system. But I believe in accountability and forgiveness.

This is the third year second look legislation has gone before the legislature.

Del. Wren Williams is among a handful of Republicans to have voted in favor of second look bills over the years to include Sens. David Suetterlein, R-Roanoke County, and Bill Stanley, R-Franklin, as well as Del. Carrie Coyner, R-Chesterfield, and then-Sens. Siobahn Dunnavant, R-Henrico, and Emmett Hanger, R-Augusta.

Im a believer that people can be redeemed and rehabilitated, said Coyner, who sponsored the House version of second look in 2022.

While the measures have been able to clear the Senate, there has not been enough support to get the bill to the governors desk.

Parole is radioactive

Virginia eliminated most types of discretionary parole in 1995 amid a national truth-in-sentencing movement in response to an increase in violent crime. That move, during George Allens governorship, had bipartisan support.

Parolees had to regularly meet with a parole officer and stay on the right side of the law. That option was mostly removed in 1995.

Virginia now has one of the lowest parole rates in the country. Only juveniles and the elderly are eligible. Just a handful are granted the right every year, with thousands of parole-eligible inmates remaining incarcerated.

Allen believes the bipartisan vote at the time is part of why parole has remained as it has.

Meanwhile, criminal justice advocates say its an unnecessary cost to taxpayers to keep prisons so full. Lawmakers in support of the second look bill see it as a way to lower costs without fully reinstating parole.

It costs an average $42,000 per inmate each year to incarcerate, according to the Virginia Department of Corrections. And, as inmates age, they can cost as much as $100,000 annually due to their medical needs, according to the most recent department report from 2022.

The word parole is radioactive right now, said Shawn Weneta, a policy strategist with Virginias chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Weneta has worked with various organizations to provide insights to lawmakers on the second look proposal over the years.

Deeds, a 32-year legislative veteran who first voted in support of abolishing discretionary parole in the 1990s, is now carrying a second look bill nearly 30 years later.

The whole idea of second chances and redemption was lost in the parole argument, he told the Richmond Times-Dispatch last summer. But were, I think, were getting back there.

One of the bills staunch opponents has been Attorney General Jason Miyares, who said he considers the bill to be backdoor parole.

A pillar of Miyares 2021 election campaign focused on the early releases of primarily geriatric inmates during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. A report from his office in early 2023 said the previous parole board under then-Chair Adrianne Bennett had violated board policies and state law and had failed to contact local prosecutors and victims when inmates were paroled.

This year, he also requested a bill that could have further reduced eligibility of geriatric parole, though it did not pass.

One of the only other methods for earlier release is earned sentence credits  where inmates who participate in training programs that advocates say will help them successfully reenter society can earn credits toward sentence reductions. While an effort to expand the program passed in 2020, Gov. Glenn Youngkin put language in a previous state budget to block the change in 2022. Last month, Miyares penned a letter to lawmakers asking them to keep limits on earned sentence credits.

Through this recent legislative session, Deeds bill was workshopped to give more layers to stop a petition if a judge finds it lacks merit or if a prosecutor or a victim say no.

But Miyares pointed to potential problems he can see despite the good intent he believes those adjustments had.

He explained that if a petition gets to the point of victim contact, that alone could be retraumatizing  something some crime victims noted in their testimony before the legislature.

And should they decline  therefore ending a petition  they might be contacted by family of the offender or special interest groups with pleas to change their mind. Or they might face harassment, he speculated.

I actually think that that puts the victims in an even worse position as well by giving them the final say  so it actually puts enormous pressure on them, Miyares said.

A member of his office spoke against the bill when lawmakers considered the measure, and Miyares also took to social media to critique it during this years legislative session.

Tears and tenacity

At a particularly tense legislative meeting on Jan. 31, the first few speakers  in support and opposition  took up the six minutes allotted for each side of the argument. Subsequent speakers were cut off.

That was a difficult request for some victims of crime who wanted to share their stories.

Paige OShaughnessy, whose husband, Timothy, was murdered over 20 years ago in Norfolk by a former colleague, continued to speak after the time limit had been reached. Michael Grey, whose 23-year-old son, Joshua, was fatally shot in 2018 while trying to sell an iPhone at an East End grocery store, was reprimanded by the committee chair, Del Vivian Watts, D-Fairfax, but was permitted to speak a little longer. After Melinda Wallin, whose 18-year-old son was fatally shot outside of her Spotsylvania County home in 2019, abided by the time limit, the commonwealths attorney who had prosecuted the case asked for more time.

Her son died in her arms and she just wants one minute, he asked.

After a pause, Watts followed with: Next speaker please.

With 60 days this year for lawmakers to get through thousands of bills, committee chairs often adhere to strict time limits on public comment.

The Republican Party of Virginia, Miyares and conservative groups later shared clips of the exchanges on social media, with rebukes to Watts and other Democrats. Miyares also wrote a letter to victims in opposition to the bill and invited them to speak with him at his office.

A matter of time

When another version of second look legislation failed in the House this year, Deeds suspected his would, too.

Some folks can say youre soft on criminals  thats one of the arguments against this bill, Deeds said. I think if the House didnt want to vote on this bill, in a non-election year, their likelihood of voting on election year is very small.

Though the Senate serves four-year terms, the House is up for election every two years. Immediately after the 2025 legislative session concludes next February, incumbents and challengers will begin campaigning for House seats that will be decided that November. Virginians will also elect a new governor next year.

If we have a Democratic governor and we pick up some (House) seats, I think the bill will have a better shot, Deeds said.

Sheba Williams is frustrated at the outcome, but shes not giving up hope.

Everybody is worried about ad campaigns in November, but we have real bodies behind this bill and real families affected by this bill, she said.

And Markiyas father, Mark Whitfield, will be back to testify if the bill returns.

I feel like you get your time, you do your time. If your time is extensive, its because you did something real bad, he said.

I believe that some people are sitting in prison that need to be free, that some of the sentencing is outrageous  but to apply this to rapists and killers is opening up a can of worms.

Today in history: March 22 1941: Grand Coulee 1945: Arab League 1963: The Beatles 1978: Karl Wallenda 1988: Ronald Reagan 1993: Intel Corp 1997: Tara Lipinski becomes youngest women's world champion 2010: Google Inc. 2012: Whitney Houston 2019: Jimmy Carter 2019: Robert Mueller 2021: Elgin Baylor
Dual national returned to Missouri on child porn charges

Mexico City, Mexico  A man of Mexican-American dual nationality has been returned to the U.S. to face charges. U.S. federal marshals met Diego N at the Mexico City International Airport Thursday for an escort back to American soil.

Diego N was wanted by the Federal District Court for the Western District of Missouri on child pornography charges.

According to information from the Attorney General of the Republic (FGR), Diego N, a person of Mexican and American nationality, was extradited Thursday.

Derived from an investigation carried out by the law enforcement authorities of the United States, it was revealed that between the months of June and July 2010, Diego N shared various files of child pornography by email, the FGR reported.

The Government of Mexico granted the extradition of the requested person to the Government of the United States after Diego N was arrested in Mexico City in February 2019.

His delivery was made at the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) to U.S. agents.
Two INM agents fired after investigation into illegal acts

Tijuana, Baja California  The National Migration Institute (INM) has reported the dismissal of two agents from their Tijuana office. On Wednesday, the INM said they decided to separate two immigration agents who were assigned to the Representative Office in Baja California.

The agents were fired after the Attorney General of the Republic (FGR) initiated an investigation for alleged illegal acts.

According to an National Migration Institute (IN) statement, one of the employees was assigned to the El Chaparral checkpoint in the municipality of Tijuana, Baja California, while the other person performed administrative functions at the Representative Office.

The INM said they continue to work with authorities from the Internal Control Specialty Area in the Government Branch of the Secretariat of Public Function (SFP) as the investigation proceeds.

INM officials did not specify the illegal acts for which the two federal agents were removed from their positions.
A Roanoke woman charged with partaking in the riots at the U.S. Capitol has declined a plea agreement offered by federal prosecutors.

The decision by Casey Jane Tryon-Castro means that she will soon face trial on charges that include participating in a civil disorder, disorderly conduct and stealing a police riot shield.

Tryon-Castro, 34, joined a large crowd of Donald Trump supporters that had gathered near an entrance to the Capitol on its Lower West Terrace the afternoon of Jan. 6, 2021. The mob tried to force its way inside as a joint session of Congress was meeting to certify a 2020 election won by President Joe Biden.

Footage from social media and surveillance cameras showed Tryon-Castro holding a wooden pole as she made her way to a tunnel entrance, where a formation of police officers was trying to defend the building from the onslaught.

Tryon-Castro can be seen pulling a riot shield from a Metropolitan Police Department officer and passing it back to other rioters, according to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.

We gotta get the shields to the front, yall, she yelled, encouraging the rioters to push against the line of officers, the complaint charges. After a struggle that lasted more than an hour, police were able to clear the tunnel.

At a hearing Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras was told that Tryon-Castro had chosen not to accept the governments plea agreement, according to court records. The records did not detail what her proposed sentence would have been.

Attempts to reach her attorney were unsuccessful.

Tryon-Castro was allowed to remain free on bond pending a May 28 trial, when a judge or jury will consider six charges against her: participating in a civil disorder, theft of government property, entering a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct, engaging in physical violence and impeding passage through the Capitol.

Although Tryon-Castro did not make it inside, hundreds did  forcing members of Congress to evacuate during a massive disturbance that began earlier in the day after Trump encouraged a large crowd of supporters to fight like hell against an election he claimed was stolen.

More than 1,350 people  including at least nine others from Western Virginia  have been charged with participating in the insurrection.

In another Jan. 6 case Wednesday, the attorney for a Covington man sentenced a year ago to 32 months in prison filed a motion that asks a judge to reduce his punishment.

Joshua Dillon Hayness request was based on a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, which earlier this month ruled that a judge in another Jan. 6 case wrongly applied a sentencing enhancement sought by prosecutors on a change of obstructing an official proceeding. The appellate court ordered a new sentencing in that case.

Haynes, who was convicted of the same offense, should also be entitled to a new sentencing hearing, according to a motion filed by Washington, D.C., attorney Steven Kiersh.

Currently, Haynes is scheduled to be released Aug. 2.
RICHMOND  Despite the soaking rain at the beginning of the month, the surface soils dried quickly over the past week across Western Virginia. Strong winds on Wednesday and the especially low humidity provided ideal conditions for rapid fire spread. As a few trees came down in the strong west winds and power lines sparked, wildfires grew quickly  especially in and near the Shenandoah Valley.

Lighter winds on Thursday slowed down the spread of the fires, but winds will pick up again Friday, this time from the southeast, the opposite direction from Wednesday. Those winds will not be as strong, and they will begin to increase the humidity, easing the risk of rapid fire spread.

Just when it is needed, soaking rain settles in statewide on Friday night.

Rain ends late in the morning for most of Southwest Virginia, and around midday in the Shenandoah Valley  where the fires have been the worst  ending any additional fire threat.

Some especially heavy periods of rain will move through late Friday night and before dawn Saturday morning, so there is a modest potential of flooding of streams and creeks, but the dry weather of the past week has left stream flows lower than normal for the vast majority of the state, so widespread flooding is not expected. Nonetheless, dont be surprised to see standing water in a few places on Saturday morning.

This storm center will be passing just south, and then east of Virginia, which means the southeast wind that develops Friday will turn more from the northeast on Saturday afternoon. Even though it will not be as strong as last Wednesday, expect some gusts upward of 30 mph.

Sunday will be sunny, but the afternoon will hold in the 50s with some occasional breezes from the northeast. That wind direction will continue into early next week as a strong cell of high pressure in southeastern Canada funnels cool air down the eastern side of the Appalachians. As a result, Monday will be unusual in that Virginias mountains may be a few degrees warmer than the areas east of the Blue Ridge.

We will not go a full week before rain returns, as the next system approaches Wednesday into Thursday of next week. Many more questions remain about the precise timing and intensity of that storm, but early indications are for another modest soaking rain of at least a half-inch.

Afterward, we should have a dry Saturday for the last weekend of the month, something that has been sorely lacking so far in 2024.
The inherent liability of a religious institution, it seems to me, is the presumption that God is on its side. Given that mindset, I can understand why such an institution might consider itself to be above the law of the land and why it would place a premium on protecting its image. I suspect thats why Liberty University has been fined an unprecedented $14 million for failing to comply with the Clery Act.

The Clery Act is a federal statute requiring colleges and universities that receive federal funding  including federal student aid  to be open and aboveboard about crimes committed on their campuses. The premise is that students and employees are entitled to accurate and honest information about crime and other threats to personal safety and property.

The Department of Education began its program review of Liberty two years ago after receiving complaints alleging the university had established a pattern of Clery Act violations. Department investigators interviewed the people concerned and reviewed relevant records and reports. The result was an exhaustive 106-page report detailing 12 findings ranging from not having the requisite administrative capability to retaliating against whistleblowers. That last finding was not sustained. The others were  with Liberty essentially concurring in each.

The full report is available for free from the Washington Post to subscribers and non-subscribers alike. Findings 5, 6, and 7 are especially concerning. They involve LUs failure to collect and disclose crime statistics as well as to issue timely emergency notifications and warnings. Certain administrators are even alleged to have squelched notices.

The most troubling theme to emerge from the report is the weaponization of the Liberty Way  LUs strict code of conduct. The review team established a pattern of victim blaming. Sexual assault victims reported being punished for placing themselves in harms way, while perpetrators have gone unpunished. The review team concluded that the Liberty Way has actually deterred students from reporting sexual assaults.

Liberty police, moreover, were not adequately trained in the investigation of sexual assault allegations. One case in particular smacks of insensitivity, if not misogyny. A woman reported being raped by an assailant who slapped her and pulled her hair before warning her he had a knife  so she gave in. The LU detective assigned to the case considered giving in to be tantamount to consent. He ruled the complaint unfounded. Did he expect a Liberty woman to die before surrendering her virtue?

The report further details numerous failures to warn the campus about criminal conduct. The incidents range from rape to groping and stalking and even bomb threats  all of which belie Libertys claim to be the safest campus in Virginia.

And the report does get curiouser and curiouser. The review team found so-called informational reports that apparently were not acted upon  the most disturbing of which is LUPD Incident #20-01612. It alleges that a former Liberty President committed a rape.

In recent interviews with WSET-TV anchor Mark Spain, Libertys current president, Dondi Costin, acknowledged that in times past, Liberty was not doing the things it should have been doing. But he affirmed that those days are past. Costin also revealed that the Liberty Way is being revised. He said it will offer more of a gray space and reflect a developmental process. In yet another break with the past, Costin suggested Liberty will be steering clear of partisan politics. (Readers may recall that Jerry Falwell Jr. endorsed and brought then presidential candidate Donald Trump to campus. He also invited a number of prominent conservative politicians to speak at Liberty student convocations and even hosted a Conservative Political Action Committee meeting on campus in 2019.)

Spain went on to ask Costin if he believed Liberty and other Christian institutions are under attack. There is no question about it, he replied. Frankly, I think that response reflects the unwarranted siege mentality that permeates todays religious right. If you are not with them, you must be against them.

Be that as it may, The drafters of the report made it clear that the Department of Education does not sit in judgment of the doctrinal views, missions, visions, or values of any institution. But they do remind Liberty of the need to reconcile such issues with the law  just as comparable institutions have done. Amen to that.
Russia and China veto US resolution calling for immediate cease-fire in Gaza

Russia and China have vetoed a U.S.-sponsored U.N. resolution calling for an immediate and sustained cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid to be delivered to more than 2 million hungry Palestinians
Russia unleashed one of its most devastating attacks against Ukraines electric sector, an aerial assault it said was retaliation for recent strikes inside Russia
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As part of a new multi-million-euro academic research programme at University College Dublin (UCD) funded by Met Eireann (the Irish National Meteorological Service) to support the further development of weather and climate services for Ireland using data science and Artificial Intelligence (AI), UCD is seeking to appoint a Full Professor of Data Science for Weather and Climate.

This exciting new senior academic post is a permanent position in the UCD School of Mathematics and Statistics arising from a funding award of 5 million over five years from Met Eireann, with the possibility of further funding of 5 million for an additional five years.

UCD is seeking to recruit an internationally recognised and globally impactful interdisciplinary researcher at the cutting edge of research at the interface of AI/Machine Learning (ML) and their application to natural sciences, including Earth system science. The Full Professor will build an internationally recognised research team, and will establish a Ph.D. cohort-training programme and a Data Science for Weather and Climate Research Centre at UCD. The new Professor will also inform and shape policy nationally and at European and broader international levels.

The UCD research programme funded by Met Eireann will strive to bridge the gap between research and operations by conducting cutting-edge, user-oriented studies in the context of high impact weather, flood forecasting and the understanding of our climate, and using knowledge gained to train the next generation of scientists and engineers. The research and development of AI models and techniques will enable Met Eireann to build on existing state-of-the-art forecasting capabilities, while developing skill levels to further enhance national capabilities and capacity in weather, climate and hydrology.

Professor Nial Friel, Head of the UCD School of Mathematics and Statistics, stated, "The appointment of a Full Professor of Data Science for Weather and Climate will take UCD's relationship with Met Eireann to the next level by enhancing our capacity to develop AI-enhanced models to enable Met Eireann to build on its forecasting capabilities and make Ireland even more weather and climate prepared."

"The ground-breaking research programme between UCD and Met Eireann will help produce the next generation of climate and weather scientists and help ensure that we have the tools and expertise needed to tackle the growing climate emergency."

Further information (including application procedure) can be found at: https://www.ucd.ie/workatucd/jobs/ (Reference Number 017000).

Closing date: 17:00 (local Irish time) on 1st April 2024.

Provided by University College Dublin
FLORENCE, S.C.  The MUSC Health Regional Network Graduate Medical Education Program has filled its inaugural class of the Internal Medicine residency program at MUSC Health Florence Medical Center.

This achievement represents a critical step forward in MUSC Healths mission to bridge the gap in rural health care, said Tsveti Markova, MD, FAAFP, MUSC Health chief academic integration officer. This class is the first of many to come, part of our plan to establish high-quality medical education to deliver high-quality medical care for communities across South Carolina.

After a competitive match process, eight physicians will embark on this groundbreaking journey. The inaugural class of internal medicine residents comprises a group of three women and five men who have overcome remarkable obstacles to match with the MUSC Health program.

Their collective resume includes 50 scholarly activities and 13 years of clinical practice. All members are fluent in more than one language, representing proficiency in 10 different languages.

Two of the new residents have not only earned medical degrees but have also attained masters degrees  one in ethics and one in public health.

We are excited to welcome this class of internal medicine residents dedicated to pursuing medical excellence and share our commitment to serving the diverse health care needs of rural and underserved regions, said Ribal Al Aridi, MD, CCD, program director. We matched with individuals who understand the profound impact they can have on improving health care access and outcomes for our community.

A key part of the match for both the residents and the program were strong connections to the area.

Two members of the new class have previously lived and worked in and around Florence, while an additional three have strong familial ties here.

This is key because MUSCs goal is to train doctors who stay in South Carolina following their medical training. By investing in the education and training of physicians in Florence, the program addresses the immediate need for health care professionals and lays the groundwork for a sustainable health care system that will benefit the community for years.

Nationally, primary care doctors are becoming scarce. The American Association of Medical Colleges is projecting a national physician shortfall of at least 37,000  and possibly well over 100,000  over the next decade. This is significant, especially for South Carolina, with 27% of residents living in rural areas and having limited access to care.

The Internal Medicine Residency Program is structured to provide residents with comprehensive training tailored to the specific needs of rural and underserved populations.

Through a combination of clinical experiences, community engagement initiatives, and mentorship opportunities, residents will develop the skills and expertise necessary to address the diverse health care needs of the communities they serve.
COLUMBIA  Former GOP powerbroker Richard Quinn Sr., whose advice catapulted careers as he helped build South Carolinas Republican majority, has died. He was 79.

Quinn died Thursday morning at Lexington Medical Center surrounded by family, longtime friend Bill Stern, chairman of the State Ports Authority, told the SC Daily Gazette.

A cause of death was not disclosed, but the one-time kingmaker and go-to lobbyist, who got caught up in a Statehouse corruption investigation that ended his sway over state politics, had been in declining health for years.

Friends remembered him as a soft-spoken, gentle soul who put family first and whose legacy extended far beyond the people he put in office.

Its a huge loss for our state. We all lost a very dear friend, said Stern, whose friendship with Quinn dates back to his initial 2000 appointment to the State Ports Authority, a Quinn client.

He was the man. He was bigger than life. When it came to consultants, he was in a league of his own, Stern said. But first and foremost, he was a family man. He loved his family dearly.

For decades, Quinn was seen as the states most influential political and business consultant, helping elect governors, attorneys general, and state and federal lawmakers. He was an instrumental figure in South Carolinas first-in-the-South contest in determining the GOP presidential nominee. And his deal-making extended beyond political campaigns to major businesses and state agencies such as the University of South Carolina.

His lengthy client list included the late Sen. John McCain, who lost the states GOP presidential contest in 2000 but won in 2008, and former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who won the state in 2012. Other Republicans who can credit wins to Quinn include the late Sen. Strom Thurmond, U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, his son Attorney General Alan Wilson, and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham.

Richard was exceptionally bright and had a keen political mind, Graham said in a statement. He helped me get my start in South Carolina politics and was instrumental in building the modern Republican Party. Richard was a force in South Carolina politics for decades.

Gov. Henry McMaster, also a client for many years over various campaigns, called Quinn one of the finest men Ive ever known.

Richard Quinn was brilliant, generous, compassionate  and devoted to his family and friends, McMaster said in a statement. His contributions to our states progress are immeasurable. He was my friend.

Quinns height of power came in the 1990s, amid South Carolinas Republican takeover of state government.

His fall came in 2017 when he and the firm he founded, Richard Quinn & Associates, were swept into a years-long Statehouse corruption probe that resulted in the indictment of six GOP state legislators, including Quinns son. Only one went to prison. Others resigned as part of plea deals, received probation and paid fines.

It was through his investigation of Quinn that 1st Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe came to know the man beyond his reputation as a political kingmaker. The Democrat was tapped as special prosecutor for the Statehouse probe in 2014 by Alan Wilson, who at the time cited an unspecified conflict of interest, which turned out to be Quinn.

Two things I remember about him with his death today are how much he loved his family and that he was a prominent figure in South Carolina politics, Pascoe said, adding that his prayers were with the family.

Wilson referred to Quinn as a titan in South Carolina politics.

He, too, used the term brilliant.

He was a brilliant strategist whose contributions to our state will be felt for decades, Wilson said. I knew him as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was an amazing man whose loss will be felt by many.

His brilliance may have contributed to his downfall.

The millions of dollars Quinn collected and spent on clients behalf became central to the Statehouse investigation that started with the 2014 prosecution of the longtime state House speaker. In 2017, a grand jury indicted Quinn on charges of criminal conspiracy and failure to register as a lobbyist. He and his son, former House Majority Leader Rick Quinn, struck plea deals that required the senior Quinn to testify before a grand jury.

It was during that testimony in 2018 that prosecutors accused him of lying, leading to a new round of criminal charges  11 counts of perjury and obstruction of justice. Quinn in 2023 entered an Alford plea, in which he did not admit guilt but agreed a jury would likely convict him.

Aging and in poor health, a judge sentenced him to 18 months of home detention.

Stern said the ordeal still angers him.

Its sad thats how he ended his life with that hanging over him. Personally, I was outraged and disappointed, as a lot of his friends were, he said, adding that Quinn saw it as politics. He dealt with that with dignity and took it in stride.
A Charleston man who allegedly attacked police during the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol riot by throwing objects and shooting chemical sprays at them has been arrested by the FBI.

Justin Daniel Perrou, 44, was in the thick of fighting at the Capitol and attacked police with long poles and used a bullhorn to amplify obscenities that he yelled at police officers, a complaint in the case said.

Capitol Riot Contempt FILE - Rioters loyal to President Donald Trump rally at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. Former Trump White House official Peter Navarro has reported to prison to begin serving his sentence for refusing to cooperate with a congressional investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

He is the 26th person from South Carolina to date to be arrested in the Capitol breach. Nineteen have pled guilty and a jury found one guilty. Charges against five others are pending.

Perrou is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with five felony offenses, including civil disorder; assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers using a deadly or dangerous weapon; and entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys office in Washington.

Capitol Riot Remembering People listen as President Donald Trump speaks during a Jan. 6, 2021, rally in Washington.

Other felony charges include disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon, and engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon, the news release said.

Evidence in his case includes numerous videos that show him assaulting police and one video that shows him grabbing the face mask of one officer and yanking it down, according to the complaint. Additionally, geolocation data shows that his cell phone was present at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in the area where videos were taken of him, the complaint said.

The complaint said the FBI agent who arrested Perrou is assigned to the South Carolina Joint Terrorism Task Force and has participated in investigations of individuals motivated by extremist ideology and groups who commit criminal acts, including acts of terrorism. The agents name was redacted in the court documents.

Capitol Riot Proud Boys Proud Boy Ethan Nordean walks toward the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, in support of President Donald Trump.

Perrou was arrested Thursday and was to appear Friday morning at the Charleston federal courthouse before Magistrate Judge Molly Cherry. As of Friday afternoon, court records did not reflect the status of Perrous case.

A mob of thousands of people attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, breaking through police lines in an effort to stop the certification of the November 2020 presidential election, which was won by President Joe Biden. Although the rioters forced the evacuation of the Capitol for more than four hours, Congress was able to reconvene and certify Bidens victory.

Trump Capitol Riot Rioters loyal to President Donald Trump fight with police Jan. 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

More than 1,350 people have been arrested in connection with the Capitol breach, according to the U.S. Attorneys office in Washington. Some 140 police officers were injured that day.
The private cord blood bank, Cordlife, faced scrutiny when the Ministry of Health disclosed last November that seven storage tanks for cord blood units were exposed to temperatures exceeding acceptable limits. (PHOTO: Facebook/OngYeKung)

SINGAPORE  Former group chief executive Tan Poh Lan and four board members of Cordlife have been arrested over potential breaches of the company's disclosure obligations regarding the mishandling of cord blood units.

Those arrested alongside Tan include acting chairman Ho Choon Hou, independent directors Yeo Hwee Tiong and Titus Jim Cheong Tuck Yan, and non-independent non-executive director Chow Wai Leong. All five individuals are currently out on bail.

The private cord blood bank faced public scrutiny after the Ministry of Health revealed on 30 November last year that seven of its storage tanks for cord blood units had been exposed to temperatures exceeding acceptable limits.

This incident resulted in the damage of cord blood units belonging to at least 2,150 clients, with another 17,050 potentially affected. It was later discovered that Cordlife's board was made aware of temperature irregularities in one of its tanks back in February 2023.

Cordlife faces investigation over potential offence

In a bourse filing on Friday (22 March), Cordlife said that it had received a notice from the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) on 19 March, requiring documents and information related to police investigations into an offence under the Securities and Futures Act.

Cordlife said it has produced some of the documents listed in the notice.

"The company understands that the offence is in connection with potential breaches of the disclosure obligations of the company in relation to the irregular temperatures of a certain cryogenic storage tank of the company, which was first disclosed by the company in its announcement dated 30 November 2023," Cordlife added.

The company's chief financial officer, Thet Hnin Yi, has been asked to assist with the investigations but has not been arrested.

The CAD and MAS issued a notice on 19 March requiring four company directors who are not based in Singapore to attend interviews on 2 April in connection with ongoing investigations.

Story continues

These directors are independent director Joseph Wong Wai Leung, non-independent non-executive director Zhai Lingyun, non-independent non-executive director Chen Xiaoling, and non-independent non-executive director Yiu Ming Yiu.

Cordlife said, "At the time of this announcement (22 March), the Company has received undertakings from all the Directors, Ms Tan Poh Lan and Ms Thet Hnin Yi, to inform the board of the ongoing Investigations and subsequent developments."

Group's operations will continue as usual

Tan resigned in October 2023, citing personal interests, before the case became public in November that year. The company announced on 19 February that Yiu Pang Fai would be its next group CEO.

Tan's last day with the company was to be 31 March 2024, Cordlife had said last year.

Cordlife added, "Given that the current board has been overseeing and providing guidance on the ongoing work undertaken by the company to investigate and address the lapses identified by the Ministry of Health in relation to the company's Singapore operations, the majority of the board is of the view that it would be in the interests of the company for all directors to continue serving on the board."

However, it was disclosed that Zhai and Chen disagreed, as they believed that their fellow directors who had been arrested and released on bail were not suitable to remain on the board.

Cordlife said, "The board will continue to consider and assess the suitability of all directors to continue serving on the board, pending the development of the investigations,"

It added that, depending on how the investigation evolves, the board will also consider the possibility of appointing new independent directors to serve as additional checks and balances for the company.

The company confirmed that the group's operations will continue to operate as usual.

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Photo of seized mobile devices that were allegedly fake (Photo: SPF)

SINGAPORE  Four men between the ages of 27 and 49 have been arrested by the police for their suspected involvement in a series of cheating cases. The Singapore Police Force (SPF) said in a news release on Thursday (21 March), that it received three reports from victims alleging that the four had sold them counterfeit phones between 9 and 17 March.

The men would approach the victims and say that they were "short of cash", then propose to sell various branded phones to the victims at a discounted price.

After buying the phones at $600 per piece, the victims would later discover they were fake when authenticating them at authorised retailers.

Through follow-up investigations, Central Police Division officers identified and arrested the four men separately on 20 and 21 March.

Photo of seized personal mobile devices belonging to suspects (Photo: SPF)

They seized several allegedly fake mobile phones and accessories, along with the men's personal mobile devices for further investigation.

The four men will be charged in court on Friday (22 March) with the offence of cheating, and could face a jail term of up to 10 years, and a fine.

"When making purchases, if the price is too good to be true, it probably is. Purchase only from authorised sellers or reputable sources, especially for high-value items," the police advised, adding that it takes a serious view against those involved in scams and frauds.

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Sam McLellan admits he was once clueless when it came to modern musical theater.

He thought shows like Guys and Dolls were just fun to do  not a career path. Then a choir director showed him videos of contemporary shows and he was encouraged to investigate further.

I wasnt sure whether it was something I was going to be really great at but it was something I really loved doing, McLellan says.

To push the idea, his older sister invited him to see a Broadway show in Chicago. The musical: The Book of Mormon.

Seeing that show was super pivotal for me, McLellan says. I remember seeing it going, I could do that. I didnt have the skill set at the time but I thought that was a piece of theater that really resonates with me.

Flash forward several years and now McLellan is Elder Price in the national touring company of the Tony-winning musical.

Its a very, very, very challenging role, he admits. I have to really be prepared going into it  far more prepared than I ever have been with any other show. Mormons tour director told him it was going to be the hardest thing hed ever do in his career and shes totally right. Theres something to be said about doing a production for a long period of time and how you have to learn new skills to keep yourself healthy and well.

Nearing his 500th performance with the show, McLellan takes care to rest his voice and avoid socializing. Its definitely not a bad thingIve experienced a lot of personal and professional growth just through this process. And Ill be eternally thankful to Elder Price for teaching me Im capable of a lot more than I thought I was.

In the show, Price is a Mormon missionary whos sent to Uganda. There, he learns plenty about other cultures and a world he didnt know existed. Paired with Elder Cunningham (played by Sam Nackman), hes expected to evangelize in a country not looking for religion.

The show  written by South Park creators Trey Marker and Matt Stone and Robert Lopez  was a big unknown when it arrived on Broadway in 2011. Then word got out and it became the must-see show of the year. More than a decade later, its still running in New York and other parts of the world.

Audiences, however, still enter not knowing exactly what it has to offer. In a word: Irreverence.

The musical has adult situations and language but also a message thats uplifting. Its easy to feel offended by some of the brash stuff that comes out in the beginning, McLellan says, but were not making fun of faith.

Instead, Mormon gets its laughs from situations and, ultimately, the universality of the message.

Moments, though, do jar.

We get those gasps still, McLellan says. There are certain moments in the show where you can kind of feel some people in the audience know whats going to happen and some dont  and then we get those genuine moments of shock.

McLellans parents, who were missionaries in Mexico, were definitely taken aback by the content, he says. I did prepare them going into it but theyve seen it a couple of times now. While I know the content isnt necessarily something they want to engage with, they do believe its a beautiful show and are really proud of me for being in it.

While McLellan got work soon after graduation, he realized the COVID-19 pandemic could be a game changer.

I have close friends who left the business entirely and moved on to different careers. I was on tour with Fiddler on the Roof and, right in the middle of our contract, we were sent home for two weeks. That turned into a month, then two months. I was like, I cant just sit around and hope and pray that this is going to come back so I worked for a construction company, then got into corporate recruiting.

When the touring business started to come back, he got a call from producers for a touring production of Anastasia. McLellan was hesitant  I kind of felt like I was done  but went to the audition on his lunch break. The next day I got a call with an offer. He was back.

Now, the Wisconsin native is thrilled to see how different parts of the country react to the show. It makes it a unique and rewarding experience and gives you something to play with everywhere we go.

McLellan has already brought Mormon back to Chicago where he saw it and, this year, hell take the show to Salt Lake City and Orlando, two cities that figure prominently in the shows story.
Here is your chance to own a piece of Sioux City history with this Georgian Mansion. The architect was Howard Shaw from Chicago and the builder was Frank Clark from Sioux City. This home has 3 stories with 8 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, lots of living areas and sits on a half acre lot. As you approach the front there is a brick paver patio leading you to the front door. Entering the foyer you will see a grand staircase and leaded glass doors which lead to a family room with wood floor, a unique circular wall and door to a patio. There is a convenient half bathroom and coat closet in the foyer. To the left of the foyer is the living room with wood floor, wood walls, beamed ceiling, gas FP, bookshelves and 2 doors to the 10 x 20 sunroom. To the right of the foyer is the formal dining room with wood floor, gas FP and corner hutch. Tucked behind is the eat in kitchen with white cabinets, pantry, granite counter, and all appliances stay. Going upstairs you will notice the spindles have been redone and all wood floors refinished by Don Hanna. There are large landings halfway up. Second floor has 2 bedrooms and a full bathroom with original tile that could be a master suite as there is a pocket door for these rooms. There is a door from each of these rooms to the second level porch. There are 3 more bedrooms on the second floor, each with wood floor, a full bathroom with tub\shower combo, original tile, and there is lots of storage in the hallway. The third floor has 3 more bedrooms. One bedroom has carpet and a bathroom with a claw foot tub. The other 2 bedrooms have dormers and wood floors. The back staircase goes from the kitchen to the third floor. The basement is partially finished with a 10x18 rec room. 2 car detached garage. All the windows have been replaced. The boiler has been updated. Central air has been added for some of the bedrooms. The entire lot is sprinkled with a separate water meter. New shingles on house and garage 08\2023..

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NORTH SIOUX CITY -- An Iowa-based regional mental health care provider celebrated the opening of a mental health clinic in Dakota Dunes on Friday.

Covenant Family Solutions -- Dakota Dunes Clinic, 211 Sioux Point Road, will begin serving individuals, couples and families on Monday. The location is Cedar Rapids-based Covenant Family Solutions' (CFS) first clinic in South Dakota. CFS, which accepts most private insurance plans and Medicaid, seeks to address the shortage of qualified mental health providers with the opening of the clinic.

"We're trying to increase access to services. We're trying to do it in a way that we can meet our mission, which is to really unleash the potential of our clients. That goes beyond just trying to help people not have a diagnosis," CFS CEO Dr. Jacob Christenson said. "We really actually want to help people be able to succeed in their life that goes beyond not having a mental health condition."

Christenson said CFS wants to help people "go from depressed to not depressed" and also "set goals for their lives and achieve things above and beyond what they might've ever envisioned."

There are a lot of people suffering from mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to Christenson. He said the numbers are anywhere from 20% to 25% at any given point in time.

"We know that there are people who are suffering and need the help. When we look at an area, we always try to make an assessment of what kind of services are already there and being provided," he said. "What we came across when we looked in the Siouxland area, is there's a pretty significant shortage of mental health care providers."

When CFS opens an office, Christenson said they try to have 10-12 provider spaces. He said they build their clinics with a smaller team and, then, grow into the space. The Dakota Dunes clinic is opening with two therapy providers and a medication management provider.

"One of our core approaches in building a clinic is we want to make sure people can get in quickly. When we start out, we fill up the people that we have. As they are unable to get people in quickly, we just hire more," Christenson said. "Ultimately, we'll cap out at a certain amount, and that's why we have the extra offices we do."

Christenson said CFS strives to create a welcoming, warm and classy environment for patients. He said the clinic already has several appointments booked next week.

"Our challenge is never really about demand or people needing help. It's really whether or not they know that we're here," he said.

Individuals and health care providers looking to schedule an appointment at the Dakota Dunes clinic or request more information can call 1-888-336-9661 or visit CovenantFamilySolutions.com.
SIOUX CITY  The Iowa Supreme Court has overturned a lower court's ruling that granted a new trial to a Sioux City man involved in a fatal shooting because the trial judge allowed a rap video into evidence.

The justices said allowing the video showing Lawrence Canady Jr. and his co-defendant Dwight Evans rapping along with a song and referencing the victim and a separate Snapchat photo showing Evans with a gun were not prejudicial to Canady at trial.

Canady is serving a 16-year prison sentence for voluntary manslaughter and other charges in connection with the May 2021 shooting of Martez Harrison.

Canady, 23, was initially charged with first-degree murder, but a Woodbury County jury in December 2021 found him guilty instead of voluntary manslaughter, allowing Canady to avoid a lifetime prison sentence. He also was found guilty of willful injury causing bodily injury and serious assault.

He appealed his conviction, and the Iowa Court of Appeals in July granted him a new trial after ruling District Judge Patrick Tott should not have allowed prosecutors to submit the rap video and Snapchat photo found on a co-defendant's phone as evidence. On appeal, his lawyers said jurors are likely to associate rap music with criminal activity and its admission as evidence can be highly prejudicial.

Video from Dwight Evans' phone showed him and Canady rapping along with a song and referencing Harrison. A photo featuring a gun emoji on Evans' Snapchat account also was admitted at trial. Over objections from Canady's attorneys, prosecutors successfully argued to Tott that the video and photo showed Canady and Evans had planned to shoot Harrison. Canady's lawyers argued he had acted in self-defense.

The appeals court said the video and photo both unfairly prejudiced Canady and granted him a new trial. The state asked the Supreme Court to review the ruling.

On Friday, the Supreme Court vacated the appeal court's ruling and affirmed Tott's trial ruling, saying the state's case rested on showing Canady and Evans were collaborating the night Harrison was shot. The Supreme Court's opinion said that when viewing the case in that light, the prejudicial effect of the video is decreased and the probative value increased.

"... the joint conduct and statements on the video were helpful to rebut the notion that Evans acted alone in shooting (Harrison) without Canady's knowledge or approval."

The court said the Snapchat photo, which was posted prior to the shooting, showed that Canady knew beforehand that Evans had a gun and was willing to use it, rebutting the defense's argument that Canady did not know Evans possessed a weapon. The defense also was able to argue that Canady didn't possess the gun.

The Supreme Court said the verdict finding Canady guilty of a lesser charge suggested the video and photo did not have a prejudicial effect on jurors.

Tott sentenced Canady to 16 years in prison, the maximum allowable, and also imposed a five-year prison sentence after revoking Canady's probation from his conviction in a 2019 shooting for a total sentence of 21 years.

Canady and Evans were among four people waiting for Harrison outside Uncle Dave's Bar, 1427 W. Third St., on May 1, 2021. After Harrison exited the bar, he and Canady began fighting in the street. When Harrison fell to the ground, Evans fired a shot into his flank, then fired a fatal shot into his chest. Canady continued to punch Harrison in the face and kick him in the head after the second shot before fleeing.

Harrison, 22, of Sioux City, died hours later at a hospital.

A jury found Evans, 19, of Sioux City, guilty in August 2022 of first-degree murder and going armed with intent. He was sentenced to life in prison, but, because he was a juvenile at the time of the shooting, he will be eligible for parole after serving 20 years.
SIOUX CITY  The Iowa Attorney General's Office on Thursday ruled Sioux City police officers were justified in fatally shooting a man who had threatened them in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino parking ramp.

Criminal charges will not be filed against officers involved in the Jan. 8 incident and the investigation is closed, according to an attorney general's report.

Salvador Perez-Garcia, 56, of Sioux City, was struck by nine rounds fired by two officers after ramming his pickup truck into two police vehicles and swinging a homemade chained weapon in a threatening manner at officers.

"Perez-Garcia was solely responsible for the circumstances that led to his being shot," the attorney general's report said. "It was apparent that Perez-Garcia intended to cause serious bodily injury or death."

At the conclusion of his own investigation into the shooting, Woodbury County Attorney James Loomis earlier this month announced he, too, had found the shooting to be justified and would not file any charges against the officers.

Perez-Garcia, who had been banned from the Hard Rock in June for repeated thefts but had repeatedly trespassed since then, rammed the vehicle of an officer who was conducting surveillance unrelated to Perez-Garcia at about 3:56 a.m. on Jan. 8. After additional officers were summoned and responded to the scene, Perez-Garcia rammed a second police vehicle.

The officers exited their vehicles, and Perez-Garcia got out of his pickup, swinging the chained weapon. He ignored officers' commands to drop the weapon, and officers Brice Talbott and Dyllon Frederickson fired 11 shots in three seconds, nine of the shots hitting Perez-Garcia. When officers began administering first aid, they discovered Perez-Garcia was wearing makeshift body armor consisting of several layers of thin metal stitched into his clothing.

Before ramming the first police cruiser, Perez-Garcia had thrown papers referencing that police are corrupt from his pickup. On the steering wheel of his truck was written, "Police are corrupt."

The officers involved in the shooting have since returned to duty, Sioux City Police Chief Rex Mueller has said.
DES MOINES  With a little over half a year to the November election, Iowa's Republicans and Democrats have begun campaigning for seats in the state Legislature, and both parties see opportunities to increase their numbers.

The filing deadline to qualify for the June primary ballot passed last week, and the candidate list for both parties is largely set. Parties can, and likely will, also nominate candidates at conventions later on in races where they do not have candidates on the ballot.

The November elections come after two consecutive cycles of Republicans increasing their majorities in the state Legislature as Iowas voters have increasingly backed the party and shifted to the right.

The legislative candidates will also be down-ballot from the presidential race this year, where Republican Donald Trump holds a clear advantage in the state that he won in 2016 and 2020, according to early polling. A Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll found that Trump holds a 15-point lead over incumbent Democrat Joe Biden among likely Iowa voters.

The factors combine to create optimism for Republican leaders, who are seeing potential to expand their dominance in the state and further entrench their majorities. But Democrats, saying they have seen widespread public dissatisfaction with Republicans agenda, also see an opportunity to win back some critical seats this year.

In the House, Republicans are defending a 64-seat majority, but House Speaker Pat Grassley of New Hartford says he still sees opportunities to grow that number.

House Republicans have strong incumbents with few retirements this year, he said, which will help them defend their existing seats.

If you look at the election results from last election, there are seats that actually, probably with just a little bit more time and more resources, would have had an even larger majority, he said. ...Where I sit today, I feel pretty good that weve filled the seats that we need to make sure are filled.

Iowa House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, a Democrat from Windsor Heights, said she thinks the party has strong candidates and sees potential to win seats around Des Moines, as well as in Clinton, Bettendorf and other mid-sized cities.

Konfrst said Democratic voter engagement fell significantly in 2022, leading to Republicans gaining four House seats and two Senate seats. This year, Democrats are working harder to engage voters, she said.

I feel like our slate of candidates is very strong, she said. Theyre great community leaders, theyre very aware and engaged on the issues  Theyll be great representatives for their community and theyll be able to hold Republicans accountable.

Republicans hold seats in nearly all the states rural areas, but they see potential to expand into some urban and suburban seats in November, top Republicans said.

Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, a Republican from Grimes, said he thinks the party has a shot to flip seats held by Democrats in Cedar Falls, Polk County and Dubuque.

Whitver said Republicans have been rewarded with successive wins in recent years because of tax cuts and maintaining a strong state economy, and candidates would bring that message to voters on the campaign trail.

Iowas in a terrific spot fiscally, policy-wise, and that's been the work of over the last seven, eight years, he said. So we're going to promote what we've been doing and what kind of leadership you can expect from us going forward.

Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum of Dubuque said Democratic leaders see three or four seats they hope to flip in November.

Jochum pointed to Senate districts in Polk County, Lee County and Iowa and Washington counties as potential pickups for Democrats. She said Senate Democratic candidates have already knocked on thousands of doors as they look to grow support in their communities.

We really believe we need to get back down to the grassroots kid of politicking again, and campaigning, and meet people face to face, and thats what were doing, she said.

Des Moines suburbs a battleground

The suburbs of Des Moines  like Johnston, West Des Moines and Ankeny  will be a major battleground this year as candidates from both parties try to defend seats that were won with narrow margins in 2022.

Republican Party of Iowa Chair Jeff Kaufmann said those areas will be the partys top targets to pick up seats.

I think clearly it's going to be the suburbs where we're going to make our move, Kaufmann said. And it's important not only to grow those majorities, but as the party chair, thats important to us too. Because a party not busy growing is a party thats busy dying.

"So we're not going to back off, we're going to continue to push," he added.

In messaging to voters in those areas, Kaufmann said he believes the Republicans focus on parents rights and giving parents a bigger voice in education in recent years attracts people outside the normal GOP voter base.

He also said Iowa Republicans position on immigration and border security, a central focus of the national presidential campaign, will help their candidates win elections.

Iowa lawmakers passed a bill last week that would allow state officials to arrest and order the removal of immigrants who are not in the country legally, creating state enforcement of what is generally under federal authority.

Increasing immigration enforcement is a popular position nationally: In a February Pew poll, 77% of Americans said the situation at the southern border was either a crisis or a major problem. Kaufmann said that would be to Republicans advantage.

We're very quickly approaching a time, even though we're not close to a border, we're approaching a time when now immigration and an open border is not only affecting our state, but it's showing in terms of what people are saying are priorities, and it's showing in terms of what people are saying is a wedge issue for them, he said.

Democrats have their own suburban seats they hope to flip, including a Senate seat in Johnston and Urbandale represented by Sen. Brad Zaun, and a House seat in Johnston represented by Rep. Eddie Andrews.

Jochum said voters in those areas are upset with the majority Republicans agenda that she said has gone way too far. She noted recent education changes led by Republicans, including the passage of a large school choice program last year and the efforts this year to reorganize the states area education agencies.

Democrats have sought to cast Republicans recent agenda, including banning abortion early in pregnancy and regulating school library materials, as government interference in Iowans personal lives, and Jochum said voters share that opinion.

We are also hearing a lot of people talk about how the government has really interfered in their personal lives, whether it has been reproductive rights or whether it's been book banning, doesn't matter, she said. They believe that Republicans are injecting the government too much into their personal private lives, and they want the government out of it.

Other battleground cities

Outside the Des Moines metro, some of Iowas mid-sized cities are also gearing up for competitive elections.

In Council Bluffs, incumbents in both parties face tough reelection fights. Republican Sen. Dan Dawson is seeking reelection in District 20, where Democrats see potential to flip, though Republicans hold a 2,200 registered voter advantage.

Democratic Rep. Josh Turek in Council Bluffs won his election in 2022 by only six votes. Two Republicans are running in the primary for the nomination to challenge him.

In Mason City, Rep. Sharon Sue Steckman, a Democrat, is retiring after 16 years in the Legislature, and two new candidates are running to represent the seat that she won by less than 4% in 2022.

Democrats are also eyeing House seats in places like Clinton, Bettendorf and Burlington as they look to shrink the Republican majority. Konfrst said the interests of voters in those communities are similar to those in rural and urban communities around the state.

Everybody needs costs to go down. Everybody wants good education for their kids, she said. So when we can focus on these issues that unite us, we can stop having some of these urban, suburban, rural battles that people like to put us in.

Democrats want to build the bench

With only about a third of the seats in each legislative chamber, Democratic leaders are not expecting to gain control of the House or Senate during the election this year.

Democrats recruited candidates in 75 House districts this year, including in some districts where Republicans won handily last year. Republicans had candidates file in 74 districts, though both parties could nominate candidates in the future.

Konfrst said running candidates in heavily Republican districts helps build the party framework and keep local voters and county Democratic Parties engaged. Beyond growing their numbers, she said she hopes to be able to use this cycle to lay the groundwork to win more seats in future years.

Im looking at 15 to 17 seats over the next two to three cycles that can get us to the majority, she said. Everybodys running to win, theres no doubt about that, but I want to get folks out there to boost their name ID, who can meet their neighbors, who can meet folks, and are ready to go when they run the second time.
China-Australia relations always enjoy broad public support: Chinese FM

Xinhua) 09:56, March 22, 2024

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (2nd R), also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Premier of the Australian state of New South Wales Chris Minns (2nd L) in Sydney, Australia, on March 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

SYDNEY, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday that China-Australia relations have its foundation among people of the two countries, always enjoying broad public support.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Premier of the Australian state of New South Wales Chris Minns in Sydney.

Wang noted that New South Wales has always been at the forefront of China-Australia exchanges, playing an exemplary role in cooperation between the two countries.

According to the Chinese foreign minister, the most significant impression he had during his visit to Australia was that no matter from the ruling or opposition party, the business community or the circle of strategists, governments or the general public, people all voiced their support for strengthening dialogue and cooperation between China and Australia in various fields.

Wang conveyed China's commitment to strengthening collaboration with Australia in traditional sectors such as energy, minerals, and agricultural and dairy products.

China is also ready to cooperate with Australia to tap new growth areas such as scientific and technological innovation, climate change response, and green transition, as well as to boost people-to-people exchanges in fields such as education and tourism, Wang said, hoping New South Wales to continue its pioneering role in deepening China-Australia cooperation.

Minns said that New South Wales has reaped numerous benefits from China's economic growth and Australia-China cooperation, and supports the improvement and development of Australia-China relations.

New South Wales is looking to further enhance exchanges with China at the sub-national level and increase cooperation in economy and trade, education, tourism, and natural resources, said the premier.

Minns also expressed his welcome for more Chinese students and tourists to the state.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The Chinese Communist Party in Beijing is nervous  and it ought to be. The U.S. Congress has targeted a significant tool the CCP uses to spread disinformation among Americans, and the rulers in Beijing are not happy about it.

The House has voted to require TikTok to be divested from Chinese ownership. The proposal would not ban TikTok, as its often well-paid critics charge. Nor would it limit free speech.

TikTok, of course, is a popular app that millions of Americans use to promote their companies and reach new audiences. Its harmless, you might say. Only it isnt. The app is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, which is under CCP control. Beijing has an iron grasp over the platforms algorithm and all user data -- your data. That is a major U.S. national security risk.

Remember: This is the Chinese government that stole millions of American government and military officials records held by the Office of Personnel Management. Chinese leaders cannot be trusted with access to an even greater number of Americans personal data on TikTok, which could allow them to attempt to influence U.S. elections.

According to respected international human rights organizations, the Chinese government is waging a targeted campaign against Uyghur women, men and children and conducting human rights abuses that include coercive population control methods, forced labor, arbitrary detention in internment camps, torture, physical and sexual abuse, mass surveillance, family separation, and repression of cultural and religious expression.

Of even greater concern is the disinformation and manipulation campaign the CCP is already running on the TikTok platform, which could potentially accelerate into a contingency or conflict between the United States and China. A group of Rutgers University researchers have demonstrated that the app promotes CCP interests, and they see a strong possibility that content on TikTok is either amplified or suppressed based on its alignment with the interests of the Chinese government.

By comparing the volume of TikTok posts with those of Instagram, you can see how access to views on issues such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Hamas' attack on Israel Oct. 7 are manipulated to help Chinese national security interests. This algorithmic manipulation is even clearer when applied to sensitive political topics in China, such as the Tiananmen Square massacre, the Uighur genocide and Hong Kong.

Knowing this, lawmakers in Congress passed a bipartisan bill to divest TikTok from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. The legislation now heads to the Senate for action.

The bill requiring Chinese divestment is a balanced and feasible solution that safeguards innovation, strengthens U.S. national security, protects investors in the app and helps keep private information from being collected by the CCP.

This divestment ensures that American users can enjoy TikTok for creative expression and to grow and market their businesses  but under new ownership that respects U.S. laws and values.

This is not about stifling speech. It is about keeping China from suppressing free speech. The CCP has established counterintelligence laws that give it unfettered access to data held by Chinese companies and openly practices its preference for state sovereignty over personal privacy. The CCP does not adhere to core American principles such as free speech and assembly.

Divesting TikTok from ByteDance ensures the platform can continue operating in the United States, free from Beijings influence and without impeding individual Americans right to express themselves.

Its also good for the U.S. economy. TikTok investors, including American financial services and private equity firms, stand to reap billions should TikTok be acquired by a non-Chinese company. These funds could be reinvested in new technology start-ups or other business ventures. Moreover, divestment, rather than an outright ban, ensures greater competition. Users can expect greater innovation, safer services, and a richer and more diverse social media experience  all while blunting Beijings ability to leverage TikTok to undercut fair elections and free speech.

Beijing is not taking this lying down. As Craig Singleton, an expert on Chinese lobbying, has observed, ByteDance has an immense lobbying machine in Washington  and the company is not lobbying for your values. It has a bottomless budget, and it is spreading that cash around to stop the House bill before it gets traction in the Senate.

Congress is right to end Beijings efforts to sow political discord in the United States and harvest Americans personal data. The House was right to pass the divestment legislation, as was President Joe Biden to pledge he will sign it. Now its up to the Senate to protect America from Chinas malign influence.
SIOUX CITY  Although a new waterpark in Sioux City won't open until 2025, construction on Siouxland Splash is slated to begin this year on a 10-acre parcel along Highway 75.

The project is something Sioux City Economic Development Director Marty Dougherty is looking forward to.

"I think it's going to be very exciting for the community," Dougherty said.

Frontline Development, LLC, a group of local investors, intends to invest an estimated $12 to $15 million to build the waterpark. Sioux City currently has several public pools and splash pads, but no waterparks.

"It's going to be pretty exciting," said Dougherty, who said the northeast side of Sioux City is ripe for further development. "We're seeing interest in that area. I think with a major amenity like this waterpark, we're going to see additional development in that area. In general, I think that whole area is going to take off."

Siouxland Splash 1 A rendering of Siouxland Splash, a waterpark proposed on Highway 75 N, is shown.

Joe Zehring, partner and co-owner of Frontline Development, LLC, told the Sioux City Council that the park will have a lazy river, wave pool and one of the biggest kids zones in the Midwest.

"We're going to have a huge slide tower with actually a really iconic slide. It's going to be the first one in the United States," Zehring said. "We're going to really try and make a big impact for Sioux City here. We want to make this a really fun staple in the community."

On Jan. 22, the City Council voted unanimously to accept Frontline Development's proposal to purchase land for the development of the multi-phase waterpark at 3820 Highway 75.

Under the terms of the development agreement, Siouxland Splash, LLC will purchase roughly 10 acres at the site at a cost of $22,946 per acre. The group of investors will make a payment of $100,000 at closing and the balance will be paid over five years.

Siouxland Splash LLC will commit to paying up to $250,000 toward a proportional share of the street improvements and regional storm water pond to serve the site. The group will also enter into a minimum assessment agreement of $7 million beginning Jan. 1, 2026, which will continue for 10 years.

In addition to selling Siouxland Splash, LLC the 10 acres, the city, in turn, will provide partial 75% property tax rebates of the new incremental taxes created by the value added to the property. Tax rebate assistance is estimated at $1.7 million over 10 years.

The road improvements for an entrance to the site are also part of the proposed development agreement, which states that the city will apply for Iowa DOT RISE grant funding for the improvements.

The city will also construct a regional storm water pond to serve the site at an estimated cost of $367,000, complete the construction of the sanitary sewer line project, and give Siouxland Splash LLC the option to purchase the remainder of the 42-acre site to accommodate future phases of the waterpark or related development.
SIOUX CITY  Last summer, after roughly three years and $12 million in construction costs, the finishing touches were placed on Chris Larsen Park along the Missouri River.

Additions to the riverfront include an interactive fountain, playground, red bench-style swing, plaza, dog park, overlooks and exercise equipment.

Sioux City Parks and Recreation Director Matt Salvatore said he has been "blown away" by the park's usage. Even before construction was completed, Salvatore said he was surprised by the number of people frequenting the park.

"I think, again, we have a really awesome opportunity in Sioux City. It was a great job by our park board and riverfront steering committee to put that project together and see it through," he said.

Warm February weather Brandon Stender watches as his daughter, Abrey Iverson, 2, prepares to go down a slide at Chris Larsen Park. The slide is one of the new ameni

Chris Larsen Park redevelopment Parker Koeppe, of Sioux City, soaks his head in the spray from a water feature as he and his brother Milo play at the Floyd Pavilion in the re

This spring, MOVMNT, a new interactive video game by playground equipment provider Burke, will be installed in the spring on the active rec lawn near Floyd Pavilion.

The Rotary Club of Sioux City contributed $17,000 toward MOVMNT. The City of Sioux City will cover the $5,000 installation cost.

"We're really excited. These things are really, really trendy. We're kind of seeing them around the nation in parks and rec," said Recreation Superintendent John Byrnes. "It's kind of cool that we get one here. The riverfront is the absolutely perfect home for it."

A dedication event in the spring is also planned for the scenic, long linear park, which is the focal point of the trail system.

"We added an extensive amount of sod and irrigation to get the vegetation issues under control," Salvatore said. "It was dry. We had a lot of usage. We had RAGBRAI. So, it was just a challenging summer to try to get vegetation established."

Chris Larsen Park redevelopment Wildflowers are shown in a planter at the redeveloped Chris Larsen Park along the Missouri River.

MOVMNT interactive playground equipment MOVMNT, a new interactive game by playground equipment provider Burke, is shown at MOC Floyd Valley Elementary School in Orange City, Iowa. MO

Back in 2015, the city submitted a request for quote for a master plan for the riverfront. Since then, a host of people, including generous donors, have worked to make the improvements a reality.

Ground was broken on the first phase of the project in June 2020, with construction starting just west of Virginia Street and ending at the Floyd River.

Floyd Plaza features fountains and misters that rise up from the ground, with a push of a button, as well as a shelter and seating. The splash pad is open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through at least Labor Day weekend.

Adjacent to Floyd Plaza is the Great Lawn, promenade and Exploration Ridge.

The Great Lawn, which is sponsored by Missouri River Historical Development is a green space for concerts and city-wide events. Native plants, such as purple coneflowers, and tiered seating line the promenade, a leisurely public walkway by the Great Lawn.

Exploration Ridge features slides, as well as swings and climbing apparatuses. The playground is covered with a shade structure.

Chris Larsen Park redevelopment Angel Wallace, Sioux City Parks and Recreation manager, stands at the Floyd Shelter while talking about improvements at the redeveloped Chris 

Exercise equipment is affixed at the top of the ridge and can also be found in other areas of the park.

Another fitness amenity is a yoga lawn. The green space has its own shade structure to keep yoga program participants protected from the sun.

Parkgoers will find a handful of overlooks along the riverfront. One of them is positioned where the Argosy riverboat casino was formerly docked.

The park's red bench-style swing, which was donated by Dave Layhee, of McCook Lake, South Dakota, is rarely ever empty.

Layhee, of McCook Lake, South Dakota, got the idea to have such a swing fabricated after visiting friends in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. He said a friend of his donated a similar swing in Coeur d'Alene, a city in the northwestern portion of the state known for water sports.

"One of my friends donated a swing. And, then, there was another party, once that swing went up, who donated in the city park area that overlooks the lake," Layhee said. "That's what I tried to capture."

Chris Larsen Park redevelopment Todd Gatzmeyer, owner of Todd's Sod Farm in Bancroft, Nebraska, works with a crew to lay sod in a section of the redeveloped Chris Larsen Park

Layhee obtained the swing's blueprints from Coeur d'Alene parks and recreation staff. Then, those design plans were passed on to Dan Lee, of Port Neal Welding Company, so the swing could be fabricated. Layhee said he chose red for the swing because it's his favorite color.

"I thought it would be a nice addition. I find two or three people just sitting in the swing, gazing out at the river," said Layhee, who noted the swing has a braking system to prevent people from falling off of it or flipping it over. "What the city's been able to do with that whole complex, I think, is just phenomenal."
If youre following the merger between Capital One and Discover, youve probably heard some variation of the claim that the companies are making to justify the deal: This merger is good because it will create a real competitor to Visa and Mastercard.

All sorts of journalists and media outlets are parroting the point. The implication is that we ought to disrupt the Visa/Mastercard payment processing duopoly, even if it means reducing how many options Americans have when theyre looking for a credit card.

But is there any upside when it comes to creating competition with Visa and Mastercard?

No, there isnt.

First, a bit of context: Visa and Mastercard are payment processors, or in industry lingo, networks. That means that Visa and Mastercard arent banks like other entities that offer credit cardssuch as JPMorgan Chase, Citibank, or Capital One (or Discover, which is both a bank and a network). Visa and Mastercard cant lend you money; all the others can.

And post-merger, Capital One would be a massive lenderwith roughly 20 percent market share, itd become the biggest credit card lender in America. Still, the argument the companies want you to focus on isnt how big of a lender it would create. Its the competition the Capital OneDiscover merger would bring to Visa- and Mastercard-dominated payment processing.

There are two basic problems with that argument.

The first problem is that it is irrelevant.

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If a merger harms competition in one market (for example, the market that normal people face when they need to borrow money), it doesnt matter if it helps competition in a different market (the market of payment processors). A merger is illegal if it could substantially reduce the amount of competition in any market, full stop. In blocking Spirits Jet Blue acquisition in 2023, the courts made it quite clear that antitrust isnt about balancing benefits and harms to consumersits about stopping illegal activity.

The second problem with the argument is that it is inaccurate.

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Stop to consider who the customers of Visa and Mastercard are. You, dear reader, are not Visas or Mastercards customer, even if you have a Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card. The customers of these payment processors arent even the businesses that accept Visa or Mastercard cards at the register. The customers of Visa and Mastercard are Chase, Citi, Bank of America, Capital One, and other banks and lenders. The banks undergo (highly secretive) contract negotiations with Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express to decide which payment network they want to use for each of their credit card products. Visas and Mastercards market share are determined by how much they appeal to banks, not how much they appeal to merchants or consumers.

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And the basic issue here is that Chase and Citi want something very different from what Walmart or your neighborhood bodega want.

Walmart and the bodega want credit card processing fees to go down, or at least to stop their relentless climb.

Meanwhile, Visa and Mastercard are playing chicken with the rest of the business community to see just how far they can raise prices without businesses deciding theyll stop accepting credit cards, or how far they can push things without the government intervening. And in this game of chicken, the big banks are riding in Visas and Mastercards passenger seats, egging them on. Because these banks are negotiating with Visa and Mastercard to see what percentage of the processing fees theyre each going to keep.

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So what happens when Capital One shifts its cards from Visa and Mastercard to the Discover network? Nothing good!

The new Capital OneDiscover has zero incentive to solve the problem of high credit card processing fees, and in fact would probably prefer to raise the processing fees.

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Media outlets including Bloomberg, Inc., and the Wall Street Journal are asserting that a Capital OneDiscover merger would bolster competition between Visa and Mastercard by triggering more merchants to accept Discover. They seem to have completely missed the fact that 99 percent of U.S. merchants that accept Visa and Mastercard also already accept Discover (up from 96 percent a few years ago). Common sense would tell you Capital One is not going to lower processing fees across the board just to woo over that 1 percent of holdouts. (Ill add a caveat that these dynamics are a bit different outside the United States, where Discovers acceptance is indeed spotty, but where the law also caps credit card processing fees at a very low rate.)

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To think about the impact of a merger between Capital One and Discover, consider the current biggest competitor to Visa and MastercardAmerican Express. American Express charges higher processing fees than Visa and Mastercard, by a significant margin.

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Ask any small-business owner whether theyd like a bunch of their customers to cancel their Visa cards and open up an Amex card instead. The answer will be a resounding no. A combined Capital OneDiscover would be like another American Express, but much larger, and therefore even better positioned to hike up processing fees should they choose.

Related From Slate The Justice Departments Latest Lawsuit Might Solve a Great Rift in Our Society: Green Text Messages Read More

And higher processing fees result in higher prices for everyone. Yes, everyone who buys anything, whether they pay on a credit card, on a debit card, in cash, or with government food aid like EBT or WIC.

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Dont just take it from me: The Merchants Payments Coalition, a trade association of retailers, i.e., the people who have been complaining nonstop about Visa and Mastercard, has flat-out said they dont expect Capital Ones proposed acquisition to solve any of their problems.

I cant say for certain whether the this merger is good for competition talking point has come primarily from the Capital One PR machine or from journalists who are mindlessly riffing. Probably a bit of both, and either way, it should make you mad. I used to work at Capital One, and in that time, and in the years since, I realized how extraordinarily effective banks have been in influencing mainstream sentiment.

We cant afford to let the banks misdirect us again. Itll cost all of us.
The movies might never have split in two if Antoine Lumiere had been more interested in a quick buck. Among the audience at the sparsely attended 1895 demonstration of his sons Louis and Augustes new invention, the cinematographe, was the celebrated magician George Melies, who, after years of using still projections in his stage act, immediately saw the potential in a device that could make those images move. Melies offered Lumiere a small fortune for one of the gadgets, which combined camera, developer, and projector in one 10-pound box. The cinematographe, he informed Melies, was not for sale. And besides, he added, it had no commercial future.

Instead of giving up, Melies devised his own version of the cinematographe, and his own means of using it. Where the camera was, for the Lumieres, a scientific instrument that could capture reality, Melies saw it as a means of surpassing it, generating fantastic visions that transported audiences to other worlds rather than merely reflecting the one they inhabited back at them. Who wants to watch workers leaving the factory when you could take a trip to the moon?

Movies have never mended this primal rupture between realists and illusionists, nor was there any pressing need to. But nearly 130 years after that initial split, the balance between them has grown precariously out of whack. The tools developed to extend reality now often serve to replace it, to massage the color of an overcast sky so seamlessly that not even a trained eye can spot the seams. Even the most quotidian of tales has a trace of trickery, but when a movie like The Holdovers uses exclusive digital tools to emulate the look and even the imperfections of 1970s-era film stock, authenticity has been reduced to a vibe. Like those A.I.-generated shots of nonexistent people, it might look right, but it feels somehow, ineffably, wrong. Its gotten to the point where, even in a movie as lousy as Madame Web, Im grateful for the shots that take place on the real streets of New York and not some green-screened facsimile. (A viral tweet juxtaposes an elegantly lit, deep-focus shot of Madame Webs Dakota Johnson walking through Chinatown with a flat, obviously faked shot of a Queens street corner in Spider-Man: No Way Home.) Even a glimpse of the real world feels like an event.

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Theres hardly a shot in in the two and a half hours of Radu Judes Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World in which the real world does not intrude one way or another. The movies heroine, Angela (Ilinca Manolache), is a perpetually hustling production assistant whos always doing at least three jobs at once, speeding around Bucharest while juggling phone calls and blaring Romanian rap so she doesnt fall asleep. She rises early, shoots a quick video for her socials, then sits in traffic until she reaches the house of a man shes supposed to interview for a workplace safety videoonly to find that he and his bandaged arm have gone fishing and shes come all this way to connect with him over Zoom.

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Angela spends a good chunk of the movie in her car, the way the protagonist of Judes previous movie, Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn, endlessly wandered the streets of the city in the middle of the pandemic. Both movies use their characters as a pretext to wander through the world, which keeps intruding on attempts to place them at its center. That tendency is enhanced in Do Not Expect Too Much by intercutting Angelas story with footage from the 1981 movie Angela Moves On, in what a handwritten title card near the beginning announces as conversation between the two films. The 1981 Angela, played by Dorina Lazar, also spends most of her time behind the wheel, working as a taxi driver, but the grind under Nicolae Ceausescus communism looks markedly different than the one in the EU era. Old Angelas life is one of drudgery and repetition, which Jude sometimes emphasizes by slowing her excerpts down to a crawl. Present-day Angela never gets a moment to breathe. Even sex is just an item in the middle of her to-do list, a roadside tryst that nearly derails her afternoon when her lover stains her dress.

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Jude shoots the present day in black and white, leached of the beckoning colors of capitalisman ad reading Come to the USA renders the red, white, and blue in dull shades of graybut it pops into color when Angela shoots a new video for her social channels. Online, thanks to a filter that gives her a bald head and massive, bristling eyebrows, she is Bobita, an alpha-male misogynist who claims to be best pals with red-pill influencer Andrew Tate. (The story is presumably set before Dec. 2022, when Romanian authorities arrested Tate for alleged rape and sex trafficking.) BobitaRomanian for Bobby, as in Ewing, as in the old prime-time soap opera Dallashas a mouth like the underside of an 18-wheeler, crudely bragging about the women hes fucked and how he fucked them, while taking the occasional shot at the British monarchy. Angelas bedside table holds a well-thumbed volume of Proust, and she pauses one drive to buy a copy of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie from a roving bookseller, but given the chance to put on another persona, she bursts forth in a torrent of X-rated liberation. Bobita even has a few choice words to say about Angelas latest purchasesuffice it to say that when hes done with Miss Jean, shes no longer a maiden.

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In Bad Luck Banging, a prestigious history teachers life is turned upside down when a sex tape she made with her husband surfaces on the internet, a humiliation thats mixed with exasperation when her professional fate is subjected to the whims of an endless school board meeting. Although hes obviously an intellectualDo Not Expect Too Much credits citations from the works of Baudelaire, Zizek, DeLillo, and Errol MorrisJude is intent on reminding us that even the noblest mind is housed in a decaying shell whose urges and impulses make a mockery of our aspirations. The pandemic made bodies seem not just fragile but embarrassing, an inconvenient reminder that we exist in the physical realm as well as the digital. The more technologies allow us to transcend space and time, the more of an affront it seems that we have to lug our carcasses from one access point to the next.

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Modern life is a constant pas de deux between anxiety and boredom, the threat of economic annihilation and the drudgery necessary to stave it off. COVID lockdowns intensified both the anxiety and the boredom, and although the mortal panic has subsided for most, its not a lesson one can unlearn. Angela walks through a graveyardthe one where her grandmother was to be buried, until a real-estate developer claimed some of the burial plots encroached on their apartment complexand the camera lingers on a tombstone that reads, I was like you, you will be like me.

The injured workers whose testimonies Angela collects implicitly accept that theyre just meat to be ground up in capitalisms gears. No matter how grievous their wounds or how hazardous their workplace, they only blame themselves. They also understand that expressing enmity toward the company thats paying Angela to scout prospects for their safety video might diminish their chances of getting cast in the final versionand thus of getting paid. The best they can do is squeeze out one final paycheck before getting tossed on the scrap heap.

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After Angela has collected her testimonies, she heads to a production meeting with the companys German executives. The newly hired director, who got his chance after the former one suddenly died, proudly lists his bona fides: hundreds of commercials for beer and oil companies and McDonalds, plus one feature film, an adaptation of the celebrated Romanian novelist Mircea Eliade. Hes got grand ideas of filming the workers in a single, unbroken shot that highlights the truth of their experience, which makes it all the more painful when he abandons his ideals at the slightest prodding from the higher-ups. He wants the look of unvarnished reality but offers to add a filter to the lens to give his injured factory workers a warm, golden glow. The one-take approach is his preference, but hes helpfully shooting in high resolution so the bosses can zoom in for a close-up any time they want.

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Related From Slate Wait, Why Are People Being Weird About John Mulaney and Olivia Munn Now? Read More

Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the Worlds last scene follows through where the commercial director falters, taking the form of a single, unmoving shot that lasts over half an hour. A worker paralyzed by a loose traffic barrier has been stationed outside the factory to give his account of the accident, climaxing with an admonition to always wear your safety helmet (the upshot being, of course, that the company can blame future accidents on workers failing to follow instructions). The worker, played by Ovidiu Pirsan, tells his story over and over, adjusting it as voices behind the camera call out demands to leave out one part or stress another, an erosion of truth so gradual you could miss the point at which its gone for good. As the guilty barrier is moved out of shottoo rusted and unsightlya slow rain starts and stops, evidence that not everything can be altered on orders from the head office. The shots style is Lumiere but the content is Melies, a fantasy, only this time without the hope of escape. These workers are never leaving the factory.

Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World is the first movie Ive seen in a long timesince Bad Luck Banging, in factthat feels the way contemporary life feels, not just its superficial texture but its essence. It captures what its like to live in this chaotic and deadening world so well it might be the movie of the year, and last year, and next year too. If a visitor from the future wanted to know what it was like to be alive right now, this is what Id show them.
When Julianne McShane wanted to report on how some of the most vulnerable women in the United States were dealing with the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, she knew exactly where she needed to go: Tulsa, Oklahoma. Oklahoma is where two realities collide. It is one of 16 states that have banned abortion almost entirely. And it has some of the highest rates of intimate partner violence nationwide, McShane said. People might not realize how dangerous it is to be pregnant in the context of an abusive relationship, and abortion restrictions, obviously, just make that even more difficult.

McShane wanted to quantify how difficult things were becoming for women in Oklahoma. So, she met up with a domestic violence advocate named Heather Williams. Williams is not exactly a social justice warrior. Shes a former cop. But she told McShane this story about how abortion restrictions have upended her world. Back in the summer, she was called to a local hospital to counsel a woman who had requested a rape kit. She does this frequently; she holds the victims hand and tells them whats going to happen next.

This woman is in the hospital bed, and a standard part of the forensic exam is to give a pregnancy test, McShane said. And so they give her the test, and they inform her that the result is positive. And Heather said that she was frozen initially, and then she just broke down crying.

Imagine yourself in Heather Williams shoes. Because of Oklahomas ban, theres no abortion provider for her to recommend. Oklahoma also passed one of those vigilante laws a while back, the ones that allow strangers to sue you for aiding or abetting an abortion. It got tied up in court, but still, laying out medical optionsit felt like a risk. It changed how Williams thought about her work.

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I dont think Heather would consider herself an abortion rights advocate, necessarily. But she sees the survivors that she works with, and she knows that it needs to be an option thats available to people, McShane said.

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And Oklahoma isnt the only place where scenes like this are unfolding. Its happening all over the place, McShane said. And advocates across the country are in this difficult position of not knowing what they can tell survivors, of fearing that if they do give them information, that they could be criminalized.

On a recent episode of What Next, we spoke about how the new abortion landscape is causing chaos for domestic violence advocates and for victims. Our conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.

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Mary Harris: Before talking about how the Dobbs decision is impacting domestic abuse survivors in this country, I asked Julianne McShane to lay some groundwork for me. At the top of the show, she called pregnancy dangerous for American women. I asked her why.

Julianne McShane: Homicide is actually a leading cause of death for pregnant people in the United States, which is probably pretty shocking to a lot of people. And researchers say that this is probably due to the prevalence of both firearms and intimate partner violence, and obviously widespread access to firearms in this country is something that facilitates intimate partner violence. Many of the experts I talked to pointed out also that domestic violence tends to start or intensify during pregnancy.

Its a time of stress.

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Particularly if theres stress about money, if the pregnancy was unplannedthose are things that could drive someone whos abusive to become more abusive, or to be abusive for the first time. Theres also a paradox. Oftentimes, abusers will actually purposefully try to get someone pregnant to keep them under their control. But then, once they become pregnant and the reality of a future child becomes more clear, abusers can actually get jealous about the fact that a future child is going to take attention away from them. And so that can also be another factor.

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Theres even this phrase, reproductive coercion, to explain whats going on here.

Reproductive coercion refers to any kinds of threats or violence against someones reproductive health or decisionmaking capacity. Thats how the National Domestic Violence Hotline describes it. This could look like forcibly getting someone pregnant, refusing their access to birth control, sabotaging birth control during sexalso, forcing someone to get an abortion, although evidence suggests that thats rare and not a widespread issue.

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Are there any numbers that show how the Dobbs decision has impacted any of these things, either the homicide rate for pregnant women or reproductive coercion?

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The National Domestic Violence Hotline said that there was a 98 percent increase in reports of reproductive coercion the year after Dobbs, compared to the year beforemore than 2,400 callers, the year after, reporting experiencing some form of reproductive coercion, compared to about 1,200 callers the year before that decision.

Were people referencing the law?

Some of the callers were saying that their abusers were referencing the abortion ban in their state. And this is also, broadly, a tactic that experts expect to increase. Basically, when the state hands down these abortion restrictions, it can wind up enabling abusers because it suggests that the state has no interest in giving them access to abortion and supporting their reproductive autonomy. So, its something that an abuser can also restrict. And it does sound like, from the anecdotes that I heard, sometimes this is what people are reporting.

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What about the death rate for pregnant women? Is there any data when it comes to that?

There was a study that was published in February that found that actually, under Roe, so even before Dobbs, pregnant and postpartum people in states with abortion restrictions had a 75 percent higher rate of homicide than those in states that protected abortion access. And all of those people werent necessarily being killed by people that they were in intimate partner relationships with. But that study also found that pregnant people who died of homicide were more likely to die because of intimate partner violence than people who werent pregnant and died of homicide.

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I know that correlation doesnt equal causation, but this correlation seems very strong.

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Like I said, homicide is a leading cause of death for pregnant people in this country. So when you add an inability to control your reproductive life and to end a pregnancy that might be unplanned or unwanted by the abuser also, this is probably only going to get worse.

Would you call whats happening with abortion and domestic violence an unintended consequence of the Dobbs decision or something else?

I do think you could say its an unintended consequence. Many of the arguments that anti-abortion lawmakers and other activists are making in their efforts to try to get the Supreme Court to ban medication abortion, which theyll discuss next week in the oral arguments that are slated for Tuesday, tend to make the argument that abusers use abortion as a tool of abusethat medication abortion facilitates domestic violence and harms survivors of domestic violence.

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But the reality is, coerced abortions are overall quite rare, and its far more common for abusers to forcibly get someone pregnant and keep someone pregnant as a way to keep them under their control. And banning abortion access actually harms survivors more than anything.

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Theres some new data thats coming out that shows that in the years since the Dobbs decision, the abortion rate has actually gone up in the United States by, I think, 10 percent. I wonder what you make of that, given what youre finding in terms of evidence that pregnancy is being used as a tool of abuse and how limited advocates are in terms of what they feel they can talk about.

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Thats a good question. The fact that abortion is staying stable and increasing in places, post-Dobbs, just underscores the reality that it is still needed and that banning abortions does not stop people from getting them. That statistic is also probably due in part to the spread of telehealth abortion. We also know that that is increasing since the FDA in 2021 began allowing these pills to be prescribed virtually and to subsequently be mailed.

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Experts in this space also talk about the significance of telehealth abortion for people in abusive relationships because it can actually take away many of the barriers that people in abusive relationships may otherwise face to getting abortion care in person. So, for example, getting abortion pills mailed to your house means that you dont have to come up with a lie or figure out how to explain to an abusive partner why you need to travel, why you need to take time off work, why you need access to the car, why you need more money for gas or maybe even lodgings for an overnight stay somewhere. Self-managed abortion through abortion pills also looks like a miscarriage. So it does away with that level of scrutiny that you might get from an abuser.

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I just talked with the physician behind Aid Access, which is one of the largest telehealth abortion providers, and she relayed to me an anecdote from someone who had ordered abortion pills from Aid Access and had an at-home medication abortion in the context of dealing with what seemed like some sort of abusive situation. And this person reached back out to Aid Access after and said, Thank you so much for all of your help, and said that her abusive partner left after her miscarriage. So, there you have an example of someone who was able to pass off a self-managed abortion as a miscarriage, and it actually sounds like it contributed to ending that relationship.

Wow.

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When we look at the friend of the court briefs that anti-abortion activists and lawmakers have filed before the Supreme Court, many of them are totally blind to the context I just outlined. There definitely is an understanding gap, willfully or not, in how many anti-abortion folks understand the relevance of reproductive coercion to people experiencing intimate partner violence.

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There are some older laws that are being seen in a new light because of how they intersect with the Dobbs decision. For example, the last few weeks Ive read a lot about this Missouri law that seems to prevent pregnant women from getting divorced. I think its not actually a ban; its essentially how thats been interpreted by judges, though, which is that if youre pregnant, you need to tell the court youre pregnant, and it ends up delaying a decision. Theres a Democratic lawmaker whos trying to change the law there. Missouri is also a state that has completely outlawed abortion, with no exceptions for rape and incest. What does all that mean?

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Its just more evidence that these lawmakers do not understand the connection between the role that pregnancy can play in keeping someone in an abusive relationship and the importance of facilitating abortion access for them. We know that the right is also mounting an assault on no-fault divorce. There are, broadly, more efforts among the right to make it more difficult for people to get divorced. So, the fact that there are laws that are implicating pregnancy in this is not surprising. If they really want to support survivors of intimate partner violence and reduce or prevent domestic violence, thats also going to require letting people end abusive marriages and letting people have access to abortion.

Youve spoken to lawmakers, including lawmakers who have some pretty right-wing beliefs. When you speak to them, do you think they see these connections youre talking about?

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The one that I can talk about is a Republican state senator in Oklahoma who I called up when I was doing this reporting. His name is Darrell Weaver, and he has been a staunch advocate for victims of domestic violence in the state. He has introduced several bills, some of which have become law, that have harshened penalties for people who perpetrate domestic violence. Last year he pushed a bill that became a law that made the first offense of domestic violence against a pregnant woman a felony instead of a misdemeanor, so it increased the jail time.

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He clearly wants to help, in his way, pregnant women who are dealing with abuse.

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Right. But when I asked him about abortion, he actually made a comment that wound up being very illustrative. He said that abortion is a hot topic. And if we talk about it in conjunction with something like domestic violence, it could make it more difficult to pass legislation that aims to tackle domestic violence.

He said, If we clutter up these concepts, its going to diminish what we want to do. It was interesting phrasing to me.

When I heard that, it really drove home to me that people like him that, in certain ways, have the best of intentions really dont understand the connection between these issues.

I wonder what you said to him in that moment.

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I did respond, actually, by citing some of the research. He actually claimed that I was stretching the conclusions, and that does not totally surprise me because the anti-abortion side does not have a strong track record when it comes to putting together a coherent evidence base for their claims. Like I said, many of the anti-abortion politicians and activists who are arguing before the Supreme Court that they should ban medication abortion are citing studies that are not based in evidence about the dangers of medication abortion for people in abusive relationships.

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Reading your reporting, I was struck by how complicated and messy all the characters were, because theyre human. You talked about how Heather Williams, that domestic violence advocate in Oklahoma, shes not especially pro-abortion. Shes not in the streets rallying for it. She just wanted to be able to talk to her clients about it and relay the information. What did someone like Heather Williams want a lawmaker like Darrell Weaver to know?

She said that shes the one who winds up being in the hospital room, who has to comfort survivors like the one that she comforted last year who found out, in front of her, that she was pregnant by an abuser. Shes the one who has to tell them its going to be OK, even if she actually doesnt know that its going to be OK. And what she said to me was that she wishes that they were the ones that had to comfort them.

That the lawmakers had to.

The bigger point there is that theyre not forced to confront the reality of these laws that theyre passing. Theyre not in the room, seeing peoples dreams dashed and their futures become even more uncertain than they already are because they have an unplanned pregnancy that they dont know if they can terminate. And thats what Heather wishes they had to confront.
Creators who generate revenue on TikTok probably dont have to worry about a ban on the app in the US for quite a while.

According to an NBC News report, the Senate is not expected to take up the bill for perhaps a couple months. And even then, its likely Senators will want to write their own bill that could ban access to the app in America.

Earlier this month, the House of Representatives passed a bill that could see TikTok banned in the US.

The bill passed overwhelmingly in a bipartisan vote, giving the social media giants Chinese parent company, ByteDance, six months to sell its controlling stake in the app.

If no sale took place, the bill would block Google and Apple from offering TikTok in their respective app stores. It would also prevent any new updates, making the app difficult to use.

TikTok is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. Lawmakers have concerns about Chinas influence over the app.

Mike Gallagher, who co-authored the bill, said the US could not take the risk of having a dominant news platform in America controlled or owned by a company that is beholden to the Chinese Communist Party.

What Would a TikTok Ban Mean to Small Businesses?

A study compiled by Oxford Economics on the economic impact generated by US small and mid-sized businesses on TikTok found that nearly 40% of SMBs say the social media app is critical to their existence.

Banning TikTok in the US is, therefore, likely to disrupt the ecosystem for creators and small businesses, which have built up marketing strategies and followers, not only on TikToks short-form videos but also on the TikTok Shop.

The apps ecommerce platform was rolled out in the US in September 2023. Being the second primary shopping destination for young consumers behind Instagram, losing access to the TikTok Shop is likely to prove detrimental to small businesses that rely on it as a revenue avenue.

While other social media platforms, such as Instagram and YouTube, are crucial in driving engagement for small businesses, the potential loss of TikTok is creating anxiety among the small business community.
Grants are important in preserving historical restaurants so these cherished landmarks can maintain their legacy and continue serving communities.

Such funding supports key renovations, operational costs, and upgrades while respecting the establishments heritage. Grants also assist in implementing modern sustainability practices, ensuring these eateries remain viable and vibrant parts of their neighborhoods.

By securing financial aid, historical restaurants can continue to celebrate cultural heritage, offer unique dining experiences, and contribute to the local economy, enriching the communitys social fabric and historical identity.

American Express is supporting historic restaurants in the US with another round of grant funding. This is just one of many new grant programs available for small businesses right now.

Small Business News

In this weeks news roundup, the Biden administration is facing backlash over the new Independent Contractor Rule that went into effect on March 11. The legislation imposes criteria for classifying a worker as an independent gig contractor or an employee. You can read the rest of the story and other small business-related news in the roundup.

The Biden administration faces increasing backlash over new legislation that will re-classify gig workers as employees. The Labor Departments (DOL) new Independent Contractor Rule came into effect on March 11. It imposes six criteria that employers must consider when deeming whether to classify a worker as an independent gig contractor or an employee.

Apple has announced the expansion of its Self-Service Repair program to include MacBook Pro and iMac models powered by the M3 chip. This decision marks a pivotal moment for small business owners reliant on Apple technology.

GoDaddy introduced GoDaddy Airo, an AI-powered solution designed to significantly reduce small business owners time and financial burden in establishing and expanding their online presence.

As we get more experienced in our careers, some of us give up on truly making a difference in our work and other peoples lives. This has never happened to Guy Kawasaki, who I talked with on The Small Business Radio Show. He is the chief evangelist of Canva and the creator of Guy Kawasakis Remarkable People podcast.

Mastercard unveiled Open Banking for Account Opening program, marking a significant leap forward in the digital banking sector. This initiative is set to redefine the experience of opening digital accounts for U.S. consumers and small businesses, particularly for those involved with debit and prepaid products.

On February 22, 2024, Canva announced the return of its much-anticipated annual event, Canva Create, which is set to take place in May 2024. This year marks a groundbreaking evolution for the event as it continues its virtual broadcast and introduces an in-person element for the first time.

Zooms latest update to its AI Companion will change how small businesses engage in global collaboration and productivity. As of February 27, 2024, Zoom expanded the language support across its platform, introducing a capability to bridge communication gaps that have long challenged multilingual teams worldwide.
A selection of short feel-good stories from Slovakia.

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Every week The Slovak Spectator brings you a selection of three short stories from across Slovakia from which pessimism and negativity are absent.

Photographer goes to great lengths to shoot a comet

Czech astrophotographer Petr Horalek, whose pictures have been picked by NASA as the Astronomy Picture of the Day on several occasions, has published a unique picture of the 12P/Pons-Brooks comet that in recent days has been visible over Slovakia.

He chose the High Tatras as his destination, and was able to capture the comet above the iconic Lomnicky Stit, the second highest peak in the mountain range. He spent more than 16 days and drove about 3,000 kilometres before successfully taking the shot. The image was taken from Velka Lomnica, about 11 kilometres away from the summit. The scene is lit by bright moonlight.

I have been planning this image for a very long time, but despite the precise planning, thousands of kilometres of driving, and good equipment I had always failed due to bad weather, Horalek wrote on his website. But on 19 March 2024, I finally succeeded.

He noted that one of the highest-located astronomical observatories in central Europe is located at the summit of Lomnicky Stit.

Between 1946 and 1959, just in the period when comet Pons-Brooks visited our Solar System last time, several other comets were discovered in this magical mountainous place, Horalek wrote.

Dogs serve in Slovak hospitals

The psychiatric ward of the University Hospital Bratislava, situated on Antolska Street in the borough of Petrzalka, has a new team member. Patients there are being visited by a therapeutic dog called Moon, as part of the pilot canistherapy project.

The hospital says Moon brings much joy to the patients, which has a positive impact on their condition.

Contact with an animal reduces tension a bit, and the patients can think of something else, said Petra Nosalova, a senior doctor in the psychiatric ward, as quoted by the Noviny.sk website.

Meanwhile, the ophthalmology department of the Faculty Hospital and Polyclinic in Nove Zamky, a town in southern Slovakia, has also welcomed a four-legged recruit to one of its surgeries. Brya, a six-month-old female labrador, has been training there to become a guide dog.

Guide dogs have to undergo a difficult training process, and one of the stages is a stay in hospital, said Gabriela Gulyasova, the ophthalmologist who is responsible for Bryas training, as quoted on the hospitals website. She added that they have received positive feedback from patients.

The spiciest sausage? Head to southern Slovakia

How propably the spiciest sausage in the world is made. (Source: Reprophotography TVnoviny.sk)

A grower of chilli from Nove Zamky, in southern Slovakia, has made what he claims is the world's spiciest sausage. It is not for sale, and potential consumers are being advised that they can eat it only and solely at their own risk.

It hasnt happened that someone would say they had eaten a spicier sausage, so we can assume it is the spiciest in the world, said Ladislav Baranay, who grows various kinds of chilli and came up with the idea of making the special sausage, dubbed Madolla, as quoted by the TVnoviny.sk website. He found inspiration in Mexico.

The basis of the product is a high-quality homemade sausage mixture, to which huge amounts of chilli are added. It is necessary to wear a gas mask, protective clothing and gloves when preparing the sausage, which is has been served at various chilli-eating competitions.

Five feel-good stories published by The Slovak Spectator to read:

The trail to Chata pri Zelenom Plese mountain chalet offers an easy hike for all walkers. Join our colleague, who decided to take the trail during winter.

After escaping their beleaguered home town in eastern Ukraine, Olena Kulish and her family are building a new life in Bratislava. As well as a new home, Olena has found new love in Slovakia.

The dilapidated Calvary in Bratislava is undergoing reconstruction. New stations of the cross made of fine concrete were added last year to the Calvary Hill; their size and shape corresponds to the original Baroque Calvary.

While Slovaks seem to naturally understand Czech, foreigners who have learned Slovak can find the unfamiliar vocabulary, cadences and grammar of Czech incomprehensible.

Recently, the French architecture magazine d'a published an issue dedicated to Slovak architecture, to show how architects of this young country deal with the tempestuous history of their region  and respond to new challenges.

Political meme of the week

(Source: SME/Rosie Naive Art)

Caption: Dont you worry, grandkids, Ill use my common sense when making my choice.

Cartoonist Rosie Naive Art expresses some scepticism about the wisdom of the choices that Slovakia's aging population will make when electing its next president this Saturday, March 23. A total of 10 candidates are running for the post (you can find short profiles of each here). If no candidate receives a majority of the votes, the two candidates with the highest support will proceed to a second round run-off, scheduled for April 6.

You can send me your tips on good news stories about Slovakia or funny memes at: radka.minarechova@spectator.sk. Thank you!
The white castle amidst green forests, a Japanese experience in Slovakia, and presidential elections this Saturday.

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Good evening. Here is the Friday, March 22 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.

Will Slovakia get compensated for providing its MiG-29s?

Slovakia has sent 13 MiG-29 jets to Ukraine. (Source: TASR - Jan Kroslak)

Doubts have emerged about when, or even if, Slovakia will receive EU-funded compensation for donating its fleet of MiG-29 fighter planes to Ukraine. The obsolete Soviet-era jets had been grounded in 2022, but were of value to Ukraine, whose air force operates the same type; they were transferred in spring last year.

A European Council resolution on common defence underwent slight alterations regarding approval of the eighth tranche of funds to be disbursed to member states aiding Ukraine through the European Peace Facility (EPF), which affects Slovakia's anticipated reimbursement for delivering the fighter jets to Ukraine.

The Politico news site highlighted a revision in the text, which had previously urged prompt approval of the eighth tranche. It now simply advocates for "efforts" to release the funds. The change was made in the context of Hungary's ongoing obstruction of the 500 million repayment over concerns about the presence of a Budapest-based bank on Ukraine's list of international war sponsors. Politico reported in October 2023 that Ukraine had removed the bank, OTP, from its list, but the issue seems to be persisting.

Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar expressed unease over Slovakia potentially receiving less in EPF funds for the MiG-29s, but Slovakia's diplomatic position has weakened since his decision, reportedly at Prime Minister Robert Fico's behest, to meet his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov earlier this month. Other European nations, with the exception of Hungary, have spurned high-level contacts with Russia since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

More stories from The Slovak Spectator website

Business: One of Slovakia's largest investment groups, Penta, plans to sell gambling firm Fortuna, its second-largest company, as part of a shift towards investments in healthcare.

One of Slovakia's largest investment groups, Penta, plans to sell gambling firm Fortuna, its second-largest company, as part of a shift towards investments in healthcare. Weekend: From exploring the enchanting world of Hayao Miyazaki's films to indulging in the biggest coffee, chocolate and tea festival in Kosice, and immersing yourself in geeky fun at AnimeShow in Bratislava, a full list of events awaits you here!

From exploring the enchanting world of Hayao Miyazaki's films to indulging in the biggest coffee, chocolate and tea festival in Kosice, and immersing yourself in geeky fun at AnimeShow in Bratislava, a full list of events awaits you here! Good news: Our weekly selection of heartwarming stories from Slovakia this week includes an astrophotographer's quest for the perfect comet photo, the therapeutic impact of dogs in hospitals, and the creation of the world's spiciest sausage.

If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription with no ads and a print copy of The Slovak Spectator sent to your home in Slovakia. Thank you.

FEATURE STORY FOR THE WEEKEND

Biely Kamen Castle in the Small Carpathians

A hidden mediaeval gem lies hidden in the forest not far from Bratislava. (Source: FB, Lubimir Kovarik)

Just a short train ride from Bratislava is one of Slovakia's biggest castles by area, Biely Kamen (White Stone). Its centuries-old ruins lie hidden amidst the enchanting forests of the Small Carpathians. Local volunteers have been working hard to stabilise the remaining structures, but for now they warn visitors that that entering the grounds is at your own risk!

10 EVENTS FOR THE WEEKEND

Japanese art in Slovakia

(Source: Pinterest)

Learn the art of Japanese book binding at a workshop by the Bratislava's City Library, where you'll get hands-on experience and provided materials to create your own. More other events available in our Top 10.

In other news

European Parliament member Milan Uhrik from the far-right Republika party has been ordered to apologise and pay 6,000 to infectious diseases specialist Peter Sabaka for defamation. This marks the fifth ruling against Uhrik and others for violating Sabaka's rights to personal protection. Uhrik, party colleague Milan Mazurek, and the Republika party must collectively pay 83,000 if the court's decision is upheld.

This marks the fifth ruling against Uhrik and others for violating Sabaka's rights to personal protection. Uhrik, party colleague Milan Mazurek, and the Republika party must collectively pay 83,000 if the court's decision is upheld. Traffic on the D2 highway towards the Czech Republic, will be restricted from 7am on Saturday (March 23) until 8pm on Sunday (March 24) to allow for repairs to the carriageway. Drivers are advised to exercise caution and follow police instructions. The National Highway Company (NDS) will be upgrading the D2's road surface near Kuty, Malacky, Velke Levare, and Lamac from April 2 to May 13 (TASR).

Drivers are advised to exercise caution and follow police instructions. The National Highway Company (NDS) will be upgrading the D2's road surface near Kuty, Malacky, Velke Levare, and Lamac from April 2 to May 13 (TASR). Slovakia plans to raise the minimum wage to at least 60 percent of the average wage by 2026. The government is also proposing mandatory extension of collective agreements to cover at least 80 percent of all employees in specific industries. The minister of labour, social affairs and family, Erik Tomas, said the changes are intended to improve wage conditions and adhere to European directives. (TASR)

The first round of Slovakia's presidential election will take place tomorrow, Saturday, March 23, 2024. Ten candidates are running for election. If none attracts more than 50 percent of the votes cast in the first round, a second, run-off round will be held between the top two candidates on Saturday, April 6. The image shows preparations at a polling station in Trencin on March 22. (TASR) (Source: Radovan Stoklasa)

WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND

This weekend's weather is expected to be cloudy with some showers. Daytime temperatures on Saturday will be a pleasant 13C to 18C. Sunday will be cooler, with temperatures expected to rise to only 7C to 12C. (SHMU)

NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Saturday  Adrian, Sunday  Gabriel, Monday  Marian

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P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240321/believe-in-the-us-bidens-aide-asks-ukraine-to-wait-for-60-bn-that-may-never-come-1117477924.html

Believe in the US! Biden's Aide Asks Ukraine to Wait for $60 bn That May Never Come

Believe in the US! Biden's Aide Asks Ukraine to Wait for $60 bn That May Never Come

Sputnik International

Visiting Kiev on Wednesday, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan called on his Ukrainian hosts not to give up on the US. He promised the US Congress would eventually unblock the $60-billion package of military aid for Kiev

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That pledge added little to Sullivans statement during his joint visit with Biden to Kiev thirteen months ago  when he promised the House of Representatives would unblock the package eventually  and definitely not worth a wait of more than a year.Sullivan was much more generous with words than with money.That statement of everyday help was at odds with Mr. Sullivans own comments during the same visit to Kiev that Ukrainian troops are now forced to ration their ammunition under pressure on many fronts.According to Defense News, US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) is asking Congress for $11 billion more than the White Houses fiscal 2025 defense budget request.Besides construction works, Aquilino added to the bill  to be footed by a US taxpayer  a $1.4-billion classified space program and $1 billion-worth of development for INDOPACOMs own maritime Strike Tomahawk cruise missile. Another $396.9 million would be spent on Hammerhead sea mines designed to be delivered by unmanned underwater vehicles and surface vessels.Admiral Aquilino has a very strong argument to support his financial appetites. China is becoming the most serious threat to the United States now, he was quoted by Asia Times as testifying on Capitol Hill, Washington, DC.Such a great threat justifies requests for more money. According to Asia Times, Aquilino is asking for an extra $27 billion over five years for the so-called Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI). The admiral says this will allow him to get weapons and forces in place with the needed capabilities to take on Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA).Isnt that too much for just one US admiral? The local experts see nothing impossible here.In the meantime, the German media increasingly speculates that president Biden may dispose of his allies in Ukraine pretty much the same way he disposed of Americas friends in Afghanistan.The newspaper suggests that, most likely, America is tired of financing the Ukrainian government and arming its military. After all, besides $60 billion for Ukraine, the US budget next year is expected to foot the bill for Israel ($14 billion), not to mention Yemen, Egypt and Ethiopia ($1-2 billion each). All those countries are more or less at war. Such is the price of alliance with the US.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240319/ukraine-losing-ground-on-battlefield-due-to-us-inaction---white-house-1117432974.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240321/bidens-point-man-visits-ukraine-with-bundle-of-promises-on-getting-aid-out-the-door-1117462999.html

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us aid to ukraine, how much does us spend on ukraine, who is winning in ukraine, why is ukraine losing
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240322/eu-leaders-to-urge-sustainable-gaza-ceasefire-in-brussels-summit-conclusions-borrell-says-1117480096.html

EU Leaders to Urge 'Sustainable Gaza Ceasefire' in Brussels Summit Conclusions, Borrell Says

EU Leaders to Urge 'Sustainable Gaza Ceasefire' in Brussels Summit Conclusions, Borrell Says

Sputnik International

EU leaders will demand a "sustainable ceasefire" in the Gaza Strip in official statement, moving forward from just humanitarian pauses called for previously, EU Josep Borrell said.

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After the Brussels summit in October 2023, European leaders called for "humanitarian corridors and pauses" in the Gaza Strip to ensure the flow of humanitarian aid to the conflict-torn enclave, but did not call for a ceasefire. The top EU diplomat also expressed his hope that the council would "send a strong message" to Israel to persuade it to stop preventing food supplies from entering the enclave. The EU will call for the release of hostages still held in Gaza and condemn Hamas' attacks on Israel, but it will also express its serious concern regarding the situation that the civilian population of the enclave is currently in, he added. Last October, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip and breached the border, killing 1,200 people and abducting around 240 others.Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. Over 31,900 people have been killed so far in the Gaza Strip, local authorities said.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240322/houthis-use-mystery-improved-missile-to-pierce-israels-powerful-air-defenses-1117490582.html

Houthis Use Mystery Improved Missile to Pierce Israels Powerful Air Defenses

Houthis Use Mystery Improved Missile to Pierce Israels Powerful Air Defenses

Sputnik International

The IDF confirmed this week that an enemy cruise missile had slammed down in an open area near the southern Red Sea resort city of Eliat, marking the first time that Israels powerful air and missile defenses have been penetrated the Houthis, whose missiles are launched from at least 1,700 km away.

2024-03-22T16:08+0000

2024-03-22T16:08+0000

2024-03-22T16:08+0000

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Ansar Allah used a mystery improved missile to target Israel on Tuesday, Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi has said.The missile was able to reach Umm al-Rashrash, bypassing all American and Israeli interception techniques, the militia leader said, noting that the development has opened a new horizon for Yemens missile program, and warning that Houthi capabilities to bypass American and Israeli surveillance, jamming and interception technologies and means will prompt more effective strikes on the enemy in the future.The Yemeni militia leader says Ansar Allah has launched 479 missiles and drones to date in its four month-long campaign against Israel and Israeli-affiliated shipping, and against US and British warships, ramping up its campaign into the Indian Ocean.Israeli media expressed grave concerns over the Houthis missile capabilities, with a resident of Eliat telling Yedioth Ahronoth that locals live in constant fear due to the lack of warnings, which makes them feel they do not know when a missile will fall on their heads. Another resident accused the military and the government of downplaying the threat to prevent Houthi missiles from impacting the dwindling tourist flow to the Red Sea resort city.The IDF confirmed earlier this week that a missile fired from the Red Sea region had penetrated Israels air defenses, but did not explicitly identify the Houthis as the perpetrators. The Israeli military has launched a probe to determine why the missile, which had been successfully picked up and tracked, was not intercepted. The errant missile was said to have crashed harmlessly in an open area, with no casualties or damage reported.The Eliat attack put local IDF forces on high alert, with the military saying Thursday that its air defenses had shot down a suspicious aerial target in the Red Sea that was heading toward southern Israel, and the Times of Israel saying Eilat residents heard a large blast after the target was struck.The Houthis first began targeting Eilat with missiles in November 2023, but the Israeli military previously managed to intercept them using Arrow interceptor missiles and F-35I jets.Surrounded by hostile state powers and non-state actors, Israel has developed one of the densest and most sophisticated missile systems in the world, with the Arrow - a long range interceptor capable of targeting enemy ballistic missiles in space, complemented by the shorter-range Iron Dome, as well as the David's Sling - a medium to long-range surface-to-air and anti-ballistic missile.Armed to the teeth by Soviets during the Cold War with an array of ballistic, cruise and air defense missiles including the Scud B and C, the OTR-21 Tochka, the S-75 Dvina, the 2K12 Kub, and the P-21/P-22 Rubezh, the Houthis have managed to develop upgraded variants of these weapons. Their current arsenal includes the Burkan 3 (lit. Volcano 3) Scud offshoot, with a range of up to 1,200 km, the Toufan (Typhoon) missile family, another Scud upgrade with a range between 1,350 and 1,950 km, and the Fater-1 (Innovator-1) SAM, which has been used to shoot down US Reaper drones.The United States and its allies have accused Iran and North Korea of providing the Houthis with advanced military hardware and blueprints, but the Islamic Republic has indicated that its sympathies for the militia do not extend to the sale or transfer of arms or weaponry systems, in line with Tehrans desire to see a resolution to the decade-old Yemeni civil war.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240319/us-flagged-vessels-in-middle-east-advised-to-turn-off-transponders-amid-houthi-threat-1117421600.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240315/houthis-attack-3-us-israeli-ships-in-indian-ocean---statement-1117349824.html

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Suspect in Terrorist Attack Near Moscow Says Shot People at Concert Venue for Money

A man detained on suspicion of the deadly terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall near Moscow said on Saturday that he had shot people at the concert venue for money.

"I shot people at Crocus ... for money," the detainee said in a video of the interrogation published on Telegram by Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of RT and the Rossiya Segodnya media group.

At first, the man stated he had been promised 500,000 rubles ($5,400), but only half of the promised amount had been transferred to his card. However, later, the suspect said he had been promised about 1 million rubles.

The suspect explained that a month ago, he had been contacted via Telegram by an unnamed person and then provided with weapons. He also said he had decided to carry out the terrorist attack after a conversation with the "preacher's assistant." The suspect admitted that his curators had instructed him to kill all the people in the concert hall.

In the video, the detainee also confirmed the information that he had arrived in Russia from Turkiye on March 4.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240322/russian-strikes-paralyze-ukraines-power-grid-heres-what-was-hit-1117484767.html

Russian Strikes Paralyze Ukraine's Power Grid: Here's What Was Hit

Russian Strikes Paralyze Ukraine's Power Grid: Here's What Was Hit

Sputnik International

Over half of Ukraine was left without electricity, heating and internet connectivity Friday morning in the wake of large-scale Russian precision strikes targeting the country's energy grid.

2024-03-22T11:10+0000

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Ukraine's energy grid experienced the largest attack to date throughout the whole course of the conflict with Russia, Ukrenergo chief Vadim Kudrytsky announced Friday.Earlier in the day, Ukraine's Energy Ministry reported "large-scale damage to generation facilities, transmission and distribution systems" and widespread power outages in nearly a dozen regions.Explosions were reported in regions including Kiev, Kharkov, Sumy, Dnepropetrovsk, the Ukrainian-controlled portion of Zaporozhye, Ivano-Frankovsk, Khmelnitsky, Kirovograd, Krivoy Rog, and Vinnytsa.At least two military airfields in the Ivano-Frankovsk and Zhitomir regions were struck, as well as the Starokonstantinov airfield in the Khmelnitsky region, one of the expected deployment areas for Ukraine's as-yet undelivered F-16s. The massive Dnepro Hydroelectric Generating Plant reported a halt to its operations and "very serious" damage. Dnepropetrovsk residents have been asked by authorities to stock up on water due to a disruption in the city's power supply.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240322/the-world-sees-gaza-as-us-genocide-not-just-israels-1117481136.html

World Sees Gaza as US Genocide Not Just Israels

World Sees Gaza as US Genocide Not Just Israels

Sputnik International

The world sees Gaza as a "US Genocide, not just an Israeli Genocide," Mohammad Marandi, a professor at the University of Tehran told radio Sputnik on Thursday.

2024-03-22T04:10+0000

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Americans do not understand how badly the United States reputation has been damaged across the world, which sees Gaza as a US genocide and not just an Israeli genocide, Mohammad Marandi, a professor of English literature and Orientalism at the University of Tehran told Sputniks The Critical Hour on Thursday.Its revealing the reality of [the US] empire in a way that not even [author of A Peoples History of the United States, Howard Zinn] could do because its being done in front of our eyes, its being done in front of a global audience. Weve never seen such a thing before, Marandi said, adding that he suspects that is why the US is attempting to ban TikTok.Co-host Wilmer Leon asked about a recent freeze on Canadian arms shipments to Israel, which Marandi said showed that public opinion is shifting but that ultimately stopping Canadian exports of weapons is nothing. Marandi said Canada needs to take a much tougher approach. In any case, there is no reason to believe that the Canadian government cares about Palestinians, that they oppose the genocide because theyve done absolutely nothing to stop it, Marandi added.Ultimately, Marandi believes that Israel has laid the path for its destruction through its actions in Gaza. I believe that the Israelis have made a fatal mistake and that what theyve done in Gaza will be the beginning of the end of the Zionist project, he asserted. The real catastrophe for the Israeli regime is the fact that its been carrying out the genocide for almost six months in front of the world and it has demolished the facade that the regime had created for itself about it being a democracy All that is gone now and across the board the regime is despised and the image of the United States has been destroyed.Marandi noted that he has been to China twice and public opinion there has shifted as well. He noted that he does not think China will ever invest in Israel again.They see on their own social media networks what you and I are seeing, he noted.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240316/effort-to-ban-tiktok-shows-bipartisan-fear-of-china-influence-of-zionist-lobby-1117356333.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240322/ukraine-now-has-to-make-decisions-to-leave-some-areas-to-fortify-defensive-lines---pentagon-1117480246.html

Ukraine Now Has to Make Decisions to Leave Some Areas to Fortify Defensive Lines - Pentagon

Ukraine Now Has to Make Decisions to Leave Some Areas to Fortify Defensive Lines - Pentagon

Sputnik International

Ukraine is currently having to make strategic decisions about pulling out of some areas in order to strengthen their defensive lines, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said.

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"We know Ukraine right now is having to make strategic decisions about having to withdraw from certain areas in order to fortify their defensive lines," Singh said in a press briefing. Singh stated that Ukraine was facing such decisions because Washington is not providing it with the necessary capabilities amid stalemate in Congress.In early February, Ukraine's new Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces Oleksandr Syrskyi said that Ukrainian troops had switched from offensive to defensive actions. The Pentagon said that the Ukrainian military would have to decide which towns they are able to hold until Kiev receives new US aid. Ukraine has already surrendered a number of settlements recently, including the Avdeyevka stronghold near Donetsk.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240322/un-security-council-kills-extremely-politicized-us-resolution-for-ceasefire-in-gaza--1117489264.html

UN Security Council Kills 'Extremely Politicized' US Resolution for Ceasefire in Gaza

UN Security Council Kills 'Extremely Politicized' US Resolution for Ceasefire in Gaza

Sputnik International

America's attempt to pressure Israel's PM with a poorly prepared draft for a humanitarian ceasefire couldn't withstand the thorough scrutiny of the Security Council members. The document subtly encourages the continuation of Israel's 5-month-long military operation, despite the already deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

2024-03-22T17:45+0000

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The US draft resolution at the UN Security Council calling for an 'immediate and sustained ceasefire' in Gaza has been vetoed by China and Russia.The resolution called for a 'pause' in Israel's offensive that could last up to six weeks while humanitarian aid was distributed  but did not directly demand from Israel to stop its operation in the Palestinian enclave.But Russia's UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia dismissed Thomas-Greenfield's assertions and urged Security Council members not to vote for the "extremely politicized" US motion.He said the US draft was just a ploy to let Israel go ahead with its planned military operation on Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip, where 2.3 million residents have been driven by the Israel Defense Forces assaults in the north.Nebenzia said the US had failed in the past to fulfill its promise to end the conflict. He stressed that the draft did not include a call for a ceasefire, accusing Washington of trying to "sell a product" to the UNSC by integrating the word 'imperative', while the text was "deliberately misleading the international community."But the US resolution also signalled a departure from the Biden administrations previous stance in an apparent split with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration, urging it to halt its five-month-long conflict with Hamas as the humanitarian conditions of Gazans deteriorate.The Russian envoy stressed that the conflict could have ended before now if the US had genuinly strived for peace. Washington had only belatedly acknowledged the need for a ceasefire at the expense of over 30,000 dead Palestinians.The US delegation has repeatedly employed its Security Council veto to protect Israel from critical resolutions. Since the start of the Gaza conflict, Thomas-Greenfield has blocked draft resolutions from Brazil (October 18, 2023), the UAE (December 8, 2023) and Algeria (February 20, 2024), which called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.Russia also submitted a ceasefire resolution in late October last year, condemning Hamas' October 7 armed excursion from the besieged strip but also criticizing Israel's indiscriminate attacks on civilians in Gaza. That motion was failed to win majority support.Meanwhile, Netanyahu's government has repeated its vow to destroy the Hamas movement, with a final offensive on Rafah.According to Palestinian health authorities, around 32,000 people, mainly women and children, have been killed by Israel's bombing of Gaza  over 70 percent of whom are women and children.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240210/biden-aide-secretly-admits-missteps-in-response-to-war-in-gaza-1116711688.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240322/us-and-uk-intel-knew-of-heightened-terror-threat-ahead-of-crocus-attack-ret-fsb-officer-1117498963.html

US and UK Intel Knew of Heightened Terror Threat Ahead of Crocus Attack: Ret. FSB Officer

US and UK Intel Knew of Heightened Terror Threat Ahead of Crocus Attack: Ret. FSB Officer

Sputnik International

Former FSB Lieutenant Colonel Alexei Filatov has told Sputnik he is 100 percent certain of who is behind the attack on Crocus City Hall, commented on the responsible course Western countries can take to deescalate the situation.

2024-03-22T21:45+0000

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2024-03-23T06:49+0000

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Retired FSB Lieutenant Colonel Alexei Filatov has told Sputnik he is certain of who is behind the attack on Crocus City Hall, and commented on the responsible course Western countries could now take to deescalate the situation.This was clearly an act of terrorism, a prepared terrorist act. The Ukrainian Security Service is behind it. I am 100 percent certain, Filatov said, commenting on the incident.The retired FSB officer, a veteran of Chechnya and a special anti-terrorist operation to free hostages in Budennovsk, Stavropol Krai in 1995, said he found it curious that the US and British embassies, at the behest of their respective security services, had asked their citizens living in or visiting Russia not to take part in any mass public events on March 8  several weeks before Fridays attacks. They knew about some terrorist incident that was being planned, Filatov believes.The observer expects the Crocus attack to spark an escalation of the Ukrainian conflict and a further deterioration in the conflict zone, which began after the shelling of Belgorod, and prompted a dramatic intensification of Russian attacks on the Ukrainian energy grid.I think here too, the reaction will probably be just as tough, very tough, Filatov warned.At this stage, the FSB vet believes Crocus was a one-off, based on the level of preparation that clearly went into it. I dont think its possible to carry out such terrorist attacks every day. They require serious preparation, he said.As for what happens next, Filatov doesnt rule out that Kievs sponsors may not reconsider their plans, for example, to give Ukraine additional long-range weapons which can be used to target Russian cities.Three camo clad gunmen burst into the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Krasnogorsk, Moscow region on Friday evening, opening fire and throwing grenades or incendiary bombs, setting the building ablaze. Russia's Federal Security Service says at least 40 people have been killed and over 100 injured in what Russian investigators have classified as an act of terrorism.Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak stated Friday that Kiev was not involved in the attack on Crocus City Hall. "I emphasize once again that Ukraine definitely has nothing to do with the terrorist attacks or the shooting at Crocus City," Podolyak said in a Telegram post. A spokesman from Ukrainian military intelligence echoed Podolyak's comments. "Ukraine is not involved in this terrorist attack."

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240322/map-of-terrorist-attack-in-crocus-city-hall-concert-venue-1117497872.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240322/mass-shooting-at-concert-venue-near-moscow-casualties-reported-1117492259.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240322/us-grand-plan-is-to-reoccupy-africa-1117479849.html

US Grand Plan is to Reoccupy Africa

US Grand Plan is to Reoccupy Africa

Sputnik International

The US' "grand plan" is to reoccupy Africa along with its vassal friends, Koffi Kouakou, a professor of Africa-China relations told Radio Sputnik on Thursday.

2024-03-22T00:02+0000

2024-03-22T00:02+0000

2024-03-22T00:05+0000

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The United States grand plan with its drone base in Niger is to reoccupy Africa with its vassal friends like France, Koffi Kouakou, an African analyst and senior research fellow at the Center for Africa-China Studies at the University of Johannesburg told Sputniks Fault Lines on Thursday.The US [isn't] going to leave easily. The US is not going to cut and run because there's this big ego at play [in] geopolitics [and] geoeconomics, but also hegemony, Kouakou explained. Those who havent been paying attention should pay attention.Kouakou asserted that top US officials in Africa, including Africa Command General Michael Langley, US Ambassador to Niger Kathleen FitzGibbon and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee meeting with Nigerien leaders shows that the US is seriously concerned about its interests in the region.But Niger is capable of facing the American bulldog and raising its sovereignty because it has somebody backing it, that could be Russia.Nigerien officials have no clue of what is going on in US bases in the country, the two official ones base 101 and base 201, or the unofficial CIA base outside of Dirkou, Kouakou said. However, they wont take on the US directly, Kouakou argued. Theyll do very small [actions], slowly digging into the US powers. And then, the best attack is [against their] reputation, as theyve done to the French. They will do it again to the Americans.Kouakou noted that the US delegation didnt inform the Nigerien government what it wanted to talk about before arriving or give them an opportunity to adjust the agenda. [The] hubris that the US has and this sort of we are the big dog in place, were going to tell you what to do and agenda item one were going to be discussing so and so, agenda number two were going to discuss so and so and you have nothing to say about it, Kouakou said, describing the American attitude. Of course, the Nigeriens didnt agree.In fact, [the US] wanted to sort of renew this partnership, especially about the bases, without even telling the Nigeriens, Kouakou explained. But now, this government is saying we now want to have our sovereignty. We want to deal with different partners as we wish. And even if we were to sell anything or partner with Iran, Russia, China or anybody else, its our business. You dont have to tell us what to do. But of course, the US officials didnt like that. Molly Phee didnt like it, she threatened the delegation and said If you dont retract what you said in public, youre going to be in big trouble in the next coming months.Kouakou listed the tools in the US playbook that are typically used against governments they oppose. There are a couple of things that all of us are looking forward to seeing: an increase in terrorism in Niger, a potential color revolution or coup detat, or potential assassination of the leaders of Niger.There are concerns that Niger could turn into another Vietnam for France and the US, serving as another proxy war against Russia.[The US] invested a huge amount of money in this place. Theyre not going to leave easily. However, where the Nigeriens have a point is Youve been there since 2012, but terrorism is still there. What have you done for us to deal with terrorism, if terrorism was really the reason for your presence on our occupied ground? Kouakou said, noting that Mali has done a fabulous job with the Africa Corps in combating terrorism. There was no terrorism in the area until 2011 when the US and, now lets say NATO, bombed Libya to smithereens and destroyed it. Now this whole place is running amok with terrorist groups.I think Niger is now winning the information war, Kouakou concluded, but this is exactly our concern because the US is going to retaliate one way or another.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240319/us-to-prepare-contingency-plans-for-whether-troops-stay-or-leave-niger---official-1117431866.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240319/nigers-break-with-us-shows-african-countries-tired-of-disrespect-from-west-1117416606.html

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Managers of public lands in the Pine Ridge are planning to conduct prescribed fires in the region, including one that may be the regions biggest ever.

Conditions pending, the Pine Ridge Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forest and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will collaborate to conduct a burn of an estimated 1,700 acres about 10 miles south of Chadron by the end of March. The area includes land between U.S. Highway 385 and Deadhorse Road, including the western portion of Chadron Creek Wildlife Management Area, three Forest Service pastures and some private land.

Even with this being the largest known prescribed fire on the Pine Ridge, the burn is broken into several smaller sections with defendable fire lines. This will allow fire managers to stop and hold it in the event of changing conditions on the ground, said U.S. Forest Service Pine Ridge District Ranger Tim Buskirk.

Should there be an unforeseen weather event, fire managers have safeguards in place. Fire personnel will be on scene, patrolling and observing the burn unit until no smoke is visible. These patrols become more frequent if conditions change unfavorably.

Officials note that wildfire was an important part of Great Plains ecology before Euro-American settlement and that suppression since then has been understandable but problematic. Low-intensity prescribed fires help remedy the situation.

The benefits include the incineration of underbrush and other material that could make a wildfire extremely hazardous and destructive. It also will combat the invasion of undesirable plant species while enhancing vegetation for wildlife habitat and grazing. Fire can help set back dominating non-native cool-season grasses such as smooth and downy brome, for instance, and promote the growth of other plants that provide better nesting, loafing and brood-rearing cover. The pending fire also will reduce the countless dead pines in the area from the 2012 wildfires that have hindered access for noxious weed control and recreation.

Before ignition, prescribed fires must meet strict requirements for weather conditions and forecasts, fuel moisture, smoke dispersal and staffing.

If conditions allow, land managers will tackle more than a half-dozen other smaller prescribed fires this spring. A burn of about 85 acres occurred at Chadron Creek Ranch WMA on March 19. Other Game and Parks properties include Bordeaux, Ponderosa and Peterson wildlife management areas. The Forest Service is considering fires at two other locations on its properties  one about 5 miles south of Chadron and the other 7 miles southeast of the city, known as the Slicker and Collins allotments.

More information may be obtained by contacting the field office at Ponderosa Wildlife Management Area near Crawford or the Pine Ridge Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service in Chadron.
When most people think of an ultrasound machine, they think of pregnancies but the vital health care technology has plenty of other uses.

During a press conference Thursday, leaders with The Helmsley Charitable Trust announced roughly $13.9 million in grants to hospital systems across the state of Wyoming. Over $12.3 million dedicated to new and improved ultrasound machines.

Helmsley Charitable Trust Trustee Walter Panzirer said that the new ultrasound machines include traditional, point of care and cardiovascular ultrasound machines that can be used to make much quicker and more accurate diagnoses for patients.

Panzirer said that the grants are part of a larger initiative by the trust to improve the health care provided in rural communities. They hoped that the new equipment would help to address the disparities in health care that can be found in rural communities like much of Wyoming.

Its a win for the community, its a win for the patients and once again, it is leveling that playing field, Panzirer said. It is making it equal, equal care in rural areas to our urban centers.

Some of the funding and new equipment was distributed to clinics and hospitals in southeastern Wyoming in communities like Torrington.

As part of a larger grant to the Banner Health Foundation for roughly $1.9 million from Helmsley, Torrington Community Hospital received nine new pieces of ultrasound equipment.

According to Levi Keener, director of clinical operations at the Torrington hopsital, that equipment included two machines that will be used in radiology to replace older equipment, an upgrade to the hospitals cardiac ultrasound machine and two that will operate as diagnostic ultrasound units that will be used in a variety of clinical situations.

Those machines included point of care ultrasound machines that were mentioned for their efficiency and ease of use compared to larger, more traditional machines.

Two thirds of these devices are called point of care ultrasound machines, which will be used by providers at the bedside, so there will be no need for the patients to move down the hall or somewhere else, Panzirer said.

Keener echoed those statements and said that they can be used in quicker situations, using examples like patients whose veins are difficult to find when placing IVs or to assess bleeding in trauma situations.

Ultrasound is one of those modalities thats always getting better, Keener said. Advances in technology leads to advances with diagnostic imaging, and so better diagnostic imaging in going to lead to more accurate diagnoses.

He said that the newer machines, particularly the replacement for their cardiac ultrasound machine, allow for doctors to see sharper images with more detail that can aid in diagnosing patients.

Other nearby facilities that were grant recipients included Platte County Memorial Hospital in Wheatland, a part of the Banner Health Foundation, and Kimball Health Services Pine Bluffs Health Clinic.

The clinic in Pine Bluffs was one of the smaller recipients, receiving a $5,275 grant. Those funds were used to purchase a new point of care ultrasound machine that will improve the level of care available at the clinic.

Our providers in the Pine Bluffs Helath Clinic will have another tool they can use to bring quality health care to our patients here in Pine Bluffs, KHS CEO Cassie Gasseling said in a press release.

We appreciate the Helmsley Charitable Trust for identifying the need and taking action to improve health care for rural Wyoming residents, including our patients.

Keener expressed similar sentiments, describing ultrasounds as the first line of offense in patient diagnostics, and that with the help from these grants, that line will only get stronger.

Torrington Community Hospital, we are a state of the art facility, and so we want to continue to have state of the art equipment, he said. We have board certified, trained ultrasound technologists who are very good in their field and we want to provide them with the best tools to make accurate diagnoses for the radiologists to interpret.
University of Nebraska Medical Center Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold and Regional West Health Services CEO Mel McNea signed a master affiliation agreement March 19 at the hospital.

The agreement will enable UNMC health professions students to do critically important clinical rotations at Regional West. It is an outgrowth of a longstanding partnership between UNMC and Regional West. Current UNMC students doing rotations at Regional West include allied health professions, medical, nursing and pharmacy. Under the new agreement, additional students will be able to rotate through Regional West and the Scottsbluff community.

With this new affiliation agreement, we are thrilled to continue and expand our relationship with UNMC for our clinical students. This agreement enables even more UNMC students to do clinical rotations at Regional West. It is important for students to experience and deliver health care in the western end of the state, McNea said.

Gold said he was excited about the new agreement.

Theres a lot of work to do to build Nebraskas health care workforce, he said. Thats why were here today, to roll up our sleeves and do the work. There are many students in Nebraska right now who want to have access to health professions educational opportunities in the communities where they grew up. This agreement will help us make that possible for more students in Scottsbluff and the surrounding areas.

In addition to meeting with leaders at Regional West Health Services, Dr. Gold and UNMC leaders  including deans Lepaine Sharp-McHenry, of the UNMC College of Nursing and Gerard Kugel, of the UNMC College of Dentistry  met with other community leaders, as well as UNMC alumni, in the Scottsbluff and Gering area.
TORRINGTON, Wyo.  Eastern Wyoming Colleges Nursing Program has been named one of the top nursing programs in the state of Wyoming for NCLEX pass rates, according to the National Council for State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) exam report. Other state colleges to earn this honor include Central Wyoming College, and the University of Wyoming.

One hundred percent of our graduates last year passed the NCLEX and 100% were employed. Thereby meaning, for the year 2023, we had a 100% NCLEX pass rate, EWC Director of Nursing Monica Teichert said.

The Eastern Wyoming Colleges associate degree in nursing program at the Torrington and Douglas campus has also received continued accreditation in accordance with ACEN records, by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

This is a huge achievement as ACEN is one of the largest specialized accrediting agencies, accrediting nursing programs throughout the United States, its territories, and internationally, Teichert said. We were granted continuing accreditation until 2031 and were found to not have any areas of non-compliance.

ACEN accreditation tells the public and to the educational community that a nursing program has clear and appropriate educational objectives and is working to achieve these objectives, according to the ACEN website. By meeting the ACEN Standards and Criteria for accreditation, ACEN-accredited programs demonstrate that their graduates are prepared to enter the workforce and contribute to positive outcomes in public health.

EWC is proud of the staff in the Nursing and Healthcare programs that are dedicated to excellence in their teaching and the success of their students, EWC President Jeffry Hawes said.

Eastern Wyoming College is presently accepting applications for its fall 2024 cohort on the Douglas campus. For more information, contact Blanca Jaime at 307-624-7012 or bjaime@ewc.wy.edu, nursing@ewc.wy.edu.
Only Gov. Jim Pillens signature and federal approval stand between Nebraskas hospitals and an expected $1.4 billion in additional federal aid to help them better afford to treat low-income Medicaid patients.

State senators gave 45-0 final approval Thursday to North Platte Sen. Mike Jacobsons Legislative Bill 1087. It would charge hospitals 6% of their gross income as matching funds, which the state would initially cover and which would come back to the hospitals with far higher Medicaid reimbursements.

LB 1087 was one of several bills by western Nebraska senators to make progress before the Legislature adjourned for a three-day weekend. An accompanying bill to carry out the reimbursement plan (LB 1087A) also won passage on an identical 45-0 vote.

Jacobson and Sens. Teresa Ibach of Sumner, Brian Hardin of Gering, Steve Erdman of Bayard and Tom Brewer of Gordon voted yes on both bills.

Pillen is expected to sign LB 1087 into law at a signing ceremony next week, Jacobson said in a text later Thursday.

Ivan Mitchell, chief executive officer of North Platte-based Great Plains Health, called passage of the Medicaid reimbursement bill a good day for Sen. Jacobson and health care in general across Nebraska.

If you think about it, our state has been subsidizing everyone else because we havent done the provider assessments over the years, said Mitchell, who was 2022 Nebraska Hospital Association president. I think its a big win for Nebraskas taxpayers.

Pillens signature will make Nebraska the 45th state to access a larger federal pool of funds for Medicaid support by using hospital assessments to tap it.

The U.S. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services still must approve Nebraskas approach, which nominally will require $581 million in total assessments from the states hospitals.

Jacobson said during Unicameral debate that the state will front those assessments initially. Itll be repaid with the incoming federal funds, and the money representing the assessments would move back and forth between hospitals and the state every three months.

Mitchell said the state hospital association continues to work with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to finalize the data needed to win federal approval.

He said he doesnt yet know how much GPH will receive toward its cost of serving Medicaid patients, many of whom arent able to pay on their own.

Its not going to fully make up the gap between the cost of care and what were (already) reimbursed for Medicaid, Mitchell said. But itll be a significant improvement.

Late-night Unicameral action Wednesday saw senators give 35-0 first-round approval to Ibachs LB 1368, the Nitrogen Reduction Incentive Act. All five western Nebraska lawmakers voted in favor, including cosponsors Jacobson and Hardin.

The measure, Ibachs 2024 priority bill, would set aside $5 million a year through 2029 for incentive payments for farmers who use less commercial fertilizer in favor of biological nitrogen products and other products using innovative technology.

Senators voted 34-0 to adopt a bill rewrite offered by Ibach that would tap the states cash reserve fund for the first years incentives.

In recent action on other regional bills:

LB 43, a priority bill of Brewers Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, passed 39-0 Thursday. It includes the District 43 senators First Freedom Act (originally LB 277), which lets Native American public school students wear tribal regalia at school functions and prohibits state restrictions on religious groups during a state of emergency greater than those imposed on other groups.

Lawmakers gave 38-0 initial approval to a rewritten version of Brewers LB 253, which would have added a Scottsbluff branch of the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center. It now would create a veteran justice program in Nebraskas courts, similar to problem-solving courts that defer district court sentences for some offenders who agree to treatment or counseling. Veteran offenders whose military service contributed to their crime would be eligible.
Dawson Grahams single Time Traveler is a loving ode to Grahams grandmother, Kathleen Patterson.

People around the world are loving the tune and heartfelt words, too. The song penned by the Statesville resident has more than 5,000 plays on YouTube. It was released on Feb. 29.

Graham said the inspiration for the song came while Patterson battled a stroke and dementia.

The condition she was in was really hard on our family, he said. I went for a drive just to clear my head and come to terms with the fact that she was never gonna be as I had known her before. And then I was thinking about how she would jump around to different places in her mind. Sometimes she would think I was a kid, sometimes she would know me for who I am, and sometimes she thought I was my dad. So the term time traveler came to mind.

Patterson died in 2021 at 83, and Graham played the song at her funeral.

From a notebook to the world

Graham, who works at the nonprofit FeedNC in Mooresville, said he has stacks of notebooks with lyrics and songs written over the past 21 years but few have found the ears of others. He said he often would sneak in some of his original songs when playing gigs at various events but hadnt gone through the process of recording what hed written down.

But the country music ballad Time Traveler might not have become the polished and finished product it is now if not for another persons generosity, Graham said. While the musician who taught himself to sing by mimicking George Straight and Garth Brooks has played music for years, he hadnt recorded any of it professionally other than a demo he did when he was 17.

This song, however, would get recorded thanks to a very kind soul who paid for studio time with the Beaird Music Group of Nashville, Tennessee, because she simply believed in Graham and that the song needed to be shared with the world.

Graham, quick to self-deprecate by calling himself the weakest link in the endeavor, said the talent around him in Nashville was humbling and inspired him to find the best of himself during the recording process. As a testament to the skills of those professionals, Graham said when they asked what sound he imagined for the song, they delivered.

It felt like to me that this song is somewhere between George Strait and Vince Gill, and man, if they didnt just put it out there exactly the way I was hearing it in my head, Graham said. If you listen to that song, and youll get to the guitar solo, its gonna have a Vince Gill feel to it. And of course, the steel guitars just crying all throughout the song. Everything that I described to them is what they turned it into.

Along with the recording of the music and background vocals there in Nashville and sound mixing later on by Aaron Chmielewski, the Statesville native said he felt the need to put down the vocal tracks again and trained for several weeks to get his voice where it needed to be. Engineer Aaron Meier at Sound Factory Studios of Lincolnton recorded the vocal track and brought the song to where it is now.

Time Traveler is now well-traveled too. After loading it up on several streaming services, its been heard in almost four dozen countries and streamed over 5,000 times on YouTube.

Graham said he hopes those who hear his tribute to his grandmother also find solace in the lyrics if they find themselves in a similar situation.

The feedback that Im getting on it from people is that it actually provided some kind of a healing to them, Graham said. It means more to me than anything else that could come out of it I wanted it to be a tribute to her and I wanted the song to be dedicated to anyone whos faced the loss of a loved one. Especially when its related to dementia.

The song can be heard on most popular streaming services.

Where it began

The song is Grahams first real foray into releasing his own music despite playing for events over the last two decades, saying he mostly treated music as a hobby.

Fittingly it was Patterson who encouraged him to sing in front of their church for the first time when he was 6.

Pretend that your grandma and grandpa and God are the only ones that can hear you, Graham said she told him. Ive done all kinds of different events over the years with all kinds of different crowd sizes and to think that I was so scared back then and now it doesnt even faze me. And it all started with her.

Its a beautiful thing that this songs out there, and Im gonna keep recording too.
At every opportunity Dr. Dennis Carter tried to shift the attention to his staff. Others who work for and with him werent so fast to look away from Carters recognition by the Virginia Department of Education as the Region VII Superintendent of the Year.

Thursday evening, Supervisor Mike Sturgill, who serves the school system as assistant superintendent for instruction, told his peers on the Board of Supervisors that while Carter is the most humble person, they couldnt imagine how many great things he does everyday for the communitys children.

The supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution celebrating Carter and the VDOE award that recognized his exceptional leadership, dedication and contributions to education.

Through the resolution, the supervisors said, Dr. Carters creativity and ingenuity have been on prime display most recently through the development and expansion of the Smyth Promise Program into the Teachers for Tomorrow partnership between the local community colleges, Emory & Henry College and the Smyth County Community Foundation by building our future workforce now.

These programs provide scholarships that cover any college tuition costs not covered by other sources for Smyth County students.

The resolution also said, Dr. Carter has earned the respect, admiration and gratitude of his peers and many other stakeholders for his tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to the success and well-being of students and educators alike.

After receiving the resolution, Carter credited the collaboration that exists between the supervisors and school board for achieving much of the success and overcoming barriers.

In an official statement to the newspaper, Carter emphasized that he doesnt do the work for recognition, but to make a difference through hiring and retaining amazing staff who, in turn, help the students we serve achieve their fullest potential.

Carter expressed his honor as being tapped as Superintendent of the Year for the 19 public school divisions from Radford west to Lee County

This recognition, however, is reflective of the team with whom I serve. Smyth County has amazing instructional staff, support staff, and students who are going to grow and make our community a better place. Our teachers and staff strive to build relationships with our students and families and to foster the idea that education is a joint effort. Our goal is to eliminate barriers to success that our students may face. The collaborative nature of Smyth County and our region has provided tuition free community college through the Smyth Promise Program, experiential learning opportunities through the Manufacturing Excellence Program, an affordable pathway to become an educator through the Teachers for Tomorrow Program, and opportunities for careers in allied health through the development of the Southwest Virginia Healthcare Excellence Academy Lab School (SWVA-HEALS). Providing these opportunities for our students during their high school career will help them identify their career pathway and enable us to provide the necessary support to help them achieve success.

A school system statement said Carter is also passionate about supporting all students and teachers by embracing the practices of a Trauma Responsive Division.

Carters success may stem from his intimate knowledge of the school system both as a student and professionally.

A Smyth County native, Carter has worked his way up through the school system over 29 years. He worked first as an instructional assistant at Rich Valley Elementary School and then became a special education teacher at Rich Valley Elementary School. He was promoted to Chilhowie Elementary Schools assistant principal, and then principal of both Sugar Grove Combined School and Chilhowie Elementary School. Carter first joined the central office staff as director of Curriculum and Instruction. He was then tapped as assistant superintendent. The school board named him as the divisions superintendent in 2016.

Carter also volunteers with a number of community service organizations, including the United Way of Southwest Virginia, the Appalachian Center of Hope, and other health initiatives.

A school system statement said, Dr. Carter leads with a servant heart who is vested in the community he serves.

Along with the other regional superintendents of the year, Carter will be considered for Virginia Superintendent of the Year.
After five years spent in a preliminary phase, Woodlands Exit 21 improvement project is moving toward its next step to alleviate traffic at the busy interchange.

Woodlands City Council approved hiring the engineering firm Kittleson and Associates to design and assist in the construction management for the project in August last year. Kittleson and Associates has begun the second phase of the improvement project to complete a project-ready design and receive permitting by the end of 2026.

In a March 4 meeting, Engineer Anthony Yi told the City Council the key concerns about the interchange, including that during weekday afternoon rush hour, traffic backs up at the northbound Interstate 5 off-ramp. State Route 503, also called Lewis River Road, particularly between Lake Shore Drive and Millard Street, also experiences heavy congestion, causing drivers to wait through multiple traffic signal cycles, he said. As a result, traffic that has accumulated on Goerig Street, especially on the Buckeye Street and Lakeshore Drive intersection, creates delays.

Kittleson and Associates began its research for the project in 2019, conducting a traffic study, created several concepts and hosted an open house for community members. The study resulted in two alternatives for the interchange. One concept focuses on reducing traffic through roundabouts, while the other proposes improved traffic signals to reduce traffic congestion.

Consultant Caleb Cox told the City Council the new phase of the project is expected to be complete by the end of 2026.

The goal of phase two is to get the design fully engineered to a point where it can be ready to construct, Cox said.

Future goals

Yi said that the team aims to refine the concept and document the project by September. Afterward, the group will communicate with the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Woodland council to determine which of the two proposed alternatives is more viable.

Council member Douglas Freimarck asked if the two concepts presented by Kittleson and Associates could accommodate increased traffic from future commercial zoning within city limits.

Considering were going to have a thousand-plus heavy commercial trucks, and anywhere between 200 or 500 vehicles coming from a new development  we anticipate several increases in traffic, Freimarck said, adding he doubted the interchange improvement would accommodate the more than 20% increase in traffic flow expected.

Yi explained that the teams analysis and increased traffic flow simulation indicates either alternative will resolve the interchanges problems for at least 20 years.

We wouldnt be here if we didnt feel strongly that those are still two very good, viable options for the community, Yi said.
The annual fundraiser dinner for a local Republicans group is set to include speeches and meet-and-greets with three Republican candidates for major 2024 Washington races, including a leading Republican candidate for governor and the areas former Congressional representative who lost in the 2022 primaries.

Lower Columbia Republicans Uniteds catered candidate dinner will take place April 6 beginning at 5 p.m. at the McClelland Arts Center. The three guest candidates who will attend the dinner will be:

Dave Reichert, former Congressman for Washingtons 8th District and one of the leading Republican candidates in the crowded race for governor.

Jaime Herrera Beutler,

who is the most notable Republican running to be Washingtons public lands commissioner.

Leslie Lewallen, who is running for the

against Democrat Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Republican Joe Kent.

Lower Columbia Republicans chairman Roger Peters said the dinner would be a more serious event than some of the previous fundraiser dinners because of the visiting guests. The annual fundraiser is usually held on April Fools Day and includes a stump on the event stage where guests can give literal stump speeches during the dinner.

Lower Columbia Republicans United is a political group that supports Republican candidates running for office in Cowlitz County or Washington, but also advocates for conservative diversity among candidates. The group is not affiliated with the Cowlitz County Republican Central Committee, which runs the countys official Republican party events.

Tickets are $50 per person and can be bought at www.lowercolumbiarepublicans.org.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

A mounted plastic prototype of the Compact Hyperspectral Air Pollution Sensor Demonstrator (CHAPS-D) instrument, additively manufactured at APL. The prototype shows regions that will be additively manufactured aluminum (white), traditionally machined parts (red) and the instrument detectors location (yellow). Credit: Johns Hopkins APL/Benjamin Stewart

When Zach Post was approached about leading a study to develop a framework for additively manufacturing (colloquially called 3D printing) a new space instrument for detecting air pollution, it was an opportunity he couldn't pass up.

A materials engineer at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, Post had been interested in expanding his career in fabricating additively manufactured samples and parts to include performing the data analysis that happens before and after. And here, a project doing just that fell right into his lap.

"It was an exciting opportunity, one that perfectly fit my goals and interests to really see how processing can alter a material's performance," Post said.

What nobody anticipated, however, was that the project would also make a big splash in the additive manufacturing community. The paper describing the team's framework for selecting the instrument's material and printing process, which Post authored with team members from APL and the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), has now won two awards: the Light Metal Subject Award for aluminum alloys and the overall Light Metals Award, both from The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS)one of the largest materials societies in the United States.

The team received the awards on March 6 at the TMS 2024 annual meeting in Orlando, Florida. The paper is published in the conference proceedings, Light Metals 2023.

"It wasn't even on our radar that the paper would be considered for one award, let alone two," said Walter Zimbeck, an APL electrical and computer engineer, adviser to Post and study co-author who oversaw the print process.

But as an emerging field, additive manufacturing still rarely has such a clear, direct application to a final product. That fact is what many on the team believe made the paper stand out: having the application in mind from the beginning and allowing that vision to hone the process of material characterization, development and selection.

New methods

The space instrument that motivated the project is the Compact Hyperspectral Air Pollution Sensor Demonstrator (CHAPS-D). Small enough to fit onto a shoebox-sized satellite, the instrument will carry sensors and specially designed mirrors powerful enough to isolate sources of air pollution at roughly half a square mile (1 square kilometer) from low Earth orbit, an unparalleled capability.

NASA's Earth Science Division funded the project in 2019, with the request that it somehow include additive manufacturing. The method's ability to more quickly and less expensively create parts that weigh a fraction of those created using typical machining procedures has made it appealing to the space industry, where time, cost and weight constraints are the norm.

"You wouldn't have to machine something difficult or impossible or spend time assembling it," said APL's Bill Swartz, the principal investigator of CHAPS-D. "You could, in theory, just print it out."

Given CHAPS-D's miniaturization, additive manufacturing engineers from APL's Research and Exploratory Development Department and their collaborators from TNO decided to design the instrument using topology optimizationa computational method that adjusts the distribution of material in a structure so it's only used where it is absolutely necessaryand print out the instrument's body.

But what material to use wasn't straightforward, Swartz said. Laser powder bed fusion (the additive manufacturing technique the team would use) relies on metal powders, in this case aluminum, which a laser will melt to form the designed part layer by layer.

The powders frequently contain trace metals that, depending on their concentration, can significantly alter the material's properties, making it stronger or weaker, more brittle or more malleable. What's more, the power of the laser, how fast it scans, how much overlap there is between adjacent laser paths, and what machine is used also alter the final product's material properties.

"You're not just picking an alloy for the application; you're picking an alloy and processing parameters that then result in your final material," Post said.

Using CHAPS-D's required material characteristics as its guide, the team whittled the field of possible materials down to just three alloys. Then, it had to figure out a test-and-evaluation framework to isolate the best alloy and the ideal manufacturing process.

Steve Storck, chief scientist of manufacturing technologies at APL and a paper co-author, had already started paving the way. In a previous internal project, his team had created a process that uses fast modeling, a rapid design procedure with quick sampling techniques. As a result, APL now has some of the fastest methods in the world to develop material properties for additive manufacturing processes, he said, in some cases accomplishing in a week what used to take about three years to complete.

"This new technique allows APL to develop materials faster than the field," Storck said. "We've developed machine learning and down-selection techniques that allow us to efficiently see how each variable couples together and how that ultimately impacts the end performance."

Leveraging this expedited technique and tailoring it to CHAPS-D's specific material requirements, the team isolated a material and process in just six months. It settled on a high-strength aluminum alloy called Scalmalloy, the "sweet tea of aluminum," as Storck put it, because the same process used to supersaturate sweet tea with sugarheating it upis used to supersaturate Scalmalloy with the element scandium.

The material still proved tricky to print because the design needed a significant number of supports. It took the team four tries to get the print just right, and because of its optimized design, the final product appears otherworldlya hunk of slate-gray metal with gapes and crisscrossing struts that make it look almost alive, even alien.

"The first time I saw it, I thought, "This looks like something from outer space, not something we put into outer space,'" Zimbeck quipped.

New applications

Figuring commercial companies and other organizations interested in additive manufacturing might find their process useful, Post received funding to pull together the paper and, through an internal grant, present the project at the 2023 TMS meeting. Ten months later, the team was notified they had won the awards.

"The project really is a great example of how we at APL use additive manufacturing to enhance technologies or enable novel capabilities that otherwise weren't possible," said Morgan Trexler, manager of the Science of Extreme and Multifunctional Materials program in APL's Research and Exploratory Development Mission Area. "This is a nice example of leveraging strong research to enable a new capability for a mission application."

At APL, the technique has quickly found life in other projects, including space, undersea and hypersonics applications.

As for the CHAPS-D instrument, the team is working on building a flight version in preparation for its scheduled test aboard a King Air B200 airplane this September.

More information: Zachary J. Post et al, Material Evaluation Framework of Additive Manufactured Aluminum Alloys for Space Optical Instruments, Light Metals 2023 (2023). DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-22532-1_65
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Water is needed for development, production and consumption, yet we are overusing and polluting an unsubstitutable resource and system.

Eight safe and just boundaries for five domains (climate, biosphere, water, nutrients and aerosols) have been identified beyond which there is significant harm to humans and nature and the risk of crossing tipping points increases. Humans have already crossed the safe and just Earth System Boundaries for water.

To date, seven of the eight boundaries have been crossed, and although the aerosol boundary has not been crossed at the global level, it has been crossed at city level in many parts of the world.

For water, the safe and just boundaries specify that surface water flows should not fluctuate more than 20 percent relative to the natural flow on a monthly basis; while groundwater withdrawal should not be more than the recharge rate. Both of these boundaries have been crossed.

These thresholds have been crossed even though the minimum needs of the world's poorest to access water and sanitation services have not been met. Addressing these needs will put an even greater pressure on already-strained water systems.

AI's potential

Technological optimists argue that artificial intelligence (AI) holds the potential to solve the world's water problems. Supporters of AI argue that it can help achieve both the environmental and social Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), for example by designing systems to address shortages of teachers and doctors, increase crop yields and manage our energy needs.

In the past decade, research into this area has grown exponentially, with potential applications including increasing water efficiency and monitoring in agriculture, water security and enhancing wastewater treatment.

AI-powered biosensors can more accurately detect toxic chemicals in drinking water than current quality monitoring practices.

The potential for AI to change the water used in agriculture is evident through the building of smart machines, robots and sensors that optimize farming systems.

For example, smart irrigation automates irrigation through the collection and analysis of data to optimize water usage by improving efficiency and detecting leakage.

As international development scholars who study the relationship between water, the environment and global inequality, we are curious about whether AI can actually make a difference or whether it exacerbates existing challenges. Although there is peer-reviewed literature on the use of AI for managing water and the SDGs, there are no peer-reviewed papers on the direct and indirect implications of AI on water use.

AI and water use

Initial research shows that AI has a significant water footprint. It uses water both for cooling the servers that power its computations and for producing the energy it consumes. As AI becomes more integrated into our societies, its water footprint will inevitably grow.

The growth of ChatGPT and similar AI models has been hailed as "the new Google." But while a single Google search requires half a milliliter of water in energy, ChatGPT consumes 500 milliliters of water for every five to 50 prompts.

The Associated Press looks at Googles water consumption in The Dalles, Ore.

AI uses and pollutes water through related hardware production. Producing the AI hardware involves resource-intensive mining for rare materials such as silicon, germanium, gallium, boron and phosphorous. Extracting these minerals has a significant impact on the environment and contributes to water pollution.

Semiconductors and microchips require large volumes of water in the manufacturing stage. Other hardware, such as for various sensors, also have an associated water footprint.

Data centers provide the physical infrastructure for training and running AI, and their energy consumption could double by 2026. Technology firms using water to run and cool these data centers potentially require water withdrawals of 4.2 to 6.6 billion cubic meters by 2027.

By comparison, Google's data centers used over 21 billion liters of potable water in 2022, an increase of 20 percent on its 2021 usage.

Training an AI at the computing level of a human brain for one year can cost 126,000 liters of water. Each year the computing power needed to train AI increases tenfold, requiring more resources.

Water use of big tech companies' data centers is grossly underestimatedfor example, the water consumption at Microsoft's Dutch data center was four times their initial plans. Demand for water for cooling will only increase because of rising average temperatures due to climate change.

Conflicting needs

The technology sector's water demand is so high that communities are protesting against it as it threatens their livelihoods. Google's data center in drought-prone The Dalles, Ore. is sparking concern as it uses a quarter of the city's water.

Taiwan, responsible for 90 percent of the world's advanced semiconductor chip production, has resorted to cloud seeding, water desalination, interbasin water transfers and halting irrigation for 180,000 hectares to address its water needs.

Locating data centers

As water becomes increasingly expensive and scarce in relation to demand, companies are now strategically placing their data centers in the developing worldeven in dry sub-Saharan Africa, data center investments are increasing.

Google's planned data center in Uruguay, which recently suffered its worst drought in 74 years, would require 7.6 million liters per day, sparking widespread protest.

What emerges is a familiar picture of geographic inequality, as developing countries find themselves caught in a dilemma between the economic benefits offered by international investment and the strain this places on local water resources availability.

We believe there is sufficient evidence for concern that the rapid uptake of AI risks exacerbating the water crises rather than help addressing them. As yet, there are no systematic studies on the AI industry and its water consumption. Technology companies have been tightlipped about the water footprint of their new products.

The broader question is: Will the social and environmental contributions of AI be overshadowed by its huge water footprint?

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Apple, Google and Meta are set to face the EU's wrath next week as Brussels prepares to hit the tech giants with probes into potential violations of a landmark law, sources close to the matter said Friday.

The European Commission, the EU's powerful antitrust regulator, has been in talks in the past months with the titans about complying with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which came into force in early March.

The DMA demands online platforms open up digital markets to greater competitionand the commission has vowed its impact would be far-reaching.

"Apple has done more with the DMA in 10 days than in 10 years with antitrust," the EU's internal market commissioner, Thierry Breton, told CNN Thursday.

For example, Apple has been forced to allow developers to create their own rival marketplaces to the US giant's App Store.

But the company still faces accusations that the changes are complicated and come with unfair feesand has not done enough to avoid European regulators' scrutiny.

The investigation into Apple is expected to look into how the company prevents application developers from communicating for free with iPhone users, a source said.

A similar violation led the EU to slap Apple with a 1.8-billion-euro ($1.95-billion) fine earlier this month, which the company is appealing.

Apple is also in the crosshairs of regulators on the other side of the Atlantic.

On Thursday, the US Department of Justice sued Apple, accusing it of illegally maintaining a monopoly for its iPhone ecosystem by stifling competition.

Risk of hefty fines

The EU has named six companies as "gatekeepers" facing the tougher rules: Google parent Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, TikTok owner ByteDance, Meta and Microsoft.

The EU probe into Meta will likely focus on how the US company uses Facebook and Instagram users' data. Under the rules, platforms can only share data across the companies' services if they have user consent to do so, which they must now ask for.

The investigation into Google will focus on claims of "self-preferencing", where digital platforms favour their own services above others, the source said, for example when users search for hotels.

Brussels hit Google with a 2.4-billion-euro fine in 2017 over a similar breach.

The commission can slap fines of up to 10 percent on a company's worldwide turnover for a violation. That can rise to 20 percent for repeat offenders.

Apple, Google and Meta did not immediately respond to AFP's requests for comment.

 2024 AFP
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Cheaper app subscriptions. Additional payment options. Greater freedom for app developers on the App Store. More consumer choice.

Those are some of the possibilities that consumer advocates hope will come to pass for users of Apple iPhones, iPads and other products if the U.S. Department of Justice wins its long-awaited antitrust lawsuit against the Cupertino, California, tech giant.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday, accuses Apple of stifling competition and leveraging its clout and ownership of the popular App Store to increase prices for customers. If the DOJ succeeds in its case, the implications for Apple's business could be significantpotentially changing the ways the company charges app developers and customers for products and services.

"This is a good thing for consumers because the Department of Justice is basically checking Apple's use of its market power to make sure it's not an abuse of its market power," said Jamie Court, president of L.A.-based nonprofit Consumer Watchdog.

For years, the Apple App Store has taken up to 30% of revenue from app subscriptions or in-app purchases from third-party developers. Developers have said this cut makes it difficult to keep their businesses viable, so they pass that charge on to consumers.

Unlike Google's Android operating system, which runs on Google phones as well as other devices such as Samsung's, Apple products operate only through its own software, iOS. The only way that third-party developers can get their app onto Apple's App Store is by following the iPhone maker's rules. If they don't, they risk losing out on millions of customers.

"This is signaling that Apple is going to have to bring its prices for other apps down," Court said. "It's going to have to open its payment systems to other providers and it's going to have to make sure that people who use other devices have basically a comparable access to convenience and service."

Some businesses, including Swedish audio company Spotify, have directed users to subscribe via their websites, avoiding the up to 30% cut. In 2020, Epic Games sued Apple after it got kicked out of the App Store when its game "Fortnite" was attempting to circumvent Apple's charge on in-app purchases. A U.S. District Court judge ruled in that case that Apple didn't maintain a monopoly in the market for mobile games, but ordered the company to allow developers to alert customers to different payment options.

Although many analysts expect Apple to change its practices somewhat as a result of the government's action, they do not expect any major immediate shifts. The most likely outcome is a settlement.

"We do not expect any business model changes for now, but Apple clearly is going to have to find a way to eventually settle this case, pay a hefty fine, and ultimately find some compromise with developers on the App Store structure down the road," said Daniel Ives, a managing director at Wedbush Securities, in a note to clients.

Apple said in a statement that the Department of Justice lawsuit "threatens who we are and the principles that set Apple products apart in fiercely competitive markets." Apple has long argued that its business model of creating a tightly controlled ecosystem of software and hardware benefits its customers.

"If successful, it would hinder our ability to create the kind of technology people expect from Applewhere hardware, software, and services intersect," Apple said. "It would also set a dangerous precedent, empowering government to take a heavy hand in designing people's technology."

The company has touted the economic success within the developer community from the App Store. Apple's App Store ecosystem generated $1.1 trillion in developer billings and sales in 2022, according to Analysis Group. Apple asserted that more than 90% of billings and sales went to developers and businesses without any commission given to Apple.

"As this [Analysis Group] report shows, the App Store is a vibrant, innovative marketplace where opportunity thrives, and we're as committed as ever to investing in developers' success and the app economy's future," Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said in a statement in May.

But some analysts say that Apple's competitors make smaller profits but still provide a level of security and service that protects consumersand therefore, Apple should be less restrictive. .

"Apple's margins are much larger than the rest of the industry and that makes them a target for this," said Rob Enderle, principal analyst with advisory services firm Enderle Group. "When a company has what appears to be excessive margin, it raises the potential of an abuse of monopoly power."

Critics say that Apple abuses its position as a gatekeeper for the App Store, launching similar Apple products that directly compete against rivals and put them at a disadvantage.

For example, Apple released its own streaming music service, Apple Music, which competes directly with Spotify. Apple foes say that the company has a competitive advantage because it not only owns the iPhone but also controls the software system and App Store. Apple also controls which apps are pre-installed on its iPhones.

"It's finally bringing to light a lot of the practices that Apple engages in that those within the industry often don't have the ability to complain about, because they just either are afraid of Apple or don't have the resources to go up against one of the world's richest companies," said Adam Wolfson, a lawyer who represented Mountain View, Calif.-based AliveCor when it sued Apple in 2021 over related concerns.

AliveCor's lawsuit, which accused Apple of wielding monopoly power through Apple Watch apps, was recently dismissed, but the company said it plans to appeal. Apple said that the judge's ruling "confirms that it is not anticompetitive" in a statement released to Reuters.

"Apple is not the best at everything and there are numerous examples of apps out there where Apple has had it pushed or made its own version, and it's not as high quality as what third parties have developed," said Wolfson, a partner at Quinn Emanuel. "By (Apple) constantly putting itself at the forefront, it's often making it so that consumers don't have a choice of the best option."

Other industry observers say the Department of Justice lawsuit could also bring about more usability across different apps or services on Apple. For example, by making it less awkward when Apple users text with Android customers.

"The green text chains with the one non-Apple friend could be coming to an end," Ives said.

Many analysts see similarities to the Department of Justice lawsuit and settlement with Microsoft over antitrust practices in 2002, which gave computer manufacturers more freedom in putting other web browsers on their machines not made by Microsoft.

"It set the tone for the whole internet age," Court said. "If Microsoft had been allowed to dominate that market, we would never have the proliferation of companies that came about with innovative products. If Microsoft could have forced everyone who had a Windows operating system to use their browser, then there'd be no Google."

2024 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Even companies that sell apparel goods in the United States can have a hard time tracing their origins. Credit: Renee Zhang/Northeastern University

Almost all of the clothing sold in America comes from overseas, making a long journey on a shipping container into a domestic port. Peer inside any apparel shipment bound for customs checkpoints, groaning with t-shirts or leggings or underwear, and you'll probably see tags hinting at their origins: Made in Vietnam, China, Indonesia.

If you think about it any further, you may suppose that they took a straightforward journey from a factory in that country, eventually reaching the shelves of a store or e-retail warehouse and going into a shopping basket.

It's more complicated than that. In fact, there's a very good chance even the company selling those t-shirts and leggings doesn't have all the information about where they really came from.

That mystery is emblematic of what has long been a frustratingly obscure, dangerous corner of the economy, plagued by human rights violations. The global apparel industry is worth about $1.7 trillion annually.

According to watchdog groups, an estimated $161 billion worth of apparel and textile goods are at risk of being produced with forced laborwhat human rights activists equate to modern-day slavery. An estimated 27 million peoplethe population of Australiaare trapped in forced labor across the globe.

And unwieldy journeys from manufacturing regions to consumers in countries that buy their goods make it easy for unscrupulous governments and factories to cover their tracks. "There's no way for people to know where their products come from," says Shawn Bhimani, an assistant professor of supply chain management at Northeastern University.

Bhimani and his colleagues are about to change that.

On Thursday, Bhimani and project director Katie Shaw launched Supply Trace, an open-access platform that combines machine learning with on-the-ground research to sniff out risks of forced labor in the global apparel supply chain. Meant primarily for industry use, the searchable database allows users to chart the path of apparel goods around the world, connecting hundreds of millions of data points on imports in purchasing countries with in-person reports detailing the locations and practices of facilities that use forced labor.

Users who search for a specific company on the platform will call up an auto-generated world map with color-coded lines indicating the likelihood that its goods have ties to areas of the world known to use forced labor, along with supporting documents compiled by the project's facility investigation team at Sheffield Hallam University in the United Kingdom. In its pilot iteration, the target users are professionals within and around the apparel industry: fashion companies, human rights nonprofits and policymakers.

"We're trying to create a level of transparency that should have always existed," Bhimani says.

Initially, Supply Trace will be focused on cotton tracked back to the Uyghur region in Western China, a hotbed of forced labor thanks to oppressive government policies against the vulnerable Uyghur ethnic minority in that region. The Sheffield Hallam research team includes Uyghur nationals, some of whom work anonymously to protect their sources and families. But supply chain experts think the model will be a broad-based game-changer, shining a light on how goods of every stripe are sourced across the global supply chain.

"This has the potential to turn into something huge," says Nada Sanders, a distinguished professor of supply chain management at Northeastern's D'Amore McKim School of Business. "I would like this to grow across industries and regions."

What we don't know

One of the more surprising things about Supply Trace is that the information the platform can uncover was all but impossible to get previously. Under United Nations guidance, "forced labor" entails work compelled under threat of physical violence, fraud, withholding information or extortion of loved ones for another's financial benefit.

Importing goods made with forced labor has been illegal in the United States since 1930; for nearly a century, many Western countries have gradually adopted more specific regulations, banning imports from certain regions and levying fines on companies found to be out of compliance. In 2021, the U.S. Congress passed the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, banning imports from the region in Western China.

Yet at the same time regulations are addressing forced labor more directly, market pressures are making the problem worse. "Fast fashion"the business model of producing garments in bulk as cheaply as possible, exemplified by discount retailers like Shein and Temuhas exploded in recent years, ramping up demand for supercheap apparel churned out at a breakneck pace.

"I'm not trying to pick on anybody, but if you think about it realistically, how is it possible to get a shirt or a pair of jeans to a customer so quickly for a few dollars?" Sanders asks. "Someone is not getting paid along the way."

For its initial launch, Supply Trace is focused on goods originating in Western China, where the government, per policy, is detaining, re-educating and forcibly working members of the Uyghur ethnic minority in textile mills and other industries. (The Chinese government denies this, but it is widely acknowledged by the international community).

The problem: Cotton doesn't go directly from the source to a merchant in the United States. It might travel to a supplier in another region, then to another country or two without import bans before eventually getting to a U.S. port.

Not all of this movement is nefarious. "Sometimes products go from between one or two countries before they come to the U.S. because one country is better at harvesting cotton and another is better at sewing and dying it," Bhimani says. "But it makes things complex."

"In a supply chain, you have a 'direct supplier," but your direct supplier has a supplier, which has a supplier," he explains. "By the time it's three levels away from you, you have no idea who they are."

Tracking down those "indirect suppliers" takes painstaking tracking of individual shipments, and the sourcing data that exists at a high cost. A few private platforms charge high fees for supply chain informationup to $50,000 per month. "That means over 99% of the world can't access this," Bhimani says. "We're the first platform that will make it accessible for everyone."

Charting a path

The base dataset for Supply Trace is U.S. imports400 million dating back to 2013. At Sheffield Hallam, a small group of researchers has contributed in-depth reports on facilities that use forced labor in Western China, drawing on clues from public records and state-run media.

"There are terms and policy wordings we look for," says M. Tanrikut, a researcher at Sheffield Hallam and a Uyhgur national whose family has experienced forced labor. "There are euphemistic terms'elevation programs' is one, and 'land transfer'with very horrible things happening behind them."

"Obviously it's not going to be as simple as finding an article that says 'forced labor is used here," Shaw adds. "They're looking at publicly available resources, then they start drilling down: where is this physically located? Oh, it's really close to a prison. Or, there's a type of language the Chinese media will use to people within the country, a kind celebration of great productivity. That's a red flag."

Machine learning enables Supply Trace to corral millions of those unwieldy data points and draw connections between them, spotting patterns at a scale that individuals cannot. "An algorithm can pick up correlations that might not be obvious to me and you," Sanders says.

Bhimani breaks it down: "Let's say for example, you are a small fashion company in Boston, and you think you have no exposure to China. You buy products from Indonesia, so the first [data point] machine learning picks up is an import record: who shipped it to you from Indonesia? What was their company name and address?

From there, where did it come from before it got to Indonesia? Indonesia has its own import records that might send you back to maybe Sri Lanka or India. And then eventually we trace it back to where the original content came from."

At launch, the Supply Trace platform has traced more than 1 million companies, nearly 2 million relationships and over 2.5 million transactions using this combination of data.

"We can't do this for every product," Bhimani cautions. "But in this pilot, we're working toward [flagging] areas of the world [from which] it is illegal to buy cotton."

'They want help'

Forced labor in the apparel industry has been a known problem in international watchdog circles for years; major retailers including Zara, Nike and Shein have come under recent scrutiny for the alleged presence of materials from the Uyghur region in their supply chains.

But Bhimani and Shaw stress that Supply Trace isn't about pointing fingers. "The platform uses specific phrasing around potential risk," Bhimani says. "It doesn't say, 'X company is using forced labor.' I hope companies and governments can take this as a starting point to go fix something that's wrong."

That small fashion company in Boston, for instance, could shift to an Indonesian supplier without risk exposure to the Uyghur region. Armed with better data, too, legislators and regulators will be better able to target policies. In focus groups with fashion companies and government officials, the feedback has been enthusiastic.

"They can't do this themselves, and they want some help," Bhimani says. After the pilot phase, Bhimani and Shaw hope to expand Supply Trace to shine a light on other industries and more parts of the world. Sanders hopes the model eventually will give users the ability to track any product from the source to its consumerfrom apparel to electronics and batteries. "I see this growing into something really powerful," she says.

More information: Supply Trace: supplytrace.org/
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The MRS UAVs based on Tarot T650 frame, used during field experiment, Credit: Datsko et al

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, have already proved to be valuable tools for tackling a wide range of real-world problems, ranging from the monitoring of natural environments and agricultural plots to search and rescue missions and the filming of movie scenes from above. So far, most of these problems have been tackled using one drone at a time, rather than teams of multiple autonomous or semi-autonomous UAVs.

Compared to individual UAVs, UAV teams could cover wider geographical areas, capturing more footage of specific scenes or completing desired missions faster. Many roboticists and computer scientists have thus been working on new technologies that could facilitate the simultaneous deployment and coordination of multiple UAVs.

Researchers at Czech Technical University in Prague recently introduced a new method to plan minimum-energy paths for UAVs in a team, allowing them to efficiently cover environments as a team during missions. This method, introduced in IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, could both minimize the energy consumption of UAV teams, considering the battery capacity of drones when planning their paths and optimize the speed of flight.

"Our recent paper was inspired by our previous research efforts in planning algorithms for single-UAV coverage path planning and multi-UAV inspection planning," Frantisek Nekovar, co-author of the paper, told Tech Xplore. "Coverage tasks over large outdoor areas require the use of multiple UAVs due to their limited flight times and battery capacity. However, existing multi-UAV planning approaches did not account for energy constraints directly, optimizing for flight time or traveled distance instead."

The key goal of the recent work by Nekovar and his colleagues was to develop a new computational model that would coordinate the actions of multiple UAV, enabling the energy-aware coverage of environments during missions. In contrast with many other UAV team planning frameworks introduced in the past, their proposed approach considers the optimal flight speeds of UAVs in a team and their individual battery constraints.

"Our approach works by first decomposing the area into cells using a boustrophedon decomposition," Nekovar explained. "We then plan back-and-forth sweeping patterns within each cell to cover it, utilizing the optimal flight speed to minimize energy consumption per distance.

GUI for coverage mission planning. Credit: Datsko et al

To effectively allocate cells to individual UAVs in a team and plan their plans and actions, such as what locations they will visit and in what order, the researchers formulated the mission as a multiple set traveling salesman problem (MS-TSP). This is a mathematical problem that describes a scenario in which a group of salesmen need to visit a number of cities grouped in sets, visiting each set only once and then returning to their starting location at a minimal cost of travel.

"We tackled this problem using a meta-heuristic solver," Nekovar said. "During planning, fast energy estimation algorithm along with optimal speeds are used to minimize total energy consumption while meeting battery constraints. The energy-aware planning and use of optimal speeds are the key unique aspects compared to prior work."

The researchers evaluated their approach both in simulations and in a real-world experiment, where they deployed it on a team of drones tasked with monitoring a set geographical area. Notably, their approach was found to outperform previous approaches in terms of both coverage speed and energy consumption, reducing the energy spent by the drones by up to 40.4%.

"We have verified our energy estimation is on average 97% accurate to the values measured in flight," Nekovar said. "In a field experiment, we demonstrated feasibility of our planning approach with two UAVs covering an area in coordination."

In the future, the new approach introduced in this recent study could facilitate the use of UAV teams in real-world settings, particularly for tackling tasks that require longer flight times, such as the inspection of infrastructure, precision agriculture and environmental monitoring. Nekovar and his colleagues published its underlying code on GitHub, so other researchers could soon also implement and test their method in specific settings.

In their next studies, the researchers plan to further develop their approach, also allowing it to plan UAV coverage in 3D and incorporating localization uncertainty. They also wish to include the possibility of recharging individual UAVs during missions and swapping them with fully charged systems, as this would further extend the team's overall battery lifespan and enable their use for tackling longer missions.

"Integration of perception and mapping capabilities will also enable fully autonomous coverage missions with obstacle avoidance and surface reconstruction," Nekovar added. "Furthermore, we plan on adding replanning capabilities, which improve the ability of our method to handle unexpected scenarios with dynamic obstacles or battery issues.

"Overall, extending our energy-aware planning approach to enable long-endurance and safe multi-UAV operations is an exciting direction for future research."

 2024 Science X Network
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Boom Supersonic is just one of nearly half a dozen companies that have recently jumped into the race to bring commercial supersonic flights to the public. Credit: Rendering by Boom

If you could fly from New York to London in half the time, would you? With a renewed interest and investment in commercial supersonic flight, that's what some companies hope to achieve.

Supersonic flights, which cross the sound barrier, haven't been available to the public since Concorde shut down in 2003 due to sky-high ticket prices and an infamous 2000 crash that killed 113 people. The military still uses supersonic jets and, more recently, NASA, which in January unveiled the X-59, a single-seat supersonic research aircraft.

But alongside NASA's reveal comes a slew of companies like Boom Supersonic, Spike, and Exosonic that are all racing to bring this kind of high-speed flight to the public. They all promise the new wave of supersonic air travel will be quieter, more sustainable, and more affordable for passengers, but Bruce Mamont, a flight instructor and former Boeing employee who now teaches courses on flight and aircraft propulsion at Northeastern University's Seattle campus, has doubts.

"Is it feasible? Sure. Is it practical? Maybe. Is it commercially viable? I'm extremely skeptical," Mamont says.

The cost comes down to numerous aerodynamic and practical questions that every airline has to consider, according to Mamont, but the main issue is drag, the force acting in opposition to an object's movement.

The propulsion systems on airplanes accelerate the plane to a speed where there is enough airflow going over the wings so that the plane can lift off the ground. The plane then climbs, usually at a steady, slow speed, until it reaches a constant, fast cruising speed. Once at cruising speed, the plane is not accelerating or decelerating, which means the only force the engines have to compensate for is drag, Momont says.

"Once you start going into transonic and supersonic speeds, the air kind of can't get out of its own way, and as a result, the drag goes up hugely, which means the requirement for fuel goes up hugely," Mamont says. "The more fuel you have to carry, the less stuff that makes you money you can carry, and there are practical limitations on how big you can make the airplane."

Increasing the size of an airplane would mean room for more passengers, but it creates added demand on airport infrastructure, something large planes like the Airbus 380 have already done, notes Mamont. Together, all these challenges add up, and Mamont isn't sure supersonic airlines could avoid passing along that cost to passengers.

"The biggest problem is going to be it's just really expensive to go fast for the distances where being able to go fast will make a difference," Mamont says. "How much more would people be willing to pay to shave off a significant portion of the time aloft for long haul flights?"

There are also lingering questions about just how environmentally sustainable supersonic flight would be. The International Air Transportation Association pledged that airlines will achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and the focus of the airline industry has been shifting toward sustainable fuel sources like batteries, hydrogen and even biofuel that use less fuel.

Companies like Boom have stated their planes will use sustainable fuel sources, but Mamont points out that sustainable fuel sources are often more expensive than fossil fuels. And since supersonic flights move at such high speeds, they will always use more fuel, even if they're flight time is shorter.

"To carry the mass of hydrogen you're going to need to have enough thrust is another practical constraint," Mamont says. "A lot of people like hydrogen because they think it's cleaner burning. It is, but the reason that we use fossil fuels is because they have a lot of energy density. Again, what's the business case for doing this? I just haven't seen one."
A College Station man was arrested Thursday following a search warrant of his home found over 11 pounds of marijuana, other drug paraphernalia and a shrine to the patron saint of drug traffickers, according to the College Station Police Department.

David Arturo Acosta, 22, has been charged with possession of marijuana in the amount of 11.5 pounds and possession of a penalty group two drug, namely 304.9 grams of Tetrahydrocannabinol oil (THC), according to Brazos County Jail records.

Police said they conducted an announced search warrant of Acostas residence in the 3200 block of Davidson Drive on Tuesday morning.

Officers said Acosta did not respond after police announced their presence multiple times. After police breached the front door, Acosta was apprehended in the backyard of an adjacent house.

During the search of Acostas house, police said they found over $3,000 in U.S. currency, 11.5 pounds of marijuana, 304.9 grams of THC in various forms and two handguns.

In Acostas closet, police said officers found a shrine to Jesus Malverde allegedly surrounded by pre-rolled marijuana joints and money offerings. Jesus Malverde is a Robin Hood-esque Mexican folk hero who has been adopted as a patron saint by many drug traffickers.

Possession of marijuana of between 5 and 11 pounds is a third-degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000. Possession of penalty group two drugs of between 4 to 400 grams is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.

Acosta is being held under a $79,000 bond, according to jail records.
17 Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 4,716 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $232,000.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Kathmere Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 19.5% in the third quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC now owns 7,248 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $296,000 after buying an additional 1,185 shares in the last quarter. Stoneridge Investment Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 410.5% in the third quarter. Stoneridge Investment Partners LLC now owns 67,480 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,757,000 after buying an additional 54,262 shares in the last quarter. Caxton Associates LP bought a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the second quarter valued at $4,967,000. United Services Automobile Association lifted its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 13.7% in the third quarter. United Services Automobile Association now owns 97,906 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,000,000 after buying an additional 11,825 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Synovus Financial Corp lifted its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 61.7% in the third quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 121,937 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,983,000 after buying an additional 46,525 shares in the last quarter. 72.47% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on WFC shares. Compass Point raised their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 13th. Citigroup reissued a neutral rating and set a $63.00 price target (up from $57.00) on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Wednesday. Robert W. Baird reissued a neutral rating and set a $55.00 price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Monday, January 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating and set a $51.00 price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. Finally, Raymond James raised their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $55.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Wells Fargo & Company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $52.74.

Wells Fargo & Company Trading Up 1.0 %

NYSE:WFC opened at $57.85 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $52.03 and a 200 day moving average of $46.45. Wells Fargo & Company has a 52 week low of $35.25 and a 52 week high of $58.44. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24. The firm has a market capitalization of $204.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.00, a P/E/G ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 1.19.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 12th. The financial services provider reported $0.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.16 by ($0.30). The company had revenue of $20.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.30 billion. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 16.60% and a return on equity of 12.40%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.67 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that Wells Fargo & Company will post 4.71 earnings per share for the current year.

Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 2nd were given a $0.35 dividend. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.42%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 1st. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio is presently 29.05%.

About Wells Fargo & Company

(Free Report)

Wells Fargo & Company, a financial services company, provides diversified banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Consumer Banking and Lending; Commercial Banking; Corporate and Investment Banking; and Wealth and Investment Management.

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Affinity Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL  Free Report) during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund bought 3,468 shares of the technology companys stock, valued at approximately $265,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of DELL. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its position in Dell Technologies by 17.7% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 14,076 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $706,000 after acquiring an additional 2,117 shares in the last quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. purchased a new stake in shares of Dell Technologies during the 1st quarter valued at $304,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Dell Technologies during the 1st quarter valued at $568,000. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its holdings in shares of Dell Technologies by 2.0% during the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 254,266 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $12,762,000 after purchasing an additional 4,949 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Yousif Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Dell Technologies by 5.2% during the 1st quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 6,090 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $306,000 after purchasing an additional 302 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 38.10% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently commented on DELL. Loop Capital assumed coverage on Dell Technologies in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. They set a buy rating and a $125.00 price objective for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Dell Technologies from $90.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their target price on Dell Technologies from $90.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. Barclays raised their target price on Dell Technologies from $53.00 to $94.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on Dell Technologies from $100.00 to $128.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $102.88.

Dell Technologies Trading Up 2.7 %

DELL stock opened at $114.02 on Friday. Dell Technologies Inc. has a 12-month low of $36.81 and a 12-month high of $131.06. The stock has a market cap of $81.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.09, a PEG ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 0.91. The businesss 50-day moving average is $92.74 and its 200 day moving average is $78.64.

Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 29th. The technology company reported $2.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.73 by $0.47. The company had revenue of $22.32 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $22.17 billion. Dell Technologies had a negative return on equity of 165.52% and a net margin of 3.63%. Dell Technologiess revenue was down 10.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.55 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Dell Technologies Inc. will post 6.58 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Dell Technologies Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 3rd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 23rd will be issued a dividend of $0.445 per share. This is a boost from Dell Technologiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.37. This represents a $1.78 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.56%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 22nd. Dell Technologiess payout ratio is currently 33.87%.

Insider Transactions at Dell Technologies

In other news, Director Iv (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 3,179,972 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $78.81, for a total transaction of $250,613,593.32. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 293,812 shares in the company, valued at approximately $23,155,323.72. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Dell Technologies news, insider Jennifer D. Saavedra sold 18,260 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $120.10, for a total value of $2,193,026.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 206,961 shares of the companys stock, valued at $24,856,016.10. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Iv (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 3,179,972 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $78.81, for a total value of $250,613,593.32. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 293,812 shares in the company, valued at approximately $23,155,323.72. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 8,539,103 shares of company stock worth $843,924,579 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 48.60% of the companys stock.

About Dell Technologies

(Free Report)

Dell Technologies Inc designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells, and supports various comprehensive and integrated solutions, products, and services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) and Client Solutions Group (CSG).

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AFG Fiduciary Services Limited Partnership lowered its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Germany ETF (NYSEARCA:EWG  Free Report) by 3.8% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 19,506 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 769 shares during the quarter. AFG Fiduciary Services Limited Partnerships holdings in iShares MSCI Germany ETF were worth $574,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC raised its stake in iShares MSCI Germany ETF by 112.1% in the third quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,090 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 576 shares during the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. purchased a new position in iShares MSCI Germany ETF in the first quarter valued at $31,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI Germany ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $33,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its holdings in iShares MSCI Germany ETF by 1,511.9% during the third quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,354 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 1,270 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cornerstone Planning Group LLC acquired a new position in iShares MSCI Germany ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $38,000.

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iShares MSCI Germany ETF Stock Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA:EWG traded down $0.04 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $31.27. 125,872 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,468,144. iShares MSCI Germany ETF has a twelve month low of $24.70 and a twelve month high of $31.50. The firms fifty day moving average price is $29.91 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $28.28. The company has a market cap of $1.78 billion, a PE ratio of 10.82 and a beta of 1.07.

iShares MSCI Germany ETF Profile

iShares MSCI Germany ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund (the 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 German market, as measured by the MSCI Germany Index (the Index).

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Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM  Get Free Report) (TSE:AEM) has earned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the eight analysts that are covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and seven have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $63.71.

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on AEM shares. Raymond James boosted their target price on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from $66.00 to $71.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, January 12th. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on Agnico Eagle Mines in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. They set a hold rating and a $54.00 price target on the stock. CIBC cut their price objective on Agnico Eagle Mines from $72.00 to $69.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. TD Securities reduced their target price on Agnico Eagle Mines from $64.00 to $62.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 21st. Finally, National Bank Financial reissued an outperform overweight rating on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd.

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View Our Latest Analysis on AEM

Agnico Eagle Mines Price Performance

Shares of AEM opened at $56.39 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $50.41 and its two-hundred day moving average is $50.04. The company has a market capitalization of $28.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.72, a P/E/G ratio of 23.91 and a beta of 1.03. Agnico Eagle Mines has a fifty-two week low of $43.22 and a fifty-two week high of $61.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 2.09.

Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE:AEM  Get Free Report) (TSE:AEM) last posted its earnings results on Friday, February 16th. The mining company reported $0.57 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.48 by $0.09. Agnico Eagle Mines had a return on equity of 5.54% and a net margin of 29.29%. The firm had revenue of $1.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.72 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.41 earnings per share. Agnico Eagle Miness revenue for the quarter was up 26.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Agnico Eagle Mines will post 2.27 earnings per share for the current year.

Agnico Eagle Mines Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 15th. Investors of record on Friday, March 1st were given a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 29th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.84%. Agnico Eagle Miness payout ratio is 38.93%.

Institutional Trading of Agnico Eagle Mines

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of AEM. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its holdings in Agnico Eagle Mines by 86.4% in the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 540,450 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $33,097,000 after buying an additional 250,445 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE increased its stake in Agnico Eagle Mines by 108.6% during the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 4,420 shares of the mining companys stock worth $270,000 after buying an additional 2,301 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp lifted its holdings in Agnico Eagle Mines by 37.6% during the 1st quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp now owns 2,795 shares of the mining companys stock worth $171,000 after buying an additional 764 shares in the last quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. purchased a new position in Agnico Eagle Mines in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $678,000. Finally, BlackRock Inc. grew its stake in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines by 44.0% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 364,215 shares of the mining companys stock worth $22,304,000 after acquiring an additional 111,208 shares in the last quarter. 59.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Agnico Eagle Mines Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, a gold mining company, exploration, development, and production of precious metals. The company's mines are located in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico, with exploration and development activities in Canada, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States.

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AIM ImmunoTech Inc. (NYSE:AIM  Get Free Report) Director Nancy Bryan purchased 38,462 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 21st. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $0.39 per share, with a total value of $15,000.18. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 38,462 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,000.18. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website.

AIM ImmunoTech Stock Performance

NYSE AIM traded up $0.06 on Friday, reaching $0.44. 196,085 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 159,056. AIM ImmunoTech Inc. has a 12 month low of $0.32 and a 12 month high of $0.75. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $0.41 and a 200-day moving average price of $0.46. The company has a market cap of $21.67 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.00 and a beta of -0.13.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in AIM. State Street Corp grew its stake in AIM ImmunoTech by 7.9% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 173,103 shares of the companys stock worth $183,000 after buying an additional 12,690 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its holdings in AIM ImmunoTech by 23.2% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 168,708 shares of the companys stock worth $73,000 after purchasing an additional 31,800 shares during the period. Virtu Financial LLC raised its holdings in AIM ImmunoTech by 34.9% in the 1st quarter. Virtu Financial LLC now owns 50,805 shares of the companys stock worth $54,000 after purchasing an additional 13,148 shares during the period. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in AIM ImmunoTech in the 1st quarter worth about $49,000. Finally, DRW Securities LLC acquired a new position in shares of AIM ImmunoTech during the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. 12.75% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About AIM ImmunoTech

AIM ImmunoTech Inc, an immuno-pharma company, focuses on the research and development of therapeutics to treat multiple types of cancers, viral diseases, and immune-deficiency disorders in the United States. The company's lead product candidate is Ampligen, a drug of macromolecular ribonucleic acid molecules for the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

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Alimentation Couche-Tard (TSE:ATD  Get Free Report) had its price objective reduced by Wells Fargo & Company from C$88.00 to C$86.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm presently has an overweight rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Companys price objective suggests a potential upside of 11.76% from the companys previous close.

ATD has been the topic of several other reports. Scotiabank cut their target price on Alimentation Couche-Tard from C$87.00 to C$85.00 in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on Alimentation Couche-Tard from C$80.00 to C$79.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 13th. TD Securities lifted their price objective on Alimentation Couche-Tard from C$88.00 to C$94.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, March 4th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on Alimentation Couche-Tard from C$81.00 to C$91.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 5th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group cut their price objective on Alimentation Couche-Tard from C$90.00 to C$89.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$86.77.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Alimentation Couche-Tard

Alimentation Couche-Tard Trading Down 1.5 %

About Alimentation Couche-Tard

Shares of TSE ATD traded down C$1.14 during trading hours on Friday, hitting C$76.95. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,144,367 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,173,314. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 79.27, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 1.14. The stock has a market cap of C$74.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.32, a P/E/G ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 0.87. Alimentation Couche-Tard has a 12 month low of C$63.15 and a 12 month high of C$87.27. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of C$81.94 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$77.58.

(Get Free Report)

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc operates and licenses convenience stores in North America, Europe, and Asia. Its convenience stores sell tobacco products and alternative tobacco products, grocery items, candies and snacks, beer, wine, beverages, and fresh food offerings; road transportation fuels and electric vehicle charging solutions; and aviation fuels, as well as energy for stationary engines.

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Apeiron RIA LLC boosted its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO  Free Report) by 15.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 778 shares of the medical research companys stock after purchasing an additional 107 shares during the quarter. Apeiron RIA LLCs holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $413,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in TMO. Phoenix Holdings Ltd. increased its holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 21.4% during the third quarter. Phoenix Holdings Ltd. now owns 9,366 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $4,750,000 after buying an additional 1,654 shares during the last quarter. DMC Group LLC increased its position in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 16.5% in the third quarter. DMC Group LLC now owns 592 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $300,000 after buying an additional 84 shares in the last quarter. Montchanin Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 1.1% in the second quarter. Montchanin Asset Management LLC now owns 4,550 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $2,374,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. Check Capital Management Inc. CA bought a new stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $219,000. Finally, Tower Bridge Advisors boosted its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 0.5% during the third quarter. Tower Bridge Advisors now owns 33,046 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $16,727,000 after acquiring an additional 155 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 87.06% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

TMO has been the subject of several recent research reports. Citigroup assumed coverage on Thermo Fisher Scientific in a research report on Monday. They issued a neutral rating and a $620.00 price target for the company. TheStreet raised shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Friday, December 22nd. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed a market perform rating on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a research note on Monday, January 8th. Barclays cut Thermo Fisher Scientific from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $475.00 to $555.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, HSBC began coverage on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a research note on Monday, December 18th. They set a buy rating and a $610.00 target price for the company. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Thermo Fisher Scientific has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $599.00.

Insider Activity

In other Thermo Fisher Scientific news, SVP Michael A. Boxer sold 14,566 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $562.00, for a total value of $8,186,092.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 12,901 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,250,362. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, SVP Michael A. Boxer sold 14,566 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $562.00, for a total transaction of $8,186,092.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 12,901 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,250,362. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $597.98, for a total transaction of $5,979,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 123,816 shares in the company, valued at $74,039,491.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 50,277 shares of company stock valued at $28,513,384. Insiders own 0.32% of the companys stock.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Price Performance

Shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific stock traded down $1.04 on Friday, reaching $583.09. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,057,365 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,633,554. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $562.41 and a 200-day moving average price of $519.25. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a 52-week low of $415.60 and a 52-week high of $603.82. The company has a market capitalization of $222.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.77, a PEG ratio of 2.44 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a quick ratio of 1.39, a current ratio of 1.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67.

Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The medical research company reported $5.67 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.64 by $0.03. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a net margin of 13.99% and a return on equity of 18.78%. The firm had revenue of $10.89 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.73 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $5.40 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 21.52 EPS for the current year.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be issued a $0.39 dividend. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.27%. This is a boost from Thermo Fisher Scientifics previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. Thermo Fisher Scientifics payout ratio is presently 10.10%.

About Thermo Fisher Scientific

(Free Report)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company's Life Sciences Solutions segment offers reagents, instruments, and consumables for biological and medical research, discovery, and production of drugs and vaccines, as well as diagnosis of infections and diseases; and solutions include biosciences, genetic sciences, and bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets.

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Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. decreased its holdings in shares of BJs Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BJ  Free Report) by 33.7% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 33,799 shares of the companys stock after selling 17,216 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc.s holdings in BJs Wholesale Club were worth $2,253,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in BJ. Global Retirement Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of BJs Wholesale Club by 45.3% during the 3rd quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 491 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 153 shares during the period. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. acquired a new stake in BJs Wholesale Club during the second quarter worth about $37,000. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of BJs Wholesale Club in the 4th quarter worth about $46,000. Huntington National Bank increased its position in BJs Wholesale Club by 159.9% during the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 668 shares of the companys stock worth $48,000 after purchasing an additional 411 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Point72 Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new stake in BJs Wholesale Club during the first quarter worth approximately $50,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 98.60% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on BJ shares. Wells Fargo & Company restated an equal weight rating and set a $70.00 target price (down previously from $73.00) on shares of BJs Wholesale Club in a report on Thursday, January 4th. Gordon Haskett downgraded BJs Wholesale Club from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $70.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on BJs Wholesale Club from $58.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $72.53.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Christopher J. Baldwin sold 73,062 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.95, for a total transaction of $5,402,934.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 173,294 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,815,091.30. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 2.20% of the companys stock.

BJs Wholesale Club Trading Up 0.7 %

BJs Wholesale Club stock opened at $78.25 on Friday. BJs Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. has a 1 year low of $60.33 and a 1 year 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 is $69.58 and its 200-day moving average is $68.49. The company has a market cap of $10.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.22, a PEG ratio of 3.36 and a beta of 0.26.

BJs Wholesale Club (NYSE:BJ  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 7th. The company reported $1.11 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.06 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $5.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.38 billion. BJs Wholesale Club had a net margin of 2.64% and a return on equity of 40.84%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 8.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.00 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that BJs Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. will post 3.91 earnings per share for the current year.

About BJs Wholesale Club

(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.

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The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA  Get Free Report)s share price was up 2.4% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $185.40 and last traded at $185.40. Approximately 4,790,739 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 54% from the average daily volume of 10,509,736 shares. The stock had previously closed at $181.14.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on BA shares. Stifel Nicolaus started coverage on shares of Boeing in a research report on Friday, December 1st. They set a buy rating and a $265.00 price objective for the company. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price on shares of Boeing from $285.00 to $260.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Bank of America lowered their target price on shares of Boeing from $225.00 to $210.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday. Susquehanna lowered their target price on shares of Boeing from $265.00 to $230.00 and set a positive rating for the company in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Northcoast Research lowered shares of Boeing from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $244.56.

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Boeing Trading Down 0.0 %

The businesss fifty day moving average price is $202.87 and its 200 day moving average price is $210.84. The firm has a market capitalization of $114.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -51.02, a PEG ratio of 18.53 and a beta of 1.52.

Boeing (NYSE:BA  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 31st. The aircraft producer reported ($0.47) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.72) by $0.25. The firm had revenue of $22.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.14 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned ($1.75) earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that The Boeing Company will post 2.53 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Boeing

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Boeing during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. DiNuzzo Private Wealth Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Boeing during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Evolution Advisers Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Boeing during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. CNB Bank boosted its position in shares of Boeing by 106.5% during the 3rd quarter. CNB Bank now owns 128 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vima LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Boeing during the 4th quarter worth $34,000. 61.33% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Boeing

(Get Free Report)

The Boeing Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, sells, services, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight and launch systems, and services worldwide. The company operates through Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; and Global Services segments.

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Chemistry Wealth Management LLC decreased its position in shares of Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (NYSE:BAM  Free Report) (TSE:BAM.A) by 10.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 33,582 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 3,828 shares during the period. Chemistry Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Brookfield Asset Management were worth $1,349,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Private Trust Co. NA increased its position in shares of Brookfield Asset Management by 180.4% during the third quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 1,057 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 680 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA raised its position in Brookfield Asset Management by 35.5% in the 2nd quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA now owns 1,057 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 277 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC boosted its stake in shares of Brookfield Asset Management by 106.4% in the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 1,482 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $49,000 after buying an additional 764 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp raised its holdings in shares of Brookfield Asset Management by 39.6% in the 3rd quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp now owns 1,764 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $59,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers grew its stake in shares of Brookfield Asset Management by 21.9% during the third quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 1,844 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $61,000 after purchasing an additional 331 shares in the last quarter. 61.92% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Brookfield Asset Management Stock Performance

Shares of BAM traded down $0.30 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $42.35. The stock had a trading volume of 833,237 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,071,484. Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. has a 12-month low of $28.35 and a 12-month high of $43.00. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $40.56 and its 200 day simple moving average is $36.63. The firm has a market cap of $17.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.40, a P/E/G ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 1.69.

Brookfield Asset Management Increases Dividend

Brookfield Asset Management ( NYSE:BAM Get Free Report ) (TSE:BAM.A) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 7th. The financial services provider reported $0.36 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.34 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $1.13 billion during the quarter. Brookfield Asset Management had a return on equity of 96.43% and a net margin of 50.23%. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.31 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. will post 1.56 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 29th will be issued a $0.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 28th. This is a boost from Brookfield Asset Managements previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. This represents a $1.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.59%. Brookfield Asset Managements dividend payout ratio is currently 134.51%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

BAM has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. CIBC lifted their target price on Brookfield Asset Management from $40.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, January 29th. TD Securities decreased their target price on shares of Brookfield Asset Management from $52.00 to $49.00 and set an action list buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 9th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on Brookfield Asset Management from $49.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. Scotiabank raised their price target on Brookfield Asset Management from $46.50 to $47.00 and gave the company a sector outperform rating in a report on Thursday, February 8th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on shares of Brookfield Asset Management from $34.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $42.20.

Get Our Latest Analysis on BAM

Brookfield Asset Management Profile

(Free Report)

Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. is a real estate investment firm specializing in alternative asset management services. Its renewable power and transition business includes the operates in the hydroelectric, wind, solar, distributed generation, and sustainable solution sector. The company's infrastructure business engages in the utilities, transport, midstream, and data infrastructure sectors.

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Canadian Natural Resources Limited (TSE:CNQ  Get Free Report) (NYSE:CNQ) Senior Officer Timothy Shawn Mckay sold 30,000 shares of Canadian Natural Resources stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$99.36, for a total value of C$2,980,797.00.

Timothy Shawn Mckay also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Wednesday, January 3rd, Timothy Shawn Mckay sold 50,000 shares of Canadian Natural Resources stock. The shares were sold at an average price of C$88.71, for a total transaction of C$4,435,580.00.

On Friday, December 22nd, Timothy Shawn Mckay sold 50,000 shares of Canadian Natural Resources stock. The stock was sold at an average price of C$86.72, for a total transaction of C$4,335,890.00.

Canadian Natural Resources Stock Up 1.0 %

Shares of TSE:CNQ opened at C$100.48 on Friday. The company has a market cap of C$107.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.45, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.98. Canadian Natural Resources Limited has a one year low of C$69.09 and a one year high of C$100.87. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of C$88.96 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$88.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 31.01, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.54.

Canadian Natural Resources Increases Dividend

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a dividend of $1.05 per share. This represents a $4.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.18%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. This is an increase from Canadian Natural Resourcess previous quarterly dividend of $1.00. Canadian Natural Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 51.54%.

Several research firms have weighed in on CNQ. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from C$105.00 to C$110.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. ATB Capital boosted their target price on Canadian Natural Resources from C$100.00 to C$107.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday. Evercore increased their price target on Canadian Natural Resources from C$90.00 to C$105.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. Desjardins decreased their price objective on Canadian Natural Resources from C$105.00 to C$97.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Canadian Natural Resources from C$102.00 to C$106.00 in a report on Monday, March 4th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Canadian Natural Resources currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$99.06.

Read Our Latest Report on Canadian Natural Resources

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).

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Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE:BROS  Get Free Report) major shareholder Dm Trust Aggregator, Llc sold 49,218 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.04, for a total transaction of $1,773,816.72. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 1,051,178 shares in the company, valued at approximately $37,884,455.12. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Large shareholders that own 10% or more of a companys stock are required to disclose their transactions with the SEC.

Dm Trust Aggregator, Llc also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Monday, March 11th, Dm Trust Aggregator, Llc sold 86,209 shares of Dutch Bros stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.04, for a total transaction of $2,762,136.36.

On Monday, March 4th, Dm Trust Aggregator, Llc sold 240,490 shares of Dutch Bros stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $30.28, for a total transaction of $7,282,037.20.

On Wednesday, December 27th, Dm Trust Aggregator, Llc sold 1,743 shares of Dutch Bros stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.00, for a total transaction of $55,776.00.

Dutch Bros Trading Down 7.6 %

Shares of BROS stock traded down $2.72 on Friday, hitting $32.90. 6,164,887 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,951,671. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a current ratio of 1.49. Dutch Bros Inc. has a one year low of $22.67 and a one year high of $36.17. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $28.97 and its 200 day simple moving average is $27.82. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,100.33 and a beta of 2.39.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Dutch Bros ( NYSE:BROS Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 21st. The company reported ($0.01) earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.04) by $0.03. The business had revenue of $254.12 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $254.80 million. Dutch Bros had a net margin of 0.18% and a negative return on equity of 0.54%. Equities analysts forecast that Dutch Bros Inc. will post 0.26 EPS for the current year.

A number of brokerages have recently commented on BROS. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Dutch Bros from $34.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday. William Blair reissued an outperform rating on shares of Dutch Bros in a report on Thursday, February 22nd. TD Cowen reissued a market perform rating and issued a $33.00 price target on shares of Dutch Bros in a report on Thursday, February 22nd. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on shares of Dutch Bros from $35.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 22nd. Finally, Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Dutch Bros from $31.00 to $30.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 22nd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $35.00.

Check Out Our Latest Report on BROS

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Dutch Bros

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Dutch Bros by 61.4% in the 3rd quarter. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC now owns 1,091 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 415 shares during the period. Captrust Financial Advisors lifted its position in shares of Dutch Bros by 87.9% in the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 1,114 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 521 shares during the period. Deutsche Bank AG purchased a new stake in shares of Dutch Bros in the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale purchased a new stake in shares of Dutch Bros in the 4th quarter worth about $40,000. Finally, Avior Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Dutch Bros by 1,610.7% in the 4th quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,283 shares of the companys stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 1,208 shares during the period.

Dutch Bros Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Dutch Bros Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates and franchises drive-thru shops in the United States. The company operates through Company-Operated Shops and Franchising and Other segments. It serves through company-operated shops and online channels under Dutch Bros; Dutch Bros Coffee; Dutch Bros Rebel; Dutch Bros; and Blue Rebel brands.

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Edmonds Duncan Registered Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Beazer Homes USA, Inc. (NYSE:BZH  Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 6,432 shares of the construction companys stock, valued at approximately $217,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of BZH. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its stake in shares of Beazer Homes USA by 83.4% in the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 3,007 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 1,367 shares in the last quarter. BluePath Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Beazer Homes USA in the 3rd quarter valued at about $31,000. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can purchased a new position in shares of Beazer Homes USA in the 2nd quarter valued at about $31,000. Dark Forest Capital Management LP purchased a new position in shares of Beazer Homes USA in the 1st quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors increased its stake in shares of Beazer Homes USA by 60.3% in the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 2,618 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 985 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.07% of the companys stock.

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Beazer Homes USA Price Performance

NYSE:BZH opened at $31.87 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $1.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.31 and a beta of 2.24. The company has a current ratio of 13.95, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87. Beazer Homes USA, Inc. has a 12 month low of $14.34 and a 12 month high of $35.93. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $30.67 and a two-hundred day moving average of $28.70.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Beazer Homes USA ( NYSE:BZH Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The construction company reported $0.70 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.71 by ($0.01). Beazer Homes USA had a return on equity of 14.09% and a net margin of 7.26%. The business had revenue of $386.80 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $420.71 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.80 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was down 13.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect that Beazer Homes USA, Inc. will post 4.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Several equities research analysts have commented on BZH shares. Wedbush boosted their price objective on Beazer Homes USA from $32.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. StockNews.com upgraded Beazer Homes USA from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday.

View Our Latest Analysis on Beazer Homes USA

About Beazer Homes USA

(Free Report)

Beazer Homes USA, Inc operates as a homebuilder in the United States. It designs, constructs, and sells single-family and multi-family homes under the Beazer Homes, Gatherings, and Choice Plans names. The company also sells its homes through commissioned new home sales counselors and independent brokers in Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas, Indiana, Delaware, Maryland, Tennessee, Virginia, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

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EMCOR Group (NYSE:EME  Get Free Report)s stock had its buy rating restated by stock analysts at DA Davidson in a report issued on Friday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a $375.00 price objective on the construction companys stock. DA Davidsons target price would suggest a potential upside of 7.63% from the stocks previous close.

Separately, KeyCorp began coverage on shares of EMCOR Group in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. They issued a sector weight rating on the stock.

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EMCOR Group Trading Up 0.7 %

NYSE EME traded up $2.54 on Friday, hitting $348.43. 96,177 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 421,681. EMCOR Group has a 1-year low of $151.52 and a 1-year high of $349.44. The firms 50-day moving average price is $267.68 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $231.19. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.40 billion, a PE ratio of 26.19 and a beta of 1.09.

EMCOR Group (NYSE:EME  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 28th. The construction company reported $4.47 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.51 by $0.96. EMCOR Group had a net margin of 5.03% and a return on equity of 28.41%. The company had revenue of $3.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.36 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.63 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 16.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that EMCOR Group will post 14.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at EMCOR Group

In related news, CEO Anthony Guzzi sold 6,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $319.65, for a total transaction of $1,917,900.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 219,023 shares of the companys stock, valued at $70,010,701.95. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Company insiders own 1.60% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On EMCOR Group

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of EME. Modus Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of EMCOR Group by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. Modus Advisors LLC now owns 2,503 shares of the construction companys stock worth $539,000 after purchasing an additional 49 shares in the last quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of EMCOR Group by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 14,150 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $3,049,000 after acquiring an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of EMCOR Group by 32.5% during the 4th quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 208 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 51 shares during the last quarter. Synovus Financial Corp increased its holdings in shares of EMCOR Group by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 6,072 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,277,000 after acquiring an additional 62 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allworth Financial LP increased its holdings in shares of EMCOR Group by 83.8% during the 4th quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 136 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 62 shares during the last quarter. 92.57% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

EMCOR Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

EMCOR Group, Inc provides construction and facilities, building, and industrial services in the United States and the United Kingdom. It offers design, integration, installation, start-up, operation, and maintenance services related to power transmission, distribution, and generation systems; energy solutions; premises electrical and lighting systems; process instrumentation; low-voltage systems; voice and data communications systems; roadway and transit lighting, signaling, and fiber optic lines; computerized traffic control systems, and signal and communication equipment; heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and geothermal solutions; clean-room process ventilation systems; fire protection and suppression systems; plumbing, process, and high-purity piping systems; controls and filtration systems; water and wastewater treatment systems; central plant heating and cooling systems; crane and rigging services; millwright services; and steel fabrication, erection, and welding services.

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Shares of Entergy Co. (NYSE:ETR  Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the eleven analysts that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $111.09.

Several research firms have recently commented on ETR. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on Entergy from $110.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, February 26th. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Entergy from $105.00 to $108.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, March 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Entergy from $117.00 to $121.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, December 1st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $117.00 price target on shares of Entergy in a research note on Monday, February 26th.

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Entergy Price Performance

Shares of NYSE ETR opened at $103.37 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $100.76 and a 200-day moving average of $98.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.57, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a current ratio of 0.57. The stock has a market cap of $22.04 billion, a PE ratio of 9.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 0.70. Entergy has a fifty-two week low of $87.10 and a fifty-two week high of $111.90.

Entergy (NYSE:ETR  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 22nd. The utilities provider reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.52. Entergy had a net margin of 19.41% and a return on equity of 10.54%. The firm had revenue of $2.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.27 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.51 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Entergy will post 7.22 earnings per share for the current year.

Entergy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 9th were paid a dividend of $1.13 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 8th. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.37%. Entergys dividend payout ratio is presently 40.76%.

Insider Activity at Entergy

In other news, EVP Kimberly Cook-Nelson sold 2,000 shares of Entergy stock in a transaction on Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.35, for a total value of $200,700.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 16,037 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,609,312.95. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, EVP Kimberly Cook-Nelson sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.35, for a total transaction of $200,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 16,037 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,609,312.95. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Deanna D. Rodriguez sold 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $101.23, for a total value of $151,845.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 3,442 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $348,433.66. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 12,000 shares of company stock valued at $1,226,685 over the last ninety days. 0.39% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of ETR. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Entergy by 0.4% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 26,038,725 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,408,582,000 after purchasing an additional 104,803 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Entergy by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 17,680,096 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,721,511,000 after acquiring an additional 256,120 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its stake in shares of Entergy by 3.1% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 12,739,479 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,240,443,000 after acquiring an additional 382,751 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in Entergy by 11.9% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 4,664,512 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $502,556,000 after purchasing an additional 497,482 shares during the period. Finally, FMR LLC boosted its holdings in Entergy by 64.4% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 4,562,369 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $422,019,000 after purchasing an additional 1,787,977 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.52% of the companys stock.

About Entergy

(Get Free Report

Entergy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and retail distribution of electricity in the United States. It generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power in portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, including the City of New Orleans; and distributes natural gas.

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Etesian Wealth Advisors Inc. lessened its stake in Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM  Free Report) by 3.0% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 12,759 shares of the companys stock after selling 391 shares during the quarter. Etesian Wealth Advisors Inc.s holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland were worth $922,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Berkshire Asset Management LLC PA raised its stake in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 3.1% in the 2nd quarter. Berkshire Asset Management LLC PA now owns 4,031 shares of the companys stock valued at $305,000 after acquiring an additional 120 shares during the period. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton lifted its stake in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland by 7.1% during the 3rd quarter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton now owns 2,210 shares of the companys stock worth $167,000 after buying an additional 146 shares during the last quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main boosted its holdings in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland by 1.2% during the 4th quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main now owns 12,171 shares of the companys stock worth $1,130,000 after buying an additional 146 shares during the period. Jeppson Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 3.3% in the 4th quarter. Jeppson Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,738 shares of the companys stock valued at $342,000 after acquiring an additional 151 shares during the period. Finally, Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC lifted its position in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 37.0% during the first quarter. Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC now owns 607 shares of the companys stock worth $55,000 after acquiring an additional 164 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 77.73% of the companys stock.

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Archer-Daniels-Midland Price Performance

Shares of ADM stock traded down $0.47 on Friday, reaching $62.00. The company had a trading volume of 4,433,582 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,872,508. The stock has a market capitalization of $31.61 billion, a PE ratio of 9.69 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 1.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. The businesss 50-day moving average is $56.45 and its 200 day moving average is $67.96. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company has a one year low of $50.72 and a one year high of $87.30.

Archer-Daniels-Midland ( NYSE:ADM Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, March 12th. The company reported $1.36 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.43 by ($0.07). Archer-Daniels-Midland had a net margin of 3.71% and a return on equity of 15.25%. The company had revenue of $22.98 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $23.79 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.93 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Archer-Daniels-Midland Company will post 5.58 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Archer-Daniels-Midland declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase plan on Tuesday, March 12th that allows the company to repurchase $2.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to buy up to 6.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally an indication that the companys board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Archer-Daniels-Midland Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 8th were paid a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.23%. This is a positive change from Archer-Daniels-Midlands previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 7th. Archer-Daniels-Midlands dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 31.25%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on ADM. Robert W. Baird lowered Archer-Daniels-Midland from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $96.00 to $61.00 in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. TheStreet cut shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Monday, February 12th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price target on shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland from $70.00 to $65.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 13th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, January 22nd. Finally, Citigroup began coverage on shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. They issued a neutral rating and a $57.00 price target for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and fifteen have given a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $67.00.

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About Archer-Daniels-Midland

(Free Report)

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company procures, transports, stores, processes, and merchandises agricultural commodities, products, and ingredients in the United States, Switzerland, the Cayman Islands, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Ag Services and Oilseeds, Carbohydrate Solutions, and Nutrition.

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European Assets Trust PLC (LON:EAT  Get Free Report) insider Kevin Troup bought 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 22nd. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 87 ($1.11) per share, with a total value of 8,700 ($11,075.75).

European Assets Trust Stock Down 0.1 %

EAT stock traded down GBX 0.10 ($0.00) during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching GBX 85.90 ($1.09). 495,181 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 505,610. The stock has a market cap of 309.30 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 955.56 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a quick ratio of 1.35, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.83. European Assets Trust PLC has a fifty-two week low of GBX 73 ($0.93) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 95.70 ($1.22). The firms 50 day moving average price is GBX 85.85 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 84.06.

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European Assets Trust Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 4th will be given a dividend of GBX 1.48 ($0.02) per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 4th. This represents a dividend yield of 1.71%. European Assets Trusts dividend payout ratio is currently 6,666.67%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on European Assets Trust from GBX 1,086 ($13.83) to GBX 1,437 ($18.29) and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 6th.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on European Assets Trust

About European Assets Trust

(Get Free Report)

European Assets Trust PLC is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by F&C Investment Business Limited. The fund invests in the public equity markets of Europe, excluding the United Kingdom. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. The fund primarily invests in stocks of small and mid cap companies with a market capitalization below that of the largest company in the Euromoney Smaller European Companies (ex UK) Index or below Euro 2.5 billion.

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Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES  Get Free Report) has been given a consensus rating of Hold by the eleven research firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $66.50.

ES has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Eversource Energy from $68.00 to $69.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Eversource Energy from $67.00 to $69.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 9th. Guggenheim raised Eversource Energy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the company from $60.00 to $72.00 in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. StockNews.com raised Eversource Energy to a sell rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Mizuho upgraded Eversource Energy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price target for the stock from $54.00 to $62.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 15th.

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Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Eversource Energy

Insider Buying and Selling

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Eversource Energy

In other news, insider Frederica M. Williams sold 2,714 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.60, for a total value of $156,326.40. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 21,621 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,245,369.60. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link . In related news, insider Frederica M. Williams sold 2,714 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.60, for a total value of $156,326.40. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 21,621 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,245,369.60. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . Also, insider Linda Dorcena Forry sold 822 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $58.12, for a total value of $47,774.64. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 10,485 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $609,388.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last ninety days, insiders sold 6,250 shares of company stock worth $352,014. 0.41% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Eversource Energy by 10.8% in the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 450,007 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $26,168,000 after buying an additional 43,720 shares during the period. OLD Republic International Corp bought a new stake in Eversource Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $27,283,000. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec raised its stake in Eversource Energy by 9.8% during the 2nd quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec now owns 2,724,235 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $193,203,000 after purchasing an additional 242,898 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley boosted its stake in Eversource Energy by 19.3% in the 3rd quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 4,464,230 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $259,595,000 after purchasing an additional 723,318 shares during the period. Finally, Natixis Advisors L.P. grew its holdings in Eversource Energy by 11.2% during the 3rd quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 172,017 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $10,003,000 after buying an additional 17,345 shares in the last quarter. 80.83% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Eversource Energy Stock Down 2.2 %

ES opened at $57.89 on Friday. Eversource Energy has a 12 month low of $52.03 and a 12 month high of $81.36. The company has a quick ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66. The company has a 50 day moving average of $56.85 and a 200 day moving average of $58.24.

Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 13th. The utilities provider reported $0.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.97 by ($0.02). Eversource Energy had a positive return on equity of 9.92% and a negative net margin of 3.71%. The company had revenue of $2.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.92 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts expect that Eversource Energy will post 4.55 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Eversource Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 5th will be paid a $0.715 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 4th. This represents a $2.86 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.94%. This is a boost from Eversource Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.68. Eversource Energys payout ratio is currently -226.98%.

About Eversource Energy

(Get Free Report

Eversource Energy, a public utility holding company, engages in the energy delivery business. The company operates through Electric Distribution, Electric Transmission, Natural Gas Distribution, and Water Distribution segments. It is involved in the transmission and distribution of electricity; solar power facilities; and distribution of natural gas.

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Redwire Co. (NYSE:RDW  Free Report)  Analysts at Cantor Fitzgerald lowered their FY2024 earnings per share estimates for Redwire in a note issued to investors on Tuesday, March 19th. Cantor Fitzgerald analyst A. Sheppard now forecasts that the company will post earnings per share of ($0.34) for the year, down from their previous forecast of ($0.23). Cantor Fitzgerald currently has a Overweight rating and a $5.00 price target on the stock. The consensus estimate for Redwires current full-year earnings is ($0.37) per share.

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Separately, Alliance Global Partners started coverage on Redwire in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. They set a buy rating and a $5.00 price target for the company. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $6.25.

Redwire Stock Up 8.2 %

Shares of NYSE RDW opened at $4.24 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $3.07 and a 200 day moving average price of $2.93. Redwire has a 1-year low of $2.35 and a 1-year high of $4.41.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Redwire

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Citigroup Inc. acquired a new stake in Redwire in the first quarter valued at $52,000. American International Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Redwire in the second quarter valued at $28,000. Sei Investments Co. purchased a new position in shares of Redwire in the second quarter valued at $26,000. FMR LLC increased its position in shares of Redwire by 719.5% in the first quarter. FMR LLC now owns 10,129 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 8,893 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Barclays PLC increased its position in shares of Redwire by 91.4% in the first quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 10,130 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 4,837 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 9.10% of the companys stock.

About Redwire

(Get Free Report)

Redwire Corporation operates as a space infrastructure company in the United States, Netherlands, Luxemburg, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Spain, South Korea, Poland, and internationally. It provides critical space solutions and reliability components for solar power generation, in-space 3D printing and manufacturing, avionics, critical components, sensors, digital engineering, and space-based biotechnology.

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Golden Minerals (NYSE:AUMN  Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday. The company reported ($0.02) EPS for the quarter, reports. Golden Minerals had a negative net margin of 77.16% and a negative return on equity of 213.59%. The firm had revenue of $0.30 million during the quarter.

Golden Minerals Stock Up 1.9 %

Shares of AUMN stock opened at $0.30 on Friday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $0.43. Golden Minerals has a 1-year low of $0.26 and a 1-year high of $7.00.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Golden Minerals

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Jane Street Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Golden Minerals in the third quarter valued at about $292,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its stake in Golden Minerals by 87.5% during the first quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 882,488 shares of the companys stock worth $179,000 after purchasing an additional 411,765 shares during the period. State Street Corp grew its stake in Golden Minerals by 62.4% during the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 255,615 shares of the companys stock worth $128,000 after purchasing an additional 98,236 shares during the period. Virtu Financial LLC grew its stake in Golden Minerals by 264.2% during the first quarter. Virtu Financial LLC now owns 153,867 shares of the companys stock worth $77,000 after purchasing an additional 111,616 shares during the period. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC grew its stake in Golden Minerals by 126.3% during the third quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 274,079 shares of the companys stock worth $71,000 after purchasing an additional 152,974 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.24% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com started coverage on Golden Minerals in a report on Friday. They issued a sell rating on the stock.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Golden Minerals

About Golden Minerals

(Get Free Report)

Golden Minerals Company, a precious metals exploration company explores for mineral properties. It explores for gold, silver, copper, zinc, lead, and other minerals. The company holds a 100% interest in the Rodeo gold mine situated in Durango State, Mexico; and a 100% interest in the Velardena and Chicago gold-silver mining properties and associated oxide and sulfide processing plants located in the State of Durango, Mexico.

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IFM Investors Pty Ltd trimmed its position in shares of United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI  Free Report) by 6.0% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 15,108 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 961 shares during the period. IFM Investors Pty Ltds holdings in United Rentals were worth $8,663,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of URI. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of United Rentals during the 4th quarter worth approximately $586,415,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of United Rentals by 104,089.8% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,341,964 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $476,961,000 after purchasing an additional 1,340,676 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors increased its position in shares of United Rentals by 18.4% during the 2nd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 2,309,103 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,028,402,000 after purchasing an additional 358,743 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada grew its position in United Rentals by 49.1% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 672,534 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $238,890,000 after acquiring an additional 221,613 shares during the last quarter. Finally, The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company grew its position in United Rentals by 57.6% in the 2nd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 566,892 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $252,477,000 after acquiring an additional 207,095 shares during the last quarter. 89.03% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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United Rentals Stock Performance

URI stock traded down $4.39 during trading on Friday, hitting $714.66. 181,157 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 604,270. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $647.72 and its 200 day simple moving average is $536.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 0.81 and a quick ratio of 0.75. The company has a market cap of $48.02 billion, a PE ratio of 20.34, a P/E/G ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 1.84. United Rentals, Inc. has a 1 year low of $325.15 and a 1 year high of $732.37.

United Rentals Increases Dividend

United Rentals ( NYSE:URI Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The construction company reported $11.26 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $10.85 by $0.41. The company had revenue of $3.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.63 billion. United Rentals had a return on equity of 36.80% and a net margin of 16.91%. United Rentalss quarterly revenue was up 13.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $9.74 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that United Rentals, Inc. will post 42.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 28th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 14th were given a dividend of $1.63 per share. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.91%. This is a boost from United Rentalss previous quarterly dividend of $1.48. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 13th. United Rentalss payout ratio is presently 18.44%.

United Rentals announced that its board has initiated a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, January 24th that permits the company to repurchase $1.50 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the construction company to reacquire up to 3.8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are often a sign that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

URI has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on United Rentals from $510.00 to $718.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on United Rentals from $494.00 to $591.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 19th. KeyCorp cut United Rentals from an overweight rating to a sector weight rating in a research note on Monday, December 4th. BNP Paribas reiterated an underperform rating and issued a $485.00 price target on shares of United Rentals in a research note on Friday, January 5th. Finally, Citigroup increased their price target on United Rentals from $490.00 to $650.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 15th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, United Rentals has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $572.20.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other United Rentals news, CFO William E. Grace sold 775 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $655.62, for a total transaction of $508,105.50. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 6,323 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,145,485.26. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 0.53% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

United Rentals Profile

(Free Report)

United Rentals, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates as an equipment rental company. It operates in two segments, General Rentals and Specialty. The General Rentals segment rents general construction and industrial equipment includes backhoes, skid-steer loaders, forklifts, earthmoving equipment, and material handling equipment; aerial work platforms, such as boom and scissor lifts; and general tools and light equipment comprising pressure washers, water pumps, and power tools for construction and industrial companies, manufacturers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners, and government entities.

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Ithaca Energy plc (LON:ITH  Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Thursday, March 21st, Upcoming.Co.Uk reports. Investors of record on Thursday, March 28th will be paid a dividend of $0.13 per share on Wednesday, April 17th. This represents a dividend yield of 7.43%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 28th. The official announcement can be seen at this link.

Ithaca Energy Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of ITH stock opened at GBX 142.40 ($1.81) on Friday. The company has a market cap of 1.44 billion and a P/E ratio of -1,584.44. Ithaca Energy has a twelve month low of GBX 123.20 ($1.57) and a twelve month high of GBX 187.40 ($2.39). The business has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 136.98 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 150.35.

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Ithaca Energy Company Profile

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Ithaca Energy plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas in the North Sea. The company own a portfolio of assets located in Northern and Central North Sea, Moray Firth, and West of Shetland area of the UKCS. Ithaca Energy plc was formerly known as Delek North Sea Limited and changed its name to Ithaca Energy plc in October 2022.

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Macerich (NYSE:MAC  Get Free Report) was upgraded by Citigroup from a sell rating to a neutral rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday, MarketBeat reports. The brokerage presently has a $17.00 price target on the real estate investment trusts stock, up from their prior price target of $8.00. Citigroups price target would suggest a potential downside of 1.39% from the stocks previous close.

Several other equities analysts have also weighed in on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on Macerich from $9.00 to $13.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a report on Thursday, January 11th. Piper Sandler raised their price target on Macerich from $12.00 to $17.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Macerich from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, March 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and three have given a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $14.00.

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Macerich Stock Performance

MAC stock opened at $17.24 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $3.72 billion, a PE ratio of -13.57, a P/E/G ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 2.33. The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67. The business has a 50 day moving average of $16.41 and a 200-day moving average of $13.67. Macerich has a 12-month low of $8.77 and a 12-month high of $17.69.

Macerich (NYSE:MAC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 7th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.29 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.55 by ($0.26). Macerich had a negative net margin of 31.00% and a negative return on equity of 10.26%. The firm had revenue of $238.70 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $224.49 million. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.53 earnings per share. Macerichs revenue for the quarter was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Macerich will post 1.8 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Hern Thomas E. O sold 7,964 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.39, for a total transaction of $130,529.96. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 197,900 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,243,581. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, President Edward C. Coppola sold 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.20, for a total value of $860,000.00. Following the sale, the president now directly owns 655,667 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,277,472.40. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Hern Thomas E. O sold 7,964 shares of Macerich stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.39, for a total value of $130,529.96. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 197,900 shares in the company, valued at $3,243,581. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.57% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Macerich

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Y.D. More Investments Ltd raised its holdings in Macerich by 0.9% in the 4th quarter. Y.D. More Investments Ltd now owns 81,330 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,255,000 after acquiring an additional 745 shares during the last quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP grew its position in shares of Macerich by 2.1% during the 2nd quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP now owns 45,327 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $511,000 after acquiring an additional 911 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE grew its position in shares of Macerich by 11.6% during the 4th quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 8,911 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $137,000 after acquiring an additional 928 shares during the period. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC boosted its holdings in Macerich by 8.1% in the 3rd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 13,068 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $103,000 after buying an additional 980 shares during the period. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors boosted its holdings in Macerich by 5.0% in the 4th quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 20,864 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $235,000 after buying an additional 994 shares during the period. 90.14% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Macerich Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Macerich is a fully integrated, self-managed and self-administered real estate investment trust (REIT). As a leading owner, operator and developer of high-quality retail real estate in densely populated and attractive U.S. markets, Macerich's portfolio is concentrated in California, the Pacific Northwest, Phoenix/Scottsdale, and the Metro New York to Washington, DC corridor.

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Parkside Investments LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX  Free Report) by 0.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 284,474 shares of the natural resource companys stock after selling 2,245 shares during the quarter. Freeport-McMoRan accounts for approximately 2.0% of Parkside Investments LLCs holdings, making the stock its 9th largest holding. Parkside Investments LLCs holdings in Freeport-McMoRan were worth $12,110,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of FCX. Mystic Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 2.4% in the 2nd quarter. Mystic Asset Management Inc. now owns 10,650 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $426,000 after acquiring an additional 250 shares in the last quarter. Cape ANN Savings Bank grew its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter. Cape ANN Savings Bank now owns 15,588 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $624,000 after acquiring an additional 250 shares in the last quarter. FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 5.1% in the 4th quarter. FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC now owns 5,252 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $200,000 after acquiring an additional 253 shares in the last quarter. Fulton Bank N.A. grew its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Fulton Bank N.A. now owns 10,606 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $451,000 after acquiring an additional 267 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 3.9% in the 2nd quarter. Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 7,156 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $286,000 after acquiring an additional 270 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.96% of the companys stock.

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Freeport-McMoRan Trading Down 1.3 %

Shares of Freeport-McMoRan stock opened at $45.62 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 1.38 and a current ratio of 2.42. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. has a 52 week low of $32.83 and a 52 week high of $46.46. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $39.64 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $38.49. The stock has a market capitalization of $65.44 billion, a PE ratio of 36.39 and a beta of 2.02.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Freeport-McMoRan ( NYSE:FCX Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 24th. The natural resource company reported $0.27 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.23 by $0.04. Freeport-McMoRan had a return on equity of 8.41% and a net margin of 8.09%. The firm had revenue of $5.91 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.85 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.52 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Freeport-McMoRan Inc. will post 1.52 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

FCX has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Raymond James lifted their price target on Freeport-McMoRan from $42.00 to $43.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, January 4th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on Freeport-McMoRan from $41.00 to $40.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, December 7th. Eight Capital set a $55.00 target price on Freeport-McMoRan and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 6th. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Freeport-McMoRan from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their target price for the company from $41.00 to $48.50 in a research report on Monday, January 8th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and issued a $55.00 target price on shares of Freeport-McMoRan in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $44.95.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Freeport-McMoRan

Freeport-McMoRan Company Profile

(Free Report)

Freeport-McMoRan Inc engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. It primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals. The company's assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Chino and Tyrone in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado, North America, as well as Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile.

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Community Healthcare Trust (NYSE:CHCT  Get Free Report) had its price objective cut by equities research analysts at Piper Sandler from $40.00 to $36.00 in a report issued on Friday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an overweight rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Piper Sandlers target price suggests a potential upside of 33.63% from the stocks current price.

Separately, Truist Financial cut their target price on Community Healthcare Trust from $36.00 to $35.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $34.33.

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Community Healthcare Trust Price Performance

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Community Healthcare Trust

Shares of CHCT remained flat at $26.94 on Friday. The company had a trading volume of 5,798 shares, compared to its average volume of 194,824. The business has a fifty day moving average of $26.50 and a two-hundred day moving average of $27.60. Community Healthcare Trust has a 1-year low of $24.50 and a 1-year high of $37.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $745.97 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 128.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 0.66.

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its stake in Community Healthcare Trust by 67.9% in the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 8,062 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $215,000 after acquiring an additional 3,260 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Community Healthcare Trust by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,898,621 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $77,219,000 after acquiring an additional 24,166 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its stake in Community Healthcare Trust by 2.7% in the 4th quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 66,302 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,766,000 after acquiring an additional 1,742 shares during the period. American International Group Inc. grew its holdings in Community Healthcare Trust by 3.5% in the 4th quarter. American International Group Inc. now owns 14,463 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $385,000 after buying an additional 494 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its holdings in Community Healthcare Trust by 20.8% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 15,767 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $421,000 after buying an additional 2,710 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.44% of the companys stock.

Community Healthcare Trust Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated is a real estate investment trust that focuses on owning income-producing real estate properties associated primarily with the delivery of outpatient healthcare services in our target sub-markets throughout the United States. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had investments of approximately $1.1 billion in 193 real estate properties (including a portion of one property accounted for as a sales-type lease and two properties classified as held for sale).

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Equitrans Midstream Co. (NYSE:ETRN  Free Report)  US Capital Advisors reduced their Q2 2024 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Equitrans Midstream in a research note issued on Wednesday, March 20th. US Capital Advisors analyst J. Carreker now anticipates that the company will earn $0.09 per share for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $0.24. The consensus estimate for Equitrans Midstreams current full-year earnings is $0.87 per share.

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Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Equitrans Midstream from $13.00 to $12.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $13.00 target price on shares of Equitrans Midstream in a research note on Thursday, March 7th. Barclays lifted their target price on Equitrans Midstream from $6.00 to $11.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, February 26th. TheStreet upgraded Equitrans Midstream from a d+ rating to a c- rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 27th. Finally, Wolfe Research cut Equitrans Midstream from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research note on Monday, December 4th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Equitrans Midstream currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $10.86.

Equitrans Midstream Trading Up 1.1 %

NYSE ETRN opened at $11.43 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.84, a PEG ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 1.97. Equitrans Midstream has a one year low of $4.60 and a one year high of $11.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.83, a current ratio of 0.76 and a quick ratio of 0.76. The businesss fifty day moving average is $10.62 and its 200-day moving average is $9.91.

Equitrans Midstream (NYSE:ETRN  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 20th. The company reported $0.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.16 by $0.16. The firm had revenue of $360.60 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $348.04 million. Equitrans Midstream had a return on equity of 30.41% and a net margin of 30.89%. The businesss revenue was up 1.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.13 EPS.

Institutional Trading of Equitrans Midstream

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of ETRN. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. lifted its position in Equitrans Midstream by 8.6% in the 1st quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 29,538 shares of the companys stock worth $257,000 after buying an additional 2,349 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. lifted its position in Equitrans Midstream by 2.2% in the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 206,910 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,746,000 after purchasing an additional 4,523 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its position in Equitrans Midstream by 141.4% in the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 36,482 shares of the companys stock valued at $308,000 after purchasing an additional 21,372 shares during the last quarter. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Equitrans Midstream in the first quarter valued at approximately $160,000. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers lifted its position in Equitrans Midstream by 2.3% in the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 1,311,185 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,066,000 after purchasing an additional 29,595 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.68% of the companys stock.

Equitrans Midstream Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 14th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 6th were issued a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.25%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 5th. Equitrans Midstreams payout ratio is 67.42%.

About Equitrans Midstream

(Get Free Report)

Equitrans Midstream Corporation owns, operates, acquires, and develops midstream assets in the Appalachian Basin. The company operates through Gathering, Transmission, and Water segments. It operates dry gas gathering systems of high-pressure gathering lines and FERC-regulated interstate pipelines and storage systems.

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F.N.B. (NYSE:FNB  Get Free Report) and Omni Financial Services (OTCMKTS:OFSI  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, risk, profitability, valuation, dividends and earnings.

Volatility and Risk

F.N.B. has a beta of 1.01, indicating that its stock price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Omni Financial Services has a beta of 3.08, indicating that its stock price is 208% more volatile than the S&P 500.

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Valuation and Earnings

This table compares F.N.B. and Omni Financial Services revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio F.N.B. $2.23 billion 2.19 $485.00 million $1.32 10.30 Omni Financial Services N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Profitability

F.N.B. has higher revenue and earnings than Omni Financial Services.

This table compares F.N.B. and Omni Financial Services net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets F.N.B. 21.77% 9.98% 1.28% Omni Financial Services N/A N/A N/A

Institutional & Insider Ownership

76.9% of F.N.B. shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.0% of F.N.B. shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for F.N.B. and Omni Financial Services, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score F.N.B. 0 1 3 0 2.75 Omni Financial Services 0 0 0 0 N/A

F.N.B. presently has a consensus target price of $14.67, suggesting a potential upside of 7.84%.

Summary

F.N.B. beats Omni Financial Services on 7 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About F.N.B.

(Get Free Report)

F.N.B. Corporation, a bank and financial holding company, provides a range of financial products and services primarily to consumers, corporations, governments, and small- to medium-sized businesses in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Community Banking, Wealth Management, and Insurance. The Community Banking segment offers commercial and consumer banking services, including corporate and small business banking, investment real estate financing, business credit, capital market, and lease financing services. It also provides consumer banking products and services, such as deposit products, mortgage and consumer lending services, and mobile and online banking services. The Wealth Management segment provides personal and corporate fiduciary services comprising administration of decedent and trust estates; and securities brokerage and investment advisory services, mutual funds, and annuities. The Insurance segment comprises commercial and personal insurance, and reinsurance products, as well as mezzanine financing options for small- to medium-sized businesses. The company operates community banking branches in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, D.C., and Virginia. F.N.B. Corporation was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

About Omni Financial Services

(Get Free Report)

OMNI Financial Services, Inc. provides various financial products and services to individuals, professionals, and business owners. The company offers deferred annuities, fixed annuities, and immediate annuities; and group medical, key employee, survivor life, disability, fixed life, long term care, and term life insurance products. It also provides college funding, retirement, and estate planning services. The company was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Fort Myers, Florida.

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Riverpark Capital Management LLC cut its position in shares of ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW  Free Report) by 4.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,351 shares of the information technology services providers stock after selling 97 shares during the quarter. ServiceNow makes up about 2.5% of Riverpark Capital Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 19th largest position. Riverpark Capital Management LLCs holdings in ServiceNow were worth $1,661,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of NOW. PFG Private Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in ServiceNow during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. purchased a new stake in ServiceNow in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. High Net Worth Advisory Group LLC purchased a new stake in ServiceNow in the 1st quarter worth approximately $29,000. Steward Financial Group LLC lifted its holdings in ServiceNow by 125.0% in the 3rd quarter. Steward Financial Group LLC now owns 63 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 35 shares during the period. Finally, Princeton Global Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in ServiceNow in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $35,000. 87.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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ServiceNow Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:NOW traded up $3.22 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $776.40. The stock had a trading volume of 51,926 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,235,365. The company has a current ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. The company has a market cap of $159.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 91.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.89 and a beta of 0.97. ServiceNow, Inc. has a 1 year low of $427.01 and a 1 year high of $815.32. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $765.23 and its 200 day moving average price is $674.05.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ServiceNow ( NYSE:NOW Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The information technology services provider reported $3.11 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.77 by $0.34. The firm had revenue of $2.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.40 billion. ServiceNow had a return on equity of 11.85% and a net margin of 19.30%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 25.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.88 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that ServiceNow, Inc. will post 6.11 EPS for the current fiscal year.

NOW has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Barclays increased their price objective on ServiceNow from $765.00 to $870.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on ServiceNow from $840.00 to $850.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Mizuho raised their target price on ServiceNow from $750.00 to $820.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Oppenheimer raised their target price on ServiceNow from $750.00 to $800.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 18th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price objective on ServiceNow from $862.00 to $896.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-four have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, ServiceNow currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $762.96.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on NOW

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Paul John Smith sold 1,795 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $781.06, for a total value of $1,402,002.70. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 994 shares of the companys stock, valued at $776,373.64. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other ServiceNow news, insider Paul John Smith sold 1,795 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $781.06, for a total transaction of $1,402,002.70. Following the sale, the insider now owns 994 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $776,373.64. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO William R. Mcdermott sold 5,030 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $753.08, for a total value of $3,787,992.40. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 17,177 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,935,655.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 13,164 shares of company stock valued at $9,940,303. 0.24% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

ServiceNow Profile

(Free Report)

ServiceNow, Inc provides end to-end intelligent workflow automation platform solutions for digital businesses in the North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company operates the Now platform for end-to-end digital transformation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotic process automation, process mining, performance analytics, and collaboration and development tools.

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Science Applications International Co. (NYSE:SAIC  Free Report)  Research analysts at William Blair issued their Q1 2025 earnings estimates for shares of Science Applications International in a note issued to investors on Monday, March 18th. William Blair analyst L. Dipalma expects that the information technology services provider will earn $1.96 per share for the quarter. The consensus estimate for Science Applications Internationals current full-year earnings is $8.14 per share. William Blair also issued estimates for Science Applications Internationals Q2 2025 earnings at $1.94 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $2.14 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $2.03 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $9.01 EPS.

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A number of other research firms have also recently weighed in on SAIC. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their target price on shares of Science Applications International from $113.00 to $110.00 and set a sell rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. StockNews.com cut shares of Science Applications International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Science Applications International from $141.00 to $143.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday. Truist Financial increased their target price on shares of Science Applications International from $115.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 5th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of Science Applications International from $142.00 to $140.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Science Applications International currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $127.50.

Science Applications International Stock Up 0.6 %

SAIC opened at $127.79 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13. The stock has a market cap of $6.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.44 and a beta of 0.71. Science Applications International has a twelve month low of $95.43 and a twelve month high of $145.17. The companys 50-day moving average price is $133.87 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $122.15.

Science Applications International (NYSE:SAIC  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, March 18th. The information technology services provider reported $1.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.44 by ($0.01). Science Applications International had a return on equity of 23.73% and a net margin of 6.41%. The firm had revenue of $1.74 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.64 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.04 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 11.7% on a year-over-year basis.

Science Applications International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 12th will be given a dividend of $0.37 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 11th. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.16%. Science Applications Internationals payout ratio is currently 16.72%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Science Applications International

In other Science Applications International news, Director Donna S. Morea sold 1,209 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, January 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $125.11, for a total transaction of $151,257.99. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 31,834 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,982,751.74. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other news, Director Donna S. Morea sold 1,209 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $125.11, for a total value of $151,257.99. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 31,834 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,982,751.74. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Michelle A. Ohara sold 4,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $127.45, for a total transaction of $509,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 26,238 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,344,033.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.29% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. UBS Group AG lifted its position in Science Applications International by 108.7% during the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 54,031 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $5,702,000 after acquiring an additional 28,139 shares during the period. FMR LLC raised its holdings in Science Applications International by 13.2% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 2,823,285 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $297,969,000 after buying an additional 328,426 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. raised its holdings in Science Applications International by 11.7% in the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 616,166 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $65,030,000 after buying an additional 64,406 shares during the last quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co purchased a new position in Science Applications International in the second quarter worth about $44,000. Finally, Westwood Holdings Group Inc. raised its holdings in Science Applications International by 0.7% in the second quarter. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. now owns 58,884 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $6,623,000 after buying an additional 399 shares during the last quarter. 75.31% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Science Applications International

(Get Free Report)

Science Applications International Corporation provides technical, engineering, and enterprise information technology (IT) services primarily in the United States. The company's offerings include engineering; technology integration; IT modernization; maintenance of ground and maritime systems; logistics; training and simulation; operation and program support services; and end-to-end services, such as design, development, integration, deployment, management and operations, sustainment, and security of its customers' IT infrastructure, as well as cloud migration, managed services, infrastructure modernization, and enterprise IT-as-a-service solutions; and data management platform solutions.

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Trilogy Capital Inc. raised its stake in shares of iShares Core Growth Allocation ETF (NYSEARCA:AOR  Free Report) by 9.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 17,779 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,493 shares during the quarter. Trilogy Capital Inc.s holdings in iShares Core Growth Allocation ETF were worth $946,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its position in shares of iShares Core Growth Allocation ETF by 2.6% in the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 130,389 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,036,000 after purchasing an additional 3,276 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its position in iShares Core Growth Allocation ETF by 16.8% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 17,173 shares of the companys stock worth $937,000 after acquiring an additional 2,464 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. boosted its position in iShares Core Growth Allocation ETF by 1.4% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,517,250 shares of the companys stock worth $81,871,000 after acquiring an additional 21,205 shares during the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its position in iShares Core Growth Allocation ETF by 4.4% during the 1st quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 6,230 shares of the companys stock worth $336,000 after acquiring an additional 261 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cowa LLC boosted its position in iShares Core Growth Allocation ETF by 8,620.1% during the 1st quarter. Cowa LLC now owns 388,481 shares of the companys stock worth $210,000 after acquiring an additional 384,026 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares Core Growth Allocation ETF Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of NYSEARCA AOR traded down $0.04 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $55.51. The company had a trading volume of 64,386 shares, compared to its average volume of 286,657. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.10 and a beta of 0.61. iShares Core Growth Allocation ETF has a 1-year low of $47.56 and a 1-year high of $55.67. The firms 50 day moving average is $53.95 and its 200-day moving average is $51.83.

iShares Core Growth Allocation ETF Profile

iShares Growth Allocation ETF, formerly iShares S&P Growth Allocation Fund (the Fund), is an open-end management investment company. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P Target Risk Growth Index (the Growth Allocation Index). The Growth Allocation Index seeks to measure the performance of an asset allocation strategy targeted to a growth-focused risk profile.

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Tsakos Energy Navigation (NYSE:TNP  Get Free Report) is scheduled to be announcing its earnings results before the market opens on Wednesday, March 27th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $1.59 per share for the quarter.

Tsakos Energy Navigation Stock Performance

Shares of Tsakos Energy Navigation stock remained flat at $25.25 on Friday. The stock had a trading volume of 21,807 shares, compared to its average volume of 252,973. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 1.49 and a current ratio of 1.54. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $24.22 and a 200-day moving average price of $22.23. The stock has a market capitalization of $745.13 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.23 and a beta of -0.15. Tsakos Energy Navigation has a fifty-two week low of $15.50 and a fifty-two week high of $25.63.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com cut Tsakos Energy Navigation from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, January 13th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on Tsakos Energy Navigation from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Tsakos Energy Navigation

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of TNP. Millennium Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Tsakos Energy Navigation by 89.6% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 1,048,370 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $17,749,000 after acquiring an additional 495,349 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP boosted its stake in shares of Tsakos Energy Navigation by 171.1% during the 4th quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 430,527 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $7,289,000 after acquiring an additional 271,733 shares in the last quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP boosted its stake in shares of Tsakos Energy Navigation by 88.4% during the 3rd quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 371,400 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $5,671,000 after acquiring an additional 174,231 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its stake in shares of Tsakos Energy Navigation by 71.7% during the 4th quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 375,885 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $6,364,000 after acquiring an additional 156,989 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Tsakos Energy Navigation by 41.2% in the first quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 342,580 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $6,656,000 after purchasing an additional 100,000 shares in the last quarter. 21.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Tsakos Energy Navigation

(Get Free Report)

Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited provides seaborne crude oil and petroleum product transportation services worldwide. The company offers marine transportation services for national, major, and other independent oil companies and refiners under long, medium, and short-term charters. It also operates a fleet of double-hull vessels, comprising of conventional tankers, LNG carriers, and suezmax DP2 shuttle tankers.

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Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. lifted its holdings in Hyatt Hotels Co. (NYSE:H  Free Report) by 5.3% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 24,284 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,217 shares during the quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc.s holdings in Hyatt Hotels were worth $3,167,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Hyatt Hotels by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 4,469,443 shares of the companys stock worth $361,847,000 after buying an additional 37,317 shares in the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 0.5% during the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 2,256,479 shares of the companys stock worth $239,367,000 after acquiring an additional 11,041 shares in the last quarter. Select Equity Group L.P. boosted its position in Hyatt Hotels by 196.2% during the first quarter. Select Equity Group L.P. now owns 2,206,791 shares of the companys stock valued at $246,697,000 after purchasing an additional 1,461,693 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley grew its stake in Hyatt Hotels by 1.1% in the third quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 2,194,911 shares of the companys stock valued at $232,836,000 after purchasing an additional 24,121 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BlackRock Inc. increased its position in Hyatt Hotels by 14.6% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 2,168,020 shares of the companys stock worth $248,412,000 after purchasing an additional 275,503 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 46.03% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently commented on H shares. Truist Financial boosted their price target on Hyatt Hotels from $143.00 to $172.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, March 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Hyatt Hotels from $162.00 to $172.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, March 1st. Redburn Atlantic downgraded shares of Hyatt Hotels from a buy rating to a neutral rating and raised their price target for the company from $120.00 to $130.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. TheStreet upgraded shares of Hyatt Hotels from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Thursday, December 14th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut Hyatt Hotels from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $149.00 to $156.00 in a research report on Monday, March 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $134.56.

Hyatt Hotels Trading Up 0.7 %

Shares of H stock opened at $159.37 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 78.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 22.88 and a beta of 1.49. Hyatt Hotels Co. has a 1 year low of $96.77 and a 1 year high of $159.93. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $140.52 and its 200 day simple moving average is $123.09. The company has a current ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65.

Hyatt Hotels (NYSE:H  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, February 23rd. The company reported $0.64 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.38 by $0.26. The business had revenue of $1.66 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.56 billion. Hyatt Hotels had a return on equity of 7.59% and a net margin of 3.30%. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.55 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Hyatt Hotels Co. will post 3.2 EPS for the current year.

Hyatt Hotels Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 12th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 28th were given a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.38%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 27th. Hyatt Hotelss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.41%.

Insider Activity at Hyatt Hotels

In other Hyatt Hotels news, insider Jnp Parachute Mirror Trust L sold 66,701 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.21, for a total transaction of $8,418,333.21. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, insider Jnp Parachute Mirror Trust L sold 66,701 shares of Hyatt Hotels stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.21, for a total value of $8,418,333.21. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Joan Bottarini sold 4,250 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $128.72, for a total transaction of $547,060.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 11,301 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,454,664.72. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 1,440,275 shares of company stock valued at $222,698,127 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 21.24% of the companys stock.

Hyatt Hotels Company Profile

(Free Report)

Hyatt Hotels Corporation operates as a hospitality company in the United States and internationally. It operates through Owned and Leased Hotels, Americas Management and Franchising, ASPAC Management and Franchising, EAME Management and Franchising, and Apple Leisure Group segments. The company manages, franchises, licenses, owns, and leases portfolio of properties, consisting of full-service hotels and resorts, select service hotels, and other properties, including timeshare, fractional, residential, vacation, and condominium units.

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Whittier Trust Co. cut its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV  Free Report) by 27.3% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 51,346 shares of the companys stock after selling 19,290 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co.s holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF were worth $2,675,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Tompkins Financial Corp raised 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 purchasing an additional 196 shares in the last quarter. Asset Dedication LLC grew its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 1.5% in the 3rd quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 14,255 shares of the companys stock worth $694,000 after buying an additional 212 shares during the period. CGN Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 5.3% in the 4th quarter. CGN Advisors LLC now owns 4,494 shares of the companys stock worth $234,000 after buying an additional 226 shares during the period. Warner Financial Inc. grew its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Warner Financial Inc. now owns 30,415 shares of the companys stock worth $1,488,000 after buying an additional 229 shares during the period. Finally, Stephens Inc. AR grew its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 13,430 shares of the companys stock worth $652,000 after buying an additional 249 shares during the period.

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iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Price Performance

BATS:EFV opened at $54.07 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average price is $52.02 and its 200-day moving average price is $50.55. The company has a market capitalization of $18.17 billion, a PE ratio of 9.51 and a beta of 0.84. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF has a 1-year low of $49.15 and a 1-year high of $59.57.

iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Profile

iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Value Index. The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East.

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Testimony revealed at an arraignment in Henry County General District Court on Monday that the wrong person may have been murdered in a gang-related, murder-for-hire, shooting.
Valley County Sheriff Casey Hurlburt has agreed to surrender his law enforcement license as part of a plea agreement for committing insurance fraud.

According to a plea agreement filed by the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office on Tuesday in Valley County District Court, Hurlburt will surrender his license in exchange for no additional charges being filed.

Prosecutors also agreed not to seek jail or probation time during a sentencing hearing. Hurlburt was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday to formalize the agreement.

Hurlburt agreed to plead no contest to providing false information in an insurance claim after a vehicle crash. The Nebraska State Patrol arrested Hurlburt in October on suspicion of fraudulent insurance acts, a felony that typically carries penalties of up to two years in prison, one year probation and/or a $10,000 fine.

Hurlburt filed a claim in January of 2023 regarding a crash that involved a 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, according to the criminal complaint. The complaint accused Hurlburt of stating in his claim that the crash occurred on Oct. 11, 2022, instead of the actual date of the accident, March 23, 2022, in order to receive full coverage of the repair costs. Hurlburt obtained full coverage on the vehicle in April of 2022 from State Farm Insurance.

The Valley County seat is Ord, located about 64 miles northwest of Grand Island.
Every student deserves access to their own personal library of books  that is Ava Steins belief and passion.

Stein put her passion for books into action and organized a book drive for her National Honor Society individual service project.

I was trying to think of things that I enjoyed and wanted to help other people with, Stein said. Ive always loved reading from a young age. My parents always read to me, and I read a lot of books.

A senior at Grand Island Senior High, Stein put book donation boxes at Hy-Vee, Walnut Middle School, GISH and her house. Within a few days, she collected more than 400 books. More than half were elementary-level books.

I attribute my larger vocabulary to getting a head start in reading, so thats why I decided to do a book drive, Stein said. I wanted to let other kids enjoy owning their own book and read whenever they want to.

She worked with district administrators to determine a school she could donate the books to. Deciding on West Lawn Elementary, Stein visited and brought the boxes of books during Read Across America week. Each student from every grade level was able to search for a book of their own to take home.

Students were excited, finding new adventures and hidden treasures within the stacks of books. Anxious to dive into a new story, some students started reading their new books as soon as they picked them up.

Its just really cool to actually come here (to West Lawn) and see all the happiness the kids are getting from getting their books, Stein said. That just makes the whole project worth it.

Schindler Janzen tells Heartland Lutheran students about experiences in Nazi Germany Mildred Schindler Janzen, a Holocaust survivor and author, spoke at Heartland Lutheran High School on Tuesday, March 19. Holocaust survivor speaks at Heartland Lutheran High School Mildred Schindler Janzen, a Holocaust survivor and author, spoke at Heartland Lutheran High School on Tuesday, March 19 to students and the pu Mildred Schindler Janzen Mildred Schindler Janzen, a Holocaust survivor and author, spoke at Heartland Lutheran High School on Tuesday, March 19 to students and the pu Mildred Schindler Janzen I did not know what happened to the Jews until I came over here (to the U.S.), Mildred Schindler Janzen told the crowd, noting Hitler did no
PepsiCo commits nearly $400 mln for two new factories in Vietnam

By Trong Hieu, Minh Hue Fri, March 22, 2024 | 9:17 am GMT+7

U.S beverage giant PepsiCo will invest some $390 million to build two factories in the northern province of Ha Nam and the southern province of Long An, both powered by renewable energy.

The information was revealed by a company representative on Thursday during a meeting between Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and a business delegation organized by the U.S-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) and led by its president & CEO Ted Osius.

A Pepsi can. Photo courtesy of the company.

PepsiCos food factory in Ha Nam will cost $90 million and its Long An beverage factory has a price tag of $300 million, said the representative.

In December 2023, PepsiCo Foods Vietnam received an investment certificate for the Ha Nam facility.

The eight-hectare project in the Dong Van I Industrial Park is set to deploy in 2024, marking the 30th year of PepsiCo in Vietnam. It is scheduled to enter operation in the third quarter of 2025.

PepsiCo entered the Vietnamese market by forming a joint venture with IBC International Beverages Company in 1994. At that time, the company launched its first two products, Pepsi and 7 Up.

Currently, PepsiCo runs five factories across Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Can Tho, Quang Nam, and Bac Ninh.

At the meeting, Osius, who is a former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, and representatives of more than 60 American investment funds and businesses congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic development achievements in recent years, and appreciated its increasingly improved investment environment.

The USABC president also thanked the Vietnamese government for supporting and accompanying foreign-invested enterprises, including U.S. ones. On behalf of American firms, he committed continued strong investments in Vietnam in the fields of science and technology, electronics, aviation, electric vehicles, logistics, energy, healthcare, finance, e-commerce, food, and tourism.

The U.S. business community took note when Fitch Ratings upgraded Vietnam's Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to 'BB+', from 'BB' in late 2023, and was pleased when the two countries upgraded relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, he said.

They assess that Vietnam is increasingly asserting its role as a critical production hub and an important part of the global supply chain, added Ted Osius.
Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.

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South Carolina State Universitys Criminal Justice Program hosts a panel discussion, Diversifying the Criminal Justice Landscape, on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in the Fine Arts Buildings Barbara A. Vaughan Recital Hall.

The event was held in conjunction with the Charlotte Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Law Enforcement Leaders of America.
Kate, the Princess of Wales, has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy, she said Friday in a stunning announcement that follows weeks of speculation about her health and whereabouts.
William Lee Holman Legacy Education & Community Foundation Scholarships will be provided in the amounts of $500-$1000 to selected graduating high school seniors from Lake Marion High School in Santee.

Interested students can request and obtain scholarship applications from the Guidance Counselor, Ms. Capers (barbara.capers@ocsdsc.org) at Lake Marion High School. Scholarship applications are being accepted until March 31, 2024. All completed applications must be sent to info@williamleeholmanfoundation.org by March 31, 2024. Scholarship winners will be notified in May 2024. For any additional questions or inquiries regarding the scholarship or ways to support our Foundation please contact us at info@williamleeholmanfoundation.org.

Get TheTandD.com for $1 for 26 weeks Support local journalism by becoming a member at www.TheTandD.com. View our latest offer at https://thetandd.com/subscribe.

Our foundation

The William Lee Holman Legacy Education & Community Foundation is a 501c3 charitable organization formed in late 2023. Our foundation continues the legacy of the late William Lee Holman. He was a 1970 Honor graduate of Roberts High School and 1974 Honor graduate of Claflin College (now Claflin University). Mr. Holman was a native of Holly Hill SC and a brilliant student with a love for education, and community.

Open for business: Lake Marion students operating Gator Cafe SANTEE  Lake Marion High School is making its name in the culinary world with its Gator Cafe, which officially opened on campus last week.

Our mission is to support graduating high school students who continue their education by attending college or trade school. We are committed to community advancement for individuals and underserved communities. A key initiative for our foundation is providing scholarships to selected high school graduating seniors in South Carolina pursuing higher education, to support their continued growth & success.

More officers planned for Orangeburg County School District graduation ceremonies The Orangeburg County School District plans to beef up security at graduations this year in an effort to ensure decorum during the ceremonies.

We identified Lake Marion High School in Santee as our initial target school. This school supports children near and from Mr. Holman's hometown of Holly Hill. Please visit our website at https://williamleeholmanfoundation.org/ for more details on our Foundation. Our Board of Directors consist of Kojo Cobb, Lindsey Goodwin ( Treasurer), Dorothy Fulmore (Secretary) and Kaisha McCrea ( President). We can be reached at info@williamleeholmanfoundation.org.
The cost of hiring a real estate agent to buy or sell a home may soon change, along with decades-old rules that have helped determine broker commissions.

The policy changes could help spur price competition for agents' services and lower the cost for sellers who now typically cover the commission for the buyer's agent, as well as that of their own.

In turn, more home buyers could face pressure to pay for their agent's commission out of pocket. That could be a challenge, especially for buyers already stretching financially to make a down payment and cover other upfront costs involved in buying a home.

Still, housing market watchers say it can't be immediately determined how significantly any changes that potentially shift the cost of hiring an agent to a home buyer will affect home sales. An adjustment period is likely as buyers, sellers and agents figure out how to navigate what comes next.

What's driving this?

As part of a settlement announced in March, the National Association of Realtors agreed to make some policy changes in order to resolve multiple class-action lawsuits brought on behalf of home sellers across the U.S.

Real Estate Commissions What Now Key lock boxes for real estate showings hang on a fence outside a high-rise condominium building in Chicago. The cost of hiring a real estate 

The trade group agreed to change its rules so that brokers who list a home for sale on any of the databases affiliated with the NAR are no longer allowed to include offers of compensation for a buyer's agent.

This change is meant to address a central assertion in lawsuits brought against the NAR and several major real estate brokerages: that homeowners are being forced to pay artificially inflated agent commissions when they sell their home.

The trade group also agreed to require agents, or others working with a home buyer, to enter into a written agreement with them. That is meant to ensure home buyers know going in what their agent will charge them for their services.

What to expect when buying a house in 2024 Experian analyzed housing market data to make some forward-thinking predictions about what you can expect from the housing market in 2024.

If the court signs off on the settlement, the NAR would implement the rule changes in mid-July. Meanwhile, several real estate brokerage operators, including Anywhere Real Estate and Keller Williams, have reached separate settlement agreements that include provisions for more transparency about agent commissions for home buyers and sellers.

"The residential real estate marketplace will take some time, perhaps several years, to fully process the implications of this settlement," said Stephen Brobeck, senior fellow at the Consumer Federation of America. "But over time more, agents will feel free to offer different types of compensation and more consumers will comparison shop and negotiate commissions in a more transparent marketplace."

What it means for buyers

The key potential change centers on who foots the bill for real estate agents who represent home buyers.

Currently, an agent or broker representing a home seller typically splits a commission  often around 5% to 6% of the home's sale price  with the agent working on behalf of the home buyer. Such an arrangement is known in the industry as "cooperative compensation."

57 US counties where homeownership has become unaffordable MoneyGeek analyzed changes in homeownership costs, home price appreciation, and median incomes from 2021 to 2023 to reveal 57 counties in the 

Under the proposed NAR settlement, a broker who represents a seller would no longer be allowed to include a blanket offer of cooperative compensation to a prospective buyer's agent when they advertise the property on NAR-affiliated Multiple Listings Services, where a majority of U.S. homes are listed for sale. This is meant to remove any incentive from a buyer's agent to steer their client away from home listings that don't include a cooperative compensation offer.

However, the proposed rule change leaves it open for individual home sellers to negotiate such an arrangement with a buyer's agent outside of the MLS platforms, essentially creating a loophole for agents to keep things as they are now.

Home buyers could also ask the home seller for a concession that includes money to help cover the buyer's agent compensation.

What happens if a seller doesn't want to offer to pay the buyer's agent commission? Home buyers would be on the hook to shop around for an agent they can afford. They'd also have to sign a contract with an agent before they enlist their services, spelling out how much the agent's compensation will be.

Having to factor in another expense into their home buying budget could be challenging for home buyers without a lot of savings or financial flexibility, making it tougher for them to navigate the housing market.

Still, many variables are at play when it comes to buying or selling a home, not the least of which is how motivated each party is to close the deal.

Home sellers

The biggest change for homeowners looking to sell is they could push back against paying for buyer-agent commissions, which could translate into considerable savings.

Consider a seller who agrees to pay a 3% commission for their listing agent  instead of potentially twice that to cover the buyer's agent, too  and sells their home for February's national median sale price of $379,100. That homeowner would save roughly $11,373 paying only their agent's commission.

"The settlement will also encourage more sellers to negotiate the compensation of their listing agents," said Brobeck.

Still, sellers may still face some pressure to cover buyer-agent commissions.

The NAR built in an exception to its proposed rule change that would allow a buyer's agent to see offers of cooperative compensation on home listings being advertised by their own brokerage.

That workaround could tempt buyer agents to "steer" clients away from any listings that don't come with an upfront compensation offer, which could prompt sellers to offer more competitive commissions to be split between their agent and the buyer's, analysts with Keefe, Bruyette & Woods wrote in a research note Monday.

"So long as steering incentives still exist, home sellers may be compelled to offer supracompetitive commissions to buyer agents in order to avoid steering," the analysts wrote.
The Orangeburg County School District plans to beef up security at graduations this year in an effort to ensure decorum during the ceremonies.

The district will add twenty more security officers to each graduation ceremony, bringing the number of officers to 30.

We have to do a better job as a community at graduation, OCSD Superintendent Dr. Shawn Foster said during the school board's March 12 meeting. We are going to ask that people honor our graduates and not scream or yell so that names can be heard.

He said, If they are yelling or screaming, they will be asked to leave. I think we owe it to our students in that regards.

Foster said this is his fourth graduation with the district as superintendent. Every year he has at least one parent call him and say, I wish I could have heard my child's name for folks yelling and screaming.

Three officers will be stationed at each aisle.

We are going to ask our community to stand with us and not be in an adversarial relationship and stand with us and honor and appreciate those wonderful faces that were here who reached this milestone, Foster said.

But for those who choose to simply disregard that, we have to have measures and protocols in place to show those individuals that we appreciate our students, Foster said.

In addition, Foster said individuals will be asked to not bring in balloons or other party paraphernalia to graduation.

We are not going to allow those things into graduation, Foster said.

It is not going to be perfect the first time, but we are going to continue to work, Foster continued. Some people are going to be unhappy with that, but I owe it to our students and our community to at least try to establish a protocol for such a dignified ceremony.

Some of the school board trustees expressed concerns about proposed changes while others welcomed them.

We are going to have a problem. Yall know it, trustee R.L. "Poppy" Brown said.

Brown recommended a five or ten second interval be provided between student names.

It is going to happen and we might as well be proactive instead of being reactive, so we won't be on the news when some of our family members  amen  act a fool, Brown said.

Trustee Betty Pezler disagreed.

We are going to have to take a stand to bring about change, Pelzer said. We can't continue to beg them to sit down and be quiet. Every year we have graduation and we have the same problems. Weve got to try to fix it.

We know we are going to get dogged out, we are going to be talked about, it is going to be bad for us, but we are trying to do what we think is necessary in order to have decent graduations for our community, Pelzer continued.

Trustee Dr. Sylvia Bruce-Stephens said there needs to be some decorum, but people should be able to clap for their graduating children.

We have to let them cheer for their children, at least clap for them, she said.

Trustee Dr. Debora Brunson noted that not all schools or graduation ceremonies have disruptive outbursts.

It has to start somewhere, she said. We have to set an expectation.

Graduations are scheduled for Friday, May 24 and Saturday, May 25 at the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.

Graduations will be held according to the following schedule:

Friday, May 24

 Noon  Hunter-Kinard-Tyler Middle/High School

 2 p.m.  North Middle/High School

 4 p.m.  Bethune-Bowman Middle/High School

 6 p.m.  Branchville High School

Saturday, May 25

 9 a.m.  Lake Marion High School

 Noon  Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School

 3 p.m.  Edisto High School

The number of tickets issued will be determined by the size of graduating class, though generally each family will receive 12 tickets. Parents and families are asked to contact their graduation advisors for additional tickets if desired.

All graduations will be streamed on the internet.
Balliceaux, a 320-acre island, approximately 15.8 kilometers from mainland St. Vincent, is holy ground to the hundreds of thousands of Garifuna people resident today in North and Central America.

While the government remains committed to establishing Balliceaux as a memorial, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has admitted that the process is taking some time.





Gonsalves said on radio on March 13 that the discussions and the requisites in relation to those discussions were taking a little bit longer than he anticipated.





According to the Prime Minister, the Chief Surveyor has already been instructed to conduct a valuation of Balliceaux in order that the government could make an offer to the owners, the Linley family, and a request has also been made to the Attorney General to check the title for the island, a normal procedure in matters of this sort.





The Chief Surveyor and the other government valuers did not get to Balliceaux as quickly as they had anticipated, thereby dispelling any intention the government might have had of purchasing or acquiring the island from its owners, on or before March 14, 2024, National Heroes Day.





Prime Minister Gonsalves had announced in January that his government was moving ahead on a decision to purchase the 320-acre island or acquire it if an agreement on the purchase could not be met.





Notwithstanding the delay, PM Gonsalves reiterated governments commitment " to have Balliceaux as a memorial for our ancestors who died there, those who suffered there.





Meanwhile, President of the Garifuna Heritage Foundation - David Darkie Williams  has registered his support for the move by the government to purchase or acquire Balliceaux.





"I think it is one of the most positive steps that have been taken concerning Vincentian sovereignty. Not only because I am a Garifuna person, the Balliceaux issue is an issue tied almost inextricably to the Garifuna Heritage and the Garifuna Culture, said Williams while speaking at the 11th international Garifuna Conference on Tuesday 12th March.





"I want to congratulate those who have done the negotiation. I know its not complete but those who are doing the negotiation and those who are going to be selected to manage the process of transforming Balliceaux into whatever it is.





"I think it is something outstanding and something very good, and I, as President of the Garifuna Heritage Foundation, am absolutely pleased that this hurdle is about to be crossed, said Williams.





Balliceaux is the place where the Garifuna people were banished by the British in 1797 and where many lost their lives, before the remainder were transported to Roatan, some 65 kilometres off the northern coast of Honduras. The island is considered sacred ground by the Garifuna. (DD/KH)




Connel Westfield/ Jack, aka Skiddo, a 26-year-old resident of Ottley Hall, might just be one of the luckiest men in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, after escaping death twice in the space of two days.





On Sunday, 17th March, Westfield was making his way to his home in Ottley Hall when he was ambushed and shot twice in the abdomen. He was rushed to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital for medical attention and was expected to undergo surgery to remove a bullet that was stuck in his abdomen.





However, two days later, on Tuesday 19th, a man was able to bypass security at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH), make his way into the Male Surgical Ward where Westfield was warded, and pumped more bullets into Westfield in what one relative referred as an "an attempt to finish him off.





The perpetrator exited the hospital but Westfield survived once again and was scheduled for even more intense surgery.





A police release following the incident said that a prompt combined response by the Narcotics Unit, Rapid Response Unit (RRU) and the Special Services Unit (SSU) led to the arrest and detention of several individuals believed to be connected to the incident. Two firearms were also seized.





The release went on to state that, "The individual believed to be responsible for the shooting incident was successfully apprehended by the police, who discerned on making the arrest that he had inadvertently inflicted injuries on himself during his attempt to escape. Reports indicate that he shot himself in the area of the testicles.





As a result, he required medical treatment, which he is presently receiving at the MCMH and is also aiding the police with their ongoing investigation, the police release said.





Whether or not Westfield has been moved to a different area of the hospital is not known. The hospital authorities, though, reported that no one else was injured during the incident.





The second attack on Westfields life took place the same day another Ottley Hall resident, Comron Miller aka Boogie was shot and killed while sleeping under a shed attached to a popular shop in the community.





Residents in Ottley Hall claim that there is a gang war taking place in the community and they are calling on the authorities to addressed it urgently.





MCMH visiting hours





Meanwhile, following the shooting incident, the Health, Environment and Wellness Ministry, on Wednesday 20, issued a statement in which it announced that it had taken measures to restrict visiting hours at the Male Surgical Ward.





With immediate effect, and until further notice, visiting hours to the Male Surgical Ward of the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) will be restricted to 3pm to 4pm only. The 11am to 12 noon visiting period will be suspended indefinitely.





Additionally, the statement instructed: "Each patient in the Male Surgical Ward MCMH will only be allowed one (1) bedside visitor during the visiting period, and the name of this single visitor will be provided by each patient and must be on a list which will be kept at the Security Booth at the Kingstown District Clinic entrance to the MCMH.
Comron Boogie Miller was shot dead while he slept on a table in an open area of a shop in Ottley Hall.

The West Kingstown community of Ottley Hall is once again at the centre of gun violence in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, after two men were shot, one on Sunday 17th March and another, fatally, on Tuesday 19th March.





On Sunday, sometime around 8:40pm, Connel Westfield, 26, also known as Connel Jack and by the nickname Skiddo, was making his way home when he was ambushed by two masked gunmen and shot twice in the abdomen.





Reports are that after Westfield was shot, he made a dash for the Rapid Response Unit (RRU)/Black Squad outpost located in the community, to seek refuge but none of the lawmen came to his assistance.





"He run to the Black Squad and fell down in front the building. Is someone with a vehicle give him a ride to the hospital and that is how he reach. Its like the officer na care about Ottley Hall people and they na make no use in the community, said an angry woman.





Another villager who said that he helped to lift Westfield into the transport, described the injury he saw. "He had a hole in the belly area from one of the gunshot, said the male resident.





When THE VINCENTIAN visited the community on Sunday night, residents made known that there was a war going on between two groups in the community, and that there will be retaliation for Skiddos shooting.





Two days later, Tuesday 19, around midday, Comron Boogie Miller was shot in the head and died on the spot, as he lay asleep in an open area of a shop located at a popular intersection in the community.





Reports are that the shooting was done by a lone gunman.





Miller was a well-known in his community. He was a budding dancehall artiste who formed a group called 1linkz with two other men from the community.





A source told THE VINCENTIAN that Millers death was in retaliation for the shooting of Westfield.





"I dont think Boogie is really involve in any of this, but one of his relative is suspected of being involve in Skiddo shooting, so it look like them target Boggie to get revenge, the source said.





Miller was described by a relative as not being known to be a troublemaker "joyful and always make you laugh.





Relatives of the decease and residents of Ottley Hall said that they were surprised that Miller was killed in such a manner, and appealed for more police presence in the community.





"I scared right now for my children because they does come to the shop (where Miller was shot). We need more police; they need to come out and do patrol, said one woman, adding, "Its high day time in a small community like this. Come on, is so we come to?





Millers death brings the homicide count so far for 2024 to eight (8).
Adidja Vybz Kartel Palmer was not only a trend setter in the dancehall arena but also popularized bleaching among young people in the Caribbean and beyond. (Photo Source: New York Times)

The Privy Council on Thursday 14th March, 2024 quashed the murder convictions of dancehall entertainer Adidja Vybz Kartel Palmer 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 Privy Council ruled that attempts to bribe the trial jury meant the conviction was unsafe.





Jamaican dancehall star Vybz Kartel and three associates  Shawn Shawn Storm Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St John - were convicted in 2014 for killing Clive Lizard Williams in 2011.





Kartel, 48, one of Jamaicas most popular artists and who has collaborated with performers such as Jay-Z and Rihanna, has been in jail in Jamaica since 2011 over the disappearance of his associate Clive "Lizard Williams, whose body has never been found.





Williams was allegedly killed after he failed to return two unlicensed guns given to him by Kartel for safekeeping. He has not been seen or heard from since then.





After a 64-day trial in Kingston, one of the longest in Jamaican history, Kartel was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 35 years, later reduced on appeal to 32-and-a-half.





Campbells parole eligibility period was set at 25 years while St John and Jones were ordered to serve 30 and 25 years, respectively, before becoming eligible for parole.





Last month, Kartel and his co-defendants mounted a final possible appeal at the Privy Council in London, the final court of appeal in Jamaica and some other CARICOM and Commonwealth countries.





Their lawyers argued the trial judge wrongly handled allegations that one juror offered 500,000 Jamaican dollars (around $3,200) to fellow jurors to return not guilty verdicts.





The defendants appeals were allowed on Thursday, with Judge David Lloyd-Jones saying the trial judges decision to allow the juror alleged to have offered bribes to continue on the jury was "fatal to the safety of the convictions.





The Privy Council sent the case back to the Court of Appeal in Jamaica to decide whether Kartel and his co-defendants should stand trial again.




Should Rechanne Browne return to her substantive post as Chief Magistrate, SVG would have two such positions.

Two new magistrates are expected to begin duties on April 1.





While not giving the names of those who will fill the post, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves assured that a senior magistrate and a magistrate have been appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission.





The two appointees are Vincentian women, with the appointment of the senior magistrate in a permanent capacity while the individual appointed to serve as magistrate will do so temporarily for one year, Dr. Gonsalves disclosed on radio on march 20.





Three vacancies in the Magistracy were thrown up recently with the retirement after many extensions of magistrates Zoilla Ellis-Browne and Bertie Pompey, and the elevation of Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne to the position of High Court Judge (Ag) in St Lucia.





Ellis was replaced by former Assistant Superintendent of Police John Ballah back in 2023, and the former Commissioner of Police Colin John was also appointed to one of the Senior Magistrates positions.





However, the judiciary was presently understaffed, the prime minister acknowledged.





"We do not know what is going to happen with the chief magistrate if she is going to continue as a judge or if she is going to return to resume her position as chief magistrate, Gonsalves said.





"If she returns, then we would have as intended, another senior magistrate to have therefore 5 magistrates which would be the most we have had, he explained.
The violence in Haiti, including raids on already impoverished communities, has caused internal displacement of hundreds of people.

Mondays attacks on the affluent neighbourhood of Petion-Ville and the mountainous communities of Laboule and Thomassin have raised concern that gang violence will not end anytime soon in Haiti, despite Prime Minister Ariel Henry announcing nearly a week ago that he would resign.





At least 12 bodies have been removed by ambulance from the affluent neighbourhood of Petion-Ville on the outskirts of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, as tensions simmer pending the announcement of Henrys resignations and a proposal for the setting up of a Transitional Presidential Council.





The neighbourhoods had remained largely peaceful despite a surge in gang attacks across Port-au-Prince that began on February 29.





Gang leaders, including Jimmy "Barbecue Cherizier, a former police officer whose gang rules vast swaths of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, and who has assumed the role of a de facto national leader, have already warned of a "battle for Haiti, and threatened politicians who join the transition council. Meanwhile, residents are facing worsening shortages of food and medical care.





On Monday, Haitis power company announced that four substations in the capital and elsewhere "were destroyed and rendered completely dysfunctional. As a result, swathes of Port-au-Prince were without power.





The company said criminals also seized important documents, cables, inverters, batteries and other items.





The deteriorating conditions are making it difficult for humanitarian organisations to deliver aid to the Caribbean country, said Jean-Michael Bauer, the Haiti director at the United Nations World Food Programme.

"Port-au-Prince is a place thats in a bubble right now. You cant get in and out by road. Its very difficult to get in by air. Getting in and out by sea is a challenge, Bauer told European Parliaments subcommittee on human rights on Monday.





"We need security in this country. Security is the number one problem right now. But we also need to make sure that at the same time we bring security, that we have a strong humanitarian component to everything we do.
The SVG Coast Guard has been a victim of loss of trained personnel to the British Armed Forces in particular.

Too many trained officers of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force and Coast Guard are leaving to join the British Armed Forces.





Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr Ralph Gonsalves said on radio that he received a report from the Commander of the SVG Coast Guard listing the accomplishments of the organization.





That report also included some of the weaknesses and challenges of the Coast Guard, Gonsalves said.





The Commander mentioned that one of the challenging issues facing the Coast Guard was the loss of trained junior technical staff.





"This is also happening in the police force; they get the training and then they go and join the British military forces, Gonsalves said.





He added that some opt to go work on oil rigs, and although it was dangerous and rough work, the salary is good.





According to the Prime Minister, the situation was of concern to him.





Notwithstanding the drain on its human resource, the Coast Guard ought to be thanked for the good work.





According to the report, in 2023 the SVG Coast Guard: saved 113 lives - 92 nationals and 21 non-nationals; conducted 72 emergency medical evacuations; carried out over 300 logistical operations and 55 search and rescue operations; responded to a few drownings and made some arrests.
(TBTCO) - Ngay 1/4/2024, Kho bac Nha nuoc buoc sang nam thu 34 truong thanh va phat trien. Trong hon 30 nam qua, tu mot Kho bac truyen thong voi 4 nghiep vu chinh (ke toan thong ke, kho quy, giao dich va ke toan tong hop), Kho bac Nha nuoc a tro thanh kho bac ien tu, tao nhieu thuan loi cho khach hang trong giao dich. Trong tien trinh chuyen oi so hien nay, Kho bac Nha nuoc ang tiep tuc thuc hien nhieu cai cach, hien ai hoa e huong toi kho bac so vao nam 2030.
Feature: Scholars refute Western bias against China on human rights

Xinhua) 10:00, March 22, 2024

GENEVA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- In the narrative of the West, human rights often come across as mere rhetoric, but "when listening to what they say, we also need to see what they do," a human rights scholar said during the 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

In an interview with Xinhua, David Lopez, a consultant from the International Association for Human Rights and Social Development, urged individuals to closely examine the situation in Gaza as this will lead to a greater understanding of the West's double standards regarding human rights.

Lopez, a human rights defender with a strong focus on human rights issues in Latin America, is especially intrigued by China's efforts to promote and safeguard human rights as a developing nation.

Highlighting the progress in ensuring the educational rights of children in impoverished regions in China, Lopez said the West often overlooks human rights progress in Latin America, instead it focuses on ideological concerns, which resembles its approach towards China.

In an article published earlier this month, Lopez said China has made "significant progress" in poverty reduction and social development, narrowing the income gap of residents and effectively safeguarding the human rights of "the country's most vulnerable population." The West has found it difficult to understand China, "because it does not want to," he added.

During the 55th session of the Human Rights Council held in Geneva, many human rights experts and scholars were of a similar mind to Lopez, affirming China's progress in promoting and protecting human rights while refuting the inherent biases of the West on human rights.

As to Western bias, Alfred de Zayas, former UN independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, shared his experiences. "I grew up in Chicago," and was constantly indoctrinated to oppose certain specific countries and groups, he said.

De Zayas said it took him a long time to overcome this prejudice "by knowing people." Therefore, he supports China's broad dissemination of its achievements in promoting and protecting human rights.

During a side event on NGO cooperation to promote human rights protection and sustainable development, Christoph Stuckelberger, chairman of the Geneva Agape Foundation, expressed his views on the weaponization and instrumentalization of human rights by some Western countries.

He emphasized that every country has areas of progress and weakness concerning human rights. Mutual understanding and support should be promoted, deficiencies should be addressed, and the merits of others should be respected and learned from, rather than bluntly asserting "we have human rights, and you don't have."

At a lecture on the protection of rights of ethnic minorities in China held at the University of Geneva, Andre Lacroix, a Belgian Tibetologist who has visited China multiple times, said the Chinese government has provided strong support to the Xizang Autonomous Region for years, promoting local economic and social development.

"I can see clearly the inherent bias of Western society towards Xizang, because based on my personal experiences, I can feel that the living standards of residents in Xizang have improved significantly today," he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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The dust has yet to settle from Wyomings 2024 legislative session, but a slate of Republican challengers have already announced their statehouse campaigns.

All 62 members in the House of Representatives and about half of the Senate are up for reelection this fall. The vast majority of contested races will be characterized by the bruising battle between the two factions of the Republican party.

The split is largely defined by a disagreement over what it means to have conservative bona fides. Its seen most clearly in the House, where the hard-line Freedom Caucus grew its ranks in the last election before securing a powerful leadership role. In response, traditional Republicans formed the Wyoming Caucus.

While the Senate is also divided  many votes in the upper chamber this session differed by just two or three members, including the budget bill  the upper chamber lacks a cohesive voting bloc and is much less organized.

The 2024 election could shift the balance of power in either chamber.

The candidate filing period officially opens May 16. But many political hopefuls arent waiting for that deadline to declare their candidacy.

Details

Four of the early bidders will challenge House incumbents who are members of the Wyoming Caucus.

Kathy Russell announced a run against Rep. Bob Nicholas (R-Cheyenne) in House District 7. Russell has worked as the executive director of the Wyoming Republican Party since 2018  a tenure that coincides with the rise of GOP Chairman Frank Eathorne, deep divisions and Republican dominance across the state. She has degrees in biology, secondary education and ecology, according to the GOPs website.

Nicholas, an attorney, co-chairs the Joint Appropriations Committee and played a critical role in budget negotiations this session. Hes served in the Legislature since 2011.

Also in Laramie County, Rep. Dan Zwonitzer (R-Cheyenne) will face Ann Lucas in the race for House District 43. Lucas, a GOP central committee member, is a retired executive vice president of a credit union, according to her website.

Zwonitzer, a frequent target of Wyomings far right, has served in the Legislature since 2005. He teaches at Laramie County Community College.

In the Northeast corner of the state, Mark Jones will challenge Rep. Barry Crago (R-Buffalo) for House District 40.

Jones is a familiar face at the Capitol thanks to his lobbying on behalf of Gun Owners of America. Before taking a job with the organization in June 2021, according to his LinkedIn, Jones worked for almost 27 years for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

Crago, an attorney, was the target of anonymous mailers last fall that cast him as liberal while also misrepresenting his voting record as well as Wyomings tax burden and supplemental budget. Similar mailers targeted Rep. Steve Harshman (R-Casper).

Ultimately, Secretary of State Chuck Gray  whom Harshman insulted in a hot mic incident in 2021  decided the mailers were legal partly due to the timing falling so far ahead of the election. Shortly after his decision, anonymous mailers targeted Gray for his agencys budget request and his fathers financial contributions to his campaign.

One candidate vying for House District 51 was also involved in a separate incident with anonymous mailers in 2022.

Laurie Bratten was one of four people accused of trying to tear our state apart in anonymous mailers sent to Sheridan and Johnson County residents.

Bratten was not seeking public office at the time. A Sheridan County Sheriffs Office investigation determined that Rep. Cyrus Western (R-Big Horn) was in part responsible for the leaflets.

Western announced on Tuesday that he would not be seeking reelection, according to The Sheridan Press.

Bratten runs an agricultural operation in the Big Goose Valley and has been involved in Wyoming politics for over a decade, according to a press release. Previously, she worked in Colorado as a legislative aide and political advisor, according to Ballotpedia.

Western, who works in commercial real estate, has served in the Legislature since 2019.

Tom Olmstead is one of the only candidates to announce a Senate bid.

Olmstead, a self-described political refugee from Colorado, is challenging Sen. Ed Cooper (R-Ten Sleep) for Senate District 20. Cooper, an oil and gas consultant, has served in the Legislature since 2021.

Ahead of the session, Gregg Smith, a retired Army veteran, announced he would challenge Sen. Tara Nethercott (R-Cheyenne) for Senate District 4.

Nethercott, an attorney, has served in the Legislature since 2017.

WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.
CASPER  Although the organization is only days old, the Casper Mountain Preservation Alliance drew a large crowd to the Agricultural Resource Learning Center on Thursday night to hear from perhaps their biggest ally in the fight against a proposed gravel pit at the foot of Casper Mountain, Secretary of State Chuck Gray.

Gray delivered a rallying call for the group to take their fight to Cheyenne.

We have a very delicate ecosystem, the fragility up there, the fragility of the flows  the proximity to domestic water uses, Gray said of the Coates Road area. All of those things should have led to a distinct treatment by the Office of State Lands, and that did not happen.

The stand might have surprised members of the group, as Gray was one of five commissioners who initially voted unanimously in favor of the mining lease, as it was brought up on a consent agenda without discussion during a session of the State Loan & Investment Board and State Board of Land Commissioners.

On Thursday, Gray expressed not only his displeasure with the decision to place the mine on the consent agenda, but also of Jenifer Scoggin, director of the Office of State Lands and Investments.

The director of the Office of State Lands does not serve at the pleasure of the board, said Gray, one of five statewide elected officials who comprise the board. That is very clear in state law. Every time that I express my displeasure with the director of the Office of State Lands, the governor is very clear of that fact. The director does not serve at the pleasure of the board according to the state constitution.

Gray said the direction the State Lands Office is taking is troubling and that it has committed many errors, he said he cant vote to remove Scoggin. What he can do, he said, is to ask Gov. Mark Gordon to place the Coates Road mine back before the board.

Gordon has agreed, and the State Loan and Investment Board and State Board of Land Commissioners will meet on April 4 from 8 a.m. to noon.

Gray urged those in attendance Thursday night to travel to Cheyenne to speak out.

I dont speak on behalf of the board, Gray said. I am one member. ... I think it is very important that  if you can  that you comment at that meeting.

While the exact agenda has not been set, Gray said the meeting will likely be be held in a hybrid format, with in-person attendance at the State Capitol auditorium and online via Zoom.

Gray is the only member of the board, which, in addition to Gordon and Gray includes State Auditor Kristi Racines, Treasurer Curt Meier and Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder, to have toured the mine site.

Beyond April 4

Gray and members of Thursdays audience agreed that Prism Logistics and its manager, Kyle True, have been above board and followed all of Wyomings laws in exploring the possibility of a gravel pit amidst the residential and grazing land at the base of the mountain.

There are a lot of steps in this process, Gray said. And I do think there is a long way to go where we can still get a favorable outcome.

In addition to the approval of the Limited Mining Operations application, which is expected to take just 30 days, the project must receive stormwater and air quality permits. Gray said both permits are subject to a 180-day review period if requested by any citizen.

However, the best hope for residents might not be in Cheyenne, but at home in Natrona County.

I think [this] is very important; a conditional use permit is required, Gray said. That means it will take three votes of the Natrona County board.

The key to making that difference could be the newly formed Casper Mountain Preservation Alliance, which rented out the learning center for the meeting as one of its first actions. The group is working on a website and hopes to have it up in about a week.

For now, the best way to find out more about the group is to visit its Facebook group, the Coates Road/Squaw Creek Gravel Pit Resistance Group, said Alliance Chairwoman Carolyn Griffith.
Kadeem Charles should be a dead man.

On February 3, 2019, Charles, then just 20 years old, found himself looking down the wrong end of the barrel of an assault rifle, held by a masked assailant.

Already shot in the back and unable to move his legs, the frightened Sea Lots-born youngster closed his eyes and silently called out for Jesus Christ.
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.
In 2017, 13 million pages of sensitive Soviet-era intelligence were declassified and published by the CIA. Researchers found two of those pages that whipped absolute ass: jokes the U.S. Embassy in Moscow had picked up from Russian citizens. They collected them partly to monitor sentiment among the Russian working class, but intelligence workers also just thought it was fun as hell to make a yearly joke book. Here are 11 jokes from Soviet Russia that the CIA found noteworthy for one reason or another

11 And Then Everyone Clapped A worker standing in a liquor line says, I have had enough, save my place, I am going to shoot Gorbachev. Two hours later he returns to claim his place in line. His friends ask, Did you get him? No, the line there was even longer than the line here.

10 Crucial Context: People Think Alexander Dubcek Was Murdered by the KGB Whats the difference between Gorbachev and Dubcek? Nothing, but Gorbachev doesnt know it yet.

9 The Teacher Becomes the Teached Sentence from a schoolboys weekly composition class essay: My cat just had seven kittens. They are all communists. Sentence from the same boys composition the following week: My cats seven kittens are all capitalists. The teacher reminds the boy that the previous week he had said the kittens were communists. But now theyve opened their eyes, replies the child.

8 Maybe This Guy Just Really Wants to Climb a Tree A Chukchi is asked what he would do if the Soviet borders were opened. Id climb the highest tree, he replies. Asked why, he responds: So I wouldnt get trampled in the stampede out! Then he is asked what he would do if the U.S. border is opened. Id climb the highest tree, he responds, so I can see the first person crazy enough to come here! Advertisement Advertisement

7 The People Evidently Didnt Like the KGB A joke heard in Arkhangelsk has it that someone happened to call the KGB headquarters just after a major fire. We cannot do anything. The KGB has just burned down, he was told. Five minutes later he called back and was told again that the KGB had burned. When he called a third time, the telephone operator recognized his voice and asked, Why do you keep calling back? I just told you, the KGB has burned down. I know, the man replied. I just like to hear it.

6 This Joke Taught Me More About Russia Than I Ever Learned in History Class A train bearing Lenin, Stalin, Khrushchev, Brezhnev and Gorbachev stops suddenly when the tracks run out. Each leader applies his own, unique solution. Lenin gathers workers and peasants from miles around and exhorts them to build more track. Stalin shoots the train crew when the train still doesnt move. Khrushchev rehabilitates the dead crew and orders the tracks behind the train ripped up and relaid in front. Brezhnev pulls down the curtains and rocks back and forth, pretending the train is moving. And Gorbachev calls a rally in front of the locomotive, where he leads a chant: No tracks! No tracks! No tracks! Advertisement Advertisement

5 Damn, Sidorov, You Didnt Have to Go So Hard! Ivanov: Give me a medical example of perestroika. Sidorov: (Thinks) How about menopause?

4 Get Their Asses, Babushka! An old lady goes to the Gorispolkom with a question, but by the time she gets to the officials office shes forgotten the purpose of the visit. Was it about your pension? the official asks. No, I get 20 rubles a month, thats fine, she replies. About your apartment? No, I live with three people in one room of a communal apartment, Im fine, she replies. Suddenly she remembers: Who invented communism  the communists or scientists? The official responds proudly, Why the communists, of course! That's what I thought, the babushka says. If the scientists had invented it, they would have tested it first on dogs! Advertisement Advertisement

3 At Least We Can All Agree That Ronald Reagan Is Rotting in Hell An American tells a Russian that the United States is so free he can stand in front of the White House and yell, To hell with Ronald Reagan. The Russian replies: Thats nothing. I can stand in front of the Kremlin and yell, To hell with Ronald Reagan, too.

2 At Least Errands Were a Breeze A man goes into a shop and asks, You don't have any meat? No, replies the sales lady. We dont have any fish. Its the store across the street that doesnt have any meat. Advertisement Advertisement
Details of a police standoff earlier this month in which a man fired more than 400 rounds at officers from a rifle and handgun before turning the gun on himself have been released in a new report.

The incident began about 9:45 a.m. March 10 when Tucson police officers went to talk to Jesus Mendivil, 38, about a felony domestic violence incident, the Pima Regional Critical Incident Team said Friday in a news release.

When officers arrived, they say Mendivil entered a home in the 3300 block of North Richey Boulevard, near East Fort Lowell Road and North Dodge Boulevard, and refused to exit. Several unidentified people were able to leave the house safely, but Mendivil remained inside, the release said.

Negotiations continued for several hours to try to get Mendivil to exit the property on his own. With no response from inside the house, officers decided to use a police armored vehicle to breach the front door.

Thats when Mendivil began firing his weapon toward SWAT team members, the release said.

Several SWAT officers were pinned down by gunfire and had to utilize directed fire in order to move to a safe position, the report said.

Directed fire, the report said, is a tactic used when there is a lethal threat to the community or officers but direct engagement with the suspect is not possible due to physical barriers.

Tucson Police Department policy allows SWAT officers to discharge their firearms toward a known safe and unoccupied area, but only during extreme situations, the release said.

Several SWAT officers fired their weapons. None was wounded.

Officers from multiple law enforcement jurisdictions were called in as the standoff continued and officers faced gunfire from inside the home.

Eventually, the Arizona Department of Public Safety used an armored vehicle to breach the house.

Inside, officers and SWAT members found Mendivil with an AR-15 rifle and a handgun held to his head, the release said.

Mendivil eventually shot himself and died later at a hospital.

The officers who discharged their weapons in the directed fire have been identified as: Officer Adam Roebke, a 6-year-veteran; Officer Joseph Jensen, a 12-year- veteran; Officer Tanner Wolverton, a 5-year-veteran; Officer Eduardo Valenzuela, an 8-year-veteran; Officer Bradley Kush, a 12-year-veteran; and Sgt. Jason Bredehoft, a 20-year-veteran.

The multi-agency Pima Regional Critical Incident Team investigates police-involved shootings here.

For this incident, the Pima County Sheriffs Department and Oro Valley Police Department have been assigned primary responsibility for the criminal investigation. The Tucson Police Department is conducting a separate internal investigation to determine if any department policies were violated.

The findings will be sent to the Pima County Attorneys Office, which is standard procedure.
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:

Recently, we at the YWCA of Southern Arizona held our 35th annual Womens Leadership Conference. Like any CEO, I want our events to be flawless celebrations of the YWCA and the communities we serve. This year, protesters chose to target our event. While it is their right to peacefully protest, they demonstrated because we held our conference at the Jewish Community Center.

Standing before our enthusiastic audience as a mother, daughter, wife, leader of color and immigrant, I felt proud of my amazing team at the YWCA and the work that we do to empower women and families in Southern Arizona.

Yet I also stood there with sorrow, and grief in my heart, because I know that there is violence and injustice happening against women and children around the world, and here in Southern Arizona. I know that we are all connected. When one of us is hurting or struggling, it affects us all.

That moment brought home the impact the IsraelHamas War is having right here, right now. And we each must choose how to process and respond to the calls for action, including calls from protesters like those outside our event that day.

On Oct. 7, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu declared war. In response, YWCA USA CEO Margaret Mitchell said:

...(W)e believe in a world of justice, where all people  particularly women and girls  are safe and free from violence. The violence that erupted in the Middle East  including reports of violence committed against civilian women, the elderly, children, and babies  leaves no doubt that this vision of justice, safety, and freedom from violence has been shattered for millions.

Since that statement, the war has escalated, tens of thousands have been killed, millions have lost homes, and the cease-fire we all hope for seems out of reach. But we must hold fast to our commitment to peace and justice.

Targeting the Jewish Community Center, isolating our Jewish neighbors, will not bring about peace. In fact, lashing out at the JCC, an organization that serves the entire community, and anyone who chooses to sustain connection with them, like the YWCA, will only promote more discord, incite more anger and cause harm to our community.

We all see and hear what is happening around the world and in our community. There are crises that seem beyond our control, and we feel helpless. Right here in Arizona, policymakers are enacting laws endangering our bodily autonomy, shaming our youth for being who they are, and putting the health of the planet at risk. It can feel like we have no influence, that we are too small to be effective compared to the scope and scale of the forces endangering the lives and futures of women and children around the world.

As we feel the ripples of these malignant forces in our own community, I know that sometimes our grief and anger blind us as surely as they also move us forward toward justice.

Only can we rise above hate and division. We must be the bridge builders and peacemakers this world needs to realize a future free of injustice for our children and their children. The YWCA Southern Arizona stands with all women and children, including the women and children of our Palestinian community. We can listen, seek to understand, and respond with compassion.

Never has the work of the YWCA been more relevant. We will continue to advocate for the women of Southern Arizona and to lean into our mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. The YWCA of Southern Arizona is a place for bridge builders, peacemakers and the leaders of tomorrow.

I hope you count yourself among us.






Israel trip

Re: the March 13 letter Israel shouldnt be legislators top priority.

I was disgusted to read the letter writers antisemitic letter criticizing Alma Hernandez for her support of Israel. The letter writer has long ignored terrorist acts by Hamas against Israel and attacks people for their support of Israel. Ms. Hernandez had an Israeli flag on her desk. Would the letter writer criticize someone for having an Indonesian flag on their desk? Indonesias human rights record is horrible. And furthermore I did a little research and it seems the letter writer is a regular contributor to Peoples World, a publication of the American Communist Party. Enough said

David Moore

Midtown

Two words

Regarding legislators move to get rid of codes in the name of affordable housing.

Just what we need, more praying to the altar of deregulation. My entire life, Republicans and sometimes ignorant Democrats have flocked to the idea that if we just remove the rules keeping business from taking advantage, business will stop taking advantage.

Case in point. Greedy landlords and out of state property management companies will happily continue to raise rents on houses that have carports and houses that have a garage. Price gouging happens no matter what the type of roof. Cookie-cutter homes are a result of developers throwing up as many houses as cheaply as possible, not codes. In fact, anybody with half a brain will tell you that custom homes cost more, not less.

If legislators are serious about housing costs they need two words. Rent. Control.

Anything else is just smoke and mirrors.

David Reynolds

East side

National security and border security

The Republican Party is weak on U.S. national security and also weak on security for our southern border. By opposing additional funds for Ukraine, Republicans in the U.S. House are aiding Vladimir Putins invasion. If Russias war on Ukraine is successful, Putin is likely to invade other European countries in the future, which will threaten the national security of the U.S. Also, Republicans in Congress are supporting chaos at the U.S. border by blocking the border security bill developed by U.S. Senators.

What happened to the Republican Party of Reagan, Bush, Dole, McCain, Romney, etc.? It has become the extreme MAGA cult party.

Paul Marion

Oro Valley

Nothing is getting done

An idiom that most people would be familiar with today goes back over one hundred years. That idiom is actions speak louder than words.

Another version of this phrase is words are cheap. In light of the fact that there have been no positive, productive or meaningful bills put forth by MAGA Republicans in the house, we can clearly see an illustration of the phrases above.

In contrast, President Biden signed into law the largest gun-safety bill in thirty years; passed the CHIPS and Science Act which lowers costs, creates jobs, strengthens supply chains and counters China; lowered prescription drug prices, including insulin, for millions of Americans. These are a few of the many bills Joe Biden passed to help all Americans get through some difficult times.

This administration has not been and will never be an illustration of no action, talk only. Democrats are the do-something party and are proving that every day.

Sally Mayersohn

Northwest side

Why would any woman vote Republican?

As a 73-year-old retired educator I am perplexed as to why any woman would vote Republican.

When the former president brags about grabbing women by the genitals and he can do anything he wants with them is demeaning and disgusting.

The former president brags about terminating Roe v. Wade and he is proud of being responsible for taking women back 53 years. Now in 2024 my daughter and granddaughter have fewer reproductive rights and health choices than I did in 1971.

Last week Sonny Borelli, No. 2 Republican in the state Senate, responded to a question about whether he would oppose future efforts to restrict access to emergency contraceptives. He said that women shouldnt need contraceptives. Like I said, Bayer Company invented aspirin. Put it between your knees implying that, if women hold aspirin between their legs, they wont be able to have sex and risk pregnancy. That is beyond outrageous, and is mortifying, shameful and degrading.

Sign the Arizona Access to Abortion Petition and vote in November.

Rachel Rulmyr Ed.D.

Oro Valley

Dont remember or take the fifth?

All this blathering about I dont recall, I dont remember. More to the point, who was it that did NOT say I dont recall but took the fifth over 400 times in a civil fraud hearing, and at one time asked, If youre innocent, why are you taking the Fifth Amendment? Anybody recall?

William Muto

SaddleBrooke

Misinformed about Marxism

The right makes a habit of accusing ideas of the left to be Marxist. To point, here are statements made by State Sen. Kern, U.S. Rep. Taylor Greene, and former President Trump. In the Communist Manifesto, by Karl Marx et al., the authors clearly laid out the concept of Marxism. Four important tenets of the manifesto are:

Abolition of private property

Abolition of all right of inheritance

Confiscation of the property of all emigrants and rebels

Centralization of the means of communication and transport in the hands of the state.

I doubt any on the left advocate such ideas.

Other important Manifesto tenants are:

Free education for all children in public schools

Abolition of childrens factory labour [sic] in its present form (meaning at a young age).

Left and right support these positions.

Right politicians need to be better informed about Marxism before accusing ideas of the left.

Terry Plaza

North side

Comparing apples

Re: the March 13 article Bidens Trump-like speech last week failed the moment.

In his vapid opinion piece, Nolan Finley equated President Biden and Donald Trump. Lets compare apples and apples: the Biden apple, slightly shriveled but still nutritious OR the Trump apple, poisonous, rotten to the core. Which will you choose?

Jefferson Carter

Midtown

Protect us from armed criminals!

Re: the March 15 article Lawmakers want repeal of new gun ordinance.

Sen. Justine Wadsack seems to be a bit confused or misdirected in her opposition to the new city firearm ordinance. Say, you are required to take strong drugs to repress pain, but they are dangerous because they can make you addicted. Someone steals those drugs, which threatens the lives of their illegal customers. If your drugs are stolen and you do not report that to the police, then something is deeply wrong with you. Firearms are deadly weapons; and if those disappear, and you do not report that theft to the police, this is not only highly irresponsible, but it amounts to a criminal act because someone might use that weapon to kill people. Sen. Wadsack, please do not argue with a reference to the 2nd Amendment; that is completely irrelevant here and ignores the collective need to be safe from criminals. The Pima County Supervisors acted wisely; opposing that ordinance is simply unwise and unworthy of a state senator who should have more intelligence to understand this ordinances importance.

Albrecht Classen

Midtown

Trumps behavior doesnt matter

Trump once boasted he could shoot someone on 5th Avenue and it wouldnt matter to his base. Absolutely true that 40% of the populace doesnt care about him being a draft dodger, tax cheat, philanderer, failed businessman, sexual predator, and serial liar. I guess this speaks more to us as a country that a despicable, vile demagogue was elected once and potentially again.

Craig Miller

Northwest side

Undocumented crimes

In a recent letter to the editor, the writer stated that there is a lack of evidence that supports the idea that undocumented in the U.S. commit crimes more often than U.S. citizens. While this theory has been stated in numerous other articles, I have never seen the basis on how it was reached. It appears that the author is trying to minimize the crimes that are committed by illegal aliens. Be that as it may, the fact of the matter remains that those crimes committed by illegal aliens in the U.S. would not have been committed, had they not been present in the U.S.

Thomas Leupp

East side

Trumps supporters

Re: the March 18 letter Disgusting display.

Im am also amazed that Trumps persecuted Christian supporters dont find his support of Vladimir Putin, a brutal dictator whose behavior is the antithesis of Jesus Christs, to be somewhat problematic. And this also applies to some of the other dictators, such as Kim Jong Un, he supports as well. The man is an enigma.

Gerry Maggiora

Foothills

Democrats in LD18 are on fire

Re: the March 18 article Have Democrats finally stopped wimping out?.

Jackie Calmes asks if Democrats are wimps who dont bring guns to a gunfight.

Democrats in LD18 in the Foothills are scrappy, amped up and assertive. We are circulating petitions for the Abortion Initiative, knocking on doors and using E-qual to get Democrats on the ballot, and presenting speakers like Rachel Bitecofer, to accurately brand Republicans as extremists.

Just check out our Facebook Page at Facebook.com/LD18Democrats. Check out the action at LD18dems.org. Be among the scores of people who attend our monthly meetings.

Sure, this is not as outrageous as herd-like Republican rallies, or dementia poster child Donald Trump, or Republican disruptions of public meetings.

LD18 is the blue center in the blue city in the blue county of Arizona. We have 200 precinct committee people on top of 1,400 volunteers.

Join us as we blaze a path to flip the Republican-dictated Legislature. You aint seen nothing yet.

Larry Bodine

Foothills

Fascist Trump

As Donald Trumps narcissism is threatened, his intense feelings of revenge, fury and rage are on full display. He recently warned of a blood bath if he is not re-elected. His opponents are vermin. Immigrants are poisoning the blood of our country. The Jan. 6 defendants are hostages.

He masks his menace by combining hateful rhetoric with mocking laughter. What better way to dehumanize his opponents? It helps him desensitize his supporters, who lack discernment, and give away their power and money to support his treasonous cause. Trumps supporters consent and collude with his rhetoric. Hitler would be proud. As Joseph Goebbels said, If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.

If you are repulsed by this darkness, do not remain silent. You have a voice and a vote. If you dont want to live in a hellscape of insanity, vote for Joe Biden in November to stop the madness and save our democracy.

Cindy Bordelon

Downtown

Bloodbath comment

MSNBC and CNN have been scaring their listeners about a comment Trump made at one of his rallies. He said there would be a blood bath. They refer to him as Hitler. These networks, who have vilified him since 2015, take everything out of content.

Trump was warning that Chinas largest electric vehicle manufacturer was planning to build a plant in Mexico making electric cars to sell in America. They would wreak havoc on our auto industry wiping out thousands of jobs. He said it would be a blood bath. As president he threatened to put a 100% tax to keep it from happening.

Now you know the rest of the story.

Jack Walters

Northeast side

AZ probes school choice fraud

Re: the March 13 AZ probes school choice fraud and March 16 articles AZ officials underplayed Medicaid fraud scope.

I can not believe what I read. The ESA program advocates are ok with the fraud that is taking place in the program. They say fraud is basically going to happen and just go with it. Of course it is not their money. Its mine and I feel Arizona needs to hire the people to try and stop this fraud. From what I read fraud seams to be the way of the new world. Why cant we try to stop this new era the best we can? Would they feel the same way if it was their money.

The same goes for the Arizona healthcare containment system, allowing providers to ignore or check requirements. This State needs to do the right thing. If our government is doing things illegally then we need to stop it. It appears to me that our leaders just sit at their desk with their feet up and collect their big salaries. Then lie to us.

Jose Salgado

Northeast side

A modest proposal

Interviewer: I am with Mrs. Mamie Righteous who has proposed a novel idea for the Pro Choice/Pro Life debate. Tell us about your proposal Mrs. Righteous.

M.R. Yes. There has been much criticism about politicians injecting themselves into this issue. I propose that to help them we form citizens committees, you know, like peers, in a jury.

Interviewer: Do you mean ordinary citizens who would evaluate a womans reasons for seeking an abortion?

M.R. In conjunction with politicians? Yes.

Interviewer: What criteria would be used?

M.R. White Christian Nationalist Evangelical of course..... GOD!

Interviewer: Which God? Whose God?

M.R. Mine of course.

Interviewer: So you are Pro Life?

M.R. Yes, molecular life not death row life. We call them people, 0 to 9 months in the womb.

Interviewer: What do you call them after birth?

M.R. Problems

Melvina Strijdonk
James D. Watts Jr. Tulsa World Scene Writer Follow James D. Watts Jr. 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

One of the longest-running shows in Broadway history, Chicago, returns to Tulsa for two shows at 7:30 p.m. April 2-3 at the Tulsa PAC, 101 E. Third St.

The musical is presented by Celebrity Attractions.

Written by John Kander and Fred Ebb, with a book by Ebb and original director Bob Fosse, Chicago is the story of a couple of Jazz Age women determined to do anything to become stars  including murder.

The original production, while successful, was overwhelmed by A Chorus Line, which opened during the same season. The musical was revived in 1996 and is now the longest-running American musical in Broadway history.

Katie Frieden stars as Roxie Hart, an aspiring showgirl trying to turn her homicide into headlines, and Logan Floyd as Velma Kelly, who vies with Roxie for the attention of the tabloids.

Tickets are $30-$95. 918-596-7111, tulsapac.com.

Final shows for Romeo & Juliet, Calendar Girls

Two shows will have their final performances this Sunday, March 24, at the Tulsa PAC.

Tulsa Ballets Romeo & Juliet will conclude its four-show run with a matinee performance at 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the Chapman Music Hall, 101 E. Third St. Choreographed by Edwaard Liang to Prokofievs classic score, Shakespeares tragic tale of star-crossed love is brought to stirring, romantic life in this production.

Tickets are $45-$125.

Theater Tulsa will close out its run of Calendar Girls at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Williams Theater, 110 E. Second St.

Based on a true story that inspired the comic film, Calendar Girls is the story of a group of everyday English women who decide to create a calendar featuring them posing in states of tasteful undress, and the unexpected consequences of the projects success.

Tickets are $29.75-$49.50.

Fairy Tale Misfits

Green Country Childrens Theater will present Fairy Tale Misfits, a comedy about a young girl whose homework gets stolen by a most unusual groundhog and who finds herself in the Land of Rejected Fairy Tale Characters, where live a crazy assortment of misfits who were cut from the fairy tales we know and love.

Theres her shadow-fearing sidekick, Groundhog; Mac, the eighth and worlds largest dwarf; Jacqueline, the great Giant Slayer armed with a magic polka-playing accordion; and more  including Queen White-Out and her eraser minions, and Pink Pearl and Big Mistake, who have other plans for the characters.

Performances are at 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, March 29-30, at Studio 308, 308 S. Lansing Ave. Tickets are $15. eventbrite.com.

Book launch for Angel of Indian Lake

Novelist Stephen Graham Jones will return to Tulsa for the launch of his latest book, The Angel of Indian Lake, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, at Circle Cinema, 10 S. Lewis Ave.

The event is sponsored by Magic City Books.

The new novel is the conclusion of the Indian Lake trilogy, which includes the award-winning My Heart is a Chainsaw and Dont Fear the Reaper. The novel follows Jade Daniels as she returns to her hometown of Proofrock, Idaho, to build a life after years of sacrifice.

Theres a lot of unfinished business in Proofrock, from serial killer cultists to the rich trying to buy Western authenticity. But theres one aspect of Proofrock no one wants to confront,  until Jade comes back to town. The curse of the Lake Witch is waiting, and now is the time for the final stand.

Tickets for this event are $34, which includes entrance to the event and a copy of The Angel of Indian Lake. The evening will include a discussion of the book, a book signing and the screening of a film that Jones has specially selected.

To purchase and for more information: magiccitybooks.com.

The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today.
Jimmie Tramel Tulsa World Scene Writer Follow Jimmie Tramel Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

ame something you learned at an early age?

Dinosaurs are cool.

Why are they cool? Dont overthink it. They just are.

Oklahoma is blessed with dinosaur-related attractions and, this weekend, therell be one more.

Billed as North Americas most popular interactive dinosaur experience, Jurassic Quest is returning to Tulsa on Friday, March 22, through Sunday, March 24, inside the SageNet Center at Expo Square.

Keep reading for more about Jurassic Quest, but heres a roll call of go-to spots in Oklahoma if you dig dinosaurs:

Museum of the Red River

Located in Idabel, the Museum of the Red River is home to the official Oklahoma State dinosaur, the Acrocanthosaurus atokensis. Acro lived during the early Cretaceous period, according to the museums site, which says the original fossil of the McCurtain County specimen was the most complete one ever recovered and provided paleontologists new information on a top predator of its time.

For more information, go to museumoftheredriver.org.

Black Mesa

Dinosaur tracks are preserved in sandstone strata next to Carrizo Creek near the east end of Black Mesa State Park in Kenton.

There were 47 prints when the tracks were discovered in the 1980s, according to travelok.com. Because of erosion, about a third of those tracks remain visible.

Make your way down into the creek bed to see the prehistoric tracks. The tracks are located on private property, according to travelok.com, but viewing is allowed during daylight hours.

Casts of the dinosaur tracks are on display at the No Mans Land Museum in Goodwell, and dinosaur track artifacts are inside the Kenton Museum.

For more information and links to the museums, go to travelok.com.

Sam Noble Museum

Among dinosaur attractions inside the Hall of Ancient Life at the Sam Noble Museum in Norman is a fully articulated skeleton of a pentaceratops, whose 10.5-foot skull holds the Guinness World Record as the worlds largest.

Theres lots of dinosaur stuff to see, but the gallerys centerpiece exhibit is named Clash of the Titans, and it features two dinosaurs fighting to the death.

For more information, go to samnoblemuseum.ou.edu.

Cimarron Heritage Center Museum

Visitors to the museum, located in Boise City, are greeted by Cimmy, an 18,000-pound metal replica of the apatosaurus dinosaur. Cimmy  65 feet long and 35 feet high  was created as a real life representation of a dinosaur extracted from Cimarron County in the 1930s, according to travelok.com. Dubbed Cimarronasaurus, the replica became known by a shorter name.

For more information, go to chcmuseumok.com.

T-Rex vs. water tower

As an attention-getter, a skeletal T-Rex was created to depict it attacking a water tower at the Traders Depot in Kiowa. Its a popular spot for photo ops. And, speaking of photos ops 

Jurassic Quest

Guests can walk through the nations biggest herd of photo-realistic dinosaurs when Jurassic Quest arrives at Expo Square.

Jurassic Quest is the largest and most realistic dinosaur experience in North America.

In addition to life-like dinosaurs, experiences include some of the largest ride-able dinosaurs in North America, live shows, interactive science and art activities (including a fossil dig and real fossils like T-Rex teeth, a triceratops horn and life-size dino skull), a soft play area for small children, bounce houses and inflatable attractions.

Since 2013, Jurassic Quest has entertained more than 10 million fans in more than 250 cities. For information, go to jurassicquest.com.

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Thousands of eastern Oklahomans were drawn to a downtown department store in 1940 for their first glimpse of a magic box that has become ubiquitous -- television.

Including me.

An 11-year-old at the time, I came to Tulsa from Stigler with my family to marvel at the new electronic gadget that would let us see what was going on in another room and on another floor.

Advance stories about the demonstration said Tulsans would be able to "actually see television and how it operates and would have a chance to have their own images sent out over the air."

My image wasn't sent out over the air, but I saw the images of others on the tiny screen.

The demonstration ran continuously from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for three days in early October at the Brown-Dunkin store at Fourth and Main streets. For the first time, Tulsans could watch shoppers on another floor, could see people as they were interviewed and see the city's skyline as the camera panned the horizon from a fifth-floor window.

People who appeared on that test broadcast Oct. 1-3, 1940, were given gold lace-edged certificates stating "I've successfully passed a television test."

A reporter wrote the next day that she had yellow spots in her eyes from the bright lights used for the television camera. She said she was told that the makeup she wore would cause her face to appear dirty on the TV screen and she was startled when one of the TV crew held her arms to keep her from swaying while appearing before the camera -- a reaction she was told was common for someone unaccustomed to appearing before the camera.

She also wrote that someday television would be in Technicolor.

The equipment used for the demonstration was valued at $110,000 (a large sum in 1940) including the camera that was valued at $12,000, according to B.R. Gamble, manager of the unit. The demonstration required a crew of seven, including engineer Bart Molinari, who had won a trophy in 1924 as the outstanding radio technician in the United States.

The demonstration coincided with publication of a Saturday Evening Post article that blamed the failure of television to get under way quickly on the Federal Communication Commission. Author Alva Johnson contended that the FCC had decided it must hold up the industry to protect prospective customers from buying television equipment that cost more than they could afford.

Molinari told a reporter at the 1940 demonstration that "old flivvers that cruise the streets without proper shielding of their ignition systems" caused problems for television sets. But he predicted that TV would become popular soon.

"Television is not just around the corner -- it's here," Molinari said.

It may have been "here" for some parts of the country but not for Tulsa. It was nine years later when station KOTV began broadcasting on Channel 6. And for the first 45 days, the only thing on the tube was a test pattern to help engineers make adjustments to transmitting equipment. But television set owners watched it anyway and discussed the next day how sharp and clear the image was.

The first regular broadcast was Nov. 30, 1949, when Tulsa Mayor Roy Lundy and other civic leaders helped dedicate the station. Gov. Roy J. Turner couldn't attend personally but sent a movie film that was broadcast on the new station. At first, KOTV broadcast only from 6 to 10:30 p.m. and used programs from six networks.

The World published a special 26-page section explaining the basics about the new medium and introducing the officers and broadcasters of the station. There also were numerous ads offering television sets for prices ranging from $200 to nearly $900. Many ads boasted of sets with "large 12 1/2-inch screens;" others offered 16-inch screens.

Although plans for KOTV to begin broadcasting had been announced earlier, there were few receivers until it went on the air.

George Cameron Jr., owner of KOTV, must have read the World story quoting engineer Molinari about that 1940 test at Brown-Dunkin. Speaking at the Nov. 30, 1949, dedication of his station, he told his audience:

"Television is not coming or on its way -- it is here."

Illustration research by Rachele Vaughan.

Like this column? Read all the columns in the Only in Oklahoma series from the Tulsa World Archive.
Spring has officially sprung, according to the astronomical calendar, which marked the Northern Hemispheres equinox on Tuesday at 10:06 p.m. CDT, but its actual arrival may be more in the eye of the beholder.

In fact, springs arrival might be old news to those who consider its arrival with the blooming of a specific type of flower, the arrival of a favorite songbird, or the emergence of mushrooms or butterflies; observances fall into the category of phenology, the study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena.

National Phenology Week, March 18-22, comes on the tails of some areas in the nation reporting the earliest signs of spring in 30 years, especially in Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska. According to USA National Phenology Network maps, portions of Oklahoma saw springtime events up to eight and 10 days earlier than usual. Further, the maps indicate that some parts of the state see early arrivals every four to five years.

Gary McManus, Oklahoma Climatological Survey state climatologist, said temperatures in some regions of Oklahoma this year have regularly shot up above normal since January, sometimes 25 to 35 degrees statewide, which likely helped spring arrive earlier.

The cold air has been bottled up farther to the north, he said. There just have not been a lot of dips in the jet stream from the polar regions, and when we did have cold periods, it has not really been true arctic air. We just did not have a typical February.

While a false spring that can yield to a period of extreme cold or even snow is always possible, the later in March the calendar rolls, the less likely that becomes, he said.

He said that while its rare, we have had some big-time snow the last week of March.

You cant always count that out, but eventually, its just spring, he said.

Seasonology for scientists

If phenology is not a part of your regular vocabulary, youre not alone.

People think it is a funny word. We, honestly, sometimes think wed like to change it to seasonology, which might be a little more intuitive, joked Erin Posthumus, partnerships and projects manager for the Phenology Network at the University of Arizona.

With the worlds climate changes growing more impactful, the timing of things like bird and insect migrations and the leaf-out and blooming of trees and plants is of heightened importance for habitat reclamation projects, agriculture and biologists worldwide. Posthumus said the Phenology Network pulls together scientific data to understand those changes better and predict trends.

While phenologys origins date back to the 1800s, the first long-term data set comes from Montana State University, which tracked dates of lilac leaf-out and blooms from 1956 to 1992. As that effort expired, a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee geographer enlisted nationwide volunteers to observe lilacs of a single genetic strain.

It is a little bit odd because lilacs are not a native species, but they were very popular and early bloomers, Posthumus said. Removing genetic differences just removed that factor from the equation.

Posthumus said current trends are gauged against the latest 30-year trend of leaf-out and bloom dates for lilac, honeysuckle and other early-season bloomers. The network produces maps and statistical data that reflect differences, year-to-year, and the long-term data trends allow the network to predict when leaf-out and bloom are most likely to occur in the future.

Posthumus said the records essentially reflect a combination of local climates.

What it tells you is the amount of warmth that has accumulated, say, 10 days ahead of schedule, which might have consequences for other things, she said.

In addition to producing trend maps and gathering official data, the network coordinates citizen-science projects that are open to the public. Volunteers with Natures Notebook observe and note changes in plant and animal seasonal activity timing and can participate in campaigns targeting specific species, such as redbuds, oaks, birds and flowers for pollinators and the emergence of mayflies.

The network also works with groups such as Tribal Alliance for Pollinators and Okies for Monarchs in Oklahoma on the Time To Restore project.

Climate and plant-life information can help wildland rehabilitators understand which species to plant to provide nectar during critical periods. Knowing how certain species will adapt to changing conditions can help with long-term planning.

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OKLAHOMA CITY  Data mining and process mining software that leverages artificial intelligence has been described as a gamechanger in making contracting by state agencies more efficient.

Officials say a relationship that the state already had with a German company, Celonis, began to pay dividends last year after Gov. Kevin Stitt issued an executive order for a comprehensive review of all state agency contracts for purchases of supplies and services.

His order also called for the creation of a fraud protection unit related to government purchasing and monthly reports on any sole-source contracts entered into outside of a competitive bidding process.

The states Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency raised questions last year about an institutional lack of oversight of time consuming and vague practices of state agencies in entering into contracts, which overall are valued in the billions of dollars annually.

The Risk Assessment and Compliance division of the states Office of Management and Enterprise Services was created shortly after Stitts executive order was issued. Its director, Janet Morrow, said it was immediately apparent that the order posed an extremely serious challenge. Previously, she said, central purchasing auditors had only been able to complete an average of eight audits per year of agencies, and their findings were often considered old by the time work was finished.

Fortunately for OMES collectively, there had already been a proof of concept completed and work done by Celonis to look at some purchases of the state, Morrow said. Celonis was contracted through a competitive statewide contract.

Building on that relationship, OMES turned to Celonis to speed up reviews of thousands of purchases by state agencies.

Celonis is a data and process mining platform that will go in and pull out data that we ask it to  to review and mine it down into either inefficiencies in processes or identify data for us to then explore further, Morrow said. Its almost like an audit-type software, but its process and data mining.

A major benefit is that the software allows for course corrections of identified inefficiencies in purchase orders to be made in real time.

Celonis isnt a new company, but it has worked previously mostly on behalf of private-sector companies. Morrow said it has also done work for the U.S. government to help improve efficiencies in defense logistics.

Software and other assistance provided by Celonis allowed for acceleration of the ambitious review Stitt ordered. In only a few months, the states same small assessment team was able to review more than 24,000 purchase orders with a combined value of $4.58 billion.

Morrow said initial research showed that outsourcing all of the auditing called for by the executive order might have cost the state more than $10 million. By leveraging the existing relationship with Celonis, that cost was reduced to $1.3 million.

Morrow said even more savings are likely in store.

With reviewing billions in spending, theres got to be an opportunity to save tens of millions of dollars of taxpayer money, she said. The state purchasing director (already) has issued new internal purchasing procedures based on the data that weve provided. So she is revamping what the guidelines were for the various agencies.

In broader terms, in response to LOFTs report last year, the new division of OMES has made nine recommendations about how to make the states purchasing system more efficient.

We did (data mining) first, and now were looking to do the process piece from the perspective of How can we be more efficient? Morrow said.

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Amid the artificial intelligence (AI) trend and the deployment of Resolution 98 with special mechanisms for Ho Chi Minh City, it is now the ideal time to develop an international financial center in the city, Vietnamese-born Philipp Rosler, former vice-chancellor of Germany, said during an interview with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

Rosler, who is now Vietnam's honorary consul in Switzerland and chairman of the Vietnam-Switzerland Economic Forum, was invited to join a team in charge of studying and providing proposals for the development of the international financial center.

He said he had arranged a meeting between a Vietnamese delegation led by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and the Swiss banking and financial community in January this year, as the Vietnamese government had already decided to build up an international financial center in the southern metropolis.

Rosler returned to Vietnam to get in touch with Vietnamese banks as well as companies in the financial industry in order to prepare a master plan for this endeavor.

Regarding the benefits that an international financial center could bring to the Vietnamese economy, he said it would undoubtedly offer significant advantages to the banking and financial sector.

The financial sector serves the Vietnamese economy by offering credit, especially to small and medium enterprises and household businesses.

A financial center will definitely benefit not only Ho Chi Minh City but also the southern region and entire Vietnam, even the ASEAN region, Rosler believed.

Financial centers will also aid in attracting enterprises that provide housing and school infrastructure to meet the demands of the workforce located around these financial hubs.

He emphasized that it is not too late to establish a financial hub in Ho Chi Minh City.

It would have been too early five years earlier, but it will be too late if local authorities keep waiting for too long.

Now is the right moment, he affirmed, explaining that Vietnams economy is developing strongly and is on a steady growth trajectory.

The local economy should be supported by a good financial foundation, hence a financial center.

An employee is at work at Intel Products Vietnam Co. Ltd. in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Supplied

It should be designed to be unique and typically Vietnamese to meet the needs of the Vietnamese economy.

He was confident that the international financial center project in Ho Chi Minh City would be a success as most of the domestic financial enterprises are headquartered and operating in the city, which is one of the countrys three largest economic hubs, besides Hanoi and Da Nang.

The southern city is well positioned to lure more enterprises.

Ho Chi Minh City can draw from the experiences of existing financial centers worldwide and leverage technology, such as AI, to develop its own center and attract investors.

The city needs real estate planning and legal frameworks for the financial center as well.

The legal systems in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Dubai, and Singapore, all renowned for their financial centers, share similarities with the UK, particularly with London's longstanding financial hub.

The adoption of regulations similar to those in other financial centers helps international investors easily understand Vietnams legal system and bravely make investments.

Vietnam should also pay more attention to the development of large computer centers, which will help lure leading fintech companies to Ho Chi Minh City.

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The administration of southernmost Vietnams Ca Mau Province on Thursday announced a fine of US$39,000 imposed on a local fisherman for engaging in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities in Thai waters last year.

The sanctioning came about one month ahead of the expected arrival of a European Committee (EC) team in Vietnam for its fifth IUU inspection.

The VND917.5 million ($39,000) fine was given to Tran Thi Hong Diem, the boat owner, for illegal fishing in foreign waters, not using cruise monitoring equipment while at sea, uninstalling the equipment without supervision of its provider and installer, and using an over-15-meter long vessel not for the purposes specified in the fishing license, according to local authorities.

Tran Thi Hong Diem, the owner of the boat, was fined VND917.5 million ($39,000) for various violations, including illegal fishing in foreign waters, failure to use cruise monitoring equipment while at sea, uninstalling the equipment without supervision from its provider and installer, and operating a vessel over 15 meters in length for purposes not specified in the fishing license, according to local authorities.

On June 12, 2023, Diems fishing boat CM 92114 TS left the provinces Doc River and headed into the ocean, with her husband Ho Van Be as the captain and five seamen on board.

Once the vessel had traveled two nautical miles beyond the rivers mouth, Be ordered that the cruise monitoring equipment be uninstalled and brought back to shore on another boat.

Be also asked a seaman to cover the boat number plate with black paint before heading into Thai waters.

Four days later, Diem asked Be to move into Thai waters for illegal fishing, and the boat and its crew were subsequently detained by Thai coast guards.

On August 15, 2023, Be and his seamen were brought to a Thai court, handed a fine, and told they would be jailed if they did not pay, according to Ca Mau Online.

Be and two of the crew members have been released to Vietnam.

Ten days ago, the provincial administration also gave a fine of the same amount to another local boat owner for illicit fishing in Thai waters and for using a vessel less than 15 meters in length on the high seas.

In late January, the Peoples Court of Kien Giang Province, also in southern Vietnam, gave jail terms of one to eight years to four fishermen for unlawfully leaving the country to engage in IUU fishing activities in Malaysian waters.

These cases happened amid Vietnams preparations for working with an EC team that is expected to arrive in Vietnam in late April for the fifth IUU inspection since the EC imposed an IUU fishing yellow card warning on Vietnamese seafood in 2017.

The EC has sent its teams to Vietnam four times since that year for inspections, with the latest taking place in October 2023.

But the warning has yet to be removed due to limitations in some localities in compliance with relevant EC requirements.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang recently directed relevant agencies and authorities in coastal regions to apply more stringent measures against IUU fishing so that the seven-year yellow card can be lifted following the fifth inspection.

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The Traffic Police Department under Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security has said it would deploy more plainclothes officers to patrol the streets without surveillance cameras in order to detect traffic violations.

The department said on Thursday that it had issued a plan to crack down on drunk driving and drug-related offenses, overloaded vehicles, speeding, driving against traffic, failure to adhere to traffic signals, and using fake papers.

To detect alcohol- and drug-related offenses, police officers will regularly change the location of checkpoints and operation methods.

They will increase patrols near checkpoints to handle drivers who intentionally turn their vehicles around or travel into alleyways or take shortcuts to avoid checkpoints.

If violators are officials of state agencies or Party members, their violations will be informed to their organizations.

A representative of the Traffic Police Department said inspections would be conducted regularly in order to improve local residents awareness of complying with traffic regulations.

Since early last year, traffic police officers have dealt with over one million violations of the alcohol concentration limit, detected more than 4,500 drivers testing positive for drugs, booked 102,000 drivers driving against traffic, and found 15,000 vehicles overtaking other drivers without the right of way.

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A part of the Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An World Biosphere Reserves buffer zone, Cam Thanh nipa palm forest has a history of protecting and providing for the people of Hoi An City thanks to its impressive ecosystem and, more recently, through ecotourism.

Located in Cam Thanh Commune of Hoi An City in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam, the Cam Thanh nipa palm forest begins at the mouth of the Thu Bon River and extends into the adjacent water paddy fields.

It is a popular ecotourism destination that allows tourists from around the world to experience the distinctive ecology of mangrove forests.

Footage from a drone depicts an overhead view of Cam Thanh nipa palm forest in Cam Thanh Commune, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam. Video: B.D. / Tuoi Tre

Currently, the 300-hectare forest welcomes a total of 3,000 visitors each day, mainly Koreans, Taiwaneses, and domestic tourists.

The areas bustling tourism scene generates revenue for hundreds of businesses and more than 1,000 households involved in the coracle-making industry.

A coracle is a type of traditional Vietnamese boat which is round and woven using bamboo.

Cam Thanh nipa palm forests begins at the mouth of the Thu Bon River then grows along its winding main body and all of its branches in Cam Thanh Commune, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre

One of Hoi An Citys most ancient crafts, making houses from bamboo and nipa palm, was recently recognized as national intangible cultural heritage.

For the people of Hoi An, the Cam Thanh nipa palm forest is not about scenery, but serves as an inseparable part of local life, thanks to its palm trees, which provide food and materials to build homes, unique local crafts, furniture, and souvenirs.

The forest is second only to Hoi An Pedestrian Street in terms of the number of tourists who have returned since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During wartime, the Cam Thanh nipa palm forest served as an important base of resistance.

Restaurants and businesses build sheds close to Cam Thanh nipa palm forest to attract tourists in Cam Thanh Commune, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre

Vo Chi Cong Expressway connects Da Nang City and Quang Nam Province cutting through Cam Thanh nipa palm forest in Cam Thanh Commune, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre

A fleet of colorful coracles carry tourists to see Cam Thanh nipa palm forest in Cam Thanh Commune, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam. Photo: Le Trong Khang / Tuoi Tre

A lush corner of Cam Thanh nipa palm forest near the Cua Dai Bridge, the longest bridge in all of Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre

Foreign tourists and Jack Tran Tours employees take a picture after planting nipa palm saplings into Cam Thanh nipa palm forest in Cam Thanh Commune, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam. Photo: K.T. / Tuoi Tre

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On 60 Minutes Adam Hegarty continues his royal family reports with more Crown and Out scrutiny, while Nick McKenzie reports on Chinese influence in Fiji.

Power in Paradise

When Chinas powerful foreign minister Wang Yi met his Australian counterpart Penny Wong a few days ago, the pair, albeit awkwardly, smiled and shook hands for the cameras. But behind closed doors theres no doubt the atmosphere would have been much less cordial. Both nations have plenty of differences to work through, including the ongoing battle for influence in the Pacific. While Canberra takes a more softly-softly approach to our near neighbours, thats not Beijings way of doing business. In a joint investigation by 60 Minutes, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Nick McKenzie reveals some of the downright dirty tactics China uses to assert its dominance over tiny nations like Fiji.

Reporter: Nick McKenzie

Producer: Amelia Ballinger

Intensive Care

The weather is spectacular and the swimming pool is always inviting. The rooms have all the mod-cons and the food is great. At the Vivo Bene resort in northern Thailand, pampering is the priority. But while the intensive care is very deliberate, this is no ordinary holiday paradise. Thats because the guests are elderly and most have dementia. Unlike other aged-care providers though, the world-renowned treatment at Vivo Bene is not dominated by medication. Instead, it includes love, laughter, and giving vulnerable humans the time  and respect  they deserve. For reporter Dimity Clancey, providing the best care possible for dementia patients is a cause close to her heart. Her mother, Lorraine, has battled the disease for more than a decade and currently lives in an aged-care home in Sydney. In this special report for 60 Minutes, Clancey asks why cant there be facilities like Vivo Bene in Australia?

Reporter: Dimity Clancey

Producer: Natalie Clancy

Crown and Out

Just when it seemed it couldnt get any worse for the Royal Family, it did. This time last week the palace was attempting but failing to mop up the scandal of Princess Catherines photoshopping blunder, while at the same time trying to deflect attention away from the fact the star royal hadnt been seen in public for so long. This week things appeared to be brighter when Kate and Prince William were filmed, looking quite happy, at their local shops. But then there was more drama after it was reported that attempts had been made to access the Princess of Wales hospital records. As Adam Hegarty reports, speculation about the Royal family is now so rife, its ridiculous.

Reporter: Adam Hegarty

Producers: Garry McNab, Sheree Gibson

8:40pm Sunday on Nine.
Dick Wolf-produced procedurals Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU have all been renewed by NBC.

This will lead to a 26th season of Law & Order: SVU, a 24th season of Law & Order, Season 13 for Chicago Fire, a 12th season for Chicago PD and the 10th season for Chicago Med. Phew.

That leaves just Law & Order: Organized Crime, still in discussion for a renewal according to Variety.

In Australia Dick Wolf procedurals screen variously on Seven, Nine, 10 and Foxtel.
The University of Houston is proud to announce the appointment of two distinguished professionals to key leadership roles within the Office of Technology, Transfer, and Innovation (OTTI) under the Division of Energy and Innovation. These appointments mark a significant step forward in the University's continued commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, innovation and partnerships between academia and industry.

Haleh Ardebili, the Kamel Salama Endowed Professor of Mechanical Engineering, has been appointed as the new assistant vice president of Entrepreneurship and Startup Ecosystem. Michael Harold, Cullen Engineering Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, assumes the role of assistant vice president for Intellectual Property and Industrial Engagements.

Haleh Ardebili, the new assistant vice president of Entrepreneurship and Startup Ecosystem, and Michael Harold, assistant vice president for Intellectual Property and Industrial Engagements at the University of Houston.

Drs. Ardebili and Harold are both tested leaders in their respective areas  they are already contributing to our rich academic environment with their knowledge, expertise and commitment to innovation, said Ramanan Krishnamoorti, vice president for energy and innovation at UH. Having them helm our growing team will help UH continue its culture of innovation and contribution to society.

In her new role, Ardebili will oversee the entrepreneurship and startup efforts at UH. She will be responsible for directing the startup and entrepreneurship staff within the OTTI, with a focus on advancing faculty and student-related innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives. Among her key duties will be guiding and mentoring to faculty and student startups, facilitating collaborations with entities such as the Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship, and increasing the commercialization of technology developed at UH.

Harold, in his new role, will lead the university's technology transfer activities. He will direct the licensing and IP management staff within the OTTI, and focus on promoting the generation of intellectual property, managing the university's IP portfolio, and fostering industry partnerships. He will also oversee the effective operation and stewardship of UH IP assets, ensuring optimal monetization and protection of intellectual property.

Both positions will play integral roles in increasing faculty engagement, facilitating innovations from research labs to market and enhancing collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. These appointments underscore UHs commitment to driving innovation, economic development and industry partnerships.

Ardebili, who first joined the University in 2004, previously served as the director of the Cullen College of Engineerings Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative. She and her team developed a cutting-edge fully stretchable fabric-based lithium-ion battery, which holds promise for various applications, including potential use in astronauts' gear, military uniforms and underwater vehicles. Her research has garnered support from the National Science Foundation, NASA, U.S. Department of Defense and more. She also brings industry experience, having served as a research scientist for General Electric R&D between 2000 and 2003.

Harold worked at the DuPont Company in various technical and managerial positions between 1993 and 2000. He joined UH in 2000 as chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering. He served in that role until 2008 and again from 2013-20. He and his students conduct research of catalytic reactions in energy and environmental applications. As principal investigator of the Texas Center for Clean Engines, Emissions and Fuels (TxCEF), he has advanced catalytic technologies that reduce harmful vehicle emissions and conducted testing and verification of technologies for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. In addition to numerous industry and professional accolades, Harolds contributions earned him the Esther Farfel Award, the highest honor bestowed to a faculty member at UH, in 2013.

Both Ardebili and Harold will continue their faculty roles in addition to their new responsibilities.
By Max Hunder and Tom Balmforth

KYIV (Reuters) - Russia pounded Ukrainian power facilities on Friday in an attack described by Kyiv as the largest airstrike on its energy infrastructure in two years of war, and portrayed by Moscow as revenge for Ukrainian attacks during its presidential election.

The missile and drone attack hit a vast dam over the Dnipro river, killed at least five people and left more than a million others without power, forcing Kyiv to seek emergency electricity supplies from Poland, Romania and Slovakia, Kyiv officials said.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, speaking in his nightly video address, said the strikes proved again that Russian attacks on infrastructure could be halted only with more air defence systems and that required political will from Ukraine's allies.

"Russian terror is only possible now because we don't have enough modern air defence systems which, to be honest, requires enough political will to provide them," Zelenskiy said.

"All our partners know what is needed and who can make truly life-saving decisions."

Military aid to Ukraine from Western allies has slowed in recent months, in particular a $60 billion package from Washington, stalled by political disputes in the U.S. Congress.

The strikes, which Kyiv said caused blackouts in seven regions, revived memories of the winter of 2022-23 when Moscow regularly bombed Ukraine's power grid.

Zelenskiy said repair work had made progress, with the worst outages in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, central Dnipropetrovsk region and Ivano-Frankivsk in the west.

The Russian defence ministry said the airstrike was carried out in retaliation for Ukrainian shelling and cross-border raids last week as Russians took part in a stage-managed election that handed President Vladimir Putin a fifth term.

Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko said: "The goal is not just to damage, but to try again, like last year, to cause a large-scale failure of the country's energy system."

Story continues

Russia denies targeting civilians, although the war that began with its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine has killed thousands of people, uprooted millions and destroyed towns and cities.

"STATE OF WAR"

Moscow says Ukrainian power facilities are legitimate targets and such attacks are aimed at weakening Kyiv's military.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a Russian publication on Friday that Moscow saw itself as in a "state of war" because of the West's intervention on Kyiv's side.

The comment marked a rhetorical break from the "special military operation" language that Moscow has used, an apparent move to prepare Russians for a longer and harder struggle.

European Union Council President Charles Michel said Russia's comments about war with Europe showed the importance of the EU's building its own defence industry.

Two people were killed in the western Khmelnytskyi region and three in Zaporizhzhia in the southeast, including at least one at the dam, said the local administration and general prosecutor's office. More than 30 people were reported injured.

Ukraine's largest dam, the DniproHES in the city of Zaporizhzhia, was hit eight times, an official from the Ukrainian prosecutor's office said.

The state hydropower company said there was no risk of a breach. The company's director, Ihor Syrota, said both its power blocks and the dam itself had been damaged.

A state ecological inspectorate said that oil had leaked into the Dnipro river which the dam straddles.

"The wide impact of todays attacks on critical civilian infrastructure is deepening the already dire humanitarian situation for millions of people in Ukraine," the UN's humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, Denise Brown, said in a statement.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said around 20 substations and electricity stations had been hit in addition to the dam.

Russia fired 88 missiles and 63 Shahed drones, of which only 37 and 55, respectively, were shot down, the Ukrainian air force said of the attacks.

That represented a worse ratio than usual, possibly reflecting Moscow's widespread use of ballistic missiles that are harder to shoot down and also the proximity of the targeted regions to Russian-controlled areas.

Some 1.2 million people in at least four regions were left without power due to the attacks, presidential aide Oleksiy Kuleba said on Telegram.

(Reporting by Max Hunder; additional reporting by Yuliia Dysa, Dan Peleschuk and Olzhas Auyezov in Almaty; Writing by Tom Balmforth; Editing by Alex Richardson, Timothy Heritage, Kevin Liffey, Ron Popeski and Leslie Adler)
Welcome Guest! You are here: Home  Education & Career

Allahabad HC declares UP Madarsa Education Act (2004) 'unconstitutional'

In a ruling seen as a major blow to Islamic seminaries providing free education to children of mainly the deprived lot, the Allahabad High Court Friday March 22, 2024 declared the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004, 'unconstitutional'. Read More

Friday March 22, 2024 5:59 PM , ummid.com with inputs from Agencies

Lucknow: In a ruling seen as a major blow to Islamic seminaries providing free education to children of mainly the deprived lot, the Allahabad High Court Friday March 22, 2024 declared the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004, 'unconstitutional'.

Terming Madrasa Education, violative of the principle of secularism, the High Court also asked the state government to accommodate current students in the formal schooling system.

A division bench comprising Justice Vivek Chaudhary and Justice Subhash Vidyarthi of the Lucknow branch of the court declared the law ultra vires on a writ petition filed by Anshuman Singh Rathore, according to news agency PTI.

Besides challenging the constitutionality of the UP Madarsa Board, Rathore in his petition had also objected to the management of Madaris (Madrasa plural) by the Minority Welfare Department, both by the union as well as the state governments.

According to a rough estimate, Uttar Pradesh has about 25,000 Madaris spread across its length and breadth. Around 16,500 of them are registered with the UP Madrasa Board.

The court order if implemented risks education of hundreds of thousands of Muslims, and also non-Muslims, students studying in these Madaris.

Reliance on Madrasa education is often blamed for the backwardness of the community. But the truth is that many Muslim children go to Madaris out of compulsion. If it were not for these Madaris run by religious charities, these children would never get any 'education'.

Same applies to non-Muslim students. As India, including Uttar Pradesh, fails to provide schools to children living in remote areas, they have no option but to get themselves enrolled in these Madaris.

Interestingly, a number of Hindus after graduating from Madaris are also working in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries on lucrative posts.

Unlike the popular myth, the Madaris are not providing religious education alone. In fact, the Uttar Pradesh cabinet headed by Yogi Adityanath had in 2008 accepted State Madrasa Board's proposal to teach English and Hindi languages besides Urdu in the Islamic institutions.

The cabinet also approved the proposal of following NCERT syllabus and books in the Madaris.

Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.
Welcome Guest! You are here: Home  International

Israel now is the most hated country in the world: Dutch Politician

Arnoud van Doorns comments about Israel came amid the growing worldwide anger against the Netanyahu-led Zionist regime in Israel for its more than five months long brutal military offensive and blockade in Gaza, and refusal to ceasefire during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Read More

Saturday March 23, 2024 0:55 AM , ummid.com News Network

[Potest in front of the Magellan Aerospace Corporation, a Canadian weapons manufacturer that supplies parts for the F-35 jets Israel uses to massacre Palestinians in Gaza, outside the companys facility in the New York City neighborhood of Corona, Queens.]

The Hague: In a scathing attack on the far right Zionist regime in Israel, Dutch Politician Arnoud van Doorn has said Israel is now the most hated country in the world.

In 5 months, Israel has become the most hated country in the world with the most hateful, cruel and heartless people the world has ever known, Arnoud van Doorn said.

In 5 months, Israel has become the most hated country in the world with the most hateful, cruel and heartless people the world has ever known.

- Dutch politician Arno van Doorn. pic.twitter.com/sbNteg4Ap4  S p r i n t e r F a c t o r y (@Sprinterfactory) March 22, 2024

Who is Arnoud van Doorn?

Arnoud van Doorn was a member of the far right Dutch political party, Dutch Freedom Party (PVV). PVV is known for its Islamophpbic activities, anti-Islam campaigns including desecration of Holy Quran.

Arnoud van Doorn however later resigned from the party and converted to Islam. In 2012, he also performed Hajj.

Arnoud van Doorn converted to Islam after the Muslims around the world protested against the anti-Islam film Fitna. He said he still regrets for having distributed the controversial film.

Arnoud van Doorn is currently President of the European Da'wah Foundation, and Ambassador of Celebrity Relations for the Canadian Da'wah Association in Europe.

Growing anger against Israel

Arnoud van Doorns comments about Israel came amid the growing worldwide anger against the Netanyahu-led Zionist regime in Israel for its more than five months long brutal military offensive and blockade in Gaza, and refusal to ceasefire during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

According to the United Nations, close to 1.1 million people are facing starvation and acute shortage of drinking water, food and essentials because of the Israeli blockade. Add to this the massacre of more than 32,000 Palestinians  over 70 per cent of them women and children, since Oct 07, 2023.

Meanwhile, The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on the EU leaders to show the same concern for the civilian population of the Gaza Strip as they show for Ukraine.

Antonio Guterres, who was in Brussels, warned that twin crises in Ukraine and Gaza have put the world in an exceptionally dangerous situation.

"We are meeting at a particularly dark moment when Europes role on the global stage is more important than ever", he said speaking alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

'Gaza needs immediate humanitarian action'

Following their meeting with UN Secretary General, European Union leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel issued a resolute call for immediate humanitarian action in Gaza and reiterated the EU's support for a two-state solution in the ongoing crisis at a joint press conference.

The European Council had unanimously endorsed measures for full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access into Gaza, with a specific endorsement of a maritime corridor from Cyprus to bolster assistance efforts, Ursula von der Leyen said.

The EU leaders also called for the unconditional release of hostages and the provision of essential humanitarian aid to alleviate the dire conditions faced by the people of Gaza.

They emphasized the necessity of 500 trucks or equivalent entering Gaza daily via all available routes, including land, air and sea.

Protest against weapons factory

In a related development, on Friday, supporters of Palestine protested in front of the Magellan Aerospace Corporation, a Canadian weapons manufacturer that supplies parts for the F-35 jets Israel uses to massacre Palestinians in Gaza, outside the companys facility in the New York City neighborhood of Corona, Queens.

Meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu after meeting the visiting American Diplomat, Antony Blinken, said Israel will not abandon its plans to conduct a military operation in Rafah and is ready to launch it even without US support.

The United States facing strong criticism for its military, financial and diplomatic support for Israel has in public warned Israel against its planned military action in Rafah.

Rafah is now the worlds most densely populated enclave where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are camping  without drinking water and food, after they deserted their homes in North Gaza believing the Israeli assurance that it is a safe zone.







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HCM CITY  The Salon Deluxe Vietnam 2024 exhibition officially commenced at the Park Hyatt Saigon Hotel in HCM City on Friday, gathering numerous luxury watch, jewelry, and lifestyle brands and distributors from around the world.

Building upon the success of previous editions held in 2010, 2011, and 2012, the fourth Salon Deluxe Vietnam 2024 exhibition features 16 renowned brands hailing from the US, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan.

This year's event aims to capitalise on Viet Nam's expanding economy, attracting luxury companies to engage with the upscale market in the country.

The three-day exhibition will showcase an array of high-end products including diamonds, pearls, and luxury living items from esteemed brands and distributors like Mikimoto, Alexander Laut, Caratell, Leman, Manu & Cris Gaspari, Novecentonovantanove, Scott West, SwissDiam Geneve, Shelly by Dynasty Jewelry, The Jewel Box, and Runway Vietnam.

In addition to offering a platform for businesses to connect and collaborate, visitors attending the exhibition will have the opportunity to engage in conversations with artisans, exhibitors, and banking executives through discussions and workshops focusing on pearls and diamonds.

Assistance will also be available from CDC Home Design Center, a company specialising in European interior products, as well as financial experts discussing the art of investing.

Furthermore, attendees can delve into the private aviation industry by visiting the booth of Chapman Freeborn, a leading authority in jet leasing with extensive experience spanning over 50 years and a global presence.

Popularly known as the "Millionaire Exhibition," Salon Deluxe was established in 2010 by Solitaire Media and Oriental Media. Over the years, the event has attracted top global luxury watch and jewelry brands such as Vacheron Constantin, Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Breguet, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Piaget, and many others, serving as a key link between major distributors in Viet Nam and international luxury brands.

Oriental Media, founded in 2002, functions as a consulting firm offering Viet Nam a glimpse into affluent living. The company's mission is to introduce the most prestigious global brands to Viet Nam, having successfully partnered with luxury automobile, yacht, jet companies, fashion houses, watchmakers, and fine jewelry brands. With a dedicated leadership team, Oriental Media has tailored its services to meet the specific needs of local distributors, brand owners, and customer segments over the years. - VNS
HA NOI Cargo firms have called on the Vietnam Maritime Administration to step up efforts in monitoring fees and surcharges collected by international shipping companies, which has been said to cut into their profit unfairly.

Phan Thong, secretary-general of the Vietnam Shippers Council (VNSC), said container handling service fees have increased by about 10 per cent since last month. In addition, many shipping companies have increased their terminal handling charges (THC) at ports, resulting in losses for Vietnamese cargo owners, who claimed the increases were not communicated clearly and fairly.

Pham Quoc Long, vice-chairman of the Vietnam Shipowners' Association (VSA), said: "Terminal handling charges are a source of revenue for shipping lines, sometimes the main source because some shipping routes are highly competitive, and freight rates may be negative. Therefore, charges like THC, imbalance charges and fuel surcharges become the main revenue for shipping lines."

Long said according to international practices, THC fees are intended to allocate 80 per cent for port handling fees. However, in Viet Nam only 40 per cent of THC fees go to port operators

Le Quang Trung, deputy director-general of the Vietnam Maritime Corporation (VIMC), said nearly all of Viet Nam's import-export cargo volume is transported by 10 international shipping companies. Trung said there are many reasons for shipping companies to increase their charges, including having to change routes due to heightened geopolitical tension in regions around the world.

He said communications regarding such an increase must be transparent and clear. He recommends the authority to hold such communications to the same standards set in Viet Nam's current laws and regulations, as well as international practices.

According to industry experts, Vietnamese cargo owners are often small, putting them in a disadvantaged position in negotiation with international shipping companies, which hurt them economically.

According to representatives of the Vietnam Ship Agents, Brokers, and Maritime Services Providers Association, international shipping companies have imposed 10 types of surcharges such as documentation fees, fuel surcharges, container sanitation fees, sulphur reduction fees, and container balance fees, among others. To make matters worse, the prices and types of surcharges were decided by themselves without negotiating with customers.

Le o Muoi, director of the Vietnam Maritime Administration, said fees and surcharges are determined by the market and shipping companies' operations. He advised them to conduct reviews and where applicable, make adjustments to support the rights and interests of cargo owners. Muoi called on shipping companies to keep surcharges to the minimum to help protect the profitability of the entire shipping lines.

Meanwhile, according to the administration, the Vietnamese government has been working around the clock to find ways to reduce logistics costs. Increases in surcharges are considered counter-productive to the government's efforts.

"In the future, the administration will take measures to reconcile the related parties and address the difficulties and obstacles faced by businesses," Muoi said.

In an earlier development, the Ministry of Transport proposed that surcharges on top of container shipping prices by sea should be declared in full, which has received initial support from the Ministry of Finance. VNS
HA NOI  A forum was held in Ha Noi on March 21 with an aim to bring together experts and enterprises to discuss the objectives and explore ways to achieve sustainable transformation in Viet Nam

The forum was co-held by the Agency for Enterprise Development (AED), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the initiative seeks to leverage the expertise and resources of various stakeholders to drive sustainable growth in the country.

With an expectation of promoting sustainable growth led by the private economic sector, increasing competitive advantages for businesses and contributing to the implementation of Viet Nam's Green Growth Strategy for the period 2021-2030 and the Decision 167/Q-TTg 2022 of the Prime Minister on the Programme to support sustainable private sector enterprises, the Agency for Enterprise Development and USAID announced the Vietnam ESG Initiative.

Speaking at the event, Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy, the Deputy Head of Small and Medium Enterprises Department under the AED emphasised that businesses in Viet Nam were facing challenges in meeting the requirements for green and sustainable development, which came from various stakeholders such as investors, partners, international markets, and consumers. As Viet Nam integrated further into the global economy, there was a growing demand for businesses to adopt environmentally friendly practices and pursue sustainable development.

Mark Birnbaum, the Director of the USAID Project on Strengthening the Competitiveness of Vietnam's Private Sector (USAID IPSC), added that green transformation was not just a future requirement but an ongoing process that was already happening. With this transformation, the business community faced even greater challenges.

He stated that the traditional measure of evaluating business performance solely based on financial profits was no longer sufficient. Instead, a more comprehensive approach is necessary, which includes the consideration of environmental, governance, and social factors alongside conventional indicators.

Mark said that businesses that prioritise environmentally sustainable development, implement social responsibility, and actively apply corporate governance measures can have more opportunities to achieve sustainable success.

He noted that businesses with higher ESG ratings achieve better financial performance, aligns with a growing body of research supporting the link between ESG and financial outcomes. Several studies have found a positive correlation between strong ESG performance and indicators such as profitability, return on equity, and stock market performance.

According to Mark, integrating ESG principles acts as a catalyst, enabling businesses to minimize risks, enhance resilience, and gain competitive advantages in a dynamically changing global environment. Vietnamese businesses are encouraged to understand and embrace ESG principles. By prioritizing the application of ESG practices, businesses can align their operations with sustainable development goals and contribute to a more environmentally and socially responsible future.

Also, at the event, Pham Thi Ngoc Thuy, the Director of the Office of the Private Economic Development Research Board emphasised the importance of ESG practices for businesses noting that ESG practices represented a set of standards that guide businesses to operate sustainably and add value to their production and business activities.

According Thuy, ESG practices not only contribute to sustainable development but also serve as a channel for businesses to identify risks and opportunities that can impact their long-term value creation.

In the context of businesses exporting to the European Union (EU), Thuy highlighted that within a short period of two years, failure to make progress in implementing ESG practices could result in the elimination of many businesses in the supply chain to Europe. This elimination would pose a significant financial risk to these businesses. Thuy specifically mentioned that the market side, represented by the letter "E" in ESG, was related to the environment.

Regarding the letter S in ESG, Germany has implemented a law related to the German supply chain, specifically addressing various criteria related to labour, female workers, and the working environment. This law aims to ensure that companies operating within the German supply chain adhere to certain standards and regulations. She noted that it was important for businesses that were or wanted to be part of the German supply chain to familiarise themselves with the specific requirements outlined in this law.

Thuy's statement also underscored the importance of understanding and adapting to the evolving landscape of corporate governance. By recognising the different levels of management progress, enhancing management capacity, and ensuring compliance with policy developments, businesses can mitigate risks and foster a culture of effective governance.

Thuy highlighted the escalating issue of climate change, energy crises, and geopolitical conflicts. She noted that addressing these issues would require international cooperation, innovative solutions, and sustainable policies to ensure a more stable and resilient future.

She concluded that technology and digital transformation, along with sustainable development, were reshaping the business landscape. Proactive businesses that embrace digital and green capabilities can gain a competitive advantage, while those slow to adapt face risks. Sustainable development represents both an opportunity for innovation and growth, as well as a pressure to meet evolving expectations.  VNS
HA NOI  The Directorate General of Trade Remedies of India (DGTR) has started an anti-dumping investigation into Vietnamese tempered glass, according to the Trade Remedies Authority under the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

The DGTR said the alleged dumping period was January 1, 2023, until December 12, 2023.

The DGTR recommends that relevant parties regularly monitor the website of the Indian trade authority for submitting their applications at https://www.dgtr.gov.in.

A representative of the MoIT said that in the case of anti-dumping, Vietnamese producers and exporters must fully cooperate with the DGTR to demonstrate no dumping or low-level dumping (if any). They can directly contact the DGTR to clarify their demands, especially regarding the deadline for the required documents.

Similar products imported from China also face an investigation by the DGTR. VNS
HA NOI  The market share of Viet Nam's coffee in Belgium has grown by over 20 per cent, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The Import-Export Department under the ministry, cited data from Eurostat revealing that Viet Nam's coffee market share in Belgium's total imports from the non-EU market increases from 17,13 per cent in 2022 to 20,08 per cent in 2023, and further growth is expected in 2024.

Based on calculations, Belgium imported approximately 288,510 tonnes of coffee from non-EU markets in 2023, with a total value of nearly 1.12 billion euros (equivalent to US$1.22 billion). This represented a decrease of 26.9 per cent in volume and 31 per cent in value compared to 2022.

The average import price of coffee from non-EU markets in 2023 was 3,876 euros per tonne, showing a 5.6 per cent decrease from 2022. Among the different non-EU markets, the average import price for coffee decreased from Honduras by 14.4 per cent to 5,172 euros per tonne, and from Viet Nam, it decreased by 2.7 per cent to 2,391 euros per tonne.

In terms of supply sources, Belgium primarily imported coffee from non-EU markets such as Brazil, Viet Nam, Honduras, Colombia and Peru in 2023.

While Belgium reduced its coffee imports from Honduras and Colombia in 2023, the rate of decrease was lower compared to the reductions from Peru, Brazil and Viet Nam.

According to data from the Viet Nam's General Department of Customs, Viet Nam's coffee exports reached around 398,820 tonnes in the first two months of 2024, valued at $1.25 billion. This represented a 16.4 per cent increase in volume and a significant 68.0 per cent increase in value compared to the same period in 2023.

The average export price of Vietnamese coffee during the first two months of 2024 reached $3,146 per tonne, indicating a substantial 44.5 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2023.  VNS
KHANH HOA  The Meet Indonesia Conference 2024 took place in Nha Trang city, the south central province of Khanh Hoa on March 22.

Co-hosted by the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the provincial Peoples Committee and the Indonesian Embassy in Vietnam, the event gathered 150 Indonesian and 200 Vietnamese delegates to explore economic cooperation opportunities.

In her opening speech, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang said the event took place at a time when Vietnam and Indonesia recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of bilateral strategic partnership last year and are looking toward the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2025.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee Nguyen Tan Tuan said Khanh Hoa expects to collaborate with Indonesia in the priority areas of tourism, hi-tech mechanical engineering (with a focus on shipbuilding), clean and renewable energy, oil and gas processing, electronics and semiconductor, biotechnology, vaccine production and marine pharmaceuticals, thereby further leveraging its potential and strengths.

Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Denny Abdi pointed to the significant two-way trade of 13.8 billion USD achieved in 2023. He echoed the leaders' commitment, made during President Joko Widodo's January visit, to work toward becoming high-income nations by 2045.

This vision, he said, could be achieved through enhanced economic competitiveness, a healthy investment climate, joint research and development, and cooperation in developing value-added products.

The event featured three discussion sessions covering hi-tech agriculture and aquaculture, digital economy and tourism, and renewable energy and hi-tech collaboration. Delegates showcased their respective countries' strengths in these sectors, and shared policies, development strategies and experience.

A shared focus on prioritising modern and eco-friendly technology, digital transformation, and cooperation/investment in agriculture, aquaculture, digital economy, renewable energy and hi-tech industries also emerged.

On the occasion, the Khanh Hoa - Indonesia meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony between authorities of Phu Yen province and the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, field surveys and bilateral connectivity activities between Vietnamese localities and businesses and their Indonesian partners were also held. - VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam has received a US$51.5 million payment for verified emissions reductions - commonly referred to as carbon credits - for reducing deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) and for enhancing carbon stored in forests through reforestation and afforestation, according to a World Bank's press release on Thursday.

The payment made to Viet Nam, making it the first country in the East Asia Pacific region to receive a results-based payment from the World Banks Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), was for reducing 10.3 million tons of carbon emissions in the period spanning February 1, 2018 and December 31, 2019.

This makes for the biggest single payment to date made by the FCPF for verified and high integrity carbon credits. The benefits of this payment are expected to reach 70,055 forest owners and 1,356 neighbouring communities, allocated according to a robust benefit-sharing plan developed through a consultative, participatory, and transparent process.

The success of this REDD+ programme brings Viet Nam closer to delivering on our ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement, while protecting areas of vital importance to biodiversity conservation, Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan said.

The country is already generating emission reductions in excess of the volume contracted with the FCPF, and can sell the credits to third party buyers through bilateral agreements or carbon markets.

Viet Nam can also use the excess credits to fulfil its Nationally Determined Contributions or retire them, which is a net climate benefit.

This landmark payment marks another step for Viet Nam towards joining the global carbon credit market and opens a new opportunity to finance the countrys ambitious climate commitments and targets, World Bank Country Director for Viet Nam Carolyn Turk said.

The emission reduction programme implemented between 2018 and 2019 has yielded remarkable results, with a total of 16.2 million verified emission reductions achieved, surpassing the initial target of 10.3 million outlined in the Emission Reduction Payment Agreement by 5.9 million. In response to this success, the World Bank has issued a call option notice to acquire an additional 1 million emission reductions beyond the agreed contract volume.

Viet Nams emission reduction programme protects most of the countrys tropical forests, covering 3.1 million of the 5.1 million hectares of land in the programme area.

These forests hold immense ecological significance, forming the backbone of five internationally recognised conservation corridors.

The area is also home to 12 per cent of Viet Nams population, including 13 ethnic minority groups and many forest-dependent communities.

Almost one-third of people in the region live below the national poverty line.

Through a multifaceted approach involving enhanced forest management practices, strategic investments in the forestry sector, and the refinement of agricultural policies, the programme is actively expanding both the coverage and quality of forested areas in collaboration with local communities.

The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) is a global partnership of governments, businesses, civil society, and Indigenous Peoples' organisations focused on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, forest carbon stock conservation, the sustainable management of forests, and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries, activities commonly referred to as REDD+.

Launched in 2008, the FCPF has worked with 47 developing countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean, along with 17 donors that have made contributions and commitments totalling $1.3 billion.  VNS
NGHE AN  The People's Committee of central province Nghe An has unveiled a comprehensive plan to manage and protect the environment of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve until 2027, with a vision to 2030.

The plan aims to address environmental degradation of the natural heritage site, conserve biodiversity; support research, monitoring, training and community education on conservation practices and sustainable development, contributing to socio-economic development and climate change adaptation.

Nghe An set a goal of developing ecological economic models through socio-economic development activities, efficient exploitation and sustainable management of forest natural resources and unique cultural values of the community. It will leverage multi-functional values of forest ecosystem, payment for forest environmental services, carbon credit trading, ecotourism development, landscape preservation closely linked with biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation, towards improving peoples income in the western Nghe An region.

The province's People's Committee requests that the environmental management and protection objectives of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve be integrated into the planning, plans, and development programmes of all levels, sectors, units, and localities etc. to ensure the conservation of nature, environmental protection, and sustainable development of the reserve. Therefore, this plan will encourage the participation of the entire society and mobilise resources from various programmes.

Periodic assessments will be conducted every five years (starting 2023-2027) on the environmental changes and the natural values that need protection and conservation according to the seven criteria for recognition of UNESCOs Biosphere Reserve.

The province also decides to establish Pu Xai Lai Leng Nature Reserve within the reserve, and seeks to transform areas with high level of biodiversity from Tam Hop Commune (Tuong Duong District) to Nam Can and Na Ngoi Communes (Ky Son District) into special-use forests, connecting with Pu Mat National Park and Bolikhamsai Ecological Restoration Area of Laos.

The province also wants to establish a 'comprehensive biological corridor' connecting the Pu Mat National Park-Pu Xai Lai Leng Peak-Pu Hoat Nature Reserve corridor with interregional and cross-border corridors bordering Laos.

The Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve was officially recognised by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve on September 18, 2007, with a total area of 1,299,795ha, the largest in Southeast Asia. It serves as a green corridor connecting three core zones, including Pu Mat National Park, Pu Huong Nature Reserve and Pu Hoat Nature Reserve.

This area boasts a high level of biodiversity with a rich variety of species, ecosystems and gene sources of plants. It has recorded 3,627 plant species belonging to 1,184 genera, 205 families, and 39 orders, along with 480 genera and 942 vertebrate species and over 1,000 insect species. It is home to many endangered and rare plant species, including 134 species listed in the 2007 Vietnam Red Data Book, 20 species listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened and Endangered Species 2021, and a wealth of valuable medicinal plants.

This is also the common house of six ethnic groups who have lived for generations and still preserve unique traditional cultural values and important historical-cultural relics associated with their development process.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam has been named the country with second most polluted air in 2023 in Southeast Asia following Indonesia, and 22nd in global ranking, according to the latest annual report from the Swiss organisation IQAir.

The capital Ha Noi was the city with the unhealthiest air in the country last year. It was ranked the 8th most polluted city in the world (43.7 points), closely tailing Indonesia's Jakarta (43.8). These are the only two Southeast Asian entries in the top 10. The two most polluted capital cities are India's New Delhi and Bangladesh's Dakha.

According to the report, in 2023, Viet Nam saw a nearly 9 per cent increase in PM2.5 levels, returning to pre-pandemic levels with an annual average of 29.6 g/m3.

For the third consecutive year, approximately eight million residents in Ha Noi experienced escalating PM2.5 concentrations, reaching 43.7 g/m3 in 2023, nearly nine times higher than the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline.

Across all Vietnamese cities with historical data available, PM2.5 concentrations rose in 2023, with a third of these cities reporting annual concentrations exceeding the WHO guideline by seven to ten times. None of the cities in Viet Nam met the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline level in 2023.

Air pollution in Viet Nam stems from various sources including an aging vehicle fleet, coal power plants, industrial activities, indoor coal and biomass cooking stoves, ineffective waste management practices and agricultural practices.

According to the World Bank, approximately 80 per cent of rice straw is burned in the Mekong Delta following harvest, contributing a great deal to pollution in the region.

The report said climate conditions worsen air quality problems in this region last year, with El Nino causing belated arrival of rainy season which can lessen the levels of pollutants in the air.

Power generation, industrial operations, vehicle emissions and open burning remain the primary contributors to PM2.5 pollution in the region.

Out of the 357 cities surveyed across Southeast Asia, only three managed to meet the WHO's annual PM2.5 guideline value of 5 g/m3, a decrease from eight cities in the region in 2022. The year 2023 witnessed significant spikes in PM2.5 levels, with seven regional cities in Indonesia, Viet Nam, and Thailand surpassing the WHO's annual PM2.5 guideline levels by more than tenfold. This is a stark contrast to 2022 when no city exceeded an annual average concentration of 50 g/m3.

Persisting problem

For the first months of 2024, air issues continue to plague Ha Noi, with some days reaching hazardous level (300+) in IQAir index, topping the world.

The smog enveloping the city, especially during the early morning hours, is no stranger to the city's residents. From a distance, a thick layer of smog can be seen covering many high-rise buildings and streets, prompting health concerns.

According to experts, the northern region and Ha Noi in particular experiences "air pollution season" from October to March every year.

Breathing daily in this 'smoggy' environment not only causes physical health issues such as pneumonia, asthma but also affects people's mental health. Surveys at many major hospitals in the area show an overload of respiratory patients in all age groups.

At the 108 Military Central Hospital, many elderly people visit for examination with anxiety and feelings of exhaustion.

Nguyen Van Hung, in Hai Ba Trung District, has witnessed prolonged symptoms of coughing with breathing difficulties for a week. He said he has a history of respiratory-related illnesses, so changing weather makes it very difficult for him to breathe. The current air situation greatly affects those with weak respiratory systems like him.

At Thanh Nhan Hospital, the number of people queuing early in the morning for medical examination has increased sharply. Most of those who come here suffer from respiratory diseases, mainly asthma and mostly children.

Production and business activities, daily life of the people are also affected to some extent by dirty air.

Many businesses and shops have to delay opening hours, implement work later to reduce the impact of pollution on workers, with many reporting uptick in sick leaves due to respiratory issues.

In agriculture and animal husbandry, air pollution can disrupt the ecological balance, with plants shedding leaves, unable to bloom and bear fruit, resulting in losses.

Nguyen Thi Hoan, the owner of a rice field in Soc Son District, said she had to increase fertilisation, and closely monitor the weather to timely protect the rice seedlings. Air pollution also became a problem to those who work in the fields from early morning, having to wear masks all the time makes the already demanding physical labour much more fatiguing.

Air pollution also dents the image of Ha Noi in the eyes of tourists.

Vu Minh uc, a tourist from HCM City, was surprised when Ha Noi seemed to be always shrouded in fog and dust.

"Our group loves to admire Ha Noi in the early morning," uc said.

"However, recently, the weather has been humid, foggy, we dare not go out for fear of pollution. That also makes the whole group's trip less enjoyable than before."

Recently, at the 31st session of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, when commenting on the draft amended Capital Law, Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong inh Hue said that traffic jams and environmental pollution remain weak points of Ha Noi.

"What's the point of a developing capital city when the environmental pollution and traffic congestion persist? Many foreigners says they like living in Ha Noi, but they are concerned the most with air pollution here," he said, adding that the revised capital law will need to empower the capital city's authorities to make timely adjustments on issues such as setting exhaust emission standards for road vehicles.

Senior environmental experts from the World Bank in Viet Nam also shared the notion of emission control, together with stronger development of public transport network to help reduce number of personal road vehicles.

Additionally, they also proposed Ha Noi create mechanisms to encourage businesses to adopt clean production models, step up management of air pollution from industrial activities through stringent oversight and strict penalties for violations, expedite the construction of advanced waste incineration plants and waste treatment facilities, promoting urban afforestation.

Additionally, there is a need to accelerate the relocation of universities and office headquarters out of downtown areas to reserve land for green space development.  VNS
HCM CITY  The HCM City Book Distribution Company (Fahasa) will open new book shops in Ha Noi, Hue and Kien Giang Province next month as part of its activities to promote the reading habit among the community.

The company will also work with its partners to launch book exhibitions, book-signing events and readings for children and youngsters this summer.

Book readings will feature young writers who will talk about their writing.

Fahasa has 120 book shops in 47 cities and provinces, attracting 40 million people last year.

The companys revenue was VN3.9 trillion (US$158.3 million) in 2023. E-commerce made a big contribution to its revenue of around VN30 billion ($1.3 million) per month.

Many children's books and comics distributed by Fahasa are displayed at the book fair called Lan Toa Tri Thuc - Chia Se Uoc Mo (Spreading the Knowledge - Sharing the Dream) in HCM Citys Book Street in District 1.

Rare books and bestsellers by Vietnamese and foreign writers are also featured.

The fair displays 16,000 book titles on different topics by leading publishers such as Nha Nam, Tre (Youth), and Thai Ha Book, with many books discounted.

"I often visit Fahasa book shops on the weekends. I love reading at stalls instead of staying home because it brings me closer to nature and people," said Tran Gia Bao, a seventh-grade student from Tan Binh District.  VNS
PHNOM PENH  In a striking promotional campaign that seems to merge the realms of fantasy and reality, an ethereal figure is haunting the hallways of movie theatres in Laos.

This gaunt, almost otherworldly creature is the face of the chilling Cambodian feature film The Dark Mother, which has been sending shivers down the spines of moviegoers.

With her pallid complexion and haunting gaze, she personifies the films spectral themes. Her presence in a bustling cinema lobbies, draped in a sombre yet elegant garment that whispers tales of the macabre, bridges the gap between the audiences everyday life and the ghostly narrative awaiting them on the silver screen.

As audiences in Laos encounter this spectral envoy, The Dark Mother promises to be an unforgettable journey into the supernatural elements of Cambodian storytelling.

The Dark Mother tells the poignant tale of Nuon, whose life was tragically cut short during the birth of her fourth child.

Her demise remained unknown to her children, who unknowingly kept company with her spectral presence.

As time passes, the grim reality comes to light with the discovery of her mortal remains. Nuon, bound by a mothers undying love, continues her ethereal vigil, guarding her offspring from the shadows and ensuring their well-being.

Her spectral heart is burdened with sorrow when her children depart to join their father, leaving her to linger alone in the realm between worlds.

Worldwide appeal

The Dark Mother, by Sastra Film is one of other two local films that have found international releases this year.

Pok Borak, director of the Department of Film and Cultural Promotion at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, explains that The Ritual: Black Nun, The Dark Mother and Rent Boy have all been screened internationally in early 2024, with the possibility of more in the future.

Among these, The Ritual: Black Nun has not only been screened in Thailand but also in various countries in Europe, the West, India, and Vietnam, he adds.

He says the Kingdoms filmmakers have been diligently working to enhance their filmmaking techniques, including visuals, lighting, sound, editing and acting.

Several Sastra Film productions have received overseas screenings, including Dont Close Your Eyes, the first Cambodian film to be screened in Laos, Viet Nam, and Taiwan.

The Dark Mother has been shown in theatres across the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, with five or six other countries currently under negotiation.

Khmer pride

Hong Chan Sovoleak, one of the lead actors, took to social media to share her pride.

I am very happy and proud of the opportunities I have received and that a story that belongs to Cambodia is travelling across Asia. Thanks to Sastra Film for giving me this chance, she wrote.

Interestingly, Indonesia has signed two contracts with the Cambodian production, one for the rights to screen the film in cinemas and another for the rights to remake an Indonesian adaptation.

This is a happy and proud moment that reflects the growth of the Cambodian film industry. When other countries buy the rights to produce our films, it shows they value our storytelling and filmmaking, said Bun Chan Nimol, CEO of Sastra Film.

She adds that when her films are screened domestically, they are not undervalued, noting that in the digital age, if Cambodian movies are of high enough quality, foreign media will certainly be interested in showcasing them.

Upon initial viewing, the preview for the latest horror hit, The Ritual: Black Nun, might be mistaken for a production hailing from the West.

Yet, as the narrative unfolds before the audience, the distinct characteristics of a Khmer film emerge, firmly rooted in the Kingdoms rich cultural heritage and distinct national identity.

The film artfully weaves together motifs of unwavering familial dedication under any conditions and delves into the deep-seated customs of the Kingdom.

Additionally, it intertwines a narrative about an outsider who becomes enamoured with Cambodia and its cultural richness.

Placing the Kingdom centre stage

I believe it will become an effective tool for promoting Khmer culture, and driving tourism, said Sem Visal, the 44-year-old writer and director of the film.

Showcasing a blend of Cambodian and international talent, the film takes the audience on a visual journey through Cambodias scenic grandeur and locales steeped in cultural importance.

Iconic sites such as the majestic Angkor Wat Temple and the revered Wat Bakan in Pursat province serve as more than just backdrops; they are integral to the tapestry of the film.

Sacred Buddhist statues, significant in both spiritual and plot terms, also feature prominently, underscoring the storys deep ties to the spiritual heritage of the Kingdom.

Controversial neighbours

However, Chan Nimol acknowledged that among the many countries that acquired the rights to screen the movie The Dark Mother, obtaining a release in Thailand was very challenging.

Thailand was the hardest to negotiate, she tells The Post.

Countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Laos are very welcoming, including both the general public and distributors. But in Thailand, I faced a lot of pressure, although the Thai distributor experienced similar pressure, she adds.

Chan Nimol, who has been passionate about the film industry since childhood, expresses her feeling that Thai people do not seem to place much value on Cambodian films.

She explains that she has taken the film to many foreign countries, but does not want to overlook Thailand because it is a neighbouring nation.

Over the past few decades, Cambodias film productivity has decreased, as there is a perception that Thailand continues to release a wider variety of films.

Chan Nimol mentions that when Cambodia produces stories related to faith, some Thais perceive them as copies, as both countries share similar beliefs and traditions.

She recalls the reaction from several Thai people when The Dark Mother was officially released in Thailand. The first screening did not go well, and it was considered a failure. She describes it as losing before entering the ring.

However, she asserts that many Thai people welcome the screening of Cambodian films that share similarities with theirs.

While biased comments circulate on some social media platforms, scholars have shown positivity and publicly defended us. Several Thai actors have even shared our story on their social media platforms, she says.

Regarding the controversy, we understand that its inevitable given the similarity in culture and historical civilization. It was inevitable, Borak tells The Post.

Future successes

Chan Nimol reveals that between July and August, she will be releasing The Dark Mother more widely than any other Khmer production before it.

It will be screened in many countries beyond Southeast Asia; it will even reach Europe, she says.

She explains that the film, which draws inspiration from American and South Korean cinema and has obtained licensing from both, will astonish audiences. She also aims to showcase Khmer identity prominently.

If our film gains significant recognition it will have a positive impact on our tourism industry, in the same way that watching South Korean movies makes us want to visit Korea, or watching Chinese movies makes us want to visit China, she says.

Visal urged the public to come together and back the Cambodian film industry, in the same way they support other sectors, to reach equality with other nations. He believes that the quality of the film casts a positive light on the reputation of the Kingdoms filmmakers.

We must all unite, if we want to achieve parity with other countries, he says.

Borak explains that its not just about foreign audiences; local moviegoers also possesses the ability to analyse and discern the quality of films. Enhancing both the quality and content of the story is crucial to attracting both local and international audiences. - The Phnom Penh Post
BEIJING  Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee and Chairman of the CPV Central Committee's Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung on Friday met with high-ranking officials of the Communist Party of China (CPC) during his working trip to China.

The Chinese officials included Cai Qi, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, member of the CPC Central Committees Secretariat and Chief of the CPC Central Committees Office; and Wang Yi, Politburo member, Director of the Office of the CPC Central Committees Commission for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Trung briefed the Chinese officials on his working visit to China and his annual meeting with the Chairman of the CPC Central Committee's International Liaison Department, which, he said, aimed to realise common perceptions reached by high-ranking leaders of the two Parties and countries, exchange views on advising their respective Party Central Committees to foster exchanges and cooperation through the Party channel and promote the bilateral ties in different fields.

He talked about of the general outcomes achieved after three years of implementing the resolution adopted by the 13th National Congress of the CPV and working orientations for the coming time.

The Vietnamese Party, State and people highly value and appreciate the positive development in the relations between the two Parties and countries since General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trongs visit to China and General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinpings visit to Viet Nam, he said.

The official proposed both sides strive to effectively realise the high-level common perceptions, strengthen political trust, consolidate an environment of peace and stability, and improve the effectiveness of collaboration across various sectors.

The two sides should continue increasing high-level meetings and exchanges, especially among the top leaders; and step up exchanges between agencies of their Party Central Committees and local Party committees, while also boosting coordination in economy, trade, transport connectivity and coordinating efforts to reinforce a solid social foundation for the bilateral ties, he said.

The Chinese officials expressed their joy at the significant, substantive and comprehensive progress in the relations between the two Parties and countries, particularly following the historic visits of the two Party leaders in 2022 and 2023, and the agreement to build the Viet Nam-China Community with a shared future.

They believed that Viet Nam will successfully fulfill goals and tasks outlined in the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress.

The Chinese Party, State and people consider developing the relations with Viet Nam as a priority in China's neighbourhood diplomacy, they said.

Cai affirmed that China supports Viet Nam in playing a bigger role in the region and on the international stage, raising the voice of developing countries in addressing international issues.

For his part, Wang proposed coordinated efforts to strongly promote exchanges and cooperation at all levels and sectors in an increasingly effective, balanced and sustainable manner to better meet the interests of both countries people.

Efforts should be made to maintain peace and stability, and control and well settle differences at sea in line with high-level common perceptions, he said.

While in Beijing, Trung also engaged in discussions with Xie Chun Tao, member of the CPCs Central Committee and Standing Vice President of the CPCs Central Party School; and held talks with experts of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the China Foreign Affairs University; and visited Xiong'an new area in Hebei Province.  VNS
CAN THO  Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho Nguyen Thuc Hien held a working session with Italian Consul General in HCM City Enrico Padula on March 21 to discuss all-around cooperation opportunities, with a focus on climate-resilient agriculture.

Hien outlined Can Tho's agricultural development plan, aiming for 2.5-3 per cent annual growth by 2030, an increase of 5.5-6 per cent in agricultural labour productivity, over 70 per cent of skilled workers in the field and a three-fold rise in the income of rural residents compared to 2020.

To such end, Can Tho is actively developing high-tech agriculture by establishing specialised zones and breeding farms, which will also partially cater to eco-tourism, he said, adding that the city is also increasing investment in technical infrastructure and expanding research partnerships with domestic and international institutes, towards forming a hi-tech agriculture centre for the Mekong Delta and the country as a whole.

According to the official, environmental protection, climate change and sustainable development are top priorities for the Mekong Delta and Can Tho in particular.

He urged Padula to act as a bridge popularising Can Tho's investment environment to Italian firms and investors while promoting investment through seminars, trade fairs and exhibitions in Can Tho and Italy.

Padula, for his part, acknowledged Can Tho as a crucial partner of Italy. He announced that a delegation of Italian firms will visit Can Tho later this year to explore potential in high-tech agriculture and industrial machinery.

Informing the host about his attendance at a seminar on the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta earlier the same day, he affirmed Italys commitments to Can Tho and regional provinces via specific activities to adapt agricultural products to climate change and align them with the European Union market, ultimately increasing profits for this sector.

Last year, Can Tho exported US$3.2 million worth of goods to Italy, mostly rice, aquatic products, garments, farm produce and processed agricultural products. Its imports totalled $0.21 million, primarily pharmaceutical materials.  VNS
HA NOI  The Vietnamese National Assembly is ready to share experience in educational reform with the Philippines, NA Vice Chairman Nguyen uc Hai told a delegation from the Philippine Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) led by Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, Co-chair of EDCOM 2 and Senate Chair of the Committee on Basic Education.

Hai affirmed Viet Nam treasures its strategic partnership with the Philippines and wants to continue fostering cooperation in the fields of politics, economy, national defence-security, culture, education and people-to-people exchanges, and in new areas through the parliamentary channel.

As the two countries will celebrate the 10th founding anniversary of strategic partnership in 2025 and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2026, Hai said he was delighted to witness the increasingly effective and substantial development of bilateral relations in all fields over nearly half a century.

Welcoming the results of an earlier working session between the Vietnamese NA's Committee for Culture and Education and the Philippine delegation, the Vice Chairman affirmed support for expanding educational ties and further improving education quality in both countries, ultimately contributing to their socio-economic and cultural development.

Hai proposed further cooperation between the two legislatures, including exchange programmes for lawmakers and collaboration between their subordinate agencies. He highlighted the importance of sharing experience in parliamentary activities, with a particular focus on education and training.

Gatchalian, for his part, said the working sessions between the delegation and the Vietnamese NA Committee for Culture and Education and the Ministry of Education and Training enable the two sides to further nurture cooperation in the time ahead.

He wished that both sides would continue prioritising cooperation in culture, education and tourism to further raise mutual understanding and solidarity between their people, aiming for a more comprehensive and substantial bilateral relationship.  VNS
A NANG - Chairman of the People's Committee of a Nang city Le Trung Chinh hosted a reception on March 22 for Jeremy Bacchi, Politburo member of the French Communist Party, Senator for the Bouche de Rhone department and Secretary of its Party Committee, expressing commitment to supporting French firms and ensuring tourist safety.

Briefing his guest on the central citys development, Chinh highlighted the city's role as a nucleus of growth in the central key economic region, with strengths in seafood, apparel, footwear, mechanical engineering, construction materials and handicrafts. Particularly, Da Nang is prioritising information technology as a leading sector and aiming for a service-oriented economy with strong industry and agriculture.

According to him, a Nang has formed cooperative relationships with 48 localities from 22 countries and territories. The city has been honoured with the Vietnam Smart City Award and numerous other accolades. He also noted successful projects funded by the Nord-Pas-de-Calais Regional Council, totaling over VN10 billion ($416,000 USD) over the past 14 years of collaboration.

Chinh wished that during his visit, Bacchi would act as a bridge for the French businesses and people to visit and explore investment opportunities in Da Nang while facilitating scholarship and overseas study opportunities for local students.

For his part, Jeremy Bacchi hoped that the relationship between the two countries and their localities will further prosper across various sectors, particularly in culture, economy and education. He also praised a Nang for preserving, protecting and promoting the values of its museums, considering it essential to preserve cultural and historical values. - VNS
TIEN GIANG  The Mekong Delta Province of Tien Giang has been working hard to prevent saltwater intrusion up rivers to protect its orchards during the ongoing dry season, including over 20,000ha of durian grown for export.

Nguyen Van Man, director of its Department of Agricultural and Rural Development, said the province already built two key western irrigation structures at a cost of over VN1.38 trillion (US$55.9 million) at the beginning of the dry season in 2023-24.

One of them comprises six saltwater prevention sluices in canals leading to the Tien River and Provincial Road 864 that form a dyke.

The other is also a dyke along the Tien and the Nguyen Tan Thanh Culvert.

The irrigation infrastructure works will prevent saline intrusion, store freshwater for nearly 100,000ha of agricultural land and provide drinking water for nearly 1.1 million people in Tien Giang and Long An provinces.

The department said farmers should keep a close eye on water quality and levels and salinity in canals and in fields.

The province also wants fruit farmers in places with challenging conditions to spread out their harvests in order not to be impacted by natural factors.

Tran Quoc Binh, chairman of the Cai Lay District Peoples Committee, said there are 11,000ha of orchards locally, mainly with high-value durian that is exported.

Nguyen Hong Thuong, chairman of the Ngu Hiep Commune Peoples Committee, said his commune spent over VN7 billion to build five temporary dams, dredged canals, repaired sluice gates to keep out saltwater, and stored water to irrigate nearly 1,500ha of durian and other fruits.

Tran Van Nhin, the Tan Phong Commune Peoples Committee chairman, said 16 dams were built to keep out saltwater and rising tides at a cost of nearly VN15 billion to protect 1,300ha of orchards.

Eight back-up wells will be used to supplement irrigation if the Tien River becomes saline or if farmers otherwise lack water.

Farmers are encouraged to dredge ponds and ditches to store freshwater for irrigation and apply farming methods to cope with the salinity.

Nguyen Van That, deputy chairman of the Tam Binh Commune People's Committee, said nearly 3,000m of two canals have been dredged to store water for irrigation. The locality has also reinforced sluice gates and repaired damaged ones.

Nguyen uc Thinh, head of the provinces Irrigation and Flood and Storm Prevention Sub-department, said five tides and deep saline intrusion are forecast between March and August.

Saltwater will flow in two directions, up the Tien and Ham Luong, threatening high-value export durian in western districts.

The province is setting up salt measurement points in the Tien River and its distributaries to ensure the safety of speciality orchards.

It plans to dredge three steel dams at the beginning of the Tra Son, An Ray and Phu An rivers which flow into the Tien River if the tides and saltwater intrusion become severe in the next few days.  VNS
HA NOI  A special website supplying information about the historical military campaign ien Bien Phu that led to the world-shaking victory of the Vietnamese army over French colonial forces in 1954 has been launched by Nhan Dan (The People) newspaper.

In celebration of the 70th anniversary of the glorious victory (May 7, 2024), the website https://dienbienphu.nhandan.vn/ wants to recreate the grandeur of the victory that "resonated across five continents", and analyse the insightful political and military strategies of the Party, led by President Ho Chinh Minh.

Editor-in-chief of Nhan Dan newspaper Le Quoc Minh said that the special website has been created as a deep gratitude sent to the generations of our fathers and grandfathers who devoted their lives and blood for the nations independence and freedom.

Minh has also emphasised that the website is a useful platform supplying information about the campaign in a complete, comprehensive and creative way.

The website offers a vast digitalised collection of printed newspapers published during the ien Bien Phu Campaign in 1954, as well as valuable books and documents. Readers can explore authentic articles and original writings that have been presented in the form of a multimedia e-magazine.

The entire progress of the ien Bien Phu Campaign lasting 56 days and nights, from March 13, 1954 to May 7, 1954, has been represented in the form of 56 diary entries.

Each entry covers the progress that occurred at the ien Bien Phu frontline and at other fronts and localities across the country related to the ien Bien Phu battle, logistics operations and diplomatic struggle.

Together with the Campaign Diary, the page also includes report stories, comments, analysis and interviews with historical witnesses about military art and logistics, and about the courage and sacrifice of Vietnamese soldiers.

In addition to Vietnamese language, the website is also available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Russian.  VNS
HA NOI  Vietnamese fishing vessels infringements of foreign waters have gradually decreased over the past years, which is the clearest demonstration of the border guard and other forces moves to fight illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, an official has said.

Notably, violations of the waters of Pacific Islands nations such as Australia, Palau, New Caledonia, and Papua New Guinea have been eradicated since 2018, noted Col. Vu Van Hung, Deputy Chief of the Staff of the Border Guard High Command, in a recent interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency.

He said that placing importance on the IUU fishing combat, the High Command had seriously followed the directions given by the Party Central Committee, the Government, and the Ministry of National Defence while issuing a number of documents on concerted measures against IUU fishing. In particular, it launched a peak crackdown on IUU fishing through this April before the European Commission (EC) comes to Viet Nam for the fifth inspection over the issue.

During the campaign, it has been coordinating with the Party committees of coastal localities to enhance the leadership and directions over the work, increase personnel and vehicles for key border guard posts, and set up teams for patrolling islands, river mouths, estuaries where many unregistered and unlicensed fishing vessels or those without vessel monitoring systems (VMS) are often concentrated in to ensure all vessels operating at sea are eligible.

Another focal task the High Command has been performing is to work with local forces and administrations to boost communications and law dissemination to raise fishermens awareness, classify and make dossiers for strictly managing violating vessels and high-risk ones, and early detecting IUU practices to take timely counter-measures, according to Hung. The aim is to reduce the makeshift nature of current fishing practices among Vietnamese fishermen, and move towards sustainable, controlled, responsible aquatic exploitation.

Besides, it has maintained communication channels with other forces and localities in the IUU fishing combat.

Through propaganda and mobilisation efforts, practical and effective models have been established, with some prominent ones being "Safe Boat Team", "Patrol Team for Ensuring Security and Order in Coastal Border Areas", "Education Team for Coastal Border Areas"; "Safe Production Team at Sea"; "Women's Club for Development and Peace at Sea", "Progressive, Secure Residential Area in Security and Order"; "Breakfast with Fishermen", "Border Guard Loudspeaker".

To prevent and put an end to vessels' infringement of foreign waters, the High Command will maintain close coordination with relevant forces and local authorities to strongly implement the Prime Minister and the Defence Ministrys directions on urgent solutions to fight IUU fishing and lift the ECs yellow card warning.

It will effectively use the VMS system to monitor all fishing vessels at sea, detect any case of VMS connection rule violations, and demand the vessels going beyond the maritime boundary return to the Vietnamese waters in a timely manner.

Another important task is to order border guard units coordinate with local agriculture and fisheries authorities to make proper preparations for working sessions with the EC delegation, according to the official.

Viet Nam has been working hard to carry out the ECs recommendations about IUU fishing prevention and control, towards the goal of having the EC's yellow card lifted.

The EC issued a yellow card warning for Viet Nam in this regard in 2017. The "yellow card" is followed by a "green card" if the problem is resolved or a "red card" if it is not. A red card may lead to a ban on aquatic exports to the EU.

Hung said fishermen venturing out to sea was not just for extracting marine resources but they also were actively contributing to the protection of the sovereignty of the sea and homeland islands.

Therefore, our Party and Government are deeply concerned about the lives of fishermen and create the most favourable conditions for them, especially the Prime Ministers Decision 48/2010/Q-TTg on a number of policies to encourage and support the exploitation and cultivation of aquaculture, and seafood exploitation services in distant sea areas. This contributes to ensuring security, national defence, protecting the sovereignty of sea and islands, enhancing the presence of fishing vessels and fishermen in offshore areas, Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands, and DK1 rigs of Viet Nam to assert Viet Nams sovereignty over the sea."

The Border Guard forces had coordinated and effectively utilised its own communication system and related forces, timely disseminating, instructing, and assisting fishermen when fishing in offshore areas to know how to respond to natural disasters and protect themselves before assistance from functional forces arrives.

The Border Guard forces coordinated with the Coast Guard and the Navy to support and protect fishermen when they are apprehended by foreign authorities in waters under Viet Nams sovereignty and overlapping areas yet to be defined between Viet Nam and neighbouring countries, the border guard official confirmed.  VNS
HCM CITY  Metro Line 1 in Ho Chi Minh City, connecting Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien, faces another delay, marking its fourth since 2018.

The city has requested the Ministry of Planning and Investment to appeal for an extension of the commercial operation start date from the Prime Minister.

The urgency stems from the fact that the most recent deadline for the project has already passed nearly two months ago, yet the Government has not granted the requested extension.

The administration pledged to put the project into commercial operation in 2024.

Bui Xuan Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Peoples Committee of HCM City, said approximately 97.5 per cent of the entire project has been completed. The contractors conducted two-way train testing across the line in August 2023.

However, making the project ready for commercial operation takes time because it requires many steps, including safety evaluations, infrastructure handover, and project closure procedures.

All are scheduled to be completed between January and July 2024.

In response, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong expressed reservations over the clarity of the request.

He urged the city to clarify the project's completion date in 2024 and evaluate the impact of these adjustments on the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) loan agreement.

He said the city must review the backlog, assess investment efficiency and account for any additional costs arising from the timeline adjustments.

The goal is to avoid further extensions and ensure that Metro Line 1 becomes a reality for HCM City citizens.  VNS
HCM CITY  Parents of students at the American International School Viet Nam (AISVN) in HCM City do not want to transfer their children to another school.

Simultaneously, the parents hope the citys Education and Training Department will collaborate with the school's investors so that they can take over the management and operation of the school.

The information was shared by Le Thuy My Chau, deputy director of the department, during a press conference on socio-economic issues in the city on Thursday afternoon.

However, Chau said that the matter of parents wanting to take over the management of the school fell outside the role and responsibility of the department.

According to Chau, AISVN is a private school located in the city offering three levels of education: elementary, secondary and high school.

The school was established under Decision 432/Q-UBND on January 31, 2019, by the People's Committee of the city. The school has 129 foreign teachers and 26 Vietnamese teachers, with 1,213 students from various provinces and cities.

She added that the incident of teachers at the school going on strike occurred from March 4 and continued until March 20.

On March 4, only 53 teachers went on strike, citing illness as the reason. On March 18, all students had to temporarily suspend classes, causing much concern and frustration among parents. By March 19 and 20, despite announcing the resumption of classes, many teachers did not return, with 85 teachers absent on March 20.

On Thursday morning, the department met with over 20 parents who came to report the incident. All parents expressed their desire not to transfer their children to another school and requested the department to negotiate with the investors of the school so that the parents could take over the management and operation of the school.

However, Chau said that was beyond the jurisdiction of the department, because the department only ensured the rights of teaching and learning for students.

According to parents, the school is facing serious financial difficulties, including salary and insurance debts for teachers and staff. The parents also said that over 90 per cent of parents have fully paid for their children's education at the school until the high school level under loan contracts or investment contracts with the school. The total amount that the parents paid the school reached over VN3.2 trillion.

Chau said according to the school, it was facing financial difficulties from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic until now. In addition, they were seeking investment funds for school restructuring, which had affected teacher salaries.

After receiving complaints from the parents, the department promptly reported to the People's Committee of the city.

In the short term, the department wanted to ensure the learning situation for the 1,213 students, she said.

Specifically, the department has established a hotline to receive all feedback from parents of AISVN students via phone number 028.38294016 and email address: tiepcongdan@hcm.edu.vn. The department has also set up a specialised team to handle complaints from the schools parents.

In the event that parents of AISVN students want to transfer their children to another school, the department has publicly disclosed a list of educational institutions, addresses and tuition fees for both public and private schools for parents to follow the transfer procedures as prescribed.

On Thursday morning, the department worked with Nguyen Thi Ut Em, the principal of the school.

Em committed that after a one-week spring break, at the end of March, she would invite investment funds to have a roadmap and solutions to ensure teaching and learning from now until the end of the school year. Em also said that she would take full legal responsibility if she failed to comply. VNS
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BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of Premier Li Qiang of the State Council, Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Dinesh Gunawardena will pay an official visit to China from March 25 to 30, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian announced on Friday. 
Under the patronage of Nguyen Thi Kim Chi, Deputy Minister of Education and Training of Vietnam, the new initiative, to be implemented by Save the Children Vietnam, aims to improve quality and inclusion in education, particularly for children from ethnic minorities and those living with disability.

Chi said, The project will be implemented until 2026 with the goal of increasing access to education for ethnic minority children and those with disabilities. The aim is to enhance ethnic minority childrens proficiency in Vietnamese and their mother tongue, and to promote inclusive learning for children with disabilities. The projects comprehensive activities will create a cohesive educational environment among management staff, teachers, students, parents, and the community.

We are most pleased to be able to contribute to an inclusive educational environment for all children so they can receive a high-quality education, said Yohei Sasakawa, chairman of the Nippon Foundation. We have worked alongside partners in Vietnam for many years and are delighted to join forces with GPE and other partners. Education is the cornerstone of development, and we all must strive to provide this opportunity to every child.

Vietnam has high primary school completion rates, strong gender parity, low student-teacher ratios, and a low out-of-school rate, but too many children from ethnic minorities do not have the support they need to progress through the education system. Vietnam is home to 54 ethnic groups, 90 languages, and multiple dialects.

While Vietnam has made major strides towards universal access to education, marginalised children, including students in remote areas, children from minority groups and children living with disability still face many barriers in accessing their right to quality inclusive learning, said Charles North, deputy CEO of the Global Partnership for Education.

The last mile is often the hardest. At GPE, we strongly believe in the power of partnerships to address barriers to education. Our joint efforts will undoubtedly contribute to giving every boy and girl in Vietnam, wherever and whoever they are, the opportunity to learn and thrive, North added.

It is expected that over the next three years, 734,000 children and 1,800 teachers from minority groups will benefit from the scheme.

We are deeply grateful for the trust bestowed upon us by GPE, the Nippon Foundation, the Ministry of Education and Training, and all relevant stakeholders to bridge the educational access gap for children from ethnic minorities and those with disabilities. We are confident that the commitment from everyone here will significantly bolster our collective endeavours to advance educational development in Vietnam, said Le Thi Thanh Huong, country director of Save the Children in Vietnam.

Vietnam, Thailand forge educational cooperation Vice Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Tran Quang Phuong hosted a reception in Hanoi on December 28 for a delegation of Thailands Udon Thani Rajabhat University led by its President Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khanisara Thansunthornsakun.

FPT Group to spearhead major educational and digital initiatives in Haiphong FPT Group and Haiphong People's Committee held a pivotal conference on January 4 to chart the course for significant investments in digital transformation and education within the city.

German President's visit to strengthen Vietnam-Germany ties in education: scholar The upcoming state visit to Vietnam by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will enhance overall cooperation, including in education  a key factor of prosperity in each country, said Dr Kambiz Ghawami, President of the World University Service of Germany.

UNESCO helps Vietnam strengthen vocational education for out-of-school children The UNESCO Office in Vietnam in coordination with the Centre for Vocational Education and Training under the Trade Union of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province on February 26 launched a project on facilitating access to vocational and transferable skills for out-of-school children and youth in Vietnam.
The event was part of the programme for the March 18-21 visit of a 140-member delegation led by Dutch Minister of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality Christianne van der Wal, president of the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers Ingrid Thijssen, and Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Mark Harbers.

The sectors in focus for this mission are water management and technology solutions, agri-food and horticulture, and green and digitalised logistics.

Four projects are under the Netherlands Mekong Delta sustainable aquaculture project, which focuses on the economic opportunities of the transition to sustainability. This integrated effort aims to mobilise public and private stakeholders to work together and support the growth of climate-smart and sustainable aquaculture, with a focus on nature-based solutions, reducing diseases and the use of antibiotics, and supporting farmers and cooperatives with knowledge and technologies.

Other projects with Dutch financial contributions include organic shrimp farming, sustainable rice cultivation, and sugar substitutes.

The two sides also implemented the building of a food supply chain to meet the growing demand for sustainable products in Europe, creating more business opportunities for Dutch agricultural companies in Vietnam through an innovative IT platform.

There is also a project to deploy a comprehensive farming process with seed treatment and product preservation techniques - part of an integrated rice growing strategy to achieve one million hectares of high-quality rice, supported by a loan worth $90 million.

The collaborative projects aim to bring new business opportunities, create long-term employment, and promote sustainable economic development activities.

Harbes said, "Vietnam and the Netherlands are similar in that we both have deltas and large rivers flowing through them. Therefore, we also share the same challenges such as climate change, rising sea levels, saltwater intrusion, and the burden of urbanisation and industrialisation. The Netherlands has 50 years of experience in water governance, as does Vietnam. But those experiences are not enough, and we must be ready to take appropriate action in the future."

Speaking at the forum, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam said, "The Mekong Delta contributes about 56 per cent of Vietnam's total rice output, 70 per cent of its aquaculture output, and 64 per cent of its fruit production, of which a large proportion is exported. So it is vital we address the region's challenges, such as climate change, the environment, and volatile market prices, as they put tremendous pressure on agricultural production."

According to Nam, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's (MARD) focus is on restructuring the agricultural sector towards improving product quality, enhancing value, and adapting to climate change via three solutions that will to call on firms from both countries to participate.

Firstly, we are focusing on synchronising the mechanisation of agricultural production to reduce manual labour and improve productivity. Secondly, we will focus on digital solutions in production and traceability to ensure product quality. And third, we are developing a project to build an agricultural logistics chain to reduce costs and increase added value, said Nam.

According to director of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Can Tho Nguyen Phuong Lam, all 18 cooperation agreements focus on technology issues, logistics fields, and industry value chains.

"We urgently need cooperation on the Mekong Delta with businesses outside the region, especially international cooperation, such as from the Netherlands, a country with a lot of experience in water treatment and land reclamation," said Lam.

Dutch firm extends partnership with PTSC G&S to support Vietnam's offshore wind sector Dutch offshore survey firm Fugro announced on March that it has extended its MoU with Vietnam's PTSC Geos & Subsea Services Co., Ltd (PTSC G&S) to meet Vietnams strong demand for geophysical, geotechnical and metocean data services.

Dutch on hand to help break the build, neglect, repair cycle Vietnam and the Netherlands are both delta countries, meaning they face similar challenges when it comes to sea level rise, salinisation, flooding, and other water-related risks. This makes them natural partners in addressing such challenges and sharing expertise on approaches and best practices.
Novatek is behind an integrated power plant project in Ca Na, Ninh Thuan province. The 1.5GW project is being developed by a consortium of investors including Total Gas & Power Business Services S.A.S, Siemens Aktiengesellschaftm JSC, Zarubezhneft, and Novatek.

E.N. Golm, director of Business Development at Novatek, said, "Besides the Ca Na project, we are paying special attention to the overall LNG industry in Vietnam."

Ninh Thuan Peoples Committee has issued a decision recognising the consortium of investors qualified for the implementation of the Ca Na LNG Power Centre project phase 1.

Tan has urged Novatek to accelerate the project's implementation.

Other recent developments in the sector include an announcement from Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. in January on the establishment of Thai Binh LNG Power JSC for the development of a new project in Thai Binh province in collaboration with Truong Thanh Vietnam Group and Japan's Kyuden International Corporation.

The project includes an offshore terminal and a 1.5GW natural gas-fired power plant. It will have a capacity of 1,500MW and a total investment believed to be around $2 billion.

Likewise, Singapore-based Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific LNG (AG&P), a subsidiary of US investment and development firm Nebula Energy, has acquired a 49 per cent stake in Cai Mep LNG Terminal located in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.

According to Power Development Plan VIII, Vietnam is aiming to build 13 additional LNG power plants by 2030 with a total capacity of 22,400MW and two plants with capacity of 3,000MW by 2035. To date, the 13 power plants have approval in principle, with five currently under construction and four with investors.

Thai Binh to host $2 billion LNG project The Thai Binh liquefied natural gas (LNG) project is located in Thai Binh Economic Zone, and will have a designed capacity of 1500MW. The investment consortium behind the project is responsible for nearly $2 billion in funding and consists of Tokyo Gas, Kyuden, and Truong Thanh Vietnam Group.

A new chapter for Vietnams energy transition journey Karthik Sathyamoorthy, CEO of AG&P LNG, a subsidiary of US investment and development firm Nebula Energy, and Sam Abdalla, CEO of Nebula Energy and vice president of AG&P LNG, discussed with Minh Huong development plans for Cai Mep LNG terminal and efforts to expedite the presence of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the Vietnamese market.
The event demonstrates the company's commitment to working with localities to protect the environment and create a healthier living environment.

IMP's board of directors and staff took part in the tree planting, and helped collect rubbish along Nha Trang Beach.

The activity is part of the Nurturing Green Seeds - Drawing the Future campaign launched by the city in response to the plan to plant one billion trees in Vietnam from 2021-2025.

We are trying to contribute to a small green area in Nha Trang, a coastal city that has been greatly affected by global climate change. As a leading pharmaceutical company in Vietnam, IMP has dual goals of preserving the environment while protecting people's health, said Tran Thi Dao, Imexpharm general director, who is also a pharmacist and a recipient of the People's Doctor title.

These efforts by businesses like IMP are becoming increasingly important to Vietnam and other countries that are facing the threat of global climate change amid rising greenhouse gas emissions.

With a 3,200 km coastline, many cities in low-lying areas such as Nha Trang and in river deltas are suffering severe impacts from rising sea levels.

The World Bank assesses Vietnam as one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Without appropriate adaptation and mitigation measures, it is estimated that climate change will cause Vietnam to lose from 12 to 14.5 per cent of GDP per year by 2050.

Imexpharm employees plant trees on Ring Road 2, Nha Trang

In recent years, Nha Trang has been planting forests to cover bare land and mountains to create a sustainable green environment for the city.

With the contributions of businesses like IMP, the city and its people will continue to plant more trees to create beautiful landscapes, provide fresh air, attract tourists, and reduce the harmful effects of climate change.

Foundation for sustainable development

With a 45-year history, IMP has consistently prioritised environmental protection and sustainable development in its production practices and management.

This commitment lays the foundation for a new growth cycle, fuelled by four factory clusters, including three with eleven production lines that meet EU-GMP standards.

These standards demand strict adherence to environmentally friendly practices across the entire manufacturing process, including material sourcing, energy use, packaging recyclability, water conservation, and carbon reduction.

Notably, at factories such as IMP2 and IMP3, the company has built state-of-the art wastewater treatment systems according to European standards.

The company also compiles carbon emissions data quarterly which goes through every department before being submitted to the board of directors for approval.

This strict compliance has contributed to IMP's economic efficiency as well as to the environment and ecosystem in locations where the company operates.

Imexpharm responded to the For a Green Vietnam event

According to IMP's Board of directors, to develop an ESG plan it chose the GRI Standards and the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as reference to identify key sustainability areas and action plans.

We have incorporated sustainable green living style into the company's culture to achieve the common goal of a green Vietnam. Each employee actively participates in environmental protection initiatives in production and the workplace such as saving electricity and limiting plastic waste, the board said.

The fruits of sustainable investment have helped IMP overcome common difficulties and achieve impressive results.

At the end of 2023, the company's total gross revenue surpassed $88 million, showing a 26 per cent jump on-year, compared to the overall market growth rate of about 8 per cent.

At the same time, the company accelerated production capacity according to international standards and increased the ability to produce new, technically difficult generics drugs to promote the competitiveness of domestic drugs against imported products of the same type. Along with continuous improvements in the production process, IMP has been recognised for its green products, bringing sustainable values to customers, partners, and the ecosystem.

Green and high-tech offices space becomes a trend Many companies are selecting offices with green certifications that cater to health, wellbeing, and environmental protection to meet and keep up with changing employee demands.

Vietnam ESG Initiative 2024: seizing green transformation opportunities Following the success of the 2023 Vietnam Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Initiative, the Agency for Enterprise Development under the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) are co-hosting the 2024 Vietnam ESG Initiative.
At the event, a logistics conference and exhibition in the Philippines held during March 19-21, the booth for Long An International Port attracted numerous delegates with inquiries that saw several discussions concerning collaboration.

Elmer Francisco U. Sarmiento, Undersecretary of the Philippines Department of Transportation, spoke highly of the development potential of this port.

"Long An International Port can connect with the regional transportation system effectively, with its large investment scale, comprehensive equipment, and diverse cargo handling capacity, the port ensures optimal services for import-export goods in the region," said Sarmiento.

Furthermore, the signing ceremony of the MoU between Long An International Port and Oriental Port and Allied Services Corporation (OPASCOR), Philippines at the event, paves the way for cooperation in promoting trade between the two localities.

Vo Quoc Huy (right), Long An Port JSC'S chairman of the Board of Director and Tomas Riveral (left), OPASCOR's president and CEO

Vo Quoc Huy, chairman of the Board of Directors of Long An Port JSC, said, "We aspire to cooperation between the leaders of OPASCOR, and Long An International Port as we seek to connect opportunities for partnerships between the two ports, thereby facilitating trade between the business communities of our two countries, leading to mutually beneficial relationships in the future."

Tomas Riveral, president and CEO of OPASCOR, said, "Although Long An International Port is a newcomer to the community, it has spared no effort in connecting with ports in the region and worldwide, thereby promoting and enhancing Vietnam's image."

"Our development aims are made easier by collaborating with projects of the scale and ambition of Long An International port," added Riveral.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (centre) hosts the high-ranking delegation from the US-ASEAN Business Council. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception in Hanoi on March 21 for a high-ranking delegation from the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) led by the council's President and CEO Ted Osius, during which he stressed the instrumental role played by the USABC in the growing Vietnam-US economic ties.

PM Chinh described the Vietnam-US relationship as a model for post-war reconciliation, for the benefit of both countries and for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world, as affirmed by US President Joe Biden.

He highlighted the importance of economic, trade, investment, science-technology, and innovation ties within the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership established last year, saying that they are critical pillars to achieve the comprehensive, inclusive and more effective development of bilateral relations, as wished by both Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Biden.

Vietnam ensures the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises, he said, adding that the country commits to maintaining political stability, social safety and order, sovereignty and territorial integrity, along with stable policies, energy security and the ecology for green transition and digital transformation to create a pro-business environment for businesses' stable and sustainable growth.

Looking toward Vietnam's goal of becoming a developed nation with a modern industry and upper middle income by 2030, Chinh expressed his hope for the continued US support, particularly from US companies. He emphasised the need for joint efforts to address global challenges like climate change, population aging, pandemics and natural resource depletion.

Osius, for his part, thanked the Vietnamese Government for its support of foreign investors, including those from the US. He expressed their commitment to further investing in Vietnam in the fields of sci-tech, electronics, aviation, electric automobiles, logistics, energy, healthcare, finance, e-commerce, food and tourism.

The US firms proposed that Vietnam continue improving its legal framework, reforming administrative procedures, especially investment licensing, labour permits and visas. They also urged Vietnam to continue to provide tax incentives in priority sectors, promote circular and green economy, green transportation, carbon emissions reduction and energy transition, and develop infrastructure and logistics to enable their more effective operations in the country.

To effectively carry out the action plan for bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, PM Chinh urged USABC to advocate for the early recognition of Vietnam's market economy status and its removal from US restrictions on hi-tech exports.

Underscoring the principle of "harmonious interests, shared risks, he called on the US businesses to expand their presence in Vietnam and actively transfer technology, especially hi-tech solutions related to the digital economy, climate change response, green transition, and knowledge-based economies while renewing traditional driving forces such as consumption, export and investment.

He concluded by expressing his belief that the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the US will be concretised through specific programmes, plans and projects, yielding tangible benefits for both nations.

Vietnam - US trade relations Along with sound political relations, economic-trade ties have been one of the most successful endeavours within Vietnam-US relations. The US is currently one of Vietnams largest trading partners.

Vietnam, US strengthen trade relations Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang had a meeting with Deputy Assistant US Trade Representative (USTR) for Southeast Asia and the Pacific Sarah Elleman, within the framework of Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuans recent working visit to the US.
The construction of Tran De Port will enable Soc Trang province to facilitate the import and export of goods, enhance connectivity, reduce transportation costs, and increase the volume of goods transferred to seaports in the Southeastern region, thereby driving the socioeconomic growth of the area.

Tran De port's model

Ho Quoc Luc, chairman of the Board of Directors of SaoTa Food JSC in Soc Trang province, said that in recent years, the company's export shipments had been concentrated at Cat Lai Port and Cai Mep Port.

The transport route to these two ports is narrow and long, with high traffic density and potential risks, such as late deliveries and high transport costs.

If Tran De Port becomes operational, it will be a significant advantage, reducing transportation costs by a little over $833,000 per year.

From March 19 to 21, Soc Trang welcomed a delegation of 50 large Chinese enterprises operating in various sectors ranging from agriculture, forestry, and fisheries to logistics, seeking investment, cooperation, and business opportunities in Soc Trang.

During the meeting with Chinese enterprises, Tran Quoc Lau, Chairman of Soc Trang People's Committee, introduced the advantages of the locality.

"Soc Trang has an annual rice output and seafood production of over two million tonnes, and 375,000 tonnes per year, respectively. The total export value has reached over $1.5 billion, with rice accounting for nearly one-third," said Lau.

Additionally, Soc Trang is also implementing several major projects, including Chau Doc-Can Tho-Tran De Expressway, Dai Ngai Bridge connecting Soc Trang with Tra Vinh and further to Ho Chi Minh City.

Additionally, Soc Trang currently has five national highways connecting with other localities in the region, not to mention its river and sea routes.

Soc Trang province looks to prosper by leaps and bounds A raft of forthcoming infrastructure projects will lay concerted groundwork for Soc Trang province to break through and become one of the most vibrant commercial and industrial hubs in the Mekong Delta region.

Soc Trang lures over $8.7 billion in committed investment capital Soc Trang has recently granted investment certificates for four projects and signed 18 MoUs on investment study and surveys with the total registered capital of more than $8.7 billion.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and KOICA president Chang Won-sam. Photo: VGP

The news was announced by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) chairman Chang Won-sam at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang on March 19.

"The South Korean government and KOICA attach great importance to relations with Vietnam," he said.

South Korea's ODA for Vietnam will reach about $52 million this year, an increase of half compared to 2023.

The KOICA president said that his current visit to Vietnam aimed to assess the implementation of KOICA's projects and discuss cooperation orientations to concretise $200 million ODA commitments for 2024-2027 made by President Yoon Suk Yeol during his visit to Vietnam last June.

Established in 1991, KOICA is in charge of non-refundable aid projects sponsored by the Korean government. In recent years, KOICA's ODA projects in Vietnam have focused on public administration, healthcare, and education. The two sides are considering expanding to new areas such as climate change adaptation and digital transformation.

South Korea's non-refundable aid through KOICA to Vietnam had reached $600 million by the end of 2023.

Quang said South Korea's ODA had contributed to Vietnams socioeconomic development.

He asked KOICA to continue its support, contributing to the development of ties between the two countries, and for South Korea to increase the scale of its non-refundable aid to Vietnam, especially in innovation, digital transformation, and high-tech development, and a rural power supply project in the northern province of Dien Bien, with total investment of about $20 million.

South Korea is currently the leading country for foreign direct investment in Vietnam with $86 billion. It ranks second in tourism development cooperation and third in trade, with two-way turnover of $76 billion in 2023.

Vietnam South Korea's third-largest trading partner in 2023 Vietnam continued to be the third-largest trading partner of South Korea last year, despite the slowdown in imports and exports to the Southeast Asian country.

Investment from South Korea awaits greater thrust South Korean businesses and investors are waiting for more legal improvements to expand their activities in Vietnam in 2024 following signals of recovery in late 2023.

JICA sign $290 million ODA agreement for Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien Urban Railway The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a loan agreement with the Vietnamese government in Hanoi on December 29 to provide an official development assistance (ODA) loan of approximately $290 million for Line1 of the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway project.
The humanitarian organisation CARE in Vietnam in partnership with the Son La Department of Agriculture and Rural Development launched the SURE  Sustainable and Resilient Livelihoods for Women Coffee Producers in Son La province on March 21.

It will be implemented over 36 months in four communes in Thuan Chau and Mai Son district.

Attending the event are representatives from Son La Peoples Committee, Son La Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Office of Cultivation and Plant Protection, Thuan Chau and Mai Son districts' relevant offices and the CARE project team.

Located in the northwest region of Vietnam, Son La province has one of the highest poverty rates across the country, at 23.9 per cent, according to the General Statistics Office. Arabica coffee is one of the key cash crops for poverty reduction in the province.

Among approximately 20,700 hectares of arabica coffee, Mai Son and Thuan Chau districts have the largest coffee cultivation areas in the province at present.

However, natural conditions, including rising temperatures, irregular rainfall and extreme weather events, have directly impacted farmers productivity and income. 85 per cent of Son Las population is from ethnic minorities, whose vulnerability to climate change is aggravated by poverty and marginalisation.

Given structural gender inequalities, women have limited access to knowledge, capital, social networks, and decision-making power to cope with climate change impacts. The unpaid care burden further restricts their time availability to strengthen their skills and pursue diverse sources of income.

Despite these barriers, women play a substantial role in climate change adaptation due to their involvement in agriculture and gender roles as caregivers.

Given these contexts, livelihood diversification is vital to improving community resilience for coffee-growing communities in Son La province, and ethnic minority women need to be part of the solution.

Over three years, the project is expected to reach and enhance womens economic empowerment by increasing climate-resilient livelihood diversification for 1,500 ethnic minority female farmers in coffee-growing districts in Son La.

Applying CAREs Womens Economic Empowerment Framework, SURE will introduce interventions to increase womens decision-making power to benefit themselves, their families, and their communities. This requires equal access to and control over economic resources, assets, and opportunities, as well as long-term changes in social norms and economic structures that benefit women and men equally.

CAREs inclusive economic empowerment approach will tap into resource and technical support to give women access to financial resources to improve their farming scale and access to markets. Moreover, we also prioritise climate change adaptation solutions to help them build sustainable livelihood through various activities," said Le Xuan Hieu, head of the rural programme at CARE in Vietnam."The project will improve their farming practices and seek to build their capacity, which enables them to have better agency within their living environment.

SUREs interventions align with Son La's agriculture priorities to build focused production areas and apply climate change adaptation practices.

Proactive adaptation to climate change is an urgent requirement for agriculture to develop. We are deeply aware of the impact of climate change on agricultural production and take strategic actions to advocate for the best practices, along with introducing farmers to appropriate adaptation solutions," said Cam Thi Phong, deputy director general of Son La Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. "Integrating and developing agricultural production in each specific field will require different approaches, and we are happy that SURE will help improve local farmers capacity to be climate-resilient.

Aiming at enhancing womens economic empowerment by increasing climate-resilient livelihood diversification for 2,000 ethnic minority farmers in coffee-growing districts in Son La province, SURE introduces interventions to improve womens economic capacity so that they have increased climate-resilient productive capacity for new entrepreneurship and income generating activities.

Employees at risk of losing livelihoods A number of foreign enterprises have had to make tough decisions to let go of workers due to the gloomy business situation and a sharp decline in orders.

Nestle Vietnam issues long-term commitment to enhance womens livelihoods Within the framework of the Nestle Accompanying Women programme, 13,000 women members were trained on nutrition, life knowledge and skills, happiness, and health.

Nestle Vietnam contributes to elevating the role of women across the supply chain With a strong commitment to empowering women, especially those in rural areas, Nestle Vietnam is implementing many initiatives across its supply chain, such as the NESCAFE Plan and the Nestle Accompanies Women programme.
WB's 51.5-million-USD payment helping Vietnam reduce emissions, illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com

Hanoi  Vietnam has received a 51.5-million-USD payment for verified emissions reductions (carbon credits) for reducing deforestation and forest degradation (commonly known as REDD ) and for enhancing carbon stored in forests through reforestation and afforestation.

This makes Vietnam the first country in the East Asia-Pacific to receive a results-based payment from the World Bank (WB)s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF).

The payment was made to Vietnam for reducing 10.3 million tonnes of carbon emissions between February 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019. It is the largest single payment to date made by the FCPF for verified and high integrity carbon credits.

The payment will benefit 70,055 forest owners and 1,356 communities near the forests, to be distributed according to a robust benefit sharing plan designed through a consultative, participatory, and transparent process.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan said Vietnam is already generating emission reductions in excess of the volume contracted with the FCPF, and can sell the credits to third party buyers through bilateral agreements or carbon markets.

The success of this REDD programme brings Vietnam closer to delivering on its ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement, while protecting areas of vital importance to biodiversity conservation, he added.

According to WB Country Director for Vietnam Carolyn Turk, this landmark payment marks another step for Vietnam towards joining the global carbon credit market and opens a new opportunity to finance the Southeast Asian countrys ambitious climate commitments and targets.

Vietnams emission reduction programme protects most of the countrys tropical forests, covering 3.1 million out of the 5.1 million hectares of land in the programme area. These forests are of significant ecological importance, encompassing five internationally recognised conservation corridors. The area is also home to 12% of Vietnams population, including 13 ethnic minority groups and many forest-dependent communities.

Through improved forest management, investment in the forest sector, and enhancement of agricultural policies, the programme is increasing both the extent and quality of forest cover in collaboration with local communities.

The FCPF is a global partnership of governments, businesses, civil society, and Indigenous Peoples' organisations focused on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, forest carbon stock conservation, the sustainable management of forests, and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries, activities commonly referred to as REDD . Launched in 2008, the FCPF has worked with 47 developing countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean, along with 17 donors that have made contributions and commitments totaling 1.3 billion USD.

Vietnam receives $41 million from World Bank for sale of forest carbon credits Vietnam has received over $41 million from World Bank for sale of forest carbon credits, equal to 80 per cent of the committed amount under the Emission Reductions Payment Agreement.

COP28 faces debate over controversy-mired carbon credits Controversial credits bought by corporations to offset their carbon emissions will be in the spotlight at UN climate talks next month.
JAKARTA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of refugees reportedly went missing after their boat carrying more than 100 people sank off Indonesia's western coast this week, an official told local media.

Ibnu Harris Al Hussain, chief of Banda Aceh search and rescue agency of Indonesia's Aceh province, told reporters on Thursday that a total of 75 refugees had been rescued, but dozens were still reportedly missing.

His agency, Hussain said, found and rescued 69 refugees around 22 km offshore on Thursday, while the other six were rescued by local fishermen a day earlier.

According to him, all refugees had been sent to the country's immigration department and currently are taking shelters in the West Aceh regency.

Meanwhile, a protection associate for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Faisal Rahman, said that he received information from a survivor saying that 142 people were reportedly on the boat. 
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MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Michigan attorneys pressed a federal appellate panel on Thursday to move their lawsuit seeking to shut down a portion of an aging oil pipeline running beneath the Straits of Mackinac from federal to state court, arguing that state environmental protection laws are in play.

Assistant Attorney General Daniel Bock told a three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati that the challenge to Enbridge Inc.'s Line 5 pipeline deals with the public trust doctrine, a legal concept in which natural resources belong to the public. He said that concept is rooted in state law.

He said the lawsuit also invokes public nuisance concepts governed by state law as well as the Michigan Environmental Protection Act. He added the state owns the bottom of the straits.

Theres no federal jurisdiction over this case, Bock said.

Bock went on to assert that Enbridge Inc., the Canadian company that owns the pipeline, missed its deadline to shift the case from state to federal court.

Enbridge attorney Alice Loughran countered that the case should remain in federal court because it affects international trade between the U.S. and Canada. She said the company didn't have to comply with the standard 30-day deadline for requesting removal to federal court because it lacked enough information to formulate the request.

The judges  Richard Griffin, Amul Thapor and John Nalbandian  questioned Loughran extensively about why the company missed the deadline and sounded skeptical of her answers. It's unclear when they might issue a ruling.

The pipeline, known as Line 5, was constructed in 1953. It moves 23 million gallons (87 million liters) daily of crude oil and natural gas liquids between Superior, Wisconsin, and Sarnia, Ontario, passing through northern Wisconsin and Michigans Upper Peninsula. Its part of a network transporting Canadian crude to refineries in both nations.

A section of the pipeline runs beneath the Straits of Mackinac, which link Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Fears of the section rupturing and causing a catastrophic spill have been growing since 2017, when Enbridge engineers revealed they had known about gaps in the pipelines protective coating in the straits since 2014. That section of pipeline also was damaged by a boat anchor in 2018, intensifying concerns about the lines vulnerability.

Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a lawsuit in state court in 2019 seeking to void a 1953 easement that enables Enbridge to operate a 4.5-mile (6.4-kilometer) section of pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac, which links Lake Michigan with Lake Huron.

Nessel won a restraining order from a state judge in June 2020. Enbridge moved the case into federal court in December 2021, a year and a half later. Nessel asked U.S. Circuit Judge Janet Neff to shift the case back into state court but Neff refused, prompting Nessel to appeal to the 6th Circuit.

Enbridge filed a separate federal lawsuit in 2020 arguing the state's attempt to shut down the pipeline interferes with federal regulation of pipeline safety and could encourage others to launch copycat actions and impede interstate and international petroleum trading. That case is still pending in Neff's court.

Enbridge has insisted the section of pipeline that runs beneath the straits is in good condition and could operate indefinitely. The company maintains that shutting the line down would constrict U.S. and Canadian oil and natural gas supplies, driving up costs. Rather than shutting the pipeline, Enbridge has proposed encasing the pipes in a protective tunnel.

Michigan's Public Service Commission approved the $500 million project in December despite intense opposition. Enbridge still needs approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A final decision might not come until 2026.

A federal judge in Madison, Wisconsin, last summer gave Enbridge three years to shut down part of Line 5 that runs across the reservation of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

The tribe sued Enbridge in 2019 to force the company to remove about 12 miles (19 kilometers) of pipeline crossing its reservation, saying the pipeline is prone to spills and land agreements allowing it to operate on reservation land expired in 2013.

The company has proposed rerouting the pipeline to end its dispute with the tribe. It has appealed the shutdown order to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. That case is still pending.

Pipeline opponents rallied in downtown Cincinnati ahead of the arguments Thursday, holding signs that read Shut Down Line 5 Pipeline and Evict Enbridge. Nessel appeared at the rally and accused Enbridge of forum shopping in hopes of finding a favorable judge.

Ultimately, this is a Michigan case brought under Michigan law by Michigan's chief law enforcement officer on behalf of the people of Michigan on behalf of our Great Lakes and it belongs in a Michigan court, she said to cheers.

Enbridge media officials didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
SANDERSON, Texas (AP)  During the nine hours that Texas was allowed to arrest and deport people who illegally enter the U.S., Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland never changed his tactics with migrants in his remote border county.

Not because he opposes the idea. There's just no practical way to do it, said the sheriff of Terrell County, where last year an average of about 10 people each day were caught crossing the border from Mexico.

We dont have a van that we can use to transport people in, said Cleveland, whose county touches more than 50 miles (80 kilometers) of border, most of which is an unforgiving rocky desert landscape.

Texas' extraordinary expansion into immigration enforcement remained on hold Thursday after a whirl of legal action that included the Supreme Court allowing it to take effect Tuesday while sending it back to an appellate court for further review. Shortly before midnight, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals put the law known as Senate Bill 4 back on hold.

The confusion along Texas' vast border during that brief window revealed that many sheriffs were unprepared, unable or uninterested in enforcing SB4 in the first place. For months, Texas has made urgent appeals to judges that the state cannot afford to wait for tougher border measures. But given a chance to test Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's latest provocation with the Biden administration over immigration, there was no indication any law enforcement agency in Texas tried.

Defiance from the Mexican government, which said it would not accept any migrants whom Texas attempts to send back across the border, and caution among law enforcement officials cast uncertainty over what a full implementation would look like.

The law would allow any Texas law enforcement officer to arrest people suspected of entering the country illegally. But Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith, the president of the Texas Sheriffs Association, said the law will have little effect in his jurisdiction in East Texas, which is far closer to neighboring Louisiana and Oklahoma than Mexico.

Our office wont have much to do with Senate Bill 4 unless were working with one of our brother sheriffs or sister sheriffs on the border, Smith said, because you have to be able to prove they came across the border illegally. And unfortunately you cant do that this far into the state of Texas without violating some of their rights.

If we start going and talking to everybody and asking for papers, where do we stop?" Smith said.

Once in custody, migrants could either agree to a Texas judges order to leave the U.S. or be prosecuted on misdemeanor charges of illegal entry. The law says they are to be sent to ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border, even if they are not Mexican citizens. Migrants who dont leave could face arrest again under more serious felony charges.

In court, Texas has argued the law mirrors the U.S. governments immigration enforcement. The Justice Department has argued that it is a clear violation of federal authority and would create chaos at the border.

Abbott reminded a crowd at a conservative policy conference in Austin this week that even with SB4 on hold, Texas could still arrest migrants who trespass on private property. That more limited operation began in 2021. On Thursday, Abbott said razor wire fencing the state installed in El Paso was being redoubled after a group of migrants breached a barrier and rushed past several Texas National Guard members attempting to hold them back.

Like many sheriffs and law enforcement officers who say they support the new law, Cleveland faces serious logistical problems in how to implement it. His county has fewer than 1,000 residents, his jail has a capacity for just seven people and the closest port of entry is a drive of more than 2 1/2 hours away.

Well continue to do what we do: turn over people we apprehend to the U.S. Border Patrol and then wait for the courts to figure out what theyre going to do, Cleveland said.

Typical calls to Cleveland's office about migrants who may have entered the U.S. illegally involve people who have traversed miles of high desert with limited supplies hoping to find work.

In responding to a call from a landowner on Thursday, Cleveland encountered a 32-year-old migrant from Mexico trying to make his way to pick strawberries in Florida. He engaged him in conversation in Spanish, asked if he needed food or water and brought him to a holding room at his office to wait for Border Patrol.

The vast majority that we catch, illegal aliens, are no different than me or you, Cleveland said. I enjoy having conversations with them in Spanish, finding out where theyre from, finding out where theyre going, things of that nature.

Republican legislators wrote the law so that it applies in all of the states 254 counties, although Steve McCraw, the director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, has said he expects it will mostly be enforced near the border.

About 100 sheriffs visited the state Capitol in Austin on Wednesday to express support to Abbott for the new law, but their responses were mixed about how they would actually enforce it.

Still, the fear among residents was palpable at a regular meeting Wednesday at a community center in a southwest Houston neighborhood that is home to many Latino and immigrant families. Police Chief Tony Finner was asked numerous questions about the law and what reassurances he could provide people who may now not want to report crimes because they fear being arrested over their immigration status.

One woman told Finner in Spanish that the new law is fracturing the relationship between the community and the police. Its creating an image of the police as the enemy when in reality they are the ones that protect us.

Ruben Perez, the special crimes bureau chief in the Harris County District Attorney's Office, sought to reassure residents, saying the law is not in effect and the U.S. Constitution protects everyone.

We dont care whether youre here legally or illegally or whether you got here legally or illegally. We are going to protect you, he said, prompting applause. "Thats the message that I want to leave.

Murphy reported from Oklahoma City. Acacia Coronado in Austin, Texas, and Juan Lozano in Houston contributed to this report.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  A South Carolina man has been charged with two federal counts stemming from the killing of a New Mexico state police officer, federal and state prosecutors announced Friday.

An unsealed criminal complaint charges Jaremy Smith, 33, with two counts: carjacking resulting in death and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Smith was shackled and wearing a hospital gown and pants during his initial court appearance Friday. His left arm was in a sling and a public defender asked the judge whether the defendant could remain seated, as he was in pain from the injuries suffered during his capture.

The judge ordered Smith held in federal custody and set another hearing for next week.

Alexander Uballez, the U.S. attorney in Albuquerque, thanked the gas station clerk whose tip lead to Smith being captured, describing her as a brave civilian working a normal job 100 miles away from a terrible crime.

I want members of our community to remember that last weekends tragedy was bookended by hope, by strangers doing the right thing for people theyve never met, he said.

Uballez declined to answer questions about Smith's movements from South Carolina to eastern New Mexico or how he got to Albuquerque after allegedly gunning down the officer before dawn on March 15.

Smith was captured by sheriff's deputies following the gas station clerk's tip. He was chased on foot and wounded by gunfire after he reached for his waistband as officers closed in, according to the criminal complaint. Authorities found a 9mm pistol nearby. Smith was taken to a hospital for treatment, where he had remained under guard for several days.

South Carolina authorities also have identified Smith as a person of interest in the killing of a paramedic there whose stolen car was involved in the killing of the New Mexico officer. Charges have yet to be filed in that case.

State Police Officer Justin Hare was dispatched about 5 a.m. on March 15 in Tucumcari to help a motorist in a white BMW on Interstate 40, authorities said.

Hare parked behind the BMW and a man got out, approached the patrol car on the passenger side and then the two began talking about a flat tire, the criminal complaint states. The officer offered Smith a ride to a nearby town because no repair shop was open at that hour and after the officer asked Smith to walk in front of his patrol vehicle, gunfire erupted.

Authorities said Smith then got into the drivers seat of the officers vehicle and drove away with the officer still inside. The duress signal on the officers radio had been triggered and other officers responded.

State Police later learned the BMW had been reported missing in South Carolina and belonged to a woman who was killed there  Phonesia Machado-Fore, 52, a Marion County paramedic.

Authorities there found Machado-Fores body Friday evening outside Lake View in neighboring Dillon County. The coroner said earlier this week that Machado-Fore died from a gunshot to the head fired by someone else. No other details from her autopsy were released.

Smith has been assigned public defenders who had yet to speak on his behalf Friday.

Authorities have said Smith had ties to New Mexico, having spent time there in the past, and had a long criminal history.

A review of South Carolina Department of Corrections records show he spent eight years in prison on charges of attempted armed robbery and hostage taking before being released on parole in Marion County in December 2023. The records also show numerous infractions while he was incarcerated from possessing a weapon to attacking or attempting to injure employees and inmates.

Hare had been with the state police agency since 2018. Born and raised in New Mexico, he is survived by his parents, girlfriend, and their two young children. He and his girlfriend also had a child on the way.

At a vigil in Tucumcari on Wednesday night, about 200 people paid their respects to the officer as state police vehicles flashed their lights and people held candles and cellphones. A funeral for Hare is scheduled for next Wednesday.

Associated Press writers Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina, and Jacques Billeaud in Phoenix contributed to this report.
We are past the Oscars, which means it's time to turn our attention to what's new and coming soon. And there are a lot of options available.

Up first, we have an interview with Jonathan Sanger, producer of the new film "Cabrini," which is drawing solid reviews from critics and moviegoers alike.

We also catch up with correspondent Miles O'Brien, who talks about the new PBS documentary "NOVA: A.I. Revolution," and what advancements in medicine helped him after he had to have an arm amputed.

Also up for discussion: A very Nebraska-centric teen comedy called "Snack Shack" that should resonate with Gen Xers growing up in the early 1990s. There is also a new program for Apple TV+ starring Kristen Wiig, Carol Burnett and Ricky Martin called "Palm Royale" that debuted March 20.

And we are on "Star Wars" watch as the new trailer for "The Acolyte" dropped on Tuesday. That series takes places before the Skywalker saga most fans know best and offers a new look at the Jedi. The show will debut June 4 with two episodes and brings another series into the fold as "The Bad Batch" wraps in early May.

Contact us!

We want to hear from you! Email questions to podcasts@lee.net and we'll answer your question on a future episode!

About the show

Streamed & Screened is a podcast about movies and TV hosted by Bruce Miller, a longtime entertainment reporter who is now the editor of the Sioux City Journal in Iowa and Terry Lipshetz, a senior producer for Lee Enterprises based in Madison, Wisconsin.

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Wacos first World Water Day event brought out dozens of volunteers to clean up trash and test samples of Brazos River water Friday morning.

Despite the chilly and overcast weather, 60 volunteers took part in the event organized by Keep Waco Beautiful in collaboration with the city of Waco Watershed Protection Division.

While citizen sampling data cannot be used for official reporting on the water quality of the Brazos, public efforts like Fridays have been helpful for educating the public and acquiring informal data on the river, city watershed protection compliance manager Mark Keeley said. The city is not required to do official testing of the river but its water utilities department has recently started testing water from the river, Keeley said.

He said the largest issues with the river he is aware of are sediment levels and trash. Rain often washes organic materials and trash from other waterways into the river. Rain can also kick up debris already in the river, making the water brown and causing issues for local wildlife.

Keeley said the city is looking to add more floating booms to catch trash before it flows from other waterways into to the Brazos. However, since there is no single source of the trash, it can be difficult for the city to keep debris out of the waterways.

It really just comes from everywhere and weve just got to do our best to find locations that are discrete enough to do the collection, but yet are accessible for us to actually retrieve the floatables, Keeley said. Once it goes into the storm system it gets very, very difficult to manage.

Keeley and his division hold regular events to educate the public about the importance of getting trash into trash cans, as he said its 90% of the battle.

A group of volunteers from Texas State Technical College took part in Fridays sampling effort as an alternative to an exam for their sampling and analysis course. Their tests showed the river had normal acidity levels, but increased sediment levels and slightly lowered water-oxygen levels, most likely a reflection of recent rainfall.

The Waco City Council is currently considering a plan to supplement the citys existing drinking water supply with water from the Brazos River. The city now relies solely on Lake Waco, which is fed by the watershed of the Bosque River, a tributary of the Brazos.

The proposed Integrated Water Resource plan, which includes a proposal to pull water from the Brazos, was presented at the councils meeting Tuesday. The council postponed a vote on whether to adopt the proposal, along with an update to the citys Drought Contingency Plan. According to the Integrated Water Resources Plan, which addresses water needs for the next 100 years, using water from the Brazos River would require the city to build new intake structures and added treatment infrastructure to remove polyfluoroalkyl pollutants and address natural salinity in the river. Council members are seeking public input on the plans while they gather and analyze more data on the proposed conservation measures.

Keep Waco Beautiful started planning Wacos World Water Day in January. The event is a small part of the United Nations global initiative to raise awareness about the importance of clean water, water conservation and sustainable water management.

Keep Waco Beautiful Executive Director Carole Fergusson said it was important to gather the community on World Water Day for educational purposes, as well as get volunteers involved with sampling and cleanup efforts.

World Water Day is an important day for all of us, especially us Texans, when we are facing a drought in all of our regions, Fergusson said. We really just wanted to gather with the community to celebrate the fact that water is a precious resource of ours.

Kacie Kaneshiro, a masters student at Baylor University, was cleaning up trash along the river with over a dozen other volunteers. Kaneshiro said she noticed the Brazos was dirty when she was an undergraduate student, but this is her first time cleaning up Wacos waterways.

Its very therapeutic for my conscious, Kaneshiro said. I just think its good to give back to the community and thats what Im passionate about since I am an environmental science major. Its good exercise too.

Karissa Maeda, another volunteer and recent Baylor graduate, agreed. Maeda said she often saw trash in the river near the university, but hopes cleanup efforts will help improve Wacos waterways.

I mean were right here, were so close to the Brazos, so I think its important to spend some time and help clean our community, Maeda said.

After water testing and cleanup efforts concluded, volunteers and additional community members gathered at Indian Spring Park at noon for food and educational activities. Several other local organizations, including the Cameron Park Zoo and Waco Wetlands, offered information at the celebrations science, technology, engineering and math festival that lasted into the afternoon.
Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, meets with a delegation led by Le Hoai Trung, secretary of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and chairman of the CPV Central Committee's Commission for External Relations, in Beijing, capital of China, March 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Cai Qi met with a delegation led by Le Hoai Trung, secretary of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and chairman of the CPV Central Committee's Commission for External Relations, in Beijing on Friday.

Cai, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, said that General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Vietnam in December last year and, together with General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong, announced the construction of a strategically significant China-Vietnam community with a shared future -- an epoch-making milestone in the history of bilateral relations.

He said China stands ready to work with Vietnam to implement the important results of Xi's visit, maintain high-level exchanges, and strengthen exchanges and mutual learning in state governance theories and experience.

China is ready to work with Vietnam to promote the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Two Corridors and One Economic Circle strategy, consolidate the friendship between the two peoples, strengthen international and regional coordination and cooperation, and boost the modernization of the two countries, he added.

Le Hoai Trung said that Vietnam will adhere to the consensus reached by the two leaders, commit firmly to building a strategically significant Vietnam-China community with a shared future, and push forward exchanges and cooperation between the two parties and two countries to achieve important results continuously. 

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, meets with a delegation led by Le Hoai Trung, secretary of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and chairman of the CPV Central Committee's Commission for External Relations, in Beijing, capital of China, March 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)
CEDAR FALLS  Moving can be a stressful situation for anyone.

And moving an elderly parent in failing health to another state only increases the stress. Now add the loss of a precious childhood possession into the mix.

Thats what happened when Rebecca Brugman was moving her mother, Maureen Goetz, from Cedar Falls to Spring Hill, Kansas, where she lives. Goetz accidentally donated a childrens Bible that Brugman received when she was 5 years old.

It was just one of those things, said Brugman. My mom, who has low vision, she was trying to clean things in a hurry. I had set my Bible aside to take home with me but somehow my mom got it confused with other things and the Bible was donated to Goodwill.

Brugmans daughter Ashlynn then sprung into action with the help of the internet. She posted on the Iowa Reddit page asking for the Thrifters in the Cedar Valley to keep an eye out. She also made contact with Cedar Valley Goodwill stores and filled out an accidental donation form.

I was just trying to cover my bases and help my mom, Ashlynn Brugman said.

From there it was up to the Goodwill stores to help locate the book. On Rebecca Brugmans last trip to Iowa before moving her mother, she got some news from one of the stores.

Ashlynn kept calling and we could not get connected, said Brugman. I finally got ahold of her and she let me know the Bible may have been found at the University Avenue Goodwill. I got there so fast.

All of the employees were excited to see us, it truly was a God wink moment, she said. Employees had found the same kind of childrens Bible but she knew right away it wasnt hers. My name was written on the cover.

Nonetheless, Brugman decided to take the Bible home with her after seeing how excited everyone was. She offered to pay for it but the employees gave it to her. Each of the workers signed the inside of the Bible before she headed home.

Andrew Mauer, vice president of marketing for Goodwill Industries of Northeast Iowa, praised the University Avenue store employees effort to find a good outcome for Brugman.

Were incredibly proud of our team for their outstanding work locating a similar Bible that meant so much to the family, he said. This story underscores Goodwills dedication to helping people and emphasizes the value of kindness and support within our communities.

This Bible means more to me as an adult than it (did) to me as a kid. Its proof that if you bless others then others will bless you, said Brugman.

She credited her daughters tenacity for trying to find the Bible.

She orchestrated this whole thing. Her persistence was unbelievable. She never gave up, said Brugman. Im so proud of her and her love of family.

As for Goetz, her move was completed two weeks ago and she now lives in the same Spring Hill, Kansas, neighborhood as her daughter and granddaughter.

Brugman looks forward to passing on the Bible to her future grandchildren.

I cannot wait to share the story about how wonderful the world can be. Its been so overwhelming knowing that so many people were willing to help, she said.

There is so much negativity and hate in this world. Its wonderful when we can help each other.
The day after the country learned the cause of death for an LGBTQ+ Owasso sophomore who had been bullied, President Joe Biden said: Nex Benedict, a kid who just wanted to be accepted, should still be here with us today.

The 16-year-old died Feb. 8, one day after being involved in a fight at Owasso High School.

Jill and I are heartbroken by the recent loss of Nex Benedict, Biden said in a statement Thursday. 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.

A summary report of the autopsy for Benedict, who used masculine or gender-neutral pronouns, states a fatal combination of antihistamines and antidepressants was found in their system.

Nonbinary and transgender people are some of the bravest Americans I know, Bidens statement reads. But nobody should have to be brave just to be themselves.

In memory of Nex, we must all recommit to our work to end discrimination and address the suicide crisis impacting too many nonbinary and transgender children.

In a police interview at the hospital after the fight, Benedict said a group of freshmen girls had been antagonizing Benedict over a period of weeks. Benedict said they did not report the bullying to any teachers or administrators, only a parent, because I didnt really see the point of it.

Biden in his statement said no one should face the kind of bullying Benedict experienced, stressing the importance of taking reports about bullies seriously.

To all LGBTQI+ Americans for whom this tragedy feels so personal, know this: I will always have your back, Biden said. To LGBTQI+ young people across the country  you are loved exactly as you are.

A statement released to media Thursday by the familys attorney says the Benedicts continue to be overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.

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 Nexs loved ones, the statement reads. 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 change that all involved should be able to rally behind.

Nicole McAfee, executive director of Freedom Oklahoma, said the summary report of Benedicts autopsy offers only limited insight into the reason for the students death.

We have said from the beginning that whether Nex died as a result of the physical or emotional harm,  our elected officials, our appointed State Board of Education, Owasso High School, and all of us failed Nex in allowing for policies and rhetoric that created a regularly hostile environment.

McAfee called out those in power who are using their platforms to  advance anti-trans rhetoric.

We reaffirm our calls for (State) Superintendent Ryan Walters, state library advisory board member Chaya Raichik  who also operates the anti-2SLGBTQ hate account LibsOfTikTok  and any other policymaker who has and continues to contribute to Oklahomas culture of anti-trans bigotry to step down immediately, McAfee said.

A statement from Walters, sent Thursday to the Tulsa World, reads: The loss of our student in Owasso is tragic for the family, the community, and our state. The LGBTQ groups pushing a false narrative are one of the biggest threats to our democracy and I remain, more than ever, committed to never backing down to a woke mob.

More than 100 people, including some area high-schoolers, gathered Thursday at the Oklahoma Capitol to express their grief for Benedict and the messaging surrounding their death.

We have leaders in here that never got out of high school, said Kris Williams, a program developer at Diversity Center of Oklahoma, gesturing toward the Capitol. They are literally gaining their popularity from our deaths.

Williams said the group wanted to bring awareness that were not being represented appropriately.

They dont know how resilient we are. They dont know how wonderful and bright and talented we are. They dont open their eyes because they dont actually understand what the word woke means, said Williams. My people love me. The rural areas of Oklahoma have much more accepting people than they do hateful people.

Reps. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa, and Lonnie Sims, R-Jenks, are among eight Oklahoma House members who released a statement Thursday about Benedicts death, calling it a harsh reminder of the power that words have.

As public officials and policy makers, we have a sacred obligation to ensure that as we do the work of the people, we do so with respect and dignity, the statement reads. Every human life is precious and created in the image of God regardless of who they are or who they love. We call on all Oklahomans to join us in our commitment to being respectful and deliberate in our language.

Oklahoma House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, released a statement, saying: I believe Nex Benedicts death is a direct result of a society and government that consistently pushes back and restricts their identity and those of other LGBTQ+ individuals. To LGBTQ+ people grappling with this tragedy, we see you and we are doing everything we can to stop the harmful legislation and policies that attack your existence.

World Capitol Bureau reporter Melissa Jacques contributed to this story.

March and rally for Nex Benedict at Oklahoma Capitol on March 14, 2024 031524-tul-nws-nexreax-p12 031524-tul-nws-nexreax-p1 031524-tul-nws-nexreax-p2 031524-tul-nws-nexreax-p3 031524-tul-nws-nexreax-p4 031524-tul-nws-nexreax-p5 031524-tul-nws-nexreax-p6 031524-tul-nws-nexreax-p7 031524-tul-nws-nexreax-p8 031524-tul-nws-nexreax-p9 031524-tul-nws-nexreax-p10 Check out our latest digital-only offer and subscribe now HIDE VERTICAL GALLERY ASSET TITLES

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WATERLOO  The getaway driver in a 2019 robbery that left one man dead in a Cedar Falls apartment has been sentenced to prison.

The sentencing came Friday shortly after a district court judge heard McKayla Faith Ryans request to delay punishment four months until after she delivers her baby.

I humbly request your leniency and compassion in sentencing. I respectfully ask you for a creative sentencing approach that would allow me to have my baby outside of prison, said Ryan, 24, who is five months pregnant with a son.

Judge Andrea Dryer declined to postpone sentencing, noting the case has already had several delays.

This matter has been continued multiple times, Dryer said.

Ryan is the last person to be sentenced the Dec. 4, 2019, robbery at an apartment in downtown Cedar Falls.

Prosecutors said shortly before the robbery, Ryan helped acquire a 9 mm pistol that was given to Keyon Roby. She then drove Roby, James Wright-Buls and Marquas Gafeney to Cedar Falls and waited in the parking lot.

Roby carried the weapon when and he others pushed their way into Grant Sauls Main Street apartment. During the holdup, Roby clubbed one of Sauls friends with the pistol, Saul reached for his own handgun, and Roby fired three shots, killing Saul.

At sentencing, Ryan said she had become caught up in circumstances beyond her control.

It pains me to admit my lack of awareness and the repercussions it has brought to the victims family, Ryan said. I was unaware of the events unfolding around me and the consequences they would entail.

Shortly after the robbery, she gave birth to her first child, a girl.

Ever since my daughter has come into world, I have devoted my life to God and church, knowing God does have the ultimate purpose for me, Ryan said.

Defense attorney John Bishop noted that Ryan had a clean record leading up to the robbery.

Shes got good employment history, shes got a strong educational background.  There are a lot of positives in her life. But for what happened on the day these events took place, she would have been on a very positive trajectory for her life, Bishop said.

Ryan was originally charged with first-degree robbery, which carries 25 years in prison with more than 17 years behind bars before the possibility of parole.

Under a plea agreement, the charges were reduced to two conspiracy counts and one count of burglary. The agreed upon sentence calls for consecutive prison stints for up to 25 years but without a mandatory minimum before parole.

Sauls family didnt attend the hearing. Assistant County Attorney Brad Walz said relatives were in agreement with the sentencing.

Roby, who was 18 at the time of the crime, was found guilty of first-degree murder during trial and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Wright-Buls and Gafeney pleaded to robbery and conspiracy charges and were sentenced to up to 25 years in prison.

PHOTOS: Homicide, Main Street, Cedar Falls Dec. 4, 2019 120419jr-cf-shooting-4 120419jr-cf-shooting-1 120419jr-cf-shooting-2 022422jr-roby-trial-1 022422jr-roby-trial-2 120419jr-cf-shooting-3 022422jr-roby-trial-3 022522jr-roby-trial-4 022522jr-roby-trial-1 022522jr-roby-trial-3 022822jr-roby-trial-1 022822jr-roby-trial-2 030122jr-roby-trial-2 030122jr-roby-trial-1 030222jr-roby-trial-1 030222jr-roby-trial-2 030222jr-roby-trial-3 030222jr-roby-trial-5
WATERLOO  A Waterloo woman has been sentenced to prison for starting a fire that spread to a home in October.

Kristen Michelle Golliher, 38, was arrested for first-degree arson, but on Thursday she entered an Alford plea  not admitting guilt but acknowledging she could be found guilty if the matter went to trial  to a reduced charge of second-degree arson as part of an arrangement with prosecutors.

She was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison, and the court extended a restraining order barring her from contacting the victim.

Prosecutors said she lit a trash can next to the home of an acquaintance, Scott Overmann, at 514 E. Second St. around 2 a.m. on Oct. 1.

The flames spread to the house and garage. No injuries were reported.

Assistant County Attorney Charity Sullivan said the resident had recently moved to the address, and Golliher had been at the home earlier. She said the fire caused significant damage.

Part of the incident was captured on video, according to court records.

WATCH NOW: Courier fire videos Former church fire, Waverly, Iowa, Dec. 19, 2016 VIDEO: House Fire, Gable St., Waterloo, Iowa 120319 Apartment fire, Jefferson St., Feb. 19, 2016 Duplex Fire, Western Ave., Feb. 9. 2016 Fire, Beaver Ridge Trail, Cedar Falls, Iowa Feb. 5, 2018 Garage/house fire, Seneca Ave., Waterloo, Iowa Dec. 11, 2017 House Fire, W. Second St., Waterloo, Iowa, Oct. 20, 2016 House fire, Marion St., Evansdale, Iowa June 6, 2018 House fire, W. 2nd St., Waterloo, Iowa July 7, 2017
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has released documentation indicating that an Owasso student died by suicide the day after a fight at the high school.

Nex Benedict, 16, who identified as nonbinary and used gender-neutral pronouns, died Feb. 8, one day after being involved in a fight at Owasso High School, police say.

The summary report provided Wednesday by the state medical examiner states that Benedict took a fatal combination of two drugs commonly known as Benadryl and Prozac. A full autopsy report, including toxicology results, has yet to be released.

Benedicts death became a rallying cry for LGBTQ+ allies after allegations surfaced in mid-February that the Owasso sophomore was fatally injured when beaten by a group of bullies.

The Owasso Police Department released video footage from a hallway at the high school, as well as a police interview at the hospital, showing that Benedict was not injured fatally in the fight.

When interviewed by a school resource officer, Benedict said the group of freshmen girls had been antagonizing Benedict over a period of weeks. Benedict did not report the bullying to any teachers or administrators, Benedict said, because they had no hope of effecting change.

I didnt really see the point of it, Benedict told the officer.

An Owasso school resource officer told Benedict in the hospital that Benedict would be subject to discipline for assault because they had admitted to pouring water on the bullies, starting the fight.

From the beginning of this investigation, Owasso Police observed many indications that this death was the result of suicide, Owasso Police Lt. Nick Boatman said Wednesday in an emailed statement. However, investigators did not wish to confirm that information without the final results being presented by the Oklahoma Medical Examiners Office.

The investigation into Benedicts death remains open, Boatman said, with findings being presented to the district attorney.

The Owasso Police Department would like to take this moment to inform anyone in crisis or contemplating suicide of the Oklahoma Mental Health Lifeline, just call or text 988, the Police Department said in a Facebook post.

Owasso Public Schools also mentioned the 988 crisis hotline in a statement from Superintendent Margaret Coates. The district said Wednesday that counseling would be available for students and staff.

As we mourn together, OPS remains focused on the safety and well-being of our students and staff, Coates statement reads. Lets continue to lean on each other in the days ahead.

A national survey last year by the Trevor Project found that 41% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in 2023, including roughly half of transgender and nonbinary youth.

The Trevor Project provides confidential counseling and 24/7 crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth: Text START to 678-678 or go to thetrevorproject.org/get-help.

The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  A federal judge has temporarily blocked plans to build a high-voltage power line across a Mississippi River wildlife refuge, saying he wants to see documents detailing the lead-up to the project's approval.

U.S. District Judge William Conley issued a preliminary injunction on Thursday preventing American Transmission Company, ITC Midwest and Dairyland Power Cooperative from beginning construction on a one-mile portion of the Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line that would cross the refuge. He extended the injunction indefinitely following a hearing in Madison on Friday morning.

The 345-kilovolt power line would run 102 miles (164 kilometers) between Iowa's Dubuque County and Wisconsin's Dane County. A section of the line would cross the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge near Cassville, Wisconsin.

The refuge serves as a haven for fish, wildlife and migratory birds that use it as breeding grounds. It is the only stopping point left for many migratory birds that use the Mississippi Flyway. Conservationists fear the transmission line will damage the refuge and have been working for years to stop the project in court.

The National Wildlife Refuge Association, the Driftless Area Land Conservancy and the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation filed a federal lawsuit earlier this month. The groups allege the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued final approvals for the refuge crossing in February without giving the public a chance to comment. They also argue that the agency and the utilities improperly reached a deal calling for the utilities to transfer about 36 acres (15 hectares) south of Cassville to the refuge in exchange for 19 acres (8 hectares) within the refuge for the power line.

The conservationists told the judge they needed an injunction quickly because the land deal was set to close Friday and the utilities have already positioned construction equipment on the edges of the refuge.

Attorneys for both sides sparred for about 90 minutes in front of Conley on Friday morning.

The conservationists' lawyer, Howard Learner, told Conley that FWS released final documents this past February that found the land deal would have no significant impact on the refuge without offering the public a chance to comment on it.

He also argued that FWS never considered whether the power line would be a compatible use for refuge land as required by the 1997 National Wildlife Refuge System Act.

Reade Wilson, a U.S. Department of Justice attorney representing FWS, countered that the conservation groups commented on an environmental assessment of the project released in September and the agency was under no obligation to open up the no-impact finding for public comment. She went on to contend that the compatibility test doesn't apply to a land exchange. Conley seemed incredulous, saying she was asking him to ignore that a power line would be running across the land.

In the end, Conley said he would extend the injunction until the parties provide him with a more extensive record of what steps were and weren't taken during the run-up to the final approval in February. He said once the record was made available, the attorneys would have 30 days to submit briefs.

Outside of court, Learner said the conservationists were pleased to see Conley extend the injunction. The Driftless Area Land Conservancy and the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation issued a joint statement praising the decision.

We should not set a precedent that a simple land swap is all it takes to plow through a national treasure, Driftless Area Land Conservancy Executive Director Jennifer Filipiak said in the statement.

Wilson referred questions to U.S. Justice Department spokesperson Matthew Nies, who declined to comment.

ITC Midwest and Dairyland Power officials released a joint statement after the hearing saying the utilities disagree with the injunction. FWS acted within its legal authority under federal law and the line will help deliver reliable electricity from renewable sources to customers, they said.

The utilities added that they're striving to minimize the environmental impact within the refuge, in part by avoiding any grading.

American Transmission Company spokesperson Jody Lau said in an email that the company finished its portion of the power line in December. She said the line is safe and reliable and the company looks forward to the full line going into service.
A northern Iowa man who has been repeatedly warned for decades by state conservation officers not to burn various types of waste was recently fined $2,500, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Duane Alan Tesch, 73, of Carpenter, owns property in several cities that have been the subject of nuisance complaints in recent years, court records show. In July 2023, he admitted to burning a fiberglass water tank as part of his effort to tidy his site in Grafton, the DNR said in a recent order. The department further alleged that he burned a mattress, box spring, speaker, wheeled cart and other items.

Mr. Tesch stated that he is under a lot of pressure from the city of Grafton to clean up the property, and he was just trying to get it done, the order said.

The DNR fined him for the incident  which was reported by neighbors  and noted the numerous admonitions he has received from the department for similar situations dating back nearly 28 years.

Mr. Tesch has a long history of illegal open burning and illegal open dumping, the order said.

He was the subject of DNR investigations in 1996, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2016, 2017 and 2018 for burning construction waste, appliances, furniture, household waste, tires, plastic and other items.

Tesch allegedly boasted to a neighbor in one of those complaints that maybe someday he will just light the plastic pile and burn it as the DNR would have forgotten it by now, the order said.

Some of those investigations coincide with other times that city and county governments sought to penalize him for his unsightly properties. Mitchell County accused him in 2016 of establishing a junk yard on a Toeterville property that did not have proper zoning for such a facility. A judge dismissed the countys request for an injunction by finding that the county had used the wrong court procedure to enforce its ordinance, but the judge verified that the site was junky.

Tesch was also cited for nuisance properties in Carpenter in 2019 and Nora Springs in 2023, court records show.
Evil China, Evil China, Evil China, Evil China, Evil China

On Wednesday, Admiral John Aquilino, who leads the US Indo-Pacific Command, spoke at a session of the US House Armed Services Committee about the readiness of the Peoples Liberation Army of China (PLA) seize Taiwan. In prepared remarks, he labeled China an adversarial regime and the only country that has the capability, capacity, and intent to upend the status quo in the Pacific.

Read Article: https://www.rt.com/news/594623-china-taiwan-invasion-us/

All indications point to the PLA meeting President Xi Jinpings directive to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027. Furthermore, the PLAs actions indicate their ability to meet Xis preferred timeline to unify Taiwan with mainland China by force if directed, Aquilino said.
JAKARTA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia confiscated 50 kg of crystal methamphetamine smuggled overland from Sabah, Malaysia to Nunukan, Indonesia, and arrested a suspect.

"From Tawau, Sabah, in Malaysia, the crystal methamphetamine will be brought to Pinrang in South Sulawesi," said North Kalimantan Police Chief Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya on Friday.

Police arrested the suspect with piles of goods in two carts in South Nunukan on Tuesday.

X-ray scanner concluded that 50 packets in two plastic drums among the piles of goods in the carts were crystal methamphetamine.

The mastermind behind this smuggling, added Adityajaya, was allegedly a Malaysian who gave the suspect 5,000 ringgit (about 1,000 U.S. dollars) to bring the methamphetamine to Indonesia and promised to give an additional 30,000 ringgit (about 6,000 dollars) if the drug arrived in Pinrang. 
PARIS, March 21. /TASS/. Russian servicemen will eliminate all French soldiers coming to Ukraine, State Duma Deputy Speaker Pyotr Tolstoy said. We will kill all French soldiers who will come to the territory of Ukraine. All of them, he told the BFMTV channel. The politician also pointed out that 147 out of 367 French mercenaries who arrived in Ukraine earlier have been eliminated. Read: https://tass.com/politics/1762957

Sounds like a Hollywood movie

John Wick Chapter 2  Tell them. Tell them all. Whoever comes, whoever it is, Ill kill them. Ill kill them all.

Russia does not bluff and Russia is ready, not just getting ready, but is ready for the West to attack

Dont you find it interesting that the West whom started this war, was not ready for the war they started?

WtR
The eagle has left the nest with Minnesota State College Southeasts new rebrand and logo, slimming down to just an "S", "C" and "E" symbol. Southeast received a $100,000 grant for image and branding changes from the Lumina Foundation last year.

After surveying 300 people in the colleges community and two years of planning, campus leaders unveiled the new logo and messaging to faculty and staff.

The technical college has already begun bringing the change to campus with new name tags, uniforms, flags, banners and even snacks. Students from the cosmology program were the first to try out the rebranded logo with new aprons and celebratory cookies.

For Katryn Conlin, communications director for Southeast, the biggest hurdle will be the signature sign on the highway that dons the entrance to campus. Changing branding around campus will be easy as campus is updated and semesters come and go, but the large sign will take more effort.

Changing the font style was also a big push for campus leaders. Serif fonts are gone from logos and online formats for better readability. Surveys also showed that the strong green colors were a campus favorite, so the green remains across campus.

Jennifer Hawkins, vice president of strategic initiatives, said despite rumors the campus would be renamed, there are no plans to do so. However, she said the campus will embrace the Southeast name more and incorporate the title as a shorthand for the university.

The rebrand was made possible by a grant from the Lumina Foundations Million Dollar Community College Challenge. The challenge had community colleges across the nation compete in grant writing for prizes that award rebrand money to campuses. The top prize won $1 million, and nine others, including Southeast, won $100,000 each.
The Winona Area Public Schools Board of Education decided to press pause on its elementary reconfiguration proposal during Thursday nights meeting.

Instead of approving or rejecting a proposal that would place students in an elementary school based on grade level in the fall, the board postponed making a final decision as it considers other options and engages more with stakeholders.

District leaders will work to find ways to more accurately meet elementary class size targets, and the board will take another look at the districts Policy 798, which addresses attendance area boundaries.

The pause addresses a concern expressed by many in the community, who worried the proposal was being decided on too quickly after it was offered by board members Nancy Denzer and Michael Hanratty in February.

The proposal would have placed pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students at Goodview Elementary, first- and second-graders at Washington-Kosciusko Elementary and third- and fourth-graders at Jefferson Elementary.

The placement of some pre-kindergarten students at Washington-Kosciusko was also considered.

The rationale behind the proposal was to offer more equity by providing comparable experiences for all students, more classes that fit into the recommended class sizes, less constraints on scheduling and less travel time for staff who work at multiple schools in the district.

Last week, many district staff members attended a special school board meeting and spoke out against the plan.

They expressed a variety of concerns, including the frequency of transitions, the inability for students to establish long-term relationships with staff and older students, the financial impact and more.

Board member Karl Sonneman said earlier this week he would introduce a competing proposal focused on the elementary schools during Thursdays meeting, but the proposal was not offered to the board as expected.
Winona Area Public Schools Community Education will host a Summer Kick Off & Family Fun Day next month, according to a press release.

The event, which is free and open to all families, will be held from 9 a.m. to noon April 6 at Winona Middle School.

WAPS programs and other organizations in Winona will have information on summer camps and activities. Families are also invited to participate in craft making, gym activities, open swim and more, the release says.

Donations will be accepted for Winona Volunteer Services, and the following organizations will be represented:

WAPS Community Ed  Elementary Enrichments.

City of Winona Park and Recreation.

Winona Public Library.

Winona Family YMCA.

Healthy Families Winona (FCC).

IMPACT Youth Center.

Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts.

Ridgeway Community School.

Resilient Winona County.

For more information, visit winonaschools.org.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

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Dolls and sandals featuring Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador are for sale outside the presidential palace in Mexico City, Friday, March 15, 2024. Despite not being eligible to run for reelection in the upcoming June 2 presidential vote, Lopez Obrador looms larger than any of the candidates competing for the helm of Mexicos government. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
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Richard C. Dick Higgins, one of the few remaining survivors of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, has died, a family member said Wednesday. He was 102.

Higgins died at home in Bend, Oregon, on Tuesday of natural causes, granddaughter Angela Norton said.

Higgins was a radioman assigned to a patrol squadron of seaplanes based at the Hawaii naval base when Japanese planes began dropping bombs on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941.

He recounted in a 2008 oral history interview how he was in his bunk inside a screened-in lanai, or porch, on the third floor of his barracks when the bombing began.

I jumped out of my bunk and I ran over to the edge of the lanai, and just as I got there, a plane went right over the barracks, he said, according to the interview by the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas.

He estimated the plane was about 50 feet (15 meters) to his side and 100 feet (30 meters) above his barracks. He described big red meatballs on the plane, in reference to the red circular emblem painted on the wings and fuselages of the Japanese aircraft.

So, there was no doubt what was happening in my mind, because of the things that had been going on, he said.

Norton called her grandfather a humble and kind man who would frequently visit schools to share stories about Pearl Harbor, World War II and the Great Depression. Norton said he wanted to teach people history so they wouldnt repeat it.

It was never about him, Norton said. The heroes were those that didnt come home.

Higgins was born on a farm near Mangum, Oklahoma, on July 24, 1921. He joined the Navy in 1939 and retired 20 years later. He then became an aeronautics engineer for Northrop Corporation, which later became Northrop Grumman, and other defense contractors. He worked on the B-2 Stealth Bomber, Norton said.

His wife, Winnie Ruth, died in 2004 at the age of 82. They had been married for 60 years.

Not long after he went into hospice last Thursday, he told his granddaughter, Im ready to go see Winnie Ruth.

I said, Its OK, go home. Be with Jesus and be with Winnie Ruth,  Norton said.  Its OK to do that. Leave us. Youve had such a good and full life. 

There are now 22 survivors of the attack still living, said Kathleen Farley, the California state chair of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors. Farley said other survivors may still be living, but not all joined the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association when it was formed in 1958, so they may not be known to her.

About 2,400 servicemen were killed in the bombing, which launched the U.S. into World War II. The USS Arizona battleship alone lost 1,177 sailors and Marines, nearly half the death toll.

About 87,000 military personnel were on Oahu on Dec. 7, according to a rough estimate compiled by military historian J. Michael Wenger.

Higgins is survived by two children, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The family plans to hold a memorial service at a church in Bend on Thursday followed by a ceremony with full military honors. Afterward his body will be flown to California, where he will be buried next to his wife.
We Are China

China launches satellites to monitor atmospheric, space environments

Xinhua) 10:02, March 22, 2024

A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying Yunhai-2 02 satellites blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, March 21, 2024. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

JIUQUAN, March 21 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday sent a group of satellites into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.

The Yunhai-2 02 satellites were launched by a Long March-2D carrier rocket at 1:27 p.m. (Beijing Time) and have entered the planned orbit.

These satellites will be used mainly for atmospheric environment detection, space environment monitoring, disaster prevention and reduction, and scientific experiments.

The launch was the 513th mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.

A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying Yunhai-2 02 satellites blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, March 21, 2024. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying Yunhai-2 02 satellites blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, March 21, 2024. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
COLOMBO, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's export performance increased by 1.3 percent in February compared to January in 2024, according to the latest data released by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board on Friday.

The data shows that the merchandise export performance in February 2024 amounted to 983.7 million U.S. dollars, which is a modest increase of 0.17 compared to February 2023.

Compared to February 2023, agricultural exports showed a significant increase of 11.82 percent, reaching 255.76 million dollars in February 2024. However, industrial exports experienced a decline of 3.36 percent during the same period, dropping to 727.94 million dollars, according to the board.

Sri Lanka's total exports for 2023 were 14.49 billion dollars, a minor decline of 0.39 percent compared to 2022, according to the data released earlier. 
CAIRO, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday called for a peace agreement between Hamas and Israel in the war-torn Gaza Strip.

They made the appeal during a joint press conference following a multilateral meeting between Blinken, who was on a visit to Egypt, and foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Qatar, as well as the UAE minister of state for international cooperation, and the secretary general of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization.

Shoukry underlined the importance of reaching an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, releasing Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and expanding humanitarian aid to Gaza where the residents are suffering from starvation.

He also warned of the catastrophic living conditions in the enclave, urging Israel to abandon plans to carry out future military operations in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza.

"The crisis must be dealt with radically to achieve security and stability in the region by ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, activating the two-state solution, and establishing the Palestinian state," said the top Egyptian diplomat.

Blinken, for his part, said that a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is "difficult" but "still possible," and that Israel's planned military operation on Rafah would be "a mistake."

Blinken started his sixth trip to the Middle East on Wednesday since the outbreak of the Hamas-Israel conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, yet his missions failed to achieve breakthrough in negotiating a peace deal between the two warring parties.

Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved plans for an attack on Rafah, where more than 1.4 million displaced Palestinians are seeking shelter.

On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas launched an attack on southern Israeli towns, killing about 1,200 Israelis and capturing more than 200 as hostages.

Since then, Israel has been on retaliatory offensives against Hamas in Gaza, killing a total of 31,988 Palestinians and wounded 74,188 others, according to the latest data released by Gaza's Health Ministry on Thursday. 
BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- "Chinese leaders use the Party to do an enormous amount of research into what the people are thinking, feeling, experiencing and want," said Stephen Perry, Chairman of the 48 Group Club, at the third "International Forum on Democracy: The Shared Human Values" held in Beijing on Wednesday.

"So I think China is on its way to a good form of democracy. It hears its people, and it tends to do what its people want," Perry added.

At this forum, over 200 guests from various countries, regions and international organizations engaged in discussions on topics including "Democracy and Modern Governance," "Democracy and the Rule of Law in the Digital Times," "AI and the Future of Democracy" and "Democracy and Global Governance in a Multipolar World."

Speaking of the value of benevolence in state governance, Ong Tee Keat, former deputy speaker of the Lower House of the Malaysian Parliament, said that this idea propounded by Mencius 2,000 years ago speaks volumes of the relevance of people-centric governance in ancient China, even before the word "democracy" was being promoted.

"The subject predominates state and the monarch in the hierarchical significance of benevolent governance," Ong quoted Mencius in both Chinese and English.

"This millennium-old wisdom now finds its resonance in the whole-process people's democracy in China," Ong said. "Its philosophy may remain incomprehensible to the West, which is more familiar with electioneering, populism and gerrymandering. Nonetheless, it's the relevance of people's participation and the end results of governance that matter most."

WESTERN DEMOCRACY FACING CHALLENGES

Western democracy is not the ultimate definition and standard of democracy, and it is increasingly facing severe challenges.

Marcio Pochmann, president of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, said that lack of rationality in elections, inefficiency in government affairs, immigration, and economic stagnation have severely damaged the sovereign foundation formed since the establishment of Western nation-states.

Alexander Lomanov, deputy director of Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations at the Russian Academy of Sciences, said Western elections are often a competition for people's sympathy, in order to get the vote.

"After the ballot, the people's needs will be forgotten. That's the greatest problem," said Lomanov, adding that one of the greatest advantages of China's democracy is there are no empty promises.

Su Changhe, dean of the School of International Relations and Public Affairs at Fudan University, noted that the Anglo-American world retains many characteristics of feudal and aristocratic systems.

"Such institutional arrangements result in not all people being served, and the concept of the people is divided," said Su.

"Forceful implantation of Western-style democracy often leads to outcomes contrary to the vision of peace, stability, and prosperity," said Hassan Ragab, professor and director of the Confucius Institute at Egypt's Suez Canal University

Western-style democracy does not adapt well in developing countries, exposing its institutional weaknesses, he concluded.

Massimo D'Alema, former prime minister of Italy, said the Western model cannot be exported and imposed in other parts of the world "precisely because it is the result of a long and peculiar historical process," as experiences in Afghanistan and the Middle East have shown in recent years.

D'Alema added that expansion of the liberal democratic model has come to a halt today and "our model of Western democracy has lost credibility and attractiveness."

DIVERSE CONCEPTS OF DEMOCRACY SHOULD BE RESPECTED

In 1991, Rui Lourido, then a young Portuguese scholar, participated in a UNESCO project, visiting China for the first time and developing a keen interest in the country. The trip led him on a path of Chinese studies that spanned more than three decades.

"The whole-process people's democracy in China is a very objective one, a very effective one," Lourido, who is now serving as the president of the Observatory for China in Portugal, told Xinhua.

"We need to learn from China. And we need to study China and not consider China as a threat as what some Western countries nowadays do," said Lourido, adding that democracy should emphasize justice, freedom, societal stability, and economic development.

Democracy is a common value for all humanity, and the right of peoples of different nations to choose their own path of democracy should be respected.

As the global dynamics are now going increasingly multipolar, respect for diversity in democracy is no longer a myth but a reality to embrace worldwide in pursuit of a coherent global governance, said Ong.

Ong's remarks were echoed by Lourido, who said that cooperation should be advocated for to allow all humanity to share the benefits of democracy.

"Unite different colors, ingredients, and shapes, ending up as a beautiful painting," said former prime minister of Egypt Essam Sharaf, who believes that by harmonizing differences through people-to-people connectivity, humanity can break cultural barriers. Enditem

(Xinhua intern Sun Ruoqi contributed to the story.)
AnyMind Group, a BPaaS company for marketing, e-commerce and digital transformation, has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire all shares of Malaysia-based e-commerce enabler Arche Digital.

The acquisition of Arche Digital aims to strengthen AnyMind Groups Business-Process-as-a-Service (BPaaS) capabilities for domestic and international enterprises in Malaysia, by combining Arche Digitals operational expertise in e-commerce with AnyMind Groups proprietary software for e-commerce and marketing. BPaaS is a business model that provides a combination of software and operational support functions across the business process.

Founded in 2015, Arche Digital provides enterprises in Malaysia with a wide range of services including e-commerce strategy development, e-commerce operations, warehouse and logistics management, online store operations, marketing and customer service. Since its launch, the company has supported the growth of a variety of enterprises including global skincare brands and household brands, and amassed over 1 million orders.

On the acquisition of Arche Digital, Kosuke Sogo, CEO and co-founder of AnyMind Group, said: When considering M&A opportunities, we evaluate the management teams capability for leading the business in the medium to long term, and cultural fit, as well as synergy with our existing business. Arche Digital has a management team with deep expertise in the e-commerce field in Malaysia, and a track record of supporting various enterprises. We are confident that AnyMind and Arche Digital are able to create strong synergy together.

Steven Tan, Managing Director of Arche Digital, said: In anticipation of the acquisition, our commitment remains unwavering: to honor the legacy of our company while embracing the opportunities that lie ahead. Together, we plan to embark on a journey of innovation, growth, and shared success, guided by our shared vision and collective strengths.

Arche Digital will be AnyMind Groups ninth acquisition in seven years, its first acquisition in Malaysia, its second acquisition of an e-commerce enabler following the completed acquisition of Indonesia-based DDI in September 2023, and its third acquisition in Southeast Asia.
BeatO, India,s largest virtual diabetes care platform proudly announced that it has been honored with the esteemed award for the Best Omni Channel Customer Experience Initiative in Health Tech at the 3rd Annual CX Excellence Awards 2024 - Delhi Edition recently. The event brought together industry leaders, innovators, and experts to celebrate outstanding achievements in customer experience.

Representing BeatO at the event was Ankit Dixit, Head of Customer Experience, who accepted the award and shared valuable insights as a panelist on the topic, Decoding the Diligent CX Map: Trends, Challenges, and Innovation in the Industry.

"Winning awards for the best customer experience isn't just about accolades; it's a testament to our unwavering commitment to our customers who have embraced the BeatO Care Programs & Smartphone Glucometer Devices to manage diabetes and lower their HbA1C levels. Emphasizing customer experience within a diabetes digital healthcare company is essential for fostering patient engagement, cultivating enduring connections, enhancing results, administering tailored care, and offering crucial education and support. Their satisfaction isn't just a goal; it's our mission. Because in the end, there's only One Boss  THE CUSTOMER  and ensuring their happiness is the cornerstone of our success" said Ankit Dixit, Head of Customer Experience, BeatO.

The CX Excellence Awards aim to acknowledge and celebrate organizations and individuals who demonstrate excellence in customer experience across various industries. BeatOs win underscores its dedication to prioritizing customer satisfaction and providing holistic solutions to address the needs of its users.

Gautam Chopra, CEO and Founder, BeatO said, The BeatO app has 3 million users; every BeatO user is unique and essential to us. Empathy and service are our core values. We aim to give every user the best, personalized service and experience, hopefully translating into better health outcomes. We try to make access to healthcare seamless and effortless so that we can enable and empower millions to make the right decisions for their health.
Creators United, the leading platform dedicated to influencers and infotainment, has concluded its highly anticipated event, Creators United 2024. Held at NESCO, Mumbai, this festival brought together over 1000 influencers, along with brands, agencies, and industry experts, for an unforgettable celebration of creativity and innovation.

In its second edition, Creators United 2024 exceeded all expectations, solidifying its position as the largest creators' festival in Asia. Organized collaboratively by Mad Influence in association with the Government of Maharashtra, the event showcased the dynamic synergy between technology and creativity, driving economic growth and innovation in the digital landscape.

Gautam Madhavan, CEO & Founder of Mad Influence, said - "Creators United 2024 has been an exceptional platform for collaboration and innovation in the digital space. As we witness the remarkable success of this event, it reaffirms our belief in the transformative power of creativity. We are proud to be the driving force behind Asia's largest creators' festival and are excited about the future prospects it holds for the influencer industry."

Varun Maloo, Advisor at Creators United, said - "Creators United 2024 was a resounding success! The energy from the incredible lineup of creators and influencers was electric, and the collaborations on stage were truly magical. We're so proud to have been a part of this celebration of creativity and collaboration."

The festival's theme, 'Create, Collaborate, and Celebrate', encapsulated the spirit of the event, offering attendees a platform to engage, exchange ideas, and celebrate the achievements of digital creativity. From brand experience zones to insightful panel discussions, exclusive meet-and-greet sessions, celebrity talks, and exhilarating performances, Creators United 2024 offered a diverse range of experiences for all participants.

The event witnessed the presence of illustrious digital celebrities such as Harsh Beniwal, Jannat Zubair, ScoutOP, Tech Burner, Mythpat, Anubhav Singh Bassi, Saurav Joshi, Sakshi Sindwani, Mumbiker Nikhil, and many more, amplifying the festival's digital reach to nearly 1 billion individuals. Notably, Creators United marked a historic occasion as the first platform to unite creators from YouTube and Instagram under one grand event.
Godrej Appliances, part of Godrej & Boyce, the flagship company of Godrej Group, has joined the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to elevate consumer access to its diverse range of home appliances. This will further increase the brands nationwide presence and provide customers with more convenience while purchasing appliances.

Godrej Appliances has tied up with Mystore to facilitate its enlistment across the Open Network. Presently, Godrej Appliances offers a range of 100+ SKUs through ONDC Network encompassing a wide range of advanced home appliances like refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, microwave ovens, dishwashers, air coolers and deep freezers.

On the back of this extensive Network, the brand aims to cater to several pin codes across 20+ states in India in the coming months. All products available on ONDC Network will be priced at competitive rates as compared to other platforms. Going forward, the brand will also enable easy purchase through consumer finance offers and further tap into marketing opportunities on the ONDC Network.

Expressing enthusiasm about this strategic move, Kamal Nandi, Business Head and Executive Vice President, at Godrej Appliances, said, "We are excited to be a part of the government backed ONDC, with our partner Mystore to facilitate this endeavor. Godrej's commitment to engage customers and build loyalty aligns seamlessly with ONDC's mission to create a digitally inclusive and vibrant marketplace. As we onboard the Network, it enables us to connect with a wide audience and offer them a large variety of Godrejs advanced home appliances. By 2026, we estimate our ONDC Network contribution to reach 20% of our e-commerce business with our entire range of home appliances.

T Koshy, MD & CEO, ONDC said, The addition of a trusted brand like Godrej to ONDC Network validates our growing reach and influence. As more prominent brands across sectors join us, it further strengthens the Networks ability to drive inclusion and innovation. We are thrilled that Godrej recognizes the value of integrating with ONDC Network to enrich consumer choices across India's towns and cities.

Shireesh Joshi, CBO at ONDC added, For all the brands that onboard onto the Network, it will certainly unlock new opportunities and customer segments for them. It allows beloved brands to extend their equity by being more accessible and affordable. Through a deeper market access enabled by the Network, Godrej can now showcase and deliver their quality products to consumers everywhere. We are happy and looking forward to the positive impact and progress Godrej will drive through the Open Network.

Kriti Aggarwal, Co-Founder at Mystore, said, We are happy to play a pivotal role in enabling Godrej Appliances to begin their ONDC Network journey. This collaboration furthers our cause of making it seamless for Enterprise brands to bring their complete dealer network to the ONDC Network and boost brand visibility and reach through digital channels.
Hindustan Pencils, the creative force behind iconic stationery brands Apsara and Nataraj, is delighted to announce an exciting collaboration with Marvel, with the launch of Apsara  Marvel Avengers Kit. With a storied legacy of over 65 years, Hindustan Pencils continues to be a trailblazer in the stationery industry, recognized for its unwavering commitment to quality and innovation.

The Apsara  Marvel Avengers Kit is a captivating fusion of creativity and Marvel fandom, meticulously designed to capture the hearts of young Marvel fans. Ideal for gifting and everyday use, this kit is set to become a cherished possession for school-goers and fans of the iconic super heroes, Marvels Avengers.

This kit includes two pencils adorned with vibrant designs featuring fan-favorites like Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, Thor, and a design featuring the Avengers team. The set also includes an eraser featuring the Avengers, intricately crafted to resemble iconic symbols such as Captain America's shield. Completing the ensemble is a precision-designed sharpener, ensuring convenience and accuracy in every stroke. Together, these products offer a comprehensive stationery collection for Marvel fans.

In alignment with Hindustan Pencils' commitment to quality and affordability, the "Apsara  Marvel Avengers Kit" is attractively priced at an MRP of 30/-, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of consumers.

Pradip Ughade, President at Hindustan Pencils, expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating, "We are thrilled to collaborate with Marvel to launch our latest creation, the 'Apsara  Marvel Avengers Kit.' This collection aims to spark creativity and imagination among young Marvel fans, providing them with high-quality stationery essentials."

The Apsara  Marvel Avengers Kit is now available for purchase, offering an exciting opportunity for fans to add a touch of super hero flair to their stationery collection.
In a strategic move to unify its brand identity and redefine the duty-free shopping experience, Mumbai Travel Retail Private Limited (MTRPL) is proud to announce its rebranding to OSPREE. The new brand identity Ospree serves as MTRPLs strategy to integrate all its duty-free holdings, including Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram, Amritsar, Lucknow, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Mangalore, under one unified brand identity. MTRPL operates out of seven international airports in the country and plans to expand its global footprint.

The new brand identity takes a contemporary approach to redefine the shopping experience at Duty Free. The brand name OSPREE takes inspiration from the magnificent Osprey, a migratory bird known for its grace, precision, and boundless journeys across continents, reflecting the companys ambitions. As you step into the world of Ospree, you embark on a voyage that transcends the ordinary.

Avishek Bambi Das, CEO of MTRPL, stated, The mighty Osprey flies around 5000 miles to land in new territories, much like our companys ambitions. As we plan to expand our global footprint, its imperative to integrate all our duty-free stores under one unified brand identity that resonates with our values and aspirations. My thanks go to all our valued brand partners, Beam Suntory, William Grants, Brown Forman, Mondelez, Nestle, Moet Hennessey, Bose, Coty, Travel Blue, Paul John, Radico, and D'yavol, for making this launch event a huge success.

With its recent launches such as Kylie Cosmetics debut in Asia, Don Julio, supported by Asias first live DJ on the shop floor, DYAVOLs foray into the travel retail space, and flagship campaigns like the Shop & Win' MTRPL, MTRPL has consistently managed to stay ahead of the curve. From Indian products and craftsmanship to having many international brands on board, it is the first in the Asia-Pacific region to introduce some of the most premium brands, thanks to its brand partnerships.

Ospree will be the ultimate destination for global travellers seeking premium, elegantly curated products and re-defining duty-free shopping as a luxurious and convenient experience showcasing a diverse array of premium products. This new identity represents a significant step for the brand towards fostering a more approachable and personal connection with customers.

Now, with a proactive approach towards streamlining their identity, the rebranding sets forth the objective of One distinguished identity, reflecting their ambition.
New research released today by Interbrand, in partnership with NewtonX and Brodeur Partners, unveils a powerful connection between brand and share price. The report, How Brand Impacts Share Price https://interbrand.com/thinking/how-brand-impacts-share-price/ explores the valuation of S&P 500 companies, investor community perceptions of brand, and how to obtain a more accurate share price valuation.

Key Takeaways

The study found 67% of analyzed S&P 500 companies may be inaccurately valued, illustrating that share price often fails to reflect a companys true value.

76% of investment analysts and journalists say that brand strategy has a moderate to large impact on changes to price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios.

While the investment community values brand, 90% of investment analysts say they do not have a deep understanding of the positioning and strategy of the companies in their portfolio. This knowledge gap underscores a critical need for enhanced brand communications between corporations and the analyst community.

Despite companies naturally wanting to increase their share price, few companies have optimized their brand communications to get a more accurate P/E evaluation.

Research Approach

The report, How Brand Impacts Share Price, includes a two-part qualitative-to-quantitative study of 241, hard-to-reach decision-makers among financial analysts, financial journalists, and investor relations professionals to understand the investment community's perspective on brand strategy, company valuation, and how they stay informed.

Additionally, a separate analysis spanning five years included S&P 500 U.S. publicly traded companies as well as Interbrands 100 Best Global Brands. This informed the categorization of 532 companies across 51 market sectors into distinct groups based on their price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio and share price volatility.

This study is a game changer in redefining the role and value of brand, elevating it from traditional marketing to an important lever used by CEOs and CFOs to help increase share price. Given our research identified many companies as underperforming, there is a strategic opportunity for companies to reevaluate their approach to brand strategy and investor communications, and gain a critical advantage in their valuation, said Greg Silverman, Global Director of Brand Economics at Interbrand.

Investment Communitys Understanding of Brand

The survey explored investor community perceptions and opinions of brand in calculating P/E ratios and share price. Surveys of the investment relations community, financial analysts and journalists showed they are aware of the significant impact brand has on valuation, with 76% stating that brand strategy has moderate or large impact on changes to P/E ratio. Further, brand strategy ranks as the second most important consideration (19.8%) for investment analysts and journalists when evaluating a companys prospects (second to financial forecasting at 29.1%). Brand was found to be more impactful than competitive threats (18.6%), macroeconomic factors (17.9%), and senior management reputation (14.7%).

While the investment community currently lacks the deep understanding of brand strategy that is needed to create an accurate valuation, they are seeking to learn more. While 39% of analysts and journalists said they often or almost always receive a briefing from the company theyre evaluating, 64% said they would like to be briefed at that frequency.

Brand and Valuation in Context

The data analysis covered 51 market sectors, providing valuable insights into brand valuation by vertical markets, including technology, medical device and finance sectors, indicative of wider trends among industries. Findings show that 67% of companies in the dataset are not consistent overperformers  hence implying that their stock is undervalued, or the share price is more volatile than its underlying performance.

"In the dynamic landscape of corporate valuation, this report illuminates a powerful truth: the understood value of a brand is a vital contributor to a companys share price. With these revelations, C Suite executives are empowered to strengthen their corporate narratives with the goal of more effectively communicating with the investment community," said Andrew Miller, Chief Growth Officer, Interbrand.

The full report is available for free download: How Brand Impacts Share Price: https://interbrand.com/thinking/how-brand-impacts-share-price/

Report Methodology

The report, How Brand Impacts Share Price, includes a two-part qualitative-to-quantitative study of 241 hard-to-reach decision-makers among financial analysts, financial journalists, and investor relations professionals.

Additionally, a separate analysis spanning five years included S&P 500 U.S. publicly traded companies as well as Interbrands 100 Best Global Brands. This informed the categorization of 532 companies across 51 market sectors into distinct groups based on their price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio and share price volatility. P/E ratios were averaged to yield a range of -200, 200. The 51 sectors present in this study were set by Interbrands Best Global Brands 2023 sector allocations and Yahoo Finance sector definitions.

The full methodology is available in the report: How Brand Impacts Share Price: https://interbrand.com/thinking/how-brand-impacts-share-price/
Rising Star Communication, a renowned integrated communications agency, has bagged the PR mandate for Webskitters Academy, a leading player in the educational technology sector. Rising Star Communication's ability to craft compelling narratives tailored to the founders' vision also played a significant role in its selection.

In this partnership, Rising Star Communication will oversee Webskitters Academy's overall communications strategy, including developing a comprehensive PR framework, crafting key brand messages, nurturing relationships with the media and stakeholders, and formulating a content strategy. Rising Star Communication is a reputable PR agency in India known for its expertise in building strong relationships between companies and their stakeholders. With a dynamic and innovative approach, Rising Star Communication has successfully implemented communication strategies targeting brands' end consumers, potential partners, industry peers, and the investor community.

Durvesh Yadav, Founder of Rising Star Communication, expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating, "We are delighted to partner with Webskitters Academy in their mission to provide high-quality education and skills training. Our team is eager to leverage our expertise and creativity to enhance Webskitters Academy's brand positioning and visibility in the educational technology sector."

Arpita Sarkar, Director Talent Acquisition at Webskitters Academy, also expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, noting that it will enable the academy to communicate its brand story more strategically and connect more deeply with its audience. She highlighted Rising Star Communication's track record of enhancing brand equity and recall value for numerous established and emerging ventures, emphasizing that their expertise in public relations will be instrumental in elevating Webskitters Academy's visibility and success.
State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation

Bern, 22.03.2024 - State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation Martina Hirayama will travel to India from 23 to 28 March on a science mission. She will be accompanied by a science delegation and visit Bangalore and New Delhi. Switzerland and India are long-standing cooperation partners in education, research and innovation (ERI). The visit will further strengthen bilateral relations in these areas.

On the agenda for State Secretary Hirayama and the science delegation are official talks with representatives from relevant ministries. The talks will provide an opportunity to discuss bilateral relations in the field of science as well as future prospects. Ms Hirayama and the delegation will also visit leading research institutes and businesses in order to familiarise themselves with developments in India's ERI landscape and to identify possibilities for future cooperation.

Switzerland and India maintain good ERI relations, which are supported by various instruments. A bilateral agreement has been in place between the two countries since 2003 to strengthen cooperation in the fields of science and innovation. The agreement provides for a Joint Committee Meeting every two years; the next one is expected to take place in Bern later this year.

The Swiss global network for education, research and innovation, Swissnex, has been present in Bangalore since 2010, where it supports the networking of Swiss and Indian ERI stakeholders. Since 2016, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and its partner agencies in India have funded almost 240 joint bilateral research projects. Furthermore, SERI has mandated the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) as the leading house for South Asia and Iran to expand scientific cooperation between these regions. Since 1961, the Confederation has awarded almost 340 of its Excellence Scholarships to Indian researchers.

Address for enquiries

State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI

Communications

medien@sbfi.admin.ch

+41 58 485 67 74

Publisher

State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation

http://www.sbfi.admin.ch




KIEV, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Russia unleashed a major attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure on Friday morning, damaging power facilities in many regions, said Ukrainian authorities.

The air strike was "probably the largest attack" on the Ukrainian energy system ever, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, chief executive officer of the Ukrainian state-run energy company Ukrenergo, was quoted by the Interfax-Ukraine news agency as saying.

"It was carried out with the use of combined weapons, not only cruise missiles, but also Shahed drones and ballistic missiles," Kudrytskyi said.

The Russian forces targeted thermal and hydroelectric power plants, as well as main power substations managed by Ukrenergo, he added.

One of the strikes hit Ukraine's largest hydroelectric station, DniproHes, in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, said Ukraine's state-run hydropower generating company Ukrhydroenergo.

A fire erupted at DniproHes following the attack, but there was no risk of a dam breach, said the company on Telegram.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia launched more than 60 Shahed combat drones and almost 90 missiles of different types at Ukraine overnight.

Maintenance work to restore electricity is underway in nine Ukrainian regions, said Zelensky. 
Airbus continues climate change monitoring with NASA

Airbus has been awarded a contract to design and build the GRACE-C twin spacecraft by NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory JPL (Pasadena, California).

Above: Artist View GRACE FO InSpace

Courtesy Airbus

This new mission of NASA and the German Space Agency at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) will strengthen the more than 20 year long partnership between the USA and Germany to ensure uninterrupted measurement of the Earth's gravity field, which started in 2002 with GRACE and continues with GRACE Follow-On, launched in 2018.

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During its five year nominal mission lifetime, the GRACE-C Mission (Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment-Continuity) will continue the series of measurements observing how Earths groundwater, oceans, ice sheets, and land shift, month-to-month, by measuring changes in the planets gravity field.

Alain Faure, Head of Space Systems at Airbus, said: It is amazing to think that, without looking down at Earth, two satellites more than 200 km away from each other, can tell us how quickly our ice sheets are melting. In environmental monitoring, continuity is key. The valuable data provided by the previous GRACE missions is testament to their success and it is great news that Airbus continues to be part of this international mission providing the tools to measure how our climate is evolving.

GRACE-C consists of two identical satellites flying around 200 km apart at an orbit altitude of 500 km with an inclination of 89 degrees. Each satellite will measure approximately 3 x 2 x 1 metres and weigh around 600 kg. Launch is planned no earlier than late 2028 from the USA.

Like its predecessors, the GRACE-C mission is designed to precisely measure small distance changes between the satellites due to gravity variations, with an unprecedented precision down to the micron. As the pair of satellites circle the Earth, areas of slightly stronger gravity (greater mass concentration) will affect the spacecrafts positions and hence the distance between them. The extremely precise microwave ranging system will detect these changes and enable the mapping of Earths gravity field with unmatched accuracy.

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Over the months and years, the comparison of these gravity maps, or the evolution of mass concentrations, will enable scientists to assess the global water balance, including groundwater tables and ice sheets, and the influence of climate change. It will also provide insights into deep and surface currents in oceans and ocean height contributors.

GRACE-C is a rebuild of the two GRACE Follow-On satellites with upgraded avionics based on state-of-the-art technology and the joint US-German Laser Ranging Interferometer (LRI), already flown on GRACE Follow-On as an experimental payload, now being the main ranging instrument.

The mission is based on a NASA/DLR interagency partnership: German contributions are funded by the Federal German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action as well as the Federal and Ministry of Education and Research. The optical bench of the LRI instrument is built by SpaceTech GmbH in close cooperation with the Max Planck Institute Gravitational Science (Albert Einstein Institute).

Airbus Defence and Space in Friedrichshafen will design, build and deliver the satellites to the launch site, including Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) support for NASA/JPL. The mission will be operated by the German Space Operations Center (GSOC) of DLR.
Gulf Shores police have issued a warning to spring breakers of increased police presence this weekend as spring break season moves into its third week along the Alabama coast.

We will be focusing our efforts on Impaired Drivers, Drug/Alcohol violations and traffic enforcement, the Gulf Shores Police Department posted to its Facebook page.

Through the first two weeks of spring break, Gulf Shores police have made the following arrests:

67 for underage drinking

12 for DUI

28 on drug charges

8 for public drunk

6 for theft/shoplifting

4 for obstruction of justice

2 for resisting arrest

The police department also reminded the public there is ban on alcohol on public beaches, which runs through the end of April. Gulf Shores is also exercising a zero tolerance policy toward underage drinking, drugs and driving under the influence.

We invite everyone to enjoy our beautiful beaches, the PD posted, but please be respectful and follow the local laws and regulations.
In a rare show of bipartisanship, the Alabama legislature unanimously passed a bill, known as the Scouts Honor bill, to allow people who were sexually abused as Boy Scouts to receive damages.

SB 18, sponsored by Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Pleasant Grove, passed the House on Thursday by a vote of 100-0 with two abstentions from Reps. Laura Hall, D-Huntsville, and Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham. It passed the Senate last month by a vote of 34-0.

Were just trying to get these men a baseline amount of help, so that maybe they can get therapy for a year or two and get their feet under them. Thats it. Thats all thats all were trying to do and thats all were trying to do with SB18, said Gill Gayle, who advocated for the bill and was victimized by two Scoutmasters in Alabama in the 1970s.

The bill, which now awaits Gov. Kay Iveys signature, temporarily lifts the states statute of limitations so that victims of the Boy Scouts can receive damages from the Scouting Settlement Trust, a $2.6 billion fund that was established last year after the Boy Scouts of America filed bankruptcy.

The bankruptcy and settlement came in response to over 80,000 men who filed lawsuits against the Boy Scouts claiming they had faced sexual abuse as children by troop leaders.

According to the Boy Scouts and the Coalition of Abused Scouts for Justice, this is the largest sexual abuse settlement fund in U.S. history.

The fund would allow victims of sexual abuse to receive between $3,500 and $2.7 million. In Alabama, there are about 1,500-2,000 survivors of sexual abuse by Boy Scout leaders who have filed claims against the trust, according to Coleman and victims.

The federal court has placed an April 21 deadline on any claims to the settlement trust, meaning Ivey must sign the bill into law before then in order for survivors to receive a fair amount.

If its not signed in time, victims in Alabama would receive somewhere between 1% to 10% of what people will receive in states that have lifted their statute of limitations.

Theres a lot of urgency with this legislation, Gayle said. The one thing that never goes away is what happenedits a recurring nightmare that you cant get rid of - no without help and all were trying to do here is get help.

For more information on how to file a claim, visit the Scouting Settlement Trust site.
A bill to allow the Alabama Farmers Federation to offer its own health plan to its members was debated for about an hour in the Senate Insurance Committee on Wednesday.

Proponents said it would give farm families a cheaper option for health care and help them stay in business.

Opponents said the health plan would let Alfa skirt rules insurance providers have to follow and cherry-pick healthy people to cover.
Controversial right-wing commentator Candace Owens and the Daily Wire have parted ways.

Daily Wire and Candace Owens have ended their relationship, Daily Wire CEO Jeremy Boreing wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) Friday. He did not elaborate on the circumstances behind the move.

Owens joined the Daily Wire in 2021 and hosted a weekday commentary show for the website. Shortly after Boreings announcement, Owens confirmed that she is no longer with Daily Wire (and reposted Boreings statement).

The rumors are true -- I am finally free, Owens wrote to her 4.8 million followers on X. She added, There will be many announcements in the weeks to come, posting emoji of the U.S. flag and a cross. She said fans who would like to support my work can visit her website (CandaceOwens.com) or make a donation to her on the Revv platform. Owens said she will bring back her show on her personal YouTube channel after a brief hiatus.

Owenss departure from the outlet comes after months of tensions between her and Daily Wire co-founder Ben Shapiro over her promotion of various anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, according to Mediaite.

Since the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians, Owens has been increasingly critical of the Israels military response in Gaza. No government anywhere has a right to commit a genocide, ever. There is no justification for a genocide. I cant believe this even needs to be said or is even considered the least bit controversial to state, Owens posted on X in November, comments that appeared to be directed at Israel. Shapiro, who is a firm supporter of Israel, was seen in a TikTok clip speaking at a private event calling Owens behavior absolutely disgraceful.

Owens has used her perch at Daily Wire to deliver commentary perceived as anti-Semitic. She recently said on her Daily Wire show that a Jewish gang in Hollywood is committing horrific things, and suggested Jews are going to be blamed if TikTok is banned (via Media Matters). Earlier this week, she liked an X post that promoted an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory that Jews were drunk on Christian blood (via Mediaite). In 2018, when she was with conservative student advocacy group Turning Point, Owens was asked at an event about nationalism, to which she responded, I actually dont have any problems at all with the word nationalism... Whenever we say nationalism, the first thing people think about, at least in America, is Hitler... If Hitler just wanted to make Germany great and have things run well, OK, fine.

In a post Thursday, the Anti-Defamation League, said, White supremacist & Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes is praising Candace Owens vitriolic antisemitism. Its hardly surprising, but it does set off alarm bells: When bigoted people come together to push an antisemitic agenda, it adds fuel to the fire of hate. Fuentes, who among other things has called for a white uprising to back Trump as dictator, said on his Rumble show this week that Owens has been in a full-fledged war against the Jews.

In response to the ADL, Owens commented Friday, I am grateful they have turned their smear merchant guns on me. The world already knows my heart. Their attacks will have the opposite desired effect. Awaken world. Thank you, @adl.

In the March 21 episode of The Breakfast Club talked show, Owens told host Charlamagne tha God that Shapiro doesnt have the power to fire me.

As I explained on Tucker Carlsons show, like, Ben doesnt have the power to fire me, she said. And its not even saying that we disagree on Israel and Palestine. I just think that hes -- obviously, his wife is Israeli. He spends a lot of time in Israel throughout the year. I think when you have an emotional attachment to some place, that sometimes your reaction to anything is going to be more extreme to it. You know?

The description of her show on Daily Wires website reads, Candace Owens holds nothing back in her show as she takes on the political and cultural issues of the day. Featuring deep dives, investigations, and exposes on todays burning topics. Watch CANDACE OWENS Monday through Friday at 2PM CT.

 2024 Variety Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC
A passenger under the influence on an American Airlines flight from Tampa got booted off after he allegedly stated he would take this plane down, along with other problematic language.

On Tuesday, Shail Nitin Patel, 29, was aboard American flight 2506 leaving Tampa and heading to Philadelphia when he began causing a scene while intoxicated, much of which was posted in videos on social media where he stated an Antisemitic slur and other aggressive language. According to American, law enforcement was requested to the aircraft due to the disturbance.

An affidavit from of Hillsborough County in Florida says Patel was erratically yelling and cursing at the passengers. While on the plane, Patel said, F--- you blue-eyed, white devils, the affidavit read. Im gonna take this plane down with all you mother-f-ers on it.

He spit on another passenger and hit him in the hand and face, the affidavit said. Patel was slurring his speech and had bloodshot eyes, that paired with a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath, the affidavit said.

Passengers on the plane detained him until law enforcement could handcuff and place Patel under arrest. Patel was charged with three misdemeanors: disorderly intoxication and two counts of battery.

The flight was delayed 30 minutes because of Patels outburst. He is scheduled to appear in a Tampa courtroom for an arraignment on April 1.

The trend in unruly passengers on airplanes has continued even as the pandemic restrictions on travelers have loosened.

In February, a fight broke out mid-air on a Southwest Airlines flight to Hawaii. Not too long after, the Department of Transportation reiterated its stance on unruly passengers on social media. In January, another passenger allegedly assaulted an American Airlines flight attendant, forcing pilots to divert the flight and then later kicking a police officer in the groin, court documents show.

But most notable among recent outbursts was a Dallas woman who went viral for an altercation with another passenger and demanded to get off an American Airlines flight in July. She was later banned from the Fort Worth-based airline.

According to the FAA, there have been 411 reports of unruly passengers in 2024 as of March 17. Last year, there were 2,075 reports of unruly passengers on U.S. flights.

2024 The Dallas Morning News. Visit dallasnews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A Gadsden woman has pleaded guilty to bilking her elderly mother out of more than $2.5 million.

Gina Cook Gilbert, 63, entered her guilty plea Friday to one count of first-degree financial exploitation, which is a Class B felony, according to Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall.

Gilbert had been made conservator over the financial account of her mother, Patricia Jerome, in October 2014.

Less than four years after being appointed conservator over the account, it was discovered that Gilbert used her mothers financial resources for her own personal expenses and breached her duties in caring for her mothers resources, authorities said.

During a civil lawsuit concerning the conservatorship and the subsequent criminal investigation, Gilbert admitted that she was unable to account for more than $2.5 million of her mothers financial resources.

Although Gilbert repaid the stolen funds at the end of the civil case, her mother died before she saw her daughter held accountable for taking advantage of her position as conservator.

After pleading guilty, Gilbert was sentenced to five years in prison, and ordered to serve two years of probation.

Elderly citizens deserve to be protected and taken care of when they are unable to care for themselves without worrying that their caregiver is exploiting them, Marshall said.

Unfortunately, this can even happen when the caregiver is a family member, he said. We cannot allow those who take advantage of the elderly to go unpunished, and I will continue to fight to make sure we hold those accountable who have accepted the responsibility to care for another person.
Fired Autauga-Prattville Library Director Andrew Foster is asking for his job back.

Foster, who was dismissed March 14, also asked for apologies, retractions and corrections to defamatory statements by library board chair Ray Boles, who fired him, and board attorney Laura Clark. His attorney sent letters to Boles and Clark Thursday.

The legal actions come after a week of turmoil at the local library system. The library board has offered various reasons for firing Foster, saying initially that he revealed confidential information to the press and committed an unspecified violation of criminal law.

Boles later gave AL.com multiple different explanations and claimed that Foster acted incorrectly when he complied with an open records request and recorded conversations. Boles told AL.com the issue was subject to a criminal investigation, but then said no report had been filed to local police.

Fosters attorney noted those discrepancies and said his reputation has been damaged.

Your story has changed more times than Elizabeth Taylor has changed husbands, according to the documents. But one fact remains consistent: falsehood.

Foster claims his termination was surrounded by false and stigmatizing statements and incorrect legal advice from Boles and Clark. He also says the decision to fire him was handled improperly under the Alabama Open Meetings Act.

Foster has never sought to frustrate or interfere with the Boards implementation of any decision regarding the removal or segregation of controversial books from the library, according to the documents. Instead, hes sought clarification from the board on its desire to either remove or relocate books as part of a policy enacted in February to not purchase or otherwise acquire any material advertised for consumers ages 17 and under which contain content including, but not limited to, obscenity, sexual conduct, sexual intercourse, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender discordance.

His attorney shared documents that detail email conversations between Foster, Boles, and Clark regarding books that have LGBTQ content or sexually explicit content.

AL.com also reviewed recordings, provided by Fosters attorney, that detail conversations between Boles and Foster regarding the 113 books Boles delivered to Foster for review and to keep in his office until the board could decide what to do with them. Several of the books had limited LGBTQ connections and little to no sexually explicit content.

If it has two moms in the book, Im not worried about that. Im going after sex and sexuality, Boles told Foster on Feb. 26. If two dads are making out in the book, we got to talk about that.

On March 4, Foster told Boles it would be better for transparency for the entire board to discuss the list. Boles said moving them to the adult section would be the best way for people to access them.

In that same conversation, Boles asked if Foster was recording conversations. Foster informed Boles that Alabama is a one-party consent state. Boles told Foster to let others know about recordings out of decency.

According to the demand letter, Foster received mixed messages from the board; after Boles referenced moving books, Clark suggested removing them.

Until we can go over and decide which ones fit policy or which ones dont, because there again, what I dont want at all to look like we are attacking the LBGT, Boles told Foster in a recorded conversation on March 8.

After Foster received a public records request from a reporter, Clark sent an email stating that email communication is privileged and confidential.

Alabamas open records law does not prohibit attorney-client information from being shared; privileged information can be shared at the discretion of the records keeper.

Foster told AL.com this is a cathartic moment for him, but he doesnt expect to get his job back.

If I am reinstated, I definitely plan to have conversations with my legal counsel about what means and measures I can put in place to protect myself, Foster said.

While Foster hopes that this will hold the board accountable for the statements that theyve made, he expects the road to recovery will be long.

I truly hate that for not just the library but the people of Prattville and Autauga County, Foster said.

Foster said even quiet, peaceful librarians shouldnt be easy targets. Instead, these are people who fight back with the tools of our trade - information and the truth.

AL.com reached out to Boles and Clark for comment.
The burned bodies of a man and a dog were found inside an RV which caught fire behind a residence in Foley, fire officials said Thursday.

According to the Foley Fire Department, fire and police units responded to a call just after midnight on W. Magnolia Avenue.

According to the Foley Fire Department, fire and police units responded to a call just after midnight on W. Magnolia Avenue. One person managed to escape, but firefighters were told another man was still inside.

Once firefighters had extinguished the fire and were able to escape, they found the body of Dallas Omega Martin inside, dead with what were described as severe burns.

The body of a small dog was also found inside the RV, the fire department said.

The Alabama State Fire Marshals Office, as well as the Baldwin County Coroners Office, are assisting in the investigation of the fire.
ABUJA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- At least 21 people were recently killed when a group of suspected gunmen attacked a village in north-central Nigeria's Niger State, local media reported Friday.

The gunmen, who attacked the Madaka village in the Rafi local government area of Niger Thursday afternoon, shot indiscriminately at residents while burning down about 50 houses and shops, and many cars and motorcycles during the carnage, Premium Times, a local online newspaper, reported.

Citing local sources, the local newspaper reported that "an unspecified number of people were also abducted" during the attack.

Isah Bwale, a district head of the area, told reporters that the orgy of killings, arson, and abduction wreaked havoc in the village.

The state government has launched measures to protect local communities against future attacks, said Bello Mohammed, the commissioner for security in Niger, at a press briefing.

Wasiu Abiodun, the spokesman for the police in Niger, told Xinhua over the telephone that an investigation has been launched into the incident. 
Authorities are asking for the publics help finding a 24-year-old missing from Birmingham Sunday.

Houston Tyler Hellums was last seen in the 2100 block of Bonner Way.

Birmingham police said he has been diagnosed with a medical condition that affects his behavior and judgment.

Hellums could be in Homewood, police said.

He is 5-feet, 6-inches tall and weighs 150 pounds. He is balding and has a beard.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Birmingham police at 205-328-9311.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, has reportedly resumed her charity work and has been working from home, months after she underwent abdominal surgery in January and sparked speculation about her whereabouts.

A spokesperson for Kensington Palace confirmed to the Telegraph on Thursday that King Charles IIIs daughter-in-law, formerly Kate Middleton, is slowly returning to her Royal Foundation Centre of Early Childhood commitments. The charity seeks to improve the lives of babies and young children.

Catherine, who is married to Prince William, has reportedly received updates about her campaign amid her recovery. Kensington Palace also said a study that she inspired has garnered overwhelmingly positive results, the Telegraph added.

Kensington Palace provided its update as the Princess of Wales time away from the public eye continues to spark conspiracy theories about her health, whereabouts and her relationship with Prince William, with whom she shares three children. Recently, bungled photos of the princess only fueled the conjectures.

Earlier this month, a person identified only as C tweeted an apology on the Prince and Princess of Wales official X (formerly Twitter) account claiming responsibility for a doctored Mothers Day photo.

Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing, the social media message said. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday has caused.

Since the debacle, internet sleuths, royal fanatics and others have scrutinized new pictures and videos of and allegedly from the Princess of Wales. Earlier this week, Getty Images announced that it would review a recently shared photo of the British royal, noting that it was digitally enhanced.

On Saturday, the Sun reported that Catherine was spotted in public for the first time since December, taking a casual shopping trip about a mile from her Adelaide Cottage home . The video raised red flags among fans, but TMZ, which shared a video of the same stroll, reported that the clip was taken on Saturday, and not anytime prior.

Amid the buzz surrounding photo and video of Catherines latest public moves, the hospital where she underwent surgery was reportedly a target of a medical record breach. Multiple outlets reported Wednesday that up to three people could be involved in allegedly accessing the princess medical records.

We take enormous pride in the outstanding care and discretion we aim to deliver for all our patients that put their trust in us every day, the London Clinic chief executive, Al Russell, said in a Wednesday statement to The Times. We have systems in place to monitor management of patient information and, in the case of any breach, all appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken. There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients or colleagues.

Times staff writer Nardine Saad contributed to this report.

_____

2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Nestle USA is recalling more than 440,000 metallic Starbucks-branded holiday mugs because they can overheat or break when microwaved or filled with extremely hot liquid, posing burn or laceration hazards.

According to a March 21 announcement on the U.S. Consumer Safety Protection website, the metallic mugs were included in 2023 Holiday Starbucks-branded gift sets. The mugs were sold in 11 oz. and 16 oz. sizes and the designs include the Starbucks Holiday Gift Set with 2 mugs, Starbucks classic Hot cocoa and Mug, Starbucks Peppermint and Classic Hot Cocoas and Mug, and Starbucks Holiday Blend Coffee and Mug.

The mugs werent sold at Starbucks stores. They were sold online and in-store at Target and Walmart, and through Nexcom military retail outlets nationwide from November 2023 through January 2024 for about $10, $13 or $20, depending on the gift set.

According to the agency, there have been 12 incidents of the mugs overheating or breaking resulting in 10 injuries, including nine severe burns/blisters on fingers or hands, and one cut on a finger. One incident required medical attention.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled mugs, and either return them to the place of purchase or contact Nestle USA for a full refund. Consumers can receive a cash or gift card refund when they return the mug to the store where purchased, or a check from Nestle USA when they visit https://www.nestleusa.com/info/contact-us-landing, scroll down to Leave Us a Message, click on Complaint, select Recall from the drop down menu, attach a photo of the mug or the gift set identifier code, complete the form and hit send. Proof of purchase, such as a receipt, is not required to receive a full refund.
UPDATE: Hazel is home safe after 10 days.

Were home and my mom is feeding her apple and shes drinking and wagging her tail guys I am in shock Im so so so so so happy pic.twitter.com/il4wn4rKGm  Hannah Riley (@hannahcrileyy) March 22, 2024

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Atlanta-based writer Hannah Rileys 10-year-old dog, Hazel, went missing when a vets office employee took her out without a leash and she escaped.

In a matter of days, their story has been shared across corners of the internet with hundreds of friends  and strangers  coming together to bring Hazel home.

With the help of social media, the internet is rallying around Riley for support, creating fliers, TikToks, and raising more than $10,000 for search efforts.

Heres what you need to know.

Who are Hannah Riley and Hazel?

Hannah Riley is a writer based in Edgewood, Ga. She works for the Center for Just Journalism, a nonprofit that works with media organizations on how they cover public safety issues.

Her dog Hazel, whom she calls her heart dog because of their strong bond, is a 10-year-old papillon mix, and is white with light brown patches in her fur. Riley adopted Hazel six years ago.

I saw Hazels picture on the Atlanta Humane Society website and beelined it, Riley said. She was a little rough around the edges  growled at the volunteer who tried to pick her up  but once she was placed in that little visitation room with us, the rest was history.

Riley added, Its barely an exaggeration to say weve been attached at the hip for the last six years.

Everything went awry when Riley went to Toronto over the weekend and received a call from her pet sitter.

How did Hazel go missing?

On Saturday, Rileys pet sitter told her that Hazel had ingested the sitters Delta 8 cannabis gummies and that they had taken her to a nearby emergency veterinary clinic.

But when an employee at the St. Francis clinic took Hazel outside unleashed, the dog bolted.

Details have been scarce and Riley has described frustrations with St. Francis and the offices corporate parent company, Thrive Pet Healthcare, which she claims has been largely uncommunicative with her.

Riley said a vet manager said Hazel escaped with a catheter remaining in her leg and a hospital tag around her neck. The dog is microchipped.

Where was Hazel last seen?

On Sunday, Riley said she heard that a man found Hazel running across the large DeKalb Industrial highway near the vets office. But he allegedly handed the dog to a woman who was waving her arms and he assumed was Hazels owner. The details are fuzzy, Riley and her supporters are working to make sure neighbors know who the dogs rightful owner is.

What has the vets office said?

Thrive Pet Healthcare confirmed that Hazel escaped while in the offices care but declined to go into specifics. They would not share surveillance footage with Riley.

Thrive said in a statement that it was deeply saddened by the incident. Our regional leadership is and has been in communication with Hazels family and remains supportive of the search.

Riley said a vet manager shared that the office has a search team and has solicited help from local businesses. But since going public, sharing her story and frustrations on X (formerly Twitter), internet detectives are also stepping in.

The internet rallies to help find Hazel

Hazels story has gone viral, with posts about her escape being viewed more than a million times on X.

As the days went by, more sleuths have stepped in, sharing Hazels flier, recruiting help from local animal shelters and volunteers, and making their own TikToks about the situation.

Its become a real fixation for some  right up there with Princess Kate Middletons whereabouts  with viral tweets about finding Hannah Rileys dog.

With the help of herfriends, Riley has launched a volunteer sheet with tasks  like shelters to call and nearby businesses to take fliers to  where those called to act can sign up to help.

A friend also launched a GoFundMe to help raise money to put toward ad space  a billboard is in the works  to spread the word. It collected more than $10,000 in less than 24 hours. Any leftover funds will be donated to a local animal rescue, according to the fundraiser.

The large-scale mobilizing is not lost on Riley.

Honestly, I think I would be feeling a million times worse right now if I didnt have this army of people both looking for Hazel and looking out for me, emotionally, she told The Inquirer. I feel so wrapped up in peoples love and care. If this were happening to someone else, I know I would be doing the same thing. Its the most relatable nightmare for any pet owner. I cant say how much comfort it brings me to not feel alone in this.

Whats happening now?

Riley said shes considering a lawsuit.

A woman called me last night to let me know St. Francis had lost her dog, Riley said. She had threatened to sue to prevent it from ever happening again [to someone else], and here we are.

According to the American Humane Association, one in three pets will go missing in their lifetime, amounting to about 10 million lost animals each year. But the frequency of how often a pet goes missing from a veterinarians office is not easily traced.

Riley said next steps include purchasing billboards and other ads. She and her friends are also looking into tracker dogs and other professional services. But there have been no sightings of Hazel since Sunday.

___

(c)2024 The Philadelphia Inquirer

Visit The Philadelphia Inquirer at www.inquirer.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A major cruise line has stopped visits to the private Caribbean resort it operates due to an increase of violence and unrest in the area.

Royal Caribbean announced it was suspending calls at Labadee, its resort on the northern coast of Haiti. The move comes after the U.S. State Department issued an alert for Haiti and advised people not to visit the country. Haiti is at a Level Four travel advisory, alongside countries such as Russia, Syria and Burkina Faso.

Due to the evolving situation in Haiti, and in an abundance of caution, were temporally suspending our visits to Labadee for our entire fleet, the company said in a prepared statement as reported by Cruiseindustrynews.com. We continue to monitor and assess the situation with our Global Security & Intelligence Team.

Neither passengers nor crew have faced violence or threats, the company said.

Several Royal Caribbean ships were set to visit Labadee over the next several days. Instead, those stops will be replaced by a day at sea as well as extra time at a previously scheduled stop in Falmouth, Jamaica. Other ships will visit Nassau, the Bahamas or Perfect Day at CocoCay, another company-owned location.

Haiti is located on the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic sharing the island to the east. The Dominican Republic is under a level 2 advisory with visitors urged to exercise increased caution.

A do-not-travel alert for Haiti was issued in July 2023 for what the State Department described as kidnapping, crime, civil unrest and poor health care infrastructure. Later that month, the U.S. ordered all family members of U.S. government employees and non-emergency personnel to leave the country. American government personnel have been limited to only confined areas around the Embassy and are not allowed to walk in Port-au-Prince, use any public transportation, visit banks or ATMs, drive at night or travel between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.
Some sources say future Birmingham homebuyers could save thousands as the result of a recent settlement made by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). But local realtors question whether the settlement could actually make the early stages of purchasing a home more difficult, especially for middle class shoppers.

The current system was set up to help buyers and sellers. And so my question is, are home prices going to be cheaper now? said Birmingham realtor Marshall Malone. I just dont see that happening, especially right now when theres so little inventory. Buyers have a hard job ahead of them.
Decatur police say two men have been arrested in connection with $40,000 worth of unauthorized transactions using school system gas cards.

Samuel Kieran Booker and Dy-Kerius Rushuan Allen have both been charged with fraudulent use of a credit or debit card, according to police. Booker turned himself into police on March 8, while Allen did the same on March 14. Booker was booked into the Morgan County Jail on $1,000 bond, and Allen on $2,000 bond.

According to police, Decatur City Schools officials filed a report in February dealing with unauthorized transactions on multiple gas cards dating back to May 2021.

Investigators say Booker and Allen were former employees of the system who resigned in April 2021. Shortly after, they say, the two began using cards assigned to school system vehicles.

In all, the charges totaled more than $40,000, police said.

The case has been forwarded to the Morgan County District Attorneys Office for the consideration of additional charges.

According to WHNT, officials with the school system said it has taken proactive steps to prevent further unauthorized access and charges
When Biden entered the Oval Office following the fraudulent 2020 presidential election (81 million votesROFL) he and his puppeteers immediately undid everything that President Trump put in place to secure our southern border. At the time, many Americans were dumbfounded. Dont Biden and his puppeteers know what will happen if the border is left wide open?

The answer is that destroying the United States was always the Democrat partys plan. Having 10 million (and growing) illegal alien invaders is the easiest way to destroy America. It doesnt matter to Biden & Company if some illegal invaders are injuring, raping, and murdering Americans. It doesnt matter to Biden & Company if some illegal invaders are committing home and retail burglaries, flooding America with fentanyl, and destroying cities with rampant crime. It doesnt matter to Biden & Company if some illegal alien invaders are given free health care, free food, free education, free housing, free cell phones, and free debit cards while Americas homeless veterans sleep on the streets.

What matters to Democrats is that illegal alien invaders could be future Democrat voters. The jackass party is desperate to find new voters since polls show traditional Democrat constituents leaving the Democrat plantation.

Image: A days worth of illegal aliens at just one sector of the border. YouTube screen grab.

Even if all these illegal invaders dont vote blue, their presence benefits the Democrat party. On March 7, Elon Musk tweeted on X/Twitter:

Most Americans are still unaware that the census counts ALL people, including illegal immigrants, for deciding how many House seats each state gets! This results in Dem states getting roughly 20 more House seats, which is another strong incentive for them not to deport illegals.

Tom Langan, President of Morale Boosters, one of the very few outside ministry/support groups serving Border Patrol Agents on a continual basis, has heard reports from reliable sources (who have visited various detention centers and spoken with illegals) about what illegals are repeatedly told.

My sources say that illegals have told them that throughout their journey, illegals are told that when they get into America to vote for Joe Biden and Democrats. They are told this throughout their journey: from departure point, along the way, and after they arrive for processing. The newcomers are continually reminded that they must vote for Joe Biden and Democrats.

Who is telling newcomers to vote for Democrats? Is it:

Drug cartels who like the ease of getting fentanyl and other drugs into the United States?

Leftist non-governmental organizations (aka NGOs)?

Democrat operatives that will do anything to keep the United States on a radical socialist trajectory?

A combination of all three?

Morale Boosters is one of the very few outside ministry/support groups serving Border Patrol Agents on a regular basis. President Tom Langan said, The ministry has helped boost the morale of thousands of Agents on the southern border since 2018 and has never seen them so demoralizedto the point that Agents no longer want to be thanked for doing their jobs. Despite that, we will continue to do what we can to encourage Agents.

Langan went on to explain that the perception among Agents is that the public is willfully ignorant or indifferent. He says that most Americans dont know how bad it is at the border or they dont care as long as their everyday lives arent personally affected. Langan went on to explain:

Border Patrol Agents now spend 8 hours per day in front of a computer screen processing (data entry) instead of doing what they were hired (and want) to do: patrol, block, pursue, arrest, and deport illegals. Agents feel like DMV workers now. Agents are demoralized, angry, and frustrated. Many of those with less than 10 years of service have quit. Those who can retire (20 years), retire. Agents with between 10 and 20 years of service remain and feel trapped by their income and family responsibilities. It is very difficult for them to transition to comparable jobs in Law Enforcement, where the morale and public support arent much better.

All of these Democrat policies now hurt traditional Democrat constituents. Initially, radical socialists in non-border states could ignore the illegal alien invasion and just focus on the possibility of millions of new Democrat voters. But thanks to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, now all 48 lower states are border states. Abbott frequently buses illegal alien invaders to Democrat cities so these sanctuary municipalities can share the overwhelming burden of taking care of illegal aliens.

The disastrous results are seen in most Democrat cities. In New York City, they emptied a school to house the aliens. In Chicago, they sought to use park facilities that serves poor neighborhoods. In Denver, Colorado they are laying off employees to find the money to pay for all the illegal alien invaders. Oops, we mean newcomers. From Denver Channel 9 News:

The City of Denver is trying to avoid the word layoffs when it comes to impending budget cuts. So instead, theyre telling some hourly on-call employees they may have their hours reduced to zero. The reduction in hours of operation and programs will affect the number of hours worked by many on-call, some to the point where they may not receive any hours, a statement from Denver Parks and Recreation Director Jolon Clark read in-part. The final decisions on hours for any individual position have not been made yet. The department is working to cut $4.3 million to help the city pay for the migrant crisis. Mayor Mike Johnston said Monday it hasnt been decided which jobs will have their hours cut and by how much. We have not made any final decisions on cuts other than the ones that we announced already, Johnston said. All of our departments, all of our agencies, were going to have to find a way to prioritize.

While American cities are being destroyed by the Democrat partys illegal alien invaders, Langan points out that:

Illegals far outnumber Agents, so Agents feel overwhelmed. Just to keep up with processing, and when an interpreter isnt available, Agents are told to fabricate reasons why the illegal came to America. EverySingleOne of the illegals lies about why they came here and what they did in their home country.

Even if Agents report the illegal is a convicted criminal in their home country, if there is nothing on record in the U.S. the illegal is released and given a court date to appear. These include tattooed individuals who are clearly gang-affiliated, and who would have been stopped at the border previously.

All Illegals are given court dates to appear before an immigration judge, but they have no intention of appearing. Border Patrol Agents are not responsible for making illegals appear. Others in the DHS are responsible, but court dates are not enforced.

Drivers regularly flip-off Agents at check points. Agents are no longer feared nor respected.

Illegals receive free medical care, food, sleeping quarters, cell phones, clothing, money, etc. by the federal government before and after they are transported throughout the U.S.

NGOs (Non-Government Organizations) provide additional benefits and incentives to illegals. They also funnel money to smaller organizations who are in it for the money.

The United States of America has only one chance of stopping this illegal alien invasion and saving the United States of America from radical socialism. ONE CHANCE!

November 5, 2024.

Everyone can do something to keep the House and flip the Senate to America First Republicans. Everyone can do something to put Donald Trump back in the White House. Everyone can do something.

What are you planning to do?

Robin M. Itzler is a regular contributor to American Thinker. She can be reached at PatriotNeighbors@yahoo.com.
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a bill that would force TikToks Chinese owner to either sell the video app or have it banned in the United States.

Although there is a debate over the details and approach of the law itself, the bill represents growing concerns over just how far the tentacles of Chinese spying reach.

Indeed, these tentacles are expanding well beyond TikTok through the complex and expanding sea of international economic cooperation, advancing technologies and intelligence gathering methods, intensive military integration with foreign partners, and the role of independent firms with valuable information. As a result, significant risks to U.S. intelligence have been identified in foreign bases where U.S. military technologies are used, at home through critical threats to U.S. infrastructure and technologies, and, most recently, through U.S. contracting firms with links to the Peoples Republic of China (PRC).

PRC Military and Infrastructure Expansion

Over the past decade, the U.S. government has become more and more attentive to the threats posed by the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) extension of its technology and infrastructure across the world, particularly as the PRC has proliferated its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) into states that are security partners with the U.S. At the same time, the Biden administration continues to implement its National Security Strategy of integrated deterrence against China and is building deeper security relationships with global partners. Many of these partner states are adopting PRC technologies, military infrastructure, and civilian infrastructure, which the government believes present risks to U.S. intelligence and security.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), for example, has stated that the use of PRC Fifth Generation (5G) technologies by U.S. allies would create security risks for DOD operations overseas that rely on networks with Chinese components in the supply chain. Similarly, regarding CCP military equipment, General Michael Erik Kurilla stated in a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing on USCENTCOM that the CCPs expanding sales of arms and equipment in the region complicates partnership and cooperation with U.S. forces, noting, ...if there is Chinese equipment there, we are not going to be able to integrate it with U.S. equipment. PRC military infrastructure projects, such as ports and military bases, also raise red flags for U.S. security cooperation.

As a result, both the Biden and Trump administrations have attempted to sanction the use of certain PRC technologies and infrastructure by U.S. partners that pose intelligence and security hazards. For example, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency raised concerns about major Chinese investment in Israel, in particular the Haifa port, and eventually led the Israeli navy to take special actions to protect its platforms from spying. In 2021, CIA Director Bill Burns told Prime Minister Naftali Bennett the U.S. was concerned about Chinese investments in Israel, particularly in the tech sector and on major infrastructure projects, and pushed for the creation of an Israeli advisory mechanism to address the national security aspects of foreign investment (the Advisory Committee for National Security Affairs in Foreign Investment). The government has even pressured Britain to divest from Huawei in its 5G networks, in part to protect U.S. personnel and proprietary defense information in future deployments to British bases, and has resisted arms cooperation between U.S. allies and China and Russia.

PRC Hacking and Threats to U.S. Infrastructure

Security and intelligence vulnerabilities are also continuing to emerge at home. In 2023, Microsoft disclosed that a China-based hacking group, which they call Storm- 0558, is focused on gaining access to email systems for intelligence collection and has breached an unidentified number of email accounts linked to around 25 organizations, including some related to individual consumer accounts and government agencies in Western Europe and the U.S. More recently, U.S. officials and industry security officials told The Washington Post that the Chinese military is ramping up its ability to disrupt key American infrastructure, including power and water utilities as well as communications and transportation systems by burrowing into the computer systems of these entities.

Earlier this year, the U.S. and international cybersecurity authorities issued a joint Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA) following the discovery of a cluster of activity of interest associated with a PRC state-sponsored cyber actor, Volt Typhoon. Volt Typhoon, which has traditionally focused on espionage and information gathering, has been developing capabilities that could disrupt critical infrastructure in areas that include communications, manufacturing, utilities, transportation, construction, maritime, government, information technology, and education. According to the Executive Director of the Department of Homeland Securitys Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Brandon Wales:

It is very clear that Chinese attempts to compromise critical infrastructure are in part to pre-position themselves to be able to disrupt or destroy that critical infrastructure in the event of a conflict, to either prevent the United States from being able to project power into Asia or to cause societal chaos inside the United Statesto affect our decision-making around a crisis.

Security Risks from US Contractors in China

U.S. officials are also becoming increasingly unsettled over some of Americas defense contractors proximity to China. Earlier this year, the chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee called for a probe into federal contracts involving private consulting companies that work for both the U.S. government and the Chinese government (and PRC state-run firms) and warned of the potential for major national security risks. In a letter to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Committee cautions:

In some instances, consulting firms have supported entities directly tied to the Chinese government, including by building artificial islands to position missiles, fighters, and bombers in the South China Sea, and participating in exercises for an amphibious assault on Taiwan. We are concerned that the provision of such services simultaneously could create conflicts of interest that threaten American national security and undermine U.S. foreign policy.

Indeed, many U.S. companies that operate in China pay a heavy price in terms of national security. The CCP aggressively monitors foreign firms and forces them to abide by Chinese rules. These firms may also become vulnerable to subversion while in the country. As a result, some experts forewarn that Chinese intelligence officers are stealing their trade secrets and extracting their data.

The CCP also enacts laws that actively facilitate espionage against foreign companies. Chinas National Intelligence Law, for example, declares that any organization and citizen shall, in accordance with the law, support, provide assistance, and cooperate in national intelligence work, and guard the secrecy of any national intelligence work that they are aware of. Some analysts interpret this law as requiring Chinese companies to cooperate with intelligence services, including compelling the installation of backdoors to provide private data to the government. Hence, U.S. military consulting firms working with PRC companies may be at risk for exposure.

Another CCP law requires, among other things, that technology companies that discover or learn of a hackable flaw in their products must share information about it within two days with the PRCs Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The Ministry then enters the flaw into the PRCs Cybersecurity Threat and Vulnerability Information Sharing Platform, or National Vulnerability Database. The data is then shared with several other government bodies, including Chinas National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Teams/Coordination Center, or CNCERT/CC, which, in turn, makes the information available to technology "partners" that include Chinese organizations devoted to exploiting these vulnerabilities.

One such partner, the Beijing bureau of China's Ministry of State Security, has been identified by the White House, the Department of Justice, the United Kingdom, the EU, NATO, and governments from Japan to Norway as being responsible for many of the PRCs most aggressive state-sponsored hacking operations in recent years and for other spying and cyber-crimes and attacks. CNCERT/CC information is also shared with Shanghai Jiaotong University and the security firm Beijing Topsec, both of which have a history of lending their cooperation to hacking campaigns carried out by China's Peoples Liberation Army (PLA).

Despite these security concerns, the federal governmentincluding its key defense agenciescontinues to allow its contractors to work closely with the Chinese government. For example, the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security awarded SAP Concur, a cloud-based company that provides travel and expense management software, and its subsidiary, a contract despite the organization having offices in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. The company also works with several Chinese companies including Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu that, according to Chinas National Intelligence Law, are required to support and assist the CCP and the PLA. SAP Concur also stores its China service data in China.

U.S. Procurement of PRC Equipment

Susceptibilities also occur through the government purchases of foreign equipment. Surprisingly, the U.S. government is still purchasing some Chinese-made drones from DJI, a leading PRC drone manufacturer which has been labeled a Chinese military company in 2022 by the Department of Defense and receives financing from four investment bodies owned or administered by the Chinese government, including one tied to the Peoples Liberation Army. Although there has been progress, such as the banning of foreign-made unmanned aircraft systems under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, purchases are allowed for civilian federal agencies, such as the U.S. Secret Service and the Department of the Interior, as well as many state and local governments.

In conclusion, threats to intelligence and security are continually evolve as technology and methods advance and geopolitics change. In recent years, the U.S. Department of Defense has identified many of these new potential intelligence breaches and security vulnerabilities posed by CCP technologies, infrastructure, and firms in foreign countries in which the U.S. maintains security cooperation. However, there is a greater need to address these vulnerabilities at home, many of which are exploited through activities nested in the private sector, U.S. contracting firms, and government institutions. As a result, it is critical that the government adapt information security and cybersecurity to this increasingly intricate environment and apply greater scrutiny and standards to governmental relations with the private sector.

Dr. C. Alexander Ohlers is a Visiting Fellow at the University of Tennessee where he teaches international affairs and politics. He is an expert analyst in international security, geopolitics, and international economics and development and is a former Senior Analyst for the U.S. Department of State in the Middle East.

Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License
Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, meets with a delegation led by Le Hoai Trung, secretary of the Secretariat and chairman of the Commission for External Relations of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, in Beijing, capital of China, March 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with a delegation led by Le Hoai Trung, secretary of the Secretariat and chairman of the Commission for External Relations of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, in Beijing on Friday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said that China is ready to intensify high-level exchanges with Vietnam, strengthen exchanges and mutual learning on theories and experience of party and state governance, effectively promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and jointly advance the construction of the China-Vietnam community with a shared future.

Le Hoai Trung said that the Vietnamese side is ready to work with the Chinese side to implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties, promote cooperation in various fields through inter-party channels, and push for greater development of Vietnam-China relations. 
America has roughly 335 million residents, of which 311 million are citizens. Each one of these humans, according to the principles of our founding, is a unique being living by the grace of a Divine Creator. Stewarding the country under this philosophical basis, with liberty and justice for all, is a great responsibility. Upholding the sanctity of so many lives and loved ones depends on mature decision-making.

The first duty and right of all citizens is to determine who among us is worthy of serving in the roles of lawmakers, executives, and judges. Our founders held that only those of exceptional honor could be entrusted with these positions. To place the dreams and potential of so many people in the hands of anyone is admittedly risky. Those who demonstrate the greatest discipline in choosing service over self are required, as the temptation to abuse power is ever-present. The need is for representatives who govern strictly within the bounds of the authority granted them by the people, upholding individual sovereignty for all to the greatest degree.

Which people? According to the Fourteenth Amendment, Section 2, the right to vote in federal and statewide elections is granted exclusively to voting eligible citizens. If a state is found to have denied, or abridged in any way, the rights of its eligible citizen voters to participate in federal and statewide elections, that state loses apportionment in proportion to the number of injured citizens. The state loses federal funds, congressional representation, and Electoral College votes.

There was a time when birthdates were not required to determine voting eligibility, nor were verified mailing addresses. This was a time of relative honor. Globalization has so transformed our reality that it is hard to remember what a small town was, with a bakery, a bank, a grocery, and a lumberyard  with a town clerk who knew everyone and his family tree. Ballots were anonymous, but everything else about life for many Americans was based on direct connection and accountability over generations. Voter ID was implied, as the person handing you a ballot on Election Day knew that you deserved that privilege and would shoulder the responsibility well.

Times have changed, and the meaning of honor has gone with them. We are told it is honorable to register to vote through a computer and check a citizenship box. We are told it makes us bad and mean if we question the integrity of using such a system. Registrars are told that the DMV has authority to validate voting qualifications, and pollworkers are chided when they dont emphatically refuse to look at an ID. In short, the very idea of owner-stakeholders, American citizens, stewarding our own destiny has been abandoned in practice, if not in parlance. Registering to vote, in the words of a commissioner of elections in New York, is an honor system. Where is the honor in anonymous civics?

In 1964, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Reynolds v. Sims that dilution of the vote was an equal abridgment to outright denial of the right to vote. Since the third sentence of the U.S. Constitution grants the right to choose representatives to the people of the several states, dilution of the vote is a foundational civil rights abridgment. Government by consent fulfills the purpose of securing our protected natural right, in America only, to be governed first by our conscience, as long as we recognize that inherent right in all other people as well. Those who serve in our limited government do so because of the authority we grant them, as long as our elections are fairly administered.

Programmers from all over the country volunteering with United Sovereign Americans have measured the effect of this honor system. In just nine states, analysts have uncovered over 17 million registrations that fail to meet any standard of eligibility, or even appear valid. This is not a statistical probability; these are individual registrations in statewide voter roll databases. Millions of them voted in the 2022 midterms, when our entire House of Representatives was purportedly chosen by eligible citizens. Contrast this with the mandate by Congress in 1993, under the Necessary and Proper clause, for election officials to maintain these records impeccably, thus protecting our national vision of freedom and equality under the law. The facts show that they have no idea who many of our voters are, although it is their duty to know. The official records dont adequately demonstrate a valid identity.

A voting system fundamentally contains three elements: voters, votes, and counts. Voters are upstream of votes and counts. This is why Congress mandated accurate voter rolls in 1993. It is also why federal prosecution guidelines identify voter registration fraud as a felony. Once a name appears in the list of registered voters, it is assumed verified as meeting all eligibility requirements for that state and granted a ballot. The potential for corruption of the votes and counts, via dilution of qualified voters votes, is real when voter lists are not accurate.

To see how this operates in reality, take the example of New Yorks 2022 midterm. Four days after this election was certified as accurate and legally compliant, the voter rolls contained at least 5.1 million registration violations. Seven hundred thirty-two thousand votes for the 2022 midterm were counted from these seemingly ineligible or invalid registrations. Thirty-five thousand three hundred twelve votes have no voter at all. Instead of meeting federal accuracy requirements of voting systems, mandating a maximum error rate of 0.0008%, the New York State Board of Elections trampled it with a voting error rate of 12%. Twelve races specifically protected under the Fourteenth Amendment  for U.S. senator, nine House of Representatives seats, governor, and attorney general  had a margin of victory less than 12%. The magnitude of dilution is staggering, as well as the civil rights injury to the rest of the nation. Use of the honor system has destroyed the integrity of our elections, leaving no way to certify outcomes.

There is no honor in watching our country slide into tyranny, instability, or violent discord. We must immediately use these facts, already prepared for ten U.S. states and with twelve more in process, to demand that every ballot in our 2024 general election come from a qualified citizen voter, as the U.S. Constitution requires. United Sovereign Americans, an all-volunteer non-profit organization, was created to enforce this process using federal law. Millions of dollars worth of meticulous research is complete.

Our country was founded on the principle that each one of us was created, and has a right and duty to live according to the unique gifts, opportunities, and responsibilities we were given by our Creator. The federal government didnt give us life or wisdom, and the federal government cant judge it or take it away. It exists to protect that original relationship. It is time for us to demand that this broken election system be immediately fixed. We require a valid 2024 election that obeys the law.

Marly Hornik is the CEO of United Sovereign Americans, Unite4Freedom.com, as well as executive director and president of New York Citizens Audit, AuditNY.com.

Image: cagdesign via Pixabay, Pixabay License.
Among the heart-breaking scenes from the Middle-East are video reports showing civilian casualties of the current war. In the West, we cringe at those images, especially the ones showing small children  dead, grievously wounded, or orphaned.

In Gaza, there seems to be little reciprocity of sympathy. Newsmax reports that more than seventy percent of Gazans approve of the October 7 attack on Israel, in which more than 1,200 Israelis were killed, many by unspeakable torture. More than eighty percent deny that the atrocities were committed, even after watching the videos sadistically, and boastfully, recorded by the terrorists themselves. This reminds us of the self-contradiction that might be stated as We did not commit the crimes, and we are glad that we did.

This is a case of not cognitive dissonance, but rather moral depravity. It is lethal hypocrisy. In seeking to justify acts of evil, the evildoers soon discover that neither have they justification for them, nor do they need it.

Antisemites declare that every Jew should be killed. The rest of us do not have that same genocidal fervor toward Palestinians. While antisemites insist that there are no innocent Jews, sane people recognize that some Palestinians are indeed innocent of terrorism. I recall a news item from years ago in which a Palestinian immigrant to the U.S. explained his reason for leaving his homeland: the people there are crazy, he said, and worse, they demand that all Palestinians join with them in their insanity. We do not want that for our children. We want them to live.

Unfortunately, the crazies in Gaza are in the majority. There is no limit to their depravity. Even as Hamass policies impoverish the Palestinians, and worse, result in making rubble of their homes, and result in the deaths of their children  in spite of all that, the sole focus of most Gazans is their hatred of Israel and Jews, and of America.

Another misfortune is that the terrorists are enabled not only by hate-filled Gazans, but also by the elitist snobs in the U.S. and the abominable tyrants that constitute much of the United Nations.

Where does that leave Israel and the Jews? They must fight back. They must struggle for their survival. And they must do so in accordance with the basic rules of civilization, rules to which they themselves have given rise across 3,500 years of civilization, rules devised not by man, but by our Creator.

Their critics accuse them of bombing innocent civilians, of which there are undoubtedly many. Hamas itself murders innocent civilians  not only Jews, but Gazans who speak out against its tyranny. Where is the U.N. condemnation of that? Where are the Harvard professors?

Israel has never had it easy, and perhaps never will  not until Messiah Himself arrives. And He will.

Image via Pexels.
President Joe Biden announced Thursday that the White House has approved the cancellation of nearly $6 billion in federal student debt for thousands of public service workers.

The 78,000 eligible public service workers include teachers, nurses and firefighters, according to the White House.

"These public service workers have dedicated their careers to serving their communities, but because of past administrative failures, never got the relief they were entitled to under the law," Biden said in a statement touting the move.
It should be apparent to all that normal, productive people no longer sit at Americas heart. Instead, our government bows to, and we taxpayers support, all of the fringes, whether economic or social. This is an unsustainable burden for any society, even one like America, which used to be robust enough to handle a deadbeat fringe. (Thats in addition to the widows and orphans that all moral societies assist.)

Just today, I heard about an absurd new fad: Bed Rotters, who are people who stay in bed for days at a time. I found it difficult to believe, but at least thirty million Gen Zers cant seem to cope with everyday life and are part-time Bed Rotters. However, other former fringe behaviors and values have moved to the center of American life.

Homosexuality is no longer just accepted in the West; its promoted. That puts us at odds with other parts of the world. India has few gay people, and laws and customs are not supportive. In China, theres not the acceptance or customs to allow it there. Islam, of course, declares homosexuality to be an apostate practice, complete with executions, something Queers for Palestine seems to have missed.

Although the number of LGBTQ people grows daily (suggestion faddism and social contagion), practitioners in this sexual cult are still a minute portion of the American population, yet the time devoted to them and their societal travails is immense. Who benefits? Not society as a whole, which is why its not organic but is a planned assault on norms.

Image created using AI.

Illegal immigration is being normalized, with Joe Biden calling illegal aliens newcomers as if they have a right to be here. New York Citys Mayor, Eric Adams, floated the idea of inviting asylum seekers into private homes. It seems everyone with a microphone (or megaphone?) is demanding we welcome a horde of low-skill invaders into our country unvetted, medically undiagnosed, and frequently criminally active into our country. Youre supposed to close your eyes, cover your ears, and chant newcomer over and over until you, too, see the magnificent wisdom of Biden and his progressive left.

Fortunately, Americans seem resistant to this indoctrination. Illegal immigration is the number one issue this election season. Thirty-eight months into his term, Biden can only blame the Republicans for his decision to open the border in his first 100 days in office.

Schools across America have abandoned teaching traditional subjects such as reading, writing, arithmetic, history, and civics. They are, instead, indoctrination centers for progressive ideas about sex, race, patriotism, and economics. Why are we unsurprised that little Johnny is a MIT (Marxist in training)?

The government is growing at unprecedented rates, sucking money out of the economy and freedom out of American lives.

Democrats have gone from demanding that abortions be safe, legal, and rare, to demanding abortion up to birth, without restrictions. Their acolytes shout their abortions, showing pride in having murdered a child.

To win the election, Biden will say and do anything to placate his base, no matter how unprincipled. Theres no question that Sen. Schumers recent denunciation of the Israeli government had the administrations seal of approval (as Biden later made explicit). Otherwise, there would be no way that the highest-ranking elected Jewish official in America could state that Israel does not have a right to defend itself. What makes this particularly pernicious is that Hamas, which Biden supports in order to win votes, is lying about civilian casualty numbers.

I challenge anyone to find another time in our history when Americas producers, the ones who make and pay for things, were under such sustained legal, moral, governmental, and social attacks. Each of these attacks encourages bad outcomes. They also give the producers reasons to check out, retire, be angry, or abandon trust in their institutions. Indeed, Americans mistrust our government at record-high levels.

In a free country, individuals should be able to make non-criminal choices with which others disagree. However, those choices must not impede others nor make the country unable to function. Indeed, as a general matter, society, from the government on down, should encourage behaviors that benefit society. In the past, that was a given. Now, not so much.

We have the tools (our Constitution) and the option of a Constitutional Convention that our magnificent forbearers knew we might need one day. So, while the airwaves and social media are filled with emotional appeals to let people love the people they want, do what they want, and be whatever they want to be accepted as normal, moral, and good, this thesis fails because the producers wont (and cannot) subsidize them forever. Eventually, conformity is the societal glue that we rely on for our future. This is the most crucial question of our times, my friends. Crazy cannot be what we aspire to.

God Bless America.

Author, Businessman, Thinker, and Strategist. Read more about Allan, his background, and his ideas to create a better tomorrow at www.1plus1equals2.com
Ketanji Brown Jackson, is concerned the First Amendment is hamstringing the government.

Thats a 5-alarm fire of a pull-quote from a sitting Supreme Court justice, and she should absolutely be impeached and removed from the Court over it. Im as serious as a heart attack here. Nearly every sentence of this single thought of hers adds up to textbook fascism, (a hybrid economic system in which the private economy exists but under strict state regulations, and must give way to the national interest, which is whatever the government says it is.) So, lets go. First the full quote, directly from the SCOTUS transcript, followed by seven handpicked doozies worth analyzing:

JUSTICE JACKSON: So my biggest concern is that your view has the First Amendment hamstringing the government in significant ways in the most important time periods. I mean, what would -- what would you have the government do? Ive heard you say a couple times that the government can post its own speech, but in my hypothetical, you know, kids, this is not safe, dont do it, is not going to get it done. And so I guess some might say that the government actually has a duty to take steps to protect the citizens of this country, and you seem to be suggesting that that duty cannot manifest itself in the government encouraging or even pressuring platforms to take down harmful information. So can you help me? Because Im really -- Im really worried about that because youve got the First Amendment operating in an environment of threatening circumstances from the governments perspective and youre saying that the government cant interact with the source of those problems.

My biggest concern is that your view has the First Amendment hamstringing the government.

Really? Your biggest concern is how the First Amendment hamstrings the federal government? No, honey. No. Your biggest concern should be the federal government hamstringing the First Amendment. You have it exactly backwards. The charter of negative liberties is exactly that for a reason, intentionally crafted to restrict the governments ability to deprive the people of their essential liberties. The entire point of the Bill of Rights is to hamstring the federal government; how does she not understand this down to her bones?

Also, what do we not understand about censoring ideas here? Suppressing tweets is the new book burning, and howd that work out?

2. What would you have the government do?

Are you kidding? Government has the biggest microphone imaginable to make her case; granted, its hard to make a case against the very legal foundation of the United States, but persuasion is a big part of the job one asks for when one asks to do the peoples work. Because what comes after persuasion? Thats right: force. So youd better be good at the former. thats the job she asked for when she asked to do the peoples work. Now if its compelling, the people will heed it; if its not, then its a weak argument. Dont ask for such an awesome responsibility if youre not up to the task, and definitely dont ask for it if your first impulse is to suffocate it until it stops bothering you.

3. In my hypothetical, you know, kids, this is not safe, dont do it, is not going to get it done.

Thats what parents are for. The end.

4. Some might say that the government actually has a duty to take steps to protect the citizens of this country.

Yes, from each other. From murder and mayhem. Not from ourselves. Im a born-free American. I dont need you to babysit me. Im perfectly capable of sorting through information to make a reasoned decision. The solution to dangerous speech is more speech, not less, as Justice Brandeis so famously intoned when he said, To expose through discussion the falsehood and fallacies, to avert the evil by the processes of education, the remedy to be applied [to speech one does not like] is more speech, not enforced silence.

Image created by author using public domain photo.

5. You seem to be suggesting that that duty cannot manifest itself in the government encouraging or even pressuring platforms to take down harmful information.

Damned right. Government is force. The simplest ask from the federal government to (any company, but in this case) a social media company to police opinions it does not like carries with it an implicit  if not explicit  or else. How does this have to be explained? To anyone?

6. Im really worried youve got the First Amendment operating in an environment of threatening circumstances from the governments perspective

Good. When the government feels threatened, when it fears the people, there is Liberty. And once again, we have to notice her baseline impulse is to protect governmentnot you, not me, and not the people. Its not like the Feds are lacking any kind of influence whatsoever or at risk of being tyrannized by... tweets. Opinions. Good grief.

7. Youre saying that the government cant interact with the source of those problems.

Girlfriends got the source wrong. Its not social media; its us. In her mind, whether she knows it or not, or would admit it or not, we, the people, are the source of those problems. Us and all our messy Liberty. Talking to each other. Debating. Arguing. Over this, over that. Ew. No wonder shes upset.

Sarcasm aside, that really is her problem here. We the people. Until social media came along, the institutional left had near monolithic operational control of every information dispensing organ in the country: television, print, movies, education, and the federal bureaucracy. If they wanted to propagandize us, they could quite literally go full court press, with every quarter singing from the same songbook. But with Twitter and Facebook? Our opinions could be widely shared in a nationwide town square, and maybe even go viralthe left couldnt have that!

So what did they do? Well, as was revealed in The Twitter Files, the Feds had a 21st Century bat phone they could pick up anytime they saw a post they didnt like to encourage and pressure those agreeable companies into doing the governments bidding. Tony Soprano wouldve loved that bat phone.

Because thats textbook mafia fascism. For reals. The real thing. F-A-S-C-I-S-M. How KBJ does not understand this, all of this  down to her bones  is breathtaking.

Americans, freedom-loving Americans, who have been properly raised to understand our Constitution and cherish our inherent liberties would never, ever, in a million years, lament that the First Amendment had hamstrung government.

I would suggest that Ms. Jackson be brought in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee and asked to clarify her views on the First Amendment, but we dont want to set an abusable precedent. We dont want justices afraid to ask questions during argument, and we dont want them hauled before the very committee which was supposed to have vetted them thoroughly simply for asking one  albeit alarming  question.

However (and this is a big however), when that question exposes a foundational, fundamental, bedrock ignorance, dare we say inversion, of our first, most cherished principle, our souls right to breathe, thats absolutely impeachable.

Theyll never do it of course. The entire Republican conference put together lacks the testicular fortitude of one Nancy Pelosi all by her diminutive self. So I guess all we can do is wag a finger and say shame on the Senate for not doing the due diligence we just did here. They could have mined her thoughts on every amendment. They didnt. Its too late for that, but it needs to be noted, for the record, that they gave us a Supreme Court justice whose first impulse is to worry about the federal government, and since they wont remove her, every senator who voted for her must be removed, held accountable to us, those unruly, opinionated people.

Image: Public domain.
Was Hunter Biden the CIA's 'Man in Ukraine'?

Yesterday, the House Judiciary Committee reported that the CIA stuck its snoot into obstructing various federal cases against the now-president's wastrel younger son.

According to the New York Post:

The CIA blocked federal investigators from interviewing Hunter Bidens sugar brother Kevin Morris during a five-year probe into the first sons alleged tax crimes, a whistleblower has told House impeachment leaders. House Oversight and Judiciary Committee chairmen say the whistleblower informed them the intelligence agency stopped IRS and Justice Department investigators from interviewing Morris in August 2021, a Hollywood lawyer and patron of the first son, according to a Thursday letter addressed to CIA Director William Burns. The whistleblower informed Oversight chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) and Judiciary chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) that two DOJ officials were summoned to CIA headquarters in Langley, Va.  and told Morris could not be a witness for their investigation into Hunter Biden. However, these allegations track with other evidence showing how the DOJ deviated from its standard investigative practices during the investigation of Hunter Biden.

Why would the CIA care whether Hunter Biden's bong-sucking lawyer and "sugar brother" talked to federal investigators? They're supposed to be focused on foreign policy, not the Hollywood chi-chi crowd.

Mike Benz, a former State Department cyber official, has a well-informed theory about what was going on:

Hunter Biden was advancing a CIA project in Ukraine to swing the natural gas market towards NATO & thats why hes untouchable. https://t.co/pDZZy2b0kV pic.twitter.com/TgL6hTZKRF  Mike Benz (@MikeBenzCyber) March 21, 2024

To sum up Benz's remarks:

He's part of a CIA operation, multiple ones.

He was on the chairman's advisory board of the National Democratic Institute, an NGO linked to the CIA, a group that does overtly what the CIA tries to do covertly.

No one who isn't linked or vetted by the CIA gets to be on that board. It's the CIA.

His partner on the board of Burisma was CIA, too.

Taking over Burisma was a CIA operation, as was Naftagaz, a state-linked public/private Ukraine gas company.

The CIA has been trying to take control of Burisma and wrest the gas market from Russia to NATO and has been trying to do so for 16 years.

It wanted a U.S.-controlled gas market with a U.S.-controlled Burisma. Putin and Soros have fought over Naftagaz, a privatization target. The idea was to cut Russia off and kick it out of the European gas market.

If you kill Russia's energy exports, you kill its arms market -- and its arms sales to Africa with its rare-earth minerals.

Hunter would have been the tip of the spear for the CIA -- and his dad was Vice President Joe Biden as well as a top Senate foreign relations committee member for 30 years.

That is the coordinating wing between the Senate and the deep-state blob. The structure of the blob: The CIA, Pentagon, and State Department are all in together.

The CIA will lean on DoJ to kill investigations into criminal activity involving assets of the CIA so they can continue to do work in the U.S. interest even if it's a criminal enterprise, as that is its job and it has a license to do so.

Hunter Biden was part of a plausibly deniable CIA operation to swing the gas market towards NATO.

That's why he's untouchable.

So Benz posits, and yes, it's a credible explanation.

So like the crack-cocaine operations into U.S. inner cities that the CIA was complicit in enabling from Latin America in the 1980s, the Hunter Biden activity in Ukraine was one of these.

Hunter himself was in the role of the criminal, and yes, his activity certainly suggested that he did a lot of things criminals and drug lords do -- he certainly lived like a drug lord at Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood a few years ago.

Joe himself, of course, was 'the big guy.'

And like the Our Man in Havana plotline of Graham Greene's entertaining 1958 novel, lots of lies flowed from it.

One of which we experienced was the phony 51 intelligence leaders who signed their names to a phony claim that the contents of Hunter Biden's abandoned laptop computer were a "Russian disinformation" plot.

Remember this?

A former CIA official testified that then-Biden campaign senior adviser, now-Secretary of State Antony Blinken "played a role in the inception" of the public statement signed by current and past intelligence officials that claimed the Hunter Biden laptop was part of a Russian disinformation campaign. Former CIA Deputy Director Michael Morrell testified before the House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees, and revealed that Blinken was "the impetus" of the public statement signed in October 2020 that implied the laptop belonging to Hunter Biden was disinformation. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner, R-Ohio, sent a letter to Blinken Thursday, notifying him that the panels are "conducting oversight of federal law-enforcement and intelligence matters within our respective jurisdictions." "We are examining that public statement signed by 51 former intelligence officials that falsely discredited a New York Post story regarding Hunter Bidens laptop as supposed Russian disinformation," they wrote. "As part of our oversight, we have learned that you played a role in the inception of this statement while serving as a Biden campaign advisor, and we therefore request your assistance with our oversight."

Unlike the merry spy of Greene's Havana, driven by a need for money to finance a lavish lifestyle and willing to send fake stories sent to the London headquarters of British intelligence in Greene's farcical novel, the target of the fakery wasn't CIA headquarters, but the sovereign American voter, which is quite a bit less funny.

That's not the CIA's job, and the CIA is expressly forbidden to do that, meddling in domestic politics, particularly elections. They sought to sway the U.S. public that the laptop was fake, and got their pals at the FBI to suppress news of the laptop on social media, and in the end, meddled in U.S. domestic politics as if they were the KGB.

The foreign policy goal, to take over Russia's natural market in energy is worth debating, too. Nations do try to advance their interests and secure their power. But to shut Russia out of its own "near-abroad," market is kind of questionable.

Wouldn't something like that make them mad? Wouldn't it seem normal that they might try to counter that by hitting out at U.S. interests, and pal around with China as a result, undermining U.S. interests in more spectacular ways? Would we be happy if Russia sought to gain control of Mexico's or Canada's energy markets? (We seems to have already handed them control of Venezuela's energy markets, through sanctions, making Putin very rich and fat indeed). Is there no recognition of any detente to keep things a little calmer and more balanced?

Maybe this explains why Putin decided to strike Ukraine, particularly, as Benz notes, the U.S. fomented the color-revolution coup in 2014 to try to wrest control of Ukraine's gas even then, triggering a smaller invasion of Ukraine from Russia.

And maybe the CIA should have drawn the line at enriching a drugged-up, gun-brandishing, wenching, irresponsible human mess like Hunter Biden, to the tune of millions of dollars based on his political ties, enabling him to live a drug lord's lifestyle on the taxpayer dime.

There's no doubt about it that Joe Biden is the CIA's man on Ukraine which might be why every covert and sneaky dirty trick in the book was employed to get him elected to power without popular support.

That the U.S. voter and taxpayer is the victim here calls into question why we have a CIA enabled to act like this at all.

Photo illustration by Monica Showalter with use of images by Gage Skidmore, via Flickr // CC BY-SA 2.0, Acaben, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 2.0, PxFuel // public domain, ABC News YouTube screen shot, and logo // public domain
How many times have we witnessed the following sequence of events in D.C.?

In the first stage, D.C. Democrats float a spending package that is ridiculously expensive for the American taxpayer. The bill funds items that are dear to liberals such as combating climate change, green energy, foreign wars, foreign infrastructure, welfare funds for illegal aliens, etc.

There are often items that read like a parody sketch, but there is nothing comedic about these items because its money wasted; these items most often benefit the cronies of the lawmaker advocating the clause.

In the second stage, the GOP denounces the package and claims there will be no support. The phrase dead on arrival is employed by GOP lawmakers. GOP voters feel relieved that their representatives seem to be standing up to the recklessness and corruption of D.C.

In the third stage, the media and Democrats preemptively refer to a government shutdown if the GOP doesnt cooperate. They cite examples of how government employees will not receive their salaries and how school children wont get their meals. For a faction of the GOP who live in D.C. as second-class citizens always looking for approval from Democrats, this is a moment of panic.

In the fourth stage, the GOP leaders claim to be working with the Democrats to find  yes, that unfortunate word appears  compromise.

In the fifth stage, the GOP leaders rush to the nearest microphone and claim victory. They tell everyone that the revised bill contains substantial cuts to wasteful expenditure and is essential for [fill in the blanks]. The blanks could be any issue that is dear to the voter. What they dont reveal is what they gave up, which is usually substantial.

In the sixth stage, the bill, which runs into thousands of pages and is written in very complicated language, is released to lawmakers after 1 a.m., a deadline is set for the vote, and the government shutdown is mentioned.

The late hour and the deadline mean there is no time for review or comprehension.

Finally, the GOP leaders coerce skeptical lawmakers to vote for the package, and then the package is passed.

Part of the GOP is relieved that they wont be attacked on MSNBC and in the NYT for causing a shutdown. The Democrats stroll to the local pub and have a hearty laugh at how easy it was to be victorious despite being in the minority. The GOP lawmakers who willingly voted for the same bill are in the same pub but at a different table, hoping they will be invited to the Democrat table.

The sequence happened again yesterday, and the Democrats seem to be on the verge of another victory.

Congressional leaders have rolled out the final $1.2T funding package ahead of the Saturday shutdown deadline. The bill is 1,012 pages long and was released at 2:30 A.M.

At 2:32 amwhen Americans were sleepingthe Swamp released its second half of the omnibus.



1,012 pages that spend $1.2 TRILLION of taxpayer dollars on disastrous policies.



The House is still expected to vote on this monstrosity TOMORROW MORNING.



Washington is beyond broken. pic.twitter.com/AlZCDYWBKK  Rep. Andrew Clyde (@Rep_Clyde) March 21, 2024

Politico called the bill a conclusive defeat for House conservatives. CBS News states that if approved, the package would take the threat of a government shutdown off the table until the beginning of the next fiscal year on Oct. 1.

Politico additionally revealed that the legislation also includes a yearlong extension of the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR  an authorization Republicans had resisted, raising concerns about the programs funds flowing to abortion providers overseas.

The package grants 12,000 new visas for a program that allows Afghan allies who assisted in the U.S. war effort to immigrate to the U.S. Can the government be trusted to vet these allies?

$1 billion is dedicated to the Pentagons climate change activities and funding for a new FBI headquarters.

Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida revealed that the package funds a state organization that force-feeds the LGBT agenda in schools.

Wisconsins Senator is requesting nearly HALF A MILLION in taxpayer dollars for an organization that promotes LGBT programs targeting teenagers.



Their organization publicly advertises that these minors do not need parental consent to join. They even provide binders, gaffs, and pic.twitter.com/7kiGHpAHkj  Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) March 21, 2024

But House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) claims the package contains substantial cuts to wasteful agencies and programs while strengthening border security and national defense[.]

Johnson told the NY Post that the funding bill took precedence since it could affect the final vote tally for the foreign aid bill. I understand the timetable and understand the necessity of the urgency, the funding, he said. No one wants Vladimir Putin to prevail. Im of the opinion that he wouldnt stop in Ukraine. If he was allowed, hed go through all the way through Europe.

CBS News reveals that the package includes six bills and spans more than 1,000 pages, features money for the departments of State, Homeland Security, Defense, Labor and Health and Human Services, as well as funds for foreign operations, financial services and the legislative branch."

Texas Rep. Chip Roy blasted the bill and Speaker Johnson. Roy said Johnson blew it by conceding ground to Democrats on conservative policy priorities, like allowing for the Pentagon to continue its travel reimbursement policy for abortions and not including more stringent border security measures.

So what do we make of all this?

The passing of legislation lacks drama and hence the gravity of it often doesnt register. The media rarely focuses on it because it is interested in drama.

Legislation should be simple and focused on one basic item. There needs to be one solitary bill for border security; but instead, packages are concocted with numerous disconnected spending items. This is a method to slip in items that legalize corruption and quid pro quo deals.

The lawmakers hope that their voters will never read the thousand-page package. The bills are purposefully lengthy and complicated so readers are discouraged from the very first page.

The media focuses on fiery exchanges in Congress during hearings. The lawmaker prepares for this like an actor to humiliate their opponents. Thug life sound bites are shared on social media in which a conservative lawmaker ostensibly stands up against the billand voters conflate words with actions. But usually, there is no concrete action taken after the theatrics during hearings, which few bother to verify.

The lawmakers who put on a theatrical display during the hearing surreptitiously voted for the trillion-dollar spending packages that do not benefit citizens.

These lawmakers are not held accountable because voters remember the thug life drama and not the vote for a harmful and expensive package. They are re-elected, and the cycle follows forever.

This is what a large section of the GOP seems to be doing over and over again.

An ineffective and unreliable ally is always much worse than a sworn enemy. The enemy is doing what is expected by working against your interests and attacking you. Betrayal occurs only when those you think of as allies side with your adversary.

Another betrayal seems to be on the way.

Its time for voters to wake up.

Image: Public domain.
In the Washington Post article Dinners attracted ire before fostering insight (3/19/24), readers can gain insight about the author by reading his explanation of the Israel-Gaza conflict.

The humanitarian crisis wasnt created by Israels ongoing military campaign in Gaza. That couldnt be farther from the truth. Is the Post, along with the Gaza Health Ministry (which counts zero Hamas combatants killed in its casualty count), just another mouthpiece of Hamas?

Hamas started this war, committing a barbaric massacre against Israel, and now holds Israelis and Americans hostage, refusing to this day to release them.

Hamas refuses to surrender, which would end the Gazans plight immediately. Hamas soldiers often wear no uniforms and shoot from among and behind civilians  putting Gazan civilians in harms way on purpose.

All Gazan casualties are horrendous and 100% are due to Hamass ongoing war against Israel. Yes, they are scoring propaganda and political points. Thats exactly what they want, and Post articles like this reward them.

The humanitarian crisis wasnt created by Israels ongoing military campaign in Gaza. It was created by Hamass ongoing military fight against Israel.

Hamas  release the hostages, surrender, end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza! Washington Post  tell your readers the truth.

Dr. Michael Berenhaus is a freelance activist who works to combat anti-Israel bias in the media. He has been widely published in news sources such as The Economist, The New York Times, and The Washington Post.

Image: Daniel X. O'Neil via Flickr, CC BY 2.0.
by Chen Jiabao, Gao Bo

BANGKOK, March 22 (Xinhua) -- At Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, amidst the hustle and bustle of international travel, a batch of sleek, white electric taxis are painting the runway with a touch of modernity. These vehicles, produced by a leading Chinese automaker, have swiftly become an emblem of eco-friendly transportation at Thailand's busiest airport.

Suvarnabhumi Airport stands as the gateway to Thailand, welcoming over 50 million travelers annually. Recognizing the need for sustainable travel options, Airports of Thailand (AOT) has joined forces with China's GAC Aion to introduce electric taxi services since January this year. The initiative aims not only to enhance the passenger experience but also to propel the airport towards a greener future.

Bangkok taxi driver Suchat, 58, has been in the taxi industry for eight years. While he owns seven combustion engine taxis, his recent acquisition of a GAC Aion electric taxi marks a significant shift in his journey.

Reflecting on his experience over the past two months, Suchat expressed his delight with the electric taxi's performance. "It's powerful, quick off the mark, and offers ample space inside -- a perfect blend of comfort and functionality," he remarked.

What sets electric taxis apart, Suchat explained, is their remarkable cost-effectiveness. "With traditional combustion engine taxis, monthly expenses for fuel and maintenance can add up to 20,000 Thai Baht (about 571 U.S. dollars). In contrast, electric taxis require minimal maintenance and rely solely on charging. This translates to a significant reduction in costs, nearly one third less a month," he added.

Kerati Kijmanawat, AOT president, emphasized the company's commitment to promoting sustainable travel. The introduction of electric taxis at Suvarnabhumi Airport is not merely a response to governmental policies but also a proactive step towards establishing the airport as a model of environmental consciousness in Thailand.

Aside from deploying electric taxi services, the AOT has invested in infrastructure to support the electric vehicles (EVs). Sixteen 40-kilowatt chargers and two 150-kilowatt chargers have been installed at the airport's long-term parking lot.

Thailand's automotive landscape has witnessed a surge in electric vehicle adoption, with Chinese automakers leading the charge. In 2023 alone, pure electric vehicle sales in Thailand exceeded 73,000 units, marking a staggering 603.66 percent increase compared to the previous year. Notably, over 80 percent of these vehicles are Chinese brands, signaling a profound shift in the country's automotive preferences.

In September 2023, GAC Aion unveiled its first overseas model in Bangkok. Earlier this year, the GAC Aion Thailand factory project officially commenced construction in eastern Thailand's Rayong Industrial Park.

Ma Haiyang, general manager of Aion (Thailand), affirmed the collaboration between GAC Aion and Thailand aligns with the nation's vision for environmentally friendly transportation. Currently, Aion has delivered around 1,000 electric taxis in Thailand. According to plans, electric taxis will gradually be expanded to other airports in Thailand and throughout the country in the future.

Thailand aims to convert 30 percent of its annual production of 2.5 million vehicles into EVs by 2030, according to a government plan. Tax cuts and subsidies rolled out by Thailand have already drawn a raft of Chinese carmakers.

In recent years, China's EV makers have made a foray into public transportation in the Southeast Asia's second largest economy, with BYD exporting electric buses and SAIC's MG offering electric taxis to the country. 
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) appears to be on a mission against Apple. In an expansive antitrust lawsuit filed on Thursday morning, it accused the company of operating an illegal monopoly in the smartphone market. The lawsuit targets various Apple products and services, even making seemingly misleading claims against some of them. It also blames Apple for the failures of Amazon Fire Phone and Microsoft Windows Phone.

The DOJ says Apple caused the Amazon Fire Phone to fail, at least partially

The DOJs lawsuit against Apple, also signed by 16 state and district attorneys general, alleges that the company employed unfair and anticompetitive business practices to strengthen its smartphone market dominance. Among other things, it names CarPlay as one of the products that Apple uses to drive out competition and stifle innovation. The lawsuit says the new version of CarPlay can take over your car, which is a misleading statement.

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However, there are some more ridiculous claims buried in the 88-page lawsuit. According to the DOJ, many prominent, well-financed companies tried and failed to enter the smartphone market because of Apples entry barriers, which include strong network and scale effects and high switching costs and frictions. Amazon, which launched its Fire Phone in 2014 could not profitably challenge the iPhone maker and exited the following year.

Microsoft also discontinued its mobile business in 2017 after failing to compete against Apple. HTC, which sold its smartphone business to Google in September 2017, and LG, which exited the smartphone market in 2021, are the other two examples cited by the DOJ in its official complaint. Barriers are so high that despite controlling the development of the Android OS, Google is a distant third to Apple and Samsung in the US smartphone market.

Blaming Apple for the Amazon Fire Phone failing is absurd, to say the least. It failed mostly of its own accord. Notably, Amazon used a forked version of Android, did not offer the Google Play Store, and sold the phone exclusively through AT&T. Microsofts Windows Phone failed because of a poor app ecosystem. HTC and LG also exited the smartphone industry after failing to fight in the competitive Android market.

Apple will challenge the DOJs claims

Apple says the Justice Departments antitrust lawsuit is wrong on the facts and the law. Sure enough, it cant be blamed for the mistakes of other companies. Many companies have entered the smartphone market and succeeded over the past decade. Some of them also carved out a market for themselves in the US, including OnePlus. The Cupertino-based iPhone maker plans to vigorously defend itself against the lawsuit.
Apples brawl with the EU has become a never-ending story. After the iPhone maker was forced to allow app sideloading on iOS to comply with the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA), the continents antitrust chief has now scrutinized Apple over its new fee structure. The EU official has also issued a similar warning to Meta.

Speaking with Reuters on Tuesday, EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager noted that Apples plan to take new fees prevents users from enjoying the DMA and might dissuade them from using alternative app stores.

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In January, Apple revamped the App Store policies to comply with DMA. As a part of this, app developers can now distribute their apps via alternative app stores, which means they can evade paying a 30% commission to Apple. But if you think Apple will forget its commission, youre building castles in the air.

EU Antitrust Chief oversees Apples compliance with DMA

Apple still demands 50 euro cents per user account per year from app developers. Additionally, developers with entitlement to the App Store Small Business policy should pay a 12% commission, and others are entitled to a 27% fee. Taking fees from developers who want to use alternative app stores has also led Epic to file a new lawsuit against Apple.

On paper, Apple has fully complied with DMA rules. Meanwhile, EUs Vestager said, There are things that we take a keen interest in, for instance, if the new Apple fee structure will de facto not make it in any way attractive to use the benefits of the DMA. That kind of thing is what we will be investigating.

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Complying with DMA exposes users to security risks, Apple says

Vestager also added that discouraging users from migrating to alternative services might lead to an investigation. According to Vestager, developers feedback helps her to investigate the DMA violations by companies.

I would think of it as unwise to say that the services are not safe to use because that has nothing to do with the DMA. she said. The DMA is there to open the market for other service providers to get to you and how your service provider of your operating system, how they will make sure that it is safe is for them to decide.

Apple claimed that complying with some DMA rules could expose users to security risks. Conversely, an EU official threatened the tech giant with Strong action if it failed to comply with the DMA.
Google Keep is testing two new features aimed at enhancing note-taking and list-making experiences. The first feature, Help me create a list, brings generative AI capabilities to assist users in quickly creating shopping lists, to-do lists, packing lists, and more. This feature is a part of Google Workspace Labs, which is currently available to testers in English. Theres also another design revamp, currently under development.

Help me create a list in Google Keep and

Help me create a list is one of the latest additions to Google Keep on Android, designed to assist users with common list-making with Gemini integration. With this feature, (upon tapping Create in Keep) users get a Help me create a list button on the bottom right. Here they can simply type a prompt like Packing list for a camping trip with 2 kids in summer or Groceries for a week for a vegetarian family of 3, and Google Keeps AI will generate a corresponding list.

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Below the list, you will see a like and a dislike icon that represents a good and a bad suggestion. If the AI-generated suggestion appears to be inaccurate or inappropriate to you, and you select the dislike icon, you will get to select the issue you found and an option to explain it further.

A new floating bottom toolbar in Google Keep

Meanwhile, TheSpAndroid shows that Google is also testing a newly designed floating bottom toolbar. This feature is also in the works and currently hidden under flags, which you can enable, given you use a rooted device. This new floating design will likely replace the existing toolbar that covers the whole width of the screen after it completes the testing phase.

It features three primary buttons: one for taking a note, another for creating a list, and a third for creating a drawing or picture note. This streamlined design conserves screen space, particularly in landscape mode. This new floating design in Google Keep is actually very similar to the floating toolbar recently introduced in the Google Chat app, suggesting a consistent design language across Google apps.

The introduction of these features marks Googles ongoing efforts to enhance the functionality and user experience of Google Keep. While the Help me create a list feature aims to simplify list-making tasks, the floating bottom toolbar is a design revamp probably inspired by Googles Material You design language.
Samsung has dominated the AI chip market, securing an order valued at $752M for its Mach-1 AI accelerator chip production. This move shows how ambitious the Korean tech giant is to disrupt NVIDIAs stronghold on the AI accelerator segment and be a key player in the industry.

Samsung steals $752M order from NVIDIA, producing AI accelerator chips for Naver

Mach-1 is an in-house AI accelerator chip that Samsung has released. It has attracted attention with its superior performance compared to those of NVIDIA. Naver Corp has contracted to buy about $752 million worth of Mach-1 chips from Samsung. In partnering with Samsung, Naver seeks a way to relieve itself of NVIDIAs dependency as the demand for alternatives continues growing in the semiconductors market.

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This decision reflects a wider trend within the industry towards dual sourcing as companies look to avoid risks associated with dependence on only one supplier. Competitive pricing and innovative technology have made Samsung an attractive option compared to NVIDIA for AI accelerator solutions.

According to DigiTimes Asia, the negotiations might finalize with Mach-1 priced at around $3,756 per unit while Naver plans on purchasing between 150,000 and 200,000 units. This partnership will not only solidify Samsungs presence in the AI-chip market but also open up opportunities for collaborations with other tech giants.

Samsung might also partner with major players in the USA

Samsung is considering expansion into America by talking with major players like Microsoft and Meta. By leveraging the momentum gained from the Mach-1 deal, Samsung intends to secure more partnerships with leading tech organizations, cementing its position as a prominent participant within the AI accelerator space.

NVIDIAs AI accelerator card suffers from data bottlenecks due to general-purpose processors and high-power DRAM chips. Meanwhile, Mach-1 comes with proprietary processors and low-powered DRAM chips that result in fewer data bottlenecks thus improving power efficiency. Moreover, this chip is much cheaper than NVIDIAs solution, which makes it attractive for those companies looking for cost-effective AI.

Samsung is seeing more success within the AI chip market and therefore stiff competition between players in this space seems imminent. With its inventive know-how, advanced technology, and strategic partnerships, Samsung can challenge NVIDIAs supremacy in the segment and reshape the AI accelerator industry.
Samsung has reportedly significantly improved its 3nm yield rate in recent times. The yield rate initially hovered around 10-20% but has now increased by over threefold. The information came from noted X tipster @Tech_Reve. The source didnt share a precise figure but said that Samsungs 3nm yield is still lower than TSMCs.

Samsung sees big improvement in 3nm yield

Yield rate is a measure of the usable chips manufactured at a facility. It is calculated as the percentage of the total number of chips produced to the maximum chip count on one wafer. If the yield rate is high, the number of defective chips is low. In other words, a high yield rate translates to a greater manufacturing capacity.

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Samsung started making 3nm chips in 2022 but has been struggling with the yield rate. It switched from the FinFET transistor architecture to the more advanced GAA architecture and is seemingly unable to get things right. TSMC, the Korean firms arch-rival in the semiconductor foundry industry, is still using the FinFET architecture and is enjoying a better 3nm yield.

This has helped the Taiwanese company win big manufacturing contracts. Despite a headstart in 3nm mass production, Samsung is lagging behind its rival. There are some positive signs though, if the latest report is accurate. While TSMC still has a better 3nm yield, the technological gap between the two firms 3nm processes is narrowing.

According to the tipster, Samsungs second-gen 3nm technology is now on par with TSMCs N3P process node in terms of PPA (Power, Performance, and Area) metrics. Compared to 4nm chips, which employ the FinFET architecture, the power efficiency and logic area have increased by 20-30%. This should help Samsung gain some foothold in the 3nm semiconductor market.

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Samsungs 2nd-gen 3nm process is undergoing a confusing rebranding

The report about improved 3nm yield comes just weeks after Samsung informed its customers about a rebranding of its 2nd-gen 3nm process. The company will call the process 2nm instead of 2nd-gen 3nm. Yes, it is technically a 3 nanometer process but the Korean firm is renaming it to 2nm. Its real 2 nanometer chips are expected to arrive in the second half of 2025.

Samsung has already rewritten the manufacturing contracts it signed earlier for its 2nd-gen 3nm process. Japanese AI startup PFN (Preferred Networks) is its first customer of the rebranded 2nm chips. Qualcomm has also requested 2nm samples from Samsung, though it likely wants samples of the real 2nm chip and not the misleadingly rebranded one.
Fearful TikTok creators are concerned about the potential ban of the popular short-content platform. One of the concerns expressed by people is the loss of learning opportunities for children. With the platform deemed a national security threat by the US government, TikToks parent company ByteDance, will soon face a ban, unless it chooses to sell the platform to an American entity.

Teachers say that children will lose countless learning opportunities if theres no TikTok

Several TikTokers have voiced fears about a ban in a Reuters article headlined Content creators worry about miseducation in a world without TikTok. One public school teacher from a rural Southern town saw her TikTok following skyrocket as she used the platform to teach grammar lessons to her students. Like so many others, the ban might cripple all her educational endeavors now that they have over 5.8 million followers.

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Dr. Youn, who has 8.4 million followers on TikTok, uses his page to educate people and share some insights with them. He underscores how important it is to have access to this social application for news purposes, especially for youngsters. A different user who has up to 1M followers targets issues like Transgenderism and Body Image through Tiktok, teaching kids during their formative years.

However, Karen North from the University of Southern California is worried about privacy hazards on TikTok. Although it is useful as an educational tool, she cautions against voluntarily providing personal information to a platform that may not abide by the United States privacy regulations.

The uncertainty about TikToks future in the US is making educators anxious

The potential prohibition of TikTok makes one wonder what the future holds for social media and freedom of expression in general. The creators are concerned about the effects of banning TikTok or selling it to a US-based company on educational content and information access. The uncertainty surrounding the future of TikTok raises broader questions about digital platforms and individual freedoms.

As TikTok nears its climax in the US, its worth as an education tool is under discussion by creators and teachers alike. These talks will not only determine what will happen to TikTok but also shape online learning and information flow for years to come.
NAIROBI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- From a distance, the block and wire structure looks like a small chicken coop. On closer inspection, however, its interior walls are lined with black polythene sheets, which you would not find in a poultry house.

"This is a solar vegetable dryer. The black sheet helps to attract and retain heat from the sun to dry vegetables faster," said Emmy Misoo, an officer from the University of Eldoret, about 260 km northwest of Kenya's capital Nairobi, during a recent exhibition in Eldoret, the capital of Uasin Gishu County.

Misoo then lifted a transparent nylon sheet that served as the dryer's door, removed a bunch of dried leaves from the gadget, and placed them in a plastic box. She then stuffed the dryer with another bunch of freshly harvested traditional vegetables to dry.

"In about eight hours, I will remove them because they would have dried to the desired level," Misoo said.

The dryer is one of the solutions researchers in the East African country are presenting to fresh produce farmers and traders to curb post-harvest losses.

The dryers dry various kinds of vegetables for longer shelf life, as well as fruits such as mangoes and bananas, and tubers such as cassava and arrowroot. Unlike vegetables, however, tubers and fruits must be chopped into small pieces for faster drying.

At least 30 percent of the agricultural produce harvested in Kenya is wasted due to poor post-harvest practices, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. Farm produce includes vegetables and fruits, which farmers harvest in bulk and find difficult to store as they seek markets, leading to waste.

Agriculturalists like Misoo, however, are keen to change this tide through local solutions that farmers can easily adopt and use on the farm. "The fact that one does not need any specialized knowledge to use it makes it a perfect solution to the problem of food waste," Misoo said.

She uses the dryer to preserve traditional vegetables that she grows and exports to friends and relatives abroad, including Australia and the United States. "Initially, I dried the produce and sent it to my relatives who live in the two countries, but they helped me find a new market and now even buy from me," she said, adding that she sends it once a month.

She sells a kilo for 3,000 Kenyan shillings (about 22 U.S. dollars), a cost that includes freight. It is a business she said she will expand once she has a good source of vegetables.

At the exhibition, Misoo did not sell the gadget but rather educated farmers on how to make and use their own. Not far from her stand was Isaiah Etemo, a lecturer at Moi University, also in Uasin Gishu County, who has invented a solar dryer that uses hot air to dry various agricultural products.

To dry farm produce, Etemo, who majors in agricultural engineering, said air is contained inside the gadget, creating a greenhouse effect as a fan circulates it. The machine comes with a moisture meter he calls "Mootle," which he also invented to allow farmers to monitor how their produce is drying.

George Ndirangu, a small-scale herb and spice farmer, was among those interested in solar drying technologies.

Ndirangu said he was keen to adopt solar drying technologies not only to reduce post-harvest losses but also to save costs, as he had been using an electric dryer. With electricity prices rising in Kenya, Ndirangu said he had to look for alternatives.

"I grow coriander, basil and rosemary. Most Kenyans don't consume these spices raw, so there's no way around drying and grinding them for business," says Ndirangu.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), food losses for some fresh horticultural crops, such as bananas in Kenya, are as high as 50 percent at various stages, from production due to disease to transportation due to bruises. The FAO noted that the solution to food loss should not be more expensive than the food loss itself.

That is why the solar drying solutions pioneered by Kenyan inventors are so welcome to farmers. 
Aryna Sabalenka claimed a straight-sets victory over Paula Badosa to progress into the last 32 of the Miami Open days after the death of her former boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov.

Two-time Australian Open champion Sabalenka returned to the tennis court after Koltsov died at the age of 42 on Monday in what police described as an apparent suicide in Miami.

Koltsovs death led Sabalenka to reveal her heart is broken, but she was able to show incredible composure and poise to beat good friend Badosa 6-4 6-3 after an emotional few days.

Round 3 bound  World No.2 @SabalenkaA picks up the win in straight sets over Badosa.#MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/CD18tCMmVt  wta (@WTA) March 22, 2024

Wet weather in Miami resulted in a lengthy delay before play on day three could finally get under way, with Sabalenka welcomed onto the Grandstand court to warm applause.

Dressed in black and with a baseball cap on, the Belarusian looked up to the sky before she gave Badosa a fist pump at the coin toss with her opponent also kitted out in all-black.

After a cagey start with the pair exchanging double-faults, Sabalenka forced two break points opportunities in the fifth game but Badosa fought back to hold.

It was brief respite for the Spaniard, with Sabalenka able to eventually clinch the first break point of the match to move 4-3 up when Badosa sent her return long.

Sabalenka sealed the first set when her fierce backhand was returned wide to claim a 46-minute opener in windy conditions.

Aryna Sabalenka, right, and Paula Badosa walk off court together after their match (Lynne Sladky/AP)

The pair shared a smile during the second game of set two when a big gust of wind forced Sabalenka to abandon her serve which sparked laughter from the crowd and the world number two.

It was soon back to business for the 25-year-old and she broke Badosa again to move 2-1 up.

Badosa forced a break point opportunity of her own in the eighth game of the second set, but Sabalenka responded with a sumptuous winner that earned applause from her opponent.

Sabalenka broke Badosa again to secure victory before the good friends embraced at the net as the second seed opened her account for the tournament with an emotional win.

Sabalenka is understandably not undertaking post-match media duties but Badosa praised her friend and opponent as a strong woman.

Aryna Sabalenka returned to action in the second round of the Miami Open (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky/PA)

Honestly, both of us are pretty strong mentally, Badosa said. Were strong women. She proved it. I proved it. We knew how to disconnect in that match.

She played really well. I played really well for where Im coming from (following injury). I think it was quite decent.

That all comes from because we know weve been through a lot in our lives, were strong women, and we know how to separate that in that moment.

Asked if she was surprised by Sabalenkas level of play in the circumstances, Badosa added: No, I wasnt surprised at all. As I said, shes a very, very strong woman, strong personality. You can see it on the court. Especially I know her off court. It doesnt surprise me at all.

Aryna Sabalenka walks off the court after winning her match (Lynne Sladky/AP)

I knew she was going to play very well or like normal. I told her I wish her the best. Lets see if she can go very deep in this tournament.

Next up for Sabalenka is a third-round clash with Ukraines Anhelina Kalinina after she beat Caroline Wozniacki on Thursday.

Coco Gauff joined Sabalenka in the last 32 with a rapid 6-1 6-2 triumph over Nadia Podoroska.

Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek were among a host of big names whose scheduled matches were delayed until Saturday due to the downpours.
A Government-backed bid to overturn the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) expansion in London has been blocked in the House of Commons.

The Ulez scheme was expanded last August to cover the entirety of Greater London, a controversial move overseen by Londons Labour mayor Sadiq Khan.

Gareth Johnson, Conservative MP for Dartford, tabled the Greater London Low Emission Zone Charging (Amendment) Bill in a bid to give the Government the power to reverse the expansion.

But Labour MPs spoke at length against the change to ensure the Bill failed to progress.

The second reading debate was still taking place at 2.30pm, which is the cut-off time for private members bills to be considered during a Friday sitting.

Mr Johnson asked for the debate to resume on April 19, but it is highly unlikely to be considered further in its current form.

Mr Khans team warned ministers risked fundamentally undermining devolution if they started seizing powers from directly-elected mayors.

People who drive in the zone in a vehicle that does not meet minimum emissions standards are required to pay a 12.50 daily fee or risk a 180 fine, reduced to 90 if paid within 14 days.

A multimillion-pound scheme to allow Londoners to scrap non-compliant cars was also set up.

Intervening during a 33-minute speech by Labour MP Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South), Mr Johnson said: Its obvious both she and the Labour Party wish to talk out my Bill to overturn the expansion of Ulez.

Mr Johnson earlier said the expansion was unfair on people who lived outside London as they had no say on who the London mayor is, adding it was a myth to say the policy was to do with improving air quality.

He told the Commons: If it was about air pollution, the mayor of London would ban these vehicles going into London.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

He doesnt want to ban them, he wants to make money out of them. If those people driving those motor vehicles give the mayor of London 12.50, they can drive all day long in London  he does not give a damn, its got nothing whatsoever to do with air pollution.

Ms Greenwood said a serious public health issue was being used for purely party political point-scoring.

She said: The ultra-low emission zone and indeed emission charging zones are a Tory policy, they were pushed onto local government by a Tory government and first championed here in London by a Tory mayor.

Ms Greenwood added: The mayor of London has statutory obligations in relation to air quality across the Greater London area. He has a right, indeed a duty, to introduce measures to meet the national air quality targets set by central government.

The whole purpose of devolution is for local people to determine the policies that are needed for their area. The Government has set the targets for air quality, it is for democratically elected mayors and local authorities to run their cities or their counties in the way that works best for their area.

Labour MP Stella Creasy (Walthamstow) reminded MPs that the London mayoral election takes place on May 2, adding voters will have an opportunity to express an opinion at the ballot box in connection with Ulez expansion.

Transport minister Guy Opperman said: The Government supports this particular Bill.

A spokesperson for Mr Khan said in a statement: The evidence shows that Ulez is working. 95% of vehicles seen driving on Londons roads are now compliant and dont need to pay a penny.

Thousands of drivers have now received money to scrap their dirty vehicles, helping clean up Londons air and protect Londoners health.

The mayor is clear that its up to other towns and cities to decide what works best locally for them. Central Government shouldnt be dictating which clean air schemes are introduced in local areas  whether in Bermondsey, Birmingham, or Bristol.

Ministers risk fundamentally undermining devolution if they start seizing powers from directly-elected mayors  in London, the West Midlands or Tees Valley.
BAE Systems has been awarded a contract to build Australias nuclear-powered submarines as part a of joint military programme.

The deal, which will see the British firm partner with Australian government-owned company ASC, forms part of the Aukus partnership between the UK, Australia and the US.

Speaking on a visit to the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said the deal showed the huge confidence Australia has in UKs defence industry.

Mr Shapps, who was joined by his Australian counterpart Richard Marles and US ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy, said: Through these collaborations, British industry will grow, and thousands of jobs will be created across the country, delivering security and prosperity to our two nations.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps speaks to the media as Premier of South Australia Peter Malinauskas, third left, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong, left, Deputy Prime Minister of Australia Richard Marles, right, Foreign Secretary David Cameron and United States Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy, second right, listen during a visit to the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide (Matt Turner/AAP/AP)

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the Australian investment  believed to be around 2.4 billion over the next 10 years  and funding from the MoD would allow Rolls-Royce, which will deliver the nuclear propulsion plants, to double the size of its Derby sit and create 1,170 skilled jobs.

BAE said it has increased its UK submarines workforce to 13,500 with plans to grow to around 17,000

The submarine programme is expected to create 7,000 UK jobs with more than 21,000 people working on the SSN-Aukus submarine programme at its peak, concentrated in Barrow-in-Furness and Derby.

The first UK submarines built to this design will be delivered in the late 2030s to replace the current Astute Class vessels and the first Australian submarines will follow in the early 2040s.

The appointment of a builder by Australia comes a year after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden announced the first generation of Aukus submarines would be based on the UKs world-leading design.

BAE Systems chief executive Charles Woodburn said: Were already making good progress on the design and development of the next generation submarine in the UK where we have more than 1,000 people working on the SSN-Aukus programme and major infrastructure investment underway.

This latest step will ensure an integral connection between the UK design and the build strategy development in Australia as we work together to deliver next generation military capability as well as considerable social and economic value to all three nations.

The announcement follows the signing of a new Defence and Security Co-Operation Agreement between the UK and Australia.

Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron and Mr Shapps were meeting their opposite numbers Mr Marles and foreign minister Penny Wong on Thursday as part of the annual Australia-UK meetings.
A bankrupt British socialite is the owner of a centuries-old portrait at the centre of a High Court legal dispute, a judge has ruled.

James Stunt and his father, Geoffrey Stunt, had been in a legal row with the trustees of James bankruptcy over the Sir Anthony Van Dyck painting, The Cheeke Sisters.

At a trial at Londons Rolls Building earlier in March, barristers for the trustees claimed that James owns the portrait, but both James and Geoffrey claimed that the latter bought the artwork in 2013 for 600,000.

In a ruling on Friday, Insolvency and Companies Court Judge Clive Jones dismissed the Stunt claims, ruling that the painting should be classed as belonging to James for the purposes of his bankruptcy.

He said: In my judgment on the balance of probability, Mr James Stunt was the contracting buyer.

He did not hold the beneficial interest on trust for his father.

The fact that Mr Geoffrey Stunt paid by cheque was taken into consideration when reaching that conclusion.

The painting forms part of the bankruptcy estate.

James was previously married to Petra Ecclestone, the daughter of former Formula 1 boss, Bernie Ecclestone.

The pair divorced in 2017, with James declared bankrupt in June 2019.

The three-day trial heard from Joseph Curl KC, representing the trustees, that James Stunt purchased the painting, which is now valued at up to 4 million, but Geoffrey Stunt later claimed ownership of it.

Mr Curl said that this represented a significant injustice to the trustees and that the painting should be considered part of James bankruptcy estate.

He told the court that the art company that sold the painting believed James became and was always intended to be the owner of the painting.

Giving evidence, James said that despite initially showing an interest in the painting, he declined to buy it as he was rather saturated by Van Dycks at the time, estimating he had purchased around 40 works by the artist in his life.

Instead, the deal to buy the artwork was fully negotiated by Geoffrey, who owned the item, James said.

Lee Schama, representing Geoffrey, told the court that the artwork was bought by and for him.

But in his judgment, Judge Jones said that while the money used to pay for the painting was drawn on Geoffreys account, James was able to use his fathers bank card for very substantial sums and that Geoffrey was a generous, supportive father who assisted his son through loans.

He added that the pair had failed to demonstrate the artwork was not intended for James.

The judge said: The fact that he (Geoffrey) made loans would not mean this could not be a personal investment but the point is that he simply has not advanced a case to rebut the presumption by addressing any of these matters.

Following the judgment, Geoffrey was ordered to pay 210,000 of the trustees costs by the end of May.

The Cheeke Sisters: Essex, Countess of Manchester and Anne, Lady Rich was painted around 1640 and is one of a small collection of double portraits painted by Van Dyck.

The artist was born in modern-day Belgium and came to work in England in 1632 at the invitation of King Charles I.
Border Force staff at Heathrow Airport have voted to strike in a dispute over shift patterns.

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) said 600 of its members, who carry out immigration controls and passport checks, voted 90% in favour of strike action.

No dates have been announced for any industrial action, but walkouts could begin as soon as April 8, said the union.

The PCS said its members are angry at planned alterations to their shift patterns that would have a detrimental effect on them and leave nearly 250 without a job on passport control.

If they refuse to accept the new contracts, they would be forced to seek jobs elsewhere in the Home Office, said the PCS.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: Our hard-working members in the Border Force are being forced out by a belligerent employer.

Its clear from todays ballot result how angry and determined our members are to protect their jobs.

Its not too late for the Home Office to do the decent thing and drop these unnecessary changes and work with the union to protect jobs and working conditions.

PCS is currently challenging the Governments minimum service levels legislation in the courts.

We will vigorously defend our members right to strike if ministers try to impose a work notice.

A Home Office spokesperson said: As the public would expect, our priority is to keep our citizens safe and our borders secure.

We are working closely with Heathrow Airport and have robust plans in place to minimise any delays from planned strike action. We will deploy suitable resources to meet critical demand and support the flow of passengers and goods through our border.
Imagine heading to your local creek for a relaxing day of fishing and feeling a big tug on your line. It's exciting to see what you've caught, but what if when you reel it in you realize that you've caught a 4-foot-long alligator!

On Monday, March 18th, a Union County Wildlife Officer in Tennessee received a phone call around 5PM from a man saying that they'd caught an alligator, and the officer thought it might be a joke. The caller said they were fishing in Dotson Creek on Norris Lake when they realized what they had caught.

WATE.com/PatriciaGoins

WATE.com, a Tennesse television channel, reported that wildlife officials are not sure how the alligator ended up in East Tennessee since they are not native to the area. Officials believe the alligator was brought in from another state and released in the lake, both of which are illegal. Officials also said that residents shouldn't be concerned for their safety, as the alligator was taken to the Little Ponderosa Zoo in Anderson County.

Related: Alligator Enters Louisiana Home Through the Doggie Door Like It Owns the Joint

Facts About Pet Alligators

Was this somebody's pet that ended up getting too big for them to care for? Although considered an exotic pet, in many states you can legally own an alligator. I don't know why anybody would want a pet alligator, but you technically could have one. One PetHelpful article states, "Alligators should only be maintained by experienced reptile owners, but their danger is really overstated. They are relatively easy to care for if there is space for a moderately sized, temperature-controlled pond."

Geo Zoo shared some facts about keeping an alligator that are very interesting. The cost to raise an alligator from a hatchling to an adult cost an average of around $4000. But that's not including their enclosure and food (they eat up to 2 pounds of meat a day.) "Alligators are carnivores and will eat anything they can catch, including fish, frogs, turtles, and small mammals. They are most likely to hunt at night, when their prey is most active. Some breeders feed their alligators live animals to help them stay healthy and strong. Others may give them frozen or processed meat instead."

Alligators can grow up to ten feet in length and weigh more than 800 pounds. They can run 10 miles an hour; this isn't usually a concern though since they normally only run to catch prey and would prefer to crawl along slowly. I don't know about you, but having a pet that can run faster than me and could eat me alive doesn't sound like a very good pet!

While it might seem like fun to have a pet alligator, especially a baby alligator, they do not enjoy being held or cuddled. Just one more reason that an alligator in your backyard probably doesn't make the best pet.

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Many people who own dogs use baby gates around their homes to keep their dogs in (or out!) of certain areas. Boston is a Cane Corso who is used to having the run of the house, until recently when his humans put up a baby gate. Boston's dad shared a video in mid-March of the dog's reaction to the gate, and it was hilarious!

In the video, Boston is voicing his protests over the gate. He is not at all happy about it and has no problem letting his dad know it. Make sure that your sound is on because you don't want to miss Boston's minute-long tirade!

Boston had a lot to say about the baby gate, and it's clear that he's not a fan of it! Commenters got a kick out of Boston's tirade. @Nat alk laughed, "He said no this is BS man! LOL!!" and @T_Mex added, "He was like.. yes, Im upset!!"

Related: Cane Corso's Annoyed Reaction to Mom Changing the Sheets Is the Best

Facts About Cane Corsi

While Boston might look like a huge mastiff, Cane Corsi (that's the plural form of the term) are actually big babies and known to be quite chatty. Of course it varies by dog, but some bark at everything while others will express themselves with howls, snuffles, and snorts...or a combination of all of them. One of the funny things this breed does is a mix of 'singing' and howling - it creates a roo-roo sound that makes everybody laugh!

According to the American Kennel Club, Cane Corso approximately translates to bodyguard dog" which makes sense because that's what they were bred to do. They like to stay busy, and they thrive on both mental and physical stimulation; if you're looking for a couch potato, this is not the dog for you.

Cane Corso love to be around their family, but this doesn't mean that they like to be around all people. They can be indifferent to people who they don't know. They enjoy spending every minute with their owner and family and thrive on companionship. Not only do they want to be wherever you are, but they also want to be as close to you as possible. My parents have a Cane Corso and she thinks she's a lap dog - imagine having a 150-pound dog trying to hop into your lap! That being said, she's extremely protective and there's no way a stranger would be able to get through the door without permission. Her imposing appearance and terrifying bark are enough to make anybody run the other way!

Dogster.com shared this fun fact: "It may make sense to pronounce Cane Corso like Kayn Cor-So, similar to the walking aid. However, since the dog originated in Italy, the correct way to pronounce its name is Kah-Nay Cor-So." I am not to proud to admit that I always say it wrong!

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.
Fern Britton and David Potts have both made it to the final of a muted Celebrity Big Brother reboot. (ITV/Shutterstock) (Shutterstock for Big Brother)

There have been two major surprises during ITVs first attempt at restoring Celebrity Big Brother to its heyday.

One: shouty Boltonian David Potts (Foghorn Too Much Leghorn) didn't turn out to be the absolute nightmare that his previous onscreen appearances and his opening night entrance to reality TVs most famous house may have suggested he would be.

He has been a fabulous Big Brother housemate throughout. A genuine revelation. Under normal circumstances, he would fully deserve to be the last housemate standing at tonights grand final.

Two: The bigger shock is that ITV has apparently already decided that the next run of the non-civilian version of the show will also take up three weeks of prime time ITV1 airspace.

Which begs the question, what has Celebrity Big Brother  and what have we the viewers  done to deserve that?

Opening night aside, the viewing figures have not exactly set the world alight. And in terms of capturing the attention of the nation, CBB hasnt even located the water cooler, never mind had people congregating around it to discuss the latest shocks and scandals.

As the weeks have gone by, Ive even detected a slight drop in Good Morning Britains and This Mornings fervour when it comes to cheerleading for their stablemate. (Stay strong, Dickie Arnold. Only one more night to go.)

I can only assume ITV is planning to open its chequebook and flood the next celebrity house with A-list names that will demand our attention.

If not, that would mean ITV believes that the last three weeks have amounted to an acceptable level of success. Which in turn would mean ITV is in a lot more trouble than I thought.

ITV has splashed the cash on some big name signings for Celebrity Big Brother (ITV)

Of course, Big Brother will always have a small army of diehard devotees who will follow it to the death while defending it to the hilt by telling people who arent enjoying it so much that Its not aimed at you!

I find that retort particularly dumb and galling, by the way. I know theres no way Big Brother will ever recapture the thrill and impact of its Channel 4 early days, but as recently as its Channel 5 period I was still looking forward to watching it every night.

Sadly, despite boasting two judges from Simon Cowells old pop circus in its line up, this run has consistently lacked the X Factor.

My attitude has pretty much matched the feelings of Louis Walsh when tasked with peeling potatoes for Colson Smith: Im not having fun, but Ill do it.

In other words, on more than one occasion Ive found myself thinking Im only doing this because Im being paid to do it. Still, if thats good enough for Sharon Osbourne...

Sharon Osbourne - Celebrity Big Brother 2024. (ITV) (ITV)

Speaking of Mrs O and hard cash, the truth is that unless ITV is willing to spend big it would make absolutely no sense to continue airing the show on the main channel where it can get spanked by bizarre Channel 5 thrillers filmed in Budapest (no, I have no idea what Coma was all about either, but Id love to be a fly on the wall when Jason Watkins next meets up with his agent).

ITV should just stick CBB on ITV2 and let it fight it out with Love Island to be top reality dog. Being hidden away there might also suit the production team.

As a format, Big Brother has always thrived on messing with the contestants minds and being  in gameshow terms  a little mean and manipulative.

ITVs recent troubles, coupled with its determination to position itself as the caring, sharing its good to talk network, mean you cant get away with that kind of evil behaviour in broad prime time light.

Consequently, the one time the producers tried to spice things up  with Bradley Richess backdoor eviction last night  it felt a little out of kilter and unnecessarily cruel.

The fact that Bradley was then allowed to go back into the house and say his goodbyes merely proved that the producers are working with one hand tied behind their backs  and also rendered the whole cruel twistiness of it fairly pointless.

I suppose it did get people talking though. The only other whiff of controversy I can recall was Ekin-Su from Love Island complaining that unkind editing was to blame for her eviction. As opposed to, yknow, her own behaviour. Well have to wait and see whether ITV ends up making a public apology to Ekin-Su. (At this stage, I wouldnt rule it out.)

In the meantime, if you were looking for an alternative damning indictment of this series, allow my notepad to offer you the final week highlights.

On Tuesday, David was so bored he decided to set his own secret mission: To persuade Marisha that she had to remove all the cutlery from the kitchen and hide it upstairs.

On Wednesday, the producers decided to set David a real secret mission: To start an argument with a housemate, any housemate. (I know, talk about them admitting failure or what?)

Anyway, Davids idea turned out to be much funnier and much more entertaining. So if he doesnt win tonight, I know what ITV should do by way of recompense.

Make him executive producer on the next series. Oh, and buy him some trousers. Obviously.

The final of Celebrity Big Brother is on at 9pm Friday on ITV1.

This article originally appeared on Yahoo TV UK at https://uk.news.yahoo.com/itv-celebrity-big-brother-hit-bigger-trouble-104803072.html
UNITED NATIONS, March 22 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Friday urged the involved parties to allocate resources towards diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.

"I would like to once again call upon all parties concerned to act responsibly and devote their resources and energy to diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire and an end to the war, so as to promote a political settlement of the crisis at an early date," Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told the Security Council briefing on the weapon supplies to Ukraine.

Geng noted that the Security Council has considered the issue of arms supplies to Ukraine on many occasions, and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs has briefed the council multiple times.

"All parties have been very clear about each other's positions. I would like to reiterate that the continued flow of weapons to the battlefield will only exacerbate the cruelty, danger, and unpredictability of war, accelerate the spread of the spillover effects of the Ukraine crisis, and make the hope of peace and end to the war more elusive," he said.

The envoy stressed that China's position on the Ukraine issue is "consistent and clear."

"We have always maintained an objective and impartial position and are committed to promoting peace talks," Geng added.

"China supports the holding in due course of an international peace conference recognized by both Russia and Ukraine with equal participation of all parties for discussion of all peace plans. We are ready to strengthen dialogue and exchanges with all parties concerned and to continue playing a constructive role in promoting a political settlement of the crisis," the ambassador said. 
A lion and her three cubs have been saved from a war-torn part of Ukraine and are starting new lives in Doncaster.

Three-year-old Aysa was in a private collection in the Donetsk region when the Russians invaded, according to the Yorkshire Wildlife Park (YWP), where she is now adjusting to new freedoms.

The park said Aysa was alone, malnourished and traumatised by bombings when she was rescued by the Wild Animal Rescue sanctuary in Kyiv, where she gave birth to cubs Emi, Santa and Teddi, before they were all moved to a temporary facility in Poland through work by International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

Lion cubs rescued from Ukraine have now arrived at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park (YWP/PA)

YWP said Aysa was separated from her cubs, now 15 months old, at Poznan Zoo in western Poland as they had to be held in adjacent 15ft square concrete holding pens.

On Tuesday, they were driven the 1,000 miles to Yorkshire, arriving at the YWP on Wednesday night and unloaded at their new home on Thursday.

The park said the lions will spend their first few weeks being evaluated and rehabilitated before they are introduced to the public in the Lion Country reserve.

Deputy head of carnivores Colin Northcott said: Im over the moon, overjoyed they are finally here.

Now I cant wait until they are settled enough to walk on the grass and smell the fresh Yorkshire air.

Its overwhelming to finally have them here with us, just amazing. Our visitors are going to love them. This is a massive new world for them.

Mr Northcott said: Even the language they hear will be different. Im trying to learn a few words in Polish to make them feel more at home.

But I cant wait for them now to run around playing, walking on grass for the first time, seeing the water and the sky. Its going to be incredible.

Mr Northcott paid tribute to Poznan Zoo who did an amazing thing by rescuing them.

But he said: The rangers over there were also really keen for them to get more space.

Mr Northcott said: When we first encountered them, they were extremely distressed, cowering on top of each other and hissing at anyone who came near. I am so happy they are finally here safe.

YWP, which is also home to polar bears and tigers, has made a name for itself rescuing animals from difficult conditions around the world.

We caught Carla & Crystal Lion around catching some winter sun!  (  : Photoscoper Photography ) pic.twitter.com/AhP7vaoVVu  Yorkshire Wildlife Park  (@YorkshireWP) January 18, 2024

In 2010, it brought 13 lions to Yorkshire from in a run-down Romanian zoo.

Chief executive John Minion said: Its a really exciting and emotional time for us.

It takes me back to 14 years ago when we rescued those 13 lions from Romania.

Welfare is at the heart of everything we do here. The Romanian rescue was the beginning of Yorkshire Wildlife Park and put us on the map.

Mr Minion said: Sadly most of our Romanian lions have died over the years so with just two of the original lions, Carla and Crystal remaining, we now have the space. And welfare is at the heart of what we do here.

The park said it will post regular updates on the lions progress on social media.

IFAW worked with Wild Animal Rescues Natalia Popova to get the lions out of Ukraine after their owner fled the war.

Ms Popova said: Its a scary time for everyone here in Ukraine.

But for these big cats that were in the conflict zone  they must have been so frightened and confused.

Although there are many more animals that need rescuing, I am relieved these lions now have a better life ahead.

Natalia Gozak, wildlife rescue field officer (Ukraine) at IFAW said: At long last, this family of lions, who have been the unlikely victims of this invasion, are safe and sound.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park is well placed to offer these big cats a good life in the parks Lion Country area, where they have housed numerous lions, often rescued from traumatic situations.

They will be safe, secure and most importantly  out of the warzone.
Alex Albon walked away from a high-speed crash in opening practice for the Australian Grand Prix.

The London-born Thai driver lost control of his Williams on the exit of Turn 6 before smashing into the wall on the inside of the track and rebounding across the circuit.

Albons right-front wheel tore off his machine under impact, with debris from his Williams littering the track.

 RED FLAG  Alex Albon hits the wall and covers the track in debris He is out of the car and reports he is OK on the radio #F1 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/VkaohbbwkW  Formula 1 (@F1) March 22, 2024

Albon came to a standstill and was able to get out of his cockpit. Sorry, he said over the radio before he was taken away in the medical car.

Muchos debris, said Lando Norris. Is he alright? It looked pretty large.

Albon, 27, was taken to the medical centre for precautionary checks. Williams said he would not participate in the second practice due to the damage to his car.

The one-hour running was suspended for 10 minutes, with McLarens Norris topping the time charts.

The British driver finished just 0.018 seconds clear of Red Bulls Max Verstappen, with George Russell third for Mercedes and Ferraris Charles Leclerc fourth. The top four were separated by less than half-a-tenth.

P1 and straight out the car to go over the data. #AusGP  pic.twitter.com/Oki6mhlNIK  McLaren (@McLarenF1) March 22, 2024

Russell hauled his Mercedes towards the front of the order in the closing moments, but team-mate Lewis Hamilton struggled with the handling of his Silver Arrows.

The seven-time world champion ran off the road at the opening bend on his first lap on the speediest soft tyres and ended the session only ninth.

Carlos Sainz, back in his Ferrari after missing the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with appendicitis, was eighth.

The second practice session at Melbournes Albert Park will begin at 4pm local time (5am GMT).
A former vice-president of an anti-abortion lobby group has been elected chair of the LNPs Griffith federal divisional. Photograph: Darren England/AAP

A prominent anti-abortion campaigner has won control of a Brisbane division of the Liberal National party, prompting alarm among moderates that fringe infiltrators were attempting to increase their influence as polls point to a state election win.

Alan Baker, a former vice-president of the anti-abortion lobby group Cherish Life, was elected chair of the LNPs Griffith federal divisional council (FDC) by two votes on Thursday night.

The council controls preselections and campaigns in the federal seat of Griffith, which has been held by the Greens and considered Queenslands most progressive.

Related: Shock losses to LNP and Greens in Queensland elections sound warning for Labor ahead of October poll

Baker has been contacted for comment.

Sources have told Guardian Australia that Bakers supporters turned up to Thursday nights vote and quizzed the moderate factions candidate for chair about abortion.

FDC chair positions are held by relatively low-level officials within the party structure but have a seat on the state council. Moderates said the election of Baker was nonetheless concerning, as the LNP looks on the verge of winning back power in Queensland.

The opposition leader, David Crisafulli, has promised not to change abortion laws. At the last election, the LNP downplayed its position to review abortion laws, amid concern that the issue damaged the party with city voters.

One LNP moderate said it was absurd the party would choose Baker to lead a progressive inner-city division.

Another LNP source said: Fringe infiltrators can see an election victory around the corner and are desperate to increase their influence.
A photo of Faysal Ishak Ahmed seen on a poster at a vigil in Brisbane at the inquest into his death after collapsing at the Manus Island detention centre. Photograph: Darren England/AAP

The letters, in the last months of Faysal Ishak Ahmeds life, became frantic.

I collapsed down from heart problem, he wrote in October 2016, and numb on my arms, hands and finger as well.

I came to IHMS [International Health and Medical Services] more than 20 times but till now I dont know my problem, a December note, in faltering hand, reads.

Ishak Ahmeds pleas were met, consistently, with dry bureaucratic response: Thank you for your correspondence outlining a medical issue 

Related: Faysal Ishak Ahmeds life was full of pain. Australia had a duty to protect him | Behrouz Boochani

Doctors on the island believed his condition was likely somatic in nature, or a manifestation of anxiety, but the Sudanese refugee, detained on Manus Island for three years within Australias offshore processing system, insisted he was gravely ill.

I am not pretending, he reportedly told friends the day before he died. I cannot breathe, my heart is not working.

In 2016, the last year of his life, Ishak Ahmed presented to the doctors within the Manus Island detention centre 60 times. In December alone, he presented eight times. He would be dead before the month was over.

Others saw his deterioration too. The day before the sudden collapse that would ultimately kill him, dozens of fellow refugees signed a letter begging for help for Ishak Ahmed, before it is too late.

As the coronial inquest into Ishak Ahmeds death began in Queensland this week, it was said outside court by a refugee advocate that the compounding tragedy of his death was that he should never have been on Manus Island.

Australias detention regime there was illegal. In April of 2016, eight months before Ishak Ahmed died, Papua New Guineas supreme court ruled that Australias system of punitive detention was unconstitutional and ordered that the centre be shut.

It endured beyond. Long enough for Ishak Ahmed to die.

Searching for safety

Ishak Ahmed arrived in Australia by boat in September 2013, having fled the chaotic violence of his native Sudan.

In his application for protection, he told Australian authorities how the Janjaweed militia had attacked his village, killing 35 people, including his brother and grandmother.

He fled to a displaced persons camp, but found he was still not safe.

On many occasions the Janjaweed militia entered the camp and killed people, his file records. I was handcuffed and tied to a tree for two or three days. I was beaten badly. I have  scars on my forehead where I was whipped.

The militia wanted me to join them as a fighter but I refused.

Australia, he hoped, held the promise of safety.

Having arrived at Christmas Island, within weeks he was exiled to Manus Island, arriving on 9 October 2013. Others sent with him remember being told they would be there only a short time before being resettled.

But as one year became two, became three, Ishak Ahmeds health faltered and then collapsed. He became increasingly despondent. He confided in fellow refugees he had left behind a wife and young son.

If anything happens to me, I need you guys to look after my family, he told them.

Alone when he falls

Ishak Ahmeds presentations to the Manus Island clinic had become increasingly fractious.

His inquest heard medical staff had run numerous tests on his wide array of symptoms without establishing a definitive diagnosis.

His final visit with a doctor was on 21 December 2016.

Fellow refugees say he returned from that appointment distressed, saying he had been told there was nothing wrong with him, and he would not be seen again.

Related: Happy Bloody Christmas: The True Story of Faysal, by Eaten Fish

He insisted, fellow refugees say, he was dangerously unwell. This disease will kill me, they remember him saying.

CCTV footage before the coroner shows Ishak Ahmed the next night, shortly after 10pm, in a compound known as the voluntary respite support accommodation area.

Ishak Ahmed is seen walking back and forth, before he clutches his chest and staggers, and then falls backwards down a one-metre flight of stairs.

His head hits the concrete platform at the bottom. He is alone when he falls.

Security guards rush to his aid. He will never regain consciousness.

The room where deaths are reckoned with

Court four in the Brisbane magistrates court is cool and serene, far from the heat and the isolation of Australias Manus Island detention centre, far from the madding chaos of injury and illness.

This is the room where offshore deaths keep coming. This is the room where they are reckoned with.

Here, before the state coroner Terry Ryan, it was heard how Hamid Kehazaei died from medical neglect on Manus Island in 2014, a treatable infection that was misdiagnosed then maltreated and his transfer to hospital delayed.

Kehazaei could have been saved by basic interventions at several points during his worsening illness, Ryan found, but that the compounding effect of multiple errors and systemic failures in the offshore healthcare system caused him to die.

Omid Masoumalis inquest came here too, before the same coroner. Masoumali, 24, doused himself in petrol and set himself alight on Nauru in 2016, in protest at the sclerotic pace of refugee processing. It was more than 30 hours before he was flown to a Brisbane hospital: had he been moved more swiftly, he had a 95% chance at survival, his inquest heard.

This inquest into Ishak Ahmeds death is particularly limited. Government and health contractors successfully sought to narrow the focus of the inquest to the particular circumstances of his death, rather than examining systemic factors of his detention.

There are hints of this in the testimony. The medical evidence is consistently caveated: as far as could be done on a remote island  using the tools at hand you would have in a remote healthcare environment  in the context of Manus Island.

The implication is even heard expressly: if this were in my hospital 

But the broader question, the appropriateness of sending someone to a place where it is known they cannot receive adequate care  and of leaving them there when their health collapses and their sickness persists  is outside the scope of this inquest.

This is the yawning silence left unanswered.

In public evidence, this inquest did not hear from anybody who was on Manus Island at the time of Ishak Ahmeds death, nor from anybody who had ever treated him or even who knew him. Those detained alongside him were not called to appear before the coroner.

The expert doctors who consulted Ishak Ahmeds file said his care on the island was generally sound for the setting, but were critical that his hemolytic anaemia  a blood disorder  went undiagnosed for five months before he died. When his symptoms of jaundice temporarily cleared up, the reason for his recurrent illness was never pursued.

There was dispute over what caused Ishak Ahmed to suddenly fall backwards down the stairs: some doctors opined hyponatraemia  low blood sodium  sparked a seizure, others argued a cardiac arrhythmia caused by undiagnosed sickle cell trait made him lose consciousness. It could not have been known by doctors that he would fall when he did, the inquest heard.

But there was some unanimity: from the moment Ishak Ahmeds head hit the concrete at the foot of the stairs, his prognosis was poor.

His head injury was catastrophic, and the 30-year-old (the Australian government said he was 27, but his immigration file has his birthdate wrong) never regained consciousness.

Despite the obvious injury, there was a delay of five hours before a neurosurgeon was called for specialist advice.

And it took more than 26 hours  with delays up and down the bureaucratic chain in Australia and PNG to find and cost a medical evacuation flight  before Ishak Ahmed was moved from the rudimentary Manus clinic to a tertiary hospital in Brisbane.

There can, of course, never be the counterfactual with which to compare: but even had those things been done differently, those delays erased, it is likely Ishak Ahmed could not have been saved once he fell, the inquest heard. An autopsy found Ishak Ahmed was suffering from acute pneumonia and multi-organ failure secondary to his head injury.

What changes?

State coroner for more than a decade, Terry Ryan has previously been excoriating about the structural failures of Australias offshore detention system.

He has reported before on deaths that were the result of the compounding effects of multiple errors, and noted it would be possible to prevent similar deaths by relocating asylum seekers to other places, such as Australia or New Zealand, where better healthcare would be provided.

But little changes.

Manus is closed now. By PNGs supreme court, not the Australian government, and 52 refugees and asylum seekers remain stranded in that country  still without a permanent place anywhere, after more than a decade held offshore.

And Nauru continues as Australias sole enduring form of offshore processing, of deterrence, of collective punishment as example to others who might risk a leaky boat for a chance at a new life.

The architecture of offshore processing remains.

The idea, too, remains as entrenched as ever, and now one that is being exported to new lands: the UK wants offshore processing in Rwanda; Italy and Albania have signed an agreement for the transfer of boat-borne asylum seekers out of Europe.

Alone at the end

After Ishak Ahmeds death the family lost all hope in life, his brother Suliman said ahead of this weeks coronial hearings. His family wanted to be part of the inquest into his death; they wanted answers about what had happened to their son, brother, father and friend.

Translators and an online link to Khartoum had been arranged.

But such is the current unrest in Sudan  a continuation of the chaos Ishak Ahmed fled a decade ago  his family could not find a reliable internet connection or a place where they could safely observe the hearing.

It went ahead without them.
Israeli soldiers on the border with the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel. Photograph: Ariel Schalit/AP

The shadow UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, has urged David Cameron to publish the Foreign Office formal legal advice on whether Israel is breaching international humanitarian law in Gaza.

Lammys move comes as two human rights groups have been given permission for an oral hearing to seek a judicial review of the governments refusal to ban arms exports to Israel.

Given the gravity of the situation in Gaza, the degree of public and parliamentary interest and the risks to the credibility of the UKs export controls regime, there is a compelling case to publish the governments legal advice, Lammy wrote in a letter to Lord Cameron, the foreign secretary.

Arms export licences should not be granted if there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law, the letter said.

Related: Man-made famine charge against Israel is backed by mounting body of evidence

Israel remains publicly committed to a military offensive against Rafah despite the widespread concerns expressed by the international community about the catastrophic humanitarian risks this entails. This week, a UN-backed report revealed that a man-made famine in Gaza is imminent and that more than a million people will face catastrophic levels of hunger, despite food being piled up in trucks just a few kilometres away. It is essential that the [arms export] criteria are applied rigorously to Israel as to any other country.

By precedent, UK government legal advice is not published, but Labour feels it is not possible to have an informed debate on Gaza without full access to the advice rather than fragmentary responses in oral answers.

The Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell said this week Israeli compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL) was kept under review, but the issues involved were complex.

Two legal groups  Global Legal Action Network (GLAN) and Al-Haq, a Palestinian human rights group  are separately preparing for an oral hearing to ask permission for a judicial review of the governments refusal to ban arms exports to Israel to proceed.

The oral hearing, expected in weeks, has been granted after a written request for permission was rejected last month by Mr Justice Eyre.

On 12 December, the trade secretary, Kemi Badenoch, acting on Foreign Office advice, decided there is not at present a clear risk that items exported to the Israel Defense Forces might be used to commit a serious violation of IHL.

Since then, the NGOs and Lammy point out, the death toll has nearly doubled and allegations of Israeli breaches of IHL have mounted.

Mitchell told MPs this week everyone agrees that people are starving in Gaza, but refused to say Israel was in breach of international law, saying there were very serious doubts about the term deliberate starvation in this context.

In the past Ministers have also pointed to Israels right to self-defence, the placement of legal advisers inside the IDF and the governments belief that Israel has the commitment and the capability to comply with IHL.

The papers extracted from the Foreign Office after GLANs written request for judicial review reveal an internal process that the groups lawyers view as rigged and extremely limited.

An internal Foreign Office memo written on 10 November says without accurate information on real-time IDF decision-making we have been unable to make a case by case assessment on Israels compliance with IHL for specific strikes or ground operations during the current conflict in Gaza.

The department also rejected evidence of specific war crimes assembled by Amnesty International, including attacks on hospitals and schools, saying the UK could not know why Israel acted as it did in an individual strike. GLAN says this reasoning means so long as a theoretical justification exists for an airstrike, Israel has be presumed to be acting lawfully

GLAN pointed out the Foreign Office recommendation to keep selling arms was made only after it sought generalised assurances from the Israeli embassy about its intentions to comply with IHL. The embassy did not respond to Foreign Office concerns about six specific incidents, saying it could not do so since they were subject of internal inquiries.

The Foreign Office also assessed there was no evidence that Israels military operations were intended to cause starvation.

Charlotte Andrews-Briscoe, a lawyer with GLAN, said: When assessing whether Israel intended to starve Gazan civilians the UK ought to look at the statements of Israeli officials who stated they would do just that. But the intent of individual Israeli commanders is not the legal test, and the government knows this.

Speaking about intent in the context of international humanitarian law is quite misleading. If a state fails to distinguish military and civilian objects, or to take reasonable precautions or to make a proper proportionality assessment, that amounts to a violation and its immaterial whether or not they intended to cause such harm. This is a text book case of the war crime of starvation of individuals as a method of warfare.

Ahmed Abofoul, a legal officer at Al-Haq, who lived in Gaza for 25 years, said: The level of destruction removes any doubt around proportionality. Destroying 70% of Gazas residential units does not indicate any distinguishable targeting. The IDF spokesperson at the beginning of this genocide said the emphasis is on damage, not accuracy. What else does the British government need to understand that this is not about legitimate targets or distinguishing between civilians and Hamas? This is about making Gaza uninhabitable, and forcing civilians to leave their homes.

He added: History will not be kind to the UK governments position because its not only a distorted interpretation of IHL that is causing massive loss of life, its also destroying the very notion of international law that has, to a certain extent, provided somewhat stability in the world.

In seeking permission for a judicial review, GLAN and Al-Haq are compelled to fight on relatively narrow legal ground of whether the government in reaching its decision has acted irrationally.

In his brief five-page ruling in February, Eyre rejected the review on the grounds that ministers said they were regularly considering the issue, and that in reaching their view they had not solely relied on Israeli assurances of its intent to comply with international law.
The Princess of Wales is undergoing treatment for cancer, she has announced in a personal video message, but told the world: I am going to be ok.

The Princess is undergoing a course of preventative chemotherapy and has said she is focused on making a full recovery.

The cancer was identified during tests after her abdominal surgery on Jan 16, and she began treatment in late February.

Since then, she and the Prince have been focusing on sharing the news with their three young children and allowing the family to process it in private.

The Princess has now chosen to share the diagnosis in a video message filmed at Windsor on Wednesday, in which she thanked the public for their support and shared her huge shock at the news.

In recent weeks, she and the Prince of Wales have been subjected to worldwide conspiracy theories about her health and whereabouts.

She said the Prince had been a great source of comfort and reassurance as she has come to terms with her diagnosis.

The couple chose to announce it on Wednesday after Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis broke up for their school Easter holidays and could be sheltered from the public reaction at home.

The Princess said it had taken her and the Prince time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.

In her message she said: As I have said to them, I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal in my mind, body and spirits.

The Princess received her diagnosis in late February. It is the reason the Prince of Wales missed the memorial for his godfather on Feb 27.

Addressing the public in the video, filmed by BBC Studios, the Princess said: I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you personally for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery.

It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but Ive had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful.

In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London, and at the time it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous.

The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.

The Princess of Wales said the Prince had been a 'great source of comfort and reassurance' as she has come to terms with her diagnosis - Samir Hussein/WireImage

The Princess is now said to be on a recovery pathway. Kensington Palace is not sharing the type of cancer, or the stage at which it was found, citing the Princesss right to medical privacy.

Speaking on the video, which was released by the Palace directly for the public to see on its social media, the Princess said of the news: This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.

As you can imagine, this has taken time.

It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.

As I have said to them, I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal in my mind, body and spirits.

Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too, as is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.

The Princess said it had 'taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them' - Matt Porteous

In a renewed plea for privacy, and a message of hope for others who are also facing cancer treatment, the Princess added: We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment.

My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.

At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.

The Princess has been away from public duties since Christmas Day, when she was seen walking to Sandringham church with her family.

She was admitted to the London Clinic on Jan 16, with the Palace issuing a statement the next day to confirm that she would be in hospital for up to two weeks and recovering in private until after Easter.

At the time, it was specified that the condition was non-cancerous and that the operation had been a success.

It was only in post-operative tests that cancer was identified. She began preventative chemotherapy in late February.

A spokesman for Kensington Palace said: The Princess is now on a recovery pathway having commenced a course of preventative chemotherapy.

He added that the Princess had wanted to share this information when she and the Prince felt it was right for them as a family.

The family will not be attending church at Easter. The Princess will return to official duties when she has clearance from her medical team. The Prince will be back to a schedule of public engagements in mid-April, after the Easter holiday.

A spokesman for Kensington Palace said: The Princess will return to official duties when she is cleared to do so by her medical team. She is in good spirits and is focused on making a full recovery.

The Prince will continue to balance supporting his wife and family and maintaining his official duties, as he has done since the start of the year.

Asked for further details about the condition or operation, the spokesman said: We will not be sharing any further private medical information. The Princess has a right to medical privacy, as we all do.

The Princesss cancer diagnosis follows that of the King. His diagnosis was also made in post-operative tests, and confirmed in a public statement on Feb 6. He had had a procedure for the symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

The King and Queen are aware of the Princesss diagnosis, and that she was releasing a message to the public.
Hyde-Smith: 'He may not be the world's most publicised flautist, but he is among the very few who are in the finest category'

Christopher Hyde-Smith, who has died aged 88, was a prominent flautist in the London music scene; he played for Stravinsky, Bernstein and Britten, was principal flute and chairman of the London Mozart Players, and recorded Mozarts Concerto for Flute and Harp with his first wife, Marisa Robles.

Other notable performances included a collaboration with James Galway in Cimarosas Concerto for Two Flutes at the Royal Festival Hall in 1980, concertos with the Berlin and New York Philharmonic orchestras, and flute quintets with the Delme Quartet. He is also heard playing the captivating flute solo in David Leans film Lawrence of Arabia (1962).

Much of his work was with orchestras, notably the LMP under Harry Blech with whom he appeared in more than 2,000 concerts. In 1966 they were Athens performing the Symphony in Three Movements by Stravinsky, but at the concert the elderly composer was unable to climb on to the conductors stool. As the orchestra and audience waited, workmen emerged and sawed a few inches from its legs.

Tall and handsome with a military bearing and languid charm, Hyde-Smith approached his instrument with what Gramophone magazine described in 1971 as real artistry. A year later the magazine noted: He may not be the worlds most publicised flautist, but he is among the very few who are in the finest category.

Christopher John Hyde-Smith was born on March 11 1935, in Cairo, the elder of two sons of Lieutenant-Colonel John Hyde-Smith. There was almost no work to be done, so they played polo all the time, he told the British Flute Society journal, Pan. His mother was Grania, nee Goschen, whose forebear, George Goschen, was a 19th-century chancellor of the Exchequer.

A grandfather had served in the Boer Wars and both world wars. At the older mans 85th birthday party Hyde-Smith was introduced as the distinguished flautist, to which an elderly lady replied: Tell me, my dear, what do you actually do to floors?

Hyde-Smith: at Eton he avoided sport by eating soap to make himself sick

The family expected him to follow into the military, but he was passionate about music and show-jumping, a sport he briefly considered pursuing professionally. After the war his father bought him a simple-system flute in Hamburg for 40 Players cigarettes.

At Eton he avoided sport by eating soap to make himself ill. He was allowed to play flute with the Slough Philharmonic, though once received a double beating after ordering all Beethovens orchestral scores from Boosey & Hawkes on the schools account.

His teacher at the Royal College of Music was Edward Walker, who, when asked about technique, calmly told his student: Just pick up the flute, put it to your lips, old boy, and blow it. He returned to the college in 1964 as professor, teaching there until retirement 36 years later.

Meanwhile, Hyde-Smiths National Service was with the band of the Irish Guards in London. On his first appearance he found Rossinis William Tell Overture on the music stand, but nobody had warned him about transposition. It was for flute in D flat and I had to transpose the whole thing up a semitone. It was a complete nightmare, he said.

From college Hyde-Smith joined the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra before moving to the Northern Sinfonia. He also played with Brittens English Opera Group and in 1959 was in the orchestra for the West End production of Candide when Bernstein flew in to watch.

His solo debut was in 1962 performing Mozarts Flute Concerto in D major with the LMP and Blech at the Royal Festival Hall, where a Daily Telegraph critic noted that he showed a cool, limpid tone and phrased the music neatly.

A year later he met Marisa Robles when they performed Mozarts Flute and Harp Concerto. They were married in 1968 and formed a trio with the violist John Underwood (later Frederick Riddle), giving several premieres including William Mathiass Melos for flute, harp and percussion.

Despite the twinkle in his eye, Hyde-Smith was an old-fashioned gentleman rarely seen without a jacket and tie. He was a regular visitor to Abbey Road studios where on one occasion he was aghast by the noise from another room. He had no idea who The Beatles were and declined their offer of a drink. In 1983 he was founding chairman of the British Flute Society.

Hyde-Smiths marriage to Marisa Robles was dissolved and in 1985 he married the pianist and harpsichordist Jane Dodd with whom he recorded the flute works of Bach and Handel. She survives him, with their two daughters and a daughter and a son from his first marriage.

Christopher Hyde-Smith, born March 11 1935, died February 25 2024
The UK foreign secretary, David Cameron, has suggested the Aukus pact and Nato alliance must get into the best possible shape to increase their chances of surviving Donald Trumps potential return to the White House.

Speaking after high-level talks in Australia, Cameron was careful to avoid criticising the former US president and presumptive Republican nominee for 2024, saying it was up to America who they choose as their president.

What we will do, as I am sure an Australian government would do, is work with whoever becomes the president, Cameron told reporters in Adelaide, South Australia.

But Cameron appeared to implicitly acknowledge the risks that Aukus and Nato might face in the event of a second Trump presidency, by calling for efforts to ensure both were seen by the next president as well-functioning.

Cameron described the Aukus partnership  which will see the US and the UK help Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines  as an absolutely brilliant arrangement and Nato as the most successful defensive alliance in history.

Related: Donald Trump calls Kevin Rudd nasty and says he wont be there long as Australias ambassador to US

The best thing we can do is to get those alliances, to get those projects into the best possible shape, so whoever is the new president can see that they are working with a very successful set of arrangements, Cameron said.

The Australian deputy prime minister and defence minister, Richard Marles, endorsed Camerons comments.

We feel confident given what we have seen particularly over the course of the last few months in Congress that the Aukus arrangements really do enjoy support across the political spectrum in the United States, he said.

We move forward with complete confidence about what the future will hold.

The comments were in response to a question about whether the election of Trump in November would affect the Aukus agreement that was sealed with the Biden administration last March.

Under the deal, the US will share sensitive nuclear technology with Australia and sell it at least three Virginia-class submarines in the 2030s.

Australia and the UK eventually plan to build and operate a new class of submarine to be called SSN-Aukus.

Trump has not expressed any hostility to the Aukus deal to date, although he has been highly sceptical about Nato, particularly over its members performance against a pledge to spend at least 2% of gross domestic product on defence.

Related: Australia moves to prop up Aukus with $4.6bn pledge to help clear Rolls-Royce nuclear reactor bottlenecks in UK

During a stump speech in February, Trump recalled telling an unnamed European leader that he would not protect any Nato member that was delinquent and he would encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want.

Cameron and the UK defence secretary, Grant Shapps, were in Australia for annual talks with their Australian counterparts on Friday.

The Australian foreign minister, Penny Wong, said Aukus was good not just for Australia, but for Britain and the United States.

We will make sure it does happen, Wong said. We do that understanding the scale of the enterprise, the scale of the task.

The Australian government is facing domestic criticism after confirming it would send A$4.6bn (2.4bn) to the UK over the next 10 years to expand the Rolls-Royce nuclear reactor production line in Derby.

The figure, while previously unpublished, is understood to come from within existing Aukus funding. The government last year indicated that the Aukus project would cost $50bn to $58bn in the first 10 years of the plan.

The Greens defence spokesperson, David Shoebridge, said it was an extraordinarily bad deal and a bad day for Australian taxpayers.

Marles said the nuclear reactors for Australias submarines would be made at the Rolls-Royce plant and it was completely appropriate to fund an increase in production.

Related: David Cameron accuses Israel of blocking key aid crossing in Gaza

Fridays meeting also covered the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Chinas destabilising activities in the South China Sea.

We know how many hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are starving, Wong told reporters.

In a joint statement issued afterwards, Australia and the UK called on Israel to allow immediate, safe, unimpeded and increased humanitarian relief to reach Palestinians in Gaza.

Given the large number of displaced persons taking refuge in the area and lack of safe spaces in Gaza, ministers shared deep concern at the potentially devastating consequences for the civilian population of an expanded Israeli military operation in Rafah, the statement said.

Australia and the UK also expressed the urgency of an immediate cessation of fighting in Gaza to allow aid to flow and hostages to be released as a crucial step toward a permanent, sustainable ceasefire.

The ministers discussed how recognition of a Palestinian state might assist in giving momentum toward a two-state solution, but the statement did not give any detail about the timing of such a move.
Charles Spencer, being farewelled for boarding school by his sister Diana and nanny Mary Clarke in 1972. Photograph:  Earl Charles Spencer

Hello, I hope this email finds you well. Here are my highlights from the Guardian this week. Settle in for a lazy morning or evening of reading (use the time youd usually spend on cooking, and just throw together one of these one-pot meals later).

1. It is possible to be both a scourge and a marvel

Remember 1998, when in the space of a few sweet months, we were given both Antz and A Bugs Life? (Theres at least one Reddit thread devoted to the minutiae of this rivalry  I dont know how much time you have on your hands.)

Anyway, John Whitfield has gone long on what ant societies can teach us  and why we should resist the temptation to draw easy parallels from ants to humans (or, I guess, have them voiced by Woody Allen).

***

We contain multitudes.  Ants

Global ant societies are not simply echoes of human struggles for power. They are something new in the world, existing at a scale we can measure but struggle to grasp, he writes. There is a science fiction epic going on under our feet, an alien geopolitics being negotiated by the 20 quadrillion ants living on Earth today  Its characters are strange; its scales hard to conceive.

20 quadrillion is a big number: There are roughly 200,000 times more ants on earth than the 100bn stars in the Milky Way.

How long will it take to read: eight and a half minutes.

2. Make Australia afraid again

Donald Trump seems, drearily, ever more relevant to Australian politics. Maybe you caught the Republican candidates criticisms of Kevin Rudd earlier this week. Maybe you read about the South Australian Liberal, who, in the words of his colleagues, turned Trumpian. Or maybe you saw the extract from Lech Blaines Quarterly Essay, which asks what it might take to make Peter Dutton PM.

Australias Trump moment? As the Liberal party shifts to the right, Blaine argues, John Howards broad church approach is less and less tenable (Liberal MP Bridget Archer tells him she now sees it as One Nation lite). So, a new strategy: To reframe Labors centrist agenda as a betrayal of the Australian way of life. Duttons raison detre? Make Australia afraid again. Then he will offer himself as the lesser of two evils. A serious strongman for the age of anxiety.

Blaine has a knack for unsnarling the gossip and potted histories on all sides. Insiders talk to him with what seems like their guard down. Voters on the street throw cold water on all the fuss from outside the bubble. And we get a merciless but multifaceted view on the man very actively changing the tenor of Australias political processes.

How long will it take to read: four-ish minutes  a cheaters guide if youre too stretched for time for the whole QE, or enough to whet your appetite.

3. Earl Spencer on the pain of boarding-school abuse

This week, Charles Spencer spoke to Tim Adams about his decision to write about his traumatic childhood. During a miserable five years, the brother of Diana, Princess of Wales, was physically and sexually abused at a Northamptonshire prep school.

Reactions to his book formed a Manichean split: on one hand, emails from fellow survivors praising his courage; on the other, the default prurience of the tabloid press  and, as bleakly, his branding by some as a traitor to his class. He and Adams talk about it all at considered depth, and with a calm, reflective dignity.

Advice from Billy Connolly: at the close of the interview, Adams recalls a conversation with the comedian on similar themes. Its not called emotional baggage for nothing, Connolly had told him. It means you can put it down if you want to.

I totally agree with that, Spencer tells Adams here. I do feel I might put it down now.

How long will it take to read: a bit under eight minutes.

4. Time to learn properly about Frantz Fanon

Everyone sees what they want to see in Frantz Fanon, writes Edo Konrad. The anti-colonial icon is endlessly quoted by leftists tweeting about Black Lives Matter or Palestine. He is the father of ongoing efforts to decolonise psychiatry. He has even been invoked by the far-right conspiracy theorist Renaud Camus, the father of the great replacement theory, to support his calls for depopulating Europe of non-white immigrant occupiers.

Since 7 October, Konrad continues, Fanons legacy is subject to more fascination than ever, as a cascade of statements and thinkpieces try to work out how his theories might or might not apply to the Hamas attacks in light of the ongoing occupation of Palestine.

Considering the complexities: Adam Shatz, author of a new biography, describes Fanon as a man at odds with himself  but one whose analysis of a world cut in two was prescient. [He] was someone who understood the way in which the postcolonial order would reproduce, on a global stage, some of the conflicts of colonialism itself.

How long will it take to read: four minutes.

5. Looking for the real Hamas

And on the subject of Hamas  Joshua Leifers long read highlights how the way that Palestinian, Israeli and US political activists understand the organisation will determine what kind of agreement can be reached to end the current war, and what the future of Gaza will look like.

His explanation of the groups history in the region, and the various currents within it frames a central, urgent question: Whether [Hamas] is primarily a nationalist group with an Islamist character, which could be a constructive player in a meaningful peace process, or whether it is a more radical, fundamentalist group, whose hostility to Israel is so unwavering that it can only play the role of violent opposition.

Where is it all going? The death and destruction on such a massive scale appear to signal a shift in paradigm, the emergence of a new phase, writes Leifer. But part of what makes Israels prosecution of the current war so chilling is that, after killing more than 30,000 Palestinians, and after 1,200 Israelis were killed by Hamas on 7 October, the basic political framework of Israel/Palestine may, the day after the war, remain the same as it was on 6 October.

How long will it take to read: 13 minutes  and you can find more of our coverage of the crisis here.

A reasonably heavy edition of the newsletter today. Have a lovely weekend. Send us an email. Rewatch Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. As autumn keeps stop-starting in steamy Sydney, youll find me contemplating the Suffolk medieval cycle trail and wistfully Googling flights.

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Janet Coyle has developed programmes to support entrepreneurs in growing their businesses, with a particular focus on under-represented founders including women. Photo: Grow London

Janet Coyle CBE joined the Foreign Commonwealth Office in 1983 straight from school and worked in the diplomatic service for 20 years.

She is now managing director of Grow London at London & Partners. For the past 10 years, Coyle has developed programmes to support entrepreneurs in growing their businesses and leads all the business teams globally.

Ann Grant, one of the few female ambassadors at the time when she was British High Commissioner in South Africa, was a force of nature in the way she led from the front in kindness.

I had been posted to Cape Town just before 2000 to do trade and investment work and help British companies access opportunities.

Read My first boss: Martin Metcalf, CEO of Basis Technologies

As I moved around to different posts and countries I was mindful and purposeful of taking it to the next phase, with the Foreign Office being quite a hierarchical organisation. But I was a sponge and always learning from others.

Ann would always think outside the box and I never met an ambassador or high commissioner quite like her. It wasnt about putting yourself forward in any way, but about having impact and being able to measure success in what you were doing.

Ann Grant, pictured during her time as British High Commissioner in South Africa, first joined the UK Diplomatic Service in 1972.

We would have a minister coming to town to promote Cape Town and in 2001 it was the early days of tourism in the townships. Rather than going up Table Mountain or Camps Bay, Ann started to help them promote the work in these communities and they in turn began to get on the map.

They were measured risks Ann took but I knew then that I could come up with creative ideas and not follow the traditional playbook thanks to her ability to build a community and be inclusive.

She got close to the communities with her charm, she listened and I learned the value of social conscience and giving back.

Ann simply taught me to look outside and have a wider vision.

She also led with kindness and fun, was constantly thinking about others and how to make an impact. So much so that she could articulate to staff in such a way that it made you want to go with her on her journey and leave the office to build communities.

Read More: My first boss: Hannah Lewis, American Express UK country manager

I spent over 20 years in the Foreign Office moving around the world from South Africa, Malawi to Vietnam with my last posting in San Francisco. There, I was able to engage with entrepreneurs and host round tables for our ministers and the great and good of tech.

I felt the energy of Silicon Valley and knew that was the field I wanted to remain in. I then worked on the London 2012 Olympics for four years helping to deliver an economic growth strategy.

London & Partners was created just before the Olympics where the then Mayor brought together Think London, Visit London and, at the time, Study London. We became this joined up organisation which made a lot of sense.

After 20 years in the diplomatic service, Janet Coyle followed her passion for the Olympics and worked on a business strategy for London. (Paul Clarke Photographer +44(0)7515 655932 paul@paulclarke.com)

Fast forward to today, I am MD of all our high growth work where we rebranded last May to Grow London. I have been building out so many products and services for the scale ups for high growth companies that we wanted it under one banner. We bring investment into London and help up to 400 scale ups go global.

We are now probably one of the largest, most effective accelerators for scale ups in the UK, having created 84,000 jobs in London over the last 11 years and helped 2,500 companies who have chosen London when they are looking to come to Europe.

Read More: My first boss: Anna Lundstrom, CEO of Nespresso UK&I

Our competition is the likes of Amsterdam, Berlin and Paris. But we are a small, innovative country punching above our weight. We have to constantly try to reinvent and London is still a city that companies want to come to.

With over 100 staff globally, our mission is to generate economic growth for London and inclusivity is a key part of that.

I am constantly challenging our team to make sure we deliver to suit a wide range of people, be it under-represented founders or female founders.

That goes back to my time in South Africa. Its not just part of the job, its part of my make-up, developed over a number of years and inspired by Ann.

Watch: AI reskilling must be a continuous investment for businesses

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BEIRUT, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian groups in Lebanon detained on Friday several people involved in Israel's assassination of Hamas official Hadi Ali Mohammad Mustafa earlier this month, Palestinian and Lebanese security sources told Xinhua.

The sources, who spoke anonymously, said that Palestinian factions arrested two 18-year-old men in Lebanon's Rashidieh refugee camp, while they were placing a tracking device in the car of a relative of Mustafa.

The sources added that investigations with the two young Lebanese led to the capture of their employer, who worked as a mosque servant in Lebanon's southern city of Tyre. All detainees were handed over to Lebanese security agencies.

On March 13, an Israeli drone hit a civilian car driven by Mustafa with two air-to-surface missiles, killing him instantly along with another Syrian national. 
Skylar Meade, whom police say is a member of a white supremacist prison gang, in an undated and unlocated police handout photo. Photograph: Boise police/AP

A white supremacist prison gang member and his accomplice are in police custody after being on the run in Idaho, and investigators are looking into whether they killed two people while on the run.

On Thursday, Idaho officials said that Skylar Meade, 31, and Nicholas Umphenour, 28, were arrested in Twin Falls  about 130 miles (209km) from where they escaped.

According to local reports citing police, Meade is a member of the Aryan Knights, a white supremacy prison gang based primarily in Idaho. Pictures released by the police showed Meades tattoos including an A and a K on his stomach.

The pairs arrest comes after Umphenour, police said, staged an attack on Idaho corrections department officers on Wednesday as they were transporting Meade back to prison from a hospital in Boise. Meade was being treated for self-injurious wounds to his face and body, said corrections department director Josh Tewalt.

He added that the officers transporting Meade were unarmed and wore ballistic vests. They were accompanied by armed staff.

Following the ambush, in which three officers were wounded, the pair fled the scene and were seen traveling in a grey four-door sedan, police said.

Meade, who had been incarcerated since 2016, was serving time for aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer with a firearm enhancement. He has prior convictions including felony possession of a controlled substance, grand theft and introduction of contraband into a correctional facility, Boise police said, adding that his most recent sentence was set to end in 2036.

Meanwhile, police have charged Umphenour with aggravated battery against law enforcement and one charge of aiding and abetting an escapee.

Meade and Umphenour were both housed at an Idaho maximum security institution from December 2020 to January 2024 and at times shared the same housing unit, KVTB reported.

In a press conference on Thursday, police announced that the two men had been arrested in Twin Falls after a short vehicle pursuit. They were taken into custody without shots, police said.

We found the vehicle they escaped [in] in northern Idaho, and they took another vehicle, police added. They also said they were investigating two homicides involving adult males that were potentially tied to this incident. Police said they found shackles at the scene of one of the killings and thats one of the ways we tied them together.

Speaking at the conference, Tewalt said the Aryan Knights are one of multiple security-threat groups that we monitor and try to interrupt their activities. Tewalt said Meade and Umphenours gang involvement does not necessarily indicate that this was some sort of gang-sanctioned event.

The investigation remains under way with a good chance of prosecution in several different locations, police said.
A group of people arriving in Dover, Kent, in a small boat are helped to disembark a Border Force vessel on 4 March. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA

Accommodation for lone asylum seeker children who arrive on the Kent coast in small boats could run out before the end of this month, a council has warned, placing them at risk.

Kent county council has legal duties under the Children Act to take these children into care on arrival in the UK. Due to its geographical location, it is under disproportionate pressure to look after these children compared with other local authorities. Under the national transfer scheme, many of the children are subsequently moved to different local authorities around the country after arrival.

However, due to high numbers of children arriving on their own on small boats and delays in moving them to other areas, Kent says it is struggling to cope and that its spaces for these children could run out before the end of March.

As a result of a shortage of accommodation the council has had to place a small number of older children in unregistered accommodation as a last resort.

At a high court hearing last week the council submitted evidence that as of 4 March it was accommodating 423 unaccompanied children seeking asylum, of which 346 were in long-term care and 77 awaiting transfer to other local authorities.

More than 4,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats so far this year, ten per cent higher than this time last year, despite the prime minister Rishi Sunaks pledge to stop the boats. Historically, about one in 10 of the number crossing have been unaccompanied children.

The high court hearing was part of a long-running case to challenge the use by the Home Office of hotels, mainly along Englands south coast, to accommodate newly arrived lone asylum seeker children, after it emerged that since June 2021 440 children had gone missing from these hotels with 132 not subsequently found. It is feared that many of the missing children have fallen into the hands of traffickers and have been subjected to exploitation.

At an earlier high court hearing last December the Home Office was banned from accommodating lone asylum seekers in hotels apart from for very short periods in true emergency situations.

At the end of January 2024 the last of several hotels used by the Home Office to temporarily accommodate newly arrived children was closed, with two children suffering from suspected diphtheria having been placed in hotel accommodation earlier that month.

While the decision to end hotel use for these children has been welcomed, the latest court hearing has shown that the problem has not yet been solved.

The case is a complex one involving several local authorities, the charity Ecpat UK  Every Child Protected Against Trafficking, the Home Office and the Department for Education.

Hugh Southey KC, representing Kent county council, argued in written statements that Kents safe placement capacity may be exceeded as soon as this month with Home Offices own modelling envisaging the council exceeding its capacity later this month.

Kent county council cannot magic up external placements that do not exist, he said. He asked the court to make an order for government to take steps if Kent finds it cannot discharge its duties under the Children Act due to large numbers arriving. The request for the court order was opposed by others at the hearing.

According to forecasts provided to the court, between March and December this year up to 3,541 unaccompanied children could arrive on small boats although Kent county council has places for just 1,631 of them.

While the council is working with government on the issue, fundamental disagreements remain between them about the best way forward.

A draft version of a joint emergency response plan between the council and the government was discussed in court and disclosed to the Guardian. It outlines different trigger points with yellow, amber, red and black warnings attached depending on the severity of the shortage of accommodation for children, with escalation to ministers should the red trigger point be reached.

Shu Shin Luh, representing ECPAT UK, told the court that it was a groundhog day situation continuing to leave vulnerable children in limbo.

The judge, Mr Justice Chamberlain, told the court: My number one priority is to work out a solution that avoids children not being looked after.

He is expected to give judgment in the case after Easter.
The Princess of Wales, pictured in October, has been diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer. Photograph: Samir Hussein/WireImage

The Princess of Wales has become one of hundreds of thousands of Britons diagnosed with cancer every year.

Here is what is known so far about Catherines condition.

What type of cancer has she been diagnosed with?

Catherine, 42, has been diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer.

In a personal message issued on Friday evening, the princess said that when she underwent major abdominal surgery in January, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous.

The surgery, which took place at the London Clinic, was successful. After 13 nights in hospital, the princess left the clinic on 29 January. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present, she said on Friday.

Kensington Palace said it would not be sharing any further medical information about the form or stage of cancer that was discovered.

What kind of tests were performed?

Details of the type of test have not been divulged but diagnostic tests for cancer can involve blood tests, scans and biopsies.

A biopsy is a medical procedure that involves taking a small sample so it can be examined under a microscope to identify whether there are abnormal cells present. Catherine said that tests after the operation found cancer had been present.

What is being done?

In her personal message, the princess said her medical team advised that she should undergo a course of preventive chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy is a treatment where medicine is used to kill cancer cells. There are many different types of chemotherapy medicine but they all work in a similar way. They stop cancer cells reproducing, which prevents them from growing and spreading in the body.

Catherine said on Friday she was in the early stages of the treatment.

When did she begin treatment?

The Guardian understands that Catherine began a course of preventive chemotherapy in late February.

When will the treatment finish?

She is still in the early stages and the decision on when it could be completed will be subject to medical advice.

How is Catherine feeling?

She said the last couple of months had been incredibly tough for her and her family but she was in good spirits and focused on recovering.

I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits.

The princess added that she was looking forward to returning to work but for now must focus on making a full recovery.

Will her diagnosis raise awareness?

Yes. When her father-in-law, King Charles, shared his diagnosis of cancer earlier this year there was a significant increase in searches for the condition on the NHS website.

The head of the NHS described Catherines cancer diagnosis as shocking but praised her for speaking publicly about the condition.

Amanda Pritchard, NHS Englands chief executive, said: Speaking out about it is really brave and it can help others to get worrying signs and symptoms checked. If youre worried about cancer, the NHS website has more information here.

How many people are diagnosed with cancer every year in the UK?

According to Macmillan Cancer Support, about 393,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with cancer each year.

Half of those diagnosed with cancer in the UK survive for at least 10 years after diagnosis, according to Cancer Research UK figures, but survival rates vary for each type of cancer.

Each year about 167,000 people die from cancer in the UK. In 2021, one in four of all deaths were caused by cancer, the charity says on its website.

How rare is it for someone to be diagnosed with cancer in their 40s?

Anyone can get cancer, but cancer at a young age is rare. Most cases of cancer are in people aged 50 and over.

However, the number of under-50s worldwide being diagnosed with cancer has increased by nearly 80% in three decades, according to the largest study of its kind.

Global cases of early onset cancer increased from 1.82m in 1990 to 3.26m in 2019, while cancer deaths of adults in their 40s, 30s or younger grew by 27%.

Were both King Charles and the Princess of Wales diagnosed with cancer after being treated for something else?

Yes. Buckingham Palace said that during the kings procedure for a benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Further diagnostic tests identified a form of cancer, the palace said.

Catherine only found she had cancer after undergoing abdominal surgery in January. Kensington Palace has not disclosed why she needed surgery in the first place.

That is why it is important to be aware of any new or worrying symptoms or changes to your health. Although it is unlikely to be cancer, it is important to speak to a GP so they can investigate. Finding cancer early means it is easier to treat.
Jordanian army personnel carrying out an airdrop over northern Gaza on 15 March. Photograph: Jordan Pix/Getty Images

Israels siege of Gaza has created what aid officials are referring to as man-made starvation, with the territory facing the threat of mass deaths from famine in the coming weeks. Children are already dying from hunger.

As part of its devastating war strategy against Hamas, Israel has restricted shipments of food and medicine to just a fraction of what Palestinian civilians need to survive.

The crisis is an artificially created one. Gaza, population roughly 2.3 million, is not geographically isolated. The small strip of land on the eastern Mediterranean coast served as a well-connected port for centuries, linking Asia with Europe.

Starvation is used as a weapon of war, the EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said this week. Israel is provoking famine.

Gaza used to have multiple land border crossings, but only two remain open  Rafah and Kerem Shalom. Israel ripped up the strips only international airport 20 years ago, and years of blockade and isolation means Gaza has no capacity for big ships to dock.

Aid arriving by road

The easiest, fastest and most obvious way for aid to enter would be by road. Israel controls several land routes into Gaza that could be used to get more than enough food and supplies in.

Israel says it needs to inspect every shipment to make sure no cargo can be used to the benefit of its Hamas enemies. Even trucks travelling from Egypt, which has a peace treaty with Israel, are inspected by Israeli forces.

Aid officials criticise the slow and often arbitrary inspection process, which in practice blocks aid, with trucks waiting weeks for approvals. The onerous Israeli system means humanitarian convoys travelling from Egypt and Jordan have to take circuitous routes.

The few that get into Gaza need to drive over destroyed roads and avoid hijacking by criminal or militant groups operating in a near-anarchic situation that has resulted from the war. Israeli forces have also attacked aid convoys and bombed warehouses inside Gaza.

Israeli authorities turn back some aid deliveries at the border because of items they claim to be of dual use, meaning they can be used for civilian but also military purposes, such as for making explosives.

There is no official public list of what Israel considers dual-use items, and some items may be blocked at certain points and then let in later, making it impossible for aid organisation to plan a smooth delivery of aid.

Medecins Sans Frontieres said it had consistently been denied the import of power generators, water purifiers, solar panels and other medical equipment. And a UK aid shipment containing 2,500 solar lanterns and 1,350 water filters was rejected.

Philippe Lazzarini, of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, has said one aid truck was turned back because it had scissors used in childrens medical kits.

Aid arriving by air

Delivering aid by air to Gaza is not possible as Israel destroyed the strips international airport two decades ago.

However, after failing to persuade Israel to allow sufficient aid into Gaza by land, the US and other countries such as Jordan, France and Germany have gained permission to use aid drops.

The highly expensive method can deliver between one and three truckloads, depending on the aircraft used, with pallets being pushed out the back and landing via parachute. Aid groups point out that once the aid is on the ground, the first people to get to it will often be the strongest, meaning many vulnerable people will lose out.

People are desperate and starving  aid officials say Gaza has no functioning economy due to the war and years of blockade. Prices have soared, with reports of bags of sugar priced at $20 and nappies at over $50.

Aid arriving by sea

Israel has maintained a naval blockade for years, preventing ships from arriving. However, efforts this month to get aid to Gazas shores saw the first maritime aid shipment of the war.

A Spanish ship departed from Cyprus, the nearest EU country to Gaza, and delivered 200 tonnes of food. Other ships are expected to follow, although Gaza does not have a properly functioning port, which severely limits the effort.

US forces plan to build a temporary dock on the shoreline to allow delivery of humanitarian aid on a larger scale. But it will be weeks before it is operational.

Palestinians in Gaza have never had a commercial cargo seaport, and their only access out to sea is through a small fishing port in Gaza City that is about 5 metres deep. The depth needed for a standard cargo ship is about 12 metres. A proposal exists for a new port to be built in southern Gaza with a jetty that could accommodate smaller vessels that could dock in a depth of 8-10 metres.

Israel agreed to the construction of a deeper commercial seaport in the 1990s but its forces destroyed early construction work during the early 2000s Palestinian uprising. Years later, negotiations restarted for the construction of a new seaport, but these were abandoned in 2007 when Hamas took power.

Alarm over the prospect of famine in Gaza has increased in recent weeks. On Monday the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, regarded as the international gold standard in assessing food crises, said northern Gaza faced imminent famine and that the rest of the territory was also at risk.
A Russian serviceman secures an area as a massive blaze engulfs the Crocus City Hall after an attack by gunmen - Dmitry Serebryakov/AP

Muscovites are sadly no strangers to terror attacks.

In the 2000s and 2010s, a string of suicide bombings struck the citys metro system and airports and were mostly carried out by Chechen and other Islamist separatists from the North Caucasus.

But Fridays attack at Crocus Hall will above all recall the 2002 Nord Ost theatre siege when a group of Chechen gunmen and women took an entire theatre hostage in eastern Moscow to demand an end to the second Chechen war.

The botched response saw more hostages die from the sleeping gas used by responding special forces than were killed by the terrorists themselves. Some 172 people died.

Outside the Nord-Ost theatre siege in eastern Moscow in October 2002 - Misha Japaridze/AP

In recent years, such atrocities seemed to fade away - partly thanks to years of sustained and often brutal counter-insurgency campaigns, and partly thanks to the war in Syria, which attracted many Russian jihadists who authorities were only too glad to see leaving to fight elsewhere.

So the latest attack will come as a horrific shock.

Islamic State claimed responsibility late on Friday night. The claim has not been confirmed, but if genuine, it has the motive, the record, and the capability.

Thousands of Russians and Russian-speaking jihadists flocked to Syria and Iraq at the height of the Islamic States so-called caliphate in the mid-2000s. Many of them ended up in open-air prison camps in northern Syria alongside other foreigners, including the UKs Shamima Begum. Some were allowed to return home.

This attack is a reminder that the terror group remains a potent threat - and also that Russias security services, preoccupied with the war in Ukraine, may have neglected it, even though the Kremlin is still fighting in Syria.

The target - a sprawling exhibition complex on the northwestern edge of the MKAD - Moscows equivalent of the M25 - is nowhere near the ultra-high security environment of the city centre where the Kremlin and government offices are.

But it is one of the citys largest and most prominent venues. Questions will be asked about the FSBs failure to protect it.

Two weeks ago the US embassy in Moscow warned its citizens to stay away from large public gatherings because of a possible terror threat.

That suggests Western intelligence agencies picked up intercepted chatter suggesting an attack was coming. Despite current tensions, these agencies usually share actionable intelligence on terror threats with their Russian counterparts.

So it is likely the Russians also had some idea of an imminent threat - though perhaps not enough to forestall it.

Vladimir Putin has a history of tightening his grip on power in the aftermath of terrorist atrocities.

After a mysterious series of bombings of apartment blocks in 1999, he launched the second Chechen war, which in turn secured his first term as president.

A rescue operation outside a Beslan school under siege in September 2004 - YURI TUTOV/AFP/Getty Images

Following the 2004 Beslan school siege, in which more than 300 people including 186 children were killed, he cancelled elections for regional governors on the grounds that central oversight was needed. To this day, governors are appointed by the president. In retrospect, that was a key moment in Putins project of recentralising power in the Kremlin.

It is too early to predict how Putin will react to this latest horror.

But many Russia-watchers expected him to make some kind of big move after last weeks election - possibly in the form of an even harsher crackdown on internal dissent, or imposing an unpopular mobilisation to draft soldiers for the war in Ukraine.

If he was looking for an excuse for a big security policy shift, he now has it.
Nex Benedict outside their familys home in Owasso, Oklahoma, in December 2023. Photograph: Sue Benedict via AP

Advocates for LGBTQ+ rights expressed outrage following an announcement that no criminal charges will be filed against the Oklahoma teens involved in a high school bathroom fight with Nex Benedict, the non-binary 16-year-old who was ruled by the authorities to have subsequently taken their own life, the county district attorney said.

The president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (Glaad), Sarah Kate Ellis, criticized the decision by the Tulsa county district attorney, Steve Kunzweiler, who had cited as part of his decision that he deemed the incident in which Nex reported three students coming at me as an instance of mutual combat.

Related: Oklahoma medical examiner rules death of teen Nex Benedict as a suicide

Time and time again, leaders in Oklahoma have showed that they dont value Nexs life, or the lives of other Indigenous and 2STGNC+ [Two Spirit, transgender, and gender-nonconforming+] students, Ellis said, adding, while calling out the high school Benedict attended: Everyone from Superintendent Walters and Owasso high school to the unaccredited-since-2009 state medical examiners office, the district attorney, and Owasso police department have failed Nex.

Ellis called for an independent investigation, saying: We will never stop seeking justice for Nex and we will never stop holding leaders accountable to serving their communities fairly and with compassion.

Bryan Paddack, the founder of the LGBTQ+ advocacy group Rural Oklahoma Pride, condemned the failure of officials to address bullying and discrimination that targets LGBTQ+ youth in comments to KOCO News: If we cant report it to our senators, our governors, our president, what makes you think our children are going to want to point it out to our teachers, or principals, when nothing is going to happen?

Kunzweiler said that after reviewing the investigation by the Owasso police department, he agreed with an assessment from detectives that charges were not warranted arising from the fight between the teen and three girls.

When I review a report and make a decision to file a charge I must be convinced  as is every prosecutor  that a crime was committed and that I have reasonable belief that a judge or jury would be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime was committed, Kunzweiler said. From all the evidence gathered, this fight was an instance of mutual combat.

Kunzweiler also said Owasso police found a suicide note written by Nex, although he declined to say what the note said. The state medical examiner determined last week that Nexs death in February was a suicide.

An attorney for the Benedict family, Jacob Biby, said he did not expect the family to comment on the district attorneys decision. In a statement last week, however, the family called on schools, administrators and lawmakers to come together and push for reforms that seek to end bullying.

In video footage from the hospital the day of the altercation, Nex explains to an officer that the girls had been picking on them and their friends because of the way they dressed. Nex claims that in the bathroom the students said something like: why do they laugh like that?, referring to Nex and their friends.

And so I went up there and I poured water on them, and then all three of them came at me, Nex told the officer from a hospital bed.

Nexs family has said there had been harassment because of the teens non-binary identity, and federal officials have opened an investigation into the school district, according to a letter sent earlier this month by the US Department of Education.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org
Margherita Zenoni: 'OCD is like being in quicksand: the more you struggle, the deeper you will sink' - David Rose

I am eight years old and in the supermarket aisle with my twin sister Sofia beside me  our mother is elsewhere in the shop. I do a pirouette to the right.

Then my childlike brain tells me I have created a mess. Even today, I can recall the anxiety, the fear that something terrible is about to happen until I balance everything up. My mind wont go quiet until I do a pirouette to the left. Only then, can my worry recede.

For as long as I can remember, I have shown signs of OCD, or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. This condition has put me through years of utter hell. But, it has also brought me to where I am today; studying for a PhD at Cambridge University, where this weekend I will be standing up to tell a lecture-room full of strangers about my experience.

As a schoolgirl in Milan, where I grew up, I was sensitive and emotional. If my mother, a teacher, told me not to do something, I would shout: You dont love me, then!. Then I would feel the need to apologise hundreds of times to make sure she did still love me.

I had quite a few tics and had to touch objects such as shelves and walls to stop bad things happening. Common childhood traits, you might think, but my twin sister didnt do anything like this.

The situation got worse as I moved through school. I would set my alarm at 4am, so I had enough time to get ready to leave for school at 8.30. If I didnt do things slowly and perfectly  pull on my socks and my jumper just so  my world would fall apart in a way I wasnt quite able to define.

Margherita with her twin sister, Sofia, as children

My parents started to worry, and eventually it was my father, an accountant, who took me to a child psychologist. I was relieved, in a way. I felt there was something wrong with me that needed to be fixed, though it was also upsetting to be doing something, for the first time, without my twin.

But the doctor simply told us that I was a normal, clever child  and there was nothing wrong with me. Hence, when my behaviour continued, my parents simply thought I was being difficult  and I dont blame them for this. But deep down, I was angry and frustrated.

My OCD symptoms subsided for a few years. But in my late teens, they came back with a vengeance. Many people might think that OCD is just about tidiness or cleanliness. And while the compulsion to wash your hands hundreds of times a day certainly exists for some, and can be deeply distressing, it was the repetitive, intrusive thoughts that were so awful for me.

I remember one morning in 2013, getting on a crowded bus to school. I became convinced that if I touched anyone on this bus  with my backpack, my shoes, or my jacket  something terrible would happen to them.

As the bus was packed, this was impossible to avoid. My brain told me the other passengers would be hit with a car, killed  even raped: the most terrible, gruesome images, in lurid detail. Even though my rational self told me these werent real, the thoughts were obsessions that wouldnt go away.

Id sit at my school desk, frozen in terror, unable to concentrate on what the teacher was saying  it was as if my brain had been taken hostage by the thoughts.

From that day, the OCD was constantly shouting in my head, every day, every minute, like the worst enemy. So intrusive were these thoughts, often of sexual violence happening to me or other people  that it was taking me an hour to finish reading a page of my book.

This was really upsetting for someone who adored studying. But somehow, I struggled to pretend to the outside world everything was fine, which in itself was exhausting.

I had very few friends in high school  even during normal conversations, I had these terrible images going through my head. I remember one girl calling me weird. I used to confide in Sofia, who was always very protective of me. Throughout our childhood, she tried to protect me from anything that could hurt me including toxic people.

Margherita recalls confiding in Sofia throughout their childhood

By this point, I had started cognitive behavioural therapy (or CBT) which was meant to help me manage the OCD by encouraging me to think realistic thoughts. However, like the doctor Id seen during my childhood, this psychologist did not know how to treat OCD.

At university, my symptoms abated quite considerably  possibly because I was happier in this new environment. I performed well and won a place to study for a masters in Clinical Mental Health Sciences at University College London.

It was my dream to move to London, and when I did so in September 2019, at the age of 23, I was at my peak of happiness. I thought my story of OCD was over.

But this was not to be. After a few weeks in London, I was back in the cage. I started to see the most horrific, vivid images of a man violently attacking me. I would walk the streets with my body stiff on hyper-alert and my arms wrapped around me in defence, to stop these attacks happening. I said to my brain: these things are not happening, but the thoughts simply wouldnt stop.

Back then, I couldnt explain why many of my intrusive thoughts had a violent, sexual element, but later, as I studied the condition, I learnt that this is what the OCD does: it develops around the unique vulnerabilities of the individual, turns them into their worst nightmare, and uses their brain against them.

'After a few weeks in London, I was back in the cage'

I decided I needed to find meaning in this constant suffering  that I was going to make lemonade out of lemons  and I was going to dedicate my career studying OCD. But my illness did its best to derail this, with one of the most frightening episodes of all.

I was in a lecture one day, when I started to hear the thoughts, hectoring me that I was not loveable, that I was too ill to make it. Terrified I was having a psychotic episode, I ran out of the lecture in a panic and called my mother.

The university sent me to a GP who gave me sertraline  an antidepressant which has been shown to also help people with OCD  and set me up with 12 psychotherapy sessions. Then, we decided I would slow down and spread my course over two years instead of one.

Finally, after all these years, I felt I was getting proper treatment. With my new therapist, I learned the main trick to weakening the OCD. I was to simply accept every image thrown at me, the trick was not to react to my thoughts.

OCD is like being in quicksand: the more you struggle, the deeper you will sink. People are trapped by their frantic attempts to escape. So I decided I was going to starve the monster.

Margherita's PhD at Cambridge, in conjunction with Orchard OCD, looks at new ways of treating OCD - David Rose

And now, this girl who was terrified even of getting on the school bus, is in the middle of doing a PhD at Cambridge at the age of 28. When I found out I was accepted, it was as if all the pieces came together. Im now working with the most brilliant researchers in the world, in conjunction with Orchard OCD, looking at new ways of treating OCD, including the drug psilocybin and magnetic stimulation of the brain.

In Autumn 2022, I met the most wonderful new man  Matteo, a lawyer seven years older than me. I told him about my OCD almost immediately: he has been incredibly supportive, reading books and scientific papers on the subject, so he could better understand.

OCD has taken me through pure hell but has also affected my life in an unexpectedly glorious way. Today, I am doing well. I am one of the 60 per cent of people who respond to the current treatments for OCD, and I am grateful.

I feel strong and independent, and I am going to dedicate the rest of my life and career to helping the 40 per cent, who live with these terrible thoughts and images shouting in their heads. Just by speaking out, I hope I can help the rest of the world begin to understand.

As told to Miranda Levy

Margherita Zenoni is speaking at the Cambridge Festival, organised by the University of Cambridge, which runs until Thursday 28th March; cfr.cam.ac.uk

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More than a million Ukrainians have been left without power after Russia launched one of its largest missile and drone attacks on the countrys energy infrastructure to date.

The Ukrainian air force said Russia had launched 88 missiles and 63 Iranian-made Shahed drones. Of them, 37 and 55 respectively were shot down, but others hit the countrys largest dam and caused blackouts in several regions, and killing at least five people.

The strikes came as the Kremlin stepped up its rhetoric over the conflict, saying that Russia was in a state of war in Ukraine and casting aside its usual depiction of the invasion as a special military operation.

Russias defence ministry said it launched the massive air strikes as revenge for Ukrainian attacks on its border regions over recent weeks.

Several major power facilities were hit in the south-eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, including the countrys largest dam and the Dnipro hydroelectric power plant, one of Europes biggest. Ukrainian authorities said there was no risk of a breach but a generating unit was in critical condition after dramatic images posted online showed a fire at the dam.

The enemy is carrying out the largest-scale attack on the Ukrainian energy industry in recent times, said the energy minister, German Galushchenko.

The goal is not just to damage, but to try again, like last year, to cause a large-scale failure in the operation of the countrys energy system.

Russia routinely struck Ukrainian power and hydroelectric plants, substations and heat generation facilities in the winter of 2022-23, leaving the average Ukrainian household without electricity for weeks, but the country appeared better prepared and able to shield its energy infrastructure in the early months of the second winter of the war. A delay in vital US aid has however significantly weakened Kyivs ability to withstand attacks.

Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, sharply criticised the continued uncertainty over western support. Russian missiles have no delays, unlike aid packages for Ukraine, Zelenskiy wrote on social media after Fridays attacks.

Shahed drones have no indecision, unlike some politicians. It is critical to understand the cost of delays and postponed decisions. Our partners know exactly what is needed. They can definitely support us. These are necessary decisions. Life must be protected from these savages from Moscow.

The strikes came as there was anger in Ukraine over areport by the Financial Times that Washington had urged Kyiv to halt drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure for fear of driving up global oil prices.

Ukraine has used domestically-produced drones to wreak havoc with Russias energy infrastructure since the start of the year. Attacks have led to the shutdown of several key Russian oil refineries deep inside the country that account for about 12% of Moscows refining capacity. The attacks have also led to a surge in oil prices, which have risen nearly 4% since 12 March.

Citing sources with knowledge of the matter, the Financial Times reported that US officials were worried that a further rise in the countrys petrol prices could weaken Joe Biden ratings and undermine his campaign to win a second term as president.

The report is likely to cause more friction between Kyiv and its western allies. Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraines deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration said that her country understands the appeals of our American partners.

At the same time, we are fighting with the capabilities, resources and practices that we have today, Stefanishyna said during the Kyiv Security Forum on Friday.

Stop projecting fear! Ukraine should and will strike into Moscovian oil refineries. This is the most effective energy sanction so far, wrote Daria Kaleniuk, the executive director of Ukraines Anti-Corruption Action Centre, on X.

The Kremlins rare use of the term war on Friday comes as Moscow seeks to increase domestic support for the Putin invasion while signalling to its population that it should gear up for a prolonged conflict

It started as a special military operation, the Kremlins spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said. But as soon as  the collective west became involved in this on the side of Ukraine, it became a war for us.

The Kremlin has taken a notably more aggressive line towards the west since the French president, Emmanuel Macron, opened the door to sending European ground troops to Ukraine. Vladimir Putin has previously told Nato countries they risk provoking a nuclear war if they send troops to fight in Ukraine.

Macron told a summit of EU leaders in Brussels on Friday that anyone who thinks that Moscow will stop in the Donbas and Crimea is mistaken

Tatiana Stanovaya, a political analyst and founder of the political analysis firm R.Politik, said Peskovs war comments signalled a new chapter in the conflict.

Now its official. The special military operation is now recognised as a war, she wrote on Telegram.

Of course, de facto, the special military operation became a war long ago. But we have now passed a certain psychological boundary, beyond which more will be demanded both from population and the elites.

Responding to journalists questions later, Peskov said his comments did not mean the country would introduce any legal changes adding that Russias actions in Ukraine were still legally qualified at home as a special military operation

Moscow has shown no signs it plans to slow down its assault on Ukraine two years after launching a full-scale invasion, but the International Monetary Funds (IMF) executive board said on Thursday that it expected the war to wind down by the end of 2024.

A senior IMF official made the comments as the organisation approved a third review of Ukraines $15.6bn (9.2bn) loan programme, allowing the release of $880m for budget support.
Ukraine said on Friday that Russian oil refineries were legitimate targets, in a rebuke to the United States.

Officials in Kyiv insisted they would continue blowing up energy facilities, despite reports that the US has been warning them to halt drone strikes amid fears they could hinder Joe Bidens re-election chances.

The White House had urged Kyiv to stop attacking refineries, depots and storage facilities inside Russia because they could cause petrol prices to rise or prompt an escalation from Moscow.

In response, Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraines deputy prime minister for Euro-Atlantic integration, said: We understand the calls of our American partners.

At the same time, we are fighting with the capabilities, resources and practices that we have today.

Mr Biden reportedly raised concerns with Kyiv that the bid to damage Russias oil production capacity could have repercussions for his re-election campaign.

Washington had reached out to Ukraines SBU security service and HUR military intelligence over the recent spate of drone strikes. There have been at least nine attacks on major Russian refineries this year, which have caused crude oil prices to jump in recent weeks.

Global oil prices up 15 per cent this year

The strikes have hit Russian facilities reportedly accounting for 25 per cent of the countrys total refining capacity of 6.8 million barrels a day, triggering a petrol crisis inside Russia.

Global oil prices have risen 15 per cent this year, to $85 a barrel, creating a potential challenge for Mr Biden ahead of Novembers elections.

Nothing terrifies a sitting American president more than a surge in pump prices during an election year, Bob McNally, a former White House energy adviser, told the FT.

Washington also voiced concerns that if Ukraine maintained its strikes campaign on Russian oil facilities, Moscows forces could attack energy infrastructure relied on by the West.

The CPC pipeline carrying oil from Kazakhstan through Russia to the global market, on behalf of companies such as ExxonMobil and Chevron, has been identified as a potential target. Moscow briefly closed the pipeline in 2022.

Kyiv has steadily developed its unmanned weapons capabilities since the start of the full-scale invasion more than two years ago. Last week, its forces launched two of the largest drone strikes, hitting seven Russian energy facilities in consecutive days.

The war-torn nation has also been able to demonstrate that it can strike Russian ports and oil tankers using maritime drones.

Ukrainian officials hope that by hampering Russias fuel supplies, it would hinder Moscows occupation and cut funds to its war machine.

Helima Croft, a former CIA analyst, said Ukraine potentially had the ability to hit Russian oil infrastructure across 60 per cent of the country.
In the last year, the MoD signed up fewer than one in 10 of the 137,000 people who applied to serve in the Armed Forces, according to Labour figures - MoD/Sgt Donald C Todd RLC

Three quarters of would-be recruits drop out of the militarys application process because it takes too long, government figures have revealed.

While just over one million people applied to join either the Royal Air Force (RAF), Navy or Army since 2014, three in four gave up on the process of joining, resulting in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signing up just over 132,000 people and rejecting almost 170,000.

In the past year alone, the MoD signed up fewer than one in 10 of the 137,000 people who applied to serve in the Armed Forces, according to figures unveiled by Labour.

It comes as a recruitment crisis is threatening to engulf the military. Earlier this year, The Telegraph revealed the Navy has so few sailors it has had to decommission ships to staff its new fleet of frigates, while employment for both the RAF and Army has also fallen.

In the past 10 years, 83 per cent of the 707,000 people who applied to join the Army voluntarily withdrew their application, and fewer than 80,000 were recruited, as first reported by The Times.

For the same period, 71 per cent of the 197,000 people who applied to join the Navy voluntarily withdrew their application, with less than 32,000 recruited, while 46 per cent of the 225,000 people who applied to join the RAF voluntarily withdrew their application.

Governments total failure

For the Army, 8,423 of the 54,128 people who withdrew their applications had waited at least six months before doing so.

John Healey, the shadow defence secretary, said the figures lay bare the Governments total failure in Armed Forces recruitment.

Hundreds of thousands of people willing to serve and defend their country have simply given up on their ambitions, while ministers have failed to get to grips with the problems, he said.

The Conservatives have presided over 14 years of failure in defence  missing their recruitment targets every year, hollowing out our Armed Forces, and reducing the British Army to its smallest size since Napoleon.

Recent suggestions put to Parliament by Capita, the outsourcing giant in charge of recruitment for the Army, on how to solve the recruitment crisis included allowing the employment of soldiers with a record of asthma, hayfever and visible tattoos.

The Army is also considering overturning a 100-year-old beard ban to attract more recruits.

Grant Shapps, the Defence Minister, has been critical of the militarys poor recruitment figures, saying candidates were often rejected for ludicrous reasons.

It is time to move on

On a visit to see troops in Poland last week, Mr Shapps told reporters: We have got to have a far, far more sensible approach to this. Who cares if somebody has got a beard? Does that really mean you cannot fight, come on? We are living in the 21st century. It is time to move on.

The main thing weve got to do is ensure we dont put barriers in peoples way. In this Amazon world, if you are a youngster applying for one of our Armed Forces and actually getting into it takes six, 12, 18 months you may have moved on to the next big thing by then.

The MoD insisted recruitment and retention were priorities, adding that new measures have been put in place to respond to the challenge.

An MoD spokesman said: While it does take time to recruit the right people to the military, we have sped up Army recruitment by 9 per cent in the last year and the vast majority of time it takes for a regular soldier to join is less than 140 days. We are also seeing positive results in recruitment, with January having the highest number of Army regular soldier applications in over six years.
China's public offering fund value hits 29.3 trln yuan

Xinhua) 10:14, March 22, 2024

BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The assets under the management of China's public offering funds reached 29.3 trillion yuan (about 4.13 trillion U.S. dollars) by the end of February, data from the Asset Management Association of China showed.

Compared to the end of January, the figure saw an increase from 27.36 trillion yuan, the association said.

Of the 146 fund management companies, 49 are foreign-funded and 97 are domestic firms, the data showed.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
NIAMEY, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerien transitional authorities have announced the reopening of the land borders with Nigeria starting at 00:00 Friday.

According to observers, the decision will allow the official resumption of trade along the 1,500-km border shared by the two countries, which had been closed since July 30, 2023, following the coup d'etat by the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) on July 26.

The Nigerien Ministry of Interior, in a radio message, informed the governors of the border regions of "the reopening of our land border with the Federal Republic of Nigeria this Friday, March 22, 2024, from zero hours," asking them to "take all necessary measures to strengthen the control system upon entry and exit at the border crossings."

On March 13, Nigeria reopened its land and air borders with Niger and lifted earlier imposed sanctions against that country, in compliance with the decisions of the Authority of the Heads of State and Government of the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at its extraordinary summit on Feb. 24 in Abuja, the Nigerian capital.

At the extraordinary summit, the West African leaders agreed to lift economic sanctions against Niger, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali. 
The UN world water development report found that women and girls are often responsible for water collection  and water access is a key issue in the conflict in Gaza. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images

Women and girls are the first to suffer when drought strikes poor and rural areas, and water strategies around the world must reflect this, the UN has said in a plea to countries to mend conflicts over water resources.

Stress on water resources, which is being exacerbated by the climate crisis, as well as overuse and pollution of the worlds freshwater systems, is a large source of conflict, according to the latest UN world water development report.

The impacts of sharing water, and the possibilities of harnessing cooperation over water resources into wider peace strategies, are often overlooked, the reports authors found. Better cooperation over freshwater access would also play a role in improving the lives of women and girls.

Women and girls carry primary responsibility for water collection in poor and rural areas around the world, and a lack of safe sanitation is a factor in girls dropping out of education, and increases their vulnerability and that of women.

Audrey Azoulay, director general of Unesco, the UN agency that produces the annual report on water, said: As water stress increases, so do the risks of local or regional conflict. Unescos message is clear: if we want to preserve peace, we must act swiftly not only to safeguard water resources but also to enhance regional and global cooperation in this area.

Access to water is a vital issue in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Some observers have accused Israel of weaponising access to fresh water, as Gaza is reliant on Israel for most of its water supply. Hundreds of thousands of children are in severe hunger or facing near-famine in Gaza, while a lack of clean water is increasing thirst as well as disrupting medical treatment and hygiene.

Unescos annual world water development report did not delve into such conflicts, as that would have been too politically sensitive, according to the reports editor-in-chief, Rick Connor.

He said: Water has most often been a tool, a target or a victim of warfare but not typically the cause of war. Disputes over water can occur when demand exceeds supply, when availability is compromised due to pollution, when access to an allocation of water is restricted, or when water supply and sanitation services are disrupted. These disputes can range from legal disputes to violent altercations, often reflecting event specific and location specific social, political, environmental, demographic conditions.

The impacts of water shortages and tensions over water include forced migration, food insecurity and other health threats and particular dangers for women and girls, the report found.

Connor also said: International humanitarian law, including the Geneva convention, explicitly prohibits the targeting of civilian water infrastructure. Tools at the international level to promote peace through water, include agreements and cooperation over internationally shared waters and human-rights-based approaches.

The report found that tensions over water were exacerbating conflicts around the world. But while the role of water in war has often been cited, too little attention has been paid to the potential for cooperation over water to engender or preserve peace, according to Alvaro Lario, the president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development who is also chair of UN-Water.

Water, when managed sustainably and equitably, can be a source of peace and prosperity. It is also the literal lifeblood of agriculture, the major socioeconomic driver for billions of people, he said.

Little progress has been made on water issues in recent years as the climate crisis, pollution and overuse of freshwater resources in some areas have put further stress on water. Nearly half of the worlds population lacks access to hygienic sanitation, and about 2.2 billion people cannot rely on a safe supply of drinking water. These levels of unmet need around the world have increased markedly over the past two decades, despite being targeted as one of the UNs sustainable development goals for 2030.

Instead, if trends continue, water shortages are likely to affect even more people in the future. Global freshwater demand will outstrip supply by 40% by the end of this decade, according to the preliminary findings of the biggest report yet on the worlds water, which is due to be published this September by the Global Commission on the Economics of Water, which is separate to the annual world water development report of UN-Water.

In 2022 about half of the worlds population experienced severe water scarcity for at least part of the year, and between 2002 and 2021 droughts afflicted more than 1.4 billion people.
The Princess of Wales has revealed she is undergoing treatment for cancer in an emotional video message, and told others battling the disease you are not alone.

Kate spoke about the huge shock after tests identified cancer following her abdominal surgery and the incredibly tough couple of months her family have experienced, with her voice cracking with emotion at times during the footage.

The King, diagnosed with cancer in February, is said to be proud of his beloved daughter-in-law for her courage in speaking about her treatment and has remained in close contact during the past few weeks.

Words of support also came from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex who said: We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.

The form of cancer has not been disclosed but the future Queen began a course of preventative chemotherapy late in February, and is said to have a positive mindset for her recovery and is in good spirits, describing herself as well and getting stronger every day.

William and Kate have focused on their children, taking the time to sensitively share the state of the princesss health with Prince George, Prince Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Politicians of all sides have expressed sympathy and support for Kate and criticised what Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described as the intense scrutiny she has faced from social media and sections of the media around the world.

With the head of state and the future Queen both receiving treatment for cancer the royal family faces an uncertain period, but the monarchy is expected to rally round to support those at the heart of the institution.

A message from Catherine, The Princess of Wales pic.twitter.com/5LQT1qGarK  The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 22, 2024

Speaking in the video message recorded on Wednesday in Windsor, the princess said: In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous.

The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.

This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family. As you can imagine, this has taken time.

It is understood the video was released on the day William and Kates three children began their Easter school holidays, to take advantage of the break to shield them from coverage of their mothers health.

Kate, who is casually dressed in the video and sitting on a bench, added: It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be OK.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, with Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte (Chris Jackson/PA)

As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits.

Charles has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer since early February after he was treated for an enlarged prostate at the same hospital where Kate had surgery.

Buckingham Palace said: His Majesty is so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did.

Following their time in hospital together, HM has remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks.

Both Their Majesties will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time.

The London Clinic where Kate was operated on in January (Lucy North/PA)

Kates brother James Middleton posted a message of support for his sibling on Instagram: Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too, ending with a mountain and heart emoji.

The announcement may go some way to ending weeks of intense speculation and conspiracy theories on social media about the whereabouts and health of the future Queen.

Rumours online about Kate intensified after William missed, at very short notice, the memorial service of his godfather the late King Constantine of Greece on February 27.

It is now understood the princes decision not to attend was related to his wifes condition, but it is not known when the princess was told about the positive test for cancer.

Further speculation was triggered after the princess admitted to editing her official Mothers Day photograph which had irregularities.

William and Kate have been focused on their children during the princesss cancer scare (Aaron Chown/PA)

A further development saw an investigation launched by the UKs privacy watchdog, the Information Commissioners Office, into allegations there were attempts to access Kates private medical records at the London Clinic where she had her surgery.

Kate ended her video message by saying: My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.

At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.

It is not known how long Kate will be receiving treatment but it is understood she may be keen to attend events as and when she feels able to, in line with medical advice, although this will not indicate a return to full-time duties.

William will continue to balance supporting his wife and family and maintaining his official duties as he has done since her operation.

The prince is due to return to public duties after his children return to school following the Easter break, but the Waleses will not be joining other royals for the traditional Easter service at Windsor Castles St Georges Chapel.

Mr Sunak said about the princess: She has shown tremendous bravery with her statement today. In recent weeks she has been subjected to intense scrutiny and has been unfairly treated by certain sections of the media around the world and on social media.

When it comes to matters of health, like everyone else, she must be afforded the privacy to focus on her treatment and be with her loving family.
The head of the RAF referenced The Few, who fought off the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain, as he praised the first Ukrainian pilots to pass-out from their training in Britain.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, the chief of the air staff, said Ukraine must prevail, your victory is our victory, as he paid tribute to the skills and motivation of the 10 young pilots at a ceremony on Thursday.

Sir Richard told the pilots at a UK air base: From our own history in the United Kingdom, we understand perhaps more than most how powerful the few can be against the many.

He told them: Its never been more important for us to stand shoulder to shoulder to counter the aggression of those who seek to undermine our freedoms, our liberty, our stability and the security of the international system, standing up against those who think that might-is-right and they can do as they wish.

We cannot and will not allow that.

Sir Richard added: Your conflict is our conflict. Ukraine must prevail, your victory is our victory.

He said: Its been an honour for us to host you and train you here in the UK.

The bond between us  our United Kingdom and Ukraine  is strong and I hope that it will go from strength to strength for as long as it takes.

Ukrainian fast jet pilots at the High-G training and test facility at RAF Cranwell (Andrew Wheeler/UK MOD Crown copyright)

He told the young men: You have impressed us immensely with your enthusiasm to learn, your motivation, your professional skill, your courage, and your complete focus on your cause.

He added: I know your loved ones at home will be enormously proud, just as all of us here are incredibly proud, of what you have achieved.

The 10 pilots received basic flying, ground school and language training in the UK and they will now move to advanced flying training provided by the French Air Force before learning to fly F-16 fighter jets, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.

One of the pilots told the PA news agency: What I really want to say is thank you to the British people who have supported us.

He said he felt the motivation levels among Ukrainian pilots were even higher than people of other nations who are training due to the role they will play in the war when they return home.

Asked about Sir Richards praise for the Ukrainian pilots, another from the group said: He showed us the unity of Ukraine and UK. His speech was really important motivation for us.

He added: We feel stronger together.

A Ukrainian fast jet pilot at the High-G training and test facility (Andrew Wheeler/UK MOD Crown copyright)

During the passing-out ceremony, a senior Ukrainian military officer told the audience: I want to express our gratitude to all people of Great Britain, the Government of the UK and the armed forces of Great Britain for your support of our country in our struggle.

The officer paid tribute to the professionalism of the RAF and said: Your support is important not only for the Ukrainian people, its also important for the whole of Europe.

He told the pilots: We will win, we will win together. We are strong, we are free, we are together.

After the ceremony, there was a fly-past by four of the aircraft in which they have been training.

The MoD said the training is a key UK contribution to the Air Capability Coalition, co-led by the United States, Denmark and the Netherlands, which is helping build an air force of modern fighter jets to form the cornerstone of Ukraines armed forces.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: I would like to congratulate these brave pilots on completing their initial training here in the UK. Thanks to the world-renowned skills of the RAF, these pilots have received some of the best training available and are now a step closer to joining the fight against Putins illegal invasion.

The UK has led the way in building Ukraines air capabilities over the last two years, enhancing its aircraft with additional equipment, as well as being the first nation to provide long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine.

Ukraine is set to receive the first F-16 fighter jets in the summer.

The UK does not operate F-16s, which Ukraine has chosen to form the core of its modernised air force, but the MoD said that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Mr Shapps have consistently urged partners and allies to back an international programme to provide training and jets to the Ukrainians.

The trainees join more than 60,000 Ukrainians who have received training in the UK since the Russian invasion of Crimea in 2014, including 36,000 recruits since 2022 through Operation Interflex, the MoD said.
Red Tractor has axed its green farming assurance standard after facing a backlash from farmers.

The British food assurance body said it would discontinue the Greener Farms Commitment (GFC), which had been developed as an optional standard for farms that met certain environmental criteria.

Red Tractor had already confirmed that the GFC would not launch in April, as originally planned.

The Red Tractor board has today announced that it is dropping its Greener Farms Commitment module.Our full statement here:https://t.co/p5IdTrOTBF  Red Tractor (@RedTractorFood) March 22, 2024

But the organisation said on Friday that its Assured Food Standards (AFS) board had agreed to axe the module entirely after considering the impacts it would have on many farmers across the UK.

The GFC had sparked a fierce debate over the last few months, with many farmers fearing that the voluntary standard would eventually evolve into a requirement for market access.

There were also concerns that the scheme would force farmers to foot the bill for implementing sustainability measures on behalf of supermarkets.

Christine Tacon, chair of Red Tractor, said that while the module had been conceived with the best of intentions, errors had been made.

We take responsibility for those issues and are sorry. We hope that by dropping the module, we can close the door on this chapter and move forward, she said.

We will only be involved in future environmental standards when all constituencies across the UK food and farming chain, by sector, ask us to and with full consultation.

Following the farmers reaction, the National Farmers Union (NFU) had launched an independent governance review into Red Tractor, which found the assurance body was facing an existential crisis due to a lack of support from farmers.

Red Tractor said the AFS board accepted the conclusions of the review and confirmed its commitment to implement all the recommendations.

Ms Tacon added that the review sent a clear message about the frustration farmers are feeling.

We will act now to improve our communications to farmers, including the transparency of our operations, purpose and benefits and we will strengthen our stakeholder engagement, she said.

Reacting to the news, Tom Upton, a farmer from Peasmarsh, East Sussex, said: From my point of view, I think theres a place for sustainable, sensible discussion around the environment.

I wouldnt necessarily enforce that through the Red Tractor. I think schemes like the Countryside Stewardship and the Sustainable Farm Incentive, provide that in a much more targeted, focused way for the farmer.

Leicestershire farmer Joe Stanley welcomed the news, adding: Farmers absolutely acknowledge the imperative to drive environmental sustainability in food and farming, but this must be undertaken in partnership with all parts of the food chain sharing the costs and responsibilities.

The GFC would have seen farmers shoulder them all, passing the benefits on to retailers and processors for free.

We now need to discuss how we can tackle the challenges of a more sustainable food system in partnership, not dictated by the supermarkets at the point of a commercial gun.

But Andrew Blenkiron, director at Euston Estate in Suffolk, said he was disappointed by the decision.

Given that the industry doesnt seem to want to prove its green credentials to its customers, I fully understand the reasoning behind the Red Tractor decision, he said.

I only hope that the result isnt a mass of audits being completed for each of the retailers independently.

My biggest fear is that others from around the world undermine our valuable markets.

Meanwhile, Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said: It is disappointing that we have not been able to make progress with the agreed AFS strategy.

However, this will not stop retailers working with their farmers to improve sustainability at a farm level and demonstrating this commitment to their consumers and stakeholders.

Progressive farmers are already engaging with the issues consumers care about, such as nature and biodiversity, and we want to go further, especially in the beef and sheep sectors.
A late collapse by Scotland saw Steve Clarkes side lose 4-0 to the Netherlands in their friendly encounter in Amsterdam.

The visitors controlled much of the first half and hit the goal frame through Ryan Christie but the Dutch took the lead five minutes from the break with a Tijjani Reijnders thunderbolt.

Scotland continued to create and miss chances in the Johan Cruijff ArenA  as did the Netherlands  before Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland hit the bar in the 62nd minute with only Dutch goalkeeper Mark Flekken to beat.

Scotlands Lawrence Shankland and the Netherlands Virgil van Dijk battle for the ball (Joris Verwijst/PA)

It was a glorious chance for Scotland and they were made to pay 10 minutes later when Georginio Wijnaldum headed in a second and then goals from substitutes Wout Weghorst and Donyell Malen in the 84th and 86th minutes turned a good performance on its head as Clarke now looks to get back on track against Northern Ireland at Hampden Park on Tuesday night.

Many of the Tartan Army had clamoured for in-form Hearts striker Shankland to be handed a start and he will know he should have scored to cap off a good performance.

Keeper Angus Gunn was back after injury along with several familiar faces such as captain Andrew Robertson and Kieran Tierney, with the visitors backed by around 2,400 travelling fans.

Ronald Koemans side had a mixture of youth and experience but included top names such as captain Virgil Van Dijk and another former Celtic defender, Jeremie Frimpong, with Memphis Depay leading the line.

But the Scots started with confidence, Shanklands touches were assured, full-back Nathan Patterson stretched the Dutch down the right-hand side with Robertson working the left flank.

However, there was danger when Cody Gakpo went clean through on the Scotland goal but he failed to finish and was eventually flagged offside.

Scotlands Scott McTominay was left frustrated in Amsterdam (Joris Verwijst/PA)

After midfielder Scott McTominay was booked after just nine minutes for fouling Xavi Simons, Shankland headed a Patterson cross over the bar.

Then, in the 18th minute, midfielder Billy Gilmour raced down the right and his cross was met by the head of Christie but Netherlands keeper Flekken tipped the ball on to the bar and it did not fall kindly for Shankland.

Gakpos blatant dive inside the Scotland penalty area did not fool Belgian referee Erik Lambrechts and moment later at the other end McGinn flicked a Christie cross over the bar.

However, the Scots walked into a sucker punch just before the break when AC Milan midfielder Reijnders took a pass from Gakpo and, with little pressure on him, measured his shot from 25 yards and arrowed it high past the helpless Gunn.

McTominay had a shot blocked by Reijnders inside the Netherlands box at the start of the second half but Gunn had to make a great save from Depays shot on the turn.

More excitement followed at both ends.

McGinns shot was parried by Flekken before Christie headed a cross from the Villa player past a post and then Gunn saved from Gakpos 20-yard drive.

FULL TIME: Netherlands 4-0 Scotland. Reijnders and Wijnaldums goals saw us fall behind in a competitive match, before two late goals from Weghorst and Malen secured victory for our hosts at the Johan Cuijff ArenA.#NEDSCO pic.twitter.com/IMewII0llh  Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) March 22, 2024

When Shankland found himself through against Flekken with the goal beckoning, his shot clipped the bar on the way over and he was soon replaced by Che Adams, with John Souttar and Lewis Ferguson also coming on.

However, the Netherlands doubled their lead with a simple goal, Gakpos cross being headed in by Wijnaldum from eight yards out.

McTominay headed a cross from substitute Anthony Ralston over the bar to continue the theme of missed chances before Scotland folded as Weghorst headed in a corner and fellow substitute Malen ran through to grab a fourth  and the damage could have been greater.
Messages of support for the Princess of Wales have poured in from all of Scotlands major political parties, after she announced she was receiving cancer treatment.

The SNP, Conservatives, Labour, Greens and Lib Dems have all expressed their concern and support for Kate who announced in a video message on Friday that she has began receiving treatment.

In her statement, posted on the prince and princesss joint X account, she explained that, when receiving abdominal treatment in January, she was unaware that there was cancer present.

However, after tests, the operation found cancer had been present, she said, and, as a precaution, she is undergoing a course of preventative chemotherapy and says she is in the early stages of treatment.

In a statement, First Minister Humza Yousaf gave his support to the princess.

He said: My thoughts and prayers are with Catherine, The Princess of Wales, at what must be the most difficult and anxious of times for her, the Prince of Wales, their children, and of course Catherines family and friends, and the whole Royal Family.

This news is all the sadder following His Majesty The Kings own recent cancer diagnosis, and I wish Her Royal Highness a speedy return to full health and a resumption of public duties at the time that is right for her.

Douglas Ross, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, also expressed his support for the princess.

In a statement sent via the partys press office, he said: I join people across the world in sending my best wishes to Her Royal Highness for a full and speedy recovery, following her dignified and courageous statement.

So many people will be able to relate to this situation because of their own experience with cancer, or that of a loved one.

My thoughts are with the Duchess of Rothesay and the entire Royal Family as she begins her treatment.

Sending the Duchess of Rothesay our best wishes as she receives treatment for cancer. We all know someone close to us who has been through this journey and my thoughts and prayers are with the Royal Family at this time. https://t.co/TjTi3aGKmO  Douglas Ross MP MSP (@Douglas4Moray) March 22, 2024

Anas Sarwar, leader of Scottish Labour, said Kate was courageous for posting the video statement.

On X, he wrote: This is a courageous video from the Duchess of Rothesay.

My thoughts are with her, her husband and children, and all of the Royal Family.

We wish her a full and speedy recovery.

Alex-Cole Hamilton, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, wrote on X: On behalf of the (Scottish Liberal Democrats) Id like to wish the Princess of Wales all the very best on her journey to recovery following her diagnosis.

On behalf of the @scotlibdems Id like to wish the Princess of Wales all the very best on her journey to recovery following her diagnosis.  Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP (@agcolehamilton) March 22, 2024

A spokesperson for the Scottish Green Party wished the princess a quick recovery.

They said: As with all those suffering from cancer, we would wish Catherine a speedy recovery.

In other news, the principal clerk of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland expressed support for Kate.

Rev Fiona Smith said: We are deeply saddened to hear the news that Catherine, Princess of Wales, has been diagnosed with cancer.

In her message this evening, the princess expressed her solidarity with all those facing cancer and we remember all who do so at this time.

We also remember His Majesty King Charles, and assure them both, and the Royal family, of our continuing prayers at this time and that they be given the strength, comfort, healing, and peace that they need.

Kate said she has explained everything to her children, George, Louis and Charlotte, and has reassured them she will be OK, adding that the family has asked for time, space and privacy as she undergoes treatment.
Unions are calling for an overhaul of the minimum wage system after research suggested young workers are being left out of pocket.

The TUC said its analysis of official data showed that more than 700,000 workers aged 18-20 face a penalty of thousands of pounds a year due to being paid a lower rate of the minimum wage.

Workers aged aged 18-20 face losing out on an estimated 2,438 a year, or 47 a week, because of the lower minimum wage rate for their age group, said the TUC.

The union organisation said that paying a lower rate to younger adults is unfair, and that the tiered rates system must be overhauled.

The main minimum wage rate is currently 10.42 an hour for those 23 and over, 10.18 for 21 to 22-year-olds, 7.49 for 18 to 20-year-olds and 5.28 for under 18s.

From April, the minimum wage rises to 11.44 and will be extended to those aged 21 and 22.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: Everyone should be paid fairly for the job they do, but too many young workers are still being left hugely out of pocket because of outdated youth rates of the national minimum wage.

More than 700,000 workers aged 18-20 face this pay penalty  they are getting less than older workers for doing the same job.

Young people up and down the country are being hammered by the cost-of-living crisis  like everyone else, they need more money in their pockets now.

Thats why were backing Labours New Deal, which has pledged to introduce a real living wage for workers as well as banning zero hours contracts which blight the lives of many young workers.

Its time to put an end to low pay Britain.
West Yorkshire Police are investigating alleged racist comments made by Tory party donor Frank Hester about Diane Abbott at a meeting in 2019.

The force said it was working to establish whether a crime had been committed after the businessman allegedly said that Ms Abbott, Britains longest-serving black MP, made him want to hate all black women and that she should be shot.

The investigation was passed over from the Metropolitan Police as the meeting took place in Horsforth, Leeds.

A spokesperson said officers were now working to establish the facts and to ultimately ascertain whether a crime has been committed.

They added that the Metropolitan Police had been contacted on March 11 about a report in The Guardian, and that this was the first time the comments had been brought to the attention of police.

The force said: We recognise the strong reaction to these allegations and appreciate everyone who has contacted us since the article was published.

As we continue our inquiry, we are keen to hear from anyone who could directly assist our investigation.

Any information can be reported through 101 or via the West Yorkshire Police website, using reference number 13240137018 or quoting Operation Brassminster.

Mr Hester has apologised for making rude comments about Ms Abbott, but claimed they had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin.

Rishi Sunak has been criticised for his handling of the fallout from the emergence of Mr Hesters alleged comments.

Diane Abbott is Britains longest-serving black MP (Ian West/PA)

The Prime Minister eventually condemned the remarks as racist, but only after Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch broke ranks with Downing Street to call them out as such.

Mr Sunak has resisted previous calls to pay back Mr Hesters money and argued that the healthcare tech entrepreneurs remorse should be accepted.

Reports emerged last week that Mr Hester may have offered 5 million more, which has not yet been published by the Electoral Commission.

Ms Abbott has said no Conservative has apologised to her after the emergence of the remarks.

The veteran MP told Channel 4 News: 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.
WORCESTER  A 100-plus-page equity audit of the Worcester Police Department recently released by the city contains nearly three dozen findings and corresponding recommendations on a broad range of topics.

The auditors, in addition to finding that police collect insufficient demographic data and arrest people of color at disparate rates, made suggestions ranging from ideas to improve officers' mental health and morale to suggestions for better training and community engagement.

What follows is a summary of the scope of the audit and its recommendations, with emphasis on those the auditors labeled as highest priority.

Who audited the department?

The audit was conducted by the Center for Naval Analyses, a large research and analysis nonprofit funded by the federal government and based in Arlington, Virginia.

The city hired CNA two years ago after former City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. ordered the equity audit  and a similar audit of City Hall  as part of a slate of executive actions in response to protests over racism following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Former City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. ordered the equity audit in response to protests following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

According to its website, CNA has audited many departments nationwide, including police in Minneapolis and Philadelphia.

What did the auditors do?

According to the audit, the six authors of the report spoke to Police Department staff, conducted an anonymous internal survey with a response rate of about 25%, held two public input sessions that had 25 attendees and spoke with a number of outside community groups.

The authors said they conducted 31 semi structured interviews with WPD leadership, line staff, City of Worcester leadership, as well as local advocacy groups, nongovernmental organization members, and community members.

They also reviewed a host of documents, from policy and training manuals to administrative crime data including arrests and citations.

The auditors focused their review on six main areas: diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); recruitment, hiring and promotions; policies and practices; community-oriented policing; use of force; and complaint processes.

The researchers made 35 findings and 43 related recommendations, which they grouped in an appendix and prioritized into level 1, 2 or 3.

What were the level 1 recommendations?

Consider establishing a civilian review board

Auditors wrote that Police Department survey respondents and community members perceived bias and favoritism in how complaints and disciplinary actions are handled by the departments internal affairs division.

The WPD should engage in formal conversations with the City of Worcester to discuss the establishment of a civilian oversight body, they recommended.

A number of community organizations requested the city create a civilian review board with subpoena powers following the death of Floyd. Police union leaders opposed the idea, and it has not been implemented.

Asked Wednesday if he had a position on the topic, City Manager Eric D. Batista said through an email from a spokesman that he continues to have conversations regarding CRBs with community partners.

Establish a citizens advisory council

Finding that there are no active formal mechanisms to regularly gather community input on WPD policing strategies, priorities, operations, and current practices, the auditors said the city and the department should establish a citizens advisory council at the commander level to address specific local issues in the community.

Acknowledge past incidents

The auditors wrote that interviews with community members revealed tensions surrounding comments former Chief Steven Sargent made denying that he had seen racism in the department. They suggested the department publicly recognize the findings of this audit's data analysis that identify disparities, and it should take steps to acknowledge past incidents involving communities of color, including at community meetings.

Former Police Chief Steven Sargent, at a national night out event in 2023.

Increase use of force data

Auditors found the Police Department collects relatively little information about use-of-force incidents and does not collect data on the race of involved community members.

This hinders useful analysis of these data and does not allow for developing an understanding of any disparities in use-of-force incidents, they wrote.

Researchers said the department should update its use-of-force database to add additional fields, capturing demographic data about the involved community member (age, sex, and race), a unique identifier (e.g., name) for each involved community member, and additional details about the incident.

Expand police training in fairness and impartiality

The auditors wrote that they frequently heard from community members of color that officers have been discourteous, unhelpful, or aggressive in interactions.

The feedback, they noted, contrasted with police survey responses, in which 40% agreed the Police Department has a positive relationship with the community.

Auditors said that while they couldnt conclude to what extent the concerns are accurate, the opposing views highlight a potential disconnect between the community and the Police Department, and the allegations call attention to the pressing need for enhanced accountability and supervision in the department.

Auditors wrote the Police Department should expand its fair and impartial and community-oriented policing training curriculum for all officers in collaboration with the community.

Develop a community policing plan

Finding that the Police Department does not have a clear plan to guide its community policing strategy, auditors suggested that its neighborhood response team, which serves as one of its primary means of community policing, should, in collaboration with other department members, develop a formal plan for improving community engagement for the department.

Additionally, auditors suggested the Police Department develop a structured plan for its engagement with at-risk youth, expand the roles of its diversity and LGBTQ+ officers, and get all officers on the force involved in community engagement efforts.

Improve field training

The auditors said the departments field training program could be characterized as ad hoc in nature, lacking a cohesive and strategic approach, and said this could lead to variability in the training process, potentially hindering the development of officers and the adoption of best practices in areas that can impact fair and impartial policing.

The auditors recommended the department continue to revamp its field-training program using nationally recognized self-evaluation approaches and formalize the program in WPD policy.

Develop a robust DEI plan

Auditors found that while the department does have a recruitment plan aimed at diversifying the department, it doesnt have a strategic plan focused on improving DEI, and recommended it develop a robust and specific DEI plan. They also said the department should consider getting more feedback from officers on DEI policies, procedures and practices, such as in the form of surveys or focus groups.

Amend recruitment policy

The auditors suggested the department amend its recruitment policy to articulate its commitment to actively diversifying its workforce through targeted outreach efforts.

They found the department has limited diversity and does not have a robust or specific plan to hire for diversity within the department.

They said the department is trying to increase diversity, but hasnt had enough success  noting many other departments are also struggling  and suggested more specific policies or consideration of hiring an organization that specializes in recruitment.

Amend social media policy

Auditors said many community members expressed concerns about posts officers or officer groups have made on Facebook. They suggested the department strengthen its policy around social media in multiple areas.

Body-worn camera review

Auditors said police should continue efforts toward conducting a thorough community review of its BWC policy and program that includes community stakeholders. It should also establish a structured framework for conducting mandatory annual assessments of the BWC program.

Worcester Police Department body cameras in their charging port.

What were the level 2 recommendations?

Prioritize enhancing collaboration and communication with the Human Rights Commission

Enhance the Police Department's ability to gather data that identifies racial or ethnic disparities in such areas as use of force, traffic stops, pedestrian stops and field contacts

Collaborate with local stakeholders to establish new arrest diversion strategies for youth

Post draft policies on the Police Department website for public comment

Integrate community feedback into the expansion of the crisis intervention training curriculum

Commit to improving language translation services to enhance communication with all immigrant groups living in Worcester

Post racial demographic information online regarding use of force incidents

Internal affairs should expand on the data that it collects related to racial disparities, enabling it to conduct more extensive analyses and address problems

Mental health, wellness services critiqued

Another level 2 priority was a recommendation that the Police Department should conduct a comprehensive review of its officer wellness support and develop a plan to expand the availability of support services for its rank and file.

Auditors said interviews with Police Department staff revealed that many staff members are not fully satisfied with the wellness support that is available to them, and they would like to see this improved, with various options available to access mental health assistance.

They noted that 65% of officers who took the survey reported experiencing traumatic events very often in the past year, which they said underscores a need for mental health services being prioritized.

There is a growing awareness of the impact of ongoing trauma experienced by officers on the streets leading to potential behavioral challenges that can affect their performance and well-being over time, researchers wrote.

Researchers included in the report a number of survey responses they deemed concerning including one in which 48% of officers disagreed that they would recommend the Police Department as a workplace to others.

"In response to a question about recommendations for improving the WPD, staff expressed a need for improved overall training, increased representation of minority groups in the department, and measures to address the perceived 'toxic' culture of the department," they wrote. "Some WPD officers believe that the departments culture and atmosphere have become deeply corrupted."

The researchers added that some officers "raised concerns about the potential for accusations of racism to tarnish officers reputations.

"They held the belief that police are susceptible to being unfairly labeled as racist, resulting in a lasting stain on their reputation, even after a claim has been proven false. Respondents claimed that this has led to lowered morale among officers, who feel a lack of genuine concern from both the City and its leaders regarding their well-being and reputation."

The department is currently facing a separate civil pattern-or-practice probe from the U.S. Department of Justice, which said in November 2022 it found significant justification" to investigate whether police engage in a pattern or practice of racially discriminatory and gender-biased policing," and use excessive force.

While the auditors touched upon racial disparities in arrests and identified deficiencies in the department's use-of-force reporting mechanisms, they did not adopt the same scope of inquiry or reference the looming federal probe in their report.

The auditors also did not specifically mention many of the court cases or settlements involving police that have brought scrutiny on the department in recent years.

Auditors also listed many recommendations they labeled as level 3 including considering withdrawing the department from civil service requirements, posting demographic data about arrests and disparities online, expanding critical incident training to all officers and analyzing use-of-force data for racial disparities annually.

What are city and police officials saying about the audit?

City councilors Tuesday authorized Batista to petition lawmakers to allow Worcester to exempt the chief and district chief positions from civil service, which would allow a nationwide search for a police chief.

The police union that represents lieutenants, sergeants and captains is opposed to its members being removed from civil service and that isnt on the table at present. The union that represents rank-and-file officers agreed to study the issue with the city as part of its recent contract agreement.

The T&G has reached out to both unions to offer comment on the audit.

Councilors put a larger discussion of the audit on hold Tuesday and Interim Police Chief Paul B. Saucier will not be commenting publicly on the audit until after that discussion, a spokesman said.

Interim Police Chief Paul B. Saucier does not plan to comment on the audit until after a City Council discussion.

Batista's spokesman, Tom Matthews, provided answers to questions from the T&G in an email, saying Batista did not have time for an interview.

Asked what the process will be for evaluating the audit's recommendations, Matthews said the administration has and will continue to evaluate the recommendations internally, along with Interim Police Chief Saucier, and engage community members and employees.

He said none of the recommendations have explicitly been decided against and that there are recommendations the department is already following, such as sharing additional data publicly.

Matthews wrote that arrest figures make it clear that youth are overrepresented in arrests, and said the department is committed to helping lower the numbers and to use arrest as a last resort for juveniles.

Matthews said the Police Department has committed to reviewing all its policies for potential improvement including suggestions from the Center for Naval Analyses regarding juvenile arrests and social media.

In October, the department launched the Police Review Committee with a member from every division and its two DEI officers, he wrote. The committee is working in conjunction with the Human Rights Commission to review the policies which are also online for the public to review. The public can submit their comments to the committee via email.

Asked whether hed push back on any of the audits findings, Matthews said Batista recognizes that it was clear in the report that some members of the community are looking for better engagement with the police department.

The department has recognized that as an area for improvement itself and in addition to existing community policing programs is launching new community policing initiatives including park and walks and additional attendance at community meetings.

Matthews noted that most police employees who took the survey had generally positive sentiments regarding the departments treatment of employees, irrespective of race, gender, or ethnicity, and that the auditors applauded the City for its comprehensive range of training courses that promote fairness and impartiality and establishing positions dedicated to improving DEI.

Matthews said the audit did highlight an issue the department was already aware of  minority groups are underrepresented in the police departments ranks, with 80 to 84 percent of personnel being white from 2015 to 2021.

He said the department is working to increase diversity in several ways including meeting with community groups like the NAACP and Black Families Together, developing a mentorship program for officers and coordinating with Batistas office to contact the Massachusetts Civil Service Commission about expanding the departments residency and age requirements.

Asked about Batistas discussions with Saucier on the audit, Matthews wrote the chief was responsive to the report and shared actionable ideas of ways the department can respond to some of the findings and detailed much of the work the department is already doing.

Interim Chief Saucier recognizes that allowing the community to engage in the policy review process is critical for the department.

Both Interim Chief Saucier and City Manager Batista know that developing an open dialogue with the community builds better relationships between the community and police, which ultimately leads to safer communities.

Racial equity audit by Michael Elfland on Scribd

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester Police Department equity audit: Here's what to know
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The best skin care routine for your 60s, according to dermatologists

You're 60, sassy and classy, but just because your kids are grown and raised and you have one eye on retirement doesn't mean there aren't new challenges ahead  especially with your skin. You might be past the days of acne scars and pregnancy stretch marks, but those over 60 have their own hodgepodge of skin care concerns to deal with. From dry and flaky skin to wrinkles and "crepey skin," this is the decade where you'll begin to see a lot of your life showing up on your face. And while there might not be a ton you can do at this point to reverse decades of sun damage or erase fine lines and wrinkles permanently, it's never too late to kick off a preventative skincare routine that tackles the top problems of aging skin  i.e., hydration, volume, sun damage and wrinkles.

"In the 60s, the skin tends to become drier, thinner and more delicate due to decreased natural oil production and a decline in collagen and elastin," said Dr. Hannah Kopelman, host of the podcast Derm Club and Chief Medical Officer for DermOnDemand. "It's crucial to focus more on hydration, gentle cleansing and ingredients that support barrier function and skin repair."

Building a dermatologist-recommended skincare routine for aging skin isn't as complicated (or expensive!)  as you might think. In fact, all of the dermatologists I spoke with said that it's the ingredients in the products  not fancy brands with triple-digit price tags  that matter the most when it comes to building an effective anti-aging regimen for your 60s."Its important to use high-quality skincare from trustworthy sources, but it does not necessarily have to be expensive," said Dr. Rebecca Marcus, board-certified dermatologist in Dallas. "Skincare from reputable brands, backed by science, is available for a range of budgets."

To help you find the best products for your lifestyle and budget, I spoke with six doctors and dermatologists about the science behind aging, what ingredients and textures to look for in skin care products, and how to build a skin care routine that actually works in your 60s.

In this article: Face Wash | Moisturizer | SPF Moisturizer | Tinted Moisturizer | Serums | Retinols | Under Eye Cream | Sunscreen | Skin Care Devices

What key ingredients should you seek out in your 60s?

Hyaluronic acid, retinoids, niacinamide and other B vitamins, vitamin C, and peptides are hydrating, plumping and skin-rejuvenating ingredients to look for as you rethink your skincare routine in your 60s. "Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides and antioxidants like vitamin C and E are beneficial," according to Dr. Anna Chacon, M.D. and board-certified dermatologist in Miami. "Retinol can help with wrinkles and spots. Always look for products with broad-spectrum SPF."

All of the experts we spoke with agreed that ingredients matter more than price tag when it comes to skincare. "Expensive does not always equate to effectiveness," Dr. Kopelman said. "Many affordable products contain the key ingredients mentioned above and can be just as effective as their luxury counterparts. The focus should be on the formulation and the concentration of active ingredients rather than the brand or price."

What ingredients should you stay away from?

Harsh alcohols, strong fragrances, aggressive exfoliants, sulfates and mineral oils. Alcohols, exfoliants and sulfates can dry out your skin further, fragrances can irritate sensitive skin and minerals oils can clog pores, according Dr. Harikiran Chekuri, certified dermatologist and Medical Head for ClinicSpots in Hyderabad.

What changes should you make in your 60s from your skincare routine in your 50s?

The over-60s usually have different skincare concerns, such as drier and thinner skin, so it's important to choose products with ingredients that focus on those symptoms.

"Switching from products that may have been suitable in the 50s to more hydrating, nourishing formulations is advisable," Dr. Kopelman said. "Additionally, incorporating products that address age spots and texture irregularities can be beneficial."

Dr. Chekuri advises switching to a higher SPF, especially if using retinol products, and switching from harsh scrubs to chemical exfoliants to avoid irritating skin.

What should you know about using retinol for the first time?

"Retinol is a type of retinoid, a derivative of vitamin A," Dr. Chacon said. "It boosts the amount of collagen your body makes and plumps out skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles. It also improves skin tone and reduces mottled patches. Start with a lower concentration and gradually increase as your skin adapts. Use it at night and always apply sunscreen in the morning as retinol can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight."

If you're worried about introducing retinol into your routine, Dr. Kopelman has a simple hackwhat she's dubbed "the retinol sandwich method." In this method, "a layer of moisturizer is applied to the skin, followed by retinol, followed by an additional layer of moisturizer."

Face Wash & Cleansers

CeraVe CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser Texture: Thick, hydrating gel | Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides | Other benefits: Fragrance-free, non-comedogenic You'll first want to start off your routine by choosing face wash and cleansers that are gentle and aren't too stripping and drying since our skin becomes drier as we age, according to Dr. Marcus. "It's crucial to focus more on hydration, gentle cleansing and ingredients that support barrier function and skin repair," she said. Our experts agreed that hyaluronic acid and ceramides, which can be found in CeraVe's Hydrating Facial Cleanser, are the key ingredients for hydrated, plump skin in your 60s. If your skin feels tight after cleansing, then your face wash is likely too aggressive and might be stripping too many of your skin's precious oils. Consider cleansing your face only at night if your skin feels too dry in the morning for a second cleanse. $14 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $14 at Walmart

Garnier Garnier SkinActive Micellar Water Texture: Watery | Ingredients: Water, glycerin | Other benefits: Oil-free, alcohol-free, fragrance-free After washing your face with a gentle cleanser, micellar water can be used to clear away any residual dirt, oil and makeup without harsh scrubbing that can irritate sensitive, aging skin. Dr. Chacon recommends Garnier's SkinActive Micellar Water. But micellar water isn't like the stinging and drying alcohol-heavy toners of your youth. Because it's made without oils, alcohols and fragrance, skin feels cleansed without overly dry. Use it both in the morning and at night  no need to rinse. $9 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $9 at Walmart

Serum

THE ORDINARY THE ORDINARY Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Texture: Liquid serum | Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5 | Other benefits: Fragrance free Skin becomes drier and thinner as we age, which is why, according to Dr. Chekuri, you should "opt for gentle cleansers, hyaluronic acid serums, and richer moisturizers" to care for mature skin. Hyaluronic acid, in particular, is the key ingredient in skincare. It infuses loads of hydration and plumps up the skin in the process. It's a miracle little ingredient that can be found in everything from eye creams to facial cleansers. But you don't have to splash out on three-figure products to take care of your skin. In fact, all of our experts agree that ingredients matter much more than brand or price tag. "Expensive doesn't always mean better," Dr. Chacon said. "Many affordable products contain the same active ingredients as their pricier counterparts. It's more important to look at the ingredients list than the price tag." $10 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $10 at Sephora

Moisturizers

Olay Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Texture: Rich cream | Ingredients: Niacinamide, B3 vitamins, hyaluronic acid | Other benefits: Fragrance free When reaching for a moisturizer after cleansing, you might've noticed that many anti-aging moisturizers are quite thick and creamy. There's a simple reason for that: They lock in more moisture than lighter creams. According to Dr. Marcus, "Rich, creamy textures can be beneficial to mature skin because they act as a barrier, reinforcing and lubricating increasingly delicate skin." Because mature skin is drier, you'll want to slather on a thick and emollient moisturizer to lock in hydration for as long as possible.But what you reach for ultimately depends on your skin type and personal preference. "Some may find heavy creams too occlusive, so opting for lighter lotions or serums that still offer potent ingredients might be preferable," Dr. Kopelman said. "Look for products that absorb well without leaving a greasy residue." And if you have oil skin? "Opt for gel-based moisturizers or serums if oily skin persists in your 60s," Dr. Chekuri said. $22 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $25 at Walmart

Nordstrom Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid (1 ounce) Texture: Rich cream | Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, time-released retinol, vitamins C and E, peptides | Other benefits: Free of parabens, sulfates and phthalates Alternatively, you can reach for a moisturizer with anti-aging retinol in it. Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A that's used to improve skin's texture by speeding up cell turnover and stimulating collagen production, which in turns helps with reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also improves skin's elasticity and fades some hyperpigmentation. Some little miracle ingredient, right? Dr. Marcus recommends Charlotte Tilbury's Magic Cream because of its unique "time-released encapsulated retinol" that helps promote cell turnover, stimulate collagen production and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. "The rich, emollient texture of the cream also helps to nourish the skin barrier and decrease the risk of potential irritation from retinol," she said. All of the experts we spoke with cautioned that one should introduce retinol into their skincare routine slowly, and take special precautions to wear sunscreen throughout the day since retinol makes the skin very sensitive to the sun. $64 at Nordstrom Explore More Buying Options $65 at Sephora

Moisturizer With SPF

CeraVe CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 Texture: Lightweight cream | Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, B3, niacinamide; Homosalate, Meradimate, Octinoxate, Octocrylene, Zinc Oxide (sun protection) | Other benefits: Oil free, non-comedogenic, fragrance-free Every dermatologist we spoke with emphasized the importance of SPF in a skincare routine at any age. According to Dr. Natalie M. Curcio, M.D., founder of Curcio Dermatology in Nashville, it's the most important skin care product you can use to prevent wrinkles and other signs of aging. The most important thing is including some type of sun protection into your routine that's easy for you to stick with consistently, said Dr. Elle de Moll, M.D. and board-certified dermatologist at Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut. "I'm a big believer in using what you like," Dr. de Moll said. "I feel like patients hate to tell me that they use spray sunscreen, but honestly  you're way more likely to use what you like and that counts for a whole lot more!" CeraVe's AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion is an easy way to incorporate SPF into your skincare routine without having to think about it. And because it's formulated with those hydrating and plumping ingredients to maintain supple, dewy skin  hyaluronic acid, ceramides, B3, niacinamide  it's a powerhouse product that deserves a spot in your beauty cabinet. $15 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $13 at Walmart

Tinted Moisturizer With SPF

Sephora Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector SPF 30 Texture: Lightweight, liquid cream | Ingredients: macadamia and kukui seed oils; Avobenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene and Oxybenzone (sun protection) | Other benefits: Free of parabens Laura Mercier's Natural Skin Perfector SPF 30 is Dr. Chacon's pick for those who want a little bit of tinted coverage as well as sun protection. As we mentioned earlier, retinol is one of those superhero ingredients that you'll find in a lot of anti-aging beauty products designed specifically for mature skin. But using retinol comes at a price, and it's that your skin becomes super sensitivity to sunlight. "Sun protection is crucial: Retinol makes skin more sensitive to sun, so use SPF 30+ daily," Dr. Chekuri said. Products with a minimum SPF of 30 should already be part of your skin care routine, but especially so if you're using retinols. Laura Mercier's Natural Skin Perfector SPF 30 is a good option if you want some color to your complexion without wearing a face full of makeup. The formula includes hydrating oils that'll soothe aging, overly sensitive skin that's being introduced to retinols, while the sun protection ingredients will save your skin from the damaging effects of UV radiation. $54 at Sephora Explore More Buying Options $54 at Nordstrom

Sunscreen

EltaMD EltaMD UV Clear Sunscreen SPF 46 Texture: Lightweight, silky cream | Ingredients: Niacinamide, B3, hyaluronic acid, zinc oxide (sun protection) | Other benefits: Non-comedogenic, oil free, fragrance free, paraben free No skin care routine is complete without sunscreen, and EltaMD is the No. 1 dermatologist-recommended sunscreen brand. "While creams directed at anti-aging or wrinkle reduction are important, the most important product to prevent wrinkles and skin damage from UV light is sunscreen," said Dr. Curcio. Both Dr. Curcio and Dr. Chekuri recommend a sunscreen with an SPF minimum of 30, even on cloudy days, that's reapplied every two hours when outdoors, especially on exposed skin. EltaMD's UV Clear Sunscreen SPF 46 can be used by those with sensitive skin, as well as those with oily, acne-prone skin and those with rosacea. $43 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $44 at Walmart

Night Cream

RoC RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Anti-Aging Night Cream Texture: Silky cream | Ingredients: Retinol, shea butter, glycolic acid, squalane, niacinamide | Other benefits: Non-greasy, non-comedogenic, fragrance free Skin becomes drier and thinner as we age, which is why it's especially important to pay attention to the ingredients in the skin care you reach for in your 60s and beyond. Ingredients like retinoids, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide are important in a lot of ways. Dr. Kopelman says that niacinamide is good for protecting your skin's barrier and reducing inflammation while hyaluronic acid provides "hydration and plumping." Our experts agreed that you'll want to stick to using intense retinol serums and creams at night when you're out of the sun. Pairing a retinol with an ultra hydrating night cream, like RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Anti-Aging Night Cream, is a good way to make sure that hydrating ingredients balance out the intense effects of the retinol. But if you're new to retinol, our experts recommend easing into it, using it two or three a week to start. "Use it sparingly; a pea sized amount is enough for the entire face," said Dr. Marcus. "Apply a moisturizer on top, and if necessary, use the retinol sandwich method, in which a layer of moisturizer is applied to the skin, followed by retinol, followed by an additional layer of moisturizer." $18 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $18 at Walmart

Under Eye Cream

Neutrogena Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Eye Cream Texture: Lightweight cream | Ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid | Other benefits: Fragrance free Eye creams are necessary for hydrating the thin, delicate skin around your eyes, especially as you age.They can also help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, under eye bags, dark circles, puffiness and more. You can find eye creams with and without retinol, and that eye creams can be a good introduction to retinol products. All of the experts we spoke with agreed that it's not necessary to use multiple retinol products as part of your skin care routine. In fact, they tend to recommend against it as it can sometimes lead to over-irritation of the skin. "If you're new to retinol, a moisturizer or eye cream with retinol might be a good starting point as they're often less concentrated," according to Dr. Chacon. Neutrogena's Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Eye Cream is a good entry point into retinols, especially if you're concerned with crow's feet, fine lines, wrinkles and dark circles. It's also loaded with hyaluronic acid so it'll keep skin hydrateda and plump while turning over newer, younger-looking cells. $17 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $18 at Walmart

Skin Care Devices

SolaWave Solawave 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Wand Technology: Red light therapy | Price: $$ | Benefits: Portable, affordable, easy to use Red light therapy uses low wavelength red light to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, scars, acne and redness. The Solawave Radiant Renewal Wand is Dr. Marcus's pick for skin care devices that can work in conjunction with your favorite products to improve your skin's texture and appearance. The Solawave Radiant Renewal Wand is a red light therapy device that is best used daily when paired with your preferred serums to stimulate collagen, improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and decrease redness and inflammation of the skin. "Its warming, vibrating properties also help to enhance penetration of active ingredients into the skin," Dr. Marcus said. $169 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $169 at Ulta

NuFACE NuFACE Trinity Starter Kit Technology: Microcurrents | Price: $$$$ | Benefits: Portable, fast and easy to use, at-home face lift For those who want pain-free alternatives to invasive clinical treatments, Dr. Chacon recommends the NuFACE Trinity, a microcurrent device that's like getting an at-home face lift. The NuFACE Trinity created what's been dubbed the "five minute face lift" thanks to the microcurrents within the tiny device that strengthen facial muscles over time. When used five times a week for over a couple of months, the devices can improve your facial contour, skin tone and lead to wrinkle reduction. $350 at NuFACE Explore More Buying Options $350 at Walmart

Sources:
WELLINGTON, March 22 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand scientists have launched protein research on the International Space Station to develop more effective medicines and vaccines.

Sarah Kessans from the University of Canterbury developed the hardware to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study the ways proteins crystallize in microgravity and to use their insights to develop more effective medicines and vaccines among other applications.

Kessans' research was launched on Friday (New Zealand time) on a rocket from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, the United States. It was accompanied by protein experiments from New Zealand's Canterbury, Otago, Victoria and Waikato universities.

Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins, who is also the Space Minister, said Kessans' research is an inspiring example of the ways space technology can accelerate innovation on Earth.

The New Zealand government is committed to developing the space sector, fostering innovation and supporting partnerships between New Zealand research community and international space agencies and commercial collaborators, the minister said.

Earlier this month, New Zealand welcomed the successful launch of MethaneSAT, hailing it as a milestone in the development of its space sector and liftoff in global fight against climate change.

MethaneSAT is a state-of-the-art satellite designed to detect methane emissions with accuracy and contribute to global efforts to combat climate change, said a government statement.

New Zealand's role in the joint mission with the U.S.-based non-profit Environmental Defense Fund, includes hosting the satellite's mission operations control center and leading an atmospheric science program, studying global emissions from agriculture, it said. 
The Biden administration on Thursday said it is forgiving almost $6 billion in student debt for 77,700 borrowers, with those recipients scheduled to receive an email from President Joe Biden alerting them about their debt cancellation.

The people who qualify for the latest round of student loan forgiveness are public service employees, such as teachers, nurses, social workers and firefighters, the White House said in a statement. On a per-person basis, the forgiveness amounts to about $77,000 per person.

Ever since the Supreme Court last year invalidated the Biden administration's plan for broad-based student loan forgiveness, the Biden administration has sought to rely on existing and new loan repayment plans to provide debt relief to almost 4 million people. Americans are carrying about $1.77 trillion in student debt, a financial burden that some college grads say has made it tougher to achieve financial milestones like buying a home.

The Biden administration has sought to fix problems in the nation's student loan repayment system by rolling out a new program called SAVE and making it easier for public servants to get their debt erased.

"For too long, our nation's teachers, nurses, social workers, firefighters and other public servants faced logistical troubles and trapdoors when they tried to access the debt relief they were entitled to under the law," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. "With this announcement, the Biden-Harris Administration is showing how we're taking further steps not only to fix those trapdoors, but also to expand opportunity to many more Americans."

Who qualifies for student loan forgiveness?

The Biden administration said 77,700 borrowers who are enrolled in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program will receive debt forgiveness.

Those who are receiving debt forgiveness include public servants who enrolled in the Biden administration's limited PSLF waiver, which allows public sector workers who haven't previously qualified for loan relief to receive credit for past repayments, the administration said.

What were the prior problems with the PSLF program?

The PSLF program, which has been around since 2007, had the lofty goal of forgiving the student debt of Americans who work in public sector jobs, such as teachers or government employees, for at least 10 years.

But its notoriously Byzantine regulations and misleading guidance from some loan-servicing companies meant that few public servants managed to get debt relief. In fact, only 7,000 people received forgiveness through the PSLF prior to the Biden administration.

Since the White House made changes to PSLF, about 871,000 Americans have received student loan forgiveness through the program, the Biden administration said.

How will I know if I got PSLF debt forgiveness?

The 77,700 borrowers who qualify will receive a letter from President Biden next week congratulating them on their relief.

I'm enrolled in PSLF. Will I get loan forgiveness, too?

Another 380,000 people enrolled in PSLF will receive an email from Biden next week letting them know they are within one to two years of qualifying for debt forgiveness through the program.

According to a sample email, Biden will congratulate them and urge them to continue working in public service to qualify for forgiveness. One email reads, "I hope you continue the important work of serving your community  and if you do, in less a year you could get your remaining student loans forgiven through Public Service Loan Forgiveness."

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Cathie Wood said Friday that bitcoin could see another $2.3 million added to her existing target.

Her firm gave a target of $1.5 million in January. Bitcoin on Friday was trading around $63,768.

The flood of institutional demand and higher portfolio allocations can push the price higher, she said.

Cathie Wood says the price of bitcoin could head to $3.8 million given the latest developments for the world's largest cryptocurrency.

Speaking at the Bitcoin Investor Day conference on Friday in New York, she told moderator Anthony Pompliano that a flood of institutional adoption and new ETF products means that her bull case could see the token climb by more than $2 million above her existing target.

Wood's Ark Invest shared a bitcoin outlook in January that estimated the token could hit $1.5 million by 2030. Bitcoin has climbed 44% year-to-date. On Friday, it hovered at around $63,768.

"Last year we put out our bull case for bitcoin. It was $1.5 million. With this institutional green light that the SEC has provided, kicking and screaming though it did, the analysis we've done is that if institutional investors were to allocate a little more than 5% of their portfolios to bitcoin, as we think they will over time, that alone would add $2.3 million to the projection I just gave you."

Ark was one of 11 firms, including BlackRock and Fidelity, that got approval from the SEC for spot bitcoin ETFs earlier this year. Since those products hit the market, demand has boomed, notching all-time records for inflows into US ETFs while also stimulating demand for the crypto itself, which the funds invest in directly and hold.

Industry veterans also forecast that the bitcoin halving event, which is expected to happen in April, could create a supply shock, which would further catalyze the current demand-fueled rally.

Wood said at the conference, hosted by Reflexivity Research, that she expects the upcoming halving to have a similar effect as the prior events. In the 12 months following the three halvings in 2012, 2016, and 2020, the price of bitcoin climbed 8,069%, 284%, and 559%, respectively.

"We think [bitcoin] has miles to go," Wood maintained. "We're at the very beginning of really putting in place the financial ecosystem native to the internet and disintermediating all of the toll-takers."

Read the original article on Business Insider
After years of internal and external alarms that the military isnt doing enough to address hate and extremism, an obscure federal contract may suggest a new approach: monitoring the social media of Air Force Academy cadets, staffers  and anyone else around the campus.

Last month, the Air Force struck a contract for digital monitoring to identify hate speech, cyberbullying, sexual harassment and extremism at its Colorado Springs academy. The goal is to combat cadet conduct in digital mediums that has the potential to negatively impact culture and climate.

Monitoring the posts of the more than 4,000 cadets aligns with efforts elsewhere to screen disinformation and hate speech; other universities plus police agencies and many employers make comparable efforts. But the contracts extension to the campus community led some experts to raise concerns about whether the effort could violate privacy for military or civilian users.

And while Air Force Officials say there are no plans to replicate the program elsewhere in the military, experts on surveillance worry about the contracts open-ended wording and sweeping focus.

Air Force Academy cadets take their oath of office during the graduation ceremony May 25, 2022, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The academy has now hired a contractor to monitor cadets' social media, an new effort to combat extremism as well as bullying and other misconduct.

At $273,500 total, it's unclear just how far-reaching the effort will become. The contract focuses mainly on a social media system used at the school but requires that monitoring shift to other major platforms such as YouTube or TikTok if misconduct shifts to those areas. The contractor, Miami Beach-based 3Gimbals LLC, did not respond to requests for comment.

The program came as a surprise to experts on extremism in the military, including Bishop Garrison, who led a Pentagon working group that made more than 20 extremism-related recommendations for the armed forces in 2021.

This is not something we covered, and its not something Ive ever heard about happening in the military, Garrison said. Referencing the constitutional protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, he added: I think this will need to be thoroughly reviewed because it has the potential to be a Fourth Amendment issue and may potentially infringe on key privacy protections.

The week in extremism: This social media network set the stage for Jan. 6, then was taken offline. Now it's back

Protecting academy culture, or infringing on constitutional rights?

The social media monitoring contract, which will last one year with a possibility to extend another six months, was awarded Feb. 13, according to the federal governments System for Award Management website. The effort is part of a larger cultural concern at the Air Force Academy that is captured under a larger campaign, said Thomas Torkelson, deputy director of the Air Force Academys Center for Character & Leadership Development, who leads the program.

Tom Torkelson is deputy director of the Air Force Academys Center for Character & Leadership Development.

The goal of monitoring social media is to educate cadets, prevent them from spreading harmful material online and respond when someone is posting content that academy leaders consider harmful to the bases culture, Torkelson said. That includes identifying people who post inappropriately and, if necessary, holding them accountable for any criminal activity witnessed by the monitoring company, he said.

Its not about trying to infringe upon First Amendment or Fourth Amendment rights, Torkelson said. In fact, its trying to protect Fourth Amendment rights.

Torkelson cited the hypothetical example of a cadet who posts derogatory information about a sexual assault victim on social media. The monitoring program would flag the post so it could be quickly removed, thus protecting the victims right to privacy, he said.

The Air Force, like the other branches of the service, has struggled with extremism and online misconduct. A federal affidavit unsealed this week revealed that an Air Force security analyst had been suspected of obtaining classified material and leaking it online, including on the gaming site Discord. While that analyst, Jason Gray, was not apparently an Academy cadet, his case was reminiscent of an even larger case that led to charges against Air Force National Guard member Jack Teixeira. And Gray's interest in the Boogaloo movement, which espouses a second civil war in the U.S., points to larger concerns about how military members can turn their training and classified knowledge toward extremism.

But experts in surveillance have serious concerns about the Air Force Academys new approach.

Air Force Academy aims to monitor the Jodel app, a hyperlocal social system

Ryan Shapiro, executive director of the open-government group Property of the People who holds a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology focusing on government surveillance, said hes particularly troubled by the scope and scale of the Air Force Academys new contract.

Air Force Academy cadets celebrate graduation as the Thunderbirds fly over Falcon Stadium on June 1, 2023, on the grounds of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Public documents outlining the program are not precise about who, or what, will be monitored, he said. Monitoring is primarily focused on an anonymous hyperlocal social media site called Jodel, which people on and around the academy can use to make public posts, similar to Reddit. Jodel did not respond to a USA TODAY inquiry about the monitoring effort.

But the contract also allows for the monitoring of other social media platforms, according to its Performance Work Statement.

The program also is ostensibly aimed at monitoring the social media activity of cadets, but Torkelson acknowledged that anybody using Jodel or any other social media in the geographical vicinity of the academy also could be targeted.

The programs expansive scope reeks of calculated ambiguity, Shapiro said. It appears custom-made to serve as a vehicle for the policing of dissent, not just of military personnel but also the broader public.

Thats deeply disturbing.

Some Republican members of Congress have criticized the militarys efforts to combat extremism, calling it a witch hunt and a waste of the militarys time and money.

USA TODAY contacted half a dozen Republican members of the Congressional Armed Services Committee  the body responsible for crafting the legislation that funds the military each year  but none would comment for this story.

Ryan Shapiro is executive director of the open-government group Property of the People

Shapiro noted the Air Force Academys new program isnt the first time a military establishment has sought to police the speech of personnel. Last year, The Intercept reported on a shadowy Pentagon unit called the Protective Services Battalion, which trawls through social media searching for posts from service members that might embarrass current and former top military brass.

Nor is social media monitoring limited to the armed forces. As USA TODAY reported in 2022, the FBI has in place an extensive social media monitoring program known as SOMEX, which is constantly spying on American citizens and searching for posts that might indicate extremism views or activity.

Matthew Guariglia, a policy analyst at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said the new Air Force Academy monitoring contract also aligns with efforts by private companies and institutions to keep track of what their employees are posting on social media.

We are living in a time when employers, schools, and universities are surveilling their employees and students at unprecedented levels which often include, not just emails or internet traffic conducted on company devices, but also social media use including outside of work/school hours, Guariglia told USA TODAY. For that reason and considering the attention the military has gotten for extremism in its ranks, its not a major surprise that the Air Force Academy would contract a company like this.

Despite the extent of social media surveillance in American working life, it remains apparently rare within the military ranks  the same group that experts have found are more than twice as likely to become involved in fatal extremist activity.

The Air Force Academy has always been responsible for shaping cadets into well-rounded, responsible members of society, Torkelson said. Today, with social media playing a large role in many peoples lives  especially young people  the academy has to respond to that reality and adjust its policies and procedures to accommodate new societal trends, he said.

The academys mission is to develop leaders of character ready to serve their nation, Torkelson said. Its a character thread that were trying to educate them on  whats the proper way to behave in an anonymous digital space  thats it.

But Guariglia noted the same concerns voiced by Shapiro: that the Air Force Academy contract seems extraordinarily open-ended:

The concern here, as always, is mission creep, he said, the idea that a program designed to find serious threats might be used to penalize people for their beliefs, associations or creative expression.

Monitoring contract will create training for cadets, leadership

The contract for the Air Force doesnt just cover monitoring. It also calls for training modules for senior academy staff to teach cadets about social media use.

The training should be for 18- to 24-year-olds and focus on all social media platforms, geared towards 18-24-year olds online conduct on all social media platforms, the Performance Work Statement says, and will be used by about 4,400 cadets.

Torkelson said the training element is a key reason for the social media monitoring. The idea is for 3Gimbals LLC to spend a year tracking what cadets and staff post online, then use the companys findings to craft its training sessions, two of which will be held throughout the year, he said.

Its not about policing, its not about rooting out bad actors, he said. Its about educating the entire population on what being a leader of character looks like.

Shapiro was skeptical.

There are plenty of organizations and companies that already provide social media training for establishments like the Air Force Academy, he said. Indeed, the academy already has an extensive social media guide for cadets.

Most large corporations and universities have social media trainings for their people, and they dont include mass surveillance as a requirement of the trainings, Shapiro said. Its quite possible to run a social media seminar without having spied on the entire community first.

Will Carless is a national correspondent covering extremism and emerging issues. Contact him at wcarless@usatoday.com. Follow him on X @willcarless.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: At Air Force Academy, a social media monitoring plan raises questions
TRENTON, N.J.  On Sunday evening, Democratic Rep. Andy Kim celebrated a decisive win at the Atlantic County Democratic Committees convention, giving him an advantageous position on the countys ballot in the June 4 Senate primary.

The next day, Kim took the witness stand here in federal court, fighting against that very ballot position.

Its about what kind of democracy we want here in New Jersey, Kim told NBC News after he testified Monday.

Its a broad statement about an esoteric local political custom  one that has become one of the defining issues in a Senate primary with few major ideological divides.

Kim filed a lawsuit last month seeking to eliminate the so-called county line, a unique ballot design in which party-endorsed candidates appear bracketed together in a single column on the primary ballot, and nonendorsed candidates appear off to the side. Instead, Kim wants candidates grouped by office, arguing the county line is unconstitutional since it gives party-backed candidates an unfair advantage over outsiders.

In some counties, the party chair is the endorsements sole arbiter. Several of those chairs endorsed New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy a few days after she launched her Senate campaign in November, sparking criticism that they were looking to curry favor with Gov. Phil Murphy, the state's top Democrat. The parties in other counties, like Atlantic, award endorsements through convention votes.

The clash over the county line, which is used in all but two of the states 21 counties, comes as Democrats across the country are campaigning on protecting democracy. But some Democrats say that message is more complicated in New Jersey, where party bosses still wield significant power.

New Jersey is nicknamed the Soprano state, and its for a good reason, said Sue Altman, a Democrat running for Congress in the 7th District who led the New Jersey Working Families Alliance and has clashed with party power brokers.

It would make the campaign much easier and much more straightforward if we could stand up tall and proud and say, Yes, at every level Democrats are the party of democracy and have the receipts to back that up, Altman later added. But right now in New Jersey thats difficult to do.

Kim said that taking on the party machine is critical for Democrats trying to hold onto Sen. Bob Menendezs seat. Menendez, who was indicted in September on bribery charges, announced Thursday he might run as an independent if he is exonerated.

Right now, independent voters are very wary of the Democratic Party here in New Jersey after this indictment of Sen. Menendez, Kim said in an interview at the Atlantic County convention on Sunday.

If it looks like the same political machine that protected Menendez for so long is trying to shape the outcome of this Senate primary, independent voters are not going to stand for that, Kim later added.

Process, policy and the campaign

Tammy Murphy, meanwhile, is looking to stay focused on policy issues.

Were all playing by the same rules. So if the rules get better, if they can reform and make things better, then Im all for that, Murphy told NBC News after meeting with union members in Mays Landing on Sunday, where she touted her work as first lady on issues like raising the minimum wage and improving infant and maternal health care.

But my view is  thats over here, Murphy added. Im trying to help with affordability. Im trying to help with reproductive freedoms. Im trying to help with gun safety and climate change. And I think thats what people really think about every single day. So I am sick of hearing about the process.

Still, some New Jersey politicos said questions about the process have consumed the race.

The county line dynamic that were even talking about now has overshadowed the core of any campaign, state Democratic Party Chairman LeRoy Jones Jr. said in a phone interview.

Jones, who also chairs the Essex County Democratic Committee, is among the leaders who endorsed Murphy. Jones has the sole power to decide which candidate is on the ballot line in Essex, but he said he surveyed the roughly two dozen municipal chairs in his county before endorsing the first lady.

Kim said a number of county chairs who ultimately backed Murphy did not return his phone calls. After Murphy launched her run, Kim faced pressure to drop out.

I dont want to go into specific names, but I had a number of people tell me that they think my chances are zero, Kim said Sunday. Kim said he told one of them, I dont think I can look my two kids in the eye if I drop out of this race simply because someone whos more connected than me is jumping in, but somebody I think that I have more experience than.

Pressures in the convention process

Kim hasnt been the only one facing pressure to fall in line.

Sadaf Jaffer, a former assemblywoman and mayor of Montgomery Township, said she was pushed not to nominate Democrat Patricia Campos-Medina for Senate at her party convention in Somerset County, where the chairwoman, Peg Schaffer, had endorsed Murphy.

Jaffer said in a phone interview that someone with the county party pulled me aside and said, Dont hurt your future. Dont do something to hurt your future. Jaffer declined to name the individual, but said it was not Schaffer. Murphy won the Somerset County endorsement, which was decided by a public show of hands.

Campos-Medina was also physically barred from entering the Camden County Democratic meeting on Saturday, where Murphy received the endorsement. Kim said his requests to attend the meeting were rejected.

This goes against our message of protecting democracy, Kim said at the Atlantic convention on Sunday.

Youll have to talk to Camden, Murphy told reporters at the convention when asked about Saturdays meeting. I think we all have been playing by the same rules in the counties.

Those rules can benefit some candidates over others in a primary, according to research from Rutgers University professor Julia Rubin, who also testified as an expert witness in Kims lawsuit Monday.

Candidates not on the line look illegitimate when they are not grouped with other candidates, Rubin said in a recent phone interview. Theyre off in ballot Siberia.

The Camden County primary ballot from 2018 illustrates how the line can favor the favorite, with Democratic Rep. Donald Norcross' opponent squished on the far right side of the ballot after lines of empty space.

Micah Rasmussen, director of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University, was doubtful Kim would face that significant of a disadvantage over the county line system.

If [Kims supporters] have to bring a magnifying glass to find him on the ballot, theyre going to find him, Rasmussen said.

Although the county endorsement process is nearly complete, the primary race is still heating up. Neither candidate has spent much money so far, although Murphy recently launched a TV ad focused on gun violence.

Murphy is ready for the county endorsement process to be over. She focused on other issues as she met with several members of Unite Here Local 54, which represents hospitality workers, in the back of a Mays Landing bar on Sunday afternoon.

Aura Sprague, a 54-year-old union leader and former hostess from Harbor Township, said she plans to support Murphy in the primary.

Its not what she said, but its also her actions, Sprague said. I mean, shes a person that has been a direct friend with our union members, and she has been for us through the years.

But Kims supporters believe he is more qualified to serve in the Senate, citing his three terms in Congress and his work as a foreign affairs officer in the State Department.

He is a dedicated public servant, said Christi Davis, a retired environmental engineer from Woodbury Heights, who stood outside of the courthouse on a chilly Monday morning with other activists, holding a sign that read, in part, Abolish the line."

Davis said she became involved in the anti-line movement when she saw several powerful county chairs endorse Murphy.

Its just too obviously rigged," she said.
Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey announced Thursday he will not run for reelection in the Democratic primary for his US Senate seat, but left open the possibility that he could run as an independent candidate.

I will not file for the Democratic primary this June. I am hopeful that my exoneration will take place this summer and allow me to pursue my candidacy as an independent Democrat in the general election, Menendez, who is facing bribery and obstruction of justice charges, said in a video posted online.

The news comes as Menendez had faced calls to resign, including from a number of his Senate Democratic colleagues, as a result of the charges.

Menendez was up for reelection this year and would have faced a highly competitive Democratic primary had he entered the race. Tammy Murphy, the wife of New Jersey Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy and the states first lady, is running. Rep. Andy Kim of New Jersey is also running and has been endorsed by Sen. John Fetterman of neighboring Pennsylvania, who has been the most vocal Senate Democrat calling for Menendez to resign.

Menendez is facing bribery charges for allegedly taking steps to benefit the governments of Egypt and Qatar and help several New Jersey businessmen and receiving in exchange gold bars, cash, a luxury car and Formula One Grand Prix race tickets. Menendez has forcefully denied the charges against him and has said that he will prove his innocence while claiming that he is being persecuted by prosecutors.

Menendez pleaded not guilty last year to a charge alleging he conspired to act as a foreign agent of Egypt. In January, federal prosecutors alleged in a superseding indictment that Menendez accepted gifts from Qatar as part of a yearslong corruption scheme, with the Gulf nation joining Egypt as another foreign country the New Jersey Democrat is accused of helping while in office.

Menendez stepped down as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last year when he was initially charged but has rejected calls to resign from his US Senate seat.

Menendez has criticized colleagues who have called for his resignation in the wake of the indictments, and has said in a floor speech that, They would deny me due process and undermine the fundamental principle of our law, that in America, you are innocent until proven otherwise. by a jury of your peers.

In November 2023, Menendez defended attending a classified briefing on Ukraine, insisting he had a right to get the classified information as he pushed back on the charges against him.

Im a United States senator, I have my security credentials, and an accusation is just that. Its not proof of anything, he told CNNs Manu Raju at the time.

Menendez has served in the Senate since 2006  and this is not the first time he has faced a legal battle.

Menendez was charged by federal prosecutors in 2015 with conspiracy, bribery and honest services fraud relating to allegedly abusing the power of his office.

At the time, prosecutors said the senator accepted more than $600,000 in political contributions, a luxurious hotel suite at the Park Hyatt in Paris, and free rides on a private jet from a wealthy ophthalmologist, Dr. Salomon Melgen, in exchange for political favors.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

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Kevin Bacon is getting ready to put back on some very famous dancing shoes.

Bacon, 65, announced plans to attend prom at Payson High School in Payson, Utah, where he filmed the movie Footloose more than 40 years ago.

It all started with a grassroots campaign from Payson High students, who asked the actor to attend the final prom at their school before it moves locations after the school year.

During a segment on the Today show Friday, March 22, Payson High student Rubie Raff explained how the movies legacy still impacts the town all these decades later.

Kyra Sedgwick Shares 'Blurry Polaroid' of 1st Time She Met Kevin Bacon

I think it means so much because everyone around us cares about it so much, she said.

So, with the entire Payson High student body assembled in the schools gymnasium, Bacon surprised them on video to thank them for all of their efforts.

Cover Images

I have been so impressed with everything thats been going on there with this crazy idea to get me to come back, Bacon gushed. I dont need to say it, but the movie and Payson High School was a big part of my life. Ive been amazed at the work all of you have been putting into this with the musical and the flash mobs and the re-creations.

Bacon also gave a shout-out to Payson students for organizing a prom event that will benefit the actors charity organization Six Degrees, which launched in 2007 and focuses on initiatives to enrich local communities.

Movies That Have Been Turned Into Broadway Musicals Over the Years

It hasnt gone unnoticed by me, Bacon said. Not to mention the fact that you tied in SixDegrees.org, our foundation, and are trying to figure out ways to give back to your community. Its really inspirational.

As the students continued to wait with bated breath, Bacon finally made the announcement they had all been waiting for.

Cover Images

Thank you, thank you, Im gonna come, he exclaimed. I gotta come!

The gymnasium erupted into thunderous applause, as Raff, who was standing by, told Bacon, Lets dance! Were gonna do it! This is awesome!

Payson High student Kaleb Dymock also expressed his excitement about the big reveal. Were gonna party really hard, Kevin, he said.

Footloose, which was released in February 1984, has meant just as much to Bacon as it has to the town of Payson over the years.

I think that it was a great gift to be part of that movie, he told Today in 2022. I certainly took it very seriously when I was doing it and I love that people will still come up and say that they just showed it to their kids.
Getty Images(2)

Rose Hanbury might be a main character in a dominant conspiracy surrounding British royals  and this time its not rooted in infidelity rumors.

Hanbury, 40, has been making headlines for her connection to Prince William as questions about Princess Kate Middletons whereabouts continue to rise, but now, some of her home furnishings seem to be in question.

Internet sleuths have unearthed various photo shoots of Hanbury and her husband, David Cholmondeley, 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley, posing in various rooms of their Norfolk, England home, Houghton Hall. The images  mainly from a May 2013 Vanity Fair profile and May 2023 Financial Times piece show the couple posing alongside what appear to be various oriental decor pieces that were allegedly looted from China during the Qing dynasty.

So, due to the #KateGate / #WhereIsKate missing Kate Middleton / Princess of Wales #Katespiracy drama, lots of people around the world have increased interest in Rose Hanbury and her mysterious connection to Prince William, one X user wrote earlier this week, sharing the photos of Hanbury and her husband. Unfortunately, people in China looked a little too closely at this photoshoot of the Marquis and Marchioness of Cholmondeley in their gorgeous stately home, and noticed that its full of authentic Chinese furniture and artefacts [sic] that were stolen from China during the fall of the Qing dynasty, and they are pissed.

Rose Hanbury's Family Guide: Get to Know Her Husband, 3 Kids and More

The message continued: Apparently, the Marquis of Cholmondeley inherited these controversial pieces from his Sassoon side of the family, and the Sassoons got them by pillaging Qing China while they were there trading opium, the same X thread read. Now, Chinese netizens noticed them in the background of their photoshoot at Houghton Hall.

The Sassoon family reportedly ran a trading empire in the 19th century, dealing commodities across various nations, including China. Its unclear how the Sassons family  and now Marquis and Marchioness of Cholmondeley  obtained the items in question. However, Sybil Sassoon is Cholmondeleys paternal grandmother, so it seems there might be a connection.

Former BuzzFeed royal reporter Ellie Hall even weighed in on the new controversy, referring to it as a favorite unanticipated side-plots of the ongoing royal family drama.

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Hanburys connection to the royal family actually dates back years. In fact, she attended Kate and Williams 2011 wedding. Eight years later, affair rumors between Hanbury and William started swirling. (In 2019, multiple outlets reported that Kate and Hanbury had a falling out over the alleged infidelity.)

Royal watchers brought up the affair rumors more recently when Kates whereabouts came into question after she underwent an abdominal surgery in January. Social media users went rogue with theories about the Princess of Wales well-being, with some claiming that William and Hanburys affair being the reason she hasnt stepped out of the public eye.

Biggest Royal Family Scandals Through the Years

The rumors are completely false, Hanburys lawyers reportedly told Business Insider earlier this week, denying the affair.

Editor-in-Chief of True Royalty TV Nick Bullen exclusively told Us Weekly on Tuesday, March 19, that Hanbury is very upset by the infidelity rumors being brought up once again.

I know people who know the Marchioness of Cholmondeley very, very well, and she absolutely was not having an affair with the Prince of Wales, Bullen added.
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Coachella

Tom DeLonge had a scary moment when performing for Blink-182 fans in South America.

This was about [one] min before heat stroke hit, DeLonge, 48, captioned an Instagram photo on Thursday, March 21, two days after the band played Asuncionico in Asuncion, Paraguay.

DeLonge endured temperatures in the mid-90s during the show on Tuesday, March 19. The photo showed the guitarists shirt completely soaked in sweat right before the dehydration and temperatures sent him reeling.

Fell to my knees, everything went blurry, then [I] wobbled to the side of the stage and vomited for a bit. Super fun, he continued in the caption, giving a shout-out to his Blink-182 bandmates, Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker, who made up for the lost time as he recovered.

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Despite his many years of performing live, this level of heat was new to DeLonge. Man, this was not something Ive ever felt before, he added. 95 Degrees at a(n) 11pm on stage. But I made it back and finished the show. Cause thats what Navy Seals do

A Blink-182 Paraguay fan account shared footage via X of DeLonges exit from the stage, which occurred at the end of the bands song More Than You Know According to the post, Barker, 48, and Hoppus, 52, improvised a bit before playing Happy Holidays, You Bastard, a 43-second song, three times in a row.

Courtesy of Tom DeLonge/Instagram

The band decided to make last changes to the setlist, replacing Turpentine and Aliens Exist with Always and Man Overboard to give Tom DeLonge some respite, read the translated caption. Tom commented live that he vomited but already felt better. The rest of the concert was pure determination and energy, and Tom DeLonge gave everything.

Per SetList.FM, the band played 15 more songs, ending with All the Small Things and Dammit, before returning with One More Time as the encore.

Celebrity Health Scares Through the Years

Blink-182 will play Lollapalooza Brasil from Friday, March 22, to Sunday, March 24, before heading north for a run of shows in Mexico. Their next U.S. show is June 20 at Orlando, Floridas Kia Center. The trio  who reformed with DeLonge in 2022 after a seven-year hiatus, during which Matt Skiba performed with Barker and Hoppus  will spend the summer playing in the States before wrapping up their tour with a handful of dates in the U.K.
The escaped convict and alleged accomplice sought in an Idaho manhunt are now accused of killing two people while they were on the run, authorities said Thursday.

Skylar Meade and Nicholas Umphenour were arrested after being accused of an ambush and shooting at a hospital Wednesday that injured three officers, Boise police said at a press conference.

Boise Police Department Chief Ron Winegar said the two are considered suspects in two northern Idaho homicides of two men who were found dead "rural Idaho, not inside of city limits."

Officers also found the handcuffs Meade escaped in at the scene.

Police found the vehicle Meade and Umphenour used to escape in northern Idaho, the chief said. He added that the duo fled the area in a different vehicle.

View of downtown Boise, Idaho from the top of Table Rock. Dsc 0087

"The motive and why they did what they did, I don't know," Winegar said.

Meade fled the Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, about three miles west of the state capital's downtown area, before two state corrections officers prepared to take him back to prison. Umphenour opened fire in front of the emergency room early Wednesday morning, the Boise Police Department reported.

Who is Skylar Meade?

Meade is a convicted felon who escaped serving a 20-year prison sentence for assault or battery with an enhancement for use of a deadly weapon from a 2017 shooting, IDOC records show. While fleeing from a traffic stop amidst a police chase, he fired several shots at a law enforcement officer.

Meade, who officials described as a white supremacist gang member, also had prior convictions from felony possession of a controlled substance and grand theft to introduction of contraband into a correctional facility. His incarceration began in October 2016 with his most recent sentence set to end in 2036.

Who is Nicholas Umphenour?

Umphenour is considered an Meade's accomplice and associate, detectives said.

Police did not release Umphenour's age or clarify whether he has a local criminal history.

Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund Cybele Mayes-Osterman & Jonathan Limehouse

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Idaho murders: Skylar Meade, Nicholas Umphenour killed 2 during manhunt
The Senate voted for a $1.2 trillion spending plan to fund the government early Saturday morning, avoiding a shutdown and sending the measure to President Joe Biden for his signature.

The White House announced at 1:01 p.m. that Biden had signed the plan. In a statement, President Biden said the bill keeps the government open, invests in the American people, and strengthens our economy and national security.

The Senate's 74-to-24 vote concluded at 2:03 am ET, after more than 12 hours of negotiations following a House of Representatives vote Friday morning of 286-134 to advance the 1,012-page spending bill which covers an estimated 70% of discretionary government spending.

The House vote required a two-thirds majority and barely cleared that threshold amid strong GOP opposition.

The bill will fund the government through the end of September and is to be the final step in a drawn-out fight that has seen a government funding debate stretch almost six months into the fiscal year and risk a headwind for the economy. Business Roundtable CEO Joshua Bolten praised the vote in a statement and noted that "a fully operational U.S. government provides important stability for American businesses, workers and families."

But it didn't clear the House before more than 112 Republicans, a slim majority of the GOP caucus, bucked House Speaker Mike Johnson's move to work with Democrats and voted no.

Amid the debate, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene even filed a motion to vacate and remove Johnson from his position. In comments to reporters afterward, she called the move "a warning" to Johnson.

The White House said shortly after midnight that shutdown preparations had ceased, in anticipation of the president signing the legislation later Saturday.

"It has been a very long and difficult day," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer noted late Friday night on the Senate floor adding "tonight our persistence has been worth it."

Read more: How a government shutdown would impact your money: Student loans, Social Security, investments, and more

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, right, with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries during a congressional Gold Medal Ceremony on Thursday. (Tom Williams via Getty Images)

Congress is now set to break for a two-week recess.

A focus on the border

The tight deadlines are a result of last-minute delays over funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the border.

After calls from some Republicans to use the budget process to "dismantle" Biden's border policies, the final product is notably less dramatic, but there are some changes at the border set to be implemented. There are new resources for the US Border Patrol as well as additional detention beds run by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, among other provisions.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer discusses the effort to pass a final set of spending bills at the Capitol on Wednesday. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Other highlights of the massive bill include a cutting off of US government assistance to UNRWA, the main UN agency that provides assistance to Palestinians, amid accusations that a number of their employees participated in the Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel.

The bill also lays out increases for Democratic priorities like federal child care and funding for cancer and Alzheimer's research.

Provisions for other wings of the government  including the agriculture, commerce, and transportation departments  were already agreed to and enacted in another deal that passed earlier this month.

Opposition from the right

In the House, the steep two-thirds threshold required to pass the bill under a procedure known as the suspension of the rules left leadership scrambling leading up to Friday's vote, especially on the Republican side of the aisle. The close final tally came after the influential House Freedom Caucus came out in opposition, calling the bill "a massive spending bill drafted in secrecy and dropped on us in the middle of the night."

Over in the Senate, an array of conservatives from Rand Paul of Kentucky to Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin quickly announced their opposition with 23 Republican Senators voting no on final passage and finally agreeing to let the vote proceed more quickly in return for a series of amendment votes, which failed.

As for the economic fallout, it remains to be seen if another near-miss on Capitol Hill is a further strike for America's credit rating agencies.

S&P made a call in 2011 to downgrade the US credit rating. Last August, Fitch followed up with a downgrade of its own and cited government dysfunction as a key reason for doing so.

Moody's made its own move in November, turning negative on the US. It stopped short of a downgrade but kept the option open in the future.

This post has been updated with additional developments.

Ben Werschkul is Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance.

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KIEV, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Explosions sounded in cities across Ukraine on Friday morning as Russia launched a fresh missile attack, local media reported.

Blasts were heard in Ukraine's southern city of Zaporizhzhia, the eastern city of Kharkiv and the central city of Dnipro during the air alert prompted by the attack, the government-run Ukrinform news agency said. 
Russia admitted two years into its invasion of Ukraine on Friday that it was "in a state of war," as it launched a massive wave of missile and drone attacks on its neighbor's territory. The admission marks an escalation in official language used to describe the conflict, which the Kremlin initially referred to as a "special military operation."

Russia fired almost 90 missiles and more than 60 Iranian-designed kamikaze drones, damaging "dozens" of energy facilities, including power stations, in what Ukrainian officials said was an attempt to cripple the country's electricity and heating network.

As Ukraine aid languishes, 15 House members work on end run to approve funds

At least three people were killed and more than 20 injured, according to the interior ministry and local officials.

"We are in a state of war," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview given to a pro-Kremlin newspaper, published Friday. "Yes, it started as a special military operation, but as soon as this bunch was formed there, when the collective West became a participant on Ukraine's side, for us it already became a war," Peskov said.

Moscow often accuses the West of direct participation in the conflict by supplying Ukraine with weapons.

Later on Friday, Peskov elaborated on his remarks to journalists.

"This is a special military operation, nothing has changed. I'm saying that essentially after the collective West entered, it turned into a war for us. This is not related to any legal changes. This is a special military operation de jure. But de facto, in fact, for us it turned into a war after the collective West more and more directly increased the level of its involvement in the conflict," he told reporters.

When asked about people in Russia who have been criminally convicted over the use of the word "war" to describe the conflict, Peskov called the comparison "inappropriate."

"The context is different," Peskov said. "The word 'war' is used in different contexts. Just compare what context I have and what context it is in the cases you cite."

"Largest on record" Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy grid

Russian attacks hit at least nine regions - from Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia near the front lines to Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk in western Ukraine, hundreds of miles away from the fighting.

Ukraine's state-run power grid, Ukrenergo, said, "This morning's Russian attack on Ukraine's energy system was the largest on record."

"Dozens of power system facilities have been damaged," including thermal and hydroelectric power plants, as well as major and regional power lines and emergency blackouts had been put place in seven regions, it said.

Zelenskyy again pleads for aid

"The world sees the targets of Russian terrorists as clearly as possible: power plants and energy supply lines, a hydroelectric dam, ordinary residential buildings, even a trolleybus," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

He appealed once again on Friday for more Western arms, blasting political "indecision" that he said was costing Ukrainian lives.

Ukraine has struggled with shortages of both air defenses to protect its skies and ammunition on the ground, with a vital $60 billion military aid package currently held up in the U.S. Congress.

"Russian missiles do not have delays, as do aid packages to our country. The 'Shahed' (drones) have no indecision, like some politicians. It is important to understand the cost of delays and postponed decisions," Zelenskyy said.

"We need air defense to protect people, infrastructure, homes and dams. Our partners know exactly what is needed. They can definitely support us. ... Life must be protected from these non-humans from Moscow."

Ukraine's air force said it shot down 37 of the 88 missiles fired overnight and 55 of 63 drones.

The strikes left around 700,000 consumers without electricity in the northeastern Kharkiv region, governor Oleg Synegubov said.

"The goal is not just to damage, but to try again, like last year, to cause a large-scale failure of the country's energy system," said energy minister German Galushchenko.

Last winter, Russia launched a daily barrage of aerial attacks on Ukraine's power grid, plunging millions into darkness and leaving them without heating in sub-zero temperatures for hours.

But the country's energy network has largely held up this year.

Despite "temporary" blackouts being put in place in some regions, Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said Friday that, "The situation in the energy sector is under control, and there is no need for blackouts across the country."

Emergency electricity was being supplied from Romania, Slovakia and Poland, Galushchenko said.

Key nuclear power plant hit again

One of the strikes Friday severed one of two power lines supplying the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station plant in southeast Ukraine, energy minister Galushchenko said.

The facility, Europe's largest nuclear energy site, was seized by Russian troops in the first days of the war but is powered by Ukrainian lines.

"This situation is extremely dangerous and risks sparking an emergency situation," said Ukraine's atomic energy operator Energoatom.

The plant has suffered multiple blackouts since the beginning of the war, falling back on emergency diesel generators and safety systems.

"In case of their failure, a threat of a nuclear and radiation accident will emerge," said Energoatom.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, which is monitoring the situation at the site, said a back-up power line was still working.

A Russian missile also hit a trolleybus at the Dnipro hydroelectric station, officials said.

Photos on social media showed a fire raging on the dam and the burnt-out carcass of the vehicle.

In Russia, a woman was killed and other people wounded in a strike Friday on Russia's Belgorod, said the governor of the region along the border with Ukraine, where Kyiv has stepped up attacks.

And Moscow's FSB security service said it had arrested seven pro-Ukrainian partisans in the capital, the latest in a flurry of similar cases.

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Concern about assaults and attempted attacks against Congress and staffers
The Detroit Lions have released Cameron Sutton, with the cornerback currently wanted in the State of Florida for alleged domestic battery by strangulation, according to the Hillsborough County Sherriffs Office.

The sheriffs office said Wednesday it had attempted to contact Sutton for two weeks before it turned to social media to ask for help finding the 29-year-old, who has homes in Lutz, about 15 miles north of Tampa, and Pinellas County.

Law enforcement officials said authorities have not been able to find him at his residences and dont know whether he has left the state.

Sutton was released by the Lions on Thursday, the team announced on X.

On March 7, deputies responded to his Lutz home just before 5 a.m. ET after a verbal altercation turned physical, sheriffs office spokesperson Phil Martello said.

The female victim was battered and was left with bruises to the head, neck and upper body, according to Martello.

Suttons representative has not responded to CNNs request for comment.

The sheriffs office said it is unable to provide the connection between the victim and Sutton due to it being a domestic violence case.

No one is above the law and domestic violence has no place in our community. We implore Sutton to turn himself in, Martello added.

Sutton fled the scene with his phone shut off, according to the sheriffs office. Sutton might be driving a Jeep Grand Wagoneer with the license plate number FL-AZ33QB, the office said on X.

No tip is too small, said Martello. Our deputies are welcoming anyone with info to call 813-247-8200.

In a statement to CNN on Wednesday, the Lions had said, We became aware of the ongoing legal situation involving Cam Sutton this morning. We will continue to monitor the situation and will not have further comment at this time.

The seven-year veteran was set to enter his second season with the NFC North division champion Detroit Lions after being drafted by and spending six years with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Sutton started all 17 regular season games for the Lions last season, making 65 combined tackles with one interception. He also played in the Lions three playoff contests, recording eight tackles.

Sutton played collegiately at the University of Tennessee after a high school career in Jonesboro, Georgia.

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A U.S.-led resolution calling for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza failed to pass in the United Nations Security Council on Friday as Russia and China, who are permanent members, voted against the measure.

Vassily Nebenzia, Russias ambassador to the U.N., said the resolution was exceedingly politicized and contained an effective green light for Israel to mount a military operation in Rafah.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., responded by saying that Russia and China simply did not want to vote for a resolution that was penned by the United States. She added that they would rather see us fail than to see this council succeed even after inclusive consultations over weeks and weeks.

The U.S. resolution stated that a cease-fire is imperative for the protection of civilians and to expand the distribution of aid to the more than 2 million Palestinians facing the threat of famine. It had no direct link to the release of those taken captive during Hamas surprise Oct. 7 attacks on Israel. But toward that end, it would unequivocally support diplomatic efforts to secure such a cease-fire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages.

The vote came as the U.S. is increasingly pressuring its ally over the situation in Gaza, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Israel on Friday for fraught talks likely to center on humanitarian aid and Israel's insistence on a ground assault on the overcrowded city of Rafah.

Ahead of the vote, Nate Evans, spokesperson for the U.S. mission to the U.N., said in a statement that America had been working in earnest with Council members over the last several weeks on a resolution that will unequivocally support ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at securing an immediate ceasefire in Gaza as part of a hostage deal.

Image: Smoke rises above buildings during Israeli bombardment as people fleeing the Al-Shifa hospital (AFP - Getty Images)

Israel says 130 hostages remain in Gaza, although 34 have died in captivity.

The resolution marked a toughening of the U.S. stance toward Israel in the war, which is nearing its sixth month. Washington, which traditionally protects Israel at the U.N., has vetoed three draft resolutions, two of which would have demanded an immediate cease-fire. Last month, it justified that veto by saying it could jeopardize talks about a truce.

This was the fourth attempt to pass any kind of cease-fire resolution at the council. Thomas-Greenfield has vetoed three previous resolutions, in October, December and again last month.

February's resolution tabled by Algeria received 13 votes of approval and one abstention from the United Kingdom. Russia and China were among those who criticized the U.S. for voting against the resolution for a third time.

Friday's vote came after a report from the U.N.-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification initiative warned that famine is imminent in northern Gaza and that escalation of the war could push half of Gazas total population to the brink of starvation.

israeli hamas conflict (Alexi Rosenfeld / Getty Images file)

After it failed, French President Emmanuel Macron said that his country would work on a new resolution with our American, European and Arab partners to reach an agreement.

Israel is facing mounting international pressure, even from some of its closest allies, to allow more aid into the enclave. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization, said Thursday that only an expansion of land crossings into Gaza could help prevent famine in the densely populated Palestinian enclave. Children are dying from the effects of malnutrition and disease, and from a lack of adequate water and sanitation, he said.

And earlier this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu engaged in a public diplomatic spat with President Joe Biden over his plans to launch a military offensive on Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians are seeking shelter, many of them displaced by Israel's military campaign in the north of the enclave.

The resolution also backed talks being brokered by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar over a cease-fire and emphasized support for using the period of a truce to intensify efforts in pursuit of lasting peace. David Barnea, director of Israel's Mossad spy agency, was leading the Israeli delegations at the talks, Netanyahu's office said in a statement Thursday.

The vote came after Blinken held talks with Netanyahu and his war Cabinet in Israel. Ahead of their meeting, Blinken said he would share alternatives to Israels planned ground assault into Rafah.

Blinken also met with the leaders of Egypt and Saudi Arabia to discuss cease-fire efforts and ideas for Gazas post-conflict future.
Revolutions bring hope for a better life and strength in community. Immortals, a documentary about young Iraqi activists, deals with the aftermath of 2019s October Protest Movement. What happens when the promise of a better life has been hijacked by insidious political forces? An insightful look into the social and political fabric of modern Iraq, Maja Tschumis film shows the quiet desperation of losing hope and having raging emotions that cannot be outwardly expressed. It also chronicles the plight of a generation who shares their dreams and frustrations with other people around the world suffering from similar oppressions.

Although Immortals captures the specificity, language and culture of Iraq, the aspirations of the activists it follows mirror those of others in Sudan or Iran, to name just two other places where recently youth have shown that they demand change. The film follows Milo, a feminist dealing with a family of strict constrictive rules, and Khalili, a filmmaker who found his calling in documenting the revolution. They are not so much the films subjects as partners with Tschumi, since they co-wrote the script and the narrative is based on their lives and memories.

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Milo and Khalili are witnesses and archivists who fill the film with more than just factual recounts. They bare their pain and despair, but also their hopeful vision for a future beyond their countrys current state. Working in collaboration, the three filmmakers re-enact episodes from Milo and Khalilis past showing events that add context to the current proceedings. It all seamlessly comes together with no disconnect, such that even sharp eyes cant easily discern which parts are real and which are re-creations.

Khalilis camera gives Immortals its most visceral visuals. He captures the chaos in the streets of Baghdad, and the elation of the revolutionaries striving for change. Bullets fly by and tear gas fills the frame, but he also captures the joy, frivolity and optimism of the demonstrators. His post-revolution testimonials provide the film with haunting commentary. As he looks straight at the camera, mourning lost dreams and talking about dead comrades, Immortals proves why his story needs to be told.

Like a screen star, Milo has an expressive face that brims with emotion. As she recounts how she can only wander around Baghdad when dressed in her brothers male clothes, many feelings are conveyed by the timbre of her voice: her pride in being able to figure out a way to be freer, her skepticism of the situation and her distress that this is what she has to resort to as a rallying feminist. Tschumi and cinematographer Silvio Gerber patiently hold the camera on her. Though Milo is still and calm even in movement, her conviction comes through clearly and passionately.

Milos section of the film also conveys the tenderness and affection with which these young people treat each other. In her interactions with a close friend  the two cook, eat and share long late-night conversations  the film shows how they are one anothers oasis amid the danger and frustrations. When conflict arises as decisions need to be made, the camera stays at a remove to show the gulf that appears between friends as priorities shift. These powerful, intimate scenes make audiences privy to private discussions they wouldnt normally have access to.

Watching Immortals, we wonder: Can Milo reconcile her love for her country and friends with her yearning for a fuller life somewhere else? Its an unanswerable question, and Tschumi knows better than to suggest a definitive response. Her quiet meditative treatise on post-revolution ennui is never didactic. Immortals calmly follows its protagonists as they try to overcome a situation bigger than them. Milo and Khalili prove to be active storytellers in control of their narrative, if not their circumstances. In chronicling the lives of these young activists, the film links their struggle and strong conviction to others of their generation around the world. This Iraqi revolution might not have achieved its goals, but optimism reigns as long as young people like Milo and Khalili live another day.

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House Republicans have passed a new version of their plan to restructure Iowa's Area Education Agencies, sending the bill back to the Senate as the two chambers struggle to reach an agreement.

The amended version of House File 2612 is the third version of the AEA legislation to pass out of either the House or the Senate this year. Republicans in both chambers have been making changes to the proposal as they try to find language they can agree on.

House lawmakers voted 51-43 Thursday to pass the bill. Nine Republicans broke from their colleagues and joined every Democrat in opposition.

What's in the newest House AEA bill?

The legislation would send the lion's share of money for special education services to the AEAs, retaining the agencies as the primary provider of those services to schools.

Districts would have jurisdiction over spending for media and general education services  currently provided by AEAs  and can stay with the agencies under a "fee for service" model or seek private contracts.

The new version of the legislation also raises minimum pay for beginning teachers to $50,000 per year, up from $33,500. And it includes money to increase experienced teachers' salaries and raise pay for non-salaried school staff, like paraeducators.

In addition to the teacher pay increase, the bill raises state per-pupil funding for K-12 schools by 2.5%.

The bill's floor manager, Rep. Skyler Wheeler, R-Hull, listed a series of "wins" he said House Republicans had secured in the bill.

"Yes, I believe you can make an argument this is going to improve outcomes for students with disabilities," he said. "Yes, I believe this is local control. Yes, I believe this provides certainty for the AEAs. And yes, I believe it provides certainty for families that have students with disabilities."

State Rep. Skyler Wheeler, R-Hull

Democrats, who have staunchly opposed changes to the AEAs, accused Republicans of playing politics by passing a bill that the Senate hasn't agreed to.

"We have received thousands of emails from constituents. Thousands of phone calls. We are stopped at the grocery store. The one thing Iowans are asking us to do is protect AEAs," House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, told reporters Thursday. "Iowans dont want this. Republicans are bringing this to the floor today because they are scared of the governor and they are trying to play political games with kids with special needs in this state."

Negotiations over the AEAs have dominated the 2024 legislative session since Gov. Kim Reynolds announced a sweeping plan to overhaul the agencies in her Condition of the State address in January.

Reynolds' initial plan was met with widespread opposition from education groups, Democrats and even many Republican lawmakers, prompting them to rewrite large portions of the bill.

In a statement after Thursday's vote, Reynolds thanked House members and said the bill would "further strengthen Iowa's education system in meaningful ways."

"By reforming the AEA system, empowering school districts, and improving oversight and transparency, we are committing to better outcomes and brighter futures for Iowas students with disabilities," she said. "They deserve nothing less."

Will Senate Republicans pass newest plan after previous divide with House?

House and Senate Republicans have in recent weeks passed their own versions of the bill, and remain at odds over how to proceed.

Earlier this week, the Senate passed their own plan to restructure the agencies, which would require districts to make annual contracting decisions and pursue private agreements on special education, media and general education services.

That vote put the ball back in the House's court, with leaders in both chambers forced to negotiate on a compromise. The Senate will return to the Capitol next week to decide how to act on the latest plan, having been out of session Thursday as the House debated.

Asked during debate whether an agreement had been forged between House and Senate Republicans, House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley, said he couldn't "dictate what happens across the way" but hoped Thursday's vote was the last on the issue.

Asked after the vote if House Republicans' message to the Senate was "take it or leave it," House Speaker Pat Grassley, R-New Hartford, told reporters "that's our expectation."

"Our expectation is it satisfies everyone at the table to be able to get a package thats going to move forward and our hope would be make it to the governors desk," he said.

In a statement after Thursday's House vote, Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, R-Grimes, did not commit to passing the bill but said he's hoping for a "resolution."

I am happy to see progress on AEA reform, raising starting teacher pay, and education funding," he said. "Senate Republicans will discuss the new version of the bill next week and I am looking forward to a resolution on these issues.

How would AEA services change under the Republican deal?

One of the biggest debates among Republicans this year is how school districts should pay for services offered by the AEAs.

The AEAs are currently funded through a combination of state, federal and local property tax dollars. The agencies offer special education services to school districts as well as media services and general education services.

The House bill passed Thursday would not make any change to funding for special education in the 2024-25 school year. In the 2025-26 school year and beyond, districts would receive the state special education funding that currently goes to the AEAs, but they would be required to send 90% of that money to the AEAs, while keeping the remaining 10% of funds.

"The mandate remains for special ed students that they will still get their services provided by the AEAs," Grassley said. "That was the number one priority in that conversation and we held the line on that and we were obviously successful."

In the 2024-25 school year, school districts would receive 60% of the state funding for media services and general education services and AEAs would receive 40%. Schools could choose whether to continue contracting with the AEAs for those services under a "fee for service" model, or use a private provider.

Beginning the following year, school districts would receive all the state funding for media and general education services and could choose whether to use the AEAs.

A Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll conducted in late February found a majority of Iowans (56%) have a favorable view of the AEAs, while 24% view them unfavorably and 20% are not sure.

Previous Republican plans in the House and Senate have diverged on how to fund and distribute services currently provided by the AEAs.

Under the plan passed by the Senate earlier this week, districts would have until Feb. 1 to make an annual decision whether to contract with the AEAs for special education, media and general education services. If they decline to do so, they could seek a private vendor.

More: As Reynolds pushes big changes to Iowa special education, most like AEAs, Iowa Poll finds

The newest plan approved by the House on Thursday also creates a task force to study and make recommendations on the AEA system, the sole aspect of the bill supported by Democrats.

Rep. Molly Buck, D-Ankeny, said Republicans should have pursued a task force without the bill's other changes that she said she believes will leave the system "in chaos."

"We are rushing through legislation that affects the most vulnerable kids we have in Iowa," she said. "Our most vulnerable population. The ones that cant speak for themselves, the ones that cant defend themselves."

State Rep. Molly Buck, D-Ankeny

Bill creates special education division in Department of Education

The Iowa Department of Education would gain more oversight over special education services in the state with the creation of a new Division of Special Education.

The bill would authorize the Department of Education to hire new 13 staff members in Des Moines and another 40 who would be based within AEAs around the state.

Starting teacher pay would rise to $50,000 per year

The legislation would raise minimum pay for beginning teachers to $47,500 in the upcoming school year and to $50,000 the next year, up from $33,500 under current law.

It sets a minimum salary of $60,000 for teachers with at least 12 years of experience in the upcoming school year, before raising that minimum to $62,000 the next year.

And the bill has $22 million for schools to use to raise experienced teacher pay and another $14 million to increase pay for non-salaried school staff, like paraeducators.

Rep. Chad Ingels, R-Randalia, who has two children with Down syndrome, said he and other House Republicans are particularly passionate about increasing paraeducator pay.

"While AEA personnel are extremely valuable, paraeducators are there every day beside my kids. And theyre underpaid," he said. "They can go down to Caseys and make more. They can go to Walmart and make more."

The bill would also increase state per-pupil aid to schools by 2.5%, or about $82.4 million in new money.

The version of the bill passed by the Senate would have increased beginning teacher pay to $46,250 per year, with no minimum for experienced teachers and no additional funds to give pay increases to other school staff.

The Iowa Poll found 76% of Iowans favor raising minimum teacher pay to $50,000 per year, while 22% oppose the increase and 2% are not sure.

More: Most Iowans support raising starting teacher pay to $50,000, Iowa Poll finds

Democrats criticize last-minute amendment from Republicans

Alongside criticisms of the plan to restructure AEAs, Democrats on Thursday also decried Republicans' timeline for debate and voting.

The language of the revised bill was not published online until shortly before 4 p.m. Thursday, with debate starting roughly an hour later. Republicans quickly voted to set a "time certain" to end debate at 6:30 p.m.

Konfrst accused Republicans of "shoving this bill down our throats" without giving Democrats or the public time to weigh in.

"They are dropping a 49-page amendment with the three most important issues to educators and kids in this state and expecting us to vote on it in a couple hours," Konfrst said. "You cant tell me this is for Iowans. You cant tell me this is for Iowa kids. This is for the governor. This is for politics and it shows you who they work for."

Melissa Saitz, a spokesperson for House Republicans, said GOP lawmakers have worked hard for weeks to hear feedback on their proposal.

"As the Democrats know, nothing in the amendment to the AEA bill is new policy," she said in a statement. "These are concepts that have been debated on the House and Senate floor and in the committee process. Iowans have been able to weigh in on these pieces of policy for weeks."

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.

Galen Bacharier covers politics for the Register. Reach him at gbacharier@registermedia.com or (573) 219-7440, and follow him on Twitter @galenbacharier.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa House passes new bill restructuring AEAs, raising teacher pay
A federal judge has dismissed a criminal indictment against seven Twitter users and a podcaster accused of running a $100 million stock manipulation scheme over social media.

The Justice Department did not do enough to describe the influencers activities as a scheme to defraud, wrote District Judge Andrew Hanen of the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas, in an order dated Wednesday.

In the indictment, the DOJ had alleged a lucrative pump and dump scheme in which the social media influencers used the messaging app Discord to promote certain stocks to their followers before selling their positions after a run-up in the stocks prices. The result was an alleged conspiracy by defendants to unlawfully enrich themselves by pumping and dumping securities  through false and misleading posts and material omissions on Twitter [and Discord].

At least one of the defendants whose account CNN previously reviewed had tweeted about Gamestop and AMC, two so-called meme stocks that saw significant public interest and trading in 2021.

On Wednesday, however, Hanen wrote that while the defendants may well have intended to separate followers from their money, the evidence did not support a finding of actual securities fraud or conspiracy to commit fraud.

The key question is whether one statement by one of the co-defendants that were robbing  idiots of their money, which is alleged in the Indictment, is sufficient, the judge wrote. This statement sufficiently alleges intent to defraud  but does not on its own sufficiently allege that Defendants executed, or conspired to execute, a scheme to defraud investors of money or property as defined by court precedent.

Unlike a traditional fraud case, Hanen added, the DOJ merely claimed investors were deprived of relevant market information  not that the influencers directly stole money from investors.

The indictment was dismissed without prejudice, meaning charges could potentially be amended and refiled.

The DOJ case is distinct from a civil suit brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission around the same time against those same defendants and that accused them of violating US securities law. The SECs case is currently on hold, after the Justice Department asked the court in January 2023 to stay that lawsuit while its own criminal case against the defendants unfolded.

The Justice Department didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. The SEC declined to comment.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misidentified the plaintiff in the case. It is the Justice Department. The photo has also been replaced.

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Vice President Kamala Harris arrived in Puerto Rico early Friday afternoon to embark on her first visit to the U.S. territory since being sworn in three years ago.

According to her office, the purpose of the trip is to highlight President Joe Biden's "commitment to supporting Puerto Ricos recovery" following hurricanes, earthquakes and the Covid-19 pandemic  with a special focus in promoting the administration's investments on the island's infrastructure and economic recovery initiatives.

Her five-hour trip included a visit to an area in the town of Canovanas that received federal housing funds disbursed by the Biden administration to rebuild homes for about 6,300 families islandwide during the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in 2017.

"We're making a difference," Harris said in a speech delivered outside the home of an octogenarian Canovanas resident that was ravaged by the hurricane and rebuilt with federal funds. The new home will be able to withstand future hurricanes and uses solar energy.

The Biden administration has invested a total of $140 billion in Puerto Rico across multiple sectors, including education and disaster response, Harris said in her speech. She also emphasized investments in small businesses, entrepreneurs, infrastructure and renewable energy initiatives.

"There's more work to do," Harris added.

Harris also commemorated the 151st anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Puerto Rico when it was under Spanish rule, alongside community leaders and artists in San Juan dedicated to celebrating the island's cultural heritage and its African influence.

Since Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory and not a state, people living in the island cant vote in presidential elections even though they are U.S. citizens by birth.

But political parties allow them to participate in the primaries that help elect presidential nominees.

The Democratic primary in Puerto Rico is scheduled for April 28, and the Republican primary for April 21.

Close to 6 million Puerto Ricans live in the U.S. mainland, many in competitive states like Florida and Pennsylvania. Biden-Harris supporters hope that touting the wins of the Biden administration in Puerto Rico can influence Latino voters of Puerto Rican heritage who live in the U.S. mainland and can register to vote in presidential elections.

Charlie Rodriguez, president of the Democratic Party in Puerto Rico, told NBC News he viewed the vice president's visit as "a reiteration of the policies established by the President since he stepped into the White House, of staying focused on Puerto Rico a during his term."

More often than not, people living in Puerto Rico dont always see how decisions made in Congress and the White House affect their daily lives, Rodriguez said, adding that under the Biden administration investments in infrastructure and economic recovery has allowed for the revitalization of roads and some decaying buildings, the ongoing reconstruction of the electrical grid, and the expansion of federal nutrition programs and education funds.

These have extraordinary impact, he added. Thats why we have to continue spreading that message.

Harris trip comes a week after first lady Jill Biden visited Puerto Rico.

Harris' visit also drew protests, as dozens of Puerto Ricans like Joseline Velasquez, a spokesperson for the group Jornada: Se Acabaron Las Promesas, first gathered near Condado in San Juan and blasted the Biden administration's handling of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, expressing concerns over U.S. involvement in Haiti and expressing discontent over Puerto Rico's recovery.

Several counter-protesters in favor of the vice president's visit showed up to San Juan Friday afternoon, chanting pro-statehood remarks.

It is disrespectful," Velasquez of the group Jornada: Se Acabaron Las Promesas, told Telemundo Puerto Rico in Spanish, adding that she believed Harris' main purpose for her visit is to "walk through the streets of Puerto Rico to raise funds for the electoral campaign." (Telemundo is part of NBCUniversal, the parent company of NBC News.)

The Biden Victory Fund political action committee organized a fundraising event in an apartment complex owned by investor Nicholas Prouty, Puerto Rican national newspaper El Nuevo Dia first reported. Harris stopped by the event before leaving the island.

Prouty, a New York native, is most known in Puerto Rico for being one of the estimated 6,000 wealthy investors who have moved to the island following tax breaks if they buy a residency in Puerto Rico and live there at least half of the year.

But in political circles, Prouty is a longtime campaign donor; Federal Election Commission records show Prouty has contributed to the campaigns of multiple Democratic candidates such as Biden, Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton since at least 2008. Fewer campaign contributions were done in favor of Republican candidates.

Rodriguez said it's common practice, especially during an election year, that elected officials take time from their official visits to participate in a fundraising event.

"There is no doubt that there are a number of people in Puerto Rico who are in a better position to be able to contribute generous amounts, within the framework of what's allowed by federal law, and to give those types of donations," Rodriguez said in Spanish.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office is currently investigating the controversial tax breaks, known locally as Act 22, after four Democratic members of the House Natural Resources Committee requested they review parts of the Puerto Rico tax incentives law that may be allowing wealthy individuals from the U.S. mainland and some businesses to avoid significant taxes.

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service has also said it is investigating about 100 high-income individuals who attempted to avoid U.S. taxation by benefiting from a controversial tax break in Puerto Rico without meeting the appropriate requirements.

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Kate Middleton announced that shes been diagnosed with cancer, but did not reveal the specific type, in a video message posted to Instagram and X on March 22.

Speculation about Kate Middleton's health reached a fever pitch in recent weeks after her "planned abdominal surgery in January.

In the address, she thanked people for their support, before opening up about her diagnosis.



A message from Catherine, The Princess of Wales pic.twitter.com/5LQT1qGarK  The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 22, 2024

The video was shot at Windsor on Wednesday, according to ABC 7 Chicago. In it, Kate can be seen wearing a striped sweater and jeans while sitting on a bench.

A lot of details of her cancer diagnosis are still unknown. However, the Princess of Wales shared some new information about what shes been going through.

Meet the Expert: Jack Jacoub, M.D., a board certified medical oncologist and hematologist and medical director of MemorialCare Cancer Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California.

Heres everything to know so far.

Kate had major abdominal surgery on January 16th.

Kate revealed in her video that she had major abdominal surgery in London in January. At the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous," she said. "The surgery was successful.

Kate received abdominal surgery at The London Clinic, the largest independent, private hospital in the U.K., according to PEOPLE .

At the time, Kensington Palace shared an official statement on the Prince and Princess of Wales Instagram account that said she would "remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days, before returning home to continue her recovery."

What type of cancer does Kate have?

Kate did not specify the type of cancer that doctors discovered in her video address. Tests after the operation found cancer had been present," she said. "My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy.

In the video, she called the diagnosis "a huge shock."

"William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family," she said. "It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok."

She started chemotherapy in late February.

Kate said in her video that shes now in the early stages of chemotherapy. A palace spokesperson told People that Kate began treatment in late February.

Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cells, per the Mayo Clinic. It's often used to treat cancer, since cancer cells grow and multiply much more quickly than most cells in the body.

Jack Jacoub, M.D., a board certified medical oncologist and hematologist and medical director of MemorialCare Cancer Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, says that chemotherapy can help to prevent a recurrence of cancer. After surgery, he says, "we assume there are cancer cells we didn't remove, and those cancer cells might come back.

Prince William has been supporting her recovery.

Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance," Kate said. "As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both."

The Prince and Princess of Wales has been very careful about how they're talking about the diagnosis with their young children: As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits."

Kate asked for privacy as she continues treatment. We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment."

Its unclear when Kate will return to her royal duties.

Though after her abdominal surgery, the Palace said Kate was unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter Kate did not clarify an exact return date in her address.

"My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy, and I look forward to being back when I am ablebut for now, I must focus on making a full recovery."

She ended on this note: At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.

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Rep. Ken Buck (Colo.) became the first GOP member to sign the House Democrats discharge position for foreign aid Thursday, just one day before he is set to retire from Congress.

The discharge petition, formally launched earlier this month by House Democrats, is an attempt to force consideration of a Senate-passed $95 million foreign aid package, which includes $60 billion in aid for Ukraine.

The petition, sponsored by Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), was up to 188 signatures as of Thursday, according to House clerk records. It requires 218 signatures to force consideration.

Democrats are arguing the discharge petition is the most efficient way to pass aid for Ukraine, as funding for the war-torn nation remains stalled amid divisions in Congress.

The Senate passed the foreign aid package last month by a 70-29 vote, with 22 Republicans voting in support of the legislation. When sent to the House, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) refused to consider it due to it lacking stricter U.S.-Mexico border provisions.

If the petition receives enough votes, Democrats would be able to sidestep Johnsons opposition to the Senate package and bring it to the floor, where they predict it would pass with over 300 votes.

Buck also signed Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.)s competing discharge petition, which already included GOP signatures. Fitzpatricks petition would force a vote on a broader Ukraine package and includes the border provisions demanded by House GOP members. It had a total of 16 signatures as of Thursday.

Though Buck is retiring Friday, his name will remain on the petition until a successor is elected. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) said last week a special election to fill his seat will likely be aligned with the states primary election June 25. If his successor also signs on to the petition, Bucks name will be removed.

The move is a major blow to Johnson and other GOP members, who have insisted on securing border security measures as a condition for giving more aid to Ukraine, though a bill combining the two was killed after former President Trump urged Republican lawmakers not to pass it.

It comes just days after the Colorado Republican was ousted from the conservative House Freedom Caucus. A Freedom Caucus member told The Hill that the group removed Buck because he has not been in good standing as a member and has not regularly attended the groups meetings in months.

Buck, 65, has frequently broken with the GOP on a variety of issues in recent years. When announcing his retirement from Congress last fall, he pointed to Republicans election denialism and their belief the 2020 presidential election was stolen.

A Freedom Caucus member who requested anonymity to discuss the groups internal proceedings said Buck was booted from the group because he hasnt been with conservatives on several major issues.

The member also pointed to Bucks impending retirement, which they said leaves House Republicans hanging with a historically narrow margin.

His resignation timeline was expedited earlier this month when he announced he would depart Congress on Friday, instead of at the end of his term, as he originally announced last fall. His departure will decrease the House GOPs majority by one, bringing the breakdown in the House to 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats.

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), who is running for Bucks seat in Colorados 4th Congressional District, lambasted Bucks discharge signature.

Im one of his last acts as a Congressman, Ken Buck signed on to the Democrat discharge petition to give Ukraine even more of your money! Boebert wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Odd, because Ive been traveling all around the Fourth District and havent yet seen the part that borders on Kyiv. Makes sense thats hes also trying to help the Ukraine First candidate in my election.

I have an extra copy of Drain The Swamp, would be a good read for him! she added. Then again seems hes too far gone and has forgotten who he was supposed to be.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Michael Prince - Getty Images

Set your sights on these beautiful stretches of shoreline from Maine to Florida. With summer finally on the horizon (especially after the dark, cold months of January and February) all eyes are on sun-splashed getaways. What better place to spend a few days than sprawling out on a beautiful East Coast beach? Sure, you could jet off to European hotspots like Capri and Saint-Tropez or tropical islands such as Fiji, but why hop on a long-haul flight when some of the most postcard-perfect stretches of shoreline exist up and down the eastern seaboard?

With nearly 30,000 miles of coastline, theres plenty of soft sand, blue water, and seaside fun to choose fromwhether you prefer the waterfront amusements of the Jersey Shore, mixing it up with well-heeled vacationers in the Hamptons, or the serenity of Assateague Island. Here, the best East Coast beaches in the U.S.

Mansion Beach: Block Island, Rhode Island

Mansion Beach, accessible via a dirt road in Block Island, provides visitors with the perfect mix of relaxation and excitement for the whole family, says Caroline Quinn, travel expert at Black Tomato. When soaking up the sun, bodyboarding in the waves, and combing for shells along the uncrowded shoreline, the peaceful ambiance is such a delightful contrast to other East Coast tourist darlings that draw huge summer crowds.

TW Farlow - Getty Images

Georgica Beach: East Hampton, New York

Abutting the Georgica Associationone of the most exclusive and expensive communities in the worldbeautiful Georgica Beach makes the singularly rough drive out to the Hamptons well worth it.

This particularly splendid stretch of East Hampton is where city transplants and owners of summer homes nearby come to catch rays, go for a refreshing dip, and plan Instagram-worthy beach picnics.

Grant Faint - Getty Images

Sconset Beach: Nantucket, Massachusetts

One of the loveliest and most easy-to-access beaches on Nantucket, Sconset Beach, on the easter tip of the island, sits within walking distance of Greydon House in the utterly charming, old-school town of Sciasonsett. Backed by dunes, its a popularand photogenicspot for swimming, surfing, and fishing.

CurtisC Photoography - Getty Images

Goosewing Beach: Little Compton, Rhode Island

On the South Shore of Rhode Island lies Goosewing Beach, a haven of soft sand that offers a sanctuary for relaxation, renewal, and outdoor recreation.

Its located within a stunning nature reserve thats one of the states most popular outdoor destinations for visitors looking for adventure, hiking trails, and beautiful wildlife, explains Quinn. Pro tip: It's located less than 15 minutes away from the beautiful Sakonnet Lighthouse, so plan to make a trip to both spots while you're in the area.

Joshua McDonough - Getty Images

Goochs Beach: Kennebunkport, Maine

Set along the scenic coastline of Kennebunkport, Gooch's Beach is a cherished gem of New England with timeless charm, says Quinn.

Ideal for beachgoers of all ages, its as pretty as a postcard with velvety sand for leisurely barefoot strolls and building castles, beginner-friendly waves for surfing and swimming, and gorgeous sunset views.

Thomas H. Mitchell - Getty Images

Corolla Beach: Outer Banks, North Carolina

The Outer Banks are a favorite of outdoor enthusiasts. For many thrill-seekers, the 4x4 drive to Corolla Beach is a trip-making highlight in and of itself.

Once there, visitors can spot wild horses roaming freely along the tranquil shoreline and even embark on a kayak safari for a closer look, reveals Quinn.

Prasad Ch / 500px - Getty Images

Newcomb Hollow Beach: Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Quinn calls dune-backed Newcomb Hollow Beach one of Cape Cods hidden gems. After a day swimming in the water and sunning on the golden sand at the northernmost oceanside beach in Wellfleet, stick around to catch the prettiest sunset on the hook-shaped peninsula.

Hayabusa02 - Getty Images

Assateague Beach: Assateague Island, Maryland

A bastion of serenity, Assateague Beach is hidden away on Assateague Island, a sleepy 37-mile-long barrier island and protected nature sanctuary. Far removed from the mainland crowds, wild horses roam and the waves of the Atlantic Ocean lap the near-empty shoreline where your footprints might be the only ones etched into the sand.

sbonk - Getty Images

Cape May Beach: Cape May, New Jersey

Cape May is a long-time favorite Jersey Shore town. One of its biggest draw cards? The wide sandy beach runs parallel to the boardwalk and extends for miles. In the summer, its packed (though, not unpleasantly so) with families sharing snacks and cool drinks under umbrellas, playing frisbee, and frolicking in the water.

Richard T. Nowitz - Getty Images

Aquinnah Beach: Marthas Vineyard, Massachusetts

With its dramatic multi-colored clay cliffs, golden sands, and crystal-clear waters, Aquinnah Beach provides a stunning backdrop for a day of fun in the sun. Its timeless charm and unparalleled beauty make the half-mile stretch of coastline ideal for travelers looking to experience the true essence of Marthas Vineyard.

Rolf_52 - Getty Images

Good Harbor Beach: Gloucester, Massachusetts

Favored both by locals and travelers alike, Good Harbor Beach draws visitors into a world of natural splendor with its pristine sands and sparkling water. Quinn also touts the fact that its just steps away from Ravenswood Park, a peaceful 600-acre nature reserve.

Michael Prince - Getty Images

South Beach: Miami Beach, Florida

The sizzling strip of shore that gave rise to an entire vacation destination, palm-fringed Miami Beach brings the heat with its year-round sunshine, golden sand, turquoise water, and colorful lifeguard houses. Umbrellas and loungers from various hotels line the beachand its got some of the best people watching around.

ventdusud - Getty Images

Race Point Beach: Provincetown, Massachusetts

According to Quinn, Race Point Beach stands out due to the miles of gorgeous steep dunes with hikes, cliffs, and wildlife, and breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Visitors can easily unwind and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of this quintessential Cape Cod destination, she adds.

lucky-photographer - Getty Images

Sandbridge Beach: Virginia Beach, Virginia

Unlike some of the more touristy seaside spots in Virginia Beach, Sandbridge Beachs relatively secluded location keeps the vibe much calmer.

The coastal marshes and maritime forests allow visitors to spot the local flora and faunaincluding shorebirds, dolphins, and loggerhead sea turtles, as well as gulls, terns, and sandpiperswith ease, says Quinn.

Sherry Smith - Getty Images

Crane Beach: Ipswich, Massachusetts

One of New England's most cherished destinations for summertime family fun, Crane Beach supplies far more than just sun and sand. Tucked within a 1,234-acre conservation and recreation area, the four-mile-long beach is ensconced by dunes, pine forests, and the Atlantic Ocean, so its a great spot to explore picturesque scenery.

Monica Fecke - Getty Images

East Beach (Bald Head Island, North Carolina)

Bald Head Island is one of North Carolinas best-kept secrets. Love water sports? East Beach boasts spectacular waves, making it the perfect spot for active travelers to try surfing, kiteboarding, windsurfing, boogie boarding, and stand-up paddleboarding.

Fotosearch - Getty Images

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Muslim residents objecting to house-church worship in western Indonesia on Sunday (March 17) compelled the pastor to discontinue using her home for services, sources said.

On the western tip of Java Island, dozens of Muslim residents gathered outside the house after worship ended in Saga Bunar, Balaraja Sub-District, Tangerang Regency, Banten Province, police said.

Authorities said police arrived and dispersed the crowed, but video on X (formerly Twitter) shows police officers present among other people in a room while the pastor, identified only as Kinerinda, reads an agreement reached with local residents.

Starting from today, there will be no more religious services or worship services in the house I live in, Pastor Kinerinda says on the video, adding that she made the statement without any coercion from any party, a standard phrase in such agreements in Indonesia to prohibit members of minority faiths from later appealing in court.

Balaraja Police Chief Badri Hasan said the crowd gathered around the house after the service objecting to its use as a place of worship, according to detiknews.com.

According to residents, this is because there has been no approval or permission to build a place of worship, Hasan said, according to the news outlet. Residents have protested. As far as I know, this is the first time.

Saying the homeowner had used her home for worship services for a year, Badri said police referred the conflict to the relevant stakeholders  presumably the local city and religious leaders  to resolve the issue.

Bonar Tigor Naipospos, deputy chairman of the Setara Institute for Peace and Democracy, said holding worship at a house is explicitly permitted in Indonesias Join Ministerial Decree of 2006, which requires a permit only for a venue constructed as a permanent worship site.

The problem is that those who are intolerant always think that when Christians gather to worship, it is something that violates the rules  that worshiping together must be in a house of worship or church, Naipospos told Morning Star News.

Private worship is legal in Indonesia, but many people consider the private sphere as only the five daily prayers in Islam, he said.

Indonesia ranked 42nd on Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian.

 2023 Morning Star News. Articles/photos may be reprinted with credit to Morning Star News. https://morningstarnews.org. Morning Star News is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that relies solely on contributions to offer original news reports of persecuted Christians. By providing reliable news on the suffering church, Morning Star News mission is to empower those in the free world to help and to encourage persecuted Christians that they are not forgotten or alone.
(Photo Credit: Rowan Freeman | Getty Images)

Animal protection officers with the Stanislaus Animal Services in Ceres, California, rescued 86 dogs from what they described as a heart-wrenching hoarding situation. Reports say Ceres police officers conducting a wellness check found the neglected animals huddled inside the home, which was in a filthy, unlivable state.

Dogs rescued from massive hoarding case in California home

On Tuesday, Mar. 19, Ceres police officers responded to the California home, as per CBS News, after a concerned individual called to request a wellness check on a resident living there.

Police say there were approximately 86 dogs and multiple occupants in the home, among them were an elderly woman and a child. Authorities reached out to the Stanislaus Animal Services to assist with the rescue.

According to WRAL News, the ammonia levels inside were so high that the home lacked sufficient oxygen, making it hard for animal services officers to enter the residence. Due to the low oxygen levels, officers called the local fire department to help evacuate the dogs from the horrible environment.

Vaughn Maurice, Stanislaus Animal Services executive director, told the news outlet, The urination that was in the home was so bad that it really caused just a horrible environment  not just for the dogs but the people living there too.

Ceres police arrested three adults from the residence on charges of animal cruelty, child abuse, and elder abuse. They include Lissette Stdenis aged 43, Seth Bedal, 43, and Freddy Vasquez, 22.

Straightaway, all the dogs were transported to the Stanislaus County Animal Shelter for medical evaluation and treatment. Theyll be up for adoption upon recovery.

It was really heart-wrenching to see these dogs, some with their eyes coming out of their head, eyes that hadnt seen the light of day, Maurice shared.

Meanwhile, the elderly woman rescued was first taken to a hospital for evaluation before being placed into adult protection services. As for the 4-year-old juvenile girl, she is also under the care of child protection services after undergoing medical evaluation at a local hospital.

The post 86 Dogs Rescued From Hoarding Situation in California appeared first on DogTime.
A day after holding the first public hearings on Medicaid expansion in four years, Kansas Republican lawmakers rejected the bill pushed by Democrats.

In its last scheduled meeting of the legislative session, the House health committee on Thursday voted against sending House Bill 2556 to the House floor.

Susan Ruiz, D-Shawnee, made the motion to send the bill out of committee without a formal recommendation so that the entire House could have an opportunity to debate and vote on the bill.

After an initial voice vote, Democrats asked for a show of hands. Of the 17 members of the committee, only the five Democrats raise their hands in support. Landwehr didn't make the 12 Republicans raise their hands to show their opposition, despite an objection from a Democrat.

"That concludes our business," said Rep. Brenda Landwehr, R-Wichita and the committee chair. "As of right now, we have no more meetings. This was our last meeting."

Rep. Brenda Landwehr, R-Wichita, chairs the House health committee that rejected a Medicaid expansion bill during its last meeting of the year on Thursday.

Governor calls vote 'disappointing'

While the move does not officially kill Medicaid expansion legislation, the other routes for supporters would be more politically difficult.

Gov. Laura Kelly, who has made Medicaid expansion her top priority this session, said in a statement that it was "disappointing" that the committee "has chosen to disregard the 450 testimonies it received."

"There are still multiple avenues the Kansas Legislature can and should pursue to expand Medicaid this year," Kelly said. "It is clear that Kansans resoundingly support expanding Medicaid and have growing concerns over legislative inaction. I urge Kansans to continue making their voices heard so we can get this bill to both the House and Senate floors for a debate and vote."

Public opinion polling has shown the vast majority of Kansans support Medicaid expansion. The latest poll, conducted in February by research firm Perry Undem and released by the Kansas Common Sense Fund on Tuesday, put the public support at 73%.

"For years, the vast majority of Kansans have supported Medicaid expansion because it would help strengthen our rural hospitals and lower healthcare costs for all of us," said Lauren Fitzgerald, a senior adviser at the Kansas Coalition for Common Sense. "It's disappointing that a select few lawmakers refuse to allow a full debate and vote. It's no wonder almost 80% of Kansans think these politicians are out of touch."

Rep. David Buehler, R-Lansing, said Medicaid expansion "would be the worst thing in the world" for a constituent whose daughter is spent 10 years on the intellectual and developmental disability waitlist.

Republicans object to Medicaid expansion

Rep. David Buehler, R-Lansing, doubted the promised benefits and believed the costs were understated. He expressing concern that it would be harmful to the economy and others who need care, particularly people waiting for services on the intellectual and developmental disability waitlist.

Rep. Ron Bryce, R-Coffeyville, said his opposition is because "it is for the able bodied working age adults, it doesn't sign on any children, doesn't sign any of the disabled, doesn't sign on any of the poorest of the poor  they're already covered."

Christine Osterlund, the state Medicaid director, had told lawmakers adults only qualify at or below 38% of the federal poverty level. For a single parent with one child, that means $648 a month  or $7,776 a year  is the maximum.

"I do look at this as Medicaid expansion being socialized medicine, and that the United States of America is not a socialist country," said Rep. Carrie Barth, R-Baldwin City.

Can Medicaid expansion still happen in 2024?

Rep. Lindsay Vaughn, D-Overland Park, holds up a binder of the written testimony from supporters of Medicaid expansion. "I think we had overwhelming support in the testimony," she said.

While the Senate had an informational hearing on Medicaid expansion, its committees have not taken up a bill.

Because the House committee is not expected to meet again this session, there likely won't be another chance for House Democrats to get the bill out of committee through normal processes.

They can attempt a procedural move on the House floor to pull the bill out of committee, but that would require 70 votes, which is seven more than a simple majority. Democrats hold 40 seats.

They can also try to amend Medicaid expansion into a health bill while on the floor. But that would require the GOP-led rules committee to not rule it nongermane.

While some Republican legislators have said they support Medicaid expansion, they have not backed such procedural moves in the past.

Rep. Lindsay Vaughn, D-Overland Park, told reporters after the committee vote that she would be supportive of an effort to bring it to the House floor, but "that poses an additional challenge."

"An overwhelming majority of Kansans support Medicaid expansion," she said. "I hoped that the representatives here today would listen to their constituents, and it's really disappointing that this bill has been prevented from moving forward."

Jason Alatidd is a Statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@gannett.com. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Medicaid expansion in Kansas rejected by health committee Republicans
Multiple people have reportedly been killed and many more wounded after several gunman opened fire at a concert hall near to Moscow.

The state Tassnews agency reported that the shooting occurred at the Crocus City Hall, a huge concert hall on the western edge of the Russian capital.

Graphic footage from inside the hall showed gunman moving steadily through the venue firing shots and leaving a trail of destruction. People were seen fleeing past dead bodies.

Other video showed a number of people lying motionless in pools of blood outside the hall, though the footage was not immediately verifiable, according to Reuters.

It was not immediately clear how many people had been injured and who the gunmen were, but Russian news agencies said 50 ambulance crews had been sent to the scene. Riot police units have also reportedly been sent to the area as people were evacuated.

A terrible tragedy occurred in the shopping center Crocus City today, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said. I am sorry for the loved ones of the victims. Mr Sobyanin said all necessary assistance would be provided to those injured during the incident.

(REUTERS)

Several other Russian media outlets reported the shooting and said that the mall was on fire. Video circulated on social media, showing huge plumes of black smoke rising over the building, appeared to confirm the reports.

Russian news reports also said that the assailants also used explosives to cause the massive blaze. RIA Novosti said the three men threw a grenade or an incendiary bomb, which started a fire in the concert hall, per one of its correspondents on the scene.

Shortly after news of the attack broke, White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby told reporters: There is no indication at this time that Ukraine, or Ukrainians were involved in the shooting, but again, this just broke.

The unfolding incident comes after UK and US residents were warned not to travel to Russia earlier this month amid a warning that a terror attack was planned for the countrys capital.

The US embassy in Russia warned that extremists had imminent plans for an attack in Moscow, hours after Russian security services said they had foiled a planned shooting at a synagogue by a cell from the Afghan arm of Islamic State.

The embassy, which has repeatedly urged all US citizens to leave Russia immediately, gave no further details about the nature of the threat, but said people should avoid concerts and crowds and be aware of their surroundings.
Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 27 this year.

For many people, the last Monday in May serves as the unofficial start to summer, but the true meaning behind the federal holiday is to honor and remember those military personnel who've sacrificed their lives in service to their country.

To pay tribute to their memory and honor their loved ones, we've gathered a list of Memorial Day songs to listen to on the holiday or add to your playlist.

If you aren't familiar with the history of Memorial Day, the observation began back in 1868 to honor Confederate and Union soldiers whose lives were lost in the Civil War. However, in the decades since, Memorial Day has expanded to encompass all those who've given their lives to help protect American's freedoms.

However you choose to recognize Memorial Day this year, you may find inspiration in heartfelt songs like "Arlington" by Trace Adkins, "I Drive Your Truck," by Lee Brice and "Ragged Old Flag" by Johnny Cash, among others.

Whether you seek quiet comfort through the meaningful words of artists like Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton and Ray Charles, or proudly remember the hero in your life with a rousing military hymn, this collection of Memorial Day songs honors all who have served.

'Arlington' by Trace Adkins

Inspired by the real-life story of Patrick Nixon, a U.S. marine corporal who died in 2003 while fighting in the Iraq war, Trace Adkins' "Arlington" is a moving tribute to the courage of military service persons buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

'Some Gave All' by Billy Ray Cyrus

This heartfelt Billy Ray Cyrus song recognizes the bravery of those willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in the name of their country, freedom and the red, white and blue.

'Chicken Fried' by Zac Brown Band

This popular Zac Brown Band song celebrates the good things life like fried chicken, a cold beer on a Friday night, a pair of well-worn jeans and all the sacrifices made in order to secure them.

'God Bless the USA' by Lee Greenwood

This 1984 Lee Greenwood song is a patriotic staple. With lyrics like "I"m proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free," it's became an anthem for Independence Day and often played during fireworks displays, as well as other patriotic observations.

'I Drive Your Truck' by Lee Brice

This melancholy song by Lee Brice tells the heart-wrenching tale of pickup truck left behind after it's owner, a soldier, is killed in action and all the memories it holds.

'Color Me America' by Dolly Parton

Country legend Dolly Parton shows her love for the red, white and blue in this 2003 song off her patriotic album "For God and Country."

'Where Were You' by Alan Jackson

Alan Jackson expresses his horror and sadness over the 911 attacks in the 2002 song "Where Were You" and reflects on the most important things in life, like faith, hope and love.

'Still a Soldier' by Trace Adkins

"Still a Soldier" is about the enduring spirit of a military man who's returned home from duty but at his core remains a soldier through and through. Willing to return to service at any moment, his blood beats true for the red, white and blue.

'America the Beautiful' by Ray Charles

Ray Charles' rendition of "America the Beautiful" is one of the most celebrated and heartfelt. "From sea to shining sea" has never sounded so good.

'Go Rest High on That Mountain' by Vince Gill

Vince Gill wrote this touching song after experiencing profound loss in his life. Released in 1995, the song is one of Gill's most memorable ballads and includes backing vocals by Ricky Skaggs and Patty Loveless.

'American Soldier' by Toby Keith

Written in support of U.S. military service persons and their families, Toby Keith released "American Soldier" in 2004 and the song spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

'Born in the USA' by Bruce Springsteen

Telling the dark tale of a soldier's experience going to Vietnam and the complexities of returning home, this Bruce Springsteen song is beloved for its searing chorus "Born in the USA, I was, born in the USA."

'God Bless America' by Celine Dion

Though many an artist has covered this beloved American anthem, Celine Dion's version, passionately belted out until it reaches a rousing crescendo will bring everyone to their feet.

'Travelin' Soldier' by The Chicks

In "Travelin' Soldier," The Chicks tell the sad story of a young girl who awaits the return of the object of her affection  a soldier who's gone off to Vietnam  only to sadly learn he's been killed in action. One of the band's biggest hits, "Travelin' Soldier" charted on both the Billboard Top 40 and Hot Country Songs.

'More Than a Name on a Wall' by The Statler Brothers

Fans of the Statler Brothers may remember some of the group's biggest hits including "Elvira" and "Flowers on the Wall." The band also released this poignant 1988 song about a mother who yearns for the son who never returned from duty and her wish to see him one last time.

'The Star Spangled Banner' by Whitney Houston

One of the most iconic moments in television history occurred when Whitney Houston stepped up to the microphone during the 1991 Super Bowl and delivered this heart-stopping rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner." To this day, it remains one of the most celebrated recordings of all time.

'Remember When' by Alan Jackson

Paying tribute to treasured memories gone by, this Alan Jackson song is the sweetest of tear-jerkers that traces the ups and downs of life and growing older.

'Gone, Gone, Gone' by Phillip Phillips

This Phillip Phillips song reminds us that no matter what, those we love are always with us and there to support us, like a drum beating long after they're gone.

'Remember the Heroes' by Sammy Hagar

This 1982 Sammy Hagar song is a guitar-driven, rockin' anthem and reminder to never forget those who fight to preserve our rights and freedom.

'Letters From Home' by John Michael Montgomery

There's nothing a letter from home when you're miles apart from those you love. This John Michael Montgomery tune pays tribute to just how much those letters matter to those serving in the military.

'For You' by Keith Urban

Men and women serving their country make the ultimate sacrifice in the name of love and preserving freedom. Keith Urban honors those service persons and their willingness to put everything on the line in "For You."

'Heaven Was Needing a Hero' by Jo Dee Messina

This touching ballad by Jo Dee Messina bids a sad farewell to a loved one, but finds some measure of comfort in knowing that heaven will benefit from getting a much-needed hero.

'When I Get Where I'm Going' by Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton

Country greats Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton team up for this emotional duet on love, loss and the wish that in the afterlife, those left behind remember them with a smile instead of tears.

'One Sweet Day' by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men

Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men spent 16 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with this collaboration on "One Sweet Day," a heartfelt song about those we love continuing to shine down on us long after they've gone on to heaven and the promise of being together again "one sweet day."

'I'm Already There' by Lonestar

Lonestar honors service persons and their families, who must patiently await their return from duty, making due with phone calls until they can be together once again. In the meantime, "I'm Already There" is a reminder that from the wind to the sunshine, they are always there in spirit.

'The Ones That Didn't Make it Home' by Justin Moore

Justin Moore tells of the crushing heartbreak that accompanies hearing a knock on the door and finding uniforms on the other side. In "The Ones That Didn't Make it Back Home," Moore reminds that amidst living our lives, we remember to cherish and celebrate the memories of those who gave their lives in the line of duty.

'Ragged Old Flag' by Johnny Cash

Known as "The Man in Black," Johnny Cash penned countless hits throughout his career, including this spoken homage to the American flag and everything it stands for.

'The House That Built Me' by Miranda Lambert

For those who say you can't go home again, Miranda Lambert begs to differ saying that while you can leave or move on, the memories of home always stay with you, no matter where you go.

'My Wish' by Rascal Flatts

Rascal Flatts sums up what every parent wishes for their children, that they grow up happy, have big dreams and small worries. More than that? While they're out there growing up, they know that someone out there loves them more than anything.

'Angels Among Us' by Alabama

This tender Alabama song celebrates those people who put helping others ahead of everything else, almost like angels walking among us.

'The Battle Hymn of the Republic' by The United States Army Field Band

There's nothing more stirring than the traditional military anthem, "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." Patriotic and uplifting, this rendition by the United States Army Field Band is truly inspirational.

'Take Me Home Country Roads' by John Denver

John Denver's 1971 song about returning to the place you love most in the world, which in his case is the Blue Ridge Mountains, is timeless and a solid reminder that near or far, there's no place like home.

'You Raise Me Up' by Josh Groban

A familiar song of worship, "You Raise Me Up" is often sung during services. With violins and full choir backing him up, Josh Groban's version is an especially stirring rendition of the traditional church hymn.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
The US Federal Communications Commission has taken the first step toward adopting a rule that would require telecommunications companies to route calls to the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline based on the callers physical location rather than their phone numbers area code.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said she has submitted a notice of proposed rulemaking to the full commission and expects the rule to pass a vote in the next several weeks, given bipartisan support for the change.

When people reach out to 988 for help, they should have confidence that the support they receive is local, she said in a news release.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides free emotional support to people in mental health crises and connects them to local resources. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and comprises over 200 local crisis centers across the country.

However, callers are currently routed to a call center based on area code rather than physical location. For instance, someone based in Los Angeles who has a cell phone number with a New York area code would be routed to a crisis call center in New York.

The new FCC rule is crucial to ensuring that Americans can access mental health care as quickly and as safely as possible, Sen. Alex Padilla, co-founder of the Senate Mental Health Caucus, said at a news conference Thursday with other caucus members, the FCC and the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Hannah Wesolowski, chief advocacy officer of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), said that most people keep their old phone number when they relocate, so their area code does not accurately reflect their location.

988 will not reach its full potential unless every help seeker is able to get immediate help and be connected with resources available where they are. Theres been too much progress made with 988 to stop short of this ideal, Wesolowski said in a news release.

The FCC has called on wireless carriers and industry associates to develop a better 988 georouting solution, but real change does not happen without federal enforcement, Wesolowski told CNN.

On Wednesday, NAMI and a coalition of over 40 national organizations sent a letter urging leadership at the FCC and HHS to take action to improve the routing of 988 calls.

We are talking about life and death, Wesolowski said in the release. Everyone agrees with this policy and a workable solution exists. We just need our federal partners to act.

The 988 lifeline launched in July 2022, transitioning from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to a broader focus and a simpler dial code. Since then, 988 has received about 9.1 million calls, texts and chats, according to data published by HHSs Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Since its launch, the line has expanded to include services in Spanish and American sign language. It also has a special veterans crisis line, which can be reached by dialing 988 and pressing option 1, and a LGBTQ+ youth and young adult line that can be accessed by pressing option 3.

In January, the average speed of answer for calls was 32 seconds, and the average contact time was about 14 minutes, according to SAMHSA data.

The Biden-Harris administration has invested nearly $1 billion in the initiative. Much of that investment has gone directly to states, territories and tribes to hire crisis counselors and improve local response, according to HHS officials.

Theres been such significant investment in 988 and crisis services over the last few years, this is really making sure that we are best leveraging those investments by getting people the best possible help at the time they need it most, Wesolowski said.

Almost 50,000 people died by suicide in the United States in 2022, a record high, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thats one death every 11 minutes.

About 90% of American adults say that the United States is experiencing a mental health crisis, according to a 2022 poll by CNN and the Kaiser Family Foundation.

This is worth the fight; its worth working on the technology; its worth making mental health resources accessible to more people everywhere in this country, Rosenworcel said.

CNNs Jacqueline Howard contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
An Alabama clinic at the center of a legal battle that sparked fears nationwide about the future of in vitro fertilization is quietly rescheduling embryo transfers. It had paused IVF procedures in the wake of a state Supreme Court ruling in February that frozen embryos can be considered children.

Two patients at the Center for Reproductive Medicine in Mobile said they were told on Friday that certain IVF procedures would resume on April 1. A spokesperson for the clinic did not immediately confirm this but told NBC News earlier in the week that the facility had started scheduling embryo transfer appointments.

Robin Banks, 39, said she and her husband, Joshua, 42, had planned to create embryos in early March. Now, after weeks of limbo, they learned Friday that they would be able to move forward.

Robin Banks had decided to freeze her eggs in 2017 after learning she had ovarian cancer and that chemotherapy could affect her fertility. Almost a decade later, in remission and newly married, she was ready to start a family when the court ruling landed.

Its just disappointing that all this is happening just weeks before we were given our chance, Robin Banks said earlier this week.

Robin and Josh Banks. (Courtesy Robin Banks)

The couple moved from Colorado to Fairhope, Alabama, a city just outside Mobile, two years ago. Before their procedure was rescheduled, Joshua Banks said he was considering whether they would need to move again.

The Supreme Court ruling sprang from wrongful death claims against the Center for Reproductive Medicine and Mobile Infirmary. In 2020, according to the ruling, a hospital patient removed several embryos from the clinics freezer, but the temperature freeze-burned the patients hand, causing them to drop the embryos, destroying them. The court ruled that a state law applies to all children, born and unborn, without limitation.

The Center for Reproductive Medicine was one of at least three IVF providers in the state to halt services after the courts decision. Advocacy groups and health law experts argued that the courts ruling posed legal risks to IVF medical staff and patients. And providers questioned whether they would be forced to take on additional insurance costs.

Under mounting pressure from local patients and a national outcry, Alabama legislators passed a measure to protect IVF in the state. On March 6, Gov. Kay Ivey signed a new state law protecting clinics from criminal or civil liability for their operations. Let me say clearly: Alabama supports growing families through IVF, she said in a statement at the time.

Although two of the three providers  Alabama Fertility and the University of Alabama at Birmingham  quickly announced that the laws passage would allow them to resume treatments, the Center for Reproductive Medicine initially opted to keep its IVF services on hold. A spokesperson for Mobile Infirmary and the clinic said it would not reopen until it had legal clarification on the extent of immunity provided by the new Alabama law.

Earlier this week, George Gigicos, a spokesperson for the Center for Reproductive Medicine, told NBC News that the clinic had started rescheduling transfer appointments, though doctors, attorneys and Mobile Infirmary staff were still reviewing the new law.

Once they figure that out, then well be able to either resume or not resume  but that decision has not been made yet, he said. Gigicos did not immediately answer follow-up questions on Friday.

Katey Lofton, 33, another patient at the clinic, had been waiting since last fall to have her embryo transferred to her uterus in early March, when she learned the courts ruling meant the procedure would be delayed. She sent letters to state representatives urging them to protect IVF and encouraged loved ones to do the same.

Lofton got a call last week from her nurse that shed been rescheduled for March 26, and then learned Friday that at least some procedures weren't resuming until April 1, which meant another delay.

Here we were hopes up again  you know, thought we caught a break just to be kicked back down," Lofton said Friday. "Its frustrating. Its hard not to get angry."

Caroline Chism, 35, said she wouldnt have her 10-month-old son without the Center for Reproductive Medicine. She and her husband planned to have another embryo transferred to give him a sibling, but the clinics pause put those dreams on hold.

After NBC News told her that the clinic had started rescheduling transfers, she called for a status update and was able to schedule a consult about her transfer.

She was relieved that some services were resuming, but said that, because of the ruling, nothings guaranteed.

Thinking of the possibility this doesnt get rectified, and we arent offered solutions  that would be a scary thought to not have access to our embryo, she said.
Opal Lee, the 97-year-old grandmother of Juneteenth, is getting a new home on the exact spot where a racist white mob trashed her familys house more than 80 years ago.

On Thursday morning, about 80 people gathered on East Annie Street in the Historic Southside neighborhood for a ceremony where the home will be built. Lee, whose relentless advocacy work was instrumental in getting Congress to make Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021, cut a 2-by-6 wood stud and helped raise a wall.

Opal Lee, center, cuts a wood board for the construction of her new home with the help of Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, right, and Trinity Habitat of Humanity CEO Gage Yager, left, on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Fort Worth. Texas Capital, Habitat for Humanity and HistoryMaker Homes joined together to help Lee rebuild a home on the same lot that her family had a home on. In 1939 a white mob drove her family from the home and set fire to it.

I wanted to raise that thing by myself, Lee said with a laugh.

The home is being funded by Texas Capital Bank, Trinity Habitat for Humanity and HistoryMaker Homes.

Opal Lee and others raise the first wall to her new home on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Fort Worth. Texas Capital, Habitat for Humanity and HistoryMaker Homes joined together to help Lee rebuild a home on the same lot that her family had a home on. In 1939 a white mob drove her family from the home and set fire to it.

In 1939, when Lee was 12, her family moved into what was then a white neighborhood. Four days later  on Juneteenth  hundreds of rioters showed up. Police showed up but did not control the mob.

My dad came from work and he had a gun, Lee told the Star-Telegram in 2022. Police told him, If you bust a cap, we will let this mob have you. Our parents sent us to friends several blocks away, and they left on the cusp of darkness. Those people went ahead and pulled our furniture and burned it. They did despicable things.

Her parents never discussed it afterwards, and Lee spent the rest of her life trying to forget the painful memory.

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Lee worked for years for national recognition of Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation, which President Lincoln had signed more than two years earlier.

Juneteenth had long been commemorated in Texas  becoming a state holiday in 1980. In Fort Worth, more than 30,000 people celebrated Juneteenth in 1975 in Sycamore Park.

Organizers for the 1975 Juneteenth festivities to be held in Sycamore Park are seen posing with a Juneteenth Festival sign.

In 2016, Lee symbolically walked 1,400 miles from Fort Worth to Washington, D.C., to bring attention to the importance of Juneteenth. She was in attendance in 2021 when President Joe Biden signed legislation to make Juneteenth a federal holiday.

President Joe Biden talks with Opal Lee after signing the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act Bill, Thursday, June 17, 2021, in the East Room of the White House.

Opal Lee, 94, and hundreds of others walk towards downtown Fort Worth from Evans Avenue Plaza during the first national Juneteenth holiday on June 19, 2021. Lee makes the 2.5-mile walk to symbolize the two and a half years it took for slaves in Texas to realize they had been freed.

The Historic Southside neighborhood is also the future home of a National Juneteenth Museum.

Lee had kept hope that she would one day own the land where her childhood home once stood. In 2020, when she was a board member of Trinity Habitat for Humanity, she inquired about purchasing the lot from the organization. Gage Yager, chief executive of Trinity Habitat for Humanity, sold it to Lee for $10.

Opal Lee, center, holds onto the framework of what will be her new home during a wall raising ceremony on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Fort Worth. Texas Capital, Habitat for Humanity and HistoryMaker Homes joined together to help Lee rebuild a home on the same lot that her family had a home on. In 1939 a white mob drove her family from the home and set fire to it.

Texas Capital will provide funding for furnishings for the home, and HistoryMaker Homes will build it at no cost to Lee.

Part of the beautiful story here is that there are a lot of different organizations that have wanted to have an impact in the community and not one of us could have done it on our own, said Nelson Mitchell, CEO of HistoryMaker Homes. And it shows the power of dealing with a common cause and wanting to have a positive impact in the community that really big and cool things can happen.

Opal Lee is escorted to the concrete slab of what will be her new home for the beginning of ceremony to mark the occasion on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Fort Worth.

Mitchell says the target move-in date for Lee is June 19.

Mayor Mattie Parker, who attended Thursdays ceremony, said it was a time to celebrate what it really means to work with love, forgiveness and inspiration.

If youd heard her speak about her familys story and the tragedies that shes lived through and the racism that shes faced in this city, Parker said. This is our chance to completely start over and give her the home that she so deserves to be proud of in her community.

Opal Lee reacts as dignitaries speak prior to raising the first wall on her new home on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Fort Worth.

Lee wants to continue to spread the message that Juneteenth means unity and freedom for everyone. Until we address and take responsibility for the homeless crisis, unemployment, climate change and health in our communities, she said, everyone cant be free.

Its amazing, when we were here, there were whites that didnt want us here and now there are all nationalities in this neighborhood, Lee said. Times have changed, and Im just so glad that I could be a part of that change.
By Mike Scarcella

(Reuters) - The U.S. government's antitrust lawsuit against Apple draws on the watershed 1998 case that broke Microsoft's stranglehold on desktop software, but that may prove to be an imperfect blueprint for addressing smartphone competition.

The market for the iPhone today looks very different from the near-monopoly enjoyed by Microsoft's Windows operating system two decades ago, and the government as a result may face a tougher time in taking on Apple, legal experts said.

The Department of Justice, along with 15 state governments, accused Apple of unlawfully monopolizing the smartphone market through restrictions on app developers that curb choice and innovation, which it said forces consumers to pay higher prices.

Apple said the government is wrong on the facts and law.

The government has to prove that Apples business practices were exclusionary and harmed consumers by degrading the quality of rival products, according to several legal experts.

The government accused Apple of suppressing technologies that would have increased competition among smartphones in five areas: so-called "super apps," cloud streamed gaming apps, messaging apps, smartwatches and digital wallets.

One example the government gave is familiar to anyone who texts from an iPhone to a user of an Android phone  the dreaded "green bubble" that results in hindrances such as grainy photos sent by text that don't apply when texting between two phones using Apple's iOS operating system.

Antitrust enforcers said Apple was rapidly expanding its influence and power in industries including content creation and financial services.

By comparison, Microsoft was accused of abusing its market dominance to impede users from freely installing software on computers using the companys operating system.

That might sound similar to Apple's control over the app store, but legal experts said there are important differences.

Apple can contract with whom it want and to design products as it sees fit, legal experts said.

It becomes a problem when a company with monopoly power takes steps to lessen short-term profit in order to keep rivals out in the longer term, said Douglas Ross, an antitrust scholar at University of Washingtons law school.

The fundamental assumption DOJ seems to have is that Apple must cooperate with its rivals to allow rivals to compete with Apple," Ross said. "That has antitrust law backwards."

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Microsoft was forced to open its operating system because it controlled 95% of desktop operating systems in the 1990s. By comparison, Apple had 55% of the North American market for smartphones at the end of September based on shipments, with the rest largely made up of phones using Google's Android operating system, according to Canalys, a market analysis firm.

The Justice Department seeks to define the market as that of smartphones in the United States. Apple representatives said they will try to persuade the court to define the market as the global smartphone market.

Apple and rival Samsung Electronics each had about a 20% market share globally in 2023, though Apple beat Samsung slightly on shipments, Canalys data showed.

Microsoft "clearly was a monopolist and there were no effective competitors in the PC operating system space," Ross said. On the other hand, Android is very popular, especially in the rest of the world, and is a very effective competitor with iOS.

Ross predicted it would be harder for the Justice Department to prevail against Apple than it was in the Microsoft case.

Some of these allegations have been touched upon before in court.

In 2021, in an antitrust case brought by "Fortnite" creator Epic Games, a federal judge found after a trial that Epic failed to prove that Apple users were "locked-in" to their iPhones and would not switch to Android devices.

Of course, government attorneys know these differences and still brought the case.

Legal experts said that reflects the viewpoint within the DOJ and the Biden Administration's Federal Trade Commission about challenging cases.

They are happy to take on the risk of a really big case, said plaintiffs' lawyer Patrick McGahan, whose firm is involved in litigation against Apple.

Litigator Melissa Maxman in Washington said the Microsoft case changed the tech landscape and lauded the government's lawsuit as a step toward greater competition in the smartphone market.

"If you open up the market for other competitors to get in you will see prices go down and quality go up," Maxman said. "That's exactly what was said in Microsoft  and guess what, it was true."

(Reporting by Mike Scarcella; Editing by Tom Hals and Jamie Freed)
The State Department flew more than 60 U.S. citizens trapped in Haiti into Miami International Airport on Thursday, the second evacuation flight to South Florida this week as extreme gang violence continues to threaten to topple the countrys government.

This time the flight, which departed from Cap-Haitien, had passengers who had been staying in the northern port city and also others who were in the gang-ridden capital, six hours south. One passenger said he first traveled by helicopter in order to avoid the capitals gang-controlled roads, which have made it impossible for people to flee the rampage.

The situation is very bad, Gaston Desir said shortly after landing at MIA.

Commercial flights from major U.S. carriers between Haiti and the United States have been halted since March 4, when armed groups targeted the Toussaint Louverture International Airport, along with the nearby seaport.

On Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized that Haiti has been under a Level 4 Do Not Travel warning since 2020 precisely because of the ongoing instability caused by the gangs.

Weve been stressing that the United States government cannot guarantee American citizens will all be evacuated given the treacherous situation on the ground, she said. That said, we have informed Americans who are registered with the State Department that were exploring various options to help them depart from Port-au-Prince and also from Cap-Haitien.

Wilson Joseph was among a group of travelers that arrived at Miami International Airport in the second State Department evacuation flight from Haitis Cap-Haitien International Airport, on Thursday March 21, 2024.

In addition to flying U.S. citizens out of Haitis northern city, which hasnt seen the same level of violence as the capital, Jean-Pierre said the U.S. government on Thursday afternoon also moved 15 American citizens on helicopters from Port-au-Prince to Santo Domingo, the capital of the neighboring Dominican Republic.

As circumstances permit, well be able to repeat this, she said. We hope to be able to repeat this in coming days.

Leaving without words

Some 30 U.S. citizens first landed in Miamis airport from Haiti on Sunday. The flights are part of the federal governments efforts to get U.S. citizens to safety.

Our focus is to get as many U.S. citizens out of Haiti to a safe location where we can provide further assistance, as needed and appropriate. At this time, we are prioritizing U.S. citizens for these U.S. government organized flights, an administration official told McClatchy in a statement.

READ MORE: U.S. begins evacuating its citizens by helicopter out of gang-torn Port-au-Prince

A State Department official told the Herald that the U.S. hopes to be able to take as many as 30 Americans every day to Santo Domingo on helicopters. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also announced on Wednesday that Florida had also successfully evacuated 14 Floridians from Haiti to Orlando.

Tania Diogene, who is Haitian American and has lived in the U.S for 15 years, said she had traveled to Haiti to visit her mother. She arrived there on March 1, the day before gangs orchestrated a mass prison break at the countrys two largest detention centers in the capital, freeing thousands of inmates, including several notorious gang leaders. The attacks were followed by an escalation in violence that made it impossible, Diogene said, to reunite with her mother. Her mom remains in Port-au-Prince, said Diogene, who was already in Cap-Haitien when she heard about the U.S. government flight.

They canceled my flight so I got stuck over there, said Diogene. Conditions in Haiti, she said, are really bad. The price of food is skyrocketing and the sounds of gunfire, even in Cap-Haitien, are startling.

Acephie Etienne walks out of customs at Miami International Airport after arriving in the second State Department evacuation flight from Haitis Cap-Haitien International Airport, on Thursday March 21, 2024.

As the group that arrived at MIA on Thursday was getting off their flight, the United Nations resident coordinator and chief humanitarian for Haiti, Ulrika Richardson, issued a plea for help. She said the situation has gone from very worrying to extremely alarming, and Haitians and others were feeling a sense of terror at the constant attacks.

What we have here in Haiti is a humanitarian crisis of quite profound magnitude, she said. Daily life for many, in fact for all of us in the capital, is really defined by one of roadblocks, the sound of gunshots and lets say lots of tensions on the streets.

READ MORE: Long ordeal of disabled, abandoned kids in Haiti orphanage ends: Theyre in Jamaica

At the beginning of the month, criminal gangs declared their intentions to overthrow Prime Minister Ariel Henry while he was away on a state visit to Kenya to finalize an agreement for the deployment of a multinational security force. That force remains on hold while the Kenya government awaits the finalization of a new transition government for Haiti after Henry, under pressure from the U.S. and its allies to resign, announced his intentions to step aside. A presidential panel, brokered by the Caribbean Community and the U.S., remains a work in progress. It will be tasked with naming a prime minister to replace Henry, readying the country to receive the mission and preparing for eventual elections.

Many of the passengers who arrived in Miami on Thursday said they had been in Haiti visiting loved ones when the armed groups took over police stations and attacked the main seaport and airport.

The flight arrived shortly before noon, and some family members were already waiting for their loved ones. One woman, who declined to be named, said she was waiting for her mother to arrive. One passenger said there were families and a couple of children on board.

Moise Berthold, Acephie Etienne and Ashely Norilus were among a group of travelers who arrived at Miami International Airport in the second State Department evacuation flight from Haitis Cap-Haitien International Airport, on Thursday March 21, 2024.

READ MORE: U.S. begins evacuating its citizens by helicopter out of gang-torn Port-au-Prince

Wilson Joseph, who lives in Fort Lauderdale, said he had arrived in Cap-Haitien toward the end of January, where he was visiting family. He had been happy to be there because it is my country. Then the violence broke out.

I dont like the way my country is, but if something can be changed, Id be happy, said Joseph.

Acephie Etienne, who is originally from Cap-Haitien and has lived in the United States for 25 years, said that she had been visiting her hometown. Ashley Norilus, Etiennes daughter, told the Herald that her sister had booked the flights for her and her parents two days ago.

She said there was not a lot of food in Cap-Haitien, even if there was not the same level of gang violence like in Port-au-Prince. She told reporters that she was happy to get out.

It was very scary.

McClatchy Chief Washington Correspondent Michael Wilner contributed to this report.
(Reuters) - Anthropic, backed by Google and Amazon.com, is weighing a slate of sovereign wealth funds to acquire FTX's stake of about $1 billion in the AI startup, CNBC reported on Friday citing sources.

In February, a U.S. judge ruled that bankrupt crypto exchange FTX may sell its shares in Anthropic.

FTX invested $500 million in Anthropic in 2021, and currently holds a 7.84% stake in the company, according to court documents.

The company had sought permission to sell the shares as part of its court-supervised effort to liquidate its assets and repay customers who lost access to their accounts when the company collapsed in 2022.

Anthropic also privately ruled out Saudi Arabia as a potential stakeholder, according to CNBC.

FTX and Anthropic did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

(Reporting by Ananya Mariam Rajesh in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri)
Global Christian humanitarian aid organization World Vision has warned that children in Haiti are facing grave insecurity as escalating violence in the troubled Caribbean nation continues to lead to the death and displacement of thousands.



The restriction on free mobility, the closure of businesses, and the difficulties in the supply of products is exacerbating hunger in a country where food insecurity and malnutrition is already chronic, Joao Diniz, World Visions regional leader for Latin America and the Caribbean said in a statement shared with The Christian Post Wednesday. Children are the most affected; thousands have no food, several medical centers have closed due to insecurity, and too many [families] have been displaced due to violence.

According to the aid organization more than 5,000 people were killed in Haiti in 2023 and since the escalation of violence began on Feb. 29, more than 15,000 people have been displaced from their homes, bringing the number of displaced Haitians to an estimated 362,000. Nearly three in four of the countrys 11.4 million citizens are also now grappling with food insecurity, according to data from the World Food Program.



Since the beginning of the crisis, more than 1,000 schools have been closed because of the violence and because some schools are being used to house displaced people. This means that more than a half a million children are not able to go to school, Lesly Michaud, program director for World Vision in Haiti, said. We are living in a country where 70 percent of the population is young. And when you are not offering any opportunity to the youth and then they are being exposed to violence, the main exit is mostly either migration or [a turn] to gang activities. We need to give young people opportunities.

Diniz implored the international community work to ensure the protection of Haitis vulnerable children as Michaud called for prayers.

Restoring safe conditions to provide humanitarian aid in Haiti is urgent. Failure to do so anticipates a deterioration in the living conditions of children and an increase in irregular migration flows of people fleeing extreme poverty, insecurity and hunger, Diniz warned.

We are also calling for prayer and for everyone to advocate [on behalf] of Haitian children, Michaud said. We want this next generation of children to see the international community responding to their concern, bringing hope that one day the situation will improve.

The call from World Vision comes as the State Department and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, evacuated more Americans, including missionaries who were trapped in Haiti after gangs took over the airport in the Haitian capital, PortAuPrince.

DeSantis, who pledged to evacuate Floridians including missionaries stranded in Haiti on Friday, made good on that promise with the evacuation of 14 people on Wednesday, according to CNN.

This will be the first of probably many flights to bring people  U.S. citizens, Florida residents, obviously  who are in harms way, given whats going on in Haiti, DeSantis said.

Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, said about 360 Floridians were still in Haiti Wednesday.

A spokesperson for the State Department also told CNN that a government-chartered flight had evacuated over 15 U.S. citizens from Port-au-Prince, and they expect more than 30 Americans will be able to board U.S. government flights daily as needed.

We will continue to monitor demand from U.S. citizens for assistance in departing Haiti on a real-time basis, the spokesperson said. The overall security situation, availability and reliability of commercial transportation, and U.S. citizen demand will all influence the duration of this departure assistance.

Deputy State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said during a press briefing on Wednesday that the governments chartered helicopter flights were going from Port-au-Prince to the Dominican Republic. He said Americans will be responsible for their own travel home after that.

Americans who take U.S. government chartered flights out of Haiti must agree to reimburse the cost, which the State Department said will not exceed the price of a reasonable commercial flight prior to the crisis. DeSantis noted, however, that Americans evacuated by his team will not be charged.

These are tough situations, the Florida governor said. I think the last thing these people want is to get stuck with a bill when theyre just basically running for their lives.

The Love A Neighbor ministry, co-founded by Missionary Jill Dolan, revealed in a statement on Facebook Thursday that she was still trapped in the violence-torn country with four of her adopted children.

Starting March 12th, Jill Dolan of Love A Neighbor began bravely reporting to the U.S. media regarding the U.S. govt's seeming lack of interest in helping U.S. citizens get out of Haiti. Our amazing ministry partners did the same: Lynn Joseph of Mission of Grace and Doodle Cinotti of Team Haiti. In my opinion, these reports 'inspired' the Biden admin's State Dept. to begin evacuating U.S. citizens from Port-au-Prince on Wed. 3/20, the ministry said.

Also, Florida Gov Ron DeSantis engaged FL Div. of Emergency Mgmt. to rescue American citizens from Haiti. This process will take many days due to the dangerous and fluid nature of gang violence paralyzing most of Port-au-Prince, as well as the capacity of 30 citizens per day per the State Dept. We are extremely grateful for all the heroes helping [to] make this happen, they continued. Jill is still in Haiti and is on all the evacuation lists. She's praying she will get to FL in time for Sarah Dolan 's wedding this Saturday! Thank you for your continued prayers for that, and for Haiti's brighter future.

Patel said Wednesday that some 1,600 people have filled out a crisis intake form. Some, he said, are seeking general help or specific assistance leaving Haiti.

He noted at a press conference on Tuesday that not everyone who filled out the form is seeking help.

"Some just want to stay in touch with the embassy," he said. "Some just want to see what information we have to share with them, advice on how they may be able to remain safely, and to potentially stay in touch if they choose to potentially depart in the future."

Miriam Cinotti, a Jacksonville bakery owner who works with Mission of Grace and was trapped in Haiti for three weeks, was recently evacuated from Haiti, thanks to Project Dynamo, an organization that specializes in evacuation operations.

It was scary, the missionary told NBC News about her experience being trapped in a remote village.

We couldnt get to where the help was coming to, we couldnt get to Cap-Haitien, we couldnt get to, you know, different places, even get on a government plane, she said.

Cinotti who has been traveling to Haiti for missionary work for the last 14 years said she had witnessed violence in the country before and she intends to continue praying for the people.

Weve heard gunshots, wed been there when roads were blocked. Ive never felt scared enough not to go, she said.

The people in Haiti still need the love, they need your funds to missions, she added. Were never going to forget Haiti, and I will forever keep putting them up there and lifting them up.



Originally published by The Christian Post
An executive for the Little Rock, Arkansas, airport who was killed in a shootout with federal agents this week had been under investigation over gun sales, search warrant records unsealed Thursday show.

Bryan Malinowski, 53, who was executive director of Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, was shot after he opened fire at federal agents who arrived to serve a warrant Tuesday morning, officials said.

Malinowski died Thursday, his family said. His brother has said he was shot in the head.

An affidavit filed by an agent with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that was unsealed Thursday says the search involved an investigation into the sale of firearms without a license.

Malinowski opened fire on ATF agents who tried to serve a search warrant at his Little Rock home at around 6 a.m. Tuesday, the agency and Arkansas State Police have said.

An ATF agent was shot and suffered injuries that were not life-threatening, state police said.

The ATF said that "while ATF agents were serving the search warrant, a subject of the investigation opened fire at ATF agents resulting in an agent-involved shooting when an agent returned fire."

The investigation began in November when authorities in Canada received a photo of firearms from a confidential informant and after visible serial numbers showed they were bought by Malinowski, the affidavit says.

Investigators alleged in the document that Malinowski bought more than 150 guns from May 2021 to Feb. 27 and sold guns, including at gun shows.

Six guns were later recovered in the commission of a crime, and undercover ATF agents bought three others at gun shows, the document says. One of the guns cited in the affidavit was found on a 15-year-old Norteno gang member in California in 2022.

The executive director of the Bill and Hillary Clinton Airport in Little Rock, Arkansas, was shot Tuesday as federal agents arrived at his home to serve a search warrant, police said. (clintonairport.com)

No charges had been filed against Malinowski. The unsealed documents relate to a search warrant looking for evidence.

Malinowskis family said in a statement Thursday that they have endured an unspeakable tragedy and one that is almost impossible to understand.

They said their thoughts and prayers go out to the agent who was injured and to the agents family.

But they also questioned why the ATF conducted what they characterized as a dawn raid on a private home that led to the gunfire.

Even if the allegations in the affidavit are true, they dont begin to justify what happened, the family said in the statement, released by an attorney acting as their spokesperson.

At worst, Bryan Malinowski, a gun owner and gun enthusiast, stood accused of making private firearm sales to a person who may not have been legally entitled to purchase the guns, the family said.

Malinowski would order guns online, including AR-style pistols, have them shipped to a business that is redacted in the affidavit and pick them up there, the ATF agent wrote in the court document.

Malinowski filled out ATF Form 4773, which warns that a gun cant be for someone else and that the repetitive purchase of firearms in order to sell them for a profit without a license is illegal, before that business transferred the guns to him, the affidavit alleges.

Malinowski was seen at gun shows operating as a vendor and selling guns without asking for any ID or paperwork, the affidavit says. He told an undercover agent that because they were private sales, no paperwork was needed, according to the affidavit.

"For now, we will wait for all the facts to come out," Malinowski's family said in Thursday's statement. "In the meantime, we ask that the public and the media respect our privacy."

Malinowski was executive director of the airport and an employee there for 16 years.

The search warrant affidavit mentions two laws in seeking authorization for a search  one that restricts commerce in guns to licensed dealers and the other dealing with making fictitious statements about acquiring firearms.

A search warrant receipt lists more than 40 firearms, ammunition, tax returns and records, and a vendor tag, among other items.
Oliver Buchanan, a 10th grader at Fresno High, is using his first bathroom privilege for the day. He inputs his student ID number into an app and if the system detects fewer than 25 students campus-wide are on bathroom trips, the screen turns green and the countdown begins. He now has seven minutes for the bathroom trip.

He goes down the stairs - Fresno High only allows students to use the two bathrooms on the ground floor located on the south and north sides of the campus. He might find some kids smoking in the bathroom. He might find some doors locked due to maintenance or the school might be investigating a bathroom incident. He might need to wait for the line.

But hed better come back to the classroom soon and put in the code again to stop the timer. If it goes over time, he would lose his bathroom privileges.

If you have the tendency to take eight minutes in the bathroom, instead of the seven that youre getting, Were gonna take away your bathroom,  Buchanan said. Teachers are starting to get strict with it, because the app also helps the school realize what teachers are letting students go out longer.

Fresno High is the latest school in the district to roll out the 5 Star Students app to regulate student trips outside classrooms during instructional periods. Students are limited to two seven-minute bathroom breaks during the day, and the app keeps track of the time they spend outside of classrooms.

The app was piloted in several middle schools in earlier years and has now been adopted by Fresno Unified School Districts safety and security department to impose on all middle and high schools this year. It aims to promote campus safety and learning engagement. Some teachers find it effective, while students generally dislike it.

I gotta admit, I was a little skeptical, but there are not as many students out there wandering around, theres not as much socializing going on (outside of class), said Peter Beck, Fresno Highs social studies teacher. I think partially thats because theyve kind of worried about what happens if a campus assistant notices and goes looking for them.

There are objections to managing bathroom breaks via an app, because it might involve emergencies or medical reasons. Some also argue against the technologys downside of data collection and privacy invasion. But those who support it say the app is nothing more than a timer and they point out that its not an actual location tracker.

The app acts like a digital ID and every student in each participating school has a profile that includes a headshot. Fresno High mandates that students with smartphones download the free app. Its also used to timestamp student attendance, in general, in addition to monitoring time spent on bathroom breaks. The app registers when a student enters the campus in the morning, as well as when and for how long a student might leave the classroom. Fresno High students said they can download the app on their phones or tablets, but its handy on the phones because they can scan the digital ID instead of manually filling out the information to record a tardy for school in the morning.

During instructional periods, students apply their bathroom passes through the app. If the student sees the screen turn green and the countdown starts, the student is allowed out of the classroom and can pass through patrolling campus assistants, who closely monitor all students timers and check students hall passes. When returning to the classroom, students reenter their ID codes so the app can record the time they spent outside of the classroom.

Beck said his classroom is close to restrooms, so kids come back with an average of two to three minutes left. He hasnt seen anyone miss the time, but he heard that the app could revoke the bathroom privilege or not allow the student to apply for bathroom trips for a certain duration of time. Overall, he sees the app as positive because it teaches students to be punctual and responsible.

A large part of the schools job is to prepare students for work, we want you to be in class on time because if you show up late all the time to work, theyre not going to hire you, Beck said.

Beck added that his only doubt is whether the app can be customized on a case-by-case basis. For various reasons, some students might need longer in the bathroom.

Cirene Cruz, a junior at Fresno High, said the policy is inflexible.

Today, you know, its girls menstrual cycles, I went to the bathroom and I came back two minutes late, she said. Some teachers are more strict. For example, my math teacher, if we go past a certain amount of time then we just cant go for the rest of the month.

She added that teachers have different policies and may have a final say on approving bathroom requests, while the app serves as a tool to record the data.

Buchanan, the Fresno High sophomore, said the school gave a one-week notice to enforce the new hall passes rule with the app. He said his parents didnt receive any notifications and he told them about it. According to Fresno Highs bell schedule, the first period starts at 8:30 a.m. on a regular school day. Each class lasts for 53 minutes with six-minute breaks for students to get to their next class. Students usually have six periods a day. Lunch is 35 minutes, and students are dismissed from school at 3:20 p.m.

When Fresno High demonstrated the app and announced the new rule earlier this month, said Buchanan, he and his peers raised questions about the rationale behind allowing only two seven-minute bathroom trips, but the school didnt respond, he said. Students felt they were left without answers, Buchanan said.

Everybody was against it, he said. When we ask questions, that teacher said I dont run the school, I cant answer your questions, Im not in charge. 

The Fresno Bee contacted Fresno Highs principal Amy Smith asking for an interview about the app and student concerns. The districts chief communications officer Nikki Henry replied to the Bee reporter that staff are not authorized to speak to media without authorization.

Henry denied access to Fresno High, saying that the app rollout was still new and she arranged instead for The Bee to talk to the principal of Hoover High, which has been using the app to its full extent, including rewarding points to students who engage actively in class and participate in activities.

The districts safety and security team funded the tool this year and will again next year, said A.J. Kato, general manager of the districts communications team. Each school determines the specifics and the rules based on their needs.

Sites like Tioga and Gaston were finding it extremely useful in tracking student engagements with activities and clubs, as well as the hall pass element, which reduced the number of students roaming hallways or congregating in bathrooms during instructional time, said an email reply from the districts communications team. Each site may use it differently, but one way it helps reduce these concerns is by limiting how many students on campus can be out of class at a time for bathroom breaks.
Canada's immigration minister Marc Miller

Canada is planning to set limits on the number of temporary residents it lets in for the first time in its history.

Immigration minister Marc Miller said on Thursday that the number will be reduced over the next three years, with the first cap to be set in September.

It will apply to international students, as well as foreign workers and asylum claimants.

The minister has previously spoken about revising immigration targets due to an affordability and housing crisis.

In his announcement, Mr Miller said that Canada plans to reduce the number of temporary residents to 5% of the population, down from the current 6.2%.

He added that the move is to ensure "sustainable" growth in the number of temporary residents coming into Canada.

In recent years, Mr Miller said Canada has seen a "sharp increase" of temporary residents admitted to the country.

As of 2024, the minister said there are a total of 2.5 million temporary residents in Canada. This is up from nearly one million in 2021, according to figures by national data collection agency Statistics Canada.

The country relies heavily on temporary foreign workers to fill labour shortages, Mr Miller noted, but said "changes are needed to make the system more efficient".

It also has international obligations to let in those who are fleeing war and political prosecution.

"To be clear, these are important global commitments to Canadians," Mr Miller said. "At the same time, there should be an honest conversation about what the rise of international migration means for Canada as we plan ahead."

As part of the new policy, officials said some Canadian businesses will have to reduce the number of temporary foreign workers they rely on by 1 May, and will have a shorter window to prove that these jobs could not be filled by a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen.

Two exceptions to the rule will be workers in the construction and healthcare sectors - both of which are facing labour shortages in Canada. These workers will be allowed to enter the country at current levels until at least 31 August.

According to Statistics Canada, a majority of temporary residents - around 54% - in 2021 had a work permit. International students with a permit solely to study in Canada represented 22% of temporary residents, and asylum claimants accounted for 15%.

Others had a combination of permits, or are family members of temporary residents.

Thursday's announcement was criticised by advocates for temporary foreign workers, who told Canadian news outlet Global News that migrants work under precarious conditions and have been "scapegoated for the affordability and housing crisis".

It comes as Canada reinstated visa requirements for Mexican nationals due to a surge of asylum seekers from Mexico.

Earlier this year, Mr Miller also set a limit on the number of international students admitted to Canada for the next two years, resulting in a planned decrease of 35% in approved study permits.

Over 800,000 foreign students were in Canada in 2022, up from 214,000 a decade earlier.

That move has also been criticised, namely by some post-secondary institutions across the country, who said they worry that it will deter students from coming to Canada and drive them to study elsewhere.

Some universities said a cap would mean a loss of revenue for their institutions.

The caps represent a significant shift in policy for Canada, which has historically relied on open immigration to fill job vacancies and address its rapidly-aging workforce.

They come as the Trudeau government faces growing pressure to address an increasingly unaffordable housing market.

Home prices in Canada now average C$700,000 ($517,400; 408,750) and rent for Canadians has risen 22% in the last two years.
Council president posted a photo of himself with the Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Balkan country of Bosnia and Herzegovina is to begin EU membership negotiations, eight years after it formally applied to join the bloc.

The European Commission - the EU's executive arm - last week recommended that talks should begin.

EU leaders have now given the plan their approval.

European Council president Charles Michel congratulated the country's leaders, telling them: "Your place is in our European family."

He posted a photo of him shaking hands with Borjana Kristo, Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"Today's decision is a key step forward on your EU path. Now the hard work needs to continue so Bosnia and Herzegovina steadily advances, as your people want."

Shortly afterward, Ms Kristo expressed her thanks, saying: "Mutual determination and effort have resulted in achieving the necessary level of compliance with the requirements and criteria."

Germany's chancellor, Olaf Scholz, described the thumbs-up for Bosnia as a "good message" for the entire region.

Croatia's prime minister Andrej Plenkovic said it was "a historic day for our neighbouring and friendly Bosnia and Herzegovina!"

Bosnia has been waiting a long time to receive the green light for talks.

In 2003, the EU produced the Thessaloniki Declaration, saying they wanted Western Balkan countries to join them. Since then, only Croatia has completed the complex accession process.

After applying for membership in 2016, Bosnia was granted candidate status in October 2022.

Over the past year, it has been passing laws relating to priorities set out by the Commission that focus on democracy and the functioning of the state, the rule of law, fundamental rights and reform of public administration.

Some of these laws include clamping down on money laundering, conflicts of interest, and even approving negotiations on an agreement with EU border agency Frontex.

Bosnia is still ethnically and politically divided, even decades after the 1992-95 war that tore the country apart, leaving more than 100,000 people dead and millions displaced.

It could be many more years until the country formally joins the EU, as they would be required to implement more economic and democratic reforms.

Albania, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine have all applied to join the bloc and are at various stages of the application process.

The war in Ukraine has sharpened the EU's awareness that it needs to show commitment to the Western Balkans.
(Reuters) -The European Union's medicines regulator has delayed it decision on Eisai and partner Biogen's Alzheimer's disease drug that was expected this week, the Japanese company said on Friday.

On Monday, the European Medicines Agency had said it would hold a oral hearing to discuss the drug, lecanemab, this week.

Eisai said the delay was due to a EU court ruling last week, unrelated to the Alzheimer's drug, that had "implications on EMA's policy on the handling of competing interests of experts," Eisai said.

The EMA will schedule a new meeting of its experts in the future to decide on the drug, Eisai said.

"The evaluation of lecanemab is still ongoing," the EMA said, adding that it would communicate the decision when it had one.

The drug, sold as Leqembi in the United States has been under review in Europe since January 2023. It gained traditional approval in the United States last year and is also approved in other countries, including China and Japan.

In Europe, 7 million people are living with the brain-wasting disease, and that figure is expected to double by 2050, according to Alzheimer's Europe.

The infusion given twice a month removes sticky clumps of a protein called amyloid beta, believed to be a hallmark of Alzheimer's, from the brain.

(Reporting by Manas Mishra and Puyaan Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona, Josephine Mason and Shinjini Ganguli)
A newly engaged couple received threatening and racist messages from a stranger on Facebook shortly after they announced their engagement, according to federal prosecutors.

Stephen M. DeBerardinis messages turned violent once the Massachusetts couple, a white woman and a Black man, warned theyd report him to the police, court documents show.

Now DeBerardinis, a 46-year-old resident of Boston and Dedham, has pleaded guilty in connection with the harassment after he previously entered a plea of not guilty in October 2021, according to court records.

McClatchy News contacted DeBerardinis court-appointed defense attorney, Mark W. Shea, for comment March 21 and didnt receive an immediate response.

Violent threats and a photo of brass knuckles

After the woman shared she was engaged to her fiance on Facebook in late December 2020, she discovered a Facebook Messenger chat from DeBerardinis, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Massachusetts.

She wasnt friends with DeBerardinis on Facebook, but he was friends with one of her or her fiances friends, prosecutors said. Because of this, he could view the engagement post.

In the first message DeBerardinis sent about the couples interracial relationship, he wrote EWWWWWWWW, used a racial slur and called the woman white trash on Jan. 6, 2021, according to court documents.

More menacing messages followed after the womans fiance used her Facebook account to respond to him, an indictment says.

When the couple said theyd report DeBerardinis to police, DeBerardinis threatened to hurt the woman and sent a photo of brass knuckles, according to an indictment.

The photo displayed a large warning: SNITCHES GET STITCHES, the indictment shows.

DeBerardinis renewed his threats of violence and warned that the woman would be raped and killed after he realized they were searching for information about him online, according to the indictment.

Read up more on me lol you will see how me and my crew burn (racial slur) aliveAnd white (expletive) like you well (sic). get rape and killed THAN (sic) we cut off body parts and mail them to your family lol, DeBerardinis wrote within an hour of his first message, the indictment says.

This will be reported to the cops. I promise you, the womans fiance responded on her account, according to the indictment.

DeBerardinis messaged back, using a racial slur, and then said: The COPS hahahaha, the indictment says.

The couple reported him to police as promised, then federal authorities took over the case, according to the indictment.

Possible prison time

On March 20, the attorneys office announced DeBerardinis pleaded guilty to:

One count of transmitting in interstate commerce threats to injure a person

One count of tampering with a witness and victim by intimidation, threats and corrupt persuasion

One count of tampering with a witness and victim by harassment

You cant just threaten people online with racially motivated, violent physical harm and not face repercussions, Jodi Cohen, the special agent in charge of the FBIs Boston division, said in a statement.

What Stephen DeBerardinis put this couple through is despicable, Cohen added.

DeBerardinis was indicted in the case in September 2021, prosecutors said.

A few months later, his fiance wrote a letter to a federal judge, saying he was suddenly detained on Sept. 29, 2021, and that Sept. 28 was the last day he held their newborn baby.

She wrote Bernardinis is a very sentimental family man and a sweet soul and promised to keep Stephen home and out of trouble if he could be with his family, the November 2021 letter says.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 10, the attorneys office said.

For the charge of transmitting in interstate commerce threats to injure a person, DeBerardinis could be sentenced to up to five years in prison, according to prosecutors.

He could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison for the charge of tampering with a witness and victim by intimidation, threats and corrupt persuasion, the attorneys office said.

Additionally, he could be sentenced to up to three years in prison on the charge of tampering with a witness and victim by harassment, according to prosecutors.

This case demonstrates that you cannot cowardly hide behind a keyboard and spread bigotry, intimidation and fear, U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy said in a statement.

Dad warns hes more committed to killing judge than being a present father, feds say

Severed pigs head left at work to threaten employee who asked about pay, feds say

Man calls 911 threatening to blow up school, then calls back asking for a ride, feds say

Host of interracial dating podcast stalked Black women who turned him down, feds say
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  The California Legislature on Thursday voted to give prospective college students more time to apply for two of the state's largest financial aid programs after a glitch in the federal government's application system threatened to block up to 100,000 people from getting help.

California had already extended the deadline for its financial aid programs from March 2 to April 2. On Thursday, the state Senate gave final approval to a bill that would extend it again until May 2. The bill now heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Clearly, our students need our help, Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes, a Democrat from Riverside who authored the bill, told lawmakers during a public hearing earlier this week.

California has multiple programs to help people pay for college. The biggest is the Cal Grant program, which gives money to people who meet certain income requirements. The state also has a Middle Class Scholarship for people with slightly higher incomes.

Students can only apply for these state aid programs if they first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as FAFSA. This year, a computer glitch prevented parents from filling out the form if they did not have a Social Security number. That meant many students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents but whose parents are not were blocked from completing the form and thus could not apply for California's aid programs.

California has a large population of adults who are living in the country without legal permission. The California Student Aid Commission, the state agency in charge of California's financial aid programs, estimates as many as 100,000 students could be impacted by this glitch.

The U.S. Department of Education says it fixed the glitch last week, but those families are now a step behind. Democrats in Congress raised alarms about the glitch last month, noting that it could particularly hurt students in states where financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, including Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Oregon and Texas.

Advocates fear that the chaos of this years process could deter students from going to college at all, especially those for whom finances are a key part of the decision.

The glitch is just one part of larger problems impacting FAFSA. The notoriously time-consuming form was overhauled in 2020 through a bipartisan bill in Congress. It promised to simplify the form, going from 100 questions to fewer than 40, and it also changed the underlying formula for student aid, promising to expand it to more low-income students.

But the update has been marred by delays and glitches, leaving families across the country in limbo as they figure out how much college will cost.

The form is typically available to fill out in October, but the Education Department didnt have it ready until late December. Even then, the agency wasnt ready to begin processing the forms and sending them to states and colleges, which only started to happen this month.

The problems appear to have already impacted California's application numbers. Through March 8, the number of California students who had completed FAFSA was 43% lower than it was at the same time last year.

The data most concerning me seems to suggest that these drops are more acute at the schools that serve low-income students or large populations of students of color, Jake Brymner, deputy chief of policy and public affairs for the California Student Aid Commission, told lawmakers in a public hearing earlier this week.

The issue has caused problems for colleges and universities, too. The University of California and California State University systems both delayed their admissions deadlines because so many prospective students were having trouble with FAFSA.

___

Binkley reported from Washington.
From the The Collision on The Dispatch

Welcome back to The Collision, where well dig into the fallout surrounding the decision to keep Fani Willis on the criminal case in Georgia against Donald Trump. Well also look at an interesting new public opinion poll on the four criminal cases facing Trump.

The Docket

Its official: Trumps Manhattan criminal trial is delayed for at least a month. Scheduled to begin on March 25, the trial wont start until at least mid-April after Judge Juan Merchan granted prosecutors motion to postpone the trial following the emergence of new documents. The former presidents team is seeking a longer delay or outright dismissal of the case, and Merchan will hold a hearing to consider this motion on March 25.

That date looms for Trump for another reason: Its his deadline to secure a bond to cover the nearly half-billion-dollar judgment against him in a civil fraud trial that ended earlier this year. After Trump struggled but successfully posted a $91.6 million bond from the E. Jean Carroll defamation suit, he is struggling to find bond companies willing to help him with the much larger amount. Its possible the state could seize Trumps assets if he is unable to meet the deadline next week.

A House Oversight Committee hearing examining Hunter Bidens business operations devolved into a bit of a circus on Wednesday. There was Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz, who arrived at the hearing wearing a rubber Vladimir Putin mask. A Republican-called witness, former Hunter Biden associate Tony Bobulinski, called out two Democratic members of the committee by name and said they would continue to lie. And Chairman James Comer claimed Democrats were beclowning themselves.

Despite being invited, neither Hunter Biden nor his former business partner Devon Archer appeared at the Oversight hearing. In a letter to the committee, Archers lawyer said his client did not have the time to prepare for the hearing since the March 7 invitation and called the request from Comer patently unreasonable.

Comer ended the hearing by saying he would invite Joe Biden himself to testify at a future hearing, where the president could be expected to get questions from Republican members about his alleged involvement in his sons foreign influence business. The announcement comes as Comer and House Republicans continue to struggle at making a convincing case of wrongdoing in their impeachment inquiry. Its unlikely the president would ever voluntarily appear before the committee, and its unclear whether Comer would pursue an actual subpoena.

Fani Willis Pyrrhic Victory

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis listens during the final arguments in her disqualification hearing at the Fulton County Courthouse on March 1, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by ALEX SLITZ/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

In the end, the judge overseeing the Georgia criminal conspiracy case against Donald Trump did not dismiss the case or remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. But the damage to the prosecution is done.

In his opinion issued last Friday, Judge Scott McAfee held that the defendants had failed to prove that there was a financial conflict caused by the personal relationship between Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade. But, borrowing a line from playwright Tennessee Williams, he wrote that an odor of mendacity remains. He held that there were reasonable questions about whether Willis lied under oath during her testimony, that a speech in which she claimed her critics were playing the race card was legally improper, and that she had shown a tremendous lapse in judgment. Despite all that, he held that making bad choiceseven repeatedly was not enough to remove her from the case.

The result is everything Trump could want.

He gets to complain that Willis wasnt removed and yet faces no threat of a new prosecutorwithout the partisan affiliation or personal baggage that now hangs over Willistaking the case over quickly. Instead, Trump will be able to appeal the judges decision not to remove Willis. So the whole sideshow remains relevant in the media, and the case could be further delayed.

Whats more, Willis reputation is so badly damaged thatfairly or unfairlya guilty verdict in this case would now come with an asterisk. Anything she says during the trial will be followed by a back-of-the-mind, Yeah, but is she telling the truth? from even fair-minded people. It has given Trump an additional layer of teflon.

If the judges ruling that Fani T. Willis can remain in charge of the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump was a win for the Fulton County district attorney, and it was, I shudder to imagine what a loss would look like, the Washington Posts Ruth Marcus wrote.

Once again, Trumps enemies are his best friends.

Even Georgia Republicans who resisted Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election in the state seem to have put little stock in the case.

Both Gov. Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger testified before the grand jury investigating the case, taking questions from prosecutors about their conversations and interactions with Trump in the weeks after Joe Biden won Georgia. Neither has had much to say about the case publicly, though last month Kemp cast doubt on Willis approach after she had admitted to the relationship with Wade. But people close to both Republicans tell The Dispatch neither has spent much time focused on the criminal case.

Its hard to believe that a process that I think many peopleincluding myselfbelieve is very political, regardless of the merits behind the case, has gotten even more political now because of her actions and those of Mr. Wade and others, Kemp said last month during an interview on NewsNation.

Sarahs View

If the four pending criminal cases against Donald Trump were backcountry hikers, this one just sprained an ankle. The federal January 6 case repeatedly has to bend over to retie its shoelaces. The federal classified documents case in Florida keeps getting confused by the signs and wandering off the trail. And the Manhattan falsification of business records (aka hush money) case told everyone the end of the trail was in sight, but a hiking buddy just pushed a huge boulder off a cliff above them and blocked the trail.

Americans (Un)Changing Views of Donald Trumps Prosecutions

Will Donald Trumps criminal trials matter this November? Its perhaps the central question we grapple with here at The Collision. A new poll released this week from Ipsos, in partnership with Politico, doesnt exactly give us a definitive answer, but it does suggest most Americans want to see the cases play out in the courts.

First, lets go through the toplines on all four cases, where we see some remarkably consistent numbers across the American adults polled.

On the Fulton County election-interference case, 49 percent said they believe Trump is guilty, 27 percent said they do not believe he is guilty, and 23 percent said they dont know. Thats roughly on par with what Ipsos found in its August 2023 poll, when 51 percent said they believed Trump is guilty, 26 percent said not guilty, and 23 percent said they did not know.

On the federal election interference case in the District of Columbia, 49 percent said they believe he is guilty, 27 percent said not guilty, and 22 percent said they did not know. Compare that to the August poll that found 51 percent said guilty, 26 percent said not guilty, and 22 percent said they did not know.

On the New York hush money case, 50 percent said they believe he is guilty, 24 percent said not guilty, and 25 percent said they did not know. Compare that to the August poll that found 48 percent said guilty, 23 percent said not guilty, and 29 percent said they did not know.

Finally, on the Florida classified documents case, 52 percent said they believe he is guilty, 24 percent said not guilty, and 23 percent said they did not know. Compare that to the August poll that found 52 percent said guilty, 25 percent said not guilty, and 22 percent said they did not know.

Of course, our justice system is based on evidence and rules, not public opinion, so this polling tells us little about how Trumps legal fortunes have changed as each of these cases has progressed through the courts. But it does tell us one important thing: Americans havent changed their view of the cases since these indictments were first brought last year.

Perhaps we shouldnt be surprised. Few of Trumps opponents in the Republican presidential primaries sustained any kind of argument about his criminal cases. Neither has President Joe Biden, understandably so given that its his Justice Department prosecuting two of the four cases. On top of this reticence from Trumps political opponents, each of the cases has been mired in pretrial motions and questions about presidential immunity, meaning nothing of consequence has happened that might cause Americans casually paying attention to reassess their thinking. (Though its worth noting that 64 percent of those polled said they are either very or somewhat familiar with both of the federal cases, and 61 percent said the same about both the New York and Georgia cases.)

And even real movement in any of these cases might not shift most partisans. How many of the 87 percent of Democrats polled by Ipsos will change their minds about Trumps guilt in the federal election interference case if special counsel Jack Smiths case falls apart at trial? How many of the 61 percent of Republicans who say Trump is not guilty of mishandling classified documents and obstructing justice will accept it if the former president is convicted? The views of independents may be more variable if any of the cases go to trial. For each of the four criminal cases, slightly more than 50 percent of independents say they believe Trump is guilty, with about a quarter of independents saying they dont know.

In truth, Ipsos found that a plurality of Americans say their vote for president wont change if Trump is convicted in either the Manhattan hush money case (44 percent) or the federal election interference case (42 percent). For both, just 32 percent said a conviction would make them less likely to support Trump. And yet, 59 percent of those polled said they want the federal election interference case to go to trial before the November election.

Most interesting, perhaps, was the finding that a vast majority of Americans70 percentdont seem to buy Trumps argument, which will be considered by the Supreme Court next month, that presidents are immune from prosecution for actions they take in office. Just 11 percent said a president should be immune.

Mikes View

Lets not overread one poll, which asks the broadest possible group (American adults, not registered voters or likely voters) questions about court cases that most people may not be following as closely as they claim. Its one thing to ask people what they believe about Trumps guilt right now, but its another thing to know how theyll think or react if and when the trials actually begin.

But there is an interestingeven if obviouspolitical lesson reflected in this Ipsos poll: Trumps political opponents refusal to criticize him for being under criminal indictment has resulted in static public opinion about the cases. As I was told by multiple campaign sources over the last six months, Republican presidential candidates (Chris Christie excluded) avoided targeting Trump for any one of these cases because doing so would be commiting political suicide with the GOP base. But the result was that the dynamics of the Republican primary never shifted. Whether the fortunes of any of the other candidates would have changed if, say, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, and Mike Pence had directed their fire at Trump is a counterfactual well never have the answer tobut doing nothing made no difference.

Will this all change now that Trump is the presumptive nominee? Democrats will have no problems crossing the GOP base, but if public opinion showed independents and Americans overall were exhausted by the Trump cases, it would be understandable that Democrats would be wary of prosecuting Trump in the political arena as hes being prosecuted in the courts. This poll indicates the opportunity for Democratic groupsagain, its unlikely that the Biden campaign will directly engage in these argumentsto make political hay out of his trials. About half of Americans think hes guilty, after all, with another quarter saying theyre unsure.

Viewed another way, though, the Ipsos poll shows how divisive and damaging a political campaign centered on arguing for Trumps criminality could be. Such a sustained argument could backfire if independents who are unsure about Trumps culpability begin to see these cases in the way Republicans do: as lawfare designed to subvert the electorate. Even if Democrats successfully took advantage of the Trump cases to help Biden win reelection, would doing so further tear the country apart and undermine trust in the justice system? Its a possibility well need to grapple with.

Read more at The Dispatch

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Tim Thorlby, director of Beautiful Enterprise, and founder of Clean for Good has undertaken a new path authoring Ties That Bind: The Rise of Insecure and Lone Work and the Search for Mutual Bonds. In his report, Thorlby dives deep into the advantages and disadvantages of the remote or hybrid workforce. He also ventures into the importance of having a relational lens in any job. He argues that, recovering this sense of mutuality in our workplaces would create a happier, healthier workforce.

Ties That Bind is only the first of three reports that look at how employers can create better work for us all by paying attention to the social dynamics  the love, even  in our workplaces, Thorlby commented. It focuses on three sections the Rise of Lone Working, The Rise of Insecure Work, and In Search of Mutuality.

Director of THEOS Chine McDonald said the report, is a forthright critique of work which treats people as means rather than ends, but it is not merely moralising. [Thorlby] points to tangible examples of better practice.

It takes on a Christian view of work. According to the report, Theological thinking offers some of the most developed thinking on human flourishing, and is a rich source of wisdom when thinking about the purpose and nature of work. Thorlby adds in his executive summary that, A Christian view emphasises that at the heart of every good and fair working relationship between employer and worker, there should be a strong mutual bond.

The research sprouts from the UKs current workforce experiences: insecure and low-paid work, and lone working. According to the report, the UK has, one of the most flexible labour markets in the developed world. However, this has up and downsides.

The UKs Living Wage Foundation estimates that 6.1 million people are in a job they consider insecure while 3.4 million others are in a job they consider both insecure and with insufficient pay. It also makes note that 31% of UK self-employed workers reported struggling with moderate to severe mental health issues. Insecure work, with its unpredictable hours and its unreliable (and often inadequate) income, is making millions of workers ill, said Thorlby in his report. Gig economy jobs, self-employment, and zero-hour contracts are examples of insecure work.

On the other hand, the rise of lone working has increased the likelihood of employers dismissing the need for worker relationships and mutuality. Thorlby says, Lone workers are those who spend most of their working time with little or no meaningful face-to-face contact with other work colleagues.

The report stated that prior to the COVID-19 quarantine, only 27% of workers reported remotely or worked alone most of the time. Post-quarantine, 59% of the workforce shifted to working alone for at least part of the week. Thorlby argued this can be beneficial for workers when it comes to flexibility, but it forces employers to not pay attention to the quality and dignity of working relationships.

This makes room for loneliness. Thorlby said that losing, this sense of mutuality [in the workforce] is making millions of us poorer and ill.

Whether on remote or on-site jobs, he explained that,  workplace culture, how much control we have over our work, and how secure our work is, are three significant factors that contribute to loneliness in the workplace.

The report concluded with recommendations to the UK government on how they can implement real relationships and better work culture across the country. Some of these recommendations include banning zero-hour contracts, expanding statutory sick pay, and mandating the reporting of lone working.

According to Thorlby, a consideration of good work must be built upon a strong relationship of mutual dependence between worker and employer.
Former GOP Rep. George Santos said Friday that he plans to file to run as an independent in New York's 1st District this year.

"I am officially suspending my petitioning in #NY01 to access the ballot as a Republican and will be filling to run as an independent," Santos wrote on X.

He cited todays embarrassing showing in the House as his reason for switching to an independent run. The Republican-led House earlier Friday voted to pass a $1.2 trillion spending bill hours ahead of a government shutdown deadline.

Santos was previously elected and sworn in to serve in New York's 3rd District, but he was expelled in December amid federal criminal charges.

Santos was first charged in May with 13 counts including wire fraud and money laundering. In October, Santos was hit with a 23-count superseding indictment. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Before his expulsion, a 56-page House Ethics Committee report concluded that there was substantial evidence that Santos violated federal criminal laws, including using campaign funds for personal purposes and filing false campaign reports.

In a letter to his House colleagues before the vote, Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, claimed Santos personally defrauded him and his mother.

In a February special election, Democrat Tom Suozzi defeated Republican Mazi Pilip to succeed Santos in the Long Island district.

Earlier this month, Santos announced he would run as a Republican in New York's 1st District, where he would face GOP Rep. Nick LaLota, one of the Republicans who voted to expel Santos, in a primary.

In order to appear on the ballot as an independent, Santos will have to collect and file 3,500 petition signatures from voters in the district. According to the state board of elections, he can start collecting those signatures on April 16 and must submit them to the Suffolk County Board of Elections by May 28.
By Guy Faulconbridge and Andrew Osborn

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Camouflage-clad gunmen opened fire with automatic weapons at concertgoers near Moscow on Friday, killing at least 60 people and injuring 145 in an attack claimed by Islamic State militants.

In the deadliest attack in Russia since the 2004 Beslan school siege, gunmen sprayed civilians with bullets just before Soviet-era rock group "Picnic" was to perform to a full house at the 6,200-seat the Crocus City Hall just west of the capital.

Verified video showed people taking their seats in the hall, then rushing for the exits as repeated gunfire echoed above screams. Other video showed men shooting at groups of people. Some victims lay motionless in pools of blood.

"Suddenly there were bangs behind us - shots. A burst of firing - I do not know what," one witness, who asked not to be identified by name, told Reuters.

"A stampede began. Everyone ran to the escalator," the witness said. "Everyone was screaming; everyone was running."

Russian investigators said the death toll was more than 60. Health officials said about 145 people were wounded, of which about 60 were in critical condition.

In the 2004 Beslan school siege, Islamist militants took more than 1,000 people, including hundreds of children, hostage.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was being updated by security chiefs about the situation, including from Alexander Bortnikov, the head of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the Kremlin said.

Russian investigators published pictures of a Kalashnikov automatic weapon, vests with multiple spare magazines and bags of spent bullet casings.

ISLAMIC STATE

Islamic State, the militant group that once sought control over swathes of Iraq and Syria, claimed responsibility for the attack, the group's Amaq agency said on Telegram.

A grainy picture was published by some Russian media of two of the alleged attackers in a white car.

The fate of the attackers was unclear as firefighters battled a massive blaze and emergency services evacuated hundreds of people while parts of the venue's roof collapsed.

Islamic State said its fighters attacked on the outskirts of Moscow, "killing and wounding hundreds and causing great destruction to the place before they withdrew to their bases safely." The statement gave no further detail.

The United States has intelligence confirming Islamic State's claim of responsibility for the shooting, a U.S. official said on Friday. The official said Washington had warned Moscow in recent weeks of the possibility of an attack.

"We did warn the Russians appropriately," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, without providing any additional details.

Russia has yet to say who it thinks is responsible.

The attack on Crocus City Hall, about 20 km (12 miles) from the Kremlin, comes just two weeks after the U.S. embassy in Russia warned that "extremists" had imminent plans for an attack in Moscow.

Hours before the embassy warning, the FSB said it had foiled an attack on a Moscow synagogue by Islamic State's affiliate in Afghanistan, known as ISIS-Khorasan or ISIS-K, and seeks a caliphate across Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Iran.

Putin changed the course of the Syrian civil war by intervening in 2015, supporting President Bashar al-Assad against the opposition and Islamic State.

"ISIS-K has been fixated on Russia for the past two years, frequently criticizing Putin in its propaganda," said Colin Clarke of the Soufan Center.

The broader Islamic State group has claimed deadly attacks across the Middle East, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Europe, the Philippines and Sri Lanka.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said it was a "bloody terrorist attack" that the entire world should condemn.

The United States, European and Arab powers and many former Soviet republics expressed shock and sent their condolences. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak denied any Ukrainian involvement.

The United Nations Security Council condemned what it called a "heinous and cowardly terrorist attack."

SECURITY TIGHTENED

Russia tightened security at airports, transport hubs and across the capital - a vast urban area of over 21 million people. All large-scale public events were cancelled across the country.

Putin, who was on Sunday re-elected for a new six-year term, sent thousands of troops into Ukraine in 2022 and has repeatedly warned that various powers - including countries in the West - are seeking to sow chaos inside Russia.

Putin was informed in the first minutes of the attack and is regularly being updated, the Kremlin said.

"The president constantly receives information about what is happening and about the measures being taken through all relevant services. The head of state gave all the necessary instructions," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

At Crocus City Hall, flames leapt into the sky, and plumes of black smoke rose above the venue as hundreds of blue lights from emergency vehicles flashed in the night.

Helicopters sought to douse flames that engulfed the large building. The roof of the venue was collapsing, state news agency RIA said.

"A terrible tragedy occurred in the shopping centre Crocus City today," Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said. "I am sorry for the loved ones of the victims."

(Reporting by Reuters reporters in Moscow, Tbilisi, London, Cairo and Washington; Writing by Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow and Andrew Osborn and Maxim Rodionov in London; Editing by Timothy Heritage, Cynthia Osterman, Rosalba O'Brien and Gerry Doyle)
Kenyas plan to lead a multinational force in Haiti as part of a United Nations-backed mission to restore order is facing intense scrutiny and resistance at home, even as violence in the Caribbean nation spirals.

President William Ruto offered to send 1,000 police officers last July to partner with Haitian police to tame the gangs that have taken over the capital Port-au-Prince and now hold the nation hostage.

But civil society and opposition groups in the East African nation accuse Ruto of trying to financially profit from the situation. They argue the Haitian deployment is unconstitutional, and that the mission requires a military force, not a police service. Many even call it an occupation.

The UN Security Council authorized the multinational security support mission in October in response to deadly gang violence across Haiti. Kenya volunteered to lead that mission, but its high court delayed the deployment of troops in January after it determined that a reciprocal agreement with Haiti was needed.

The Kenyan president worked around the judges decision by signing that reciprocal agreement with Haiti on March 1, witnessed by the countrys Prime Minister Ariel Henry in Nairobi. But Henry never made it back to Haiti amid the rapidly worsening security situation, and was forced to announce his resignation a few days later, saying he would leave office once a transitional council was in place.

Former Prime Minister of Haiti Ariel Henry (left) with Kenyan President William Ruto (center) at the United Nations Environment Programme headquarters in Nairobi on February 29. - Daniel Irungu/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Henry, who came to power unelected in 2021 following the assassination of Haitis then-president, failed to hold elections last year, fueling anger in the country.

Following Henrys announced resignation and the complete breakdown of law and order in Haiti, Kenya has put its deployment of police to the country on hold, a Kenyan government spokesperson told CNN last week. Some in Kenya insist it should remain that way.

Henry was a bogus prime minister by the time he purported to execute this deal, Kenyan politician Ekuru Aukot, who filed the court case that led to the judges ruling against Ruto, told CNN. Even the so-called agreement they claim to have signed is not enforceable in any court of law, he said.

The document signed on March 1 has not been made public but Kenyan law requires a president to confirm that another country has similar policing laws before sending officers there.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who is secretary general of the opposition party Orange Democratic Movement, echoed Aukots argument that the deal has no legal standing.

As a lawyer and an elected member of parliament in Kenya, that agreement does not hold any water because you signed an agreement with an entity that does not have the mandate to call itself a government, he told CNN at his office in Nairobi.

The degree of risk for any Kenyan police officers sent to Haiti at this time of unprecedented gang violence is also under debate, despite the countrys long record of deployments to international hotspots.

Kenyan police have participated in peacekeeping missions around the world for more than 35 years. Officers were present in conflicts in Cambodia, the former Yugoslavia, Bosnia, Croatia, Kosovo, East Timor, Sierra Leone and Sudan. Kenyan police are currently serving in Somalia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, a government report tabled in Kenyas national assembly said.

In all those missions, Kenya has not lost a single police officer in any combat, former police spokesman Charles Owino told CNN. Kenya has well-trained paramilitary officers from the General Service Unit and the Administration Police Special Operations Group. These are officers who have both local and international training from some of the best institutions in Israel and the United States.

Security analyst Francis Maina acknowledged that Kenya has special forces that man its borders and carry out technical missions, but disagrees that they can handle the gangs of Haiti.

Our police officers cannot and can never be able to contain the threat of the criminality in Haiti, he told CNN.

It would be very tragic to send them because police officers are not military personnel. Theyre not going to be there to fight, Maina said. Theyre keeping law and order, getting people to obey the traffic rules, not to steal from peoples houses. But this is an issue whereby everybody is a law unto himself.

Maina added that Ruto should push the UN to send in thousands of soldiers to disarm the gangs before the police are deployed to keep the peace.

Motorists pass by a burning barricade during a protest in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 7, 2024. - Ralph Tedy Erol/Reuters

Kenyan author Mukoma wa Ngugi responded to a CNN report on the planned Kenyan police deployment by recalling the Haitian revolution of 1791 to 1804, which made it the first independent black nation on earth. He highlighted the irony that an African country is planning to occupy Haiti. And that the Kenyan police, with their extrajudicial killings at home, will do the same in Haiti.

Kenyas police have often been criticized for a violent approach towards containing demonstrations at home. But Owino said there have been no complaints against Kenyan police in international missions.

Ruto announced Kenyas offer to send police to Haiti before seeking the required parliamentary approval, then used his partys majority in the national assembly to rubberstamp the decision in November.

During an acrimonious debate, his partys lawmakers said Kenya should feel honored that the UN Security Council had called on it to help keep international peace. When Haiti is not safe, were not safe, said ruling party MP Sarah Korere.

But Sifuna and many others in the opposition say they had to raise their voices, even if they knew that they were outnumbered. This is a president who has no regard for the law. His attitude is that it has to be his way or the highway. He has lackeys in parliament who are willing and able to enable him in his dictatorial tendencies, Sifuna told CNN.

He is among some in Kenya who think that US funding for the mission may be behind Kenyas continued interest in the deployment even after Haitis government collapsed.

Kenyan police officers wearing riot gear stand on the side of the road near Bomas in Nairobi in August 2022, while waiting for the results of the country's general election. - Patrick Meinhardt/AFP/Getty Images

The US will contribute $300 million to the Kenyan-led multinational security mission, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week, an increase on its previously announced support.

The issue of money came up in Novembers bitter parliamentary debate. You cannot use our policewomen and men as guinea pigs at the altar of rent seeking, said opposition lawmaker Opiyo Wandayi. Because we know for sure that the reason for this misadventure is money. Parliamentary speech is protected in Kenya and he is not legally expected to defend what he says on the floor of the house.

Ruto presents the Haiti deployment as a moral mission, however. After calls this month with the Canadian and Bahamian leaders, as well as Henry, he wrote in a statement that Kenya will remain actively involved in the situation and will not abandon Haiti in their time of need.

But Aukot, a former Kenyan presidential candidate, labeled it another ill-fated occupation of Haiti that could come at a heavy cost to Kenyas police officers. This is a suicide mission. Were sending them to come back in body bags. What will Ruto tell the people of Kenya?

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The Kremlin said Friday that Russia is in a state of war in Ukraine, direct language that fueled questions about whether it signaled a change in approach following the landslide election victory claimed by President Vladimir Putin to extend his rule.

Yes, it began as a special military operation, but as soon as this group was formed there, when the collective West became a participant in this on the side of Ukraine, for us it already became a war, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in comments to the pro-Kremlin Argumenty i Fakty newspaper.

I am convinced of this. And everyone should understand this for their own internal mobilization, Peskov added.

The comments quickly drew attention in Russia and abroad, where observers of the war are watching for signs that the Kremlin is readying its public for deeper and prolonged involvement in Ukraine, including a second wave of mobilization to beef up its military ranks as the conflict enters a third year.

The Kremlin has insisted on calling its full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine a special military operation, and censorship laws adopted in the early days of the war have allowed authorities to arrest or even jail people who criticize Russias actions in Ukraine or simply use the word war.

Peskovs comments would appear to be a departure from that language, which sought to cast the invasion as a limited endeavor and play down its increasingly dominant role in Russian life.

As the remarks drew headlines across the world, analysts were divided over whether they signaled a dramatic shift from the Kremlin.

Peskovs point that everyone in Russia should understand that the country is in a state of war for their own internal mobilization was noted as a particular sign that authorities may soon be asking for more from the Russian public. A new recruitment drive has long been seen as a possibility once Putin secured re-election.

Now its official: the SMO (special military operation) is recognized as a war. Of course, the SMO de facto became a war a long time ago, said Tatiana Stanovaya, a nonresident scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the founder and head of the political analysis firm R.Politik.

But this is a certain psychological boundary, beyond which both the population and the elites will be faced with different demands than during the period of the special military operation, she wrote on Telegram.

Russia Ukraine Military Operation Artillery Unit (Stanislav Krasilnikov / Sputnik via AP)

However, others noted that Kremlin officials regularly allude to a wider war in their remarks.

This is not new: the idea that the SMO is just one front, albeit the most bloody, in a wider political-economic-cultural war with the West has long been established, not least by Putin in his state of the federation speech last month, in which he used the w-word, said Mark Galeotti, head of the consultancy Mayak Intelligence and an honorary professor at University College London.

Peskovs mention of internal mobilization is actually key, Galeotti said. The Kremlins demand that every Russian get into a wartime mindset, and realise there is now no middle ground between being a patriot and a traitor (as Putin defines these), he wrote on X. But its also important to stop sometimes and not think that theres going to be a gotcha moment when Putins mask is ripped off.

Peskov sought to clarify his comments later Friday.

This is not related to any legal changes, Peskov said in his daily briefing with reporters, when asked if they signified a legal change in the status of the special military operation.

This is a special military operation de jure. But de facto, in fact, it has turned into a war for us after the collective West has been directly increasing the level of its involvement in the conflict more and more.

When pushed on the fact that some in Russia have been put in jail for protesting with the phrase no to war, Peskov said it was a completely inappropriate comparison because the context is different in what he was talking about and the references to war that have landed some Russians in jail.

Last December, Peskov told NBC News that Russias fight remains a special military operation, but said the Wests efforts against Russia were indisputably a war, citing what he called direct involvement of foreign countries in the conflict and U.S.-led economic sanctions If its not a war, then how would you like to call it? Peskov said then. We call it war.

Putin has framed the war in Ukraine as Russias existential fight for survival against the West, which he said seeks its annihilation.

Russian propaganda frequently berates Western governments for supplying Ukraine with weapons, accusing them of effectively fighting Russia on the battlefield, if only by remote control so far.

Tensions around the Wests involvement in Ukraine have grown in recent weeks after French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that he couldnt rule out sending Western troops on the ground in Ukraine in the future. Putin responded by saying that could precipitate a nuclear war.
Young people in the region say they are concerned about employment and the recruitment process for government jobs.

In India's high-altitude Ladakh region, thousands are protesting in sub-zero temperatures. In 2019, the government fulfilled their longstanding demand for a region separate from Indian-administered Kashmir. But since 2020, they have frequently taken to streets, accusing the government of "betrayal" and unkept promises. Srinagar-based freelance journalist Auqib Javeed reports on what's changed.

Ladakh, India's northern-most region, is a desert inhabited by 300,000 people from the Muslim and Buddhist communities. The Leh region is dominated by Buddhists while the Kargil region is inhabited by Shia Muslims.

For decades, the Buddhist community demanded a separate region for its people, while those in Kargil wanted to be integrated with the Muslim-majority region of India-administered Kashmir.

In 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government revoked Article 370 of the constitution which accorded special status to the former state of Jammu and Kashmir and gave it significant autonomy. The state was then divided into two parts - Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir - and both are federally administered territories.

A year later, Kargil and Leh districts joined hands and formed the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), aimed at addressing people's concerns. The civil society groups have held massive rallies against the federal government.

Earlier this week, shops closed and thousands took to the streets in Kargil to demand statehood. In Leh, protesters have planned a border march next week.

"We were demanding a separate territory with a legislature," says Chhering Dorjey Lakrook, a veteran Buddhist leader from Leh. "But we were granted only a federally governed territory."

For people in Ladakh, who depend primarily on agriculture, the move also sparked fears it would affect the region's culture and identity as it made it easier for those from outside the region to buy land in the area.

According to India's home ministry, as of 5 April 2023, no Indian company had invested in Ladakh in the past three years, nor had anyone from outside purchased any land.

But residents remain apprehensive about an influx like in Jammu and Kashmir where, data shows, 185 outsiders have bought land between 2020-22.

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in protest against the federal government

Their demands include statehood for Ladakh, jobs, protection of their land and resources, and a parliamentary seat each for Leh and Kargil districts.

They also want implementation of the Sixth Schedule, a constitutional provision that protects tribal populations and allows them to set up autonomous organisations that frame laws on land, health and agriculture. Nearly 97% of Ladakh's population is tribal.

"The Sixth Schedule was designed to protect the rights of indigenous and tribal groups," says Chhering Dorjey Lakrook, who until 2020 was president of the regional unit of India's governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This, he adds, will save them from exploitation by industrialists.

The federal home ministry set up a committee to discuss these demands, but locals say there has been no progress.

Young people in the region are also concerned about not getting government jobs.

Padma Stanzin, who heads Ladakh Students' Environmental Action Forum (Leaf), says since 2019, not a single person has been recruited in a senior government role. "We fear our jobs will be taken over by outsiders," she adds.

Ladakh's BJP MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal did not respond to BBC's request for comments.

Ladakh residents remain apprehensive the region will be thrown open for investors like Jammu and Kashmir has been

Ladakh holds significant geostrategic importance for India as it shares borders with both China and Pakistan, the two countries which strongly condemned India's decision to revoke Article 370.

While Indian-administered Kashmir witnessed a protracted armed uprising against Delhi's rule starting in late 1980s, the militancy never spread to Ladakh.

In the 1999 Kargil war with Pakistan, residents in Ladakh volunteered support by supplying food and other essentials to Indian soldiers.

Residents now wonder if they are paying the price for being "loyal".

"The spirit of that voluntarism will not remain if the government hurts the sentiments of the people," says Sonam Wangchuk, an engineer, innovator and climate activist, who has worked for years to address local community needs.

Mr Wangchuk, who gained fame after Bollywood star Aamir Khan played a character based on him in the 2009 blockbuster Three Idiots, is on a 21-day-long fast "to remind the government of its promises to safeguard Ladakh's environment and tribal indigenous culture".

People of Ladakh, he says, have offered support to Indian soldiers, including to personnel from the plains who have struggled to adapt to high altitude. "Any kind of disturbance will impact this spirit," he adds.

Since 2020, the people of Ladakh have frequently taken to streets, citing "betrayal" and unkept promises

Experts say China and Pakistan would watch for any sign of "weakness" in the region.

"Unrest and discontent, especially if sustained, is something that Beijing and Islamabad could try to exploit," says Michael Kugelman, director of Washington-based think-tank South Asia Institute at the Wilson Centre.

Beijing didn't recognise the creation of Ladakh as a federally-governed territory in 2019. The region lies along the disputed 3,440km (2,100 mile)-long de facto border along the Himalayas - called the Line of Actual Control, or LAC - which is poorly demarcated.

Since 2020, tensions between India and China have been high after their forces clashed in the Galwan river valley in Ladakh, which left at least 20 Indian soldiers dead.

Following the clashes, both Delhi and Beijing increased troop movement and built massive military infrastructure along the LAC. China launched incursions in Ladakh, claiming over 1,000 sq km of India-claimed territory. India has repeatedly denied China's claim.

Incidents of Chinese soldiers entering Ladakh and restricting residents from grazing their herds have added to local grievances.

In January, a group of local herders clashed with Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers after they were prevented from taking their cattle to traditional grazing lands near the LAC.

Mr Kugelman argues that while India cannot afford an unstable Ladakh, it is also not possible to reverse the changes made in 2019.

Delhi's position has always been that the repeal of Article 370 and moves associated with it were final and would bring an end to any disputes and instability within the regions affected.

"Changing the status of Ladakh and giving it statehood would undermine that position and raise questions about the merits of making those moves back in 2019 and that's not the impression that Delhi would like to convey," he explains.

Praveen Donthi, a senior analyst for the International Crisis Group, a Delhi think-tank, says this is most likely why India refuses to extend powers to the local government in Ladakh.

"The LAC is unstable since the Galwan clash and the government probably would like to tread carefully," he says.

Ladakh residents, however, hope the strength of their unity - the joint action by the Muslim and Buddhist communities - will eventually force the authorities to address their grievances.

"Our unity will compel the government to hear us and address our demands," says Jigmat Paljor, a student-activist in Leh. "They can't ignore us for too long."

Read more India stories from the BBC:
Sexually-explicit Instagram messages from a 22-year-old man coerced 12- to 15-year-old girls into sending him videos of themselves and even meet up with him to perform sexual acts, federal officials said.

Detectives uncovered dozens of sexually explicit messages and videos on Bobby Cyprus Linharts social media accounts and personal devices, according to court documents.

Linhart, of Greenfield, Indiana, was charged with coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, distribution of child sexual abuse material, and possession of child sexual abuse material, according to a March 21 news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Indiana.

Linharts attorney did not immediately respond to McClatchy News request for comment on March 21.

Local police were tipped off to Lindharts unusual activity on Instagram, Snapchat and X, formerly known as Twitter, in May, according to court documents. Messages to the victims occurred between April and August.

Lindhart, under the username maps.syb, had distributed pornographic material of a girl between 7 to 9 years old, according to court documents.

He also sent messages to at least six girls, between 12 and 15 years old, asking them to send him sexually explicit photos and videos of themselves, court documents show.

At times, he would send videos sent by one victim to another, according to court documents.

Some of Lindharts messages also included requests to meet in-person and perform sexual acts, according to court documents. In one victims case, Lindhart brought her marijuana and a nicotine vape when they met in Indiana, according to copies of the July messages provided in court records.

Lindhart met with at least one other victim in Indiana and intended to meet with another victim in Kentucky, according to court documents.

In messages with another victim, he bragged about how he was able to coerce young girls into performing sexual acts with him.

JUST NEED TO GO LOWER THAN 12 BUT IT GETS REALLY RISKY IF YOU GO LOWER, he said, according to court documents.

Lindhart expressed that he wanted to impregnate a 13-year-old girl, one of the six victims that had sent him sexually explicit photos and videos through social media.

Im easily influenced, you basically took advantage of me, the victim said in a message to Lindhart on Instagram, court documents show.

Thats what grooming is, Lindhart replied.

The victim later said, You(re) going to jail.

Federal officials seized drugs and devices containing sexually explicit content from Lindharts home on March 19, according to officials.

Investigators believe more victims were messaged and abused by Lindhart.

Greenfield is about a 25-mile drive east from Indianapolis.

If you have experienced sexual assault and need someone to talk to, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline for support at 1-800-656-4673 or visit the hotline's online chatroom.

Man used Snapchat to sexually abuse 11-year-old and coerce her into his home, feds say

Man hacked Snapchat accounts to steal and sell nude photos of women, feds say

Man exposes himself to women while making TikTok videos in stores, Michigan cops say
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) said in a video announcement Thursday that he would be opening the door to running as an independent for his seat, despite pressure from within his own party to resign over his indictments.

Menendez, who has been charged with accepting bribes and acting an agent for the Egypts government, argued he was innocent against the accusations against him but said the accusations will not allow me to have that type of dialogue and debate with political opponents that have already made it the cornerstone of their campaign.

Therefore, I will not file for the Democratic primary this June. I am hopeful that my exoneration will take place this summer and allow me to pursue my candidacy as an independent Democrat in the general election, he said.

Menendezs announcement comes just days before the filing deadline in New Jersey.

The New Jersey Democrat is facing pressure to not seek reelection after being hit with multiple indictments. He pleaded not guilty to conspiring to act as a foreign agent to Egypt and later pleaded not guilty after being hit with new charges over obstruction of justice. His wife has also been charged.

One businessman has already pleaded guilty to trying to bribe the senator and his wife for political upside.

Since then, several dozen Senate Democrats have urged Menendez to resign. New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy (D) and Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) have launched bids for his seat.

For the majority of his announcement video, Menendez reminded viewers of his legislative track record before later acknowledging that many of his constituents were frustrated with him.

I know many of you are hurt and disappointed in me with the accusations Im facing, he said. Believe me, I am disappointed at the false accusations as well. All I can ask of you is to withhold judgment until justice takes place.

Menendez would have until June 4 to gather a minimum of 800 signatures to launch an independent bid. However, questions remain over his political fate amid his current prosecution.

A Monmouth University poll released earlier this month found 63 percent of adults in the state believe he should step down.

Updated at 6:54 p.m. ET

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Alexander Tanas

CHISINAU (Reuters) - Moldova's Parliament on Thursday endorsed an appeal to press on with a drive to join the European Union, but the opposition walked out of the vote and separatists in the Transdniestria region urged authorities to drop their claim to the enclave.

President Maia Sandu, who says Russia is the biggest threat to Moldova's security, has made EU membership the cornerstone of her administration in the ex-Soviet state, which lies between Ukraine and Romania.

A vocal opponent of Russia's war in Ukraine, she has called for a referendum on EU membership to be held this year.

After a debate coinciding with an EU summit in Brussels, Parliament adopted by a vote of 54-to-0 a declaration saying, "Only joining Europe can ensure the future of the country as a sovereign, neutral and full-fledged democratic state".

It identified EU integration as "Moldova's top priority national project." Moldova is one of Europe's poorest countries.

The opposition Bloc of Communists and Socialists, sympathetic to Moscow, walked out of the chamber.

In Transdniestria, a sliver of land which broke away from Moldova as the Soviet Union was collapsing, self-styled President Vadim Krasnoselsky called on Moldovan authorities to recognise his territory and renounce all claims to it.

"There is no other way out," he said on the enclave's television. "There can be no more talk of autonomy. You must walk away from these territories."

His region, he said, was "not separatist," but "a normal neighbour" seeking peace and stability.

Transdniestria, heavily dependent on Russia for financial support, has no international recognition, not even from Moscow.

It has remained on Moldova's eastern border for 30 years with little turmoil, but tension has risen since Moldovan authorities imposed customs duties in January on all goods entering and leaving the region.

Elected officials last month appealed to Moscow for diplomatic measures to protect the region.

An EU summit last year gave the green light for membership talks with both Ukraine and Moldova, but no date for the start of talks has been made public, and there was no announcement on the matter at Thursday's meeting in Brussels.

Moldova has been engaged in an escalating row with Russia, with the Ukraine war and Transdniestria as the focal points.

Authorities summoned the Russian ambassador twice in the past week over Moscow's decision to open six polling stations in the enclave for Russia's presidential election, and a Russian diplomat was told to leave the country.

Moldova faces disputes with a second region in the south, Gagauzia, whose leader met Russian President Vladimir Putin this month and is linked to a fugitive pro-Russian businessman sentenced to 15 years in absentia for mass fraud.

(Reporting by Alexander Tanas; Writing by Ron Popeski; Editing by Leslie Adler)
WASHINGTON  A group of four House Republicans sent a letter to the Biden administration Wednesday protesting a policy to expand access to in vitro fertilization, or IVF, for veterans.

The letter, addressed to Denis McDonough, the secretary of veterans affairs, was signed by Reps. Matt Rosendale of Montana, Mary Miller of Illinois, Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma and Bob Good of Virginia, who said they had "a plethora of ethical concerns and questions" about the policy.

"IVF is morally dubious and should not be subsidized by the American taxpayer. It is well known that IVF treatments result in a surplus of embryos after the best ones are tested and selected. These embryos are then frozen  at significant cost to the parents  abandoned, or cruelly discarded," the lawmakers wrote.

The Republicans argued the VA's policy expanding IVF access for veterans would be harmful to the embryos, which they said have "inherent humanity."

Parents uncertainty of what to do with the additional embryos and inclination to leave them frozen for many years rather than discarding them points to their inherent humanity. The new VA policy is shocking not only on a moral level, but on a political and legal level as well, the four Republicans added.

They went on to ask McDonough a series of questions, including what the Department of Veterans Affairs plans to do with the surplus embryos, where it will store embryos, who will pay for the storage, how much it will cost and where the VA gets the legal authority for its decision.

The department explains the changes it is pursuing on its website: VA is soon expanding access to IVF services. Before todays expansion of care, VA was only allowed to provide IVF services to Veterans who were legally married and  within that relationship  able to produce their own gametes (both eggs and sperm). Under this expansion of care, VA will offer IVF benefits to qualifying Veterans regardless of marital status and  for the first time  allow the use of donor eggs, sperm, and embryos.

The VA said in a news release that expanding access was "a critical step toward helping Veterans who are not able to produce their own sperm or eggs due to service-connected injuries and health conditions."

Raising a family is a wonderful thing, and Im proud that VA will soon help more Veterans have that opportunity, McDonough said in the release. This expansion of care has long been a priority for us, and we are working urgently to make sure that eligible unmarried Veterans, Veterans in same-sex marriages, and Veterans who need donors will have access to IVF in every part of the country as soon as possible.

The Republicans' letter comes amid a heated national debate about IVF after an Alabama ruling that found that embryos are people threatened access to the procedure within the state. In the aftermath of the ruling, Republicans were divided, with some enacting legislation at the state level to protect IVF and others blocking measures that would provide federal protections for the practice.

President Joe Biden and other Democrats have rushed to present themselves as defenders of keeping IVF legal. They've introduced measures in the House and the Senate aimed at protecting the practice, and some lawmakers even invited guests affected by Alabama's ruling to attend Biden's State of the Union address this month.
NEW YORK CITY  More than a dozen parents assembled in front of Metas lower Manhattan office on Friday morning, advocating for two New York Senate bills that would limit the ability of social media platforms to collect childrens social media data and algorithmically recommend content to them.

The group, founded and led by former New York Times journalist Julie Scelfo, is called MAMA  Mothers Against Media Addiction. They wore neon green beanies and held signs that said #KidsBeforeTech. Many of its members, some of whom lost children after being exposed to harms through social media, had demonstrated in January during the U.S. Senate hearings around Big Tech and child safety. During the hearing, Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg turned to them and said, Im sorry for everything youve all gone through.

He actually looked me in the eyes for a few minutes and I thought You have no idea who I am, Scelfo told NBC News in an interview after the rally, referring to Zuckerbergs acknowledgement of grieving parents during the Senate hearings. And who I am is someone who has for years been asking people to think more critically about how all these technologies are wreaking havoc with basic institutions in our democracy.

The issues discussed by parents and child safety advocates at the Friday rally extended far beyond the aims of the New York state bills, with actress and author Sheetal Sheth, a MAMA member and event speaker, calling them the bare minimum of regulating Big Tech.

One parent, Mary Rodee, was holding a picture of her late son Riley, who died by suicide at age 15 in 2021 after being targeted with online sextortion on Facebook, she said.

Image: Mothers Against Media Addiction Group Demonstrates Outside Facebook's Parent Company Meta's New York Office (Spencer Platt / Getty Images)

Nothing has changed in nearly three years since Rileys death, Rodee said.

Meta referred NBC News to its participation with the Take It Down initiative, introduced in 2023 alongside the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, which provides aid to children who are being sexually extorted or have had intimate material featuring them posted online. Meta also pointed to its guidance for kids and parents around sextortion, its stricter standards for minors on Facebook Messenger and its Safety Notices within Instagram direct messages.

The two New York Senate bills were introduced by state Sen. Andrew Gounardes, who spoke at the protest. The bills are still waiting to advance from Senate committee. One is called the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act and the other is called the New York child data protection act.

Image: Mothers Against Media Addiction Group Demonstrates Outside Facebook's Parent Company Meta's New York Office (Spencer Platt / Getty Images)

The SAFE act would require social media platforms to opt children out of algorithmic-driven feeds  which it calls addictive  and instead present chronological feeds of posts from accounts children follow, minus algorithm-suggested content. It would also prevent social media platforms from sending children notifications between midnight and 6 a.m. The New York child data protection act would prohibit online sites from collecting, using, sharing, or otherwise processing any personal data of individuals under the age of 18 without informed consent.

Both bills would limit how social media companies can administer their products to children in New York state, as well as how those companies can profit from child users. The SAFE act would require social media companies to provide age verification methods all New Yorkers can use that do not collect biometric data or require government identification that many New Yorkers do not possess. The child data protection act would not require age verification, but would instead require companies to rely on browser or device signals that indicate a user is a minor.

This country is so far behind other countries in ensuring basic regulations, Scelfo said, referring to various laws that have been passed in Europe regulating social media platforms.

In the U.S., various pieces of proposed regulation on social media companies have failed or languished in Congress.

MAMA and the New York state bills the group is advocating for are part of a movement of proposed and enacted social media regulation at the state level, where advocates of Big Tech regulation have seen more success. For example, in Florida, a controversial state bill that would ban social media for kids under 16 even if they had their parents permission passed the House in February. That bill contains similar language to the less restrictive New York bills, as well as similar proposals and laws in states like Arkansas, Texas, Ohio, New Jersey and California.

The Washington Post reported that MAMA is financially backed by the Center for Humane Technology nonprofit, which was behind the 2020 documentary The Social Dilemma. The nonprofit has also advocated for the Kids Online Safety Act, federal legislation that proposes new obligations for social media companies to prevent children from being exposed to content deemed harmful. Critics say this bill threatens kids First Amendment rights and puts the power to censor the internet in the hands of partisan state officials.

Big Tech companies and researchers have also challenged the idea that social media can be addictive, which is at the heart of the proposed SAFE act in New York City. While addiction is in MAMAs name, Scelfo said the group isnt making medical claims.

Im not a doctor, and MAMA is not using the word addiction in a clinical sense. However, we are using it to communicate the overarching problem in our societys addiction to media and technology, she said.

We have screens everywhere now. And because of the internet and 24-hour, endless streams of content, we are inundating peoples minds and hearts with more information than they can possibly process. We have screens in elevators, we have screens in waiting rooms, in restaurants, at gas pumps, and it is not good for human health.
Can't Erase Our Judeo-Christian Past



NEWS PROVIDED BY

Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights

March 22, 2024



NEW YORK, March 22, 2024 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following is submitted by Bill Donohue, President, Catholic League: Militant secularists would like to erase our religious heritage, but they are clearly in over their heads. Our nation's Capitol abounds with Judeo-Christian iconography, so much so that it overwhelms attempts to cancel it. The dome of the U.S. Capitol was inspired by the dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, as well as St. Paul's Cathedral in London.





The Supreme Court building is modeled after a Roman temple.





St. Joseph's church on Capitol Hill was built in 1868.





The Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress features The Court of Neptune Fountain; it resembles a grotto.





The west end of the Mallfrom the U.S. Capitol to the Lincoln Memorialhas a statue of Lincoln surrounded by comments he made about his respect for God. At the far end of the Mall, the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, and the Capitol building have inscriptions honoring our Judaic heritage.





Within the Capitol there are statues of Catholic priests and nuns and medallions of Pope Innocent III and Pope Gregory IX.





On the first floor of the Main Reading Room in the Library of Congress there is a statue of St. Paul.





In the Library there is a quote from the Book of Proverbs and a reference to God from Shakespeare.





There is a chapel in the U.S. Capitol. Moreover, prayer meetings for Senators and Congressmen are commonplace throughout.





Crucifixes abound in the Capitol.





On the front doors of the Capitol are pictures of Franciscans with rosaries, symbolizing the history of Columbus.





In the Rotunda, there is a painting of Hernando De Soto and his armies standing on the banks of the river rejoicing, as well as a depiction of priests planting a cross.





There is also a painting in the dome of the burial scene of De Soto depicting a Mass being celebrated; a barge is carrying his body for burial in the Mississippi. A priest is shown holding a crucifix during burial prayers.





In front of the Federal District Court, across from the National Gallery of Art, there is a depiction of pilgrims praying before a crossa splendid recognition of religious liberty.





On the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 7th St. N.W. is the Temperance Fountain with the inscription of Temperance, Charity, Hope, and Faith. Nearby is a quote from St. Paul.





Near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, engraved on the sidewalk, there is the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence Memorial with an inscription referencing our "firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence."





There is a frieze on the Supreme Court Building that depicts Moses.





The entrance doors to the Supreme Court, made of oak, have the Ten Commandments engraved on each lower portion of each door.





Inside the Supreme Court, right above where the Justices sit, there is a display of Moses and the Ten Commandments. These are just some of the tributes to our Judeo-Christian heritage found in Washington, D.C. Noticeably absent are tributes to the contributions made by secularists. Small wonder.



P.S. To read more about this issue, see One Nation Under God: Religious Symbols, Quotes, and Images in Our Nation's Capitol, by Fr. Eugene F. Hemrick. SOURCE Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights



CONTACT: 212-371-3191, pr@catholicleague.org





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MS-13 graffiti on a wall in a Los Angeles alley in April 2018. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

A senior leader of the MS-13 street gang who was one of the FBI's most wanted gang fugitives was quietly arrested earlier this month at the California-Mexico border on narco-terrorism charges, authorities said.

Freddy Ivan Jandres-Parada, 48, also known as Lucky De Park View, was taken into custody on March 7 by federal authorities at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego County, sources told The Times. Federal officials did not disclose any details about the arrest.

MS-13 gang leader Fredy Ivan Jandres-Parada was arrested at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego County on March 7 on narco-terrorism charges, authorities said. (Federal Bureau of Investigation)

Jandres-Parada's apprehension, first reported by Court Watch, comes more than three years after his indictment in December 2020 on terrorism offenses relating to the direction of MS-13's criminal activities in the U.S., El Salvador, Honduras and Mexico for nearly two decades, according to federal court documents.

He is a member of MS-13 s leadership council, initially known as the Twelve Apostles of the Devil and later renamed Ranfla Nacional, which controls thousands of MS-13 members worldwide, authorities said.

He and 13 other MS-13 leaders were indicted in the Eastern District of New York for their roles in dozens of killings, various other acts of violence, intimidation and material support of terrorists in El Salvador and throughout the United States, according to federal court documents.

The Ranfla Nacional controlled the process for recruitment of new members and advancement to higher ranks." It also issues "'green lights' to execute police officers, rivals, disloyal gang members or anyone it considers a snitch," according to the indictment.

MS-13 killings are often carried out with machetes, the gang's weapon of choice, in order to send intimidating messages to enemies and those deemed to be disloyal.

Jandres-Parada's rise in leadership mirrors the rise of MS-13, also known as La Mara Salvatrucha. Born in Jiquilisco, El Salvador, he became part of MS-13 as it evolved from a street gang in the Westlake area near downtown Los Angeles in the 1980s. He was convicted in 1994 of trafficking narcotics in L.A. County and sent to state prison for three years, according to court documents.

In L.A., more than a dozen MS-13 cliques are based in historically immigrant neighborhoods such as Westlake, Pico-Union, Koreatown and Hollywood, authorities said.

Soon after he was released, Jandres-Parada was arrested again, for possession of a firearm, and sentenced to three years in prison, authorities said. Like many in MS-13, he was sent back to El Salvador, where the gang grew into a massive force with political power.

As MS-13 gang members were returned to Central America, their numbers expanded across that region, even taking control of local prisons. Some of those who immigrated to the U.S. set up new cliques, from Virginia to Tennessee to Nevada, according to the court documents. The gang structure is fueled by cash from drug trafficking, extortion and kidnappings, prosecutors said.

When Jandres-Parada returned to the U.S., he was apprehended again and served time for illegal reentry before being deported again to El Salvador. There, authorities say, he continued to run MS-13's extensive transnational operations.

Under the gang's power structure, bottom-rung cliques operate in regional tiers and zones, whose leaders report to street and prison bosses, who then report to the Ranfla Nacional. According to the indictment, more than 200 cliques exist in the U.S., El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, and the gang has even expanded into Mexico, working with various drug cartels.

In New York, Jandres-Parada faces charges of conspiracy to provide and conceal material support and resources to terrorists, conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries and conspiracy to finance terrorism.

According to the indictment, the MS-13 hierarchy carries political influence across Central America and for a time even reached a truce with El Salvador's political leaders. By 2016, the gang was conducting militarized training operations for its members that included the use of improvised explosive devices, according to authorities.

Meanwhile, Jandres-Parada is not the only MS-13 leader who has been caught in recent months. In November of 2023, Elmer Canales-Rivera, also known as Crook de Hollywood, was arrested at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.

We allege that Elmer Canales-Rivera, a founding member of MS-13s Twelve Apostles of the Devil, bears responsibility for the gangs efforts over decades to terrorize communities, target law enforcement, and sow violence here in the United States and abroad, U.S. Atty. Gen. Merrick B. Garland said in a statement after his arrest.

Nearly all MS-13 inmates in federal custody are being held for their own protection at a single penitentiary in Lewisburg, Pa., according to sources who were not authorized to discuss prison security arrangements and requested anonymity.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A people smuggler has admitted to helping seven immigrants enter the United States from Mexico by traveling through sewer pipes that cross the border, prosecutors said Thursday.

Kevin Noe Campos Villa, 20, from Tijuana, Mexico, pleaded guilty in federal court to smuggling people across the border in return for $6,000. He will be sentenced in June and faces up to 10 years in prison and a potential $250,000 fine.

The court heard that Campos and three of the migrants who crossed the border under his guidance on Jan. 22 were approached by Border Patrol agents, who spotted them going through pipes 2 miles west of the San Ysidro Port of Entry.

"According to court records, two of the unauthorized immigrants who were rescued stated that they feared for their lives when crossing the river because they did not know how to swim," the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California said in a statement.

One migrant told authorities that he was "swept away by the rivers current and was able to grab and hold onto a tree branch until his rescue," the statement said.

Sewer pipes that connect the U.S. and Mexico are fitted with grates to stop people going through them  but these are opened during heavy rain to allow greater water flow without damaging the grates.

Smugglers have used the pipes for years causing U.S. authorities to warn of the dangers of entering the pipes, including not only the rushing water but its toxic content.

In a plea agreement, Campos accepted that he had been working for smugglers by building ladders to get people across the border.

"This case is yet another example of transnational smuggling organizations placing profits over safety," said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath in the statement.

"This is an important reminder that safety is of little concern to transnational criminal organizations," said Chief Patrol Agent Patricia McGurk-Daniel.

People smugglers have in the past advertised their services on Facebook for as little as $4,500 per person.
Marjorie Taylor Greene called the motion to vacate Mike Johnson "a pink slip"

Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has launched a bid to oust Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, the latest move in a long-running internal party battle.

As the House of Representatives was voting to approve a $1.2tn (950bn) spending package that would avert a partial government shutdown at midnight, the Georgia Republican filed a "motion to vacate".

If she takes the next step and formally introduces the measure, the House could vote on Mr Johnson's fate within days.

Ms Greene, a strong supporter of Donald Trump, said she was starting the removal process as "more of a warning".

The Louisiana congressman won the speaker's job last October after the previous Speaker, California Congressman Kevin McCarthy, was ousted through a similar tactic.

There were weeks of acrimony before he took up the gavel, as several more prominent Republicans tried and failed to secure enough support to win a majority in the chamber.

On Friday, more than 100 Republicans voted against the spending bill backed by Mr Johnson and other Republican leaders.

A group of hard-line conservatives, including Ms Greene, objected to the amount of funding authorised, a lack of sweeping changes to US immigration policy and several provisions supporting healthcare clinics that perform abortions.

Ms Greene, speaking on the steps of the US Capitol after the spending vote, said that Mr Johnson had "betrayed" Republicans.

She said she did not want to throw the House into chaos, but that she would move forward with her motion to vacate if House Republicans did not find a new leader.

"I have respect for him as a person, but he is not doing the job," Ms Greene said.

At the moment, however, the Georgia Republican appears to have little support within her own party for the move.

Florida Republican Matt Gaetz, who led the push to oust Mr McCarthy, said that this latest effort could ultimately lead to a Democratic speaker, perhaps with the backing of centrist Republicans.

Speaking to reporters at the Capitol, Republican Congressman Mike Lawler called the move "idiotic" and said it harmed conservative priorities and the nation as a whole.

On Friday afternoon, the narrow Republican majority in Congress dwindled even further, as Wisconsin Congressman Mike Gallagher - who had already announced he was not running for re-election - said he would formally resign from his seat on 19 April.

At that point, Ms Greene would only need one Republican to join her in voting Mr Johnson out, assuming no absences and all the Democrats agree to cooperate.

That last bit may not be guaranteed, however.

Some Democrats have expressed reluctance to help trigger another House power struggle. If Ms Greene is only able to convince a handful of Republicans to go along with ousting Mr Johnson, it would require near unanimous Democratic approval for that vote to pass.

Democrats provided that support last year to oust Mr McCarthy, who many had viewed as operating in bad faith. Mr Johnson, who negotiated with Democrats to craft Friday's government spending package, has not engendered such ill will.
By Clark Mindock

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Sixteen Republican-led states on Thursday filed a lawsuit to challenge the federal government's ban on approving applications to export liquefied natural gas (LNG), saying the federal government lacks the authority to broadly deny those permits.

The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Lake Charles, Louisiana, by the Republican attorneys general of a coalition of states including Texas, Louisiana and Florida that claim the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) pause on exports will harm the U.S. economy and undermine efforts to supply foreign allies in Europe with steady supplies of LNG as the region seeks to wean itself off piped gas from Russia.

The Biden administration said in January the pause will allow officials to review its process for analyzing economic and environmental impacts of projects seeking approval to export LNG to Europe and Asia where the fuel is in high demand.

The states said the pause on new approvals for LNG exports oversteps DOEs authority under the Natural Gas Act, which they said requires the agency to affirmatively show projects are inconsistent with the public interest before denying applications.

The states also argued the ban jeopardizes billions of dollars in investments planned to build export facilities.

The DOE did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The initial review is expected to last months.

The last U.S. review of LNG export projects was in 2018 when export capacity was 4 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd). Capacity has since tripled and is set to shoot higher by 2030 with projects under construction.

Environmentalists and youth groups, an important part of Democratic President Joe Biden's base, had urged the administration over the last year to slow down or stop approvals for LNG export projects, which they claim can harm local communities with pollution and will lock in global reliance on climate change-causing fossil fuels for decades.

Domestic industries including chemical, steel and agriculture businesses, have also opposed unrestricted exports, which they say can raise concerns about the reliability of U.S. domestic supply and fuel prices.

Before the lawsuit was filed, efforts by Republicans in Congress to strip the DOEs power to approve the exports and leave the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission with the sole responsibility for approving LNG projects had stalled.

(Reporting by Clark Mindock in New York and Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Dan Whitcomb, Alexia Garamfalvi and Jamie Freed)
You might think culinary careers are built on a foundation of roast chicken, beef tenderloin and French omelets. But for Chef Tristen Epps, simple scrambled eggs, a job at McDonalds and cooking Bourbon Street chicken at Golden Corral built his path to success.

Executive chef at the Eden Roc Miami Beach and its waterfront restaurant Ocean Social by Tristen Epps, Epps was recently named a 2024 James Beard Award semifinalist in the Best Chef: South category. Before coming to revamp Ocean Social a little more than a year ago, he was executive chef at Marcus Samuelssons Red Rooster Overtown, when the restaurant was recognized as a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide.

But he fell in love with cooking much earlier, when his single Trinidadian mother revealed the mysteries of scrambled eggs when he was just a kid.

I thought it was just the coolest alchemy, this hard little shell turning into this viscous blob turning into a liquid, and when you scramble it with a little heat and some seasoning, it turns into this really delicious thing, Epps says now. Then she was like, Look what happens when you put some green onions in it or cheese on it. That constant change was fascinating to me.

Epps stops reminiscing to laugh for a moment.

Chef Tristen Epps in the beachfront dining area at Ocean Social restaurant in Miami Beach. Pedro Portal

I had a military Caribbean mother, so control was not something I had, he admits. So being able to customize food and have control over something that was a basic need was amazing.

The journey from being a child wide-eyed with possibility to a James Beard semifinalist was jam-packed for Epps, who is nominated in the same category as Chef Valerie Chang, whose Peruvian restaurant Matys was named one of the best new restaurants of 2023 by Esquire magazine and Bon Appetit. Like Chang, whose restaurant is named after her grandmother, Epps pays homage to his culture via the menu at Ocean Social, infusing seafood with Afro Caribbean touches and shaking up the idea of what a hotel restaurant could and should be.

Ocean Socials menu is seafood heavy  though Epps acknowledges a hotel restaurant must always serve steak  with shared-plate standouts like the crisp, salty Key West shrimp toast and hearth-roasted clams served souse style in a spiced broth. The cracklin octopus is served with chicharron, golden mole and bacon fat pineapple, while the unusual mushroom ceviche delivers king trumpet mushrooms, almond leche de tigre, hearts of palm and onion.

But even as he serves elegant smoke-roasted mahi and roasted diver scallops, Epps knows his future was forged amid Egg McMuffins and Big Macs. Working at McDonalds, he says, taught me everything.

It taught me work ethic and a lot about doing the right thing, he says. Learning pace and working as a team. Some days you were cooking, some days you were at the drive through, some days you were up front. I found I had more value when I offered to do everything rather than saying, I only want to do this. 

The job had other perks, too, he learned.

Chef Tristen Epps prepares some dishes in the kitchen at Ocean Social at the Eden Roc Miami Beach. Pedro Portal

I loved not being home, and I loved the fact that I could tell my friends I work at a restaurant, and they could come visit me and I could hook them up, he says. To this day I do the same thing! But now its foie gras and caviar.

His stint at Golden Corral afforded him another thrill: it was the first time he got to wear a chefs coat.

I was so proud of myself! he remembers. They have a front part of the restaurant where they grill your steak and make the Bourbon chicken, and nobody wanted to work that, but I loved doing it. I was awful at it, didnt know temperatures to save my life. You got well done or rare. I had no clue what to do, but I was so happy.

Growing up and moving into the realm of fine dining was a bit of a shock for a military kid. He moved a lot throughout his life, living as a kid in Japan, cooking as an adult in Sweden. But landing a job at Thomas Kellers Michelin-starred Per Se in New York was eye-opening.

Honestly, as a Black kid, I never imagined myself being there or even eating there, he says. It was everything I knew I wanted, everything I wanted to see, everything I wanted to do. But it wasnt my world. I knew it existed somewhere, but I thought it was somewhere far away, like in Europe. . . . Caribbean people didnt go there. We didnt even look to go there.

Hearth roasted local clams served souse style are one of Chef Tristen Epps signature dishes at Ocean Social. Pedro Portal

Epps was only at Per Se four months  I was the lowest of the lowest of the lowest of the lowest, he jokes  but he understood where he wanted to be. After working at what he calls a couple of my trashy places, he went on to cook at hotels and country clubs around the South, then took a competitive three-year apprenticeship at The Greenbrier, a luxury resort in West Virginia. Surrounded by people obsessed with food, he knew where he wanted to end up.

Epps went on to work with Chef Marcus Samuelsson at Red Rooster Harlem and eventually made his way to Miami, where he learned that aside from four crucial items  cornbread, shrimp and grits, deviled eggs and fried chicken  he was free to create his own menu. And even with the must-haves, he was allowed to make them over however he wanted.

The cornbread was so good, I never changed it, he admits. I just changed what you put on it.

For the first time, Epps was able to showcase his culture via cuisine. (Samuelsson did try to put the Swedish meatballs from New York on the Miami menu, but Epps managed to talk him out of it).

At Ocean Social, hes done more of the same  and more overall. Leading a hotels culinary concepts means in addition to the wood-fired and seafood-forward cuisine at the main restaurant, he also creates food for the pool area, plus a room service menu. He had to put together a breakfast menu for the first time, which exercises a different part of the brain, he says.

Cracklin Octopus at Ocean Social by Tristen Epps in Miami Beach. Pedro Portal

There are disadvantages to being part of a hotel, most of them involving confounding tourist expectations, Epps says, but the advantages are hard to ignore. You get to create different types of menus, do a lot of different things, flex your expertise in myriad ways. The kitchen is huge, and youve got a big team.

Everyone gets insurance. Everyone gets well paid. Everyone has parking, he says. If something breaks in the kitchen, I just call an engineer. If were out of eggs, well, let me just go to the other kitchen.

As for that James Beard nomination, Epps admits he immediately started crying when he found out, not so much for his own sake but for what it meant for his team. When he got it together and told the staff, those who knew what the award meant started crying, too.

It reinvigorated everyone immediately, he says. It was What do we need to do to improve? All of a sudden I felt like I was back 15 years ago when everybody was like, How do I take your job? The edge came back.

Even if he isnt named a finalist or the winner, Epps says, the nomination means a lot (finalists will be announced April 3).

Its a hard job, he says. You can quit and go work in the weed industry and make more money. You can do other jobs, work less and make more. In a kitchen you spend a lot of time getting yelled at, not seeing family, working overnight. But I was never doing it for a paycheck. So its validating.

Guests dine in the outdoors dining room at Ocean Social by Tristen Epps on Miami Beach. Pedro Portal

Ocean Social

Where: 4525 Collins Ave., Miami Beach

Hours: 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday

Reservations: OpenTable or 786-961-6043
By David Brunnstrom

(Reuters) -There is a strong possibility Russia will veto a United Nations resolution on Friday calling for continuation of the mandate of an expert panel that monitors implementation of U.N. sanctions on North Korea, a U.N. diplomat told Reuters.

Such a veto, at a vote expected on Friday afternoon, would mean dissolution of the Panel of Experts monitoring enforcement of long-standing UN sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, the diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"It's a strong possibility that Russian vetoes this resolution," the diplomat said. "That's unprecedented - basically it's been technical roll-overs for the last 14 years, I believe."

Russia's mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The diplomat said if Russia were to veto, if would be the second time in a day that the permanent member of the Security Council had exercised that power, after Russia, and China, voted against a U.S.-proposed Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza as part of a hostage deal.

"I think it would be the first time any country in the last 40 years has vetoed two different resolutions on two different files in the same day," the diplomat said.

A text of the resolution seen by Reuters calls for the extension of the mandate of the Panel of Experts for another year until April 30, 2025.

Another U.N. diplomat said that both Russia and China had sought "sunset" clauses to parts of the sanctions regime on North Korea and the text states the Security Council "is prepared to review, by 30 April 2025, the appropriateness of measures taken to date."

Such a review would cover possible "strengthening, modification, suspension, or lifting of the measures as may be needed in light of (North Korea's) compliance," it said.

The suggestion of a possible Russian veto comes after a closening of relations between North Korea and Russia since Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The United States has charged that North Korea has supplied Russia with large quantities of artillery shells as well as ballistic missiles for use in Ukraine. Russia and North Korea have denied this even as they pledged to strengthen military cooperation.

Last year Russia voted in favor of an extension of the mandate of the Panel of Experts, but expressed regret that the resolution then did not include proposals on the need to minimize the impact of sanctions on the North Korean population and confidentiality issues concerning the panel.

(Reporting by David BrunnstromEditing by William Maclean and Frances Kerry)
ZURICH (Reuters) -The Swiss government on Friday approved a new negotiating mandate for talks with Brussels to modernize the country's relationship with the European Union after a previous bid unraveled in 2021.

Switzerland has said unrestricted access to the EU marketplace is the cornerstone of the plan, which aims to update existing accords with the single market, and seal new sectoral agreements in areas including electricity and food safety.

"The negotiations on the package aim to stabilize and further develop bilateral relations between Switzerland and the European Union," the government said in a statement.

Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis told a press conference he hoped talks could begin this month, and that his government wanted an "equitable" outcome. The quality of an accord would not be sacrificed in the interests of speed, he said.

Both sides had previously spent years thrashing out a new bilateral deal, but critics argued it excessively infringed Swiss sovereignty, leading to the collapse of the plan in 2021.

Wealthy, neutral Switzerland has long had powerful internal resistance to closer integration with the EU, even as supporters of closer ties warn that the country cannot expect to benefit from the bloc without making concessions.

Before agreeing the negotiating mandate, Switzerland undertook a consultation process with powerful interest groups, including its cantons, and any accord with Brussels could still face a severe test in a traditional Swiss referendum.

Cassis said a "clear majority" of stakeholders backed the talks with Brussels but noted that most proposals submitted to "tighten" or "clarify" the mandate related to electricity, international rail travel, immigration and wage protection.

"The more we get to our goals with the EU, the less we will have to alter on the domestic political front," he said.

(Reporting by Dave Graham; Editing by Richard Chang)
A Georgia adoption center is asking for the publics help to bring three puppies home.

Someone made off with the canines and hundreds of dollars in cash after shooting through the front door of the Sally Wetherbee Adoption Center of Albany Humane Society, the shelter said.

The break-in happened at about 11 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, the center said in a Facebook post.

Security video shows the moment the masked intruder opened fire, shattering the glass door. He then creeps inside and walks into another room off-screen.

The stolen puppies were recently moved to the adoption center out of an abundance of caution after their foster guardian, who lives in Nashville, Georgia, said someone approached her at her home, the Albany Herald reported.

The dogs, one male and two female pitbull terrier mixes, are about 10 weeks old, AHS Development Director Sam Threadgill told the newspaper.

We are so shocked and discouraged that someone would do this to a non-profit, especially because they put the lives of animals at risk, the center said. We can only imagine how traumatizing the shots fired were to our animals.

Officials said a donation box was also taken from the office.

Not only have we lost 3 puppies, but valuable donations that were meant to help animals in need, officials said.

McClatchy News reached out to the Albany Police Department for an update March 21 and was awaiting a response.

The Albany Humane Society has asked the public to keep their eyes peeled as they continue to search for the stolen dogs.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Albany Humane Society at 229-888-7387 or Albany police at 229-431-2100.

Albany is about a 180-mile drive south from downtown Atlanta.

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Pup is abandoned, left tied to a telephone pole during harsh winter. Meet Bubba Gump

Shy 9-year-old dog gets adopted after spending over 1,000 days at Ohio shelter
The United States ended decades of stalwart support for Israel in the United Nations Security Council on Thursday, submitting a draft resolution that calls for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

But the U.N. Security Council failed to adopt the resolution in a Friday morning vote, with Algeria, China and Russia voting against the measure.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. ambassador to the U.N., sharply criticized the vetoes from China and Russia, noting that those countries have not condemned Hamas for its Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel.

Once again, Russia put politics over progress, Thomas-Greenfield said shortly after the vote.

It was not immediately clear if or when another vote would take place. France said it would work on drafting its own ceasefire resolution after the U.S. one failed.

 How we got here

U.N. Security Council members vote on a U.S. resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza at United Nations headquarters in New York City on Friday. (Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images) (Eduardo Munoz Alvarez via Getty Images)

The U.S. had negotiated the language of the proposed resolution with the governments of Egypt and Qatar before submitting it to the U.N. Security Council for a vote. A version of the resolution that was circulated early Thursday linked the cessation of fighting with the release of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, the Associated Press reported. The revised version that was voted on Friday, however, makes no such precondition for the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire.

The proposed resolution states that toward that end it would unequivocally support diplomatic efforts to secure such a cease-fire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages.

In February, the U.S. was the only nation on the Security Council to veto a similar resolution, saying that calling for an immediate end to military hostilities would imperil hostage negotiations.

 Why did the U.S. decide to submit its resolution now?

President Biden addresses the nation on the conflict between Israel and Hamas and the Russian invasion of Ukraine from the Oval Office on Oct. 19, 2023. (Jonathan Ernst/AFP via Getty Images) (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The U.S. move comes at a delicate moment for U.S. and Israeli relations. With more than 30,000 Palestinians estimated killed in Gaza as a result of the Israeli governments military campaign responding to the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that left nearly 1,200 dead in Israel, the Biden administration and congressional Democrats have recently increased pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to change his tactics.

Israel has largely ignored those calls, and announced plans to attack Rafah, a city in southern Gaza where it initially directed Palestinians to flee as it conducted operations in the northern part of the territory.

The U.S. has strongly opposed the idea, and global aid organizations have declared that the residents of Gaza are on the brink of famine.

Yahoo News

A major military operation in Rafah would be a mistake, something we dont support," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a news conference in Cairo earlier this week.

Blinken met with Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on Friday morning.

Last week Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer delivered a blistering speech on the Senate floor describing Netanyahu as an obstacle to peace and calling for new Israeli elections.

Biden praised the speech, further angering Netanyahu, who addressed congressional Republicans on Wednesday to denounce it.

 What will the resolution actually accomplish?

A man yells during a search for survivors following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on Oct. 24, 2023. (Ali Jadallah/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Thats unclear. The U.S. is using the resolution to send a very public message to Netanyahus government that it opposes the way Israel is conducting the war in Gaza.

Unlike the councils past votes on authorizing the use of force in Iraq, this one would not have called on nations to carry out the enforcement of its objectives.

 U.S. history of blocking resolutions critical of Israel

Protesters calling for a ceasefire march in Los Angeles on March 2. (David McNew/Getty Images) (David McNew via Getty Images)

Perhaps the most notable aspect regarding the U.S. resolution is the venue where it is being submitted. Since 1945, the U.S. has vetoed dozens of Security Council resolutions designed to force the Jewish state to make concessions to the Palestinians. As a permanent member of the Security Council, the U.S. has been viewed as a lock to support Israel in that body.

On Oct. 18, 2023, for instance, the U.S. vetoed a Security Council resolution that called for humanitarian pauses in the fighting in Gaza and demanded that Israel rescind its evacuation order for residents in the northern half of the territory. At the time, Thomas-Greenfield said that the actions we take must be informed by the facts on the ground and support direct diplomacy that can save lives, Al Jazeera reported.

 How the resolution will play domestically

Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on Oct. 18, 2023. (GPO/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images) (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

For many Democratic voters, Bidens embrace of Israel following the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks was too one-sided in that it ignored decades of Palestinian suffering in Gaza.

In Michigans presidential primary, many Democrats protested Bidens handling of the war, with 13% casting a vote for uncommitted. Michigan has the largest Arab American population of any state, but younger voters have expressed their displeasure with Biden over U.S. support for Israel across the country.

The Wall Street Journals conservative editorial board published a piece on Monday that suggested Democrats in Washington had turned on Israel to win over those disgruntled voters.

But its unclear exactly how the resolution will be perceived. A February poll of U.S. adults conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 50% believe that Israels military offensive has gone too far. In November, that number was 40%.
By Daphne Psaledakis and David Brunnstrom

(Reuters) -The United Nations Security Council on Friday turned down a U.S.-led resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza as part of a hostage deal after Russia and China vetoed the measure proposed by the United States.

The resolution, on which Algeria also voted no and Guyana abstained, called for an immediate and sustained ceasefire lasting roughly six weeks that would protect civilians and allow for the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Eleven members of the 15-member council voted for the resolution.

The resolution reflected a toughening of Washington's stance toward Israel. Earlier in the five-month-old war, the U.S. was averse to the word ceasefire and vetoed measures that included calls for an immediate ceasefire.

"The vast majority of this council voted in favor of this resolution, but unfortunately Russia and China decided to exercise its veto," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the Security Council.

'CYNICAL' AND 'PETTY,' U.S. SAYS

She accused Russia and China of vetoing the resolution for "cynical" and "petty" reasons. She said they opposed it simply because it was penned by the U.S. and criticized both countries for not condemning Hamas's Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

"For all the fiery rhetoric, we all know that Russia and China are not doing anything diplomatically to advance a lasting peace or to meaningfully contribute to the humanitarian response effort," she told the council after the vote.

The U.S. has wanted any Security Council support for a ceasefire to be linked to the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Palestinian Hamas fighters killed 1,200 people and took 253 captive in their Oct. 7 attack, according to Israeli tallies.

Nearly 32,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's subsequent offensive in the Gaza Strip, according to health authorities in the Hamas-ruled enclave.

Russia's ambassador to the U.N., Vassily Nebenzia, said the resolution was "exceedingly politicized" and contained an effective green light for Israel to mount a military operation in Rafah, a city on the southern tip of the Gaza Strip where more than half of the enclave's 2.3 million residents have been sheltering in makeshift tents.

"This would free the hands of Israel and it would result in all of Gaza and its entire population having to face destruction, devastation, or expulsion," Nebenzia told the meeting.

He said a number of non-permanent members of the Security Council had drafted an alternative resolution and said there was no reason for members not to support it.

China's U.N. ambassador, Zhang Jun, criticized the text proposed by the U.S. for not clearly stating its opposition to a planned military operation by Israel in Rafah, which he said could lead to severe consequences. He said Beijing also supported the alternative.

But Thomas-Greenfield said that measure fell short.

"In its current form, that text fails to support sensitive diplomacy in the region. Worse ... it could actually give Hamas an excuse to walk away from the deal on the table," she said.

The U.S. resolution had backed talks under way being brokered by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar over a ceasefire.

CEASEFIRE FOR MONTH OF RAMADAN

Diplomats said a vote was scheduled for 10 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT) on Saturday on the alternative resolution drafted by elected members of the Security Council.

That resolution, a copy of which was seen by Reuters, demands an immediate ceasefire for the current Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the release of all hostages and an expanded flow of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that his country would work with Jordan and the United Arab Emirates to persuade Russia and China to back yet another alternative resolution at the United Nations for a ceasefire in Gaza.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis and David Brunnstrom, Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Howard Goller and Frances Kerry)
Hobart's Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), located in the Australian state of Tasmania, has recently been thrust into a lawsuit controversy after its "Ladies Lounge" exhibition denies entry from men.

MONA's 'Ladies Lounge' Exhibition

The exclusively-for-women installation was the brainchild of artist Kirsha Kaechele, who borrowed the exhibit's name from a moment in Australian history when women were barred entry to pubs and were only allowed to drink in side rooms that charge exorbitant prices, or sometimes, not at all.

MONA's exhibit was purportedly launched to highlight this hypocrisy through a satirical take on the nation's discriminatory policy that was abolished in 1965. The "Ladies Lounge" offers a premium experience only to female guests, providing them with champagne served by male butlers.

Alongside the opulent service, viewers also had the pleasure of enjoying highly acclaimed works from masters like Picasso and Sidney Nolan.

According to Kaechele's statement to BBC, the exclusive show is an "essential space" in terms of clearly highlighting a specific "perspective" inside this "strange and disjointed world of male domination."

Since it opened in December 2020, the "Ladies Lounge" in MONA has sailed with its feminist message "smoothly," that is until recently.

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The Legal Complaint Against MONA

When a visitor from South Wales, named Jason Lau, went to MONA last April 2023, he was denied access to the installations, as were other men.

This is something did not take kindly to, prompting him to launch a legal complaint against the institution for discriminating against his gender, which he says is a breach of state policy.

While the museum did agree he was discriminated against, a spokesperson said that was the intended experience the installation was created for.

MONA's legal representative Catherine Scott shared a similar notion to the local publication Mercury, saying, "Part of the experience is being denied something that is desired."

She added that the law allows for such discrimination if it is "designed to promote equal opportunity for a group of people who are disadvantaged or have a special need because of a prescribed attribute."

In response, Lau argued that this particular section of the law is intended to only allow "positive discrimination" to occur, not "negative discrimination." Consequently, the complainant is requesting either the shuttering of the "Ladies Lounge" or for it to finally admit men.

In addition to that, Lau said that because of this ban, men should pay less for a ticket to MONA than women.

As of now, the date for a decision by Tribunal Deputy President Richard Grueber concerning the case has yet to be announced.

Kaechaele told BBC that, if necessary, she would take the case to the Supreme Court and said that, either way, the message of the installation is made all the more powerful in the face of potentially being forced to close.

Read More: Anders Osborne Tackles the Day Heart-First With Anthemic New Single 'Reckless Heart'

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By Siddharth Cavale and Jessica DiNapoli

NEW YORK (Reuters) -The U.S. Federal Trade Commission recommended Thursday that policymakers look further into profits at grocery store operators that remain elevated since the pandemic and promotions that consumer products makers offer retailers.

The FTC also is suing to block Kroger's acquisition of smaller grocery store rival Albertsons, citing concerns the deal would hike prices for millions of Americans.

The FTC launched the study in 2021 when it ordered Walmart, Kroger, Procter & Gamble, grocery wholesalers and others to turn over detailed information relating to the supply chain crisis during the pandemic, which contributed to double-digit price increases on household necessities.

Big box and chain stores secured limited resources, leaving small independent grocers at a disadvantage, FTC Chair Lina Khan said on a public call to discuss the report. This harmed communities reliant on these smaller retailers and could have also strengthened market dominance of larger corporations, she added.

"If we end up finding that these types of practices violated any of the antitrust laws including the (Robinson) Patman act, I'll be very interested in making sure we take swift action," she said without providing details.

The Robinson-Patman Act of 1936 is a U.S. antitrust law preventing large franchises and chains from engaging in price discrimination against small businesses.

Several representatives of smaller grocery operators spoke on the call saying that during the pandemic, they faced shortages of toilet paper, cleaning products and pet supplies as manufacturers prioritized their biggest clients.

"It was a true test of survival for a lot of our customers," said Brian Patterson, head buyer at Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Co.

Walmart and Kroger are among chains that have touted gaining U.S. grocery market share. Kroger's most recent quarterly statements said it improved volume share consistently for the past five quarters. Walmart said it gained market share in "virtually every category," citing its lower prices.

Walmart and Kroger did grow share from 2018 to 2022, but only modestly, according to Coresight Research data.

"A global pandemic is what caused stress to the supply chain, not the companies that the study selectively targeted," said Sean Heather, senior vice president for International Regulatory Affairs and Antitrust at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a business advocacy group.

It is no surprise that the Chamber values corporate profits more than everyday Americans pocketbooks," replied Douglas Farrar, FTC spokesman.

BROAD INTEREST

The FTC said it will pass the report onto lawmakers, "where there has been broad interest" from members of both parties.

U.S. President Joe Biden has already taken aim at grocery chains this year.

"Todays FTC report shows grocery retailers increased profits during the pandemic and have maintained or increased those margins even as their own costs have come down," the White House said in an email to Reuters on Thursday.

"President Biden knows grocery prices are still too high for hardworking families," it said.

In Thursday's report, the FTC found that a measure of annual profits for food and beverage retailers "rose substantially and remains quite elevated." The commission said revenues for grocery retailers were 6% over total costs in 2021, and 7% in the first nine months of 2023, higher than a peak of 5.6% in 2015.

"This casts doubt on assertions that rising prices at the grocery store are simply moving in lockstep with retailers own rising costs," the FTC said, adding that elevated profit levels "warrant further inquiry" by both policymakers and the commission, which is tasked with protecting the public from unfair business practices.

The FTC also said trade promotions, payments by consumer goods companies to retailers for favorable product placement in stores and on e-commerce websites, "may warrant further study."

The reduction in spending harmed traditional grocers that use a "high-low" pricing strategy with more frequent promotions, the FTC found.

Retailers that offer "everyday low pricing" with fewer promotions, like Walmart, benefited, according to the study.

Walmart did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Its stock price along with those of Procter & Gamble and Kroger closed flat to slightly up at day's close on Thursday.

The FTC added that the report does not make claims of illegality. "We're shedding light on what we're seeing in the market, which has broader relevance to policymakers beyond law enforcement."

(Reporting by Jessica DiNapoli and Siddharth Cavale in New York; Editing by Franklin Paul and David Gregorio)
In this Oct. 20, 2011 photo, the execution chamber at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution is shown in Boise, Idaho. (AP)

Willie James Pye became the first person to be executed by Georgia in four years but some campaigners say that putting the man to death by lethal injection was inhumane and secretive.

Ahead of the execution on Wednesday evening, attorneys for Pye argued that he shouldnt be executed because of his intellectual disability and the remorse he held for his victims family. He was sentenced to death over the 1993 rape, murder and robbery of 21-year-old Alicia Lynn Yarbrough.

Pye was scheduled to be executed at 7pm, but officials announced his time of death as 11.03pm. Attorneys for Pye filed a last-minute appeal for a stay of execution that was unanimously rejected. The appeal mightve been the reason for the delay.

This is the death penalty in 2024: an intellectually disabled man executed using unapproved drugs from a secret supplier, with witnesses prevented from seeing the IV insertion, a sheet drawn over the body during the execution to conceal movement and audio cut from the chamber, Maya Foa, director of Reprieve US, an anti-death penalty organisation, said in a written statement.

In Georgia, so much is hidden from view that witnesses cant know how much Pye was brutalised in the process.

Other states are choosing to step back from lethal injection executions due to the drugs becoming increasingly difficult to find. Additionally, companies that normally supply the drugs are concerned about their names becoming public.

This image provided by the Georgia Department of Corrections shows inmate Willie James Pye

As a result, some states have chosen to shift toward nitrogen hypoxia, a method that was used to put Kenneth Eugene Smith to death in January. Other execution methods, including electrocution and fire squad, are available in other states but not regularly used.

States have used the gas chamber and electric chair when lethal injection drugs cant be obtained, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Additionally, several issues have come up when trying to use lethal injection in the past.

Nitrogen hypoxia was a second execution method for Smith after officials failed to establish IV lines in 2022. His was the third consecutively botched lethal injection execution in Alabama.

Also this month, corrections officials in Idaho had to abort an execution attempt for Thomas Creech, citing the same reasons. Still, lethal injection remains the primary method of execution for states and the federal government. In Pyes case, he was given the sedative pentobarbital and was declared dead within minutes.

Anti-death penalty signs placed by activists stand along the road heading to Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Ala., ahead of the scheduled execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024 (Getty/Reuters/AP)

Only 27 states currently have the death penalty.

According to the Death Penalty Information Center, a non-profit, states are attempting to cut off debate surrounding lethal injection executions by concealing their execution practices under a veil of secrecy.

Some states are not required to disclose their execution practices due to recently passed laws. Such statutes make it impossible to judge the reliability of the manufacturer or the possible expiration of these drugs, the non-profit notes on its website.
CONCORD  The End of Life Options Act, which would allow terminally ill people in New Hampshire to access medical aid in dying, narrowly passed in the House of Representatives Thursday.

While versions of this bill have been brought to the legislature in past years, this is the first time it has passed the House. It comes after it gained its first victory in the House Judiciary Committee, where it was recommended to pass 13-7 for the first time.

In the House Thursday, it passed 179-176.

Aylene Wozmak, the Rev. Peter Friedrichs and former state representative Ed Butler support the End of Life Options Act in front of the New Hampshire Statehouse in Concord on Thursday, March 21, 2024.

Rep. Marjorie Smith, D-Durham, is the prime sponsor of HB 1283, which is co-sponsored by both Democratic and Republican lawmakers.

Those who choose MAID (medical aid in dying) are terminally ill and would much prefer to live, but, destined to die soon, would choose to die peacefully, Smith wrote in the opinion in support of the bill. This alternative is likely to be considered by very few, and acted on by even fewer. But it adds one alternative that, even just knowing it exists, can increase the quality of the end of life options addressing end of life matters.

The bill will now head to the Senate. If it passes there, it will go to the governors desk. Gov. Chris Sununu has said he is open to considering the bill and it is not a partisan issue.

Voices for and against medical aid in dying

In her statement, Smith emphasized the bill is very narrowly focused and has been amended to improve areas the committee hearings identified. She also addressed concerns over whether the medical aid in dying could be used to discriminate against people with disabilities.

While concerns have been raised by some members of the disability community, Disability Rights Oregon reported very few complaints, all of which focused on the concern that the Oregon Act might discriminate against persons with disabilities who would seek to make use of the Act but have disabilities that would prevent self-administration, thereby denying those persons to use the act, she wrote.

In the dissenting opinion, Rep. Walter Stapleton, R-Claremont, wrote the bill is like a step off the precipice.

This bill for medically-assisted suicide will have far-reaching harmful effects on our culture by messaging that ending ones life in suicide for diagnosed terminal illness is acceptable, and thereby may be interpreted by vulnerable, infirm or elderly persons that perhaps there are other severe or justifiable health or quality of life issues that might be considered down the road for that end-of-life option, Stapleton wrote. This is a dangerous door to creeping expansion and blurring the line to euthanasia, by normalizing or validating suicide.

He also wrote that the bill is an affront to the belief that life is a gift from God as well as eroding trust in hospice and palliative care already offered, echoing comments he made in the committee vote.

Debate on the House floor lasted over an hour. Members of both parties spoke against and for the bill, and there were two early movements to table or kill the bill, which both failed.

Rep. Glenn Cordelli, R-Tuftonboro, shared his personal story with Adhesive Arachnoiditis in opposition to the bill. He said every day, he is in excruciating pain.

I have no contemplation in my mind of wanting to die when I get up every day, he said. But he said if this bill passes, he thinks insurance companies could cut back on his pain medications in favor of suicide. "Every time they offer that, because now Im in more and more pain that I cant stand it, how long will it be until theyve basically left me no choice.

Rep. Bob Lynn, R-Concord, shared statistics from the UNH Survey Center that said more than 70% of Granite Staters support this legislation, including a majority of gun owners, Catholics, and people with disabilities.

I know that Im in the autumn of lifes journey, and that in the perhaps not too distant future, I like all of you will have no choice to face death, said Lynn, who is 74. When that time comes and I am close to the end with no chance of survival, when hospice and palliative care are not enough, I think I should have the option of choosing not to needlessly suffer and you and all of our fellow citizens should have the right to make that same choice.

Ultimately, the arguments in favor prevailed, and the bill was voted Ought to Pass, 179-176.

Proponents and opponents protest at the State House

On the cold and blustery morning, both opponents and proponents of the bill gathered outside the State House to make their side known before the bill was voted on later in the day.

Supporters of the bills carried signs with slogans like Live Free Die Free.

There's too much suffering and for some people, it's very, very difficult. Everybody needs to have that option, said Aylene Woznak, a registered nurse from Keene. And a safe option, not wanting to be pushed into a corner where you have to look at suicide. This is not suicide. This is compassionate.

Opponents of the bill carried signs saying Dont Normalize Suicide and Please No MAID." They voiced concerns that medical aid in dying would be a slippery slope.

Jules Good, a disability justice advocate from Newmarket who opposed the bill, said the No. 1 priority is making sure the bill doesnt get all the way through the legislature.

Disability justice advocate Jules Good joined other opponents of the End of Life Options Act in front of the New Hampshire Statehouse in Concord on Thursday, March 21, 2024.

In other places where it's passed, we've seen the so-called safeguards that have been written into the bill be rolled back over time, which just opens the door to a lot of mismanagement and a lot of vulnerability for people who are already disadvantaged in the health-care system, Good said.

Former state Rep. Ed Butler and the Rev. Peter Freidrichs, who were also outside the Statehouse supporting the bill, said it was successful this time because of an influx of people to their movement as well as a longer record in other states where medical aid in dying is legal, like neighboring Maine and Vermont.

Our message is now we move on to the Senate and hope passage there and hopefully the governor will support it as well. It's not finished. It's a big step forward, said Friedrichs. But we have more work to do.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH House passes medical aid in dying as debate goes on
Skylar Meade escaped after an accomplice broke him out of a hospital in Idaho at dead of night. Three correctional officers were shot and wounded, one by a police officer responding to the emergency call (AP / Boise Police Dept)

A manhunt in Idaho for a prisoner serving a 20-year sentence for shooting at a sheriff during a high-speed car chase, concluded on Thursday after he was recaptured along with his alleged accomplice.

Skylar Meade, 31, was busted out of hospital in a night-time raid, during which three correctional officers were shot and wounded in a chaotic firefight in the darkness  one of them hit by a police officer responding to the emergency call.

The dramatic breakout started at about 2.15am on the morning of Wednesday 20 March.

Prisoner Skylar Meade had been taken to Saint Alphonsus hospital in Boise for medical treatment. As officials tried to transport him from the facility, they were ambushed by a gunman who shot two of the correctional officers escorting him. One was said to be in critical condition while the other sustained minor injuries.

A third was hit by a police officer responding to the incident but is also reported not to have sustained serious injuries.

Police announced on Thursday afternoon that both man had detained.

Heres everything we know about the case:

Who is Skylar Meade?

Meade has been incarcerated since October 2016. His most recent sentence is slated to end in 2036 October. Hes serving time for aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer with a firearm enhancement and has prior convictions, including felony possession of a controlled substance, grand theft and introduction of contraband into a correctional facility.

KTVB7 reported that Meade was convicted after shooting at a Twin Falls sheriffs sergeant during a high-speed car chase. He had been fleeing a traffic stop. After later crashing his car he tried to flee on foot but was arrested. He was also convicted of possession of methamphetamine, illegal possession of a handgun, and having a shank at the county jail.

Image of Skylar Meade released by Boise Police following his escape from custody (Boise Police)

He pleaded guilty to all the charges and was told he would have to spend 10 years in jail before being eligible for release.

How did he get away?

Officials say that the men left Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center before police backup arrived at the scene. Law enforcement alleges that the accomplice pulled up to the ambulance bay of a hospital where Meade was being treated and opened fire on police.

The two men were able to leave the premises in a grey four-door sedan.

Chief Ron Winegar said: This brazen, violent, and apparently coordinated attack on Idaho Department of Corrections personnel, to facilitate an escape of a dangerous inmate, was carried out right in front of the Emergency Department, where people come for medical help, often in the direst circumstances.

When BPD officers responded, they believed the shooter was inside the Emergency Department. They immediately entered to address any potential continued threat to Emergency Room staff. I am grateful this harrowing incident did not result in loss of life, and we are monitoring the wounded IDOC officers with great hope for a full and speedy recovery of all involved.

On Thursday afternoon police announced they had captured Meade and the accomplice near Leland, Idaho at around 2pm local time after the vehicle they had used in the escape  a grey Honda Accord  was located.

According to Leiutenant Colonel Sheldon Kelly of Boise Police, law enforcement found two other homicide victims during the search for the men.

It is unclear if the two homicides are connected to dramatic escape, and an investigation into them are underway.

Who is the accomplice?

Police initially did not know who the accomplice is in the case and encouraged anyone that might come into contact with the to stay vigilant.

On Wednesday Chief Winegar said: We caution anyone who may have contact with the suspects involved in this violent attack and escape to call 911 immediately and not confront them personally. They are armed, dangerous, and have shown they are willing to use extreme violence in furtherance of their criminal activity.

The accomplice was later identified as Nicholas Umphenour, a former acquaintance of Meades while behind bars.

In a press conference on Thursday, Josh Tewalt, the director of the Idaho Department of Corrections, said that Meade and Umphenour shared housing at one point while serving in the Idaho Maximum Security Institution.

The two had a crossover in the unit at the facility from December 2020 until January 2024. They were also part of the same white supremacist prison gang  the Aryan Knights  Mr Tewalt said.

He added that more information on Umphenours criminal history would be made available in due course by the Department of Corrections.

What are the conditions of the officers?

Of the three officers shot, one is in critical but stable condition, a second has serious but non-life-threatening injuries while the third is also receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. All of the officials worked for the Idaho Department of Corrections.

The third officer was shot after backup arrived at the scene and mistook him for an armed man.

Mr Tewalt told reporters on Thursday that one of the officers had been released from hospital, while the two others remained there but were stable and improving.

I think with todays news, their spirits are lifted, he said.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP)  Rod Blagojevich, the ex-governor and ex-con who often dusted off ancient and sometimes puzzling quotations to emphasize his positions, found himself at the other end Thursday when a federal judge dismissed his lawsuit attempting to return to public life by quoting Dr. Seuss: Just go.

The Chicago Democrat, impeached and removed from office by the General Assembly in 2009, then sentenced to federal prison for political crimes, filed suit in federal court to reverse a ban accompanying his impeachment that prohibits his return to public office.

On Thursday, in a colorful, 10-page smackdown dismissing the action from Chicago, U.S. District Court Judge Steven Seeger debunked the former governor's claims issue by issue, then relied on Dr. Seuss' 1972 book, Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! to suggest what Blagojevich should do:

The time has come. The time has come. The time is now. Just Go. Go. GO! I don't care how. You can go by foot. You can go by cow. Marvin K. Mooney, will you please go now!

Mark Vargas, a Blagojevich spokesperson, said the ruling was no surprise.

The people should be able to decide who they want or don't want to represent them, Vargas wrote on X, formerly Twitter, not federal judges or establishment politicians who are afraid of governors who fight for the people.

He did not say whether Blagojevich, 67, would take further action.

As Illinois governor from 2003 to 2009, Blagojevich was fond of quoting Greek philosophers, Roman statesmen and the Bible (particularly John 8:32: The truth will set you free.)

He was impeached and removed from office in 2009, then convicted of 17 counts of corruption in 2011, including attempting to sell or trade for political gain the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama upon his election as president. He served eight years behind bars of a 14-year sentence before his sentence was commuted by then-President Donald Trump in 2020. The Illinois Supreme Court also revoked his law license.

Blagojevich, who routinely joked while governor that he had received a C in constitutional law at Pepperdine University Law School, filed the lawsuit in 2021, representing himself. Accompanied by a gaggle of news reporters, cameras and microphones outside the Dirksen Federal Building in Chicago, the always impeccably coifed Blagojevich declared, Im back.

The federal civil rights complaint sought to reverse the state Senate's impeachment ban on his holding office again, arguing the ban violates the Constitution's Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments and the First Amendment's protection of the people's fundamental right to vote. And by that, Seeger explained, Blagojevich apparently means the fundamental right to vote for him.

The complaint is riddled with problems," Seeger began. "If the problems were fish in a barrel, the complaint contains an entire school of tuna. It is a target-rich environment. The complaint is an Issue-Spotting Wonderland.

First off, Seeger said that civil rights complaints must be filed against a person, which neither the state of Illinois nor its General Assembly is.

Next, Seeger discussed at length why a federal court cannot intervene in a legislative impeachment proceeding because of the Constitution's separation-of-powers provision. The judge then pointed out that even if the impeachment ban was reversed, Illinois state law still prevents a convicted felon from holding an office of honor, trust or profit.

The Sixth Amendment, Seeger wrote, applies to criminal trials, not civil trials: impeachment took away his job, not his liberty, he said.

Further, Blagojevich can't sue to protect the rights of voters. They need to speak for themselves, Seeger said, and no voter is here hoping to cast a vote for Blagojevich.

Finally, the judge said, Blagojevich might not even have a reason to proceed because when he filed the lawsuit, he said he might want to run again, but hadn't decided. Seeger noted that a legal claim is not ripe if it depends on contingent future events that may not occur.

The case started with a megaphone, but it ends with a whimper, Seeger concluded. "Sometimes cases in the federal courthouse attract publicity. But the courthouse is no place for a publicity stunt.

He wants back. But he's already gone. Case dismissed.
GOP Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin will resign from Congress early, handing another blow to Speaker Mike Johnson and his razor thin Republican majority.

In a statement, Gallagher confirmed he will resign effective April 19.

Gallagher did not include a reason for stepping down but said he came to the decision after conversations with my family.

The House already has three vacancies  left by two Republicans and one Democrat  and Republican Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado has said he will leave Congress after this week.

Once Buck and Gallagher leave, Johnson will be down to a 217-to-213 majority, meaning Republicans will only be able to lose one vote with full attendance and still be able to pass legislation.

NBC News first reported the news of Gallaghers decision.

Gallagher is chairman of the high-profile Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, and Gallagher noted the hunt for a new chair once he departs in his announcement.

Ive worked closely with House Republican leadership on this timeline and look forward to seeing Speaker Johnson appoint a new chair to carry out the important mission of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Gallagher said in his statement.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise downplayed the tightening majority.

It is tough with a five-seat majority, it is tough with a two-seat, one will be the same, Scalise told CNN. We all have to work together.

We have to unite if we are going to get things done, we have proven with bills like our energy bill, our border security bill and some of the other big things we have done we can come together and get things done for hard working families, he added.

The announcement comes on a tumultuous day for the House GOP conference. The House voted to pass legislation to fund the government through the rest of the fiscal year, a compromise with Democrats that angered the right flank of the party. A majority of House Republicans voted against the Johnson-backed funding legislation, and GOP Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene took procedural steps to oust the speaker, a move the Georgia congresswoman described as a warning.

The House started a two-week recess around the Easter holiday Friday, meaning Gallagher will only have a handful of legislative days before he leaves Congress.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

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The quintessential movie bar fight  full of bodies flying, wild punches, glass shattering and furniture breaking  gets a hilarious new twist in the remake of "Road House" starring Jake Gyllenhaal.

Gyllenhaal reprises the role of Dalton  made famous by the late Patrick Swayze in the 1989 cult classic  while putting an updated spin on the bouncer with a haunted past tasked with keeping the peace in a rowdy dive bar.

Early in the movie, Dalton pummels multiple goons in a parking lot after they bust up a bar in the Florida Keys. In perhaps a movie first for a bar fight, he then drives the guys to a nearby hospital to get patched up.

Daltons unorthodox kindness after a brutal confrontation jumped out to Gyllenhaal, 41, when he was considering starring in the remake of the Swayze classic, which is directed by "The Bourne Identity's" Doug Liman.

"It was the reason I wanted to do it," Gyllenhaal tells TODAY.com about that scene. "The first line where he says, 'Do you have insurance?' I think, to me, is a genuine question, and it really made me laugh. (That whole sequence) is the reason I wanted to play the character."

Conor McGregor Jake Gyllenhaal in

In the updated "Road House," which begins streaming on Amazon Prime Video on March 21, Dalton is an ex-UFC fighter recruited by a bar owner named Frankie (Jessica Williams) to work at her place in the Florida Keys.

In the original, Swayze is a New York City nightclub bouncer  or "cooler"  hired to provide security at the seedy Double Deuce, a road house in Missouri.

The new Dalton's dark past comes from a stunning moment during his UFC career, now leaving him as a loner looking to evade the spotlight.

Like in the original, he develops a romantic relationship with a local doctor, played by Portuguese actor Daniela Melchior.

"I would say she can smell trouble, and shes attracted to it, maybe mostly because of her daddy issues," Melchior tells TODAY.com about her character, Ellie.

And of course, it wouldn't be "Road House" without some wild bar fights. Gyllenhaal says he feels there is one characteristic that defines an entertaining and cinematic bar brawl.

"Chaos," he says. "Thats what the big bar fight is about. It just starts and theres no sense.

"I think we had an incredible stunt team on this film thats just one of the best," he adds. "We had ex-fighters, we had just incredible professional stunt people working throughout the bar on every single scene."

It's ironic considering how many bad guys he roughs up in the movie, but Dalton comes off like a nice guy, echoing Swayze's famous "be nice" speech in the original flick.

As Dalton, Gyllenhaal even asks his adversaries if they have medical insurance and the whereabouts of a local hospital before knocking them out.

Patrick Swayze (Aaron Rapoport / Corbis via Getty Images)

"Hes definitely kind of the stillest, and most confident in his stillness, that Ive ever played," Gyllenhaal said. "One of the things I took from the original film and from Mr. Swayze was this kind of real confidence in observation.

"Hes a character that stays still and watches until he cant any more, really. And I love that about him," he says. "And I also think his intention in the end always, even in that first fight, is to help people out, which I love about him."

That sense of calm is offset by the maniacal henchman played by UFC star Conor McGregor, 35, in his first acting role.

McGregor plays the hulking Knox, a bruiser recruited by a land developer (Billy Magnussen) to get Dalton out of the way.

McGregor is used to fighting all out at full speed in the UFC, which took some adjustment when choreographing fight scenes with Gyllenhaal.

"The funny part is that he had unlearn how to fight," Gyllenhaal said. "To learn how to fake fight is a whole other skill. We had to even slow it down."

McGregor is known for his swaggering persona in UFC, all the way down to his trademark walk into the octagon, but he put that aside offscreen.

Dalton is actually a little bit darker than Knox, so weve got a hero with a dark side, and weve got the villain with an almost playful, good side, McGregor said in a statement. Its a nice little balance.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Russia unleashed a massive aerial attack on Friday in what Ukrainian officials said was the largest and most destructive assault on its energy infrastructure since the start of the war.

Over 150 missiles and drones were involved in the bombardment, striking targets across the Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian air force, knocking out power to swathes of the country and badly damaging its largest hydroelectric power station. It was the second largest aerial attack on Ukraine since Russia began its invasion two years ago, the air force said.

At least three people were killed in the assault, and 15 others were injured, according to Ukraines prosecutor generals office.

Ukraines military said air defenses destroyed around 90 of the projectiles but more than a third still managed to get through.

The strikes forced emergency shut downs of electricity in at least seven regions, including Odesa, Dnipro, Poltava, Zaporizhzhia and Kirovohrad, according to Ukraines state energy company. Officials in Ukraines second largest city, Kharkiv, said it was entirely without power following the attacks.

"The morning attack by the Russians on the energy system of Ukraine was the largest ever, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, the head of Ukrenergo said in a statement.

Kharkivs mayor Ihor Terekhov said it was also the largest attack on the city since the start of the war, with at least 20 missiles fired into energy infrastructure, calling the damage too severe.

Missiles also hit Ukraines largest hydroelectric power station, the Dnipro dam in Zaporizhzhia, setting off a huge fire there and causing critical damage, according to Ukrainian officials.

"We are losing the station, Ihor Syrota, head of Ukraines state hydro-power company, Ukrhydroenergo, told RFE/RL in a live interview, saying that two missiles had struck the power plant.

Ukrainian officials said the structural integrity of the dam itself was not in danger, but local authorities warned people to stock up on water in case of possible shortages.

Fridays attack involved more than 75 missiles, including seven advanced, hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, according to Ukraines air force.

PHOTO: Smoke and fire erupt from an missile explosion on Ukraine's largest dam, the DniproHES, in Zaporizhzhia (Denys Shmyhal/prime Minister Of /via Reuters)

The attack came as Ukraine is suffering increasingly severe shortages of air defense ammunition, amid delays in Western supplies and with more U.S. support blocked in Congress. A day earlier, Russia launched its largest missile attack on Ukraines capital Kyiv in months.

Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday said the attacks showed the cost of the delays in Western support.

Russian drones dont have indecision, Zelensky said in a video address. Its important to understand the price of delays and decisions put off. Our partners definitely know what is necessary. They definitely can support. These decisions are needed.

A new $60 billion military aid package that would include funding for air defense is currently stalled in Congress, blocked by hard right Republicans close to former President Donald Trump. The bill was approved by a bipartisan majority in the Senate in December but Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to put it to a vote.

Russia has largely avoided striking Ukraines energy infrastructure for the past few months, instead focusing on military production targets. But Ukraine increasingly faces a choice of using its limited air defenses to protect large cities and civilian infrastructure or deploy it to the frontline, where Russia is regaining air superiority.

Ukraine has used the advanced handful of Patriot air defense batteries provided by the U.S. and European countries to shield Kyiv, but does not have enough to protect key cities elsewhere.

Ukrainian officials on Friday also defended recent Ukrainian attacks on Russias oil industry, following reports that U.S. officials have urged Ukraine to halt them over fears it is driving up oil prices globally.

Ukrainian drones have repeatedly struck major Russian oil refineries in recent weeks, in an apparent campaign to undermine Russias income for its energy sector, a crucial source of revenue for the Kremlin.

The Financial Times on Friday reported that U.S. officials have warned officials at Ukraines intelligence service the attacks should stop.

But Ukrainian deputy prime minister Olha Stefanishyna told a security forum Friday the strikes were legitimate.

"These are absolutely legal goals from a military point of view. We understand the appeals of American partners. At the same time, we are fighting with the capabilities, resources, and practices that we have today," she said at the Kyiv Security Forum.

Russia launches massive air attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Some UK airports are highly successful, with Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Stansted all bouncing back strongly after the Covid pandemic. The UKs busiest airport, Heathrow, handled a record number of passengers in February: an average of 200,000 per day.

Yet some smaller British airports do not even register 200,000 travellers in a year. Many rely on public subsidies to survive, for social and economic reasons. Highlands and Islands Airports, which looks after 11 airports in Scotland, received 56m in subsidy in the latest financial year  a whacking 40 for every passenger who used its facilities.

Other airports are not so lucky. This century, six English airports have closed  most recently Doncaster Sheffield. Sixteen months after the final passengers departed, the South Yorkshire airport is the subject of a rescue bid.

So which airports are toast  and which could be revived? These are the key questions and answers.

The six airports that have closed to commercial flights this century

Sheffield City

Flights at the first South Yorkshire airport began in 1998 with domestic links to London City, Belfast City and Jersey, and international connections with Amsterdam, Brussels and Dublin. These routes were progressively cancelled, with the final flights to and from Belfast City in August 2002.

Could it reopen? No. The site is now part of Sheffield Business Park.

Coventry

This is a weird one. Baginton aerodrome, southeast of Coventry, has been going since 1936. In 2004, the giant tour operator Tui decided to base a new budget airline, Thomsonfly, in Coventry  and bought the airport.

The thinking was that operating from its own airport would be cheaper and easier than using Birmingham (13 miles west) or East Midlands (33 miles north).

The facilities comprised a jumble of temporary buildings. Thomsonfly, a belated and botched response to the success of easyJet and Ryanair, duly took off, and over the next four years there was quite a Mediterranean-focused network from Coventry. Even Wizz Air came in with flights to Gdansk and Katowice. But in 2008, after the High Court turned down plans to build a permanent terminal, Thomsonfly went away. Permanently.

Tui now has a flourishing presence at Birmingham airport, though it now faces competition from easyJet as well as Ryanair and Jet2.

Could it reopen? Coventry airport continues to function as a general aviation aerodrome for small aircraft. There are no plans for a commercial revival.

Makeshift terminal: Day one for Thomsonfly at Coventry airport (Simon Calder)

Plymouth City

The airport north of the city centre opened in 1925. Like many smaller airports, it was dropped by British Airways during a cull on domestic routes. On the one occasion I used it, in 2004, the experience was calm  with only nine passengers on my Air Southwest flight to Gatwick (179 miles away) via Newquay (39 miles away). Other links served Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle, Jersey and Cardiff  just 75 miles away by air, but more than twice as far by road or rail. By 2011, the airport had closed.

Could it reopen? Certainly, according to Plymouth city council leader Tudor Evans. Last month he said: We are a major city, we have ambitions to grow and thrive and an airport must be part of that story.

Manston

What could possibly go wrong? The former RAF Manston is located in the far northeast of Kent, on the Isle of Thanet. That gives Manston airport a big advantage: Frankfurt, Luxembourg and Amsterdam are at least 20 minutes closer to Manston than to Heathrow. A lightly used airport at an extreme part of Kent, 66 miles from the centre of London, avoids congestion on the ground and in the skies over London  the busiest air-traffic control space in the world.

Access from the capital on the M2 and the A299 (the motorways continuation into Thanet) is easy. Thanks to the HS1 rail line, Ramsgate station is just 79 minutes from London St Pancras, with the airport about five minutes beyond.

Yet repeated attempts to run scheduled flights from Manston have failed. In September 2004, I was aboard the first EUjet flight, to Dublin; the following July, the airline went bust. Since then Flybe has collapsed not once but twice. But before it did so the regional carrier axed its routes from Manston to Edinburgh and Belfast.

KLMs Amsterdam service took off from Manston, but not financially. The final scheduled flight from Manston departed for the Dutch capital on 9 April 2014. Since then, the airport has had quite a lucrative sideline as a standby lorry park for Brexit-related traffic chaos in Kent.

Could it reopen? Yes, according to RiverOak Strategic Partners, whose aim is reviving Manston airport as a successful and profitable airfreight hub, of national significance, with complementary passenger and engineering services.

Poor Fokker: Manston airport on the launch day for EUjet, which lasted for less than a year with its fleet of Fokker 100 aircraft (Simon Calder)

Blackpool

The year 2014 wasnt great for small UK airports. As Manston shut down, Blackpool airport on the Lancashire coast was going through its death throes in terms of scheduled flying. Squires Gate airport had an interesting history. Over the years many routes had come and gone including a frequent Ryanair jet link with Stansted, a Tui charter programme to the Med, and a prop-jet connection to Biggin Hill airfield on the London-Kent border. The restoration of direct trains from Blackpool to London appears to have been the death knell. The last passenger flights departed in October 2015.

Could it reopen? Blackpool is open and thriving for general aviation and business flights. In 2022, it handled more flights than Teesside, Leeds Bradford, Bournemouth and Southampton. But the prospects for more passenger flights with Manchester airport just 85 minutes by direct train look bleak.

Doncaster Sheffield

RAF Finningley, six miles from Doncaster and 19 miles from Sheffield, closed in 1995. A decade later, it reopened as Robin Hood airport  with Tui once again a keen proponent of a new, low-cost departure point for UK holidaymakers. But Doncaster Sheffield has four competing airports within an hours drive. It is 28 miles from Humberside, 38 miles from Leeds Bradford, 46 miles from East Midlands and 53 miles from Manchester. DSA, as it had become, closed in 2022. The owner, Peel Group, said at the time: No tangible proposals have been received regarding the ownership of the airport or which address the fundamental lack of financial viability. Promises by the then-prime minister Liz Truss to protect this airport and this infrastructure had no effect. The last flights touched down in November 2022.

Could it reopen? Yes. The mayor of Doncaster, Labours Ros Jones, has signed a deal for the local council to take over the airport. But it is not clear which airport operator might be interested in running DSA, or which airlines might fly there.

On financial life support

Each of the nations of the UK has an airport that is kept afloat through heavy subsidies.

Prestwick, Scotland

This wonderful airport, southwest of Glasgow, is celebrated as the only British soil on which Elvis Presley set foot  during a refuelling stop for a US military flight from Germany to the US. For decades Prestwick was a prime transatlantic airport, with British Airways offering daily departures to New York. But its location on the lovely Ayrshire coast is tricky for many people in Scotland, and routes gradually eroded. In October 1995, Ryanair took the revolutionary step of opening a new domestic route in Britain, from Prestwick to London Stansted, for 19. Ryanair is still the only commercial operator at Prestwick, typically with two or three flights per day. The Scottish government owns Prestwick, and it remains ministers long-term intention to return Prestwick airport to the private sector at the appropriate opportunity.

Going places? Prestwick has a couple of flights a day on Ryanair (Simon Calder)

Teesside, England

The airport whose railway station had only two trains a week was a basket case when Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen brought it back into public ownership rather than allow Peel Holdings to flatten the site and build houses. Teesside was the first airport in the UK to scrap the 100ml limit on liquids in hand luggage. Apart from that, the main excitement is the twice-daily Amsterdam link and occasional Ryanair flights. Last year the airport lost 2.26m  representing exactly 10 per passenger.

Cardiff, Wales

Over the past two decades, passenger numbers at Cardiff have roughly halved, while Bristol airport now handles about twice as many in the same time frame. The capitals airport, southwest of the city, is struggling to attract passengers back to pre-pandemic levels. While almost every UK airport grew in 2023 compared with a year earlier, the latest figures from the Civil Aviation Authority show a slight drop at Cardiff  with only 837,000 passengers using the airport.

Losses totalled 4.5m in the year to March 2023, with the Welsh government making a grant of 5.3m.

City of Derry, Northern Ireland

CoDA is a superb gateway to the city of Derry/Londonderry, as well as County Donegal in the republic. But as the third Northern Ireland airport, after Belfast International and George Best Belfast City, it has always faced challenges. Keeping the airport going costs over 3m annually, and the local council is seeking further funding from Stormont.
French and Nigerien soldiers in Niamey, Niger on 14 May 2023. The junta expelled French troops last December after a coup in July 2023. Photograph: Alain Jocard/AFP/Getty Images

US policymakers are scrambling after the ruling military junta in Niger cancelled a mutual security pact that could lead to American forces being expelled, stirring fears of a loss of vital influence to Russia in west Africa.

In a setback for Washingtons counter-terrorism strategy against jihadist groups in the region, Niger announced last weekend that it was revoking the pact, which had been in force since 2012. There are about 1,000 US military and civilian personnel in Niger.

The junta already expelled French troops last December, following a coup in July of 2023 that toppled the democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum.

The cancellation of the American pact could mean the closure of US Air Base 201, a $110m facility built in the north of the country in 2018 to conduct drone surveillance of the Islamic State and al-Qaida-affiliated groups in the Sahel, a semi-arid region in the southern Sahara desert stretching from the Atlantic to the Red Sea.

Related: Niger junta repudiates deal allowing US military bases on its soil

Washington fears the loss of its bases in Niger would risk the country following neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali by falling under Russian hegemony. The Wagner group, the Kremlin-linked mercenary army formerly headed by Yevgeny Prigozhin, has established a presence in the two bordering states, as well as in several other African countries.

After last Julys coup in Niger, Prigozhin issued a statement welcoming the new military government and offering it Wagners services. The US then made its own overtures to the junta earlier this year during a testy visit by representatives from the state department and Pentagon, who hoped to keep cooperation intact after the coup and prevent the country from falling under Russian and Iranian influence.

But on 15 March, in an address on national television, the juntas spokesman, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, declared the US presence in Niger illegal and pointedly depicted the visit  headed by Molly Phee, assistant secretary of state for African affairs  as counterproductive.

[The military government] forcefully denounces the condescending attitude accompanied by the threat of retaliation from the head of the American delegation towards the Nigerien government and people, Abdramane said.

The comments were apparently provoked by accusations from US officials that Niger had been conducting negotiations to allow Iran access to its uranium reserves, a development that would potentially enable Tehran to expand its nuclear programme.

The government of Niger rejects the false allegations of the head of the American delegation to maintain that it has signed a secret agreement on uranium with the Islamic Republic of Iran, said Abdramane, adding that it was ending the security pact with immediate effect.

US officials claim to have since detected a flexibility in Nigers stance, suggesting that the juntas hardline posture may still be open to negotiation.

Gen Charles Q Brown, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, said Nigerien officials had sent mixed signals following last weekends announcement. We will continue to make plans and prepare  if we stay or depart, he told journalists at Ramstein air base in Germany.

A state department spokesman, Vedant Patel, similarly hinted at hopes of achieving a shift through continuing diplomatic dialogue.

We are remaining in touch with the CNSP [Nigers ruling military council] and seeking additional clarification of their comments, as well as discussing potential next steps, he told a news briefing.

We continue to engage through our embassy. We continue to have our ambassador and our embassy team there, and were continuing to discuss with them.

Crystallising US fears of growing Russian and Iranian influence, the juntas prime minister, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, visited first Moscow last December to discuss military and economic ties, then Tehran in January, where he met Irans president, Ebrahim Raisi.

Air Base 201 is one of the biggest US drone facilities in Africa and the only one in that part of the continent flying drones with intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance and strike capabilities. It is understood to have been used to carry out deadly strikes against Islamic State fighters in Libya in 2019.

A Pentagon spokesperson said this week that the facility had not been used in counter-terrorism operations since last years coup.

Gen Michael Langley, head of the US Africa Command  a member of the recent delegation to Niger  told a Senate armed services committee meeting this month that a continued US military presence in the region was necessary to counter Russian encroachment.

Id say that a number of countries are at the tipping point of actually being captured by the Russian Federation as they are spreading some of their false narratives across Libya, he said. At [an] accelerated pace, [the] Russian Federation is really trying to take over central Africa, as well as the Sahel.
An artwork by LS Lowry that had been unseen by the public since 1977, dubbed "Sunday Afternoon," sold for 6.29 million last Wednesday, March 20, exceeding its high estimate of 6 million. The sale was made in London at the Christie's "Modern British And Irish Art" sale.

A Momentous LS Lowry Sale

The auction house's Senior Director, Phillip Harley, told BBC that this recent sale of the Lowry work was an event that happens only "once in a generation."

It was first sold in 1967, which was record-breaking for the artist at the time, and was offered at the recent Christie's auction as part of an art collection owned by Sir Keith Showering, the former CEO of the biggest drink business in Europe, Allied Breweries.

Dated 1957, the painting depicts a heavily populated scene against the backdrop of Greater Manchester's industrial landscape, a variation of a prominent environmental motif in works within Lowry's expansive oeuvre.

According to the auction house's post on X (formerly Twitter), "Sunday Afternoon" is "one of only 13 large-scale industrial scenes painted by Lowry at the height of his career in the 1950s" and shows what the artist described as the "battle of life."

This could explain why it took the second seat in terms of the most expensive Lowry piece sold at auction, trailing behind his 1953 piece "Going To The Match," which fetched 7.84 million at a Christie's sale back in October 2022.

As per Harley, the entire composition of the artwork encapsulates the sense of "wonder" that Lowry felt well up inside him as he depicted an ever-evolving society around him.

In another lot within the Christie's sale, Dame Barbara Hepworth's oval-shaped sculpture similarly exceeded its high estimate, with the hammer falling at the 3.54 million mark.

Other works by the Wakefield-born artist also sold in the auction, read more about them here.

Read Also: Australia's Museum of Old and New Art Faces Lawsuit For Denying Men Entry to Its 'Ladies Lounge' Art Installation

 2024 Classicalite All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
On April 8, much of Upstate New York will be treated to a total solar eclipse. For several minutes the moon will block the sun, darkening the skies in the middle of the afternoon.

Over 800 years ago, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy was established during the same celestial event.

Local storyteller Perry Ground (Turtle Clan, Onondaga Nation) teamed up with the South Central Regional Library Council (SCRLC) to bring Native American eclipse legends to life in his Raven Steals The Sun show.

The program, streamed on March 25 at the Tompkins County Library, will be broadcast across SCRLSs 10,000 square-mile service area encompassing Allegany, Broome, Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, and Yates.

The path of totality  when the moon completely blocks the sun  is roughly 124 miles wide. On April 8 much of Central New York will enjoy the path of totality for the Great American Eclipse.

The presentation is part of the councils Moon Mondays: Get Ready for the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse project.

SCRLC Executive Director Mary Carol Lindbloom noted that each of the 14 participating libraries is rooted on land once owned by the Haudenosaunee.

Offering a program centered on indigenous eclipse stories will help people better understand the significance of celestial events across different cultures," she said. "Traditional astronomy teaches that the 88 constellations derive from Greek tradition. And yet, there are many many ways to see the sky."

'Moon Mondays'

According to Lindbloom, the Moon Monday project was an effort to engage member libraries in the Great American Eclipse hype. The initiative connected communities with regional astronomical societies to create train-the-trainer programs and help develop online eclipse guides, she said.

Grounds performance was funded in part by a $4,760 grant from the American Astronomical Society's Jay M. Pasachoff Solar Eclipse Mini-Grants Program.

For many years I was on the board of the Syracuse Astronomical Society, Lindbloom said. My whole life Ive been passionate about astronomy. In the past, we've hosted events featuring NASA Soundscapes, the Dark Sky Association, and Cornell University's Space Science program.

All SCRLC's past programs are archived on Youtube but Ground's performance will not be. Instead, Lindbloom said the council plans to record the event using a time capsule to be unearthed 54 years later.

We are creating a box to be opened on May 1, 2079  the next total solar eclipse here in New York, Lindbloom shared. We'll include an eclipse kit, news clippings, student artwork, accounts of the experience, and a weather report.

Local storyteller Perry Ground (Turtle Clan, Onondaga Nation) teamed up with the South Central Regional Library Council (SCRLC) to bring Native American eclipse stories to life in his Raven Steals The Sun series.

Beyond science: 'The eclipse is part of the human experience'

For over 25 years Ground has been a professional storyteller. He said what drives his work is a felt responsibility to express how the Haudenosaunee view the world and their place within it.

Stories make us uniquely human, Ground said. People have always told stories about the human experience. This eclipse is part of that experience. Different cultures have legends which attempt to describe why the sky has dimmed.

To create an accurate show, Ground said he's traveled across the nation to connect with different tribes, read several historical texts, and conducted extensive research online.

I found it interesting that many eclipse stories shared similarities  each centered around an event, outside the human experience, that people were trying to explain, explained Ground. Sure, there were different characters but each story relied on the same themes of change, identity, and behavior.

While schools, museums, and planetariums teach the science behind an eclipse Ground asked who is addressing the 'human element' behind it all?

Its important to understand the correlation between science and human behavior," Ground said. "An eclipse is a very human event look at all the excitement surrounding this one! And the last one [2017] as well, people traveled great distances to experience the path of totality. There are all kinds of emotions wrapped up in a celestial event. Thats what this show touches on.

Raven steals The Sun

Ground explained that for centuries tribes have acknowledged eclipses as signals, omens, and means for celebration. He said his show examines the beliefs, traditions, and protocols of each tribe from the Cherokee and Navajo to the Inuit and Haudenosaunee.

While many of the legends are quite old, Ground drew attention to the fact they continue to hold importance to indigenous cultures today. He outlined a few examples.

For some tribes, an element of fear is involved. The Cherokee people say that during an eclipse a giant frog is eating the sun and their reaction is to bang pots to get the frog to go away. In other tribes the frog is interchanged with a squirrel or a bear, Ground affirmed.

The eclipse signals the Cherokee people to do something, to work through their fear and resurrect the sun, Ground said. On the other hand, many view the eclipse as a solemn event. Southwestern native peoples  the Hopi, Navajo, and Pueblo tribes  view the eclipse as a time of transformation; death and rebirth.

Other legends write off the event as nature being nature. The Inuit people tell the story of a brother, the moon, chasing his sister, the sun. Every once in a while he wraps her in his arms but since shes too hot he has to let go, said Ground.

Ground prefers stories that inform reactions, "when people notice that something in nature has been lost and that prompts them to change their behavior."

He said the Haudenosaunee understood celestial cycles and would hold eclipse rituals, similar to modern-day watch parties.

Haudenosaunee perspective

Tribes across the Mohawk Valley view total solar eclipses as signals of peace, Ground said.

The origin comes from the story of the peacemaker, the man who joined the Iroquois Confederacy," Ground said. "The alliance originally included five nations: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca. At first, the Seneca Nation could not decide whether or not to join. Upon discussing their reluctance with the peacemaker the sun disappeared. Frightened, they gave into the notion of peace. The total solar eclipse was seen as a sign to stop fighting and embrace union.

It's crucial to learn about those around us as there are still many Haudenosaunee people across the state, said Ground. When we better understand each other we forge stronger relationships, he emphasized.

Admittedly, this will be Grounds first total solar eclipse experience. Although hes not quite sure what to expect, he said he looks forward to experiencing the event with a community of others.

I view this as an opportunity for us each to contemplate our place within the world," he said. "The last Great American eclipse unfortunately did not impart much change, in terms of unification. Will this one affect positive change? We'll know on April 9.

Local shows

As the eclipse draws near, Ground is fully booked with performances across the state. Hoping to catch a glimpse of one of his shows?

In Oneida County, the Kirkland Town Library will broadcast the SCRLC livestream at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 25. Respectively, in Hamilton County Ground will host a a star party at Colgate Universitys Ho Tung Visualization Lab from 7:30-11 p.m. on April 5.

The eclipse shows that I've already performed were packed, Ground gleamed. Libraries have been running out of chairs, it's been so crowded that people have had to lean against the bookshelves. There's something about this eclipse that people are so excited by  the energy is captivating.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: 2024 solar eclipse: Native American storyteller examines eclipse legends
State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters is pictured at the February meeting of the Oklahoma state school board.

A lawsuit filed against state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters and the Oklahoma State Board of Education on behalf of a Moore Public Schools student who wanted to change their pronouns in school records is moving back to state court.

Federal court records indicate that on March 12, U.S. District Judge David Russell ordered the case, known as Doe v. Walters, to return to Cleveland County District Court. Thats where the lawsuit originally was filed on Dec. 21 by the Oklahoma Equality Law Center and the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, which referred to the student in the lawsuit as J. Doe.

Attorneys for Walters and the state board had the case moved from state to federal court on Jan. 10, saying it involved issues better adjudicated at the federal-court level. But last month, the students attorneys filed an amended version of the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in the Western District of Oklahoma that they said dismissed all claims brought under federal law.

The students attorneys also asked Russell, to whom the case had been assigned, to move the case back to state court. A response dated March 8 and signed by Bryan Cleveland  then the general counsel for the Oklahoma State Department of Education, who since has resigned that position  agreed with that position. In the filing, Cleveland said the updated version of the lawsuit leaves only claims relating to the interpretation and application of state law.

State court records show no filings in the case since Jan. 10 and no indication of any scheduled hearings in the case in Cleveland County court.

What actions did Walters, state Board of Education take leading up to the lawsuit?

On Sept. 28, the state board approved a temporary rule prohibiting school districts and local schools from altering sex or gender designations in past student records" without the board's authorization.

During its meeting on Oct. 27, the board voted 5-0 to reject requests from the Moore and Cushing school districts to authorize changing the gender or sex designation of students currently in those districts student information systems. Both districts had received court orders  from judges in Cleveland and Payne counties, respectively  to make those changes. However, Walters dismissed the requests out of hand. Bryan Cleveland, during a Board of Education meeting, called the court orders illegal.

We now have a second issue of a left-wing, activist judge issuing a ruling to a district directly using almost identical language, Walters said at the time. I believe weve got to continue to stand in the way of these radical leftist Biden judges that are sitting here trying to dictate this to our schools." In Oklahoma, state court judges are appointed by the governor, not the U.S. president.

On Dec. 21, just hours after being sued over the issue, the state board deferred voting on making the rule change permanent, but the board did so at its next regular meeting, on Jan. 25. The case already had been transferred to federal court by that time.

In the lawsuit, Doe asked the court to declare the state boards rule invalid as beyond the scope of the grant of rulemaking authority by the Legislature to the Board. The suit also asks for both a temporary and permanent injunction to prevent Walters and the board from enforcing the rule, as well as for attorney fees and costs and any other relief as the Court deems just and proper."

During the cases brief time in federal court, the student won one dispute. Attorneys for the student had asked to proceed with the lawsuit using a pseudonym for privacy reasons, but said they were willing to reveal the students identity to the defendants. Walters and the board opposed that motion, likening transgender status to routine personal information, according to an order from Russell.

Russell disagreed, noting the reality that transgender status is a highly sensitive and private matter for many individuals, including apparently, J. Doe. His order on Feb. 12 approved the students request for anonymity.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Student pronoun lawsuit against Ryan Walters back in Oklahoma court


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Key agreements were inked in areas like fuel supply, affordable medicines, space cooperation, and digital connectivity

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Bhutan kicked off with seven agreements signed to boost bilateral cooperation. During his visit, Modi was honored with Bhutan's highest civilian award, the "Order of the Druk Gyalpo," by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. He became the first non-Bhutanese to receive the award.

The visit comes amidst China's efforts to strengthen ties with Bhutan.

Key agreements were inked in areas like fuel supply, affordable medicines, space cooperation, and digital connectivity. Of the pacts signed on Friday, one is an MoU on the general supply of petroleum, oil, lubricants (POL) and related products from India to Bhutan. India will facilitate supply to Bhutan through agreed entry/exit points.

Both sides also agreed on and initialled the text of the MoU on the (proposed) establishment of rail links between India and Bhutan, including the Kokrajhar-Gelephu rail link and Banarhat-Samtse rail link and their implementation modalities.

The visit will culminate with Prime Minister Modi's inauguration of the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital in Thimphu, that was built with Indian assistance.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck hailed Modis leadership. The King added that the Bhutanese award conferred on Modi was a symbol of our gratitude to India, for having always been our true friend and ally, for our close unity and friendship.
The Congress got Rs 1,952 crore, and Trinamul Congress Rs 1,705 crore

This long list released in two parts  one having the party name, bond numbers and date of encashment, and the second giving out details of the companies and individuals who participated in the purchase along with the amount and the parties they donated.

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday released the last tranche of data supplied by the State Bank of India (SBI) pertaining to the electoral bonds. The data running into several hundred pages was on as is where is basis the ECI said.

This long list released in two parts  one having the party name, bond numbers and date of encashment, and the second giving out details of the companies and individuals who participated in the purchase along with the amount and the parties they donated.

The BJP, encashed the highest number of bonds worth of Rs 8,251.8 crore  close to 50 per cent of the total Rs 16,518 crore. It swept a huge chunk in the first round of collection worth Rs 502 crore through redemption of bonds on April 12, 2019. The Congress got Rs 1,952 crore, and Trinamul Congress Rs 1,705 crore.

`Lottery King Future Gaming and Hotel Services that is in news for being the highest donor with Rs 1,368 crore spread its money across several parties, giving the Trinamul Rs 542 crore and the DMK Rs 509 crore. Future Gaming started its donations with the DMK on October 21, 2020, giving it Rs 60 crore, followed by the YSR Congress.

The BJP came later in the picture and got over Rs 100 crore. Future Group is facing ED investigations since 2019 followed by raids in April 2022 and May 2023 in alleged money-laundering cases.

Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited the second largest purchaser, worth Rs 966 crore started its shopping by purchasing Rs 46 crore bonds for the BJP on April 12, and then Rs 12 crore on April 16 and so on. It gave the highest Rs 548 crore to the BJP. The company is now under the radar for getting the contract for Thane-Borivali twin tunnel project.

One of the lawyers in this case in Supreme Court, Prashant Bhushan, has alleged that a large number of these companies have been facing CBI, income-tax and ED action and they have been forced to shell out the money to escape the heat. Extortion through Electoral Bonds by using CBI, ED and IT. This is the worst type of corruption, he wrote on X.

Qwik Supply Chain Private Ltd, a little-known company with a registered address at Navi Mumbai's Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge City (DAKC) and having links to Reliance Industries, gave Rs 395 crore to the BJP and Rs 25 crore to the Shiv Sena. The company, which is described as a manufacturer of warehouses and storage units, gave no money any other political party

Honeywell Properties Private Ltd, another firm with a Reliance link, purchased bonds worth Rs 30 crore on April 8, 2021, and gave all of them to the BJP. When the Reliance connection first came to light last week, a Reliance Industries spokesperson had in response to a detailed questionnaire, said, "Qwik Supply Chain Pvt Ltd is not a subsidiary of any Reliance entity." It, however, had not commented on its association with the firm.

Qwik Supply, an unlisted private company, was incorporated on November 9, 2000, with an authorised share capital of Rs 130.99 crore. Its paid-up capital is Rs 129.99 crore.

The firm had a revenue of over Rs 500 crore in 2022-23 (April 2022 to March 2023) but profit numbers were not known. It bought electoral bonds worth Rs 360 crore in 2021-22. In the same year, its net profit was Rs 21.72 crore. It bought another Rs 50 crore worth of bonds in 2023-24. The company has three directors, and one reported key management personnel.

Another interesting donation came from the DLF group which made a total 170 transactions worth a crore each (Rs 170 crore) only to the BJP only. This company was under BJP target during 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign and their land deals linked to Congress leader Sonia Gandhis son in law Mr Robert Vadra. However, the EB list shows it is closer to the BJP.
by Shafique Khokhar

In Faisalabad a distribution of basic necessities for 150 families who fled the violence of last August. The intervention coordinated by the Faisalabad diocese with Aid to Church in Need Germany. "We are still in the grip of physical and mental trauma," says Shazia Bibi, one of the victims. The desire to be able to 'celebrate Easter with joy'.

Faisalabad (AsiaNews) - Solidarity continues to respond to the violence perpetrated last August in Jaranwala against 21 Christian churches and over 100 homes - triggered by an unfounded accusation of blasphemy and which caused over 900 Christian families to flee. Months have passed since the incident, many victims still live in a precarious situation and require basic necessities.

For this reason, on March 20 the diocese of Faisalabad organized a distribution of food rations and household items for 150 families. Fundamental aid for the victims of the Christian community, a discriminated and persecuted minority in Pakistan (country in 7th place on the World Watch List of the NGO Open Doors, list of countries with the most brutal persecutions against Christians).

The distribution was supported by Aid to Church in Need Germany and coordinated by Msgr. Joseph Indrias Rehmat, bishop of Faisalabad. The gesture took place in the residence of the latter, who invited the families to receive food for a month and objects intended for domestic use such as cots, water coolers, sheets, quilts, pillows and fans.

But money intended for transporting aid to Jaranwala was also distributed. The day began with prayer, with the recitation of the psalms, which was followed by the reading of the Holy Scriptures to bless the distribution. The event took place ten days before the celebration of Easter, with the intention of alleviating the worries of these families in the current Lent.

I am very grateful to the Catholic Church for the great support it has given us, said Shazia Bibi, 38 years old, victim of the violence in Jaranwala on this occasion. Easter is approaching and this ration of food and household items will help us celebrate Easter with joy and happiness with our children.

The memory of the burned houses and churches is still present today, unshakable in the minds of those who personally witnessed the attacks of last summer. We are still in the grip of physical and mental trauma, but we never forget our Lord and always pray to him, said Shazia Bibi, who declares herself a witness to God's support. He sent his people to support us, who are there for us helping before Easter and they don't let us live alone, he said.

Interventions to support families affected by last summer's attacks began immediately after the incident. Since this happened, the diocese of Faisalabad has helped them rebuild their homes and churches, paint their houses, distribute food, explains Bishop Indrias Rehmat.

In these days the concern is to allow them to experience the Easter season in the most serene way possible. I wish these victim families to start working again, to earn for their families and to live their lives with pride and dignity, he added.

The aid interventions of the diocese of Faisalabad are carried out in synergy with the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, and with other organizations that share its values. A pledge that doesn't just go in the direction of material aid.

We are providing legal assistance to the victims and we are doing our best to send those responsible for the violence behind bars - continued Mgr. Rehmat -. We have also started some programs for reconciliation between different faiths, so that peace and brotherhood prevail in society."

Closeness to the affected families has always been guaranteed by the local ecclesial authorities. This is underlined by fr. Khalid Rashid Asi, diocesan director of the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace. We can proudly say that since the Jaranwala incident occurred we have never left our people alone. We are with them, we fight for them and we do our best for their well-being, he said.

Since last summer, however, the persecution against Christians (1.8% of the population) in Jaranwala and in the country has not stopped. Recently, nine Christian people were stopped and booked without reason. Muslim people broke into their homes and harassed their families, the director said. Intimidation that aims to make them feel unimportant, as a minority.

The Commission is committed to demanding justice, also following the Supreme Court's request to investigate cases against Christians fairly. I want to thank Aid to Church in Need Germany for its assistance in this regard  he added. Thanks also to the embassies who visited Jaranwala and who continue to support us as we await Easter."
by John Ai

The latest report by the EU Chamber of Commerce in China laments the difficulties created by the increasing presence of politics in the economy. National security seems more important than China's growth. Xi Jinping is planning a visit to France in May to mend fences.

Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) - According to a report published by the European Union (EU) Chamber of Commerce in China, politics has crept into the business environment and companies are facing increasing risks due to political infiltration. For this reason, foreign companies must allocate more resources for risk control and compliance in a market that has become unpredictable.

The report - based on a survey and interviews with members of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China - highlighted that 55% of members agreed that the business environment has become more political compared to the previous year.

The survey also found that 76% of members have reviewed their operations in China and sought to diversify their supply chains. In the context of the de-risking strategy adopted by the EU, more foreign investors in China are considering adjusting their business strategies.

The report, Riskful Thinking: Navigating the Politics of Economic Security, outlined approaches to managing perceived threats and measures taken by companies.

Trade relations between the EU and China have taken a nosedive after the European Union launched an investigation into subsidized Chinese electric vehicles. Furthermore, the de-risking strategy aims to reduce excessive economic dependence on China, especially in the sectors of raw materials and key industries related to the green transition, such as electric batteries and solar panels.

These actions have aroused discontent in Beijing. Amid the tensions of geopolitical conflicts, the Chinese market appears to be less attractive to foreign investors and companies are facing more pressure.

Last year, a survey conducted by the EU Chamber of Commerce in China showed that business confidence has significantly deteriorated, with as many as 64% of companies surveyed responding that business operations have become more difficult.

The policies of the Chinese authorities are the main cause that has pushed European companies in China to rethink their orientations. The nationwide lockdown during the Covid pandemic, China's position in the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the confrontation between China and the United States have forced many to consider an alternative supply chain outside the People's Republic.

Some companies have already moved operations to Southeast Asia. Additionally, companies operating in sensitive technology areas, such as semiconductor design and manufacturing, are taking a more careful approach to operations in China to avoid violating an export ban that could trigger sanctions.

For their part, Chinese authorities have begun cracking down on consultancy firms for national security reasons. China's latest anti-espionage law and national security law have greatly expanded the scope. Last year, some well-known audit and consultancy firms in China were raided by police. Some employees were arrested for espionage.

While strongly criticizing the de-risking strategy adopted by the European Union and the United States, China adopts similar measures. Beijing has implemented export controls on certain skills and raw materials, such as rare earths, to secure its leading position in key technology sectors.

Promoting self-reliance is part of the national strategy under Xi Jinping's government. The authorities attach greater importance to ideology: safeguarding economic security has also become one of the main tasks of China's intelligence and counter-espionage agency.

Meanwhile, there is talk of a possible visit by Xi Jinping to France in May to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. It would be Xi's first visit to Europe after the Covid 19 pandemic.

According to reports, the theme of Xi's visit will be trade and China is keen to mend relations with the EU after China's invasion of Ukraine of Russia. Currently, China's stagnant economy is experiencing several pressures and crises in the real estate sector, and Beijing expects foreign investment to remain in China.

To reinvigorate tourism, China extended visa-free travel to six more European countries in March: visitors can stay in China without a visa for up to 15 days.

Photo: Flickr /Evan Bench
by Joseph Masilamany

The decision by the KK Supermart chain to sell the offensive time has become a national cause celebre. Wading into the controversy, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim calls for accountability without going overboard. For Michael Kong, a non-Muslim politician from Sarawak, in multiethnic Malaysia, it is important for us to show understanding towards other races and beliefs.

Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews)  Socks bearing the word Allah have caused a national controversy in Malaysia.

The offending piece of clothing was reportedly sold at an outlet owned by the KK Supermart & Superstore Sdn Bhd, a convenience store chain, in Petaling Jaya.

A video and a screenshot of the item have gone viral on social media, causing outrage among Muslims who are mostly ethnic Malays (a fact enshrined in the constitution).

The chains owner and founder, KK Chia, issued an apology, but was unable to reduce the tensions.

Police received 80 complaints nationwide, and recorded statements from eight individuals, including Mr KK Chia regarding the issue.

Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and Prime Minister Datuk Anwar Ibrahim also waded into the issue.

Speaking to reporters after breaking the fast yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar said that those responsible should be held accountable, but without going overboard"

Reiterating the principle of not insulting Islam, he called for the punishment not to be excessive.

If there are reports of transgression, there must be immediate action, [but] decisions should follow legal channels and proceed immediately, he said.

Calling for a quick resolution to the controversy, he also insisted that the issue should not be seen as if it is a major catastrophe in the country.

AsiaNews spoke to two non-Muslim political leaders from the Christian majority state of Sarawak, Borneo Island, about the affair.

For State Assemblyman Baru Bian, a staunch Evangelical churchman, authorities should take immediate action under the Penal Code against those responsible, to avoid further escalation of unnecessary comments by various parties, which may threaten the racial harmony of this country.

Michael Kong, from the Democratic Action Party, noted that In a multiracial and multicultural country like Malaysia, it is important for us to show understanding towards other races and beliefs. Displaying and selling offensive items should be avoided, in his view.

It is good that the retail store has come out to apologise promptly, he said. From what I've read, many of their stores even published the apology and this shows their sincerity and remorse.

For Kong, this case shows the importance of being sensitive towards other ethnic groups and beliefs, which should provide common ground for all religions, based on the principle of loving one another.

To love is also to forgive and give others a second chance to learn from any mistakes, Kong explained. Thus, outrage ought not to be exploited lest we sow further divisions in the community.

Instead, we should use this opportunity to come together and put our heads together to brainstorm on what we can do to ensure this does not happen in the future, he added.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

According to data from the Eurasia Development Bank (Eabr), the trade balance of Eurasian countries with China increased by 16% in the first ten months of 2023. While infrastructure is growing to strengthen open new corridors with Beijing, such as the Kazakhstan Bakhti-Ayagoz railway line that will offer a third major passage from China.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - The growth of trade towards the East is reshaping the economic and logistical panorama, even before the geopolitical one, in the dimension of Eurasia, no longer just a symbolic or ideological term, but a new continental reality in search of definition.

According to data from the Eurasian Development Bank (EABR), in the first ten months of 2023 the trade balance of Eurasian countries with China increased by 16%, reaching 277 billion dollars.

The reference is mainly to the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAES), namely Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, and primarily to Russia, although obviously it also concerns the other ex-Soviet countries (Georgia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan) not separated by the new Dnipro wall caused by the war in Ukraine and Western sanctions.

The growth of import-export is reflected above all in new loading and transport routes, opening new routes and expanding existing ones, to compensate for those that have been interrupted or weakened.

In Russian this transformation is also called perestrojka marsrutov, the "restructuring of corridors", which is only at the beginning of its redefinition: initiatives concerning logistics are becoming more and more numerous and varied, investments are accumulating on the transit routes of goods , even before their diffusion in transnational markets.

The most favorable condition seems to be that of Kazakhstan, a relatively sparsely inhabited country yet rich in natural resources, but above all thanks to its immense territory which covers all the routes of the various Eurasian poles.

Eabr has published a report on "Eurasian infrastructure: short and long-term trends", from which the figures for increases in trade are obtained, which in 2023 exceed those of the year by more than 50 billion dollars. previous.

The most impressive turning point is certainly that of Russia, which has seen the doors of European markets closed, consequently impacting China. According to the Chinese customs office, trade between Moscow and Beijing increased by 26%, up to 240 billion dollars compared to 190 in 2022.

Loads of Russian foreign trade goods pass through the "eastern polygon", which unites the large railway routes of the Trans-Siberian and the Baikal-Amur (Bam) line, also increasingly activating Russian ports on the far-eastern coasts, which are also in need of ever wider and more effective rail connections.

In various locations it is necessary to open land transits that more easily connect the port structures, with a process of modernization of the entire area and related services, with a prospect of adaptation which according to the ongoing projects should reach the desired standards by 2035, as stated in a report by the Russian newspaper Kommersant.

2024 is emerging as the crucial year for the effective start of this Eurasian perestroika, after two years of war in Ukraine which completely destabilized not only the political, but also the economic and commercial framework.

One of the most ambitious projects which was started at the end of 2023 is the construction of the Kazakh railway line Bakhti-Ayagoz, in which an investment of over half a billion dollars is expected which will open a third major passage from China, allowing an increase transit of 20 million tons.

The "turn to the East" proclaimed by Russia must be able to cover the itineraries in adequate times, especially the central Eurasian one and the trans-Caspian one, which seems to concern rather the countries of central Asia and the southern Caucasus.

In any case, all the routes start and return to China, and then involve other major players in the international game of roles, such as India, Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, and also the European and American "antagonists", who having to distance themselves from Russia, they are in turn attracted to the more accessible destinations in Asia.
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New technologies bring opportunities, challenges to democratic practices: experts

Xinhua) 10:20, March 22, 2024

BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- During an international forum on democracy in Beijing on Wednesday, experts discussed how rapid technological advances, such as the internet, big data and artificial intelligence, present both opportunities and challenges to democratic practices.

Epoch-making technological innovations will lead to transformations in the content, forms and operation of the law, which will greatly promote democracy, Yang Xiaolei, deputy dean of the Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Peking University, said at a sub-forum of the third "International Forum on Democracy: The Shared Human Values."

Smart technologies break through traditional social strata boundaries and therefore help the general public better leverage legal tools and improve judicial transparency, Yang said.

The practice of "digital justice," such as digital platforms for lawsuits available at all hours, demonstrates China's accelerated progress in areas such as the digital infrastructure for legal governance, according to Huang Wenyi, dean and professor of the Law School, Renmin University of China. "This represents a promising new stage in the proceedings of democracy in China."

While hailing the important role of digital technologies in broadening the channels for practicing democracy, attendees of the forum also warned of potential risks posed by such technologies.

Former President of the Peruvian Constitutional Court Cesar Landa voiced his concern regarding how technological advances pose multiple challenges to Western-style elections.

He said it is necessary to regulate the use of the internet adhering to the principles of transparent politics and information diversity.

The forum, attended by more than 200 guests from home and abroad, was hosted by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council Information Office, and co-organized by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China Media Group and China International Communications Group.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Israel on Friday to press for the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip before the UN Security Council votes on a Washington resolution calling for an "immediate ceasefire".

In Qatar, mediators in the conflict are also working to reach a six-week truce agreement between Israel and Hamas, as well as the release of hostages taken by the Palestinian Islamist group and an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Israel nonetheless maintains its plan to launch a ground assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where 1.5 million people, mostly displaced by the conflict that began on 7 October, are crowded together.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says an offensive on Rafah, located on the border with Egypt, is necessary to end the Islamist movement's "last bastion".

On his sixth tour of the Middle East since the start of the war, Blinken said from Egypt that a major operation against Rafah would be "a mistake" and that "there are better ways to deal with the threat" from Hamas.

Clashes have continued in recent hours, especially at the territory's largest hospital, Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

Israeli forces there claim to have killed more than 140 Palestinian fighters and arrested more than 350 since the beginning of the week.

Truce "still possible"

Blinken, who will meet Netanyahu on Friday, also noted that "the gaps are narrowing" in negotiations for a truce. "It is difficult to achieve, but I think it is still possible," he said.

In parallel to these talks, the US submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council calling for a ceasefire "linked to the release of all remaining hostages".

The latest version of the text, consulted by AFP, stresses the need for "an immediate and durable ceasefire to protect civilians on all sides and allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid".

Israel's historic ally, the United States has so far vetoed several UN resolutions calling for a ceasefire, believing that this would have benefited the Islamist Hamas movement.

But with the human cost of the war and the threat of famine in Gaza, Washington is increasing pressure on Israel to reach a truce and avoid a ground offensive on Rafah.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently meeting privately, at the Kirya in Tel Aviv, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. An expanded meeting with the members of the War Cabinet will be held later. pic.twitter.com/G6cPPBQpBc  Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) March 22, 2024

European Union countries also urged Israel to refrain from storming Rafah and called for an "immediate humanitarian pause" in the conflict.

They were joined on Friday by US and Israeli allies Australia and the UK, which in a statement declared "the urgency of an immediate cessation of fighting in Gaza".

China said it "supports" the Security Council taking "meaningful action" to "bring an early end to the fighting in Gaza". Beijing, a permanent member of the Council, did not say whether it would support Washington's text.

The war erupted on 7 October with Hamas's surprise assault on southern Israel, killing some 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP count based on official Israeli data.

Some 250 people were also kidnapped in southern Israel. Of these, some 130 remain in Gaza, of whom 33 are reportedly dead, according to Israeli estimates.

In response to the attack, Israel vowed to "destroy" Hamas and launched an air and ground operation against the Gaza Strip, controlled by the Islamist movement since 2007.

So far, 31,988 people have been killed in Gaza as a result of this operation, mostly civilians, according to the territory's health ministry.

We've been working for an immediate ceasefire that secures the release of hostages.



This would create space to surge more humanitarian aid in Gaza, relieve the suffering of many people, and build the foundation for an enduring peace. pic.twitter.com/cAIojga9FG  Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) March 21, 2024

Threat of famine

On the sidelines of Blinken's trip to Israel, Israeli intelligence chief David Barnea is scheduled to meet in Doha with his US and Egyptian counterparts, William Burns and Abbas Kamel, and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

Hamas last week agreed to a six-week truce rather than a permanent ceasefire as previously demanded. But differences remain over the exchange of Hamas hostages for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

A truce agreement should also lead to an increase in humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, where NGOs and UN agencies warn of the imminent risk of famine.

Israel currently imposes a near-total siege on the enclave and closely monitors all incoming aid, slowing the flow, mainly from Egypt.

"Children are starving. They are deprived of food," warned the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, reiterating its call for a ceasefire.

Several countries are organising food airdrops and a sea corridor has also been opened from Cyprus to Gaza, but the UN reiterates that these initiatives are not a substitute for ground deliveries.
SUV

There isn't much to say about the styling of the 2025 Infiniti QX80  a model that appeared on the market in 2004 as the full-size luxury counterpart of the Nissan Patrol and Armada. Anyone who has watched closely what is happening at Infiniti won't be surprised by the humongousanymore. Inside, things look techy with dual 14.3-inch screens, as is the norm nowadays, and there's also an air suspension to ensure that comfort is at the highest possible level despite the body-on-frame construction process.Under the hood, there's a revolution, meanwhile, as the old-school 5.6-liter VK56VD V8 and 7-speed automatic transmission were ditched in favor of a new VR35DDTT 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged engine, rated for 450 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. It's 50 hp and some 103 lb-ft more powerful than the engine it replaces, so maybe the V8 won't be missed after all.Naturally, the behemoth Japanese luxury SUV has attracted the attention of everyone  including from across the imaginative realm of digital car content creators. For example, Nikita Chuicko, the virtual artist better known as kelsonik on social media, thinks now is the right CGI time to play with the latest release from Nissan and Co.In his usual style, the pixel master hasn't transformed the 2025 Infiniti QX80 into something unrecognizable and instead opted for a couple of pairs of new 'shoes.' Although the company has fitted big alloy wheels on the new QX80, the CGI expert always feels that size is underrated and came up with even larger ones.The first set is a concave style with thin arms that could make the Infiniti QX80 a little sportier  at least as much as it is possible with a full-size body-on-frame SUV. On the other hand, the second one is ritzier, as the deep-dish treatment with a big facet and small link elements is worthy of something from Rolls-Royce, for example.So, which one is your favorite, if any? Also, do you think that a big, hulking off-road luxury SUV needs an even larger set of wheels than OEM, or did they have the perfect dimensions cooked up from the beginning? Last but not least, there's also a quick comparison between the old and new one, easily highlighting the exterior changes along with the tremendous interior improvements.
Can you really use a 27-foot limousine as a daily driver? First world problem, that is. Finding a parking space for the monster would be rocket science or pure luck. Here is how to drive a stretched Lincoln Town Car around the city and not slam into everything that comes your way.

Photo: Carwow | YouTube

Photo: Carwow | YouTube

Photo: Carwow | YouTube

The one who will answer the question will be Carwow's Mat Watson, who did just that: bought a 27-foot limousine. He is on a mission to find the best value car in the United Kingdom and thinks  just for the sake of views, of course, we won't get fooled  that the 1999 Lincoln Town Car could be it.All the 27 feet (8,230 millimeters) of the car came for 2,700 pounds, which translates to $3,403. Simple mathematics shows us that he actually paid 100 pounds ($126) for each foot of the car, and for starters, that's a great ratio. How would it be if you could buy an 18-foot (5,770 millimeters) Rolls-Royce Phantom for 1,800 pounds ($2,269)?Mat is not just going to drive it to his office and leave it parked there until 5 PM and go home. He is going to go through fire and water with it just to make sure it is worth the money.The price went down a little bit also because the stretched limo has some scratches, dents, and bends every here and there. It must be complicated to maneuver this never-ending limo around the city and not bump into anything. Corrosion has eaten out of the gold paint, especially around the window chrome trim. The front bumper is coming off.The good news is that the horn works, but the air conditioning is dead. The minuscule digital displays on the instrument cluster come with a green light.The glove box is gone, and there is just some carpet instead of the front passenger seat. An in-car phone and lots of switches and buttons are on board. A partition wall divides the driver's area from that of the VIP passengers.Those VIP passengers will sit on a leather sofa at the back and benefit from the presence of a bar and a TV. Ambient lighting is also on the menu, going from green to purple and red.Except for the strange noise coming from underneath the car, everything else seems to be working just fine. But how do you park a 27-foot car with no camera and parking sensors? Mat will need two parking spots for that.A look underneath the car, and Mat is shocked. Everything is rusty under there and the suspension is to blame for the terrible noise.Mat takes his new/old limo to a dealership and tries to sell it. But the dealer, who has never evaluated a Lincoln before, offers 1,000 pounds ($1,260), so Mat and his Lincoln Town Car are soon on their way.Stopping for gas is also a challenge. It is not easy to pull the never-ending limousine right next to the gas pump. He eventually does it, but opening the fuel cap is just as complicated. The Lincoln hasn't been used for quite a while and the cap is stuck. However, the worst was yet to come. Going into a McDrive turns out to be a headache, because the car is way too long to turn without going over the curb.Trying to pick up ladies in the street and give them a lift doesn't really work for Mat. He does not exactly look like the good samaritan in the gold limo. Men decline the offer as well.Drifting the limo on a closed course is probably going to leave him without tires. But the engine is the first to give in. That 4.6-liter V8 seems to have come to the end of the line. The mechanics bring it back to life. It must have had enough of pulling the 6,614-pound (3,000-kilogram).That engine used to pump out 220 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque in its good old days, over two decades and 6.5 feet (2 meters) ago. "It's slow," Mat complains. Of course it is. It is as long as a small bus, weighs as much as an Indian elephant and is 25 years old, while the odometer shows a quarter of a million miles.Mat finds the Lincoln limo stylish and easy to drive. He must have forgotten the McDonald's drive-thru and the gas station experience. But he made it through the day without hitting anything. And the fuel economy is awful: 2.7 miles per gallon. And at the end of the day, he is sure that it is better value for money than a brand-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class , which is a $114,500 affair in the United States. But you can't sleep in one like you would in the Lincoln Town Car.
Solar eclipses are among the few grandiose celestial shows we humans can enjoy firsthand and still feel relatively safe as they happen. But eclipses are dangerous in some sense too, especially to the eyes of the onlooker.

Photo: NASA

Photo: NASA

You all know how an eclipse occurs: the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun line up in perfect sync, with the Moon caught in the middle and blocking the rays of the Sun. That makes some areas of our planet be covered in complete darkness in the middle of the day, an event that in periodically feeds nightmares and superstitions.This very natural occurrence will manifest itself this year as well. On April 8, less than a month from now, the Moon will move itself to block the rays of the Sun that light up the day in North America. It will be a gargantuan event that even got its own name (the Great North American Eclipse ), with a total eclipse being visible throughout the day on a strip running from Texas to Maine.Knowing this, Americans in these areas are bracing themselves for a celestial show that hasn't been witnessed on such a scale since 2017. Naturally, people are looking to get the most of it, and in they can only do that with the sense of sight.But there are some precautions to be taken when looking at an eclipse. For instance, did you know that looking at the thing with your naked eye can cause serious damage?You see, a human retina has no sensitivity to pain, and the Sun's burning light can wreak havoc on it without you even knowing. And that can happen even when the Sun is partially hidden behind the Moon and entices us the most to glance at it.Looking at a solar eclipse without proper protection even for short periods of time can cause something called retinal burns. They are insidious things, as they don't manifest themselves for hours. When they do kick in, retinal burns can lead to either temporary or permanent eye damage: loss of vision, distorted vision, or altered color vision. And there is no cure for neither of these conditions.There are, of course, safe ways to experience an eclipse without fear of losing sight, partially or totally. One could use pinhole projections or special sunglasses. But no, your phone's camera is not a good way to protect your eyes.Now that almost every single one of us has a camera to-go, people will naturally be tempted to use those to snap instances of the historic moment. Some will even believe the phone camera is protection enough, or that applying certain software filters may help. It's not, and they won't.Knowing the dangers people expose themselves to during solar eclipses, American space agency NASA published a short guide on how to take camera photos of the event and still keep your vision intact.The first thing to remember it that no matter how fancy your phone is, it's not equipped to handle solar eclipses. So you'll need a special solar filter to protect the camera itself, and a pair of eclipse sunglasses to protect your eyes. You should keep both of these on for as long as the eclipse is partial. When totality occurs, you can remove the camera filter, but keep the glasses on.Technically speaking the kind of camera you use for the snapshot doesn't really matter. As NASA says, "taking a stunning photo has more to do with the photographer than the camera." So don't beat yourself if you can only yield a low-resolution phone camera vs. your neighbors' DSLR.You should however consider using a tripod or some other sort of stabilizing gizmo to make sure the picture you take is the picture you want. And you should also give stuff like adjustable exposures, zoom, and shutter speeds a look before the big event arives.And that's about it, really. Just like the eclipse itself on a cosmic level, capturing it on camera safely is not such a big deal.But how about NASA? How is the space agency going to use the eclipse to advance its knowledge of the Sun?As revealed not long ago, NASA will use the moment to (hold on) prove the roundness of the Sun. Using eclipse movies created by the Americans that have enlisted as part of the SunSketcher phone app project, which will hopefully trace Baily's beads ("tiny slivers of sunlight that pass through the valleys on the surface of the Moon"), NASA will try to measure the Sun's exact shape and size.We'll see what comes out of this project after the eclipse ends. The space agency is already confident that it will finally determine those crucial aspects of our star. If you're interested in taking part, you can do that here
If you've seen our recent profile on the history of the Mint 400, you'll know its rise to counterculture superstardom in the late 60s and subsequent gradual decline in the late 90s is a story that could've only been told in Las Vegas. The race's remarkable second act post-revival in 2008 is nothing short of a Cinderella story in its own right. At this year's Mint 400, I got to sit down with the man arguably most responsible for the race's return to prominence.

Photo: The Mint 400

Photo: Benny Kirk/autoevolution

Photo: The Mint 400

Well, it must be said that Matt Martelli doesn't work alone. Alongside his brother Joshua, their shared film production studio, Mad Media, is a powerhouse in North American racing media. Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, but raised on the gearhead-friendly sands of Southern California , their unique combination of racing acumen and media production credentials make Mad Media especially qualified to get the absolute most out of a timelessly iconic American race.As press and media gathered around Matt at the Mint 400's infield in Primm, Nevada, with thousands of spectators just a stone's throw away in the stands, our unbroken attention was only challenged by relentless waves of trophy trucks roaring down the straightaway less than 50 yards away. As it turns out, Matt had some freshly printed details as to exactly how many vehicles entered the race. "There's 112 four-wheel vehicles on the grid between different classes this year. Add the bikes, and our total entries are 430, and we have basically 1200 racers." Martelli said of the racing field at this year's Mint 400So then, a fairly stacked and packed entry list this year, enough to make for an entire day of total balls-to-the-wall desert racing. But it could've all never come to pass after the Mint 400 went dormant back in the very early 1990s. Only when a small but dedicated group of gearheads from the Southern Nevada Off-Road Enthusiasts (SNORE) revived the race in 2008 did the Mint see the light of day again. When that day arrived, the Martelli Brothers were ready to help kick things up several notches."We bought the race two years after SNORE started it," Martelli said of their rendevous with the subsequent purchase of the Mint 400's intellectual property rights. "We were actually doing all the media for it and raising all the sponsorship money, so we knew that we could build it up to its former glory and beyond, just because of the legacy of it." The Martelli's shared media experience includes shooting the first three Gymkhana films alongside Ken Block, the iconic XP1K short with RJ Anderson, filming multiple skateboard videos and multiple commercials for skateboard-related brands. So to say, the pair really did have a media acumen a cut above the rest.The Martelli Brothers' knowledge of how to market a semi-outlaw, rule-relaxed truck race to the average Joe or Jane fed up with the bureaucracy and red tape of modern auto racing was just what the doctor ordered for the Mint 400. With a core nucleus of heritage flanked by contemporary video streaming capabilities and even a SpaceX Starlink system to help broadcast it all, Mad Media's arsenal of high technology is pulling a race most associated with the 1970s into the 21st century. If you ask the Martelli Brothers, they'll tell you that's a benefit that most off-road truck lack these days."I like to use stupid analogies, and the one I'll use is it's like everyone's been eating hamburgers, and they've never had steak before. You give the people steak, and they freak out. The same is true for racing content. When you bring somebody here and they see a truck jump 20 feet in the air, it sells itself," Martelli said of the effort to amplify the Mint 400's strong suits in its presentation and marketing. But what if you're like a lot of lapsed racing fans and assume everyone else simply left the hobby like you yourself might have done? Is there even a market for racing anymore?At least according to Matt Martelli, there's a huge disconnect between what AIs and algorithms think is cool on YouTube and Twitter and people's opinions in real life. "You see, I disagree with that [modern media trends against broadcasting racing] and I'll give you factual data," Martelli said of competitive auto racing potentially being on the decline in popularity in the age of social media. "Two of the biggest events in America this year were Daytona [500] and the F1 race [USGP]."As Martelli explained, the issue around the modern perception of auto racing goes even further than just social media. "It's not just social media but media in general. What's been done is we've all been indoctrinated into accepting what they distribute and what they decide is cool." Martelli said that established old-school media is gradually drifting away from covering auto racing as of late. "That's never been the real truth. The truth is that what's cool is defined by people who are cowboys and are willing to take risks. Nothing illustrates that more than desert racing, you have to be crazy to do this."Now, if that's not the best sales pitch we've ever heard, we don't know what is. But that's not to say the Martelli Brothers don't make changes to America's most famous desert race when the time comes. Over the decade or so since Mad Media purchased the Mint 400 race, each year presents a new opportunity to fine-tune the racing experience for a more balanced and exciting racing series. Keep in mind that these changes don't include a whole bunch of regulations and stuffy rule books.From a certain point of view, holding that balance between maintaining the purity of the Mint 400 while making positive changes only when necessary could be seen as the most difficult aspect of the Martelli Brothers' jobs. "I think for us, there is no committee or board that can stop us or turn us down. It's just me and my brother, and now my cousins," Martelli explained about the amount of creative control at Mad Media's disposal. "We make decisions based on our proximity to the culture and the market. Often times what happens in other motorsports like NASCAR is it gets homogenized because there are decision-makers who say no, we can't do this, no, we can't do that. This is the opposite."Indeed, there's something undeniably enticing about a "truly unlimited" form of racing in 2024. In a race where 950 horsepower trophy trucks share the grid with Beetle-based dune buggies, swarms of dirt bikes, UTVs, and odd-ball, gambler-class vehicles forged from everyday road cars from any era, there's more variety in one day at the Mint 400 than there is in most of the rest of motorsport put together. That said, some of the changes the Martelli Brothers have made to the race are for the benefit of a better racing experience."When the race first started, it was crazy. They'd line up two motorcycles next to two vehicles and scream 'go,' not a good plan. So what we've done is have separate days of racing for separate racer fields," Martelli explained about how he and his brother profoundly changed the starting procedure at the Mint 400. Hopefully, it's a change for the better. "For the bikes, they have a separate bike-only course that's designed for them. So I think coming up with creative ways to have separate courses and multiple days of racing, we have a lot to be proud of."Keep in mind. This is the kind of race the average Joe or Jane could pay in order to get behind the wheel of a Class 11 UTV and have almost the exact same experience as a seven-figure trophy truck. Also, being a totally unlimited racing event, you could enter a truck powered by a friggin' turbine engine out of a helicopter, and the only question the Martelli Brothers would ask is whether it's got the proper roll cage. A Rivian R1T was out there on the trot at this year's race. Once that shark's been jumped, is there any reason to show any restraint? It's just another way the Mint 400 is a race that is not quite like any other in the world.Oh, and did we mention a two-day pass is only $30 bucks a pop? That's before the airfare, hotel, parking pass, and rental car, of course. But still, these prices make visiting an F1 race feel like two or three months of student loan or mortgage payment in comparison. As we can attest, the fans popped out at every stretch of the race, and not just the starting infield. After spending half an hour with one-half of the brains behind Mad Media, it's safe to say the Mint 400 is in very safe hands and will not go away again any time soon. Many thanks to Matt Martelli for sitting down with us live at the Mint this year. Go check out Mad Media's official web page if you want to learn more.
EV

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Mate Rimac, founder and CEO of Rimac Automobili but also the big new boss at Bugatti Rimac, has been making the news rounds quite often as of late. Because of their exotic status, Bugatti and Rimac are not exactly the mass-market automakers that always keep the news headlines for just about anything it does.Instead, they only speak about important things. However, Mate Rimac is an ever-increasing busy man, and he has quite a few things to talk about. Not long ago, he opened the door to show us that something cool was hiding under a tarp. While select Bugatti customers had already seen the surprise, we must wait a little longer before they unwrap Chiron's successor To ease the pain of waiting, Mate Rimac showed us a glimpse of the company's new powertrain  a V16 hybrid engine that has been in development for more than two years already. Back to his Rimac side of the business, where everything is about the hypercarlifestyle, we recently found out that the CEO finally got his own Rimac Nevera, a subdued one  but it's still adorned with a surprise dedication to his wife If you think that's sweet, some folks show their love for their passions even more overtly. Now, another custom Rimac Nevera is making the rounds  the first Dutch-registered example of the hypercar arrived in Rotterdam "in a milestone event for Dutch automotive enthusiasts." It's a bespoke example, of course, and it's the first example of the Nevera delivered officially to the Netherlands Now, if you're wondering about the color scheme, the custom exterior finish features "a triple arrow livery" fashioned in Volcano Red, Polar White, and Navy Blue. There is also a Tinted Orange Gloss finish for the fiber carbon elements, Gunmetal Diamond Cut wheels, and Gloss Black calipers, and all the exterior 'dramatism' is simple to explain: Dutch entrepreneur Michel Perridon, the owner, wanted to nod at the Dutch national flag.The cockpit, of course, is also tailored. Inside, there is a combination of Dark Blue leather and Red Alcantara, plus Dark Blue accents across the dashboard and white stitching. Presented during the summer of 2021 in prototype form, the Rimac Nevera is a limited-production (150 examples worldwide) all-electric hypercar, a sibling of the Pininfarina Battista, and the successor of the Rimac Concept One. It has 1,888 hp and a 120-Lithium Manganese Nickel feeding power to four electric motors  one for each wheel.So far, its performance has already been put to trial  it managed to set more than twenty performance world records in just one year, including the Nurburgring Nordschleife lap record for production EVs, the best time for a production car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed hill climb event, and even one in reverse!
Bentleys CEO, Adrian Hallmark, has suddenly decided to step down. He has been in that position since February 2018. Hallmark requested to be allowed to depart Bentley Motors with immediate effect.

Adrian Hallmark led Bentley Motors as a CEO for the past six years. During his time with the automaker, several new luxury models saw the light of day. He also targeted turning Bentley into the most sustainable brand of luxury vehicles by 2030, also ditching the W12 engine along the way.Now, someone else will have to take over where he left off. The Crewe-based carmaker will announce his successor in due course.Hallmark has been in the automotive world since 1999 as a board member for sales and marketing until 2005. However, his experience as an executive counts as many as 25 years, during which he worked for international automotive companies in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Asia.In the quarter of a century that he has spent working in the field, the 61-year old has positions at Porsche and Volkswagen alongside the one at Bentley that he is now leaving behind.The former Bentley CEO says that the time has come for him to take on new challenges and thanks his team for all that they have achieved together.During his stint at Bentley, sales figures almost doubled from 2018 to 2022, going from 9,559 to 15,174 units sold. However, the sales curve declined in 2023 when the company sold 13,560 cars worldwide.Minutes after the news about Hallmark's decision was out, another automaker announced that he is now on their team. It will be Aston Martin this time, where he will take on the role of Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer.However, he still has time before he has to go to his new office in Gaydon , the United Kingdom, as the successor of Amedeo Felisa. Aston Martin claims that he has to commence his position no later than October 1, 2024. Fells will remain as CEO until Hallmark is available to start. Afterward, he will continue to supervise the introduction of new products of the brand.Lawrence Stroll, Executive Chairman of Aston Martin, has thanked Felisa for his stint with the brand and labels Adrian Hallmark as one of the highest caliber leaders not just in our segment, but in the entire global automotive industry. How much of his experience will be transferred to the Formula 1 team as well remains to be seen.In a press release, Aston Martin also refers to the salary that Hallmark will get as a CEO of Aston Martin without, though, indicating the exact figure. Remuneration and benefits will be consistent with Aston Martin's Remuneration Policy as approved by shareholders at the AGM in May 2022, the press release shows.
For a long time, compact homes on wheels were seen as temporary, practical solutions for affordable housing, but things are slowly changing. Many of today's tiny homes are so incredibly well-built and equipped that they make bigger conventional homes blush. This Aussie tiny house proves that your first house can be your dream home, and it won't break the bank.

Photo: Contemporary Tiny Homes

Photo: Contemporary Tiny Homes

Photo: Contemporary Tiny Homes

Photo: Contemporary Tiny Homes

If contemporary minimalism is your thing, you'll surely be drawn to the Yarrambat's sophisticated yet clean aesthetics. Far from the modest, rustic dwellings that only offer basic amenities, this Australian-designed home on wheels aims to offer the cozy, stylish ambiance of an urban studio with additional functionality.

Size-wise, we're talking about a compact abode with less than eight meters in length (7.8 meters/25.5 feet) and a little over four meters in height (13.1 feet). The space was wisely divided into a main floor area with a central, multi-functional kitchen, a separate bathroom and a spacious lounge, and a loft area with one bedroom.This layout is ideal for a couple who are searching for their first house or looking to downsize in their later years. Still, the Yarrambat can be even more generous when it comes to accommodation, thanks to its voluminous lounge that can easily fit in a convertible sofa. That would be enough to sleep two more guests or even to add a wider dining area for more than two people.The Yarrambat's contemporary urban vibe also comes from its ingenious balance between privacy and openness. The loft bedroom, for instance, comes with a solid privacy screen, which is a safety feature that also helps create a more intimate atmosphere by separating this room from the day-to-day activities downstairs. Versatility is a key aspect of tiny home design, and this Aussie creation uses it in the form of multi-function items. The loft's safety wall doubles as a practical bookcase with ample storage.In the kitchen area, you'll notice an intriguing nook, almost hidden between all the appliances and cabinets. Furnished with a wide-surface bar and a comfy seat, this nook is just as well-suited for home office work as it is for breakfast. The owners can use it as both a breakfast bar (one of the signature features of most Australian tiny homes) and a convenient work desk  it's fitted with two power points and a cable duct cover. Plus, it's placed so that it can benefit from all the natural light inside.The kitchen's countertop boasts a generous length of 2.4 meters (7.8 feet), matched by massive storage integrated underneath, as well as above. This still leaves plenty of room for full-size appliances, including a fridge, an induction cooktop, and a convection microwave, each with its special place within the kitchen layout.Even more easy-to-reach storage is available in the custom-built staircase with multiple cabinets. One of the compartments was designed to house a full-size washing machine, which adds functionality without creating clutter and taking up precious floor space.Yarrambat's lounge area is truly as inviting as it gets. Elegant sliding doors support the indoor/outdoor flow for a feeling of amplified spaciousness with beautiful views. A wall-mounted TV is the final touch for this classic living room setup, with a big, comfy sofa and a coffee table.It's a great place to take in the views, and it's equipped to be comfortable year-round thanks to the air conditioning system and ceiling fan. Discrete LED lighting across the staircase makes accessing the loft bedroom even easier. You'll discover a tranquil bedroom with a walking platform and sufficient space for a queen-sized mattress. Three windows were strategically added to increase luminosity and ensure proper cross-ventilation.The bathroom is also surprisingly modern and elegant. It's big enough to include a walk-in shower cabin with a stylish glass door and an extra-larger window. A conventional toilet, a full-height storage cabinet, and a classic vanity are also part of the basic setup.On the outside, the Australian Yarrambat is just as charming. What makes it stand out is the eye-catching two-tone cladding with a diagonal pattern. It makes this modern tiny home instantly recognizable, and it looks particularly impressive at night, thanks to the clever exterior light system.Another thing that defines most Australian-built tiny homes is their beefed-up ruggedness. Given the variety and the inherent challenges of the country's natural environment, homes on wheels are designed to be as sturdy and reliable as possible while also ensuring a direct connection to the outdoors.The Yarrambat was built to meet Cyclonic Standard AS1684-3 (timber framing in cyclonic areas) and is fully insulated from the roof down to the floors. It also meets the criteria for being registered as a tiny house or a caravan.It's always good to know that the team behind a tiny house project has ample experience in the building industry. Contemporary Tiny Homes brings together registered builders with decades of experience in the industry. On top of that, each of their creations is beautifully styled by the brand's in-house designer to maximize spaciousness. With a home like the Yarrambat, downsizing is not only easy but also fully enjoyable.
In an interview with the state-funded radio aired on February 1, Pashinian again took aim at a 1990 declaration of independence cited in a preamble to the Armenian constitution. He claimed that Armenia will never have peace with Azerbaijan as long as there is such reference. Accordingly, Pashinian defended his plans to try to enact a new constitution that would presumably make no mention of the declaration.

The Public Radio director, Garegin Khumarian took issue with Pashinians comments in an op-ed article published on its website. The premier, he said, told citizens to stop being Armenians, rather than get stronger, in the face of existential threats from Azerbaijan. This policy will not prevent Azerbaijani aggression against Armenia, wrote Khumarian. He also accused Pashinians government of failing to rebuild the Armenian army since the 2020 war in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Armenias Council of Public Broadcaster, which appoints the heads of state television and radio, accused Khumarian of abusing his powers to express his personal view on the radio website in an arbitrary and unchallenged way. The council appointed by Pashinian pledged to look into his articles conformity with ethical and legal norms.

It went on to ask Armenias Media Ethics Monitoring Body to pass judgment on the matter. The independent body formed by several dozen media outlets consists of a dozen current and former journalists and press freedom activists.

In a statement released this week, the watchdog concluded that Khumarian did not violate any ethnical rules or abuse his position and acted in line with the legal requirement of pluralism set for the public broadcaster. The councils reaction to his article was therefore not commensurate with the situation, it said.

The council chairman, Ara Shirinian, on Friday declined to comment on the watchdogs conclusion. He implied that the supervisory body does not plan to take further action against Khumarian.

For his part, Khumarian thanked the Media Ethics Monitoring Body for supporting him. This once again shows that our profession, our community must go down the path of self-regulation, he told RFE/RLs Armenian Service.

Khumarian, who has run Armenias oldest and biggest radio station since 2019, may still lose his job despite being exonerated by the media watchdog. His five-year contract expires next month, meaning that the Council of Public Broadcaster will have to again choose a Public Radio chief on a supposedly competitive basis. Khumarian said earlier this month that he will participate in the job contest because he is backed by the overwhelming majority of the broadcasters 340 or so employees.
Ganja State Philharmonic Hall has hosted a solo concert by the laureate of international competitions, Honoured Artist Emil Afrasiyab.

The concert "Jazz Evening" was dedicated to the 84th anniversary of Vagif Mustafazade (1940-1979), outstanding pianist and founder of the musical direction of the jazz-mugham genre, Azernews reports.

Among the guests were representatives of state and public structures, cultural and scientific figures, creative youth, families of martyrs and veterans of the Garabagh War.

Director of the Ganja State Philharmonic, Honored Artist Ramil Gasimov spoke about Vagif Mustafazade's life and work, who left an unsurpassed spiritual legacy for his contemporaries and future generations, who won the hearts of millions of listeners with his originality, virtuoso technique, and unique playing.

Rector of the Azerbaijan National Conservatory, holder of the Shohrat and Sharaf orders, People's Artist Siyavush Karimi noted the great contribution of Emil Afrasiyab to modern jazz art.

At the concert, Emil Afrasiyab performed Vagif Mustafazade's compositions as well as his own improvisations.

People's Artist Anvar Sadigov and his Qaytagi instrumental ensemble, Honored Artist Abbas Baghirov also took part in the concert program, theatrical performances were presented. The performances of the artists were accompanied by applause from the audience.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az and Milli.Az.

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22 March 2024 22:24 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Zeynalova

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) today hosted high-level delegations from Armenia and Azerbaijan on the eve of the IPUs 148th Assembly, which takes place from 23-27 March in Geneva, Switzerland, Azernews reports with reference to IPU.

IPU President Tulia Ackson and IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong welcomed to IPU headquarters the Armenian delegation, led by the Speaker of the National Assembly Alen Simonyan, and the Azerbaijani delegation, led by the Speaker of the Milli Mejlis (National Assembly) Sahiba Gafarova.

"The meeting was designed as a complement and contribution at the parliamentary level to governmental peace negotiations between the two sides. Parliamentarians, as representatives of the people, have a key role to play in reducing tensions and building confidence, as well as in ratifying and implementing any future peace agreement. The IPU offered its good offices to the two sides to promote dialogue, build good neighbourly relations, and to help pave the way towards a normalization of ties between the two countries. This was the first time that the two Parliaments had met. Both sides agreed to continue the dialogue to rebuild trust under the auspices of the IPU," reads the statement from the organizati

The meeting follows the IPU Secretary General's mission to Armenia and Azerbaijan in February 2024, during which he met the authorities at the highest levels and laid down some of the groundwork for todays discussions.

The IPU also signed memoranda of understanding with Armenia, which will host the IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians in September 2024, and with Azerbaijan, in its capacity as Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network (NAM PN).

In todays world, where conflicts dominate the headlines, the value of dialogue cannot be overstated. Parliamentary diplomacy can be a very important complement to governments ongoing efforts in negotiating peace agreements. Parliaments and their leadership have the ability and the power to be a force for peace and to bring peoples together," said

IPU President, Tulia Ackson.

IPU Secretary General, Martin Chungong, for his part, noted that the IPU has identified peace and security as a focal theme for its action in 2024.

"Promoting dialogue between parliaments in countries undergoing conflict is something that is core to the mandate of the Organization and something we have been doing for the past 135 years. We welcome the meeting of the two Speakers and commend their willingness to engage in dialogue," he added.

The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments. It was founded in 1889 as the first multilateral political organization in the world, encouraging cooperation and dialogue between all nations. Today, the IPU comprises 180 national Member Parliaments and 15 regional parliamentary bodies. It promotes peace, democracy and sustainable development. It helps parliaments become stronger, younger, gender-balanced and more innovative. It also defends the human rights of parliamentarians through a dedicated committee made up of MPs from around the world.

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22 March 2024 11:40 (UTC+04:00)

Maia Sandu, the President of Moldova, congratulated the Azerbaijani people on the occasion of the Novruz festival, Azernews reports.

Through a message shared on her social media platform, President Sandu conveyed her warm wishes to the Azerbaijani Moldova community and all those observing Novruz.

"Let your home be a meeting place for all your loved ones, and let your soul be open to goodness and light. Happy Novruz!" she said.

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22 March 2024 12:45 (UTC+04:00)

Ilir Meta, Former President of Albania, Honorary Member of the Editorial Board of My Azerbaijan International Magazine and laureate of the Friend of Azerbaijan Golden Order established by the international magazine, who was on a visit to Baku to participate in the 11th Global Baku Forum, met with the staff of My Azerbaijan International Magazine, Azernews reports.

The meeting took place at the Head Office of My Azerbaijan International Magazine. Having greeted the ex-President of Albania, Ilir Meta, the Editor-in-Chief of the international magazine, Corresponding Member of the International Academy of Sciences Emil Nasirli recalled with pleasure their meetings at past forums held in Baku and at the Presidential Residence in the capital of Albania, Tirana. During the conversation, Emil Nasirli provided information about the activities of the international magazine, and said that as the reputation of Azerbaijan grows, increasingly strengthening its position among the most rapidly developed countries of the planet due to the level of economic development, the international relations of My Azerbaijan International Magazine also strengthen. Emil Nasirli noted that in the current conditions of the formation of the information society in a globalized world, the media are faced with more important and broader issues: Coordination of the activities of the media in the information space covering a certain part of both the European and Asian continents contributes to the implementation of a number of useful activities with the aim of expanding the exchange of experience and helps our work in a common direction.

Editor-in-Chief Emil Nasirli noted that during his tenure as President of Albania, Mr. Ilir Meta gave a powerful impetus to the development of Albanian-Azerbaijani relations and created very favorable opportunities for future close cooperation. The editor-in-chief also emphasized that in 2017-2022 Ilir Meta was the President of Albania, in 1999-2002 Prime Minister, and in 2013-2017 Speaker of Parliament. He also served as Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for European and Foreign Affairs, and Minister for Economy, Trade and Energy. President Ilir Meta arrived on a business trip to Azerbaijan on June 16, 2022 to participate in the 11th Global Baku Forum. The political dialogue between the two countries has developed along an ascending line. The global Baku forums organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center in 2016-2019 were usually attended by the President of the Republic of Albania, as well as former presidents who actively participated in the activities of the Center. To date, 8 documents have been signed between Azerbaijan and Albania, including the Agreement on Economic, Industrial and Technological Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Albania.

It should also be emphasized that Albania was a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2022-2023. Energy cooperation between Albania and Azerbaijan is the main direction of economic relations. Azerbaijan and Albania successfully cooperated in the implementation of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), which is the last segment of the Southern Gas Pipeline corridor." Senior Albanian officials participated in all meetings of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council and contributed to the implementation of the project.

Overall, the Intergovernmental Agreement for the TAP Project was signed between Albania, Italy and Greece in February 2013, and construction work began in March 2016. On December 31, 2020, the transportation of commercial gas through the TAP Pipeline began. Albanian contracting companies participated in the construction of the TAP Pipeline. In addition to using its transit capabilities within the framework of the TAP Project, the implementation of the project has significantly contributed to the increase in employment in Albania.

Emil Nasirli also noted that relations with Albania, one of the first countries to recognize the state independence of Azerbaijan, will further develop in the near future and will contribute to peace, stability, democratic development and socio-economic growth in the region as a whole.

Former President of Albania Ilir Meta highly appreciated the steps taken towards expanding international relations of My Azerbaijan International Magazine, and once again expressed satisfaction with being an Honorary Member of My Azerbaijan International Magazine since 2018, and was also awarded the Friend of Azerbaijan Golden Order, established by the magazine in the same year. Ilir Meta also emphasized that thanks to the successful diplomacy of President Ilham Aliyev, pursuing an independent foreign policy, Azerbaijan has become the most reliable partner of most countries in the South Caucasus region, adding that Azerbaijans strategic partnership and sincere friendly and fraternal relations with many countries are not only diplomatic success, but also an indicator of the growing weight of the country in the region and on the world stage. Ilir Meta also reported that he is a member of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center; the ex-president praised the annual Global Baku Forum and other high-level meetings organized by the Center as an important platform for current and former heads of state and government to share their experiences.

Then, at the editorial office, ex-President of Albania Ilir Meta got acquainted with the photo stand reflecting the activities of My Azerbaijan International Magazine in recent years, and wished the staff of My Azerbaijan International Magazine new success in their activities.

Then, according to tradition, ex-President of Albania Ilir Meta, being a guest of the Editorial Office of My Azerbaijan International Magazine in 2024, expressed his heartfelt gratitude in the magazines Honorary Memorable Book and took a photo during a meeting with the staff of My Azerbaijan International Magazine.

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22 March 2024 15:25 (UTC+04:00)

Italian website "Kmetro0" published an article about Nowruz holiday, Azernews reports.

The article states that the first day of Nowruz holiday is related to the beginning of the spring season and that various celebrations are held in Azerbaijan during the week. It is brought to attention that Nowruz holiday, which preserves our moral values and traditions, is of special importance for the people of Azerbaijan and is celebrated at the state level in our country. It is emphasized that this year, for the first time after thirty years of occupation, all Azerbaijani citizens, including the former internally displaced persons who returned to Karabakh liberated from the occupation, are celebrating Eid festivities in their native land.

It should be noted that Nowruz holiday is celebrated as a traditional holiday in the Muslim communities in Georgia, as well as in Central Asian countries, Iran and Turkic peoples, in addition to Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus. The article talks about the history of Novruz holiday, celebrated Wednesdays, traditions and festivities.

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22 March 2024 16:16 (UTC+04:00)

Turkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of the Novruz holiday, Azernews reports.

"I am pleased to convey my most sincere congratulations to Your Excellency and the brotherly people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of Novruz, which is a symbol of the awakening of land and a celebration of the revival of nature every year.

Novruz, an ancient tradition based on centuries, ushers in days full of hope and blessings. I am sure that on this significant day, which is an important part of our common culture, our ties of friendship and brotherhood will become even stronger.

I do hope that 2024 will be a year of new opportunities and success for us all. With a desire to strengthen and develop relations between our countries and achieve our common goals together, I wish Your Excellency and all the people of Azerbaijan good health, happiness, and prosperity," the head of state said in the letter.

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22 March 2024 16:46 (UTC+04:00)

Turkiye's Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz has sent a congratulatory letter to Azerbaijan's First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva on the occasion of the Novruz holiday, Azernews reports.

"To Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Esteemed Mrs. Mehriban,

On behalf of the Turkish nation and on my own behalf, I sincerely congratulate Your Excellency and the brotherly people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of Novruz, a celebration of hope, renewal, and solidarity that has been our shared tradition for millennia.

I wish Your Excellency health, happiness, and success, and the friendly and brotherly people of Azerbaijan a year filled with prosperity and peace, hoping to spread the love, unity, and brotherhood symbolized by Novruz beyond our countries and regions.

Cevdet Yilmaz

Vice President of the Republic of Turkiye", says the letter.

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22 March 2024 20:30 (UTC+04:00)

A bilateral meeting between the speakers of the parliaments of Azerbaijan and Armenia, Sahiba Gafarova and Alen Simonyan, took place on the sidelines of the 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva, Azernews reports.

The meeting was organized at the initiative and with the mediation of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The meeting aimed to address avenues through which the parliaments of both nations can contribute to the ongoing peace process amidst the negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The parties agreed to explore dialogue possibilities at the parliamentary level during the meeting, which was conducted in a constructive atmosphere.

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23 March 2024 00:35 (UTC+04:00)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan expressed its condolences to Russia.

"We strongly condemn the terrible attack on the "Crocus City Hall" concert complex in Moscow. We offer our deepest condolences to the families of the innocent victims, as well as to the people and government of the Russian Federation. We wish recovery to all the injured. As a country that is a victim of terrorism, Azerbaijan condemns all forms and manifestations of terrorism," the foreign policy office noted.

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23 March 2024 01:21 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter of condolences to President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin regarding the terrible terrorist attack that occurred in Moscow, Azernews reports.

We were deeply shocked by the news of the terrible terrorist attack that took place in the Crocus City Hall concert venue.

I strongly condemn this act of terrorism, and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan and on my own behalf, I wish you, the people of Russia, and the families and loved ones of those who were killed patience, and the injured a speedy recovery, the head of state said in his letter.

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A tanker is seen in October in the Port of Corpus Christi. Texas and other states are suing the Biden administration and Department of Energy over a temporary ban on permits for shipments of LNG. William Luther/San Antonio Express-News A ship passes under the Harbor Bridge as it leaves the Port of Corpus Christi in November. On Thursday, Texas and other states filed a federal lawsuit in Louisiana over the Biden administrations temporary pause on shipments of LNG. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

Texas, Louisiana and 14 other states have joined in a lawsuit challenging the Biden administrations temporary suspension of new permits for terminals to export liquefied natural gas via ocean-going tankers.

The suit filed Thursday in Louisiana against President Joe Biden and the U.S. Department of Energy asks a judge to overturn the pause, which was announced in late January. Supported by the 16 states attorneys general, it argues the suspension runs counter to congressional intent and that the federal government lacks authority to broadly deny the permits.

The ban will drive billions of dollars in investment away from Texas, hinder our ability to maximize revenue for public schools, force Texas producers to flare excess natural gas instead of taking it to market, and annihilate critical jobs, Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a statement.

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The states say it also undermines efforts to supply foreign allies in Europe with LNG as the region is trying to wean itself off piped gas from Russia.

LNG is gas that has been super-cooled to make it liquid so it can be loaded onto tankers and shipped around the world. The U.S. began exporting it in 2016 and rapidly became the worlds largest exporter. Exports have boomed along with rapid growth in extraction from gas fields in Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico due to less expensive, more efficient production technologies.

Experts say the pause could imperil more than a dozen gas export terminals that have been planned on the Gulf Coast, the construction and operation of which has caused concerns among environmental groups and some residents.

Speaking Monday in Houston, Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said the pause would be relatively short-lived.

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I predict that as we sit here next year  this will be well in the rearview mirror, she said at the CERAWeek by S&P Global energy conference.

Facing environmental pressure, the Biden administration in late January said it would pause permitting until the Energy Department could update its process for analyzing the economic and environmental impacts of new projects seeking approval to export LNG to Europe and Asia, where the fuel is in high demand.

The current economic and environmental analyses DOE uses to underpin its LNG export authorizations are roughly five years old and no longer adequately account for considerations like potential energy cost increases for American consumers and manufacturers, the administration said.

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23 March 2024 00:53 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter of condolences to President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin regarding the terrorist attack that occurred in Moscow.

According to Azernews, the letter reads a follows:

Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich,

We were deeply shocked by the news of the terrible terrorist attack that took place in the Crocus City Hall concert venue.

I strongly condemn this act of terrorism, and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan and on my own behalf, I wish you, the people of Russia, and the families and loved ones of those who were killed patience, and the injured a speedy recovery.

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 22 March 2024

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
22 March 2024 13:15 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Aktoty Raimkulova met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to France Leyla Abdullayeva within the framework of the working visit to France, Azernews reports.

The discussions centered on the Foundation's efforts to safeguard and promote the cultural legacy of Turkic communities, which share common historical roots and values.

There was particular acclaim for the Foundation's initiative to nominate a new transnational Turkic cultural heritage, the original Turkic art of Gurama, for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The meeting also involved discussions on strengthening ties between the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation and the Azerbaijani Embassy in France, as well as planning future collaborative endeavors.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
22 March 2024 18:45 (UTC+04:00)

China is currently under unprecedented pressure from the US and the European Union over its banks accepting payments from Russian companies, the Kremlin said Thursday, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

Of course, unprecedented pressure from the United States and the European Union on China continues, including in the context of relations with us, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in a press briefing in Moscow.

Peskov said that this creates certain problems, but it will not become an obstacle to the further development of trade and economic relations between Russia and China.

The spokesman further said that they have the necessary potential to overcome these difficulties thanks to the high-level ties between Moscow and Beijing, as well as the special nature of their relationship.

Earlier, a report in Russias Izvestia newspaper said that payments in yuan from Russia have stopped going through several Chinese banks due to tightening sanctions against Moscow.

Peskov also touched on the issue of the confiscation of Russian assets in the West, saying that Moscow will use all possible judicial mechanisms to respond.

We will use all possible judicial mechanisms, those that are available now and those that will become available in the future, he said.

Peskov further expressed that they will not mirror the steps taken by the West but rather use other methods for retaliatory action to the extent that it corresponds to our interests.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Rivulet Kitchen & Bar is one of five more Boerne restaurants to love. The menu includes lamb skewers, toasted ravioli, salad, a Bee Sting cocktail and fried Camembert cheese. Mike Sutter/Staff

The wide stretch of Cibolo Creek that runs alongside River Road in Boerne is dressed in San Antonios favorite color these days: construction-fence orange. Its part of a project to control erosion and improve the park space along the shore. A work in progress, as they say, much like the Boerne restaurant scene that yielded this weeks new ranking of Boernes Top 10 restaurants.

I visited more than 25 restaurants for that list, and while theres only room for 10 at the top, heres another five that tied for the 11th spot. Five more reasons to put Boerne in your restaurant rotation.

BEST IN BOERNE: Top 10 Boerne Restaurants

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Cibolo Creek Brewing Co. is one of five more Boerne restaurants to love. The menu includes a goat burger topped with fried onion rings and three-cheese spread. Mike Sutter/Staff

Cibolo Creek Brewing Co.

Creekside IPA, Weiss Wit, Boerne Blonde. Theyre all part of the brewing program at Cibolo Creek. By the pint or by the flight, theyre reason enough to visit this light-filled converted bungalow that goes against the stereotype of a dark, serious bar. The menus another twist on the brewpub archetype, with food that could stand on its own and still put Cibolo Brewing on the map. Snack food includes house-baked pretzels with cheese spread and beer mustard, along with a Cibolo Creek specialty called a Bier Bun, a soft roll filled with lush goat meat and cheese. Things get serious with a bistro-caliber pork belly taco and a two-handed goat burger with three-cheese spread. 448 S. Main St., Boerne, 830-816-5275, cibolocreekbrewing.com

Fritze's BBQ & Catering is one of five more Boerne restaurants to love. The menu includes smoked beef tenderloin, cherry cobbler, pork ribs and a two-meat plate with sausage and brisket. Mike Sutter/Staff

Fritze's BBQ & Catering

Walking through the door at Fritzes is like stepping through a portal in time, back to the unfussy days of barbecue, when a two-meat plate with sausage and brisket didnt cost more than a steak dinner. Speaking of that, they have a steak dinner, sort of. Its smoked beef tenderloin, blushing pink at the core, sliced like fat ribbons of fajita meat. This is the potato salad, coleslaw, beans, sweet barbecue sauce and roughneck pork ribs you grew up with. And youve all aged pretty nicely. 926 N. Main St., Boerne, 830-331-9903, Facebook: Fritzes BBQ

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TOP 10 COUNTRY CAFES: Restaurants worth a drive to the Hill Country and beyond

Las Guitarras Cocina Mexicana is one of five more Boerne restaurants to love. The menu includes steak and shrimp skewers called Brocheta Bull Fighters, left, and a plate of New Mexico-style stacked enchiladas with chicken, blue corn tortillas and New Mexico green chile sauce. Mike Sutter / Staff

Las Guitarras Cocina Mexicana

Chef and co-owner Fernando Santafe wanted a place where he and his fellow musicians could break bread and play guitar. Even when Santafe and his talented friends arent playing their nightly Spanish and flamenco guitar sessions, theres music in the air at Las Guitarras. Its the music of plates with a variety of Mexican influences, including New Mexico-style stacked enchiladas with chicken, blue corn tortillas and New Mexico green chile sauce. Call it casserole with the attitude of an artist. A Tex-Mex combo plate lets a cheese enchilada, a chicken puffy taco and a beef crispy taco each have their solo moments. Las Guitarras brings out the superstars with an aromatic chile en nogada with pomegranate seeds and a pair of grilled steak and shrimp skewers lyrically called Brocheta Bull Fighters. 911 S. Main St., Boerne, 830-331-8787, lasguitarrascocinamexicana.com

Rivulet Kitchen & Bar is one of five more Boerne restaurants to love. The menu includes lamb skewers, toasted ravioli, salad, a Bee Sting cocktail and fried Camembert cheese. Mike Sutter/Staff

Rivulet Kitchen & Bar

It smells like new paint at the former home of Little Gretel across River Road from Cibolo Creek. Rivulet hasnt been open long enough to put up a sign yet, the second restaurant to move in since Little Gretel closed last year. But so far, so good. The menus part wine bar, part Middle Eastern cafe, with crispy butternut ravioli, tempura-fried Camembert cheese bites, grilled lamb skewers and a well-executed tequila-and-ancho version of the classic Bees Knees cocktail called the Bee Sting. 518 River Road, Boerne, 830-331-7455, Facebook: Rivulet Kitchen & Bar

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Sauced Wing Bar is one of five more Boerne restaurants to love. The menu features more than 25 styles of chicken wings. Mike Sutter /Staff

Sauced Wing Bar
In Imperial Germany and Weimar Germany, the state of Saxony was known as "Red Saxony" due to its propensity to vote for parties of the left, but that is clearly no longer true as polls show the September, 2024 state election there will be dominated by parties of the right, which continue to expand their lead. Both populist and traditional conservatives are running extremely strong, and that in spite of continued vicious media and government attacks on the populist right AfD.

The latest poll, conducted by the German polling firm INSA for the Bild newspaper puts the populist / nationalist anti-immigration right Alternative fur Deutschland in the lead at 34% with the traditional conservative CDU second at 30%. The only other party in double digits, is the new populist left anti-globalist BSW which opposes both "green" climate policies and illegal immigration at 11%.

Meanwhile the three parties in the left-liberal national coalition government poll only 13% COMBINED (Social Democrats 6%, Green Party 5%, Free Democrats 2%). The far left Left Party is at 5% and the populist / nationalist right Free Voters are at 3%. Under German election law, a party must get five percent of the vote to win any seats so all of these parties are on the knife edge of being totally eliminated from parliament.

https://www.rmx.news/crime/germany-anti-immigration-afd-party-is-unstoppable-in-eastern-states-despite-government-and-media-attacks/

Many suggest that a right - left populist coalition of AfD and BSW is a likely outcome, given the CDU's national party position of not working with the AfD. Both AfD and BSW make opposition to illegal immigration major issues for their parties and both also agree that the "green" climate policies are hurting the German people. Both are also euroskeptic and anti-globalist.
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?
Healthgrades recently released its rankings for the best hospitals in the U.S. for cardiac surgery, including five in Ohio.

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 Ohio hospitals and health systems that were included in the rankings:

The Christ Hospital (Cincinnati)

Deborah Hayes, president and CEO

Julie Holt, MSN, RN, vice president and chief nursing officer

Andre Boyd, vice president and COO

Costa Andreou, MD, chief clinical officer

Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital

Tom Mihaljevic, MD, CEO and president

Kelly Hancock, DNP, RN, chief caregiver officer

Lars Svensson, MD, chair of the Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute

James Cotelingam, chief strategy officer

OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital and OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital
Connecticut GI in Rocky Hill, Conn., is the top physician practice for gastroenterology, according to a ranking by Castle Connolly.

Castle Connolly Accolades recognizes the top health systems, hospitals and physician practices with the most Castle Connolly-recognized physicians in gastroenterology.

Here are the top physician practices for gastroenterology:

Note: This list contains ties.

1. Connecticut GI (Rocky Hill, Conn.)

2. Gastro Health (Miami)

3. Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates

4. Gastroenterology Associates of New Jersey (Woodland Park)

5 (tie). Charlotte Gastroenterology & Hepatology (Huntersville, N.C.)

5 (tie). Allied Digestive Health (West Long Branch, N.J.)
Bettendorf, Iowa-based ORA Orthopedics plans to build a 113,000-square-foot headquarters and ASC, The Quad City Times reported March 22.

The new Bettendorf facility will cost $50 million, the report said. Construction is expected to begin in the summer and be completed in 2026.

The facility will have a 51,000 square-foot orthopedic ASC with 10 operating rooms, two procedure rooms, imaging and physical therapy. The new campus is also expected to add 150 new jobs.
Newark, Del.-based ChristianaCare is leading the way for investment in neighborhood hospitals, also known as micro-hospitals, to provide cost effective, high quality care.

In partnership with Emerus Holdings, a micro-hospital developer, the health system is building three neighborhood hospitals that are all expected to open in 2025.

Micro-hospitals are defined as small-scale inpatient facilities that feature eight to 10 patient beds for observation and admitted short stays.

"The development of the neighborhood hospitals really is a key part of our strategy as we reimagine healthcare," Jennifer Schwartz, chief strategy officer for ChristianaCare, told Becker's. "Keeping care close to home, providing high quality access for those communities that need that."

Each of the three neighborhood hospitals are expected to cost around $10 to $15 million, with the amount subject to change.

One of the hospitals will be on ChristianaCare's West Grove, Pa., campus. The other two will be in Delaware County, Pa., with specific locations not finalized yet.

The three hospitals will be around 20 to 30 miles from each other, with their locations based upon both the community need and where ChristianaCare is looking to grow.

"We focus our work on data and really where was there a need for those emergency services and then complementing it with the limited acute care beds that come with a neighborhood hospital," Ms. Schwartz said.

The addition of the three hospitals will create new community jobs, but Ms. Schwartz said they do not have a specific number just yet. The close proximity of the hospitals will also open up the ability to share healthcare staff and physician services to gain efficiencies.

With neighborhood hospitals and virtual care capabilities a key part of ChristianaCare's growth strategy, the health system plans to continue looking for opportunities to expand.

"That may include additional neighborhood hospitals," Ms. Schwartz said.

For other health systems looking to add neighborhood hospitals to their portfolio, it's important to ensure this care model aligns with their strategy and the communities they serve.

"We lead with population health, we lead with value and so this model fits perfectly with those North Stars," Ms. Schwartz said. "If that's where a health system is looking, I think this is something to explore."
Sen. Bernie Sanders wants to schedule a meeting with Novo Nordisk's CEO after researchers said its blockbuster Type 2 diabetes drug, Ozempic, could remain profitable if it was made for less than $5, Bloomberg reported March 28.

Its current cost is about $1,000 for a four-week supply.

Ozempic and other GLP-1s have been in hot demand for months because of their weight loss results. Here are five other updates on these medications:

1. Hospital operations

GLP-1s are winding their way through transplant and bariatric departments at health systems across the U.S. For transplant programs, the weight loss drugs are helping donors and diabetic patients become eligible for surgeries since departments have strict cutoffs for people with higher body mass indexes.

For bariatrics, demand for the medications is leading to a lull in operations and referrals. In Virginia, one bariatric surgeon is noticing 15% fewer referrals than normal, and in New York City, a bariatric surgery chief said the frequency of operations is declining between 10% and 20%.

Healthcare workers are also waiting on more information on experimental therapies combining glucagon-like peptide-1, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, and glucagon and glucagon receptors  or what might be the "third generation" of weight loss drugs.

2. Safety

About nine months after the American Society of Anesthesiologists recommended patients skip a GLP-1 dose before surgeries because of potential complications, a study has quantified the risk, which was previously only based on anecdotal reports.

Researchers at Los Angeles-based Cedars-Sinai found that patients who take GLP-1s before endoscopy procedures are 33% more likely to experience aspiration pneumonia than other patients.

3. Access

As CMS gears up to cover Wegovy  a chronic weight management drug approved for cardiovascular disease  a recent study found that these powerful weight loss medicines aren't reaching obese patients.

Researchers from Baltimore's Johns Hopkins University of Medicine reviewed more than 18,000 health records of patients who went to an outpatient clinic from January to September 2023, NBC News reported. Only 2.3% of those patients received a weight loss drug prescription, but the study authors weren't surprised amid the myriad of insurance barriers, drug shortages and stigma.

In mid-March, Amazon Pharmacy signed a partnership with Eli Lilly, agreeing to help deliver its weight loss drug Zepbound and other medications. The FDA is not reporting a Zepbound shortage, but clinicians and patients told Bloomberg multiple doses are on back order.

4. Demand

Only three GLP-1s are approved for weight loss: Saxenda, Wegovy and Zepbound. All others are indicated for Type 2 diabetes. Wegovy, which was approved in 2021, was recently surpassed by a new weight management drug for first-time prescriptions.

For the week ending March 8, 77,590 new prescriptions were filled for Zepbound, which entered the market in December, and about 71,000 were filled for Wegovy. It's the first time Zepbound eclipsed Novo Nordisk's popular weight loss drug, but total Wegovy prescriptions remained higher than Zepbound by about 25,000 fills.

Nonadherence is a constant issue among patients taking long-term medications, but it seems to be a nonissue for those on GLP-1s, The New York Times reported. Physicians said their patients intend to take the new weight loss medicines forever.

"Compliance is exceptional," Diana Thiara, MD, medical director of UCSF Health's weight management program in San Francisco, told the Times. "People take it. They ask for refills. They take it on trips."

5. Off-label uses

Another off-label use of GLP-1s is gaining traction among women seeking to prevent pregnancy complications.

It's a tricky balance, experts said, since it is unknown how these therapies can affect fetuses. Until more data is available, the medical community is "all just kind of holding our breath," Andrea Shields, MD, vice chair of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' committee on clinical guidelines, told The New York Times.
Lamont Yoder, RN, was named president of Corewell Health East, part of Corewell Health, which has dual headquarters in Grand Rapids and Southfield, Mich.

Mr. Yoder is currently division president for Phoenix-based Banner Health's Arizona region, according to a news release from Corewell Health. He will begin his new role May 6.

Previously, Mr. Yoder was CEO of four Banner hospitals in Arizona before assuming his current position in 2022.

He also previously served in various other leadership positions, including chief nursing officer roles, at Nashville, Tenn.-based Vanguard Health Systems and Columbus-based OhioHealth, according to the release.
Maryville, Ill.-based Anderson Healthcare recently welcomed Mike Marshall as its new president and CEO.

Mr. Marshall took the helm Feb. 9, succeeding Keith Page, who retired after 28 years with the system, according to an Anderson news release.

Before assuming the CEO role, Mr. Marshall served as Anderson Healthcare's CFO from 2005 to 2022 and most recently served as its COO.

In addition to Mr. Marshall's appointment, the system named Lisa Spencer, MSN, RN, president of its Anderson Hospital  also taking the helm from Mr. Page. Ms. Spencer has served the hospital since 1998, most recently as its joint chief nursing officer and COO.
An Appeals court has ruled against Harley Belew's bid to regain his seat on the Kerr County Commissioners Court. Courtesy

An appeals court has struck down a former Kerr County commissioners bid to regain the seat he lost for failing to disclose a decades-old felony conviction.

Harley David Belew, who was elected to the Kerr County Commissioners Court in 2016 and 2020, was removed from office in September over a felony burglary conviction in Tarrant County in 1973, when he was 17. Felons are not allowed to hold elected office in Texas.

READ MORE: Kerr County confirms four rabies cases in past two weeks

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Belew argued there was never any actual felony conviction on his record, saying that at the time he entered a guilty plea, he was under the impression his 10-year suspended sentence negated the conviction. He also made a number of arguments regarding the documentation and legal process surrounding his conviction and removal.

The 8th District of the Texas Court of Appeals disagreed, upholding Belews removal from the Commissioners Court.

Notwithstanding Belews proofs, and the uncontroverted assertion that he has maintained a spotless record since then (which we accept as true), we affirm the trial courts judgment removing him from office, the court ruling said.

Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly previously said county officials had no involvement in removing Belew from office.

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Kerr County was not involved at all, other than as an observer, Kelly said in an October written statement on the countys website. As the Kerr County judge, I am powerless to do anything except comply and await the appellate courts outcome.
Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City has named Stephanie Clements, BSN, RN, vice president and chief nursing officer. She was also named community CNO to oversee 2,400 nursing staff members at Mercy facilities across the state of Oklahoma.

Ms. Clements joins St. Louis-based Mercy from Baylor Scott & White Surgical Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, where she was CEO and chief nursing officer.

Ms. Clements began her healthcare career as a bedside nurse in 1994 at Clear Lake (Texas) Regional Medical Center.
San Antonio-based Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan welcomed Ashley Holmstrom, DNP, as chief nursing officer.

Dr. Holmstrom previously served as chief nursing officer at Abrazo West and Abrazo Buckeye Emergency Center in Goodyear, Ariz. She has mentored and precepted over 15 doctorate and masters-prepared leaders in nursing, according to a March 18 Methodist Healthcare news release.

She will step into her new role on April 1.
Memorial Health in Marysville, Ohio, has named Jeff Hazey, MD, chief medical officer. He will step into the role April 15 on a part-time basis and gradually transition to full-time hours while the health system recruits a surgeon to replace him, according to a March 21 news release.

"As a very busy clinician, currently, the transition will evolve over time as we recruit a new surgeon to replace him in our Memorial General & Colorectal Surgery practice," Chip Hubbs, president and CEO of Memorial Health, said in a news release.

Dr. Hazey, a gastrointestinal surgeon, joined the health system in 2017 and is currently the president of medical staff at Memorial Hospital. He joined the system from the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, where he was chief of the division of general and gastrointestinal surgery.

Memorial Hospital is a 99-bed primary and emergency care facility, with more than 40 additional service lines.
Kevin England has held various roles in his 35 years with Memorial Health, a five-hospital health system in Central Illinois. He told Becker's this experience has prepared him for the next position: CEO.

"I know the organization very well," Mr. England said. "The leadership team and colleagues know me extremely well, and I've been part of the community.

"I was raised in Springfield, Ill., which is one of the communities where we have one of our hospital affiliates and is the location of our central office. So I've been in the community for my entire life. I have a lot of relationships with our community partners, with our physician partners. So I feel that I'm well-positioned to step into the role as CEO."

Mr. England, who currently serves as senior vice president and chief administrative officer, will become president of Memorial Health in July. Ed Curtis, the organization's current president and CEO, will assume the title of Memorial Health CEO at that time.

Mr. England, who will report to Mr. Curtis, is expected to be named president and CEO within a year, when Mr. Curtis retires, according to the health system.

It's all part of a succession plan for the CEO role that has been in the works since last year, when Mr. Curtis discussed his retirement plans with the board. The board approved the plan on March 20.

"Our board of directors put in place a very robust succession planning process that is really used for all senior leadership positions across our health system," said Mr. England. "And the CEO position is no exception to that."

This planning has allowed Memorial to adequately ensure effective and stable and smooth transitions among its senior leadership positions, he said.

Mr. England also commended the board for its role in the succession planning process.

"It's an extremely well-thought out and robust succession planning process that the board did not miss a beat with," he said. "And it was well-executed all the way up to the point of developing an execution of a communication plan that was put out following the decision."

Prior to July 1, he said he plans to engage in discussions with leaders to ensure there is an organizational structure in place that makes sense and positions Memorial well for success moving forward.

He also is thinking about his priorities for the organization. He said he is seeking to focus on opportunities for Memorial to leverage the use of technology to make it easier for colleagues and physicians to do their work, and for patients to access their services.

Mr. England said it's also important that the organization continues to strengthen and further relationships with physician partners to allow continued revenue growth for the health system.

Additionally, "we're going to have to continue to invest in our workforce so that we can continue to serve the community for many years to come," he said. "And that's going to be investments in recruitment of professionals that are needed to deliver the care that we need to provide to patients. And also focusing on retention in the work environment so that we can retain the staff that we need to meet our needs."










Four hospitals in Florida will attain the new designation as behavioral health teaching hospitals, with four more eligible for the status if they meet the necessary qualifications.

The new designation and funding framework stems from Senate Bill 330, part of the "Live Healthy" legislative package signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis March 21. The legislation is set to take effect July 1.

Here are five things to know about the teaching hospital designation and newly signed legislation:

1. The legislation initially designates four behavioral health teaching hospitals:

Tampa General, affiliated with the University of South Florida;

UF Health Shands Hospital, affiliated with the University of Florida;

UF Health Jacksonville, affiliated with the University of Florida;

and Jackson Memorial Hospital, affiliated with the University of Miami.

2. Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration can designate up to four more behavioral health teaching hospitals between July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2027. The designation lasts for two years with a renewal process.

3. To be designated as a behavioral health teaching hospital, a hospital must operate already operate as a teaching hospital, provide behavioral health services and:

offer an ACGME accredited psychiatric residency program and either offer or have applied for approval to establish an accredited postdoctoral clinical psychology fellowship program;

establish and maintain an affiliation with a Florida university and an accredited Florida-based medical school to develop and maintain integrated workforce development programs that cover the entire continuum of behavioral health care;

develop a plan to create and maintain integrated workforce development programs with the affiliated university's colleges or schools, and to oversee clinical care provided by participating students.

4. The legislation earmarks $6 million in recurring funds for the AHCA to fund residency positions at $150,000 each and another $2 million in recurring funds for the state to provide each behavioral health teaching hospital with up to $500,000 through its new Training, Education, and Clinicals in Health funding program.

5. The legislation also establishes the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce within the University of South Florida's Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute in Tampa, which will analyze workforce supply and demand dynamics within behavioral health professions across the state.
Eight nurses at Worcester, Mass.-based Saint Vincent Hospital have filed a lawsuit against the facility and its owner, Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, alleging they were wrongfully terminated after raising concerns about staffing shortages and care quality.

The nurses are represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association, which shared the full complaint with Becker's March 21. The lawsuit cites the Commonwealth's whistleblower law, which protects nurses from retaliation for disclosing or threatening to disclose a "reasonable [belief]" that their employer is violating a law, rule or regulation that poses a risk to public health.

The lawsuit is the latest installment in a lengthy dispute between Saint Vincent Hospital and its nurses. Since July 2023, nurses have filed more than 600 complaints with state and federal agencies, alleging that the hospital is not complying with previously established nurse staffing guidelines and is therefore providing substandard care.

The lawsuit alleges that there have been nursing staffing shortages for more than a year, and that sometimes, one nurse will assume a 20-patient assignment. It also recounts incidents of patients left unattended in emergency department hallways and left to sit in their own urine and feces for extended periods of time. According to the lawsuit, the staffing shortages have delayed care and timely transfers, and "when the plaintiff nurses objected to providing unsafe care, SVH and Tenet fired them."

A spokesperson for the hospital has not returned Becker's request for comment on the litigation, but in a February statement on the hundreds of complaints filed against the hospital, Tenet alleged the union's claims were "unfounded" and accused it of "organizing publicity stunts, spreading false rumors and intimidating our leadership."

During a February on-site review, The Joint Commission did find the hospital to be noncompliant with certain CMS standards, though the organization would not share the full report publicly. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health also conducted an on-site review, and, according to Saint Vincent Hospital, ruled that five of six nurse claims it investigated were "unsubstantiated"; however, the department later told the Worcester Telegram & Gazette that the investigation is ongoing, and no conclusions can be drawn yet.

The nurses' lawsuit, filed in Worcester Superior Court, seeks an order of reinstatement to return the plaintiffs to their former positions with full benefits and seniority; reasonable legal costs; a permanent injunction to restrain continued violations of the whistleblower law; and "any other relief the Court deems just and appropriate."



"These nurses, who we are referring to as 'the St. Vincent 8,' are true heroes and represent the canaries in the dark mine shaft that is for-profit healthcare," said Katie Murphy, RN, president of the MNA, in a news release shared with Becker's.
A new Connecticut bill aims to bolster the state's involvement in deals between private equity firms and healthcare facilities.

The bipartisan legislation, HB 5319, was introduced into the state's General Assembly Feb. 28 by physician co-sponsors: Sen. Jeff Gordon, MD, a Republican, and Sen. Saud Anwar, MD, a Democrat. It calls for an act "requiring a plan concerning private equity firms acquiring or holding an ownership interest in healthcare facilities."

The plan in question would include an assessment of whether a certificate of need should be required for a private equity firm to acquire an ownership interest in a healthcare facility. It would also explore the feasibility of other limitations that could be placed on these private equity firms, and make recommendations regarding disclosure requirements for healthcare facilities they acquire or own.

If the bill is inked, the executive director of the state's Office of Health Strategies would be required to develop the plan and report it to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly no later than Jan. 1, 2025.

At a public hearing March 6, a number of stakeholders  including the Connecticut Hospital Association and Kathleen Silard, BSN, RN, president and CEO of Stamford (Conn.) Health  voiced support for the bill. State Sen. Martin Looney, President Pro Tempore, said he is currently working with Attorney General William Tong on language that would "beef up oversight of acquisitions and mergers including those involving private equity."

In a March 18 news release, Dr. Gordon, the bill's co-sponsor, termed the matter a "common sense issue." He referred to the Los Angeles-based private equity company Prospect Medical Holdings, which currently oversees three Connecticut hospitals that it is working to sell to Yale New Haven (Conn.) Health. The Department of Revenue Services recently submitted liens indicating the three hospitals owe a collective $67.39 million in taxes, and that Prospect has not paid taxes since March 2022.

"We have all seen the mismanagement of Manchester, Rockville and Waterbury hospitals by Prospect Medical Holdings," Dr. Gordon said. "We must pass policies to improve oversight over healthcare acquisitions while improving access to care, particularly in rural areas."
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a package of healthcare bills designed to grow the state's healthcare workforce, expand healthcare access and promote innovation in the industry.

The "Live Healthy" initiative, spearheaded by Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, passed on the Florida House floor in February and was signed by Mr. DeSantis on March 21.

"What they [state leaders] are tackling right now are some of the biggest challenges that we face in the Sunshine State, and that's access to health care in a reliable, reproducible, sustainable kind of a way," said Tampa General Hospital President and CEO John Couris, who attended the bill-signing event in Bonita Springs. "We're facing a myriad of challenges in the healthcare industry, in the healthcare system. There are critical shortages in the healthcare workforce. We've seen an exceptional growth in labor costs. Patients are struggling to access the care they need, and the demand for behavioral health services is at a record high."

Mr. DeSantis signed five bills March 21, including Senate Bill 7016. This bill includes $717 million in spending for increased residency slots; expansion of the Dental Student Loan Repayment and the Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education programs; and revision of the state's Areas of Critical Need Program to allow allopathic and osteopathic physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses to receive temporary certificates to practice in areas of critical need. It also has a requirement that all hospitals with emergency departments provide a non-emergent care access plan to state officials for helping a patient gain access to appropriate care settings "when the patient presents at a hospital emergency department with non-emergent healthcare needs or indicates when receiving a medical screening examination, triage or treatment at the hospital that he or she lacks regular access to primary care."

The plans must include a collaborative partnership with at least one nearby federally qualified health center or other primary care setting and/or the establishment, construction and operation of a hospital-owned urgent care center co-located within or adjacent to the location of the hospital ED.

Mr. DeSantis also signed Senate Bill 7018, which includes the provision of $50 million annually for a loan program for healthcare innovation projects.

The other pieces of signed legislation are Senate Bill 330, which authorizes hospitals to apply for a behavioral health teaching hospital designation; Senate Bill 322, which provides an exemption from public records requirements for certain healthcare workers, and Senate Bill 1758; which revises provisions related to programs and services for individuals with disabilities.
A former Georgia insurance commissioner has pleaded guilty to participating in a healthcare fraud scheme that billed private insurers for over $2.5 million in false claims.

According to a March 22 news release from the Justice Department, John Oxendine pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud. Mr. Oxendine conspired with Jeffery Gallups, MD, who owned a chain of ENT practices, to submit unnecessary claims to NextHealth, a Texas-based lab. In 2022, Dr. Gallups was sentenced to three years in prison for his role in the scheme.

As part of the scheme, Mr. Oxendine gave a presentation to Dr. Gallups' employees, urging them to bill medically unnecessary tests to NextLabs, according to the Justice Department. The lab paid a 50% kickback from profits it made from the false claims to Mr. Oxendine and Dr. Gallups.

NextHealth charged private insurers over $2.5 million for the tests ordered from Dr. Gallups' practice and was paid almost $700,000 in reimbursements. Mr. Oxendine and Dr. Gallups received $260,000 in kickbacks, according to the Justice Department. Mr. Oxendine received payment through his insurance consulting company, Oxendine Insurance Services, in order to conceal the scheme.

Mr. Oxendine was Georgia's insurance commissioner from 1995 to 2011. The scheme took place between 2015 and 2017, after he left office, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The former insurance commissioner faces up to 10 years in prison, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. His sentencing is scheduled for July 12.
The Senate Finance Committee is working to secure a hearing with UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty this spring, The Washington Post reported March 22.

Senators' inquiry will occur more than a month after UnitedHealth subsidiary Change Healthcare reported a cyberattack Feb. 21 in a situation that has since evolved to become "the most significant and consequential incident of its kind against the U.S. healthcare system in history," according to the American Hospital Association.

The Post cited three unnamed sources for the information. The outlet noted that while UnitedHealth confirmed its participation in a Senate Finance Committee hearing, Mr. Witty's presence and the precise date are not yet confirmed.

Change Healthcare confirmed to Becker's Feb. 29 the cybersecurity issue was perpetrated by a "cybercrime threat actor who has represented itself to us as ALPHV/Blackcat," a ransomware as a service group.

In a March 14 session on HHS' proposed 2025 budget, Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden discussed the cyberattack with HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and asked for Mr. Becerra's cooperation in holding "negligent CEOs" accountable in healthcare cybersecurity matters.

"For a long time, these private companies have been allowed to set their own standards, and it doesn't seem very surprising that neither UnitedHealth Group nor federal agencies were prepared for the attack on Change Healthcare and its fallout," the senator said.

Mr. Wyden said that although HHS' budget contains greater penalties for compliance violations and mandatory cybersecurity standards for hospitals, he wants further action.

"Mandatory standards are a great first step. But we've got to do more. The next step has to be fines and accountability for negligent CEOs, for example, which will enable HHS to better protect patients and our national security."

Change Healthcare, a revenue cycle management services provider, handles 15 billion transactions per year and is the nation's largest commercial prescription processor. It combined with UnitedHealth Group's Optum in October 2022.

Since the February attack that caused system outages, UnitedHealth Group has worked to design accelerated payment systems and workarounds amid ongoing system recovery efforts. Federal agencies have taken action by opening an investigation into the insurer, warning hospitals about "malicious cyber actors," and extending flexibilities to states for interim Medicaid payments.
Jeramy Gomez of 956 Business Reviews recently photographed the historic Harlingen home of Howard E. and Mary Butt. Courtesy Jeramy Gomez, 956 Business Reviews

Jeramy Gomez of 956 Business Reviews recently photographed the historic Harlingen home of Howard E. and Mary Butt. Courtesy Jeramy Gomez, 956 Business Reviews

Jeramy Gomez of 956 Business Reviews recently photographed the historic Harlingen home of Howard E. and Mary Butt. Courtesy Jeramy Gomez, 956 Business Reviews

Google Maps images from May 2023 show an unmowed yard and vines on the front of the house. Google Maps

Almost nine years ago, the historic home of H-E-B founder Howard E. Butt was in "sad condition," and new photos reveal the state of the house today.

Howard E. and Mary Butt moved into the home at 718 E. Taylor St. in Harlingen in 1930, but by 2015 the Texas Historical Landmark site was overgrown with grass and weeds, according to reporting at the time by The Monitor newspaper in McAllen.

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Rio Grande Valley business promoter Jeramy Gomez stopped by the house recently, providing followers with an update on its condition.

"We need to protect this place at all cost," Gomez wrote in a social media post, sharing photos of the exterior.

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The house's front lawn was mowed, perhaps a response to the public outcry from neighbors and historians, though Google Maps images taken last May show the yard overgrown. Both sets of images show vines that creep across the front of the Italian Renaissance-style home, a change from the photos taken nine years ago.

The Butts bought the house after moving H-E-B headquarters to Harlingen in 1929 and owned the house until 1943.
A package of healthcare laws signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis March 21 contains new rules for hospital emergency departments.

Under the legislation, SB 7016, all hospitals with EDs  including hospital-based off-campus EDs  are required to submit a plan to the state that details how they will help patients access the appropriate care setting if and when they present to the ED with a non-emergent condition or indicate throughout their episode of care that they do not have regular access to primary care.

The Florida Senate's health policy committee said the measure "addresses the issue of persons who tend to utilize hospital emergency departments for nonemergent care or emergency care that could have been avoided with the regular provision of primary care." About 79% of Florida residents report having a personal physician or healthcare provider, according to 2022 CDC data.

Hospitals' nonemergency care access plans (NCAPs) cannot conflict with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act and must obtain state approval by July 1, 2025, for the hospitals to secure licensure or renewal. After approval, hospitals must annually submit data to the state demonstrating the effectiveness of their plan and update it as required by the state before license renewal.

Hospitals' NCAPs must also include at least one of the following measures:

a. A partnership agreement with one or more local federally qualified health centers or other primary care settings. ED teams would then be responsible for "proactively seeking to establish a relationship between the patient and the federally qualified health center or other primary care setting so that the patient develops a medical home at such setting for nonemergent and preventive health care services" if the patient indicates that they lack regular primary care access.

b. The establishment, construction and operation of a hospital-owned urgent care center within or adjacent to the hospital ED. "After the hospital conducts a medical screening examination, and if appropriate for the patient's needs, the hospital may seek to divert to the urgent care center a patient who presents at the emergency department needing nonemergent health care services," the legislation states.

For patients enrolled in Medicaid, the hospital's ED diversion plan must include outreach to the patient's Medicaid managed care plan.

The Florida Hospital Association applauded the governors signature on the legislation and package of healthcare laws, named Live Healthy with more than $700 million in funding.
Nurse practitioners are the fastest-growing jobs in the country. The following health systems are in the lead for the total number of NPs within their workforce.

The NP profession is projected to grow more than 45% by 2032, according to the latest projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Below are the health systems with the greatest totals of NPs as of 2022.

The counts stem from the Compendium of U.S. Health Systems for 2022, released in December 2023 and updated in February, from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The NP count in the compendium comes from IQVIA OneKey data, which is collected through surveys. The total represents nurse practitioners with attending and admitting affiliations.

Health systems are ranked below by total NPs, with hospital counts to provide a rudimentary gauge of system size. (Please note that hospital counts are reflective of 2022 to keep in proportion to the NP count and may have since changed.) Additional rankings of systems by total physicians, physician assistants and hospital beds are also available to provide a more complete picture of health system workforces and capacities.

1. HCA Healthcare (Nashville, Tenn.)

Total nurse practitioners: 5,265

Hospitals: 184

2. Ascension Health (St. Louis)

Total nurse practitioners: 4,043

Hospitals: 119

3. Trinity Health (Livonia, Mich.)

Total nurse practitioners: 3,795

Hospitals: 102

4. CommonSpirit Health (Chicago)

Total nurse practitioners: 3,335

Hospitals: 147

5. Cleveland Clinic

Total nurse practitioners: 2,215

Hospitals: 20

6. Mass General Brigham (Boston)

Total nurse practitioners: 2,038

Hospitals: 15

7. Kaiser Permanente (Oakland, Calif.)

Total nurse practitioners: 2,007

Hospitals: 41

8. The University of Texas System (Austin)

Total nurse practitioners: 1,864

Hospitals: 7

9. University of California Health (Oakland)

Total nurse practitioners: 1,811

Hospitals: 10

10. Providence (Renton, Wash.)

Total nurse practitioners: 1,766

Hospitals: 54

11. Northwell Health (New Hyde Park, N.Y.)

Total nurse practitioners: 1,714

Hospitals: 18

12. AdventHealth (Altamonte Springs, Fla.)

Total nurse practitioners: 1,699

Hospitals: 37

13. Tenet Healthcare (Dallas)

Total nurse practitioners: 1,681

Hospitals: 74

14. Community Health Systems (Franklin, Tenn.)

Total nurse practitioners: 1,659

Hospitals: 82

15. UPMC (Pittsburgh)

Total nurse practitioners: 1,610

Hospitals: 34

16. Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minn.)

Total nurse practitioners: 1,541

Hospitals: 26

17. Bon Secours Mercy Health (Cincinnati)

Total nurse practitioners: 1,491

Hospitals: 37

18. Mercy (Chesterfield, Mo.)

Total nurse practitioners: 1,452

Hospitals: 38

19. University of Pennsylvania Health System (Philadelphia)

Total nurse practitioners: 1,418

Hospitals: 9

20. Lifepoint Health (Brentwood, Tenn.)

Total nurse practitioners: 1,227

Hospitals: 76

21. NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System (New York)

Total nurse practitioners: 1,213

Hospitals: 8

22. Corewell Health (Grand Rapids, Mich.)

Total nurse practitioners: 1,179

Hospitals: 24

23. BJC Healthcare (St. Louis)

Total nurse practitioners: 1,143

Hospitals: 16

24. UnityPoint Health (West Des Moines, Iowa)

Total nurse practitioners: 1,142

Hospitals: 33

25. Intermountain Healthcare (Salt Lake City)

Total nurse practitioners: 1,106

Hospitals: 33
Noncompete clauses are a hot topic in spine surgery and healthcare at large. Some states have sought legislation to eliminate them altogether.

Six spine surgeons discuss how noncompetes and a potential ban would affect their practices.

Note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity.

Question: What would a noncompete ban mean for your practice? What would be the upsides and downsides?

Brian Gantwerker, MD. The Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles: In the state of California, noncompetes are unenforceable. This has led to group fragmentation and heavy competition in the spine marketplace. However, it also is a great motivator to treat members as equals, not employees. California has the fourth largest economy in the world and lots of spine surgeons. Things seem to be going fairly well here as folks keep moving here. Having competition is part of business. And if you dont want someone to set up shop next to you, treat them well.

Richard Kube II, MD. Prairie Spine & Pain Institute (Peoria, Ill.): Complete elimination of restrictive covenants would eliminate any chance of expanding my practice. Bringing in new physicians costs a significant amount of money. It takes two to three years to break even on investment in a new physician. If a physician can simply walk across the street at any time without recourse, there is no way to protect an initial investment. Given downstream revenue generation at hospitals and the like, there is incentive to attempt poaching these new physicians from my practice. For a small spine practice, there is a seven-figure investment for a new doc. If that physician left in the first two to three years, there would be a loss of several hundred thousand dollars for the practice, which would have to be absorbed by the owners. In spine surgery that is typically only a few physicians or in the case of my business just myself. There is no prudent way to invest $1 million or more while having no way to secure that investment. I would simply remain solo and abandon any thought of recruiting another physician. This ultimately inflicts severe damage upon any exit strategy I might have as well.

Frankly, the free market should dictate this situation. If a physician does not like my contract, don't sign. It's really that simple. If you sign, then adhere to the contractual covenant. Government intervention here would have significant unintended consequences just as it always does.

Karl Swann, MD. Spine Surgeon in San Antonio: I worked with 18 surgeons during the course of 23 years in one neurosurgical private group practice  Neurosurgical Associates of San Antonio. It was a rarity, a stable group practice in the traditional  perhaps anachronistic  sense. We gained much personally and professionally by our association. Although we worked together remarkably well, four surgeons left for various reasons. One returned. Two went solo nearby. One launched a competing group in town.

There was some transient financial heartburn due to our expenses involved in helping start the new hires. One departure led to an eponymous by-laws clause created to recoup the start-up costs incurred by putative future exits.

We remained civil and never invoked or enforced any type of non-compete. Why would one want to discourage a discouraged associate from leaving particularly if they like living where they are, have family ties and want to remain nearby? When they leave, treated well, they potentially are still colleagues  friendly competitors.

Noncompetes make no personal, professional or financial sense and many lawyers will tell you that they are largely unenforceable. They belong in the habitat of corporations  not physicians. At the very least, they are expensive and their prosecution can become a destructive distraction. In the final analysis, the departures from our group, despite practicing close by, made no difference to those of us who stayed financially or otherwise.

Timur Urakov, MD. University of Miami (Fla.): Noncompete bans in the setting of spine surgery practice have a multitude of implications. For the employers it would mean reduced security and increased costs in hiring surgeons and ancillary staff. On the other side a noncompete ban would add power to the employees' job negotiations and freedom to relocate to a more desirable practice without having to move their homes. The market forces in such a situation will have the potential to drive smaller entities out of competition providing breeding grounds for large organizations to flourish. More and more providers will become employed by these large groups simply for the lack of other options. The seemingly added power from non compete ban will likely diminish again. Nonetheless, being an employee myself, I would support and welcome the non compete ban. A choice to work for an organization should not be based on fears of leaving it.

Christian Zimmerman, MD. St. Alphonsus Medical Group and SAHS Neuroscience Institute (Boise, Idaho): Noncompete actions are rarely enforced because the state of Idaho is a right to work state. That being said, there is precedence for imposed restrictions on some physicians and they are usually geographic in definition. Because of the considerable distance between municipalities (rural) and having to move to another city or local, usually disallows one from commuting and formal transfer will ensue. The disadvantages and inconveniences are self-realizing unless newer aspects of employment are desired. They are becoming less utilized in contract negotiations of late.
Healthcare as an industry is up against many threats and challenges.

Two orthopedic surgeons connected with Becker's to answer, "What is the biggest threat to healthcare?"

Ask Orthopedic Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to surgeons around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting orthopedic care. We invite all orthopedic surgeon and specialist responses.

Next question: What is the most challenging part of being an orthopedic surgeon today?

Please send responses to Riz Hatton at rhatton@beckershealthcare.com by 5 p.m. CST Thursday, March 28.

Note: Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Nader Nassif, MD. Division Chief of Joint Replacement Surgery at Hoag Orthopedic Institute (Newport Beach, Calif.): I think one of the biggest threats to healthcare currently is the current regulatory and economic burden. The increased requirements for compliance with government quality programs such as [Medicare's merit-based incentive payment system] have now attached significant financial penalties without any data that shows that these reporting programs improve outcomes in the setting of specialty care. This combined with increased labor costs and overall cost of care without commensurate increase in physician reimbursement will result in burnout and ultimately access issues for patients.

Charles Rosen, MD. Orthopedic Surgeon at UCI Health (Orange, Calif.): The biggest threat to the future of healthcare is the continued control of medicine by industry  namely big pharma and medical device manufacturers. The control is done through multiple channels. Firstly, the FDA as a regulatory body is half-funded by industry  i.e., the industry they are regulating. This is a conflict resulting in industry pushing through treatments with complications swept under the rug by industry consultants and their papers. Financial conflicts of advisory committee members are not made public. Any treatment approved by the FDA means preemption of any liability by industry regardless of how many patients die or are made sick.

Secondly, medical society board members are mostly industry consultants. Society meetings and publications are influenced by extensive funding of industry to sell products. Advertising by industry is used as leverage to keep societies promoting their products and not publishing negative literature.

Unless medical treatment is determined by independent physicians and researchers, then national medical treatment guidelines and approval of dangerous and unproven treatments will continue to put Americans at the bottom of health outcomes of industrialized countries. For industry, a sick society is good for business, and profit is all that matters.
The average hourly wage for orthopedic surgeons in the U.S. is $178.56 per hour, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In every state for which data was available, the salary of an orthopedic surgeon is much higher than the hourly living wage, which is the wage required to cover the costs of basic needs, according to Massachusetts Institute of Technology's living wage calculator.

Here is hourly living wage for a single adult with no children in 23 states compared with the average hourly wage for orthopedic surgeons:

Note: Compensation data was not available for every state.

Alabama

Average hourly wage: $152.86

Cost of living: $20.15

Arizona

Average hourly wage: $194.80

Cost of living: $23.40

Arkansas

Average hourly wage: $175.76

Cost of living: $19.10

Colorado

Average hourly wage: $152.07

Cost of living: $24.83

Florida

Average hourly wage: $154.06

Cost of living: $22.43

Hawaii

Average hourly wage: $266.60

Cost of living: $27.33

Illinois

Average hourly wage: $128.27

Cost of living: $22.86

Indiana

Average hourly wage: $122.32

Cost of living: $20.44

Iowa

Average hourly wage: $149.86

Cost of living: $20.04

Kansas

Average hourly wage: $178.61

Cost of living: $20.35

Kentucky

Average hourly wage: $197.48

Cost of living: $19.40

Maine

Average hourly wage: $133.77

Cost of living: $22.04

Massachusetts

Average hourly wage: $143.79

Cost of living: $27.89

Michigan

Average hourly wage: $198.20

Cost of living: $20.28

Nebraska

Average hourly wage: $183.79

Cost of living: $20.12

New Hampshire

Average hourly wage: $204.62

Cost of living: $23.58

New Jersey

Average hourly wage: $165.80

Cost of living: $24.76

Ohio

Average hourly wage: $175.03

Cost of living: $19.40

Tennessee

Average hourly wage: $143.12

Cost of living: $20.77

Vermont

Average hourly wage: $198.97

Cost of living: $23.02

Virginia

Average hourly wage: $142.36

Cost of living: $24.03

Washington

Average hourly wage: $136.54

Cost of living: $25.60

West Virginia

Average hourly wage: $110.22

Cost of living: $18.94
Popular Belfast burger joint Tribal Burger is set to leave one of its current locations in the city centre as the restaurant urged fans to watch this space for exciting news.

The restaurant has been operating at its current location in Callender Street for five years, with Sunday being their final day before closure.

Founded by Paul Catterson and his wife Elaine in 2017, the outfit also has a location at Botanic Avenue.

In a post on social media, Tribal Burger said: After 5 fantastic years of flipping burgs on Callender Street in Belfast City Centre, this Sunday will be the final day.

"Were working on a brand new Tribal location, so its not really goodbye. Plus, the OG site on Botanic Avenue isnt going anywhere - its still open 7 days a week.

A big thank you to all our incredible Callender Street customers. Were going to really miss you.

Watch this space for exciting news on Callender St.

It marks the latest development in Callender Streets eating options in 2024, after popular Belfast Cuban restaurant Cuban Sandwich Factory set up their new location in the street.

Offering classic Cuban sandwiches with a variety of fillings including slow roast pork shoulder, jerk chicken and beef mince, the restaurant said their new location offers an authentic Cuban Sandwich in with a Cuban atmosphere.
Ex-inmates could be rich seam for employers struggling to fill jobs, Belfast event hears

Executives from bakery chain Greggs and retailer Iceland have urged businesses here to recruit people leaving the justice system.

They joined landscaper idverde at an event organised by the Turnaround Project.

Paul Cowley, director of rehabilitation at Iceland, said its experience of hiring former inmates had been positive.

Mr Cowley has carried out more that 500 interviews in prisons across the UK, which have resulted in 300 job offers.

There are now 130 ex-prisoners employed as Iceland delivery drivers and retail assistants.

As a young man, Mr Cowley spent time in jail, before going on to have a 17-year career in the Army.

He founded charity Caring for Exoffenders in 2005. It has helped more than 2,000 men and women re-integrate into society after serving sentences. He received an MBE for his work in 2016.

Speaking at the event in the Belfast offices of IT firm Version 1, he said: The continued contraction of the labour market has been an issue for companies in all sectors in recent years.

A simple solution is for employers to tap into the rich seam of talent from the pool of people who have served their sentences and who deserve to be given a second chance.

Our experience has been overwhelmingly positive and there is little doubt that the colleagues who have joined us from the justice system have played a significant role in boosting Icelands bottom line.

Our workforce has been hugely enriched and I would urge other companies to do the same.

Iceland has 40 local stores, and Mr Cowley said they were keen to get involved.

But he added the process here had been complicated at times, and hed like to see more resources dedicated to recruitment.

Two years ago the Ministry of Justice set up this specific role called the prison employment lead, and that person is responsible for running the employment hub within the prison.

Having this lead person is fantastic. Theyre really important and its the best thing to come out of the Prison Service in years, because you have a central point of contact, it makes it easier for me as an employer to employ people.

He also praised employment advisory boards (EABs), which connect prisons and businesses in England.

There are individuals from business that come in and support the prison and the government on how to facilitate integration, he said.

Bringing external people to give advice and understand the system, and for the prison to understand the outside world, is brilliant.

Employment leads and EABs, I would love for you to have them over here, but its finances.

Roisin Currie, chief executive of Greggs, which has been hiring former prisoners since 2010, said the firms Fresh Start scheme, which also supports ex-military and the long-term unemployed, has been a considerable success.

We know the passion and energy for work that comes from people who are given an opportunity to kick-start their careers or to turn their lives around, she added.

We believe passionately in giving people a fresh start and have been rewarded tenfold by the dedication which has been shown by those colleagues who have joined us having previously been in the justice system.

The local branch of landscaping business idverde, which is based in Ballyclare, said it had also invested in expanding its talent strategy.

Aaron Webster; director of talent for idverde UK, said: For the past four years within the NI operation, we have been working with the Turnaround Project and other social enterprises, using as many different channels as possible to bring people that are part of the communities that we operate within and supporting them to transition back into the working environment.

The company, which employs 120 people locally, said it had recruited four staff coming out of the justice system in the last year.

He added: We see it as one part of our talent strategy.

People returning from the criminal justice system is part of it, but we are also working with Centrepoint (in London), enabling people experiencing homelessness to return to a working environment, but then there is also special educational needs and social enterprises.

One of the things weve learnt is starting small and then seeing a ripple effect.

I think it takes shining examples like weve seen from Paul and Roisin, but it also takes leadership commitment, and weve got that.
Specsavers Connswater has opened the doors of its new location at Connswater Retail Park in east Belfast following a 0.65m investment.

Set up in 2001 with just seven members of staff, the store has since expanded its team to 37, including four new employees hired during the relocation process from Connswater Shopping Centre.

Specsavers Connswater, an NHS primary care provider, said it was now in a substantially bigger store which would allow for increased customer capacity, with seven testing rooms as well as audiology facilities.

A spokesperson said the project has also included investments of around 15,000 in staff training and approximately 80,000 in new equipment.

Specsavers Connswater is owned and run by ophthalmic director Paula Cunningham and dispensing director Lynsey Caldwell.

Ms Cunningham said: "We are excited to continue serving the east Belfast community from our new location. Our goal has always been to change lives through better sight and hearing, and this move allows us to do so with even greater efficiency and accessibility."

Her colleague Ms Caldwell added: "Specsavers Connswater is deeply rooted in the local community, and we are committed to providing the highest quality of care to our neighbours.

"We can see more customers, offer a great range of services, and being within the retail park means we can also offer a late-night opening. We look forward to welcoming both existing and new customers to our new premises."
Ahead of the release of Unsinkable: Titanic Untold, its NI star talks about her role and what audiences can expect from this new depiction of the tragedys aftermath

Unsinkable: Titanic Untold explores the aftermath of Titanics loss as the US Government rushes to discover the truth about the greatest maritime disaster in history.

In the early hours of April 15, 1912, more than 1,500 people perished during RMS Titanics maiden voyage from Southampton to New York.

Unsinkable: Titanic Untold charts the arrival of survivors in New York via the RMS Carpathia. Here Senator William Alden Smith (played by Cotter Smith) chairs an inquiry and is involved in interviewing the surviving passengers and crew.

Everybody knows about the Titanic, says actress Jayne Wisener (36), who plays Senator Smiths assistant, Maggie Malloy.

And being from Northern Ireland, everyone has, in their mind, some kind of affinity with the ship, because obviously it was built in Belfast and youve got the Harland & Wolff cranes, which are part of the skyline of the city.

But I think people dont know the story of the aftermath, what happened to all the survivors, and then what was done as a result of the tragedy.

This movie focuses on the inquiry that happened in the States after the Titanic sank. And Senator Smith led the investigation to try to pinpoint who was to blame.

The viewers follow the journey of Senator Smith, Maggie Malloy and others as they chase answers to the question on everyones lips: how could a ship deemed to be unsinkable be lost at sea in the North Atlantic?

A lot of the film is based on actual transcripts from these interviews that happened, so its factually correct, Jayne says.

It looks beautiful. The movie is stunning to look at aesthetically, but its not glamorised.

With the sinking of the ship, there are flashbacks to that happening, but its very grim and very real and dark and upsetting. Of course, it was in the James Cameron movie as well, but it just looks a lot more harrowing  so I think anyway.

In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, a sense of grief and loss is expressed through Jaynes character.

Maggie Malloy was a real person, but theres not a lot about her that we know, Jayne continues.

We know that she was first-generation Irish. My character accompanies the senator to New York and just basically assists him with anything he needs during the inquiry.

I think Maggies reaction to the tragedy is kind of what the audience are feeling towards the tragedy, like the upset and the injustice of it all, so thats kind of reflected in my characters reaction to whats going on.

Unsinkable: Titanic Untold was filmed in Pittsburgh, where Jayne initially spent a month filming in 2018. She was pregnant at the time with her eldest son, Michael, now five years old. Jayne is also mum to Ethan (2).

Jayne Wisener as Maggie Malloy in Unsinkable: Titanic Untold

The thing that I found most challenging was that I was pregnant, very heavily pregnant, with my eldest, Michael, Jayne says.

I think I left the States when I was really only just about allowed to fly. So they were like: OK, you have to go home now. Bye.

We didnt get everything finished, but then there was a hiatus in filming, and then location issues, and I think Covid and whatnot [impacted filming].

And then they had me back out again to finish the scene, but I happened to be the same amount of pregnant with my youngest. I said: You dont need to get a prosthetic bump because Ive made one myself here. And so I went out and I did that.

It was lovely. Its a really special film for me, because I know that Im carrying my kids in my womb. So I know that my kids are there with me. Each time I went to Pittsburgh, I wasnt alone: I had a wee person inside me, kicking.

The story of the search for accountability in the film is interwoven with flashbacks to the heroism and sacrifice on Titanics deck during that fateful night in 1912.

While Jayne wasnt present for the filming of those harrowing scenes, which were captured in an abandoned swimming pool in Pittsburgh, later she was moved to tears by the footage of a mother and her young son who were caught up in the tragedy.

Its just naturally triggering, because it is upsetting  the thought of somebody experiencing that, not as an actress but just as a human being, she says.

Watching or imagining somebody have to go through that is very upsetting. And also, as a mother, then imagining trying to save your child. Because its not [only] your life youre fighting for  youre fighting for your life so you can protect your childs life. Its devastating.

I did watch a little clip of that and it just, naturally the emotions just came.

Following on from Unsinkable: Titanic Untold, Jayne is content to see what comes her way work-wise.

After maternity [leave] with Ethan, I had quite a busy year, and then I just sort of stopped for a while to focus on [the boys] and thats kind of continued for a while, so Ill just see what happens next really, she says.

If a job comes along, great. If not, Ill just be mum.

For the star, whose credits include Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, The Inbetweeners and Casualty, her choice of career is more than a job, she says. Despite finding it challenging to be away from her sons, Jayne is committed to pursuing her dreams:

Acting isnt just my job, its my passion, she explains.

I care a lot about it  the art, the craft. I couldnt not do it and I think my kids know that. Theyre starting to get a little bit older now; Michael is able to go watch things that I do.

It is tough at times when Im away from them. Obviously every mother feels guilt no matter what. But I am not going to stop, and I think it makes me happy as well. Being an actress fills my heart in a way that other things cant.

Unsinkable: Titanic Untold is available to watch in Cineworld Belfast from April 12 and to stream on Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime from May.
Maj. Gen. Phillip A. Stewart, right, former commander of the 19th Air Force at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, faces a court-martial for allegedly raping a female officer. William Luther/San Antonio Express-News Maj. Gen. Phillip A. Stewart, former commander of the 19th Air Force at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, faces a court-martial for allegedly raping a female officer. William Luther/San Antonio Express-News

Air Force Maj. Gen. Phillip Stewart, charged with raping a female subordinate, pleaded not guilty Thursday as prosecutors and defense lawyers argued over whether his text messages to the alleged victim should be admitted as evidence of grooming behavior.

Stewart, former commander of the San Antonio-based 19th Air Force, the services pilot training arm, is only the second general officer in Air Force history to face a court-martial.

He is accused of sexually assaulting the female officer at or near Altus AFB in southwestern Oklahoma last April. Hes charged with sexual assault, conduct unbecoming an officer, dereliction of duty and other violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. If convicted of all charges, he could be sentenced to up to 63 years in a military penitentiary. His trial is scheduled for June 17.

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RELATED: Air Force general ordered to stand trial on rape charge

His defense team maintains that Stewart and the woman had a consensual affair. Military prosecutors assert that given Stewarts rank, she had no choice but to submit.

Stewart wore a dress-blue uniform and an impassive expression during a military court hearing Thursday at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, where lawyers haggled over the admissibility of 352 pages of documents, including 18 pages of text messages between him and the alleged victim.

Stewart said nothing during the proceeding, held in a wood-paneled courtroom in Randolphs ornate administration building, known as the Taj Mahal.

His civilian attorney, Sherry Bunn, spoke for him when it came time to enter a plea. Bunn told the judge, Col. Matthew Stoffel, that Stewart pleaded not guilty to all charges and specifications.

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On her clients behalf, Bunn also asked for a trial by jury rather than by a judge. The jury would be composed of officers of Stewarts rank or higher.

In arguing that the text messages should be admitted as evidence, prosecutors said they showed Stewart using his power and position to seduce the woman.

Theyll show evidence of his pursuit of her, said Col. Naomi Dennis, the Air Force trial counsel.

'Too much hurt'

Prosecutors maintain the female officer was worried about what would happen if she rejected Stewarts advances. They cited an interview in which she told Air Force investigators: I dont know how to tell him no.

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Stewarts lawyers said the woman did say no to Stewart at times and that she is a lieutenant colonel with combat experience who was capable of standing up for herself.

Prosecutors also argued that the text messages show Stewart knew his conduct was wrong and sought to manipulate the woman to help him cover it up.

They cited an exchange in which the subordinate, who by then was cooperating with Air Force investigators, asked Stewart whether she should tell anyone what happened.

Ive never kept anything from my husband, she wrote.

I think thats all we can do, Stewart replied. Too much hurt otherwise.

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Prosecutors brought up a separate incident in which they said Stewart sent a female airman, identified only as KB, smartphone pictures of himself in a hot tub and drinking alcohol. They said he did not send similar images to male subordinates.

Bunn said nothing happened between Stewart and the airman.

The government has just argued propensity evidence, Bunn said. Propensity evidence refers to a prosecutor's use of prior bad acts to try to prove a defendant guilty of a crime. Such evidence is generally excluded, unless it qualifies under certain exceptions in the Military Rules of Evidence.

'Speaks volumes'

Stewart once flew fighter-bombers and high-altitude spy planes, held command positions in Iraq and Afghanistan, and oversaw 32,000 employees as commander of the 19th Air Force. He was sacked as head of the 19th in May, a month after the alleged sexual assault.

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The evidence against him was aired at an Article 32 hearing at Randolph in October. An Article 32 hearing is similar to a civilian grand jury proceeding, held to determine whether there is sufficient evidence of a crime to warrant a trial.

During that hearing, defense lawyers said the female officer joked with Stewart during their encounters and kissed and hugged him. Prosecutors, however, said the evidence showed that he forced his will on her and that comments she made before, during and after the encounter suggested she was uncomfortable.

Lt. Col. Pete Havern, special trial counsel for the Air Force, said during the Article 32 hearing that Stewart should not have put himself in the position of having sex with a subordinate. Havern said it speaks volumes that when investigators interviewed the woman, she referred to Stewart over and over as boss.

After reviewing the evidence, the hearing examiner, Col. Brian Thompson, recommended against a court-martial, saying the case was so weak that prosecutors would never obtain a conviction.

At no point did (the alleged victim) express, through words or conduct, that she was not freely agreeing/consenting to engage in the sexual acts with accused, Thompson wrote in his Oct. 29 report.

The woman engaged in conversation with (the) accused during breaks between the sexual acts, laughing at him, teasing him, and complimenting him, talking about how they would keep the sexual encounter from their spouses, letting him know she had an IUD, Thompson wrote.

I will not hedge; even taking the evidence presented in the light most favorable to the prosecution, no rational trier of fact could find the elements of sexual assault here beyond a reasonable doubt, Thompson said in his report.

However, Lt. Gen. Brian S. Robinson, head of the Randolph-based Air Education and Training Command and Stewarts commanding officer, overruled the hearing officer and ordered Stewart to stand trial on all the charges.

Stewarts lawyers have petitioned Robinson to allow him to retire rather than be court-martialed. In that event, Stewart would go before a grade determination board to set his final rank. If he was busted down in rank, he could lose hundreds of thousands of dollars in retirement benefits compared with what he would have collected as a retired two-star general.

Robinson will make a recommendation on Stewarts petition to retire to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall III, who will have the final say.

In addition to the charges related to the alleged sexual assault, Stewart is accused of flying an aircraft within 12 hours of consuming alcohol, a throttle-to-bottle violation. It allegedly happened at Altus on April 14, around the same time as the alleged assault.
Tickets for Bruce Springsteens show in Belfast are selling for almost 1,000 on third-party websites, according to the shows promotors.

The Boss is due to play at Boucher Road Playing Fields on May 9.

There will also be three gigs in the Republic at Nowlan Park in Kilkenny, Pairc Ui Caoimh in Cork and Croke Park in Dublin on May 12, 16 and 19 respectively.

The dates are part of his European Stadium Tour 2024.

Tickets for the Belfast show are currently priced at 120 on Ticketmaster.

In a statement, Aiken Promotions said it has come to their attention that tickets for Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Bands show at Boucher Road are being advertised on third-party websites such as Viagogo, ranging from 154-942.

We have no way of confirming the validity of these tickets as Viagogo is a third-party website, said the promotor.

Ticketmaster is the official ticket seller for this event.

Please do not purchase tickets from unofficial sources including websites as these tickets will not guarantee you access to the concert.

Please do not purchase anything being advertised as VIP as there are no VIP tickets/packages for this event. Please be aware of bogus ticket sellers/ tour operators.
Heartstopper actor Bradley Riches has become the seventh celebrity to be evicted from the Celebrity Big Brother house and will miss out on Fridays final.

The five finalists are Irish talent manager Louis Walsh, former This Morning presenter Fern Britton, Strictly Come Dancing dancer Nikita Kuzmin, Ibiza Weekender star David Potts and Coronation Street actor Colson Smith.

TV presenter AJ Odudu announced the news to Riches while he sat waiting for a family member or friend to greet him for a rendezvous as housemates were gifted the ultimate reward.

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She said: Surprised to see me?

As you can see neither a friend or family member is here for you.

That is because the public have been voting.

I can now reveal that the seventh housemate to be evicted from the Celebrity Big Brother house is you.

Speaking in the diary room Riches, who opened up about his diagnosis with autism while on the show, said he had the best time.

I feel like I had the absolute best time, Im so grateful I made so many amazing friends and for me to do this, I felt like I was scared to do it and Ive done it and Im so happy and Im so grateful and Ive just had the best time so thankyou Big Brother.

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Before Riches left Potts was visited by his friend, while Kuzmin saw his girlfriend and Smith was visited by his mother.

Elsewhere Britton saw her daughter and Walsh had a chat with Sinitta Malone, known for the song So Macho, who gave him some home truths.

I need to tell you a few home truths quickly baby cause you know when I first met you you said Its always good to be nice but Louis everybody in the house is nice but you, she said.

She added: Louis youre hilarious, but youre not nice.

Sinitta, who has appeared on The X Factor during the judges house portion, said she thought Walsh, who used to judge on the reality singing programme, could win the show.

Bizarrely I really think you could, I dont know how but you really could, she said.

Sinitta spilled some home truths on the ITV1 reality show (Yui Mok/PA)

Also on the penultimate episode, Potts opened up about his experiences of being bullied in school and coming out as gay.

He said: I knew there was something different at that stage, I mean I was like 12 so I didnt know 100% what it was, but I just knew it was different because I did have girlfriends and stuff, when I knew deep down that it wasnt true.

I left school when I was 16 and then that summer holidays as soon as Id finished high school, thats when I came out and told everyone.

After Britton asked him to explain more about the moment, he said his mother said it would be fine and his father told him you dont need to worry, its not (going to) change a single thing before hugging him.

The ITV series live final airs on Friday at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
Cillian Murphy will reprise his role as gangster Tommy Shelby for the upcoming Peaky Blinders film, creator Steven Knight has confirmed.

The Oppenheimer star won legions of fans for his performance as a member of the notorious Shelby family in the BBC drama, which ran for six series from 2013 to 2022.

The movie follow-on, which will continue the story of the family, is due to start filming in Birmingham later this year.

Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight at the unveiling of a mural of actor Cillian Murphy as Peaky Blinders crime boss Tommy Shelby (Jacob King/PA)

Discussing whether Murphy will return for the film, Knight told Birmingham World on the red carpet for his new BBC show: He definitely is returning for it.

Were shooting it in September just down the road in Digbeth.

The original series followed the Shelby family, a gang rising to prominence in post-First World War Birmingham.

Knight previously shared some details of the films plot as the TV series was coming to a close.

He said: I dont see it (the last series) as the end of the (Peaky Blinders) world because I see it as the end of the beginning.

Peaky  in this incarnation  comes to an end, but were doing a film which will also carry on the family and the stories into the Second World War.

Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby (Robert Viglasky/Caryn Mandabach Productions)

Discussing the film in a recent interview with Esquire magazine, Knight revealed: The film, I know exactly what its about. And I know what two stories its going to tell.

How the story will unfold, I dont know. What will happen after that, I want that to depend on the film.

For all we know, somebody is going to pop out  I think I know who its going to be.

He also said that series six of the BBC show brought in a new generation and they will feature in the film.

I think its finding those actors that you just watch and you think, there you go. Theres the future, he added.

It comes after Irish actor Murphy completed his sweep of awards season as he landed an Oscar for his role in Oppenheimer earlier this month.

The actor also won a Golden Globe, a Bafta and a Screen Actors Guild award for his starring turn as theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolans biopic about the father of the atomic bomb.
A dissident republican jailed for providing a car used in a bomb attack on a PSNI officer is to have his sentence increased to eight years, the Court of Appeal ruled today.

Judges held that the original six-year term imposed on Gavin Coyle for his role in the terrorist operation in Co Tyrone was unduly lenient.

Members of the Real IRA carried out the attempt to murder the off-duty constable back in May 2008.

A bomb exploded under his car in the village of Spamount near Castlederg as he drove to work.

He suffered serious leg injuries but was dragged from the wreckage shortly before it burst into flames.

Coyle, 46, from Mullaghmore Drive, Omagh was said to have known the police officer during their childhood when they attended the same school.

In October last year he received a six-year sentence after pleading guilty to IRA membership and providing his car for terrorist purposes.

Coyle was originally ordered to serve four years in prison and the remaining two years on licence.

But the Public Prosecution Service referred the sentence to the Court of Appeal on the grounds that it was too lenient.

Counsel for the PPS insisted Coyle was no innocent bystander, but instead an active IRA member with an entrenched ideology who handed over his vehicle knowing it would be used for an unspecified terrorist purpose.

In a counter challenge, defence lawyers claimed his sentence had been manifestly excessive.

They argued it should have been reduced further because of the delay in bringing the case to court.

Ruling on the competing appeals, Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan indicated Coyle could not receive the maximum reduction for only pleading guilty as the case was ready for trial.

He made no admissions throughout police interviews, initially contesting the charges, failing to confirm ownership or provision of his car and denying membership of a proscribed organisation, the judge pointed out.

In our view the ultimate sentence reached of six years could not on any reading be said to be manifestly excessive for serious terrorist offending of this nature, Dame Siobhan said.

Instead, the court backed PPS submissions that Coyle should serve a longer term.

We consider that the sentence in this case was not simply lenient but was unduly lenient for offending of this nature, the Lady Chief Justice confirmed.

We will therefore grant leave for the reference and substitute a custodial sentence of eight years for the sentence imposed by the trial judge.

Under counter-terrorism laws, Coyle must now serve two-thirds of the newly imposed period in custody.
A 24-year-old who assaulted a man outside a Belfast pub then spat in the face of a constable who arrested him has been jailed for 14 months.

Tyler Johnston, who appeared at Belfast Crown Court today with 87 previous convictions, will spend an additional 14 months on licence when he is released from prison.

He pleaded guilty to a total of six offences committed over a three-day period in October 2022.

On the evening of October 18, 2022, the injured party, who has a child with Johnstons then-partner, was standing outside The Dirty Onion when he became embroiled in a row with Johnston.

Words were exchanged as the injured party was unhappy about his child being around Johnston, whom the injured party believed was involved in drugs.

At one point during the argument, the injured party, when he turned back towards Johnston, was punched in the face.

Whilst Johnston then fled the scene with a friend, the injured party attended the Mater Hospital, where he was treated for a fracture to his left eye socket.

Johnston, from Mount Vernon Park in Belfast, was arrested the following day and, as he was being placed in the police van, he began kicking out, dug his fingernails into one officer and then spat directly into the constables face.

En route to the police station, he continued to act in an aggressive manner and banged his head off the cell van door.

When he was interviewed on the morning of October 20, Johnston threatened to damage the recording equipment and had to be physically restrained when he refused to leave the interview room.

He carried out a further assault on police staff before being escorted back to his cell, also damaging a portable police phone.

During another interview with police, Johnston admitted punching the injured party twice outside the bar.

He said: He came into my space and he said he was going to do me, so I hit him two digs in the bake.

He also admitted spitting on a police officer: Yes, I did it because he put his fingers in my eye. Hes a b***h. Tell him I said to grow up.

Johnson later admitted charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of assaulting police, one charge of resisting police, one charge of assaulting a police-designated person and one of damaging a police phone.

Judge Donna McColgan KC said she had read and considered defence submissions made on behalf of Johnston, which set out his difficult childhood, his positive work history and the shame, regret and remorse he expressed to a probation officer.

She also branded Johnstons 84-strong criminal record as relevant and one which included a prison sentence for drugs.

Addressing Johnston as he stood in the dock, Judge McColgan told him: In this case, the offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm was a nasty offence.

But when the court then considers that offence and the other offences committed in the immediate aftermath and over the next couple of days, those are serious aggravating features of the assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Judge McColgan then imposed the 28-month sentence.
It is a great shame and a disgrace that we have such scenes in an Irish courtroom  Mr Justice Sanfey

A High Court judge withdrew an offer to release Enoch Burke from prison after the sacked schoolteacher engaged in a tirade of abuse against him.

Mr Burke accused Mr Justice Mark Sanfey of dishonesty and corruption just minutes after the judge offered him a path to freedom.

The offer was made during the latest review of Mr Burkes detention for breaching court orders requiring him to stay away from Wilsons Hospital School. The schoolteacher has spent 303 days in jail for contempt.

There were also ugly, but not unprecedented scenes, as several members of the schoolteachers family were removed from court for shouting at the judge and interrupting the hearing.

It is a great shame and a disgrace that we have such scenes in an Irish courtroom, said Mr Justice Sanfey after the last of them, Mr Burkes brother Isaac, was carried out of the courtroom by several gardai.

Isaac Burke claimed his clothes were ripped to shreds and belongings strewn on the ground.

The judge had proposed releasing Enoch Burke, saying he could go home and reflect over the Easter holidays, during which time the Co Westmeath school would be closed for a period of two weeks.

He said that if Mr Burke returned to the school at that point, it would be open to its board of management to seek his attachment and committal again.

However, instead of addressing the judges proposal, Mr Burke started levelling accusations that a solicitor acting for the board had lied in an affidavit.

He then became angry at the judge, accusing him of refusing to deal with the lies.

After withdrawing the offer to release Mr Burke, the judge said, apart from making accusations of dishonesty and corruption against him, the schoolteacher had demonstrated he had no interest in being released.
NI care worker struck off after glassing service users granddaughter in unprovoked attack

Victim sustained puncture wound to her face and ankle fracture in assault at Northern Star bar

Sinead Douglas had been working as a home care worker with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust at the time of the attack (stock image)

Liam Tunney Fri 22 Mar 2024 at 07:45

A Northern Ireland care worker has been struck off after being convicted of an unprovoked glassing attack on a service users granddaughter in 2019.
Queen Camilla smiles and waves as she departs Northern Ireland: Poets and Their Place, an event hosted by The Queens Reading Room to mark World Poetry Day at Hillsborough Castle during day two of her visit to NI. (Photo by Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Images)

Queen Camilla is pictured at Hillsborough Castle meeting First Minister Michelle ONeill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly. (Photo by Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye)

Queen Camilla visits shops on the Lisburn Road as part of her series of engagements in Northern Ireland. (Photo by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye)

Queen Camilla looks on at one-year-old Fitz William Salmon-Corrie as she visits Knotts bakery in Belfast. (Photo by Samir Hussein - Pool/Getty Images)

Queen Camilla at Hillsborough Castle meeting First Minister Michelle ONeill, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris. Photo by Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye

The Queen met with First Minister Michelle ONeill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly yesterday as she hosted an event celebrating Northern Ireland literature and her love of reading, and revealed her husband is doing very well as he undergoes treatment for cancer.

Northern Ireland: Poets and Their Place was hosted in The Queens Reading Room at Hillsborough Castle where invited guests from the literary world were also in attendance.

It is the latest royal meeting for Sinn Feins Ms ONeill, who previously attended the funeral of the late Queen in 2022 and the coronation of King Charles III last year.

Queen Camilla is pictured at Hillsborough Castle meeting First Minister Michelle ONeill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly. (Photo by Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye)

As she shook hands with Ms ONeill, Camilla said how lovely to see you again, adding that my husband sent his very, very best wishes, and that he was disappointed not to make the trip.

The First Minister responded: I send him my regards too.

Ms ONeill also sent her best wishes to the Princess of Wales as she continues to recover from abdominal surgery.

It was lovely to welcome the Queen here to Hillsborough Castle for this event which she has been hosting, said Ms ONeill.

It was a very moving event, listening to the work of local renowned poets. I sent my regards to the King in terms of his health, and wished him well and also to the Princess of Wales, she said as the event ended.

Queen Camilla smiles and waves as she departs Northern Ireland: Poets and Their Place, an event hosted by The Queens Reading Room to mark World Poetry Day at Hillsborough Castle during day two of her visit to NI. (Photo by Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Images)

Ms Little-Pengelly added: It was fantastic to see the Queen, and we passed on our regards to His Majesty The King in terms of his health, and our best wishes in terms of his recovery.

Her Majesty the Queen has done great work in promoting reading and this was very much part of her Queens Reading Room series of events. It was fantastic to welcome her here. The poems very much touched on the complexity of our history, heritage and identity which is very much part of what we have been trying to promote as well over the last seven weeks we have been in these posts.

Its fantastic to see the Queen. As the First Minister said, we passed on our regards to His Majesty the King.

During her first engagement on Belfasts Lisburn Road on Thursday morning the Queen said the King is doing very well.

Camilla was handed a get-well card for her husband, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, as she arrived to meet owners and staff at Coffeys Butchers, The Arcadia deli and Knotts Bakery before an impromptu meet and greet with well-wishers.

Responding to quips about men not being the best patients, Camilla said: I try to keep him in order.

During her visit to The Arcadia, shop assistant Brenda Robb asked after Charles, and handed her a get well card for him, extending her best wishes.

Camilla accepted the card and thanked her, adding: Hes doing very well. He was very disappointed he couldnt come.

Queen Camilla visits shops on the Lisburn Road as part of her series of engagements in Northern Ireland. (Photo by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye)

Ms Robb said: She was beautiful, a real lady. She accepted a get well card that I got for her husband and she said she was sorry her husband wasnt here.

It was a very appropriate card. It had a wee saying from Belfast, basically rest up, take care, and on the back of it, it said from Ireland. It was picked with love.

People say maybe hell not get the card, but I think he will.

During her visit to Coffeys, Camilla was presented with a gift of local produce, including vegetable rolls and beef sausages, and responded saying: I shall take these back for my husband, he will make the most of them.

At Knotts, Camilla met owner William Corrie and his wife, former Miss Northern Ireland and Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon, and their 23-month-old son Fitz.

Queen Camilla looks on at one-year-old Fitz William Salmon-Corrie as she visits Knotts bakery in Belfast. (Photo by Samir Hussein - Pool/Getty Images)

The Queen chuckled as a joke was made that the young boy, dressed in a tuxedo, had stolen her thunder, and smiled at him before leaving with a gift of their fruit loaf and iced madeira cake, adding she hoped to snack on it later.

Camilla also visited an Army base in her role as Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles, and took the salute at a parade for junior non-commissioned officers before attending her final Northern Ireland engagement at Hillsborough Castle. There, she marked World Poetry Day by watching spoken-word performances and met authors, actors and performers.

Hosted by poet Paul Muldoon, the Queen watched performances by Derry Girls actor Ian McElhinney, actress Frances Tomelty, and contemporary poet Michael Longley as they took the invited guests on a poetic journey through Northern Ireland from the 18th Century to the present day.

After the performances, Her Majesty met performers and invited guests including representatives from Libraries NI, The Camilla Club (from Kilcooley Womens Centre), and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

The Queen was last in Northern Ireland in May 2023 when she and the King undertook engagements on their first visit to the region following the coronation.

She travelled alone after the King stepped back from his public duties while receiving treatment for cancer.
Police and forensics officers at the scene in Kilkeel, Co Down (Pic by Alan Lewis)

Neighbours of murder victim Bobbie McKee (69) have described him and his wife Yvonne as good, friendly, church-going people.

The couple were well known in the fishing town of Kilkeel, Co Down, with one neighbour saying: Everyone knew of them, even if they didnt know them personally.

Mr McKee was the brother of former Ulster Unionist MLA Harold McKee, who later joined the TUV and served on Newry, Mourne and Down District Council for the party until last year.

He was found unconscious and not breathing when officers responded to a concern-for-safety report at a property in the Newcastle Road area of Kilkeel shortly before 1pm on Thursday.

His wife Yvonne, also aged in her 60s, was also found inside the house with serious head injuries.

She remains in hospital and is in stable condition.

The circumstances are still unclear, however police have ruled out the use of a firearm.

On Friday night a 25-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder remained in custody being quizzed by detectives.

Mr McKee was a well-respected character within the south Down region and was a member of the Loyal Orders and of Mourne Presbyterian Church.

He had also been a caretaker in the church, was a member of the Kilkeel True Blues Silver Band and had been a leader in the Kilkeel Boys Brigade.

Yvonne is a retired primary school teacher.

Together they have two adopted sons, both of whom are now adults.

Multiple neighbours who live near the McKee household described the family as quiet and unassuming, but many noted that Bobby always would have said hello and waved to you if he passed you.

You would always see him walking to and from the shop, or putting the bins out. Everyone knew his name and he was always friendly, noted one person.

Police and forensics officers at the scene in Kilkeel, Co Down (Pic by Alan Lewis)

The family has also been described as steadfast members of the Kilkeel community. Another source told the Belfast Telegraph that the couple were born and reared here their entire lives.

One member of the Orange Order in south Down told this newspaper that Mr and Mrs McKee were just decent, decent people.

You would never have heard any scandal about them. They were just good, church-going people. For this to happen to them... You wouldnt even put the two things together.

In a statement, the local Orange Order Mourne Distirict LOL No 6 said they were shocked and saddened.

"Our thoughts and prayers are also very much with his widow, Yvonne at this time, they said.

Bro McKee and his wife have contributed hugely to the community in Kilkeel and we are all still very much in shock at this huge loss.

We would ask that the family's privacy be respected at this time."

Mrs McKees father had previously owned a shop on the corner of the road opposite the familys current Newcastle Road dwelling.

They had also laid foundations for a house for her brother Russell, but he passed away many years ago from an illness.

TUV leader Jim Allister told the Belfast Telegraph: The whole situation is just devastating.

The tragic and violent death of Bobby McKee and the severe injuries to his wife have rightly caused widespread shock. Bobby McKee was much respected throughout the Mourne community. The circumstances of his death bind the community in grief.

My thoughts and prayers and those of my party are with his immediate family and dear wife. We particularly think of his aged mother and our colleague, his brother Harold. May the God of all comfort be near to them through this terrible time.

Independent unionist councillor Henry Reilly said he was shocked and saddened to hear of Bobbys tragic passing away.

It is hard to believe something so terrible could happen here to such a decent and gentle man, he said.

My prayers are with Yvonne for a full recovery.

Alliance MLA for the area Patrick Brown said he knows that the entire Mourne community is in shock today.

He stated: Incredibly tragic news. I cant begin to think what the family must be going through.
It was a poetic journey through our rich history of literature.

The lyrical beauty of the potato, a tour of traditional townlands as penned by John Hewitt, a delve into the boglands that inspired Seamus Heaney, the launch of the Titanic, culminating in a refreshing ode to joy, reconciliation and hope.

The Queens Reading Room at Hillsborough was hosting its first official event. And the optics could not have been clearer  celebrating a rich history at the dawn of a new political era.

First Minister Michelle ONeill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly once more stood side by side.

Watch: Queen meets with First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly

Both had warmly welcomed the Queen to Northern Ireland and sent their best wishes to the King and the Princess of Wales over their health concerns.

If the Queen wanted a taste of the joyfulness of youth, shed got it earlier in the day. You can always trust a toddler to play up to the camera.

While Camilla would normally be the star attraction, it was young Fitz Salmon-Corrie stealing the attention as she took in the sights, sounds and tastes of Belfasts Lisburn Road.

Zoe Salmon, son Fitz, and her husband meet the Queen in Belfast

And she took a few of those tastes away with her: fruit loaf, iced madeira cake, vegetable rolls and beef sausages  all traditional delicacies.

Throw in a packet of Tayto and there would have been a great wee feast in the back of the royal car en route to Hillsborough Castle.

All that would have been in sharp contrast to those regal surroundings, where you dare not brush too close to a table lest you get a polite tap on your shoulder to move ever so slightly away.

Greeted as she arrived by Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris, he quickly and politely moved aside (a vision of things to come?) as the Queen joined our new political leaders and the three women took centre stage.

Hes the wrong sex, joked the First Minister about Mr Heaton-Harris as Camilla stood with her and Ms Little-Pengelly for the traditional photo call.

Pleasantries over, more pleasantries followed as celebrated poet Paul Muldoon kicked off the recitals before inviting performances from Derry Girls star Ian McElhinney, actress Frances Tomelty, and poet Michael Longley, reading his work Ceasefire.

Watch: Her Majesty The Queen visits Northern Ireland

There were visits to the stage too for Sinead Morrissey and Raquel McKee, who is originally from Jamaica but now lives in Belfast.

Her lively poetry performance was an uplifting end to a reflective afternoon.

As the Queen left she had a word for the few members of the media invited to attend the event.

She then waved goodbye, a wide smile on her face, as she climbed into the back of the royal car.

It wasnt that Camilla  a lover of the arts and an avid reader  was eager to get away from the place.

No, she seemed to soak up every word read aloud during the afternoon.

It could well have been the thought of tucking into that fruit loaf and iced madeira cake sitting on the back seat of the vehicle that had her beaming as she made the short trip to the airport following what was obviously an enjoyable occasion for her.
Deandre Dayshawn Nelson, 28, was arrested Thursday in connection to a Brink's employee who was robbed at gunpoint on Wednesday. Bexar County Sheriff's Office

A man accused of holding a Brinks employee at gunpoint while they were reloading an ATM machine with cash was arrested Thursday.

Deandre Dayshawn Nelson, 28, was charged with one count of aggravated robbery. His bail was set at $75,000. He was released from jail after posting bond.

Police say Nelson robbed a Brinks employee who was operating an armored vehicle Wednesday in the 1500 block of Austin Highway. According to an arrest affidavit for Nelson, police say Nelson rushed the employee at gunpoint while they were at a Wells Fargo ATM machine.

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The employee was ordered to get to the ground while Nelson grabbed multiple boxes of cash from the armored vehicle, according to the affidavit. Police said Nelson then fled in his pickup.

Police did not say how much cash was stolen.

A person who witnessed the robbery was able to provide police with the license plate number for the pickup, and investigators were able to trace it back to Nelson, according to the affidavit.

Police also found surveillance footage from the robbery showing Nelson and his black GMC Sierra truck parked behind the Brinks vehicle, according to the affidavit.

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After searching through the truck, police found a handgun and loose cash, according to the affidavit.
Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn will be the guest speaker at a DUP business breakfast in Lisburn next month.

The partys Lagan Valley Westminster Association is hosting the event in Cafe Vic-Ryn on April 8. With Labour on course to win this years general election, the DUP is keen to build a strong relationship with Mr Benn.

A DUP spokesman said: As we approach the end of the Parliament, we will continue to use our influence for Northern Ireland.

We will work to further develop relationships across Parliament with all those who value the Union.

Whether the Conservative Party is returned to power after the next election, or Keir Starmers Labour Party, we will engage constructively with whoever is Prime Minister.

We have a good relationship with Hilary Benn as Shadow Secretary of State and he will be very welcome in Lagan Valley.

Meanwhile, DUP MP Sammy Wilson, has accused the TUV, which will contest the Westminster election in partnership with Reform UK, of putting unionist seats in jeopardy.

The TUV know full well that seats will not be won by another unionist, but will go to parties who oppose the Union and ironically, support the rigorous implementation of the Protocol and Windsor Framework, he said.

He accused some TUV members of being so consumed with personal bitterness against his party that they had openly declared they would vote Alliance in order to see the DUP defeated.

The East Antrim MP said that, while he would continue to raise his concerns on the Irish Sea border, the DUP was more committed to the Union than those who would wilfully and deliberately weaken it by vote-splitting.

Mr Wilson said Reform UK leader and deputy leader, Richard Tice and Ben Habib, should remember that many of us in the DUP have been unionist representatives when it was dangerous to be so.

However, TUV chairman, Mid and East Antrim councillor Christopher Jamieson, said: It is sad that, having repeatedly highlighted the flaws in the Donaldson deal and rightly rubbished his leaders claim that the sea border was gone, Sammy Wilson has at last found something to say which his partys press office is happy to promote.

It seems Mr Wilson is now on the side of promoting and protecting protocol implementers. Thats a poor place for him to end up in.
First Minister Michelle ONeill has wished the Princess of Wales a full and speedy recovery after revealing her cancer diagnosis.

Kate Middleton made the announcement in a pre-recorded video that was released on Friday.

Reacting to the news, Sinn Fein northern leader Ms ONeill said: I am very sorry to hear the news of the Princess of Wales's cancer diagnosis.

"I send her my best wishes and the strength for her treatment, and a full and speedy recovery. A special word of thought to her young family at this challenging time."

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Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly added: "Sending heartfelt best wishes and love from so many in Northern Ireland to the Princess of Wales.

"May God bless her and support her and the family through this difficult time.

"I know the Princess will be kept in the thoughts and prayers of so many across Northern Ireland."

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UUP leader Doug Beattie said he hopes the Princess of Wales will be given space to recover.

Cancer is an invasive and insidious disease that many within our wider society face on a daily basis, he said. They do so in private, surrounded by family and friends.

Today, the news that the Princess of Wales is also battling cancer is of concern to the whole country but mostly to her family and particularly her young children. Sadly, she has to face this challenge in the glare of media speculation.

On behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party, I would like to wish Her Royal Highness a speedy recovery and hope she, and her family, will be given space to deal with this terrible disease in private.

Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said: Wishing the Princess of Wales speedy recovery to full health and hope that she can now be left in peace to focus on her health and her family.

SDLP leader and Foyle MP Colum Eastwood said he was deeply sorry to hear of Kates diagnosis.

"Families across these islands know the stress and strain it places on people and their loved ones, he said.

We hope she makes a quick and full recovery and our thoughts are with her family.

The TUVs Jim Allister added: On my own behalf and on behalf of TUV and those we represent, I wish to join in the nations good wishes to HRH Princess of Wales on the distressing news that she is battling cancer.

Cancer is no respecter of persons, but when it strikes a young mother it is particularly poignant.

"We trust and pray the Princess will make a full recovery and at this difficult time draw comfort from a nation at one in wishing her and her family well.

Former First Minister and DUP leader Arlene Foster said the news was just awful and sent much love and support from Northern Ireland.

Lagan Valleys Alliance MLA Sorcha Eastwood, whose husband is currently going through his own battle against cancer, said the Princess of Wales is in her thoughts and prayers.

"Every day people contact me sharing news of a diagnosis, every family is impacted by cancer and the Royal Family are no exception. One in two of us will get cancer - we must invest more in research and treatment, she said.

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Cancer Focus NI said the thoughts of everyone at the charity were with Kate and her family.
MLA rubbishes claim People Before Profit members heckled councillor as he slams republicans for clinking glasses with Genocide Joe

Gerry Carroll has denied People Before Profit members booed a Sinn Fein speaker at a Palestine solidarity rally, and accused the party of slinging mud.

The West Belfast MLA said many people at the demo in Belfast last Saturday were angry Sinn Fein wouldnt boycott the White Houses St Patricks Day celebrations.

They found it grotesque that, as over a million people in Gaza face famine, Sinn Fein was in Washington clinking glasses and dining with Joe Biden, he said.

It is bizarre that Sinn Fein is trying to help rehabilitate Bidens reputation on a domestic and global stage as he tanks in the polls ahead of Novembers presidential election.

Thousands took part in the Shamrocks for Palestine march from Queens University to the US Consulate in Stranmillis.

Sinn Fein councillor Cliodhna Nic Bhranair was loudly heckled when she addressed the rally.

His party has been blamed, but Mr Carroll said: People Before Profit, as others have verified, did not heckle Sinn Fein.

Predictably, Sinn Fein and its supporters went into overdrive to blame us. After all, it is easier to sling mud at other parties than it is to explain your collaboration with US imperialism, which is funding the genocide.

Having signalled their intention to shake hands with Genocide Joe, Sinn Fein will have known the contradiction of speaking at Saturdays demonstration.

In selecting a speaker, they were fully aware they would likely take flak for the unprincipled position of the party leadership and, indeed, a large section of the crowd engaged in heckling.

Mr Carroll said the demand for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against apartheid Israel and its backers was a cornerstone of the Palestine solidarity movement in exerting international pressure.

Despite breaking with these principles, Sinn Fein is now playing the victim, absurdly accusing anyone who criticises them of splitting the movement. Weve come to expect such mental gymnastics and opportunism from Sinn Fein.

The mass of the Palestine solidarity movement is united around the call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions. Every other organisation who spoke on the platform on Saturday endorsed the demand to boycott the White House.

He accused Sinn Fein of placing its relationship with Americas powerful and wealthy over the plight of Palestinians.

He added: At what point is it unacceptable to shake hands with someone who is committing genocide? Are the 30,000 dead in Gaza not enough? Is it not enough that up to two million Palestinians are being starved to death? Are the images of mutilated children being pulled from the rubble enough?
Antony Blinken will continue to push for a ceasefire (Pool via AP)

US secretary of state Antony Blinken has arrived in Israel for what are expected to be fractious talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the war in Gaza as public differences over the conflict have intensified.

Mr Blinken said he will share alternatives to Israels planned ground assault into the southern Gaza town of Rafah when he meets Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet.

On Thursday, Mr Blinken and Arab leaders discussed efforts towards a ceasefire and ideas for Gazas post-conflict future.

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The United Nations Security Council will vote on Friday on a US-sponsored resolution declaring the imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

It also supports diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages and emphasises the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance to civilians in the entire Gaza Strip.

So little food has been allowed into Gaza that up to 60% of children under five are now malnourished, compared with fewer than 1% before the war began, World Health Organisation director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

Tens of thousands of people have died in the Israeli offensive (AP)

The health ministry in Gaza raised the territorys death toll to nearly 32,000 Palestinians.

The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.

Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people in the surprise October 7 attack out of Gaza that triggered the war, and abducted another 250 people.

Hamas is still believed to be holding some 100 people hostage, as well as the remains of 30 others.

Members of the Al-Rabaya family break their fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan outside their destroyed home by the Israeli airstrikes in Rafah (AP)

Mr Blinken has arrived in Tel Aviv for the final stop in his sixth urgent diplomatic mission to the Middle East, where he is expected to hold meetings with Netanyahu and his war cabinet aimed at convincing them not to proceed with plans for a large-scale military offensive in the southern city of Rafah that many fear could make an already disastrous humanitarian crisis in Gaza even worse.

Mr Blinken said on Thursday in Cairo: A major military operation in Rafah would be a mistake, something we dont support.

And, its also not necessary to deal with Hamas, which is necessary.

Instead, Mr Blinken will present Mr Netanyahu with alternatives for dealing with Hamas in Rafah in discussions that will continue next week when Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant and a separate delegation of senior Israeli officials visit Washington.

Mr Netanyahu agreed to send the delegation in a Monday phone call with US President Joe Biden  their first conversation in a month amid the widening divisions.
The death of a young Co Down father who died while on holiday in Gran Canaria is believed to have been due to an accident.

The body of Dean Dobbin (33) from Downpatrick was found in an apartment building in the popular resort of Puerto Rico on Monday.

According to a translated report by La Provencia, an autopsy has concluded there were no other people involved in his death.

It said the victim fell inside the room he had rented with a friend and suffered a severe blow to the head due to a fall.

The report stated that the victim's body was found by a cleaner from the tourist apartments on Monday at 12.15pm.

Also present was his friend, semi-conscious and completely disoriented.

La Provencia reported that the friend told the Civil Guard the two had been celebrating St Patricks Day.

A death notice described Mr Dobbin as a loving father to Aodhan and dearly beloved son of David and Annemarie. Much loved brother of Mark and David. Dear brother-in-law, uncle and nephew.

Funeral details have yet to be announced.

The Republics Department of Foreign Affairs is understood to have provided consular assistance to Mr Dobbins family to repatriate his body.

Mr Dobbins brother David posted an emotional tribute on Facebook.

My bro, my everything, he wrote. Most beautiful heart you will ever have met.
Police arrested a prison gang member and an accomplice who escaped following an attack on prison officers at a Boise hospital in the US state of Idaho, with investigators looking into whether they committed two killings while on the run.

Skylar Meade, the escaped inmate, and Nicholas Umphenour, the man who police say shot two prison officers early on Wednesday to break Meade out of custody, were arrested during a traffic stop on Thursday afternoon in Twin Falls, about 130 miles from where they escaped.

Authorities said during a news conference that they were investigating two homicides in Nez Perce and Clearwater counties, where the 2020 Honda Civic the duo were seen fleeing in was later found.

Police found shackles at the scene of one of the killings and thats one of the ways we tied them together, Idaho State Police Lieutenant Colonel Sheldon Kelley said.

Meade, 31, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2017 for shooting at a sheriffs sergeant during a high-speed chase.

Nicholas Umphenour is suspected as helping in the escape (Boise Police Department/AP)

Umphenour was released from the same prison in January, and had at times been housed with Meade at times, authorities said.

Authorities said they were alerted of the attack at 2.15am as Idaho Department of Corrections officers prepared to bring Meade back to prison from Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Centre in Boise, where they had taken him after he injured himself, officials said.

Meade had been imprisoned at Idaho Maximum Security Institution in Kuna, about 12 miles south of Boise.

Police said Nicholas Umphenour is suspected of shooting two corrections officers during Wednesdays ambush in the ambulance bay at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Centre.

A warrant with a two million US dollar bond has been issued for his arrest on two charges of aggravated battery against law enforcement and one charge of aiding and abetting an escape, police said.

Officials described Meade as a white supremacist gang member.

Meade was sentenced to 20 years in 2017 for shooting at a sheriffs sergeant during a high-speed chase.

Three prison officers were shot and wounded during the attack  two allegedly by Umphenour and one by responding police.

One officer shot by the suspect was in critical but stable condition, police said, while the second wounded officer had serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The third injured corrections officer also sustained non-life-threatening injuries when a responding officer, incorrectly believing the gunman was still in the emergency room and seeing an armed person near the entrance, opened fire.

Department of Correction director Josh Tewalt said one guard had been released from the hospital, and the other two are stable and improving.

This brazen, violent, and apparently coordinated attack on Idaho Department of Corrections personnel, to facilitate an escape of a dangerous inmate, was carried out right in front of the Emergency Department, where people come for medical help, often in the direst circumstances, Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar said in a written statement.

The Aryan Knights formed in the mid-1990s in Idahos prison system to organize criminal activity for a select group of white people in custody, as well as outside prison walls, according to the US attorneys office in the district of Idaho.

Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Centre in Boise, Idaho (Sarah A Millar/AP)

In 2021, a man described as a leader in the group was sentenced to life in prison for his role in a plot to traffic drugs behind bars and use violence to collect unpaid debts.

In a court filing ahead of Harlan Hales sentencing, federal prosecutors described the Aryan Knights as a scourge within the states prison system that drains its resources.

The hate-fueled gang engages in many types of criminal activity and casts shadows of intimidation, addiction, and violence over prison life, prosecutors wrote.

In 2022, the Anti-Defamation League counted 75 different white supremacist prison gangs in federal or local facilities in at least 38 states.

The ADL said two of the largest such groups, the Aryan Circle and Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, had at least 1,500 members.

Mark Pitcavage, a senior research fellow for the ADLs Center on Extremism, estimates that the Aryan Knights has approximately 150 members behind bars and roughly 100 more on the streets.

He said it operates in other states, including Washington and Oregon.

With all white supremacist prison gangs, the ideology takes a backseat to the organised crime. Thats just a given, he said.

They use that as a sort of a glue to help keep them together and help keep them loyal to the gang.
A court in Romanias capital has denied a request by online influencer Andrew Tate to return assets that were seized during investigations into the case in which he is charged with human trafficking, rape and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women.

The Bucharest Tribunal ruled that all assets seized will remain in possession of Romanias anti-organised crime agency DIICOT, Tates spokesperson said, adding that the decision will be appealed against.

Tate, 37, won an appeal in January challenging the asset seizures, which triggered a retrial.

Andrew Tate, right, and his brother Tristan arrive at the Bucharest Tribunal in Bucharest, Romania, on March 15 (Andreea Alexandru/AP)

The former professional kickboxer was arrested in December 2022 near Bucharest along with his brother Tristan Tate and two Romanian women.

Romanian prosecutors formally indicted all four in June last year.

They have denied the allegations.

After the Tates were detained, Romanian authorities seized 15 luxury cars, 14 designer watches and cash in several currencies.

The fleet of cars included a Rolls-Royce, a Ferrari, a Porsche, a BMW, an Aston Martin and a Mercedes-Benz.

The total value of the goods, authorities said at the time, was estimated at 3.6 million euros (3 million).

DIICOT also said it had identified more than 10 properties and land owned by companies registered to the Tate brothers, and that their assets could be used to fund investigations and compensate victims if the authorities could prove they were gained through illicit activities.

Andrew Tate, who has amassed nine million followers on the social media platform X, has repeatedly claimed that prosecutors have no evidence against him and that there is a political conspiracy to silence him.

He was previously banned from various prominent social media platforms for expressing misogynistic views and for hate speech.

The decision on Friday came a week after the Tate brothers appeared at the Bucharest Court of Appeal in a separate case.

British authorities issued arrest warrants over allegations of sexual aggression in a UK case dating back to 2012-2015, according to the brothers spokesperson.

The court granted the British authorities their request to extradite the Tates, but only after legal proceedings against them have been concluded in Romania.

The Romanian case is still being discussed in the preliminary chamber stages, when defendants can challenge prosecutors evidence.

No trial date has been set.

Last week, the Bucharest Tribunal, the court of first instance, extended by 60 days geographical restrictions against the Tates, which stipulate they may not leave the country.
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalnys mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, centre left, and his mother-in-law Alla Abrosimova visit his grave at the Borisovskoye Cemetery in Moscow (AP)

A Russian court has rejected a lawsuit filed by the mother of Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader who died in prison in February, that claimed he received inadequate medical care.

Ivan Zhdanov, head of the Anti-Corruption Foundation founded by Mr Navalny, said the court in the town of Labytnangi, near the Arctic prison where he died, turned down Lyudmila Navalnayas case because it said only Mr Navalny could be the plaintiff.

Alexei filed claims against the colonies many times for failure to provide medical care. The claims were denied. Now that he was killed, his familys claim is being denied with mocking wording, Mr Zhdanov said on the Telegram messaging app.

Alexei Navalny died in prison (Moscow City Court via AP)

Mr Navalny, the most persistent foe of President Vladimir Putin, was serving a 19-year sentence.

He had been behind bars since January 2021 after returning to Russia from Germany where he had been recovering from nerve-agent poisoning that he blamed on the Kremlin.

The cause of his February 16 death has been described by officials as due to natural causes.
Allison Morris on the life and crimes of Pearse McCauley.

Terrorist, garda killer and prolific wife beater, Pearse McCauleys long litany of convictions established him as one of Irelands most dangerous criminals for over 30 years.

The IRA man made the headlines in the early 1990s for a daring escape from an English prison, but his crimes against the Irish state, specifically the shooting of a garda in 1996, would wrap his name in infamy among Irish criminal history.

McCauley was part of a team that murdered Detective Garda Jerry McCabe. The garda was shot at point-blank range by an AK-47 in an attack by the Provisional IRA on June 7, 1996, outside Adare Post Office. McCabes colleague, Detective Garda Ben O'Sullivan, was seriously injured in the attack.

Prison sentences were later handed down to McCauley, Michael O'Neill, Jeremiah Sheehy and Kevin Walsh after pleading guilty to Gda McCabes manslaughter at the Special Criminal Court.

McAuley was sentenced to 14 years in February 1999 but was released from Castlerea Prison in August 2009. There had been strong calls from those within Sinn Fein for the men to be released earlier under the Good Friday Agreement.

The eventual release of McCauley and Walsh sparked controversy in Kerry when then sitting Sinn Fein TD Martin Ferris greeted them at the gates of the prison before driving them in a Ford Transit van to meet their families.

Although McCauleys release was welcomed by republicans in 2009, he was shunned in December 2015 when he was handed a 12-year sentence for a frenzied attack on his then wife Pauline Tully  now a Sinn Fein TD  at their home in 2014. McCauley stabbed Ms Tully 13 times in the attack. He walked free in 2022 after serving his prison term.

McCauley died alone in Strabane from a suspected heart attack.

Tabitha Monahan is joined by Allison Morris, crime correspondent with The Belfast Telegraph, to discuss the life and crimes of one of Irelands most violent terrorists, and whether Sinn Fein can ever escape their links to figures within the republican movement.

*A warning, today's episode contains details of domestic violence which listeners may find upsetting
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When we watch the news, we see evil acts taking over our local communities. We become so frustrated about the amount of hate, violence, and negativity in the world. The acts some people commit are absolutely pure evil and our first thought might be they should burn in hell.

While this isnt how God wants us to think, it does draw up the question do certain acts automatically condemn a person to hell? If so, have you already committed one? As Christians this is a scary thought!

Here is the truth about sin straight from the Bible.

No Sin is Too Great

People who commit murder and rape innocent woman automatically go to hell, right? Wrong. The truth is that there is no sin too great that God cannot forgive. Anyone that truly repents for their sins, puts their faith in God, and accepts Jesus Christ as their savior can be forgiven by God, no matter what sin they have committed.

The Apostle Paul is a great example of this. Before he came to Christ, he absolutely hated Christians. He was even responsible for the death of a few. The Bible says before his conversion he was breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord (Acts 9:1). Paul called himself the foremost of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15) but the Lord still forgave his sins and made him an apostle.

The Bible gives us a second example of this. In Matthew 27, there is a story about two robbers and murderers were crucified. The two men lived only for themselves and mocked Jesus. However one of them, while hanging from the cross, observed Jesus and came to faith in Him. Luke 23:42-43 says And he said, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. And He said to him, Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise. Jesus promised the murder that he would be going to heaven, despite the acts he had committed. Not only that, but a murderer who had moments left before death.

Is it fair that these people who committed evil acts can still go to heaven? Some people get frustrated and think the answer is no. While it doesnt seem fair, there is actually a great amount of comfort in this. God loves His children so much that He refuses to ever turn His back on them. God chooses to save sinners. If He can truly save the former evil men, He most certainly will be able to save you and your family.

The Unforgiveable Sin

Many Christians are scared, understandably, about a sin they read in the Bible called the unforgivable or eternal sin. In one New Testament scene, Jesus critics accuse Him of being in association with the Devil. When answering His critics, Jesus refers to the unforgivable sin. This is what Jesus says.

I promise you that any of the sinful things you say or do can be forgiven, no matter how terrible those things are. But if you speak against the Holy Spirit, you can never be forgiven. That sin will be held against you forever.  Mark 3:28-29

This confuses many Christians because they think it contradicts verses like 1 John 1:9-10, which state that God can forgive any wrongdoing. However if you are worried you committed this sin, you most certainly havent. Having concern about it reveals the complete opposite of what the sin is about  those who are guilty wouldnt care because they have no stress over the possibility.

Jesus didnt address the comment He made to His disciples or the crowd. He was talking specifically to Pharisees, who had witnessed Jesus miracle of transforming a blind and mute demon possessed man. Instead of acknowledging the fact that Jesus had incredible divine powers, Pharisees attributed that His power was from Satan. Pharisees willfully rejected God and deliberately refused to believe in His abilities, despite being shown direct evidence. He has an unclean spirit (Mark 3:30).

Blasphemy against the Spirit is not just a one-time offence, but rather an ongoing attitude of rebellion against God by continually rejecting, insulting and resisting the Holy Spirit. Blasphemy against the Spirit is not unforgivable because of something done unintentionally in the past, but because of something being done deliberately and unrelentingly in the present.

The Lord is ready to forgive us of our sins; all we have to do is ask. The Bible is very clear that God is ready to give us! He wants us to be able to come to Him and celebrate in heaven. You can acknowledge your sin, feel legitimate remorse for your actions, work towards turning away from sin and cast yourself upon the mercy of God.

Megan Bailey is a former Social Media Specialist and Content Producer for Beliefnet. She attended James Madison University where she received a degree in psychology.
Incumbant City Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez and challenger Pastor Patrick Jones share a laughwhile waiting in the "green room" prior to a District 2 candidate forum hosted by the African American Network in 2023 at the Eastside Education Training Center. Robin Jerstad Candidate Pastor Patrick Jones talks with fellow candidates before a District 2 candidate forum hosted by the African American Network in 2023 at the Eastside Education Training Center. Robin Jerstad District 10 Councilman Marc Whyte and District 2 Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez talk before the City Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Maria Salazar, right, grins while standing with those organizing The March of Us in observance of Transgender Day of Visibility during the City Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Jeremy J. Pan wears a hat with a rainbow design during the City Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

A local pastor who has said on Facebook that homosexuality is a sin gave the invocation before Thursdays City Council meeting  during which members OKd a permanent LGBTQ+ advisory board.

Patrick Jones is pastor of Greater Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church on the East Side and former president of the Baptist Ministers Union of San Antonio & Vicinity.

He was one of nine challengers who last year ran against District 2 Council Member Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, the first openly gay man elected to City Council. McKee-Rodriguez won the race without a runoff.

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McKee-Rodriguez posted about Jones appearance on X, formerly known as Twitter, after Jones concluded his invocation.

Today, were officially establishing an LGBTQ+ Advisory Board through a new ordinance and ALSO recognizing Trans Day of Visibility with a proclamation! his post states, accompanied by six rainbow-colored hearts. Tragic day for one of my colleagues to invite homophobic pastor Patrick Jones to give the invocation. Yikes!

The post was accompanied by a screenshot of a 2021 San Antonio Express-News article that cited a comment Jones made on a since-deleted Facebook post.

We as believers dont get upset when we read or are preached to about our various sins, lying, stealing, fornication, adultery, etc., Jones said in the post. The Bible does declare homosexuality a sin. Regardless of what the law says. I think if we can accept our faults they should too.

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The story noted tensions between McKee-Rodriguez and Jones and other faith leaders who at the time were backing then-District 2 incumbent Jada Andrews-Sullivan.

McKee-Rodriguez accused Jones during the 2021 campaign of telling his congregation not to vote for him because of his sexual orientation, a claim Jones denied.

But Jones stands behind the remarks he made in the 2021 Facebook comment. Jones said in an interview with the Express-News that he made the comment under a post in which Mario M. Salas, a former District 2 council member, asked what the Bible says about homosexuality.

I still believe what the Bible says, Jones said.

Jones claims that McKee-Rodriguez later copied his Facebook comment and put it under posts on his page to make it appear that Jones had directed his remarks at McKee-Rodriguez.

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Jones addressed McKee-Rodriguez in a 2021 Facebook Live video before Election Day.

I know of no pastor that said voting for him would be a sin, Jones said in the video. The reason I cannot support you is not because of your lifestyle. It had solely to do with this young man has done nothing in our community.

Jones Thursday invocation was brief and didnt mention the LGBTQ community. On Friday morning, he said he has no thoughts about the pro-LGBTQ items from the council agenda.

Council members and their staffs rotate to select which local faith leaders give the invocation at Thursday council meetings. District 8 Council Member Manny Pelaezs office invited Jones to give this weeks prayer.

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Pelaez said he was unaware of Jones comments regarding homosexuality when he approved a recommendation from a staffer to invite the pastor.

Though the council member said he disagrees with the anti-LGBTQ comments Jones had made in 2021, he described the pastors words of encouragement Thursday as powerful.
A Papuan man (right) in traditional clothing, with his face painted in the colors of the Morning Star Flag, which is banned in Indonesia, stands next to a police officer during a demonstration demanding a referendum on the independence of Papua province in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Dec. 1, 2023.

Military officials in Indonesias restive Papua region said Friday they were verifying the authenticity of a video that has gone viral and appears to show Indonesian servicemen beating and cutting with a bayonet a man believed to be an indigenous Papuan.

Human rights activists demanded a swift inquiry to determine if soldiers were involved in what would be yet another case of torture and abuse, which is a longstanding accusation against Indonesian military and security forces in Papua.

The location and time of the alleged incident are unclear.

We are verifying its authenticity, Col. Gusti Nyoman Suriastawa, a military spokesman in Papua, told BenarNews. If it is genuine, we need to determine where and when it occurred.

The graphic video footage, viewed by BenarNews, shows men in trousers that resemble Indonesian military uniform fatigues, taunting the victim who is seen inside a water-filled drum.

How does that feel? Head up! Head up, the men say as they hit him and make incisions on his back with a bayonet.

As the men continue to inflict the wounds, the water in the drum can be seen turning red.

In a statement issued after the video was widely circulated, PAHAM Papua, a local human rights organization, issued a statement that makes the assumption that the abusers in the footage are members of the Indonesian Armed Forces [TNI].

If the individual was suspected of criminal activity, the TNI should not have resorted to such brutal and sadistic torture as shown in the video, PAHAM chairman Gustaf Kawer said.

The act of torture inflicted on [the] civilian was extremely cruel, carried out by TNI [personnel without adhering to the principle of presumption of innocence.

PAHAM urged the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) and the Indonesian military to conduct a comprehensive investigation.

A Papuan youth holds a signard that says, The people of Papua support the freedom of Palestine, as he takes part in a demonstration in Jakarta demanding a referendum on the independence of Papua from Indonesia, Dec. 1, 2023. [Bay Ismoyo/AFP]

Theo Hesegem, executive director of the Papua Human Justice and Integrity Foundation, urged authorities to ensure that the perpetrators of the torture are processed swiftly.

It is clear that the individual subjected to torture is a native Papuan, he said in a statement.

Komnas HAM, meanwhile, indicated that initial findings point to the incident taking place in the Puncak regency of Central Papua province.

This compounds the toll of violence from the ongoing conflict in Papua, with suspicions pointing to torture by authorities, Komnas HAM chairwoman Atnike Nova Sigiro Atnika said in a statement.

Rights groups have long accused Indonesian security forces of abuses in Papua, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings.

Papua, at the far-eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago, has seen an escalation in violence following an insurgent attack that resulted in the deaths of 19 road construction workers and a soldier in 2018.

The heavy military presence and ongoing violence have stifled development in the region.

On Friday, Rumadi Ahmad, a deputy chief of the Indonesian presidential staff, said that President Joko Jokowi Widodo had committed to accelerating development in Papua, but these efforts would be hampered if the military was responsible for the violence in the video.

While we hold a strong hope that our soldiers are not involved in such reprehensible acts, if proven true, the individuals responsible must be held accountable in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations, Rumadi said in a statement.

He said the military played a strategic role in bringing about a sense of security in Papua.

If the video is proven to be true, the actions by a few irresponsible individuals could be very disruptive to the development that has been planned and implemented so well, Rumadi said.

A man wears an armband featuring the Morning Star Flag, which is banned in Indonesia, as he attends a protest demanding polling stations be placed in villages in Timika, Central Papua, Indonesia, Feb. 12, 2024, ahead of the general election. [Adek Berry/AFP]

Insurgents have also been responsible for civilian fatalities, targeting those they suspect of espionage for the authorities. In 2022, rebels killed eight employees of Telkomsel, the nations leading telecommunications provider, who were constructing cellular towers in the Puncak regency.

However, one armed separatist group, the West Papua National Liberation Army, quickly distanced itself from the incident in the video and condemned the acts therein, which spokesman Sebby Sambom attributed to the TNI.

The actions of the Indonesian military and police are akin to [those of] ISIS terrorists, Sambom said, referring to the Islamic State militant group.

Papua, a mineral-rich and underdeveloped region, has been grappling with a separatist insurgency for decades. The mineral extraction and alleged discrimination against indigenous Papuans by the Indonesian government have fueled the conflict.

Papuans have long felt marginalized economically and politically, despite the immense wealth their land generates.

The territory was incorporated into Indonesia in the 1960s after a controversial United Nations-backed plebiscite.

Many Papuans allege the vote was rigged and have since fought for independence.
Rohingya refugees are rescued from their capsized boat by National Search and Rescue Agency personnel in waters some 16 nautical miles (18 miles) off West Aceh, Indonesia, March 21, 2024.

The United Nations refugee agency said Friday that more than 70 Rohingya were feared dead or missing at sea after their boat capsized off Indonesias coast this week, but an Indonesian rescue official doubted there were any victims.

Indonesia ended its search-and-rescue operation on Thursday after bringing ashore a total of 75 Rohingya over two days after their wooden boat flipped near the coast of Aceh province on Wednesday.

However, the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR and the International Office for Migration (IOM) said in a joint statement that some rescued refugees from the persecuted and stateless Myanmar minority group had told authorities there had been 151 of them on the boat.

UNHCR and IOM are very concerned about the potential loss of life as rescued refugees said the ship was actually carrying 151 people, the joint statement said.

UNHCRs Asia-Pacific spokesman, Babar Baloch, said if the agencies fears came true, the scale of the disaster would be shocking.

If confirmed, this would be the biggest maritime tragedy in Asian waters so far this year, he said on social media platform X.

Ther U.N. refugee agencys representative to Indonesia, Ann Maymann, thanked the Southeast Asian country for saving lives and demonstrating statecraft has human values at its core.

I plea[d] for the search efforts to continue in the hope of finding survivors and giv[ing] the perished a dignified burial, she said in a post on X.

UNHCR and IOM also said that Indonesia had demonstrated a strong humanitarian side, adding that they had sent their teams to West Aceh regency to assist the local government in providing help to the victims.

A Rohingya woman reacts after her rescue from a capsized boat by the search-and-rescue agency, which brought ashore a total of 69 refugees who had been clinging to their boat after it flipped in waters off Aceh province, Indonesia, March 21, 2024. [Zahlul/Akbar/AFP]

This latest incident occurred amid the increasing arrival of Rohingya refugee boats in Indonesia.

In 2023 alone, more than 2,300 Rohingya refugees arrived [in Indonesia], with a significant increase from November onwards. This number exceeds the number of arrivals in the previous four years as a whole, UNHCR and IOM said.

The Rohingya have been accommodated in locations across Aceh, according to the UNHCR.

In January, the UNHCR reported that 569 Rohingya refugees had died or gone missing at sea in 2023 while attempting to flee from Myanmar or Bangladesh.

The Rohingya have been fleeing violence and oppression in Myanmar for years.

Following a 2017 military offensive in Myanmars Rakhine state, about 740,000 Rohingya fled across the border to Bangladesh. Now, close to 1 million Rohingya refugees live in crowded camps in southeastern Bangladesh.

Many desperate Rohingya board human smuggling boats to leave overcrowded refugee camps in Bangladesh, in search of better lives in other countries including Malaysia and Indonesia.

In recent months, some locals in Aceh have pushed back against hosting the refugees, saying there are not enough resources for all of them.

However on Wednesday, when the overturned boat was spotted in West Aceh, the head of the local fishing community issued a written order for Acehnese fishermen to assist the Rohingya.

For humanitarian reasons, we are obliged to help those who suffer misfortune at sea, whoever they are Azwir Nazar, secretary general of Panglima Laot, a traditional institution focusing on the welfare of fishermen.

Rohingya refugees rest on board a National Search and Rescue Agency vessel after they were rescued from their capsized boat in waters off Aceh province, Indonesia, March 21, 2024. [Zahlul/Akbar/AFP]

The captain of the search-and-rescue ship, Supriadi, said his teams mission was humanitarian because the refugees were in an emergency situation following the boat disaster.

He took issue with the UNHCR and IOMs contention that 76 people may have perished or were missing at sea, because the 69 (of 75) refugees rescued Thursday had clear coordinates provided by fishermen who witnessed the refugees in distress.

And that, he told BenarNews, begs the question: If there are still victims, where are they located?

Has the information about the 150 people been fully verified for accuracy? If it is indeed true, where are they located, and we are ready to search for them, Supriadi, who has just one name, said.

For now, though, The mission [has] concluded with the discovery of 69 individuals from the overturned vessel on Thursday, he said.

Six Rohingya were rescued Wednesday. The Rohingya rescued on Thursday had been clinging to their wooden boat for nearly a day and were suffering from hunger and dehydration.

A video taken by a local fisherman on Wednesday showed more than 50 of them standing on the overturned hull of the barely visible boat as they frantically waved for help.

The two U.N. agencies, UNHCR and IOM, on Friday again called on countries to advocate for joint efforts to rescue all people in distress at sea across the region.

UNHCR and IOM are strengthening efforts to provide humanitarian assistance and emergency protection to refugees arriving in Indonesia, their statement said.

UNHCR and IOM express their appreciation to the Indonesian authorities and local communities for their efforts to save the lives of refugees from capsized boats in West Aceh.

Indonesia is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, but has a long history of hosting refugees from various conflicts. It allows refugees to stay temporarily, while they wait for a third country to resettle them, a process that can take years.

Shailaja Neelakantan in Washington contributed to this report.
China has protested against a marine research expedition launched by Philippine scientists in Sandy Cay, a group of rocks seen as strategically important for both countries within the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

The expedition could potentially reignite one of the most contentious issues over sovereignty between Beijing and Manila in recent years.

Thirty-four individuals from the Philippines ignored Chinas warning and illegally landed on Tiexian Reef on Thursday, China Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu said in a statement.

Tiexian Reef is the Chinese name for Sandy Cay, a group of cays  or low reefs  situated 2 nautical miles (3 km) from Philippines-occupied Thitu island, known as Pag-asa island in Tagalog.

Chinese law enforcement officers investigated and handled the case in accordance with the law, Gan Yu said without giving further details.

The Philippines actions infringe on Chinas territorial sovereignty, violate the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea, Gan said. We urge the Philippines to immediately stop the infringement.

The China Coast Guard will continue to carry out rights protection and law enforcement activities in the area, the spokesman said.

Ray Powell, director of the SeaLight project at U.S. Stanford University, told Radio Free Asia that as of Friday morning, as many as 15 Chinese vessels including the 100-meter China Coast Guard (CCG) 5204 were seen crowding the area between Sandy Cay and Thitu island.

Marine research

The Philippines on Thursday said three groups of its scientists launched a marine research to study underwater reef biodiversity in the area and its current status.

The lead scientist, Jonathan Anticamara, was quoted in local media as telling a press conference that this is the first time such research has been conducted in all four parts of Sandy Cay.

The research will have different components such as for environmental assessment, biochemical assessment, basic water parameters and fish visual census, among others, Anticamara was quoted as saying.

Initial findings on Sandy Cay 1 and 2 would be presented as soon as Friday.

Philippine scientists conduct research at Sandy Cay, March 21, 2024. [Philippine Coast Guard/Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources]

Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela told the same press conference that the government invited the scientists to carry out the research and authorities have dispatched four law enforcement ships to accompany them in case Chinese ships block them from Sandy Cay.

Simple observations and measurements of their current status, which do not affect their natural state, do not affect the dispute overall since scientific activities are not a legal basis for either asserting or contesting sovereign claims, said Jay Batongbacal, director of the University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea.

However, Beijing views the scientific expedition differently.

The think tank South China Sea Probing Initiative called it a provocation and questioned whether there was a connection between the research and the visit to Manila by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on March 19.

China has repeatedly accused Washington of interfering in the South China Sea dispute and criticized U.S. assistance to the Philippines.

Sovereignty rights

Sandy Cay is contested by China, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan.

Under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Sandy Cay is a rock that is permanently above water and therefore is entitled to a territorial sea of 12 nautical miles from its banks.

Whichever country controls Sandy Cay would have legal sovereignty rights over any other feature located within its territorial sea, such as Subi Reef  a Chinese artificial island that Beijing has militarized with missiles and an airstrip.

Sandy Cay is a group of reefs near the Philippines-controlled Thitu (Pag-asa) island in the Spratlys, South China Sea. [RFA/Planet/Google Earth]

Legal analysts said if China gains sovereignty over Sandy Cay, it would validate both its claim and occupation of Subi Reef, just 10 nautical miles away. But Sandy Cay also lies within the territorial sea of Philippines-controlled Thitu island, the largest island of a municipality in the province of Palawan.

With both China and the Philippines vying to assert sovereignty over the area, the situation could become precarious.

Filipino fishermen accused China Coast Guard and maritime militia ships of maintaining a constant presence in the area, blocking their access to Sandy Cay.

It is not Philippine activities which complicate the situation, but rather Chinas overreaction and increasing need to establish absolute control over everything in the South China Sea to pursue to excessive and illegitimate claims, Batongbacal from the Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea told RFA, a news service affiliated with BenarNews.

In 2016, a landmark arbitral tribunal brought by the Philippines ruled against all Chinas claims in the South China Sea but Beijing has rejected the verdict, calling it illegal, null and void.
A store selling electrical appliances and household goods in Yala city was one of the buildings damaged in arson attacks on March 22, 2024.

UPDATED at 9:19 a.m. ET on 2024-03-25

Insurgents in Thailands restive Deep South carried out a wave of coordinated bombings and arson attacks targeting more than 40 properties overnight, killing a migrant worker from Myanmar, military officials said Friday.

The attacks, which struck in four provinces, were likely an attempt by a new militant faction to undermine efforts to reduce tensions in the Muslim-majority region during Ramadan, according to Lt. Gen. Santi Sakuntanark, the army commander for the southern region.

The perpetrators aimed to create disturbances during Ramadan, but did not intend to harm people, Santi told reporters on Friday.

He said the sole fatality occurred when a female construction worker from Myanmar was struck by shrapnel from a bombing at a gas station in Mayo district.

The Thai militarys Internal Security Operations Command reported 11 incidents in Yala, 20 in Pattani, seven in Narathiwat and two in Songkhla.

For decades, separatists have been fighting for independence in Thailands predominantly Muslim and Malay-speaking southern border provinces.

Since the insurgency reignited in January 2004, more than 7,540 people have been killed and more than 14,000 injured in violence in the region, according to Deep South Watch, a local think-tank.

In response to the attacks, Prime Minister Setha Thavisin expressed concern for the wellbeing of citizens in the region and ordered Lt. Gen. Kittirat Panphet, the acting national police chief, to immediately address the situation.

The unrest began around 1 a.m. on Friday with arson attacks on private buildings, government property and CCTV cameras across six districts in Narathiwat province, military officials said.

There were no reported fatalities, but a police officer was injured when he was clipped by a pickup truck that drove through a checkpoint without stopping for inspection.

Several districts in Pattani province were also struck by bombings and arson attacks, with insurgents targeting convenience stores, private buildings, government properties and telephone poles.

Similar arson attacks were carried out in Yala and Songkhla provinces, authorities said. In Yalas Muang district insurgents captured and bound two security guards, but no injuries were reported.

Around one in the morning, villagers were shouting fire, fire, the flames were terrifying, and there were explosions from the fire, Ismael, who witnessed the aftermath of an arson attack in Bannang Sata District in Yala, told BenarNews.

Fortunately, no one was hurt. Villagers helped to remove valuables from the scene. We dont know who did it.

Barisan Revolusi Nasional rebels, the main insurgent group in the Thai Deep South, and Sretthas government resumed peace talks in February and discussed a ceasefire over the Muslim holy month Ramadan, which started on March 11, but the insurgents did not agree to it.

and agreed to a ceasefire over the Muslim holy month Ramadan, which started on March 11.

But this weeks attacks expose how far apart the Thai government and insurgent groups remain, said human rights activist Anchana Heemmina, who is a member of the Thai House of Representatives Special Committee on Southern Border Peace.

This could be interpreted as a response timed with the 20th anniversary of the Tak Bai incident and a counteraction to the extrajudicial killings on March 14, she told BenarNews.

The Tak Bai incident in 2004 remains one of the most deadly events in the decades-long conflict between Malay-Muslims and the Thai state, in which dozens of Muslim protesters suffocated while being transported in army trucks or were shot by security forces.

More recently, a joint police and military operation on March 14 to arrest two suspected insurgents in Pattani province resulted in both being killed, sparking criticism from locals and civil society groups that security forces were not sincere about ending violence.

CORRECTION: An early version of this report incorrectly stated that BRN and Thai negotiators had agreed to a Ramadan truce.
Maria Salazar, right, grins while standing with those organizing The March of Us in observance of Transgender Day of Visibility during the City Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Transgender advocate Sofia Sepulveda addresses city council members during the City Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News District 10 Councilman Marc Whyte listens to discussion during the City Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News District 10 Councilman Marc Whyte confers with City Manager Erik Walsh during the City Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News District 10 Councilman Marc Whyte and District 2 Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez talk before the City Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Transgender advocate Sofia Sepulveda grins as she embraces Joleen Garcia during the City Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Mayor Ron Nirenberg stands to applaud special guests during the City Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News District 5 Councilwoman Terri Castillo speaks with organizers of the second annual Trans Day of Visibility march before the City Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Transgender advocate Sofia Sepulveda, center, stands next to Mayor Ron Nirenberg for a photo while holding a banner for The March of Us in observance Transgender Day of Visibility in Council Chambers on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

City Council overwhelmingly approved the creation of an LGBTQ+ advisory board, making permanent a previously ad hoc committee that could have dissolved when Mayor Ron Nirenberg leaves office next year.

Only one member did not vote in favor of the boards creation: District 10 Council Member Marc Whyte, the most conservative member on the dais.

Whyte, who abstained from the vote, said that almost 100 seats on the citys nearly 90 boards and commissions are vacant and that several of the groups havent met in months.

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I do not believe that we need more bureaucracy, the Northeast Side council member said Thursday. We do not need any more of these boards or commissions, at least not until we can fill up all the ones we have.

My vote today has nothing to do with  or does not reflect  my feelings at all with respect to the LGBT community. I believe that everybody should be treated equally and with respect and should have all of their concerns heard, he continued.

But Whytes position didnt sit well with other council members. Ahead of the vote, several scoffed at Whytes argument or chimed in ahead of the formal vote to say that they hoped the issue would receive unanimous support.

District 1 Council Member Sukh Kaur said commission vacancies are the fault of council members who have not filled them, not members of the LGBTQ+ community who want a permanent advisory board. She said people from her district have reached out, wanting to be on the LGBTQ+ panel.

District 2 Council Member Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, the first openly gay man elected to City Council, said it was hard not to take Whytes stance personally, adding that the arguments he made were misguided.

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Theres a difference between being truly and actively supportive to the LGBTQ community versus not wanting to be seen as a bigot, said McKee-Rodriguez, who represents the East Side. I really want that to be internalized.

If youre worried about vacancies, fill them, bro, McKee-Rodriguez added.

Whyte and McKee-Rodriguez are polar opposites politically but have said repeatedly that they want to work together and find common ground.

When Whyte was arrested on a charge of driving while intoxicated in late December, McKee-Rodriguez said he and Whyte were pretty good friends and that the incident was uncharacteristic.

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Whyte and McKee-Rodriguez also are working together on a proposal to create a fund for grants to businesses affected by city construction projects, though they have clashed recently in how that effort should roll out.

Thursdays abstention wasnt Whytes first. In September, Whyte refused to vote on the citys $3.7 billion annual budget over a $500,000 fund some of his colleagues want to use, in part, to help people access abortions.

Nirenberg created the LGBTQ+ ad hoc advisory committee in 2018. The group currently has eight members who over the years have discussed ways to strengthen the citys nondiscrimination ordinance, pushed for gender-neutral bathrooms in city buildings and called for the city to fly the pride flag at City Hall during Pride Month in June.

The incoming advisory board will have 13 members, three appointed by the mayor and the rest by council members.

The board will advise the council and City Manager Erik Walshs administration. Among its duties will be recommending measures to improve life for LGBTQ+ San Antonians and coordinating educational programs.

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Maria Salazar has been on the ad hoc committee since 2018.

I think visibility is power, so I think its going to be a tremendous resource for the LGBTQ+ community and in the end will enhance the quality of life for everyone in San Antonio, Salazar said ahead of the councils vote.

Salazar was also among a handful of community members who publicly addressed council members in support of a permanent board.

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RUTLAND Daniel Banyai, wanted for several months on an outstanding contempt warrant for a years-long dispute with the Town of Pawlet, was arraigned Thursday on one felony count of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. That charge came after a scuffle broke out Wednesday afternoon when the Pawlet Town Constable pepper-sprayed Banyai in the face while attempting to arrest him on the warrant.

Banyai appeared via Webex at the Rutland court wearing a red jumpsuit. His lawyer, Chris Davis, speaking on Banyais behalf, entered a plea of not guilty on that charge. State prosecutor Ira Sullivan then asked Judge Cortland Corsones to hold Banyai on a $15,000 bail plus conditions that Banyai  if he makes bail  be given a 24/7 curfew and not leave the State of Vermont.

Corsones decided on a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew and granted the $15,000 bail request.

However, bail might be a moot point.

According to Pawlet Attorney Merrill Bent, Banyais arrest warrant calls for him to be held until his property comes into compliance. It is unclear if Banyai will be held without bail on the contempt warrant. A record check confirmed Banyai was still in custody at the Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility in Rutland as of press time.

Banyai did not speak at the hearing.

According to a police affidavit, Town of Pawlet Constable Thomas Covino stopped a 2022 Dodge Ram for a speeding violation Wednesday afternoon on Route 133. When Covino approached the pulled-over vehicle, he immediately recognized Banyai sitting in the passenger seat.

Covino informed Banyai that he had an outstanding warrant and asked him to exit the vehicle. Banyai answered that Covino was a dirty cop and would not exit the vehicle. After several more attempts to talk Banyai out of the vehicle, Covino called dispatch and was told that a Vermont State Trooper would take at least 35 to 40 minutes to arrive. Covino then approached the truck and asked the driver, David Brodsky, to exit the vehicle.

Banyai responded that no one was exiting the vehicle, and again repeated that Covino was a dirty cop. After several more attempts to get Banyai out of the vehicle, Covino informed Banyai that he was going to administer pepper spray to gain compliance. Banyai then clenched his fists and leaned into Covino. It is unclear from Covinos statement whether Banyai punched him in the head before or at the same time that Covino let loose with the pepper spray.

Banyai again swung at the officer as Covino reached in and opened the door from the inside. Both men then scuffled, with Banyai landing on the pavement of the churchs parking lot, where Covino was able to handcuff him. After he was in handcuffs, Banyai requested Covino decontaminate his face after the pepper spray exposure, to which Covino complied.

Banyai was then handed over to the Vermont State Police and taken to the Rutland Regional Medical Center to treat minor injuries. He was then transported to be booked and photographed.

Banyai has been the subject of an active arrest warrant from the Environmental Division of Vermont Superior Court since December 2023. He was convicted of contempt of court violations after years-long litigation over his former military-style firearms training facility called Slate Ridge in West Pawlet.

The long-running case pitted Banyai against the Town of Pawlet and several of Banyais neighbors, who complained of harassment by Banyai and his supporters in and around the small town. The case has drawn national attention over fears of so-called military training facilities, the fight between private property rights and the greater community, gun control, and whether a court can use threats of imprisonment and fines to enforce civil violations.

The Vermont Supreme Court, after an appeal of his conviction, upheld Environmental Court Judge Thomas Durkins 2023 ruling that Banyai was guilty of contempt. Banyai then appealed a second time, challenging the sanctions and fines as a punitive enforcement action in what, according to Banyais attorney Robert Kaplan, is a civil zoning issue.

Kaplan had argued before the justices back in January that the environmental court imposed punitive rather than coercive sanctions by levying hefty fines against his client and potentially forcing Banyais arrest and confinement until Pawlet officials could bring his property into compliance.

In an email, Merrill Bent confirmed that the town is working on compliance for the property. No more details were revealed.

Banyai has so far ignored several court orders and sanctions imposed by the judge to dismantle the facility, pay fines, and turn himself into authorities on the outstanding arrest warrant.

Those court-ordered sanctions include the ability for the town to dismantle any structures not in compliance, collect fines of $200 a day for the time Banyai was not in compliance, and for authorities to arrest Banyai. The accrued fines to date have totaled well over $100,000.

The Vermont State Police and the Rutland County Sheriff David Fox were initially charged with arresting Banyai. They were required to inform the environmental court every 30 days if their attempts to arrest him were unsuccessful. Both law enforcement agencies have now filed three updates, stating that they had attempted to locate Banyai on multiple occasions, both at his West Pawlet property and at other locations garnered from leads regarding his whereabouts.

Banyai could be seen rubbing his eyes several times during the hearing and his left eye appeared swollen shut as a result of the pepper spray.
PAWLET  A relative calm seemed to settle on the small town of Pawlet the day after one of their most infamous neighbors was safely locked behind bars after years of litigation, threats, harassment, and bad feelings on both sides.

Im feeling very relieved right now, said Mandy Hulette, Deer Flats Farm owner in West Pawlet, on whose original farmland Daniel Banyais Slate Ridge property now sits. We were starting to think this would never be resolved.

Daniel Banyai, 50, was in the passenger seat of a 2022 Dodge Ram pickup truck pulled over Wednesday afternoon on Route 133 outside the Town of Pawlet by Constable Thomas Covino for a speeding violation. Covino immediately recognized Banyai sitting in the passenger seat and attempted to arrest him on an outstanding warrant stemming from a years-long legal battle with the Town over an illegal military-style firearms training facility.

Banyai resisted, scuffled with Covino, was pepper-sprayed, and put in handcuffs nearly three months after his arrest warrant on contempt of court was issued. Banyai, who was considered on the lam from authorities, came back to Vermont in an attempt to visit the property on Briar Hill Road. He was arrested Wednesday and arraigned Thursday on an aggravated assault charge stemming from the scuffle with Covino. Banyai is currently held without bail on his previously issued outstanding warrant. A $15,000 bail was set in the separate assault case.

Hulette, whose family farm dates back over two generations, spoke with the Banner about the long, rocky road theyve been on ever since Banyai created the shooting facility on former farm property and the hope that life gets back to the peaceful way it was before 2016 when all this began.

This has been a nightmare headache for our family, Hulette said. We are hoping its finally over.

A group of West Pawlet neighbors, including the Hulette family, have objected to Banyai running an unpermitted shooting range and firearm training facility.

The neighbors, some of whom have spoken on the record and others only on background, said they feared for their safety. They also said they lost the peaceful nature of their neighborhood that, at the height of the shooting facility, sounded like a war zone on weekends.

Many of the neighbors claimed that they were threatened by Banyai and had to endure Banyai posting personal information on the Internet in retaliation for their efforts to fight Slate Ridge through the towns zoning procedures and courts.

Many said they kept firearms handy at all times and were no longer convinced that calling the police could help. The Hulette family filed for orders of protection against Banyai, with Banyai filing orders of protection against them. Accusations and rumors flew on both sides, including a conspiracy view that Slate Ridge was a fringe, right-wing white nationalist training facility.

In response to the rumors, the Vermont Legislature passed a bill signed by Gov. Phil Scott banning military-type training facilities statewide.

Legal action in the Banyai case went back and forth, with Banyai appearing at town meetings and aggressively confronting town officials and neighbors. After years of litigation, an Environmental Court judge decided the case in favor of the town. After several attempts to bring the property into compliance with town zoning regulations, an inspection was conducted in late 2023, seemingly without any conclusion. An arrest warrant was issued to Banyai for contempt of court after failure to comply with court orders to remove facilities on his property not in compliance and pay over $100,000 in accumulated fines. Two Vermont Supreme Court decisions later, Banyai went on the run. He was finally arrested on Wednesday.

Merrill Bent, Pawlet town attorney, updated Pawlets immediate plans.

The Town is finalizing plans to complete the work necessary to bring the property back into compliance with zoning regulations, after which the Town will promptly notify the Court that the work is completed.

Im happy our town constable made the arrest, Hulette said. The State Police have said they were up there, but I never saw them make a real attempt to make an arrest. Tom (Covino) is our hero. He got the job done.

Its actually been really nice lately, Hulette added. He (Banyai) was very obnoxious when he was here, so its been nice and quiet, peaceful here like it had been before. Im glad hes finally behind bars. Hes skirted the system for so long. Hes a loose cannon. The time that weve spent thinking about him, talking about him, and concerned about not ever knowing what hes going to do, its been a big waste of our life.

"I finally feel like we are on the right track and that theres some light at the end of this tunnel. Im feeling really good todayall of us are.

Others indeed shared that feeling in town.

It appears that this is coming to an end, and rightly so, said Steve Fuentes, as he walked his dogs outside Machs Market in the center of Pawlet. I understand his case for using his land as he wishes, but clearly, you have to work with your community to determine what is and is not appropriate. Having a militia-style gun range is not compatible with people who live nearby.

It seems part of that right-wing methodology  that push, push, push. The only thing that matters is your individual rights. This is a community and I think the community is now a better place. I still think hes a threat if he gets out, and Im not sure if this is the end, but clearly, hes been held accountable by the law. Thats the right thing.
Decreased patent filings, yet robust innovation

10:28, March 22, 2024 By Yuan Quan ( Xinhua

BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The decline in global patent filings has raised concerns about potential stagnation in worldwide innovation. China's performance, however, can provide some reassurance.

According to the World Intellectual Property Organization, in 2023 China remained the top source with 69,610 international patent filings, slipping 0.6 percent from a year earlier, the first drop since 2002. The total number of patent filings worldwide experienced a 1.8 percent decline, with many other leading countries in intellectual property (IP) also observing decreases last year.

The temporary dip caused some economists to speculate about an innovation crunch. However, there may be a different perspective when examining China's case.

The slight fall in China's patent submissions indicates a shift within the country's IP sector from expanding in scale to focusing more on quality and high value, thereby enhancing genuine indigenous innovation.

The shift is evident in several aspects. Increased scrutiny and stricter criteria for patent applications are now in place, ensuring that only authentic innovative ideas can get the green light.

This transformation aligns with broader reforms. Since 2019, China has updated major IP laws, introducing stringent punitive measures and refining the IP review process through 16 reform initiatives issued by the State Council in 2021. These measures highlight China's commitment to quality over quantity in patenting.

Furthermore, the Chinese government actively promotes the deep integration of industry, universities, and research institutes, encouraging research and development investment and independent innovation. This approach is not only accelerating technological progress but also providing strong support for sustainable economic growth.

"Less is more." The dialectical phrase perfectly captures the essence of China's IP sector in its pursuit of high-quality development.

The National Intellectual Property Administration (NIPA), the country's top IP regulator, reported a 25.7 percent increase in the number of patents for high-value inventions last year. Moreover, with a population of 1.4 billion, China's average ownership of high-value invention patents rose to 11.8 patents per 10,000 people by the end of 2023, 2.4 more than in 2022.

China's contribution to global IP extends to cutting-edge sectors like quantum information, AI, and 5G. A study by the German think-tank Bertelsmann Stiftung showcases China's leadership in green technologies, with a surge in top-tier patents, positioning the country as a key global player in this domain.

Such dedication to quality-driven innovation has propelled China to the 12th spot on the Global Innovation Index 2023.

Earlier this year, Shen Changyu, the head of the NIPA, reiterated China's commitment to enhancing patent quality and actively engaging in global innovation partnerships.

The decrease in patent filings may create the impression of a temporary slowdown in innovation, but China's focus on enhancing quality in its IP practices promises to bolster its innovative capabilities and contribute significantly to global innovation dynamics, fueling the growth of new quality productive forces.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Meidi holds her daughter, Yvana while outside the Migrant Resource Center. Meidi, her two daughter and husband arrived in San Antonio from Honduras 11 days ago and have been sleeping outside. The family left their home fleeing violence and hoping for safety in the United States. Jessica Phelps Ernesto Sosa Garcia, 47, of Cuba, celebrates as he is dropped off with other migrants at the Greyhound Bus station in downtown San Antonio after their release from immigration detention, Friday, April 22, 2022. Mayor Ron Nirenberg has asked for federal help in dealing with the expected increase of migrants arriving in the city after Title 42 is ended on May 23. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News People sleep in the San Antonio International Airport in San Antonio, TX, early in the morning on Dec. 30, 2022. There have been reports of large numbers of migrants sleeping in the airport after being dropped off. The winter blast before Christmas caused disruptions to flights and has left most airline passaengers scrambling. Josie Norris/Staff photographer Billy Calzada/Staff photographer After their release from immigration detention, migrants make their way to the Greyhound Station after there are dropped off in downtown San Antonio, Wednesday, May 15, 2019. Volunteers take the mostly Central American migrants from the station to the City of San Antonio Resource Center where they are provided with humanitarian needs. The center opened on March 30 and with help of nonprofits, has served around 8,000 according to City Manager Erik Walsh. Jerry Lara/Staff photographer Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said his office is drafting a new policy to handle SB4 if the law were to go into effect. Bob Owen/San Antonio Express-News

While Senate Bill 4 remains on hold, local law enforcement agencies are deciding how their officers will respond if the law survives a federal court challenge and goes into effect.

The law would empower Texas law enforcement officers to arrest and deport migrants. If a police officer believes a person is not a U.S. citizen and entered the country illegally, they could be detained and charged with a class B misdemeanor punishable up to six months in jail.

Repeat offenders could be charged with a second-degree felony carrying a punishment of two to 20 years in prison.

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Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said his office has drafted a policy that details exactly what steps a deputy would take if they suspected a person of being in the country illegally.

We want to make sure (an officer) knows exactly what (theyre) doing and what (theyre) getting into before (they) start going into all this effort for a misdemeanor, Salazar said. Theres a lot of liability that a law enforcement officer is assuming in trying to enforce these things, and we want to make sure were all covered.

According to a draft of the policy, deputies would be required to fill out an extensive probable cause form detailing why they chose to make the arrest and how they knew the person was an illegal migrant. A supervisor also would be required to arrive at the scene and decide whether to give the deputy a formal approval to follow through with the arrest.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court said Texas could begin arresting and deporting migrants under the law. But a federal appeals court put SB4 back on hold hours later. On Wednesday, the appeals court heard arguments in the case, with the next hearing scheduled for April 2.

LIVE UPDATES: Latest on Texas law SB4 as 5th Circuit Court of Appeals holds oral arguments

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Salazar, a Democrat, said he opposed SB4.

If they break another law, thats something totally different  but just solely based on immigration issues, the federal law lays out that we dont have the authority to do that, Salazar said.

The San Antonio Police Department said it did not plan to make any dramatic changes to its policies if SB4 goes into effect.

Given the stated goals and implementation parameters discussed in the state Legislature, we will comply with the law and do not expect to make any substantive changes to SAPD policy or practice, SAPD said in a statement.
FILE - Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump speaks at an annual leadership meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Las Vegas. Trump on Monday, March 18, 2024, charged that Jews who vote for Democrats hate Israel and hate their religion, igniting a firestorm of criticism from the White House and Jewish leaders.
The FBI investigated a Williamstown man for threats against a religious compound. He denies the claims, and now faces gun charges
The Latest | Blinken urges Israel not to invade Rafah. Netanyahu says he'll 'do it alone'

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has met with Israeli leaders in Tel Aviv on the final stop in his sixth urgent trip to the region since the start of the war
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Like many other art-lovers, were pleased to see the dream of a big, brand new footprint for the Williams College Museum of Art take a step closer to reality with the recently released design and renderings.

Two years ago, we welcomed the proposal to take the museum from its tucked-away location in Lawrence Hall on the Williams campus to a standalone location. Were even more excited now to hear more details and see the high-quality renderings of what this new space promises: a 50,500-square-foot structure whose curved roof intends to evoke the surrounding Berkshire hills and contains spacious exhibit halls splashed by natural light, a 6,400-square-foot study center and awning-covered outdoor areas. Aside from looking wonderful, it will offer more elbow room for the museums 15,000-item collection, better parking for visitors and additional space for Williams art students and faculty to study.

Taken together, thats a thing of beauty  and not just for this one museum and the college that operates it. We might be biased, but we consider the cultural offerings in the Berkshires to be world-class caliber. Being surrounded by all that enrichment sometimes makes it too easy to take it for granted, but were glad institutions like Williams College are not. This project promises a newly polished jewel in the crown of the Northern Berkshire museum corridor. When considering Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, The Clark Art Institute and the big and bold new vision for the Williams College Museum of Art, wed be hard-pressed to think of anywhere with a brighter constellation of fine art institutions in closer proximity to each other. Together, they offer something greater than the sum of their parts for a Northern Berkshire region that needs every bit of revitalization and collaborative growth it can get.

By our lights, this is a critical investment not just in a singular museum but in the broader creative sector of a county that depends on that engine of tourism and knock-on economic activity. If all goes as planned (design reviews and cost estimates are next, followed by construction details), Williams leaders want to have shovels in the museums new grounds by October with a tentative opening date set for 2027.

Thats a while to wait, but it will be worth it to see the already luminous Berkshire arts and culture get even brighter.
Ralph Gardner Jr. is a journalist whose work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and New York magazine. He can be reached at ralph@ralphgardner.com. More of his work can be found on Substack. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of The Berkshire Eagle.
Savannah Kriger, 32, and her son Kaiden Kriger, 3, were found dead Tuesday behind a West Side park after an Amber Alert was issued. Courtesy Bexar County Sheriff's Office

The friends and family members of a mother and her 3-year-old son who were found dead the day an Amber Alert was issued for them will be hosting a vigil Friday.

The bodies of Savannah Kriger, 32, and Kaiden Kriger were found Tuesday in drainage easement behind Tom Slick Park on the citys West Side.

The family said they will be hosting a vigil at the park at 6 p.m. Friday. They are requesting everyone bring a teddy bear which they will use to donate in their honor.

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CRIME & COURTS: Schertz Elementary teacher charged with indecency with a child based on student complaint

Sheriff Javier Salazar said Tuesday that his office was still investigating the case, but they were working under the assumption that their deaths were the result of a murder-suicide. He said a gun was found near their bodies.

Kriger and Kaidens father were involved in a custody dispute, Salazar said, and court records show they were scheduled to attend a custody hearing the day the Amber Alert was issued.

Kaiden and his mom were last seen around noon Monday at Childrens Lighthouse Alamo Ranch after she picked him up from day care to take him to a doctors appointment, according to a social media post from the sheriffs office.

Kriger filed for divorce on March 7 and applied for a protective order against her husband on March 15. She received a temporary restraining order on March 7 requiring Kaiden to be removed from his fathers custody. On Friday, Kriger filed a motion for a protective order.

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But on Monday, a judge ordered that Kaiden be delivered to a courtroom Tuesday morning.

According to the order, Krigers husband said his wife vandalized the home where he was living, pulled Kaiden out of school early and sent messages to him saying goodbye to your son. The order also stated that she pulled all the money out of her bank account.

He said his wife had had suicidal ideations within the last two weeks.

Salazar said family members began to worry about Kriger when her phone kept going to voicemail. She also turned off the location tracker on her phone, Salazar said.

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The Alamo will host an eclipse watch party on April 8. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

For fans of Texas history looking for the perfect place to gaze at the sky during the April 8 eclipse, the Alamos got you covered.

Alamo Plaza will host a viewing party for the total eclipse, with officials saying the historic site got a remarkable turnout when it offered a similar event for Octobers annular eclipse.

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Downtown San Antonio isnt in the eclipses path of totality, but it will get a partial view of the celestial event. Much of the West and Northwest sides are in the path of totality, although for fewer than two minutes.

The Alamo watch party runs from noon to 3 p.m., with views of the eclipse starting about 12:14 p.m. and ending about 2:55 p.m. The peak eclipse window for downtown is 1:34 p.m.

Eclipse glasses mimicking the Alamos iconic silhouette are for sale on the Alamos website for $5 each.

For the uninitiated, the Alamo was established in 1718 as a Spanish mission, and went on to serve as a fortress and garrison for multiple armies. It is best known as the site of the Battle of the Alamo in 1836.
Billionaire Elon Musks brain-computer interface (BCI) company Neuralink made headlines earlier this year for inserting its first brain implant into a human being. Musk says such implants, which are described as fully implantable, cosmetically invisible, and designed to let you control a computer or mobile device anywhere you go, are slated to eventually offer full-bandwidth data streaming to the brain.

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are quite the human achievement: as described by the University of Calgary, A brain computer interface (BCI) is a system that determines functional intent  the desire to change, move, control, or interact with something in your environment  directly from your brain activity. In other words, BCIs allow you to control an application or a device using only your mind.

Developers and advocates of BCIs and adjacent technologies emphasize that they can help people regain abilities lost due to aging, ailments, accidents or injuries, thus improving quality of life. A brain implant created by Swiss-based Ecole Polytechnique Federale in Lausanne (EPFL), for example, has allowed a paralyzed man to walk again just by thinking. Others go further: Neuralinks goal is to help people surpass able-bodied human performance.

Yet, great ethical concerns arise with such advancements, and the tech is already being used for questionable purposes. To better plan logistics and boost productivity, for example, some Chinese employers have started using emotional surveillance technology to monitor workers brainwaves which, combined with artificial intelligence algorithms, [can] spot incidents of workplace rage, anxiety, or sadness. The example showcases how personal the technology can become as it is normalized in daily life.

But the ethical ramifications of BCIs and other emerging neurotechnologies dont stop at the consumer market or the workplace. Governments and militaries are already discussing  and experimenting on  the roles they could play in wartime. Indeed, many are describing the human body and brain as wars next domain, with a 2020 NATO-backed paper on cognitive warfare describing the phenomenons objective as mak[ing] everyone a weaponThe brain will be the battlefield of the 21st century.

On this new battlefield, an era of neuroweapons, which can broadly be defined as technologies and systems that could either enhance or damage a warfighter or targets cognitive and/or physical abilities, or otherwise attack people or critical societal infrastructure, has begun.

In this exploration of the race to apply the latest neurotechnologies to war and beyond, I investigated how the neuroweapons of tomorrow, including BCIs that may allow for brain-to-brain or brain-to-machine communication, have the capacity to expand conflicts into a new domain  the brain  while also bringing a new dimension to both hard- and soft-power struggles of the future.

In response to ongoing neurotechnology developments, some allege neurorights will protect peoples minds from possible privacy infringements and myriad ethical issues that new neurotechnologies may pose in the years to come. However, neurorights advocates close proximity to the very organizations advancing these neurotechnologies deserves scrutiny and potentially suggests that the neurorights movement is poised instead to normalize advanced neurotechnologies presence in daily life, perhaps forever changing humans relationship with machines.

The MilitaryIntelligence Complexs Decades-Long Pursuit of Neurowarfare

Indeed, neurosciences very origins lie in war. As Dr. Wallace Mendelson explains in Psychology Today, Just as American neurology was born in the Civil War, the roots of neuroscience are embedded in World War II. He explains that while the bond between war and neuroscience has contributed to meaningful advances for the human condition, like the improved understanding of ailments like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it has left some worried about neurosciences possible military applications.

Controversial yet well-known government attempts to learn more about the brain include Project Bluebird/Artichoke, a 1950s era project that worked to determine whether people could be involuntarily made to carry out assassinations through hypnosis, as well as the especially infamous MK Ultra, where human mind control experiments were carried out in a variety of institutions in the 1950s and 60s. These projects respective conclusions, however, did not signal an end to the US governments interest in invasive mind studies and technologies. Rather, governments internationally have been interested in the brain sciences ever since, investing heavily in neuroscience and neurotech research.

Initiatives and research explored in this article, like the BRAIN Initiative and the United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agencys (DARPA) Next-Generation Nonsurgical Neurotechnology (N), are often portrayed as altruistic strides towards improving brain health, helping people recover lost physical or mental abilities, and otherwise improving quality of life. Unfortunately, a deeper look reveals a prioritization of military might.

Enhance

The military is intensely interested in emerging neurotechnologies. The Pentagons research arm DARPA directly or indirectly funds about half of invasive neural interface technology companies in the US. In fact, as Niko McCarthy and Milan Cvitkovic highlight in their 2023 writeup of DARPAs neurotechnology efforts that DARPA has initiated at least 40 neurotechnology-related programs over the past 24 years. From the Interface describes the current state of affairs as DARPA funding effectively driving the BCI research agenda.

Source  US Army Recruiting Command

As we shall see, such projects, many of which focus on somehow enhancing the capabilities of the recipient or wearer of a given piece of technology/augmentation, are making activities like telepathy, mind-control and mind-reading  once the stuff of science fiction  at least plausible, if not tomorrows reality.

As McCarthy and Cvitkovic explain on their Substack, for example, the 1999 DARPA-funded Fundamental Research at the [BIO: INFO: MICRO] Interface program led to significant firsts in brain-computer interfaces research, including allowing monkeys to learn to control a Brain Machine Interface (BMI) to reach and grab objects without moving their arms. In another project from the program, monkeys learned how to position cursors on a computer screen without the animals emitting any behavior, where signals extrapolated from the monkeys movement goals were read and decoded to move the mouse.

McCarthy and Cvitkovic also highlight that, in more recent years, DARPA-funded scientists have also created the worlds most dexterous bionic arm with bidirectional controls, have used brain-computer interfaces to accelerate memory formation and recalling, and have even transferred a memory (a specific neural-firing pattern) from one rat to another, where the rat receiving the memory almost instantaneously learned to perform a task that typically took weeks of training to learn.

Scientist Miguel Nicolelis discusses an experiment where a monkey uses its thoughts to control a monkey avatar and a robot arm. Filmed at TEDMED 2012.

Likewise, the BRAIN (Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies) Initiative, a US government initiative founded in 2013, is aimed at revolutionizing our understanding of the human brain to accelerate the capacities of the neurosciences and neurotechnologies. Inspired by the earlier Human Genome Project, which ran until 2003 and generated the first sequence of the human genome, the BRAIN Initiative markets itself as an initiative working to address common brain disorders, like Alzheimers and depression, through intense research of the brain and its operations.

Led by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and DARPA, its prominent private partners include the Allen Institute for Brain Science (Paul Allen, the founder of the Institute, was the co-founder of Microsoft), the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Kavli Foundation, and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. This mix of actors effectively makes the BRAIN Initiative an opaque, public-private partnership.

Like many neurotechnology and adjacent initiatives, the BRAIN Initiative depicts itself as a research-forward, public effort that can improve human well-being. Yet, cash flows suggest that its priorities lie more in the military sphere: as per 2013 reporting from Scientific American, DARPA is the biggest funder of the BRAIN Initiative.

What does DARPAs interest in the BRAIN Initiative amount to, practically speaking? Apparently, the stuff of science fiction.

Indeed, an article titled DARPA and the Brain Initiative, (an apparently now-deleted page on DARPAs website) explores DARPAs eclectic collaboration with the BRAIN Initiative. Co-projects include the the ElectRx program which aims to help the human body heal itself through neuromodulation of organ functions through injectable ultraminiaturized devices, the HAPTIX program, which is working on neural-interface microsystems that communicate externally to deliver naturalistic sensations (especially to make prosthetic limbs feel and touch naturally), and the RE-NET Program, which aims to create technologies able to extract information from the nervous system quickly enough to control complex machines. Altogether, such projects apply state-of-the-art technologies to the brain to maximize its utilization in and out of conflict, perhaps one day allowing for self-healing, a rehabilitated sense of touch for those with lost limbs, and brain-machine communications systems that utilize thoughts to operate war machinery.

Adjacent neurotech efforts include DARPAs Next-Generation Nonsurgical Neurotechnology (N) program, which has a budget of at least $125 million. According to DARPAs 2018 funding brief for the project, a neural interface that enables fast, effective, and intuitive hands-free interaction with military systems by able-bodied warfighters is the ultimate program goal. In plain language, the project is about developing technology that can help warfighters interact and command military infrastructure (planes, drones, bombs, etc.) with their thoughts and without the need for an invasive, Neuralink-style implant.

Research for DARPAs Cognitive Technology Threat Warning System (CT2WS) combines soldiers, EEG brainwave scanners, 120-megapixel cameras, and multiple computers running cognitive visual processing algorithms into a cybernetic hivemind. Source  Extreme Tech

DARPA has provided funding to a number of institutions and organizations, including Rice University and Battelle, a Columbus, Ohio-based science and technology development company and military/intelligence contractor, to take on critical research towards these ends. According to a Rice University 2019 press release: Rice University neuro-engineers are leading an ambitious DARPA-funded project to develop MOANA, a nonsurgical device capable of both decoding neural activity in one persons visual cortex and recreating it in another in less than one twentieth of a second. In fact, MOANA project researchers have been working on the wireless linkage of brains, even using a remote control to hack into fruit flies brains to command their wings.

Meanwhile, Battelles N funds are developing BrainSTORMS (Brain System to Transmit Or Receive Magnetoelectric Signals), an injectable, Bi-Directional Brain Computer Interface which one day could, in tandem with a helmet, be used by someone to direct or control vehicles, robots, and other instruments with their thoughts.

In addition to investment in neurotech projects facilitating brain-based communications and operations of various technologies, neurotech advancements include improving or augmenting the brains capacity to operate in myriad ways that will assist fighters on the battlefield. Enhancements that claim to improve soldiers battlefield performance are not a new phenomenon and have previously included currently illicit drugs, like cocaine. Recent developments in neuroscience have jumpstarted new possibilities, with technologies and techniques including BCIs, neuropharmocologies, and/or electric currents to stimulate the brain potentially, according to the Small Wars Journal, improv[ing] warfighter performance by enhancing memory, concentration, motivation, and situational awareness while negating the physiological ills of decreased sleep, stress, pain, and traumatic memories.

Indeed, augmented cognition has been an area of focus for DARPA, which worked to develop technologies capable of extending, by an order of magnitude, the information management capacity of war fighters in the early 2000s. More recently, University of Florida computer science and information researchers announced in 2022 that they received DARPAs support to work to augment human cognition by providing task guidance through augmented reality (AR) headset technology in extreme environments, including high hazard and risky operations.

And similar initiatives to better understand, and otherwise enhance, the brain and its capacities to take on myriad (especially war-focused) tasks are ongoing. Notably, Spanish researchers developed a human brain-to-brain interface in 2014 that would allow humans to communicate with each other by only thinking. The project was funded by the European Commissions Future and Emerging Technology (FET), which is often described as a DARPA equivalent, indicating international interest in developing adjacent technologies.

Other such efforts around the globe include the EU-funded Human Brain Project (2013-2023), the China Brain Project (CBP), Japans Brain/ MINDS Initiative, and Canadas Brain Canada. Dr. Rafael Yuste (whom I shall discuss in more detail), who helped propose the BRAIN Initiative, is also the coordinator of the International Brain Initiative, which coordinates neurotech efforts and policymaking discussions on the subject at the international level.

BRAIN Initiative Infographic, Source  Harvard

Dystopian or not, DARPA and its collaborators and counterparts have been working over the decades to make once-unbelievable activities like brain-to-brain and brain-to-machine communication plausible, if not likely, in the years to come. As we will see, such technologies impact on the international stage, the battlefield, and daily life alike will be profound if realized.

Or Destroy?

Ultimately, the advantages of emerging BCIs and adjacent tools on the battlefield and in conflict are double-sided, as any advancements made to boost a warfighters performance can often be applied towards destructive purposes. In neurowarfare, in other words, the brain is capable of being enhanced as well as attacked.



As a 2024 RAND report speculates, if BCI technologies are hacked or compromised, a malicious adversary could potentially inject fear, confusion, or anger into [a BCI] commanders brain and cause them to make decisions that result in serious harm. Academic Nicholas Evans speculates, further, that neuroimplants could control an individuals mental functions, perhaps to manipulate memories, emotions, or even to torture the wearer. Based on these considerations and speculations, if BCIs are used en masse at either the warfighter or civilian level, it seems plausible that some attacks could hone in on the BCIs of hostile persons (warfighters or otherwise) to manipulate the contents of their minds, or even brainwash them in some capacity.



Meanwhile, academic Armin Krishnan even posits that forms of mind control found in nature, such as those utilized by gene-manipulating parasites, could eventually be possible. In a 2016 article on neurowarfare, he wrote:

Microbiologists have recently discovered mind-controlling parasites that can manipulate the behavior of their hosts according to their needs by switching genes on or off. Since human behavior is at least partially influenced by their genetics, nonlethal behavior modifying genetic bioweapons that spread through a highly contagious virus could thus be, in principle, possible.

Krishnans observations regarding whats possible are chilling; the realities of Rice University researchers already having hacked into fruit fly brains and commanding their wings via remote control, as previously described, perhaps moreso.

While chemical warfare has largely been banned on the international level, gaps in legislation and enforcement leave room for possibilities of different types of chemical attacks or manipulations that target the brain. In this respect, Krishnan posits that biochemical calmatives and malodorants could incapacitate populations on a mass scale, or oxycontin could otherwise make them docile, subduing them for an enemys benefit.

Ultimately, as academics Hai Jin, Li-Jun Hou, and Zheng-Guo Wang posit in the Chinese Journal of Traumatology, putting the brain front-and-center as a military target that can be injured, interfered with, or enhanced could establish a whole new brain-land-sea-space-sky global combat mode. As I will show, this emerging brain-land-sea-space-sky global combat mode appears poised to change how conflicts between nation states are realized and fought entirely.

Neurowarfare as a Geopolitical Force

As the world endures major wars in Ukraine and now the Middle East with Israels ongoing destruction of Gaza, neurowarfare is also on the horizon. Indeed, the technologies outlined in the previous sections appear slated to transform geopolitical relations as both hard- and soft-power tools, which could then be used to manipulate populations life styles, world views, and even cognitive abilities to make them pliable to someone elses will.

Of course, various soft-power tactics have long worked to influence the minds, political allegiances, and socio-economic realities of civilians in hostile territories. The US, for example, has often used extensive propaganda campaigns as part of its color revolution efforts for regime change in countries with governments deemed inconvenient to American geopolitical goals.

James Girodano gives a speech at the Modern War Institute at West Point in 2018, Source  YouTube

Yet, neuroweapons, if used on a broad scale, seem positioned to take things to another level. As Georgetown University Neurology and Biochemistry Professor and Director of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies Center for Neurotechnology Studies Dr. James Giordano explains in a 2020 article entitled Redefining Neuroweapons: Emerging Capabilities in Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, neuro-based advancements could theoretically be used to exercise socio-economic power elsewhere, or otherwise disrupt societies in ways that do not involve explicit military action.

Shockingly, he mentions that these disruptions could theoretically be done through the denigration of hostile groups cognitive or emotional states:

Indeed, neuroS/T [neuroscience and neurotechnology] can be employed as both soft and hard weapons in competition with adversaries. In the former sense, neuroS/T research and development can be utilized to exercise socio-economic power in global markets, while in the latter sense, neuroS/T can be employed to augment friendly forces capabilities or to denigrate the cognitive, emotive, and/or behavioral abilities of hostiles. Furthermore, both soft and hard weaponized neuroS/T can be applied in kinetic or non-kinetic engagements to incur destructive and/or disruptive effects.

As Giordano elaborates in another article, the disruptive capabilities of neuroweaponry make them especially valuable in non-kinetic engagements because they could put the perpetrators at a strategic advantage, where kinetic responses to non-kinetic neuroweaponry, however profound, may appear too aggressive. (In this context, kinetic engagements can be best described as overt or hot military engagements, where active and sometimes lethal force is used. Conversely, non-kinetic engagements refer to more covert strategies and activities to counter an enemy, including within the diplomatic, digital, economic, and perhaps now the neuro spheres.) Giordano goes on to say that if a recipient of neurowarfare does not sufficiently respond to an attack, the neuroweapons disruptive influence and its [sic] possible strategically destructive effect become increasingly manifest. In other words, neurowarfare seems positioned to drive nation states geopolitical strategies and how geopolitical tensions fester or explode in the future.

As Giordano has implied via his references to socio-economic power, it appears non-kinetic neurowarfare seems likely to impact not only soldiers and military outcomes, but also civilians and the societies they live in, especially as states initiate hostilities. As a 2020 NATO-sponsored study on why cognitive warfare matters, future conflicts will likely occur amongst the people digitally first and physically thereafter in proximity to hubs of political and economic power.

Namely, as Krishnan notes in a 2016 academic article, it seems possible that neurowarfare could even manipulate political leaders and populations to suppress their free will, enabling perpetrators to assert their political will on entire populations without resorting to kinetic responses. Here, a variety of tools (especially those described earlier in this article) could be used in tandem to disorient, placate, or devastate the masses on a large scale. Krishan writes:

In a defensive function neurowarfare may be used to suppress conflicts before they can break outOccupied populations could be more easily pacified and incipient insurgencies could be more easily suppressed before they gain any traction. Calmatives could be put into the drinking water or populations could be sprayed with oxytocin to make them more trusting. Potential terrorists may be detected using brain scans and then chemically or otherwise neutered. This obviously creates the possibility of creating a system of high-tech repression, where in the words of writer Aldous Huxley a method of control [could be established] by which a people can be made to enjoy a state of affairs by which any decent standard they ought not to enjoy.

As Krishnan mentions, aptly bringing Aldous Huxleys Brave New World prescription for the future into the conversation, current circumstances have set the stage for possible manipulation and top-down,high-tech repression at all levels, making it difficult for those experiencing it to even understand their previous freedoms have been stripped from them.

Indeed, Krishnan explains that neurowarfare could transform hostile societies culture and values, or even collapse them based on the emotions these technologies could induce:

Offensive neurowarfare would be aimed at manipulating the political and social situation in another state. It could alter social values, culture, popular beliefs, and collective behaviors or change political directions, for example, by way of regime change through democratizing other societiesHowever, offensive neurowarfare could also mean collapsing adversarial states by creating conditions of lawlessness, insurrection, and revolution, for example, by inducing fear, confusion, or anger. Adversarial states could be destabilized using advanced techniques of subversion, sabotage, environmental modification, and gray terrorism, followed by a direct military attack. As a result, the adversarial state would not have the capacity to resist the policies of a covert aggressor.

Ultimately, as per the circumstances described by defense and neuroscience/technology analysts and academics in the space, neuroweapons could become an unprecedented new driver of soft power, where minds are a target of influence in ways that were previously unimaginable. Subsequently, in kinetic exchanges, minds could become targets to denigrate or destroy in the world of neurowarfare. However, increasingly it seems that the line between kinetic and non-kinetic is becoming blurred as war moves to target, not just physical reality, but humans internal reality through the brain.

Neurorights or Neuromarkets?

As emerging neurotechnologies increasingly jeopardize the minds sanctity in and outside of war-time conditions, some are calling for the protection of the brain through neurorights. Groups like Columbia Universitys Neurorights Foundation, whose stated goal is to protect the human rights of all people from the potential misuse or abuse of neurotechnology, have sprouted to advocate for the matter, and neurorights policy discussions are ongoing in high places, like the European Union and the United Nations Human Rights Council. Chile, meanwhile, has been praised by groups like UNESCO for its legislative efforts in the area, which have included adding brain-related rights to the countrys constitution.

Neurorights have been depicted in the media as protections that ensure emerging neurotechnologies are only used for altruistic purposes. However, a closer look at neurorights initiatives and adjacent legislation suggests many of those pushing for neurorights are in fact facilitating the emerging technologies normalization within the consumer market and everyday life through the creation of legislative frameworks. This opens up possibilities for what Unlimited Hangout contributing editor Whitney Webb describes as neuromarkets.

Indeed, those backing neurorights efforts deserve scrutiny for their close proximity to the very defense industry and adjacent institutions proliferating the controversial neurotechnologies Ive described earlier in this article. For instance, Dr. Rafael Yuste, who heads Columbia Universitys Neurorights Foundation and the universitys Kavli Institute, helped pitch the now heavily DARPA-influenced and funded BRAIN Initiative to the US government. He is also the coordinator of the BRAIN Initiatives 650 international centers, and has participated in projects like those I outlined earlier in this article. Through research and genetic engineering on mice, for example, Dr. Yuste has helped pioneer a technology that can read and write to the brain with unprecedented precision, where he can even make the mice see things that arent there.

Rafael Yuste speaks at the Fundacion Juan March conference in Madrid in 2015, Source  YouTube

Despite Yustes proximity to the very organizations researching and promoting questionable neurotechnologies, hes one of the primary actors behind Chiles neurorights legislation (as opposed to Chileans). Indeed, the legislation appears less revolutionary within the context of Chiles legacy as a testing ground for neoliberal policymaking efforts created abroad.

Whats more, legal scholars have argued neurorights as proposed are inherently flawed from a legal standpoint, with Jan Christoph Bublitz writing that the neurorights proposal is tainted by neuroexceptionalism and neuroessentialism, and lacks grounding in relevant scholarship. Alejandra Zuniga-Fajuri, Luis Villavicencio Miranda, Danielle Zaror Miralles and Ricardo Salas Venegas argue that the neurorights concept is legally redundant, and is based on an outdated Cartesian reductionist philosophical thesis, which advocates the need to create new rights in order to shield a specific part of the human body: the brain.

Whether the legal system is just in the first place is debatable. Still, its odd that neurorights legislative proposals are being pushed around the world despite being apparently unable to withstand scrutiny from legal scholars. Indeed, neurorights legislation is under consideration in a number of countries, especially in Latin America, apparently in a manner reminiscent of many recent top-down, global policy initiatives that have come to pass in previous years (i.e. the global response to a novel coronavirus in 2020).

In any case, neurotechnologies like BCIs and their normalization at the consumer level could pose myriad ethical problems. For example, DARPAs augmented cognition efforts to soup up warfighter brains as described earlier in the article, if brought to the consumer market, could quickly wreak havoc and perhaps even create cognitive inequities if inaccessible to most. As Dr. Yuste himself told the New York Times, Certain groups will get this tech, and will enhance themselves This is a really serious threat to humanity.

To address this alleged problem of accessibility, one of the neurorights proposals crafted by Yuste and the Morningside Group (a group of scientists which, after being called together by Yuste, has worked to identify priorities they consider neurorights) is the right to fair access to mental augmentation. But its not hard to imagine neurorights legislation facilitating a number of dystopian scenarios, as the very availability of such tech may well put economic or social pressure on the general population to receive or use it, perhaps in the forms of state-subsidized BCIs or even state-mandated BCIs for some professions or groups of people.Even those in wealthier countries could cognitively augment themselves in ways unavailable in poorer countries (it seems unlikely, after all, that truly equal access to cognitive augmentation could be facilitated internationally), bringing them new, untold advantages with global, geopolitical impacts.

Neurorights and Neuromarkets Whitney discusses the ulterior motives and background of the individuals behind the push for neurorights at the national and international level and why its more about making new markets than protecting our rights.

In any case, its curious that equitable access to cognitive augmentation is being legislated upon through neurorights initiatives without substantive debate as to whether such augmentation should be allowed in the first place or is even safe.

Ultimately, rather than protect people from the possible ethical harms of emerging neurotechnologies, neurorights legislation ultimately appears poised to normalize and facilitate the arrival of BCIs and other advanced and often dystopian neurotechnologies discussed in this investigation into daily life.

Neurowarfare: Another Step Towards Transhumanism?

Altogether, ongoing strides to enhance, and in turn, degrade or destroy warfighter capabilities on the battlefield through tools like BCIs and other implantables, neuropharmocologies, and even efforts to augment cognition may well transform the nature of warfare, kinetic or otherwise, as militaries put the brain front and center in conflict.

Touted as a way to sidestep the possible ramifications of these technologies, neurorights, which have been proposed by persons closely affiliated with the organizations creating the tech in the first place, ultimately appears to be about normalizing the tech and introducing it to and integrating it within the public sphere.

Critically, the increased and growing presence of neurotechnologies for use in daily life could well normalize and accelerate efforts towards transhumanism, a dystopian goal of many amongst the power elite to unite man and machine in their push for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, a revolution they claim will blur the physical, digital, and biological spheres. After all, if technologies that can read minds, make prosthetic limbs touch, or use thoughts to control machines become everyday tools, it seems the skys the limit with respect to how humans could use them to transform societies  and themselves, for better or for worse.

Ultimately, such efforts towards transhumanism are being pushed from the top with little room for meaningful public debate. These efforts are also often intertwined with ongoing pushes towards stakeholder capitalism and efforts to hand decision making processes and common infrastructure to an unaccountable private sector through public-private partnerships.

Indeed, in light of such advances, both sovereignty and humanity is under attack  on and off the battlefield.
In America, six corporations control 90% of the media. In the UK, 70% of the national media market is owned by three major companies.

From Sun Tzus Art of War, to the CIAs Mighty Wurlitzer and Operation Mockingbird to todays Censorship-Industrial Complex (see for example the work product and insights of Michael Shellenberger, and Mike Benz et al.), centralized media has been routinely exploited by governments to advance the propaganda objectives of the State and its military, and thereby to influence policies and politics in virtually all nation-states. In the modern west, this centralization of media by large, often transnational corporations has been further augmented by the creation of supra-corporate aggregator organizations which function as trade unions to protect the interests of these media oligopolies. Examples include Reuters, AFP, Associated Press, and the notorious Trusted News Initiative. In many cases, the leadership of these organizations are further integrated into other large corporatist organizations via both shared board membership and shared ownership by the usual globalist/transnational financial firms such as Blackrock, State Street, Vanguard, Bank of America etc.

Over millennia, with rapidly accelerating precision during the 20th and 21st centuries, the resulting public-private corporatist - ergo fascist- information control cooperatives have embraced scientific and medical advances in social sciences and psychology to develop a tool kit which enables amazingly effective manipulation of the very thoughts and emotions of individuals, groups, and populations targeted by this information technology. In parallel, a shorthand language for describing what is really an advanced suite of subtle large scale brainwashing methods and technologies has been developed. These terms include PsyWar (psychological warfare targeting the conscious mind), cognitive warfare (which targets the subconscious), the NATO favorite Hybrid Warfare, and a wide range of shorthand internet slang for the tactical and strategic tool kits available to those seeking to control The Great Narrative.

In an essay titled Power to the People: The rise and rise of Citizen Journalism by Micha Barban Dangerfield, Mr. Dangerfield provides a dissection of the history of what I posit to be the most disruptive journalism-related technology in modern history. Citizen Journalism.

The advent of the Internet, new technologies, social platforms and grass-roots media has heralded a significant shift in collecting, disseminating and sharing information. Citizen journalism can be considered as the offspring of this evolution - an alternative form of news gathering and reporting, taking place outside of the traditional media structures and which can involve anyone. We live in the age of image consumption and data absorption. Everyday, a fresh wave of information reaches our computers and phone screens, but not only are we the recipients of this constant flow, we are now the creators. The liberalisation of information allows anyone to share and spread their personal experience of an event, in real time. This new form of reporting takes place ahead of or outside traditional media structures and can function as a firewall - holding media accountable for any inaccuracies or lack of news coverage. The birth of citizen journalism is often attributed to South Korea where the first platform of amateur generated information, OhMyNews, was created. The principle was simple; anyone can take part in the process of creating information - as the notion of participatory journalism (another term for citizen journalism) implies. From reader to participant, citizens have now changed their status as a mere recipients of information, to providers. It is not necessarily something new, however. When Abraham Zapruder took his amateur film-camera and decided to go and record John F. Kennedys rally in Dallas, he inadvertently captured images of his assassination, which could be considered a proto-form of citizen journalism - as what really defines it is its inexpert nature.

The modern media landscape can be viewed from the perspective of its role in enabling the Administrative State and Globalist organizations to control minds, thought, beliefs, opinions, and to define the very nature of reality based on the surrealist thesis that subjective feelings and beliefs are a valid substitute for objective fact.

In practice, this has been possible both because the information ecosystem is controlled by a small number of dominant, centralized portals, and by exploiting (and controlling) digital and cellular communication. The information and opinions flowing through these portals pass through control chokepoints consisting of a small number of owners, editors, censorship boards, and related stakeholders. The consequence of this information bottleneck is that the psychosocial dynamics of groupthink can be easily manipulated by representatives of the Administrative State, Globalist organizations, and intelligence communities including the increasingly powerful academic-industrial-governmental mercenary armies of the censorship-industrial complex to give rise to synthetic controversies and narratives which advance the financial and political interests of powerful cabals.

In a recent analysis posted on X, Alex Marinos and his followers provide insight into the functional dynamics of how this is operating to create globalized groupthink.

A new hypothesis about why all our sensemaking institutions seem to be failing at the same time. @alexandrosM

We often lament how seemingly every body whose job it is to figure out the truth -- media, academic journals, doctors, courts, universities, even the military, seem to have lost the plot at right about the same time, and are not even *trying* to do their job, instead behaving first and foremost as defenders of an emergent narrative. On occasion I've mentioned that our culture is becoming aware of the construct of a "narrative" and is developing language and memes to describe its contours. When we talk about the "current thing", or the various "derangement syndrome(s)", or even about "disinformation"/"misinformation", or even "stochastic terrorism", what we're talking about is factors that contribute to, and are a result of, prevalent narratives. What might have previously been highly specialized discourse between academics has broken through to the mainstream. So this is my hypothesis: for better or worse, people in positions of power, increasingly conscious of the narrative-shaping power of their words and actions, are now deciding what to do, consciously or subconsciously, taking into account not just whether the action is right, but also whether it will be helping or hurting the narratives they subscribe to. In other words, instead of the story emerging according to the facts, the facts emerge according to the prevailing story. This 2016 piece in the New York Times is emblematic of this newfound self-consciousness on behalf of journalists: https://archive.is/jb9vH Its final paragraph contains this gem: "It is journalisms job to be true to the readers and viewers, and true to the facts, in a way that will stand up to historys judgment." What might seem like a fairly innocuous statement is, in context, a call to moralize the selection and angling of facts being presented. What does it mean to be "true to the readers"? Which readers? And which journalist has a time machine to know what will stand up "to history's judgement"? Why is "true to the facts" not sufficient? Because, as the piece's title explains, "Trump Is Testing the Norms of Objectivity in Journalism". Yes, you heard that right. It's Trump's fault that journalists have to water down their objectivity, so that they can avoid being judged by history. Imagine this attitude in a scientific journal. In a doctor's office. In a court, or a university. Every elite institution of import. Yes, we must be true to the facts BUT. But what? "in a way that will stand up to historys judgment." The only way to operationalize such an absurd commandment is to imagine that the currently pervasive narrative will dominate forever, and act as if your future on judgement day will depend on how well you complied with that narrative's needs. When you scale up such reflexive narrative-maintenance to a whole-of-society level, you get something not too dissimilar from what we experienced the past few years. A narrative is seeded from by a small elite group. It could be the 51 intelligence professionals that lied about Hunter's laptop, or the 27 scientists that wrote the Lancet letter painting the lab leak hypothesis as a conspiracy theory. The examples are countless. Once the narrative is established, and all the good people know that all the bad people are on the other side, the table tilts and somehow all the facts tend to lead to the same pre-determined conclusion. At least all the facts that are disseminated widely. Any opposing information will have every single gatekeeper set against it, and it will be almost impossible to get through enough gates and have its day in the sun. Even if each layer only biases what goes through by 10%, when multiple layers of gatekeeping are involved until something gets from the frontlines to the consciousness of the hive mind, the overall effect is catastrophic if our objective is to stay in the general vicinity of the truth. The perception of truth is weaponized in a petty political squabble. And as more and more assumed-to-be-facts diverge from the actual facts, it becomes more and more painful to converge towards truth. The easy thing to do is to stack ever more lies on top of lies as anything else would require an accounting of why our institutions aren't doing their job anymore. In other words, what starts as a moralistic quest to reshape the world by altering perception becomes a fight to defend one's own legitimacy as the public starts to become ever more distrustful of the tall tales being propagated. In other words, we know just enough about narratives to be dangerous to civilization's continued health. If i'm right, the only way out is through. We need to continue building even deeper and broader understanding of dynamics of narrative, and designing institutions that are structurally incapable of bending their output towards one or another official's preferred narrative. As a simple example, the CDC is currently responsible both for gathering and analyzing information around disease prevalence, and also making policy recommendations. In a narrative-aware world, we'd realize that this creates an irresistible temptation to control the data that is released so that the policy recommendations can seem more correct than they were. In that world those two functions would never be allowed to co-exist in the same organization.

On the individual level, we need to rebuild our sensemaking mechanisms to assume that every piece of information we receive is colored by corrupt incentives, much like we refactored the technology stack of the internet away from the initial naive assumptions and towards security- and encryption-by default. Many areas of human endeavor, such as international diplomacy or even most business-to-business transactions already work on such principles, so it's nowhere near as onerous as it may seem. We just need to stop hoping that there is some far-away uncorrupted group of elders that will give us truth on a platter. And whatever you do, don't simply trust information given to you by people who have a dog in the fight.

I hypothesize that the remedy for centralized narrative control is decentralized information sourcing. Just like the remedy for centralized monetary control (CBDC etc.) by national reserve banks operating under the umbrella of the Bank of International Settlements is the development of decentralized digital currency tokens (ergo Bitcoin etc.).

The reason why Citizen Journalism is so threatening to the Administrative State and Globalist narrative control is that it is completely decentralized. This is why I argue that Citizen Journalism is the most disruptive information technology in modern history. And this is why it has become necessary for those who wish to maintain the ability to control national and global narratives to invest in the censorship industrial complex and the mercenary army organizations available for hire to eliminate this decentralized information threat.

Our new book PsyWar, Sovereignty and Rogue Government, which we have basically serialized as chapters via this Substack (Who is Robert Malone), is based on a core belief that if the general populace can learn to recognize advanced propaganda and mass-scale mind control technology as it is deployed, then people will both be able to see through and consequently become much more resistant to these methods and technologies.

That hypothesis is debatable and probably naive, as the power of modern PsyWar and Cognitive warfare technologies to overcome rational thought is deep and profound. But compiling and sharing this information is one action which Jill and I are able to take to help our readers to resist this type of manipulation. However, above and beyond the relatively straightforward task of cataloging and informing readers of what is being done to them on a routine basis, what may be even more effective is to enable development of next generation tools and capabilities designed to support and empower the global explosion of citizen journalism. In this new surrealistic reality where feelings and beliefs can substitute for actual data, I am choosing to feel and believe that information actually does yearn to be free, and that decentralized citizen journalism can save us from the threat of a globalist central command economy designed to serve an elite oligarchy.
This article originally appeared on The Gateway Pundit and was republished with permission.

Guest post by Cullen Linebarger

The Gateway Pundit previously reported that Bryan Malinowski, the executive director of the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, was gravely wounded Tuesday morning after getting in a firefight with federal agents with the ATF serving a search warrant at his home in Little Rock, Arkansas. Authorities claimed Malinowski opened fire first, leaving them no choice but to fire back.

Now, the Daily Mail reveals that the 53-year-old Malinowski died in the hospital at noon on Thursday, citing officials from the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport. Some troubling questions have also emerged regarding the official narrative and incident itself.

TGP notes that the specifics of the warrant and the reasons behind the ATFs involvement at Malinowskis residence remain a mystery, as authorities have refrained from commenting further ostensibly due to the ongoing investigation.

Matthew Malinowski, Bryans brother, told Fox News struggled to find a reason why the ATF targeted his brother. He speculated that his brother may have brought something he shouldnt have.

Its all speculation at this point, said Matthew Malinowski. I got a feeling that he bought something he shouldnt have. Thats the only thing I can think of.

The brother then told NBC his brother had no choice but to defend himself and the official story stinks to high hell.

Theres something fishy here, Matthew Malinowski said. The ATF went after him in the worst possible way. Theres no reason why they couldnt have arrested him at work at the airport, he continued. Something stinks to high hell.

The brother further noted his brother was well-connected with senators, earned $253,000 a year, lived in an upper-middle class suburb, and had collections of guns and coins. Why would he risk this all in a suicidal fight with federal agents?

He has so much to lose, Matthew Malinowski said.

As TGP previously reported, Bryan Malinowski worked in the airline industry for more than 30 years. He had leadership roles at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, El Paso International Airport in Texas, and Lehigh Valley International Airport in Pennsylvania.

The experienced professional joined Clinton National in 2008 as director of properties, planning and development before being promoted to deputy director one year later. He then assumed the role of executive director in 2019.
The mayor of Progreso and his brother are both under federal indictment on cocaine trafficking charges. Mayor Gerardo "Jerry" Alanis was arrested Monday. His brother Frank, above, had been arrested earlier. At the time, Frank was president of the Progreso school board and an assistant city manager. Courtesy of Progreso ISD

The mayor of the border town of Progreso, charged in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy, has been denied bail by a federal judge who said Gerardo Jerry Alanis posed a threat to the community.

Federal agents arrested the 31-year-old Alanis on Monday. He, his brother and other defendants are charged with conspiracy to possess more than 5 kilograms (11 pounds) of cocaine with intent to distribute. If convicted, each would face a minimum 10-year federal prison term without possibility of parole. They also could be fined up to $10 million each.

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At a court hearing in Brownsville, U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Betancourt declined to set bond for Alanis, saying he posed a danger to the public and must stay behind bars, Rio Grande Valley news media reported. Alanis entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.

Betancourt said there was evidence the mayor used a public school in the United States to traffic drugs.

During the Thursday hearing, a federal agent testified that Alanis and his co-conspirators stored drugs at a middle school in Progreso, a town of 6,000 located 230 miles south of San Antonio.

I will not grant a bond, Betancourt said, ValleyCentral.com reported.

Alanis, his brother Frank and two other men are named in a March 5 federal grand jury indictment that accuses them of conspiring to distribute cocaine.

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Frank Alanis was arrested in October after he was charged in an earlier indictment. At the time, he was board president of the Progreso Independent School District and an assistant Progreso city manager.

A new, superseding indictment names Jerry Alanis as well as his brother. It cites three dates in 2020 and 2021 on which the defendants allegedly conspired to distribute cocaine. The amounts involved ranged from 13.62 kilograms (30 pounds) to 26.36 kilograms (58 pounds), according to the indictment.

Progreso has a history of public corruption. In 2014, then-Mayor Omar Leonel Vela pleaded guilty in connection with a scheme to shake down businesses for hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for contracts with the city and the school district.

Federal prosecutors said the mayors father, Jose Vela, who was director of maintenance and transportation for the Progreso school district, dominated local government and the school board through his sons, Omar and school board President Michael Vela.

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President Joe Biden talks with Mayor John Whitmire and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, blocked from view, as he arrives on Air Force One at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer President Joe Biden arrives on Air Force One at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Houston. (Jon Shapley/Houston Chronicle via AP) Jon Shapley/Associated Press President Joe Biden talks with Mayor John Whitmire and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, blocked from view, as he arrives on Air Force One at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer President Joe Biden arrives on Air Force One at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Houston. (Jon Shapley/Houston Chronicle via AP) Jon Shapley/Associated Press

President Joe Biden used a fundraising stop in Houston on Thursday to blast Republicans on immigration and border issues again, part of a monthlong effort to turn the tables on the GOP over an issue that polls show has damaged the Democrats reelection effort.

Biden didnt mention Gov. Greg Abbott or the states recently court-halted deportation law. Instead, he directed his attacks on former President Donald Trump for helping scuttle a bipartisan border security plan that Biden has said will help enforce existing immigration laws.

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As he did on a stop in Brownsville last month, Biden noted that the bill would have given the nation 1,500 more border security agents, 100 more immigration judges and 4,300 more asylum officers to handle backlogged asylum cases.

The president told donors at a 26,000-square-foot mansion in the River Oaks section of Houston on Thursday that Trump and the Republicans blocked the deal out of fear it would give Democrats a political win. Biden warned if Trump wins in November, it will bring more chaos to the border and immigration as a whole.

Unlike Trump, Im not going to demonize immigrants, Biden said. I will not say immigrants are poisoning the blood of this nation. I will not call immigrants from Mexico rapists and murderers. I will not separate families.

Trumps campaign said ahead of the visit that Biden is the one responsible for the situation at the border.

Texas is on the front lines of the Biden Border Crisis, but instead of working to stop the flow of deadly fentanyl and migrant crime, Joe Biden is rubbing elbows with elite donors, said Michael Whatley, the new chairman of the Republican National Committee.

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The new aggressive focus on immigration by Biden, particularly in Texas, shows a shifting approach. For most of the last three years, the White House has been playing defense on border security as record numbers of migrants crossed the border, particularly near Eagle Pass and El Paso.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported last year that they encountered more than 2.4 million people at the border with Mexico, a new record for a single year. In December, they reported more than 300,000 crossings, a new record for a single month.

But since then, border crossings have declined. In January in the Rio Grande, there were just over 7,000 crossings  the lowest total for a month since Biden took office.

One of the reasons for the drop, according to Democratic members of Congress, has been stepped-up efforts from Mexican officials who have been focusing more attention on their own southern border to slow the flow of migrants from Central and South America.

Public polling shows that the issue remains an albatross for Biden and Democrats as a whole.

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According to a January poll from the Associated Press and National Opinion Research Center, the share of voters concerned about immigration rose to 35% from 27% last year. Fifty-five percent of Republicans say the government needs to focus on immigration in 2024, while 22% of Democrats listed immigration as a priority. Thats up from 45% and 14%, respectively, from December 2022.

Biden also used Thursdays visit to go after Trump for comments he made last week in Michigan, in which he warned of a bloodbath if he doesnt win in November. While critics said Trump was paving the way for violence, Trump has said he was referring to the state of the auto industry.

Theres no place in American politics for political violence, Biden said Thursday.

Bidens stops in Houston on Thursday and Dallas on Wednesday, which included no public events, were mostly aimed at building up his growing financial advantage over Trump as the two head for another showdown in November.

New campaign finance reports released this week show Trumps fundraising picked up last month, but his political operation is still struggling to catch up to Biden and the Democratic Party.

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Trumps campaign and his Save America political action committee, two key groups in his political operation, reported raising a combined $15.9 million in February and ended the month with more than $37 million on hand, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission on Wednesday night.

Bidens campaign, meanwhile, said his political operation raised $53 million last month and ended February with $155 million on hand. That includes Bidens joint fundraising with the Democratic National Committee.

Trump and Biden have good reason to focus on fundraising in Texas. In 2020, Texas donors gave more than $108 million to the presidential campaigns. Only New York, with $141 million, and California, with $290 million, gave more.

Trump raised $59 million from Texas in 2020, compared to $32 million for Biden.

Around 100 members of local activist groups lined the streets in River Oaks to protest the administrations stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in retaliation for the Hamas attack in Israel that killed 1,139.

Other protesters on Thursday included climate change activists who were raising alarms on the environmental impact of the conflict.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Houston Mayor John Whitmire both greeted Biden at the airport ahead of the speech. But because of a driving rainstorm, both were escorted onto Air Force One to greet Biden instead of meeting him on the tarmac.
A High Court action brought by a senior executive with an aircraft leasing firm aimed at preventing his employer from sanctioning him has been resolved.

Mr Justice Mark Sanfey was told that proceedings brought by Brian Fitzpatrick against his employer, Bocomm Aviation Leasing Ireland Company Limited, had been settled on confidential terms.

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The court previously heard that the dispute arose following the employer's alleged demand that he work several days a week from its Dublin office and not spend all his time working remotely from his Co Clare home.

Mr Fitzpatrick has been employed as a Senior Vice President of the company, which is headquartered in Shanghai, China, and has total aircraft assets of $14 billion (13 billion).

He claimed that before that demand was made the company had never had an issue with him working from his home at Danganbrack, Quin in Co Clare, which he has done for several years.

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Last August he claimed that completely out of the blue he was made the subject of a disciplinary process over his alleged refusal to work from the Dublin office.

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He also rejected his employer's claims that he was required under company policy to work from the Dublin office and claims that the company had wrongfully refused to pay him his annual six-figure bonus.

Represented by Gary McCarthy SC, with Jack Nicholas BL instructed by O'Gorman solicitors, Mr Fitzpatrick had sought various orders, including an injunction restraining his employer from imposing a sanction on him, from continuing a purported investigation into allegations against him and from interfering with the terms of his employment.

He further sought an order requiring the defendant to pay him all salary and benefits including his annual bonus, under his contract of employment.

The defendant, represented by Mairead McKenna SC, denied any wrongdoing and had opposed the application.

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The case which first came before the court in February was adjourned to allow for out of court settlement talks between the parties.

On Friday, Mr McCarthy told Mr Justice Sanfey that as part of the settlement the parties had agreed to withdraw sworn statements which they had filed as part of the action.

The judge said he was not sure what that exactly meant in practical terms, describing it as an attempt to "unscramble an egg".

However, the court made the order on the basis it had been agreed between the parties following lengthy negotiations to resolve the matter.

Seeking the injunction, counsel said that for many years Mr Fitzpatrick has worked remotely and from his home in Co Clare, and before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It was claimed that after the demand that he work from the Dublin office was made, he was made the subject of an internal investigation.

He rejected any wrongdoing.

It was also claimed that the company also informed Mr Fitzpatrick that he would not be paid his annual bonus which was generally over 200,000, the court heard.
Ireland's attitudes towards immigration and refugees remain largely positive despite some recent declines, according to research from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).

They found that attitudes in Ireland towards refugees and immigration remain largely positive, both compared with previous data on attitudes in Ireland and compared with other European countries.

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However, the research also found that some attitudes became less positive in the last six months of 2023 in particular, and that attitudes are more positive towards some groups than others.

There has also been an increase in the proportion of people who feel immigration is one of the top two issues facing Ireland today.

The report was published as part of a joint research programme on integration and equality between the ESRI and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability and Youth.

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Using high-quality representative European survey data, the report examines attitudes towards immigration over the past 20 years and in comparative perspective.

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Using a large representative survey of 3,008 adults in Ireland in 2023, it also examines what factors are associated with more or less positive attitudes and comfort levels with different migrant groups.

Over the last decade Irish positivity towards immigration has significantly increased.

In 2022, beliefs that immigrants make the country a better place to live, that the countrys cultural life is enriched by immigrants, and that immigration is good for the economy were at a historic high, based on data going back to 2002, having improved significantly from dips during the recession.

However, in recent years, there have been declines in some indicators: positivity towards immigration from EU countries was 10 percentage points lower in 2023 than in 2020 (albeit still higher than 2014-2016).

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Several attitudes declined, especially between June and November 2023, including peoples positivity towards non-EU immigration and people feeling immigrants contribute a lot to Ireland. These declines in Ireland mirrored similar declines in average attitudes across the EU27.

There was a sharp and substantial rise in the salience or importance of migration to respondents in Ireland, measured by the proportion of people who say immigration is one of the top two most important issues facing Ireland: from 3 per cent in July 2022 to 14 per cent in June 2023 and November 2023.

Important issues

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This compares to 56 per cent of people who say housing is one of the two most important issues facing Ireland.

Despite very recent declines in support for immigration, in November 2023, Ireland had some of the most positive attitudes towards immigration of all EU27 countries  ranked fourth most supportive of immigration among EU27 countries and the UK.

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The study found that, according to an Irish survey from March/April 2023, people in Ireland are more positive about immigration from other EU member states and Ukraine (85 per cent very positive/fairly positive) than immigration from outside the EU/Ukraine (73 per cent).

The research also found that people in Ireland are more supportive of helping Ukrainian refugees (87 per cent) than asylum seekers (76 per cent).

People in Ireland are also more comfortable having European migrants in their everyday lives (as neighbours, in their childs class in school, in a romantic relationship with their child).

Living in private rented accommodation is associated with more positive attitudes to immigrants and immigration, compared to living in owner-occupied accommodation.

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A survey experiment also showed that those who identify as politically left wing are more positive on some indicators, which may indicate the emergence of a left-right split in attitudes to immigrants in Ireland.

Peoples perceptions of the past and future are also associated with their immigration attitudes.

Those who feel that their quality of life was better in the past or who have less confidence in the future are less positive about immigration overall and feel less comfortable with migrants in their everyday lives, especially with asylum seekers.

People concerned about access to housing and access to services are also somewhat less positive towards immigration than people concerned about racism, climate change or poverty in Ireland.
A High Court judge has again sent teacher Enoch Burke back to Mountjoy Prison, where he has already spent over 300 days over his failure to comply with an order to stay away from Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath.

During what was at times a heated hearing on Friday, Mr Justice Mark Sanfey had offered to temporarily release Mr Burke from prison, in the hope that the teacher would use the time the school was on holidays to reflect on his position.

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However, Mr Burke refused to address the court's proposal, and instead accused the judge of not doing his duty by ruling on what he claimed was an alleged lie told to the court by a solicitor acting for the school in a sworn statement.

Mr Burke, supported by members of his family, demanded that the court deal with the alleged lie over security arrangements that were made in the school, which had been reported this week by the Irish Independent newspaper.

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Alex White SC, for the school, said the security was put in place in relation to a matter unrelated to Mr Burke, and was over a dispute with a contractor.

When Mr Justice Sanfey dismissed the teacher's submissions on that point, Mr Burke repeatedly demanded that the court "do its duty" and "deal with the lies".

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Mr Justice Sanfey ruled that Mr Burke was not addressing the offer to be released from prison, and had made "insults" against the court and other parties, and was continually talking across and interrupting the judge.

When Mr Burke refused to cease, the judge directed that he be removed from the court.

Scuffle

When prison officers were in the process of removing the teacher from the courtroom, a scuffle ensued.

In addition, Mr Burke's brother Dr Isaac Burke was twice physically removed from the courtroom by gardai.

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After Dr Burke was removed from the court for the second time, having declined a direction from the court to behave, Mr Justice Sanfey said it was "a great shame and a disgrace to see such scenes in an Irish courtroom".

Earlier, Mr Burke's mother Martina, and sister Ammi were also directed to leave after interrupting the court.

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Following Mr Burke's removal, Mr Justice Sanfey said he had "no option" other than send Mr Burke back to prison.

He said that despite efforts to give him an "out", the teacher was "behaving in a way" that suggests he wants "to remain in prison".

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The judge said it was perhaps "too much to hope for" that an alternative to prison could be found which would coerce the teacher into complying with the court's order.

The judge adjourned the matter for further review to a date in June, although he noted that after what has been Mr Burke's fourth appearance before him, the situation had not altered.

Injunction

Mr Burke was brought before the court on Friday morning, when his ongoing refusal to comply with an injunction made last year was reviewed by the judge.

The judge had previously described the teacher's continued imprisonment as "a profoundly unsatisfactory situation".

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When the matter was before the court in late February, the judge, who stressed that court orders must be obeyed, asked the school's lawyers to make submissions on possible alternatives to Mr Burke's incarceration, including the sequestration of the teacher's assets.

The court also noted that during his time behind bars, Mr Burke continued to be paid his salary pending his appeal against the school's decision to dismiss him.

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The court also said Mr Burke was being imprisoned at a cost to the taxpayer, has not paid any of the fines imposed on him by the court last year, and has not paid any of the costs orders made against him by the courts in favour of the school.

Mr White told the court on Friday that the school had looked at alternative measures to ensure Mr Burke complied with the injunction.

Counsel said that while it hoped that the indefinite deadlock could be broken, measures such as the sequestration of assets, the enforcement of the daily fine imposed on the teacher last year, and pursing him for legal costs incurred to date have not and would not work.

There was no alternative to Mr Burke's imprisonment, counsel said, but added that the school did not object to the judge's proposal to release him for a period.

All the school wanted, counsel said, was for Mr Burke to comply with the order.

Mr White said in response to the newspaper article that security personnel had been temporarily put in place due to a dispute with a contractor.

In its submissions, the school had said it was against putting security there to prevent Mr Burke attending its campus as it would turn the campus into a prison-like environment.

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During the hearing, Mr Burke said this position, as outlined in a sworn statement to the court, was "a lie" as the school had contacted parents to say it was putting security staff on the campus. Mr Burke demanded that the judge deal with that particular issue.

When the judge rejected Mr Burke's application, the teacher accused the court of "prioritising transgenderism" over his entitlement to his Christian beliefs.

The judge and the school rejected all of Mr Burke's allegations regarding the security.

'Severe disruption'

Mr Burke was jailed last September over his deliberate failure to comply with a permanent injunction restraining him from attending the school granted by the court in July.

The board claimed that Mr Burke had attended the campus every day when the current school year commenced last August.

His presence at the school had caused "severe disruption for staff and students", the board claimed.

Mr Burke was found to have "flagrantly breached" the July orders and was sent to prison "indefinitely" until he purges his contempt.

During his first stint behind bars, the Evangelical Christian spent over 100 days in Mountjoy Prison between September and December 2022.

Following his suspension from his teaching position in August 2022, Mr Burke was sued by the school over his failure to comply with a court order requiring him to stay away from the school campus.

He was released in December 2022 without purging his contempt.

He again started attending the school after the Christmas holidays, and the High Court imposed a daily fine of 700 on Mr Burke for each day he remained in contempt.

The teacher denies all claims and says his constitutional rights were breached by the school's direction that he refer to a student by a different gender.
A mother whose son tried to murder her by beating her and stabbing her repeatedly with a knife has hit out at failures in the mental health system that she said put her in an "unexpected, dangerous situation" that has left her with lifelong injuries and trauma.

Mary Coughlan made a statement on Friday at a sentencing hearing in the Central Criminal Court for her son Gearoid Coughlan (32), who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, a disease that posed a risk to her safety of which she was not aware before the assault.

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She said she was frustrated that people with paranoid schizophrenia are allowed to live in the community without the care they need, in particular, to ensure they stick to their prescribed medication.

Ms Coughlan said that a lack of communication regarding the level of risk posed by her son's disease left her in an "unexpected, dangerous situation where I endured a horrific assault that almost cost me my life and will continue to impact my life forever. The assault by my son, who I never feared before, resulted in severe injuries, including a traumatic brain injury."

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She said her family and Gearoid were "failed by the system" but she still hopes that he can receive care from the best experts to "pave the way for brighter futures for us all." She further told the court that if she could sit with her son in a safe environment, she would "give him a big hug and tell him we all love him. I understand that his illness was the cause of this."

Ms Coughlan said she will not allow the assault by her son to define her life and, since leaving hospital, has returned to singing in her local choir, joined a walking club and enjoys time with her grandchildren.

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The court also heard that psychiatrists working with Gearoid have stated that he still lacks insight into his illness and if he stops taking his medication they are concerned that he would develop a psychosis again and be a threat to his family and, in particular, his mother.

Coughlan's lawyers told the court that their client was concerned about the indeterminate sentence he would receive if he were sent to the Central Mental Hospital having been found not guilty by reason of insanity.

His barrister, Alice Fawsitt SC, told the court that Coughlan took the decision not to look for a "special verdict" under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act and would prefer to serve his sentence in prison rather than in hospital.

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Last December, Coughlan, of Ballycoughlan, Inishannon, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to attempting to murder his mother on June 4th, 2021, at her home in Ballycoughlan.

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At Friday's hearing, Det Garda Peter Nolan told Tom Creed SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, that on June 4th, 2021, Ms Coughlan's daughter Joanne became concerned after her mother texted her to say that Gearoid was at her house, appeared to be "quite down" and was saying: "You're not my mother."

Joanne's husband, a GP, immediately went to Ballycoughlan where he found Ms Coughlan lying face down in a pool of blood on her kitchen floor, grunting and struggling to breathe. He cleared her airways, stemmed the bleeding and called emergency services.

Garda Nolan agreed that an emergency medical consultant said that Ms Coughlan would have died within minutes were it not for the doctor's intervention.

Gardai found Gearoid at a bus stop about 4km from his mother's home. After being cautioned, he asked twice: "Is she dead?"

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During interviews he repeatedly denied being at the family home that day but, the garda said, his claims were contradicted by CCTV, mobile phone data, the eyewitness evidence of family and neighbours, and forensic evidence that showed his clothes were stained with his mother's blood.

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Gardai also retrieved a recording made by Coughlan's mother five days prior to the assault in which Gearoid "voiced his intention to kill his mother, father and brother." Garda Nolan said Coughlan could be heard calmly saying, "I will kill all of you".

A medical report detailed the injuries to Ms Coughlan, including a 25cm incised wound to the neck and multiple open wounds to the face. When paramedics treated her she had lost cardiac output and required three weeks treatment in a critical care unit.

She suffered a traumatic brain injury and continues to undergo speech and language therapy. Although she is at an advanced stage of recovery, she will never make a full recovery, Gda Nolan said.

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Forensic experts were able to confirm from Ms Coughlan's injuries that they were inflicted by a knife, the garda said. Despite extensive searches the knife was never found.

After his arrest and detention, Gearoid was sent to the Central Mental Hospital where he remains.

Garda Nolan agreed that several psychiatrists have seen the accused and are all of the view that he suffers from schizophrenia, does not have insight into his disease and believes that he only suffers from anxiety.

Garda Nolan said the psychiatrists are concerned that if he does not take his medication he would develop a psychosis again and be a threat to his family and, in particular, his mother. Garda Nolan added that gardai "would fear that he remains a threat to the community at large".

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Coughlan has no previous convictions, although five days before the attempted murder he stole some alcohol from a shop and received the benefit of the Probation Act after pleading guilty to theft at the District Court.

Gda Nolan agreed with defence counsel, Ms Fawsitt, that Coughlan wished to plead guilty to the attempted murder charge much earlier but until recently, psychiatrists had found him unfit to plead due to his mental disorder.

Mother's statement

In her statement, Ms Coughlan said Gearoid is the youngest of her five children. His struggles with schizophrenia began in his first year at college in Limerick and resulted in 11 admissions to the psychiatric unit at Cork University Hospital over a ten-year period.

She said: "My experience with the mental health services is that it appears effective in certain crises when an immediate threat to life or limb is present, but it falls short in treating mental health conditions and preventing crises, particularly in schizophrenics where patients often resist medication due to the nature of the disease and their lack of insight."

She said she was frustrated that the mental health services allow people with paranoid schizophrenia to live in communities "without the care they need to stay well, specifically by sticking to their medication."

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Ms Coughlan said she understands that the health service is working within the Mental Health Act but, she said, the lack of coordination between primary care workers and the hospitals impacted her son's health and her family's safety.

She described her survival as a "miracle" and said without the intervention of her son-in-law the outcome "would have been drastically different".

She added: "I refuse to let this episode define me. I constantly seek new adventures, drawing strength from my husband, family, friends, neighbours and my community."

Since leaving hospital, she said she has refused to be "trapped in my own body", to hide away or be isolated. "I pushed myself to get about and re-engage with my community, to embrace life once more. Despite the visible wounds, I feel so lucky I am alive. This has been a poignant and humbling reminder that in the blink of an eye life can undergo irreversible changes."

She finished by saying that she had been asked what she would say if she were sitting with Gearoid in front of her in a safe environment. "I replied without hesitating that I would give him a big hug and tell him we all love him. I understand that his illness was the cause of this."

Following his mother's statement, Gearoid read from a prepared note in which he said he believes his condition is improving and apologised to his mother.

In her legal submissions, Ms Fawsitt told the court that her client had a concern about the indeterminate sentence he would receive from a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity. She said it was his decision not to look for that verdict.

She said that her client has "nothing against him"  he has no previous convictions, went to school, to college and worked  but his illness has "led him to where he is now."

The case will be mentioned before Mr Justice Paul McDermott again on April 12th for the production of a psychiatric report before sentencing.
Irelands declaration of the UK as a safe third country to which asylum seekers can be returned for processing is unlawful, the High Court has ruled.

In a major decision on Friday, Ms Justice Siobhan Phelan held that the designation, made by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee in response to the UKs exit from the European Union on January 31st, 2020, is unlawful as a matter of EU law due to the absence of certain required provisions.

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The designation is relatively similar to a scheme that exists between EU member states and enables a finding that an international protection application is inadmissible if the applicant has arrived from the UK. A person could be returned to the UK, as a safe non-EU country, for their asylum application or situation to be determined there.

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Ms Justice Phelan said there was a failure in Irish law to require that the designation be applied when the State can be satisfied that there is no risk of serious harm to an applicant on removal to a third country.

The State has also failed to adopt rules of methodology that are sufficient to ensure an application for international protection is not returned to a third country in breach of the minimum requirements of EU law.

Her ruling comes in two lead challenges to the designation which she heard over four days last month.

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The actions, which were contested by the Minister, were selected from a large group of cases that allege the designation of the UK as a safe third country is unlawful due to risks arising from potential onward transfer to Rwanda.

The UKs Supreme Court found last November that UK prime minister Rishi Sunaks plan to fly asylum seekers to Rwanda is unlawful, as it leaves deportees open to human rights breaches. The UK government is now proposing new laws to overcome legal obstacles.
A man who drove his wife to a Garda station where she made a statement withdrawing an allegation that he had assaulted her has been jailed for 12 months.

The 46-year-old, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the woman, was convicted of assault causing harm and witness intimidation following a trial at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in February.

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The man was acquitted of coercive control. He has no previous convictions.

Judge Elva Duffy imposed a global 12-month prison sentence on the man on Friday, stating it was clearly a complex case and has been difficult for everyone concerned.

The judge noted the man does not accept the jury's verdict, has not expressed remorse or taken full responsibility for his actions, but has accepted he caused some injuries to his wife.

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She said the mitigating factors included that he has no previous convictions, engaged with gardai and abided by his bail conditions.

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The judge noted the aggravating features included that the assault took place in a domestic setting and that the man displayed violence towards his partner.

She added the intimidation of a witness charge is a serious matter as any attempt to interfere with the course of justice is a very unwelcome departure from what should be the norm.

The judge noted that witness intimidation in a domestic setting must be considered more serious.

'Dangerous man'

A local garda told Michael Hourigan BL, prosecuting, that gardai on patrol in Dublin in June 2020 were flagged down as a young child was walking alone on a roadway unsupervised.

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The child was in a distressed state and was brought to the Garda station, where Tusla was contacted.

The child's mother was identified, and she arrived distressed, telling gardai the child had become separated from family members earlier that day.

The woman also told gardai that her husband was a dangerous man who assaulted her.

She told gardai about a specific incident which occurred a few days beforehand, when her husband spat at her, hit her and called her names.

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She showed gardai photos of her injuries, and bruising was visible while she was in the station.

The woman made a statement, but in October 2020, she made another statement withdrawing her complaint.

In April 2021, she made a third statement explaining why she had withdrawn her first statement, saying she was afraid of her husband.

The man's legal representative contacted gardai the following day to ask if the Director of Public Prosecutions had issued directions in relation to the case.

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The woman later came to the station, after her husband drove her there. She was in a distressed state and said she wished to withdraw her statement.

She was told that the criminal process was proceeding, and she then made a further statement of withdrawal.

Marriage difficulties

The man met gardai by appointment and while he acknowledged difficulties in his marriage, he denied any wrongdoing.

The woman gave evidence during the trial and resiled from the original allegations made. The jury were provided with a copy of her first statement, along with a medical report.

A victim impact statement was handed to the court, but not read aloud. Mr Hourigan told the court that the woman stated a desire to reconcile with her husband.

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The local garda agreed with Barry Ward BL, defending, that his client was co-operative and engaged with gardai throughout the criminal process.

It was also accepted that the man abided by all bail conditions, which included staying away from his family.

The garda agreed with the defence's suggestion that the woman initially declined to make a victim impact statement, but decided on Friday to do so.

It was further accepted that the woman did not have to make the statement unless she so wished.

Mr Ward said his client does not accept the jury's verdicts, but does accept he caused some of his wife's injuries, but says it was not an assault.

Counsel noted the couple are still married and parenting their children. His client supports his family financially and has a good work history.

His client abided by all bail conditions, including staying away from his family except for certain significant events, which has been difficult for him.

Mr Ward handed in seven references on behalf of the man, noting that these individuals consider his client to be someone positive in their interactions with him.

He asked the court to take into consideration his client's mental health difficulties and a medical report was supplied to the court.

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Mr Ward submitted to the court that the woman's injuries were on the lower end of the range, but added it is not suggested that this is an appropriate way to behave.

'No impetus'

He said his client drove his wife to the Garda station at the behest of others but maintains that he did not put pressure on her to withdraw her complaint.

Mr Ward said there was no suggestion or evidence of ongoing domestic abuse. He asked the court to consider the victim's evidence during the trial, but he noted it appeared the jury did not believe it.

He said the court might be wary, but said there was no impetus or pressure for the woman to make a victim impact statement or to tell the man she was going to do so.

Mr Ward said his client understands the seriousness of the offence, but asked the court not to impose an immediate custodial sentence, suggesting it may be counterproductive as the man contributes to society and his community.

Judge Duffy noted the woman's evidence during the trial was in contrast to her original statement to gardai.

She said it was clear this was something that was causing her distress and that she wishes for her relationship to return to what it had been.

She said there was no victim impact statement in the classic sense but noted the woman had outlined her distress at the current situation and described her husband as a good father.

She said she couldn't agree with the defence's application not to impose a custodial sentence and handed the man a one-year sentence on the assault causing harm charge.

The judge imposed a two-year sentence on the witness intimidation charge with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. Both sentences are to run concurrently.

The judge said she hoped a condition to keep the peace and be of good behaviour would incentivise the man to keep on the path and to avoid any further incidents.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Womens Aid (24-hour freephone helpline at 1800-341 900, email helpline@womensaid.ie) or Mens Aid Ireland (confidential helpline at 01-554 3811, email hello@mensaid.ie) for support and information.

Safe Ireland also offers a number of local services and helplines at safeireland.ie/get-help/where-to-find-help/. In the case of an emergency, always dial 999/112.
Simon Harris is set for a clear run to become the next taoiseach after announcing he will stand to be the leader of Fine Gael.

The Further and Higher Education Minister announced his candidature on Thursday night after receiving a series of endorsements from within the Fine Gael parliamentary party and after a number of senior colleagues said they did not intend to stand to replace Leo Varadkar.

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Mr Harris told RTE: I want to join you to let you know this evening I am in, I want to be the next leader of Fine Gael.

I am ready to step up, and I am ready to serve.

He added: I have been really overwhelmed and extremely grateful for support from Cabinet colleagues, ministers of state, TDs, MEPs, councillors and grassroots members right across Ireland.

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I want to thank everybody for their support and their trust. It means so much to me and I will work night and day. I will give this my absolute all to repay that trust.

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He added that he wants to bring energy and an enthusiasm to the leadership of the party.

I also want to bring my practical life experience.

I want to work with colleagues, I want to listen, I want to really reconnect with our party right across the country. I want to get back to core principles.

In a statement, Mr Harris paid tribute to outgoing taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

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Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced on Wednesday that he was stepping down (Nick Bradshaw/PA)

Leo has steered our party and our country through very challenging times including Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the recent cost-of-living crisis.

He said: If given the opportunity, I will give this my all.

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Outgoing Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach Mr Varadkar surprised many within the political establishment by announcing his resignation on Wednesday.

Focus has since shifted to his potential successor.

Aside from Mr Harris, all other senior Fine Gael cabinet ministers have ruled themselves out of contention.

Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys and Minister for Enterprise and Fine Gael deputy leader Simon Coveney have all said they will not seek a nomination for the leadership.

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Ms Humphrey and Ms McEntee are also among a wave of Fine Gael members to have come out publicly in support of Mr Harris.

Minister of State Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, who had been touted as a possible outsider in any race for the leadership, has also ruled herself out and declared support for Mr Harris.

If appointed Fine Gael leader, Mr Harris would be expected to be formally elected as taoiseach in the Dail in April following the Easter recess.

He would become the countrys youngest premier at the age of 37.

Mr Harris has already been viewed as one of the favourites to replace Mr Varadkar, but he may now emerge as the only contender.

Mr Donohoe announced his decision not to stand in a statement issued at lunchtime on Thursday.

I have long said that my focus is on the two jobs that I am privileged to hold; that of government minister and as president of the Eurogroup (of finance ministers in the eurozone).

That remains to be the case. It is with a huge honour that I undertake my work on the domestic and international stage.

Minister of State Patrick ODonovan and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee at the Backweston Laboratory Campus in Co Kildare talking to the media about the Fine Gael leadership contest as McEntee rules herself out (PA video)

Ms McEntee did not rule out a future bid for the leadership, insisting she is still ambitious, but she said it was not the right time for her.

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She dismissed the suggestion that criticism of her handling of riots in Dublin in November and their aftermath influenced her decision not to seek the nomination.

The minister said she made the decision a year or two ago not to stand if the position became vacant in the immediate future.

Ms Humphreys said she had given serious consideration to a run for the leadership but had decided against it, citing family commitments among her reasons.

I just want to thank everybody who contacted me in the last 24 hours and have asked me to put my name forward and have offered me their support, she told reporters outside the Oireachtas parliament in Dublin.

I have thought about this and given it very serious consideration, and Ive decided not to put my name forward, but I have decided to give Simon Harris my full support.

Fine Gael deputy leader Mr Coveney had made clear he would not be running on Wednesday evening.

Mr Varadkar refused to endorse any candidate, saying he wanted to support the next leader wholeheartedly.

Speaking in Brussels for the European Council meeting, Mr Varadkar said: There is a very long-standing tradition in Fine Gael, and a very good one, that outgoing or former party leaders dont endorse a particular candidate. So Im not going to do that.

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And the reason why I wont do that is that it will allow me to support wholeheartedly whoever is elected as the next Fine Gael leader.
US secretary of state Antony Blinken has arrived in Israel for what are expected to be fractious talks with Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu over the war in Gaza as public differences over the conflict have intensified.

Mr Blinken said he will share alternatives to Israels planned ground assault into the southern Gaza town of Rafah when he meets Mr Netanyahu and his war cabinet.

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On Thursday, Mr Blinken and Arab leaders discussed efforts towards a ceasefire and ideas for Gazas post-conflict future.

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Russia and China vetoed a US-sponsored UN resolution calling for an immediate and sustained ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid to be delivered to more than two million hungry Palestinians.

The vote on Friday in the 15-member Security Council was 11 members in favour, three against and one abstention.

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So little food has been allowed into Gaza that up to 60% of children under five are now malnourished, compared with fewer than 1% before the war began, World Health Organisation director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

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Tens of thousands of people have died in the Israeli offensive (AP)

The health ministry in Gaza raised the territorys death toll to nearly 32,000 Palestinians.

The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count, but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.

Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people in the surprise October 7th attack out of Gaza that triggered the war, and abducted another 250 people.

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Hamas is still believed to be holding some 100 people hostage, as well as the remains of 30 others.

Members of the Al-Rabaya family break their fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan outside their destroyed home by the Israeli airstrikes in Rafah (AP)

Mr Blinken has arrived in Tel Aviv for the final stop in his sixth urgent diplomatic mission to the Middle East, where he is expected to hold meetings with Netanyahu and his war cabinet aimed at convincing them not to proceed with plans for a large-scale military offensive in the southern city of Rafah that many fear could make an already disastrous humanitarian crisis in Gaza even worse.

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Mr Blinken said on Thursday in Cairo: A major military operation in Rafah would be a mistake, something we dont support.

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And, its also not necessary to deal with Hamas, which is necessary.

Instead, Mr Blinken will present Mr Netanyahu with alternatives for dealing with Hamas in Rafah in discussions that will continue next week when Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant and a separate delegation of senior Israeli officials visit Washington.

Mr Netanyahu agreed to send the delegation in a Monday phone call with US president Joe Biden  their first conversation in a month amid the widening divisions.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has agreed with the leaders of Spain, Malta and Slovenia to take the first steps towards recognising a Palestinian state following a meeting of the European Council in Brussels.

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez said he expected the recognition to happen during his country's current four-year legislature that began last year.

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He told reporters the agreement was reached after meeting with Mr Varadkar and their Maltese and Slovenian counterparts on the sidelines of the council gathering on Friday morning.

"We are agreed that the only way to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region is through implementation of a two-state solution, with Israeli and Palestinian States living side-by-side, in peace and security," read a joint statement issued by Ireland after the meeting.

Arab states and the European Union agreed at a meeting in Spain in November that a two-state solution was the answer to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

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Since 1988, 139 out of 193 United Nations member states have recognised Palestinian statehood.
EAGLE PASS, TEXAS - MARCH 20: In an aerial view, a National Guard soldier stands atop a barrier of shipping containers while patrolling at Shelby Park on March 20, 2024 in Eagle Pass, Texas. Hours after the U.S. Supreme Court authorized Senate Bill 4, a federal appeals court halted the decision based on an earlier injunction. Senate Bill 4 allows state law enforcement officials to detain and arrest migrants suspected of illegally crossing into the U.S. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX *** Brandon Bell/Getty Images In an aerial view, National Guard soldiers patrol the Rio Grande river near Shelby Park on March 20, 2024 in Eagle Pass, Texas. Hours after the U.S. Supreme Court authorized Senate Bill 4, a federal appeals court halted the decision based on an earlier injunction. Senate Bill 4 allows state law enforcement officials to detain and arrest migrants suspected of illegally crossing into the U.S. Brandon Bell/Getty Images

WASHINGTON  The Mexican government is urging a federal court to block Texas migrant deportation law, arguing it will trample the countrys right to regulate its own borders, terrorize the 2.4 million Mexican nationals living in Texas and threaten crucial cross-border trade.

The unforeseen ramifications of this law would have a substantial impact and hardship on the Mexican community, the nation wrote in a brief submitted Thursday as a federal appeals court weighs whether to keep the law on hold.

The law, known as Senate Bill 4, makes it a crime to enter Texas from Mexico without permission. It empowers any law enforcement officer in Texas to arrest migrants they suspect of violating the law and allows judges to order their removal from the country. Those who do not comply face 20 years in prison.

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Mexican officials have said the nation will not accept anyone Texas tries to send across the border. And the government argued the law will frustrate international efforts between Mexico and the U.S. to manage migration.

The law is likely to cause confusion and chaos at the border as people seek to enter Mexico to avoid criminal penalties under SB 4, said the brief, which was signed by Austin attorney Sinead OCarroll.

The law briefly took effect on Tuesday but was put on hold while the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals weighs its constitutionality. Civil rights groups and the U.S. Department of Justice sued to block the law permanently, arguing the law runs afoul of more than a century of court precedent on immigration powers and would interfere with the federal governments enforcement efforts.

Texas Republicans, who passed the law last fall, say it is necessary to protect the state against a rise of migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. and Mexican drug cartels. They say the state has to step in because the federal government is not doing enough to stop border crossings, which have hit records under the Biden administration.

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Mexicos brief said the law wholly eviscerates the long-standing principle that immigration should be handled solely by the federal government. It cites a U.S. Supreme Court ruling from 2012 that struck down portions of an Arizona law authorizing police to arrest anyone suspected of being in the country illegally.

The U.S. Supreme Court provided the most definitive statement yet on this principle, declaring that it is fundamental that foreign countries concerned about the status, safety, and security of their nationals in the United States must be able to confer and communicate on this subject with one national sovereign, not the 50 separate States, the brief said.

The brief also said Mexico is deeply concerned that enforcement of SB 4 by Texas officers could lead to improper harassment, detention, removal, and criminalization of Mexican citizens and individuals of Latino appearance.

And it said those concerns could put a damper on the $285.6 billion trade relationship between Texas and Mexico, which is the states top trading partner.

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US secretary of state Antony Blinken has once again left the Middle East empty-handed as Israels prime minister rejected American appeals to call off a promised ground invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

The tough message from Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu sets the stage for potentially difficult talks next week in Washington between top US officials and a high-level Israeli delegation.

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Mr Netanyahu said Israel is ready to do it alone in Rafah if necessary.

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Despite their differences, the Biden administration has continued to provide crucial military aid and diplomatic support, even as Israels war against Hamas has killed more than 32,000 people in Gaza and led to a worsening humanitarian crisis.

Israel says Rafah is the last remaining stronghold of Hamas and says the militant groups forces there must be defeated for Israel to meet its war objectives.

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Israel vowed to destroy Hamas following the groups October 7th attack, which killed some 1,200 people, took 250 others hostage and triggered the fierce Israeli air and ground offensive in Gaza.

But Rafah now shelters more than one million homeless Palestinians who fled fighting elsewhere in Gaza.

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The US, along with most of the international community, fears an Israeli ground invasion will endanger civilians lives and impede the flow of desperately needed humanitarian aid into the territory, most of which comes through Rafah.

Mr Netanyahu said he told Mr Blinken that Israel is working on ways to evacuate civilians from combat zones and to address the humanitarian needs of Gaza, where international aid officials say the entire population is suffering from food insecurity and famine is imminent in the hard-hit north.

I also said that we have no way to defeat Hamas without entering Rafah, Mr Netanyahu said.

I told him that I hope we would do this with US support, but if necessary we will do it alone.

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Palestinians look at a residential building destroyed in an Israeli strike in Rafah, Gaza Strip (Hatem Ali/AP)

Mr Blinken, wrapping up his sixth visit to the Middle East since the war broke out, told reporters that the US shares Israels goal of defeating Hamas.

But a major ground operation in Rafah is not, in our judgment, the way to achieve it and we were very clear about that, he said, adding that Israel faces growing isolation if it presses ahead.

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The looming Rafah invasion has cast a shadow over ongoing efforts to forge a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

Mr Blinken, who also met Arab leaders during his trip this week, acknowledged theres still a lot of work to be done.

He spoke shortly after a US-sponsored ceasefire resolution in the UN Security Council was vetoed by Russia and China.

Mr Blinken said it was unimaginable that the measure had been rejected.

The US initially sided strongly with Israel after the October 7th attack.

But relations have increasingly soured as the war drags on into its fifth month.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken speaks to the media as he departs at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel (Evelyn Hockstein, Pool Photo via AP)

Palestinian health officials in Gaza said on Friday that at least 32,070 people have been killed, with at least two thirds of them women and children.

Israel claims at least one-third of those killed are Hamas militants, and says the group is responsible for civilian casualties by hiding and operating in residential areas.

The US position on a Rafah operation has shifted in recent days.

Initially, US officials called for a plan to get civilians out of harms way.

Now, they say there is no credible way to do that.

It risks killing more civilians. It risks wreaking greater havoc with the provision of humanitarian assistance. It risks further isolating Israel around the world and jeopardising its long-term security and standing, Mr Blinken said.

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US officials say other options, including specifically targeted operations against known Hamas fighters and commanders, are the only way to avoid a civilian catastrophe.

Roughly three quarters of Gazas 2.3 million people have fled into Rafah, the farthest south they can go before the Egyptian border.

Israeli army bulldozers manoeuvre near the Gaza border in southern Israel (Tsafrir Abayov/AP)

Sprawling tent camps now dot the city.

The US will share its ideas for alternatives at next weeks meetings, when a delegation led by Mr Netanyahus national security adviser and a member of Israels War Cabinet heads to Washington.

Israels defence minister, another member of the War Cabinet, will also visit.

Mr Blinken said talks would focus on post-war plans, another area of disagreement.

The US wants the internationally recognised Palestinian Authority  which Hamas ousted from Gaza in 2007  to return to power in the territory, along with a clear path towards an independent Palestinian state beside Israel.

Mr Netanyahu rejects Palestinian independence or a role for the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the occupied West Bank, and says Israel must maintain long-term security control over Gaza.

International mediators, led by the US, Qatar and Egypt, have been working on a ceasefire to pause or end the war in Gaza.

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Israel is seeking the release of the more than 100 hostages still held by Hamas, while Hamas wants an end  not a temporary pause  to the war along with the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

Palestinians perform Friday prayers of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan near the ruins of a destroyed mosque in Rafah (Fatima Shbair/AP)

Hamas wants Israel to release large numbers of Palestinian prisoners.

After his talks with Israeli leaders, Mr Blinken met with families of hostages who hold US citizenship before departing.

He later greeted a small group of protesters who gathered in solidarity with the families outside his hotel.

Protesters chanted Blinken, thank you, as he walked by the crowd.

He said the US was working to bring them home as he shook hands.

Mr Blinken told reporters that progress has been made in recent weeks, but the final gaps tend to be the hardest.

Theres still a lot of work to be done, hard work to be done, he said.

Towards those efforts, Mr Blinken said he also discussed the need to increase humanitarian aid entering Gaza.

Families and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza wave signs and the Israeli and US flags during a protest calling for their return, outside a meeting between US secretary of state Antony Blinken and families of hostages, in Tel Aviv, Israel (Oded Balilty/AP)

He said some positive steps have been taken in recent days. But its not enough.

Israel says it places no restrictions on the amounts of humanitarian aid it allows into Gaza.

But international aid groups say deliveries have been impeded by Israeli military restrictions, ongoing hostilities and the breakdown of public order.

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So little food has been allowed into Gaza that up to 60% of children under five are now malnourished, compared with fewer than 1% before the war began, the head of the World Health Organisation said on Thursday.

At the United Nations, Russia and China vetoed a US-sponsored UN resolution supporting an immediate and sustained ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

The two countries called the measure ambiguous and said it was not the direct demand to end the fighting that much of the world seeks.

The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 11 members in favour and three against, including Algeria, the Arab representative on the council.

Guyana abstained.

A key issue was the unusual language that said the Security Council determines the imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire.

The phrasing was not a straightforward demand or call to halt hostilities.

It also appeared to loosen, but not drop, previous US demands that Hamas release all hostages as part of a ceasefire.

Mr Blinken said the measure had been cynically vetoed and should have been embraced.

We were trying to show the international communitys sense of urgency about getting a ceasefire tied to the release of hostages, he said.

Mr Blinken also said it had sought to condemn Hamas.

He said: Its unimaginable why countries wouldnt be able to do that.
Russia and China have vetoed a US-sponsored UN resolution calling for an immediate and sustained ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid to be delivered to more than two million Palestinians.

The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 11 members in favour and three against, including Algeria, the Arab representative on the council.

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There was one abstention, from Guyana.

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Before the vote, Russian UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Moscow supports an immediate ceasefire, but he criticised diluted language that referred to moral imperatives, which he called philosophical wording that does not belong in a UN resolution.

He accused US secretary of state Antony Blinken and US ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield of deliberately misleading the international community.

This was some kind of an empty rhetorical exercise, Mr Nebenzia said.

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The American product is exceedingly politicised, the sole purpose of which is to help to play to the voters, to throw them a bone in the form of some kind of a mention of a ceasefire in Gaza and to ensure the impunity of Israel, whose crimes in the draft are not even assessed.

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Chinas UN ambassador, Zhang Jun, said the US proposal did not promote an immediate and sustained ceasefire, set preconditions and fell far short of expectations of council members and the broader international community.

If the US was serious about a ceasefire, it wouldnt have vetoed time and again multiple council resolutions, he said.

It wouldnt have taken such a detour and played a game of words while being ambiguous and evasive on critical issues.

Ms Thomas-Greenfield urged the council to adopt the resolution to press for an immediate ceasefire and the release of the hostages, as well as to address Gazas humanitarian crisis and support ongoing diplomacy by the United States, Egypt and Qatar.

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After the vote, Ms Thomas-Greenfield accused Russia and China of voting for deeply cynical reasons, saying they could not bring themselves to condemn Hamass terrorist attacks in southern Israel on October 7th, which the resolution would have done for the first time.

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United States ambassador and representative to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield speaks during a Security Council meeting at United Nations headquarters (Yuki Iwamura/AP)

A key issue in the vote was the unusual language related to a ceasefire.

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It said the Security Council determines the imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire  not a straight-forward demand or call.

The resolution did reflect a shift by the United States, which has found itself at odds with much of the world as even close allies push for an unconditional end to fighting.

In previous resolutions, the US has closely intertwined calls for a ceasefire with demands for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza.

This resolution, through awkward wording that is open to interpretation, continued to link the two issues, but not as firmly.

While the resolution would have been officially binding under international law, it would not have ended the fighting or led to the release of hostages.

But it would have added to the pressure on Israel as its closest ally falls more in line with global demands for a ceasefire at a time of rising tensions between the US and Israeli governments.

Meanwhile, the 10 elected members of the Security Council have put their own resolution in a final form to be voted on.

It demands an immediate humanitarian ceasefire for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan that began on March 10 to be respected by all parties leading to a permanent sustainable ceasefire.

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Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian UN ambassador, told reporters the vote would take place either late on Friday or on Saturday morning.

Palestinians perform Friday prayers of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan near the ruins of a destroyed mosque in Rafah (Fatima Shbair/AP)

The resolution also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and emphasises the urgent need to protect civilians and deliver humanitarian aid throughout the Gaza Strip.

Mr Nebenzia urged council members to support it, but Ms Thomas-Greenfield said the texts current form fails to support sensitive diplomacy in the region. Worse, it could actually give Hamas an excuse to walk away from the deal on the table.

The Security Council had already adopted two resolutions on the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, but none has called for a ceasefire.

Russia and China vetoed a US-sponsored resolution in late October calling for pauses in the fighting to deliver aid, protection of civilians and a halt to arming Hamas.

They said it did not reflect global calls for a ceasefire.

The US has vetoed three resolutions demanding a ceasefire, the most recent an Arab-backed measure supported by 13 council members with one abstention on February 20.

A day earlier, the US circulated a rival resolution, which went through major changes during negotiations before Fridays vote.

It initially would have supported a temporary ceasefire linked to the release of all hostages, and the previous draft would have supported international efforts for a ceasefire as part of a hostage deal.

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Security Council members fail to adopt resolution stating the imperative of an immediate & sustained ceasefire in Gaza.



As conditions on the ground continue to worsen & famine looms, the UN keeps seeking ways for safe humanitarian access to save lives. https://t.co/nIQELFxb6M pic.twitter.com/vKOxFoouPO  United Nations (@UN) March 22, 2024

The vote took place as Mr Blinken, Americas top diplomat, is on his sixth urgent mission to the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war, discussing a deal for a ceasefire and hostage release, as well as post-war scenarios.

Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people in the surprise October 7th attack into southern Israel that triggered the war, and abducted another 250 people.

Hamas is still believed to be holding some 100 people hostage, as well as the remains of 30 others.

In Gaza, the Health Ministry raised the death toll in the territory on Thursday to nearly 32,000 Palestinians.

The agency does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.

The international communitys authority on determining the severity of hunger crises warned this week that famine is imminent in northern Gaza, where 70 per cent of people are experiencing catastrophic hunger.

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The report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification initiative (IPC) warned that escalation of the war could push half of Gazas total population to the brink of starvation.

Smoke rises following an Israeli air strike in the central Gaza Strip (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP)

The US draft expressed deep concern about the threat of conflict-induced famine and epidemics presently facing the civilian population in Gaza as well as the number of undernourished people, and also that hunger in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels.

It emphasised the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance to civilians in the entire Gaza Strip and lift all barriers to getting aid to civilians at scale.

Israel faces mounting pressure to streamline the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip, to open more land crossings and to come to a ceasefire agreement.

But Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu has vowed to move the military offensive to the southern city of Rafah, where some 1.3 million displaced Palestinians have sought safety.

Mr Netanyahu says it is a Hamas stronghold.

The final US draft eliminated language in the initial draft that said Israels offensive in Rafah should not proceed under current circumstances.

Instead, in an introductory paragraph, the council emphasised its concern that a ground offensive into Rafah would result in further harm to civilians and their further displacement, potentially into neighbouring countries, and would have serious implications for regional peace and security.
Several assailants burst into a large concert hall on the edge of Moscow and sprayed the crowd with gunfire, killing at least 60 people, injuring more than 100 others and setting fire to the venue in a brazen attack.

It comes just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on power in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide.

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The so-called Islamic State (IS) group claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement posted on affiliated channels on social media, which could not be independently verified.



A massive blaze over Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow (Sergei Vedyashkin/Moscow News Agency via AP)

It was not immediately clear what happened to the attackers after the raid, which Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin described as a huge tragedy and state authorities were investigating as terrorism.

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The attack, which left the concert hall in flames with a collapsed roof, was the deadliest attack in Russia in years and came as the countrys war in Ukraine dragged into a third year.

The Kremlin said that Mr Putin was informed about the raid minutes after the assailants burst into Crocus City Hall, a large music venue on Moscows western edge that can accommodate 6,200 people.

The attack took place as crowds gathered for a performance by the famous Russian rock band Picnic.

As Russias Federal Security Service reported 60 dead and more than 100 injured, some Russian news reports suggested that more could have been trapped by the blaze that erupted after the assailants threw explosives.

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Health authorities released a list of 145 injured  115 of them admitted to hospital, including five children.

Video from outside showed the building on fire, with a huge cloud of smoke rising through the night sky.

The street was lit up by the blinking blue lights of dozens of fire engines, ambulances and other emergency vehicles, as several fire helicopters buzzed overhead to dump water on the blaze.



Police block the road to Crocus City Hall (Dmitry Serebryakov/AP)

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The attack took place as crowds gathered for a performance by the famous Russian rock band Picnic.

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Russian news reports said concertgoers were being evacuated, but that an unknown number could have been trapped by the blaze.

The prosecutors office said several men in combat fatigues entered the concert hall and fired on concertgoers.

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Repeated volleys of gunfire could be heard in videos posted by Russian media and on Telegram channels.

One showed two men with rifles moving through the venue.

Another showed a man inside the auditorium and saying the assailants had set it on fire, as gunshots rang out incessantly in the background.

Other videos showed up to four attackers, armed with assault rifles and wearing caps, who were shooting screaming people at point-blank range.

Guards at the concert hall did not have guns, and some could have been killed at the start of the attack, Russian media reported.



A medic stands near ambulances parked outside the burning building of Crocus City Hall (Vitaly Smolnikov/AP)

It was not immediately clear what happened to the assailants, but some Russian news outlets suggested that they fled before special forces and riot police arrived.

Reports said police patrols were looking for several vehicles the attackers could have used to escape.

In a statement posted by its Aamaq news agency, IS said it attacked a large gathering in Krasnogorsk on Moscows outskirts, killing and wounding hundreds.

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It was not immediately possible to verify the authenticity of the claim.

Earlier this month, Russias top security agency said it thwarted an attack on a synagogue in Moscow by a cell of IS.

Russian authorities also said that six alleged IS members were killed in Ingushetia in Russias volatile Caucasus region.

It was not clear why the group, which operates mainly in Syria and Iraq but also in Afghanistan and Africa, would stage an attack in Russia at this time.



A man speaks to journalists after the incident (Dmitry Serebryakov/AP)

Over the years, the extremist group recruited fighters from the former Soviet Union who fought for the group in Syria and Iraq and claimed several attacks in the Caucasus and other Russian regions in the past.

As the blaze raged, statements of outrage, shock and support to those affected streamed in from around the world.

Some commentators on Russian social media questioned how authorities, who relentlessly surveil and pressure Kremlin critics, failed to identify the threat and prevent the attack.

Russian authorities said security has been tightened at Moscows airports, railway stations and the capitals sprawling subway system.

Moscows mayor cancelled all mass gatherings and theatres and museums shut for the weekend.

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Other Russian regions also tightened security.

The Kremlin has not blamed anyone for the attack, but some Russian legislators were quick to accuse Ukraine of being behind it.



A Russian Rosguardia (National Guard) serviceman secures an area near Crocus City Hall (Dmitry Serebryakov/AP)

Hours before the attack, the Russian military launched a sweeping barrage on Ukraines power system, crippling the countrys biggest hydroelectric plant and other energy facilities and leaving more than a million people without electricity.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, denied Ukraines involvement in the concert hall attack.

Ukraine has never resorted to the use of terrorist methods, he posted on X.

Everything in this war will be decided only on the battlefield.

John Kirby, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said he could not yet speak about all the details but that the images are just horrible. And just hard to watch.

Our thoughts are going to be with the victims of this terrible, terrible shooting attack, Mr Kirby said.

There are some moms and dads and brothers and sisters and sons and daughters who havent gotten the news yet. This is going to be a tough day.

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The attack followed a statement issued earlier this month by the US embassy in Moscow that urged Americans to avoid crowded places in the Russian capital in view of imminent plans by extremists to target large gatherings in Moscow, a warning that was repeated by several other Western embassies.



The blaze over Crocus City Hall (Denis Voronin/Moscow News Agency via AP)

Asked about the embassys notice issued on March 7, Mr Kirby referred the question to the State Department, adding: I dont think that was related to this specific attack.

Responding to a question about whether Washington had any prior information about the assault, Mr Kirby responded: Im not aware of any advance knowledge that we had of this terrible attack.

Mr Putin, who extended his grip on Russia for another six years in the March 15-17 presidential vote after a sweeping crackdown on dissent, earlier this week denounced the Western warnings as an attempt to intimidate Russians.

Russia was shaken by a series of deadly terror attacks in the early 2000s during the fighting with separatists in the Russian province of Chechnya.

In October 2002, Chechen militants took about 800 people hostage at a Moscow theatre.

Two days later, Russian special forces stormed the building and 129 hostages and 41 Chechen fighters died, most of them from the effects of narcotic gas Russian forces used to subdue the attackers.

And in September 2004, about 30 Chechen militants seized a school in Beslan in southern Russia, taking hundreds of hostages.

The siege ended in a bloodbath two days later and more than 330 people, about half of them children, were killed.
Chinese coast guard ships backed by a military helicopter have attempted to block two Philippine government vessels carrying scientists from reaching two sandbars in the disputed South China Sea, Philippine officials said.

Coast guard personnel blew the horn on one of their ships for half an hour and repeatedly transmitted radio warnings during the confrontation on Thursday, but the Filipino scientists managed to complete their four-hour marine and biodiversity research at the barren sandbars called Sandy Cay, the officials said.

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The Chinese coast guard gave a different account of the face-off. A spokesperson, Gan Yu, said in a statement that its law enforcement officers boarded the sandbars, which Beijing calls Tiexian Reef, and dealt with what it called illegal activities by 34 Philippine personnel who ignored Chinas warnings and dissuasion.

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A Chinese military helicopter also took part in the incident (Philippine Coast Guard via AP)

Thats another lie coming from the Chinese coast guard, Philippine coast guard Commodore Jay Tarriela said at a news conference on Friday. For four hours, our marine scientists were able to continue their research.

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Journalists who were invited to join the research mission witnessed the incident, Commodore Tarriela said.

It was the latest flareup in increasingly tense territorial disputes that are seen as a potential Asian flashpoint that might bring China and the United States into a conflict if they degenerate into a major armed confrontation.

China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei have overlapping territorial claims that have erupted from time to time into brief confrontations in the South China Sea.

Hostilities between China and the Philippines, however, have worsened since last year, resulting in minor collisions at sea and injuries to a few Filipino crewmen, sparking a war of words.

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Filipino scientists carried out their research at Sandy Cay (Philippine Coast Guard via AP)

Washington has no territorial claims in the strategic waterway but has questioned Chinas claim to virtually the entire seaway. The United States has repeatedly warned that it is obligated to defend the Philippines, its oldest treaty ally in Asia, if Filipino forces, ships and aircraft come under an armed attack.

During the Chinese coast guards manoeuvres, one of its ships crossed the bow of the Philippine fisheries vessel BRP Datu Sanday at a distance of 328ft, Commodore Tarriela said. At least 13 suspected Chinese militia vessels tried to help form a blockade, he added.

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Two of the three small sandbars where the Filipino scientists carried out a survey are located between Philippine-occupied Thitu island and Subi, a disputed reef that China transformed into an island base with a military-grade runway, seaports and a number of buildings with communications facilities.

In 2017, Chinese officials accused the Philippine military of attempting to build a structure on one of the sandbars, and deployed Chinese coast guard and suspected militia ships to keep watch on Sandy Cay.
Pierpaolo Piccioli is leaving Valentino after 25 years.

The Italian fashion designer was named the sole creative director of Valentino in 2016, after sharing the role for some years with Maria Grazia Chiuri, who left to work for Dior.

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In a statement, Piccioli thanked the people he worked with during his time at Valentino.

Pierpaolo Piccioli with Valentino brand ambassador Florence Pugh (Alamy/PA)

Everything existed and exists thanks to the people I met, with whom I worked, with whom I shared dreams and created beauty, with whom I built something that belongs to all, and that remains immutable and tangible. This heritage of love, dreams, beauty and humanity, I carry it with me, today and forever, he wrote in the Italian statement posted on Instagram.

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This is the beauty that we have created: life, hope, opportunity and gratitude, and my people, my heart, and the love that gives you all the possibilities of the world, especially those that you could not imagine alone. Thanks to Mr Valentino and Giancarlo Giammetti who have blessed me with their trust, thanks to every single person who made this possible in one way or another, it was a privilege and an honour to share my journey, and my dreams, with you.

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Throughout his tenure at Valentino, Piccioli established himself as a giant of the fashion industry.

Supermodel Naomi Campbell has become a close friend of the fashion house (Alamy/PA)

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His collections spanned womenswear, menswear and couture, all with an emphasis on classic designs. Piccioli championed craftsmanship, telling American art magazine The Gagosian Quarterly in 2023 that this was the DNA of the brand.

Piccioli also made a name for himself with his unique use of colour. For the labels autumn/winter 2022 collection, models wore one of two things: an eye-searingly bright shade of fuschia, or all black.

This shade of pink was specifically made in collaboration between Piccioli and Pantone, and was called Valentino Pink PP. It started flooding the red carpets  worn by everyone from Dua Lipa to Drew Barrymore  and became a Valentino signature.

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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Valentino (@maisonvalentino) Advertisement

Discussing his obsession with monochrome colours in 2022, Piccioli told AnOther Magazine: Monochrome artists used to paint everything in one colour in order to give visibility to other things. To deliver different things, different emotions.

For me, its like a black and white picture book, after a chapter, you understand. And you go deeper into surface, the hands, the expression, the emotion. So I wanted to use one colour in order to highlight the idea of fashion as cut, design, silhouette, shape, volumes. Patterns, textures. Youre obliged to see more.

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Anne Hathaway regularly wears Valentino designs  both modern and vintage  on the red carpet (Alamy/PA)

Hes built up relationships with prominent brand ambassadors, including The Devil Wears Prada actor Anne Hathaway  who dipped into the labels archives for The Fashion Awards 2023, wearing an ivory gown from the early 1990s  and Dune star Zendaya.

Before signing a deal with French luxury brand Louis Vuitton, Zendaya was a regular face on the Valentino front row. She wore a Valentino haute couture creation to the 2022 Oscars, and appeared in multiple brand campaigns.

Zendaya wore Valentino haute couture to the 2022 Oscars (Alamy/PA)

Some of fellow brand ambassador Florence Pughs most memorable fashion moments have been in Valentino  including the sheer pink gown she wore to the labels couture show in July 2023, which caused something of a stir as the top was entirely see-through.

Piccioli injected a youthful energy into Valentino, particularly by setting up a group of brand ambassadors in 2020 called the Di.Vas  meaning Different Values  including racing driver Lewis Hamilton.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Valentino (@maisonvalentino)

He was a familiar face at the Met Gala  last year dressing multiple celebrities for the event, most notably Rihanna, who wore a custom white bridal-inspired cape studded with camellias.

Piccioli leaves Valentino on a high. His most recent womenswear collection at Paris Fashion Week earlier this month was met with rave reviews, as he presented a subversive all-black collection.

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While no formal announcement has been made about Picciolis successor, rumours have already been swirling  with former Gucci creative director Alessandro Micheles name being particularly mentioned, after he stepped down from the Italian fashion house at the end of 2022.

Piccioli is yet to reveal what he will do next.
Britain's Princess Kate has announced she is having treatment for cancer in a video shared on Friday evening, and spoke of an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family.

The shock health news follows King Charless cancer diagnosis, with the condition discovered during his recent hospital treatment.

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Here is the timeline of the health troubles facing the British royal family.

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Monday, December 25th

In her last public appearance before the news of her hospital treatment, Kate was seen on Christmas Day in Sandringham walking to church with the rest of her family.

She held hands with her daughter Charlotte and looked happy and relaxed as she grinned at well-wishers while strolling to the service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Norfolk.

Tuesday, January 9th

Kate turned 42 on January 9th and while the monarchys official social media accounts celebrated the day with a behind the scenes photo of Kate at Charles's coronation, there was unusually no customary response from Kensington Palace this year thanking well-wishers for their messages.

Tuesday, January 16th

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Kate is secretly admitted to The London Clinic and undergoes abdominal surgery.

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She attends the clinic rather than King Edward VIIs Hospital which is usually the go-to establishment for royal medical matters.

Wednesday, January 17th

2pm  Kensington Palace announces the princesss operation and says she will remain in the private hospital for 10-14 days.

She is not expected to return to duties until after Easter, taking up to three months to recover.

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Kate during a visit to Sebbys Corner in Barnet, north London in November. Photo: Frank Augstein/PA.

Prince William steps back from his official duties temporarily to care of his wife and children.

The exact nature of Kates condition is kept private, but it is not cancerous and Kensington Palace says the planned procedure was successful.

3.25pm  Buckingham Palace announces Charles (75) is to have treatment for a benign enlarged prostate and will be admitted to hospital in a few days.

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Charles at a Sunday church service in Sandringham in early January. Photo: Joe Giddens/PA.

A source later says the princess is doing well.

Thursday, January 18th

William spends time at his wifes bedside, driving himself away from the back entrance during the low-key, private visit.

A serious-looking William was seen leaving the private The London Clinic at about 12.35pm.

Queen Camilla says Charles is fine and looking forward to getting back to work during a visit to the Aberdeen Art Gallery.

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Camilla has carried on with her engagements. Photo: Andrew Milligan/PA.

Friday, January 19th

The king flies back from Scotland with Camilla and heads to his Sandringham estate in Norfolk to rest ahead of the procedure.

Sunday, January 21st

It is announced that Charless former sister-in-law, Sarah has malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer.

It is less than a year since she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.

Sarah attended the Christmas Day church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham Photo: Joe Giddens/PA.

Monday, January 22nd

Camilla tells a well-wisher that Charles is fine, and thanks her for asking, while she carries out engagements in Swindon.

Sarah, meanwhile, describes her shock at having skin cancer but says she is in good spirits and grateful for the many messages of love and support, in a post on Instagram.

Camilla receiving get well cards for her husband the King in Swindon (Adrian Dennis/PA)

Tuesday, January 23rd

Kates hospital stay passed the one-week mark.

Camilla urges the king to take it easy.

An insider told The Sun: The queen has told him he needs to slow down a bit.

Thursday, January 25th

Charles carried out behind the scenes official duties, meeting academics from Cambridge University at Sandringham House.

He arrives back in London from Norfolk ready for his treatment.

Friday, January 26th

Charles, with Camilla at his side, is admitted to the London Clinic for treatment for an enlarged prostate and also visits Kate, who is recovering in the same hospital.

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Charles took time to visit his daughter-in-law, who is on the 11th day of her hospital stay after undergoing a successful major operation.

Camilla visiting Charles in hospital. Photo: James Manning/PA.

Monday, January 29th

Charles is discharged from hospital and waves at well-wishers.

Kate leaves the clinic the same day to continue her recovery at home.

Wednesday, January 31st



Camilla says Charles is getting on, doing his best as she opened a Maggies cancer support centre at the Royal Free Hospital in London.

Camilla during her visit to Londons Royal Free Hospital to officially open Maggies Royal Free, a new cancer support centre (Paul Grover/Daily Telegraph/PA)

Sunday, February 4th

Charles and Camilla attend church in Sandringham, with Charles waving at well-wishers.

Monday, February 5th

Kensington Palace confirms William is returning to official duties this week, beginning with an investiture.

Charles and Camilla arrive to attend a Sunday church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk Photo: Joe Giddens/PA.

6pm  Buckingham Palace announces the king has a form of cancer, but not prostate cancer, and has started treatment as an outpatient.

He will not carry out public-facing duties, but will carry on with behind the scenes state business and official papers.

Wednesday, February 7th

William spoke about the Charless cancer diagnosis for the first time and thanked the public for their kind messages of support.

Williams words of praise, delivered during a fundraising gala dinner, also recognised those who wished his wife well, as she recovers from planned abdominal surgery.

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He told the guests It means a great deal to us all.

Monday, March 4th

Kate was photographed for the first time since undergoing abdominal surgery.

She was pictured near Windsor Castle on Monday in the passenger seat of a car, according to TMZ.

The news site said she was wearing dark sunglasses in the black Audi which was being driven by her mother, Carole Middleton.

The photo is understood to have been taken by paparazzi.

Tuesday, March 5th

The British Army removed a claim on its website that Kate was reviewing Trooping the Colour in June.

Tickets were being sold on the official website for the June 8th military spectacle, advertising an appearance by Kate, on Tuesday evening.

Sunday, March 10th

Questions were raised that the first picture of Kate to be released after her abdominal surgery may have been manipulated before it was posted on social media by Kensington Palace.

The photo of Kate and her children, said by the palace to have been taken by William in Windsor earlier this week, was posted to mark Mothers Day.

In the post, she said: Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months.

Wishing everyone a Happy Mothers Day. C.

The picture shows Kate sitting in a chair with her arms around Charlotte and Louis, who are on either side of her, with George standing behind, as all four smile at the camera.

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The photograph was shared with media on Sunday, but it was withdrawn by international picture agencies later the same day because of concerns that the image had been manipulated.

Monday, March 11th

Kate publicly took the blame for the manipulated family photograph released by Kensington Palace as she issued a personal apology for the confusion.

Kate said sorry with a statement on social media which read: Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing.

I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused.

I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mothers Day. C.

Monday, March 18th

Kate was filmed smiling alongside her husband during a visit to a farm shop in Windsor.

Kates recovery from surgery appeared to have progressed after footage obtained by The Sun showed her and William at the local business on Saturday.

In the video, the princess can be seen with her hair down, wearing a black jacket and leggings, chatting with William and carrying a large white bag.

Tuesday, March 19th

An investigation was reportedly launched at the London Clinic over claims staff tried to access Kate's private medical records.

At least one member of staff tried to access Kates notes while she was a patient at the private hospital in central London in January, The Mirror reported.

The UK privacy and data protection watchdog said it had received a breach report.

Friday, March 22nd

6pm  in a recorded video message broadcast to the nation, Kate announced she is having chemotherapy after tests following her surgery found cancer had been present.
Laurence Fox should pay at least six-figure sums in damages to two people he referred to as paedophiles on social media, the High Court in London has been told.

The actor-turned-politician was successfully sued by former Stonewall trustee Simon Blake and drag artist Crystal over a row on Twitter, now known as X.

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Mr Fox called Mr Blake and the former RuPauls Drag Race contestant, whose real name is Colin Seymour, paedophiles in an exchange about a decision by Sainsburys to mark Black History Month in October 2020.

Simon Blake, Nicola Thorp and Colin Seymour sued Mr Fox over an argument on Twitter (Lucy North/PA)

The Reclaim Party founder  who said at the time that he would boycott the supermarket  counter-sued the pair and broadcaster Nicola Thorp over tweets accusing him of racism.

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In a judgment in January, Mrs Justice Collins Rice ruled in favour of Mr Blake and Mr Seymour, dismissing Mr Foxs counter-claims.

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The case returned to the High Court in London on Friday to determine the consequences of the judges ruling, including any compensation and injunctions.

Lorna Skinner KC, for Mr Blake and Mr Seymour, asked for damages for the pair, telling the court: The peculiar feature of an allegation like this it is an allegation that somebody does not need to be convinced of the truth of it to shun and avoid a person.

The barrister said the two people should receive at least six-figure sums from Mr Fox, calling a suggestion the pair should only receive a modest award nonsense.

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She added: It needs to cross that threshold so they can point to it and say there is nothing in this.

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Ms Skinner said the allegations had caused the pair considerable upset, adding in written submissions that the court can take into account the distress, hurt and humiliation that the defamatory publication caused.

As well as damages, Ms Skinner also asked for an order requiring Mr Fox to publish a summary of the judges decision on his X  formerly Twitter  account.

She told the court: What Mr Fox has been telling his followers about the claim brought by the claimants is completely inaccurate.

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They are being fed a narrative about this judgment that is simply not true.

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Ms Skinner also asked for an injunction preventing Mr Fox from repeating the allegations, telling the court that he has a real vitriol about these claimants.

Laurence Fox, pictured in January following the initial ruling, did not attend court for the hearing (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Patrick Green KC, for Mr Fox  who did not attend court  said there was no need for the Lewis actor to publicise the ruling decision on his social media.

He said in written submissions: This has been the most high-profile libel action of the year and both the trial and the judgment were massively reported in the media. There can be few, if any, original publishees in the present case who will be unaware of its outcome.

The barrister added: The outcome of this long-running case literally could not be better known than it is already.

Mr Green said the starting point of damages should be between 10,000 and 20,000, with the total being substantially lowered due to Mr Fox apologising and the absence of malice.

He continued: The rhetorical nature of the comments was made clear within the hour, the defendant had given his first apology within a week the fact that Mr Blake and Mr Seymour succeeded in their claims with a public judgment of the court should already convince any reasonable bystander that the effect is erased.

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For whatever passing doubts or vague suspicions that may have at some time subsisted in the minds of readers, only a modest financial award in compensation should be due.

The remarks were quickly retracted and apologised for, and at the very least it was clear to the public at large at an early stage that the allegation was baseless, he added.

Mr Green later told the court that Mr Foxs libels were directly provoked by the three individuals, who sent undoubtedly abusive and offensive posts.

During a trial in London in November, Mr Fox said he faced a significant decline in the number and quality of roles he was offered after he was accused of being a racist.

But in the 41-page ruling earlier this year, Mrs Justice Collins Rice said it would be extremely long odds for the trios tweets to have caused the current state of his acting career or other serious harm.

In her judgment, Mrs Justice Collins Rice concluded: Mr Foxs labelling of Mr Blake and Mr Seymour as paedophiles was, on the evidence, probabilities and facts of this case, seriously harmful, defamatory and baseless.

Mr Fox did not attempt to show these allegations were true, and he was not able to bring himself on the facts within the terms of any other defence recognised in law.

The hearing before Mrs Justice Collins Rice is due to conclude on Friday afternoon.
Russia has attacked electrical power facilities in much of Ukraine, including the countrys largest hydroelectric plant, causing widespread outages and killing at least five people, officials said.

Energy minister German Galushchenko said the overnight drone and rocket attacks were the largest attack on the Ukrainian energy sector in recent times.

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He added: The goal is not just to damage, but to try again, like last year, to cause a large-scale disruption of the countrys energy system.

The attacks caused a fire at the Dnipro Hydroelectric Station, which supplies electricity to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europes largest nuclear power installation.

This night, Russia launched over 60 "Shahed" drones and nearly 90 missiles of various types at Ukraine. The world sees the Russian terrorists' targets as clearly as possible: power plants and energy supply lines, a hydroelectric dam, ordinary residential buildings, and even a pic.twitter.com/5dX2fAMMiE Advertisement Advertisement  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) March 22, 2024

The main 750-kilovolt power line to the plant was cut off, International Atomic Energy Agency head Rafael Grossi said early on Friday. A lower-power backup line is working, he said.

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The plant is occupied by Russian troops, and fighting around the plant has been a constant concern because of the potential for a nuclear accident.

The dam at the hydroelectric station is not in danger of breaching, the countrys hydroelectric authority said.

A dam breach could not only disrupt supplies to the nuclear plant but would potentially cause severe flooding similar to what occurred last year when a major dam at Kakhovka further down the Dnieper collapsed.

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Officials work at the site of Russias air attack, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine (Telegram Channel of Head of Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration Ivan Fedorov via AP)

Three people were killed and at least eight injured in the Russian attack, said Zaporizhzhia regional governor Ivan Fedorov.

Attacks on energy facilities in the Kharkiv region caused blackouts, and other attacks were reported in areas of western Ukraine far from the front lines.

Other attacks were reported in areas of western Ukraine far from the front lines. Two people died in the Khmelnytskyi region, according to the internal affairs ministry.

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Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on the Telegram messaging app: The world sees the targets of Russian terrorists as clearly as possible: power plants and energy supply lines, a hydroelectric dam, ordinary residential buildings, even a trolleybus.

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It has been described as one of the biggest assaults on Ukraines energy sector (Telegram Channel of Petro Andryuschenko, the adviser of the head of Mariupol citys administration via AP)

Russia is fighting against the ordinary life of people.

Kremlin officials said on Friday that one person died and at least three were injured in Ukrainian shelling of areas near the border.

The governor of the Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said a woman was killed when a shell landed nearby while she was walking her dogs, with two other people injured.

The town of Tetkino in the Kursk region was shelled, injuring one person, according to governor Roman Starovoit.

Both regions have been subject to shelling and drone attacks in recent weeks and officials have said that attempts by Ukrainian fighters to cross into Russian territory have been repelled.
A Russian court has rejected a lawsuit filed by the mother of Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader who died in prison in February, that claimed he received inadequate medical care.

Ivan Zhdanov, head of the Anti-Corruption Foundation founded by Mr Navalny, said the court in the town of Labytnangi, near the Arctic prison where he died, turned down Lyudmila Navalnayas case because it said only Mr Navalny could be the plaintiff.

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Alexei filed claims against the colonies many times for failure to provide medical care. The claims were denied. Now that he was killed, his familys claim is being denied with mocking wording, Mr Zhdanov said on the Telegram messaging app.



Alexei Navalny died in prison (Moscow City Court via AP)

Mr Navalny, the most persistent foe of President Vladimir Putin, was serving a 19-year sentence.

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He had been behind bars since January 2021 after returning to Russia from Germany where he had been recovering from nerve-agent poisoning that he blamed on the Kremlin.

The cause of his February 16 death has been described by officials as due to natural causes.
Plaintiffs in the Zurawski v Texas case stand outside of the Texas State Capitol on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, in Austin, Texas, after the Texas Supreme Court heard oral arguments for their case, a major challenge to Texas abortion ban led by more than 20 women suing for clarified medical exemptions. The women on the lawsuit say they were denied care and their health was jeopardized because the law is overly vague. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Dr. Austin Dennard of Dallas holds her son as they walk out of the Texas Supreme Courtroom with Lauren Miller of Dallas on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, in Austin, Texas. Both women are part of the Zurawski v. Texas case, a major challenge to the state?s bortion ban led by more than 20 women suing for clarified medical exemptions. The women on the lawsuit, which was filed in March, say they were denied care and their health was jeopardized because the law is overly vague. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

The Texas Medical Board proposed long-awaited guidance Friday to help doctors decide when its legal to perform an abortion under the states near-total ban, but some lawyers and patients said the rules offer little to no extra clarity.

The proposed rules restate existing law and also lay out the types of documentation doctors must make after performing an abortion, which is only allowed to save the pregnant persons life or preserve a major bodily function.

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The board opted against releasing a list of conditions that qualify a patient for an emergency abortion  as some other states have done  because it would cause more harm than good, said Dr. Sherif Zaafran, a Houston anesthesiologist who is president of the board.

You cant put a list out there that defines what medical judgment may or may not be with every single circumstance out there because not every circumstance is exactly the same, he said.

The meeting marks the first time a state agency has sought to clarify when doctors can terminate pregnancies amid a series of lawsuits alleging the state ban is so unclear its dangerous.

The board took up the matter in response to a formal request this January by Austin-area attorneys and lobbyists Steve and Amy Bresnen. The couple made the petition after the state Supreme Court last year declined to give Kate Cox, a 31-year-old Dallas woman whose fetus was diagnosed with a typically fatal condition, permission to receive an abortion in Texas.

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The states highest civil court in its December opinion called on the medical board to do more to provide guidance in response to any confusion that currently prevails.

Aside from the Cox case, which garnered national attention, nearly a dozen other women have sued the state, arguing the exception is not clear in a separate case that is still pending before the Texas Supreme Court.

They say physicians, wary of steep consequences including lengthy prison sentences and the loss of their medical license, are now reluctant to perform medically necessary abortions and in turn putting their patients lives and future fertility at risk.

Several plaintiffs in that case spoke during public comment Friday, including Kaitlyn Kash, whose fetus received a typically fatal diagnosis of severe skeletal dysplasia, a condition affecting bone and cartilage growth, in 2021.

Kashs Texas doctor would not discuss abortion as an option and instead recommended she get a second opinion, but outside Texas, according to the lawsuit. She ended up having to travel to Kansas to get an abortion.

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Kash, of Austin, urged the board to make clear her situation should have qualified for an emergency abortion in Texas. She asked them to consider the mental health consequences of carrying an unviable pregnancy to term.

The mental anguish of carrying that pregnancy to term would have killed me, Kash said. It would not do any bodily harm as you listed in your rules, but I would probably have taken my own life to end my childs pain.

Elizabeth Sepper, a law professor at the University of Texas at Austin, said the proposed rules create the illusion of action without taking any meaningful steps. The board members largely regurgitated existing statutory language while requiring copious documentation from physicians who perform abortions in an emergency, she told Hearst Newspapers.

Zaafran said the board consulted with the attorney generals office when drafting the proposed rules. The office, which is led by Republican Ken Paxton, fought Coxs request for an abortion in court and threatened Houston hospitals with penalties if they performed her procedure.

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Steve Bresnen told the board Friday that he and Amy are glad the board is considering rules but are looking forward to proposing changes to improve them.

Youve got people that are scared to death, he said. Theyre facing death, and theyre scared to death; and we think that you can do more than it seems that your proposed rule would do. In that sense, were disappointed.

In an interview after the meeting, the Bresnens said they understand the boards reluctance to issue a list of qualifying conditions, which is why they proposed a non-exhaustive one in their petition.

The states largest anti-abortion groups have long asserted that the law is clear as-is; however, several advocates on Friday welcomed the boards proposal as a way to clear up any remaining confusion for doctors.

They included Sue Liebel, director of state affairs for Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, a national anti-abortion nonprofit, who blamed media misinformation and the medical communitys silence for the continued lack of awareness among doctors.

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This was an opportunity for you to provide a crystal clear explanation, and Im very glad to see that youre attempting to do so, Liebel said.

Jennifer Allmon, executive director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, said the board did doctors a service by putting all the legal definitions in one place.

The difficulty and confusion, in part, is caused by the fact that these definitions are in different chapters in the statute, Allmon said.

The proposed rules are available online and will be published in the Texas Register. There will be at least 30 days of public comment during which the board will accept written remarks submitted online. Zaafran said the board will hold at least one meeting to receive public input.

The soonest the board could take a final vote, or make any amendments, is at its June meeting.
A UN humanitarian official has appealed for more than $4 billion (3.7 billion) in life-saving aid for more than 10 million Syrians, saying that the countrys largely forgotten crisis remains one of the most deadly to civilians in the world.

Adam Abdelmoula, resident coordinator in Syria for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, made the appeal days after Syria marked the 13th anniversary of the civil war that has killed nearly a half million people and left large parts of the country destroyed.

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Mr Abdelmoula told reporters in Geneva: Today, we are facing an unprecedented situation in Syria  one that we cannot afford to ignore.

Inaction will be costly for all of us and will inevitably lead to additional suffering.

The country is effectively carved up into areas controlled by the Damascus government, various opposition groups and Kurdish forces (AP)

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About 16.7 million people require some form of humanitarian assistance in Syria, an increase from 15.3 million last year, he said.

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More than seven million people are internally displaced and nearly as many are refugees in other countries, including neighbouring Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.

The war has left 90 per cent of Syrias population below the poverty line as millions face cuts in food aid because of a funding shortfall. The UN World Food Programme ended its main assistance scheme in the country in January.

The Syria crisis remains one of the most deadly to civilians in the world. Hostilities continue to plague various parts of Syria and have recently seen a sharp spike, especially in the north, Mr Abdelmoula said.

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He suggested that Israels war against Hamas in Gaza had given cover for more military activity in parts of Syria.

We saw the worlds attention focusing on Gaza, and that provided some kind of diversion of attention that allowed the significant escalation of hostilities in the north-east without much attention being paid to that situation by the international community, Mr Abdelmoula added.
Melbourne Central mall has roared back to life as shoppers flock to its Monopoly Dreams store, students meet to hang out and commuters come for lunch.

The GPT-owned shopping centre in the heart of Melbournes CBD was one of the hardest hit during the global pandemic given its location above the train station which was shut down during the states long lockdown.

Now its visitor numbers are at record levels and the centre has topped the polls for the first time since 2019, measured by its sales performance under the industrys Moving Annual Turnover (MAT) metric, of $17,096 per square metre. It beat Mirvacs Sydney Broadway Centre which generated $16,449 sales per square metre.

GPT-owned Melbourne Central shopping centre.

Despite cost of living pressures, retail landlords efforts to make shopping centres a destination and community hub appears to be paying off. Interactive stores like Monopoly Dreams and LEGO, cinemas and extended food courts are attracting more people who are happy to linger, longer.
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 If youve been looking for an excuse to immediately fly down to Hobart, look no further. Of all the shows I regret seeing late in the day, and all those that most urgently need to travel to other venues, Heavenly Beings: Icons of the Orthodox Christian World at David Walshs Museum of Old and New Art is top of both lists. From its inception, MONA has been a museological maverick and a game-changer, exerting an influence on the way Australias public art museums hang their shows and permanent collections. Maybe they dont want to admit it, but MONA has been the model for all those jumbled displays that combine utterly disparate works in the same room, asking the viewer to find mystical, intuitive connections. Mother of God of the Passion, Crete, late 15th century (detail). Credit: MONA It works brilliantly at MONA, but in some other venues the lack of a chronological hang doesnt provoke a sense of wonder, but one of confusion. MONA is a place in which anything goes, but with public art museums some expectations and responsibilities cant  or shouldnt  be ignored. Our public museums seem to believe nowadays that all good things come from contemporary art. The present is seen as progressive, dynamic and enlightened, while the past is stained with misogyny, racism and colonialism. Besides, its much easier to strike the right attitude as an apostle of the contemporary rather than a scholar of the past. To venture into art history, one needs to do a good deal of reading and research. Or to give it another name: work. Heavenly Beings curators Sophie Matthiesson & Jane Clark have done the work. Credit: MoNA/Jesse Hunniford There are plenty of curators who relish the opportunity to do such work in a field of diminishing opportunities. I suspect there is also a huge audience for historical exhibitions. Look, for instance, at Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs at the Australian Museum, which is blitzing every local exhibition. One may sneer at so-called artefact shows but no one is sneering at the attendance figures.

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And so we find MONA swimming against the tide once more, holding its first-ever show of exclusively old art. Heavenly Bodies is an expanded version of an Auckland survey of 2022, itself based on a show at the Art Gallery of Ballarat in 2014, which drew on the exceptional private collection of former diplomat John McCarthy. The MONA version, brought together by Jane Clark, is the most comprehensive to date, featuring more than 120 pieces, including loans from a range of Australian and New Zealand collections. Previous curators, Sophie Matthiesson and Gordon Morrison are also involved, making the project a kind of reunion for alumni of the National Gallery of Victoria. What comes through strongly is the curators passion for their subject, which traces the history of the icon from 1350 to 1900. It might be thought an unfashionable fixation, but I defy anyone to spend an hour in this show and not be moved by the inventiveness of the work and the air of spiritual conviction that positively radiates from the walls. The first piece that caught my eye was the head of a Madonna in bright red on a yellowed background. Referred to as Mother of God of the Fiery Face, it relates the Madonna to the burning bush of Exodus 3:2, comparing her piety to a fire that is never extinguished, yet burns without destroying the host. The work is relatively late, being an 18th-century piece from Russia. It seems both old and astonishingly modern. Saint John the Hermit, Crete, post 17th century (detail). Credit: MONA Regardless of its vivid colouration, this Madonna carries the same expression as numerous other works in the show, although they may be separated by hundreds of years. The same holds true for the face of Christ or other favourite motifs such as St George. The most famous icons were continually copied for private use, with countless small variations. The motifs may have remained inviolate for centuries, but this exhibition demonstrates how naive it is to believe the art of the Orthodox Church, often referred to as byzantine, was hieratic, inflexible and unchanging. The earliest icons we have date from the 5th and 6th centuries, long after Emperor Constantines conversion to Christianity in AD 312 and the sack of Rome in AD 410. The images seem to have grown out of the naturalistic Fayum funerary portraits from Roman Egypt. As a fixed repertoire of orthodox motifs emerged, faces would become flat and stylised, but constant changes occurred, depending on time and place. Its those temporal and regional variations, stretching across 500 years, taking us from Byzantium to Greece, Russia, Eastern Europe and Ethiopia, that make this show so engrossing. At base, the icon tradition is forever associated with the Eastern Roman Empire, whose capital, Constantinople, spent a millennium as a centre of mercantile, religious and cultural activities. What became known as the Byzantine Empire would last from 324 to 1453, despite being sacked by the Crusaders in 1205. There would be three major phases of the empire before it was finally extinguished by the Ottomans on May 29, 1453. From that time onwards, the city we now call Istanbul has remained in Turkish hands.

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Over those centuries, icon painting would by degrees grow more stylised or naturalistic. It also survived ferocious theological debates about whether it was blasphemous to worship the image of God incarnate or Mary or the saints, as opposed to the abstract concept. This resulted in two bouts of iconoclasm, in 726-787 and 815-843, which saw countless icons destroyed and their defenders persecuted. The monk, St Stephen the Younger, became the first martyr for an art form when he was dragged through the streets of Constantinople and beaten to death in 764. A great icon wears its scars with nobility as a sign of how deeply it has been venerated. Eventually, the combined weight of theological expertise would come down on the side of icons, which settled into the central role they have played ever since in the Orthodox religion. These pictures were simply too valuable when it came to communicating with a largely illiterate congregation. The icons, kept at home as well as in churches, were a means of looking directly into the face of God and recognising his devotion to humanity in taking on mortal flesh. In turn, the acolyte hoped to be incorporated within the Godhead, becoming divine. If the Catholic Church sees Jesuss sacrifice as expiation for our sins, the Orthodox version views his incarnation as a gesture of cosmic solidarity. Im not going any further into the theology because the complexities of these arguments have made the term byzantine synonymous with something so clever as to be virtually incomprehensible. There is also a huge technical vocabulary describing different types of icon, concerning which I shall be studiously silent. St George and the Dragon, Crete, c. 1500 (detail). Credit: MONA A large part of the icons appeal was purely superstitious. Famous icons were held to be responsible for miracles and claimed to be not the work of human hands. They were taken from the church and paraded around the streets on feast days and in times of crisis. They were dragged into battle as a charm against the enemy. If you were defeated, it was seen as Gods judgment on your accumulated sins. Most icons are small, painted in tempera or encaustic on a wooden panel. Over the centuries, they have suffered as much damage from their admirers as their detractors through excessive kissing and touching or the smoke from candles. Yet a great icon wears its scars with nobility as a sign of how deeply it has been venerated. These small, concentrated images have an imposing presence, brought out in the MONA show by a hang that clusters pieces in darkened chambers off a central hall. In each room, liturgical music plays softly in the background.

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Brian Jokat was dozing off, his seatbelt across his lap. And next thing you know, said the Canadian, talking to CNN last week, the plane dropped about 500 feet. Then like a roller-coaster, the nose started pointing down. I opened my eyes to see various individuals stuck to the roof before [they fell] to the floor.

By and large, individuals are not made to stick to the roof. Or plunge back down either. As Jokat added, It was like a scene out of a movie when youre actually IN the movie. The Exorcist, say. Or Sully minus the geese. Except this time the injuries were real, the wrenched necks. People started screaming. It was mass chaos for a few seconds.

Donald Trump peddles the evil twin of euphemisms, otherwise known as dysphemisms. Credit: AP

In one fell swoop, high above the Tasman, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner turned into a nightmare. Yet not according to the statement from LATAM Airlines, the Chilean service carrying the 263 passengers from Sydney to Auckland. With 50 people injured, crew included, plus 10 needing hospital care after touchdown, there was no mention of chaos.

Rather a spokesperson described a technical event during the flight which caused a strong movement. A bit like Leon Panetta, the former CIA director, describing waterboarding as an enhanced coercive interrogation technique. Or the Howard government dubbing offshore detention of refugees as the Pacific Solution, with little pacific or remedial to recommend it.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size This story is part of the March 23 edition of Good Weekend. See all 18 stories . This is how Julianne Moore reassures herself that she is home: an egg-white omelette and a bagful of design magazines with features about the seven most beautiful pagodas around the world. I just got back from Madrid last night and Im soooo happy to be here, she says, arriving for lunch at Cafe Cluny, a venue not far from her home in Manhattans West Village. Snow is expected later, so she is bundled up in a black sweater, corduroy trousers worn over her boots. On screen, Moores freckled beauty can be slightly mask-like  a kind of armour, angular and unreadable in profile  lending an air of fiercely protected mystery to the most seemingly ordinary of women. One thinks of the obsessive housewives she has played for director Todd Haynes, baking cakes and using words like jiminy as they wallpaper over the abyss, or her Oscar-winning role in Still Alice as a Manhattan mother with Alzheimers. The sphinx next door, screenwriter Bruce Wagner once called her. In person, Moore  Julie to her friends  has something of the Annie Hall-ish energy she first showed in The Kids Are All Right: bright, friendly, slightly scattered, talking at a merry clip. I always have the same thing, she says, perusing the menu as the waiter appears to take her order: egg-white omelette with spinach and cheddar cheese, well done, with mixed greens and a side of zucchini fries. Her black leather handbag is stuffed with American and French editions of Architectural Digest, bought from the magazine store on the corner on the way over from her home, which Moore has filled with Isamu Noguchi lamps, Moroccan carpets and other vintage finds. I love to decorate, she says. I love furniture. I say that cleaning is my superpower. Im just really, really good at it. I always have been, not ashamed of it. Thats interesting, I say, because in your films, its  Chaos? she suggests, and laughs. Yeah. Absolutely. But thats the Flaubert quote, isnt it? Be regular and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original in your work. 

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For years now, Moore has sought to strike an immaculate balance between the two, picking roles for their proximity to New York  Still Alice, Vanya on 42nd Street, Maggies Plan, After the Wedding and What Maisie Knew were all filmed within 16 kilometres of her home  so she could concentrate on raising her family. Her son Caleb and daughter Liv attended the same school since they were in kindergarten. But both are now fully grown  Caleb is 26 and Liv is 21  and have left home to pursue careers in music and film, leaving Moore and her husband, filmmaker Bart Freundlich, with an empty nest, but also opening up a whole new world of film projects for Moore. In Madrid, she was rehearsing for two weeks with Tilda Swinton and Pedro Almodovar for the directors first English-language feature, The Room Next Door. When my kids were little or in high school, I just wouldnt take the part. Everything I did had to be in New York, or I could go away in little bits or in the summertime, she says. I really, really valued having a family. I wanted my kids to feel rooted somewhere. I wanted to have the experience of being in a family, and that meant making certain choices about work that would allow me to do that. Its a very different situation when you can just up and go. But it is still a challenge. Youre like, Wait, wait, wheres my life?  Flanked by her husband, Bart Freundlich and children, Liv and Caleb, while attending the March For Our Lives event in 2018. Credit: Getty Images As for many parents facing a suddenly empty nest, the new freedoms can seem a little dizzying. She recently spent four-and-a-half months in London filming her first period drama for TV, Mary & George (now streaming on Binge), in which she is Mary Villiers, an ambitious player in the court of King James I who groomed her son to be a favourite of the King.

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In the process, Villiers became one of the most influential figures the English court had ever seen and was later buried in Westminster Abbey. During filming, Moore stayed in a house in Notting Hill very near the restaurant Ottolenghi, so I had plenty of delicious takeout, and visited her favourite restaurant Sumi every week: I love that place. Her husband travelled over a few times, as did her sister, Caleb and his girlfriend, so I had lots of visitors. Even so, the production was challenging. Shed pulled off an English accent before  for The End of the Affair and An Ideal Husband  but this was her first time in front of a full court of Brits. I was the only American, so it was daunting because everything  culturally, historically  was not my world. In terms of Jacobean history, it was a very short period. Theres not a lot that even English people know, and American people even less. So there would be times when I would say, Listen, guys, I need to defer to you in terms of behaviours and culture and all of that. Its not my first language  I think the hardest part was in January. I got there and it was so wet. I was like, Oh, no. It was lonely sometimes because, like I said, youre away from your life. In her first period drama for TV, Mary & George, with Nicholas Galitzine. Credit: Binge The show was shot in various stately homes  including Knole in Kent, Ham House in Richmond and Hatfield House in Hertfordshire  requiring lots of early morning wake-ups, when London was still dark, to drive to some beautiful, cold, old property where she would spend two hours in hair and make-up, before costumier Annie Symons and her team would literally construct Moores fur-lined gowns and embroidered bodices around her body. She was in a lot, every day, filming in these cold castles and homes, says Tony Curran, who plays James I. In one scene, Mary Villiers makes a debut in the Kings court that goes so badly she throws up afterwards. I said, Are you all right?  remembers Curran.  Oh yes, yeah, Im fine. Im fine. And she was buttoned up in this tight bodysuit. Im like, You sure youre all right? She goes, Yeah, I cant breathe, but Ill be fine. All her work is done before she sets foot in front of a camera. Shes gymnastic in the way she moves through a scene. She took my breath away. Nicola Walker, who acted with Moore in Mary & George.

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I mean, the women, god bless them, strapped into these bodices. Thats the way it was for the women at the time and thats the way it was for the actresses. If it was daunting to Julie, it certainly didnt show. Its tough to do these shows  to have that glint in your eye, as it were  but she carried the whole thing. Shes a powerhouse. She led that production so quietly but completely, says Nicola Walker, who plays Lady Hatton, Villiers nemesis in the series, the two exchanging blood-

curdling insults with one another every time they meet. Off-camera, they formed a tight bond. I felt I could do anything with her, continues Walker. You could go anywhere and she would go there with you, because all her work is done before she sets foot in front of the camera. Shes gymnastic in the way she moves through a scene. She took my breath away. In 2012s What Maisie Knew. You wonder if Moores sense of being an outsider didnt, in fact, play into the role in some way. After all, Mary Villiers was the consummate arriviste. Born into humble circumstances in 1570, she married Sir George Villiers as a teenager and gave birth to four children. Upon his death, she dispatched her second son, George, to the French court to cultivate him so she could dangle him in front of the homosexual King James. Let us seize what should be f---ing ours, declares Mary in the show, which is pungently scripted with lashings of salty language, sex, blood and black humour. This is not your grandmothers period drama, but a dark comedy of power and ambition. Called variously a harridan, a creature and barely a woman, Villiers would have been, in another era, the villain of the piece, in the mould of Lady Macbeth. As Moore plays her, she is a wily survivor, not above a little blackmail, and even poison, to get what she wants. Even the vulnerability she shows that day  throwing up at court  is a clever feint: play-acting the underdog to win sympathy.

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For Moore, the scene showed how bold Mary is, how brave and how determined to outwit everyone, she says. I mean heres this woman, just in terms of sexual politics, shes somebody who has no agency, no autonomy, no property, she has nothing and probably not a lot of education either. She has absolutely no options, except through marriage  or through her male children. So its like, how do I live? How do I stay afloat? How do I prepare my children? How do I help them into the world? Loading She will do everything that she can to advance her children and herself. Because of her ambition. Because of her intelligence and that ambition, shes considered barely a woman. Because if she were a woman, shed rely solely on her beauty. Also, shes older, too. Some people are like, its unseemly to be that old and doing what shes doing  I dont think ambition is a dirty word at all. I think anything worth doing is worth doing well. Thats really all ambition is. Shes one of the most lovely and charming people you will ever meet, but thats not part of the kind of roles that she plays. Film director Todd Haynes Its hard not to hear these words, spoken with such quiet conviction amid the clatter and chatter of Cafe Cluny  or indeed not to take Moores fierce performance in Mary & George  as something of a cri de coeur from an actor who, at 63, still commands a regular flow of juicy roles on screen and off, dazzling the fashion press with Chanel catwalk looks on the red carpet. Whats so remarkable about Julianne Moore is that shes one of the most lovely and charming people you will ever meet, but thats not part of the kind of roles that she plays, says Todd Haynes, who has directed Moore in five films, including Safe, Far From Heaven and, most recently, May December, opposite Natalie Portman. The film was Oscar-nominated for its original screenplay [where it lost out to Anatomy of a Fall], but many feel it was unjustly overlooked for best film. In May December with Natalie Portman. Credit: Netflix

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She wonders, as many have, whether the unsuccessful police investigation would have panned out differently had the young women not been single, and referred to disparagingly as party girls  an allegation Thomas says is not true. That they were subtly implicated in their own, dreadful demise  during which both put up a tremendous fight  has only made Thomas more determined to do her bit to try to bring them belated justice. They deserve better, she says in the new podcast. Murdered woman Suzanne Armstrong with her son, Gregory. Also troubling was a lack of co-operation from Victoria Police with Thomass first attempt to achieve better for Susan Bartlett and Suzanne Armstrong. When she set out to dig into the case for an extended Background Briefing program for the ABC in 2004, police gave her permission to speak with the detective then in charge of the case  only to pull access to him at the last minute.

When I started researching it, I was horrified that at that point it still hadnt been solved; I had spoken to the detective who had the file at the time, and he was very keen to talk because not much had been done, publicly, about it, says Thomas, who chose to meet at Japanese eatery Wabi Sabi Salon, for its proximity to Easey Street. I was walking out the door to do the interview with him that morning [having travelled from her New South Wales home to Melbourne], and he rang to say he was really sorry, but permission had been rescinded. That sort of stuck in my mind as so frustrating, once you give permission, why would you rescind it? As we settle on a Teishoku set meal, a traditional spread involving a variety of pretty dishes  and a signature menu item  Thomas says the feeling that Background Briefing had failed the women remained with her, even as she rose to head the ABCs News Radio arm. The Teishoku, or set meal, at Wabi Sabi Salon Japanese restaurant in Smith Street is generous and varied. Credit: Louis Enrique Ascui When police offered a $1 million reward for information on the Easey Street case in 2017, Thomas decided to launch her own investigation, which became the 2019 book, Murder on Easey Street: Melbournes most notorious cold case.

She used old school journalism as research  door-knocking along Easey Street hoping to uncover details the original investigation had missed. One of the first things Thomas wished to interrogate was the accepted wisdom that there had been no witnesses to the killings. Susan Bartlett was 27 when she was slain in her rented home in Easey Street, a case that remains unsolved. Seven years ago, when I started researching for the book, it was accepted as fact that no one had seen or heard anything on the night they died, says Thomas, ordering crispy karaage chicken as her main protein dish. It was always hard to believe. Surely, someone had noticed something that made them uneasy.

Thomas developed careful relationships with the womens families, tracked down people still living in the street who remembered some details the police of the day had not gathered, and spoke to a detective who had worked on it as a young man. Pretty much every single person Ive interviewed on, or off the record, has said something like, Im going to tell you this because those girls deserve justice, she says. This included Peter Sellers, a man who, as a 21-year-old living with his family in the street, heard a front door bang loudly at about 2.30am on the night the women were murdered, followed by two car doors slamming and the vehicle speeding off towards Smith Street. Pretty much every person Ive interviewed  said something like, Im going to tell you this because those girls deserve justice. Helen Thomas Police had visited the Sellers house at the time, but Peter was out. His mother told them what her son had heard, and police said they would return to speak with him, but never did. It was not until after Thomas spoke to him, and her book came out, that he was interviewed by a senior detective for the first time, in 2022.

Thomas spoke with Christina Fourtouris, a woman still living across the road from 147 Easey Street, who had heard men walking past her house on the night of January 10, and clearly recalls one saying: Kill the two teachers tonight. She was not interviewed by police at the time. Loading The granddaughter of Gladys Coventry, who lived across the service lane from the women and saw a dark-haired man drinking with one of them at 2.30am on the night of the murders, also spoke to Thomas for her podcast. Coventry was initially keen to speak to police, but having been sidelined by young officers, the then-72 year-old withdrew from them. Why were detectives so dismissive of witnesses so willing to co-operate with their immediate investigation  why didnt they insist on interviewing Gladys Coventry straight away, and why not follow up with Peter Sellers and his mate as soon as they could, asks Thomas, who is now working on another Melbourne cold case. How hard could it have been to walk across the street and have a chat with Christina Fourtouris? With the hindsight of 47 years, especially, it makes no sense. 
Are we really such fools as to swallow these absurd conspiracy theories about Kate Middleton? The speculation has become so feverish  about where she is, what she is doing, how she is employing Photoshop  that many seemingly sane people appear to have lost possession of their critical faculties.

Its actually a brilliant case of misinformation, disinformation and completely cooked guesswork spreading globally then feeding on its own memes, citing echoes as evidence. Even when the princess has appeared in public, thousands  including a BBC reporter  seem convinced she would boldly have employed a body double. Twice.

Let me make three simple points about this.

First, Middleton claimed she was taking time off to have significant, serious abdominal surgery and would not be appearing again for official duties until after Easter to recover properly. Fair enough, youd imagine, even for a member of the royal family, to prioritise physical health for a while. She didnt disappear suddenly, without explanation  we were told she would be out of the public eye, and we were asked to respect her privacy. But its not even Easter yet, and the demands for her to show herself, release her medical records, reveal all, bare her scars, seem a bit odd given she asked for privacy for a bit.
Transitioning from employee to business owner, you forego stability, financial and otherwise, with the hopes of building something of your own,  he said. And it is this goal, the desire to build a business and a brand, which is at the forefront of the competitive finance broking industry, that motivates me.
Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile batteries knock down rockets fired from the Gaza Strip towards Israel last year. (Photo: Amir Cohen/Reuters/File Photo)

The United States has submitted a draft resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The move comes amidst growing global condemnation of the five-month-long conflict, which has resulted in the deaths of an estimated 32,000 Palestinians and nearly 1,200 Israelis.

The US-drafted resolution, negotiated with the governments of Egypt and Qatar, seeks to protect civilians, allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid, and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. The Security Council is expected to vote on the resolution as early as Friday, marking a crucial moment in US-Israeli relations and the ongoing conflict in the region.

The Biden administration's decision to submit the resolution comes at a time when it faces increasing pressure from congressional Democrats and the international community to alter its approach to the Gaza conflict. With the death toll rising and aid organizations warning of an imminent famine in the Palestinian territory, the US has hardened its tone towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government's military campaign.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is currently on his sixth trip to the region since the conflict began, has expressed strong opposition to Israel's plans to launch a major ground offensive in the southern city of Rafah, where more than one million Palestinians have sought refuge. "A major military operation in Rafah would be a mistake, something we don't support. And it's also not necessary to deal with Hamas, which is necessary," Blinken stated during a news conference in Cairo earlier this week.

The US move has also been influenced by domestic political considerations, with many Democratic voters expressing displeasure over the Biden administration's initial one-sided support for Israel following the October 7 Hamas attack. In Michigan's presidential primary, 13% of Democrats cast a vote for "uncommitted," reflecting the growing dissatisfaction among younger voters and the state's large Arab-American population.

The US resolution marks a significant shift in the country's historical stance in the Security Council, where it has consistently vetoed dozens of resolutions designed to force Israel to make concessions with Palestinians. As a permanent member of the council, the US has long been viewed as a reliable supporter of Israel in the UN body.

The resolution's impact on the ground remains unclear, as its full wording has not been made public. However, it is expected to call for an "immediate and sustained ceasefire" lasting approximately six weeks, with the goal of protecting civilians and securing safe passage for humanitarian assistance. Unlike past Security Council resolutions authorizing the use of force in Iraq, this one will not call on nations to enforce its objectives.

The EU has also joined the call for a ceasefire, with leaders meeting in Brussels urging an "immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire" in Gaza. They have also called for the unconditional release of all hostages and urged Israel to refrain from proceeding with its planned ground offensive in Rafah.

As truce negotiations mediated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt continue in Doha, the main obstacle remains Hamas' insistence on releasing captives only as part of a deal that would end the war, while Israel seeks to discuss only a temporary pause.

The US resolution's domestic reception remains uncertain, with a recent Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll showing that 50% of US adults believe Israel's military offensive has gone too far, up from 40% in November. As the Biden administration navigates the complex diplomatic and political landscape surrounding the Gaza conflict, the UN resolution serves as a significant step in its efforts to bring an end to the violence and suffering in the region.
(Photo : Photo by ILYA PITALEV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

In an interview with state television on Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow is willing to talk, despite the fact that Ukrainian cities were bombarded with missiles during the Christmas holiday.



Germany has rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin's offer to renew energy supplies directed at Europe using the intact Nord Stream 2 pipeline over tensions in Ukraine.

The Russian strongman said that the decision was in the hands of the European Union, saying that if they wanted to, the taps could be turned on and that would be that. However, Germany publicly refused to accept Russian gas via the pipeline which has become a flashpoint in the Ukraine crisis.

Germany Rejects Putin's Offer

German government spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann was asked if Berlin would rule out the use of Nord Stream 2, answering with a simple, "Yes." She told reporters that independently of the potential sabotage of the two pipelines, she argued that Russia was no longer a reliable energy supplier.

After both links of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline and one of the two links of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline were ruptured onSept. 26, massive amounts of gas were released into the Baltic Sea. Prior to the incident, Russia had already put the brakes on deliveries through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline in early September, as per DW News.

On the other hand, the Nord Stream 2 pipeline was never operational because Germany halted its approval after Russia moved to invade Ukraine. Putin noted that it was possible to repair the pipelines but argued that Moscow and Europe should decide their fate.

The invasion of Ukraine by Russia prompted European buyers to begin weaning themselves off Russian oil and gas and begin looking for alternative sources. At the same forum as Putin, the head of the Russian energy company Gazprom, Alexei Miller, said that repairs to the pipelines would take at least a year.

According to Fox News, Putin's offer to the EU comes amid Russia's limiting of exports of oil and gas in response to heavy sanctions from NATO countries. Hoffman noted that there was no reason to believe that the unreliability of Russia as a supplier would change.

Read Also: NATO Chief Urges for More Weapons to Ukraine as Zelensky Calls for New Sanctions Against Russia Following Missile Strikes

Oil and Gas Supply

On Wednesday, Putin said that the act of sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines is considered an act of international terrorism. He argued that it was aimed at undermining the energy security of the entire continent by blocking supplies of cheap energy. Putin added that those who wanted to demolish ties between Russia and the EU are responsible for the incident.

At the time of the alleged sabotage last month, neither of the two pipelines was operating. Officials reported four explosions rocking the pipes located across the bottom of the Baltic Sea. Each pipeline was struck twice as two explosions were in Swedish waters and two others in Danish waters.

After Russia opted to cut off the transport of natural gas through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, it now only transports gas to Europe through land pipelines that lie across Ukraine. The situation comes as Germany, Sweden, NATO, and other countries have opened up investigations into the sabotage of the pipelines in order to determine what actually happened, but they have not yet concluded, Yahoo News reported.

Related Article: Crimea Bridge Blast: Russia Arrests Suspects Over Shocking Explosion | Here's What Happened

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Speaker Mike Johnson Shakes Head, Grimaces as Biden Criticizes Trump Tax Cuts and Claims Deficit Reduction (Photo: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America/CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en))

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing mounting pressure from his own party as the House prepares to vote on a $1.2 trillion federal spending bill to avert a government shutdown. The bill, which includes funding for the remaining six annual federal spending bills, has drawn criticism from some GOP lawmakers who believe it does not go far enough in securing the border and addressing other conservative priorities.

One of the most notable signs of dissent within the Republican ranks came from outgoing Colorado congressman Ken Buck, who became the first GOP lawmaker to sign a Democrats' discharge petition that aims to bypass Johnson and force a vote on a $95 billion aid package to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The package, which has already been passed by the Senate, has been stalled in the House due to Johnson's refusal to allow a vote.

Buck's support for the Democrats' petition, which currently stands at 188 signatures and needs 218 to pass, highlights the growing divisions within the Republican Party over Johnson's leadership. With the GOP holding a razor-thin majority in the House, Johnson's position as speaker is precarious, as a single lawmaker could file a motion to vacate after Buck leaves office, potentially leading to Johnson's removal if just three GOP lawmakers and all House Democrats support the motion.

Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has also lashed out against Johnson, suggesting that she is "done" with the House speaker over his support for the spending bill. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Greene criticized the bill for not doing enough to secure the border and described the GOP's House majority as a "complete failure."

"We have the power of the purse, which means we can control what the entire government does. Tomorrow Speaker Johnson is funding the government that has created this invasion. I'm voting NO," Greene wrote. "We need a Speaker of the House who will fight to secure America's border at all cost! Not one that passes a trillion dollar Democrat wish list that continues the border invasion, funds the weaponized government, and breaks our own conference rules. I'm done with this one."

The hardline House Freedom Caucus also voiced opposition to the spending bill, which they described as a "Johnson-Schumer-Biden" bill in a statement. The caucus criticized the bill for being presented to members less than 36 hours before the vote, breaking the House Rule that requires members to have 72 hours to review major legislation.

As the House prepares to vote on the spending bill, Johnson faces a tight timeline to secure enough votes to pass the legislation and avoid a government shutdown. With some GOP lawmakers threatening to vote against the bill and progressives expressing concerns over provisions that withhold funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, Johnson will need to rely on votes from both Democrats and Republicans to get the bill across the finish line.

The current situation echoes the challenges faced by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who was ousted in a historic motion to vacate last October after negotiating with Democrats to push through a continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown. McCarthy's fate has raised questions over whether Johnson could face a similar threat to his speakership, although many Republicans have expressed their desire to avoid another speaker's race given the intense infighting and chaos triggered by McCarthy's removal.

As lawmakers race against the clock to pass the spending bill before the Friday midnight deadline, the outcome of the vote will have significant implications not only for the government's continued operations but also for the future of Republican leadership in the House. The growing dissent within the GOP ranks and the willingness of some lawmakers to break ranks and support Democratic initiatives underscore the deep divisions and challenges facing the party as it navigates a narrow majority and competing priorities.
North Korea urged an end to the U.S. and South Korean military drills, calling them provocations (Photo: Denis Balibouse/Reuters)

The United Nations Security Council's Sanctions Committee is conducting an in-depth investigation into a series of cyberattacks, purportedly orchestrated by North Korean hackers, that specifically targeted the cryptocurrency sector. Over a span of six years, these incursions have allegedly funneled approximately $3 billion into Pyongyang's coffers, potentially aiding its contentious weapons of mass destruction programs.

The probe, as revealed in a report earlier this month and subsequently highlighted by South Korean media, indicates a sophisticated and targeted approach by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) towards digital currency platforms. "The Panel is delving into 58 suspected cyber incursions by North Korea on cryptocurrency enterprises from 2017 to 2023, cumulatively valued at about $3 billion. These activities are believed to contribute to the nation's weapons development endeavors," the document detailed.

A significant breach in July 2023, involving the software-as-a-service provider JumpCloud, underscored the advanced tactics employed by Pyongyang's cyber operatives. The UNSC panel suggests that this infiltration, executed via a nuanced spearphishing campaign, facilitated at least two major cryptocurrency thefts, netting over $147.5 million for North Korea.

The year 2023 alone witnessed 17 such digital heists, with losses surpassing $750 million, pointing to an escalating trend in Pyongyang's cybercriminal activities. Among the implicated groups is Kimsuky, a collective known for its cryptocurrency scams and thefts, alongside extortion efforts to launder the ill-gotten gains and finance further espionage ventures.

The panel's findings also shed light on cryptojacking incidents, where unsuspecting victims' computing resources were hijacked to mine Monero (XMR) and possibly other cryptocurrencies. Andariel, another group with links to North Korea, reportedly siphoned off $360,000 worth of Bitcoin from financial entities in 2022, showcasing the broad spectrum of Pyongyang's cybercriminal endeavors.

Lazarus Group, a notorious entity with alleged connections to the North Korean state, resurfaced earlier this year, mobilizing Bitcoin valued at around $1.2 million. This group's notorious history, including the colossal $600 million heist from the "Axie Infinity" Ronin bridge, underscores the extensive and multifaceted threat posed by DPRK's cyber warfare strategies. The United States Treasury Department's subsequent sanctions on crypto mixers Tornado Cash and Blender.io, implicated in laundering the stolen funds, highlight the international ramifications of these North Korean cyber operations.

This concerted effort by North Korean hackers not only jeopardizes the integrity of the global cryptocurrency market but also poses significant challenges to international security, given the potential diversion of these vast sums towards enhancing Pyongyang's military capabilities.
E-commerce platform Myntra on Friday said it has bagged franchise rights for UK's fashion brand NEXT for the country.

Myntra has signed a franchise agreement with UK's fashion brand NEXT to this effect.

The association allows Myntra Jabong Pvt. Ltd, Myntra's B2B wholesale entity, the right to distribute NEXT's range of products, while holistically scaling NEXT's omni-channel presence in India, a company statement said.

"As a part of this franchise agreement, Myntra's business-to-business (B2B) entity will set up NEXT branded stores in India," it said.

It added that the association enables NEXT to tap into the vast, diverse and ever-evolving Indian market by allowing Myntra Jabong Pvt Ltd to distribute its products on a wholesale basis.



"With a successful trajectory of growing NEXT online in India, our first year of working together has resulted in establishing the right product, audience and price fit in the country.

"With a strong playbook in exponentially building adoption for global brands ground-up, we are looking forward to unlocking the next phase of growth in the brand's India scale-up journey," said Nandita Sinha, Chief Executive Officer, Myntra.

As many as 8-10 NEXT stores will be opened across key Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru within the first couple of years of operations, along with an extensive online presence on Myntra's platform, bolstering NEXT's omni-channel presence in the country.

Myntra will now also be able to introduce other NEXT wholly or partly-owned brands like Reiss, Lipsy, Joules, Love and Roses, and Friends Like These, to the Indian market.
Indian iron ore miner NMDC Ltd is exploring lithium assets in Africa and Australia and is currently in negotiations, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said on Friday.

"We are a government company and we want to use the reservation route instead of auctions," the source said, referring to taking over a mining block by being nominated to do so by the government.

NMDC did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

In June last year, Reuters reported that NMDC's unit Legacy Iron Ore had signed a lithium exploration pact with Australia's Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd.

Additionally, NMDC is seeking lithium blocks from the Indian government on a nomination basis, according to the source.

NMDC shares were down 1.6 per cent on Friday.
The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) central board on Friday reviewed the domestic economic situation and outlook, including the challenges posed by the global financial market volatility.

The board also approved the bank's budget for the accounting year 2024-25, the central bank said in a statement.

The 607th meeting of the Central Board of Directors of the RBI took place in Nagpur under the chairmanship of Governor Shaktikanta Das.





ALSO READ: India's forex kitty rises by $6.40 billion to $642.50 billion: RBI data "The Board reviewed the global and domestic economic situation and outlook, including the challenges posed by geopolitical developments and global financial market volatility," the RBI said.

Further, the board also discussed the RBI's activities, including the progress made in digital payments, consumer education and awareness during the current accounting year 2023-24.

Directors of the central board Satish K Marathe, Revathy Iyer, Sachin Chaturvedi, Venu Srinivasan, and Ravindra H Dholakia attended the meeting.

Deputy governors Michael Debabrata Patra, M Rajeshwar Rao, T Rabi Sankar, and Swaminathan J were also present in the meeting.

Ajay Seth, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, and Vivek Joshi, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, also took part in the meeting, the RBI said.


Trinamool Congress leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that the INDI alliance would meet with the Election Commission to address concerns regarding the alleged targeting of Opposition leaders ahead of the Lok Sabha 2024 and state Assembly elections.

In a post on a social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Banerjee vehemently condemned the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, the sitting chief minister of Delhi, and criticised the "deliberate targeting" of elected Opposition chief ministers. Click here to follow our WhatsApp channel

I vehemently condemn the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, the sitting elected Chief Minister of Delhi elected by the people. I have personally reached out to Smt Sunita Kejriwal to extend my unwavering support and solidarity. It's outrageous that while elected opposition CMs are being  Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 22, 2024



She wrote, "It's outrageous that while elected opposition CMs are being deliberately targeted and arrested while individuals accused under CBI/ED investigations are allowed to continue their malpractices with impunity, especially after aligning with the BJP. This is a blatant assault on democracy."

"Today, our INDIA alliance will meet the EC to express our strong objection to the deliberate targeting and arrests of opposition leaders, particularly during the MCC period," the West Bengal Chief Minister added.

Banerjee termed this as a blatant assault on democracy.

She added that TMC would be represented by MPs Derek O'Brien and Md Nadimul Haque in this meeting.





ALSO READ: Explained: What is Delhi excise policy case and why was Kejriwal arrested? Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on charges of money laundering and corruption in the 2021-22 Delhi Excise policy case. Earlier, the Delhi High Court had refused to grant relief to Kejriwal against any "coercive action" by the agency.





ALSO READ: Our bank accounts frozen, BJP murdering democracy: Congress slams PM Modi Earlier on Thursday, the Congress party accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of unfair practices ahead of the general elections. Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge complained about the freezing of the party's bank accounts, hindering their election campaigning. Kharge further criticised the BJP for accumulating funds through electoral bonds while suppressing the Opposition.

The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) went into effect with the election poll schedule announcement on March 16. The Lok Sabha elections will be conducted in seven phases from April 19 to June 1, with counting of votes scheduled for June 4.


DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin will launch his party's campaign for the April 19 Lok Sabha polls, from this central district on Friday.

Stalin, a key leader of the opposition INDIA bloc, will canvass votes for the party-led bloc's Tiruchirappalli candidate, MDMK leader Durai Vaiko and the DMK's Arun Nehru in nearby Perambalur, according to the tour schedule of the ruling party chief.

The DMK leads the multi-party Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), which had swept the 2019 elections. It had won 38 of the 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu then, besides the neighbouring Puducherry segment.

Durai is the son of MDMK founder Vaiko and the Tiruchirappalli constituency has been allotted to the party by the DMK as part of the poll pact. Congress' Su Thirunavukkarasar represents the segment in the outgoing House.

After launching his poll campaign from here, Stalin will embark on a state-wide tour, covering all 39 LS seats in the state, besides Puducherry, in the coming days. He will conclude the campaign in Chennai on April 17, seeking votes for his party's South Chennai and Central Chennai candidates.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck here on Friday as he began his two-day State visit to the Himalayan nation.

Modi was accorded a grand welcome before receiving an audience with the King.

His State visit to Bhutan seeks to further cement India's unique relations with the Himalayan nation as part of the country's 'Neighbourhood First' Policy.





Click here to follow our WhatsApp channel Hours after his arrival earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi said he was grateful to the Bhutanese people for according to him a "memorable welcome" to their beautiful country and asserted that may India-Bhutan friendship "keep scaling new heights"

The visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan and the Government's emphasis on its Neighbourhood First Policy, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.





Thank you for warm welcome, may India-Bhutan friendship keep scaling new heights: PM Modi



Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he was grateful to the Bhutanese people for according to him a "memorable welcome" to their beautiful country and hoped that India-Bhutan friendship "keep scaling new heights".

His comments came hours after he arrived in the Himalayan nation on a two-day State visit.

His visit seeks to further cement India's unique and enduring relations with Bhutan as part of the country's 'Neighbourhood First' Policy.

Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome upon his arrival at the Paro International Airport earlier in the day.

He was warmly received by Prime Minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay, at Paro airport.

"Thank you for the warm welcome to Bhutan, PM @tsheringtobgay. May India-Bhutan friendship keep scaling new heights," the Prime Minister said on 'X'.

Modi received a warm welcome, with the Bhutanese people lining the entire 45-kilometre route from Paro International Airport to Thimphu which was also decked up with Indian and Bhutanese flags.

Later in the day, a group of Bhutanese youngsters dressed in traditional Indian attire performed on a Garba song written by Prime Minister Modi to welcome him to their country.

Modi watched them perform with rapt attention and applauded at the end of the performance.

"I am grateful to the people of Bhutan, especially the young children, for the memorable welcome to their beautiful country," Modi wrote in another post on 'X' and also shared pictures of him interacting with a cross-section of people of Bhutan.

The visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan and the Government's emphasis on its Neighbourhood First Policy, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

The Bhutanese prime minister wrote on 'X' in Hindi: "Bhutan mein aapka swagat hai mere bade bhai @narendramodi Ji (Welcome to Bhutan my big brother)"





"On the way to Bhutan, where I will be attending various programmes aimed at further cementing the India-Bhutan partnership. I look forward to talks with Majesty the King of Bhutan, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and Prime Minister @tsheringtobgay," he wrote before his departure.

The visit, scheduled between March 21 and 22, was postponed due to the inclement weather in Bhutan.

During the visit, Prime Minister Modi received an audience with Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan, and Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan. He will also hold talks with the Prime Minister of Bhutan.

The visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to "exchange views on bilateral and regional matters of interest and deliberate on ways to expand and intensify our exemplary partnership for the benefit of our peoples", the MEA said in a statement earlier this week.

India and Bhutan share "a unique and enduring partnership which is rooted in mutual trust, understanding and goodwill", the statement emphasised.

"Our shared spiritual heritage and warm people-to-people ties add depth and vibrancy to our exceptional relations," the MEA said.



The Prime Minister will receive a grand welcome at the Tashichho Dzong, a traditional Buddhist monastery and the seat of the Bhutanese government. Modi will also inaugurate the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital in Thimphu, a state-of-the-art hospital, built with the assistance of the Government of India in Thimphu.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tobgay was on a five-day visit to India last week, his first foreign trip after assuming charge of the top office in January. He also held meetings with captains of various industries, besides other important engagements.

Diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan were established in 1968. The basic framework of India- Bhutan relations has been the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949 between the two countries, which was revised in February 2007.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

"I am grateful to the people of Bhutan, especially the young children, for the memorable welcome to their beautiful country," Modi wrote in a post on 'X' and also shared pictures of him interacting with a cross-section of people of Bhutan.Earlier, Modi posted on X about his visit to Bhutan.
South Korea is poised to start suspending the licenses of thousands of striking junior doctors as a punitive measure against their weekslong walkouts that have shaken hospital operations.

Starting next week, the government said it will inform the striking medical interns and residents of its final decision to suspend their licenses for missing a government-imposed February 29 deadline to return to work.

It's still unclear whether the move will prompt the doctors to end their strikes, and the standoff could still deepen as some senior doctors plan to submit resignations on Monday in a show of solidarity with the junior strikers.

Here are the latest developments on the strikes touched off by the government's announcement in early February that it would recruit 2,000 more medical students yearly.

WHY ARE THEIR LICENSES BEING SUSPENDED?



Since early March, the South Korean government has been taking a series of administrative steps to suspend the licenses of about 12,000 junior doctors. The steps include informing the strikers about possible suspensions and giving them opportunities to respond.

Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo said on Tuesday the government is expected to finish those administrative steps for some of the strikers next week and that it will send them final government notices about their impending license suspensions.

Each notice would contain details including when a license suspension will take effect and how long it will last. By law, they must be delivered in person or by mail. But for those whose addresses are unknown, the suspensions would take effect after related information is posted on the government website, according to the Health Ministry.

Health officials have said each striking doctor could face a minimum three-month license suspension and possible indictment by prosecutors. The country's medical law allows punishments of medical personnel if they refuse government orders to resume work.

Park repeated his appeal for doctors to report back to work, suggesting those who return would face unspecified softer punishments. He previously warned that junior doctors with suspension records could face delays in getting licenses for specialists or trouble in finding jobs.

WHAT ARE THE PROSPECTS FOR WALKOUTS?



Despite the suspensions, striking doctors won't likely back down anytime soon as they have already ignored repeated warnings they must return to work or face prosecution.

Some observers have questioned whether the government could suspend all the striking doctors, who represent more than 90 per cent of the country's 13,000 interns and resident doctors. They said the government would likely target strike leaders and that they would likely respond with legal action.

Further complicating the situation, senior doctors at major university hospitals where most of the striking doctors trained are threatening to submit resignations en masse early next week. They plan to continue their work for the time being, but if they walk off the job like the junior doctors, that would cause a much bigger strain on South Korea's medical services, observers say.

The government urged senior doctors to cancel those plans. It recently sent notices to two senior doctors who lead an emergency committee for the walkouts, telling them their licenses would be suspended for three months for allegedly inciting the junior doctors' strikes.

One of the two doctors, Park Myung-Ha, accused the government of attempting to break up the emergency committee and sending a warning message to the striking junior doctors.

The government on Wednesday announced detailed plans for how to allocate the additional 2,000 admission seats to medical schools, indicating that the government has no intention of revising its plans. The doctors' emergency committee said in a statement Thursday that the striking doctors can't repress our astonishment and anger.

WHAT IS AT THE CENTER OF THE DISPUTE?



At the heart of the confrontation is a government plan to increase the country's medical school enrolment quota by 2,000 starting next year, from the current cap of 3,058, which has been unchanged since 2006.

The government says it needs to add up to 10,000 doctors by 2035 because the country has one of the world's fastest-aging populations and its doctors-to-population ratio is among the lowest among advanced economies. Officials say more doctors are needed to address a long-running shortage of physicians in low-paying but key essential professions like pediatrics and emergency departments.

But doctors say universities can't offer quality education to such an abruptly increased number of students and that it would ultimately hurt the quality of South Korea's medical services. They say doctors in greater competition would likely engage in overtreatment and that newly recruited students would also likely want to work in high-paying, popular professions like plastic surgery and dermatology.

The doctors' protests haven't generated public support, with a recent survey showing that about 90 per cent of respondents support an increase in the medical school admission cap. Some critics say the striking doctors worry that adding more doctors would result in lower incomes in the future.

The striking doctors account for less than 10 per cent of the country's 140,000 doctors. But in some major hospitals, they represent 30-40 per cent of the total doctors and assist senior doctors and deal with inpatients. Their walkouts have subsequently led to hundreds of cancelled or postponed surgeries and other treatments.
France's Senate voted overwhelmingly Thursday to reject legislation to ratify a 2017 trade deal between the European Union and Canada that has been criticised by farmers as bringing unfair competition from abroad.

The EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, or CETA, provisionally went into effect in September 2017 after all EU governments agreed to it, but its full implementation requires approval by each national parliament.

Thursday's 211-44 vote in the Senate does not necessarily mean that France ultimately will reject ratification. The vote sends the bill back to the powerful National Assembly, which previously has approved it and can move to override the Senate rejection and give final approval to the measure.

If the Assembly should reject the legislation during its second vote, that would signal France's failure to ratify and could unravel the EU trade deal.

Opposition in the Senate centred on concerns about shielding local farmers from what they consider unfair competition and protecting France's food sovereignty. The Assembly has not yet set a date to consider the legislation.

The ratification process across the European Union has been slow, with France and nine other EU countries, including Italy and Belgium, not yet giving their approval.

There have been significant increases in trade volume between the EU and Canada since the trade deal provisionally went into effect. From 2017 to 2023, trade between the two jumped by 51 per cent, with French exports to Canada rising by 33 per cent.

Despite these economic gains, CETA has faced criticism, including over its impact on European farmers and the environment. Critics argue it could undermine local agriculture and increase greenhouse gas emissions due to more transport of goods.

CETA aims to eventually eliminate nearly 99 per cent of tariffs. It includes special recognition for certain European products like Agen prunes and Savoie reblochon.

The Senate's rejection pressures the National Assembly, which only narrowly passed CETA in 2019. If France or any other EU member state definitively rejects the treaty, it could unravel, affecting the parts of the agreement already in operation.

French senators' vote comes after farmers across France and Europe demonstrated on their tractors earlier this year in protests over low earnings, heavy regulation and what they call unfair competition from abroad, often criticizing free-trade agreements, including the CETA.
(Photo : LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images)





Many EU nations are divided on implementing a price cap on Russian gas as the loss of its former supply limits the gas supply.

EU nations are in the grips of disagreements in implementing the US-backed gas price cap, but time is short as the gas supply increases and is raising energy bills while winter rolls in.

EU Nations Must Decide Whether To Impose Gas Price Cap

The 27-nation bloc has been divided into nearly irresolvable blocs by the energy shortage connected to Russia's war in Ukraine, as demonstrated by an emergency session of energy ministers last Thursday.

A huge August uptick in natural gas prices astonished all but the richest in the EU, pressuring the bloc to look for a limit to constitute turbulent costs that are sparking rising prices, reported Republic World.

For several days, the energy ministers attempted to reach a decision that nations want as cheap energy; energy bills have been expensive.

They were Greece, Spain, Belgium, France, and Poland, but Germany and the Netherlands were not for it; they feared supplies would be cut. But no solution was ever agreed on, noted ABC News.

The Polish minister Anna Moskwa said it is already minus 10 in Warsaw as cold sets in. Natural gas and electricity costs skyrocketed as Moscow reduced gas supplies to Europe used only for heaters, power generation, and industrial processes.

Read Also: Mark Zuckerberg Net Worth 2022: How Did Facebook Founder Lose $30 Billion in 1 Day?

European officials have alleged Russia of energy warfare to penalize EU countries for continuing to support Ukraine. The bloc was looking for a good deal for getting energy for heating but stubbornly sanctioned Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Washington's Insistence on Sanctions Threatens Gas Supply to the EU

Summits have been bogged down as Brussels, and other bloc heads called a breakthrough a month ago. A long-delayed proposal from the European Commission; the bloc's executives are supposed to set a cap limit on Tuesday, but there has yet to be a consensus or decision.

The commission set a minimum for a "safety price ceiling" to roll in if costs surpass 275 Euro per megawatt hour for two weeks and whether they are 58 Euro higher than the cost for liquefied natural gas on global markets, but the measure may not even keep prices low as last August, citing WFXRTV.

According to Greek Energy Minister Konstantinos Skrekas, a limit of 275 euros is too much from the 150 euros proposed. He added time is wasted on useless efforts.

Diplomats argue that the urgency has decreased somewhat because of the price fall since the summertime peaks, but it may quickly return if the weather turns colder than normal and supplies become limited.

There are 15 bloc members unanimous on the cap price, though Germany and the Netherlands, with another group, will not risk getting bypassed because of oil and gas prices.

Estonian Economy Minister Riina Sikkut clarified that the supply should be secured, not scare away providers. Last Thursday, it was still a stalemate.

Another official, Czech Industry Minister Jozef Sikela, who led the emergency meeting, stated that emotion was high and the proposal was considered spicy. Supply cuts caused by the Ukraine conflict a has resulted from a 40% supply to a mere 7%, but stored gas is past goals and almost complete.

The short supply led to more liquefied natural gas, or LNG, from the US, which is more expensive, to replace lost supplies. According to Forbes, EU nations are angling for a gas price cap as the gas supply increases, but it will be ill-fated.

Related Article: Bloc Leaders To Discuss Major Issues Including Energy Price Cap, Fallout from Loss of Stability and Security

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually addresses the Summit for Democracy, on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (Photo: PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Friday on a two-day State visit to Bhutan to further cement India's unique relations with the Himalayan nation.

"On the way to Bhutan, where I will be attending various programmes aimed at further cementing the India-Bhutan partnership. I look forward to talks with Majesty the King of Bhutan, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and Prime Minister @tsheringtobgay," the Prime Minister posted on X.

The visit, scheduled between March 21 and 22, was postponed due to the inclement weather in Bhutan.

The visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to "exchange views on bilateral and regional matters of interest and deliberate on ways to expand and intensify our exemplary partnership for the benefit of our peoples", the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement earlier this week.

India and Bhutan share "a unique and enduring partnership which is rooted in mutual trust, understanding and goodwill", the statement emphasised.

"Our shared spiritual heritage and warm people-to-people ties add depth and vibrancy to our exceptional relations," the MEA said.

During the visit, Prime Minister Modi will receive an audience with His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan, and His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan, it said.

"The visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan and the government's emphasis on its 'Neighbourhood First Policy'," the MEA said.

The prime minister will have an audience with Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, and his father Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of the Himalayan nation.

Modi will also hold bilateral talks with his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to receive a grand welcome at the Tashichho Dzong, a traditional Buddhist monastery and the seat of the Bhutanese government.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay was on a five-day visit to India last week, his first foreign trip after assuming charge of the top office in January.

He also held meetings with captains of various industries, besides other important engagements.
The family of a teenager accused of a brutal attack that resulted in 16-year-old Kaylee Gain suffering from brain damage is claiming that she is the "real victim."

Efforts are underway to collect $150,000 to support the girl's legal defense, with claims that she experienced "harassment and bullying" leading up to the incident.

Kaylee Gain's Attacker Defends Brutal Assault

A young girl named Kaylee Gain from St Louis, Missouri suffered a severe injury to her skull and brain following an incident that occurred on March 8 near her school.

"The full scope and extent of Kaylee's injuries and prognosis for recovery cannot be determined until, with God's grace, she regains consciousness, and the family asks that you continue to keep Kaylee in your thoughts and prayers as she continues to recover," said Bryan Kaemmerer, Kaylee Gain's family attorney, in a statement issued on Monday.

The video of the incident that captured Kaylee's head being forcefully struck against the concrete quickly gained widespread attention.

A 15-year-old girl, whose identity remains undisclosed, has been taken into custody and is facing charges of assault. On the other hand, the family of the girl involved in the incident claims that she is the true victim and they are rejecting the demands for her to face adult charges.

They assert that she was not engaging in bullying behavior towards Kaylee and are actively raising funds to support her legal defense.

According to her auntie, the teenager was simply "defending herself" during the assault with Kaylee, Daily Mail reported. They are asserting that the situation is not as it appears and have requested financial assistance.

A young girl is facing allegations of a severe assault and is currently being held by the St. Louis Family Court. A hearing has been scheduled for early April. According to her family, she is an exceptional student who experienced "harassment and bullying" prior to the altercation.

Read Also: Philadelphia Mass Shooting Suspect Kimbrady Carriker Set To Stand Trial After Mental Health Reevaluation

Petition Made for Missouri Teen Who attacked Kaylee Gain

The original fundraising page for Kaylee Gain's attacker was removed and they have since launched a Change.org petition.

The petition urges the St Louis Juvenile Court to demonstrate "compassion" towards the schoolgirl, who they believe was unjustly portrayed as a bully in a situation that they describe as "complex."

Their GoFundMe page was removed by the platform due to its policy against fundraising for the legal defense of a crime involving violence. The statement on the petition states that prior to an incident on March 8th, the individual had never been involved in any trouble. The incident in question involved her defending herself from harassment and bullying.

The petition also highlights that the family has endured racial abuse following the incident. The petition is directed towards Chief Juvenile Officer Rick Gaines and requires 500 signatures to bring the matter to his attention. By Thursday morning, the number of signatures had reached 502.

Based on a video circulating on social media, it seems that the girl in question forcefully struck Kaylee's head against the concrete following a series of punches, resulting in her falling to the ground. Kaylee appeared to experience a seizure amidst a chaotic scene where groups of teenagers were engaged in a physical altercation nearby.

Authorities discovered the young girl with a severe head injury in close proximity to the intersection of Norgate Drive and Claudine Drive, which is just a short distance away from the high school campus. The individual was transported to the hospital and is currently in a critical state.

Related Article: Riley Strain's Family Admits to Having Difficulties Talking About Nashville Student's Disappearance

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Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 9:27PM

Image: Google

Google's latest developer preview for Android 15 brings exciting features likely headed for public release later this year. Here's a glimpse of what's coming:

Satellite connectivity: A long-awaited addition, this enables apps to leverage satellite connections for messaging and potentially more.

Enhanced contactless payments: Expect smoother and more reliable one-tap payments via NFC.

Smarter multi-language recognition: Improved accuracy means fewer dropped words when switching languages.

Volume consistency: A new standard ensures consistent audio levels across different content types, eliminating the need for constant volume adjustments.

Improved cover screen interactions: Developers gain expanded tools to make small flip phone screens more functional.

Advanced PDF features: Apps can now handle password-protected PDFs, annotations, form editing, and more.

Security and transparency: Apps can better understand service availability on satellite connections, and users gain the ability to detect screen recording for enhanced privacy.

This update addresses user pain points and paves the way for a more seamless and secure Android experience. Public betas are expected between April and July for broader testing.

Source
Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 11:35PM

Photo: Apple

Apple appears to be preparing for a wider rollout of its mixed-reality headset, the Vision Pro. Recent job postings on the company's website (since removed) advertised for "Briefing Experience Specialists" in countries like Australia, China, and Japan. These specialists would be tasked with showcasing Vision Pro and the visionOS platform to potential business customers.

This job description, mentioning both Vision Pro and visionOS, strongly suggests Apple is planning to introduce the headset in these regions. The focus on enterprise users hints at Apple's strategy to position Vision Pro as a productivity tool.

Further evidence comes from the discovery of support for multiple languages in the visionOS virtual keyboard, including Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Korean. This aligns with the potential launch countries.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also predicts a global expansion before June, possibly to attract developers for WWDC 2024 and the upcoming visionOS 2.

While Apple hasn't officially confirmed specific launch dates, these signs point towards a significant expansion of the Vision Pro's availability beyond the current US market.

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Commandos participate in combat training

China Military Online) 10:35, March 22, 2024

Commandos assigned to a special operations squadron of a mobile detachment under the Chinese People's Armed Police (PAP) Force Guangxi Corps rush to the designated area during a training exercise in early March, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Liu Ming)

Commandos assigned to a special operations squadron of a mobile detachment under the Chinese People's Armed Police (PAP) Force Guangxi Corps rush to the designated area during a training exercise in early March, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Liu Ming)

Commandos assigned to a special operations squadron of a mobile detachment under the Chinese People's Armed Police (PAP) Force Guangxi Corps search a building during a training exercise in early March, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Liu Ming)

Commandos assigned to a special operations squadron of a mobile detachment under the Chinese People's Armed Police (PAP) Force Guangxi Corps search a building during a training exercise in early March, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Liu Ming)

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
The United States Navy has sent the Bob Hope-class merchant vessel Roy P. Benavidez to the Mediterranean to haul construction materials and equipment to build a pier off the coast of Gaza in a bid to get more humanitarian aid into the besieged coastal strip.

According to The Hill, the Benavidez, a member of the US Department of Transportation's reserve fleet, was manned by the Navy's Military Sealift Command for the mission.

She recently left Newport News, Virginia, to deliver materials to the US Army's 7th Transportation Brigade, which went to Gaza earlier this month.

Previously, the NGOs Proactiva Open Arms and the World Central Kitchen have delivered around 200 tons of food and other humanitarian aid to Gaza through a new sea route plotted by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

Army Lt. Gen. John P. Sullivan, deputy commander of U.S. Transportation Command, said that the floating pier they are constructing - called a Joint Logistics-Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) system - "is a critical capability that allows ship-to-shore cargo distribution in the absence of a usable pier."

"It can be used to augment an established port or to create a pier where one is needed, and allows us to support areas where large populations are isolated from food, water, and other forms of humanitarian aid," the general said in a statement.

On the other hand, US Central Command chief Gen. Michael Kurilla said during a House Armed Services hearing on Thursday (Mar. 21) that the floating pier would be out at sea and another pier would connect to the beach of Gaza through Army watercraft, adding that the ships required for the mission should be in place soon.

He told lawmakers that "all that should be arriving in the theater in the first couple of weeks of April."

Read Also: Israel Asks World Court To Dismiss South Africa's Request for New Measures Over Famine in Gaza

Meanwhile, the Defense Department said that the construction of the pier could take up to two months, with Reuters quoting a US official as saying that they aim to have the pier ready before May 1.

"The US military is doing everything they can to accelerate the deployment of this capability and make it operational prior to the May 1 target date that they've set," National Security Council Chief of Staff Curtis Ried told reporters on the sidelines of a conference in Cyprus. They are working very hard to advance that, and hopefully, we can see it operational a bit earlier than that."

Asked about how the operation would work within Gaza, Ried explained that there was no plan for American personnel to go ashore as Israel would play an important role in securing a broad area. He added that the US's role in the operation was talking to "a number of countries" about potentially serving as a security partner within the perimeter compound secured by the Israelis.

From there, aid would likely be distributed by a UN agency, and that the UN Refugee and Works Agency (UNRWA) would continue to be used in the foreseeable future.

Related Article: Ship Delivers 200 Tons of Humanitarian Aid to Gaza via Newly Opened Sea Route: Israeli Military

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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...
Warner Bros. Discovery has given Warner Bros. Japan the green light to significantly increase the number of anime series it produces each year.

Speaking with Variety, WBD president of Asia-Pacific James Gibbons said the companys anime studio will increase its yearly output to more than ten series. Previously, the unit was producing between five and ten shows each year.

Since opening its doors in 2011, Warner Bros. Japans anime unit has produced over 80 titles for hit franchises such as JoJos Bizarre Adventure, RWBY, Tom and Jerry, and the DC Universe.

Despite having its own streaming platform, Warner Bros. Discovery regularly shops its anime productions to other broadcasters and streamers.

According to Gibbons, the success of the Japanese studios series on third-party platforms has shown a path to audiences Warner Bros. has previously struggled to win over:

Because we see the appeal of the category, we are expanding it. Anime is one of the best ways to reach the 18 to 30-year-old audience, which is incredibly elusive. Globally, albeit not in every market, but certainly in the U.S., parts of Europe, and Latin America, weve got strong anime audiences.

Gibbons said Warner Bros. sees its DC catalog as a fertile ground for adaptations but that the company must be careful when blending Western IPs and Japanese animation. He told Variety:

Weve looked at our DC universe and said, Can we take these characters and reinvent them in world of world of anime, which is not straightforward because you have to do it the right way. You have to work with the right studios to make it happen and to build your fan base.

Warner Bros. Japan is currently working with WIT Studio (Attack on Titan and Spy x Family) on the series Suicide Squad ISEKAI, scheduled to release in Japan in July and the rest of the world sometime later this year.

The unit also recently revealed that production is underway on Fist of the North Star: Hokuto no Ken, a new series adaptation of the hugely popular manga created by Buronson and Tetsuo Hara. The original Fist of the North Star manga debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1983 and ran for five years, eventually selling over 100 million copies. Toei Animation produced the first anime series adaptation of Fist of the North Star, which ran from 1984 to 1988. The franchise has added several animated features, a live-action film, video games, OVAs, and several spinoffs in the years since.
The remains of Riley Strain, a college student who had been missing, were found in the Cumberland River in West Nashville on Friday morning after a search lasting two weeks, as reported by Nashville police.

Authorities stated that there were no signs of trauma related to foul play. An autopsy is scheduled for the future.

Strain, aged 22 and a senior at the University of Missouri, disappeared on March 8 after spending an evening at various bars in Nashville. He was in Nashville with his fraternity, Delta Chi, for their formal event.

Strain was kicked out of Luke's 32 Bridge bar after deemed overly intoxicated. Country star and owner of Luke's 32 Bridge Bar, Luke Bryans issued a public statement praying for the student's safe return.He urged his fans to share any information they may have that could help authorities on Strain's whereabouts. He was found about 8 miles from the downtown area.

Strain had told his fraternity brothers that night that he planned to go back to their hotel.

While the friends were out that night, Strain FaceTimed his mom and didn't sound intoxicated, Strain's stepfather, Chris Whiteid recalled.Strain and his mother exchanged more texts after the call, Whiteid said.

The last text Strain sent to his mom that night was, "I love you."

Earlier this week, two women who were live streaming their search for Strain along the riverbank via Tik Tok stumbled upon his debit card.

"S-. I found his credit card," one of them said. The other asked, "You found his credit card?"

They then announced on the livestream, "We found his credit card. We gotta go. We gotta hang up the phone."

A family friend, Chris Dingman later confirmed it was in fact Strain's debit card that was found.

Surveillance cameras and police body cameras captured Strain's last known movements from about 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. before authorities located his body earlier today.

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Heidelberg Materials Italy signs clean energy PPA

22 March 2024

Heidelberg Materials Italy (Italcementi) has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with OX2, Europes leading producer of renewable energy. The PPA covers the supply of an average of 36.6-51.2GWh of clean energy over a seven-year period from 2025-2032. The majority of the energy will be sourced from OX2s Stornarella wind farm near Foggia, Italy.

The wind farm, which was purchased by Glennmont Partners, now Nuveen Infrastructure, is currently under construction and due to be completed by the end of this year. Once completed it will boast six turbines, giving a total installed power of 27MW and annual production capacity of approximately 72.6GWh.

Energy is a fundamental component of our industrial process and represents one of the main levels of decarbonisation for the entire cement sector, said Stefano Gallini, CEO, Heidelberg Materials Itali Cementi. The electrical component can also make an important contribution to this aim and we have identified reliable partners such as OX2 and Glennmont to accompany us on this journey.

We are proud to be able to contribute, through this corporate PPA, to the energy transition of Heidelberg Materials in Italy, one of the main Italian industrial groups, added Teemu Loikkanen, country manager, OX2 Italia. Furthermore, this agreement demonstrates how OX2, in addition to its experience in the development and construction of RES plants, is able to offer its investors, such as Glennmont in this case, a complete product that allows the optimisation of revenues in line with the mission to accelerate the energy transition through sustainable, profitable and low-risk investment opportunities.

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Princess Kate Middleton of Wales revealed a shocking cancer diagnosis on Friday.

Kate, aged 42, had remained out of the public eye since Christmas until a recent video emerged showing her accompanied by her husband, Prince William, the future monarch, strolling from a farm shop close to their residence in Windsor.

She said, "This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family."

Limited information had been provided by Kensington Palace regarding Kate's state, other than confirming that her surgery, unrelated to cancer, had been effective, and she would be on recovery leave from official engagements until April. Kate mentioned that initially, her condition was believed to be non-cancerous until further tests disclosed the diagnosis.

Following the announcement, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed the news in a statement to the media.

Jean-Pierre said that, "Our thoughts are with the Duchess of Cambridge and her family members and friends during this incredibly difficult time." She further affirmed that they "wish her a full recovery."

She also disclosed that she "think's it's important that we respect their privacy, especially at this time, so I am not going to go further than that."

Jean-Pierre also wanted to preempt questions as to whether President Biden has recently spoken with the Princess, by stating that, they "don't have anything to share at this time."

She closed by reiterating that they "wish the Duchess of Cambridge a full recovery and we are incredibly sad to hear of the news."

In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace, Prince Charles said he is "so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did," the Associated Press reported.

The 75-year-old monarch has remained in "closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law" as she continues to navigate the disease, the palace said.

Charles - who is also battling cancer - and Kate were hospitalized at the same time, earlier this year.

On Instagram, Kate's brother, James Middleton, announced his support for his older sister.

"Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too," he captioned an undated photo of the pair.

Welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones also chimed in on Instagram, writing, "Wales and the World is with you  HRH Princess of Wales. Love to you always."

Similarly, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak offered his condolences to the princess.

"The Princess of Wales has the love and support of the whole country as she continues her recovery," he said in a statement posted to X.

"She has shown tremendous bravery with her statement today," Sunak said, before calling out the media and the public over the "intense scrutiny" he accused them of subjecting her to since January. "When it comes to matters of health, like everyone else, she must be afforded the privacy to focus on her treatment and be with her loving family."

"I know I speak for the whole country in wishing her a full and speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her back in action when she's ready," he concluded.

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Former U.S. Secretary of State and former Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry speaks during a session at CERAWeek by S&P Global on Thursday. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Former Secretary of State and former Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, right, is introduced by Carlos Pascual, senior vice president Geopolitics and International Affairs of S&P Global Commodity Insights, during a session at CERAWeek by S&P Global Thursday. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Attendees taking photographs of former US Secretary of State and former Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry speaking during a session at CERAWeek by S&P Global Thursday. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Former US Secretary of State and former Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry speaks during a session at CERAWeek by S&P Global Thursday, March 21, 2024 at Hilton Americas-Houston in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

An animated John Kerry took to the stage at CERAWeek by S&P Global on Thursday to push back on statements from several leading energy executives that the widely celebrated global agreement at December's COP28 to transition away from fossil fuels was a bust.

Kerry was deeply involved in the COP28 meeting in Dubai as the first U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, a role he recently stepped away from, and has long advocated the need to fight climate change through cooperation with foreign governments and energy companies.

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While major oil and gas companies stirred hope among many environmentalists after pledging in December to reduce methane leaks to "near zero" by 2030, multiple executives made statements at CERAWeek suggesting a fossil fuel phase-out would fail since customers were not willing to pay for less-polluting energy.

Kerry specifically took issue with comments from Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser at the global energy conference dismissing the fossil fuel phase-out trajectory reached at COP28 in Dubai.

"He talked about how the energy transition has failed. Well, it's not a switch that you flip on and off at the end of COP, as every one of you knows. It's a process," Kerry said. On the same stage at CERAWeek 2023, the then-envoy labeled climate change the "urgent, growing, catastrophic set of events unfolding before our eyes" that scientists had been warning about for years.

In the Dubai meeting late last year, 197 countries and the European Union unanimously signed on to a document called the Global Stocktake that acknowledged the need for "deep, rapid and sustained reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions of 43 percent by 2030," and committed to "transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner ... in keeping with the science."

Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, called the agreement the "beginning of the end" of fossil fuels.

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"Even if we got to net zero in 2050, we have to still suck about 1.6 trillion tons of carbon out of the atmosphere in order to prevent future damage," Kerry said. "So I think that Dubai is as important, if not more important than Paris, and what it laid out is a roadmap for how we should proceed."
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Panelists addressed a variety of questions related to helping aging parents during the Morning Pointe Foundations free Caregiver Cafe on Monday, How to Make Tough Decisions for Your Aging Loved One.Attendees from around the greater Chattanooga area attended the event at the Silverdale Center Creekside Theatre off Bonny Oaks Drive in Chattanooga. A panel of four local experts shared their most frequently asked questions regarding financial planning, Medicaid and Medicare, veterans benefits and geriatric care.The event ended with opening the floor for direct audience questions, which ranged from VA benefit eligibility to the purpose of various kinds of trusts.The session helped me know that I am on the right track and let me know what I need to focus on, said Gena Harris, one of the attendees.Her sister-in-law, Lee Ballenger, also attended and found the discussion helpful.She has been caregiving for her mother for 15 years and runs three caregiver support groups in the area. Its still a good reminder about being on top of things, she said.The four panelists were Rebecca Miller, elder law attorney with Chambliss, Bahner and Stophel, P.C.; Tara Simpson, licensed insurance agent and patient advocate; Kristi Wick, the Vicky B. Gregg chair of gerontology and assistant professor for the UC Foundation; and Mary Ross-Tarkington, national director of client relations for Elder Veterans Legal Aid Group. Amy Boulware, care manager for elder law and special needs with Chambliss, Bahner and Stophel, P.C., moderated the discussion.I thought the event went smoothly and engaged our audience well, said Miranda Perez, Morning Pointe Foundation executive director. For adult children of aging parents, having the resources to address their questions can make a big difference, and our panelists and moderator did a great job of not only answering common questions but pointing our guests to further help and counsel on other questions they may have.The Morning Pointe Foundation offers its Caregiver Cafe educational series as a free service to the community each spring as part of its mission to provide caregiver support programs. The Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Morning Pointe Senior Living founded by senior healthcare entrepreneurs Greg A. Vital and J. Franklin Farrow. In addition to the caregiver support, the nonprofit sponsors educational awareness events and funds scholarships to advance the care of seniors throughout the Southeast.
Noon Development celebrated the official opening of the East Ridge Physicians Building this week with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce.Noon Development purchased and modernized the 27,770-square-foot medical office building at 929 Spring Creek Road. The building is now occupied by Spring Creek Pediatrics, Chattanooga Medical Research LLC, Galen OBGYN Ridgeside and Galen Digestive.The interior and exterior of this building are completely renovated, and we recruited new businesses to the location and helped the current tenants expand, said Bob Elliott, president of Noon Development.Each group of physicians worked with us to make the space unique to them and their teams. This project shows how you can transform and reinvent an older building while helping the tenants stay in a location that has worked well for them.Spring Creek Pediatrics resided in the building before the renovation and used the opportunity to update the office interior and expand by 2,000 square feet, including an area where sick patients can check in and wait, separate from children having routine visits.Spring Creek Pediatrics has added staff and patients, but we needed more room to truly expand the practice, said owner Dr. Stephanie Stegall. Our newly divided office creates a separate area for children with active symptoms, and that makes for a much better experience for everyone. Thanks to the expansion and renovation, we can now accept new patients.Two new tenants moved into the building, including Chattanooga Medical Research LLC (CRM), as well as multiple physicians with Galen Medical Group. CMR is a dedicated research center serving a range of therapeutic areas, including womens health, endocrinology, vaccines, internal medicine, weight loss and more. "Through its partnerships with major pharmaceutical sponsors, CMR brings opportunities to the community to participate in the cutting edge of medicine under the medical supervision of their physicians, David M. Barker, MD, Charles A. Crump, MD, and D. Scott Harnsberger, MD, as well as the entire professional research team," officials said.We are thrilled to relocate our clinical research center to the city of East Ridge, said Chattanooga Medical Research Co-Founder and Director Yvonne Chester. We are in a period of rapid growth with the number of clinical trials we are conducting, so expanding our office space is helping us better serve our patients.Multiple physicians with Galen OBGYN Ridgeside are located on the first floor, including Dr. Erica Angelino, Dr. David Barker, Dr. Scott D. Harnsberger, Dr. Melissa Lee, Dr. Jordan Staton, Dr. Lauren Thomas and Dr. Karen Tinsley. In addition, Dr. Camille Sommer and Corinne Hinson, NP, with Galen Digestive, will share part of the suite on the first floor.This location was selected due to its proximity to Parkridge East Hospital, which is located right next door, making it incredibly convenient for our physicians and patients, said Dr. Barker, Galen Medical Group.The city of East Ridge welcomed the renovation and new providers.We are pleased to welcome each of these new providers and their staff to the City of East Ridge, and were especially proud when businesses, like SpringCreek Pediatrics, choose to stay and invest further. That really reflects what a wonderful community we have here, said East Ridge Mayor Brian Williams in a written statement. This expansion brought more healthcare options and medical services to the citizens of East Ridge, and we were pleased to celebrate the continued growth within the City of East Ridge with the ribbon cutting.Just 2,363 square feet remain available for lease on the second floor of the building. "This newly-renovated space is a great fit for a medical specialty or for general medical office space," officials said.Those interested in this property or any medical real estate solutions can contact Heath Dotson, project manager at Noon Development, by emailing heath.dotson@noondevelopment.com or calling 423-742-0749, or by reaching out to Kelly Fitzgerald, vice-president of commercial brokerage at SVN | Second Story at kelly.fitzgerald@svn.com or 615-714-6378.
The present controversy over the safety problems involving planes built by the nations number one manufacturer of aircraft located in the upper northwest would surely have produced commentary by the late Lewis Grizzard (LG) during his short lifespan (1947-1994) and career as a newspaper columnist and humorist.

Publicly acknowledging his fear of flying in several books and articles, he first put his manual Royal typewriter into operation on the topic on Wont You Come Home, Billy Bob Bailey (1980-Peachtree Publishers).

His introduction to the chapter sets the tone for his aversion to being buckled into the seat of a commercial carrier:

A lot of people arent really serious about their fear of flying. I am. I once rode a bus from Atlanta to El Paso and back to avoid flying. Dont knock it. The bus station in Shreveport, where you stop for dinner, has terrific meat loaf, which is impossible to find on any airline in this country.

A stewardess who had survived two crash landings gave LG the scholarly advice of dont panic when passengers and crew face the potential of making an early trop to their Maker from high altitudes.

LG his own concern and interpretation of the aforementioned descriptive term stated:

1. I panic dialing the airlines for reservations.

2. I panic getting a shoeshine before my flight.

3. In flight, it is Terror City at 30,000 feet.

4. I dare not eat anything. In order to eat, I would have to loosen my grip on the seat.

5. I dare not have a conversation with a fellow passenger. I must remain completely quiet in order to listen for changes in the engine tone.

6. I dare not go to the restroom when I fly, either, because once I did. The plane hit turbulence and a light came on in the restroom that said return to your seat immediately. When you are in the restroom on an airplane, it is not always possible to return to your seat immediately. What did I do? I panicked, of course, but I will spare you the details.

After a sabbatical of six years being a commercial passenger he re-evaluated his position of reluctance after sustaining a flat tire along a lonely stretch in Alabama followed by the hitchhiking experience of riding in the back of a semi hauling hogs to the next town seventy-five miles away.

After surviving the stench of his travelling swine companions, LG decided to take another chance in the Wild Blue Yonder after getting flying advice from a friend who was an ex-Air Force pilot for encouragement:

My first flight after my absence from the skies was leaving at two oclock in the afternoon. By ten in the morning, I had already broken out in some hideous rash and had checked and rechecked my will.

I decided to call my friend, the pilot, for encouragement. Perhaps he could calm me.

The words LG received did not prevent the writer from worrying about his proposed Airborne Adventure. After checking out the provisions in his then current Last Will and Testament he decided to consider the sage advice from his buddy:

1. Ive flown thousands of hours, he began. If anything happens to the plane, or there is any sign of trouble, just do the following:

2. Bend down as far as you can behind the seat in front of you. Grab each ankle securely. Bend your head between your legs and 

I know, I interrupted him, dont panic.

3. No, he said, kiss your bohunkus goodbye.

(With the addition of two new passenger gates at the successor to Marr Field (East Chattanooga) at a nominal cost of $28 million LG could also fly the friendly skies out of Choo Choo City!)

* * *

You can reach Jerry Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com
Panelists speaking during the Balancing Act: Incentivizing decarbonization and renewables session at CERAWeek by S&PGlobal on March 20 in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer The Biden administration will award up to $7 billion to create seven regional hubs around the country, including one in Houston, that will make and use hydrogen. KENT NISHIMURA/NYT The sun shines on the Navios Hope while it's docked at the Port of Corpus Christi. Hydrogen makes sense for cargo ships, which must carry large quantities of fuel and travel between fixed locations. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

Energy companies and chambers of commerce are touting clean hydrogen as the key to Texas remaining the energy capital of the world, but the path is far from clear and success is equally uncertain.

Hydrogen is the most common element in the universe. It puts the hydro in hydrocarbons, oil and natural gas molecules that produce energy. When it comes to devices that are not easily powered by electricity  such as ships, aircraft and heavy equipment  hydrogen could be the best climate-friendly fuel.

The 800-pound gorilla is cost, Neeraj Bhat, head of hydrogen for electricity utility AES Clean Energy, told a panel at CERAWeek by S&P Global. A big part of it is getting those first projects in the ground.

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Texas already generates more hydrogen than any other state, but producers use natural gas as a feedstock, burn fossil fuels to separate it and release carbon dioxide as a byproduct. Texas produces 2 million tons of hydrogen annually, releasing more than 10 kilograms of CO2 for every kilogram of hydrogen produced, the International Energy Agency reported.

There are methods for isolating hydrogen that release fewer emissions but are more expensive. The challenge is lowering the cost of generating clean hydrogen to levels that compete with other clean energy sources, such as renewable fuels and low-emission electricity.

The Department of Energy is funding the HyVelocity Hub, based in Houston, to develop clean hydrogen capabilities along the Gulf Coast. The earliest projects will develop blue hydrogen, which utilizes the existing natural gas-based process with equipment added to capture the carbon dioxide and inject it underground.

Blue hydrogen is the least expensive type of clean hydrogen, but while the equipment can capture more than 90% of the exhaust CO2, it requires a lot of energy that can emit CO2. Some experts also doubt whether CO2 injected into old oil and gas wells will remain underground forever.

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Proposed green hydrogen plants use electricity from wind and solar facilities to split water into hydrogen and oxygen molecules in a process called electrolysis. However, electrolyzers are expensive, and competition for renewable power is growing. Green hydrogen can cost more than double the price of blue hydrogen.

Lastly, pink hydrogen is made using electricity from nuclear power plants. Since energy is 85% of the input cost to produce clean hydrogen, cheaper nuclear electricity can make hydrogen less expensive.

Innovators up and down the supply chain are trying to bring down these costs, and entrepreneurs promise significant price drops in the years ahead. But other energy sources are also trying to drive down costs, and competition for clean electricity is growing.

The business plans behind many hydrogen projects assumed that wind and solar power would generate excess electricity and drive down prices. The growing need for data centers and artificial intelligence facilities, however, is expected to triple the U.S. demand for electricity.

Companies have also seen competition from other technologies narrow the prospective customer base for hydrogen. Lower-cost, higher-capacity batteries make more sense for cars and trucks, and small nuclear and geothermal projects will likely generate cheaper electricity than burning hydrogen in power plants.

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Three sectors offer promise, though. Hydrogen makes sense for heavy vehicles, such as long-distance trucks and cargo ships, which must carry large quantities of fuel and travel between fixed locations.

Industrial facilities that require high heat, such as steelworks or cement kilns, could also use hydrogen to reduce their carbon footprints. Lastly, cleaning up the existing hydrogen supply chain would significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions.

The Biden administration has allocated $7 billion to develop hydrogen hubs nationwide to boost clean hydrogen production. An additional $1 billion will encourage customers to purchase clean hydrogen until the industry can bring prices in line with dirty hydrogen.

Typically, the supply has to be there before demand occurs, said David Crane, undersecretary for infrastructure at the Department of Energy. This is a new energy commodity, so we have to work on the demand side.

I understand why folks in the traditional energy industry are terrified by the transition to low-emission power. After decades of generating a stable return on investment on just a handful of technologies, this new world with dozens of alternatives and uncertain winners and losers must be unsettling.

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The city is honoring the memory of Bud Ellis, the creator of the figures for the carousel at Coolidge Park.

Mr. Ellis died recently at his home in Canton, Ga., at the age of 88.

Mayor Tim Kelly said, "Join me in celebrating the life and legacy of Bud Ellis, the man we have to thank for Coolidge Parks beloved carousel.

"After moving to Chattanooga and becoming a professor at UTC, Bud and friends worked at his 'Horsin Around' carving school to rehabilitate a dilapidated carousel that had previously been in use in Grant Park in Atlanta.

"For more than 20 years, Bud's masterpiece has adorned Coolidge Park in Downtown Chattanooga, with each animal bearing the personal touch of Bud and his friends.

"Thank you, Bud, for the magical memories you gave Chattanooga families and the example you set of how to build community."
On April 20, 2024, WTCI PBS is hosting Be My Neighbor Day, a free, family-friendly community celebration from 10am to 2pm at 7540 Bonnyshire Drive in Chattanooga, featuring activities and PBS KIDS characters. The event is sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.

So many of us have fond memories of Mister Rogers Neighborhood and the valuable lessons we learned about what it means to be a kind and caring neighbor. Those values live on in Daniel Tigers Neighborhood, and were pleased to celebrate that spirit of community at our inaugural Be My Neighbor Day event, said Bob Culkeen, President and CEO of WTCI PBS.

Joining WTCI PBS in Be My Neighbor Day are community partners such as the Creative Discovery Museum, Hamilton County Schools, Art 120, the City of Chattanooga, Chattanooga Public Library, and the Hamilton County Health Department.

The event will also include appearances from Daniel Tiger and Molly of Denali, as well as a petting zoo and a real, working trolley for children to explore.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee issued a proclamation declaring April 20th as Be My Neighbor Day in Tennessee.

More information about Be My Neighbor Day can be found at wtcitv.org/neighbor and on the WTCI PBS and WTCI Educate Instagram and Facebook pages.
The Rossville High School Class of 1974 is planning its 50th Reunion. The planning committee is looking for former classmates and volunteers to help in planning the event.The reunion is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 14, and will be held at the Walker County Civic Center starting at 6 p.m. Cost of the event is $25 per person. Checks should be made payable to Marilyn McDowell.To volunteer or make reservations, contact Debbie Ridge at 423-593-8531 or debbieHRidge@yahoo.com; Marilyn McDowell at 423-847-7450 or mmcd490@gmail.com; or Mark Dodd at 423-593-1872 or doddbrothers@yahoo.com.
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A new $126 million CHI Memorial hospital on Battlefield Parkway, that has been in the works for eight years, is finally set to become a reality, officials said at a groundbreaking on Friday morning.

Andrew McGill, senior vice president for strategy and business development, said it is due to be completed by December of 2025.

He said the funding for the hospital is receiving a boost from a special $1.5 million federal appropriation arranged by Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff. He had planned to attend the groundbreaking, but was delayed by votes in Washington. However, he sent a video that was shown on a large screen.

The hospital will include 64 inpatient beds as well as surgery suites, an Intensive Care Unit and a full-service emergency room.

It will be allied with the Skillern Cancer Center at the Glenwood campus.

Officials said patients are under added stress when they have to travel long distances for treatment and go to strange surroundings.

Mr. McGill said, CHI Memorial has been committed to this community for nearly 25 years. Bringing more services to a convenient, patient-friendly campus that is close to a major interstate and in the epicenter of local commercial and residential growth will provide greater access to comprehensive healthcare.

Officials paid tribute to the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth who started the hospital in the 1940s.

A "blessing of the grounds" ceremony was held.

Janelle Reilly, market CEO, CHI Memorial, said, About one fourth of the people we care for live in North Georgia. The new hospital will provide expanded access and more vital services closer to home for the residents of North Georgia.

Officials earlier said a bond issue from Catoosa County will support the funding for the new hospital, which is at 4700 Battlefield Parkway just inside the Ringgold city limits.

A local philanthropic campaign and capital funding from CommonSpirit Health was also part of the fundraising.

At the site now is CHI Memorial Parkway, a multi-story medical office building that also houses CHI Memorial Imaging Services and the MaryEllen Locher Breast Center. CHI Memorial Rees Skillern Cancer Institute - Parkway offers radiation treatment. Both buildings will remain open and available to patients during construction of the new hospital.

CHI Memorial currently operates CHI Memorial Hospital Georgia at the former Hutcheson Hospital in Fort Oglethorpe. It provides 24/7 emergency care, inpatient care, imaging, and lab service.

Catoosa County owns the old hospital property and is to determine its future use, officials said.




Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti applauded Tennessees Opioid Abatement Council on Friday for releasing its first ever round of community grants totaling $80,936,057."The Tennessee Attorney Generals office has spent years litigating against opioid manufacturers and distributors and securing these funds, a fraction of the total settlement money coming to Tennessee, to help address the opioid crisis. Programs funded through the grants will support work in response to opioid addiction throughout Tennessee for up to three years," officials said.The Tennessee Attorney Generals Office is proud to secure over eighty million dollars in settlement funds to support our states efforts combating the opioid epidemic, AG Skrmetti said.Our team has been working hard on this for years, and when all is said and done, we will have delivered over a billion dollars in settlement funds. We are grateful for the work of Tennessees Opioid Abatement Council in identifying the best ways to use the settlement funds and will continue fighting to bring accountability to the companies that contributed to the opioid epidemic.Funding for the community grants comes from settlements with opioid producers, distributors, pharmacies and marketers obtained by the Tennessee Attorney Generals Office. Organizations from across the state designed programs and submitted 396 proposals during the OACs application period last fall. Council staff and members processed, evaluated, and scored the proposals. The OAC debated the proposals and approved 116 grants during a meeting in Farragut on March 18.In meetings leading up to the grant application period, the Council decided percentages of funding to dedicate to each of six approved strategies. Final totals of programs funded in each of the areas are as follows: Treatment  $32,775,972 Recovery Support  $18,970,500 Primary Prevention  $12,201,837 Education and Training  $8,173,701 Harm Reduction  $8,061,539 Research and Evaluation  $752,508The 116 projects approved by the council are programs designed by 85 distinct awardees, 30 of the 116 projects are designed for statewide reach and about $5.7 million of the total amount awarded is for capital projects. Learn more about Tennessees OAC at TN.gov/oac.
General Assembly celebrates agriculture in Tennessee

Tennessees annual Ag Day on the Hill was held at the State Capitol in Nashville on March 19 and featured a variety of events, exhibits, activities and livestock along with producers and exhibitors from across the state. The event coincided with National Agriculture Week. In Tennessee, agriculture-related industries employ 324,000 people and contribute $89 billion into the economy. Among those in attendance were farmers, foresters, agriculture officials, legislators, 4-H and Future Farmers of America members. A $1,000 check was also presented to the Shooting Hunger Backpack program on behalf of the Farm and Forest Families of Tennessee organization.

House Republicans kill massive $800 million tax increase

House Republicans on Wednesday successfully defeated a major tax increase on Tennessee businesses.

House Bill 2043, sponsored by a Democrat lawmaker, would have enacted the Business Enterprise Tax Act, raising taxes on all Tennessee businesses with gross receipts of $250,000 or more annually. An amendment passed by House Majority Whip Johnny Garrett, R-Goodlettsville, eliminates a nearly $800 million annual tax increase on Tennessee businesses. It also strips a proposal to enact a burdensome multinational reporting requirement, known as the Worldwide Combined Reporting Act.

This is a bait-and-switch bill that punishes virtually every business owner in Tennessee with a massive tax increase, Garrett said. Our small businesses are the backbone of our state economy, and the more money they keep, the better able they are to expand and hire more workers.

Tennessee remains one of the lowest-taxed states in the nation. Tennessee Republicans have in the last decade cut $2.5 billion in state taxes through sales tax holidays and elimination of other taxes, including the Hall income tax, inheritance tax and nearly all professional privilege taxes on citizens in certain occupations.

Republicans last year passed the largest tax cut in state history, including a three-month-long tax holiday on groceries, through the Tennessee Works Tax Act of 2023. In addition to benefitting families, these cuts provide important relief for small businesses through various changes to business, franchise, and excise tax collections. These reforms will encourage future entrepreneurship and further strengthen our states economic competitiveness.

Additional protections against divisive concepts advances

A bill that aims to strengthen protections for free expression at public universities in Tennessee advanced out of the Higher Education Subcommittee this week.

House Bill 2784, sponsored by State Rep. John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, would require public colleges and universities to investigate alleged violations of the states divisive concepts law and report the findings in a timely manner.

We dont know (how many complaints have been made) because we didnt have a reporting mechanism in place, Ragan said. This bill is designed to create a tracking mechanism so that we know if we have a problem.

The results of each investigation must be reported to the Comptrollers office within 10 days of being completed, according to the legislation. Status updates for ongoing investigations must be submitted every 30 days. State lawmakers must also be notified if an institution receives more than 10 reports during a single academic year.

The General Assembly approved the Tennessee Higher Education Freedom of Expression and Transparency Act last year, which allows any student or employee of a public university to file a report of an alleged violation of the states divisive concepts law.

Divisive concepts are those that exacerbate and inflame divisions on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, religion, color, national origin and other criteria in ways that are contrary to the unity of the United States of America and the well-being of Tennessee and its citizens.

House Bill 2784 is scheduled to be heard in the Education Administration Committee on March 27.

Bill would allow Tennesseans to declare party affiliation

A Republican proposal would establish a process for voters to declare their party affiliation in Tennessee.

House Bill 1616, sponsored by State Rep. Bryan Richey, R-Maryville, would allow residents to register with a statewide political party or recognized minor political party.

No matter what side of the aisle youre on, voters should have the right to declare their political affiliations, Richey said. This is a simple bill that gives all Tennesseans a choice when it comes to how they wish to express their political beliefs.

The legislation would also allow voters to remain unaffiliated. On Election Day, voters registered as either Republican or Democrat will be given their respective party ballot, while unaffiliated voters will be able to choose either ballot.

House Bill 1616 has been placed behind the budget and will be considered at a later date.

General Assembly increases support for sexual assault victims

Legislation that gives sexual assault victims more time to file a civil lawsuit against their attacker has been unanimously approved by the Tennessee General Assembly.

House Bill 2216, also known as Danielles Law, will extend the statute of limitations from one year to three years for civil lawsuits relating to a sexual assault injury or illness. The time would increase to five years if a police report was filed.

This allows survivors to have time to process the trauma and navigate the legal process, said bill sponsor State Rep. Sam Whitson, R-Franklin. There have been cases where rape kits have not been processed within a year of the assault occurring, leaving survivors with no option to pursue civil action.

The legislation is named after Nashville resident Danielle Pyle, who found out 13 months after filing a police report that the local district attorneys office had declined to pursue charges against her alleged rapist. Existing state law prevented her from taking civil action since it had been more than one year since the crime occurred. House Bill 2216 will now head to Gov. Bill Lees desk to be signed into law.

Safeguarding tax dollars from gender reassignment surgeries for inmates

The House Corrections Subcommittee this week advanced legislation to protect Tennessee tax dollars from being used to pay for gender reassignment surgeries for inmates.

House Bill 2619, sponsored by State Rep. John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, would prohibit the Department of Corrections from using state funds to pay for the procedures or any new hormone replacement therapy for incarcerated individuals.

We currently have 89 inmates in our state prisons that are getting hormone replacement therapy in preparation for a sex change, Ragan said Tuesday. This bill says that the taxpayer should not be the one to foot a bill for (these procedures).

The proposed legislation would not prevent an inmate from using private funds to pay for gender surgeries or hormone replacement therapy. House Bill 2619 is scheduled to be heard in the State Government Committee on March 27.

Grant program would provide anti-choking devices to schools

The K-12 Subcommittee on Tuesday advanced legislation to increase the availability of anti-choking devices in Tennessee schools.

House Bill 2028, sponsored by State Rep. Greg Martin, R-Hixson, would require the Tennessee Department of Health to administer a grant program to reimburse public and private schools and first responders for anti-choking devices.

These devices safely remove food, candy, coins, balloons and (whatever) else might be stuck in an airway, Martin said.

Anti-choking devices help clear objects out of airways using negative pressure. The program would reimburse schools for the purchase of one device for each cafeteria in a school and medical first responders for one device in each emergency response vehicle.

More than 12,000 children in the United States are taken to the hospital every year for choking on food. It is the fourth leading cause of unintentional death in children younger than five. House Bill 2028 is scheduled to be heard in the Education Administration Committee on March 27. If approved, the three-year grant program would take effect July 1.

Bill proposes free feminine products in high schools

The General Assembly is considering legislation to ensure young women have access to feminine hygiene products at school.

House Bill 2207, also known as the Menstrual Hygiene Products Accessibility Act, would provide the products for free to students in public and charter high schools statewide.

For young ladies that do not have access, they may stay home from school and increase absenteeism rates, said bill sponsor State Rep. Elaine Davis, R-Knoxville. My goal is to bring dignity for these young ladies, and keep them healthy and in the classroom.

Tennessee taxes menstrual products as non-essential luxury goods, which means that public assistance programs such as TANF and WIC do not cover the cost of these necessary products.

The bill would allocate 20 percent of the tax revenue from the items sold in Tennessee to a special account that would be distributed to eligible schools. The menstrual hygiene products would then be placed in womens restrooms, locker rooms and the nurses office. House Bill 2207 has been placed behind the budget to be considered for funding at a later date.

House celebrates Down Syndrome Awareness Day

The House of Representatives commemorated Down Syndrome Awareness Day in Tennessee on Thursday, March 21. Lawmakers were also joined by members from the Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee who performed the song True Colors.

House Joint Resolution 968, sponsored by State Rep. Sam Whitson, R-Franklin, honors and commends the many achievements and valuable contributions from individuals with Down syndrome. It also highlights the need for further education, awareness and support for these individuals to ensure they have the dignity, success and inclusion they deserve. Down syndrome is a naturally occurring, lifelong genetic condition that occurs in one out of every 800 births worldwide.

Towing bill provides protections for drivers against booting

Legislation that streamlines Tennessees towing laws and provide protections for drivers against car booting advanced out of the Commerce Committee this week.

House Bill 1731, also known as the Modernization of Towing, Immobilization and Oversight Normalization (MOTION) Act, restricts commercial parking lot owners from unnecessarily booting vehicles. It also caps removal fees at $75 and offers drivers other guarantees against unfair booting and towing.

With regard to towing, weve had more than just a few bad apples in this sector, said bill sponsor State Rep. Jake McCalmon, R-Franklin. Were essentially prohibiting booting except on commercial parking lots with employees there being the only ones able to put boots on those vehicles.

The MOTION Act prohibits commercial parking lot owners from booting vehicles if the vehicle is not abandoned, immobile or unattended. It also prohibits lot owners from the use automatic license plate readers as an enforcement mechanism and from charging penalties for non-payment of parking fees if certain conditions have been met.

The legislation also includes several other consumer protections such as preventing a vehicle in most cases from being towed without authorization from the owner until 12 hours after first being identified as abandoned, immobile or unattended. Additionally, it would ensure tow operators release a vehicle if the driver pays a release fee before the car in question leaves the lot.

House Bill 1731 will now go to the Government Operations Committee for additional consideration.

Bill establishing stronger penalties for threats of mass violence advances

A bill currently advancing through the House would establish stronger penalties for those who threaten mass violence in Tennessee.

As amended, House Bill 2538 would make it a Class E felony to knowingly, through any means of communication, threaten to commit an act of mass violence. The punishment would increase to a Class D felony if the threat was made against a school, house of worship, or government facility. It could also be enhanced to a Class D if the defendant had a prior conviction for threatening mass violence, or they had taken a substantial step towards carrying out the crime.

There arent a lot of great tools for a (district attorney) if someone calls and makes a credible, knowing threat of violence against a location, said bill sponsor Assistant House Majority Leader Mark Cochran, R-Englewood. Its either a misdemeanor charge or you can be charged with an act of terrorism so this gives them another type of charge to go after in that type of situation.

The bill requires, as a condition of bail or other pretrial release, a court to order a defendant charged with threatening to commit an act of mass violence to undergo a mental health assessment to determine if emergency involuntary admission to a treatment facility is needed. It also authorizes a court to order a defendant to undergo a mental health evaluation to determine whether the defendant is competent to stand trial or the defendants mental capacity.

House Bill 2538 is expected to be considered in the Finance Ways and Means Subcommittee on March 27.

Republican legislation protects against animal fighting, cruelty

The House this week advanced multiple bills relating to animal cruelty crimes in Tennessee.

House Bill 1875, sponsored by State Rep. John Crawford, R-Kingsport, would add animal fighting to Tennessees Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act of 1989.

Any time that theres dog fighting going on, its been proven that there [have been] people involved in organized crime, sexual traffickers, drug dealers just all these different things go along with that, Crawford said. This will allow law enforcement and our judges to be able to proceed in having better cases against them.

A separate piece of legislation, House Bill 2691, would require local law enforcement agencies to be notified before a person entered into an area to investigate suspected animal cruelty. Justification for the entry would also be required.

The bill, sponsored by State Rep. Clay Doggett, R-Pulaski, would also ensure state or local employees had probable cause prior to entering private property or an animal facility. Law enforcement would also have to be notified prior to an arrest being made for alleged cruelty to non-livestock animals. Both bills are scheduled to be heard in the Criminal Justice Committee on March 26.

Briefly

Child safety: The House chamber this week passed legislation to increase the punishment for putting young children in danger. House Bill 1817, sponsored by State Rep. Mary Littleton, R-Dickson, would increase the punishment for negligently placing a child 8 years of age or younger in imminent danger of injury or death to a Class B felony. The crime is currently a Class D felony. The legislation seeks to prevent young children from being exposed to illegal and potentially deadly drugs like fentanyl. The companion version of the legislation is still advancing in the Senate. If approved, the new law would take effect July 1.

Domestic abuse victims: Legislation to increase protections for domestic abuse victims in Tennessee was unanimously approved by the House chamber this week. House Bill 2168, sponsored by State Rep. Mary Littleton, R-Dickson, would require an order of protection related to allegations of domestic abuse to remain in effect during an appeal unless it expires. The companion version of the legislation is still advancing through the Senate.

Substance-abuse treatment: The House chamber this week passed House Bill 2363, sponsored by State Rep. Michele Carringer, R-Knoxville, which would require anyone convicted of vehicular homicide or aggravated vehicular homicide due to intoxication to attend substance-abuse treatment if released on parole. The individual must also not possess or consume alcohol or a controlled substance without a valid prescription during that time. Failure to do so would result in a parole violation. The requirement would only apply to individuals convicted of the crimes prior to July 1, 2022. Anyone convicted of vehicular homicide or aggravated vehicular homicide due to intoxication after that time must serve 100 percent of their sentence before being released. The companion version of the legislation is still advancing through the Senate.

Debanking: The House on Monday approved legislation to protect Tennesseans from discrimination by financial institutions for their personal beliefs. House Bill 2100, sponsored by State Rep. Jason Zachary, R-Knoxville, would prohibit financial institutions and insurers from discriminating, denying or canceling services to Tennesseans based on political opinions, religious beliefs, social credit scores and other factors. The practice is commonly referred to as debanking. The companion version of the bill is still advancing in the Senate. If approved, House Bill 2100 would take effect July 1.

Juvenile offenders: The House Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee on Tuesday advanced legislation requiring a child admitted to a juvenile detention facility to be allowed at least one phone call per day before being adjudicated. House Bill 2665, sponsored by State Rep. William Slater, R-Gallatin, would also require an alleged juvenile offender to receive one half hour in-person visit per day with a parent or guardian. The legislation will now head to the Civil Justice Committee for further consideration.

Ocoee River: House Bill 1946, sponsored by State Rep. Dan Howell, R-Cleveland, would allow for additional days of water releases on the Ocoee River for whitewater rafting. The legislation also designates a portion of the Ocoee as an Olympic River because of its role in the 1996 Summer Olympics. House Bill 1946 is scheduled to be heard in the Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee on March 27.
March Madness means a change in CBS's Friday night schedule. 'Blue Bloods,' 'S.W.A.T.' and 'Fire Country' are on break until April 5.

Family dinner is canceled this week. Blue Bloods is taking a break on March 22. Find out why the show isnt airing a new episode and when it returns to CBS.

Blue Bloods returns with new episodes April 5

Tom Selleck as Frank Reagan in Blue Bloods | Peter Kramer/CBS 2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Blue Bloods normally airs on Friday nights on CBS. But due to NCAA March Madness, a new episode of the Tom Selleck cop drama wont air on March 22.

Instead, CBS will air the Duke vs. Vermont game at 7:10 p.m. ET, followed by Wisconsin vs. James Madison at 9:40 p.m. ET.

Blue Bloods is also off on March 29 as the NCAA tournament continues. The show returns with a new episode on Friday, April 5 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Episodes also stream on Paramount+. CBS has not yet revealed details about the upcoming episode of Blue Bloods.

The final, two-part season of Blue Bloods is currently airing on CBS. In November 2023, the network announced the show would be ending after season 14. However, there have been hints that the show might be un-canceled.

During a recent appearance on Andy Cohen Live, series star Donnie Wahlberg said season 14 was potentially the last for Blue Bloods.

There are rumblings, so well see what happens, Wahlberg said (via People).

Fire Country and S.W.A.T. are also on a break

Jules Latimer as Eve Edwards in Fire Country | Sergei Bachlakov/CBS 2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Blue Bloods isnt the only CBS Friday night show taking a break for March Madness. S.W.A.T. and Fire Country are also on pause for the next two weeks.

S.W.A.T. returns on April 5. In Last Call, Hondo and the team launch a citywide manhunt for the robbery crew responsible for the shocking shooting of a member of 20-Squad. Meanwhile, Deacons plans for his future hit a snag, and Powell and Alfaro clash over a tricky issue.

Fire Country is also back on April 5. In This Storm Will Pass, the station 42 crew must protect Edgewater and take cover when an extremely rare and dangerous fire tornado leaves lives in peril.

The schedule for CBSs Thursday night shows has also changed for March Madness. Young Sheldon, Ghosts, and Elsbeth wont air new episodes on March 22 and 29. All three shows return on April 4. So Help Me Todd is back with new episodes on April 11.

The NCAA tournament doesnt affect shows that air on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays on CBS. Fans can expect new episodes of The Neighborhood, Bob Hearts Abishola, NCIS, and NCIS: Hawaii on March 25; FBI, FBI: International, and FBI: Most Wanted on March 26; and Survivor and The Amazing Race on March 27.

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BASF has broken ground on a methyl glycols (MG) plant at its Verbund site in Zhanjiang, China. The new facility is designed with an annual capacity of 46,000 metric tons and aims to meet the rapidly growing demand for brake fluids in the region. The plant is scheduled to commence operations by the end of 2025.

The new facility will be the only fully backward integrated methyl glycols plant into a steam cracker in China, serving the fast-growing brake fluids market, said Bir Darbar Mehta, Senior Vice President, Petrochemicals Asia Pacific, BASF. Utilizing BASF's unique process technology, the plant will deliver reliable, competitive and high-quality products to cater to the needs of our downstream business and customers.

As a strong player in the automotive fluids industry, BASF built a reputation for delivering high-performance products and exceptional services to our valued partners in the brake fluid industry, said Matthias Lang, Vice President, Business Management Fuel & Lubricant Solutions Asia Pacific and Performance Chemicals Greater China, BASF. The capacity expansion demonstrates our commitment to the emerging Asian automotive industry, especially in China, where the demand for high-quality products is continuously increasing.
With groundbreaking developments in the field of chemical sensor technology, the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS is setting new standards in the assessment of water quality for humans and the environment. In addition to key parameters such as conductivity and pH, nutrients such as nitrate, phosphate and potassium will also play an important role as key ions in the future. Their evaluation is particularly important in environmental analysis, agriculture and water management.

In the Chemical Sensors and Systems business unit, the Fraunhofer IPMS research team has been working intensively on the development of state-of-the-art ion-sensitive field-effect transistors (ISFET) and capacitive conductivity sensors that can be seamlessly integrated into environmental measurement systems. Innovative control electronics have now been developed for the successful and efficient use of the sensors, enabling extremely flexible and energy-efficient use of these sensors.

The outstanding properties of the pH sensors from Fraunhofer IPMS are particularly noteworthy, as Dr. Olaf Hild, Head of the Chemical Sensor Technology Business Unit at the institute, reports: "The low drift of less than 20 V/h, the wide addressable pH range from pH 1 to pH 13 as well as the extremely small hysteresis and low light sensitivity make our pH sensors unique. Added to this is their impressive mechanical stability." In addition, the conductivity sensors with a measuring range from 10 S/cm to 100 mS/cm offer versatile application possibilities for environmental analysis. The sensors can also be adapted to customer-specific requirements, both sensory and electrical.

These pioneering technologies from Fraunhofer IPMS help to significantly increase the efficiency and precision of environmental analysis and open up new possibilities for individual applications in various industries.

The developed electronics, together with the ISFETs and the conductivity sensors, will be presented at the "analytica" trade fair from April 9 to 12 in Munich. Interested users will have the opportunity to examine the performance and discuss specific requirements for their individual purposes at the Fraunhofer IPMS stand A3.407.

Physical principles of the ISFET from Fraunhofer IPMS The capacitive conductivity sensor developed by Fraunhofer IPMS uses a metallic 4-electrode arrangement coated with a chemically and mechanically robust metal oxide. This design ensures that the measuring medium only contacts the oxide and not the electrode metal, preventing the release or contamination of metal ions during measurement. The sensors have a cell constant of 0.8 to 1.1 cm-1 and can be used at a measuring frequency in the range of 100 Hz to 1 MHz.

The novel ISFET from Fraunhofer IPMS is based on metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) field-effect transistor technology, whereby the sensor area in contact with the medium consists of an amphoteric metal oxide layer. This pH-sensitive layer reversibly adsorbs hydronium or hydroxide ions from the measuring medium based on the pH value. The voltage (V GS ) measured between the source electrode and the gate or reference electrode (Ag/AgCl in 3M KCl) is then used as the measurement signal.
Houston may be home to thousands of restaurants, but when it comes to Easter brunch, planning ahead is still essential.

The good news is, the best restaurants in the city offer plenty of variety  steakhouses, Mexican, Chinese and barbecue are just a few of the options. To make the planning a little bit easier, the Chronicles food team has done a bit of homework to find out what restaurants are offering. Easter is Sunday, March 31.

Following, weve listed in alphabetical order the brunch specials to check out this year. Some of the Easter celebrations are traditional and others feature seasonal ingredients (hello, crawfish?!?). Be sure to book ASAP.

Amrina

Egg curry with crispy potato spaghetti at Amrina Amrina

The dishes at one of the top Indian restaurants in the Houston area look like works of art. But when it comes to Easter, this destination in The Woodlands takes a more down-home route  with a twist. Between noon-8 p.m. Sunday, specials include chicken and waffles dressed with masala jaggery maple syrup; spiced prime rib; egg curry served with crispy potato spaghetti; and an egg Benedict topped with pulled lamb leg blanketed in makhani hollandaise. 3 Waterway, #100, The Woodlands, amrina.social

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Andiron

Interior details of the dining room at Andiron, a new upscale steakhouse from Sambrooks Management Company opening April 19 at 3201 Allen Parkway. Julie Soefer

The usual lunch dishes of prime rib, including a sandwich version, as well as burgers are available at this glitzy steakhouse. But between 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Easter, a few specials are worth considering: deviled eggs topped with Kaluga Amber caviar; white asparagus with crawfish in a tomato broth; or for more adventurous types, a rack of antelope garnished with pickled blueberries and spring vegetables. 3201 Allen Parkway; andironhtx.com

Artisans

This Galleria-area French favorite recently reopened after some decor upgrades, but it is remained focused on serving Gallic fare thats refined yet comforting. A five-course meal ($99 per person) is available all day from 11 a.m.-9 p.m., with favorites such as savory crepes, filet mignon and beignets. 5745 Westheimer, artisansrestaurant.com

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Augustines

Easter brunch at Augustine Michael Anthony

Chef Dominick Lees highly anticipated Augustines isnt slated to open until later this year, but customers can get a sneak peek of things to come during an Easter pop-up. A New Orleans-inspired three-course menu includes classics like a Creole tomato salad, shrimp and grits, and pain perdu. The brunch will also feature a live gospel choir. Tickets are $85 per person. 2615 Riverside, eventbrite.com

Backstreet Cafe

Relax to the sound of live jazz at leafy Backstreet Cafe, which is offering a three-course brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Easter Sunday. Start with a soup or salad before opting into your choice of braised lamb shank, beef tenderloin and eggs, striped bass, broccoli white cheddar quiche, scallops or orecchiette. To finish, carrot cake or chocolate bread pudding. It costs $56 per person and $16 per child. 1103 S. Shepherd; backstreetcafe.net

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Cocody

Scrambled eggs with truffles at Cocody Mickael Zibi/Start Concepts

This new River Oaks restaurant may be one of the most opulent openings yet this year, with its shimmering crystal chandeliers and Art Deco touches, but Cocody isnt just an Instagrammable moment. Chefs Lionel Debon and David Denis are cooking up a three-course prix-fixe ($95) in addition to their usual brunch menu. Think pan-seared scallop swaddled in an English pea veloute and Colorado double lamb chops paired with glazed candied beets. A plate of house-made chocolate eggs rounds out the meal. 1971 W. Gray, cocodyrestaurant.com

HOUSTON EATS: The Chronicles top 100 restaurants

Eugenes

The Easter bunny is coming to the Montrose neighborhood Cajun spot from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. And theres fun for parents, too, with $21 bottles of prosecco to pair with complimentary orange juice until 3 p.m. Eugenes brunch menu consists of classics such as boudin balls, shrimp and grits, and of course, French toast. Reservations are recommended. 1985 Welch; eugeneshouston.com

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Hamsa

Lamb lahmajun at Hamsa Kirsten Gilliam

Diners cant go wrong with the traditional Mediterranean dishes at this Rice Village hot spot, but from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, brunch also includes plates of lamb hummus, shakshuka, lamb chops and more. The restaurants neighboring Badolina Bakery will drum up dessert specials, as well. 5555 Morningside, hamsahtx.com

Goode Company

Easter brunch spread from Goode Company Jody Horton

Goode Company offers a range of experiences, from Tex-Mex to barbecue, at its family of restaurants throughout the Houston area. For Easter, however, customers dont have to dress in their Sunday best to dig into specials like a honey-glazed pit-smoked ham and desserts such as a strawberry tequila cobbler. A meal kit feeding six to eight people goes for $195 and must be ordered ahead of time. goodeeaster.com

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Lobster Benedict at PostScript Jenn Duncan A brunch spread from Liberty Kitchen. Audrey West/Liberty Kitchen Italian dishes served at Tavola, a restaurant from Berg Hospitality and the Bastion Collection. Brian Kennedy

Kriti Kitchen

While Kriti Kitchen is closed on Sundays, a flavorful take-away Easter menu is available for pickup or delivery on Saturday. The Greek kitchen offers lamb giouvetsi, moussaka, avgolemono soup and lamb shank. And dont forget desserts like the ekmek kataifi, a saffron custard with whipped cream, for a sweet note. Pickup and delivery orders must be made by Saturday. 4010 Bissonnet; kritikitchen.com

La Griglia

The more sleek and modern version of La Griglia in Montrose is sure to be busy on Easter Sunday. Its opening for brunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m. with a menu including lobster and eggs Benedict, lemon zeppole and baked tagliatelle. It also has three caviars to choose from ($75 to $225), or for just a taste, get a caviar "bump" served tableside with a shot of frozen Grey Goose vodka. 2817 W. Dallas; lagrigliarestaurant.com

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Liberty Kitchen Oysterette

If Gulf Coast seafood is what youre seeking on Sunday, try Liberty Kitchen Oysterette. The restaurant is starting brunch earlier than usual for Easter at 9:30 a.m. Find seafood favorites from the raw bar or peruse its breakfast specialties, which include chicken-fried rib-eye and eggs or red velvet waffles and fried chicken strips. Other mains on the menu include a lobster roll, lobster stuffed shells and a truffle cheeseburger. We have our eye on the squash blossom frittata with zucchini, asparagus and feta crumbles. 4224 San Felipe and 963 Bunker Hill; libertykitchenoysterette.com

Navy Blue

Among the shops and restaurants in Rice Village, Navy Blue is a standout option for brunch. Starters from oysters to gumbo are worth exploring. Easter entree specials include a rack of lamb and gravlax dish. Other seafood items on the brunch menu include crab Benedict, crawfish risotto and a grouper sandwich. 2445 Times Blvd.; navybluerestaurant.com

MORE FOOD NEWS: Top 22 anticipated restaurants opening this year, from Bar Bludorn to Phat Eatery

State of Grace

Cinnamon rolls at State of Grace State of Grace

This River Oaks favorite puts the spotlight on Gulf Coast cooking with Latin, Asian and even German flavors. For this years holiday brunch, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., expect comfort food such as chicken-fried chicken, cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting and crawfish Benedict. There will also be a visit from the Easter bunny. 3258 Westheimer, stateofgracehtx.com

Taste Kitchen + Bar

This downtown spot bills itself as an all-day brunch destination. For Easter brunch, which runs 11 a.m.-10 p.m., expect various riffs on chicken and waffles, pancakes with toppings including peach cobbler or pecan praline, and seafood and grits. Children will have the option to pick an Easter egg with toys and candy inside when they arrive. 420 Main; tastedowntownhtx.com\

Tavola

Live music during Easter brunch, served 11 a.m.-3 p.m., is just the starting point at this upscale steakhouse. Theres pricey caviar service, braised lamb shanks and plenty of Negronis to go around. An Easter bunny appearance is also slated for brunch. 1800 Post Oak Blvd.; tavolahouston.com

Urbe

Camarones al chipotle at Urbe Urbe
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. signed into law the reauthorization of the Verna D. Thompson Early Childhood Education Act on March 18 at a ceremony held at the construction site of the new Cherokee Nation Head Start Center in Nowata.
While this 24-year-old girl is from the United States, she attended college in the UK and has been living in England ever since then.

Her 25-year-old fiance Nick is from Italy, but he also came to the UK to attend college like she did.

Now, she has a 27-year-old sister named Sarah, who has spent her entire life dreaming about her wedding.

Sarah has created boards on Pinterest about her future wedding and has saved hundreds of photos to her camera roll for inspiration, too. Sarah also follows several wedding bakeries on Instagram.

Sarahs dream has always been to get married in a vineyard located in Italy. As she and Nick discussed where they should have their wedding, they were trying to decide between Tuscany (where Nicks family lives), New York, and London.

We chose Tuscany because: 1) we find it the most beautiful, 2) his family has a huge vineyard where theyre happy to host everyone, and 3) with the money wed save for venue and accommodations, we could pay for the airfare of all our guests coming from the US, she explained.

Itll be a small wedding, max 50 people (~15 from the US, 10 from the UK, so its doable). Anyway, we go about it; itll be a destination wedding for some people, so Tuscany is thus the best financially speaking.

My sister, however, is furious. She called me selfish for doing this to her since Ive never cared nearly as much about weddings, but now Im stealing her dream location. My parents were on her side [until] I told them Nick and I would be covering all our familys airfare and accommodations, and then they were placated (they worried family members wouldnt want to go to two destination weddings in Italy).

Sarah is standing firm in the opinion that shes the worst for stealing the wedding location of her dreams.

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Standing in her rice field in the rural village of Kemadang along the southern coast of Java, 53-year-old Marni Mariani pointed to the dry soil at her feet. This is the land that we will harvest in three weeks, she said. Yet due to the lack of rain this season, two of her four rice fields have already failed.

She noted that she doesnt sell the rice harvest from her plot, which measures 32 by 49 feet, but rather that the food is for her family to eat. But sometimes if there is a famine and the harvest is small, we are forced to buy [rice] from outsiders, she said. Thats what burdens us here.

Yet since 2020, Marni hasnt needed to worry about buying rice at a high price. Her 70-year-old neighbor, Mbah Gepeng Harjo, also no longer struggles to buy the expensive seeds and fertilizer he needs to cultivate the rice fields that he tends to. (Mbah means old man.)

Thats because of an innovative church-run granary program created by local pastor Kristiono Riyadi of Kemadang Javanese Christian Church that seeks to maintain community food reserves, especially during times of drought. It provides a grain savings and loan program and a produce buyback program. It also sells seeds at an affordable price.

The granaries are a local solution to tackling food insecurity in Indonesia, a widespread problem facing nearly 1 out of every 10 Indonesians and that is only increasing as the climate becomes more unpredictable. The poverty rate in the regency of Gunungkidul, where Kemadeng is located, is about 16 percent, with about 6,000 families living in extreme poverty.

The church also sees their work as an outreach to share the love of God to the community by helping with some of their most basic needs.

From the testimonies of members of the food granary who are of other faiths, they feel that the church provides care for all, not only thinking about themselves but also about others, Kristiono said.

A source of relief for a dry land

Gunungkidul Regency has a tropical climate, with a topography dominated by karst hills, an area of irregularly eroded limestone with natural caves and underground rivers. The rainy season is short, lasting only during November. The residents grow mainly rice, corn, and beans.

Difficulties related to crop failures, limited water sources, and a long dry season caused by climate change have often left farmers in the area in need of outside assistance.

As the situation became direr in Kemadeng and other villages in Gunungkiduls Yogyakarta Province, Kristiono held an agriculture workshop in early 2020 to help his congregants, most of whom are farmers. One of their top concerns was finding inexpensive and high-quality rice seeds.

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I suggested the idea to help the villagers by establishing this food granary, Kristiono said. The farmers want their rice harvest to be stored, and they want to easily get seeds at affordable prices. This granary not only fulfills their food needs throughout the year but also helps them during the long dry season.

Kristiono explained that members of the program are required to store at least 10 kilograms (22 lbs.) of unhulled rice in the granary each year and can store up to 40 kilograms (88 lbs.). They can then borrow rice from the granary for daily consumption, special celebrations, or emergency situations. If they borrow the rice for celebrations, they need to pay it back with interest.

Beyond providing storage, the program has also become a way to economically support the farming community. During harvest season, the price of grain is low, but the price rises during off seasons, usually from July to October. So the church has decided to buy the farmers harvests, including rice, beans, and soybeans, at an above-market price. The grains are stored and then available on loan to members or for purchase for the community during the dry season. Members can buy it at a discounted price.

Unduh-unduh, or harvest day, is held as an expression of gratitude to God for the harvest every year, he said. The granary program is economic development not only for the congregation but also for the surrounding community.

A community-led program

Today there are three granaries, with two in the nearby villages of Planjan and Banjarejo, and together they serve 90 farmers, including some who are not Christians. On a February morning, two farmers stopped by the warehouse to buy rice seeds, while others came with rice to store.

The initial capital for the food granary came from the Presbyterian synod of which Kemadang Javanese Christian Church is a member. The goal was to provide food security for the community, not just the congregation.

The synods general secretary, Anugerah Kristian, said the synod gave 30 million Indonesian rupiah (about $2,000 USD) to underwrite the food granary in Kemadang as an economic stimulus. We are providing the capital only as an incentive to initiate the project, Anugerah stated. The granary must involve its citizens or members.

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The granaries are financially viable, although the profits are very small, Kristiono said. Because the farmers return the crops to the warehouse, sometimes at an interest, Kristiono can sell the extra grain and use the small profit to buy other crops. The challenge, however, is if the harvest fails and farmers ask for an extension on the deadlines to repay the granary.

Anugerah emphasized that community participation is what makes the granaries a success. Members of the congregation, community, and village government thought about their condition and the difficulties they experienced, he noted. The idea for the granary emerged locally and was carried out according to their situation, with the synods support.

Marni, who has been a granary member since it opened and is also a member of Kemadang Church, said it has provided crucial economic assistance. Water is difficult to obtain here, and sometimes the harvest is small, so we have to be economical in using the harvested rice, she said. If we lack seeds, then we have to buy from middlemen at a fairly high price. This is quite burdensome. But since the rice granary was established, we have been greatly helped.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the local government bought rice from the granary to distribute to the community.

Waldiyanto Harjo, a village official, expressed appreciation for the granary. When this activity was launched, many villagers attended the event because the village head and other officials came, he said. It continues to function even though the village has not provided additional capital.

Kristiono sees the granary as a way for the church to live out the gospel. For me, this is a form of church care, as Gods Word says in Mark 12:31 to love your neighbor as yourself, he said. This is the real form of love. We are here realizing that with these granaries.
The 114-year-old, neoclassical home at 109 Stratford in Montrose will become The Marlene, a bed & breakfast. Claire Sjoberg Lily Barfield of Lily's Vintage Finds will open The Marlene, a bed & breakfast, in historic Montrose Avondale District. Claire Sjoberg

The 114-year-old, neoclassical home at 109 Stratford in Montrose has sold. Listed in February 2023 for a cool $2.4 million, its new owner, Lily Barfield, may be a familiar name to local antiques collectors. She's the European decorative-furniture dealer behind Lily's Vintage Finds.

More than 34,000 Instagram followers trace her shopping excursions from Southern flea markets to the south of France, often with her mother, Tracie Aguillard, in tow. The two document champagne-filled buying sprees online before they ship containers of commodes, armoires and old-is-new-again glassware here.

Lily Barfield of Lily's Vintage Finds will open The Marlene, a bed & breakfast, in historic Montrose Avondale District. Claire Sjoberg

Come next year, Barfield's fan base and Houston visitors will be able to sleep among her treasures. She's turning 109 Stratford into a bed-and breakfast called The Marlene Inn.

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"It's my late grandmother's name and my middle name. The thing we kept coming back to was that it's got these big, spacious porches that remind me of Nanny Marlene," Barfield said. "She had this little farm in Louisiana, and we'd spend days on those porches, talking and doing absolutely nothing in the best way."

She hopes that future guests will do the same once her inn opens in February 2025. The gated, 18,000-square-foot property combines three lots and is one of 19 homes in Avondale East historic district, a subdivision of Montrose. The three-story primary structure is 6,288 square feet; an additional guest room above the three-car garage adds another 900 square feet.

"It's going to be nine bedrooms, and each one is going to be totally different. One of the suites has access to the second-story porch, so if you rent that room, the porch is yours for the weekend," she said. "It's also got these sun-drenched living areas, original fixtures, and the architecture of the building is absolutely gorgeous."

Most of the construction work she has planned will be connecting bathrooms, so that each bedroom has its own en suite. The facade will remain as is; and renovations are not changing the structure, or integrity, of the building. Other details, like The Marlene Inn's dining options, are still up in the air.

She and her husband, Thomas Barfield, spent years looking for the right property. She says she's always wanted to open a hospitality project, and the second they walked in the door, they knew this was it.

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Lily and Thomas Barfield Claire Sjoberg

Growing up in Louisiana, Barfield attended endless estate states with her mom. That's how she learned to home in on incredible pieces.

"She's just a collector; she loves beautiful things. We would stop on the side of the road to buy trinkets or art," Barfield said of Aguillard. "Later, I started in consignment stores and thrift stores here in Houston. There's no place I won't go to hunt for treasure."

After graduating from Louisiana State University and relocating to Texas with her husband, she worked for local artist Reagan Corbett before accepting a job with a Houston antiques and home decor store. From Corbett, Barfield saw how instrumental social media could be for building a brand. She started Lily's Vintage Finds in 2022 and began gaining a sizable following.

Her audience responded to Aguillard and Barfield's mother-daughter antics on sourcing trips abroad. Then came pop-up concepts, where the duo would unload their bounty of European vintage and antique home goods at Lott Hall in Hermann Park.

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The Marlene Inn is part dream, part expansion of the Lily's Vintage Finds empire.
Home News Candace Owens parts ways with Daily Wire amid criticism: 'I am finally free'

Conservative political commentator Candace Owens parted ways with The Daily Wire and solicited her followers for donations Friday, promising more news in the coming weeks.

"Daily Wire and Candace Owens have ended their relationship," Daily Wire CEO Jeremy Boreing tweeted Friday morning.

"The rumors are true  I am finally free," Owens tweeted shortly before, urging followers to go to her website and donate. "There will be many announcements in the weeks to come."

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The rumors are true I am finally free.



If you would like to support my work, you can head to https://t.co/fOcTKYQDFk where you will be directed to my locals page.



Or, you can give a gift at https://t.co/SB1L1WZYwW



There will be many announcements in the weeks to come. ??????????  Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) March 22, 2024

Neither gave a reason for her departure, which comes in the wake of mounting criticism against her for comments she has made about Israel, which led to a public feud with Daily Wire Editor Emeritus Ben Shapiro last fall.

In November, Owens appeared to criticize Israel's response to the Oct. 7 terrorist attack by Hamas when she tweeted, "No government anywhere has a right to commit a genocide, ever. There is no justification for a genocide. I can't believe this even needs to be said or is even considered the least bit controversial to state."

In a video that went viral on X, Shapiro criticized Owens as "absolutely disgraceful" for her rhetoric on the Israel-Hamas war, saying, "her faux sophistication on these particular issues has been ridiculous." However, he did not say specifically what he found objectionable.

Owens subsequently posted a portion of the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus promised blessing for peacemakers and those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness. Shapiro responded by urging her to quit, which prompted her to hit back.

"Candace, if you feel that taking money from The Daily Wire somehow comes between you and God, by all means quit," Shapiro wrote.

"You have been acting unprofessional and emotionally unhinged for weeks now," Owens replied. "And we have all had to sit back and allow it and have all tried to exercise exceeding understanding for your raw emotion. But you cross a certain line when you come for scripture and read yourself into it. I will not tolerate it."

During an interview with Tucker Carlson amid the spat, Owens dismissed Shapiro's criticism as "just ad-hominem attacks."

"I can't respond to it on a level of intellect, because there's nothing that he has expressed  at least in that short clip  that he fundamentally disagrees with in terms of what I have said, but I will say that I'm not going to respond with the same ad hominem attacks," she said. "I don't think it helps further the discussion."

"If that was me that was caught on a video saying that about colleagues that I work with, I would be embarrassed," she said, noting she "would never, at a private event, stand on a table and talk badly about Ben."

Earlier this week, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) accused Owens of "vitriolic antisemitism." She also "liked" a tweet suggesting that Jews are "drunk on Christian blood," according to Mediaite.

"My crime is having stood up for myself against your network of smears," Owens posted in response ADL's criticism.

Owens also took flak last week for asserting that French President Emmanuel Macron's wife Brigitte is biologically male.

"After looking into this, I would stake my entire professional reputation on the fact that Brigitte Macron is in fact a man," she wrote.
Home News Idaho Gov. Brad Little signs bill protecting parental rights in medical decisions

The governor of Idaho has signed a bill into law that will prohibit the provision of healthcare services to minors without parental consent as concerns about the usurpation of parental rights persist in the United States.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little, a Republican, signed Senate Bill 1329 into law on Thursday. The measure, approved by the Republican-controlled Idaho Senate in a 27-7 party-line vote on Feb. 27 and passed by the Republican-controlled Idaho House of Representatives in a 59-11 party-line vote on March 13, seeks to ensure parental rights in medical decision-making.

Specifically, the legislation declares that parents have the fundamental right and duty to make decisions concerning the furnishing of health care services to the minor child and states that an individual shall not furnish a health care service or solicit to furnish a health care service to a minor child without obtaining the prior consent of the minor childs parent. It also prohibits healthcare providers or government entities from denying a minor childs parent access to health information.

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The measure defines health information as information or data, collected or recorded in any form or medium, and personal facts of information about events or relationships that relates to the past, present, or future physical, mental, or behavioral health or condition of an individual or member of the individuals family.

Additionally, the bill gives parents who feel that a health care professional or a government entity acted in violation of Senate Bill 1329 a private right of action against the violator and seek declaratory relief, injunctive relief, compensatory damages, reasonable attorneys fees, and any other relief available under law.

Matt Sharp, an attorney with the conservative law firm Alliance Defending Freedom, praised the bill's enactment in a statement published Thursday. Parents know and love their child best, he said. And they have the right and responsibility to direct the care and upbringing of their childrenincluding making decisions regarding their childs health care.

As we continue to see instances nationwide of government officials actively seeking to replace parents as the ultimate determiners of whats best for children, we commend Idaho for safeguarding the vital role of parents to guide the medical care of their children, he added. Now and always, a loving parent will always be the best advocate to ensure their child gets the care needed.

The passage of Senate Bill 1329 comes as the topic of parental rights has gained prominence as a potent political issue nationwide. In recent years, parents have sued school districts after discovering that school officials have concealed the fact that their children identified as members of the opposite sex from them.

In Leon County, Florida, parents January and Jeffrey Littlejohn filed a lawsuit against several officials in the public school system in 2021 after learning that school officials referred to their middle school-aged daughter by a boys name at school while always using her birth name and correct pronouns in official communications with the parents.

In a previous interview with The Christian Post, Littlejohn accused the school district of working to drive a wedge between her and her daughter.

A policy on the books in Montgomery County Public Schools in Montgomery County, Maryland, stating that Unless the student or parent/guardian has specified otherwise, when contacting the parent/guardian of a transgender student, MCPS school staff members should use the students legal name and pronoun that correspond to the students sex assigned at birth prompted a lawsuit from anonymous parents.

A federal judge appointed to the bench by former President Barack Obama dismissed the complaint in August 2022. A report from the parental rights advocacy group Parents Defending Education, originally published last year, found that more than 1,000 school districts across the U.S. have similar policies in place. As of February, 1,059 school districts encompassing 18,595 schools and educating more than 10 million students have encouraged school officials to keep a childs gender identity from parents.

Idaho is not the first state to pass a law seeking to safeguard parental rights. In 2022, Florida passed House Bill 1557, which requires schools to notify parents about changes to their childrens mental, physical and emotional health.
Home News Marjorie Taylor Greene files motion to remove Mike Johnson as House speaker

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia has filed a motion to remove House Speaker Mike Johnson from his leadership role in the House of Representatives.

Greene opted to take the action because she took issue with a bipartisan $1.2 trillion funding bill that Johnson supported to prevent a government shutdown and said he has failed to address the ongoing illegal immigration crisis at the southern border.

The spending bill, which funds the government for the current fiscal year, passed the House by a vote of 286-134, which met the two-thirds majority needed to pass with expedience.

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On Friday afternoon, Greene took to X to post a photo of the one-page House resolution, which stated that the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives is hereby declared to be vacant.

We need a Speaker of the House who will fight to secure Americas border at all cost, she tweeted on Thursday. Not one that passes a trillion dollar Democrat wish list that continues the border invasion, funds the weaponized government, and breaks our own conference rules.

Im done with this one.

In an interview with Newsmax, Greene explained that while she doesn't want to throw our House into chaos, she filed the motion because we absolutely have to find a speaker that is going to lead the House of Representatives for our Republican values.

Greene added that the bill funded abortions, diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and trans ideology, and claimed that Johnson gave up every ounce of negotiating power.

In response, Johnson spokesperson Raj Shah released a statement saying that while Johnson always listens to the concerns of members he is primarily focused on governing.

He will continue to push conservative legislation that secures our border, strengthens our national defense and demonstrates how well grow our majority, stated Shah.

Greene did not ask for her motion to be brought up for an immediate vote, however she can bring up a House-wide vote of no confidence for the speaker at any time, according to current rules, reported Yahoo News.

Johnson became speaker of the House last October after three weeks of debate, replacing Republican Kevin McCarthy of California, after he was removed via a motion to remove him.

In a statement released at the time, Johnson, who had served in Congress since 2017, said it was the honor of a lifetime to have been elected the 56th Speaker of the House.

As Speaker, I will ensure the House delivers results and inspires change for the American people. We will restore trust in this body, Johnson said last year.

We will advance a comprehensive conservative policy agenda, combat the harmful policies of the Biden Administration, and support our allies abroad. And we will restore sanity to a government desperately in need of it. Lets get back to work.
Home News Serial bigamist who posed as pastor had at least 10 wives he met in black churches

A man accused of serial bigamy in Houston, Texas, who posed as a pastor or bishop at small black churches around the country, was sentenced to three years in prison after he was found to have had at least 10 wives whom he married for financial gain.

Vanessa Goussen, an assistant district attorney in Harris County, Texas, who prosecuted 51-year-old Orlando Coleman, told The New York Times that investigators believe his first marriage was in 2001 and he traveled to states including Delaware, Texas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Iowa, North Carolina, Virginia and others to find his victims.

In an interview with KPRC 2 in December 2021, one of Colemans victims who asked not to be identified, said even though they never consummated their marriage, their relationship blossomed quickly. She said they got married within a month because she thought he was a real man of God.

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I just thought he was a real man of God, thats how he portrayed himself, she told KPRC 2.

The marriage, however, did not last.

He always wanted me to buy him stuff, but I had bills, the woman said, noting that he also was not interested in sex with her.

We slept in separate rooms, she explained.

Goussen told The New York Times that after Coleman falsely introduced himself as a Protestant pastor or bishop to the women he targeted, he would then propose marriage to support his claim to be a member of the clergy.

Once the woman accepted his proposal, he would move in while the woman would be stuck paying for his housing, food and bills.

Thats the only thing he had to offer and to validate his word  the proposal to marry  that was something big, Goussen said. Getting proposed to was a big gesture for these women, and that corroborated his guise that hes a godly person.

When Coleman left the women, some of them would file for divorce while others did not.

The fake pastors scheme began falling apart in 2021 when he married two women five months apart. After he left a woman he married in Virginia in 2021, he married another in Houston. According to court documents, Colemans wife in Houston discovered he was receiving money from the woman in Virginia and contacted her.

When she discovered they were both married to the same man, she contacted the Harris County Sheriffs Office and they investigated and filed bigamy charges against Coleman.

In July 2023, Coleman pleaded guilty to bigamy which is a felony in Texas. He was sentenced to three years probation and the chance to have his record cleared. Two months after that, however, he was back to his con. He married a woman in Kentucky while still married to the woman in Virginia.

Prosecutors subsequently filed a motion to revoke Colemans probation and a judge agreed to impose the three-year sentence on March 11.

An analysis of Census Bureau data published last summer shows that black Americans were least likely to have ever married by the time they are 40.

Some 46% of black 40-year-olds reported that they had never been married, compared to 27% for Hispanics, 20% for white Americans and 17% for Asians.

While all unmarried women face the challenge of finding suitable marriage partners, one 2019 study, Mismatches in the Marriage Market, highlighted that this challenge is particularly acute for minority women and black women especially. Unmarried Women from both low socioeconomic backgrounds as well as those with high socioeconomic status also have an especially hard time finding suitable partners.

High rates of incarceration and substantial out-marriage to white women, especially among black men, have also left many minority women without marital partners, the study says.

Among Christian women and those of other faiths where women are expected to marry in order to pursue intimate relationships, one of the studys authors, Joseph P. Price of Brigham Young University, said there might have to be a cultural shift from hypergamy  where women tend to marry up  to one of hypogamy  where they marry below their standards.

Hypergamy is this pattern we observe in data in which women tend to marry men with a higher level of education. And given that women now constitute about 60 percent of the college degrees, what youll probably start to see in faith communities is an erosion of the hypergamy norm, in which case women are OK marrying a husband who has less education than her, Price said. Thats one solution to the problem within a faith community.
Home Opinion Why are (young) women so woke?

Commenting on a Finland-based study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, Oskari Lahtinen, the author of the study, said, The gender divide was probably most surprising to me. Three out of five women view woke ideas positively, but only one out of seven men. This reflects a similar phenomenon observed in other countries, and, in America, particularly in the younger generation.

But why?

While trying to downplay the significance of all this, Rose Horowitch began her March 12, 2024, article in The Atlantic with this ominous-sounding summary:

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Judging by recent headlines, young men and women are more politically divided now than ever before. A new global gender divide is emerging, the Financial Times data journalist John Burn-Murdoch wrote in a widely cited January article. Burn-Murdochs analysis featured several eye-popping graphs that appeared to show a huge ideological rift opening up between young men and young women over the past decade. The implications  for politics, of course, but also for male-female relations and, by extension, the future of the species  were alarming. A New York Times opinion podcast convened to discuss, according to the episode title, The Gender Split and the Looming Apocalypse of the Developed World. The Washington Post editorial board warned, If attitudes dont shift, a political dating mismatch will threaten marriage.

Horowitch downplayed the data because The much-theorized political rift has yet to show up in actual voting behavior. But the rift itself cannot be denied, and the Finland study provides further documentation. The question, again, is why?

While discussing this on the way to the airport with my assistant Brandon, who is very well-read and quite astute, he suggested, Could this explain why 'Barbie' was such a massive success in contrast with the recent, very woke, male-oriented superhero movie series which have bombed? The former appeal to young women; the latter to young men. And young women lean much farther to the left; young men much farther to the right. On the surface of things, without doing a deep demographic dive into the viewers of these movies, this makes perfect sense.

Discussing the striking gender divide in the Finland study, Hannah Sparks noted in the New York Post, This was especially true of women in fields such as social sciences, education, and humanities. By contrast, participants who worked in STEM [science, technology, engineering, and mathematics] were more likely to critique social justice efforts associated with being woke.

Does this provide a further key to understanding this gender divide?

And then this: However, the most concerning finding was the relationship between mental health and agreement with the scale. Specifically, researchers found a high prevalence of anxiety and depression in people who believe the statement If white people have on average a higher income than black people, it is because of racism. More broadly, they found that those who identified as left-wing were most likely to report lower mental well-being.

Commenting on the study, Foxs Greg Gutfeld said, The woke are more likely to be mentally ill. Wokeism is an avenue for people who are mentally unwell because it indulges in feelings of hopelessness and victimhood. It offers a low bar to grasp for meaning. Suddenly, your irrationality becomes a movement.

In my view, Gutfeld might be confusing the symptom with the cause. In other words, rather than wokeism being an avenue for people who are mentally unwell, the reality is that wokeism leads to mental unwellness.

This would correlate with the higher percentage of woke females (especially in the younger generation) who in turn struggle with higher levels of anxiety and depression.

But that still doesnt explain the gender divide. Why are more women woke?

It is interesting to note that, while more boys successfully commit suicide than girls, due to their use of more lethal force, The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) by the CDC found that in 2019, 11% of female students attempted suicide compared to 6.6% of male students (cited by AI).

Not only so, but, The suicide rate for teenage girls has been increasing faster than for teenage boys in recent years. Between 2007 and 2018, the suicide rate for females aged 10-24 increased by 70%, while the rate for males increased by 38%.

This is as concerning as it is striking.

As far as transgender identity among young people, in particular, that which is called rapid-onset gender dysphoria, where a teenager suddenly and without prior warning identifies as transgender, Elizabeth Boskey posted this data on the VeryWellHealth site:

2023: Rapid-onset gender dysphoria is four times more common among those assigned female [sic] at birth than male (82.8%).

The average age for coming out as trans to parents was 15.2 years.

Almost two-thirds (62.5%) had a prior mental health disorder or neurodevelopment disability diagnosis.

This, too, is as striking as it is concerning.

How, then, do we put all this together?

It is generally understood that girls mature more rapidly than boys. On the flip side, girls tend to be more touchy-feely than boys, and emotional responses are often considered more acceptable among women than men. (How many times have we been told that its OK for a man to cry? Women dont need to be told this.)

To the extent that todays culture puts more emphasis on feelings rather than rational analysis, and to the extent that woke ideology is feeling-oriented more than fact-oriented, it makes sense that more women would be woke than men, especially among young people.

The same would hold true for the finding from Finland, cited above that, women in fields such as social sciences, education, and humanities are more woke than those who worked in STEM [science, technology, engineering, and mathematics].

And because woke ideology is not based on truth and it turns people inward on themselves, it is unhealthy emotionally.

Perhaps what were witnessing today relates to that old Churchill adage, Any man under 30 who is not a liberal has no heart, and any man over thirty who is not a conservative has no brains.

Today, this is also working itself out along gender lines, not in a hard and fast way but in a consistent enough way that it can be documented.

Does this explain it all?
Home Opinion World Water Day: One of Africa's biggest slums will have clean water by end of 2024

I had no idea how big the global water crisis was until my eyes were opened in 2012. I was accompanying my daughter on a mission trip to the Brazilian Amazon. As we pulled up to one home, a woman greeted me by offering a glass of water. I watched her walk over to the Amazon River, dip a glass into the river, and proceed to hand it to me.

I knew I could not drink the water but more importantly, I was heartbroken that this was the unclean, disease-ridden water this woman drank every single day. I knew I had to do something.

For most of us sitting in comfortable homes with seemingly unlimited clean water freely coming out of our faucets, it is difficult to understand what the world water crisis actually means to those experiencing it.

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Approximately 2 billion people in the world lack access to clean, safe drinking water, according to the United Nations. Drinking and washing with contaminated water are linked to the transmission of diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid, and polio. One of the leading causes of death each year, especially for children under the age of five, is diarrheal disease, which some 829,000 people are estimated to die from each year.

Yet, this is all preventable with access to clean water.

March 22 is World Water Day, a time to highlight solutions for the 2 billion still without clean water.

I often think of that dirty water the woman in Brazil handed me. It was brown and cloudy. It would have certainly made me sick if I had drunk it. It likely would not have fully quenched my thirst and even if it did, it certainly would not have tasted good. That glass of water perfectly represents my life without Jesus and is why I now do what I do.

Our nonprofit, The Bucket Ministry, is at the forefront of giving communities most in need access to clean water and Jesus. We certainly believe both are vital to healthy lives, families, and communities. The work is accomplished through a simple water filter connected to a bucket and the act of building relationships.

We have seen the power of this work unfold in more ways than one. Located in Nairobi, Kenya is Kibera, one of the largest slums in Africa where 408,478 people live with no running water, no permanent electricity, no social services, and only 78 public latrines. We have trained Kibera residents to distribute water filters to the slums residents. Because of their work, 61% of Kiberas homes now have access to clean water, and we anticipate the entire slum will be served by the end of 2024.

This life-saving access to water coupled with a message of Jesus is impacting this community. Kiberas governmental elders testify that the efforts are not only resulting in the consolidation of health clinics and healthier family members but also nicer and happier residents.

We believe this model of neighbor-serving-neighbor is the key to solving the world water crisis. More importantly, it has the power to transform communities worldwide, including those in our great nation. While most of America is not struggling with access to clean water, we can all benefit from the help of our neighbors and the love of Jesus, and I hope that is something we never forget.
Home News Boston pastors family trapped in Haiti amid violence and civil unrest

A pastor from Boston is trying to evacuate his family from Haiti as chaotic civil unrest unravels and the U.S. government has begun transporting American citizens out of the Caribbean nation.

Pastor Dieufort Fleurissaint has two sisters and about 10 nieces and nephews who have been unable to escape from Haiti amid an increase in violence that has led to thousands being displaced from their homes in recent weeks.

"No one is safe in Haiti. God is the only protection they have," he told NBC10 Boston.

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"They're afraid even just to come to the phone and speak with me. It's much better for them to send me a text or WhatsApp."

Fleurissaint, who runs a nonprofit charity that helps Haitians, told the outlet that he has tried for over a year to get his family into the United States through a government program.

Fleurissaint's story isn't unique as the aftermath of a March 8 attack unravels. On that Friday, gangs launched a coordinated, large-scale attack on government buildings in or near downtown Port-au-Prince.

A source who spoke with ABC News reports that various gangs targeted different buildings, including the Presidential Palace, the Interior Ministry and a police headquarters. This resulted in gangs and police engaging in gun battles, sending civilians fleeing the area.

The Presidential Palace hasn't been occupied since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021.

The recent uptick in violence began after armed groups conducted raids on two of the country's largest prisons, freeing thousands of inmates. Port-au-Prince is under a complete state of emergency.

"It's a very sad situation knowing that I can't do much at this point," Fleurissaint told NBC 10 Boston.

Since last July, the U.S. State Department has issued a level 4 travel advisory urging Americans not to travel to Haiti. In early March, the State Department urged Americans in Haiti to depart "as soon as possible by commercial or other privately available transportation options."

This week, the U.S. government began chartering flights for Americans out of Haiti to neighboring Dominican Republic. State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said that nearly 1,600 citizens have registered with the State Department seeking information on leaving Haiti.

"Some are interested in exploring departure options. Some just want to stay in touch with the United States of America or the embassy," he told reporters on Wednesday. "Some want expertise advice on how they may be able to remain safe, and others may not be in a place for safe departure now but may be down the line."

Amid the chaos, members of a congregation in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania called The Greater Shiloh Church, which has a house of worship in Bresilienne, Haiti, are trying to spread the Gospel and evangelize despite the spiraling turmoil.

Pastor Joe Isidore is the pastor at the church in Bresilienne. His church is located high in the mountains, far from Port-au-Prince, where the violence is predominantly happening.

Isidore told WFMZ via phone, "It is not OK anywhere in Haiti."

"Everybody is careful the way they go around the street, it's like, OK we don't know when that is going to spread around to our area," he added.

Pastor Brandon Sardik, the director of campuses for Greater Shiloh Church, agreed that Haiti is facing "an atrocity [and] tragedy is all over the place."

"He has to navigate through checkpoints where there are gang members who won't allow you to go past the checkpoint unless you pay a certain price," said Pastor Sardik, who said he communicates with Isidore every day.

Traveling is limited in Haiti and food and clothing are scarce, according to Isidore.

"Everyone, they stay home and, keep watching who's around in the community," he said.

Even with the chaos and disastrous conditions, Isidore said he would never abandon his church's mission.

"He's very optimistic," Sardik said. "He is a man of faith, so he believes that good outcomes will come out of spaces like this."
Home News Episcopal Church-affiliated university moving classes online amid financial woes

A historically African American university in North Carolina affiliated with The Episcopal Church will be moving its classes online due to financial and accreditation issues.

Saint Augustines University in Raleigh, North Carolina, is planning to move its classes online beginning on April 1, according to a report by Episcopal News Service published Wednesday.

While we strive to maintain the quality of education, it is also our utmost responsibility to ensure the safety, well-being, and dignity of the SAU community, especially our students, said interim SAU President Marcus Burgess in a statement quoted by ENS.

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Despite the move to virtual learning, some students will remain on campus for the remainder of the semester until May 4, when graduation is scheduled to take place.

SAU leadership is rejecting demands from some alumni to have its entire board of trustees resign over the financial issues that are threatening the university's accreditation.

The board remains focused on preserving SAUs accreditation and stabilizing the universitys finances under its new leadership, the board stated on Wednesday, according to ENS.

The universitys accreditation and financial stability are critical to its ability to continue as a premier HBCU in North Carolina. Our focus remains on fulfilling Saint Augustine Universitys mission and supporting students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Last December, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Board of Trustees voted to remove SAU from its list of member academic institutions, putting the university on probation while an appeal process was undertaken.

The SACSCOC explained in a document released at the time that they voted to remove SAU from membership as an accredited institution due to concerns over its financial stability.

Last month, SAU announced that it was launching the Falcon Pride Initiative Fundraising Campaign, which was aimed at helping the university preserve its official accreditation.

The Falcon Pride Initiative Fund represents our unwavering commitment to the future of Saint Augustines University, said Burgess, as quoted in the announcement.

Our goal is to raise the necessary funds to preserve our accreditation and reassert our position as a leader in higher education. We fully dedicate ourselves to maintaining our accreditation and fostering an environment of academic excellence and opportunity for our students.

Late last month, a few weeks after the fund was created, the SACSCOC upheld the decision to terminate SAUs accreditation, although the university intends to undergo an arbitration process to challenge the decision.
Home News Journalist recounts being shackled, placed in cell with meth dealer over Jan. 6 misdemeanor charges

A conservative journalist who is facing four misdemeanor charges related to the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, recounted how he was shackled and placed in a cell with a meth dealer after turning himself in to the FBI earlier this month.

"They handcuffed me, fingerprinted me, marched me up to the car, which has been seen on camera," Steve Baker, a reporter with Blaze Media, said during an interview on the Tucker Carlson Network that aired Wednesday.

"They took me to the courthouse, handed me over to the U.S. Marshals, and that's where they put the leg chains, the belt chain, chained my wrist to my stomach, and then sat me in a jail cell with a meth dealer."

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Ep. 82 Joe Biden has put hundreds of his political opponents in jail. Heres the latest, a working journalist whos exposed the fraudulence of the January 6th myth. pic.twitter.com/wukggVvY8j  Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) March 20, 2024

Baker, who was a freelance journalist when he allegedly went into the U.S. Capitol for about 37 minutes on Jan. 6, made an initial court appearance in Dallas on March 1 after surrendering to the local FBI field office, his defense attorney William Shipley told The Associated Press.

Weeks before, Baker tweeted that the Department of Justice had already informed him that he would be charged with crimes related to the Jan. 6 riot. He stands accused of charges that include trespassing and disorderly conduct, and an FBI affidavit alleges he "antagonized" police officers, according to the AP.

Baker told Carlson that he first learned of his impending prosecution in November 2021, when an assistant U.S. attorney out of Philadelphia emailed his attorney.

Baker said they heard nothing more for 20 months until he received a grand jury subpoena in August 2023 demanding the videos he took during the riot, which he provided. On Dec. 14, while he was sitting in the office of Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., he said he received a text from his attorney telling him, "I think this is the one, the big one."

"So I stepped out into the hallway there at the Rayburn Building and called my attorney," Baker said, adding that his attorney told him the FBI wanted him to self-surrender the following week in his hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina.

Baker, who was by that time working for Glenn Beck's outlet Blaze Media, noted that they issued a "media offensive" in response that garnered millions of views, after which the federal government "backed off yet again."

"Then we got another call the next day from the FBI saying that they were going to put that off until sometime after Christmas," he said. "Once again, we didn't hear from them for two months until two weeks ago."

Baker recounted that U.S. Assistant Attorney Adam Dreyer requested he show up to the field office in shorts, a T-shirt and flip-flops, which he saw as an indication that they intended to change him into an orange jumpsuit and march him before the magistrate. Following negotiations with his lawyer, he said he was allowed to show up wearing his own clothes.

Baker also noted that the agents who arrested him were silent when he asked them if his treatment was typical of those charged with misdemeanors, and added that rank-and-file members of the FBI have intimated to him their disgust with what is happening in the agency.

"I have received messages from retired whistleblowing agents all over the country, apologizing to me for the behavior of the agency they were once proud of," he said.

The journalist went on to speculate that federal law enforcement has become increasingly politicized in recent years amid a new generation of special agents who have joined since the passage of the Patriot Act and the Obama administration, which he alleged ushered in "overwhelming" politicization of the FBI from the top down.

Baker also said that one of the U.S. Marshals who processed him at the courthouse in Dallas looked at his paperwork, called his charges "bulls---," and said that former President Donald Trump should be paying the legal fees of every Jan. 6 defendant.

"I strongly agree with that," Carlson replied.

More than 1,300 people have been charged with federal crimes related to Jan. 6, including multiple journalists, though prosecutors and judges have typically dismissed the defense that their activities on that day were covered by the First Amendment.
Home News Notre Dame College students now have another option to finish degrees amid impending closure

Students attending the closing Notre Dame College in Ohio now have another option of where to continue their education next year with as little disruption as possible.

Wittenberg University in Springfield has partnered with Notre Dame College, enabling students who currently attend the Catholic college in South Euclid, a three-hour drive away, to transfer via an "expedited and seamless" process.

Notre Dame College, not to be confused with the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, announced on Feb. 29 that it will close after the conclusion of the 2023-24 school year. It cited challenges from declining enrollment and significant debt.

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In a statement on its website, Wittenberg, affiliated with the progressive Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, announced it would offer "guaranteed admission to Notre Dame students in good standing, with no application fee." Wittenberg will also accept a "100% transfer of all credits earned toward an equal or comparable degree program."

Notre Dame students who want to attend Wittenberg can fill out a transfer inquiry form to learn more about the offer.

"Wittenberg was saddened to hear the recent closure announcement of another Ohio institution, Notre Dame College," the statement reads. "Wittenberg wishes to offer its support to Notre Dame students by making the transfer process as seamless as possible as an official Teach-Out Partner."

Maribeth Stevens, Wittenberg's vice president for enrollment management, told The Springfield News-Sun that students should be able to complete their degree programs on the "same timeframe" or maybe even sooner than was possible at Notre Dame College.

"Wittenberg University extends our sympathy to all those impacted by the closure announcement of Notre Dame College," she said. "We recognize the profound sadness and uncertainty this news brings to the academic community and beyond."

Praising institutions like Notre Dame for playing "a crucial role in shaping futures, fostering innovation, and enriching society," Stevens said Wittenberg understands "the importance of continuity in students' educational journeys and [is] prepared to assist Notre Dame College students in maximizing credit transfers and securing competitive financial aid packages."

Wittenberg is not the first college to contact Notre Dame students following the school's closure announcement last month.

Nine additional colleges have established partnerships with Notre Dame College that will enable students to transfer to their institutions with as little disruption as possible to their academic course of study.

Under these agreements, Notre Dame students with 60 or more credits can attend Baldwin Wallace University, Cleveland State University, Hiram College, John Carroll University, Kent State University, Lake Erie College, Ursuline College, Walsh University and Mercyhurst University with "guaranteed admission to pursue their degrees uninterrupted" as well as "comparable net tuition and transfer of all credits."

With the exception of Mercyhurst University, which is in Pennsylvania, all the partner schools are located in Ohio.

Students with fewer than 60 credits at Notre Dame "may have the opportunity to transfer to a partner institution and receive the same benefits of the Teach-Out Program." Wittenberg has also signed a "teach-out agreement" with Notre Dame.

According to information compiled by the National Center for Education Statistics, Notre Dame had an enrollment of 1,329 undergraduate students and 115 graduate students in the fall of 2022. Wittenberg, founded in 1825, has a comparable enrollment of 1,288 undergraduate students and 45 graduate students as of fall 2023.
The house at 411 Highland is part of the 2024 Woodland Heights Home Tour. Photos courtesy of Mark Scheyer Architectural Photography, Inc. The house at 411 Highland is part of the 2024 Woodland Heights Home Tour. Photos courtesy of Mark Scheyer Architectural Photography, Inc. The house at 411 Highland is part of the 2024 Woodland Heights Home Tour. Photos courtesy of Mark Scheyer Architectural Photography, Inc. The house at 411 Highland is part of the 2024 Woodland Heights Home Tour. Photos courtesy of Mark Scheyer Architectural Photography, Inc. The house at 411 Highland is part of the 2024 Woodland Heights Home Tour. Photos courtesy of Mark Scheyer Architectural Photography, Inc. The house at 411 Highland is part of the 2024 Woodland Heights Home Tour. Photos courtesy of Mark Scheyer Architectural Photography, Inc.

Its a timeless tale that has kept Woodland Heights thriving for more than a century: Young couple falls for the charming cottages and bungalows; they find one for themselves; they start a family.

In recent decades, however, the charm soon enough collides with realities of modern expectations.

WOODLAND HEIGHTS HOME TOUR What: A biennial home tour that shows off the Woodland Heights area and raises funds for neighborhood activities When: Docent-guided tours, noon to 5:30 p.m. March 23-24 Preview: A relaxed happy hour tour with wine, 5-7:30 p.m. March 22 Where: Seven homes in the Woodland Heights neighborhood near downtown Tickets: $30 in advance ($50 for the preview) at www.whcahometour.org or at local merchants On-site pickup: Paper tickets, which will be checked outside each home, can be picked up with your receipt at the ticket booth outside Travis Elementary School, 3311 Beauchamp, during tour hours. Day-of tickets can also be purchased.

Just ask Will and Kendall Yester. The native Houstonians spent eight years in a house near Woodland Park and loved their neighborhood, which has been around since 1907. But by 2020, with two growing children, they felt they needed more space.

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Not wanting to join the U-Haul convoy to the suburbs, the couple began looking closer to their existing home. They found a three-story Victorian several blocks over and, as the old boast goes, you should see what theyve done with the place.

The public can do just that this weekend, during the 2024 Woodland Heights Home Tour. The Yesters home at 411 Highland is one of seven that will be on display Friday evening and during the day on Saturday and Sunday.

The house, built in 1910, returns to the tour following its second remodeling project of the last 20 years. This time, the new owners added a swimming pool, reconfigured the kitchen and dining areas, and made updates throughout.

The Yesters started the renovation project at the end of 2020 and moved back in the following November. The only added space was for a new dining room in a back corner, on a spot where the air-conditioning units had been. That enclosed room now looks out on the pool and yard through floor-to-ceiling windows. They added storage in the dining room and kitchen.

The couple also added a bathroom to an upstairs bedroom, using existing space. The second story now includes separate rooms for the Yesters son and daughter, ages 4 and 6, and a live-in au pair. Much of the work on that floor involved new paint.

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It was, more, making it a little younger because we have a young family, Kendall Yester, 39, says of the handsome, and handsomely appointed, home. It was more like a Victorian museum.

The third floor features a dedicated workspace at the back of the house with huge windows and a balcony that looks onto the neighborhood and begs to be used for a break from work. The wallpapered ceiling in the primary bedroom slopes dramatically in two directions; windows look out onto Highland Street.

The house was last featured on the home tour after a renovation that was completed by the previous owners in about 2006.

Working with Stacie Cokinos of Cokinos Design and architects at Four Square Design Studio, the Yesters turned the existing kitchen into a cozy family room and created an enviably large kitchen space with a huge center island and an exposed traditional chimney.

Construction work by Quickwood Construction included the expertise of Don Broman, who was involved in the earlier remodel.

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The vintage-style 411 address painted on the original transom is just the beginning of the touches awaiting tourgoers as they gather on the wide, wraparound porch, the kind that has come to define Woodland Heights. Looking up, they will notice the eclectic collection of light fixtures and chandeliers. That starts with a new light in the entryway that hangs from a plaster medallion the family got from a specialty shop in Chicago.

Will Yester, 42, enjoys a new music room that includes built-in bookcases that display a sizable album collection. Theres also a cozy bar under the staircase.

The Yesters worked with landscape architect Pam August and with landscaping firm Bella Terra Landscape Resources to take advantage of the large shade trees and create an environment for both family time and party time.

We entertain quite a bit, says Kendall.

Last December, for example, they drew a crowd about 200 guests for a yacht rock-themed party for Lights in the Heights.

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One remaining project is to build a garage with an apartment for the au pair, Will says.

Other homes on the 2024 tour:
Home News Planet Fitness stock plummets days after canceling Christian woman's membership over trans policy

Planet Fitness' stock dropped this week after the company made headlines for canceling the membership of a Christian woman who complained that a man, who self-identifies as queer, was allowed in the womens locker room.

The recent drop is not the first time the corporations stock has plummeted, however.

Earlier this month, Patricia Silva shared on social media that her local Planet Fitness had revoked her membership after she took a photo of a man shaving in the womens locker room. In the video recapping the cancelation of her gym membership, the woman claimed that a 12-year-old girl covered only by a towel was also in the locker room while the man was shaving at the sink.

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According to CNBC, Planet Fitness stock dropped almost 8% Tuesday, going from a monthly high of $66.92 on March 7 to a low of $55.46. The companys stock appears to have been in a freefall since January, however. At the beginning of January, Planet Fitness stock opened at $72.90, and the numbers continue to decline from January to March.

While the controversy surrounding Planet Fitness' policy of allowing men in the women's locker rooms and vice versa if the individual identifies as trans could be one of the reasons for the drop, there might also be other contributing factors.

As Fortune reported last month, companies like Planet Fitness did not experience an increase in traffic in January, which the outlet noted is usually one of the busiest months of the year for gyms in the United States. At the time of the report, Fortune reported that Planet Fitness was on track for its second-worst quarterly sales growth since 2021.

Some analysts have suggested that the winter weather is the reason why companies like Planet Fitness are not experiencing growth in traffic, according to Fortune.

Attempts to raise prices may also be hurting signups, Fortune reported. Planet Fitness planned a temporary pause of its testing of higher prices in a small number of markets to bring back its regular, widely advertised $10-per-month promotion over January.

Last month, Stifel analyst Chris OCull suggested another reason might be that Planet Fitness was too reliant on promotional offers for growth. According to OCull, this temporary pause likely means Planet Fitness advertising campaign did not go as planned. As Fortune reported, there appears to be more investment flowing into cheaper gyms.

In a March 14 update shared by Libs of TikTok on X, Silva thanked the Planet Fitness employees who canceled her gym membership, remarking that they saved [her] the trip. She then recounted her encounter with the man in the womens locker room, which she first described in a video Libs of TikTok shared on March 11.

According to the woman, a preteen girl wrapped a towel was inside the locker room and she seemed freaked out that a man was present. Silva asked the man what he was doing in a space intended only for women, and he replied that he identified as queer. After she told the man that he shouldnt be in the womens locker room, Silva returned to the gym a few days later and discovered that it had terminated her membership.

In response to an inquiry from The Christian Post, McCall Gosselin, chief corporate affairs officer at Planet Fitness, explained that Silva had violated a company policy by taking a photo of an individual in the locker room, which led to the termination of her membership.

Planet Fitness is defending the man in the womens locker room  the man with the penis rather than the child sitting in the corner with the towel wrapped around her, Silva lamented in her video update. So, people, I just want you to know this is weird. Its not good. Its rather disturbing.

So, I would like for you women to stand up and have a voice and stop these shenanigans, she added. You have authority! Use your authority.
Home News Russell Brand moving toward baptism, attending churches amid sexual abuse allegations

Actor Russell Brand shared in a recent Instagram post that he has been going to different churches and is interested in being baptized as he continues to face allegations of sexual misconduct and a lawsuit.

On Instagram Wednesday, the 48-year-old actor questioned his followers about the Church and asked different questions surrounding the act of baptism.

"I've been going to church, a church where they do Alpha courses. I guess that's sort of Church of England. I've been to a Catholic Church, and I'm considering going to an Eastern Orthodox Church," Brand, who has starred in several movies throughout his career, said in an Instagram video.

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"Do you think that different denominations and distinctions are important when you look at God and the figure of Christ from, as best as one might claim, a universal perspective?"

Brand asked his followers if it is possible to be "universal" on topics such as kindness, service, surrender, gratitude, and understanding suffering, even if it's God's Will.

"I know that there are numerous distinctions ecclesiastical and ontological, but I feel that at the moment, I'm moving towards a kind of moment of baptism. I mean, are you baptized?" Brand asked.

"Did you get baptized as an adult? Would you do it in a river? Would you do it in a font? Do you want to get fully under there? Because, me, I want River Jordan or River Thames, at worst. I want proper plunging."

Brand wondered about the importance of having a specific house of worship.

"Tell me, what is the importance of the Church, and tell me is it important what church you go to because I'm just learning, man," he continued.

"I'm just learning, and you know, if I don't get clear guidance, I have to make a decision just sort of based on what petal I'm on. Let me know what you're into in the Holy Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, amen," he concluded at the end of the Instagram video.

Brand received praise from many fans who commented on the post as he seemingly navigates a public spiritual conversion journey to the Christian faith.

In January, he stated that Christ is becoming "more important" in his life and that he desires "a personal relationship" with God. In December, he told followers he was reading the Bible and C.S. Lewis's The Problem of Pain, a 1940 book that explores the role of suffering in a Christian context.

The actor has also come under heavy public scrutiny and criticism as a result of several allegations of sexual misconduct that have been brought up against him.

In September, a joint investigation by The Times of London and Channel 4 found that four women alleged Brand had sexually assaulted them between 2006 and 2013 during the height of his film career.

A subsequent report from The Sunday Times alleged that Brand assaulted a girl who was 16 years old at the time during an allegedly "emotionally and sexually abusive" relationship.

Another woman told The Times that Brand raped her at his Los Angeles home in 2012, though she did not file a police report.

Brand is also reportedly facing a lawsuit from one woman who claims he sexually assaulted her on the set of the 2011 "Arthur" remake, a film in which she was cast as an extra for three days of filming in New York City.

The woman accused Brand of being "visibly intoxicated" on July 7, 2010, when he made eye contact with her and "pulled his erect penis out of his pants in an open and obvious manner ... in the presence of everyone on set," according to a complaint filed in late 2023 in the Supreme Court of New York, Suffolk County.

Doe reported that Brand did not receive any discipline for the alleged exposure.

She claims that "Brand's behavior was treated as acceptable to the Corporate Defendants' employees on set," according to USA Today.

Doe said that Brand sexually assaulted her in a bathroom stall later that same day while "there was a production crew member directly outside the bathroom door in a position that indicated that they were guarding the door to ensure that Brand would not be interrupted as he cornered and sexually assaulted" her.

The woman included in her allegations of assault that she was not only refused payment for the day she was on set, but she was also not asked to return for a second or third day on set.

Doe is suing with claims of assault, battery, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent hiring, retention and supervision, as well as negligence, aiding and abetting assault and battery.

In an affidavit, Doe requested that the court maintain her anonymity out of fear of retaliation.

"I am terrified of being blacklisted in the industry or suffering other negative effects beyond what I already suffered if my name is associated with a sexual assault lawsuit against others in the industry," she stated in the filing.

"I cannot bear to imagine my career that I love being jeopardized."

In an interview with The Sunday Times, the woman said she felt "used and abused."

"Disgusting is the only word," she claimed. "I felt like I was being used, that I was just an object for his momentary titillation."

Brand has denied the "very serious criminal allegations" and maintained that while he was "very, very promiscuous" in the past, all of his sexual relationships were "always consensual."

During an interview with Tucker Carlson last year, Brand said, "Like many desperate people, I need spirituality. I need God, or I cannot cope in this world. I need to believe in the best in people."

In a January social media post, Brand shared more about his embrace of spirituality.

"The reason I wear a cross is because Christianity and, in particular, the figure of Christ are, it seems to me, inevitably becoming more important as I become more familiar with suffering, purpose, self, and not-self," Brand detailed.

The actor added that he had been "reading the Bible a lot more" and Rick Warren's book The Purpose-Driven Life. He said that in his younger years, Christianity seemed to him to be "really irrelevant and old-fashioned and sort of dusty" or too modernized.

His perspective, he said, has changed as he has experienced "a certain amount of adulthood." He has come "to recognize that you need, I need, a personal relationship with God."

"It occurred to me that if instead of always talking to myself inwardly, I could replace one of those voices with an indwelling God. It says in Galatians it's our job to die, so that as Christ died on the cross, he might be reborn in us," he said in an apparent reference to Galatians 2:20.
Home News Southern Baptist Convention elects Jeff Iorg as new Executive Committee president

Gateway Baptist Theological Seminary head Jeff Iorg has been unanimously elected to serve as the new president of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.

In a Thursday vote, 60 members of the SBC Executive Committee chose Iorg. He will serve as president-elect until May 11, when he completes his tenure at Gateway Seminary in California.

"Today's unanimous vote marks a significant turning point for the SBC Executive Committee and the SBC as a whole," said SBC EC Chairman Philip Robertson, as quoted by Baptist Press, the official news service of the SBC.

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"You cannot overstate the importance of leadership, and Jeff Iorg is a leader among leaders. The way Southern Baptists have united around this nomination is something we haven't seen in a long time. I am extremely grateful to God for that. It's a new day at the EC."

Iorg led Gateway Seminary since 2004 and oversaw its move from the San Francisco area to central California in 2016. He was announced as a nominee earlier this month.

"Jeff Iorg has already brought unity to the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention and to the Southern Baptist Convention, as evidenced by the acclaim from far and wide in response to the initial announcement and by today's unanimous vote," said SBC President Bart Barber in a statement.

"Jeff Iorg has said today that the SBC is a force for good. I believe that God will use Jeff Iorg as a force for good, and I will cheer him on and pray toward that end."

The Executive Committee has 86 members and works on behalf of the SBC between annual sessions, overseeing things like reviewing financial statements, distributing funds for ministries and serving as the trust agency for SBC properties.

The convention body has been without a leader since October 2021, when SBC EC President Ronnie Floyd resigned over the committee's decision to waive attorney-client privilege as part of an investigation into how SBC leadership has reportedly mishandled abuse accusations.

After Floyd resigned, the EC appointed Willie McLaurin, an EC vice president, as interim president while the convention body searched for a new leader.

Last May, the SBC EC voted 31-50 against appointing Texas Pastor Jared Wellman, an executive committee member who had been a top candidate.

Wellman faced objections over some of his work on the search committee, while some wanted a person of color for president instead.

McLaurin resigned in August last year and stepped away from consideration when it was revealed that he had misrepresented his academic credentials.

Jonathan Howe, an executive committee employee since 2019 who had served as vice president for communications, filled in as interim president when McLaurin departed.

In late January, Neal Hughes, chairman of the presidential search team for SBC EC, announced that an unnamed candidate for the position of president had withdrawn from consideration.
Home Opinion TikTok has got to go: yes or no?

It is difficult for many of us to believe that the question of whether TikTok in its present form can be allowed to continue to operate in the U.S. is in any serious sense debatable.

TikTok is an extremely powerful social media presence that has approximately 120 million American users. When Congress raised the specter of forcing TikTok to divest itself from its parent company, ByteDance, which is fully and completely accountable to the government of China, owned and operated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), a firestorm ensued across America.

TikTok executives have spent millions lobbying Congress and have generated tens of thousands of emails, texts and phone calls to congressmen and senators calling on them not to remove TikTok. Many of the communications threatened either suicide or violence against members of Congress.

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These responses illustrate the extent to which TikTok has permeated our society and its power to influence American public opinion. And remember, TikTok is ultimately responsible to the CCP, which by Chinese law must give the CCP any information it has gathered on American citizens.

Ben Shapiro described TikTok as a viral psy-op that was created by the Chinese government to dissolve the social unity of the United States through social division

Another prominent conservative, Senator Josh Hawley, characterized TikTok as a serious national security threat. He described how TikTok uses the app to track our whereabouts,  track our data,  track our keystrokes, they want all that information from Americans. TikTok has got to go: yes or no, TikTok has got to go: yes or no.

Hawley explained the situation bluntly. This is about putting Americans back in charge.  Get China off of our cell phones. Get China out of our media. Lets give Americans control of their lives back.

The Chinese government itself is reported to believe that the algorithm behind TikTok is an invaluable national security asset. And China does not allow the content they are pouring into America to poison the minds of American young people to be available to their own domestic population.

So, first, TikTok is a major national security risk. Perhaps our number one adversary has TikTok pointed like a pistol at the head of our country. In addition to the socially destructive material pouring out into our country, and the sensitive personal information about individual Americans flowing back to the CCP, there is the enormous propaganda vulnerability TikTok represents.

TikToks ability to generate the avalanche of mail threatening Congress over a bill forcing TikTok to divest itself from the CCP illustrates its enormous power to mold American public opinion. Lets suppose America wanted to resist a Chinese government move to blockade and isolate Taiwan. They could flood our country with erroneous and negative information that could compromise Americas ability to act in its own self-interest. Would we have let the Soviets have that kind of unhindered access to the American population during the Cold War?

I would argue that Communist China ultimately constitutes a greater existential threat to U.S. national security than the Soviet Union ever did.

Remember that the proposed Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 352-64, would not ban TikTok. This bill merely would require ByteDance to divest itself of ownership of TikTok by selling it to domestic American owners at a fair market price. So Americans could continue to avail themselves of TikTok under domestic ownership.

So whats the problem? The problem is that the bill that passed the House of Representatives goes too far. For instance, as the well-known journalist Matt Taibbi has pointed out, the legislation applies: to any website, application, mobile application, or segmented or immeasurable technology application that is determined by the President to present a significant threat to the National Security of the United States. That language gives the president way too much power. That unbridled power also presents a dire threat to national security.

The bill should be revised and then passed, with the revised version sent back to the House of Representatives for final passage. Any business entity owned by a foreign adversary that is to be divested, or a domestic entity that is to be banned, should be done so under the authority of Congress, not presidential edict.
Archbishop of Canterbury critical of 'deconstructing whiteness' job ad

The Archbishop of Canterbury has revealed he is critical of job adverts for roles in the Church of England like a "deconstructing whiteness officer".

He told Times Radio that he called up those in charge to challenge the language in some of the adverts.

A full-time job is being advertised by the Dioese of Birmingham for the position of an "anti-racism practice officer (deconstructing whiteness)", to much criticism.

Archbishop Justin Welby says he cautioned officials about the language in such adverts over concerns that it smacked of W1A, the satirical sitcom that pokes fun at BBC managerial-speak.

Telling Times Radio about his intervention, he said, "I rang up the person in charge of that area and said, 'What on earth does it mean? Why on earth have you put it in?' I said, 'Look, this sounds a bit like W1A, can we please do these things in English?'"

He added: "What the person's job is across six parishes is to make sure that those from ethnic minority backgrounds who apply for jobs have a level playing field."

Rev Dr Ian Paul, a member of the Archbishops' Council, told The Telegraph that such language had been "imported from the culture wars in the US", and risked "alienating ordinary members of the Church of England".

The Church of England has faced criticism after an Oversight Group said it should raise a 1 billion in funding to "address past wrongs of slavery".
What happens when people encounter Jesus in their own heart's language?

Nelson Mandela once said, "If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart."

Mandela's quote resonates deeply with our vision at Jesus Film Project, where we aim to translate the JESUS film into the heart language of every community. Our hope is for everyone, everywhere to encounter the gospel and embrace Jesus as Savior.

There are approximately 7,000 languages spoken across the globe. Just 23 account for over half of the world's population. A person's heart language is typically the first language he or she is exposed to; it's the language in which we think, dream, and pray. That's why communicating in someone's heart language is more meaningful and compelling to them than in a secondary language. Sharing the gospel with someone in a heart language moves beyond sharing a story; it expresses respect, recognition and value.

In cultures where most people share a common language, it can be difficult to fully appreciate how language helps shape someone's personal and cultural identity. The aspects of culture we think of first, such as food, clothing, customs and festive celebrations, are all tied together with the threads of language. More than a way to communicate, language is a vital tool through which we express our values, beliefs and traditions.

In a nation like India, where there are 121 languages and many more regional dialects, or in Nigeria where over 500 languages are spoken, a person's heart language also represents geographical and family ties. This is true even though many people in both countries speak two or more languages.

When it comes to sharing the gospel, we align with Jesus' heart when we prioritize heart language  he died and was resurrected for people from every tribe, language and nation. And no medium is more powerful to share Jesus with people than a film based on His life from the Bible. This is true no matter the community or culture  the true story of Jesus in someone's heart language is compelling.

In a country known to be difficult for Christians, a man named Jassa* began a journey that would eventually lead him to Jesus. In Jassa's home country of Yemen, the majority of his countrymen and women are from a different religious background, making it difficult not only to learn about Jesus but to hear about him in the first place. Jassa wanted to know God more deeply and was determined to seek after Him.

Jassa's search for God led him to Saudi Arabia, the seat of his religion. After driving a 1,600 mile round trip, he did not find God, and the emptiness inside his heart was greater than when he started his trip.

Back in his home country, Jassa had a dream one night. In it, he found himself in a church on a high mountain. He saw Jesus, who stretched out His hand to him and said, "Follow Me, I am your Saviour. I am the beginning and the end."

The memory of that powerful dream stayed with him, but Jassa didn't know what it meant.

Eventually, Jassa had to flee the turmoil of his country, seeking refuge in Europe. There, some local believers he had met invited him to dinner and a movie. These believers showed him a film about Isa, "The Great Prophet." Jassa could hardly believe it! The man from his dream was in the film. Jassa watched the man, Jesus, perform miracles, and he heard the Word of God, Jesus' words, exactly as written in the New Testament Gospels.

The God whom Jassa had whole-heartedly sought was before him, portrayed on the screen  in love and power  speaking the language of his heart. Finally, he had found the One he sought.

Within days of choosing to follow Jesus as Saviour, Jassa was baptized and began his journey of discipleship. The ministry caring for Jassa has shared that he is so courageous and faithfully shares Jesus with others from his country.

People like Jassa are why we continue to do the work we do. There are many more like him who are seeking the God who speaks their language.

Last year, Jesus Film Project announced that the 1979 JESUS film had officially been translated into 2,100 languages. But we aren't stopping there. In 2025, we plan to release a re-imagining of the JESUS film. This animated family production will reach new generations for years to come.

Everyone, everywhere deserves a chance to understand Jesus's teachings in their heart language. As we press on toward our mission, you can keep an eye out for our upcoming animated family film, JESUS, at our website, Jesus.film.

*name has been changed for confidentiality

Josh Newell is Executive Director of Jesus Film Project.
In a rapidly evolving global landscape, Indonesia acknowledges the crucial role of the digital economy in driving sustainable development and promoting inclusive growth. As such, Golden Indonesia Vision 2045 places a strong emphasis on leveraging digital technologies to enhance productivity, competitiveness, and resilience across all sectors of the economy.

Indonesias digital economy is projected to be prosperous, multiplying up to eightfold up to approximately $291 billion by 2030. According to the International Trade Administration, the e-commerce sector in this nation is what makes its digital economy prosper, as the revenue in 2022 has reached around $51.9 billion. It is projected to grow from $52.93 billion in 2023 to $86.81 billion by 2028. On top of that, Indonesia holds 40% of the total value of ASEANs digital economy.

Indonesias strategic position within ASEAN amplifies the significance of its 5G endeavors. As the largest economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia serves as a key driver of regional economic integration and digital transformation. By becoming the stepping stone of the 5G implementation, Indonesia not only elevates its own digital capabilities but also sets a precedent for other nations to follow suit.

Sophisticated, effective, efficient, and environmentally friendly: this description of the advantages of 5G technology is what sparked the mind of Ismail, Director General of Post and Information Resources and Devices, Ministry of Communications and Informatics of Indonesia, during the inauguration of the 5G warehouse in West Cikarang, West Java.

The presence of Huawei 5G Smart Warehouse can be a wake-up call as well as a prime example for the entire ecosystem to be able to immediately integrate 5G technology in digitalization which manifestly presents breakthrough solutions that are beneficial not only for the logistics industry but also various other sectors, Ismail said.

This bodes well for Indonesia, a nation projected to become the worlds fourth largest economy by 2045 with a gross domestic product of $9.8 trillion. To realize the Golden Indonesia Vision 2045, Indonesia needs to advance its digital infrastructure. 5G connectivity is the starting capital for increasing the capacity and capability of a countrys digital infrastructure.

A prominent example is Thailands implementation of 5G in its smart manufacturing industries. Leading provider of industrial robotic and automation technology Siasun and Huawei collaborated to support industries such as healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, mining, oil & gas, and port. This joint effort deployed Siasuns AGV, ASRS, and robotic system and Huaweis 5G ICT technologies.

Given Indonesias promising demographics and the substantial expansion of both retail and eCommerce industries, the logistics sector is expected to continue its rapid growth. Huaweis 5G Warehouse serves as a case study of how 5G technology plays an important role in improving the quality of diverse industries, extending beyond logistics, including business owners and workers.

Smart technology in the smart warehouse

The 5G BTS technology from Huawei that supports all business operations in the 5G Warehouse only consumes five watts of energy or the equivalent of one energy-saving bulb. This low energy consumption makes Huaweis 5G BTS technology a sustainable solution for the future.

Mr. Long, CEO of Huawei Indonesia, affirmed Huaweis commitment to supporting the government and industry players to unlock Indonesias digital opportunities.

At last years Solo 5G Summit, together with industry partners, we pledged to boost the 5G ecosystem. The 5G Warehouse is testament to the value that 5G technology can offer to traditional industries in Indonesia, he stated.

As part of TelkomGroup, Telkomsel Enterprise provides 5G broadband connectivity to facilitate fast and accurate communication between staff and autonomous guided vehicles (AGV) robots while ensuring the efficiency of goods movement in the warehouse. In addition, Telkomsel Enterprise presents an intelligent security system equipped with video sensors and infrared sensing to maintain warehouse security.

Indra Mardiatna, Director of Network at Telkomsel, remarked, Telkomsel is confident that the implementation of the 5G Smart Warehouse, together with the 5G Innovation Centers conceptual solutions, will open a transformative era for professionals in the logistics sector, particularly by enhancing management skills and increasing the operational efficiency of warehouse systems.

The implementation of 5G in warehousing systems can increase operating efficiency by up to 20 times, given the very high level of precision and accuracy in goods management. Additionally, 5G technology enables humans to collaborate with AI-based robots, pushing the capabilities of smart warehouses to new heights.

Its not surprising that over the past three years, the wave of 5G technology implementation has accelerated globally up to three times faster than 4G. Today, 5G adoption has moved from trial to commercial implementation with the number of global 5G network users reaching 700 million, jumping more than 200% in a year.

As Indonesia continues to pioneer 5G implementation, the nation stands poised to reap the rewards of a truly connected and digitally empowered society. The presence of Huawei 5G Warehouse and Solo Technopark, which have been armed with 5G technological advancements, is a joint effort of the digital ecosystem in Indonesia, convincing the public and the government how useful technology is in the life of a 5.0 society. This is a significant step forward for Indonesias digital transformation journey. By introducing the power of 5G in the logistics industry, this facility paves the way to a more efficient, competitive, and sustainable future.
Houston police are looking for information people connected to a gray Honda Accord seen in connection to a shooting at 15200 Blue Ridge Road on Jan. 14, 2023. COURTESY/Houston Police Department

The Houston Police Department on Friday made a public plea for information in a January 2023 roadway fatal shooting, and released new images of a car believed to be involved in the attack.

MORE ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Judge admonishes prosecutors for delaying Steven Hotze case amid evidence battle

Richard Galvan. 33, was killed in the Jan. 14, 2023, shooting in the 15200 block of Blue Ridge, in southwest Houston, near the Fort Bend County line.

In its release of information Friday, police said they were looking for a gray, 2000 to 2009-style, Honda Accord, which was seen leaving the shooting location south on Blue Ridge Road. The car was caught on surveillance cameras driving on West Fuqua and Fondren, where it drove into the Hunter's Glen neighborhood in Missouri City, police said. Police didn't get a license plate number for the car.

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Witnesses described the suspected shooter as a black man, in his 20s or 30s, with short dreadlocks, a beard and possibly a mustache. The man was wearing a black cap and a black windbreaker, police said.

It's likely that Galvan didn't know the person who shot him, police said. Evidence indicated the shot that killed Galvan came into the rear of his van, police said. There were no indications that the shooting was "anything else but road rage," said Houston Police Department detective Josh Cain said.

Crime Stoppers of Houston is offering a $5,000 reward for information about the shooting. Anyone with information was asked to call the Houston Police Department's homicide division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
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Alison Wyman took up her first chief executive role leading the Actors Benevolent Fund (ABF) in July last year.

Her appointment came soon after the Charity Commission had ordered the membership organisation to rerun a trustee election.

National media had run stories in previous months about former board members, including ex-president and actress Penelope Keith, being ousted from the charity and the regulator had opened a compliance case .

Now, eight months on, the charity has successfully elected a board of trustees , despite contacting the police over almost half of the votes cast.

And this week, the actors charity chose broadcaster and author Loyd Grossman as its chair, which it hopes will finally enable it to move on, away from the medias spotlight.

The charity remains subject to a regulatory compliance case, but Wyman says it feels like were at a turning point.

I think with the new board thats just joined, and with some new staff, as well, and with the appetite among our membership, as well for change in greater impact, it feels like were at the start of something really exciting. And Im just really looking forward to getting stuck into that.

Route to charity sector leadership

Wyman says she always wanted to do something that would make a difference and decided at university that she wanted to work in the charity sector.

Her first job in the sector was working as a frontline adviser in a south London branch of Citizens Advice, a role she says was eye opening as people would bring in piles of envelopes full of debts owed. It gave me a real insight into peoples lives where theyre struggling. I came across people that I might not otherwise have come across in my day-to-day life.

She moved to the Royal British Legion in 2008 to set up its money advice team for the armed services community before being promoted to a senior managerial role which involved grant-making.

I really enjoyed seeing the impact it was having among people. They were coming into the service with lots of debts, not much income, and by the end of it, wed helped them and their lives were in a much better place.

I suppose I just started naturally moving into roles where I was able to start shaping services and developing them. And I quite enjoyed that and leading teams and realising I did miss the face-to-face frontline element. But actually, what I realised was, as a leader, I could shape and influence more broadly.

Wyman then held several senior roles at fellow armed services charity RAF Benevolent Fund, where she worked for a decade and led it through a strategic review.

Despite spending much of her career working for armed forces charities, Wyman has no military service links herself. I didnt have a familiarity with the military before I joined. But in a way that helped, I think, because people couldnt place me in terms of what rank I might have been and so people just took me for who I was.

During that time, she was a trustee at Queen Marys Roehampton Trust and then Health and Hope charity before her current trusteeship at the Association of Charitable Organisations.

Wyman also completed a masters degree in voluntary sector management at Bayes Business School.

That gave me a real appetite to do more, and to use that knowledge and use my skills to shape and develop organisations to have the greatest impact they possibly could.

And then this opportunity came up at the Actors Benevolent Fund. I wanted to develop, but I wasnt necessarily looking for a CEO role. But what I loved was the ambition that the trustees and the membership had.

They really wanted to honour the past and the charitys rich history, while also making sure that the charity continued to be relevant and fit for the future. And that big, bold vision and ambition really appealed to me. And it just felt that it drew together a lot of the experiences and skills and the knowledge that I've gained in the other charities.

And Wyman says there are more links than you might imagine between the armed forces community and actors as groups of charity beneficiaries.

You would think you couldnt get two more opposite groups, but actually, having to move around a lot for work, being away from family, the strain that takes on relationships, the impact on mental wellbeing  theres a lot of similarities there between the two communities.

Joining at a challenging time

Wyman says she was aware that the Actors Benevolent Fund had been going through a very challenging time so did not walk into [her CEO role] blindly.

Even despite there being a dispute, everybody on whatever side of the dispute they sat, was passionate about this charity. And I could see the potential and I felt that I could help make a difference.

I could see that the trustees had made a huge amount of progress in dealing with a lot of the historical governance issues. So, I was confident that I was walking into a charity where the board was actually in a good place. But I was aware that it was going to be a challenging few months.

Part of the challenge was the increased media attention on the charity. In her first CEO role, Wyman says this was a new experience and her focus was on preventing the news stories from impacting the charitys work.

Myself and the team were involved in responding to requests. But I didn't directly give any interviews, mainly because I felt being new in, actually, I needed to spend some time just understanding the situation familiarising myself with a charity, focusing on the core running of it. So I think it would have felt a bit strange commenting on something when I was so new to it.

Wyman says she is not sure whether the trustee dispute would have been reported so widely in the press if it were not for those involved being high-profile actors.

Despite the disruption, Wyman says she has had a positive relationship with the charitys trustees, who were welcoming and supportive of her.

With a new board finally in place, Wyman says everybody is focused and agreed on how can we use their resources to make the greatest possible difference.

Everybody wants to draw a line under the past, move forward into the future. And I feel very privileged that I get to work alongside actually such a great board.

Adapting a traditional charity

The charity, founded in 1882, has seen increased demand from its beneficiaries in recent years, providing grants and other support to around a third more actors and stage managers in 2023 than the year before.

Cost-of-living, I think, has been a key part of that. I think also people are starting to become more aware of us. Maybe thats one of the few benefits of the press recently is actually people are more aware of what the Actors Benevolent Fund does.

To adapt to this increased need for support, the charity has undergone a staffing review. It has a small team which it expects to grow to 10 staff members in the coming months. This will include a new head of grants and services and a marketing engagement manager.

Weve been a very traditional charity that has done amazing work and made a huge difference to people. At the same time, peoples needs are changing. Weve been seeing a changing demographic with people coming to us for help. Weve got a younger and more diverse set of people coming to us. And thats probably most likely due to the cost-of-living crisis. So we want to make sure that actually, were reaching people effectively, so that we can help as many people as possible.

Plan for income growth

ABF recorded an income of 1.63m in 2022, according to its most recently filed accounts, with most of this generated by its 33m-worth of long-term investments.

Wyman would like to increase ABFs overall income to meet rising demand for its services and is looking at other sources of funding.

She says the charitys board has an away day booked in May to identify its strategic priorities.

We do want to help more people. And part of that involves looking at having the income to enable us to do that. Around 80% of our income is investment income. And there is definitely potential to look at diversifying and growing our income. We dont do very much active fundraising at all. So that is likely to form an emerging part of our strategy.

And we know that there are people who really value the creative industries, and they want to support the people that work in them. So, I think there's work for us to do in finding those people and enabling them to do that.

ABF has more than 600 members, who each pay a subscription fee of 20 a year. Wyman would like to try and attract more and broaden the range of the support it offers them.

We asked our members, what was it that motivated them to become a member. And the main motivation was the opportunity to give something back. So, it was very altruistic actually. And thats something that Im certainly thinking about going forward about. If we want to attract more members, just looking at what is it that actually motivates somebody to join a membership charity.

Charity sector through and through

Wyman has dedicated her career so far to working for charities, but would she ever move to another sector?

Its not something I think I would actively be looking for. I think Im charity sector through and through. So, I think that probably the remainder of my career will be charity sector.

I love the passion that people have and the difference that people want to make. And I think theres nothing that quite makes up for that.

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One day in the early spring of last year, a sculptor from South Carolina typed his name into Google: Clint Button, he wrote. He pressed enter. He wasnt surprised to see his YouTube channel among the first results, but farther down the page, something did surprise him. Someone had uploaded his YouTube videos to a platform he had never heard of called Gan Jing World.

I pulled it up, and it had my homepage, my YouTube channel, and my YouTube channel homepage, Button said. I was pissed.

Buttons experience is not unique. He is one of many YouTube creators who have stumbled across their own videos on Gan Jing World. According to the about us page, Gan Jing World is a wholesome digital town square founded by followers of Falun Gong, a spiritual movement outlawed by the Chinese government in the late 1990s. It is one of many sites linked to the right-wing news organization the Epoch Times.

Gan Jing World (which translates to Clean World in Chinese) consists of feel-good videos, often lifted from YouTube without the original content creators consent. The videos supposedly follow the sites four guiding principles of no violence, no pornography, no crime, and no drugs. Buttons YouTube channel, which features stone-carving tutorials, likely secured a spot on Gan Jing World because it met these criteria.

Sandwiched between videos republished from YouTube are ads and channels for Falun Gongaligned organizations and local businesses. These include the ubiquitous dance troupe Shen Yun as well as the anti-CCP media groups the Epoch Times and New Tang Dynasty Television (NTD)both of which are owned by the Epoch Times Media Group. Together, these sites make up a tight-knit network echoing the teachings of Falun Gongs leader and founder, Li Hongzhi (or Master Li).

The Epoch Times has a tangled history going back to the early 2000s. Initially launched as a free propaganda newsletter to oppose the Chinese Communist Party, it transitioned into a far-right media powerhouse during the 2016 election. Today, the newspaper is published in more than thirty countries and has a dedicated following of anti-vaxxers and hard-right-wingers, according to a report by OpenDemocracy. Now media owned by Epoch Times Media Group and other Falun Gongaffiliated organizations have secured a front-page and promotional presence on Gan Jing World.

Gan Jing Worlds landing page, featuring an ad for NTDa Falun Gongaligned television station owned by the Epoch Times Media Group.

Falun Gong in the US

Falun Gong, sometimes called Falun Dafa, consists of a mix of slow-motion meditation exercises, mental disciplines, and texts that preach the virtues of truth, benevolence, and forbearance. Practitioners are told they can gain enlightenment by reading the scriptures of Li, who claims to be able to walk through walls and to levitate. His teachings include frequent pronouncements against homosexuality, interracial relationships, sex out of wedlock, and female liberation (many of these views are rejected by Falun Gongs official website).

Falun Gong flourished between 1992 and 1999 in China, claiming around seventy to a hundred million adherents (scholars estimate the number was lower, closer to ten million). The movements pulling power intimidated the CCP, which sought undivided loyalty from its people. Chinas then-president, Jiang Zemin, vowed to eradicate the movement. The government declared it an evil cult and suppressed it, resulting in the incarceration of thousands of practitioners in reeducation through labor camps. Lis teachings state that practitioners must now dedicate themselves to clarifying the truth to the public that Falun Gong is not an evil cult and is being systematically persecuted by the CCP. After Li and the Falun Gong organizations were exiled to the US twenty-five years ago, they set up a range of media outlets to convey this message.

NTD and the Epoch Times, which Li has referred to as our media, have become a success story for Falun Gong. The Epoch Times claims to be the USs fourth-largest newspaper by subscriber count, and NTD has a staggering thirty million followers on Facebook. The Epoch Times, however, rejects the notion that its officially affiliated with the spiritual movement. The chairman of the newspapers board has said it is not a Falun Gong newspaper, adding that Falun Gong is a question of an individuals belief.

Still, the newspaper keeps ties with Falun Gongaligned companies like Gan Jing World, as evident in its business transactions. In the summer of 2021, the Epoch Times bought a three-story building in Orange County, New York, for $1.45 million. According to public property records, the Epoch Times then sold it to Gan Jing World for the same price about a year later. Now the building operates as Gan Jing Worlds headquarters. Its located in a sleepy city called Middletown, conveniently located a twenty-minute drive from Dragon Springs, the remote compound where Li resides and Falun Gong runs its schools and dance company, Shen Yun.

When Gan Jing Worlds headquarters officially opened, in July 2022, it was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Influential Middletowners showed up, including the mayor, Joseph Destefano. The arrival of this high-tech firm brings with it a myriad of opportunities for economic advancement and job creation in our city, Destefano told the Epoch Times (Destefano did not return Tows request for comment). Indeed, according to the Albany Times Union, Middletown has become a hot commodity for entities related to Shen Yun and Falun Gong. In December 2023, the paper reported that the mayor attended another ribbon-cutting ceremony, this time for the opening of a Shen Yunbacked department store. The store sells outerwear, activewear, books with Falun Dafas teachings, and exclusive selections from Shen Yuns dance performances (including mens leather bracelets with Falun Gongs teachings engraved).

Gan Jing Worlds headquarters is located in Middletown, New York, twenty minutes from Dragon Springs, the remote compound where Falun Gong leader Li Hongzhi resides.

In the fall of last year, I took a two-hour bus ride from Penn Station, Manhattan, to visit Middletown. A few shops, a library, and a police station fill the ten-minute walk from the train station to Gan Jing Worlds headquarters. The three-story brick block is easy to spot among the sparse and low surrounding buildings. A water fountain in a brutalist style greeted employees walking in and out of the entrance doors. One Middletown local said the building used to be a decaying Social Services office. When Gan Jing World bought and reconstructed it, the equipment was delivered wrapped in plastic with the logo of Dragon Springs. The UPS guy got in there once, he said, pointing to the headquarters. He asked them what they did, and they told him they were a newspaper company. This corresponds with property records, indicating that the Gan Jing World building used to be owned by the Epoch Times.

According to tax documents reviewed by Brandy Zadrozny at NBC, the Epoch Times has increased its revenue by a staggering 685 percent in the past two years. A large part of its success comes from its aggressive advertisement for Donald Trumps 2020 campaign, where it pushed conservative views through sensational and even fabricated information. This strategy garnered criticism from fact-checkers and led to Facebook eventually banning its ads over a lack of transparency around political advertisements. Subsequently, according to the New York Times, Epoch Media sought to protect itself from crackdowns by mainstream platforms by expanding its online reach. The Times investigation identified connections with over a dozen sites, such as Sagebook (a Twitter-like network) and YouMaker  another video platform that hosts content on the Epoch Times website.

Nick Janicki, Gan Jing Worlds director of media relations, denies that there is any corporate affiliation between Gan Jing World and the Epoch Times.

Theres no direct relationship there other than the founders are just, you know, good friends, essentially, Janicki said.

Gan Jing Worlds employees are remarkably hard to find online. The CEO, supposedly a former Apple executive named James Qiu, leaves little digital trace outside of Gan Jing Worlds website. Even Janicki does not mention the company on his LinkedIn page. Other employees I found on LinkedIn have posted vague job descriptions, like tech company, coupled with previous work experience at the Epoch Times or NTD.

This career switching is not uncommon among Falun Gong practitioners. According to Simon van ZuylenWood in The Atlantic: Once inside either the Epoch Times or NTD, they have tended to shuffle from one to the other and from job to job.

Falun Gongs Use of the Internet

Falun Gong has been incredibly successful at utilizing the internet to spread Lis teachings. As Heather Kavan, a researcher and senior lecturer at Massey University in New Zealand, phrased it in her paper about Falun Gong and the media: Of all religious adherents, Falun Gong members are perhaps the most media-savvy. Indeed, Web-based text has grown increasingly important in connecting Falun Gong practitioners as they scatter across the globe, according to Australian academic Benjamin Penny in his book The Religion of Falun Gong. Given Falun Gongs robust digital presence, Gan Jing World automatically benefits from a strong referral pipeline.

By interlinking, these sites create a network that channels traffic reciprocally. According to SimilarWeb, in January 2024, 13 percent of Gan Jing Worlds referral traffic from other websites originated from SafeChat, a platform promoted by Falun Gong social media influencers as an alternative to mainstream social networks. Approximately 15 percent came from Shen Yun Creations, a video platform dedicated exclusively to Shen Yun dance videos. The Epoch Times ranked second as the highest-referring publisher, trailing only YouTube.

Falun Gongs digital presence dates back to June 2000, when Li designed one of Falun Gongs official websites, Minghui.org. Posts from the site indicate that Li actively promoted the creation of Gan Jing World among his practitioners. One practitioner claimed that its a platform that Master has for people in the future. Another post emphasized that Gan Jing World is extremely important for saving people.

On a video call, I asked Janicki about the Gan Jing World employees who had previously worked at the Epoch Times or NTV. He compared the relationship between Gan Jing World and other Falun Gong media to that between OpenAI and Microsoft: Theres people now from OpenAI that work for Microsoft, he said. It tends to be people in similar industries or similar values that tribalize.

Whether a tribe or something more, the Epoch Times has been a consistent commercial machine for the video platform. In the past two years, the newspaper has published over twenty promotional articles about Gan Jing World dressed up as news with sparkling headlines such as Tech Startup Gan Jing World Poised to Shape the Future, One Community at a Time and Gan Jing World: Tech Platform Offers Clean Content Free of Communism. In an article written by the Epoch Times, the newspapers own editor in chief was quoted saying Gan Jing Worlds focus on character and morals is something that we have loved (the Epoch Times did not return Tows request for comment). NTD, the Falun Gongrooted television station, reposts the Epoch Times coverage and features the video platform in news segments.

One of several Twitter posts by the Epoch Times featuring Gan Jing World.

YouTube Videos on Gan Jing World

None of the Epoch Times articles mentions that Gan Jing World hosts republished videos from YouTube, including copyrighted ones. This includes everything from the work of small individual creators to large media organizations like MSNBC, CNN, Fox, and Forbes. Tow examined the top 130 videos posted on Gan Jing Worlds landing page on February 22 and found that all but nine could be traced back to YouTube. I also talked with over a dozen YouTubers with content on Gan Jing World who said they have not uploaded any of it or given Gan Jing World permission to republish it. Most of them had never even heard of the platform.

I had no idea and have never been contacted by Gan Jing World, which is very frustrating, said Molly Doubleday, a sustainable-living content creator on YouTube.

Sam Denby, an American YouTuber with over seven million combined subscribers, was also surprised to find his channel on Gan Jing World, which he described as a Falun Gongaffiliated YouTube knockoff.

They didnt bother removing our logo or description in their plagiarizing process, Denby said in a YouTube video on the channel Half as Interesting.

For the copyright holders, it raises the question: Who is selecting and republishing their videos to Gan Jing World?

If it is the companys employees, then the company is the one engaging in copyright infringement, Daniel Castro, an expert in internet policy and vice president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, told me in an email. If the company encourages third parties to upload copyright-protected content, they might be guilty of inducing infringement.

Gan Jing World claims all its material is either open-source or that the original creators have uploaded it. In an email, Janicki told me that Gan Jing World strictly follows copyright law even though it has no affirmative obligations to monitor its service to search for infringement.

Under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, video platforms are not required to stay on top of the copyrighted material uploaded by their users. Due to the massive amount of content being uploaded every day, it would be practically impossible to do so. But platforms cant have actual knowledge that the works are infringing nor induce their users to infringe, according to Matthew Sag, a law professor at Emory University. Platforms are also required to remove copyright-infringing content to avoid liability if they receive a video-removal request from the owner.

Gan Jing World has a video-removal form but appears to respond to requests selectively. Button eventually got his content removed, but several creators in contact with Tow were unsuccessful despite submitting removal requests or emailing Gan Jing World directly.

We are such a small business that even if we were losing money, chasing to get it back with no guarantee of successits cyberspace!would cost us even more, said Chris Pye, one of the YouTubers unable to remove his videos from Gan Jing World.

Examples of videos on Gan Jing World republished from YouTube.

Republished YouTube videos on Gan Jing World rarely have high engagement. Most have just a handful of views and sparse, overly positive, bot-like comments. The only channels receiving significant engagement appear to be those from the Falun Gong universe. For instance, some recordings of Shen Yuns dance performances claim to have up to six hundred thousand views. Notably, though, the hits returned by Gan Jing World actually link to the external site for Shen Yun Creations, where users must pay $29.99 a month for full access to the dance videos. In a New Yorker article, Jia Tolentino pointedly described Shen Yun as essentially, religious-political propagandaor, more generously, an extremely elaborate commercial for Falun Dafas spiritual teachings and its plight vis-a-vis the Chinese Communist regime.

Falun Gong Practitioners on Gan Jing World

Gan Jing World is supported by Falun Gong practitioners to spur its growth. According to Minghui.org, the official Falun Gong website, practitioners are encouraged to increase traffic on Gan Jing World by creating a profile, subscribing to channels, liking videos, and writing positive comments. As one practitioner based in China wrote:

They even requested practitioners to watch a certain number of videos every day, claiming that it was Masters requirement, and that browsing Gan Jing World was the same as reading the Minghui website.

A former employee of the German Epoch Times suggested that practitioners were even encouraged to pull videos from YouTube and republish them on Gan Jing World. It did seem like they were promoting this kind of behavior while retaining plausible deniability and being able to say, Well, we didnt upload this, some user did, said the source, who goes by the pseudonym Emmanuel Goldstein (if that name sounds familiar, its from Orwells 1984). Now they changed their approach, and they want to officially get creators on there, Goldstein said.

Amid the sea of republished YouTube videos, Gan Jing World has a pool of original creators. Mikey Chen, a Chinese-born American with over four million subscribers on YouTube, is one of them. While at NTD, Chen cocreated Off the Great Wall, a YouTube channel discussing Chinese culture. At Gan Jing Worlds ribbon-cutting ceremony, he said Gan Jing World could compete with platforms like Facebook and TikTok. Likewise, California Insider, a show hosted by Siyamak Khorrami with the Epoch Times Southern California, announced on Twitter that it would move to Gan Jing World after experiencing censorship on Twitter.

Gan Jing World is becoming a key player through which Falun Gong promotes its own organizations while using content from other platforms to confer an air of legitimacy. Just as the Epoch Times grew from a scrappy newsletter to one of the most prominent conservative papers in the US, its not unimaginable that Gan Jing World could experience similar growth. Regardless of its future, Gan Jing Worlds claim to being a wholesome platform while employing questionable ethical practices should not be ignored. According to Janicki, the director of media relations, Gan Jing World is here to stay. And soon, he said, YouTube content creators may feel differently about discovering their content on the platform: There may be a day where theyre less surprised and more relieved.
A New York state judge has allowed a case seeking to hold social media companies liable in the tragic mass killing at a Buffalo supermarket in 2022 to go forward on grounds of product liability.

Erie County Supreme Court Judge Paula L. Feroleto denied the bid by Meta, Snap, Alphabet, Reddit, Amazon and other platforms to have the claims of the victims families dismissed because the firms are entitled to immunity as publishers under federal communications law, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA).

Judge Feroleto concluded that it is premature to dismiss the plaintiffs causes of action against the internet defendants. She found that the families of the shooting victims successfully argued that the companies should face product liability claims based on the alleged addictive and dangerously defective design of their platforms. The families maintain that the social media platforms radicalized the shooter to commit white supremacist murders at the Buffalo supermarket.

The judge agreed with the families that the federal communications law and First Amendment relied upon by the social media firms do not apply in a product liability lawsuit.

This historic ruling will for the first-time permit victims of racist, antisemitic, anti-immigrant, and homophobic violence to hold social media companies accountable for contributing to the epidemic of mass shootings that are plaguing our nation, said Matthew P. Bergman, attorney of Social Media Victims Law Center, which is representing several of the families.

While this is first to link social media to shootings, other cases involving alleged harm done by social media have cited product liability arguments. Last November, a federal district judge in northern California allowed a lawsuit blaming social media firms including Meta, Google and TikTok for mental health harm to teenage users to proceed on product liability grounds. A federal appeals court in Philadelphia is also facing the question of whether Tik-Tok should be held liable under product liability for the death of a teenage girl who participated in a Blackout Challenge.

Buffalo Massacre

On May 14, 2022, 10 Black people were killed and three people were injured in the mass shooting at Tops Friendly Markets supermarket in Buffalo. The shooter, Payton Gendron, sought out a historically Black neighborhood and drove hundreds of miles from his home to commit his attack.

The Erie County judge wrote that it is essentially undisputed that the horrific acts perpetrated by Gendron were motivated by the concept of white replacement theory.

The complaint alleges that Gendron was motivated by white supremacism and radicalized by the algorithms driving the social media products that fed him increasingly racist, antisemitic, and violence-inducing content. According to comments from Gendrons own criminal defense attorney, The racist hate that motivated this crime was spread through on-line platforms.

The complaint says Gendron admits he was lured, unsuspectingly, into a psychological vortex by defective social media applications and fed a steady stream of racist and white supremacist propaganda and falsehoods.

The social media firms argue that the white supremacist theory is third-party content and thus Section 230 and the First Amendment preclude the damages claims against them. Section 230 says that internet services are immune from liability for publishing material, so long as the information is provided by another party.

The plaintiffs contend that the platforms are more than just message boards containing third-party content. Instead, the plaintiffs lawyers maintain that the platforms are negligently, defectively and harmfully designed products that are meant to be addictive to young users and that drove Gendron to further platforms or postings that indoctrinated him with white replacement theory. The platforms are therefore liable based on product liability theories, the plaintiffs argue.

The families have asserted multiple causes of action against the internet companies including strict products liability for defective design and failure to warn; negligence, negligent failure to warn, invasion of privacy, negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress and unjust enrichment. Not all of these causes of action are asserted against all of the social media/internet defendants.

Product Law

The judge noted that what constitutes a product under New York law is not confined to tangible chattels and that the state has rejected a bright-line rule for the application of product liability law, choosing instead to define a product within a broader context of common law duty.

The states highest court, the Court of Appeals, has emphasized three factors in determining whether an item is a product: (1) a defendants control over the design and standardization of the product, (2) the party responsible for placing the product into the stream of commerce and deriving a financial benefit, and (3) a partys superior ability to knowand warn aboutthe dangers inherent in the products reasonably foreseeable uses or misuses.

The judge found that, contrary to the assertions of the defendants, the factual allegations as a whole of the complaint are sufficient to allege viable causes of action against each of the internet firms. The judge explained:

Many of the social media/internet defendants have attempted to establish that their platforms are mere message boards and/or do not contain algorithms subjecting them to the protections of the CDA and/or First Amendment. This may ultimately prove true. In addition, some defendants may yet establish that their platforms are not products or that the negligent design features plaintiffs have alleged are not part of their platforms.

However, the judge continued, at this stage of the litigation the court must base its ruling on the allegations of the complaint and not facts asserted by the defendants in their briefs or during oral argument.

Proximate Cause

One of internet defendants arguments is that the criminal actions of the shooter break the chain of causation between his use of their platforms and the ensuing shooting. The complaint sets forth in detail the development of the plan culminating in the shootings. The complaint notes that Gendron made public 700 pages of a diary that detailed his plans and what he termed a manifesto describing his racist motivations.

But the judge also declined to dismiss the suit for lack of proximate cause.

At this juncture of the litigation it is far too early to rule as a matter of law that the actions, or inaction, of the social media/internet defendants through their platforms require dismissal on proximate cause. The facts alleged do not show only one conclusion that could be made as to the connection between these defendants alleged negligence and the plaintiffs injuries, the opinion states.

The social media defendants also argue that they did not owe the families a duty of care. But the judge countered: It is long-established in New York products liability jurisprudence that a manufacturer of a defective product is liable to any person. injured from the product.

Gendron is serving a prison sentence of life without parole after pleading guilty to crimes including murder and domestic terrorism motivated by hate.

AP Photo: Police walk outside the Tops grocery store May 15, 2022, in Buffalo, N.Y. , site of the racist mass shooting. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex, File)
Efforts to rein in third-party litigation financing are on their way to becoming law in Indiana and West Virginia, a scorecard that is less than what business and insurance interests had hoped for this spring.

In Indiana, Gov. Eric Holcomb signed House Bill 1160, which aims to block foreign entities from funding lawsuits. It also bars parties involved in the litigation from sharing with financiers any information that a court has ordered sealed, and forbids finance firms from influencing the outcome.

Financing agreements will now be subject to discovery.

The bill passed with overwhelming support, with no dissenting votes in the House and only two in the Senate.

The American Property Casualty Insurance Association said the Indiana law would help promote a more transparent legal system.

Requiring disclosure and discovery of funding by third parties involved in the litigation and to the courts is a critical step to restoring balance to the legal system, Brooke Kelley, APCIA assistant vice president of state government, said, according to an AM Best report. These common-sense guardrails around third-party litigation funding are necessary to facilitate litigation transparency and protect consumers and businesses.

The law follows a bill signed last year that made third-party financing agreements subject to discovery.

West Virginias Senate Bill 850 would, if signed into law by coal company owner, Gov. Jim Justice, place a number of restrictions on lawsuit funding. The bill would bar financiers from:

Offering commissions to attorneys and medical providers who refer consumers to a financing program.

Advertising false or misleading information about its services.

Referring consumers to specific attorneys or medical providers.

The investors in litigation also must provide copies of all financing contracts to consumers; and may not attempt to waive settlements or require arbitration in the legal dispute. Finance firms also must not assign or securitize a financing contract to another party, if the bill becomes law. Any violation of the law would make the financing contract unenforceable, the bill notes.

A litigation financier may not charge a consumer who is a natural person an annual fee of more than 18 percent of the original amount of money provided to the consumer for the litigation financing transaction, reads the bill, which was sponsored by state Sen. Charles Trump.

SB 850 passed the West Virginia state Senate in February and the House on March 9. It was sent to the governor March 12.

The APCIA, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and others had urged more states to adopt similar legislation this year. At least 10 states, including Georgia, Florida, Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and Oklahoma, saw bills introduced, according to a LexisNexis tally, but none of those have advanced.

Floridas bill passed a key committee but did not survive beyond that in the session that ended March 9.
Steven Hotze, right, is charged in connection with an armed encounter between a private investigator he hired and an air conditioning repairman. Jared Woodfill, left, is representing him. Melissa Phillip / Staff Photographer

A state judge rebuked prosecutors Thursday for fighting conservative firebrand Steven Hotzes defense team on evidence and delaying his criminal case more than seven months.

Hotze, criminally charged and fending off civil litigation in connection with a voter fraud conspiracy theory investigation gone wrong, has tried for more than a year to obtain emails and other records pertaining to the pending case. District Attorney Kim Oggs office partially rejected their request, claiming some of the desired communications related to the civil lawsuit were confidential and permitted to be withheld.

Judge Robert Johnson in the 177th District Court went as far to reject a prosecutors arguments as misstatements of the law.

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He then directed his attention at prosecutors David Mitcham, who serves as Oggs first assistant, and Robert Buss, a member of the public corruption division prosecuting Hotze.

This was an unnecessary seven month delay, Johnson said.

The prosecutor who handled the arguments in question, Mario Cicconetti, who had previously told the judge he had fulfilled his obligation to share evidence, was absent on military leave, Buss said.

He was wrong in interpreting the case law, Buss continued, announcing that his office would be handing over all the evidence.

The prosecutor tried to keep one document withheld but eventually lumped it in with the rest of the shared evidence as Jared Woodfill, a member of Hotzes legal team, began asking for the record with redactions.

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The document was a note from a colleague detailing her impressions of a phone call with an attorney handling the civil case against Hotze  a record that Judge Johnson characterized as legitimate work product that could be withheld.

Redacting is more trouble, Buss said.

The allegations that led to Hotzes charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful restraint stem from a 2020 incident when a former Houston police captain, who is also charged, tailed and attacked an an air conditioning repairman, wrongfully believing that he had thousands of fraudulent ballots in his vehicle, authorities said. An investigation revealed Hotze funded his investigation through the Liberty Center for God and Country.

The repairman then sued Hotze in 2021, but the civil case has since been paused for the criminal proceedings to play out, records show.

The civil case produced records that revealed some communications with prosecutors and the repairmans civil attorneys about the looming 2022 indictment, prompting Hotzes lawyers to demand more from the district attorneys office.

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The latest transfer of evidence to the defense signaled that both sides would begin setting their eyes on trial next.

Woodfill dashed any possibility of a plea agreement and lamented that the past seven months were a big waste of time as he left the courtroom.

He does not precisely know what the new evidence will consist of but he believes it will be huge for his client.

Ed McClees, a defense attorney who is not involved in Hotzes criminal case, compared the evidence battle to what has unfolded in other high-profile cases.

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Kim Oggs office has a track record of treating high profile cases differently than all the other cases her office prosecutes when it comes to discovery, said McClees, who represents a former police sergeant charged in the Harding Street raid aftermath. The office makes efforts to conceal certain discovery they have no problem providing in less profile cases.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The half-decade legal saga spurred by a lawsuit accusing Catholic Charities of negligence in the death of a 5-year-old Cleveland boy is set to go to trial Monday.

The suit, filed in 2019, seeks to hold the agency liable for the death of Jordan Rodriguez, whose body was discovered buried in the backyard of his mothers home in Cleveland.

The boys mother, Larissa Rodriguez, and her boyfriend, Christopher Rodriguez, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and other charges and were sentenced to decades in prison. Larissa Rodriguez was enrolled in programming through Catholic Charities, whose former employee Nancy Caraballo was to conduct frequent home visits.

Caraballo later pleaded guilty in connection to a scheme in which she bought Larissa Rodriguezs food stamps at a discount and did not conduct the home visits. She filed false reports that said she had. She was sentenced to three years in prison, and she was released in 2021.

The lawsuit says that Caraballo, whose position required her to report child abuse and neglect to authorities, would have done so had she actually done her job. It also accuses Catholic Charities of failing to properly train and supervise her to ensure she was properly performing her job.

Catholic Charities has denied wrongdoing.

Jury selection in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Brian Mooneys courtroom will begin Monday.

The case was set for trial in August but was derailed after Mooney learned that his staff attorney, Lori Ann Dyke, appeared on a list of attorneys who were members of the Lawyers Guild of the Diocese of Cleveland in 2020 and 2021.

The list is maintained by the Catholic Community Foundation, which solicits millions of dollars in donations for the diocese, and Bishop Edward Malesic is a member of the boards of both the foundation and Catholic Charities.

Mooney removed Dyke from participating in the case.

Dykes prior behavior during a pre-trial conference in which she yelled at and accused lawyers representing Jordans estate of lying, led Mooney to ask her to step aside.
STOW, Ohio  A Cuyahoga Falls woman is accused of leading police on chase while driving in the wrong direction on several roads, causing multiple crashes and refusing to stop even after the tires were flattened to the rims.

Michaela Rose Yensen, 20, was arrested after her vehicle was pinned in by patrol cars on an on-ramp to Ohio 8 at Graham Road, according to Stow police. She is charged with failure to comply, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, and multiple traffic offenses.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  Environmental organizers have appealed the dismissal of their lawsuit, escalating an effort to stop the state from leasing a state park and two wildlife areas to natural gas drillers.

They filed a notice of appeal Friday with the 10th District Court of Appeals. The filing acts as more of a placeholder and doesnt offer any substantive arguments. In their original lawsuit, they argued state officials failed to consider criteria required by law like frackings possible impacts on visitors to the parks, environmental risks, or the 2,700 public comments objecting to the land nominations.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is asking for federal assistance as residents in 11 Ohio counties continue to clean up and assess the damage from multiple tornadoes last week that killed three people.

A news release from the governors office says six teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will visit Logan, Auglaize, Mercer, Darke, Miami, Union, Delaware, Licking, Hancock, Crawford and Richland counties on Tuesday to determine if federal aid is needed to supplement local and state resources.

On Sunday DeWine issued a state of emergency for the areas affected by the storms, sending the National Guard to assist with the cleanup in Logan County. An EF-3 tornado with winds up to 155 mph killed three people in Logan County.

Ohioans are resilient. When I toured the damage at Indian Lake, I heard over and over again from the residents I talked to about their resolve to rebuild, DeWine said in a statement. Having FEMA assess the damage is the next step in helping the affected communities recover.

The National Weather Service confirmed at least eight tornadoes touched down on March 14. Recovery efforts are ongoing.

Logan County Sheriff Randall Dodds tells WDTN Channel 2 that progress is being made in the cleanup, but it is taking time. WDTN reports a benefit concert was held Thursday night to raise money for Indian Lake residents affected by the tornado.
Feature: China-sponsored scholarships benefit Afghan college students

Xinhua) 10:43, March 22, 2024

KABUL, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Feeling happy and dreaming of becoming a mathematician in the future, Mohammad Sabir Hakimi thanked China for awarding scholarships to him and his fellows and believed that the award could raise them up.

"I am happy and excited about receiving the scholarship from China. The award definitely boosts the students' morale to study hard and become talents in the future," Hakimi told Xinhua recently after receiving the "Chinese Ambassador Scholarship" at an awarding ceremony held at Kabul University in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.

Hakimi said China's support to the education field in Afghanistan would further boost Sino-Afghan friendly relations.

"Of course, 100 percent, providing scholarships to the students of Kabul University would further get closer relations between Afghanistan and China," Hakimi asserted.

During the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan Zhao Xing awarded scholarships to 60 students of Kabul University, paving the way for the students to continue higher education in different universities in China.

The ambassador said in a speech that China attaches great importance to China-Afghanistan cooperation in education and is committed to promoting continuous development of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Another student who received the scholarship also opined that China's cooperation with Afghanistan in the educational sphere would enhance friendly relations between the two neighboring nations.

Such a program is vital and could further enhance Afghanistan-China relations, Edris Shah told Xinhua.

"No doubt, having scholarships would encourage us to study hard," Shah said.

Shah, who graduated from the graphic design department of Kabul University, added that awarding scholarships to Afghan students and facilitating them to study in China could also strengthen people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

"I am excited and thanking China and the Chinese people for extending cooperation to the people of Afghanistan in different sectors," Shah said.

Appreciating China for providing scholarships to Afghan students, Chancellor of Kabul University Usama Aziz said the assistance in the education field was very important in rebuilding the war-torn country.

"The cooperation of China in the field of education to boost higher education is significant and we appreciate it, particularly with Kabul University," Aziz said at the awarding ceremony.

Currently, more than 1,000 Afghan students are studying in China, and nearly 200 Afghan students are studying at the Confucius Institute at Kabul University.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles, right, listens to speakers alongside Angela Lemond Flowers, secretary of the Houston ISD Board of Managers, during a Houston ISD Board of Managers meeting at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Members of the public line up to speak during a Houston ISD Board of Managers meeting at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Houston. One hundred and fifty members of the public signed up to speak at the meeting. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Cassandra Auzenne Bandy, board member with the Houston ISD Board of Manager, listens during a Houston ISD Board of Managers meeting at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer People listen to public speakers during a Houston ISD Board of Managers meeting at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Houston. One hundred and fifty members of the public signed up to speak at the meeting. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Texas State Rep. Shawn Thierry speaks during a Houston ISD Board of Managers meeting at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Houston. One hundred and fifty members of the public signed up to speak at the meeting. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Jessica Ross reacts as she walks to the podium after hearing one of 150 visitors who signed up to speak during a Houston ISD Board of Managers meeting at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Members of the public line up to speak during a Houston ISD Board of Managers meeting at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Houston. One hundred and fifty members of the public signed up to speak at the meeting. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Janette Garza Lindner, board member with the Houston ISD Board of Manager, listens during a Houston ISD Board of Managers meeting at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

In a major reversal, Houston ISDs state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles said early Friday that the districts principal proficiency screener ratings will not be used in any adverse employment decisions for campus administrators for the current academic year.

As part of its mid-year proficiency screenings, HISD notified about half of its principals earlier this month that they had not yet met the requirements to guarantee their jobs next year and would have to achieve proficiency under a second screening if they wanted to guarantee their spot during the next academic year.

The Houston Chronicle published the names of 117 principals who received the message, including longtime veterans and new principals in both HISDs highest- and lowest-performing schools, prompting dozens of Houston ISD community members to attend the school board meeting Thursday and voice outrage over the results of the screening.

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The Chronicle later removed the list after receiving a tip that one principal's name may have been included erroneously, although Miles and the district have declined to detail any specific inaccuracies in the Chronicles list.

THE REPORT CARD: Subscribe to the Houston Chronicles weekly newsletter recapping HISD news

While the districts principal screening was not on the public agenda of the monthly meeting of the HISD Board of Managers, that did not stop parents, teachers and students from giving one-minute speeches for about three hours.

After hearing from the community, the HISD Board of Managers spent approximately four hours in closed session before returning to the meeting room at about 2:15 a.m. Friday. Miles then read a brief statement saying he would not use the controversial proficiency screener ratings to evaluate principals or make adverse employment decisions this academic year.

However, Miles said the district would continue to use instructional data, student achievement data, written evaluations of performance, and any other appropriate and relevant information in decisions affecting someones contract status.

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The dozens of parents who defended their school principals performance and urged the board to halt the implementation of the screening had left by the time the decision was announced.

My principal cares and inspires all of us to care. Our school was like this before you came to our district and I hope that it can withstand your policies, said Brynn Cabe, a seventh grader at an HISD magnet school. The success of all of our schools depends on you taking a more understanding approach with your job. ... Don't punish high-achieving principals with some inconsistent rubric.

People clap and cheer after a student spoke during a Houston ISD Board of Managers meeting at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Houston. One hundred and fifty members of the public signed up to speak at the meeting. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

Paul Calzada, a parent of a student at Carnegie Vanguard High School, said the screening was flawed because it did not assign a high rating to one of the best principals at one of the best high schools in the district. He questioned what other flawed tools Miles is using and said the districts students, teachers and staff deserve better.

I'm here because the Carnegie High School principal, Principal Moss, was not ranked as proficient or exemplary in the recent principal evaluation system, Calzada said. Superintendent Miles, you know your evaluation system is flawed. If you dont, you should. And we're going to remind you of that for as long as you refuse to admit it.

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None of the 150 speakers who signed up to speak before the meeting spoke in support of the model or its results.

The testimony occurred a few hours after dozens of people gathered in the pouring rain to protest outside HISDs annual State of the District, where protesters decried a number of Miles' most controversial reforms, including his decision to remove librarians from New Education System schools.

Under HISDs mid-year proficiency screening, principals who earned a score of Proficient I or better based on the schools quality of instruction and student achievement could remain in campuses. Principals who dont earn the score would have to earn a Proficient I or better based on instruction during the second screening to automatically be eligible to return to their campuses.

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About 22% of principals who scored below proficient on the second screening, in a category called "Progressing II," would have been able to remain in their position at the discretion of their supervisors. The 10% who received the lowest rating, "Progressing I," would be removed from their schools, according to Miles' targeted distribution.

Quality of instruction is based on a review teams classroom observations of core subject teachers, while student achievement is based on mid-year test data and interim results on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, according to the district.

During the board meeting, speakers criticized the screening for its bell curve model, which assigns the lowest score to 10% of notified principals, who will be fired at the end of the year. Some also called for an independent, third-party review of all of the districts evaluation systems, including those for principals and teachers.

Mike Miles does not have the skills to lead HISD and should be removed. The principal list (is) evidence that his judgment is impaired, HISD parent Jessica Catrett said. It makes no sense that leaders of schools that are consistently ranked as the best in state and nation are not performing well.

CERTIFICATION WAIVERS: HISD has hired at least 830 uncertified teachers for 2023-24 school year

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After the public testimony, the school board approved several items, including:
PIEDRAS NEGRAS, Mexico  Texas had been barred by a federal court for nearly two days from enforcing its sweeping new migrant deportation law.

But that wasnt the message Oscar Martinez, a 35-year-old Venezuelan man, received Thursday afternoon when he tried to cross the Rio Grande into Eagle Pass. A group of Texas National Guard members standing atop a wall of shipping containers on the American side of the border warned him falsely through a megaphone that the law, known as Senate Bill 4, was in effect.

They told me they couldnt let anyone cross because its a crime and that they could arrest me, send me back and that (Mexican immigration officials) would deport me anyway, Martinez said shortly after in Spanish. The father of three said the guardsmen told him to find somewhere else to cross, anywhere but Texas.

Martinez was one of two migrants whom the Houston Chronicle witnessed being intercepted by the Texas National Guard on Thursday as they attempted to cross the river from Piedras Negras, Mexico. Both men said they were threatened with arrest and deportation under SB4, despite the state not having any power to do so. In Martinezs instance, a Chronicle reporter directly heard the guardsmen offer false information about the state of the law.

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Texas was briefly allowed on Tuesday to enforce the new law, which makes it a crime to enter the state from Mexico without permission and gives state judges the power to issue removal orders to those convicted of illegal entry. A federal appeals court later blocked it again, and a legal battle continues over the states unprecedented attempt to seize immigration authority from the federal government.

Alfredo Mendez Uribe, 50, crosses back into Piedras Negras after attempting to enter the United States through Eagle Pass, saying he returned because a US National Guardsmen in Eagle Pass told him he would be immediately deported because of Texas law SB4 on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Piedras Negras , Mexico. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

The whiplash sent confusion reverberating through immigrant communities in Texas and in border towns in Mexico, where migrants like Martinez often arrive after monthslong treks through Central and South America. Officials in Texas have given conflicting messages about how and where they plan to enforce the law if it is allowed to take effect permanently.

The Texas Military Department did not respond to a request for comment on the incidents Thursday, or on what directives have been issued to National Guard members about what to tell migrants about the law.

Gov. Greg Abbotts office also did not respond to those questions. A spokesman for the governor, who oversees the states military, said earlier this week that the office will not share enforcement plans or directives related to SB4.

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Texas will not publicly give away our operational details to the Mexican drug cartels smuggling illegal immigrants, drugs and weapons into our country; but we are fully prepared to enforce Senate Bill 4, Abbott spokesman Andrew Mahaleris said.

Failed border crossing

Alfredo Mendez Uribe stood ankle-deep in the Rio Grande on the Mexican side of the riverbank around 4 p.m. Thursday, panting as he wrung his sopping-wet shirt and gym shorts. Minutes earlier, the 50-year-old Colombian had unsuccessfully attempted to cross into Eagle Pass. But after turning back, he found himself stuck between two lies.

Mendez Uribe, a migrant trying to reach the United States and Martinezs traveling partner, had nearly reached it when several Texas guardsmen in boats cruised toward him as he swam. He said they told him the state had recently enacted a new law that gave it the power to arrest and deport him the second he stepped foot on land. The guardsmen then warned him to turn back  or face the consequences.

The Chronicle was reporting on the impacts of Abbotts multibillion-dollar border security initiative Operation Lone Star around Eagle Pass, where the state has strung razor wire for miles, seized a public park and arrested thousands of migrants on trespassing charges.

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Mendez Uribe was on the banks in Piedras Negras, the Mexican city across the river, as he caught his breath Thursday in a public recreation area. The day had been quiet, with little activity on the Rio Grande except for the Texas National Guards roaring patrol boats.

Families sat under trees along the banks, fishing and watching their kids play in the river as they enjoyed the clear skies. After watching the 50-year-old attempt to cross and turn back, some bystanders gathered around him to offer their help. He explained what the guardsmen told him to the Chronicle and the spectators, and some tried telling him that the law wasnt in effect. But the guardsmen werent the only ones to deceive Mendez Uribe.

A family swims and picnics along the Rio Grande River bank while exican military looks on as Oscar Martinez is given a few pesos from a man after Martinez crossed back into Piedras Negras after attempting to enter the United States through Eagle Pass on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Piedras Negras , Mexico. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

After Mendez Uribe swam back, he was approached by two Mexican soldiers who repeated the falsity that SB4 was in effect and would lead to his deportation by the state if he tried to cross again. The soldiers assured him they would leave him alone as long as he left the river.

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Mendez Uribe appeared nervous, claiming Mexican law enforcement had beat and robbed him days earlier.

Youre going to turn me into la migra and deport me, he told them, referring to immigration officials. Mendez Uribe curled his top lip with his pinky and flashed the camo-clad soldiers several busted teeth he insisted were courtesy of Mexican police officers.

The soldiers, who did not identify themselves to the Chronicle, gave him their word, and he walked off. They later explained to the Chronicle they wanted to keep Mendez Uribe away from the Rio Grande out of fear that he could get hurt or drown, like many migrants whove died trying to reach the U.S. by swimming across.

To me, it doesnt matter if (migrants) are on this side or that side, one said. We try to protect them, but they dont understand. The river is treacherous.

The Mexican government has vocally opposed the law and said it will not accept those with removal orders from Texas.

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Mexico is urging a federal appeals court currently weighing whether to keep the law on hold to block it, arguing SB4 is likely to cause confusion and chaos at the border as people seek to enter Mexico to avoid criminal penalties under SB4. Those who do not comply with state removal orders face 20 years in prison under SB4.

Amerika Garcia Grewal, an immigration rights activist with the Eagle Pass Border Coalition, said she was disappointed to hear the Chronicles account of Thursday afternoons events.

Im not the slightest bit surprised, she said, adding, I hope that those who are entrusted to uphold the rule of law are actually following the law.

Immigration attorney Kristin Etter with the Austin-based Texas Immigration Law Council said she hadnt heard of other instances where migrants were threatened with arrest and deportation under the blocked law but suspects state officials are taking advantage of the chaos and confusion caused by the legal back-and-forth.

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Even before the advent of SB4, Etter said National Guard members and Department of Public Safety troopers regularly urged migrants crossing the Rio Grande at Eagle Pass to turn back toward Piedras Negras.

Weve had lots of different accounts of affirmative misadvice being given by state law enforcement officers, and it runs the gamut, she said. (Migrants) are being told, Hey, you cant cross here or youre going to get arrested and you wont be able to apply for asylum. You need to go back to Mexico. 

Oscar Martinez wades in the Rio Grande after attempting to enter the United States through Eagle Pass, saying he returned because a Texas National Guardsmen told him he would be immediately deported because of Texas law Senate Bill 4 on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Piedras Negras, Mexico. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Oscar Martinez wades in the Rio Grande after attempting to enter the United States through Eagle Pass, saying he returned because a Texas National Guardsmen told him he would be immediately deported because of Texas law Senate Bill 4 on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Piedras Negras, Mexico. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Oscar Martinez wades in the Rio Grande after attempting to enter the United States through Eagle Pass, saying he returned because a Texas National Guardsmen told him he would be immediately deported because of Texas law Senate Bill 4 on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Piedras Negras, Mexico. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Oscar Martinez wades in the Rio Grande after attempting to enter the United States through Eagle Pass, saying he returned because a Texas National Guardsmen told him he would be immediately deported because of Texas law Senate Bill 4 on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Piedras Negras, Mexico. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Oscar Martinez wades in the Rio Grande after attempting to enter the United States through Eagle Pass, saying he returned because a Texas National Guardsmen told him he would be immediately deported because of Texas law Senate Bill 4 on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Piedras Negras, Mexico. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Alfredo Mendez Uribe, 50, speaks to a Mexican soldier after swimming back across the Rio Grande from Eagle Pass to Piedras Negras, saying Texas National Guardsmen, behind him in a patrol boat, told him he would be immediately deported because of Texas law Senate Bill 4 on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Piedras Negras, Mexico. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Alfredo Mendez Uribe, 50, speaks to Mexican law enforcement after swimming back across the Rio Grande from Eagle Pass to Piedras Negras, saying a US National Guardsmen told him he would be immediately deported because of Texas law SB4 on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Piedras Negras , Mexico . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

A search continues

Within minutes of Mendez Uribes unsuccessful crossing, his friend Martinez got past the guardsmen in boats and onto the banks on the U.S. side. After he was told to turn back, the guardsmen in the boats could be heard saying among themselves of Martinez that he doesnt even know he already made it across.

Migrants who reach the U.S. have the right to petition federal officials for asylum  though in recent years, many have been jailed first by the state on misdemeanor trespassing charges. Its unclear if Martinez planned to apply for asylum.

He said he worked as a mechanic in Venezuela and is married with two daughters, ages 14 and 9, and a 2-year-old son. Martinez left them behind in his hometown of Merida, he said, because the journey to the U.S. was too dangerous. He aimed to find work to support his family.

A Chronicle reporter heard the same Mexican soldiers who had urged Mendez Uribe to leave also tell Martinez to either cross back again and be detained by the Texas National Guard to be deported, come back to Mexico or drown in the river.

Martinez told the Chronicle he believed the guardsmens false claims about SB4 because there were no visual signs of Border Patrol across the river.

Earlier this month, Border Patrol agents were still actively patrolling stretches of the riverbank along Eagle Pass, even as state officials have set up a paramilitary operation in Shelby Park and implied that they, not the federal government, are in charge. Chronicle reporters did not witness any Border Patrol officials along the riverbanks Thursday afternoon, though much of the American side is blocked by a wall of shipping containers and razor wire.

After his attempted crossing, Martinez walked to several migrant shelters across Piedras Negras looking for his friend and found most were full. There was no trace of Mendez Uribe, he said, and he finally returned Thursday evening to the Casa del Migrante shelter in a neighborhood overlooking the Rio Grande, where he had previously sought refuge.

Combating misinformation among migrant communities passing through Piedras Negras has become a focus for the people gathered at Casa del Migrante, said 40-year-old Jonathan Fortin of Honduras, who has sought shelter there.

Like many migrants, Fortin has been waiting months for an appointment with U.S. immigration officials through a phone app created by the federal government, and in that time, hes become an informal leader for the hundreds who arrive at the shelter.

We have to keep up to date with everything that happens on the other side, he said. We cant be ignorant of what is approved or what is denied in the United States. Because of our status as migrants, we have to be aware of what is happening.

Martinez didnt find Mendez Uribe at Casa del Migrante as the sun began to set Thursday. The last time the Chronicle spoke to Martinez, he was pleading with a shelter volunteer to let him stay the night despite a policy barring migrants who leave the sanctuary from returning.

But where he would sleep that night was the least of his concerns, he said. More important was finding his friend  and getting across the Rio Grande.
French plane maker Airbus is "not happy" about the multitude of problems facing its U.S. rival Boeing , according to its chief financial officer.

"We're not happy with the issues that our competitor's having. I think it's not helpful for the industry, and if it's not helpful for the industry, it's not helpful for Airbus," Thomas Toepfer told CNBC's Charlotte Reed in an interview Thursday.

"We do think that we have very good products. And we have seen this in the very good order intake that we've seen in 2023. And that is simply continuing also in 2024."

Boeing is under intense pressure after a series of costly and reputationally damaging incidents. A door plug on one of its 737 Max 9 aircraft blew out during an Alaska Airlines flight on Jan. 5, over which it is now facing a lawsuit and a Federal Aviation Administration investigation.

That came after two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 involving the 737 Max, its bestselling aircraft, which dented public trust in the company and raised serious questions about its culture and quality control processes.
Marty Lancton, President of Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 341 is photographed coming out of 234th Harris County District Court on Monday, March 18, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

It took John Whitmire less than three months as mayor to accomplish what his predecessor couldnt over eight years: settling a contract impasse with the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association.

If only expediency werent so expensive. When the city first announced late last month that it had finally reached a tentative agreement with the firefighters union, relief for many of us was accompanied by a sense of dread about Houstons precarious finances. Sure enough, when the bill was tallied last week, including a whopping $650 million for eight years' worth of back pay, taxpayers couldnt avoid sticker shock.

This massive sum couldve been much smaller had it been dealt with years ago.

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Former Mayor Sylvester Turners years of fruitless bargaining talks, lawsuits, charter amendments and threats of layoffs and budget cuts yielded nothing but frustration and bitterness. All the while, reasonable voices periodically reminded both sides that taxpayers would ultimately be on the hook for potentially hundreds of millions of dollars the longer the stalemate dragged. Thats partly because of interest the city will pay as it retires the debt, the Chronicles Dylan McGuinness reported, that could bring the total payout close to $900 million.

Houston firefighters deserve a fair contract. Despite working in the nations fourth-largest city, their salaries still lag their counterparts in Dallas, Austin and San Antonio. For years, theyve complained of low staffing and that Houstonians are getting slower response times because of it. Marty Lancton, the president of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, told the editorial board that the fire department has 500 fewer firefighters than it did in 2010, and that raising base salaries will help rebuild the rank-and-file and improve response times.

Yet even as weve criticized Turner for his intransigent tactics, he was correct to point out repeatedly that the city couldnt afford to meet all of the unions demands. Its why last year we called for the two sides to table the bargaining sessions and allow a panel of arbitrators to mediate the dispute.

Initially, it seemed Whitmire agreed. As a state senator he sponsored and pushed a bill through the Legislature last year that required the city to enter into a binding arbitration process with the firefighters union which would result in a one-year contract. That bill was challenged in court by the Turner administration, though a district judge affirmed its constitutionality. Upon taking office in January, Whitmire, a longtime ally of the firefighters' union, not only directed his counsel to drop the citys appeal of that ruling but decided to restart contract talks.

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A little more than a month later, the two sides hammered out the $650 million agreement. The back pay, which doesnt include the 24-34% raises over the course of a five-year contract, will be disbursed in lump-sum payments and will be partly financed by a judgment bond  a court-ordered, taxpayer-funded settlement that doesnt require voter approval  over the course of 25 to 30 years. The Whitmire administration projects the bond would cost the city roughly $36 million per year over 25 years to pay off that debt.

In truth, the roots of this problem go back more than 20 years when firefighters secured a lavish pension boost from the state Legislature. Like other benefits hikes at the time for municipal employees and police, the estimated cost of the firefighters increase was grossly understated, contributing to a billion-dollar shortfall. While municipal employees and police agreed to renegotiate their benefits and give the city a temporary reprieve from fully funding their pensions, firefighters refused. That irked city leaders and stymied salary negotiations.

Firefighters certainly share the blame in the drawn-out salary saga and weve vehemently argued against some of their tactics, but in the end, that didnt seem to matter. They played hardball for a very long time and now theyve won. The question is whether taxpayers have won.

Whitmire, who ran for mayor in part on a platform of fiscal responsibility, will ultimately own this deal. He told the editorial board this week the agreement is fair to both taxpayers and the firefighters. The mayor said he was advised, both by the citys own attorneys and members of the influential business group, the Greater Houston Partnership, that going to trial over the civil lawsuit the fire union filed against the city in 2017 couldve resulted in a judgment of up to $1.2 billion and a relatively short three-year contract, which is what Whitmire says the firefighters were pushing for. While were not thrilled about a settlement bond that circumvents voter approval, it does allow the city to spread out the financial hit.

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We cant help but wonder whether going to arbitration  even for only a one-year contract  would have resulted in a better deal for taxpayers. Arbitrators are legally bound to be fair, weighing the firefighters demands against the citys ability to pay. Whitmire countered that, after eight years, its more cost-effective for the city to rip the Band-Aid off and work out a long-term contract.

The response Im getting from the public is 'Thank goodness', Whitmire said. We needed to get the firefighters and the city off of the front page, and let them go back to work. Give them the resources they need, and get the hell out of court.

Thats true. Its also true that the bill on this deal will come due. And its unclear how Houston will pay for it. Thats always been the problem. What firefighters asked for in the past wasnt sustainable and were not sure how this deal can be.

Given that the city is already facing a $160 million deficit in its next budget, the Whitmire administration better come up with new revenue. And fast. Merely asking each city agency  except for police and fire  to trim 5% of their budgets wont cut it.

Whitmire told us he is considering proposing a charter amendment to the citys self-imposed cap limiting the amount of growth in property taxes it can take in from year to year. The city hit the cap for the first time in 2015, forcing it to cut the tax rate in eight out of the past nine years to comply with the measure. The result, according to Turner, has been a cumulative loss of $1.8 billion in revenue since 2015.

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Whitmire would prefer to amend the cap only to increase public safety spending. Well reserve judgment until we see a firmer proposal but its clear that the citys urgent needs go far beyond the police and fire departments.

The mayor deserves credit for breaking the deadlock with firefighters. Now he must ensure the city stanches the financial bleeding to make the agreement worthwhile.
LONDON  Adrian Hallmark, the experienced autos leader of Bentley, has been appointed as new chief executive officer of fellow British luxury automaker Aston Martin.

The 61-year-old will start in his new role no later than Oct. 1, the company announced Friday. Outgoing leader Amedeo Felisa will remain in his post until that time.

"He brings more than 25 years of highly successful senior automotive experience from the US, Europe, and Asia with companies such as Bentley, Porsche and Volkswagen," Aston Martin Lagonda said in a statement.

Hallmark also spent seven years in senior roles at Jaguar Land Rover. Bentley has significantly increased profits and revenue under his tenure, though it faced sector headwinds in 2023, including shifting sales patterns in China.

Aston Martin Executive Chairman Lawrence Stroll said Hallmark would bring "unrivalled experience in both the ultra-luxury and British manufacturing sectors to progress our strategy and continue recent momentum."

It marks yet another leadership change for Aston Martin, which has suffered heavy losses in recent years that narrowed in its 2023 results. Felisa took his place at the helm in May 2022, after his predecessor Tobias Moers lasted less than two years in the top job.

Aston Martin Lagonda shares were up 1.8% at 9:15 a.m. in London.

Despite a rebound in 2023, the company's share price has fallen sharply since going public in 2018, as it has grappled with supply chain disruption, increased costs and a large debt pile.

Hallmark will face a long to-do list, including launching Aston Martin's first hybrid supercar Valhalla, dealing with production problems with the new DB12 model and managing the electric vehicle transition witch which many automakers are struggling.
The Stellantis sign is seen outside the FCA Headquarters and Technology Center in Auburn Hills, Michigan, on Jan. 19, 2021.

DETROIT  Stellantis is laying off roughly 400 salaried employees in the U.S. in its engineering, technology and software units to cut costs as the automaker faces what it calls challenging market conditions.

Stellantis on Friday said the layoffs would affect about 2% of employees in those units "after rigorous organizational reviews." Stellantis employed 11,800 U.S. salaried employees as of the end of last year.

The cuts are effective March 31.

"As the auto industry continues to face unprecedented uncertainties and heightened competitive pressures around the world, Stellantis continues to make the appropriate structural decisions across the enterprise to improve efficiency and optimize our cost structure," the company said in an emailed statement.

A spokeswoman for the automaker declined to discuss the exact number of employees who are being laid off. A source familiar with the actions confirmed it at about 400 workers, a number first reported Friday by The Wall Street Journal.

The layoffs occurred during a "mandatory remote work day" for U.S. salaried, nonunion employees in Stellantis' engineering and technology organization, according to an internal announcement confirmed by two sources who were not authorized to speak about the actions.

The action is the latest by Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares to cut costs through layoffs, buyouts and other methods since the company was established through a merger of Fiat Chrysler and French automaker PSA Groupe in 2021.

The cuts are part of a push to achieve Stellantis' "Dare Forward 2030" strategic plan that aims to increase profits and double the automaker's revenue to 300 billion euros, or $335 billion, by then, among other targets.

"While we understand this is difficult news, these actions will better align resources while preserving the critical skills needed to protect our competitive advantage as we remain laser focused on implementing our EV product offensive and our Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan," the company said.
A pump jack operates in front of a drilling rig at sunset in an oil field in Midland, Texas U.S. August 22, 2018. Nick Oxford | Reuters

Senior U.S. lawmakers believe the International Energy Agency has "strayed from its core mission" of safeguarding energy security and has emerged as a "cheerleader" for the green transition. "We would argue that in recent years the IEA has been undermining energy security by discouraging sufficient investment in energy supplies  specifically, oil, natural gas, and coal. Moreover, its energy modeling no longer provides policymakers with balanced assessments of energy and climate proposals. Instead, it has become and 'energy transition' cheerleader," said a letter dated March 20, penned by Republican Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming  ranking member on the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources  and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., chair of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce. "IEA forecasts have a tremendous influence on shaping how the world sees future energy trends. Consequently, the IEA must conduct its energy security mission in an objective manner. We believe the IEA is failing to fulfil these responsibilities," said the letter, which is addressed to IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. "It should disturb you that biased parties are exploiting the IEA's forecasts and other products to advocate for policies that undermine energy security." The IEA has taken a vanguard role in advocating for global decarbonization, and in a landmark 2021 analysis called for no new oil, gas, or coal development, if the world intends to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Among other items, the letter signatories accused that the IEA's 2021 report is "long on aspiration but short on the things that matter most to policymakers: objective analysis of energy flows, trade patterns, security impacts, and economic effects."

They further inquired into the IEA's forecast and modeling methodology, as well as into the extent of funding that the agency has received from the U.S. The IEA does not outright disclose its donors, stating that its budget and the scope of its work are determined every two years by its governing board and comprise voluntary contributions from countries, energy stakeholders and private sources. The IEA on Thursday confirmed receipt of the letter to CNBC and stressed that its mandate remains maintaining energy security and accelerating clean energy transitions. "In this context, we welcome feedback on our work and attach great importance to our dialogue with the U.S. Congress, where we regularly participate in hearings to provide expert testimony across a wide range of energy policy issues," it said in a statement. "As part of the IEA's long-term energy system modelling, we produce a number of scenarios that are built on different underlying assumptions about how the energy system might evolve over time. As we highlight in our work, the different scenarios aim to help inform decision making by showing the effects of different policy, technology and investment choices. The scenarios are not predictions of exactly what will happen." The IEA's peak demand projections, in particular, have repeatedly come under open fire from heavyweight oil producer Saudi Arabia and members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. OPEC itself is no stranger to U.S. pressure, with the oil alliance's de facto leader Saudi Arabia and the White House engaging in a brief but diplomatically visceral war of words in late 2022 over crude production cuts. OPEC has also been targeted by Congress' long-protracted and yet-to-be-enacted No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels (NOPEC) bill.

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This week, the Republican Study Committee, a large group of conservative House Republicans, released a 2025 budget proposal including significant reforms for Social Security and Medicare. President Joe Biden, in his own recent budget proposal, also outlined broad changes he hopes can be made to those programs. Changes that are enacted to Social Security and Medicare will have to be bipartisan. "Any kind of durable policy with a realistic chance of getting through Congress is going to have to include aspects from both of these budgets," Sprick said.

Republican budget calls for raising retirement age

The Republican Study Committee budget calls for "Making Social Security Solvent Again." The reforms would be gradually phased in and "affect no senior in or near retirement," according to the plan. Ultimately, the goal for the changes is to make Social Security's retirement trust fund "sustainably solvent." Republicans' budget proposal calls for "modest adjustments" to the retirement age to reflect longer life expectancies, though it did not specify how high the age could go up. Social Security's full retirement age  when beneficiaries may receive 100% of the benefits they've earned  is currently 67 for people born in 1960 or later. The plan also calls for reducing full retirement age benefits for high-income earners, while also limiting and phasing out "auxiliary benefits" for those beneficiaries' spouses and dependents. The budget did not specify the income thresholds to which those changes would apply. "There is a lot of willingness and openness on the Republican side of the aisle to reduce Social Security benefits for high earners," Sprick said. The Republican budget proposal would restructure Medicare so beneficiaries receive premium support subsidies, which they may use to pay for either through federal traditional Medicare or private Medicare Advantage plans. The amount of the subsidies would be based on a benchmark that would be chosen after testing several options, according to the plan.

Biden's proposal opposes benefit cuts

Biden's budget outlines the ways in which the president wants to address the looming funding shortages both Social Security and Medicare currently face. "No benefit cuts," the budget states regarding Social Security. Efforts to privatize the program are also off the table. To help shore up Social Security's shortfall, Biden's budget calls for the "highest-income Americans to pay their fair share." "Under my plan nobody earning less than $400,000 will pay an additional penny in federal taxes," Biden said during his State of the Union address earlier this month.

The president's budget proposal also calls for improving Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for retirees and individuals with disabilities who "face the greatest challenges making ends meet." Biden's budget also aims to shore up Medicare in keeping with changes he has previously proposed. That includes raising the Medicare tax rate on both earned and unearned income from 3.8% to 5% for those earning more than $400,000.

Parties trade jabs on proposals
A view shows the office of TikTok after the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill that would give TikTok's Chinese owner ByteDance about six months to divest the U.S. assets of the short-video app or face a ban, in Culver City, California, March 13, 2024.

Kevin O'Leary is putting together a syndicate for a potential purchase of TikTok, with a starting bid of $20 billion to $30 billion  an up to 90% cut in valuation from the company's last funding round.

Any deal for the short video-sharing platform  valued at $220 billion in 2023, according to PitchBook data  will likely exclude the user preference-based algorithms that have helped make it so successful, the O'Leary Ventures Chairman said on CNBC's "Street Signs Asia."

"It's the largest entertainment and business network in America as it stands today, so it's of great interest and great value," he said on Friday.

But it is not likely that the Chinese government will sell the algorithms, "so what you're getting is the valuable domestic brand TikTok and 170 million users, with no data," O'Leary said.

A potential buyer will have to "re-emulate" those algorithms with U.S. code and act as a "steward" to transform the platform from "TikTok China to TikTok U.S.A." Hence the valuation cut.
For the most part, Mark Cuban is firmly anti-micromanaging.

The 65-year-old billionaire entrepreneur weighed in on the common leadership style in a recent post on social media network X. If you find yourself constantly micromanaging the people around you, something's wrong, Cuban noted.

The only exception, he added: When you're early in a process  think building a brand-new startup or training a new employee  sweating every small detail can help.

"Micromanage early. Trust the process or fix what's broken if you always have to micromanage," Cuban wrote in his March 11 post.

Cuban's post was a response to a thread about counterintuitive leadership principles written by Ofek Lavian, CEO of financial tech company Forage. In that thread, Lavian referenced a 20VC podcast episode from last year featuring Shopify CEO and co-founder Tobi Lutke, who embraced micromanaging.

"There is probably no singular idea that has destroyed more business value on planet earth than the idea that micromanagement is bad," Lutke said. It's a part of "being responsible for everyone," and it can help supervisors mitigate mistakes before they happen, he added.

But while micromanaging may ease a boss' peace of mind, it can contribute to a toxic work environment.

Seventy-three percent of workers consider micromanagement to be the biggest workplace red flag, saying it contributes to negative and anxious feelings, according to an August 2023 survey from job platform Monster. Forty-six percent said they'd leave their job because of it.
The Masimo logo is displayed at Masimo headquarters on December 27, 2023 in Irvine, California.

Medical technology company Masimo Corp said on Friday it is evaluating a proposed spinoff of its consumer business, which includes its consumer health and audio products, sending shares up 13% in extended trading.

The company, which makes equipment such as a pulse oximeter, also sells baby monitors and smart watches under its brand.

Masimo acquired audio products maker Sound United LLC for $1 billion in 2022, which was poorly received by investors who sent shares tumbling 37%, wiping away about $5 billion in market value.

The acquisition was followed by Quentin Koffey's Politan Capital Management taking 9% stake in Masimo with plans to push the company to make changes.

Masimo said it will retain its healthcare and telehealth products, adding the spinoff would improve profitability of the healthcare business.

Current CEO Joe Kiani is expected to remain as chief executive while also taking on a new role as chairman of the newly created company, Masimo said.

Masimo said it expects to complete the separation "as soon as feasible".

Irvine, California-based Masimo has been making the headlines since it sued Apple in October, alleging the iPhone maker stole trade secrets related to technology for reading blood-oxygen levels in its watches and infringed Masimo patents.
The rising demand for generative artificial intelligence has led to a surge in shares of many AI-linked companies like chipmaker Nvidia and ChatGPT backer Microsoft . Now, RBC Capital Markets has identified three lesser-known companies poised to cash in on the AI boom in a big way. In a note to clients on March 19, The Canadian investment bank singled out Australian data center operator NextDC , French electrical equipment giant Schneider Electric and British electrical components maker nVent Electric as firms "substantially affected" by the rise of AI. All three stocks are also traded in the United States. At the heart of the booming trend are the immense computing power and energy demands required to train generative AI models. RBC noted that major cloud companies like Amazon , Microsoft and Google are packing data centers  facilities that host computer servers  with tens of thousands of power-hungry AI chips, driving a surge in demand for infrastructure like cooling systems and electrical equipment. NextDC For Australia's NextDC , that AI-fueled growth has already translated into a massive 1-gigawatt pipeline of projects focused on AI training and inference workloads, according to RBC. To meet that demand, NextDC has announced plans for new data center facilities dedicated to generative AI workloads, including one in Sydney designed "exclusively for AI factories and sovereign AI." RBC analyst Jonathan Atkin raised his price target to $19 a share on March 15, giving it a 9.5% upside. The consensus price target also points to a 9.5% upside, according to FactSet. nVent The electrical component maker is also set to benefit from surging demand for its liquid cooling systems and power distribution units (PDU)  products critical for supporting AI hardware, according to RBC. The investment bank pointed out that over 40% of nVent's data center division's revenue growth this year is expected to come from liquid cooling and PDU. NVT 1Y line Deane Dray, analyst at RBC, expects shares to stay flat over the next 12 months. That's partly because of the stunning 72% rise in the company's shares over the past year. So far this year, nVent's shares have rallied by 23%. Schneider Electric French industrial giant Schneider Electric is another major beneficiary that RBC identified. Orders for the firm's data center cooling systems and power distribution equipment have risen sharply as Big Tech companies build out AI-optimized facilities. "Schneider Electric projects a continued growth rate of over 10% in the data center and network sectors, emphasizing the enduring importance of these segments to the company's overall growth strategy," RBC analyst Mark Fielding noted. Fielding is bearish on the stock, with a sell rating and a price target that points to a 23% downside. The stock has risen 18% this year and is up by more than 45% over the past 12 months. According to FactSet, analyst consensus is on a "hold" rating, with the price target pointing to 7.1% downside.  CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed reporting.
Investors have lost their taste for Starbucks stock as the company faces headwinds in key markets across the globe. We also remain tentative on the next steps until these challenges roll over and the company shows proof of improving financials. Shares of the coffee chain have slumped in recent weeks as the S & P 500 steadily climbed higher to a series of record highs. The divergence comes as Starbucks' revenue and profits are under pressure due to weaker afternoon sales in the U.S., a slower economic recovery in its second-largest market of China and the Israel-Hamas war impacting its Middle East business. Down nearly 6% since Feb. 9, Starbucks shares are currently trading at 21 times forward earnings estimates, well below its average price-to-earnings ratio over the past five years of 28, according to FactSet. The S & P 500 has climbed more than 4% over the same stretch. "Based on the tea leaves, it looks like Starbucks is headed for another weak quarter and cut to its outlook," said Jeff Marks, director of portfolio analysis for the Club. "The fact that the stock's P/E multiple is at the low end of its historical range suggests the market has already factored this in. However, for the stock to start working again, the company needs to get back to beating and raising like it used to." SBUX .SPX YTD mountain Starbucks' year-to-date stock performance compared with the S & P 500. Starbucks is trying to take steps to reinvigorate growth. Earlier this week, the company announced a leadership reshuffle. It appointed Michael Conway, a seasoned executive with the company since 2013, to the newly created role of CEO for North America. Meanwhile, its current chief marketing officer, Brady Brewer, will become chief executive for Starbucks International, covering its operations in markets including Latin America and Europe. These leadership changes are effective April 1. The current leadership team for Starbucks China will remain in place. Investor sentiment around Starbucks has become quite negative, with a few weeks to go before its next earnings report. At this point, the question is whether the possibility of a weak quarter and lowered guidance are already priced into Starbucks' stock. That was the case with Starbucks' first-quarter results in January , which weren't as bad as Wall Street feared. The company missed on the top-and-bottom lines, while lowering its guidance for revenue and same-store sales growth, yet the stock only fell about 1% the following day. In light of the report, we lowered our price target on Starbucks stock to $115 per share from $125, but maintained our 1 rating. Starbucks has described the challenges facing its business, including a slowdown in demand in the U.S. and sluggish activity in China , as "transitory." Recent comments from Starbucks management suggest ongoing headwinds are expected to impact the current quarter, but it emphasized efforts that were being taken to improve the business. At the company's annual meeting for shareholders last week, CEO Laxman Narasimhan explained that as Starbucks navigates shifting consumer behaviors, he sees growth opportunities across beverages and, increasingly, food in the afternoon. He called out its new lavender drink for the spring season, saying it's had an "overwhelmingly positive" reception, particularly among afternoon customers. Nevertheless, on a subsequent call with analysts, CFO Rachel Ruggeri reiterated to analysts that Starbucks' second-quarter results will be "meaningfully below our full fiscal year guidance ranges." In recent days, multiple Wall Street analysts tweaked their financial models to reflect more muted growth. Deutsche Bank trimmed its fiscal second quarter earnings-per-share estimates by roughly 2%, to 80 cents from 81 cents, due to estimates of lower U.S. sales on "incremental weather headwinds" impacting consumption. The analysts also lowered their full-year 2024 EPS estimate to $4.03 from $4.08. At the same time, the firm believes "compelling innovation and targeted marketing" may help kickstart same-store sales growth, a key driver for the stock. Against that backdrop, "with the stock trading near trough valuation and negative sentiment already priced in, we believe the risk/reward is skewed to the upside," analysts wrote. That's a view we share. Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley believes the second quarter is "set to be weakest" of the fiscal year, but the analysts "continue to see limited downside risk at current levels and believe there are catalysts over the medium to long term." If management decides to cut to earnings-per-share growth for the full year, that could help the stock, given the current negative sentiment and lower valuation, analysts wrote. Analysts at Wells Fargo also see an improving risk-reward tradeof for the stock and cited multiple levers the company has in its favor to accelerate in the second half of the year. That includes its product innovation pipeline, warmer weather increasing demand for cold drinks and pricing power. Additionally, the leadership reshuffling announced this week "suggests positive change is afoot" at Starbucks, Wells Fargo analysts wrote in a note to clients. The move, analysts argued, shows action is being taken to address the company's recent underperformance and believe the changes "should be well received." Wells Fargo noted that Starbucks shares are currently trading at a "significant discount" to their three-year, five-year and 10-year average price-to-earnings ratio. The firm argued the stock is currently trading around a valuation floor. We tend to agree with this assessment. While this means the downside for the stock could be limited, the company will ultimately need to show earnings growth to justify P/E expansion. This isn't necessarily a signal for us to buy, but it also means we're not selling down here. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long SBUX. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.

A Starbucks logo is seen as members and supporters of Starbucks Workers United protest outside of a Starbucks store in Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C., on Nov. 16, 2023. Kevin Dietsch | Getty Images
Here are Friday's biggest calls on Wall Street: Barclays reiterates Tesla as equal weight Barclays is sticking with its equal weight rating heading into Tesla's release of its vehicle delivery numbers in early April. "We estimate 1Q deliveries in 420-425k units range, below consensus 468k." BTIG downgrades Papa John's to neutral from buy BTIG downgraded the pizza chain following the CEO's departure. "We are downgrading shares of Papa John's to Neutral from Buy following the departure of Rob Lynch as CEO, who is taking the reins at Shake Shack (SHAK, Buy, $120 PT) this spring." UBS reiterates Nvidia as buy UBS raised its price target on AI chip developer Nvidia to $1,100 per share from $800. "Following the Blackwell launch and having attended several sessions at GTC, we believe NVDA sits on the cusp of an entirely new wave of demand from global enterprises and sovereigns  with each sovereign potentially as big as a large U.S. cloud customer." Morgan Stanley reiterates Apple as overweight Morgan Stanley said investors should buy the dip in shares of Apple following the Justice Department and states' lawsuit. "We believe the mkt is under-appreciating AAPL's Edge AI initiatives, and see key catalysts ahead, including WWDC & an AI-driven iPhone upgrade cycle, which should more than offset June Q est concerns and the long-tailed DOJ lawsuit." Goldman Sachs reiterates FedEx as buy Goldman is standing by its buy rating on the overnight shipping company following Thursday's earnings report. "While there remains near term risk as we end fiscal 2024, we continue to favor FDX given their cost takeout initiatives, in addition to the eventual return of volumes which should provide another lever of growth and cost improvement leverage over their network." Goldman Sachs reiterates Arista as buy Goldman raised its price target on the cloud networking stock to $356 from $313. "Our increased optimism is driven by growing capex in 2024/25 from ANET Cloud Titan customers Meta, Microsoft, and Oracle, which we believe supports ANET's 2024E revenue guidance if ANET's revenue from Meta & Microsoft as a % of capex is consistent." Truist reiterates Amazon as buy Truist reiterated its buy rating on Amazon shares. "We remain constructive on AMZN with two weeks to go in the quarter, based on our tracking of a proxy for U.S. revenue growth and overall positive market trends." RBC downgrades Nike to sector perform from outperform RBC downgraded Nike after its disappointing earnings report Thursday. "No revenue growth in cal-2024 leaves little to play for; downgrade to Sector Perform." Morgan Stanley reiterates Alphabet as overweight Morgan Stanley believes shares of Alphabet remain undervalued. "GOOGL also trades at a 24% discount to peers and 17% discount vs [long term] average." Citi initiates Talos Energy as buy Citi began research coverage of Talos with a buy and said investors should buy the energy company after a recent decline. "We favor their prudent strategy composed of a balanced combination of acquisitional and organic growth with moderate operational upside; we view the continuation of this trend as necessary to balance the concern surrounding their relatively small scale and comparably low reserve life." JMP reiterates Coinbase as market outperform JMP is sticking with a market outperform rating on the crypto stock. "Coinbase is more than just an exchange, with momentum continuing to build in ancillary businesses; we maintain our Market Outperform rating and $300 price target." JPMorgan downgrades Martin Marietta and Vulcan Materials to neutral from overweight JPMorgan downgraded Martin Marietta Materials and Vulcan Materials , mainly due to their valuations. "The sector is +21% YTD, outperforming the SPX by 11 [percentage points], and +29% since December 2023 and now leaving valuations stretched trading above their 5Y + 1 [standard deviation] average, particularly for aggregates pure-plays." Redburn Atlantic Equities upgrades Verizon to neutral from sell Redburn sees "improving subscriber trends" for Verizon. "We remain Sellers of AT & T and TMUS, but upgrade Verizon to Neutral given improving subscriber trends, exposure to falling rates and healthy dividend cover." JPMorgan upgrades Best Buy to overweight from neutral JPMorgan upgraded Best Buy and raised its price target to $101 per share from $89. "Said succinctly, we think it makes sense to potentially be one to two quarters early on BBY given margin control/upside given computing trends could kick in during back to school (July-Sept) with the relative valuation and margin flow-through indicating a spring-loaded stock." UBS upgrades Atlantica Sustainable to buy from neutral UBS said shares of the renewables company are attractive. "We upgrade shares of AY from Neutral to Buy." Piper Sandler initiates Boston Beer as overweight Piper initiated the beverage company with an overweight, saying it favors its pipeline of products. "We initiate on SAM with an OW rating and $350 price target. We expect Twisted Tea and Hard Dew to drive top-line growth, with Hard Mtn Dew likely to drive potentially significant upside vs. our estimates (and consensus), based on its initial traction in limited distribution." KBW upgrades Banc of California to outperform from market perform KBW said investors should buy shares of the regional bank before it's too late. "We are transferring coverage of BANC to Christopher McGratty and upgrading the shares to Outperform from Market Perform previously." Argus downgrades Pfizer to hold from buy Argus said in its downgrade of the drugmaker that it sees too many top-line headwinds. " PFE faces near-term headwinds to top-line growth. It is guiding to 2024 3%-5% revenue growth (ex. Covid products and Seagen acquisition), down from 7% in 2023." Janney upgrades Sunnova to buy from neutral Janney says investors should buy the dip in shares of the solar company. " NOVA: Upgrading to BUY after Considerable Weakness." Citigroup upgrades Foot Locker to neutral from sell Citi said the risk/reward is looking better for shares of the shoe retailer. "While FL has not had favorable allocation from NKE in recent years and there is no guarantee FL will benefit from NKE's product pivot, there seems to be a higher likelihood FL could see better allocation." Compass Point upgrades US Bancorp to buy from neutral Compass Point said it sees "notable upside" for shares of the Minneapolis-based bank. " USB should benefit from solid expense leverage in FY24, and mgmt. has levers to pull if needed to ensure it can hit flat expenses for the year." Wedbush reiterates Alphabet as outperform Wedbush added the stock to its best ideas list. "We are adding Alphabet to the Wedbush Best Ideas List (BIL) and are raising our TP to $175 from $160." TD Cowen upgrades Charles Schwab to outperform from market perform TD Cowen upgraded Schwab and said it sees a "favorable inflection" point on the horizon. "We believe the backdrop is incrementally more conducive for the sector for [net interest margins], capital markets, with our latest EPS revisions at/above consensus mostly." Goldman Sachs upgrades Vesta to buy from neutral Goldman is bullish on shares of the Mexican real estate company. "We upgrade shares of Mexican industrial real estate developer Vesta to Buy from Neutral with P$73 and US$42 PTs for VESTA.MX shares and VTMX ADRs, implying a +15% price return." Goldman Sachs initiates Veralto as buy Goldman said in its initiation of the water company, spun off last year from Danaher , that it likes Veralto's pipeline of product offerings. "Quality growth in water and product markets globally; initiate at Buy." Morgan Stanley reiterates Taiwan Semiconductor as overweight Morgan Stanley said the semiconductor manufacturer is a key beneficiary of Apple's AI push. " TSMC the key enabler and beneficiary of Apple's AI."
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, right, listens as Larry Fink, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BlackRock, makes a statement during opening remarks of the Texas Power Grid Investment Summit, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer

When Republicans announced that the states Permanent School Fund shed $8.5 billion worth of investments with BlackRock, they cast it as a rebuke of the financial giants anti-Texas policies and woke indoctrination. The decision was made, they said, to comply with a state law that bars business with companies that boycott fossil fuels.

But in reality, the move was largely a financial one unrelated to the controversial law.

The funds board voted last month to move investments away from foreign debt and an international index fund they deemed too risky, according to three members and a webcast of the meeting. BlackRock happened to manage both portfolios, Tom Maynard, the Permanent School Fund's board chair and a Florence Republican, said Friday.

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If you drill down into it, thats really the basis of the decision more than it being BlackRock, he said.

The move is the latest dust-up between Texas and BlackRock as the states Republican leaders seek to punish companies they see as spurning fossil fuels, gunmakers and other industries they support.

The decision to cut ties with the financial company is unfolding in an election year at a time Republicans are eager to demonstrate their conservative bona fides. BlackRock, through its proliferation of environmental, social and governance investment policies  where broader social implications are considered alongside direct financial ones  has emerged as a frequent target of conservative criticism.

The school fund decision was made during a three-hour, 17-minute meeting in February in which the funds board made routine decisions about how to manage its investment strategies.

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After a lengthy slideshow presentation from the CEO of the fund, board members decided to move investments away from foreign debt  which they viewed as too risky, given international instability  and instead into private credit funds. It was a cut-and-dry decision based on 10-year financial projections, they said. One member who was at that meeting, Fort Worth Republican Pat Hardy, said this week that she did not recall the word BlackRock being uttered.

But when the decision was announced, Maynard described the move in a news release as an effort to fight anti-Texas policies and woke indoctrination that have no place in Texas public education, whether in the classroom or as investments in Texas Permanent School Fund.

Aaron Kinsey  chair of the State Board of Education, whose members help oversee the fund  said on social media that the decision was made through his leadership to comply with the controversial 2021 state law, known as Senate Bill 13, which bars investments with companies that boycott oil and gas companies

BlackRock later said Kinseys tweet was how company leaders learned of the states multibillion-dollar decision, which the company criticized as reckless, irresponsible and arbitrary.

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Kinsey, a Midland oil and gas executive, took to Fox Business to defend it.

Our duty is to execute the law, he said. Executing the law is not arbitrary.

Kinsey declined an interview after a conference Thursday in Austin hosted by the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation. He did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment Friday.

BlackRock is included on a state-issued list of financial companies that are off limits for investments because they discriminate against the firearms industry, boycott fossil fuels or avoid doing business with Israel.

Several large Texas pension and investment funds  including the Teacher Retirement System  have divested their direct shares of BlackRock to comply with the law. But they still allow the company to manage billions of dollars of other investments.

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READ MORE: Comptroller urges state fund managers to comply with 2021 law concerning oil and gas boycotts

BlackRock, whose leaders have denied claims they boycott energy companies, was sharply critical of the PSF decision. In an open letter Thursday, the company noted that it had outperformed financial benchmarks for the PSF since they began working together in 2006, generating an excess of more than $250 million.

We fully comply with Texas law and fundamentally disagree with your assessment based on BlackRocks performance for Texas PSF and our investments in Texas energy companies, BlackRock Vice Chairman Mark McCombe wrote in the letter. How our clients invest and whom they entrust to manage their money is entirely their decision, but we feel an action of this magnitude warrants transparency and consensus  not political-driven decision-making. Texas schools and families deserve that.

Maynard said the Permanent School Fund was already in compliance with the law and the decision to withdraw funds from BlackRock management was primarily financial. But he said it was also an opportunity to state our values and not only honor the letter of the law but the spirit and intent of the law.

Asked why the news release presented the decision as about SB13 when he acknowledged it was a financial one, Maynard pointed to politics.

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I dont think that we started out that way. Its just, I guess, the environment were in right now.
Female firefighter putting on her protective equipment inside the fire station in response to an emergency

The Biden administration's latest student loan forgiveness announcement contained good news for more people than the 77,700 borrowers eligible for this round of aid.

Starting next week, the administration said, President Joe Biden will send an email to nearly 380,000 additional borrowers confirming that they are "on track" for loan cancellation within two years as long as they continue to meet the requirements of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

"I've heard from countless people who have told me that relieving the burden of their student loan debt will allow them to support themselves and their families, buy their first home, start a small business, and move forward with life plans they've put on hold," Biden's email says, in a draft reviewed by CNBC.

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The Supreme Court last June struck down the president's plan to deliver student loan forgiveness to as many as 40 million Americans. Since then, his administration has tried to cancel the debt in various other ways, using its existing authority. It has mainly done so by overhauling existing loan relief programs that historically were hard to access.

As a result, since Biden was elected, his administration has so far cleared the education debts of nearly 4 million people, totaling $143.6 billion in relief.

Those who haven't qualified for that aid are likely wondering, "When will my turn come?"

While Biden's emails may answer that question for some, here are other ways borrowers can figure out if, and when, they may be eligible for debt cancellation.

"These forgiveness opportunities are fantastic, but they are complicated," said Elaine Rubin, director of corporate communications at Edvisors, which helps students navigate college costs and borrowing.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks after exiting the courtroom as he attends his Manhattan courthouse trial in a civil fraud case in New York, October 18, 2023.

Donald Trump on Friday claimed to have nearly half a billion dollars in cash  after his lawyers said he doesn't have enough money to post a bond for his $464 million civil fraud appeal.

The apparent contradiction could be serious: Trump has just a few days left to get an appeal bond that would stop New York Attorney General Letitia James from starting to collect on the massive judgment.

"Through hard work, talent, and luck, I currently have almost five hundred million dollars in cash, a substantial amount of which I intended to use in my campaign for president," Trump wrote in an all-caps Truth Social post Friday morning.

He also claimed the judge who delivered the fraud verdict was preventing him from spending his money on his presidential campaign.

This marked the first time Trump has said he would spend his own money to fund his presidential campaign. So far, Trump has not contributed any money to his current White House bid. He did not contribute any of his own money to his 2020 campaign, according to NBC News.

Either way, Trump's claim in Friday's posts  that he does have the cash to pay the bond, but he is saving it to bankroll his campaign for president  is not one that his lawyers have made to the appeals court judges who are considering his request to pause the fraud judgment.

His lawyers claimed Monday that it was "impossible" for him to get a bond, because he does not have the cash to secure one and because no potential insurers will accept Trump's real estate instead.

James has said she will seize Trump's real estate assets if he can't pay. Her office has already begun preparing to take action in Westchester County, where Trump owns several properties.
This photo illustration shows an image of former President Donald Trump next to a phone screen that is displaying the Truth Social app, in Washington, DC, on February 21, 2022.

Shareholders in Digital World Acquisition Corp. voted Friday to approve a merger with Donald Trump's social media company, a deal that could net the former president an eventual windfall of $3 billion or more.

The vote by DWAC shareholders comes about 2 years after the so-called special purpose acquisition company announced plans to merge with Trump Media & Technology Group, the private firm that owns the Truth Social app platform.

It also comes as Trump faces the possibility that New York Attorney General Letitia James on Monday will start trying to collect on a massive $454 million civil fraud judgment against him.

Shares in the newly combined company, Trump Media, could begin to be publicly traded next week under the stock symbol DJT, Trump's initials.

Trump's long-gone casino and hotel company also traded under that ticker symbol.

The share price of DWAC fell by as much as 12% after Friday's shareholder vote, but clawed back much of that drop by noon ET.

The value of Trump's shares in the merged company would be affected by any decline in DWAC's share price.

FactSet data shows that 11% of DWAC's tradable shares are being sold short, meaning they are being used to bet that the share price will drop.

Several lawsuits recently filed over the merger's terms did not affect the voting schedule but could ultimately impact the allocation of shares to people who played key roles in setting the merger in motion in late 2021.
A logo hangs on the building of the Beijing branch of Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) on December 4, 2020 in Beijing, China. Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty Images

The Biden administration still needs to determine whether China's top chipmaker SMIC violated U.S. export rules to produce a chip to power Huawei's Mate 60 Pro phone, a senior Commerce Department official said during a congressional hearing on Thursday. When asked by Representative Michael McCaul if SMIC broke U.S. export rules to produce the sophisticated chip, Alan Estevez, who oversees export policy, said "potentially yes. We will have to assess." Questions have surfaced about whether SMIC illegally obtained U.S. tools to make the chip. The comments show the Biden administration has not yet reached a conclusion about whether the advanced semiconductor was produced legally, nearly seven months after sanctioned Chinese telecoms firm Huawei released the phone it powers.

That comes amid growing pressure from China hardliners to take action against the two companies since Huawei unveiled a new phone powered by a sophisticated chip manufactured at SMIC in August. The Huawei Mate 60 Pro was seen as a symbol of China's technological resurgence despite Washington's ongoing efforts to cripple its capacity to produce advanced semiconductors. The phone also prompted a review by the Biden administration to learn the details behind the chip that powers it, the most advanced semiconductor China has so far produced. When asked about SMIC's ability to produce the chip for Huawei using American tools, Estevez said, "I can't talk about any investigations that may or may not be going. But we certainly share those concerns." Huawei was added to a trade restrictions list in 2019 by the Trump administration over alleged sanctions violations. SMIC was added to the same list in 2020 for alleged ties to the Chinese military industrial complex. Both companies have previously denied wrongdoing. Being added to that list usually bars U.S. companies from selling to the targeted firms, but former President Donald Trump gave the green light to shipments of certain items to both companies, allowing billions of dollars in U.S. goods to flow to them over the last few years.

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Ibotta's founder and CEO Bryan Leach and CTO Luke Swanson on day one of Denver's well-known startup's relaunch of their mobile app.

Walmart -backed digital marketing company Ibotta has filed to go public in the United States, it said in a filing on Friday.

The Denver-based company, which counts PepsiCo , Nestle and Coca-Cola among its more than 850 clients, did not disclose the size of the offering.

Its revenue grew 52% year-on-year to $320 million in 2023 while net income margin grew 12%, the filing showed.

Founded by Bryan Leach in 2011, the company helps brands deliver digital promotions and offers cash-back rewards to consumers on their everyday purchases.

Ibotta is moving forward with its listing plans at a time when initial public offerings in the United States are on the rebound thanks to easing concerns over elevated borrowing costs.

Shares of Reddit and Astera Labs sky-rocketed in their debuts this week, further encouraging companies and investors to return to IPOs after a nearly two-year lull.

Ibotta plans to list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "IBTA".

Goldman Sachs, Citigroup and BofA Securities are the lead underwriters in the initial public offering.
Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales and Britain's Prince George of Wales (L) leave after attending the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate in eastern England, on December 25, 2023. Adrian Dennis | Afp | Getty Images

LONDON  An online frenzy over the U.K.'s Royal Family has dominated social media and the news in recent weeks, as seemingly everyone has been asking where the Princess of Wales is and why she has not been seen in public since December. Update: Princess Kate reveals she is in the early stages of treatment for cancer Obsession reached a high after a picture of the former Kate Middleton (known as Kate, Catherine or Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales) and her children was released on Mother's Day earlier this month, before being found to be edited. Conspiracy theories about her family life, physical and mental health, and even whether she is still alive have since gone viral around the world. The palace has widely stayed silent on the matter, which at times has added fuel to the fire. Her return could be around the corner, as the upcoming Easter holiday traditionally involves public appearances for the Royal Family. Here's a timeline of events so far, and what could be on the horizon: Dec. 25, 2023, Christmas Day: As per tradition, Kate is seen walking to and attending a church service alongside the wider Royal Family, including her children and husband Prince William, on Christmas Day in Sandringham  one of the royal residencies in England.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales and Mia Tindall attend Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2023 in Sandringham, Norfolk. Samir Hussein | Wireimage | Getty Images

Jan. 17, 2024: Kensington Palace releases a statement saying that Kate was admitted to hospital the previous day for planned abdominal surgery. The procedure was successful, the palace said, but Kate would stay in hospital for two weeks. There is no confirmation of what the surgery was, with the palace saying Kate hoped that the public would respect "her wish that her personal medical information remains private." It is also at this point that the palace suggests Kate will not be resuming public duties until after Easter. In the following days, William is pictured visiting Kate in hospital. Despite the palace statement, rumors and conspiracy theories start flying. What type of surgery could keep her in hospital for that long and require that long a break from her duties? And especially at a time when King Charles III is also being treated for multiple health issues? Was her absence really planned or was it an emergency? Did it really all go well or were there complications? The public weigh in with their personal experiences and half-knowledge. Some doctors and medical professionals join the conversation online, explaining what they think could be going on. Social media posts start going viral, diagnosing Kate with a range of physical and mental illnesses from afar. Jan. 29: Kensington Palace releases a statement on social media saying Kate has returned home and "is making good progress" and thanking the public for their well wishes. Feb. 27: Prince William resumes public engagements after some time off, but no updates are released about Kate. Meanwhile, King Charles is diagnosed with cancer and begins treatment. At the last minute, William pulls out of an appearance at a memorial service for his godfather. March 4: A paparazzi photo of Kate in a car goes online, but many claim the woman pictured is not in fact Kate. Rumors intensify as the public tries to find an explanation. March 5: The BBC reports that the British Army removed a reference to Kate appearing at a military event scheduled for June from its website, after Kensington Palace said it had not confirmed that she would attend. Rumors are fueled yet again, with many asking whether she may not recover according to the original timeline. March 10, Mother's Day in the UK: Kensington Palace releases a picture of Kate with her three children. But news agencies soon pull the picture, issuing a so-called "kill notice," as they find it has been edited too heavily. Every detail of the image is scrutinized, from Kate's hair to the children's clothes that seem inconsistent, to a ledge in the background that appears warped and trees with leaves on them, a rarity this early in the year in the U.K.

A picture shows stories in Britain's national newspapers, about the altered mother's day photo released by Kensington Palace on March 10, of Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales and her children, in London on March 12, 2024. Paul Ellis | Afp | Getty Images

Social media goes wild. More and more conspiracy theories emerge and go far beyond her health. People try to find explanations for the edited picture, with some saying it was photoshopped from a magazine cover that Kate posed for in the past and others claiming the picture was taken in 2023 with different clothes photoshopped onto the princess and the children. March 11: Kensington Palace posts a statement from Kate on social media, saying she edited the picture. "Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day. C," it reads. A picture of William and Kate's side profile in a car reaches the media, but the public are not convinced that it is really her. The statement and picture do nothing to stem the rumors. Why would she edit the picture, why is she taking the blame for the failed edit, why is the palace not giving an update, why is there no picture of her recovering from surgery at home, why is the palace staying silent on the public's theories? Global media joins the discussion with news platforms from Germany to the U.S. covering the story. March 18: The British tabloid The Sun publishes a video of what appear to be Kate and William at a farm shop. Once again, the public are convinced this is really Kate and not a double.

A view of the newspaper headlines that published photographs of Princess Kate during a casual outing with her husband, Prince William, at a farm produce market in Windsor on March 20, 2024 in London, United Kingdom. Rasid Necati Aslim | Anadolu | Getty Images
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, March 22, embarked on a two-day visit to Bhutan, his first after the new government took office in the Himalayan nation.Modi was earlier scheduled to travel to Bhutan on Thursday, March 21, but had to delay the visit by a day due to inclement weather conditions at Paro Airport, which is situated in a deep valley surrounded by Himalayan mountain ranges and has a particularly tricky landing approach."On the way to Bhutan, where I will be attending various programmes aimed at further cementing the India-Bhutan partnership. I look forward to talks with Majesty the King of Bhutan, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and Prime Minister @tsheringtobgay," Modi posted on X.This visit is part of the Indian government's emphasis on its 'Neighbourhood First Policy'.The prime minister will have an audience with Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, and his father Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of the Himalayan nation.Modi will also hold bilateral talks with his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay.The Prime Minister is scheduled to receive a grand welcome at the Tashichho Dzong, a traditional Buddhist monastery and the seat of the Bhutanese government.Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay was on a five-day visit to India last week, his first foreign trip after assuming charge of the top office in January.During his visit, he had called on President Droupadi Murmu and met Prime Minister Modi. He also held meetings with captains of various industries, besides other important engagements.Ahead of Modi's visit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a statement also said that India and Bhutan share "a unique and enduring partnership which is rooted in mutual trust, understanding and goodwill"."The visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan and the government's emphasis on its 'Neighbourhood First Policy'," the MEA said."India and Bhutan share a unique and enduring partnership which is rooted in mutual trust, understanding and goodwill. Our shared spiritual heritage and warm people-to-people ties add depth and vibrancy to our exceptional relations," the ministry said.The visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to"exchange views on bilateral and regional matters of interest and deliberate on ways to expand and intensify our exemplary partnership for the benefit of our people", the statement added.
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Demonstrators chant after being escorted outside by police during the Houston Iftar dinner at the Bayou Events Center on Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Houston. Annie Mulligan/Contributor

As the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas rages on, many Houston residents, distraught over the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, have turned to City Council for help.

They are not alone. Across the country, pro-Palestine protesters have descended on city council meetings, demanding their local leaders pass cease-fire resolutions that call for a cessation of violence in Gaza. In some cities, such as Atlanta, Chicago and Detroit, protesters have been successful.

In Houston, despite their best efforts, they continue to encounter resistance from elected officials.

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For months, pro-Palestine protesters have attended public comment sessions, demanding City Council pass a cease-fire resolution. And for months, they have been told that will not happen, but not because all council members oppose it.

CITY HALL PROTESTS: Dozens of protesters demand cease-fire resolution at Houston City Council session

In fact, five council members  Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Joaquin Martinez, Letitia Plummer, Edward Pollard and Tiffany D. Thomas  are in support of a cease-fire. However, few of them want to be the member who brings a resolution forward.

While their reasons vary, several members point to a key fact: They do not control U.S. foreign policy, and anything they do would, at best, be symbolic. They argue it is better for them to focus their efforts on the issues they actually have some power to control.

Spending time and energy crafting a resolution, they say, would distract them from the citys most pressing issues, such as its projected $160 million budget shortfall into next year.

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There's some really large local issues that we need to deal with, and I think everybody kind of has that on the front burner right now, Martinez said.

Other members believe the message would be far more impactful if it was delivered by Mayor John Whitmire himself.

I believe this needs to come from the top, Pollard said. I don't think it holds the same weight if it doesn't.

But the likelihood of the message coming from the top appears low. Whitmires spokesperson Mary Benton said the new mayor wants to unite the community and not focus on foreign affairs.

What is in his heart is more important than a piece of paper, and the mayor has a long history of working with people of all faiths and backgrounds," she wrote in an email to the Chronicle on Monday.

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Local issues take precedence

While Whitmire has remained steadfast in his position to stay out of international affairs, council members such as Martinez have used their platforms to issue formal statements on the Israel-Hamas war. In February, he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he was calling for a cease-fire, the release of all the hostages and an end to the killing of all innocent civilians.

Martinez maintains he still holds the same position, but he says council must turn its immediate attention to the financial challenges it can directly impact.

In addition to the projected deficit in the next fiscal year, the city will likely have to contend with paying firefighters $650 million in back pay and providing up to 34% in raises to them over the next five years  a cost that could exceed $1 billion, according to city estimates.

And while the financing of the firefighters deal is still being ironed out, Whitmires team has already taken steps to address the budget shortfall, asking most city departments to set a 5% budget reduction target for the upcoming year. This means that city departments, some of which have struggled with lack of funding for years, will now face further financial challenges  and it will be up to Whitmire and council to help them navigate those challenges while continuing to provide basic city services.

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So while Martinez says he would love to make a cease-fire resolution happen, he says the city cannot risk 100 speakers just speaking about Gaza diverting the councils attention from the precarious state of the citys finances.

Nancy Sims, a political science lecturer at the University of Houston, says Martinezs concerns about what council can manage  at a time when it is faced with budgetary issues, public safety concerns and crumbling infrastructure, among other issues  are completely understandable.

Council "doesn't feel fully adept, she said, to balance all of these issues at once.

However, Sims added, local citizens are finding it a way they can engage and express their opinions and their pleas and hopefully get people in the media and others to pay attention to what's happening to them and their families.

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A federal alternative

Just because council members do not want to champion a cease-fire resolution right now does not mean they are unwilling to do anything at all.

Plummer, the only Muslim council member, says that while she would support a cease-fire resolution, she thinks there is a more effective way to influence change  through Congress.

The question is: Does the community want a symbolic measure? Plummer said. Something that's showing that we're standing in solidarity with the Palestinians of Gaza, right? Or do (we) want something more profound?

In December, she wrote a letter to U.S. Rep. Al Green, D-Houston, asking for his help in advocating for a cease-fire and the return of the hostages held in Gaza. Green had formerly asked his colleagues in Congress for a cease-fire in November.

Your track record in Congress demonstrates a strong commitment to acknowledging and rectifying the wrongs inflicted in our community, Plummer wrote. Drawing from this legacy, I respectfully urge you to continue your advocacy in urging your colleagues to join you (in calling for a cessation of violence).

Now Plummer is advocating that Whitmire and council write a letter to the full Houston congressional delegation asking them to advocate for a cease-fire as well, a move she said would show President Joe Bidens administration that all of Houston is united behind a peaceful resolution to the war.

Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex-Tatum reiterated the role of the federal government in addressing this crisis Tuesday, when she told two protesters during public comment that she had sought advice from Houstons elected officials in Congress.

I hope that you know, that week after week when you come here, your pleas, your asks are not falling on deaf ears, she said, noting that council was in contact with its congressional representatives. I wanted to just share that with you because I didn't want you to think that we don't hear you and we don't care, because we do.

A bumpy road ahead

Nishu Siddique, a member of Houstonians for Palestinian Liberation, said the fight to get council members and Whitmire to take a stand isnt over. Seeing five council members openly state they support a cease-fire has been reenergizing for the group, Siddique said.

We think the fact that our numbers are growing ... shows that there is a moving political consciousness in Houston, and that's really exciting for us, she said.

While Siddique acknowledges that a cease-fire resolution would be symbolic, she says its still important because it lays the groundwork for future action. She said she and other protesters want to create a sense of responsibility and collective consciousness around the plight of Palestinians and that these resolutions are a first step in achieving that goal.

Norri Leder, a pro-Israel voice who who has spoken to council multiple times, says one of the most challenging aspects of a cease-fire resolution is how it essentially asks city leaders to choose sides.

I think that's just a gross simplification of how complicated the situation is over there, and over here, for that matter, Leder said. Do I support overall a cessation of violence? Nothing would make me happier.

Leder said, however, that any cease-fire would have to be accompanied by the release of all hostages and the defanging of Hamas. Most of the cease-fire statements shes seen council members make have included those elements, but it is unclear if they would make it into the final wording of a resolution.

While Leder doesnt think council itself can make much of a difference in U.S. foreign policy, she believes council can have an impact more locally, working to bridge divides within the Houston community.

Let's work on building community and helping each other understand so that we can more effectively help our federal lawmakers problem solve, Leder said. That's what I'd like to see.

Even amid loud cries from protesters during his speech at the Houston Iftar dinner Sunday night, Whitmire committed to doing just that, acknowledging that death on both sides is a terrible thing and that he wanted to be a leader who brought diverse groups together and who gave voice to those traditionally left out of city government.
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin took the bull by the horns Wednesday as he welcomed an unusual visitor to his offices -- an enormous white buffalo that recently sold for $500,000.
At a digital event for commercial customers and partners, Microsoft on Thursday announced generative AI (genAI) updates, including the addition of Copilot through its new Surface laptops optimized to use AI tools.

The company launched its ChatGPT-powered Copilot bot for the Microsoft 365 (M365) cloud productivity platform one year ago. With the assistance of Copilot, users can get answers and solutions to queries, draft emails, generate images from text prompts, receive writing suggestions, and create to-do-lists, among other capabilities.

With Windows 10 end of support coming in October 2025, now is the time to move to Windows 11 with a new Surface for business device and with Windows 365, and the best way to get there is using cloud management in Intune, Melissa Grant, Microsofts senior director of product marketing for Windows Enterprise, wrote in a blog.

Copilot in M365 capabilities, already available on Windows 11, allows users to select Work to enable Copilot in M365; it functions across the entire universe of data at work, including emails, meetings, chats, documents and more, plus the web, Grant said.

The company also announced two new AI-enabled Surface for Business laptops, the Surface Pro 10 for Business and the Surface Laptop 6 for Business; both will become available in April.

By optimized, Microsoft means it has added a Copilot key to the keypad, which opens the chatbot for quick use. The Copilot key is located on the right side of the keypad between the Alt key and arrows.

J. P. Gownder, vice president and principal analyst at Forrester Research, called Microsoft's news "incremental announcements," but noted much of it is about unifying what enterprise buyers can expect, such as more Surface devices. "And this time with AI PCs..., and lots more Copilot features, it probably helps business buyers to see just how deep Microsoft's commitment to Copilot runs."

Microsoft's Copilot announcements are primarily about the commercial and enterprise Surface model releases (i.e., the Surface Pro 10 for Business and Surface Laptop for Business), he said.

"The Copilot key symbolizes how central Microsoft believes Copilot will be to the future of computing and also could empower greater usage by employees," Gownder said. "The integrations between Microsoft Copilot for Windows 11 and Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 are subtle, but if your organization subscribes to the latter, you'll be able to use one interface in Windows 11 to take advantage of all the Copilot features you have access to."

Microsoft Microsoft has added a Copilot key to its upcoming Surface for Business laptops, the Surface Pro 10 for Business and the Surface Laptop 6 for Business.

Surface has also been leading in Neural Processing Unit (NPU) integration to drive AI experiences on the PC since 2019, and the benefits of these connected efforts are evident, Nancie Gaskill, Microsofts general manager for Surface products, wrote in a blog. From a performance perspective, Surface Laptop 6 is 2x faster than Laptop 5, and Surface Pro 10 is up to 53% faster than Pro 9.

The benefits of the NPU integration include AI features like Windows Studio Effects and Live Captions and the opportunity for businesses and developers to build their own AI apps and experiences., she added.

NPUs are designed for use by genAI, as they support a heterogeneous mix of processors, such as central processing units (CPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs), to handle performance requirements. The CPU chiplet, for example, is better suited for sequential operations and more real-time processing, while the GPU works best for streaming parallel data.

NPUs are designed for core AI workloads and are optimized to for complex computations required by deep learning algorithms, making them incredibly efficient at processing AI tasks, such as natural language processing, and image analysis.

Were excited for what the future holds, and theres never been a better time for organizations to get AI ready now  including upgrading to Windows 11 and get Windows 365 to deliver Copilot across every device, to every employee, more securely and adopting the latest Surface for businesses devices optimized for Copilot and AI, Jared Spataro, Microsofts corporate vice president for modern work and business applications, wrote in a blog.

Gownder said he would have liked to have seen Microsoft bring up more of the learning curve and challenges associated with the company's chatbot technology.

"Copilot, like all generative AI, is probabilistic; it's not all rainbows and butterflies. It makes mistakes and it requires some new skills from users," he said. "Injecting that realism into the conversation can only help buyers understand that we're in a new computing paradigm, one that will take everyone time, training, and patience to ingest and drive value from."
Starting a moving business is fairly straightforward in terms of acquiring equipment and materials and hiring moving staff. It's also a business that centers around mobility, which gives you the option to start a business in any state in the nation and use it for your central location. So, which state is the best for starting a moving business?

Picking a state to operate from can be a difficult decision to make as each has its advantages and disadvantages. Oftentimes, the benefits outweigh the negatives, but you have to determine which state has the criteria that suit your needs and goals. The following is a look at the top 10 states that are business-friendly and offer multiple advantages in terms of starting and running a moving business.

1. Texas

Texas is the most popular state in which to start a business due to its low tax burden, little in the way of regulatory burdens, and multiple major metro regions that are easily accessible. These and other factors make it easy to start a business and keep the doors open with an average five-year survival rate for new businesses. Texas not only has a favorable business environment, but it also has a population that's always on the move as people seek out new job opportunities with corporations that are also taking advantage of Texas business laws.

The state is home to a variety of industries that range from light to heavy, offering the opportunity to enter into moving equipment of all types. Alternatively, you can focus on moving households from one place to the next and be assured that you'll never run short of clients. Combine that with the fact that starting a business in Texas is relatively low cost, you'll find that Texas is a great place to start your moving business.

2. Georgia

The Peach State is home to major corporations, including Coca-Cola, United Parcel Service, and Delta Air Lines, and it is the headquarters of 19 Fortune 500 companies. The state offers various tax credits that help corporations reduce their tax liability, and it offers incentives to encourage the formation of new businesses.

The fact that Georgia is home to so many corporate headquarters means there's a strong demand for movers. People are constantly relocating to or leaving Atlanta and upgrading their homes as their careers advance. Starting a business in Georgia to move people's belongings from one place to the next has the potential to be profitable and offers room for growth.

3. California

California has a reputation for being an expensive state to live and work in, but the cost of entry is well worth paying because it's a great state for small businesses to thrive. Small businesses make up 99.8% of all the businesses in the state and employ almost half of the state's eligible workforce.

Moving companies are licensed by the Bureau of Household Goods and Services, which outlines the regulations under which a moving company can operate. That means complying with the rules laid out by the bureau in order to operate without issues. Ultimately, starting a moving business in California is worth the effort as it's a large state with a population that's always on the move.

4. New York

On the surface, the state of New York doesn't seem like it has the most friendly climate for starting a moving business. Yet it's one of the best states due to the fact it's home to New York City and other major metropolitan areas, all of which are in constant need of reliable movers for their residents. New York state is very small-business-friendly and encourages new businesses to get started with tax incentives, support for operations and growth, and many other programs that help a new business gain a foothold.

The state features an economic development service known as the Empire State Development (ESD). It offers services such as training for entrepreneurs, shows businesses how to take advantage of tax incentives, and provides operational support to help a business run more smoothly.

5. Arizona

Arizona was once considered a destination for retirees and the Grand Canyon, but its status as a location for a microchip fabrication facility is making it a desirable place for working-age people to live. That means more people are going to need moving services to and within the state. While the state isn't known for being a great place to start a business due to its lack of government support, it does feature a flat corporate tax of just under 7% and five brackets for personal income tax. The personal income tax brackets make it especially appealing to use an LLC as a corporate structure with its pass-through income structure.

6. Florida

Florida is one of the most attractive states in which to start a moving business due to the fact that it has no personal income tax. This means if you form an LLC or S-corporation, otherwise known as a pass-through entity, you'll pay a lot less in taxes on your profits. When taxes have to be paid, the corporate tax rate is 5.5% for a relatively low tax burden. The Sunshine State is also a popular moving destination for people of all ages who want to enjoy the experiences that the state has to offer.

7. Louisiana

Louisiana features a strong infrastructure and roadway access that makes it easy to move people around the state and even across countries. Its seaports offer the opportunity to deliver containers of personal belongings for overseas moves. The state government has dedicated itself to creating a business-friendly climate, and its economic development bureau features educational programs and public-private partnerships. It seeks to make it as easy as possible to establish a new business within the state.

8. Wisconsin

Wisconsin's state legislature has focused heavily on making it a business-friendly state that provides support to new businesses of all kinds. Like California, it's a state where small businesses make up 99% of all businesses operating in the state. It's a great place to start a moving business of any type due to its extensive highway system and demand for moving goods that range from homes to industrial equipment within its borders. There's also a lot of support from the state's economic development agency that new businesses are able to tap into for various types of support.

9. Nevada

The state of Nevada is a business-friendly state and doesn't levy business or personal taxes. If you form an LLC or other pass-through corporation, you only pay taxes on the profits at the federal level. The state government also provides strong business support through the Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development. You'll get help with learning about opportunity zones that offer advantages for a moving company, small business programs that support new and emerging businesses, and tax incentives.

10. Indiana

There are many benefits to starting a business in Indiana. They range from the low cost of forming a corporation to a low cost of living that makes it easy for a business to get started and hire employees at fair wages. Indiana has a 77% survival rate for new businesses, and small businesses get an average of $25,000 in funding to help them get started and stay in operation. Something that's also noteworthy for starting a moving company is the fact that Indiana is home to a sizable Amish population. The Amish community frequently hires outside help to move households and goods, which means a steady supply of clients.

Starting a moving business in Indiana makes a lot of sense, especially in light of the fact that it's centrally located in the US. In fact, the state bills itself as the "Crossroads of America" due to its access to freeways and relatively short travel time to reach states in the east part of the US. A moving company can perform long-distance moves and return to home base in less time than in other Midwestern states.

Conclusion

All of these states feature strong business incentives and a healthy potential client base that can support the entry of a new moving company. Some are home to a variety of industries that also need moving services, offering room for expansion. Starting your business in one of these states comes with a high survival rate, access to vital funding, and the opportunity to get a business education that helps you command your moving business and make it successful.
In addition to occasionally screwing over the country, U.S. presidential election results have sometimes ruined plans for TV comedies, as well  specifically, TV comedies written by Trey Parker and Matt Stone. The South Park duo have been known to take inspiration from real-world headlines, kind of like Law & Order but with more anthropomorphic giant douches.

But this strategy didnt work too well during the 2016 election. The South Park episode Oh Jeez aired literally one night after Donald Trump was elected president. So, naturally, South Parks Trump stand-in, Mr. Garrison similarly defeated Hillary Clinton in the shows parallel election.

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But this wasnt always the plan. Originally, the episode was called The Very First Gentleman and focused on Bill Clintons return to the White House (this time, as the first First Gentleman), as well as Mr. Garrisons return to teaching. Everyone at Comedy Central was so confident that Hillary would win that they even aired a promo for the show in which PC Principal declares that the country changed last night following weeks of online trolling and male locker room mentality.

When the ad dropped, The Hollywood Reporter even noted: Perhaps Matt Stone and Trey Parker know something we dont.  It seems this weeks new episode of Comedy Centrals South Park calls the presidential election for Hillary Clinton.

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The episode, which still features a lot of Bill Clinton jokes, was hastily rewritten at the last minute following Trumps win. At one point, Parker and Stone actually thought about airing the episode they had already produced as-is, to serve as a document for history. Then they considered broadcasting a black screen instead of a show. Ultimately, they opted for the less horrifically bleak course of action.

Weirdly, this wasnt the first time that a federal election threw a wrench into the pairs plans. Remember their 2001 George W. Bush-themed sitcom parody Thats My Bush?

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It was pitched prior to the election, meaning that Parker and Stone werent even sure which presidential candidate would win, and therefore, become the subject of their show. When Bush ultimately took the presidency, Parker admitted that he was surprised, telling an interviewer, Ive been thinking about this show in terms of Al Gore for so long. Reportedly, they even had a title picked out: Everybody Loves Al.

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Even more disastrously, the results of the 2000 election prompted a recount and a prolonged legal battle, delaying work on the series. As Stone recalled, We sat down on an election night and had a big party with all of our writers to find out who our shows about  and like everyone else we had to sit on our thumbs for five weeks.

Thats My Bush was canceled by Comedy Central in August 2001, just a month before the premise of the show would become a whole lot less funny.

You (yes, you) should follow JM on Twitter (if it still exists by the time youre reading this).
Quinta Brunson has made it perfectly clear that, despite the demands of deranged fans, Abbott Elementary will not attempt to end the epidemic of school shootings with a very traumatic episode. The classic cannabis counterculture magazine High Times hopes she can use her platform for a much more achievable political goal  normalizing stoned teachers.

The past 12 years have been filled with incredible successes for the marijuana activists who had devoted their lives to rolling back the archaic and destructive laws regarding the legal status of cannabis consumption and possession. When Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize recreational marijuana in 2012, it opened the floodgates for state legislatures across the country to open their red, dilated eyes to the wonders of taxable, controlled cannabis commerce, leading to 22 more states fully legalizing weed with an extra 16 allowing for medical use.

Today, in the 24 legal states, toking up is so totally normalized that its not uncommon for people of all age groups, demographics and professions to casually discuss their favorite brands of 1-milligram edibles or preferred pre-roll packs. And, in this season of Abbott Elementary, Philadelphias funniest teachers assembled to undo the hard work D.A.R.E. put in to replace reefer madness with hemp hysteria and demonize the drug when, in the episode Smoking, many of the main characters openly admit to marijuana usage. According to a recent article from High Times writer Andrew Ward, titled Will Abbott Elementary Ignite Honest Weed Depictions on Network TV?, this wasnt just a reflection of our current times, but a low-key historic moment in television history.

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In the Abbott Elementary scene thats central to the discussion, Brunsons character Janine admits to daily marijuana usage, and her coworker Gregory talks about his favorite kind of THC edibles during a discussion in the teachers lounge. A passing student records the conversation on his phone and posts it to social media, and the schools students collectively decide to roast their teachers like their teachers roast themselves.

Critically, however, Janine and Gregorys vices arent painted out to be moral failings or greater threats to their well-being than those of their coworkers who vape or drink chardonnay. According to High Times, such relatively nonjudgmental depictions of normal people partaking in toking are rare in the history of sitcoms, especially from those on the Big Four broadcast networks of NBC, CBS, ABC and Fox. With the airing of Smoking, ABCs Abbott Elementary is, in Wards evaluation, the most pot-positive broadcast sitcom ever, beating out vaguely non-negative marijuana mentions in Community and the now-dated depiction of medical marijuana in the 2002 Simpsons episode Weekend at Burnsies.

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Of course, comedy shows on cable channels and streaming platforms have long been comfortable with the chronic, as Ward pointed out that theres maybe a combined five minutes throughout five seasons of Broad City in which neither Abbi nor Ilana are absolutely blazed. Its just broadcast thats slow to accept the new normal of weed use. As Ward writes, The pickings have been slim on the Big 4 channels.

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While Abbott Elementary should be celebrated for breaking through a nearly 30-year wall on network TV, we should also take a moment to wonder why it has taken so long, Ward argued. With network TV facing more competition than ever, wouldnt it be wise to create shows that relate to their viewers? Youd think so, but here we are.

Now, Brunson has to carry the weight of being the best advocate for teachers on television as well as the most realistic stoner in sitcoms. If shes looking for stress relief from all the responsibilities shes shouldering, High Times would probably have some ideas.
Photo: Luiz C. Ribeiro for NY Daily News via Getty Images

Landlord Daniel Ohebshalom surrendered to the New York City Sheriffs Office on Thursday and will begin a 60-day jail sentence after blowing through multiple deadlines to address immediately hazardous violations in two of his Washington Heights properties.

The arrest warrant issued earlier this month is a rarity in the housing world. Ohebshalom has spent years on the citys list of worst landlords, and things were particularly dire at 705 and 709 West 170th Street: The buildings have been plagued with mice, roaches, lead paint, and broken windows, issues that Ohebshalom  over the course of years  showed a sustained lack of seriousness in addressing, according to a housing-court judge. Thus, the warrant.

Department of Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Adolfo Carrion Jr. talk to reporters outside City Hall about the arrest of Daniel Ohebshalom. Photo: Luiz C. Ribeiro for NY Daily News via Getty Images

In an interview before Ohebshalom surrendered, Ashley Viruet, a supervising attorney at Legal Services NYCs Manhattan office who is representing tenants in the Washington Heights buildings, told me that the warrant alone had already done some good: What I can say is that before the threat of this was on the table, repairs were not being done at all. Once the possibility of jail time became a real discussion, she said, management started to paint and make plaster repairs: Its not the deeper, substantive work we would like to see, but they are in there and doing things for the first time in years.

The citys Housing and Preservation Department first sued Ohebshalom in 2021 and later placed his Washington Heights buildings under the Alternative Enforcement Program, which requires landlords to correct violations within four months. Squalid conditions persisted in both buildings as the city says Ohebshalom ignored a string of court orders. The most striking factor, the court wrote when ordering his arrest, is the duration of the contempt proceeding. (Ohebshaloms lawyer did not respond to a request for comment.)

So what happens now? After turning himself in, Ohebshalom was transported to Rikers Island to begin the two-month sentence, which could be reduced if the nearly 700 outstanding violations across the two buildings are corrected. Meanwhile, his tenants on 170th Street remain on rent strike. I know tenants feel that theyre finally being heard, Viruet told me earlier this week. Someone is finally seeing all the suffering.
Photo-Illustration: Courtesy of Louis Poulsen and Home in Heven

Peter Dupont, one half of Home in Heven, the Brooklyn-based design team that makes everything from vases to glass bikini tops and purses, knows the Louis Poulsen PH lamps well. As a Dane, he says, these lamps are ever present, including in his own home  his grandmother gifted him a vintage one for his first apartment. Now he and his design partner, Breanna Box, are collaborating with the Danish lighting manufacturer to create a new collection in hand-blown glass, which was produced by Blowfish Glass in Birmingham, England. This follows on last years Icons Campaign by the brand, which reintroduced archival pieces by Henningsen and Arne Jacobsen and launched a couple of new designs.

The original PH fixtures, created by (and named for) designer Poul Henningsen in the late 1950s, use a series of cascading aluminum shades to diffuse the light and direct most of it downward. Box and Dupont borrowed the circular shapes in their own design, especially in their Ghost and Filet pendant lights, which look pretty ethereal in pink and opaline blue. We read a lot about Henningsens processes, says Box, and based our ideas on a mix of lines breaking light.

Filet pendant by Home in Heven for Louis Poulsen. Photo: Courtesy of Louis Poulsen and Home in Heven

The blown-glass medium brings a soft, organic quality to the clean lines of the original, especially their Flower lamp, which stretches the streamlined circular shade into a more spiky blossom. Other designs, like the Prima table lamp (Shes a diva, says Box), highlight Home in Hevens sense of whimsy with clear glass horns fused to the top of the pink glass shades. Theres also one lamp  the Polpo pendant  that veers into much more playful territory and, true to its name, appears to be wrapped in knobby tentacles.

From left: Flower pendant by Home in Heven. Photo: Courtesy of Louis Poulsen and Home in Heven Prima table lamp by Home in Heven for Louis Poulsen. Photo: Courtesy of Louis Poulsen and Home in Heven From top: Flower pendant by Home in Heven. Photo: Courtesy of Louis Poulsen and Home in Heven Prima table lamp by Home in Heven for Louis Poulsen. Phot... more From top: Flower pendant by Home in Heven. Photo: Courtesy of Louis Poulsen and Home in Heven Prima table lamp by Home in Heven for Louis Poulsen. Photo: Courtesy of Louis Poulsen and Home in Heven

The one-of-a-kind collection, which first appeared last year at the annual 3 Days of Design event in Copenhagen, is being sold for the first time as part of an exclusive 1stDibs auction, running now through March 28. Theyre also on view at Home in Hevens store in the East Village. Box and Dupont noted that Henningsen had used the proceeds from his work for Louis Poulsen to fund less lucrative film and music projects. Likewise, proceeds from the auction will be donated to Hilltop Artists, a youth arts development nonprofit in Tacoma, Washington, that leads workshops on glassblowing, flameworking, and glass fusion.

Polpo pendant by Home in Heven for Louis Poulsen. Photo: Courtesy of Louis Poulsen and Home in Heven

Milky Blue table lamp by Home in Heven for Louis Poulsen. Photo: Courtesy of Louis Poulsen and Home in Heven
A new bipartisan legislation is being pursued on the US House of Representatives that would require proper identification and labeling of AI-generated videos, audios, and images online.

California Rep. Anna Eshoo and Florida Rep. Neal Dunn on Thursday proposed the Protecting Consumers from Deceptive AI Act to require AI developers to add digital watermarks or metadata on their generated products.

This would be in addition to requiring online platforms like YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok to notify their users that the post was AI-generated.

The National Institute of Standard and Technology, the Commerce Department's tech division, has been tasked to finalize the guidelines of the proposed act once the bills is passed.

The bill cited the "proliferation of deepfakes" as the primary reason for the bill amid rising concerns on the technology's integration into disinformation culture ahead of the 2024 US Presidential Elections.

The Associated Press first reported about the bill.

Also Read: YouTube to Start Requiring Content Creators to Label AI-Generated Videos

Political Deepfakes, AI-Fueled Disinformation on the Rise During Election Period

Calls for regulations and restrictions on the use of AI has been increasing over the past months

Congress' attention on the technology has only been heightened since last January after a deepfake of US President Joe Biden circulated in New Hampshire telling residents to not vote on the Democrat's first primary.

Subsequent investigation on the incident has since prompted the Federal Communications Commission to ban AI-generated voices and deepfake audios from spam and robocalls.

With the 2024 US Elections looming closer, watchdogs and lawmakers anticipate a surge of political disinformation online, at least double than as it was in the previous election thanks to AI.

Related Article: Deepfake Audio of Biden Supposed to Highlight Need for AI Rules, Robocall Mastermind Says

Social Media Platforms, AI Firms Push for AI Watermarking

If the bill gets passed, it would compliment ongoing voluntary efforts from social media companies to properly label AI-generated media from their own AI products.

Several online platforms like Meta have even started adding their own non-visible watermarks on all AI-generated media using their in-house AI model to alert other platforms.

YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok also announced this year to start labeling near-realistic AI-generated content on their platforms.

AI firms like Hugging Face and Anthropic has also started to unveil new policies that allow companies to embed AI identifiers to content generated from their technologies.
Microsoft and Inflection AI have agreed to a $650 million settlement to license the startup's intelligence software and compensate for the movement of the majority of its staff.

Earlier this week, Microsoft appointed Inflection AI's co-founders Mustafa Suleyman and Karen Simonyan as part of its newly established AI unit.

Related Article: Meta, Microsoft, X, Match Protest Against Apple's High Fees for Non-App Store Purchases

Microsoft Hires Majority of Inflection AI Staff

Aside from the co-founders, Microsoft also hired most of the startup's 70 employees. According to a person familiar with the transaction, Microsoft has agreed to pay $620 million for the licensing of AI models while the $30 million will be used to waive any legal rights related to the mass hiring.

Some legal and industry experts are looking between the deal of the companies due to its resemblance to an "acqui-hire" or hiring with an acquisition. Some have suggested that this could spark antitrust concerns, especially with the U.S. regulators who are now actively scrutinizing movements of big tech partnerships.

Inflection AI Moves Forward With Changes

In a blog post, Inflection AI welcomed its new CEO, Sean White, who has a decade of experience in the technology and research field. Meanwhile, third co-founder Reid Hoffman will continue his duty on the board.

"Our plan going forward is to lean into our AI studio business, where custom generative AI models are crafted, tested, and fine-tuned for commercial customers," the company announced.

Moreover, the company also shared that it will now host Inflection 2.5 on Microsoft Azure which will help in reaching creators in a wider spectrum. As of writing the API is not yet available, but the company shared that it will be opened soon.

Inflection AI is now reportedly trying to reduce some of its computing capacity and is seeking a partial refund from its cloud computing partner CoWeave to help reduce the costs of building AI models.

Related Article: Microsoft Appoints DeepMind Co-Founder as CEO of New AI Division
Benny Goldstein, the Town of Canajoharies new supervisor, has spent $20,000 of his own money developing a cryptocurrency protesting COVID-19 vaccine mandates. While Goldstein, who was officially sworn in on Monday, says he originally conceived the FucVax coin to be a fundraiser for the town and as a possible form of currency to be used []
State lawmakers and members of New Yorks local journalism community rallied at the state Capitol on Wednesday to push for the inclusion of a tax credit for local media in this years state budget.
Amsterdam is well-known for music, even  back in the day  a Little Symphony Orchestra.
(Photo : Unsplash/ANIRUDH)

SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, faces accusations from a US labor agency of imposing unlawful agreements on laid-off or terminated rocket and satellite maker employees, which allegedly prohibited them from signing unlawful agreements criticizing the company or participating in class-action lawsuits against it.

A complaint lodged by a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) regional official in Seattle on Wednesday adds to SpaceX's legal woes. It coincides with an existing case it filed alleging that the agency's structure breaches the US Constitution.

READ ALSO: SpaceX Counters an Ongoing Lawsuit, Claiming U.S. Labor Board Structure Unconstitutional

The Mandatory Severance Agreements

SpaceX, which is based in Hawthorne, California, had been accused of compelling employees to sign severance agreements containing confidentiality and non-disparagement clauses that restrict them from exercising their rights under US labor law, according to the National Labor Relations Board's (NLRB) new statement released on Thursday.

While standard in severance agreements signed by workers, the NLRB stipulates that such provisions must explicitly state that workers cannot forfeit their rights to advocate for improved working conditions or lodge complaints with the agency.

Any Acts of Disparagement Against SpaceX are Illegal

The NLRB stated that the complaint, which was not readily accessible, also contends that agreements signed by SpaceX employees to resolve legal disputes through arbitration rather than court and abstaining from class action participation against the company were illegal.

SpaceX did not provide an immediate response to a request for comment.

The case is set for an initial hearing in October before an administrative judge, whose ruling may undergo review by the NLRB's five-member labor board appointed by the US president, which is subject to appeal in federal court.

A Call to Revoke The Agreements Signed by Workers

The complaint aims to force SpaceX to revoke the agreements and prevent it from enforcing agreements already signed by workers.

The company's lawsuit against the labor board, currently pending in a Texas federal court, originates from a distinct case where the agency alleges that SpaceX wrongfully terminated eight engineers who had circulated a letter criticizing Elon Musk, the CEO and founder, and accused him of engaging in sexist behavior.

SpaceX's Denying Wrongdoings

In response to the case, SpaceX has denied any wrongdoing and contended that the NLRB's in-house enforcement proceedings infringe upon its constitutional entitlement to a jury trial. Additionally, the company asserts that limiting the removal of board members and administrative judges contradicts the US Constitution.

Similar claims are being made in pending lawsuits and board cases by Amazon.com, Starbucks, Trader Joe's, and three Starbucks baristas who oppose unions at their workplaces.

SpaceX has requested a US appeals court in New Orleans to reconsider its recent decision, which denied the company's attempt to keep its lawsuit in Texas. A judge had transferred the case to California, SpaceX's home base, where the administrative case concerning the terminated engineers is ongoing.

RELATED ARTICLE: SpaceX Wrongfully Terminating Eight Workers, Faces Criticism on Labor Laws and Working Conditions

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Sometime in the early hours of Wednesday morning, while we were asleep upstairs, an intruder entered our house and grabbed what he could lay his hands on. (I assume he was male, but I have no evidence for this, except that burglary has traditionally been a male occupation).

Clearly, it was a quick in-and-out job, which couldnt have lasted much more than five minutes.

But it was quite long enough to cause an enormous amount of anxiety, distress, inconvenience and expense.

My guess is that Minnie, one of the smallest, friendliest and least scary dogs in South London, may have seen him off with her ecstatic yapping  her habitual greeting to strangers  as he opened the door to the kitchen where she sleeps. Perhaps he feared she would wake us.

As it was, we slept through her yapping and I wont pretend I regret that. A less-than-impressive physical specimen of 70, and a lifelong coward, I really dont fancy the idea of confronting an intruder in my pyjamas. Anyway, these days I would probably have been the one who was arrested if Id tried.

Only 3.9 per cent of burglaries result in a charge, while in 48 per cent of neighbourhoods nationwide, police have failed to solve a single case in the last three years

It was our resident son who discovered that wed been burgled, when he got up shortly after 6.30am to set off for his latest posting at an East London school, where hes training to be a teacher. Downstairs, he found the front door wide open, as were the drawers in the hall table.

The bag he had left on it had gone, along with its contents: his wallet, bank card, driving licence, travel card, a season ticket to his beloved Fulham, a laptop belonging to the school and his passport (so bang went his plan to travel when schools break up for the Easter holiday).

Nor was there any sign of Minnie. That was until he heard her barking halfway down the street. He set off in hot pursuit and carried her home. He had his priorities right.

Having rung his bank to cancel his card, he came upstairs to wake us with the bad news.

I rushed downstairs, shaking slightly  though whether from trepidation, anger or a hangover, I cant say for sure  to assess any damage and see what else was missing.

The answer was not much. There were no visible signs of forced entry. As for what the intruder took, it was nothing of any great value to him, though our losses were a very great pain to us.

He had taken my keys, to the house and the car, which Id foolishly left in the pocket of my dog-walking coat, hanging by the door. Hed also gone through the drawers of my desk in the sitting room, but seems to have found nothing there to take his fancy.

This was hardly surprising, because they contained little apart from broken specs, an exhausted battery, a stapler, a gas-lighter refill (empty), a few bits of string  and sheaves of letters from readers, which weigh heavily on my conscience as they await my long-delayed reply.

But hed taken Mrs Us favourite handbag  hugely annoying, since it contained our only other set of keys to our car, her bank card, wallet, Freedom Pass and much-loved photographs of her late mother and our four boys when they were young.

She says she feels the loss of those pictures most keenly.

Mercifully, however, the burglar had left my wifes laptop on the kitchen table, along with my own wallet and smartphone, which were in my jacket over the back of a chair.

This meant that not only did we still have a bank card between us, giving us access to our joint account, but I had cash for our sons fare to work and on my mobile were all the numbers and apps we needed for the tasks with which the intruder had landed us.

God knows where we would have been without them, in this age when our interactions with the outside world depend so heavily on pieces of plastic and silicon chips.

So it was that for the next eight hours, almost without a break, we were ringing call centres and logging on to websites to cancel my wifes bank card, report the burglary to the police, contact insurers, order a new passport, Freedom Pass and two replacement driving licences, seek help with our now undriveable car and summon an expert to change the locks on the front door.

Enough to say that I spent all day listening to robotic announcements thanking me for my patience, warning me that my call could be recorded for training purposes, assuring me that your call is important to us, offering me a whole range of irrelevant options (to renew your policy, press button four), logging on to the internet (password not recognised) and, after being told Im just popping you on hold for a minute, listening to endless irritating music.

Our first call was to the bank, to block that stolen card  and, sure enough, we were told it had already been used twice that morning, at 6.57 and 7.03. To my surprise, Lloyds reimbursed us the 100-odd without fuss.

Next, the police  though I rang without hope, fearing they wouldnt even bother to show up.

To my astonishment, however, within an hour of my call two charming officers appeared on our doorstep, full of courtesy and sympathy.

One diligently recorded what I knew of the facts, while the other went off to find neighbours with doorbell cameras. Then a third, a forensics officer, turned up to write a report of her own.

But was the cynic in me right to fear that this was more a PR exercise than a prelude to justice? After all, only 3.9 per cent of burglaries result in a charge, while in 48 per cent of neighbourhoods nationwide, police have failed to solve a single case in the last three years. Time alone will tell.

As for those other phone calls, when I finally got through to real human beings, they bent over backwards to help. It drove me half mad, however, that for the rest of the day my phone kept pinging with requests to answer just a few quick questions about the service Id received.

The car was the biggest problem. Parked outside, it was now useless to us, while the burglar could drive it off at any moment. So I had to keep checking it was still there, in between calls to Mercedes, the RAC, the AAs Key Assist and our insurance company.

But Ive left little space to describe the special difficulties presented by keyless technology to car owners who are keyless in every sense.

The long and the short of it is that a huge lorry finally arrived at 9.30pm, courtesy of Direct Line, to lift the Merc off the road and a weight from my mind as it set off for a specialist garage.

As for how much that burglars brief visit has cost me in cash, I reckon that after paying insurance excesses and the various fees charged for renewing official documents, Ill be only a few hundred pounds out of pocket, while the burglar will have made much less.

The cost in terms of our peace of mind, my wifes treasured photographs and our sons hopes of an Easter abroad are much harder to assess.

Heaven knows, millions have suffered a great deal more than we did this week. But never let anyone try to convince you that burglary is just a minor offence.
Compensation unlikely to affect banking shares

By Lee Yeon-woo

Major commercial banks in Korea have announced plans to hold board meetings this week to finalize their compensation plans for investors who incurred financial losses caused by equity-linked securities (ELS) that are tied to the performance of the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index.

According to industry sources, Hana Bank is set to kick off discussions on compensation plans this Wednesday. NH NongHyup Bank and SC Bank Korea are scheduled to hold their deliberations on Thursday. Toward the end of the week, KB Kookmin and Shinhan Bank will also hold their board meetings to address the matter.

Once the board approvals are completed, each bank is expected to begin negotiations with individual investors on the actual compensation ratios starting from the following month. They were followed by Woori's proactive move on Friday, when it decided on voluntary compensation.

The total losses for these banks, including KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Woori, Hana, NH Nonghyup Bank and Standard Chartered (SC) Bank Korea is anticipated to reach 2 trillion won ($1.4 billion), with KB Kookmin Bank alone accounting for 1 trillion won.



However, brokerage industry forecasts suggest such compensation plans are unlikely to significantly impact banking shareholders' returns and their share prices.

"While the compensation scale for investors' ELS losses is significant, it is unlikely to affect banks' shareholder return policies substantially," Kim Eun-gap, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, said.

Kim estimated the compensation amounts to be approximately 1.07 trillion won for KB Financial Group, 350 billion won for Shinhan Financial Group, and 200 billion won for Hana Financial Group.

Given the considerably lower sales volume of the problematic ELS compared to other financial groups, Woori Financial Group's compensation amount is anticipated to be the smallest. Although Kim did not offer a specific estimate for Woori, market expectations hover at around 10 billion won.

Kim said, except for KB, the other banks could offset their losses by either lowering their provisions or boosting their non-interest income. While he noted concerns over a potential decrease in operating income for KB, he said such a reduction is not expected to markedly affect its policies on shareholder returns.

"Even after reflecting compensations, with their expected return on equity of 8.6 percent, the banking sector's price-to-book ratio still remains low, suggesting that an increase in valuation is still anticipated," Kim said.

Financial holding groups have seen their stock prices climb since the introduction of the Corporate Value-up Program in January, attributed to their relatively low valuation.

Following the finance minister's announcement of tax incentives for companies increasing their shareholder returns, these stocks have experienced a further surge. This is particularly due to their pre-announced plans to retire treasury stocks.

Since the government announced the program on Jan. 17, stock prices of KB have increased by 44.1 percent, Shinhan 38.4 percent, Hana 52.7 percent and Woori 21 percent, as of Monday, 11 a.m.

Meanwhile, the proportion of foreign investors in the benchmark KOSPI's market capitalization has reached its highest point in over two years, marking a significant increase attributed to the Corporate Value-up Program. As of Thursday, their holdings constituted 34.07 percent of the KOSPI's total market cap.
An activist has revealed how an epiphany when eating a chicken wrap led to her becoming vegan - even risking her safety to expose cruelty to animals.

Tarion Partridge, 25, from Spalding in Lincolnshire, has now been vegan for almost six years and works with her boyfriend Joey Carbstrong, 37, to expose suffering in the UK's animal agriculture industry.

The couple recently released a documentary called Pignorant on Amazon Prime, in which they go undercover to film horrific events taking place in UK farms and abattoirs.

Tarion, Joey and the team captured footage of a pig being brutally beaten on a farm in Norfolk, while Joey infiltrated one of the country's controversial carbon dioxide chambers - both risking their lives if they were caught or if something went wrong.

Speaking to FEMAIL, Tarion and Joey shed light on the 'terrifying' process of filming the documentary and the 'strong possibility of dying' in doing so.

Tarion Partridge, 25, from Lincolnshire, has devoted her life to being a full-time activist now she is vegan

Tarion and Joey (pictured left and right) lead a protest outside a Sainsbury's supermarket in London in February

Tarion was raised in Lincolnshire as a meat-eater, but had an 'epiphany' aged 15 when she was eating chicken and wondered what the real difference was between that and her beloved dog, Saxon.

She said: 'I sort of had a bit of an epiphany moment because I absolutely loved my dog.

'I was always saying I was an animal lover and I was eating this chicken wrap at school and I had this sort of connection moment and was like "oh my god, like why am I eating these animals?".'

She met Joey through her activism work at a festival called Vegan Camp Out. Before long, she left her job in marketing to work with Joey, and they have now co-produced Pignorant - their biggest project to date.

In the documentary, Tarion and Joey hid in bushes at Harford Farm in Norfolk for a ten days in June 2022, risking danger if they were discovered.

The footage they managed to capture was beyond anything they ever expected - as they witnessed the shocking scenes of a farm worker brutally beating a pig with a thin iron rod. Tarion added they saw more horrific sights, which were too graphic to even be shown.

She said: 'That was one of the worst places that we've been to - it was absolutely shocking. The pig being bashed is so disgusting and so horrible, murderous and callous.

'I've seen so many suffering animals in these places and it's absolutely heartbreaking. Afterwards we get to go home and they suffer until they're basically murdered.

Tarion aims to expose cruelty to animals in the UK - her latest project 'Pignorant' details the inhumane ways pigs are slaughtered

The couple go undercover and film using a zoom lens (pictured) while capturing footage for their documentary

'Originally it felt very scary and you feel like you're doing something a bit wrong. But then I remembered why I was going that and what I was doing it for and to help those animals who basically suffer in the dark.

'Even when we first reviewed the footage it was really hard to keep it together. We witnessed a pig being paralysed and it looked like they had a tire mark on their back.'

The secret footage appears to show a worker beating a pig for 23 seconds while the animal screams in pain - before the worker returns later to attack it once more.

Norfolk Free Range group, which covers the farm, reportedly sacked the employees after news of the footage emerged, according to The Independent.

But just weeks after the pigs were beaten, the RSPCA added the farm to its Assured scheme - which was later suspended.

Speaking about their film, Tarion said: 'We want people to recognise animals as sentient beings in the same way that humans have fundamental rights.'

'Most people don't know that pigs are gassed in gas chambers.'

Tarion's boyfriend Joey is a well-known activist in the community and has been vegan for 10 years.

Tarion was raised in Lincolnshire as a meat-eater, but had an 'epiphany' aged 15 when she was eating chicken

Pictured: Ms Partridge as a teenager with her dog Saxon, who she loved, and who inspired her to go vegan

Tarion and Joey met at Vegan Camp Out - and now go undercover together, often putting themselves in serious danger

Joey has risked his life by infiltrating gas chambers across the UK to capture footage - something he has admitted is 'terrifying'

His journey to taking part in protests and activism is one that had a very unusual start - as he used to be involved with gangs and spent a six-month period in prison in 2013 after being caught with a firearm.

But during his time in prison he underwent a revelation and has been promoting animal rights ever since.

The documentary also follows Joey's dangerous journey to obtain the UK's first-ever footage of pigs being gassed in carbon dioxide.

Joey secretly planted cameras inside the gas chamber at Pilgrim's Pride in Manchester and then retrieved them - but the process was not a simple one.

To infiltrate the chamber and get the footage, Joey risked his life due to the heavy concentrations of gas without anyone there to rescue him.

He explained: 'It's quite a risky mission as the gas chambers in the UK are operating 24/7. These missions have been done in places like Australia where the slaughterhouse is kind of shut down at night.

'It was very stressful for both of us because there's a strong chance you could slip and there's no exit plan in these gas chambers, there's no alarm.

'If you take a mouthful of gas, you're essentially disorientated and dead. But we had to accept that fate and just go for it.'

Tarion often goes into McDonalds and KFC, showing diners pictures of slaughterhouses and how their food was produced

The concentration of gas at the bottom of the chamber was at its highest, meaning fatal consequences if he fell.

Despite bringing oxygen apparatus, at one point CO2 managed to seep in to Joey's mask, marking the most terrifying moment of the project so far.

'It burns, it's like a can of coke. It's so painful. I was feeling this gas going through my nose and into my eyes and I started to go white with fear,' Joey recalled.

'I've now got some experience of how terrifying this gas is to be in so I can express with incredible passion when I'm saying the industry are torturing these pigs.

'The UK claims to have the highest welfare standards in the world so it was something that needed to be uncovered and which is why I took the incredible risk to get the footage because now there's no denying it.

'It was a very bizarre experience because you're going to do this thing where there's a strong possibility of dying. It was like a dream state we were in. The feeling of being nerve-racked beyond anything I've been in my sober mind.'

In recent weeks Tarion has protested outside Sainsbury's HQ and DEFRA in London to highlight the horrors of gas chamber slaughter for pigs.

She also often protests outside McDonalds and KFC branches, even going inside to encourage people to stop eating meat by presenting them with pictures of factory farming and slaughter houses.

Tarion believes it is 'dishonest' if people say they can't become vegan due to the price or the hassle

Tarion works with her boyfriend, Joey Carbstrong, who is a well-known activist (pictured together)

The protests have mixed success: Tarion sometimes persuades diners to change their minds, but it also has resulted her in being kicked out.

She explained: 'I think one of the most powerful things you can do is to show people footage. I've had some really good conversations in there. People were shocked by what they were seeing. A lot of people haven't seen this and they feel lied to.'

Tarion won't accept an excuse that becoming vegan is too difficult or too expensive, stating: 'I think that is dishonest. A lot of people say that and I think it's masking a different angle - like they like the taste or it's more convenient.

'But that's not an issue at all because the cheapest foods in the supermarket are vegan foods. Most things like pasta, bread, rice you name it. Most of the cheap foods are vegan.

'If you have any respect for animals whatsoever, then the least we can do is not support the horrible things that are happening to them.'

Norfolk Free Range previously said in a statement: 'We have been disgusted and distressed by the actions of our employees depicted in the footage; it is not acceptable and not representative of the way in which we look after our animals.

'As soon as we were made aware the individuals involved were instantly dismissed.

'We are compliant with all recent farm inspections but are of course cooperating fully with the investigation being conducted by RSPCA Assured and will be implementing a full review of our business to ensure this does not happen again in future.'

Pilgrim's Pride declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline.

Pignorant is available to stream now on Amazon Prime.
SHOPPING - Contains affiliated content. Products featured in this article are selected by our writers. If you make a purchase using links on this page, Daily Mail Australia will earn an affiliate commission. Click here for more information.

Forget unappetising grey meat or questionable fish, now thousands of Aussies are enjoying premium meat and seafood delivered straight to their door, thanks to a 'revolutionary' service.

Shoppers say they are 'saving money' and 'eating better' with sustainable and ethically sourced meats like beef, lamb, pork as well as poultry and seafood from ButcherCrowd.

The company, which is the highest-rated food brand on productreview.com.au, offers restaurant quality meat and wild-caught seafood boxes on a subscription basis, delivered to your home for free.

By working directly with Australian farming and fishing families and delivering directly to customers, ButcherCrowd can offer high quality produce at competitive prices, because there is no middleman.

Shoppers say they are 'saving money' and 'eating better' with sustainable and ethically sourced meats and seafood delivered straight to their door from ButcherCrowd

Pick to your tastes: Customers can build their own box or they can opt for a curated box with a small box to suit one to three people, while a large box suits four to five

ButcherCrowd products are non-GMO, free from antibiotics and use no hormones for growth promotion. They are also sustainably sourced and certified humanely raised and handled and the company has built up a legion of loyal fans, racking up over 400, five star reviews online.

On happy customer posted: 'Been receiving Butcher crowd boxes for several months now and I'll never go back to supermarket meat. Their customer service is excellent and their meat is delicious. Can't recommend it enough.'

Another raved: 'Couldn't be happier. Excellent quality. Youll notice the difference through cooking and taste. When cooking youll notice theres no filling the meat or fish with water to make it heavier so you pay more for less. Fantastic all round.'

ButcerCrowd offer 100% grass-fed beef and lamb, free-range pasture raised chicken and pork & wild-caught seafood

Many customers say they spend less with the subscription boxes than by impulsively shopping at the supermarket. Small boxes start from $159 with large boxes from $269

A third said: 'Worth every penny. Ive been buying ButcherCrowd boxes for nearly a year now. The quality is not even comparable to supermarket meat- and the money goes directly to farmers. Financially we are saving more than impulse purchasing at the store.'

Customers can choose between curating their own boxes or selecting curated boxes based on their preferences and products to select include include grass-fed and finished beef and lamb, pasture raised chicken and pork and 100 per cent wild-caught seafood.

With items like Wild salmon burger patties, beef brisket, scotch fillet steak, pork loin chops, chicken wings and chorizo among others available, there's plenty of options to choose from.

Impressed: Customers have raved about the service saying that the produce is much better quality than what is available at supermarkets

Pick your player: Produce like wild salmon burger patties, beef brisket, scotch fillet steak, pork loin chops, chicken wings and chorizo are available as well as and many more items

With some items working out from $4.89 per meal, the service offers great value for money and customers can select small boxes, suitable for two to three people, or large boxes, for four to five people and pick delivery options on a weekly, fortnightly, monthly or bimonthly basis.

There are options to skip, pause or cancel your subscription at any time so you're not locked in to a contract.

ButcherCrowd are offering Daily Mail Australia readers free steak for a year, plus two free steaks in their first box and you can see the details here.

The company was founded by brothers Damien and Rob Moffatt, who grew up on the Atherton Tablelands, and were brought up eating meat direct from the family farm.

ButcherCrowd are offering Daily Mail Australia readers free steak for a year, plus two free steaks in their first box and you can see the details here

With some meal options starting from $4.89 per portion many happy customers say the quality and value is what makes ButcherCrowd stand out

Damien and Rob Moffatt came up with the idea for ButcherCrowd during Covid in 2020

The former pilots were grounded in Covid when the idea for ButcherCrowd was sparked, when they found themselves sourcing meat for family and friends.

A spokesperson for ButcherCrowd explained: 'Damien and Rob werent able to find meat on the market that was sustainably sourced and affordable, and thats how ButcherCrowd came to be.

'They deliver on whats important: quality, affordability, convenience, ensuring products are sustainably sourced, raised humanely and of course, taste delicious and accessible to everyone.'

To find out more about ButcherCrowd or to take advantage of the exclusive steak deal for Daily Mail Australia readers, click here.
History was made this week after the first person in England and Wales was convicted of a cyberflashing offence - after he sent a picture of his genitals to a 15 year old girl.

Millions of women will have breathed a sigh of relief that the problem is finally being taken seriously, after navigating the horror of being cyber-flashed in public, on dating apps and even from romantic interests.

Women don't have to venture far be confronted with inappropriate sexual imagery, as women have told FEMAIL how they've been sent pictures from the bathroom of busy clubs, closely-cropped snaps on a train and even, on Christmas Day, a picture of a penis covered in tinsel.

The phenomenon is nothing new, one woman, now in her late 30s, recalled to FEMAIL how she woke up after a night out, in the early days of camera phones, to find someone had sent her a picture of their penis.

Speaking to FEMAIL, another victim entailed how bizarrely common it is to receive explicit imagery from strangers - they have been AirDropped on a tube station, messaged in over Instagram, and are even at times accompanied by videos.

Others revealed men sent them mirror selfies 'bent over to see their anus' , while another man inadvertently revealed himself as a catfish with an unsolicited sexual picture.

Karen Whybro (pictured), 45, from Essex recounted one particularly harrowing incident which she says left her feeling 'intimated'

Karen Whybro, 45, from Essex recounted one particularly harrowing incident which she says left her feeling 'intimated'.

'Personally, I've experienced cyberflashing on multiple occasions by various methods, including through direct messaging on Instagram, and via AirDrop,' she said.

'The AirDrop incident was probably the most intimidating for me as I was in a tube carriage and knew the person was physically close enough to be able to access my phone. I had no idea what he would do next.'

Karen, who works as a Women's Safety Consultant, revealed that it's 'exceptionally common' for women to endure such violations.

'I once had a guy send me a photo of him half-dressed, leg cocked up on a chair with tinsel round his penis saying 'Happy Christmas'. Men are bizarre.'

'One recent stat showed that something like 80 per cent of 12-18 year old girls had received explicit images and I think the estimate of 50 per cent of millennial women is very, very low,' she added.

'Almost every women I speak to has experience of this.'

Other recipients of unsolicited so-called 'd**k pics' include a divorced mother, and women dipping their toes into dating online after painful break ups.

A mother-of-three, who recently turned 40, explained: 'After a painful separation from the father of my child, I was encouraged to take a dive into the world of app dating.

'With great trepidation I decided "what the heck" and began my swiping journey.

'Needless to say it was a mixed bag. Two incidents of note involved being sent an excited penis with the days paper propped behind as proof of the "live" nature of the picture.

'Another unasked for picture came via Tinder from "Jake", an all-American looking lawyer according to his profile picture, but who was actually an aged Asian man judging by the aesthetics of his penis.'

Nicholas Hawkes (pictured), who was already a convicted sex offender, sent unsolicited sexual photos to the girl and another woman on February 9, who reported him to police the same day after taking screenshots

One woman, who is now in her late 30s, recalls getting one in the mid 2000s on an early camera phone.

She remembers waking up one morning after a night out to find an unsolicited image on her phone from an unknown number.

'It was from someone I had been talking to the night before, seemed like a totally normal, if somewhat, shy bloke.

'I had given him my number as I thought he seemed like a genuine sweet man. Next morning I woke up to that.

'No "hello". nothing. Just a closely cropped, grim, red picture of his penis. I was staying at my friend's house and we laughed it off at the time.

'It was just part of life then. People did it all the time and it was kind of treated like a joke - a "why the f*** would anyone think I would want to receive a faceless, context-free phallus".

'In what world has this ever worked out for anyone? What woman ever receives one and thinks: "Oooh lovely, yes, let's meet up."''

Another victim recalls: 'I was in my late 30s out with colleagues for a birthday at a bar round the corner from work.

'Everyone was drinking and dancing and the place was packed with lots of people not just our small group. It was a place that had three floors.

'Anyway I got separated from my friends so fished my phone from my bag to give one a call and as I did a picture flashed up.

Karen, who works as a Women's Safety Consultant, revealed that it's 'exceptionally common' for women to endure such violations

'A full d*** pic but also included the flooring from the bathrooms of the pub I was in. And it wasnt send via text - I had left my Bluetooth on accidentally and it was airdropped to me.

'I have no idea by who but it was clear they were nearby and had literally just dropped their pants to do this.

'It absolutely freaked me out and I went home. It was hard not to see that as an aggressive move and pretty threatening. Knowing the person was nearby but not having a clue who it was.'

She added: 'Ones from people I was dating I was just "urgh this isnt the turn on you think it is". But anonymous dick pics its just - whats your end game here? Are you thinking theres a chance Im going to respond wanting a hook up? Its just a quite threatening.'

Another added: 'Heads up men (excuse the pun). On the whole, women are not turned on, threatened, or impressed by the sight of your comically framed penis. They are amused. And then they show their friends. And then they all laugh at you. '

Other women's experiences have even been comical.

One woman, a playwright and poet and widowed mother-of-one, said: 'The worst wasnt a d*** pic to be honest. I was once sent a picture of a man bending over looking into the mirror so I could see his anus.

The worst wasnt a d*** pic to be honest. I was once sent a picture of a man bending over looking into the mirror so I could see his anus.

'It was quite a thing when Snapchat was new , I remember deleting Snapchat for that main reason, men flashing up their c***s.

'I once had a guy send me a photo of him half-dressed, leg cocked up on a chair with tinsel round his penis saying 'Happy Christmas'. Men are bizarre.'

'It was quite a thing when Snapchat was new , I remember deleting Snapchat for that main reason, men flashing up their c***s.

'I once had a guy send me a photo of him half-dressed, leg cocked up on a chair with tinsel round his penis saying 'Happy Christmas'. Men are bizarre.'

Karen, who works in Women's Safety, explained that receiving the images makes her feel both 'furious' and 'violated'.

'The sheer entitlement of a man to be able to invade my privacy, to cause such shock and upset to someone is sickening,' Karen explained.

'It also questions my own safety both online and in the physical world and makes me worry what could happen if this escalates.

'It has marginalised by own use of the internet and my trust in those around me.'

When it comes to the conviction, she says the man being jailed has sent a 'strong message'.

'But it was an straightforward case where the offender was already on the sex offender register and pleaded guilty,' she said.

'The vast majority of cyberflashing cases will not be so easy to prosecute do to the requirement to prove an intent to cause distress.

Cyberflashing explained: How law change will help crack down on unsolicited nude images The new law came into effect on January 31 this year

A person found guilty faces up to two years in jail

Law covers deepfakes, downblousing and revenge porn Lawyers can now consider charging anyone caught sharing deepfakes, downblousing images or cyberflashing under new guidance to help counter predatory online behaviours. Cyberflashing typically involves sending an unsolicited sexual or nude image to victims via social media or dating apps, but can also take place through data sharing services with strangers such as Bluetooth and Airdrop  something which commonly happens on the transport network. The Online Safety Act has criminalised this behaviour and the Crown Prosecution Service will now be able to hold offenders to account through the court of law. Those who send or provide unwanted images or films of genitals, will face prosecution and could find themselves on the sex offenders register, fined and or imprisoned for up to two years. Prosecutors can now make charging decisions based on whether offenders intended for a victim of cyberflashing to be alarmed, distressed, or humiliated, or whether they as a culprit hoped to receive sexual gratification regardless of whether or not the recipient was alarmed, distressed, or humiliated. It is also now a criminal offence to share intimate images or film without consent regardless of whether or not the perpetrator intended to cause the victim any harm. Prosecutors have the power to apply the law in three different categories of so-called revenge porn from now on. It will become an offence to share an intimate photograph or film: a. without consent, b. without consent and with intent to cause alarm, distress, or humiliation, c. without consent and or for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification. The new guidance also covers any threats to share intimate images where the victim or someone known to the victim fears that the threat could actually be carried out, or the offender is reckless as to whether there are any such fears. Advertisement

'I would love this law to be strengthened by making it a consent-based offence.'

Earlier this week, cyberflashing victim and campaigner Sophie Gallagher - who was sent 120 images of male genitalia via AirDrop while she was on the tube - spoke to Good Morning Britain about how women are expected to simply put up with the issue.

'I didn't know who it was from because it's anonymous... all you know is they're within 30ft because the function has a 30ft sort of radius so I knew it was someone nearby,' she said.

'Ironically the tube carriage is also about 30ft but you don't know who it is. I felt angry, I obviously felt quite scared, I didn't know if he was going to escalate it to something physical, will he follow me off the tube, does he know it's me, is he planning to escalate this in some way?'

She agreed with presenter Martin Lewis that enduring unsolicited sexual images is seen as 'socially acceptable' - and something women simply have to go through.

'When it's this commonplace I do think it's seen as like a tax that women pay for existing online.

MailOnline has reached out to Apple and Meta for comment.

Apple's website says that viewers are able to adjust AirDrop settings so that users can choose who can see their device and send them content - and also choose to receive warnings about photos or videos which may contain nudity before opening them.

When it comes to the conviction, Karen says that the man being jailed has sent a 'strong message'

It comes as a paedophile who sent a picture of his genitals to a 15-year-old girl has become the first person in England and Wales to be jailed for a cyber-flashing offence.

Nicholas Hawkes, who was already a convicted sex offender, sent unsolicited sexual photos to the girl and another woman on February 9, who reported him to police the same day after taking screenshots.

The 39-year-old appeared at Southend Magistrates Court just three days later where he admitted two counts of sending a photograph or film of genitals to cause alarm, distress or humiliation.

Cyberflashing is 'alarmingly common' Speaking to FEMAIL, psychotherapist Emily Mendez, from the US - who is also a mental health writer at Blog of Tom - also explained that 'while strides have been made in criminally prosecuting cyber flashers, the disturbing reality is that exposing others to explicit images without consent has become alarmingly common online'. 'Perpetrators often attempt to justify it as a form of misguided flirting or a "prank,"' she said. 'But make no mistake - cyber flashing is a blatant form of sexual harassment with real psychological impacts. 'Whether it's a young person exploring their sexuality or an adult who should know better, violating someone's boundaries and personal space in such a graphic way can deeply rattle their sense of safety and self-worth - I've had clients describe feeling powerless and exposed, for some it has even triggered past traumas.' Emily says that from an educational standpoint, there needs to be more to prepare people for digital literacy - that 'goes beyond just "don't talk to strangers online"'. 'Youth must understand that cyberflashing is unequivocally unacceptable, illegal in many jurisdictions, and can leave lasting emotional scars,' she added. 'But we must also raise awareness in adult populations who may view these behaviours through an outdated, misogynistic, and trivialising lens. 'For recipients, the fallout can manifest as anxiety, depression, increased isolation, PTSD, and even self-blame. 'Imagine having those vivid, jarring visuals abruptly forced into your private world without any warning or consent. It's an incredibly visceral shock that can clearly reopen deep psychological wounds. 'Those grappling with the aftermath often require intensive therapy to rebuild their sense of safety, re-establish boundaries, and restore the self-worth that was so blatantly disregarded by the perpetrator. 'Younger demographics are particularly vulnerable, as their identities and understanding of healthy relationships are still forming. But the violation of trust and personal boundaries can disrupt self-confidence at any age. 'Advocacy efforts should focus on developing more robust reporting tools, educational resources, and working closely with law enforcement to ensure cyberflashing crimes are taken seriously and prosecuted properly. 'Because while virtual, the psychological impacts and emotional toll cannot be ignored. We must collectively raise awareness that consent is always mandatory - in any space, online or off.' Advertisement

This week, he was jailed for 66 weeks in the first case of its kind in England and Wales.

The offence of cyberflashing only came into force on January 31 as part of the Online Safety Act and carries a maximum two-year jail term.

The court heard the girl had been left 'overwhelmed and crying' by the experience.

Prosecuting, David Barr said the offences 'fall as part of an established pattern of behaviour of the defendant'.

The court heard Hawkes' offending has been exclusively sexual in nature and started after he was kidnapped, stabbed and held at a 5,000 ransom demanded from his father when he was 31 years old.

Barry Gilbert, defending, argued Hawkes does not receive sexual gratification from his offending and instead 'does it to create chaos when he's under personal pressure' as a result of his PTSD following the attack.

However, Judge Samantha Leigh rejected the argument that he did not receive sexual gratification and said 'you clearly are deeply disturbed and have a warped view of yourself and your sexual desires'.

She added: 'There is a duty that I have that is a duty to protect, there is only one sentence for this set of offending - it clearly crosses the custody threshold.'

Despite his previous offending, Hawkes has reportedly not received any treatment.

Though he was offered 12 appointments with a psychiatrist, he never received them as the waiting list was too long, the court heard.

Hawkes admitted during an earlier hearing at Southend Magistrates' Court to two counts of sending a photograph or film of genitals to cause alarm, distress, or humiliation.

He was jailed for 66 weeks at Southend Crown Court after being convicted under the act.

He must also comply with a 10-year restraining order and will be subject to a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Campaigners welcomed the sentence, saying it sent out an important message to men and boys who send unsolicited intimate photos.

Professor Clare McGlynn, an expert in sexual violence and online abuse at the University of Durham's law department, said: 'It's a very significant day because today we see an abusive man being held to account for actions that are often trivialised and reduced to banter.

'It's sending a clear message to men and boys that this type of behaviour is wrong and it could be a criminal offence and importantly, to women and girls, who will no longer have to put up with this and they can take action and report it to police.'

But she added the law contained a loophole as the prosecution must prove the offensive image was sent with an intent to cause distress or for the purpose of sexual gratification while being reckless about causing offence.

'These are thresholds that are a challenge to evidence and unfortunately these thresholds were included in the legislation,' she told Radio 4's Today programme.

'Myself and others wanted an offence that was more straightforward and just based on consent but this is the legislation we have at the moment.'

Zoe Billingham, a former Inspector of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue, said the prevalence of cyberflashing was 'eye-watering'.

She added: 'It's a really important day. It's a demonstration of the state's intent to tackle violence against women and girls and to take crime against them seriously.'

The NSPCC said: 'The sentencing of Hawkes today shows how a part of the new Online Safety Act is working to tackle online sexual abuse experienced by women and girls.

'No one should have to receive unwanted sexual images online. Cyberflashing is a serious crime and it is important cases like these are taken forward by law enforcement.'

The explosion in the use of social media and direct messaging, particularly among children, has led to sickening levels of unsolicited perverted images being seen.

A third of women have been victims of cyberflashing, according to a report from women's social network Communia. This rises to 37 per cent among 16 to 34-year-olds.

The Angiolini Inquiry report into Wayne Couzens, the police officer who murdered Sarah Everard after no action was taken for a series of flashing offences, emphasised that police must take cyberflashing seriously.

Hawkes sent the photos from his father's phone which he borrowed after saying he needed it to call probation.

He went into another room and sent an explicit image to the woman, who is in her 60s. Minutes later he sent another to the girl.

Both victims, who have an automatic right to anonymity, took screenshots and the woman reported the incidents to Essex Police.

Hawkes was already on the sex offenders register until November 2033 after last year being convicted of sexual activity with a child under 16 years old and exposure, for which he also received a community order.
The penny really should have dropped when the highly recommended beautician, who specialised in 'Russian' eye lashes at a swish salon just off Harley Street, assured me her services were confidential and exclusive  then went on to share the 'fact' that Meghan Markle had been a client. Once, she'd even done Kate Middleton's lashes!

If I'd had my wits about me, I would have recognised that as a warning. If she couldn't be trusted to be discreet (or truthful), perhaps there were question marks concerning her competence, too.

But it was too late: one set and I was hooked. These weren't ordinary lashes, after all, they were Russian ones, the Rolls-Royce of lashes.

For those of you not au fait with the arms race in eyelash length and volume, Russian lashes involve the attachment of four or five very fine fake lashes to each of your own real ones, making them thicker and fuller than ordinary falsies, and giving them a beautiful curl.

I adored them. Lustrous and natural-looking (to my eyes, anyway), Russian lashes became my very own cosmetic crack cocaine. Under Miss Harley Street, what started with harmless curiosity turned into a 300 habit, every three weeks.

One morning Amanda woke up to find her Russian eyelashes had caused an infection - her face and eyes were swollen after the eyelashes had been glued to her upper eyelid rather than her natural lashes

Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but there is something fabulous and glamorous about seeing the world through a veil of lavishly long lashes, even if the occasional one floats off into your souffle.

Having full lashes  fluttering in the gym, at the pub over a casual drink, in the office  became a form of armour against the world. They made me feel invincible.

But as you can see from the picture, this is a cautionary tale. My fixation with beautiful lashes turned out to be my Achilles' heel. And though I blame myself (a little) for my vanity, I also want women to know not to trust clinics offering permanent red-carpet glamour.

For the cost, in my case, was not only my real eyelashes but, for a while at least, my face itself.

My Russian lash habit was the culmination of an addiction that had begun decades ago with cheap, glued-in fake lashes  the ones that came in a strip  when I was a Saturday girl at Woolworths in the 1970s.

At my all-girls school in Perth, Western Australia, make-up was forbidden, which made it all the more alluring and, of course, we broke the rules. As a very plain girl who longed to look pretty, like all the cool girls, I'd stash my mascara and magnifying mirror in my bag alongside my books and hastily apply it on the bus in the morning.

At the time, the west coast of Australia felt like a long way from anywhere. I'd imagine myself strolling down the King's Road in London, half a world away, surrounded by the glamour girls of the 1970s. I didn't have Jerry Hall tresses, but I reckoned I had a statement look with my dark hair and black, spidery eyelashes, coated with lashings of mascara.

Back then, I was often marched to the bathroom and forced to wash the mascara off with carbolic soap.

It was a far cry from today  schools are now apparently allowing teenage girls to wear fake eyelashes because of 'mental health considerations'. Last month, Knole Academy in Sevenoaks, Kent, for example, reversed its ban on them because girls were refusing to come in without falsies or were taking time off school for salon appointments to have them removed.

When I read about it, I have to say I felt a pang of sympathy  while also wondering what the hell their parents are thinking, indulging and no doubt funding such extravagance, probably alongside spray tans, nail extensions and lip fillers.

Millions of women now rely on fake eyelashes  the number of eyelash extension treatments has boomed. They are now the most popular salon service in the UK, even overtaking nails in spite of the proliferation of nail bars. The industry trade body Beauty Guild thinks about 129,000 lash treatments are carried out every week in the UK, meaning 6.7 million were performed last year.

For me, long lashes made an insecure girl feel empowered. Fringed by thick, dark eyelashes my eyes looked more alive, more entrancing, more defined, more grown up. When I discovered falsies, I was delighted.

Yes, they cost half my precious Woolworths wage and were hell to apply  you had to squirt a mini tube of glue on to the base of the lashes, then spend an hour trying to attach them to your eyelids without them ending up wonky. And yes, I often went out looking like a Picasso painting.

For me, long lashes made an insecure girl feel empowered. Fringed by thick, dark eyelashes my eyes looked more alive, more entrancing, more defined, more grown up, writes Amanda

Millions of women now rely on fake eyelashes - the number of eyelash extension treatments has boomed and they are now the most popular salon service in the country

But when I mastered the art, I thought I looked fabulous. Fast forward through my university years, later in the 1970s, when bra-burning feminism made it mandatory to go au naturel. For years I had to drop all that make-up and mascara and artifice just to fit in, although feeling quite discomfited by the sudden lack of armour.

After graduating, it didn't take long before I reverted to form, trowelling on the mascara when I was at work as a fledgling journalist in Australia.

Being done up to the nines again gave me confidence professionally, and I am not ashamed to admit that fluttering those artificially extended lashes got me a bagful of big stories.

I was still insecure about my looks, however, and remember the double standards between men and women back then.

My boyfriend Mark  a fellow journalist  would arrive late at night after his shift had finished and drive up to my house, sweaty and dishevelled, before throwing himself into my bed.

As a man, he never gave a thought to how he looked. Yet every evening I would wash my waist-length hair, cover my face in foundation and apply a heavy slick of mascara before hitting the bedroom.

At one point, I did give up on the preening. That was when I married John, and we went backpacking together across the world, carefree as you like, eventually landing in London. I was confident enough to let him see my face scrubbed of cosmetics because I knew he loved me just the way I was.

But when I started looking for a job, all that changed. It was back to smart suits and flawless make-up as I became a national newspaper executive.

For a long time, I relied on designer brand mascaras and resisted the hit of falsies.

But six years ago, while doing a fashion shoot for the Mail, the make-up artist, Desmond, suggested we try some false lashes to give my eyes some ping and make them look more mysterious.

I tried to resist. I really did.

But, by then, false eyelashes were more sophisticated and varied than anything I'd seen in my twenties. They were to eyes what the Wonderbra was to bosoms  uplifting, enhancing, utterly gorgeous.

Desmond assured me they would look perfectly natural, were just for the shoot and he would remove them afterwards without ripping my eyelids off.

Meticulously, he applied glue and then one lash to each of my natural lashes. I had to keep my eyes closed for a few minutes for it to set  which felt like an eternity  and then I looked in the mirror. Kerpow! I felt like a different woman: glamorous, more feminine, and, yes, prettier.

At the end of the three-hour shoot, Desmond said he would take them off.

'Over my dead body!' I replied, and asked how long they would last. Up to a week, he said. I managed to keep them on for five days before they dropped off and appeared forlornly on my pillow. I was bereft.

As for the Russians, it was a friend who introduced me to those. There was this beautician, she said, who used extremely fine-grade synthetic mink to create unrivalled volume and extension. The procedure would take up to two hours, and to keep them perfect, I'd need a new, or partially new, set every three weeks.

I succumbed, and adored them for the first year. They didn't feel heavy and rarely fell out when I was sleeping or removing  very carefully  my make-up at night. Their fluttery length was quite gorgeous.

But I began to notice I was fitting in top-up sessions more regularly. Throughout my second year they definitely fell out more often.

But it wasn't until my third year of Russians that disaster struck.

Out of nowhere, with no previous problems with my eyesight or itchiness and no swelling, I woke up looking like, well, this picture.

My face was so swollen I had to cancel all my TV work and didn't leave the house for a week.

As you can see, it wasn't just my eyelids that became infected, but my whole face from my forehead to my chin.

I went to my doctor, who prescribed antibiotics and a horrible, gooey anti-inflammatory eye cream. They said the infection was caused by lashes being glued not on to my lashes  as many of them had fallen out  but actually on to my upper-eyelid.

Then  and this was perhaps the worst part of the whole experience  I visited a new beautician to have the Russians removed, only to discover I had virtually no natural eyelashes left.

After years of being subjected to chemical glue, my real lashes had thinned, weakened and grown in much smaller. Some were barely stubs. I now know that you should wear Russian lashes for no more than six months at a time before giving your real lashes a chance to recover.

But I loved them too much. I might occasionally have asked my Harley Street beautician if I was overdoing it, but she reassured me my own lashes were healthy and there was no need to take the Russian extensions off.

On my rough estimate, my lash addiction cost me around 5,000 a year. But the price I paid in the end was far greater, for my lashes have never properly recovered. Even several years later, they're much thinner and shorter than they used to be. I could kick myself for my vanity.

Today, I use much subtler false eyelashes. My favourites are Eylure Naturals no.31 as they give a little extra length and fullness for a natural look and I can apply them myself using latex-free glue. They only last up to 18 hours, but that's enough of a treat. They don't damage your real lashes, and they cost around 10 from Boots.

I can see why teenagers  surrounded by unrealistic images of influencers and celebrities on Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat  believe a bit of lip filler, Botox and false eyelashes will increase their chance of happiness.

But I can tell them from painful experience that, in the end, false eyelashes have to come off (or fall off) and the only thing you're left with is damaged lashes and lids  and a dent in your wallet.

Take another look at that picture of me  and you'll understand why going under the lash can be a risky business.
Dragons' Den viewers were obsessed with a futuristic shower cleaner pitched on Thursday's show - but some raised eyebrows after he said he made it to 'help his wife'.

Nodar 'Nod' Babuadze and his son 'Nik' seeking 50,000 for 10 per cent of their business, an automated self-cleaning shower.

It comes with an attachment that comes down from the ceiling to spray the walls and rinse it with detergent, that can be used via an app on your phone.

Nik said that 'there's no exposure to chemicals and most importantly saves you time and effort' and that 'regular use prevents the buildup of limescale and mould'.

Although the cleaner only cost 2 to run the price of the automated show at 350, plus labour costs to install it, put some dragons' off.

Nodar 'Nod' Babuadze and his son 'Nik' seeking 50,000 for 10 per cent of their business, an automated self-cleaning shower

Nik said that 'there's no exposure to chemicals and most importantly saves you time and effort' and that 'regular use prevents the buildup of limescale and mould

Many said they can't see people buying the product, which Nod said he made to 'help his wife' cleaning.

All five Dragons' opted out of an offer, however, Peter Jones praised Nod the invention.

'Look, I can honestly say I've never seen anything like it,' Peter Jones said, but in the end, he didn't make an investment.

Debra Meaden added they should aim for the commercial market.

'I think that probably your best market is the commercial market, who are going to be bothered because they're paying people to go in and clean their showers.'

Viewers were taken by the product - however some eyebrows were raised by Nod saying it was created to 'help his wife'.

'It's an insane invention, but far more interesting than the usual Whole Foods and Wellness b******ks served up'

'I would love to have a machine that cleans the shower for me

'The shower is the future,' said another.

Viewers were taken by the product - however some eyebrows were raised by Nod saying it was created to 'help his wife'.

Elswhere on the show, a businesswoman refused to 'settle for less' and rejected three offers on Dragons' Den - proving the doubting Dragons wrong as her booming business is raking in 5million a year.

Peony Li, who lives in London, appeared on BBC One's Dragons' Den this evening after pitching her healthcare company We Are Jude to the business moguls.

Her company offers bladder care education, products, and treatment alongside raising awareness of bladder health.

Its 'hero' product is a clinically-tested bladder strength supplement that claims to improve pelvic floor strength to reduce leaks and relieves the frequent urge of needing the toilet.

Peony, 28, pitched her bladder care company to the Dragons, with the intention of highlighting the hidden epidemic of bladder incontinence in the UK - and securing funding.

Peony Li (pictured) appeared on BBC One programme Dragons Den - but turned down the money she was offered

However, her risky move has paid off, as now Peony says her business is turning over 5million each year

Steven Bartlett, who initially made his fortune with a social media marketing company, dismissed Jude for its hefty marketing spend.

Special guest Dragon Emma Grede - the self-made millionaire and co-founder of Skims and Good American alongside the Kardashians - made an offer of 100,000 in exchange for three per cent of the business.

But determined Peony held firm and turned it down, along with interest from Peter Jones and Deborah Meaden.

'If I didn't have our other investors, I would definitely say yes to the deal,' Peony said. She continued: 'But I would love to counter propose the offers, 100,000 for 1.5 per cent.'

But for Deborah, it was 'one step too far', which led her to decline the Peony's proposal.

She believes her incredible success puts to bed the doubts raised from Dragon Touker Suleyman, who was unsure about Peony's plans to sell Jude products in Boots and on QVC.

Unhappy with the initial proposal from the judges, Deborah offered a counter proposal of 1.5 per cent of her business in exchange for 100,000

But it was a proposal that Deborah (pictured) thought was 'one step too far', meaning she had to decline the offer

Peony pitched a bladder care company that 'that claims to improve pelvic floor strength to reduce leaks and relieves the frequent urge of needing the toilet'

Peony felt that 'taking a lower offer would diminish the input of my early investors', which is one of the reasons she turned down the money

Since visiting the Den, Peony says her company is turning over 5million each year - with products selling out swiftly at both of the retails giants.

Now eight months after filming the show, Jude's growth has quadrupled and marketing costs have halved.

Peony said: 'Stepping into Dragons' Den felt completely surreal because I never dreamt I'd be part of such an iconic show.

'It was nerve-wracking, not only because I'd put years of work into creating Jude, but because it isn't just a business  it's part of me, it's about my story, so it was a big deal to put myself out there.

'It meant so much that the Dragons recognised the importance of what I'm building and could see the potential impact of Jude.

'I was, of course, really flattered that such amazing business people bought into my vision and were prepared to invest in my company.

'But I am so passionate about what I am doing and the future of Jude that I knew I had to hold firm if I didn't get exactly what I was looking for.

According to Peony, despite turning down the Dragons' offers, she says their help has been 'invaluable'

The businesswoman has described being in major retail spaces like Boots as a 'milestone' for her business

'It wasn't just about me - I felt strongly that taking a lower offer would diminish the input of my early investors who had such faith in my vision that they bet on the business when it was nothing more than an idea.

'This experience underscores a common challenge for women in business, the temptation to settle for less particularly when negotiating with business titans and authority figures.'

Despite rejecting the business giants' financial help, Peony said she learned a lot from the experience.

Peony said: 'The Dragons' advice was invaluable, but I needed to take on board what they said while staying true to my strategy.

'I was convinced that introducing Jude products into retail spaces, even if earlier than is typical for similar businesses, was crucial.

'Being seen in these retail spaces, especially alongside established brands like Tena pads, was not just a milestone for us, it symbolised a progressive shift in the incontinence industry.'
Opulence, exclusivity and cost: these qualities give a brand its luxury status and keep it in high demand among consumers.

A number of labels are willing to take extreme measures to maintain these attributes and prevent their products from ending up in the wrong hands.

Hermes, the latest brand facing scrutiny, is currently embroiled in a lawsuit filed by two customers, alleging that the fashion house imposes expensive requirements on clients to qualify for the chance to purchase one of its bags.

Burberry admitted to burning unsold goods, while H&M was intentionally destroying 12 tonnes of unsold clothing each year.

Furthermore, Richemont, the parent company of Cartier and Montblanc, disposed of 400million worth of designer watches to prevent unauthorised resale.

A colourful Hermes bag is captured outside the Fall/Winter 2024/25 show at Paris Fashion Week

Hermes

Hermes is currently embroiled in a lawsuit filed by two customers who claim that the fashion house enforces costly prerequisites for clients to be eligible to purchase one of its bags.

Hermes is being accused of antitrust and unfair business practices after taking advantage of the 'unique desirability, incredible demand and low supply' of the designer bags.

The lawsuit was filed by the plaintiffs, Tina Cavalleri and Mark Glinoga, in Northern California on Tuesday.

Tina and Mark have alleged that Hermes uses the exclusive bags to boost their sales of other products - claiming that shoppers are told to develop a close relationship with their sales associate and work their way up to procuring the handbag by purchasing other items first.

Alexandra Lapp carries a Hermes vintage Kelly bag in Paris on March 12, 2024

The duo has accused the design house of having 'a scheme to exploit the market power' of the Birkin, by 'requiring consumers to purchase other, ancillary products from [it] before they will be given an opportunity to purchase.'

The plaintiffs accused Hermes sales associates of having the ability to 'only offer Birkin handbags' to people with the correct purchase history of other products, including shoes, belts, scarves and more.

Tina said in the complaint that she ended up spending tends of thousands of dollars, and when she asked about buying another Birkin in September 2022, the sales associate said that those bags go to 'clients who have been consistent in supporting our business.'

Burberry

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley attends the Burberry Spring/Summer 2024 show during London Fashion Week on September 18, 2023

British fashion label Burberry destroyed more than 28million worth of unwanted products, in the space of a year, to stop counterfeiters selling their goods to the 'wrong people' on the 'grey market'.

In 2018, the high-end clothing brand, known for its 1,450 trench coats, saw the value of its waste rise by 50 per cent, amid a continued downturn in sales.

More than 90million worth of Burberry products were destroyed over five years, leaving unhappy shareholders to question why there were not offered the products as private investors.

Burning of clothing emits carbon dioxide

A UK Parliament report on sustainability and the fashion industry in 2019 stated that burning unsold inventory may regain some energy, but it amplifies the overall climate impact of the products. The burning of clothing emits carbon dioxide and other gases into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and posing health risks. Additionally, the energy recovered by burning goods is often insufficient to balance the energy required to produce the garments in the first place. Much of today's clothing is made from plastic and incinerating these garments can release plastic microfibres into the atmosphere. Advertisement

Burberry, valued at around 9.6 billion by Forbes magazine, admitted they were burning unsold stock but said they worked with specialist incinerators to harness the energy produced, The Times reported.

Later that year, Burberry announced that it would stop the practice of burning unsold goods, with immediate effect.

H&M

In 2017, Swedish fashion retailer H&M was accused of burning 12 tonnes of unsold clothing per year, despite its ongoing sustainability efforts.

Danish TV programme Operation X from TV2 claimed the high street giant had incinerated approximately 60 tonnes of usable clothing over the past few years.

Initially denying these claims, H&M eventually admitted to burning unwanted stock to help power Vastera, a small city in Sweden.

In 2010, The New York Times reported finding bags of H&M clothing at a store on 35th Street, in New York, that had been deliberately slashed, possibly to prevent them from being resold or returned for cash.

At the time, H&M promised to implement measures to prevent such practices from happening again.

Richemont

In 2018, Richemont, the Geneva-based company that owns Cartier and Montblanc, destroyed more than 400 million of watches, in two years, to avoid them being sold at knockdown prices.

This included unwanted stock that Richemont had bought back from jewellers.

A model wears the Panthere de Cartier watch featuring 18 carat yellow gold

The luxury goods group's former CEO, Richard Lepeu, implemented the policy two years earlier, describing it as 'extraordinary measure' for 'unusual circumstances'.

The company was concerned that unsold inventory would be discounted in the 'grey market' by unauthorised sellers, harming the reputation and pricing power of its brands.

The timepieces were disassembled and recycled, with the latest stockpile originating from its specialist watchmakers division, including brands like Piaget, IWC and Vacheron Constantin.

The watches were repurchased from stores in European markets.
The adorable two-year-old who photobombed Queen Camilla as she visited his dad's bakery in Belfast warmed hearts is the son of a former Blue Peter preseneter.

Fitzwilliam Corrie-Salmon, who is known as Fitz, from Belfast, captured the nation yesterday as he donned a tiny tuxedo while his dad, William, co-owner of Knotts Bakery, chatted with the King's wife during her Northern Ireland tour.

Today, his mother, Zoe Corrie-Salmon, a former Blue Peter presenter, appeared on This Morning via video link with Fitz and her husband William on Friday.

Zoe, 44, was a Blue Peter presenter from 2004 to 2008 and hosted the flagship children's show with Konnie Huq, Simon Thomas, Matt Baker, Liz Barker, Gethin Jones and Andy Akinwolere.

After hanging up her children's TV mic, Zoe moved to a countryside home in County Down, Northern Ireland with her husband William Corrie.

The adorable two-year-old Fitzwilliam Corrie-Salmon who photobombed Queen Camilla as she visited a local bakery in Belfast warmed hearts, yet again, on This Morning

Speaking today, the former Miss Northern Ireland, said she couldn't sleep after seeing all the coverage around her little boy last night but luckily 'Fitz' managed to get a solid 12 hours kip.

She said: 'Honestly we can't believe it, she was so good with him, she is such a lovely lady and it was such a special day.'

Asked how Fitz feels about his new found fame, she said: 'Fitz is naturally very chatty and very sociable but he has never been in that environment before with so many photographers, we didn't know what he was going to be like but he really took to it and he had a good day.

'I don't think any of it phased him, it will be funny when he is older, showing him all the press and telling him all about it, he will not believe it.'

Zoe, who was once named the 20th sexiest woman in the world by FHM, has largely stayed out of the limelight since marrying her farmer husband in 2016.

Speaking to Hello! in 2022, she said: 'Fitz can look forward to an idyllic outdoorsy childhood on the family's two farms, which sprawl across approximately one thousand acres.'

'Will grew up on the farm and he always speaks so lovingly and fondly of it. I'm looking forward to Fitz getting involved in all of that too. It's a beautiful part of the world,'.

She added that she had no plans to return to TV after putting pause on presenting work during lockdown and pregnancy

'It's a new me; I've changed from Zoe the TV presenter to Zoe the mummy and TV presenter. I want Fitz to grow up seeing both his mum and his dad working hard."

Fitz captured the nations hearts yesterday as he donned a tiny tuxedo while his Dad, William, co-owner of Knotts Bakery, chatted with Queen Camilla during her Northern Ireland tour

William watched his son on with Camilla, both looking equal parts amused and delighted

Mother, Zoe Corrie-Salmon, who was formerly a Blue Peter presenter, appeared on This Morning via video link with Fitz and her husband William on Friday

Yesterday, whilst Fitz posed up a storm for cameras, Queen Camilla called him 'a natural'.

The toddler sported a tiny tuxedo as he grinned for the photos, coming right up to the lens.

William watched his son on with Camilla, both looking equal parts amused and delighted.

'We have a natural for the cameras,' she announced, grinning as she watched him. There's something so wonderful about this kind of place.'

Presenter: Zoe featured on Blue Peter between 2004 until 2008, before taking to the rink during the 2009 series of Dancing On Ice where she reached the quarter-finals (pictured with Blue Peter co-star Konnie Huq)

Blonde beauty: The TV personality has swapped her signature blonde locks for a brunette style, judging by recent snaps posted to he Instagram account (pictured in 2009)

'She was a lovely lady,' said William. 'Genuinely interested in the products. It's very good to have her here.'

'She was asking questions about what we do,' he also added after the visit. 'We did joke that Fitz stole her thunder for a minute.'

Speaking to interviewers later, Zoe also gushed that 'they make a good pair, Queen Camilla and Fitzwilliam' - and that the royal was 'warm, charming and very lovely'. I just hope she had a great day in Northern Ireland.'

Sporting the nation's trademark colour, the Queen opted for an emerald green Bruce Oldfield coat and crepe dress.

She styled her platinum blonde tresses in their signature look, and paid homage to her late mother-in-law by wearing Queen Elizabeth's turquoise and diamond three leaf clover brooch.

The toddler sported a tiny tuxedo as he grinned for the photos, coming right up to the lens

Yesterday, whilst Fitz posed up a storm for cameras, Queen Camilla called him 'a natural'

Queen Camilla has said the King is 'doing very well', despite missing out on a trip to Belfast as he undergoes cancer treatment.

They gave Camilla some of their local produce to take home which she said she'd share with the King, including their loved fruit loaf and iced madeira.

Her Majesty is in Northern Ireland for a two-day trip, that had been due to be undertaken by the both of them.

After the King was compelled to stay at home, she decided to continue with elements of her own programme for the working trip.
The terminal illness sufferer: Carrie Jade Williams

Carrie first made headlines when she won the Bodley Head Financial Times literary award in 2020 - a prestigious essay competition with a 1,000 prize. She went on to host writing workshops online

Carrie Jade Williams is an English woman in her 30s who claimed to have Huntington's disease, a rare and terminal neurological condition.

She arrived in Cahersiveen, County Kerry, in 2019 rather out of the blue and soon befriended a woman whose daughter had died.

She first made headlines when she won the Bodley Head Financial Times literary award in 2020 - a prestigious essay competition with a 1,000 prize.

In a video that exploded on social media, Carrie, who claimed to suffer from Huntington's disease, said her Airbnb guests demanded a refund and attempted to sue her for 450,000 euros for the 'trauma' caused by 'being around her as a disabled person'

Her compelling and emotional essay called: 'My brain is in a battle it will lose' told the story of her diagnosis with Huntington's and how she could no longer write or hold a pen. The essay was said to have been written using assistive technology.

After winning the prize and having the essay published in a national newspaper, Carrie garnered a huge platform and everyone wanted to interview the terminally ill chemical engineer-turned star writer.

She began hosting virtual writing workshops during the pandemic and told those who had joined that she would help them get bursaries of up to 10,000 to kick-start their literary careers. Carrie claimed the money was coming from a literary app she was set to launch.

But as time went on, the app never launched and the group attendees never saw any money. Growing suspicious of Carrie, people began to question her and after months of stringing them along, Carrie said she was going to the US for life-saving surgery and soon ghosted the group completely.

Yet she continued to build on her platform following the win, and made YouTube videos detailing her horror diagnosis. Her story captured the public's heart.

But in 2022, high on her success as an online disability activist, Carrie told a lie that would eventually unravel her lies. She posted a TikTok calling out Airbnb for allegedly siding with guests who had complained about having to use her accessible doorbell.

'I know able-ism exists, and I've experienced it,' she said in a teary video.

Carrie claimed the guests, who had stayed at her home, were so 'traumatised by being around her as a disabled person' they had complained to Airbnb - and that Airbnb had instructed her to refund them as a result.

The video went viral as people were horrified by the overt display of able-ism and Carrie soon posted a follow-up video - where she claimed the guests were now suing her for 450,000 euros for the trauma caused. They also allegedly slapped her with a list of 13 bizarre demands to cope with the trauma, including an emotional support animal and 25 adult colouring books a year for the remainder of their lives.

However on October 5, 2022, someone on Reddit posted links to articles about a convicted fraudster - who they claimed was Carrie.

Carrie issued a statement saying this was in fact her sister who had struggled with mental health problems and that it was defamatory for anyone to link the pair.

This led journalist Kat to investigate the story and over the course of two months, she uncovered the truth. Carrie Jade did not exist.

The autism expert: Rebecca Fitzgerald

The woman's real name was Samantha Cookes, but she lived under several fake identities and names, including Rebecca Fitzgerald, Lucy Fitzwilliam, Lucy Hart and Carrie Jade Williams

In 2017, 29-year-old au pair and 'autism therapist' Rebecca Fitzgerald moved to Fermoy, a town near Cork, Ireland.

She lived and worked with a local family and formed relationships with parents in the community, advertising herself as a qualified autism therapist who could 'teach non-speaking autistic kids to talk in just two months'.

Parents in the local area described her as kind, empathetic and the 'perfect person' and she was soon invited into their homes to help their children. Rebecca began working at Fermoy's kids community centre and school.

It is not possible to reverse non-speaking autism in two months, Rebecca had no qualifications and she was not a child therapist.

Julie Lee, a mother in her 50s originally from Johannesburg and a taxi driver who often drove Rebecca from house to house, clocked that she was a fraud.

Rebecca would have no money when arriving at the houses of these families, Julie said, and yet when she picked her up she would have hundreds of pounds. 'That's how I knew what she was doing.'

During the drives, Rebecca told Julie she was opening a clinic for children and families and tried to recruit Julie to work there, before asking for a copy of her passport and money. Having recruited other people in the area, one woman even quit her job as an au pair to work for Rebecca.

'That's when I realised it was a scam,' Julie said. 'An unqualified person doing that, then looking for passport copies, then money.'

People at the school started to ask questions about the qualifications of their child's new therapist. The school headteacher contacted the Garda [police] but they never followed up.

Julie also reported Rebecca, and the Garda told her they had a thick folder on Rebecca, and had been keeping track of her.

Officers were sent to Rebecca's home and shortly after, she disappeared.

The speech therapist: Lucy Fitzwilliam

A year earlier, in 2016, bright and bushy tailed Lucy Fitzwilliam, 28, moved to County Geery, Ireland.

She introduced herself to the locals as a speech and language therapist who also ran a domestic violence refuge and quickly became a beloved member of the community.

Lucy met Lynn, not her real name for anonymity, a single parent and domestic abuse survivor whose youngest daughter has Rett syndrome, a genetic neurological disorder that affects the way the brain develops. Lucy offered to be her carer.

Lynn declined the offer but Lucy was persistent and instead said she could do art therapy with Lynn's oldest daughter Sofia, eight, who had witnessed her father's abuse.

The family became close with Lucy, and after months of 'therapy' she offered them a trip to Lapland. This was apparently being organised by the church who were covering half the cost.

Lucy said she needed a 500 deposit to secure the trip - which would be raising money for the domestic abuse refuge she claimed to run. The community rallied and Lynn's mother made up 400-500 euros worth of food packages for the refuge.

As the Lapland trip drew nearer, Lynn said she had been trying to find a specialist nurse to care for her youngest daughter. It was at this point Lucy said she would take Sofia to Lapland alone and Lynn and her youngest could join them later once care was organised.

All Lucy needed was Sofia's passport and birth certificate, Lynn said.

'She had zoned in on my Sofia and I still to this day believe she looked for a signature from me so she could bring Sofia herself to Lapland.'

Suspicions in the community escalated when one of Lynn's friends, a woman called Pauline whose son is autistic, said Lucy had also tried to convince her to hand over her son's passport.

Lucy was reported to the Garda for trying to scam families in the community out of money and passports, but she was let go without charge. She packed up and left County Geery that same night.

The au pair: Lucy Hart

Two years before there was Lucy Fitzwilliam, there was a 26-year-old woman called Lucy Hart.

Bonnie, not her real name for anonymity, a woman in her 40s from Tullamore, had been looking an au pair to help look after her children.

She came across Lucy on an au pair website in 2014. Lucy said she was experienced in childcare and following a quick video call, Bonnie hired her.

'She was so convincing, and really lovely in the interview we had,' said Bonnie.

In a video for the ALS ice bucket challenge, Lucy nominated her mother 'Jane' to take part and her employer Bonnie's children poured the water over her head

Bonnie and her children 'loved' Lucy and she quickly became part of the family - regaling them with her interesting stories about her previous au pair jobs and her own family. Lucy said she was adopted and that her mother Jane Hart lived in the United States. She said her mother was the 'main supplier for sandpaper for B&Q'.

In a video for the ALS ice bucket challenge, Lucy nominated her mother 'Jane' and Bonnie's children poured the water over her head.

Lucy soon opened up to Bonnie about her love life, saying she was dating a man in the UK who had two children from a previous relationship.

Bonnie also received an insight into Lucy's tragic past, as she told her that her previous fiance Liam had had motor neuron disease and killed himself by hanging. Lucy said she had found him.

The pair's friendship grew but things changed during Christmas in 2014 - when Lucy accused Bonnie's children of stealing her money and engagement ring. Bonnie did not believe her children would do such a thing and the relationship began to break down.

Bonnie went back over many of Lucy's elaborate stories and found they did not add up, so one day challenged her au pair as she launched into yet another tale. Kind and smiley Lucy was quickly replaced with an angry woman who accused Bonnie of attacking her and stormed out of the room.

Things remained tense until one day in January when Lucy said she was going on a writing retreat and disappeared.

After a few weeks, Bonnie accepted Lucy was not coming back and went into the room she had been staying in. In the wardrobe she found piles of documents and one truly chilling letter that made her 'blood run cold'.

Among shopping lists and legal documents was a statement about visitation rights for Lucy's child - a child whose name matched the one she claimed was her boyfriend's from another relationship. More chilling still, Bonnie came across a statement.

The statement read: 'I stand shoulder to shoulder with the coroner and I did not murder my daughter. I pray she is at peace.'

Her real identity: Samantha Cookes

Behind all of the aliases is a real woman - Samantha Cookes.

Born in 1988, Samantha grew up in Gloucestershire, before moving to Shropshire with her mother and her new husband after her parents divorced.

Samantha had a reputation for being a liar, her friend from school said. Her lies included her mother having cancer and her being pregnant and miscarrying.

Aged 18, Samantha was dating a boy called Liam. She went as far as to set up a website to plan their 'wedding'. There was no wedding.

The pair split up some time later and aged 20, Samantha started a degree in Occupational Therapy at York University.

However, Samantha later discovered she was pregnant and left university in her first year, returning home to Shropshire. She gave birth to a daughter called Martha in 2008.

Tragically, just four months later, Martha died.

A five-month inquest found Martha had died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) - a result which appeared to vindicate Samantha, who seemed to have taken the inquest as an accusation.

It was at this point Samantha made the statement later found by Bonnie in Tullamore six years later.

'I stand shoulder to shoulder with the coroner, and I did not murder my daughter,' it read. 'I pray she is at peace.'

Born in 1988, Samantha Cookes grew up in Gloucestershire, before moving to Shropshire with her mother and her new husband after her parents divorced

Samantha did not return to university as she chose not to fill out criminal records check forms.

Two years later in 2010, Samantha started a relationship with a man, whose identity is not being revealed to protect him and his family. The pair had a child.

The same year, 23-year-old Samantha offered her services as a surrogate on Facebook.

After making contact with a couple about being their surrogate, Samantha passed on the contact of a woman called Claudia, who had previously used her as a surrogate. Claudia gave the excited couple a glowing review of Samantha.

Having never met her face to face, the couple gave Samantha 1,200 out of their savings to cover the cost of the insemination kit, legal fees and other expenses.

Sadly the baby never came, and as both Samantha and Claudia avoided the couple's messages, they realised they had been duped. The police were contacted and a 23-year-old woman was arrested at her home in Shropshire.

The case came to trial in 2011 and Samantha pleaded guilty to fraud. She received a suspended sentence of 9 months' imprisonment and a fine of 1890 to be paid to the couple.

But what the trial also revealed was that Samantha and Claudia were the same person. Claudia did not exist.

A year later, Samantha gave birth to a second child with the man she had been dating but due to mental health problems, the father was given sole custody. In 2013 she became pregnant with her third child with the same man.

Determined not to lose custody of this unborn child, Samantha fled to Ireland in the winter of 2013. She gave birth in January 2014.

However, a neighbour reported her to Irish social services and the child was taken into care. After appearing at Irish family court, the father was again given custody and the baby was transported back to the UK.

Samantha had permanently lost custody of her third child by August 2014.

A month later she had changed her name to Lucy Hart and was working for Bonnie as an au pair. In January 2015, she left Bonnie's home.

In 2016, Samantha moved to County Geery and became Lucy Fitzwilliam and in 2017, Rebecca Fitzgerald arrived in Fermoy.

When Samantha arrived in Cahersiveen, County Kerry, in 2019, she became someone else - Carrie Jade Williams.
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands today stepped out to to visit rehabilitating soldiers in the city of Aardenburg.

The royal, 52, was pictured greeting various personnel at the Military Rehabilitation Centre, where soldiers and civilians go to recover following an ailment, accident or stroke.

The centre works in conjunction with Amputee Osseointegration Foundation Europe Clinics (AOFE Clinics) and specialises in amputation medicine.

There, the Queen tended to a Ukrainian soldier who appeared to have both of his legs amputated, and by who she was pictured throughout much of her visit.

The down-to-earth monarch at one point kneeled down to speak with the unnamed soldier, and appeared deeply engrossed in their conversation.

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands today stepped out to to visit rehabilitating soldiers in the city of Aardenburg (pictured: the Queen with a Ukrainian soldier who has had both his legs amputated, and centre personnel)

Maxima visited the Military Rehabilitation Center, where soldiers and civilians go to recover following an ailment, accident or stroke

The royal spent much of her visit with the rehabilitating soldier

For the occasion, the mother-of-three donned a chic purple blazer and matching bootcut trousers, opting for just a pop of colour via a fuschia pink shirt.

She left the double breasted blazer unbuttoned, which highlighted her svelte figure and shapely silhouette.

Maxima paired the look with a pair of chocolate brown high-heeled boots which synced perfectly with a leather handbag of the same hue.

The Queen's make-up was pared back except for a swoop of black eyeliner and a natural pink-coloured lip, meanwhile her blonde tresses fell effortlessly to her shoulders.

She sealed the look with a stunning pair of purple jewelled studs which were seemingly the only jewellery she opted for on this occasion.

The Argentine-born royal was pictured in high spirits throughout the day, ensuring to greet all guests warmly.

It comes as Queen Maxima cut an elegant figure as she visited a MindUS project at Tobias School in Amsterdam yesterday.

Maxima, who is an honorary patroness of MindUS, took to the school to watch a theatre performance of KiKiD's Talk to Me.

The down-to-earth monarch at one point kneeled down to speak with the man

The centre works in conjunction with Amputee Osseointegration Foundation Europe Clinics (AOFE Clinics) and specialises in amputation medicine

The mother-of-three appeared deeply engrossed in their conversation

She observed scenes from Talk To Me and invited students in their third year of pre-vocational secondary education to chat about the course.

The KiKid Foundation produces educational theatre performances, training courses and teaching materials for schools on social-emotional themes such as mental health, sexuality, and bullying, according to the palace's website.

For the occasion, the mother-of-four looked typically stylish in a patterned orange long-sleeve top with a pair of classic grey suit trousers.

The royal added a touch of glamour to her outfit with a pair of statement monochrome earrings crafted in the shape of flowers.

Colourful bracelets in shades of pink and orange added to the royal's fashionable jewellery choices - along with a chunky diamond band.

For the occasion, the mother-of-three donned a chic purple blazer and matching bootcut trousers, opting for just a pop of colour via a fuschia pink shirt

Maxima styled her blonde tresses out and opted for a simple face of make-up, accentuating her eyes with black eyeliner.

After watching the performance, Maxima chatted with representatives of the Tobias School and KiKiD employees about the importance of making mental health a topic of discussion in schools.

The 52-year-old represented MIND Us, which aims to encourage a healthy mindset in young people by developing skills in resilience and learning to recognise when to ask for help.
Royal family members have put on the bravest of faces in recent days, continuing with their public duty as normal, despite knowing that the Princess of Wales would make her announcement about her cancer diagnosis today.

On Friday afternoon, Kate, 42, addressed speculation about her health in a video, saying that she had been undergoing preventative chemotherapy in recent weeks after tests following her abdominal surgery found that 'cancer had been present'.

Speculation about Prince William's wife's health has mounted to fever pitch in recent weeks.

A sighting of Kate, walking by William's side at a Windsor farm shop, filmed by a local resident, had served to allay concerns and today's video address, filmed earlier this week, will come as a shock to many.

The Princess of Wales, 42, revealed that she's been diagnosed with cancer following tests after her abdominal surgery in January

Strain: William has continued with his public duties this week knowing his wife was due to make a public announcement about her cancer diagnosis. William pictured on March 19th, he travelled to Sheffield to speak to families who have experienced homelessness first-hand

In a video address aired today at 6pm, the Princess told the British public she's in good spirits and now focused on her recovery from the illness, saying: 'Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too.

'As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.'

During his wife's treatment, Prince William, 41, has continued to bravely undertake public duties, missing just one major event, the memorial service to Greece's King Constantine II in Windsor three weeks ago, in recent months.

On Tuesday, despite knowing the announcement would likely be made this week, he was cheered as he returned to royal duties.

His Royal Highness joined a meeting of local landlords, convened by Homewards, to discuss how they can work together to end family homelessness on Tuesday

A Prince's compassion: The Princess of Wales said in her video, filmed in Windsor on Wednesday, that having 'William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too' (The Prince pictured with a nurse in Sheffield on Tuesday)

The Prince of Wales ploughed on with the day job in Sheffield to further his aim to help end homelessness in Britain in the next five years.

A stoic William waved to crowds and spoke to families who have experienced homelessness while visiting the city, which is one of six locations for his Homewards initiative, which he set up in 2023.

Later, the heir to the throne met community representatives and grassroots organisations taking part in a workshop to help design a new housing project in South Yorkshire.

On Tuesday, Queen Camilla met members of the public as she visited Douglas Borough Council on the Isle of Man

And on Wednesday, the 76-year-old royal travelled to Northern Ireland to meet First Minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle O'Neill (left) and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Emma Little-Pengelly, right

King Charles III, himself undergoing treatment for cancer, pictured arriving at Clarence House on Tuesday

Elsewhere, it was a similar story. On Wednesday, Queen Camilla met crowds of well-wishers on a visit to the Isle of Man.

The Queen, 76, greeted people outside Douglas Borough Council on Wednesday after presenting a letters patent, officially conferring city status on Douglas.

Crowds gathered to meet the Queen after she unveiled a City Hall plaque, waving flags, handing her bouquets of flowers and shaking hands.

The Princess Royal with Commander ARRC Lieutenant General Sir Ralph Wooddisse during her visit to the headquarters of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps on March 22, 2024

The Princess Royal and Duchess of Edinburgh stepped in for King Charles III earlier this week and hosted a reception for Korean war veterans

After leaving the borough council, the Queen took an eight-minute drive to Government House in Onchan, the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor and his family, where she met community groups including the swimming club the Manx Bluetits and the RNLI, which was formed on the island.

And on Wednesday, the King's wife travelled to Northern Ireland for a two-day tour.

Camilla attended an event hosted by The Queen's Reading Room to mark World Poetry Day at Hillsborough Castle, meeting with First Minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Emma Little-Pengelly in Belfast.

On Wednesday, the Duchess of Edinburgh met patient Astrid Walker, two, during a visit to the Paediatric Neurosciences Ward at Leeds Children's Hospital

And today, the Princess Royal, almost certainly aware of the gravity of Kate's condition and tonight's forthcoming announcement, also continued with a business as usual approach.

The royal met senior Army officers as she opened a new accommodation block named after a war hero.

Anne, 73, unveiled a plaque naming the new officers' accommodation at the Imjin Barracks in Innsworth, Gloucestershire, after Colonel James Carne. Col Carne had been the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment during the Korean War in 1951.

The king's sister has undertaken more engagements this week, covering for Charles at a reception for Korean War Veterans.

The Princess Royal and Duchess of Edinburgh joined forces as they chatted with attendees at Buckingham Palace in central London.

Despite King Charles' physical absence, the monarch added a personal touch to the reception and delivered a message via Anne.

Charles explained that his absence from the event has made him feel 'disappointed' and 'frustrated' but is 'most grateful to the Princess Royal and the Duchess of Edinburgh for standing in.'

Sophie, 59, an increasingly key senior royal, also visited the Paediatric Neurosciences Ward at Leeds Children's Hospital on Wednesday.
In Mao's home province, returning youngsters shore up rural revitalization

Xinhua) 10:59, March 22, 2024

Ma Huihuang (L), then head of the poverty alleviation work team in Shibadong, promotes local products via live-streaming together with villager Shi Linjiao in Shibadong Village of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hunan Province, May 15, 2020. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

CHANGSHA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- This is the rice paddy teenaged Mao Zedong had cultivated, and the gray-roofed cottage over there is his former residence, Yan Fang said while twirling her phone to show her social media followers Mao's hometown Shaoshan in Hunan Province.

Yan, 35, is a Shaoshan-based tour guide and a livestreamer with 710,000 followers on Douyin, the Chinese equivalent of TikTok. She transitioned to become an online tour guide in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic when there were fewer visitors.

"At its peak, I did livestreaming every day, but now I'm busy again guiding offline tour groups with the revival of tourism," Yan said. She also opened a homestay last year, bullish about the prospect of red tourism.

Hunan is the home province of Chairman Mao, the late Chinese leader and a great proletarian revolutionary, and has a booming red tourism that involves visiting historical sites with a modern revolutionary legacy. Most of its 310 red tourism spots are scattered in rural areas, and have been developed by local governments to help boost villagers' income and improve their livelihood.

File photo taken on July 6, 2019 shows the former residence of late Chairman Mao Zedong in Shaoshan Village, central China's Hunan Province. (Photo by Mo Zhengde/Xinhua)

Poverty was once a persistent issue in Hunan's mountainous countryside but is swiftly becoming a distant memory, thanks to the poverty alleviation campaign and the ongoing rural revitalization drive.

A concurrent change is that more young people, who once left the countryside in exodus for better opportunities in cities, are returning to engage in tourism, modern agriculture and other thriving rural businesses.

In Shibadong Village in western Hunan, 28-year-old Shi Kang regularly hosts livestreams to promote and sell local farm products as local shops have fewer clients during the tourist off-season.

A decade ago, such entrepreneurship would have been unimaginable, as nearly all young locals sought employment as migrant workers in other cities, leaving behind only the elderly and children. The village had a daunting poverty incidence rate of 57 percent in 2013.

It is that year when "targeted poverty alleviation" was first introduced at Shibadong. This notion that later inspired the nationwide anti-poverty fight focuses on tailoring poverty relief policies to suit different local conditions and problems.

The village has since nurtured industries such as tourism, bottled mineral water and Miao embroidery, helping villagers wean off the reliance on government aid while luring back youngsters, said Long Ke, the Party chief stationed at the village.

Villager Shi Kang promotes village produce on a livestream in Shibadong Village in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hunan Province, July 2, 2022. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)

So far, more than 200 young people have settled down in Shibadong, primarily engaging in the village's burgeoning tourism sectors, Long said. However, for many young villagers, this reverse urban-rural migration is not without its challenges.

Chen Shuaiyu, 30, recalls that his decision to return to farming after graduating from college in 2015 was met with frowns from his classmates and parents. Back then, farming was deemed both toilsome and unprofitable.

By incorporating modern agricultural machinery, Chen has now expanded his contracted rice paddies to 190 hectares in Xiejiapu Town in Changde City, and established his own rice brand.

"The countryside needs us young people. We are better at marketing and selling farm products, through avenues such as licensing and the internet," Chen said. "Helping more villagers get richer in this process also keeps me motivated."

This spirit of altruism is commonly echoed by young homecoming villagers, including Deng Shuai, who will soon become a primary school teacher in his rural hometown in the city of Liuyang.

Deng is in his final year at the Hunan First Normal University, Mao's alma mater. The school is known for supplying the countryside with graduate rural school teachers.

"Cities boast higher pays and better career prospects, but children in the countryside are in greater need of young teachers and their state-of-the-art teaching methods," said the 21-year-old Deng.

Despite the many challenges ahead, Deng acknowledges the increasing appeal of the countryside for the younger generation in recent years.

"There are more asphalt roads and nicer landscape designs in my hometown," he said. "More young people are now willing to return to the countryside to enjoy a better living environment."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
By Yoon Ja-young

Korea Minting, Security Printing & ID Card Operating Corp. (KOMSCO) agreed to collaborate with the Costa Rican government to share expertise and provide assistance for the implementation of digital identification initiatives in the Central American country.

The Korean state-owned company responsible for producing banknotes and coins and ID cards and passports with advanced security features said its CEO Sung Chang-hoon held a meeting with Orlando Vega Quesada, Costa Ricas vice minister of science, innovation, technology, and telecommunication, at the KOMSCO Seoul Office on March 19.

During the meeting, Sung introduced the concept of Korea's digital government and K-DID, a blockchain-based mobile ID system. K-DID securely stores users' personal information on their mobile devices, allowing them to manage their data directly.

Korea rolled out mobile IDs, starting with public officer IDs in 2020, followed by drivers licenses in 2022, and veteran certifications in 2023. This year, the country aims to set up infrastructure for mobile national IDs, with plans to issue mobile IDs for all citizens aged 17 and above by next year.

Most recently, the Philippine government has engaged in active discussions with the Korean government regarding the adoption of K-DID. This initiative aims to bolster the reliability and transparency of the Philippine digital government system.

Costa Rica, an OECD member country, is championing cross-government digital transformation to spur digital economic growth and social cohesion. In pursuit of this goal, the nation is advancing infrastructure development, which includes revising pertinent laws and regulations to facilitate the implementation of digital IDs for all citizens.

"KOMSCO's strides in digital transformation have proven so successful that other state-run organizations in the country are now regarding it as a benchmark case," Sung said.

He added that if Costa Rica adopts the K-DID model for its digital ID, it will also witness a positive impact in the international digital government assessment conducted by the OECD.

A spokesperson for KOMSCO said plans are being made to collaborate with the Costa Rican government by drawing from experiences in establishing and operating mobile IDs.
King Charles will lend his support to daughter-in-law while both battle cancer

The Princess of Wales spoke of the 'huge shock' of being diagnosed with cancer in an emotional video, but if there's one person who can relate to what she's going through it's her father-in-law King Charles.

The monarch, who announced his own cancer diagnosis in January, shares a close bond with his older son's wife, and will no doubt be keen to lend his support to Kate, who announced she is having 'preventative chemotherapy'.

Sharing Charles' reaction to the shocking news, Buckingham Palace said: 'His Majesty is ''so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did''.

'Following their time in hospital together, HM has ''remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks''.

'Both Their Majesties ''will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time''.'

The close relationship with Kate was already in evidence when Charles and Camilla visited Kate at The London Clinic while she was recovering from abdominal surgery earlier this year.

While it's clear from photos how much he cares for his daughter-in-law, King Charles made it even more explicit during a speech he gave in Nairobi (pictured L-R: then-Prince Charles and Kate Middleton at the World premiere of No Time To Die in London, September 2021)

The Princess of Wales spoke of the 'huge shock' of being diagnosed with cancer in an emotional video

Although the monarch was receiving treatment at the same hospital himself, it was still an unusual break with royal tradition and his late mother, for instance, would not typically visit her husband Prince Philip's bedside and vice versa.

It was a testament to how close the King is to his daughter-in-law, who he's bonded with over their shared love of art.

The King reportedly thinks she is doing a wonderful job bringing up George, Charlotte and Louis, and now gets to spend more time with his son's family now they live just a few minutes drive away from Windsor Castle.

Indeed, the King gave an insight into the high regard he has for Kate when he sweetly mentioned the Prince and Princess of Wales in his keynote speech at a state banquet in Nairobi.

King Charles, 74, who has been accompanied by Queen Camilla, recalled Prince William and Kate's 2010 engagement in Kenya.

He said: 'It was here, in sight of Mount Kenya, that my son, The Prince of Wales, proposed to his wife, now my beloved daughter-in-law.'

Prince William proposed to his then long-term girlfriend Kate Middleton in October 2010 in a log cabin while on safari at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, where he had spent part of his gap year almost a decade before.

Kate is known to have a warm relationship with her father-in-law and has reportedly helped smooth the sometimes fractious relationship between the King and his son, William.

King Charles and Kate have also shown several public signs of their close relationship over the past few years.

The then-Duchess of Cambridge and Prince of Wales have been snapped sharing a chuckle on a number of occasions, including during this event at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Stanford Hall in Loughborough in February 2020

Images showing the closeness, such as this photo from the service of thanksgiving for the Queen at St Paul's cathedral on June 2022 make it clear why Charles has several times said that the family is 'lucky' to have Kate

For instance, the Princess of Wales lovingly called her father-in-law by his family nickname of 'grandpa' when she greeted him at a G7 reception in 2021.

Meanwhile, in April 2021, the then Duchess of Cambridge shared a kiss on the cheek with her grief-stricken father-in-law as they left Prince Philip's funeral.

Kate consoled Charles as the pair walked out of St George's Chapel following the emotional service in memory of the Duke of Edinburgh.

Photographs show Kate comforting the then Prince of Wales over the loss of his father by putting her hand on his shoulder. She then kissed him on the cheek as they set off from the entrance of the chapel.

Elsewhere, when greeting one another at engagements, Kate and the King will often share a friendly embrace and pecks on the cheeks.

Kate's willingness to get stuck into any task means she has become a well-liked member of Thr Firm - with family members as well as the public! (Pictured trying to iron artwork onto silk during a visit to the Dulwich Picture Gallery in March 2012)

At Wililam and Kate's wedding, the then Prince Charles movingly described his son's new wife as the daughter he had never had during the speech and admitted: 'We are lucky to have her.'

In a touching speech, the clearly emotional prince paid tribute to his new daughter-in-law  but still found time to crack jokes about his eldest son and his famously thinning hairline.

Charles chose to say a few off-the-cuff words as he toasted the newlyweds at a Buckingham Palace champagne reception thrown by the Queen for 650 guests and wished the couple a long and happy life together.

Marking his first address as the King, Charles was full of emotional pride for his son and daughter and law as he handed his and Camilla's old titles to them.

'As my Heir, William now assumes the Scottish titles which have meant so much to me,' the royal said.

'He succeeds me as Duke of Cornwall and takes on the responsibilities for the Duchy of Cornwall which I have undertaken for more than five decades.

'Today, I am proud to create him Prince of Wales, Tywysog Cymru, the country whose title I have been so greatly privileged to bear during so much of my life and duty.

'With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the centre ground where vital help can be given.'
An Australian shopper could not believe her luck when she scored a massive grocery haul for a bargain price - and the food will last her weeks.

The Melbourne shopper was shocked when she was able to buy four kilograms of meat, a hoard of vegetables, and several pantry staples for only $62.59.

She went to Preston Market and Aldi but was originally worried she might not be able to make ends meet until her next payday.

'I was down to my last $200 [for the next 10 days] after my savings were wiped out with two unexpected costs,' she shared on Reddit.

'Cost of living is hitting really hard.'

An Aussie shopper could not believe her luck when she scored a massive grocery haul for $62

However, she hit the grocery jackpot.

She was able to purchase 1kg chicken drummettes, 1kg chicken wingettes, 1kg pork mince, and 1kg beef mince.

The woman also scored eggs, carrots, 5kg potatoes, 2kg onions, sweet potato, celery, cabbage, frozen spinach, tinned tomatoes, and spring onion - along with fruits like apples and bananas.

In addition, she stocked up on tomato sauce, kewpie mayo, pasta, bread, tuna, coconut milk, and toilet paper.

'This shop will go towards making bulk curry, okonomiyaki, pork noodles, and pasta dishes to last a while,' she said.

Hundreds of other Australians applauded her haul and revealed their own changing habits.

'Been going to Queen Victoria market for a couple months now and finding sustainable alternatives to our everyday items (tissues, cleaning supplies etc) to avoid ever having to go back to Coles,' one shared.

'Easily saving $100-200 a week, eating a lot more fresh and whole foods and almost no unhealthy snacks. Something we should have done a lot earlier,' they added.

Another wrote, 'That's a good haul for a pretty good price in these times, and some mighty healthy eating. Nice going.'
Tesco has released a limited edition sandwich inspired by a beloved British classic served in cafes across the nation - leaving shoppers in a flurry of both excitement and confusion.

The supermarket has launched the limited edition Beechwood Ham, Egg and Chips sandwich, influenced by the traditional British 'local caff' staple of ham, egg and chips.

The sandwich features layers of succulent Beechwood ham, chopped egg mayonnaise, and salt and vinegar potato fries, topped with ketchup and all nestled between two thick slices of white bread.

Part of a Tesco's new 'global cuisine' range, which includes a Buffalo Chicken and Blue Cheese Wrap and a Korean-inspired Spicy Gochujang Chicken Sub - the sarnie hit the shelves earlier this week.

And fans have been sent into a frenzy already, with satisfied customers leaving rave reviews online, while a number of turned-off critics united and shared their thoughts over one of the key ingredients.

Tesco has released a limited edition sandwich inspired by a beloved British classic served in cafes across the nation - leaving shoppers in a flurry of both excitement and confusion

One shopper submitted a photo of their discovery to a food and product blog on Instagram while browsing the fridge aisle of their local Tesco store.

Reposted by @newfoodsUK on March 20, the photo of the customer holding the Beechwood ham, egg and chip sandwich amassed over 1,700 likes and dozens of comments from fans and critics.

Having tried the sarnie, one person wrote: 'I've had it it was nice. Chips were not soggy.'

Another confirmed the sentiment, commenting: 'I've had this and it's like having crisps in your sandwich, surprisingly tasty.'

However, not everyone has been won over by Tesco's latest creation, with some critics left unconvinced by the prospect of enjoying a sandwich packed with 'cold' and 'soggy' chips.

One person asked, 'Cold soggy chips?' while another questioned, 'Fridged chips?'

A third disapproving individual said: 'Just because you can doesn't mean you should,' while another critic wrote, 'Limited edition cuz no sane person will want to buy cold chips in a sandwich.'

Another shopper, who tried the sarnie but did not appear to enjoy it, wrote: 'Had one yesterday... weird!!! And not in a good way.'

The supermarket has launched the limited edition Beechwood Ham, Egg and Chips sandwich, influenced by the traditional British 'local caff' staple of ham, egg and chips (stock image)

Not everyone has been won over by Tesco's latest creation, with some critics left unconvinced by the prospect of enjoying a sandwich packed with 'cold' and 'soggy' chips

Priced at 3, the sandwich is available in all stores as part of a 3.40 Clubcard meal deal, but is currently unavailable to purchase online for home delivery or collection.

Tesco sandwich creator Sarah Bryer said: 'We think it could go on to become a breakfast classic.

'We know how well loved the chip butty is with the nation, plus we have seen a massive surge of people admitting their guilty pleasure of a crisp sandwich on social media, combined with British pub favourite ham, egg and chips.'

It comes after a single mother who was sacked from her cleaning job for taking a leftover tuna sandwich from a law firm kitchen says she suffered 'unfair and inhumane' treatment.

Gabriela Rodriguez, 39, was axed by contractor Total Clean after helping herself to the 1.50 Tesco sandwich on a discarded platter for workers at City law firm Devonshires.
A man has come under fire after his wife accused him of infidelity - but he insists his actions were 'innocent' and that his wife is 'being insane and paranoid'.

The 35-year-old recently decided to update his wardrobe and purchased high-end 'silky' and 'sexy' boxers ahead of a business trip to Las Vegas.

He shared that it was an out of character purchase as he usually just wears simple 'well worn' white briefs.

'My wife noticed them in my luggage the night before my flight and she accused me of cheating,' he shared on Reddit.

'I think she's being paranoid, and frankly insane. I told her this directly and slept on the opposite side of the bed from her that night. I don't know what to expect from her when I come home.'

A man decided to update his wardrobe and purchased 'silky' boxers ahead of a business trip

Relationship expert Louanne Ward previously revealed the subtle signs your partner is cheating on you, one of which is a sudden change in wardrobe or personal preferences.

'Watch out for a significant change of personal style, be that fashion, music or any personal tastes,' she said.

'This is sometimes an indication someone else is having an influence.'

A private investigator also noted that new clothes are a sign of infidelity after years in the business of catching cheating spouses.

Subtle signs your partner is cheating on you A sudden change in appearance - such as growing a beard, manscaping They buy a new wardrobe - especially underwear They suddenly spend a lot of time on their phone messaging other people Putting extra effort into going to the gym or eating healthy They start cutting themselves out of your friendship group activities, they avoid your mutual friends and their 'work events' increase Not answering their phone while they are out They come home smelling like perfume They regularly accuse you of cheating Putting extra effort into going to the gym or eating healthy They have new bedroom moves seemingly out of nowhere Advertisement

Many were weary of the Reddit user's behaviour.

'You're acting out of character and then were very rude to your wife. Your behaviour and response make you look suspicious,' a woman noted.

'So why did you decide to change your underwear style, specifically for a business trip?' one asked.

'Yes, I need to know this too,' another responded. 'Whos going to see them? Why not buy and wear nice underwear for your wife to see?'

But some didn't see the issue with a man changing up his style.

'I wouldn't characterise silky boxers as 'sexy', but to each their own. If you needed new underwear and wanted to try something new, it's not indicative of cheating. Your wife overreacted. At the end of the day, it is just underwear,' a man wrote.
The extent of England and Wales' baby bust was today laid bare by shock analysis showing no authority has a fertility rate above 'replacement' level.

MailOnline can today reveal that the worst-hit areas have seen birth rates plummet by 39 per cent since the turn of the century.

Nationwide, women are having fewer babies than at any time since the 30s, laying bare the reality of the ongoing crisis that threatens to cause economic turmoil and pile huge pressure on the NHS and social care.

For a population to sustain itself, the total fertility rate  the number of babies each woman has in her lifetime  must exceed 2.1.

But our probe reveals that the rate stands below the one mark in the City of London.

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Other parts of the capital, Cambridge and Brighton either hover at the one-mark or just above it.

MailOnline's full analysis is available to view in an searchable map which showcases the fertility rate of all of the 330-plus authorities in England and Wales and how they have changed since 2001.

Timelapse data, plotted onto a fascinating slope chart, also illustrates how the rate has fallen for each individual neighbourhood.

It comes after alarming research today warned that three in four countries face the threat of 'underpopulation' by 2050 because of plunging birth rates.

By 2100 this could rise to 97 per cent of all nations, in what experts have described as a 'staggering social change'.

Powerhouses such as Britain and the US will have to become reliant on immigration to avoid 'immense' consequences, The Lancet study concluded.

Without replenishment of an ageing population, scientists claim public services and economic growth are at risk. Ever-declining birth rates will also heap extra pressure on the NHS and social care.

Commentators today warned policymakers need to 'wake up to the fact that falling fertility rates are one of the greatest threats' to the West.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows the fertility rate in England and Wales slumped to 1.49 in 2022, down from 1.55 in 2021.

It means rates have almost halved since peaking at just shy of 3 in the mid-60s baby boom.

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The 2.1 recommendation was last hit in 2020 by just five local authorities  Slough, Luton, Barking and Dagenham, Harrow and Peterborough.

MailOnline found that almost eight in ten areas (255 of 331) have seen a drop in their fertility rate since 2001. Fourteen have stayed flat.

Tower Hamlets has witnessed the most significant fall (39 per cent), logging a rate of 1.11 in 2022  down from 1.82.

It was followed by Hackney (down 37 per cent, from 2.08 to 1.31) and Lambeth (down 33 per cent, from 1.64 to 1.1).

Outside of London, Brighton experienced the largest decrease over the two decades (26 per cent, from 1.35 to 1).

South Staffordshire, meanwhile, reported the biggest rise  up 13 per cent from 1.44 in 2001 to 1.63.

But over the last five years, rates have dipped far more dramatically, with just seven local authorities recording a rise.

North East Derbyshire saw the highest increase at 4 per cent, from 1.53 to 1.65.

The City of London and Cambridge were among the biggest falls, logging drops of 45 and 44 per cent, respectively  0.63 down from 1.14 and 1 from 1.79.

According to The Lancet study, the UK's birth rate is predicted to fall to 1.3 children per woman of childbearing age by 2100.

The US will see a similar downward trajectory as the UK.

Instead, half of all babies will be born in sub-Saharan Africa by 2100.

Fertility replacement doesn't account for the impact of migration, meaning overall population levels can still increase in a country despite a drop in fertility rates.

The threat of underpopulation sparked by 'baby busts' is a pet topic of Elon Musk. In 2017, the eccentric Tesla billionaire said Earth's population was 'accelerating towards collapse but few seem to notice or care'.

Dr Natalia Bhattacharjee, of the University of Washington's School of Medicine, said the trends will completely reconfigure the global economy and the international balance of power.

She said: 'The implications are immense.

'These future trends in fertility rates and live births will completely reconfigure the global economy and the international balance of power and will necessitate reorganising societies.

'Global recognition of the challenges around migration and global aid networks are going to be all the more critical when there is fierce competition for migrants to sustain economic growth and as sub-Saharan Africa's baby boom continues.'

She added: 'There's no silver bullet.

'Social policies to improve birth rates such as enhanced parental leave, free childcare, financial incentives, and extra employment rights, may provide a small boost to fertility rates.

'But most countries will remain below replacement levels.

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'And once nearly every country's population is shrinking, reliance on open immigration will become necessary to sustain economic growth.

'Sub-Saharan African countries have a vital resource that ageing societies are losing  a youthful population.'

Responding to its findings, Professor Melinda Mills, a demographist at the University of Oxford said: 'Shrinking and aging populations demand preparedness and reorganisation of societies.

'From impacted food security and migration patterns to the very infrastructures of countries.

'Population composition affects infrastructure such as schools, housing, transport, housing and health care and pensions but also cultural and voting changes.'

The UK's fertility rate freefall was momentarily hit by a blip during 2021.

However, this was put down to a mini baby 'bounce' by couples who put their family plans on hold at the start of the Covid pandemic.

Experts believe the fall is partly down to women focusing on their education and careers and couples waiting to have children until later in life.

The UK's fragile economy and cost-of-living crisis is also putting people off having children, some believe, evidenced by abortion rates simultaneously spiking.

Professor Mills told MailOnline: 'The known barriers to having children and the reasons behind shrinking fertility include the inability to combine employment with family, lack of affordable childcare, housing costs and obtaining a mortgage and importantly, economic uncertainty, such as certainty about employment and expenses.

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'The past era of economic uncertainty and challenges couples face has undoubtedly inhibited their ability to realise their fertility intentions.'

Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Lambeth and Brighton, which all saw significant drops in fertility rates according to ONS data, also share one common link, she added.

'They include neighbourhoods with some of the highest levels of multiple deprivation, which is an index used to measure income, employment, education, health, crime, barriers to housing and services,' she said.

Meanwhile, gerontologist Professor Sarah Harper of Oxford University told MailOnline: 'Most initiatives in other countries, especially financial, to persuade women to have more children, have actually resulted in a temporary increase, followed by a slump  which makes planning for schools and pediatric services for example, problematic.

'The issues are around gender equality, respect for women's choices, increasing the status of women.'

A spokesperson for the British Pregnancy Advisory Service also said: 'Enabling measures such as increased availability of funded childcare may enable some women to make different choices, but it will never force women to make a decision they don't wish to.'

Others cite the environment, with people fearing that they will worsen their carbon footprint by having a child or that their child will have a bleak future due to climate change.

There is no evidence that Covid vaccines are to blame, with scientists insisting there is no proof they harm fertility.

In the UK, Tory MP Miriam Cates has long led calls for pro-natal policies to improve the birthrate, including tax breaks for stay-at-home mothers.

The threat of underpopulation has also been a pet topic of eccentric billionaire Elon Musk, who has preached about it for years. In 2017, he said that the number of people on Earth is 'accelerating towards collapse but few seem to notice or care'

In a speech at National Conservatism Conference last year, she told delegates: 'Fertility rates decline has not occurred in spite of the economic and social policies of the last thirty years.

'It is a direct result of how those policies have failed to value and reward the behaviours that lead to starting a family.'

She added: 'Having children is about as much of a "lifestyle choice" as eating  it is fundamental for survival.'

The threat of underpopulation has also been a pet topic of eccentric billionaire Elon Musk, who has preached about it for years.

In 2017, he said that the number of people on Earth is 'accelerating towards collapse but few seem to notice or care'.

Then in 2021 Musk, who has 11 known children, warned that civilisation is 'going to crumble' if people don't have more children.

At Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's 'Atreju' political festival in Rome in December, Musk also urged Italians to have more children to 'save Italy's culture'.

Later, he added: 'My advice to all government leaders and people is make sure you have children to create a new generation or the culture of Italy, Japan and France will disappear.'

He said: 'We are in danger of no longer having these countries.'
nown as 'LungVax', it is being created by researchers in London and Oxford

Scientists are developing a 'groundbreaking' lung cancer vaccine which research suggests will be effective in preventing up to 90 per cent of cases.

The jab  which will be given to those at highest risk of developing the disease  will train the immune system to spot and attack early signs of disease.

Experts described it as a 'crucial moment' in the fight against the devastating disease, which affects 48,500 in the UK every year.

Known as 'LungVax', it is being created by the University of Oxford, the Francis Crick Institute and University College London.

Lung cancer cells look different from normal cells due to having 'red flag' proteins called neoantigens.

The jab  which will be given to those at highest risk of developing the disease  will train the immune system to spot and attack early signs of disease. Experts described it as a 'crucial moment' in the fight against the devastating disease, which affects 48,500 in the UK every year

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Neoantigens appear on the surface of the cell because of cancer-causing mutations within the cell's DNA.

The LungVax vaccine will carry a strand of DNA which trains the immune system to recognise these neoantigens on abnormal lung cells.

It will then activate the immune system to kill these cells and stop lung cancer.

Professor Tim Eilliot, lead researcher at the University of Oxford, said: 'Cancer is a disease of our own bodies and it's hard for the immune system to distinguish between what's normal and what's cancer.

'Getting the immune system to recognise and attack cancer is one of the biggest challenges in cancer research today.

'This research could deliver an off-the-shelf vaccine based on Oxford's vaccine technology, which proved itself in the Covid pandemic.

'If we can replicate the kind of success seen in trials during the pandemic, we could save the lives of tens of thousands of people every year in the UK alone.'

Researchers have been granted up to 1.7 million from Cancer Research UK and the CRIS Cancer Foundation.

The team will receive funding for the study over the next 2 years to support lab research and initial manufacturing of 3,000 doses of the vaccine at the Oxford Clinical BioManufacturing Facility.

Symptoms of lung cancer are often not noticeable until the cancer has spread through the lungs, to other parts of the body

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While the level of progress for cancer survival for some forms of the disease has been rapid, such as for breast and prostate cancers, others, like those for lung and pancreas have only improved at a snail's pace

If successful, the vaccine will move straight into a clinical trials, involving those at biggest risk of disease, such as current and former smokers who currently qualify for targeted lung health checks in some parts of the UK.

Fewer than 10 per cent of people with lung cancer survive their disease for 10 years or more.

Professor Mariam Jamal-Hanjani of University College London and the Francis Crick Institute, said: 'We think the vaccine could cover around 90 per cent of all lung cancers, based on our computer models and previous research, and this funding will allow us to take the vital first steps towards trials in patients.

'LungVax will not replace stopping smoking as the best way to reduce your risk of lung cancer.

'But it could offer a viable route to preventing some of the earliest stage cancers from emerging in the first place.'

Lola Manterola, President of CRIS Cancer Foundation, said: 'We are at a crucial moment in the history of cancer research and treatment.

'For the first time, technology and knowledge of the immune system are allowing us to take the first steps towards preventing cancer.

'This groundbreaking study represents a firm step in that direction, and we at CRIS consider it essential to support it.'
Cartons of cigarettes sold in the US could soon be plastered with 11 images depicting the harms of smoking, including amputated limbs and neck tumors.

Tobacco companies had argued that mandating the warnings - which have been commonplace in the UK and Europe for years - violated their free speech rights because the images, according to the manufacturers, misrepresented the harms of smoking.

But the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the government, saying the images - including amputated toes and rotten lungs - were both factual and uncontroversial.

The decision is a win for the Biden Administration - which is also looking at banning menthol-flavored cigarettes - and could see the warnings become mandatory in the coming years.

The warnings include a picture of a woman with a large growth protruding from her neck and the caption WARNING: Smoking causes head and neck cancer.

Another shows a man's torso with a long scar from surgery and a warning that says: Smoking can cause heart disease and strokes by clogging arteries.

Other images show a baby whose fetal growth had been stunted and feet with amputated toes caused by poor blood circulation.

The FDA said the warnings were justified by the government's interest in promoting a greater understanding of the health risks of smoking and reducing confusion and deception.

Tobacco companies countered that the warnings went far beyond text warnings that had been allowed since 1984, including that smoking causes lung cancer and quitting reduces health risks.

Some companies fighting against the rule included RJ Reynolds, ITG Brands, and Liggett Group.

However, in a 3-0 decision, Circuit Judge Jerry Smith said the graphic warnings conveyed facts about the benefits of reduced smoking and were not unconstitutional because they may induce emotions or relate to ideological or political concerns.

Some studies have indicated that the warnings may dissuade people from smoking, though evidence is mixed

Cigarette smoking kills roughly 480,000 Americans every year

Lindsey Powell, representing the FDA, said that inducing emotions doesn't push them over the line to make them controversialSome facts are upsetting."

Cigarette smoking causes about 480,000 deaths each year in the United States.

The ruling overturned a lower court ruling by a Texas judge siding with tobacco companies.

An FDA rule adopted in 2020 under the Trump administration required that warnings about the risks of smoking occupy the top 50 percent of cigarette packs and the top 20 percent of ads. The labels would include 11 graphic images to illustrate the risks of smoking.

Nearly 120 countries worldwide have adopted larger, graphic warning labels. Some studies in those countries have indicated that the warnings have had some effect on lowering smoking rates and encouraging more smokers to quit.

One 2020 study by researchers at the University of North Carolina found that putting pictures on cigarette warning labels increased the likelihood that smokers would quit. Still, pictures do not necessarily change people's beliefs about the risk of harm.

The found that showing people such warnings like yellowed teeth and diseased lungs caused immediate emotional responses, including fear, sadness, guilt, and disgust.

They were more inclined to contemplate the health risks associated with smoking. But, despite their effectiveness in motivating smokers to quit, pictorial warnings failed to alter viewers' beliefs regarding the probability or seriousness of negative health consequences.

At the same time, researchers at the University of California, San Diego, found smokers given packets stamped with images of diseased feet, ill children and throat cancer continued to puff on about 10 cigarettes daily up to a year after receiving them.

Six in ten admitted to concealing the packets at least some of the time due to the images, which was up 40 percent from before the study began.
The Princess of Wales today said she was 'going to be ok' as she bravely opened up about her cancer diagnosis.

Kate Middleton, 42, was admitted to a London hospital in January for planned surgery and returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery.

Doctors, however, discovered an unspecified form of cancer in tests taken after her operation.

In a video message today, Kate revealed the diagnosis 'came as a huge shock' but she was now in the 'early stages' of preventative chemotherapy treatment.

Here, MailOnline details her health history.

Kate Middleton , 42, was admitted to a London hospital in January for planned surgery and returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery. Doctors, however, discovered an unspecified form of cancer in tests taken after her operation. In a video message today, Kate revealed the diagnosis 'came as a huge shock' but she was now in the 'early stages' of preventative chemotherapy treatment

The Prince and Princess of Wales were seen together last week as William went to the The Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey

The Princess of Wales with her children in her Mother's Day portrait, which now has added significance given her diagnosis

Three-inch scar on head

Kate has a three-inch scar on the left side of her head from when she was a child.

It was first spotted in 2011 when the princess was conducting her first solo royal engagement at a black-tie private dinner at Clarence House.

It was confirmed to be the result of surgery carried out when she was a young child.

An official statement explained that 'the scar related to a childhood operation,' but said that details of the operation were a private matter.

Royal sources confirmed that it had been 'a very serious operation' but declined to comment further.

However, surgeons at the time said the scar is unlikely to be the result of a tumour and may have been caused by a birth mark being removed.

Kate's scar was first spotted when she attended a dinner at Clarence House in 2011

A statement explained that the scar, normally concealed, was from a childhood operation

Morning sickness

The Princess was hospitalised for three days with severe morning sickness in 2012, while she was pregnant with Prince George.

She was admitted to King Edward VII's Hospital  a private hospital in Marylebone that has been used by the Royal Family for more than a century.

Kate went on to suffer again from hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) while pregnant with Princess Charlotte in 2014 and Prince Louis in 2018.

The condition saw the Princess announce her later two pregnancies early, before reaching the crucial 12-week stage.

However, while carrying Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, she was cared for at Kensington Palace rather than in hospital.

HG can lead to severe dehydration and puts both mother and baby at risk of being deprived of essential nutrients, as they are unable to keep food and drink down.

Sufferers can be left vomiting up to 30 times a day, with exhausting and hazardous consequences.

Kate revealed in 2020 that she used meditation and deep breathing to help her control her symptoms.

Abdominal surgery

The Princess had planned major abdominal surgery in January, and spent two weeks in hospital.

Kate was admitted to The London Clinic in Marylebone and returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery with the support of her family.

At the time, it was thought her condition was non-cancerous but no other details of the surgery were given.

She was advised to recuperate for two to three months.

Her absence from the public eye fueled a social media storm and a number of unfounded conspiracy theories.

It was alleged at least one staff member at the London Clinic attempted to access her medical records.

Three workers been suspended while the hospital investigates the claims.

Kensington Palace announced in January that the Princess of Wales had abdominal surgery

Police officers stand outside The London Clinic today where Kate is staying after surgery

In a video message released today, Kate said she was advised by her medical team to undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy. 'This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family,' she added

The Princess of Wales said her family (pictured together on December 25) 'need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment'

Cancer diagnosis

The Princess today revealed she is in the 'early stages' of treatment for an unspecified form of cancer.

No tests prior to her abdominal surgery had confirmed the presence of cancer.

However, doctors discovered the disease in tests taken after her operation.

In a video message released today, Kate said she was advised by her medical team to undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy.

'This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family,' she added.

'I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal: in my mind, body and spirits,' she said.

Kate also acknowledged others whose lives have been affected by cancer.

'For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.'
It's a disease that will strike half of us in our lifetime and almost certainly someone we know and love.

The Princess of Wales is now one of them following her shock diagnosis.

Kate Middleton, 42, today bravely revealed doctors had discovered an unspecified form of cancer in tests taken after her abdominal surgery.

In an emotional video message, filmed at Windsor on Wednesday, Kate revealed the news had come as a 'huge shock' and that she and William 'have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family'.

Experts and charities praised this decision, saying it will encourage others to seek help for their own potential cancer symptoms.

In a video message released today, Kate said she was advised by her medical team to undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy. 'This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family,' she added

The Princess of Wales said her family (pictured together on December 25) 'need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment'

Catherine's emotional and extraordinary words in her unprecedented video message

NHS chief executive, Amanda Pritchard, said: 'On behalf of the NHS, I'm really sorry to hear this shocking news.

'Our thoughts are with the Princess of Wales and the Royal Family, especially while her treatment continues.

'We know how difficult a diagnosis and treatment journey can be for patients and their families.

'Speaking out about it is really brave and it can help others to get worrying signs and symptoms checked.

'If you're worried about cancer, the NHS website has more information.'

Meanwhile, Cancer Research UKs chief executive, Michelle Mitchell, said: On behalf of everyone at Cancer Research UK, I wish Her Royal Highness a full, swift recovery and return to good health.

'During this difficult time, its important that the Princess is given the time and space to focus on her treatment and that we respect the familys privacy.

'Nearly one in two of us will develop cancer during our lifetimes, but many more are affected when someone they love is diagnosed with cancer.

'Thanks to research there is hope - cancer survival has doubled in the last 50 years.'

She added: 'High profile cancer cases often act as a prompt to encourage people to find out more or think about their own health.

'If people spot something that's not normal for them or isn't going away, they should check with their GP.

'It probably won't be cancer. But if it is, spotting it at an early stage means treatment is more likely to be successful.'

The Princess of Wales' cancer was discovered only after she underwent major abdominal surgery at The London Clinic in January.

Kensington Palace has said it will not be sharing details of what kind of cancer the princess has, or what stage of cancer it is and has asked people not to speculate.

It is understood that the King  who himself was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year  and the Queen have both been informed of the news.

At the time of her abdominal surgery in January, Kensington Palace said that it was non-cancerous.

Post-operative tests, however, subsequently found that cancer 'had been present'.

Elliot Colburn, MP and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer, also praised the Princess of Wales's decision.

'I want to extend the best wishes of us all to the Princess of Wales and wish her well with her treatment,' he said.

Potential symptoms of cancer are specific to the type of disease, and experts say the most important thing is to get any new or changed aspect of your body checked out by a GP.

Some of the most common signs include a cough that lasts for over three weeks, a change in bowel habits or bloating for the same period, a new lump on the body, unexplained bleeding or weight loss, yellowing of the skin, and continuously feeling tired and unwell.

The Princess of Wales with her children in her Mother's Day portrait, which now has added significance given her diagnosis

The Prince and Princess of Wales were seen together last week as William went to the The Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey

Catherine, Princess of Wales attends the opening of Evelina London's new children's day surgery unit on December 5

About 375,000 cases of cancer are diagnosed each year in the UK, with

Some 167,000 Brits are killed by cancer per annum, accounting for a quarter of all annual deaths in the UK.

Cancer survival rates have doubled over the last 50 years, according to data published by Cancer Research UK (CRUK).

Half of those diagnosed with the condition are now expected to live for at least a decade, though these odds vary significantly for specific types of the disease.

Despite the toll cancer takes on the UK, critical NHS targets for the disease, such as those for early diagnosis and treatment, continue to be missed in England.

The health service is currently grappling with a post-Covid backlog of cancer referrals, with latest NHS data showing more than 10,000 patients did not start cancer treatment within two months of an urgent referral from their GP.

It means just six in 10 cancer patients (62.3 per cent) were seen within the two-month target.

NHS guidelines state 85 per cent of cancer patients should be seen within this time-frame.

But, this target has not been met nationally since December 2015.

Just 70.9 per cent of patients urgently referred for suspected cancer were diagnosed or had cancer ruled out within 28 days, down from 74.2 per cent the previous month. The target is 75 per cent.
Guilty: Sam Bankman-Fried (pictured) will be sentenced next week

Disgraced Sam Bankman-Fried is living a life of delusion said the caretaker of the fraudsters now-bankrupt crypto-trading platform

John Ray, who has been tasked with managing FTX, slammed his predecessors hubris and arrogance this week.

He attacked Bankman-Fried for claiming FTXs customers suffered zero harm and that no money was lost when it collapsed in November 2022.

In a fiery letter to the US district judge Lewis Kaplan, who will sentence Bankman-Fried, 32, next week, Ray said Bankman-Fried continues to live a life of delusion, and branded his comments callously and demonstrably false.

Bankman-Fried  found guilty in November after the collapse of his exchange  argued on Tuesday that plans to put him behind bars for half a century amounted to a death-in-prison sentence and painted him as a depraved super-villain.

But Ray, an attorney, said the ex-crypto mogul had committed colossal fraud and ran FTX with hubris, arrogance, and a complete lack of respect for the basic norms of the law.

US prosecutors have called for a sentence of between 40 and 50 years for what has been described as one of the biggest financial frauds in American history.
By Lee Kyung-min

Hana Bank announced the opening of an office in Budapest, Hungary's capital, on Thursday local time, aimed at assisting Korean firms bolster their presence in the region, the lender said on Friday.

Hungary boasts the world's fourth-largest battery manufacturing facilities, with a steady influx of significant foreign capital linked to rechargeable battery businesses.

Many Korean entities are expanding investments in Hungary, buoyed by the high quality of labor relative to cost and the country's geographical advantages of bordering seven European neighbors, including Austria.

The Budapest office aims to identify business opportunities tailored to the specific needs of Korean firms seeking expansion in greater Europe. This strategy is supported by ongoing market research in Eastern Europe and efforts to strengthen business network building among industry players.

The representative office will seek to function essentially as a private diplomat, providing and expanding communication channels encompassing Korean entities, existing market peers and financial institutions in Hungary.

Also fortified will be market intelligence gathering and sharing, a step toward more integrated business planning amid rapid changes in customer demands and business strategies.

"The opening of the Budapest office will strengthen our Eastern European network," a Hana Financial official said. "We will do our best to facilitate close communications between Korean firms and their global peers in Hungary."

The Budapest office raises the number of the bank's global financial networks to 26. Hana plans to open channels in India and Poland.
Pudding politics: Ben & Jerrys said it will stick to its woke agenda - even with a change of hands

Unilever is courting private equity groups to see if they would bid for its ice cream business.

The consumer goods giant is working with bankers at Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan to gauge interest, according to the Financial Times. The reports will stoke concerns that Londons stock market could miss out on what could be a blockbuster listing worth up to 15billion.

Chief executive Hein Schumacher plans to spin off the ice cream division behind brands including Walls, Magnum and Ben & Jerrys.

This week he hinted at a potential stock market listing by the end of 2025 and said he was open to all options for where to list.

But he did not rule out other options  such as selling to a private buyer  and said he wanted to maximise returns for shareholders.

It would be a bitter blow for London if the demerged company fell into the clutches of private equity.

Speculation over its future came as Ben & Jerrys said it will stick to its woke agenda.

It has come under fire for its political views, which have included demands for a ceasefire in Gaza and accusing President Biden of fanning the flames of war in Ukraine.

Unilever shares rose 0.9 per cent.


Britains defence sector received a major boost after two industrial giants were chosen to build Australias next-generation nuclear powered submarines.

BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce have been picked by the Australian government alongside domestic defence company ASC Pty and will deliver the SSN-AUKUS submarines in the early 2040s.

The vessels are to be used by the Royal Australian Navy and will be the largest, most powerful and advanced attack submarines ever deployed.

The deal is part of the AUKUS defence pact, a trilateral agreement between the UK, US and Australia signed in 2021 aimed at curbing Chinese military expansion in the Asia-Pacific region.

BAE is to design the submarines, while the nuclear reactors will be developed by Rolls-Royce.

Down under: BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce have been picked to build Australias next generation nuclear powered submarines

As part of the project, Australia will give Britain 2.4billion for the design work and also fund the expansion of a Rolls-Royce plant that builds submarine nuclear reactors in Derby.

BAE said the contract would create 3,500 extra jobs over the next 15 years in the port town of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, where the companys submarine division is based. Rolls-Royce, meanwhile, will double the size of its Derby submarine facilities, creating 1,170 jobs.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, who is visiting Australia, said the deal would create security and prosperity to our two nations.

He added: In a more dangerous world, the deal symbolises the huge confidence our close partner Australia has in our world-leading defence companies such as BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce.

The AUKUS agreement was first struck in 2021, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Australian PM Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden then announcing in March 2023 that the subs would be designed by Britain.

A major pillar of the pact is a promise to help Australia build and acquire a fleet of potent nuclear-powered submarines, one of its biggest-ever military upgrades.

Australia ditched a previous deal to buy French vessels as part of the pact, triggering a diplomatic row with Paris.

Nuclear-powered subs are seen as essential to countering Chinese aggression in the Pacific, due to their ability to operate more quietly and stay underwater for longer than their diesel counterparts.

In a potential conflict over Taiwan, they are regarded as critical to containing the Chinese navy  partly as they could lie in wait at choke points along the string of islands between Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia.

BAE Systems has been riding high and its shares gained 1.2 per cent yesterday.

The business has benefited from rising global defence spending in the wake of Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine while demand has also been stoked by conflict in the Middle East and US-China tensions.

Likewise, Rolls-Royce shares have soared under chief executive Turbo Tufan Erginbilgic  who took charge in January 2023  going from strength to strength following a recovery in air travel.

Shares gained 3.3 per cent.
Conservative Republicans were not afraid of forcing a shutdown and almost tanked the vote saying it was not fiscally responsible

Facing yet another government funding deadline in just 12 hours, Speaker Mike Johnson shepherded a $1.2 trillion spending package through the House Friday, setting it up for a last-second vote in the Senate to avoid a shutdown.

The final vote on the massive spending bill was 286 - 134. Notably, more Democrats voted for the deal than Republicans. The majority of Republicans - 112 in total - voted against the Speaker Johnson-backed measure.

The 1,000 page measure brings together funding for six of the 12 appropriations spending bills that need to be passed annually. It packages nearly 75 percent of the government's annual funding into just one vote, called a minibus.

Despite Johnson's victory, the clock is ticking and the bill still must be passed in the Senate and signed by President Biden to avoid a partial government shutdown which would ensue after 11:59 p.m. Friday.

The trillion dollar deal - the details of which were only revealed on Thursday - will provide money for the Departments of Defense, Financial Services, Homeland Security, Labor-HHS-Education, State-Foreign Operations and the Legislative Branch.

Speaker Mike Johnson released the details of a $1.2 trillion government funding package on Thursday

House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good, R-Va., rallied Republicans against the GOP House Speaker to vote against the bill

The deal was opposed by many notable conservatives including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., and nearly 100 other Republicans.

Greene went as far as to file a motion to vacate the Speaker while votes were ongoing, irate over his support of massive spending - setting up a tumultuous process that could take the gavel from Johnson.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said the bill would pass when asked just before the votes, indicating that Democrats are largely on board with the deal.

When the final tally was counted, 185 Democrats rallied together with 101 Republicans to get the funding bill across the line.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has said that the Democrat majority in the Senate would work to pass the agreement earlier this week, calling the deal 'good news.'

Schumer bragged the agreement secured funding boosts to childcare services, disease research, mental health programs and suicide prevention.

Senate Republicans, meanwhile, have railed against the deal.

'The Swamp is pushing this appalling funding bill with lightning speed, so that Americans dont see whats in it,' Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, posted on X.

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., posted on X: 'Why does the minibus fund a $500k grant to help a closed hospital in Maryland document its history? We are $34 TRILLION in debt. Washington cant keep wasting your tax dollars on this stupid crap!'

Many conservative House Republicans were also upset with the measure and the way Johnson rushed a vote on the biblically-long bill, not giving members the usual 72 hours to read the fine print.

'We don't need 72 hours to vote against a bad bill,' conservative House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good said at a press conference before the vote.

He and likeminded Republicans led the charge in opposing the legislation.

'Why are we in a rush to keep this government open that is so harming the American people by the very policies which they are suffering under.'

Good decried the package for maintaining 'Pelosi-Schumer policies and spending levels' and noted how the bill actually 'increases the spending levels by about $60 billion.'

Another Freedom Caucus member Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., said 'It's clear that the Democrats own the speaker's gavel.'

Still, GOP leadership touted conservative wins like a three percent increase in defense spending, retaining the Hyde amendment and a ban on gas stove restrictions.

But rank-and-file conservatives have called out other provisions like the bill's $200 million for a new FBI headquarters and $300 million that goes toward the Ukrainian Assistance Initiative.

The House passed $1.2 trillion in government funding just hours before a deadline Friday night

Congress similarly passed a $460 billion funding deal on March 8 just hours before the money allocated for the agencies ran out.

The deal 'secured key conservative policy victories' in the roughly $460 billion measure despite a 'divided government' and rejected 'left-wing proposals,' Speaker Johnson said at the time.

That bill included funding for six federal agencies - including Commerce-Justice-Science, Energy-Water, Interior-Environment, Military Construction-VA and Transportation-HUD.

It also imposed 'deep cuts' to the EPA (10%), ATF (7%) and FBI (6%), which Johnson said has 'threatened our freedoms and our economy.'
Official documents have revealed the Albanese government signed off the court challenge that freed 151 illegal detainees, including murderers and paedophiles.

The paperwork reveals Attorney General Mark Dreyfus personally approved publicly-funded lawyers could take the case to the High Court to free a child rapist from indefinite detention.

Although the man's case was against the Commonwealth, Mr Dreyfus signed off on publicly funded lawyers to assist him on the proviso they were represented the Australian Human Right Commission, and not the Commonwealth.

After being given the green light by the government, the AHRC's lawyers successfully helped win the case, which triggered the release of 150 more detainees.

Several have since landed back in jail after allegedly breaching their visa curfews, while others have been allowed to roam unchecked without ankle monitors.

Opposition Immigration spokesperson Dan Tehan told Daily Mail Australia the government only had itself to blame for the debacle.

Mr Dreyfus allowed the 'taxpayer-funded Human Rights Commission to argue in court against Australia's interests in keeping these criminals in detention,' he said.

'The Albanese Labor Government has released 151 hardened criminals, including seven murderers, 37 sex offenders, and 72 violent offenders, onto the Australian streets - but they refuse to accept responsibility.'

The letter from Attorney General Mark Dreyfus authorising the use of publicly funded lawyers to argue against the Commonwealth in a case that eventually saw 151 foreign national offenders released to Australian streets

On May 22 last year Australian Human Rights Commission President Rosalind Croucher wrote to Mr Dreyfus and asked he approve the use of lawyers to make a submission in support of the Rohingya Muslim challenging his detention.

The man, who was given the legal pseudonym NZYQ, was a Rohingya Muslim who had served a three-year jail term in Australia for raping a 10-year-old child but could not be sent home to Myanmar because of potential religious and ethnic persecution.

In her letter to Mr Dreyfus Prof Croucher noted Coalition ministers had in 2019 and 2022 blocked the Commission from 'intervening' in cases that touched on whether indefinite detention was lawful.

In 2019 then Attorney-General Christian Porter told her he did want the Commission to 'argue positions on constitutional issues that may diverge from the Commonwealth's general position'.

Prof Croucher said she found that position 'particularly concerning' because it misunderstood 'both the role of the Commission as an independent statutory agency with a mandate grounded in human rights'.

An AHRC spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that the body's role was 'to assist the Court by providing written and oral submissions on the legal issues arising in the proceeding' despite the fact its contribution was sought by the plaintiff's lawyers.

'When the Commission intervenes in legal proceedings, it is independent of Government and does not represent the Commonwealth,' the spokesperson said.

On June 5 Mr Dreyfus replied to Prof Croucher and signed off on the ARHC using in-house lawyers and engaging external ones to 'intervene' on behalf of NZYQ.

In giving his approval, Mr Dreyfus made the condition that the Council's submissions be made under their name and not the Commonwealth's, despite the body being publicly funded.

The successful appeal by NZYQ led to the High Court ordering the release of 150 others in November, including murderers, rapists and child sex abusers who could not be returned to their countries of origin for various reasons.

Since the general release, seven former detainees have been arrested for breaching visa conditions, with three remaining in custody for breaching bail conditions or being considered too risky to let out again.

Attorney General Mark Dreyfus approved a government body's use of lawyers to argue against the Commonwealth in court over freeing immigration detainees

One of the freed detainees seen at a hotel in western Sydney following their ordered release

The ARHC told Daily Mail Australia it is not involved in the new court challenge by an Iranian citizen, who has been designated as ASF1, who is appealing his indefinite detention.

If he succeeds it could pave the way for the release of a least another 191 people who are 'refusing to cooperate with authorities'.

ASF1 says he cannot go back to Iran because as a bisexual man, he could face the death penalty upon return.

The Commonwealth has not offered to remove him to any country but Iran, even though he is willing to go to a third country, his submissions say.

Mr Tehan accuses the government of being unprepared if the court decision does not go their way.

'Labor always makes a mess out of immigration,' he said.

'They don't have a plan deal the criminals already released from immigration detention and they don't have a plan to deal with the additional 190 criminals that could be released next month.'

The High Court is about to hear another challenged to indefinite detention that could see another 191 people freed

Both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Claire O'Neil have stated that the government can only respond to the High Court's decision.

'We're not above the High Court, no government is,' Mr Albanese said.

'And so we are responding appropriately. We're putting in place every measure to ensure that community safety is our priority.'

Ms O'Neil on Friday said the High Court 'through a series of major decisions, has drawn new boundaries around the powers of the executive and the Parliament'.

'And 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.

However, the opposition argue the original court case was lost because Immigration Minister Andrew Giles, who was the defendant, agreed to a set of facts stating NZYQ was unlikely to be deported to a third country because of his criminal record.

The High Court found that attempts to deport NZYQ had showed no reasonable sign of success before ruling it that people could not be 'punished' by being held in detention indefinitely without a judicial finding.
The host of the cocaine-fueled Las Vegas bash where pro wrestler-turned-Congressional candidate Dan Rodimer allegedly pummeled a man to death is a major Republican donor whose wife accused a former Trump aide of groping her, DailyMail.com can reveal.

John Odom, 48, a flashy millionaire construction executive who owns a drag racing team, threw the wild Halloween party at a luxury suite at the Resorts World Hotel last October, where Chris Tapp, 47 suffered lethal injuries.

Tapp, who was one of his racing team's major backers, died in the hospital five days later.

Political wannabe Rodimer, 45, who has been charged with murdering Tapp, was a guest at the party along with his wife and daughter.

Republican donor John Odom, 48, (pictured) had hosted the wild Halloween party at Resorts World Las Vegas last year where Christopher Tapp was pummeled to death

Odom, a construction executive, is a major GOP donor and Trump supporter, whose now ex-wife Trashelle (pictured) once accused the former president's Corey Lewandowski of unwanted sexual advances

WWE star turned Republican politician Dan Rodimer (pictured left in his mugshot) is accused of pummeling Christopher Tapp (right) to death at the Las Vegas party last October. Tapp was a recently exonerated man who had served 20 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted of killing his friend in 1996

Odom declined comment when approached by DailyMail.com at his home in Boise, Idaho.

His attorney William Carter said: 'John was friends with Chris Tapp, but he wasn't present when he fell or was pushed.

'He has also passed at least one or two hair follicle tests for illegal drugs.'

Odom spent seven years in prison for financial crimes and, according to court records, is facing a new litany of lawsuits from investors, banks and creditors.

His ex-wife Trashelle hit the headlines in 2021 when she claimed top Trump aide Corey Lewandowski had drunkenly groped her and thrown a drink over her at a charity event in Vegas.

Lewandowski, 50, was charged with battery and fined $1,000, given community service and ordered to undergo impulse control counseling.

Rodimer and Odom became firm friends after meeting at a CPAC event in Dallas earlier in 2021. They often partied together when Odom was in Vegas.

They shared a lot of the same vices, drugs, women and the spotlight, one insider who has hang out with both told DailyMail.com.

They both loved being the center of attention.

Odom, who has been pictured with Donald Trump and with South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem  who has been accused of having an affair with Lewandowski  was a major donor to Republican Louisiana governor Jeff Landry.

Politico reported that he had donated $100,000 to Landry's political operation  but then asked for it back when Landry hired Lewandowski as an advisor.

He also gave another $100,000 to federal Republican candidates in the 2022 midterms.

Odom's ex-wife Trashelle (pictured together left) made headlines in 2021 when she claimed top Trump aide Corey Lewandowski (right) had drunkenly groped her and thrown a drink over her at a charity event in Vegas

Tapp, who died five days after the violent attack, was one of Odom's racing team's major backers and had paid tribute to his friend in a heartfelt Facebook post two weeks before the party

Odom himself also thanked Tapp for his support in a Facebook post showing himself revving a metallic blue GT-R for a race in Vegas, a week before the ill-fated event

Tapp, pictured left during a post-conviction relief hearing in 2017, Tapp, 47, was only released from prison in 2019 after serving 20 years for a murder he did not commit

The Idaho Capital Sun reported in 2001 that he had given $20,000 to former GOP congressman Raul Labrador.

According to divorce papers filed last year by Trashelle, 34, Odom started his construction business after his release but had to do so under a friend's name because he was barred from doing business because of his conviction.

Trashelle accused him of raping and repeatedly threatening her, while carrying on relationships with nearly a dozen women including prostitutes.

The papers say Odom  who has two children with Trashelle  was ordered to pay his wife $50,000 a month while the case was ongoing but did not and he ended up owing her $478,000.

In the end a judge in Boise ruled he should pay her $15,000 a month support.

In her 53-page ruling, Magistrate Judge Fafa Alidjani wrote: 'John's misconduct during this case makes it nearly impossible for the court to calculate the potential liens or encumbrances' on property including several vehicles that Trashelle was awarded.

He is now appealing the decision.

Attorney Carter  who did not represent him in the initial divorce hearing  told DailyMail.com that Odom was away at a racing event for two of the three days of the hearing and so little defense was presented on his behalf.

'The allegations she made are all in dispute,' Carter said.

Odom spends much of his time showcasing his exploits as a professional drag car driver on social media and YouTube.

Odom and Trashelle have since divorced and he now spends much of his time showcasing his exploits as a professional drag car driver on social media and YouTube. He is pictured posing with a fan in his hometown of Boise, Idaho on Monday

Rodimer and his wife Sarah (pictured with Kevin McCarthy in a social media photo) were guests at Odom's Halloween party

Odom was pictured with South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, who has been accused of having an affair with Lewandowski, in Las Vegas

A Twitter user posted a screen shot that appears to describe the Odoms' meeting with former President Trump

He boasts of having the 'fastest GT-R in the World,' a 4,500-horsepower car delivering a top speed of 250-plus miles per hour.

Tapp was a major sponsor, using money from an $11.7million settlement he was awarded when he was cleared of murdering his teenage girlfriend and spending 20 years in prison.

In turn, Tapp frequently joined Odom at racing events and parties.

John easily exploited the fact that this guy had never really explored any of this lifestyle, the insider told DailyMail.com.

Theres nobody better than John, with the possible exception of Dan Rodimer, at walking in front of you and making you feel like the world is yours. All of a sudden, Tapp had the financial means to participate, and John was very good at keeping that wallet open.

'There were always, always, always girls.

Just a week before the fateful Vegas party, Odom posted video on Facebook of himself revving up his metallic blue GT-R for a race in Vegas.

In that same post, he thanked supporters including 'Chris Tapp for all you do and Resorts World Las Vegas for everything!!!!'

A few days before that, Tapp put a video on Facebook showing Odom hugging him and thanking him for his support.

'Chris Tapp has been a friend of mine for about 20 years,' Odom declares in the clip.

'Chris Tapp was one of the individuals who's been wrongfully convicted, spent 20 years in prison.'

Odom's Halloween party featured a night of debauchery with young models and ample drugs.

Among his friends and associates, Odom invited Rodimer, a retired professional wrestler who ran for Congress as a Republican in both Nevada and Texas, losing heavily each time.

The incident unfolded in a hotel room in Resorts World Las Vegas on October 29, 2023 after an alleged bust-up with the former wrestler-turned GOP candidate. Tapp later died in hospital

Rodimer became a wrestler after winning the 2004 WWE's reality 'Tough Enough' contest

VIP host Jonathon Walker put on a 21st birthday party for Odom's stepdaughter Bella Duffy (left) last April. With them is her best friend Dani Lyons, a witness to the alleged attack

Walker's Instagram page is full of pictures of him at parties surrounded by scantily clad women

Rodimer attended with his wife Sarah, 21-year-old stepdaughter Bella Duffy and 22-year-old Dani Lyons  Bella's close friend who like her is a model and Instagram influencer.

Rodimer is accused of attacking Tapp because he had given cocaine to Duffy.

'If you give my daughter any of that s**t, I will f***ing kill you,' he told Tapp, according to the police report.

Rodimer, who was dressed as Ken from the Barbie movie, ripped off his fur coat and charged at him shirtless, punching him and pushing him, the report alleges. Tapp allegedly hit his head on a table as he fell.

Duffy's friend Lyons told police that she'd been doing cocaine with Bella and another person even before Tapp entered the room, and that she saw Rodimer then pummel Tapp, who didn't fight back.

The victim was left with a life-threatening brain bleed and a severely swollen neck and was drifting in and out of consciousness when he was taken to the hospital.

According to police records, Odom was not in the room during the fracas and then tried to 'neutralize' the situation before emergency services were called.

Las Vegas Police reports on the October 30 incident redacted names of all the witnesses in the case.

DailyMail.com has discovered the identities of most of the key players.

Walker (pictured with Duffy) had met the Rodimers after they asked him to organize Duffy's 21st birthday party at the Encore Beach Club in Vegas in April last year

Walker has organized dozens of parties in Las Vegas and was ccontaacted by Sarah Rodimer to bring girls to the event where Tapp was fatally injured

Odom declined to comment when approached by DailyMail.com outside his Boise home (pictured). He previously spent seven years in prison for financial crimes and, according to court records, is facing a new litany of lawsuits from investors, banks and creditors

Odom started his business, HMH Construction, after his stint in prison

Odom hosted the party and Rodimer's wife Sarah, 43, brought in Jonathon Walker  who describes himself as a VIP host  to provide girls for the party.

Walker's Instagram page is full of pictures of him at parties surrounded by scantily clad women.

Walker had met the Rodimers when they asked him to organize Duffy's 21st birthday party at the Encore Beach Club in Vegas in April last year.

The night of the Halloween party, Odom and his assistant Mark Snyder, 35, set up a 'fun room' in the suite's master bathroom, with lines of cocaine and a rolled-up $100 bill to snort it, according to the police report.

Rodimer, who adamantly denies murder, was only charged in early March, four months after Tapp died, when police got a warrant to search phones belonging to him, his wife, Odom and Bella Duffy.

They found a series of angry messages Sarah, 43, wrote to Rodimer within four hours of the attack.

One of them said: 'I watched you nearly murder somebody and I had to take your f***ing hands off from his neck as he laid there and you ran away.

'Nobody should have to watch their husband murder somebody,' she added.

Another message said: 'I watched you murder somebody like let that sink in you psychopath.'
Iceland has removed the cross from some of its hot cross buns and is replacing it with a tick  infuriating shoppers who are now threatening to boycott the chain.

The British supermarket is running a trial ditching the cross, which symbolises the crucifixion of Jesus Christ that is remembered by Christians on Good Friday.

Iceland claimed its research had found a fifth of customers would prefer the buns to have a tick, which bears a resemblance to the logo of sportswear firm Nike - but the firm also insisted that traditional hot cross buns will still be available at its stores.

Shoppers blasted the 'anti-Christian movement' and a 'diversity tick for Iceland to appease the woke', while one said: 'Boycott Iceland until they get the message.'

Christian groups were balanced in their responses - with one saying some might view hot cross buns as 'like having an electric chair on a croissant', while another insisted it would continue to preach the gospel 'whatever Iceland put on their buns'.

Among those commenting on the move on X today was one shopper who said: 'The cross is symbolic of Christ's death on the cross. A tick means absolutely nothing.

Iceland has removed the cross from some of its hot cross buns and is replacing it with a tick

'So why should we buy from Iceland when they have erased all the bun's traditional meaning? We can happily spend our money elsewhere on traditional hot cross buns.'

How hot cross buns could have their roots in ancient Greece Hot cross buns have been eaten on Good Friday since the 18th century, and are still seen by many Christians to have major religious significance. The bread is a nod to what is eaten during Communion; the spices are said to represent the spices Christ was wrapped in while in his tomb; and the cross refers to his crucifixion. Food historians have suggested they could have their origins in crossed bread made by the ancient Greeks, or the ancient Jewish custom of sharing unleavened bread at Passover. Others have pointed to medieval monks who stamped bread with a cross at Easter time. This became known as an 'Alban Bun' and was distributed to the poor at the gates of St Albans Abbey from 1361. Advertisement

Another tweeted: 'If a supermarket did anything to offend Muslims on their religious festivals, there would be hell to pay. Iceland would probably be threatened.

'Hot cross buns have a cross for a reason, so going down this path is an anti-Christian movement by Iceland.'

A third said: 'Boycott Iceland until they get the message. This is a Christian country and hot cross buns a Great Brit tradition.'

And a fourth added: 'Jesus didn't die on a tick. Hot tick buns are just another method of erasing Christianity, it's literally another diversity tick for Iceland to appease the woke.'

Meanwhile a fifth said: 'For God's sake, please leave things alone. This tradition of a cross on top of the bun has been going for over 300 years. Why are you changing it?'

Henrietta Blyth, chief executive of the charity Open Doors, which works with persecuted Christians around the world, told MailOnline: 'I understand why people may not want to see a cross on their teacake.

'It represents one of the most agonising forms of execution ever devised  you could say it's like having an electric chair on a croissant.'

But she added that the cross reminds her and millions of other people 'of God being prepared to become human and submit to the worst evils humanity can throw at him and emerge triumphant - simply because He loves us'.

Ms Blyth continued: 'Hot cross buns are one of the few things that are still seasonal - and I really like that reminder. The cross is still of huge significance to millions of people in the UK, whether or not they attach meaning to if on a bun anymore.

Iceland is said to be hoping to 'gauge feedback' from a trial run of the hot tick buns (file image)

Iceland will still be selling normal hot cross buns alongside the new hot tick buns option

'We work with persecuted Christians around the world who face prison or even execution for displaying a cross. So, I love the fact we've got freedom of choice in the UK, even down to how we want our sweet treats to look.'

READ MORE The great hot cross bun taste test! We sample 37 Easter treats from supermarkets to see which bake comes out on top Advertisement

Danny Webster, director of advocacy at the Evangelical Alliance, also reacted to the move, saying it would not prevent Christians from speaking out about their faith.

He told MailOnline: 'Easter is when Christians across the globe remember Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave. Whatever Iceland put on their buns, Christians will continue to declare the truth of the cross that Jesus is alive.'

Iceland is understood to be hoping to 'gauge feedback' from a trial run of the hot tick buns alongside traditional options.

David Lennox, head of development for Iceland Foods, told The Sun: 'According to the research, it seems some people want to do away with the cross design and move to a tick instead.

'The results surprised us, but in true British fashion, we're putting it to the test by trialling ticks on some of our buns.'

And an Iceland spokesman told MailOnline: 'We are not replacing or removing the cross from our traditional hot cross buns and they will always be available at our stores nationwide.

'We are always listening to our customers for feedback on our products and we were surprised that a fifth came back to say they would like to see a version with a tick.'
Donald Trump's former acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller claims the January 6 committee threatened to 'make his life hell' if he kept claiming his former boss authorized National Guard deployment during the Capitol riot.

In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, the former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center said he became 'fearful' of aggressive tactics by members of the Democrat-led panel who tried to stop him speaking publicly about a narrative that didn't align with their final report.

Miller's bombshell claims follow a report by Republican Rep. Barry Loudermilk that reveals the committee withheld a transcript from an interview with a top White House official where he told Vice Chair Liz Cheney and other staffers that Trump did want to deploy troops.

Cheney did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether she or any other members of the Select Committee corresponded with witnesses in a way that could be interpreted as threatening.

Trump appointed Miller as the Pentagon chief in November 2020 after he fired Mark Esper amid attempts to overturn Joe Biden's presidential election victory.

He was only in the job for two months, but was thrust in front of the committee during their probe into the events that unfolded on the day the electoral college votes were certified.

Miller claims the members intimidated him, and warned they would repeatedly bring him in for 'hours' of additional testimony if he kept going on TV and defending the former president's actions.

Former Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller said he felt 'threatened' by the January 6 Select Committee to stay silent about his experiences surrounding the Capitol riot

Miller claims former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wy.), who was vice chair of the Select Committee on the January 6 Attack, was 'running the show.' He speculated, 'I'm sure that Cheney was looking at the optics and was like these people are a serious threat to my narrative'

At the time, Miller said, he did not have the 'resources to continue to battle' the committee and didn't want to face more depositions for speaking to media outlets about his experiences.

It was a Sean Hannity segment on June 6, 2022 featuring Miller and Trump national security official Kash Patel that seemed to 'hit a nerve,' according to the former DOD head.

'The two of us were on [the Fox News show] and the next day my lawyer got a call from the Jan. 6 staff director  I forgot exactly who it was  but basically saying, very legalistic: 'Well, if your client has additional information he wants to share, we'd be happy to have him re-interviewed,'' Miller recalled.

He continued: 'It was more that latent threat of: 'If you want to keep going on TV, we're gonna drag you in here again for additional hours of hearing testimony.' So that was the nature of that whole thing.'

'It was the latent threat of the government continuing to intrude into my life.'

Republican communications strategist Erica Knight told DailyMail.com: 'Knowing how other witnesses close to me were treated, it wouldn't surprise me if people in media were also threatened by the committee to stop discussing this issue.'

It's unclear if any other witnesses or individuals felt they were 'threatened' by the committee, but Miller said there was 'fear' instilled in him that any discussion of the events that day with others would cause him to be called in for another interview with the panel.

So instead, he kept to himself and didn't discuss his uneasy feelings about the panel with others  until now.

'I didn't talk about it with anybody else because of the fear or the concern,' Miller told DailyMail.com. 'I wasn't communicating with anybody, because I knew any interactions I had on it would result in me having to acknowledge that I'd been in communications with other people. And then that just sort of opens up a whole can of worms with the investigators that I just didn't want to do.'

'It was much easier just to not be involved with anybody or talk to anybody about this stuff because it was going to cause conflict and difficulties with the investigating team,' he added.

'So I didn't talk to other people, quite simply.'

Sean Hannity speaks with Miller (right) and Trump-era national security official Kash Patel (center) to discuss the Jan. 3, 2021 Oval Office meeting where they claim Trump authorized deployment of the National Guard for Jan. 6

Rioters clash with law enforcement as they storm the Capitol on January 6, 2021

Miller said it was clear to him that former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wy.) was the one running the show with the January 6 investigation. He claims the committee's vice chair was specifically upset that the 'optics' of his public appearances would go against the narrative that Trump was complicit in insurgency.

'That piece Kash and I did, it hit a nerve,' Miller told DailyMail.com in an interview. 'It was like, d***, that sure got some attention.'

'I'm sure that Cheney was looking at the optics and was like these people are a serious threat to my narrative that she tried to establish,' the former Acting Secretary of Defense speculated.

Both Kash and Miller were present at an Oval Office meeting where then-President Trump verbally authorized the Pentagon chief to mobilize the National Guard for deployment to Washington, D.C. amid threats of violence and protests of the 2020 presidential election results.

The former Trump officials' testimonies to the January 6 panel included recalling this meeting on January 3, 2021.

Kash and Miller's sworn testimonies were buried or discredited by the Select Committee as they claimed the two men were politically aligned with the former president.

Miller said he 'definitely interpreted' the panel would 'make my life hell' if he kept going on TV.

'Now, you know, they'll say, 'No, that wasn't it at all. We just wanted to make sure that we understood all the nuance and complexity.' But I definitely interpreted it as don't fight city hall type thing,' he explained.

A review of the panel's investigation by the House Administration Committee's Subcommittee on Oversight revealed that longtime Secret Service official Tony Ornato, who was in charge of Trump's security detail on January 6, 2021, corroborated Kash and Miller's testimonies.

The Subcommittee's Chairman Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.) released earlier this month the transcribed interview the panel held with Ornato in November 2022.

Previously, Ornato's testimony was suppressed by the Jan. 6 panel and only briefly mentioned in their final report.

Patel told DailyMail.com in an interview last week that the transcript of Ornato's interview with the Select Committee was withheld from the public because proof that Trump authorized the National Guard deployment 'defeats their insurrection claim.'

Christopher Miller (right) watches with Kash Patel (second from right), Sen. Lindsey Graham (center) and former White House Social Media director Dan Scavino (left) as Trump speaks in the Diplomatic Room on October 27, 2019

The panel's taped interview with Miller plays at a January 6 Committee hearing on June 23, 2022 at the U.S. Capitol

Miller and Patel were in the Oval Office meeting with Trump on January 3, 2021 when he said Defense officials had the authority to approve mobilization and deployment of 10,000 National Guard troops during the Capitol riot.

Also in the meeting were then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and then- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley.

Asked about Miller's claims Rep. Cheney was really in charge of the investigation, a person familiar with Loudermilk's review said they could confirm the Wyoming Republican took an 'abnormally active role' in the proceedings.

'She attended almost every single transcribed interview and her questions almost always focused on framing Donald Trump,' they added.

It's unusual for a member of Congress to play as large a role as Cheney did while interviewing witnesses. Typically lawyers and council conduct interviews and members are briefed or read-up afterwards.

'[Cheney] didn't have a job actually by that point, right? She'd been removed from all her committee assignments. This is the only thing she did,' Miller said in reference to the congresswoman zeroing-in on her role with the panel.

'But it was pretty clear she was very active and involved in the running of the thing,' he added. 'I have no idea about the other guy [Chairman Bennie Thompson]. I mean, I have no idea what his role was other than, I saw him on TV. I never saw him doing the day to day stuff.'

Miller said he knows Cheney and other members of the panel will downplay his claims they tried to threaten him to stop speaking out about his story and said it speaks to his naivety that he thought it would not be 'biased.'

'I think by now, as we look at the totality of Liz Cheney's hearings, we realize it was political theater,' the former Acting Defense Secretary claimed.

'And I actually was naive enough to think that it was going to be a serious investigation.'
Picture the cities of the future. Do you imagine glittering skyscrapers, bullet trains whizzing past green parklands, flying taxis and limitless clean energy?

Im afraid you may be disappointed. A century from now, swathes of the worlds cities are more likely to be abandoned, with small numbers of residents clinging to decaying houses set on empty, weed-strewn streets  like modern-day Detroit.

According to a new report from the Lancet medical journal, by the year 2100, just six countries could be having children at replacement rate  that is, with enough births to keep their populations stable, let alone growing.

All six nations will be in sub-Saharan Africa. In Europe and across the West and Asia, the birth rate will have collapsed  and the total global population will be plummeting.

Eco-activists have long decried humans as a curse on the planet, greedily gobbling up resources and despoiling the natural world.

A century from now, swathes of the worlds cities are more likely to be abandoned, with small numbers of residents clinging to decaying houses set on empty, weed-strewn streets, writes Ross Clark

The reliably hysterical BBC presenter Chris Packham has claimed that human population growth is our greatest worry There are just too many of us. Because if you run out of resources, it doesnt matter how well youre coping: if youre starving and thirsty, youll die.

Greens like Packham seem to think that if we could only reduce the overall population, the surviving rump of humanity could somehow live in closer harmony with nature. On the contrary, population collapse will presage a terrifying dystopia.

Fewer babies mean older populations  which in turn means fewer young people paying taxes to fund the pensions of the elderly. And that means that everyone has to work ever longer into old age, and in an atmosphere of declining public services and deteriorating quality of life.

So if you worry that its hard now to find carers to look after elderly relatives, this will be nothing compared to what your children or grandchildren will face when they are old.

In modern industrialised societies, it is generally accepted that the Total Fertility Rate (TFR)  the average number of children born to each woman during her lifetime  must be at least 2.1 to ensure a stable population.

By 2021, the TFR had fallen below 2.1 in more than half the worlds countries.

In Britain, it now stands at 1.49. In Spain and Japan it is 1.26, in Italy 1.21 and in South Korea a desperate 0.82.

Even in India  which recently overtook China as the worlds most populous nation  the TFR is down to 1.91.

There are now just 94 countries in which the rate exceeds 2.1  and 44 of them are in sub-Saharan Africa, which suffers far higher rates of infant mortality.

The dramatic fall in Britains birthrate has been disguised until now because we are importing hundreds of thousands of migrants per year to do badly paid jobs that the native population increasingly spurns.

In 2022, net migration here reached more than 700,000. The Office of National Statistics expects the UK population to reach 70million by 2026, almost 74 million by 2036 and almost 77 million by 2046  largely fed by mass migration.

Unless migration remains high, the UK population is likely to start shrinking soon after that point  especially as the last baby boomer (born between 1946 and 1964) reaches their 80th birthday in 2044. This mass importation of migrants to counteract a falling domestic birthrate spells huge consequences for our social fabric.

The dramatic fall in Britains birthrate has been disguised until now because we are importing hundreds of thousands of migrants per year to do badly paid jobs that the native population increasingly spurns

In years to come, Britain is set to face a pitiless battle with other advanced economies  many of them already much richer than we are  to import millions of overseas workers to staff our hospitals, care homes, factories and everything else.

And once the global population starts to fall in the final decades of this century, it will become ever harder to source such workers from abroad. At that point, we may find hospitals having to cut their services or even close.

So, though medical advancements will likely mean that people will be living even longer, we face a grim future in which elderly people will increasingly die of neglect, or be looked after by robots  an idea that has been trialled in Japan already.

How has this crisis crept up on us so stealthily? It wasnt so long ago that the United Nations and others were voicing concern at overpopulation.

For decades, self-proclaimed experts have warned  in the manner of early 19th-century economist Thomas Malthus  that global supplies of food and water, as well as natural resources, would run out.

Graphs confidently showed the worlds population accelerating exponentially, with many claiming that humankind had no choice but to launch interplanetary civilisations as we inevitably outgrew our world.

They could not have been more wrong.

Amid all the Packham-esque hysteria about a population explosion, many failed to notice that birth rates had actually already started to collapse: first in a few developed countries, such as Italy and South Korea, and then elsewhere.

As societies grow wealthier and the middle classes boom, women start to put off childbearing. This means that they end up having fewer children overall. In Britain especially, there are the added costs of childcare and the often permanent loss of income that results from leaving the workforce, even temporarily.

The striking result of all this is that the number of babies being born around the world has, in fact, already peaked.

The year 2016 is likely to go down in history as the one in which more babies were born than any other: 142million of them. By 2021, the figure was 129million  a fall of more than 9 per cent in just five years.

To be clear, the global population is for the moment still rising because people are living longer thanks to better medical care. We are not dying as quickly as babies are being born.

According to the UN, the global population reached 8billion on November 15, 2022. It should carry on growing before peaking at 10.4 billion in the 2080s  although the world will be feeling the effects of the declining birth rate long before that.

On current trends, the worlds population will start to fall by the 2090s  the first time this will have happened since the Black Death swept Eurasia in the 14th century.

So what, if anything, can we do to stop ourselves hurtling towards this calamity?

For one thing, governments must work tirelessly to encourage people to have families. Generous tax incentives for marriage, lavish child benefit payments and better and cheaper childcare are all a must, so that mothers dont have to stop their careers in order to start families.

Britain could, if it chose to, lead the way on this.

But that seems highly unlikely with the imminent prospect of a Labour government: the statist Left habitually loathes any measures that could be seen to benefit the nuclear family or that incentivise people to have more children.

Yet in truth, the scale of this problem is so vast  and the issue so widespread  that effectively counteracting it may be next to impossible.

Absent some extraordinary shift, the gradual impoverishment of an ageing and shrinking population seems the planets destiny. It is not an attractive thought.
The couple was evicted from at least one of their homes, according to court records

Mack and her husband, Kenneth, rented out their Arizona mansion for weddings to make ends meet

Michelle Mack was forced to pay nearly $200,000 after defaulting on a business loan in Arizona

The alleged mastermind of an $8 million crime ring defaulted on loans and was evicted out of at least one of her homes even before she became a cosmetic theft 'queenpin.'

Michelle Mack defaulted on her nearly $200,000 loan that she took out to run her wholesale novelty items business that was based out of Mesa, Arizona, according to the 2013 court documents obtained by DailyMail.com.

Former friends said the glamorous blonde always had a plan to make a quick buck and was already running a small operation even before she married Kenneth Mack in 2007.

Before she was sued in 2013, Mack ran an online business selling hand painted wineglasses and delicate glass/crystal nail files imported from the Czech Republic.

'It was actually a very big operation even before I got there in 2015 or 2016 and she employed more than 10 people,' a former employee, Michelle Hermann, told DailyMail.com.

'At the time, hand painted wineglasses were very popular and we sold wholesale to a lot of other stores.

Hermann added, 'As far as I knew, she ran a legitimate business back then, so I was pretty shocked when I heard what she was recently arrested for.'

Michelle and Kenneth Mack at their wedding. The California couple was arrested in December for allegedly running a national theft ring that employed others to steal cosmetics and other items from stores such as Ulta, Sephora, Bloomingdales and LensCrafters

Mack, 53, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. She was arrested at her home in Bonsall, Calif

Police described the haul as a 'mini-market' after discovering it laid out warehouse style in the 4,500 square foot mansion in Bonsall

Ulta was one of the many stores hit by the 'California Girls' criminal operation

The mother of three- who was arrested on December 6- is facing multiple federal charges for allegedly paying others to steal cosmetics from stores like Ulta, Sephora and Bloomingdales.

Mack then allegedly resold the stolen goods at deep discounts- as much as 50% off- on her online Amazon store, which has since been shut down.

Amazon told investigators the outfit racked up sales worth $8 million since 2012, including nearly $2 million in 2022 alone.

Mack's gang, dubbed the 'California Girls' by investigators, operated in more than a dozen states and targeted at least 231 Ulta stores.

Investigators said they found more than 100,00 items in the Macks' Bonsall garage worth about $387,000 when they were arrested in December.

Mack, her husband Kenneth and seven others also have been charged in connection with the theft scheme.

Hermann said Michelle was 'barely there' when she owned the nail file and wineglass business in Arizona around 2015.

'She was very nice when I worked for her, doing invoicing and other things, but she wasn't in the office a lot,' Hermann said of Mack.

'A lot of people have double lives that we just don't know about, but she definitely didn't sell any make-up or anything like that back then.'

However, financial troubles started earlier for the Macks.

By 2010, Michelle defaulted on loans she took out against her Arizona home, according to court documents obtained by DailyMail.com.

The Macks were evicted in July 2010 from their home in Chandler, Arizona after they failed to pay their mortgage.

They almost lost another home about a month later in Higley, Arizona after defaulting on another $200,000 loan, according to court records.

The bills continued to pile up for the couple.

In 2013, a judge ruled they had to pay the nearly $200,000 that Michelle borrowed to operate her novelty wineglass and nail file business.

Before running her California criminal syndicate, Michelle Mack operated a business that sold fun hand painted wine glasses

One of Mack's first business ventures also sold delicately painted glass and crystal nail files. She sold off the business in 2017 and started renting her Gilbert, Ariz. home for weddings

Hermann said she eventually bought the glass and crystal nail file business portion of 95 & Sunny Inc. from Mack around 2017.

Meanwhile, the entrepreneurial couple pivoted to another venture- San Tan Mountain Weddings & Events- and used their new 4,447-square foot mansion in Gilbert, Ariz. to rent out for weddings and other events.

The five bedroom home had an expansive back yard nestled between scenic desert hills.

The Macks' wedding business including decorating and renting out their spacious five-bedroom home

The Macks' wedding and events planning business was run out of their Gilbert, Arizona estate

Outside of renting their home, the Macks also offered all-inclusive wedding packages for decorations and liquor- yet another income stream for the struggling couple.

A 2017 Facebook post from their wedding business venture showed a picture of a smiling Michelle and Kenneth during their own nuptials:

'I will always remember the love in your eyes and the warmth of your smile the day we were married ten years ago. Happy anniversary my love.'

The wedding rental venture, however, eventually fizzled and the couple moved their family to a suburb in San Diego, Calif.

A wedding tribute posted on the San Tan Mountain Wedding & Events Facebook page, which was ran by Michelle Mack

The Macks would later try to replicate their wedding business at their $2.75 million Bonsall, Calif. mansion and vineyard property, which they rented out in Airbnb.

The Bonsall home, which is now listed for sale, was the main hub of the make-up theft operation, according to a criminal complaint and federal search warrants obtained by DailyMail.com.

An aerial shot of the Macks' $2.75million Bonsall, Calif. property, which includes a 3 1/2-acre vineyard, winery and private stone chapel

Hermann said she is still shocked after she watched news video footage of Michelle, still dressed in pink and white pajamas, being led out of her Bonsall mansion in handcuffs.

'It made me sick to my stomach because she has kids,' Hermann said.

'I feel for her kids and as far as I heard, the kids were there when she was arrested.

'She definitely was not involved in anything like this when we worked together because I would never get involved in anything stupid like that. I'm still in shock.'
Vice President Kamala Harris plans to visit Puerto Rico Friday, even as she and President Joe Biden struggle to keep their promises to the disaster-torn island.

The White House said Harris plans to highlight how Biden's agenda was helping bring good jobs to Puerto Rico, even as they struggle with basic infrastructure problems.

Puerto Rico suffered catastrophic damage from the 2017 Hurricanes Irma and Maria and earthquakes in 2019 and 2020. Although record levels of reconstruction funding have been passed for the island, many of the funds remain tied up in bureaucratic gridlock.

Only eight percent of the $23 billion in available federal funds has been spent on reconstruction, according to a Government Accountability Office audit released in February 2024.

Vice President Kamala Harris left Washington, DC to visit Puerto Rico on Friday

In 2020, Kamala Harris vowed a 'more compassionate' response to the island to help rebuild infrastructure

The report noted that 'a substantial amount of permanent work remains' on the island and that Puerto Rico had only spent $1.8 billion of their allotted funding. Much of the funding requires authorization from FEMA to spend.

The island continues to suffer rolling electricity blackouts as permanent power grid upgrades remain unfinished.

Puerto Ricos power plant generation has only worsened in recent years, according to reports, from 52 percent to 42 percent capacity.

Harris' visit takes place as Democrats are desperate to maintain their hold on the Latino demographic for the 2024 election.

A February CBS News poll showed Biden's support among Hispanics has dropped by 12 points since 2020, from 65 percent to 53 percent.

White House communications director Brian Fallon shared a news story on social media on Friday emphasizing the political calculus behind the trip as a way to 'reach out to Latino voters.'

Sen. William Villafane, a member of the New Progressive Party, said Harris' visit was 'notable' and 'long overdue' but that 'mere recognition is not enough.'

Villafane told the DailyMail.com that Puerto Rico residents remained disadvantaged, lacking access to government welfare programs like Medicare Part B enrollment, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Medicare Extra Help for prescriptions, all the while suffering from an exodus of doctors from the island because of lower government reimbursement rates.

'This visit should serve as a wake-up call for bipartisan action to hold the administration accountable and deliver tangible solutions that prioritize the well-being of all American citizens, including those in Puerto Rico,' he said.

He also promoted the island's statehood admission bill, which he argued was critically important to Puerto Rico residents.

'Puerto Rico has voted three times to become a state. The Administration and Congress must take action to ensure equal protection and equity across all federal programs,' Villafane said.

Harris' visit takes place ahead of Puerto Rico's 2024 Democratic presidential primary held on April 28.

During the 2020 presidential campaign, Both Biden and Harris accused former President Donald Trump's of failing to help the island's recover, vowing a more compassionate and competent response.

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm has made several trips to the island to promote green energy projects in Puerto Rico.

Earthquake damage in Ponce, Puerto Rico in 2020

Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm has focused on making the island's power grid 100 percent clean energy by 2050

Granholm is focused on the island's goal to make the power grid 100 percent clean energy by 2050, even as existing fossil fuel powered generation infrastructure suffers.

'Despite, and because, and amid the heartbreak, Puerto Ricans also saw an amazing opportunity to build a new energy system that was resilient, and independent, and clean,' she said during a visit to San Juan, Puerto Rico in February.

The vice president's visit will take place three and a half years since she penned an op-ed for the Tampa Bay Times promising 'a full recovery and rebuilding Puerto Ricos resilient infrastructure.'

'We see you, we hear you, and every day, we stand with you,' Harris promised, adding that she and Biden would, 'reverse the damage that remains three years after Hurricane Maria, and help usher in a brighter future.'

Writer Susanne Ramirez de Arellano described Harris' visit as 'farce and political theater to Puerto Ricans like me living on the island' in a column for Bloomberg Opinion.

She argued that Harris was not there to help the island but to motivate millions of Puerto Rico natives who had moved to important swing states on the mainland.

Carlos Mercader, the former Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration who lives in Puerto Rico, said that Harris' visit would was 'inconsequential' to the election.

'She is not popular with Hispanics, including with the Puerto Rican community,' Mercader said to DailyMail.com. 'The only place this could have an impact is in Central Florida and I expect it will happen the same that went through in 2022 where most Puerto Ricans who voted supported conservatives, as in Rubio and DeSantis.'

Mercader now hosts a show where he focuses on local and national issues important to Puerto Rico from a conservative political perspective.

Edwin Francisco, the chairman of the Puerto Rico Young Republican Federation acknowledged that Harris' visit was important but argued it was more of a 'political stunt.'

'She will be in Puerto Rico like 6 hours and she will forget about Puerto Rico like Bidens Administration did when he was in Florida at the Presidential Campaign in 2020 supporting Statehood,' he said.

Francisco defended the Trump administration's response to Hurricane Maria, noting that they allocated the largest amount of federal funds to the reconstruction of Puerto Rico. He was not convinced that Harris' visit would actually make much of a real difference on the island.

'The VPs standard operation procedure is to visit, wave and smile but dont accomplish anything,' he said.
Montenegro prosecutors have appealed a recent court ruling for the extradition of disgraced crypto mogul Do Kwon to his home country of Korea to face trial on charges connected to the crash of cryptocurrencies.

Kwon, the co-founder of the cryptocurrency firm Terraform Labs, is wanted both by Korea and the United States, where he faces investigation and indictment on charges connected to the crash of the firm's TerraUSD and Luna coins in May 2022. The crash was estimated to have wiped out nearly 50 trillion won ($37 billion) in market value.

Earlier this week, an appeals court in the Balkan country ruled for Kwon's extradition to Korea, upholding a previous decision made by the high court in the country's capital, Podgorica.

On Thursday (local time), Montenegro's top prosecutors office claimed in a statement that the court decisions were in violation of due procedures and said that it has requested the top court to decide whether the procedures behind the court rulings were legal.

The office claimed that the courts reached the extradition rulings irregularly through summary procedures and by overstepping the scope of their authorities, as a decision on extradition pertains to the justice minister.

The office also requested the top court to reverse the lower courts' decisions.

Bloomberg had earlier reported that Kwon's extradition could take place as early as this weekend when the jail term he is serving in Montenegro on charges of using a forged passport expires.

If the top court rules in favor of the top prosecutors office, the final decision on Kwon's extradition will once again be made by Montenegro's justice minister.

Kwon has reportedly been seeking extradition to Korea rather than the U.S., where he could face a sentence of over 100 years in prison for the charges he is facing, far heavier than the estimated maximum 30-year prison term in his home country.

He was captured at an airport in Montenegro in March last year when he was reportedly trying to board a plane bound for the United Arab Emirates on a forged passport. He had been on the loose after fleeing Korea amid a probe in connection with the crypto debacle.

TerraUSD was designed as a stablecoin, pegged to stable assets like the U.S. dollar. However, holders of TerraUSD and Luna lost most of their assets after the stablecoin plunged far below its $1 peg. (Yonhap)
New information provided by the public could serve as the crucial breakthrough in locating Samantha Murphy's remains, a former detective says.

This Sunday will mark seven weeks since the missing mother-of-three, 51, left her home at Eureka Street in Ballarat East at about 7am on February 4 to go for a run at Woowookrung Regional Park.

No trace of her body has been found, despite local Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, being charged with her murder a fortnight ago.

Stephenson has reportedly refused to cooperate with police, prompting an emotional plea from Ms Murphy's husband, Mick, who urged the alleged killer to break his silence and offer closure to the family

On Wednesday, police launched a large scale search of Buninyong Bushland Reserve, 10km from original search efforts after fresh information was derived 'from a number of sources.'

Following the unsuccessful eight-hour search, technology detector dogs were called in on Thursday, tasked with trying to find Ms Murphy's phone and Apple Watch.

The search for Samantha Murphy's remains continues, seven weeks after she vanished

Former detective and private investigator Duncan McNab suggests that the decision to resume the search was sparked by information from the public and forensic testing.

The seizure of Stephenson's car may have also also provided information to detectives.

'Various pieces of information are coming in, people remembering things, memories being jogged and also possibly from forensic testing,' Mr McNab told the Today show.

'Police are putting these disparate bits together, and they've decided that it's a really good place to search this area, and they hit it pretty hard.

'They seized his car, and there might be something in itsoil traces, bits of vegetable matter, that sort of stuff.

'There are a whole range of things that have taken it to that, but importantly, it's always the public coming forward that helps.'

The Missing Persons Squad, Search and Rescue Squad, the Mounted Branch, the Dog Squad and the Public Order Response Team joined the eight-hour search.

Mr McNab added that police would have had good reason to advise members of the public who had spent weeks looking for Samantha to stay away from the new search.

'I think the search was very targeted, the police had a very close idea of the geography they were searching and a couple of things came into play,' he said.

'Having the experts do the searching will probably get a better result.

'The public input is incredibly important, but it's also a precarious area.

'I understand there's a lot of wildlife and mine shafts, so the public's safety is inherent here as well.'

Mr McNab warned that there was a long way to go in the case.

'Police at this stage are preparing the brief of evidence to give to Stephenson and his lawyers which takes some time,' he said.

'It will be ongoing for a while but the solid nuts and bolts of the case will be served on him fairly shortly.'

Detector dogs have been tasked with trying to find Ms Murphy's phone and Apple watch

Dozens of specialist police travelled to Ballarat this week after a new search was launched

The specialist dogs deployed on Thursday were the same ones famously used during a search of the Leongatha home in the Gippsland region belonging to accused mushroom chef Erin Patterson last November.

'We'll be going to a different location but we will also use assistance from the Australian Federal Police today in technical detection dogs,' Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police Shane Patton told ABC Radio.

'We don't have the capacity - we are trying to get that capability - to run a dog that can detect a SIM from a mobile phone and that type of thing.

'We still haven't recovered her phone and watch. We'll use all those specialist skills.'

The new search area is less than 3km from the Scotsburn home Stephenson had been housesitting with his girlfriend when he was arrested a fortnight ago.

Stephenson will reappear in court for a committal mention on August 8.

Officers from the Dog Squad scoured Buninyong Bushland Reserve on Wednesday in a renewed search for Samantha Murphy's remains
Residents say they're afraid to walk their pets and go out at night

Residents of a San Diego suburb known for its seclusion from the busy downtown and beachfront views is furious as a group of vagrants have started living in their cars and RVs on the streets of the neighborhood.

San Diego County is one of the largest segments of California's homeless population, with more than 10,000.

Locals in Pacific Beach say that the vagrants have moved from the city's downtown to their neighborhood and are openly defying laws banning them from camping out in their vehicles.

The homeless are accused of not just camping out but bringing in drugs and leaving their garbage on the streets, ironically right next to signs that tell them they're not allowed to park there.

Debbie Turnbull, who lives in the area, claims that it's a problem of the city trying to take the homeless out of the downtown area.

Residents of a San Diego suburb known for its seclusion from the busy downtown and beachfront views is furious as a group of vagrants have started living in their cars and RVs on the streets of the neighborhood

Locals in Pacific Beach say that the vagrants have moved from the city's downtown to their neighborhood and are openly defying laws banning them from camping out in their vehicles

The law, known as the Vehicle Habitation Ordinance, also bans them from 500 feet of a residence or school at any time

'It's not as family-friendly anymore,' Turnbull told NBC San Diego about the ritzy neighborhood, which she calls 'a soft place to land.'

She added that these people are not just camping out during the day but spending the night as well.

'We don't like to take our dogs or animals out to walk at night because you don't feel safe. You don't know what's going on over there,' Turnbull said.

Those in protest cite a law that isn't being enforced that prohibits people from living in their vehicle on a street or public property from 9pm to 6am local time.

The law, known as the Vehicle Habitation Ordinance, also bans them from 500 feet of a residence or school at any time.

The city, residents say, is simply not enforcing the law, giving those parked a chance to leave before being ticketed.

A spokesperson for the city's Democrat Mayor, Todd Gloria, says they're looking for a permanent solution that can allow for what they call 'safe parking' while protecting locals.

'The city is actively working to create more Safe Parking options. In addition to enabling people to park overnight and sleep in their vehicles without risk of citation, Safe Parking provides access to services and case management to help them work toward permanent housing,' Rachel Laing said in a statement.

Debbie Turnbull, who lives in the area, claims that it's a problem of the city trying to take the homeless out of the downtown area

Those in protest cite a law that isn't being enforced that prohibits people from living in their vehicle on a street or public property from 9pm to 6am local time

The homeless are accused of not just camping out but bringing in drugs and leaving their garbage on the streets, ironically right next to signs that tell them they're not allowed to park there

The city, residents say, is simply not enforcing the law, giving those parked a chance to leave before being ticketed

According to recent tabulations, San Diego County has more than 10,000 individuals who are either fully unhoused or in transitional housing.

One San Diego leader proposed paying residents on the brink of losing their homes $1,500 each to help nearly 1,000 individuals avoid homelessness.

Last year, the city opened the first of two 'safe-sleeping' areas in just weeks after the San Diego City Council voted to ban homeless encampments.

Mayor Gloria announced the plan to open the areas in June as a way to combat the city's homeless crisis, which has been exacerbated by opioids.

The city's leaders have spoken out in the past about the need for sites like that in an effort to get people off of the streets.

Last year, DailyMail.com reported on a homeless woman from San Diego who said that vagrants in the city are 'spoiled' with free phones, food and clothes.

The city is also dealing with a massive overflow from the migrant crisis at the US-Mexico border.
A billionaire Florida real estate tycoon has been ordered by cops to undergo a mental health evaluation after posting concerning clips of himself firing guns and ranting about the Second Amendment outside his Miami Beach mansion.

Patrick Carroll, a developer whose antics have garnered him over a million followers on Instagram, shared then deleted a clip of himself wearing a MAGA hat and firing a shotgun on a boat by his $19.5 million waterfront home on Thursday.

The businessman, 45, said he was firing blanks, however the episode led his neighbors to call 911 on him, resulting in the evaluation order - which will also force him to relinquish his firearms within 72 hours.

In response the next day, Carroll told The Real Deal that he wasn't shooting live rounds, and said: 'I spoke to cops, and they were laughing about it. I was doing it for an (Instagram) video.'

Patrick Carroll, wearing a red Make America Great Again hat and a white towel, shared then deleted a clip of himself firing a shotgun off the back of a yacht

In another clip, Carroll pointed a shotgun down the barrel of a camera before going on a rant about the Second Amendment

Miami Beach Police Department spokesman Christopher Bass confirmed that after cops were called to Carroll's home, 'he was transported to a local health care facility for a mental health evaluation.'

'A risk protection order was served. This investigation continues,' Bass said.

In the clip that led cops to be called to his home, Carroll was seen stood at the front of a small yacht while straddling a shotgun.

Wearing a Make America Great Again hat and a white towel, Carroll fired the shotgun into the air three times with a big grin on his face.

A person filming tells Carroll to be 'careful Pat', to which he responds: 'Shut up.'

Before it was deleted, he captioned the video: 'These are the only blanks I shoot.'

Carroll, a billionaire, has shown his love of Trump far beyond donning his famous red cap, as in February he got a tattoo of the former president's mugshot on his arm.

In another clip shared by Real Deal, Carroll was seen on a yacht shirtless with the Trump hat, as he ranted about his Second Amendment rights. It is not clear when the video was posted.

The real estate developer, who reportedly sold his company last year for $80 million, pointed a shotgun down the barrel of the camera before saying: 'I'm a big gun advocate.'

Carroll, a billionaire who reportedly sold his business for $80 million last year, has been ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation and relinquish all of his firearms under Florida's Red Flag law

The billionaire described himself as a 'big gun advocate' and insisted that 'what I'm doing is trying to tell my followers and fans that you'd better learn to protect yourself'

The shooting, which Carroll said was with blanks, led the real estate tycoon's neighbors to call the cops on him

The week before, this image of Carroll emerged showing him on his yacht straddling what appeared to be an assault rifle

Carroll, pictured with Donald Trump, rose to prominence in recent years as a high powered real estate developer with billions under management

The tycoon has made no secret of his love for Donald Trump, and even has the former president's mugshot tattooed on his arm

'You know, it's a Second Amendment right, so it's my government right,' he continued. 'I did it the right way, I've been trained, I have a carry conceal permit.'

Panning the camera around to the ocean, he noted that he was 'way off shore', and insisted that 'I know how to handle these guns.'

'So, everything I'm putting out here is stuff that people are afraid to do but I can actually do, and it's all good s***.

'People may say, 'oh god he's shooting stuff, look at him he's crazy' - no, what I'm doing is trying to tell my followers and fans that you'd better learn to protect yourself.

'This is a hard f*****g world.'

Although he reportedly claimed that cops were 'laughing about it' with him after he explained that he was firing blanks, Carroll has been ordered by police to undergo a mental health evaluation.

Florida cops also used the state's Red Flag law to obtain a court order that will force Carroll to relinquish all of his firearms within 72 hours.

Carroll has continued to share unhinged rants and erratic behavior on his social medias since cops were called to his home on Thursday

Cops were called to the tycoon's lavish $19.5 million mansion (pictured) following the shooting

The Red Flag law was introduced in 2018 after the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting, where 17 people were killed and 17 others were injured.

The legislation allows cops to seek court orders temporarily barring individuals from buying and possessing firearms if they are deemed to be dangerous.

In April 2023, Carroll was accused of spitting in the face of a manager at an upscale Miami restaurant, which the manager claimed happened after he stopped Carroll from harassing a woman at a nearby table, reports Real Deal.

He denied spitting, and his attorney said it was an argument after the manager 'issued what are known as fighting words.'

Carroll has continued to share unhinged rants and erratic behavior on his social medias since cops were called to his home on Thursday, including filming himself berating the manager of a Rolls-Royce dealership.

He has also been embroiled in a public spat with nightclub owner David Grutman, after Carroll said he was told not to film in his LIV nightclub in Miami Beach.

In messages to Grutman that he reportedly shared, Carroll said: 'F*** you fat boy. I'm going to put you out of business. Steal your wife if I want and many other things. You confused my kindness for weakness.'

In a response from Grutman, shared by Carroll, the nightclub told him: 'I hope you get help.'

'I hope you get the attention youre seeking and sadly, I think you will end up deadEveryone is [tuned] into your self-destruction and I know you can be better than this,' he said.
A rapper who was previously known for promoting the so-called 'Postcode Wars' in Sydney has tearfully apologised for the way his violent lifestyle and lyrics have influenced impressionable youth.

Pio Misa, who is better known as 'YP' - the name he performed under as part of the drill rap group OneFour, based in the outer western Sydney suburb of Mt Druitt - came to a stark realisation of how far he had fallen in life while sitting in a jail cell.

Misa, 24, told Channel Nine that he was locked up in the notorious NSW maximum security prison near Goulburn, south-west of Sydney, when he saw a news report about police foiling a conspiracy to murder him.

Drill rap group OneFour (pictured) were based in the outer western Sydney suburb of Mt Druitt and rose to sudden fame in 2019 with their hit song The Message

'I wasn't surprised, I guess,' he said, calling it a 'big wake-up call'.

'I knew that people wanted my life, rightfully so. I've done wrong to certain people and in their own due time I hope they can forgive me.'

As he was nearing the end of the two years in prison for assault, Misa reconsidered the direction his life had taken and began returning to the Christian faith he was brought up in.

'Finding this new journey, I felt like my life had just started,' he said.

'Finding this peace and happiness in God and with my saviour Jesus Christ, I want to share that with as many people as I can.'

Miso now wants to become a priest but is haunted by his past life.

'There is that feeling of guilt, knowing that I've influenced some of the younger generation to do stuff like that,' he tearfully said.

'I'm not proud of the music I've made in the past.

'If you believe in something you should stand up for your beliefs. You should stand up for your family.

'Protect those you care about. In the right way though.

'If there's a way to sort issues out without violence, we should definitely take that approach.'

Miso (pictured, centre right) has begun mentoring youth at a gym in the western suburbs of Sydney

To break away from his former life, Miso is studying to become a priest at his family church and is also mentoring youth at a gym in Sydney's west with his uncle, Lawrence Tauasa.

'He trains with me five days a week,' Mr Tausas said.

'I only give him Sundays off  and Thursdays for Bible study.'

Misa and OneFour rose to sudden fame in 2019 with their hit song The Message.

It clocked up millions of views on YouTube but police said the lyrics encouraged violence by talking about the Postcode Wars where gangs would target those from neighbouring suburbs.

The Message referred to the stabbing death of Tino Henry in a 2018 'Postcode War' brawl.

The song stated 'Retaliation is a must, ain't no maybe ifs or buts/I got friends looking at 10/You watched yours get put in a box (put in a box).'

Misa has been twice jailed for assault.

In 2023 he was sentenced to seven months in prison with four months non-parole for being involved in a street fight where he beat Troy Camplin in the north-western Sydney suburb of South Windsor.

Members of OneFour are pictured at the premiere of their Netflix documentary. Spenny, left, Celly, centre and J Emz, right. Misa was not at the launch as he was in jail on remand over the wild brawl in the north-western Sydney suburb of South Windsor in September

Mr Camplin was knocked to the ground and hit his head, suffering a 2cm cut to the back of his skull which gushed blood over his neck and clothing.

Misa and fellow OneFour members Salec 'Lekks' Sua and Dahcell 'Celly' Ramos were all jailed over a violent attack on two men in a Rooty Hill pokies room in July, 2018.

In that assault, Misa pulled a chair leg out from underneath his clothes and struck one of the men three times, including twice in the head.

He was given a four-year jail sentence.

CCTV footage of the brawl featured in the Netflix documentary OneFour: Against All Odds that covered the group's rise to fame and struggles to be allowed to perform live shows.

In the documentary, OneFour were given glowing treatment, being praised by the likes of hip hop stars Skepta and The Kid Laroi.
Three Royal Navy sailors who were arrested for being drunk and disorderly in Rotterdam.

HMS Prince of Wales was in Rotterdam as a part of a pan-European exercise Steadfast Defender which is the biggest post Cold War wargaming exercise NATO has undertaken.

The British servicemen were each arrested on separate occasions this week. One sailor was arrested on Monday night and was tasered by local police officers after he allegedly injured two police officers.

A second sailor on the same evening from Monday to Tuesday was arrested and held by UK military police. He was charged with being drunk.

The Daily Mirror reports that he was also arrested for being in possession of a suspected 'hard drug, possibly cocaine' according to Dutch Military Police and the drugs are now being tested.

HMS Prince of Wales (centre) three British servicemen from the aircraft carrier were arrested for drunk and one sailor was tasered for allegedly injuring local police in Rotterdam (stock image)

Rotterdam's old harbour. HMS Prince of Wales was in Rotterdam as a part of a pan-European exercise Steadfast Defender which is the biggest post Cold War wargaming exercise NATO has undertaken (stock image)

Finally, on Wednesday a third crew member was arrested for being drunk and disorderly in Rotterdam city centre and for failing to produce his ID. He was released without charge and ordered to pay a fine.

All three men were in civilian clothes when they were arrested and none were officers.

A Dutch Military Police spokesman told the Daily Mirror: 'We are treating these incidents as serious because they are unusual. We will be stepping up patrols in the city, along with local civilian and Royal Navy Police from the UK to prevent further incidents.'

A Royal Navy spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We are aware of alleged incidents which are under investigation. As this is an ongoing investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further.'

HMS Prince of Wales is amongst one of the most powerful surface warships ever constructed in the UK and can have a maximum crew of 1,600 when aircrafts are onboard.

The ship also has an expected service life of up to 50 years and it can move 500 miles a day.
Two teenagers allegedly led police on a high-speed 150km car chase for three hours after a botched armed robbery at a convenience store.

The two teenage boys, aged 14 and 17, are accused of threatening a shop worker with a firearm in Slacks Creek in Brisbane at 5pm on Thursday.

They allegedly fled empty-handed after the shop worker pressed an alarm button, and escaped in a red Hyundai Kona which had allegedly been stolen the day before.

The car was spotted four hours later on the Pacific Motorway at Elenora and was then tracked from overhead by the PolAir police helicopter as it sped north.

After switching to the Gateway Motorway at Logan and then the Bruce Highway, police laid down tyre spikes when the car exited at Caboolture.

But despite bursting tyres on the vehicle, the pair allegedly carried on driving for another 80km as they headed south on wheel rims to Brisbane.

Two teenagers allegedly led police on a high-speed 150km car chase for two hours after a botched armed robbery at a convenience store

The two teenagers allegedly fled but were arrested by police around 11.45pm

The vehicle returned to the Bruce Highway and headed south continuing to the Gateway Motorway and onto the Pacific Motorway.

The vehicle exited onto Kingston Road and travelled through to Browns Plains Road where it finally stopped in Kao Street in Marsden.

The two teenagers allegedly fled the car but were arrested by police around 11.45pm.

'A 17-year-old and a 14-year-old boy both from Logan have been charged with property crime offences including attempted armed robbery, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and unlawful possession of a Category A firearm,' said a police spokesman.

'Investigations are continuing.'
The CIA ordered tax investigators not to interview the 'sugar brother' who bailed out Hunter Biden with millions of dollars, a whistleblower has claimed.

Kevin Morris loaned the president's son at least $5 million, bought his artwork, and made payments to Hunter's ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle, as well as Lunden Roberts, the mother of his illegitimate four-year-old daughter.

But federal officials investigating the first son's tax affairs were summoned to CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, and told them that Morris was off-limits to them.

Now the House leaders pursuing the president's impeachment have written to CIA director William Burns demanding to know why.

'The information we recently received from the whistleblower seems to corroborate our concerns about Department of Justice's deviations from standard process to provide Hunter Biden with preferential treatment,' claimed Oversight chairman James Comer and Judiciary chairman Jim Jordan.

Hollywood lawyer Kevin Morris (left) has admitted loans of more than $5 million to Hunter Biden (right) which he has insisted will be repaid, after they were revealed

Morris, who was spotted smoking from a bong on the balcony of his Hollywood apartment, said he gave Hunter the cash partly because he feared the recovering addict would relapse

House Oversight Committee chair James Comer (left) and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan have demanded to know why the CIA ruled Morris off-limits

Morris, 60, a Hollywood lawyer, was interviewed by the committees on January 18 and told them he began making payments to the Biden family after meeting Hunter in California at a political fundraiser in late 2019.

'I had a very tribal feeling about Hunter,' Morris told the committee.

'He's a guy. I have brothers he was in a lot of trouble.

'I basically found him like a guy getting the crap beat out of him in a -- by a gang of people. And, you know, where we come from, you don't let that happen. You get in and you start swinging.'

He admitted flying Hunter across the country on his private jet and paying $875,000 for his art.

The payments lasted for three years, and Morris visited the White House three times after Hunter's father took office in January 2021.

Morris said he partly gave Hunter the cash because he feared the recovering addict would relapse - which would hurt his president father.

'I fear that he will relapse every -- yes, and every day since. And I think that's the intention of the people in the world out to get him.

'Because they know getting him to relapse is the thing that will most upset his -- will do the most impact on his father,' Morris said.

But in August of 2021 CIA chiefs told DOJ officials that the well-heeled lawyer 'could not be a witness' for their investigation, the whistleblower claimed.

'It is unknown why or on what basis the CIA allegedly intervened to prevent investigators from interviewing Mr Morris,' Comer and Jordan wrote in their letter on Thursday.

'We therefore write to request relevant material from the CIA.'

The payments took place during a five-year multi-agency investigation into whether Hunter had evaded tax on millions of dollars paid to him by companies in Ukraine, Russia, and China.

IRS whistlebowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler told the committees last year that they were warned by DOJ chiefs against interviewing people close to the president.

'Anytime we potentially wanted to go down the road of asking questions related to the President, it was, 'That's going to take too much approvals. We can't ask those questions',' Ziegler told the committee.

'And, I mean, it created an environment that was very hard to deal with.'

Last year the DOJ offered Hunter a probation-only plea deal which was rejected by the president's son for not ruling out a future prosecution.

Special counsel David Weiss has since indicted Hunter on nine charges of evading $1.4 million in tax with a trial date set for June 20 in Los Angeles.

The house chairmen have demanded an explanation from CIA director William Burns by April 4

The president's son, seen during the middle of his drug addiction, faces up to 25 years if convicted of three charges related to lying about his drug use when purchasing a gun in 2018.

He also faces up to 25 years if convicted of three felony charges related to lying about his drug use when purchasing a gun in 2018.

Last month, Weiss published photos from Hunter's iPhone and hard drive that the prosecutor said were proof he was using cocaine when he bought a gun.

But Hunter's legal team says DOJ mistook sawdust for lines of cocaine during their investigation.

'Mistaking sawdust for cocaine sounds more like a storyline from one of the 1980s Police Academy comedies than what should be expected in a high-profile prosecution by the U.S. Department of Justice,' his lawyers said.

Hunter denies the drug charges and that trial looks set to start in Delaware on June 3.
Get the latest politics updates on the Daily Mail Australia

Get the latest politics updates on the Daily Mail Australia

Get the latest politics updates on the Daily Mail Australia

Chinese state media have seized upon Paul Keating's much-criticised meeting with the country's top foreign affairs official, praising the Labor hero as an 'insightful Australian'.

Mr Keating has become a prominent critic of Australia's approach to the United States and China and huddled with the economic superpower's foreign minister Wang Yi in Sydney during a diplomatic visit on Thursday.

Photos of the pair meeting at the Chinese consulate were published last night, with the Chinese government claiming Mr Keating said that 'China's development and revitalisation are unstoppable'.

'Keating said that China's huge economic volume and vast space for development do not pose a threat to other countries and are conducive to regional peace and stability,' a media release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China read.

'He expressed full confidence in the prospect of Australia-China relations.'

Chinese media have capitalised on Paul Keating's much-criticised meeting with the state's top foreign affairs official while he was on a diplomatic trip to Australia

In the footage, Mr Wang placed his hand comfortably on Mr Keating's back and led the former prime minister into the meeting space.

Mr Wang described Mr Keating as a 'world-renowned statesman' as the pair sat opposite one another in oversized arm chairs with cups of tea.

In a separate article published by Global Times - China's state-run newspaper - Mr Keating was described as an 'insightful Australian' for his vehement criticism of the AUKUS deal.

'Some insightful Australians have already realised that Australia is surrendering its sovereignty to the US,' the article reads.

'Former Australian prime minister Paul Keating recently criticised the AUKUS deal as the "worst international decision". Hopefully, such words can sound the alarm for countries that are interested in joining AUKUS, be it whichever pillar.'

Following the meeting, Mr Keating issued a statement praising the 'very pleasant and engaging event' and accepting that Mr Wangs meetings with government officials were productive.

'Mr Wang Yi emphasised China's ability to keep on growing and strongly, pointing out China is still only 55 per cent urbanised - another 20 per cent to go.

'In the main [it was] a big picture discussion about the geostrategic balances and influences in the world.

'He said the world will still benefit from China's ability to supply high quality, relatively low priced goods which will help underwrite higher living standards in the West.'

Mr Wang called Mr Keating a 'world renowned statesman' as they sat opposite one another in oversized arm chairs with cups of tea

Mr Keating has repeatedly criticised the Albanese government's approach to China, claiming Foreign Minister Wong had been co-opted into taking a 'mindless pro-American stance'.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who has been on the receiving end of much of Mr Keating's criticism, released a statement noting the former prime minister does not represent or speak for Australia.

'Mr Keating is entitled to his views. He does not speak for the government nor the country,' Senator Wong said in an earlier statement to The Australian.

And Opposition foreign affairs spokesperson Simon Birmingham raised questions about the optics of Mr Keating's meeting earlier in the week.

'Have a look at what Paul Keating's had to say about Penny Wong and the Albanese government. And he's been highly, highly critical of them,' Mr Birmingham noted.

On Friday, he doubled down on his position, describing Mr Keating's 'attitude towards the way in which we view regional security challenges' as 'misplaced, misguided and frankly, dangerous'.

'In terms of what Paul Keating has to say and how it impacts on Australia, it is critical that Australian governments dismiss much of his outlook and his approach, because it does put far too much of a gloss and ignore the real strategic challenges.

Penny Wong this week offered some cautionary advice to China 's top foreign affairs official in a move likely to further infuriate one-time Labor hero Paul Keating

She met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday, but the official also sought a meeting with Mr Keating on Thursday

'Frankly, it was quite pointed of the Chinese embassy to seek that meeting and to request that meeting and somewhat insulting towards Penny Wong and the Albanese Government, who Paul Keating has been such a critic of.'

At the opening of the Australia-China Foreign and Strategic Dialogue, Ms Wong doubled down on her vow to confront Chinese leaders on key matters.

She said she was 'looking forward to speaking frankly about Australians detained in China, human rights, maritime security and regional and international issues'.

Ms Wong addressed China's 'unsafe conduct' in the South China Sea and urged the nation to abide by international law.

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Her input on this topic in the past is what drew the ire of Mr Keating, who has established himself as a vocal supporter of China and critic of the AUKUS deal.

During the ASEAN summit, Ms Wong said: 'We face destabilising, provocative and coercive actions, including unsafe conduct at sea and in the air and militarisation of disputed features.

'We know that military power is expanding, but measures to constrain military conflict are not  and there are few concrete mechanisms for averting it.'

Just a day later, Mr Keating criticised her comments claiming 'it doesnt take much to encourage Penny Wong, sporting her deeply concerned frown, to rattle the China can.'

Those comments prompted a quick response from Mr Albanese, who considers Ms Wong one of his closest confidants.

'Penny Wong is someone who brings Australia enormous respect. She is someone who is diligent, she is someone who is engaging, she is someone who is across all her briefs,' he said.

'Paul's accountable for what he says, he knows that. But on Penny Wong, I think quite clearly he is wrong.'

Mr Albanese attended Ms Wong's wedding to her long-time partner Sophie Allouache at the Bird in Hand Winery in the Adelaide Hills on Saturday.
Sir Keir Starmer refused seven times to answer a question on whether he had taken drugs while he worked as a lawyer.

The Labour leader instead responded by saying 'I had a good time when I was a student' but would not explain what that meant when pushed.

Sir Keir was embroiled in the uncomfortable exchange as he was asked seven times by The Sun about the last time he took illegal substances.

But he refused to give a straight answer, only alluding to his university days. Sir Keir wouldn't budge from his stance, and said he 'wouldn't be going down that road' when asked if he ever did drugs when he was a lawyer.

At one point during the awkward back-and-forth, Sir Keir pauses and leans forward as he hand clutches a glass of water.

Sir Keir Starmer refused seven times to answer a question on whether he had taken drugs while he worked as a lawyer

A young Keir Starmer appears on ITN in 1994 when he was a barrister where he made the case to reform Britain's legal system

He finally shuts down the conversation when he says: 'Look, I've explained I had a good time at university and that's the long and the short of it.'

In a 2021 ITV interview with Piers Morgan, Sir Keir was asked 14 times whether he had ever taken drugs, only to get the response: 'We worked hard and played hard.'

The grilling occurred during a three-hour sit-down for the hit Life Stories series amid claims the Labour leader was a 'party animal' at university.

Mr Morgan then pressed Sir Keir to give a 'yes' or 'no' response, saying: 'Given your clear reluctance to give me a straight, simple answer, am I right in assuming from your response that you have tried drugs but that you didn't actually like them and didn't want to take any more?'

Sir Keir said: 'I haven't said no.'

Red Knight, an unauthorised biography of Sir Keir by Lord Ashcroft, quoted an anonymous friend saying the Labour leader was 'not averse to smoking weed at social occasions when he was a younger man'.

It comes as Sir Keir last night defended taking money from a banned terrorist group after admitting to providing legal advice to Hizb ut-Tahrir in 2008, during his career as a prominent barrister, though said he had not represented them.

The Islamist group was proscribed earlier this year meaning it is illegal to join the organisation in the UK.

Sir Keir defended giving legal advice to the group when Germany was attempting to ban them.

A young Keir Starmer pictured during his university days. When asked if he had ever taken drugs the Labour leader said 'I had a good time when I was a student'

Sir Keir pictured in 2009 during his stint as the director of public prosecutions at the Crown Prosecution Service

Sir Keir was known for his human rights work before he took on the role as the CPS' director. He was knighted in 2014 by the then Prince Charles for his service to law and criminal justice

Keir Starmer with his parents, Rodney and Josephine, taken on his wedding day to wife Victoria Alexander in 2007

'Lawyers give legal advice, doctors treat patients, the fact a doctor treats a patient doesn't mean the doctor agrees with that patient's beliefs,' he said.

On the principle that everyone has a right to legal representation, he told The Sun: 'Of course I don't agree with these people but that doesn't adjust the principle.'

The Tories have taken aim at the Labour leader's past work for the now-banned group.

They previously tweeted a poster saying: 'Are you a terrorist in need of legal advice? Better call Keir.'

The issue has been the subject of fiery exchanges between Mr Sunak and the Labour leader during Prime Minister's Questions. Founded in 1953, Hizb ut-Tahrir is a pan-Islamic fundamentalist group which has been banned in several Arab and Asian countries, including China, as well as in Germany.

With headquarters in Lebanon, the group also operates in at least 32 countries.

It has organised rallies which took place on the streets of London alongside pro-Palestine marches in recent months, following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Sir Keir studied law at Leeds where he graduated with first class honours before going on to do a post-graduate at Oxford.

He was knighted by the then Prince Charles for his service to law and criminal justice in 2014.

His parents, Rodney and Josephine, attended the ceremony at Buckingham Palace alongside their beloved Great Dane dog - although by that stage his mother was gravely ill and in a wheelchair.

She died a year later.
Hillsong founder Brian Houston has failed in his bid to have his court costs covered after he was acquitted of allegations he covered up his late father's abuse.

The 69-year-old was found not guilty of one count of concealing the serious indictable offence of his late father, Frank Houston, following a trial last year.

The well-known former pastor denied he had covered up his father's sexual abuse of a young boy in Sydney in the 1970s by failing to tell police about the crime.

Mr Houston's legal team returned to court on Friday after applying to have his fees - which the court was told amounted to $1m - covered by the prosecution.

Magistrate Gareth Christofi dismissed the application, stating he was "not persuaded there were any exceptional circumstances relating to the conduct of the prosecutor".

Hillsong founder Brian Houston has failed in his bid to have his court costs covered after he was acquitted of allegations he covered up his late father's abuse

Mr Christofi told the court that he was not convinced the proceedings brought against Mr Houston were "initiated (by police) without reasonable cause".

The application by Mr Houston's legal team largely centred on whether police could, or should, have brought a number of witnesses and evidence to trial.

During a cost hearing last year, Mr Houston's lawyer Phillip Boulten SC argued the prosecution should never have run the case against his high-profile client.

He argued the prosecution had excluded the possibility that Mr Houston was following the victim's wishes when he failed to report his father's crimes to police.

Mr Houston's legal team successfully argued at trial last year that the preacher had a "reasonable excuse" not to report his father's abuse of victim Brett Sengstock.

Frank Houston, (pictured) father of Hillsong founder Brian Houston, sexually assaulted a young boy

The seven-year-old was sexually assaulted by Frank Houston at his family's Coogee home in Sydney's east while Houston was on a tour of Australia over 50 years ago.

The court was told Brian Houston was told by Mr Sengstock that he did not wish to make a statement to police and repeatedly relayed that to the church.

Speaking outside of court last year, Brian Houston said he wanted to "impress his sadness" to Mr Sengstock and all the victims of his late father.

"He (Frank Houston) was obviously a serial pedophile. A lot of people have been hurt ... but I am not my father. I did not commit this offence," he said.
North Korea's ruling party delegation has arrived in Beijing on a three-nation tour, state media reported Friday, in a move seen aimed at strengthening ties with countries sharing the socialist ideology.

The delegation, led by Kim Song-nam, director of the international department at the Workers' Party, was greeted by the assistant to the head of the International Liaison Department of the Chinese Communist Party at an airport Thursday, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, without providing details on the purpose of the trip.

It marked Kim's first known overseas trip since he was appointed to the post in 2012. Kim, who served as an interpreter for North Korea's late founder Kim Il-sung and former leader Kim Jong-il, is known as a China expert.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between North Korea and China. The North declared 2024 as the year of North Korea-China friendship, a designation first introduced in 2009 to mark the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relations.

Meanwhile, Wang Huning, a member of the standing committee of the political bureau of the Chinese Communist Party, met with Kim on Thursday, according to the website of the Chinese Embassy in North Korea.

Wang voiced China's willingness to promote bilateral ties with Pyongyang and proposed that the two nations work together to create a "peaceful and stable external environment," read a statement uploaded by the embassy. In response, Kim expressed hope that the two countries could promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields in the landmark year.

In a separate dispatch, the KCNA said the tour will take the North Korean delegation to Vietnam and Laos.

Kim's trip came as North Korea appears to be resuming diplomatic activity with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), following years of Pyongyang's COVID-19 border shutdowns.

Laos plans to host the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and other ASEAN-related meetings as this year's chair country. The annual ARF is the sole regional forum joined by North Korea.

ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam. (Yonhap)
Meta's Instagram is down for a second consecutive day, just over 24 hours after millions were locked out of accounts across the company's social platforms.

DownDetector, a site that monitors online disturbances, reported thousands of complaints with the app across the US.

What has sparked the problem is not yet known, but comes 16 days since the social media platforms were knocked offline due to an internal issue.

The problems began being reported just before 7pm ET, with users posting images of their accounts being inaccessible and 'logged out.'

Users of the platform are flocking to Elon Musk's X to share their frustrations, but also see if they are the only ones experiencing problems.

Meta's Facebook , Instagram and Messenger are down worldwide, leaving user unable to scroll, post or contact friends

#Instgramdown is trending on X, sparking a flood of what appears to be scammers claiming they can help people regain access to their social media accounts.

'It's time again... #instagramdown,' wrote one user posting a meme explaining how they were moving from Instagram to X.

'Yes I have experienced this #instagramdown been logged out of all my accounts,' added another.

Another begged Musk to solve the problem.

'What happened to Instagram? Why is it logging out users? @elonmusk, can you please buy Insta too. Zuck sucks.'

Another was worried that his job was at stake due to the outage.

'Not me thinking that instagram have finished my career, only to come to twitter and find out that Instagram is Down,' they wrote.

The outages have brought up memories of the one that hit on March 5, which seemed to spark chaos online worldwide.

Users of the platform are flocking to Elon Musk's X to share their frustrations, but also see if they are the only ones experiencing problems

While it lasted for no more than two hours, users were outraged by not being able to access the three social media platforms.

A source inside Facebook told DailyMail.com that the company's internal systems were also down, which may have led to the issues - it is unclear if similar problems sparked today's outage.

The majority of issue reports also cited problems with the apps  72 percent for Facebook, 64 percent for Instagram and Messenger is at 50 percent.

Meta's service dashboard, which lists its services, continued to show major disruptions for some features  but then switched to 'Unknown' for all or completely blank.

While reason for both outages have remained unclear, it comes three years after Facebook experienced a seven-hour blackout that cost the company an estimated $100million in lost revenue.

The global outage  which hit Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger  was caused when a faulty update that disconnected its servers from the internet, meaning engineers had to travel to its Santa Clara data center to fix the glitch in-person.

But the repair was delayed, according to one insider who was posting on Reddit, because of 'lower staffing in data centers due to pandemic measures'.

The glitch, which prompted calls for a break-up of big tech firms, also brought down messaging services that remote-working staff use to communicate.

So those who knew how to fix the servers couldn't get that information to the teams inside the data-center, the insider said.

Also disabled were key-fob entry systems at Facebook's main campus in Menlo, meaning those who had been WFH but rushed back to the office could not get inside while those already inside were unable to access conference rooms and other areas that required a pass.

DailyMail.com has reached out to a spokesperson for Instagram for comment.
She is being held at Kerobokan prison in Bali and is known as the jail's 'queen'

Sandiford could avoid the death penalty under new Indonesian legislation

Drug smuggler grandmother Lindsay Sandiford could be spared a firing squad if she survives another year in prison, having served 12 years already.

New Indonesian legislation could reduce Sandiford's sentence from the death penalty to a prison term.

The British 67-year-old grandmother has been in a cell at Kerobokan prison in Indonesia's capital Bali since 2012 for attempting to smuggle cocaine..

A source from the prison told the Mirror that inmates had been informed of the new law and that authorities were intending to follow it.

One Indonesian woman imprisoned for corruption said that Sandiford was seen as the jail's 'queen'.

Lindsay Sandiford could avoid the death penalty if she survives another year in prison under new Indonesian legislation

Pictured: Sandiford as a young woman. She was handed a death sentence in 2013 after she attempted to smuggle 1.6million worth of cocaine into Bali

The 67-year-old British grandmother is said to receive special treatment at Kerobokan prison in Bali as the jail's 'queen' and gives knitting classes to inmates

Examples of the drug mule's special treatment allegedly include being able to order medium-rare steak once a week.

But she added that the grandmother had led knitting classes for her fellow inmates.

Others said that Sandiford drives people away with her 'foul-mouthed' and 'antagonistic' persona.

Sandiford was caught flying into Bali with 10.16 lb of the Class A drug worth 1.6million.

Having had no previous convictions, she claimed she was forced by a UK-based drugs syndicate to smuggle cocaine from Thailand to Bali by threats to the life of one of her two sons in Britain.

Despite cooperating with authorities in a sting to arrest those higher up the syndicate, she was handed a death sentence, with human rights lawyers and former UK Director of Public Prosecutions Ken Macdonald saying she had been treated with 'quite extraordinary severity'.
Police will ramp up checks from March 26

Not all Bali tourists paying new tourist levy

Aussies heading to Bali are warned they could be stopped on the street by puppy-walking police for on-the-spot inspections to verify payment of a new 'tourist tax'.

The Indonesian holiday hotspot's new 'tourist tax' for foreign visitors came into effect last month as part of a crackdown on unruly tourists.

Officials have revealed less than half of foreign arrivals have paid the 150,000 rupiah (A$15) levy when they enter the island in the five weeks since the new law came in.

From next week, police will be out in force on the streets and at popular attractions to check visitors can show the tourism tax levy voucher they receive on payment.

Officers will be accompanied by Kintamani puppies who will act as conversation starters and help keep interactions with tourists lighthearted to defuse any rows.

Tourists caught not paying the levy will be ordered to do so on-the-spot, the Bali Sun reported.

Aussies visiting Bali will be required to prove to police that they've paid the new levy

Officers from the Tourism Satpol Police will ramp up on-the-spot checks from next week

There are currently no fines for failure to pay the levy.

Officers from the Tourism Satpol Police unit will ramp up checks from March 26.

'We will target tourist attractions in Bali including Uluwatu, Tanah Lot, Ulun Danu Beratan and also Tampaksiring,' Bali Tourism Department boss Tjok Bagus Pemayuntold reporters this week.

'Since the foreign tourist levy was implemented, an average of 5,000 foreign tourists paid per day.'

International tourists have to pay the levy every time they enter Bali upon arrival at Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport or Benoa Harbour port.

The levy is on top of an existing $50 e-visa that has been in place since 2022.

Holidaymakers are advised to pay the levy on lovebali.baliprov.go.id website or app before arrival to avoid lengthy queues at the airport.

Money generated from the levy will be used to help protect Bali's culture and customs, and environment to create sustainable tourism, say officials.

Police will conduct on-the-spot checks on foreign tourists (pictured)

The new levy is on top of new tough rules enforced on Bali visitors a year ago.

Foreign tourists must always wear a helmet on a motorbike, avoid drunk and indecent behaviour in public, not post offensive, vulgar pictures to social media, confine skimpy beachwear to appropriate venues and respect the local people and their culture.

Aussies are the most frequent international holidaymakers to the island, according to tourism officials, with more than 1.2million Aussies making the trip to Bali in 2023.

Aussies are urged to pay the level before they arrive at Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport
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This video is no longer available

Do you know more? Email olivia.day@dailymail.com

Two 'hardworking' Aussie tradesmen who ripped up a concrete driveway after a client refused to pay their bill have revealed that their hardline approach paid off.

Damian Hallett, 37, and business partner Jamie Sommerville, 39, from Clare Concreting, destroyed their hard work after a homeowner 'blatantly' told them he wouldn't pay the last $3,500 of his $13,500 bill.

In incredible footage captured outside the home, the tradies start digging up the driveway with a bulldozer, and Mr Hallett tells the shocked homeowner, 'I'm ripping the whole f****ing lot out.'

However, the men were eventually able to come to an agreement.

In a follow-up post to Instagram, Mr Hallett wrote: 'In relation to this, we have been paid in full on the day. Thanks to South Australian police involvement.'

Damian Hallett, 37 (left) and business partner Jamie Sommerville, 39 (right) from Clare Concreting decided to destroy their hard work after a homeowner 'blatantly' told the pair he was going to pay the last $3,500 of his $13,500 bill

In the footage, a policeman is seen taking in the chaotic scene on the driveway (pictured)

In footage of the disagreement, a policeman is seen taking in the chaotic scene on the driveway before asking the concreters to 'be reasonable'.

'I've got messages to say: a day ago, you said you'll pay,' Mr Hallett yells at his client.

The police officer then interjects. 'Now we can go over here and talk about it.

'You can go and talk to him,' Mr Hallet says. 'I'm done talking to him. Why do I need to talk to him?'

The argument continues before the officer catches on to the source of the dispute.

'Hang on, how much do you owe him?' he asks the homeowner.

'$3500,' Mr Hallet replies.

'Well then, you need to pay him $3500,' the officer says.

The tradies later applauded the policeman, saying he had been 'outstanding'.

The client is seen pleading with the concreters to stop bulldozing his new driveway

The tradies resorted to destroying their hard work after they claim the client 'blatantly' told them they weren't going to pay the last $3,500 of their $13,500 bill

'We don't condone this sort of stuff, we've never done it before,' Mr Somerville told news.com.au on Thursday.

'The main reason why it happened was he blatantly said to us he wasn't going to pay.'

It comes as the tradies revealed why they took the hardline approach, having been left $14,000 out-of-pocket for a job last year.

They had completed the job for a big company, which they claim refused to pay up.

'We're still recovering from that,' Mr Somerville explained. 'We're just hard-working Aussies. It's a hard trade, concreting.'

The tradies added that their most recent client had refused to pay the $3,500 because he claimed there was a 'discrepancy' with the invoices.
Scotland's biggest council is to consider not flying the Union Flag on seven royal occasions  including the King's birthday.

SNP-run Glasgow City Council will debate a change in policy that would mean the national flag of the United Kingdom would only be flown above the City Chambers on one day of the year, Remembrance Sunday.

Green councillors have proposed the changes, and want to add nine dates where other flags will be flown instead, including those of Cuba, Palestine and the transgender movement.

The Saltire would be flown on all other days, as is already the case under the current policy.

SNP-run Glasgow City Council will debate a change in policy that would mean the national flag of the United Kingdom would only be flown above the City Chambers (pictured in the background) on one day of the year

SNP-run Glasgow City Council will debate a change in policy that would mean the national flag of the United Kingdom would only be flown above the City Chambers on one day of the year, Remembrance Sunday

Thomas Kerr (pictured), leader of the city council's Conservative group, said 'This sums up the Greens' warped priorities'

The Palestine flag could be raised on the international day of solidarity with the Palestinian people, November 29

The proposals are set out in a motion set to be debated at next Thursday's meeting of the full council.

Members of the ruling SNP administration on the council, which is propped up by the ten Green councillors, will have to decide whether to support the controversial proposal, which could infuriate pro-UK voters.

Thomas Kerr, leader of the city council's Conservative group, said yesterday: 'This sums up the Greens' warped priorities and is yet another classic example of them indulging in petty, student politics.

'Glaswegians have regularly shown their affection for the Royal Family  not least when Her Majesty the Queen passed away  and will give this ignorant stunt short shrift.

'While their republican views are well known, it says it all when the Greens would prefer to waste time debating the council's flag policy rather than talking about the city's housing emergency, how businesses are on their knees or how 450 teaching posts could be lost from our schools.'

The transgender flag could be flown on trans remembrance day, November 20

The German flag could be flown on its reunification day, October 3

The Ukraine flag could be flown on its independence day, August 23

The Italian flag could be flown on Liberation Day, April 25

The French flag could be flown on Bastille Day, July 14

The Pakistan flag could be flown on its independence day, August 14

The Cuban flag could be flown on its independence day, October 10

The motion, in the name of Green councillor Dan Hutchison, claims the current flag protocol 'does not adequately reflect the progressive and internationally-minded city of the modern day'.

Under the proposals the Union Flag would no longer be flown for the birthdays of the Princess of Wales (January 9), the Countess of Wessex (January 20), the Earl of Wessex (March 10), the Prince of Wales (June 21), Queen Camilla (July 17), Princess Anne (August 15) or King Charles (November 14).

But the Red flag would be flown on May Day (May 1), the Italian flag on Liberation Day (April 25), the French flag on Bastille Day (July 14), the Pakistan flag on its independence day (August 14), the Ukraine flag on its independence day (August 23), the German flag on reunification day (October 3), the Cuban flag on its independence day (October 10), the transgender flag on trans remembrance day (November 20), and the Palestine flag for the international day of solidarity with the Palestinian people (November 29).
The UK will withhold weapons from Israel unless it agrees to allow aid into Gaza and complies with international law, Lord Cameron is saying.

The Foreign Secretary has reportedly told Israeli officials that he will halt arms sales if Hamas prisoners are not allowed visits from the Red Cross, in accordance with international law.

Israel claims it is exempt from the requirements on security grounds.

In a letter to Alicia Kearns MP, the chair of the foreign affairs select committee, Lord Cameron expressed his 'enormous frustration' that UK aid destined for Gaza had been held up at the border for nearly three weeks.

It comes after the former prime minister warned Israel to 'stop and think' before launching an offensive on Rafah and called for a 'sustainable, permanent ceasefire'.

Lord Cameron is thought to have told Israeli officials that the UK will ban arms sales unless Hamas prisoners are able to have visits from the Red Cross

A heated exchange took place between Shin Bet and Israel's national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (pictured)

Last night, Downing Street insisted that its position had not changed and that it sill believed Israel could comply with its obligations under international law, the Telegraph reported.

A spokesperson for No 10 said that Britain continued to have 'frank and candid' dialogue with Israel as part of a 'close working relationship'.

On the Israeli side, Ynews reported a fiery disagreement between Shin Bet and the Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel's National Security Minister over Britain's demands.

A senior official told the website that the Israel could do without weapons from Britain, saying that the British mandate ended in 1948.

Ben Gvir has insisted that Israel would not disclose information on prisoners until Hamas shared the location of Israeli hostages held in Gaza

Ben Gvir reiterated that Israel would not share information about prisoners for as long as Hamas refused to disclose where Israeli hostages were being held.

He added that the Hague Convention is subject to broad interpretation.

However the country's foreign ministry has reportedly argued in favour of divulging information on prisoners, citing growing international pressure and legal advice suggesting Britain's claims are legitimate.
Baby killer Keli Lane will remain behind bars because she has not revealed the location of her murdered daughter Tegan's body.

The NSW State Parole Authority (SPA) met on Friday and concluded it could not make an order for Lane's release due to the state's 'no body, no parole' laws.

Lane, 48, was jailed for a minimum 13 years and five months in 2010 after a jury found her guilty of murdering two-day old Tegan in September 1996.

She has always maintained she gave Tegan to the infant's father, a man named Andrew Norris or Morris, soon after giving birth at Sydney's Auburn Hospital.

Baby killer Keli Lane will remain behind bars because she has not revealed the location of her murdered daughter Tegan's body

Lane's prospects for release were determined solely by reference to the 'no body, no parole' provisions under Section 135A of the Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Act of 1999.

'The authority concluded that the report provided by the NSW Police made it clear that no co-operation had been forthcoming from the offender in relation to Tegan's whereabouts since her verdict and sentence,' the SPA found.

'The authority also noted that to the extent that the offender had provided information before her trial, at least some of that information had ultimately been relied upon by the Crown at the trial as evidence of the offender's lies.

'The authority has concluded that it must not make a parole order directing the release of of the offender.'

Extensive police investigations failed to locate Tegan or the man Lane named as her father, with whom the former champion water polo player said she had a brief relationship.

The body of the two-day-old baby has never been found.

The NSW Parole Authority heard submissions from Lane's legal representatives in a closed hearing on Friday.

Lane was put back behind bars after reportedly breaking the conditions of her day release last month. She is pictured while working in the community

Lane was sentenced to a maximum of 18 years in prison and is eligible for parole from May 12.

She has served time in some of the state's toughest prisons including Silverwater, Dillwynia and Clarence Correctional Centre.

Lane's bid for release was a test of 'no body, no parole' laws that came into effect in NSW in October 2022, more than a decade after her conviction.

Under the laws, introduced in response to the murder of Sydney mother Lynette Dawson, the parole board is required to consider a report from the police commissioner about the offender's co-operation in finding the location of a victim's body.

Police failed to locate Lane's daughter Tegan or the man she named as her father, with whom the former champion water polo player said she had a brief relationship

The authority cannot grant parole unless it is satisfied an offender has provided satisfactory help.

Lane was put back behind bars after reportedly breaking the conditions of her day release last month.

She was returned to Silverwater after being investigated over allegations of inappropriate behaviour at an external worksite.

Lane had been working in the community on day release in recent months but was caught using a mobile phone.

Her full sentence of 18 years will expire on December 12, 2028.
An eight-year-old boy has travelled 3,500 miles from Africa to Italy in search of a school after a jihadist group attacked his hometown.

Oumar decided he had to leave his tiny village near Tambaga in the west of Mali after the attack on his hometown four months ago.

He walked through the Sahara desert and spent time in prison before finally boarding a dinghy to try and cross the Mediterranean Sea to get to Europe.

After the gruelling journey he was able to phone his father, whose number he had remembered by heart, to tell him he was alright.

During the attack four months prior, he had fled on foot from the terrorists but became separated from his family.

Oumar left his tiny village near Tambaga in the west of Mali four months ago. He then travelled on foot through the Sahara before sailing across to Italy

He walked through Africa and spent time in prison after twice getting on a dinghy in an attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea to get to Europe (stock photo)

After the gruelling journey he was able to phone his father, whose number he had remembered by heart, to tell him he was alright (stock photo of migrants arriving in Greece)

Instead of going back to his village, Oumar kept walking, right through the Sahara desert.

On his journey he joined different groups of weary travellers along the way and eventually ended up in Libya.

But once there he was captured by a Libyan gang that forced him to work as a welder and a painter.

He eventually broke free from his captors, and attempted to sail across the Mediterranean Sea to Europe.

But his dinghy was captured by the Libyan coast guard and he was thrown into the notoriously brutal Ain Zara jail in Tripoli.

Oumar then got smuggled out of the prison in a garbage bin by two adults, and eventually made it back to the coast at Zawiya, just outside of Tripoli, to board a second dinghy.

There he joined another dinghy along with a bigger boy  also named Oumar  who recognised him from prison and acted like a big brother for the rest of his trip.

The pair joined 23 other children and 60-plus adults on a desperately dangerous sea voyage to Europe.

After days adrift in the Mediterranean Sea, the two Oumars thought they would be taken back to Libya when they spotted a coast guard boat.

Oumar's first dinghy was captured by the Libyan coast guard and he was thrown into the notoriously brutal Ain Zara jail in Tripoli (stock photo of migrants 12 nautical miles north of Libya)

But it was the NGO lifeboat Ocean Viking and the boys and the rest of the boat's crew were finally safely rescued.

The boat had just responded to another drifting migrant vessel from Libya which seen some 60 to 100 people die.

Angela Nocioni, an Italian journalist who was on board the lifeboat at the time, told The Telegraph : 'He is an incredible child. When he told me his story, I did everything I could to confirm all the details.

'Every survivor on the dinghy told me, 'It's true, he is all alone.'

When Oumar was picked up by the lifeboat he didn't want to leave Angela's side and was found to be suffering from dehydration, hunger and hypothermia.

The older Oumar confirmed that the younger Oumar had been all alone since Ain Zara prison.

When the Ocean Viking finally docked in the seaport of Ancona on the northeastern Italian coast of the Adriatic sea, the two Oumars held hands as they walked off the boat.

Tripoli is a dangerous city which has seen regular battles between rival militias (stock photo)

The pair then hugged and parted ways. When the younger Oumar arrived at the local leisure centre for processing, a mediator from Mali was waiting.

Ancona migrant centre director Alessandro Fucili told the paper that Oumar said both his parents were still in Mali.

Oumar said he could remember his father's phone number by heart and Mr Fucili then gave him his phone to call.

His father answered, and Oumar told him he was in Europe before asking 'can I go to school, Papa?'

Doctors checked over Oumar and it became clear his body had been through a lot, with scars and a broken bone in his heel that needed a cast.

Mr Fucili called him a 'very intelligent' and said he was 'very brave'.

He said the centre was trying to find a place for him in a local school, alongside other migrant children.
One of the men who was part of the famous Great Escape believed that the prisoners were betrayed by two English Nazi collaborators, documents reveal.

Flight Lieutenant Desmond Plunkett was one of the 76 airmen who attempted to flee the Stalag Luft III Prisoner of War camp in March 1944. All but three were recaptured and 50 brutally executed.

Although the men ingeniously dug three tunnels - named Tom, Dick and Harry - to get out of the camp successfully, they made crucial mistakes that quickly led to their re-arrest.

Their tragic story was told in 1963 classic film the Great Escape, which stars Steve McQueen.

Plunkett forged maps for the escapers and was fortunate to have his life spared after being caught.

Now, experts re-examining wartime documents at the National Archives have unearthed Plunkett's claim that the murdered men were in fact betrayed.

Writing in a questionnaire in May 1945 after he was liberated from another PoW camp, Plunkett wrote: 'There are two individuals  whose activities have a direct bearing on the fate of the 50 executed prisoners of war.

'These two persons must be traced, as both are undoubtedly indigenous Englishmen, and must be tried for their collaborating activities with the enemy.'

Map maker Desmond Plunkett (pictured), who lived to the age of 86, was the unlucky 13th of the Allied airmen to flee Stalag Luft III in what became known as 'The Great Escape'

Charles Bronson, James Coburn and men listening to Richard Attenborough in a scene from the film 'The Great Escape', 1963

Richard Attenborough (left) and Steve McQueen (right) reenact the men's escape from Stalag Luft III in the Great Escape (1963)

James Garner (Hendley), Gordon Jackson (MacDonald), Donald Pleasence (Blythe) and Richard Attenborough (Bartlett) in The Great Escape

The document was found while PoW questionnaires were being digitised.

WIll Butler, head of the National Archives' military records and the curator behind the current exhibition on great wartime escapes, said there has never previously been a claim of betrayal relating to the event.

He told The Guardian: I've read a lot of the material that was produced postwar around the executions of the 50 officers, and Ive never come across any suggestion that there was some kind of collaboration.'

Mr Butler added it was 'absolutely possible' that the men were betrayed.

But historian Guy Walters, author of The Real Great Escape, is skeptical about Plunkett's claim.

He told MailOnline: 'The story is a bit of an empty one really. I think Desmond Plunkett was incredibly confused and wrong about what happened.

'The Great Escape wasn't betrayed by anybody. There were collaborators in the camps, but no, the Great Escape, they managed to get out.

'And when they were captured they got captured because they made mistakes.

'And no, there weren't traitors responsible for getting them murdered, that was a decision by Adolf Hitler.

'I don't really think it's a story to be honest. I think Desmond Plunkett was mistaken.

'He had spent ten months in Gestapo confinement, he had lost his mind somewhat, he had had a breakdown, so ultimately I think he was very mistaken.'

The escapers' mistakes included the presence of errors in their false identity papers, and having clothing that was not suitable for wintry weather. Many were also exhausted.

Second World War historian James Holland echoed Mr Walters' view.

He told The Times: 'Everyone was super-alert and aware of strangers. And in a town where there were lots of people, you stood out like a sore thumb.'

Mr Holland added: 'There's a lot of bitterness if youre a prisoner of war for that length of time, and bitterness and guilt about the fact that 50 of them got executed.

Steve McQueen in The Great Escape

Richard Attenborough and Charles Bronson filmed as two British PoWs in the Great Escape

'Those feelings of resentment are entirely understandable, but it doesnt mean to say that just because someone has accused someone else of betraying them that its correct.'

Plunkett pointedly did not repeat his betrayal claim in his book, The Man Who Would Not Die, which was published in 2000.

The discovery of Plunkett's statement comes as the 80th anniversary of the Great Escape, on the night of March 24, 1944, draws near.

Plunkett was arrested by the Gestapo near the Austrian border. He was taken to Stalag Luft I and freed at the end of the war.

As was the norm for freed prisoners of war, he was given a questionnaire to recount his experiences.

Plunkett feared that the information he gave during his interrogation by the Gestapo could have led to the deaths of the 50 captured men.

However, his comrades assured him the escape had been foiled long before he was caught at the Austrian border.
Young Australians are putting off having children because housing is too unaffordable, leaving families with nowhere to grow.

A 28-year-old old Brisbane nurse with a boyfriend, who is renting in a share house, told Daily Mail Australia soaring house prices had put her off having children for now.

'It's definitely in my mind that right now I couldn't afford to have children,' she said.

'At this stage, I've just finished uni and trying to build my career so it would be too expensive.'

A TikTok influencer, calling herself Alice The Hippy, has listed the cost of living crisis among her 10 reasons why she doesn't want to have children.

'Number one: they're expensive and I've always said if I ever was to have children, I would want to be financially free,' she said.

'And that is because I want to be able to stay home with my child.

'I'd also want to be able to provide my child with absolutely everything they needed and they wanted and I would also not want to be stressed financially because being financially stressed is just not great.'

Alice noted children were 'expensive as s*** and you're even more stressed'.

The Australian Institute of Family Studies estimates a child costs $170 a week to raise - adding up to $8,840 a year or $159,120 by the age of 18.

Australia's population growth pace of 2.5 per cent in the year to September was the fastest since the early 1950s but the natural rate of increase, accounting for births and deaths, plunged by 3.9 per cent.

Immigration in the year to September made up 83 per cent of Australia's population growth with a record 548,800 migrants and only 111,000 net births.

Almost two-thirds, or 63 per cent, of migrants moved to New South Wales and Victoria, which received 186,433 and 161,758 foreigners, respectively.

As a result, Sydney's median house price surged by 11.7 per cent in the year to February to $1.396million.

A TikTok influencer, calling herself Alice The Hippy, has listed the cost of living crisis among her 10 reasons why she doesn't want to have children

Immigration in the year to September made up 83 per cent of Australia's population growth with a record 548,800 migrants and only 111,000 net births (pictured is a Sydney auction)

But Perth had the biggest increase of 18.6 per cent, taking the median price to $718,560.

Western Australia had Australia's fastest population growth of 3.3 per cent with 11,233 new residents from interstate and 67,629 overseas migrants.

Capital city house prices are beyond the reach of an average-income earner on $98,218 because even at their maximum borrowing capacity, this individual would only be able to buy a $639,000 house.

This individual would also be in mortgage stress, paying more than 30 per cent of their income on home loan repayments, which would lead to sharp spending cuts and leave less money remaining to pay for children.
By Michael Breen

Korean society needs to pay more attention to the plight of North Korean refugees, and warring political parties need to establish some dont touch policies to support them, and remain consistent even as administrations change, according to a leading activist in Seoul.

North Korea is one of the most intractable problems of our time and it doesnt get enough attention, said Hannah Song, the president and CEO of Liberty in North Korea, a non-profit organization that helps North Koreans escape and resettle.

The few who arrive here are a symptom of this problem. We need to institutionalize some dont-touch policies to support them, she said.

Song was addressing an audience of students, teachers and parents, Wednesday, at Dulwich College Seoul, the British international school that opened in the capital in 2010. Her talk followed a screening of the recently released 2023 defector documentary "Beyond Utopia."

She urged young people to be more involved in the issue.

The movie includes secret film footage from inside North Korea, including a scene of a public execution, which is why it is rated PG-13.

It tells the stories in real-time and in harrowing detail of two families. Lee So-yeon is a defector in South Korea working through brokers in China and North Korea to rescue her 17-year-old son, who she has not seen since her escape 10 years earlier. In a heartbreaking outcome, the plan fails. Go-betweens find out her son is caught in China, returned to North Korea, severely tortured and sent to the gulag. Her own mother inside North Korea conveys the message that she wants no more contact with her.

Five members of another family are found hiding in China by someone who calls Kim Seung-eun, a Protestant pastor in Cheonan whose wife is North Korean, to see if he can do anything.

Kim, who has arranged the escape of around 1,000 defectors and who was helping Lee, joins the family for a dramatic 12,000-kilometer journey from one safe house to another through China, Vietnam and Laos and across the Mekong River to freedom in Thailand.

In all, the defection involved 50 brokers, some of whom one night appeared to lead Kim and the family around in circles in the Lao jungle as a tactic to extract more money.

Directed by Madeleine Gavin, "Beyond Utopia" came to popular awareness after it won an award at the Sundance Film Festival.

The movie was expected to be nominated for this years Academy Awards but failed to make it following criticism by the Women Cross DMZ organization and others that it stereotyped North Koreans and failed to mention the 1950-53 Korean War and sufficiently blame the United States for their plight.

The events in the film took place shortly before the North Korean border was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and were filmed on smuggled mobile phones and handheld cameras.

There are around 34,000 North Koreans in South Korea. They have been coming since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. In early decades, they tended to be soldiers. It was the famine of the 1990s, when ordinary people, mostly women, crossed illegally into China in search of food and started to make their way south.

These refugees break the law at both ends. Not only do they enter China and other countries illegally. But they leave illegally. North Korea criminalizes even the expression of the desire to emigrate and forbids people from moving abroad except for official purposes. China sends refugees back, where they face brutal interrogations and prison, particularly if suspected of having met South Koreans or religious activists in China.

At one point around 3,000 were arriving here each year, but these numbers dropped dramatically after Kim Jong-un began a crackdown. With COVID-19, they dropped to around 60 over two years. Numbers began to pick up in 2023, when around 200 arrived, most of whom are believed to have already been outside of North Korea.

Once out, North Koreans tend to become extremely bitter at the regime that controls their country. I run out of words to describe how angry I am, one man said in the documentary.

Song said that successive governments here tend to change the level of support provided to defectors.

Typically, conservatives are comfortable with the implicit criticism of North Korea and more supportive of refugees while progressives seek to downplay their presence in the interest of improved government-to-government ties.

Song noted that young South Koreans are far less interested in North Korea than the older generation, to the point that they feel North Korea is a foreign country and dont care about reunification.

We need to change the narrative on North Korea away from Kim Jong-un and nuclear weapons to focus on the people, she said. We all have a role to play in that.

I would love to see more young people involved, she told the students.





Michael Breen is a British columnist residing in Korea.






































Outback Wrangler Matt Wright has been accused of trying to hide some of his multi-million dollar fortune from the widow suing over the death of her husband who was Wright's TV sidekick.

Father-of-two Chris 'Willow' Wilson died in a helicopter crash at King River in the Northern Territory during a crocodile egg collecting trip on February 28, 2022.

The devastating accident left pilot Sebastian Robinson a paraplegic and Wright is facing criminal charges in relation to the tragedy.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) found the helicopter likely ran out of fuel and Mr Wilson died in a fatal fall when the harness he was suspended from under the aircraft was released.

The ATSB report criticised the safety management system of helicopter company Helibrook, which is run by Wright, and the risk management done by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

Mr Wilson's widow Danielle is now suing Helibrook and CASA and a hearing in the Federal Court in Sydney on Friday was held to determine whether Wright should be personally added to the claim and his considerable assets frozen.

Ms Wilson's legal team argued Wright's interest in his Tiwi Island Retreat, a 'glamping' resort off the NT coast, had been transferred to a trust since the incident and more of his assets could be placed out of reach of any court order in Ms Wilson's favour.

Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright (pictured with his wife Kaia) ran Helibrook which operated the helicopter on which Chris Wilson was dangling from a harness collecting crocodile eggs

In a separate case, police allege Wright flew to the crash site with three others and interfered with evidence at the crash site (pictured) in an attempt to pervert the course of justice

Tiwi Island Retreat, located on Bathurst Island north-west of Darwin, bills itself as an 'unrivalled wilderness experience' where interstate and international guests have the choice to stay in beachside villas and luxury 'glamping' tents.

Along with a range of recreational facilities and tours there is a restaurant and bar serving up dishes 'accentuated by Asian spices and bush tucker' and featuring an open fire and smoker where guests are encouraged to help cook their own seafood.

Barrister for Helibrook and Mr Wright, Darryn Kelly, argued that his client's transfer of his stake in Tiwi Island Retreat was 'business as usual' and that in extensive searches of ASIC documents no other example of similar transfers were found.

He argued Ms Wilson's team had to establish there had been some deliberate and 'sinister' attempt by Mr Wright to hide assets, which it had not.

'Otherwise we would have this in every case, effectively ''I'm going to sue you, so you should now be required to display evidence of your assets and convince me that you won't do anything with them'',' Mr Kelly said.

Mr Wright transferred his interest in Tiwi Island Retreat (pictured) off the Darwin coast to a trust which the legal team of Mr Wilson's widow argued was an attempt to 'frustrate the court'

The resort is located on Bathurst Island in the Tiwi Islands group and bills itself as an 'unrivalled wilderness experience'

Justice Raper sided with Mr Wright's barrister and said there was no evidence to show Mr Wright was trying to move assets out of the court's reach

Justice Elizabeth Raper sided with Mr Kelly and refused the order to freeze Mr Wright's assets, saying the evidence was limited he had attempted to 'frustrate' any potential judgement.

'I am not persuaded that, by this course of ordinary dealings, there has been sufficient evidence placed before me to make this order,' she said.

She also noted that the transfer of interest in Tiwi Island Retreat was done well before Mr Wright knew of Ms Wilson's civil case, which she launched late last year.

The matter of whether Mr Wright should be personally added as a party to the claim was adjourned and will return to court on April 10.

Mr Kelly told the court his client did not have a legal duty of care for Mr Wilson, by virtue of being the helicopter's owner or any other reason.

'There was no relationship between the men to create a duty of care,' he said.

Mr Kelly compared the helicopter in question to ownership of a motor vehicle, which he said did not create a duty of care over its use.

Ms Wilson is seeking costs, damages, interest, interest on costs and 'such other order as the court sees fit' for the psychological harm caused by the alleged conduct.

Chris Wilson (pictured with widow Danielle) starred in the Outback Wrangler and Wild Croc Territory shows with Mr Wright

Late mate and co-star Chris 'Willow' Wilson (pictured) appeared in several Great Northern ads alongside Matt Wright before he was killed in a chopper crash in February 2022

'(She) suffered nervous shock and or psychiatric harm and loss of maintenance and support of Mr Wilson during the course of his lifetime,' her application to the court read.

The helicopter's pilot Sebastian Robinson was critically injured in the crash but survived.

An Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation found the chopper's engine stopped mid-flight due to a lack of fuel.

During the subsequent emergency landing, Mr Robinson released the helicopter's hooks and sling line before it crashed to the ground.

Wright and his aviation company Helibrook face a series of criminal and civil charges in the Northern Territory over the fatal crash.

His friend, revered NT pilot Michael Burbidge, was first on the scene of the crash before he was joined by Wright and former senior police officer Neil Mellon.

The three men were all later charged with perverting the course of justice and destroying evidence.

Burbidge later pleaded guilty to the destruction of Mr Wilson's mobile phone, while Wright will go to trial in the NT Supreme Court on one count of perverting the course of justice.

Another six charges, which include tampering with evidence and threatening Mr Robinson, are yet to be heard, however Wright denies any allegations of wrongdoing.
But rat fans dug it out again on Wednesday: Just let it be joyful', said one

Some locals claim the garbage they bring risks attracting the rat's relatives, and the hole was cemented over for a second time by someone on Tuesday night

Thousands of rat fans have flocked to see the quirky landmark with many leaving tributes to the long-departed rodent

The rat-shaped imprint in a Chicago paving slab went viral in January after comedian Winslow Dumaine posted a picture on his X account

The fur is flying in one Illinois street as cheesed-off neighbors go to war over the future of the famous Chicago Rat Hole.

The decades-old imprint of an unfortunate rodent preserved in the concrete of a Roscoe Village paving slab went viral in January after comedian Winslow Dumaine posted a picture on his X account.

Thousands of sightseers flocked to leave tributes at the curious outline, with one couple even getting married at the spot.

But the crowds have infuriated some on the residential street and the imprint was filled in with cement for a second time on Wednesday  only for rat fans to dig it out each time.

Its just sort of sad that someone would do this, neighbor Cindy Nelson told the Chicago Tribune, Just let it be joyful.

Little remained of the Chicago Rat Hole after a disgruntled neighbor filled it with cement overnight on Tuesday to the dismay of its fans

The rat shaped imprint went viral after local artist and comedian Winslow Dumaine (pictured) posted a photo of it to X, formerly known as Twitter, on January 6

The image, which shows a splayed out rat indent in the pavement, was accompanied by text that read: 'Had to make a pilgrimage to the Chicago Rat Hole'

The neighborhood woke to find that the unknown objector had struck overnight but by mid-afternoon rat fans had scooped out the infill with spoons and license plates.

Im glad they did, resident Emma Cheski, 25, said.

All the neighbors love it. Its always been a fun part of the street.

Online chatter about the rat hole dates back at least a decade with speculation about its origin parking fierce debates.

And some heratics have suggested the imprint might not actually be that of a rat at all.

'That definitely looks more like a squirrel than a rat to me,' one observer commented. 'And I say this as somebody who has been bitten by a squirrel.'

'Naw... it's a squirrel... I live in Roscoe village and we've done research... It's a squirrel...,' another agreed.

'You can tell by the footprints next to it.'

'I took a picture of that exact same imprint a couple months ago, and I'm sorry but it's no squirrel. It's a fat Chicago rat,' someone else declared.

Within days of Dumaine's tweet the hole in the concrete had become a shrine to the rat

Others who have made the pilgrimage to the famous rat hole have left offerings to the rodent imprint

Visitors have been leaving small trinkets, like this fake rodent, at the now-famous rat hole in Chicago

It's notoriety has made it one of the symbols of the city and one of the viral sensations of 2024

'Alternative theory - somewhere a construction worker, who has a strange sense of humor and cares little for the quality of his work, keeps a rubber rat with his masonry tools,' a fourth person joked.

Winslow guessed it was likely a 'perfect combination of factors' that resulted in the rodent imprint.

'The cement was obviously very wet for a rat to be able to land that deeply in it,' he told Book Club Chicago.

'It probably just landed and then was covered in cement and then crawled out. Because there are little scratch marks near the hole.'

People have brought cheese, coins, bottles of alcohol, and flowers to the site, with some even creating shrines to the rat and to the memory of their own beloved pets.

But some residents have been infuriated by the amount of garbage they have left in their wake warning that it could attract much more animated rodents.

Local politicians have suggested removing the slab to a nearby park or even auctioning it off for charity.

But the interest has been seized on by local businesses which has been running off a line of rat-related memorabilia.

And other cities have taken note of the excitement with some starting to think about their own overlooked attractions including DCs Stumpy the malformed cherry tree and the St Charles frog hole in Missouri.

My favorite thing is people going around, saying, Oh, I have an animal hole on my street. Its like, Oh, look at this frog print, said Gabrielle Plascak, 31, who lives next door.

But you cant outdo the rat. Its the OG.

The hole was first filled in with a plaster like substance within days of its notoriety

But rat fans soon managed to restore it to its former glory

Pest control company Orkin even named Chicago the nation's 'rattiest' city in 2023

Whoever has been filling the hole in has remained anonymous due, some say, to fear of ratribution.

But the rat fans on the street are not impressed with their efforts.

It was just a big splat of cement on top, said Plascak.

They didnt even fill in the tail. I was like, You couldnt at least smooth this out for us?
Tennessee cop-gone-wild Maegan Hall settled her lawsuit with the city of La Vergne for $500,000 after she was fired when an internal probe revealed her raunchy romps with six male officers that involved games of 'strip-Uno' and foot fetish photos.

The 28-year-old was fired in January 2023 after it was first discovered that she had sexual relationships with several cops in the suburban-Nashville department - some who have been terminated, others suspended.

The rookie cop hit back in a federal lawsuit, claiming she was groomed and abused by lecherous superiors, including Police Chief Burrel 'Chip' Davis and Sgt. Lewis Powell, a 15-year law enforcement veteran.

The half-million settlement includes court costs, attorneys fees and expenses paid out by the city's insurance.

The La Vergne board voted 3-1 at a special meeting in favor of settling the lawsuit.

Tennessee cop-gone-wild Maegan Hall settled her lawsuit with the city of La Vergne for $500,000 after she was fired when an internal probe revealed her raunchy romps with six male officers

The 28-year-old was fired in January 2023 after it was first discovered that she had sexual relationships with several cops in the department - some who have been terminated, others suspended

'The agreement was negotiated between the attorneys representing the city and Hall,' a statement from the board said.

'The City denies any admission of liability and no taxpayer funds will be spent to settle this lawsuit.'

La Vergne launched an internal inquiry late last year after a whistleblower came forward to report that a female cop, Maegan Hall, was having 'intimate relationships' with multiple male colleagues and even on police property.

In the course of the investigation, it emerged that Hall was having sex with multiple fellow officers - including officer Lewis Powell - and they had carried out sex acts while on duty.

When interviewed in the investigation, Hall said she had played games of 'strip Uno' exchanged foot fetish photos and played out wife swapping sessions with fellow officers.

During one interview about the affairs, Hall said: 'I got stupid, I got desperate, I guess, and guys are guys and they'll stick their d**k in anything.'

While discussing her affair with Powell, she said at one point they had carried out sex acts on police property, she said: 'I just gave him a blowjob in the substation.

'Me and my husband were kind of on the verge of a divorce and I just cracked and then it just kind of got out of hand.'

The 28-year-old was fired in January 2023 after it was first discovered that she had sexual relationships with several cops in the department - some who have been terminated, others suspended

'I got stupid, I got desperate, I guess, and guys are guys and they'll stick their di** in anything,' Hall can be heard saying in audio tapes released by DailyMail.com last year

Powell initially denied the relationship, but later admitted to it - claiming in the latest lawsuit that then-police chief Davis had told him to lie at first.

The probe led to both Hall and Powell - as well as Patrol Officer Juan Lugo, Detective Seneca Shields, Sgt. Ty McGowan and, eventually even the police chief Davis - who initially led the inquiry - all losing their jobs. McGowan was the source of the original whistleblower tip received by La Vergne Mayor Jason Cole's office.

Patrol Officer Patrick Magliocco, K-9 officer Larry Holladay and Patrol Officer Gavin Schoeberl, who traded naked pictures with Hall, were also suspended.

In the aftermath, Hall claimed that she had been 'sexually groomed' by her 'predator' superiors and had tried to 'kill herself.'

She filed her own lawsuit earlier this year, claiming that: 'Sgt. Powell positioned himself as a reliable source of companionship and advice regarding Ms. Hall's career and her marriage.

The lawsuit said: 'Sgt. Powell persisted in requests for sex despite Ms. Hall's resistance. Eventually, Ms. Hall gave in to Sgt. Powell's requests for sexual favors.'

But she said when she tried to stop that Powell threatened to kill himself. The lawsuit reads: 'Sgt. Powell was crying and told Ms. Hall he drank an entire bottle of Jack Daniel's whiskey.

'He threatened to kill himself, told Ms. Hall 'you did this to me,' and asserted that Ms. Hall was responsible for his imminent suicide.'

Hall claimed that she was groomed and abused by lecherous superiors, including Police Chief Burrel 'Chip' Davis

Officers Lewis Powell (left) and Detective Seneca Shields (right) were fired for engaging in sexual relationships with Hall while on duty. Powell confessed to the allegations after initially denying he was sexually involved with her, while Shields admitted to having oral sex with Hall in the department's gym while on duty

K-9 officer Larry Holladay (left) and patrol officer Patrick Magliocco (right) were both suspended for having sexual relationships with Hall

Hall also confirmed having sexual relations with Juan Lugo-Perez (left). He confessed to having sex with Hall and sending explicit images and was fired. Patrol Officer Gavin Schoeberl (right) swapped naked pictures with Hall but escaped suspension

Hall revealed she attempted to rope her husband into a foursome with Sgt. Ty McGowan and his wife but it quickly petered out. McGowan was the source of the original whistleblower tip

Hall said the 'exploitative sexual relationship' with Powell is what led to other sexual encounters involving other officers.

She also claimed in the suit that Police Chief Chip Davis was 'no better than his subordinates, inviting Hall on lunch dates, asking her to come into his office to dance for him and questioning whether she preferred 'dark, white or milk chocolate.''

It later emerged that Davis had shared explicit videos of Hall and made sexist comments on a secret burner phone he nicknamed 'Ole Boy.'

Davis feigned surprise as he oversaw the internal inquiry into the scandal.

But then court filings obtained by DailyMail.com revealed that Davis knew all about the events before the inquiry and had even pestered one of his sergeants to send him video of Hall masturbating.

In the latest lawsuit, Powell accuses Davis of instructing him to lie about his relationship with Hall during the investigation and 'deny that anything had even occurred at all'.

'Throughout the year 2022, Officer Hall slept around with a number of other police officers,' the lawsuit reads.

The suit also claims that Hall then had a mental breakdown and La Vergne Mayor, Jason Cole, found out she had been sleeping with multiple officers and decided to 'get to the bottom of the situation and uncover every juicy detail.'

Hall told officers she was in an open marriage and tried to recruit her husband Jedidiah for swinging sessions, but he was not on board

Despite his wife's infidelities, Hall's husband Jedidiah, a sheriff's deputy, has stuck by her. The couple have been sweethearts since their college days and got married in November 2018

Hall claims in a lawsuit that she has 'gained unwanted international notoriety as the ''girls gone wild'' female officer and has become the butt of countless internet jokes'

DailyMail.com contacted the City of La Vergne for comment.

Powell is suing the city after claiming he was fired - while his white colleagues were allowed to stay on the force - because of his race.

He is suing the city, the Mayor, Jason Cole, La Vergne HR Director Andrew Patton and former Police Chief Chip Davis for racial discrimination, claiming $3 million in damages as well as front and back pay.

The complaint alleges that the city 'terminated and defamed all the officers involved  except for those who were white and male  based at least partly on racial prejudice.'

The raft of firings and disciplinary measures triggered by Hall's antics meant that La Vergne  population 39,000 - lost around 12 percent of its police manpower overnight.

Petite Hall grew up in rural Tennessee dreaming of becoming an actress but eventually found her calling in law enforcement  a career that barely lasted two years.

Despite his wife's infidelities, she and Jedidiah are still living together at their home in Manchester, 60 miles south of Nashville, their first marital property, which they bought a year ago.

The couple have been sweethearts since their college days and got married in November 2018.

'I don't know how he's doing it, he's more of a man than I am, but he's trying to salvage his marriage,' Jedidiah's boss, Coffee County Sheriff Chad Partin, told DailyMail.com last month.
A US Air Force intelligence analyst allegedly shared a trove of classified documents on the chat platform Discord among followers of the anti-government 'Boogaloo' movement.

According to an FBI affidavit unsealed this week, analyst Jason Gray, 28, shared information that he 'likely obtained' through his access to the National Security Agency (NSA) while stationed at a base in Alaska.

The affidavit accompanied a search warrant from November 2022 that allowed investigators to go into his Discord account, which was linked to the Boogaloo movement that works to move the US towards a second civil war.

Gray's alleged treasonous activity came just months before the arrest of fellow Air Force officer Jack Teixeira, 21, who pleaded guilty this month to leaking classified documents on Discord and is set for a 16-year prison sentence.

Jason Gray, 28, is accused of sharing a trove of classified documents on Discord while stationed at an NSA facility at the Joint Base ElmendorfRichardson base (pictured) in Anchorage, Alaska

The Air Force analyst was said to be a proponent of the anti-government 'Boogaloo' movement. Pictured: A Boogaloo protestor demonstrates after Joe Biden was elected president in January 2021

The loosely organized Boogaloo movement is well known for causing violent uprisings intended to cause societal collapse, notably sparking up around the time of the January 6 riots.

Gray had been assigned to an NSA facility at the Joint Base ElmendorfRichardson base in Anchorage, Alaska, offering him access to classified documents.

He shared the information to more than half a dozen other Boogaloo adherents on Discord, some of whom officials have been unable to identify, according to the affidavit.

While executing the search warrant, investigators also found over 600 pictures and videos on his devices of the sexual abuse of children as young as one, reports the Daily Beast.

He is currently awaiting to begin a five-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to the distribution of child pornography.

That guilty plea came as part of an agreement with prosecutors not to charge Gray over the classified documents leaking, according to court filings.

His actions come as officials say they are becoming more and more aware of the Boogaloo movement's growth in recent years.

A member of the Boogaloo movement displays his clip of love rounds as he and others demonstrate outside the statehouse in Concord, New Hampshire, on 17 January, 2021

'Dozens of Americans have been arrested in the last few years trying to advance the Boogaloo ideology through violence,' Seamus Hughes, a senior researcher at the University of Nebraskas National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center, told The Daily Beast.

'Adherents long for a second civil war and to sow chaos in America. A military member should be nowhere near that ideology, let alone furthering it by running one of its social media accounts.'

Following the leak, a spokesman for Discord said in a statement to the Washington Post that the company 'cooperated with the law enforcement investigation once notified, including by producing data that was lawfully requested.'

'The sharing of classified documents poses a significant, complex challenge for Discord as it does for any online platform,' the statement continued.

'And currently, there is no structured process for the government to communicate their determinations to online platforms.'

Gray's alleged treasonous activity came just months before the arrest of fellow Air Force officer Jack Teixeira, 21, (pictured) who pleaded guilty this month to leaking classified documents on Discord and is set for a prison sentence up to 16 years

Gray's search warrant in November 2022 came months before the high-profile arrest of fellow-Air Force officer Jack Teixeira, then-21.

This month, he leaded guilty to leaking highly classified military documents about Russia's war in Ukraine and other national security secrets on Discord.

Teixeira admitted all six counts relating to willful retention and transmission of national defense information in the most consequential security leak in years - and accepted a 16-year jail term as part of a plea deal Monday.

In return, Boston prosecutors agreed not to charge him with further counts under the Espionage Act.

The leak led the Pentagon to tighten controls to safeguard classified information, and the Air Force disciplined 15 personnel as its inspector general found last year that multiple officials intentionally failed to take required action about Teixeira's suspicious behavior.
A man will appear in court after the truck he was driving rolled backwards and ploughed into two cars before narrowly avoiding a third.

The semi-trailer was captured rolling backwards at high speed on Ferntree Gully Road in Wheelers Hill, in Melbourne's southeast, at about 7.40am on February 28.

A driver shared the moment he was almost wiped out by the truck, sending two vehicles flying towards him before miraculously missing his car.

The man can be heard bracing himself as the truck appears directly in front of his vehicle before it suddenly changes course.

'F***,' he laughed as the truck flew past his window.

'Not sure what was up with the truck driver, but there was definitely a force field around my car!' he told Dashcam Owners Australia.

'Fortunately no one was seriously injured.'

The semi-trailer was seen reversing at high speed on Ferntree Gully Road in Wheelers Hill, in Melbourne's southeast, at about 7.40am on February 28 (pictured)

The man can be heard bracing himself as the truck appears directly in front of his vehicle before it suddenly changes course (pictured)



'Not sure what was up with the truck driver, but there was definitely a force field around my car!' he told Dashcam Owners Australia.

'Fortunately no one was seriously injured.'

Aussies were quick to share their thoughts on the wild footage.

'I'm never stopping downhill behind/or in front of a truck again at lights,' one said.

'I don't know if his life flashed before his eyes, but mine certainly did watching that,' a second commented.

'Enjoy your Powerball win tonight,' a third joked.

Victoria Police said a 57-year-old man would appear in court after a truck is believed to have rolled backwards and collided with several vehicles.

'The driver, a 57-year-old Vermont man, was uninjured and assisted at the scene,' police said in a statement.

'Others involved in the incident sustained minor injuries; however, no one required hospital treatment.

'The man is expected to be charged on summons for careless driving and exceeding the prescribed concentration of drugs.'

Anyone with footage of the crash has been urged to contact police.
Uber has been called out after one of its drivers allegedly double-charged an elderly couple on their way home from a night out.

Fay Kanellos pre-booked her parents a $48.50 UberX Reserve after having dinner with them in Melbourne at 6.30pm on Wednesday.

On their way home the driver allegedly charged Ms Kanellos' parents an extra $45 cash for the ride which they paid without hesitation.

Ms Kanellos revealed on TikTok that her parents aren't familiar with how rideshare apps work and because of this they were allegedly easily scammed by the driver.

Fay Kanellos (pictured) alleged that her parents were doubled charged by their Uber driver in Melbourne on Wednesday

'My parents don't understand Ubers, they're old school with taxis and how you pay them,' she said.

'I think it's time that we name and shame these kinds of Uber drivers because it's really ruining the industry and the fact that they try to rip off elderly parents is disgusting.

'Uber, do better.'

Fellow TikTokkers were shocked by Ms Kanellos' claim.

One man questioned if the extra $45 may have been a tip but Ms Kanellos clarified that the driver had specifically asked for the payment.

Ms Kanellos lodged a formal complaint with Uber

An Uber spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that it was not aware of the alleged incident and said that if it did happen then it was a clear violation of driver conduct.

'Fraudulent activity, such as driver-partners encouraging riders to pay cash in exchange for a trip, is a clear breach of Uber's Community Guidelines and this kind of behaviour can result in driver-partners permanently losing access to the app,' the spokesperson said.

'We encourage riders to report behaviour such as this through the app, so we can take action right away.'

Uber did however confirm Ms Kanellos was refunded $45 and 'action' was taken on the driver's account, although details around his future employment are unclear.
Family and friends have rallied around an orphaned teen whose parents drowned on their weekly fishing trip.

The bodies of Jun Ballo, 50 and his wife Leslie, 49, were pulled from Peel Estuary at Birchmont in Perth's south on March 14, a day after they set off net fishing but didn't return.

The couple had been married for 24 years buthad just renewed their vows a fortnight before tragedy struck.

Their parents had been visiting the couple in Perth, who had been planning to travel back to the Philippines with the family next week.

The couple are survived by their daughter Jancee, 13, who's being cared for by a close friend of her mum.

Jun (right) and his wife Leslie (left) recently renewed their vows after 24 years of marriage

READ MORE: Kerry's world was shattered when her little boy was murdered. Then tragedy struck again Kerry Bodney died after she was killed when a car she was travelling in collided with another vehicle a year ago Advertisement

The Ballos arrived in Perth from the Philippines nine years ago.

They were long-time members of the New Life Filipino-Australian Community Church, where they were known as a kind and generous family always willing to give and help others in need.

Their social media were filled with photos of the loving couple and their daughter.

The church has set up an online fundraiser for Jancee, who will grow up without her parents.

'When we found out about the tragedy, it shattered all of our hearts,' the page stated.

'The Ballo family were unselectively generous to all the people around them, so we would like to show support and financially help them, especially Jancee.'

'Due to the high amounting expenses resulting from the sad and tragic incident, we will still be needing the support of those wishing to send monetary help.'

Almost $6,500 has been raised within two days, which will go towards Jancee's living expenses and school fees.

Proceeds will also go towards transferring the couple's bodies back to the Philippines, where their funerals will be held.

A funeral service will be held in Perth on Saturday March 30.

Friends raised the alarm after the couple failed to show up for work last Thursday.

Jun and Leslie were survived by their young daughter Jancee (right)

Jun and Leslie were devoted members of the New Life Filipino-Australian Community Church

They went net fishing together every Wednesday and often would go from house to house afterward to share what they had caught.

Their abandoned car was found at Herron Point Boat Ramp and their bodies were later recovered about 50m offshore.

Locals told Nine News that Peel Estuary - a popular fishing and crabbing spot - can often be treacherous and had deep sections.

Friends have vowed to care for Jancee.

'How I wish this was a nightmare and how I wish one day they were going to show up,' Marisol Armada told Nine News.

'No matter what, we will be here for Jancee.

'I know how much they loved their daughter and we will do the same thing for her.

'They really were a golden couple ... We will cherish them forever in our hearts.'

The couple's bodies were pulled from the estuary a day after they went net fishing
EXCLUSIVE

A 63-year-old real estate agent and longtime Qantas engineer has been charged over an alleged hit-and-run crash that killed a young lawyer in Sydney.

Mitch East, 28, was found with critical head and chest injuries by a passersby in Fletcher Street in Tamarama, in the city's east, just after 4am on Sunday.

The lawyer, who was a former Harvard Law School student, is understood to have been dropped off by an Uber just moments before he was allegedly struck and left for dead.

The alleged driver, Zisi Kokotatsios - who was the managing director of First Impression Property Group - handed himself into Granville Police Station just after 11am on Friday.

The Bexley man was charged with four offences, including negligent driving occasioning death, driving while using a mobile phone, failing to stop and assist a person and dangerous driving.

About four hours after the alleged crash, Kokotatsios posted a photo on social media of himself and his partner at a shopping centre.

Mitch East (pictured with his girlfriend, Natasha Dunsbee-Brown), 28, was found with critical head and chest injuries by a passerby in Fletcher Street, in Tamarama, just after 4am on Sunday

Four hours after the alleged crash, Zisi Kokotatsios posted a selfie of himself with his partner at a shopping centre (pictured). The post linked to a Google photo drive

Police launched a search for the driver of a white Subaru Outback which was spotted on CCTV travelling on Fletcher Street around the time of the crash

The post linked to a Google photo drive, containing images going back several years.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Kokotatsios has worked in an array of industries - from hospitality to engineering.

He worked as a Qantas engineer between 1989 and 2014, but within that time he also appeared to run a his own businesses as a mortgage broker and sold monitoring systems for goods in transit.

After leaving Qantas, he became the owner of a coffee and tea distribution business, Gourmet Coffee King, before he moved into the travel industry in 2016 as an 'innovator' for Innovators Travel Network.

Kokotatsios then became a marketing director in 2017 for another company he appeared to own, before he became the senior director for a property company in 2021.

Following his arrest on Friday, his former colleague Marcel Kellerman told Daily Mail Australia their professional relationship ended a year ago - and he couldn't be happier.

I finished up working with him over a year ago, Mr Kellerman said.

'Not being in business with him is the best thing to have happened to me.'

Zisi Kokotatsios (pictured) was a real estate agent and longtime Qantas engineer

Mitch East's mother told New Zealand media that the loss of her only child was 'unbearable'

Earlier this week, Mr East's mother told media that the loss of her only child was 'unbearable'.

'He was my only child, my reason for living,' she told the New Zealand publication, Stuff.

'I died when he did. The pain is unbearable. So I just can't think straight to talk sorry.'

She described her son as a 'a good person with a good heart'.

Mr East's devastated family arrived in Sydney from his home country of New Zealand on Sunday to support his heartbroken girlfriend, Natasha Dunsbee-Brown.

His mother Ms Dunsbee-Brown were seen outside the couple's Fletcher Street unit on Monday as grieving friends stopped by to drop off flowers.

Mr East studied law in his home country, securing notable positions working as a senior advisor on the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Christchurch terrorist attack and as a solicitor at large national firm Meredith Connell.

Officers are pictured processing the crime scene in Tamarama on Sunday after the alleged hit-and-run

He moved to Australia around 2022 to work for his current employer, major firm Arnold Bloch Leibler, which has an office in Sydney's CBD.

An Arnold Bloch Leibler spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that all staff were notified about the tragedy via an email on Monday morning.

Following the alleged hit-and-run, police launched a search for the driver of a white Subaru Outback which was spotted in the area on CCTV about the same time as the crash.

At the time, NSW Police inspector Jason Hogan urged the driver to come forward.

'It is a cowardly act to drive away after colliding with another human,' he told 7News.

'They really need to attend their local police station before we knock on their door.'

Kokotatsios was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday morning.
Spending on health and disability benefits to rise to 90.9billion by 2028-29

The cost of sickness benefits is set to surge by more than a third by the end of the decade, forecasts show.

Health and disability handouts will rise from 65.7billion this year to 90.9billion by 2028-29, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) predicts.

It comes as an increasing number are signed-off work for mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride has raised concerns about the increase in such claims.

He told The Daily Telegraph that the 'normal anxieties of life' were being labelled as illnesses and the UK's approach to mental health was in danger of having 'gone too far'.

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Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said the UK's approach to mental health was in danger of having 'gone too far'

The true cost of providing for those on sick could increase by tens of billion of pounds by 2028-29 (stock image)

Mr Stride said: 'While I'm grateful for today's much more open approach to mental health, there is a danger that this has gone too far.

'There is a real risk now that we are labelling the normal ups and downs of human life as medical conditions which then actually serve to hold people back and, ultimately, drive up the benefit bill.'

The public spending watchdog also warned the amount spent on child health and disability benefits could double to 6.2billion by the end of the decade.

Meanwhile, the overall benefits bill, which also includes things such as the state pension and housing support, is forecast to rise to 360billion in five years' time or more than 11 per cent of total economic output.

A total of 9.25million people of working age are classed as economically inactive because they are not in work or looking for a job.

This includes more than 2.7million who say long-term sickness is keeping them out of the jobs market, up by 630,000 since the start of the pandemic.

Earlier on Thursday, Rishi Sunak's spokesperson declined to repeat the claims by the Work and Pensions Secretary but said the Prime Minister agreed with him on 'the challenges that we are facing with tackling long-term sickness-related inactivity in the workforce'.

They said: 'It is clear that long-term sickness-related inactivity and mental health-related inactivity have been rising since the pandemic.

'We've made some progress in bringing that inactivity down and we have reduced inactivity by 43,000 since the pandemic peak and our inactivity rate is now lower than the average in the G7, the EU and the OECD, but it is clear that there is more work to do and our 2.5 billion back to work plan seeks to tackle the barriers people are facing in returning to the labour market, including those with mental health conditions.'

The cost of sickness benefits is set to increase by the end of the decade (Pictured: A job centre)

They added that there were 'a range of factors' that had contributed to rising rates of mental health problems since the pandemic, and said it was 'welcome that as a society we are also more comfortable discussing mental health' but there was a need to 'tackle the underlying issues' causing increased mental health-related inactivity.

Dame Andrea Leadsom, a health minister, told LBC that Mr Stride was making 'a really important point' but 'I wouldn't frame it in exactly the same terms'.

She said: 'But what I do know is that it's absolutely the case that often getting a job, being in the workplace, having the kind of self-respect and confidence that bringing a pay packet gives you, can actually be incredibly good for mental health.

'And Mel is running a big, busy department that is really focused as part of the Government's programme on supporting people, whatever their physical or indeed mental health problems are, back into the workplace.'

A Government spokesman said: 'Our landmark welfare reforms will help an extra one million people break down the barriers to work, as this Government makes work pay - cutting taxes for the average worker by more than 900.

'The OBR estimates our recent Budget measures will see an extra 200,000 people into work, while our 2.5billion Back to Work plan will help thousands find jobs.
Louisiana Democrats are set to vote on potentially booting their party chair from office this weekend.

Katie Bernhardt sparked fury among her party after compounding statewide election losses last year after releasing a campaign video appearing to position herself for a run for governor.

She is now facing a challenge from state politics group Blue Reboot, which is organizing progressive candidates to run in State Central Committee elections.

The committee - who have 105 people attempting to run for seats in the coming vote - is now trying to oust the mother-of-four and select a new party chair.

Explaining the move against Bernhardt, Lynda Woolard, Blue Reboots co-founder, told LA Illuminator: 'We are in a deep hole that weve got to have a big coalition working to get out of.'

Louisiana Democrats are set to vote on booting state party chair Katie Bernhardt (pictured) from office this weekend

Woolard said that the left wing faction of Louisiana's Democratic Party are frustrated with an approach that isn't working in the traditionally Republican state.

In particular, she said that a lack of funding has handcuffed the party in recent years.

'People say "I never hear from the Democratic Party until theres a candidate that wants my vote,' Woolard said.

=Bernhardt sparked fury among her party after compounding statewide election losses last year with a campaign video appearing to position herself for a run for governor

'And its really hard to motivate voters when its two weeks before an election and they dont know who you are and havent heard from you before.'

The move against Bernhardt was fueled by their crushing losses in statewide elections in 2023.

Democratic Governor candidate Shawn Wilson was easily beaten by Republican Jeff Landry, and Democrats lost every singly statewide election.

The GOP also now commands a supermajority in the state legislature after Democrats lost significantly.

While serving as the state's DNC Chair, she sparked backlash last year with her own apparent run for the governor's mansion - with many in her party feeling her role was to promote other Democrats, not herself.

Bernhardt sparked backlash by teasing her own run for the governorship in a political ad last year, where she vowed to put Louisiana over 'national politics'

The committee is now trying to oust the mother and select a new party chair

Some in her party criticized Bernhardt. She is pictured with her children

Katie Bernhardt is pictured with her husband John Fonseca Jr

She fired a shotgun and fawned about how she would put Louisiana over national politics, before ending speculation about diving into the race soon after amid criticism.

'Im not running for governor or anything else right now,' Bernhardt said in a statement at the time. Were working to rebuild the Louisiana Democratic Party, which starts with fielding strong, capable candidates for statewide office.'

Among her critics was Democratic state Rep. Travis Johnson, the vice chairman of the party, who slammed her for 'self-promotion.'

'The Louisiana Democratic Party is at a standstill because the leader is not committed,' Johnson said at the time.

Bernhardt's critics are also reportedly looking to expand diversity in the state Democratic Party, with white Democrats in Louisiana becoming almost non-existent.

Although her potential ousting depends on this weekend's ballot, she is already facing challenges.

Former state Rep. Randal Gaines, who currently serves on the Democratic National Committee, has announced his challenge, and LA Illuminator said Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis is also considering a run.

Lewis added that bringing in new voters will be critical if Democrats are to stand any chance.

'One of the challenges weve seen is the largest share are not white moderates, but it is the non-voter,' Lewis said.

'There is a significant opportunity for the Democratic Party not to be consumed with what the makeup of the pie is now, but to grow the pie.'
President Yoon Suk Yeol warned Friday that North Korea will pay a "larger price" in the event it carries out a "reckless" provocation as tension ran high over the regime's continued weapons tests.

Yoon issued the warning as the nation marked West Sea Defense Day, which commemorates the 55 service members who died in action while defending the Northern Limit Line, the de facto maritime border between South and North Korea, between 2002 and 2010.

"Our military will maintain an ironclad readiness posture and firmly defend the Republic of Korea's freedom and the people's safety by responding immediately and overwhelmingly to any provocation," Yoon said during a memorial ceremony at the Navy's 2nd Fleet Command in Pyeongtaek, 60 kilometers south of Seoul.

"Should North Korea carry out a reckless provocation, it will pay a larger price for sure."

North Korea this week fired short-range ballistic missiles in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions and conducted a ground jet test of what it said was a solid-fuel engine for a new type of intermediate hypersonic missile.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula run high after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un issued a call in January to revise the country's constitution to define South Korea as a "primary foe and invariable principal enemy" and codify its commitment to "completely occupying" the South in the event of war.

"If North Korea thinks it can bring us to our knees with its provocations and threats, this would be a perfect misjudgment," Yoon said. "Our government and military will never take even a single step backward in the face of any provocation or threat by North Korea."

Yoon vowed to strengthen security cooperation with ally the United States, as well as trilaterally with the U.S. and Japan.

He also renewed his promise to support the nation's veterans and families of fallen service members until the end while making sure they receive the treatment they deserve.

West Sea Defense Day commemorates the 2002 inter-Korean naval skirmish off the border island of Yeonpyeong, the 2010 sinking of the corvette Cheonan blamed on a North Korean torpedo attack, and the North's shelling of Yeonpyeong in 2010.

Yoon called the incidents "brutal provocations that cannot be pardoned under any pretext." (Yonhap)
Maryland's Democrat Senate frontrunner Rep. David Trone uttered a racial slur during a House meeting, but claimed he was just trying to say 'bugaboo'.

Trone, 68, was talking about Democrat tax policies with Shalanda Young, who is director of the Office of Budget and Management, when he used the offensive term.

The congressman said to Young, who is a black woman: 'So this Republican ji***** that it's the tax rate thats stopping business investment, its just completely faulty by people who have never run a business.'

Trone didn't pause or seem to notice what he had said - but he was later forced to apologize, telling Fox News Digital it was a slip of the tongue.

Pleading his innocence, he said: 'Today while attempting to use the word bugaboo in a hearing, I used a phrase that is offensive.'

Rep. David Trone was talking about Democrat tax policies when he used the offensive term. The congressman said to Young, who is a black woman: 'So this Republican ji***** that it's the tax rate thats stopping business investment, its just completely faulty by people who have never run a business'

Trone, 68, was talking about Democrat tax policies with Shalanda Young (pictured) who is a director of the Office of Budget and Management when he used the offensive term

A bugaboo means an object of fear - while the word Trone used is a disparaging historic slur for black people.

Trone was speaking with Young as she testified for the committee about tax policy. He did not immediately correct himself following the slur - but was berated online afterwards for his words.

The Maryland politician is known for his strong stance on racial justice - and has frequently posted about the Black Lives Matter movement in the last four years.

In his apology, he added: 'That word has a long dark terrible history. It should never be used any time, anywhere, in any conversation.

'I recognize that as a White man, I have privilege. And as an elected official, I have a responsibility for the words I use  especially in the heat of the moment.

'Regardless of what I meant to say, I shouldnt have used that language.'

One person took to social media after seeing the clip of him at the hearing, and wrote: 'Rep. David Trone needs to explain why TF he used the word j****** in a budget hearing today.

'I watched his comments in context, and using that word was totally bizarre.

Trone is pictured with Baltimore's Mayor Brandon M. Scott (center)

Congressman Trone (left) is seen with Nancy Pelosi, the former speaker of the House

Trone, 68, stands with his wife June (right) and daughter Michelle

The Maryland politician is known for his strong stance on racial justice - and has frequently posted about the Black Lives Matter movement in the last four years

'No, it wasn't racial, but because that's not the kind of word that should even be in your head to slip out, I'm side eyeing him.

'Since his ads paint him as a racial justice warrior, he *should* know better!'

Another critic added: 'Words such as this only slip out if you've used them before. Perhaps even regularly.'

And a third added: 'Sorry, nothing excuses it, it doesn't matter what he meant. He said it. He's racist and evil forever more. Them's the rules.'

It's not the first time Trone has sparked controversy with his comments.

Last year, he allegedly threatened to 'end' a delivery man in a bout of anger at his wine and spirits store, according to a police report.

Trone is among the wealthiest members of Congress and has told associates he'd be willing to spend $50 million of his personal fortune to secure the Senate seat

He said: 'So this Republican j****boo that it's the tax rate thats stopping business investment, its just completely faulty by people who have never run a business'

Trone, D-Md., who has made his fortune as the co-founder and co-owner of the nation's private wine and spirits retailer Total Wine and More, was at one of his store's location in Tempe, Arizona in December 2021 when Crescent Crown Distributing merchandiser Cody Huard and his colleague Hunter Olsen were delivering product.

He allegedly threatened to 'f***ing end' and 'execute' Huard during a heated altercation that began with Trone getting upset merchandise was stacked on the floor.

Huard called the police because he 'felt threatened by the incident,' but Trone left prior to police arrival, according to a police report, first reported by The Spectator.

Trone is among the wealthiest members of Congress and has told associates he'd be willing to spend $50 million of his personal fortune to secure the Senate seat.

He's a top Democratic donor to other campaigns and has donated tens of millions to philanthropic efforts, including $15 million to the ACLU.

The booze business magnate spent $16 million in an unsuccessful attempt to win a House seat in the Washington, D.C. suburbs in 2016, losing to Rep. Jamie Raskin.

He then spent another $17 million to run for a neighboring House seat in 2018 and won.
No charges will be brought against three Oklahoma girls whose fight with non-binary teen Bex Benedict in a school bathroom put them in hospital just a day before their death.

The death of the 16-year led to a storm of protest among LGBT activists who accused Owasso Public Schools of ignoring the bullying Nex endured in a state where students can only use bathrooms reserved for their biological sex.

But a state medical examiner concluded last week that a Nex intentionally killed themselves with a drug overdose, and Tulsa DA Steve Kunzweiler announced on Thursday that no crime had been committed.

'I must be convinced  as is every prosecutor  that a judge or jury would be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime was committed,' Kunzweiler said.

'From all the evidence gathered, this fight was an instance of mutual combat.'

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

Tulsa DA Steve Kunzweiler announced on Thursday that no crime had been committed and no charges would be brought against the three girls that Nex fought against

The DA also revealed that police had found 'brief notes, written by Benedict, which appeared to be related to the suicide'.

'The precise contents of the suicide note are a personal matter which the family will have to address within the privacy of their own lives,' he added.

Police bodycam footage showed Nex describing the attack just two hours later as they were interviewed by officers in hospital on February 7.

'I got jumped at school,' Nex told the officer.

'They said something like "why do they laugh like that", and they were talking about us, in front of us,' Nex added. 'So I went up and poured water on them and all three of them came at me.'

Nex was released from hospital but readmitted the following day after they began losing consciousness.

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.

But Nex's relatives issued a statement following the partial release of the teen's autopsy saying the full report shows the child suffered clear signs of 'physical trauma'.

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

Messages Nex sent to a family member after the fight, shared by Fox23

Hundreds of people attended a candlelit vigil for Nex and their family in the nearby city of Tulsa

People chant during a vigil for the death of Nex Benedict outside Stonewall Inn in New York

Their death became a rallying point for trans and LGBT activists across the country - and several vigils were organized to remember the student

'The Benedicts feel compelled to provide a summary of those findings which have not yet been released by the Medical Examiner's office,' the family said through their attorney.

'Particularly those that contradict the allegations of the assault on Nex being significant.

'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.'

The case became a flashpoint in Oklahoma which has vigorously cracked down on LGBT rights and currently has more than 40 bills on the issue passing through the state legislature including 14 aimed at changing school policies.

The state's schools' superintendent Ryan Walters blamed 'radical leftists' for the backlash, insisting: 'There's not multiple genders. There's two. That's how God created us.'

'I really see there's a civil war going on, where the left is really fighting for the soul of our country,' he added.

'They are undermining the very principles that made this country great, our Judeo-Christian values and our traditions in this country.'

Oklahoma state senator Tom Woods sparked fury after referring to trans people as 'filth' as he was questioned about the teen's death.

Insisting his 'heart goes out' to the family he told a community meeting that 'I represent a constituency that doesn't want that filth in Oklahoma'.

State senator Tom Woods (left) sparked fury after referring to trans people as 'filth' as he was questioned about the death'. The state's schools' superintendent Ryan Walters (right) blamed 'radical leftists' for the backlash

A walkout for Nex Benedict at Owasso High School on Monday, February 26

'We are a religious state and we are going to fight it to keep that filth out of the state of Oklahoma because we are a Christian state - we are a moral state.'

Federal officials have opened an investigation into the school district and Kunzweiler conceded that a civil case against those involved could still go ahead.

'Whether or not individuals may choose to seek legal counsel for remedies in the civil realm of the court system is a decision best left to them,' he added.

'The scope of those inquiries are not as limited as the question of criminal/delinquent conduct which I was asked to address in this case.'
The family of missing college student Riley Strain says they have seen new footage of the 22-year-old breaking into a jog near a bridge in the opposite direction of the hotel where he was staying.

Strain, 22, was last seen on March 8 as he stumbled through the streets after being kicked out of Luke's 32 Bridge Food + Drink in Nashville.

The Delta Chi fraternity member was in Tennessee on a trip for their annual spring formal when he was kicked out of the bar just after 9:30 p.m.

Chris Whiteid, Riley's stepfather and Chris Dingman, a friend who has become the family's ersatz spokesman, said that Metro Nashville Police have shown them new footage of Strain's last moments on the James Robertson Parkway Bridge.

'We got to see him walking,' Whiteid said. 'We got to see him kind of at a fast pace walk, almost a jog. And it just shortened the last known window of sightings.'

The family of missing college student Riley Strain says they have seen new footage of the 22-year-old breaking into a jog onto a bridge in the opposite direction of the hotel where he was staying

Chris Whiteid (pictured right), Riley's stepfather and Chris Dingman (pictured left), a friend who has become the family's ersatz spokesman, said that Metro Nashville Police have shown them new footage of Strain's last moments on the James Robertson Parkway Bridge

Metro Nashville Police have shown them new footage of Strain's last moments on the James Robertson Parkway Bridge

Strain is initially seen from a surveillance camera atop the Woodland Street Bridge, where Riley stops at a lamppost for six to seven seconds to do something with his his phone at 9:57pm before heading north toward the Robertson Bridge.

The bridge, which heads toward Nissan Stadium, the home of the NFL's Tennessee Titans, is in the opposite direction from the hotel where Strain and his frat brothers were staying.

'We are we're still hopeful. We can't give up hope,' Whiteid told NewsNation's Elizabeth Vargas Reports.

Whiteid said that there's a business across the bridge that had a similar name to the Tempo Hotel Riley was staying at and he may have been confused.

He said the family saw the footage Sunday after the recovery of Riley's bank card that was discovered by a pair of TikTok sleuths and it times out after body cam footage showed Riley's last moments before vanishing.

'It was the last known video of Riley. Basically from where the body camera footage was with the officer to just right before the James Robertson Bridge,' Whiteid explained.

Police said in a statement Thursday that they still do not have any evidence of a 'criminal element' being involved in his disappearance and are not releasing the footage because it is of poor quality and doesn't add to the investigation.

However, the family remains critical of the police, as Dingman notes that a couple who saw Riley around the time he was seen on a police body cam video and says that their attempts to get in touch with the authorities have gone unanswered.

Strain is pictured here on March 8 - wearing a white T-shirt that a witness later claimed to have seen being worn by a homeless man several days after his disappearance

The family remains critical of the police, as Dingman notes that a couple who saw Riley around the time he was seen on a police body cam video and says that their attempts to get in touch with the authorities have gone unanswered

'The family reached out via a retired FBI agent. Last night, the families got together on a voice call, Facetime... the gentleman that was there was literally in tears with the family, they had a lot of guilt,' Dingman said.

He said the couple, who checked in and made sure Riley wasn't driving that night, have children of their own and felt terribly that they didn't keep a further eye on him.

'I said don't second guess anything you did, you're the only one that we know that was compassionate enough to ask Riley if he was okay or even talk to him,' Dingman added.

It comes as the search for Riley has moved to a dam 40 miles from where he was last seen.

The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) shared a video on Tuesday showing one of their helicopters flying over the Cheatham Dam.

In their post, they said: 'Our helicopters continue to fly over the Cumberland River in the ongoing search for Riley Strain.

'MNPD and Nashville Emergency Operations boats were on the water again today. The Cheatham Co. Sheriff's Office is also assisting down river.'

WTVF reported that officers had the dam shut down to inspect any debris that floated up to the surface, but did not find anything related to Strain.

Michelle Strain Whiteid, left, and her husband, Chris Whiteid, speak to the media during a press conference to update the public about the disappearance of Riley Strain

The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) shared a video on Tuesday showing one of their helicopters flying over the Cheatham Dam

David Flagg, director of operations for the United Cajun Navy, told the outlet: 'Somehow, Riley may have fallen into the river and was swept away by the current. The current was very, very swift on the day that he disappeared.'

Riley was seen on surveillance video stumbling away from the bar and a homeless person reported Strain was at an encampment the night he went missing.

His parents previously said cops butchered the investigation into his disappearance, as more clues seem to have come from the public than officers.

The parents' criticism of the cops comes after TikTokers found a crucial piece of evidence that investigators failed to discover over a week after Strain went missing.

Anna Clemdening and Brandy Baenen, had been rummaging through trash along the riverbank when they located Strain's bank card.

'My stomach dropped,' Clendening said, describing the moment she turned over the card to reveal Strain's name. 'My innate reaction was to be like, 'Let's keep looking.'

Officers have since defended their search efforts. 'When we start a missing person investigation, we're looking for a person. We're not looking for small pieces of evidence,' Sgt. Robert Nielsen said during a press conference.

'Can we miss somethings? Sure. But our primary goal is to find Mr. Strain and bring him home safely.

Officers have been scouring the Cumberland River and now a dam in the search for Strain

The parents' criticism of the cops comes after TikTokers found a crucial piece of evidence that investigators failed to discover over a week after Strain went missing

The pair found the card as they searched the Cumberland River's steep embankment and the James Robertson Parkway bridge

Police previous shared footage on X showing Strain walking along the sidewalk past an officer, who appeared to be inspecting a car with a smashed window.

Strain says, 'How are you?' to the officer, to which the cop responds, 'How you doing sir?'

'Good you?' Strain says. 'Good,' the officer said back. Metro Nashville PD said that it is evidence the student was away from Gay St, the last place he was seen alive.

Strain had told his friends that he would meet them back at their hotel, but was nowhere to be seen when the group returned from their night out.

His friends tried contacting him, but received no response and they reported Strain as missing as they failed to locate him via his Snapchat location.

Surveillance footage collected by police from Downtown Smoke & Vape Shop on Church Street showed Strain near the intersection of 2nd Avenue and Church Street.

The seemingly intoxicated student was wearing a two-toned black and brown shirt and blue jeans and took a tumble, then quickly got back up and continued down the street.

Another camera caught near the intersection of Gay Street and 1st Avenue North just before 10pm taking large strides with his head down as he stumbled through the streets.

Strain had told his friends that he would meet them back at their hotel , but was nowhere to be seen when the group returned from their night out

Strain's friends tried contacting him, but received no response and they reported Strain as missing as they failed to locate him via his Snapchat location

A bank card belonging to Strain was found on the embankment near Gay Street, which is a three-minute walk from the Downtown Smoke & Vape Shop on Church Street where he was last seen on video

The student had reportedly FaceTimed his mom earlier in the evening, and she said nothing seemed out of the ordinary, even though she knew he was bar hopping.

His mother Michelle Whiteid said he's 'a great kid' and normally 'very communicative'.

'We miss him and we want him back so bad,' she told WKRN. 'He's always texting me, calling me, FaceTiming me,' she added. 'He's always in touch with me. He's very communicative.'

His mom Michelle and stepfather Chris Whiteid have been in the city since the search began, with Chris telling reporters that the family had started preparing for the worst.

Whiteid said: 'Put yourself in our shoes. Everybody knows it. Everybody's thinking it. Those conversations are starting to happen. It's not what we want.

'And I understand that people want to know what we're feeling. Were feeling frustrated, we're feeling hurt, were feeling depressed. Nobody knows what happened to Riley.'
A young mum who killed her best friend in a horror car crash has walked free after she broke down in court over the devastating impact her actions had on the victim's loved ones.

Janelle Noonan-Long, 22, was killed when Jessica Glennie lost control of her car and crashed into a concrete pole on Plumpton Rd in Diggers Rest, about 40km north-west of Melbourne in September 2021.

Glennie was captured on CCTV drinking a shot of alcohol 45 minutes prior to the incident.

Blood samples revealed she had been behind wheel with cannabis in her system and driving on a suspended probationary licence.

Glennie, 24, appeared in the Victorian County Court on Friday and wiped away her tears as Judge Peter Lauristen handed down a two-and-half year community corrections order.

Janelle Noonan-Long (pictured) was killed when her best friend lost control of her car and crashed into a pole in September 2021

Young mum Jessica Glennie (pictured) broke down in court as she learned her fate on Friday

READ MORE: Crucial clues could pinpoint where Samantha Murphy's remains are The search for Samantha Murphy's remains continues, seven weeks after she vanished Advertisement

The judge also recounted the 'immense effect' Ms Noonan-Long's death had had on her partner Taylah Modrich and other loved ones.

In a victim impact statement, Ms Modrich said that because of the extent of Ms Noonan-Long's injuries sustained in the crash, an open-coffin viewing could not take place, which ultimately 'deprived her of a sense of closure'.

The court was told the 'pain, grief and stress' of losing her partner had taken a significant toll on Ms Modrich's wellbeing and caused her to lose all 'confidence in vehicle safety'.

Ms Modrich also told the court that she has been left with a deep-seated fear and paranoia of losing loved ones.

In another victim impact statement, Ms Noonan-Long's father, Adam Scott Long, said his daughter's death left him unable to work for three months and he suffered from 'bad anxiety'.

Mr Long said he struggled to go outside following the incident.

Glennie also sustained serious injuries in the crash, and needed a spinal fusion in three separate places. She is in significant pain for the 'foreseeable future' and lives with a brain injury.

Taylah Modrich (pictured left with partner Janelle) has been left with a deep-seated fear and paranoia of losing loved ones' following her partner's death

'Your injuries have left you significantly disabled and facing a lifetime of extensive pain,' Judge Lauristen told Glennie.

In June 2023, the young mother pleaded guilty to one charge of dangerous driving causing death.

Judge Lauristen said Glennie's decision to get behind the wheel was 'highly irresponsible' but noted her clear remorse for causing her best friend's death.

'I accept you are compoundly remorseful for what happened,' Judge Lauristen said.

'Your counsel has pointed out your injuries as a form of punishment and so they are.'

Under the community corrections order, Glennie will be disqualified from getting a licence for two-and-half years and will be required to undertake treatment for her drug and alcohol abuse and mental health.

Glennie was also disqualified from driving for an additional six months and fined $400 for the summary charge of driving with drugs in her system.

She hugged her loved ones as she left the court.
Two tradesmen who ripped up the concrete driveway of a client who refused to pay have revealed new details about why they took such drastic action.

Damian Hallett, 37, and business partner Jamie Sommerville, 39, from Clare Concreting, destroyed their hard work after a homeowner 'blatantly' told them he wouldn't pay the last $3,500 of his $13,500 bill.

In incredible footage captured outside the home, the tradies start digging up the driveway with a bulldozer, as Mr Hallett told the shocked homeowner: 'I'm ripping the whole f***ing lot out.'

It was previously reported the tradies took a hardline approach because they had been left $14,000 out-of-pocket after they completed a job for a big company last year who refused to pay up.

'We're still recovering from that. We're just hard-working Aussies. It's a hard trade, concreting,' Mr Somerville said.

But speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Friday, Mr Hallet said the amount they had been left out of pocket was actually much larger.

'It was $40,000 from that previous job that we didn't get paid.'

'I've got kids, Jamie's got kids we've got to take care of ... If you want someone to do work and you don't have the money, then don't agree to the bill.'

Damian Hallett, 37 (left) and business partner Jamie Sommerville, 39 (right) from Clare Concreting decided to destroy their hard work after a homeowner 'blatantly' told the pair he was going to pay the last $3,500 of his $13,500 bill

'We ripped up the driveway because he blatantly said he wasn't going to pay,' Mr Somerville explained.

'The night before we were going to pour we spoke to him and he said he was going to settle the bill before the concrete set so we said alright and we went ahead on the Saturday morning.

'It was a 43C day so you shouldn't really be pouring concrete of that hot a day but we got there early and got it done.

'He stuffed us around after we'd poured the final bit of concrete, he agreed to the contract for $13,500 for the work and he put $10,000 in our account and then he goes ''What do I owe you the other $3,500 for?'',' he said.

Mr Somerville said he told the client he could either pay the amount of the full bill or he would 'collect my materials' for the remaining amount.

When the client chose the second option the tradies took to their tools to dig up their handiwork.

'We just knew he was difficult from the get-go.'

In the footage, a policeman is seen taking in the chaotic scene on the driveway (pictured)

The 45-year-old homeowner has since said he was cooking lunch for his two daughters, aged nine and four, when he heard a rumbling noise and went outside to find his driveway getting torn up.

'I went inside because my kids are crying, grabbed my phone and called the cops. He wouldn't stop and the cops said ''It's a civil matter, we can't do anything.'',' the homeowner told news.com.au.

The homeowner, who moved to Australia 14 years ago, claimed the tradies had not finished some extra work including levelling of the ground, plumbing and building a retaining wall.

He said the video has caused a flood of comments towards him and his family and that locals have even driven by his house to look at the large crater the tradies left in his driveway.

'[People are] sending me racial comments, Indian this, Indian that, when they have no idea what the story's about. All they know is a five-second TikTok thing. I'm getting messages from friends and family all over Australia, people are worried.'

He added he was getting legal advice about the saga.

The tradies used an excavator to tear of part of the concrete driveway (pictured)

The men were eventually able to come to an agreement.

In a follow-up post to Instagram, Mr Hallett wrote: 'In relation to this, we have been paid in full on the day. Thanks to South Australian police involvement.'

In footage of the disagreement, a policeman is seen taking in the chaotic scene on the driveway before asking the concreters to 'be reasonable'.

'I've got messages to say: a day ago, you said you'll pay,' Mr Hallett yells at his client.

The police officer then interjects. 'Now we can go over here and talk about it.

'You can go and talk to him,' Mr Hallet says. 'I'm done talking to him. Why do I need to talk to him?'

The argument continues before the officer catches on to the source of the dispute.

'Hang on, how much do you owe him?' he asks the homeowner.

'$3500,' Mr Hallet replies.

'Well then, you need to pay him $3500,' the officer says.

The tradies later applauded the policeman, saying he had been 'outstanding'.

The client is seen pleading with the concreters to stop bulldozing his new driveway

The tradies resorted to destroying their hard work after they claim the client 'blatantly' told them they weren't going to pay the last $3,500 of their $13,500 bill

'We don't condone this sort of stuff, we've never done it before,' Mr Somerville told news.com.au on Thursday.

'The main reason why it happened was he blatantly said to us he wasn't going to pay,' he said.

The tradies added the client had refused to pay the $3,500 because he claimed there was a 'discrepancy' with the invoices.
A pizza restaurant that was left more than $600 out of pocket from a customer's prank order chose to donate the food to charity in a heartwarming act.

Aroma Pizza House, located in Golden Grove in Adelaide's northeast, received an enormous order for dozens of items including pizzas, chiko rolls and calamari on Thursday night.

But the customer who ordered the $600 feast then vanished, leaving the pizza shop with dozens of boxes of unclaimed food.

Staff at Aroma Pizza House, located in Adelaide, decided to donate dozens of boxes of unclaimed food to a local charity (pictured) after a customer played a cruel prank on the business

Instead of letting the food go to waste, the eatery decided to donate the food to a local charity, Puddle Jumpers, who help children and families at risk.

The owner of the restaurant, Benkil Sheh, said they looked up nearby charities and found that Puddle Jumpers was still open.

'We just tried to help someone in need instead of putting it in the bin,' he told The Advertiser.

The food was distributed by volunteers at the charity to children in need.

The owner of the restaurant Benkil Sheh (pictured left) said he didn't want the food that had been ordered to go to waste and began calling charities in a bid to donate the items

Puddle Jumpers were given dozens of boxes of pizzas (pictured) and several other items including chiko rolls

'Everyone here was so happy, the food was all consumed pretty quickly,' Melanie Tate, chief executive of Puddle Jumpers said.

The generous act didn't go unnoticed with Puddle Jumpers sharing photos online of Mr Sheh and his staff delivering the food.

Dozens of social media users commented on the post praising the kind gesture.

'What wonderful generosity you have, I will be sending your name around, so all the people in your community can head there to support you,' one said.

'I hope your act of kindness is well rewarded, with an abundance of new and loyal customers,' another user wrote.

Others slammed the customer who pulled the prank.

Social media users slammed the customer who carried out the heartless prank and praised the restaurant for donating the food (pictured)

'This makes me so mad!' one user wrote.

'Some people just don't get what it's like to run a business,' another user wrote.

Puddle Jumpers called on locals to support the business by placing orders with the restaurant.

'As families and individuals indulged in the delicious pizzas, let's extend our gratitude and support to this incredibly generous business,' they said.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Mr Sheh for comment.
Tragic Love Island star Sophie Gradon's bereaved father has been spared jail for smashing into a telegraph pole while drink driving - after a judge heard about his daughter's suicide.

Sophie, 32, one of the stars of Love Island 2016, killed herself after mixing alcohol and cocaine at the family home two years after her moment in the limelight - in a case that sparked national discussion about the show.

Now MailOnline has learned that her father Colin was let off prison this month after a judge took pity on him after hearing how both her and his wife Deborah had struggled to cope with Sophie's loss.

Colin Gradon, the owner of a groundworks company with eight staff, was told that instead of custody he would be fined 1,000 and banned from driving when he appeared at Newcastle magistrates court for smashing his Land Rover Discovery while drunk.

The smash happened on a winding country road on November 5, 2022, and the impact with a telegraph pole saw electricity supplies to surrounding homes cut off.

Sophie Gradon - killed herself after mixing alcohol and cocaine at the family home two years ago - pictured with her father and mother

Colin Gradon - pictured with his wife and daughter - has been spared jail for smashing into a telegraph pole while drink driving

Colin Graydon - father of Love Island star Sophie Graydon - pictured outside Newcastle magistrates court where he appeared for smashing his Land Rover Discovery while drunk

Gradon was arrested three hours later after leaving the scene and police officers smelt drink and breathalysed him, discovering he was over the legal drink drive limit.

Mr Gradon denied the offence but was convicted after a three day trial - however he has already launched an appeal as although he admits leaving the accident scene he still maintains he wasn't drunk when he crashed.

At his home in Medburn, Northumberland, today he told MailOnline of the continuing trauma of losing his daughter and how the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder it left him with had influenced his behaviour that night.

Mr Gradon, of Medburn, Northumberland, said: 'You never get over losing your child and Deborah and I are still living every day with that reality.

'Losing Sophie was devastating and things are still not good for either of us. I am on medication and I'm suffering from PTSD as a result of what happened.

'Unfortunately that was a factor in what happened on Guy Fawkes night when I had the accident.'

He said he had been at home and had not been drinking when he received word there had been a potential break-in at his business premises nearby.

Mr Gradon said: 'I got in the car and was driving out there when I swerved off the road to avoid hitting a deer and struck the telegraph pole.

'At that point the PTSD kicked in and I walked away, I walked back home across the fields, I was frozen and soaking wet.

Sophie, 32, was one of the contestants on Love Island in 2016

Sophie is pictured in a promo shot for Love Island in 2016

'When I got in I stripped off and got warm and had a whisky to stop myself shaking and hyperventilating. I then had another whisky and went to bed.

'Three hours later I could hear people shouting at me to get up, to get out of bed. The police had arrived and gained entry to our house and were shouting by the bed.

'They said I had been drinking and I said I had after the accident. One of the police officers said he felt I had been drinking during the crash and I was taken in and breathalysed.

'That's what led to the court case and to me being convicted but we have strong evidence that we hope will prove I only drank after the accident and that will be heard at the appeal.'

He said losing his licence has taken away a part of his 'coping mechanism.'

Mr Gradon said: 'Working has been part of my coping mechanism, being busy means I don't have too much time to sit and think.

'I'm still not able to spend time going through old photographs and videos of Sophie, I have focused on my work and being unable to do that has been hard.

'As friends have told me, Sophie would not want her dad to be miserable, she would want me to be busy and active.'

Following the trial he was found guilty by District Judge, Paul Currer,.

Sophie Gradon pictured with her father Colin and mother Deborah

Sophie pictured with her mother Deborah. Mr and Mrs Gradon have previously spoken of their despair at losing Sophie and slammed the 'three ring circus' of Love Island

Judge Currer told him in sentencing remarks: 'You lost control, went to the near side [of the road] and demolished a telegraph pole, cutting the electricity supply to nearby premises. It was taken clean out of the ground. You then left the scene and didn't report it.

'You walked away across fields and back home but were arrested when police made inquiries. You have maintained your innocence throughout and challenged every single part of the prosecution's case.'

Judge Currer added: 'You have personal circumstances which are relevant and [you] saw a decline in your mental health through a tragic bereavement. There have been positive things many have said about you, you're a man who's worked hard all his life and who cares for your community and family.'

Ashley Barnes, defending, did not put anything further to the court after the judge told him he would impose a financial penalty.

He did say that some delays during the trial were down to the 'non-arrival of witnesses' and were not the fault of Mr Gradon.

Gradon was fined 1,000 and banned from driving for 16 months, which could be reduced to 12 months if he completes a driving awareness course. He must also pay 1,860 court costs and a 400 victim surcharge.

Mr and Mrs Gradon have previously spoken of their despair at losing Sophie and slammed the 'three ring circus' of Love Island.

After the death of Love Island host Caroline Flack, Deborah Gradon, told MailOnline: 'I'd got to the stage where I could go out and speak to people, then something like this happens and you just want to go to bed and not get up. The only emotion you feel is the hollowness, the emptiness.

'To lose your child is to suffer unspeakable loss. And too many parents have lost their children because of this three-ring circus.'

Sophie was the first person involved in the reality TV dating show to take her own life, after struggling with anxiety and depression.

Former Love Island host Caroline Flack took her own life on February 15 2020

Mike Thalassitis, who appeared on Love Island a year after Sophie, also killed himself in 2019

Mrs Gradon said at that time: 'We just exist. The one person you live for isn't here and you wonder why. Why? What's the purpose of life? We won't have any grandchildren. We've got no future. Everything we dreamt about is gone.'

In April 2019 an inquest in North Tyneside concluded Sophie took her own life by hanging after consuming alcohol and cocaine.

On 19 June, Gradon had exchanged messages with her friend Hannah McGuire, who later told police she had been 'happy and did not appear troubled'

Coroner Eric Armstrong said the former Miss Great Britain would not have acted as she did if she had not taken cocaine and alcohol, which had made her behave irrationally.

He said: 'The combination I am given to understand is used by those who believe it brings on a so-called high much quicker.

'What they may not appreciate is it is also now thought to give riseto violent thoughts, and those thoughts can be against the self.'

Three weeks after Sophie's death her then boyfriend Aaron Armstrong also killed himself.

Another Love Island contestant, Michael Thalassitis, known as Muggy Mike then also took his own life.

When the show's presenter Caroline Flack's subsequently also died by suicide four years ago, the programmer come under intense scrutiny but was allowed to continue.

For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
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This video is no longer available

Botswana's president has accused British MPs of 'colonial' interference over plans for a trophy hunting ban.

Mokgweetsi Masisi stressed his opposition to legislation that was discussed in the Commons today - branding it 'condescending and patronising'.

The leader told Sky News he would be 'disappointed and disturbed' if the Bill gets on to the statute book, barring safaris hunters from bringing home body parts of animals they kill.

Mr Masisi insisted hunting was preferable to culls to keep numbers under control and protect local people from 'marauding' wildlife, as it did not wipe out whole family groups.

Meanwhile, a minister from the Botswana government has told Gary Lineker to come to his country to see the destruction caused by elephants after he backed the ban.

The Bill cleared its second reading in the Commons today, but faces a race against time to clear all the necessary Parliamentary stages before the next general election.

Botswana president Mokgweetsi Masisi stressed his opposition to legislation being discussed in the Commons today - branding it 'condescending and patronising'

A stock photo of elephants, which Botswana ministers say must be kept under control

Environment and tourism minister Dumezweni Mthimkhulu branded the legislation 'counterproductive' arguing that trophy hunting was an important source of income for local people.

After hearing that the Match Of The Day presenter was in favour of the ban he said: 'I want to invite him to come to Botswana, so that he can really understand and see what is going on in the country with the elephants... with the trophy hunting.'

Politicians from African nations have reportedly threatened to send 10,000 wild elephants to Hyde Park so British people know what it is like to live with them.

The Tory general election in 2019 included a commitment to ban imports from trophy hunting of endangered animals.

However, an initial attempt was abandoned in May 2022.

Another attempt, through a backbench Bill brought by Conservative MP Henry Smith, ran out of time in the House of Lords.

On this occasion Labour MP John Spellar is sponsoring a Bill, although unless it is granted government time the legislation is unlikely to reach the statute books.

Mr Spellar told the House today there is an 'overwhelming majority' of MPs and members of the public in favour of prohibiting the import of bodies of animals killed for sport.

'This is a universal view across the country that they want this country to have no part in this vile trade,' he said.

But Conservative MP Sir Bill Wiggin said he wants to amend the Bill to 'take any risk of racism away' from it.

He said people should consider what African representatives have said about the proposals, telling the Commons: 'I don't believe anybody in this House intends to be racist but this Bill crosses the line.

'The Namibian environment minister Pohamba Shifeta has written to our Environment Secretary denouncing the Bill as a regressive step towards neo-colonialism, 'Your Bill implies that your judgments supersede our insights and expertise'.'

Mr Masis told the World With Yalda Hakim on Sky News that he found it 'unfathomable that you would be horrified by the protection of one's livelihood'.

He argued that rural people had allowed '40 per cent of the country to be set aside for conservation', and they were entitled to defend themselves and invite wealthy foreigners to hunt.

Mr Masis stressed that Botswana had 'never come close' to the quota allowed for killing elephants.

He decried the proposed UK legislation as 'the rejuvenation of what I perceive as not just condescending and patronising but really a resurgence of colonial conquest'.

'We are democratic sovereign republic. You have stags. Whenever did you hear us passing a Bill on the importation of stags?' he said.

'Only because we are poor, only because we don't have rich people who can go out there and bring them here.'

Separately, Mr Mthimkhulu said: 'Elephant numbers, like those of Scottish stags, have to be controlled.

'Hunters in the Highlands pay to shoot deer and put their antlers on their walls.

'So why is Britain trying to stop Africa doing the same? We don't want colonial interference from Britain.'

A delegation of 50 scientists, economists, politicians and farmers from Botswana met politicians in London this week to argue that a ban will have negative repercussions.

Mr Mthimkhulu added: 'Botswana is the most successful country in the world at looking after elephants, buffalo, and lions. We don't want colonial interference from Britain.'

He said elephant numbers in Botswana have almost 'tripled' from 50,000 in 1984 to 130,000 in 2024 - causing 'a lot of chaos', with the animals in 'constant conflict with humans'.

The minister said he could not understand why some people in other countries find the pursuit abhorrent.

He said his government is supportive of trophy hunting because it is 'controlled' and 'good for our people'.

'Trophy hunting which is culling, is part of the way of the conservation of these animals,' he said.
Russia punished Ukraine overnight with a fresh round of air attacks which saw some 90 missiles and 60 drones strike key energy infrastructure, including Europe's largest nuclear plant which has now been left in an 'extremely dangerous' position.

The brutal strikes took out a power line that links the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station to Ukraine's grid, leaving just one remaining connection to the country's energy system.

'If the last communication with the domestic power grid is severed, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant will suffer another blackout,' said Petro Kotin, the head of Energoatom, Ukraine's largest power supplier which runs the site.

'The situation is extremely dangerous and threatens an emergency,' he warned.

The overnight strikes caused a near-complete loss of power in the city, with at least 15 explosions reported.

They caused blackouts across out second city Kharkiv and damaged several facilities, officials reported.

It appeared to be the biggest strike of the war against Ukraine's energy network, with the internet down and domestic and industrial electricity supplies hit nationwide.

Dramatic footage shows the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant - Ukraine's largest - erupting in flames following a strike there which also hit a bus, causing several civilian casualties.

Putin's missiles and jets struck Ukraine in the biggest attack to date on its energy infrastructure

In this photo provided by Petro Andryuschenko, the adviser of the head of Mariupol city's administration, burning trolleybus is seen on the damp of hydroelectric power station after Russian attacks in Dnipro, Ukraine, Friday, March 22, 2024

Damage at the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant is pictured

The dam - part of the hydro facility which supplies electricity to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant - apparently remained intact but the turbine chamber and sluice equipment were damaged.

'The fire at the station continues,' said the Ukrhydroenergo power company. 'Emergency services and energy workers are working on the spot, overcoming the consequences of numerous airstrikes.'

Residents in second city Kharkiv suffered water and power outages overnight and the city's Transport Engineering Plant, a vital facility that produces and repairs tanks, was also hit in some of the strongest bombardments of the war so far.

Russian Telegram channel War Gonzo branded it 'judgement night and morning' - and the brutal strikes followed closely after Putin's victory in the Russian presidential election which he sees as a mandate for continuing his invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier this week he had vowed vengeance for what he saw as Ukrainian strikes on civilians in Russia's Belgorod region.

He said: 'We can respond in the same way. [We can hit] civilian infrastructure and all other objects of this kind that the enemy attacks.'

A rescued chicken is seen at a site of residential buildings destroyed by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine March 22, 2024

Self-defence unit volunteers stand by burned-out cars in a residential area of the city of Belgorod following fresh aerial attacks on March 22, 2024

The dam - part of the hydro facility - apparently remained intact but the turbine chamber and sluice equipment was damaged

Shocking footage shows the devastation at the Dnipro HPP

Ukraine's energy minister, Herman Halushchenko, said it was the largest attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure in the recent past

'The world sees the targets of Russian terrorists as clearly as possible: power plants and energy supply lines, a hydroelectric dam, ordinary residential buildings, even a trolleybus. Russia is fighting against the ordinary life of people,' President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday on the Telegram messaging app.

For the second day in succession, NATO war planes in Poland were scrambled due to 'the activity of Russian long-range aviation', monitoring the Russian aircraft's flight path to ensure they did not threaten alliance territory.

Thirteen Tu-95MS aircraft - part of Putin's nuclear armoury but using conventional missiles - struck at various targets across Ukraine.

With air defences overwhelmed by these planes and missiles, Russia also attacked with kamikaze drones.

Explosions were recorded in Kanatovo, near Kirovograd, a reserve air base of the Ukrainian Air Force, as well as Kremenchuk, Burshtyn, Khmelnitsky Odesa, Zhytomyr, and Vinnytsia.

A large local hydroelectric power station was completely out of order in Ladyzhyn, Vinnytsia region, according to mayor Serhiy Borzov.

Ukraine's energy minister, Herman Halushchenko, said it was the largest attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure in the recent past.

'The goal is not just to damage, but to try again, like last year, to cause a large-scale failure of the country's energy system,' he wrote on Facebook.

Local officials in Zaporizhzhia reported there were 12 missile strikes there which destroyed seven houses and damaged around 35.

Russian war correspondent Roman Alekhin said of strikes on power facilities: 'This is a warning for the future.'

About 15 blasts were heard in Kharkiv early this morning, mayor Ihor Terekhov said, adding that said some of the city's water pumps had stopped because of the attacks.

In central Ukraine, Kryvyi Rih mayor Oleksandr Vilkul said blasts were heard in the city, but provided no details.

Citizens across Ukraine were forced to shelter from the attacks with thousands piling into Kyiv's metro system.

The number of casualties has not yet been established.

It comes as a contingent of Ukrainian pilots completed a British flight training programme as part of efforts to bolster Ukraine's air force.

Kharkiv CHPP-5, one of Ukraine's energy plants, struck in 22 March 2024 Russian attack

Grainy footage showed the Dnipro power plant being hit

Picture shows people hiding inside Kyiv metro stations in the early hours of 22 March 2024

Multiple cities were targeted in a coordinated assault by kamikaze drones and missiles

Citizens across Ukraine were forced to shelter from the attacks with thousands piling into Kyiv's metro system.

Ukrainian fast jet pilots at the High-G training and test facility at RAF Cranwell

Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, the chief of the air staff, said 'Ukraine must prevail, your victory is our victory', as he paid tribute to the skills and motivation of the 10 young pilots at a ceremony on Thursday.

The 10 pilots received basic flying, ground school and language training in the UK and they will now move to advanced flying training provided by the French Air Force before learning to fly F-16 fighter jets, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.

Sir Richard told the pilots at a UK air base: 'From our own history in the United Kingdom, we understand perhaps more than most how powerful the few can be against the many,' referencing the heroic efforts of the RAF against the German Luftwaffe in World War II.

He told them: 'It's never been more important for us to stand shoulder to shoulder to counter the aggression of those who seek to undermine our freedoms, our liberty, our stability and the security of the international system, standing up against those who think that might-is-right and they can do as they wish.

'We cannot and will not allow that.'

Sir Richard added: 'Your conflict is our conflict. Ukraine must prevail, your victory is our victory.'

He said: 'It's been an honour for us to host you and train you here in the UK.

'The bond between us  our United Kingdom and Ukraine  is strong and I hope that it will go from strength to strength for as long as it takes.'

The MoD said the training is a key UK contribution to the Air Capability Coalition, co-led by the United States, Denmark and the Netherlands, which is helping build an air force of modern fighter jets to form the cornerstone of Ukraine's armed forces.
Israeli forces have detained hundreds of Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters including security officials and military commanders during its extended raid into Gaza's main hospital, the military's main spokesperson said.

Israeli troops entered the Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City in the early hours of Monday morning and have been combing through the sprawling complex, which the military says is connected to a tunnel network used as a base for Palestinian fighters.

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, Israel's main military spokesperson, said special forces units had used 'deception tactics' to surprise the fighters and had severely damaged Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Among the detainees were three senior Islamic Jihad military commanders and two Hamas officials responsible for operations in the occupied West Bank as well as other Hamas internal security officials.

'Those who did not surrender to our forces fought against our forces and were eliminated,' Hagari told a briefing late on Thursday.

There was no immediate comment from Hamas or Islamic Jihad, though Hamas spokespeople have in recent days said that the dead announced in previous Israeli statements were not fighters but patients and displaced people, accusing Israel of war crimes.

Al Shifa, the Gaza Strip's biggest hospital before the war, is now one of the only healthcare facilities that is even partially operational in the north of the territory, and is also housing hundreds of displaced civilians.

But those able to move were forced to flee when the IDF launched its raid on the compound earlier this week after declaring Hamas had returned to the compound.

The news comes hours before the United States, which until now has repeatedly blocked calls for a truce in Gaza, is set to submit a draft resolution to the UN Security Council today on the need for 'an immediate ceasefire' - while Russia pushes for even more explicit demands for peace.

An IDF armoured vehicle trundled through Gaza

Israeli troops entered the Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City in the early hours of Monday morning and have been combing through the sprawling complex

Smoke rises during an Israeli raid at Al Shifa hospital and the area around it

Smoke and explosions rise inside the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israe

Palestinians flee by walking following the Israeli army's attacks on Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Gaza on March 21, 2024

A Palestinian boy rides a donkey on the rubble of destroyed houses in the Rafah refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip, on March 21, 2024

Humanitarian aid parcels attached to parachutes are airdropped from a military aircraft over the Gaza Strip on March 21, 2024

This picture taken from Israel's southern border with the Gaza Strip shows an Israeli soldier gesturing on top of a tank moving along the border with the Palestinian territory on March 21, 2024

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends a joint press conference with the Egyptian Foreign minister in Cairo, Egypt, 21 March 2024. The US is set to present a draft resolution to the UNSC for a ceasefire in Gaza

Since the start of the Israeli-Hamas war on October 7, the United States has repeatedly used its UN Security Council veto to block the world body from calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Palestinian territory.

But since their last veto at the end of February, US officials have been negotiating an alternative text focusing on support for diplomatic efforts on the ground for a six-week truce in exchange for the release of hostages.

The latest version notes the necessity for 'an immediate and sustained ceasefire to protect civilians on all sides, allow for the delivery of essential humanitarian assistance, and alleviate humanitarian suffering.'

It thereby supports 'diplomatic efforts to secure such a ceasefire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages.'

With the United States under strong international pressure to soften its support for key ally Israel, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that the latest resolution sends 'a strong signal.'

The resolution 'does call for an immediate ceasefire tied to the release of hostages, and we hope very much that countries will support that,' Blinken said in Saudi Arabia.

However, the text does not explicitly use the word 'call,' instead simply stating that a ceasefire is imperative, which Russia says is too weak.

'We are not satisfied with anything which doesn't call for an immediate ceasefire,' Russian Deputy Ambassador to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy told reporters Thursday.

Richard Gowan, an analyst at the International Crisis Group, said 'the US is still not demanding a ceasefire without preconditions.'

But 'even this limited shift by the US will worry the Israelis, because (Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu wants to keep the UN out of diplomacy over the war altogether.'

According to diplomatic sources, the United States now has enough votes (at least 9 out of 15) for the text to be adopted, but there remains the possibility of a veto by Russia.

US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield has said that she was 'optimistic' for its adoption.

In addition to the ceasefire, the text also 'rejects any attempt at demographic or territorial change in Gaza' and also condemns 'all acts of terrorism, including the Hamas-led attacks of October 7' against Israel.

If adopted, the resolution would mark the first time the Security Council has specifically condemned the Hamas attack, which resulted in about 1,160 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians.

Since then, Israel has relentlessly pounded Gaza, where at least 31,988 people have been killed, the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory says.

Palestinians mourn for their loved ones killed in Israeli attacks as they were brought to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital with a horse car due to shortage of proper equipment as Israeli attacks continue in Deir al Balah, Gaza on March 21, 2024

People react upon seeing the corpses of relatives killed in Israeli bombardment in Al-Zahra in the central Gaza Strip, on March 21, 2024

Palestinians who left their homes after Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, try to maintain their daily lives in makeshift tents

Palestinian children stand in queue to receive food supplies from charity organizations in Deir al-Balah, Gaza on March 21, 2024

view of damage to the facade of Al-Awda Hospital, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Gaza

Palestinians who left their homes after Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, try to maintain their daily lives in makeshift tents under limited means and difficult conditions in Deir al-Balah, Gaza on March 21, 2024

Two previous humanitarian resolutions that have been adopted by the Council, as well as those in the General Assembly, have not mentioned Hamas, an absence lambasted by Israel.

Several non-permanent Security Council members have circulated their own draft project in recent days which 'demands an immediate humanitarian ceasefire for the month of Ramadan' and the immediate release of all hostages.

If the US text is rejected, then this draft 'will come to the table and put to the vote and I hope it will be adopted,' said France's UN Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere, adding that now was the 'time to save lives.'

However, a vote on that text would have an equally uncertain outcome.

The Council has been largely divided on the Israeli-Palestinian issue for years and has only managed to adopt the two essentially humanitarian resolutions on the topic since October 7.

But even those had little effect: the entry of aid into Gaza remains largely insufficient and famine looms.

Several political resolutions have been rejected by US vetoes on the one hand or Russian and Chinese vetoes on the other - or by an insufficient number of votes overall.
The foreign ministry called in the top Japanese envoy to Seoul on Friday to protest Japan's approval of school textbooks diluting the degree of wartime atrocities and reinforcing its territorial claims to Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo.

First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun summoned Japanese Ambassador to Korea Koichi Aiboshi to lodge a protest and voiced strong regrets over the matter, the ministry said.

Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology approved 18 school textbooks in the social studies category, which includes geography, civics and history, for use at middle schools starting 2025.

Compared with the previous editions approved in 2020, the textbooks were revised to further water down the coercive nature of wartime wrongdoings and reinforce its territorial claims to Dokdo.

"The government expresses deep regret over the approval of middle school textbooks by the Japanese government based on unjust claims regarding Dokdo," ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk said in a commentary.

Lim emphasized that Dokdo is Korea's own territory historically, geographically and by international law and said that no sovereignty claims by Japan about Dokdo can be accepted.

Lim also expressed strong regret over the descriptions of sexual slavery and forced labor by the Japanese military in a way that "does not reveal the coercive nature," urging Tokyo to put the history education into practice based on the spirit of the apology and repentance it made on the past history.

Citing the warming of bilateral relations, Lim said that Korea expects the Japanese government to approach education "with a more responsible attitude."

A history textbook was revised to state that the conscription was "partly" applied to Korea and Taiwan during the Pacific War, in an apparent attempt to weaken the forcible nature of the mobilization.

Another textbook deleted the phrase "military comfort women" in the part where it describes the sexual slavery victims from Korea, China and the Philippines who were forced to serve Japanese soldiers at military brothels.

Instead, it added Japan alongside the three countries to mean that Japanese women were also among the sexual slavery victims.

In 2021, the Japanese government advised publishers to use "comfort women" rather than "military comfort women."

Another history book stated that Japan annexed and colonized Korea in 1910, removing "against the backdrop of its military power" from the sentence.

Fifteen out of the 18 approved textbooks continued to introduce Dokdo as its own territory and say that Korea is "illegally occupying" them.

Except for two publications, the textbooks describe the islets, called "Takeshima" in Japan, as its indigenous territory that "has never been a foreign territory." (Yonhap)
A British-based record-breaking ultra-trail runner has told how a man tried to rape her in a 'premeditated attack' as she trained on the Algarve for an upcoming race.

Alison Walker, who lives in West Yorks, has told of her harrowing ordeal which saw an attacker ambush her on the popular Honey Farm loop route and try to take off her shorts after pushing her to the ground.

The Malaysian-born athlete managed to fight him off 'with every inch of strength' she could muster and said she was saved when the struggle triggered an emergency alert on her Garmin fitness tracker.

The terrifying incident happened on Tuesday morning as the 36-year-old, who holds the record solo time for a 300km route visiting the highest points in all 32 boroughs of London called the Smog Graham Round, ran a popular route between Albufeira and Vilamoura. She spoke to police after the scare.

She is now warning other runners planning to come to train in the popular warm weather spot, where there are a number of training camps used by British athletes, to be careful when going out by themselves.

Record-breaking ultra-trail runner Alison Walker described her horrific experience in Portugal

The runner shared pictures of the injuries she sustained to her face during the horrific ordeal

Alison urged fellow athletes not to run around the Honey Farm route (pictured) - where she was attacked - on their own

As well as the GNR police force, Portugal's PJ force was also alerted and a sniffer dog mobilised

The tax specialist shared an Instagram post about her ordeal near the Praia da Falesia, one of the finest beaches on the Algarve backed by cliffs extending from Olhos de Agua in the west to Vilamoura in the east.

In it she said: 'Today when I was doing my session around the honey farm loop, on my second rep some guy ran out of the bushes then grabbed me and pushed me to the ground.

'He then started to try and take my shorts off. I offered all my valuables and he wasn't interested!

'Thankfully my Garmin 'crash alert' was activated when I got flung to the ground, I thought I'd just lie and say that's the alarm to call the police. He then took my watch and fled. So yes, 400 down.'

She described the attack as 'pre-meditated', explaining that the man had 'hid in the bushes' behind a bend so as not to be seen by people coming up the trail.

She said: 'The rape scene had a piece of tarpaulin on the ground and a bottle of water,' adding that the man had brought 'tissues'.

'Thank God for all my weight training and being able to push him away at the right time. God so f***ing stressful.'

Despite sustaining injuries and having her contact lenses knocked out as she tried to fight off her attacker, Alison managed to run out onto the trail.

There she found a pair of runners, Kevin and Sharon from the UK, who helped to get her to safety.

The group jogged to a tearoom about half a mile away, Alison said, where they then called the police.

She said she was 'bawling my eyes out unable to see as the attack was forceful and my contact lenses fell out.'

The experienced athlete, who has been running for years and lived in London for more than a decade, said she had never experienced anything like what happened to her this week.

'I have never felt unsafe on a run before and we've run in some dodgy places. Honestly thank god for my Garmin, well, RIP Garmin, it's now with a rapist!' she said.

Alison spoke to police after the scare and said GNR officers had been 'ace' in their response

'So if you know anyone who is around the Algarve on a running trip, please please PLEASE tell them not to run around the honey farm loop on their own. PLEASE.

'The GNR police were absolutely ace though, could not have faulted them. They were so quick and there were about 4-5 cars and vans and a cute dog to find the culprit. He's still out and about so

'I honestly don't know if I can do the rest of the week's training, or whether I'll be ready to race at Crawley in three weeks but thankfully I got away with just a few scratches on my face and arms and legs and one Garmin down.'

Alison told MailOnline that the watch company has since reached out to her and said it will replace her Garmin Forerunner 955.

She branded her attacker a p**** and scum, saying on Instagram: 'Running for me has been an outlet, and a bloody love running, to almost have that taken away is unthinkable.

'To be honest, in those five or so minutes of ordeal, I thought I might not make it. All I thought in my head was, I f***ing worked so hard in my life to get where I am (work, life, lovely home and running, husband and friends) and I don't want this prick to ruin my life. I've always had to fight to get to where I am and whilst I may look like I've got it all, trust me, every single step of my life has been a battle.

The runner shared a picture of her battered legs in an Instagram post following the attack

'Fighting to get into the big four to stay in the UK to work dealing with bullying, long hours, exams just to send money home to support my dad who's had a stroke and been in care for the last 10 years!

'I am not a talented runner and rely heavily on a good and challenging plan

'And I also didn't want to catch whatever this scum has in his f***ing body, and literally fought with every inch of strength in my head and body.'

It was not immediately clear today if police had made any arrests. As well as the GNR police force, Portugal's PJ force was also alerted and a sniffer dog mobilised.

Alison has told in past interviews how she started running after moving to the UK for university.

She took up ultra-running after suffering a severe ankle ligament break in 2018 and reading a book about the demanding sport which had been recommended to her by her physio.

She has revealed in the past to running around 100 miles a week. She started doing ultras in 2019 and came second in her first 100-miler.
Two teen offenders are back in custody after being tracked down by bloodhounds following a dramatic escape from a police vehicle where despite being shackled they overpowered a deputy and stole his gun before fleeing.

Corinthian Newton, 15, and Brandon Davis, 14, who had been facing burglary and firearms charges, had escaped custody in Jenkins County, 45 miles south of Augusta, Georgia, according to Burke County Sheriff's Office.

The duo had attacked Jenkins County Sheriff's Office Deputy Milo Perry who was transporting them back to the Regional Youth Detention Center from a court in Millen.

Burke County Sheriff's Office Colonel Jimmy Wylds said that while being driven back to Augusta, the teens complained about being hot as they sat in the back of the police truck.

Deputy Perry had refused to roll down the windows, but eventually opened the partition between the front and rear seats due to the teens constant complaining.

Corinthian Newton, 15, and Brandon Davis, 14, had been facing burglary and firearms charges, before escaping custody in Jenkins County, 45 miles south of Augusta, Georgia

Officers from the Burke County Sheriff's Office rushed to the scene at around 1:30pm. Roads were blocked and helicopters were deployed in the search

The boys were sniffed out by bloodhounds who tracked them to a storage container at the end of Ponderosa Road

'And at some point, one of them goes into the cab of the truck and started wrestling with him and was able to get his gun and pistol weapon and they stopped and got out and they fought a little bit outside,' Wylds told WRDW.

'It's my understanding that they fired around and then ran off into the woods.'

The teens attacked Deputy Perry by hitting him in the head with his gun to knock him unconscious.

This all took place while the boys were restrained in shackles.

After managing to steal the firearm, a .45-caliber handgun, they fired three shots in Deputy Perry's direction.

The officer was not struck by any bullets.

The armed teens then fled the scene, making a dash for the woods in the hopes of escaping the authorities.

Officers from the Burke County Sheriff's Office rushed to the scene at around 1:30pm, and unleashed bloodhounds from the Department of Juvenile Justice to hunt down the offenders.

The armed boys scrambled deep into the woods in an attempt to hide from authorities

The boys were found after a chaotic four-and-a-half hour long manhunt

Brandon Davis pictured after his capture by Burke County Sheriffs

Roads were blocked as officers swept through the woodland and helicopters whirred overhead.

The dramatic hourslong manhunt for the boys reportedly kept buses from returning home school children in the Hancock Mill, McBean and Bennock Mill communities.

Officers had advised citizens in the surrounding area to lock their doors and report any suspicious individuals to the police immediately.

'Bloodhounds from the Department of Juvenile Justice or their department of corrections were able to track into the woods we found a T-shirt belonging to one of the suspects that had some blood on it,' Wylds said.

The dogs continued to sniff the boys out, and ultimately led officers to the dead end of Ponderosa Road where the teens were spotted hiding in a storage container at around 5pm.

According to Wylds, they surrendered immediately, but he was impressed the pair had managed to make it 'a couple of miles in leg shackles'.



'I'm telling you there are some treacherous briars and trees in there. I mean, it's it's very thick,' he said.

'I mean, it's it's very thick. So it's impressive they got as far.'

He also praised the work of the bloodhounds, who after four-and-a-half hours of searching, were able to find 'their guys'.

Deputy Perry was rushed to Burke County Hospital and was later discharged - he is expected to make a full recovery, according to the Sheriff's Office.

It was not immediately clear what additional charges the two teens now face.
Profits at budget boozer chain JD Wetherspoon have rocketed by more than 31million in a year, the beloved pub firm has revealed.

In a staggering jump in finances, it reported pre-tax profits surged by almost eight-fold to 36million for the year to January - up from 4.6million the year before.

With the average price of a pint in the UK having soared to 4.80, it's thought cash-strapped Brits are now turning to Spoons for a cheaper night out, instead of their local pubs - with Wetherspoon looking to up its venues from 814 to 1,000.

Total sales at the booze chain giant hit 991miillion, a hike of 8.2 per cent as more punters appear to be turning to the discount chain over local independents, where the price of an average pint has soared due to ballooning costs.

Like-for-like sales grew by 7.4 per cent for the year, with this now 15.3 per cent ahead of pre-pandemic levels from 2019. The company recorded revenues of 991 million for the year to January, up from 916 million a year earlier.

The news comes as the beloved boozer chain's boss, Sir Tim Martin, today pledged to keep the price of traditional breakfasts the same despite the soaring cost of food which has gone up 25 per cent, telling LBC: 'It will not go up this year.'

Wetherspoon boss Sir Tim Martin, today pledged to keep the price of traditional breakfasts the same despite the soaring cost of food

It comes as Wetherspoon reported pre-tax profits surged by almost eight-fold to 36million for the year to January - up from 4.6million the year before (pictured is one of its pubs in Clapham)

Sir Tim said the price of food had gone up 25 per cent as he pledged to freeze the cost of traditional breakfasts for the year

Speaking about the company's growth, Sir Tim claimed like-for-like sales had grown 5.8 per cent so far in February and March as it continued to witness an improvement in demand from customers.

Wetherspoon financial surge comes despite a recent reduction in its pub stock, with the company having 814 venues compared with a peak of 955 in December 2015.

But despite the reduction in outlets, Wetherspoon said total sales are now about one third higher than in 2015 - before the pandemic obliterated the hospitality industry - with sales per boozer ballooning by about 50 per cent since.

News of Wetherspoon profits comes as some of the nation's favourite waterholes continue to battle for their survival, with 29 closing each week to start a new life as a takeaway, shop, mosque or family home.

Chiefs at the much-loved pub firm have plans in place to boost the current fleet of boozers up to 1,000 in the UK. ]

Examples of recent pub openings include the Captain Flinders near Euston Station, the Stargazer at The O2 and The Star Light at Heathrow Airport.

The company said: 'In the last decade, there has been a reduction in the number of trading Wetherspoon pubs, which peaked at 955 in December 2015.

Sir Tim claimed like-for-like sales had grown 5.8 per cent so far in February and March as it continued to witness an improvement in demand from customers.

But despite the reduction in outlets, Wetherspoon said total sales are now about one third higher than in 2015 with sales per boozer ballooning by about 50 per cent since

'In spite of a reduction in the overall number of pubs, sales have continued to increase - total sales are now about one third higher than in 2015.'

However, Wetherspoon stressed that it still believes it has the 'potential' to reach 1,000 sites across the UK.

Derren Nathan, head of equity research at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'A lot of capacity has come out of the market and the hint that there might be potential of about 1,000 pubs compared to a current total of 814, could see the estate start to grow again.

'That may see the return of dividends kicked further down the road.'

While boss Sir Tim previously told The Times: 'We've sold a number of pubs over the years, especially where we've opened two pubs close to each other in small or medium-sized towns,'

'We've also surrendered a number of leasehold pubs to the landlord, where leases have come to the end.

'We have 814 pubs today and estimate there is potential for about 1,000.

'Although there have been some disposals, sales are nearly a billion pounds higher than ten or 11 years ago.'

The news appears to be bucking the trend of pub closures, with shocking figures showing 29 boozers in Britain are closing every week.

According to the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), countless pubs are closing every week because of sky-high energy costs and punters having less disposable cash, devastating local areas in the process.

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In Dymchurch, Kent locals once faced the prospect of losing all three of their boozers and aren't optimistic by the future, while in Wales along the fabled Mumbles Mile which once boasted 24 different pubs now only has four.

The coastal town of Emsworth, Hampshire, which once boasted inns, taverns and beer houses - with 25 premises based in the town during its heyday in the 1870s. Today only seven public houses remain.

Likewise, in nearby Portsmouth - dubbed Britain's 'pub capital' with the most boozers per square mile of any city in the UK - has suffered a similar fate.

Recent figures show it has a total of 12 pubs per square mile  double the number of London, and more than Liverpool's 11 and Bristol, which has 10.

But in recent years, dozens of pubs have been closed - with fears raised last month over 33 public houses being as national pub operator Stonegate could fold as its parent company TDR Capital seeks to refinance 2.5bn of debt, reports Portsmouth's paper, The News.

And one of Britain's legendary pub crawls which once boasted 24 different watering holes has shrunk to just four.

The notorious Mumbles Mile in Swansea was a hit with visiting stag and hen parties and a rite of passage for students at the city's university.

But most of the pubs on the Mumbles Mile have now closed, victims of Covid, the economic crisis and competition from Swansea's other infamous drinking haunt Wind Street.

Sadly, grim national figures show that these two watering holes are far from isolated cases with a heartbreaking 772 pubs shutting either permanently or temporarily between January and June last year.

Long-term closes have almost doubled with 500 reported last year compared with 251 in 2021.

Pubs have been struggling nationally with rising costs for food and booze (file image)

Sir Tim Martin (pictured),, founder of Wetherspoon, today vowed to freeze the price of traditional breakfast for this year

In a statement, CAMRA National Chairman Nik Antona blamed a 'perfect storm' buffeting the UK pub industry.

He said: 'Simultaneous economic crises have meant that pubs, social clubs and taprooms are balancing on a crumbling cliff edge, with too many already lost to the abyss.

'CAMRA is always concerned when pubs could be lost to the communities they serve, be it through demolition or conversion to other usage, such as offices or housing.

'It is vital that these venues are marketed as going concerns and everything possible is done to secure their future as community pubs - including giving existing licensees first refusal of buying their pub.

'Pubs are struggling to survive against a perfect storm of issues, such as spiralling costs of goods and rising energy bills - meaning that our much-loved locals are at risk of disappearing forever unless meaningful support is given to both publicans and pubgoers.'

CAMRA are now urging the Government to use the upcoming budget to halt the closure of pubs.

Nik added: 'To put a stop to permanent closures of pubs CAMRA are urging the Government to announce a tax cut on pints in pubs by 20 percent at the upcoming Spring Budget, which would help them compete with the likes of supermarkets and the off-trade.

'This would significantly help UK's pubs to stay open and thrive as community spaces in the future.'
Wegmans will be shuttering stores dotted around the US so that their staff can witness the solar eclipse.

A total solar eclipse is set to darken skies across the United States, Canada and Mexico on April 8.

This once-in-a-lifetime event will see the moon cross paths between the Sun and the Earth, darkening the sky as if it were dawn or dusk.

The supermarket chain is shuttering 48 of their branches just for 30 minutes on the special day so their employees can experience the magic.

'The opportunity to experience a total solar eclipse comes once in a lifetime, and we don't want our employees to miss out,' a statement from Patrick Bourcy, Wegmans regional manager read.

But with so many stores temporarily closing their doors across the US, what should Wegmans customers know?

Wegmans will be shuttering stores dotted around the US so that their staff can witness the solar eclipse on April 8 (file image: Wegmans, Rochester)

But with 48 stores closing in total for the 30 minute period, what do customers need to know about the brief closure? (stock image of an annular eclipse)

Which Wegmans stores are closing for the eclipse?

Wegmans customers should be aware that a total of 48 stores will be closed from Erie, Pennsylvania to Syracuse.

The branches dotted throughout upstate New York will shut their doors for only 30 minutes on Monday, April 8 while the eclipse is occurring.

From 3pm Eastern Daylight Time until 3.30pm no services will be available at the Wegmans branches.

This includes their Meals2Go pickup and delivery service as well as the pharmacy and grocery sections of their stores.

All Wegman employees will be watching the total solar eclipse happen during this specific period.

Wegman shoppers have been left pleased by the supermarket's decision to allow their staff to enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime event.

Lyn Kemp told ABC3340: 'It kinda shows that they care for their employees I think that it's very great it just shows why they are the way they are you know that they do care.'

Adding that she would be happy if she were one of the Wegmans staff watching the eclipse, she said: 'Well if I had a good pair of the proper glasses you are supposed to wear Id love it.

'It would be great and I would appreciate them doing that.'

According to the publication the following Wegman branches will be closed for the total solar eclipse:

Wegman stores between Erie, Pennsylvania to Syracuse will shut their doors between 3pm and 3.30pm EDT - and no services will be available to customers during that period (file image: Wegmans, Pennsylvania)

Rochester

Brockport

Calkins Road

Chili-Paul

East Avenue

Eastway

Fairport

Holt Road

Irondequoit

Latta Road

Lyell Avenue

Marketplace

Mt. Read

Penfield

Perinton

Pittsford

Ridge-Culver

Ridgemont

Buffalo

Alberta Drive

Amherst St

Dick Road

Jamestown

Losson Road

McKinley

Military Road

Niagara Falls Blvd.

Sheridan Drive

Transit Rd.

West Seneca

Finger Lakes

Auburn

Canandaigua

Geneseo

Geneva

Ithaca

Newark

Southern Tier

Corning

Elmira

Hornell

Johnson City

Syracuse

Cicero

Dewitt

Fairmount

Great Northern

James Street

John Glenn

Onondaga

Taft Road

Erie

Erie Peach Street

Erie West

How to keep safe during a solar eclipse?

Closed Wegmans should not be customers only concern - they should also be keeping their eyes safe when watching the solar eclipse (stock image)

Whilst it is exciting to witness a total solar eclipse you must keep your eyes safe.

Even though the once-in-a-lifetime event is striking, it is not safe to gaze directly at the Sun during the event.

According to NASA, when watching the partial phases of the solar eclipse, which happens before and after the moon blocks the Sun's face, you must use a safe handheld solar viewer or safe solar viewing glasses.

These are very different to a regular pair of sunglasses as they are a lot darker and comply with international standards.

The organization also encourages onlookers to inspect their handheld viewers for any damages before use.

Children should also be supervised closely whilst watching an eclipse.

NASA strictly advises not to look at the Sun via a telescope, binoculars, camera lens or any other device whilst wearing a handheld solar viewer or eclipse glasses.

The concentrated rays from the Sun will blaze through the filter and could cause severe eye injuries.

If you want to use any other optical device such as cameras binoculars or telescopes then a particular type of solar filter is required.

Before and after the eclipse is in it's totality phase, viewers should immediately wear their safe handheld solar viewer or safe solar viewing glasses to avoid serious eye injuries (stock image)

You can watch the eclipse without any eye protection during totality - when the Moon completely blocks the Sun - according to NASA.

You should ensure that you wear the correct protective eye gear immediately before and after the totality period.

Skin safety is also key during any type of solar eclipse as the Sun often beams brightly.

If you want to view the entirety of an eclipse you may be in seated in the path of the Sun for hours, therefore sunscreen, hats and other types of protective clothing are essential to avoid skin damage.
The monster who arranged for acid to be thrown in the face of Katie Piper is set to be freed in weeks.

Daniel Lynch, 47, was jailed for life with a minimum of 16 years in 2009 for organising the horrific attack on the Loose Women star when she was just 24.

MailOnline can reveal the obsessive rapist is going through his Parole review. This means he could soon be released immediately, or referred to a Parole Board hearing or kept inside.

And the man who launched the attack on Piper, 40, is still wanted by police 17 months after going missing.

Stefan Sylvestre is wanted by police for breaching his licence conditions but there are fears he is living abroad and being hidden by organised criminals.

The monster who arranged for acid to be thrown in the face of Katie Piper is set to be freed in weeks. Katie is pictured on during a recent exotic getaway

Katie is pictured in October 2009, less than two years after she acid thrown in her face in a harrowing attack in March 2008

Daniel Lynch (left), 47, was jailed for life with a minimum of 16 years in 2009 for organising the horrific attack, which was carried out by Stefan Sylvestre (right)

Former Met detective Peter Bleksley described Lynch's bid for freedom and Sylvestre being on the run as 'utterly abhorrent'.

A spokesperson for the Parole Board said of Lynch: 'He is currently in his Parole review but no oral hearing date has been set.'

Katie was just 24 in March 2008 when the harrowing attack happened. She needed 400 operations after being left with severe burns. Lynch also raped her.

He was sentenced to live at London's Wood Green Crown Court in March 2009 after being found guilty of rape and GBH and admitting ABH.

Sylvestre was 19 when he threw the acid. He got life with a minimum of just six years after admitting GBH. He was released in 2018 but went on the run in 2022.

He was recalled to prison but vanished. Inquiries indicated he left the UK in August that year. He is still at large.

Mr Bleksley said he fears the criminal underworld abroad will be hiding him.

He said: 'This man will have criminal connections in other parts of the world.

'Every effort should be put into finding him, bringing him to justice for what he has done and returning him to prison.

In June last year, Katie said Lynch's release was on her mind. Katie is pictured on the set of Loose Women in 2019

Katie was awarded an OBE for charity and burns services in the 2023 New Year Honours list

She has also featured on the hit BBC show Strictly Come Dancing in 2018

'The victim in this case has been through an utterly horrific ordeal. With one defendant having fled the country and the other out potentially in weeks, I imagine she feels the system has badly let her down.

'I can fully understand why she would think like that. It's appalling. It is utterly abhorrent.'

A source said: 'Lynch it is thought will argue that he is a changed character.

'It's shocking to think that despite being given life, he could soon be back out on the streets.'

After she ended their relationship, Lynch bombarded her with phone calls. He was on the phone to her as she walked down a street in Golders Green, north London, when Sylvestre threw sulphuric acid in her face.

In June last year, Katie said Lynch's release was on her mind. She said: 'I'm 40 this year. Am I going to die in the next ten years? I don't actually know.

'The people that attacked me will be released. Are they going to kill me? I'm not sure.'
A woman has died after her house was engulfed in flames early on Friday morning.

Jessica Pereira, 32, was in her Conrad Street home in St Albans, in Melbourne's northwest, when it caught alight at 6am on Friday.

Firefighters arrived within a few minutes to see flames and smoke billowing from the roof, with neighbouring properties also at risk.

Thirty firefighters battled the blaze for about 20 minutes before it was extinguished and they could pull Ms Pereira's body from the house.

Paramedics worked to resuscitate the 32-year-old but she could not be saved.

A crime scene has since been set up and detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad as well as an arson chemist were seen inspecting the property on Friday.

Jessica Pereira, 32, died after being caught in a fire in her Conrad Street home in St Albans, Melbourne

The home caught fire at 6am on Friday and fire crews rushed to extinguish the flames

One neighbour said he could feel the heat from his house when he saw 'flames coming out' of Ms Pereira's roof.

'That's how bad it was, I could feel the heat,' he told Nine News.

Fire Rescue Victoria Incident Controller Nicholas Allen said his crews saw 'flames were protruding from the front and sides of the building'.

'They worked effectively and swiftly in order to contain that fire to that property of origin,' he told reporters.

Mr Allen said that multiple factors made the job of extinguishing the house difficult including falling debris, excessive smoke and asbestos inside the property.

Because of these risks their response was 'escalated' and firefighters were fitted with special breathing equipment before continuing their work.

Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.

Ms Pereira's devastated family were seen consoling each other outside her house following the tragedy.
Russia has accidentally destroyed its own fishing trawler in the Baltic Sea in a shocking friendly fire incident amid botched war games.

The fishing vessel - named the Captain Lobanov - is seen trailing smoke after suffering a missile attack off the coast of Russia's exclave Kaliningrad.

There was an apparent attempt to cover up the acutely embarrassing blunder by Vladimir Putin's Baltic Fleet with initial reports saying there was an unexplained 'explosion and fire' on the trawler.

Three were killed and four wounded in the suspected Iskander-M missile strike, with the stricken seamen able to escape on a lifeboat.

A relative of one of the crew members told independent Russian media outlet Dozhd about the strike.

'When the survivors were taken away, everyone knew perfectly well that three people had died,' said the source.

'And everyone knew perfectly well that a rocket had hit. But they decided to write that there was a 'fire' on board.'

The fishing vessel - named the Captain Lobanov - is seen trailing smoke after suffering a missile attack off the coast of Russia's exclave Kaliningrad

Three were killed and four wounded in the suspected Iskander-M missile strike, with the stricken seamen able to escape on a lifeboat

A Russian trawler named Captain Lobanov exploded in the Baltic Sea 'due to a missile strike by Vladimir Putin's own navy'

Captain Lobanov is thought to have been hit by an Iskander-M missile

The captain's cabin was completely destroyed in the strike, with this ship suffering considerable damage.

Earlier reports suggested the vessel had sunk but the wreck was towed into harbour following the incident on Tuesday when war games were underway in the Baltic.

Survivors are in now recovering in hospitals in the Kaliningrad region, though one is said to be in a serious condition.

The wounded were allegedly interrogated by FSB security service officers, and ordered 'not to talk about the incident'.

The naval drills involved attacking a mock enemy including a submarine, according to reports.

They involved the use of Iskander-M hypersonic ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles.

The costly mishap came as Russia punished Ukraine with a fresh round of air attacks this morning which saw some 90 missiles and 60 drones strike key energy infrastructure, blacking out second city Kharkiv and damaging several facilities, officials reported.

It appeared to be the biggest strike of the war against Ukraine's energy network, with the internet down and domestic and industrial electricity supplies hit nationwide.

Dramatic footage shows the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant - Ukraine's largest - erupting in flames following a strike there which also hit a bus, causing several civilian casualties.

The dam - part of the hydro facility which supplies electricity to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant - apparently remained intact but the turbine chamber and sluice equipment were damaged.

'The fire at the station continues,' said the Ukrhydroenergo power company. 'Emergency services and energy workers are working on the spot, overcoming the consequences of numerous airstrikes.'

Residents in second city Kharkiv suffered water and power outages overnight and the city's Transport Engineering Plant, a vital facility that produces and repairs tanks, was also hit in some of the strongest bombardments of the war so far.

Russian Telegram channel War Gonzo branded it 'judgement night and morning' - and the brutal strikes followed closely after Putin's victory in the Russian presidential election which he sees as a mandate for continuing his invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier this week he had vowed vengeance for what he saw as Ukrainian strikes on civilians in Russia's Belgorod region.

He said: 'We can respond in the same way. [We can hit] civilian infrastructure and all other objects of this kind that the enemy attacks.'

Putin's missiles and jets struck Ukraine in the biggest attack to date on its energy infrastructure

In this photo provided by Petro Andryuschenko, the adviser of the head of Mariupol city's administration, burning trolleybus is seen on the damp of hydroelectric power station after Russian attacks in Dnipro, Ukraine, Friday, March 22, 2024

Damage at the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant is pictured

Self-defence unit volunteers stand by burned-out cars in a residential area of the city of Belgorod following fresh aerial attacks on March 22, 2024

'The world sees the targets of Russian terrorists as clearly as possible: power plants and energy supply lines, a hydroelectric dam, ordinary residential buildings, even a trolleybus. Russia is fighting against the ordinary life of people,' President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday on the Telegram messaging app.

For the second day in succession, NATO war planes in Poland were scrambled due to 'the activity of Russian long-range aviation', monitoring the Russian aircraft's flight path to ensure they did not threaten alliance territory.

Thirteen Tu-95MS aircraft - part of Putin's nuclear armoury but using conventional missiles - struck at various targets across Ukraine.

With air defences overwhelmed by these planes and missiles, Russia also attacked with kamikaze drones.

Explosions were recorded in Kanatovo, near Kirovograd, a reserve air base of the Ukrainian Air Force, as well as Kremenchuk, Burshtyn, Khmelnitsky Odesa, Zhytomyr, and Vinnytsia.

A large local hydroelectric power station was completely out of order in Ladyzhyn, Vinnytsia region, according to mayor Serhiy Borzov.
A shopping channel tycoon has won a bitter 500,000 legal fight against his meat mogul neighbour after nearly coming to blows over who owns the boundary wall.

Robert Heffer, 55, clashed with his neighbour, Ashley Faull, 57, who built a 20million fortune through TV shopping channels, over ownership of a ten-foot high wall dividing their plots of land in Sandbanks near Poole, Dorset.

Mr Heffer, whose family were said in court to be worth over 300million, and wife Lisa had bought a building plot in October 2018, with the intention of constructing their 'dream' home on the seafront.

But they came into conflict when Mr Heffer accused Mr Faull's construction workers, who were erecting nine luxury flats, worth over 20 million on the plot of land, of working too close to the boundary wall that he owned.

The row over the boundary wall stalled Mr Faull's building project at a crucial point, he said, forcing him to relocate the works away from the wall and draw up a radical redesign.

Picture shows the disputed wall that caused bitter 500,000 legal battle between Ashley Faull (property, left) and Robert Heffer (his land, right)

Ashley Faull - outside Central London County Court. Mr Faull's company, Waterfall Developments Ltd, was awarded 357,507 compensation - including interest

Robert & Lisa Heffer outside Central London County Court. The Heffers were ordered to pay out 147,000 towards its lawyers' fees, pending a full assessment of the bill

'It's our wall. Fact,' Mrs Heffer told her neighbour, before Mr Heffer added that 'they would injunct him and call police if he touched the wall', claimed Mr Faull.

However, it later transpired it was a jointly owned party wall, which Mr Faull's workers had been entitled to demolish.

Mr Faull's company went on to sue his neighbours for misrepresentation, claiming 331,260 in wasted building costs.

Speaking after the verdict Mr Faull said he was 'relieved', but that the whole process had been 'stressful' and 'expensive', and he wished that he did not have to take the matter to court.

He said he offered Mr Heffer two opportunities to settle before their high-profile showdown which was dubbed 'the Battle of Sandbanks'.

Mr Faull said: 'It is definitely a relief but I wish I had not had to bring the case. I gave him several opportunities to settle but he never did.

'It (the legal battle) was quite stressful and expensive.'

Mr Faull said he would not be drawn on what he thought about Mr Heffer following the hearing, but he did note that 'the judge called both Mr and Mrs Heffer liars'.

ends

After a three-day trial at Central London County Court, Recorder Jamal Demachkie ruled that the couple had lied when they said they owned the wall, and hit them with a 500,000 court bill.

The wall at the centre of the multimillionaires neighbours row in Sandbanks. The row over the boundary wall stalled Mr Faull's building project at a crucial point

Mr Heffer comes from a dynasty of meat barons, with dad Robin having founded wholesalers RWM

An aerial view showing CGI plans for the new apartment block (circled). The former home sits on a half-an-acre plot that backs onto Poole Harbour and overlooks exclusive Sandbanks in Dorset

'There was an intention to deceive behind the statement,' said the judge, adding that the couple misled Mr Faull, knowing that he or his company, Waterfall Developments, was intending to begin building on the land.

'The statement was made with the purpose of preventing...the removal of the wall and interference with the Heffers' privacy,' he went on.

Mr Faull's company, Waterfall Developments Ltd, was awarded 357,507 compensation - including interest - while the Heffers were also ordered to pay out 147,000 towards its lawyers' fees, pending a full assessment of the bill.

Mr Heffer comes from a dynasty of meat barons, with dad Robin having founded wholesalers RWM.

Mr Faull claimed in court that the Heffer family is worth 'between 300m-400m', while he said his own fortune amounted to between 10m and 20m.

The row centred on ownership of the wall between the Heffers' building plot at 40 Dorset Lake Avenue, Poole, and his own land next door at number 38.

Waterfall Development's builders had to relocate their foundations away from the wall in a costly redesign following the neighbours' face off, the court heard.

But Mr Faull later accused Mr Heffer and his wife Lisa of lying about who owned the wall after he was told by the previous occupant that it was in fact jointly owned.

Mr Faull (pictured above), an ex-ITV executive, said: 'Even though the house we had was only built in 2001 we decided to demolish it as we wanted to create more first homes or sea front homes for people'

The wall was later demolished, although the building works were completed in line with the redrawn plans to save even more money being wasted.

In court, Lisa Heffer insisted she only ever said, 'I believe the wall is ours' and that the previous owner had told them this.

The couple later claimed that they had gleaned their information about the wall from discussions with another neighbour, who knew about its status from the plot's previous owner.

But the judge found that the conversation 'never took place and was invented after it became clear that they had been caught out by their lie'.

Both Mr Faull and Mr Heffer accused each other of 'bullying' behaviour during the litigation, and in court Mr Faull claimed his neighbour once 'challenged him to a physical fight'.

In the witness box, the Heffers' barrister, Duncan Kynoch, challenged Mr Faull that he had attempted to intimidate his neighbour with the threat of litigation, which he denied.

'I put it to you that you are a wealthy, litigious and manipulative bully,' he told the property tycoon, adding: 'I suggest that's your character, I don't expect you to agree with me but I am putting that to you.'

Mr Faull, who denied being 'litigious', replied: 'I'm certainly not as rich as the Heffers, I think as a family they're worth between 300-400million, I have only a fraction of that.

'As to bullying, that's one of Mr Heffer's nicknames - 'the millionaire bully'.'

Commenting on claims that he threatened the Heffers with litigation, Mr Faull insisted he was the victim, claiming: 'he's twice challenged me to a physical fight and he also basically made an implicit threat that the last thing I wanted was an ongoing dispute with a neighbour'.

In one incident, Mr Heffer 'threatened me by saying that, but for the Covid restrictions, he'd like to come to my house and take me outside', the court was told.

Waterfall's barrister Gregory Pipe said that Mrs Heffer had lied about the wall because she wanted to protect her privacy.

'When you told him that, the reason you did so was to persuade the developer - either him or the company - not to take down the wall,' he put to her.

But Mrs Heffer told the court: 'I wasn't persuading anybody, I was just saying to him that I believed it was our wall - then he would have the judgment to do whatever he wanted.'

Mr Heffer - also a property speculator - previously sparked controversy over building at Sandbanks when some residents objected to a glass balustrade erected on top of another 2m house they own nearby.

The full amount of the court bill now faced by the Heffers will be calculated at a later date.
A brief of evidence in the case against accused mushroom chef Erin Patterson has been finalised by homicide detectives.

Patterson, 49, is awaiting trial after being charged with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder following the fatal lunch at her home in Leongatha, in Victoria's Gippsland region, on July 29.

Pastor Ian Wilkinson, 70, was the sole survivor of the deadly lunch, which claimed the life of his wife Heather Wilkinson, 66, and Ms Patterson's former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, both 70.

Ms Patterson's husband Simon Patterson pulled out of the lunch at the last minute.

Victoria Police confirmed on Friday their brief of evidence had been lodged. It's expected to include witness statements from Simon Patterson and Mr Wilkinson.

A brief of evidence in the case against accused mushroom chef Erin Patterson has been finalised by homicide detectives

Detectives had 20 weeks to put the brief together which was due to be submitted to court by Monday.

Patterson has meanwhile hired highly regarded barrister Philip Dunn KC to defend her.

She is currently being held in Victoria's Dame Phyllis Frost Centre - a maximum security jail that can hold 600 women.

Prisoners at the jail include 'Black Widow' serial killer Robyn Lindholm, gangland matriarch and killer Judy Moran, violent 'tiny terrorist' Momena Shoma and Ms Patterson's new cellmate - school principal rapist Malka Liefer.

The ultra-Orthodox Jewish principal was sentenced to 15 years behind bars for the sexual abuse of two young high school students in August, 2023.

Don and Gail Patterson are pictured. They lost their lives following the beef wellington lunch on July 29

Ms Patterson was arrested after serving a beef wellington lunch to her guests that police suspect contained death cap mushrooms.

She was arrested at her home on November 2 and taken to Dame Phyllis Frost, where sources say she requires protection from other inmates due to her alleged crime.

'If Erin got out of protection, the girls would hurt her,' they told the Herald Sun.

'She allegedly killed three elderly people. There's a rule, you don't touch the elderly and you don't touch babies so because of that, you go into protection.

'She would be doing it very, very hard in there as she would only be able to speak to two or three girls and that's it.'

Court documents revealed that Ms Patterson has been charged with trying to murder her husband on four separate occasions.

Ian Wilkinson was the sole survivor of the lunch, losing his wife Heather (pictured together)

These allegedly were between 16 and 17 November, 2021, between 25 and 27 May, 2022, on 6 September, 2022 and at the mushroom lunch in July, 2023.

It's believed Ms Patterson is being housed in a self-contained unit at Dame Phyllis Frost and has use of a bed, shower, toilet, sink, desk and closet.

As she is on remand, she is not required to work and is believed to have access to a kitchen where she can cook her own meals.

The accused mushroom chef is due to next appear in Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court via video-link for a committal hearing on May 3.

She denies any wrongdoing.
The boyfriend of a British backpacker has been found dead after plunging from a moving train as the pair headed for a birthday trip to Thailand's 'Death Island'.

Ryan Joseph Ralph, 24, boarded the overnight locomotive with Shona Morgan, 22, from Bangkok to reach the notorious Koh Tao island in the south on March 20.

A couple of hours into the journey, he left Shona sleeping while he went for a cigarette at the end of the carriage - where many trains have no doors or barriers.

The Canadian tourist, from Kingston, Ontario, is believed to have been injured in the fall from the train before being pulled briefly along the tracks.

Tragically, he was found dead the next day under a newly built platform at the Chet Samian Railway Station in Ratchaburi province.

Police believe that Ryan fell and was struck by part of the concrete platform while the train was still moving, before dragging himself underneath to escape the wheels but he later passed out and died from blood loss.

Ryan Joseph Ralph, 24, was travelling on the overnight locomotive with his girlfriend Shona Morgan, 22

The tourist was found dead the next day, March 21, under a newly built platform at the Chet Samian Railway Station in Ratchaburi province

Ryan's girlfriend Shona (pictured together) said she became worried when she woke up around an hour after he left and he was not on the train and could not be contacted

Police Lieutenant Colonel Rathnont Kasemchaisit of the Photharam Police said: 'The dead man was shirtless, wearing brown shorts and a necklace, and lying on his back with severe injuries on both of his legs.

'He had in his pocket a wallet containing various documents and Thai banknotes.

'From the preliminary investigation, there were no traces of assault. We believe he had been dead for at least five hours.

'The Canadian did not die instantly. He managed to crawl under the platform, but died of blood loss later on.'

Ryan's girlfriend Shona said she became worried when she woke up around an hour after he left and he was not on the train and could not be contacted.

She disembarked from the train and notified officers at the nearest police station at around 10.30pm local time.

Authorities used the GPS tracker on Ryan's phone to launch a search, scouring the 30km stretch of tracks from the Khlong Bang Tan Railway Station to the Ban Kluai Railway Station. However, they failed to locate him.

Authorities used the GPS tracker on Ryan's phone to launch a search, however, they initially failed to locate him

The Canadian tourist, from Kingston, Ontario, is believed to have been injured in a fall from the train before being pulled briefly along the tracks

As the search resumed the following morning, Photharam Police Station officers received a report that the body of a dead foreigner had been found under the platform of the Chet Samian Railway Station.

Police arrived at the scene, where they found dried blood on the side of the platform and on gravel.

In the gap under the platform, Ryan was discovered splayed out on the dirt.

A pair of headphones, a smartphone, and sandals believed to belong to the deceased were also found nearby.

Cambodian rail worker Makala, 23, the man who discovered the body, said he often slept under the platform during his breaks.

He added he was shocked and ran to inform his boss when he found the Canadian's body that day.

He said: 'The person was lying down, so I thought he was sleeping at first. When I took a closer look, he was not breathing. I was scared so I rushed to inform my supervisor about it.'

Police believe that Ryan fell and was struck by part of the concrete platform while the train was still moving

Authorities said that Ryan may have been struck on the leg by the platform, which had insufficient lighting and was only around 50 cm away from the train tracks.

Shona, who is from Northern Ireland, said Ryan had been in Thailand since February 17, and that she had flown into the country shortly after to celebrate his birthday with him.

Ryan's body was taken to the Forensic Institute for a post-mortem examination.

Police said they had given the details to the Canadian Embassy to inform his relatives of his death.

Thailand's ageing trains have become notorious for their poor safety standards.

Cambodian rail worker Makala, 23, the man who discovered the body, said he often slept under the platform during his breaks

Police arrived at the scene, where they found dried blood on the side of the platform and on gravel

Ten years ago in 2014, Matt Lawlor, 19, died during his gap year trip in Thailand when he fell from a train on the same route from Bangkok to the south of the country to visit the island Koh Phangnan.

He was reportedly leaning from the open door to have a cigarette at the time.

In February 2017, British backpacker Daniel Clarke, 20, was left in intensive care after falling from a moving train on the same journey as the vehicle passed through Nakhon Si Thammarat, southern Thailand.

While in January last year, Irish national Patrick Ward, 45, tragically died after falling from a moving train in Kanchanaburi. He was reportedly trying to take a selfie at the time.

Koh Tao was dubbed Death Island following the murders of British backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller in 2014.

Dozens of other cases of tourist deaths have since emerged.

Authors, documentary makers and researchers have blamed corrupt Thai police and a powerful clique of local families that control the island for covering up the murders in order to protect the lucrative tourism industry.
Pressure mounts for Lee Jong-sup's resignation

By Lee Hyo-jin

Korean Ambassador to Australia Lee Jong-sup has temporarily returned home to attend a rare meeting of envoys set for Monday. However, with the government providing scant information about the meeting's details such as location and attendees, speculation is mounting that the event was hastily arranged to accommodate Lee's return. Additionally, local defense firms are under pressure to prepare for unexpected visits by Lee and other envoys.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not shared the exact duration of the envoy's stay, which could be prolonged depending on the anti-corruption agency's ongoing investigation. Lee faces allegations of leveraging his position to affect the military's probe into the death of a Marine during a search-and-rescue operation amid heavy rains last summer. Lee was the defense minister at the time.

Lee arrived in Korea on Thursday morning, just 11 days after departing for Canberra, to participate in a meeting in Seoul of diplomatic mission chiefs related to defense industry cooperation.

The event, which is expected to be held for a few days from Monday, will bring together six envoys from Indonesia, Poland, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar, alongside Lee. These countries are key partners with which Korea has been bolstering defense cooperation.

According to the foreign ministry, ambassadors will deliberate on export opportunities for local arms and policy support measures for domestic defense companies during the meeting jointly convened with the defense ministry and the trade ministry. Additionally, they will participate in on-site discussions with several companies.

Such a meeting, which brings together several diplomatic mission chiefs in Seoul to discuss the defense industry, is highly rare, if not unprecedented. Previously, similar meetings were conducted virtually.

The foreign ministry announced the upcoming meeting, Wednesday, a day before Lee arrived in Seoul.

The ministry did not provide exact details regarding the scheduling of the meeting or when attendees were notified. Instead, it said, "It was determined based on comprehensive consideration of the schedules of officials at headquarters and the participating overseas missions."

"We may be able to share more information about the meeting later. It will not be just one meeting but several, and attendance by the foreign or defense ministers will depend on the specific theme of each discussion," a foreign ministry official told The Korea Times, Friday, when asked who will convene the meeting and where it will be held.

The official also mentioned that it is not unusual to refrain from disclosing Lee's specific itinerary in Seoul, citing previous practices where detailed schedules of an envoy were not been provided.

Major defense firms seemed quite taken aback by the possibility of the envoys visiting to see their weapons systems next week, as they had not been notified beforehand. Visits by senior government officials are typically arranged days or weeks in advance.

"We just learned about the planned visit, and details are still under discussion. We are still unsure who is coming  whether it will involve all the envoys or only some of them  and on which day," a defense company employee said, Friday, adding that it will provide necessary cooperation.

Meanwhile, the timing of Lee's return suggests that the envoys' gathering may not be the top priority of his stay. Instead, it appears to be aimed at quelling negative public sentiment surrounding his investigation.

His arrival came just four days after the ruling People Power Party's (PPP) interim leader Han Dong-hoon called for his swift return to face further questioning by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), Sunday.

Several local media reports have suggested that Lee could stay here for weeks until the April 10 general elections, or a month until an annual envoys' gathering in Seoul set to be held from April 22.

If his stay is prolonged, it may lead to disruptions in his envoy role and preparations for an upcoming diplomatic event. The so-called "two plus two" meeting between Korea and Australia, which gathers foreign and defense ministers from both sides, is likely to be held in Canberra in late April or early May.

The date of Lee's departure for Australia has yet to be fixed, according to the foreign ministry.

Speculation over the impromptu envoys' meeting arises as an unfavorable development for the PPP, which had hoped that Lee's sooner-than-expected return would help alleviate the controversies surrounding the envoy.

Negative public sentiment has persisted since Lee's appointment as ambassador on March 4, with critics likening his departure to Australia to "the fleeing of a major criminal suspect." This issue has significantly contributed to the declining approval rating for President Yoon Suk Yeol and the ruling party.

Despite Lee's return and his promise to cooperate with the investigative authorities, some anxious PPP members are calling for his resignation.

During a radio interview on Friday, Na Kyong-won, co-chair of the PPP's election campaign committee, asked for a "more proactive response" from the envoy, apparently requesting him to step down.

Kim Kyung-jin, the PPP's candidate running for Seoul's Dongdaemun-B constituency, also commented that if Lee resigns, it would send a message that the government is responsive to public sentiment, and thus help the party regain the trust of voters in Seoul and surrounding areas.
A WASPI campaigner who retired at 58 but returned to work despite illness because the women's pension age was hiked has condemned new compensation offers.

Pamela Judge, 69, from Ceredigion in Wales, has been among the activists battling for justice for women left in debt when their retirement age was lifted from 60 to 65.

She took early retirement two years before she thought she could, but felt forced to keep going as a freelance after belatedly learning there would be no state pension until 65 - in line with men's retirement age.

A Parliamentary ombudsman yesterday backed so-called WASPI campaigners - standing for Women Against State Pension Inequality - but recommended a far lower level of damages than many wanted.

The report said compensation for each person affected should be between 1,000 and 2,950, despite an MPs' committee previously suggesting it amount to 10,000.

Pamela Judge, 69, has told of having retirement plans 'torn up in front of your eyes'

WASPI demonstrations have been held including here at the statue of political activist Mary Barbour in Govan, Glasgow, on International Women's Day earlier this month

In a long-awaited report, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman said millions of women were failed by the Government and could be owed up to 10.5billion in payouts.

Until 2010, women were entitled to receive the state pension from the age of 60, but the Government announced in 1995 this would increase to 65 between 2010 and 2020 to level the playing field with men.

Up to 3.8million women born in the 1950s should have received letters informing them about the changes, the ombudsman said.

Campaigners say women had retirement plans plunged into chaos and were left out of pocket, with hundreds of thousands having already died without a resolution.

Among those who have been pushing for a response has been mother-of-one Ms Judge, who took early retirement aged 58 - expecting a state pension from 60.

But she and many others were only belatedly told by the Department for Work and Pensions that the retirement age had been equalised at 65 by a decision in 1995.

She returned to working on a freelance basis as a public relations consultant in the public sector - but the move coincided with being diagnosed with a complex combination of auto-immune disorders.

Ms Judge told MailOnline today: 'It's not just the money, it's your plans being torn up in front of your eyes.

'Most people have had plans for what they were going to do at 60, such as looking after your grandchildren so your daughter can go back to work or looking after elderly parents.

'All of a sudden these things couldn't happen because we had to go on working.'

Women Against State Pension Inequality was founded in 2015 to raise awareness about the way the state pension age was equalised between men and women

The group is leading the fight on behalf of millions of women affected by a change to the state pension that means men and women can claim it at the same age

WASPI campaigner Pamela Judge was forced back to work at 60 despite health problems

She welcomed yesterday's ruling but criticised the level of compensation suggested.

Ms Judge said: 'It's been a long time coming - it's taken five years just to finalise the report. In fact, the first complaints from the WASPI women were eight years ago, so it has taken a long time.

'We weren't given adequate notice we'd have to wait a further six years for our state pensions.

'But it's disappointing the ombudsman has suggested level four on the severity of injustice scale, just 1,000 to 2,950 in compensation - Parliament's all-party group on women's equality pensions had suggested a more appropriate scale, of 10,000.

'We're hoping that MPs will take that higher figure on when setting up a compensation scheme.'

She told of how her declining health suffered all the more as she struggled to adjust to her new situation when forced to postpone retirement plans.

Ms Judge recalled: 'I took early retirement at 58 but almost exactly on my 60th birthday I was diagnosed with a long-term, chronic, life-changing illness - a complex combination of various auto-immune conditions.

'I was really quite poorly in my early 60s - I remember one occasion when I was sitting at my desk at home, speaking to a client, and I started to faint.

'I said to him, "Someone's at the door, can I ring you back?", as I had to hang up the phone and hold my head between my knees.

'I wasn't really fit to be working but I needed to, for that extra income. Other women had no other income - people had used up all their savings.'

She has welcomed individual MPs' backing for yesterday's report but now awaits action from parties including the ruling Conservative government and the Labour opposition which is bookies' favourite to win an imminent general election.

WASPI protesters are seen outside Parliament in Westminster, central London, in March 2017

Demonstrators have been calling for millions of women to receive compensation

Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt told MPs yesterday that Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride 'will want to come to the despatch box' to address the ombudsman's findings

Ms Judge said: 'If you look at Twitter, MPs from all parties have been saying it's a good decision, congratulations, etc.

'But it's too early to get official responses from the parties. It's been individual support rather than any particular party line.

'It's an election year and women our age are shown in surveys to be the most likely to vote, so we hope they'll do the right thing by us.'

No 10 last night refused to commit to any payouts, while the Department for Work and Pensions indicated it would 'refuse to comply' and Labour said time was needed to reflect on the report.

The proposed payments will not compensate women for any pension income they lost in the age increase, which they have previously called for.

Instead, the ombudsman recommended redress solely for the maladministration at the hands of the DWP.

Former pensions minister Baroness Ros Altmann has called yesterday's report 'damning' as it highlighted a 'serious failure that caused significant harm to many women'.

She added: 'An apology would be a start but will not pay the bills for those plunged into poverty as a result of not knowing their state pension age had been increased.'

Labour MP Rebecca Long-Bailey urged ministers to right the 'historic wrong' as a matter of urgency.

WASPI demonstrators also took part in a National Pensioners Convention and Fuel Poverty Action protest at Downing Street on November 26, 2021 in London

Up to 3.8million women born in the 1950s should have received letters informing them about the pension age changes, according to yesterday's ombudsman report

Labour MP Rebecca Long-Bailey has urged ministers to intervene to help WASPI women

Campaign chairman Angela Madden said it was 'insulting' that the ombudsman's five-year investigation concluded with a suggested compensation of less than 3,000 per person

She added: 'So many of these women have been plunged into poverty in the years since that outrageous decision. Too many have died waiting for justice.'

And WASPI campaign chairman called the recommended payouts 'insulting', saying: 'They've ruined our lives - it's worth a heck of a lot more than one or two grand.

'One of the affected women is dying every 13 minutes and we just cannot afford to wait any longer.'

The DWP said: 'We will consider the report and respond in due course, having cooperated fully throughout this investigation. The Government has always been committed to supporting all pensioners in a sustainable way that gives them a dignified retirement whilst also being fair to them and taxpayers.'
Antony Blinken has landed in Israel as the UN prepares to vote on a US ceasefire proposal today.

The US Secretary of State is due to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a bid to deter an Israeli offensive into Rafah.

Blinken said on Thursday that a major ground assault on the town in southern Gaza would be a 'mistake' and 'unnecessary' to defeating Hamas - further underscoring the souring of relations between Israel and the US.

He spoke after huddling with top Arab diplomats in Cairo for discussions on efforts for a cease-fire and Gaza's post-conflict future.

Blinken said: 'Our position, which is very clear, is that a major military operation in Rafah would be a mistake, something we don't support.'

Antony Blinken has landed in Israel as the UN prepares to vote on a US ceasefire proposal today

Blinken speaks with senior staff before departing Egypt for Israel

The US Secretary of State is due to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a bid to deter an Israeli offensive into Rafah

The US-proposed UN Security Council resolution on Gaza due to be discussed today has been in development for weeks.

It also calls 'an immediate and sustained ceasefire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages'.

The trip to Tel Aviv is Blinken's sixth trip to the Middle East since the war began in the region on October 7.

But the growing disagreements between Netanyahu and President Joe Biden over the war is likley to overshadow the latest round of talks in Israel.

There are more than a million Palestinians in Rafah who have sought refuge from devastating Israeli ground and air strikes further north.

But Netanyahu has said that without an invasion of Rafah, Israel can't achieve its goal of destroying Hamas after its deadly on October 7.

Blinken's trip to Israel comes ahead of discussions between senior US and Israeli officials next week in Washington.

The US position on a Rafah operation has shifted significantly in recent days. Initially, US officials said they could not support a major offensive into the city unless there was a clear and credible plan for getting civilians out of harm's way.

They then concluded that there was no credible way to do that - given the density of the population of more than a million people.

US officials are now saying that other options, including specifically targeted operations against known Hamas fighters and commanders, are the only way to avoid a civilian catastrophe.

But Netanyahu pledged to ignore warnings about a Rafah operation in a meeting with senators on Wednesday.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends a joint press conference with the Egyptian Foreign minister in Cairo, Egypt, 21 March 2024. The US is set to present a draft resolution to the UNSC for a ceasefire in Gaza

Blinken's trip to Israel comes ahead of discussions between senior US and Israeli officials next week in Washington

There are growing disagreements between Netanyahu and President Joe Biden over the war is likley to overshadow the latest round of talks in Israel

He also took aim at Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's condemnation last week of the civilian death toll in Gaza and his call for new elections in Israel.

Netanyahu stressed that Israel would move ahead in Rafah, according to senators who were in the meeting.

Senator John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, said Netanyahu 'made it very clear that he and the people of Israel intended to prosecute the war to the full extent of their power and that he would not be dictated to by Senator Schumer or President Biden'.

Netanyahu has been accused by Israeli critics of undermining bipartisan American support by cultivating close ties with Republican leaders.

The meeting between Netanyahu and Blinken comes after it was revealed Israeli forces detained hundreds of Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters during its extended raid on Gaza's main hospital earlier this week.

Israeli troops entered the Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City in the early hours of Monday morning and have been combing through the sprawling complex, which the military says is connected to a tunnel network used as a base for Palestinian fighters.

Smoke and explosions rise inside the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel

Smoke rises during an Israeli raid at Al Shifa hospital and the area around it

A Palestinian boy rides a donkey on the rubble of destroyed houses in the Rafah refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip, on March 21, 2024

Humanitarian aid parcels attached to parachutes are airdropped from a military aircraft over the Gaza Strip on March 21, 2024

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, Israel's main military spokesperson, said special forces units had used 'deception tactics' to surprise the fighters and had severely damaged Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Among the detainees were three senior Islamic Jihad military commanders and two Hamas officials responsible for operations in the occupied West Bank as well as other Hamas internal security officials.

'Those who did not surrender to our forces fought against our forces and were eliminated,' Hagari told a briefing late on Thursday.

There was no immediate comment from Hamas or Islamic Jihad, though Hamas spokespeople have in recent days said that the dead announced in previous Israeli statements were not fighters but patients and displaced people, accusing Israel of war crimes.

Al Shifa, the Gaza Strip's biggest hospital before the war, is now one of the only healthcare facilities that is even partially operational in the north of the territory, and is also housing hundreds of displaced civilians.

But those able to move were forced to flee when the IDF launched its raid on the compound earlier this week after declaring Hamas had returned to the compound.
The daughter of a couple murdered by an IT worker who poisoned them with fentanyl has revealed the horrifying moment she found them 'stone cold' dead at their home - saying she 'begged' them to wake up, but next saw them 'in body bags'.

Luke D'Wit, 34, of West Mersea, Essex, befriended and worked for Stephen and Carol Baxter before changing their will to make him a director of their shower mat firm.

D'Wit - who was jailed for life at court today with a minimum term of 37 years - then created a series of fake online personas to manipulate them before he killed them.

He had pretended to be a doctor from Florida and members of a fake support group for the thyroid condition Hashimoto's, which Mrs Baxter suffered from.

Mrs Baxter, 64, and her husband, 61, were found dead at their West Mersea home by their daughter Ellie on Easter Sunday 2023. D'Wit arrived soon after and described himself as a 'friend' to a 999 call handler, before calmly giving a false account.

Today, in an emotional victim impact statement, Ellie, 22, described how she 'found both my mum and dad stiff, stone cold, blue and leaking from their mouths'.

Luke D'Wit, 34, of West Mersea, created a gallery of online personas to manipulate the couple

D'Wit befriended and worked for Stephen Baxter, 61, and his 64-year-old wife Carol (pictured)

Ellie Baxter, the daughter of Stephen and Carol Baxter, leaves Chelmsford Crown Court today

Ellie (left) and Harry Baxter (right), children of the Baxters, at Chelmsford Crown Court today

D'Wit's murder of Stephen and Carol Baxter (pictured) followed 'quite an extraordinary long-term case of manipulation', the court was told

She said: 'I have never known an emotional pain to physically hurt so much. It was like my insides were on fire. I screamed and screamed but nothing I done was helping.

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE The killer geek who watched elderly millionaire couple die on his phone after slipping fentanyl into their drink - and still shared a bedroom with his mum at age of 34 Advertisement

'I pleaded for them to wake up. I begged them. But of course they could not wake. The next time I saw mum and dad they were in body bags.'

Ellie added that she stroked her mother's hair and cried, as well as kissing both of their heads.

She also said: 'I just wish I had known. I wish I had done more and that is something I will forever have to live with.

'I took peace in knowing that mum's pain was over until I learnt the reality of the situation - of how my parents and I were manipulated and how someone we had loved, trusted and looked after for many years could do something so nefarious.

'The stress of this day caused me to have a bleed. I genuinely thought I had lost my daughter as well as my mum and dad.'

Ellie also described how she had struggled to adjust to life without her parents, something she still found 'very hard'.

She continued: 'We would see them all the time then suddenly there were just empty days I could not fill. Nothing could fill them. I should have still been with my mum and dad.

A grab of Ring doorbell footage from April 7, 2023 showing D'Wit leaving the home in Mersea

Bodycam footage from April 9, 2023 of Luke D'Wit providing statements to police in Mersea

A grab from an undated video issued by Essex Police from booking in footage of Luke D'Wit

Stephen Baxter, 61, and his 64-year-old wife Carol, who were poisoned with fentanyl in Essex

Harry Baxter, the son of Stephen and Carol Baxter, leaves Chelmsford Crown Court today

A will shown to the jury during the trial of D'Wit which the prosecution said was created by him

'Many times I have silly questions and look for guidance and I have no one to turn to now. I have no family left around me that I can trust.

Ellie Baxter: Full victim impact statement by couple's daughter 'My mum and dad are dead. But they didn't just die. They were taken from me and my young children. My mum lost her freedom, her will, her ability to function two years prior to her murder due to her illness - an illness no one could help with or understand because it was contrived by Luke D'Wit. Mum felt so alone and lost and there was nothing I could do other then give her my shoulder to cry on and cuddle her. I tried to push her to go to the doctors which she did but she was completely brainwashed by Dr Andrea Bowden. I even suggested completely removing her thyroid because we all believed that was the root of the problem. No thyroid, no more of mum's life being destroyed. 'Luke D'wit, who was behind the persona Dr Andrea Bowden, thought sending videos of my mum for Andrea to see would be a good idea. But in reality Luke just wanted to see and watch the outcome of his twisted, abominable actions - sometimes even filming my mum himself and laughing. 'My mum was full of life. She always pushed me to be better. We would have girly days out at the spa and plenty of shopping trips. She was my best friend. We would laugh together, cry together and support each other. Over the coming years we had planned to go travelling as we both wanted to go to Japan and India - a dream of ours that now can never be fulfilled. My mum loved my son to bits. She would constantly buy him toys and take him out for walks in his pram. Even when she was at death's door, his face would still light her up. At times she wouldn't be able to speak or properly open her eyes. But she could hear, she knew and her smile shone through. 'My dad was a strong man. 'There are no short cuts in life', he would always say. He worked every day of his life and provided for mum, my brother and I. There was nothing we ever needed. He loved us all. My dad raised me to be strong and sincere. The first time my dad held my son, his first grandchild, he understood the love mum had for her grandchildren. He said my son just fit perfectly in his arms, like my brother and I did. He lit up and he was excited for my new baby. A new baby he never got a chance to meet. We used to stay up late talking and watching horror films. Dad also loved to play guitar. In the summer we would have bonfires and the guitar would always come out. Watching my dad play and sing so freely is where my love for music began. Dad initially got my brother Harry into guitar lessons where they would go together and learn then serenade mum and I. 'Never again will I be able to have a jam with my dad. Neither will my brother. 'Leading up to their deaths, dad seemed lonely. Mum was too unwell. She struggled to eat and could not stay awake. Often my partner and I with our son would stay and have dinner with my dad and bring back his joy and spirit too. My mum being drugged for so long and needing such constant help was also, slowly but surely, tearing away every last bit of my dad's soul. I felt so helpless. 'Dad really loved and respected my partner Marcus. There had been talk about us getting engaged which then led to conversations with me and dad about him being able to walk me down the aisle. He looked so proud even just speaking about it. We had a few drinks and started to slow dance pretending it was our daddy and daughter dance, laughing and getting excited for what the future will hold. I will forever hold onto that memory as any chance of that becoming possible has been stolen from me. 'Mum always had a sixth sense. There were things that she just knew. All throughout my life she just knew things it's hard to explain. A week before they were murdered, I was just over a week away from finding out the gender of my baby. Mum looked at me, touched my stomach, softly smiled and said that is a girl. Of course, mum was right. I know she is looking down on me and I know she knows but I never got that chance to tell her to her face that she was right. She has never seen nor held my daughter and she never will. 'A year before they passed, my dad had said how he had found his dad passed away in his armchair - stiff and cold to the touch. He swore he would do anything in his power to never let me have that experience, and that moment has always stayed with him. A year went by and I found both my mum and dad stiff, stone cold, blue and leaking from their mouths. I have never known an emotional pain to physically hurt so much. It was like my insides were on fire. I screamed and screamed but nothing I done was helping. I pleaded for them to wake up. I begged them. But of course they could not wake. The next time I saw mum and dad they were in body bags. Dad's nose and ears were leaking and mum's eye had a puddle of fluid that had run out of her nose. I stroked mum's hair and cried. They were gone. I kissed both of their heads. I just wish I had known. I wish I had done more and that is something I will forever have to live with. I took peace in knowing that mum's pain was over until I learnt the reality of the situation - if how my parents and I were manipulated and how someone we had loved, trusted and looked after for many years could do something so nefarious. The stress of this day caused me to have a bleed. I genuinely thought I had lost my daughter as well as my mum and dad. 'Mum and dad looked after Luke. They just decided he was lonely, especially after Luke's dad died. They took him under their wing and would let him join in. Even in our personal family birthday meals. Luke had his cancer treatment every Thursday and he would say it would take it out of him. Complain of headaches and fatigue. My parents and I would support him through this. But once again that was another lie. Another form of deceit. Another way to emotionally manipulate us all. 'Adjusting to life without my mum and dad so young was and is still very hard. We would see them all the time then suddenly there were just empty days I could not fill. Nothing could fill them. I should have still been with my mum and dad. Many times I have silly questions and look for guidance, and I have no one to turn to now. I have no family left around me that I can trust. Mum and dad being murdered has destroyed everything they had spent years nourishing and cherishing. Everything they had built smashed into pieces and now I am alone, still trying to find them pieces to start piecing them together again for the sake of my children. I still text their phones. I still wish them happy birthday and merry Christmas. I messaged to tell them about my beautiful little girl and it still hurts when I don't get a reply. 'They had so much life left to live and so much to look forward to - all crushed due to one man's heinous crimes. A man my family protected and cared for. A man who lied his way into our lives. A man so manipulative he hacked his way into our lives over a decade ago, schemed and thoroughly planed my parents' demise. 'Years of pain and trauma were given to us and the chance of countless years and endless memories have been snatched from my family and I.' Advertisement

'Mum and dad being murdered has destroyed everything they had spent years nourishing and cherishing.

'Everything they had built smashed into pieces and now I am alone, still trying to find them pieces to start piecing them together again for the sake of my children.

'I still text their phones. I still wish them happy birthday and merry Christmas. I messaged to tell them about my beautiful little girl and it still hurts when I don't get a reply.'

Ellie also said D'Wit had 'completely brainwashed' her mother by posing as a fake doctor, adding that Mrs Baxter 'felt so alone' as she lost her function in the two years before her death.

'I tried to push her to go to the doctor's, which she did but she was completely brainwashed by Dr Andrea Bowden,' Ellie said.

She continued: 'Luke D'Wit, who was behind the persona Dr Andrea Bowden, thought sending videos of my mum for Andrea to see would be a good idea.

'But in reality Luke just wanted to see and watch the outcome of his twisted, abominable actions. Sometimes even filming my mum himself and laughing.'

Ellie also said the killer 'lied his way into our lives'.

She described D'Wit as a 'man so manipulative he hacked his way into our lives over a decade ago, schemed and thoroughly planned my parents' demise'.

She said her parents had 'looked after Luke', adding: 'They just decided he was lonely, especially after Luke's dad died.

'They took him under their wing and would let him join in.'

D'Wit denied their murders but was found guilty by unanimous verdicts at Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday, following a trial that lasted more than a month and on a third day of jury deliberations.

He was sentenced at the same court today by judge Mr Justice Nicholas Lavender, who said D'Wit 'ended their lives and brought grief and misery to the lives of others'.

Mr Justice Lavender did not accept the prosecution's assertion that D'Wit's behaviour was sadistic, because his victims were sedated when they died.

But he added: 'I consider it was possible that what motivated you was the desire to exert control on others deciding whether someone lives or dies is the ultimate form of control.'

The judge also told D'Wit: 'It's distinctly possible what motivated you was a desire to control others.'

The defendant, who wore a patterned blue short-sleeved shirt, appeared to show no reaction as he sat in a wheelchair in the secure dock.

The judge said he was sure that D'Wit 'extracted the fentanyl from patches which had been originally prescribed for your father, who died in 2021'.

He said these were crushed into a powder and given to the Baxters in a drink, which they took as they trusted D'Wit to prepare 'supposed health drinks'.

Also today, prosecutor Tracy Ayling KC said D'Wit's murder of the Baxters followed 'quite an extraordinary long-term case of manipulation'.

She told the court that D'Wit created seven fake personas, 'each with extra people, family members as well', and started this in 2021.

The barrister said D'Wit was drugging Mrs Baxter, causing her to appear as if she had dementia or a stroke, and that the pain he was inflicting on her 'was for Luke D'Wit's own satisfaction'.

She said D'Wit had previously tried to harm Mrs Baxter by giving her a pill with a tack inside it.

Adam Davis KC, mitigating for D'Wit at, said the defendant knew he faced a lengthy sentence for the murders of the Baxters.

He said: 'The defendant knows, given the conviction of the jury, that he faces a very long time in prison.

'He accepts that.'

On Wednesday, Ellie was in the public gallery and wept when the two guilty verdicts were returned, as she was comforted by her brother Harry.

The defendant, who used a wheelchair throughout the trial, did not appear to react in the secure dock of the court.

Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby addressed media outside court afterwards on Wednesday, as Ellie and Harry Baxter stood by his side, along with members of the wider family.

'In all my years of policing, Luke D'Wit is one of the most dangerous men I have ever come across,' he said. 'I have absolutely no doubt in my mind had he not been caught he would have gone on to kill further people.'

He said that D'Wit 'disgracefully ... based his defence on collusion between himself and Stephen Baxter'.

'Stephen is tragically not here to defend himself but from everything we knew about him we know this could never have been the case,' said Mr Kirby, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.

'Thankfully, today the jury have seen through D'Wit's fantasies and delivered guilty verdicts.'

D'Wit denied murdering the pair and claimed in court that he created fake identities on the instructions of Mr Baxter and to give Mrs Baxter 'someone to talk to and air all her grievances to'.

Prosecutors said D'Wit created a fake will on his phone the day after the Baxters were found dead, making him a director of their shower mat company Cazsplash.

Another fake persona - a solicitor - was used in connection with the new will, prosecutors said.

Tracy Ayling KC said in her prosecution closing speech that D'Wit murdered Mr and Mrs Baxter 'calmly, coolly and in a way which had been entirely planned, maybe for some while'.

The couple's daughter said in evidence that her parents believed D'Wit was 'weird, but nerdy weird'.

She said he had initially been brought into their shower mat business in about 2012 or 2013 to 'help build the website' before eventually coming round to their house 'every day'.

She said afterwards, in a statement released through police, that her mother 'lost her freedom, her will, her ability to function two years prior to her murder due to her illness'.

She said that 'no-one could help with or understand' her illness 'because it was contrived by Luke D'Wit'.

'Mum felt so alone and lost, and there was nothing I could do other then give her my shoulder to cry on and cuddle her,' said Ellie Baxter.

Their son Harry Baxter said D'Wit played 'foul games torturing and drugging' his mother.

'I feel great sadness looking back on the videos of her when she was acting strangely and seeing him in the background giggling and smiling knowing he's the one inflicting this pain as we were all dolls in his dollhouse, victim to his manipulation,' he said, in a statement released through police.

Stephen Baxter, 61, and his 64-year-old wife Carol (pictured) were found dead at their home

Ellie Baxter, the daughter of Stephen and Carol Baxter, leaves Chelmsford Crown Court today

The home of the millionaire tycoon husband and wife in Essex where their bodies were found

An undated grab of video footage issued by Essex Police from arrest footage of Luke D'Wit

An undated photo issued by Essex Police of officers at the home on Mersea Island in Essex

Stephen and Carol Baxter's children, Ellie (left) and Harry Baxter, look on as Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby speaks outside Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday

Mr Kirby said in an interview outside court that D'Wit 'fooled everyone'.

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'He befriended people, came across as a very amenable, helpful person but in the background he was a cool, calculated killer who spent years planning the demise of Carol and Stephen Baxter,' he said.

He described D'Wit as a 'loner' who 'spent hours of his time creating false personas, all there to create control over the Baxters'.

'The level of deviousness he went to was phenomenal,' Mr Kirby said.

Asked about a possible motive, Mr Kirby said it was 'unclear what was going on in D'Wit's mind'.

'Certainly he stood to benefit financially from the death of the Baxters and we believe that certainly this played part of the role in his motive,' he said.

He continued: 'D'Wit's downfall was the arrogance that existed within him.

'He didn't cover his tracks properly and he was deluded in thinking that he could use fentanyl to kill two people and that wouldn't be found to be suspicious.'

D'Wit was arrested at his workplace and his bag contained fentanyl patches, opened and unopened.

Prosecutors questioned his claim that he was taking these back to a pharmacy following the death of his father in 2021.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Inspector Lydia George, senior investigating officer in the case, said: 'It is simply impossible to put a number on the lives of Carol and Stephen. They were loving, generous parents. They helped people and touched the lives of many.

'They were entering a period in their lives where they should have been able to enjoy precious time with their grandchildren.

'They should have been planning holidays, looking forward to spending Christmases with family and living their lives to the full.

'Luke D'Wit took all that away in April 2023. He tried to cover it up. He went to great lengths to blame others who we know were not involved in any way.'

She said D'Wit 'clearly enjoyed the control he exerted over people, especially Carol and Stephen'.

DI George continued: 'Ultimately, the only person in this world who knows why he acted this way is Luke D'Wit - and he has proven time and time again to be a manipulator.

'What we do know is; the significant sentence handed down today is entirely fitting for the pathological liar that he is.

'For almost a year, we have been determined to secure justice in its entirety. Today marks the conclusion of one of the most complex investigations undertaken at Essex Police.'

Concluding, she said: 'Today, though, is not about Luke D'Wit. And it's not about Essex Police. It's about Carol and Stephen and it's about their family.

'We know nothing will bring Carol and Stephen back. We know nothing can give the family back their loving mother, sister and grandmother or their generous father, brother, son and grandfather.

'However, I truly hope this sentence is of some comfort to the family as they move forward.'
A 44-year-old man was driving the tractor-trailer with the carrot shipment

2,900 pounds of methamphetamine was found by border staff near San Diego

Millions of dollars worth of methamphetamine was found tucked away among a cargo of carrots by border staff in Southern California.

A staggering 2,900 pounds of the drug were uncovered after the tractor-trailer during a second inspection of the vehicle on Sunday.

Driven by a 44-year-old man with a valid border crossing card, the carrot shipment appeared to be only vegetables at first glance.

However, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) staff at the Otay Mesa Commercial Facility nearby San Diego decided to stop and search the vehicle.

Upon a closer look at the shipment, border staff discovered a lot more than one of your five a day.

Millions of dollars worth of methamphetamine was found tucked away among a cargo of carrots by border staff at the Otay Mesa Commercial Facility near San Diego (pictured)

During the second inspection of the carrot haul, officers unearthed hundreds of mysterious orange-colored packages stashed away underneath the carrots and ice.

A total of 574 packages were found buried among the vegetables - and could rack up a street value in the millions according to officials.

After further testing of the suspicious packages, it was confirmed that they contained methamphetamine, according to Fox News.

Otay Mesa Port of Entry port director, Rosa E. Hernandez told Fox News: 'I couldnt be prouder of the exceptional work by our CBP officers.

'While facilitating lawful trade and travel, our officers steadfastly combat the trafficking of dangerous drugs at our borders.'

The driver was handed to Homeland Security Investigation so they could examine the incident further.

The vehicle driving the shipment has also been recovered by the CBP.

MailOnline has approached Homeland Security for comment.

The discovery is part of Operation Apollo - a joint US regional mission to fight against the ongoing national opioid epidemic.

According to the CBP, fentanyl and other illicit narcotics have claimed the lives of 'hundreds of thousands' of Americans.

This comes after liquid methamphetamine was disguised as vegetable oil in Tooborac, Victoria Australia in September last year.

The goliath haul saw Australian officers and federal police seize the 312kg drums of liquid drugs.

Upon a secondary investigation 547 suspicious orange-colored packages were found underneath the carrots and ice (pictured)

The 44-year-old man, who was driving trailer tractor with the carrot shipment, has been handed over to Homeland Security (pictured: Otay Mesa Commercial Port of Entry)

The package was first spotted at Los Angeles International Airport in July, but was labelled by US Homeland Security and the CBP as 'vegetable fluid oil'.

The discovery set a mission dubbed Operation Tallow into motion, with Australian police working with US authorities to trace the drugs as they made their way to Victoria.

After landing in Australia, the two drums were in storage for two weeks before being delivered to a vacant rural property in Victoria on September 5.

When nobody came to pick up the haul, investigators raided properties in Melbourne and Brisbane and interviewed several people.

Nobody has been charged for the consignment.
A father has recalled the terrifying moment his one-year-old daughter was almost abducted by a stranger.

Nathaniel Denver said his daughter was walking with her mum near the intersection of Alamein Lane and Graham Crescent in Traralgon, southeast of Melbourne, at about 9.30am on Thursday when they were approached by the man.

The man, aged between 40 and 50, suddenly picked up the one-year-old girl who was holding her mother's hand as they walked near Stockdale Primary School.

Mr Denver's partner managed to kick the man who then let go of her daughter before he fled on foot and headed east towards Graham Crescent.

Mr Denver said other parents in the area have claimed to see the same man acting strangely on multiple other occasions.

Nathaniel Denver (pictured left) revealed how a man tried to kidnap his daughter (pictured right) in a terrifying daylight incident

'Everyone's just had enough of this in Traralgon, we're just over this,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'We can't even have kids out on the street now because of this consistently happening'.

Mr Denver said his child suffered some bruising on her arm when the man tried to pull her away but his daughter and his partner are otherwise doing okay.

He claimed his partner had seen the same man staring at her while she was standing in her yard talking to a friend just one week earlier.

Police were called to the scene following the incident and remain on the hunt for the man.

His daughter was walking with her mum near the intersection of Alamein Lane and Graham Crescent in Traralgon

A Victoria Police spokesperson told Daily Mail the man was described as being Caucasian and had a 'tanned complexion'.

'He was wearing a brown and white beanie, a black, grey and blue shirt and dark coloured pants,' the spokesperson said.

Mr Denver shared the harrowing story to a Facebook group on Thursday to urge parents to look out for their children.

'This morning my partner and our 1 year old daughter were approached by a male on Alamein,' he said.

'He attempted to run off with my daughter grabbing her by her arm and ripping her up towards him, busting her lip.'

Mr Denver said the man was also wearing a jumper and has a tattoo underneath one of his eyes.

Anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage has been urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police are investigating alleged racist comments made by Tory party donor Frank Hester about Diane Abbott at a meeting in 2019.

West Yorkshire Police said it is looking into allegations that the businessman said Ms Abbott, Britain's longest-serving black MP, made him 'want to hate all black women' and 'should be shot'.

Mr Hester, reputed to have given more than 10million to the Conservatives, has accepted he was 'rude' but denied being racist or sexist.

The investigation was passed over from the Metropolitan Police as the meeting took place in Horsforth, Leeds.

Police are investigating alleged racist comments made by Tory party donor Frank Hester (pictured at CHOGM in 2022) about Diane Abbott at a meeting in 2019

West Yorkshire Police said it is looking into allegations that the businessman said Ms Abbott (pictured), Britain's longest-serving black MP, made him 'want to hate all black women' and 'should be shot'

Hester issued a statement on X in which he said he was 'deeply sorry for his remarks' - but denied that his criticism had anything to do with her gender or the colour of her skin

A spokesman said officers were now 'working to establish the facts and to ultimately ascertain whether a crime has been committed'.

They added that the Metropolitan Police had been contacted on March 11 about a report in The Guardian, and that this was the first time the remarks had been brought to the attention of police.

The force said: 'We recognise the strong reaction to these allegations and appreciate everyone who has contacted us since the article was published.

'As we continue our inquiry, we are keen to hear from anyone who could directly assist our investigation.'
A three-year-old boy was mauled by an XL Bully and sustained severe facial injuries that required major surgery.

The family pet sank its teeth into the toddler's face after parents and guardians allowed him to climb on the dog in Doncaster, South Yorkishire.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: 'At 1:15pm on Monday 18 March, we received a call from Yorkshire Ambulance Service informing us they were responding to the boy who was seriously bleeding.'

The XL Bully, that is registered, was seized by police and remains in kennels as the police conduct their investigation.

A three-year-old boy was mauled by an XL Bully and sustained severe facial injuries that required major surgery (Stock Image)

READ MORE: Dog attacks have risen by a fifth in one year with police now recording more than 80 incidents a day Advertisement

It has been a criminal offence to own an XL Bully without a registered exemption certificate since February 1 after the government added the breed to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Chief Inspector Emma Cheney leading work on dangerous dogs in South Yorkshire said: 'This family have acknowledged the change in legislation around the XL Bully and registered their dog, but this doesn't remove the danger that these dogs pose and why the ban has come into place.

'All dogs can be aggressive; they are animals, but some dogs have greater capability to cause harm due to their size and strength.

'Children should never be unsupervised when with dogs, even family pets that you believe "would never hurt" your children.

'A dog's instinct to protect itself is to bite. Parents should ensure children learn to respect a dog's space and be encouraged to have boundaries around feeding and resting times.'

Esther Martin, the 68-year-old grandmother who was mauled to death by two XL Bullies belonging to her wanna-be-rapper 'son-in-law'

She told Doncaster Free Press: 'An incident like this is a stark reminder that regardless of a dogs nature, or previous interactions with children, other dogs and people, they are animals and their innate instinct is to protect themselves which can result in serious injuries and sometimes fatality.

'Take action now and protect your children.'

This comes as data revealed that dog attacks have risen by a fifth in one year and is yet another XL Bully attack in a long line of similar incidents with the breed even since the ban came in to place.

Last week a suspected XL Bully was shot dead by armed police after footage showed the 'dangerously out-of-control' dog on a rampage in Battersea, injuring four people.

Detective Superintendent Dan Mitchell, head of the county lines coordination centre, said that the breed has become a 'status symbol for drug gangs' after police seized eight of them in a coordinated raids across Britain at the start of the month.

Perhaps one of the countries most prolific cases was that of Esther Martin, the 68-year-old grandmother who was mauled to death by two XL Bullies belonging to her wanna-be-rapper 'son-in-law'.

Ms Martin, from Woodford Green, east London, was visiting her grandson at her daughters chalet in Jaywick when she was attacked and killed by the dogs on February 3.
A couple from Kentucky accused of trying to sell their babies for $5,000 have defended their actions from jail, claiming it was just a joke that got out of hand.

The Jackson County couple, Zackary Davis and Jacquilyn Keith, were arrested on Monday after allegedly attempting to sell their own newborn twin daughters.

The pair are currently behind bars in the Jackson County Detention Center facing human trafficking-related charges.

Davis has claimed a relative was watching their newborn twins while he and his wife were busy renovating their home.

'Went out there every day. Brought money, food and diapers. Got to see my kids a couple of hours, went back to work,' said Davis from inside the detention center in McKee.

The Jackson County couple, Zackary Davis and Jacquilyn Keith, were arrested on Monday after allegedly attempting to sell their own newborn twin daughters

The dad claimed a relative was looking after the babies while he and his wife renovated their home

He says the mention of selling his twin baby girls was a joke that he didn't mean seriously.

'She said, 'I give you five grand.' I said, 'ha, ha, yeah, you can have my kids for five grand,' said Davis.

But officers were left unconvinced after claiming they were contacted by Davis' sister-in-law who confirmed the couple had agreed to sell the babies.

They say they have screenshots of messages and recordings to back up the claims.

Davis and Keith snapped back, however, saying selling their children was never a genuine plan.

From behind bars in a separate interview, Keith said: 'Hopefully, they will see the mess that is going on, and we don't have to do prison time for something we didn't do'.

According to the sheriff's department police report, the mother told officers that her husband's relatives manipulated him into giving them permission to keep the babies.

Davis claimed the kids are his world, and the reason he worked on cleaning up his life.

'I am trying to get the word out there that this is all corrupt, and I had my kids stolen from me. They have took my kids from me,' he said.

Davis took to Facebook to say he was not selling or giving away any of his children

Jackson County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Zachary Bryant told WKYT that this was the first time in his career he had given out the charge.

'Fortunately, this is the first time I've ever had to charge this, and hopefully I never have to charge it again,' he said.

The couple said they wanted to extend their family of five before being thrown into a prison cell.

'I have five kids. If I sold a kid, I would not have five. I watch kids my entire life. I have kids with me or near me my entire life. I have always been responsible for somebody's kids,' Keith said.

Police said social services took custody of the children and placed them in another home to be looked after.

Both Davis and Keith remain in jail on a $10,000 bond and are due in district court on Monday.

Neither has entered a plea and an attorney for each party has not been listed.
Simon Harris is set for a clear run to become the Ireland's next Taoiseach after announcing he will stand to be the leader of the Fine Gael party following Prime Minister Leo Varadkar's resignation earlier this week.

The Further and Higher Education Minister announced his candidature on Thursday night having after garnered a plethora of parliamentarians, MEPs and councillors to back him as the party's next leader.

If appointed Fine Gael leader, Harris would be expected to be formally elected as Taoiseach in the Dail in April following the Easter recess, and would become the country's youngest premier at the age of 37.

The father of two has been described by his party colleagues as 'energetic', 'a great communicator' and as having a 'vision for Ireland that is about equality of opportunity'.

A media-savvy and personable politician who is well-versed on social media sites and has already been dubbed the 'TikTok Taoiseach', he has been at the helm of three departments over an eight-year period.

Elected to the Wicklow County Council aged just 23, he was called a 'young pup' by one dismissive councillor - but is now set to lead his country.

Speaking to Irish broadcaster RTE today, Harris said: 'I want to join you to let you know this evening I am in, I want to be the next leader of Fine Gael. I am ready to step up and I am ready to serve.'

The Further and Higher Education Minister announced his candidature on Thursday night having after garnered a plethora of parliamentarians, MEPs and councillors to back him as the party's next leader

Harris is seen with his wife Caiomhe Wade and daughter Saorise

If appointed Fine Gael leader, Harris would be expected to be formally elected as Taoiseach in the Dail in April following the Easter recess, and would become the country's youngest premier at the age of 37

Harris is seen speaking to media in Dublin, Ireland

Harris is seen alongside former US President Bill Clinton

He added: 'I have been really overwhelmed and extremely grateful for support from Cabinet colleagues, ministers of state, TDs, MEPs, councillors and grassroots members right across Ireland.

'I want to thank everybody for their support and their trust. It means so much to me and I will work night and day. I will give this my absolute all to repay that trust.'

He added that he wants to bring 'energy and an enthusiasm' to the leadership of the party.

'I want to bring my practical life experience.

'I want to work with colleagues, I want to listen, I want to really reconnect with our party right across the country. I want to get back to core principles,' he said.

With his youth and slick communication skills his opponents jibe that he is 'Leo 2.0', a continuation of a 'metropolitan' style of politics that is out of touch with the wider electorate.

With 1.4 million 'likes' on TikTok, and hundreds of thousands of followers on both X and Instagram, he posts content almost daily to his audience.

Some of his videos and remarks have been seen as trying too hard to appeal to the younger generation.

During one stormy parliamentary committee meeting, Harris told the group: 'Chillax - I think everyone needs to take a step back here'.

'All the young people know what 'chillax' is,' he said in parliament the next day.

He now faces the task of replacing outgoing Varadkar.

Paying tribute in a statement, Harris said: 'Leo has steered our party and our country through very challenging times including Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the recent cost-of-living crisis.'

He said: 'If given the opportunity, I will give this my all.'

As a young boy growing up in the seaside town of Greystones in Co Wicklow, Harris is said to have repeatedly stated he wanted to be taoiseach.

After cutting his political teeth as an assistant to former justice minister Frances Fitzgerald when she was a senator, and then working as a councillor, he was elected to the Irish parliament as its youngest TD in 2011.

His maiden speech in the Dail was to nominate Enda Kenny as taoiseach.

He served as a junior minister in the Department of Finance from 2014 before being propelled to the role of minister for health in the Fine Gael-led minority government that was formed in 2016.

Known as one of the most difficult Irish ministries, Mr Harris faced issues such as the ownership of the National Maternity Hospital, the spiralling cost of the National Children's Hospital and a controversy around Ireland's cervical cancer screening programme.

After the Irish public voted to liberalise its abortion laws in a 2018 referendum, Mr Harris received praise  and even adoration  by campaigners who viewed him a strong voice for the Yes campaign.

Later in the three-party coalition government, he became minister at the newly-formed Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

He will take Leo Varadkar's old title as the youngest-ever Irish premier should he assume the role.

Harris is married to Caoimhe Wade, a cardiac nurse, and the pair share two children - daughter Saoirse, 5, and son Cillian, 2.

Despite his high-flying political career, he has on several occasions declared that being being a dad is 'the most important job I have, and ever will have'.

FILE: Former Minister for Health Simon Harris and other Fine Gael members taking part in the annual LGBTI+ Dublin Pride Parade Pride celebrations, Dublin, Ireland, 2018

FILE: Former Irish Health Minister Simon Harris speaks during a press conference at the launch of a new Covid-19 information booklet in Dublin City, Ireland, 25 March 2020

Irish government minister Simon Harris could be set for a clear run at becoming the next taoiseach after a series of senior colleagues said they did not intend to run for the Fine Gael leadership

Future leader of Fine Gael and possible future Taoiseach Simon Harris TD, walks out of Leinster House this evening to speak to media

Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar arrives for the second day of an EU Summit in the Europa building, the EU Council headquarter on March 22, 2024 in Brussels, Belgium, two days after announcing his resignation

Outgoing Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach Varadkar surprised many within the political establishment by announcing his resignation on Wednesday.

But focus has since shifted to his potential successor.

Aside from Harris, all other senior Fine Gael cabinet ministers have ruled themselves out of contention.

Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe, Justice Minister Helen McEntee, Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys and Enterprise Minister and Fine Gael deputy leader Simon Coveney have all said they will not seek a nomination for the leadership.

Humphrey and McEntee are also among a wave of Fine Gael members to have come out publicly in support of Harris.

Minister of State Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, who had been touted as a possible outsider in any race for the leadership, has also ruled herself out and declared support for Harris.

Harris has already been viewed as one of the favourites to replace Mr Varadkar, but he may now emerge as the only contender.

Varadkar refused to endorse any candidate, saying he wanted to support the next leader 'wholeheartedly'.

Speaking in Brussels for the European Council meeting, Varadkar said: 'There is a very long-standing tradition in Fine Gael, and a very good one, that outgoing or former party leaders don't endorse a particular candidate. So I'm not going to do that.

'And the reason why I won't do that is that it will allow me to support wholeheartedly whoever is elected as the next Fine Gael leader.'
This is the emotional moment a man fulfilled his life-long dream of meeting a gorilla in the wild after guides helped him into the jungle on a stretcher in Rwanda.

Footage shows the tourist, named only as Collin, being lifted to within a few yards of the huge primate which watches on with other gorillas in the background.

It is not yet clear why Collin had to be lifted up to the mountain jungle on a stretcher, but guide Cameron Scott called the experience amazing, lucky and the experience of a lifetime.

The group, led by Royal Ngala Safaris founder Cameron Scott, was searching for the famous Hirwa gorilla family, known for having twins.

This is the amazing encounter of a man fulfilling his lifelong dream of meeting a gorilla

They found them in a clearing.

Scott said that they were in that clearing because they had been chased there by a Silverback.

Collin, whose nationality and age is not known, was carefully lowered to the ground and had a rare face-to-face encounter with one of the grown up twins.

Cameron Scott shared the video on Instagram and wrote, 'This was a first for me. Our group was searching for the famous Hirwa family, which means (lucky) in the local Kinyarwanda language.

'Lucky because this family was blessed with twins that both survived to adulthood.

'One of our group members, Collin, was unable to get up the mountain and was actually carried up in a stretcher bed by our amazing guides and porters to achieve his lifelong dream of encountering wild mountain gorillas in the wild.'

Guides carried him through the dense forest right up until he met the primate

Scott went on to talk about the encounter.

He said: 'What transpired was actually amazing, as we were blindsided by the Gorilla family we were actually tracking as they had been chased down from their original location by a lone aggressive Silverback.

'This resulted in us bumping into each other in a small clearing without any preparation or warning.

'Collin was immediately lowered to the ground, and he ended up having a very rare encounter of a lifetime with one of the twins, who was now, in fact, a proud black-backed gorilla.

'Another unbelievable and hilarious experience.'
Ambassador to Australia Lee Jong-sup has met individually with the ministers of foreign affairs, defense and industry since his return home from Canberra the previous day, the foreign ministry said, apparently dismissing growing speculation over his abrupt return and unclear public schedule while he is in town.

Lee returned Thursday, 11 days after he assumed the job, as criticism is growing over Lee's appointment and departure after revelations that he was banned from leaving the country as he was subject to an investigation for his alleged interference in a military probe into last year's death of a Marine.

Since the foreign ministry announced Lee will come back to attend a defense cooperation meeting of ambassadors of six countries, including Australia, speculation arose that the meeting could have been organized in haste to give Lee a pretext to return home, because the public sentiment is worsening in the run-up to the parliamentary elections set for April 10.

Lee's arrival, which came four days ahead of the planned ambassadors' meeting, also raised questions about what Lee will be doing until Monday and whether those four days can be legally acknowledged as serving public duty under the regulations pertaining to public servants on overseas missions.

On Friday, the foreign ministry said Lee was having schedules related to the upcoming ambassadors' meeting.

The ambassador "met separately with the minister of defense on March 21, the ministers of industry and foreign affairs on March 22," the foreign ministry said in a message to reporters.

Lee plans to have meetings throughout next week with officials of government agencies involved in the defense cooperation and the top envoys of the six countries in Seoul, among other schedules, the ministry said.

A foreign ministry official said the meetings Lee has had since Thursday and onwards are meant to discuss Monday's meeting in advance, suggesting that Lee's stay will be recognized as a return trip for official duties. (Yonhap)
A senior Tory MP has warned that Brits are being 'incentivised' to report mental health issues amid rising concern about numbers signed off work.

The party's deputy chair Rachel Maclean stressed that the government wanted a 'compassionate' system.

But appearing on the BBC's Question Time she voiced alarm that there was not enough acceptance that 'life is hard' and it is 'normal not to feel happy all the time'.

The former minister - who has two psychology degrees - spoke out after Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said the approach to mental health is in danger of 'going too far' with 'normal anxieties of life' being labelled as illnesses.

Mr Stride is hoping to get 150,000 people who are signed off work with 'mild' illnesses to look for a job in a bid to tackle the UK's spiralling welfare bill.

Tory deputy chair Rachel Maclean stressed that the government wanted a 'compassionate' system

Appearing on the BBC's Question Time Ms Maclean voiced alarm that there was not enough acceptance that 'life is hard' and it's 'normal not to feel happy all the time'

Asked about the comments on the BBC's flagship show last night, Ms Maclean said the government was taking mental health problems 'seriously'.

'That's why it's putting in 2.3billion of taxpayers' money. But I think that doesn't obscure from the fact that there's a central truth in what Mel Stride said, which I do agree with,' she said.

'Mental health is a very difficult thing to diagnose. If you have a system which incentivises people to say that they have got a mental health condition, that puts a lot of pressure on the system.'

Ms Maclean said it was a problem to have an approach that 'doesn't distinguish' between genuine illness and 'somebody who's just dealing with life as it is'.

'Life is hard. Life is tough,' she said. 'It's normal to feel sad. It is normal to feel depressed. It's normal to feel grief. It's normal not to feel happy all the time.

'And we can't pretend as a government that we can somehow take away the human condition that we are all familiar with.'

As she was challenged by other panellists and members of the audience, Ms Maclean said: 'By the way, I do know what I'm talking about. I actually have got two psychology degrees.

'I've studied mental health I understand a lot of the difficulties with diagnosing it. But I think we do need to start having the conversation.

'That's what Mel stride was doing. He's being honest and grown up about this. I think many people if they look in the mirror will agree with these points.'

Mr Stride cautioned earlier this week that the benefits bill - which is forecast to break the 100 billion barrier this year - is being driven up by people getting signed off work for mental health issues.

He told The Telegraph although it was good that people who were once suffering in silence are now getting help, there was a danger some were telling themselves they had a serious mental health condition as opposed to the 'normal anxieties of life'.

It comes as new data revealed last week that 20,000 people are off work due to their mental health every month.

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride has said Britain's approach to mental health is in danger of 'going too far'

Numbers on long-term sick from work hit another record high of 2.8m in the wake of Covid

Mr Stride said: 'While I'm grateful for today's much more open approach to mental health, there is a danger that this has gone too far.

'There is a real risk now that we are labelling the normal ups and downs of human life as medical conditions which then actually serve to hold people back and, ultimately, drive up the benefit bill.'

People are getting signed off 'too easily' following seven minute conversations with their GPs in which they say they are 'feeling rather down and bluesy', he suggested, which is 'holding people back'.

As part of the clampdown, Mr Stride said people who suffer from 'milder problems', such as social anxiety, will be required to take up jobs where they can work from home.

While he is also looking to rewrite guidance so only those with the most severe conditions can be signed off due to posing a 'substantial risk' to their health.

Rishi Sunak has committed to reducing the number of people signed off sick.

He previously 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.'

Two thirds of incapacity benefits are dished out to people who are unable to work because of mental health problems, according to new figures released last week.

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.

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.
A surgeon who will perform potentially life-saving surgery on radio star James Valentine has detailed the complicated process of the operation, which is performed just a dozen times a year.

The 62-year-old revealed on Thursday he had cancer and would undergo surgery to have his oesophagus removed in the coming weeks.

The presenter for ABC Radio Sydney's afternoons shared his diagnosis in a first-person piece penned for the national broadcaster's website.

On Thursday afternoon, Valentine discussed his condition further on air and interviewed his surgeon Associate Professor Douglas Fenton-Lee, from St Vincent's Hospital.

Valentine has a four-centimetre tumour where his oesophagus and stomach meet.

A surgeon who will perform potentially life-saving surgery on radio star James Valentine has detailed the complicated process of the operation that's done just a dozen times a year

Dr Fenton-Lee said the operation would see most of Valentine's oesophagus be removed, along with a quarter of his stomach.

'We're going to then bring your stomach up - we actually shape it so that it's a tubular structure and we bring it up and join it into your neck, so we replace your oesophagus with your stomach,' he said on ABC Radio.

He added the procedure is not common.

'The unit would do maybe about 12 cases a year and I've been doing the majority of them,' the surgeon said.

News of Valentine's diagnosis shocked many across the country, especially those who've listened to him present radio for more than two decades.

The 62-year-old revealed on Thursday he had cancer and would undergo surgery to have his oesophagus removed in the coming weeks

One of his many well-wishers is NSW Premier Chris Minns.

'I grew up with James on the radio - our extended family WhatsApp chat just exploded yesterday afternoon, almost in grief,' he told ABC Radio Sydney.

'[James] is a wonderful Sydney institution and I genuinely wish him the best  I think all of Sydney is behind him.'

Mr Minns said he and his wife Anna had even been callers on Valentine's program.

Mrs Minns had been a regular on the What I Live With segment where she joked about her husband's annoying habit of pausing the TV after a joke to laugh.

Fellow ABC radio presenter, Richard Glover, said: 'Few people have spread such joy among their fellow citizens and we need you back soon to spread some more'.

Valentine earlier revealed that it was after a friend's birthday party in December last year that he realised something was wrong.

He said that after shoving down a massaman curry, he began to choke and retch.

ABC radio star James Valentine (pictured) has been on the air of ABC Radio for more than two decades

It was then that his wife recommended he see her sister's endoscopy clinic for a gastroscopy.

In January, Valentine started five weeks of chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

'I got chemo and radiation straight off, but only a mild dose designed to shrink the tumour and clean out the body before surgery,' he wrote.

'I got tired from the radiation, the chemo made me feel like my whole body had been sluiced through with liquid aluminium foil but I could go to work, do the radio, and I even did a gig or two playing saxophone.'

The surgery to take out Valentine's cancerous oesophagus will be performed in a few weeks.

'After that, I'm very likely to feel like absolute crap for quite some time,' he wrote. 'It is likely I will recover, although that may take some months.'

Valentine presented the ABC' Sydney afternoon program for two decades before holding the breakfast slot for two years until late 2023 when it was announced he would return to his old shift.

He told listeners on Friday he had 'no doubt' he'd be back on air as soon as he could, and thanked those offering messages of support.

'Not to be too macabre, but it is like being at your own funeral and the eulogies have been very nice,' he said.

Veteran television and radio broadcaster Tim Webster will fill-in for Valentine during his absence.
The Princess of Wales faced fresh anguish today after an American broadcaster aired a series of outrageous conspiracy theories about her operation and recovery.

The 'TMZ Investigates: Where Is Kate Middleton' documentary was on Fox last night, looking into her 'sudden disappearance' following abdominal surgery in January.

The show heard from broadcaster Piers Morgan and Princess Diana's former butler Paul Burrell, while a US surgeon speculated on the procedure she might have had.

Kate's absence from public life as she convalesces has led to wild theories which are gathering pace despite her being photographed four times in less than three weeks.

A picture published online on March 4, showing her as a front seat passenger in a car driven by her mother, Carole Middleton, and another image of the princess sitting beside her husband in a car leaving Windsor on March 11 did not dispel rumours.

The 'TMZ Investigates: Where Is Kate Middleton ' documentary was on Fox in the US last night

The show heard from broadcaster Piers Morgan who spoke about what sources had told him

The online speculation increased after irregularities were spotted in an official Mother's Day photograph of Kate and her children, which led to the Princess admitting to 'editing' the image and apologising for any 'confusion' caused.

READ MORE Kate lookalike calls for wild conspiracy theories to be 'put to bed' Advertisement

Social media users had their own theories about a video that emerged this week on TMZ and The Sun of William and Kate leaving the Windsor Farm Shop following a visit last Saturday.

Now, the TMZ documentary will cause yet another headache for Kensington Palace as rumours about the Princess continue to build.

A trailer for the programme, which aired on Fox at 9pm Eastern Time last night (1am UK time this morning), was accompanied by a dramatic voiceover.

This said: 'A TMZ exclusive  it's the royal scandal that's rocked the world - from the Princess's absence to... cover ups.'

During the trailer, Morgan was heard saying: 'It wouldn't shock me if she had had some kind of breakdown.'

And Burrell added: 'Without Kate, the Royal Family is finished.'

Princess Diana 's former butler Paul Burrell said the Royal Family 'is finished' without Kate

Dr George Crawford, a general surgeon in Alabama affiliated with RMC-Stringfellow Memorial Hospital, also appeared in the show and speculated over what operation Kate might have had

A further clip contained a longer segment from Morgan, who said: 'Now I've been told by my sources, good sources within the Royal Family, that she went in for a pre-planned operation for a condition which she decided to have sorted, and that during the process of that they may have found something else that needed treating as well.'

READ MORE Hospital staff allegedly tried to access Kate's medical records AFTER she left the clinic amid a frenzy of conspiracy theories Advertisement

Dr George Crawford, a general surgeon in Alabama affiliated with RMC-Stringfellow Memorial Hospital, also appeared in the documentary.

He speculated over what operation Kate might have had, adding: 'For two weeks I'm thinking that she had something that probably wasn't expected.'

Details of Kate's condition have not been disclosed but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that the princess wished for her personal medical information to remain private.

Earlier this week, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer voiced concerns about the intense public scrutiny around the Princess, telling people to 'butt out and leave her alone'.

Sir Keir spoke about the issue following claims made by the Daily Mirror newspaper that up to three people could have been involved in trying to access Kate's private medical records after her surgery.

March 11: Prince William and Kate are seen leaving Windsor together as they are driven in a car

March 10: Kensington Palace released the first picture of Kate since her abdominal surgery

December 25, 2023: Kate was last seen with her family attending church at Sandringham

READ MORE Harry and Meghan's supporter doubles down on Kate conspiracy theories Advertisement

Speculation and conspiracy theories about the princess's whereabouts and status of her health have been rife on social media, and the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby described the interest as 'village gossip' and 'wrong'.

The King, who has cancer, was treated for an enlarged prostate at the private London Clinic where Kate received her medical treatment, but Charles's medical records were not accessed in the alleged breach.

The UK's privacy watchdog, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), is looking into the allegation of an attempted data breach at the hospital and is in the process of assessing the information.

On Wednesday, the London Clinic vowed that 'all appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken' over any breach.

MailOnline has contacted Kensington Palace for comment about the TMZ documentary.
A Rwandan-born man has been arrested in Ohio over his alleged involvement in the nation's 1994 genocide.

Federal prosecutors have accused Eric Nshimiye, 52, of concealing his his involvement in the mass murders, which included him hacking people to death.

Nshimiye is alleged to have participated in the killings by striking victims on the head with a nail-studded club and then hacking them with a machete.

Prosecutors say that for decades he hid the fact he participated in the massacre by the Hutu regime of an estimated 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus.

After settling in Ohio, Nshimiye sought to derail any investigation into his scheme by lying at the immigration fraud trial of a former classmate who prosecutors have accused of also participating in the atrocities.

Federal prosecutors have accused Eric Nshimiye, seen here, of concealing his his involvement in the mass murders

Prosecutors say that for decades he hid the fact he participated in the massacre by the Hutu regime of an estimated 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus

In this file photo taken on April 08, 2019 a woman carrying her child looks at the wall of victims' names as Rwanda marks the 25th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide

Nshimiye was arrested in Ohio, where he has lived since 1995, and detained after an appearance in a federal court in Youngstown.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy of Massachusetts said in a statement: 'Our refuge and asylum laws exist to protect true victims of persecution, not the perpetrators.'

According to a LinkedIn post, Nshimiye previously spoke with students at the Jackson Academy for Global Studies about his life in Rwanda and how he escaped during the war.

Nshimiye also works as an engineer for Goodyear at their headquarters in Akron, Ohio.

His arrest came four years after the 2019 trial conviction in Boston of Nshimiye's former classmate Jean Leonard Teganya.

Prosecutors said Teganya committed immigration fraud by concealing his involvement in the genocide when seeking asylum.

Authorities said that during the killings, both men were medical students in the city of Butare and active in the political party that helped perpetrate the genocide, the MRND.

According to charging documents, Nshimiye helped identify Tutsis among patients and staff at a hospital which became a site for atrocities, and was directly involved in murders and encouraging rapes.

His victims included a 14-year-old boy and a man who sewed doctor's coats at the university hospital, authorities said.

Witnesses in Rwanda identified the locations of the killings and drawn pictures of Nshimiyes weapons, authorities said.

According to a LinkedIn post, Nshimiye, seen here, spoke with students at the Jackson Academy for Global Studies about his life in Rwanda and how he escaped during the war

A former Interhamwe member is seen here pointing to the spot where Nshimiye allegedly killed a 14-year-old boy

Nshimiye is also alleged to have participated in the rapes of numerous Tutsi women during the genocide.

An affidavit says that prior to the genocide, Nshimiye participated in weapons training in a forest adjacent to the university hospital.

After the genocide broke out, Nshimiye is said to have been a part of the Interhamwe, who were the main perpetrators of the massacre.

Alongside fellow members of the group, witnesses told authorities that he rounded up 25-30 Tutsis who had been hiding in a forest near the university hospital.

The group are then alleged to have killed all of those captured, before burning their bodies.

Another witness told authorities that Nshimiye instructed others to rape and kill six young women who were university students.

One female survivor told prosecutors that Nshimiye had raped her repeatedly and managed to escape when he was taking her and her two children to a killing pit.

A former Interhamwe member is seen here pointing out a location where Nshimiye is alleged to have trained with weapons

Two witnesses provided drawings to prosecutors of the weapons that Nshimiye is alleged to have used

The woman said she made her escape, but her children did not survive - and were hacked to death.

According to the documents, Nshimiye fled Rwanda in the summer of 1994, after a Tutsi rebel group drove genocidaires into the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In 1995, Nshimiye made his way to Kenya where he allegedly lied to U.S. immigration officials to gain admission to the United States.

Nshimiye emigrated to Ohio and, in subsequent years, allegedly continued to provide false information about his involvement in the genocide to obtain lawful permanent residence and ultimately U.S. citizenship.

He was called as a defense witness at Teganya's trial and gave false testimony to exculpate him, prosecutors said. Teganya was sentenced to eight years in prison.

Nshimiye was being held Thursday following an initial appearance in federal court in Ohio and authorities said he will appear at a later date in federal court in Boston, where the charges were filed.

If convicted, Nshimiye faces up to five years in prison on the perjury charge, up to 10 years on the obstruction of justice charge, and up to five years on the scheme to conceal charge.
Border Patrol chief Jason Owens has blasted the Biden administration over immigration laws, saying the nation needs tougher policies.

'I think we need to take a look at the asylum laws and make it where only people that have a legitimate claim can claim asylum,' Owens told CBS News.

'I think that we need to be able to enforce the immigration laws that are on the books and hold people accountable whenever they choose to break the law.'

He replied 'yes' when asked if he was talking about federal immigration laws.

Border Patrol, a division of US Customs and Border Protection, needs more resources and tools to impose higher 'consequences' for those who cross into the country illegally, Owens said.

'I'm talking about jail time. I'm talking about being removed from the country and I'm talking about being banned from being able to come back because you chose to come in the illegal way instead of the established lawful pathways that we set for you,' he explained.

Border Patrol chief Jason Owens has blasted the Biden administration over immigration laws, saying the nation needs tougher policies. He is seen with Biden in February

Border Patrol needs more resources and tools to impose higher 'consequences' for those who cross into the country illegally, Owens said

Border Patrol has seen record levels of encounters at the border over the last three years - over two million in each fiscal year. On Tuesday, hundreds of migrants broke through razor wire in El Paso, Texas

Border Patrol has seen record levels of encounters at the border over the last three years - over two million in each fiscal year.

On Thursday, hundreds of migrants broke through razor wire in El Paso, Texas.

The migrants are already in the US as they had already crossed the international boundary, which is a few hundred yards south of the border wall. At least one migrant was arrested.

Owens also addressed the controversial Texas SB4 law, which would allow state law enforcement to step into immigration enforcement, currently a job for federal agencies.

The chief said the law is 'not going to stop us from doing our job,' and that there is 'no better partner for the Border Patrol than the Texas Department of Public Safety.'

He added: 'We have worked hand in hand with that agency for as long as I've been around and I don't see that ever stopping. They have always been very good at complementing our mission.

'They back us up when we're out in the field, and we do for them as well. So whatever the laws are that they're going to be enforcing, our mission remains constant. Their mission remains constant.'

On Tuesday, a federal appeals court issued an order that again prevents Texas from enacting SB4, hours after the Supreme Court allowed the strict new immigration law to take effect.

Texas State Troopers walk towards a fence after migrants broke through razor wire to enter the US on Thursday

A migrant checks her bag after members of the Texas National Guard burnt clothing used by migrants to break through razor wire and a fence to enter the U.S. to surrender themselves

The conservative majority order rejected an emergency application from the Biden administration, which says the law is a clear violation of federal authority that would cause chaos in immigration law.

It was also unclear where any migrants ordered to leave might go if the law is ultimately allowed. It calls for them to be sent to ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border, even if they are not Mexican citizens.

But Mexicos government said Tuesday it would not 'under any circumstances' accept the return of any migrants to its territory from the state of Texas. Mexico is not required to accept deportations of anyone except Mexican citizens.

The Department of Homeland Security said the federal government would also continue the court challenge to the law that will 'further complicate' the job of its 'already strained' workforce. The agency wont assist in any efforts to enforce the law known as Senate Bill 4.

The law is considered by opponents to be the most dramatic attempt by a state to police immigration since an Arizona law more than a decade ago, portions of which were struck down by the Supreme Court. Critics have also said the Texas law could lead to civil rights violations and racial profiling.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called the law harmful and unconstitutional and said it would burden law enforcement while creating confusion. She called on congressional Republicans to settle the issue with a federal border security bill.

Texas, for its part, has argued it has a right to take action over what authorities have called an ongoing crisis at the southern border. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice said in a statement it is prepared to handle any influx in the states detainee population associated with the state law.
Russia today finally declared it is in 'a state of war' in Ukraine, escalating the official language it uses to describe the conflict now in its third year.

The Kremlin has long presented its offensive on Ukraine as a 'special military operation', banning domestic media outlets from using the word 'war' and prosecuting anti-offensive campaigners for describing Russia's military actions thusly.

'We are in a state of war. Yes, it started as a special military operation, but as soon as this bunch was formed there, when the collective West became a participant on Ukraine's side, for us it already became a war,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview to a pro-Kremlin newspaper published on Friday.

Asked to elaborate, Peskov told reporters later: 'De jure it is a special military operation. But de facto it has turned into a war.'

President Vladimir Putin has previously said the West has unleashed a 'hybrid war' against Moscow, but largely stuck to calling the conflict in Ukraine a 'special military operation.'

Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures while speaking on a visit to his campaign headquarters after a presidential election in Moscow, Russia, early Monday, March 18, 2024

In this photo provided by Petro Andryuschenko, the adviser of the head of Mariupol city's administration, burning trolleybus is seen on the damp of hydroelectric power station after Russian attacks in Dnipro, Ukraine, Friday, March 22, 2024

Consequences of attack on residential building in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine at morning March 22, 2024. At same time DniproGES hydropower plant dam was attacked by Russia

Local residents react at the site of Russia's air attack, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Friday, March 22, 2024

Putin's army strikes Ukraine in the biggest attack to date on its energy infrastructure

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov listens as Russian presidential candidate and incumbent President Vladimir Putin (not pictured) speaks after polling stations closed, in Moscow, Russia, March 18, 2024

Peskov went on to say that when it comes to the prosecution of anti-conflict campaigners for using the word 'war', the context of his comments was different.

'The word ''war'' is used in different contexts. Compare my context with those in the cases you cite,' he said in response to a question about criminal cases brought against anti-Kremlin protestors.

Russia passed sweeping military censorship laws in the days after it sent troops into Ukraine that allow it to send critics of the offensive to jail for years if they are found to have spread 'false information' or 'discredited' the armed forces.

More than 900 criminal cases have been launched over the past two years for opposing the conflict, according to the OVD-Info rights group.

The admission came just hours after Russia punished Ukraine overnight with a fresh round of air attacks which saw some 90 missiles and 60 drones strike key energy infrastructure, blacking out second city Kharkiv and damaging several facilities, officials reported.

It appeared to be the biggest strike of the war against Ukraine's energy network, with the internet down and domestic and industrial electricity supplies hit nationwide.
Rishi Sunak today begged voters not to let Keir Starmer 'strolling into No10' as he launched the Tories' local election campaign.

The PM went on the attack at a rally in Heanor, Derbyshire, branding the Labour leader 'arrogant' and lacking any plan.

But the scale of the challenge facing Mr Sunak was underlined as a veteran Conservative voiced fears that there would not be enough MPs to form a frontbench by the end of the year.

Former Attorney General Geoffrey Cox compared the task facing the party to the 19th Century battle of Rorke's Drift, where a small group of British soldiers defended a base despite being massively outnumbered by Zulu warriors.

A poll also had grim news for Mr Sunak on the London mayoral contest, with Sadiq Khan 24 points ahead of Tory rival Susan Hall.

The local elections on May 2 will be a crucial waypointer for the general election expected in the Autumn. Nervous Tories believe that will be the moment of maximum danger for Mr Sunak, with frenzied plotting continuing.

Rishi Sunak went on the attack at a rally in Heanor, Derbyshire, branding the Labour leader 'arrogant' and not having a plan

Mr Sunak is facing consistently dire polling, with Reform UK seemingly closing on the Tories

Savanta research also had grim news for Mr Sunak on the London mayoral contest, with Sadiq Khan 24 points ahead of Tory rival Susan Hall

Mr Sunak swiped that Sir Keir was 'arrogantly taking the British people for granted' and 'assuming that he can just stroll into Number 10 without saying what he would do'.

Talking up the achievements of Conservative mayors such as Ben Houchen and Andy Street ahead of the election on May 2, Mr Sunak attacked the financial record of Labour-run councils, saying: 'They tax you more and deliver less.'

Pointing to examples across the border in Nottinghamshire, he said: 'It's the same across our councils too. Just look what's happening here, Nottingham Council effectively bankrupt.

'After having a fire-sale of assets, they still can't balance the books, in contrast to the extraordinarily well-run Conservative Nottinghamshire County Council.

'Whenever Labour runs something, they run it into the ground. In Birmingham, they have effectively bankrupted the largest local authority in Europe. They have saddled their constituents with a 21 per cent council tax rise.'

Eight councils, run by both Labour and the Conservatives, have declared effective bankruptcy since 2018, with others warning they could be next as they struggle to make further cuts.

In Derbyshire, where Mr Sunak launched his party's local election campaign, the Conservatives have a commanding 18-seat majority on the county council  but suffered significant losses in the district council elections last year.

Labour took control of five of Derbyshire's eight district councils in 2023, including Amber Valley which covers Heanor, where the Prime Minister made his speech on Friday.

He was joined by Ben Bradley, MP for Mansfield and leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, who is looking to become the first mayor of the East Midlands at the elections in May.

Mr Sunak said: 'There's no-one better to be your first mayor than Ben Bradley. Not only did Ben literally create this role, he also has a track record of bringing in investment.'

Nationally, last year's local elections saw the Conservatives lose more than 1,000 councillors, while Labour overtook them to become the largest party in local government.

Since then, the Conservatives' polling position has deteriorated, reaching depths last seen under Liz Truss's brief leadership as the party faces a 20-point gap to Labour and an increasing challenge from the right in the shape of Reform UK.

The day before Mr Sunak launched the Conservatives' local election campaign, the party suffered the defection to Reform of its candidate for Mayor of Greater Manchester, Dan Barker, who said he thought the Tories had 'given up on Greater Manchester and the north of England'.

A Tory source said the party had to be 'realistic' about its prospects and 'allocate resources accordingly' after securing just 21 per cent of the vote in the last Manchester mayoral election.

In London, a Savanta poll published on Friday suggested Conservative candidate Susan Hall trailed incumbent Sadiq Khan by 26 points, despite the public being split on the Mayor's record in office.

The poll showed 51 per cent of voters saying they would back Mr Khan against just 27 per cent who said they would vote for Ms Hall, with younger voters and those who are Asian or black overwhelmingly backing the Mayor.

Appearing on GB News for Chopper's Political Podcast today, Sir Geoffrey said a 200-strong Labour majority would be bad for democracy.

'You couldn't have a credible opposition. Under the Blair landslide in '97 the Conservative Party had great difficulty manning a frontbench,' he said.

'Our system means that without that credible Opposition, it's very bad and unhealthy for democracy.'
An Iranian refugee who waved a toy gun out of a car window on a night out with friends faces losing his chance of getting British citizenship today under tough new Government rules on criminal migrants.

Mohammed Tawfiqi, 20, hoped to stay in the UK after fleeing his native country four years ago aged 16 to escape 'political persecution'.

But on November 5 last year he was arrested in Liverpool city centre after he was seen hanging out a car window and waving the fake silver gun as his friend drove him past a busy nightclub on Wood Street at 1am.

Bouncers then saw Tawfiqi and his friends get out of the car and walk past people down the street.

They feared the weapon was real and alerted the police who found the car in a nearby side street, recovered the plastic gun from the backseat and tracked down Tawfiqi, who lives in the inner-city area of Toxteth.

Mohammed Tawfiqi, 20, pictured outside Sefton Magistrates' Court

He insisted that he had not behaved in a threatening manner and said the gun formed part of a Halloween fancy dress costume used a week earlier.

Police searched him and found a wrap of cocaine in his possession.

Tawfiqi admitted possession of an imitation firearm and possessing a controlled drug at Sefton Magistrates' Court and was ordered to complete 100 hours unpaid work under the terms of a 12 month community order.

The convictions could now harm his eligibility to become a UK citizen under new immigration rules introduced last July by Home Secretary at the time Suella Braverman.

Previously asylum seekers would have had their citizenship claims denied only if they received a jail sentence of 12 months or more.

But under the new rules, someone given a non-custodial sentence may also miss out on the right to become British.

The stricter and more specific rules focus on so-called 'good character' requirements which are a key condition to being granted British citizenship.

Tawfiqi admitted possession of an imitation firearm and possessing a controlled drug at Sefton Magistrates' Court

They look at whether an individual has observed UK law and shown respect for the rights and freedoms of British citizens, considering factors including criminal convictions, immigration offending, war crimes, terrorism or genocide.

During mitigation Tawfiqi's defence solicitor Danielle Gibbons said: 'He made full and frank admissions in the interview and the reality is that it was a plastic toy gun and on close inspection, it would have been obvious as such. It is not a realistic imitation firearm.

'The defendant at the time was not offering any violence or anything to cause fear of violence. In fact he showed me videos on his phone of the night in question. They are of people in the car laughing and joking, and laughing and joking with one of the door security at a nearby nightclub.

'He does not appear to be aggressive in those videos.'

She added: 'The defendant has no previous convictions and has been in this country since he was 16 years old. He fled Iran following political persecution and has refugee status but seeks to obtain British citizenship within the next five years.

'As part of the defendant's application for British Citizenship a conviction of any kind will have an impact on his eligibility. The sentence he will receive today will pretty much determine his eligibility in future.'

Tawfiqi was also ordered to pay 234 in costs and victim surcharge.

Pesheen Fatah, 25, from Runcorn, Cheshire, who drove the car on the night of the incident was sentenced to a six month conditional discharge at an earlier hearing after he admitted possession of an imitation firearm.
An 18-year-old transgender woman has pleaded guilty to the brutal murder of a 12-year-old girl she allegedly had a sexual relationship with.

Ash Cooper will spend at least 15 years in prison after she admitted to the shooting death of Morgan Connors in the trailer she shared with her father in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, in November 2022.

Police say the teen called a female friend on Instagram video after the murder and showed off Connors' body covered in blood and asked for help disposing of it.

When she was arrested Cooper reportedly told cops the murder was an accident and that and she was sorry and scared of going to jail for the rest of his life.

Cooper was initially charged as Joshua Cooper but began transitioning after her arrest, with her lawyer asking the court to call her Ash.

The teen claimed she had been cleaning out her dad's safe and going through his guns and ammo before Connors was dropped off at her house. She claimed her dad removed the safe's battery which enabled the combination lock.

Ash Cooper, now 18, will spend at least 15 years in prison after she admitted to the shooting death of Morgan Connors, who was 12 when she was killed

Cooper was initially charged as Joshua Cooper but began transitioning after her arrest, with her lawyer asking the court to call her Ash

The teen claimed she had been cleaning out her dad's safe and going through his guns and ammo before Connors was dropped off at her house

Cooper, who was 16 at the time of the murder, also allegedly told police she and Connors were in a sexual relationship.

'Its a horrible tragedy,' said Bucks County Court Judge Jeffrey L. Finley. 'A tragedy no family should ever have to undergo.'

Police were called to the murder scene a woman called 911 saying her daughter had received a video call from Cooper, who said he had killed someone before he flipped the camera and showed Connors' bloody legs and feet.

According to court documents, Connors was found laying facedown with her pants around her ankles and a gunshot to the back.

Her cause of death was a single gunshot wound to the neck and upper chest area.

Police say they found evidence that someone had tried to clean up the crime scene.

Cooper told police the two had been watching Netflix when Connors got up to use the restroom. However, her mother ended the police interview before she could reveal what happened next, according to court documents.

Defense attorney Paul Lang has claimed Cooper is regretful and had a 'difficult upbringing,' and he hopes the guilty plea would bring rehabilitation and redemption, as reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Investigators never determined a motive behind the murder, according to prosecutors.

During the investigation, officials discovered Cooper was accused of sexual assault in a previous unrelated case. She was found guilty in juvenile court.

The victim was in court on Thursday as Cooper received his sentence.
A former Poundland boss has died in South Africa amid reports he shot himself as police were on the verge of arresting him, a day after he was ordered to pay a 19million fine over a major fraud scandal.

Markus Jooste, 63, the ex CEO of Steinhoff which purchased the budget British store in 2016, had been notified of a warrant for his arrest shortly before he was found dead, South Africa's elite Hawks police unit said today.

His body was found yesterday afternoon on a beach in the affluent neighbourhood of Hermanus, just a few hundred metres from his luxury compound, with pictures from the scene showing rocks spattered with blood.

The father-of-three had been handed the huge fine, the biggest in South African history, on Wednesday, and had reportedly booked a flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg on Thursday evening to hand himself in for a court hearing on Friday.

Instead, he told his wife Ingrid he was going for a walk, according to News24. Shortly after, he is said to have shot himself in the head.

Ex-Steinhoff chief executive Markus Jooste was identified as the 63-year-old man who police said had apparently died by suicide

People gather at the scene where former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste apparently shot himself, according to the police, at Kwaaiwater, in Hermanus

A man looks at the site where former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste apparently shot himself

Jooste and his wife Ingrid. The couple were prominent racehorse owners in South Africa

Jooste was instrumental in transforming Steinhoff from a small Johannesburg furniture outfit into a multinational retailer and seen as a 'mythical' businessman in his homeland for the scale of his success.

The company, which owned a number of European retailers, bought Britain's Poundland in 2016 for 610million after a prolonged takeover battle.

Jooste's death comes after a long-running corporate fraud case that has gripped the country.

South Africa's financial regulator claimed he had played a part in publishing misleading financial statements about Steinhoff International Holdings.

An audit found that Steinhoff bosses made fake transactions worth some $6.5billion in order to inflate profits.

Nearly 98 per cent of Steinhoff's share value was wiped out, when the accounting scandal first broke in 2017 and those losses hit investors in the country's pension funds. Jooste quit as CEO but denied knowing about the accounting fraud.

The 63-year-old's death came just a day after he was told to pay a $25m (19m) fine - thought to be the biggest in South Africa's history.

Today, police confirmed a suicide took place in the area between 14.40 and 15.20 local time on Thursday, but did not name Jooste.

'Our members were called out to a scene at a beach in Hermanus, where a 63-year-old man [suffered a] gunshot wound to the head,' Lt-Col Malcolm Pojie said.

'He was still alive at the time; he was transported to the hospital, and he succumbed a few minutes after arrival at the hospital.

'An inquest docket was opened by Hermanus police for further investigation; no foul play is suspected at this time.'

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death, a spokesman said.

South African media reports that Jooste shot himself on Kwaaiwater beach as the elite police unit known as the Hawks were close to arresting him.

Jooste had been expected to hand himself in with his former Steinhoff colleague Stephanus Grobler, who also had a warrant out for his arrest.

The pair had been due to appear for a court hearing in Pretoria on Friday, the police said.

'The allegations include, amongst others, fraud, a pattern of racketeering activities and contravention of Financial Markets Act against Steinhoff International Holdings,' they said, adding that Grobler had appeared in court.

The FSCA said Jooste's death would have no bearing on its investigation into Steinhoff, or on the 475 million rand ($25.0 million) penalty imposed on him.

'The FSCA is legally entitled to recover the penalty from the estate of the late Mr Jooste,' it said.

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death, a spokesman said, adding that no foul play was suspected

Police earlier said an inquest case docket had been registered following the death of a 63-year-old man, but did not name the deceased.

The Financial Times said Jooste had died of a gunshot wound, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

He reportedly told his wife Ingrid that he was going for a walk, and she is said to have gone to play a round of golf at the same time.

The businessman was a prominent racehorse owner, with a number of wins under his belt. He leaves behind his wife, as well as a son and two daughters.

Jooste's death comes a day after he was slapped with a 475 million rand ($25.2 million) fine by the country's financial market watchdog Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FCSA).

Steinhoff revealed holes in its accounts in December 2017, the first sign of an accounting fraud that led to the near-collapse of the retail group, which is the majority owner of South African and European discount retailers Pepkor and Pepco.

The company has suffered hefty losses and a stream of lawsuits since then.

Jooste told a South African parliamentary inquiry in 2018 that he was not aware of any accounting irregularities when he left the retailer in December 2017.

He had also been under fraud investigation by South African police.

The ex-CEO is accused of using fake transactions to artificially inflate the group's profits.

'The investigation found that Mr Jooste... published false, misleading, or deceptive statements about Steinhoff International Holdings' which he knew to be 'deceptive' the FCSA said in a statement Wednesday.

The FCSA's issued a April 19 deadline for the payment.

The Steinhoff group includes retailers across Europe including the UK's Poundland (file image)

Steinhoff was put under investigation in 2017 on suspicion of fraud, with a reported 5 million ($6.6 billion) hole in its accounts.

Jooste resigned but denied any knowledge of accounting fraud.

The South Africa-based company, which is listed in both Frankfurt and Johannesburg, saw nearly 98 percent of its share value wiped out as it faced a barrage of litigation from aggrieved shareholders and business partners.

In June a German court issued an arrest warrant against Jooste after he failed to appear for the start of his trial in April last year.

The Pepco Group, which now owns the Pepco, Dealz and Poundland retail brands, declined to comment.

For help, call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org
The daughter of disgraced former Justice Minister Cho Kuk was ordered to pay a fine of 10 million won ($7,470) by a Seoul court Friday on charges of university admission fraud.

Cho Min, 32, was indicted on charges of document forgery and obstruction of business for allegedly collaborating with her mother to submit falsified documents, including an admission form, a cover letter and a commendation letter, to Pusan National University's Graduate School of Medicine in June 2014.

She is also alleged to have conspired with her parents to submit fabricated documents to Seoul National University College of Medicine in June 2013.

"The series of admission fraud crimes is blameworthy of criticism for triggering public mistrust, and causing a sense of despondency and disappointment in many people who worked diligently hoping for fair competition," the Seoul Central District Court said, finding Cho guilty of all counts in the indictment.

Cho left the court after the ruling without responding to a request for comment.

In February, an appeals court upheld a two-year prison sentence for the former justice minister on academic fraud and other charges. Cho Kuk, now heading the Korea Innovation Party to run for the April 10 general elections, appealed the sentence to the Supreme Court. (Yonhap)
This is the shocking moment hundreds of reckless festival goers shone powerful laser beams at a passenger jet overhead.

Video footage from the fireworks event in Tultepec, Mexico, shows a huge crowd of party-goers at the event as the aircraft flies above.

Within moments countless laser pointers are beaming into the sky lighting up the entire plane in an eerie green glow.

The footage, which was captured last weekend on March 16 and 17, astonished social media users who slammed the festival-goers for their stupidity.

One said: 'I can't believe the tremendous lack of grey matter of these people. It's incredible how stupid they are.'

Hundreds of festival goes in Mexico shone lasers onto a passenger jet as it flew overhead

The sky was lit up with green lights as social media users slammed the party goers for their stupidity

In footage the plane was glowing green due to all of the blinding lasers

Another added: 'It's not funny and it's illegal.

A third pointed the finger to those who had travelled to the area instead of the locals.

'The people of Tultepec do not do this,' they said.

'Planes pass over the area every day and this does not happen.

'Many people go to the fair from other places and cause disturbances.'

It is currently unclear if the police are investigating the video or if the airline targeted has complained to air safety officials.

The annual International Pyrotechnics Festival is a celebration of the area's role as the centre of Mexico's home-grown fireworks industry.

Up to 100,000 festival goers watch and take part in spectacular processions using huge displays of fireworks.

The use of laser pointers against aircraft is banned in most countries in the world and can lead to jail sentences and hefty fines.

It comes after a 22-year-old pilot revealed why you should never point a laser at an aircraft - claiming that the FBI will track you down 'immediately.'

Sabrina Johnson, an airline and helicopter pilot who has been flying since she was 14, detailed the dangers and consequences of pointing a laser at an aircraft - including the number of years you could spend in jail for the felony.

In a viral clip, which has amassed over 1.1 million views on TikTok, Sabrina said: 'If you think it's funny to shoot a laser at an airplane, it's not'.

She revealed that she had been lasered 'maybe two or three times,' and that the FBI had even called her to let her know they had tracked them down immediately each time.

'When I was flying as a flight instructor, I was flying through New York City, doing some sightseeing, and I was getting lasered.

'So, it's basically like a green laser that flashes, they try to blind pilots,' she explained.

She added that people often think it's 'funny,' however, it can have some serious consequences.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, laser strikes on an aircraft are a serious threat to pilots.

Shining a laser at a pilot can result in a up to 8,700 fine, notes the FAA.
A 'horse whisperer' has been convicted of murder after she knifed her husband to death at their 800,000 Devon home after he called her fat and lazy.

Christine Rawle, 70, killed Ian Rawle, 72, by stabbing him in the back with a knife as he pushed a wheelbarrow of horse manure to a dung heap on August 21, 2022.

The couple had been compared to Roald Dahl's The Twits when she put Viagra in his tea, chilli in his pants and wiped her bottom with his ties.

Exeter Crown Court heard Mr Rawle followed his wife of 29 years for a hundred yards telling her to remove the knife, before collapsing and dying from the wound.

Rawle, who worked with horses as an animal behaviourist and horse whisperer, denied murdering Ian and instead claimed she was a victim of his cruel behaviour.

Christine Rawle (pictured), 70, has been found guilty of the murder of Ian Rawle, 72, at their home in Devon

Ian Rawle (pictured) died at their home in Devon after the alleged stabbing on August 21, 2022

Their youngest son Thomas Rawle, 38, told Exeter Crown Court about his parents, saying that Ian hit Christine with a riding crop, 'splitting her face open'.

He added that Ian  whom he called 'dad', but was not his birth father - pushed Christine through a window at their home when he was 'angry and salivating'.

Thomas said that Ian was also once 'ranting and raving' and used a fire glove to pick up a hot ash tray then threw it at him, striking his leg and leaving a severe burn.

He said Christine came into the room to protect him but Ian blocked her way and punched her in the side of her face. He said Ian screamed at him that he was 'bone idle, lazy and an idiot' and Christine went into a walk-in wardrobe to call the police.

But he said Ian pulled out the phone from the wall and they punched and kicked each other, before Ian grabbed her by the hair with Thomas 'begging them to stop'.

Christine Rawle (pictured) worked with horses as an animal behaviourist and horse whisperer

Christine denied murdering Ian Rawle (pictured) and instead claimed she was a victim of his cruel behaviour

Police officers and cars at the scene in August 2022 in the Devon village of Braunton

Thomas said Christine called him a 'd***' and 'd***head', and said Ian called her a 'fatty', 'fatso' and 'fat pig' and said she was lazy, overweight and needed to diet.

Thomas said: 'My dad was the aggressor quite frequently.'

And he also denied claims that she wiped her backside on his ties, saying 'absolutely not'.

Thomas said life at their home was 'quite often turbulent with arguments between mum and dad'.

But prosecutors claimed the case was 'as clear a case of murder as you are likely to find', and said Rawle attacked her husband in a 'fit of temper' during an argument about land at home in Braunton.

Rawle did not give evidence during the trial but her legal team insisted she was acting in self-defence following years of physical and psychological abuse from her husband.

The 70-year-old's 'best friend' Ally Gilbert previously told the jury at Exeter Crown Court that the defendant had called her after the incident to tell her what had happened and complain about her husband's behavior.

Mrs Gilbert said Rawle moved down to Devon in April 2019 and met Ian at a coffee morning when they quickly bonded over a shared interest in horses.

On the morning of Mr Rawle's death, she told the court the defendant invited her over but she was out wlaking her dogs.

She said: 'She phoned me about 2.30pm. She said "he's dead."

'I said what happened? and she asked me if I was going to look after the animals.

'She said he went "on and on and on at me." It was a very short phone call.'

The home of the Rawles, pictured on the day of the stabbing on August 2022

The moment Christine Rawle, 70, from North Devon, is arrested on suspicion of murdering her husband Ian Rawle has been released by police

The bodyworn footage shows Rawle calling her husband a 'cruel b******'

Mrs Gilbert said Rawle had mentioned divorce to her on several occasions and had a lot of health issues and severe depression at the time.

She said the marriage had become so bad, Rawle would sleep in an area at the top of the stables and only go inside to use the bath and shower when she knew her husband wasn't there.

The court also heard a series of text messages exchanged between Mrs Gilbert and Rawle in the weeks leading up to the stabbing.

In it, Rawle would complain of severe shoulder pain and two days before the killing said she was 'concerned about getting her divorce done quickly.'

Mrs Gilbert told the jury: 'She just wanted out and was trying to find a way. Her main concern was always her animals - she did not want to lose her animals.'

On the day itself, she was told Mr Rawle had gone out and asked if they could meet up later.

She added: 'He would constantly put her down - swear at her a lot. He would accuse her of being stupid, lazy, useless.

'She was unhappy and she was unwell. She loved him, she wanted to make things work, but it got to the point the only option she saw was divorce.'

Judge James Adkin will sentence Rawle, who remains in custody, at Exeter Crown Court at 2pm on Friday.
Donald Trump is leading Joe Biden in the crucial swing state of Michigan, a new poll found, but the two men are tied in another critical battleground: Pennsylvania.

The new poll from CNN/SSRS was conducted after both men had wrapped up their respective party's presidential nominations. The survey also discovered a distinct lack of enthusiasm among the electorate: most voters weren't pleased with having a repeat of the 2020 election.

Biden won both states four years ago - flipping back to Democrats after Trump won them in the 2016 contest. The incumbent president's campaign sees Pennsylvania and Michigan as critical to Biden's quest for a second term.

But voters in Michigan favored Trump with 50% to Biden's 42%. And, in Pennsylvania, it was a tie with 46% for each candidate. And just 47% of voters in Pennsylvania and 46% in Michigan say they're satisfied with this year's presidential candidates.

The CNN poll found that the majority of voters in each state had already made up their mind on who they would vote for in November.

However, in a sign of hope for each campaign, about a quarter of voters said they could change their mind.

That small margin would be enough to swing the state to either contender.

In each state Biden struggled to win support of young voters, many of whom are unhappy with his handling of the war in the Middle East.

In Pennsylvania, Biden did well among women, voters of color, college graduates and independent voters. In Michigan, Biden did less well with voters of color and trailed Trump among independent voters.

The CNN survey also found, when it added candidates Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Cornel West to the mix, there was significant support for Kennedy at great cost for Biden.

In Pennsylvania, 40% choose Trump, 38% Biden, 16% Kennedy and 4% West, while in Michigan, voters went 40% Trump, 34% Biden, 18% Kennedy and 4% West.

The Biden campaign has worried Kennedy would draw support from the president.

Both states were close in the 2020 contest: Biden won Michigan by 3 points and Pennsylvania by a mere one point.

President Joe Biden poses for a photo with Hurley "HJ" Coleman IV and his father Hurley Coleman III, left, as he arrives for a campaign event in Saginaw, Michigan

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has significant support in both Michigan and Pennsylvania

Biden was in Michigan last week to court black voters. The president faces significant opposition there from his members of his own party over his policy in the Middle East.

During the primary in that state, 13% of Democrats voted 'uncommitted' instead of for the president, citing his handling of the Israel-Hamas war.

That added up to more than 100,000 voters across the state, raising concerns about Biden's general election prospects after he beat Trump by only 154,000 votes in Michigan in 2020.

Biden also has spent a lot of time in Pennsylvania, which he considers a second home state. Biden was born in Scranton and moved to Delaware as a child.

He kicked off his post-State of the Union travel blitz in Pennsylvania.
A disabled pedestrian who was jailed for causing the death of a cyclist in a pavement row has been freed on unconditional bail after winning the right to challenge her manslaughter conviction.

Auriol Grey is 'thrilled' to be back home and has been welcomed by 'big hugs' from supportive neighbours and after doing a supermarket shop.

She was jailed for three years in March last year for waving aggressively at a retired midwife who went on to fall into the path of an oncoming car which killed her.

Polite and well spoken Grey confirmed to MailOnline today she was now back home but declined to say how she was feeling or answer any questions, simply saying: 'No comment.'

Her close friend Roman Ramsay, who collected her from jail, said: 'We are so pleased to have Auriol back home and it is very see nice to see her again. She should never have been in prison in the first place.'

Auriol Grey (pictured) was jailed for three years in March last year for waving aggressively at a retired midwife who went on to fall into the path of an oncoming car which killed her

Grey shouted 'Get off the f****** pavement' as a retired midwife approached her on the pavement

CCTV footage showed Ms Ward falling into the road moments before she was struck by a car

He added: 'She is happy to be granted bail.'

Another pal and neighbour Robert Reed told our website: 'She has been granted bail and has left prison yesterday evening.

'I welcomed her home and we had a brief hug before she went off to the Aldi store to buy bits and bobs.

'One of our friends had picked her up from jail and we are all so happy to have her back. She is in good spirits and is thrilled to be home.'

She had spent one year behind bars at HMP Peterborough.

Grey returned to her adapted flat in a gated complex in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, owned and maintained by the Papworth Trust, which had been 'sparkly cleaned' by her neighbours.

Mr Ramsey said that Grey, now 50, was also 'pleased and relieved' at the prospect of her name being cleared if her appeal is successful, and had told friends: 'I'm not a killer!'

Speaking after three judges at the Appeal Court this week gave her the go ahead to contest her conviction, he said: 'Auriol was very upset at being jailed in the first place.'

The retired stone mason, 78, who has regularly visited her in jail and last saw her inside on Saturday, said: 'Her friends, family and neighbours all thought it was totally ridiculous she had been convicted of manslaughter and given a custodial sentence.

'She did too, and has always maintained she is not a killer.'

A spokesperson for the Criminal Appeal Office told MaiOnline: 'Auriol Grey has been granted unconditional bail pending her appeal against conviction.

'She has been released from custody. It is anticipated the appeal will be listed for hearing in May 2024.'

Grey, who suffers cerebral palsy and partial blindness, denied manslaughter but was found guilty after a retrial.

She lost an appeal against her sentence in May last year but since instructed new lawyers who took her case to the Appeal Court in London.

Mr Ramsey said: 'She was worried she would lose her flat after being given a three-year sentence but luckily it has not been taken away from her.

'She has been looking forward to the thought of coming home.

'In anticipation we have got it ready for her, it had been cleaned and it is sparkling!

'She has many friends and neighbours here who care about her and will look out for her, and we will all give her a very warm welcome back.

'She also has carers helping out.'

Grey repeatedly told police she 'couldn't remember' details of the incident which led to Ms Ward's death

Grey left the scene of the collision before emergency services arrived and went to a local supermarket

CCTV footage showed Celia Ward (pictured with her husband David) wobble into the road in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, where she was struck by a VW Passat

He added: 'She is pleased about the appeal hearing, and the fact her conviction could be quashed.

'She just wants to get on with her life.

'She did not attend the hearing but was allowed to watch proceedings via video link from the Governor's office at HMP Peterborough.'

Grey has few surviving family members - her mother Verna Grey, 87, from Sudbury, Suffolk, is not in the 'best health' and has rarely been able to visit her in jail.

She has a businessman brother-in-law living in Chiswick, West London.

Her father and sister are both deceased.

Grey was caught on CCTV gesticulating at grandma Celia Ward, 77, while shouting at her to 'get off the f****g pavement' in Huntingdon in October 2020.

Read more: Mother of pedestrian who was jailed for waving at a cyclist to get off the pavement before she was hit by a car reveals how her daughter has 'struggled' after suffering brain damage at birth Advertisement

A spokesperson for the Criminal Appeal Office said 'This case was heard on Tuesday, and the application for leave to appeal conviction was granted.

'Another hearing date will be set in due course for the final outcome of the appeal.

'The court granted liberty to counsel for the appellant to lodge an application for bail.'

Ben Rose, of Hickman & Rose solicitors, who are representing Grey, said: 'Auriol Grey is an autistic, disabled person with impaired vision.

'In a case such as this, the prosecution is required to prove to the jury that she intended to cause Mrs Ward harm, or fear of harm.

'We say this did not happen, and as a result will ask the Court of Appeal when the case is heard in May to quash Ms Grey's conviction.'

Mr Ramsey told how Grey had appeared in 'good spirits' whenever he has visited her - and before being released yesterday.

He said: 'She has been inside for a year and doing OK considering. She is being well looked after in a special wing because of her needs, and just keeps her head down and doesn't cause any trouble.

'She's a bright and very literate lady and instead of going loopy inside she's put her mind to good use.

'She's always reading and doing quizzes and is even learning advanced maths from another inmate.

'She's very knowledgeable and people there are amazed by what she knows.

'But she can't wait to get out of prison, and get on with her life.

'She feels she has been wronged.'
Horrified doctors removed a 30cm-long live eel from a man's belly after it apparently slid up his rectum.

The 34-year-old man from the northern Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam, was admitted to hospital with severe abdominal cramps after complaining of stomach aches.

Local media claims he was given an X-ray and an ultrasound, which showed he had a foreign body lurking in his abdomen.

It had caused him intestinal perforation and peritonitis  a life-threatening complication when the tissue lining the abdomen becomes swollen.

The patient was given urgent surgery to remove the mystery object.

A Vietnamese man, 34, left surgeons horrified after they pulled out a foot-long eel from his belly during an operation

The eel was believed to have entered the patient's body by entering his anus, sliding up his colon, and biting through his intestine

When the surgeons opened up his abdomen, they were stunned to see the slimy creature.

Grim images show medics using tongs to pull out the eel, which was as long as a standard ruler.

The surgeons proceeded to carefully remove necrotic tissue from his intestines.

The delicate operation in Hai Ha district went without a hitch and the man was quickly stabilised following the ordeal.

He was kept in hospital under observation with only mild abdominal discomfort.

When quizzed about how the eel could have ended up in his belly, the patient couldn't provide an answer.

But medics believe it entered his anus, slid up his colon and somehow entered his abdomen.

Items can leak out of the intestines and into the bowel if patients suffer intestinal perforation.

What stunned the doctors most was that the eel was still alive when they removed it.

Doctor Pham Manh Hung told local media: 'This is a rare case, the rectum is a site with abundant faecal matter and prone to infection.

'However, the surgery was performed safely.'
Americans by wide margins expect to see another world war this decade  and they're pretty confident they'll be on the winning side.

Fully 61 percent of US adults said a Third World War was likely in the next five to ten years, a YouGov survey reveals.

Respondents felt assured that America and its NATO allies would defeat their most likely foes  Russia and China.

About half of those surveyed said Western allies would beat those two countries, even if Beijing and Moscow had themselves joined forces.

Americans are fairly confident they'd be on the winning side in a fight with Russia and China

Republicans see World War III as more likely this decade than their Democratic counterparts

The survey comes after Russian missiles and drones rained down on Ukraine overnight, and as China builds up its forces to regain the breakaway island territory of Taiwan, maybe as early as 2027.

Poll Do YOU predict a world war within a decade? Yes No Not sure Do YOU predict a world war within a decade? Yes 339 votes

No 182 votes

Not sure 68 votes Now share your opinion





YouGov researcher Jamie Ballard wrote in her report that while many Americans see a massive war on the horizon, they are not eagerly reaching for a uniform and an assault rifle.

'The majority of Americans believe that another world war is at least somewhat likely to happen in the next five to 10 years,' Ballard wrote in a report.

'But most don't think they would volunteer to serve in military roles or non-combatant roles if the US were to be involved.'

The planet has only seen two world wars, with the campaigns of 1914-18 and 1939-45 drawing groups of big powers into epic struggles.

Analysis have been predicting a third such face-off since before even the Second World War ended.

There have been moments, such as the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis  when mankind came close.

US forces conduct live-fire exercises in Europe, amid fears that Russia's war against Ukraine could escalate

Even when Russia and China join forces, only 12 percent of respondents fancied their chances of a win

Nowadays, there are many reasons to be worried we're close to all-out conflict.

Russia has pushed into Ukraine since annexing Crimea in 2014, while China's leader Xi Jinping has set 2027 as a likely year to recapture its self-governed province Taiwan, a US admiral told the Senate this week.

Israel's assault on Gaza militants could yet spiral into a feared conflict involving Iran and Arab states, while climate change or the rise of artificial intelligence could also trigger some kind of military escalation.

The Doomsday Clock, a symbolic measure of how close mankind is to a global catastrophe, was in January set once again at 90 seconds to midnight  the closest we have ever been to the symbolic moment of the apocalypse.

These factors doubtless influenced the 1,000 US citizens who fielded YouGov's survey last month.

Three in five said a world war was likely in the next five to 10 years.

Republicans were much more worried about a clash  nearly three quarters of them saw a massive war on the horizon.

US citizens see Britain as its most likely ally in the next big war, and Russia as its chief adversary

South Korean and US soldiers pose for photos after joint exercises near the tense border with the North

Only a small share of US citizens were willing to walk the talk about World War III

When it comes to picking partners, respondents said Britain, Ukraine, Israel, France, and Germany would probably be on America's team.

Most likely, they would be up against Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and Iraq  or some combination of those foes.

Most respondents fancied their chances  fully 53 percent said the Western allies would trounce Russia, and 45 percent said they would prevail against the combined might of Moscow and Beijing.

But, of course, respondents were well aware that such a conflict would involve more than just troops, tanks, frigates, and fighter jets.

More than two thirds said the next major conflict would involve nuclear weapons.

And while they were willing to contemplate a world war, very few respondents were keen to fight in one.

Only 6 percent said they would volunteer to fight in a global conflict involving the US.

That rose to 16 percent if America was threatened by an imminent invasion.

'Americans are more open to the idea of serving in non-combat roles in the event of a world war,' Ballard write.

'Nineteen percent say they would volunteer for this type of role.'
Jimmy Kimmel has hit out at Kate Middleton conspiracy theorists after online speculation spread in recent weeks about the whereabouts of the Princess.

On Thursday, the 56-year-old comedian weighed on the frenzy surrounding the conspiracy theories which stem from the Princess of Wales' health.

During a 14-minute monologue, Kimmel told the audience of his show: 'Why do we have to know where she is?

'It's not like she's the bus driver. She had an operation, she had abdominal surgery maybe she has a colostomy bag and doesn't want everybody to see it.'

'People are demanding she get dressed up and march through London so we can have a look at her. Leave this woman alone!'

On Thursday, the 56-year-old comedian weighed on the frenzy surrounding the conspiracy theories stemming from the Princess of Wales' health

On Thursday, the 56-year-old comedian weighed on the frenzy surrounding the conspiracy theories stemming from the Princess of Wales' health

The Princess of Wales was spotted last week shopping at her local farm shop in Windsor alongside her husband Prince William.

Millions of people breathed a collective sigh of relief when they saw 'happy, relaxed and healthy' Kate smiling as she walked away from the store.

Others on social media, however, continued to push crazed claims - including that the woman in the video was not the royal but in fact a body double.

Kensington Palace has always said the Princess would be 'unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter'.

Earlier this month royal aides condemned the 'madness of social media' as theories continued to spread about the Princess.

Among the speculation being circulated by cruel trolls are that the Princess has died, or is using a body double or even her sister Pippa as a stand-in.

Unkind provocateurs have even suggested that she is in a coma or being faked with AI.

The theories became frenzied after the release of a photograph on her official social media channels for Mother's Day, when it became clear that the picture had been modified using Adobe Photoshop.

Several picture agencies issued rare 'kill' notices for the photo because it had been substantially altered

MailOnline has found at least 16 potential issues with the photo

The couple were spotted visiting the Windsor Farm Shop (pictured), which is close to their home in Berkshire

X, formerly Twitter, is awash with 'verified' users posting scarcely believable theories about Kate

Several picture agencies issued rare 'kill' notices for the photo because it had been substantially altered, with online wannabe detectives pointing out the flaws in the photograph, which Kate said she edited herself.

Matters were not helped when pic agency Getty Images said over the weekend that an image of Queen Elizabeth II sitting with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, also taken by Kate, had been 'digitally enhanced at source'.

And despite video being obtained by The Sun showing William and Kate walking happily through the car park of the Windsor Farm Shop, social media remains unsatisfied that she is recovering well.

X, formerly Twitter, is awash with 'verified' users posting scarcely believable theories about Kate.

As a result, users searching for information on Kate Middleton find themselves quickly immersed in unverified and libelous speculation from which there is essentially no escape.

Others are even going after the man who took the video, attempting to claim that he was 'hired' by the royal family to orchestrate the entire affair.

Some have lamented the state of social media as the unsubstantiated theories have continued to proliferate.

Kate was last seen on Christmas Day 2023 with her family attending church at Sandringham before undergoing abdominal surgery in January

Prince William and Kate were seen leaving Windsor together by car on the afternoon of March 11 - but the picture did little to quell cruel speculation about her recovery

A previous Kensington Palace statement read: 'The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate.

'She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private.

'Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness' progress when there is significant new information to share.

'The Princess of Wales wishes to apologize to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements. She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible.'
A Massachusetts city has sued its only hotel for shutting to the public and overloading its rooms with 450 migrants in a $10 million-a-year taxpayer-funded deal with the state.

The Republican-led city of Taunton seeks $115,000 from the 155-room Clarion Hotel for housing more migrant families than it can safely hold.

The hotel last year reportedly struck a nine-year deal with the Democrat-run state to become an emergency shelter for migrants, who are pouring across the southern border.

Taunton residents say this is bad for the city of 60,000 people, which loses out on business because the closest operating hotel is in neighboring Raynham.

Taunton city is suing the Clarion Hotel for unpaid fines for overcrowding after it became a migrant shelter last year

Massachusetts has become the new home for some of the many migrants who have crossed the southern border in recent years, including this family from Venezuela

That means there is nowhere for visitors to stay, or for the city to provide emergency stays for veterans and the homeless.

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





Mayor Shauna O'Connell, a Republican, told NBC that the city was told last year that 18 migrant families would be housed at the Clarion  but that number quickly shot up.

'Shortly thereafter, the entire hotel was occupied by more than a hundred families and ceased operating as a hotel,' O'Connell said.

'Within a couple of months, the hotel had converted entirely to an emergency shelter and housed approximately 445 people at any given time.'

This is more than the 350-360 people the seven-story building is allowed to house, officials say, so the city began issuing fines for occupancy violations.

Fines between May and September last year grew to $114,600, which is the basis of a nonpayment suit now pending at Bristol Superior Court.

O'Connell says residents and business complain about the lack of a hotel and the surge of migrant kids packing into nearby schools.

Taunton's Republican Mayor Shauna O'Connell says the city should assist its own veterans and homeless before helping migrants

'While we are not unsympathetic to migrants fleeing unstable conditions in other countries, we have limited resources available,' O'Connell said.

Taunton has 'many residents in need, including seniors and veterans, who require services and housing,' added the mayor.

An investigation by The Fall River Reporter found that the number of 911 callouts has soared since the migrants arrived.

The hotel gets about one emergency callout each day, ranging from domestic disturbances to mental health episodes and overdoses.

Taunton residents have complained about migrants loitering around the area.

'No-one else can get a room,' said one resident, who did not wish to disclose his name.

'There are so many homeless veterans who need help, and they're not getting help before the migrants.'

Migrants receive food handouts at a shelter in Chelsea, Massachusetts, in February 2024

Taunton officials say the hotel should be available for the state's veterans-in-need and homeless. Pictured: Homeless people moving to a recreational center in Roxbury, Boston, Massachusetts

The Clarion struck a deal with the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development to house the migrants last April, according to NBC

The $10-million-a-year deal covers rooms, board, and incidentals, and runs through June 2032.

The hotel, the housing department and the office of the state's Democratic Gov Maura Healey did not answer DailyMail.com's requests for comment.

Fears of unchecked migration across America's southern border have become a vulnerability for President Joe Biden in his reelection campaign against immigration hardliner Donald Trump.

Immigrant rights groups say asylum seekers must have their claims assessed fairly, and to receive housing and other support until they can find work.
Candace Owens and The Daily Wire have parted ways after weeks of tension with the outlet's co-founder Ben Shapiro over the Israel-Hamas war and her promotion of various conspiracy theories.

'Daily Wire and Candace Owens have ended their relationship,' CEO Jeremy Boreing posted on X Friday morning.

Owens, 34, reacted to the news saying, 'The rumors are true - I am finally free.'

She also shared her personal website for those who want to support her work and teased 'many announcements in the weeks to come,' saying she will bring back her show on YouTube after a brief hiatus.

It comes after weeks of scandals surrounding the controversial conservative, who recently has launched a campaign claiming French first lady Brigitte Macron is transgender.

She has also been engaged in fiery online debates with several members of the Jewish community who she claims are targeting her for being a Christian.

Candace Owens and The Daily Wire have parted ways after weeks of tension with co-founder Ben Shapiro over the Israel-Hamas war

Daily Wire founder Ben Shapiro

The rumors are true I am finally free.



If you would like to support my work, you can head to https://t.co/fOcTKYQDFk where you will be directed to my locals page.



Or, you can give a gift at https://t.co/SB1L1WZYwW



There will be many announcements in the weeks to come.   Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) March 22, 2024

Owens got her show on the right-wing outlet in 2021, after rising to national notoriety with her particular brand of conservatism, deemed far-right nationalism by her critics.

A source close to the pundit told DailyMail.com on Friday: 'Candace will be speaking soon... Anyone who knows Candace knows Candace has a voice that cannot be silenced.'

Owens also reacted on Friday morning after the Anti-Defamation League issued a statement deeming her an anti-Semite.

She wrote on X: 'I am grateful they have turned their smear merchant guns on me. The world already knows my heart. Their attacks will have the opposite desired effect. Awaken world.

'Thank you, @adl'

She continued: 'My crime, is that I do not believe that American taxpayers should have to pay for Israels wars or the wars of any other country.

'I will not change my mind. So the question is what will you do to me next? The world is watching.'

Owens' comments came after the ADL posted about white supremacist and Nick Fuentes praising some of the conservative commentator's comments.

'When bigoted people come together to push an anti-Semitic agenda, it adds fuel to the fire of hate,' the ADL said.

Owens was slammed earlier this month after she wagered her career on the wild theory that French first lady Macron was born a man.

Owens was slammed earlier this month after she wagered her career on the wild theory that French first lady Brigitte Macron was born a man

Kanye West and Candace Owens attend the "The Greatest Lie Ever Sold" Premiere Screening on October 12, 2022. The two worked to lobby black voters to leave the Democratic Party

Owens got her show on the right-wing outlet in 2021, after rising to national notoriety with her particular brand of conservatism, deemed far-right nationalism by her critics

The pundit caused an online storm after she shared the false story on her Daily Wire show, which claims Macron, 70, was actually born Jean-Michel Trogneux before eventually transitioning at age 30.

Owens suggested Macron is actually the same person as her older brother, and claimed: 'Any journalist or publication that is trying to dismiss this plausibility is immediately identifiable as establishment.'

The conspiracy stems from an completely false claim made by far-right magazine Faits et Documents (Facts & Documents), after Macron, 46, was elected

She has also been involved in an online war with popular Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, who she has accused of being 'satanic.'

Boteach has repeatedly gone against Owens over her anti-Semitic claims that there 'rings' of 'sinister' Jews controlling Hollywood and Washington DC.

Owens has made the shocking false claims that these groups could be behind the death of Michael Jackson. She has also liked posts that claim Jews drink Christian blood ritualistically.

TDW has previously resisted calls to fire Owens, claiming she was exercising free speech and had not violated the law or the terms of her contract.'
Russia and China have vetoed a U.S. draft resolution in the United Nations calling for an 'immediate and sustained' ceasefire in Gaza.

The resolution called for an 'imperative' halt in hostilities for roughly six weeks to protect civilians and allow for the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

The vote came down as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken his troops were going to launch a ground offensive in Rafah in a huge snub to President Joe Biden.

Russia's ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, said it was exceedingly politicized and contained an effective green light for Israel to mount a military operation in Rafah.

Eleven nations voted for the U.S.-backed resolution, which declared 'the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire.'

Russia and China have vetoed a U.S. draft resolution in the United Nations calling for an 'immediate and sustained' ceasefire in Gaza. Antony Blinken landed in Israel on Friday as the UN prepares to vote on a US ceasefire proposal today

The vote came amid deteriorating conditions inside Gaza, where local officials say more than 30,000 people have been killed since Israel launched its war on Hamas following the October 7 attack inside Israel.

During three earlier UN votes demanding an end to the fighting, it was the U.S. exercising its veto through its permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv on Friday amid ongoing talks to try to negotiate a temporary cease fire.

But they were quickly upended when Netanyahu vowed to carry on with the assault on Rafah to 'finish Hamas'.

'Today, I met with the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. I conveyed my deep appreciation for our joint effort in combating Hamas for over five months,' Netanyahu said.

'I emphasized our commitment to evacuating civilians from conflict zones and addressing humanitarian needs. However, I underscored the necessity of entering the Strip and neutralizing the remaining militias to defeat Hamas,' he added.

'While I expressed hope for U.S. support, I made it clear that if necessary, we would proceed independently.'

He met with Arab diplomats in Cairo, where he said an Israeli assault on Rafah, where more than a million people have gathered inside Gaza, would be a 'mistake.' He is also calling for a surge in humanitarian assistance.

He is meeting with Prime Miniter Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet amid tensions with the Biden administration. Netanyahu called in to a Senate luncheon meeting this week of Republican senators, but Senate Democrats didn't invite him following Minority Leader Charles Schumer's floor speech calling for new elections in Israel and saying Netanyahu had 'lost his way.'

Palestinians rush for cover as smoke billows after Israeli bombardment in central Gaza City on March 18, 2024, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the militant group Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that he is determined to send troops into the southern Gaza city of Rafah and would do so without U.S. support.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Tel Aviv, Israel

The resolution failed after China and Russia vetoed it

United States Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield speaks after a vote for a resolution on a ceasefire in Gaza

There are concerns about growing hunger inside Gaza. Children play amid damaged buildings around the mosque the rubble of Al-Farooq Mosque which was destroyed in the Israeli attack in Rafah, Gaza on March 22, 2024

'Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah,' Schumer said, in a speech President Biden called 'good.'

The talks are aiming to establish a pause in the fighting and the return of an estimated 200 hostages seized by Hamas during the October 7 attack, with negotiations focusing on Palestinian prisoners held inside Israel.

Amid reports of widespread hunger and even famine amid continued attacks and struggles to organize aid distribution, European Leaders issued a statement calling 'for an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and the provision of humanitarian assistance.'

The latest language in the resolution reflects growing concerns within the administration and abroad about the situation in Gaza.

A prior version circulated last month called for a cease fire 'as soon as practicable,' and President Biden and top security aides have defended Israel's right to defend itself by striking back at Hamas.

With the defeat of the U.S. backed resolution, France is stepping in to try to restart efforts.

'Following Russia's and China's veto a few minutes ago, we are going to resume work on the basis of the French draft resolution in the Security Council and work with our American, European and Arab partners to reach an agreement,' French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday.

There is also a domestic political component, amid concerns Israel's war in Gaza could run through the summer in a U.S. election year if Netanyahu goes ahead with plans for an operation in Rafah.

A new CNN poll released Friday showed Biden down eight points to predecessor Donald Trump in battleground Michigan, which is home to the nation's largest Islamic population.

Netanyahu said after meeting with Blinken Friday the Israel would proceed with its operation in Rafah even without U.S. support.

'I emphasized our commitment to evacuating civilians from conflict zones and addressing humanitarian needs. However, I underscored the necessity of entering the Strip and neutralizing the remaining militias to defeat Hamas,' Netanyahu said.

'While I expressed hope for U.S. support, I made it clear that if necessary, we would proceed independently,' added.

Speaking to reporters in Israel outside his government aircraft, Blinken pointed to strong support for the resolution, which he said was 'cynically vetoed by Russia and China.'

'I think we were trying to show the international community a sense of urgency about getting a ceasefire tied to the release of the hostages, something that everyone, including the countries that vetoed the resolution, should have been able to get behind.
Farmers in SW China's Xizang hold grand ceremony to celebrate start of spring plowing

People's Daily Online) 09:53, March 21, 2024

Farmers take part in a grand ceremony marking the start of spring plowing in Chabalang village, Qushui county, Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (People's Daily Online/Tsering Norbu)

A grand ceremony marking the start of spring plowing was held in Chabalang village, Qushui county, Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region on March 16, 2024.

Spring plowing holds immense significance for farmers in Xizang, who take part in a grand ceremony every year to celebrate the start of spring plowing and pray for bountiful harvests.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Exchange with Iowa students builds friendship

11:01, March 22, 2024 By Zheng Jinran and Zhang Yu ( China Daily

US students from Muscatine High School paint with Chinese students during a visit to Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School in Hebei province in January. CHINA DAILY

About 60 US students from Muscatine, Iowa state, will visit several cities in China in April to experience Chinese culture and continue the friendship between the people of the two countries.

"This is an exchange visit that we have conducted for over 10 years, and our students are eagerly looking forward to accompanying their peers and bonding with them," said Pei Hongxia, principal of Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School based in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province.

The school launched a program in October under which a dozen of its students and teachers took part in a study tour and in-depth exchanges with students studying Chinese at Muscatine High School in this Midwestern state.

"The Friendship Inheritance Study Program was initiated for students to retrace the routes that President Xi Jinping took during his visits to Iowa in 1985 and in 2012, and for them to advance and expand the friendship," Pei said.

Muscatine, a city in Iowa on the banks of the Mississippi River in the United States, has been home to the nearly four-decade friendship between Xi and local residents.

During the weeklong visit expected next month, students from Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School will act as one-on-one partners accompanying the US students during their activities scheduled in Beijing and Shijiazhuang. In addition, the US students will visit Xi'an in Shaanxi province and Shanghai.

In Shijiazhuang, they are expected to experience China's school life and participate in multiple activities such as learning calligraphy and paper-cutting skills, watching intangible cultural heritage performances and touring scenic spots showing traditional Chinese architecture.

"Via the comprehensive and in-depth experience in China, they can have a better understanding of Chinese culture and witness China's latest achievements in development," Pei said.

"When we were in the US last year, we presented some performances such as Chinese kung fu and traditional dances, which the US students were deeply interested in," said Cui Yihang, one of the student members of the Friendship Inheritance Study Program.

Cui added that their US friends expressed a strong willingness to come to China and explore more.

"The exchanges have enhanced our friendship. I look forward to the continuation of the friendship inheritance program and hope that more students from Iowa can visit," he said.

In November 2023, Xi announced a program to invite 50,000 US youths to China over the next five years for exchanges and study.

In January, more than 20 Muscatine High School students paid a visit to Beijing, Shanghai and Hebei, among other places in China, becoming the first group of US students to visit China under the program.

They also visited the school in Shijiazhuang, where teachers and students from both sides painted a 45-meter scroll featuring Chinese and US landmarks and scenery to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the US.

"A pair of Chinese and US students wrote a heartfelt wish in a Chinese poem containing lines such as 'though the ocean may separate us, we are never far apart'," Pei said.

According to Pei, the Shijiazhuang-based school has established friendly relationships with 36 schools across 17 states in the US.

Future trips have been planned. In May, the school's symphony orchestra will visit one of its friendship schools in the US, Valley High School in Des Moines, Iowa, to hold a joint Chinese and US student concert.

"In the future, our school will further enhance exchanges with US schools and invite more US youths to visit our school," Pei said, adding that the exchanges will help build a platform for nurturing friendship and promoting mutual learning.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Prosecutors have requested police to look again into Olympic fencing medalist Nam Hyun-hee on suspicions of being an accomplice in frauds by her former fiance, officials said Friday.

The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors Office made the request recently after police cleared Nam of the suspicions in early March, deciding not to refer her to the prosecution for potential indictment.

Nam, the silver medalist in women's foil at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, came under public scrutiny after her former fiance, Jeon Cheong-jo, was charged and sentenced to a 12-year prison term for swindling about 3 billion won ($2.24 million) from 27 people under the pretext of investment between 2022 and 2023.

Nam broke up with the fiance after Jeon was found to be legally a woman with multiple fraud records.

Fraud victims have filed a complaint against Nam on suspected complicity in the frauds, but the fencer claimed her innocence.

The investigation request by prosecutors was made as the victims filed an objection again against the police decision clearing Nam of suspicions.

By law, prosecutors can make a reinvestigation request with the police in the case they determine a police decision not to refer a suspect to the prosecution to be illegal or unfair.

With the latest request, the case will be reopened by the police for reinvestigation. (Yonhap)
Michaels shoppers will not be able to shop at any of the arts and crafts chain's locations next Sunday.

A spokesperson confirmed to DailyMail.com that all of the Michaels stores will be closed on March 31 in observance of Easter.

Michaels is one of more than 20 chain stores to be closing their doors for the entire Easter Sunday.

The 24 hour closure of more than 1,000 Michaels stores comes after the US Commerce Department revealed that retail sales have increased by 0.7 percent this month.

All of the stores that are closed on Easter Sunday will return to normal business hours on April 1.

Michaels shoppers will not be able to shop at any of the arts and crafts chain's locations next Sunday in observance of Easter Sunday

Costco confirmed on their website's Customer Service page that all of their U.S. warehouses will be closed on Easter Sunday

Stores Closed on Easter Sunday

Ace Hardware (select stores)

Aldi

Apple

Banana Republic (select stores)

Best Buy

Bob's Discount Furniture

Chik-Fil-A

The Container Store

Costco

H-E-B

Hobby Lobby

HomeGoods

JCPenney

Kohl's

Lowe's

Macy's

Marshalls

Michaels

Nordstrom (select stores)

Publix

Sam's Club

Staples (select stores)

Supercuts (select stores)

Target

TJ Maxx

True Value (select stores)

Walmart (select stores) Advertisement

Costco confirmed on their website's Customer Service page that all of their U.S. warehouses will be closed on Easter Sunday.

Other supermarket chains that will be closed for the Sunday holiday include Sam's Club and Publix.

Easter is one of three annual holidays that Publix is closed on every year.

'Since our founding, we have been closed on these three holidays in observance of the holiday and to allow our associates time with family and friends,' Publix's website read.

Furniture retail chains like Bob's Discount Furniture and HomeGoods will also close all of their store locations in observance of the holiday.

'We consider ourselves an Associate-friendly company and we are pleased to give Associates the time to enjoy Easter with family and friends,' a HomeGoods spokesperson told The U.S. Sun.

Anyone looking to purchase anything for home improvement on Easter can go to Home Depot and select Ace Hardware stores, but Lowe's will not be an option.

However, despite being closed on the holiday itself, Costco is offering some Easter deals on candy

All Lowe's locations will be closed on Easter for the fifth year in a row.

'I'm extremely proud of the commitment of our 300,000 associates who support our communities while providing excellent customer service,' said Lowe's CEO Marvin Ellison in a press release.

'In recognition of our teams' continued hard work, we are pleased to provide a well-deserved day off so they can spend Easter with their loved ones.'

Unfortunately, buyers who are looking to shop at Marshalls, Target and Macy's on Easter will also have no luck, since all of their stores will be closed as well.

However, not every store is closed for the holiday.

Target will also be closed on the holiday

Almost all Walmart stores will be open throughout the U.S. this Easter and operate under their normal business hours, with locations in Maine being the only exception.

Title 17 of 3204 states that for purposes of 'business, traveling or recreation' on Sundays, stores that are more than 5,000 square feet cannot be open on Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter in Maine.

Store chains like Staples and Ace Hardware will also have some locations open throughout the U.S.

However, consumers are advised to call those stores ahead of time to make sure they are open.

Other stores that will be operating during regular or holiday hours include IKEA, Home Depot and PetCo.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that he is determined to send troops into the southern Gaza city of Rafah and would do so without U.S. support.

He made the announcement after meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. President Joe Biden's administration has urged Israel to hold off on its invasion of Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians are sheltering.

'Today, I met with the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. I conveyed my deep appreciation for our joint effort in combating Hamas for over five months,' Netanyahu said.

'I emphasized our commitment to evacuating civilians from conflict zones and addressing humanitarian needs. However, I underscored the necessity of entering the Strip and neutralizing the remaining militias to defeat Hamas,' he added.

'While I expressed hope for U.S. support, I made it clear that if necessary, we would proceed independently.'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that he is determined to send troops into the southern Gaza city of Rafah and would do so without U.S. support.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken shakes hands with a woman as he meets demonstrators calling for the release of hostages kidnapped in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas

Blinken, meanwhile, warned Netanyahu that Israel's security and its place in the world are in peril, and 'you might not realize it until it's too late,' Axios reported citing sources.

'You need a coherent plan, or either you're going to be stuck in Gaza,' Blinken said during their meeting.

The White House said there was still time to talk to the Israelis.

'We haven't seen him go into Rafah, have we? They haven't conducted a major ground offensive yet. So we believe there's still ... time and space to have these discussions and to share with them what we've learned,' White House spokesman John Kirby said.

Netanyahu's pronouncement came after Russia and China have vetoed a U.S. draft resolution in the United Nations calling for an 'immediate and sustained' ceasefire in Gaza.

In a phone call with Netanyahu last week, Biden told the Israeli prime minister it would be a 'mistake' to launch an offensive on Rafah.

'A major ground operation there would be a mistake, it would lead to more innocent civilian deaths, worsen the already dire humanitarian crisis, deepen the anarchy in Gaza, and further isolate Israel internationally,' White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said in the press briefing on Monday where he gave a read out of the leaders' call.

On their call, the first time Biden and the Israeli prime minister have spoken in a month, Biden asked Netanyahu to send a team of military, intelligence and humanitarian officials to Washington to discuss Israel's planning for Rafah and to lay out an alternative approach that would target Hamas and secure the Egypt-Gaza border without a full-scale invasion.

Netanyahu agreed and the advisers were scheduled to be in Washington D.C. next week.

Blinken told reporters that was on track to place.

'Were looking forward to having Israeli officials in Washington next week to talk about a different way of achieving these objectives. Objectives that we share of defeating Hamas and ensuring Israel's long-term security. It really requires an integrated humanitarian military and political plan. As I said, we'll be talking about that next week,' he said.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and his Cabinet

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Tel Aviv, Israel

Muslims perform the second Friday prayer of the Holy month of Ramadan among the rubble of Al-Farooq Mosque which was destroyed in the Israeli attack in Rafah

Palestinians look at a house destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Rafah

Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv on Friday after spending time in the Cario and Saudi Arabia, seeking support for a cease fire agreement.

Ahead of his stop in Israel, Blinken said a invasion of Rafah would be 'a mistake,' adding that a truce agreement was 'possible.'

'There is a false choice involved here ... Hamas can be effectively dealt with without a major ground operation in Rafah,' Blinken said.

The United Nations has repeatedly warned of imminent famine facing 2.4 million people in the besieged Palestinian territory, where over five months of war have largely destroyed civilian infrastructure and left most of the population displaced.

The secretary of state's meeting with Netanyahu and his war cabinet came amid tensions with the Biden administration.

Netanyahu called in to a Senate luncheon meeting this week of Republican senators, but Senate Democrats didn't invite him following Minority Leader Charles Schumer's floor speech calling for new elections in Israel and saying Netanyahu had 'lost his way.'

'Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah,' Schumer said, in a speech President Biden called 'good.'

The talks are aiming to establish a pause in the fighting and the return of an estimated 200 hostages seized by Hamas during the October 7 attack, with negotiations focusing on Palestinian prisoners held inside Israel.

Meanwhile, with the defeat of the U.S. backed resolution in the UN, France is stepping in to try to restart efforts.

'Following Russia's and China's veto a few minutes ago, we are going to resume work on the basis of the French draft resolution in the Security Council and work with our American, European and Arab partners to reach an agreement,' French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday.
A young Mexican man is facing up to 10 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to smuggling seven undocumented migrants via sewer pipes between Mexico and the United States.

Kevin Campos, 20, appeared in federal court Thursday and admitted to charging the migrants $6,000 to lead them through a sewer system connecting Tijuana and San Diego on January 22.

The Tijuana resident was seen by U.S. Border Patrol agents through the pipes and then running away with three of the seven migrants to avoid being arrested.

Campos and the three of migrants fell into the Tijuana River and were rescued by San Diego lifeguards.

Footage released by U.S. Border Patrol the day of the incident showed two of the migrants standing in knee-high deep water before agents deployed a water raft to bring them to shore.

Several agents could be seen using a safety line to pull the raft to the shore before the migrants were placed under arrest.

Two undocumented migrants were among the four rescued by U.S. Border Patrol on January 22 after a smuggler identified as Kevin Campos smuggled them from Tijuana, Mexico to San Diego via a system of sewer pipes that run from California to Mexico. Campos pleased guilty to the smuggling incident during a hearing in a federal court Thursday

The U.S. Border Patrol rescued three of seven migrants from the Tijuana River on January 22 moments after they spotted Kevin Campos smuggling the individuals through a sewer pipe that runs from Tijuana, Mexico to San Diego. Campos told investigators the migrants had paid him $6,000 to illegally cross the border

'This case is yet another example of transnational smuggling organizations placing profits over safety,' U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath said.

'Thankfully, due to law enforcement intervention and the assistance of local lifeguards, all lives were spared.'

Two of the migrants told investigators that they were afraid of crossing the river because they did not know how to swim, according to court records.

One of the individuals recalled being swept by the river's current and subsequently clinging to a tree branch before he was rescued.

The sewer system that runs between the United States and Mexico has grates installed to stop people from illegally crossing the border.

However, the grates are left open during periods of heavy rain to allow the water to flow through the sewer without causing damage to the grates.

U.S. Border Patrol agents guard a group of migrants and their smuggler who were rescued from the Tijuana River on January 22

Campos, authorities say, took advantage that the grates were opened at the time and escorted the migrants into San Diego.

'This is an important reminder that safety is of little concern to transnational criminal organizations,' U.S. Border Patrol San Diego Sector chief patrol agent Patricia McGurk-Daniel said.

The San Diego Sector has registered 120,124 encounters with migrants illegally crossing the border through the first four months of fiscal year 2024 after reporting 230,941 in all of fiscal year 2023.

'U.S. Border Patrol agents will continue to target human smugglers and deliver consequences to those who violate the laws of our nation," McGurk-Daniel said.
Due to backlash from their community, CAIR said just hours after announcing King as the guest speaker that they had disinvited the 44-year-old

Far-left activist and one-time Christian pastor Shaun King has been disinvited from a Ramadan event after launching a speaking tour a day after converting to Islam in 'solidarity' with the people of Gaza.

King had been booked to speak at a Minneapolis fundraising dinner this coming Sunday for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

The 44-year-old has been outspoken in his stance against Israel and claimed he was banned from Instagram over his pro-Palestine posts.

After the Minnesota CAIR branch announced that King would be speaking at the event on Thursday, they suffered an immediate blowback from social media users.

Eight hours later, the branch announced that they had made the decision to not have King as the keynote speaker after they 'heard concerns expressed'.

The 44-year-old has been outspoken in his stance against Israel and claimed he was banned from Instagram over his pro-Palestine posts

King had been booked to speak at a Minneapolis fundraising dinner this coming Sunday for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

In a statement, the branch said: 'We have heard concerns expressed by our community regarding Shaun King being the keynote at your annual iftar fundraiser.

'We have made the decision to not have Shaun King as the keynote speaker for our upcoming annual fundraising dinner.

'This has become a distraction from the sole purpose of our event, to support the work of protecting and advancing the civil liberties of Muslims in Minnesota.'

One user hit out at King and the organization, saying: 'Do not let CAIR be tainted by association with this grifter.'

Another posted: 'People familiar with his history know he's a prolific scam artist. I wouldn't associate with him, especially for any fundraiser.'

One user added: 'Why are you hiding people's tweets instead of addressing them and the fact that you've booked a well known grifter for this event?'

The controversial Black Lives Matter activist was once the pastor of Courageous Church in Atlanta from 2008 to 2011, according to BuzzFeed.

After him and his wife converted to Islam 'in solidarity' with Palestine, critics accused him of using the religion as a grift.

Less than a day after converting, he announced a multi-city speaking tour complete with $1,000 VIP tickets.

After the Minnesota CAIR branch announced that King would be speaking at the event on Thursday, they suffered an immediate blowback from social media users

Eight hours later, the branch announced that they had made the decision to not have King as the keynote speaker after they 'heard concerns expressed'

Pricing for one of the events in San Diego starts at $75 for general admission, followed by VIP for $200, and then a VIP+ priced at an eyewatering $1,000.

He said the proceeds would all be donated to Palestinian causes.

King shared a video on Facebook of him and his wife taking the shahada, professing their faith, at the start of Ramadan two weeks ago.

In a post, he wrote: 'My heart is with my dearest friends in Gaza and Im proud that we were able to provide meals tonight to thousands and thousands of families from the North to the South in Gaza and will do so every day of Ramadan.

The activist, known as one of the loudest voices behind the Black Lives Matter movement, had 5.6million followers on Instagram, where he fiercely criticized Israel and the U.S. following the October 7 terrorist attacks against the Jewish nation.

He has repeatedly framed the resulting war as a genocide against Palestinians by Israel financed by the United States government.

King was also previously accused of lying by the family of two American hostages who he claimed he helped free from Hamas.

He claimed he helped free Natalie Shoshana Raanan, 17, and her mother Judith Tai Raanan, 59, who were two of over 200 hostages taken by Hamas following their attack that killed over 1,200 Israelis on October 7.

King shared a video Facebook of him and his wife taking the shahada, professing their faith, at the Valley Ranch Islamic Center in Irving, Texas

King said that 'dozens of us' worked on their freeing and that the Raanan family 'have been supporters of mine, and protested police violence in America alongside us.'

But the family say King is lying and he did nothing to help the two women to their freedom, saying in a statement that: 'First and foremost, we make it clear he is lying!'

'Our family does not and did not have anything to do with him, neither directly nor indirectly,' they told TMZ. 'Not to him and not to anything he claims to represent.'

Uri Raanan, Natalie's father, later said to The Daily Beast that his son had been contacting King but that he still had little do with the release.

'We reached out to many people far and wide to bring Natalie and Judith to safety. We are not affiliated with Mr. King,' he said. 'Ben, my son was talking with him without anybody in the family knowing about it until today.'

'Our family in Israel posted this statement denying we knew him, before we learned about Ben talking to him,' Raanan added. 'We have nothing further to say.'

The activist is known as one of the loudest voices behind the Black Lives Matter movement

He claimed he helped free Natalie Shoshana Raanan, 17, and her mother Judith Tai Raanan, 59, who were two of over 200 hostages taken by Hamas on October 7

King, in a statement, claimed he was telling the truth but did not specify that he talked to anyone beyond the Raanan's son.

He has also been accused of fraud on various occasions, including by the mother of Tamir Rice - a 12-year-old Ohio boy killed by Cleveland police - who claims he held unauthorized fundraisers in her son's name.

King has battled allegations of fraud for many years, but has not been formally accused of any wrongdoing in connection to Grassroots, which he founded to help get progressive elected to office.

Most infamously, he was accused of lying about being the victim of a horrific hate crime in his youth as a result of his race, which he allegedly faked his race to take advantage of a Oprah Winfrey scholarship.
Police have confirmed that the body of missing Missouri student Riley Strain has been, found two weeks after he disappeared.

In a statement, police in Nashville confirmed that a body pulled from the Cumberland River this morning was that of the missing 22-year-old.

Authorities said that no foul play-related trauma was observed on Strain, who was last seen on March 8 after being kicked out of Luke's 32 Bridge Food + Drink.

The Delta Chi fraternity member was in Tennessee on a trip for their annual spring formal when he was kicked out of the bar just after 9:30 p.m.

Earlier this week, his bank card was found near the Cumberland River and rescue teams were also seen scouring a dam miles from where he was last spotted.

Strain had told his friends that he would meet them back at their hotel, but was nowhere to be seen when the group returned from their night out.

The Delta Chi fraternity member was in Tennessee on a trip for their annual spring formal when he was kicked out of the bar just after 9:30 p.m

Authorities said that no foul play-related trauma was observed on Strain, who was last seen on March 8

His friends tried contacting him, but received no response and they reported Strain as missing as they failed to locate him via his Snapchat location.

At a press conference on Friday morning, Chief John Drake told reporters: 'This morning around 7:28 am we received a call from a worker.

'As they were removing an object from the river, they noticed what appeared to be Riley Strain pop up.

'The medical examiners officer reviewed the body and confirmed that it is Riley Strain.

'The family have been contacted, there are no signs of foul play at this time according to the examination here at the riverbank.

'Mr Strain still had the shirt on that he was wearing, still had the watch. I want to say to the family my heart and prayers go out to you all for this very unfortunate and tragic incident.'

Surveillance footage collected by police from Downtown Smoke & Vape Shop on Church Street showed Strain near the intersection of 2nd Avenue and Church Street.

The seemingly intoxicated student was wearing a two-toned black and brown shirt and blue jeans and took a tumble, then quickly got back up and continued down the street.

Another camera caught near the intersection of Gay Street and 1st Avenue North just before 10pm taking large strides with his head down as he stumbled through the streets.

The student had reportedly FaceTimed his mom Michelle Whiteid that evening, and she said nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

His mom and stepfather Chris Whiteid have been in the city since the search began, with Chris telling reporters earlier this week that the family had started preparing for the worst.

Whiteid said: 'Put yourself in our shoes. Everybody knows it. Everybody's thinking it. Those conversations are starting to happen. It's not what we want.

'And I understand that people want to know what we're feeling. Were feeling frustrated, we're feeling hurt, were feeling depressed. Nobody knows what happened to Riley.'

Michelle Strain Whiteid, left, and her husband, Chris Whiteid, speak to the media during a press conference earlier this week

Strain, 22, was last seen on March 8 at Luke's 32 Bridge Food + Drink on Broadway, according to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department

Surveillance footage released by the Nashville police show him wobbling and appearing confused as he crossed a closed road near the water

His parents previously said cops butchered the investigation into his disappearance, as more clues seem to have come from the public than officers.

The parents' criticism of the cops comes after TikTokers found a crucial piece of evidence that investigators failed to discover over a week after Strain went missing.

Anna Clemdening and Brandy Baenen, had been rummaging through trash along the riverbank when they located Strain's bank card.

'My stomach dropped,' Clendening said, describing the moment she turned over the card to reveal Strain's name. 'My innate reaction was to be like, 'Let's keep looking.'

Officers have since defended their search efforts. 'When we start a missing person investigation, we're looking for a person. We're not looking for small pieces of evidence,' Sgt. Robert Nielsen said during a press conference.

'Can we miss somethings? Sure. But our primary goal is to find Mr. Strain and bring him home safely.

Police previous shared footage on X showing Strain walking along the sidewalk past an officer, who appeared to be inspecting a car with a smashed window.

Another camera caught near the intersection of Gay Street and 1st Avenue North just before 10 p.m. taking large strides with his head down

Officers had been scouring the Cumberland River and a dam in the search for Strain

In a post to their social media on Friday morning, the United Cajun Navy ordered all personnel to 'clear all channels and stand down' shortly after news of a body being recovered broke

The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) shared a video on Tuesday showing one of their helicopters flying over the Cheatham Dam.

WTVF reported that officers had the dam shut down to inspect any debris that floated up to the surface, but did not find anything related to Strain.

David Flagg, director of operations for the United Cajun Navy, told the outlet: 'Somehow, Riley may have fallen into the river and was swept away by the current. The current was very, very swift on the day that he disappeared.'

In a post to their social media on Friday morning, the United Cajun Navy ordered all personnel to 'clear all channels and stand down' shortly after news of a body being recovered broke.
Aldi is set to branch out into upmarket areas of London as it expands its reach within the capital.

The budget store, which is Britain's fourth largest supermarket, will open a store in the borough of Kensington and Chelsea and another in Islington.

The 500million expansion will also see stores in Bromley, Enfield and Hackney and will create 3,500 jobs.

Aldi UK managing director of national real estate Jonathan Neale said: 'We want to make high quality, affordable food accessible to all, but there are still many areas in the capital that don't have access to an Aldi and, as a result, too many people have to make do with big prices at the traditional supermarkets.

'The locations we've identified are places where there is demand for our stores and we are committed to continue investing until we can bring our quality products and unbeatable prices to as many people as possible.'

Aldi is set to branch out into upmarket areas of London as it expands its reach within the capital (File photo)

Aldi hopes to open 500 more stores to bring its total number to 1,500.

The supermarket's sales have surged over recent years as cash-strapped families have turned to cheaper supermarkets amid the cost of living crisis.

Yet industry data shows that Aldi's slice of the market has slipped over recent months.

It may be down to traditional rivals Tesco and Sainsbury's trying to ramp up their competitiveness.

Locals told MailOnline the cost of living crisis had made people living in the area desire budget supermarkets like Aldi.

The budget store, which is Britain's fourth largest supermarket, will open a store in the borough of Kensington and Chelsea and another in Islington

Eddie, 57, who works in Chelsea, said: 'People want a change don't they.

'With the cost of living too, some people have it, some people don't.

'I wish there was a newsagents, you don't see them anymore.'

Miguel, 18, works in Richmond, another area getting an Aldi.

He said: 'It will allow customers to cut back more on their expenses as well as having more to save obviously with the cost of living crisis now.

'[The cost of living crisis] has been unsettling for people who live locally in this area, so I would say it will be beneficial.

'I think Aldi coming in is definitely a plus for everyone who lives in this area.'

It came as earlier this month Aldi gave its staff a second pay rise of the year.

From June 1, hourly rates will rise from 12.00 to 12.40 outside London and from 13.55 to 13.65 in it.
Donald Trump's newly formed Trump 47 joint fundraising committee will be sending a portion of campaign donations to the Save America political action committee, which has been used predominantly to help pay for the ex-president's mounting legal bills.

According to a copy of an invitation to major donors, the Trump 47 donations will first be distributed to the Trump campaign, followed by Save America PAC, which is a leadership PAC.

Once donors hit their maximum contribution limits, then the money will go to the Republican National Committee (RNC) followed by Republican state parties. The prioritization of Save America was first reported by the Associated Press.

The breakdown in order is a departure from the norm for political donations to joint fundraising committees, where the order typically starts with the candidates campaign, then the national party and then state parties, not leadership PACs.

But the ex-president is facing mounting legal bills from a series of civil and criminal cases and the Save America PAC has spend tens of millions on lawyers including nearly $5.6 million last month alone.

Former President Trump sitting in court in October 2023. His new Trump 47 joint fundraising committee directs funds toward Trump's campaign and leadership PAC before money goes to the RNC and state parties

Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump was elected earlier this month as co-chair of the Republican National Committee. She previously said she believes voters would support the RNC paying Trump legal bills

In the invitation for an April 6 mega donor event hosted by hedge fund billionaire John Paulson, the maximum donation is $814,600 a person. A maximum of $5,000 of that can go to the leadership PAC, before the money goes to other party committees, so only a fraction of major donations would go to what has been primarily used as the legal slush fund, but it would take on a larger percentage of smaller donations.

'Save America also covers a very active and robust post-Presidency office and other various expenses not related to fighting the illegal witch-hunts perpetrated by Crooked Joe Biden,' said Steven Cheung, Trump campaign communications director in a statement.

'The Trump campaign, the RNC, and state GOP parties ultimately receive the overwhelming majority of funds raised through the Trump 47 Committee. Out of an Individual donors maximum contribution of $824,600, less than 1% (.006%) goes to Save America,' he added.

It comes after Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump, wife of Eric Trump, was recently elected co-chair of the RNC earlier this month and Trump loyalist Michael Whatley was elected national chairman, completing Trump's influence over the party.

Days later Trump also clinched the necessary delegates to be GOP presidential nominee for a third time, which will become official at the convention in July.

Trump's campaign said he has a combined $41.9 million cash on hand at the end of February. Biden's campaign announced he had a combined $155 million cash on hand

But the ex-president has been struggling with fundraising as he heads into the general election season and his legal bills are piling up.

President Biden reported a combined $155 million campaign war chest at the end of February while Trump had a combine $41.9 million cash on hand.

Of Save America PAC's total spending last month, 85 percent of it went to legal bills and it still owed the law firm of Alina Habba more than half a million dollars. Last year it spent nearly $50 million on legal bills.

Trump is facing 88 charges in four criminal cases which could start going to trial later this year just as the presidential race should be heating up.

At the same time, Trump was hit with a $464 million judgement in the New York fraud case and is struggling to secure a bond by Monday. He also was ordered to pay E. Jean Carroll $83 million in the defamation case.

While Biden has completely dwarfed Trump in fundraising so far, filings show the RNC is also cash strapped. It had just over $11 million cash on hand at the end of February, less than half of what Democrats had.

Before being unanimously elected RNC co-chair, Lara Trump said at a campaign event that she thinks voters would support having the RNC pay the former president's ballooning legal fees.

She said it would get broad support among GOP voters who see the legal cases as 'an attack.'

The RNC had been paying some of Trump's legal bills before he was a presidential candidate, but previous RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel said in 2022 that would stop once he was a candidate.

President Biden's joint fundraising committee, the Biden Victory Fund, has a traditional cash flow by comparison. The money goes to the presidential campaign and then the Democratic National Committee before flowing to state parties.
A backhoe operator in Tennessee was rescued after the pit he was working in collapsed on top of him.

The man, 53, was loading chert rock, a hard and compact sedimentary rock chiefly made up of quartz, into a dump truck when the wall of the pit came crashing down.

The dirt swallowed everything- the backhoe the man was operating as well as the man himself.

Only the backhoe operator's head and one of his arms were above the dirt, but he was trapped under the roof of the backhoe in a space so cramped that first responders, when they arrived 12 hours later, had to snake a pipe through the dirt to provide him with oxygen.

Photos and videos uploaded to the Maury County Fire Department Facebook page captured the fraught scene.

The Tennessee backhoe operator was trapped under a collapsed pit of chert rock for over 12 hours

The Hohenwald, Lewis County, Maury County, and Spring Hill fire departments all participated in the rescue

The backhoe operator was initially discovered by his family, who grew worried after they hadn't heard from him for several hours

In the videos, the different emergency officials and volunteers work together seamlessly, the firefighters and civilians and responders united in their purpose to rescue the trapped man.

One video showed the officials counting down as they hauled the buried backhoe operator out from the ground.

The pictures displayed emergency personnel and civilian volunteers carrying out the arduous and back-breaking task of digging through the dirt and chert rock.

The accident, which occurred around 11 am in the Hampshire community in Lewis County, was unnoticed until the backhoe operator's family grew worried about his absence.

After they hadn't heard from him for several hours, the man's family started looking for him and found his dump truck running but no trace of him or the backhoe.

Then they found a sliver of the backhoe exposed in the dirt. It was 11 pm by then, around 12 hours after the pit had collapsed.

Emergency officials and civilian volunteers dug through the dirt and chert rock with their hands and with shovels

Rescuers decided to saw off the top of the backhoe in order to access the trapped operator

Early on in the operation, a pipe was slipped through the ground to furnish the man with oxygen

The Hohenwald, Lewis County, Maury County, and Spring Hill fire departments flooded the scene.

They were joined by dozens of rescue crews, a number of volunteers, and personnel from the Maury County Highway Department and Hohenwald Utilities, who provided rescuers with heavy-duty equipment. Civilians also contributed a backhoe and a skid steer to the operation.

A statement from the Maury County Fire Department said: 'Miraculously, verbal contact was able to be made with the equipment operator who had been trapped for approximately 12 hours.'

The statement continued: 'Only a small portion of the roof of the backhoe was visible. The operator stated that only his head and one arm was above the dirt, in a small void area under the roof of the backhoe.'

It was at this point that rescuers placed a pipe 'down to the void area to provide fresh air to the operator.'

The crews worked tirelessly to free the man from the collapsed pit, digging with their hands and with shovels, and forming a 'bucket brigade' to convey dirt away from the immediate area.

After three hours of sweaty toil, a skid steer and a backhoe joined the struggle and quickly removed swathes of dirt.

Rescuers were surprised that the buried operator was able to communicate with them

The backhoe's seat (pictured) after the roof had been sawed off

The rescue mission brought together fire departments from various counties, civilian volunteers, paramedics, and utility companies

The buried backhoe was revealed, and emergency officials decided to saw the roof off of the backhoe to access the operator.

They removed the roof and then loaded the man, who had remained conscious throughout the ordeal, communicating with rescuers, and even helping to remove dirt from his person, into a stokes basket.

The terrain was treacherous, so the rescuers formed a human chain and passed the man in the basket down the hill to an ambulance.

A helicopter flew him to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where the man is in stable condition and continues to recover.

The Maury County Fire Department concluded their statement by thanking their fellow responders.

'We appreciate the great working relationships with our emergency service and public works partners who all came together to ensure a successful rescue of a high risk, low frequency event.'
Animal rights influencer Elena Larrea, 31, died two days after receiving liposuction.

The Mexican model influencer, who had more than half a million followers on Instagram, and activist died of pulmonary thrombosis, also called pulmonary embolism, in which blood clots travel from the legs to the lungs.

Larrea was the founder of the animal rescue shelter Cuacolandia, which gave homes to horses, donkeys, and other animals.

When the shelter was on the verge of closing, Larrea joined OnlyFans to help raise money to keep it open.

She partnered with the Animalist Movement of Puebla to make bestiality a crime in the state, ultimately changing the legislature in the Mexican state of Puebla.

Animal rights influencer Elena Larrea, 31, died two days after receiving liposuction

The Mexican model influencer, and activist died of pulmonary thrombosis, also called pulmonary embolism, in which blood clots travel from the legs to the lungs

Larrea was the founder of the animal rescue shelter Cuacolandia, which gave homes to horses, donkeys, and other animals

Larrea's team confirmed her death in a statement on Instagram.

'With deep regret, we inform you of the departure of Elena Larrea, president and founder of Cuacolandia, who, unfortunately, yesterday, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 3:30 p.m., died due to a pulmonary thrombosis that caused a clot in the lung,' a statement from the animal sanctuary, translated from its original Spanish, reads.

'From Cuacolandia, we are very sorry for her loss.

'We will remember and continue working for everything that she bravely promoted from this foundation. We will promote their legacy and love so that our horses, donkeys and mules live in freedom and in adequate conditions in Mexico and in this, our sanctuary for horses rescued from abuse and abandonment.

'We reiterate our heartfelt condolences to the entire Cuacolandia family as well as the Larrea family and the close friends of those who fought tirelessly for animal rights.

'We thank her for all her love and dedication and wish her an eternal rest and peace.

'We'll miss you.'

The regional governor of Puebla, Sergio Soloman, spoke out following the announcement of her death.

'I deeply regret the death of Elena Larrea, a tireless fighter for the defense of animal welfare,' Mexico's Puebla governor, Sergio Salomon, wrote in a statement shared on X, formerly Twitter.

'The rescue of thousands of horses in conditions of abuse leaves testimony of her life and work.'

When the shelter was on the verge of closing, Larrea joined OnlyFans to help raise money to keep it open

She partnered with the Animalist Movement of Puebla to make bestiality a crime in the state, ultimately changing the legislature in the Mexican state of Puebla

'On behalf of the Government of Puebla, we extend our solidarity hug to her family and friends.'

Soloman promised to keep her animal rescue shelter open with the help of the Ministry of Environment.

'We will provide all the necessary help so other horses are cared for by the authorities as well as those already rescued, prioritising their wellbeing at all times. We will follow your example. Rest in peace, Elena,' Salomon said.
A George Cross awarded to a mine disposal expert who was buried alive in the London Blitz could fetch 120,000.

Sub-Lieutenant Jack Maynard Cholmondeley Easton was buried alive when a Nazi parachute mine exploded in London's East End during the Blitz in October 1940.

He lay alone for hours with a fractured skull, broken back, and two broken legs before he was eventually pulled from the debris.

His brave assistant Bennett Southwell, an Ordinary Seaman, wasn't so lucky. His decapitated body was discovered six weeks later.

The Blitz (derived from the German word Blitzkrieg, meaning 'lightning') - which lasted from September 1940 to May 1941 - was the most intense bombing campaign Britain has ever seen.

London was attacked 71 times and bombed by the Luftwaffe for 57 consecutive nights, whilst cities including Birmingham, Liverpool and Plymouth were also heavily bombed.

Before he was seriously injured, Easton, a member of the Admiralty's secretive Land Incident Section, had saved lives by defusing 16 explosives.

A George Cross awarded to a mine disposal expert who was buried alive in the London Blitz could fetch 120k. Sub-Lieutenant Jack Maynard Cholmondeley Easton was buried alive when a Nazi parachute mine exploded in London's East End during the Blitz in October 1940

Before he was seriously injured, Easton, a member of the Admiralty's secretive Land Incident Section, had saved lives by defusing 16 explosives. Above: Easton's George Cross

This included one which had crashed through the roof of the Russell Hotel in Bloomsbury and ended up hanging from a chandelier.

But Easton had no way of knowing that the fateful assignment in the East End would be his last.

As he explained in his book Wavy Navy: By Some Who Served: 'Of course, I did not know this would be my last assignment in mines disposal work when I left the Admiralty before breakfast that morning and was carried by car to Hoxton.

'At the back of the minds of us who did this work was an acceptance that there probably would be a "last."

'But in defence of our sanity, and perhaps to stop us leaping from the cars that carried us to each assignment, we did not dwell on this probability.

'It was there but suppressed. If and when the "last" mine came... well it came.

'Several of our section had found it; some, less fortunate than I, did not live to tell the story.'

Miraculously, Easton made a full recovery after a year in plaster - and was awarded a George Cross, the civilian version of a Victoria Cross, for his service in the Second World War.

The Admiralty sent three cases of champagne to his hospital and told him to listen to the 6pm news, during which the medal award was announced.

He was invested by King George VI at Buckingham Palace on 23 September 1941.

From left to right: Easton's George Cross, 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, the 1939-45 Defence Medal, the War Medal, Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal and Silver Jubilee Medal

The Blitz (derived from the German word Blitzkrieg, meaning 'lightning') - which lasted from September 1940 to May 1941 - was the most intense bombing campaign Britain has ever seen. Above: The debris of St Thomas's Hospital, London, the morning after receiving a direct hit during the Blitz, in front of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben

Now, his medal is to be offered at auction on April 10, where it is predicted to fetch between 80,000 and 120,000.

It is being sold by Noonans Mayfair on behalf of a deceased estate.

Nimrod Dix, Deputy Chairman of Noonans, commented: 'The Second World War was really the first war where civilians were on the frontline in the cities that were being attacked.

'As a result of this, it was decided that there was a need for a new gallantry award and the George Cross was introduced by George VI in 1940.'

He continued: 'Easton was no stranger to the nerve-wracking business of mine disposal, having earlier made safe 16 such devices, including one which had crashed through the roof of the Russell Hotel in Bloomsbury and ended up hanging from the chandelier in the main dining room.

'The grateful hotel owner presented Easton with a cheque for 140 - and an offer of Sunday lunch for his family for life - but both had to be rejected "as a matter of honour".'

Easton died at the age of 88 in Chichester, Sussex in December 1994, with his obituary notice describing him as 'a witty extrovert' who 'was highly attractive to women'

Easton was born in Maidenhead, Berkshire on May 28, 1906 and was educated at Brighton College and Pangbourne Nautical College.

He later trained as a solicitor and joined his grandfather's law firm in the City of London.

These ties proved helpful after Easton's near-death experience, as, despite recovering from his injuries, he found that when he left hospital he had lost all his hair.

Fortunately, the head of hair care firm L'Oreal was a client of the family law firm and offered his advice.

After administering the recommended - but far from pleasant - concoction to his scalp, Easton found his hair returned.

The war hero later served as First Lieutenant of the motor minesweeper HMS MMS 6 between June and August 1942, and HMS MMS 66 between August 1942 and February 1943.

In June 1944, Easton led a minesweeping flotilla off Normandy, when a new type of German oyster mine detonated under his ship and wounded him for a second time.

But he survived the war and returned to his family's law firm in the City.

He became a committee member of - and legal adviser to - the V.C. and G.C. Association from 1957 to 1994.

Easton died at the age of 88 in Chichester, Sussex in December 1994, with his obituary notice describing him as 'a witty extrovert' who 'was highly attractive to women.'
A leader of the Korean Medical Association (KMA), the country's biggest doctors' group, appeared before police Friday for another round of questioning over suspicions of instigating a mass walkout by trainee doctors.

Park Myung-ha, the KMA's organization consolidation chief, arrived at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's public crime investigation office in Seoul to undergo questioning, marking the fifth time he has faced police questioning since last month.

Park is one of five former and current KMA leaders against whom the government has filed a complaint, accusing them of instigating trainee doctors to go on a walkout to protest the government's medical school quota hike.

The collective action has continued for over a month in protest against the decision to increase the medical school quota by 2,000 from the current 3,058, resulting in cancellations and delays in surgeries and emergency medical treatment.

Before entering the police office, Park denounced the government's move to suspend the medical licenses of trainee doctors defying the government's back-to-work order and vowed to file a collective lawsuit to reverse it.

He also called on the government to engage in dialogue with doctors to find a compromise. (Yonhap)
Can there be anything more British than making polite chit-chat with a colleague you barely know while waiting for the kettle to boil?

That's all artist Victoria Culf thought she was doing when she offered to make a cup of tea at Watford Museum last June.

Mother-of-two Victoria, 43, is a warm and chatty stalwart of her community who trained as an art psychotherapist and organises workshops for children.

Her art studio, where (oh, the irony) she teaches others to express themselves, is to be found in her local Scout Hut, with the Scout leaders delighted to offer her the space. It is here that she greets me, offering tea. 'As you do,' she says.

Exactly as she did last June when, setting up for an exhibition, she found herself left to her own devices by staff who knew her well.

She had been told to help herself to the tea and coffee-making facilities in a small room downstairs, and was in there when a council employee came in.

Victoria knew the woman vaguely  'Not well. I'd met her on a project five or six years ago, but we hadn't spoken since. I knew she had a child, but I didn't know anything about her life. Until she started volunteering information about it.'

Victoria Culf, pictured in her studio at her local Scout Hut in Hertfordshire, is full of fear and anger that her career as an artist could be over

Victoria offered the woman a drink and made conversation while working out where the mugs were. 'I asked how she was. Then I said 'And how is the family?'.'

How she must wish she had just stuck to talking about the weather. Because the woman's response  which Victoria says was to launch into a deeply personal conversation about her child's gender transition journey  has come close to ruining the artist's life.

A seemingly innocuous chat ('mother to mother,' says Victoria, whose own children are aged ten and six) in which Victoria voiced concerns about underage children undergoing gender reassignment surgery, resulted in her being branded transphobic, reported to the police and even prevented from attending her own exhibition.

She claims she was pilloried on social media when this woman launched a diatribe against her, 'all because I said I could not support some aspects of this woman's choices for her child'.

The Victoria I meet is in tears  of anguish, and yes, of rage too  at the thought that her career could now be over.

She is simply bewildered as to how a kindly conversation, 'in which I was falling over myself to be sympathetic to this woman', can have led to this: 'cancellation' and the vilification of someone who, all evidence suggests, has done nothing legally wrong.

'The whole thing is simply mad,' she says. 'It is Orwellian. My father is a retired police officer and he cannot get his head around it. I was told the police were involved, that an allegation of "harassment" had been made against me. I was distraught, terrified that I was going to be arrested in front of my children.'

It is worth noting that no charges have ever been brought. Nor has Victoria even been questioned about this supposed 'harassment'. Yet, who can blame her for her worrying that her career is over.

'The power these people have is just shocking, and if it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone,' she says.

Victoria, a churchgoer whose work regularly brings her into contact with children in schools, says she knew nothing about the woman's child when she embarked upon that fateful conversation.

'I have to stress that I didn't know anything about her child, who was under 15 when they started [on the transition journey]. I said "Oh OK", but I probably looked shocked. She went on to say "Oh, we've had a lot of encouragement".'

The woman also shared details about stresses over counselling sessions, the role of the Tavistock clinic and puberty blockers.

This is surely a very personal, and detailed, conversation to be having with a near stranger.

'Yes, and given what happened next, I'd question whether it's a conversation she should have been having in the workplace at all,' says Victoria. 'But at the time I just felt for her. She was clearly upset.'

Victoria could not agree with the woman's assertion that her child would be fine now, because they were on a particular path, towards transition.

I said, 'What's the hurry?' I pointed out that children can't have tattoos until they are 18 so why would you rush into irreversible procedures? I said 'Look, I'm really sorry, I can't support this because of my faith, my training, my experience.'

Had the conversation descended into a row?

'No, and it never did, but she was the one who kept pushing it. I felt I was being educated into agreeing with her philosophy. She talked about the risk of suicide, if you don't affirm the child's chosen identity. But my understanding was that in Sweden and Finland, where underage treatment is not available, there had been studies on the suicide rates, and they had not shifted.'

Victoria absolutely denies she was aggressive in her tone, or demeanour. Actually, she says, it was the other woman who kept leaning in, physically, to make her point.

'We were in a very small space, no bigger than the size of a sofa. I was against the wall and she was leaning on the counter. There was no sense at all that she was harassed, frightened, or upset.

'And I was trying to be sympathetic. I said, "I'm sorry you are not getting the support you need", but I simply couldn't bring myself to say "Of course you are doing the right thing". I did say "It's your family, your decisions, of course".'

How did they part? 'Having agreed to differ, I thought,' Victoria says. 'So the way she reacted next was nonsensical.'

The next morning  on the day of the exhibition  Victoria received an email from the organisers asking her to make sure she delivered all her material before 1.30pm, earlier than she had expected.

'The woman I'd been speaking to the previous day came out to meet me and stood, arms crossed, saying, 'You shouldn't be here. You should have had an email'. I had, but it had just told me to arrive earlier.

'Eventually she said she would take my material off me. I remember one of my pieces was wrapped in a blanket and she took it off me. Walking back to my car, I noticed a few people  people I knew  staring at me. I thought "How odd".'

Shortly after this, Victoria received a message cancelling another event she had been booked to do. Strange, again. But then came the phone call that, she says, 'changed everything'.

'It was from Watford Borough Council saying there had been an allegation of harassment against me. They were asking me not to go to the museum because the police were involved.'

She was incredulous.

The artist was banned from her own exhibition at Watford Museum in Hertfordshire

Victoria says: 'These were lies being told about me, and they were being believed by people I thought knew me'

'Police? I just couldn't process what was happening. I was then told that if I wanted to go to my own exhibition, I would have to give 24 hours' notice so they could "safe-guard a council employee". I said "Hang on a minute. You are banning me from my own exhibition?!"'

Watford Borough Council disputes that Victoria was 'banned' from the exhibition, but accept she was told to give 24 hours' notice before attending. The council also says it did not itself report her to the police.

Victoria was still waiting for clarification of what was going on when the offended council employee took to social media.

'She said she had been subjected to a wildly transphobic and homophobic rant whilst at work, and she shouldn't have to put up with this. I just could not believe that we were talking about the same conversation. These were lies being told about me, and they were being believed by people I thought knew me.'

Victoria is now taking legal action against Watford Borough Council on the grounds of breach of contract, discrimination and harassment. The action also alleges misfeasance in public office, negligence, intimidation, defamation, conspiracy and malicious falsehood.

She is being supported by the Christian Legal Centre, who say they are being asked to help more and more people who have become unwittingly embroiled in the toxic trans row, and are being demonised for perfectly reasonable views.

'I don't think there is anything controversial about what I believe,' she says. 'I'm certainly not a transphobe. I have worked with trans adults, and never had an issue. I support the rights of adults to live as they chose, but I do feel that when it comes to children who are underage, we have to be careful.'

With a daughter who is about to start secondary school, Victoria admits to a growing sense of unease about the trans 'movement', particularly the idea that we should 'celebrate and affirm' the idea of gender transition in underage children.

'I feel that we are in a culture where the idea of changing gender is being pushed on youngsters. I certainly feel that when it comes to surgery, or puberty blockers we should be saying "Hold on", because there is a certain amount of attention to come from identifying as trans, which makes it an attractive option for some vulnerable youngsters.'

She adds: 'Even negative attention is a form of attention. And I'm deeply concerned that this ideology is being foisted on young people from a younger and younger age. It's almost like a way of socially experimenting on them. They don't realise that it's happening.'

Have we reached peak gender row madness? Victoria's story would certainly suggest so.

She likens what has happened to her to the 'utter insanity' that engulfed novelist JK Rowling when she took a position on trans issues. But the Harry Potter author was already a public figure. Victoria's only stab at public notoriety before this was to upload YouTube videos about how to make your own loom.

'And I have been thrown under the bus,' she says. 'All I wanted to do was make her a cup of tea and show kindness.'

Aside from the legal battle, Victoria has also had to deal with stresses relating to the exhibition.

Unable to access her own artwork, she had asked a friend to take some pictures. When she received these, she was upset to find that some pieces of art had been hung incorrectly. Others were damaged. She has no evidence that this was done deliberately, but points out that these are professional art exhibitors who should know to take care of other people's work.

'My professional pride couldn't accept this. I called and said, "This is not on. I am coming in to fix this". I thought, Let's see what happens if I get arrested.'

When Victoria was eventually allowed in, she was dismayed "to see everyone scurrying away. People I had known, and worked with for years, wouldn't look at me".

She was close to tears as she tried to repair her work, with the realisation dawning on her that she was being cancelled, having been branded a transphobe.

'Still no one had asked my side.' Victoria points out that she lost another commission after an employer terminated her contract, drawing her attention to 'the company's inclusion and diversity monitoring form where we support people of all faiths and backgrounds'.

'The irony! As long as you are not talking about a Christian faith. And what about my beliefs, which are not extreme? They are based on common sense, on fact, on experience, professional experience, too.'

Victoria tells me that she has 'always' worked with children. After a fine art degree, she had a stint as a youth worker.

'Then I trained as an art psychotherapist. I don't work as one now but that is my background.'

Victoria was at first told that Hertfordshire Police were investigating her not for a crime, but for a 'non-crime hate incident'.

'What even is that?' she asks. 'And what are the police doing investigating non-crimes?'

She asked for evidence from the council of its own decision-making process  and says this was denied, although Watford Borough Council insists all guidelines were followed.

Eventually, the police said the case 'did not reach the threshold for investigation', but questions remain.

'My work in schools depends on regular DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks. Will this affect them? I wouldn't blame any school for wanting to run a mile from me.'

Victoria claims she has already lost work, including a major contract. 'And by speaking out now I am probably risking commercial suicide. But what is happening here is wrong. It's bullying, and clever bullying.'

Who are the bullies? The wider trans rights movement, she believes.

'This transgender movement has weaponised empathy and made people feel that if they don't go along with their beliefs, if they don't actively champion them, they are in the wrong and deserve to be punished.

'It's terrifying that if someone doesn't like what you say they can take umbrage, use their power to ruin your career.'

Where does Victoria stand now on the trans debate? Her position hasn't shifted, she says.

'My attitude is: Don't foist it on me. I won't ascribe to this. I'm not going to say it is OK, because is it not. When it comes to children, I don't think transitioning is the golden ticket some of these groups think it is. What sort of society are we when, if a child stands there and says "I hate who I am", we rush to help them change it. They use terms like "top surgery", but what we are talking about is a double mastectomy.

'These people try to say that your views are wrong. Well, no. What is wrong is preaching this claptrap at children, so that they think there is something wrong with them.'

Tears are flowing now. 'When does this stop? It's undemocratic. You cannot say you want to live in a democratic society, then insist you have to be able to do what you want, and no one can oppose it.

'The trans lobby says "We are in the minority". How come you are shouting the loudest, then? You are not powerless. You have so much power and you are absolutely manipulating society to believe this madness.'

She feels she has said too much now. Others would shut up in her situation, she agrees.

'But that would be giving in to the bullies, wouldn't it?'

A Watford Borough Council spokesman said: 'Watford is a place for everyone. The town is diverse but, more importantly, it is a place where we get on with each other and are part of a vibrant community.

'The council is confident that it has acted fairly, reasonably and within the law in relation to this matter but as legal proceedings are continuing, it would be inappropriate to comment further.'
Tories were left furious today after a bid to scrap Sadiq Khan's 'unfair' ULEZ expansion was blocked by Labour.

A backbench Bill tabled by Conservative MP Gareth Johnson would have allowed ministers to reverse the controversial policy in London.

But the attempt ran out of time in the Commons after a series of lengthy speeches from Opposition MPs - including representatives of seats in Wales and Nottingham.

The 12.50-a-day charge area was dramatically widened in August to cover almost all of Greater London.

People with a vehicle that does not meet minimum emissions standards and who fail to pay the levy risk a 180 fine.

A backbench Bill tabled by Conservative MP Gareth Johnson (pictured today) would have allowed ministers to reverse the controversial policy in London

Tories were left furious today after the bid to scrap Sadiq Khan's (pictured) 'unfair' ULEZ expansion was blocked by Labour

Keir Starmer voiced reservations about the ULEZ move after Labour failed to win the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election last year.

However, he recently changed tack and said he supported all Mr Khan's efforts to improve air quality.

In the House today, Mr Johnson said it was a 'myth' to say the expansion was to do with improving air quality, saying: 'If it was about air pollution, the mayor of London would ban these vehicles going into London.

'He doesn't want to ban them, he wants to make money out of them. If those people driving those motor vehicles give the mayor of London 12.50, they can drive all day long in London  he does not give a damn, it's got nothing whatsoever to do with air pollution.'

Mr Johnson said the expansion was 'unfair' on people who lived outside London as they had 'no say on who the London mayor is', adding: 'The border between London and the home counties is not neat.

'People in my constituency live in Kent yet have to go into London just to exit their road. The border straddles some roads. This is a border that cannot be avoided by people and the mayor of London knows this.'

Intervening during a 33-minute speech by Lilian Greenwood, the Labour MP for Nottingham South, Mr Johnson said: 'It's obvious both she and the Labour Party wish to talk out my Bill to overturn the expansion of ULEZ.'

The 12.50-a-day charge area was dramatically widened in August to cover almost all of Greater London

Ms Greenwood said a serious public health issue was being 'used for purely party political point-scoring'.

She said: 'The ultra-low emission zone and indeed emission charging zones are a Tory policy, they were pushed onto local government by a Tory government and first championed here in London by a Tory mayor.'

Under Commons rules, backbench Bills must pass their second reading by 2.30pm on a Friday if they are to progress to the next stage.

Unless the government adopts the legislation it is very rare for such legislation to make the statute book.

A spokesman for Mr Khan said: 'The evidence shows that ULEZ is working. 95 per cent of vehicles seen driving on London's roads are now compliant and don't need to pay a penny. Thousands of drivers have now received money to scrap their dirty vehicles, helping clean up London's air and protect Londoners' health.

'The Mayor is clear that it's up to other towns and cities to decide what works best locally for them. Central Government shouldn't be dictating which clean air schemes are introduced in local areas  whether in Bermondsey, Birmingham, or Bristol.

'Ministers risk fundamentally undermining devolution if they start seizing powers from directly-elected Mayors  in London, the West Midlands or Tees Valley. If these plans become law it would be an unprecedented attack on devolution.'

A source close to the mayor added: 'This unprecedented assault on democracy and devolution is a desperate distraction by a Government in its death throes which time and again has shown its contempt for Londoners and their rights. Londoners will see through this pathetic attempt to play politics with the capital.'
A top gaming executive was sentenced to death on Friday for poisoning his billionaire colleague who was set to work on Netflix's hit series Three-Body Problem.

Xu Yao poisoned the food of the founder of the high-profile Chinese gaming company, Yoozoo, which has links to Game of Thrones and the new Netflix series, 'The Three-Body Problem.'

Xu poisoned Lin Qi in December 2020 because of a dispute over the running of the business, the Shanghai First Intermediate People's Court said.

Lin, who was 39, was rushed to hospital on December 16 after falling ill, and although his condition was initially reported to be stable, he died nine days later on Christmas Day - despite being given 40 litres of blood transfusions.

Police detained Xu, 43, a few days after Lin's death.

Lin Qi, the chairman of Chinese company Yoozoo Group (pictured above), was poisoned on December 16 and died in hospital nine days later. Xu Yao has been sentenced to death for poisoning his food

Yu Guming as Yang Weining and Zine Tseng as Young Ye Wenjie in episode two of 3 Body Problem, during its initial setting in Communist China in the 1960s

The eight-part series - which reportedly had a budget of 125million - was dropped onto Netflix on Thursday

Xu had also poisoned drinks in the office between September and December that year, targeting two colleagues he had differences with.

They became sick but recovered, as did two other employees who drank the poisoned beverages.

Caixin, a reputable Chinese finance publication, cited sources as saying Lin was hit with a cocktail of up to five different poisons.

It wrote that Xu was obsessed with the US TV series 'Breaking Bad' (in which a high school chemistry teacher joins forces with a former student to make crystal meth, eventually becoming a drug lord in New Mexico).

They also reported that Xu set up his own lab in Shanghai to make and test the poisons to ensure they would be effective against Lin.

The court today said Xu's actions had been premeditated and had 'endangered public safety'.

It added: 'His motive for the crime was extremely despicable, the means of the crime was extremely malicious, the harmful consequences were extremely serious, the subjective malignancy was extremely significant.'

Lin founded Yoozoo - also known as Youzou Interactive - in 2009 and quickly became one of China's richest entrepreneurs.

He is reported to have had a net worth of around 745million when he died, according to the Hurun China Rich List.

Yoozoo developed Game Of Thrones: Winter Is Coming, a game inspired on the hit TV series.

The company also owns the film rights to 'The Three-Body Problem,' a best-selling Chinese science fiction trilogy, and Xu headed up a subsidiary in charge of business related to it, according to Chinese media reports.

In September 2020, the company granted Netflix the right to produce an adaptation of the trilogy, Chinese state media reported at the time.

The eight-part series, which reportedly had a budget of 125million, was dropped onto Netflix on Thursday and has been criticised by reviewers for being both dull and confusing.

The show was once deemed 'unfilmable' - and caused a whirlwind of conspiracy after Lin was 'murdered' and US senators attempted to cancel the show accusing its writer of 'parroting Chinese communist propaganda'.

Three Body Problem, originally a trilogy, was written by former computer engineer and now-world-renowned science fiction writer Liu Cixin.

Cixin was born in Beijing in 1963 when scientists, writers, academics and other intellectuals were dubbed counter-revolutionaries and sent to carry out gruelling work in labour camps.

Estimates of how many people were killed vary, but it is believed to be in the multiple-of-millions.

Liu's novel follows the same lines.

Even before production began, the news that 3 Body Problem would be adapted was met with backlash from a group of U.S Republican Senators who accused the book's author Liu Cixin of 'parroting dangerous CCP propaganda'

The humans in the original novel, who represent China, are forced to resort to the threat of mutually assured destruction in order to level the playing field when it comes to the technology possessed by the two civilisations

The plot revolves around humanity's discovery and preparation for an alien invasion, while dealing with several science fiction concepts and societal themes.

But it quickly becomes apparent that the novel is a metaphor for China's historic relationship with the United States, with the US being represented as the technologically superior alien race that has chosen to colonise earth after exhausting their own resources.

The humans in the novel, who represent China, are forced to resort to the threat of mutually assured destruction in order to level the playing field when it comes to the technology possessed by the two civilisations.

But it wasn't until the novel was translated into English by Ken Liu and published again in 2014 that it captured the attention of Western audiences.

During a lengthy sit-down with the New Yorker in 2019, the author drew controversy when Chinese-American journalist Jiayang Fan asked him about Beijing's internment of Uighurs Muslims in camps built in Xinjiang province.

As many as 1.8 million Uighurs are estimated to be held in the camps, and China has been accused of committing crimes against humanity and possibly genocide.

Reports have detailed how Chinese soldiers employ a shoot-to-kill policy against anyone who tries to escape, while others have said women are subjected to forced sterilisation to suppress the population.

When asked about this by Fan, Liu said: 'Would you rather that [Uighurs] be hacking away at bodies at train stations and schools in terrorist attacks? If anything, the government is helping their economy and trying to lift them out of poverty.'

In the 2019 article, Fan wrote that Liu's answer 'duplicated government propaganda so exactly that I couldn't help asking Liu if he ever thought he might have been brainwashed.'

Fan's interview with the writer gained traction, and - combined with the later news that Netflix was planning to adapt Three Body Problem into a big-budget television series - was noticed even in the upper-echelons of Washington.

In September 2020, five Republican US senators - Marsha Blackburn, Rick Scott, Martha McSally, Kevin Cramer and Thom Tillis - wrote a letter to Netflix and accused the company of 'normalising' the Chinese government's brutal incarceration of millions of Uyghur Muslims.

'These crimes are committed systemically and at a scale which may warrant a distinction of genocide,' the letter said.

'Sadly, a number of US companies continue to either actively or tacitly allow the normalisation of, or apologism for, these crimes. The decision to produce an adaptation of Mr Liu's work can be viewed as such normalisation'

'While Congress seriously considers the systemic crimes carried out against the Uyghurs, we have significant concerns with Netflix's decision to do business with an individual who is parroting dangerous CCP propaganda,' it added.

'In the face of such atrocities in XUAR, there no longer exist corporate decisions of complacency, only complicity.'

Netflix's response to the letter was swift and robust.

Two days later, it rejected the criticism over its decision to adapt 3 Body Problem, with Dean Garfield - Netflix's Vice President of Public Policy - reminding the Senators: 'Netflix does not operate a service in China.'
New York State Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz has introduced an anti-squatting bill following a series of alarming squatting-related incidents across New York.

The proposal aims to simplify the process for homeowners to remove squatters by redefining squatters as trespassers rather than tenants in the legal statute.

'Squatting has become a bit of a crisis,' Blumencranz told Fox and Friends Friday. 'We need common sense legislation.'

Under current New York laws, individuals who claim tenancy upon being reported to the police for unauthorized residence cannot be immediately arrested for trespassing.

Instead, homeowners must initiate lengthy eviction proceedings through the court system, a process that typically spans two years in the city and can cost thousands in legal fees.

New York State Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz has introduced an anti-squatting bill following a series of alarming squatting-related incidents across New York

Nadia Vitels, 52, was found dead in apartment in Manhattan's Kip's Bay on Thursday after she was beaten to death and stuffed in a suitcase by two squatters

Adele Andaloro, 47, inherited her family's property in Flushing, Queens and was hoping to sell it - but was stopped dead in her tracks when squatters moved in last month

Squatters in New York gain legal rights after 30 days, preventing homeowners from altering locks, removing belongings, or discontinuing utilities without risking arrest themselves.

'It's an unfortunate, upside down world,' said Blumencranz, a republican representing District 15, to ABC 7. 'They know how to work the law to stay for a certain number of days to work the system.'

'People can stay in homes for years, years, without having justice brought to them for essentially staying for free and making homeowners pay the bill,' Blumencranz added.

'We're making sure squatters can't take advantage of the law, that's all we're doing,' Blumencranz said.

Blumencranz's proposal comes in the wake of a series of incidents including a mother found murdered and stuffed into a duffel bag at her New York City apartment after pair of squatters beat her to death.

It also comes after a Queens homeowner's arrest for changing locks on individuals she alleges are squatting in her residence, as well as the previous report on a Douglaston family's struggle to occupy their $2 million home due to a refusal by an individual to vacate.

Nadia Vitels, 52, was found dead in the East 31st Street apartment in Manhattan's Kips Bay on March 14 after her family called the building superintendent to do a wellness check.

The medical examiner ruled her death a homicide on Friday after an autopsy ruled she died from multiple facial fractures, a brain bleed, two broken ribs and blunt-force trauma to the head.

Now, NYPD Chief of Detectives say the suspects were squatting in Vitels' apartment. The squatters were arrested Friday.

'We believe that some squatters took the apartment over and this woman came home  and walked in on the squatters that were there,' Kenny said.

Her family told him they hadnt heard from her in a few days so he went to up her apartment to check on her and saw signs something was wrong

Police remove evidence from the home where Vitels' body was found

A photo of Vitels' social media shows her pictured with a Ukrainian flag

The two suspects were spotted driving off in Vitels Lexus SUV around the time they believe she died and even caught on surveillance footage which has not yet been released to the public.

Kenny added that the unique design of the 'upscale apartment' meant they may have been able to hide from Vitels for some time.

'The apartment itself is very unique in that there's no front door to apartment. You take an elevator up and then you key your way in. The elevator is actually your front door,' Kenny told the New York Post.

Michael Medvedev, Vitels' son, made the grisly discovery of his mother's corpse upon return alongside the building's superintendent Jean Pompee, who has lived in there for 22 years, after Vitels had not been seen for 48 hours.

'As they're getting ready to leave, the son opens up the closet door near the front door and discovers the duffel bag with a foot sticking out,' Kenny said.

While the suspects - one of whom has a prior arrest - remain on the lam after swiping Vitels' car as of Thursday night, police believe they're on the right track.

'As of right now, we have probable cause, we have two subjects, we have the Regional Fugitive Task Force actively hunting as we speak,' Kenny said.

Also this month, A New York City woman was arrested following a heated confrontation with a squatter who claimed he had the rights to live in her million-dollar family home.

Andaloro entered the home, flanked by reporters, after an unidentified woman unlocked the door. Inside, she was greeted by two men who were ultimately led away by police

Adele Andaloro, 47, inherited property on a quiet street in Flushing, Queens. She planned to sell it, but noticed someone had replaced the front door and changed the locks.

She was surprised to learn that squatters had moved in last month and refused to leave.

'It's enraging. It really is,' Andaloro told ABC7 New York. 'It's not fair that I, as the homeowner, have to be going through this.'

In New York State, squatters who occupy a property openly and adversely for 10 uninterrupted years can make an adverse possession claim, provided they have paid property taxes over that decade.

In New York City, however, squatters are granted rights after just 30 days, meaning landlords must start an eviction proceeding as soon as a squatter has been discovered.

Just this week, a TikTok influencer is advising his followers on how to 'invade' American homes and invoke squatter's rights, making it difficult for them to be removed from properties.

Leonel Moreno, who goes by @leitooficial_25 online and appears to be a Venezuelan migrant, has told his followers that under US law, 'if a house is not inhabited, we can seize it'.

He is referring to squatter's rights, or adverse possession laws - a common law principle that allows an illegal inhabitant to acquire ownership of a property based on continuous occupation without the legal owner's consent.

Moreno, alleging he has friends who 'have already taken about seven homes', argued the only way for migrants to not live in the streets or be a 'public burden' is to 'seize' and 'invade' abandoned properties.

Leonel Moreno, who goes by @leitooficial_25 online and appears to be a Venezuelan migrant, has advised his followers on how to 'invade' American homes and invoke squatter's rights, making it difficult for them to be removed from properties

Moreno's video comes amid a squatting crisis in the US. Homeowner Adele Andolaro caught three squatters in this Flushing, Queens, New York home earlier this week

The now-viral video, which has been viewed almost 4million times, has prompted outrage from many social media users. Some have claimed Moreno is 'promoting terrorism' and are now calling on the FBI and Department of Homeland Security to action.

Squatter's rights laws exist in all 50 states and have sparked a crisis across the nation. 'Serial squatters' are overtaking homes and helpless families booted out of their houses by crooks are desperately turning to vigilantes to reclaim their homes.

Moreno, who is believed to live in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio with his partner and their infant daughter, has amassed a following of more than 501,000 on TikTok by creating videos targeted at migrants.

The migrant influencer, in a video posted four days ago, is encouraging his followers to take over unoccupied homes.

Moreno, who is believed to live in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio with his partner and their infant daughter, has amassed a following of more than 501,000 on TikTok by creating videos targeted at migrants.

The migrant influencer, in a video posted four days ago, is encouraging his followers to take over unoccupied homes.
Firebrand Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has plunged the Capitol into chaos yet again by launching a bid to oust Speaker Mike Johnson.

The Georgia lawmaker filed a motion to vacate the chair, the move used to kick Kevin McCarthy out, in fury over the $1.2 trillion bill to keep the government funded.

Greene and conservatives allies were furious the 1,000 page package was released in the middle of the night, with no time to read it before the vote.

She made the dramatic move just as the House voted to pass the bill and send it to the Senate before key government agencies run out of money at midnight on Saturday.

Conservatives in the House were fighting mad that Johnson released the package to keep the government funded in the middle of the night and gave them one day to read on it before a vote.

With the House GOP's razor-thin majority, only two Republicans would need to support a motion to vacate for it to pass if all Democrats voted for it, like they did last time.

But some have signaled they might vote to save Johnson, particularly if he agrees to put Ukraine aid on the floor. Newly sworn in Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., told reporters he would vote to back Johnson.

It's not clear which, if any, Republicans would join Greene's bid to oust Johnson.

Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., who opposed the spending bill and voted to oust Speaker McCarthy, told DailyMail.com he won't be voting for a motion to vacate Johnson.

'That's just gonna hand the gavel over to Hakeem Jeffries if we do that,' he said.

Rep. Ralph Norman, a right-wing Freedom Caucus member from South Carolina, said 'we'll see' when asked if he'd support it.

The 1,000 page spending deal was the result of long negotiations between Republican Speaker Mike Johnson, Democrat Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and White House officials.

Hardliners slammed the bill for having $2 billion in earmarks - funding for lawmaker's pet projects in their home districts - saying they are fiscally irresponsible.

Marjorie Taylor Greene has launched a bid to remove Speaker Mike Johnson from office

After filing the motion on the floor, Greene told reporters that the action serves a warning to Speaker Johnson - and a vote on it will not come up immediately.

'I do not wish to inflict pain on our conference and to throw the House in chaos,' she said.

'But this is basically a warning and it's time for us to go through the process, take our time and find a new speaker of the House that will stand with Republicans and our Republican majority instead of standing with the Democrats.'

'Johnson has betrayed that by passing three CRs and then forcing us to pass or to vote on a two-part omnibus, the second one being today,' Greene added.

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz launched a motion that ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy in October over his decision to put a CR, or continuing resolution, on the House floor.

The CR continued government funding at 2023 levels set under Speaker Nancy Pelosi in the short-term to buy more time to hash out 2024 funding.

Four continuing resolutions later, the government is now funded until the end of this fiscal year - September 30.

Greene told reporters that the motion to vacate is a 'warning'

'This bill was basically a dream and a wish list for Democrats and for the White House,' Greene added of the spending deal that combined funding for six government agencies.

The final vote on the massive spending bill was 286 - 134. Notably, more Democrats voted for the deal than Republicans. The majority of Republicans - 112 in total - voted against the Speaker Johnson-backed measure.

The trillion dollar deal - the details of which were only revealed on Thursday - will provide money for the Departments of Defense, Financial Services, Homeland Security, Labor-HHS-Education, State-Foreign Operations and the Legislative Branch.

Ultra-conservatives were fired up about the pricetag of the bill and its $2 billion of earmarks, funding for Ukraine and a new FBI headquarters, and a lack of new border restrictions.

Progressives shunned the bill over its ban on funding to a UN Palestinian relief agency known as UNRWA and money for Israeli defense - 22 of them voted against it.

The 1,000+ page bill was released at 3 a.m. on Thursday and some conservatives were angry they would not have the standard three days agreed to in the 72 hour rule.

They're also mad about the process - the bill was essentially written behind closed doors by leadership and senior appropriators in both parties.

House GOP leadership touted conservative wins like a three percent increase in defense spending, retaining the Hyde amendment and a ban on gas stove restrictions.

But rank-and-file conservatives have called out other provisions like the bill's $200 million for a new FBI headquarters and $300 million that goes toward the Ukrainian Assistance Initiative.

The package ramps up investment at the border amid the historic migrant crisis and includes a list of conservative cultural victories.

There is a provision stating only American flags can be flown above embassies - in a victory Speaker Mike Johnson touted would ban Pride flags from being flown at U.S. embassies around the world.

It also prevents the Consumer Product Safety Commission from banning gas stoves and maintains the Hyde Amendment, which bans federal funding to be used for abortions.

For the border, there is $19.6 billion for Customs and Border Protection, a $3.2 billion increase above fiscal year 2023.

There is also $495 million for additional Border Patrol agents, which the Biden administration has called for, but no funds for the wall. The money will be used to pay 22,000 border agents.

Immigrant detention beds would be boosted from 34,000 to 42,000 at migrant facilities across the country and funding for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will be cut by 20 percent.

Some Republicans voted against the bill because it gives more money to the border without requiring any change in border policy.

Even Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., typically a pragmatic member, voted against the bill over border funding.

'I will be voting NO on todays appropriations package. I have a real problem with giving the Biden Administration more money without changes to his border policy,' she said.

But conservative hardliners even complained about the funding for more detention beds - a Republican request - and the eight percent increase for the Department of Homeland Security's executive office.

'Feb 2024, Republicans: Lets impeach Mayorkas!" March 2024, Republicans: "Lets give Mayorkas office an 8% pay increase!"' Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., wrote on X.

'What's the point of 41,500 ICE detention beds if they're just going to sit empty? What's the guarantee we're not just paying for more empty beds?' Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., wrote on X.

Foreign aid generally will be cut by six percent.

For the military, there is a 5.2 percent pay increase for service members.

Funding for most defense agencies would remain at current spending levels.

Cash to a United Nations agency that gives relief to Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, has been cut. It also slashes funding to a UN agency that investigates Israel's alleged war crimes.

Israel accused 12 of UNRWA's 30,000 employees of taking part in the October 7 attack. They accused another 190 employees of being Hamas or Islamic Jihad operatives.

Some $20 billion will be cut from the IRS and another $6 billion in funds for Covid relief will be clawed back.

In the defense appropriations portion of the bill there is $500 million for Israel's defense programs, funding the Iron Dome, David's Sling and Arrow.

The defense bill also bans any funding for the Wuhan Institute of Virology and EcoHealth Alliance, believed to be Covid-19's place of origin.

Another $3.3 billion will go to Israel under the State-Foreign Operations section of the bill, with new conditions on any assistance to Gaza and stipulations to prevent the money from being used to move the Israeli embassy out of Jerusalem or to implement an Iran nuclear deal.

Democrats have celebrated a list of investments in the package including a $1 billion jump in childcare, boosts for cancer and Alzheimer's research and the addition of 12,000 Special Immigrant Visas for Afghan refugees who fled the Taliban during the U.S. withdrawal.

They also touted a one-year extension of international HIV/AIDS prevention efforts under a program known as PEPFAR.

Members of the right-wing House Freedom Caucus launched aggressive attacks against Johnson in a news conference on Friday.

'Its clear that the democrats own the speakers gavel,' Ogles said.

Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good threatened to try to thwart reelection campaigns for Republicans who vote for the bill.

'If they do vote for [the bill],' Good, R-Va., said, '[We will] make it as uncomfortable and as painful as possible for them to expose them to their constituents back home, on who's working for them and who's working for the people here in Washington.'
A Florida police dog who attempted to leap over a railing that was 75 feet above water was rescued by his handler - saving his life.

A K9 partner named Zeppelin was helping his partner Brevard County Deputy Lauren Donaldson with a felony arrest on a causeway east of Orlando along the Atlantic coast when the dog suddenly leaped over the railing.

Donaldson said in the Facebook post that Zeppelin was on a leash walking away from the arrest area 'and without warning, decided to jump over the rail.'

The video shows Donaldson reacting quickly, pulling Zeppelin up by his leash over the bridge back to safety.

Holding onto her K9 partner's leash, Donaldson used her feet to brace against the railing, and then reached over to pull the dog up and over the railing.

As soon as Zeppelin was pulled to safety, he is trotted away, wagging his tail as if nothing happened.

A K9 partner named Zeppelin was helping his partner Brevard County Deputy Lauren Donaldson with a felony arrest on a causeway east of Orlando along the Atlantic coast when the dog suddenly leaped over the railing

Donaldson said in the Facebook post that Zeppelin was on a leash walking away from the arrest area 'and without warning, decided to jump over the rail'

The video shows Donaldson reacting quickly, pulling Zeppelin up by his leash over the bridge back to safety

Sheriff Wayne Ivey was astounded by Donaldson's successful efforts, given her size in relation to the K9's.

'Lauren's rescue of her beloved partner is even more amazing when you consider that "Zeppelin," a Belgian Malinois weighs approximately 75 pounds and Lauren weighs 122 pounds when she is soaking wet and holding a bowling ball,' said in the Facebook post,' said Wayne

'Without Lauren's fast action there is no question that "Zeppelin" would have fallen approximately 75 feet into the Indian River and most likely to his death.'

Holding onto her K9 partner's leash, Donaldson used her feet to brace against the railing, and then reaching over to pull the dog up and over the railing

As soon as Zeppelin was pulled to safety, he is trotted away, wagging his tail as if nothing happened

The sheriff said he 'could not be more proud of [Donaldson]' for saving Zeppelin's life in the video posted on Facebook.

Zeppelin and Donaldson are back-to-back champs in the 'Hardest Hitting K-9' category of the Space Coast K-9 Competition, an annual event that sets out to showcase the skills of police dogs.

'I'm still mad at 'Zeppelin' for giving us all a huge scare, but am so grateful that is okay and unharmed,' Ivey said.
A man has been charged with conspiracy to murder a cage fighter who did jail time for Britain's biggest cash heist.

Stewart Ahearne, 46, was allegedly involved in the shooting in East London on July 11, 2019 and has been extradited from Switzerland.

The victim, named locally as Paul Allen, 41, was convicted for his part in a 53 million heist at the Securitas depot in Tonbridge, Kent, in February 2006.

Allen was the trusted lieutenant of Lee 'Lightning' Murray, who masterminded the robbery - he was jailed for 18 years.

The gang -with some of the members posing as police officers - kidnapped the manager of the Securitas depot and his family at gunpoint.

The victim, named locally as Paul Allen, 41, (pictured) was convicted for his part in a 53 million heist at the Securitas depot in Tonbridge, Kent, in February 2006

Allen (pictured) was the trusted lieutenant of Lee 'Lightning' Murray, who masterminded the robbery - he was jailed for 18 years

Police later recovered 21 million of the missing cash, but the remaining 32 million was never found.

Allen, then a father-of-three, admitted charges of conspiracy to rob, kidnap and possess firearms at Woolwich Crown Court in September 2009.

He pleaded guilty on the basis that he was not one of the robbers who entered the depot, or one of the kidnappers, and that he did not handle any firearms.

The victim was left with serious, life-changing injuries as a result of the shooting, the Metropolitan Police said.

Ahearne, who was extradited back to the UK on Thursday, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

Judge Michael Bisgrove remanded Ahearne into custody and ordered him to appear at a plea and trial preparation hearing at the Old Bailey on April 19.

A second man has also been charged with conspiracy to murder in connection with the same shooting.

Daniel Kelly, 46, is due to appear at Barkingside Magistrates' Court on March 27.
Rupert Everett has said that if he had grown up today then he would have been 'encouraged' to transition - and would now 'be a woman'.

The 64-year-old said as a child he was a 'great cross-dresser' and believed he would have 'definitely transitioned' if he had been born in a younger generation.

However, the actor said that he wouldn't have wanted to be a woman as he loves 'being a gay man'.

Everett told the Rosebud podcast: 'I was a very shy, quiet, child. I loved sitting in cupboards.

'I was a great cross-dresser, I'd be a woman if this was today because I stole one of my mother's discarded skirts and I wore it and I pretended I was Julie Andrews' daughter.

has said that if he had grown up today then he would have been 'encouraged' to transition - and would now 'be a woman'

Everett in character as Miss Fritton on the set of St Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold with Sarah Harding and Talulah Riley

'This was after I'd seen the Sound of Music, and Mary Poppins, and that really was one of the big changes in my life.'

The My Best Friend's Wedding actor admitted when he was aged five - he loved 'playing house in drag'.

He continued: 'I'd put on her wig, and I'd put on her dressing gown, and I'd go outside to the backdoor and come to the front door and ring the doorbell and pretend to be one of the guests.

'And, I'd have one of her handbags and the first time they'd go "Oh hello, what's your name".

'And, I'd come in and sit in the drawing room for a second and then after about five minutes they'd say "Okay darling, time to go to bed now".

Everett on set as his character Miss Fritton for the filming of St Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold

'I'd go upstairs, and as soon as I was in bed, and as soon as they'd gone downstairs, I'd jump up again, go put on something else, go round the back, go to the front door, ring the doorbell, and do it all again.'

Everett said when he was older, and had moved to London, he was having a 'fantastic time'.

He added: 'I went to drama school in diamante earrings, I mean I would have definitely transitioned if it had been now.

'I think now, I would have been encouraged to and probably would have done.'

Despite this, Everett admitted he 'didn't' want to be a woman.

'No, I like being a man, I love being a gay man.'
Samyia was stabbed in the chest and neck - and died as a result of her injuries

Samyia and Sanyia Spain, 19, were harassed at the Natural Plus deli on Sunday

Suspect, Veo Kelly, 20, has handed himself over to police on Friday morning

The man accused of fatally stabbing an identical teenage girl outside a New York City bodega after she reportedly rejected his romantic advances has surrendered himself to authorities.

Veo Kelly, 20, handed himself over to cops on Friday morning - and is currently in custody at the 78th Precinct, according to The New York Post.

The suspect allegedly attacked twins Samyia and Sanyia Spain, 19 outside Slope Natural Plus on Fourth Avenue at 2.20am on Sunday after Samyia refused his requests to connect on social media.

Samyia died from stab wounds to the chest and neck sustained in the attack, and her twin sister was hospitalized with wounds to her arm.

Kelly had had attended a party nearby before spotting the two teenagers at the New York deli, sources told CBS New York.

Suspect, Veo Kelly (pictured), 20, has handed himself over to police after the fatal stabbing of Samyia Spain, 19

Samyia Spain was enjoying a night out with her identical twin sister Sanyia when she was attacked by the suspect after reportedly rejecting his romantic advances

Both women were taken to New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital where Samyia (pictured) was declared dead and her sister was hospitalized after being stabbed in the arm

According to police, the assailant was drunk and becoming increasingly hostile with the sisters, ordering them to follow him on Instagram.

The twins had previously been partying with friends before they decided to go to the deli in the early hours of the morning.

'He had a knife in his hand and was saying, "I'm gonna stab y'all in the face," heartbroken Sanyia told the Daily News after being released from hospital.

'I'm telling everyone to back up. And he pushed little Samyia to the ground.

The two girls are believed to have attended the same club as the perpetrator earlier in the evening.

It is thought the two youngsters were followed to the store which was heaving with late-night revelers.

As they waited to be served a friend told Sanyia that a man was talking to her sister.

'I grabbed her phone and I was like, "Come with me, come with me",' Sanyia said.

Asking her sister why she was talking to Kelly, Sanyia shared that she didn't want her twin talking to the 20-year-old.

Sanyia claimed her sister refused to give him her telephone number but gave him her Instagram handle instead.

'She said she wasn't going to follow him back,' Sanyia recounted. 'That's it. She said no.'

Moments later the mood became ugly as the man returned to the store.

'He pushed little Samyia, and then I pushed him,' Sanyia said, 'And then everybody else started pushing him out the door.'

The suspect allegedly attacked twins Samyia and Sanyia Spain , 19 outside Slope Natural Plus on Fourth Avenue at 2.20am on Sunday after Samyia refused his requests to connect on social media (pictured: the scene)

A knife was pictured in a cordoned off area of the bloodstained street in the aftermath

The men became angry and were kicked out by the manager who locked the door on them, she added.

'When we were done waiting for our food, he let us out of the store,' Sanyia said. 'After he let us out the store, he had locked the door behind us.'

When they saw the harasser armed with a knife and waiting with two of his friends outside, the twins' brother stepped in and a fight broke out.

'As I was going to grab (Samyia's phone), he stabbed me in my arm,' Sanyia said.

'Samyia then asked him to give her the phone back, and he stabbed her in the neck.

'She said, "I'm about to faint," as soon as she said I'm about to faint, I called 911.'

Another witness said that chaos erupted as the extent of Samyia's injuries became apparent.

'Everybody started tending to her,' they explained.

'One of her friends took off their shirts and started putting compression on her neck to try to slow down the bleeding. She was gushing blood just all over the street.'

Both women were taken to New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital where Samyia was declared dead.

Following the 19-year-old's death, Sanyia called their grandfather Alphonso Goodson, 66.

'She says, "Granddaddy, Samyia got stabbed and she died," Goodson told the Daily News.

'I couldn't believe it. When I got the call, I came as soon as I could.

Samyia godmother described her as a 'good person' adding: 'She didn't deserve this. Her birthday is coming too'

'We're all taking it very hard. My daughter, she's taking it pretty hard. We never expect nothing like this to happen. He walked in and started hitting on her,' he added.

'She said, 'I don't want to be bothered with you. Leave me alone.' Then the storeowner put him out.

'He started kicking on the door, he started banging on the door.

'I don't know if they called the police, but at that time [the storeowner] should have called. And then when they left the store, that's when he attacked them.

'He was waiting for them.

'He took it the wrong way. He came after them. That was wrong. That was dead wrong. I hope they catch this guy.'

Police conducted a search of Kelly's home on Wednesday after issuing a warrant.

Authorities gathered Kelly's clothing from the day of the attack but did not recover the weapon used during the search, according to CBS.

Earlier this week, Samyia's grieving godmother told CBS New York: 'She was a good person. She didn't deserve this. Her birthday is coming, too.'

Her neighbor said she was a 'happy go-lucky girl' whilst expressing her sadness over the teen's death

Police conducted a search of Kelly's home and found clothing from the day of the attack. They did not find the weapon (pictured: Samyia)

Her neighbor Frances Angel expressed her sadness, adding: 'She was in the community. She did have a lot of friends, and so forth.

'She was a happy-go-lucky girl, a normal teenager. I'm sad that this happened to her'

Samyia had started working at Walgreens after returning to Brooklyn with her sister from North Carolina.

'They wanted to come back to the city because this is what they know,' Goodson said. 'It was too quiet down there.'

Deli worker Mohammed Albher said the twins were regular customers at the store.

'They used to come every day,' he added, 'They come, shake my hand. Say, how are you? I don't want to see nobody hurt  nobody, nobody, she's a nice girl.'
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The Princess of Wales has announced tonight that she has been diagnosed with cancer aged 42 and is undergoing 'preventative' chemotherapy.

In a deeply personal, unprecedented and emotional video message, filmed at Windsor on Wednesday, Catherine revealed the news had come as a 'huge shock' and that she and William 'have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family'.

It came days after she was seen smiling with Prince William as they left their favourite farm shop close to their Windsor home, and she said her husband had been 'a great source of comfort and reassurance' during her cancer fight.

Speaking from a bench surrounded by daffodils and spring blossom, the future queen said: 'It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.

'As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits. Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.'

Catherine's cancer was discovered only after she underwent major abdominal surgery at The London Clinic in January. Kensington Palace has said it will not be sharing details of what kind of cancer the princess has, or what stage of cancer it is and has asked people not to speculate.

The King  who is also currently undergoing cancer treatment himself  and the Queen were both been informed of the news. In a statement tonight His Majesty said he is 'so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did' and remains in the 'closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law'. The King and Queen said they 'will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time'.

It is not known if Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were told in advance of the 6pm announcement. Harry, who once described Kate as the 'big sister I never had' and fondly called her 'Cath', is estranged from his brother and sister-in-law. It remains to be seen whether he will fly back to the UK to see her.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said the Princess of Wales has 'the love and support of the whole country' as her cancer battle was revealed this evening and good wishes came in from around the globe, including from the White House where Joe Biden is 'incredibly sad to hear of the news'. Her bravery at revealing her cancer to the world has also been praised.

Sitting on a bench at Windsor, surrounded by spring flowers, the Princess of Wales has taken the extraordinary step of revealing to the world that she has cancer

At points the future queen was highly emotional as she spoke of her illness and her family and telling her children she will 'be ok'

Kate had a message for fellow cancer sufferers, telling them: 'You are not alone'

The video was filmed in the grounds of Windsor Castle on Wednesday

The Princess of Wales with her children in her Mother's Day portrait, which now has added significance given her diagnosis

Catherine's emotional and extraordinary words in her unprecedented video message

At the time of her abdominal surgery in January, Kensington Palace said that it was non-cancerous. They have confirmed again tonight that is the case and that no tests had confirmed the presence of cancer. However post-operative tests subsequently found that cancer 'had been present'.

READ MORE: 'I tell George, Charlotte and Louis, I am well and getting stronger every day': Princess of Wales reveals how she reassures her young children that mummy will be ok amid her cancer battle Pictured: The Princess of Wales attends the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey with her husband Prince William and their children George, Charlotte and Louis, on December 8 last year Advertisement

This evening's announcement will send shockwaves around the world and came after weeks of speculation - and wild conspiracy theories - about her health.

It also creates a fresh crisis for the British Royal Family at a time where King Charles is also battling cancer. In January Sarah, the Duchess of York, was diagnosed with skin cancer, just six months after being treated for breast cancer.

The princess is now on what has been described as a 'recovery pathway' having commenced a course of chemotherapy in late February.

It is for this reason that Prince William pulled out of a memorial service for his late godfather, King Constantine of Greece.

Kensington Palace has strongly asked people not to speculate on what cancer she has.

However they say that she is in 'good spirits and focused on her recovery'.

'She is hugely grateful to the medical team for the care they are providing to her,' a spokesman said. 'She now needs time, space and privacy to complete her treatment and make a full recovery.'

It is understood that the announcement was made tonight not because of unpleasant social media speculation about her health and whereabouts  although that has been upsetting - but because her children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, broke up from school today, which gave them the opportunity to take them away privately and protect them from the inevitable public shock.

In her video statement the Princess, dressed casually in a stripped Breton top and jeans, said: 'I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery. It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I've had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful.

'In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.

'This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family. As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.

'As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits. Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.

'We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment. My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.'

Even amidst her own personal anguish, there was a message for fellow cancer sufferers: 'At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.'

The Prince and Princess of Wales were seen together last week as William went to the The Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey

The Princess of Wales said her family (pictured together on December 25) 'need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment'

Kate's cancer battle in her own words: The Princess of Wales' emotional video statement in full I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery. It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I've had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful. In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment. This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family. As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok. As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits. Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both. We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment. My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery. At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone. Advertisement

A source said this has been a 'real shock' for the couple and they have needed to take time to process the news personally and bring their young children to a place that they could 'process this news about their mother'.

They have always wanted to shield them from the inevitable coverage her diagnosis will cause.

However she does have a very positive approach to her recovery and a positive mindset moving forwards.

A spokesman for the princess said: 'We will not be sharing any further private medical information. The Princess has a right to medical privacy, as we all do.'

However her spokesman confirmed: 'The Princess is now on a recovery pathway having commenced a course of preventative chemotherapyin late February.'

The palace will not confirm how long her treatment is expected to last and has asked the media and public not to speculate.

It also said it would not confirm where her treatment would be taking place, a spokesman adding: 'We will not be sharing any further private medical information. The Princess has a right to medical privacy, as we all do.'

Asked when the princess was given the news by her doctors, a spokesman explained: 'Once post-operative tests had been completed and results reviewed.'

They added: 'The Princess wanted to share this information when she and The Prince felt it was right for them as a family. '

A source said it had been 'an incredibly tough couple of months for the entire family' and it had been important for the princess to come to terms with her diagnosis, to recover form her surgery and begin her pathway to recovery.

Throughout this period the couple's children have been her priority.

It is understood that William and Kate wanted to tell their children at a time that was right for them and to allow them to understand and process the news before it became public.

With the children having broken up from Lambrook School today for the Easter holidays this afternoon, they decided that now was the right time to share the statement.

Sources say their concern recently, despite global and social media speculation, was to put Catherine's health and their children first.

It is now hoped, aides said, the speculation around the princess comes to a stop.

Kate at her 'Together At Christmas' Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 8

Catherine, Princess of Wales attends the opening of Evelina London's new children's day surgery unit on December 5

The Princess of Wales arrives at the Shaping Us National Symposium at the Design Museum on November 15

Catherine is apparently determined to go about her normal routine, which she sees as an important part of her recovery, and has asked for people to respect her privacy.

READ MORE: How William discovered Kate had cancer just before he was due to attend King Constantine of Greece's memorial service at St George's Chapel, and pulled out with moments to spare Prince William, pictured here in Sheffield on Tuesday this week, learnt his wife Kate had cancer not long before he was due to attend a memorial service for King Constantine of Greece Advertisement

However it has been confirmed that the family will not be going to church at Windsor at Easter.

It is understood that Catherine wanted the time and space to come to terms with her diagnosis, to recover from her surgery and to then begin her pathway to recovery.

Throughout this period, her and William's three young children have been their priority.

They wanted to be able to tell them at a time that was right for them and to allow them to understand and process the news before it became public, it is understood.

With the children now away from school on their Easter holidays, the couple feel now is the right time to share their update.

It has not been confirmed whether the princess is being treated on the NHS or privately.

However in selecting healthcare providers for The Princess, a balance of factors would have been considered by her medical team.

These include the most appropriate specialists for the condition, and the potential impact on other patients or on the resources of their healthcare providers and the privacy and security of the princess.

Kensington Palace have said they understand the worldwide interested the princess's announcement would generate but have stressed that they will only provide an update when there is something significant to say in order to allow her to continue her treatment in private.

A spokesman said: 'Their Royal Highnesses understand the interest this update will generate and are grateful for the public support they have received throughout this period. Kensington Palace will provide information, when the time is right, and The Princess is able to restart work and her duties. In the meantime, we would ask that the family's privacy is respected. '

The Mail understands that Prince William will carry out engagements when the children return to school after the Easter holidays.

A spokesman said: 'The Prince will continue to balance supporting his wife and family and maintaining his official duties as he has done since the start of the year.

Kate's cancer is for this reason that Prince William pulled out of a memorial service for his late godfather, King Constantine of Greece (pictured)

A source emphasised that this has been a difficult period for the Wales family. William has been focused on supporting his wife and children, while continuing to undertake engagements and work, and is extremely grateful for the support from the public.

The princess will remain out of the public eye for the time being.

Kensington Palace said: 'The Princess will return to official duties when she is cleared to do so by her medical team. She is in good spirits and is focused on making a full recovery.'

It is understood she may be keen to attend events as and when she feels able to, in line with medical advice. Any initial public events will not necessarily signal a return to a regular public schedule.

A source added that she is in good spirits and focused on her recovery. She is hugely grateful to the medical team for the care they are providing to her and now needs to take the time and space to complete her treatment and make a full recovery.

A running commentary on Kate's health is not expected as she will need the time, space and privacy to fully recover.

It is expected that the Prince of Wales will carry out engagements when their children return to school after the Easter holidays.

It would be likely that Kensington Palace will only provide further updates on Kate's plans to return to public events when the time is deemed appropriate.

Kate's own views on whether she wants to attend events and if she feels able to, along with medical advice, would form part of the decision-making process.

It should also be expected that any initial public events will not necessarily signal a return to a regular public schedule.

The princess is known for being fit, sporty and competitive at team games.

She enjoys playing tennis and is a fan of cold water swimming.

Kate has also been the royal patron of English rugby since 2022.

In an interview last September with former rugby international Mike Tindall, who is married to her husband's cousin Zara, she said her family were 'always active'.

'I suppose as a family we were just very active,' she said.

'And I can always remember being physical, using our bodies, whether it's walking, climbing the lake district in Scotland... swimming from a young age.

'(My parents) always encouraged us to be physically active and sporty and they always encouraged us into doing team sports and trying things.'

Kate also revealed that she enjoys cold water swimming.

'Cold swimming - the colder, the better. I absolutely love it,' she said.

'Slightly to the point where William's (saying) 'You're crazy' and it's dark and it's raining.

'I will go and seek out cold water. I love it.'

Kate has carefully carved out her charity work since marrying the prince in 2011 and becoming an HRH.

Gradually and patiently developing her role over the years, she has focused on mental health and the early years of childhood, and is known to meticulously research the issues facing the charities she works with.

Family life is also sacrosanct to Kate - mother to 10-year-old George, Charlotte, eight, and five-year-old Louis.

She remains close to her parents Carole and Michael Middleton and siblings Pippa Matthews and James Middleton, and had a happy home life growing up.

Catherine Elizabeth Middleton was born to the Middletons at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading on January 9 1982.

She was christened at the parish church of St Andrew's Bradfield in Berkshire on June 20 the same year.

Amman in Jordan was home to Kate and her family for a few years in the mid-1980s, where she attended a nursery school from the age of three, before the family returned to Berkshire.

At 13, she went to the exclusive private Marlborough College in Wiltshire, where she part-boarded.

She graduated in 2005 with a 2:1 in history of art from St Andrews University, where she met and began dating William, whom she married at Westminster Abbey in 2011.

She was dubbed 'Waity Katie' for her patience during their long courtship, and was described by William in their engagement interview as having 'a really naughty sense of humour'.

A keen photographer, the princess usually takes the publicly released photos of her children to mark their birthdays.

Kate was pictured earlier this month with her children in a photograph posted on social media on Mother's Day, which was said to have been taken by William.

The photograph was later withdrawn with a 'Kill' notice by international picture agencies hours later because of suspicions it had been digitally altered.

William pulled out of King Constantine of Greece's memorial service at St George's Chapel because of Princess of Wales' cancer diagnosis

Prince William found out his wife Kate had cancer before he pulled out of attending King Constantine of Greece's memorial service.

The Prince of Wales's absence from the St George's Chapel event at Windsor Castle on February 27 had raised eyebrows, but tonight's revelation about the princess's health has shed new light on why he stayed away.

Kate had only just been diagnosed with cancer ahead of beginning chemotherapy, it was revealed tonight - after Buckingham Palace had initially said the previous month her condition was non-cancerous.

Royal aides are now expected to rally around William all the more as he steps back from frontline duties and looks after the couple's children as his wife recuperates.

The prince has already been adjusting his royal duties to devote even more time to his family after Kate was first admitted to the London Clinic in January.

Prince William, pictured here in Sheffield on Tuesday this week, learnt his wife Kate had cancer not long before he was due to attend a memorial service for King Constantine of Greece

Prince Andrew led the way as other Royal Family members attended the event on February 27

The couple have both been dedicated to doing their fair share of the school run each morning and afternoon since their three children began attending 24,000-a-year Lambrook School near Ascot in Berkshire in September 2022.

The co-ed institution is not far from the family's Frogmore Cottage home on the Windsor estate - and is also convenient for visits by the princess's parents.

Carole and Michael Middleton live just 33 miles away in Bucklebury, Berkshire, and the strong mother-daughter bond has been a key feature of troubled recent months.

Kate's siblings Pippa, 40, and James, 36, are also close at hand in Bucklebury.

William's decision not to attend the memorial service for King Constantine came as a surprise at the time, with the reason described as 'personal reasons'.

Also missing was his father King Charles, himself receiving treatment for cancer.

Queen Camilla was instead the most senior member of the Royal Family in attendance, with William's uncle Prince Andrew also enjoying a prominent role as he led fellow royals on foot to the service.

Constantine was the godfather of William, who is said to have called the Greek royal family to apologise for not being there.

Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Sarah, Duchess of York, smiling while arriving at the memorial service for King Constantine of Greece on February 27

Prince William and Kate Middleton with King Constantine at Windsor Castle in 2012

King Constantine (left) pictured after Prince William's confirmation as one of his godparents

King Constantine attends church with Charles and Camilla at Sandringham in 2007

The Prince was due to read from Revelation 21:1-7, a popular reading for funerals that begins 'Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth'.

He had cleared his diary of official duties to help support Kate's recovery, although did visit a homelessness charity's base in Sheffield on Tuesday this week.

The couple were seen being driven from Windsor on March 11, although only William attended that afternoon's Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in central London while Kate continued on to a private appointment elsewhere.

Their children Prince George, 10, eight-year-old Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, five, all attend Lambrook School which starts its summer term on April 17.

Royal experts have said the parents chose Lambrook because they wanted their children to have a 'different kind of schooling' to their own.

George and Charlotte were previously pupils at Thomas's Battersea while Louis attended Willcocks Nursery in Kensington, both schools in London.

William and Kate were pictured strolling into Lambrook School's grounds hand-in-hand with their children for their first day there in September 2022.

They are believed to have been sharing 'school run' duties but William has now been taking on more responsibilities - as have Kate's parents Carole, 69, and Michael, 74.

The Prince and Princess of Wales accompanied their children George, Louis and Charlotte for their first day at Lambrook School in Berkshire in September 2022

The Princess of Wales has previously been praised for her hands-on and 'down-to-earth' parenting style

Kate was seen with her family attending church at Sandringham on Christmas Day last year

Kate's parents Michael and Carole on the royal balcony during their daughter's 2011 wedding

All three children attend the prestigious Lambrook School in Berkshire

William and Kate and family live at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor (file picture)

Earlier this month Carole was snapped at the wheel of a car driving her daughter - pictured for the first time in two months - around Windsor Castle.

The photos were published by US gossip website TMZ but not in the UK after Kensington Palace appealed for her to be able to recuperate in private.

Insiders who knew the Middleton children at school have said her family was renowned for 'doing everything to the very highest of standards'.

A fellow parent told Tatler recently: 'There were huge picnics on sports days, the smartest tennis rackets  that kind of thing.

'It made the rest of us all feel rather hopeless. Ultimately, Carole has played a blinder as a mother - not only are all of her children unfairly good-looking, they are also famously charming.

'Always the first to write a thank-you letter, they dance all night and are still the first up in the morning, plumping cushions and washing up.'

Two years ago, Carole and Michael Middleton made a sombre appearance as they joined senior members of the Royal Family for the late Queen Elizabeth II's committal service.

Months later, they were seen in high spirits as they arrived at Westminster Abbey for the coronation of King Charles III - arriving alongside their children Pippa and James.

The Duke of Cambridge (pictured at the wheel) take his three children on the school run

William quipped he was dropping off his 'gang' of children during a chat with the headmaster of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis' school Lambrook in 2022

Kate was admitted to the London Clinic in January this year for abdominal surgery

She is known to be close with her mother, pictured together shopping in London

Michael and Carole pictured in the Royal Box on day nine of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships

Carole and Kate Middleton also attended the races together here in 2017

Kate's mother has also always been on hand to support Kate for her annual 'Together At Christmas' Carol Service - a known passion project of the princess's.

Other get-togethers have seen the mother and daughter huddled up alongside each other at Royal Ascot - and in summer 2022, Kate was seen blowing her parents a kiss as the family attended Wimbledon.

Kate, William and their children have their main home as four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor grounds in Berkshire, with no live-in staff although they do have a nanny, housekeeper and security team living nearby.

The Grade II listed property is owned by the Crown Estate and the couple are said to be paying 'market rent'.

Lambrook School has just 610 boys and girls aged three to 13 and is mixed so all three children can attend together, cutting down on school runs and security teams.

It offers boarding but George, Charlotte and Louis have all been day pupils there.

The Good Schools Guide says the prep school has a 'heart of gold' and offers pupils 'total freedom to explore, provided you've got your wellies on'.

It boasts of 'first-class teaching and superb facilities' including a 25-metre swimming pool, a nine-hole golf course, an Astroturf, squash court and a new 6million Queen's Building for ICT and academic learning.

The prospectus quotes one parent calling it 'the most magical place for our children to spend time, and they can often be seen rosy-cheeked and perfecting handstands, throwing balls or racing to the three stumps'.

School sources have described William and Kate as being 'like a normal mum and dad' who throw themselves into events at Lambrook.

The Princess of Wales has touchingly revealed how she is reassuring her young children amid her battle with cancer after the announcement she is fighting the disease.

The mother-of-three says she and Prince William have explained the situation to their children George, Charlotte and Louis, after the 'huge shock' of her diagnosis.

Princess Catherine said had told them she is doing 'well and getting stronger every day' and that she was 'focusing on the things that will help me heal'.

The 42-year-old also revealed that she was comforted by having her husband by her side, and that they were doing 'everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family'.

In a televised address, the future Queen revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer after undergoing a successful abdominal operation in January, and that doctors have advised her to undergo preventative chemotherapy.
Education Minister Lee Ju-ho on Friday pledged utmost assistance to medical schools to prevent any erosion in the quality of their education following the recent increase of the nationwide medical school quota.

The remark was made during Lee's first online meeting with the presidents of the country's 40 universities running medical schools since the government's allocation of 2,000 additional admission seats to medical schools nationwide earlier this week.

"In order to prevent any decline in the condition of medical education, the government will not spare its support to help medical students be fully prepared in the first three years," Lee said.

"The expansion of the medical school quota is the key task in the government's medical reform to prop up the country's health care services in essential medical disciplines and rural areas," he said.

The minister also urged medical students and professors against collective action as nearly half of all medical students have filed for leaves of absence in protest against the quota hike.

Medical professors at many universities across the nation have also resolved to submit resignations en masse starting Monday.

"It would be very regrettable if professors, who should take the lead in protecting the lives and health of the public, leave their positions beside patients," Lee said. (Yonhap)
When jihadists attacked Oumar's hometown in west Mali four months ago, he fled simply in the hope he would find a safe place with a new school.

But after trekking through the Sahara and even spending time in prison, the eight-year-old ended up 3,500 miles away in Italy after an extraordinary journey- all in the pursuit of an education.

He also escaped slavery in Libya and broke out of jail hidden in a garbage can before attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea in a dinghy.

The boy was separated from his family during an attack on his village near Tambaga four months ago.

But instead of going back, Oumar kept walking, right through the Sahara desert - the first leg in his astonishing journey to Europe.

Oumar has been pictured for the first time since his gruelling 3,500 mile journey from Africa to Italy

He has a cast on his right foot due to a broken heel he picked up on the way

Oumar left his tiny village near Tambaga in the west of Mali four months ago. He then travelled on foot through the Sahara before sailing across to Italy

However this crossing this enormous, unforgiving desert - sometimes accompanied by strangers - was just the first challenge that he would face along the way.

Once in Libya, Oumar was captured by a Libyan gang that forced him to work as a welder and a painter.

He eventually broke free from his captors, and attempted to sail across the Mediterranean Sea to Europe on a dinghy.

But his boat was captured by the Libyan coast guard and he was thrown into the notoriously brutal Ain Zara jail in Tripoli.

Oumar then got smuggled out of the prison in a garbage bin by two adults, and eventually made it back to the coast at Zawiya, just outside of Tripoli, to board a second dinghy.

There he joined another dinghy along with an older boy  also named Oumar  who recognised him from prison and looked out for him for the rest of the trip.

The pair joined 23 other children and around 60 adults on the dangerous sea voyage to Europe.

After days adrift in the Mediterranean Sea, the two Oumars thought they would be taken back to Libya when they spotted a coast guard boat.

He walked through Africa and spent time in prison after twice getting on a dinghy in an attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea to get to Europe (stock photo)

After the gruelling journey he was able to phone his father, whose number he had remembered by heart, to tell him he was alright (stock photo of migrants arriving in Greece)

But it was the NGO lifeboat Ocean Viking and the boys and the rest of the boat's crew were finally safely rescued.

The boat had just responded to another drifting migrant vessel from Libya which seen some 60 to 100 people die.

Angela Nocioni, an Italian journalist who was on board the lifeboat at the time, told The Telegraph : 'He is an incredible child. When he told me his story, I did everything I could to confirm all the details.

'Every survivor on the dinghy told me, 'It's true, he is all alone.'

When Oumar was picked up by the lifeboat he didn't want to leave Angela's side and was found to be suffering from dehydration, hunger and hypothermia.

The older Oumar confirmed that the younger Oumar had been all alone since Ain Zara prison.

When the Ocean Viking finally docked in the seaport of Ancona on the northeastern Italian coast of the Adriatic sea, the two Oumars held hands as they walked off the boat.

The pair then hugged and parted ways. When the younger Oumar arrived at the local leisure centre for processing, a mediator from Mali was waiting.

Ancona migrant centre director Alessandro Fucili told the paper that Oumar said both his parents were still in Mali.

Oumar said he could remember his father's phone number by heart and Mr Fucili then gave him his phone to call.

Oumar's first dinghy was captured by the Libyan coast guard and he was thrown into the notoriously brutal Ain Zara jail in Tripoli (stock photo of migrants 12 nautical miles north of Libya)

Tripoli is a dangerous city which has seen regular battles between rival militias (stock photo)

His father answered, and Oumar told him he was in Europe before asking 'can I go to school, Papa?'

Doctors checked over Oumar and it became clear his body had been through a lot, with scars and a broken bone in his heel that needed a cast.

Mr Fucili called him a 'very intelligent' and said he was 'very brave'.

He said the centre was trying to find a place for him in a local school, alongside other migrant children.

At least 8,565 migrants died on land and sea routes worldwide last year, the highest number since the UN migration agency began counting deaths a decade ago.

The biggest increase was on the treacherous Mediterranean Sea crossing, to 3,129 from 2,411 in 2022.

The 2023 count was nearly 20 per cent more than the previous year. Most of the deaths last year, about 3,700, were people who drowned.

The count also includes migrants who vanished  often while trying to cross by sea  and are presumed dead even if their bodies were not found.

The Geneva-based migration agency cautioned that their count likely underestimates the true death toll and said improved data collection methods are a factor in its calculations.

'Every single one of them is a terrible human tragedy that reverberates through families and communities for years to come,' IOM Deputy Director General Ugochi Daniels said in a statement.
American gossip site TMZ is facing pressure to pull its 'poor taste' Kate Middleton documentary - after the Princess of Wales revealed she is battling cancer.

TMZ Investigates: 'Where Is Kate Middleton' aired on the Fox network in the US last night and claimed to look into her 'sudden disappearance' following abdominal surgery in January.

The show heard from broadcaster Piers Morgan and Princess Diana's former butler Paul Burrell, while a US surgeon speculated on medical procedures she might have had.

No doubt causing fresh anguish to Prince William and Kate, the show aired a series of the outlandish theories about her operation in the wake of social media frenzy over her absence from public life in recent weeks.

Kate was pictured on Christmas Day 2023 with her family attending church at Sandringham before undergoing surgery in January - which is when her cancer was discovered

March 11: Prince William and Kate are seen leaving Windsor together as they are driven in a car

The 'TMZ Investigates: Where Is Kate Middleton ' documentary was on Fox in the US last night

Mother-of-three Kate's bombshell diagnosis came after weeks of cruel speculation about her health, following her abdominal surgery in January, which triggered a wave of wild conspiracy theories online.

Celebrities and businesses also joined in, with Kim Kardashian facing a backlash after appearing to joke about the Princess's absence. She captioned an Instagram post about her one of her new outfits: 'On my way to go find Kate.'

In a deeply personal statement shared worldwide at 6pm GMT, Kate, 42, said she was now undergoing 'preventative' chemotherapy.

'This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family,' added the Princess.

The announcement came less than a day after TMZ Investigates: 'Where Is Kate Middleton' aired in the US.

Sitting on a bench at Windsor, surrounded by spring flowers, the Princess of Wales has taken the extraordinary step of revealing to the world that she has cancer

A trailer for the programme, which was broadcast on Fox at 9pm Eastern Time last night (1am UK time this morning), was accompanied by a dramatic voiceover.

It said: 'A TMZ exclusive  it's the royal scandal that's rocked the world - from the Princess's absence to... cover ups.'

Before Kate's cancer announcement on Friday evening, TMZ issued a distasteful post on X, declaring: 'Kate Middleton's mystery disappearance from public view will be solved shortly, TMZ has learned, because Kensington Palace is about to reveal specific details on her health.'

The broadcaster faced a backlash on social media over its 'harassment' of the Princess of Wales.

'Shame on you TMZ. You were the driving force of her harassment. Especially with your expo last night. Disgusting,' said one user on X, formerly Twitter.

Others called on TMZ to pull its documentary on Kate. '@TMZ, will you acknowledge all the lies you put forward? The video wasn't real. The pictures weren't real. You lied!' raged one person.

Kate at her 'Together At Christmas' Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 8

Kate's announcement is the second health diagnosis to rock the Royal Family, following the news King Charles was also battling cancer, found by doctors while he was being treated for his benign enlarged prostate.

A picture published online on March 4, showing Kate as a front seat passenger in a car driven by her mother, Carole Middleton, and another image of the princess sitting beside her husband in a car leaving Windsor on March 11 did not dispel rumours.

But despite Kate being seen out in public, it has failed to stem the flow of malicious gossip about her health.

The theories became frenzied after the release of a photograph on her official social media channels for Mother's Day, when it became clear that the picture had been modified using Adobe Photoshop.

Several picture agencies issued rare 'kill' notices for the photo because it had been substantially altered - with online wannabe detectives pointing out the flaws in the photograph, which Kate said she edited herself.

Matters were not helped when pic agency Getty Images said an image of Queen Elizabeth II sitting with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, also taken by Kate, had been 'digitally enhanced at source'.

TMZ is now facing pressure to dump its documentary on the Princess. The American broadcaster heard from Piers Morgan who spoke about what sources had told him

On Thursday, 56-year-old comedian Jimmy Kimmel weighed on the frenzy surrounding the conspiracy theories stemming from the Princess of Wales' health

And despite video being obtained by The Sun showing William and Kate walking happily through the car park of the Windsor Farm Shop, social media remained unsatisfied that she is recovering well.

On Thursday, American comic Jimmy Kimmel slammed conspiracy theorists for spreading sick rumours about the Princess online

The 56-year-old talk show host weighed on the frenzy surrounding the conspiracy theories which stem from the Princess of Wales' health.

Under new owner Elon Musk, the site's algorithms prioritise and promote content posted by those paying at least 9.20 a month for 'Premium' membership over that shared by non-paying members.

As a result, users searching for information on Kate Middleton find themselves quickly immersed in unverified and libelous speculation from which there is essentially no escape.

Some users have tried to use artificial intelligence (AI) to 'enhance' the images of Kate at the farm shop, like the fictional technology used in shows such as CSI to improve grainy CCTV images of suspects.

They are then posting the shoddy images hallucinated by the AI as 'proof' that the woman pictured in Windsor is a body double.

Others are even going after the man who took the video, attempting to claim that he was 'hired' by the royal family to orchestrate the entire affair.

Some have lamented the state of social media as the unsubstantiated theories have continued to proliferate.

In America, where the royals hold quasi-celebrity status, Kate has become the subject of jokes on late night talk shows. Even Kim Kardashian has been speculating, sharing pictures on Instagram captioned: 'On my way to go find Kate.'

Some have seen fit to create jokes and memes - including Dublin Airport, which shared a crude Photoshop of William and Kate walking through the terminal, using a picture of them from the weekend.

Prince William and Kate are said to be 'shaken' by the lurid, unfair speculation, which has included the state of their marriage - and even saw some claiming

Catherine's cancer was discovered only after she underwent major abdominal surgery at The London Clinic in January.

At the time Kensington Palace said that it was non-cancerous. They have confirmed again tonight that is the case and that no tests had confirmed the presence of cancer.

However, post-operative tests subsequently found that cancer 'had been present'.

The Princess is now on what has been described as a 'recovery pathway' having commenced a course of chemotherapy in late February.

It is for this reason that Prince William pulled out of a memorial service for his late godmother, King Constantine of Greece.

Kensington Palace say they will not be sharing details of what kind of cancer the Princess has, or what stage of cancer it is, and has strongly asked people not to speculate.

However, they say that she is in 'good spirits and focused on her recovery'.

'She is hugely grateful to the medical team for the care they are providing to her,' a spokesman said.

'She now needs time, space and privacy to complete her treatment and make a full recovery.'

It is understood the announcement was made tonight not because of unpleasant social media speculation about her health and whereabouts  although that has been upsetting and unpleasant - but because her children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louise, five, broke up from school today, which gave them the opportunity to take them away privately and protect them from the inevitable public shock.

The Mail understands that Prince William will carry out engagements when the children return to school after the Easter holidays

In her video statement the Princess, dressed casually in a stripped Breton top and jeans, said: 'I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery.

'It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I've had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful.

'In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present.

'My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.'
King Charles and Queen Camilla have both been informed of their 'beloved daughter in law' Kate Middleton's cancer diagnosis.

The King is continuing his battle with cancer as the Princess of Wales revealed she is also fighting the disease.

Kate revealed she has been diagnosed with cancer in an unprecedented video address.

The King was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer following hospital treatment for an enlarged prostate earlier this year, which was unrelated.

It is understood that the King and the Queen have both been informed of the news.

Royals rarely visit each other in hospital but in a clear signal of how strong the bond is between the King and Kate, Charles spent a few moments at her bedside earlier today.

A source said it had been 'an incredibly tough couple of months for the entire family' and it had been important for the princess to come to terms with her diagnosis, to recover from her surgery and begin her pathway to recovery.

The Mail understands that Prince William will carry out engagements when the children return to school after the Easter holidays.

The King is continuing his battle with cancer as his 'beloved daughter-in-law' the Princess of Wales revealed she is also fighting the disease

Kate was previously seen with her family attending church at Sandringham last Christmas Day

Sitting on a bench at Windsor, surrounded by spring flowers, the Princess of Wales has taken the extraordinary step of revealing to the world that she has cancer

King Charles arrives at the London Clinic in Marylebone this morning for treatment

King Charles III, himself undergoing treatment for cancer, pictured arriving at Clarence House on Tuesday

Throughout this period the couple's children have been her priority.

It is understood that William and Kate wanted to tell their children at a time that was right for them and to allow them to understand and process the news before it became public.

With the children having broken up from Lambrook School today for the Easter holidays this afternoon, they decided that now was the right time to share the statement.

Sources say their concern recently, despite global and social media speculation, was to put Catherine's health and their children first.

It is now hoped, aides said, the speculation around the princess comes to a stop.

Catherine is apparently determined to go about her normal routine, which she sees as an important part of her recovery, and has asked for people to respect her privacy.

However it has been confirmed that the family will not be going to church at Windsor next Easter.

The Prince and Princess of Wales were seen together last week as William went to the The Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey

King Charles was spotted leaving Buckingham Palace, after earlier being seen exiting Clarence House

The Princess of Wales with her children in her Mother's Day portrait, which now has added significance given her diagnosis

Catherine's emotional and extraordinary words in her unprecedented video message

In a brave address to the nation, Kate shared an incredible and inspirational message of hope to fellow cancer sufferers, telling them: 'Please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.'

She thanked the public for their 'wonderful messages of support' and said that having her husband William by her side was a 'great source of comfort and reassurance'.

READ MORE: 'I tell George, Charlotte and Louis, I am well and getting stronger every day': Princess of Wales reveals how she reassures her young children that mummy will be ok amid her cancer battle Pictured: The Princess of Wales attends the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey with her husband Prince William and their children George, Charlotte and Louis, on December 8 last year Advertisement

King Charles tonight said he is 'so proud' of the Princess of Wales 'for her courage' in revealing her cancer diagnosis and remains in the 'closest contact' with her.

The monarch, 75, is continuing his battle with cancer as Kate, 42, revealed she is also fighting the disease in an unprecedented video address.

Sharing Charles' reaction to the shocking news, Buckingham Palace said: 'His Majesty is ''so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did''.

'Following their time in hospital together, HM has ''remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks''.

'Both Their Majesties ''will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time''.'

After she revealed the diagnosis, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wished her a 'full and speedy recovery'.

He said: 'My thoughts are with the Princess of Wales, Prince of Wales, the Royal Family and in particular her three children at this difficult time.

'The Princess of Wales has the love and support of the whole country as she continues her recovery.

'She has shown tremendous bravery with her statement today. In recent weeks she has been subjected to intense scrutiny and has been unfairly treated by certain sections of the media around the world and on social media. When it comes to matters of health, like everyone else, she must be afforded the privacy to focus on her treatment and be with her loving family.

'I know I speak for the whole country in wishing her a full and speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her back in action when she's ready.'

King Charles was treated in the same hospital as the Princess of Wales, who underwent abdominal surgery for an unknown condition in January.

Although it has been a tumultuous few weeks for the Royal family, Charles has adopted a 'business as usual' approach as he battles the disease.

Charles is a workaholic who famously packs in ten to 12 engagements and meetings a day and spends many a night alone in his study, furiously writing letters and keeping up with his paperwork, well into the early hours. His wife knows he won't change, and nor would she want him to.

READ MORE: How William discovered Kate had cancer just before he was due to attend King Constantine of Greece's memorial service at St George's Chapel, and pulled out with moments to spare Prince William, pictured here in Sheffield on Tuesday this week, learnt his wife Kate had cancer not long before he was due to attend a memorial service for King Constantine of Greece Advertisement

Despite being told by his doctors to cancel his public engagements ahead of his surgery, the King has insisted on not only keeping up with his paperwork but even holding meetings behind the scenes.

Only yesterday, at Sandringham, hours before he flew back down to Buckingham Palace ahead of being admitted to hospital today, he had an audience with Dame Polly Courtice of Cambridge University's Institute for Sustainability Leadership and Professor Robert Miller, director of the Whittle Laboratory.

Despite his absence from public duties, The King - who is expected to remain in hospital for two days - has made clear he will not be needing counsellors of state to stand in for him.

Historically the spouse of the sovereign and the next four people in the line of succession, counsellors of state, are authorised to carry out the monarch's official duties should they be incapacitated.

With Prince William clearing his diary to be by his wife's side, Prince Andrew and Prince Harry could, theoretically, have been called on.

This week it also emerged that three members of staff at the London Clinic have been suspended amid an investigation into allegations there were attempts to access Kate's private medical data.

The alleged breach of Kate's data took place at the clinic after the future Queen was admitted for planned abdominal surgery on January 16, with Kate being discharged 14 days later.

She has rarely been seen in public since then, leading to cruel conspiracy theories on social media about her wellbeing and health.

Charles previously referred to Kate as his 'beloved daughter-in-law'.

Kate is known to have a warm relationship with her father-in-law and has reportedly helped smooth the sometimes fractious relationship between the King and his son, William.

While it's clear from photos how much he cares for his daughter-in-law, King Charles made it even more explicit during a speech he gave in Nairobi (pictured L-R: then-Prince Charles and Kate Middleton at the World premiere of No Time To Die in London, September 2021)

The then-Duchess of Cambridge and Prince of Wales have been snapped sharing a chuckle on a number of occasions, including during this event at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Stanford Hall in Loughborough in February 2020

Images showing the closeness, such as this photo from the service of thanksgiving for the Queen at St Paul's cathedral on June 2022, make it clear why Charles has several times said that the family is 'lucky' to have Kate

Kate's willingness to get stuck into any task means she has become a well-liked member of The Firm - with family members as well as the public! (Pictured ironing artwork onto silk during a visit to the Dulwich Picture Gallery in March 2012)

King Charles and Kate have also shown several public signs of their close relationship over the past few years.

The Princess of Wales lovingly called her father-in-law by his family nickname of 'grandpa' when she greeted him at a G7 reception in 2021.

In April 2021, the then Duchess of Cambridge shared a kiss on the cheek with her grief-stricken father-in-law as they left Prince Philip's funeral.

Kate consoled Charles as the pair walked out of St George's Chapel following the emotional service in memory of the Duke of Edinburgh.

Photographs show Kate comforting the then Prince of Wales over the loss of his father by putting her hand on his shoulder. She then kissed him on the cheek as they set off from the entrance of the chapel.

Elsewhere, when greeting one another at engagements, Kate and the King will often share a friendly embrace and pecks on the cheeks.

Charles has come to adore Kate, with whom he has bonded not just over mutual loves, such as music and art, and his grandchildren.

The King thinks she is doing a 'wonderful' job bringing up George, Charlotte and Louis, and is appreciative of the very stable little family unit she and William have created.

He also relishes the time he gets to spend with them at Windsor now that he is spending more time at the Castle, where they live just a few minutes drive away.

Queen Camilla's presence at the hospital today by her husband's side is equally remarkable.

While the late Queen Elizabeth II occasionally visited her husband, Prince Philip, in hospital during some of his lengthier (and more serious) convalesces, Camilla insisted on accompanying her husband as he was admitted, too.

It is understood that she plans to spend several hours at his bedside and may even stay until doctors have confirmed that his surgery to treat an enlarged prostate has been successful.

Friends tell me that she wouldn't have had it any other way. 'They are a genuinely devoted and very sweet couple,' said one.

Indeed, Annabel Elliot, Camilla's sister recently described her as being the King's 'rock'.

'They're the yin and yang. They really are polar oppositions but I think it works brilliantly,' she said.

Another friend adds: 'It sounds a bit cheesy, I know, but they really are team. It doesn't surprise me in the slightest that she would be there.'

After emerged that three members of staff at the London Clinic were suspended, data watchdog the Information Commissioner's Officer confirmed it had 'received a breach report' and was in the process of 'assessing the information provided'.

Charles yesterday met Mbelwa Kairuki, High Commissioner for Tanzania, at Buckingham Palace

Ng Teck Hean, High Commissioner for Singapore, also presented his credentials to the King

Meanwhile, insiders at the hospital, based in Marylebone, central London, said staff had been 'left utterly shocked and distraught' that a 'trusted colleague' could have carried out such a 'breach of trust and ethics'.

The Princess is said to be aware of the allegations, while a spokesperson for Kensington Palace said: 'This is a matter for the London Clinic.'

It is a criminal offence for staff in any NHS or private healthcare setting to access the medical records of a patient without the consent of the medical provider's data controller.

The London Clinic could not confirm the exact date the alleged breach is said to have taken place but the revelation came a day after footage emerged of Kate out and about in Windsor over the weekend.

Footage yesterday showed crowds of royal fans watching as the King was driven from Clarence House, having been unable to join his wife on a scheduled two-day trip to Northern Ireland.

King Charles was seen in the back of a car leaving Clarence House this morning

King Charles remained in London rather than join his wife Camilla visiting Northern Ireland

Charles has stepped back from royal duties as he receives treatment for cancer

Queen Camilla, pictured during a visit to Northern Ireland, said Charles was 'doing very well'

The Queen visited Knotts bakery (pictured) and other businesses in south Belfast

Members of the public watched in central London as the King went past in his car

Photographs were taken as the royal car turned out of Clarence House on to the Mall

The London Clinic private hospital is pictured yesterday as an investigation into an alleged breach of Kate's medical data is carried out

Camilla has begun a series of engagements in Belfast - where she was photobombed by smartly-dressed 23-month-old Fitz Corrie-Salmon.

The boy wearing a tuxedo and bow tie posed in front of the cameras as Camilla visited a shop and talked to staff at Knotts bakery in Belfast.

She grinned as she watched him and said: 'We have a natural for the cameras.

'There's something so wonderful about this kind of place.'

Camilla also told how Charles was 'doing very well' and was 'disappointed' to miss out on the trip to Northern Ireland.

During a visit to The Arcadia deli, shop assistant Brenda Robb handed over a get well card for Charles and extended her best wishes.

Asked several times about the King's wellbeing, she said: 'He's doing very well.'

Responding to quips about men 'not being the best patients', she joked: 'I try to keep him in order.'

She added: 'He's very disappointed he can't come.'

Her Majesty is in Northern Ireland for a two-day trip, that had been due to be undertaken by the both of them.

After the King was compelled to stay at home, she decided to continue with elements of her own programme for the working trip.

She is travelling alone this week after Charles stepped back from his public duties while receiving treatment for cancer.

The 75-year-old is not carrying out public duties while he has treatment but is continuing with behind-the-scenes work on state papers.

Queen Camilla has told wellwishers that King Charles 'is doing very well'.

She told members of the public in Northern Ireland this morning that the King, who has been receiving treatment for cancer, was 'disappointed' not to be able to join her there.

King Charles is pictured shaking hands with the Ambassador of Algeria Nourredine Yazid during a private audience at Buckingham Palace this evening

King Charles held a video call with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Buckingham Palace

Earlier this week, King Charles held a video call with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Buckingham Palace amid his cancer treatment.

Charles was pictured sitting in front of a computer screen at the Palace as he spoke with Mr Trudeau.

Charles earlier met with the Ambassador of Algeria, Nourredine Yazid, and Samba Mamadou, Ambassador of Mauritania.

Earlier this month, Kate Middleton was said to be returning to her royal duties at a practice Trooping the Colour ceremony on June 8 by the army before they appeared to do a U-turn.

The Ambassador of Mauritania Samba Mamadou (pictured, right) is photographed shaking hands with King Charles (pictured, left)

Charles was pictured sitting in front of a computer screen at the Palace as he spoke with Mr Trudeau via video call

The King and the Ambassador of Algeria, Nourredine Yazid, appear to share a joke at Buckingham Palace

Charles smiles in the back of his Rolls-Royce as crowds cheer on the King amid his cancer treatment

The announcement seemed to signal Kate will be well enough to attend the June 8 event, but broke with protocol as only the Palace can traditionally confirm a royal's attendance.

Video footage showed the King smiling in the back of his Rolls-Royce as crowds cheer him passing.

The 75-year-old, who was dressed in light blue pattern tie, appeared in good spirits as he met with the diplomats.

While he steps back from official visits, other members of the royal family have stepped up to take on extra duties.

Queen Camilla has been holding down the fort since Charles's cancer diagnosis in January.

She has completed at least 13 official engagements on her own since her husband's condition came to light but is now expected to hand the reins over to the Prince of Wales and Princess Anne whilst she takes a break.
The Princess of Wales' cancer diagnosis is set to pile further pressure on the 'slimmed down' monarchy.

Kate announced today in a deeply moving video message that she is suffering from the disease, just weeks after her father-in-law King Charles was diagnosed.

Prince William is now set to be absent from royal duties until after Easter as he supports his wife and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

And with the King continuing his own treatment, it means the Royal Family is now left with only four senior working royals for the coming weeks: Queen Camilla, Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

Collectively they have carried out more than 170 engagements between them since the start of the year and experts have previously said that other royals will have to step up.

But Prince Andrew remains banned from duties following the fallout from his relationship with paedophile Jeffery Epstein and his payoff to sex accuser Virginia Giuffre and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle opted to step down as working royals in 2020.

The Princess of Wales ' cancer diagnosis is set to pile further pressure on the 'slimmed down' monarchy. Above: Kate in her moving video message, which was released this evening

Prince William is now set to be absent from royal duties until after Easter as he supports his wife and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis

Andrew's daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, are not currently working royals, and nor is Lady Louise Windsor, the daughter of Prince Edward.

There have previously been calls for Zara and Mike Tindall to do more.

The Duke of Gloucester does carry out engagements but is now 79 and does not have a high public profile.

The frail Duke of Kent is now 88 and is unlikely to be able to take on engagements in the place of Kate, William or the King.

It comes after Princess Anne, who is now 73, told a Canadian broadcaster last May: 'I think that 'slimmed down' was said in a day when there were a few more people to make that seem like a justifiable comment', adding: 'It doesn't sound like a good idea from where I'm standing.'

After the King's own cancer diagnosis was revealed in February, royal commentator Phil Dampier cast doubt on the Royal Family's ability to keep up with engagements.

He told MailOnline: 'All of a sudden with these health problems we have it's looking very, very threadbare.'

Mr Dampier said that although Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie could be brought in 'for minor duties', their father Prince Andrew's past ties to the late Epstein make their involvement 'more difficult' for the family.

With Prince William stepping back until after Easter, Queen Camilla, 76, is now one of only four senior working royals who are available for engagements

The Princess Royal has 11 upcoming engagements from Monday until the end of the month, whilst the Duke of Edinburgh has two

King Charles was diagnosed with cancer in February and has stepped back from public engagements

The Princess of Wales is undergoing 'preventative' chemotherapy, she revealed today

King Charles is continuing private audiences as he undergoes cancer treatment. Above: With Commonwealth Secretary General Baroness Scotland of Asthal at Buckingham Palace last week

Instead, he praised the Duchess of Edinburgh Sophie for a doing a 'very good job', adding he would like to see her 'upping her game and doing a bit more'.

The Princess Royal has 11 upcoming engagements from Monday until the end of the month, whilst the Duke of Edinburgh has two.

Queen Camilla will be present at the Maundy Service in Worcester Cathedral on March 28.

The Princess of Wales revealed her cancer diagnosis and said she is undergoing 'preventative' chemotherapy in a deeply emotional video message this evening.

Kate said the news had come as a 'huge shock' and that she and William 'have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.'

She said: 'It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.

'As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits.

'Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too.

'As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.'

The Princess's cancer was discovered after she underwent abdominal surgery at The London Clinic in January.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh may now have to carry out more engagements after news of Kate's cancer diagnosis. Above: With their daughter Lady Louise at the Commonwealth Games in 2022

Prince Andrew's daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, are not currently working royals. Above: Beatrice (left) and Eugenie with their husbands Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank at the memorial service for the late Duke of Edinburgh in March 2022

Kensington Palace said at the time that it was non-cancerous. They confirmed again tonight that no tests indicated the presence of cancer.

But later tests after Kate's operation found that cancer 'had been present'.

The Princess is now on a 'recovery pathway', the palace said. She began a course of chemotherapy in late February.

This is the reason for Prince William's decision to pull out of a memorial service for his late godfather, King Constantine of Greece.

Kensington Palace have said they will not be revealing what kind of cancer the Princess has, or what stage it is.

But they added she is in 'good spirits and focused on her recovery'.

'She is hugely grateful to the medical team for the care they are providing to her,' a spokesman said.

'She now needs time, space and privacy to complete her treatment and make a full recovery.'

The Mail understands that Prince William will carry out engagements when the children return to school after the Easter holidays.

Kate said: 'I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery.

'It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I've had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful.

'In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous.

'The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present.

'My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.

'This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.

'As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment.

'But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.

'As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits.

'Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.

'We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment.

The frail Duke of Kent is now 88 and is unlikely to be able to take on engagements in the place of Kate, William or the King

The Duke of Gloucester does carry out engagements but is now 79 and does not have a high public profile

'My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.'

She added a message for fellow cancer sufferers, saying: 'At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer.

'For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.'

A spokesman for the Princess said: 'We will not be sharing any further private medical information. The Princess has a right to medical privacy, as we all do.'

However her spokesman confirmed: 'The Princess is now on a recovery pathway having commenced a course of preventative chemotherapyin late February.'
The Princess of Wales's deeply moving message announcing she has cancer is just the latest instance of the royals opening up about health battles since the start of the King's reign.

Kate revealed in a video message today that she is undergoing 'preventative' chemotherapy after being diagnosed with the disease.

In early February, the Palace revealed that the King was suffering from cancer. It was discovered during treatment for an enlarged prostate.

The King chose to be open about his initial prostate treatment in the hope it would encourage other men who may be experiencing symptoms to get checked.

The Palace then said that he chose to go public about his cancer treatment because he had been a patron of a number of related charities when he was Prince of Wales.

His diagnosis came after Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, was diagnosed with skin cancer.

She had a mole removed from her body which tests founds to be a malignant melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer.

And last year, she told fans that she underwent a reconstruction operation following a breast cancer diagnosis.

The royals' decision to break with tradition by being open about their health scares contrasts with more circumspect statements during the reign of the late Queen.

The Princess of Wales 's deeply moving message announcing she has cancer is just the latest instance of the royals opening up about health battles since the start of the King's reign

In early February, the Palace revealed that the King was suffering from cancer. It was discovered during treatment for an enlarged prostate. The King chose to be open about his initial prostate treatment in the hope it would encourage other men who may be experiencing symptoms to get checked. The Palace then said that he chose to go public about his cancer treatment because he had been a patron of a number of related charities when he was Prince of Wales

The royals' decision to break with tradition by being open about their health scares contrasts with more circumspect statements during the reign of the late Queen

In the final years of her life, the Palace did not reveal any details of conditions, if any, that Her Late Majesty was suffering from.

In October 2021 she spent a night in hospital for an undisclosed reason, after cancelling a planned visit to Northern Ireland.

Buckingham Palace said at the time that she was admitted for 'preliminary investigations'.

Author Giles Brandreth told in his book, which was released shortly after the Queen's death, that he had heard Her Late Majesty was suffering from a form of myeloma - bone marrow cancer.

He said this may have explained her tiredness and 'mobility issues' that the public were often told about.

However, esteemed royal writer Robert Hardman revealed in his recent book that the Queen slipped away peacefully from old age.

And when her father King George VI was treated for lung cancer, royal doctors chose not to tell him that he was suffering from the disease.

Prince Philip, who died in April 2021, was known to have a heart condition but Palace officials did not reveal any specifics.

Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York , was diagnosed with skin cancer earlier this year. She had a mole removed from her body which tests founds to be a malignant melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. Last year, she told fans that she underwent a reconstruction operation following a breast cancer diagnosis

Kate chose to be very open in her video message to the nation this evening

Former royal press secretary Simon Lewis previously told the BBC that Charles' openness about his cancer diagnosis had been as 'style' as monarch.

'I think it's actually been the style of the King's first year,' he said.

'This is obviously one element of it. But if you think of the book and the access that was given to Robert Hardman, if you think of the documentary, if you think of his whole style as King, I think this is very much in keeping with that.

'And I do think his advisors, with this statement I'm sure we'll talk about it, have actually got it spot on.

'I think 20 years ago we would have got a very abrupt, short statement, and that's about it.

'And I think they've gone as far as they possibly can given that the King has had a diagnosis of cancer and, as a lot of people know, processing that is a pretty tough process.'

When the Duchess of York was diagnosed with skin cancer, her spokesman said: She believes her experience underlines the importance of checking the size, shape, colour and texture and emergence of new moles that can be a sign of melanoma.'

The statement outlined the royals' drive to help others by revealing their health issues.

Kate chose to be very open in her video message to the nation this evening.

She said the cancer was discovered after she underwent abdominal surgery at The London Clinic in January.

Kensington Palace said at the time that it was non-cancerous. They confirmed again tonight that no tests indicated the presence of cancer.

But later tests after Kate's operation found that cancer 'had been present'.

She said: 'I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery.

'It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I've had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful.

'In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous.

'The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present.

'My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.

'This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.

'As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment.

'But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.

'As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits.

Prince Philip, who died in April 2021, was known to have a heart condition but Palace officials did not reveal any specifics

'Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.

'We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment.

'My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.'

She added a message for fellow cancer sufferers, saying: 'At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer.

'For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.'

A spokesman for the Princess said: 'We will not be sharing any further private medical information. The Princess has a right to medical privacy, as we all do.'

However her spokesman confirmed: 'The Princess is now on a recovery pathway having commenced a course of preventative chemotherapyin late February.'
Omid Scobie this afternoon tastelessly posted a screenshot of an alarm clock set for 6pm - the exact time Princess Kate released her heartbreaking statement about her cancer.

The Endgame author, 42, this afternoon posted a screenshot to his followers on X, formerly Twitter, of an alarm clock app being set to 6pm at 4.59pm this afternoon - one hour before the public knew it was coming.

Mr Scobie's post caused much speculation from fans about what was set to be announced, with many asking what announcement he was teasing.

Kate underwent major abdominal surgery in January, and while her condition was originally believed to be non-cancerous, she bravely revealed today that cancer was found.

The Princess of Wales said her doctors advised her that she should start a course of preventative chemotherapy, which she is currently undergoing.

Omid Scobie this afternoon tastelessly posted a screenshot alarm clock set for 6pm - the exact time Kate released her heartbreaking statement about her cancer

The Princess of Wales (pictured) bravely revealed today that she has cancer

Mr Scobie's post caused much speculation from fans about what was set to be announced, with many asking what announcement he was teasing

Mr Scobie was criticised online after Kate's announcement, as people replied to his alarm clock post with scathing comments.

One user Laura posted: 'Disgusting man. Literal shame on you.'

Another social media user Imogen Purtill said: 'Will you now shut up Scobie? Are you happy now?'

This comes after Mr Scobie recently weighed in on the coverage of the Princess of Wales' Mother's Day portrait as it was 'killed' by multiple picture agencies.

He tweeted on Sunday March 10: 'Wonder what it would be like if they had a good comms team'.

In a separate tweet, he described the killing of the photos as 'mysterious', adding: 'No comment from KP yet.'

Kate was pictured beaming alongside her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, in a photo taken by Prince William in Windsor.

But the Palace faced questions after the photo was first withdrawn by Reuters, AP, Getty, AFP and EPA over claims it was digitally manipulated.

Mr Scobie also sparked a royal race row last November when a Dutch translation of his Endgame book appeared to accuse Kate and King Charles of racism after Meghan Markle claimed that 'concerns' had been raised about the skin colour of her son Archie in her bombshell Oprah interview in 2021.

In a deeply emotional video message, filmed at Windsor on Wednesday, Catherine revealed the news had come as a 'huge shock' and that she and William 'have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family'.

The diagnosis came days after she was seen smiling with Prince William as they left their favourite farm shop close to their Windsor home.

Mr Scobie was criticised on X for his alarm clock post after Kate's announcement

It is understood that the announcement was made tonight not because of unpleasant social media speculation about her health and whereabouts  although that has been upsetting and unpleasant - but because her children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louise, five, broke up from school today, which gave them the opportunity to take them away privately and protect them from the inevitable public shock.

Kensington Palace has said it will not be sharing details of what kind of cancer the princess has, or what stage of cancer it is and has asked people not to speculate.

Speaking from a bench surrounded by daffodils and spring blossom, the Princess of Wales said: 'I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery.

'It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but Ive had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful. In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous.

'The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.

'This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.'

Kate underwent major abdominal surgery in January, and while her condition was originally believed to be non-cancerous, she bravely revealed today that cancer was found

Her statement continued: 'As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment.

'But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.

'As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits. Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too.

'As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both. We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment.

'My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.

'At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.'
The Princess of Wales has revealed that she has been diagnosed with cancer and been undergoing 'preventative' chemotherapy after major abdominal surgery.

Kate's absence from public life as she convalesced had led to wild theories about her wellbeing, despite her being photographed four times in less than three weeks.

Now, today's announcement revealed her diagnosis - and it comes after King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer last month.

Here, MailOnline looks back at the last few months of royal news that led up to the dramatic news issued by Kensington Palace today.

December 25, 2023: Kate attends a Christmas Day service at Sandringham in Norfolk, which was her most recent public appearance at a royal event. She arrived with her husband Prince William and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as well as other members of the Royal Family.

January, 16, 2024: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for planned abdominal surgery, although this news is not announced until the following day.

January 17: Kensington Palace reveals Kate is being treated in hospital after undergoing successful surgery. Royal aides say she is expected to remain in hospital for ten to 14 days before returning home to continue her recovery. At the time of surgery, it was thought that Kate's condition was non-cancerous - and no tests had confirmed the presence of cancer.

January 17: Buckingham Palace announces just 90 minutes later that King Charles will be treated in hospital for an enlarged prostate.

December 25, 2023: Kate was last seen with her family attending church at Sandringham

January 21: Prince Andrew's former wife Sarah, Duchess of York reveals she has been diagnosed with skin cancer, six months after being treated for breast cancer.

January 26: King Charles goes into the London Clinic for his prostate treatment.

January 29: Kate and Charles are both discharged from London Clinic on the same day. Charles is seen waving at well-wishers as he leaves with Camilla. Kate is not pictured leaving, but Kensington Palace says she has returned home to Windsor.

February 5: Buckingham Palace reveals Charles has cancer.

March 10: Kensington Palace released the first picture of Kate since her abdominal surgery

February 7: Prince Harry arrives in the UK from California to visit his father, before leaving the following day.

February 27: William pulls out of a memorial service for the late King Constantine of Greece in Windsor due to a 'personal matter.'

Later that day, Buckingham Palace separately says Thomas Kingston, the son-in-law of Prince Michael of Kent, had died at the age of 45.

Late February: Kensington Palace said on March 22 that Kate started a course of 'preventative chemotherapy' in 'late February', but has not confirmed the exact date. It is also understood that post-operative tests found that cancer had been present, although again there is no exact date on these.

March 4: A photo published in the US shows Kate in Windsor as a front seat passenger in a car driven by her mother, Carole Middleton.

March 11: Prince William and Kate are seen leaving Windsor together as they are driven in a car

March 10: Kensington Palace releases a photograph of Kate and her children to mark Mother's Day.

March 11: Irregularities are spotted in the Mother's Day photograph, which leads to the Princess admitting to 'editing' the image and apologising for any 'confusion' caused. Kate is later seen being driven out of Windsor in a car with William.

March 18: A video is published by TMZ and The Sun of William and Kate leaving the Windsor Farm Shop following a visit on March 16.

March 22: The Princess reveals in a video message that she has cancer.
The mother of Shaylee Mejia has hit out at police who claim her daughter died from injuries after falling downstairs, and not after being attacked in school.

Shaylee Mejia, 16, collapsed just days after she was attacked inside a bathroom at Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles.

Video of the incident on March 5 shows the teenage girl having her hair dragged and hitting her head against a stall before she fell down.

Mejia's mother Maria Juarez and her attorney Luis Carrillo told ABC7 that they believe her death to have stemmed as a result of the injury sustained in the fight.

Police have said they responded to an incident on March 9 where a person fell down a flight of stairs, but the two say Meija fainted as a result of the earlier fight and that there were no stairs.

Shaylee Mejia, 16, collapsed just days after she was attacked inside a bathroom at Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles

Mejia's mother Maria Juarez and her attorney Luis Carrillo told ABC7 that they believe her death to have stemmed as a result of the injury sustained in the fight

Mejia (right) was at a party days after the attack when she collapsed and she rushed to the hospital. She never regained consciousness

Juarez said her daughter complained about headaches for days but continued to attend school before she went to the party the following Saturday.

Mejia suffered a hemorrhage due to brain injuries and collapsed while at the party.

She was rushed to hospital but never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead on March 15.

Juarez said her daughter complained about headaches for days but continued to attend school before she went to the party the following Saturday.

Juarez, a single mother of two, told the outlet: ' [She was]very obedient, a very good daughter, a very good sister. I just ask for justice.

'Because when I arrived at the hospital, they told me she had multiple brain injuries.'

Mejia did not tell her mother about the fight because she didn't want her to worry or take time off from work.

The incident was captured on video by other students and it shows the young girl being viciously beaten while others stand and watch.

Mejia said her daughter was suffering from headaches in the days following the horrific attack but still went to school

The official cause of Mejia's death has not been determined and an investigation is ongoing.

Juarez, a housekeeper and the family's sole provider, claimed her daughter was being bullied for months and school officials failed to stop it.

The teenager girl joined Manual Arts High around eight months ago when she moved into a new apartment with her mother and younger brother.

After several months at the school, the mom said her daughter began coming home with bruises all over her body, which she thought was due to other fights.

Juarez took pictures of the injuries to show school officials and campus police but claims nothing was done about the issue.

She added her daughter continued to be targeted by bullies and several attacks were captured on camera.

Manual Arts High School principal Alejandro Macias said: 'While this tragic incident took place outside of school hours and off campus, our heartfelt thoughts remain with those affected by this loss'

Manual Arts High School principal Alejandro Macias said: 'I am saddened to report the recent death of one of our students off campus.

'On behalf of our entire school community, I want to offer my deepest condolences to those who are impacted by this loss, including the students family, friends, and teachers.

'While this tragic incident took place outside of school hours and off campus, our heartfelt thoughts remain with those affected by this loss.'

Carrilo told the outlet: 'The beatings were not off campus, the beatings were in Manual Arts High School, where these in inept administrators did not protect her daughter.'

Juarez and Carrilo are now awaiting the teenagers autopsy report.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Mejia's family with the funeral costs.

'We are trying to save money to help Shays mom with the funeral expenses anything helps please help us put Shaylee to rest her death was very tragic to many of us,' it read.
The Princess of Wales has touchingly revealed how she is reassuring her young children amid her battle with cancer after the announcement she is fighting the disease.

The mother-of-three says she and Prince William have explained the situation to their children George, Charlotte and Louis, after the 'huge shock' of her diagnosis.

Princess Catherine said had told them she is doing 'well and getting stronger every day' and that she was 'focusing on the things that will help me heal'.

The 42-year-old also revealed that she was comforted by having her husband by her side, and that they were doing 'everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family'.

In a televised address, the future Queen revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer after undergoing a successful abdominal operation in January, and that doctors have advised her to undergo preventative chemotherapy.

The Princess of Wales has revealed how she is reassuring her young children following her cancer diagnosis. Pictured: Princess Catherine with her children George, Charlotte and Louis in a photo that was released for Mother's Day this month

Pictured: The Princess of Wales holding the hand of her daughter Charlotte as she walks to Christmas Day service in Sandringham, Norfolk, alongside her sons George and Louis, her husband Prince William and Mia Tindall on December 25, last year

Pictured: The Princess of Wales attends the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey with her husband Prince William and their children George, Charlotte and Louis, on December 8 last year

Speaking from a bench surrounded by daffodils and spring blossom, the Princess of Wales revealed her shock diagnosis this evening.

'I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery,' she said.

'It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I've had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful.'

Kensington Palace has said it will not be sharing details of what kind of cancer the princess has, or what stage of cancer it is and has asked people not to speculate.

The future Queen revealed that she and her husband have been focusing on their children during this difficult time.

She said: 'But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.

'As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits.

'Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too.

'As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.'

It is understood that the King  who is also currently undergoing cancer treatment himself  and the Queen have both been informed of the news.

Earlier she revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer after undergoing a planned operation at The London Clinic two months ago.

The Princess of Wales pictured attending the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on December 8, last year

The diagnosis took place after the future Queen underwent abdominal surgery at The London Clinic in January. Pictured: Police officers stand guard outside the building on January 28

'In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous,' she said.

'The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present.

'My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.'

The Princess of Wales added that the news had left the family shaken and they have been coming to terms with her diagnosis in private.

She said: 'This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.

'As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment.'

Catherine added that she and her family would like privacy while she battles the disease.

She said: 'We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment.

'My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.

'At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer.

'For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.'

Sitting on a bench at Windsor, surrounded by spring flowers, the Princess of Wales has taken the extraordinary step of revealing to the world that she has cancer

The Prince and Princess of Wales were seen together last week as William went to the The Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey

This evening's announcement will send shockwaves around the world and came after weeks of speculation - and wild conspiracy theories - about her health. It also creates a fresh crisis for the British Royal Family at a time where King Charles is also battling cancer. In January Sarah, the Duchess of York, was diagnosed with skin cancer, just six months after being treated for breast cancer.

It comes after sick social media trolls spent weeks spreading wild rumours about her wellbeing as palace aides refused to comment on her recovery from abdominal surgery in January.

The princess is now on what has been described as a recovery pathway having commenced a course of chemotherapy in late February.

It is for this reason that Prince William pulled out of a memorial service for his late godfather, King Constantine of Greece.

Kensington Palace has strongly asked people not to speculate on what cancer she has.

However they say that she is in good spirits and focused on her recovery.

She is hugely grateful to the medical team for the care they are providing to her, a spokesman said.

She now needs time, space and privacy to complete her treatment and make a full recovery.

It is understood that the announcement was made tonight not because of unpleasant social media speculation about her health and whereabouts  although that has been upsetting and unpleasant - but because her children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louise, five, broke up from school today, which gave them the opportunity to take them away privately and protect them from the inevitable public shock.

A spokesman for the princess said: We will not be sharing any further private medical information. The Princess has a right to medical privacy, as we all do.

However her spokesman confirmed: The Princess is now on a recovery pathway having commenced a course of preventative chemotherapyin late February.

The palace will not confirm how long her treatment is expected to last and has asked the media and public not to speculate.

Catherine, Princess of Wales attends the opening of Evelina London's new children's day surgery unit on December 5

The Princess of Wales arrives at the Shaping Us National Symposium at the Design Museum on November 15

Kate's cancer is for this reason that Prince William pulled out of a memorial service for his late godfather, King Constantine of Greece (pictured)

It also said it would not confirm where her treatment would be taking place, a spokesman adding: We will not be sharing any further private medical information. The Princess has a right to medical privacy, as we all do.

Asked when the princess was given the news by her doctors, a spokesman explained: Once post-operative tests had been completed and results reviewed.

They added: The Princess wanted to share this information when she and The Prince felt it was right for them as a family. 

A source said it had been an incredibly tough couple of months for the entire family and it had been important for the princess to come to terms with her diagnosis, to recover form her surgery and begin her pathway to recovery.

Throughout this period the couples children have been her priority.

It is understood that William and Kate wanted to tell their children at a time that was right for them and to allow them to understand and process the news before it became public.

With the children having broken up from Lambrook School today for the Easter holidays this afternoon, they decided that now was the right time to share the statement.

Sources say their concern recently, despite global and social media speculation, was to put Catherines health and their children first.

It is now hoped, aides said, the speculation around the princess comes to a stop.

Catherine is apparently determined to go about her normal routine, which she sees as an important part of her recovery, and has asked for people to respect her privacy.
Fans of the Princess of Wales have flooded social media with get well messages after her shock announcement that she is battling cancer.

Kate revealed this evening that she has been diagnosed with the disease after undergoing major abdominal surgery at a private London hospital in January.

In an address to the nation the mother-of-three shared that she is undergoing preventative chemotherapy on the advice of doctors and that she is 'getting stronger every day'.

The news about the 42-year-old's health will shock the Royal Family to the core, with King Charles currently undergoing his own cancer battle at the moment.

Royal fans have taken to social media to express their shock at the news and voice their well wishes for the future Queen as she bravely fights against the disease.

Princess Catherine at the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey in London on December 8, last year

The Princess of Wales pictured with her children George, Charlotte and Louis in a photo released for Mother's Day this month

Many said their thoughts were with the Princess of Wales, as well as her husband William and their children George, Charlotte and Louis, at this time.

One person wrote 'This is incredibly brave of you to share after these past few months. My thoughts are with you and your family Catherine. We love you.

Another added to the well wishes by saying: 'Ma'am, as member of the public and great supporter of The Royal Family: All the best wishes for your speedy recovery. I know you'll be okay. This video so brave of Your Royal Highness.

Someone else added: 'Inshallah you will make a full recover. God's grave be upon you in this holy month of Ramadan.

One Royal fan wrote: 'God bless you Kate. We are all keeping you and your family in our prayers.

Another added: 'Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and children. The whole country is behind you.

Someone else wrote: 'Get well Kate - so sad. But we will pray for you and your family.

One well wisher said: 'May your treatment be successful and your wellness improve. Take care of yourself and your family.

Another said: 'My god, I am so sorry to hear this. Wishing Kate and the family nothing but the absolute best.'

Kate Middleton fans took to social media to pass along their well wishes to the future Queen

Pictured: The Princess of Wales holding the hand of her daughter Charlotte as she walks to Christmas Day service in Sandringham, Norfolk, alongside her sons George and Louis, her husband Prince William and Mia Tindall on December 25, last year

The diagnosis took place after the future Queen underwent abdominal surgery at The London Clinic in January. Pictured: Police officers stand guard outside the building on January 28

It comes after Kate's shock announcement to the nation on Friday evening, in which she shared details for the first time about her cancer battle.

LIVE READ MORE Kate Middleton cancer diagnosis latest news: Princess of Wales reveals health update two months after surgery Advertisement

In a deeply emotional video message, filmed at Windsor on Wednesday, Catherine revealed the news had come as a 'huge shock' and that she and William 'have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family'.

It came days after she was seen smiling with Prince William as they left their favourite farm shop close to their Windsor home.

Speaking from a bench surrounded by daffodils and spring blossom, she said: 'It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.

'As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits. Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.'

Catherine's cancer was discovered only after she underwent major abdominal surgery at The London Clinic in January. Kensington Palace has said it will not be sharing details of what kind of cancer the princess has, or what stage of cancer it is and has asked people not to speculate.

It is understood that the King  who is also currently undergoing cancer treatment himself  and the Queen have both been informed of the news.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said the Princess of Wales has 'the love and support of the whole country' as her cancer battle was revealed this evening and good wishes came in from around the world.

At the time of her abdominal surgery in January, Kensington Palace said that it was non-cancerous. They have confirmed again tonight that is the case and that no tests had confirmed the presence of cancer. However post-operative tests subsequently found that cancer 'had been present'.

This evening's announcement will send shockwaves around the world and came after weeks of speculation - and wild conspiracy theories - about her health.

The Prince and Princess of Wales were seen together last week as William went to the The Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey

Catherine, Princess of Wales attends the opening of Evelina London's new children's day surgery unit on December 5

It also creates a fresh crisis for the British Royal Family at a time where King Charles is also battling cancer. In January Sarah, the Duchess of York, was diagnosed with skin cancer, just six months after being treated for breast cancer.

The princess is now on what has been described as a 'recovery pathway' having commenced a course of chemotherapy in late February.

It is for this reason that Prince William pulled out of a memorial service for his late godfather, King Constantine of Greece.

Kensington Palace has strongly asked people not to speculate on what cancer she has.

However they say that she is in 'good spirits and focused on her recovery'.

'She is hugely grateful to the medical team for the care they are providing to her,' a spokesman said. 'She now needs time, space and privacy to complete her treatment and make a full recovery.'

It is understood that the announcement was made tonight not because of unpleasant social media speculation about her health and whereabouts  although that has been upsetting - but because her children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, broke up from school today, which gave them the opportunity to take them away privately and protect them from the inevitable public shock.

A source said this has been a 'real shock' for the couple and they have needed to take time to process the news personally and bring their young children to a place that they could 'process this news about their mother'.

The Princess of Wales arrives at the Shaping Us National Symposium at the Design Museum on November 15

Kate's cancer is for this reason that Prince William pulled out of a memorial service for his late godfather, King Constantine of Greece (pictured)

They have always wanted to shield them from the inevitable coverage her diagnosis will cause.

READ MORE How William discovered Kate had cancer before he pulled out of King Constantine of Greece's memorial service at St George's Chapel Advertisement

However she does have a very positive approach to her recovery and a positive mindset moving forwards.

A spokesman for the princess said: 'We will not be sharing any further private medical information. The Princess has a right to medical privacy, as we all do.'

However her spokesman confirmed: 'The Princess is now on a recovery pathway having commenced a course of preventative chemotherapyin late February.'

The palace will not confirm how long her treatment is expected to last and has asked the media and public not to speculate.

It also said it would not confirm where her treatment would be taking place, a spokesman adding: 'We will not be sharing any further private medical information. The Princess has a right to medical privacy, as we all do.'

Asked when the princess was given the news by her doctors, a spokesman explained: 'Once post-operative tests had been completed and results reviewed.'

They added: 'The Princess wanted to share this information when she and The Prince felt it was right for them as a family. '
The health ministry requested a police investigation Friday into an online post urging doctors to destroy the country's medical system amid a protracted walkout by trainee doctors in protest of the government plan to raise the country's medical school quota.

The post, uploaded at "medistaff," an internet community for doctors, urged the striking doctors to keep staying off the job even after the parliamentary election so as to inflict "huge irreversible damage to the Korean medical system."

The health ministry requested police investigate the post as a direct threat to the people's lives.

"To say something like 'let's crush the medical system' could be coming out from someone angry, but if spoken by an incumbent doctor, those very words are a direct threat to people's lives," Second Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo said during a briefing on Friday.

On Wednesday, police launched a preliminary probe into another online post from the same online community for disclosing the names and pictures of medical professors allegedly involved in convincing trainee doctors to return to work from the walkout. (Yonhap)
At least 60 people have been killed after gunmen attacked a packed concert venue on the outskirts of Moscow.

Around 100 people were also hurt when gunmen in camouflage clothing opened fire with automatic weapons on people at a concert in the Crocus City Hall on Friday.

In one of the worst such attacks in Russia in years, at least five people were shown in unverified videos firing repeatedly at screaming civilians cowering in the concert hall as Soviet-era rock group 'Picnic' was about to perform at around 8pm local time.

Flames leapt into the sky and plumes of black smoke rose above the venue as hundreds of blue lights from emergency vehicles flashed into the night

Helicopters sought to douse the flames and evacuated around 100 people from the basement, Russian media reported.

Police, special forces and 70 ambulances attended the scene, with some video footage showing a number of people lying motionless in pools of blood outside the hall.

A map showing the location of the Crocus City Hall, which is situated 12 miles from the Kremlin in central Moscow

Gunmen have targeted a concert hall in a mass shooting in Moscow

The large venue was engulfed in flames after at least five armed men in camouflage stormed the hall

At least 40 people are now feared dead, with over 100 estimated to be left injured by the blaze

Seventy ambulances have attended the scene of the building engulfed in flames

Other video footage showed the men shooting people below what looked like an entrance sign to 'Crocus City Hall'.

Another horrific clip showed at least four people attacking the crowd with guns, to the sounds of shots ringing around the building and smashed glass.

All the tickets in the 6,200-seat concert hall had been sold out.

State news agency TASS cited Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), the main successor to the Soviet-era KGB, as saying 40 people had been killed and more than 100 wounded.

Russian media reported a second blast at the venue and there were reports that some of the gunmen had barricaded themselves somewhere in the building.

It was not immediately unclear who the attackers were. No group has yet claimed responsibility.

After the attack, Russia tightened security at airports, transportation stations and across the capital - a vast urban area of over 21 million people.

'A terrible tragedy occurred in the shopping centre Crocus City today,' Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said. 'I am sorry for the loved ones of the victims.'

Shocking photos showed huge flames and smoke rising from the concert hall in Moscow

Members of the Russian special operations forces are seen near the burning concert hall

Police have blocked the road towards Crocus City after gunmen burst into the venue

At least a dozen people are feared dead following the incident

The shooting is being treated as a major incident, weeks after warnings from embassies of an imminent attack by 'extremists'

A huge ball of fire engulfs the 6,000-seater concert hall in the Moscow suburbs, as a Russian National Guard secures the area around the venue

The hall, which is still ablaze, has a capacity of 6,000 spectators

Senior Russian security official and ex-president Dmitry Medvedev said those who masterminded the shooting should be hunted down and killed.

Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, made the statement on his official account on the Telegram messenger service.

'All of them must be found and ruthlessly destroyed as terrorists,' said Medvedev. 'Death for death.'

'Suddenly there were bangs behind us - shots. A burst of firing - I do not know what,' one witness who asked not to be named told Reuters.

'A stampede began, everyone ran to the escalator,' the witness said. 'Everyone was screaming, everyone was running.'

Another witness told Russian state-owned domestic news agency RIA Novosti: 'People in the hall lay down on the floor to escape the shooting, lay there for 15-20 minutes, after which they began to crawl out. Many managed to get out.'

A third eyewitness said: 'Nothing was announced at first. We were already lying on the floor between the chairs.

'They said nothing, absolutely nothing. We just lay there and didn't know what to do.'

There were reports of a bomb and flame devices at the hall, which has a capacity of 6,000

Emergency services attempt to extinguish the blaze following the shooting incident

Firefighters use a platform and hoses to put out the huge flames rising up from the burning building

Flames belch from the roof of the Crocus City Hall as dozens of emergency service vehicles attend the scene

A fourth said: 'We just took our seats [when the shooting started]. It was literally 8 pm, 8:05, or 8:10. Shooting started from further away, from above.

'We sat on the very top row. At first everything was ok, it was kind of unclear what it was.

'Then we realised that something was wrong when we noticed that the ticket takers with these walkie-talkies began to run from top to bottom.'

The witness continued: 'The shooting started all over again, we heard it from above, we were sitting, then we heard it, we started moving all the way down, we realised that they were also shooting below.

'We lay down at the bottom, in the middle, or rather somewhere on the floor, then we realised that all the people were going upstairs, and we started moving up.

'We eventually got out somewhere at the top. We began to go down the escalators. In short, we hid. They were shooting from all sides, just from all of them.

'We lay there, then noticed that people were somehow running down the escalator. We ran after them. There was one girl lying there.'

The US and UK embassies warned two weeks ago about such an attack by 'extremists' at a crowded venue. Officials warned foreign nationals to stay away from busy venues.

A clip shows a terrorist running through security gates at the concert hall

A video grab show people evacuating the Crocus City Hall in the Russian capital

Confused concertgoers leave the building as armed terrorists open fire at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow

Pictured: Hundreds of people get up from their seats and head for the exits as gunshots are heard at the concert hall

Horror photos show a huge column of smoke filling the air around the Crocus Concert Hall

The US embassy warned on 8 March: 'The Embassy is monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, to include concerts, and US citizens should be advised to avoid large gatherings.'

Crocus City Hall is located in the city's Krasnogorsk Urban Settlement in the Krasnogorsky District and was opened in October 2009, around 14 miles from the Kremlin.

The attack comes days after Russian President Vladimir Putin was confirmed as the winner of the country's presidential election last weekend.

The White House said that images of the shooting were hard to watch while Germany's foreign ministry called the images 'horrific.'

Witnesses have described scenes of panic and pandemonium as crowds heard sounds of shooting in the hall

Pictured: Men covering themselves with blankets as a Russian law enforcement officer stands guard near the burning concert hall

Russian officers standing outside the building on fire, after gunmen stormed the venue at 8pm local time

Armed officers have been deployed to deal with the incident, which has seen some concertgoers take cover on the building's roof

Emergency service vehicles are seen arriving at the burning venue, which is 12 miles from the Kremlin

'Our thoughts obviously are going to be with the victims of this terrible, terrible shooting attack,' White House spokesman John Kirby said.

Germany's foreign ministry said on X/Twitter, 'The background must be clarified quickly. Our deepest condolences go out to the families of the victims.'

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said that Kyiv 'had absolutely nothing to do with these events' in a video message posted on Telegram.

The European Union said it had been 'shocked and appalled' by the attack.

A spokesman for the bloc added: 'The EU condemns any attacks against civilians. Our thoughts are with all those Russian citizens affected.'

Police have arrived on the scene of the attack, days after the country's presidential election

Crocus City Hall is located in the city's Krasnogorsk Urban Settlement in the Krasnogorsky District

A picture shows the large concert hall, which opened in October 2009, ablaze

Police and special forces have arrived on the scene just outside the Russian capital

Around 50 ambulances are also attending the incident

The attack comes days after both the US and British embassies warned of a threat from 'extremists' in Moscow

'The entire world community is obliged to condemn this monstrous crime,' Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

'All efforts are being thrown at saving people.'
Wisconsin Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher is set to leave the House next month, slimming down the GOP majority to just one vote.

The China Select Committee chairman already announced he was retiring at the end of his congressional term earlier this year after blowback for his vote against impeaching Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas.

'After conversations with my family, I have made the decision to resign,' Gallagher said in a statement. 'Effective April 19.'

Gallagher, 39, has been in Congress since 2017. He shares two young daughters with his wife.

The policy-focused pragmatic conservative joins a slew of high-level retirements among the House Republican ranks, after a congressional term marred by chaos.

Just after Gallagher's announcement, Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, chair of the powerful Appropriations Committee, announced she would be stepping down as chairwoman. She already announced she won't be running for reelection next term.

Friday was Colorado Rep. Ken Buck's last day after an early resignation, making him the fifth Republican this year to flee early or be expelled in the case of Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y.

On Friday Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., launched another movement to oust the speaker, filing a motion to vacate against Mike Johnson.

Wisconsin Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher is set to leave the House next month, slimming down the GOP majority to just one vote

It's unclear whether she'll force a vote on it on the House floor, but Gallagher's departure puts Johnson's speakership in danger.

If there is a vote on a motion to vacate and all Democrats vote for ousting the speaker as they did last time, only one Republican would have to join them for it to pass.

But some Democrats have signaled they may not vote for the motion, especially if Speaker Mike Johnson puts Ukraine aid on the House floor. Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., told reporters Friday he would not vote to take the gavel from Johnson.

Gallagher's announcement comes just after a legacy-defining moment: the House passed a bipartisan bill he authored that would force TikTok parent company ByteDance to divest or else ban the Chinese video-sharing app.

Gallagher told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel last month he would continue to work on national security issues after Congress, with a mission to 'prevent World War III.'

'Ive dedicated myself to restoring conventional deterrence in order to prevent a war with China, and so whatever I do next will be an extension of that mission.'
Former Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel as a new job. She is joining NBC News as a contributor and will be sharing analysis across all the network's news platforms.

McDaniel announced in late February that she would be departing her GOP leadership role earlier this month after pressure from former President Donald Trump who was publicly backing close loyalist Michael Whatley and daughter-in-law Lara Trump for leadership as he closed in on the Republican presidential nomination.

NBC News Senior Vice President of Politics Carrie Budoff Brown made the announcement in a staff memo on Friday saying McDaniel would be contributing expert insight and analysis on politics and 2024.

'It couldn't be a more important moment to have a voice like Ronna's on the team. As chair of the Republican National Committee, she spent nearly eight years at the highest levels of American politics before stepping down earlier this year,' Brown wrote.

'As we gear up for the longest general election reason in recent memory, she will support our leading coverage by providing an insider's perspective on national politics and on the future of the Republican party,' she added.

Former RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel has joined NBC News as a political contributor

McDaniel with then-President Trump the year she was elected RNC chair in 2017

McDaniel was first elected chair of the RNC back in 2017. Before that she was chair of the Michigan Republican Party and helped deliver the state for Trump back in 2016.

She is the granddaughter of late Michigan Governor George Romney and niece of Utah Senator Mitt Romney.

But under her leadership of the RNC while Trump was president, Republicans lost the House and Senate and then the White House in 2020.

After Trump lost, the RNC made multiple allegations of election fraud, and McDaniel helped promote multiple falsehoods about the election.

In 2022 under her leadership, the RNC also voted on a censure resolution, condemning then-Rep. Liz Cheney and then-Rep. Adam Kinzinger, two GOP members on the House January 6 committee.

In her announcement that she would be stepping down as RNC chair on March 8, McDaniel said she would do so to allow the party nominee to select a chair of their choosing.

'The R.N.C. has historically undergone change once we have a nominee, and it has always been my intention to honor that tradition. I remain committed to winning back the White House and electing Republicans up and down the ballot in November.'

McDaniel hands over the gavel to her co-chair after making her last speech as chair on March 8

Michael Whatley (left) was elected RNC chair and Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump (right) was elected co-chair at the RNC spring meeting on March 8

Earlier this month, the RNC unanimously elected Michael Whatley, who served as North Carolina Republican Party chair, as the next leader of the RNC as well as Lara Trump as co-chair.

McDaniel is not the only former high profile political leader or administration official to join NBC.

Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki got a show on MSNBC last year. Symone Sanders, who served as spokesperson for Vice President Kamala Harris also hosts a show on the cable network.

Others who contribute to coverage include Marc Short, who served as Vice President Mike Pence's chief of staff, former Democratic Senator Claire McCaskell, and former Ohio Governor John Kasich.
News sites from across the globe have cleared their front pages to cover the Princess of Wales' shocking health announcement.

Catherine revealed this evening that she is undergoing 'preventative' chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer.

The news comes after the princess has been out of the public eye for two months following abdominal surgery in January.

Media around the world have covered the diagnosis - some making it their main story on the webpage.

Bild

German news site Bild covered Catherine's diagnosis as a top story on the page

In Germany news site Bild had Catherine's announcement at the top of the page with 'Cancer!' written in bold.

It then follows with, 'Princess Kate announces the shock diagnosis on a park bench! Chemotherapy now!' and chose a photograph from the Princess of Wales' video.

Franffurter Allgemeine

German news outlet Franffurter Allgemeine

Another German news outlet, Franffurter Allgemeine, also had Catherine's health update as one of the top stories.

It chose, 'Princess Kate announces cancer diagnosis' as the headline and led with the news coming after much speculation in the top line.

Le Figaro

French publication Le Figaro included a video of the Princess of Wales' telling the world about her diagnosis

In France, Le Figaro - which also prints a daily morning newspaper - placed Catherine's announcement as their top story.

The headline reads: 'Suffering from cancer, Kate Middleton announces that she has started chemotherapy.'

It also includes a video of the Princess of Wales' telling the world about her diagnosis.

Paris Match

French magazine news site Paris Match

Paris Match, a magazine news site, also put Catherine's shocking broadcast as the top story.

It ran the headline, 'Kate Middleton announces she suffers from cancer in a moving video,' on the Royal Blog page and reported Britain as being 'in shock'.

Le Parisien

Another French publication, Le Parisien, updated readers on Catherine

Le Parisien similarly had the Princess' health update as one of the main stories and ran the headline, 'Kate Middleton: the princess announces that she suffers from cancer and has started chemotherapy'.

This was paired with a photograph of Catherine on a bench making the announcement.

De Telegraaf

De Telegraaf, a news organisation based in the Netherlands, also covered the diagnosis

In the Netherlands, De Telegraaf made Catherine's announcement a main story and ran a headline that read, 'British Princess Kate has been diagnosed with cancer'.

Keen to keep its readers updated, the story was tabbed with 'more to come'.

The Times of India

The Times Of India reported on Kate's news as a main story

Across the ocean, The Times Of India reported on Kate's news as a main story with the headline, 'Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, being treated for cancer'.

It described the health update as 'startling' and led with the video of Catherine's announcement.

la Repubblica

Italian news site la Repubblica

Italy news page la Repubblica broke the announcement to the country as one of the website's top stories - leading with a picture of Catherine sat on a bench.

The headline reads: 'Kate Middleton has cancer: shock announcement in a video to Great Britain. It took some time to explain the situation to the children.'

The Washington Post

The Washington Post had Catherine's diagnosis as a top story on the website

Across the globe to America, the Washington Post had Catherine's diagnosis as a top story on the site.

Leading with the Princess of Wales' choice of announcement style, the headline reads, 'Catherine, Princess of Wales, has cancer, she says in video'.

The New York Times

The New York Times covering Catherine's diagnosis announcement

When The New York Times first broke the news, it placed Catherine's story second from the top of the homepage.

The headline reads, 'Catherine, Princess of Wales, Has Cancer' and included live updates to the situation.

This was underneath a story about the spending bill.
Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy stuck his foot in his mouth ahead of Kate Middleton's cancer reveal on Friday.

Murphy chimed in when journalist Yashar Ali reported that U.S. broadcast networks planned to air a special report on the Princess of Wales' health at 2 p.m.

'Can confirm! I was supposed to be on @CNN at 2pm to talk about the anniversary of the Affordable Care Act and the millions of lives it has saved, but my interview has been bumped by this much more important topic,' Murphy posted to X.

What the networks aired was the future queen's announcement that cancer had been discovered after she had abdominal surgery in January.

Murphy has since deleted the tweet.

Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy stuck his foot in his mouth ahead of Kate Middleton 's cancer reveal on Friday

Murphy chimed in when journalist Yashar Ali reported that U.S. broadcast networks planned to air a special report on the Princess of Wales' health at 2 p.m., saying he had been bumped due to this 'much more important topic.' Kate then revealed she had cancer

DailyMail.com's request for comment to Murphy's office wasn't immediately returned.

Middleton's video message - released to the media globally at the same time - ends the speculation of her whereabouts that has enraptured Americans for weeks.

She hadn't been seen publicly on official business since December.

Video released last weekend by The Sun of her out shopping with her husband Prince William prompted conspiracy theories that the woman who appeared to be the princess wasn't actually her.

She was also involved in a photoshop scandal on the U.K.'s Mother's Day, with wire services around the world pulling the image of the princess due to the obvious editing.

At the time of her January surgery, Kensington Palace said cancer wasn't present.

It was subsequently found in post-surgery testing, Middleton said, and she is undergoing 'preventative' chemotherapy.

Middleton said her public absence was due to the family needing time to share the news with the royal couple's three young children.

'It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be OK,' she said.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre fielded a number of questions on Middleton amid her public absence, including whether the White House edited photos of the president, vice president, first lady and second gentleman.

'Why does the monarch have to do anything with us? No, that is not something that we do here,' Jean-Pierre said at a briefing earlier this month.

Some eagle-eyed conservatives posted to X that Murphy's tweet was in bad taste.

'PATHETIC,' wrote Steve Guest. 'Of course Democrat Sen. Chris Murphy is trying to make the Kate Middleton news about himself.'

Stephen Miller, former President Donald Trump's immigration adviser, also chimed in.

'What an incredibly crass and crude post from Sen. Murphy,' Miller said, sharing a screenshot of the since-deleted post.

X user @laurieinri responded observing, 'Turns out the topic was about lifesaving health [care] after all.'
The private hospital caught in a row over Kate Middleton's medical records offers its own concierge, meat from Smithfields market and fish from Cornish boats, while counting Prince Philip, Liz Taylor and John F Kennedy as former patients.

Kate, 42, revealed she is being treated for cancer after undergoing abdominal surgery at The London Clinic on January 16 this year, she announced in a video message to the nation on Friday.

In a brave address to the nation, Kate shared an incredible and inspirational message of hope to fellow cancer sufferers, telling them: 'Please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.'

She thanked the public for their 'wonderful messages of support' and said that having her husband William by her side was a 'great source of comfort and reassurance'.

The London Clinic has been the go-to hospital for the royal family, big-name politicians and celebrities, and therefore prides itself on the discretion of its staff members to maintain their privacy.

However the illustrious reputation of the private clinic in Marylebone has now come into disrepute after it was claimed that staff tried to access the Princess of Waless private medical records.

It is claimed at least one staff member attempted to access Kate's personal details after she received abdominal surgery at the London Clinic in January.

The King, who is undergoing treatment for a form of cancer, was also treated at the centre for an enlarged prostate at the same time Kate visited earlier this year.

The London Clinic, where the Princess of Wales was treated after undergoing abdominal surgery, first opened in 1932. Above: Police outside the hospital in January

Kate Middleton underwent surgery at The London Clinic in January. It is claimed that staff tried to access the Princess of Wales s private medical records while she was there

Sitting on a bench at Windsor, surrounded by spring flowers, the Princess of Wales has taken the extraordinary step of revealing to the world that she has cancer

The service on offer to patients at the private hospital - including meals brought on silver trolleys - has been compared to that of a 5-star hotel

Meals provided include fish from Cornish boats and meat from Smithfield market

The London Clinic was officially opened by the then-Duke and Duchess of York in 1932. Since the 1980s, a number of facilities at the site have been officially launched by members of the royal family.

The King, as the then-Prince of Wales, opened the physiotherapy department in 1989, while Princess Margaret launched the MRI unit in 1991 and the late Queen unveiled a new cancer unit in 2010.

Prince Philip was admitted to the clinic for what was described as 'abdominal investigations' in 2013, whilst Princess Margaret was treated there in 1980 to have a benign skin lesion removed.

In 1947, Kennedy, who was then a US Congressman, was diagnosed with Addison's disease at the clinic.

Taylor underwent a knee operation there in January 1963 after falling on a film set.

Other former patients include former Labour Prime Minister Clement Attlee, who was admitted in 1939 - when he was Leader of the Opposition - for surgery on his prostate.

Another former PM, Conservative Anthony Eden, had his gallbladder removed at The London Clinic in 1953, when he was Foreign Secretary.

Current Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who was PM from 2010 until 2016, was born there in 1966.

The London Clinic has previously treated Prince Philip. The late Duke of Edinburgh is pictured above leaving the private hospital in 2013

Queen Elizabeth II is pictured leaving the London Clinic after visiting her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on June 15, 2013

Hollywood star Elizabeth Taylor underwent a knee operation at The London Clinic in January 1963. Above: Taylor leaving the hospital with her leg bandaged

Lord Cameron, former Prime Minister and now Foreign Secretary, was born at the London Clinic in October 1966

EastEnders actress Wendy Richard died at the clinic in 2009 after suffering from breast cancer, whilst Augusto Pinochet, the former dictator of Chile, was arrested there in 1998 for crimes against humanity.

The London Clinic was the brainchild of a group of Harley Street doctors who set out to plan a new nursing home using the highest medical standards of the day.

According to its website, the hospital was 'founded on the principles of providing excellence in one place'.

The facility said it could treat 155 conditions, with hundreds of treatments, tests and scans available. It also operated as a charity, reinvesting in research, education and innovation.

The clinic has a leading cancer centre which hosts patients for chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other treatments.

It boasts of being able to provide 'CyberKnife' radiotherapy for prostate cancer patients, 'SpyGlass' technology for patients needing an endoscopy and CAR-T immunotherapy for cancer sufferers.

In 2019, it unveiled a specialist centre for robotic surgery.

The latest inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), carried out in June 2021, rated The London Clinic as 'good' overall.

According to the health watchdog, the hospital has about 23,000 inpatients a year, with a further 110,000 outpatients.

It is registered to provide surgery as well as diagnostics and screening, treatment of disease, disorder or injury, management of supply of blood and blood-derived products.

Princess Margaret was treated there in 1980 to have a benign skin lesion removed

Future Labour PM Clement Attlee - then the Leader of the Opposition - is seen recovering in bed at The London Clinic in 1939 after having surgery on his prostate

US President John F Kennedy, pictured here with the Queen during a state dinner at Buckingham Palace in 1961, was diagnosed with Addison's Disease at the London Clinic in 1947

The building at 20 Devonshire Place has seven main operating theatres and three additional theatres, as well as six specialty wards for surgeries in urology, gynaecology, thoracic surgery, orthopaedics and spinal procedures.

In 2021, the clinic's head chef, Paul O'Brien, was awarded for supporting patients during the coronavirus pandemic.

He leads a team which provides customised meals for patients that also source ingredients from Home Counties farms.

A concierge can help patients arrange travel and accommodation whilst also booking tours, theatre shows and restaurants in the capital.

The service on offer to patients at the private hospital - including meals brought on silver trolleys - has been compared to that of a 5-star hotel.

The hospital's executive chef heads up a kitchen that serves fish from Cornish boats and meat from Smithfields Market.
Charles and Camilla made a touching gesture by visiting Princess Kate's bedside after she went surgery as he faced his own health battle.

The King and Queen, who tonight said they were 'so proud' of Kate, had stopped by her bedside at the London Clinic on January 26 as Charles checked in for treatment.

That was the 11th day of a fortnight-long hospital stay for the Princess of Wales, 42, who has tonight revealed she has been diagnosed with cancer.

At the time Charles, 75, was arriving to have treatment for a benign enlarged prostate but stopped by his daughter-in-law's ward first, accompanied by Camilla.

Doctors treating him discovered he had what Buckingham Palace has described as 'a form of cancer', which the King announced on February 5.

King Charles and Queen Camilla stopped by Kate's London Clinic bedside on January 26

The Princess of Wales released a video message tonight revealing she has cancer

Kate spent a fortnight in the London Clinic after undergoing abdominal surgery in January

Charles was photographed arriving at the London Clinic in Marylebone at about 9am on January 26, minutes after leaving Clarence House.

He had arrived at his London residence yesterday following his return by helicopter from the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

The King had been resting at Sandringham since the previous Friday after flying back there with Camilla from Birkhall, his private home near Balmoral in Aberdeenshire.

Charles has tonight paid tribute to his daughter-in-law for her brave video message revealing her own cancer diagnosis.

In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: 'His Majesty is "so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did".

'Following their time in hospital together, HM has "remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks".

'Both Their Majesties "will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time".'

Their words came after Kate released a video message recorded on Wednesday at Windsor, saying: 'In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous.

'The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present.

King Charles was seen arriving at the London Clinic in Marylebone on January 26

Queen Camilla (centre) accompanied him that day, as they visited Kate on her ward

King Charles greets Kate during an event at the Royal Albert Hall in September 2021

The Princess of Wales was seen on Christmas Day last year attending church at Sandringham

'My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.

'This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family. As you can imagine, this has taken time.'

It is understood the video was deliberately released on the day William and Kate's three children began their Easter school holidays.

After the princess was admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery on January 16, her condition was thought to be non-cancerous.

But tests after the successful operation found cancer, the type of which has not been disclosed.

The princess is now on what has been described as a 'recovery pathway' having commenced a course of chemotherapy in late February.

Her cancer diagnosis is why Prince William pulled out of a memorial service on February 27 for his late godfather, King Constantine of Greece.

The future Queen is said to have a positive mindset for her recovery and is in good spirits, describing herself as 'well and getting stronger every day'.

Kensington Palace said: 'She is hugely grateful to the medical team for the care they are providing to her.

Kate attended the Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London last November

The London Clinic, where the Princess of Wales was being treated after undergoing abdominal surgery, first opened in 1932. Above: Police outside the hospital during Kate's stay

Prince George, Prince William, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Kate on the balcony of Buckingham Palace alongside the late Queen Elizabeth II on June 5, 2022

'She now needs time, space and privacy to complete her treatment and make a full recovery.'

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tonight said the Princess of Wales had 'the love and support of the whole country.

Good wishes also poured in from across the world, including from the White House where US President Joe Biden said he was 'incredible sad to hear of the news'.

Kensington Palace has said it will not be sharing details of what kind of cancer the princess has, or what stage of cancer it is and has asked people not to speculate.
Rep. James Comer, who has taken the lead on the Biden impeachment inquiry, hinted that he'll focus on 'criminal referrals' rather than impeaching the president.

'I want to hold accountability,' the Kentucky Republican said on NewsMax. 'What does real accountability look like? Does it look like impeaching Joe Biden in the House and then the Senate tabling it?'

'Or does it mean providing real criminal referrals to the Department of Justice? I think the ladder,' Comer, chairman of the Oversight Committee, added.

But Republicans largely admit they aren't close to having the votes even in the House to impeach Biden.

Rep. James Comer, who has taken the lead on the Biden impeachment inquiry, hinted that he'll focus on 'criminal referrals' rather than impeaching the president

'We want to hold accountability and I believe that the best path to accountability is criminal referrals.'

A criminal referral would largely amount to a symbolic letter suggesting to the Department of Justice suggesting prosecutors probe specific crimes they believe have been committed.

The impeachment inquiry's path forward is murky after House Republicans hauled in President Biden's brother James and son Hunter, along with Hunter's former associates and thousands of pages of documents and records.

Comer has invited Joe Biden to testify before the committee, an invitation that will almost surely be declined.

'No one on the Democratic side of the aisle, no one in the mainstream media is denying the fact that we have proven that the Bidens were influence peddling,' Comer said. 'There's disagreement is as to whether or not Joe Biden knew what was going on. So the only way to find that out is to ask him to come before the hearing.'

It was all the way back in July that Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan said the Biden impeachment inquiry was reaching an 'important final stage.' In November, he predicted the Biden family interviews would be wrapped up before the end of the year.

On Wednesday Republicans brought in former Hunter associates Tony Bobulinski and Jason Galanis - who testified about how they had sought to profit off the Biden 'lift.'

The impeachment inquiry's path forward is murky after House Republicans hauled in President Biden's brother James and son Hunter, along with Hunter's former associates and thousands of pages of documents and records

Next, Comer said he would focus on the tens of thousands of emails Joe Biden sent using a pseudonym while vice president - as well as Hunter's credit card records.

Last month Comer subpoenaed credit card companies to obtain financial records for Hunter Biden, James Biden, Sara Biden, and their ex-business associates Eric Schwerin, Gongwen Dong, and Mervyn Yan.

He's also subpoenaed 13 years of Hunter's phone records from AT&T.

'When we get the rest of the information, the credit card information that we've subpoenaed, when we get the rest of the emails, the pseudonym emails, then I think we'll be able to take steps to issue a report,' Comer told reporters on Wednesday.

And last week - six months into the impeachment inquiry - Speaker Mike Johnson admitted has not had time to 'do a deep dive into the evidence' to determine if Republicans should vote to impeach the president, a suggestion that the prospect is not a top priority.

'To be very frank with you, very honest and transparent, because I've been so busy with all my other responsibilities, I have not been able to take the time to do the deep dive in the evidence,' he disclosed.

'Yet what has been uncovered has been alarming,' the speaker added.
The Long Island liar George Santos announced he is rebranding and will no longer be a Republican after the GOP-held House passed an 'embarrassing' $1.2 trillion funding package Friday.

Former lawmaker George Santos announced Friday he will run as an Independent in his bid for New York's First Congressional District.

After getting expelled from Congress in December for using donor funds to illegally pay for adult content on OnlyFans and cosmetic botox procedures, the fabulist announced at President Joe Biden's State of the Union he would run again.

'After todays embarrassing showing in the house I have reflected and decided that I can no longer be part of the Republican Party,' Santos posted on X.

'I will take my Ultra MAGA/Trump supporting values to the ballot in November as an Independent,' he continued.

Santos, who was expelled from the House of Representatives in December and faces federal charges of defrauding donors to his 2022 campaign

Announcement



After todays embarrassing showing in the house I have reflected and decided that I can no longer be part of the Republican Party



The Republican Party continues to lie and swindle its voter base. I in good conscience cannot affiliate myself with a party that  George Santos (@MrSantosNY) March 22, 2024

Santos and his opponent Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., have sparred for months. 'I don't like Nick LaLota. He's a traditional meathead,' Santos said in November

Santos' run for Congress comes under six months after the Department of Justice announced charges against the former lawmaker.

'Congressman George Santos Charged With Conspiracy, Wire Fraud, False Statements, Falsification of Records, Aggravated Identity Theft, and Credit Card Fraud,' the Department of Justice announced in October 2023.

Santos has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges alleging multiple wide-ranging fraud schemes, including the unauthorized use of credit card numbers stolen from campaign donors.

Their investigation is ongoing.

Still, despite multiple charges in a federal investigation, Santos thinks he has what New Yorker's want.

'The Republican Party continues to lie and swindle its voter base,' he posted on X.

'I in good conscience cannot affiliate myself with a party that stands for nothing and falls for everything.'

I am officially suspending my petitioning in #NY01 to access the ballot as a Republican and will be filling to run as an independent.'

His opponent, Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., has only held the seat since 2023 and the two have often traded barbs.

'To raise the standard in Congress, and to hold a pathological liar who stole an election accountable, I led the charge to expel George Santos,' LaLota wrote on X earlier this month.

'If finishing the job requires beating him in a primary, count me in.'

Former lawmaker George Santos mulled around the House floor before Biden's State of the Union address speaking with former colleagues

Santos yucked it up with Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., in his return to Congress earlier this month

Santos said in November: 'I don't like Nick LaLota. He's a traditional meathead.'

'If he faces a true challenger, well funded, one person without a spoiler candidate, he might not win,' Santos continued.

'He's not well-liked. He's an arrogant person. He's not a nice guy. He's cocky. He's a traditional meathead, somebody that's not nice to you for no reason.'

Santos, for his part, is just the sixth House member in history to be kicked out.

Since getting the boot, Santos has taken up a lucrative career on Cameo, selling personalized videos of himself.
As the world reels from the shock announcement that the Princess of Wales has cancer, royal sources say they hope weeks of cruel speculation will be brought to an end.

Princess Catherine told the nation on Friday that she was battling the disease after being diagnosed following major abdominal surgery in January, and was undergoing preventative chemotherapy on the advice of doctors.

The news sparked grovelling apologies from people who had taken part in cruel social media speculation in recent weeks, with the likes of left wing journalist Owen Jones and actress Blake Lively expressing their sorrow for ill-judged remarks.

Mother-of-three Kate said the last couple of months have been 'incredibly tough' as she tried to get to grip with the news and explain the difficult situation to her children.

Sources have said that the announcement was made because Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, broke up from school today, which gave Kate and Prince William the opportunity to take them away privately and protect them from the inevitable public shock.

However, aides also hope that the statement will put to bed unpleasant rumours about Catherine's health and whereabouts which has upset the family in recent weeks.

The Princess of Wales sits with her children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis for a photo released by Kensington Palace for Mother's Day this month

Left wing activist and journalist Owen Jones said he was 'very ashamed' for speculating about the Princess of Wales's whereabouts

The likes of Owen Jones and Blake Lively issued apologies on social media for ill-judged remarks over the last few weeks

A source said it had been 'an incredibly tough couple of months for the entire family' and it had been important for the princess to come to terms with her diagnosis, to recover form her surgery and begin her pathway to recovery.

Throughout this period the couple's children have been her priority.

It is understood that William and Kate wanted to tell their children at a time that was right for them and to allow them to understand and process the news before it became public.

With the children having broken up from Lambrook School today for the Easter holidays this afternoon, they decided that now was the right time to share the statement.

Sources say their concern recently, despite global and social media speculation, was to put Catherine's health and their children first.

It is now hoped, aides said, the speculation around the princess comes to a stop.

Catherine is apparently determined to go about her normal routine, which she sees as an important part of her recovery, and has asked for people to respect her privacy.

The news has sparked anger directed towards those who have spread rumours about her wellbeing, and in some cases, self-recriminations among those who took part in the speculation.

Left wing activist and journalist Owen Jones tweeted: 'As someone who speculated on this without considering it could be a serious health condition, I'm very ashamed to be honest, and all the very best to her.'

Blake Lively issued a grovelling apology for an ill-advised jibe about photoshop before Catherine's diagnosis was revealed.

Writing on Instagram, she said: 'I'm sure no one cares today but I feel like I have to acknowledge this. I made a silly post around the 'photoshop fails' frenzy, and oh man, that post has me mortified today. I'm sorry. Sending love and well wishes to all, always.'

The Princess of Wales is seen attending the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey in London on December 8, in what was one of her last public engagements before undergoing major abdominal surgery

Police stand guard outside The London Clinic on January 28, where Kate underwent surgery and where she was diagnosed with cancer

Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told Sky News: 'I hope those social media trolls who are peddling such ghastly theories will realise what they have done.

'Her absolute priority will be those three children.'

Dr Jay Verma, president of the GP Section at the Royal Society of Medicine, said: This is a difficult enough process for anyone without having to contend with constant speculation and what has been some outrageous conspiracy theories on social media.

One person wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: ' To all the people who have attacked the royal family or created chaos around all of this, I hope you feel ashamed. Princess Kate has been diagnosed with cancer. One again all your ridiculous conspiracy theories were wrong like they usually are and you have done more harm than good. Get well soon!'

Someone else said: 'I hope all those who spent months inventing and sharing mad conspiracy theories now feel utterly ashamed that they were adding to distress of a woman diagnosed with cancer, and whose first responsibility was to her children.'

Another added: 'To all of you trolls who have been spreading misinformation about Princess Kate, I hope you're feeling thoroughly ashamed of yourselves now.'

There has been a backlash on social media against those who spread conspiracy theories surrounding Kate's whereabouts

Pictured: The Princess of Wales attends the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey with her husband Prince William and their children George, Charlotte and Louis, on December 8 last year

Pictured: The Princess of Wales holding the hand of her daughter Charlotte as she walks to Christmas Day service in Sandringham, Norfolk, alongside her sons George and Louis, her husband Prince William and Mia Tindall on December 25, last year

Kensington Palace have said they understand the worldwide interested the princess's announcement would generate but have stressed that they will only provide an update when there is something significant to say in order to allow her to continue her treatment in private.

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A spokesman said: 'Their Royal Highnesses understand the interest this update will generate and are grateful for the public support they have received throughout this period.

'Kensington Palace will provide information, when the time is right, and The Princess is able to restart work and her duties. In the meantime, we would ask that the family's privacy is respected.'

The Mail understands that Prince William will carry out engagements when the children return to school after the Easter holidays.

A spokesman said: 'The Prince will continue to balance supporting his wife and family and maintaining his official duties as he has done since the start of the year.

A source emphasised that this has been a difficult period for the Wales family. William has been focused on supporting his wife and children, while continuing to undertake engagements and work, and is extremely grateful for the support from the public.

The princess will remain out of the public eye for the time being.

The Prince and Princess of Wales were seen together last week as William went to the The Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey

Catherine, Princess of Wales attends the opening of Evelina London's new children's day surgery unit on December 5

Kate's cancer diagnosis was the reason that Prince William pulled out of a memorial service for his late godfather, King Constantine of Greece (pictured)

Kensington Palace said: 'The Princess will return to official duties when she is cleared to do so by her medical team. She is in good spirits and is focused on making a full recovery.'

It is understood she may be keen to attend events as and when she feels able to, in line with medical advice. Any initial public events will not necessarily signal a return to a regular public schedule.

It has not been confirmed whether the princess is being treated on the NHS or privately.

However in selecting healthcare providers for The Princess, a balance of factors would have been considered by her medical team.

These include the most appropriate specialists for the condition, and the potential impact on other patients or on the resources of their healthcare providers and the privacy and security of the princess.

Catherine's cancer was discovered only after she underwent major abdominal surgery at The London Clinic in January.

At the time of her abdominal surgery in January, Kensington Palace said that it was non-cancerous. They have confirmed again tonight that is the case and that no tests had confirmed the presence of cancer. However post-operative tests subsequently found that cancer 'had been present'.

Kensington Palace has strongly asked people not to speculate on what cancer she has.

However they say that she is in 'good spirits and focused on her recovery'.

'She is hugely grateful to the medical team for the care they are providing to her,' a spokesman said. 'She now needs time, space and privacy to complete her treatment and make a full recovery.'

The King  who is also currently undergoing cancer treatment himself  and the Queen were both been informed of the news.

In a statement tonight His Majesty said he is 'so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did' and remains in the 'closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law'.

The King and Queen said they 'will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time'.

It is not known if Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were told in advance of the 6pm announcement.

Harry, who once described Kate as the 'big sister I never had' and fondly called her 'Cath', is estranged from his brother and sister-in-law. It remains to be seen whether he will fly back to the UK to see her.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said the Princess of Wales has 'the love and support of the whole country' as her cancer battle was revealed this evening and good wishes came in from around the globe, including from the White House where Joe Biden is 'incredibly sad to hear of the news'. Her bravery at revealing her cancer to the world has also been praised.
A group of Korean TV celebrities and media personalities on Friday called on major social media platforms, including YouTube, to take action against increasing online phishing scams exploiting their identities.

"Since last year, phishing scam organizations have been targeting famous or influential figures, such as former presidents, the leader of a conglomerate, entertainers and YouTubers, on Facebook and Instagram," a joint statement released by a coalition of more than 130 people, including comedians, YouTubers and financial figures, said.

"But it has turned out that the world's best platform companies with cutting-edge technologies have no system to filter out fraudulent advertisements in advance."

Citing data from police, they said more than 1,000 cases of damage worth some 120 billion won ($89.4 million) have been reported involving financial investment advice between September and December last year.

To prevent such crimes, they demanded global social media platforms, such as YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, as well as local platform companies, including Naver and Kakao, implement systems to proactively detect and block faulty commercials in advance.

They also called on the Korea government to set up an investigation team dedicated to combating online phishing scams.

"Keeping our platforms safe is a top priority at Google," a spokesperson at Google, which operates YouTube, said on condition of anonymity. "We have strict policies in place to prohibit them and our dedicated team works around the clock to enforce these policies at scale, taking decisive action against the scammers, including removing violative ads and suspending the corresponding advertiser accounts."

Meta Platforms, which operates Facebook and Instagram, also said it will continue its efforts to create a safe and credible environment for its platforms. (Yonhap)
Chelsea Clinton defended fellow first kid Barron Trump, saying the teen had an 'unimpeachable right to privacy' even after turning 18.

The former first daughter said the youngest child of Donald Trump, despite growing up in the public eye was 'a private citizen.'

'I feel so strongly that if you're a private citizen, you have an unimpeachable right to privacy. And I think the media should leave him alone,' Chelsea said on ABC's The View of Barron.

Chelsea Clinton spent her teenage years in the White House when her father Bill Clinton was president. She had to endure the public scandal that came after her father admitted to an affair with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

Chelsea Clinton defended fellow first kid Barron Trump, saying the teen had an 'unimpeachable right to privacy'

Barron was 10 when his father became president. Chelsea Clinton was 12 when Bill Clinton won the presidency.

Chelsea Clinton took on a public profile after she graduated from college. She joined the family foundation and campaigned for her mother, Hillary Clinton, on the campaign trail.

Her defense came after former NBC News executive Mike Sington said Barron was 'fair game' after the birthday that marks adulthoot. He later deleted the tweet after facing harsh backlash and criticism online.

Sington told Newsweek: 'I posted he was 'fair game' now, meaning, as an adult, he's 'fair game' for criticism from the press.

'Someone pointed out to me 'fair game' could mean fair game to be harmed.

'I don't wish physical harm on anyone, so I took it down. I listen to the comments and criticism I receive.'

Chelsea Clinton was 12 when her dad Bill Clinton became president (left); Barron Trump was 10 when his dad Donald Trump became president (right)

Barron Trump with mom Melania Trump in New York in July 2021

Barron Trump with his parents Donald and Melania Trump at the White House in March 2019

Barron Trump has been subject to death threats from those who opposed his father's actions as president.

He is currently living in Florida with his parents and considering what college to attend with help from his mother Melania.

Barron has been kept almost completely out of the limelight for much of his childhood - as a large proportion of his adolescence took place during his father Donald Trump's White House tenure.

He was the first boy to grow up in the White House since JFK Jr in 1963 - and Barron has lived through many of his family's scandals in his teen years.

In January 2018, he was not yet 12 when the media was engulfed by porn star Stormy Daniels's bombshell claims that she had an affair with Donald just four months after Barron was born.

During his presidency, Trump's most ardent critics even resorted to criticizing the young boy as a means of attacking his father.

Former NBC executive Mike Sington shared the Tweet on Wednesday on Barron's 18th birthday

Sington deleted the tweet after a harsh backlash online and said he never wished anyone 'physical harm'

Trump's adult children from previous marriages have faced criticisms due to their public profiles, but Barron's young age has protected him from much of the attention.

Chelsea Clinton said Trump's older children worked in the Trump White House and campaigned for him so 'it's a totally different conversation.'
The Twin Falls County Sheriff's Office released the new mugshots of Nicholas Umphenour and Skylar Meade, two white supremacists who were arrested 36 hours after shooting three corrections officers in a desperate attempt to escape an Idaho prison.

Both men wore stony and defiant expressions while posing for their mugshots. Meade's face was covered with tattoos and possible Aryan Knight insignia. Umphenour's low collar revealed several tattoos on his neck.

It appeared that the men might have slightly altered their appearances after going on the lam. Umphenour looked like he had shaved his beard, sporting close-cropped facial hair.

The two white supremacists are now being investigated for two murders carried out within hours of them escaping custody on Wednesday morning.

Umphenour (left) is alleged to have shot three Idaho corrections officers as they were preparing to return Meade (right) to prison from a hospital

The gunman opened fire on prisoner officers who had taken Skylar Meade, seen here, to St Alphonse hospital in Boise, Idaho, for treatment early on Wednesday morning

Nicholas Umphenour was arrested alongside Meade and charged with assisting his escape

Umphenour allegedly burst into St Alphonse hospital in Boise, Idaho, where Meade, 31, was being treated under armed supervision, and shot three correction officers.

The pair fled but Meade and Umphenour were arrested after a car chase at 2pm on Thursday afternoon in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Boise Police Department said it is now investigating two separate homicides, one in Nez Perce County and another in Clearwater County potentially connected to the pair, who are both members of the Aryan Knights.

Officers said pair had ditched their get away vehicle and were driving a vehicle that belonged to one of the homicide victims, and that handcuffs worn by Meade when he escaped were found at the scene of one of the killings.

'What we know, with near certainty, this was not an accident,' said Josh Tewalt of the Corrections Department.

'This was a planned event. And were channeling every resource we have into trying to understand exactly how they went about planning it.'

As prison staff were preparing to return Meade to jail early Wednesday morning, a suspect began shooting at officers, striking two of them.

Boise police responded to the incident and one officer fired at an armed person near the entrance, who was later determined to be a corrections officer.

One officer is in a critical but stable condition, another has serious but non-life-threatening injuries and the third was not seriously injured when mistakenly shot by an arriving Boise police officer, a spokesperson said.

This photo provided by Idaho Department of Corrections shows Skylar Mead in a prison mugshot

Meade 'engaged in self-injurious behavior' on Tuesday night, and prison medical staff determined he needed to be taken to hospital for treatment, Idaho State Police said

According to Boise police, a preliminary investigation indicates that Meade made his escape in a grey four-door sedan and fled the area just before officers arrived.

Idaho State Police said that vehicle, a 2020 Honda Civic, was later found near Leland, Idaho, south of Kendrick.

Meade has been serving time in prison for aggravated battery on a Twin Falls officer and was convicted in 2016 and was set to be released in 2036, according to KMVT.

He 'engaged in self-injurious behavior' on Tuesday night, and prison medical staff determined he needed to be taken to hospital for treatment, Idaho State Police said.

He has has prior convictions including felony possession of a controlled substance, grand theft, and introduction of contraband into a correctional facility.

He has been incarcerated since October 2016 and his most recent sentence was set to end October 2036.

Umphenour was imprisoned from December 2020 to January 2024 at the same Idaho Max Security institution in which Meade was serving his sentence, at times sharing the same housing unit, Tewalt said.

Chief Ron Winegar said in a statement: 'This brazen, violent, and apparently coordinated attack on Idaho Department of Corrections personnel, to facilitate an escape of a dangerous inmate, was carried out right in front of the Emergency Department, where people come for medical help, often in the direst circumstances.

'When BPD officers responded, they believed the shooter was inside the Emergency Department.

Officers from Boise Police Department told a press conference this afternoon they fear the white supremacists may have committed two murders in their hours on the run

A Saint Alphonsus spokesperson said the shooting happened in the ambulance bay by its emergency department

A police vehicle is parked outside Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho, on Wednesday, March 20, 2024

The 2020 Honda Civic, in which the pair escaped was later found near Leland, Idaho, south of Kendrick

'They immediately entered to address any potential continued threat to Emergency Room staff.

'I am grateful this harrowing incident did not result in loss of life, and we are monitoring the wounded IDOC officers with great hope for a full and speedy recovery of all involved.

'They are armed, dangerous, and have shown they are willing to use extreme violence in furtherance of their criminal activity.'

A Saint Alphonsus spokesperson said the shooting happened in the ambulance bay by its emergency department.

'All patients and staff are safe, the medical center campus is safe and secure, and has resumed normal operations.

'The Emergency Department itself is currently under temporary lockdown while the Boise Police Department completes the investigation,' Leticia Ramirez said.

She said as an added precaution 'we have increased security on campus, all entrances to the hospital will be closed' and monitored by hospital security until further notice.
Passengers aboard the doomed Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 have been notified by the Seattle FBI office that they may each be considered a 'possible victim of a crime' following a midair blowout incident earlier this year.

The agency's Seattle Division sent a letter to passengers on Tuesday, confirming a criminal investigation by the FBI following the blowout incident on a Boeing 737 MAX airliner on January 5.

'As a Victim Specialist with the Seattle Division, I'm contacting you because we have identified you as a possible victim of a crime,' the letter sent to Alaska Flight 1282 passengers read.

The letter also claimed that due to the complexity of the investigation and the large number of potential victims, updates on its progress may not be revealed.

'This case is currently under investigation by the FBI,' it continued. 'A criminal investigation can be a lengthy undertaking, and for several reasons, we cannot tell you about its progress at this time.'

Passengers aboard the doomed Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 have been notified by the Seattle FBI office that they may each be considered a 'possible victim of a crime' following a midair blowout incident earlier this year.

A copy of the March 19 letter was shared by Attorney Mark Lindquist, who represents passengers on the flight.

Earlier this month, the Justice Department opened a criminal investigation into the Alaska Airlines flight which suffered the near catastrophic blow out at 16,000 feet.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Boeing is also facing a civil lawsuit from a group of passengers onboard the flight.
An accused MS-13 gang member was arrested earlier this month for allegedly luring a 17-year-old migrant girl out of a shelter in Queens and forcing her to perform sex work.

Alfredo Morocho, 37, was also wanted by authorities for skipping bail in connection with a 2018 child molestation case, according to the Queens District Attorneys Office.

Morocho, who was apprehended on March 6, is being held at Rikers Island.

A Queens DA spokesperson told the DailyMail.com that Morocho is scheduled to appear in court May 30.

He is facing two counts of sex trafficking a minor and five counts of promoting prostitution. He was also charged with two counts of patronizing a person in prostitution.

Alfredo Morocho, 37, an accused MS-13 gang member, was arrested earlier this month for allegedly luring a 17-year-old migrant girl out of a shelter in Queens and forcing her to perform sex work. He was apprehended on March 6, is being held at Rikers Island

Morocho allegedly forced her into prostitution and transported her to and from an apartment (pictured) in the neighborhood of Corona

Morocho faces up to 25 years in prison if he is found guilty.

'No child should ever be exploited, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

'I have dedicated significant resources to supporting those impacted by sex trafficking and to hold the perpetrators accountable.'

Morocho first met the migrant teenager at a deli in November in the Queens neighborhood of Jamaica and asked her if she was interested in working, according to the Queens DA office said.

Morocho allegedly forced her into prostitution and transported her to and from an apartment in the neighborhood of Corona, where she performed sex work for other men.

Katzs office said that he only paid the teenager half of the money she collected and that he conned her into providing half-naked photographs of herself, which were used to promote her to customers.

Morocho was arrested when he drove the young girl to a hotel (pictured) in Flushing and negotiated her prices with an undercover police officer, who immediately placed him under arrest

Morocho was arrested when he drove the young girl to a hotel in Flushing and negotiated her prices with an undercover police officer, who immediately placed him under arrest.

Morocho had been on the run since 2019 after he was arrested for allegedly molesting a nine-year-old girl in front of a Queens cell phone store in September 2018.

He approached the girl while she was looking at phones behind the display window and allegedly lifted her skirt and touched her buttock.

The girl confronted Morocho, who allegedly told her, Dont move, I dont want to do this longer.

Morocho was arrested and told cops that he was allegedly trying to record her butt.
Omid Scobie has deleted a tasteless screenshot of an alarm clock set for 6pm - the exact time Princess Kate released her heartbreaking statement revealing her cancer diagnosis - after a huge backlash.

The Endgame author, 42, this afternoon posted a screenshot to his followers on X, formerly Twitter, of an alarm clock app being set to 6pm at 4.59pm this afternoon - one hour before the public knew it was coming.

Mr Scobie's post caused much speculation from fans about what was set to be announced, with many asking what announcement he was teasing.

But it appears Mr Scobie deleted the post after he was criticised online, around an hour after the release message from the Princess of Wales.

One user, Laura, replied to his post, tweeting: 'Disgusting man. Literal shame on you.'

Another social media user Imogen Purtill said: 'Will you now shut up Scobie? Are you happy now?'

Omid Scobie this afternoon tastelessly posted a screenshot alarm clock set for 6pm - the exact time Kate released her heartbreaking statement about her cancer

The Princess of Wales (pictured) bravely revealed today that she has cancer

Mr Scobie's post caused much speculation from fans about what was set to be announced, with many asking what announcement he was teasing

Kate underwent major abdominal surgery in January, and while her condition was originally believed to be non-cancerous, she bravely revealed today that cancer was found.

The Princess of Wales said her doctors advised her that she should start a course of preventative chemotherapy, which she is currently undergoing.

After The Princess of Wales revealed her cancer diagnosis, Mr Scobie shared the video and wrote: 'Kate, the Princess of Wales has shared that she is undergoing treatment for cancer. The abdominal surgery she had in January was successful, however tests carried out after revealed the presence of cancer and she started a course of chemotherapy.'

He then shared a screenshot of a written version her statement, which he said was 'brave'.

This comes after Mr Scobie recently weighed in on the coverage of the Princess of Wales' Mother's Day portrait as it was 'killed' by multiple picture agencies.

He tweeted on Sunday March 10: 'Wonder what it would be like if they had a good comms team'.

In a separate tweet, he described the killing of the photos as 'mysterious', adding: 'No comment from KP yet.'

Kate was pictured beaming alongside her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, in a photo taken by Prince William in Windsor.

But the Palace faced questions after the photo was first withdrawn by Reuters, AP, Getty, AFP and EPA over claims it was digitally manipulated.

Mr Scobie also sparked a royal race row last November when a Dutch translation of his Endgame book appeared to accuse Kate and King Charles of racism after Meghan Markle claimed that 'concerns' had been raised about the skin colour of her son Archie in her bombshell Oprah interview in 2021.

In a deeply emotional video message, filmed at Windsor on Wednesday, Catherine revealed the news had come as a 'huge shock' and that she and William 'have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family'.

The diagnosis came days after she was seen smiling with Prince William as they left their favourite farm shop close to their Windsor home.

After The Princess of Wales revealed her cancer diagnosis, Mr Scobie shared the video and said that her statement was 'brave'

Mr Scobie was criticised on X for his alarm clock post after Kate's announcement

It is understood that the announcement was made tonight not because of unpleasant social media speculation about her health and whereabouts  although that has been upsetting and unpleasant - but because her children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louise, five, broke up from school today, which gave them the opportunity to take them away privately and protect them from the inevitable public shock.

Kensington Palace has said it will not be sharing details of what kind of cancer the princess has, or what stage of cancer it is and has asked people not to speculate.

Speaking from a bench surrounded by daffodils and spring blossom, the Princess of Wales said: 'I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery.

'It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but Ive had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful. In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous.

'The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.

'This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.'

Kate underwent major abdominal surgery in January, and while her condition was originally believed to be non-cancerous, she bravely revealed today that cancer was found

Her statement continued: 'As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment.

'But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.

'As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits. Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too.

'As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both. We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment.

'My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.

'At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.'
Crowds of people were kept away from the event to prevent protesters from interrupting the vice president

Puerto Rico continue to experience rolling blackouts as they struggle to rebuild their power grid

Vice President Kamala Harris visited Puerto Rico on Friday to promote more solar power on the island, even as residents continue struggling to rebuild basic power infrastructure and demonstrators took to the streets to protest her visit.

The vice president visited a family home in San Juan with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Department of Housing and Urban Development Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman and Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi.

Harris and Granholm promoted the implementation of rooftop solar panel electric systems on homes in the area.

'We expect that this Summer will be the Summer of solar, where we really see the quick implementation and installation of solar plus storage,' Granholm said.

US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm (L) listens as Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a visit in Canovanas, Puerto Rico,

US Vice President Kamala Harris greets residents as she arrives for a visit at a private home in Canovanas, Puerto Rico

Harris commented that she visited with the mother of a multigenerational family living in the home.

I was able to spend some time with her and like all the matriarchs of the families we know where the power base is, were talking about energy and solar, thats where the power is right there,' she said.

Puerto Rico suffered catastrophic damage from the 2017 Hurricanes Irma and Maria as workers are still working on rebuilding the power grid. Residents on the island still experience rolling electricity blackouts.

Harris spoke about the importance of rooftop solar panels providing power for homes suffering the lack of electricity.

We are talking about peoples homes, not only in terms of a structure but the community and of course the island and what we all must understand should be a priority for restoring, not only the beauty but the infrastructure that then houses so much good and important work, she said during her speech.

The home Harris visited had a Puerto Rico flag draped from the roof, as she celebrated the green energy initiative as an important recovery milestone.

People take photos of a U.S. flag that was set fire during a protest against the visit of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris

A demonstrator waves a Palestinian flag during a protest against the visit of Vice President Kamala Harris to Puerto Rico

Crowds were kept away from the event to prevent protestors from interrupting her remarks, as he shared brief remarks with the press.

She praised the Puerto Rico community for continuing to rebuild after the devastating effects of the two hurricanes and damaging earthquakes in 2019 and 2020.

What we also know is a community and a society that is in an upward trajectory, when these types of climate disaster occur they dont lose their grit, they dont lose the ambition, they dont lose the momentum,' she said.

Harris said that while solar panels existed as part of Puerto Rico's infrastructure before the storms, the punishing hurricanes made leaders realize the importance of making 'hurricane resistant' solar panels.

The innovation that has happened has also been about upgrading the technology, knowing how it has affected an island like Puerto Rico and be smarter,' she said. 'Puerto Rico has taught some lessons in that regard.

US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm (2nd L), Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Adrianne Todman (R), and Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi (L) applaud after US Vice President Kamala Harris spoke

She acknowledged that power on the island had been 'intermittent' because of the storms but that solar panels would help replace their power needs and heat water without electricity.

I see that we are making a difference, there is still more work to do, we are ambitious, yes we are impatient, we know what is possible and we are doing it with a sense of urgency and optimism and inspiration because of families like the ones behind me,' she said.

Protesters also took to the streets ahead of Harris' arrival demanding statehood for the island territory and a ceasefire in the Israel war with Gaza. Demonstrators waved Puerto Rico and Gaza flags while holding signs protesting her visit and even set fire to American flags.
There has been a worldwide outpouring of sympathy for Prince William as members of the public shared their admiration for his dedication to his royal duties which he honoured as the King and Kate battled cancer.

The Prince of Wales has attended around a dozen royal engagements since pulling out of the memorial service for his godfather King Constantine of Greece due to his wife's diagnosis on February 27.

And now people have expressed their best wishes for William as he supports Kate and his family while balancing his royal engagements as the future king.

He has been praised for 'putting on a brave face' as he performed his duties including Earthshot Prize meetings and the Diana Legacy Awards in honour of his late mother.

Royal supporter Chrissy Grace posted on X, formerly Twitter, this evening: 'My thoughts tonight are also with HRH Prince William as I can only imagine how he must feel having both his Father and Wife diagnosed with Cancer and wanting to stay strong for his family and nation putting on a brave face.'

Prince William, Prince of Wales attends the The Diana Legacy Awards at the Science Museum on March 14

There has been a worldwide outpouring of sympathy for Prince William as members of the public shared their admiration for his dedication to his royal duties which he honoured as the King and Kate battled cancer

Kate underwent major abdominal surgery in January, and while her condition was originally believed to be non-cancerous, she bravely revealed today that cancer was found

Another fan of the Royal Family Emily Hewertson tweeted: 'Prince William is an incredible man.

'I can't imagine how much courage it must have taken to continue with his duties, whilst dealing with the devastating news that both your wife and father have cancer.

'True dedication to his country.'

And the Mail's own Richard Eden gave his support for the Prince, writing: 'Huge credit to our future King, Prince William, for the way in which he has carried out public engagements, with strength, dignity and a smile on his face over recent weeks with all this going on behind the scenes.'

Prince William pulled out of a memorial service for his godfather King Constantine of Greece due to Kate's cancer diagnosis.

The Prince of Wales' absence from the St George's Chapel event at Windsor Castle on February 27 had raised eyebrows, but tonight's revelation about the princess's health has shed new light on why he stayed away.

But since then, he has taken part in around a dozen royal engagements, showing his dedication to his position as the future king.

On February 29, he visited the Western Marble Arch Synagogue in central London to take part in discussions about the rise in anti-Semitism in Britain.

He met with Holocaust survivors Renee Salt, as well as young people who have taken part in the Holocaust Educational Trust's flagship 'Lessons from Auschwitz' project.

He was given a bouquet of flowers for Kate as he stood with Rabbi Daniel Epstein, who has headed up the Marble Arch synagogue since 2021 with his wife Illana.

Prince William speaks with Renee Salt, 94, a Holocaust survivor, at the Western Marble Arch Synagogue on February 29

Queen Camilla and Prince William share a giggle as they lead the royals at Westminster Abbey during the Commonwealth Day Service on March 11

On March 11 William attended the Commonwealth Day Service with Camilla, Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey.

The heir to the throne was pictured leaving Windsor Castle with the Princess of Wales. However, she did not attend the service because of her recovery from her surgery.

And on March 14 The Prince of Wales attended the Diana Legacy Awards at the Science Museum in London.

William took the stage to AC/DC's song Thunderstruck, 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.
From craning over their phones to watching the news announcement in the pub, here is how the public across the world reacted to the news about Kate's cancer diagnosis.

In an unprecedented video message, the Princess of Wales announced tonight that she has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing 'preventative chemotherapy.'

The future queen said in the video: 'In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous.

'The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.'

People across the UK and around the world gathered to watch and read the announcement. Many of whom were spotted outside Buckingham Palace reading the news on their mobile phones with looks of shock and concern.

In an unprecedented video message, the Princess of Wales announced tonight that she has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing 'preventative chemotherapy'

A group of people outside Buckingham Palace reacting to Kate Middleton's cancer diagnosis

Many people were spotted outside Buckingham Palace reading the news about Kate on their mobile phones with looks of shock and concern

One woman also appeared to be wiping a tear from her eyes as she was looking at her phone as the news broke

Meanwhile, other people were out for Friday night drinks in the pub when the news broke. They were pictured stopping their conversations to watch the Princess of Wales on the television. A man and woman could also be seen embracing during the announcement

One woman also appeared to be wiping a tear from her eyes as she was looking at her phone as the news broke.

Meanwhile, other people were out for Friday night drinks in the pub when the news broke. They were pictured stopping their conversations to watch the Princess of Wales on the television.

In one pub in London, a man and woman could be seen embracing during the announcement.

Around the world, people have also been reacting to the news.

In New York a public screen outside Fox News's studio had rolling coverage about Kate's cancer diagnosis.

Since the shock announcement broke, members of the public have also been spotted gathering outside the royal palaces in London. A crowd of people have congregated outside Buckingham Palace.

Other people are outside Kensington Palace, the official residency of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Members of the press have also gathered outside the palaces to provide updates this evening for news channels across the world.

A person watches Kate Middleton's announcement on a mobile phone outside Buckingham Palace

Around the world, people have also been reacting to the news. In New York a public screen outside Fox News's studio had rolling coverage about Kate's cancer diagnosis

Since the news was announced a group of people have congregated outside Buckingham Palace

A couple embrace outside Kensington Palace in London

A member of the media outside Kensington Palace tonight they have also gathered outside the palaces to provide updates this evening for news channels across the world

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, well-wishers have sent messages to the Princess of Wales.

X user Verdad said: 'God bless you Kate. We are all keeping you and your family in our prayers.'

Another user said: 'Get well Kate- so sad. But we will pray for you and your family.'

A person with the username Belle said: 'This is incredibly brave of you to share after these past few months. My thoughts are with you and your family Catherine. We love you.'

Other members of the Royal Family have also shared messages of support to Kate. King Charles III, who was diagnosed with cancer in February, shared his reaction to the news in a statement from Buckingham Palace.

The statement said: 'His Majesty is ''so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did. Following their time in hospital together, HM has ''remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks''.

'Both Their Majesties ''will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time''.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, well-wishers have sent messages to the Princess of Wales. X user Verdad said: 'God bless you Kate. We are all keeping you and your family in our prayers'

An X user with the username Shire boy said: 'Get well Kate- so sad. But we will pray for you and your family'

A person with the username Belle said: 'This is incredibly brave of you to share after these past few months. My thoughts are with you and your family Catherine. We love you'

A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan said: 'We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.'

Kate's brother James Middleton has posted this touching photo on Instagram.

He wrote: 'Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too.'

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak lead British politicians in sending well wishes to the princess, saying she has 'shown tremendous bravery'.

In a statement posted on X Mr Sunak said: 'My thoughts are with the Princess of Wales, Prince of Wales, the Royal Family and in particular her three children at this difficult time.

'The Princess of Wales has the love and support of the whole country as she continues her recovery. She has shown tremendous bravery with her statement today. In recent weeks she has been subjected to intense scrutiny and has been unfairly treated by certain sections of the media around the world and on social media.

'When it comes to matters of health, like everyone else, she must be afforded the privacy to focus on her treatment and be with her loving family.

'I know I speak for the whole country in wishing her a full and speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her back in action when she's ready.'

Labour leader Keir Starmer sent his 'best wishes' to Kate at 'this distressing time'.

He said: 'On behalf of the whole Labour Party, I want to send my very best wishes to Her Royal Highness at this distressing time.

'Our thoughts are with the whole Royal Family as they come to terms with the news and as they support The Princess of Wales through her treatment and recovery.'

Medics spotted the cancer only after she underwent major abdominal surgery at The London Clinic in January.

Kensington Palace said at the time that it was non-cancerous but have since confirmed that cancer was found in post-operative tests.

Kate's announcement comes after the Royal Family revealed in February that King Charles had also been diagnosed with a form of cancer

Rishi Sunak tonight wished Princess Kate a 'full and speedy' recovery after her shock cancer diagnosis

Kate's announcement comes after the Royal Family revealed in February that King Charles had also been diagnosed with a form of cancer.

He has begun a series of regular treatments and is postponing public duties.

The princess is now on what has been described as a 'recovery pathway' having commenced a course of chemotherapy in late February.

It is for this reason that Prince William pulled out of a memorial service for his late godfather, King Constantine of Greece.

Kensington Palace is now asking for people not to speculate about what cancer she has.

However they say that she is in 'good spirits and focused on her recovery'.
Children are being encouraged to report all hate crimes to police ahead of the introduction of the SNPs new law.

Pupils and staff are being urged to raise the alarm over behaviour that could fall foul of the legislation, which comes into force next month.

Youngsters are told that bullying can be deemed a hate incident if the victim or anyone else thinks it was carried out because of hostility or prejudice.

There are fears that pupils could be reported to police over playground taunts that would normally be dealt with by teachers.

First Minister Humza Yousaf spearheaded the controversial legislation when he was justice secretary

Last night, Chris McGovern of the Campaign for Real Education said: This nightmare initiative is hugely dangerous and has some very sinister implications  it is an open invitation for bullies and the disaffected to torment and persecute others.

It will turn pupils against each other and even against their parents and teachers.

Scottish Tory education spokesman Liam Kerr said: It appears even our schools wont be safe from Humza Yousafs ridiculous Hate Crime Act. Children shouldnt have to worry about being reported to the police because of ambiguous, ill-defined legislation.

Schools, and teachers, should also be trusted to deal with such incidents themselves.

The hate crime law, spearheaded by Mr Yousaf when he was justice secretary, will be enforced from April 1, with a new offence of stirring up hatred on the basis of disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity and age, which for most of these categories can include expressions of antipathy, dislike, ridicule or insult.

Police Scotland has said every report will be investigated, but critics say the law will have a chilling effect on freedom of speech.

The Scottish Union for Education (SUE), representing parents, has warned of a potential surge in hate crime reports in schools.

SUE parents support worker Kate Deeming said: The potential for criminalising children based on unsubstantiated complaints in school, is breathtaking.

This is likely to act as a new form of severe punishment and threat to children.

We appear to be moving towards a police state where even young children end up facing police intimidation for what are likely to be minor behavioural issues that schools should really be able to deal with.

Campaigners have discovered the anti-bullying and prejudice policy at Balerno High School in Edinburgh says that it is important to recognise that subtle comments, or comments which appear to have humorous intent, can also be bullying.

The guidance states: A bullying incident is a hate incident if the victim or anyone else thinks it was carried out because of hostility or prejudice based on actual or perceived disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identity.

If the incident is a criminal offence and the offender targeted the victim because of their prejudice or hostility based on any of these characteristics, this is a hate crime.

All hate crimes should be reported to Police Scotland through the school link officer [who works with pupils and their families on issues such as physical/mental health].

Similar policies were uncovered at Drummond Community High School in Edinburgh, while a City of Edinburgh Council document entitled Preventing and Responding to Bullying and Prejudice Amongst Children and Young People says advice and guidance from Police Scotland should be sought if a hate crime may have taken place.

An anti-bullying document produced by Glasgow City Council tells parents: Be aware of the type of incidents which may have to be reported to the police  retain any evidence which may include screenshots, messages and images etc.

Similar guidance at Aberdeen City Council states that hate crime is defined as any crime which is perceived by the victim or any other person as being motivated by malice or ill-will towards a social group.

The row comes as police chiefs say they are braced for an increase in reported hate crimes in Scotland after the introduction of the new legislation.

Police Scotland yesterday referred the Mails inquiries to the Scottish Government.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: There are protections in the new Act for individuals rights in respect to freedom of expression for the new stirring up hatred offences. Hate crime is behaviour that is both criminal and rooted in prejudice and can be verbal, physical, online or face-to-face.

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities was also contacted.
Police may be forced to question stand-up comedians at the Fringe festival in Edinburgh this summer as a result of the SNPs new hate crime law, rank-and-file officers have warned.

The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) said the event in August could be busier than normal for the force because of the likelihood of comedians being reported for flouting the legislation.

SPF general secretary David Kennedy said performers who push boundaries with potentially offensive material  such as Frankie Boyle could fall foul of the law, set to come into force on April 1.

The warning comes after the Mail revealed that the National Theatre of Scotland is planning talks with the SNP Government over the implications of the new law for artistic freedom.

Will risk taker comics such as Frankie Boyle fall foul of law?

Last night Scottish Tory justice spokesman Russell Findlay said: It is deeply concerning to hear a senior policing figure issue a warning about the possible impact of Humza Yousafs hate crime law on the Fringe.

The inevitable result of this SNP legislation is that it will harm free speech and have a chilling effect on the artistic freedom of comedians while putting our police officers under even greater pressure.

Commenting on the new hate crime law, Mr Kennedy told the Mail: This is going to be a busier Fringe than normal for the police. Stand-up comedians by their nature take risks in what they say  think of someone like Frankie Boyle.

I would hope it wouldnt get to the stage where police are questioning comedians after complaints about breaches of the hate crime law  but that is a possibility.

Earlier this month, the SPF said it fears people could be wrongly charged due to officers lack of training on the hate crime law.

Mr Kennedy claimed the two-hour online package offered to his members was insufficient given the complexity of the new offences.

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe will run from August 2-26.

Last year Father Ted creator Graham Linehan  who was banned by Twitter in 2020 for saying men arent women  was due to do a stand-up gig in Edinburgh, only for two venues to cancel his show.

After finally performing outside the Scottish parliament, he said: Theres some steep irony in being a sitcom writer and then experiencing 48 hours where you feel youre living through an episode yourself.

Officers patrol during the Edinburgh Fringe

When the Bill, masterminded by Humza Yousaf, was drafted there was an outcry from artists who signed an open letter calling on ministers to think again.

The Scottish Government insists there are protections in the new Act for individuals rights in respect to freedom of expression, but there are widespread fears about the possible repercussions for actors and stand-up comedians.

Offences are considered aggravated if they involve prejudice on the basis of age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity or variation in sex characteristics.

The legislation creates new offences of stirring up hatred  which previously applied only to race  and the law can be broken in private homes, meaning dinner party conversations could be criminalised.

Police Scotland has said performers will not be targeted, but officers have been trained to spot potential breaches which may include material used by actors and comedians.

Mr Boyle and the organisers of the Edinburgh Fringe were contacted for comment.
A Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) candidate withdrew her bid for next month's parliamentary elections after criticism mounted over her career records as a defense lawyer representing sexual offenders.

Cho Soo-jin made the announcement in a Facebook post just past midnight Thursday, three days after she won the party ticket to the Gangbuk-B district in northern Seoul in a primary against two-term lawmaker Rep. Park Yong-jin.

"As a lawyer, I always did my best for my clients," she said. "I wanted to do all that I could with the same attitude, for the Gangbuk residents and the people, but I guess my resolve was not enough to meet the expectations of the people."

Thanking the DPK members for giving her the support, Cho asked the party to put all its focus on bringing victory to the party in the elections.

Cho came under scrutiny after records showed that she employed aggressive arguments in her defense during sexual assault trials that critics say were tantamount to committing secondary victimization, or further victim-blaming by justice authorities.

A feminist group revealed that Cho wrote in her blog about how a woman in many cases may have wanted to engage in the sexual activity even after she refused, among other advice she gave to clients on how to circumvent or take advantage of the legal system.

The group urged Cho to resign, accusing her of representing the sexual offenders in the wrong way by introducing the false belief about sexual victims from the perpetrator's point of view.

Cho's withdrawal leaves the DPK having to pick a new candidate by the end of Friday, the deadline for candidate registration.

It deals another blow to the main opposition party that has already been mired in an intense factional strife over candidate nominations for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Cho only became the candidate for the Gangbuk constituency after the DPK canceled the nomination of Chung Bong-ju, a former DPK lawmaker, for the same district over his past remarks ridiculing Korean soldiers who were permanently wounded following a 2015 bloody land mine explosion.

Both Cho and Chung were considered to be aligned with DPK leader Lee Jae-myung, as opposed to Park, who is considered to belong to the non-Lee faction.

Lee accepted Cho's resignation, saying that he respects her decision to not be an obstacle for the party, according to his spokesperson Kang Min-seok.

Later in the day, the DP nominated Han Min-soo, the party's spokesperson, to replace Cho as the candidate for Seoul's Gangbuk-B district. (Yonhap)
Over the next few months Scotlands latest steel and carbon fibre forest will begin to rise from the sea. Its scale will be stupendous.

Measuring 870ft when their blade tips are vertical, the wind turbines will be among the tallest ever erected in the UK. The top floor of the Eiffel Tower is only 36ft higher.

The fact there will be 60 of them and they are being installed several miles offshore in the North Sea makes the project an extraordinary engineering undertaking.

But the Moray West wind farm  due to be operational next year  is remarkable for other reasons too. More than half the electricity it produces will be bought by Amazon. Another tranche of its annual output is earmarked for Google.

Beinn An Tuirc on Kintyre

In the waters off Scotland, declare these multinationals, a green energy source has been found to further progress towards their global net zero targets.

Other huge commercial outfits make similar boasts. Tesco buys all the electricity produced by the Halsary onshore wind farm in Caithness.

International manufacturer Kimberly-Clark says a new wind farm in Lanarkshire takes care of 80 per cent of its UK electricity needs.

A West Lothian wind farm dedicated to Sainsburys has just gone live. Meanwhile Amazon has further deals with two land-based Scottish wind farms, buying all their output.

All make great play of the fact the arrangements boost their green credentials. What goes unmentioned is the impact of these deals on our electricity bills.

A Mail investigation has found that, between Amazon, Tesco and Kimberly-Clark alone last year, that impact stood at more than 4million. It is expected to be much higher this year.

Next year, when the massive Moray West wind farm comes on stream, serving both Amazon and Google, the impact on consumer bills is likely to increase still further.

In effect, the public is part-funding multinationals supposedly private electricity supplies  a situation anti-wind farm campaigners say is absolutely scandalous.

That 4million figure is the sum electricity consumers had to pay for turbines  purportedly serving these three commercial outfits  to stand idle during 2023.

It is part of the record total of 275million doled out to wind farms across Scotland last year for not producing electricity. All of it is passed on to consumers in their bills.

Campaign groups have long argued the proliferation of those facilities north of the Border pushes these so-called constraint payments ever higher almost every year. The evidence from think tank the Renewable Energy Foundation (REF)  which collates the figures  appears to bear them out.

In 2010 when payments were first made to just three Scottish wind farms for powering down, the total handed over was 174,000. By 2018, it was 116million  paid out to dozens. In 2022 it was 210million. Last month the cumulative total paid over the years to Scottish wind farms to do nothing passed the 1.5billion mark.

The entire tab has been picked up by bill payers. And, as critics of the system note, these facilities often earn more for powering down than they do for generating.

The payments kick in on the frequent occasions the National Grid cannot cope with all the electricity being produced by wind farms in Scotland. As more are added to the mix  aided and abetted by the Scottish Government  so, it seems, the problems in balancing the grid proliferate.

As the National Grid explains, constraints occur where power cannot be transmitted to where it is needed, usually due to congestion on the network.

The solution is often to ask many wind farms in Scotland  where there is the highest concentration of them and the grid is prone to bottlenecks  to power down temporarily.

Of the UK constraint payments total of 307.2million for 2023, almost 90 per cent went to Scottish wind farms.

For Aileen Jackson, of pressure group Scotland Against Spin, the situation has become intolerable. She says the Scottish Government has been waving through wind farms far beyond local demand for electricity for years.

Tesco wind farm in Caithness

She points to industry data which shows Scotland already has generation capacity of 11.8 gigawatts (GW) through existing wind farms. Some 3.5GW are under construction and 7.5GW have consent and are awaiting construction. Behind them, a further 14GW are seeking planning permission.

Yet Scottish Government figures show that the countrys average hourly consumption of electricity across the year is just under 3.7GW. Capacity, then, vastly outstrips consumption.

Its all for export, Ms Jackson says. But why is Scotland having to put up with all these wind farms when we are not going to need it? A lot of developers choose the north of Scotland because they know the grid is not up to scratch so they are much more likely to get constraint payments. The grid just cant cope with it.

Into this mix arrive private wind farms serving commercial outfits. They are also basing themselves in Scotland and receiving constraint payments.

Why, then, are they trousering millions from the bill-paying public? Part of the explanation is none of these facilities really do supply electricity directly to their private customers.

The electricity they generate is fed into the National Grid which then tries to distribute it where it is needed.

When Tesco or Amazon or Kimberly-Clark say a particular wind farms output is powering their operations, it is a notional claim. They pay for its output but still use electricity supplied by the grid  a mixture of wind, solar, nuclear, hydro and fossil fuel-generated electricity.

The other part of the explanation is no distinction is made between supposedly private and public wind farms, despite a key difference in their funding arrangements.

The public ones, whose income derives from sales to energy suppliers, receive a government green subsidy for every megawatt hour of electricity they produce. When the turbine blades do not turn due to constraints, the subsidy is not paid.

The private ones do not miss out on subsidy when they power down. They are commercial ventures between the operator and a fixed buyer of the electricity they produce.

Their money comes from Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)  an increasingly fashionable arrangement whereby large companies buy all or a portion of the electricity a wind farm produces. And yet when the National Grid asks them to stop generating, they receive substantial payments for doing so.

John Constable, director of the REF, says electricity bill payers are, in effect, subsidising businesses in contracts with Scottish wind farms as they burnish their green credentials.

As for anti-wind farm campaigner Ms Jackson, she says: Its an absolute scandal. Why should we be paying for this? Its all a money-making exercise  nothing to do with saving the planet or being green or helping communities.

First, she says, these wind farms set up in Scotland where there is already over-provision and strain on the grid. Next, they expect to be paid when they have to power down. And their reason for existing is to power multinationals premises, not peoples homes.

An Amazon wind farm in Texas

The situation is all the more unacceptable, argues another REF expert, Lee Moroney, for the fact these operations further contribute to grid congestion and thereby increase sums charged to the public.

In terms of wind farms, she says, Scotland is saturated and has been for a while.

It is, she adds, absolutely unacceptable for the public to be paying for the green credentials of firms such as Amazon and Tesco.

The public should not be paying for unsubsidised wind farms charging not to generate. They are not losing any subsidy at all. They should not get any constraint payment.

Ms Moroney says the Moray West wind farm  with PPA deals in place with Amazon and Google  is potentially a huge concern for bill payers due to its location.

It will be near the two offshore wind farms which already attract the heftiest constraint payments in the country. Indeed, together Moray East Offshore and Seagreen  off the Angus coast  accounted for 30 per cent of the 275million total last year.

On three days so far this year, the Moray facility has topped 1million in constraint payments.

What happens, asks Ms Moroney, when another offshore wind farm is installed in the same area? If the National Grid struggles to cope with the amounts of electricity being cabled in from North-East waters at present, can a third major player in the area mean anything but bigger problems?

Her colleague Mr Constable tells the Mail the whole system needs urgent reform. He says: The 2023 totals confirm our view that weak regulation of wind constraint pricing has resulted in a strong perverse incentive for wind developers to choose sites behind grid bottlenecks in Scotland, at the expense of consumers. This is a scandalous mess.

What, then, have wind farms with PPA deals been receiving in constraints? Kennoxhead, a 13-turbine facility in Lanarkshire operated by Orsted, was paid 1.45million last year for powering down its electricity production  notionally for Amazon.

Beinn An Tuirc on the Kintyre peninsula  another Amazon-related facility  received 1.07million. Halsary in Caithness, where the turbine rotors spin for Tesco, pocketed 1.3million.

Cumberhead, a recently opened facility in Lanarkshire providing mainly for Kimberly-Clark, received almost 206,000 for the short period it was operational last year  and so far this year has taken in an additional 261,000.

The argument raised by many of those operators is grid infrastructure improvements will reduce the need for constraint payments. And they are under way  but, thus far, failing to keep pace with the wind farm proliferation.

They are also deeply unpopular with the communities they affect. Even those content to look out on wind turbines are far less happy with enormous substations and pylons on their doorsteps.

In the next few years Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks plans to spend 20billion on infrastructure projects, some of which will be subsea but others which involve overhead power lines running for many miles on super-pylons up to 180ft high.

Roger McMichael, stakeholder manager of Ocean Winds, which will operate the Moray West wind farm, said investment in the national electricity network needed to be speeded up so that Scottish projects can generate clean power without constraint.

Scottish Power, which operates the Halsary and Beinn An Tuirc wind farms linked to Tesco and Amazon respectively, said in a statement: Building a modern grid with capacity to get all-green generation from power to plug will reduce and remove the need for constraints and were investing billions to help make that happen.

A Tesco spokesman said the Halsary wind farm was helping the business meet its carbon-neutral-by-2035 commitment.

The wind farm increases the UKs overall renewable capacity, and would not have been possible without Tescos long-term commitment to purchase green energy, he said.

If Halsary wind farm is asked to reduce its output, any payment received is put towards buying energy to replace any that would otherwise have been generated.

We do not profit from constraint payments, and the costs of the replacement energy we have to source during these periods are significantly greater than any payment received.

When asked about constraint payments made to wind farms generating electricity for Amazon, the company said in a statement: Amazon is committed to becoming net-zero carbon by 2040, and is on a path to powering our operations with 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025, five years ahead of our original target of 2030. Amazon is helping to enable the development and construction of new renewable energy by procuring renewable energy beyond the existing grid mix.

It added: To reduce grid constraints and increase the deployment of renewable energy across the UK, it is important for transmission infrastructure to modernise and expand quickly, and we are working closely with policymakers and regulators to accelerate these changes.

A spokesman for Kimberly-Clark said the company was merely the recipient of renewable energy from Cumberhead wind farm  operated by Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust  and did not receive the constraint payments.

Octopus admitted that, as the wind farm owner, it received them.

A spokesman said: Cumberhead is unsubsidised, but constraint payments arent necessarily linked only to subsidies. In fact, other wind farms with subsidies would receive constraint payments covering both lost subsidy and lost power generation.

When Cumberhead is told by National Grid to turn off to avoid overloading the grid, its generation revenues will sometimes be lower than the amount which the off-taker Kimberly-Clark would have paid if the wind farm had been generating  so the constraint payments essentially cover that difference.

The spokesman added: Its an incredibly unfortunate fact that the UKs legacy energy system means the country wastes excess cheap, home-grown, green electricity as the grid isnt set up for renewables.

Energy regulator Ofgem said in a statement: The balancing mechanism is a crucial part of the electricity system in Great Britain and allows the Electricity System Operator to make sure supply and demand matches second by second, and the system functions effectively.

We are working closely with government and industry to continue upgrading the infrastructure and increasing grid capacity to remove these constraints so greener energy can be transported where its needed, as and when its produced, while keeping the cost of the energy transition under control for consumers.

The full system-upgrade, then, is the favoured industry solution to the 1.5billion constraints payments problem. But that will cost very much more and is coming out of bill payers pockets too.

It leaves those campaigning to preserve the Scottish countryside from yet more monster wind turbines with a highly pertinent question. Whoever thought installing rural Scotland as the UKs green energy powerhouse was a workable idea?

j.brocklebank@dailymail.co.uk
Blundering eco warriors broke into an oil depot and glued themselves to two defunct tankers which had not been used for years, a court heard.

Five members of climate change protest group This Is Rigged got into the Grangemouth depot of Certas Energy, the UKs largest distributor of oil fuels and lubricants, last July.

Hannah Taylor, 23, of Glasgow, Alexander Cowtan, 28, from Fintry, Stirlingshire, Gavin Cheyne, 56, of Edinburgh, Kate Prasher, 69, of Melrose, Roxburghshire, and Julia Redman, 72, from Tayport, Fife, gained entry to the site at 5am using bolt cutters to make an 8ft hole in the fence.

The group were tackled by police before being hoisted to safety

Falkirk Sheriff Court heard the group spray-painted the windows of fuel delivery tankers and glued their locks, and climbed onto oil tankers and glued themselves to them, causing Certas to shut down their operations.

They appeared for sentence on Thursday, after being found guilty of vandalism and criminal trespass at the site and were fined 840 each. They all denied the offences, but told the court they did not dispute the facts.

Cowtan, a PhD physics student, told the court: It became clear the tanker I had glued myself to was ironically defunct.

IT professional Cheyne added: The two tankers had been out of commission for a long time  as we were told by employees who were trying to point out to us that our actions were ineffective.

He added: The action was peaceful and we were successful in shutting the plant down for a day.

The five activists said their plan was to cause disruption to the fossil fuel industry, and signal time has run out.

Sheriff Mark OHanlon said: I appreciate you were protesting about climate change but you committed criminal offences which the court will not tolerate.

He warned them that further offences could see them jailed. He said: If you persist in this conduct the question of custody may become a live issue.
A young Scot is feared dead after falling overboard from a cruise ship.

Liam Jones, 23, of Dundee, who had been on the MSC Euribia, fell into the water last Saturday near the Netherlands.

It is believed the liner had set off from Southampton the previous evening and was heading towards the German port of Hamburg.

Mr Jones is reported to have been travelling with family members.

Liam Jones, with wife Sophia, 20, on their wedding day

The operator of the ship confirmed a passenger had gone overboard on Saturday and that authorities were notified.

A spokesman for MSC Cruises said police in Southampton boarded the vessel yesterday to carry out inquiries for the coroner.

The young husbands friends and relatives have spoken of their devastation and say they are desperate for more information.

His wife Sophia, 20, who was not on the trip, told the Courier newspaper: Im extremely worried about whats happened and Ive been desperately trying to seek information.

The horrible situation is not knowing exactly what has happened. Police Scotland has informed me officers in Germany are looking at the case.

Mr Jones was travelling on the Euribia when he fell into the water

A map of the journey and where Mr Jones was believed to have fallen overboard

She posted a broken-heart emoji on her Facebook page next to a picture of her and Mr Jones on their wedding day.

His brother William Neil, 23, told the Courier he had been informed of the incident by Police Scotland at his home in Glasgow on Thursday night.

He said: Liams family and friends are devastated by this news. We are really disappointed with MSC on their lack of communication over this.

His sister Paula Devlin wrote: The purest soul and best friend a sister could ask for. Mr Joness friend Jay Forbes, 23, said he had been trying to contact other passengers on board the ship via social media in an attempt to find out the circumstances.

He said: Weve been unable to get any accurate information as to what has happened to Liam. We are all just extremely worried and desperate for information.

A spokesman for MSC Cruises said: A passenger on board MSC Euribia went overboard on March 16 as the ship was sailing to Hamburg. This was reported to the authorities. The police in Southampton boarded the vessel yesterday and investigated.

We are deeply saddened by this news and our thoughts are with the family at this very difficult time. Out of respect for the familys privacy, we will refrain from disclosing any additional information.

The spokesman added that the companys customer service team had been in continuous contact with the family.

The Foreign Office said: We are supporting the family of a British national following an incident in the Netherlands.
It was scarcely the most promising start to a stellar career. Standing in a corridor at Holy Cross Academy in his native Leith, young Eddie Paolozzi and his classmate Francis McWilliams were in disgrace.

The friends normally sat together in class, which had suited Francis.

I benefited greatly from this because Eddie did my drawings for me, he later recalled.

Unfortunately, the teacher caught on to the ruse and both boys were ordered out of the class.

Eduardo Paolozzi, pictured in 1974

Luckily, for the future of British art and commerce, any punishment failed to dampen either childs prospects. Francis McWilliams would go on to become a big noise in the City of London, serving as Lord Mayor and earning a knighthood.

Driven by a precocious talent, Paolozzi, too, would become a Sir, following a remarkable career as one of the few contemporary British artists to forge a reputation of real influence beyond their native land. Hailed as the godfather of Pop Art, his genius lay in transforming junk into bronze and the ephemeral into the everlasting.

As Sir Francis, who died in 2022, remarked: The odds that the teacher was throwing a future world-renowned artist out of her class were probably long, but the odds on her throwing two future knights out, longer still.

I wish Id kept some of Eduardos drawings; they would be worth a fortune.

Just how valuable Paolozzis contribution was to art history is now being explored in an exhibition to celebrate the centenary of his birth this month. The collection of 60 works that forms Paolozzi at 100 at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art charts the artistic evolution and cultural impact of this volcano of creativity.

His is a story of constant reinvention. Born into Edinburghs Italian diaspora, Paolozzi would survive early family tragedy before he broke on to the international art scene in the Paris of the 1940s, mingling with the likes of Picasso, Giacometti and Brancusi.

Within five years he was in London, where his intoxicatingly innovative ideas lit the touchpaper under the powder keg of post-war British art and helped to define the visual vocabulary of the Swinging Sixties.

Collage was his primary medium, but his work spanned printmaking, tapestry, ceramics and the totemic sculptures that embellish our public spaces. A bear of a man bursting with energy, his teaching inspired such talents as Terence Conran and Stuart Sutcliffe  the fifth Beatle  while his artwork illuminated the songs of another Beatle, Paul McCartney.

And yet, few visitors to the exhibition may be aware that the city which established a gallery dedicated to his work once considered him an enemy of the state.

Born on March 7, 1924, he was the son of Italian immigrants, whose community in Edinburgh suffered terribly when Italy joined the war in 1940. The Paolozzi family suffered more than most.

Before the war, his father, Rudolpho, had a successful shop at 10 Albert Street, off Leith Walk, where he sold gelato, sweets and cigarettes. Customers would save their cigarette cards for the young Eduardo, who soon became a collector, tracing their colourful images onto the endless empty boxes he found in the shop.

He remembered his father as an endlessly inventive man. Rudolpho built miniature steam engines and helped his son build aeroplane models, firing a lifelong fascination with things mechanical and scientific.

Paolozzi's God of Fire sculpture in London

By local standards, the family were comparatively well off. Because they displayed movie posters, Eduardo got free tickets to the cinema and went often. He had shoes on his feet and his was the first family in the street to have electricity; the first, too, to have a car.

All that stopped in midsummer 1940, when government officials came calling at the Paolozzi home and turned their world upside down.

Mussolini had declared war on Britain and suddenly Italians were aliens. An angry mob smashed the windows of his fathers shop and looted its contents, while Eduardo, his parents and his sister cowered in the flat above. His mother and sister were led away and Eduardo, now 16, was arrested and briefly interned in Saughton Prison.

Meanwhile, Eduardos father, his ageing grandfather and other male relatives and friends were rounded up. Three weeks later they were among more than 1,000 Italians and Germans who were lost at sea when a U-boat torpedoed the SS Arandora Star bound for Canada.

Paolozzi never talked about the trauma it must have caused him. It was just too painful, recalled Emma, one of his three daughters, who became a jewellery designer and cared for her father in his final years, so I knew not to ask about it.

Conscripted into the Royal Pioneer Corps, he had no wish to be sent to war. So he headed to the library to read up on mental illness, said another daughter, Anna. He pretended he was schizophrenic and ended up in a mental hospital. Once there, he asked if he could go to art school. It was an incredibly clever way of surviving the war.

He attended Edinburgh College of Art and, when the war ended, Londons newly reopened Slade School of Art, where he spent two years living off austerity rations bolstered with macaroni sent by his mother. His magpie instincts flitted between the Slade, the Natural History Museum, the National Gallery, the cinema and Woolworths, where he hunted for toys and novelties.

He also discovered Picasso, of whom his teachers deeply disapproved, but whose influence permeated the sculptures, drawings and collages which Paolozzi produced as a student. Their quality led to a one-man exhibition at Londons Mayor Gallery and, soon after, the celebrated magazine Horizon published an article about his work.

Queen Elizabeth II takes in a Paolozzi work at a 1966 charity auction

By then Paolozzi had moved to Paris, armed with letters of introduction to Brancusi, Giacometti and other famous artists. He mixed easily in this exalted company but, after failing to attract the interest of dealers and critics, he returned to London, somewhat crestfallen, in 1949.

Nonetheless the experience galvanised him and in the muted world of post-war austerity, he was seduced by the Technicolor glamour of America that entered European consciousness through the glossy magazines that he would slice into collages.

He first displayed this found imagery in the form of a slideshow in his 1952 lecture Bunk! at the Institute of Contemporary Art, which was later viewed by many as the starting point for the Pop Art movement.

It offered a modern way of seeing, informed by the pictorial bombardment of TV, cinema and photojournalism. With these pictorial assemblages, Paolozzi mapped the post-war psyche through pin-up girls, US cars, lipsticks and domestic appliances.

His great friend, the author J G Ballard, once said that, if ever there were a holocaust, one could reconstruct the 20th century from the works of Eduardo Paolozzi.

In 1952, Paolozzi co-founded the Independent Group, a gathering of ambitious young artists, critics and architects, including the textile designer Freda Elliott, whom he married in 1951. They shared a deep love of popular culture  their show This is Tomorrow, in 1956, was opened by Robby the Robot, star of the science fiction movie Forbidden Planet.

By then, Paolozzis wife and their first daughter, Louise, had moved to an isolated cottage in Essex, where Emma, born in 1960, would grow up.

Paolozzi divided his time between home, his London studio and his many teaching spells both at home and abroad, quickly establishing himself as a major name, while his work remained complex and challenging.

In 1966, Queen Elizabeth II was famously photographed maintaining an air of regal bemusement as she inspected Paolozzis Two Forms Between Two Columns during a charity auction at Sothebys.

As his reputation flourished, so the distance between him and his wife grew, although Paolozzi was still shocked when Freda pushed for a divorce in 1988.

He never remarried, but women were important to Paolozzi, including the collector Gabrielle Keiller, heir to the Keillers marmalade fortune. They travelled extensively and under his guidance she built the great Surrealist collection subsequently donated to the National Galleries of Scotland.

His irrepressible mix of childlike enthusiasm, unquenchable curiosity and powerful intelligence rubbed off on his pupils. They included Edinburgh-born Stuart Sutcliffe, who gave up his place in the Beatles to pursue art, and future Habitat design guru Terence Conran.

Sutcliffe would introduce Paolozzi to Paul McCartney, who was so impressed he persuaded him to help design the gatefold artwork for Wings second album Red Rose Speedway.

Members of Paolozzi's family were among those lost at sea when the Arandora Star was sunk

Paolozzi lived in clutter. His daughter Emma remembered: If you gave him space, he would fill it. With Dad, everything was in progress. He even travelled with a suitcase full of magazines, toys, bits and bobs, sketchbooks. It was a portable studio.

His diversity led to dazzling haute couture in a 1970 collaboration with Paris fashion house, Lanvin, and plates created for Wedgwood. There are also fragments from the mosaic, now partly dismantled, that he designed for Tottenham Court Road Tube station, as demand grew for his services as a public artist.

He designed the monumental figure of Sir Isaac Newton in the piazza of the British Library and the bust of John Smith, the late Labour leader, at the House of Commons, while in Scotland there was a set of massive cast aluminium doors for the Hunterian Art Gallery in Glasgow, the half-man, half-machine figure of Vulcan which dominates Edinburghs Dean Gallery, and the stained glass windows in the citys St Marys Episcopal Cathedral.

Made a CBE in 1968, he became Her Majestys Sculptor in Ordinary for Scotland in 1986, and a knight in 1989; he was awarded numerous honorary doctorates.

In 2000, he suffered a stroke which left him confined to a wheelchair and no longer able to make art. When he died on April 22, 2005, at the age of 81, the art world mourned a colossus.

What remains is his body of works, among them Manuscript of Monte Cassino (1991). It lies in front of St Marys Catholic Cathedral at the top of Leith Walk  a stones throw from his parents old shop. An assembly of massive, fragmented bronze body parts, it is a response to the 1944 battle of Monte Cassino, the bombing of the monastery near Rome and the destruction of the medieval manuscripts within.

Paolozzis family came from the nearby village of Viticuso and the sculpture has been likened to a three-dimensional Guernica, a bronze shorthand of horror in a small town. Yet, generations of Edinburgh children have turned the huge open hand, anklebone, and giant foot into a plaything to be clambered over. A story of terror has been transformed into a symbol of forgiveness. The endless quest for reinvention which drove Eduardo Paolozzi endures.
Conservative Republicans were not afraid of forcing a shutdown and almost tanked the vote saying it was not fiscally responsible

Tucked into the sprawling $1.2 trillion government funding bill that passed the House Friday was a provision that shut down the House Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

Effective Monday, the office will close, with some of its staff transitioning over to the newly formed Office of Talent Management.

The non-partisan Office of Diversity and Inclusion was first formed in March 2020 and supports diverse hires with things like resume workshops and professional development fairs.

It was a victim of a movement from Republicans to eliminate DEI programs across the country.

'On behalf of ODI, it has been an honor to help ensure that the United States Congress embodied a qualified and representative workforce that reflected the country's vast tapestry,' office director Sesha Joi Moon said in a statement to DailyMail.com.

'We would like to thank the Office of the Speaker of the House, Office of the House Democratic Leader, and Committee on House Administration, as well as the entire House community for their support throughout the 116th, 117th, and 118th Congresses.'

Just 12 hours ahead of a government funding deadline that would have triggered a shutdown, Speaker Mike Johnson shepherded a $1.2 trillion spending package through the House.

Now it heads to the Senate where a successful vote is expected soon.

The final vote on the massive spending bill was 286 - 134. Notably, more Democrats voted for the deal than Republicans. The majority of Republicans - 112 in total - voted against the Speaker Johnson-backed measure.

The 1,000 page measure brings together funding for six of the 12 appropriations spending bills that need to be passed annually. It packages nearly 75 percent of the government's annual funding into just one vote, called a minibus.

Despite Johnson's victory, the clock is ticking and the bill still must be passed in the Senate and signed by President Biden to avoid a partial government shutdown which would ensue after 11:59 p.m. Friday.

The trillion dollar deal - the details of which were only revealed on Thursday - will provide money for the Departments of Defense, Financial Services, Homeland Security, Labor-HHS-Education, State-Foreign Operations and the Legislative Branch.

Speaker Mike Johnson released the details of a $1.2 trillion government funding package on Thursday

House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good, R-Va., rallied Republicans against the GOP House Speaker to vote against the bill

The deal was opposed by many notable conservatives including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., and nearly 100 other Republicans.

Greene went as far as to file a motion to vacate the Speaker while votes were ongoing, irate over his support of massive spending - setting up a tumultuous process that could take the gavel from Johnson.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said the bill would pass when asked just before the votes, indicating that Democrats are largely on board with the deal.

When the final tally was counted, 185 Democrats rallied together with 101 Republicans to get the funding bill across the line.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has said that the Democrat majority in the Senate would work to pass the agreement earlier this week, calling the deal 'good news.'

Schumer bragged the agreement secured funding boosts to childcare services, disease research, mental health programs and suicide prevention.

Senate Republicans, meanwhile, have railed against the deal.

'The Swamp is pushing this appalling funding bill with lightning speed, so that Americans don't see what's in it,' Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, posted on X.

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., posted on X: 'Why does the minibus fund a $500k grant to help a closed hospital in Maryland document its history? We are $34 TRILLION in debt. Washington can't keep wasting your tax dollars on this stupid crap!'

Many conservative House Republicans were also upset with the measure and the way Johnson rushed a vote on the biblically-long bill, not giving members the usual 72 hours to read the fine print.

'We don't need 72 hours to vote against a bad bill,' conservative House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good said at a press conference before the vote.

He and likeminded Republicans led the charge in opposing the legislation.

'Why are we in a rush to keep this government open that is so harming the American people by the very policies which they are suffering under.'

Good decried the package for maintaining 'Pelosi-Schumer policies and spending levels' and noted how the bill actually 'increases the spending levels by about $60 billion.'

Another Freedom Caucus member Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., said 'It's clear that the Democrats own the speaker's gavel.'

Still, GOP leadership touted conservative wins like a three percent increase in defense spending, retaining the Hyde amendment and a ban on gas stove restrictions.

But rank-and-file conservatives have called out other provisions like the bill's $200 million for a new FBI headquarters and $300 million that goes toward the Ukrainian Assistance Initiative.

The House passed $1.2 trillion in government funding just hours before a deadline Friday night

Congress similarly passed a $460 billion funding deal on March 8 just hours before the money allocated for the agencies ran out.

The deal 'secured key conservative policy victories' in the roughly $460 billion measure despite a 'divided government' and rejected 'left-wing proposals,' Speaker Johnson said at the time.

That bill included funding for six federal agencies - including Commerce-Justice-Science, Energy-Water, Interior-Environment, Military Construction-VA and Transportation-HUD.

It also imposed 'deep cuts' to the EPA (10%), ATF (7%) and FBI (6%), which Johnson said has 'threatened our freedoms and our economy.'
Five Bulgarian nationals living in Britain have appeared in court to deny spying for Russia from a guesthouse in Great Yarmouth.

Orlin Roussev, 46, Bizer Dzhambazov, 42, Katrin Ivanova, 32, Ivan Stoyanov, 32, and Vanya Gaberova, 29, appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday and pleaded not guilty to being part of a 'network' that operated in Britain between August 2020 and February 2023.

The three men and two women are facing charges brought under the Official Secrets Act, namely conspiring to gather information that would be useful to an enemy.

The spy ring is said to have been run by Roussev, who operated a tech company from a boarding house in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

They allegedly conducted surveillance against a NATO base in Germany and the Kazakhstan Embassy in London, as well as targeting individuals for 'potential abduction' in Spain, Austria and Montenegro.

Orlin Roussev, 46, of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, Katrin Ivanova, 32, of Harrow and Bizer Dzhambazov, 42, of Harrow, north-west London have pleaded not guilty to being part of a spy 'network' that operated in Britain between August 2020 and February 2023

Five Bulgarian nationals have been accused of running a spy ring for Russia from a guest house in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

All of this was carried out from the Haydee guest house in Great Yarmouth.

Dzhambazov, a medical courier from Harrow, North London, is alleged to have directed surveillance operations, conducted by his partner, Ivanova, a private sector laboratory assistant and by Stoyanov, from Greenford, West London.

Gaberova, 29, of Camden, North London, ran a beauty salon called Pretty Woman in Acton, West London.

All gave pleas via video link except Gaberova's former partner Tihomir Ivanchev, 38, a painter and decorator, who appeared in the dock at the Old Bailey wearing a light blue zip-up top. He was only arrested in February and was not asked to enter a plea.

The other defendants entered not guilty pleas to conspiring to collect information useful to an enemy for a purpose prejudicial to the safety and interest of the state, over a two-and-a-half-year period between August 30 2020 and their arrest on February 8 last year.

It is alleged that they conspired with Jan Marsalek, and 'others unknown' to obtain, collect, record, publish or communicate documents or information which was intended to be useful to an enemy.

Vanya Gaberova, 29 and 32-year-old Ivan Stoyanov appeared at the hearing via video links

Tihomir Ivanov Ivanchev, 38, was arrested in February and accused of being the sixth member of a suspected Russian spy ring

Marsalek, 43, the alleged 'tasker,' is the former chief operating officer at a German tech company called Wirecard, which collapsed in June 2020 amid claims of a 1.9bn fraud.

His exact whereabouts are not known and he is among Interpol's most wanted. Experts believe he may be hiding in Russia under the protection of military intelligence.

A 'red notice' has been issued by German authorities for his arrest in connection with the alleged fraud.

Roussev, Dzhambazov, and Ivanova denied charges of the possession of false identity documents with improper intention, under section four of the Identity Documents Act 2010.

The false documents are said to include British, French, Italian, Greek, Czech, Slovenian, Croatian and Bulgarian passports, along with a Spanish residence permit and other identity cards, residence permits and driving licences.

It is alleged that on February 8 last year they had a total of 18 fake identity documents - passports, identity cards, and a driving licence - for Britain, France, Italy, Czech Republic, Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Greece.

Prosecutor Kathryn Selby earlier said the purpose of the activities was 'to assist the Russian state taking hostile action against specific targets.'

The male defendants appeared in court by video link from Belmarsh, Manchester, and Frankland prisons with the two women at Bronzefield jail.

Alleged spies Orlin Roussev (left) Bizer Dzhambazov (centre) and Ivan Stoyanov seen in an artist's illustration as they appear at Westminster Magistrates court via videolink last year

Alleged spies Katrin Ivanova (left) and Vanya Gaberova (right) seen in an artist's illustration as they appear at Westminster Magistrates court via videolink last year

The alleged spy ring members all had addresses in the UK with Roussev in Great Yarmouth, Dzhambazov and Ivanova in Harrow, north-west London, Stoyanov in Greenford, west London, and Gaberova in Euston, north London.

Their trial, estimated to take between two and four months, has been set for 28 October this year at the Old Bailey.

They will next appear for a two-day preliminary hearing on 16 and 17 May.
Up to 60 people feared dead as armed men in camouflage fired at concertgoers

Islamic State tonight claimed responsibility for a suspected terror attack which killed at least 60 people at a packed concert venue on the outskirts of Moscow.

Around 100 people were also left fighting for their lives when gunmen in camouflage clothing opened fire with automatic weapons on people at a concert in the Crocus City Hall on Friday.

Three men named by the authorities and believed to be the killers are feared to be on the run tonight after slipping away from the bloodbath.

In one of the worst atrocities to happen in Russia in recent years, the attackers were shown in unverified videos firing repeatedly at screaming civilians cowering in the concert.

Audience members had been at the venue to see Soviet-era rock group 'Picnic' about to perform at 8pm when the massacre began.

But before the music started the gunmen marched out into the auditorium and started opening fire.

It brought back harrowing memories of the Islamic State assault on Paris's Bataclan concert hall in 2015 when 89 people were shot dead.

And in a statement released on Telegram tonight the extremist group said: 'IS fighters attacked a large gathering on the outskirts of the Russian capital Moscow' before they had 'retreated to their bases safely'.

Apocalyptic scenes outside Crocus City Hall after the armed assault saw flames leapt into the sky and plumes of black smoke rose above the venue.

Hundreds of blue lights from emergency vehicles flashed into the night as police and medics tried to help the injured.

A map showing the location of the Crocus City Hall, which is situated 12 miles from the Kremlin in central Moscow

Gunmen have targeted a concert hall in a mass shooting in Moscow

The large venue was engulfed in flames after at least five armed men in camouflage stormed the hall (Pictured: Emergency services at the scene)

At least 40 people are now feared dead, with over 100 estimated to be left injured by the blaze

A video grab show people evacuating the Crocus City Hall in the Russian capital

Confused concertgoers leave the building as armed terrorists open fire at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow

Image of the suspected gunmen who opened fire at Crocus City Hall, in Krasnogorsk, Moscow

A nationwide manhunt has been launched for the individuals (pictured) thought to be responsible for the terror attack

Emergency services personnel and servicemen are seen outside the Crocus City Hall

Helicopters sought to douse the flames and evacuated around 100 people from the basement, Russian media reported.

Police, special forces and 70 ambulances attended the scene, with some video footage showing a number of people lying motionless in pools of blood outside the hall.

Russian authorities said a 'terrorist' investigation had been started and President Vladimir Putin was receiving 'constant' updates, his spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies.

Other video footage showed the men shooting people below what looked like an entrance sign to 'Crocus City Hall'. Another clip showed at least four people attacking the crowd with guns, to the sounds of shots ringing around the building and smashed glass.

Russian media reported a second blast at the venue and there were reports that some of the gunmen had barricaded themselves somewhere in the building.

After the attack, Russia tightened security at airports, transportation stations and across the capital - a vast urban area of over 21 million people.

'A terrible tragedy occurred in the shopping centre Crocus City today,' Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said. 'I am sorry for the loved ones of the victims.'

Shocking photos showed huge flames and smoke rising from the concert hall in Moscow

Members of the Russian special operations forces are seen near the burning concert hall

Police have blocked the road towards Crocus City after gunmen burst into the venue

At least a dozen people are feared dead following the incident

The shooting is being treated as a major incident, weeks after warnings from embassies of an imminent attack by 'extremists'

A huge ball of fire engulfs the 6,000-seater concert hall in the Moscow suburbs, as a Russian National Guard secures the area around the venue

The hall, which is still ablaze, has a capacity of 6,000 spectators

Senior Russian security official and ex-president Dmitry Medvedev said those who masterminded the shooting should be hunted down and killed.

Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, made the statement on his official account on the Telegram messenger service.

'All of them must be found and ruthlessly destroyed as terrorists,' said Medvedev. 'Death for death.'

Telegram channel VChK-OGPU and other outlets said natives from the Russian region Ingushetia have been put on the wanted list on suspicion of involvement in the attack on Crocus.

The pictured men were named as Amirkhan Gurazhev, born 1989, Adam Ozdoev, born 1987, and Zelimkhan, born in 2000.

Alexei, a music producer visiting the concert, told AFP he heard 'several machine gun bursts and a terrible female scream. Then a lot of screams. Just three or four bursts and then there were a few more'.

'There is some shooting here,' said one eyewitness at the venue. 'They are shooting from a machine gun. They are shooting at the crowd.'

Another witness added: 'I heard shooting, I don't remember how many shots.

'I ran into the hall. I didn't see what was happening there, but eyewitnesses later said that people in camouflage, possibly Arabic, burst in.

'They started shooting, possibly hit the concert equipment, and someone got out of the hall in a panic.

'We hid behind a fence near the dress circle, there was some kind of cabinet there - we pulled our legs together and hid.

'They opened an emergency exit for us, and we ran out in a panic without coats.'

There were reports of a bomb and flame devices at the hall, which has a capacity of 6,000

Emergency services attempt to extinguish the blaze following the shooting incident

Firefighters use a platform and hoses to put out the huge flames rising up from the burning building

Flames belch from the roof of the Crocus City Hall as dozens of emergency service vehicles attend the scene

A third eyewitness said: 'Nothing was announced at first. We were already lying on the floor between the chairs.

'They said nothing, absolutely nothing. We just lay there and didn't know what to do.'

A fourth said: 'We just took our seats [when the shooting started]. It was literally 8 pm, 8:05, or 8:10. Shooting started from further away, from above.

'We sat on the very top row. At first everything was ok, it was kind of unclear what it was.

'Then we realised that something was wrong when we noticed that the ticket takers with these walkie-talkies began to run from top to bottom.'

The witness continued: 'The shooting started all over again, we heard it from above, we were sitting, then we heard it, we started moving all the way down, we realised that they were also shooting below.

'We lay down at the bottom, in the middle, or rather somewhere on the floor, then we realised that all the people were going upstairs, and we started moving up.

'We eventually got out somewhere at the top. We began to go down the escalators. In short, we hid. They were shooting from all sides, just from all of them.

'We lay there, then noticed that people were somehow running down the escalator. We ran after them. There was one girl lying there.'

A clip shows a terrorist running through security gates at the concert hall

Pictured: Hundreds of people get up from their seats and head for the exits as gunshots are heard at the concert hall

Horror photos show a huge column of smoke filling the air around the Crocus Concert Hall

Another man whose mother was at the venue said: 'My mother was at the concert at that moment.

'She went into the hall, sat there for a while, and her friend rang her, she had to [step outside].

'At that moment, shots and screams began. She managed to run out almost one of the first.

'Some men in balaclavas ran into the concert hall. Someone without a balaclava.

'They were, as she said, like Chechens, like some kind of Arabs. They started shouting, throwing smoke bombs and shooting.

'The terrorists shouted with an accent, she said, something Caucasian. It was as if there was no security, or they were shot straight away.

'There was a crush. Mum lost her phone in this crowd and ran without looking back.'

Witnesses have described scenes of panic and pandemonium as crowds heard sounds of shooting in the hall

Pictured: Men covering themselves with blankets as a Russian law enforcement officer stands guard near the burning concert hall

Russian officers standing outside the building on fire, after gunmen stormed the venue at 8pm local time

Armed officers have been deployed to deal with the incident, which has seen some concertgoers take cover on the building's roof

Emergency service vehicles are seen arriving at the burning venue, which is 12 miles from the Kremlin

Crocus City Hall in the Moscow region, the scene of a deadly shooting and fire, is a plush concert venue where former US president Donald Trump once held a 'Miss Universe' contest.

It is a short walk from a Moscow Metro station and just next to Moscow city ring road, although formally it is outside the city limits.

The complex that also includes a shopping centre and conference centre holds events such as car shows.

The venue was built by real estate developer Aras Agalarov, who is extremely well-known and influential in Russia and has links to Trump. Agalarov, 68, was born in Azerbaijan but is a Russian citizen.

Police have arrived on the scene of the attack, days after the country's presidential election

Crocus City Hall is located in the city's Krasnogorsk Urban Settlement in the Krasnogorsky District

A picture shows the large concert hall, which opened in October 2009, ablaze

Police and special forces have arrived on the scene just outside the Russian capital

Around 50 ambulances are also attending the incident

The attack comes days after both the US and British embassies warned of a threat from 'extremists' in Moscow

Many countries across the world condemned the attack on Friday evening.

White House spokesman John Kirby said: 'The images are just horrible and just hard to watch and our thoughts obviously are going to be with the victims of this terrible, terrible shooting attack.'

He also said there was 'no indication at this time that Ukraine, or Ukrainians were involved in the shooting.'

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the shooting was an "odious act of terrorism", adding: 'The horror of the massacre of innocent civilians in Moscow is unacceptable," Meloni said in a statement, expressing her 'full solidarity with the affected people and the victims' families.'

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said that Kyiv 'had absolutely nothing to do with these events' in a video message posted on Telegram.

Zakharova questioned how the US knew this and said Washington should immediately pass any information it had to Moscow, or stop making such statements.

'On what basis do officials in Washington draw any conclusions in the midst of a tragedy about someone's innocence?' Zakharova said.
Two Albanians who celebrated the murder of a rival drug dealer by spending his money on a cocaine fueled night in brothel have each been jailed for a minimum of 27 years.

Armand Tafa, 40 and Migen Emilova, 36, ambushed Stefan Moraru, 44, in suburban north London on March 20, 2023, after arranging to pick up drugs from him.

Police officers found Mr Morarus body in a driveway in Chandos Avenue, Barnet, where properties can fetch well over 1m.

Mr Moraru dropped his wads of cash on the street and Tafa picked up the money to pay for the night of vice.

The victim died from a single stab wound to the heart.

Mr Moraru, who went by the name Rica, lived with his friend Florian Spirlea and his family on Palace Road, New Southgate.

Armand Tafa (left), 40 and Migen Emilova (right), 33, ambushed Stefan Moraru, 44, in suburban north London on 20 March 2023 after arranging to pick up drugs from him. They stole wads of cash and celebrated at a brothel

He was stabbed shortly after he arrived on Chandos Avenue in his Ford Focus.

Tafa and Emilova both denied but were convicted of murder by an Old Bailey jury.

Tafa denied but was convicted of robbery while Emilova admitted it.

The pair were found guilty on all counts by an Old Bailey jury a year to the day of the murder on Wednesday.

Hugh Davies, KC, prosecuting, earlier said the two killers acted together in the planned ambush and robbery.

The wider evidence suggests that what occurred was probably linked to the defendants believing Mr Moraru had provided them with substandard drugs; or as a minimum was a dealer who would have drugs and money - and in consequence they had arranged to meet and ambush him for the purposes of robbery.

Banknotes littered the road on the route where he had staggered to his final resting place.

The two defendants were acting throughout together: there was strength in numbers; they drove from the scene together.

They searched and emptied the car together, they must have had a plan and have agreed to carry it out.

They were in it together.

This was a robbery where each had agreed and intended that really serious harm would be caused if necessary.

According to the Spirleas and as essentially corroborated by cell site evidence showing him near their address up to about 9pm and 10pm on 19 March 2023, Mr Moraru left the Spirlea home.

He said he was going outside for 10-15 minutes, this was obviously consistent with going out to conduct a short transaction such as dealing in drugs.

He never returned.

There is no dispute that one of them was responsible for the physical act - the use of a knife - that killed Mr Moraru.

It is perhaps inevitable that each will now blame the other: it is a classic application of the maxim that there is no honour amongst thieves.

In his victim impact statement read out by Mr Davies in court today (Fri), Mr Morarus brother Adrian-Daniel Kaufmann spoke of the sadness his family have felt in the year since his brothers death.

Evidence suggests the victim Stefan Moraru (pictured) may have previously provided the defendants with substandard drugs; or at least, was a dealer who they knew would be carrying drugs and money

He said: We were five siblings, Stefan Stelian was our youngest brother, we always stuck together and protected each other.

When we were growing up in Romania, our mother and father had to go to work and my brothers and I stayed at home to look after Stefan.

Our eldest brother Marinel was like a father to Stefan.

Stefan Stelian was always the favourite in the family but he was still loving, funny and harmonious and we all loved him dearly.

Stefans murder has taken this person away from our family, away from our lives, the murder is painful for the whole family, just one phone call and everything changed forever.

To us, family is everything. We were close as children growing up, we are close as adults. We have grown up and have our own families.

The closeness remains, the family just got bigger. Stefan was a key part of that.

We grew up with strong values that we maintain today and pass on to our own children. Stefan was always well liked and popular wherever he went.

Stefan moved to London. I believe it was here he began to get involved in things that were out of character for him.

Since his death we have been told that he may have been involved in selling drugs.

This is something that we cannot comprehend and can only imagine that Stefan has somehow been forced into this situation.

Stefan did not drink much alcohol and we have never known him to take drugs, let alone be involved in anything that would lead to his death.

To us he was our little brother. He was a loving uncle.

Shortly before his death the whole family went to Romania and made wonderful memories together.

Now our children dont want to go back to Romania because the wonderful memories of being there with their uncle have been turned into sad painful memories.

We were informed by a telephone call that our youngest brother had been found dead, a message that pulled the rug from under us all.

We had to travel to England to identify Stefan Stelian, nobody can imagine the pain we felt seeing our beloved brother lying there dead.

Full of sadness, we also drove to the crime scene with the police to leave flowers.

The idea that he was murdered there in cold blood was incomprehensible.

We travelled back to Germany with sadness and uncertainty, but we had to plan our brothers funeral. It should not have been this way.

We wanted Stefan Stelian to be buried next to our parents in Romania.

Over 250 people from Italy, Spain, Germany and England attended the funeral.

People came from everywhere to say goodbye to our brother, he was very popular and had many friends and family.

Stefan Stelian was healthy, he had his whole life ahead of him, he did not have an illness where you can prepare for a death, it was a sudden death that no one saw coming, it was a senseless, cruel and unfair death, it was murder.

Two men took our little brother from us, nobody deserves to die like this.

We dont want revenge, we want justice for Stefan Stelian.

We as a family have been asked to describe how we are feeling, but how can you put the level of sadness and loss that we feel onto a piece of paper.

Each of us feels the loss of Stefan in a different way but we all feel it deeply everyday knowing our lives will never be the same again.

There are no words to describe what these men did to our family that day, what they did in minutes, will last a lifetime for our family.

Sentencing, Judge Philip Katz, KC said: Stefan Moraru was 44 at the time he was murdered, he was the youngest of five siblings.

Adrian-Daniel Kaufmann describes his brother as a loving man who came to London to work.

The impact of his sudden death has been felt by many.

On 19 march 2023, Stefan was delivering cocaine which had been ordered from one of you from a dealer you knew.

You were both at an address in Chandos Avenue, you did not previously know each other, but that evening you were drinking and doing drugs.

There is not a shred of evidence that Stefan Moraru had ever done any of you wrong, he was a courier.

I am sure you both hatched a plan to rob whoever delivers the drugs that night in order to send a message to the dealer.

It seems likely to me Stefan was not expecting any trouble as we was not armed.

I am sure you both knew a knife was taken from the house to use to injure the courier if necessary.

It must have been obvious that he might die, I am not sure that you intended to kill him.

It does not matter who was the first to use the threat of force, or who used the knife, you have been convicted on joint responsibility.

Stefan was stabbed in the heart with moderate to severe force.

He screamed during the incident, it cannot be sure whether he screamed before or after he was stabbed.

Your behaviour after the attack was callous in the extreme.

As Stefan was dying, you Tafa were picking up his money in the street.

Later you both went to buy cocaine and then to a brothel where you spent more of the cash.

When you were caught, you Tafa said nothing to help police or Stefans family to get to the truth.

You Emilova lied and lied repeatedly, swearing to God on the lives of your family, at one point you even tried to escape.

Your appearances in the witness box were some of the most shamelessly untruthful performances I have ever seen.

You had to be kept apart, you deserve each other.

I have not detected an ounce of remorse from either of you and you were only sorry for yourselves.

Tafa and Emilova, both of no fixed address, denied but were convicted of murder.

Tafa denied but was convicted of robbery while Emilova admitted it.

Both of them were sentenced to a minimum of 27 years in jail.

Emilova sobbed loudly at Belmarsh Prison then the judge announced the sentence.
Former President Barack Obama has now twice warned President Joe Biden that his reelection prospects are in trouble - as former President Donald Trump is in a stronger position to win the White House than he was in the two previous cycles.

Time Magazine reported Thursday that Obama paid Biden a visit in June and delivered the warning - and did so again in December when he didn't see the Biden campaign operation improve.

He had been invited to the White House at Biden's invitation, after the two men served together as president and vice president for eight years.

'He expressed concern the re-election campaign was behind schedule in building out its field operations, and bottlenecked by Biden's insistence on relying upon an insular group of advisers clustered in the West Wing,' Time wrote, citing a Democratic insider.

While both White House and campaign officials act optimistic publicly, Time reported that behind closed doors they are scared.

Former President Barack Obama has twice visited the White House in the past year and in both cases warned President Joe Biden that his reelection prospects are in trouble

Then Democratic nominee Barack Obama (left) and his running mate, now President Joe Biden (right), campaigning in Ohio in 2008

Quentin Fulks, Biden's principal deputy campaign manager, said to win the Democrat simply needs to bring 2020 voters back into the fold.

'Our biggest strength is that 80 million people sent him to the White House before,' Fulks told Time. 'Our challenge is winning people who have already cast a ballot for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris once.'

But that could be difficult under present circumstances.

Despite rosy economic numbers and the COVID-19 pandemic essentially in the rearview mirror, voters DailyMail.com interviewed in early primary states often expressed a feeling that the economy was better under Trump.

Many are willing to give him another shot despite his 88 criminal indictments, role in the January 6 Capitol attack and general threats to be a 'dictator' on day No. 1.

Members of Biden's youth coalition have soured on the 81-year-old president - in part because of his siding with Israel after the October 7 terror attack by Hamas - feeling that Palestinian civilians living in Gaza should not be paying the price.

At almost every campaign stop the president has made in recent weeks, he's been hounded by pro-Palestinian demonstrators, including those who surrounded Biden's hotel in Dallas and banged on cow bells in the early morning hours.

President Joe Biden waves to reporters as he leaves Friday for Wilmington, Delaware. He spent most of the week in Latino-heavy states - Nevada, Arizona and Texas - as he fights for reelection against former President Donald Trump

Gen Z voters 'dont understand why they should be compelled to cast their ballot for a candidate who has done so many things that are against their values,' Aidan Kohn-Murphy, who organized the #TikTokforBiden campaign in 2020, told Time.

Trump has also worked hard to expand his appeal to Latino and black voters - and polling shows he's done so with some success.

Biden has recently toughened up his rhetoric to try and pull back some Latino support.

On Monday he told Univision Radio with Raul Molinar that Trump 'despises' Latinos, pointing to the ex-president's record of child separations, comments about migrants and a plan for a widescale deportation should he regain the White House.

The president also traveled to the Latino-heavy swing states of Nevada and Arizona and held fundraisers in Texas, which tends to lean heavily red.

He also made a trip to Michigan to shore up support among black voters and union voters, but afterward received criticism for going to a white local official's home instead of a black church.

Michigan is also perilous for Biden due to his stance on the war in Gaza, as the state has a high population of Muslim and Arab voters.

'It boils down to voters of color, and those voters are pissed,' a former Biden campaign and White House official told Time. 'I think it's very likely he'll lose.'
The livid scar zig-zags across Thiyepo's stomach, then down his left leg to the knee.

It is a gruesome reminder of the day an elephant gored him six years ago, when he was ten, nearly killing him as he helped his uncle herd cattle.

'The elephant pushed me off my donkey,' he told me when we met in his Botswanan village. 'It trampled me, breaking my leg, piercing my pelvis right through. The tusk went sideways through my body and out the other side. I tell all my friends that elephants are dangerous.'

It took a skilled doctor to save his life.

Thiyepo is among hundreds of Botswanans who have been injured  many others have been killed  by elephants, as growing numbers mean they increasingly come into conflict with humans.

At the last count, 153,000 were roaming the country, and every day still more arrive from drought-hit neighbouring countries searching for food and water.

Thiyepo Mariro, 16, is among hundreds of Botswanans who have been injured by elephants, writes SUE REID

Pictured: A hunted elephant is butchered by villagers in Botswana

Botswana has triple the elephant population it had 50 years ago, while neighbouring Zimbabwe, with 70,000, is also being overrun. In some areas, notably Botswana's lush Okavango Delta where Prince Harry courted Meghan Markle in the early days of their romance, there are more elephants than people  and the country is struggling to cope.

Botswana's environment minister Dumezweni Mthimkhulu told me the West had no inkling of the scale of the crisis. In frustration, he said he wanted to send 10,000 elephants to London's Hyde Park so Britons might 'understand what it is like to live with them'. Mr Mthimkhulu travelled here as part of a large African delegation to lobby against a Bill making its way through Parliament.

Botswana president Mokgweetsi Masisi described the Bill as 'condescending' and a 'resurgence of a colonial conquest', adding that he would be 'abhorred, disappointed and disturbed' if it was passed. But yesterday, the Trophy Hunting (Import Prohibition) Bill, backed by the Government, was voted through the House of Commons at a second reading by 49 votes to zero.

The legislation is sponsored by Labour MP John Spellar, who represents a West Midlands constituency not renowned for wild animals. It would ban the import of hunting trophies from species of conservation concern.

But critics say it ignores the concerns and conservation expertise of African countries and lacks scientific credibility.

The Bill will undergo further scrutiny and faces a race against time to clear all the necessary parliamentary stages before the general election. Peers are also expected to frustrate its passage.

'Wealthy tourists get a kick out of killing beautiful animals, so they can decorate their wall with a so-called trophy,' Mr Spellar has opined. 'We want to send a strong message of deterrence to these barbaric hunters: your spoils cannot be brought back here.'

Some readers might be uncomfortable with the idea of UK sportsmen killing these majestic beasts as recreation, and then bringing home such trophies.

But Africans are clamouring for the practice to continue  pointing out not only its benefits to the local economy but also to the vital role it plays in managing populations of dangerous animals that have spiralled out of control.

Herds of marauding elephants, in Botswana and Zimbabwe particularly, regularly invade villages, stealing crops and making people go hungry

This week, leaders of six African countries pointed out the hypocrisy of Britain allowing the export of trophies, such as stags' heads shot by wealthy foreigners in the Scottish Highlands.

Their pleas fell on deaf ears. A pious grouping of British politicians, celebrities and 'conservationists' remains determined to ignore them.

Do British MPs and activists really know better what will benefit Africa than Africans themselves?

Herds of marauding elephants, in Botswana and Zimbabwe particularly, regularly invade villages, stealing crops and making people go hungry. In larger towns, they drink from children's paddling pools and wander the streets.

On my visit to Botswana, I spoke to local people in the bush, near the village of Gumare. 'We hate elephants,' said a young mother of two. 'We have to remind our children to be afraid of them. They forget they are dangerous and could kill them because there are so many wandering about.'

Africa's southern nations insist that hunting helps to control numbers, brings tourist cash into deprived communities and helps to fund anti-poaching patrols.

The Africans I spoke to resent the UK's suggestion that the revenue lost from a trophy ban could be replaced by international aid.

I think they are right to say this is a patronising idea  and may be racist, too. It would promote a beggar-like 19th-century dependency on the West, which would not solve a 21st-century problem.

The elephants of Africa no longer fear humans and have turned into a public menace. Those who shout about the evils of trophy hunting should leave their comfy parliamentary offices and  as I have  see this tragedy unfolding for themselves.
A co-chair of the ruling People Power Party's (PPP) campaign committee on Friday called for Ambassador to Australia Lee Jong-sup to make more active efforts to address concerns over his controversial appointment.

Na Kyung-won, one of the five co-chairs of the committee, made the remarks, a day after Lee arrived in Korea, despite criticism of his departure while being subject to an investigation into the death of a young Marine.

His arrival came just 11 days after Lee left for Canberra to assume the job.

"I would like to see Ambassador Lee Jong-sub step up efforts to ease people's concerns," Na said in a radio interview. "I also think that the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) should actively conduct an investigation ... so the people can no longer be surrounded by unnecessary controversies."

Calls for Lee's resignation have been growing within the PPP, amid concerns the issue is starting to hurt voter sentiment ahead of the April 10 general elections, especially in the country's capital areas, considered key battlegrounds for both rival parties

According to a poll by Gallup, support for the PPP declined 3 percentage points from the previous week to 34 percent, while support for the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea rose 1 percentage point to 33 percent. (Yonhap)
The hunt for the body of missing mother-of-three Samantha Murphy could be nearing its conclusion as police tighten the net around those close to her alleged killer.

Victoria Police search crews returned to the Buninyong bush, south of Ballarat, on Wednesday in what was the force's first publicly advertised search since February 22.

Back then, reporters were invited to a carefully managed search site at Mount Clear - a suburb of Ballarat - in what had been described as a 'major update'.

Mick and Samantha Murphy in happier times. Ms Murphy is believed dead - allegedly murdered by a 22-year old Ballarat local

Telltale signs police may be closing in on her body include 1) a media opportunity to showcase the search for Ms Murphy's earlier this week (above) which a source noted sparked 'publicity (that) can get people talking 2) Police said fresh 'intelligence' had led them to the site in Buninyong 3) The use of technology detector dogs

Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, was arrested over Ms Murphy's alleged murder on March 6 - a day shy of two weeks after Missing Persons Unit Superintendent Mark Hatt strategically briefed reporters outside the Mount Clear Scout Hall.

Detectives have so far been unable to extract the location of Ms Murphy's body from Stephenson, who will remain behind bars until his next court appearance in August.

But a source with close ties to Victoria Police's Missing Persons Unit told Daily Mail Australia while Stephenson may not be co-operating, his cohorts likely are.

Patrick Orren Stephenson has been charged with Samantha Murphy's murder

'Police would have been restricted in what they could do, ask and say while Stephenson was in the wild, but with him in the bin, those questions can now be asked,' he said.

'What we're seeing here is likely intel offered up by people who might be persuaded with suggestions that remaining quiet could be considered aiding a suspected killer.'

Wednesday's search had been prsented to journalists by Victoria Police's media team as a 'Vision Opportunity' where a 'range of specialist services on site could be filmed'.

Police advised the search was based off 'new intelligence from a number of sources' which had led them to return to comb through bushland in the Buninyong area.

Only one photographer and a television cameraman was permitted to enter the bush in what was later described by one of those operators as 'a show'.

Missing Persons Unit Superintendent Mark Hatt briefed reporters outside the Mount Clear Scout Hall on February 22 (pictured)

Police gather at a Buninyong reserve before heading out into the bush on Wednesday

Police search the bush on Wednesday in an event that was advertised to the media by Victoria Police

Images from the search captured cadaver dogs, cops on motorbikes and dozens of officers on foot scouring the terrain.

The source claimed police would have been keeping a close eye and ear on Stephenson following that search.

'This kind of publicity can get people talking. Whether it's to another inmate, on the phones or to a plant,' he said.

While prison calls are all monitored by staff, countless inmates have incriminated themselves over the years by disclosing information on them.

Undercover police officers are also known to pose as inmates while alleged offenders await trials.

On Thursday - a day after the publicised search - Victoria Police Commissioner Shane Patton revealed on Melbourne radio investigators were back out searching yet again.

His candid commentary on the investigation caught his finely crafted media team off guard.

While the location of that search was not disclosed, it was revealed Australian Federal Police technology detection dogs had been brought into the scrub.

They are the same kind of dogs that were used to sniff out iPads, a USB and smartwatch at the home of Erin Patterson, the Victorian woman charged in connection to an alleged mushroom poisoning plot last year.

The commissioner's 'drop' forced Victoria Police to admit it had been carrying out 'small scale searches' as part of its investigation for weeks.

The haunting last image of Samantha Murphy captured outside her home on February 4 - the very same day police allege she was murdered out in the bush

Samantha Murphy's husband Mick walks away from a media pack outside his home on March 7. He has been forced to learn about updates on the police search for his wife from the very people he has attempted to avoid

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton let drop that police were back in the bush searching a day after a coordinated search involving media took place

Ms Murphy, 51, left her home in Ballarat East to go for a 14km run in nearby Woowookarung Regional Park at about 7am on February 4, and has not been seen since.

The latest police searches were not even disclosed to Ms Murphy's immediate family.

Daily Mail Australia revealed on Wednesday both Ms Murphy's husband Mick and her father John Robson were oblivious to the searches in their own neighbourhood.

Mr Murphy was spotted on a desperately lonely drive through bushland as he tried to find the site police were searching for his wife's body.

Mr Robson later said both he and his son-in-law were being excluded from any developments in the investigation.

'We are in the dark mate. We haven't a clue what is going on. Mick is in the same boat as us,' he said.

Mr Robson said he and his wife were no closer to achieving the closure they so desperately needed.

'They have told us nothing,' he said.

The answers they seek may come sooner than they imagine.
Kate has paid tribute to the support of her husband William as it emerged he will return to royal duties after spending Easter with his family.

The Princess of Wales, 42, announced tonight in a deeply emotional video that she has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing 'preventative' chemotherapy.

The royal revealed the news had come as a 'huge shock' and that she and William 'have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family'.

The Mail understands that Prince William will carry out engagements when the children return to school after the Easter holidays.

Appearing in a video filmed in Windsor on Wednesday, Kate described how her diagnosis had affected her family and thanked her husband for his 'comfort and reassurance'.

The Princess of Wales has paid tribute to her husband after revealing her shock cancer diagnosis

Kate, 42, announced tonight in a deeply emotional video that she has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing 'preventative' chemotherapy

She said: 'It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.

'As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits.

'Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.'

A source emphasised that this has been a difficult period for the Wales family. William has been focused on supporting his wife and children, while continuing to undertake engagements and work, and is extremely grateful for the support from the public.

The princess will remain out of the public eye for the time being.

Kate's cancer was discovered only after she underwent major abdominal surgery at The London Clinic in January.

At the time Kensington Palace said that it was non-cancerous. They have confirmed again tonight that is the case and that no tests had confirmed the presence of cancer.

However post-operative tests subsequently found that cancer 'had been present'.

The princess is now on what has been described as a 'recovery pathway' having commenced a course of chemotherapy in late February.

It is for this reason that Prince William pulled out of a memorial service for his late godmother, King Constantine of Greece.

It is understood that the announcement was made tonight not because of unpleasant social media speculation about her health and whereabouts  although that has been upsetting and unpleasant - but because her children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louise, five, broke up from school today, which gave them the opportunity to take them away privately and protect them from the inevitable public shock.

It is understood that Kate wanted the time and space to come to terms with her diagnosis, to recover from her surgery and to then begin her pathway to recovery.

Throughout this period, her and William's three young children have been their priority.

They wanted to be able to tell them at a time that was right for them and to allow them to understand and process the news before it became public, it is understood.

The Princess of Wales with her children in her Mother's Day portrait, which now has added significance given her diagnosis

Kate and William pictured in November 2023 while welcoming the president of Korea to London

When will we see the Princess of Wales in public again?

The public and royal watchers have been clamouring to know when the Princess of Wales will be back to official duties since having surgery in January. Kate, 42, revealed she is undergoing treatment for cancer in an emotional video message on Friday and told others battling the disease 'you are not alone'. A Kensington Palace spokesman said: 'The Princess will return to official duties when she is cleared to do so by her medical team. 'She is in good spirits and is focused on making a full recovery.' Kate was seen in public with her family on Christmas Day 2023, before undergoing surgery weeks later. A Palace spokesman said: 'Their Royal Highnesses understand the interest this update will generate and are grateful for the public support they have received throughout this period. 'Kensington Palace will provide information, when the time is right, and the princess is able to restart work and her duties. 'In the meantime, we would ask that the family's privacy is respected.' A running commentary on Kate's health is not expected as she will need the time, space and privacy to fully recover. It is expected that the Prince of Wales will carry out engagements when their children return to school after the Easter holidays. It would be likely that Kensington Palace will only provide further updates on Kate's plans to return to public events when the time is deemed appropriate. Kate's own views on whether she wants to attend events and if she feels able to, along with medical advice, would form part of the decision-making process. It should also be expected that any initial public events will not necessarily signal a return to a regular public schedule. Kensington Palace has said that Kate had major abdominal surgery in January and that surgery was successful. At the time of surgery, it was thought that the condition was non-cancerous and no tests had confirmed the presence of cancer. Post-operative tests found that cancer had been present and Kate has now begun a course of preventative chemotherapy. Advertisement

With the children now away from school on their Easter holidays, the couple feel now is the right time to share their update.

Kensington Palace say they will not be sharing details of what kind of cancer the princess has, or what stage of cancer it is, and has strongly asked people not to speculate.

However they say that she is in 'good spirits and focused on her recovery'.

'She is hugely grateful to the medical team for the care they are providing to her,' a spokesman said.

'She now needs time, space and privacy to complete her treatment and make a full recovery.'

In her video statement the Princess, dressed casually in a stripped Breton top and jeans, said: 'I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery. It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I've had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful.

'In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.

'This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.

'As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment.

'But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.

'As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits. Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.

'We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment.

'My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.'

Kate with Louis and Charlotte in May 2023 as they helped renovate and improve the 3rd Upton Scouts Hut in Slough

William and Kate were spotted leaving Windsor last Monday

Even amidst her own personal anguish, there was a message for fellow cancer sufferers: 'At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.'

A spokesman for the princess said: 'We will not be sharing any further private medical information. The Princess has a right to medical privacy, as we all do.'

However her spokesman confirmed: 'The Princess is now on a recovery pathway having commenced a course of preventative chemotherapyin late February.'

The palace will not confirm how long her treatment is expected to last and has asked the media and public not to speculate.

It also said it would not confirm where her treatment would be taking place, a spokesman adding: 'We will not be sharing any further private medical information. The Princess has a right to medical privacy, as we all do.'

Asked when the princess was given the news by her doctors, a spokesman explained: 'Once post-operative tests had been completed and results reviewed.'

They added: 'The Princess wanted to share this information when she and The Prince felt it was right for them as a family. '

It has not been confirmed whether the princess is being treated on the NHS or privately.

However in selecting healthcare providers for The Princess, a balance of factors would have been considered by her medical team.

These include the most appropriate specialists for the condition, and the potential impact on other patients or on the resources of their healthcare providers and the privacy and security of the princess.

Prince and Princess of Wales with their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in Norfolk in 2022

Kensington Palace have said they understand the worldwide interested the princess's announcement would generate but have stressed that they will only provide an update when there is something significant to say in order to allow her to continue her treatment in private.

A spokesman said: 'Their Royal Highnesses understand the interest this update will generate and are grateful for the public support they have received throughout this period. Kensington Palace will provide information, when the time is right, and The Princess is able to restart work and her duties. In the meantime, we would ask that the family's privacy is respected. '

Kensington Palace said: 'The Princess will return to official duties when she is cleared to do so by her medical team. She is in good spirits and is focused on making a full recovery.'

It is understood she may be keen to attend events as and when she feels able to, in line with medical advice. Any initial public events will not necessarily signal a return to a regular public schedule.

A source added that she is in good spirits and focused on her recovery. She is hugely grateful to the medical team for the care they are providing to her and now needs to take the time and space to complete her treatment and make a full recovery.


Life can be so cruel. As if the King having cancer werent brutal enough, now this. The news that the Princess of Wales, aged just 42, is also battling this awful disease is almost too much to bear.

Hasnt the Royal Family suffered enough in recent years? The death of Prince Philip and its great matriarch, Queen Elizabeth II; the tragic and embittered departure of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex; the King falling ill so soon after the Coronation, just as he was getting into his stride.

Its been one hammer-blow after another. And yet it seems the Fates are not yet done with the House of Windsor.

The Princess of Wales? That is the cruellest twist of all.

Not only is Kate a woman in the prime of her life, she is also a mother to three young children

Her video message to the nation was stark in its simplicity and sincerity. Sitting on a garden bench and wearing a low-key striped top and jeans, she looked a little pale, but still managed to smile. A couple of times, she dropped her gaze, and a wave of sadness briefly crossed her face. Its clear that, as she said, its been a tough couple of months.

How desperately unfair this is. Not only is she a woman in her prime, she leads an exemplary lifestyle. She ought to be the last person facing a serious illness at her age. But then cancer, lets face it, respects nothing and no one.

She is also a mother to three young children: George, ten, Charlotte, eight, and Louis, five. They will be her utmost priority now: shielding them from the public reaction to her illness and reassuring them of the most important thing of all - that Mummy is going to be absolutely fine.

Nothing is more frightening for a child than seeing a parent unwell. I have had friends who have faced similar situations  and the guilt and worry are intense. In particular, its incredibly hard undergoing exhausting and debilitating treatment while putting on a brave face. But its what you have to do, even when you are feeling sick to your stomach and can barely lift your head off the pillow.

Life must go on for the Waleses children in as normal a way as possible. A degree of seclusion is undoubtedly best for them all now. As the Princess said in her poignant video message: It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be OK.

She looked so sad as she spoke those words, and so terribly fragile. Poor kids. Its a lot to deal with for any child; given the added pressures they face, these difficulties can only be redoubled.

We should also spare a thought for William. Both his beloved father and his adored wife are stricken with the same affliction, and he cant very well turn to his brother Harry for support  not as things currently stand, at least.

Perhaps that will change. But in the meantime, the two figures he most relies on for support and advice are both indisposed. And Granny, who was always such a source of reassurance and wisdom, is gone. It must be a deeply unsettling time for him, too.

She has always been exemplary in the execution of her royal duties, and since the death of the late Queen and the departure of the Sussexes, she has taken on more than her fair share.

But the person who needs the most care and attention is, of course, the Princess. Like most women in her situation  a busy wife and mother with a demanding role of her own  I suspect she may find taking her foot off the pedal and allowing herself to be looked after a challenge. Women like her are not necessarily used to putting their own needs first - but those around her, who love her, must insist.

Girlfriends of mine who have had run-ins with the big C have had to learn to let go, to get used to the change of pace. And its not always easy, especially if you are the sort of woman who, like the Princess, demands of herself the highest standards. Challenging as the treatment can be, its not always the physical side-effects that are the hardest to cope with; the mental ones can be considerable, too.

For a woman as dynamic and active as Kate, staying still wont be easy. There is something of the eternal head girl about her, always first to put her hand up to volunteer, never one to shy from responsibility. She has always been exemplary in the execution of her royal duties, and since the death of the late Queen and the departure of the Sussexes she has taken on more than her fair share. She is such a dutiful, reliable person, no doubt she will be worried about letting everyone down.

But she mustnt. If theres one thing that the past couple of weeks have reinforced, its the sense that she is held in towering estimation by the British public. In fact, Id go so far as to say that they adore her. Its abundantly clear that in the 12 years she has been married to William (and the near-two decades she has been in the public eye) she has truly earned their respect. Unlike some others, she has never expected or demanded anything. She has simply worked hard and consistently, winning over hearts and minds little by little.

That is why she is such a precious asset to the royal family. She occupies a space somewhere between the late Princess Diana and the late Queen herself: a unique combination of the formers beauty, glamour and warmth and the latters stalwart sense of duty and strength of character.

This diagnosis is not only a blow to the royals as a family, but also to the institution itself, which has rarely seemed more vulnerable.

But she will get through this. As she said herself, the treatment is preventative, meaning that the cancer has been caught early. And she has all the help and support she needs, not only from her excellent medical team, but also no doubt her own parents, the redoubtable Middletons, and the King himself, who said last night that he is so proud of her.

In her video message, the Princess movingly said Prince William had been a a great source of comfort and reassurance. She has been his rock and anchor during their marriage; now he will be hers. I have no doubt that they will come through this crisis even closer than before.

All the Princess needs to do now is focus on allowing herself the space and time she needs to make a full recovery. Truly, if goodwill and fond wishes were a cure, she would be better already. All our prayers are with her and her family.
He will need every bit of his strength, every last ounce of resilience. Never have the blows come quite so hard and quite so fast. First his father now his wife.

As all those close to Prince William acknowledge, he has never ducked a challenge, nor failed to face adversity as he so memorably demonstrated as a 15-year-old schoolboy when the gaze of the world descended on him after the death of Princess Diana.

But the health crisis afflicting his wife is as great a trial as the loss of his mother, possibly greater. For William the father, his first instincts will be for the welfare of his three children with whom he and Kate have had to share the devastating news.

Consolation may be hard to find but it will be there from the big-hearted people of these islands and beyond who will offer nothing but sympathy and a willingness to share his burden.

The Princess of Wales greets King Charles at a film premiere in London

Kate appeared in a video where she announced she is undergoing preventative chemotherapy after cancer was found following her abdominal surgery in January

As they have shown on countless occasions both at home and abroad William and Kate are a team, a couple who value the opinion of each other above others. No issue presents itself without William asking, What does the princess think? or Id better ask Kate about it.

It has been that way since before they even married, with the prince recognising that the middle class girl he met at St Andrews University often had practical answers to the most complex of matters.

As the shock of last nights news sank in and messages of commiseration poured into Kensington Palace, another serious concern was being raised: just what does Kates long term illness mean for the Royal Family and its ability to survive what may become its gravest crisis since the Abdication?

For the simple fact is the absence of both the Princess of Wales and the King represents a supercharged shock to the royal system. Charles and Kate are by some distance the most charismatic members of the family  the King in his genial reliability, Kate in her beauty and compassion.

Charles, who has also been diagnosed with a form of cancer, waves to onlookers as he leaves church with Queen Camilla in Sandringham last month

The King appeared in good spirits as he left Clarence House earlier this week

Despite the palaces appeal for restraint when it comes to speculation about the gravity of Kates cancer, it is a very natural and human reaction.

Her perfectly judged video-statement may go some way to dispel some of those fears, but concern about the well-being of the House of Windsor and its resilience in the face of these unprecedented factors are certain to be questioned.

Right now these are unstable times for a Royal Family stripped of its star performers  and stability goes to its very core. But if history teaches us one thing about the monarchy, it is has a capacity to overcome the most testing of obstacles. It has survived revolution, civil war and the darkest of threats.

Even 30 years ago, the then Prince of Wales was written off as a future monarch because of the collapse of his first marriage. But he never lost faith in the British sense of fair play, and came through the crisis to take his rightful place on the throne alongside the very woman who was said to have imperilled it in the first place, his beloved wife Camilla.

Now as uncertainty swirls around the monarchy once again, it is Queen Camilla who will be so vital to its survival. She will lead what looks increasingly like a make do and mend line up of royal cousins and second cousins and legitimate questions will be asked about whether this reduced pecking order will cope.

The experience of the past few weeks has shown just how vulnerable the family has become and the publics reaction has been one of disquiet. Nothing illustrated that unease more than the sight of the disgraced Prince Andrew leading the royals into the Windsor memorial service for ex-King Constantine of Greece.

It triggered world-wide consternation, largely because of the unexplained absence of Prince William, the late Kings godson. Yesterdays announcement now makes clear why the prince had to stay away - because of his wifes cancer diagnosis.

In the face of internet conspiracy theorists and laptop detectives who mocked the Mothers Day photograph designed to head off this cruel gossip, William emerges as a remarkably stoic and impressive figure.

Some will doubtless suggest that Prince Harry should heed this emergency and make haste for British shores, settle his differences with William and resume his place as a prominent working royal. At the moment that seems as unlikely as it will probably be unwelcome.

William may one day to settle his differences with his brother, but right now it is not a priority.

Biographers will point to the way the then Princess Elizabeth stepped up when her father King George VI was fighting cancer in the 1940s and 50s.

Although we have no exact details of the Kings condition - it is thought he is receiving a course of chemo and immunotherapy  medical progress has come on in leaps and bounds in the intervening seven decades.

Where once cancer was a life sentence, now outcomes are considerably better. And while the precise nature of Kates illness is similarly unknown, she is a strong and supremely fit woman.

If William cannot step into his fathers shoes - and no one will begrudge him if he does not - then there is another redoubtable figure who will. His aunt and Charless devoted sister Princess Anne.

It is, then, in the hands of Anne and the other lesser royals such as Prince Edward and his wife Sophie to ensure royalty defeats this twin health crisis and remains central to British life. When circumstance permits, William will be there too.

For decades under the late Queen Elizabeth the monarchy, dutiful and dignified, was taken for granted. Blessed by her remarkable years of good health, the blips on her watch were comparatively minor.

Yet in the space of just over 18 months since her death in September 2022, the institution has been shaken to its foundations and the family itself become visibly threadbare. The Harry saga and Prince Andrew scandal have added to this sense of decay.

Adapting to circumstances has for years been the secrets to the Royal Familys longevity, relevance and its success. And the clarity and openness of Kates remarkable statement can only help. Understanding will also help to shut down the wicked rumour-mongers, at least for now.

We may be in the most unsettling of times but the monarchy earned our undying thanks for the manner in which it steered Britain through the darkest days of the Second World War. Now as the royals face their greatest modern challenge, they have every right to expect that we will give them our support.
He is a man born into centuries of tradition and steeped in duty  but is a husband and father first.

Time and time again over the years, Prince William has made clear that while he takes seriously the burden of his future role as king and his current responsibilities as heir to the throne, he will never put them before his wife and family.

Those qualities will be needed now, more than ever before.

William has always made clear how proud he is of Kate, both personally and in the way she has embraced her role.

The Prince of Wales and Queen Camilla arrive at the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey earlier this month

William attends a meeting in Sheffield this week focusing on ending homelessness in the UK

Indeed not so long ago, while talking to me about his own work, he made a point of bringing her into the conversation, stressing how he would see her sitting in their lounge, night after night, poring over papers relating to her groundbreaking work on childrens early years.

It was abundantly clear he wanted the world to know that she was his equal, and more.

And he has always emphasised that it was Kate who was the brains behind their joint Heads Together campaign with Prince Harry to break the national stigma around mental health.

But more importantly, I would suggest, it is the princesss grounded brilliance as a mother, and the joy and happiness that she and their family have brought him, that has irrevocably changed Williams life.

He is a child of a broken marriage and warring parents, and grew up in the white heat of the public limelight. Kates steadiness, diligence and discretion have been just what he needed as a man.

I dont think any of us can even begin to understand how difficult the past few months will have been for William.

Just watching what his wife has been going through: The worry of major abdominal surgery, the joyous news that the surgery had been successful, and then the heart-stopping diagnosis that, in fact, cancer had been found.

Add to that his fathers own surgery and subsequent cancer diagnosis... well, thats a hard load for anyone to bear.

Just this week, I accompanied William on a public engagement to Sheffield to highlight his Homewards project to end the scourge of homeless in the UK.

Afterwards I wrote a commentary in the Daily Mail about how he was on fantastic form with all he met, engaging, enthusiastic, passionate and knowledgable.

But I also wrote about how, having covered the Royal Family for so long, you learn how to read their body language, and it was clear to me that William was also a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders.

I couldnt quite put my finger on exactly what it was, but there was a slight sadness around the eyes and, noticeably, a loss of weight.

How remarkable that he has even been able to do half of what he has undertaken publicly in recent months  even carrying out investitures for his cancer-stricken father  given everything that has been going on behind the scenes.

And even more remarkable that he was spending the day working to see what he could do for others, knowing that the very next morning he would be at Windsor with his wife as she recorded a moving video message to reveal her cancer diagnosis and the couples private plight to the world.

It is also a sign of the solidity of their relationship that both they and their staff were at pains to stress yesterday that their children have been at the heart of everything they have done since January, in spite of the sometimes hideously unbearable provocation they have received, particularly on social media.

Indeed, as aides briefed a small group of journalists, including myself, about the cancer news that they were about to break to the world yesterday, there was not one attempt to finger-point at the gossip-mongers who have caused the prince and princess so much distress in recent weeks.

The fact that the couple have not publicly lambasted the trolls, and instead focused on their children and those who have found themselves in the same, frightening position, shows what a class act they are.

Several of us asked whether their statement had been issued now to counter those vultures.

And while it was made clear that they hoped that speculation would now end, it was also stressed the announcement was very much being made around the children.

I closed my earlier piece this week for the Mail revealing that I had been told the couple had not entirely ruled out making some kind of public statement in the coming weeks.

There was much William would like to say, I said.

I added that it has been tough for him to stand by and see his wifes reputation shredded by the court of public opinion in the way his late mothers once was, and remarked that how he handles the situation moving forwards will surely be a mark of the King he is one day to become.

I think we all know the answer to that now.

He is a man who knows his moral compass and what truly matters to him. He has shoulders broader than anyone imagined.

Those are qualities that we, as a country, one day in the future, will be lucky to share.
Federal authorities are seeking criminal charges for about a dozen illegal immigrants who led a wild and chaotic riot at the border in El Paso, Texas Thursday and were identified via law enforcement cameras, DailyMail.com can reveal.

At least one migrant will face charges for assaulting a Texas National Guard member during the incident, where troops tried to stop a mob of migrants from reaching the border wall Thursday, federal sources speaking on condition of anonymity told DailyMail.com.

'Those people weren't trying to peacefully enter the country; they were storming the gates,' Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales, who represents east El Paso said in a phone interview Friday.

'What do you think they're going to do when they're released all over the country?'

The migrants had attempted to storm the border Wednesday night, throwing rocks at Texas National Guard members, but ended up dispersing, another source explained.

Images of the bedlam showed 600 migrants first climbing over a triple layer of razor wire and then pushing past and overpowering national guard members who tried to stop them.

A group of about 600 migrants who entered the US illegally rushed the border Thursday in El Paso, Texas

A migrant observes others who breached the concertina wire on the Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas on Thursday, March 21, 2024. The migrants were hoping to be processed by Border Patrol

About 600 migrants who breached the barriers set up on the Rio Grande in El Paso,

'There were probably only about a dozen ring leaders and then rest (of the migrants) just followed along,' one law enforcement source explained.

About 600 migrants were taken into custody by US Border Patrol when it was all said and done, however, the vast majority will not face charges.

'There has to be repercussions for people who break the law,' Gonzales added.

'This is wrong-- this is wrong on all levels.'

Tension had been building leading up to the riot since Wednesday night.

A few trouble makers had been scheming to get past guard members and began throwing rocks at the soldiers.

However, the migrants dispersed and returned the next morning.

Members of the Texas National Guard work with Border Patrol to coordinate migrants who crossed the border from Mexico and forced their way through concertina wire while they wait to be processed by border patrol as they are stopped on the U.S. side of the Rio Grande, in El Paso, Texas

Migrants breach infrastructure set up by the Texas National Guard on the Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas on Thursday

A migrant shows an injury he alleged that he suffered after a Texas National Guard forced him back south of the barrier set up by the Texas National Guard on the Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas

Migrant families who were part of the 600-person mob wait to be processed by US Border Patrol

The migrants were already in the US as they had already crossed the international boundary, which is a few hundred yards south of the border wall.

Many of these asylum seeking migrants had chosen not to turn surrender themselves immediately as this is a well-known place to give up to US Border Patrol agents, because they were caught in limbo due a Texas law SB4.

The controversial law gives state and local police in the Lone Star State permission to arrest illegal immigrants, a right that has only been reserved for federal officers like US Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The law, which has been banned several times in recent days by federal courts, was then allowed to take effect for a few hours Tuesday, before it blocked again Tuesday night.

The legal whiplash left many migrants unsure would would happen to them if they turned themselves over to Border Patrol.

The crowds were camping out in the no-mans land between north of the river that separates the US and Mexico, the Rio Grande.

The river is the international boundary, not the border wall.

By Thursday morning, the migrants climbed over the wire fence in coordination and made a run for the border wall to presumably turn themselves in by force.

However, Democratic Congresswoman Veronica Escobar blamed the national guard, ordered there by Gov. Greg Abbott as part of his border security plan, Operation LoneStar.

'Today's event make two things clear: first Operation Lone Star is ineffective and does not work,' the El Paso official said in a statement.

'Texas National Guard are not trained to process migrants and their presence impedes federal law enforcement.'
Long misdiagnosed as schizophrenia, the details of what a patient actually sees while enduring 'demon face syndrome,' or prosopometamorphopsia (PMO), has long remained a mystery  until now.

Only about 75 cases have ever been documented of the syndrome, in which a person perceives unusual, often grotesque distortions when staring at a human face.

But a rare individual with the condition, a 58-year-old male who reached out to neuropsychologists at Dartmouth, has the unique ability to see faces normally on paper and on screens, despite seeing more eerie 'demon faces' in his real life.

This split allowed him and the researchers to reliably illustrate, for the first time, what faces can look like for a person living with the haunting vision of PMO.

'Most of the articles about PMO have been brief case reports about individual cases,' Dartmouth Professor Brad Duchaine told DailyMail.com, 'written by the neurologists who happened to encounter them in their clinical practice.'

'Our report is especially interesting,' he said, 'because [...] we can be confident that the distortions of his visualizations accurately reflect what he experiences.'

A rare individual with a variation of the 'demon face syndrome' has the unique ability to see faces normally on paper and on screens, despite seeing more eerie 'demon faces' in his real life. The divide allowed researchers to properly illustrate, for the first time, what faces look like to a person living with the demon-tinted glasses of prosopometamorphopsia (PMO)

Damage that led to PMO was often found in the form of lesions on the occipital and temporal lobes in the back of the brain, near areas that neuroscientists have classified as face-recognizing areas, marked in green above. But some mysterious cases are harder to trace

'It's not uncommon for people who have PMO to not tell others about their problem with face perception,' Duchaine, a coauthor on the new study, said in a statement.

'They fear others will think the distortions are a sign of a psychiatric disorder,' he added. 'It's a problem that people often don't understand.'

Duchaine and Dartmouth PhD student Antonio Mellon ran their 58-year-old PMO patient through a series of tests not unlike modern 'police sketch artists.'

The researchers, who work with Dartmouth's Social Perception Lab, first took a photograph of a volunteer participant's face.

They then showed their case study patient that photo on a computer screen, asking him to stare at the real face of that same participant and give them feedback on the differences he perceived.

'The distortions he perceives,' Prof. Brad Duchaine (above) told DailyMail.com, 'provide a nice illustration that we do not have access to the world. Instead, all of our experiences are constructed by the brain'

Using that real-time feedback from their 58-year-old, Mellon and Duchaine used computer software to adjust the photograph of the volunteer participant to match how his PMO condition was altering the faces that he was seeing.

Their results, published today in medical journal The Lancet, look almost goblin-like  faces with pointy ears; sharp noses; and wide, reptilian mouths.

'The distortions he perceives,' Duchaine told DailyMail.com via email, 'provide a nice illustration that we do not have access to the world. Instead, all of our experiences are constructed by the brain.'

While the study is a breakthrough in understanding how this one person with PMO sees the world, a broad understanding of the condition is only beginning to emerge.

The visual distortions classified as PMO can vary widely.

One 52-year-old woman, according to a previous study in The Lancet, suffered all her life seeing human faces morph into dragon-like visages. In another case, a 44-year-old woman described seeing faces that 'look almost like a caricature.'

'Distortions in the great majority of the PMO cases in the literature began after an obvious neurological event and nearly all of those who were scanned had brain damage in visual regions of the brain,' Duchaine told DailyMail.com.

The damage was often found in the form of lesions on the occipital and temporal lobes, near areas that neuroscientists have classified as face-recognizing areas.

But, as his Social Perception Lab has continued to search for new manifestations of the syndrome  with an open call for new applicants on their dedicated web page  the lab is starting to learn of still more mysterious cases.

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'We are hearing through our website from many people who are unaware of a neurological event that coincided with the onset of their distortions,' he said.

'We have also heard from a handful of people who report having distortions their entire lives and even two cases with family members who have also experienced face distortions.'

Psychologists and other clinicians have been aware of the condition since at least 1953, when a sympathetic neurologist first coined its unwieldy official name, 'prosopometamorphopsia.'

'MacDonald Critchley, one of the giants of 20th-century UK neurology, coined the term,' according to Duchaine.

'Interestingly, Critchley was himself prosopagnosic  he had great difficulty recognizing facial identity.'

The name is derived from the Greek word for face, 'prosopon,' and a preexisting medical term for perceptual or vision-based distortions 'metamorphopsia.'

The variance in symptoms includes not only shapes and sizes, but colors and even positions of facial features.

Taken along with the documented fact that PMO can arrive suddenly, lasting for just days, or for many years, or in some cases arriving at birth as a lifelong issue, Duchaine noted that mental health professionals have often struggled to correctly identify it.

'We've heard from multiple people with PMO that they have been diagnosed by psychiatrists as having schizophrenia and put on anti-psychotics,' Duchaine said, 'when their condition is a problem with the visual system.'
A 16th century Italian 'vampire' who was buried with a brick jammed in her mouth over fears she would feed on corpses underground has had her face reconstructed by scientists.

Incredible new images  made using 3D scans of her ancient skull  reveal a woman with a pointed chin, silver hair, wrinkled skin and a slightly crooked nose.

They also show what she would have looked like with the stone block inserted in her jaws.

Experts think the brick was put there shortly after she died by locals who feared she would feed on fellow victims of a plague that swept an Italian town located minutes from Venice.

Skeletal evidence already suggests she was 60 years of age at time of death, but not much more is known about her.

Recreation of the woman's face using 3D software allowed examination whether a brick could have been inserted into her mouth

His research also allowed him to test the theory whether inserting the brick would even have been possible without damaging the mouth and teeth

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The amazing reconstructions were done by Brazilian forensic expert and 3D illustrator Cicero Moraes, who detailed the project in a new study.

As Moraes explains, the skeleton was found in 2006 during excavations of burial pits of Nuovo Lazzaretto in Venice, where plague victims who died between the 15th and 17th centuries were buried.

During the work, the skull from one of the tombs caught attention, as the jaw was open and inside the oral cavity there was a stone brick.

'Studies were carried out to find out whether the positioning of the brick was accidental or deliberate,' Moraes says in his paper.

'The results rejected the first hypothesis, indicating that the placement of the brick was intentional and was part of a symbolic burial ritual.'

Fears of vampires were rife in Europe in the middle ages, largely due to a lack of understanding as to why dead bodies would swell up.

Belief in vampires led to such rituals as staking corpses through the heart before they were buried.

In some cultures the dead were buried face-down to prevent them from finding their way out of their graves, but objects in the mouth was another practice.

According to Moraes, the suggestion that the woman was considered a vampire dates back to a 2010 study published by forensic anthropologist Matteo Borrini.

'The anti-vampirism rituals that we know today are the result of a historical evolution of the myth,' Moraes told MailOnline.

The remains of a female 'vampire' from 16th-century Venice, buried with a brick in her mouth allegedly to prevent her feasting on plague victims

The exploration of the mass grave from the 1576 outbreak of plague yielded one of the most bizarre archeological finds. Now, images show what she likely looked like

In 2006, the woman's skeleton was found in a mass grave of plaque victims on the Venetian island of Lazzaretto Nuovo

Vampires in medieval Europe Tales of walking corpses that drank the blood of the living and spread plague flourished in medieval Europe in times of disease. Due to a lack of a understanding of infectious diseases, citizens came to believe that those who became vampires preyed first upon their own families. Vampire myths were especially popular in eastern Europe, and the word vampire most likely originates from that region. Digging up the bodies of suspected vampires was practiced in many cultures throughout Europe. It is thought that the natural characteristics of decomposition - such as receding gums and the appearance of growing hair and fingernails - reinforced the belief that corpses were in fact continuing some manner of life after death. Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica Advertisement

'The study specifically addresses the belief that inserting the brick made it impossible for vampires to feed, and neutralise them.'

Using 3D scans of the skull, Moraes estimated the distribution of soft tissue to flesh out the woman's face.

Then the nose was designed based on data extracted from measurements taken from tomography scans of living individuals of different ancestries.

'Using all the projected information, it was possible to draw the profile of the face,' he says.

His research also allowed him to test the theory whether inserting the brick would even have been possible without damaging the mouth and teeth.

Moraes recreated the brick with styrofoam cut down to the exact measurements to see if it could fit in his own mouth.

'The original study contains some measurements of the brick, other images contain reference to the thickness,' Moraes told MailOnline.

'I crossed data to generate a brick with a compatible size and cut it out of a piece of Styrofoam, which I painted to keep it firm.

'Then I tested the placement in my own mouth, under the observation of another person, as I didn't know if it would work or not.

'It worked, so I transported the data to the 3D model and it was compatible there too.'

3D scan of the 'vampire' woman's skull in red with reconstructed tissue and the brick sticking out of her mouth

Researcher Cicero Moraes recreated the brick using styrofoam to see if it could fit in his mouth

Researcher Cicero Moraes recreated the brick using styrofoam to see if it could fit in his mouth

Moraes says there is no surviving documentation from the woman's lifetime to suggest she was considered a vampire.

Instead, this has come from modern interpretations of why exactly the brick was there.

It's already known that Lazzaretto Nuovo served as a quarantine station for plague victims from the 1400s to the 1700s.

This coincided with a fear of vampires, triggered when locals noticed that dead bodies swelled up as if they were feasting on flesh.

Venice's 'vampire' skeleton is not the only to have been found with a objects in the mouth, however.

Back in 2014, researchers reported the discovery of the remains of a man in Poland with a rock in its mouth and a stake in its leg.

Eight century remains in Ireland also had large stones in their mouths, placed there 'violently'.
From colour-changing chameleons to the humble stick insect, creatures across the animal kingdom have developed some weird and wacky ways of staying hidden.

But now, scientists may have discovered one of the strangest camouflage tactics yet.

So, can you spot the second spider in this astonishing image?

Scientists say they might have discovered the first case of two spiders working together to hide, but can you spot the second spider?

Deep in the tropical jungles of Yunnan province, south-west China, researchers stumbled upon a pair of spiders that might work be working together to hide.

Shi-Mao Wu at Yunnan University, who first spotted this elusive duo says: 'This may be the worlds first case of cooperative mimicry.'

If you struggled to spot the second spider at first, you're not alone as even Dr Wu says they struggled to see it.

It is directly underneath the small brown spider.

Dr Wu and his colleague Jiang-Yun Gao discovered this odd behaviour while trekking through the tropical rainforest of Xishuangbanna, near the China-Laos border.

He first spotted a male Thomisus guangxicus spider resting on the flower of a Hoya pandurata, a plant which grows on tea trees.

However, it was only after taking a closer look that he was able to see the much larger female beneath.

'When I first observed the male spider, I did not observe the female spider, they successfully deceived my eyes.' he told NewScientist.

The researchers discovered this behaviour in a male and female crab spider living in the tropical rainforest of Xishunagbanna, southern China

In the dense tropical rainforest of Yunnan province (pictured), crab spiders use their incredible camouflage to hide from both predators and prey

Crab spiders: key facts Scientific name: Thomisidae Crab spider is the general name for about 2100 different species of spider. They do not spin webs but use their camouflage to ambush prey. They are known for catching prey far larger than themselves. In the UK, the flower crab spider can be found throughout the south of England. Advertisement

Spiders from the Thomisidae family, often called crab spiders, are well known for their incredible abilities of camouflage.

Crab spiders frequently live on or around flowers, using bright colours and patterns to blend in with the petals.

Some crab spiders even have the ability to change colour so that they can blend in better with their environment.

As fierce ambush predators, the spider simply waits for an unsuspecting pollinator to land on the flower before grabbing and biting their prey.

However, these male and female Thomisus guangxicus spiders seem to be taking their camouflage to a whole new level.

What makes these spiders so difficult to spot, the researchers suggest, is that they are working together to look like a single flower.

Dr Wu hypothesises that the smaller male mimics the pistil, the coloured organs in the middle of the flower, while the larger female impersonates the white petals.

The spiders were found on a Hoya pandurata flower (pictured), they believe that the male mimics the darker centre while the female appears similar to the white outer petals

Crab spiders, like flower crab spider, use their camouflage to blend into flower petals from where they can jump out and grab any visiting pollinators

While either might stand out on their own, by coming together they can perfectly match the appearance of the flower.

If this is true, it would be the first time that such cooperative mimicry has ever been observed.

In their paper, published in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, Dr Wu and his colleague write: 'The flower's complex color is matched as a whole only when individual spiders of both sexes are present.

'This could be an example of cooperation that expands the niche of both females and males in mimicry systems, and cooperating individuals may have improved survivorship and predation efficiency.'

However, not every scientist is convinced by this theory.

Gabriele Greco, who researches spider behaviour and ecology at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, says there are simpler explanations.

Mr Greco told NewScientist: 'It is very difficult to establish the nature of the behaviour that has been observed.'

Since it is quite common for male spiders to sit on top of females during their mating period, this behaviour might not have much to do with camouflage.

Mr Greco adds: 'The easier explanation could be a simple interaction linked to courtship and mating'
Three years ago, everything changed for Victor Sharrah when demon faces appeared everywhere and his life became a 'horror movie.'

Victor Sharrah was 56 years old when he saw a grotesque and disturbing-looking man walking through his apartment who turned out to be his roommate.

His roommate's mouth was stretched wide, the ears were pointed upwards, the eyes were slanted and the nostrils flared - but when he left the house he noticed that every person he passed on the street looked the same way.

It turns out that Sharrah, now 59, has a rare condition called prosopometamorphopsia (PMO), or demon face syndrome, which has only been recorded in 75 cases and causes the mind to distort people's faces.

Experts suspected he developed demon face syndrome years after he hit his head after the door jammed while he tried to exit his truck trailer, but Sharrah also said it could have been caused by him experiencing possible carbon monoxide poisoning four months earlier.

Victor Sharrah started seeing demon faces when he was 56 years old

Victor Sharrah as a younger man (age unknown) - He currently lives in Clarkesville, about 50 miles north of Nashville, Tennessee

Demon face syndrome is an incredibly rare condition, with only 75 people diagnosed in the world

Sharrah initially panicked when he woke up to his roommate walking to the bathroom with a horrific face.

'I thought, 'What the hell did I just see?,'' Sharrah told The Times, adding: 'It was like something out of a movie, like a demon face.'

When he left his apartment to walk his dog in Clarkesville, about 50 miles north of Nashville, every person Sharrah saw had a demon face and he strongly considered putting himself in a psychiatric ward.

'I was really freaking out at that point. I was going to go have myself committed,' he told the outlet.

Victor Sharrah woke up one morning to see his roommate with a demon face and when he left the house, he noticed demon faces were everywhere

Demon face syndrome can be caused by epilepsy, brain injury, stroke, or migraines

Sharrah is now a 59-year-old former truck driver, and still suffers from seeing demon faces everywhere, although the diagnosis does not extend to pictures or images on television screens.

Pictured is Sharrah as a young boy

His ability to see both distorted faces when he looks at a person and normal faces in pictures allowed Sharrah to give researchers the unique opportunity to create a two-dimensional image of what people with demon face syndrome see daily.

'Our report is especially interesting because [...] we can be confident that the distortions of his visualizations accurately reflect what he experiences,' Dartmouth Professor Brad Duchaine, a coauthor on the new study told Dailymail.com.

While the images replicating the demon faces are disturbing, Sharrah said the reality of watching people walking and talking with this face '[is] much more traumatic than the pictures can convey.'

PMO has long been misdiagnosed as schizophrenia, and when Sharrah developed the disorder, he reached out on an online support forum to ask if anyone had experienced the same thing.

Sharrah said he had hit his head in 2007 and may have been exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning four months before he developed the disorder

Demon faces show the mouth was stretched wide, the ears were pointed upwards, slanted eyes and flared nostrils

An expert responded and suggested he might have PMO and 'explained that I hadn't lost my mind or need to be committed,' Sharrah told The Times.

She immediately asked him: 'When was your brain injury?' he added.

PMO can develop from a head injury, epilepsy, migraines, or ischemic strokes - when the brain's blood supply is blocked, preventing the brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients which causes the brain cells to die.

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Sharrah said he had, in fact, hit his head in 2007 when he was exiting his truck trailer and the door had jammed.

He first hit his chin on the handle before falling backward and hitting his head after he yanked the door open.

He said he may have also suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning four months before he woke up to seeing demon faces.

Three years after that fateful day, Sharrah said he still sees demon faces and has 'pretty much gotten used to' the condition but still hopes it 'could correct itself and go away.'

PMO can last for only a few days or weeks, but in some cases, the perceived distortions can last for years.

Sharrah underwent tests that revealed he had a one-centimeter cyst on the hippocampus area of the brain which plays a major role in learning but is primarily associated with memory.

A cyst is similar to a tumor in appearance but is filled with air or fluid that can be drained or removed during a surgical procedure, if necessary - Sharrah did not say if the cyst will be removed.

However, he said experts believe that his disorder could be linked to an issue processing colors because the demon faces become more pronounced when he looks through a red filter, but less so when he looks through green.

Sharrah said he hopes his story will help others currently on medication or whose condition has gone undiagnosed.

'I don't want people on medications for psychosis when they just have a vision disorder,' Sharrah told The Times.

'I hope we can help [stop] some from experiencing the trauma I did.'
By Kwak Yeon-soo

The nominations of proportional representation candidates by the ruling People Power Party's interim leader Han Dong-hoon, along with his visit to the conservative stronghold of Daegu, indicate his efforts to step out of President Yoon Suk Yeol's shadow and position himself as a potential candidate for the next presidential election, according to political analysts.

The discord between the interim leader and Yoon started when Han was accused of intentionally prioritizing or excluding from the candidate list figures loyal to the president, such as Joo Ki-hwan, a prosecutor-turned-politician known for his close ties with Yoon, and Jin Yang-hye, a former TV announcer and close friend of first lady Kim Keon Hee. Joo was placed 24th on the list, a position that might not secure him a seat in the National Assembly. Consequently, he withdrew his candidacy in protest against the perceived disadvantage.

Instead, Han displayed favoritism toward those aligned with himself.

Kim Hyung-joon, a professor at Pai Chai University and former president of the Korean Association of Electoral Studies, said this kind of power struggle is common in elections.

If Han wants to follow his independent political path, he should go his own way. Conflict with the presidential office is inevitable. A person who obeys the president without question does not have a future, he said.

Park Chang-hwan, a political commentator, said, Han is facing increasing calls to distinguish himself from President Yoon, who is already entering a lame duck phase. Han needs to reshape the party in its own image if he does not want to suffer the same fate as President Yoon."

On Thursday, when the party's election campaign began in earnest, the PPP interim leader went to Daegu, the stronghold of the conservative party, a move signaling that he is the new face of conservative party.

However, political analysts have noted that it remains to be seen whether Han will continue to lead the party after the April 10 general elections. They suggest that his leadership prospects hinge on the election results.

Whether Han will stay or leave the party after the elections depends on his strategy for his likely presidential election in 2027. If the PPP loses in the general elections, it wont be easy for Han to lead the minority ruling party. Another way is to leave the country for some time and return before the presidential election. That can be a way of maintaining his novel image, Park said.

Kim said, When Han entered politics, he literally said that his life is going to take a twisted path. What does that mean? If the ruling PPP wins in the upcoming April elections, Hans conflict with President Yoon will only deepen. If his party loses, he is likely step away from all politics and look to the 2027 presidential race."

Recent surveys show a rise in Hans popularity, placing him in competition with Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Rep. Lee Jae-myung, who competed against Yoon in 2022. According to a Matrix poll, released on March 5, 33 percent of 1,000 respondents said they would vote for Han, while 30 percent expressed their preference for Lee, if the two run for president in 2027.
It sank into the North Sea nearly 700 years ago, battered by rough weather.

But scientists are on a quest to find what's left of Ravenser Odd, a short-lived medieval city on an island in the Humber Estuary.

Described as 'Yorkshire's Atlantis', the important coastal settlement  which is the subject of a new exhibition in Hull  thrived during the late 13th century.

It was just west of Spurn point, the very tip of the curvy peninsula that separates the North Sea and the Humber Estuary.

Since 2021, two Hull academics have been conducting seafloor searches for the city's remains using high-resolution seafloor mapping equipment.

Map showing the location of former island town Ravenser Odd. It was just west of Spurn point, the very tip of the curvy peninsula that separates the North Sea and the Humber Estuary

Pictured, Spurn point today. Ravenser Odd would have been to the right of this shot had it not sunk in the 14th century, battered by rough weather

What was Ravenser Odd? Ravenser Odd was a prosperous town on an island at the mouth of the Humber estuary. It was founded in the mid 1200s, and had more than 100 houses and a flourishing market by April 1, 1299, when it was given a borough charter. However, by the mid-1300s, storms and strong tidal currents began to take their toll on the settlement. It was gradually abandoned before it slipped into the sea around the 1360s. Advertisement

One of them is Dr Steve Simmons, a lecturer in energy and environment at the University of Hull, who said Ravenser Odd was once a 'prosperous settlement'.

They've been hoping for any remains of the town, like the foundations of the seawall and harbour, but as yet they've had no success.

'Despite its relative importance in 1299, today, Ravenser Odd has been largely forgotten  because it disappeared, swallowed by the North Sea,' said Dr Simmons in an article for The Conversation.

'Conditions in the estuary make it difficult to search for traces of the lost town.'

Both Ravenser Odd and its neighbour, Hull, gained their charters from Edward I on the same day  April 1, 1299.

The charter made Ravenser Odd into a recognised borough and exempted its merchants from some taxes.

This allowed the town to build its own court, jail and chapel.

At its peak it had around 100 houses and a thriving market  and it was an even more important port than Hull further up the Humber.

However, within about half a century the town's fortunes faded.

Map showing the location of former island town Ravenser Odd. It was just west of Spurn point, the very tip of the curvy peninsula that separates the North Sea and the Humber Estuary

Since 2021, two Hull academics have been conducting seafloor searches for the city's remains using high-resolution seafloor mapping equipment. Pictured, setting off on a survey in 2022

READ MORE Experts discover new treasure in mysterious underwater city Lost Egyptian city of Heracleion has been compared with the myth of Atlantis Advertisement

'By the mid-14th century, the storms and strong tidal currents of the North Sea began to take their toll on the settlement,' said Dr Simmons.

'A devastating blow was dealt in 1362 by the storm surge of St Marcelluss flood after which the town began to be abandoned.'

A historic map shows that other islands to the west of the Spurn peninsula were also lost, with names including Orwithfleet and Sunthorpe, but Ravenser Odd was the biggest.

Due to coastal erosion, it's not hard for entire islands to be weakened and lost over time, Dr Simmons warns.

The Holderness coastline, to the north of the Spurn peninsula, is the fastest eroding coastline in Europe.

Its crumbling cliffs of soft boulder clay are retreating at an average rate of 6.5 feet (2 metres) per year.

Ravenser Odd is the subject of a new exhibition at Hull History Centre that runs until Thursday 30 May.

It includes key documents including maps of medieval Hull and the original Hull and Ravenser Odd charters, on loan from The National Archives.

'Despite its proximity to Hull, the story of Ravenser Odd is fairly unknown,' said Councillor Rob Pritchard, portfolio holder for leisure and culture.

Both Ravenser Odd and its neighbour, Hull, gained their charters from Edward I on the same day, April 1, 1299 Pictured, portrait erected at Westminster Abbey sometime during reign of Edward I, thought to be an image of the king

'An understanding of the Ravenser story and its implications for the wider Humber will allow Hull people to reflect on their own 800 years of maritime history and the opportunities to explore themes around Hull's own development.

'This exhibition will tell the story and capture the imagination of residents, children and young people in many different ways.'

While there's little doubt that Ravenser Odd existed based on contemporary records, the same can't be said about Atlantis to which it is compared.

The alleged ancient city is said to have been destroyed and submerged under the Atlantic Ocean, but it's generally believed to have been made up by Greek philosopher Plato.

Last year, another research team revealed they'd found Germany's equivalent of Atlantis  the town of Rungholt, which was sunk by a storm in 1362.
Grieving the death of a pet can be a sad and lonely experience, but would you pay a year's salary to get your furry friend back?

Well, a Canadian woman has done just that. Kris Stewart of British Columbia paid $50,000 for not one but two clones of her deceased ragdoll cat, Bear.

Bear tragically died at the tender age of five, hit by a car in January 2022, and her new cats, Bear Bear and Honey Bear, are genetic twins of the beloved pet.

The new kittens were created through somatic cell cloning, which involved transferring the nucleus of one of Bear's cells into a new egg cell.

The egg was then implanted in a surrogate mother who gave birth to the kittens that have zero percent of her DNA but 100 percent of Bear's.

Kris Stewart with Bear Bear and Honey Bear, her new cloned kittens from Texas-based biotech company ViaGen.

Bear, Stewart's previous cat, died in a traffic accident at just five years old. She wanted him back, so she had him cloned

'I just felt like there was more living that needed to be done by Bear,' Stewart told CBC.

READ MORE: Chinese scientists successfully clone a rhesus MONKEY for the first time But experts say using the same technique to replicate humans is 'unjustifiable.' Advertisement

So she contracted the services of Texas-based company ViaGen, which calls itself 'the worldwide leader in cloning the animals we love.'

After Bear Bear and Honey Bear were born to their surrogate mother on January 10 of this year, they spent two months in ViaGen's New York facility.

And Stewart was allowed to take them home this week.

'They both seem like Bear,' she said. 'These guys are bold and sassy.'

Her deceased cat was rambunctious and highly intelligent, she told CBC.

'Bear was the smartest animal I think I've ever had, and I've had animals since I was two years old,' Stewart explained.

In addition to cats, ViaGen also offers horse cloning.

Dogs and cats cost $50,000, while horses cost $85,000.

According to Stewart's LinkedIn, she is the chief executive of a nurse staffing agency.

This industry has proven especially lucrative since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Weekly rates for travel nurses soared from between $1,000 and $2,000 pre-pandemic to between $3,000 and $5,000.

DailyMail.com has reached out to her for comment.

Stewart cuddles her new clone cats Bear Bear and Honey Bear, who just came home with her this week after eight weeks in ViaGen's facility

Bear, seen here attempting to open a door, was extremely smart, according to Kris Stewart. She said she thinks the clones behave like he did so far

As far as the technology goes, ViaGen uses somatic cell nuclear transfer to create a clone of a pet.

This is the same technique that was used to produce the famed Scottish sheep Dolly.

Somatic cell cloning, also called somatic cell nuclear transfer or just nuclear transfer, is simple in concept but difficult in execution.

It involves taking the DNA out of the cell from a donor - in this case a body cell, as indicated by the word 'somatic.'

To create somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) clones, scientists take DNA (red circle) from tissue and insert it into egg cells (yellow) with their DNA (green) removed. The scientists then switch on or off certain genes to help the cells replicate (right)

Then an egg cell has its DNA removed, to be replaced with the donor's DNA.

This altered egg cell is then implanted in a surrogate.

When the surrogate gives birth, the baby is genetically identical to the animal that donated the body cell, and it shares no relation to her.

Cloned animals often do not survive birth, but ones that are born healthy tend to do well.

This was the third attempt ViaGen had made at cloning Bear, as the first two attempts had failed.

Though the kittens are genetic twins with Bear, that does not guarantee that they will have the same personality as he did.

In an extreme example, Texans Ralph and Sandra Fisher cloned their beloved gentle bull named Chance, only to have the clone gore Ralph twice.

But for now the entrepreneur has said she is 'thrilled' with her new cats.
An air travel warning has been issued for April's highly anticipated solar eclipse due to 'a higher traffic volume than normal anticipated at airports.'

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) made the announcement Thursday, saying airports along and near the 'path of totality' will likely experience delays and rerouting from April 7 through April 10.

Hundreds of airports from Maine to Texas are under the warning, including America's busiest facility Dallas-Fort Worth International which sees more than 200,000 travelers each day.

The announcement comes as state officials fear cellular service could be disrupted also due to the influx of visitors - up to 3.7 million people are set to flock to regions set for the 'Great North America Eclipse.'

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) made the announcement Thursday, saying airports along the 'path of totality' will likely experience delays and rerouting from April 7 through April 10

'Aircraft should be prepared for potential airborne holding, reroutes, and/or Expect Departure Clearance Times (EDCTs) that may be issued for all domestic IFR arrivals and departures. Traffic Management Initiatives (TMIs) are possible,' reads the FAA announcement.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association reported air traffic during the 2017 solar eclipse in the US saw an increase at airports in range of the path of totality - with St Joseph in Missouri a record increase of 200 percent.

Several airports were forced to issue ground stops due to other locations experiencing high traffic.

Evansville Regional Airport representative Justin Hobgood said in 2017: 'I came in at 9 a.m. to find the airspace completely filled with aircraft.

'I thought the filters were malfunctioning.'

A flight controller in Oregon said the increase in traffic during the 2017 eclipse was incredible and made for a crazy day - imagery of flights shows hundreds of planes traveling in the skies at once

Hundreds of airports from Maine to Texas are under the warning, including America's busiest facility Dallas-Fort Worth International which sees more than 200,000 travelers each day

The total solar occurs when the moon completely blocks the face of the sun, briefly turning the outdoors dark during the daytime

A flight controller in Oregon said the increase in traffic was incredible and made for a crazy day - imagery of flights shows hundreds of planes traveling in the skies at once.

And such issues could strike again next month.

When will the total solar eclipse occur? After passing through Mexico, the first state to see the total solar eclipse on April 8 will be: Texas (starting at 13:27 CDT) It will then pass to the following states: Oklahoma (13:43 CDT)

(13:43 CDT) Arkansas (13:45 CDT)

(13:45 CDT) Missouri (13:53 CDT)

(13:53 CDT) Tennessee (13:58 CDT)

(13:58 CDT) Kentucky (13:58 CDT)

(13:58 CDT) Illinois (13:58 CDT)

(13:58 CDT) Indiana (14:01 CDT)

(14:01 CDT) Ohio (15:08 EDT)

(15:08 EDT) Michigan (15:12 EDT)

(15:12 EDT) Pennsylvania (15:15 EDT)

(15:15 EDT) New York (15:16 EDT)

(15:16 EDT) Vermont (15:25 EDT)

(15:25 EDT) New Hampshire (15:28 EDT)

(15:28 EDT) Maine (15:28 EDT) It will finish in eastern Canada. Other parts of the US will just see a partial eclipse - because they are outside the 'path of totality' Source: timeanddate.com Advertisement

The FAA has warned pilots flying in and out of popular airports to prepare for operational changes at any given moment.

These airports include Burlington International Airport, Syracuse Hancock International Airport, Indianapolis International Airport, Fort Wayne Airport, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Buffalo Niagara International Airport, and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

Delta Airlines has also acknowledged the higher-than-usual volume and has offered two flights to take tourists near the path of totality.

The first flight sold out in under 24 hours, but the company has added a second out of Dallas-Fort Worth on April 8.

'Delta flight 1010 will depart from DFW at 12:30 p.m. CT and arrive in Detroit together with the other path-of-totality flight (DL 1218 from AUS to DTW) at 4:20 p.m. ET,' the company shared on its website.

Delta is also advising travelers to board the flight with protective solar eclipse glasses.

Delta Air Lines lead meteorologist Warren Weston said: 'The April 8 eclipse is the last total eclipse we'll see over North America until 2044.

'This eclipse will last more than twice as long as the one that occurred in 2017, and the path is nearly twice as wide.'

As airports prepare for an influx of travelers, states are getting ready for a boom in tourists that could put a strain on local cellular networks causing connection delays and dropped calls.

To ease the burden on many American cities, T-Mobile is deploying additional cell sites that will be on standby in areas expecting high tourist traffic.

In a small Ohio town, which could see an 250,000 visitors, Verizon is setting up a portable tower ahead of the cosmic event.

Rebecca Owens, director of the Richland County Emergency Management Authority (EMA), told the Richland Source: 'Cell phone (reception) will be very, very sketchy.

'There will be lots of issues with connectivity and that type of thing.'

A T-Mobile spokesperson told DailyMail.com: 'T-Mobiles network is ready for the eclipse. Our emergency teams are working with state and local officials across the country to provide additional support where needed for large gatherings.'

Up to one million are set for Texas, 500,000 in Indiana and Ohio and nearly 400,000 people could travel to New York - and US network providers fear the increased demand could trigger connection delays or dropped calls

To ease the burden on American towns, T-Mobile is deploying additional cell sites that will be on standby in areas expecting high tourist traffic

The total solar occurs when the moon completely blocks the face of the sun, briefly turning the outdoors dark during the daytime.

The spectacle will be visible to an estimated 32 million people along a narrow path through North and Central America.

It will mark the first total solar eclipse visible anywhere in the world since December 2021, and the first seen from the US since August 2017.

Whatever your location along the path of totality, the total eclipse should be visible for about four minutes.

However, the solar eclipse itself will not disrupt cellular service - the loads of people in the areas is what state officials are concerned about.

AT&T analyzed network traffic during the 2017 eclipse in the US, finding a more than double spike in SMS activity during the 24 hours of the eclipse path of totality versus the previous Monday.

READ MORE: Rare solar eclipse is set to become Arkansas' biggest tourist attraction Just two total eclipses have crossed through the state since it became part of the US after the Louisiana Purchase, the first in 1834 and the second in 1918. Advertisement

Data showed a 40 percent increase in text messaging and a 15 percent jump in voice calls within those 24 hours.

Ulf Ewaldsson, president of technology at T-Mobile, said: 'T-Mobile is working hand-in-hand with state and local authorities to address the anticipated surge in network traffic to guarantee seamless connectivity for all.'

Arkansas is along the path of totality, where state officials are preparing for the tourist boom that could see the current three million population double in size.

Rep. Davis Whitaker, from Fayetteville, said during a legislative meeting in December: 'I'm concerned about cellular communication.

'Are the cellular providers in the state part of this plan?'

Arkansas Division of Emergency Management Director A.J. Gary told council members that cellular connectivity will be one of the top challenges during the eclipse, local 40/29 News reported

'Cell companies are involved in the communications. We also can bring in additional cell-on-wheels to boost that capacity,' Gary said.

Up north in Maine, Franklin County is also holding discussions to prepare for limited or even no smartphone service where tens of thousands of visitors are expected, worrying that 'cell coverage is scarce as it is.'

Franklin County Emergency Services Coordinator Rob Demarse told Adirondack Daily Enterprise that the town is working with the Department of Homeland Security to map all roads for cell coverage.

And in Texas, which is set to see more than one million out-of-towners, officials are advising people to enable Wi-Fi calling in the event of service interruptions.

The Lone Star state could also see a significant drop in solar generation.

Hugh Cutcher, a data scientist for solar power forecaster Solcast, said: 'Individual assets will lose up to 16 percent of their daily irradiance.

He also predicted there will be an over all 11.7 percent loss of the state's total daily solar generation.

Like any eclipse, it's important not to look directly at the sun with the naked eye while the event is happening  not even through sunglasses, binoculars or a telescope.

A simple pinhole projector, solar eclipse viewing glasses, which can be purchased online, or special solar filters are much safer.
The 'ghost shark' is so rarely seen in the wild, that spotting one is almost like seeing a ghost.

Yet a team of scientists not only spied a never-before-seen species of the elusive fish, they also hauled it up to the surface from nearly half a mile down in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Thailand, near the resort destination Phuket.

The newly described specimen has black, feathery fins, a tail as sharp as a stinger, and gigantic green eyes nearly one-third the length of its head.

Genetic testing revealed that it was a new species, bringing the world's number of known ghost shark species up from 53 to 54.

This newly identified species of 'ghost shark' is 276mm long (10.9 inches) and has eyes that make up almost one-third of its head length.

An international team of scientists collected it during a deep-sea expedition on behalf of the Thailand Department of Fisheries and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

READ MORE: The strange sex lives of ghost sharks Males have retractable hooked sex organs on their head, and females can store sperm for years. Advertisement

They caught it in a trawling net dragged along the seafloor by a boat, during an expedition in 2018, when they also caught two other related species.

Their depth measurements indicated it was between 772 and 775 meters down when it was caught (2,533 to 2,543 feet), nearly half a mile.

When they initially examined it, the team misidentified the 11-inch-long fish as a known species of ghost shark, the longspine chimaera - Chimaera aff. macrospina.

But after closer examination, including genetic testing, they have now concluded that it is in fact a new species: Chimaera Supapae, named for fish researcher Supap Monkolprasit.

Monkolprasit was a Thai ichthyologist who dedicated her life to studying cartilaginous fish like ghost sharks until she died in 2013.

Even though the creature is called a 'shark,' it is not in the same group as the giant apex predator.

This ghost shark belongs to the order of fish called Chimaera, so named because its members often look like they have been sewn together from the parts of other fish - like the mythical Greek beast that was part lion, part goat, and part dragon.

Genetic testing helped reveal the fact that scientists were actually looking at a new species of ghost shark.

Samples from the specimen were sequenced, then compared to genetic sequences from eight other ghost shark species, including five that lived in the region.

It was a difficult task, because the DNA of the deep-sea fish had begun to degrade after scientists had hauled it to the surface.

These tentacula belong to a species of ghost shark relative called Neoharriotta pinnata. Concealed near their pectoral fins, the spiny organs are used to hold a female in place during mating.

Members of the ghost shark order have been found that are as much as four feet long, but scientists suspect they can grow up to six in some cases

But they got enough, and when they compared over 1,000 base pairs of DNA to the other sharks' sequences, it was clearly not a match.

Based on their examinations, they determined that it is an immature male.

Now that they identified it, the scientists can describe how it's different from other ghost shark species: 'massive head with a short snout,' oval eyes that make up 32.2 percent of its head length, and 'deciduous skin.'

Interestingly, deciduous skin that flakes off easily has been evolved in prey species like mackerel to help them slip out of the grasp of predators.

So perhaps the new ghost fish has some larger deep-sea predators.

Notably, male chimaeras have sexual organs on top of their head - a structure called a tentaculum.

This, along with two others concealed near their pectoral fins, is used to hold a female in place during mating.

Because they often live around deep-sea continental slopes and ocean ridges, ghost sharks can be caught by bottom trawling.

The darkest depths of the ocean hold many secrets, and the more scientists explore, the more they realize how much they have yet to discover.

'Evolutionarily, these chimaeras are among some of the oldest lineages of fishes with the lineage going back 300-400 million years,' lead study author David Elbert, program director of the Pacific Shark Research Center at San Jose State University in California, told LiveScience.

'The discovery of new species like this chimaera tells us how little we know about the marine environment and how much is still to be explored.'

The team published its findings in the journal Raffles Bulletin of Zoology.
Elon Musk casually dropped that he has another Neuralink project in the works which he says will bestow sight upon people born blind  and the tech is already being tested on monkeys.

True to form, Musk announced the project's official name, 'Blindsight,' while replying to users on his social site X, first in late January, then with fresh details Wednesday.

Musk claimed the tech will be lo-rez at first, 'like early Nintendo graphics' from the 1980s era of 8-bit video games. But ultimately, he hopes it will actually 'exceed normal human vision.'

If Blindsight remains true to its first unnamed tease, presented during a Neuralink 'Show and Tell' in late 2022, the implant will be able to repackage digital camera data into electrical impulses compatible for delivery straight into the visual cortex.

But even with Neuralink's first-ever human trial patient now public and undergoing tests approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), critics continue to warn the company has gone too far, too fast and well outside the law.

With Neuralink's first-ever human trial patient now public and despite safety warnings from critics - including medical professionals and federal regulators - billionaire founder Elon Musk is already teasing that his firm's next cyborg implant will tackle blindness

Investigators with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the US Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ), physicians groups and industry watchers and have all accused Musk's Neuralink of reckless research in recent years, responsible for the deaths of 1,500 animals

True to form, Musk announced the project's official name, 'Blindsight,' while replying to users of his social site X, first late this January (above) and then again this Wednesday - when Musk revealed that his visionary vision implant is already being tested on monkeys

Investigators with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), FDA, physicians groups and industry watchers have all accused Musk's Neuralink of reckless research, which company insiders estimate has been responsible for the deaths of 1,500 animals.

Documents obtained by the nonprofit Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) obtained over the past several years revealed that Neuralink's test monkeys endured 'extreme suffering' during experiments from 2017-2020.

In a statement to DailyMail.com, PCRM said that Musk had a 'long track record of misleading the public about Neuralink's supposed developments.'

Neuralink's years of animal testing, the group has often stated, offer little-to-no confidence in the company's potential for human 'brain chip' trials.

'Hundreds of pages of public records revealed animals suffering from sloppy experiments,' PCRM reported in 2022, 'that resulted in chronic infections, seizures, paralysis, internal bleeding and declining psychological health.'

Nevertheless, while touting plans for Blindsight on X this Wednesday, Musk interjected, 'no monkey has died or been seriously injured by a Neuralink device!'

Neuralink has killed at least 1,500 animals including sheep and pigs during its quest for a chip which will allow people to control devices with their minds

A monkey with the Neuralink chip implanted in their brain is seen playing a game. DailyMail.com can reveal that monkeys had operations on their skulls up to 10 times each before being put down during the testing phase

Though Musk's technological predictions can sometimes sound as if they've been ripped straight from the pages of science fiction, this March the company did reveal the identity of their first human test patient, Arizona native Noland Arbaugh.

This March, Neuralink shared a video of Arbaugh, a 29-year-old paraplegic, playing chess 'telepathically' with the company's 'Telepathy' implant.

Currently, that chip enables the brain to connect with computers, but Musk has claimed it will one day let the brain communicate with paralyzed parts of the body.

'Long term, it is possible to shunt the signals from the brain motor cortex past the damaged part of the spine to enable people to walk again and use their arms normally,' Musk posted to X, as his rebranded version of Twitter is now known.

Despite the legal and regulatory challenges that have trailed Neuralink's product development research, their work is preceded by over a decade of pioneering academic work on human brain-computer interfaces, including one restoring sight.

That landmark innovation, a device called 'Orion' by Second Sight, was the result of a $6.4 million grant in from the US National Institutes of Health in 2018 and a public-private partnership aided by academics at UCLA and the Baylor College of Medicine

Jason Esterhuizen lost his vision at age 23 in a car crash. But in 2019, at the age of 30, he was given some of his sight back, thanks to a brain-computer interface that preceded Neuralink's new tech, Blindsight, by over five years

That landmark innovation, a device called 'Orion' by Second Sight (in action above), was the result of a $6.4 million grant in from the US National Institutes of Health in 2018 and a public-private partnership aided by academics at UCLA and the Baylor College of Medicine

Orion's first trial patient, Jason Esterhuizen, had been in a horrific car crash at 23 years old: launched out of his sunroof, sustaining injuries that took his vision.

But he had regained some of his ability to see, thanks to Second Sight's brain-computer interface. This chip received signals from a tiny camera mounted in a special pair of glasses worn by the user.

Connected to the glasses by a magnetic cord, the chip shows his brain a rough outline of what the camera is capturing.

While there's no word yet on what Musk's 'Nintendo'-like Blindsight might look like to the patient, a similar 8-bit pixelated look is clear in the 2019 promotional material for Second Sight's Orion vision chip, a more technically its 'visual cortical prosthesis.'

While there's no word yet on what Musk's 'Nintendo'-like Blindsight might look like to the patient, a similar 8-bit pixelated look is clear in the 2019 promotional material for Second Sight's Orion vision chip, a more technically its ' visual cortical prosthesis'

Few of the approved clinical trials that have explored brain-computer interfaces across the 21st Century, whether academic or commercial, have come with the degree of alarming allegations that now surrounds Neuralink's work.

An investigation by Reuters in 2022, for example, determined from uncovered records and sources with 'direct knowledge of the companys animal-testing operations' that Neuralink was responsible for the deaths of about 1,500 animals in experiments since 2018.

That figure includes more than 280 sheep, pigs and monkeys, although Reuters' sources said these figures could only be rough estimates, as Neuralink has not kept precise records on the number of animals it has tested and killed.

Neuralink has also conducted research using rats and mice.

Few of the approved clinical trials that have explored brain-computer interfaces across the 21st Century, whether academic or commercial, have come with the degree of allegations that surround Neuralink's work

The expose included news that the firm was under investigation by the USDA and the Department of Justice for animal welfare violations.

Despite that investigation, and amid calls from the United Nations for stricter global regulation of dangerous 'personality-altering' brain chips, the FDA granted Musk's Neuralink federal approval to conduct human trials last May.

Speaking to DailyMail.com this January, Dr. Dean Burnett, honorary research associate at Cardiff University, called the human trials 'disconcerting and alarming.'

'The speed at which [Musk] has gone from having no involvement in neurosurgical implants to making massive global statements is disconcerting and alarming,' according to Dr. Burnett.

PCRM, the nonprofit physicians group, launched a website in 2022 detailing the gruesome stories of test monkeys said to have suffered from the firm's sloppy Frankenstein-like experiments at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis).

PCRM shared lab notes with DailyMail.com detailing several experiments conducted on monkeys that had received implanted electrodes during surgeries.

PCRM, a nonprofit physicians group, launched a website in 2022 detailing the gruesome stories of test monkeys (example above) said to have suffered from the firm's sloppy Frankenstein-like experiments at the University of California , Davis (UC Davis)

The lab notes obtained by PCRM explain that just two days after one surgery, a test monkey was 'repeatedly vomiting, gasping, retching and had very little interaction with environment / observers.' These allegations in lab notes appear to have been made by Neuralink staff

In PCRM's lawsuit against Nueralink, another monkey, dubbed 'Animal 10,' was shipped to Neuarlink's facility in Fremont, California. Pictured above is a death record in the lab notes that marks Animal 10's type of death as 'Medical Cull'

Nueralink's head neurosurgeon Matthew MacDougall's name is shown within the messages as 'running the procedures.'

Reina Pohl, the communication specialist for PCRM, told Dailymail.com that the lab notes were provided to the group by UC Davis due to a lawsuit filed against it by PCRM  but notes Neuralink employees conducted the experiments.

The lawsuit states the animals 'suffered infections from the implanted electrodes placed in their brains' and an 'unapproved substance' known as BioGlue 'killed monkeys by destroying portions of their brains.'

Neuralink 2017-2020 partnership with UC Davis, ended after the firm brought its research program in-house with facilities in California and Austin, Texas, where Musk's brain chip-maker is now based.

READ MORE: How does Elon Musk's Neuralink brain chip work? A step-by-step guide to the controversial technology After gaining approval for human experiments, the firm has now put its first Neuralink device, called 'Telepathy', inside a person's brain. Musk claims Telepathy enables control of your phone or computer, and in turn almost any other device, 'just by thinking'. Here, MailOnline tells you everything you need to know about the controversial technology, which has seen Musk accused of 'playing God' Advertisement

Although Musk had once reportedly stated that he wanted test monkeys to live in a 'monkey Taj Mahal', photos obtained by DailyMail.com of the UC Davis lab paint a far starker reality with small metal cages stacked on top of one another.

In chilling detail, one bill among the $1 million-plus contract with UC Davis stated that the expenses included $11,870.40 on purchasing three animals and $14,349.12 on the surgery.

In the comments section UC Davis remarked that there would be a '16 hour terminal surgery' and that the necropsy will require 'evening / OT charges', apparently meaning overtime charges for staff.

The document was signed by Ahmad Hakim-Elahi, the executive director of the research administration at UC Davis.

Among the others who are named in the documents is Dr. John Morrison, a professor of neurology.

Over the years DailyMail.com has attempted to solicit comments from both UC Davis and Neuralink regarding these claims.

Neuralink has previously stated that it is 'absolutely committed to working with animals in the most humane and ethical way possible'.

UC Davis has said that it 'follows all applicable laws and regulations'.

The college has refused to release 371 photographs of the monkeys it experimented on for Neuralink.
SHOPPING  Contains affiliated content. Products featured in this Mail Best article are selected by our shopping writers. If you make a purchase using links on this page, DailyMail.com will earn an affiliate commission. Click here for more information.

The skin on your neck is far thinner and more delicate than other areas  which means it's more likely to develop visible signs of aging. As collagen breaks down, the area may take on a crepey look with lines and sagging.

If none of this sounds appealing to you, get your hands on a bottle of BOOST LAB Edelweiss Neck Firming Serum. Only $29.99, this advanced formula has a transformative effect on even the most wrinkly neck.

BOOST LAB Edelweiss Neck Firming Serum, 1 fl oz Give your neck the VIP treatment  and bid farewell to that dreaded turkey neck forever. This nourishing neck serum features a cocktail of nourishing ingredients, including a vegan collagen alternative, antioxidant Edelweiss extract, and tef seed extract to smooth. Users report seeing visible results within days on crepiness, fine lines, and wrinkles. Shop

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The Australian beauty brand is renowned for its many game-changing formulas, which range from hydrating serums to eye serums.

Edelweiss neck serum is as much a disruptive product as its siblings, formulated with exceptionally nourishing and skin-loving ingredients that promote firmness and elasticity.

With regular use, you can expect your neck to look smoother, less saggy and crepey, and more defined  which means no more dreaded turkey neck.

Among them is Edelweiss extract, a potent antioxidant that not only safeguards your skin from environmental damage but also supports elasticity and minimizes the chances of further collagen breakdown.

Also in the mix is tef seed extract, an ingredient specifically chosen for its dramatic effect on fragile neck skin. Used regularly, it targets fine lines and wrinkles while leaving skin smoother and more radiant.

Ingredients like Edelweiss extract, tef seed extract, and a vegan collagen alternative work together to leave your neck smooth and youthful

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SHOPPING  Contains affiliated content. Products featured in this Mail Best article are selected by our shopping writers. If you make a purchase using links on this page, DailyMail.com will earn an affiliate commission. Click here for more information.

Attention gadget lovers! There are a few times in the year when you can treat yourself to top tech for less, and the Amazon Spring Sale is one of them.

If you missed the chance on Black Friday, the sales gods are smiling on you as Apple is once more involved in the sale, offering discounts on headphones, tablets and watches.

And that's not all as we've also spotted savings of more than half on new releases from Sony, Bose and Beats. Gaming fans are well catered for with fast, responsive gaming laptops and mouses reduced by upwards of $200.

Are your fingers twitching to get clicking on some deals? Take a look at 15 of the best tech savings right now.

Amazon Spring Sale: Best tech deals

Disclaimer: All prices mentioned are accurate at the time of publication.
Ed Grenby followed in her footsteps as one of the first paying guests

Jennifer Lopez stayed at the One&Only One Za'abeel hotel for its grand opening

Who knows what Jennifer Lopez made of the bowl of Quality Street in her hotel bedroom.

The star pocketed a reported 3.9million for singing and staying at the grand opening of One&Only One Zaabeel last month.

But when I arrived four days later  among the first paying guests to visit the new ultra-luxury resort in Dubai  I was surprised to find complimentary Orange Cremes, Green Triangles and Purple Ones among the champagnes and single-malts in my minibar.

The West Yorkshire-made sweeties are not the oddest perk on offer.

While its sister property, Atlantis The Royal, has gold-plated toothbrushes for guests, One&Only One Zaabeel goes one further.

Ed Grenby is among the first paying guests to visit the new One&Only One Zaabeel resort

A view from the sofa of one of the bedrooms at the ultra-luxury resort in Dubai

One suite comes with a free cocktail party for eight, writes Ed

Some suites have soundproof walls and recording facilities; others give guests a complimentary Longevity Scan Index on arrival (nope, me neither); one, at 22,500 a night, even lists a mancave for guests.

My favourite would probably be the one that comes with a free cocktail party for eight  if only Id remembered to bring seven friends with me.

As it is, Im staying in a mere room  though its still ridiculously plush, with a walk-through wardrobe, a sofa with so many plump cushions that I have to remove eight to sit down, a toilet with 17 buttons to control its intimate cleansing functions, and a bath big enough for three.

Its best not to speculate on which of these luxuries was the big draw for Naomi Campbell, Idris Elba, David Gandy or Emma Radacanu, who joined J-Lo at the hotels opening weekend.

That bath, with its views of Dubais shimmering sci-fi skyline, is a 53-storeys-high highlight.

The hotel is housed in one of two 300m-tall towers, which means guests get to gaze down on ant-sized autos cruising the 12-lane highway below

Ed stays in 'a mere room' at the hotel - though it's still ridiculously plus, he says

LEFT: Ed's bath at the hotel offers views of Dubais shimmering sci-fi skyline. RIGHT: The writer is surprised to find complimentary Quality Street chocolates among the champagnes and single-malts in his minibar

The hotel is housed in one of two 300m-tall towers, which means guests get to gaze down on ant-sized autos cruising the 12-lane highway below.

But it also means I spend a lot of time in lifts. (Security measures mean you have to change lifts to get from your room to restaurants and bars.)

And even though One &Only One Zaabeel is more convenient for Dubais business district than for the beach, dont leave your swimwear at home.

On the 4th floor is a palm-fringed pool with hot and cold running waiters. Its a gorgeous spot  and in the private area, Campbell/Gandy types can relax hidden by thick palm fronds and a forbidding gate for an extra hundred quid or so.

A bathroom with his and hers sinks in one of the hotel rooms

Better still is the hotels spectacular 27th-floor infinity pool  200 metres long and 100 metres high in the air, atop the worlds longest cantilever bridge. It has cabanas, swim-up bars and a clubby Japanese-Peruvian bar/restaurant.

There are 11 restaurants. True, theres some silliness: fortune-telling at Thai-style DuangDy; waiters in straitjackets at avant-garde StreetXO; and a snacks menu at late-night Sphere that has a 2,500 portion of caviar.

After a couple of days, Im half a stone heavier, 100 per cent happier, and my hand luggage is made up largely of purloined Quality Street.

I bet that if you checked J-Los, hers would be, too.
Advertisement

The world's best value-for-money destinations for Britons have been revealed, and Vietnam has topped the list for the first time.

In second place in the Post Office Travel Holiday Money Report ranking comes another long-haul hot spot, South Africa, with Kenya third.

The world's most expensive destination is Tamarindo in Costa Rica, languishing in 40th place. Next is New York, which comes second from bottom. There, beer averages 5.82 a bottle.

The findings are courtesy of the 18th Post Office Travel Money Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer, and are based on the costs of eight 'tourism items' across 40 resorts and cities, with comparisons made between items including the cost of a beer, a three-course evening meal, insect repellent and sunscreen.

In Vietnam's Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this basket of goods totals 51.18. Meanwhile, at the other end of the scale, holidaymakers planning a trip to Tamarindo won't get any change from 158.04 when purchasing the same items.

Vietnam's Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the best-value place in the world for Britons, according to the Post Office

Cape Town (above) in South Africa is the second-best best for value in 2024

Kenya, loved for its safari and beach holiday combos, sits at number three thanks to a basket total of 54.93

The world's most expensive destination is Tamarindo in Costa Rica, languishing in 40th place

Second-place Cape Town has been knocked off its top 2023 perch thanks to a five per cent increase in prices, bringing the basket in at 54.35.

Kenya, loved for its safari and beach holiday combos, sits at number three thanks to a basket total of 54.93.

Many of the destinations have seen local price increases, yet once prices are converted to sterling, holidaymakers will still pay less than they did a year ago in 19 long-haul destinations, including six in Europe.

Tokyo has travelled up the ranking, coming in at fourth position after seeing costs plummet by 16.2 per cent to 59.05.

The Algarve in Portugal, which has seen a 1.2 per cent drop in price, comes in at number five (59.69), overtaking Turkey (ninth, 66.07) and Bulgaria (seventh, 62.49). Traditionally Bulgaria is great value for money but prices have risen 6.4 per cent, resulting in a sharp increase to 62.49.

The Post Office Travel Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer show price rises and falls

Tokyo has travelled up the ranking, coming in at fourth position after seeing costs plummet by 16.2 per cent to 59.05

The Algarve in Portugal, which has seen a 1.2 per cent drop in price, comes in at number five (59.69)

Tropical Bali ranks eighth overall. Above is the tranquil Pura Ulun Danu temple

Sharm el-Sheikh sits in sixth place at 61.37 thanks to the devaluation of the Egyptian pound

Sunny Cyprus is the fourth European destination in the top 10, with Paphos sneaking in at 10th place at 73.32.

Tropical Bali ranks eighth overall, while Sharm el-Sheikh sits in sixth place at 61.37 thanks to the devaluation of the Egyptian pound.

Cancun in Mexico has had a dramatic fall, out-pricing itself from a place in the top 10, now sitting at 33, the result of a price rise of 16.7 per cent. Goods now total 127.10 thanks to the strong Mexican peso.

Holiday concerns and intentions

Two-thirds of Britons planning a trip abroad admit that the strength or weakness of the pound will be a factor when it comes to their decision making.

The top ten cheapest holiday destination ranking, which shows that the cost of coffee in Vietnam is just 1.30

The basket of goods includes coffee, mineral water, a glass of wine and a three-course meal

Another concern are prices. Eighty-four per cent of people, rising to 89 per cent of family travellers, are worried about the cost of meals and drinks.

Budgeting is also top of mind, with 90 per cent anxious about busting their budgets as well as the cost of flights and ferries.

Holiday funds will be largely sourced from savings, with 40 per cent admitting money will come from existing income. Many are thinking about how to make further savings, with 32 per cent of holidaymakers opting to travel during the more cheaper shoulder periods when costs are lower.

Currencies

In other results, the Post Office Travel Holiday Money Report reveals that the euro is by far the best-selling currency, with sales up eight per cent and providing a strong indicator as to where people will be travelling in 2024.

Prices vary greatly - the difference between Croatia and New Zealand is 26.42

Costa Rica is by far the most expensive place to visit, with goods totalling 158.04

Following that is the US dollar and in third place, the Australian dollar.

When it comes to the fastest-growing currencies, the Egyptian pound has shown the largest growth this year at 656 per cent. Hot on its heels is the Chinese yuan at 589 per cent, followed by the Japanese yen at 266 per cent.

The best deal will be found in Turkey because of the collapse of the Turkish lira. In 2024 visitors can expect to receive 81 per cent more liras than they did a year ago. However, prices in Marmaris restaurants and bars have more than doubled over the past 12 months, so if you've been before, expect a hefty increase.

Egypt is also a great choice for 2024. With a fall of over 71 per cent, visitors can now pocket an extra 208 on a 500 purchase.

If you're considering Japan or Kenya, sterling has gained over 16 per cent in value against both the Japanese Yen and Kenyan shilling over the past 12 months.

Prices in restaurants and bars in Marmaris have doubled over the past year. It ranks ninth this year for value

Vietnam, Prague and Thailand also show strong sterling gains and if you're heading Down Under to visit the relatives, Britons will earn seven per cent more to put towards their holiday funds.

Highest-rated holiday destinations

When it comes to the highest-rated holiday destinations, perennial Brit favourite Spain still takes the top spot at 86 per cent, despite having fallen to 14th place on the Barometer after it recorded a 9.3 price rise, with goods coming in at 81.45.

When it comes to the highest-rated holiday destinations, perennial Brit favourite Spain still takes the top spot at 86 per cent. Above is Calella de Palafrugell, Catalonia

It's closely followed by Portugal and Greece, which both score an 82 per cent rating from holidaymakers.

Not far behind are the Canaries and Balearics, as well as Cyprus, Croatia, Malta and Turkey, which all have impressive ratings of between 75 and 79 per cent.

Bulgaria, sitting in 10th position, has a 73 per cent good-value rating, while just three points below sits Croatia.

Thailand tops the list for the highest number of approval ratings out of 16 long-haul hotspots, with 71 per cent rating it good value, ahead of Mexico, Egypt, the USA and Caribbean.

Commenting on this year's results, Laura Plunkett, Head of Post Office Travel Money, said: 'The barometer results make it clear how important it will be this year to consider how sterling's strength has impacted individual destinations.

'Holidaymakers intending to travel long-haul can expect to get more for their money because the pound has gained ground in most destinations.

'By comparison, sterling's gain against the euro has been more modest so it will pay to compare eurozone destinations to see which offer the cheapest prices. Portugal and Cyprus look like the best choices for bargain hunters.'
Arabella Chi flashed her cleavage in a beautiful black dress at the Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Thursday night screening in London.

The influencer, 33, wore a lingerie-like ankle-length dress which cinched her waist and highlighted her figure.

Her dress also featured a corset-like bodice and it had thin straps and a square V-neckline with a slight frill.

Arabella wore high-heeled black sandals, decorated with a chic silver bow, and a silver watch and silver bracelets.

She carried her essentials in a black bag with a short strap and was joined on the blue carpet by fellow Love Island alumni.

Arabella Chi, 33, flashed her cleavage in a beautiful black dress at the Ghostbusters : Frozen Empire Thursday night screening in London

The influencer wore a lingerie-like ankle-length dress which cinched her waist and highlighted her figure with black heeled sandals which featured silver bows

She carried her essentials in a black bag with a short strap and was joined on the blue carpet by a host of fellow Love Island alums

Recent exes Molly Marsh and Zachariah Noble risked an awkward run-in - the two split earlier in the month after seven months together.

Ernie Hudson, who appeared in the original 1984 film and returns as Winston Zeddermore for Frozen Empire, wore a black T-shirt and jeans.

Paul Rudd, 54, who stars in the film as Mr. Goobson, also attended, days on from his Comic Relief cameo with Julia Roberts.

Stranger Things' Finn Wolfhard, 21, who portrays Trevor in the latest Ghostbusters, kept it casual in a mid-sleeved grey top and trousers.

The upcoming fifth series of Stranger Things, rumoured to be its last, will be the most unbelievable yet, according to Millie Bobby Brown.

Mckenna Grace, 17, who plays Phoebe Spengler, looked lovely in a black pinafore, black stockings, and black headband.

The film's director Gil Kenan arrived in a dark jeans and jacket combo with bright red and white Vans.

Made In Chelsea's Sophie Herman, 37, looked incredible in a witch-like black dress with one huge sleeve and a train.

Dancing On Ice's Vanessa Bauer, 27, looked mesmerising in a light-coloured cowl neck loose-fitting dress.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire hits cinemas March 22.

Recent exes Molly Marsh, 22, and Zachariah Noble, 26, risked an awkward run-in - the two split earlier in the month after seven months together

Ernie Hudson, who appeared in the original 1984 film and returns as Winston Zeddermore for Frozen Empire, wore a black T-shirt and jeans

Paul Rudd, 54, who stars in the film as Mr. Goobson, also attended, days on from his Comic Relief cameo with Julia Roberts

Stranger Things' Finn Wolfhard, who portrays Trevor in the film, kept it casual in a mid-sleeved grey top and trousers

Mckenna Grace, 17, who plays Phoebe Spengler, looked lovely in a black pinafore, black stockings, and black headband

The film's director Gil Kenan arrived in a dark jeans and jacket combo with bright red and white Vans

Made In Chelsea's Sophie Herman, 37, looked incredible in a witch-like black dress with one huge sleeve and a train

Dancing On Ice's Vanessa Bauer, 27, looked mesmerising in a light-coloured cowl neck loose-fitting dress

Model and influencer Chris Kowalski cut a stylish figure as he hit the red carpet

Dancing On Ice's Vanessa Bauer (left) and Abbie Quinnen (right) brought the glamour as they posed on the blue carpet

Perri Shakes Drayton flashed her abs in a white crop top and leggings

Abbie posed with pal Chris Kowaiski

Tom Fletcher and former Made In Chelsea star Hugo Taylor headed to watch the film

Love Island star Teddy Soares went shirtless in a black blazer

Rufus Hound and Sally Hodgkiss posed for a snap as they enjoyed a glass of champagne

Sophie Hermann put on a leggy display in a black dress which she teamed with a pink glittery belt

Abbie Quinnen looked lovely in a brown dress and appeared in high spirits

Molly Marsh showed no signs of heartache of split as she left the party

McKenna Grace put on a cheerful display as she left the screening

Emie Hudson was also pictured leaving the Ham Yard Hotel

Arabella Chi left The Ham Yard Hotel after the screening

Imogen Thomas left with her daughter after a fun evening out
President Yoon Suk Yeol and ruling People Power Party (PPP) chief Han Dong-hoon looked around a salvaged warship together Friday, in an apparent show of their bond following signs of discord ahead of the general elections, a presidential official said.

Yoon and Han met to tour the warship Cheonan at the Navy's 2nd Fleet Command in Pyeongtaek, 60 kilometers south of Seoul, after both attended a memorial ceremony there to mark West Sea Defense Day.

The Cheonan is a corvette that sank in a North Korean torpedo attack in 2010, leaving 46 sailors aboard killed.

The presidential official said Yoon and Han talked about the need to properly counter and punish any force that threatens the nation. They also met and shook hands with family members of victims of the Cheonan sinking who were at the site.

"There's talk of discord between the party and the government, but it was a scene that showed that isn't true," the official said.

Talk of a clash between Yoon and Han emerged this week after the PPP chief publicly called for the immediate return of Ambassador to Australia Lee Jong-sup, who is under investigation over his alleged interference in a military probe into a Marine's death last year.

Han also called for the resignation of Hwang Sang-moo, then the senior presidential secretary for civil and social agenda, following intimidating remarks he made to reporters.

There was also a reported disagreement between the two over Han's choice of candidates for proportional representation seats in the upcoming April 10 parliamentary elections.

The growing number of controversies led to concern voters could turn their back on the PPP in an election crucial to ensuring Yoon can push his agenda in his remaining three years in office.

Yoon and Han are known to have been close for decades since their time as prosecutors.

But in January, the two clashed over how to handle allegations first lady Kim Keon Hee received a luxury handbag as a gift. (Yonhap)
EMMERDALE

Musical Chas is a familiar game in the village, as almost every man eventually lands up in her bed.

Now, though, it looks as if she has well and truly lost Paddy for good, despite their kiss a couple of weeks back.

With Liam telling Paddy not to give up Mandy without a fight, and Tom telling him to sweep her off her feet (good luck with that), Paddy is encouraged. Hmmm. Relationship advice from Psycho Tom?

His idea of sweeping a woman off her feet probably involves high beams and a rope.

Meanwhile, Amelia is giving Mandy a makeover and dresses her in a Cinderella outfit, even though it's hard to tell if it's the look Cinders took to the ball, or her post-midnight scullery one.

With Liam telling Paddy not to give up Mandy without a fight, and Tom telling him to sweep her off her feet (good luck with that), Paddy is encouraged

Amelia is giving Mandy a makeover and dresses her in a Cinderella outfit

Where did you find that eye make-up, Amelia? Down a coal mine? Anyway, it has the desired effect, and an overwhelmed Paddy, also dressed to the nines, goes down on one knee  to propose rather than for arthritic reasons.

Tom's controlling behaviour escalates as he starts following Belle's every movement via a tracking app on his phone.

Paddy's number one!

There's an inevitability about Emmerdale's Mandy and Paddy; even Chas agrees Mandy was always his 'number one'. 'They're unbreakable,' says Lisa Riley (Mandy). 'He's my Prince Charming.' Advertisement

And as if that's not enough, he brings home a rescue puppy in the hope of Belle giving up her job to look after it.

Inevitably, she's having none of this, which will doubtless not go down well with Tom.

Forget dogs. Surely it can't be long before Belle's the one who's going to need rescuing.

Pollard enters detective mode (think Inspector Clouseau rather than Inspector Morse) when Amit warns him to keep out of his affairs.

In cahoots with Vinny, Pollard gains access to Holdgate and starts to go through Amit's files, looking for evidence of his involvement in Rishi's death.

But with Amit suspicious of Vinny's behaviour and heading for the house, will Eric be caught?

Jai refuses to give any credence to Eric's suspicions, which is more than a little odd considering his recent abject hatred of Amit.

But then Jai has never been the fastest horse at the Derby. Laurel all but had to erect a distillery in the kitchen before he realised the extent of her drinking problem.

CORONATION STREET

Does anyone ever wash the bedding at the Chariot Square Hotel? The place is a hotbed of lust, yet you never see a maid sorting out the laundry.

Clearly not having heard that there is more than one hotel in the north, new arrival Elspeth is there, nursing several drinks and on a manhunt.

After buying them drinks, Elspeth (pictured) swaps numbers with Ken, much to Steve's chagrin that the older man has pulled

She's not going to be alone for long after she takes a shine to Ken, who, with Steve, is there for cocktail night. After buying them drinks, Elspeth swaps numbers with Ken, much to Steve's chagrin that the older man has pulled.

Maybe Steve will have more luck on a speed dating night at the Rovers. But pickings are pretty slim, as Steve discovers when he finds himself opposite Tracy.

Seemingly having more luck with Cassie, Steve suggests they meet up again. Trouble is, it's obvious she's got her eye on Kevin. Like I said. Slim pickings.

The night ends dismally when burglars raid the pub's till. Enough with the Godfather Lite stuff!

Helen's a casting coup for Corrie

Helen Lederer is great casting for Coronation Street, even if pairing her character Elspeth with Ken is a little odd, given that he's old enough to be her father. But Helen couldn't be more thrilled.

'To be offered a part playing opposite William Roache is so exciting. I'd met him once when I sat next to him at an event and thought what a lovely man he was; so personable a silver fox with very chiselled cheekbones!'

EASTENDERS: Whitney's foster mum shock for angry Zack

Last year, it was announced that Shona McGarty, who plays Whitney, is leaving the show. Not a moment too soon, in my opinion.

I'm sorry, but this Britney stuff is dire. Of all the ways they could have engineered an exit, this is the best they could do? Jeez, even the names are practically indistinguishable.

I'm sorry, but this Britney stuff is dire. Of all the ways they could have engineered an exit, this is the best they could do?

Arriving back in the Square and announcing she's now Britney's foster mum, Whitney settles into her new project/obsession. Apart from being unbelievable, the Twit 'n' Brit Show (above) is so tedious.

Small wonder Zack is furious; he should try being a viewer. Any chance the driver that ran Twit over is still around?

When soaps go heavy on youngsters, they always lose a bit of their sparkle, and Britwit has landed like a whacking great stink bomb in a cup of ambrosia.

Denzel and steroids is another dollop of tedium. The show is still way ahead of its rivals in every respect, so I'm praying this is just a blip.

Avani is one of the more successful youngsters, and her attempts to get Priya and Ravi back together look set to deliver some light-hearted scenes, especially as Priya has her eye on Martin. Join the queue, love!
Stacey Solomon is coming to the rescue again, throwing her arms around strangers and helping them sort out their lives.

'I want to cry with them,' says this former X Factor finalist and queen of the jungle who has forged a new career as a friend to those in need.

'They've spent their life savings. The people who were doing the work for them have just upped and left.'

We've seen her save people from chaos on the hugely popular show Sort Your Life Out, shipping their possessions off to be laid out on the floor of a warehouse, where Stacey helps them decide what to keep and what to throw out  with all the tears and emotion that entails.

But now she's been headhunted by a Hollywood legend  on whom more in a moment  to pick up a drill and front a new series called Renovation Rescue, coming to the aid of those abandoned by builders, with their unfinished homes in ruins.

'They've been done over by somebody they really trusted,' says this warm and funny but very practical 34-year-old.

Stacey Solomon is starring in a new series called Renovation Rescue, coming to the aid of those abandoned by builders, with their unfinished homes in ruins

Stacey smiles for a selfie with her husband, actor Joe Swash, and her five children

'It's a big shock to their system and a trauma that makes them feel like this can happen everywhere in their life. I tell them, 'I totally understand why you're so nervous about doing this again, you've been through such a horrible time.'

'I watch the tension come out of their shoulders: finally someone is listening to them, they're being understood and validated. They don't feel like idiots any more.'

Stacey is perfect for the role, but then she has been recruited by none other than Reese Witherspoon, the Oscar-winning actor whose female-driven production company was behind Big Little Lies and The Morning Show and is now launching its first project in Britain.

'Oh my God, what an amazing feeling to be asked,' says Stacey with glee. 'I was genuinely like, 'How does she even know me?' I still to this day don't know how they found me. They just said they wanted me. Maybe some of her researchers and her team had seen the show. Well, they would have had to, I guess, to know anything about me.'

Be honest on social media Stacey Solomon has nearly six million followers on Instagram, so in the wake of the Princess of Wales's photogate, Weekend asked her for the secrets to staying popular. 'I honestly think you should do whatever is authentic to you on social media. That's what people appreciate. If your version of authentic is putting nice filters on, as long as you're upfront about it, I don't think people really care. 'The reality is I go on social media for a break, to speak to like-minded people in a community with similar values and interests as me. I don't judge anyone else's content. 'As long as you're transparent, I don't see why it matters. Who cares what anyone else is doing? Let them be them.' Advertisement

Do they hang out now then, the girl from Dagenham and the star of Legally Blonde?

'Ha! No, I haven't actually met her. She wrote a message to say how excited she is and we're hoping to FaceTime her on the day the show goes out. She seems pretty busy changing the world for women in our industry, so that's OK, I'll let her off for not coming to Bradford to see us shooting an episode!'

Reese Witherspoon probably didn't see the young Stacey come third on The X Factor in 2009 or win I'm A Celebrity the following year, but she could be one of the 5.9 million people who follow her on Instagram or bought her bestselling book Tap To Tidy.

And Reese's talent scouts will have been as wowed as the rest of us by Sort Your Life Out.

In Renovation Rescue she'll help couples sort out the mess they're in and learn the skills  such as painting, decorating, basic plumbing and building work  needed to do it themselves and claw back costs.

'Don't get me wrong, there are always going to be jobs where the professionals are needed. I can't build a house myself,' says Stacey, who was taught DIY skills by her father as a young girl.

'There are so many amazing tradesmen out there, but they're hard to find and if you don't know what you're looking for, you can end up spending loads of money and never getting anything back, which is just devastating.'

Stacey still lives in Essex, but now has a 1.2 million house in the countryside called Pickle Cottage, where she lives with her husband, actor and presenter Joe Swash, and her five children, Zach and Leighton from previous relationships, and Rex, Rose and Belle, whose ages range from 15 to one.

Has she had her own scrapes with bad builders? 'Yeah, years ago in a previous home my husband and I wanted to turn our shed into a mini office. We paid half the money up front, they came in and built three-quarters of a brick wall.

'We never saw them again. There's nothing you can do. You think, 'God, how could I be so stupid?' I'm not stupid. I'm a bright girl. It's not about losing the money, it's the psychological impact because you lose trust, self-worth.'

Stacey has revealed that she was a victim of a cowboy builder scam which made her 'lose trust and self-worth'

So many of us go through similar troubles that Stacey believes schools should be teaching the skills to avoid them.

'I don't feel like our education system sets our children up properly, to go out into the world on a practical level. Just having a basic education in DIY would mean a lot less people would be done over.'

On a more personal level, Stacey has hinted that her passion for sorting, cleaning and tidying has grown out of ways she copes with anxiety.

I ask how that came into her life and she answers by talking about the birth of her son Zach when she was just 18 and should have been doing her A-levels at her modern orthodox Jewish school in Barkingside.

'I was a kid, I didn't feel my own mortality, like I could jump off a cliff and I'd be fine. Then I had Zach and giving birth was so traumatic I instantly realised I was human and went to thinking, 'I could die at any point. I am mortal.' And that just made me so anxious.'

I want to be a stay-at-home mum, grow vegetables, do school runs

She still struggles with that fear of death, but how does it connect to being tidy? 'Ultimately, there are things that are totally out of your control. The way I manage those is by controlling the things I can control: so if I want to make sure my knickers are folded a certain way and that makes me feel good then fine.

'I can't control whether I'm going to live to 100 so I would rather set my mind on the smaller things.'

Has the anxiety lessened at all now she has a loving husband, a beautiful home, five healthy children and a blossoming career?

'No. The more you grow, the more you care about it. I don't think the pressure eases up at all, in fact it builds.' Will it ever stop? 'I don't know, not until you're an old lady and the kids are visiting you in your care home going, 'Thanks for everything, Mum.' Then you're like, 'Great, I've done it.'

Stacey Solomon is pictured with a huge smile on her face when was crowned queen of the jungle back in 2010

Stacey has a different way of coping these days.

'I used to want to control my anxiety, but now I think, 'All right, how do I embrace this as a part of me?' Anxiety can be useful. If you're anxious about dying you might be more vigilant about your health, you might check your boobs and do all the things you should. You can ask other questions too. 'How can this inspire me to take back control? Can I use my fear of hiring a builder to learn the skills myself?'

That's incredibly positive, so how has she got there?

'I've tried different therapies. Cognitive behavioural therapy was really useful, in terms of giving me tools to stop anxiety turning to obsession, but for me it's about not being afraid to lean into this. What am I scared of? What's the likelihood of it happening? Then to ask, 'What can I get out of this?'

The anxiety does still take her by surprise. 'I could be playing with the children and thinking, 'What if I couldn't ever play with them again?' Forcing myself to be present in the moment is a massive help, saying, 'I want to be here. I'm alive. They're playing with me right now. Enjoy it.'

Her honesty is disarming, but then part of the reason for her rise is she still seems down to earth, despite the fame. 'I should hope so! I'm not an alien!' She's self-deprecating too.

'I'm wearing a T-shirt leotard which actually is really uncomfortable. All the girls on TikTok are wearing them and they look really good because they tuck into your trousers properly but they go right up your bum!' She bursts into raucous laughter.

Isn't it a bit hard to wage war on clutter when you've got young ones tearing about the place?

'I constantly clear up, but not to a point where it dictates our lives. Some days the house will look like what everyone else's house looks like after five kids have been running through it. But then sometimes if I've been away I'll ring my friends and family and ask, 'What are you doing tomorrow? Can you come and help me?' I'll get all hands on deck.'

Family is the centre of Stacey Solomon's life, and she says Renovation Rescue has reinforced that. Pictured: The couple in December 2022

Her mother and father live close by, as do her sister Jemma, Joe's mother and his sisters. 'I am really lucky that the childcare comes from within our families, which I love. I don't know if I'd be as guilt-free going to work if that wasn't the case.'

Is she thinking of having any more children? 'I would love another one! But I'm really tired. I had three babies really close together. I've got a four-year-old, a two-year-old and a one-year-old and it's wonderful but it is exhausting.'

She smiles to herself. 'But I do love it. My favourite thing in the world is being a mum. Some people are like, 'What's your biggest dream for your career in five years' time?' And I want to be a stay-at-home mum. I want to do bits to the house, grow some vegetables, do all the school runs. I love it.'

She and Joe arrange their diaries so one is always home while the other works. 'I cannot do full-time childcare, a full-time job and be a full-time housekeeper at the same time, there are not enough hours in the day, so we have to split the chores.'

She's a realist. 'I have no shame in saying sometimes my house is absolutely immaculate, because I have just gone through it. And sometimes it's a state. You wouldn't believe I sort people's houses out for a living! But that's an important part of life, for people to see and to know. Even if it's a mess, I think it's perfect.'

Family is the centre of Stacey Solomon's life, and she says Renovation Rescue has reinforced that.

'I have learned what really makes a home a home by making this show. The people I meet are in horrendous situations and the thing that's holding them together isn't what's on the walls, how pretty or tidy things look, it's who they are as a unit.

'We definitely help them out the other side, but ultimately they are still surviving and still there for each other. That's what really matters in the end.'
Michaela Strachan signed up for BBC2's faith-based series Pilgrimage not because she's religious (she isn't), but because the outdoorsy presenter was eager to tackle the two-week trek in Wales.

Yet fate got in the way and it became a journey laden with grief for Michaela, who's best known as a Springwatch co-host.

'Last year was heartbreakingly sad,' she says. 'I lost several people in a short space of time. I lost my sister-in-law to cancer, my partner Nick's best friend had a heart attack, one of my friends lost her son at 35, and then one of my closest friends died.'

Michaela, 57, and Lucy Bowden, a former Springwatch producer, grew close when Lucy was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years after Michaela, who had a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction in 2014.

For Michaela Strachan, who's best known as a Springwatch co-host, the trek became a journey laden with grief

Spencer Matthews hoped it would help him get in touch with his feelings, particularly over the loss of his older brother Michael who died on Mount Everest in 1999, aged 22

'After Lucy's diagnosis we became very close and I helped her through it, but her cancer came back in 2021. I was with her three days before she died. We started filming Pilgrimage last September a week after her funeral, so I was grieving.

'The point of a pilgrimage is to explore your emotions. We had conversations on the show that were triggering for me. I found it emotionally challenging and sneaked off a lot on my own. Normally I'd join in with the group, but I had a lot to process.'

Michaela is joined on the show by reality star Spencer Matthews, Plebs' Tom Rosenthal, Traitors contestant and practising Catholic Amanda Lovett, Paddy McGuinness's ex-wife Christine, stand-up comic Eshaan Akbar, who's Muslim, and Escape To The Country's Sonali Shah, who was raised in India's Jain religion.

The journey saw them tackle the Pilgrim's Way, which links churches honouring early Celtic saints. They travel  on foot and by bus  220km through Wales's slate landscape and Snowdonia.

Spencer Matthews hoped it would help him get in touch with his feelings, particularly over the loss of his older brother Michael who died on Mount Everest in 1999, aged 22, and whose body has never been found.

'I felt welcomed for sharing the story,' says Spencer, 35. 'That's when things turned for me. I became more open to the spiritual experiences we shared as a group.' But it was Tom Rosenthal who was most affected by the pilgrimage.

Although he's of Jewish heritage, Tom was brought up without religion, but he found visiting the ancient churches and soaking up the awe-inspiring views had a profound impact on him.

Tom (pictured) was brought up without religion, but he found visiting he ancient churches and soaking up the awe-inspiring views had a profound impact on him

'I had what I would consider to be two, maybe three, religious experiences on this pilgrimage, which I didn't anticipate,' says Tom, 36.

'They were moments in which I do feel the divine revealed itself to me. It's one of the best things I've done in my life and I'm just deeply grateful for this entire experience.'

One sacred moment occurred when the group visited 15th-century St Winefride's Chapel and Holy Well in Flintshire, where in the 7th century a Welsh abbot is said to have brought Winefride, his niece, back to life.

'Without wanting to sound like a crazy person, when I sat on a mound outside, Winefride talked to me,' says Tom.

'She said we were on the right path as a group. This mad stuff you hear religious people talk about happened to me, and now it doesn't sound so mad. It was awesome, and I left feeling a lot more spiritually connected than I have ever been.'
Jemma Lucy has pleaded with Celebs Go Dating bosses to sign her up for the show, despite being spotted on a string of dates with Love Island's Mitchel Taylor.

The 35-year-old Ex On The Beach star has a self-confessed horrid dating history and admitted in an exclusive chat with MailOnline that she wants show experts Paul Carrick Brunson, Anna Williamson and Dr Tara Suwinyattichaiporn to take the lead for her.

She mused: 'A lot of people go on that show and they're either not really interested or they're not really single, they're just there for money or airtime - but me, genuinely from the bottom of my heart, I need help!

'I have got the worst type in men in the world and I would rather have no man than have my type because they're just horrendous!'

Jemma reasoned: 'I want to find my forever person and I'm not going to find that with my type. So I'd love to go on the show because they help you think outside the box.'

Jemma Lucy has pleaded with Celebs Go Dating bosses to sign her up for the show, despite being spotted on a string of dates with Love Island's Mitchel Taylor

The 35-year-old Ex On The Beach star has a self-confessed horrid dating history and admitted in an exclusive chat with MailOnline that she wants show experts to take the lead for her

Jemma continued: 'They force you to sit there with someone who isn't your type necessarily on paper or physically.

'I would never be in that situation unless someone put me in it because I'm just not brave enough. So I think I would genuinely benefit from the show.'

The mother-of-one went on to confirm that she had been on a few dates with 'Messy' Mitch, 27, but insisted it was 'very, very early days,' musing 'we're just doing what we're doing.'

Jemma, who is bisexual, previously dated the likes of convicted sex offender Stephen Bear and convicted drug dealer Nicholas Sinclair.

As well as Celebs Go Dating, Jemma revealed she'd be open to returning to Ex On The Beach in her quest for finding love.

She explained: 'The only thing I would struggle with is being away from my daughter for that amount of time, but as long as I made sure she was safe and on certain shows you can still communicate with your kids off camera...

'I would love to go on the show again. I have said things about how I felt at the time but I do take some responsibility for my behavior.

'Times have changed and it just seems like a much better show at the minute. I'm here because of that show.

'I don't like when people are like, "oh, I hate that show so much" like Megan McKenna, for example. She's like, "oh, forget I was ever on that show?"

'That's where you came from, to where you are. You can't forget that.'

Reflecting on the way production has changed since she first appeared on the show in 2015, she mused: 'You were allowed to have physical fights and have sex with everyone and just be completely erratic.

'TV is a little bit different now. It's definitely less trashy, it's more about love and sorting things out with your ex rather than fighting them!'

Jemma, who is bisexual, previously dated the likes of convicted sex offender Stephen Bear (pictured in 2016) and convicted drug dealer Nicholas Sinclair

Elsewhere in the chat, Jemma admitted she's suffering sleepless nights and feels 'unsafe' in her new place home after thieves targeted her 170,000 Land Rover Defender V8.

In December, Jemma was left devastated when her car was stolen from outside of her home just before she was due to move across London, but thanks to the tracker she'd attached, police were able to swiftly retrieve the vehicle.

Having continued with her plans to move house, the mother-of-one tried to put the theft out of her mind but admitted she couldn't shake the feeling she was being followed.

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Jemma Lucy admits she 'hates' being on OnlyFans since becoming a mum Advertisement

Last month, as she slept in her home she was woken at 8.30am by the sound of her engine starting and after rushing to her window she could do nothing but look on in horror as thieves raced off with her car.

Adding to Jemma's distress, she suffered a devastating ectopic pregnancy around the time her car was first stolen.

In December she revealed she had been hospitalised with mystery pains and later revealed that she was hospitalised because of an ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when a fertilized egg implants itself outside of the womb, usually in the fallopian tube, meaning a baby is unable to develop and leaving the mother's health in danger.

Shortly after her devastating ordeal, Jemma suffered another a blow as her relationship with convicted drug dealer Nicholas Sinclair came to an end on Christmas Day.

Reflecting on the past few months, Jemma admitted: 'It's actually been really difficult.

'My car stolen, then my pregnancy, then I moved house and I had my car stolen again and things happened in my personal life too and it was just a really difficult time.

'I think the way to stay positive is just to just... I block a lot of stuff out if I'm honest.

'But I just look at things and I think this is the cards I've been dealt. This is what I have to deal with right now. What can I do about it?

'You just have to be strong and tell yourself you can do this and things get better.

'As long as my daughter's happy and not stressed and safe, that's all I care about. As long as that's good, then realistically everything else I can handle.'

Jemma - who has not disclosed her daughter's name or the father's identity - welcomed her first child in 2019.

Jemma revealed she wants to have a second child but won't do so until she's married, admitting she feels 'guilty' her daughter doesn't have both parents together (pictured in 2019)

Despite the mental and physical toll her recent ectopic pregnancy took on her, Jemma revealed she hasn't ruled out having another child in the future.

She explained: 'The love that I have for my daughter and how beautiful it has having a child overrides my fear of having another ectopic pregnancy.

'But yes I am really scared of it happening again because the chances are higher if you've had one before.

'When I meet my forever man and we're happily married then I would definitely try again, but not until I'm married for goodness sake!

'I just believe that every child should at least have the chance of having that family lifestyle where you have the parents together and you have a family home and I wasn't able to give my daughter that and I feel a bit guilty about that.'
Jesinta Franklin turned heads at the exclusive Tiffany & Co. Brisbane store launch on Thursday night as she stepped out in a dazzling gown.

The AFL WAG, 32, adorned her frame in a sequined frock from Carla Zampatti worth $1,549, giving the illusion of a crushed diamond look.

Her glittering ensemble had a conservative cut, featuring long sleeves and a turtleneck before it flowed down her figure into a modest train.

The former Miss Universe Australia highlighted her genetically blessed features with a nude lip and minimal eye makeup, opting for a light contour and blush.

She then slicked her dark tresses back into a sleek up-do, before elevating her extravagant look with a pair of diamond earrings.

Jesinta Franklin, 32, (pictured) turned heads at the exclusive Tiffany & Co. Brisbane store launch on Thursday night as she stepped out in a dazzling gown

The AFL WAG adorned her frame in a sequined frock from Carla Zampatti worth $1,549, giving the illusion of a crushed diamond look

Her glittering ensemble had a conservative cut, featuring long sleeves and a turtleneck before it flowed down her figure into a modest train

She then slicked her dark tresses back into a sleek up-do, before elevating her extravagant look with a pair of diamond earrings

Gemma Ward was also in attendance wearing a baby blue sequined top which draped across her frame.

The model, 36, tucked the frock into a skin-tight black maxi skirt which tumbled to the floor before adorning herself in various expensive jewels.

Tucking her blonde tresses behind her ears, Gemma matched the decor with a pop of blue eyeshadow which she bolstered with a nude lip.

Gemma Ward, 36, (pictured) was also in attendance wearing a baby blue sequined top which draped across her frame

The model tucked the frock into a skin-tight black maxi skirt which tumbled to the floor before adorning herself in various expensive jewels

New Zealand model Georgia Fowler opted for a throwback all-denim look for the occasion, stepping out in a tube top and maxi skirt.

Accessorising with a simple diamond necklace, bracelet and earrings, the Project Runway New Zealand host, 31, slipped into a pair of black heels.

Georgia then finished her look with some bronzed makeup before slicking back her brunette locks into an elegant up-do.

New Zealand model Georgia Fowler, 31, (pictured) opted for a throwback all-denim look for the occasion, stepping out in a tube top and maxi skirt

Georgia then finished her look with some bronzed makeup before slicking back her brunette locks into an elegant up-do

Elsewhere, couple Jett Kenny and Lily Brown arrived arm-in-arm to the lavish event, garbed in matching satin ensembles.

The Gladiators star, 30, donned a cream shirt which billowed out before he tucked it into a pair of wine red slacks.

Meanwhile, Lily, 26, turned heads in a baby blue gown which featured a one-shouldered strap and clung to her figure.

She softly curled her burgundy hair and let it tumble down her back before slipping in a pair of heart-shaped hoop earrings.

Elsewhere, couple Jett Kenny, 30, (right) and Lily Brown, 26, (left) arrived arm-in-arm to the lavish event, garbed in matching satin ensembles
Carrie Fisher: A Life In Ten Pictures (BBC2)

Rating:

Carrie Fisher never stood a chance, and one photo proves it. She's 14, duetting in a ludicrous ball gown with her mother, movie star Debbie Reynolds, at the Desert Inn Hotel, Las Vegas, while her little brother plays guitar.

For both children, it was their first time on any stage in front of an audience. What a debut.

No wonder her life spiralled into a maelstrom of drug abuse, alcoholism, broken marriages, breakdowns, rehab and early death. Vegas was her death sentence.

The miracle is that her brother Todd, now 66, lived to tell the story. He was the only contributor to Carrie Fisher: A Life In Ten Pictures (BBC2) who could claim to know the Star Wars actress well throughout her life.

Movie star Carrie Fisher (right) with her mother Debbie Reynolds (left) in a CBS television special broadcast in 1997. Mother and daughter died just a day apart from each other

Carrie Fisher pictured at her 17th birthday party in New York in 1973. Two years later, she would light up screens as Princess Leia in the first Star Wars film

Carrie Fisher pictured sitting on a worktop in her kitchen in Bel Air, California, in May 1987

Though some of the other talking heads threw interesting sidelights on her complex personality, they were incidental characters in her life  her hairdresser, a friend from her teen years, an old chum of her mother and a few more.

Each brought a picture that purported to crystallise an era in Carrie's tumultuous career, from Hollywood brat to Princess Leia (just 19 when she first filmed that role), author to Broadway star in a confessional production called Wishful Drinking.

VOXPOP OF THE NIGHT Vox pop of the night: Ambitious but brainless, the novices on The Apprentice (BBC1) asked members of the public for opinions on their new logos. 'Child-ish... doodly... designed by kids,' said the public. 'Great feedback, we really appreciate it,' yelped one apprentice. Advertisement

But the absence of any major co-stars or lovers meant large parts of her story went untold. We saw a picture of her with Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill promoting Star Wars in 1977, but nothing about the pose hinted at the sexual relationship between Ford and Fisher  and Harrison made no comment, not even in archive news footage or a chat show clip.

At least that affair was acknowledged. The programme failed to mention that at 26, Carrie was married to rock star Paul Simon. Perhaps the director felt she shouldn't be defined by the men she wed, but any documentary on Simon would be remiss if it didn't cover his marriage to her.

And surely it's relevant that she was the inspiration for a song as beautiful as Hearts And Bones. 'If you can get Paul Simon to write a song about you,' Fisher once quipped, 'do it!'

Paul Slansky, who coaxed her into writing her novel Postcards From The Edge (a lightly fictionalised memoir of drug abuse and disintegration), produced a cassette of her ad-libbing dialogue for the book. She was explosively, hilariously creative, though the intensity in her voice betrayed her constant state of anxiety.

We were told she self-medicated with drugs and booze to quell her demons. How much of her mental illness was triggered by teenage binges and excesses was not clear  her friend Jane Booke, remembering a hedonistic 17th-birthday party at El Morocco club in New York, merely said they had 'a really good time'.

Carrie Fisher died in 2016 after a heart attack on a transatlantic flight. Her mother, Debbie, died the next day  another detail this account omitted. Fascinating though it was, it left out so much.
Leah McSweeney broke her silence on her lawsuit against Bravo and Real Housewives franchise executive producer Andy Cohen on Thursday.

The Real Housewives of New York City star, 41, is suing the network and Cohen, 55, for alleged discrimination and a hostile work environment, and claims a 'rotted' work culture pressured cast members to consume alcohol, causing her to relapse.

The reality star, who is now sober, spoke about going up against a 'powerful entity' like Bravo while appearing on the Addiction Talk podcast.

She said that though the lawsuit has caused blowbacks it doesn't matter because 'this is the truth, you know? And I have it on my side.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to Bravo representatives for comment.

Leah McSweeney broke her silence on her lawsuit against Bravo and Real Housewives franchise executive producer Andy Cohen on Thursday

The Real Housewives of New York City star, 41, is suing the network and Cohen for alleged discrimination and a hostile work environment, and claims a 'rotted' work culture pressured cast members to consume alcohol; Leah pictured with Andy

'As hard as it is to be going up against a very powerful entity, and for people to maybe also just not agree with me or you know, come at me and get blowback and all the things, I don't care, because this is the truth, you know?' she shared.

'And my intentions are really good. And I check myself all the time about that,' the star added.

Leah added that she's doing 'great' all things considered.

'I'm leaning into my program, and my meetings, and my sober friends, and my regular friends that are not sober but are amazing,' she shared.

'And I use thing things that I learned in recovery about intention and about taking inventory. And I'm in a really good place right now.'

'It's taken a long time to get here. It's a journey and it's not linear.'

'The thing I've learned is to have a healthy fear of your addiction. And you can never feel like it's that far away. Because it's not.'

'I have a very healthy fear of my addiction and my alcoholism. But I'm doing good.'

Later she added, 'Even when you're in a really good place, it still hurts. It's still not an enjoyable experience to have people coming at you, or be dealing with the situation that I'm in.'

The reality star, who is sober, spoke about going up against a 'powerful entity' like Bravo while appearing on the Addiction Talk podcast

She said that though the lawsuit has caused blowbacks it doesn't matter because 'this is the truth, you know? And I have it on my side'

'And my intentions are really good. And I check myself all the time about that,' the star added. Leah added that she's doing 'great' all things considered

McSweeney (seen in an Instagram post ) said in court docs that Bravo producers sought to sabotage her sobriety by both exacerbating it and stopping her from getting treatment for her problem

When asked if she would participate in reality TV knowing what she knows now, or whether she regrets it, Leah shared, 'As an addict, there are so many things that have been not great, that I could regret. But what's the point? I can't change it now.'

Her interview comes following news that Cohen and his legal team are threatening the ex RHONY star with legal action, after she claimed he took cocaine with his favorite Real Housewives stars.

Last month Bravo producer and personality Cohen was accused of 'engaging in cocaine use with Housewives that he employs,' according to a suit filed in New York's Southern District by McSweeney.

A rep for Cohen told Dailymail.com that 'the claims against Andy are completely false' at the time and now, a letter from Cohen's attorneys obtained by TMZ has urged McSweeney to retract her 'categorically false' allegations or face a lawsuit.

Cohen's attorneys have said everything McSweeney claimed in the lawsuit is false and added on the cocaine claim: '[W]e demand that you immediately retract and withdraw all allegations relating to Mr. Cohens purported 'cocaine use.'"

'To be clear: these allegations are categorically false. Mr. Cohen never used cocaine with any cast member on any Real Housewives show or with any other Bravo employee. The absence of any reasonable basis to make such allegations is confirmed by your pleading itself.'

His attorneys point out there are no details included in the allegation and claim McSweeney made the explosive claim 'just to get headlines and a quick payday.'

A source close to McSweeney told the publication that she is 'flabbergasted' that Cohen keeps bringing attention to the case in the press 'rather than just letting it play out in court.'

Her interview comes following news that Cohen and his legal team are threatening the ex RHONY star with legal action, after she claimed he took cocaine with his favorite Real Housewives stars; seen with Cohen and Sonja Morgan on Watch What Happens Live

Cohen 'intentionally uses cocaine with his employees to further promote a workplace culture that thrives off drug and alcohol use, which leads to a failure to accommodate employees who are disabled and trying to stay substance free,' McSweeney said in court docs

A rep for Cohen told Dailymail.com that 'the claims against Andy are completely false' at the time and now, a letter from Cohen's attorneys obtained by TMZ has urged McSweeney to retract her 'categorically false' allegations or face a lawsuit

McSweeney's lawsuit filed last month against Cohen and Bravo alleges cocaine use is rampant at the the network, with the linchpin producer and on-air personality both using the illegal drug and providing it to employees.

McSweeney said in court docs reviewed by Page Six that Cohen 'tends to provide the Housewives with whom he uses cocaine with more favorable treatment' and strategic editing to make them look better.

Cohen 'intentionally uses cocaine with his employees to further promote a workplace culture that thrives off drug and alcohol use, which leads to a failure to accommodate employees who are disabled and trying to stay substance free,' McSweeney said in court docs.

McSweeney appeared on two seasons of The Real Housewives of New York City in 2020-2021, and on a season of Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip, which aired last year.

McSweeney said in the legal docs that Bravo 'thrives off drug and alcohol use,' without naming any further parties past Cohen.

She said she informed Bravo producers prior to her casting on the series, that she had been focused on staying sober, and had a 30-day streak of sobriety going into the show.

McSweeney told the court that producers failed to make a 'reasonable accommodation' for her addiction-related disability - but instead provided her 'with unlimited, free-of charge alcoholic beverages,' and 'encouraged her to consume those alcoholic beverages.'

McSweeney's legal team said that 'this environment caused Ms. McSweeney to relapse into alcohol addiction shortly after joining RHONY season 12.'

McSweeney appeared on two seasons of The Real Housewives of New York City in 2020-2021, and on a season of Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip, which aired last year; seen in 2021

McSweeney said in court docs that Bravo producers sought to sabotage her sobriety by both exacerbating it and stopping her from getting treatment for her problem.

McSweeney told the court that Bravo executives violated her employment rights under the Disabilities Act by preventing her to get help for her alcohol issues, knowing she was dealing with them.

McSweeney, who has a fashion label called Married To The Mob, said in the legal docs that sexual harassment was also rife in the company, claiming that a senior producer 'routinely sends unsolicited pictures of [their] genitalia to lower-level  production employees,' and that executives have ignored the issues.

McSweeney in her suit, which is for unspecified damages, named Cohen, Bravo, Shed Media and Shed's parent company Warner Media.
Christine Quinn is reportedly moving to ensure that her estranged husband Christian Richard is kept far away from her and their son Christian Georges Dumontet.

The 35-year-old Selling Sunset star has been meeting with lawyers to set in motion a temporary restraining order against Richard (real name: Christian Dumontet), according to TMZ.

DailyMail.com has reached out to a representative to Quinn for comment.

The latest development comes after sources claimed that the reality star was planning on leaving her husband and filing for divorce.

Quinn, 35, appears to be putting as much distance between herself and Richard, 45, as possible after he was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon after he allegedly threw a bag of glass at her but instead struck their two-year-old son.

Selling Sunset's Christine Quinn, 35, has been meeting with lawyers to set in motion a temporary restraining order against her husband Christian Richard, according to TMZ; seen December 2022 in France

Sources say Quinn will seek a temporary restraining order ahead of a permanent order before her seven-day emergency protective order runs out; seen together in March 2023 in LA

Richard was arrested Tuesday for allegedly throwing a bag of glass at Christine but instead hitting their son Christian Georges Dumontet, two

Quinn currently has a week-long emergency protective order against her husband, but she will need to petition the courts for another restraining order once it runs out.

Sources told TMZ that she is in the process of meeting with attorneys to plan out her next steps.

The Selling Sunset star is reportedly planning to detail her entire history in order to secure a restraining order, and the sources describe their marriage as being a series of ups and downs.

She's reportedly ready to make additional serious allegations against her estranged husband relating to their interactions out of the spotlight, and the lawyers are reportedly helping her to navigate those issues.

Although sources previously told Us Weekly on Thursday that Quinn plans to file for divorce from Richard, her first priority is making sure that he can't come near her or baby Christian.

Ultimately, the sources allege that she wants a permanent restraining order against Richard, though she will likely have to start with a temporary restraining order.

The insiders add that Quinn's relationship with Richard feels irreversibly damaged now, so a reconciliation between the spouses is unlikely.

Her emergency restraining order against her estranged husband only lasts for seven days, so she will need to have filed for a temporary restraining order by Wednesday in order to keep a legal barrier protecting herself and her child.

Quinn's terrifying saga spilled into the spotlight on Tuesday, when Richard was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, with his bond set at $30,000.

LAPD spokesman Jeff Lee told DailyMail.com: 'A victim and a suspect were involved in a domestic dispute when the suspect threw a bag at the victim with a glass bottle inside of it. It missed the victim, but that object struck a child.

Richard was arrested again on Wednesday for violating the emergency restraining order after he went to the couple's home that night

Sources said Quinn's marriage to Richard was tempestuous, and she allegedly plans to reveal more details of their interactions behind closed doors to secure a restraining order

'The suspect was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon.'

Christian was subsequently taken in an ambulance to a hospital for treatment with his mother by his side, according to TMZ.

Richard was seen in a bathrobe on Tuesday afternoon as he was led into a squad car by police after his arrest.

He subsequently made bail, but was shockingly arrested a second time on Wednesday after he violated the emergency restraining police had offered Quinn by visiting their home.

Although Quinn and her son were reportedly not at the home at the time, Police arrived with guns drawn and did a search of the home before taking Richard into custody.

An eyewitness on the scene alleged that police could be heard shouting for Richard to 'Come out with your hands up.'

LA County Sheriff's records indicate that Richard posted another $30,000 bond and was released hours after the second arrest.

A source told Page Six that Quinn and her son were staying at a separate 'safe' location, and that someone else had allegedly called the police on Richard.

Quinn and Richard were originally introduced via a mutual friend, and the tech founder proposed to her on Valentine's Day of 2019.

The reality star reportedly plans to file for divorce, but her first priority is protecting herself and her child; seen in June 2023 in LA

Quinn's son Christian was reportedly taken to a hospital in an ambulance, with her riding by his side; pictured in 2021 in Santa Monica

Quinn got engaged on Valentine's Day 2019, and she married Richard in December of that year in a gothic-tinged winter wonderlandstyle ceremony; still from Selling Sunset

The couple were wed in December of that year in a ceremony with a winter wonderland theme featuring an unusual gothic twist, including Quinn's black wedding dress.

They welcomed their son Christian in 2021.

The blond beauty is best known as a breakout star on Netflix's reality series Selling Sunset, in which she sold luxury homes for the Oppenheim Group for five seasons.

Her final season on the show featured allegations that she had tried to bribe a client.
Kylie Jenner got glammed up on Thursday as she took to the streets in Los Angeles to promote her new canned vodka soda brand Sprinter.

Driving around in a silver Sprinter truck, the makeup mogul, 26, stopped by several local liquor stores.

As per her Instagram Story, Jenner checked out the store's Sprinter display and posed for photos with staff.

The mother-of-two signed a few cases of the new alcoholic beverage that was priced at $18.99.

Jenner  who is linked to actor Timothee Chalamet  documented the entire mini LA promo tour for her fans as she encouraged them to 'sprint to the good times.'

Kylie Jenner got glammed up on Thursday as she took to the streets in Los Angeles to promote her new canned vodka soda brand Sprinter

The makeup mogul, 26, stopped by several local liquor stores

She began the day by picking up a smoothie from Erewhon before climbing into the a custom silver Sprinter truck with her team.

Jenner looked phenomenal in a curve-clinging black minidress styled with tall heels with traps that wound up her ankles.

She carried a shiny black patent leather purse that matched her large waist belt.

Jenner first visited a Total Wine location and signed a few Sprinter boxes displayed at the front of the store before posing for a few photos with her products.

The influencer then made her way to three more liquor stores, where she also signed boxes and happily posed for photos with staff members.

It was revealed earlier this month that Jenner would be entering the alcoholic beverage market with Sprinter.

Her sister Kendall already has a tequila line named 818 which debuted in 2021 and has been doing well; there was even a special made for the brand in the shape of an 8.

Sprinter is a 100-calorie canned vodka soda made with premium vodka, sparkling water and fruit juice.

As per her Instagram Story, Jenner checked out the store's Sprinter display and posed for photos with staff

Jenner looked phenomenal in a curve-clinging black minidress

She looked proud to see her product in stores

She opened the fridge and pulled out a pack for a photo

It is available in four flavors: Black Cherry, Peach, Grapefruit and Lime.

The alcoholic sodas are scheduled to hit stores March 21. Sprinter will be sold in an 8-can variety pack for $19.99. It is 4.5% ABV.

The influencer recently issued a statement where she expressed via USA Today why she chose to embark on her newest entrepreneurial project.

'Sprinter is my answer to the growing consumer demand for quality canned cocktails,' Kylie said.

Jenner went on to speak about how she wanted to her new line of products to appeal to younger consumers.

'Not only does Sprinter have a unique bold branding that captures the feeling of fun with your friends, it is also the best tasting vodka soda I've ever tried  and I've tried a lot,' she said.

Beverage development expert Chandra Richter, who collaborated with the entrepreneur while developing Sprinter, also spoke about the painstaking process that went into coming up with each offered flavor.

'We held numerous tastings over the past year to ensure each of our four flavors are as natural and true-to-fruit as possible,' she said.

Jenner  who is linked to actor Timothee Chalamet  documented the entire LA promo tour for her fans as she encouraged them to 'sprint to the good times'

Her and her team hit the road in a custom silver Sprinter truck

She posed for a selfie in a bathroom during her LA adventure

The reality TV star rocked heels and carried a shiny black patent leather handbag

It was revealed that Jenner was planning on entering the alcoholic beverage market with Sprinter earlier this month

The mother-of-two signed a few cases of the new alcoholic beverage

A pack was priced at $18.99

She kicked off her work day with a smoothie from Erewhon

Kylie also recently launched her first perfume called Cosmic.

Golden amber accord and red peony accord make up the heart notes, which are said to add a soft, sweet, floral scent.

She celebrated the launch in Los Angeles earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Kylie has been dating Dune actor Timothee Chalamet since January 2023 - following her split from baby daddy Travis Scott.

It was recently speculated that Kylie and Timothee had split but insiders have confirmed to DailyMail.com that they are still an item.
James Valentine was at a friend's birthday party in December last year when the first signs suddenly appeared that something was seriously wrong with the ABC radio star.

'My friend Tom has been celebrating his 40th birthday every few years for quite a while now and it's a good party,' Valentine recalled.

'But, as usual, the bar was free and there was no food.'

Relief arrived with three containers of takeaway containers of Thai food delivered to the pub party venue about 9.30pm and Valentine gobbled down the massaman beef 'like a dog woofing up Pal'.

What happened next led the 62-year-old to a doctor's surgery and a diagnosis of oesophageal cancer.

James Valentine, who has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer, was at a friend's birthday party in December last year when the first signs appeared that something was seriously wrong with the ABC radio star

A few minutes after eating the takeaway food Valentine began choking and retching. His wife Joanne said: 'That's no good'.

As Valentine clung to a pole on the street outside the hotel, Joanne insisted he visit her sister's endoscopy clinic for a gastroscopy.

After the procedure a gastroenterologist confirmed Valentine was not suffering from some sort of 'old man reflux kind of condition'.

'It's bad,' the doctor said.

'You've got a 4cm tumour where your oesophagus meets your stomach.'

Life for the presenter of ABC Radio Sydney's afternoons show changed in an instant.

Valentine revealed details of his cancer diagnosis on Thursday in a first-person piece penned for the national broadcaster's website.

Early in that article, addressed directly to his listeners, the one-time saxophonist for Melbourne band Models said, 'Right now, I'm completely fine'.

In January, Valentine started five weeks of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. He will soon undergo surgery to have his oesophagus removed.

Valentine revealed details of his cancer diagnosis on Thursday in a first-person piece penned for the national broadcaster's website. He is pictured with actor Leah McLeod

'I got chemo and radiation straight off, but only a mild dose designed to shrink the tumour and clean out the body before surgery,' he wrote.

'I got tired from the radiation, the chemo made me feel like my whole body had been sluiced through with liquid aluminium foil but I could go to work, do the radio, and I even did a gig or two playing saxophone.'

The surgery to take out Valentine's cancerous oesophagus will be performed in a few weeks, when his stomach will be stretched and attached to his throat to replace the digestive organ.

'After that, I'm very likely to feel like absolute crap for quite some time,' he wrote. 'It is likely I will recover, although that may take some months.

'I will never woof down massaman beef again and I think we're all glad about that.'

An ABC spokesman said their had been an outpouring of care and concern for Valentine since Thursday with listeners offering messages of support.

Valentine presented the ABC' Sydney afternoon program for two decades before holding the breakfast slot for two years until late 2023 when it was announced he would return to his old shift.

There was a clue Valentine was unwell on his Facebook page in February when a fan posted 'Please stop having Mondayitis, we love hearing from you 5 days a week on (Radio Sydney).'

ABC management has been aware of Valentine's diagnosis since December but the announcer chose not to tell his listeners until this week.

'I thought about telling the ABC Radio Sydney audience before this time but I decided I'd only just come back to afternoons,' he wrote.

'It's generally a jolly show, so let's have a good time there for a few months rather than shade that whole time with my disease.'

Valentine said he expected to be off-air for two or three months, he wrote in his piece.

'I'm going to make sure I'm fully recovered and my stomach is going to stay attached to me neck before I attempt broadcasting again.'

Veteran television and radio broadcaster Tim Webster will fill-in for Valentine during his absence.
A total of 686 candidates have registered for the April 10 parliamentary elections, the National Election Committee said Friday, setting the stage for a political showdown that could determine how the current administration will fare in its remaining three years in office.

Up for grabs in the elections are 300 National Assembly seats, 254 of them directly contested seats and 46 proportional representation seats.

The data, tentatively tallied at 7 p.m., showed that 38 parties applied for proportional representation seats. The actual number of parties competing in the election could possibly change following an evaluation by the election committee.

By party, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) had the most registered candidates at 252, followed by the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) with 244. A total of 56 candidates registered as independents.

Among electoral districts, the central Seoul ward of Jongno was expected to see the toughest competition with seven candidates registering for the race.

Official campaigning is set to kick off on March 28, lasting for 13 days, with limited forms of electioneering permitted before the official campaign period begins.

Overseas voting is scheduled from March 27 to April 1, while early voting will take place on April 5-6.

The PPP has called for voter support, saying the Yoon Suk Yeol administration has been unable to push its agenda forward for the past two years in the face of the opposition-controlled National Assembly.

The DP has urged voters to pass stern judgment on what it calls the "incompetent" administration, accusing it of causing the economy and the livelihoods of people to worsen seriously over the past two years.

Also drawing attention is how newly formed minor parties will fare, including the Korea Innovation Party led by disgraced former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, the New Reform Party led by former PPP leader Lee Jun-seok and the New Future Party (Saemirae) led by former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon. (Yonhap)
The Bachelors' Luke Bateman has confirmed he has split from Ellie Rolfe.

Luke, 28, was one of three bachelors looking for love on last year's version of the Channel Ten dating show and connected with Ellie, 29, while filming.

He eventually declared his love for the beauty therapist and they remained the only couple still together after the final episode.

In a statement released to Yahoo Lifestyle on Friday, Luke confirmed the split, saying 'Ellie and I have separated and would like to keep our relationship private.'

'Ellie has a soul that lights up every room she walks into and I will sorely miss it in my life,' he added.

The Bachelors ' Luke Bateman has broken up with Ellie Rolfe, who he met on the reality dating show. In a statement released to Yahoo Lifestyle on Friday, Luke confirmed the split, saying 'Ellie and I have separated and would like to keep our relationship private.' Both pictured

'Ellie has a soul that lights up every room she walks into and I will sorely miss it in my life,' he added

Earlier this month, eagle-eyed fans noted that Luke had deleted almost all traces of Ellie from his Instagram.

His followers quickly commented on one of his publicity photos, asking him to confirm if his relationship with Ellie was over.

'Where are all the photos with Ellie? Don't tell me that you guys broke up?' one upset fan asked.

The Bachelors lovebirds Luke Bateman and Ellie Rolfe have hinted they have called time on their relationship, by unfollowing each other on social media. Both pictured

Eagle-eyed fans expressed their sadness over the apparent breakup, noting that Luke, 28, had also deleted almost all traces of Ellie from his Instagram

'Bet she broke it off. Poor Luke,' a second person added.

'Hope they haven't... but the signs are there,' a third person chipped in and another wrote: 'They've broken up'.

Meanwhile, Ellie posted a gallery of photos to Instagram capturing her attending Melbourne Fashion Week on Monday - and Luke was nowhere in sight.

Tellingly, she was seen posing with fellow Bachelors alum Thomas Malucelli, 35, with the two rocking their best angles together amongst their celebrity friends.

Luke and Ellie no longer follow each other on Instagram

The pair fell in love in front of the cameras last year on series 11 of Channel Ten's dating show.

In December, the couple appeared on The Project to reveal they've already cemented their union in a surprising fashion.

The genetically blessed duo told the panel they sealed the deal with fresh ink on the way to The Project studios, following a boozy lunch.

'Yeah, we had an eventful day today,' Rolfe told the co-hosts.

'It was very spontaneous. We went out for lunch and had a few cocktails and got excited and thought it would be a good idea to get matching tattoos,' she continued.
A new trailer for the upcoming science fiction feature Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes made its debut on Thursday.

In the clip, a young ape dealt with the rise of a despotic leader centuries after the death of the group's former leader, Caesar.

The film, which had its first trailer debut late last year, serves as the beginning of a new trilogy of Planet Of The Apes features.

The trailer begins with a chimpanzee named Noa and an orangutan named Raka leading Mae, a feral woman, into the territory of ape leader Proximus Caesar.

Although Proximus warmly welcomes the trio into his 'kingdom,' Noa sees through the tyrant's lies and gives him a distrustful look.

A new trailer for the upcoming science fiction feature Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes made its debut on Thursday

In the clip, a young ape dealt with the rise of a despotic leader centuries after the death of the group's former leader, Caesar

The film, which had its first trailer debut late last year, serves as the beginning of a new trilogy of Planet Of The Apes features

After a flashback several other feral humans being hunted is shown, several apes on horseback are seen while tracking an unseen target while Noa and Mae climb up a steep cliff.

An ape enforcer then threatens another target with a stun gun before a burning structure falls and injures several simians.

Proximus Caesar is later seen while standing over an adversary and menacingly tells them to 'bend for your king.'

After Noa saves Mae from a gorilla enforcer, the chimpanzee defiantly states: 'Never.'

The trailer ends after Proximus Caesar attacks an unseen opponent, after which a pair of apes fight one another in what appears to be an abandoned warehouse.

Development on Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes initially began in the mid-2010s, although the feature was not greenlit until 2019.

It was also confirmed that Wes Ball had signed on as the feature's director in December of that year.

The director revealed that the movie would take place around 300 years after the conclusion of War For The Planet Of The Apes, which debuted in 2017, during an interview with Empire.

The trailer begins with a chimpanzee named Noa and an orangutan named Raka leading Mae, a feral woman, into the territory of ape leader Proximus Caesar

Although Proximus warmly welcomes the trio into his 'kingdom,' Noa sees through the tyrant's lies and gives him a distrustful look

After a flashback several other feral humans being hunted is shown, several apes on horseback are seen while tracking an unseen target while Noa and Mae climb up a steep cliff

An ape enforcer then threatens another target with a stun gun before a burning structure falls and injures several simians

The trailer ends after Proximus Caesar attacks an unseen opponent, after which a pair of apes fight one another in what appears to be an abandoned warehouse

Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes is currently scheduled to make its official debut on May 10

Much of the feature's cast, including Kevin Durand, Freya Allan and William H. Macy, signed on to appear in the movie from mid-2022 until early 2023.

Physical production on the feature kicked off in Australia in October of 2022, and its crew wrapped the following February.

The initial teaser trailer for the feature was released this past November, and a second was shown during Super Bowl LVIII.

Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes is currently scheduled to make its official debut on May 10.
Lisa Rinna famously emailed a resignation letter to her bosses at The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in September 2022 and, 18 months later, she confirmed she still has no plans on returning to the hit Bravo reality show.

'No. Never. No I wouldn't,' the 60-year-old actress - who starred in eight seasons - said in a sneak peek of Friday's Jennifer Hudson Show.

'But listen, I grateful for the experience. I think that it has made me a better actor because I'm acting again.'

At that, an audience member snickered and Lisa (born Elizabeth) shot back: 'I'm not kidding! You laugh, but it's true. I think it made made me a better actor, working with those women [and] going through that experience.'

Rinna executive produced and stars as cyber-bullying mother Madelyn alongside her own 25-year-old daughter Delilah Belle Hamlin in Greg Beeman's drama thriller Mommy Meanest, which premieres later this year on Lifetime.

Lisa Rinna (4-R, pictured in 2022) famously emailed a resignation letter to her bosses at The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in September 2022 and, 18 months later, she confirmed she still has no plans on returning to the hit Bravo reality show

The 60-year-old actress - who starred in eight seasons - said in a sneak peek of Friday's Jennifer Hudson Show: 'No. Never. No I wouldn't. But listen, I grateful for the experience. I think that it has made me a better actor because I'm acting again'

'I just did a movie called Mommy Meanest, which I trained for for eight years on that show. I definitely did, and I had a lot to pull from,' the four-time Daytime Emmy nominee noted.

'I have a lot to pull from after working for eight years on that show. You know, different psychologies of different women I never would have come across that if I hadn't done that show. I am grateful for that show. I'm the person I am today because of it, but I'll never go back. Did it, done it, saw the movie.'

Lisa is also 'so excited' to guest star as the love interest to George Lopez in the second season of his sitcom Lopez vs. Lopez, which premieres April 2 on NBC.

'I think that taking risks is a really good thing,' Rinna - who 'has no regrets' -explained.

'The more risks you take, the better your life is and that's what I try to teach my kids. I'm like, "Take the risk. If it scares you, do it."'

The So Help Me Todd guest star made history as 'the oldest woman to ever be on the cover of Cosmopolitan' for the magazine's 'special digital' January cover in which she wore a sheer sparkly Stella McCartney catsuit.

'It felt so amazing. First, I couldn't believe it when my publicist Jeffrey [Chassen] called me. I was like, "You're lying! Like, they don't put a 60-year-old woman on the cover of Cosmo. They just don't." And he's like, "Well now they do!"' Lisa recalled.

'It moves the needle for women. It just makes it okay all of a sudden. My idols Cher and Madonna and Demi Moore I think they're just doing it so beautifully and they reinvent themselves and they look amazing and they're doing what they love and their ages are not 25 and I love that so much.'

At that, an audience member snickered and Lisa (born Elizabeth) shot back: 'I'm not kidding! You laugh, but it's true. I think it made made me a better actor, working with those women [and] going through that experience'

Rinna executive produced and stars as cyber-bullying mother Madelyn alongside her own 25-year-old daughter Delilah Belle Hamlin (R, pictured December 2) in Greg Beeman's drama thriller Mommy Meanest, which premieres later this year on Lifetime

The four-time Daytime Emmy nominee noted: 'I just did a movie called Mommy Meanest, which I trained for for eight years on that show. I definitely did, and I had a lot to pull from'

Lisa continued: 'You know, different psychologies of different women I never would have come across that if I hadn't done that show. I am grateful for that show. I'm the person I am today because of it, but I'll never go back. Did it, done it, saw the movie'

Rinna is also 'so excited' to guest star as the love interest to George Lopez (3-L, pictured February 2) in the second season of his sitcom Lopez vs. Lopez, which premieres April 2 on NBC

The So Help Me Todd guest star - who 'has no regrets' -explained: 'I think that taking risks is a really good thing. The more risks you take, the better your life is and that's what I try to teach my kids. I'm like, "Take the risk. If it scares you, do it"'

Lisa made history as 'the oldest woman to ever be on the cover of Cosmopolitan' for the magazine's 'special digital' January cover in which she wore a sheer sparkly Stella McCartney catsuit

Rinna recalled: 'It moves the needle for women. It just makes it okay all of a sudden. My idols Cher and Madonna and Demi Moore I think they're just doing it so beautifully and they reinvent themselves and they look amazing and they're doing what they love and their ages are not 25 and I love that so much'

On March 29, the Rinna Beauty founder and her husband Harry Hamlin (L, pictured August 9) - who are also parents of 22-year-old daughter Amelia Gray Hamlin (2-L) - will impressively celebrate their 27th wedding anniversary

Premiering May 15 on AMC! The 72-year-old Emmy nominee will host his very own five-episode cooking show In The Kitchen With Harry alongside his Cordon Bleu-trained niece Renee Guilbault (L)

On March 29, Rinna and her husband Harry Hamlin - who are also parents of 22-year-old daughter Amelia Gray Hamlin - will impressively celebrate their 27th wedding anniversary.

The 72-year-old Emmy nominee will host his very own five-episode cooking show In The Kitchen With Harry - premiering May 15 on AMC - alongside his Cordon Bleu-trained niece Renee Guilbault.

The Rinna Beauty founder 'can't wait to connect with the LGBTQ+ community' on April 14 as Grand Marshal at the Miami Beach Pride Parade 'in Florida where they need our love and support more than ever.'
Zoe Foster Blake has broken her silence on buying back her stake in her skincare brand Go-To after beauty company BWX went into administration.

The Australian author, 43, first sold her 51.5 per cent stake of her beauty brand to the ASX listed beauty conglomerate for $89million in 2021.

But just two years later, Zoe and Go-To co-founder Paul Bates bought back their controlling stake in the business for a fraction of the price at $21.8million after BWX collapsed into administration in April 2023.

Reflecting on the turbulent time, Zoe admitted she felt 'deeply out of her depth' with the deal because there is no 'handbook' for finding the perfect business partner and investor.

'How did you know when it was the right time? How did you know they were the right partner? Because there's no handbook,' she told the Financial Review. '

Zoe Foster Blake has broken her silence on buying back her stake in her skincare brand Go-To after beauty company BWX went into administration

The wife of comedian Hamish Blake said she felt 'maternal' towards Go-To and did everything she could to save the business after the BWX deal unraveled.

'There's nothing like seeing your baby in trouble to get you going, I was like, "I'm here, I'll protect my baby at any cost", I felt very maternal, nothing has fortified me like this has,' she said.

'Thinking that I might be out of the company next year [as per the original BWX deal] is now unfathomable, I'm swinging way back in,' she added.

Zoe also discussed her thriving career as a businesswoman, admitting she was never a child with big business ambitions and she is the advert for learning as you go as she discussed overcoming the recent hurdles.

She said she put everything into her decision to buy back her shares to make sure she did the right thing for her brand, admitting: 'I couldn't live with myself if I f**ked it.'

In December, Zoe bought back her stake in Go-To Skincare for $21.8m, after selling it to BWX for $89m. She has since celebrated her brand's 10-year anniversary with a party (pictured)

Despite the turbulent time, Zoe is celebrating Go-To's tenth anniversary this year and hosted a party last weekend to commemorate the incredible achievement.

In an Instagram post, Zoe gushed over her brand's 'brilliant team' as she celebrated a decade of her 'thriving' business with a low-key at-home party.

'It's a true delight and privilege to look after your skin. I love this company, this community, and this adventure. Here's cheers to ten years,' she wrote.

For the drinks party, which she held at her home, she cut a glamorous figure in a gorgeous peach satin gown as she pulled out all the stops for the celebration.

Last year, Zoe bought back her stake in Go-To Skincare for $21.8million, after selling it to BWX for $89million two years earlier.

She admits she felt 'deeply out of her depth' with the original BWX deal and said she felt a 'maternal' need to save her business

Zoe founded Go-To Skincare back in 2014 and has now stepped full force back into running her business and has now entered her 10th year of operations in a huge achievement

'This is an incredible brand and business, with a deeply passionate team and an incredibly loyal and supportive customer,' she told The Australian Financial Review at the time of buying back her shares.

'It is my joy and privilege to give both my full focus and attention [to Go-To].'

Zoe, who founded the brand in 2014, had continued as chief creative officer and director of Go-To after first selling her shares to BWX, and is now full force back into running her business.

BWX suffered losses of $335million in the 2021-2022 financial year, with mining magnate Andrew Forrest stepping in to bail the company out.

The business owner hosted a drinks party at her home last weekend to commemorate the incredible achievement

She cut a glamorous figure in a gorgeous peach satin gown the party, where she was joined by her friends including designer Nikki Parkinson

Go-To had distanced itself from BWX, saying it is operationally independent despite BWX owning 51 per cent of shares.

BWX revealed in February 2023 that it had bled another $100million in the first half of the financial year with the company's chief executive Rory Gration stepping down.

In April, BWX was placed into voluntary admission. KPMG was appointed to handle its collapse.
Hugh Jackman has shown off his massive biceps as he shared a video of himself getting back into shape to become iconic superhero Wolverine once more.

The Australian actor, 55, took to Instagram on Friday to share throwback footage of himself working out in the gym while preparing to reprising his iconic role in the new Deadpool film.

The video was taken last summer, when he was in the midst of an intense exercise regime to build up his muscles in a bid to portray the ripped X-Men character.

In the clip, filmed by his trainer, Hugh performed bicep curls and struggled to complete the set in the very grueling workout as he got superhero ready.

His trainer Beth Lewis panned the camera over to her trusty canine assistant Andy, who barked as Hugh struggled to lift the weight.

Hugh Jackman has shown off his massive biceps as he shared a video of himself getting back into shape to become iconic superhero Wolverine once more

The Australian actor, 55, took to Instagram on Friday to share throwback footage of himself working out in the gym while preparing to reprising his iconic role in the new Deadpool film

Beth joked: 'Andy tell him! Tell him, one more [rep],' spurring Hugh on to keep pushing through the workout.

In an accompanying caption, Hugh wrote: 'When I was #becomingwolverineagain my friend and trainer Beth Lewis was always by my side. And so too was her trusted assistant Andy! #july26th #throwbackthursday.'

Filming for Deadpool 3, starring Hugh and Ryan Reynolds, wrapped in January and fans were treated to the first trailer for the epic movie last month, ahead of its July 25 release date.

In the clip, Ryan was seen in character as Wade Wilson as he suited up to take on the Time Variance Authority and decide the fate of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The trailer began with Deadpool celebrating his birthday in the company of several of his friends, and he gives a short speech where he graciously declares himself to be the 'luckiest man alive'.

But the superhero is then visited by TVA agents and is pulled through a portal, where he wakes up in the company of Paradox, portrayed by Matthew Macfadyen.

In the throwback clip, filmed by his trainer Beth Lewis, Hugh performed bicep curls and struggled to complete the set in the very grueling workout as he got superhero ready

Hugh is set to reprise his iconic role as Wolverine in the upcoming film, Deadpool 3. Pictured in 2013 in The Wolverine

Paradox informs the superhero that he has a 'chance to be a hero among heroes' and leads him to a control room featuring footage taken across the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Confident in his abilities, Wade tells Paradox: 'Your little cinematic universe is about to change forever. I'm the messiah. I am... Marvel Jesus.'

The superhero then takes on several TVA agents in a variety of locations, and after one is spirited away by an unseen force, he exclaims: 'Oh my f***!'

The mercenary goes on to violently dispatch various assailants with both guns and his signature katanas.

Deadpool is later blasted through a cement slab, and is approached by Wolverine, who remains off-screen as the former quips: 'Don't just stand there, you ape, give me a hand up.'

Wolverine then displays his claws, and the trailer ends after Wilson remarks: 'Nope, I'm actually okay, thank you very much!'

Filming for Deadpool 3, starring Hugh and Ryan Reynolds, wrapped in January and fans were treated to the first trailer for the epic movie last month, ahead of its July 25 release date

The end of the trailer teases Hugh's return as Wolverine as he looms over Deadpool (Ryan) in a fight scene and displays his claws

Hugh had been rumoured to be returning to his longtime role, and in September 2022, his close friend Ryan then confirmed that he would portray Wolverine again.

Hugh previously said he was done with playing James 'Logan' Howlett after 2017's Logan, even after multiple pleas from Ryan, but eventually decided to return for Deadpool 3 because it felt right in his gut.

Also set to appear in the feature are Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin and Jennifer Garner, and the latter two will reprise their roles as Vanessa and Elektra, respectively.

Production on the movie kicked off in May 2023, and after filming was put on hold due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, shooting eventually concluded in January 2024.
Jackie 'O' Henderson turned heads on Friday when she was spotted boarding a Qantas flight at Sydney Airport.

The KIIS FM radio star, 49, put on a leggy display in a classic Fendi skirt, which can sell for as much as $2,400 second hand, as she strutted her stuff through the airport.

She teamed her stylish ensemble with a basic black tank top and added to her frame with a pair of gold strapped heels.

The radio queen slung a black jumper over her arm as she wheeled a large carry-on suitcase behind her and toted what appeared to be a Prada handbag.

Jackie let her long blonde tresses flow in loose waves down her back as she highlighted her natural beauty with a minimal makeup look.

Jackie 'O' Henderson, 49, (pictured) turned heads on Friday when she was spotted boarding a Qantas flight at Sydney Airport

The KIIS FM radio star, 49, put on a very leggy display in a classic Fendi skirt, which can sell for as much as $2,400 second hand, as she strutted her stuff

It is not known where Jackie was flying, but her outing comes after she shocked her co-host Kyle Sandilands on Thursday by revealing the jaw-dropping amount she once spent on a chair.

Jackie said she splashed out a massive $45,000 on a designer chair for her old Sydney mansion, which she later sold after moving into her $13million Clovelly residence.

'I had to sell the $45,000 chair with the old house. It was a package deal,' Jackie said.

'The Queen's throne doesn't cost that much!' a shocked Kyle, 52, responded.

Kyle then asked her if she had made her money back when she sold the chair, but Jackie revealed she had sold it at a loss.

Paired with a basic black tank top, the media personality accessorised with an elegant pair of strappy heels and what looked to be a black Prada handbag

In 2023, it was revealed Jackie splashed $13.25million on a three-storey oceanfront house in Clovelly at an open auction.

The fixer-upper is set back from the road, offering privacy she didn't have on the narrow streets of her former address.

Jackie and Kyle recently signed a record $200million ten year radio deal, which will see them each getting paid a reported $10million a year and will keep them on the airwaves until 2034.
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Kylie Jenner looked like a busty bombshell as she arrived at the launch party for her canned vodka soda brand Sprinter in Los Angeles on Thursday night.

The Kylie Cosmetics founder, 26, sizzled in a low-cut black latex dress that showed off her killer cleavage.

She styled the sexy skintight frock with transparent heels and a dainty gold chain bracelet.

Rocking a head of voluminous brunette hair, Kylie oozed confidence and puckered her famously plump lips for photographers outside Catch Steak LA.

She was supported by her mother Kris Jenner, 68, and her older half-sister Khloe Kardashian, 39, at the late-night soiree.

Kylie Jenner looked like a busty bombshell as she arrived at the launch party for her canned vodka soda brand Sprinter in Los Angeles on Thursday night

The Kylie Cosmetics founder, 26, sizzled in a low-cut black latex dress

She was supported by her mother Kris Jenner , 68, and her older half-sister Khloe Kardashian , 39, at the soiree

Kylie was escorted by security to the restaurant's entrance, where servers were waiting for her with trays carrying Sprinter cans.

It was revealed earlier this month that Kylie would be entering the alcoholic beverage market with Sprinter.

Kylie's older sister Kendall, 28, already has a tequila line named 818 which debuted in 2021 and has been doing well; there was even a special made for the brand in the shape of an 8.

Sprinter is a 100-calorie canned vodka soda made with premium vodka, sparkling water and fruit juice.

It is available in four flavors: Black Cherry, Peach, Grapefruit and Lime.

The alcoholic sodas are scheduled to hit stores March 21. Sprinter will be sold in an 8-can variety pack for $19.99. It is 4.5% ABV.

Kylie recently issued a statement where she expressed via USA Today why she chose to embark on her newest entrepreneurial project.

'Sprinter is my answer to the growing consumer demand for quality canned cocktails,' she said.

Kylie went on to speak about how she wanted to her new line of products to appeal to younger consumers.

'Not only does Sprinter have a unique bold branding that captures the feeling of fun with your friends, it is also the best tasting vodka soda I've ever tried  and I've tried a lot,' she said.

Beverage development expert Chandra Richter, who collaborated with Kylie while developing Sprinter, also spoke about the painstaking process that went into coming up with each offered flavor.

'We held numerous tastings over the past year to ensure each of our four flavors are as natural and true-to-fruit as possible,' she said.

She styled the sexy skintight frock with transparent heels

The sexy dress had an open back

Kylie's dress showed off her killer cleavage

She rocked a head of voluminous brunette hair

Kylie oozed confidence and puckered her famously plump lips for photographers outside Catch Steak LA

It was revealed earlier this month that Kylie would be entering the alcoholic beverage market with Sprinter

Sprinter is a 100-calorie canned vodka soda made with premium vodka, sparkling water and fruit juice

It is available in four flavors: Black Cherry, Peach, Grapefruit and Lime

The alcoholic sodas are scheduled to hit stores March 21 and will be sold in an 8-can variety pack for $19.99

Kylie was escorted by security to the restaurant's entrance, where servers were waiting for her with trays carrying Sprinter cans

Kylie recently issued a statement where she expressed via USA Today why she chose to embark on her newest entrepreneurial project: 'Sprinter is my answer to the growing consumer demand for quality canned cocktails'

Kylie carried a Sprinter can with her

Kylie's mom Kris Jenner was the first Kardashian-Jenner family member to arrive at Thursday night's big launch party in West Hollywood.

The sighting comes just days after her younger sister Karen Houghton 'unexpectedly' died at the age of 65 on Monday.

Kris put on a brave face in order to support Kylie's latest business venture.

She looked stylish in a white tuxedo with 70s-inspired black lapels and a ruffled black button-up shirt.

She was accompanied by her longtime boyfriend Corey Gamble, who recently enjoyed a ski trip in Aspen with none other than Prince Harry.

The couple started dating in 2014 after Kris separated from Caitlyn Jenner, 74, in October 2013.

Khloe put on a sizzling display as she arrived just after sunset in a black SUV.

The Good American founder emerged from her chauffeured vehicle with sunglasses on and an opened Sprinter can in hand.

Khloe Kardashian put on a sizzling display as she arrived just after sunset in a black SUV

She was braless

The Good American founder emerged from her chauffeured vehicle with sunglasses on and an opened Sprinter can in hand.

She flaunted her gym-honed body in a sheer black mesh minidress

The mother-of-two also rocked sexy black semi-sheer tights and pointy stiletto heels

Khloe's honey-toned hair flowed down in soft curls and her complexion looked sun-kissed

As she left the party, Khloe moved her long hair out of the way and revealed her bra-free chest

She was accompanied by a bodyguard

Khloe was the only one of Kylie's four sisters to attend Thursday's event in LA

She was greeted by a friend as she made her way into Catch Steak LA

Rocking a stylish white tuxedo, Kris Jenner and her boyfriend Corey Gamble supported Kylie's latest business venture

The sighting comes just days after her younger sister Karen Houghton 'unexpectedly' died at the age of 65 on Monday

She flaunted her gym-honed body in a sheer black mesh minidress.

The mother-of-two also rocked sexy black semi-sheer tights and pointy stiletto heels.

Khloe's honey-toned hair flowed down in soft curls and her complexion looked sun-kissed.

For a fun pop of color, The Kardashians star tucked her essentials away in a bright blue designer purse.

Khloe was the only one of Kylie's four sisters to attend Thursday's bash.

Kylie's BFF Anastasia 'Stassie' Karanikolaou also looked like sheer perfection in a see-through black dress.

The Instagram model's sexy frock hung off her shoulders and highlighted her hourglass shape.

Her bikini-style underwear was visible and she appeared to be bra-free.

Stassie's brunette hair was twisted up in a claw clip and she rocked sultry black eyeliner a la 90s Pamela Anderson.

Although she's denied getting butt implants, Stassie previously admitted on the Call Her Daddy podcast that she had a breast augmentation and has 'moved some things around.'

Sofia Vergara, 51, was joined by her hunky new boyfriend Justin Saliman, who she began dating months after her divorce with Magic Mike hunk Joe Manganiello, 47

The Modern Family star exuded elegance in a one-shoulder blue satin jumpsuit with silver chrome heels and a black jacket

Kylie's BFF Anastasia 'Stassie' Karanikolaou looked like sheer perfection in a see-through black dress

The Instagram model's sexy frock hung off her shoulders and highlighted her hourglass shape

Her bikini-style underwear was visible and she appeared to be bra-free

Stassie's brunette hair was twisted up in a claw clip and she rocked sultry black eyeliner a la 90s Pamela Anderson

She had a shiny black PVC purse tucked under her arm that matched her heels

Matt Bellamy held hands with his wife Elle Evans as they hung out outside Kylie's big Sprinter bash

The Muse frontman, 45, wore a stylish all-black outfit for the night

Elle, who is a model and actress, is currently expecting her second child with Matt

The couple wed back in 2019 and they also share daughter Lovella, three

Elle looked lovely in a red midi dress that showed off her growing belly

Kylie's party proved to be a star-studded affair with the likes of Sofia Vergara and Matt Bellamy also on hand to celebrate.

Vergara, 51, was joined by her hunky new boyfriend Justin Saliman.

She and the orthopedic surgeon began dating months after her divorce with Magic Mike hunk Joe Manganiello, 47.

The Modern Family star exuded elegance in a one-shoulder blue satin jumpsuit with silver chrome heels and a black jacket.

Matt Bellamy held hands with his wife Elle Evans as they hung out outside Kylie's late-night Sprinter bash.

The Muse frontman, 45, wore a stylish all-black outfit for the night.

Elle, who is a model and actress, is currently expecting her second child with Matt.

The couple wed back in 2019 and they also share daughter Lovella, three.
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Joey King and Steven Piet walked their first red carpet as newlyweds at the Los Angeles premiere of her Hulu series We Were The Lucky Ones, which was held inside the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on Thursday.

The 24-year-old Emmy nominee admitted 'life didn't really change' after they tied the knot in Spain six months ago, but 'it does feel different.'

'Everything just feels a little bit sweeter,' Joey told People on Thursday.

'It's just fun to feel like you are truly hanging out with your best friend every day. It's a very special feeling.'

King originally met the News & Documentary Emmy-nominated DP on the set of Hulu's The Act sometime between October 2018-February 2019, but she didn't ask him out until 'the end of filming.'

Joey King and Steven Piet walked their first red carpet as newlyweds at the Los Angeles premiere of her Hulu series We Were The Lucky Ones, which was held inside the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on Thursday

The former child star dressed her slim 5ft3in figure in head-to-toe Prada - a mint textured top tucked into a matching gold pencil skirt, gold peep-toe platforms, and a pink triangular clutch - selected by stylist Jared Eng.

Joey finished off her Easter pastel ensemble with Pomellato jewelry and a navy-blue manicure applied by nail artist Thuy Nguyen.

Hairdresser Rena Calhoun teased King's highlighted locks into a sixties bouffant ponytail.

Make-up artist Allan Avendano applied the I Can See You video star's cat-eye liner and pink pout.

Also joining Joey on the black carpet was her beloved mother Jamie King and grandmother Elaine Farrar.

King positively lit up when she bumped into her We Were The Lucky Ones leading man, Logan Lerman.

The talented twosome play Halina Kurc and Addy Kurc in Erica Lipez's eight-episode adaptation of Georgia Hunter's 2017 novel - premiering March 28 on Hulu - about a Jewish family determined to survive and reunite after being separated in World War II.

The 32-year-old SAG Award nominee sported substantial stubble as he posed in a black maxi-blazer over a silky grey top, black trousers, and black shoes.

The 24-year-old Emmy nominee admitted 'life didn't really change' after they tied the knot in Spain six months ago, but 'it does feel different'

Joey told People on Thursday: 'Everything just feels a little bit sweeter. It's just fun to feel like you are truly hanging out with your best friend every day. It's a very special feeling'

King originally met the News & Documentary Emmy-nominated DP on the set of Hulu's The Act sometime between October 2018-February 2019, but she didn't ask him out until 'the end of filming'

The former child star dressed her slim 5ft3in figure in head-to-toe Prada - a mint textured top tucked into a matching gold pencil skirt, gold peep-toe platforms, and a pink triangular clutch - selected by stylist Jared Eng

Joey finished off her Easter pastel ensemble with Pomellato jewelry and a navy-blue manicure applied by nail artist Thuy Nguyen

Hairdresser Rena Calhoun teased King's highlighted locks into a sixties bouffant ponytail

Make-up artist Allan Avendano applied the I Can See You video star's cat-eye liner and pink pout

Also joining Joey on the black carpet was her beloved mother Jamie King (L) and grandmother Elaine Farrar (R)

King positively lit up when she bumped into her We Were The Lucky Ones leading man, Logan Lerman (R)

Premiering March 28 on Hulu! The talented twosome play Halina Kurc and Addy Kurc in Erica Lipez's eight-episode adaptation of Georgia Hunter's 2017 novel about a Jewish family determined to survive and reunite after being separated in World War II

The 32-year-old SAG Award nominee (R) sported substantial stubble as he posed in a black maxi-blazer over a silky grey top, black trousers, and black shoes

Logan brought along his fiancee of four months - multimedia artist Ana Corrigan (L) - who kept it simple in a black tube top over a matching maxi-skirt, and pumps

The LA native and Lerman made sure to pose in a group shot with the cast and crew of We Were The Lucky Ones

Hours earlier, Joey - who boasts 38M social media followers - performed a silly song on TikTok with a distorted filter: 'Just doing some laundry, and tonight is the We Were The Lucky Ones premiere. And I'm ready to party on a Thursday! And I'm ready to have some clean clothes! Ready to party on a Thursday! And ready for my show to come out!'

The Hamster & Gretel star had a blast catching up with We Were The Lucky Ones creator Erica Lipez (M) at the after-party held in the Academy Museum's outdoor glass-domed Dolby Family Terrace

Joey seemed especially close with Amit Rahav, who played her character's family member Jakub Kurc in the Ben Affleck and Matt Damon-produced historical drama

Logan brought along his fiancee of four months - multimedia artist Ana Corrigan - who kept it simple in a black tube top over a matching maxi-skirt, and pumps.

The LA native and Lerman made sure to pose in a group shot with the cast and crew of We Were The Lucky Ones.

Hours earlier, Joey - who boasts 38M social media followers - performed a silly song on TikTok with a distorted filter: 'Just doing some laundry, and tonight is the We Were The Lucky Ones premiere. And I'm ready to party on a Thursday! And I'm ready to have some clean clothes! Ready to party on a Thursday! And ready for my show to come out!'

King also has two other films coming out this year - Netflix rom-com A Family Affair and Universal Pictures' animated flick Despicable Me 4.

The Hamster & Gretel star had a blast catching up with We Were The Lucky Ones creator Erica Lipez at the after-party held in the Academy Museum's outdoor glass-domed Dolby Family Terrace.

Joey seemed especially close with Amit Rahav, who played her character's family member Jakub Kurc in the Ben Affleck and Matt Damon-produced historical drama.

Hadas Yaron - who plays Mila Kurc - flaunted substantial cleavage in a white-patterned mini-dress featuring a cut-out at the torso and matching heels.

Lior Ashkenazi - who plays Sol Kurc - was every bit the silver fox in a black suit over a white unbuttoned shirt, and brown Oxfords.

Hadas Yaron - who plays Mila Kurc - flaunted substantial cleavage in a white-patterned mini-dress featuring a cut-out at the torso and matching heels

Lior Ashkenazi - who plays Sol Kurc - was every bit the silver fox in a black suit over a white unbuttoned shirt, and brown Oxfords

Sam Woolf - who plays Adam - showed up with an injured leg to go along with his cream-colored double-breasted suit and black top

Also glammed up for the gala premiere were (from L-R) Marin Hinkle, Nicole Brydon Bloom, and Robin Weigert who play Madame Lowbeer, Caroline, and Nechuma Kurc in the show

Georgia Hunter - who wrote the 2017 novel -wore a sideswept hairstyle with her blue silky halter top and navy palazzo pants

Suited up and looking dapper at the premiere were (from L-R) Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Michael Aloni, and Ido Samuel who play Genec Kurc, Selim, and Isaac respectively

Elsewhere at the festivities, five-time Grammy nominee Josh Groban (R) was spotted embracing director Thomas Kail (L)

The 43-year-old Sweeney Todd thespian brought along his British girlfriend of a year, Natalie McQueen (R)

Girls 5 Eva star Busy Philipps - who just scored her own QVC+ talk show Busy This Week - wore a nineties floral frock with patent leather red heels

The premiere served as a glamorous date night for I.S.S. action star Chris Messina and his second wife Jennifer Todd

Danish actor Caspar Phillipson - who played JFK in both Blonde and Jackie - looked sharp in a black slim suit over a white unbuttoned shirt and patent leather dress shoes

Justin Theroux, 52, brought his lady Nicole Brydon Bloom, who turns 30 on Friday, to the after party for the Los Angeles premiere of Hulu's We Were The Lucky Ones at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles

As always, Theroux looked cool and fashionable in a black suit, while his girlfriend stunned in off-the-shoulder tan dress

The Leftovers star and Bloom, who an actress herself, first sparked romance rumors in February 2023

Sam Woolf - who plays Adam - showed up with an injured leg to go along with his cream-colored double-breasted suit and black top.

Also glammed up for the gala premiere were Marin Hinkle, Nicole Brydon Bloom, and Robin Weigert who play Madame Lowbeer, Caroline, and Nechuma Kurc in the show.

Georgia Hunter - who wrote the 2017 novel -wore a sideswept hairstyle with her blue silky halter top and navy palazzo pants.

Suited up and looking dapper at the premiere were Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Michael Aloni, and Ido Samuel who play Genec Kurc, Selim, and Isaac respectively.

Actress Joey King, 24, and singer-actress Sabrina Carpenter, 24, got cozy while hanging at the bash

At one point the ladies got playful with each other as King wrapped her left arm around her gal pal

Eventually The Kissing Booth star, decked out in a unique ensemble consisting of a skirt and sleeveless top, gave the Can't the leggy Can't Blame A Girl For Trying singer a kiss on her forehead

Elsewhere at the festivities, five-time Grammy nominee Josh Groban was spotted embracing director Thomas Kail.

The 43-year-old Sweeney Todd thespian brought along his British girlfriend of a year, Natalie McQueen.

Girls 5 Eva star Busy Philipps - who just scored her own QVC+ talk show Busy This Week - wore a nineties floral frock with patent leather red heels.

The premiere served as a glamorous date night for I.S.S. action star Chris Messina and his second wife Jennifer Todd.

Danish actor Caspar Phillipson - who played JFK in both Blonde and Jackie - looked sharp in a black slim suit over a white unbuttoned shirt and patent leather dress shoes.
Kris Jenner put on a brave face to celebrate her daughter Kylie Jenner's new venture on Thursday - three days after her sister Karen Houghton's shock death.

It was announced that Karen - who famously had a rollercoaster relationship with Jenner - had died 'unexpectedly' died aged 65 this week.

Following the reports, Kris paid an emotional tribute to her 'sensitive' sister and said her 'heart was broken' for their mother MJ and Karen's daughter Natalie.

Days after the tragic event, Kris, 68, arrived to Catch Steak alongside her boyfriend Corey Gamble, 43, and was also joined by her daughter Khloe and Sofia Vergara.

The mother of six wore a 70s-inspired white suit with black dagger lapels on the jacket and a ruffled black blouse underneath.

Kris Jenner put on a brave face to celebrate her daughter Kylie Jenner's new venture on Thursday - three days after her sister Karen Houghton's shock death

It comes just three days after her sister Karen Houghton's shock death at age 65

She completed her look with pointy heels, a tiny black purse and a large statement ring on her right hand.

The late-night soiree celebrated the release of Kylie's 100-calorie canned vodka soda brand Sprinter  which is her first business venture in the spirits realm.

Kylie, 26, was also supported by her older half-sister Khloe Kardashian, 39, and her BFF Anastasia 'Stassie' Karanikolaou, 26.

It proved to be a star-studded affair as Modern Family actress Sofia Vergara and Muse frontman Matt Bellamy were spotted at the event.

Kris' sister Karen was reported deceased to San Diego County officials on Monday in San Marcos, California, TMZ reported.

The exact circumstances of her passing are currently unclear, with county officials attributing her death to natural causes for now.

Karen and Kris grew up in San Diego and were raised predominately by their mother MJ after her divorce from their father Robert Houghton.

Kris shared a selection of photos with her sister on Tuesday and wrote: 'It is with the heaviest heart and deepest sadness that I share that my sister Karen passed away yesterday unexpectedly.

Kris, 68, arrived to Catch Steak alongside her boyfriend Corey Gamble , 43, and was also joined by her daughter Khloe and actress Sofia Vergara

Kris looked sharp in a 70s-inspired white suit with black dagger lapels on the jacket and a ruffled black blouse underneath

Kylie, 26  who made jaws drop in a latex dress  was also supported by her older half-sister Khloe Kardashian, 39

It proved to be a star-studded affair as Modern Family actress Sofia Vergara and her orthopedic surgeon boyfriend Justin Saliman were also on hand

Kris and Corey seen leaving the party

'My heart aches for my mom MJ and my niece Natalie and I pray that God guides us all through this difficult time. Karen was beautiful inside and out. She was the sweetest, kindest, the most sensitive and vulnerable and so so funny.

'She always felt grateful and thankful for her life and treasured her family and friends and especially her beautiful daughter. She holds such a huge part of my heart and I cherish every single memory we have together.

'Karen's passing is a reminder that life is so short and precious and tomorrow is never promised. We must tell those we cherish how much we love them. I love you my beautiful sister.'

Karen is survived by her daughter Natalie, 26, who she welcomed with ex-husband Mark Zettel, mother MJ , Kris and nieces Kourtney, Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, and nephew Rob Kardashian.

On Wednesday Natalie shared an emotional tribute to her mother via Instagram.

In it, the 26-year-old, who is first cousins with the Kardashian and Jenner kids, including Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, and Kendall Jenner, admitted that she 'doesn't know how to go on' without her mom.

'Dear Mommy, I can't believe [you're] gone,' she began in the harrowing post. 'This doesn't even feel real.

'It all happened so quick and I wasn't ready for you to go. An angel was sent to heaven on March 18th, 2024. I love you mommy and you will forever be missed.'

Natalie, who works as a caregiver and is also a budding model, described her mother as her 'best friend' and 'the most kind, sweet, loving, giving, and caring soul' she knew.

'I keep hoping that I will get to hug you or kiss you or hear your voice one last time,' she continued.

'You were my best friend, my everything, the best mother a daughter could ever ask for.

'I'm so grateful to have had a mother like you. You were the most kind, sweet, loving, giving, and caring soul. You had the biggest heart.'

Kris and Karen had long endured a rollercoaster relationship, oscillating between taking public barbs at one another, to Kris lavishing her little sister with pricey gifts.

In 2019 the pair were revealed to have reunited in an Instagram Story posted by Karen's daughter Natalie.

Jenner shared snaps with her beloved sister and wrote: 'It is with the heaviest heart and deepest sadness that I share that my sister Karen passed away yesterday unexpectedly'

Kris and Karen had long endured a rollercoaster relationship, oscillating between taking public barbs at one another, to Kris lavishing her little sister with pricey gifts

Kris reunited with Karen after a period of estrangement in 2019 - with their meet documented in an Instagram Story posted by Karen's daughter Natalie Zettel - [L-R] Natalie, Karen, Mary Jo Campbell, Kris and Kylie Jenner

Jenner's niece Natalie Ezettel shared an emotional tribute to her mother on Wednesday; Natalie is seen with Karen before her death

Kris said: 'My heart aches for my mom MJ and my niece Natalie and I pray that God guides us all through this difficult time. Karen was beautiful inside and out. She was the sweetest, kindest, the most sensitive and vulnerable and so so funny'

The feuding sisters posed smiling with Natalie, her famous cousin Kylie Jenner, and their mother Mary Jo Campbell.

Part-time nurse Karen had become known as the black sheep of the family after she candidly opened up outside Kim Kardashian's baby shower in 2013 and even did a jig for waiting reporters.

Despite signing an NDA for the event, Karen waxed lyrical about eating 'marshmallow on a stick', the rose cake at the event and the goody bag, saying Kim and Kanye West 'gave out Rolexes'.

Karen had frequently been outspoken when her sister Kris has riled her.

In 2013 Karen claimed that Kris had spent an eye-watering $1million on plastic surgery, which stemmed from being self-conscious about her weight when she was younger.

'She was heavy as a kid and became worried about her looks at age 15,' Karen told In Touch magazine.

She added: 'The whole world knows it  Kris is vain.'

The reality star has been famously open about the two breast augmentations and the facelift she has had.

In 2014, Karen told Radar that despite Kris and her estranged husband Bruce looking friendly there would be no reunion.

Karen said: 'Bruce left. He walked out on her, and I think he's not coming back. He couldn't take the yelling anymore and stuff.'

And she said Kris was not taking the split well, adding: 'I think she's got issues right now because Bruce left her. 'Kris is alone, she's not dating. She's not the type to run around.'

She made the comments after writing on her Facebook page in April 2014: 'Pray for Kris Jenner she needs itcrazy. Shes as nutcase [sic].

'She doesn't need prayers she needs sky vodka hahaha hahaha hahaha.' And explaining her somewhat harsh views, Karen said 'I get p***ed off at her because she doesn't respond to me. If you think your sister would call you back, she doesn't. And it hurts me.'

However the part-time nurse did poke fun at herself too, in a May 2014 Facebook post, writing, 'Be someone s crazy aunt...its fabulous! !! K [sic]'

Karen - blamed her sibling's celebrity status and hunger for fame and fortune.

She said: 'I don't care how much money you have or who you are, you're my sister. I'm not afraid of her. I can't get to her anymore. But I guess it's the money.

'She's a huge celebrity and now she has changed. I'm not saying good or bad. But I've seen what it can do to Kris ever since she moved to L.A.'

Admitting she has had run-ins with Kris - mainly to do with caring for their aging mother, Karen told MailOnline: 'I called up Kris yelling at her, because I was like, 'You need to help your mom more and you know it.' And I think that she kind of got the message.I was screaming - I don't even care.

Kris shared photos of Karen with her late ex-husband Robert Kardashian and mom MJ

She also posted a snap of Karen with mom and a young Kourtney Kardashian

In May 2023 Karen's daughter Natalie posted a loving tribute for Mother's Day posing with Karen and grandma MJ

Part-time nurse Karen had become known as the black sheep of the family after she candidly opened up outside Kim Kardashian's baby shower in 2013 and even did a jig for waiting reporters'

In 2016, Karen paid the ultimate compliment to the momager, getting an intensive face lift in order to 'look like my beautiful sister Kris'

The attack followed a 2013 interview during which Kris told Radar: 'Unfortunately, my sister has been dealing with demons for years.'

In 2014, the former air stewardess told Radar, 'when you express a loving family and family values and a close family and my mom wants to live in La Jolla, buy her a condo, Kris! I don't understand her. I never will. It's just her personality.'

In the star's 2011 autobiography she said of her sister, 'We loved each other, and we were there for each other through thick and thin, and to this day we are a part of each other's lives.'

In 2016, Karen paid the ultimate compliment to the momager, getting an intensive face lift in order to 'look like my beautiful sister Kris'.
Regina King made her first return to ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live in over two years on Thursday, which lead to a rather tender moment between her and the host.

King, 53, was promoting her new film Shirley, based on the true story of Shirley Chisolm, the first Black woman to run for President, in theaters March 22.

The Oscar-winning actress hasn't appeared on the program since December 2021... just a month before her 26-year-old son Ian Alexander Jr. died of suicide in January 2022.

Kimmel started the interview by asking the actress, 'How are you doing right now?' She responded, 'Right now, I'm good.

The host said he was glad to hear it, adding, 'I know you've been through a lot in the last year,' as his voice broke, as King reached out and grabbed his hand and said, 'Hey, it's good to see you, Jimmy.'

Regina King made her first return to ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live in over two years on Thursday, which lead to a rather tender moment between her and the host

The host said he was glad to hear it, adding, 'I know you've been through a lot in the last year,' as his voice broke, as King reached out and grabbed his hand and said, 'Hey, it's good to see you, Jimmy'

Kimmel's voice broke again slightly and added, 'It's good to see you too, sharing a touching moment with the actress before moving on with the show.

He immediately lightened the mood and asked if she ran into the other guest that night, 93-year-old William Shatner, with Kimmel joking it was a, 'Miss Congeniality 2 reunion.'

She added that she did have one scene with the Star Trek legend, and while they didn't have a lot of time together, it was still memorable.

'We had a scene together. But we didn't really get a lot of interaction in front of the camera together. But any time you're with William Shatner, whether you're in the van or you are standing in between takes, it is fun, lively. He has a joke, he has an anecdote, he has a something. He's great,' she said.

Neither King nor Kimmell brought up her late son during the interview, which comes just over two years since his passing.

Ian Alexander Jr. was the only son of King and Ian Alexander Sr., who the actress was married to from 1997 to 2007.

Ian Jr. was a recording artist and DJ, performing under the name Desdune, who released a new single called Green Eyes just days before his death.

'Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian. He is such a bright light who cared so deeply about the happiness of others. Our family asks for respectful consideration during this private time,' King said in a statement in late January 2022.

Kimmel's voice broke again slightly and added, 'It's good to see you too, sharing a touching moment with the actress before moving on with the show

He immediately lightened the mood and asked if she ran into the other guest that night, 93-year-old William Shatner, with Kimmel joking it was a, 'Miss Congeniality 2 reunion'

Neither King nor Kimmell brought up her late son during the interview, which comes just over two years since his passing

King will next be seen on the big screen in Shirley, arriving on the Netflix streaming service on March 22.

King plays Shirley Chisolm, the first Black woman elected to Congress and to run for President of the United States in 1972.

The film also features one of the final performances from the late Lance Reddick as Wesley McDonald 'Mac' Holder, plus Terrence Howard.

King's own sister Reina King also plays Muriel St. Hill in the biopic, written and directed by John Ridley.
China welcomes Australia ending anti-dumping measures on wind towers

Xinhua) 11:05, March 22, 2024

BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- China welcomes Australia's recent decision to suspend anti-dumping measures on Chinese wind towers, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

China and Australia have huge room for cooperation in terms of clean energy development, spokesperson He Yadong said, adding that China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Australia to cope with global climate change.

"We hope that the Australian side will keep working with China to resolve trade differences through dialogue and cooperation, and terminate other trade remedy measures against China as soon as possible," the spokesperson said.

The Australian Anti-dumping Commission recently released a final ruling notice, announcing the decision to terminate anti-dumping measures on wind towers imported from China, which are due to expire on April 16, 2024.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A 62-year-man with end-stage renal disease has become the first human to receive a new kidney from a genetically modified pig, doctors from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston announced on Thursday.

The four-hour surgery, performed on March 16, marks a major milestone in the quest to provide more readily available organs to patients, the hospital said in a statement.

The patient, Richard Slayman of Weymouth, Massachusetts, is recovering well and expected to be discharged soon, the hospital said.

Experts are keenly interested in long-term results of the groundbreaking animal-to-human transplant, said Jim Kim, director of kidney and pancreas transplantation with USC Transplant Institute in Los Angeles.

Slayman had received a transplant of a human kidney at the same hospital in 2018 after seven years on dialysis, but the organ failed after five years and he had resumed dialysis treatments.

The kidney was provided by eGenesis of Cambridge, Massachusetts, from a pig that had been genetically edited to remove genes harmful to a human recipient and add certain human genes to improve compatibility. The company also inactivated viruses inherent to pigs that have the potential to infect humans.

Kidneys from similarly edited pigs raised by eGenesis had successfully been transplanted into monkeys that were kept alive for an average of 176 days, and in one case for more than two years, researchers reported in October in the journal Nature.

Drugs used to help prevent rejection of the pig organ by the patient's immune system included an experimental antibody called tegoprubart, developed by Eledon Pharmaceuticals.

The surgery marks progress in xenotransplantation  the transplanting of organs or tissues from one species to another  said Dr. Robert Montgomery, director of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute, who was not involved in the case.

The field "is marching closer to becoming an alternative source of organs for the many hundreds of thousands suffering from kidney failure," he said in an email.

According to the United Network for Organ Sharing, more than 100,000 people in the U.S. await an organ for transplant, with kidneys in the greatest demand.

NYU surgeons had previously transplanted pig kidneys into brain-dead people.

Montgomery said transplant centers are taking different approaches in terms of gene edits and medications, adding that "another big step will be when the FDA authorizes clinical trials so we may better understand what will work best for patients on our waiting lists."

A University of Maryland team in January 2022 transplanted a genetically modified pig heart into a 57-year-old man with terminal heart disease, but he died two months later. (Reuters)
Kylie Jenner commanded attention in a plunging black PVC midi dress as she left her new business launch party in Los Angeles on Thursday night.

The exit was smoother than the arrival as the reality star's driver crashed into Kris' $400k Rolls Royce Ghost which was parked in the next bay.

The bump left Kylie's license plate stuck on the bumper of the Rolls Royce, which Kris, 68, bought back in 2021.

Rolls Royce announced at the time Kris was the first to get the keys to the 2021 luxury car.

Kylie, 26, joined a host of stars at the bash held to celebrate the launch of her latest business venture, Sprinter Soda at Catch Steak in West Hollywood.

Kylie Jenner commanded attention in a plunging black PVC midi dress as she left her new business launch party in Los Angeles on Thursday night

The exit was smoother than the arrival as the reality star's driver crashed into Kris' $400k Rolls Royce Ghost which was parked in the next bay

Kris put on a brave face at her daughter's party which comes just days after she announced the unexpected death of her sister Karen Houghton aged 65

The hostess showed off her ample cleavage in the plunging dress which she teamed with perspex heels.

Kylie wore her dark locks down and clutched a box of her soda as she left the party.

Kris put on a brave face at her daughter's party which comes just three days after she announced the unexpected death of her sister Karen Houghton aged 65.

Following the reports, Kris paid an emotional tribute to her 'sensitive' sister and said her 'heart was broken' for their mother MJ and Karen's daughter Natalie.

It was revealed earlier this month that Kylie would be entering the alcoholic beverage market with Sprinter.

Her sister Kendall already has a tequila line named 818 which debuted in 2021 and has been doing well; there was even a special made for the brand in the shape of an 8.

Sprinter is a 100-calorie canned vodka soda made with premium vodka, sparkling water and fruit juice.

The alcoholic sodas are scheduled to hit US stores March 21. Sprinter will be sold in an 8-can variety pack for $19.99. It is 4.5% ABV.

Kylie also recently launched her first perfume called Cosmic.

The bump left Kylie's license plate stuck on the bumper of the Rolls Royce, which Kris bought back in 2021

Kylie joined a host of stars at the bash held to celebrate the launch of her latest business venture, Sprinter Soda at Catch Steak in West Hollywood

The hostess showed off her ample cleavage in the plunging dress which she teamed with perspex heels

The hostess showed off her ample cleavage in the plunging dress which she teamed with perspex heels

It was revealed earlier this month that Kylie would be entering the alcoholic beverage market with Sprinter

Kylie's number plate fell off after the bump

Rolls Royce announced at the time Kris was the first to get the keys to the 2021 luxury car

Golden amber accord and red peony accord make up the heart notes, which are said to add a soft, sweet, floral scent.

She celebrated the launch in Los Angeles earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Kylie has been dating Dune actor Timothee Chalamet since January 2023 - following her split from Travis Scott.

It was recently speculated Kylie and Timothee had split but insiders have confirmed to DailyMail.com that they are still an item.
Vicky Pattison said trolls told her to 'give up' on her dreams of becoming a mum when she publicly announced she was going to freeze her eggs.

The I'm A Celebrity winner, 36, joined hosts Kate Garraway and Adil Ray on Good Morning Britain's sofa on Friday where she spoke about spending 7,000 on the procedure last year as her fiance Ercan Ramadan, 30, wasn't ready to have children.

Vicky revealed while she had to pump herself with hormones to prepare for the egg retrieval, she was flooded with nasty comments daily from trolls, who told her: 'if I hadnt find a man who wanted to have a baby with me I should give it up'.

'I got told it was obvious that god didnt want us to have a baby that I needed to stop messing with nature,' Vicky said.

'We made the decision to freeze eggs and create embryos.

Vicky Pattison said trolls told her to 'give up' on her dreams of becoming a mum when she publicly announced she was going to freeze her eggs

The British star, 36, documented the process online last year after spending 7,000 on the procedure as her fiance Ercan Ramadan, 30, wasn't ready to have children

'My partner has just turned 30 and weve not been together that long, our relationship is still in its infancy. We are still learning about each other, still building this life together.

'The last thing I want to do is add unnecessary pressure that bringing a family will bring.'

Vicky admitted her 'fear' is that when she will finally be ready to be a mum, her body will 'no longer be capable'.

'I thought I was doing something really responsible showing women that you can actually take control of your narrative and your timeline,' she said.

'I am aware I was part of a privileged financial position'.

The TV personality also spoke about her brand-new reality show, Josh Must Win.

'The reality is a brand new format. The space needs a little bit of freshen up,' she said thrilled and went on admitting: 'It was quite nerve-racking doing it.'

The I'm A Celebrity winner, 36, joined hosts Kate Garraway and Adil Ray on Good Morning Britain 's sofa on Friday

Vicky revealed while she had to pump herself with hormones to prepare for the egg retrieval, she was flooded with nasty comments daily from trolls

'My partner has just turned 30 and weve not been together that long, our relationship is still in its infancy. We are still learning about each other, still building this life together', she said

Vicky said she thought to do 'something really responsible showing women that you can take control of your narrative' - yet, she suffered a lot of backlash from trolls

The contestants cast on the show believe they are competing in a popularity contest called The Favourite and are seen taking on a number of challenges.

However, amongst the players there is an underdog no one is expecting named Josh.

All the players (including Josh) believe they are battling it out to be the most popular, and win a cash prize on The Favourite.

Later in the day, Vicky exuded radiance as she was seen arriving at Global studios to promote her new series on Heart FM.

She made a stylish appearance in smart navy pinstripe trousers and cream stiletto heels.

The ITV favourite was effortlessly chic as she added a print white T-shirt, which she tucked inside her high-waist trousers, and accessorised with a gold chain necklace and matching hoop earrings.

Vicky beamed as she made her way into the building.

Talking about her role in the brand-new reality show Josh Must Win, Vicky said: 'The reality is a brand new format. The space needs a little bit of freshen up'

Later in the day, Vicky exuded radiance as she was seen arriving at Global studios to promote her new series on Heart FM

The ITV favourite was effortlessly chic as she added a print white T-shirt, which she tucked inside her high-waist trousers

FREEZING YOUR EGGS: THE FACTS Freezing eggs means going through the IVF process, which typically takes two to three weeks. This involves taking drugs to boost the production of eggs, and also to help the eggs mature. Once the eggs are ready, women are placed under general anaesthetic while they are collected - typically around 15 eggs, although this isn't always possible for women with lower reserves. Next, a freezing solution is added to the eggs to protect them, then they are frozen and stored in tanks of liquid nitrogen. When the woman is ready to use the eggs, they are thawed and those that have survived intact are injected with sperm. Source: Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority Advertisement

In a recent interview with The Times, she also spoke about being cruelly shamed by online trolls: 'I was pumped full of synthetic hormones. I was feeling low. It was the last thing I needed.

The television personality made the decision to step away from social media during the egg-freezing process, which takes around 14 days.

Vicky said she was 'crestfallen' when a cyst on her ovary meant she had to push the procedure back from January to April.

The reality star had the egg retrieval with 10 being collected. Three eggs, which were fertilised with Ercan's sperm, were successful and frozen, while a further three eggs survived to make it the freezing process.

Vicky said: 'Regardless of the statistics, I know I have done the right thing for myself, my relationship, and if everything goes to plan, my future family, I want to be the best mother I can be, and for that to be possible I need to be in the right place, with certain things already accomplished. Im content with the decision I have made.'

Despite the trolling, Vicky bravely shared candid updates about her egg-freezing journey.

She wrote on Instagram after the surgery: 'The surgery itself is pretty straight forward- I was put to sleep & when I woke up I was given the good news that 10 eggs had been retrieved.

'During every stage of the retrieval process you can sort of expect that number to decline- so just for some perspective- I went in there with 12 follicles ready to be drained & the prospect of there being 12 eggs.

'Of course there was 10 in the end & we later found out that 9 of those were mature.

'A result we're incredibly content with. There are more stages for our eggs to go through & we are just hoping that our good luck continues at the blastocyst process.'
Katie Price has revealed she 'mentally can't face court' after her shock suicide attempt as she reacted to the news of her second bankruptcy.

The former glamour model, 45, has been declared bankrupt for a second time after failing to pay over 750,000 in unpaid tax - and will now face losing her home unless HMRC can recover the money.

Earlier this week, she failed to appear at a court hearing in London with an official from HMRC saying she had failed to pay any money owed or responded to any correspondence since the demand was made for the unpaid tax last year.

When the news broke Katie was speaking exclusively to the Mail's comedy podcast, Straight To The Comments! which embraces the hilarity and uniqueness of the MailOnline comment section with the celebs in question.

In a teaser for the episode, which is set to air on Monday, she discussed her bankruptcy with producer Jamie East and host Josh Pieters admitting that 'when you ignore it, it just gets worse.'

Katie Price, 45, has revealed she 'mentally can't face court' after her shock suicide attempt as she reacted to the news of her second bankruptcy.

When told a story about her had just broke, Katie gasped in shock and said: 'Has it? Oh get lost! Are you actually serious, while I'm sat here? What have I done now?'

After hearing that she had been declared bankrupt a second time, she said she had been signed off because of 'serious stuff' in her life.

She continued: 'I just can't cope with going to a court. Mentally, I can't do it.'

Josh asked when her debts started accumulating, with Katie explaining: 'Since my breakdown. When you are ill and depressed everything accumulates.

'If you can't cope with something or you haven't paid that bill. Communicate, don't ignore because when you ignore it, it just gets worse.

'It does upset me because they don't know how hard I've tried mentally to get out of that rut that I was in. A rut that I hung myself and thought I'd died.'

Katie previously revealed to MailOnline that she was raped at gunpoint during her 2018 carjacking in South Africa, which eventually led her to suffer a mental breakdown.

She detailed the traumatic events that led her to reach breaking point, suffering a failed suicide attempt where she tried to hang herself, 'knocked herself out and had black eyes' - after which she sought treatment for PTSD.

The former glamour model has been declared bankrupt for a second time after failing to pay over 750,000 in unpaid tax - and will now face losing her home

Straight To The Comments is released every Monday and sees hosts Josh Pieters and Archie Manners embracing the hilarity and uniqueness of the MailOnline comment section

In a teaser for the episode, she discussed her bankruptcy with producer Jamie East and host Josh Pieters admitting that 'when you ignore it, it just gets worse'

In September 2021, Katie was arrested for drink-driving after flipping her uninsured BMW X5 on its side on a country lane near her home in West Sussex.

Katie admitted drink-driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance at court, and immediately checked into The Priory following the arrest.

She was handed a 16-week suspended sentence and two-year ban at Crawley Magistrates' Court.

Following the incident Katie said she was having therapy once a week and how, at her lowest point, tried to take her own life.

In her hard-hitting Channel 4 documentary, which was filmed in the aftermath of her car crash in September 2021, Katie also admitted the accident finally helped her realise she needed help, and she checked into rehab.

On Monday, Katie was declared bankrupt for a second time after failing to pay over 750,000 in unpaid tax - and will now face losing her home unless HMRC can recover the money.

The former glamour model failed to appear at a court hearing in London to explain why she has not paid any money to HMRC.

A judge at the High Court ruled that she be declared bankrupt after an official from HMRC said she has failed to pay any money owed or responded to any correspondence since the demand was made for the unpaid tax last year.

It is the second bankruptcy faced by Price as she is being chased by creditors for a 3.2million payment over the failure of her company Jordan Trading Ltd.

Judge Sebastion Prentis sitting at the High Court Rolls Building said Price had been served with a petition on November 27 2023 with a demand for 761,994.05.

'It does upset me because they don't know how hard I've tried mentally to get out of that rut that I was in. A rut that I hung myself and thought I'd died,' she said

In September 2021, Katie was arrested for drink-driving after flipping her uninsured BMW X5 on its side on a country lane near her home in West Sussex which led her to seek help

Following the incident Katie said she was having therapy once a week and how, at her lowest point, tried to take her own life

The huge amount is made up of unpaid tax from self-assessment on her earnings from2020  2022 as well as penalties and surcharges.

READ MORE: Katie Price set to lose thousands after court rules nearly half of her OnlyFans monthly income is to be deducted amid bankruptcy Advertisement

The court was told she owed 142,405 in tax for 2020-2021 and 196,735 for 2021-2022.

The judge said she also owed 140,000 in unpaid VAT and added: As with the unpaid tax no payment has been made.

Price was served with papers in October by HMRC informing her of the debt owed  and she has failed to respond to the demand.

The judge said: There is a substantial debt due from Miss Price due to HMRC and therefore I will make a bankruptcy order.

Price was first made bankrupt in 2019 when her company went bust.

She has failed to appear at an insolvency hearing on six previous occasions with the model submitting an excuse for her no show each time.

Creditors are owed the 3.2million from her company selling perfume and cosmetics.

A HMRC source said every effort will be made to recover the money and if not paid then assets owed by Price will be seized.

Katie owes 142,405 in tax for 2020-2021 and 196,735 for 2021-2022, the court was told (pictured in front of her home, dubbed 'Mucky Mansion', which she could lose over her debts)

The debt to HMRC could see her lose her 2million mansion dubbed Mucky Mansion after it fell into a state of disrepair.

The latest court judgement adds to the woes of Price who last week was fined for another motoring offence.

She was fined 880 after being caught driving a Range Rover at a service station on the A14 in Kettering, Northamptonshire in August 2023 despite having no licence or insurance.

As well as being handed eight penalty points - taking her total to 11 - the mother-of-five was also ordered to pay 972 in costs on top of the financial penalty.

Follow Straight To The Comments! so it arrives on your device first thing Monday! On Apple here and on Spotify here
Celebrity chef Gino D'Acampo has spoken out about his 22-year marriage and made the shocking admission that he sometimes lives 'the single life'.

The Italian, 47, revealed the secret to longevity in a relationship is actually having time apart and confessed he only speaks to his wife Jessica for '20 mins a day' while he's away.

Gino and his wife Jessica Morrison first met when he was 17-year-old and working at Sylvester Stallone's Mambo King restaurant in Marbella where she was a waitress.

The pair tied the knot in 2002 and recently renewed their vows in 2021, but outside of the marriage Gino enjoys plenty of time to himself, refuting the idea that time spent apart could lead to affairs.

Speaking to OK! Magazine, Gino explained: 'You need to balance your married life with your "single life"'.

Gino D'Acampo, 47, has revealed the surprising secret to his 22 year marriage is time apart as he admitted he lives the 'single life' and meets with 'other women' in an interview with OK!

Gino and his wife Jessica Morrison first met when he was 17-year-old and working at Sylvester Stallone 's Mambo King restaurant in Marbella where she was a waitress (pictured 2009)

Confirming that he enjoys spending time as a family with his wife and children, Luciano, 21, Rocco, 19, and Mia, 11 he also stressed that he and Jessica also need time away from each other.

'I can be away for a month and I will talk to my wife once a week for about 20 minutes. Then, when I come back, we can talk about it all.'

The TV chef confessed he doesn't understand what some of his friends talk to their wives about when they are chatting on the phone for over an hour as he chooses to keep his phone calls with Jessica short and sweet.

Gino also admitted he will go out for dinner and drinks with other women while he is on one of his solo holidays.

He added: 'Do you think that if I wanted to be unfaithful to my wife, I'd need to organise a holiday? I can do it anytime and anywhere. So once you get that out of your head, going on holiday alone doesn't matter.'

Gino previously opened up about how he met his wife in an interview on Good Morning Britain back in 2022.

He revealed: 'When I met my wife, I never had any experience with any other women because I was only 17. She had amazing blonde hair and hugepersonality. And after a few weeks she showed me something I had never had before.

'So I got there and basically all I was thinking was Am I going to get laid?

'Am I allowed to say that? Or Ill say make love, is that better? But anyway, yeah she invited me over and cooked for me.'

The Italian confessed he only speaks to his wife Jessica for '20 mins a day' while he's away will go out for dinner and drinks with other women while he is on one of his solo holidays

He added: 'Do you think that if I wanted to be unfaithful to my wife, I'd need to organise a holiday? I can do it anytime and anywhere. So once you get that out of your head, going on holiday alone doesn't matter'

Gino and Jessica married in 2002 and they share three children: sons Luciano, 21, and Rocco, 19 and daughter Mia, 11

Hosts Ben Shephard and Susanna Reid began laughing at his anecdote and tried to keep the conversation on cooking by asking what meal she made.

It comes after Gino was forced to defend his record as a businessman after being accused of failing to hand over millions of pounds to staff and the taxman when his pasta chain collapsed.

The star has spoken out for the first time after suggestions he was unable to pay 5million to his former employees and in tax after liquidating My Pasta Bar in 2022.

Accounts said 49 creditors were not paid, with 4.8million owed to trade creditors, 113,975 to HMRC and 53,304 to staff, according to reports.

Three London restaurants on Fleet Street, Leadenhall Market and Bishopsgate were forced to close two years ago.

But Gino has now hit back, insisting his philosophy was to 'make sure your wins are greater than what you lose'.

In a final account to creditors and members, the company had : 'Overall, I can confirm that the realisations in the liquidation are insufficient to declare a dividend to the unsecured creditors after defraying the expenses of the proceedings.'

Major stakeholders included Gino, owning ten per cent, and IRG, who had an 85 per cent stake in the company - with the other five per cent belonging to Vernon Lord.

IRG is owned by Iceland founder Malcolm Walker and CEO Tarsem Dhaliwal, after Gino previously had a food range with the supermarket giant

But now speaking about the apparent company collapse for the first time, Gino has defended himself on the podcast Off Air.

It comes after Gino was forced to defend his record as a businessman after being accused of failing to hand over millions of pounds to staff and the taxman when his pasta chain collapsed

My Pasta Bar, which opened in 2012, went under two years with three London venues closing

He said of this week's reports: 'That is an old story - it is something that happened before Covid and I always say to people, I don't really answer to stuff like that or I don't really get upset about stuff like that.

'I get upset only in a way where you kind of go, 'Wait a second, do you understand that to be a business person, what I do, unless you have some failures you will never be successful?'

'The secret to what it is, is to make sure that your wins are greater than what you lose.

'Because nobody ever talks about me opening another restaurant again in Manchester - nobody ever talks about I'm going to open four new restaurants by the end of this year.

'Nobody ever talks about that I employ over 1,000 people currently today.

'Everybody's very quick to point the finger and to say, 'Ah, but, but, you closed this, you closed that'.

How Gino's My Pasta Bar lost hundreds of thousands every year The celebrity chef's chain owes 4,939,332 to 49 creditors, in addition to 113,975 to HMRC and 37,887 in staff wages, according to paperwork lodged with Companies House. Accounts from the parent company show it has 1.65m in investments, which includes 821,494 in property. The documents show the Pasta Bar Specialists Ltd had shareholder funds of -139,992 in 2013, which rose to more than 5 million by 2020. 2013: -139,992 2014: -147,090 2015: -1,688,799 2016: -2,398,951 2017: -3,179,965 2018: -3,705,575 2019: -4,370,932 2020: -5,053,225 Advertisement

'Guys, in life, unless you try to do something new, you will never be anyone and you will never employ other people - you try some business, they go well, and some business, they don't go well.

'As I said, the secret, what is it? It's to make sure the ones that go well is greater than the ones that don't go well.'

Gino was asked about whether people had been left behind like former staff who hadn't been paid.

He replied: 'On that point you need to be careful not to believe everything that you read.'

He claimed again that it was an old story and when asked why then were there fresh headlines across the media, he added: 'I have no idea why they ran today.

'Considering that I've just, as I've said, I've just opened a restaurant in Manchester last week, employed 45 new people in my new restaurant, you would think they should encourage me to say, 'Gino, come on man, keep going, keep going. Don't worry about the failing one, just keep going'.

'Because the more you're going, the more this economy is gonna get better - you employ people, you open a new restaurant.

'But instead of, they always choose the negative thing - why they do it, that is a question that you need to ask whoever wrote the article.

'I think life is really full of negative things. We should celebrate positivity, we should celebrate people's achievements.

'We should acknowledge people failing but not pointing the finger like that, that is not a very nice way to do it and I don't buy into stuff like that anyway.'

Gino has told the Off Air podcast: 'Unless you have some failures you will never be successful'
Mel Giedroyc's mother Rosemary has died 'peacefully' aged 86 in Oxford on Sunday.

The former Great British Bake Off presenter, who has declared that 'family is everything to me', has been left devastated after the passing of her beloved mother.

While Mel hasn't publicly spoken about her mother's passing her family say she was 'adored'.

The loss comes just six years after she lost her father Michael back in 2018.

Her father, who was a Polish aristocrat sent to forced labour in Siberia by the invading Soviet army in 1939, died aged 88.

The Great British Bake Off's former presenter Mel Giedroyc (pictured) has been left devastated after the death of her beloved mother

While Mel hasn't publicly spoken about her mother's passing her family say she was 'adored'

While the reason for her death is unknown, Rosemary suffered from a series of strokes when she was in her early 50s.

She told The Guardian in 2016: 'Mum was in her early 50s when she had four strokes in quick succession that almost took her off.

'Id just come down from Cambridge with a rubbish degree. I spent a year reading to her  her eyesight was badly affected  and making sure she got proper rest. It was a special time but very intense, too.'

Mel grew up in Leatherhead, Surrey, along with her three siblings, Coky, a film and TV director, Kasia, a children's writer and Miko, a musician.

Mel also discussed how her father met Rosemary through her mother Astrid who was a book illustrator.

She said: 'Astrid hoped my father might get together with one of her elder daughters but, as soon as he saw Rosemary at one of Astrids parties, he was smitten. Nothing happened for three years until she was 19.'

Speaking about her dad previously Mel said: 'Dad has instilled in me a need to make my mark in life.

'I have a strong need to achieve things for myself and I think that comes from him. He and I have a lot in common. We're as tough as old boots and both have a good sense of humour.'

Mel grew up in Leatherhead, Surrey, along with her three siblings, Coky, a film and TV director, Kasia, a children's writer and Miko, a musician (Mel pictured with Sue Perkins on Bake Off)

Mel was deeply moved when her father wrote a poignant memoir in 2010 about his struggles as a refugee during World War II.

Michal, whose own father was a senator and a judge, was ten years old in 1939 when the Russian police seized his home and imprisoned his dad. He was flung on to the streets with his mother and two sisters.

Transported in cattle trucks to Siberia, they were forced to work on a farm with other refugees until 1941, when Soviet leader Stalin released all Polish deportees.

The family, who were said to be on the brink of death, escaped and began a long journey to England. They later discovered that Michal's father was shot dead in 1941.

'Dad lost all material possessions, but maintained a deep sense of who he was,' said Mel, who lives in Ealing, West London, with her husband Ben Morris, a television director, and their two daughters.

'That has been passed on to me along with a strong pride about where I come from.'
Kesha is expressing her voice on a whole new platform this year.

The Grammy nominee announced Friday on X that she's making her TED Talk debut with The Alchemy of Pop at the TED2024 Conference in Vancouver.

'I first had the idea come to me this January when on a sociatial sabbatical in the woods of Big Sur at the Esalen Institute,' she started.

'I realized that making pop songs has saved me, over and over again,' added Kesha.

'It had made my spiritual connection stronger, provided a place I could express myself in the most authentic way, and connected me to every corner of the world.'

Kesha announced Friday that she's making her TED Talk debut with The Alchemy of Pop at the TED2024 Conference in Vancouver; seen March 10

The TED Talk comes after Kesha taught the 2.5-week course The Alchemy of Pop Music earlier this year at Esalen

Kesha continued, 'I also realized that I wanted to share with you the way that I do this.'

The TED Talk comes after Kesha taught the 2.5-week course The Alchemy of Pop Music earlier this year at Esalen.

'Well, Id spent three years on and off with Rick Rubin, and I felt like I learned so much from him when I was making my last album,' she told V Magazine at the time.

'I felt that my own personal stuff could be set aside. I planned this trip immediately. My love and lust for life, and specifically for musicand the art and the magic of musicstarted coming to me so quickly, that I couldn't consume it fast enough.'

'And so I had to figure out exactly what I wanted to teach, but I realized that having someone help me process my emotions in such a beautiful way on that last album, well, I wanted to help other people process their emotions too, and give them a tool that could be helpful,' added Kesha.

She released her fifth studio album Gag Order last year, marking her final release under RCA and Kemosabe Records, both of which she signed with at 18.

On the album, Kesha explored the trauma and depression she suffered from her legal battle with former producer Dr. Luke.

Kesha first sued Dr. Luke in October 2014, accusing him of sexual assault and battery, gender violence, emotional abuse and violation of California business practices.

At the time, she filed a preliminary injunction to be released from Kemosabe Records.

On he last album Gag Order, Kesha explored the trauma and depression she suffered from her legal battle with former producer Dr Luke; seen in 2011

Last June, Kesha and Dr Luke reached a settlement in the defamation case he brought against her in response to the sexual assault allegations; seen in 2013

After her contract with Dr Luke's Kemosabe Records expired in December, Kesha teased her upcoming album earlier this month

A New York Supreme Court Justice ruled against the request and dismissed the case next year, as the five-year statute of limitations had run out on both alleged incidents of sexual assault.

Last June, Kesha and Dr. Luke reached a settlement in the defamation case he brought against her in response to the sexual assault allegations.

'Only God knows what happened that night as I have always said,' she said in a statement at the time.

'I cannot recount everything that happened. I am looking forward to closing the door on this chapter of my life and beginning a new one.'

'I wish nothing but peace to all parties involved,' added Kesha.

In December, Kesha celebrated her freedom with a nude photo after her contract with Kemosabe officially expired.

'Coming back home to me,' wrote Kesha with the photo.

Kesha teased her upcoming sixth album earlier this month.
Reese Witherspoon was showered with birthday wishes on Friday when the Legally Blonde actress turned 48 years old.

One of the most heartwarming testimonials came from her longtime pal Jennifer Aniston, whom she has known for over 20 years.

During the height of Jennifer's stardom as Rachel on Friends, Reese did a few guest appearances as the character's spoiled sister Jill.

In recent years, the pair have been playing opposite each other as seething professional rivals on the Apple TV+ series The Morning Show.

But when Jennifer fired up her Insta Stories for her birthday tribute to Reese, the onscreen enmity was replaced with real-life gushing affection.

Reese Witherspoon was showered with birthday wishes this Friday, when the Legally Blonde actress turned 48 years old - including from Jennifer Aniston

One of the most heartwarming testimonials came from her longtime pal Jennifer, whom she has known for over 20 years

'Happy birthday to my sister @reesewitherspoon,' Jennifer wrote over a clip of Jill haughtily confronting Rachel on Friends all those years ago.

'Love you so much, you ray of sunshine,' she effervesced over a picture of Reese beaming while cradling her French bulldog Minnie Pearl.

She hailed Reese as 'the ultimate collaborator...' as well as a 'Co-anchor,' 'Partner,' 'and friend' - with each title accompanied by a charming throwback snap.

One of the pictures showed Jennifer and Reese performing in front of a green screen during the shoot of The Morning Show.

Another was a flashback snap of the two women drinking champagne at the 2020 Golden Globes with The Morning Show showrunner Kristin Hahn.

Jennifer first shared the Golden Globes picture with the public all the way back in 2020 - and relayed the cheeky story behind it.

'Reese!? This is one of the many reasons I love you,' wrote the Horrible Bosses actress. 'We ran out of water at our table so naturally, she asked Jay Z and Beyonce for a glass of their champagne.'

As Reese celebrated her 48th birthday this Friday, she was treated to an outpouring of affection from the boldface names in her life.

During the height of Jennifer's stardom as Rachel on Friends, Reese did a few guest appearances as the character's spoiled sister Jill

'Happy birthday to my sister @reesewitherspoon,' Jennifer wrote over a clip of Jill haughtily confronting Rachel on Friends all those years ago

'Love you so much, you ray of sunshine,' she effervesced over a picture of Reese beaming while cradling her French bulldog Minnie Pearl

She hailed Reese as 'The ultimate collaborator...' as well as a 'Co-anchor,' 'Partner,' 'and friend' - with each title accompanied by a charming throwback snap

Another was a flashback snap of the two women drinking champagne at the 2020 Golden Globes with The Morning Show showrunner Kristin Hahn

Octavia Spencer, who 21 years ago had a bit part as a security guard in the Legally Blonde sequel, posted a sweet Instagram picture of herself with Reese

Another one of the celebrities who wished Reese on her big day was none other than Jennifer Garner, who is a longtime personal friend

Both women were producers on last year's Apple TV+ miniseries The Last Thing He Told Me, a mystery thriller that also featured Jennifer Garner as the lead

In honor of Reese's birthday, Jennifer posted a goofy video of herself playing the saxophone, interspersed with footage of the two of them together

Octavia Spencer, who 21 years ago had a bit part as a security guard in the Legally Blonde sequel, posted a sweet Instagram picture of herself with Reese.

'Today is an especially special Friday because its @reesewitherspoon's birthday!' she crowed. 'Thank you Reese for always honoring all women, everywhere! Please join me in the comments in wishing Reese the happiest of birthdays.'

Another one of the celebrities who wished Reese on her big day was none other than Jennifer Garner, who is a longtime personal friend.

Both women were producers on last year's Apple TV+ miniseries The Last Thing He Told Me, a mystery thriller that also featured Jennifer Garner as the lead.

In honor of Reese's birthday, Jennifer posted a goofy video of herself playing the saxophone, interspersed with footage of the two of them together.

Reese responded to the outpouring of affection by posting a throwback of herself on the beach, attached to a message expressing her gratitude

Her son Deacon Phillippe, 20, whom she had with her steamy first husband Ryan Phillippe, leapt into the comments to write: 'Happy birthday to the best'

Reese's friend Laura Dern also paid tribute to the star, captioning this post of them, 'As the sun sets on a perfect daywe celebrate goddess Witherspoon on her birthday. We love you with everything!'

'Two things I love: @reesewitherspoon and smooth jazz,' the ex-wife of Ben Affleck wrote in her caption. 'Happy birthday, RW! XX'.

Reese responded to the outpouring of affection by posting a throwback of herself on the beach, attached to a message expressing her gratitude.

'Feeling very grateful for all the wonderful birthday wishes!' she wrote. 'Thank you to all of YOU who send me love and light from all over the world.'

Her son Deacon Phillippe, 20, whom she had with her steamy first husband Ryan Phillippe, leapt into the comments to write: 'Happy birthday to the best.'
Colin Farrell returns as Batman's nemesis in the first official trailer for The Penguin, which was released on Friday.

The 47-year-old actor  unrecognizable in prosthetics as Oswald Cobblepot aka The Penguin  is prominently featured in the spinoff series of Matt Reeves' film The Batman coming this fall to Max.

The show picks up right after the events of Reeves' 2022 blockbuster, following Cobblepot's journey to dominance in Gotham City's underworld, after he previously served as a lieutenant to crime boss Carmine Falcone, who died in the film.

In the trailer, Cobb delivers a vintage gangster speech, ala Tony Soprano from The Sopranos, over a montage of the city becoming increasingly more violent.

'When I was a kid, there was a gangster, real old-school type. Rex Calabrese. He was a big deal. He helped people. He saw you on the street, hed call out to you,' Farrells Penguin begins.

Colin Farrell returns as Batman's nemesis in the first official trailer for The Penguin, which was released on Friday

The 47-year-old actor  unrecognizable in prosthetics as Oswald Cobblepot aka The Penguin  is prominently featured in the spinoff series of Matt Reeves' film The Batman coming this fall to Max

'When I was 14 or something, he has a heart attack and dies, still holding a cigar. In my neighborhood, they throw a parade in his honor. A friggin parade. It wasnt fancy, but it was a gesture, a show of love, of what he meant' he continues.

'Can you imagine to be remembered like that?' Penguin concludes.

Farrell is joined by Cristin Milioti portraying Carmine Falcones daughter, Sofia, alongside Michael Zegen as Carmines son, Alberto, and Clancy Brown as Salvatore Maroni, a prominent former gangster in Gotham.

The ensemble cast also includes Rhenzy Feliz, Michael Kelly, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Deirdre OConnell, Carmen Ejogo, Francois Chau, and David H. Holmes.

In this eight-episode drama series crafted by DC Studios, the narrative of The Batman crime saga is further explored.

The Warner Bros. DC movie amassed over $772.2 million worldwide and secured its place as one of the most-watched films on the Max streaming platform.

The series is helmed by executive producer and showrunner Lauren LeFranc, recognized for her work on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Reeves will serve as an executive producer through his production company, 6th & Idaho.

The show picks up right after the events of Reeves' 2022 blockbuster, following Cobblepot's journey to dominance in Gotham City's underworld, after he previously served as a lieutenant to crime boss Carmine Falcone, who died in the film; Farrell in March 2024

In the trailer, Cobb delivers a vintage gangster speech, ala Tony Soprano from The Sopranos , over a montage of the city becoming increasingly more violent

'When I was a kid, there was a gangster, real old-school type. Rex Calabrese. He was a big deal. He helped people. He saw you on the street, hed call out to you,' Farrells Penguin begins

'When I was 14 or something, he has a heart attack and dies, still holding a cigar. In my neighborhood, they throw a parade in his honor. A friggin parade. It wasnt fancy, but it was a gesture, a show of love, of what he meant' he continues

In this eight-episode drama series crafted by DC Studios, the narrative of The Batman crime saga is further explored

Craig Zobel, executive producer of Mare of Easttown, will direct the first three episodes.

Production commenced in March 2023 but was temporarily halted in June due to strikes among writers and actors. Shooting resumed the week after Thanksgiving.

The Penguin trailer comes after it was announced last week that The Batman Part II, once again starring Robert Pattinson, had been delayed a year and will now debut in October 2026.

DC co-Chiefs Peter Safran and James Gunn clarified that Reeves' Batman exists within an alternate universe, separate from Phase One of their 'Gods and Monsters' DC universe.

This phase begins with the theatrical release of Superman on July 11, 2025.

In the works is The Brave and the Bold, a Batman project by Safran and Gunn, centering on Bruce Wayne and his previously undisclosed son, Damien Wayne, who assumes the mantle of Robin.

Back in January 2023, Farrell confessed to Variety that he had no idea he would be asked to star in a stand-alone series about The Penguin while shooting The Batman.

'The only thing I had an idea was that I wasn't nearly getting to explore the character as much as I wanted to,' Farrell said.

The Warner Bros. DC movie amassed over $772.2 million worldwide and secured its place as one of the most-watched films on the Max streaming platform

Farrell is joined by Cristin Milioti portraying Carmine Falcones daughter, Sofia, alongside Michael Zegen as Carmines son, Alberto, and Clancy Brown as Salvatore Maroni, a prominent former gangster in Gotham

The ensemble cast also includes Rhenzy Feliz, Michael Kelly, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Deirdre OConnell, Carmen Ejogo, Francois Chau, and David H. Holmes

In this eight-episode drama series crafted by DC Studios, the narrative of The Batman crime saga is further explored

The series is helmed by executive producer and showrunner Lauren LeFranc, recognized for her work on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D

Production commenced in March 2023 but was temporarily halted in June due to strikes among writers and actors. Shooting resumed the week after Thanksgiving

'There was all this extraordinary work done by [makeup and prosthetics artists] Mike Marino and Mike Fontaine and his team, and I just thought it was the tip of the iceberg, pardon the pun, that we were getting to do the six or seven scenes that we did in the film. I was grateful for them, but I wanted more.'

The Castleknock, County Dublin, Ireland native added, 'Honest to God, any thoughts I had about an extended series was to do with Mike Marino's work.

'I Just know there was so much to do with this. Age it up, age it down. He's just a genius, Mike, so it was his work that was the inspiration really.'

It was Variety that first reported Farrell had signed on to star in The Penguin in December 2021, which was then followed up March 2022 by HBO Max officially ordering the show to series.
A Beyonce promotion for new album Cowboy Carter which was projected onto the Guggenheim on Wednesday was not authorized by the art museum.

Advertisements for the album - set for release on March 29 - were projected onto several NYC museums, also including Whitney Museum, New Museum and the Museum of Art and Design.

However a spokesman for the Guggenheim confirmed to THR the museum was 'not informed about and did not authorize this activation.'

They added: 'However, we invite the public  including Beyonce and her devoted fans  to visit the museum May 1620 when we present projections by artist Jenny Holzer on the facade of our iconic building to celebrate the opening of her major exhibition.'

The promo read: 'This aint a country album. This is a Beyonce album' along withthe albums title and release date - with Beyonce herself posting the coordinates of the Guggenheim Museum on her Instagram Story.

A Beyonce promotion for new album Cowboy Carter which was projected onto the Guggenheim on Wednesday was not authorized by the art museum

Advertisements for the album - set for release on March 29 - were projected onto several NYC museums - however a spokesman for the Guggenheim (pictured) confirmed to THR the museum was 'not informed about and did not authorize this activation.'

The other NYC museums also displayed a photo of the album cover.

The decision to plug an album in this manner was branded ghoulish by some fans, with one writing: 'im not arguing that arts institutions like the Guggenheim are beacons of artistic or moral purity but something about seeing an ad projected onto a museum feels kinda ghoulish.'

'also the location doesn't feel in any way connected to the project she's promoting. where is the cohesion?

Another fan wrote: 'yeah I hate it. it feels needlessly crass in a way I can't articulate

'yes. it'd be one thing if she was gonna perform there or something-- and perhaps she will! but even that feels disconnected from how she's described the spirit of the album. it just feels like a display of institutional approval, but not even the institution of country music lol'

Queen Bey just made history as the first black woman to top the Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart with her new single Texas Hold 'Em, which also topped the Billboard Hot 100.

This comes after Erykah Badu accused Beyonce of appropriating her eccentric, bohemian style - this time with braids.

The other NYC museums also displayed a photo of the album cover

On Wednesday, the 42-year-old R&B diva unveiled the limited-edition vinyl cover for her eighth studio album Act II: Cowboy Carter - dropping March 29 - and the 53-year-old neo-soul songstress reposted it with the pointed caption: 'Hmmm.'

Erykah (born Erica Wright) frequently rocked the beaded bang braids between December 2023 and February of this year, including on the January cover of D Magazine.

Badu has been wearing the distinctive plaited hairstyle - made famous by Rick James and the Williams Sisters - as far back as 2010.

It only took two hours for the four-time Grammy winner to be so inundated by messages from Beyonce's 425M-strong Beyhive that she desperately reached out to her husband Jay-Z.

'To Jay Z. Say somethin Jay,' Erykah - who has 13.5M social media followers - tweeted.

'You gone let this woman and these bees do this to me?'

And while Knowles-Carter and the 53-year-old rap mogul remained silent, her publicist Yvette Noel-Schure posted a montage of her rocking braided hairstyles throughout the years with the caption: 'She slays. She slays. Now. Then. Always. act ii COWBOY CARTER 3.29 #criticswithoutcredentials.'

Back on July 31, Badu Instastoried a snap of the 32-time Grammy winner wearing a custom Ruslan Baginskiy silver boater hat during her 56-date Renaissance World Tour with the same pointed caption: 'Hmm.'

For the second time in a year, Erykah Baduaccused Beyonce of appropriating her eccentric, bohemian style - this time with braids

The Marni collaborator immediately followed that up with a snap of herself performing in her 'favorite chrome mirror hat' with the shady caption: 'I guess I'm everybody's stylist.'

Erykah had debuted the towering topper on May 1 while DJing the official Met Gala after-party celebrating 'Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty' at the Costume Institute in Manhattan.

Beyonce - who has FIVE stylists Marni Senofonte, KJ Moody, Shiona Turini, Karen Langley, and Julia Sarr-Jamois - did damage control by shouting Badu's name four times during Break My Soul (Queens Remix) onstage Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA on August 1.

Ironically, both ladies hail from Texas with the Badu World Market founder based in Dallas and Knowles-Carter born and raised in Houston.

On Wednesday, the 42-year-old R&B diva unveiled the limited-edition vinyl cover for her eighth studio album Act II: Cowboy Carter - dropping March 29 - and the 53-year-old neo-soul songstress reposted it with the pointed caption: 'Hmmm'

Erykah (born Erica Wright) frequently rocked the beaded bang braids between December 2023 and February of this year, including on the January cover of D Magazine

Badu has been wearing the distinctive plaited hairstyle - made famous by Rick James and the Williams Sisters - as far back as 2010

It only took two hours for the four-time Grammy winner to be so inundated by messages from Beyonce's 425M-strong Beyhive that she desperately reached out to her husband Jay-Z (R, pictured Wednesday)

Erykah - who has 13.5M social media followers - tweeted: 'To Jay Z. Say somethin Jay. You gone let this woman and these bees do this to me?'

And while Knowles-Carter and the 53-year-old rap mogul remained silent, her publicist Yvette Noel-Schure posted a montage of her rocking braided hairstyles throughout the years with the caption: 'She slays. She slays. Now. Then. Always. act ii COWBOY CARTER 3.29 #criticswithoutcredentials'

Back on July 31, Badu Instastoried a snap of the 32-time Grammy winner wearing a custom Ruslan Baginskiy silver boater hat during her 56-date Renaissance World Tour with the same pointed caption: 'Hmm'

The Marni collaborator immediately followed that up with a snap of herself performing in her 'favorite chrome mirror hat' with the shady caption: 'I guess I'm everybody's stylist'

Erykah had debuted the towering topper on May 1 while DJing the official Met Gala after-party celebrating 'Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty' at the Costume Institute in Manhattan

Beyonce - who has FIVE stylists - did damage control by shouting Badu's name four times during Break My Soul (Queens Remix) onstage Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA on August 1

Queen Bey just made history as the first black woman to top the Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart with her new single Texas Hold 'Em, which also topped the Billboard Hot 100

Queen Bey just made history as the first black woman to top the Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart with her new single Texas Hold 'Em, which also topped the Billboard Hot 100.

Meanwhile, Erykah - whose last single Yun was in 2022 - hasn't released a full-blown studio album since New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) in
Love is Blind co-host Vanessa Lachey opened up about her secret to parenting that she and husband, Nick Lachey, follow religiously in their home.

The 53-year-old mother-of-three shares Camden, 11, Brooklyn, 9, and Phoenix, 7, with Lachey.

She told People that they often tell their kids they love them.

'The one thing that we've always agreed on is that we will always, always let our children know how much we love them,' she noted.

The reality personality shared that she wanted to rewrite the narrative of being a mother and express the security what she wasn't taught.

'It sounds so simple, but I didn't have that constant affirmation, physically and verbally, when I was younger, nor did Nick,' she admitted.

Love is Blind co-host Vanessa Lachey opened up about her secret to parenting that she and husband, Nick Lachey, follow religiously in their home

The reality personality shared that she wanted to rewrite the narrative of being a mother and express the security what she wasn't taught - to her own babies

The brunette beauty reflected on her childhood as she explained that she wants to model love and family unity even during tough times.

'I mean, of course you know you're loved, but do you really? And sometimes, you like to hear it and you like to feel it. And so, I don't think that we've ever talked about,' she said.

'This is what we have to do, but between the two of us, we know our kids need to always know they're loved, especially after a disciplinary moment,' she emphasized.

She firmly believes that even in situations where she has to correct her children's behavior, she always follows up a few hours later to make sure they understand how much they are cared for.

'At some point, after the discipline has settled in and they've had their moment, we will come in with a loving  whether it's a loving touch or a loving conversation  to let them know why this was important and why it got to that.

'I think it's just about letting them know they feel loved,' she added, 'I mean, that's all I wanted to know, that I was loved by mom and my dad, and so we will always give that to them.'

The TV also admitted that she restricts her children's access to social media and forbids them from watching Love is Blind and some of Nick's other shows.

Reminiscing about her time living in Hawaii, she said, 'I actually signed a pact when I was on the mainland with the school that we wouldn't let our kids have phones until they were in sixth grade.'

She also revealed how important it is to her to teach her kids the difference between reality and fiction, especially since their parents are actors.

'No, they don't watch our shows,' the mother-of-three revealed, 'They do watch NCIS: Hawaii because they know so much about [it]. And I actually come home, if I'm cut, I'll come home with the wound so they can touch it.'

Vanessa continued, 'They pulled off the scar so they can see, "This is fake, Mommy's fake. This isn't blood, this is fake. It's a movie," So for that, I'm grateful that they can watch it, but I don't think that they've ever seen anything else we've done.'

She also revealed how important it is to her to teach her kids the difference between reality and fiction

The brunette beauty firmly believes that even in situations where she has to correct her children's behavior, she always follows up a few hours later

Nick and Vanessa were first linked back in 2003 when they met on the set of MTV's Total Request Live as she host on the showed while Nick regularly made appeared with his band 98 Degrees.

He was still wed to Jessica Simpson at the time of their meeting but called it quits with the blonde bombshell in 2005.

The Love is Bling co-hosts started dating in 2006, and despite bumps in the road the pair finally said 'I do' in 2011.
GRAYS, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 5: A general exterior view of a HomeSense homeware and furniture retail store, part of TJX Companies, inc. at Lakeside Retail Park on February 5, 2024 in Grays, United Kingdom. John Keeble/Getty Images

Home decor shopping on a budget is about to get a whole lot easier. A new discounted retail sibling to HomeGoods is slated to open two new stores in Central Texas soon.

Homesense will be debuting in San Antonio at The Rim and Austin's Lakeline Market on Thursday, April 11. The pair will make three Homsense stores in Texas so far, with one that's already been open in Fort Worth since mid-March.

Homesense items are priced at 20 to 50 percent less than their full-price competitors, the company markets online. Inside, shoppers can find Persian rugs, statement chairs and furniture, wall art, bedding, mirrors, a lighting department, patio furniture, faux flowers, seasonal decor, kitchenware, and more all marked at various discounted rates.

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The Massachusetts-based brand's parent company is TJX Companies, which also owns TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, Marshalls, and other brands.

Homesense is a similar store concept to HomeGoods, except Homesense offers more, "furniture, lighting, rugs, wall art, and dining chairs, plus a General Store department," according to the store's website. Wheresas HomeGoods sells more specialty food offerings and has a children's department.

The opening day hours for both San Antonio and Austin locations will be from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday, April 11. After that the store's regular hours are Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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Find it: Homesense San Antonio - 17815 La Cantera Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78257
Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins is reportedly set for a huge location change as Channel 4 continues their major shake-up due to money problems.

The extreme TV series has previously filmed in Vietnam, New Zealand and Jordan however this year things will look very different for celebrities as they head to Wales.

The UK destination will be a far cheaper alternative for the channel instead of flying dozens of contestants and crew to the tropical destinations.

A TV insider told The Sun: 'Belts have been tightening for some time at C4, which is going through financial dire straits at the moment.

'So it's no surprise that the current plan will see SAS Who Dares Wins stay in Wales this year - which will be a lot less costly.

Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins is reportedly set for a huge location change as Channel 4 continues their major shake-up (pictured Gareth Gates, Matt Hancock, Daniella Lloyd)

The extreme TV series has previously filmed in Vietnam, New Zealand and Jordan however this year things will look very different for celebrities as they head to Wales

'Though it won't be any less challenging for the contestants - in fact it might be harsher than some foreign climes.'

Channel 4 axed the civilian version of the series over the celebrity spin-off due to it gaining higher ratings.

Channel 4 told MailOnline: 'SAS Selection is the toughest selection procedure of any Special Forces Regiment in the world, with the first phase always taking place in Wales  the home of SAS training.

'The location of each series is chosen to reflect each phase of the real SAS selection and with storm swept Atlantic beaches to unforgiving mountain peaks, the Welsh wilderness, where series one was filmed, would push any celebrity recruit to their limits.'

Viewers normally see the star-studded lineup travel abroad to face a slew of terrifying challenges, while overcoming their worst fears.

During the 2023 series, Gareth Gates was seen breaking down in tears as he won the series after successfully completing the grueling training course.

Gareth beat fellow recruits Matt Hancock , 45, and Danielle Lloyd , 39, after the other sixteen celebs failed to make the final.

Channel 4, which receives its funding from advertising, has recently warned MPs that the level of TV advertising has fallen dramatically amid a shift in viewing habits toward digital and streaming services.

It has already had to cancel a handful of programmes, including Steph's Packed Lunch, SAS: Who Dares Wins and slashed the amount of episodes soap Hollyoaks are producing in an effort to reduce costs.
After her latest brush with the law, Tiffany Haddish has turned over a new leaf.

The Emmy Award winner revealed she is 72 days sober from alcohol and weed as she appeared Friday on The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet podcast following her second DUI in November.

'I haven't drank any alcohol, smoked any weed or anything in, like, 72 days,' she said. 'It's not that hard.'

Haddish was first arrested on January 14, 2022 in Peachtree City, Georgia, where she was charged for driving under the influence of marijuana.

On November 24, 2023, Haddish was arrested again in Beverly Hills when she was found asleep behind the wheel of her car, which was still running and stopped in the middle of the street.

Tiffany Haddish revealed she has been sober from alcohol and weed for 72 days after being charged with her second DUI in November; seen on March 10

'It's not that hard,' said Haddish of the court-mandated sobriety tests she's required to maintain; seen March 7

She was subsequently ordered to take court-mandated sobriety tests when driving.

'You know, two years I've been waiting for my hearing in Georgia, and what happened in LA triggered Georgia, and they're like, "OK, we want you to do driving alcohol tests,"' she explained. 'And I'm like, "Cool."'

Haddish said 'there's been no problem,' and she's 'been passing every single' test.

'I wasn't participating much in the first place, because I was only smoking weed on my period, because it was so painful,' noted Haddish.

'I'm learning now, like, I had friends that used to drink and stuff when I was a teenager and they used to do drugs and all that, but it wasn't really something I was into,' she recalled.

'I just thought it was that one person's problem,' Haddish continued.

'And now, with my journey, I'm learning that it's an epidemic. It's a big deal, especially with [people in their] 30s.'

Last month, Haddish took a plea deal in her Beverly Hills case, accepting a conviction of reckless driving and having her 2 DUI charges dropped.

Haddish was first arrested on January 14, 2022 in Peachtree City, Georgia, where she was charged for driving under the influence of marijuana

On November 24, 2023, Haddish was arrested again in Beverly Hills when she was found asleep behind the wheel of her car , which was still running and stopped in the middle of the street

Last month, Haddish took a plea deal in her Beverly Hills case, accepting a conviction of reckless driving and having her 2 DUI charges dropped

The Girls Trip star also publicly vowed to 'get help' after the second arrest.

At Elton John's Oscars party last week, Haddish reportedly told several people she wasn't drinking as she's 'trying to get pregnant.'
Patricia Arquette stole the spotlight at the 15th edition of Series Mania in Lille, France on Friday.

The 55-year-old Oscar winner  who recently hit up an Emmy afterparty with her daughter Harlow  looked incredible in her sparkling ensemble for the event, which has become Europe's biggest television festival since its debut in 2010, per Variety.

Dressed in a fabulous gold coat and matching metallic skirt, the Boyhood actress arrived as the guest of honor and took over the red carpet.

With her trademark blonde locks fashioned into a casual bun and minimal makeup enhancing her natural beauty, she effortlessly commanded attention.

The appearance came a day after the iconic star had led a discussion on various topics, including her rural Virginia childhood and her Academy Award-winning career, according to Deadline.

Patricia Arquette stole the spotlight at the 15th edition of Series Mania in Lille, France on Friday

The 55-year-old Oscar winner looked incredible in her sparkling ensemble for the event, which has become Europe's biggest television festival since its debut in 2010

She also spoke openly about the challenges of filming her extended nude scene for director David Lynch in his 1997 psychological thriller Lost Highway.

Patricia revealed that during that period, she had felt 'really uncomfortable with nudity,' per the outlet.

Despite this, she persevered with the scene as a personal challenge as an artist. Unfortunately, she found herself uncomfortable on set due to the behavior of certain crew members.

'It was weird. It was hard for my own hang-ups. But also the guys were saying some crude things. I told David that I wasnt comfortable, she said.

Lynch requested her departure from the set, following which he proceeded to reprimand the crew members, according to the star.

'By the time I came back in, they were all looking at their feet and apologizing. He made sure there were some boundaries for different things,' she added, according to the source.

In regards to her experience with Martin Scorsese on his 1999 feature Bringing Out the Dead, Patricia told an anecdote about the director's near-instinctive mastery of filmmaking.

'I remember one time the monitors went off when he was watching [a scene], and he said, "Thats good weve got it." And I said, how do you know Marty? The monitors went off. And he said, "I can hear it. You can hear it when its right."'

With her trademark blonde locks fashioned into a casual bun and minimal makeup enhancing her natural beauty, she effortlessly commanded attention

Dressed in a fabulous gold coat and matching metallic skirt, the Boyhood actress arrived as the guest of honor and took over the red carpet

The appearance came a day after the iconic star had led a discussion on various topics, including her rural Virginia childhood and her Academy Award-winning career

She also spoke openly about the challenges of filming her extended nude scene for director David Lynch in his 1997 psychological thriller Lost Highway; seen with Balthazar Getty

In regards to her experience with Martin Scorsese on his 1999 feature Bringing Out the Dead, Patricia told an anecdote about the director's near-instinctive mastery of filmmaking

Patricia won Best Supporting Actress for 2014's Boyhood

She also talked about the late Tony Scott, who directed her in her breakout role as Alabama in 1993's True Romance.

'What he taught me as an actor that changed my life is that I had good ideas and could insert myself. Because he was so consistent in that support, I really started to trust myself.'

Arquette's latest on-screen venture was in Apple's Severance.

As a director, she recently unveiled Gonzo Girl, starring Willem Dafoe, at TIFF 2023.
Sofia Vergara took to Instagram to post racy throwback photos as she showed off her bikini body in Miami on Friday.

The 51-year-old TV personality looked radiant as she posed in a classy white bikini that displayed her toned body and sun-kissed skin.

Her honey brown hair looked wet cascading over her shoulders as she went makeup free in the pictures

She gave a sultry look as she showed off her perfect side profile and radiated confidence captioning the post, '#tb miami.'

The post was a hit as actor Mauricio Adrian commented, 'We all know this was like 2 months ago, I don't know why you call it [a throwback] if you [look] the same way,' adding a heart emoji.

Sofia Vergara took to Instagram to post a racy throwback photo as she showed off her bikini body in Miami

She gave a sultry look as she showed off her perfect side profile and radiated confidence

She looked every inch the hot Hollywood star in an apple green one-piece swimsuit in images shared to Instagram on Tuesday.

The Modern Family actress had a tiny waistline and toned legs as she sat on one of the balconies of her Los Angeles mansion while flashing gold jewelry.

The beauty - who divorced Joe Manganiello last year and is now romancing Justin Saliman - was introducing her very own swimwear collection for Walmart, a chain she has worked with for the past several years.

'After months of testing samples and styles, I could not be happier to share my new swim collection at @walmart is officially live!' wrote the brunette looker.

'Just in time for spring break,' added the star who has won raves for her work in the Colombian drug lord saga Griselda.

This comes just days after the star announced her return to Pasadena, California to film America's Got Talent's nineteenth season.

The Colombian beauty posted a photo of her family visiting her on the set of the talent series via Instagram, writing: 'And just like that we r back @agt.'

She recently posed with her co-star Heidi in the show's latest video advertisement.

They looked stunning as the two beauties promoted the talent show ahead of its spinoff. Sofia declined to appear in the show's spinoff due to scheduling conflict.

Sofia revealed that cast of the show are a tightknit group but do not see each other much during the off season due to their busy schedules.

Vergara looked every inch the hot Hollywood star in an apple green one-piece swimsuit in images shared to Instagram

The Modern Family actress had a tiny waistline and toned legs as she sat on one of the balconies of her Los Angeles mansion while flashing gold jewelry

'We barely see each other so I'm very excited to come back to work and be together,' she told Extra about returning last season.

She even gushed over her co-star Heidi Klum - relating their bond to a sisterhood despite being skeptical of their compatibility at first.

The Modern Family actress said, 'It was like a surprise because I'm Latin, Heidi's German, so i was like "Oh, I don't think I'm gonna have anything in common with her"

'And suddenly I realized she's like a Latin girl trapped in a tall German model,' she laughed, 'she can laugh, sing, go crazy, party, energy, It's crazy. I wanna be her when I grow up.'

Klum responded to her slightly shorter best friend by saying, 'You know I love you. I even wear sensible heels for you... when we go out I wear little kitten heels.'

She revealed that cast of the show are a tightknit group but do not see each other much during the off season due to their busy schedules

She posted a photo of her family visiting her on the set of the talent series via Instagram, writing: 'And just like that we r back @agt'

The brunette beauty is romancing hunky orthopedic surgeon Justin Saliman, 49

Vergara is now romancing hunky orthopedic surgeon Justin Saliman, 49, and is said to be falling in love.

Back in July of last year, Sofia announced her divorce from actor Joe Manganiello, 46, after eight years of marriage.

The brunette bombshell also previously married her high school sweetheart Joe Gonzalez at 18 in 1991, whom she shares her son Manolo with, but split two years later.
Dame Joan Collins oozed glamour in a black satin dress as she joined Myleene Klass and in London for the Inspiration Awards for Women 2024.

The legendary actress, 90, wore the asymmetrically hemmed dress with a statement necklace and earrings and a glittering black jacket.

Joan, who left husband of 22 years Percy Gibson, 59, at home, finished her look with black fishnet tights with black slingback heels.

Myleene, 45, looked breathtaking in a skin-tight, leopard-print turtle neck dress which hugged her curves and trailed the floor.

The presenter wore heeled black sandals and a chunky gold necklace which blended into her eye-catching dress.

Dame Joan Collins, 90, oozed glamour in a black satin dress as she joined Myleene Klass, 45, in London for the Inspiration Awards for Women 2024

Joan wore the asymmetrically hemmed dress with a statement necklace and statement earrings and a glittering black jacket

Also at the event were Nick Knowles, 61, and his fiancee Katie Dadzie, 33, who flashed her cleavage in a plunging nude mermaid dress decorated in silver gems

Nigel Farage wore a snazzy blue suit and attended with his wife Laure Ferrari who wore a black and white mini dress.

Dame Kelly Holmes put on a busty display in a black bra under a white trouser suit with tiny black polka dots.

Lizzie Cundy stunned in a glittery gown with a high leg split and elbow-length black gloves and black heels.

Rachel Riley wore an interesting velvet dress with a long-sleeved pink top half and a long red skirt bottom half.

Kerry Katona stunned in a long-sleeved glittering black gown with a high leg split which she paired with silver peep-toe high heels.

Lauren Goodger stunned in flared gold trousers and matching sandals and a loose white T-shirt with two tails.

Model Ellie Goldstein, star of the viral Down Syndrome awareness campaign, looked beautiful in a floral green dress.

Inside, Joan placed a hand on her hip as she beamed next to a guest wearing a knee-length navy dress.

She and the guest then joined a wider group, all dressed in black, and Joan took her rightful place in the middle.

The presenter wore heeled black sandals and a chunky gold necklace which blended into her eye-catching dress

Myleene flashed her pert bottom as she turned to the side and headed out of the Landmark Hotel

Outside, she bumped into a fan and the two beamed as they bent over intensely fiddling a gadget or two

Joan, who left husband of 22 years Percy Gibson, 59, at home, finished her look with black fishnet tights with black slingback heels

Also there were Nick Knowles and his fiancee Katie Dadzie who flashed her cleavage in a plunging nude mermaid dress decorated in silver gems

Katie, 33, wore a stunning pair of earrings with three star shapes stacked on top of each other and Nick, 61, looked lovely in a black suit

Also at the event was Nigel Farage who wore a snazzy blue suit and attended with his wife Laure Ferrari who wore a black and white mini dress

Dame Kelly Holmes put on a busty display in a black bra under a white trouser suit with tiny black polka dots

Kelly's bra reached up around her neck with a silver chain and she carried a chic black purse and flashed a black tattoo on her chest

Lizzie Cundy stunned in a glittery gown with a high leg split and elbow-length black gloves and black heels

Lizzie's dress was elevated with a black belt with a chunky silver buckle and her deep but even tan

Rachel Riley wore an interesting velvet dress with a long-sleeved pink top half and a long red skirt bottom half

Kerry Katona stunned in a long-sleeved glittering black gown with a high leg split which she paired with silver peep-toe high heels

The personality wore neutral make-up and accessorised with a flower ring and wore her blonde bob in loose curls

Kerry brought her lookalike daughter Heidi along and she stunned in a similarly shimmering black dress with a train

Heidi sported a classy red lip and wore no jewellery with her spaghetti strap dress bar a sleek silver watch

Lauren Goodger stunned in flared gold trousers and matching sandals and a loose white T-shirt with two tails

The returning TOWIE star carried a large white bag with a double chain and wore multiple chic bracelets

Model Ellie Goldstein, star of the viral Down Syndrome awareness campaign, looked beautiful in a floral green dress

Inside, Joan placed a hand on her hip as she beamed next to a guest wearing a knee-length navy gown

She and the guest then joined a wider group, all dressed in black, and Joan took her rightful place in the middle

At the end of the night, Dynasty star Joan was awarded with a well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award.

Joan was revealed to have won the award ahead of time, and attended the event as a guest of honour.

Myleene won the Inspirational Mother award. She is mother to Ava, 15, Hero, 12, and Apollo, four.

Ellie won the Next Generation award which was won in 2023 by Gaia Wise, Emma Thompson's daughter.

Rachel won the Inspirational Mentor (in the public eye) award and the charity called her a 'great supporter'.

The Inspiration Awards recognises women from all backgrounds and is proud of its diversity and inclusion ethics.

Past winners and attendees include Adele, Victoria Beckham, Helen Mirren, Lorraine, and Rio Ferdinand.

The Awards were founded in 2008 and also honour civilians.

At the end of the night, Dynasty star Joan was awarded with a well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award

Joan was revealed to have won the award ahead of time, and attended the event as a guest of honour

Myleene won the Inspirational Mother award. She is mother to Ava, 15, Hero, 12, and Apollo, four

Ellie won the Next Generation award which was won in 2023 by Gaia Wise, Emma Thompson's daughter
The Great British Bake Off is reportedly set to remain on Channel 4 for another three years - after the hit series was at the centre of a 100million tug of war between streaming giants ahead of its contract with Channel 4 ending.

Reports earlier this month suggested Netflix and other streaming channels could be enticed to make a bid to move the beloved show to a rival broadcaster.

But according to The Mirror, bosses are close to agreeing a new three-year deal for the series.

A TV source said: 'There were some raised eyebrows at Channel 4 when reports suggested Bake Off could be moving in recent weeks, as they are in the middle of negotiations.

'But as far as bosses are concerned, they have all the ingredients they think are necessary for a brilliant partnership on the show, and it is something they want to continue.

The Great British Bake Off is now reportedly set to remain on Channel 4 for another three years - after the hit series was at the centre of a 100million tug of war between streaming giants

A TV source claimed: 'There is nothing confirmed, but the most likely outcome now is that Bake Off stays on Channel 4 beyond 2024'

'There is nothing confirmed, but the most likely outcome now is that Bake Off stays on Channel 4 beyond 2024, with both sides favouring a three-year deal at present.'

MailOnline has contacted Channel 4 for comment.

It comes after claims emerged that the show may be forced to move to a streaming giant due to Channel 4's 'money woes'.

The channel axed several shows in 2023, reportedly to keep costs under control, and last month it was reported that GBBO could be the next show to go.

The broadcaster's contract to air the competition reportedly ends after the 2024 series, and it was claimed at the time that there were no talks of extending it.

The Sun claimed that Netflix and Disney+ were named as potential buyers.

A source said: 'Having two huge corporations enter the race has hugely inflated the value of the show, which is already sought-after due to its global appeal.

'Streamers are also looking to combine their model with shows that air at the same time and day each week.

It comes after claims emerged that the show may be forced to move to a streaming giant due to Channel 4's 'money woes'. (judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith seen)

'Netflix is already doing this with WWE wrestling and Disney+ recently bought the US version of Strictly. The talk is they're both looking to do the same with a big British show.'

Channel 4 also allegedly planned to cut up to 200 jobs following a huge decline in television advertising.

The show, judged by Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith and presented by Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond, launched on the BBC in 2010.

However, it was bought by Channel 4 in 2016 for 25million in a shock move that saw its original presenters sensationally quit.

Netflix currently has the rights to air Bake Off in America, while ITV was close to bidding for the British rights during the last round of negotiations but decided against it.

Channel 4 said: 'Any speculation around contracts is just that and we look forward to bringing many more soggy bottoms to our viewers in future.'

Netflix and Disney+ declined to comment.

Judge Prue recently broke her silence on the claims, telling The Mirror: 'Oh my God, I hope to stick with Bake Off wherever it goes. But I don't think it will move.

'I know a lot of people are having a hard time of it and Channel 4 has lost a lot of shows.

'But I am quite sure while Channel 4 is there, they will hang on to Bake Off. It is certainly one of their best shows. I think it has found its natural home at Channel 4.'
Sofia Vergara was active on Instagram ahead of the weekend as she shared two new sultry selfies with her 34.8 million followers.

The 51-year-old bombshell  who supported the launch of Kylie Jenner's new venture on Thursday  put on a busty display in a textured, black, strapless top.

The Colombian-born beauty flaunted her perky chest in the look, which boasted vertically-striped nude panels.

She wrote in the caption, 'Day 5 of @agt auditions.'

It follows her other posts from the America's Got Talent set, which she shared with fans online earlier this week.

Sofia Vergara was active on Instagram ahead of the weekend as she shared two new sultry selfies with her 34.8 million followers

The 51-year-old bombshell put on a busty display in a textured, black, strapless top

Sofia posed in front of a brick wall that was painted with the American Flag as she played up her sex appeal.

Her honey-blonde locks were parted down the middle and blown straight as they fell over her chest.

The former Modern Family actress looked typically stunning in a full face of matte makeup.

Taking to her Instagram Stories, Vergara also uploaded a brief video clip as she tossed her hair.

Earlier in the day, the stunner took a trip down memory lane as she shared a set of throwback images taken in Miami.

Her toned physique was on full display as she posed in a white string bikini.

In the caption, she simply said, '#tb miami,' and added a single palm tree emoji.

On Thursday evening Sofia enjoyed a date night with her new man, orthopedic surgeon Justin Saliman.

Earlier in the day, the stunner took a trip down memory lane as she shared a throwback image taken in Miami

On Thursday evening Sofia enjoyed a date night with her new man, orthopedic surgeon Justin Saliman

The fashionista slipped into a turquoise, one-strap, satin look and draped a black blazer over her forearm.

She also carried a metallic silver clutch, which matched her open-toe platform heels.

For his part, the medical professional complemented Sofia in an understated look that included black jeans, a navy blue button-up shirt, and dark jacket.

The lovebirds went to Catch Steak in LA, appearing to attend the launch party for Kylie's new canned vodka soda brand Sprinter.
Blake Lively has made a groveling apology for making an ill-advised Kate Middleton joke days before the Royal announced she has cancer.

The actress, 36, was slated by fans after she plugged her drinks range on March 13 - and took aim at the photo-editing controversy around a family shot of the Princess of Wales, 42, and her children released on Mother's Day in the UK.

She wrote: 'Im so excited to share this new photo I just took today to announce our 4 new @bettybuzz & @bettybooze products! Now you know why Ive been MIA.'

In the wake of Middleton's announcement of her health crisis on Friday, Lively wrote on Instagram: 'I'm sure no-one cares today but I feel I have to acknowledge this.

'I made a silly post around the 'photoshop fails' frenzy and, oh, man, that post has me mortified today.'

Fans had told Lively she should be 'ashamed of herself' and accused her of hypocrisy when she had kept her children's names and genders a secret while 'mocking' Kate for wanting privacy.

Lively's original post has since been taken down.

Blake Lively has made a groveling apology for making an ill-advised Kate Middleton joke days before the Royal announced she has cancer (pictured last month)

In the wake of Middleton's announcement on Friday that she had cancer, Lively wrote on Instagram: 'I'm sure no-one cares today but I feel I have to acknowledge this

In a deeply personal, unprecedented and emotional video message, filmed at Windsor on Wednesday, Kate revealed that she has cancer which was detected after her abdominal surgery

'I'm sorry. Sending love and well wishes to all, always.'

Blake was among a number of celebrities who made crass quips about Kate's time off work - with Kim Kardashian, Andy Cohen and John Oliver all making light of the drama.

From Instagram posts to ill-informed late-night bits, they cast doubt on whether it was really the Princess spotted with Prince William at a farm shop, and compared her jokingly to the 'Weekend at Bernies'.

None - except Blake - have retracted their comments since Kate's sad announcement.

Kardashian has been criticized by fans for her 'on my way to go find Kate' Instagram post - days before the Royal announced she was battling cancer.

On Sunday, Kardashian, 43, shared snaps posing up next to her sports car while weighing in on speculation about the Princess of Wales' whereabouts - but the post faced an avalanche of criticism after Middleton revealed her diagnosis on Friday.

Enraged followers flooded the comments section, writing: 'You should take this down!', 'Kate Middleton has cancer Kim' and 'Shes having cancer treatment this didnt age well.'

Others wrote: 'Busy getting treatment for the cancer she has been diagnosed with'; 'I would take this down and apologize, she has cancer'; 'take your s****y post about Kate down!' - before labelling Kardashian a 'snake'.

The actress, 36, was slated by fans after she plugged her drinks range on March 13 - and took aim at the photo editing controversy around a family shot of the Princess of Wales, 42, and her children. She wrote: 'Im so excited to share this new photo I just took today to announce our 4 new @bettybuzz & @bettybooze products! Now you know why Ive been MIA'

At the time of publication, Kardashian's post remains live with the caption unedited.

Before the diagnosis was revealed Kardashian commentators had already branded the star 'classless', 'tacky' and 'ignorant' for fueling speculation on Kate's whereabouts following her abdominal surgery.

The Real Housewives of Orange County alum Meghan King, 39, previously shared posts about hiring a psychic to find out about the princess' whereabouts and has since apologized for feeding into the rumors.

Since the future queen's cancer diagnosis was revealed, the reality TV personality took to her Instagram Stories later on Friday to express remorse and said she is 'sending prayers and good vibes'.

'I saw all the news about Kate Middleton, and it's so horrible,' she said in a video. 'I mean, I'm the same age as her so it really hits home and just sending prayers and good vibes her way.'

She said she felt 'really bad' but still continued on about one of her harmful theories.

'I feel really bad that I participated in the speculation about extramarital stuff, which, I mean, it still could be the case but it's not at the forefront here,' she added. 'Just sending her so many prayers and good vibes  healthy vibes  and I do think she will have a full recovery.'

In another post, she noted that Kate 'seemed stoic yet positive' despite the shocking update.

'I feel awful for speculating about her marriage bc a health scare always takes the cake. However, my speculations about her health were eerily correct. But that doesn't matter,' she said.

'What matters is that Kate is surrounded by the best medical professionals and shrouded in love and support as she recovers  which she will, fully, and she will be stronger and more powerful than ever.'

Kim Kardashian hit a big-bum note as she signed off an Instagram post with: 'On my way to go find Kate'. Perhaps she could pick up some dignity down there in the gutter?

Enraged followers flooded the comments section, writing: 'You should take this down!', ' Kate Middleton has cancer Kim' and 'Shes having cancer treatment this didnt age well'

The Real Housewives of Orange County alum Meghan King, 39, previously shared posts about hiring a psychic to find out about the princess' whereabouts and has since apologized for feeding into the rumors. Since the future queen's cancer diagnosis was revealed, the reality TV personality took to her Instagram Stories later on Friday to express remorse and said she is 'sending prayers and good vibes'

'I saw all the news about Kate Middleton, and it's so horrible,' she said in a video. 'I mean, I'm the same age as her so it really hits home and just sending prayers and good vibes her way'

She said she felt 'really bad' but still continued on about one of her harmful theories. In another post, she noted that Kate 'seemed stoic yet positive' despite the shocking update about her cancer diagnosis

Pop singer Halsey also spoke out in wake of Kate's admission

Bravo star Leah McSweeney called on Andy Cohen to apologize to the Princess

In a deeply personal, unprecedented and emotional video message, filmed at Windsor on Wednesday, Kate revealed the news had come as a 'huge shock' and that she and William 'have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family'.

It came days after she was seen smiling with Prince William as they left their favourite farm shop close to their Windsor home, and she said her husband had been 'a great source of comfort and reassurance' during her cancer fight.

Speaking from a bench surrounded by daffodils and spring blossom, the future queen said: 'It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.

'As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits.

'Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.'

Catherine's cancer was discovered only after she underwent major abdominal surgery at The London Clinic in January. Kensington Palace has said it will not be sharing details of what kind of cancer the princess has, or what stage of cancer it is and has asked people not to speculate.

The King  who is also currently undergoing cancer treatment himself  and the Queen were both been informed of the news.

'In a statement tonight His Majesty said he is 'so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did' and remains in the 'closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law'.

Lively's joke took aim at this photo of the Princess of Wales with her children in her Mother's Day portrait, which ignited controversy and the Royal said she had edited

The Princess of Wales said her family (pictured together on December 25) 'need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment'

The King and Queen said they 'will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time'.

It is not known if Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were told in advance of the 6pm announcement.

'We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace,' the couple said in a brief statement to Harper's Bazaar.

Harry, who once described Kate as the 'big sister I never had' and fondly called her 'Cath', is estranged from his brother and sister-in-law. It remains to be seen whether he will fly back to the UK to see her.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said the Princess of Wales has 'the love and support of the whole country' as her cancer battle was revealed this evening and good wishes came in from around the globe, including from the White House where Joe Biden is 'incredibly sad to hear of the news'. Her bravery at revealing her cancer to the world has also been praised.
Hugh Bonneville has reportedly signed up to Raya, after his shock split from wife Lulu Williams.

A spokesperson for the Downton Abbey star, 60, confirmed in September that he and his ex Lulu, who lived together for 25 years at their home in West Sussex, ended their marriage.

And it seems that Hugh is hoping to move on, as it has been reported the actor has created a profile on celebrity dating app Raya.

Raya is a private membership community that started out as a dating app, but has since become a platform for networking and social discovery.

It was launched in 2015 and costs 5.99 per month, but in order to join, you must fill out an application, have an impressive social media presence and referrals from existing members.

Hugh Bonneville has reportedly signed up to Raya, after his shock split from wife Lulu Williams

Despite Raya being a dating app, Hugh's profile says he is 'just looking for friends' which could be down to Hugh being linked to new love interest Claire Rankin

According to The Sun, Hugh has verified his account by connecting it to his Instagram page, which has 177,000 followers.

But despite Raya being a dating app, Hugh's profile says he is 'just looking for friends'.

This could be down to Hugh being linked to new love interest Claire Rankin.

Hugh put on a cosy display with the Canadian comedy star as they strolled arm-in-am after enjoying a dinner date in Soho.

One onlooker who spotted the pair said they 'looked so happy' and like 'any other couple' - despite Hugh only parting ways with his wife a few months ago.

'Hugh and Claire looked so happy together, they couldn't stop smiling,' the onlooker told The Sun.

'They looked like any other couple and seemed to be really enjoying each other's company.'

Hugh reportedly also took the actress to an event at Buckingham Palace where she met Queen Camilla as well as dinner with his Downton co-stars.

Claire was previously married to the actor Josh Randall who appeared alongside Hugh in US sitcom Courting Alex nearly 20 years ago.

Claire has shared snaps of her recent trip to London on her Instagram account, however Hugh has not been featured in them.

A spokesperson for the Downton Abbey star, 60, confirmed in September that he and his ex Lulu, who lived together for 25 years at their home in West Sussex, ended their marriage

According to The Sun , Hugh has verified his account by connecting it to his Instagram page, which has 177,000 followers

Hugh recently delivered a reading to the young winners of a BBC writing competition with Claire in the audience.

On Wednesday, they were said to have enjoyed dinner with Hugh's Downton co-star Michelle Dockery.

On Friday, Claire shared a photo taken at the airport as she prepared to return to Canada.

The actress, from Prince Edward Island, began acting in Shakespeare plays in the 90s and appeared on shows including Ally McBeal, Without A Trace and House.

MailOnline has contacted representatives of Hugh Bonneville for comment.

A spokesperson for Hugh confirmed in September that he and his ex Lulu, who lived together for 25 years at their home in West Sussex , ended their marriage.

However, it seems the split has not been smooth sailing, with a source revealing: 'It is clear that Lulu feels as if 20-odd years of marriage counts for nothing.'

Lulu often accompanied her husband to premieres and film sets and her recent absence sparked rumours the pair were having troubles.

The actor, famous for his role as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, had never shied away from expressing his love for Lulu, having previously called her his 'bedrock' and 'anchor' and crediting his wife for being the backbone of their household.

A source told The Sun: 'Hugh has been away from home filming a lot this year. He has lost a bit of weight this summer, he was looking trim, tanned and relaxed.'

The heartbreak came just five years after the couple renewed their vows at Graceland chapel in Las Vegas.

Hugh has reportedly been spending time with Canadian comedy star Claire Rankin (pictured)

Claire was previously married to the actor Josh Randall (pictured together in 2001)

Josh and Hugh appeared together in US sitcom Courting Alex nearly 20 years ago

The pair met as teens but reconnected later in life and got together in their 30s, thanks in no small part to Hugh's mother Patricia.

Hugh has said: 'Lulu was running a marquee company... my mother rang her to hire some chairs or something and said, ''Do you remember Hugh?''

'It did infuriate me that I had to give full credit to my mum for reintroducing us.'

The former couple later tied the knot in November 1998.

In previous interviews Bonneville claimed he was 'completely indebted' to his wife for the way she supported him throughout his career while looking after their son Felix, 20, who himself has enjoyed success on the screen.

'Lulu's priority has been to be a bedrock for Felix and me and I'm completely indebted to her,' he said.
Katie Price's son Harvey has been forced to withdraw from 350,000-a-year residential college after the star was declared bankrupt for a second time.

Harvey has been attending and living at specialist institution National Star in Cheltenham since 2021, but his mother has admitted she 'can't pay' the vast fees, after being swamped with an outstanding tax bill of 750,000.

Speaking on her The Katie Price Show podcast which she shares with her sister, Katie said: 'I'm having a nightmare at the minute.

'We were looking for him to stay at his college another year or if not a placement, but [the local authority] haven't accepted it.

'They've given me three months that he has to find somewhere else by July. With someone like Harvey you need the transitional move, you need to do it slow.

The court was told Katie owed 142,405 in tax for the 2020-2021 period and 196,735 for 2021-2022.

Katie Price's son Harvey, 21, is being forced to withdraw from 350,000-a-year residential college after Katie, 45, is declared bankrupt for a second time

Harvey (pictured in 2021) has been attending and living at specialist institution National Star in Cheltenham since 2021

'I'm trying to find somewhere nearer or something for Harvey but three months isn't a long time.'

On Monday, Katie was declared bankrupt for a second time after failing to pay over 750,000 in unpaid tax - and will now face losing her home unless HMRC can recover the money.

The former glamour model failed to appear at a court hearing in London to explain why she has not paid any money to HMRC.

A judge at the High Court ruled that she be declared bankrupt after an official from HMRC said she has failed to pay any money owed or responded to any correspondence since the demand was made for the unpaid tax last year.

It is the second bankruptcy faced by Price as she is being chased by creditors for a 3.2million payment over the failure of her company Jordan Trading Ltd.

Judge Sebastion Prentis sitting at the High Court Rolls Building said Katie had been served with a petition in November 2023 with a demand for 761,994.05.

The huge amount is made up of unpaid tax from self-assessment on her earnings from 2020 to 2022 as well as penalties and surcharges.

The judge said she also owed 140,000 in unpaid VAT and added: 'As with the unpaid tax no payment has been made.

Katie owes 142,405 in tax for 2020-2021 and 196,735 for 2021-2022, the court was told (pictured in front of her home, dubbed 'Mucky Mansion', which she could lose over her debts)

It is the second bankruptcy faced by Price as she is being chased by creditors for a 3.2million payment over the failure of her company Jordan Trading Ltd

It comes after Katie was fined 880 after being spotted in a Range Rover at a service station in August 2023 despite having no licence or insurance

Katie was served with papers in October by HMRC informing her of the debt owed  and she has failed to respond to the demand.

The judge said: 'There is a substantial debt due from Miss Price due to HMRC and therefore I will make a bankruptcy order.'

Katie was first declared bankrupt in 2019 when her company went bust.

She has failed to appear at an insolvency hearing on six previous occasions with the model submitting an excuse for her no show each time.

Creditors are owed the 3.2million from her company selling perfume and cosmetics.

A HMRC source said every effort will be made to recover the money and if not paid then assets owed by Price will be seized.

The debt to HMRC could see her lose her 2million mansion dubbed Mucky Mansion after it fell into a state of disrepair.

The latest court judgement adds to the woes of Katie who last week was fined for another motoring offence.

She was fined 880 after being caught driving a Range Rover at a service station on the A14 in Kettering, Northamptonshire in August 2023 despite having no licence or insurance.

As well as being handed eight penalty points - taking her total to 11 - the mother-of-five was also ordered to pay 972 in costs on top of the financial penalty.
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar on Feb. 12, 2024 at the Laredo Fire Department Station #12. David Gomez Jr./Laredo Morning Times

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed bill HR-7521 that would ban the social media application TikTok in the United States.

With 352 votes for the bill and 65 against it, the bill passed with ease in the House. It has now has reached the Senate and has slowed its momentum, where it could potentially take months for a decision. But if it passes there, President Joe Biden has stated that he would likely sign the bill and make it law.

The bill is to force the Chinese parent company ByteDance to sell TikTok to a U.S. buyer within six months or face a banning of the app in the country. The buyer of the app would not be able to have any ties with ByteDance or have any influence in the new algorithm.

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U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar is along the many other government officials in Washington, D.C. that is backing the bill. He believes the decision is ultimately for the best due to the spreading of information to China.

I voted for the TikTok ban simply because were very concerned about the information that has gone from the folks here taken over there, Cuellar said. If you look at what TikTok does in China, its all educational. If you see what they do over here, it is totally different.

This is not the first time the government has tried to ban the social media app. In 2020, former President Donald Trump tried to ban the application with an executive order, but he backed off during his reelection campaign as the move was seen as to likely alienate young voters, according to The Washington Post.

What were concerned with is that the information of anybody that uses TikTok will be sent over to China and used in ways that could affect America, Cuellar said.

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Serving as the Chief Executive Officer of TikTok, Shou Zi Chew was questioned in January 2024 in the U.S. Senate where he was confronted with claims of having ties to the Chinese government.

Cuellar and the majority of the U.S. House have said it poses a threat to national security, as the data may be handed over to the Chinese government if it were to ask company ByteDance for it.

An estimated 150 million Americans have a TikTok account, according to the social media company.
Members from five of the UK's most iconic girlbands united for one epic selfie at a Women's History Month event, in an Instagram post shared by Girls Aloud's Nicola Roberts on Friday.

In what proved to be a surprise pop cross-over Leigh-Anne Pinnock of Little Mix, Mel C of Spice Girls, Keisha Buchanan from Sugababes, Shaznay Lewis of All Saints, and Nicola all featured in the image.

Nicola captioned the post: 'So this happened Last night @apple asked me to join @melaniecmusic @leighannepinnock @shaznaylewis & @keishabuchanan hosted by the fab @rebecca_judd for a panel talk to celebrate women's history month.

'I'm still processing and pinching myself. Waking up, my heart feels so full after hearing all our shared experiences of being the women who make up the UK's biggest girl bands of the past 30 years.

'There's only so many of us that can relate to each other's journey so being in a room with 4 at once and talking the highs and lows was everything. It was so honest and raw I left feeling weirdly healed and heard and inspired.'

Members from five of the UK's most iconic girlbands united for one epic selfie at a Women's History Month event, in an Instagram post shared by Girls Aloud 's Nicola Roberts on Friday

(L-R) Keisha Buchanan from Sugababes, Mel C from Spice Girls, Leigh-Anne Pinnock from Little Mix, Nicola, and Shaznay Lewis from All Saints, all featured

Nicola is one-fourth of Girls Aloud which formed in 2002 on Popstars: The Rivals. Formerly a five-piece, member Sarah Harding (middle) passed away in 2021

Nicola continued: 'I have so much respect for each of these women. Something I took away, was that we all started out just as girls with a love for music, singing, writing and for all of the outside noise, the hell of losing yourself and finding yourself again, that little flame still hasn't gone out .'

'Thank you @apple @applemusic @beatsbydre for asking me to be part of 'A Force Together'. Best night ever x.'

The group attended the A Force Together panel on Thursday, organised by Apple and Dr. Dre, which gave the five of them the chance to discuss their experiences in the pop music industry as women.

Nicola is one-fourth of Girls Aloud which formed in 2002 on Popstars: The Rivals. Formerly a five-piece, member Sarah Harding passed away in 2021.

Cheryl Cole, Kimberley Walsh, and Nadine Coyle completed the group known for their hits Sound Of The Underground and The Promise.

Keisha, 39, is one-third of the Sugababes along with Siobhan Donaghy (left) and Mutya Buena. The group formed in 1998.

Sugababes' biggest hits include Round Round, Push The Button, and About You Now.

Shaznay, 48, was one-fourth of All Saints which formed in 1993 and disbanded for a final time in 2022.

Keisha, 39, is one-third of the Sugababes along with Siobhan Donaghy (left) and Mutya Buena. The group formed in 1998

Shaznay, 48, was one-fourth of All Saints which formed in 1993 and disbanded for a final time in 2022. The group was complete with Melanie Blatt and sisters Nicole and Natalie Appleton

Finally, Leigh-Anne, 32, made up Little Mix with Perrie Edwards and Jade Thirwall before the group, formed in 2011, went on hiatus in 2022 (pictured with former member Jesy Nelson)

The group was complete with Melanie Blatt and sisters Nicole and Natalie Appleton and was known for Never Ever and Pure Shores.

Finally, Leigh-Anne, 32, made up Little Mix with Perrie Edwards and Jade Thirwall before the group went on hiatus in 2022.

Formerly a four-piece with Jesy Nelson, Little Mix formed on The X Factor in 2011 and had hits such as Black Magic and Shoutout To My Ex.
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) - A Cyprus government proposal to enable repatriations of Syrian refugees by designating specific areas within the country as safe zones is "gaining ground" among the island nation's fellow European Union member states, the Cypriot interior minister said Friday.

Minister Constantinos Ioannou said after talks with European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas that its the "conviction of several states that the time has come to collectively dare" to discuss the possibility of designating safe zones 13 years after the start of the Syrian conflict.

Ioannou said that in light of the danger that the Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza may engulf Lebanon and other Middle Eastern states, its incumbent on the EU to reach a collective decision on Syria.

The minister said Cyprus police has set up a dedicated unit charged with breaking up people smuggling rings that he said are responsible for a recent upswing of Syrian refugee arrivals by boat.

The Cypriot government is urging both Europol and the EUs border protection agency FRONTEX to bolster patrols along the blocs southeastern maritime borders to head off migrant arrivals.

"The repatriation of Syrian nationals under strict conditions would decongest our migrant reception facilities and contribute to the successful integration of migrants," Ioannou said.

Last week, some 450 Syrian migrants aboard six boats were spotted off the southeastern coast of Cyprus within a 24-hour span. All six boats had departed from Lebanon.

Official figures show that although overall migrant arrivals to Cyprus are significantly down, the influx of Syrian refugees has risen sharply.

___

Follow APs global migration coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/migration
Don't have enough airline miles for that free flight?

United Airlines is now letting people pool and share their frequent-flyer points with family and friends, a feature currently only offered by some smaller carriers.

United said Thursday that a 'pool leader' can pick up to four other people to set up a joint account in its MileagePlus program.

The group leader must be over 18, but there is no minimum age for others, so parents can sign up kids. Everyone in the pool must have their own United frequent-flyer account.

On social media, Americans welcomed the news. Blaine Nickeson tweeted: 'This is going to be awesome for my family of four (three of which are MileagePlus elites)! Great change.'

See box below for full details on how it works...

United Airlines is now letting people pool and share their frequent-flyer points with family and friends, the airline announced Thursday, March 21, 2024

Frequent-flyer programs remain popular despite complaints that the value of miles and points decline over time because airlines raise the requirements for redeeming them for flights

JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines already offer pooling, with the rules varying a bit from one to another.

In Europe, British Airways offers pooling too for family members - the only major carrier to do so until now.

How MileagePlus miles pooling works Any MileagePlus member over 18 years old can become the pool leader and create a pool for free when logged in to their account on United.com. Pool leaders can invite up to four of their family, friends, or close travel companions of any age to join the pool if they have an active MileagePlus account. There is no minimum age to join MileagePlus.

When logged in to their MileagePlus account on United.com, members will be instructed on how to contribute miles to the group pool as well as how to redeem pooled miles for award flights on United and United Express*.

There are no limits to the number of miles that may be contributed to an active miles pool.

Pooled miles can be used when booking a ticket on United.com or in the United mobile app. For example, if a group of friends is planning an upcoming summer getaway and each friend has their own individual MileagePlus accounts with their respective number of miles, they can combine all, or a select amount of their personal miles into one central 'pool' that can be used to purchase flights and offset the cost of ticket prices. Advertisement

'We're always looking for new ways to provide the most value to all of our loyalty members and are proud to be the first major U.S. airline to allow our members to pool their miles with their loved ones and friends,' said Luc Bondar, Chief Operating Officer of MileagePlus.

'MileagePlus miles pooling further reinforces United's position as the leader in family and group travel and gives our members more flexibility to use their miles while making it easier to connect to the destinations and moments that matter most, with the people that matter most.'

Experts say it could be handy for familes on summer vacations.

The Points Guy website explains: 'Let's say you want to book a one-way flight for you and your son from New York to Orlando at 25,000 miles per person.

'If your 5-year-old son only has 4,000 United miles in his account, but you have 48,000 miles, you can now pool your miles in a joint account and contribute your miles to cover both your ticket and your son's ticket.'

Frequent-flyer programs remain popular despite complaints that the value of miles and points decline over time because airlines raise the requirements for redeeming them for flights or other items.

The programs are valuable to the airlines by increasing customer loyalty and giving consumers a reason to get an airline-branded credit card. Uniteds credit cards are issued by Chase.

United points are in the middle of the pack for value among programs at U.S. and international airlines, according to a recent analysis by the consumer site NerdWallet.

American Airlines made a change last month that was unpopuylar.

It introduced a new rule which pushes customers to buy tickets directly from the carrier if they want to earn frequent flyer points.

It is a move that makes collecting miles and loyalty points harder.

Starting on May 1, American will only award points for flights booked through select partners and 'preferred agencies', which it will reveal in a list in April.

It is the latest change to a loyalty program from a major airline, after Delta was forced to backtrack after controversially tightening its program last year.

And US airlines have been putting up baggae prices this year too.

At the start of March, Delta became the latest to hike its baggage fees - the last of the major three US carriers to do so.

Aairlines including Delta, United and American pocketed a staggering $33.3 billion from baggage fees last year

Passengers will now have to pay $40 to check a bag at the airport for domestic flights, or $35 if they pay online in advance, the company announced

American Airlines sparked backlash as the first to raise prices in mid-February, a move which was promptly followed by United Airlines.

All raised prices by $5 a bag and most are now between $35 to $45 a bag for the first and second checked checked items.

Even before the increases, airlines were making billions of dollars from baggage fees.

A report in February revealed airlines including Delta, United and American pocketed a staggering $33.3 billion from baggage fees last year - a sharp 15 percent rise from $29 billion in 2022.

This sum is solely made up of fees from larger carry-on bags, standard checked baggage fees, and fines for overweight or extra large checked bags and accounted for 4.1 percent of global airline revenue last year.
Apple's stock price is falling - as regulators in the US and Europe crackdown on the technology giant.

Dual investigations both sides of the Atlantic are unnerving investors - with fears of fines and forced changes to how it operates

Shares of the company slid 4.1 percent Thursday - their worst day since August 2023 -reducing its market value by $113 billion in market value.

It took the losses this year to 11 per cent - at a time the rest of themarket is making record highs.

Today shares opened about the same price they closed at Thursday - $172 - but then slid downwards again.

The US Department of Justice and 15 states allege it used the powerful demand for its iPhone and other products to drive up prices and hurt smaller rivals in the first major antitrust effort against Apple.

US Attorney General Merrick Garland, with Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco (L), announces an antitrust lawsuit against Apple, at the Justice Department in Washington, DC, on March 21

For example, it is alleged that Apple makes it harder for rival payment apps and smartwatches to work with iPhones.

Instead it prioritizes its Apple Pay and Watch - rather than, say PayPal, or Garmin. Shares in both those companies rose today after the news of the lawsuit.

Another major complaint is over messaging. US Attorney General Merrick Garland said users who try to message owners of other makes of smartphone end up having problems - such as videos not sending.

Apple joins a list of major tech companies sued by US regulators, including Alphabet's Google, Meta Platforms and Amazon.com across the administrations of both former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden.

In the lawsuit, Apple is accused of five main areas where it hs blocked rival firms from fully accessing its technology - in a bid to supress competition.

As well as messaging apps, smartwatches and digital wallets, Apple is accused of blocking competition with so-called 'super apps' and cloud stream game apps.

It is claimed that Apple makes it harder for competing messaging apps and smartwatches to work with iPhones.

Officials also say it blocked access to its contactless technology that allows mobile payments - meaning iPhone owners can only use its Apple Pay service.

Meanwhile, rules on the App Store around streaming services for games have hurt compeition.

Super-apps are those that make combine multiple features, such as calling, messaging and payments in one place - and it easier to move between between smartphone platforms. They are common in China and include WeChat.
Experts are warning of upcoming deadlines for student loan borrowers hoping to get their debt cancelled.

The US Department of Education has set April 30 as the final date for consolidating student loans.

This is crucial in order to make sure Americans receive the correct credit for the amount of time they have already spent repaying their debt, which could help bring them closer to the threshold for forgiveness.

And experts are also pointing to further deadlines later this year which borrowers need to be aware of.

It comes as the Biden administration announced the latest round of forgiveness Thursday - bringing the total amount of cancelled debt to $144 billion for 4 million Americans.

The Biden administration has so far cancelled $144 billion in student debt for 4 million Americans

April 30, 2024

As part of the extensive student loan plans brought in in recent months, the Biden administration has introduced a one-time adjustment to help address any inaccuracies in payment counts.

Historic failures by loan servicers and the Education Department have meant that many Americans have struggled to get the debt erasure they were promised.

Workers found that some or all of their payments had not been credited toward the threshold for forgiveness.

For borrowers on an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan, loans can be cancelled after 20 to 25 years, and for those on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) plan, loans can be discharged after 10 years of repayment.

The one-time adjustment is designed to correct past administrative failures for borrowers on these plans, forgiving their loans if they have been repaying for enough time, or at least give them an accurate picture of their progress going forward.

Updated payments have so far provided billions in relief for borrowers across the country.

Many borrowers with federally held loans do not need to do anything, and the adjustment will be made automatically.

But those with privately held loans must apply to consolidate their loans by April 30 to be eligible for the payment count adjustment.

The Biden administration has introduced a one-time adjustment to help address any inaccuracies in payment counts

Borrowers can consolidate their loans by visiting the Federal Student Aid website.

This is applicable to those with Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL), Perkins loans or Health Education Assistance Loans (HEAL).

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), if you have a Parent PLUS loan managed by the Department of Education and have been repaying for at least 25 years, the loan will be automatically cancelled through the one-time adjustment.

But if you have not been paying back for 25 years or more, you should consolidate your loan before April 30.

To find out what kind of loan you have, visit the Federal Student Aid website.

July 1, 2024

Kendall Philbrick, creator of personal finance site Babe on a Budget, pointed out that borrowers have until July 1, 2024, to sign up for the IDR plan Pay As You Earn (PAYE).

Personal finance expert Kendall Philbrick warned of upcoming dates that student loan borrowers need to be aware of

PAYE caps federal student loan payments at 10 percent of your discretionary income and forgives your remaining balance after 20 years of repayment.

PAYE is one of four income-driven repayment plans which also include Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE), Income-Based Repayment or Income-Contingent Repayment.

The SAVE plan is the newest plan, which was introduced by the Biden administration in August 2023.

'For some borrowers, PAYE might be a better option than SAVE,' said Philbrick.

Typically, PAYE is the best option for Americans who do not expect their income to increase much over time, have grad school debt, and who are married and have two incomes.

According to Nerdwallet, in most cases, the least confusing way to select an income-driven plan is to let your servicer place you on the plan you qualify for that will have the lowest monthly payment.
In election time, this disputed island once again emerges as a recurrent motif, stirring debates and evoking impassioned responses across Tamil Nadu

Amidst the escalating political fervour in Tamil Nadu ahead of the imminent Lok Sabha elections, Katchatheevu emerges once more as a recurrent yet elusive topic, akin to the unexpected pickles accompanying a plate of biryani. This contentious subject continues to command attention, igniting debates and stirring strong sentiments across the region.

Situated in the heart of the Palk Strait, Katchatheevu has long been a focal point in Tamil Nadus political dialogue, particularly during election seasons. With the Lok Sabha elections looming, Katchatheevu has once again taken centre stage in Tamil Nadus political arena. Political parties, especially those entrenched in the state, are leveraging the Katchatheevu issue to amass support and mobilise voters.

Critics argue that it is ironic for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin to question the central governments actions regarding the recovery of Katchatheevu over the past decade. Narendra Modi, along with the Congress and DMK, accuses the unilateral transfer of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), endeavouring to establish itself in Tamil Nadu politics, seeks to position itself as a champion of Tamil fishermens rights. However, the partys alliances and policies at the national level have often contradicted the interests of Tamil Nadu fishermen, breeding scepticism among voters.

Katchatheevu is a diminutive island spanning a mere 285 acres, devoid of any freshwater source. Since its cession to Sri Lanka in 1974 through a contentious agreement between then-Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike, Katchatheevu has remained a bone of contention between India and Sri Lanka. The island, with a scant area of 1.15 square kilometres, linked to the Pak Strait, was ratified by Parliament in 1976. Tamil Nadu fishermen have utilised this small island for rest and anchorage for centuries, prompting calls from Tamil Nadu politicians to reclaim it.

This island, christened after the Roman Catholic church in honour of the revered patron saint of Tamil Christian fishermen, is accessible sans passport, facilitating the annual usage by thousands of Indian fishermen for rest and repairs. Nestled amidst the cerulean waters of the Palk Strait, Kachatheevu not only embodies a disputed islet but also hosts the revered symbol of faith  St Antonys Shrine. This sacred sanctuary, dedicated to St Antony, the patron saint of lost things and fishermen, holds profound significance for the fishing communities of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.

The inception of St Antonys Shrine dates back to the early 20th century when Portuguese missionaries erected a chapel on Kachatheevu to cater to the spiritual needs of the local fishing populace. Over time, the shrine gained popularity, drawing devotees from afar seeking solace and blessings from St Antony. The disputed sovereignty of Kachatheevu has intermittently disrupted pilgrimage activities, escalating tensions between India and Sri Lanka.

Fishermen from Rameswaram, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore and Karaikal (Pondicherry), who historically utilised this island for rest and minor repairs, now face imprisonment in Sri Lankan jails for breaching maritime borders. Disputes stemming from this small island, located just 15 miles from Rameswaram, are straining India-Sri Lanka relations. The clamour to reclaim this island, steeped in historical ties with the ancient kingdom of Ramanathapuram, is gaining momentum. The Tamil Nadu assembly advocates for more authority to address these issues, while the central government has issued directives to allocate resources to tackle these demands.

The sentiment among the people of Tamil Nadu, particularly the fishing community, remains deeply entwined with the Katchatheevu issue. For generations, Tamil fishermen have depended on the waters surrounding Katchatheevu for their livelihoods, and the loss of access to these traditional fishing grounds has inflicted significant hardship.

As Tamil Nadu braces itself for the Lok Sabha elections, the Katchatheevu issue persists as a potent symbol of Tamil pride and identity. The elections outcome may well shape the future trajectory of this contentious matter, with political parties vying for public support by pledging to reclaim Katchatheevu and safeguard the rights of Tamil fishermen. The ballot box will serve as the ultimate arbiter, determining whether Katchatheevu remains a distant aspiration or materialises as a tangible reality, restoring pride and dignity to the Tamil fishing community.

In conclusion, the Katchatheevu issue stands as a poignant emblem of Tamil Nadus struggle for sovereignty and the protection of fishermens rights. As the political landscape simmers with fervour ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the fate of Katchatheevu hangs in the balance, awaiting the verdict of the electorate.

The significance of Katchatheevu extends beyond mere territorial disputes; it embodies the cultural heritage and livelihoods of Tamil fishermen, whose lives are intricately woven with the waters surrounding the island. The relentless efforts of Tamil Nadu politicians to reclaim Katchatheevu underscore the deep-rooted connection between the people and their land, reflecting an unwavering commitment to safeguarding Tamil Nadus interests.

However, the road to reclaiming Katchatheevu is fraught with challenges, both political and diplomatic. While promises abound during election campaigns, the true test lies in translating rhetoric into action post-election. The incoming governments ability to navigate the complex web of international relations while prioritising the welfare of Tamil fishermen will determine the fate of Katchatheevu.

Regardless of political affiliations, it is imperative for elected representatives to uphold the aspirations of the people and work towards a resolution that ensures justice for Tamil Nadus fishing community. This entails diplomatic dialogue, strategic negotiations, and unwavering determination to secure the return of Katchatheevu to Indian sovereignty.

As Tamil Nadu heads to the polls, voters hold the power to shape the course of history, steering the trajectory of the Katchatheevu issue. Beyond electoral rhetoric, the voices of Tamil Nadus fishermen resonate, echoing their plea for justice and dignity. The ballot box thus becomes not only a symbol of democracy but also a beacon of hope for the restoration of Tamil pride and the preservation of fishermens rights. In the end, the resolution of the Katchatheevu issue transcends political victories; it is a testament to the resilience and unity of the Tamil people in their quest for justice and self-determination. As the journey continues, let us remain steadfast in our pursuit of a future where Katchatheevu once again becomes a sanctuary for Tamil fishermen, a beacon of hope amidst the turbulent seas of politics and diplomacy.

(The writer is an associate professor, views are personal)
The danger is inherent in the continuing conflict in Ukraine

Can the war in Ukraine lead to World War III? It can if talk about an event presages its occurrence. The latest mention has been by Vladimir Putin, who said on March 18, 2024, that a direct conflict between Russia and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) would mean that the planet was one step away from World War III. He, however, had added that hardly anyone wanted any such scenario. Other Russian leaders have also mentioned the possibility. Alexander Venediktov, deputy secretary of the Security Council of Russia, had said on October 13, 2022, that Ukraines admission into NATO was guaranteed to escalate the conflict in that country into the third world war. Western countries have also been taking the danger of a wider war with Russia seriously. The German newspaper, Bild, reported on January 15, 2024, that the countrys army was gearing up to cope with a Russian attack on the Baltic countriesLatvia, Lithuania and Estoniain the summer of 2025, that would begin with a spring offensive in Ukraine this year.

Russias talk of World War III may well be a part of a strategy to reduce the United States and European countries support to Ukraine. Germanys response mentioned above, however, indicates that such talk is being taken seriously. In fact, the German defence minister, Boris Pistorius, has signed an agreement with his Lithuanian counterpart, Arvydas Anusauskas, for stationing 4,800 German troops and 200 civilians in the latters country.

With countries preparing for war, speculation about the conflict in Ukraine escalating into World War III is understandable. But then, what is a World War? It can be defined as a large-scale conflict involving a number of countries on both sides, stretching over large tracts of the earth, and affecting even on countries that are not directly involved. As things are, World War III would see the United States-led NATO countries pitted against Russia which may be joined by Belarus, China and North Korea.

While talking about the danger of a third world war breaking out over Ukraine, all important global leaders, including Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin, say that they neither want it nor is it likely to happen. But then the US did not expect the Japanese air attack on Pearl Harbour on December 7, 1941 (US calendar) which severely mauled the its Pacific Fleet. Nor did the European powers expect Germanys surprise attack on Poland on September 1, 1939, which triggered the beginning of World War II.

In the present instance, people have been hearing of a World War III ever since the end of World War II, when the world came to be divided into two blocs. One comprised countries led by the US and clustered round pacts like the NATO, Central Treaty Organisation (CENTO) and the South-East Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO), the first two targeting the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and the third one, China. Other bloc comprised countries of East Europe which had come into the USSRs orbit after the end of World War II, and which were members of the Warsaw Pact led by it. China enjoyed observer status in respect of the pact until it withdrew in 1961.

The Cold War that came to prevail between the two blocs was marked by frigid and unfriendly ties. There was no shooting war. The restraining factor was the large nuclear arsenals which both the US and the USSR  and later China  possessed, and the smaller stockpiles of countries like Britain and France. A war between the two blocs, it was felt, would lead to the use of nuclear weapons. The USSRs premier, Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev, graphically summed up the horrors of the resultant scenario when he said, The living will envy the dead.

The two blocs came close to a war on two occasions. On May 1, 1960, a Soviet missile brought down a U-2 spy plane, operated under the aegis of the US Central Intelligence Agency, in Russian territory. Its pilot, Francis Gary Powers, who had parachuted to safety, was taken prisoner. The incident put on hold the thaw in US-USSR relations that had followed a meeting at Camp David, Maryland, between the American President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Prime Minister Khrushchev, in September, 1959. It also scuttled the Paris summit in mid-May among the US, the United Kingdom, France and USSR after Khrushchev walked out of it following Eisenhowers refusal to apologise for the U-2 mission.

The second occasion was the Cuban missile crisis of October, 1962, triggered by the USSRs move to install SS-4 and SS-5 missiles in Cuba which could hit targets in the US. The latter, under President John F. Kennedy, imposed naval quarantine (read blockade) on Cuba, which the USSR declared it would defy. The matter ended with Kremlin agreeing to discontinue construction work on missile sites and removing weapons the US considered offensive and the US agreeing to remove the Jupiter Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles it had placed on Turkeys border with the USSR.

Would good sense prevail in Ukraines case as it did on the above two occasions? That needs to be seen. One thing, however, is certain. Serious moves need to be made to ensure an early negotiated settlement.

(The author is Consulting Editor, The Pioneer. The views expressed are personal)
South Asia has experienced a significant transformation marked by notable developments that are redefining the relationships among major stakeholders

The geopolitical dynamics of South Asia have undergone a profound transformation in recent years, marked by a series of significant developments that have reshaped the relationships between India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the Taliban. What initially appeared to be a strategic win for Pakistan with the Talibans return to power in Afghanistan has now turned into a complex web of alliances and rivalries, with India and the Taliban exploring new avenues for cooperation, while Pakistan finds itself embroiled in a conflict with its western neighbour.

Pakistans initial support for the Talibans resurgence in Afghanistan was driven by a desire for a friendly government in Kabul that would be more amenable to Islamabads interests. The previous Afghan government, led by Ashraf Ghani, was perceived by Pakistan as being too closely aligned with India, Pakistans historical rival. Therefore, the Talibans rise was seen as a strategic victory for Pakistan, potentially opening up avenues for increased influence in Afghanistan. When the Taliban reclaimed power in Kabul on 15th August 2021, the then Pakistani PM Imran Khan expressed optimism, describing it as a breaking the shackles of slavery moment for Afghanistan. There was a widespread belief among Pakistanis that the Taliban, whom they often referred to as our brothers, would help Pakistan in its quest to assert control over Kashmir, a disputed region between India and Pakistan. This sentiment was rooted in the belief that a Taliban-controlled Afghanistan would be more sympathetic to Pakistans stance on Kashmir and would support Pakistans efforts to wrest control of the region from India.

However, the euphoria of the Talibans return quickly dissipated as concerns grew over the groups ability to govern effectively and maintain stability. Pakistans hopes for a strategic win in Afghanistan were further dampened by the emergence of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a Pakistani Taliban group that found sanctuary in Afghanistan and began launching attacks on Pakistani soil.

The situation took a dramatic turn on 16th March 2024 when Afghan militants attacked Pakistani soldiers at a border killing 7 of them. Pakistan retaliated with strikes against Afghan militants citing concerns over cross-border terrorism and the presence of Pakistani Taliban militants allegedly supported by Kabul.

Meanwhile, Indias relationship with the Taliban has evolved, with the two sides engaging in talks for trade and economic cooperation. The Indian delegation, led by J P Singh has met the current Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Mottaqi and the former Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul to discuss humanitarian assistance and trade. This development has caught Pakistan off guard, as it now finds itself on the opposite side of the table from India, its traditional rival. Amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, the US special representative for Afghanistan, Thomas West, is set to travel to India in the third week of March 2024 for consultations on working together to support the Afghan people. This visit follows the Indian delegations recent stated meeting with the Taliban ministry. Wests visit is particularly significant as he engages with the Taliban and mobilises international support for Afghanistan. However, these diplomatic efforts come in the wake of Pakistan launching airstrikes in border regions of Afghanistan, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least eight civilians.

As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these shifting alliances will shape the future of South Asia. The once-clear lines of allegiance and enmity have blurred, creating a complex and unpredictable geopolitical landscape that will require careful navigation by all parties involved.

(The writer is author and an academician; views are personal)
The Haynes Recreation Center is located at 2102 Clarks Crossing Dr. LMTonline staff

District III Councilmember Melissa Cigarroa is partnering with multiple organizations to host a Spring Wellness Fair on Wednesday, March 27.

Cigarroa and the City of Laredo are partnering with the South Texas Development Council Aging and Disability Resource Center to host the fair.

The Spring Wellness Fair will be a free event encouraging people to live health lifestyles. I will also provide information for resources that are available for the elderly along with people of all ages who have disabilities.

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A variety of health screenings will be available at the fair with over 25 agencies scheduled to participate. There will also be arts and crafts, coloring, door prizes, Easter egg painting, face painting, raffles, resource booths and more.
The Aam Aadmi Partys (AAP) which made a dramatic entry in the governance of national Capital by squeezing itself in the political space of bigger national parties  the Congress and BJP  almost 10 years ago may see a meltdown post this Lok Sabha polls, as it worst fears have come true after the arrest of its founder, party convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in money Laundering Case related to the excise policy scam case and a pending Delhi Jal Board (DJB) multi-crore alleged fraud case.

The AAP is now in a Catch-22 situation about what and who next, as heir apparent of the party and cofounders  Manish Sisodia, Satyender Jain, Sanjay Singh  all are in jail and there is a huge gap between Kejriwal and the party at the ground level.

Kejriwals phoenix rise was at the cost of denting the 15 years Congress regime led by Sheila Dikshit. The Congress faced three defeats at the hands of Kejriwal in the national Capital. The AAP leader also tarnished the image of top BJP leaders like late Arun Jaitley and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in successive protests and Press conferences.

Currently, the real challenge for the AAP is in identifying a competent leader who can successfully navigate both the partys affairs and the governance of Delhi in the absence of Kejriwal.

More significantly, the urgency of this task is further heightened as the AAP prepares to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls in Punjab, Delhi, Gujarat, Assam, and Haryana, where Kejriwal was expected to play a key role as the partys key campaigner.

The party is eyeing at expanding its footprint across the country and has tied up with the Congress to contest the Lok Sabha polls against the BJP in Delhi, Haryana and Gujarat. Kejriwal is the fulcrum of the partys Lok Sabha campaign and its star campaigner.

The party is already feeling the pinch of the absence of its senior leaders like Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain and Sanjay Singh.

Now the arrest of Kejriwal has landed the ruling party of Delhi in the doldrums. On earlier occasions, whenever this question rose, the party maintained a tough stance saying it will fight it out, but there is no denying the fact that AAPs think tank wont find it easy to wriggle out of this problem. The partys campaign in Delhi, where it is contesting on four seats and in Gujarat, where it has fielded candidates on two seats, is centred around Kejriwal.

In Delhi, the partys campaign is titled, Sansad Mein Bhi Kejriwal, Toh Dilli Hogi Aur Khush Haal while in Gujarat, it is being run as Gujarat Mein Bhi Kejriwal. In Punjab, while the campaign is centred around State Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Kejriwal had been frequently travelling to the State, where the AAP is contesting all the 13 seats without an alliance with Congress.

The AAP had alleged that there was a conspiracy to arrest Kejriwal since his comments were making the BJP uncomfortable. Earlier this week, Bharadwaj said, The face will be Kejriwal. He is the only face that people trust and love. The strategy will be formed once we reach that stage.

The role and responsibilities of top AAP leaders, including its national organisation secretary Sandeep Pathak, Mann and Delhi Ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj, are likely to grow within the party. Mann said he will attend the next meeting of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) Bloc.I have been to these meetings along with Kejriwal in Bengaluru, Mumbai and Patna, the Punjab Chief Minister said while talking to reporters.

Before Kejriwals arrest, the party, somewhere, at the back of its mind, was also hoping that he is not arrested considering his mass appeal and popularity, especially among the people of Delhi.

The AAP will now be in an awkward situation even in States like Delhi and Punjab which has its 2/3rd majority Governments.

Legal experts said there is no legal bar on Kejriwal continuing as Chief Minister from jail. Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan said there is no bar in law on a person continuing as Chief Minister once arrested, senior advocate Vikas Singh said. Though legally there is no bar, administratively it will be next to impossible.

Given Delhis status as a State with a Union Territory status, the Lieutenant Governors role becomes more important. According to experts, the Raj Niwas has a very important role to play and he can, in fact, recommend the imposition of Presidents rule.

The AAP leadership faces a daunting task in identifying a leader whose stature even remotely matches that of Kejriwal, who has served as the partys convener since its inception in 2011 and held the post of Delhi Chief Minister for three consecutive terms spanning nearly a decade. After Modi, Kejriwal is the only leader having a quality to connect with the common man. Presently, AAP does not have any leader to connect with the people.

Apart from Kejriwals wife Sunita Kejriwal, a former IRS officer, the names of Ministers Atishi (who holds the maximum number of portfolios in the Delhi Government), Saurabh Bharadwaj and Swati Maliwal too are taking rounds for the post of Delhi Chief Minister.

Top leaders of the AAP, including Atishi, Saurabh, Ram Niwas Goel categorically stated that AAP convener will continue to hold the post of the Chief Minister of Delhi and will work from the jail if required.

The Representation of People Act (RP Act), 1951, deals with elections, qualification and disqualification of lawmakers. According to the Act, an MP or an MLA stands disqualified, if s/he is convicted for an offence. However, since Kejriwal has not been convicted yet, there is no bar on him continuing as Chief Minister.

Article 239 AA defines the role of the elected Government, the LG and Parliament when it comes to Delhi. The entire power of the elected Government and the CM of Delhi has its origin in this provision of the Constitution.

However, the LG has the powers to recommend the suspension of operation of this provision. Article 239 AB gives powers to an LG to recommend to the President of India to suspend the operation of Article 239 AA.

In February 2024, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader and then Chief Minister Hemant Soren was arrested by the ED in a money-laundering case. Soren resigned as CM after his arrest, and Seraikela MLA Champai Soren replaced him.

Similarly, in 2001, when Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa was arrested in a disproportionate assets case, she picked O Paneerselvam to be the CM till she obtained a bail. This was repeated in 2014, when she was convicted and arrested in the same case. Paneerselvam resigned in both 2001 and 2014, after she obtained a bail and a stay of her conviction, respectively.
For the first time in its political history since 1967, Tamil Nadu will see the DMK fighting head on against a national party while the traditional challenger AIADMK is getting relegated to the status of also rans.

No major political parties find place as a constituent of the AIADMK except some fringe elements while the major players in the State have lined up under the DMK and the BJP led fronts. The Congress, the Communists, the Islamic outfits, the Dalits and the regional party from South west Tamil Nadu are all lined up under the leadership of the DMK while the BJP has regional parties like Tamil Manila Congress (TMC) and the Vanniyar communitys Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) under its banner.

The surprise element in the formation of alliances was the decision of DMDK founded by late actor Vijayakanth crossing over to the AIADMK camp. The whole Tamil Nadu had stood in shocked silence when Premalatha, party founders main driving force, abused AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa with the choicest abuses during the 2016 Assembly election.

The DMDK was the lead constituent of the Peoples Welfare Front which had projected Vijayakanth as the chief ministerial candidate in that polls. The DMDK was wiped out in the poll and Vijayakanth lost his security deposit in the last election of his life. Since then Vijayakant was bed ridden till he breathed his last in 2023.

How can the AIADMK get along with Premalatha who had insulted and abused Jayalalithaa by calling her names is the question being asked all over Tamil Nadu.

She is a robber, dacoit, and corrupt dictator rolled into one. Jayalalithaa is a curse on Tamil Nadu, Premalatha had said in the election meetings she addressed.

The AIADMK has turned into a party of Gaunders (a powerful caste in Tamil Nadu) as the Thevars, the major followers of the party have left it for good.

Though TTV Dhinakaran had launched a party after the demise of Jayalalithaa and the conviction of his aunt V K Sasikala, the party reached nowhere.

Sasikala does not come out of the fortress-like bungalow at T Nagar, a shopping centre in Chennai. O Panneerselvam, three-time Chief Minister who had declared a Dharma Yudh against Edappadi Palaniswamy is yet to make up his mind about where to go and whom to align with.

The AIADMK is almost finished and is on a ventilator support system. Chances are that by 2026 there would not be any AIADMK. The Lok Sabha election in Tamil Nadu is between the DMK-led front and the BJP-led NDA. This is the semifinal match before the grand finale of the 2026 election, said KV Rajasekharan, author and political commentator.

The names of the AIADMK candidates released by Edappadi Palaniswamy speak volumes about the state of affairs in that party.

I will be surprised if ten of them get elected. Palaniswamy has proved that he does not possess the leadership qualities, said Arjun Sampath, founder, Hindu Peoples Party.

Interestingly, the AIADMK tried to get in touch with the RSS leadership in the State but it has been proved futile.
Aam Aadmi Party )AAP) demonstrated in Madhya Pradesh against the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. AAP workers raised slogans in front of the BJP office in Bhopal on Friday. At the same time, workers also protested at the district headquarters across the state.

Congress leaders also termed Kejriwal's arrest as an undemocratic action. Former Chief Minister Digvijay Singh said- This is a complete attempt to suppress the opposition.

Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar tweeted- Congress opposes this undemocratic action.

On the other hand, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav retorted that Kejriwal is hungry for the post. It is very unfortunate to go to jail as a Chief Minister.

Aam Aadmi Party's Lok Sabha in-charge Bhagwat Singh Rajput said party's national president and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested. In protest against this, we are protesting in all the districts along with the BJP office in Bhopal. He has been arrested by ED (Enforcement Directorate) in a false case. The matter is pending in the court.

Actually, Kejriwal talks looking into the eyes of PM Modi. Don't be afraid of them. That's why Modi is upset.

Dr. Parminder Kaur, President of the Women's Wing of Aam Aadmi Party in Bhopal, said - By misusing ED and CBI, BJP is putting the Chief Ministers of elected governments in jail. It is trying to destroy democracy by freezing the accounts of the opposition. We strongly oppose this, BJP is scared.

Aam Aadmi Party is giving competition to BJP in Delhi and Punjab. Therefore, BJP wants to ensure its victory by putting our party leaders in jail.

Former Chief Minister Digvijay Singh said- Kejriwal's arrest is an attempt to suppress the opposition, 2 Chief Ministers arrested for the first time.

Former Chief Minister Digvijay Singh said this is the first time in history that two sitting Chief Ministers were arrested and sent to jail. There was pressure on Hemant Soren to join BJP, the way others' cases were closed, your case will also be closed. He preferred to go to jail. This tribal character is the character of a tribalhe likes to die but does not compromise with the ideals.

Secondly, Arvind Kejriwal's only crime was that he did not appear when he received the notice. He was arrested. This is a complete attempt to suppress the opposition. Congress and Aam Aadmi Party are contesting elections together in Delhi, we condemn his arrest.

Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar tweeted this in protest against the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal.

Madhya Pradesh CM Dr. Mohan Yadav said- Kejriwal is interested in the post. It is very unfortunate to go to jail as a Chief Minister. Such a time has never come till date. The history of our country is that when someone is accused of something, he first resigns. He does not take his responsibility until he is acquitted of the charges.

CM said that in the liquor scandal case, when Kejriwal was summoned 9 times, he went to the High Court and when the High Court did not give relief, in such a situation, he would have automatically resigned and faced the charges against him and after being acquitted, he would have Run your government. It is very unfortunate to go to jail as a Chief Minister, such a time has never come till date. Such attachment and greed for position does not suit Kejriwal . Arvind Kejriwal is intoxicated with power and should come out of this.
he arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sparked widespread protests across Punjab and Haryana, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) staging demonstrations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.

In Haryanas Kurukshetra, AAP workers attempted to march towards Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini's residence, prompting the police to resort to water cannons and lathi charges to disperse the crowd. Similar scenes unfolded in Punjabs Mohali, where AAP protesters clashed with law enforcement while attempting to advance towards the Punjab BJP office in Chandigarh. AAP workers, in the presence of some Punjab Ministers, staged a demonstration on the Mohali-Chandigarh border. Cabinet Ministers  Harpal Singh Cheema, Aman Arora, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal  and several AAP workers were briefly detained.

The protestors, voicing their dissent against Kejriwals arrest, accused the BJP of attempting to suppress the rising popularity of the Delhi Chief Minister. AAP leaders maintained that the party would not succumb to the BJP's "dictatorship" and vowed to continue their fight against the ruling party's policies.

Punjab Minister Arora dubbed Kejriwal's arrest as the murder of democracy, adding that the BJP will have to face a backlash from the country's people for this.

Several AAP leaders in Haryana, including state unit chief Sushil Gupta and senior vice president Anurag Dhanda, sustained injuries during the clashes with the police. Gupta condemned the brutal lathicharge by Haryana Police and highlighted the injuries suffered by numerous party workers.

AAP Haryanas media coordinator Vaibhav Tiwari said that more than hundred party workers sustained injuries, of whom over 70 were grievously hurt.

Kurukshetra Superintendent of Police Surinder Singh Bhoria, however, said that the police had used mild force and that about 15-16 workers and an equal number of security personnel had been wounded in the clash.

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema denounced Kejriwal's arrest as an assault on democracy, alleging that the BJP was resorting to authoritarian tactics to silence dissenting voices. An undeclared emergency has been imposed in the countryThe ruling BJP does not want that opposition leaders should even campaign and contest the Lok Sabha election, he said.

Punjab Ministers Anmol Gagan Maan and Chetan Singh Jouramajra slammed the Central Government over Kejriwals arrest, saying that it was scared of his growing popularity and therefore wanted to stop the good works done by his Delhi government.
Chief Electoral Officer Madhya Pradesh Anupam Rajan inspected the state level Media Monitoring Cell and Social Media Cell on Friday. Rajan said that information about special events related to elections should be sent promptly. He said that the actual situation of the incidents should be immediately known to the media.

Rajan said that the candidates should provide information about the expenditure incurred on campaigning on Facebook and Instagram. He apprised himeslf about monitoring of the campaigns being carried out on social media.

The Model Code of Conduct for Lok Sabha Elections 2024 has come into effect in Madhya Pradesh from March 16. During the Lok Sabha elections, 24-hour continuous monitoring/recording of paid news related cases, news published in national and state level newspapers, broadcast in electronic media channels and on social media is being conducted. The State Level Media Monitoring Cell is working under the guidance of State Nodal Officer, Commissioner Public Relations Sandeep Yadav. Additional Director Public Relations Dr HL Choudhary has been made the chief nodal officer for all other works including news monitoring and paid news matters.

State Level Media Monitoring Cell (State Level MCMC Cell) is functioning in the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Nirvachan Sadan, Arera Hills, Bhopal. In this cell, a team of officers and employees of the Public Relations Department is continuously monitoring the news of print and electronic media in three shifts. This work is being carried out continuously in three shifts every day, from 6 am to 2 pm, from 2 pm to 10 pm and from 10 pm to 6 am the next day. State level Social Media Monitoring Cell operates in Narmada Bhawan.

Officers and employees have also been deployed for the maintenance work of clippings of news and media reports published in newspapers and magazines from 6 am to 6 pm. Reserve officers and employees have also been deployed for contingency and alternative arrangements for all three shifts. During this, Joint Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Khatri was also present.
The BJP on Friday accused the Aam Aadmi Party of peddling a bundle of lies on the issue of its leader Arvind Kejriwals arrest, asserting that those who are corrupt will go to jail. The BJP further slammed the AAP saying there is an old saying Chor Machaye Shor (the culprit makes a lot of noise to cover up the crime) and the AAPs shameless protest against the arrest of Kejriwal is a fitting example.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said politicians used to scratch each others back to help each other while indulging in scams but this has changed in the last 10 years under the government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Should he (Kejriwal) be let off because he is a chief minister and not a common man, he asked, alleging that the Delhi chief minister is a kingpin in the corruption case being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). With opposition parties, including the Congress, rallying to Kejriwals defence and describing his arrest as part of the Union governments crackdown on their leaders, the BJP spokesperson said it is a case of thieves displaying brotherhood.

He is the leader of the corrupt, Patra charged and added that AAP leaders have been peddling a bundle of lies on the matter. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are also on bail in a corruption case, he said, adding mockingly that it is bail bond among them. They are also coming together as their ships are sinking, he said.

Dismissing AAP leaders allegation of political vendetta, Patra asked if people will believe courts or them and said every thief claims innocence when caught. With the AAP insisting that Kejriwal will remain chief minister, the BJP leader said it shows his greed for power and post while he and his colleagues rose in politics by claiming to disdain the very thing.

As Delhi government minister Atishi questioned the arrest of a chief minister and expressed concern about his safety as he has Z plus security, he hit back, saying it shows their sense of entitlement.

She is saying how a CM can be arrested as he is not a common man, Patra said, noting that Kejriwal once named the likes of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Lalu Prasad Yadav as corrupt and would ask when people will start going to the jail. The AAP leader then claimed he has entered politics to cleanse it but began living in a palace and moving around in a security cover, he said.

It is high time that people who are embroiled in corruption are arrested, Patra asserted. Patra also played a statement of Congress leader Ajay Maken in which the he had lashed out at Kejriwal for the alleged excise scam and accused him of using Rs 100 crore collected from it to harm the Congress in the Goa assembly polls in 2022.

Even the Supreme Court has spoken about a money trail of over Rs 338 crore while denying bail to AAP leader Manish Sisodia in the same case, he said.

Following Kejriwals arrest Thursday evening, the AAP had given a nationwide call for protest against the BJP.

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva also slammed the AAP saying the party has lost all moral grounds as its leader has been arrested in a corruption case.

 Kejriwal knew the corruption that happened in framing and executing the excise policy as his former Deputy Manish Sisodia and party MP Sanjay Singh went to jail over it, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said. He himself skipped nine Enforcement Directorate summonses.

He will now have to answer the ED because he was involved in corruption that is why he has been arrested, Sachdeva said.

There is an old saying Chor Machaye Shor (the culprit makes a lot of noise to cover up the crime) and the AAPs shameless protest against the arrest of Kejriwal is a fitting example, he said. Aam Aadmi Party and its leaders are crying over Kejriwals arrest but they have lost all moral grounds, and the people of Delhi have lost faith in them, he said.

Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Ramvir Singh Bidhuri has said that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal did not listen to anyone while implementing the liquor policy in Delhi.

He did not even listen to his guru Anna Hazare and did not follow our advice in the Assembly. This is the reason why he has now to see such days, Bidhuri said.
Directorate General of Resettlement, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence organised a Job Fair for Ex-Servicemen on 22 March 2024 at Garrison Ground, Near Infantry Museum, Mall Road, Mhow, Indore to bring the Ex-Servicemen seeking re-employment and the Employment providers on a common platform.

The event received an overwhelming response from the Ex-Servicemen from Madhya Pradesh. 743 Ex-Servicemen from Army, Navy and Air Force registered for seeking employment. 34 Companies participated in the Job Fair offering 592 Job Vacancies and 120 plus Entrepreneurship Opportunities

The shortlisted ESM would be interviewed/screened and subsequently employed in appointments ranging from Senior Supervisors, Mid/Senior level managers to Strategic Planners and Project Directors.

The event was beneficial for both Corporates and the Veterans. The veterans got a platform to showcase their technical and administrative prowess acquired during their years in service and the Corporates benefitted by screening the group of experienced, disciplined and trained Ex-Servicemen. Entrepreneurship models were also presented by various Companies during the Job Fair.

The Job Fair was inaugurated by Chief Guest Maj Gen Sanjay Sajjanhar, Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor, MCTE, Mhow. Sunil Kalyankar, Convener, CII Madhya Pradesh State Panel on HR & IR was the Guest of Honour alongwith Maj Gen SBK Singh DG(R), Directorate General Resettlement , Brig Bikram Heeru, ADG, DRZ(Central), Brig LK Bhardwaj, VSM Station Commander, Mhow and Col Utpal Das, 4 MAHAR (Borders). Job Fair is a DGR initiative providing second career options to Ex-Servicemen.
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the government is making all efforts to meet the expectations of the public. Addressing the media on the completion of the BJP State governments two year in office on Friday, Dhami thanked the public for its support.

He said, The then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee created Uttarakhand while PM Modi is nurturing the State. Uttarakhand is progressing at a brisk pace under PM Modis guidance. The reconstruction of Kedarnath and the Badrinath redevelopment masterplan are examples of the PMs vision, leadership and commitment. He also laid the foundation for the Gaurikund-Kedarnath and Govindghat-Hemkund ropeway while the Surkanda Devi temple ropeway has been started. More than 56 lakh people undertook the Char Dham Yatra last year while more than four crore Kanwadiyas took Gangajal during the efficiently managed Kanwad Yatra. Moving ahead in the direction of cultural nationalism, work is being executed at a brisk pace on the ancient and important temples in Kumaon region under the Manaskhand Mandir Mala mission.

Dhami further said that new tourism and film policies have been made in the State with provision for upto 100 per cent subsidy to encourage self-employment. The government is also planning to develop six aroma valleys while a decision has been taken to start mission cinnamon and mission Timru along with mission apple and mission kiwi. Referring to other tasks of the government, he said that 41 workers were successfully rescued from the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi. The State succeeded in attracting considerable investment in the global investors summit 2023 with the signing of MoUs worth Rs 3.5 lakh crore. Grounding of agreements worth more than Rs 81,000 crore has been done so far, he said.

We had promised the Uniform Civil Code to the people and the UCC bill was passed in the Vidhan Sabha and also approved by the President, making Uttarakhand the first State to implement it. Our government also passed a strict law to prevent religious conversion by force or inducement. This will now put a stop on those involved in religious conversion in the State with provision for upto 10 years imprisonment for those found guilty. The nations strictest anti-copying law was also brought to secure the future of youth. We also provided 30 per cent horizontal reservation for women in government jobs and also decided to provide 10 per cent horizontal reservation in government jobs to statehood activists and their dependents. Strict action is also being taken against encroachment on government land. A special campaign has been undertaken and the responsibility of officials has been fixed when it comes to such encroachments. The government has also decided that rioters will be made to pay for damage they cause to government and private property, Dhami added.

BJP State president Mahendra Bhatt, election management committee convenor Naresh Bansal and other party leaders were also present on the occasion.
Appealing to voters to exercise their voting rights, Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Agarwal on Friday said that the poll panel is making strenuous efforts at the war footing level to ensure maximum participation of citizens in the voting for the Lok Sabha general elections scheduled for May 25.

Every eligible voter must exercise their voting rights, and citizens are being sensitized for this purpose, said Agarwal. In the 2019 Lok Sabha general elections, approximately 70 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the state, which was higher than the national average. This time our target is to achieve a minimum of 75 per cent voter turnout in the state, he added.

Agarwal said that to increase voter turnout this time, the Election Commission of India has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Postal Department and the Indian Banks Association to raise awareness among voters. The main objective is to convey to voters that participation of the public is crucial in democracy, therefore, every citizen must exercise their franchise, he added.

Agarwal said that Haryana has a large network of over 5,600 branches of 62 banks. With the cooperation of banks, maximum awareness will be ensured at ATMs and branches to motivate citizens coming to banks to vote.

He said that the theme of this general election is the Festival of Elections  the Pride of the Nation, therefore, this festival is incomplete without the exercise of citizens voting rights. People get this opportunity once every five years, so ensure your participation in this festival, he added.

The Chief Electoral Officer said that this time, there are 1,98,29,675 registered voters in Haryana. He appealed to all voters to exercise their voting rights without temptation or fear. There are 19,812 polling centres in the state, he added.
Punjab excise policy may also come under scrutiny with the shadow of Delhi excise case looming over it following the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday night.

With the opposition parties in Punjab, BJP and the Akali Dal, taking aims at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and demanding to probe the states excise policy also, the states Finance, Excise and Taxation Minister and senior AAP leader Harpal Singh Cheema on Friday asserted his readiness to face any investigation into the matter.

Punjabs opposition parties have all along been demanding probe into the states excise policy for 2022-23, similar to Delhis 2021-22 liquor policy. The opposition maintained that both the policies, that of Punjab and Haryana, were drafted by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and his team. Allegations were leveled that the policy was tailor-made to select a few contractors.

Sisodia is currently behind bars after he was arrested in March 2023 in connection with alleged corruption in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy for 2021-22.

In fact, Kejriwal had himself confirmed on Twitter (now X) that the excise policies of both Punjab and Delhi are same. the excise policy which had to be scrapped in Delhi is working wonders in Punjab.

Defending the policy vehemently, Cheema highlighted a substantial surge in revenue from excise duties, amounting to a staggering Rs 4,000 crore over the past two years. He further claimed that the states stringent policy measures have effectively dismantled the entrenched liquor mafia operating within its borders.

The Finance Ministers robust defense comes in the wake of growing concerns over the ramifications of the Delhi Excise case, which has sent shockwaves across political circles. Cheema's stance underscored the Punjab Governments commitment to transparency and accountability in governance, even in the face of external pressures and scrutiny.

A day after Kejriwals arrest in connection with the excise policy linked money laundering case in Delhi, BJP and SAD on Friday sought an investigation into Punjab excise policy.

Demanding a probe by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Punjabs excise policy, the state BJP president Sunil Jakhar declared that the party delegation will go to Election Commission's (EC) office on Saturday afternoon to seek an investigation into Punjabs policy.

A BJP delegation will go to EC at 12 noon tomorrow. Many ministers and leaders of Delhi are lodged in jails due to the policy. The same policy has been replicated in Punjab. ED should take action in this matter in Punjab as well. All the like-minded people of Punjab should come together on this issue. Many Congress leaders had demanded a probe into the case and they too should approach the Commission. The Chief Minister's residence should be sealed and inspected, said Jakhar.

Punjab Excise Policy is a bigger malaise than Delhi's now defunct policy, said Jakhar, lashing out at Punjab Chief Minister for letting the open loot and plunder of state being run on proxy by Kejriwals henchmen, including Raghav Chadha, who have been given plum houses in posh sectors out of CM quota.

I would urge ED to protect those honest officers who have been coerced to sign on the dotted line on a flawed policy document, which is part of a failed and so-called Delhi governance model touted by AAP as a shield for their corrupt ways, he added.

SADs Bathinda MP and former Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal also demanded a central probe into Punjab Excise policy on the pattern of the Delhi policy as both policies as well as the beneficiaries were the same.

With the arrest of self-proclaimed kattar imandar Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi excise policy scam, now the time had come to arrest all those who had looted the Punjab treasury by effecting the same scam in Punjab. Liquor excise policy of Punjab was patterned on the Delhi policy by the same persons and with the same beneficiaries, she said.

BOX

In Kejriwals absence, responsibility shifts on Mann

Chandigarh: Following the arrest of AAP supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a liquor scam case, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) finds itself grappling with a leadership crisis and logistical challenges, particularly in Punjab, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

With key leaders like Kejriwal, Delhis former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh already in jail and embroiled in legal troubles already in connection with the same scam, AAP faces a leadership vacuum. This creates a significant challenge for the party, especially in terms of campaigning for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

AAP is facing a shortage of prominent campaigners, impacting its electoral strategies  potentially impacting the partys ability to attract voters and generate enthusiasm among supporters, especially in Punjab where AAP lacks prominent faces.

With Kejriwal out of the picture, the responsibility for leading the election campaign falls on Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Mann would now be leading the election campaign in Punjab, and also in other states where AAP has stakes.

In a major move, AAP has decided to field five Cabinet Ministers as candidates in the upcoming elections. However, the party is encountering difficulties in selecting suitable candidates for all five constituencies in Punjab, despite being in power.

The arrest of Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate further exacerbated AAPs challenges, intensifying its troubles and raising concerns about its electoral prospects. Nevertheless, Mann remained optimistic, affirming AAPs commitment to campaigning with full vigour and ensuring a strong presence in Punjab's political landscape. Monika Malik

INDIA bloc stand strong, says Mann; Will meet EC, hold joint events

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who reached Delhi on Friday to meet the family of his Delhi counterpart and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal a day after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy, declared that the Aam Aadmi Party stood rock solid behind him.

Also lashing out at the BJP and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mann alleged that they were pursuing dictatorship and did not want any opposition leader to campaign for the Lok Sabha polls. Mincing now words, he said that BJP indulged in maximum hate speech in the country. The one who bought a health revolution in the country, built hospitals, Satyender Jain is in jail; the one who built schools in Delhi, made lakhs of poor children eligible for NEET, IT, and MBBS, Manish Sisodia is in jail. The one who spoke against Prime Minister Modi in the Rajya Sabha, Sanjay Singh is inside the jail; and now Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested. I don't understand if there is even a democracy in the country, said Mann.

BJP indulges in the maximum hate speech in the country. We (AAP) do politics of work not the politics of name, said Mann.

They want no opposition leaders to be able to campaign for the upcoming elections. He (Prime Minister Modi) is walking in the footsteps of Vladimir Putin. This is a dictatorship, added Mann.

Calling Kejriwal a patriot, Mann added that he will emerge from this episode a bigger leader.

Mann said that he will continue to attend the meetings of the opposition bloc INDIA as he used to do along with Kejriwal in the past. The INDIA bloc stands strong in this hour and in the coming days, we will meet EC (Election Commission) and hold joint events, said Mann.

Condemning the BJP, he said that it was scared of the AAP and Kejriwal. It's an illusion of the BJP that they can derail the AAP through the arrest of Kejriwal. Crores of Kejriwal have been born in the country in the last 10 years, he said.
Andrea Ordonez, Republic of the Rio Grande Museum Manager. Courtesy/Webb County Heritage Foundation Margarita Araiza, former Executive Director of the Webb County Heritage Foundation. Laredo Morning Times staff

The Webb County Heritage Foundation announced last month the retirement of its Executive Director Margarita Araiza after 28 years of service in the role the and plans to wait to hire a new person to fill that position.

Webb County Heritage Foundation states its mission is to raise awareness and appreciation of Webb County's heritage by advocating the protection and preservation of historic architecture, ranching heritage, cultural traditions, customs and folklore of the border region through its heritage education programs, historical collections, museums and heritage tourism services.

Araiza, a well-known leader in the field of historic preservation, made significant achievements for the Webb County Heritage Foundation.

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Republic of the Rio Grande Museum Manager Andrea Ordonez said that some of the functions of the executive director have been taken over by Dr. John Kilburn, the president of the Board of the Webb County Heritage Foundation and the staff.

She added that there are plans to hire someone for that position in the future.

"The Board of Directors of the Webb County Heritage Foundation has a plan in place to find a new executive director in the future," she said.

Ordonez said that WCHF continues working with all the projects they already have planned.

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"We are currently working on several projects, including an event to celebrate the founding of Laredo, several exhibits with local organizations and continuing the oral history project we started last summer," she said. "The Republic of the Rio Grande Museum, The Villa Antigua Heritage Museum and the Webb County Heritage Foundation Archives remain operational."

She invited the Laredo and Webb County community to explore the rich history that downtown Laredo has to offer.

"At the Republic of the Rio Grande Museum, visitors can learn that we were once our own independent country. The museum served as capitol building and is located in the heart of downtown Laredo," she said. "At the Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum, we host temporary exhibits related to the cultural heritage of the county of Webb.

"The WCHF is committed to their mission of raising awareness and appreciation of Webb Countys heritage."

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Ordonez also invited everyone to become a member of the Webb County Heritage Foundation to help support the programs and services of WCHF.

"Anybody can become a member of the WCHF," she said. "Membership levels start at $25, and we offer special rates for students as well."

The Webb County Heritage Foundation office is located at 500 Flores Ave. in the Old Mercado Building. For more information about the WCHF membership, please visit webbheritage.org.
While the celebration of the Festival of Colors Holi is deeply rooted in Indian culture and tradition, it has gained popularity and recognition beyond India's borders. The Korean community is no exception as was evident at the Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) here on March 20, where the vibrant hues of Indias festival of colors were embraced with much fervor and joy.

Amidst the rhythmic beats of traditional Indian music and the jubilant laughter of participants, Korean students, and staff, alongside their Indian counterparts, came together to participate in the festivities. The air was filled with excitement as they applied vivid colors on each other, marking the onset of their first Holi experience for many Korean citizens.

They danced to popular Holi songs such as Rang Barse and Balam Pichkari. To add a Korean twist to the celebrations, songs such as Gangnam Style by Psy and That That by artists Psy and Suga were also played and danced upon.

The highlight of the event was the collective effort to delve deeper into Indian traditions through culinary exploration, with Gujiya, a quintessential Indian sweet associated with Holi festivities seemed to be everybodys choice. Guided by skilled chefs, Umesh Chaudhary and Kishan, participants had hands-on experience to prepare the Indian culinary heritage.

A group of 25 students, all of them enrolled in the Korean language class that is taught at the KCCI, enthusiastically participated in the event. The joyous occasion also saw six Korean language lecturers, Korean and Indian staff members celebrate the festival of colours with a lot of fervor.

Once everyone was soaked in the colours of Holi, the staff and the students of KCCI were divided into eight groups. The participants were first explained about the significance of the festival of Holi and were told about the traditional practice of making gujiya during the Holi festivities. This was to give them a chance to understand Indian culture better. After that, the in-house chefs did a live demonstration for the participants and explained the significance of each ingredient that goes into making the gujiya.

The efforts had a sweet end with Korean and Indian staff enjoying the piping hot gujiyas.

Hwang Il Yong, Director of the KCCI said, "Holi is a very vibrant festival and this can be seen by looking at the colourful faces of all the students and staff here at the Korean Cultural Centre India today.

Gujiya is a very essential element of the festivities of Holi and therefore the Korean Cultural Centre India decided to prepare the Indian sweet. By celebrating Holi, we want to show our deep respect to India and learn about Indian culture, Hwang added.

Reflecting on her experience, Kim Bo Mi, PR Head KCCI shared, It was my first time celebrating Holi in India. I learnt how to make a traditional dessert called Gujia which showed me how warm and sweet Indian culture is. Indian students taught me how to make Gujiya and cheered me on.

We also had fun throwing colored powders at each other, feeling like we were all friends from both countries, she said.
Opposition parties in Jammu and Kashmir, including the PDP and the NC, on Friday described Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest as a "blot on democracy" and said it will "dent" the country's image across the world.

The BJP, however, termed as "right" the decision of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to arrest the Aam Aam Party (AAP) national convener in the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case.

"This is the right decision. Whether a person is a chief minister or not. The ED had summoned him nine times. The high court rejected his bail application yesterday. It has been proven that he is involved in the scam," BJP J-K general secretary (organisation) Ashok Koul said.

National Conference (NC) vice president and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah asserted that his party stands with Kejriwal and the AAP, and said this arrest shows the "remarkable degree of nervousness" in the ruling party -- the BJP which is in power at the Centre.

"'Aisi Taisi Democracy'. For all the talk of 400+ seats, the ruling dispensation is displaying a remarkable degree of nervousness. Having a sitting opposition chief minister arrested by a pliable central agency within days of the general elections being announced is a blot on democracy," Abdullah said in a post on X.

Later, speaking to reporters here, he claimed that Kejriwal's arrest was clearly linked to the elections.

"Within days of the EC (Election Commission) announcing the dates for the Lok Sabha polls, you see that the sitting chief minister and an important part of the opposition alliance has been arbitrarily arrested by the ED," he said.

The AAP, the NC and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) are members of the INDIA bloc, an alliance of some opposition parties to counter the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls. The Congress, the DMK, the TMC and the JMM the Samajwadi Party are also its constituents.

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, who is also a former chief minister of J-K, said that "the arbitrary arrest of yet another chief minister by ED reeks of political vendetta and growing authoritarianism".

"This cowardly act has exposed fears of the ruling party now resorting to desperate measures by manipulating elections even before they are held. History has shown that tyranny never prevails in the face of unified resistance. We will not be intimidated," she said on X.

Former Jharkhand chief minister and JMM leader Hemant Soren was also arrested by the ED in January in a money laundering case after he resigned from his post

The NC leader said Kejriwal is not the first opposition leader to face ED action.

"Some weeks ago, the sitting CM of Jharkhand was also in a similar position. His deputy chief minister was also arrested last year, others also. This is just unfortunately a part of a process whereby democratic institutions in this country have gradually been eroded to a point that they almost now cease to exist," he said.

Abdullah said whether the country realises the "threat that our democracy faces, only time will tell, but, the legacy that this government would leave is extremely unfortunate for the country".

Talking to reporters, Mehbooba said the arrest is condemnable.

"The law states that the culprit should be behind the bars and an innocent person should be free. But, since the BJP came to power, all corrupt persons and culprits join the BJP and their sins are forgiven, they become clean," she said.

The PDP chief alleged that the BJP wants to finish the opposition.

"They are talking about crossing 400 seats, I think they will not even cross 200 seats. They also froze bank accounts of the Congress, they want to finish the opposition before the elections. So, it is highly condemnable," she said.

She alleged that the EC was behaving as the "BJP's B team".

Senior CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami said, "In J-K, democracy was locked up much before, but now it seems that the democracy in our country, which is famous as the largest democracy in the world, has been locked up. This will be a loss for the country, it will dent the country's image across the world," he told PTI Videos.

He said the BJP was resorting to such tactics as the party was not sure of its electoral victory in the general elections.

"Another CM was arrested before this. Many ministers of Delhi are in custody. It looks that the government does not see the prospects of its winning and forming the government again. That is why they have panicked," he added.

The CPI(M) leader said the government is using central agencies such as the ED and the Income Tax Department to suppress the opposition.

Asked whether the arrest was a tactic before the Lok Sabha polls, NC leader Abdullah said it was not something new. "This has been going on for many years. There is no party left now which opposes the BJP and has not been targeted like this. This is a small part of the new democracy that has been established in our country in the last few years," he said.

Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference led by Sajad Lone said the party does not support Kejriwal;'s arrest.

"We don't support his arrest though!" party spokesman Adnan Ashraf Mir said on X, while referring to Kejriwal's post supporting the Centre's decision on August 5, 2019, when Article 370, which granted special status to the erstwhile state of J-K was revoked.
Social activist Anna Hazare, who had a decade ago become the face of the anti-corruption movement, Friday said he had warned Arvind Kejriwal, arrested in the excise policy case, to stay away from making such a policy.

Hazare, who spearheaded the Lokpal movement in the early 2010s along with Kejriwal, said the Delhi chief minister was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate because of his own deeds. I had told him that our job is not to make excise policy.

Even a small child knows that liquor is bad. I had asked him to stay away from this (excise policy) issue. But he went ahead and made the policy, Hazare said, speaking to PTI at his village Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra. He thought that he will earn more money and that is why he made this policy. I felt sad and wrote to him twice.

I felt sad that a person like Kejriwal, who once worked with me and raised our voice against alcohol, is now making the excise policy. He got arrested due to his deeds. Had he not done anything, there was no question of his being arrested.

Now law will take its course and the government will do the needful, Hazare said. Kejriwal spent the night at the ED office in central Delhi after his arrest in connection with the excise policy-linked money laundering case on Thursday night.
Pakistan is facing a terrible threat of terrorism as areas along its border with Afghanistan have witnessed a multi-fold increase in terrorist activities, a top Biden Administration official has said.

During a Congressional hearing on Pakistani elections on Wednesday, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu told members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee that Afghanistan has witnessed conflict for 40 years and Pakistan has been caught up in it.

The end of the war in Afghanistan provides us all an opportunity, an opportunity to have a relationship with Pakistan on its own terms and we are committed to doing that, Lu said.

One of the major goals that we have with Pakistan now is to support the Pakistani people as they face this terrible threat of terrorism. Many of the members have discussed this, but this is a country where the people have suffered under the threat of terrorism in a way that I think no one on the planet has had to suffer, he said. The attacks, particularly in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan over the past three years have grown exponentially. Attacks continue to be launched from Afghan territory, Lu said.

And you saw a major attack on Saturday in which seven policemen were killed by the TTP, the Pakistani Taliban. We call on the Afghan Taliban to ensure that its territory is not used as a launching pad for terrorist groups, he said.

A Lieutenant Colonel and a Captain along with five soldiers were killed when six terrorists launched multiple suicide attacks on a security check post in the restive tribal district of North Waziristan bordering Afghanistan on Saturday. All the six terrorists who attacked the check post in the Mir Ali area were shot dead, the Pakistani army had said.

In response to the attack, Pakistan on Monday carried out airstrikes on the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) affiliated militants in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.

At least eight civilians, including three children, were killed in the airstrikes, the Afghan Taliban said and summoned the charge daffaires of Pakistans embassy in Kabul to lodge a strong protest.

Lu further said economic stability for Pakistan is another area of focus.

For Pakistan to deal with its social terrorism and political issues, it needs a functioning economy. We want private sector-led growth which benefits the Pakistani people, not growth, which fuels profits by lender countries like the PRC (Peoples Republic of China), he said.

The US, he said, has a long partnership with Pakistan. We want to see that grow. We want to see business-to-business relations improve. We want to see the ease of Pakistani Americans to travel to Pakistan and Pakistanis to travel to the United States. Those ties are critical, he noted.

Responding to a question, Lu refuted allegations that the US government conspired to oust the Imran Khan government.

I want to be very clear on this point. These allegations, this conspiracy theory is a lie. It is a complete falsehood. I have reviewed the press reporting related to this whats called the cipher in Pakistan, the alleged leaked diplomatic cable from the embassy here. It is not accurate. At no point does it accuse the United States government or me personally of taking steps against Imran Khan, he said.

We respect the sovereignty of Pakistan. We respect the principle that Pakistani people should be the only ones choosing their own leaders through a democratic process, he said.

Lu expressed concern over some aspects of the recently held elections.

First, there were attacks against police, politicians and political gatherings by terrorist groups. Second, many journalists, particularly female journalists, were harassed and abused by party supporters. And third, several political leaders were disadvantaged by the inability to register specific candidates and political parties.

On the day of elections, an internationally respected local election monitoring organisation said they were barred from observing vote tabulation in more than half of the constituencies across the country. And despite a high court order not to interrupt internet service on election day, authorities shut down mobile data services, the principal means by which Pakistanis access social media and messaging apps, he said.

There were positive elements to this election as well, Lu said, adding that despite the threat of violence, over 60 million Pakistanis, including over 21 million women, voted.

Pakistani voters had a choice. A range of political parties won seats in the national and provincial assemblies. Three different political parties now lead Pakistans four provinces. More than 5,000 independent election observers were in the field. Their organisations conclusion was that the conduct of the election was largely competitive and orderly, while noting some irregularities in the compilation of results, he said.
Australia and the United Kingdom signed a new defence and security cooperation agreement with the defence ministers of both countries saying it was required to meet contemporary challenges to maintain a global rules-based order.

The treaty was signed by Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and his UK counterpart Grant Shapps following annual bilateral ministerial defence talks at Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday, as part of the Australia-UK Ministerial (AUKMIN) meeting, which was first held in 2006.

Australias relationship with the UK is dynamic and enduring, Marles said in a written statement on Thursday. From the UKs leadership of support for Ukraine and efforts to address the Houthi threat, to increasing contributions in the Pacific and the Indo-Pacific, we continue to work closely together to support a global rules-based order.

As the world becomes more complex and uncertain, we must modernize our most important partnerships, the statement said. Refreshing the bilateral defence treaty was a commitment made at the AUKMIN conference held last year in the UK. Shapps said the treaty formalises how the two countrys will consult on issues that affect each others sovereignty and regional security.

I think one of the most important elements is it describes a mechanism by which we consult when either of our countries are under threat and we have those discussions more formalized than it is at the moment, Shapps said at a joint press conference with Marles at Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday. We do already cooperate very significantly on defense matters, it should be said.

So well always be looking to deepen that cooperation between our countries. The treaty includes provisions to make it easier for the respective forces to operate together in each others countries, such as the joint training of Ukrainian troops in the UK.

Other areas within the agreement included continued cooperation on capability development, including through the AUKUS alliance, as well as closer collaboration on undersea warfare, intelligence and military exercises.
An Indonesian search and rescue ship on Thursday located a capsized wooden boat that had been carrying dozens of Rohingya Muslim refugees, and began pulling survivors who had been standing on its hull to safety. An AP photographer aboard the rescue ship said 10 people had been taken aboard local fishing boats and another 59 were being saved by the Indonesian craft.

Men, women and children, weak and soaked from the nights rain, wept as the rescue operation got underway and people were taken aboard a rubber dinghy to the rescue boat. It was unclear how many refugees were aboard the small craft when it capsized off of Indonesias northernmost coast on Wednesday, with six survivors initially rescued by local fishermen estimating between 60 and 100 people.

It was unclear whether all managed to cling to the capsized craft overnight or whether some had drowned.

Indonesias search and rescue team only left Banda Aceh city in the evening Wednesday, many hours after the capsizing, and initially had difficulty locating the boat in the choppy waters off the coast.

It finally found the boat and the survivors about midday on Thursday. Amiruddin, a tribal fishing community leader in Aceh Barat district, said those rescued indicated that the boat was sailing east when it started leaking and then strong currents pushed it toward the west of Aceh.

The six said others were still trying to survive on the capsized craft.

About 7,40,000 Rohingya were resettled in Bangladesh to escape the brutal counterinsurgency campaign by security forces in their homeland of Myanmar. Thousands have been trying to flee overcrowded camps in Bangladesh to neighbouring countries with Indonesia seeing a spike in refugee numbers since November which prompted it to call on the international community for help.

Rohingya arriving in Aceh face some hostility from some fellow Muslims.

Indonesia, like Thailand and Malaysia, is not a signatory to the United Nations 1951 Refugee Convention outlining their legal protections, and so is not obligated to accept them. However, they have so far provided temporary shelter to refugees in distress.

Last year, nearly 4,500 Rohingya  two-thirds of them women and children  fled their homeland of Myanmar and the refugee camps in neighbouring Bangladesh by boat, the United Nations refugee agency reported. Of those, 569 died or went missing while crossing the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea, the highest death toll since 2014.

Returning safely to Myanmar is virtually impossible because the military that attacked them overthrew Myanmars democratically elected government in 2021. No country has offered them any large-scale resettlement opportunities.
StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of WidePoint (NYSEAMERICAN:WYY  Free Report) in a report issued on Monday morning. The brokerage issued a sell rating on the technology companys stock.

WidePoint Stock Down 2.3 %

NYSEAMERICAN:WYY opened at $2.51 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $22.19 million, a P/E ratio of -1.89 and a beta of 1.33. WidePoint has a 52-week low of $1.60 and a 52-week high of $3.49. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $1.86.

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Institutional Trading of WidePoint

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of WidePoint by 9.6% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 390,757 shares of the technology companys stock worth $833,000 after purchasing an additional 34,072 shares during the period. Platform Technology Partners lifted its position in WidePoint by 74.8% during the 4th quarter. Platform Technology Partners now owns 46,753 shares of the technology companys stock worth $108,000 after acquiring an additional 20,000 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its position in WidePoint by 27.5% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 43,483 shares of the technology companys stock worth $79,000 after acquiring an additional 9,377 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new position in WidePoint during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $37,000. Finally, Susquehanna International Group LLP acquired a new position in WidePoint during the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 10.51% of the companys stock.

WidePoint Company Profile

WidePoint Corporation provides technology management as a service (TMaaS) to the government and business enterprises in North America and Europe. The company offers TMaaS solutions through a secure federal government certified proprietary portal and secure enterprise portal that provides ability to manage, analyze, and protect communications assets, as well as deploy identity management solutions that provide secured virtual and physical access to restricted environments.

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Vodafone Group Public (LON:VOD  Get Free Report)s stock had its neutral rating reiterated by Citigroup in a report issued on Wednesday, MarketBeat.com reports. They presently have a GBX 68 ($0.87) target price on the cell phone carriers stock. Citigroups target price points to a potential upside of 0.74% from the stocks current price.

Separately, Barclays restated an equal weight rating and issued a GBX 92 ($1.17) price objective on shares of Vodafone Group Public in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of GBX 99.80 ($1.27).

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Vodafone Group Public Stock Performance

Insider Transactions at Vodafone Group Public

Shares of VOD opened at GBX 67.50 ($0.86) on Wednesday. The stocks fifty day moving average price is GBX 67.45 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 71.61. Vodafone Group Public has a 1 year low of GBX 62.71 ($0.80) and a 1 year high of GBX 97.05 ($1.24). The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 109.39, a current ratio of 0.89 and a quick ratio of 0.78. The firm has a market cap of 18.28 billion, a PE ratio of 210.94, a PEG ratio of 0.59 and a beta of 0.48.

In other news, insider Luka Mucic acquired 2,460,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, March 15th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 70 ($0.89) per share, for a total transaction of 1,722,000 ($2,192,234.25). Corporate insiders own 5.70% of the companys stock.

About Vodafone Group Public

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Vodafone Group Public Limited Company provides telecommunication services in Europe and internationally. It offers mobile connectivity services comprising end-to-end services for mobile voice and data, messaging, device management, BYOx, and telecoms management, as well as professional and consulting services; and fixed line connectivity, such as fixed voice and data, broadband, software-defined networks, managed WAN, LAN, ethernet, and satellite; and financial services, as well as business and merchant services.

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Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Get Free Report)s stock had its buy rating restated by Mizuho in a research note issued to investors on Friday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a $398.00 price target on the information technology services providers stock, down from their previous price target of $426.00. Mizuhos target price would indicate a potential upside of 16.17% from the stocks current price.

Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Wedbush boosted their price target on shares of Accenture from $330.00 to $360.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, December 14th. UBS Group upped their price target on Accenture from $365.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Piper Sandler upped their target price on shares of Accenture from $335.00 to $394.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Accenture from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $440.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 17th. Finally, Robert W. Baird upped their price target on shares of Accenture from $364.00 to $375.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, March 7th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $382.00.

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Accenture Stock Down 0.7 %

Shares of NYSE:ACN traded down $2.43 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $342.60. The companys stock had a trading volume of 660,871 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,098,659. Accenture has a 12-month low of $259.30 and a 12-month high of $387.51. The firm has a market capitalization of $214.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.75, a PEG ratio of 3.53 and a beta of 1.20. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $370.63 and a 200-day moving average of $339.96.

Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, March 21st. The information technology services provider reported $2.77 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.66 by $0.11. Accenture had a net margin of 10.65% and a return on equity of 29.08%. The company had revenue of $15.80 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.85 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.69 EPS. Accentures quarterly revenue was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that Accenture will post 12.2 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Jaime Ardila sold 3,000 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $353.18, for a total transaction of $1,059,540.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 11,392 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,023,426.56. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Jaime Ardila sold 3,000 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $353.18, for a total transaction of $1,059,540.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 11,392 shares in the company, valued at $4,023,426.56. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $371.81, for a total transaction of $1,859,050.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 20,316 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,553,691.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 26,000 shares of company stock valued at $9,549,498. 0.07% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Accenture

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of ACN. United Bank lifted its stake in Accenture by 6.3% in the 1st quarter. United Bank now owns 2,969 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,001,000 after purchasing an additional 176 shares in the last quarter. Weitz Investment Management Inc. raised its position in Accenture by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. Weitz Investment Management Inc. now owns 89,400 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $30,148,000 after purchasing an additional 1,168 shares in the last quarter. Fund Management at Engine No. 1 LLC bought a new stake in Accenture during the 1st quarter valued at $1,805,000. Guardian Wealth Management Inc. raised its position in Accenture by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Guardian Wealth Management Inc. now owns 7,292 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $2,459,000 after purchasing an additional 41 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Clearbridge Investments LLC grew its stake in Accenture by 104.8% in the first quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 441,451 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $148,871,000 after purchasing an additional 225,943 shares during the last quarter. 70.42% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Accenture

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Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management; intelligent automation comprising robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents; and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprising turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services.

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Air Lease Co. (NYSE:AL  Get Free Report) EVP Alex A. Khatibi sold 11,199 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, March 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.37, for a total value of $530,496.63. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 76,300 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,614,331. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link.

Air Lease Trading Up 0.9 %

AL stock opened at $47.06 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $5.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.14, a PEG ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.62. Air Lease Co. has a twelve month low of $33.33 and a twelve month high of $47.75. The company has a quick ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 0.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68. The business has a fifty day moving average of $42.34 and a 200-day moving average of $39.89.

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Air Lease (NYSE:AL  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 15th. The transportation company reported $1.89 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.10 by $0.79. The company had revenue of $716.57 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $672.95 million. Air Lease had a return on equity of 8.87% and a net margin of 22.89%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 19.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.21 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Air Lease Co. will post 5.64 EPS for the current year.

Air Lease Dividend Announcement

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 10th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.21 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $0.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.78%. Air Leases dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 16.31%.

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the company. StockNews.com upgraded Air Lease from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday. Barclays lifted their price objective on Air Lease from $46.00 to $48.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on Air Lease from $54.00 to $55.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Air Lease currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $51.50.

View Our Latest Report on AL

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AL. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in Air Lease by 48.0% in the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 6,722,960 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $281,356,000 after acquiring an additional 2,180,549 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Air Lease by 141.3% during the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,714,362 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $165,846,000 after buying an additional 2,175,100 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its holdings in shares of Air Lease by 36.7% during the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 5,446,382 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $243,180,000 after buying an additional 1,460,769 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership bought a new position in shares of Air Lease during the first quarter worth about $58,077,000. Finally, Penn Capital Management Company LLC acquired a new position in Air Lease during the 1st quarter worth approximately $46,494,000. 88.16% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Air Lease

(Get Free Report)

Air Lease Corporation, an aircraft leasing company, engages in the purchase and leasing of commercial jet aircraft to airlines worldwide. It sells aircraft from its fleet to third parties, including other leasing companies, financial services companies, airlines, and other investors. The company provides fleet management services to investors and owners of aircraft portfolios.

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Missouri student Riley Strain went missing in downtown Nashville March 8. His body was discovered in the Cumberland River March 22. Jeremy Poland/Getty Images

The search for the missing University of Missouri student in Nashville, Tennessee is over.

Nashville Police have confirmed a body was found in the Cumberland River west of Nashville. In a social media post Friday morning, the police department wrote:

The body of Riley Strain was recovered from the Cumberland River in West Nashville this morning, approximately 8 miles from downtown. No foul play-related trauma was observed. An autopsy is pending.

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In a Friday morning report, WKRN-TV in Nashville says, Authorities received a report of a body found in the river in the Nations neighborhood of West Nashville Friday morning.

Police added, No foul play-related trauma was observed.

Strain was kicked out of Lukes 32 Bar in downtown Nashville March 8 while on a fraternity trip. The bar is affiliated with country music star and American Idol judge Luke Bryan. He has not released a statement.

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Strain was captured on surveillance cameras as he walked along a downtown Nashville street toward the Cumberland River where one of his bank cards was discovered along the riverbank.
StockNews.com began coverage on shares of American Shared Hospital Services (NYSEAMERICAN:AMS  Free Report) in a report released on Tuesday. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the stock.

American Shared Hospital Services Price Performance

Shares of American Shared Hospital Services stock opened at $2.68 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 2.03 and a quick ratio of 2.03. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $2.60. The company has a market cap of $16.88 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.29 and a beta of 0.66. American Shared Hospital Services has a one year low of $2.16 and a one year high of $3.00.

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Institutional Trading of American Shared Hospital Services

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of AMS. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its stake in 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 buying an additional 7,375 shares during the last quarter. CI Private Wealth LLC bought a new position in American Shared Hospital Services in the 4th quarter worth $470,000. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings 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 buying an additional 16,475 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its holdings in shares of 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 last quarter. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of 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 last quarter. 17.54% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

American Shared Hospital Services Company Profile

American Shared Hospital Services provides radiosurgery and radiation therapy equipment to health care providers. The company offers radiosurgery equipment for the Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery, a non-invasive procedure to treat malignant and benign brain tumors, and arteriovenous malformations, as well as for trigeminal neuralgia.

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Shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG  Get Free Report) have been assigned an average recommendation of Hold from the eleven ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have assigned a hold recommendation and six have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $255.62.

AJG has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. TD Cowen assumed coverage on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. They set a market perform rating and a $249.00 price target for the company. Truist Financial raised their price target on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $270.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from a buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $279.00 to $233.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $270.00 target price on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price target on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $249.00 to $246.00 and set an underperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 26th.

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Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Stock Down 2.2 %

Shares of NYSE AJG opened at $250.30 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $54.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 56.37, a PEG ratio of 2.42 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 1.03. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has a one year low of $179.97 and a one year high of $256.10. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $241.31 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $236.99.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The financial services provider reported $1.85 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.83 by $0.02. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. had a net margin of 9.63% and a return on equity of 18.49%. The company had revenue of $2.39 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.40 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.54 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. will post 10.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 1st were paid a dividend of $0.60 per share. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.96%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 29th. This is a boost from Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.s previous quarterly dividend of $0.55. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 54.05%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director David S. Johnson sold 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $234.04, for a total transaction of $117,020.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 45,038 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,540,693.52. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, VP Scott R. Hudson sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $255.06, for a total transaction of $3,825,900.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 96,709 shares in the company, valued at approximately $24,666,597.54. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director David S. Johnson sold 500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $234.04, for a total transaction of $117,020.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 45,038 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,540,693.52. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 29,016 shares of company stock worth $7,176,180 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 1.60% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Beaird Harris Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 175.6% during the third quarter. Beaird Harris Wealth Management LLC now owns 113 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 72 shares during the period. Richardson Financial Services Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. during the 3rd quarter valued at about $28,000. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. increased its stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 460.9% in the 4th quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 129 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 106 shares in the last quarter. Finally, VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC purchased a new position in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. during the second quarter worth approximately $30,000. 81.15% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

(Get Free Report

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance and reinsurance brokerage, consulting, and third-party property/casualty claims settlement and administration services to entities and individuals worldwide. It operates in Brokerage and Risk Management segments. The Brokerage segment offers retail and wholesale insurance and reinsurance brokerage services; assists retail brokers and other non-affiliated brokers in the placement of specialized and hard-to-place insurance; and acts as a brokerage wholesaler, managing general agent, and managing general underwriter for distributing specialized insurance coverages to underwriting enterprises.

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Shares of Black Hills Co. (NYSE:BKH  Get Free Report) have been assigned an average rating of Reduce from the five research firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have given a hold rating to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $55.80.

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on BKH shares. StockNews.com raised Black Hills from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on shares of Black Hills from $61.00 to $57.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 9th. Finally, Scotiabank raised their price target on Black Hills from $57.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, February 9th.

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Institutional Trading of Black Hills

Black Hills Trading Down 0.3 %

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. State of Wyoming purchased a new position in shares of Black Hills in the second quarter worth $27,000. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. acquired a new stake in Black Hills during the 2nd quarter worth about $30,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its stake in Black Hills by 87.3% during the 3rd quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 562 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 262 shares during the last quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Black Hills by 60.6% in the first quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 652 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 246 shares during the period. Finally, Lindbrook Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Black Hills by 678.4% in the third quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 685 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 597 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.64% of the companys stock.

Black Hills stock opened at $52.04 on Friday. Black Hills has a 12 month low of $46.43 and a 12 month high of $66.85. The company has a current ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 0.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $51.86 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $52.09. The company has a market capitalization of $3.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.28 and a beta of 0.64.

Black Hills (NYSE:BKH  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The utilities provider reported $1.17 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.06 by $0.11. Black Hills had a net margin of 11.25% and a return on equity of 8.09%. The firm had revenue of $591.70 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $863.67 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.11 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Black Hills will post 3.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Black Hills Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Investors of record on Friday, February 16th were paid a $0.65 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 15th. This is a positive change from Black Hillss previous quarterly dividend of $0.63. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.00%. Black Hillss dividend payout ratio is 66.33%.

About Black Hills

(Get Free Report

Black Hills Corporation, through its subsidiaries, operates as an electric and natural gas utility company in the United States. The company operates in two segments: Electric Utilities and Gas Utilities. The Electric Utilities segment generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 222,000 electric utility customers in Colorado, Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming; and owns and operates 1,394 megawatts of generation capacity and 9,106 miles of electric transmission and distribution lines.

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Brookstone Capital Management grew its stake in shares of Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ  Free Report) by 6.0% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 13,714 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 775 shares during the quarter. Brookstone Capital Managements holdings in Constellation Brands were worth $3,315,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO purchased a new stake in shares of Constellation Brands in the third quarter worth about $25,000. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in Constellation Brands by 1,175.0% in the third quarter. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC now owns 102 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 94 shares during the period. BKM Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Constellation Brands in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Asset Dedication LLC grew its stake in shares of Constellation Brands by 3,833.3% during the 3rd quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 118 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 115 shares during the period. Finally, Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Constellation Brands during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $34,000. 88.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently commented on the stock. Bank of America raised their price target on shares of Constellation Brands from $290.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $295.00 price target on shares of Constellation Brands in a research note on Thursday, March 7th. Argus downgraded Constellation Brands from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. Piper Sandler initiated coverage on Constellation Brands in a research report on Friday. They issued an overweight rating and a $300.00 price objective for the company. Finally, TheStreet lowered Constellation Brands from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Friday, January 5th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Constellation Brands presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $290.37.

Insider Buying and Selling at Constellation Brands

In other news, major shareholder Family Foundation Sands sold 354,616 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.26, for a total transaction of $88,746,200.16. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 54,461 shares in the company, valued at $13,629,409.86. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 16.19% of the companys stock.

Constellation Brands Stock Performance

NYSE STZ traded down $1.62 on Friday, reaching $267.73. The stock had a trading volume of 184,944 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,201,958. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a current ratio of 1.05. The stock has a market cap of $48.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 0.96. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $251.66 and its 200 day moving average price is $245.97. Constellation Brands, Inc. has a 12-month low of $213.67 and a 12-month high of $273.65.

Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 5th. The company reported $3.19 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.03 by $0.16. The firm had revenue of $2.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.54 billion. Constellation Brands had a net margin of 14.76% and a return on equity of 23.35%. Constellation Brandss quarterly revenue was up 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.83 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Constellation Brands, Inc. will post 11.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Constellation Brands Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 22nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 8th were given a dividend of $0.89 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 7th. This represents a $3.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.33%. Constellation Brandss payout ratio is 42.13%.

About Constellation Brands

(Free Report)

Constellation Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, produces, imports, markets, and sells beer, wine, and spirits in the United States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. The company provides beer primarily under the Corona Extra, Corona Premier, Corona Familiar, Corona Light, Corona Refresca, Corona Hard Seltzer, Modelo Especial, Modelo Negra, Modelo Chelada, Victoria, Vicky Chamoy, and Pacifico brands.

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Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC lessened its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Chile ETF (BATS:ECH  Free Report) by 90.6% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 8,023 shares of the companys stock after selling 77,617 shares during the quarter. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI Chile ETF were worth $226,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. HighTower Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Chile ETF in the 1st quarter worth $459,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Chile ETF during the 1st quarter valued at about $477,000. Royal Bank of Canada raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Chile ETF by 113.2% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 169,069 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,914,000 after buying an additional 89,781 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Chile ETF by 58.2% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 142,996 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,156,000 after buying an additional 52,632 shares during the last quarter. Finally, UBS Group AG increased its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Chile ETF by 283.4% in the 2nd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 84,649 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,038,000 after purchasing an additional 62,569 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI Chile ETF Price Performance

ECH stock traded down $0.26 during trading on Friday, hitting $26.45. The stock had a trading volume of 249,053 shares. The companys 50-day moving average price is $25.72 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $26.06. The stock has a market capitalization of $580.58 million, a P/E ratio of 8.48 and a beta of 0.91. iShares MSCI Chile ETF has a twelve month low of $41.34 and a twelve month high of $56.53.

iShares MSCI Chile ETF Profile

iShares MSCI Chile Capped ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Chile Capped Investable Market Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the MSCI Chile Investable Market Index (the Index). The Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure broad based equity market performance in Chile.

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Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) dropped 0.3% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $767.28 and last traded at $767.94. Approximately 608,936 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 81% from the average daily volume of 3,273,165 shares. The stock had previously closed at $770.26.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently issued reports on LLY. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $700.00 to $825.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $710.00 to $865.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $775.00 to $850.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, March 15th. 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 report on Wednesday, February 21st. Finally, Truist Financial lifted their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $650.00 to $850.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $689.52.

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Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance

The stock has a fifty day moving average of $717.31 and a two-hundred day moving average of $629.79. The stock has a market cap of $733.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 132.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $2.49 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.30 by $0.19. The company had revenue of $9.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.95 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 51.22% and a net margin of 15.36%. Eli Lilly and Companys revenue was up 28.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.09 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 12.42 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at Eli Lilly and Company

In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 78,573 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $648.07, for a total transaction of $50,920,804.11. Following the sale, the insider now 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 can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders have sold a total of 195,055 shares of company stock valued at $125,254,657 over the last quarter. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Eli Lilly and Company

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Lipe & Dalton purchased a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Core Wealth Advisors Inc. grew its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 188.2% during the 4th quarter. Core Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 49 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 32 shares in the last quarter. Thompson Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Tidemark LLC acquired a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, Retirement Group LLC grew 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 valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. 81.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

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Vistra (NYSE:VST  Free Report) had its price target boosted by Evercore ISI from $42.00 to $72.00 in a report released on Monday, Benzinga reports. Evercore ISI currently has an outperform rating on the stock.

VST has been the subject of a number of other reports. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Vistra from $40.00 to $41.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on Vistra from $52.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, March 4th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $52.50.

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Vistra Trading Up 2.4 %

Vistra Increases Dividend

Vistra stock opened at $68.36 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.26, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 1.11. Vistra has a one year low of $22.67 and a one year high of $69.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $23.78 billion, a PE ratio of 19.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 1.03. The businesss fifty day moving average is $48.94 and its 200 day moving average is $39.74.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 20th will be given a $0.215 dividend. This represents a $0.86 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.26%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 19th. This is an increase from Vistras previous quarterly dividend of $0.21. Vistras dividend payout ratio is 24.02%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Vistra

In other Vistra news, EVP Scott A. Hudson sold 86,517 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $59.11, for a total value of $5,114,019.87. Following the transaction, 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 Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Vistra news, EVP Stephanie Zapata Moore sold 98,020 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $58.50, for a total value of $5,734,170.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 161,888 shares in the company, valued at $9,470,448. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Scott A. Hudson sold 86,517 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 254,932 shares in the company, valued at $15,069,030.52. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 257,285 shares of company stock valued at $15,404,397 in the last quarter. 1.36% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Vistra

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Comerica Bank grew its holdings in Vistra by 90.4% during the third quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 327,520 shares of the companys stock worth $10,867,000 after acquiring an additional 155,533 shares during the period. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd grew its holdings in Vistra by 323.6% during the third quarter. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd now owns 4,554 shares of the companys stock worth $151,000 after acquiring an additional 3,479 shares during the period. Gotham Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in Vistra by 166.8% during the third quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC now owns 189,443 shares of the companys stock worth $6,286,000 after acquiring an additional 118,426 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new stake in Vistra during the third quarter worth about $3,703,000. Finally, Sei Investments Co. grew its holdings 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 acquiring an additional 110,555 shares during the period. 91.31% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Vistra

(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.

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Fresenius Medical Care AG (NYSE:FMS  Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Hold by the eight ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $24.00.

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on FMS shares. HSBC raised shares of Fresenius Medical Care from a reduce rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, November 24th. Morgan Stanley cut Fresenius Medical Care from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating in a research report on Monday, January 8th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Fresenius Medical Care from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 21st.

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Institutional Trading of Fresenius Medical Care

Fresenius Medical Care Stock Down 3.1 %

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of FMS. Raymond James & Associates increased its position in shares of Fresenius Medical Care by 35.6% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 28,440 shares of the companys stock valued at $958,000 after purchasing an additional 7,470 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in Fresenius Medical Care by 13.0% during the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 9,490 shares of the companys stock worth $320,000 after buying an additional 1,089 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its position in Fresenius Medical Care by 17.4% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 28,037 shares of the companys stock worth $945,000 after acquiring an additional 4,162 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in Fresenius Medical Care by 15.0% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 9,477 shares of the companys stock valued at $319,000 after acquiring an additional 1,238 shares during the last quarter. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Fresenius Medical Care by 56.2% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 29,668 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,000,000 after acquiring an additional 10,676 shares during the period. 5.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Shares of NYSE:FMS opened at $19.06 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $11.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.71, a PEG ratio of 0.94 and a beta of 1.00. Fresenius Medical Care has a 52-week low of $16.37 and a 52-week high of $27.72. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $19.83 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $19.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.42.

Fresenius Medical Care (NYSE:FMS  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 20th. The company reported $0.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.36 by $0.11. Fresenius Medical Care had a return on equity of 4.99% and a net margin of 2.56%. The company had revenue of $5.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.32 billion. As a group, research analysts forecast that Fresenius Medical Care will post 1.53 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Fresenius Medical Care Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Fresenius Medical Care AG provides dialysis and related services for individuals with renal diseases in Germany, North America, and internationally. The company offers dialysis treatment and related laboratory and diagnostic services through a network of outpatient dialysis clinics; materials, training, and patient support services comprising clinical monitoring, follow-up assistance, and arranging for delivery of the supplies to the patient's residence; and dialysis services under contract to hospitals in the United States for the hospitalized end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and for patients suffering from acute kidney failure.

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IDT Co. (NYSE:IDT  Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $38.68 and last traded at $38.34, with a volume of 2603 shares. The stock had previously closed at $38.17.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com raised shares of IDT from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, March 7th.

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IDT Price Performance

IDT Cuts Dividend

The companys 50-day moving average is $35.82 and its 200-day moving average is $31.02. The firm has a market capitalization of $965.58 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.32 and a beta of 0.98.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 27th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 19th will be issued a $0.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 18th. This represents a $0.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.53%. IDTs payout ratio is 13.79%.

Insider Activity at IDT

In related news, COO Bill Pereira sold 15,647 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $37.95, for a total value of $593,803.65. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 49,999 shares in the company, valued at $1,897,462.05. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 15.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of IDT

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its position in shares of IDT by 81.1% during the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,204 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 539 shares in the last quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System acquired a new stake in shares of IDT during the third quarter worth approximately $30,000. Captrust Financial Advisors grew its position in shares of IDT by 58.3% during the second quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 1,385 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 510 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Middle East FZE acquired a new stake in shares of IDT during the second quarter worth approximately $51,000. Finally, Citigroup Inc. grew its position in shares of IDT by 175.4% during the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 2,933 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $100,000 after buying an additional 1,868 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.28% of the companys stock.

IDT Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

IDT Corporation provides communications and payment services in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through Fintech, National Retail Solutions, net2phone, and Traditional Communications segments. The company operates point of sale, a terminal-based platform which provides independent retailers store management software, electronic payment processing, and other ancillary merchant services; and provides marketers with digital out-of-home advertising and transaction data.

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Asio Capital LLC raised its position in Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR  Free Report) by 1.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 43,334 shares of the industrial products companys stock after acquiring an additional 618 shares during the period. Asio Capital LLCs holdings in Ingersoll Rand were worth $3,351,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Consilium Wealth Advisory LLC increased its holdings in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 17.5% in the 4th quarter. Consilium Wealth Advisory LLC now owns 14,864 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,150,000 after purchasing an additional 2,210 shares in the last quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. increased its holdings in Ingersoll Rand by 8.6% during the 3rd quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 136,629 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $8,706,000 after acquiring an additional 10,840 shares in the last quarter. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd purchased a new position in Ingersoll Rand during the 2nd quarter valued at about $23,422,000. Hsbc Holdings PLC increased its holdings in Ingersoll Rand by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 568,633 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $36,222,000 after acquiring an additional 13,036 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in Ingersoll Rand by 1.4% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,059,347 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $131,222,000 after acquiring an additional 28,030 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.54% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have weighed in on IR shares. BNP Paribas started coverage on shares of Ingersoll Rand in a report on Tuesday, March 12th. They set a neutral rating and a $92.00 target price for the company. UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $78.00 to $93.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $87.00 to $97.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 21st. Evercore ISI cut shares of Ingersoll Rand from an outperform rating to an in-line rating and raised their price target for the stock from $81.00 to $89.00 in a research note on Tuesday, February 20th. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Ingersoll Rand from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $82.50.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Ingersoll Rand news, insider Andrew R. Schiesl sold 10,421 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $89.95, for a total transaction of $937,368.95. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 48,904 shares in the company, valued at $4,398,914.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Ingersoll Rand news, insider Vicente Reynal sold 240,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.16, for a total value of $21,638,400.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 91,957 shares in the company, valued at $8,290,843.12. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Andrew R. Schiesl sold 10,421 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $89.95, for a total transaction of $937,368.95. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 48,904 shares in the company, valued at $4,398,914.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 293,011 shares of company stock worth $26,374,789. Insiders own 0.83% of the companys stock.

Ingersoll Rand Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of IR traded down $0.11 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $94.99. 37,359 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,549,731. The firm has a market cap of $38.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 50.05, a P/E/G ratio of 3.37 and a beta of 1.44. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $85.73 and a 200 day simple moving average of $74.65. Ingersoll Rand Inc. has a 12-month low of $53.24 and a 12-month high of $95.29. The company has a quick ratio of 1.67, a current ratio of 2.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27.

Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 15th. The industrial products company reported $0.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.74 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $1.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.76 billion. Ingersoll Rand had a net margin of 11.32% and a return on equity of 12.24%. Sell-side analysts expect that Ingersoll Rand Inc. will post 3.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Ingersoll Rand Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 7th will be paid a $0.02 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 6th. This represents a $0.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.08%. Ingersoll Rands dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4.21%.

About Ingersoll Rand

(Free Report)

Ingersoll Rand Inc provides various mission-critical air, gas, liquid, and solid flow creation technologies services and solutions worldwide. It operates through two segments, Industrial Technologies and Services, and Precision and Science Technologies. The Industrial Technologies and Services segment designs, manufactures, markets, and services air and gas compression, vacuum, and blower products; fluid transfer equipment and loading systems; and power tools and lifting equipment, including associated aftermarket parts, consumables, air treatment equipment, controls, other accessories, and services under the under the Ingersoll Rand, Gardner Denver, Nash, CompAir, Elmo Rietschle brands, etc.

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Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles made a stunning reversal at an HISD board meeting last night and said principals will no longer take part in mid-year screenings. Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspap/Houston Chronicle via Getty Imag

Houston ISD state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles announced the district would be dropping principal proficiency ratings to determine whether campus leaders would keep their jobs for the next school year after a long, tense meeting with community members.

Miles's directive reverses an earlier move by the district. Before the Spring Break holiday, HISD notified 117 principals that they scored 'proficient' on their mid-year screenings and needed to improve their ranking for their contracts to be renewed for the 2024-25 school year. His decision followed a four-hour closed meeting with the state-appointed Board of Managers Thursday night and into the early morning hours on Friday.

"The proficiency screener rating will not be used in the evaluation of principals or other campus administrators in any adverse employment decisions for 2023-2024," Miles said at the end of the hours-long board meeting.

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"The superintendent will continue to use instructional data and student achievement data in the exercise of the discretion outlined in board policy DNB local, part of which reads: when relevant to the decision, written evaluations of a professional employee's performance, as documented to date, and any other information the administration determines to be appropriate shall be considered in decisions affecting contract status. This communication supersedes any prior communications regarding the same."

After the Houston Chronicle published the complete list of warned principals, the notice sparked confusion among community members and parents because it included some of Houston ISD's high-performing campus leaders as well as new principals recently appointed under Miles's administration.

Around 150 community members spoke at Thursday's board meeting, many commenting on the district's principals list despite the evaluations not being on the agenda. Miles and board managers passed a pay-per-performance principal evaluation system last year to coincide with his overarching Destination 2035 plan. Some principal evaluation measures include spot observations, student testing scores, and quality of instruction, among others, to determine campus administrators' overall effectiveness.

On Thursday, HISD parents called the screenings "flawed" and begged board managers to move forward with a different review process altogether.

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"This state-appointed superintendent's principal rating system is fundamentally flawed and will result in substantial harm to the children it is supposed to serve; a target distribution under a bell-curved system for performance ratings is an arbitrary number of principals to be fired regardless of whether performance goals are achieved," HISD parent Jeffrey Fox said during public comment.

"This flaw is demonstrated by the fact that the leaders of some of the highest-performing schools in Houston have been targeted for removal. Destabilizing high-achieving schools in order to justify expanding the flawed NES regime is a cynical tactic rooted in bad faith."

Earlier this week, Miles held a press conference with media outlets to defend his email to principals and said that 10 to 20 percent of the administrators notified would not return for the following school year. Before Friday, it was estimated that nearly half of HISD principals were on the chopping block. Of the 274 campuses, 124 principals were given a good report, meaning they were having a "winning season," while 117 others were progressing.

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Investment Advisory Services Inc. TX ADV lessened its holdings in shares of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK  Free Report) by 1.9% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,470 shares of the asset managers stock after selling 69 shares during the period. BlackRock makes up about 1.1% of Investment Advisory Services Inc. TX ADVs portfolio, making the stock its 24th biggest holding. Investment Advisory Services Inc. TX ADVs holdings in BlackRock were worth $2,817,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BLK. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A purchased a new stake in shares of BlackRock during the second quarter worth about $26,000. West Tower Group LLC acquired a new position in BlackRock during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new position in shares of BlackRock in the second quarter worth $33,000. Tyler Stone Wealth Management acquired a new stake in shares of BlackRock during the second quarter worth $33,000. Finally, Exchange Traded Concepts LLC grew its holdings in shares of BlackRock by 671.4% during the third quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 54 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 47 shares during the last quarter. 77.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity at BlackRock

In other news, insider Marc D. Comerchero sold 450 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $785.11, for a total transaction of $353,299.50. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 5,975 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,691,032.25. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, insider Marc D. Comerchero sold 450 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $785.11, for a total transaction of $353,299.50. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 5,975 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,691,032.25. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Stephen Cohen sold 950 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $805.55, for a total transaction of $765,272.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 4,437 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,574,225.35. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 100,511 shares of company stock valued at $71,864,028. 0.96% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

BlackRock Stock Up 3.0 %

Shares of BLK opened at $842.06 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $801.81 and a 200 day moving average price of $738.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 3.48 and a current ratio of 3.48. The stock has a market capitalization of $125.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.07, a PEG ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 1.37. BlackRock, Inc. has a one year low of $596.18 and a one year high of $845.00.

BlackRock (NYSE:BLK  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 12th. The asset manager reported $9.66 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $8.84 by $0.82. BlackRock had a net margin of 30.81% and a return on equity of 14.74%. The firm had revenue of $4.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.65 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $8.93 earnings per share. BlackRocks quarterly revenue was up 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that BlackRock, Inc. will post 39.73 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

BlackRock Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 7th will be issued a dividend of $5.10 per share. This represents a $20.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.42%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 6th. This is a positive change from BlackRocks previous quarterly dividend of $5.00. BlackRocks payout ratio is currently 55.88%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on BLK. TD Cowen upgraded BlackRock from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and raised their target price for the stock from $819.00 to $938.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on shares of BlackRock from $719.00 to $793.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut shares of BlackRock from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $708.00 price objective for the company. in a research note on Friday, December 15th. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of BlackRock from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $885.00 target price for the company in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. Finally, UBS Group upped their target price on BlackRock from $720.00 to $818.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $785.73.

Read Our Latest Analysis on BLK

About BlackRock

(Free Report)

BlackRock, Inc is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors including corporate, public, union, and industry pension plans, insurance companies, third-party mutual funds, endowments, public institutions, governments, foundations, charities, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, official institutions, and banks.

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Joule Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of AerCap Holdings (NYSE:AER  Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 7,249 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $539,000.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Quarry LP acquired a new position in shares of AerCap during the 1st quarter worth $25,000. Optiver Holding B.V. acquired a new position in AerCap in the 3rd quarter valued at $32,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC acquired a new position in AerCap in the 3rd quarter valued at $41,000. Allworth Financial LP grew its stake in AerCap by 2,460.0% in the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 768 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $48,000 after buying an additional 738 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Acadian Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in AerCap in the 3rd quarter valued at $63,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.00% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently issued reports on AER. Barclays raised their target price on shares of AerCap from $84.00 to $93.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, February 26th. Susquehanna boosted their price objective on shares of AerCap from $80.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a report on Monday, February 26th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on shares of AerCap from $103.00 to $101.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, February 26th. Finally, TD Cowen reiterated a buy rating and set a $85.00 target price on shares of AerCap in a research report on Tuesday, February 27th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $87.71.

AerCap Price Performance

NYSE:AER opened at $86.22 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $17.07 billion, a PE ratio of 6.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 1.84. AerCap Holdings has a 12 month low of $49.58 and a 12 month high of $87.24. The company has a quick ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.80. The companys 50-day moving average price is $78.54 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $70.35.

AerCap (NYSE:AER  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 23rd. The financial services provider reported $3.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.44 by $0.67. AerCap had a net margin of 41.37% and a return on equity of 14.92%. The company had revenue of $1.90 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.94 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.66 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 3.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts anticipate that AerCap Holdings will post 10.04 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AerCap Profile

(Free Report)

AerCap Holdings N.V. engages in the lease, financing, sale, and management of commercial flight equipment in China, Hong Kong, Macau, the United States, Ireland, and internationally. The company offers aircraft asset management services, such as remarketing aircraft and engines; collecting rental and maintenance rent payments, monitoring aircraft maintenance, monitoring and enforcing contract compliance, and accepting delivery and redelivery of aircraft and engines; and conducting ongoing lessee financial performance reviews.

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Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) insider Massimo Andolina sold 8,250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.63, for a total value of $772,447.50. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 94,629 shares in the company, valued at $8,860,113.27. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link.

Philip Morris International Stock Performance

Shares of PM opened at $92.17 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $143.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.36, a PEG ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 0.61. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 52 week low of $87.23 and a 52 week high of $101.92. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $91.87 and a 200-day moving average of $92.57.

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Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The company reported $1.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.44 by ($0.08). Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 116.29% and a net margin of 8.53%. The company had revenue of $9.05 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.99 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.39 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.39 EPS for the current year.

Philip Morris International Announces Dividend

Institutional Trading of Philip Morris International

The company also recently announced 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 20th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.64%. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio is presently 103.59%.

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International in the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Tennessee Valley Asset Management Partners acquired a new position in Philip Morris International during the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Northwest Financial Advisors acquired a new position in Philip Morris International during the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Finally, DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. bought a new position in shares of Philip Morris International during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $36,000. 79.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently issued reports on PM. Argus reiterated a hold rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Tuesday, March 5th. UBS Group lowered Philip Morris International from a buy rating to a sell rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $105.00 to $86.50 in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Societe Generale upgraded Philip Morris International from a sell rating to a hold rating and set a $87.50 target price on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 13th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $105.40.

Get Our Latest Analysis on PM

Philip Morris International Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

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RiverPark Advisors LLC cut its holdings in Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE:PWR  Free Report) by 73.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 138 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 380 shares during the quarter. RiverPark Advisors LLCs holdings in Quanta Services were worth $30,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of PWR. Panagora Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in Quanta Services by 79.1% during the 1st quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 11,464 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,509,000 after purchasing an additional 5,063 shares during the period. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS lifted its position in Quanta Services by 6.6% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 19,067 shares of the construction companys stock worth $2,509,000 after buying an additional 1,181 shares in the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can grew its holdings in shares of Quanta Services by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 26,648 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $3,655,000 after acquiring an additional 668 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. increased its stake in shares of Quanta Services by 8.3% in the first quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 4,949 shares of the construction companys stock worth $652,000 after acquiring an additional 379 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Blair William & Co. IL raised its holdings in shares of Quanta Services by 21.7% during the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 16,156 shares of the construction companys stock worth $2,126,000 after acquiring an additional 2,884 shares in the last quarter. 87.86% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently commented on PWR. Evercore ISI began coverage on Quanta Services in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. They issued an outperform rating and a $237.00 price target for the company. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on Quanta Services from $237.00 to $252.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, February 23rd. TD Cowen increased their price objective on Quanta Services from $205.00 to $270.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, February 27th. Truist Financial began coverage on Quanta Services in a report on Thursday, March 14th. They issued a buy rating and a $301.00 target price for the company. Finally, Citigroup increased their price target on Quanta Services from $234.00 to $237.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, January 26th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with 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 an average price target of $239.54.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Derrick A. Jensen sold 18,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $236.90, for a total value of $4,382,650.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 263,725 shares in the company, valued at approximately $62,476,452.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Derrick A. Jensen sold 18,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $236.90, for a total value of $4,382,650.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 263,725 shares in the company, valued at $62,476,452.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Donald Wayne sold 595 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $239.61, for a total transaction of $142,567.95. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 41,954 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,052,597.94. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 46,024 shares of company stock worth $10,981,819. Company insiders own 1.20% of the companys stock.

Quanta Services Stock Up 0.1 %

NYSE PWR opened at $256.50 on Friday. Quanta Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $153.74 and a twelve month high of $256.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 1.44 and a current ratio of 1.47. The stock has a market cap of $37.38 billion, a PE ratio of 51.14 and a beta of 1.10. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $219.85 and a 200 day simple moving average of $200.23.

Quanta Services (NYSE:PWR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 22nd. The construction company reported $2.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.83 by $0.21. The company had revenue of $5.78 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.19 billion. Quanta Services had a net margin of 3.57% and a return on equity of 16.46%. The businesss revenue was up 31.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.54 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Quanta Services, Inc. will post 7.63 EPS for the current year.

Quanta Services Company Profile

(Free Report)

Quanta Services, Inc provides infrastructure solutions for the electric and gas utility, renewable energy, communications, and pipeline and energy industries in the United States, Canada, Australia, and internationally. The company's Electric Power Infrastructure Solutions segment engages in the design, procurement, construction, upgrade, repair, and maintenance of electric power transmission and distribution infrastructure and substation facilities; installation, maintenance, and upgrade of electric power infrastructure projects; installation of smart grid technologies on electric power networks; and design, installation, maintenance, and repair of commercial and industrial wirings.

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RiverPark Advisors LLC lessened its holdings in Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI  Free Report) by 27.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 5,017 shares of the communications equipment providers stock after selling 1,942 shares during the period. Motorola Solutions comprises 1.4% of RiverPark Advisors LLCs holdings, making the stock its 28th biggest position. RiverPark Advisors LLCs holdings in Motorola Solutions were worth $1,571,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of MSI. State Street Corp lifted its position in Motorola Solutions by 1.3% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 7,019,371 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $2,064,642,000 after acquiring an additional 88,158 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Motorola Solutions by 3.5% during the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 3,531,492 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $1,008,362,000 after purchasing an additional 119,907 shares in the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. increased its stake in Motorola Solutions by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 3,337,453 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $978,808,000 after purchasing an additional 60,733 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC increased its stake in Motorola Solutions by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 2,350,325 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $639,853,000 after purchasing an additional 37,718 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James & Associates increased its stake in Motorola Solutions by 3.4% during the 3rd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 2,059,176 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $560,590,000 after purchasing an additional 67,528 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.37% of the companys stock.

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Motorola Solutions Price Performance

Motorola Solutions stock opened at $349.01 on Friday. Motorola Solutions, Inc. has a 12-month low of $265.95 and a 12-month high of $349.74. The stock has a market cap of $57.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.15, a PEG ratio of 3.20 and a beta of 0.90. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $328.63 and a 200 day moving average price of $309.34. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.37.

Motorola Solutions Dividend Announcement

Motorola Solutions ( NYSE:MSI Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The communications equipment provider reported $3.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.63 by $0.27. Motorola Solutions had a net margin of 17.12% and a return on equity of 441.65%. The firm had revenue of $2.85 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.82 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $3.38 earnings per share. Motorola Solutionss revenue was up 5.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Motorola Solutions, Inc. will post 11.74 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a dividend of $0.98 per share. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.12%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. Motorola Solutionss payout ratio is currently 39.48%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on MSI. StockNews.com raised shares of Motorola Solutions from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, February 12th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Motorola Solutions from $333.00 to $352.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 2nd. William Blair reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Motorola Solutions in a report on Friday, February 9th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on shares of Motorola Solutions in a report on Friday, January 19th. They set a buy rating and a $350.00 price objective on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $328.29.

View Our Latest Research Report on Motorola Solutions

Insider Buying and Selling at Motorola Solutions

In other Motorola Solutions news, SVP Cynthia Yazdi sold 4,744 shares of Motorola Solutions stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $334.30, for a total transaction of $1,585,919.20. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 8,858 shares in the company, valued at $2,961,229.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 1.50% of the companys stock.

Motorola Solutions Profile

(Free Report)

Motorola Solutions, Inc provides public safety and enterprise security solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Products and Systems Integration, and Software and Services. The Products and Systems Integration segment offers a portfolio of infrastructure, devices, accessories, and video security devices and infrastructure, as well as the implementation and integration of systems, devices, software, and applications for government, public safety, and commercial customers who operate private communications networks and video security solutions, as well as manage a mobile workforce.

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Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE:STNG  Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Moderate Buy by the six brokerages that are covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $74.00.

Several equities analysts have commented on STNG shares. StockNews.com downgraded Scorpio Tankers from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, February 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Scorpio Tankers from $85.00 to $86.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a buy rating and issued a $90.00 price objective on shares of Scorpio Tankers in a research report on Wednesday, February 14th. Finally, Evercore ISI increased their price objective on Scorpio Tankers from $89.00 to $91.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 15th.

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Scorpio Tankers Trading Up 1.1 %

Shares of STNG stock opened at $73.05 on Friday. Scorpio Tankers has a 12 month low of $40.34 and a 12 month high of $73.67. The company has a quick ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. The businesss 50 day moving average is $67.98 and its two-hundred day moving average is $60.25. The company has a market cap of $4.05 billion, a PE ratio of 7.35 and a beta of 0.21.

Scorpio Tankers (NYSE:STNG  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 14th. The shipping company reported $2.75 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.62 by $0.13. Scorpio Tankers had a return on equity of 22.86% and a net margin of 40.78%. The company had revenue of $336.30 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $335.70 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $4.24 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 31.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that Scorpio Tankers will post 12.47 EPS for the current year.

Scorpio Tankers Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 8th will be paid a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 7th. This is a positive change from Scorpio Tankerss previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.19%. Scorpio Tankerss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 16.10%.

Institutional Trading of Scorpio Tankers

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. increased its position in Scorpio Tankers by 263.9% in the first quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 13,495 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $287,000 after purchasing an additional 9,787 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers grew its position in shares of Scorpio Tankers by 7.0% during the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 99,744 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $2,133,000 after buying an additional 6,505 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its position in shares of Scorpio Tankers by 2.3% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,578,947 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $55,136,000 after buying an additional 57,184 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. grew its position in shares of Scorpio Tankers by 15.8% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 155,472 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $3,324,000 after buying an additional 21,160 shares during the period. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP grew its position in shares of Scorpio Tankers by 3.6% during the 1st quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 12,099 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $259,000 after buying an additional 418 shares during the period. 66.82% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Scorpio Tankers

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Scorpio Tankers Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the seaborne transportation of refined petroleum products in the shipping markets worldwide. As of March 23, 2023, its fleet consisted of 113 owned, finance leased, or bareboat chartered-in tankers, including 39 LR2, 60 MR, and 14 Handymax with a weighted average age of approximately 7.2 years.

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Trilogy Capital Inc. lessened its stake in CVS Health Co. (NYSE:CVS  Free Report) by 32.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 3,639 shares of the pharmacy operators stock after selling 1,768 shares during the quarter. Trilogy Capital Inc.s holdings in CVS Health were worth $287,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Brookstone Capital Management increased its stake in shares of CVS Health by 5.0% during the 4th quarter. Brookstone Capital Management now owns 63,103 shares of the pharmacy operators stock worth $4,983,000 after purchasing an additional 2,988 shares during the last quarter. Parkside Investments LLC boosted its holdings in shares of CVS Health by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Parkside Investments LLC now owns 131,512 shares of the pharmacy operators stock worth $10,384,000 after buying an additional 517 shares during the period. OneAscent Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in CVS Health in the 4th quarter valued at $205,000. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. boosted its holdings in CVS Health by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 70,250 shares of the pharmacy operators stock valued at $5,547,000 after purchasing an additional 1,138 shares during the period. Finally, Shulman DeMeo Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in CVS Health in the 4th quarter valued at $217,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.99% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at CVS Health

In related news, EVP Prem S. Shah sold 29,473 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.95, for a total value of $2,267,947.35. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 39,765 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,059,916.75. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.25% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

CVS Health Trading Up 0.8 %

NYSE CVS traded up $0.59 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $78.86. The companys stock had a trading volume of 3,765,715 shares, compared to its average volume of 11,303,190. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $75.50 and a 200-day simple moving average of $73.00. The stock has a market cap of $99.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.12, a P/E/G ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 0.51. CVS Health Co. has a 52 week low of $64.41 and a 52 week high of $83.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.63.

CVS Health (NYSE:CVS  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 7th. The pharmacy operator reported $2.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.01 by $0.11. CVS Health had a net margin of 2.33% and a return on equity of 15.25%. The firm had revenue of $93.81 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $90.58 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.99 EPS. The companys revenue was up 11.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts forecast that CVS Health Co. will post 8.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

CVS Health Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Investors of record on Monday, April 22nd will be paid a $0.665 dividend. This represents a $2.66 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.37%. CVS Healths dividend payout ratio is currently 41.18%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have weighed in on CVS. Barclays began coverage on shares of CVS Health in a report on Wednesday, March 6th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $78.00 price target for the company. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $87.00 target price on shares of CVS Health in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. SVB Leerink assumed coverage on shares of CVS Health in a research note on Monday, February 26th. They set an outperform rating and a $88.00 price objective on the stock. TD Cowen reduced their price objective on shares of CVS Health from $102.00 to $99.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, December 11th. Finally, Piper Sandler upped their price target on shares of CVS Health from $93.00 to $94.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, March 15th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $90.21.

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About CVS Health

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CVS Health Corporation provides health solutions in the United States. It operates through Health Care Benefits, Health Services, and Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segments. The Health Care Benefits segment offers traditional, voluntary, and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services.

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Shares of Vertiv Holdings Co (NYSE:VRT  Get Free Report) have been given an average recommendation of Moderate Buy by the nine analysts that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and eight have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $61.38.

VRT has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Vertiv from $49.00 to $58.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 11th. Evercore ISI increased their price target on shares of Vertiv from $75.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Vertiv from $53.00 to $65.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on shares of Vertiv from $46.00 to $52.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. Finally, Bank of America increased their price target on shares of Vertiv from $80.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday.

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Vertiv Stock Up 5.5 %

Vertiv stock opened at $82.11 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $31.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 69.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 1.57. Vertiv has a 1-year low of $11.95 and a 1-year high of $84.75. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $62.47 and a 200 day simple moving average of $49.17. The company has a current ratio of 1.74, a quick ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45.

Vertiv (NYSE:VRT  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 21st. The company reported $0.56 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.53 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $1.87 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.88 billion. Vertiv had a net margin of 6.71% and a return on equity of 39.46%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 12.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.28 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that Vertiv will post 2.35 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Vertiv Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 19th will be paid a $0.025 dividend. This represents a $0.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.12%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 18th. Vertivs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 8.47%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Vertiv news, CAO Scott Cripps sold 56,594 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.76, for a total value of $4,004,591.44. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, CAO Scott Cripps sold 56,594 shares of Vertiv stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.76, for a total transaction of $4,004,591.44. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Stephen Liang sold 306,196 shares of Vertiv stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.24, for a total transaction of $21,507,207.04. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 51,841 shares in the company, valued at $3,641,311.84. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 5.62% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. grew its stake in shares of Vertiv by 11.5% in the 1st quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 26,749 shares of the companys stock worth $375,000 after acquiring an additional 2,756 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of Vertiv by 17.6% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 15,756 shares of the companys stock worth $221,000 after acquiring an additional 2,361 shares in the last quarter. US Bancorp DE grew its stake in shares of Vertiv by 216.7% in the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 21,756 shares of the companys stock worth $304,000 after acquiring an additional 14,886 shares in the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. grew its stake in shares of Vertiv by 40.2% in the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 66,068 shares of the companys stock worth $925,000 after acquiring an additional 18,935 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can grew its stake in shares of Vertiv by 450.1% in the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 461,842 shares of the companys stock worth $6,333,000 after acquiring an additional 377,884 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.37% of the companys stock.

Vertiv Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Vertiv Holdings Co, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and services critical digital infrastructure technologies and life cycle services for data centers, communication networks, and commercial and industrial environments in the Americas, the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

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Whitecap Resources Inc. (OTCMKTS:SPGYF  Get Free Report) declared a dividend on Thursday, March 21st, investing.com reports. Investors of record on Thursday, March 28th will be paid a dividend of 0.045 per share on Monday, April 15th. This represents a yield of 7.2%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th.

Whitecap Resources Trading Up 0.8 %

OTCMKTS SPGYF opened at $7.56 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $6.73 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $7.25. Whitecap Resources has a fifty-two week low of $6.02 and a fifty-two week high of $8.98.

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Whitecap Resources Company Profile

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Whitecap Resources Inc, an oil and gas company, focuses on the acquisition, development, and production of oil and gas assets in Western Canada. The company's primary areas of focus of its development programs are in Northern Alberta and British Columbia, Central Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Whitecap Resources Inc was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

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The 10 March deadline for the attack on Rafah has come and gone, and there is no attack yet. Could it be that Netanyahu is having second thoughts? The answer to that is clearly, no. The Israeli government is manoeuvring under pressure from outside, in particular from the US administration, while at the same time being internally divided. Is the US pressure due to humanitarian concerns on the part of Biden? The answer, again, is no. The US continues to support Israel in its genocidal onslaught on the Palestinian people, as testified by its increased military aid. So why the delay in the attack?

In a previous article, Rafah onslaught: the spark that could set the Middle East alight, we explained the potential revolutionary consequences for the whole of the Middle East if Israel goes into Rafah, killing thousands of civilians on a scale that would dwarf the death toll in the more than five months of war so far.

This has clearly concentrated the minds of the despotic regional regimes, from Egypt to Jordan and beyond, but also of the imperialists, who are seeking ways of stabilising the situation and of avoiding a wider conflagration.

This, in part, explains the present apparent stalemate. Negotiations involving Israel and Hamas that aim to achieve some kind of ceasefire, albeit temporary, are ongoing. An Israeli delegation recently arrived in Doha to take part in indirect negotiations, with the stated aim of getting a better deal for Israel than what has been on the table so far.

The sticking points, however, remain the same since negotiations started: Israel is seeking a temporary truce  there is talk of a possible six-week period  in exchange for the release of hostages, while Hamas is seeking a permanent ceasefire with a total withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

The present negotiations envisage three stages: a temporary ceasefire with the release of around 35 hostages, followed later by a permanent ceasefire in a second phase, with the release of the remaining hostages. The third and final stage would see a lifting of the blockade on Gaza and the beginning of reconstruction work.

The problem is that Israel has openly stated that it rules out any permanent ceasefire, and that once all the hostages are released, it would recommence its war with the aim of the total destruction of Hamas.

As we can see, things do not at all look optimistic for an end to the war any time soon. That is because what we have here are diametrically opposed interests. Netanyahu has very little popular support inside Israel, and the only way he can remain in office is to keep Israel in a state of war. Hamas, on the other hand, cannot accept anything but the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

US imperialism losing its grip

Israel depends heavily on the US, in particular for its supply of key weaponry / Image: U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv, Wikimedia Commons

An important role in this very complicated equation is played by the United States. Israel depends heavily on the US, in particular for its supply of key weaponry, especially of the electronically precision-guided type, which it needs to hit what it claims are Hamas bases inside Gaza. Without US support, Israel would be far more limited in its ability to continue its war. But in spite of all of Bidens rhetoric about reducing the number of civilian casualties, there is one thing he is not prepared to do: to cut off the military aid. The hypocrisy of the man stinks to high heaven.

The problem Biden would face is that the authority and the credibility of the United States as a reliable ally  when things get difficult  has already been undermined over the years. And to seriously move against Israel would further undermine that authority. The US has built up connections and alliances with a myriad of countries around the world. Such alliances are supposed to guarantee both the interests of US imperialism and those of its partners. What use is an alliance with a superpower that cannot protect the interests of the local elites?

The Saudis for instance have not forgotten how the US dropped Egyptian president Mubarak in the face of the revolutionary uprising of 2011  against the wishes of the Saudi regime. The reason they did so was that the Mubarak regime could no longer hold back the masses, and in order to regain some control over the situation, it was necessary that Mubarak should go. The Saudis took the message: faced with potential revolution in the future, our positions of power and influence cannot be guaranteed by the US.

The fact is that over a long period of decades, US imperialism has undergone a process of relative weakening. It is still by far the most powerful imperialist country in the world, but its domination does not have the same reach it had in the past. One key element in understanding this process is to be found in its economic muscle.

By the end of the Second World War, the United States was producing 50 percent of global GDP within its borders, while also holding 80 percent of the worlds hard currency reserves. Today the United States share of world GDP stands at half what it was back then, at around 24 percent. And meanwhile other important players have appeared on the scene, foremost among these being China, together with a number of regional powers, each vying for power and influence.

The dominant economic position the US had at the end of the Second World War gave it immense diplomatic and military weight. This explains why, for example, in the 1950s when the US told Israel what to do, the government of Israel quickly stepped into line. In 1956, after the Suez Canal fiasco, when Israel had occupied the Sinai peninsula, as soon as the US told the Israeli forces they should withdraw, they very obediently did so. Compare that to today, where Netanyahu just keeps showing Biden the finger, and gets on with his own plans for Gaza.

Biden has repeatedly appealed to Netanyahu to reconsider his planned attack on Rafah, or at the very least to move in such a way as to significantly reduce deaths among civilians. This is not out of any humanitarian concerns, which have never entered the calculations of US imperialism. The Biden administration continues to state that it supports Netanyahus overall goals, but it keeps insisting that there are other ways to defeat Hamas.

On Monday, Biden called on Netanyahu to send a team to Washington with the explicit request of discussing how a full-scale military attack on Rafah could be avoided, and it seems that the Minister of Defence himself, Gallant, is to be part of the Israeli delegation. At the same time, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has gone back out to the Middle East on his sixth visit since the war began, in an attempt to bolster the ongoing negotiations.

The reason for all this is to be found on two fronts. The first is that an onslaught on Rafah would massively increase the internal contradictions within many of the reactionary Arab regimes in the region that are also allies of the US, such as Jordan, which was designated a US major non-NATO ally by the United States back in 1996, or Egypt, which is also considered a valued US partner in the region.

The second is that the war in Gaza has become an important element in US domestic politics. The presidential elections are being held at the end of this year, and it seems almost a foregone conclusion that Trump will win. Bidens handling of the war has cost him the support of significant layers, especially among the youth that helped him clinch victory over Trump in 2020, but also among Muslim voters in some key states. Biden desperately needs to show that he is capable of bringing the situation in the Middle East under control. So far he has only shown his complete impotence.

The problem he is facing is that Netanyahu is not prepared to behave in the way Israeli governments did back in the 1950s. He can sense the relative weakness of the US, and of Biden in particular, and therefore he keeps answering his appeals in the same manner: we are going ahead with plans for an offensive against Rafah. The long-term, historical weakening of US imperialism is thus evident in its present-day relationship with Israel. It can no longer issue orders, but is limited to making appeals in the hope that they will be listened to.

Attack on Rafah delayed but not called off

However, even some of the obtuse hardline Zionists in Netanyahus cabinet are being forced to consider where they are going with the present war. The truth is that they believed they could deal with Hamas in a quick, sharp war, destroy its bases, and eliminate its fighting capacity. This is very far from being achieved.

Attention is being focussed on the IDFs plans to go into Rafah / Image: IDF, Flickr

Hamas fighters are still embedded around Gaza. They have returned to areas which the IDF had already taken. To totally destroy it as a fighting force would require a much longer and more drawn-out military campaign. This would inevitably involve far higher civilian casualties than we have seen so far.

This is putting an enormous strain on all the surrounding Arab regimes, which fear being overthrown in a revolutionary uprising if they continue to be seen as being complicit, by their action or inaction, in the massacre of the Palestinians. It is also polarising opinion in the US and Europe, having a radicalising effect especially among the youth who massively sympathise with the cause of the Palestinians.

Attention is being focussed on the IDFs plans to go into Rafah, and what their consequences would be. Combined with this, we have all the reports coming out about the terrible suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza, with talk of widespread famine affecting large numbers. This deliberate starvation of hundreds of thousands has been described by the UN as constituting a war crime. If this is allowed to continue for much longer, the anger of the Arab masses across the region could reach breaking point. And the US would see all its plans to keep the region under control in tatters.

As if this were not bad enough for US imperialism, there is the ongoing conflict on the border with Lebanon. There is open talk that once the IDF has dealt with Gaza, their attention would turn to Hezbollah. The levels of armed skirmishes, and of exchanges of rocket fire across the border, have gradually increased as time has gone by. And some within the Israeli government are openly talking of the need to open the northern front.

Opposition member of the Knesset, Avigdor Lieberman, Netanyahus former defence minister, has openly called on the government of Israel to come to their senses and transfer the war to the enemys territory, stating clearly that the war should be taken to Lebanon.

A war with Hezbollah, however, would have far-reaching consequences for Israel. Hezbollah is far better equipped than Hamas ever was, and has far more battle-hardened troops on the ground. Although the Israeli armed forces are much better equipped, and could also rely on the delivery of military hardware from the US, Hezbollah could inflict serious damage on Israel. And such a war has the potential to truly become more generalised, with the risk of pulling the US directly into it.

All this explains why Biden keeps piling on the pressure to get Netanyahu to rethink his strategy in relation to Hamas. Until recently, the US has blocked any resolution going to the UN Security Council calling for an immediate ceasefire. But the resolution drafted by the US that recently failed at the UN Security Council had precisely that wording.

It referred to the need for an immediate and durable ceasefire  with the added proviso, of course, that it should be tied to the release of hostages  to allow aid to be brought into the Gaza Strip, to avoid a complete humanitarian disaster and mass starvation from taking place. While pushing for a ceasefire, however, Blinken also added the usual statement that, of course, we stand with Israel and its right to defend itself

It is evident that they are trying to square the circle here. The ceasefire must be immediate, but on condition of the hostages being released, while at the same backing Israels military onslaught on Gaza. In spite of this, it is clear that the US are concerned about the consequences of the planned attack on Rafah.

Netanyahus response to all this came on Wednesday night during a video call with Senate Republicans  who gave him a friendly welcome  where he stated clearly that he would not relent in his war on Gaza. His request to also speak to the Senate Democrats, however, was rejected. At the moment, the only concession Netanyahu seems to be prepared to make is to delay the attack and to promise that he will allow for a massive evacuation of refugees from Rafah to take place before the IDF goes in.

The Al-Sisi regime has already made preparations in the event that there is a massive spillover of refugees into Egypt / Image: United Nations Photo, Flickr

Our goal in eliminating the remaining terrorist battalions in Rafah goes hand in hand with enabling the civilian population to leave Rafah. Its not something we will do while keeping the population locked in place. In fact, well do the very opposite, we will enable them to leave, Netanyahu said during a press statement in Jerusalem, according to Al Jazeera.

But this in no way means putting a halt to the planned attack on Rafah. In the same Al Jazeera report, we read, No amount of international pressure will stop us from realising all the goals of the war: eliminating Hamas, releasing all our hostages and ensuring that Gaza will no longer pose a threat against Israel To do this, we will also operate in Rafah.

But where would the refugees go? We have explained in previous articles that there would be the real risk of a massive spillover of refugees into Egypt  something the far right in Netanyahus government has been clearly pushing for. The Al-Sisi regime has already made preparations in the event that this worst case scenario becomes a reality. But such an outcome would put at risk the peace deal between Israel and Egypt, both allies of the US. Even the blockheads of the far-right Zionist parties, together with Netanyahu, can see that such an outcome, far from strengthening Israels security, would massively undermine it.

That explains why the IDF has been instructed to evacuate civilians from Rafah back towards central Gaza, to what they have defined as humanitarian enclaves. Daniel Hagari, the Israel Defense Forces spokesperson, told reporters last week that the planned offensive on Rafah is something we need to do, but he also added that its timing depends on the conditions to allow it.

And what are those conditions, according to Hagari? In answer to that question, he stated: We need to make sure that 1.4 million people will move to humanitarian enclaves that we will create with the international community. They will provide them with temporary housing, food, water, field hospitals.

All this is a huge task that cannot be carried out overnight. This explains why all the talk now is that an attack on Rafah is not imminent. As Hagari explained, We are strengthening our readiness. I do not want to mention time. It will be the best time for Israel.

So the position of the Israeli government, together with the IDF chiefs, is that they need to prepare what they see as the optimal conditions for an attack on Rafah. For them it is not a question of if but of when.

Netanyahu on a tightrope

Netanyahu is also facing different pressures at home. On the one hand, one section of the Israeli population wants everything necessary done to get the hostages released. However, according to a recent poll, 40 percent of Israelis consider eradicating Hamas to be the priority, while only 32 percent consider releasing the hostages to be the main priority.

Most threatening of all for Netanyahu is the fact that, in February, trust in the government fell to 34 percent, and 63 percent of Israelis now believe new elections should not wait until 2026. 36 percent are of the opinion that early elections should be held within the next three months. The outcome of such elections is clear to everyone: it would mean the end of Netanyahu. That explains why it is not ruled out that, in a desperate attempt to cling to power, Netanyahu might decide that it is in his interest to invade Lebanon.

Netanyahu is also facing different pressures at home / Image: World Economic Forum, Flickr

The divisions within the government itself are also becoming more evident as each day passes. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has come out saying that Israel must use all available channels to bring the hostages home, including negotiation of a ceasefire of some kind, and even making significant concessions in the hostage/prisoner swap that Hamas has put on the table. He is more in line with the position of US imperialism on this question.

And then there is Benny Gantz who is openly behaving like a Prime Minister in waiting. He travelled to the US recently, where he was welcomed almost as if he were the Prime Minister. While there, he obviously discussed plans for a ceasefire with the US government. This provoked the anger of Netanyahu and his far-right cabinet colleagues. The Israeli embassy in the US was instructed not to collaborate with Gantzs visit, despite the fact that he sits in the National Unity cabinet.

In the US, it is an open secret that Biden wishes to see the end of Netanyahu. He has even had a report drawn up about the prospects of Netanyahu remaining in office. The leader of the US Senate, Chuck Schumer, considered to be the most prominent Jewish politician in the United States and also a close ally of Biden, has gone much further in his criticisms of Netanyahu. He has openly called for his government to be replaced by one that is more willing to toe the line of US imperialism. This provoked the angry response of the Israeli government that Israel is not a protectorate of the US

So long as the war continues, Netanyahu has the excuse he needs for not calling early elections. But the truth is that Netanyahu is walking on a tightrope, and he himself doesnt know where this war is going, whether he can continue his war, or whether his opponents will move against him before he can complete his plans. All he does know is that the longer he draws out this war, the longer he can stay in office. That is as far as his thinking can go at this stage. This is extremely short-term thinking, and does not match the thinking of other important figures within the Zionist regime.

If he moves in the direction of a ceasefire, he could lose the support of the far right in his cabinet. The far-right, Jewish-supremacist ministers, Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, fear that a ceasefire would endanger their aims. A lengthy ceasefire could make it more difficult to resume the war once it is over.

But if Netanyahu doesnt reach a deal over the hostages, he could see Gallant, the Defence Minister, and Gantz, an opposition leader who joined the war cabinet for the duration of the war, both increasing their manoeuvres against him.

For now, the stalemate situation continues. The IDF is preparing its offensive on Rafah, and the negotiations are being dragged out as a delaying tactic to allow for the necessary time to put everything in place before they go in. The US is putting pressure on Israel for a halt to the advance on Rafah. And while all this is going on, the butchery continues. After 168 days of war, 32,000 people have been killed, and 74,000 have been injured, a large percentage of them children. Added to this, we now have the prospect of mass starvation affecting large parts of the Gazan population.

We can have no trust in any of the western governments to end the 75-year nightmare the Palestinian people have been suffering. They may yet succeed in imposing a temporary ceasefire, but they will also continue to back Israel, to arm it and to defend it. A ceasefire would be a temporary respite, but would in no way represent an end to the continued danger Gazans face of being bombed to pieces whenever the Zionist ruling class of Israel deem it necessary.

Israel today is a powerful capitalist regime, backed by the strongest imperialist nation in the world, the United States. It is surrounded by other capitalist regimes, most of which stay in power through despotic methods, and are also fully backed by US imperialism. That explains why none of them lift a finger to help the Palestinians who are being pummelled into the ground.

So long as capitalism continues to exist, there will be imperialist powers whose main priority is the preservation of the power, privilege and prestige of the rich. This comes at a cost to humanity, in the form of severe economic crises and wars. They will continue to spend billions in financing wars of destruction. And if whole peoples are denied a homeland, are displaced in their millions, and suffer death and destruction, this is considered a necessary price that people have to pay.

The Israeli onslaught on Gaza has also shown the complete powerlessness of the international institutions, like the UN and the ICJ. Resolutions have been passed, instructions have been issued, but the massacre continues unabated. The truth is, international law is just a fig leaf for the naked rule of the imperialist powers.

The Palestinian people are in the front line of the international class war, and we, the revolutionary communists, stand in full support of their demands for a homeland, for a place where they can live in peace, where they have full citizenship and full democratic rights, together with decent jobs and housing, decent education for their children, decent healthcare for their sick and elderly. That can only be achieved in a worldwide struggle for the revolutionary transformation of society, in which capitalist rule is brought to an end, and where the workers of all countries will have power in their hands.
Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited (LON:BOCH  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as GBX 316 ($4.02) and last traded at GBX 311 ($3.96), with a volume of 47407 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at GBX 297 ($3.78).

Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Price Performance

The company has a 50 day moving average of GBX 299.73 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 280.77. The stock has a market capitalization of 1.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 333.33 and a beta of 0.78.

Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of banking, financial, and insurance services. It offers current, demand, savings, time, notice, instant access, and fixed deposits; housing, student, vehicle, mortgage, consumer, business and business premises, term, and home or investment loans; and asset finance, factoring, trade facilities, European financial, project finance, shipping finance, and syndicated and corporate lending services, as well as hire purchase services for car and equipment.

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Key Points:

Haiti grapples with unchecked gang violence, a political power vacuum, extreme poverty, and a breakdown of essential institutions. This interconnected web of problems is pushing the nation deeper into chaos.

General Laura Richardson of the US Southern Command acknowledges that Haitis crisis has grown beyond the capacity of its institutions alone to resolve. She stresses the need for a concerted international intervention.

While the need for intervention is pressing, the international community faces challenges in mobilizing resources, maintaining unity, and navigating the complexities of past interventions in Haiti.

Haitis escalating instability has reached a critical point. Gang warfare, coupled with a dire humanitarian situation and severe political deadlock, has pushed the nation to the brink. General Laura Richardson, Commander of U.S. Southern Command, has sounded the alarm about the growing severity of Haitis crisis. She stresses the urgent need for coordinated international intervention to help Haiti regain stability.

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The Factors Driving Haitis Crisis

Haitis downward trajectory owes much to an interlocking web of challenges. Unrelenting gang violence leaves communities terrorized, disrupting daily life and impeding access to basic necessities. The breakdown of the rule of law fuels this violence, with overwhelmed and underfunded law enforcement unable to stem the tide. Haitis political vacuum further destabilizes the nation; since President Jovenel Moises assassination in 2021, the country has lacked an elected leader, leaving a legitimacy crisis that deepens public frustrations. Chronic economic hardship, characterized by crushing poverty and limited opportunities, exacerbates social tensions and provides fertile ground for criminal activity.

General Richardsons Assessment

General Laura Richardson, speaking at a recent Atlantic Council event, offered a stark appraisal of the Haitian situation. She emphasized that Haiti cannot overcome its multi-faceted crisis without significant external assistance. Richardson cited the growing humanitarian emergency and the potential long-term regional impact as key reasons for an immediate international response.

Potential Avenues for Global Intervention

Challenges to International Action

The international community faces a complex dilemma in considering its response to the Haitian crisis. One option could involve a peacekeeping operation, similar to past UN missions, to restore order and pave the way for institutional recovery. Targeted humanitarian aid is essential to alleviate immediate suffering and prevent a full-scale humanitarian disaster. Strengthening Haitis police and justice systems is a pressing need, potentially requiring international support in training, resources, and oversight. Sanctions against those fueling violence or undermining democratic processes could further pressure actors within Haiti.

Despite the urgency, mobilizing an effective international response remains fraught with challenges. Generating the political will for action, especially amidst numerous global crises, will be difficult. Regional complexities might also create divisions about the best approaches. Moreover, the history of international intervention in Haiti is checkered, and designing a strategy that avoids past pitfalls will be crucial to gain Haitian citizens support.

General Richardsons call for international action throws a harsh spotlight on the severity of Haitis plight. As the crisis continues to worsen, the global community faces a problematic yet unavoidable question: how will it respond to a nation on the brink of collapse? Failure to act decisively could lead to even greater instability with devastating consequences for Haiti and potentially impacting the broader region. Time is not on Haitis side, making the need for a concerted global response more urgent than ever.
Grupo Financiero Inbursa, S.A.B. de C.V. (OTCMKTS:GPFOY  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $15.60 and last traded at $15.60, with a volume of 0 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $15.60.

Grupo Financiero Inbursa Stock Performance

The companys 50-day moving average is $13.49 and its 200-day moving average is $12.85.

Grupo Financiero Inbursa Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Grupo Financiero Inbursa, SAB. de C.V. provides various financial products and services to individuals and businesses in Mexico. The company offers automotive credit, medical expenses, and personal and business online banking services, as well as provides insurance products. Grupo Financiero Inbursa, SAB.

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Gulf International Bank UK Ltd decreased its stake in shares of Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK  Free Report) by 10.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 9,478 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 1,130 shares during the quarter. Gulf International Bank UK Ltds holdings in Rockwell Automation were worth $2,942,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

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Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. OFI Invest Asset Management bought a new stake in Rockwell Automation during the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Provence Wealth Management Group acquired a new stake in shares of Rockwell Automation in the 3rd quarter worth about $27,000. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC purchased a new stake in Rockwell Automation in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. BluePath Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Rockwell Automation in the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Neo Ivy Capital Management bought a new position in Rockwell Automation in the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. Institutional investors own 80.84% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently issued reports on ROK shares. Berenberg Bank restated a hold rating and set a $290.00 price objective (down previously from $330.00) on shares of Rockwell Automation in a report on Wednesday, March 6th. Mizuho lowered their target price on Rockwell Automation from $300.00 to $265.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Citigroup lowered their price objective on Rockwell Automation from $351.00 to $330.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Rockwell Automation from $357.00 to $320.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Finally, UBS Group raised shares of Rockwell Automation from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $305.00 to $360.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $308.36.

Rockwell Automation Stock Performance

ROK opened at $290.11 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $33.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.60, a PEG ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 1.43. Rockwell Automation, Inc. has a 1-year low of $252.11 and a 1-year high of $348.52. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $285.92 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $285.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 0.80.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The industrial products company reported $2.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.62 by ($0.58). Rockwell Automation had a net margin of 13.35% and a return on equity of 37.22%. The business had revenue of $2.05 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.08 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.46 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Rockwell Automation, Inc. will post 12.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Rockwell Automation Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 11th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 20th were paid a dividend of $1.25 per share. This represents a $5.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.72%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 16th. Rockwell Automations payout ratio is presently 47.57%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Rockwell Automation

In other news, CFO Nicholas C. Gangestad sold 1,989 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $288.17, for a total transaction of $573,170.13. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 12,217 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,520,572.89. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Blake D. Moret purchased 3,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $283.64 per share, for a total transaction of $992,740.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 77,215 shares in the company, valued at $21,901,262.60. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CFO Nicholas C. Gangestad sold 1,989 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $288.17, for a total transaction of $573,170.13. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 12,217 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,520,572.89. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 17,877 shares of company stock worth $5,058,772 in the last quarter. 0.68% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Rockwell Automation Company Profile

(Free Report)

Rockwell Automation, Inc provides industrial automation and digital transformation solutions in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates through three segments, Intelligent Devices, Software & Control, and Lifecycle Services. Its solutions include hardware and software products and services.

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Raymond James Trust N.A. raised its position in shares of Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB  Free Report) by 4.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 25,533 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,182 shares during the quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A.s holdings in Schlumberger were worth $1,329,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

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Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. BluePath Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Schlumberger in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Schlumberger in the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC bought a new stake in shares of Schlumberger in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. MCF Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Schlumberger by 1,355.9% in the 3rd quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 495 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 461 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO bought a new stake in shares of Schlumberger in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. 79.43% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Stephane Biguet sold 6,250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.86, for a total transaction of $336,625.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 163,515 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,806,917.90. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Schlumberger news, EVP Mogharbel Khaled Al sold 38,570 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $50.42, for a total transaction of $1,944,699.40. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 386,841 shares of the companys stock, valued at $19,504,523.22. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Stephane Biguet sold 6,250 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $53.86, for a total value of $336,625.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 163,515 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,806,917.90. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 178,441 shares of company stock valued at $8,972,947 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.26% of the companys stock.

Schlumberger Price Performance

Shares of SLB opened at $54.43 on Friday. Schlumberger Limited has a 1-year low of $42.73 and a 1-year high of $62.12. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $49.83 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $53.39. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The firm has a market cap of $77.69 billion, a PE ratio of 18.64, a P/E/G ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 1.59.

Schlumberger (NYSE:SLB  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 19th. The oil and gas company reported $0.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.84 by $0.02. Schlumberger had a net margin of 12.68% and a return on equity of 21.97%. The firm had revenue of $8.99 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.96 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.71 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 14.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Schlumberger Limited will post 3.54 EPS for the current year.

Schlumberger Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 4th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 7th will be given a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.84%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 6th. Schlumbergers payout ratio is 34.25%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Schlumberger from $69.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Schlumberger from $77.00 to $74.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 22nd. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on shares of Schlumberger from $63.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, January 22nd. Benchmark restated a buy rating and issued a $68.00 price objective on shares of Schlumberger in a report on Monday, March 4th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $66.00 price objective on shares of Schlumberger in a report on Thursday, February 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $70.87.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Schlumberger

Schlumberger Company Profile

(Free Report)

Schlumberger Limited engages in the provision of technology for the energy industry worldwide. The company operates through four divisions: Digital & Integration, Reservoir Performance, Well Construction, and Production Systems. The company provides field development and hydrocarbon production, carbon management, and integration of adjacent energy systems; reservoir interpretation and data processing services for exploration data; and well construction and production improvement services and products.

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Coleraine-based ICONIC Street Dance have been welcomed to Cloonavin by Deputy Mayor, Councillor Margaret Anne McKillop in celebration of their recent competition success.

The group, who made it to the finals of Dance Inspirations in Blackpool this January, competed against some of the UK's top performers during the tour.

Welcoming the dancers to the Mayors chamber, Deputy Mayor Councillor Margaret-Anne McKillop said: It is always wonderful to recognise young people from the Borough who are so passionate about dance. I enjoyed speaking with the group and hearing about what both the club and dance means to them.

Id like to congratulate them on their success in Blackpool and also acknowledge the dance instructors, family and friends who have no doubt supported them with training in the lead up to the competition.

With over 500 entries in the semi-finals, only the top 66 routines qualified to compete in the grand finals, so instructor Michaela McMichael said she was incredibly proud that her young dancers were placed in the top ten.

"The senior crew were placed eighth out of over 60 incredible routines - top ten in the nation. And our junior crew won second place in the whole of the UK and Ireland in the semi-finals.

"This was a huge division with lots of talent, so I'm incredibly proud of this little team who danced with so much energy and passion."

Ms McMichael added that much of her pride came from the ethos of the group: "In our dance school, along with head coach Sydney Rosier who is so skilful and dedicated, the priority isn't competition, it's to build self-esteem and have fun, so to achieve this win on top of that wellbeing goal that we strive for every day is just incredible.

"When the young people step into our studio, we want them to just shake off their burdens and dance."

The Coleraine-based choreographer also explained she firmly believes in dance as a way of promoting mental health.

"Some of our dancers would at times struggle with anxiety over the various challenges that young people have to face these days, but when they get up on that stage you would not know it - when they perform, they exude confidence and that's why I'm so delighted they achieved what they did.

ICONIC dance classes are held on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at Sperrin Business Park on the Ballycastle Road in Coleraine. For more information, log on to https://iconicstreetdance.com or email iconicstreetdance@gmail.com
Sri Lankan navy arrests 32 Indian fishermen for poaching in its territorial waters

Xinhua) 11:14, March 22, 2024

COLOMBO, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's navy arrested 32 Indian fishermen who were poaching in the country's territorial waters on Wednesday night, the navy said in a statement on Thursday.

The arrests were made during a special operation to chase away Indian trawlers poaching off Talaimannar and near Delft Island in northern Sri Lanka, the navy said.

The navy also seized five trawlers that the Indians were traveling in, the statement said, adding that the seized trawlers and the Indian fishermen will be handed over to the local authority for onward legal proceedings.

With this arrest, the navy has seized a total of 23 Indian poaching trawlers and 178 Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters so far in 2024, the navy said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
This June, revolutionary communists from around the globe will be meeting in Italy to found a new Revolutionary Communist International (RCI), as the banner for organising communists for world socialist revolution. You too can participate by signing up online. But in order to participate fully, we are asking for something from you: politically prepare for the event. We have prepared reading lists for all 15 sessions. But first we want to answer a question: we intend this International to become a worldwide party of revolutionary action. Why then do we need a reading list?

Lenin once said: 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.

In the same spirit, Engels before him explained: socialism, since it has become a science, demands that it be pursued as science, i.e., that it is studied.

Theory is a communists sharpest weapon. It is essential for anyone who considers themselves a communist to begin a serious and thorough study of Marxism. The theory of Marxism is not some sort of optional extra for communists. Basing itself on the highest point of development of philosophy, science and political economy, the method of Marxism gives us a tremendous vantage point, from which alone the road to communist revolution and the abolition of class society becomes clear. Only by applying the method of Marxism can we condense the accumulated experience and lessons of the working-class movement.

To victoriously overthrow the capitalist class, we must absorb these lessons into our bones, and build a party and an International on this basis. We must learn from past victories and defeats.

Marxism is not a lifeless dogma, but a comprehensive theory of the world, as well as a guide to action. It is the only theory that can aid the working class in its struggle against capitalism, and the only theory that can educate a leadership that will take the class to victory. For this reason, communists should take every opportunity to deepen their understanding of Marxist philosophy, economics, and historical materialism.

These ideas were developed to new heights by Lenin, Trotsky and the Bolsheviks, whose efforts were crowned with the victory of the Russian Revolution in 1917, the establishment of the first workers state in history, and the attempts to spread the revolution worldwide through the establishment of the Communist International in 1919.

In his life, Lenin led the way in forging the Communist International as a party of world revolution. The first four Congresses of the Communist International read like a school of revolution. But after Lenins death, exactly 100 years ago this year, the rise of Stalinism first sullied the banner of the Communist International and then abolished it entirely.

There has existed nothing like the Communist International in the last 100 years.

The World School of Communism this June, in founding a new revolutionary communist International, the likes of which has not existed for a century, therefore aims to retie the knot of history. In preparation for the founding of the RCI, we urge all comrades to read our founding Manifesto. But alongside this, there will also be many other sessions, themed around Lenin, Bolshevism and communism, to reclaim these marvellous ideas and traditions, and inculcate them in a new generation of communists.

Manifesto of the Revolutionary Communist International https://t.co/bXtq0RPS73  In Defence of Marxism (@marxistcom) March 11, 2024

This will be a week of the highest level political discussions, on topics that every communist should master, including the basic foundations of Marxism; the burning questions of today, including questions of war and imperialism; the lessons of the Russian Revolution, the Communist International and of the Stalinist degeneration of the Soviet Union; and Bolshevik tactics and lessons in party-building.

We do not have modest ambitions. We aim to achieve nothing short of the construction of an international revolutionary leadership that the working class deserves and needs in order to take power globally. We intend to begin laying the foundations today.

If you want to help us build it, if you want to join our fight for a communist revolution, you cannot miss this event. The entire School will be streamed online, with watch parties organised on every continent  this will give you an opportunity to meet other communists in your area and to benefit from real-life discussions.

The World School will be a week of political education and training. This is a serious endeavour and requires serious preparation. To make sure you are prepared to learn and to participate in discussions with your comrades, in order to give you the tools necessary to be able to benefit from the School as much as possible, we are publishing the reading lists for each talk.

Each reading list has a variety of suggestions for deepening your knowledge on the topic. They include shorter and longer articles, as well as books. Most topics also have a recommended podcast or video talk. They are now live on the schoolofcommunism.com website, you can find them by clicking on Talks and then interacting with each individual topic.

Using these reading lists, you can begin the task of educating yourself in Marxism and preparing for the historic RCI founding conference. But dont just do this work in isolation. Join your local branch, section or group of our International, and start discussing and building. The articles and books in these lists are a great starting point  but dont hesitate to delve deeper! Check out our bookshop and subscribe to our theoretical magazine.

Communists of the world, sign up to your World School today!
A taskforce has been established to develop and oversee an action plan to expand Ulster Universitys Derry campus to 10,000 students.

Launching the taskforce at the Magee campus this morning, Economy Minister Conor Murphy said: The expansion of Ulster Universitys campus in Derry is key to promoting regional balance, in line with my economic vision. Increasing the citys student population will be a catalyst for economic development in the North West region.

"The taskforce will put together a comprehensive plan for expansion, including the capital and infrastructure requirements, and the wider environment needed in the city for the student population to grow and thrive.

Stephen Kelly, Chief Executive of Manufacturing NI, has been appointed Chair of the taskforce and Nicola Skelly, Executive Director of the Washington Ireland Program, as Vice Chair.

The Minister said: I am pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen and Nicola as Chair and Vice Chair of this taskforce. Their experience, leadership and expertise will ensure the delivery of a robust action plan that will guide us to achieving 10,000 students at the campus, which will be a significant milestone for the North West region and the economy.

Stephen Kelly said: I am delighted to have been asked by the Minister to lead this piece of work which is critical for both the university and the North West. I look forward to working with all taskforce members and other stakeholders, including the local community, to ensure delivery of a campus for 10,000 students at Magee, which supports the Ministers economic vision. There is a lot of work to do and we plan to get started immediately.

Membership of the taskforce will consist of representatives from a range of organisations in higher education, business, the trade union movement, the voluntary and community sector, government and local government.

Professor Paul Bartholomew, Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University, will represent the university on the taskforce.

Professor Bartholomew said: At Ulster University, we remain completely committed to growth at our Derry~Londonderry campus, in line with our strategic commitment for better regional balance. We welcome the launch of this taskforce and look forward to working together with the Minister, the Department, and the wider taskforce to explore together how the operating environment might be developed to facilitate further and sustainable growth in Derry~Londonderry.

Expansion of the campus to 10,000 students was a commitment in New Decade New Approach. The taskforce is expected to deliver an action plan within nine months of appointment and will initially be in place for a three-year term. The first meeting of the taskforce is expected to take place in early April.
A man who sexually assaulted a nurse, who came to give him an injection, has been given a suspended sentence at Derry Magistrate's Court and ordered to pay 4,000 in compensation.

Massimo Giacomo (46) of Bishop Street in Derry admitted a charge of sexual assault on a female on September 20 last year.

The court heard that two nurses called at the defendant's address to give him an injection.

As one of the nurses was entering the premises she had to turn sideways to get past the defendant and as she did so Giacomo placed his hand on her upper inner thigh and groped her with his fingers.

The nurse pushed him away and he apologised and said you didn't want me to do that.

He made full admissions to police.

Defence counsel Stephen Mooney said that there was no doubt his client had committed a serious offence.

He described the incident as 'fleeting' and said it involved one act of touching.

Mr Mooney said that his client had serious mental health issues and these were exacerbated by his 'voluntary consumption of cocaine'.

District Judge Barney McElholm hit out at the lack of provision of mental health facilities saying the concept of care in the community was 'the biggest lie told by a government to the people.'

He said all that resulted in was people being released onto the streets.

He said there was not a lot he could do with some like Giacomo as putting him in prison would serve no good as the sentencing powers were' totally inadequate '.

The judge said it was a serious sexual assault that had affected the life of the nurse involved.

He said he was' reluctantly' imposing a sentence of four months suspended for three years, ordered Giacomo to pay 4,000 in compensation and to sign the Sex Offender's Register for a period of seven years.
Members of the Royal College of Nursing in Northern Ireland have voted to reject a pay offer, while a number of other health worker unions have voted to accept it.

It comes after industrial action over pay levels falling behind colleagues across the rest of the UK.

Following the restoration of devolved government at Stormont earlier this year, health workers were offered a 5% increase and a lump sum of 1,505.

Rita Devlin, director of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in Northern Ireland, said RCN members voted by 55.85% to 44.15% to reject the pay offer.

Health Minister Robin Swann has been advised of the outcome.

Ms Devlin said the offer fell short of pay parity with colleagues in England, adding our members in Northern Ireland will not tolerate being treated unequally and unfairly.

The RCN remains in dispute and the RCN Northern Ireland Board, which is elected by our members, will be meeting as a matter of urgency to consider the results of our ballot and to determine the next steps, she said.

Meanwhile other health worker unions have voted to accept a pay offer.

Unison said 29,000 members voted by 77.2% to 22.8%, and Unite said 81% of their members voted to accept.

Members of the Royal College of Midwives also voted to accept with 86.3% voting for, members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists voted (84%) to accept as well as the Society of Radiographers (73%).

In a statement, Health Minister Robin Swann and his department welcomed the decisive outcome of trade union ballots on the pay offer tabled in February.

The Department will now move to implement the offer, they said.

This settlement will restore pay parity with England for all health and social care staff covered by the Agenda for Change framework.

Under this package, HSC Agenda for Change staff will receive a consolidated pay uplift of 5% and a non-consolidated (pro-rata) payment of 1,505.

The pay settlement is for the financial year 2023/24 and will be backdated to April 2023.
HIGHLIGHTS Apple is being accused by the US of monopolising the smartphone market and limiting competition. The company has refuted these claims and says that it will fight the claims. Apple uses high pricing strategy drives sales that ensures profits.

After European law, its Apple vs the US govt now! Apple might be one of the most popular smartphone companies in the world, but right now it is under the radar as the US government has filed a lawsuit against the tech-giant. The California-based company is being accused of monopolising the smartphone market and limiting competition. The lawsuit also raises concerns about Apples pricing.

As expected, Apple has refuted these claims and says that it will fight the claims. If things go down, this lawsuit could turn out to be the biggest challenge that Apple has had to deal with in recent times. Read along as I share the details about this landmark lawsuit.

The lawsuit has been filed at a federal court in New Jersey and has been backed by the attorneys general of 16 states. During the press conference to announce the suit, Attorney General Merrick Garland said, Apple has maintained monopoly power in the smartphone market not simply by staying ahead of the competition on the merits but by violating federal anti-trust law.

Also read: Why the US is halting sales of Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2?

Apple vs the US govt: Things that Apple is being sued over

Apple uses high pricing strategies to drive its sales and imply its authority in the market, which eventually leads to significant profits for the company. Further, Apple also levies charges on partners such as software developers and credit card companies. This increases the costs for the consumers and adds more to Apples pockets.Customers should not have to pay higher prices because companies break the law, said Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Secondly, the lawsuit also claims that Apple had made the process more tiresome for other super apps and streaming platforms as it was worried that the development of such apps will give people the reason to switch from iPhones.

Also read: Apple iPhone 16 renders reveal a big change in design

In addition to this, Apple makes it difficult to to pair smart watches from other brands with iPhones. It has even blocked banks and other financial firms from accessing its tap-to-pay technology. Along with this, the blue and green bubble ideology that Apple follows to distinguish and sort of demean other brands.

This is a big case, lets see how things turn out.
Microsoft Taiwan unveils Model-as-a-Service and teases data center launch

During a forum hosted by Microsoft Taiwan spotlighting the AI assistant Copilot, the company's provision of Model-as-a-Service (MaaS), encompassing models from OpenAI was announced.

Additionally, while the official opening date remains undisclosed, Microsoft's data center in Taiwan is said to be operational soon.

Sean Pien, General Manager of Microsoft Taiwan, noted that Azure OpenAI services were globally launched in January 2023, with over 18,000 companies adopting them. Copilot, on the other hand, boasts subscriptions from 37,000 enterprises and usage by over a million paying customers.

The development of Generative AI (GenAI) in the corporate sector can be summarized into five major trends: Out-Of-Box Experience (OOBE), enterprise-built Copilots, regulatory compliance, essential cybersecurity, and the critical role of talent.

OOBE refers to Microsoft's integration of AI into nearly all its offerings, including the upcoming Copilot for Security slated for April. Additionally, Copilot deployed in the cloud-based office software M365 is expanding language support, with a traditional Chinese version set to debut by the end of April.

Use, guide, and write AI

Pien emphasized Taiwan's competitive edge in the wave of GenAI lies in its trustworthy talent pool and comprehensive industry chain. He outlined talent cultivation in three areas, indicating Microsoft's continuous assistance in nurturing individuals skilled in "using AI, guiding AI, and writing AI."

Users proficient in AI are digital polymaths, while IT experts who integrate AI into enterprises are highly sought-after talents in Taiwan, possessing both technological and industrial acumen for cross-domain integration.

Developers who write AI can leverage no-code/low-code tools.

Recently, Google Taiwan also introduced talent development strategies, focusing on AI popularization, application, and innovation.

Roan Kang, General Manager of Microsoft Azure Strategic Operations in Asia, mentioned an increasing number of models available on the Azure platform from providers like OpenAI, Meta, Hugging Face, Mistral AI, and Deci AI, allowing users to fine-tune them in a hosted environment. As many governments seek to develop proprietary models, Microsoft has been collaborating with various government agencies.

In terms of AI infrastructure, Microsoft continues to collaborate with industry players like Nvidia and AMD to optimize AI models in software and hardware. Hence, using GPT series models on Microsoft's platform yields better performance than other providers.

New data center

In 2020, Microsoft announced the establishment of its first cloud region data center in Taiwan, rumored to be located in Taoyuan. During a visit to the site in late 2023, construction was visibly underway.

Regarding the specific opening time of the data center, Microsoft Taiwan stated on the 19th, "Building the Microsoft global data center region is a large-scale project that requires careful planning and management and will be implemented in phases to ensure the safety of employees and contractors, compliance with multiple regulations, and meet our design and operation for an internationally scalable, secure, and compliant cloud service. The data center project is currently in progress, and if there are any further updates, we will share them accordingly."
Nvidia's Quantum Cloud possesses unignorable development potential

Nvidia has introduced a cloud service built upon the CUDA-Q hybrid quantum computing platform, enabling users to conduct software tests for quantum computing.

Available via multiple major cloud providers, the Nvidia Quanta Cloud aims to support researchers and developers in advancing the exploration of quantum computing across scientific domains such as chemistry, biology, and materials science. Nvidia emphasized that Quantum Cloud, functioning as a microservice, empowers users to develop and test new quantum algorithms and applications in the cloud.

These algorithms and applications encompass simulators for hybrid programming and other related tools. Hybrid quantum computing, which combines quantum and classical computing, can be said to cover the whole current landscape of quantum computing.

As reported by Bloomberg, Nvidia Quantum Cloud currently operates without direct connection to real quantum computers and simulates quantum computer operations through a data center equipped with numerous Artificial Intelligence (AI) chips and systems. However, Nvidia has committed to offering connectivity to third-party quantum computers in the future.

Despite the limited number of real-world applications for quantum computing, many countries worldwide are significantly ramping up their research efforts, driven by the immense future commercial potential of the sector. While Nvidia is entering quantum computing cloud services with Quantum Cloud, it's a relatively late arrival. Microsoft and AWS established a head start in 2019 with their respective offerings, Azure Quantum and Braket, making the market competition fierce.

Nevertheless, Nvidia said that its Quantum Cloud will be integrated into products offered by major cloud service providers including Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI).

Despite a recent push into quantum computing, Nvidia has emerged as one of the major market participants. Its H100 Tensor Core GPU, renowned in AI, also plays a crucial role in quantum computer simulation and research.

For example, Fujitsu's supercomputer ABCI-Q, set to deploy in 2025 for the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Japan, will feature over 2,000 H100 PCUs.

A recent report by Fierce Electronics revealed that Nvidia has partnered with Oracle and Swiss quantum computing leader QMware to develop next-generation hybrid quantum computing services for enterprise customers. This collaboration leverages Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) powered by a cluster of A100 Tensor Core GPUs, combined with the CUDA-Q open-source platform.

CUDA-Q, utilized in this three-party collaboration, serves as the foundational platform for Nvidia's newly launched Quantum Cloud service. Impressively, Nvidia estimates that up to three-quarters of companies deploying quantum processors (QPUs) already rely on CUDA-Q.
Tim Cook in China: Apple vows AI push amid market struggles

Apple CEO Tim Cook made a significant return to China, visiting Shanghai on March 20 after a 5-month hiatus.

He engaged with major suppliers and addressed generative AI for the first time in China during an interview with Chinese media. Reports from National Business Daily, China Business Network, and Jiemian News revealed that three Apple suppliers  BYD Electronics, Lens Technology, and Everwin Precision Technology  showcased their smart manufacturing technologies, components, and products at Apple's China headquarters in Shanghai with their respective chairmen present at the event.

Cook also shared a video on his Weibo account, showing his inspection of the production of Vision Pro components by Chinese suppliers at the China headquarters. Among the showcased components were Everwin Precision's metal frames and Lens Technology's protective panels for the Vision Pro.

Tim Cook's latest trip to China underscores Apple's commitment to the market and highlights the importance of its Chinese supply chain. However, Apple faces an uphill battle to regain its past dominance in the Chinese market amid a shifting market landscape.

Counterpoint Research analysts noted that while the Chinese market is recovering, Apple faces mounting competition, particularly from Huawei in the high-end market and various Chinese OEMs in the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 segments. Data from Counterpoint Research indicated a decline in Apple's iPhone sales by 24% year-on-year in the first six weeks of 2024, with its Chinese market share dropping to 15.7% from 19% in 2023, ranking fourth.

Vivo rising as top vendor in China market

In contrast, Huawei's sales surged 64% year-on-year, and its market share in China advanced from 9.4% in 2023 to 16.5%, surpassing Apple's. In addition, Vivo emerged as the top vendor in the Chinese market in the period thanks to a wider range of models and broader market coverage, posing further challenges to Apple's position.

Since terminating its car project, Apple has shifted its focus to AI, particularly large language models (LLMs). However, several Chinese competitors have made significant strides in the field. Huawei's HarmonyOS 4 integrates seamlessly with the Pangu LLM, while Xiaomi's Surge OS leverages the capabilities of its MiLM-6B AI large model.

Research estimates indicate that shipments of AI-enabled smartphones will reach around 60 million units in 2024. AI smartphones will dominate core differentiation competition in the next replacement cycle, and Chinese manufacturers are aggressively integrating AI features, making it crucial for Apple to deliver exceptional generative AI services this year if it wants to stay ahead in smartphone innovations and sales.

Cook's recent statements at Apple's shareholders meeting and in interviews with Chinese media indicate the company's commitment to AI development. Apple is reportedly considering integrating Google Gemini into iPhones, signaling its proactive approach to AI innovation.

During his interview with Chinese media on March 20, Cook emphasized Apple's existing use of AI across its product ecosystem, citing features like fall detection on the Apple Watch and predictive text input on the iPhone as examples of AI integration.
Apple CEO Tim Cook reported to Chinese government, accused of false advertising in Shanghai

The Apple chief's trip to Shanghai was generally well received.

Apple CEO Tim Cook made a high-profile appearance at the opening of a new flagship store in Shanghai on the evening of March 21. The move is seen as Cook's attempt to reaffirm Apple's commitment to the Chinese supply chain and market.

During the visit, Cook met with three Apple suppliers, including BYD Electronics, Lens Technology, and Changying Precision. Cook's visit to China is a clear signal that Apple will not abandon the Chinese market and it emphasizes the importance of the Chinese supply chain to his company.

Cook's visit to Shanghai coincides with a poor sales performance for Apple in China. The trip has been interpreted as an attempt to woo Chinese customers back into the company's fold.

Cook was quoted by Chinese state-owned media outlet the Global Times saying "There's no supply chain in the world that's more critical to us than China." Cook wrote on his Weibo account, "I'm always so happy to be back in this remarkable city."

Cook's visit was mostly well received with Shanghai locals queueing up to take a selfie with him. Some reactions were less positive, however.

Cook denounced

One Chinese netizen commented on a video Cook posted on his Weibo account of his Shanghai meeting with Chinese actor Zheng Kai. The user with the Weibo handle @_Manon accused Cook of faking a chance encounter with Zheng.

The outraged user said "This isn't a chance encounter. [Cook] brought a cameraman. This is false advertising."

The user tagged China's Consumer's Association, the government organization formed to protect consumer rights in the country. "I hope this will be dealt with promptly," he wrote.

Credit: Weibo, Manon

According to market research firm Counterpoint, Apple experienced a 24% decline in sales in China, its largest overseas market, during the first six weeks of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Apple's market share in China decreased to 16% in 2024, dropping from second to fourth place compared to its 19% share in 2023.
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REDMOND  A business park at 15319 N.E. 92nd St. in Redmond sold for $13.5 million, according to King County records.

The seller was Alco Cedar Business Park LLC, which acquired the property in 2021 for $13.4 million.





. . .
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SEATTLE  An apartment building at 1727 Summit Ave. sold for just under $6.8 million, according to King County records.

The seller, via an LLC, was a family group that had owned the property for decades.





. . .
The Four Lakes Task Force announced progressing work ahead of the restoration project, which is scheduled to take place later this year. Photo Provided Four Lakes Task Force

With an appeal already pending that challenges the Four Lakes Special Assessment District, the Heron Cove Association hammered the Gladwin County and Midland County commissioners along with the Four Lakes Task Force with a lawsuit late Thursday alleging multiple civil infractions.

Heron Cove Association attorney Laura Genovich said the lawsuit stems from constitutional violations and was filed in both Midland and Gladwin County circuit courts. Part of the document claims the Four Lakes Special Assessment District is unlawful and through unlawful special assessment, the counties have taken the plaintiffs' property, and the plaintiffs are entitled to rescission (cancelation of a contract) of the special assessment or just compensation under the Michigans Takings Clause.

There are several factors that had to be weighed before filing the case, said Jan Colton of the Heron Cove Association. The late great Beaverton government teacher, Tom Matteson, was fond of a quote by Justice John Marshall, All rights are relative to the rights of others. This really resonates in this case.

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People losing their homes through inverse condemnation and illegal taking of property is a very serious issue. When weighing out the issues before filing the case, we had to put that as the priority. This appeal is legally the only time in the process when we can challenge in court to protect people who cannot afford the special assessments that the counties approved. They afforded no mechanism for financial ability to pay in their resolutions. It was only discussed in passing as something to look at in the future. That is not a solution.

The lawsuit deems the counties and the Four Lakes Task Force took direct action against the plaintiffs properties by approving the special assessments, contending that the special assessments dont benefit plaintiffs properties in the form of increased market value. The lawsuit also cites the plaintiffs may not be able to sell their homes because of the disproportional special assessments and may lose their homes to foreclosure.

Then once taken into the tax foreclosure process, the lawsuit says, plaintiffs properties may be purchased by governmental entities, all without just compensation paid to plaintiffs and without the statutory and procedural protections of the eminent domain process.

The lawsuit was filed the same day that the Heron Cove Association won its motion to have Midland County Circuit Court Judge Stephen Carras recuse himself from hearing an expedited appeal motion filed by Four Lakes Task Force regarding a motion by the Heron Cove Association to appeal the Four Lakes Special Assessment District. An appeal by the association, with more than 800 members, was filed last month.

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On Feb. 6, Midland and Gladwin county boards of commissioners approved a special assessment district roll and plan of financing to fund the capital improvements required to complete the project of restoring the four dams and their corresponding lakes, that included Wixom, Sanford, Secord, and Smallwood. The proposed financing includes the issuance of municipal bonds secured by lake level special assessment revenue.

Shortly after the Heron Cove Association filed the appeal, Four Lakes Task Force announced a timeline for suspending work on the lakes. Now Four Lakes Task Force President and Chair Dave Kepler said this will impact the community with an uncertain outcome and create additional costs.

While Kepler said he respects peoples right to appeal, the setback to possible funding is disappointing. With the monetary uncertainty, Kepler said no dam can be restored until the appeal is resolved.

Also, during the time of limbo, the task force is not be able to issue bonds in June as planned to finance the final phases of the Four Lakes dam reconstruction project.

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The Heron Cove Association lawsuit cites a special assessment must benefit private property with an increased market value, which must be reasonably proportionate to the assessment. When there is a substantial excess between the cost of an improvement and the benefits accruing to the land as a result, the assessment is akin to the taking of property without due process of law, requiring just compensation.

The lawsuit reads in part: Inverse condemnation is a cause of action against a governmental defendant to recover the value of property which has been taken in fact by the governmental defendant, even though no formal exercise of the power of eminent domain has been attempted by the taking agency."

Kepler wasnt immediately available for comment on the lawsuit.

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Gardai are appealing for witnesses following a serious road traffic collision that occurred in Ringsend, Dublin 4.

Emergency services were alerted shortly before 8am on Wednesday, March 20, following a collision involving a van and a pedestrian at the junction of Cambridge Road and Thorncastle Street.

The pedestrian, a female in her 50s, was transferred to St. Vincents University Hospital, where she remains in a critical condition. No other injuries were reported.

A technical examination of the scene has since been conducted by Forensic Collision Investigators.

An Garda Siochana are appealing to any witnesses of this collision to come forward. They are also appealing to anyone with video footage (including dash-cam) from the area between 7:45am and 8:15am on March 20 to make this available.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Donnybrook Garda Station at 01 666 9200, the garda confidential line at 1800 666 111, or any garda station.


A man who went to collect insulation pallets containing over half a million euros worth of cannabis has been jailed for five years.

Dominik Golebiowski (30) of Krakow, Poland pleaded guilty to possessing the drugs for sale or supply after he was stopped by gardai at the Dublin Port toll plaza on July 5, 2023.

He was sentenced to five and a half years in prison at a sitting of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Detective Garda Patrick Hearne told George Burns BL, prosecuting, that the offence came to light after a detective dog found the drugs at a logistics warehouse in Co Dublin.

Customs and excise officers were searching a warehouse at Dachser Ireland, Blackchurch Business Park, Rathcoole, when the dog indicated the presence of drugs in a consignment.

The consignment was brought back to Customs in Dublin Port, where concealed cannabis was found cut into ten insulation sheets.

The following day, an employee in Dacsher's logistics section received a call from someone with poor English who needed directions to the warehouse to collect the insulation pallets.

The staff member gave this man the Eircode, and when he arrived, he signed for the consignment and produced a false Polish ID card.

This man, the accused, was then told that the insulation pallets were 7ft high and wouldnt fit in his white Tuscon hatchback - his rented car.

Golebiowski replied that he would take what he could and come back for the rest as he discovered he couldnt fit them all in his rented car.

He managed to fit four insulation sheets into the car and was later interrupted by gardai at Dublin Port.

Gardai searched the rented car and found two iPhones with Dutch numbers and an Alcatel phone.

14 packages of cannabis worth around 200,000 were found in the car, and the remaining 300,000 worth of drugs were discovered in the warehouse.

In total, gardai seized over 25kg of cannabis valued at 505,340.

Golebiowski gave his correct name and address and said his ID was fake, but his passport was real.

He told gardai on arrest that he had arrived in Ireland ten days earlier from Brussels and that the iPhones were his.

He said he was not under pressure or in fear, adding, No, Im not afraid.

CCTV footage from Dublin Airport showed Golebiowski picking up the rental car from a company on July 6. Golebiowski has no previous convictions.

Garda Hearne agreed with Diarmaid McGuinness SC, defending that the accused was lower on the chain of culpability than others involved and had effectively been a transporter of the drugs.

Judge Martin Nolan said Golebiowksi was a vital cog in the wheel but had no record and was unlikely to re-offend.

He described the accused as a good family man and noted that as a Polish man with limited English, he will find it harder in an Irish prison.

The sentence was backdated to July 5 last.
A funeral has been held for convicted garda killer Pearse McAuley.

McAuley, who was in his late 50s, was found dead in his home in Strabane on Monday.

His death is not being treated as suspicious.

He was sentenced to 14 years in jail for the manslaughter of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe, who was shot dead by an IRA gang during a raid on the post office in Adare, Co Limerick, in June 1996.

McAuleys coffin was draped in an Irish flag with a black beret and gloves placed on top as it was brought to the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Strabane on Thursday.

The items were removed as his remains were taken into the church for the funeral service.

Addressing mourners, Father Declan Boland spoke of the loss felt by McAuleys family.

Wherever we go in life and wherever our journey may bring us, we all come back to the place where it all began, at the foot of the altar, bringing with us all the content and happenings of our lives, all that has shaped us to be the people that we are, to be surrendered in all his detail to the one who gave us life in the first place, he said.

This God is a God of mercy and love that has to be preached because all of us have sinned greatly and Pearse was no exception.

We have to ask the mercy of God and seek pardon, fully confident that our pleas and our prayers will be heard and our petitions answered.

Let us not forget primarily that Pearse was a father, a brother, a partner, and a friend of many.

His loss is being felt deeply by those who love him.

The sense of suffering, emptiness and pain that death brings to those who are left behind to mourn is a heavy burden to bear and this family bear it this morning.

After the service, McAuleys remains were taken for burial in Strabane cemetery.

He was jailed after an IRA gang shot dead Mr McCabe during the post office raid in Adare.

Mr McCabe was in an unmarked garda patrol car, escorting a van delivering 80,000 (102,000 euro) to local post offices in Adare when the IRA gang struck.

He was shot about 15 times with a Kalashnikov assault rifle.

His colleague, Detective Garda Ben OSullivan, was seriously injured in the shooting but survived.

McAuley was convicted of manslaughter in 1999 and was released from prison after serving 10 years.

Years before the killing, McAuley and his cellmate, Nessan Quinlivan, shot their way out of Brixton Prison in London as they awaited trial for conspiracy to murder brewery boss Charles Tidbury and for firearms and explosives offences.

Jail-breaker McAuley and IRA killer Kevin Walsh were the last of the five men jailed for the robbery to be released.

They had served three-quarters of their 14-year sentences.

While McAuley was serving his sentence, Sinn Fein made an unsuccessful attempt to have him and others jailed for the garda killing to be released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

The move was resisted by the Irish Government.

In 2015, McAuley was sentenced to 12 years for stabbing his estranged wife, Pauline Tully, now a Sinn Fein TD, with a steak knife at her home on Christmas Eve in 2014.

The pair had married while McAuley was serving his 14-year sentence for the garda killing.

They met when Ms Tully, who was elected as a Sinn Fein councillor in 1999, visited McAuley at Castlerea Prison in Co Roscommon.

They became engaged in 2000.

He was temporarily released in 2003 to marry Ms Tully, a teacher at the time, in her home village of Kilnaleck, Co Cavan.

McAuley was finally freed in 2020.
President of Dundalk Chamber, Una McGoey, visited Washington D.C. and New York City last week, showcasing the power of partnership within the local and global Chamber network.

Joined by colleagues from Newry Chamber, Cork Chamber, and the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland, Ms.McGoey engaged in discussions focused on connection, collaboration, and success.

The IntertradeIreland 25th Anniversary event provided a platform for guests and colleagues to celebrate a quarter-century of promoting cross-border trade and collaboration between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Ms. McGoey emphasised the significance of partnerships in driving economic growth and innovation, highlighting the value of working together to address common challenges and seize new opportunities.

During her visit to New York City, Ms McGoey had a productive meeting with Aidan McKenna, Regional Director of Americas at Enterprise Ireland, at their NYC office.

Discussions centred on Irish American business opportunities and collaboration in the Northeast region, reflecting Dundalk Chambers commitment to fostering international partnerships.

The chamber president also had the privilege of attending an evening at the Irish Consulate, where she engaged with New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, Consulate General of Ireland Helena Nolan, and Minister Helen McEntee, gaining valuable perspectives on furthering collaboration between Ireland and the United States.

Representing Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, she also attended The 25th Annual St. Patricks Day Breakfast hosted by The Irish Chamber of Commerce, USA. She connected with members from both the USA and Irish Chambers, as well as New York State Senator Brian Kavanagh and Dundalk native MD of CIE Tours, Stephen Cotter, fostering economic collaboration.

Marching in the St. Patricks Day parade with Co. Louth was a privilege and a wonderful experience, allowing Una to promote Dundalk and the North East regions unique offerings on an international platform.

Reflecting on her experience, Ms McGoey stated, The past few days in both DC and NYC have been incredibly rewarding, fostering valuable connections and putting Dundalk and the North East region on the map.

I am excited about the potential for continued collaboration and growth between our regions.
Dundalk company Soothing Solutions were the winners in the Healthcare category at the Guaranteed Irish Business Awards 2024 held yesterday.

Headquartered in Dundalk healthcare company Soothing Solutions manufacture medicinal-free products, which provide relief for young children suffering with coughs and sore throats caused by viruses, colds, hay fever and allergies.

Winners were announced at a Gala dinner in the RDS where 400 people enjoyed celebrating their achievements over the past year. Hosted by Irish satirist and impressionist Oliver Callan, a surprise Riverdance act led to the celebratory mood as guests networked with the best of business in Ireland, both indigenous and multinational, across various sectors.

An independent panel of distinguished industry leaders from names including An Post, Aer

Rianta, FBD Insurance, and IDA Ireland amongst others, had the tough task of shortlisting a total of 174 finalists after whittling down hundreds of entries.

The categories this year included Beauty & Fashion; Construction, Engineering & Manufacturing; Craft, Home & Gifting; E-Commerce; Food & Beverage; Pharmaceutical, Healthcare & MedTech; Professional Services; Retail, Tourism & Hospitality; and Technology.

Brid OConnell, CEO, Guaranteed Irish, said:

What a start to the year we have had, we have launched a Guaranteed Irish stamp and a new advertising campaign The Guarantee of Guaranteed Irish, and we close out Q1 with this Gala event to celebrate with our members and to acknowledge 50 years of Guaranteed Irish.

I wish to acknowledge our Judges, who had a difficult decision this year as the number, and calibre of entries were exceptionally high. The event was sold out weeks in advance,

so we hope all who were able to attend had a night to remember.

Congratulations to all our winners - we have been overwhelmed with the reception to and interest in the awards this year, we are delighted to have sold out a large venue such as the RDS. It is fantastic to be able to celebrate Irelands leading businesses who continue to support Irish jobs, community and provenance.

Patrick Farrell, Director of Retail Banking, PTSB, said:

As an Irish business ourselves, PTSB is honoured to partner with Guaranteed Irish in recognising the determination, innovation and contribution of so many wonderful, locally based businesses across the country.

We were delighted to sponsor the 50th anniversary awards ceremony and celebrate the hard work, focus and creativity that has been shown by so many over the last year and I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to each of the winners and nominees across all categories.
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Darren Iozia is editor of the Big Rapids Pioneer, Lake County Star and Herald Review. He previously served as associate editor of the Jacksonville Journal-Courier. Born and raised in the United Kingdom, he moved to the U.S. and attended high school in Orlando, Florida, where his passion for photography and the arts eventually led him to pursue a career in journalism in college. He has experience in magazines and newspaper writing, photography and design for publications in Florida, Illinois and Michigan.
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform of Ireland, Pascal Donohoe TD, was in Louth this week, where he attended a breakfast morning at the Ballymascanlon Hotel, along with paying a visit to Eliteform Manufacturing in Castlebellingham.

The breakfast morning, where over 160 people were in attendance, was organised by Senator John McGahon, and was also attended by Louth TD, Fergus O'Dowd. Topics discussed at the event, included housing, business, employment, and the resignation of Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael.

Among the local representatives present was Cllr Dolores Minogue, who told the Dundalk Democrat that attention was also drawn at the event, to "the pressing need to enhance avenues for young people to access housing, with a focus on revising eligibility criteria for housing lists".

Cllr Minogue added, "I also got the opportunity to raise the issue on apprenticeship with our oireachtas members which the emphasis was placed on bolstering support for apprenticeships to facilitate skill development and certification attainment among youth."

At the visit to the family enterprise, Eliteform Manufacturing, in Castlebellingham, Managing Director Sandra Byrne and Director Patrick Byrne, gave Minister Donohoe, Senator McGahon, Cllr Paula Butterly, and Cllr Minogue were given a comprehensive tour.

Cllr Minogue said that "overall, the morning proved fruitful, underscoring the significance of collaborative efforts in addressing pertinent societal challenges", and she extended "special gratitude" to Senator McGahon "for orchestrating this productive event".
Every little bit helps, is the message from Dundalk man and cancer survivor Joseph Woods who will be among the many people supporting the Irish Cancer Societys annual Daffodil Day appeal today.

Josephs journey with cancer began in 2019 when he received the daunting diagnosis of Hodgkins Lymphoma.

I was only 30 at the time, Joseph recalls, and to hear the words that you've got cancer, it is a scary time.

However, with the steadfast support of his family and friends, along with plenty of positivity, Joseph tackled his treatment head-on, and is now in remission.

I would love for people to support Daffodil Day as everybody is affected by cancer in some way, either on a personal level or a family member or friend may be going through it.

Daffodil Day helps the Irish Cancer Society to support everyone affected, as I know from my time with cancer, he said.

Joseph recalled how he was first diagnosed in February 2020 after his symptoms had started around October, November 2019.

I went through about three and a half months of biopsies and tests and scans and eventually surgery, which they got my final diagnosis with.

And then in February, the doctor told me that this is what I had, Hodgkins Lymphoma. And then the same week, I started chemotherapy for six months after that.

Joseph says he was naturally scared at first but found that keeping a positive attitude really helped him to process his diagnosis and cope with the disease.

I was only 30 at the time, and to hear the words that youve got cancer, it is a scary time.

And they had told me that I mightnt have twelve months to live, which made it even scarier, but I suppose I got on with it at the time and I knew what was ahead of me.

So just [keeping] a positive outlook I had through the whole experience and the positive mindset helped me the whole way through it.

And with the support of family and friends, it was brilliant as well. Everybody got behind me and it just made the whole experience that much easier.

Throughout his battle, Joseph found solace in the compassionate care provided by the Irish Cancer Society.

During my treatment, I spoke to the nurses, and they guided me with little tips and things on what to do when youre feeling sick and things like that.

The driving service for people who cant get to the hospital, keeps another worry off people.

Now, lucky enough, I didnt need that service because my wife was off work at the time and she was able to take me. But to know the services there is brilliant. Even if one week you dont have anyone to give you a lift to hospital, you can contact them and they will sort that for you.

With figures showing that one in two of us will get cancer at some point in our lives. There isnt a family in Ireland that hasnt been touched by the disease, and for Joseph, the key advice is to remain positive if at all possible.

The only advice is to stay positive. And I know its hard for people to hear that after a diagnosis, but Im speaking from experience.

A positive mindset makes everything so much easier. I know its easy to go into a corner and feel sorry for yourself, and it is difficult, period.

And Id also encourage anybody, especially men if you think theres something wrong, go and get it checked, because we as fellas put everything on the long finger and think that itll go away.

Lucky enough for me, I went and got it checked, and if I didnt go and get it checked, I mightnt be here speaking to you today. I would encourage people if you think somethings wrong. Go and get it checked out.

On Daffodil Day Joseph is urging the local community to support Daffodil Day

The Irish Cancer Society provides great services around the country because around 42,000 people a year get diagnosed with cancer in Ireland.

And the services they provide for all those people is brilliant. And I know not everybody needs themselves, but just to know that theyre there to help people is amazing.

They depend on things like Daffodil Day,on the 22 March for the fundraising, because I think its only around 5% of the income is government funded.

Everything else is fundraising by themselves. So every little bit helps for them.

Thanks to the generosity of the public, the Irish Cancer Society insured that in 2023 there were:

Over 350 free lifts to bring Louth based cancer patients to their cancer treatment

Over 330 free counselling sessions to people living in Louth; and

Over 230 nights of free Night Nursing care to allow cancer patients in Louth to die at home surrounded by loved ones.

A spokesperson for the society said:

There are lots of ways to get involved- You can support Daffodil Day with your school, college or workplace, or maybe youd like to host your own event with friends and family in your community.

You can sell Daffodil Pins in your business, or volunteer to join us with bucket collections in your area. Visit cancer.ie to get involved or learn more.
Local company ZOMA have announced an upcoming fundraiser in honour of Daffodil Day, a cause which they say is close to their hearts, especially over the last year with the loss of their Managing Director's mother back in June 2023.

On Friday March 22nd, they will be hosting a fitness-focused event, where they hope to get people to help raise funds for Daffodil Day, an initiative dedicated to providing care, support, and hope to those affected by cancer.

In the heart of Dundalk, at 82 Park St, right outside the ZOMA office they will be setting up an area with Exercise/Concept Erg Machines (Bike/Row/Ski) and for every kilometre they collectively reach during the fitness event, ZOMA will donate 4 for each kilometre to Daffodil Day.

The target is 820km, to book in its 10 and this donation will go directly to the Irish Cancer Society. You will also receive a branded t-shirt for the event.

A spokesperson said: Not only will you be participating in a fun and invigorating activity, but you'll also be contributing directly to a worthy cause. We will also be hosting other challenges on the day of the event to raise awareness and funds like a hanging challenge and pull up challenge.

We will also be looking for sponsors on the day and will be highlighting these sponsors on the boarding around the machines and equipment and across social media and press/media releases.

We invite you to join us in this endeavour and make a positive impact in the fight against cancer. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just looking to get active for a good cause, your participation matters greatly.

Details of the event:

Date: Friday 22nd March 2024, from 8:20am to 8:20pm

Location: 82 Park St, Dundalk, ZOMA Office

Book Your Slot Here: https://calendly.com/zoma-branding/zoma-s-820k-for-daffodil-day-fitness-fundraiser

If you would like to donate directly to this cause please use this link: https://gofund.me/82a0f0df
Louth Fianna Fail Senator Erin McGreehan has called on the government to reconsider the upcoming hike in fuel excise duties saying motorists in Louth and other border counties will fill up in Northern Ireland if the move goes ahead.

Excise duty rates will be increased again on 1st April with an increase of 4 cents for petrol, 3 cents for diesel, and 1.5 cents for market gas oil.

Another increase is also planned for August when excise duty rates are expected to be fully restored to their original levels with an increase of 4 cents a litre for petrol, 3 cents for diesel, and 1.5 cents for market gas oil.

Senator McGreehan said she was disappointed that the government was refusing to look at the matter.

In particular, I want to highlight the fact that the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, has announced the UK will not increase its excise duty because of the cost of living and many other reasons.

It is postponing its increase and I hope we can also postpone our increase. There will be trade displacement, particularly along the Border region, where drivers will cross the Border to avail of cheaper fuel.

The forecourts in County Louth will have a great reduction in demand. The fuel prices will be different. There will be an overall loss to the Irish Exchequer.

I urge the Department of Finance to look at this, see what we can do and ensure there is a similar policy in both jurisdictions.

Fuels for Ireland (FFI), the industry body representing entities providing 50% of Ireland's total energy, claim that the rise will lead to a huge difference in prices at the pump with retailers south of the border at an extreme disadvantage.

They further say that the price difference will put fuel at such a disadvantage that many will face the prospect of going out of business.

Kevin McPartlan, CEO of Fuels for Ireland said:

"This will lead to a huge difference in prices at the pump with retailers south of the border at an extreme disadvantage. Forecourt operators in border constituencies are expected to face a substantial reduction in demand.

With many retailers situated near the Border, the price gap between Northern Ireland and Ireland will drive consumers across the Border, posing a grave threat to the viability of local forecourts.

Secondly, the Irish Exchequer stands to suffer a considerable loss in income as fuel sales plummet due to cross-border purchases. This reduction in State revenue contradicts the intended goal of increasing excise duty.
Dundalk Institute of Technologys Building Information Modelling (Using Revit) Course has been shortlisted again for a prestigious Irish Construction Excellence (ICE) Award.

After a lengthy review process and deliberations, the ICE Awards Judges selected the 2024 finalists from a record number of entries and DkIT say they are absolutely thrilled to have made the cut for a second time.

The Irish Construction Excellence Awards were founded in 1993 and are the original and premier recognition of performance excellence for the contracting sector in Ireland.

The DkIT course that has made the shortlist 2 years running is the part time continual professional development (CPD) programme 'Building Information Modelling using Autodesk Revit' which is facilitated by the Institutes Lifelong Learning Centre in conjunction with DKIT's School of Engineering.

Jane Smyth, Course Director said, It is a great honour to have been shortlisted for a second year in a row for the ICE Awards. This course is a great example of DkIT meeting the skill demands in the construction sector.

She added: Participants of this course get to use Revit to learn about building information modelling and the tools for parametric building design and documentation to meet the requirements of the golden thread of digital information.

Successful learners are awarded a Certificate of Attendance from Dundalk Institute of Technology which can go towards their Continuous Professional Development.

This programme offers more personalised learning on the course as it is supported by small class sizes and an engaging learning experience.

The 8-week part-time evening course will provide learners with a solid introduction to Building Information Modelling using Autodesk Revit.

The attendees learn the concepts of BIM through the modelling of a basic building, from creating the building to making a window/door and a room schedule and looking at shadow studies and rendering.

The winning finalists of these ICE awards will be announced on the 24th of May at a gala event in the Convention Centre Dublin, DkIT Lecturer Jane Smyth will be attending this event as the company she works for in her fulltime capacity, Purcell Construction, has also been nominated for the BIM Excellence - Up to 50m ICE award.
Entries for Blas na hEireann 2024, the Irish Food Awards, are now open for Louth producers.

Louth Local Enterprise Office will once again sponsor Best in County Louth at the 2024 Blas na hEireann awards, with the county boasting seven winners in last year's competition.

Emma Gill, Boyne Valley Food Business Development Officer said, The awards are a fantastic way to highlight the quality producers and products of county Louth. Applications are now open for 2024 and I would encourage all eligible Louth producers to apply.

Blas na hEireann is the largest blind-tasted food awards on the island of Ireland, designed to recognise and celebrate the very best Irish food and drink.

Entries are open to producers across all categories of food and drink with the early bird discounted rate for entries running until April 3rd.

Entries will finally close for this years awards on May 16th, with judging happening over the summer months and the awards announced on Friday 4th of October.

After a wonderfully successful year in Dingle in 2023 celebrating Irish food and drink producers, the excitement for the upcoming awards this October is already building.

Its hard to believe we are now in our 17th year running the awards, says Artie Clifford, Blas na hEireann Chairman.

Looking back to when we started and had just under 400 applications to where we are now with nearly 3,000 entries last year, it is testament not only to the fantastic food and drink producers of Ireland, but also to the measurable impact these awards have on small artisan businesses.

Since creating the Blas village, we have seen even more momentum and opportunities for producers with high engagement between them and key industry buyers.

We are very much looking forward to seeing what this year brings and welcoming new producers participating right across the island.

Together with the Food Science Dept of UCC and the University of Copenhagen, the team at Blas na hEireann have developed a blind-tasting judging system that is now recognised as an industry gold standard worldwide.

Organisers say winners and finalists are always the best Blas ambassadors and that this is something to which many hundreds of small producers, farmers, growers, bakers and artisan food makers who have won a Blas na hEireann award and proudly put the winners sticker on their product can attest.

Research has shown that the Blas na hEireann accreditation has the highest recognition among Irish consumers and having the award logo on products encourages shoppers to buy  it is a recognised guarantee of a top-quality Irish product.

Entries for Blas na hEireann 2024 are now open and there is an early bird fee of 70 (ex VAT) until 3rd April. For full rates and further details, please visit www.irishfoodawards.com
Children ages 3-12 are welcome to join in on fun at the annual Nature's Eggs Extravaganza at Chippewa Nature Center on March 23. Provided by Chippewa Nature Center Children ages 3-12 are welcome to join in on fun at the annual Nature's Eggs Extravaganza at Chippewa Nature Center on March 23. Provided by Chippewa Nature Center Children ages 3-12 are welcome to join in on fun at the annual Nature's Eggs Extravaganza at Chippewa Nature Center on March 23. Provided by Chippewa Nature Center Children ages 3-12 are welcome to join in on fun at the annual Nature's Eggs Extravaganza at Chippewa Nature Center on March 23. Provided by Chippewa Nature Center Children ages 3-12 are welcome to join in on fun at the annual Nature's Eggs Extravaganza at Chippewa Nature Center on March 23. Provided by Chippewa Nature Center Children ages 3-12 are welcome to join in on fun at the annual Nature's Eggs Extravaganza at Chippewa Nature Center on March 23. Provided by Chippewa Nature Center

Children ages 3-12 are welcome to join in on fun at the annual Nature's Eggs Extravaganza at Chippewa Nature Center (CNC) on Saturday, March 23.

Each child will be provided with their own egg hunting bag to decorate how they like. They will then take their bags into the woods to search for hidden eggs and collect as many as they can find.

At the end of each hunt, prizes will be awarded to all participants.

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According to CNC, the egg hunting groups will be kept small, and children will be divided according to age.

The egg hunts will take place at 10, 10:30, 11 and 11:30 a.m. Participants are asked to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to hunt time in order to check-in.

Various games and activities will be available at the CNC Visitor Center, 400 S. Badour Rd., all of which will feature egg-laying animals native to Michigan.

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Ric Underhile is stepping down as the executive director of Artworks after years of serving the arts community in Big Rapids through various initiatives and his new salon series. (Pioneer file photo). Pioneer photo/Dylan Schwartz

BIG RAPIDS  After three years as the executive director of Artworks in Big Rapids, Ric Underhile has announced his retirement, leaving behind a legacy of commitment to local arts.

Underhile's tenure at Artworks has been marked by his focus on fostering the arts and humanities in Big Rapids and bringing together the organization and the local community.

Reflecting on his time at Artworks, Underhile said Artworks is a vital facet of the arts community in Big Rapids.

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"Artworks is an amazing community with a rich history and too many accomplishments to list, he said. Artworks has and continues to be an anchor for those committed to the arts and humanities.

When asked about his most significant takeaway from his time at Artworks, Underhile emphasized the importance of collaboration.

"Nothing I have accomplished at Artworks has been without the help of others equally committed to our mission," he said.

Underhile has spearheaded several of the organizations projects involving donors, artists, authors, musicians and other stakeholders, which have contributed to advancing Artworks' mission."

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"You cannot thank donors, artists, authors, actors, musicians and others enough. They are the heart of Artworks, he said.

He expressed his hopes for his legacy, highlighting the significance of programs like the artist-in-residence initiative and the emerging salon series.

Underhile also extended appreciation to locals who have assisted in Artworks mission, stressing the importance of stewardship and expressing gratitude for the community's support.

I want to make sure that readers know how much I appreciate the support from other businesses and City Hall, he said.

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As Underhile prepares to pass the torch to a new executive director, he offered wisdom to his successor and the Artworks community.

"Listen to the wisdom around you," he said. "Give yourself and others room to be creative. Seek support and guidance when asked, but dont be shy about asking for it. You are surrounded by wisdom  take advantage."

Looking ahead, Underhile plans to remain active in his pursuits as a musician and author while providing guidance for the Michigan Heroes Museum and mentoring independent artists. He also plans to continue supporting Artworks.

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In considering the future of Artworks, Underhile stressed the importance of planning and community support.
A 24-year-old man ran down North Main Street in Cork carrying a pitchfork in the early afternoon and now he has been sentenced to three months in prison.

Daniel Mulroy of 78 Highfield Park, Ballincollig, County Cork, was sentenced by Judge Mary Dorgan at Cork District Court.

Sergeant Gearoid Davis described what happened at around 3 p.m. on July 3 2023 on North Main Street, Cork.

The accused went to Scotts Tools and stole a pitchfork and moments later he was seen running down the street with it in his hand.

When he was arrested at Thomas Davis Street he had a Stanley knife in his pocket, Sgt. Davis said.

On October 10 2023 he was drunk and a danger to himself or others at Cork Airport and had to be arrested by airport police.

On December 8 2023 he was drunk and a source of danger to himself or others at Highfield Park in Ballincollig.

Daithi O Donnabhain solicitor said the accused was pleading guilty in respect of all matters at the earliest opportunity.

Judge Mary Dorgan said that running down the street with a pitchfork was aggravating matter.

People are entitled to walk down the street without having someone run along with a pitchfork, in fairness.

Mr O Donnabhain said on behalf of Mr Mulroy, In his sober senses he would totally agree.
AN Independent Cork City councillor will contest the upcoming local elections and the next general election under the banner of the Independent Ireland party.

Kenneth OFlynn, who has been in Cork City Council for 16 years, initially as a Fianna Fail councillor until he resigned from the party in January 2020, and as an independent since, announced yesterday that he has joined Independent Ireland.

Mr OFlynn was first elected to Cork City Council in 2009.

Independent Ireland was founded last November by Cork South West TD Michael Collins, and Limerick TD Richard ODonoghue, both former Independent TDs. They were joined in February of this year by Roscommon Galway TD, Michael Fitzmaurice.

Mr OFlynn will be Independent Ireland spokesperson for urban affairs.

He told The Echo he had been working with Mr Collins for years, helping people to travel on the Belfast or Blind bus to avail of cataract surgery in Northern Ireland, a service founded seven years ago by Mr Collins and by Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae.

I think Independent Ireland is a good fit for me, it seems to be a common-sense, straight-talking party, made up of like-minded independents, like myself, he said.

The term party is loose, in that it is a group that is without a whip, it is a grouping of people that are like-minded, that think alike, that see the practicalities in politics, and see a practicality of approach in how the country, and how the cities, and how the towns should be governed.

Mr OFlynn said his new party affiliation would not change his politics or how he would represent his constituents.

Its business as usual for me, Mr OFlynn said. Theres a very strong alignment in our ideas between myself, Michael Collins, Richard ODonoghue, and Michael Fitzmaurice.

You dont join a political party without the idealism that matches yours, and theirs matches mine.

Theres very, very little change in my policy or in my day-to-day how I think, and the great thing for being involved in this group is there is certainly room for independent thinking.

Mr Collins said that he had witnessed first-hand Mr OFlynns dedication to the people of Cork.

His passion and work ethic is unwavering, and his decision to extend his candidacy to both local and national elections speaks volumes about his commitment to serving the community, said Mr Collins.

We are proud to add another strong, poll-topping candidate to the Independent Ireland team; not only does he add many years of political experience and knowledge, Ken epitomises everything we look for in a candidate and team member.
ONE of Corks oldest charities will be giving out communion dresses and suits this weekend to families who are struggling with the cost of living.

Cork Penny Dinners will open up its wellness centre on St Jamess Street this Sunday to help families who may find it difficult to make ends meet ahead of First Communion this year.

Caitriona Twomey, the charitys volunteer co-ordinator, told The Echo the centre will be set up to resemble a shop so the day feels like a shopping experience for the children visiting.

We do this every year to alleviate stress and financial costs for families, and its one of the best days of our year. We dont just give out dresses that day, we do it in the months leading up to the Communion, but we do put on a day for people, said Ms Twomey.

Everything is geared toward keeping the children happy and giving them a memory for life, the way I remember my communion as one of the happiest days of my life.

She said the dresses and suits are donated to the charity by kind and generous people.

Last year, the Catholic bishop of Cork and Ross spoke out against the pressures families face at Communion and Confirmation time, after The Echo reported that Penny Dinners had given 36 Communion dresses and 24 pairs of shoes to girls, while also dressing 17 boys.

Bishop Fintan Gavin told The Echo that the Catholic Church does not require anyone to spend money on First Holy Communion Day, saying the eucharist is a free gift from God.

Thats what Communion day is all about, and I do appreciate there are all of the other sociological, cultural challenges that people, through the culture, put onto themselves, he said. Im hearing stories about people putting an awful lot of pressure on themselves ... but its not whats the essential.

The Cork Penny Dinners wellness centre Communion shop on St Jamess Street will be open from 11am to 4pm on Sunday, March 24, and all are welcome.
A 15-year-old accused of knife attacks on three other teenagers and punching a 14-year-old girl in the head has been refused bail due to public safety concerns.

Sergeant Gearoid Davis said:

There has to be some level of protection for members of the public where it is alleged these were completely unprovoked attacks.

Detective Sergeant Kieran OSullivan objected to bail being granted to the juvenile, who cannot be named because of his age, at Cork District Court.

Det Sgt OSullivan said the nature of the evidence was strong and that there was concern the 15-year-old would commit further serious incidents and possibly interfere with witnesses.

One teenage victim received a text from a family in Mayfield known to be associated with the accused, effectively threatening her, saying they know where she lives.

On January 7 at Applegreen service station, Brooklodge, Glanmire, the first alleged incident occurred where the defendant is accused of stabbing an 18-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl. Det Sgt OSullivan said: An 18-year-old reported to gardai that he had gone to Applegreen with his 16-year-old girlfriend and her friend, who is 14.

They saw a group of approximately 10 youths in dark clothing congregated at the entrance to the premises.

As the injured parties left the shop, one of them [the large group] said to the 18-year-old: What are you looking at? The three did not reply and kept walking. They walked on to Brooklodge Square, Glanmire, with the intention of returning home. The group then proceeded to follow them to Brooklodge Square, where all three were assaulted.

The 18-year-old received two lacerations on his upper left arm/shoulder, one of which was quite deep and approximately four inches long. He also received a laceration on his left lower leg that was similar in size and depth.

The 16-year-old received a laceration to a finger on her right hand which was bleeding profusely. The 14-year-old received blows to the head and body, but had no visible wounds. CCTV captured the offence.

The defendant was charged with assaulting the 14-year-old, and assault causing harm to the two other parties. He was also accused of having a knife.

Det Gda OSullivan also outlined the allegations in the more recent incident where the accused was charged with another count of assault causing harm, stating: At 3pm on March 3, the injured party was in Leisureplex, MacCurtain Street, with his girlfriend. Two people approached and attacked him without provocation. He sustained a laceration to his left eye and stab wounds to his back. A small kitchen blade was discarded at the scene. The suspect was identified on CCTV.

Again, the 15-year-old made no admissions.

Judge Mary Dorgan said after hearing the application made for bail by the teenager through his solicitor, Frank Buttimer: With very great regret, the court cannot admit him to bail. I will remand him in detention to Oberstown Detention Centre. The accuseds first remand is to the Childrens Court on March 22.
BRITAIN'S Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, has announced that she has been diagnosed with cancer and is in the early stages of being treated with chemotherapy.

In a video statement recorded by the BBC, the 42-year-old said the cancer had been discovered after she had major abdominal surgery in January.

The announcement comes after weeks of often feverish speculation and conspiracy theories about her health and the reason for her absence from public view.

Ms Middleton, who is married to Prince William, the heir to the British throne, said she and her husband had needed time to explain her illness to their three children, George, 10, Charlotte, eight, and Louis, five.

She said the diagnosis had come as a huge shock, and she said it had been an incredibly tough couple of months.

Details of the cancer have not been disclosed, but Kensington Palace said it was confident that Ms Middleton would make a full recovery.

Her statement said that when she had abdominal surgery in January, it was not known that there was any cancer.

However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment, she said.

She said she had been able to reassure her children that she would recover from her illness.

As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal, in my mind, body and spirits, she said.

She said that having her husband by her side was a great source of comfort and reassurance.

As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.

Speculation about Ms Middleton reached fever pitch two weeks ago when the first official photograph to be released after her abdominal surgery was recalled by some of the worlds biggest picture agencies over claims it had been manipulated.

She later issued a public apology and said she had been responsible for digitally editing the Mothers Day family photograph.

Ms Middleton asked in the statement issued on Friday for time and space for her to complete her treatment and said she looked forward to returning to royal duties.

She added that she was thinking of all those who have been affected by cancer.

For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.

The UKs King Charles, who is also being treated for cancer, had been told about the state of the princess health, the BBC reported.
Revenue officers examining parcels at various locations this week seized contraband worth almost 340,000, some of which was bound for Cork addresses.

The seizures, which occurred at premises in Dublin, Athlone and Shannon, were made as a result of risk profiling by Revenue officials.

Officers examining parcels at a premises in Dublin seized 9.3 kgs of herbal cannabis, 72.7 grammes of cannabis resin, 1.8 kgs of cannabis edibles and 5.1 kg of mitragynine, contraband with a combined estimated value of over 319,000.

After examining parcels at a premises in Athlone, Revenue officers seized 254.8 grammes of synthetic cannabinoids with an estimated value of 5,100.

The illicit drugs were discovered inside consignments declared as various items such as bath towels, pillows, clothing and food.

The parcels variously originated from the Netherlands, Spain, USA, Thailand and Indonesia, and were destined for addresses in Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Kildare, Limerick and Wexford.

Also this week, Revenue officers based at Shannon Airport seized herbal cannabis with an estimated value of 15,000.

Investigations into all of the seizures are ongoing.

These confiscations are part of Revenues ongoing operations targeting organised crime groups and the importation, sale and supply of illegal drugs.

If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295.
Midland County Circuit Court Judge Stephen Carras presides over a hearing Thursday regarding a motion asking for his recusal. Tereasa Nims/Daily News Heron Cove Association attorney Laura Genovich, right, argues Thursday at the Midland County Courthouse that Circuit Court Judge Stephen Carras should recuse himself from a case in which Four Lakes Task Force has requested that a hearing be expedited in response to Heron Cove Association's appeal of the Special Assessment District. Four Lakes Task Force attorney Joe Colaianne, left, explained reasons why Carras should hear the case. Tereasa Nims/Daily News

In his first time being asked to do so, Midland County Circuit Court Judge Stephen Carras recused himself Thursday from hearing the Four Lakes Task Forces motion for an expedited appeal hearing.

The Heron Cove Association filed an appeal challenging the Four Lakes Special Assessment District. The task force shot back, asking the court to expedite the appeal hearing that could take several months to resolve.

This is obviously a highly emotional issue, Carras said.

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I think the appropriate thing to do is to recuse myself, he continued.

The judge said if he were to rule for one side, it could create a perception of the court not serving the other sides interest fairly.

I dont want to create the perception of the court not serving their interests fairly, Carras said.

Carras has served as judge since being appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder in May 2013, and this was the first time he has ever been asked to recuse himself.

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The request stemmed from his sitting as a trustee on the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, which has given $1,000,000 to the Four Lakes Task Force. The money was for a feasibility study and not for dam construction, as established in Thursdays hearing.

This is not grounds for recusal, Carras said.

Heron Cove Association attorney Laura J. Genovich, of Foster Swift in Grand Rapids, argued that if Carras were to hear this appeal case, it would give the impression of impropriety.

When the judge recused himself, Genovich said it was important for the integrity of the process to avoid an appearance of impropriety.

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During the hearing, Four Lakes Task Force attorney Joe Colaianne said there was no appearance of impropriety.

Colaianne took issue with Heron Cove's filing to have Carras recused two days after the task force filed a motion to expedite the appeal hearing. Colaianne deemed Heron Cove was trying to delay and extend the case out. In addition, he cited that Carras should be the judge on the case because he is the one who ordered the legal lake level in 2019, the year before the dam breaches.

Genovich said this wasnt a delay tactic. She said it was about due process.

Following the hearing, Four Lakes Task Force President and Chair Dave Kepler said, I respect the judges decision. Its just going to delay the work.

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Shortly after the Heron Cove Association filed the appeal on March 4, the task force halted work on the four dams and work on Wixom, Sanford, Secord and Smallwood lakes.
PONDERING turning 40 this year, comedian Emma Doran says it hit her that she is at a crossroads where she could become pregnant herself, or perhaps become a granny.

Neither would be ideal though, declared Emma, who admitted that approaching a new decade is giving her cause to reflect.

That explains then the title of her new show Dilemma which shell perform in The Everyman on April 27.

Life is good for the mum-of three who has been performing stand-up for the past decade. Most recently shes been going down a treat with viewers on Prime Videos Last One Laughing Ireland, presented by Graham Norton.

But Im just taking things day by day like us all. If I wash and style my hair, its a good day!

Her original ambition was to be an actor. But in comedy nobody cares what you look like, or what age you are. I started out at 29, and had a baby, and also a 10-year-old at that stage and thought I was ancient!

Comedian Emma Doran, will perform at the Everyman in Cork, on April 27.

I was a bit different to others out there, and what I thought held me back was what actually set me apart, I just didnt know it at the time, said Emma.

Having gigged, often for nothing, she took the plunge and left her job as a copy writer three years ago and launched her comedy career full-time. It was the best thing she ever did.

My favourite part of the day in my office job was going around asking people what they were doing for lunch, apart from that I wasnt great at it!

Shes known for her dry wit, skits about WhatsApp groups, and infamously demonstrating the silent ride to Ryan Tubridy on The Late Late Show.

Is her on-stage persona the same as her real-life one? It is!

Her parents, she said, arent at all shocked by her sometimes risque antics: We tend to say stuff to get a reaction from each other. But they might also be thinking it would be great if I had been a civil servant!

And I dont have any grannies any more so thats made it a bit easier at times. Although my dads mam had a corner shop and had lodgers and was very pro-women and I think theyd both have enjoyed what I do.

Shes not the first creative person in her family either as her mother Marjorie is a very talented artist.

When she was in school, it was just her and another girl who wanted to do the subject so they scrapped it which makes me very grateful for the time Im growing up in.

Her daughter Ella, who will turn 21 in May, is studying psychology in college.

Shes joking that shes doing her thesis on me! laughs Emma.

Were very similar but also different if that makes sense.

Ella was born just 13 days before Emma sat her Leaving Certificate, and being a young mum did focus her mind.

In the early days I thought my life was over, that it was a total disaster. Everyone was going on the Leaving Cert holiday, the Debs, and I had none of that but it made me determined, and motivated and I went to college that September having had Ella in May.

Its not what I had envisioned, but I came out of it feeling strong.

Shes an only girl, with two older brothers, and her parents were very supportive.

When I told my dad, he said: Well, I like the idea of being a grandad. Mam did the childminding for me and that was at a time when she was also caring for her own mother, so I was very supported.

Emma and her partner Shane are also parents to Joe (10) and Tommy (9).

Shane actually grew up around the corner from me but we met in Coppers! Hes a painter decorator so its nice that its something different to me, but wed both be very into popular culture.

She describes him as brilliant.

He does the dinners, his mammy raised him well, and Id do the drop-offs and stuff. Weve a good system going but Id still often text on the way home to see if we need bread and milk!

Were not married but we probably should for tax purposes!

The Dilemma tour is a 21-date nationwide tour, but its not as rock n roll as you might think  Emma will try to get home to Dublin most nights.

I like to get back and do the school runs the next day when I can. Im pretty clean living and dont drink that much at all. I want to be fresh to be able to enjoy what Im doing as its a privileged position to know people are showing up for you.

And when shes not working?

I enjoy the gym  pumping that peri-menopause out of myself!

She cant wait to be back in The Everyman.

It was one of my favourite shows of the tour last year, if not my favourite. It was such a howl. I didnt get through half my material as we were going in all sort of directions. Ill be coming to Cork just after finishing Last One Laughing Ireland so Ill be a bit wired, but Im dying to get back, she said.

Cork audiences really get on board, said Emma, thanks to the active comedy community here.

Some counties can take a while to get going, they can be a bit shy, but Cork is great as theyre exposed more to stand-up. And so much of a gig depends on the audience, as its a conversation between you both. They do a lot of the work, she said

An added bonus is that her Aunty Mary, lives outside the city. She was always the cool aunt when I was growing up, lived in New York, worked as an architect so that will be a chance to visit her, she said.

Emma insists that the majority of Irish people could do what she does.

Really?

The only difference between everyone else and a stand-up comedian is that that person performed in front of a crowd of around 14 on a random Tuesday night, probably for no money!

To anyone with an urge to get on stage and give comedy a whirl, she says to go for it.

At the very worst, it will make a good dinner party story!

Supporting Emma in Cork will be Kyla Cobbler. See everymancork.com for more
VICTORIA Kennefick is a woman of words, and she is a woman of note.

The award-winning poet, who is a native of Shanagarry, East Cork, is delighted to have been appointed as Cork County Councils writer in residence for the coming year.

Victoria, poet, writer and teacher, and mum to Vivienne, aged six, who lives in Tralee, says she is delighted to be returning to her native Cork.

Returning to Cork to collaborate with writers, students, and readers in developing and enriching their relationship and engagement with literature is a source of great delight to me, says Victoria.

Cork County Council has provided me with many opportunities as an emerging writer in the past and its a true honour to pay it back in this way.

Victoria, a talented poet and writer, published her second collection in February, Egg/Shell, recommended by The Poetry Book Society (PBS) as its 2024 Spring Choice. Her poem, Guest Room, appeared on the English Paper Two Leaving Cert 2003.

What does the book explore?

Egg/Shell explores early motherhood and miscarriage, and the impact of a spouses gender transition and the dissolution of a marriage. And supporting young people as to who they are, explains Victoria.

Egg/Shell was sent to all members of the Poetry Book Society, and being the Spring Choice of the Society is a huge endorsement for me.

Victoria writes on the move.

I like train-hopping and I am commuting from Tralee to Cork - I often write poems in the car. Maybe Ill write on the train!

There is huge literary talent in Cork and Im looking forward to tapping into it and working with literary enthusiasts. Reading new writing works, listening and curating, offering workshop requests, is an exciting prospect.

Im looking forward to engagement with writers groups and community organisations as well as young people. I will be visiting libraries and also providing guidance online.

As part of her role as writer in residence, Victoria will be visiting five libraries: Bandon, Cobh, Kanturk, Carrigaline and Mitchelstown.

There will be stand-alone events also, Poetry Day Ireland, for instance, and Ill be reading at the West Cork Literary Festival, says Victoria, whose collection, Eat or We Both Starve, won the Seamus Heaney First Collection Poetry Prize.

Her passion for poetry and books was nurtured from a young age.

My family on both sides were poetry lovers, says Victoria, who is working on her first novel.

Shakespeare and epic poems were a big part of my childhood.

"My mother favoured the romantic poets like Yeats, Byron and Keats that provided soothing elements. My dad liked American poets, poetry that rhymed and poetry that was funny.

I could read very early on starting school and I realised early that poems were magical, and communication even given dark and deep subject matter like love, death, immortality, and God. They related to deep inward feelings, says Victoria.

Poems always fascinated me and how they were put together.

Victoria, who grew up by the sea, says she was a somewhat anxious child.

I wanted to know what worked, I was curious and very hungry in a precocious way. I remember learning nursery rhymes and looking back they seemed so dark, like the limericks.

I thought; this is what life is about. Every image had a meaning. Poetry is like constructing a body around a soul is a poem is to exist.

Victoria liked existing beside the sea in Shanagarry.

It was always a great source of comfort to me. I like being on the edge of things; then as now.

She was blessed to be read to regularly by her mother and two older sisters.

 The Witches and Matilda by Roald Dahl were favourites, partly because they horrified me. I loved to listen to the poetry of Walter de la Mare. Anne of the Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery really grabbed me.

Victoria has literary roots going way back.

My maternal grandfather was a teacher and a voracious reader, he used to cycle all over Ireland for first editions, says Victoria.

My maternal grandmother could recite huge chunks of Shakespeare and many poems off by heart. My mother can do likewise as can many of her siblings.

Poetry came easy to the Kennificks on both sides of the family.

With my grandparents and my mother and father so interested in poetry and the love of it, that interest had a huge influence on me, the readiness with which they could access these beautiful and strange words.

What did they like to read and recite?

My father loved the poems of Robert Service - their rhyme and rhythm. My paternal grandfather was a farmer, publican and blacksmith.

Those occupations prompted lots of story-telling.

Thats true, says Victoria.

Does she adhere to a routine and familiar writing space when she is writing (apart from the car and the train)!?

Recently, with the support of a bursary from Kerry County Council, I had the opportunity to spend a week writing in Greywood Arts in Killeagh which I was very grateful for, says Victoria. Greywood is a beautiful period house right at the edge of the village, next to the river. I stayed in a lovely room and had a magnificent study all to myself. The house is situated right next to Glenbower Woods where I walked every day.

Victoria likes getting away from the daily grind.

Im not good with routines, she says. Its a curse but its just how my brain works so Ive learned how to grab moments where possible.

When I am working on something a little difficult, where I want to avoid or hide, I must pounce, take myself by surprise.

So I might crack open the laptop at a kitchen table, in the back of a car, a cafe, or sometimes in bed. I often have to trick myself into working!

Does the award-winning writer have any advice for would-be writers that dream of being published?

Writing is an action word, says Victoria. That means doing, being actively engaged. Lean into what fascinates you and what you enjoy.

The residency is managed by Cork County Council Library and Arts Service. This position is supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaion and Creative Ireland.
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.

After a plant suffers an injury, metabolites called terpenoids are released to enhance its defenses. A new study led by scientists from Tokyo University of Science (TUS) has found that rose essential oil (REO) has the ability to stimulate defense genes in the leaves of tomato plants.

REO also attracts herbivore predators that protect plants from moths and mites. Because of these effects, the researchers concluded that REO can be effective as a sustainable organic pesticide.

[O]ur study showed that rose essential oil (REO), rich in -citronellol, played a crucial role in activating defense genes in tomato leaves. As a result, leaf damage caused by herbivores, such as Spodoptera litura and Tetranychus urticae, was significantly reduced, the researchers wrote in the study. Our findings suggest a practical approach to promote organic tomato production that encourages environmentally friendly and sustainable practices.

Essential oils (EOs) derived from plants are used in cosmetics, detergents, food additives and pharmacology, a press release from TUS said.

The bioactivities of EOs have been shown to be exceptionally safe and to benefit human health. In addition, they have been found to induce neurotoxic effects in insects, causing a repellent response.

Plant EOs have an abundance of terpenoids that are able to control defense responses in plants by regulating the expression of their defense genes. When komatsuna and soybean plants are grown near mint, they show a marked improvement in their defense properties that make them resistant to herbivores. This happens through eavesdropping  a process during which the mint plant releases volatile compounds that trigger defense genes.

Today, applying chemical pesticides is the method of choice for crop protection, but the damage they cause to the environment and ecosystems, along with the need to increase food productivity, stresses the need for safer alternatives, the press release said. Thus, there is an urgent need for investigation of plant defense potentiators. In this regard, the availability of EOs makes them attractive candidates as environmentally friendly plant defense activators.

The lack of enough proven EOs to meet demand presents a challenge, however. To address this issue, the research team looked at tomato defense responses activated by 11 EOs.

EOs used as fragrances for various purposes contain odor components, which may have the ability to work like volatile compounds in conferring pest resistance. We aimed to investigate the effects of these EOs on plants insect pest resistance, said professor Gen-ichiro Arimura of the TUS Department of Biological Science and Technology in the press release.

The research team profiled how EOs enriched with terpenoid affected tomato plants. They applied solutions diluted with ethanol from 11 distinct EOs to potted tomato plant soil. After studying the leaf tissues gene expression through molecular analyses, they found that REO boosted the levels of plant defense genes PIR1 and PIN2.

The tomatoes treated with REO also showed less leaf damage from Spodoptera litura moth larvae and Tetranychus urticae mites.

The team also measured REO activity in a field experiment. They found 45.5 percent less damage from tomato pests than the control. The researchers feel REO could act as an effective pesticide alternative during winter and spring when there is less severe pest infestation. In addition, they think it could potentially lower pesticide use by nearly 50 percent during the summer.

REO is rich in -citronellol, a recognized insect repellent, which enhances REOs efficacy. Owing to this, damage caused by the moth larvae and mites was significantly minimized, confirming REO as an effective biostimulant. The findings also showed that a low concentration of REO did not repel T. urticae but attracted Phytoseiulus persimilis, a predator of these spider mites, thus exhibiting a dual function of REO, Arimura explained in the press release.

The study, Novel Potential of Rose Essential Oil as a Powerful Plant Defense Potentiator, was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

The study demonstrated the capacity of EO enriched with -citronellol in turning on the defense genes of tomato leaves. It also showed that REO effectively enhances plant defense in a safe manner that does not leave toxic residue or result in phytotoxicity.

Our study suggests a practical approach to promoting organic tomato production that encourages environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. This research may open doors for new organic farming systems. The dawn of potent environmentally friendly and natural pesticides is upon us, Arimura said.
(Photo: GOA)Archbishop Elpidophoros of America welcomed the GOA Girl Delegates to New York City in March 2024. Photo: GOA

A group of 13 young women from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America have participated in advocacy for rights and beliefs at the United Nations in New York in conjunction with the Commission on the Status of Women.

The National Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Girl Delegate Program, drawing girls from all over the United States, provides a platform for girls to address issues related to the rights of girls all over the world.

This includes their individual rights, and their beliefs and they do this through the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese at the United Nations in New York, the World Council of Churches reported on its web site.

Welcoming the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese girl delegates, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America stated: "I am proud to say that we are the only organized faith community represented at the United Nations in this way.

"Your enthusiastic participation in advocacy work at the UN exemplifies the teachings of our church. We are proud to have you represent not only your Greek Orthodox sisters at this pinnacle of international collaboration at the United Nations but all Greek Orthodox faithful."

The initiative also works with other non-governmental organizations centered on young women and participates in advocacy in different ways, including observation, written and oral statements, and direct advocacy to member states.

During their time in New York, the young women spoke with representatives from Permanent Missions to the UN representing: Greece, Cyprus, the Holy See, Ireland, and the Sovereign Order of Malta.

They participated in official side events hosted by member states, as well as parallel events hosted by members of civil society.

"Through their participation in CSW68 and surrounding events, the girls will not only learn more about what they can do to correct systematic poverty, but also take what they have learned back to serve their communities and work towards their individual spiritual growth," said Niki Devaris-Morgulis, who coordinates the program.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese young women delegates explored issues such as human trafficking; as well as policies and good practices that contribute to recognizing care as a social good, a right, and a work essential to economic growth and social wellbeing.

They also discussed fostering the social redistribution of care between individuals, families, communities, and the State, according to the WCC release.

REDUCE WOMEN IN POVERTY

They explored measures to overcome the gender division of labor and move towards a fair social organization of care, to reduce women in poverty and to promote women's economic autonomy through a social development model that fosters gender equality in the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.

They also heard firsthand accounts from Indigenous girls on the link between poverty and the climate crisis, and how the Indigenous girls are responding.

This allowed the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese delegates to reflect on how they can respond in their own cities and towns.

"Being a girl delegate representing the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese has given me so many opportunities to learn about and share my ideas on women's advocacy, gender-related poverty, and environmental challenges Indigenous women face," said Eve Feles, one of the delegates.

"I am so blessed to have been given the opportunity to attend CSW68 and I hope to continue participating in events like these in the future."

The sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) took place from Marc 11 to 22, 2024.

Representatives of UN Member States, UN entities, and ECOSOC-accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from all regions of the world have engaged in person and online.

According to the WCC, the CSW is the largest United Nations gathering on gender equality and women's empowerment.




Vietnam-Czech business forum aims to boost agriculture sector ties



The Vietnam-Czech business forum, held in Hanoi on March 20, 2024, served as a platform to foster investment and business prospects for firms from both countries in the agriculture sector, Vietnam News reported.

Organised by the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Vietnam in collaboration with the Czech Chamber of Commerce, the forum aimed to spotlight the potential, advantages, and investment opportunities in Vietnam's farming, forestry, and fisheries sector.

Nguyen Quoc Tri, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, emphasised the forum's role in introducing Czech businesses and investors to Vietnam's agricultural landscape while facilitating trade and investment agreements between the two nations.

Tri expressed Vietnam's commitment to facilitating business, trade, and investment ties with Czech enterprises, urging support for initiatives such as the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade (FLEGT) with the European Union (EU).

Marek Vyborny, Czech Republic's Minister of Agriculture, echoed Tri's, said that the forum sparked new cooperation ideas and bolster project development and business activities between Vietnamese and Czech firms.

Highlighting the Czech Republic's interest in agriculture, food industry, and water resource management cooperation with Vietnam, Vyborny said his country's aim is to enhance education and training in the agricultural sector.

He noted opportunities for collaboration between Czech University of Life Sciences Prague and Vietnamese educational institutions in agriculture, forestry, and sustainable agricultural product utilisation.

Jana Havrdova, Vice President of the Czech Chamber of Commerce, disclosed that 25 Czech companies accompanying the Czech Minister of Agriculture's delegation participated in the forum. These firms specialise in brewing, dairy and meat processing, agricultural technology, and food industry.

Havrdova expressed confidence in the potential for expanding Czech-Vietnamese business cooperation, particularly in sectors such as brewing, meat production, agricultural technology, and food and beverage industries.

- Vietnam News
A hiring sign outside the newly built Mercedes-Benz of Danbury dealership in March 2024, in Danbury, Conn. Alexander Soule/Hearst Connecticut Media

After Connecticut saw slower jobs growth last year, employers tapped the brakes again in February, with the state's unemployment rate rising slightly to 4.5 percent.

Connecticut employers added 900 jobs last month, according to initial jobs estimates for February released on Thursday by the Connecticut Department of Labor. That pushes the total count statewide to 2,500 jobs above the 1.7 million threshold, a post-pandemic high and approaching the state's peak employment in past economic cycles.

"The addition of 900 jobs shows that the growth is steady and continues that positive trend here in the beginning of the year  obviously it's just the first two months," said Chris Davis, vice president of public policy for the Connecticut Business & Industry Association, and a onetime Connecticut General Assembly legislator representing Ellington and East Windsor. "It's also encouraging to see that the labor force itself  the number of people working and those actively looking for work  that that number continues to increase. We had 4,000 more people in the labor force in February and 20,000 more year-over-year. That is another sign that we have that strong labor market here in Connecticut."

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DOL often revises its estimates as additional responses arrive from households and businesses. DOL officials were not available as of Thursday afternoon to comment on the newest jobs data.

"Job gains have averaged 3,350 so far this year, a good start for 2024 with most industries adding jobs during the first two months of the year," said Patrick Flaherty, DOL director of research in written comments accompanying the Thursday report. "Job growth averaged 1,500 per month in 2023 with the first half of the year showing more growth than the second half. We may see a repeat of that pattern in 2024."

Of major industries tracked by DOL, the health care sector continues to drive hiring numbers, with 7,400 more jobs as of February compared to a year earlier for a 2.6 percent increase. As of Thursday, Hartford HealthCare had the most job postings on Indeed.com with just over 1,500 in all, with Yale New Haven Health having more than 1,300 openings.

Transportation, warehousing and logistics has seen the biggest percentage gain in Connecticut in the past year, with 3,700 more workers than in January 2023 for a 5.4 percent bump. The logistics sector has not been immune to job disruptions, however, as in the case of retail which lost 3,700 jobs to offset the gains in transportation and warehousing.

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Earlier this month, Walgreens notified DOL of plans to close a Killingly warehouse at a cost of about 320 jobs there. The company had sold the property last year to a developer while signing a new lease there, but now plans to exit the facility as it looks to cut costs.

But job losses are being offset by hiring, including at new commercial establishments such as a Target that is aiming for a mid-April opening at the Danbury Fair mall.

As of February, Connecticut continued to trail U.S. job growth on a year-over-year basis, with 14,900 jobs gained equating to a 0.9 percent increase in employment. That compared to a 1.8 percent increase nationally. Connecticut had slightly outpaced the rest of the nation for new hiring in January.

The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.9 percent in February, with Connecticut narrowing the gap to a 0.6 percentage difference. Still, Connecticut and Rhode Island were among the states to see an increase in unemployment in January that the U.S. Department of Labor labeled as "significant" statistically, with a 0.2 percent increase for both states even as Massachusetts saw unemployment drop by the same percentage. Massachusetts unemployment was at 3 percent in January.

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In a separate report on Tuesday, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated Connecticut had about 90,000 job openings in January, five thousand fewer than a year ago. Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Jersey have seen sharper contractions in job openings; by contrast, New York's job market has been booming, with nearly 100,000 more openings as of January compared to a year ago.

Connecticut's minimum wage rose in January to $15.69 an hour, from $15 as the result of an index pegged to changes in employer compensation costs. As of February, average hourly earnings were up $1.81 to $23.73 on average in the leisure and hospitality sector, the lowest-paying among major industries tracked by DOL. Restaurants, hotels and other hospitality businesses have seen only negligible growth in Connecticut in the past year.

"We have a lot of domestic workers and servers and caregivers, who are sort of often on their own taking care of people  often in their homes," said Gov. Ned Lamont, speaking Tuesday in Hartford during a press conference in support of a proposed expansion of paid sick leave to small businesses. "You don't want them feeling like they have to go into that setting ill, so they can ... pay the bills."
The US Department of the Interior (DOI) has proposed a second offshore wind energy auction in the Gulf of Mexico (United States). The proposed lease sale includes four areas offshore Louisiana and Texas, totalling 1,660 km2, with the potential to power 1.2 million homes. The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will be open to feedback on the proposed lease areas (size, orientation, location) and on potential lease revisions to include the production of hydrogen or other energy products using wind turbine generators on the lease. The public comment period will last for 60 days, ending in 20 May 2024, after which BOEM should publish a Final Sale Notice if it decides to proceed with the auction.

The United States currently has no large-scale offshore wind project currently operational (42 MW of offshore wind capacity at the end of 2022). The government aims to add 30 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030.
Porn bots are more or less ingrained in the social media experience, despite platforms best efforts to stamp them out. Weve grown accustomed to seeing them flooding the comments sections of memes and celebrities posts, and, if you have a public account, youve probably noticed them watching and liking your stories. But their behavior keeps changing ever so slightly to stay ahead of automated filters, and now things are starting to get weird.

While porn bots at one time mostly tried to lure people in with suggestive or even overtly raunchy hook lines (like the ever-popular, DON'T LOOK at my STORY, if you don't want to MASTURBATE!), the approach these days is a little more abstract. Its become common to see bot accounts posting a single, inoffensive, completely-irrelevant-to-the-subject word, sometimes accompanied by an emoji or two. On one post I stumbled across recently, five separate spam accounts all using the same profile picture  a closeup of a person in a red thong spreading their asscheeks  commented, Pristine , Music , Sapphire , Serenity  and Faith .

Another bot  its profile picture a headless frontal shot of someones lingerie-clad body  commented on the same meme post, Michigan . Once youve noticed them, its hard not to start keeping a mental log of the most ridiculous instances. agriculture one bot wrote. On another post: terror  and insect. The bizarre one-word comments are everywhere; the porn bots, it seems, have completely lost it.

Really, what were seeing is the emergence of another avoidance maneuver scammers use to help their bots slip by Metas detection technology. That, and they might be getting a little lazy.

Screenshots by Engadget

They just want to get into the conversation, so having to craft a coherent sentence probably doesn't make sense for them, Satnam Narang, a research engineer for the cybersecurity company Tenable, told Engadget. Once scammers get their bots into the mix, they can have other bots pile likes onto those comments to further elevate them, explains Narang, who has been investigating social media scams since the MySpace days.

Using random words helps scammers fly under the radar of moderators who may be looking for particular keywords. In the past, theyve tried methods like putting spaces or special characters between every letter of words that might be flagged by the system. You can't necessarily ban an account or take an account down if they just comment the word insect or terror, because it's very benign, Narang said. But if they're like, Check my story, or something that might flag their systems. Its an evasion technique and clearly it's working if you're seeing them on these big name accounts. It's just a part of that dance.

That dance is one social media platforms and bots have been doing for years, seemingly to no end. Meta has said it stops millions of fake accounts from being created on a daily basis across its suite of apps, and catches millions more, often within minutes after creation. Yet spam accounts are still prevalent enough to show up in droves on high traffic posts and slip into the story views of even users with small followings.

The companys most recent transparency report, which includes stats on fake accounts its removed, shows Facebook nixed over a billion fake accounts last year alone, but currently offers no data for Instagram. Spammers use every platform available to them to deceive and manipulate people across the internet and constantly adapt their tactics to evade enforcement, a Meta spokesperson said. That is why we invest heavily in our enforcement and review teams, and have specialized detection tools to identify spam.

Screenshot by Engadget

Last December, Instagram rolled out a slew of tools aimed at giving users more visibility into how its handling spam bots and giving content creators more control over their interactions with these profiles. Account holders can now, for example, bulk-delete follow requests from profiles flagged as potential spam. Instagram users may also have noticed the more frequent appearance of the hidden comments section at the bottom of some posts, where comments flagged as offensive or spam can be relegated to minimize encounters with them.

It's a game of whack-a-mole, said Narang, and scammers are winning. You think you've got it, but then it just pops up somewhere else. Scammers, he says, are very adept at figuring out why they got banned and finding new ways to skirt detection accordingly.

One might assume social media users today would be too savvy to fall for obviously bot-written comments like Michigan , but according to Narang, scammers success doesnt necessarily rely on tricking hapless victims into handing over their money. Theyre often participating in affiliate programs, and all they need is to get people to visit a website  usually branded as an adult dating service or the like  and sign up for free. The bots link in bio typically directs to an intermediary site hosting a handful of URLs that may promise XXX chats or photos and lead to the service in question.

Scammers can get a small amount of money, say a dollar or so, for every real user who makes an account. In the off chance that someone signs up with a credit card, the kickback would be much higher. Even if one percent of [the target demographic] signs up, you're making some money, Narang said. And if you're running multiple, different accounts and you have different profiles pushing these links out, you're probably making a decent chunk of change. Instagram scammers are likely to have spam bots on TikTok, X and other sites too, Narang said. It all adds up.

Screenshot by Engadget

The harms from spam bots go beyond whatever headaches they may ultimately cause the few who have been duped into signing up for a sketchy service. Porn bots primarily use real peoples photos that theyve stolen from public profiles, which can be embarrassing once the spam account starts friend requesting everyone the depicted person knows (speaking from personal experience here). The process of getting Meta to remove these cloned accounts can be a draining effort.

Their presence also adds to the challenges that real content creators in the sex and sex-related industries face on social media, which many rely on as an avenue to connect with wider audiences but must constantly fight with to keep from being deplatformed. Imposter Instagram accounts can rack up thousands of followers, funneling potential visitors away from the real accounts and casting doubt on their legitimacy. And real accounts sometimes get flagged as spam in Metas hunt for bots, putting those with racy content even more at risk of account suspension and bans.

Unfortunately, the bot problem isnt one that has any easy solution. They're just continuously finding new ways around [moderation], coming up with new schemes, Narang said. Scammers will always follow the money and, to that end, the crowd. While porn bots on Instagram have evolved to the point of posting nonsense to avoid moderators, more sophisticated bots chasing a younger demographic on TikTok are posting somewhat believable commentary on Taylor Swift videos, Narang says.

The next big thing in social media will inevitably emerge sooner or later, and theyll go there too. As long as there's money to be made, Narang said, there's going to be incentives for these scammers.
As the Senate considers the bill that would force a sale or ban of TikTok, lawmakers have heard directly from intelligence officials about the alleged national security threat posed by the app. Now, two prominent senators are asking the office of the Director of National Intelligence to declassify and make public what they have shared.

We are deeply troubled by the information and concerns raised by the intelligence community in recent classified briefings to Congress, Democratic Senators Richard Blumenthal and Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn write. It is critically important that the American people, especially TikTok users, understand the national security issues at stake.

The exact nature of the intelligence community's concerns about the app has long been a source of debate. Lawmakers in the House received a similar briefing just ahead of their vote on the bill. But while the briefing seemed to bolster support for the measure, some members said they left unconvinced, with one lawmaker saying that not a single thing that we heard  was unique to TikTok.

According to Axios , some senators described their briefing as shocking, though the group isnt exactly known for their particularly nuanced understanding of the tech industry. (Blumenthal, for example, once pressed Facebook executives on whether they would commit to ending finsta.) In its report, Axios says that one lawmaker said they were told TikTok is able to spy on the microphone on users' devices, track keystrokes and determine what the users are doing on other apps. That may sound alarming, but its also a description of the kinds of app permissions social media services have been requesting for more than a decade.
The Department of Justice and more than a dozen states have filed a lawsuit against Apple in the US federal court, accusing the company of violating antitrust laws. It says Apples hardware and software products are largely inaccessible to competitors, making it difficult for rivals to compete and for customers to switch to other companies products.

The lawsuit comes after the European Commission fined Apple 1.8 billion ($1.95 billion) for stopping music-streaming developers from informing iOS users about alternative and cheaper music subscription services available outside the App Store. And all this while US lawmakers chase another tech company, TikTok, with a lot of enthusiasm.

The DOJ suggests Apple used its control over iOS to block innovative apps and cloud streaming services from the public. (Look at cloud gaming services, like Googles now-gone Stadia and Microsofts xCloud). The suit also suggests Apple has obstructed rival payment platforms, made it harder for Android messages to appear on iPhones and restricted how competing smartphones integrated with iOS devices.

You could compare Apples antitrust suit to Microsofts antitrust suit brought against Windows in the late 90s  even Attorney General Merrick Garland noted those in the suit. But Microsoft truly dominated PC software back then, with over 90 percent of all PCs running some flavor of Windows.

The DOJ says Apple claims 70 percent of all smartphones, which is already less. Step outside the US, which is a bit academic here, and Apple has the same market share as Samsung, with many other phone makers jostling for a percentage point or two. Its not quite the same grip as Microsoft had on PCs.

 Mat Smith

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Theyre for serious business people and professionals.

Microsoft

Two devices conspicuously missing from Microsofts Surface and AI event last fall are finally here  and theyre what we expected and a bit surprising. Today, Microsoft unveiled the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6, sporting the same designs as the previous models but now with the AI smarts of Intels new Core Ultra CPU. Alas, both have the foreboding words for business attached to their names, so youll only be able to buy them from Microsofts website or commercial resellers. But why? We dont really know.

Continue reading.

Its in partnership with Alphabets Wing.

DoorDash just announced the launch of a new drone delivery pilot program in Christiansburg, Virginia, with an approximate population of 22,000. The company says orders should arrive in 30 minutes or less, making high-flying drones about as fast as a standard pizza delivery. However, its limited to only eligible items. And, alas, only items from fast-food chain Wendys.

Wendys? Wendys.

Continue reading.

The social media stalwart wants to raise around $631 million in its IPO.

Nearly two decades after its debut, Reddit is now a publicly traded company. It was listed on the New York Stock Exchange as RDDT on Thursday, with mascot Snoo on hand to ring the opening bell. One interesting aspect of Reddit going public is it offered shares at the IPO pricing to long-term users of good standing over the last few weeks. Its not all good news for Reddit, though. It recently signed a deal with Google, reportedly worth $60 million a year, to train the latters AI models on user-generated content. The Federal Trade Commission is looking into that arrangement.

Continue reading.
A 26-year-old man died after being shot near the Superior Court of Waterbury Thursday, police said. Kendra Baker / Hearst CT Media

WATERBURY  The 26-year-old man fatally wounded outside the Waterbury courthouse Thursday had been in court moments before the shooting, his attorney said.

Jarron Chapman of Waterbury was inside state Superior Court of Waterbury at 400 Grand St. seeing to his cases around 11:30 a.m. Thursday, his attorney Ioannis Kaloidis said. "He got a new court date," Kaloidis said. "I shook his hand and said, 'I'll see you in a couple of weeks.'"

Chapman walked out of the courthouse and was gunned down by an assailant who pulled up on a motorcycle, fired shots, then hopped back on and sped off, Kaloidis said.

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His client, who has a 2-year-old child, was planning on fighting charges filed against him in at least one gun case, said Kaloidis, who was assigned Chapman's case as a special public defender. "I believe he was shot at pretty close range," said Kaloidis, who believes the homicide was targeted.

Police said Friday that although Chapman's daughter was nearby, she did not directly witness her father being shot.

Chapman was rushed to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries after being found by responding officers at about 11:40 a.m., according to Lt. Ryan Bessette. He initially was listed in critical condition but later pronounced dead, police said.

Bessette said Thursday that officers believed the victim was leaving the courthouse after attending proceedings earlier in the day. Police on Friday confirmed Chapman was the victim of the shooting and said the investigation into his murder was continuing.

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Chapman had three pending cases including gun and drug charges, according to the state judicial branch website. In one case, Chapman and another man allegedly were found by police in an apartment in June 2022 with a ghost gun, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, heroin, cocaine and cannabis gummies, police said at the time. He had been released from prison about two weeks prior to that arrest and had a felony conviction barring him from possessing a firearm, police said.

Kaloidis said he didn't think the shooting had anything to do with the court cases and that his client was targeted outside of the courthouse simply because the shooter knew that's where he would be. "It was not random," the attorney said.

Connecticut State Police confirmed they were assisting the Waterbury Police Department with the investigation of the shooting.

Witnesses said the shooting happened on State Street, on the side of the court building and next to the court parking garage.

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Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said detectives continue to investigate. "We do know it was an isolated incident," he had said Thursday.

Patricia Hickey, a paralegal at Mellon Hickey Capuano on State Street, said she and fellow staff members heard two loud bangs late Thursday morning. She assumed it was construction noise.

It sounded like a dump truck, she said.

But a tenant came running down the stairs, saying he thought someone got shot. Then she heard the screams. A woman who was with the wounded man when he was shot was crying out in anguish, she said.

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Anyone with information can contact the Waterbury police Detective Bureau at (203) 574-6941 or Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (203) 755-1234.
OnlyFans influencer and Cuacolandia founder Elena Larrea's untimely death at age 30 allegedly happened after a recent liposuction operation.

On Wednesday, a statement about Mexican influencer's passing was posted on Cuacolandia's official Instagram account.

"With deep sorrow, we inform you of the departure of Elena Larrea, president and founder of Cuacolandia, who, unfortunately, yesterday, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 3:30 p.m., died due to a pulmonary thrombosis that caused a clot in the lung," the translated statement read.

"We will remember and continue to work for all that she bravely pushed for this foundation. We will promote her legacy and love so that our cuckoos, donkeys and mules will live in freedom and in appropriate conditions in Mexico, and our sanctuary of equines rescued from abuse and neglect."

The people behind the account also thanked Larrea for her "love and dedication" and wished her "eternal rest and peace." They also sent their heartfelt condolences to Larrea's surviving loved ones and friends.

According to the Mayo Clinic, pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is "a blood clot that blocks and stops blood flow to an artery in the lung."

It is probably the leading cause of liposuction-related death, per Liposuction 101. Most frequently, it reportedly happens with general anesthesia or heavy intravenous (IV) sedation, unnecessary perioperative IV fluid infusion and excessive liposuction.

Per Mirror and other media outlets, it was not confirmed what caused the blood clot to form in Larrea's lungs. However, it was alleged that this happened after she reportedly underwent a liposuction procedure recently.

Elena, an animal activist advocating horses, is the founder of an animal sanctuary in Puebla, which rescues horses, donkeys and other animals that were victims of abuse.

She pursued an OnlyFans career to increase her earnings and save Cuacolandia from closing down after the pandemic.

Cuacolandia is now home to nearly 50 animals and has rescued 312 abused and abandoned horses.

Lamento profundamente el deceso de Elena Larrea, una luchadora incansable por la defensa del bienestar animal.



El rescate de miles de equinos en condiciones de maltrato, dejan testimonio de su vida y obra.



A nombre del Gobierno de #Puebla, extendemos nuestro abrazo solidario a pic.twitter.com/rJhzRPfxlP  Sergio Salomon (@SergioSalomonC) March 20, 2024

Following the death of Larrea, Puebla state governor Sergio Salomon paid a heart-warming tribute and promised to guarantee the protection of the animals at the sanctuary she left.

"I deeply regret the death of Elena Larrea, a tireless fighter for the defense of animal welfare. The rescue of thousands of abused horses is a testimony to her life and work," he said in Spanish.

"With the Ministry of the Environment, we can guarantee the protection of the animals at Cuacolandia. We will provide all the necessary help so other horses are cared for by the authorities as well as those already rescued, prioritizing their wellbeing at all times."
Dollar Tree Inc. recently announced that it will be shutting down nearly 1,000 of its stores across the U.S. and locations for some of these have finally been revealed.

In a press release on March 13, the company said it will close down 600 Family Dollar stores in the first half of 2024. Another 400 Family Dollar and Dollar Tree stores will shutter over the next several years after significantly underperforming the past year.

"Family Dollar does not want to invest in markets where it cannot win and is not particularly profitable," Neil Saunders, GlobalData managing director, said in a note published by CBS News.

The store closings have been negatively felt by some communities, with jobs lost and access to stores now limited in certain areas.

While the final list of Family Dollar store closings has yet to be released, here are some locations where the stores are confirmed to be closing for good:

Peoria, Illinois

At least two stores in Peoria are set to close soon, with the one located at 3116 N. Sterling Ave. already hanging a "store closing" and "everything must be sold" banners, according to the Peoria Journal Star.

Another store at 820 NE Jefferson St. is already preparing to shutter, the outlet said.

Humansville, Missouri

A sign on the door of the Humansville Family Door says "We are closing this store only" and encourages customers to visit two other locations nearby, KY3 reported.

Willow Springs, Missouri

The location at Willow Springs is also on the list and has started offering its items at up to 90% off.

Kansas

Three stores in the state are confirmed to be closing -- in Peabody, Marion and at 13th and Broadway in Wichita.

East Liverpool, Ohio

The Family Dollar at 615 Walnut St. has started preparing for its closing with signs posted all over its windows. An employee told The Review that all items are 50% off and its last day is expected to be on April 17.

Middletown, New Jersey

The location at the Eastpointe shopping center on Route 36 is already offering its items at 50% off with signs saying "Store closing. Everything must be sold."

Wilmington, North Carolina

Two Wilmington-area Family Dollar locations -- on Greenfield Street and Carolina Beach Road -- are also included in the list, WECT reported.

Lynchburg, Virginia

Family Dollar stores on Campbell Avenue and Federal Street are also closing down.
Bruce Springsteen has resumed his tour in Arizona, but many netizens felt he looked different upon seeing a photo of him from his latest concert.

The "Born to Run" musician postponed some of his shows due to peptic ulcer. On Tuesday, he returned to the stage. In the snaps obtained by the New York Post from the event, the 74-year-old American singer-songwriter and guitarist rocked a half-buttoned red flannel and dark jeans.





The outlet noted that he appeared pale. His white hair also gave him a more pallid complexion. Several netizens reacted to his recent sighting, with many saying that he looked different, and they likened his appearance to actress Tilda Swinton and retired professional soccer player Megan Rapinoe.

Tilda Swinton in character as Megan Rapinoe.



I've been trying to figure out why Bruce is exposing his breasts in that fashion. March 21, 2024

"Tilda Swinton in character as Megan Rapinoe. I've been trying to figure out why Bruce is exposing his breasts in that fashion," one commented. Another added, "Megan Rapinoe retired to be Bruce's stand-in performer."

"He is definitely morphing into Tilda!" a third person opined.

"It's Hard to be Tilda Swinton in the City," a different user wrote.

A fifth commenter said, "he looks like Megan Rapinoe," with laughing emojis.

Looks like Megan Rapinoe pic.twitter.com/RfsIBAHuYU    (@HarmfulOpinion) March 21, 2024





Meanwhile, some netizens defended the musician. According to them, the photo was captured in an unflattering angle or light, and Springsteen wasn't that pale and looked great in other pictures.

"It's just an unfortunate photo -- and so clickbait. He looks fine and as himself in the video in the article," one wrote.

Another added, "This pic is doctored. Washed out to make him look pale."





"To be fair, look at other pictures from the night, and he looks a lot more normal," a third person suggested.

In March 2023, Springsteen canceled the shows in Ohio and Connecticut and rescheduled a performance in New York "due to illness." However, E Street guitarist Steven Van Zandt assured fans that there was no cause for concern.





"No need to be anxious or afraid," he said, per Men's Health. "Nothing serious. Just a temporary situation. We will all be back in full force very soon."

In June 2023, Springsteen fell over on stage, and in August of the same year, he canceled two tour dates in Philadelphia. In September 2023, the band announced on its website that all tour dates scheduled that month would be moved because the guitarist was being treated for symptoms of peptic ulcer.





In November, Van Zandt admitted they weren't aware of Springsteen's condition. They were as surprised as fans when they learned he had an ulcer.

"I got to tell you the truth, we had no idea how much pain (Bruce Springsteen) was in," Van Zandt told USA Today. "We were just as surprised as everyone else to learn the extent of his illness."




M. Emmet Walsh, a versatile character actor with a career spanning over sixty years, died on Tuesday due to cardiac arrest.

He was 88.

Per his longtime manager, Sandy Joseph, Walsh died at Kerbs Memorial Hospital in St. Albans, Vermont.

RELATED: 4 Celebrities Who Died In The First Week Of 2024

Born on March 22, 1935, in Ogdensburg, New York, but raised in the rural area of Swanton, Vermont, the actor gained recognition for his contributions to theater, television, and cinema. His onscreen journey began with his debut in 'Alice's Restaurant' in 1969.

Among his diverse repertoire, Walsh notably assumed the role of Harrison Ford's superior in Ridley Scott's 1982 dystopian masterpiece 'Blade Runner' and the Coen Brothers' debut film, 'Blood Simple,' in 1984. Additionally, he portrayed a morally compromised sheriff in the 1986 sci-fi horror flick 'Critters' and the father of Dermot Mulroney's character in the beloved 1997 romantic comedy 'My Best Friend's Wedding,' alongside Julia Roberts, and much more.

In television, Walsh showcased his versatility as a series regular on 'Sneaky Pete' and 'The Mind of the Married Man,' alongside notable guest appearances on 'Frasier,' 'Home Improvement,' 'The X-Files,' and 'NYPD Blue,' amongst others.

In more recent years, Walsh took on the role of an elderly security guard in Rian Johnson's 2019 comedic whodunit, 'Knives Out,' while also appearing in projects like 'Brothers,' 'God Loves the Green Bay Packers,' and 'The Righteous Gemstones.'

His career spanned an impressive breadth, with a total of 119 film credits and 250 television productions under his belt, as reported by his manager.

RELATED: 'Good Time' Actor Buddy Duress Dead At 38, Cause Revealed

Walsh's contributions extend beyond the screen.

In 2018, he received the prestigious Carney Life Achievement Award, presented by Harrison Ford at the esteemed Carney Awards, often referred to as the Character Actors Hall of Fame. Additionally, Walsh was recognized by the Breckenridge Festival of Film in 1998 and was honored with The Golden Knight, the highest alumni award bestowed by Clarkson University, in the same year.

Walsh never married or fathered children.
Russia staged its largest air strike on Ukrainian energy infrastructure of the war, hitting a vast dam, killing at least five people and leaving more than a million others without electricity, Kyiv said.
Ukraine is building defensive fortifications in the northeast region of Kharkiv where intense battles are underway near the shared border with Russia.
State Sen. Julie Kushner, D-Danbury, co-chairwoman of the legislative Labor & Public Employees Committee. Ken Dixon/Hearst Connecticut Media State Sen. Rob Sampson of Wolcott, a ranking Republican on the legislative Labor & Public Employees Committee, Ken Dixon/Hearst Connecticut Media

The Democratic majority on the legislature's Labor Committee on Thursday, over Republican opposition, approved three bills aimed at providing paid sick days for workers in smaller businesses.

While the 8-4 Democratic edge on the committee made approval of the legislation inevitable, Republicans targeted the package of recently redrafted bills as intrusive to the freedom of business owners. They also claimed it as a potential drag on their success, while unveiled to the panel in an opaque manner without publicly available details of the bills.

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"These bills are all very, very similar," Kushner said, adding that new language was the result of a recent public hearing in which supporters asked for the definition of "family" to align with the state's paid family leave program, adopted in 2021 and funded through statewide payroll deductions. "These bills all provide for employers in the private sector to provide employees with 40 hours of paid sick leave annually."

The Senate bill and Lamont's proposal would take effect October 1, while the House bill would go into action on January 1, 2025. The House version would phase-in certain employees by size, with all employers finally included by January 1, 2027.

In the Senate and governor's version, workers would earn an hour of sick leave for every 30 hours workers, while the House bill would provide for an automatic entitlement at the beginning of each year. Current paid sick leave law in the state requires employers of 50 or more to have paid sick leave.

Legislative leaders are likely to combined the bills into one bill to put before the Democratic-dominated House and Senate before the May 8 adjournment deadline.

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"The employer, customers, suppliers, everybody can potentially be affected," said Rep. Steve Weir of Hebron, a ranking Republican on the committee. "Maybe a company that has 500 employees, if someone calls out. the impact may not be critical. If it's 50 employees, it may be a little more critical unless it's the person signing the paychecks on Friday. But you start pushing this down to one employee, two employees where that may be the only person performing work outside of the owner of the business, it's going to have a huge impact on the viability of a small business to survive."

Another committee member, Rep. David Yaccarino, R-North Haven, who like Weir is a small business owner, warned that if approved and signed into law, it is bound to increase operating costs. "If somebody's business is just making it and they have to do things they might do on their own but they're mandated, they might not give that person extra hours, they might not hire that fourth or fifth person," he said. "I just think it's well-intended but there are a lot of flaws. We totally don't agreed. I think most employers - I do and I think that most do - treat their employees really, really well, because you want that employee to be part of that business, that family. You want to take care of them."

State Sen. Rob Sampson of Wolcott, a ranking Republican on the committee, railed at the bills. He focused on a provision that would allow workers to take off without a doctor's note. "I think it is intentionally absurd," Sampson said. "There's really no recourse for the employer under those circumstances," he said. "It's not paid sick days. It's paid time off. There's very little in this bill that is going to require anyone to actually be sick."

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Farmers should be incentivised more to help reduce river pollution, according to a new report setting out priorities for restoring polluted fresh waters.

The ask is in a new report by the British Ecological Society, which brought together 40 experts to collate opinion on freshwater policy.

Published today (22 March), it sets out a list of priorities for the government's biodiversity evidence programme to focus on.

With 70% of Englands land farmed, one priority listed in the report is to reduce the flow of agricultural pollution into waterways.

It calls for farmers to be better incentivised to take up regenerative agriculture practices, such as those which reduce the use of fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides.

According to Alan Lovell, the chair of the Environment Agency, farming is responsible for 40% of Englands river pollution, even more than water firms at 36%.

The society's report also calls for farming practices to move away from rivers, as well as fencing off watercourses to keep livestock out, and planting riparian woodlands.

Rob Booth, senior policy officer at the society said: "Land management actions to improve water quality are already financially rewarded in England through various schemes and offers, so the question is how to improve uptake.

"The report states that such actions should be 'rewarded appropriately' and given growing societal concern about cleaning up England's rivers, such actions would surely resonate with the public."

As well as incentives, the report says farmers need "clear and independent advice routed in ecological evidence" on delivering environmental sustainability.

Aside from agriculture, other asks in the report include better regulation of sewage, particularly targeting failing sewage plants in headwaters.

There should also be sustained investment in monitoring the state of biodiversity in fresh waters.
Huw Irranca-Davies has been appointed Wales' new Rural Affairs Secretary, replacing Lesley Griffiths who was in the role for eight years.

New First Minister Vaughan Gething has announced his cabinet at a time when Welsh farmers have taken to the streets in anger over government policy.

Mr Irranca-Davies, from South Glamorgan, brings experience to the portfolio, having previously presided as Defra Parliamentary Under Secretary and Shadow Defra Minister.

NFU Cymru said it looked forward to meeting with Mr Irranca-Davies "at the earliest opportunity given the numerous and well-documented challenges currently facing Welsh farmers."

One of the top policy priorities will be for the Cabinet Secretary to address the industry's growing concerns around the current Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) proposals.

The union's president Aled Jones said: Id like to offer my congratulations to Huw Irranca-Davies MS on his appointment as Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs.

We anticipate an early meeting with the Cabinet Secretary to talk through the very pressing challenges the sector faces and the ongoing unrest in the industry.

"We will also be asking the Cabinet Secretary to recognise the emotional and financial impact of current Welsh Government bovine TB policy.

"In addition to this, NFU Cymru will impress upon the Cabinet Secretary the need to review the unworkable water quality regulations that Welsh farmers are subject to."

The Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) said Mr Irranca-Davies' appointment comes "at one of the most critical times for the future of our industry.

"The depth of feeling and frustration demonstrated only weeks ago in Cardiff and across Wales has by no means gone away," it said.

"Not only does this include the urgent need to rethink the SFS proposals in genuine co-design with the farming unions, it also includes wider and longstanding issues.

"The Welsh governments approach to bovine TB management and eradication and the pan-Wales NVZ regulations are topics causing the industry grave issues."
Six major UK supermarkets have now responded to the call for them to back the nations farmers by adding buy British tabs to their websites.

Waitrose and the Co-op are the latest national retailer to join the campaign by implementing British and Best of British sections online.

Other supermarkets who have taken up the call to back farmers include Sainsburys, Morrisons, Aldi and Ocado. Tesco and Asda have still not shown support.

The move follows an open letter written by Conservative MP Dr Luke Evans to the chief executives of eight major supermarkets.

He asked for a filter which would direct shoppers to homegrown food to help boost the economy and cut the UKs carbon footprint.

The letter was was co-signed by 125 cross-party MPs, and echoed a long-standing NFU ask dating back to 2016.

Now the Co-op has said that its Best of British page would make it easier for customers to buy British and support local livelihoods.

It said: We know food provenance really matters to our member owners, and we continue our longstanding support for British farmers, growers and local suppliers, championing home-grown produce, protein and products.

Meanwhile, Waitrose has also added a Best of British section, which a spokesperson said the supermarket would look to expand if it proved successful with customers.

Responding to the new action, NFU Deputy President David Exwood said he was pleased to see supermarkets getting behind the campaign.

We know from our own independent research that the public wants to buy more British food from retailers, he added.

Dr Evans said implementing a Buy British section online was a relatively simple change that gives consumers greater choice, supports our farmers and cuts down on unnecessary food miles.

We know from our own independent research that the public wants to buy more British food from retailers," he said.

Better still, this hasnt required any legislation; this is farmers, MPs, supermarkets and the public all working together  with government backing  to make a change.

Dr Evans added he would follow up with Tesco and Asda in the hope that they follow suit soon.
Vendors using auction marts have been warned that the sale of pregnant animals is not allowed into the prime and cull rings following 'recent incidents'.

The Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS) has made the warning, saying that do so was in breach of animal health and welfare law.

The representative body for livestock marts said in-lamb sheep had been sold through the live ring and purchased by a processor.

This often left them with "a very difficult situation", the IAAS said, adding that this "practice is unfair on the livestock and the processor".

Neil Wilson, executive director of IAAS said: "IAAS would like to remind all vendors using Scottish auction marts to sell their livestock, that the sale of pregnant animals through the prime and cull rings is not allowed.

"IAAS wish to support those processors and butchers who use the live ring as they help create a trade for all prime and cull stock.

"We also ask our vendors to support the market and these processors by ensuring that stock presented is fit for movement and processing.

"Failing to do so risks veterinary and government inspections as well as risking farm assurance status if the processor chooses to notify authorities."
Andrew DaRosa is a SPJ award-winning journalist who has worked at Hearst Connecticut Media Group since 2018. He currently works as a Senior Audience Producer and a Trending Reporter for CT Insider and also runs the SEEN section.

He can often be found covering Connecticuts expanding music scene, supposedly haunted sites around the state or keeping track of big winners in the Connecticut Lottery. He has been at the forefront of multiple music-related stories around Connecticut, including the Sound On Sound music festival. With a passion for music, over the past decade, Andrew has interviewed members of Judas Priest, Goose, The National, Trey Anatasio Band, The Head and the Heart and Maren Morris.

Originally from Massachusetts, Andrew graduated from Fairfield University in 2018 with a degree in digital journalism. Since working for Hearst Connecticut, Andrew has become a four-time winner of Connecticut Society of Professional Journalism awards for his coverage of Connecticut band Goose, hiking the state and his human interest stories.

When he isnt writing about Ed and Lorraine Warren or jam bands, Andrew can be found going to concerts with his wife or hanging out with his cat, Spud.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmdarosa
Cypress Hill are finally set to make their Simpsons orchestra mash-up joke a reality.

Cypress Hill are finally set to make their Simpsons orchestra mash-up joke a reality

Nearly 30 years after The Simpsons famously predicted it, the band is set to share a stage with the London Symphony Orchestra, performing hits from their revered Black Sunday album and entire back catalogue.

The group  B-Real, 53, Sen Dog, 58, and Eric Bobo Correa, 55, said in a statement on Friday (22.03.24) about the cartoon-inspired collaboration: We are thrilled to be performing with the London Symphony Orchestra in such a prestigious venue as the Royal Albert Hall. Its a dream come true, a collaboration only The Simpsons could have predicted.

The show will take place at Londons Royal Albert Hall on 10 July 2024, with tickets on sale from 10am on Wednesday 27 March from AEGPresents.co.uk.

In its 1996 Homerpalooza episode, The Simpsons joked Cypress Hill had accidentally booked a gig with the London Symphony Orchestra while under the influence.

After years of fans hoping for such a collaboration to become reality, the group reached out to the LSO over social media.

The band will be joined onstage by the world-renowned London Symphony Orchestra, with Troy Miller conducting unique orchestral arrangements of the bands most iconic songs including Insane in the Brain and I Wanna Get High.

Cypress Hill received critical acclaim last year performing three symphonic shows across the US, but this show marks the first time they will take to the stage with LSO, a partnership that has been nearly 30 years in the making.

Kathryn McDowell, the LSOs managing director said: After years of social media teasing it, many fans may have started to believe it would only be a pipedream  but the LSO is delighted to finally be joining Cypress Hill on stage and in person, and look forward to creating an unforgettable musical moment!

Many thanks to the creators of The Simpsons for the idea and to AEG Artisitc and PolyArts for making it all happen.

One of hip hops biggest ever acts, Cypress Hill soundtracked a generation and continue to inspire artists and audiences alike. They have sold over 20 million albums worldwide, with their Black Sunday record regularly cited as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time.

It debuted at No1 on Billboards Top 200, garnered three Grammy Award nominations, and went triple platinum in the US upon release.

Lucy Noble, Artistic Director at AEG Presents said: AEG Artistic is extremely thrilled to be working with Cypress Hill and the London Symphony Orchestra on such a unique and long-awaited concert. Its been a long time since these two legendary acts paired up in Springfield, but we know that the real thing will be worth the wait.

Fans can register now for the Cypress Hill with London Symphony Orchestra presale which starts on Tuesday 26 March at 10am.
Justin Trudeau is wishing Catherine, Princess of Wales a "swift recovery" on behalf of all of Canada.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is wishing Catherine, Princess of Wales a speedy recovery

The 42-year-old royal - who is married to Prince William and has Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and five-year-old Prince Louis with him - has been absent from public duties since January and announced on Friday (22.03.24) evening that she is battling a form of cancer.

Now, the Canadian Prime Minister, 52, has taken to social media to commend the princess for the way in which she "so courageously shared" the news.

He wrote on X: "My thoughts are with the Princess of Wales, her children, and the entire Royal Family following the news of her cancer so courageously shared.

"On behalf of Canadians, Im sending my support as she undergoes treatment. Were all wishing her a swift recovery."

Catherine first broke the news of her diagnosis during a televised address on Friday evening, where she explained that her cancer was discovered after she had undergone "major abdominal surgery" in January.

She said: "I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I've been recovering from surgery. It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family. But I've had a fantastic medical team who've taken great care of me for which I'm so grateful.

"In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London. And at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous.

"The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation on cancer had been present.

"This of course, came as a huge shock. And Wiliam and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.

"As you can imagine, this has taken time, it has taken me time to recover for major surgery in order to start my treatment.

The Palace has said that they will not be announcing what kind of cancer the princess is suffering from and it is understood that both King Charles - who is also currently receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer - and Queen Camilla have been informed.

Catherine added that it had "taken time" for herself and her husband to explain the situation to their children but has tried to promise them that she is "going to be okay" as she reassured the public that she is "getting stronger" every day.
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex have wished Catherine, Princess of Wales "health and healing" following her cancer diagnosis.

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex have issued a short statement regarding Catherine, Princess of Wales' cancer diagnosis

The 42-year-old who is married to Prince William and has Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and five-year-old Prince Louis with him - has been absent from public duties since January and announced on Friday (22.03.24) evening that she is battling a form of the disease.

Now, William's brother and his wife Meghan - who stepped down from royal duties in 2020 to move to California and do not make regular contact with the family - have asked for "privacy and peace" for Catherine amid her treatment.

In a statement, they said: "We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace."

Catherine announced her diagnosis during a televised address on Friday evening.

She said: "I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I've been recovering from surgery. It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family. But I've had a fantastic medical team who've taken great care of me for which I'm so grateful.

"In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London. And at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous.

"The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation on cancer had been present.

"This of course, came as a huge shock. And Wiliam and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.

"As you can imagine, this has taken time, it has taken me time to recover for major surgery in order to start my treatment.

The Palace has said that they will not be announcing what kind of cancer the princess is suffering from and both King Charles - who is also currently receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer - and Queen Camilla have been informed.

Following the announcement, the monarch said he was incredibly "proud" of his daughter-in-law for speaking out whilst Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also wished her a "full and speedy" recovery.
Steve Martin was "hurt" when he was ambushed on the red carpet by British comedian Paul Kaye back in 1996.

Steve Martin has opened up about a 1990s encounter with comedian Paul Kaye

The Hollywood comedian was blindsided by Kaye - who was in character as his obnoxious alter-ego Dennis Pennis - when he approached him at the premiere of his movie 'Sgt Bilko' and asked "How come youre not funny any more?" - and Steve admits the jibe stung because he was worried about his showbiz career at the time.

He told the Guardian newspaper: "It hurt because I was at a very vulnerable moment in my career."

It was later suggested that Steve cancelled the rest of his press interviews for the film following the incident, but he is adamant that's not true. He added: "Bad reviews hurt; they really hurt. But if Im at a screening and I see the critic, I just go: Hey! How you doing? Like you dont know anything."

Kaye in his guise as fictional interviewer Dennis Pennis became well-known for accosting celebrities and insulting them with his line of questioning and his victims included famous faces such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Demi Moore and Kevin Costner.

During his interview with the Guardian, Steve was told that Kaye has since been haunted by his encounter at the 'Sgt Bilko' screening because strangers now come up to him and ask: "How come youre not funny any more?"

Steve reacted by laughing and saying: "I hold no grudges. Things have gone well."

The 'Only Murders In The Building' star was also asked about his current career high and he insisted he takes nothing for granted these days. He explained: "If youre anointed tonight, you can be dumped on tomorrow ... " adding: "Idolatry is so fleeting".

The comedian will next be seen in an Apple TV Plus documentary about his life and career titled 'Steve! (Martin): A Documentary in 2 Pieces', but he recently confessed he plans to step away from the industry when 'Only Murders In The Building' ends.

He told The Hollywood Reporter: "When this television show is done, Im not going to seek others. Im not going to seek other movies. I dont want to do cameos. This is, weirdly, it."
Catherine, Princess of Wales is said to have paid the bar tab at a regimental bar after missing this year's St Patrick's Day parade.

Princess Catherine was unable to attend the parade due to her recovery from surgery

The future Queen - who is married to Prince William - is Colonel of the Irish Guards and as she continues to recover from undisclosed abdominal surgery, she was unable to attend the annual parade at Mons Barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire, for the first time in seven years.

Instead, the 42-year-old royal is reported by the Daily Mail to have put "2,000 behind the regimental bar at Aldershot for a party after the traditional parade" so they could enjoy a few pints of the traditional Irish tipple of Guinness.

The Prince and Princess of Wales also sent a special message on social media, which read: "Happy St Patrick's Day! Here's a sneak peek of the Irish Guards rehearsing for their annual parade. Slainte to all those celebrating today!"

Catherine was replaced in the ceremony by Lady Ghika, the wife of Lieutenant colonel Major General Sir Christopher Ghika.

Lady Ghika presented the Irish Guards mascot Seamus the dog with a shamrock, as troops gave Catherine three cheers as they raised their bearskins into the air as a mark of respect.

The 2023 St Patricks Day celebration was Catherines first as the regiments honorary colonel after taking over from her husband.

She said at the time: I really couldn't be prouder to stand in front of you here today.

It really is a true honour to be your Colonel. I am here to listen to you, to support you, and to champion you in all you do  this is a responsibility I do not take lightly.

I look forward to spending more time with you and your families, seeing your commitment to duty and service in all you do.

Before I close, however, I want to thank Colonel William. He has always talked about his fierce pride for this Regiment.

I know he will continue to support us all in the work we do.

Along with recovering from surgery, Catherine was hit by conspiracy theories following the release of an edited photo of her and her children for the UKs Mothers Day on 10 March  with the royal said to be very sad at the worldwide headlines the changes had sparked.
Queen Camilla has revealed King Charles is "doing very well" amid his cancer treatment.

Queen Camilla has updated people on King Charles' treatment

The 75-year-old monarch has postponed public facing appearances on doctors orders after being diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer earlier this year, and now his wife has given an update on his condition.

As reported by HELLO! magazine, she told well wishers during a solo visit to Northern Ireland: "He's doing very well. He was very disappointed he couldn't come."

Someone joked about men "not being the best patients, and the queen quipped: "I try to keep him in order."

As her two day visit continued on Thursday (21.03.24) morning, Camilla visited The Arcadia deli in Belfast, before visiting other family run shops including Coffey's Butcher and Knotts Bakery, where she was given bags of local produce to take away with her.

In the butchers - which is run by three generations of the family - she was impressed by the "great selection" on offer.

She said: "It's wonderful, it's all very tempting. It's lovely to see you thriving."

After being given some of the shop's specialities - including beef sausages, Belfast pickle and vegetable rolls, she teased: "I shall take these back to my husband, he will really make the most of them."

However, she was less keen on sharing after her visit to the bakery, joking that she might not take the fruit loaf and iced madeira back with her.

Co-owner William Corrie revealed: "She said she'd eat some of them on the way home."

Meanwhile, a recent report suggests the king wants to return to the spotlight to attend his official birthday celebrations in London in June.

A source told the Daily Mail newspaper: "There are a number of key events His Majesty would love to attend coming up in the diary and this [the Trooping of the Colour] is at the top of the list."

The Trooping of the Colour is a ceremonial event held annually to celebrate the monarch's birthday.

It's also known as the Sovereign's Birthday Parade and takes place in London with the monarch joining a procession of around 1,200 soldiers and musicians and more than 200 horses.

Other aspects of the celebration include a fly-past, and an appearance by the monarch on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
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The price-adjusted real stock of orders in the German manufacturing sector was down by 0.9 per cent month on month (MoM) in January this year after seasonal and calendar adjustment, according to provisional figures released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).

The calendar-adjusted stock of orders was 5.2 per cent lower in January this year than in the same month last year.

Unfilled domestic orders in January were down by 1.5 per cent MoM and the stock of foreign orders was down by 0.4 per cent MoM.

The price-adjusted real stock of orders in the German manufacturing sector was down by 0.9 per cent month on month (MoM) in January after seasonal and calendar adjustment, provisional data show. The calendar-adjusted stock of orders was 5.2 per cent lower than in January 2023. Unfilled domestic orders in January were down by 1.5 per cent MoM.

Producers of capital goods saw the stock of orders decline by 1 per cent. The stock of orders increased by 0.1 per cent in the intermediate goods and consumer goods sectors, a Destatis release said.

Compared with the previous month, the range of the stock of orders fell to 6.9 months in January (December 2023: 7 months).

The range of the stock of orders dropped to 9.2 months for producers of capital goods (December 2023: 9.4 months). It rose to 4 months for intermediate goods producers (December 2023: 3.9 months) and increased to 3.5 months for consumer goods producers (December 2023: 3.4 months).

Assuming turnover remains constant and no new orders are received, the range indicates the number of months local units would, in theory, have to produce goods in order to fill all orders on hand, Destatis noted.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
China to deliver faster, streamlined notary services for public

Xinhua) 11:24, March 22, 2024

BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Justice on Thursday unveiled a plan to deliver improved, accelerated and streamlined notary services for the public, covering areas such as contracts, donations, inheritance and property partitions.

The plan outlines a March-December campaign that will reduce the time required for various notary services in accordance with local conditions, and relieve those applying for notary services of unnecessary or redundant paperwork.

The plan ensures that notarization services for eligible applicants will be completed in a single visit, and requires coordinated efforts to provide one-stop services for cases involving multiple notary entities.

It also specifies work to advance the digitization of notary services, provide convenient, expedited and door-to-door services for the elderly and people with disabilities, and improve outreach services for enterprises.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Both apartments and condos will be built across two buildings at the corner of Arapahoe Road and LaSalle Road in West Hartford Center. Michael Walsh / Hearst Connecticut Media

WEST HARTFORD  At Mayor Shari Cantor's annual State of the Town Address on Monday, the elected leader of the Town Council noted one particular challenge point for West Hartford.

"We have too many people who cannot find a place to live," Cantor said at the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce's event. "It's not available or it's just not affordable."

Cantor and the rest of the Town Council have shown an eagerness to remedy that problem over the last few years through the willing approvals of both new housing developments and policies that might encourage more affordable housing.

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And while a decision to approve hundreds of housing units at the former University of Connecticut campus awaits, several other new developments are set to soon make progress toward creating hundreds of other new homes in town.

Those are homes that could ease the pinch that some renters who want to live in West Hartford are feeling.

Zee Rubin, who currently rents in the west end of Hartford, is one of those. They've attempted to rent in West Hartford and elsewhere before, but couldn't find the right mix of affordability and quality they desired.

"Before I moved to where I am now, I looked in West Hartford, Manchester, and Middletown," Rubin said. "What I saw was a bunch of neglected properties and landlords who couldn't bother to show up to show me the apartment. I explored one place in West Hartford. A tenant told me I dont want to live there."

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Rubin said the life of a renter is one of vulnerability and one that sometimes includes a willingness to live in subpar conditions to avoid restarting the experience of finding a place to live.

"We are at the mercy of landlords," Rubin said. "A lot of that vulnerability comes from the fear of having to enter the rental market again."

Heritage Park, which is the proposed redevelopment of the former UConn campus that would bring 569 homes to prospective West Hartford residents, could be part of fixing that problem. One half of that project will be the subject of a public hearing and Town Council meeting on April 15.

An aerial rendering shows what developers of the former University of Connecticut campus in West Hartford want Heritage Park, which would feature 569 units of housing and space for retail, to look like. Contributed photo / West Hartford 1 LLC

But does more inventory mean rents could go down? It's happening in Austin, Texas, where rents dropped amidst an influx of new apartments. At a population of just over 63,000, West Hartford obviously differs wildly from Texas' capital, though the Hartford area does continue to be among the nation's leaders in home values increases.

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I definitely believe that we are in a shortage," Rubin said. "We have a bustling economy in West Hartford  and theres a lot of young adults trying to enter the job market and enter the housing market and meeting unreasonable prices. Having decent rental properties is essential for them."

More units alone is not enough for Rubin, though. They said that with these new developments needs to come legislature protecting tenants like a ban on "no-fault" evictions. On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, announced that he is co-sponsoring two bills that would stop landlords from using algorithms to keep rental prices high.

In Rubin's case, their month-to-month lease leaves them vulnerable.

"We have no legal protections against rent increase or unjust evictions," Rubin said. "It's a futile effort to pursue new developments without first creating infrastructure that sustains the wellbeing of tenants."

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Affordability remains a concern

In West Hartford, town leaders expect to add over a thousand new homes through the construction of several multifamily housing developments. Some, like One Park Road, have already opened, supplying around 300 apartments to new residents. In February, the town said 62 percent of those units had been leased.

In fact, those already-opened units have contributed to an easing on the town's multifamily housing vacancy rate as noted by Kristen Gorski, West Hartford's economic development coordinator. In the first quarter of 2023, vacancy rates were low with just 2.9 percent open units. Currently, that vacancy rate is just over 8 percent, meaning there are more available multifamily homes now than there were one year ago.

And elsewhere in town, more units coming online over the next couple of years should provide eager renters other chances to live in town. At the former Children's Museum property, developers are currently building 172 units. In Elmwood, at the site of the former Puritan Furniture store, a developer intends to build 117 units.

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The question that remains for some renters, though, is how affordable those homes will be to them. Many new developments have often been branded by builders as "luxury" living, implying higher rents that are tied to amenities like swimming pools.

Desiree Meyer, who has lived and rented in West Hartford since 2006, said she has seen rental prices get out of control in town. She experienced it first hand when she had to leave the home she was renting after it was purchased and had its rent raised.

"Ive invested almost 20 years of my life in this town," Meyer said. "But I can no longer stay in the community. I feel like I'm being forced out."

When the asking rent is $2,000, Meyer said, and the owner wants the first month and last month of rent plus a security deposit, it can sometimes cost nearly $6,000 just to move in and start renting a place. That's money that Meyer, who has multiple sclerosis and also needs a first-floor unit, doesn't have.

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"It's extremely frustrating," Meyer said. "Its very scary. If I feel this way, I can only imagine how people who make less money than me or have more risk feel.

One Park Road in West Hartford includes nearly 300 units of housing. In February, the town said the property was over 60 percent full. Michael Walsh / Hearst Connecticut Media

Meyer said she's currently lucky that she's renting from somebody she's previously rented from, but with the hot home sales market in greater Hartford, she worries often about the home being sold, leaving her to find another place to live.

"Vulnerability, yes, because especially right now with all the multifamilies getting sold, I wonder about somebody buying the house," Meyer said. "I will get forced out again."

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Perhaps, then, affordability can be in part dictated by the town itself. West Hartford leaders have said they would like to have at least 10 percent of the town's housing be affordable. The town has drafted but not yet finalized a new affordable housing plan that looks to find ways to incentivize the deepest kind of affordable housing through policies like inclusionary zoning and tax abatements. There's also the the $6 million the town put aside from its American Rescue Plan Act funds as loans to incentivize affordable housing developments.

And often, when proposals to build housing come to the Town Council, members have asked for more affordable units than initially proposed. And to some, that's "capital A" affordable, meaning housing that applies to lower income brackets rather than the 80 percent area median income threshold a lot of affordable units in West Hartford have come in at. Previous reports have shown that West Hartford's biggest housing need is for people making under $35,000 a year.

The West Hartford Housing Authority's next project, the transformation of the former Agudas Achim synagogue on North Main Street into 49 apartments, will boast 39 affordable units that will be made available to a varying degree of renters. The majority of them  20 in all  will be set aside for those making 50 percent of the area median income. The rest will be split between those making 60 percent of the area median income and 30 percent of the area median income.

And at the former site of the West Hartford Inn, where work has begun to turn the building into a housing development called The Camelot offering 100 percent of its units as affordable housing, developers will offer homes at similarly varying rates of the area median income.

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These are units that Rubin said should be helpful, so long as the rents are stable for those living there. Some approved developments in town do have decades-long, deed-restricted affordable units.

"Without rent stabilization, those are already going to be out of most people's price points," Rubin said. "If they even were to move in there, who says they arent going to face a 10 percent increase? The better focus should be rent stabilization and tenant protections."

At the former UConn property, the town's review boards have already asked developers to increase its affordable units on one side of the property to 26, which is 8 percent of the total 322 units they hope to build on that parcel. But it's currently not known who those affordable units will be for and how much they'll cost to live in.

"Thats what makes it frustrating," Meyer said about homes labeled affordable that she doesn't find to be within her budget, noting stagnant wages that don't keep up with the rising cost of rent. "You have to have two incomes in a house. People don't get paid enough. (The rents are) not a true reflection of who lives in this town and loves this town."

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Meyer's hope is that she doesn't ever have to move out of West Hartford, the town she chose to bring her son to when he was ready for school. But in the end, what Meyer can afford, and what the market offers in terms of affordability, may dictate that.
US think tank The Conference Board recently revised up its 2024 global real gross domestic product (GDP) forecast to 2.8 per cent from 2.7 per cent made in January, largely reflecting a brighter outlook for mature economies.

It continues to anticipate a modest downshift from the stronger 3.1 per cent pace last year.

The 2.9 per cent growth it projected for 2025 suggests the global economy may be closer to a more sustainable rate of growth as pandemic-related headwinds fade and monetary policy starts to normalise.

The Conference Board has revised up its 2024 global real GDP forecast to 2.8 per cent from 2.7 per cent earlier, reflecting a brighter outlook for mature economies. The projection for the US is 1.9 per cent instead of 1.4 per cent earlier. For Europe, the modestly weaker euro area forecasts were more than offset by upgrades for much of Eastern Europe.

The modest upgrade to the 2024 forecast was mainly the result of a brighter outlook for growth among mature economies where the think tanks projections increased to 1.4 per cent from 1.1 per cent in January.

The biggest change in growth expectations stemmed from the United States where The Conference Board now anticipates real GDP growth of 1.9 per cent this year instead of 1.4 per cent as negative real GDP growth mid-year is less likely.

A recession is no longer expected in the United States in mid-2024, yet consumer spending is expected to cool and overall GDP growth to slow to a pace between 0 per cent and 1 per cent over the second and third quarters this year.

Forecasts for the euro area inched down by a tenth, mainly due to small downgrades in the outlook for France and the Netherlands. For Europe as a whole, the modestly weaker euro area forecasts were more than offset by significant forecast upgrades for much of Eastern Europe.

Among the 20 euro area economies, nine suffered a full year contraction in 2023 including Germany, the Netherlands and Austria, while less-Russian-energy dependent Spain and Portugal continued to show much more robust growth, the think tank said in a release.

Its quarterly forecast trajectory anticipates improving growth conditions in the euro area starting in the second half of 2024.

In Taiwan, after a recession at the end of 2022 and the start of 2023, the economy rebounded very strongly with quarterly growth rates averaging 8 per cent for the remainder of 2023. That created a strong carry-over effect.

Even if there was zero growth in each of the four quarters in 2024, Taiwans average 2024 GDP level would still be 3 per cent more compared to last years. In fact, that was the main reason why the think tanks 2024 forecast for Taiwan increased to 4.5 per cent from the 3.5 per cent projected in January.

The think tanks forecast for overall growth among emerging and developing economies was little changed this month. It is still looking for 4.4 per cent real GDP growth in 2023 followed by a modest slowdown to 3.9 per cent in 2024 and a pick-up to 4.1 per cent in 2025.

The main drivers for the downshift this year are China and India, while growth forecasts for the other major emerging and developing countries were largely unchanged.

For the developing Asian economies barring China and India, it expects growth to gradually accelerate from 4 per cent in 2023 to 4.3 per cent in 2024 and 4.6 per cent in 2025.

Latin America is expected to see slower growth this year, largely due to an anticipated stall in the United States in the second and third quarters this year.

The think tank is also looking for an improving growth trend in the Middle East & North Africa region and in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The China growth forecast was left unchanged again this month, expecting a meaningful downshift in the pace of the expansion from last years 5.2 per cent rate to 4.1 per cent this year and to 3.9 per cent in 2025.

Confidence among Chinas consumers remains extremely low, having yet to show a meaningful recovery from the second lockdown in 2022 and the still evolving property crisis, the think tank added.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
critic's rating: 3.0/5

Trailer : Ae Watan Mere Watan

Ae Watan Mere Watan is based on the life of Usha Mehta, who was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi to join the freedom struggle. She took active part in the Quit India Movement in 1942. When most of the senior leaders of Congress were arrested, she helped run a secret Congress Radio for three months, keeping the spirit of the movement alive. Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia broadcasted his speeches from the radio and records of other leaders, like Gandhi, Nehru and Maulana Azad were also played on the radio. She was captured and tortured by the British and even sentenced to three years in jail. She had embraced celibacy at a young age and never got involved in active politics after Indias Independence. Later, she did doctoral studies in Gandhian philosophy and became a professor at her Wilson College. While she isnt a luminary, shes still counted as an important freedom fighter.One would have loved to see the inner life of Usha Mehta being brought out in the film. Its not clear why she was attracted towards Gandhiji and what led her towards celibacy. Shes shown to have rebelled against her father, who was a judge during the British era and is seen leaving home to fight against the British. But were not told how she survived on her own without any money or support. One has to keep in mind that during the 1940s, people were more conservative and it would have been really difficult for a single girl to survive on her own in Bombay. Her progression as an independent woman, free of societal norms, would have made an interesting study but the writers and the director chose to ignore that point. The internal struggles of the main, as well as ancillary characters are absent. Some scenes from the film remind you of a school play. Theres much enthusiasm in the proceedings but theres also an absence of finesse. Sara Ali Khans confrontation scenes with her father, played by Sachin Khedekar, look like an acting exercise.The film picks up upon the entry of Emraan Hashmi, who plays Ram Manohar Lohia. He plays Lohia with a certain nuance which is absent from the performance of others. You feel as if youre actually watching a dedicated freedom fighter at work. Hes the best thing about the film and one can see that being free from the burden of playing the lead has done wonders for him. The film rests on the fragile shoulders of Sara Ali Khan and she doesnt find it easy going. One can see shes struggling to find a connection with the character shes portraying. Her earnestness, her intensity cant be denied however and she gamely ploughs on, despite the hurdles.While its a laudable thing to make a film about lesser-known freedom fighters, more care should have been taken to round off the script. The production design and the VFX combine to give us old Bombay. Cinematography by Amalendu Chaudhary is also first rate. One of Usha Mehtas nephews is director Ketan Mehta. We wonder why the noted filmmaker wasnt approached to make a film on his aunt.Watch Ae Watan Mere Watan to know a little more about a little-known chapter in Indias freedom struggle.
Swatantra Veer Savarkar X Review: After the underperformance of Sidharth Malhotra, Disha Patani, and Raashii Khanna starrer Yodha last week, two new Hindi films have hit the theatres today (March 22) - Swatantra Veer Savarkar and Madgaon Express. However, here, we'll talk about the film featuring Randeep Hooda and Ankita Lokhande in the lead roles.

The film, centered around the life of freedom fighter Veer Savarkar, is directed and produced by Randeep Hooda himself, in collaboration with Zee Studios, Sandeep Singh, Anand Palit, and Sam Khan. Randeep Hooda portrays the titular character in Swatantra Veer Savarkar and fans have been eagerly awaiting its theatrical release ever since its announcement.

Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya OTT Release: Shahid-Kriti's Film Out On Rent; Here's How To Watch It

From the teaser to the trailer, every aspect of the film has captured attention and left audiences yearning for more. After all, everyone has been eagerly anticipating seeing another strong performance from Randeep Hooda. Now that Swatantra Veer Savarkar has finally premiered in theaters today, social media is abuzz with praise for the actor's strong performance. Check the film's X review here.

SWATANTRA VEER SAVARKAR X REVIEW

Sharing his thoughts about the film, an X (earlier known as Twitter) wrote, "Randeep Hooda deserves a National award for his portrayal of Veer Savarkar. Story wise he hasn't pulled any punches. He hasn't left any stone unturned. Very Blunt and on-your-face movie. #SwatantryaVeerSavarkar"

Randeep Hooda deserves a National award for his portrayal of Veer Savarkar. Story wise he hasn't pulled any punches. He hasn't left any stone unturned.

Very Blunt and on your face movie.#SwatantryaVeerSavarkar  Charvak Rishi (@Rishisharmait) March 22, 2024

Another social media user shared his review of Swatantra Veer Savarkar and stated, "I Watched Super-Hit Movie #SwatantryaVeerSavarkar. What an Amazing Movie. Loved it. Thank u @RandeepHooda @anky1912 @savarkarthefilm for Giving a Blockbuster Movie."

Fighter OTT Release Date: Has Hrithik Roshan's Film Premiered With Additional Scenes? Here's What We Know

Another post reads, "Watched #SwatantryaVeerSavarkar movie premiere show. @RandeepHooda has made a commendable attempt to bring the sacrifices & sufferings of the Savarkar family for Indian freedom to the world through this film. It's a genuine effort by him. Must watch for youngsters & critics."

Watched #SwatantryaVeerSavarkar movie premiere show. @RandeepHooda has made a commendable attempt to bring the sacrifices & sufferings of the Savarkar family for Indian freedom to the world through this film. It's a genuine effort by him.



Must watch for youngsters & critics  pic.twitter.com/2Pjb67xlxQ   (@tushar2085) March 22, 2024

SWATANTRA VEER SAVARKAR PLOT AND ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

For the uninitiated, Swatantra Veer Savarkar delves deep into the life of Hindutva ideologue and freedom fighter Veer Savarkar, aiming to highlight his significant contributions to India's struggle for independence.

The film portrays Savarkar's strategic endeavors towards securing India's freedom, including his experiences in the Kaala Paani jail. With a focus on spreading awareness about Savarkar's ideology and his relentless pursuit of a free and united India, the film seeks to inspire audiences with his vision and determination.
Sonu Srinivas Gowda Arrested: Sonu Srinivas Gowda, known for her stint on Bigg Boss Kannada OTT, has been apprehended by authorities on allegations related to the adoption of a child.

According to a report by the Times of India, the arrest occurred following a coordinated effort between officials from the Child Protection Office and local law enforcement in Byadarahalli. The Byadarahalli police in Bengaluru initiated the legal action on Thursday night, March 21, culminating in Sonu's arrest the next day, March 22.

The social media influencer, who gained fame through her online presence, was taken into custody amidst accusations of deceit in the adoption process. This development unfolded shortly after she faced intense online scrutiny for announcing the adoption of an 8-year-old child from North Karnataka.

Allegation Against Sonu Srinivas Gowda And Ongoing Investigation

The arrest stemmed from a complaint lodged by the Child Protection Office, alleging that Sonu's adoption was motivated by a desire for unmerited sympathy and heightened celebrity status. Acting on this complaint, the Byadarahalli police registered a case against Sonu, ultimately leading to her apprehension.

Despite the allegations, Sonu Srinivas Gowda maintains her innocence, asserting that she adhered to proper adoption procedures. Expressing bewilderment over her arrest, she highlighted that it had only been 15 days since she brought the child into her home.

As per the report, authorities from the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) are presently interrogating Sonu, seeking clarification on the adoption process and her underlying intentions. Officials emphasise their commitment to ensuring justice and affirm that innocent individuals will not face unwarranted legal consequences.

In a prior video statement, Sonu disclosed details about the adoption process, including a recorded conversation with the child's biological parents. However, authorities contend that she lacked essential information and transparency throughout the adoption procedure.

Sonu Gowda's arrest has ignited a contentious debate surrounding the adoption process and her motives. As investigations progress, the case underscores the intricacies and legal obligations inherent in adoption procedures.
Bigg Boss Malayalam 6 Voting Trends: Bigg Boss Malayalam 6 is synonymous with controversies, tiffs, and heated arguments, hosted by Mohanlal. The reality show continually surprises with intriguing twists, maintaining audience intrigue. Recently, Ratheesh Kumar faced the show's first elimination.

Bigg Boss Kannada OTT Star Sonu Srinivas Gowda Arrested Over Adoption Controversy

As the show nears the end of its second week, eight contestants have been nominated for elimination: Resmin Bai, Suresh Menon, Sijo John, Rishi S. Kumar, Asi Rocky, Norah Muskaan, Nishana, and Jinto. With a tough fight for survival ahead, voting trends indicate Rishi is leading with the most votes in his favour.

Who Is In The Danger Zone?

Interestingly, there are speculations about which contestants are currently in the danger zone. Notably, Nishana, Resmin, and Suresh occupy the bottom three positions. While Nishana has garnered 8% of the votes, Resmin is struggling with only 5%. However, it is Suresh who has received the fewest number of votes (3%) and is currently at risk. These developments have sparked rumours about Suresh's potential elimination from Bigg Boss Malayalam 6.

Kalamandalam Sathyabhama Firm On Casteist Remarks Against RLV Ramakrishnan, Sparking Outrage

Meanwhile, Bigg Boss Malayalam 6 has introduced numerous surprises for both the audience and the contestants this season. The BB house has been divided into four distinct rooms. The fire room boasts a minimalist design, while the black-and-white room exudes monochromatic elegance. The Cards Room emits a mystifying ambiance, adorned with larger-than-life playing cards on the walls. Conversely, the Vintage Room offers a luxurious experience with velvet-panelled beds, a cosy fireplace, and various amenities.
Elvish Yadav Bail Update: The much-awaited update regarding Elvish Yadav has finally come out. According to the latest update, the Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner Elvish Yadav has been granted bail from Gautam Buddha Nagar District Court in the Snake Venom case. Elvish Yadav went to jail last Sunday and will walk out after staying there for five days.

ELVISH YADAV GETS BAIL AFTER BAIL HEARING

He was supposed to appear in Gautam Buddha Nagar Court the very next day, on Monday, but before that, the lawyers went on strike. After a long strike, the hearing took place today (March 22) in which Elvish Yadav has been granted bail. Yes, you read that right!

Confirming the same, Bigg Boss 17 contestant and popular YouTuber confirmed thew news in his latest X (earlier known as Twitter) post. He wrote, "Uppar waala kabhi galat nahi karega (folded hands and heart emojis) Bail Granted."

Elvish Yadav Controversy: OLD VIDEO Of BB OTT 2 Winner Saying 'MD, Snake Bite... Kya Chahiye' Resurfaces

Take a look at the viral post below:

Uppar waala kabhi galat nahi karega 

Bail Granted  Anurag Dobhal (@uk07rider) March 22, 2024

ALL ABOUT THE SNAKE VENOM CONTROVERSY AND ELVISH YADAV CONNECTION

Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai: New Armaan Rohit Purohit Starts Shoot With Samridhii Shukla; Shares FIRST PICS

For those who are unaware, the case was filed after a raid was carried out on November 3, 2023, targeting a rave party where snake venom was allegedly being used as an intoxicant. This operation, led by Maneka Gandhi's People for Animals, resulted in the arrest of five individuals suspected of being snake charmers, based on a tip-off.

Elvish Yadav, identified as the sixth suspect, was subsequently questioned regarding his alleged involvement. During the raid, authorities confiscated nine snakes and quantities of snake venom from the rave party. However, the YouTuber refuted his involvement in several videos and expressed willingness to cooperate with the police.

However, he was arrested on Sunday (March 17) on suspicion of his involvement in the case. Yadav, said to be in 14-day judicial custody, faced additional charges. Alongside violations of the Wildlife Protection Act, he was charged under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, including Section 29, pertaining to drug-related conspiracies involving trafficking and distribution. However, the NDPS Act was later removed as police cited it as a clerical mistake.

He's now finally out of jail and this is indeed a great piece of news for Elvish's family and his well-wishers.
Photo Credit:

Kalki 2898 AD Shooting Wrapped & New Release Date Buzz: Prabhas, the pan-India star is currently juggling between the sets of his two upcoming films which include the most prestigious production titled 'KALKI 2898 AD,' under the direction of Nag Ashwin. Starring an ensemble cast like Kamal Haasan, Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, and Disha Patani among others, the movie Kalki 2898 AD is in the news for its exciting back-to-back updates.

According to the latest updates available about Prabhas' Kalki 2898 AD, the film's talkie part and songs, the entire shooting has been wrapped up. Recently, the team returned from Italy where they shot. The movie's post-production works have also begun long ago and have been running simultaneously. However, with a little bit of VFX, RR, score, and other technical aspects are still underway.

Kalki 2898 AD movie is also said to make a whopping amount, about Rs 500 Crore from its pre-release and theatrical business by trading its satellite, digital, music, theatrical distribution, and dubbing rights. The movie's budget is Rs 600 Crore.

Kalki 2898 AD To Release In July?

Prabhas' film, which was supposed to hit the screens worldwide on May 9 was postponed due to the post-production works and now, the makers are reportedly planning to announce a date in July for the theatrical release. An official announcement is, however, pending. Check out the tweet below.

#Kalki Movie Shoot almost wrapped up.



Post-production Going on Jet Speed 



Team planning To Release Movie in July 2024



Follow @MovieThreat For Exclusive Updates#Kalki2898AD pic.twitter.com/9ay4BtLGTd  Movie Threat (@MovieThreat) March 22, 2024

Kalki 2898 AD Cast

The epic mythological sci-fi film boasts of Prabhas, Kamal Haasan, Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, and Disha Patani among others playing crucial roles. Pasupathy and Saswata Chatterjee are also part of the movie cast.

The movie is being helmed by Nag Ashwin. Vyjayanthi Movies banner is bankrolling the film on a massive budget of Rs 600 Crore. Djordje Stojilijkovic is cranking the camera for this science fiction action thriller. Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao worked as the film's editor. Santhosh Narayanan is the film's music composer.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - New Zealand Energy Corp. (TSXV: NZ) ("NZEC" or the "Company") announced today that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement offering (the "Private Placement") of up to 6,000,000 common shares of the Company ("Common Shares") at a price of $0.75 per share for gross proceeds of up to $4.5 million.

Since new management and directors were appointed in late November 2023, the Company has identified attractive development drilling and well interventions, for which capital is required. The net proceeds from the Private Placement will be used to advance the Company's plans regarding the Tariki field, the Copper Moki field and the Waihapa field, and for general working capital purposes. For further information regarding the Tariki field, the Copper Moki field and the Waihapa field, please refer to the Company's news release dated February 16, 2024.

NZEC will aim to close the private placement on or about April 5, 2024. The Private Placement is subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. A finder's fee of up to 5% of the gross proceeds of the Private Placement may be paid on all or any portion of the Private Placement. Additionally, finder's warrants may be issued in an amount up to 1% of the number of Common Shares sold under the Private Placement. Each finder's warrant may be exercised to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.75 per share for a period of 18 months from the closing. All securities issued in connection with the Private Placement will be subject to a hold period of four months plus one day from the date of closing. Shareholders or investors who may wish to participate in the Private Placement and who seek further details about the offering should contact the Company's Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary, Ketan Chhima, at kchhima@newzealandenergy.com.

The Company also announced that it has entered into an engagement letter with Auctus Advisors LLC, to act as the Company's UK capital markets advisor. Auctus Advisors is arm's length to the Company and advise that they do not own any securities of the Company. Auctus Advisors is based in Kent, UK and is a specialist Equity Capital Markets and Advisory business, with a focus in the Energy Sector. For more information regarding Auctus Advisors, please visit https://www.auctusadvisors.co.uk/

The services that Auctus Advisors will provide include acting as a point of contact between the investment community and the Company, preparing and publishing equity research on the Company, advising the Company on investment conditions and the pricing of its securities and developing an awareness of the Company and its business with institutional and other shareholders. The engagement is for an initial term of one year and shall continue unless terminated by either party by providing three months' prior written notice. Pursuant to the agreement, in the initial term Auctus Advisors will be paid a retainer fee of 60,000, payable quarterly in advance.

The Board of Directors

New Zealand Energy Contacts

Email: info@newzealandenergy.com

Website: www.newzealandenergy.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward- looking information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information regarding: the Private Placement, the potential use of proceeds of the Private Placement, the closing date for the Private Placement. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. This forward-looking information reflects NZEC's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to NZEC and on assumptions NZEC believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to: the underlying value of NZEC and its common shares; TSX Venture Exchange approval of the Private Placement; NZEC's general and administrative costs remaining constant; and the market acceptance of NZEC's business strategy. Forward- looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of NZEC to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; industry conditions; volatility of commodity prices; imprecision of reserve estimates; environmental risks; operational risks in exploration and development; general capital market conditions and market prices for securities; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; the actual results of future operations; competition; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation, affecting NZEC; the timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; and lack of qualified, skilled labour or loss of key individuals. A description of additional risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in NZEC's disclosure documents on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca. Although NZEC has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of NZEC as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. However, NZEC expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities law. .

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202765

SOURCE: New Zealand Energy Corp.
This year is the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic relations. As a critical commemorative activity of the Paris China Cultural Center and also the opening event of annual ministerial and provincial collaboration, the Chengdu Culture-oriented Travel (Paris) Special Promotion Conference and the "Giant Pandas Are Coming" Theme Cultural and Art Exhibition were successfully held in Paris on March 20. Hongge Liu, Director of the Paris China Cultural Center, Christian MANTEI, Chairman of the French Tourism Development Agency, and Wei Qiu, Deputy Minister of the Publicity Department of the Chengdu Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Leading Party Members' Group of the Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Culture, Broadcast-TV, and Tourism, were present and delivered speeches. The event was attended by distinguished guests and media reporters from the tourism, mass media, cultural and creative sectors of Paris.?

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321828273/en/

Paris ushers in "Giant Pandas" and invites French tourists with enthusiasm to take a walk on the street corners of Chengdu, China (Photo: Business Wire)

In a bid to speed up the development of inbound tourism and energetically tap into the European tourist source market, Chengdu has brought a giant panda-themed cultural and art exhibition to Europe for a culture-oriented travel promotion campaigns. "Sincerely invite French friends to walk and see on the street corners of Chengdu and personally experience the unique charm of 'Park City Under Snow Mountains and Happy Chengdu amidst Fireworks'!" In his speech, Wei Qiu said Chengdu is a green and ecological city, a famous historic and cultural city, and a contemporary city of happiness. We sincerely look forward to Chengdu and Paris further deepening their culture-oriented travel collaboration, propelling exchange and mutual learning of civilizations while each enjoys its own beauty, and tolerating the beauty that others create, thus achieving the great harmony beauty, so as to provide profound and enduring cultural force for building a community of shared future for mankind.

"Chengdu a beautiful landscape city, is just like opened by the Ninth Heaven, thousands of households are as beautiful as painting. Chengdu, a famous historic and cultural city, has been a hub for Chinese and foreign exchanges ever since ancient times. A jewel of the Southwest Silk Road, it is nowadays one of the most vibrant and happy cities in China. This year and next, Chengdu will also usher in the International Horticultural Exposition and the World Games with the attention focused on by millions of people in succession." With an impassioned narration, the Chengdu Tourism International Recommendation Officer presented to the participants a scroll of pictures of Chengdu's green, humanistic, dynamic and open charm as the hometown of China's national treasure, the giant panda, and a modern and international metropolis.

During the exchange session, the two sides held further discussions on how to further deepen culture-oriented travel collaboration, jointly explore new patterns of integrative development of culture and tourism, and join hands to build a world tourist destination city, among other topics. Representatives from both sides agree to continue to strengthen collaboration in terms of tourism resource sharing, cultural exchange and popularization, and travelling route exploitation to create more attractive tourism products and projects and provide more superior and convenient traveling experiences for citizens and visitors of the two cities. Many people in charge of tourist enterprises and media representatives involved in the promotion and exchange expressed their willingness to actively participate in the tourism cooperation between Chengdu and Paris and jointly promote the development of cultural-oriented travel causes in the two cities.?

At this promotion conference, the well planned and held "Giant Pandas Are Coming" themed art exhibition, with the theme of "There Is not Only Giant Pandas in Chengdu", showcased photographs of giant pandas photographed by Mengqi Zhou, a well-known giant panda photographer, as well as Chinese paintings, Sichuan embroidery works, and exquisite cultural and creative products with the theme of giant pandas. Christian MANTEI, Chairman of the French Tourism Development Agency, stated that this promotion conference and the giant panda exhibition have strengthened mutual understanding between Chengdu and Paris in the domain of tourist culture. Chengdu's giant pandas and unique humanistic charm will appeal to more French tourists for tours and sightseeing.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321828273/en/

Contacts:

GoChengdu

Zhou Jin

29175273@qq.com
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 2-day lows of 0.6522 against the U.S. dollar, 98.81 against the yen and 1.6611 against the euro, from yesterday's closing quotes of 0.6569, 99.59 and 1.6527, respectively. Against the Canadian dollar, the aussie dropped to a 3-day low of 0.8845 from Thursday's closing value of 0.8887. The aussie edged down to 1.0848 against the NZ dollar, from yesterday's closing value of 1.0867. If the aussie extends its downtrend, it is likely to support around 0.64 against the greenback, 97.00 against the yen, 1.68 against the euro, 0.87 against the loonie and 1.07 against the kiwi. 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.
Evolva Holding SA / Key word(s): AGMEGM

Evolva Holding in liquidation SA publishes liquidation interim financial statements and agenda for 2024 annual general meeting; reports positive purchase price adjustment of CHF 1,929,000 under SPA; g



22-March-2024 / 07:01 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





PRESS RELEASE | AD HOC ANNOUNCEMENT PURSUANT TO ART. 53 LR



Evolva Holding SA in liquidation publishes liquidation interim financial statements and agenda for 2024 annual general meeting; reports positive purchase price adjustment of CHF 1,929,000 under SPA; gives update on expected liquidation dividend Reinach, Switzerland, 22 March 2024 - Evolva Holding SA in liquidation (SIX: EVE) announced on 28 December 2023 the closing of the sale of 100% of the shares in Evolva AG (including its subsidiaries) to Danstar Ferment AG, a Swiss affiliate of Lallemand Inc. Today, the company published the first liquidation interim financial statements (as of 31 December 2023) and the agenda for the annual general meeting (AGM) to be held on 12 April 2024. Moreover, the company reports, under the share purchase agreement with Danstar Ferment AG, a positive (upward) adjustment of the initial purchase price (set at CHF 20 million) by (at least) CHF 1,929,000. Finally, the company gives an update on the currently expected liquidation dividend. Liquidation interim financial statements (as of 31 December 2023)

The company today published the liquidation interim financial statements as of 31 December 2023. Key takeaways are: On 31 December 2023, Evolva Holding SA had a remaining cash balance of CHF 5.8 million and short-term receivables of CHF 4.0 million which comprise mainly CHF 2 million in an escrow account (of which CHF 1.4 million have subsequently been released to the company) and CHF 1.9 million purchase price adjustment received in March 2024 (see more on the adjustment amount below);

Accrued and other current and non-current liabilities of CHF 3.5 million include the projected operating costs until completion of the liquidation (currently contemplated in 1Q 2026) in the amount of CHF 1.8 million;

Equity balance stands at CHF 5.6 million;

The earn-out agreement provides for two separate earn-out payments calculated on the basis of global sales of Evolva products and technologies (including third-party research and development services and royalty income) above an agreed floor (i.e., CHF 17.5 million in 2024 and CHF 10.29 million in the first half of 2025): The first earn-out payment will be calculated on the basis of sales during the 2024 year, the second one on the basis of sales in the first half of 2025, in each case subject to certain exceptions; the aggregate amount that may be paid under both earn-out payments is capped at CHF 10 million; if the relevant sales floors are not met, then no earn-out will be paid for the respective period;

Based on the principle of prudence, no earn-out is reflected in the balance sheet. A potential earn-out is considered an upside;

Based on the principle of prudence, no earn-out is reflected in the balance sheet. A potential earn-out is considered an upside; Except if decided otherwise by the shareholders at the AGM (see more on the AGM below), the finalizing and distribution of a liquidation dividend is planned for 1Q 2026. Based on the developments in the last few months, the Board of Directors revises its estimate of the potential liquidation dividend previously communicated (see ad hoc announcement of 30 November 2023): Based on the information available to date, taking into account the liability and financial debt profile of the company and estimated future costs and expenses during the liquidation and assuming an orderly liquidation process (and excluding unforeseen events), the Board of Directors currently estimates the potential liquidation dividend to range between CHF 0.77 (assuming no earn-out target having been met and no further upside potential realized) and a theoretical maximum of CHF 2.26 (assuming full earn-out potential achieved and further upside potential fully realized). Agenda for 2024 AGM

The company publishes today the agenda for the 2024 AGM. The Board of Directors proposes, among others, the introduction of the possibility to conduct a virtual or hybrid general meeting in the future. As communicated on 7 March 2024, the largest shareholder Nice & Green SA asked three additional items to be included to the AGM agenda. The first agenda item requests the revocation of the liquidation resolution, the second item the revocation of the delisting of the EVE shares from SIX Swiss Exchange, and the third item the introduction of an opting-out clause in Evolva's articles of association. Nice & Green SA argues that approval of the three agenda items would allow Evolva to seize market opportunities in the area of public mergers and acquisitions, in particular so-called 'reverse takeovers' or 'reverse mergers'. The Board of Directors has reviewed the request. It agrees with Nice & Green SA that a poten-tial reverse merger could represent a valid alternative to liquidation. The economic benefit of a liquidation is limited to a potential liquidation dividend. In contrast, in the case of a reverse merger, shareholders have the opportunity to participate in the upside of the new company. If the liquidation and the delisting resolutions are revoked and subsequently no concrete reverse merger transaction occurs, these resolutions can be passed at a later date. The downside would be the higher costs incurred (especially listing costs) and the delayed payment of any potential liquidation dividend compared to the current schedule. However, from the Board of Directors' perspective, given the associated opportunities, it is justified to optimize the conditions for a potential reverse merger/takeover. The Board of Directors recommends the approval of the first (AGM item 8.1) and - if the first item is approved by shareholders - also of the second (AGM item 8.2) proposed items by Nice & Green SA. Regarding the proposal to include an opting-out clause in the Articles (AGM item 8.3), since the Board of Directors has no knowledge of any specific transaction proposal, it has concluded that it cannot provide a positive recommendation and instead outlines the advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, it is possible that an opting-out clause could make the Company more attractive to parties interested in a reverse merger/takeover. On the other hand, it should be considered that it generally exempts large investors from the obligation to make an offer for all the shares of company. It can be used not only for a reverse merger/takeover transaction but also in other situations, potentially to the detriment of the public shareholders. For example, it would also be possible for an investor to build a controlling voting position, take control of the Board of Directors, and then use the company's cash for transactions that do not create value for the public shareholders. An alternative to a general opting-out clause could be to submit a transaction-specific, so-called selective opting-out for approval by the general meeting at the time of a specific/concrete reverse merger/takeover project. For further information please refer to agenda item 8 of the invitation. Purchase Price Adjustment and Status of Escrow

The SPA entered into on 20 November 2023 between Evolva Holding SA and Danstar Ferment AG provides for a price adjustment process under which, following the closing of the SPA, the CHF 20 million initial purchase price would be adjusted on an upward or downward basis; this adjustment would take place on the basis of a balance sheet prepared as of 31 October 2023;

the amount of the adjustment, and the determination of whether it is a positive or negative amount, would depend on the cash, debt and net working capital of Evolva AG as of such date. The company now published today a positive (upward) adjustment of the initial purchase price (set at CHF 20 million) by CHF 1,929,000, and that the respective amount has been received. Evolva Holding SA and Danstar Ferment AG agreed to hold back an additional amount of CHF 195,000 based on the quality of certain raw materials. Depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigation, Danstar Ferment AG will pay this additional amount to the company (and the positive adjustment amount of CHF 1.929 million would in this case further increase by up to CHF 195,000). Of the CHF 2 million of the initial purchase pric e held in escrow, CHF 1.4 millon have been released to the company. The remaining CHF 600,000 continue to be held in escrow; their release will be contingent upon the outcome of a legal dispute between Evolva AG and a former distributor. Documentation

The Invitation to the AGM 2024 with all proposed agenda items was published today in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SOGC) and sent to registered shareholders. The Invitation is also available here . The financial results' documentation is available under this link .

Important dates

12 April 2024 Annual General Meeting

Contact Evolva

Doris Rudischhauser

Investor Relations and Corporate Communications

+41 79 410 81 88

dorisr@evolva.com

Disclaimer

This announcement is not an offer of securities into the United States. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and may not be offered, pledged, sold, delivered or otherwise transferred, directly or indirectly, in the United States, except pursuant to an exemption from, or transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. No public offering of securities is being made in the United States. Further, the securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the applicable securities laws of Canada, Australia or Japan or under the applicable securities laws of any other jurisdiction where to do so might constitute a violation of such laws.

This press release contains specific forward-looking statements, e.g. statements including terms like believe, assume, expect or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may result in a substantial divergence between the actual results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and those explicitly or implicitly presumed in these statements. Against the background of these uncertainties readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The company assumes no responsibility to update forward-looking statements or to adapt them to future events or developments.

Additional features:





File: 240321 Evolva-Adhoc_AGM Invite Price Adjustment_final

End of Inside Information
NMD Pharma Receives FDA IND Clearance to initiate a Phase 2b Clinical Trial of NMD670 in Generalized Myasthenia Gravis Patients in the US

Aarhus, Denmark, 22 March 2024 - NMD Pharma A/S, a clinical-stage biotech company dedicated to developing novel and improved treatments for patients living with neuromuscular diseases, today announces that it has received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Investigational New Drug (IND) application to initiate a Phase 2b clinical trial of NMD670 in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) who are anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) or anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibody positive.

The Phase 2b clinical trial is a dose range-finding, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of NMD670, a twice daily oral muscle-targeted therapy, in gMG patients experiencing persistent symptoms or fluctuating symptoms despite treatment on current standard of care. The trial will take place in both US and European clinical sites. The study is expected to initiate enrollment of patients in the coming months.

NMD670 is a first-in-class, muscle-targeted small molecule inhibitor of the skeletal muscle specific ClC-1 chloride ion channel. NMD Pharma has recently published positive Phase 1/2a datain the journal Science Translational Medicine, establishing the first clinical proof-of-mechanism of CIC-1 inhibitors in patients suffering from gMG while also confirming safety and tolerability of NMD670 in patients.

Thomas Holm Pedersen, Chief Executive Officer of NMD Pharma, said:"This is an important milestone for NMD Pharma, enabling us to progress our lead development candidate NMD670 into a Phase 2b trial in the US in generalized myasthenia gravis patients with AChR and MuSK positive antibodies. It follows positive Phase 1/2a data which provided proof-of-mechanism and where clinically and statistically significant effects were seen in patients.We hear from myasthenia gravis patients, patient organizations and physician experts that a great number of myasthenia gravis patients continue to experience on-going severe symptoms of muscle weakness and fatigue despite treatment with new or conventional treatments. We are excited to bring forward a unique and validated muscle-targeted approach with promise to provide improvements in muscle function leading to clinically meaningful improvements in activities of daily living and quality of life."

In November 2023, NMD Pharma announced that it had raised 75 million(~$80 million) in a Series B financing to complete three Phase 2 studies with NMD670, the Company's lead ClC-1 inhibitor in AChR and MuSK antibody positive myasthenia gravis, spinal muscular atrophy, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.



-END-

Contacts

NMD Pharma A/S

Thomas Holm Pedersen, CEO

E-mail: contact@nmdpharma.com

ICR Consilium

Mary-Jane Elliott / Ashley Tapp / Lindsey Neville

E-mail: NMDPharma@consilium-comms.com

Tel: +44 (0)20 3709 5700

About NMD Pharma

NMD Pharma A/S is a clinical-stage biotech company developing a first-in-class platform of small molecule therapies selectively targeting the skeletal muscle chloride ion channel.



About NMD670

NMD670 is NMD Pharma's lead development program. It is a first-in-class small molecule inhibitor of the skeletal muscle specific chloride ion channel (CIC-1). NMD Pharma has demonstrated that CIC-1 inhibition enhances neuromuscular transmission and restores skeletal muscle function, and this novel treatment approach has demonstrated compelling preclinical and clinical data in animal models of MG, spinal muscular atrophy and a range of other neuromuscular disorders. NMD670 has also been granted orphan-drug designation by the U.S. FDA for treatment of MG.

About Myasthenia Gravis (MG)

MG is a rare and chronic autoimmune disease where IgG antibodies disrupt communication between nerves and muscles causing debilitating and potentially life-threatening muscle weakness. It commonly affects the muscles that control the eyes and eyelids, facial expressions, chewing, swallowing, and speaking but in most patients, it eventually impacts most skeletal muscles. More than 85% of people with MG progress to generalized MG within 18 months and it can be life-threatening when affecting the muscles responsible for breathing. There are approximately 100,000 people in the European Union, 65,000 people in the United States and 20,000 people in Japan living with the disease.
Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl

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.
DUBAI, UAE, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bybit, one of the world's top three crypto exchanges by volume, is pleased to share the key insights shared by its Co-founder and CEO, Ben Zhou, during his participation in a keynote session at DACOM Singapore 2024. Zhou's contributions delved into Bybit's strategic focus on user experience, commitment to market integrity, and proactive engagement with regulatory bodies amidst the evolving landscape of the cryptocurrency industry.

Addressing Misconceptions and Fostering Understanding

Zhou addressed prevalent misunderstandings surrounding decentralized finance (DeFi) and its relationship with traditional financial systems. He highlighted the industry's efforts to bridge the gap and collaborate with regulators, emphasizing the value proposition of cryptocurrencies as a choice, particularly for regions with struggling traditional financial infrastructures.

Navigating Regulatory Terrain

Zhou reiterated Bybit's proactive stance towards regulatory engagement, emphasizing the importance of constructive dialogue and compliance with diverse regulatory frameworks. He emphasized the significance of maintaining market integrity and preventing manipulative practices, especially given Bybit's focus on serving institutional clients.

Institutional Adaptability and Industry Outlook

Offering insights into the future trajectory of the industry, Zhou predicted a continued increase in institutional participation and a growing trend towards self-custody among retail investors. He stressed the importance of agile decision-making and adaptability in navigating the dynamic landscape, underscoring Bybit's commitment to evolving alongside market demands.

Hybrid Solutions and Interoperability in DeFi

Zhou emphasized the dynamic evolution of decentralized finance, asserting, "The landscape isn't solely defined by full decentralization or complete centralization. Rather, there exists a diverse spectrum of hybrid DeFi models." He underscored the industry's trajectory towards interconnectedness and interoperability, highlighting hybrid solutions as pivotal in bridging conventional and decentralized financial frameworks.

Collaborative Growth Initiatives

Zhou reiterated the importance of collaboration with regulatory authorities, particularly central banks, in facilitating licensing procedures and enabling financial service innovation. He acknowledged the challenges inherent in engaging with regulators across various jurisdictions, highlighting the imperative of collaboration and compliance to foster industry growth and legitimacy.

Shaping a Resilient Cryptocurrency Future

Bybit's participation at DACOM Singapore 2024 exemplifies its dedication to enhancing user experience, addressing regulatory challenges, and driving the continued evolution of the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

Bybit / TheCryptoArk

About Bybit

Bybit is one of the world's top three crypto exchanges by trading volume with 25 million users. Established in 2018, it offers a professional platform where crypto investors and traders can find an ultra-fast matching engine, 24/7 customer service, and multilingual community support. Bybit is a proud partner of Formula One's reigning Constructors' and Drivers' champions: the Oracle Red Bull Racing team.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press .

For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com

For more information, please visit: https://www.bybit.com

For updates, please follow: Bybit's Communities and Social Media

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BASEL (dpa-AFX) - MorphoSys AG (MOR) announced the receipt of U.S. antitrust clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 in connection with the proposed acquisition of the company by Novartis AG (NVS), following the expiration of the HSR Act waiting period. MorphoSys previously also announced the receipt of antitrust clearance in Germany and Austria. As a result, the proposed acquisition of MorphoSys by Novartis has now received all mandatory regulatory approvals. On February 5, 2024, MorphoSys announced the intention of Novartis to submit a voluntary public takeover offer for all outstanding MorphoSys no-par value bearer shares at an offer price of EUR 68.00 per share in cash, representing a total equity value of 2.7 billion euros. The Takeover offer will require a minimum acceptance threshold of 65% of MorphoSys' share capital, among other customary closing conditions. MorphoSys and Novartis continue to expect the closing of the Takeover Offer to take place in the first half of 2024. 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 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As the United Nations (UN) marks World Water Day on March 22, 2024, the Saudi Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) stands at the forefront of efforts to address water scarcity and promote international cooperation. This year, in alignment with the UN theme "Water for Peace", SWCC reaffirms its commitment to fostering collaboration and sustainability in water management.

As the world's largest producer of desalinated water, and celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, SWCC remains dedicated to utilizing innovative technologies and forging strategic partnerships to tackle water scarcity on a global scale.

World Water Day serves as a poignant reminder of the global significance of water cooperation. According to the United Nations, more than three billion people worldwide depend on water sources that cross national boundaries. Despite this interdependence, only a fraction of countries sharing water resources have formal cooperation agreements in place.

In light of such challenges, SWCC emphasizes the urgency of promoting dialogue and collaboration among nations to address water-related issues effectively. Through initiatives such as technology innovation and knowledge-sharing, SWCC is committed to advancing sustainable water management practices and mitigating the impacts of climate change on water resources.

"Our mission at SWCC goes beyond providing desalinated water; it is about safeguarding this vital resource for future generations. Through global collaboration and visionary leadership, we are shaping the water sector's future, aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 objectives, which provide a catalyst for ensuring water security and exerting global influence," said His Excellency Engineer Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al-Abdulkarim, Governor of SWCC and Deputy Chairman of the SWCC Board.

"As we commemorate World Water Day, we call upon governments, stakeholders, and the global community to prioritize water cooperation to tackle the global water crisis," he added.

Underlying SWCC and the Kingdom's commitment to raising awareness and fostering dialogue, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia announced in September 2023 the establishment of a Global Water Organization, to be based in Riyadh. The organization will aim to integrate and aid attempts made by governments and other bodies to secure global water sustainably.

The new Global Water Organization will allow the exchange of expertise while advancing technology, fostering innovation, and sharing research and development experiences. It will promote the establishment and funding of high-priority projects in line with the Kingdom's commitment of $6 billion development funding to water and sanitation projects across four continents.

Meanwhile, SWCC's dedicated research and development center - the Water Technologies Innovation Institute and Research Advancement (WTIIRA) - is focused on identifying solutions to significant challenges in the environmental and water domains, including general water research. WTIIRA was launched in 1987 as part of the Saudi Agreement Program Inter-American Economic Cooperation.

Continuing its mission to engage with the international community, SWCC participates in global events, such as the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, and the IWA World Water Congress and Exhibition in Toronto, to share knowledge, insights and best practice. Furthermore, the Kingdom is preparing to host the 11th World Water Forum in 2027.

In keeping with the "positive ripple effect" outlined by the United Nations on World Water Day, SWCC's activities aim to foster harmony, promote best practices in water management, and highlight the importance of international cooperation in uniting around water.

For more information about SWCC and its initiatives, please visit https://www.swcc.gov.sa/en

About SWCC

Established in 1974, The Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) is an independent government entity mandated to supply and deliver water to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

SWCC is the world's largest producer of desalinated water, with a current generation capacity of 11.5 million cubic meters per day. Operating over 33 desalination plants and 139 purification plants nationwide, SWCC ensures an uninterrupted water supply for the Kingdom.

By providing this essential service, SWCC plays a vital role in the economic transformation of Saudi Arabia and supports the ambitious Vision 2030 plan.

https://swcc.gov.sa

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BOSTON, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In-cabin monitoring, comprising both Driver Monitoring System (DMS) and Occupancy Monitoring System (OMS), has experienced significant growth since the start of 2024. Traditionally, DMS relies on 2D infrared cameras, while OMS utilizes 3D sensing modules like 3D time-of-flight (ToF) cameras or radar modules. At CES 2024, Melexis and emotional3D unveiled a 3D ToF-based solution that integrates both DMS and OMS into a single camera. This solution employs Melexis' automotive-qualified MLX75027, a true VGA ToF imager, along with emotion3D's CABIN EYE software to simultaneously generate IR and distance images. The MLX75027 imager boasts a maximum FPS (frames per second) of 120 and a 110 field of view, simplifying the traditional setup requiring two cameras. However, IDTechEx observed that it offers lower resolution compared to traditional 2D IR cameras.

IDTechEx summarizes the resolutions of different ToF sensors for in-cabin sensing. Melexis MLX75027 stands out with slightly higher resolution, making it suitable for both DMS and OMS. The cost per ToF sensor varies significantly based on factors such as resolution, order volume, and others. For large-volume orders (1000 units), the cost per ToF sensor typically ranges between US$20 and US$40, with the potential for even lower costs at higher volumes. Cost remains a key consideration for the automotive industry, and IDTechEx's market report on the topic, "In-Cabin Sensing 2024-2034: Technologies, Opportunities and Markets", provides insights into the cost per unit of ToF imagers, ToF camera units, and other commonly used DMS/OMS sensors.

Another recent development accelerating the adoption of combined Driver Monitoring System (DMS) and Occupancy Monitoring System (OMS) for the in-cabin sensing market is the projected US$17 million revenue agreement between Smart Eye, a prominent software player in the cabin-sensing sector, and a leading Korean vehicle manufacturer. While the Korean OEM has previously tested Smart Eye's software on various car models, this deal marks the first instance of Smart Eye delivering its combined DMS and cabin monitoring system (CMS) technology to four new car modules, slated for production between late 2025 and the first half of 2026. IDTechEx suggests that this reinforces the trend of integrating DMS and OMS solutions, particularly at the software level, presenting significant opportunities for hardware manufacturers like image sensor suppliers and camera suppliers. IDTechEx's research, "In-Cabin Sensing 2024-2034: Technologies, Opportunities and Markets", analyzes numerous leading hardware and software players, offering insights into their technologies and recent market developments.

The year 2024 emerges as pivotal for the commercial adoption of DMS, as the European Commission mandates specifications for driver and vehicle monitoring in the type approval requirements of General Safety Regulation (GSR) systems for new vehicle registrations. These specifications include the ability to detect driver fatigue or inattention. Traditionally, this is achieved through high-resolution infrared (IR) cameras using wavelengths of 940nm or 850nm to minimize emitted light distraction. While effective in features such as gaze tracking, eyelid closure, and head motion, this technology lacks 3D depth information. With the shift towards electric vehicles, interior features become a distinguishing factor, compelling automotive OEMs, especially mid- to high-end OEMs, to integrate both DMS and OMS technologies into their vehicles. However, employing separate IR cameras and 3D sensors (e.g., radar modules and 3D ToF cameras) can incur high costs and complicate design. Therefore, combining 3D ToF cameras with 2D IR cameras to achieve both DMS and OMS represents a cost-effective solution for vehicle manufacturers, striking a balance between the capabilities of 2D IR cameras and 3D ToF cameras.

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IDTechEx also compares the benefits and drawbacks of 2D IR cameras, 3D ToF cameras and their combined solution. More in-depth analysis of the pros and cons of more sensors is included in the "In-Cabin Sensing 2024-2034: Technologies, Opportunities and Markets" report.

In-Cabin Sensing 2024-2034: Technologies, Opportunities and Markets

The Global In-Cabin Sensing Market Will Exceed US$8.5 Billion by 2034

This IDTechEx report provides a comprehensive technical analysis of in-cabin sensors, covering NIR/IR cameras, ToF cameras, radar, capacitive steering sensors, and torque steering sensors designed for in-cabin monitoring (DMS and OMS). It includes 10-year forecasts for volume sales (in millions), revenue (in US$ millions/billions), and sensor unit prices (in US$) across various regions, including China, Europe, the USA, Japan, and the Rest of the World. The document explores recent advancements in high-performance technologies, successful commercial applications, and notable acquisitions and partnerships involving Tier One and Tier Two players. Additionally, the report outlines emerging trends in the future of in-cabin sensors.

To find out more about this market report, including downloadable sample pages, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/InCabinSensing.

About IDTechEx:

IDTechEx provides trusted independent research on emerging technologies and their markets. Since 1999, we have been helping our clients to understand new technologies, their supply chains, market requirements, opportunities and forecasts. For more information, contact research@IDTechEx.com or visit www.IDTechEx.com.

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SANTANDER (dpa-AFX) - Spanish banking major Banco Santander's (BNC.L, BSBR, SAN) executive chair Ana Botin will confirm Friday at the bank's Annual General Meeting that the company is on track to meet its 2024 targets. In that case, cash dividends and share buybacks against 2024 results would amount to over 6 billion euros. In 2023, the bank returned 5.5 billion euros to shareholders through cash dividends and share buybacks. At the Annual General Meeting, Botin will say, 'I am very confident that we will deliver a considerably better performance in 2024 than 2023, which was already a record year, and will meet our 2024 targets.' Banco Santander expects Retail business to achieve a return on tangible equity or RoTE above 16% in the first-quarter, annualizing the impact of the banking tax in Spain which is registered entirely in January 2024, supported by solid performance in South America and Spain. 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.




Original-Research: VOQUZ Labs AG - from NuWays AG



Classification of NuWays AG to VOQUZ Labs AG



Company Name: VOQUZ Labs AG

ISIN: DE000A3CSTW4



Reason for the research: Update

Recommendation: Kaufen

from: 22.03.2024

Target price: EUR 22.00

Target price on sight of: 12 Monaten

Last rating change:

Analyst: Philipp Sennewald



Huge potential from promising PwC partnership // chg.



On Wednesday, VOQUZ Labs announced a strategic partnership with PwC Solutions Germany for the marketing of remQ, the company's business transaction monitoring and auditing software for SAP customers. In detail:

PwC will offer its client base in Germany the establishment of a digitalized internal control system (ICS) based on remQ. Mind you, remQ was added to the product portfolio within the framework of the company's first M&A deal in early 2023. The software monitors business-critical transactions, i.e. procure- to-pay and order-to-cash processes, in real-time, hence improving data and transaction control across all business areas. Moreover, customers can upsell in order to add premium solutions such as payroll- and sanctions compliance or an AI-based criminal watchlist name-matching tool. The software is optimized for both SAP ERP and S/4HANA environments. PwC will likely position remQ as a managed service solution. In our view, this should be a well needed push for remQ after a flattish sales development in 2023 (eNuW: EUR 150k).



Given PwC's market leading position with c. 13k auditing and consulting customers in Germany, the partnership is seen to significantly facilitate the go-to-market of remQ. As VOQUZ is typically targeting mid-sized customers with 500-20,000 employees, we estimate the deal to have a total potential of EUR 25-30m in annual revenues, based on an average annual contract volume of EUR 35k (eNuW).



As VOQUZ also aims to intensify cross-promotion with its flagship software samQ (SAP software asset management), top-line growth is seen to accelerate from 2024e onwards. We hence conservatively expect remQ sales to triple to EUR 450k in '24e before doubling again to EUR 900k in '25e.

visoryQ offering further upside. While the company's core product samQ looks set to provide solid double-digit sales growth going forward (eNuW: 11.3% CAGR '23p26e) and setQ as a pure re-sell product likely remaining flat, visoryQ is also seen to contribute with strong growth momentum going forward. This should be, among others, driven by the ongoing S/4HANA transition (mainstream maintenance for old ERP software ends in 2027).

To remind you, visoryQ is a tool that largely maps advisory services via intelligent software and is designed to methodically help customers determine the optimal ERP strategy. For example, visoryQ visualizes various strategies to help decide whether on-premise, hyperscaler, RISE or composable ERP is the best fit and is providing customers with cost indications for all possible options considering the scope of service needed for the respective organization. Thus, especially for SAP customers who have not yet migrated to S/4HANA, visoryQ is a compelling offering in order to optimize TCO, in our view.



After introducing the self-developed solution in Q4 '22, it already met with brisk demand in 2023, accounting

for c. 10% of sales, e.g. EUR 0.5m (eNuW). Driven by an accelerating S/4HANA transition, topline should continue to develop dynamically at a 65% CAGR '23p-26e.



SAP cloud migration to fuel visoryQ and samQ



While the majority of SAP ERP customers has not yet migrated, SAP introduced financial incentives at the start of the year to help accelerating the transition to S/4HANA. Until the end of 2024, customers opting for a cloud migration via the RISE or GROW with SAP program may receive a one-time credit of 60% of their first year's fee if they currently use on-premise S/4HANA, and a 45% credit if they currently use SAP legacy software. Apparently, SAP actively offered these incentives to users already in Q4'23 and received positive feedback. The CPO for cloud ERP, Mr Jan Gilg, stated that it 'hit the right spot' and was 'able to convince a lot of customers to move to Rise'.



While this should be clearly benefitting visoryQ, the ongoing cloud migration is set to also have a positive effect on samQ, the company's SAP software asset management tool. While cloud-based solutions offer a higher degree of flexibility on the one hand, they also increase complexity on the other, as they inherit an innumerable amount fo native and third-party services. In order to be able to deal with such an increasing complexity, there should be no way around an appropriate SAM tool like samQ, in our view. Already today, the average SAP customers manages 3,500 users and 20 systems, i.e. has to classify 70,000 data points. As a result, roughly 30% of SAP users are incorrectly licensed.



Overall, VOQUZ looks set to be well positioned to pick up the pace again after a difficult H1Z23 that was partially compensated by a solid H2 (click here for update on FY '23 prelims). For FY24, we estimate 19% sales growth (eNuW: EUR 6.2m), a double-digit EBITDA margin (eNuW: 15.5%) and postive FCF (eNuW: EUR 0.5m).



Despite the promising share price performance YTD, valuation still looks undemanding with the stock trading on a mere 1.2x EV/Sales and 7.8x EV/EBITDA '24e (0.9x/4.4x based on FY25e) carried by the strong underlying mid-term prospects as well as the scalability of the capital light business model.



BUY with an unchanged PT of EUR 22.00 based on DCF.



You can download the research here:

http://www.more-ir.de/d/29219.pdf

For additional information visit our website

www.nuways-ag.com/research.



Contact for questions

Die Analyse oder weiterfuhrende Informationen zu dieser konnen Sie hier downloaden: www.nuways-ag.com/research. NuWays AG - Equity Research

Web: www.nuways-ag.com

Email: research@nuways-ag.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nuwaysag

Adresse: Mittelweg 16-17, 20148 Hamburg, Germany

++++++++++

Diese Meldung ist keine Anlageberatung oder Aufforderung zum Abschluss bestimmter Borsengeschafte. Offenlegung moglicher Interessenskonflikte nach  85 WpHG beim oben analysierten Unternehmen befinden sich in der vollstandigen Analyse. ++++++++++



transmitted by EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this research. The result of this research does not constitute investment advice or an invitation to conclude certain stock exchange transactions.




COPENHAGEN, Denmark, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Netcare International today announced the availability of Documentation Collaboration Hub (DCH) on Microsoft AppSource, an online cloud marketplace providing tailored line-of-business solutions. Document Collaboration Hub enables teams to handle documents, projects, and discussions in a single place, with improved visibility, version control, data security, geofencing, and more.

Netcare International, a Danish company founded by a technical and legal pioneer in 2000, is renowned for providing innovative solutions to enhance document management systems, delivering a suite of services. With a proven track record in systems and product development and installation, Netcare International positions itself as an essential partner in navigating the complexities of large document environments. The company's offerings ensure maximum security, seamless collaboration, and efficient document management, making it a valuable ally in optimizing business operations.

"We're excited to launch something that has the potential to take Netcare International and document management to the next level," said Finn Schnohr, Founder of Netcare International. "Microsoft has shown great interest and enthusiasm in our Document Collaboration Hub during the development, and I'm just thrilled that we're finally ready to take it to the market."

Giovanni Mezgec, Vice President, Modern Work + Business Applications Field & Partner Marketing, Microsoft Corp., said, "Microsoft AppSource welcomes Document Collaboration Hub, which joins a cloud marketplace landscape predicted to grow revenue 500% from 2022 to 2025. Thanks to AppSource and line-of-business solutions from trusted partners like Netcare International, customers can do more with less by increasing efficiency, buying confidently, and spending smarter."

Netcare International is at the forefront of revolutionizing document management and collaboration for businesses. Its innovative solutions are designed to streamline operations and enhance efficiency. By focusing on simplifying complex processes, Netcare International helps businesses focus on growth and innovation. Serving a diverse global clientele, Netcare International is committed to ensuring secure and efficient document handling.

Learn more about Documentation Collaboration Hub at its page on AppSource.

For more information, press only:

Martin Sandgaard, Netcare International, Martin.S@netcare.international

+45 2943 0316

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EQS Newswire / 22/03/2024 / 09:15 CET/CEST

BERLIN, GERMANY - Media OutReach Newswire - 22 March 2024 - Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) this week participated in the annual Infrastructure Investor Global Summit which took place in Berlin from 18-21 March 2024. A large contingent from QIC's London, New York and Australian offices were in attendance for what is the largest infrastructure investment gathering annually.



Arash Shojaie, Senior Principal, QIC Infrastructure Kirsten Whitehead, Partner, QIC Infrastructure



Kirsten Whitehead, Partner, QIC Infrastructure spoke on the opening keynote panel "Embracing Infrastructure's Key Strengths in a Challenging Environment" which focused on finding relative value, the importance of partnerships, value preservation and value creation.



She described the need to bolster asset resilience to climate risk as not just prudent but 'pivotal' for sustainable progress, and emphasised Australia's compelling energy transition landscape.



"Australia is an attractive infrastructure investment destination with a stable and open economy, rich in critical minerals, good trade ties, and a pipeline of attractive infrastructure investment opportunities," said Ms Whitehead. "With portfolio companies including some of Australia's leading renewable energy and sustainable off grid power solutions businesses, we have an important role to play in Australia's energy transition which will need to be delivered through a decentralised solution."



On the panel, Ms Whitehead also mentioned that significant opportunities lie in the intersection between decarbonisation and other key thematics such as decentralisation and digitisation. "When considering these opportunities in an Australian context, they converge to shape an enormous opportunity set."



Arash Shojaie, Senior Principal, QIC Infrastructure also shared insights on a panel called "Investing in Energy: Opportunities in Infrastructure created by the Transition" which covered macro impacts such as deglobalisation on the energy transition agenda and decarbonising the economy beyond just renewables.



"Advances in renewable energy and storage technologies have led to an evolution of the electricity ecosystem with a range of investment opportunities from renewable energy generation to transmission, ancillary infrastructure services, storage, distribution, consumer needs, electric transport and more," said Mr Shojaie on the panel. "The primary challenge is how we combine and sequence the available technologies and applications that enable the energy transition; and how policy makers and capital allocators bring these elements together."



Other topics that arose during the summit included funding the energy transition. As companies and governments around the world set ambitious targets for carbon reduction, one of the main hurdles to achieving these goals is securing financing. For this reason, the global shift to renewable energy is one of the most important themes driving new deal flow for QIC's direct infrastructure lending programme.



In addition, the relative value of junior infrastructure debt is currently attractive given its performance in the macro environment and the considerable level of transaction activity occurring across refinancing, growth capex requirements and M&A activities.



QIC deploys a thematic infrastructure investment strategy, focusing on the key themes of decarbonisation, deglobalisation, decentralisation and an ageing population. Its sector-centric investment focus is on Energy and Utilities, Transport and Social and Healthcare.

Hashtag: QIC

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About QIC Infrastructure QIC is a long-term infrastructure investor with an established international platform, an active management approach and a strong 17-year track record. With an international team of 84 professionals across five offices, QIC Infrastructure manages A$32.8bn (US$22.4bn) across 22 international direct investments and has realised in excess of A$15.2bn back to its clients. QIC manages A$7.1bn in Australian energy assets across the energy value chain (as at 31 December 2023).

About QIC Private Debt QIC Private Debt offers institutional investors exposure to diversified debt investments across infrastructure (within the OECD), and corporate, asset-backed securities and real estate sectors (in Australia/New Zealand). Established in 2021, QIC Private Debt now has over US$1bn of assets under management and committed capital, split across Multi-Sector Private Debt (~US$600m) and Private Debt Infrastructure (~US$400m) offerings (as at 31 December 2023).

About QIC QIC is a long-term specialist manager in alternatives offering infrastructure, real estate, private capital, liquid strategies and multi-asset investments. It is one of the largest institutional investment managers in Australia, with A$106bn (US$72.5bn) in funds under management. QIC has over 900 employees and serves approximately 115 clients. Headquartered in Brisbane, Australia, QIC also has offices in Sydney, Melbourne, New York, San Francisco, London and Singapore (as at 31 December 2023). For more information, please visit: www.qic.com

About the Infrastructure Investor Network Global Summit Website: Infrastructure Investor Network Global Summit | PEI Events



This year's annual Infrastructure Investor Global Summit took place in Berlin from 18-21 March. It brought together 3,000+ of the world's leading investors, managers and strategic partners for unrivalled networking opportunities and unmatched content. Attendees were able to create new synergies, uncover new opportunities and help shape the future of infrastructure on a global scale. All in one place, across four days.



IMPORTANT INFORMATION

QIC Limited ACN 130 539 123 ("QIC") is a wholesale funds manager, and its products and services are not directly available to, and this document may not be provided to any, retail clients. QIC is a company government owned corporation constituted under the Queensland Investment Corporation Act 1991 (QLD). QIC is also regulated by State Government legislation pertaining to government owned corporations in addition to the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ("Corporations Act"). QIC does not hold an Australian financial services ("AFS") licence and certain provisions (including the financial product disclosure provisions) of the Corporations Act do not apply to QIC. Other wholly owned subsidiaries of QIC do hold AFS licences and are required to comply with relevant provisions of the Corporations Act. QIC also has wholly owned subsidiaries authorised, registered or licensed by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"), the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the Korean Financial Services Commission. For more information about QIC, our approach, clients and regulatory framework, please refer to our website www.qic.com or contact us directly.



For more information about QIC, our approach, clients and regulatory framework, please refer to our website www.qic.com or contact us directly.



The statements and any opinions in this document (the "Information") are of a general nature and for commentary purposes only and do not take into account any investor's personal, financial or tax objectives, situation or needs. The Information is not intended to constitute and should not be relied on as personal legal or investment advice and it does not constitute, and should not be construed as, an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy, securities or any other investment, investment management or advisory services.



News Source: Media OutReach

22/03/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



Media archive at www.todayir.com


GHA DISCOVERY members in India generated a record $68m in revenues in 2023

GHA DISCOVERY India membership hits 540,000, up 21% YOY

Domestic (51%) and international (49%) revenue from India members evenly split

India member outbound revenue at GHA hotels reaches an all-time high of $60m, surpassing 2019 figure

Singapore, Thailand and the UAE are most popular outbound destinations for India members

US, UK and Australia top source markets for travel to India

MUMBAI, India, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- UAE-headquartered Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) , the world's largest alliance of independent hotel brands, which this year marks its 20th anniversary, highlighted the Indian market's unbridled tourism potential at the inaugural Skift India Summit which took place at The Leela Ambience Gurugram earlier this week.

Hosted by GHA and the alliance's major hotel brand in India, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, the event brought together industry leaders and innovators to discuss emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in a market forecasted to generate 80 million international trips annually by 2040*.

GHA's stellar performance in India is indicative of the industry's sharp upward trajectory, with revenue generated by its 13 Indian hotels across three brands (Leela, Araiya and Oaks) hitting a record US$68 million revenues in 2023, up from a previous pre-pandemic (2019) high of $65 million, while the number of GHA DISCOVERY members residing in India also reached new heights, topping more than half a million (540,000), up 21% on 2022. Indian members also spent more at GHA hotels in India and around the world than ever before, generating a record $60 million in hotel revenues, up 46% year-on-year and surpassing the 2019 total of $41 million.

Domestic travel in India accounted for half of travel revenue in 2023 (51%), while international travel picked up strongly and surpassed the 2019 ratio, with the US, UK and Australia the top source markets for inbound travel. Meanwhile, preferred outbound destinations for India's GHA DISCOVERY members were Singapore, Thailand and the UAE respectively.

"With India one of the world's fastest-growing domestic and international travel markets, as reflected in our 2023 results, the first Skift India Summit presented a timely opportunity for GHA and our long-term partner of 17 years, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, to highlight the untold potential for expansion, from elevating GHA DISCOVERY membership among residents to boosting awareness of our growing India portfolio - this year increasing to 14 hotels across four brands - to our 26 million global loyalty members," said GHA CEO Chris Hartley.

"Our research, delving into the travel preferences and behaviours of our members, reveals some insightful inbound and outbound travel patterns and shines a spotlight on opportunities to educate GHA DISCOVERY members in India about the unique benefits of our loyalty programme, including ways in which they can earn and redeem our rewards currency, DISCOVERY Dollars (D$). With D$1 equal to US$1, we are effectively putting cash into travellers' pockets, encouraging them to spend at our hotels in India and with other global brands."

Aside from the revenue gains registered for the Indian market in 2023, GHA research also found:

With soon to be 14 hotels in major destinations across the country, The Leela is the most recognisable brand for GHA DISCOVERY members in India.

Indian members are planning on average four leisure trips, three staycations and five business trips in 2024, with the top three destinations being Europe, Thailand and Maldives.

50% of members in India have the desire to explore new destinations in 2024, prioritising foodie and adventure travel.

Their top sources of leisure travel inspiration come from friends and family recommendations, online or social ads, and travel magazines.

"These Indian market trends, coupled with growing appetite to visit India from GHA DISCOVERY's 26-million-strong global membership, present immense opportunities for our portfolio of hotels, which not only offer luxury accommodation, but the destination experiences that today's travellers seek, from adventure, to cuisine, to nature," said Anuraag Bhatnagar, Chief Executive Officer, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts.

"The Skift India Summit provided a platform to share our knowledge with key industry players to further amplify domestic and international tourism and its socio-economic contribution as we plan for future growth."

India's hotel sector is booming, poised to contribute $1.5 trillion to the country's economy by 2047, up from $65 billion in 2022, according to Hotel Association of India forecasts. GHA plans to expand its hotel portfolio in India and is in discussions with several hotel brands to provide a broader range of destinations and segments for GHA DISCOVERY members. One new addition coming later this year is Anantara Hotels & Resorts opening its first property in North India later this year, the Anantara Jaipur Hotel.

This year marks GHA's 20th anniversary, and over the years, the alliance has grown exponentially to now represent a collection of 40 brands with more than 800 hotels in 100 countries. The 26 million members of its GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme, first launched in 2010, generated $2.3 billion in revenue and 10 million room nights in 2023. Recent milestones include the reimagination of GHA DISCOVERY, including the launch of DISCOVERY Dollars (D$), in 2021; NH Hotel Group joining the alliance in 2022, enhancing the GHA offering with 350 properties in 30 countries across three brands; the 2023 launch of Green Collection, empowering members to make conscious travel choices. GHA has diversified its loyalty offering with two new partnerships too, joining forces with ultra-luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas Cruises in 2023 to reward cruisers with D$ and status, and vacation rental platform Plum Guide in March this year, rewarding members who book one of 38,000 remarkable vacation homes.

Source: *How India Travels 2023, by Booking.com and McKinsey & Company

About The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts

Headquartered in Mumbai, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts is owned by a Brookfield Asset Management-sponsored private real estate fund and operates eleven award-winning properties in major cities and leisure destinations across India. These include the flagship hotel in the capital city of New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Udaipur, Jaipur, Gurugram, East Delhi, Mumbai, Gandhinagar and now Kovalam and Ashtamudi in Kerala. The Leela celebrates each hotel through its unique location, art, culture and cuisine with thoughtful services, celebratory rituals, and immersive experiences. The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts was voted the World's Best Hotel Brand twice in a row by Travel + Leisure, USA, World's Best Awards Survey, 2020 and 2021. In 2023, the brand has once again been featured in the top 3 World's Best Hotel Brands. An epitome of true Indian luxury hospitality, The Leela is committed to providing guests with unforgettable stays in settings that capture the essence of India. The brand has a marketing alliance with US-based Preferred Hotels & Resorts and is a member of the Global Hotel Alliance.

For more information, please visit our website www.theleela.com and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Global Hotel Alliance (GHA)

Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) brings together a diverse collection of independent hospitality brands with GHA DISCOVERY, a multi-brand loyalty programme leveraging a shared technology platform. Through membership in GHA, brands expand their global reach, drive incremental revenue, and reduce dependence on third-party channels, all while maintaining management independence and individual positioning. GHA represents a collection of 40 brands with more than 800 hotels in 100 countries. The award-winning GHA DISCOVERY programme serves 26 million members and generated $2.3 billion in revenue and 10 million room nights in 2023. GHA's brands currently include Anantara, Araiya, ASMALLWORLD, Avani, Bristoria, Capella, Corinthia, Divani, The Doyle Collection, Elewana, JA Resorts, Kempinski, Leela, Lore Group, Lungarno, Maqo, Marco Polo, Mysk, NH Collection, NH Hotels, nhow, Niccolo, Nikki Beach, NUO, Oaks, OUTRIGGER, Pan Pacific, PARKROYAL COLLECTION, PARKROYAL, Patina, The Residence by Cenizaro, The Set Collection, Shaza, Sukhothai, Sun International, Tivoli, Ultratravel Collection and Viceroy.

About GHA DISCOVERY

Launched in 2010, GHA DISCOVERY is the world's largest loyalty programme for independent hotel brands, featuring more than 800 hotels, resorts, and palaces across 40 brands. Members enjoy VIP recognition, thoughtful benefits and generous rewards at home or away. GHA DISCOVERY members earn and spend DISCOVERY Dollars (D$), an exclusive rewards currency. They also enjoy member-only Experiences curated by each hotel, plus they have access to properties close to home, without a stay, through member-only Local Offers. For more information, visit ghadiscovery.com

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OSLO, Norway, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Annual General Meeting of Hexagon Composites ASA (OSE: HEX.OL) will be held on 17 April 2024 at 12:30 CEST at the company's offices in Korsegata 4B, Aalesund, Norway.



Please find attached the following documents:

The notice of Annual General Meeting including attendance/proxy forms and the Board of Directors' proposed resolutions for the Annual General Meeting

Recommendations from the Nomination Committee

The remuneration report 2023

Guidelines for remuneration of executive management 2024

All documents related to the Annual General Meeting, including the annual report 2023 are available at https://hexagongroup.com/annual-general-meeting-2024



For more information:

Ingrid Aarsnes, VP Investor Relations & ESG, Hexagon Composites ASA

Email: ingrid.aarsnes@hexagongroup.com



About Hexagon Composites ASA

Hexagon delivers safe and innovative solutions for a cleaner energy future. Our solutions enable storage, transportation, and conversion to clean energy in a wide range of mobility, industrial and consumer applications. Learn more at www.hexagongroup.com and follow @HexagonASA on Twitter and LinkedIn.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/hexagon-composites-asa/r/hexagon-composites-asa--notice-of-annual-general-meeting,c3950242

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Public/22853/3950242/9a019aa467c96ff5.pdf Notice of Annual General Meeting 2024 incl proxy and attendance forms https://mb.cision.com/Public/22853/3950242/acb78d5c4834dc83.pdf Recommendation from the Nomination Committee https://mb.cision.com/Public/22853/3950242/92d64fb930c63460.pdf Hexagon Composites Remuneration report 2023 https://mb.cision.com/Public/22853/3950242/8642e29b9625f5f3.pdf Guidelines for remuneration of executive management 2024

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hexagon-composites-asa-notice-of-annual-general-meeting-302096867.html
The Vantage View video series is made in collaboration with Bloomberg Media Studios.

PORT VILA, Vanuatu, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Award-winning, multi-asset broker, Vantage Markets ("Vantage") is thrilled to announce the release of the third episode of its highly anticipated series, The Vantage View.

Produced in collaboration with Bloomberg Media Studios, this latest episode delves into the transformative power and investment potential of Asia's electrified mobility landscape with a forward-looking focus on sustainable mobility. Viewers learn from Andrey Berdichevskiy, Partner & Associate Director at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), who leads the Southeast Asia Centre for Climate & Sustainability.

Berdichevskiy discusses the evolving dynamics of the global automotive industry, where the rapid adoption of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) is poised to reach a staggering 59% of total light-vehicle sales by 2035. Meanwhile, the global fleet of electric two-wheelers - used largely in Asia - is expected to triple by 2040, highlighting Asia's pivotal role in the EV transformation.

Berdichevskiy also identified a number of investment opportunities across the EV supply chain, from raw materials to battery component technology and charging infrastructure.

"We are thrilled to partner with Bloomberg Media Studios once again to bring forth this latest episode of The Vantage View, offering viewers unparalleled insights into the transformative potential of Asia's electrified mobility landscape," says Marc Despallieres, Chief Strategy and Trading Officer, Vantage.

"As the world increasingly embraces sustainable transportation solutions, this episode serves as a timely exploration of the investment opportunities and market trends shaping the future of mobility."

Learn more about sustainable mobility on The Vantage View .

About Vantage

Vantage (or Vantage Markets) is a multi-asset broker offering clients access to a nimble and powerful service for trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs) products, including Forex, Commodities, Indices, Shares, ETFs, and Bonds.

With over 13 years of market experience, Vantage transcends the role of broker, providing a trusted trading ecosystem, an award-winning mobile trading app, and a user-friendly trading platform that empowers clients to seize trading opportunities. Download the Vantage App on App Store or Google Play.

trade smarter @vantage

http://www.vantagemarkets.com/

About Bloomberg Media

Bloomberg Media is the world's leading multi-platform media company for business and finance, which draws on the editorial resources of more than 2,700 editorial professionals globally in more than 120 countries. Bloomberg Media is the consumer-facing media organization of Bloomberg L.P

https://www.bloomberg.com/

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The Vantage View video series is made in collaboration with Bloomberg Media Studios.

LONDON, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Award-winning, multi-asset broker, Vantage Markets ("Vantage") is thrilled to announce the release of the third episode of its highly anticipated series, The Vantage View.

Produced in collaboration with Bloomberg Media Studios, this latest episode delves into the transformative power and investment potential of Asia's electrified mobility landscape with a forward-looking focus on sustainable mobility. Viewers benefit from the expertise of Andrey Berdichevskiy, Partner & Associate Director at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), who leads the Southeast Asia Centre for Climate & Sustainability.

Berdichevskiy discusses the evolving dynamics of the global automotive industry, where the rapid adoption of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) is poised to reach a staggering 59% of total light-vehicle sales by 2035. Meanwhile, the global fleet of electric two-wheelers - used largely in Asia - is expected to triple by 2040, highlighting Asia's pivotal role in the EV transformation.

Berdichevskiy also identified a number of investment opportunities across the EV supply chain, from raw materials to battery component technology and charging infrastructure.

"We're delighted to collaborate once again with Bloomberg Media Studios to unveil the latest episode of The Vantage View, offering viewers unparalleled insights into the transformative potential of Asia's electrified mobility landscape," says David Shayer, CEO, Vantage UK.

"As a sustainability focused business, we are pleased to see the world increasingly embrace sustainable transportation solutions, and this episode serves as a timely exploration of the investment opportunities and market trends shaping the future of mobility."

Learn more about sustainable mobility on The Vantage View .

About Vantage

Vantage (or Vantage Markets) is a multi-asset broker offering clients access to a nimble and powerful service for trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs) on Forex, Commodities, Indices, Shares, ETFs, and Bonds.

With over 13 years of market experience, Vantage transcends the role of broker, providing a trusted trading ecosystem, an award-winning mobile trading app, and a user-friendly trading platform that empowers clients to seize trading opportunities.

trade smarter @vantage

https://www.vantagemarkets.co.uk/

About Bloomberg Media

Bloomberg Media is the world's leading multi-platform media company for business and finance, which draws on the editorial resources of more than 2,700 editorial professionals globally in more than 120 countries. Bloomberg Media is the consumer-facing media organization of Bloomberg L.P

https://www.bloomberg.com/

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70.88% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Trading derivatives is risky. It isn't suitable for everyone and, in the case of Professional clients, you could lose substantially more than your initial investment. You don't own or have rights in the underlying assets. Past performance is no indication of future performance and tax laws are subject to change. The information in this website is general in nature and doesn't take into account your or your client's personal objectives, financial circumstances, or needs. Please read our legal documents and ensure you fully understand the risks before you make any trading decisions. We encourage you to seek independent advice.

Telephone calls and online chat conversations may be recorded and monitored. Any views, opinions, technical market information or commentary published on the website are necessarily of a general educational nature only and do not constitute, and should not be considered as, investment advice as they do not take into account any individual client's investment objectives, financial resources or attitude to risk.

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The information on this site and the products and services offered are not intended for distribution to any person in any country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.

Vantage Global Prime LLP trading under Vantage, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FRN: 590299 and its principal place of business is at 7 Bell Yard, London WC2A 2JR, UK'

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Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl

LONDON (dpa-AFX) - The UK's Competition and Markets Authority or CMA, on Friday expressed its concerns over the proposed new joint venture between Vodafone UK, a unit of Vodafone Group Plc (VOD.L, VOD), and Three UK, a unit of CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd. Julie Bon, Phase 1 decision maker for this case at the CMA, said, 'Our initial assessment of this deal has identified concerns which could lead to higher prices for customers and lower investment in UK mobile networks.' Following a Phase 1 investigation, the two businesses now have five working days to respond with solutions to the CMA, otherwise the deal will be referred to a more in-depth Phase 2 probe. In its Phase 1 probe findings, the market regulator expressed its concerns that the deal, which combines 2 of the 4 mobile network operators in the UK, could lead to higher prices and lower quality as the JV will reduce rivalry between mobile operators to win new customers. In contrast, competitive pressure helps to keep prices low, as well as provide an important incentive for network operators to improve their services, including by investing in network quality. The regulator is also concerned that the deal may make it difficult for smaller mobile 'virtual' network operators such as Sky Mobile, Lebara and Lyca Mobile to offer good deals for their own customers. 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.
TORONTO, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ECN Capital Corp. (TSX: ECN) ("ECN Capital" or the "Company") today reported financial results for the three-month period and year ended December 31, 2023.



For the three-month period ended December 31, 2023, ECN Capital reported Adjusted net (loss) applicable to common shareholders from continuing operations of ($13.5) million or ($0.05) per share (basic) versus $0.5 million or $0.00 per share (basic) for the previous three-month period and $4.1 million or $0.02 per share (basic) for the same period last year.

"While 2023 was a difficult year, ECN and its businesses have resumed a growth trajectory in 2024", said Steven Hudson, CEO of ECN Capital Corp. "We have substantially resolved the challenges that affected performance last year and successfully transitioned management with new leadership at both Triad and Source One. I am pleased with the progress we have made and the early results we are experiencing in 2024."

Originations for the three-month period ended December 31, 2023 were $503.1 million, versus $571.5 million in the previous three-month period and $506.8 million for the same period last year. Originations for the three-month period ended December 31, 2023 include $373.8 million of originations from our Manufactured Housing Finance segment and $129.3 million of originations from our Recreational Vehicle and Marine Finance segment.

Managed Assets as of December 31, 2023 were $4.9 billion versus $4.8 billion as at September 30, 2023 and $4.4 billion as at December 31, 2022.

Adjusted EBITDA for the three-month period ended December 31, 2023 was $5.5 million versus $24.1 million for the previous three-month period and $24.6 million for the same period last year.

Operating Expenses for the three-month period ended December 31, 2023 were $34.7 million versus $26.3 million for the previous three-month period and $27.9 million for the same period last year.

Net (Loss) Income attributable to common shareholders for the three-month period ended December 31, 2023 was ($56.0) million versus ($6.0) million for the previous three-month period and ($7.9) million for the same period last year.

CFO Transition

ECN Capital also announced today that Michael Lepore, Chief Financial Officer, is stepping down effective March 31, 2024. The Company also announced the appointment and promotion of Jacqueline Weber, Vice President, Controller, to the role of Chief Financial Officer effective April 1, 2024. Mr. Lepore has agreed to stay on in an advisory capacity for a 90 day period following his departure to assist with the orderly transition of responsibilities to Ms. Weber.

Dividends Declared

The Company's Board of Directors has authorized and declared a quarterly dividend of C$0.01 per outstanding common share to be paid on April 19, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 9, 2024. These dividends are designated to be eligible dividends for purposes of section 89(1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

The Company's Board of Directors has authorized and declared a quarterly dividend of C$0.4960625 per outstanding Cumulative 5-Year Rate Reset Preferred Share, Series C (TSX: ECN.PR.C) to be paid on April 1, 2024 to shareholders of record on the close of business on March 22, 2024. These dividends are designated to be eligible dividends for purposes of section 89(1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

Webcast

The Company will host an analyst briefing to discuss these results commencing at 5:30 PM (ET) on Thursday, March 21, 2024. The call can be accessed as follows:

Webcast https://services.choruscall.ca/links/ecncapitalcorp2023q4.html Toll-free dial in North America 1-800-319-4610

International 1-416-915-3239 Presentation slides http://ecncapitalcorp.com/investors/presentations

A telephone replay of the conference call may also be accessed until April 21, 2024 by dialing 1-800-319-6413 and entering the passcode 0727#.



Non-IFRS Measures

The Company's interim unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") and the accounting policies we adopted in accordance with IFRS.

The Company believes that certain Non-IFRS Measures can be useful to investors because they provide a means by which investors can evaluate the Company's underlying key drivers and operating performance of the business, exclusive of certain adjustments and activities that investors may consider to be unrelated to the underlying economic performance of the business of a given period. Throughout this Press Release, management used a number of terms and ratios which do not have a standardized meaning under IFRS and are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other organizations. A full description of these measures can be found in the Management Discussion & Analysis that accompanies the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.

ECN Capital's Management Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023 has been filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and is available under the investor section of the Company's website (www.ecncapitalcorp.com).



About ECN Capital Corp.

With managed assets of US$4.9 billion, ECN Capital Corp. (TSX: ECN) is a leading provider of business services to North American based banks, credit unions, life insurance companies, pension funds and institutional investors (collectively our "Partners"). ECN Capital originates, manages and advises on credit assets on behalf of its Partners, specifically consumer (manufactured housing and recreational vehicle and marine) loans and commercial (inventory finance and rental) loans. Our Partners are seeking high quality assets to match with their deposits, term insurance or other liabilities. These services are offered through two operating segments: (i) Manufactured Housing Finance, and (ii) Recreational Vehicles and Marine Finance.

Contact

John Wimsatt

561-389-2334

jwimsatt@ecncapitalcorp.com





Forward-looking Statements

This release includes forward-looking statements regarding ECN Capital and its business. Such statements are based on the current expectations and views of future events of ECN Capital's management. In some cases the forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may", "will", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "intend", "potential", "estimate", "believe" or the negative of these terms, or other similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include those relating to the future financial and operating performance of ECN Capital, the strategic advantages, business plans and future opportunities of ECN Capital and the ability of ECN Capital to access adequate funding sources, identify and execute on acquisition opportunities and transition to an asset management business. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting ECN Capital, including risks regarding the equipment finance industry, economic factors, and many other factors beyond the control of ECN Capital. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information. A discussion of the material risks and assumptions associated with this outlook can be found in ECN Capital's December 31, 2023 MD&A and 2022 AIF Disclosure Document dated March 30, 2023 which have been filed on SEDAR and can be accessed at www.sedar.com. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and ECN Capital does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.








TOKYO, Mar 22, 2024 - (JCN Newswire) - Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501) has been selected as a Supplier Engagement Leader, with the highest rating of "Supplier Engagement Rating" in 2023 by CDP, an international non-governmental organization in the environmental field. This is the third consecutive year that Hitachi has been selected as a Supplier Engagement Leader.In 2023, Hitachi was also selected as a CDP A list company(1) (the highest rating) in the area of "Climate Change" in recognition of its leading efforts and highly transparent disclosures.The CDP's "Supplier Engagement Rating" evaluates corporate activities within supply chains regarding climate change and selects companies with especially excellent activities for its "Supplier Engagement Leader". In 2023, 450+ companies were selected as Supplier Engagement Leaders by CDP.Hitachi has established long-term environmental targets as "Hitachi Environmental Innovation 2050," with the goal ofthe establishment of a sustainable society. Hitachi has been promoting sustainable management and working specifically to achieve the carbon neutrality of its business sites (factories and offices) by FY2030 and its entire value chain by FY2050. To achieve carbon neutrality throughout its value chain and develop sustainability-minded business activities that lead to the prosperity of both the Hitachi Group and its procurement partners(2), Hitachi has distributed the Hitachi Group Sustainable Procurement Guidelines and Green Procurement Guidelines(3), requesting all procurement partners to set greenhouse gas reduction targets.Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business to solve customers' and society's challenges and supports people's quality oflife with data and technology that fosters a sustainable society.(1) News release dated February 7, 2024: Hitachi Recognized as 'A List' on Climate Change for the Third Consecutive Year - www.hitachi.com/New/cnews/month/2024/02/240207c.html(2) Hitachi normally refers to its suppliers (including vendors or providers) as "procurement partners" who build business together on an equal footing.(3) Hitachi Group Sustainable Procurement Guidelines and Green Procurement Guidelines - https://tinyurl.com/88vxmn44Hitachi Sustainability Report 2023: www.hitachi.com/sustainability/download/Hitachi Integrated Report 2023: www.hitachi.com/IR-e/library/integrated/Hitachi's Sustainability Initiatives: www.hitachi.com/sustainability/Hitachi's Sustainable Procurement: www.hitachi.com/procurement/csr/Hitachi's Environmental Activities: www.hitachi.com/environment/About CDPCDP is a global non-profit that runs the world's environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states andregions. Founded in 2000 and working with more than 740 financial institutions with over $136 trillion in assets,CDP pioneered using capital markets and corporate procurement to motivate companies to disclose their environmental impacts, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard water resources and protect forests.Over 24,000 organizations around the world disclosed data through CDP in 2023, with more than 23,000 companies - including listed companies worth two thirds global market capitalization - and over 1,100 cities, states and regions.Fully TCFD aligned, CDP holds the largest environmental database in the world, and CDP scores are widely used to drive investment and procurement decisions towards a zero carbon, sustainable and resilient economy. CDP is afounding member of the Science Based Targets initiative, We Mean Business Coalition, The Investor Agenda and the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative. Visit cdp.net or follow us @CDP to find out moreAbout Hitachi, Ltd.Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We solve customers' and society's challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) andproducts. Hitachi operates under the business structure of "Digital Systems & Services" - supporting our customers' digital transformation; "Green Energy & Mobility" - contributing to a decarbonized society through energy and railway systems, and "Connective Industries" - connecting products through digital technology to provide solutions in various industries. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our customers. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2022 (ended March 31, 2023) totaled 10,881.1 billion yen, with 696 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 320,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at https://www.hitachi.com.Source: Hitachi, Ltd.Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
New Mexico State Sen. Greg Nibert Courtesy Sen. Greg Nibert New Mexico State Sen. Greg Nibert, who moved from minority leader in the state house to the Senate in January, addressed the Permian Basin Petroleum Association's membership luncheon Thursday. Courtesy Sen. Greg Nibert

New Mexicos legislative session ended last month, and there were a number of bills that could have affected the regions oil and gas industry.

Luckily, many of those bills fell by the wayside during the 30-day session, reported New Mexico State Sen. Greg Nibert.

Nibert, who had served in the state House of Representatives since 2016, was appointed to the State Senate by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham just before the session started in January. He succeeded Sen. Stuart Ingle, who retired.

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Six months ago, I was minority leader in the House, Nibert told members of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association at their membership luncheon Thursday. Since then, my life has been a whirlwind.

He told the gathering that 583 bills were introduced to be the session and only 66 passed both houses. Among the agenda items set forth by Gov. Grisham was reworking the states Oil and Gas Law that had been enacted in the 1930s. While the industry agrees the law needs to be updated, Nibert said the version under consideration would not have been friendly to you. It would have made it more difficult for you to do business in New Mexico.

Proposed changes would have let additional administrative agencies get their nose in your business, he said.

Legislation can have unintended consequences, as Nibert showed when he highlighted the Energy Transition Act that sets a statewide standard of 50% renewable energy by 2030 and 80% by 2040 for investor-owned utilities and rural electric cooperatives. It transitions away from coal toward clean energy. There are electric providers providing power to the Texas Panhandle and eastern New Mexico but Albuquerque and Santa Fe, what will they do? he asked.

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When wind and solar power are not sufficient, he said those communities could buy power off the grid, but the cost would be significant, and is something that could happen in the very near future.

I suspect when that occurs, the people of Santa Fe and Albuquerque will band together to change that law, he said. But it takes time to change so theyll be in a pickle for a while.

While a number of bills that would have negatively impacted the industry fell by the wayside, Nibert warned that the attacks will continue. He predicted a resolution that residents have a legal right to clean air, soil and water if added to the states constitution will be reintroduced. There will also be efforts to change setback rules regarding how far drilling can be from homes or other structures to more reflect those seen in Colorado, he predicted.

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The fact of the matter is, New Mexico is highly dependent on your production, he told his audience. Over 50% of our general budget is directly tied to the taxes you pay, the other things you pay. You would think my colleagues on both sides of the aisle would embrace you, thank you for the infrastructure, the healthcare, the education, the opportunities you provide.
BM3EAC Corp. (the "Company"), a shell company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability and listed on Euronext Amsterdam, the regulated market operated by Euronext Amsterdam N.V., announces that on 21 February 2024 it entered into a term sheet (the "Terms") with Arkon Energy Ohio LLC (now Arkon Energy US Holdco LLC) ("Arkon") relating to a potential transaction, including a business combination, with Arkon or an entity to be formed by it or its members for such purpose (the "Potential Business Combination

While the Terms are generally indicative and non-binding on the parties, it does include certain binding terms including a 90-day mutual exclusivity period, during which the parties have agreed to work towards executing definitive agreements in respect of the Potential Business Combination. The Potential Business Combination is subject to certain pre-conditions including the completion of satisfactory due diligence by each party, respective board approvals, completion of definitive agreements, and the successful completion of a convertible debt capital raise process.

Arkon is a Bitcoin data center infrastructure and mining business, that buys, develops, and owns valuable data center infrastructure at the intersection of electricity and data processing at an industrial scale that help power the trillion-dollar Bitcoin economy. Arkon currently has 117 megawatts ("MW") of approved operating capacity across two data centers, including a 95MW flagship facility in Hannibal, Ohio, and a 22MW facility in Hopedale, Ohio. In addition, Arkon has binding agreements securing and entitling it to develop more sites in the United States, which would enable the Company to increase capacity by a further 190MW, bringing its total operating capacity to 307MW subject to successful funding and development of the sites. Arkon has signed a letter of intent to acquire an additional 100MW of further pipeline capacity within these same sites.

Arkon's business model is essentially based on two verticals: (i) hosting third-party Bitcoin mining machines, and (ii) self-mining Bitcoin with its own machines. The business model is based on the ownership and management of the underlying infrastructure that powers the machines, designed to enable flexibility in balancing both verticals while taking advantage of the current tailwinds in the Bitcoin ecosystem.

The convertible debt capital raise would primarily be used to fund the infrastructure capital necessary to increase operating capacity to up to 307MW within the next nine months, including purchasing the latest generation mining machines, as well as refinancing an existing debt facility.

The parties intend to simultaneously close the Potential Business Combination and the convertible debt raise. Subject to such closing, the combined Company intends to issue additional common shares listed on Euronext Amsterdam at the earliest opportunity.

The discussions are ongoing and there is no certainty as to whether the parties will enter into definitive agreements regarding the Potential Business Combination, nor as to the terms of any such business combination.

Further announcements will be made as and when appropriate in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This press release may contain information that qualifies or may have qualified as inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

DISCLAIMER

This announcement is not for distribution or release, directly or indirectly, and should not be distributed in or sent into, the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, the Cayman Islands or South Africa or any other jurisdiction in which such distribution or release would be unlawful or would require registration or other measures. This announcement does not contain or constitute an offer of securities for sale or an invitation or offer to the public for securities in any jurisdiction.

In the EEA, this announcement is only directed at persons who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation (EU 2017/1129) as amended. In the United Kingdom, this announcement is directed only at "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation (EU) No 2017/1129 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

This announcement is not an offer for sale nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. This announcement is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States. The securities referenced herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"). Securities may not be offered, sold or otherwise transferred within the United States absent registration under the Securities Act or an exemption therefrom. No public offering of the Offer Shares is being made in the United States.

Forward-looking statements

This announcement, and any related statements, include contain certain statements about the Company, Arkon and the Potential Business Combination that are or may be forward-looking statements, including, statements regarding the Terms relating to the Potential Business Combination, statements about intended capital raises, statements about Arkon's business and plans, including plans and expectations to develop facilities including expected timing of completion and expected capacity and statements regarding development pipeline, and other statements that are not historical fact. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances, including, the risk that no agreement is signed for the Potential Business Combination, if such an agreement is signed such combination is not completed, and risks relating to the ultimate terms of any such business combination and timing for completion if such a business combination is completed, risks relating to the conditions to the Potential Business Combination, and the plans to raise financing and other risks and uncertainties, including those set forth by, or in any reports published by, the Company and/or Arkon. As a result, actual future results may differ materially from the plans, goals, and expectations set forth in these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date they are made. The Company and Arkon disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement to reflect any change in the Company's or Arkon's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240322041990/en/

Contacts:

ENQUIRIES

BM3EAC Corp.

c/o Brigade Capital Management, LP

399 Park Avenue, 16th Floor

New York, NY 10022

Email: BrigadeM3EAC@brigadecapital.com
Classified as exceptional performer in two categories: Application Services and General Satisfaction

BRUSSELS, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hexaware, a leading global provider of IT solutions, has once again demonstrated its commitment to excellence by retaining top positions in the prestigious 2024 IT Sourcing Study BeLux. Conducted by Whitelane Research, the study evaluates various aspects of IT service providers in the BeLux (Belgium and Luxembourg) region, and Hexaware's consistent performance is a testament to its dedication to client satisfaction and innovation.

The report classified Hexaware as an exceptional performer in Application Services and General Satisfaction. Hexaware ranked third in General Satisfaction in the BeLux region with a high score of 83% and second in Application Services, demonstrating the company's commitment to providing quality services to its clients. Further, it secured the third rank in Financial Services and was placed fourth in Account Management Quality. The other areas where Hexaware remained in the top 10 include Service Delivery Quality and Transformative Innovation.

The 2024 BeLux IT Sourcing Study represents the largest survey to date. With close to 300 participants from the region's leading IT-spending organizations, this year's report provides insights on the top-performing IT service providers and cloud platform providers, with over 750 unique IT sourcing relationships and more than 800 cloud platform relationships evaluated.

This achievement underscores Hexaware's unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional value and innovation to its clients in the BeLux region. By consistently exceeding expectations and focusing on customer-centric solutions, Hexaware has established itself as a trusted partner for organizations seeking reliable IT services.

Amrinder Singh, Hexaware's Corporate Vice President & Head - EMEA & APAC Operations, said, "These rankings reaffirm our dedication to providing unparalleled service and driving innovation in the IT industry. We are immensely proud of our team's efforts and grateful for the trust our clients place in us."

"Hexaware's continued success in securing top positions in the 2024 IT Sourcing Study BeLux is the result of their unwavering commitment to client satisfaction and innovation. Their ability to consistently deliver exceptional results underscores their position as a trusted leader in the IT services industry," said Jef Loos, Head of Research Europe, Whitelane Research. Hexaware's continued success in the 2024 IT Sourcing Study BeLux highlights its deep industry expertise, innovative capabilities, and unwavering commitment to excellence. As organizations in the BeLux region navigate complex digital challenges, Hexaware remains committed to empowering them with transformative IT solutions.

To learn more about Whitelane's European study - Click Here

About Hexaware

Hexaware is a global technology and business process services company. Our 28,300 Hexawarians wake up every day with a singular purpose; to create smiles through great people and technology. With this purpose gaining momentum, we are well on our way to realizing our vision of being the most loved digital transformation partner in the world. We also seek to protect the planet and build a better tomorrow for our customers, employees, partners, investors, and the communities in which we operate.

With 45+ of?ces in 16 countries, we empower enterprises across the world to realize digital transformation at scale and speed by partnering with them to build, modernize, run, and optimize their technology and business processes.

Learn more about Hexaware at https://www.hexaware.com

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Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - March 22, 2024) - Copper Fox Metals Inc. (TSXV: CUU) (OTCQX: CPFXF) (FSE: HPU) ("Copper Fox" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has retained Fidel Ricardo Montagu Thomas ("Fidel") to provide the Company investor relations ("IR") services for an initial period of six months (the "Initial Term"), and can be renewed at the option of the Company for an additional one year subject to the terms of the services agreement (the "Agreement"). The Agreement is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") and the OTCQX Market ("OTCQX").

Elmer B. Stewart, President and CEO of Copper Fox stated, "We are pleased to have Fidel join the company in a consulting capacity to provide corporate communication to our shareholders as well as reach out to introduce the Company to prospective shareholders. Fidel has a broad background in corporate communications and his knowledge of the Company, along with his experience in the IR field, make him an excellent choice to expand the investor outreach of Copper Fox."

The Company is engaging Fidel in a consulting capacity to provide corporate communications and to coordinate meetings with current and prospective shareholders, investment advisors, broker-dealers, investment bankers and private equity groups. Pursuant to the Agreement, Fidel is required to comply with all applicable securities laws and regulations in connection with the Services. The Services will include Investor Relations Activities as such term is defined under the Policies of the TSXV and OTCQX. Fidel will receive a monthly fee in the amount of $4,300 CAD plus applicable taxes, paid monthly, for the Services during the Initial Term, unless terminated by the Company. The fee to be paid by the Company to Fidel is for the Services only. The Company and Fidel act at arm's length.

Fidel is a businessman in the Province of British Columbia, operating out of Vancouver, British Columbia and has been providing investor relations services for over 20 years.

Fidel commented "I am excited to work with the Copper Fox team to introduce their portfolio of copper projects to the investment community. Copper, which is listed as a critical metal, plays an important role in transitioning to a low carbon economy and Copper Fox is well positioned to provide producers with geopolitically safe projects."

About Copper Fox

Copper Fox is a Canadian exploration and development company focused on Tier 1 copper projects in Canada and the United States. The principal assets of Copper Fox and its wholly owned subsidiaries, being Northern Fox Copper Inc. and Desert Fox Copper Inc., are the 100% ownership of the Van Dyke oxide copper project located in Miami, AZ, the 100% interest in the Mineral Mountain and Sombrero Butte porphyry copper exploration projects located in Arizona, the 25% interest in the Schaft Creek Joint Venture with Teck Resources Limited on the Schaft Creek copper-gold-molybdenum-silver project and the 100% owned Eaglehead polymetallic porphyry copper project each located in northwestern British Columbia. For more information on Copper Fox visit the Company's website at www.copperfoxmetals.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Elmer B. Stewart

President and Chief Executive Officer

For additional information contact:

Lynn Ball at 1-844-464-2820; 1-403-264-2820; investor@copperfoxmetals.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.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information is generally identifiable by use of the words "believes," "may," "plans," "will," "anticipates," "intends," "budgets", "could", "estimates", "expects", "forecasts", "projects" and similar expressions, and the negative of such expressions. Forward-looking information in this news release include statements about: heighten market awareness; broadening the Company's reach within the investment community; the purpose of the Mr. Thomas engagement; the payment by the Company for the Services and the timing thereof; the approval of the TSXV and/or OTCQX; and the intended content of the Services.

In connection with the forward-looking information contained in this news release, Copper Fox and its subsidiaries have made numerous assumptions regarding, among other things: the Services will be provided as expected and will produce the intended results; and the Company will receive all required approvals, if any, in connection with the Agreement. While Copper Fox considers these assumptions to be reasonable, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause Copper Fox's actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. Known risk factors include among others: required approvals for the Agreement, if any, may not be obtained; the Services performed may not be as expected or may not have the expected results; and the Agreement may be terminated early.

A more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing Copper Fox is disclosed in Copper Fox's continuous disclosure filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities at www.sedarplus.ca. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and Copper Fox disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events, or developments, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202724

SOURCE: Copper Fox Metals Inc.
CHICAGO, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Automotive Ceramics Market by Material (Alumina Oxide, Titanate Oxide, Zirconia Oxide), Vehicle Type (Passenger Vehicle, Commercial Vehicle), Application (Engine Parts, Exhaust Systems, Automotive Electronics), and Region - Global Forecast to 2028", Automotive Ceramics Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.7%, from an estimated USD 2.4 billion in 2023 to USD 3.2 billion by 2028 during the forecast period.

The automotive ceramics demand is rising as the industry prioritizes lightweight and durable materials to boost fuel efficiency, control emissions, and enhance vehicle performance. The increasing embrace of electric vehicles and stringent environmental standards amplify ceramics pivotal role in crucial components such as exhaust systems, engine parts, and automotive electronics. This drives the overall expansion of the market, emphasizing the significance of ceramics in meeting evolving industry requirements.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Automotive Ceramics Market".

217 - Tables

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"Zirconia Oxide, by material, are expected to be the most significant automotive ceramics market segment during the forecast period."

Zirconia oxide holds the most significant shares in the material segment of the automotive ceramics Market due to its exceptional properties that align with the evolving needs of the automotive industry. Zirconia oxide exhibits high mechanical strength, thermal resistance, and low thermal conductivity, making it an ideal choice for critical applications in the automotive sector. Its resistance to corrosion and wear, coupled with the ability to withstand extreme temperatures, enhances the durability and performance of components such as sensors, spark plugs, and exhaust systems. As the automotive industry shifts towards electric vehicles, zirconia oxide finds extensive use in battery systems, contributing to its increasing market share. The material's unique combination of properties addresses the industry's demand for lightweight, durable, and high-performance solutions, positioning zirconia oxide as a key driver in the automotive ceramics market's growth and technological advancements.

"Passenger vehicle is anticipated to be the most significant automotive ceramics market segment, by vehicle type, during the forecast period."

The passenger vehicle segment commands the most significant shares in the vehicle type segment of the Automotive Ceramics Market due to multiple factors influencing consumer preferences and industry trends. As urbanization and rising disposable incomes drive global demand for personal transportation, the passenger vehicle market experiences sustained growth. Automotive ceramics play a crucial role in enhancing the performance and efficiency of passenger vehicles, with applications in engine components, exhaust systems, and electronics. The increasing focus on fuel efficiency, emissions reduction, and regulatory compliance has led automakers to integrate advanced ceramic materials to achieve lightweighting and durability. Additionally, the growing popularity of electric and hybrid passenger vehicles, which extensively employ ceramics in battery systems, further solidifies the dominance of the passenger vehicle segment. As the automotive industry continues to prioritize innovation and sustainability, the passenger vehicle segment remains at the forefront, contributing significantly to the widespread adoption of automotive ceramics.

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"Automotive ceramics is anticipated to be the fastest-growing automotive ceramics market segment, by application, during the forecast period."

The automotive electronics application is poised to be the fastest-growing segment in the Automotive Ceramics Market due to the accelerating trend of vehicle electrification and the increasing integration of advanced technologies in modern automobiles. As vehicles become more sophisticated with the incorporation of electronic control units, sensors, and connectivity features, the demand for high-performance and reliable materials in automotive electronics intensifies. Ceramics, known for their electrical insulating properties, thermal stability, and resistance to wear, are well-suited for electronic components like sensors and actuators. The surge in electric and hybrid vehicles, coupled with the proliferation of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and in-vehicle infotainment, propels the use of ceramics in critical electronic applications. This heightened reliance on automotive electronics to enhance safety, efficiency, and connectivity positions the segment as a key driver for the rapid growth of the automotive ceramics market.

"Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global automotive ceramics market, by region, during the forecast period."

Asia Pacific region is the fastest growing in the global automotive ceramics market due to a convergence of dynamic factors. The region's burgeoning automotive industry, particularly in countries like China, Japan, and South Korea, is a primary driver. Increasing consumer demand, rising disposable incomes, and urbanization contribute to a robust market for vehicles, propelling the need for advanced materials like ceramics. Additionally, stringent emission regulations drive the adoption of lightweight and durable ceramic components. The rapid growth of electric vehicles in the Asia Pacific, supported by government initiatives, further accelerates the demand for ceramics in battery systems. The region's technological advancements, coupled with continuous research and development activities, position Asia Pacific as a hub for innovation and a key player in the global automotive ceramics market's accelerated growth, escalating investments in research and development activities contribute to technological advancements.

The key players profiled in the report include Kyocera Corporation (Japan), Ceramtec GmbH (Germany), Niterra (Japan), Coorstek Inc. (US), and Morgan Advanced Materials (UK).

Browse Adjacent Market: Ceramics and Glass Market Research Reports & Consulting

Related Reports:

Piezoelectric Ceramics Market - GLOBAL FORECAST TO 2028

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WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - As the situation in the gang-ravaged capital of Haiti worsens, more Americans evacuated the Caribbean island nation.



Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the first rescue mission from Haiti with evacuees who were otherwise unable to return home due to the ongoing political crisis there.



14 Floridians were airlifted from Haiti to Orlando Sanford International Airport via emergency flights coordinated by the Florida Division of Emergency Management.



DeSantis said his administration will continue to dedicate resources to prevent the flow of illegal immigrants from reaching U.S. shores while the situation in Haiti deteriorates.



Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie said more flights will be sent to evacuate citizens trapped in Haiti.



Around 360 Floridians remain in Haiti, according to him.



Wednesday, the State Department evacuated more than 15 U.S. citizens aboard a U.S. government-chartered helicopter from Port-au-Prince.



Meanwhile, the conditions in Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince has gone from worrying to 'extremely alarming', according to the UN Humanitarian Coordinator there.



'It's important we don't let the violence spill over from the capital into the country,' said Ulrika Richardson, briefing journalists at UN Headquarters via video-conference.



She said orchestrated gang attacks on prisons, ports, hospitals and the palace have unfolded over the past weeks, but in the past few days these heavily armed groups have been advancing into new areas of the capital.



'There is human suffering at an alarming scale,' she said, describing daily tension, sounds of gunshots and fear rising throughout the capital.



Abhorrent human rights violations are ongoing, with more than 2,500 people killed, kidnapped or injured, she said, stressing that sexual violence is rampant, with the use of torture and 'collective rape' against women.



Haiti is 'one step away from famine', she warned, calling for urgent support for the humanitarian response plan.



The capital city's international airport remains closed and under the control of coordinated machete and gun-wielding gangs, reports said.



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Groer Dividenden-Report 2024 von Dr. Dennis Riedl Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl Jetzt hier klicken
Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - March 22, 2024) - The Global AI Show is thrilled to announce Jamie Metzl, esteemed author, technology visionary, and healthcare futurist, as a featured speaker for its upcoming two-day conference. Set to convene thought leaders and industry experts from across the globe, this event aims to be a pivotal moment in the advancement of artificial intelligence.

Explore the transformative power of AI in shaping the future of genetics with Jamie Metzl

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Metzl is one of the world's leading authorities on the implications of the intersecting AI, genetics, and biotechnology revolutions and how governments, corporations, organizations, and individuals can ride the wave of these unprecedented transformations to build their best possible futures.

At the Global AI Show, Metzl will be exploring the power of genetic technologies and AI, and their potential to reshape human life. He will discuss the scientific breakthroughs and real-world applications of genetic technologies, thereby bringing unmissable insights into AI and biological revolutions.

"I am thrilled to be Headlining at the Global AI Show, the world's premier event for artificial intelligence. AI and other revolutionary technologies are rapidly transforming every aspect of our world. Exploring what this means for each and all of us and how we can ride the wave of this change toward greater meaning and success must be all of our work," said Jamie Metzl.

The Global AI Show, which is hosting regional and international AI leaders to discuss groundbreaking AI applications and new developments, will also include an exclusive sneak peek into Metzl's highly-anticipated new book, Superconvergence: How the Genetics, Biotech, and AI Revolutions Will Transform Our Lives, Work, and World. Additionally, attendees can get a signed copy of Metzl's international bestseller, Hacking Darwin: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Humanity at the event.

In 2019, Metzl was appointed to the World Health Organisation expert advisory committee on human genome editing. He frequently appears on national and international media, and his work has been featured by 60 Minutes, the New York Times and other major media outlets.

Metzl's inclusion as a speaker underscores the caliber of expertise and insight that attendees can expect at the Global AI Show. With a profound understanding of emerging technologies and their impact on various sectors, including healthcare, he brings a unique perspective to the conversation surrounding AI.

Explore the intersection of AI and genetics with Jamie Metzl at Global AI Show

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Hear Jamie Metzl and other luminaries at the Global AI Show, taking place at the Grand Hyatt Dubai on April 16 and 17, 2024. For more information and to register, visit: www.globalaishow.com/tickets/.

About VAP Group:

VAP Group, an industry leader with over a decade of expertise in Web3 and Blockchain solutions, continues to revolutionize the landscape of digital innovation. Established in 2013, VAP Group has consistently delivered premium services including public relations, advertising, recruitment, content development, media, and management. Led by Mr. Vishal Parmar, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer, VAP Group stands at the forefront of innovation, shaping the future of blockchain technology. Under his mentorship, the company has focused on pioneering strategies in PR marketing, influencer marketing, bounty campaigns, conferences, and campaigns, setting new benchmarks in the industry. What truly sets VAP Group apart is its dedication to creativity, uniqueness, and holistic solutions. By adopting an innovative and forward-thinking approach, VAP Group has distinguished itself as a beacon of innovation amidst the competitive landscape of blockchain consultancy.

VAP Group is the organizer of Global Blockchain Show and Global AI Show, extraordinary platforms poised to redefine the landscape of blockchain and AI technology respectively, offering dynamic gatherings where the brightest minds converge to unlock the potential of these transformative technologies.

For media enquiries, send an email to Nupur Aswani: media@globalaishow.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202552

SOURCE: Global AI Show
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In an exciting development for the financial trading industry, Banxso, a leading online trading platform known for its innovative approach to empowering investors, has officially announced a strategic partnership with Trading Central, a premier provider of investment research and financial market insights. This collaboration is set to enhance the Banxso trading platform by integrating Trading Central's acclaimed live trading signals, providing investors of all skill levels with the tools needed to make informed, timely decisions based on quality data and transparent analysis.

Empowering Investors with Advanced Insights

The partnership between Banxso and Trading Central marks a significant leap forward in democratizing financial information, making institutional-grade research accessible to retail investors. Trading Central's live trading signals are renowned for their accuracy, depth, and relevance, offering actionable insights that empower investors to navigate the complexities of the market confidently.

"Our mission at Banxso has always been to empower our clients with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in the dynamic world of trading," said a Banxso spokesperson. "By integrating Trading Central's live trading signals into our platform, we're not just providing data; we're enhancing our users' trading experience with expert analysis and a modern, intuitive interface."

A Modern Trading Experience

This partnership promises to transform the trading experience on the Banxso platform, offering a seamless integration of Trading Central's signals. Traders can expect a user-friendly interface that simplifies the process of making educated decisions. Whether you're a novice trader seeking guidance or an experienced investor looking for in-depth analysis, this collaboration is designed to support your trading journey.

"Trading Central is thrilled to partner with Banxso, a company that shares our commitment to empowering investors," said a representative from Trading Central. "Together, we're bringing a level of insight and analysis previously available only to institutional investors, directly to the hands of individual traders worldwide."

Key Features and Benefits

The integration of Trading Central's live trading signals on the Banxso platform offers numerous advantages, including:

Timely and Educated Decisions: Access to real-time trading signals and market analysis.

Access to real-time trading signals and market analysis. Quality Data: Insights derived from a robust, data-driven methodology.

Insights derived from a robust, data-driven methodology. Transparent Analysis: Clear, unbiased views of market trends and potential opportunities.

Clear, unbiased views of market trends and potential opportunities. Enhanced User Experience: A modern, intuitive interface that simplifies complex trading decisions.

Commitment to Excellence

Both Banxso and Trading Central are committed to providing an unparalleled trading experience that prioritizes user empowerment, education, and transparency. This partnership reflects their shared vision of making advanced trading tools and insights accessible to all investors, regardless of their experience level.

About Banxso

Banxso is an innovative online trading platform that offers a comprehensive range of financial products and services. With a focus on education, transparency, and user empowerment, Banxso aims to provide traders and investors worldwide with the tools and information necessary to achieve their financial goals.

About Trading Central

Trading Central is a global leader in financial market research and investment analytics. With a commitment to delivering unbiased, high-quality insights, Trading Central supports investors in making informed trading decisions across various asset classes.

For more information on this partnership and how to access Trading Central's live trading signals on the Banxso platform, please visit banxso.com.

Media contact details:

Manpreet Singh

manpreet@banxso.com

+16465064977

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/banxso-partners-with-trading-central-to-revolutionize-the-trading-experience-with-live-signals-302096996.html
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 22, 2024) - Volta Metals Ltd. (CSE: VLTA) ("Volta" or the "Company") wishes to announce that it has commenced a structural targeting study as part of ongoing exploration at the Company's Falcon West Lithium Property (the "Property"), in northwestern Ontario, Canada. Interpretation of its recently completed discovery drill program, in conjunction with geochemical soil data and a high-resolution drone magnetic survey, has identified multiple high-priority targets for follow-up as part of its planned 2024 exploration program (Figures 1 & 2).

In summary, the recent drill holes confirm the presence of at least 6 near-surface spodumene-albite pegmatite-hosted lithium, cesium, and tantalum pegmatites discovered within an approximately 300 by 300-meter structural corridor that remains open for expansion (Table 1).

Table 1. Assay highlights for drill holes completed at the Falcon West Project

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Li2O % Cs (ppm) Ta (ppm) Pegmatite FW23-01 12.4 19 6.6 1.03 297.2 77.2 AM FW23-02 24.9 29.8 4.9 0.04 169.8 91.6 AM FW23-03 8.0 11.9 3.9 1.41 52.2 43.2 CDC FW23-04 11.6 21.7 10.1 1.11 64.0 46.1 CDC FW23-05 13.7 29.3 15.6 1.24 155.5 55.4 Far West South FW23-06 30.65 32.45 1.8 0.74 85.6 32.8 Far West South FW23-07 15.65 20.8 5.15 1.50 79.8 39.1 Far West North FW23-08 28.4 37.2 8.8 1.2 72.3 33.1 Far West North FW23-09 7.5 11.65 4.15 1.20 98.6 43.3 JT FW23-10 14.6 21.4 6.8 1.18 64.1 30.3 JT FW23-11 12.3 13 0.7 0.77 29.7 62.0 AM

In preparation for its 2024 field season, the Company has initiated a detailed structural geology study to further understand this newly discovered Li system.

The Company's technical advisor, Dr. Fred Breaks, commented, "We have commenced a study that may uncover the structural signatures to advance the Falcon Project further. Structural geology is one key to understanding the emplacement and evolution of lithium-bearing pegmatites. The structural study is crucial at this project stage and will further generate prospective targets for our exploration program."

The Company's soil geochemical survey has identified several large geochemical pathfinder anomalies immediately adjacent to and along the strike from the recently discovered pegmatites. This suggests that the system is open for expansion under glacial till cover.

Figure 1. Soil Anomalies obtained from 2023 exploration program



To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9598/202684_f6389c37a4312881_001full.jpg

The Company also completed a drone magnetic survey over the property as part of the 2023 exploration program. The magnetic data suggest that the newly discovered pegmatites are related to a broad magnetic low (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Magnetic survey map of Falcon West Lithium Project



To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9598/202684_f6389c37a4312881_002full.jpg

The Company is currently finalizing its 2024 exploration program, which will include further geochemical sampling, mechanized trenching, and, contingent on results, diamond drilling.

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Andrew Tims, P.Geo., an independent Qualified Person ("QP") as defined in National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The QP and the Company have not completed sufficient work to verify the historical information on the Properties, particularly regarding historical exploration, neighbouring companies, and government geological work.

Corporate Update

In August 2023, the Company entered into a right of first refusal ("ROFR") agreement with Reflex Advanced Materials Corp. ("Reflex") on the Zigzag property, which is contiguous to the Company's Falcon West Property. On January 8, 2024, Reflex announced the sale of the Zigzag property to Integral Metals Corp ("Integral"), a private company. The Company's position is that the sale to Integral was completed without allowing Volta to exercise its rights under the agreement to acquire the property. The Company has filed a statement of claim against Reflex, Integral, and a member of Reflex's management, to enforce its rights under the agreement.

For more information about the Company, view Volta's website at www.voltametals.ca.

ABOUT VOLTA METALS LTD.

Volta Metals Ltd. (CSE: VLTA) is a mineral exploration company based in Toronto, Ontario, focused on lithium, cesium, and tantalum. It has optioned and is currently exploring a critical minerals portfolio of lithium, cesium, and tantalum projects in northwestern Ontario, considered one of the world's most prolific, emerging hard-rock lithium districts. To learn more about Volta and its flagship Falcon West Lithium Project, please visit www.voltametals.ca.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

For further information, contact:

Kerem Usenmez, President & CEO

Tel: 416.919.9060

Email: info@voltametals.ca

Website: www.voltametals.ca

Neither the CSE nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to product development, plans, strategies, and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, including the Company's planned exploration activities and the Company's aim to prevent and minimize impacts on the First Nations through a variety of mitigation measures and offsetting benefits. 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: the risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators; the fact that Volta's interests in the Property are options only and there are no guarantee that such interest, if earned, will be certain; the future prices and demand for lithium; and delays or the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary approvals, permits and authorizations required to carry out its business plans. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking statements 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. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. 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 disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, other than as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202684

SOURCE: Volta Metals Ltd.
Positive CHMP opinion based on robust Phase III data, including APPLY-PNH, demonstrating superior hemoglobin improvement in the absence of transfusions with Fabhalta compared to anti-C5 therapy 1-5



If approved, Fabhalta  will be the first oral monotherapy available in Europe for the treatment of PNH, a chronic and rare blood disorder, in both complement inhibitor-treated and -naive PNH patients with hemolytic anemia 1

will be the first oral monotherapy available in Europe for the treatment of PNH, a chronic and rare blood disorder, in both complement inhibitor-treated and -naive PNH patients with hemolytic anemia Despite anti-C5 therapy, a large proportion of patients remain anemic, fatigued and dependent on blood transfusions 6, 7



Late-stage Fabhalta development program is ongoing in multiple complement-mediated diseases



Basel, March 22, 2024 - Novartis announced today that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has adopted a positive opinion and recommended granting a marketing authorization for Fabhalta (iptacopan) for the treatment of adults with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) who have hemolytic anemia1.

"With a robust body of evidence and a demonstrated safety profile, Fabhalta could be practice-changing for patients, helping relieve burdens experienced by people living with PNH," said Antonio Risitano, M.D., Ph.D., President of the International PNH Interest Group and Head of the Hematology and Hematopoietic Transplant Unit, Reference Center for Aplastic Anemia and Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria at the AORN San Giuseppe Moscati, Avellino, Italy. "In clinical studies, oral iptacopan demonstrated superior hemoglobin improvement without the need for red blood cell transfusions compared to anti-C5 therapies, leading to normalization of hemoglobin in the majority of patients-a potentially groundbreaking benefit for those living with this chronic blood disorder."

PNH is a rare and debilitating chronic blood disorder that occurs when blood cells which are intrinsically susceptible to a part of the immune system called the complement system expand over normal blood cells due to a permissive immune environment8-11. PNH is characterized by hemolysis, bone marrow failure, and thrombosis in varying combinations and levels of severity6,7,12. Current anti-C5 treatments are administered via infusion or subcutaneous injection and may leave PNH symptoms uncontrolled. Up to 50% of patients on anti-C5 treatment may have persistent anemia with 23-39% remaining dependent on blood transfusions, and the majority (75-89%) of patients on anti-C5 treatment remain fatigued7,13-17.

The positive CHMP decision is based on robust data from the Phase III APPLY-PNH study in patients with residual anemia despite prior anti-C5 treatment who switched to Fabhalta vs. patients who stayed on anti-C5 treatment, and the Phase III APPOINT-PNH study in complement-inhibitor naive patients1. In APPLY-PNH, at 24 weeks, 82.3% of anti-C5-experienced Fabhalta patients achieved a sustained increase of Hb levels =2 g/dL from baseline in the absence of transfusions vs. 2.0% for anti-C5 (difference of 80.2%, P<0.0001); in APPOINT-PNH, 92.2% of complement inhibitor-naive patients using Fabhalta achieved this outcome2,3. Similarly, in APPLY-PNH, results highlighted a transfusion avoidance rate of 94.8% for anti-C5-experienced Fabhalta patients vs. 25.9% for those on anti-C5 (difference of 68.9%, P<0.0001)18. In both studies, Fabhalta was also shown to control the destruction of red blood cells (RBCs) within the blood vessels, known as intravascular hemolysis (IVH), with mean lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels maintained at <1.5 x upper limit of normal2,3,19. In APPLY-PNH, patients reported improvements in fatigue as measured by Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue [FACIT-F] scores2,19. The safety profile of iptacopan was consistent across both APPLY-PNH and APPOINT-PNH studies2,3.

"If approved by the European Commission, Fabhalta would be the first oral monotherapy available to PNH patients in Europe," said Patrick Horber M.D., President, International, Novartis, Basel. "With current standard of care, PNH symptoms are often uncontrolled, while patients endure regular and time-consuming infusions. This oral therapy could provide a much-needed alternative to support many people living with PNH who often have to structure their lives around managing their condition.''

Following the CHMP's recommendation to approve Fabhalta in adult patients with PNH who have hemolytic anemia, the European Commission (EC) will take a final decision within approximately two months.

About APPLY-PNH

APPLY-PNH (NCT04558918) was a Phase III, randomized, multinational, multicenter, active-comparator controlled, open-label trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of twice-daily, oral Fabhalta monotherapy (200 mg) for the treatment of PNH by assessing if switching to Fabhalta was superior to continuing on anti-C5 therapies in adult patients presenting with residual anemia (Hb <10 g/dL) despite a stable regimen of anti-C5 treatment in the last six months prior to randomization 2,20. The trial enrolled 97 patients who were randomized in an 8:5 ratio to either twice-daily, oral Fabhalta monotherapy, or intravenous anti-C5 therapies (continuing with the same regimen as they were on prior to randomization)2,20.

About APPOINT-PNH

APPOINT-PNH (NCT04820530) was a Phase III, multinational, multicenter, open-label, uncontrolled single-arm study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of twice-daily, oral Fabhalta monotherapy (200 mg) in adult PNH patients who are naive to complement inhibitor therapy, including anti-C5 therapies (eculizumab or ravulizumab)3,21. The trial enrolled 40 patients who received twice-daily, oral Fabhalta monotherapy3,21.

About paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)??

PNH is a rare, chronic and serious complement-mediated blood disorder12. People with PNH have an acquired mutation in some of their hematopoietic stem cells (which are located in the bone marrow and can grow and develop into RBCs, white blood cells and platelets) that causes them to produce RBCs that are susceptible to premature destruction by the complement system7,12. This leads to intravascular hemolysis (destruction of RBCs within blood vessels) and extravascular hemolysis (destruction of RBCs mostly in the spleen and liver), which cause anemia (low levels of circulating RBCs), thrombosis (formation of blood clots), fatigue and other debilitating symptoms7,12.??

It is estimated that approximately 10-20 people per million worldwide live with PNH7. Although PNH can develop at any age, it is often diagnosed in people between 30-40 years old8,21,22.

PNH has a significant unmet need not addressed by anti-C5 therapies (eculizumab or ravulizumab); despite treatment with anti-C5s, a large proportion of people with PNH remain anemic, and some dependent on blood transfusions6,7,13-17.

About Fabhalta (iptacopan)???

Fabhalta (iptacopan) is an oral, Factor B inhibitor of the alternative complement pathway1.?Fabhalta was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2023 for the treatment of adults with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH).

Discovered at Novartis, Fabhalta is currently in development for a range of other complement-mediated diseases including immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), C3 glomerulopathy (C3G), immune complex membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (IC-MPGN) and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS).

Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "potential," "can," "will," "plan," "may," "could," "would," "expect," "anticipate," "look forward," "believe," "committed," "investigational," "pipeline," "launch," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this press release, or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding such products could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political, economic and business conditions, including the effects of and efforts to mitigate pandemic diseases; safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Novartis

Novartis is an innovative medicines company. Every day, we work to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people's lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach more than 250 million people worldwide.

Reimagine medicine with us: Visit us at https://www.novartis.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X/Twitter and Instagram.

References

Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP). Available at https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/committees/committee-medicinal-products-human-use-chmp. Accessed March 2024. Ristanio AM, R?th A, Kulasekararaj A, et al. Oral Iptacopan Monotherapy Has Superior Efficacy to Anti-C5 Therapy in Patients with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria and Residual Anemia. Results from the Phase III APPLY-PNH Study. Presented at 49th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT); April 23-26, 2023; Paris, France. Risitano AM, Han B, Ueda Y, et al. Oral Complement Factor B Inhibitor Iptacopan Monotherapy Improves Hemoglobin to Normal/Near-Normal Levels in Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria Patients Naive to Complement Inhibitors: Phase III APPOINT-PNH Trial. Presented at: 49th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT); April 23-36, 2023; Paris, France. Risitano AM, Roth A, Soret J, et al. Addition of iptacopan, an oral factor B inhibitor, to eculizumab in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria and active haemolysis: an open-label, single-arm, phase 2, proof-of-concept trial. Lancet Haematol. 2021;8(5):e344-e354. doi:10.1016/S2352-3026(21)00028-4 Jang JH, Wong L, Ko BS, et al. Iptacopan monotherapy in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: a 2-cohort open-label proof-of-concept study. Blood Adv. 2022;6(15):4450-4460. doi:10.1182/bloodadvances.2022006960 McKinley CE, Richards SJ, Munir T, et al. Extravascular Hemolysis Due to C3-Loading in Patients with PNH Treated with Eculizumab: Defining the Clinical Syndrome. Blood. 2017;130(Supplement 1):3471. doi:10.1182/blood.V130.Suppl_1.3471.3471 Dingli D, Matos JE, Lehrhaupt K, et al. The burden of illness in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria receiving treatment with the C5-inhibitors eculizumab or ravulizumab: results from a US patient survey. Ann Hematol. 2022;101(2):251-263. doi:10.1007/s00277-021-04715-5 Hill A, DeZern AE, Kinoshita T, Brodsky RA. Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017;3:17028. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2017.28 Shah N, Bhatt H. Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria. In: StatPearls.Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan. Brodsky RA. Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria. Blood. 2014;124(18):2804-2811. doi:10.1182/blood-2014-02-522128 Schrezenmeier H, Muus P, Socie G, et al. Baseline characteristics and disease burden in patients in the International Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria Registry. Haematologica. 2014;99(5):922-929. doi:10.3324/haematol.2013.093161 Cancado RD, Araujo A da S, Sandes AF, et al. Consensus statement for diagnosis and treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria. Hematol Transfus Cell Ther. 2021;43(3):341-348. doi:10.1016/j.htct.2020.06.006 Risitano AM, Marotta S, Ricci P, et al. Anti-complement Treatment for Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria: Time for Proximal Complement Inhibition? A Position Paper From the SAAWP of the EBMT. Front Immunol 2019;10:1157. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2019.01157 Shammo et al. HemaSphere 2023 Shammo J, Kim J, Georget M, et al. P796: Hospitalization in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: a retrospective analysis of observational study data from the United States. Hemasphere. 2023;7(Suppl):e22585a2. doi:10.1097/01.HS9.0000970088.22585.a2 Debureaux PE, Kulasekararaj AG, Cacace F, et al. Categorizing hematological response to eculizumab in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: a multicenter real-life study. Bone Marrow Transplant. 2021;56(10):2600-2602. doi:10.1038/s41409-021-01372-0 Schrezenmeier H, Kulasekararaj A, Mitchell L, et al. One-year efficacy and safety of ravulizumab in adults with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria naive to complement inhibitor therapy: open-label extension of a randomized study. Ther Adv Hematol. 2020;11:2040620720966137. doi:10.1177/2040620720966137 Young NS, Meyers G, Schrezenmeier H, Hillmen P, Hill A. The management of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: recent advances in diagnosis and treatment and new hope for patients. Semin Hematol. 2009;46(1 Suppl 1):S1-S16. doi:10.1053/j.seminhematol.2008.11.004 Novartis. Data on file Risitano AM, Kulasekararaj A, R?th A, et al. Factor B Inhibition with Oral Iptacopan Monotherapy Demonstrates Sustained Long-Term Efficacy and Safety in Anti-C5-Treated Patients (pts) with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) and Persistent Anemia: Final 48-Week Results from the Multicenter, Phase III APPLY-PNH Trial. Presented at: 65th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting & Exposition (ASH); December 9-12, 2023; San Diego, CA. Novartis Pharmaceuticals. A Randomized, Multicenter, Active-Comparator Controlled, Open-Label Trial to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Oral, Twice Daily LNP023 in Adult Patients With PNH and Residual Anemia, Despite Treatment With an Intravenous Anti-C5 Antibody. clinicaltrials.gov. Accessed February 14, 2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04558918 Novartis Pharmaceuticals. A Multicenter, Single-Arm, Open-Label Trial to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Oral, Twice Daily Iptacopan in Adult PNH Patients Who Are Naive to Complement Inhibitor Therapy. clinicaltrials.gov. Accessed February 14, 2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04820530 Schrezenmeier H, Roth A, Araten DJ, et al. Baseline clinical characteristics and disease burden in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH): updated analysis from the International PNH Registry. Ann Hematol. 2020;99(7):1505-1514. doi:10.1007/s00277-020-04052-z

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COPENHAGEN, Denmark, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NetBet Denmark and Light & Wonder have reached an agreement that will allow Danish players access to a wider range of online casino titles.



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For more information please visit: www.netbet.com/dk
Midland County MRT File Photo

The following is a summary of felony dispositions and revocations processed by the Midland County, Texas District Attorneys Office for the weeks of March 4-15, 2024.

Felony Dispositions for the week of March 4-8, 2024:

Ashley Marie Barrett committed Burglary of a Building on December 5, 2021. The sentence was: 3 years Deferred Adjudication including psychological counseling, cognitive thinking and decision-making courses, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, theft intervention, and a psychological evaluation.

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David Allen Brackens committed Assault Family Violence Enhanced on November 15, 2022. The sentence was: 10 years TDCJ, suspended for 5 years of community supervision including no contact with the victim, cognitive thinking and decision-making, Project Adam, and anger management.

David Allen Brackens committed Evading Arrest with a Motor Vehicle on October 24, 2023. The sentence was: 10 years TDCJ, suspended for 5 years of community supervision including no contact with the victim, cognitive thinking and decision-making, and 100 community service hours.

Janet Flores committed Obstruction or Retaliation on July 2, 2023. The sentence was: 10 years TDCJ, suspended for 7 years of community supervision, fine, 200 hours of community service, anger management, AA meetings, and a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program.

Ronnie Joe Glenn committed Possession of a Controlled Substance on June 9, 2023. The sentence was: 18 months in State Jail.

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Micheal Wayne Harris committed Possession of a Controlled Substance on May 17, 2021. The sentence was: 10 years State Jail, suspended for 3 years of probation including 75 hours of community service and completion of the Midland County Adult Felony Drug Court Program, Upon Entry to Drug Court Defendant Successfully Complete a 30 Day Residential Treatment Program, At The Direction of Community Supervision Officer, DPS Drug Testing Fees

Isaias Bonilla Herrera committed Burglary of a Building on June 23, 2023. The sentence was: 3 years Deferred Adjudication including restitution, 200 hours of community service, a theft intervention course, and a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program.

Ricardo Island committed Felony Driving While Intoxicated on October 2, 2019. The sentence was: 2 years in TDCJ.

Joseph Pete Miller committed Possession of a Controlled Substance & Tampering with Physical Evidence on March 8, 2023. The sentence was: 6 years Deferred Adjudication, fine, 200 hours of community service, and a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program, cognitive thinking and decision-making.

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Alejandro Ramirez Morales committed Possession of a Controlled Substance on October 17, 2023. The sentence was: 2 years State Jail, suspended for 5 years of community supervision, fine, 100 hours of community service and a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program, cognitive thinking and decision-making, SAFTF, DPS Drug Testing fees, Psychological Counseling as directed.

Jesus Ortega committed Evading Arrest with a Motor Vehicle on April 16, 2023. The sentence was: Deferred Adjudication for 2 years of community supervision, fine, 50 hours of community service, psychological counseling as directed, and a cognitive thinking and decision-making course.

Precious Marleen Perez committed Aggravated Robbery on November 28, 2023. The sentence was: 10 years Deferred Adjudication including 250 hours of community service, a theft intervention course, and cognitive thinking and decision-making courses.

Marcelino Tomas Rodiquez committed Deadly Conduct by Discharging a Firearm on July 8, 2022. The sentence was: 5 years in TDCJ.

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Aaron Vega committed Felony Driving While Intoxicated on October 28, 2018. The sentence was: 8 years in TDCJ.

Revocations Summary for the week of March 4-8, 2024:

Tye Jase Anders committed Stalking and Assault by Choking on August 23, 2021, and October 27, 2021, respectively. The consequence was: Revoked supervision resulting in 3 years in TDCJ for both charges.

William Albert Brown committed Possession of A Controlled Substance in Penalty Group 1 on October 20, 2013. The consequence was: Adjudicate and revoke resulting in 3 years in TDCJ.

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Daniel Cortez committed Theft From Person on January 7, 2022. The consequence was: Revoked supervision resulting in 10 months in State Jail.

Andoni Ramiro Gomez committed Fraudulent Use or Possession of Identifying Information on December 28, 2020. The consequence was: Adjudicated and revoked, sentenced to 2 years in TDCJ.

Leonel Hernandez Jr committed Attempted Tampering with Physical Evidence and Possession of Substance on April 12, 2022. The consequence was: Continued under supervision with the requirement to complete the Midland County Adult Felony Drug program.

Teresa Hernandez committed Possession of a Controlled Substance on October 4, 2022. The consequence was: Extended supervision by 2 years with the requirement to complete the Midland County Adult Felony Drug Court Program.

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Passion Denise Mitchell committed Possession of a Controlled Substance and Failure to Appear on August 8, 2017, and February 2, 2018, respectively. The consequence was: Revoked supervision resulting in 6 months in state jail and 2 years in TDCJ.

Felony Dispositions for the week of March 11-15, 2024:

Charles Giddens Jr. was charged with Unlawful Possession Firearm By Felon on April 29, 2021. The sentence was: Deferred Adjudication for 10 years of community supervision, fine, 200 hours of community service, completion of a treatment and aftercare program with Serenity House, and psychological counseling.

Joshua Steven McClanahan was charged with Driving While Intoxicated on August 7, 2023. The sentence was: 180 days in Midland County Jail, suspended for 18 months of community supervision, fine, 50 hours of community service, parenting class, VIP DWI class, Cognitive Thinking and Decision Making Course, and reimbursement of DPS for lab fees.

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Julian Jesus Medrano was charged with Burglary of a Building on October 12, 2023. The sentence was: 2 years State Jail, suspended for 3 years of community supervision, restitution, 75 hours of community service, and successful completion of the Midland County Adult Felony Drug Court program.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 22, 2024) - Sanu Gold Corporation (CSE: SANU) (OTCQB: SNGCF) ("Sanu Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce positive results from the recent ground geophysics program completed on the Company's Daina Gold Exploration Permit ("Daina"), located in the prolific Siguiri Basin of Guinea, West Africa.

Highlights

Targets Ready to Drill: There are large targets highlighted at Daina 1 South and Daina 6 targets.

Gold at Surface: Past drilling, recent trenching and rock chip sampling demonstrate high-grade gold mineralization at these targets: 9 m of 7.97 g/t Au in trench DAI-TR-007 at Daina 1 South, Rock chip samples as high as 61.6 g/t Au, 22.3 g/t Au and 20 g/t Au across the Daina 1 South and Daina 6 target areas. 1m of 36.2 g/t Au from drill hole DAI-RC-021 at Daina 6

Size and Scale: The geophysical surveys have identified significant trends of chargeability and resistivity in the areas of known gold mineralization and along the trend of the surface gold anomalies which extend for over 1 km at both the Daina 1 and Daina 6 targets.

Martin Pawlitschek, President, and CEO of Sanu Gold commented: "The relatively small programs of induced polarization (IP) over some of our key targets at Daina extensive strike lengths of highly interesting suggest chargeability and resistivity trends, in many cases aligned with our surface gold geochemistry. These initial surveys and their results demonstrate that this type of survey also adds value at the Daina permit. While in the near term Bantabaye remains the main focus, the survey results confirm that significant strike length of mineralized structures remain untested."

Program Summary

The ground geophysical survey program consisted of 21 line-km of 200m spaced and east-west oriented Gradient Induced Polarization (IP) lines. Four blocks have been completed covering all priority targets including the Daina 1 South, Daina 1 North, Daina 2 Main Zone, and Daina 6 target areas within the Daina Project.

The survey was completed by SAGAX Afrique of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso using the IP method. SAGAX is well experienced in these types of surveys over many other deposits in the region. This release reports on the results from the Daina 1 South and Daina 6 targets. Compilation of results from Daina 2 and Daina 1 North are still ongoing.

The objective of this ground geophysical survey program was the detection and delineation of geophysical features (chargeability and resistivity) and structures which may indicate favorable zones for gold mineralization in the covered targets and to help further with assessing the potential of the targets for future drill testing. The results of this program show that the IP surveys delineate distinct features that help map the mineralized zones and that there is significant undrilled strike potential at Daina 1 South and Daina 6.

Daina 1 South

The Program consists of six east-west oriented lines, totaling 6.3 line Km of 200m spaced of Gradient Array IP/Resistivity (Figure 1). The survey identified the presence of a large zone of high chargeability trending NNW, following the main trend of the gold anomalies defined by auger sampling and surface geochemistry.

This area of elevated chargeability extends for at least 1.2 km and is open to the south. The trend of high chargeability is close to recent results obtained at Daina 1 South (Figure 1):

Trench DAI-TR-007: 9 m of 7.97 g/t Au, including 3 m of 21.75 g/t Au and

Auger hole: 3 m of 6.59 g/t Au, including 2 m of 6.48 g/t Au (DAI-AUG-1250) and 9 m of 2.26 g/t Au, including 2 m of 9.78 g/t Au (DAI-AUG-1246) from the 2021/2022 auger programs

High-grade gold in rock chip samples including 61.6 g/t Au, 16.2 g/t Au and 12.8 g/t Au (Figure 1).

Daina 6 Target

The geophysics survey consisted of four east-west oriented lines, totaling 5.5 line Km of 200m spaced of Gradient Array IP/Resistivity (Figure 2). The results from this survey indicate that the Daina 6 target sits in an extensive zone of high chargeability trending NNW (Figure 2). This area of elevated chargeability is open to the south and the north and is consistent with observations of rock chips in auger, RC holes and exposed saprolite in artisanal working pits that consist of strongly hydrothermally altered coarse-grained greywacke invaded by zones of quartz vein stockwork and breccia with high-sulphide content (Pyrite and arsenopyrite) and boxwork after oxidized, disseminated sulphide in fractures and breccia zones that contain the high-grade gold mineralization.

Previous results at Daina 6 include 8 m of 1.97 g/t Au, including 2 m of 7.36 g/t Au (DAI-AUG-1164) (see Sanu Gold news release dated July 29, 2022), 9 m of 1.2 g/t Au (DAI-TR-015) and 3 m of 4.66 g/t Au, including 1 m of 12.6 g/t Au (DAI-TR-016) and high grades in rock chips samples collected in working pits including 10.6 g/t, 9.11 g/t, 7.02 g/t, 6.56 g/t, 6 g/t, 3.47 g/t, 3.09 g/t, and 2.79 g/t Au (Figure 2). These rock chips samples consisted of strongly hydrothermally altered coarse-grained greywacke invaded by zones of quartz vein stockwork and boxwork that contain high gold mineralization (see Sanu Gold news release dated March 15, 2024.

Next Steps

While the Company is focused on preparing the for the drilling program at Bantabaye, it will in parallel evaluate and progress the key targets on its other properties for future drill testing. Additional data from Daina includes IP from targets Daina 1 North and Daina 2, where previous drilling returned very encouraging drill intercepts. The data from these two targets is still being processed and evaluated and will be released as soon as this is finalized.





Figure 1: Target Daina 1 South, Chargeability trend with anomalies, rock samples, trenches, drill collars and artisanal workings.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8941/202690_46bae130a401fb06_001full.jpg





Figure 2: Target Daina 6 Chargeability trend with anomalies, rock samples, trenches, drill collars and artisanal workings.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8941/202690_46bae130a401fb06_002full.jpg

Quality Assurance / Quality Control ("QA/QC")

Sampling was completed following industry best practices, conducted under the supervision of the Company's project geologists and the chain of custody from the project to the sample preparation facility as continuously monitored. An appropriate number and type of certified reference materials (standards) and blanks totaling 5% of the total number of samples shipped to the laboratory was inserted approximately every 20th sample to ensure an effective QA/QC program was carried out. Data verification of the analytical results included a statistical analysis of the standards and blanks that must pass certain parameters for acceptance to ensure accurate and verifiable results. All samples were analyzed using Fire Assay FAA505 at the SGS Laboratory in Bamako, Mali ("SGS"). SGS is an internationally recognized and commercially certified laboratory and is independent of Sanu Gold.

The Company is being advised on the IP survey by in3D Geoscience Inc., an independent geophysical consulting firm based in British Columbia. The data collection survey is subject to standard contractors' protocols including:

daily checking of equipment

signal/noise ratio monitoring.

Checking of extreme readings

Verification of equipment locations

Monitoring of measurement cycles

Data is checked at the end of each day by a team at the SAGAX Head Office.

Sanu's geophysicists and SAGAX regularly review and discuss the progress of the work, program adjustments, data quality and modelling parameters.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Serigne Dieng, Ph.D., M.Sc., a Member (MAIG) of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG), Exploration Manager of the Company and a qualified person within the meaning of NI 43-101.

The technical information with respect to the geophysical data contained in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Todd Ballantyne, P.Geo., a member of Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia, independent geophysical consultant (through in3D Geoscience Inc.) to the Company and a qualified person within the meaning of NI 43-101.

About Sanu

Located within the world class Siguiri Basin, host to several operating mines, Sanu is exploring three high quality gold exploration permits in Guinea, West Africa targeting multi-million-ounce gold discoveries. The Company has defined multi-kilometer scale gold bearing structures on each of the gold exploration permits, with multiple high-value drill targets. Sanu is operated by a highly experienced team with successful records of discovery, resource development and mine permitting.

Martin Pawlitschek

President & CEO, Sanu Gold Corp.

For further information regarding Sanu Gold, please visit the Company's website at www.sanugoldcorp.com or contact:

Anthony Simone

Simone Capital

416-881-5154

asimone@simonecapital.ca

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. 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", "indicates", "opportunity", "possible" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Sanu believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results or realities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such material risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the Company's plans for exploration on its properties and ability to execute on plans, ability to raise sufficient capital to fund its obligations under its property agreements going forward, ability to maintain its material property agreements, mineral tenures, permits and concessions in good standing, to explore and develop its projects; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; the inherent hazards associated with mineral exploration and mining operations, future prices of gold and other metals, changes in general economic conditions and local risks in the jurisdiction (Guinea) in which it operates, accuracy of mineral resource and reserve estimates, the potential for new discoveries, the ability of the Company to obtain the necessary permits and consents required to explore, drill and develop the projects and if obtained, to obtain such permits and consents in a timely fashion relative to the Company's plans and business objectives for the projects; the general ability of the Company to monetize its mineral resources; and changes in environmental and other laws or regulations that could have an impact on the Company's operations, compliance with environmental laws and regulations, dependence on key management personnel and general competition in the mining industry. Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, 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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202690

SOURCE: Sanu Gold Corp.
Smartkem project funded by Innovate UK as part of Taiwan-UK Research & Development Collaboration.

MANCHESTER, England, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Smartkem (OTCQB: SMTK), the developer of a disruptive type of organic transistor that has the potential to drive a new generation of displays, today announced that it has entered into a collaboration agreement with RiTdisplay Corp. (RiTdisplay), a leading developer of optoelectronic solutions, visual displays and passive-matrix OLED (PMOLED) displays, for the manufacture of a new type of active-matrix OLED (AMOLED) display.

The Taiwanese Ministry of Economic Affairs and Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), announced that they are investing a total of NT $650 million (approx. USD $20 million) to support both Taiwan and UK companies as part of the Taiwan-UK Research & Development Collaboration. As part of the collaboration, UKRI has committed 418.8K (approx. USD $530K) in grant funding to the Smartkem project with RiTdisplay.

Pursuant to the Smartkem and RiTdisplay collaboration, Smartkem will provide its proprietary OTFT materials to RiTdisplay to integrate with its frontplanes (OLED). If successful, the project will create the world's first commercially ready AMOLED display made using organic transistors, with properties of higher brightness, lower power consumption and higher dots per inch (DPI) when compared with existing PMOLED displays. Smartkem's OTFT materials are developed to be coated on standard display process equipment sets, such as spin-coaters, and can be processed at temperatures as low as 80C. Consequently, this reduces energy usage and associated costs compared with processing inorganic transistor backplanes. If successful, the project is intended to demonstrate that high performance and stable display backplane technology is accessible to display manufacturers at a lower capital and operational cost compared to inorganic TFT technology as plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) tools are not required. The project is expected to be complete in 2026.Smartkem Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ian Jenks comments, "This project follows up on our 2021 joint development agreement with RiTdisplay. If successful, we believe the integration of our materials will result in the development of the world's first commercially ready full color demonstration AMOLED display using OTFT backplanes."

Smartkem intends to engage the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) in Taiwan to develop a Gen2.5 (370mm x 470mm) backplane process using Smartkem's materials, which it believes will enable faster transfer to manufacturing equipment for commercial production after the project is completed in 2026.

Smartkem's OTCQB information can be found on the OTC Markets website: www.otcmarkets.com/stock/SMTK/overview

About Smartkem

Smartkem is seeking to reshape the world of electronics with its disruptive organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) that have the potential to drive the next generation of displays. Smartkem's patented TRUFLEX semiconductor and dielectric inks, or liquid electronic polymers, can be used to make a new type of transistor that has the potential to revolutionize the display industry. Smartkem's inks enable low temperature printing processes that are compatible with existing manufacturing infrastructure to deliver low-cost displays that outperform existing models. The company's electronic polymer platform can be used in a number of display technologies including microLED, miniLED and AMOLED displays for next generation televisions, laptops, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) headsets, smartwatches and smartphones.

Smartkem develops its materials at its research and development facility in Manchester, UK and its semiconductor manufacturing processes at the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) at Sedgefield, UK, It has a field application office in Taiwan. The company has an extensive IP portfolio including 125 granted patents across 19 patent families and 40 codified trade secrets. For more information, visit: www.smartkem.com and follow us on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/smartkem-limited and Twitter @SmartkemOTFT.

About RiTdisplay Corporation

RiTdisplay is the world's leader of passive matrix organic light emitting diode (PMOLED). RiTdisplay not only holds the world's largest PMOLED production capacity, but also supplies its product to multiple Tier 1 customers around the world. With its main applications ranging from smart appliances, medical devices, set-top boxes, wearables, industrial instruments, to AIOT products.

About Innovate UK

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is creating a better future by inspiring, involving and investing in businesses developing life-changing innovations.

Innovate UK provides targeted sectors with expertise, facilities and funding to test, demonstrate and evolve their ideas, driving UK productivity and economic growth. Join our network and communities of innovators to realise the potential of your ideas and accelerate business growth. Innovate UK: inspiring business innovation.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements, including, among other things, statements relating to the Smartkem's expectations regarding its market position and market opportunity, expectations and plans as to its product development, manufacturing and sales, and relations with its partners and investors. These statements are not historical facts but rather are based on Smartkem Inc.'s current expectations, estimates, and projections regarding its business, operations and other similar or related factors. Words such as "may," will," "could," "would," "should," "anticipate," "predict," "potential," "continue," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project," "believe," "estimate," and other similar or elated expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult or impossible to predict and, in some cases, beyond the Company's control. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update information in this release to reflect events or circumstances in the future, even if new information becomes available.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/smartkem-commences-project-with-ritdisplay-to-develop-worlds-first-commercially-ready-active-matrix-oled-display-using-otft-technology-302096941.html
HONG KONG, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- J&T Global Express Limited ('J&T Express' or 'J&T' or 'the Company', stock code: 01519), a global logistics service provider, has announced its 2023 results. In the past year, J&T Express achieved significant growth, expanded its business volume, and improved operational efficiency and service quality.

As a global logistics service provider, J&T Express operates in 13 countries across Southeast Asia, China, the Middle East, North Africa, and Latin America. In 2023, the Company experienced growth in market share and revenues in Southeast Asia, China, and New Markets compared to the previous year. J&T Express was ranked first in terms of parcel volume in Southeast Asia for the fourth consecutive year. As a result of the exponential growth in these markets, the Company's total revenue for the full year of 2023 reached US$8.85 billion, an approximately 22% year-on-year increase from US$7.27 billion in 2022. The total number of parcels handled for the year was 18.8 billion, a 29% increase from 14.59 billion in 2022.

Furthermore, J&T Express demonstrated significant improvements in operational efficiency and profitability. For the first time since its launch, the Company achieved a positive full-year gross profit of US$473 million. Additionally, the Company achieved positive adjusted Earnings Before Tax, Interest, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) for the first time, reaching US$147 million, while both the gross margin and adjusted EBITDA in the China market also showed positive results for the first time. Moreover, the Company's adjusted net loss narrowed by 71% to US$432 million in 2023. In the past year, the Company's cash flow turned positive, with operating activities generating US$342 million, representing a significant improvement compared to 2022. As of December 31, 2023, the Company's cash and cash equivalents amounted to US$1,483 million.

Steven Fan, Executive President of J&T Express, stated, "Despite facing multiple challenges from the macro-environment and increasingly fierce market competition, we capitalized on the rapid development of e-commerce across the various markets. Leveraging our extensive network of logistics outlets, continuous improvement in operational efficiency and service quality, and the unwavering dedication of our employees, we achieved significant milestones in 2023. We not only reinforced our leading position in Southeast Asia, but also achieved a breakthrough in profitability in our China business and registered rapid growth in emerging markets. Additionally, we became a public-listed company in Hong Kong, marking the beginning of a new chapter in our journey."

"In 2024, we are committed to further improving our market share, deepening our cooperation with e-commerce platforms, strengthening our infrastructure, enhancing operational efficiency, and increasing investment in technological innovation and sustainable development. 'Together For a Brighter Future' remains our unwavering slogan, and the management team will work together with all employees to continuously create value for our customers, shareholders, and society."

Dylan Tey, Chief Financial Officer of J&T Express, commented, "In 2023, the Company demonstrated exceptional performance with significant revenue growth, improved profitability, increased cash flow, and a strengthened financial position. Looking ahead, the compound annual growth rate of global e-commerce retail transaction volume is expected to reach 9% from 2024 to 2028. Notably, the growth rate of e-commerce business in each of the 13 markets where we operate has surpassed this global average. We will proactively capitalize on this significant market opportunity by developing targeted market strategies that leverage our strengths and market positions in each location, aiming to maximize growth, deliver more significant returns, and generate robust shareholder value."

01

Increased Southeast Asia Market Share and Enhanced Profit Stability

In Southeast Asia, J&T Express maintained a market share of 25.4% in 2023 in terms of parcel volume, a 2.9% increase from 22.5% in 2022, securing the top spot for the fourth consecutive year. The Company handled a total of 3.24 billion parcels, representing a year-on-year increase of 28.9% and achieved a full-year revenue of US$2.63 billion, up 10.56% compared to the previous year.

J&T Express has fostered strong relationships with several e-commerce platforms in Southeast Asia, empowering its partners in various ways. For instance, the Company provides e-commerce partners with a vast network carrying capacity to address peak season delivery challenges by offering express services in Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, among others. On 2023 "Double 12", the Company successfully handled a peak of over 16 million parcels per day in Southeast Asia.

The express industry benefits from significant economies of scale, and the substantial growth in parcel volume has further enhanced the efficiency in the utilization of key infrastructure and resources, such as transshipment centers, outlets and vehicles. In 2023, the Company's average cost per parcel in Southeast Asia has steadily declined from US$0.76 in 2022 to US$0.67 in 2023.

In 2023, our average delivery time for parcels in Southeast Asia was shortened by 6.5% year-on-year, while the complaint rate continued to decline as well. By virtue of our outstanding service quality, the Company further expanded its customer base and gained widespread recognition from the local community.

02

Breakthrough in China Market with Positive Profitability

In China, the Company successfully expanded market share and further improved its profitability and service quality through a series of initiatives including strategic acquisition, service offering diversification and streamlined operation.

In terms of parcel volume, our market share in China stood at 11.6% in 2023, an increase of 0.7 percentage points compared to 2022. In 2023, our parcel volume in China increased by 27.6% year-on-year to 15.34 billion, outpacing industry average. Our full-year revenue increased by 27.7% year-on-year to US$5.23 billion in 2023.

In the China market, J&T Express achieved a significant milestone in 2023 by yielding a positive gross profit and adjusted EBITDA for the first time. Despite the fierce competition and escalating price war in China's express delivery industry in 2023, the Company's per-parcel revenue remained stable compared to the previous year, attributed to the optimization of volume mix across different e-commerce platforms, acquisition of high-quality customers and increase in the proportion of return delivery and bulk shipments. Additionally, due to the economies of scale brought by volume growth and streamlined operational management, our per-parcel delivery cost continued to decline, dropping from US$0.40 in 2022 to US$0.34 in 2023.

The Company continuously improves its service quality and maintains a high level of satisfaction in various logistics services opinion surveys. According to the data disclosed by the State Post Bureau, the Company's average complaint rate in 2023 was 0.54, the lowest among China's major express operators and much lower than the industry's average of 4.45; the Company's score for complaint handling in 2023 was 99.43, ranking J&T Express as No. 1 among China's major express operators and higher than the industry's average of 97.09.

03

Expansion into New Markets and Emerging Economies

In the New Markets, the Company has deepened its cooperation with major e-commerce platforms and continued to improve local network infrastructure. The significant growth in parcel volume handled by the Company has made J&T Express another strong competitor alongside local operators and international logistics giants.

Since setting foot in the Middle East, North Africa, and Latin America in 2022, the Company has continued to improve and strengthen local infrastructure to improve regional network coverage. Network coverage rate in these markets has exceeded 95%.

In terms of parcel volume, the Company was ranked top five in Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt in 2023. The Company's market share in the New Markets increased from 1.6% in 2022 to 6.0% in 2023. The total parcel volume reached 230 million, representing a remarkable year-on-year growth of 369.0%. The Company's full-year revenue also witnessed a spike of 299.7% to US$327 million in 2023.

Throughout the year, the Company continued to develop and deepen its partnerships with both cross-border and local e-commerce platforms and provided one-stop logistics solutions, from customs clearance to last mile delivery, to meet the needs of specific market, capitalizing on its well-established infrastructure and extensive network coverage. Additionally, the Company has invested in upgrading transshipment centers, expanding fleet of long-haul vehicles, and establishing new outlets to further enhance its network capacity, thereby meeting the ever-increasing market demands.

04

Ride on the E-Commerce Boom

In the face of flourishing market opportunities presented by the e-commerce industry, the Company, as an independent e-commerce enabler is committed to continuously investing and enhancing its overall capabilities to seize the historic opportunities brought by the industry's rapid expansion.

In Southeast Asia, the Company strives to increase its market share and enhance its leading position by providing high-quality services at competitive prices. In China, our focus will be on further uplifting service quality and brand image to reach a broader base of high-quality customers. In New Markets, we will place greater emphasis on high-growth potential regions such as the Middle East and Latin America, as the Company aims to seize the historic opportunity of Chinese e-commerce platforms expanding internationally while deepening local capabilities.

The Company will provide customized services to cater to the diverse needs of platforms, enabling them to reduce fulfillment costs through competitive pricing. Additionally, the Company will continue the discussion with e-commerce platforms to develop new products and explore innovative partnership models.

Going forward, the Company will expand its fleet, increase line-haul routes, acquire land in key transportation hubs, and expand sorting centers and warehousing facilities. In Southeast Asia and China, the Company will offer training and technical support to network partners, bolstering the overall capabilities of the entire network. In New Markets, the Company will further enhance the depth and density of network coverage.

The Company will continue to optimize the footprint of sorting centers and route planning and increase investments in the automated equipment and artificial intelligence technology. The Company is also committed to standardizing operational processes and elevating the workforce efficiency across the entire network, to further enhance operational efficiency and service quality.

The Company will conduct a comprehensive study to identify high-growth potential markets, with a specific focus on the Middle East and Latin America. At the same time, we will closely monitor our customers' global expansion initiatives and enter new markets at the right timing to ensure that our services could respond to customers' evolving needs in a timely manner.

The Company will continue to invest in technological innovation to upgrade key system functionalities, such as data management and network management, with the aim of enhancing end-to-end efficiency. Additionally, the Company will broaden the application of RFID technology to reduce its environmental footprint and support sustainability goals.

About J&T Express

J&T Express is a global logistics service provider with leading express delivery businesses in Southeast Asia and China, the largest and fastest-growing market in the world. Founded in 2015, J&T Express' network spans thirteen countries, including Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, China, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Mexico, Brazil and Egypt. Adhering to its "customer-oriented and efficiency-based" mission, J&T Express is committed to providing customers with integrated logistics solutions through intelligent infrastructure and digital logistics network, as part of its global strategy to connect the world with greater efficiency and bring logistical benefits to all.

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Rogue Baron Plc - Equity Raise

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, March 22

For Immediate Release

22 March 2024

ROGUE BARON PLC

("Rogue Baron" or "The Company")

Equity Raise

Rogue Baron PLC (AQSE: SHNJ), a leading company in the premium spirit sector, is pleased to announce that it has raised 20,000 via the issue of 4,000,000 new ordinary shares in the Company at a price of 0.005 per share.

Admission to Aquis Growth Market

Application will be made for the 4,000,000 ordinary shares to be admitted to trading on the Aquis Growth Market ("Admission"). It is expected that Admission of the new ordinary shares will become effective at 8.00 a.m. on or around 28 March 2024. The new ordinary shares will be issued credited as fully paid and will rank in full for all dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid after Admission and will otherwise rank on Admission pari passu in all respects with the existing ordinary shares.

Total Voting Rights

Following Admission, the Company's issued share capital will comprise 127,486,263 Ordinary Shares with voting rights. The Company does not hold any Ordinary Shares in treasury. The figure of 127,486,263 Ordinary Shares may therefore be used by shareholders in the Company as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change in their interest in, the share capital of the Company under the FCA's Disclosure and Transparency Rules.

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

For further information, please contact:

Ryan Dolder

rdolder@roguebaron.com

Aquis Growth Market Corporate Adviser:

Peterhouse Capital Limited

Guy Miller and Narisha Ragoonanthun +44 (0) 20 7220 9795

Aquis Growth Market Corporate Broker:

Peterhouse Capital Limited

Lucy Williams +44 (0) 20 7469 0936

Joint Broker:

Clear Capital Limited

Bob Robers +44 (0) 20 3869 6080
In a landscape dominated by fast fashion and transient trends, TBo stands out by reshaping the paradigm. It's not merely about altering the playing field; it's about redefining the standards. Bid farewell to the burden of environmental harm associated with fashion, and welcome a new era of clothing revolutionized by their sustainable secret weapon: bamboo viscose.

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / As a response to the "wear and discard" culture, TBo champions the idea that men's apparel can be comfortable, stylish, and eco-friendly. The brand is committed to introducing bamboo viscose, a material that not only caresses the skin but is also gentle on the environment. TBo believes in ushering in a new age of sustainable fashion.





Environmentally Friendly Men's Underwear

Environmentally Friendly Men's Underwear Limited Edition

At the heart of TBo's mission lies a deep-rooted commitment to the planet. Environmental consciousness isn't just a catchphrase for TBo. They take into account each aspect of running a business and ensure they are environmentally conscious. These radical decisions can be a beacon of hope for eco-friendly consumers looking to fight fast fashion one garment at a time.

Their decentralized work structure ensures that the team doesn't contribute to carbon emissions with daily commutes to the minimal packaging that says goodbye to plastic excess. Each business decision is informed by an eco-friendly first approach.

Unwrapping your fashion has never felt this responsible.

Another stand-out feature that combats fast-fashion evolution is that the community is at the core of TBo's operations. Instead of dictating trends, they place the creative power in the hands of their community, allowing them to determine what to produce, how much, and when. It's not just fashion; it's a collaborative conversation. At TBo, it's your style and your voice that matter.

The brand is dedicated to shattering the disposable fashion paradigm. TBo's products are built to endure, emphasizing quality over quantity. Their premium, durable quality ensures that their apparel stands the test of time, reducing the fashion waste burden.

TBo isn't just about fashion; it's a manifesto for the environment, community, and a fresh perspective. They're leading the way in sustainable men's apparel, demonstrating that style and eco-consciousness can seamlessly coexist.

Join the movement, make a statement, and prove that looking good doesn't have to come at the Earth's expense. Become a part of the TBo family and be the change you want to see in the world - one stylish, sustainable step at a time.

Contact Information

Sumarie Engelbrecht

Manager

sumarie.engelbrecht@tbo.clothing

SOURCE: TBo Clothing

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SAN RAMON, CA. / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / Gridtractor, Monarch Tractor and Borg Warner successfully demonstrated Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capabilities from a Monarch MK-V tractor through a Borg Warner 60 kW DC Fast Charger, orchestrated by Gridtractor's cloud-based charge management system using the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP).

MK-V + Gridtractor

Monarch MK-V tractor demonstrating V2G through Borg Warner DCFC and Gridtractor CMS.

The consortium team, funded by a $3 million California Energy Commission (CEC) grant to develop "Vehicle to Building" technology, demonstrated the first deployment of V2G capabilities from the 100% electric Monarch MK-V tractor at PG&E's Applied Technology Services (ATS) center in San Ramon, California.

The demonstration marks the completion of technology development for high-power export from the Monarch MK-V tractor and Gridtractor's open-standards charge management system, integrated with Borg Warner's 60 kW DC Fast Charger. Designed as a versatile 3-in-1 electrification tool, the MK-V functions as a tractor, utility vehicle, and a powerful electric generator, enabling high-capacity energy exports like this demonstration.

Once available, this integrated system will enable owners of the MK-V tractor to minimize charging costs and earn revenue by participating in a number of dynamic rate and demand response programs, in addition to existing fuel savings from EV operations. This will be facilitated using Gridtractor's energy market integrations and load scheduling applications.

The system will also facilitate "automated load management" - coordination of charging and discharging with other site loads to maximize the use of existing electrical services without exceeding their capacity - for irrigation pump sites, wineries and any facility convenient for charging. With flexible, scalable IoT and market integrations, and native OCPP-based architecture, the Gridtractor platform can connect any energy market or program with any Vehicle Grid Integration (VGI) application.

A variety of incentives and grants combined with bill savings from recently approved dynamic rates programs will enable agricultural customers to increase the already attractive ROI of electrifying MK-V tractor fleets while contributing to the reliability of the grid in their communities.

About Gridtractor

Gridtractor operates a platform to optimize rural and farm vehicle charging using existing electrical services and integrate them with dynamic energy markets and load management programs. For more information, visit http://www.gridtractor.com and follow on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Monarch Tractor

Founded in 2018, Monarch Tractor's MK-V is the world's ?rst fully electric, driver-optional, smart tractor that combines electri?cation, automation, machine learning, and data analysis to enhance farmers' existing operations, cut overhead costs, reduce emissions, increase labor productivity, and improve safety. With cutting-edge technology, global reach, and an experienced team, Monarch is delivering meaningful change for the future of farming. For more information, please contact Sandya Kola at skola@monarchtractor.com or visit https://www.monarchtractor.com/ and follow on LinkedIn and Instagram.

About Borg Warner

Borg Warner develops and manufactures next-generation bi-directional electric vehicle charging infrastructure, high-efficiency power conversion systems and energy management system (EMS) software for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capable electric vehicle fleet charging, energy storage and microgrid applications.

Contact Information

Alegria Beveridge

media@gridtractor.com

SOURCE: Gridtractor

View the original press release on newswire.com.
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CHICAGO, IL and VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / The Planting Hope Company Inc. (TSXV:MYLK)(FRA:J94) ("Planting Hope " or the "Company"), a dynamic Food tech innovation company dedicated to creating breakthrough delicious, sustainable food and beverage solutions through cutting-edge ingredient, formulation, and packaging technology, is pleased to announce that, further to its news releases dated January 19, 2024 and February 9, 2024, it is has received approval from the TSX Venture Exchange (the " TSXV") to extend the price reservation on its non-brokered private placement by an additional two weeks through Friday, April 5, 2024.

The proposed private placement financing is for up to 40,000,000 subordinate voting share units (each a "Unit") at a price per Unit of $0.10 CAD for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $4,000,000 CAD (~$3,000, 000 USD) (the "Offering").

Each Unit shall consist of one subordinate voting share in the capital of the Company (each, a "SVS") and one subordinate voting share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant shall entitle the holder to acquire one additional subordinate voting share at an exercise price of C$0.15 for a period of 24 months from the closing date of the Offering.

The gross proceeds raised from the sale of the units will be used to primarily support inventory purchases and business expansion, as well as general working capital purposes. The Company may pay finder's fees on the Offering in accordance with applicable laws and the policies of the TSXV.

The securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a hold period of six months from the date of issuance.

Closing of the Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSXV.

The Offering may close in one or more tranches.

About The Planting Hope Company Inc.

Planting Hope is reimagining and reinventing food today so that our planet can feed 10 billion people tomorrow. A Food tech-driven company at the forefront of sustainable consumer food and beverage evolution, Planting Hope transforms nutrient-dense, widely cultivated crops into innovative, nutrient-rich products that reimagine pantry staples in the largest, fastest growing global food categories.

Our award-winning breakthrough brands, including Hope and SesameSesame milk, Right Rice High-Protein Veggie Rice, and Mozaics Real Veggie Chips, are not only disrupting global markets but also significantly reducing environmental footprints. Available across the US and Canada in grocery retailers (Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Farmers Markets), through food service operators (CAVA Mediterranean restaurants - NYSE:CAVA), and e-commerce and alternative retail channels (Amazon, QVC), our products blend culinary innovation with advanced technology, offering breakthrough products with wide moats. Our products are poised to disrupt global food and beverage categories, make a positive impact on the world, and provide investors with valuable opportunities in the growing sustainable food market.

This is the food that Gen Z is demanding and that Gen Alpha will grow up with: this is the future of food.

Explore more at plantinghopecompany.com, sign up for Planting Hope news emails HERE and follow us on LinkedIn.

For Planting Hope product sales and distribution opportunities, please contact James Curley, EVP of Sales, at james@plantinghopecompany.com.

Contacts:

Company Contact:

Julia Stamberger

CEO and Co-Founder

(773) 492-2243

julia@plantinghopecompany.com

Media Contact:

Corinn Williams

(773) 492-2243

Corinn@plantinghopecompany.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 news release.

The securities referred to in this news release 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 U.S. persons absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, unless an exemption from such registration is available. This news release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities, nor a solicitation for offers to buy any securities. Any public offering of securities in the United States must be made by means of a prospectus containing detailed information about the company and management, as well as financial statements. "United States" and "U.S. person" have the respective meanings assigned in Regulation S under the U.S Securities Act.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively referred to hereafter as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements that address activities, events, or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will, or may, occur in the future, including, but not limited to, statements relating to the Offering, the timing of completion of the Offering, the amount raised/securities of the Company to be issued under the Offering, the payment of any finder's fees, regulatory approval of the Offering, the Company's ability to execute on its goals, the timing pertaining to these goals the potential demand for the Company's products, the timing and success of anticipated product launches and distribution of the Company's products, and the Company's business prospects, future trends, plans, scalability and strategies. In some cases, forward looking statements are preceded by, followed by, or include words such as "may", "will," "would", "could", "should", "believes", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "continues", or the negative of those words or other similar or comparable words. In preparing the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions with respect to market support and demand for the Offering, regulatory approval for the Offering, that demand for the Company's product will be sustained or increase in accordance with management's projections, that the Company's internal research and analysis is indicative of broader market trends and the Company's anticipated future demand for its products, that changes in consumer preferences in the plant-based food industry will continue in accordance with the Company's expectations, that the Company's current business objectives can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected, and that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. Although the management of the Company believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking statement herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. Risks and uncertainties applicable to the Company, as well as trends identified by the Company affecting its industry can be found in the Company's continuous disclosure filings available under the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Such cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements made in this news release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE: The Planting Hope Company Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Gen team members volunteer for World Water Day

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / Gen



Gen Blog | People & Impact

By Amanda Davis, Sr. Manager, CR and Environment

March 22 is World Water Day, an annual reminder of the critical need to preserve and expand global access to water.

To mark the occasion, Gen has partnered with Planet Water Foundation to bring clean, safe water to communities in rural India that need it most.

Gen team members in Chennai came together to construct a new AquaTower at Panchayat Union Middle School. The school serves more than 330 students in the nearby village of Gummipoondi, which has a population of more than 2,000 people. The new water filtration system can produce 1,000 liters of clean drinking water per hour and doubles as a handwashing station for students, caregivers and family members.

"Most of our students belong to low-income families, making it a challenge for them to purchase bottled water," said Indumati G., the principal of the school. "We needed an AquaTower urgently to combat diseases among these children."

According to the World Bank, India is one of the most water-stressed countries in the world. It is home to roughly 18 percent of the world's population but only four percent of its water resources. Those who live in rural communities are at even greater risk of water scarcity due to the long distances they must travel to find water.

When clean water is scarce, as it was in Gummipoondi, residents are forced to drink contaminated water, which can carry diseases and lead to frequent illness. When students and their families are sick, they miss school and work and incur higher healthcare costs. The AquaTower not only reduces the spread of disease, but also helps students attend school more regularly, supporting the overall growth of the community.

The project is one of many that Planet Water Foundation has planned for World Water Day. The organization has reached more than four million people in impoverished communities across 28 countries through the installation of community-based water filtration systems and implementation of hygiene education programs.

Our work with Planet Water Foundation is part of our efforts to do our part to protect the planet and to enable our employees to take an active role in caring for the environment. You can read more about our environmental stewardship efforts, in our 2023 ESG Report.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Gen on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Gen

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/gen

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Gen

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CHICAGO, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The aircraft landing gears market is estimated to be USD 7.1 billion in 2023, and projected to reach USD 9.1 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 5.0% from 2023 to 2028 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The aviation industry is experiencing a rise in global air traffic leading to increase in demand for new aircraft. Aircraft manufacturers are focusing on developing lighter and more fuel-efficient landing gear systems. Growth in the military sector is leading to a higher demand for specialized landing gear. These are among some of the factors that are providing growth for the aircraft landing gears market.

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Browse in-depth TOC on "Aircraft Engine Test Cells Market"

298 - Tables

71 - Figures

265 - Pages

Aircraft Engine Test Cells Market Report Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $ 7.1 billion Estimated Value by 2028 $ 9.1 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 5.0% Market Size Available for 2019-2028 Forecast Period 2023-2028 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Type, End User, Platform, Subsystem and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Key Market Challenge Global political and social instability Key Market Opportunities Booming advanced air mobility industry Key Market Drivers Increase in aircraft production will drive the aircraft landing gear market

By End User, the aftermarket segment is projected to grow at the second highest CAGR during the forecast period.

The aftermarket segment in the aircraft landing gears market is gaining momentum to hold the second highest market share. The aircraft landing gear undergoes timely scheduled inspections and maintenance to ensure its airworthiness. Replacing worn-out components like bearings and seals. Performing checks for cracks and other potential damage. This contributes to the market share of nose landing gear in the aircraft landing gears market.

By Subsystem, the aircraft landing gears market for structural systems segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

By Subsystem segment the structural systems hold the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The combined factors of weight reduction efforts, the growing use of composites, the need for advanced functionalities, and the focus on durability are propelling the highest CAGR in the structural segment of the aircraft landing gear market.

By Aircraft Type, Advanced Air Mobility segment for the aircraft landing gears market is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

The advanced air mobility segment in landing gears is a relatively new and rapidly developing sector. This translates to a significant potential for future growth. AAM vehicles utilize distinct landing gear configurations compared to traditional airplanes. This necessitates the development of specialized landing gear systems to cater to their unique operational needs. The AAM industry heavily relies on continuous innovation to improve the efficiency, safety, and range of these flying vehicles. This includes advancements in landing gear design, materials, and actuation systems to meet the specific requirements of operations. These factors will drive the demand for the AAM segment in the aircraft landing gear market during the forecast period.

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Europe holds the second highest market share in the region for the aircraft landing gears market.

Europe is home to several major players in the aircraft landing gear industry, such as Safran Landing Systems (France) and Liebherr (Germany). These companies possess extensive experience and technological expertise, contributing significantly to the European market share. Europe enforces strict aviation safety regulations, requiring airlines to maintain their fleets to the highest standards. This translates to a consistent demand for maintenance, repair, and replacement of landing gear components, propelling the aftermarket segment within Europe. The European Union actively promotes environmental sustainability in the aviation sector. This encourages the development of fuel-efficient aircraft which often require lighter and more advanced landing gear systems, further boosting the market.

Major players in the aircraft landing gears companies are Collins Aerospace (US), Safran (France), Heroux-Devtek (Canada), Liebherr (Switzerland), Triumph Group (US), and others. These companies have well-equipped, strong distribution networks across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa.

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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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CHICAGO, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With a focus on ethical behaviour and explainable AI, the Decision Intelligence Market will see a rise in the integration of AI and ML for real-time decision support in the future. Innovation will be propelled by cross-domain applications, cooperative decision-making, and tailored insights, combined with an emphasis on automation, regulatory compliance, and governance to satisfy changing industry demands.

The Decision Intelligence Market is estimated to grow from USD 13.3 billion in 2024 to USD 50.1 billion in 2030, at a CAGR of 24.7% during the forecast period, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Several trends fuel the global spread of Design Intelligence (DI). Increasingly affordable computing power allows complex AI models to run efficiently. Businesses see the value of data-driven insights for improving products, operations, and marketing. A growing talent pool of data scientists and engineers is building the necessary tools and infrastructure. Governments are recognizing the potential of DI for economic growth and are investing in research and development. These trends make DI more accessible and valuable, leading to its global adoption.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Decision Intelligence Market"

339 - Tables

61 - Figures

334 - Pages

Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=11498239

Scope of the Report

Report Metrics Details Market size available for years 2019-2030 Base year considered 2023 Forecast period 2024-2030 Forecast units USD Billion Segments Covered Offering, Type, Business Function, Vertical, and Region. Geographies covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America Companies covered IBM(US), Oracle (US), Google (US), Intel (US), Microsoft (US), TCS(INDIA), DOMO(US), Board International (Switzerland),

Provenir (New Jersey), Pyramid Analytics (Netherlands), 4CAST(Israel), H20.ai(CA), Remi.AI (Australia), Quantellia (US),

Peak.AI (UK), DIWO(US), Cerebra (US), Clarifai (US), FLYR LABS(US), Metaphacts (Germany), Systems Technology Group (US),

paretos(Germany), Course5i(US), Telius (US), Evolution Analytics (US), HyperFinity (UK), Aera Technology (US),

Quantexa (UK), Urbint(US), PlanningForce(Belgium), EY(UK)

By offering the services segment to account for higher CAGR during the forecast period.

In the Decision Intelligence Market, the highest CAGR of services is fueled by complex decision-making processes, AI and machine learning advancements, real-time insights demand, big data analytics integration, business process optimization, cloud-based solutions adoption, data-driven culture, and diverse industry adoption. These trends reflect a global shift towards leveraging data for competitive advantage, driving a continuous need for sophisticated decision intelligence services across sectors. As businesses prioritize agility and informed decision-making, the Decision Intelligence Market is expected to sustain significant growth, supported by evolving technologies and a growing emphasis on data-centric strategies.

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By Type, Decision Automation is expected to hold the largest market size for the year 2024.

Decision automation contributes to cost savings and operational efficiencies by reducing manual intervention, minimizing errors, and optimizing resource allocation based on data-driven insights. This aligns with business objectives focused on improving productivity and profitability while maintaining accuracy and consistency in decision-making. Moreover, advancements in cloud computing facilitate the scalability, flexibility, and accessibility of decision automation solutions, making them more attractive to organizations of all sizes and industries. As businesses strive to stay competitive in a data-driven landscape, the growth of decision automation in the Decision Intelligence Market is expected to continue as a strategic investment in enhancing agility, efficiency, and competitive advantage.

By Vertical, Retail & eCommerce is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

The retail and e-commerce sector is experiencing a surge in the adoption of decision intelligence (DI) due to a confluence of factors. The exponential growth of e-commerce has resulted in vast repositories of customer data. While rich in potential insights, this data surge presents a challenge for traditional business intelligence (BI) tools. Here, DI leverages machine learning (ML) and advanced analytics to transform this data into actionable insights. Retailers can utilize DI for real-time personalization, optimizing product recommendations and marketing campaigns. Additionally, DI empowers data-driven inventory management, minimizing stockouts and maximizing efficiency. Furthermore, DI can bolster fraud prevention efforts and optimize supply chain logistics. In a competitive digital landscape, retailers increasingly recognize DI as a strategic imperative for enhancing customer experience, boosting operational efficiency, and gaining a competitive edge.

Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is experiencing rapid growth in the Decision Intelligence Market, boasting the highest Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR). This surge is primarily attributed to rising demand for data-driven decision-making solutions, expanding digital transformation initiatives across industries, and a burgeoning startup ecosystem focusing on analytics and insights. Moreover, the region's favorable regulatory environment, growing investments in big data analytics, and the integration of advanced technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) further propel APAC's dominance in Decision Intelligence Market growth.

Top Key Companies in Decision Intelligence Market:

The major decision intelligence solution and service providers include IBM(US), Oracle (US), Google (US), Intel (US), Microsoft (US), TCS(INDIA), DOMO(US), Board International (Switzerland), Provenir (New Jersey), Pyramid Analytics (Netherlands), 4CAST(Israel), H20.ai(CA), Remi.AI (Australia), Quantellia (US), Peak.AI (UK), DIWO(US), Cerebra (US), Clarifai (US), FLYR LABS(US), Metaphacts (Germany), Systems Technology Group (US),paretos(Germany), Course5i(US), Telius (US), Evolution Analytics (US), HyperFinity (UK), Aera Technology (US), Quantexa (UK), Urbint(US), PlanningForce(Belgium), EY(UK). These companies have used both organic and inorganic growth strategies such as product launches, acquisitions, and partnerships to strengthen their position in the Decision Intelligence Market.

Recent Developments:

In February 2024, IBM Cloud Pak for Data version 4.8 introduced significant enhancements, offering faster access to distributed data sources, reduced ETL requests, and improved data cataloging capabilities. This update aimed to streamline data management processes, enhance productivity, and enable more efficient organizational decision-making leveraging the platform's features.

In November 2023, Wonderbox Group collaborated with Board, an intelligent planning solutions provider, to improve sales forecasting and cost optimization. It aimed to streamline budgeting processes, manage P&L more effectively, and boost technical performance through agile and customized processes. With the Board's tools, they can unify data, collaborate efficiently, and make informed decisions for controlling costs.

In November 2023, Provenir partnered with Tbi bank to enable real-time credit decisions at scale, showcasing the integration of decision intelligence into digital lending processes.

In September 2023, The Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) Generative AI service developed, in collaboration with Cohere, enhanced decision intelligence by automating business processes, improving decision-making, and enhancing customer experiences. This service supported large language models (LLMs) to optimize end-to-end processes while ensuring data security and privacy, aligning with the principles of responsible AI deployment.

In September 2022, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) announced the latest release of its TCS Connected Intelligence Platform (CIP). The new release of CIP is a low-code decision intelligence platform designed to provide organizations with the next best actions for customers, employees, partners, and business processes in real-time. It offered a graphical, drag-and-drop interface for configuring the next best action strategies using business rules, segmentation, contextual data, and AI/ML models to accelerate the development and deployment of decision intelligence use cases. This update aimed to transform data into a strategic asset that delivers in-the-moment recommendations for informed and intelligent decisions across departments, value chains, and industries.

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Decision Intelligence Market Advantages:

Decision intelligence solutions provide organizations with actionable insights derived from complex data sets, enabling informed and data-driven decision-making processes.

These systems predict future trends, foresee events, and optimise decision outcomes by utilising sophisticated analytics approaches like machine learning and predictive modelling.

Decision intelligence platforms facilitate prompt decision-making and adaptability to dynamic business environments by providing real-time data processing capabilities that allow organisations to analyse and act upon data streams as they arise.

Solutions for decision intelligence combine data from various sources and formats to give an organization-wide holistic picture of the data, enabling thorough analysis and decision-making across departments and functions.

By using algorithmic models and decision rules to automate decision-making processes, these solutions increase operational effectiveness, decrease manual labour, and minimise decision execution errors.

Platforms for decision intelligence provide individualised insights and recommendations based on each user's unique preferences, actions, and goals, increasing user satisfaction and engagement.

Through the analysis of past data, the identification of trends, and the assessment of possible outcomes, decision intelligence solutions help organisations identify and mitigate risks and enable proactive risk management and mitigation techniques.

Decision intelligence solutions assist organisations in optimising resource allocation, streamlining operations, and enhancing cost efficiency by analysing data on resource utilisation, demand trends, and performance metrics.

Through performance tracking and feedback systems, decision intelligence platforms facilitate iterative learning and continuous improvement, allowing organisations to gradually enhance their decision models and strategies.

Report Objectives

To define, describe, and predict the Decision Intelligence Market by offering, type, business functions, vertical, and region

To provide detailed information about the major factors (drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges) influencing the market growth

To analyze the opportunities in the market and provide details of the competitive landscape for stakeholders and market leaders

To forecast the market size of segments with respect to five main regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America

To profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their market rankings and core competencies

To analyze the competitive developments, such as partnerships, product launches, and mergers & acquisitions, in the Decision Intelligence Market

Browse Adjacent Markets: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Market Research Reports & Consulting

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Man using car to extinguish a car fire. Close up shot Tutye/Getty Images/iStockphoto

A vehicle chase by the Midland Police Department led to a passenger car being engulfed in flames and two occupants being transported to Midland Memorial Hospital with serious injuries.

According to a city press release, Midland Police responded to the area of South Midkiff Road and West Wall Street in an attempt to locate a stolen vehicle on Thursday, March 21 at 1:14 a.m.

Officers with MPD did locate the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop of the vehicle. At that point, officers say the driver of the stolen vehicle evaded the traffic stop.

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Officers then pursued the vehicle, which proceeded to travel westbound along Bankhead Highway. According to officer accounts, the driver of the stolen passenger vehicle failed to negotiate a turn, left the roadway, and then struck a tree in the 4100 block of West Wall Street.

MPD reported extracting two occupants from the passenger vehicle as it caught fire. The occupants of said vehicle were then transported to Midland Memorial Hospital with serious injuries.

The investigation has since been turned over to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Sergeant Steven Blanco of DPS did comment on the case to confirm that DPS had taken over the investigation of the crash.

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Countertop oven underlines home appliance giant's commitment to connectivity standard

SINGAPORE, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Matter is the foundation for connected things. It offers consumers an industry-unifying connectivity standard that securely and seamlessly connects compatible devices and systems with one another irrespective of their brand or device type.

After being among the first companies to achieve Matter certification for an air conditioner and to demonstrate a Matter-connected fan purifier and dishwasher, Midea continues to show its commitment to Matter with the demonstration of the Matter-connected X23 TastePro oven at the Alliance Member Meeting in Singapore from 18th to 21st March.

With Matter-connectivity, the Midea X23 TastePro oven offers a fast and secure unified setup process so users can follow the same process to get connected regardless whether it is their oven, dishwasher, or air conditioner. Once set up, the Midea X23 TastePro oven will be able to connect with other devices that support Matter in the rest of your home regardless of brand. The X23 TastePro oven represents a further milestone by welcoming in another essential home appliance into the Matter family.

Beyond Matter-connectivity, the Midea X23 TastePro oven already boasts a host of surprisingly-friendly features that make users life easier:

-Bake, roast, and grill with one appliance

-Patented graphene technology for precise cooking

-Reduced cooking time with XpressHeating technology

For more information about Midea and its range of smart home appliances, please visit www.midea.com.

About Matter

Matter is the foundation for connected things. This industry-unifying standard has a promise of reliable, secure connectivity - a seal of approval that devices will work seamlessly together, today, and tomorrow. Matter is creating more connections between more objects, simplifying development for manufacturers, and increasing compatibility for consumers. This collaborative breakthrough is built on proven technologies and guided by the Connectivity Standards Alliance, whose members come together from across industries to transform the future of connectivity.

Midea Group has been leading and participating in the MATTER v1.3 standard, the development of test plans, test scripts and SDK extensions, and became a major contributor to many smart appliance types such as Microwave Ovens, Ovens, Refrigerators, Room Air Conditioners, Dishwashers, Laundry Washers and Fans. In 2023 alone, Midea showcased various smart products using Matter at the CSA Member Meetings in Seoul, South Korea, Boston, USA and Geneva, Switzerland.

About Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA)

The Connectivity Standards Alliance is a global organization dedicated to advancing open, interoperable standards for smart home and IoT devices. By fostering collaboration among industry leaders and stakeholders, CSA aims to drive innovation and create a more connected world for all.

About Midea Group

Midea Group, established in 1968, is a leading global high-technology company ranked #278 on the 2023 Fortune Global 500 list, and one of the world's largest home appliance manufacturing companies which businesses go beyond smart home appliances. In early 2021 the company streamlined its core units into five high-growth business pillars to pave the new future growth path: Smart Home, Electro-Mechanical, Building Technologies, Robotics & Automation and Digital Innovation.

All businesses of Midea Group are striving for one credo: HumanizingTechnology.

www.midea.com

www.midea-group.com

Contact

MATTER RELATED INQUIRIES

Patrick Serrato

Alliance Board Member & Head of IoT

Midea America Corp.

patrickserrato@midea.com

MIDEA X23 RELATED INQUIRIES

Chris Lau

Jia3.liu@midea.com

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Today, it has been announced that the German Federal Government's cannabis law, also known as Pillar 1, has successfully progressed without delay. Following the positive outcome of the vote in the German Bundestag on February 23, 2024, the legislation has swiftly moved through subsequent stages of approval, culminating in its enactment.

Juan Martinez, Head of Curaleaf International, a leading cannabis company in Europe, commented:

"The successful passage of the Cannabis Act represents a significant milestone in our journey towards destigmatisation and decriminalisation of cannabis for both patients and consumers.

The removal of cannabis from the narcotics list and the subsequent implementation of comprehensive regulations will not only benefit patients and consumers but also pave the way for a thriving and regulated cannabis market in Germany.

As a company deeply invested in the European cannabis landscape, we are excited about the opportunities this legislation brings. With a robust regulatory framework in place, we anticipate broader insurance coverage, reduced administrative burdens for prescriptions, and a substantial growth trajectory for both the medical markets and eventually the regional model projects with commercial supply chains. This growth, coupled with the potential domino effect on other European markets, positions Germany as a trailblazer in shaping the future of cannabis in Europe.

Curaleaf has strategically expanded its European footprint through our Terra Verde facility in Portugal, leading UK clinic and pharmacy, top German brand in Four 20 Pharma and strategic acquisitions of Clever Leaves in Portugal, Can4Med in Poland, and Northern Green Canada. Our full seed-to-sale process allows us first mover advantage to meet the anticipated demand from a thriving, regulated, and safe cannabis industry.

We remain committed to supporting the German market and fostering an environment that prioritises patient well-being and accessibility. Our dedication to advancing scientific research, innovation, and responsible cultivation practices aligns with the objectives of the Cannabis Act, and we are eager to contribute to its successful implementation."

About Curaleaf International

Curaleaf International is one of the largest vertically integrated cannabis companies in Europe. Its unique supply and distribution network throughout the European market brings together pioneering science and research with cutting-edge cultivation, extraction, and production. Amidst a rapid growth trajectory, the emphasis on quality and expertise aims to ensure the delivery of safe, reliable, and effective care for all.

Curaleaf International's subsidiary network includes Curaleaf Clinic, Curaleaf Pharmacy, and Curaleaf Laboratories within the UK. Additionally, it extends to Terra Verde cultivation facility in Portugal, the Medalchemy research and development site in Spain, the Four20 Pharma wholesaler and distributor in Germany, and the Polish wholesaler Can4Med.

Curaleaf International is part of Curaleaf Holdings, Inc., a leading global cannabis company. Curaleaf is listed on the TSX (Toronto Stock Exchange) and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol CURLF.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240322195660/en/

Contacts:

Iskander Javed, Third City

07719939893

iskander@thirdcity.co.uk
Grant will focus on 21 of the most challenged high schools in Portland, Reynolds, Seattle and Tacoma school districts

PORTLAND, OR / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / Get Schooled has received a $300,000 grant from KeyBank to further its outreach to first-gen-to-college youth in the Pacific Northwest. Get Schooled provides personalized support along three journeys including helping prepare them to continue their education after high school, throughout the first year of higher-ed, and finding and succeeding in their first jobs and early careers.

The purpose of the investment in Get Schooled - and in the youth they serve - is to support a dramatic increase in FAFSA completion and postsecondary matriculation among potential first-gen-to-college students. The grant focuses on 21 of the most challenged high schools in Portland, Reynolds, Seattle, and Tacoma school districts in a unique partnership between three KeyBank markets-Seattle-Cascades, South Puget Sound and Oregon/Southwest Washington. These high schools were identified based on racial demographic data and 2022-23 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion rates (which is a collective 54%).

To operationalize this investment, Get Schooled plans to work directly with the high schools, their counselors, each district and directly with students to provide high quality content and personalized supports to their seniors, with additional engagements with juniors. Key among the many supports will be to help students them with the many elements of college and career readiness, including college application essay and scholarship support, resume reviews and early career exploration. Of particular importance will be to encourage students to complete the FAFSA/ORSAA/WASFA - an essential step that can unlock much-needed financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

"At KeyBank, our mission is to help our communities thrive, and we know that an important building block is helping underserved youth realize their full potential and develop the skills that will lead to successful and fulfilling careers," says Josh Lyons, KeyBank Oregon and SW Washington Market President. "An educated workforce is at the heart of a prosperous regional economy, and we were delighted to come together as three leaders to support this proven organization and maximize our impact across a larger geography."

"Get Schooled is thrilled to receive this investment from KeyBank," said John Branam, CEO of Get Schooled. "Supporting first-gen-to-college youth in achieving their full potential is foundational to our region's ability to thrive - and this goal sits at the heart of this investment. And in an era of ambiguous corporate values, we're grateful and excited to partner with KeyBank - a company that brings clarity and intentionality to its corporate social responsibility."

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from KeyBank on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: KeyBank

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/keybank

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: KeyBank

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Boulder, Colorado and Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 22, 2024) - Intellabridge Technology Corporation (CSE: KASH) (OTCQB: KASHF) (FSE: KASH) (the "Company" or "Intellabridge"), a financial technology company, announces that, in connection with the ongoing review of the Ontario Securities Commission (the "OSC") of the Company's continuous disclosure record and a subsequent request from OSC staff in connection therewith, the Company has filed amended and restated interim financial statements for the three-months ended March 31, 2023 and for the three and six-months ended June 30, 2023 (the "Restated Interim Financial Statements"), as well as amended and restated management's discussion and analysis for the corresponding financial periods (the "Restated Interim MD&A", and together with the Restated Interim Financial Statements, the "Restated Interim Financial Reports").

The Restated Interim Financial Statements were filed to include a notice that the Restated Interim Financial Statements have not been reviewed by the Company's auditor in accordance with subsection 4.3(3)(a) of National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations. The Restated Interim MD&A was filed to provide additional disclosure on the Company's business and operations, including but not limited to the decision of Intellabridge to discontinue development of the "Kash" application which occurred subsequent to the filing of the original management's discussion and analysis, and to incorporate comments from the OSC. In response to comments from the OSC, the Issuer included additional disclosure in the Restated Interim Financial Statements in respect of the anticipated timing and costs required for the Company to develop the Karma card project. In particular, the Company disclosed in the Restated Interim Financial Statements that it anticipates that the initial Karma card product launch expenses will be approximately USD$1.22 million, comprised of approximately USD$335,000 of product development costs, approximately USD$630,000 of marketing, customer acquisition, customer support and operations costs, and approximately USD$234,000 in general and administrative expenses.

The Company determined to discontinue the development of the "Kash" application as management of the Company determined that the best use of the Company's capital and resources at this time would be to focus on the further development of the Karma card product. In connection with the Company's decision to discontinue the development of the "Kash" application, the Company anticipates recognizing a non-cash impairment of its assets in the aggregate amount of USD$252,524 on its annual financial statements for the financial year ended December 31, 2023.

The Restated Interim Financial Reports are available on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.com. Each of the Restated Interim Financial Reports replace and supersede the respective previously filed original financial statements and corresponding management's discussion and analysis. Such previously filed original financial statements and management's discussion and analyses should be disregarded.

As a result of the filing of the Restated Interim Financial Reports the Company will be placed on the public list of Refiling and Errors in accordance with OSC Staff Notice 51-711 (Revised) Refilings and Corrections of Errors.

The Company also announces that effective February 21, 2024, Bruce Mann has been appointed as the chair of the audit committee of the board of directors of the Company (the "Audit Committee") and that the Company has filed a Form 52-110F2 - Disclosure by Venture Issuers on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.com to provide disclosure in respect of the Audit Committee required pursuant to National Instrument 52-110 - Audit Committees, including but not limited to an amended version of the Company's Audit Committee charter.

About Intellabridge Technology Corporation

Intellabridge Technology Corporation (CSE: KASH) (OTCQB: KASHF) (FSE: KASH) is a fintech company in the business of impact finance with a mission to make every transaction have a positive impact on the world through cashback solutions and automated customizable donations to charitable organizations based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

For more information on Intellabridge, visit www.intellabridge.com.

For more information on the Karma impact finance product, visit www.getkarmacard.com

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS INTELLABRIDGE TECHNOLOGY

CORPORATION

"Maria Eagleton"

Maria Eagleton, COO

To contact Intellabridge:

Website: intellabridge.com

Phone: +1-303-800-5333

Email: maria@intellabridge.com

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively "forward- looking statements"). The use of any of the words "will", "plan", "on track", "possible", "anticipated" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the anticipated expenses of the initial Karma card product launch. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward looking statements. Such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. Actual results achieved may vary from the information provided herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors. The Company believes the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. The Company does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

To the extent any information contained in forward-looking statements in this news release constitutes "future-oriented financial information" or "financial outlooks" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, such information is being provided to demonstrate the anticipated financial performance of the Company and the reader is cautioned that this information may not be appropriate for any other purpose and the reader should not place undue reliance on such future-oriented financial information or financial outlooks. Future-oriented financial information and financial outlooks, as with forward-looking statements generally, are, without limitation, based on the assumptions and subject to the risks set out above for forward-looking statements. The Company's actual financial position and results of operations may differ materially from its management's current expectations and, as a result, the Company's actual expenses may differ materially from the prospective expense estimates or projections provided in this news release. Such information is presented for illustrative purposes only and may not be an indication of the Company's actual financial position or results of operations for the applicable financial periods.

Selected financial information outlined above for the Company should be read in conjunction with the Restated Interim Financial Reports, which has been filed on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.com.

###

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202812

SOURCE: Intellabridge Technology Corporation
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Associate Dean, Sheila Babendir, Ed.D., LPC, and Program Chair, Christine Karper, Ph.D., LMHC present on counselor education for a global society

University of Phoenix is pleased to share that College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Associate Dean, Sheila Babendir, Ed.D., LPC, and Program Chair, Christine Karper, Ph.D., LMHC joined the proceedings of the Mediterranean Region Counseling Association Conference held March 14-15, 2024, in Wiesloch, Germany. The theme of the conference was "Promoting Equitable Mental Health Wellness by Uniting and Advocating Worldwide," and featured more than two dozen presentations from mental health professionals from around the world.

Dr. Babendir and Dr. Karper co-presented the conference session titled "Preparing future counselors to deliver equitable mental health counseling services to a global society," which focused on understanding and advocating for a more inclusive counselor education experience. Babendir and Karper led the discussion, which examined the components of an inclusive counselor education experience, along with practical methods for shaping curriculum to support emerging professionals in the field.

"The dedication to fostering compassionate and comprehensive approaches within mental health counseling is something we are very proud of at University of Phoenix," states Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Dr. Christina Neider. "Through research and practice, Dr. Sheila Babendir and Dr. Christine Karper continue to champion excellence in education by equipping our future counselors with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate diverse communities with empathy."

The presentation was part of a two-day annual event sponsored by the Mediterranean Region Counselors Association (MR-CA). The MR-CA is a unified partnership of diverse counseling professionals promoting the shared purpose of developing the counseling professionals to best serve their clients and the community at large. Presenters from around the world joined the event to share their experiences and best practices in the fields of counseling and mental health.

"We are grateful for the chance to lead a discussion exploring avenues for mental health counselors to use a culturally aware and trauma-informed approach to address challenges of inequality in our global society," shares Babendir. "It is a privilege to do this work and provide critical career skills for counselors so that they can deliver culturally competent mental health and wellness services."

Karper also expressed her appreciation for the opportunity, stating, "We were fortunate to contribute to this important focus on diversity and inclusion in global mental health. Promoting this ongoing dialogue is crucial for fostering understanding, sharing insights, and advocating for equitable access to care," she says. "Conferences such as this provide a platform to amplify marginalized voices, challenge biases, and drive meaningful change toward a more inclusive and supportive mental health landscape worldwide."

In her current role as Associate Dean, Babendir oversees all aspects of the counseling program including curriculum development, faculty management, programmatic operations and adherence to accreditation standards at University of Phoenix. As a counseling educator, she brings an experiential approach to the classroom, inspiring the next generation of counselors to integrate theory with practical skills.

Babendir holds a Doctor of Education in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University in 2008 and a Master of Science in Counseling Education and Counseling Psychology from University of Wisconsin- Madison in 1995. She has been serving the Arizona community in the capacity of clinician and educator for over 25 years. Babendir is a member of the American Counseling Association, Association for Counselor Education and Supervision and is immediate past president of the Arizona Counseling Association.

Karper holds a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Central Florida. She has been serving the Central Florida Community as a Clinician and a Counselor Educator for over 20 years. She is a member of the American Counseling Association, the Association for Mental Health Counselors and the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision and the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association.

Karper is currently a program chair for the University of Phoenix in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. In her work in academia, she has presented both nationally and internationally and has published articles in several journals in counseling, psychology, assessment, and technology.

Learn more here about University of Phoenix College of Social and Behavioral Science programs.

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 bachelor's and master's 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/20240322059533/en/

Contacts:

Michele Mitchum

University of Phoenix

michele.mitchum@phoenix.edu
BH Macro Limited - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, March 22

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

22 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: 22 March 2024 22 March 2024 Number of ordinary shares purchased: 100,000 96,016 Lowest price per share 329.5 328.5 Highest price per share 330 330 Trading venue JPSI LSE Aggregate volume per date per trading venue: 100,000 96,016 Weighted average price per day per trading venue: 329.6250 329.2306

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 362,050,119 Sterling Shares 11,557,420 Sterling Shares 29,759,638 Dollar Shares Nil Dollar Shares

From 22 March 2024, the total number of voting rights in the Company (rounded up to the whole number) is 555,210,906.

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
DUBAI, UAE / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / Ufunded.com is breaking down barriers to entry by providing its traders with instant funded accounts, rebelling against the traditional broker industry, where people are constrained by their - limited - amount of capital.

Prop firms enable traders to receive funding, but require them to pass (unattainable) challenges. Ufunded.com is taking it a step further, taking a controversial approach by completely removing the challenges aspect, allowing its users to access funding instantly.

This inclusive approach levels out the playing field, granting novice traders the opportunity to participate in the worthwhile profit potential, which, in the past, used to be exclusively available to more affluent investors who had significant capital of their own.

The users can trade a wide variety of instruments on the platform, namely US stocks, Forex, and Indices. The company partakes in a slim percentage of the profit the trader realizes, upon payout, the trader gets to keep the majority (up to 90%) of the profit, depending on the package the trader has selected.

Ufunded.com is not only committed to making funding effortlessly accessible for its traders but the all-in-one platform is also known for its' powerful charting functionalities for professional technical analysis, as well as improving its users' skills by providing them crucial insights into their trading performance through built-in intuitive tools such as the performance dashboard and the automated trading journal, leveraging artificial intelligence.

This innovative approach is cultivating a new generation of traders who are achieving higher returns due to instant access to funding and increases performance by driving better decisions due to performance insights, improving the learning curve.

A peek inside the office shows us sophisticated product specialists in bright white and green company gear providing free-of-charge demonstrations of their platform and packages to its prospective users, according to the team members, a meticulously crafted platform in which the company takes pride as it's built with the trader's best interest in mind.

The platform has become celebrated among trading communities and renowned traders alike, praising the platform for its ease of use and receiving appreciation for pioneering innovation that is - finally - oriented to the benefit of the user.

To learn more, visit https://ufunded.com/ .

Email: pr@ufunded.com

Name: Ella Davis

SOURCE: ufunded

View the original press release on accesswire.com
New Delhi, India--(Newsfile Corp. - March 22, 2024) - ZEX PR, a leading digital PR agency, is proud to share its successful engagement as the Digital PR Partner at Fintech Festival India Delhi Edition 2024. The event, held from March 6th to 8th at one of Asia's largest convention centers, Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, Dwarka, brought together a diverse array of global FinTech innovators and thought leaders.

Figure 1: ZEX PR Joins Forces with Fintech Festival India as Digital PR Partner for Delhi Edition 2024

Throughout the event, ZEX PR WIRE played a pivotal role in amplifying the digital presence of Fintech Festival India, ensuring that key insights and developments reached a global audience. Leveraging its expertise in digital communication and media outreach, the ZEX PR WIRE team implemented targeted strategies to enhance visibility and engagement across digital platforms.

"We are delighted to have been part of Fintech Festival India Delhi Edition 2024 as the Digital PR Partner," said Apoorv Gupta, Co-Founder at ZEX PR WIRE. "Our collaboration with Fintech Festival India allowed us to showcase the future of FinTech and drive meaningful conversations within the industry."

In addition to its role as Digital PR Partner, the ZEX PR WIRE team actively engaged with several startup and FinTech companies at the event. By fostering connections and facilitating discussions, ZEX PR WIRE contributed to the vibrant ecosystem of innovation and collaboration that defines Fintech Festival India.

Figure 2: ZEX PR Joins Forces with Fintech Festival India as Digital PR Partner for Delhi Edition 2024

"We are proud to have engaged with startup and FinTech companies at Fintech Festival India Delhi Edition 2024," added Saurabh Singla, Co-Founder at ZEX PR WIRE. "Our interactions with industry leaders and emerging innovators underscored the importance of collaboration in driving the future of finance."

Fintech Festival India 2024 featured over 100 speakers and welcomed more than 6,000 attendees. With a comprehensive agenda covering innovation, regulation, and India's FinTech journey, the event provided valuable insights and networking opportunities for participants.

For media inquiries or partnership opportunities, please contact:

Ritu K

Corporate Communications and Partnerships

ZEX PR WIRE

ritu@zexprwire.com

+91 8800125493

For Sales:

Saurabh Singla

saurabh@zexprwire.com

To learn more about ZEX PR digital PR solutions, please visit www.zexprwire.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202784

SOURCE: ZEX PR WIRE
Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, March 22

For immediate release

22 March 2024

FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC

(the "Company")

MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES

The Company announces that it has today purchased 224,076 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 859.78 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 36,643,510; 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 188,347,793.

The figure of 188,347,793 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
Inaugural flight marks major milestone toward return of supersonic travel

XB-1 provides the foundation for Boom's supersonic airliner, Overture

MOJAVE, Calif. and DENVER, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Boom Supersonic , the company building the world's fastest airliner, Overture, today announced the successful flight of XB-1 , the world's first independently developed supersonic jet, at the Mojave Air & Space Port in Mojave, California. Like Overture, XB-1 leverages state-of-the-art technologies to enable efficient supersonic flight including carbon fiber composites, advanced avionics, digitally-optimized aerodynamics, and an advanced supersonic propulsion system.

"Today, XB-1 took flight in the same hallowed airspace where the Bell X-1 first broke the sound barrier in 1947," said Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic. "I've been looking forward to this flight since founding Boom in 2014, and it marks the most significant milestone yet on our path to bring supersonic travel to passengers worldwide."

XB-1 was flown by Boom Chief Test Pilot Bill "Doc" Shoemaker and Test Pilot Tristan "Geppetto" Brandenburg flew the T-38 chase aircraft which monitored the flight. XB-1 took off from the Mojave Air & Space Port and flew in the same airspace that hosted many historic first flights, including the flights of the Bell X-1, the North American X-15, and the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. XB-1 met all of its test objectives, including safely and successfully achieving an altitude of 7,120 feet and speeds up to 238 knots (273 mph).

"Everyone on the XB-1 team should be incredibly proud of this achievement," said Bill "Doc" Shoemaker, Chief Test Pilot for Boom Supersonic. "It has been a privilege to share this journey with so many dedicated and talented professionals. The experience we have gained in reaching this milestone will be invaluable to Boom's revival of supersonic travel."

Two decades after Concorde's retirement, the first flight of XB-1 marks the return of a civil supersonic aircraft to the skies and paves the way for the revival of mainstream supersonic travel. The XB-1 program provides the foundation for the design and development of Overture, while establishing a safety-first culture in engineering and manufacturing. XB-1 validates key technologies and innovations, including:

Augmented reality vision system: Two nose-mounted cameras, digitally augmented with attitude and flight path indications, feed a high resolution pilot display enabling excellent runway visibility. This system enables improved aerodynamic efficiency without the weight and complexity of a movable nose.

Two nose-mounted cameras, digitally augmented with attitude and flight path indications, feed a high resolution pilot display enabling excellent runway visibility. This system enables improved aerodynamic efficiency without the weight and complexity of a movable nose. Digitally-optimized aerodynamics: Engineers used computational fluid dynamics simulations to explore thousands of designs for XB-1. The result is an optimized design that combines safe and stable operation at takeoff and landing with efficiency at supersonic speeds.

Engineers used computational fluid dynamics simulations to explore thousands of designs for XB-1. The result is an optimized design that combines safe and stable operation at takeoff and landing with efficiency at supersonic speeds. Carbon fiber composites: XB-1 is almost entirely made from carbon fiber composite materials, enabling it to realize a sophisticated aerodynamic design in a strong, lightweight structure.

XB-1 is almost entirely made from carbon fiber composite materials, enabling it to realize a sophisticated aerodynamic design in a strong, lightweight structure. Supersonic intakes: XB-1's engine intakes slow supersonic air to subsonic speeds, efficiently converting kinetic energy into pressure energy, allowing conventional jet engines to power XB-1 from takeoff through supersonic flight.

The inaugural flight of the XB-1 demonstrator takes place as Overture continues to advance toward production, with a growing global network of Tier 1 suppliers and an order book including 130 orders and pre-orders from American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines. Overture will carry 64-80 passengers at Mach 1.7, about twice the speed of today's subsonic airliners. Optimized for speed, safety, and sustainability, Overture is designed to run on up to 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

For more information about XB-1, please visit: https://boomsupersonic.com/xb-1

For more information about Overture, please visit: https://boomsupersonic.com/overture

About Boom Supersonic

Boom Supersonic's mission is to make the world dramatically more accessible through flights that are faster, more affordable, more convenient, and more sustainable.

Boom is developing Overture, the world's fastest airliner, optimized for speed, safety, and sustainability. Overture will fly at twice the speed of today's airliners and is optimized to run on up to 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Overture's order book stands at 130 aircraft, including orders and pre-orders from American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines. Boom is working with Northrop Grumman for government and defense applications of Overture. Suppliers and partners collaborating with Boom on the Overture program include Aernnova, Aciturri, Collins Aerospace, Eaton, Honeywell, Latecoere, Leonardo, Safran Landing Systems, and the United States Air Force.

Symphony is the propulsion system that will power Overture, a Boom-developed engine with world-class suppliers including Florida Turbine Technologies (FTT), a business unit of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., GE Additive, and StandardAero.

XB-1 is Boom's technology demonstrator aircraft and the world's first independently developed supersonic jet. The aircraft first took flight in Mojave, CA in March 2024. For more information, visit https://boomsupersonic.com .

Photos and video available at https://boomsupersonic.com/newsroom/media-assets

Connect with Boom Supersonic on X , LinkedIn , Facebook , Instagram , YouTube

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2369863/Boom_Supersonic_inaugural_flight.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1200803/Boom_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/boom-supersonic-announces-successful-flight-of-xb-1-demonstrator-aircraft-302097345.html
MISD school board Trevor Hawes/Midland ISD

Local pastors, residents and other advocates attended MISDs board meeting Tuesday to voice their concern about books in MISD campus libraries.

Johnny Paredes, pastor at Faith Church Midland, brought a book called Me & Earl and The Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews, which he found Legacy High School via MISDs website.

Paredes said the book is filled with profanity, sexual practices, and other messages that promote disrespect, racism and violence. Paredes was the first of a handful of pastors and others who asked the MISD board to review content in school libraries.

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A former MISD teacher brought a book called Shout by Laurie Anderson, which she said she found in Legacy High Schools library. She said she had a problem with the books discussion of guns and a scene that described a game of Russian roulette.

The former teacher suggested implementing a committee to review books that go into district libraries before they are put on the shelves.

Alma Thomspon, a former MISD parent, wanted to bring attention to what she called pornography that glorifies drug use, casual sex, incest and suicide, she said. She discussed a book called Identical by Ellen Hopkins.

A man named John Amanchukwu attended the meeting as well, Amanchukwus website, iknowgod.us, describes him as a preacher, author, and activist from North Carolina. Amanchukwu has been in the news all around the country for attending school board meetings and discussing books in school libraries or other matters.

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Amanchukwu brought a book called Push by Sapphire to the meeting. He read a depiction in which a father in the book sexually abuses his daughter. Amanchukwu finished reading the excerpt and then said any of the six men on the MISD school board who dont push for the book to be taken out of the library are either punks or perverts. After repeating that message a few times, MISD police were asked to escort Amanchukwu from the meeting.

In response to the meeting and the books brought forth, MISD released a statement.

MISD has collected the books of concern that were brought to the attention of the school board to expedite the review process and will follow legal framework and board policy EF (LOCAL) to review them, the statement reads. MISD takes this very seriously and will take appropriate action upon review of the books. The district adheres to the law and EF (LOCAL) for the process by which a school library acquires, maintains, and withdraws materials and follows this policy when books are challenged. Should community members discover a book they find to be objectionable, they are encouraged to bring their concerns to the attention of administrators in accordance with board policy.

MISD officials said Thursday the book Push by Sapphire was not found in any campus libraries even though the districts online catalog indicates there was one copy at Midland Freshman High School and a lost copy at Legacy High School.

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However, according to dated screenshots submitted by a Reporter-Telegram reader, on March 19 the districts online catalog showed one copy of Push available at Legacy High School and another copy at Midland Freshman High School. It is unclear how the book was updated to a lost status overnight.
PRESS RELEASE

Regulated information  Inside information  Brussels, 22 March 2024 - 19:30 (CET)

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION (IN WHOLE OR IN PART), DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF THAT JURISDICTION.

THIS IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT FALLING UNDER RULE 2.8 OF THE UK CITY CODE ON TAKEOVERS AND MERGERS (THE "CODE").

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ageas SA/NV announces no offer will be made for Direct Line Insurance Group plc

Ageas SA/NV ("Ageas") announces that, following the two recent attempts to engage with the Board of Directors of Direct Line Insurance Group plc ("Direct Line") in relation to the acquisition by Ageas of the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Direct Line, which were both rejected, it will not make an offer for Direct Line. As a result of this announcement, Ageas (and any persons acting in concert with it) will, except with the consent of the UK Panel on Takeovers and Mergers (the "Panel"), be bound by the restrictions contained in Rule 2.8 of the Code.

For the purposes of Rule 2.8 of the Code, Ageas (and any persons acting in concert with it) reserves the right to announce an offer or possible offer for Direct Line or make or participate in an offer or possible offer for Direct Line and/or take any other action otherwise precluded under Rule 2.8 of the Code within six months of the date of this announcement in the following circumstances described in Note 2 to Rule 2.8 of the Code: (i) with the agreement of the Board of Directors of Direct Line; (ii) if a third party (including another publicly identified potential offeror) announces a firm intention to make an offer for Direct Line; (iii) if Direct Line announces a Rule 9 waiver (see Note 1 in the notes on Dispensations from Rule 9) or a reverse takeover (as defined in the Code); or (iv) if the Panel determines there has been a material change of circumstances.

On 19 January 2024, Ageas provided the Board of Direct Line with an initial possible offer proposal (the "Initial Possible Offer") to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Direct Line. The terms of the Initial Possible Offer were improved on 9 March 2024 and set out in an announcement (the "Improved Possible Offer") on 13 March 2024. Ageas believes that the proposal, on these terms, would have created significant value for both groups of shareholders and other stakeholders.

Throughout the entire process, Ageas has always sought engagement with Direct Line's Board. Ageas regrets that it has not been able to work collaboratively together with the Board of Directors of Direct Line towards a recommended Firm Offer. Ageas was not able to identify additional elements based on publicly available information that would justify significant adjustments to the terms of its possible offer. Therefore, consistent with its financial discipline, Ageas has decided not to make a Firm Offer.

Ageas continues to believe in the underlying attractiveness and future opportunities of the UK personal lines sector and the role of Ageas UK in this market, underpinned by its successful turnaround over the last few years. Ageas UK will continue to execute its focused personal lines insurance strategy alongside its valued distribution partners.

Ageas remains focused on the execution of its strategy, as a group of local companies outperforming in their markets, benefitting from synergies within the Group. Ageas re-iterates its confidence to deliver on its stated Impact24 financial and operating targets thanks to the strong performance of its operating entities. The Group's solid foundations underpin our attractive dividend growth ambitions in line with our stated Impact24 ambitions and beyond this strategic cycle.

Hans De Cuyper, CEO of Ageas, said:

"We had hoped to reach agreement on a jointly recommended Firm Offer together with the Direct Line Board. However, I am convinced that given the circumstances we took the right decision not to make an offer, staying true to who we are and what we stand for in terms of maintaining a friendly approach and respecting our financial discipline. I sincerely want to thank our employees and advisors who delivered outstanding performance exploring this opportunity, and our investors for their continued trust in our company."

BofA Securities (Lead Financial Adviser to Ageas SA/NV) +44 (0) 20 7628 1000

Jonathan Alpert

Geoff Iles

Marcus Jackson

Benjamin Ries

Sid Rishi

Deutsche Bank AG (Financial Adviser to Ageas SA/NV) +44 (0) 20 7545 8000

Marie-Soazic Geffroy

Hubert Vannier

Derek Shakespeare

Inigo de Areilza

Charles Farquhar

FGS Global (PR Adviser to Ageas SA/NV) +44 (0) 20 7251 3801 / Ageas-UK@fgsglobal.com

James Leviton

Chris Sibbald

Linklaters LLP is acting as legal adviser to Ageas.

Merrill Lynch International ("BofA Merrill Lynch"), which is authorised by the UK Prudential Regulatory Authority and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority and the UK Prudential Regulatory Authority, is acting exclusively for Ageas and for no one else in connection with the possible offer for Direct Line and will not be responsible to anyone other than Ageas for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the matters referred to in this announcement.

Deutsche Bank AG is a stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft) incorporated under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany with its principal office in Frankfurt am Main. It is registered with the local district court (Amtsgericht) in Frankfurt am Main under No HRB 30000 and licensed to carry on banking business and to provide financial services. The London branch of Deutsche Bank AG is registered as a branch office in the register of companies for England and Wales at Companies House (branch registration number BR000005) with its registered branch office address and principal place of business at 21, Moorfields, London EC2Y 9DB. Deutsche Bank AG is subject to supervision by the European Central Bank (ECB), Sonnemannstrasse 22, 60314 Frankfurt am Main, Germany, and the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Bundesanstalt fur Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht or BaFin), Graurheindorfer Strasse 108, 53117 Bonn and Marie-Curie-Strasse 24-28, 60439 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. With respect to activities undertaken in the United Kingdom, Deutsche Bank AG is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority. It is subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and limited regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Details about the extent of Deutsche Bank AG's authorisation and regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority are available from Deutsche Bank AG on request.

Deutsche Bank AG, acting through its London branch ("Deutsche Bank") is acting as a financial adviser to Ageas and no-one else in connection with the matters described in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Ageas for providing the protections afforded to clients of Deutsche Bank, nor for providing advice in connection with the subject matter of this announcement or any other matter referred to in this announcement.

Important information

A copy of this announcement will be made available (in English), subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in restricted jurisdictions, on Ageas' website at https://www.ageas.com/investors/webpage-related-ageass-possible-offer-direct-line by no later than noon (London time) on 25 March 2024. The content of this website is not incorporated into and does not form part of this announcement.

This announcement and the information within it is not intended to, and does not, constitute or form part of any offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities whether pursuant to this announcement or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. In particular, this announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. No offer of securities shall be made in the United States absent registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, such registration requirements. No statement contained or referred to in this announcement is intended to be a profit forecast.

This announcement has been prepared in accordance with English law and information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been prepared in accordance with the laws of jurisdictions outside England.

The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in jurisdictions outside the United Kingdom may be restricted by law and therefore persons into whose possession this announcement comes should inform themselves about, and observe, such restrictions. Any failure to comply with such restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities law of any such jurisdiction.

Ageas is a listed international insurance Group with a heritage spanning 200 years. It offers Retail and Business customers Life and Non-Life insurance products designed to suit their specific needs, today and tomorrow, and is also engaged in reinsurance activities. As one of Europe's larger insurance companies, Ageas concentrates its activities in Europe and Asia, which together make up the major part of the global insurance market. It operates successful insurance businesses in Belgium, the UK, Portugal, Turkiye, China, Malaysia, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore, and the Philippines through a combination of wholly owned subsidiaries and long-term partnerships with strong financial institutions and key distributors. Ageas ranks among the market leaders in the countries in which it operates. It represents a staff force of about 50,000 people and reported annual inflows of more than EUR 17 billion in 2023.

Attachment


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - On March 20, 2022, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health (MBAH) made a significant announcement, reporting the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a baby goat. This goat was living on a farm where a recent outbreak of poultry had occurred.



This marks the first identification of HPAI in livestock in the United States, making it a matter of great concern. The virus has previously been found in predatory mammals that feed on infected birds, but this is the first instance of HPAI confirmed in domestic livestock in the country.



The goat that tested positive for HPAI shared the same pasture and water source as the poultry flock that tested positive for HPAI in late February on the farm where it resided.



In response to this positive test result, health officials isolated all other species on the premises and are collaborating with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to investigate the virus transmission in this case. The USDA has notified the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) about the incident, providing additional information on the findings.



The virus has been detected in just over 200 individual mammals, such as foxes, skunks, raccoons, harbor seals, and bears since 2022, but never before in a domestic ruminant species. This highlights the need for strict biosecurity protocols, especially with the onset of spring migration.



HPAI has been identified in other mammals such as skunks, dogs, cats, and, for the first time this year, it caused the death of a polar bear due to the virus. Over 200 mammals have tested positive for the virus since the beginning of the 2022 HPAI outbreak, but experts clarify that mammals are not capable of transmitting the disease.



According to the board, animals with weakened or immature immune systems, like the young goats in this situation, are more susceptible to disease. Officials suggest maintaining the cleanliness of equipment and housing, separating livestock from wild animals, and seeking veterinary assistance if animals exhibit symptoms to protect them.



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
PLAINVIEW, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / Italian Food & Beverage Corp. (OTC PINK:IFBC) Dino Luzzi Energy Drink is set to energize the University of Florida's tech community as the main sponsor of

the "Apply, Model, Optimize: Nurturing Gator Unity and Synergy"hackathon, hosted by the UF Open Source Club. With a generous prize pool, including a special "Dino Luzzi Energy Challenge"award, the event is poised to be a landmark in the club's history.

In addition to providing its uniquely refreshing energy drinks to fuel participants' creativity and stamina, the hackathon is designed to challenge UF students to apply their coding skills, model innovative solutions, and optimize outcomes in a collaborative environment.

Dino Luzzi Energy Drink's sponsorship underscores the brand's commitment to supporting the energy and ambition of young professionals as they push the boundaries of technology and collaboration.

"As president of the Open-Source Club and a graduating senior, I can confidently say the hackathon will be the biggest and most exciting event that we have done up to this point. It has been a long time in the making and would not be possible without our very gracious sponsor, Dino Luzzi Energy Drinks," said Jonathan Mesa, a senior at the University of Florida.

Crafted in Italy, Dino Luzzi Energy Drink is celebrated for its light, crisp, and smooth taste, providing an invigorating energy boost without the typical metallic aftertaste. With Dino Luzzi Energy Drink's support,

participants will be energized to push the boundaries of what's possible in just 24 hours. "Dino Luzzi Energy Drink is honored to support the University of Florida's Open Source Club and the talented

students participating in this hackathon, said Dino Luzzi CEO at IFBC". We are committed to fostering innovation and excellence in the tech community, and we look forward to energizing participants as they push the boundaries of creativity and collaboration".

While the company continues its increased revenue growth each year, this event at UF will help our relationship with Ferraro Foods' Ocala distribution center and expanding Dino Luzzi's presence throughout the state of Florida. For more details on the hackathon and to register, please visit the official Devpost page at https://osc-hack.devpost.com/.

Forward Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking statements" and information provided by Italian Food & Beverage Corp. such as online, printed documents, publications or information available via

its website. It may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, which, if they do not materialize or prove correct, could cause the Company's results to differ materially from historical results, or those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. These statements may also include plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements regarding proposed new products, services or developments; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; statements of belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. There can be no assurance that the negotiations being considered by the letter of intent will be completed.

Contact info:

info@ifbcorp.com

SOURCE: Italian Food and Beverage Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 22, 2024) - Aranjin Resources Ltd. (TSXV: ARJN) (the "Company" or "Aranjin Resources") announces the following Board changes.

Peter Trow has resigned as director of the Company, effective immediately. The Company is pleased to announce the appointment of David Wheeler to the Board as non-executive Director. Mr. Wheeler is a founding Director and Partner of Pathways Corporate Advisory firm, that undertakes assignments on behalf of family offices, private clients, and ASX listed companies.

Mr. Wheeler has more than 30 years of Senior Executive Management, Directorships, and Corporate Advisory experience. He has engaged in business projects in the USA, United Kingdom, Europe, New Zealand, China, Malaysia, Singapore and the Middle East. He has been a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD) since 1990.

The Company would like to thank Mr. Trow for his valuable contributions and wishes him well with his future endeavours.

Mr. Matthew Wood, Executive Chairman of Aranjin Resources stated, "We are excited to welcome Mr. Wheeler to the board. Mr. Wheeler brings more than 30 years of experience in resource sector and corporate advisory."

On behalf of the Board

Matthew Wood

Chairman

+976 7732 1914

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.

Cautionary Statements

Certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking information or statements under applicable securities legislation and rules. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to future expectations of the newly appointed board member. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Aranjin Resources to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although management of Aranjin Resources has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. No party will update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. The parties caution readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and it does not undertake any obligation to revise and disseminate forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of or non-occurrence of any events.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202835

SOURCE: Aranjin Resources Ltd
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) - The U.S. Medicare announced that it would cover the weight-loss drug Wegovy, manufactured by Novo Nordisk (NVO), for patients suffering from cardiovascular disease. The announcement comes after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved the weight-loss drug to use for reducing heart risk. The FDA's decision was based on a clinical trial last year which found that Wegovy reduces risk of heart disease in obese patients by 20 percent. Earlier, federal law had excluded anti-obesity medications from medicare prescription drug plans provided by private insurers, also known as Part D. The high cost of the drug was also another reason which made insurers reluctant to cover it. However, the recent announcement broadens the insurance coverage of Wegovy, a drug mimicking a naturally occurring hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1, or GLP-1, that slows the emptying of the stomach and sends a signal of fullness to the brain. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or CMS noted that the weight loss drug will be covered under insurance only for cases where it is prescribed to reduce the risks of heart disease. 'CMS has issued guidance to Medicare Part D plans stating that anti-obesity medications that receive FDA approval for an additional medically accepted indication can be considered a Part D drug for that specific use,' a CMS spokesperson commented. 'CMS is committed to ensuring that people have access to treatments and treatment options that improve health outcomes,' the agency emphasized. Novo Nordisk responded to the announcement positively by saying that, 'We are encouraged to see the recent guidance by CMS,' but further added that 'there's more work to be done' because Wegovy as a weight-loss drug is still not covered under insurance. 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.
DropSafe Sicura is the first and only fully passive safety needle in North America. Sicura is designed to eliminate needlestick injuries, providing a safe injection experience, and is distributed by HTL-Strefa Inc., an MTD company.

JERSEY CITY, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / In response to the recent safety communications issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding concerns over plastic syringes and safety needles manufactured in China, HTL-Strefa Inc. is proud to offer healthcare providers, facilities, and consumers a safe and dependable alternative. Our FDA-cleared, European-produced passive safety needle, DropSafe Sicura, represents the pinnacle of safety, reliability, and performance, fully aligning with the highest standards of patient care and safety.

DropSafe Sicura Passive Safety Needle

HTL-Strefa Inc.'s new DropSafe Sicura passive safety needle is engineered and manufactured in our own European facility, adhering to stringent quality control measures. Our products are designed with both the healthcare provider and patient in mind, ensuring ease of use, minimal risk of needlestick injuries, and optimal safety during and after administration.

Launched in the U.S. and Canada in 2023, DropSafe Sicura Passive Safety Needle is unique in its design to eliminate needlestick injuries providing a safe injection experience. The needle is protected by a transparent shield that automatically locks after injection, requiring no additional activation step by the HCP post-injection.

**Addressing Current Challenges with Superior Quality and Capacity**

In light of the FDA's evaluation of quality and performance issues associated with certain plastic syringes and safety needles, HTL-Strefa Inc. recognizes the urgent need for reliable medical supplies. Our DropSafe Sicura passive safety needle is not only a testament to our commitment to safety, but also an assurance of our capability to meet the increased demand without compromising on quality or performance.

Carl Ward, General Manager of HTL-Strefa, Inc., emphasized the company's readiness, stating, "HTL-Strefa Inc. has the capacity and the infrastructure to support additional safety needle demand in the U.S. and Canada with the launch of DropSafe Sicura. We stand ready to assist healthcare systems in transitioning to safer, more reliable alternatives without any disruption to patient care."

** Committed to Supporting Healthcare Providers Through a Legacy of Excellence and Innovation**

With a history of excellence and innovation in medical technology, HTL-Strefa Inc. and its parent MTD Group have served the healthcare industry for over three decades. Our commitment to enhancing the safety and efficiency of clinical care has driven us to develop advanced technology, services, and solutions that support healthcare professionals and improve patient outcomes.

For more information on HTL-Strefa Inc's. Sicura Passive Safety Needle and our commitment to quality and safety, please visit https://dropsafe.info/products/dropsafe-sicura-passive-safety-needle-drug-delivery/ or contact our customer support team at 1-877-660-1900.

**About HTL-Strefa Inc and MTD Group**

HTL-Strefa Inc. and its parent MTD Group are leading global medical technology companies specializing in the development, manufacture, and distribution of high-quality medical devices, including passive safety needles, lancets, and pen needles. With a strong focus on innovation, safety, and customer satisfaction, HTL-Strefa Inc. and MTD serve healthcare professionals and patients globally, aiming to improve healthcare outcomes and enhance the quality of life. For more information on HTL-Strefa Inc. and MTD Group, please visit https://mtdglobal.com/north-america/ or connect with us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/htlstrefainc/

**Contact Information:**

Emily Pupa

HTL-Strefa Inc.

113 Towne Lake Pkwy, Suite 120

Woodstock, GA 30188, USA

info@htl-strefa.com

770-528-0410

Contact Information

Emily Pupa

Director, Marketing

emily.pupa@htl-strefa.com

770-528-0410

SOURCE: HTL-Strefa Inc.

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - March 22, 2024) - Showcase Minerals Inc. (CSE: SHOW) (FSE: ZJ0) ("Showcase") is pleased to announce that it has contracted with Envirotech Drilling of Winnemucca, Nevada, for its planned 12-hole 3,653 meters drill program on its Dixie Flats-North Star Gold Project located in Elko County, Nevada. Figure 1 shows the location of the 2024 targets. Two holes (457 meters) are initially planned, and the remaining 10 holes will be drilled pending results. Drilling is anticipated to begin in April.

The North Target area is where most of the historic drillholes on the Dixie Flats-North Star Gold Project are located (Figure 1). In the Rain-Emigrant District, gold mineralization occurs in silicified and pyritic collapse breccia within the Webb Formation just above the contact with Devils Gate Limestone, particularly along faults and at fault intersections. Five planned holes test the contact of Webb Formation shales with the underlying Devils Gate Limestone and a primary NNE-SSW oriented fault. This primary structure is also along trend with Orla Mining's Dark Star Gold deposit.

The South Target (Figure 1) is located at the intersection of the primary fault and an E-NE cross-cutting structure and the Webb-Devils Gate contact with seven planned drillholes. If ore bearing mineralization is encountered in both faults, a previously unknown foci of mineralization will be identified. This expands the mineralization envelop along the main NNE-SSW trend.

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-Northstar 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.





Figure 1: Location of the 2024 Dixie Flats-North Star drill targets

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9723/202879_ad2b8a6024f57a1f_002full.jpg

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202879

SOURCE: Showcase Minerals Inc.
OpenStamp, a Singapore-based provider of a service platform built on the STAMP Protocol, raised an undisclosed amount in Seed funding.

The round was led by Animoca Ventures and also included participation from KuCoin Ventures, MH Ventures, VitalTao Capital, Lotus Capital, Brotherhood Ventures, Blue Node Capital, D64 Ventures, Luminescence Capital, Spicy Capital, Halvings Capital, SPEC Capital, and YM Capital.

The company intends to use the funds to expand and refine its platform.

OpenStamp is a service platform developed on the STAMP Protocol, which is recognized for its security and dependability within the Bitcoin ecosystem. With a focus on innovation, the company offers a diverse range of products tailored to meet the needs of blockchain enthusiasts. In addition to its flagship services such as Mint/Deploy, SRC-20/SRC-721 Marketplace, Indexer, Explorer, and Launchpad, OpenStamp is dedicated to continuous improvement, striving to introduce features and functionalities.

Leveraging the technologies of Nervos CKB and the RGB++ protocol, this solution utilizes the UTXO Stack based on the underlying technology of CKB. By introducing complex programmability to Bitcoin, OpenStamp empowers developers to build innovative applications directly on Bitcoins Network.

FinSMEs

22/03/2024
Randeep Hooda delivered the performance of his life and brought out his best in the role of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar

Star cast: Randeep Hooda, Ankita Lokhande, Mark Bennington, Amit Sial, Richard Bhakti Klein, Ed Robinson, Russell Geoffrey Banks, David Michael Harrison, Hella Stichlmair, Apinderdeep Singh, Sal Yusuf

Director: Randeep Hooda

I dont hate the British, I hate slavery, when Vinayak Damodar Savarkar aka Swatantrya Veer Savarkar played by Randeep Hooda says this to a jailer during his imprisonment in Kala Pani, we see thousands of emotions coming out of the freedom fighter, who has polarising views among the people today.

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Swatantrya Veer Savarkar , which marks the directorial debut of actor Randeep Hooda, revolves around the life of freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, who chooses the path of violence unlike Mahatma Gandhi for freedom and how his ideologies turn out to be a threat for Britishers.

Savarkar, who takes the baton of being a freedom fighter at a very early age, is a university topper and starts showing signs of a reformer. He forms Abhinav Bharat and accomplishes the mission of boycotting British clothes, which impresses Lokmanya Tilak, who sponsors his travel and education in law at Great Britain.

His ideology of violence for freedom starts a revolution across the globe. Right from Madanlal Dhingra to Kudiram Bose, we see young revolutionaries making a big impact on Britishers by assassinating their high officials before turning martyrs.

However, despite all this Savarkar feels the news of the Indian revolution is not spreading as there is no discussion about it in newspapers. He gets himself arrested and is sent to Kala Pani, which undoubtedly turns out to be the worst phase of his life. However, he meets his elder brother there and we see some secret communication between them.

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His struggle for the countrys freedom to face accusations in free India weaves the storytelling of this biographical drama. Randeep Hooda goes into the detailing of the story and makes sure to showcase the tiniest events of Savarkars life. However, sometimes the scenes are quite slow and long which could have easily been trimmed by 20 minutes, especially the Kala Pani sequences.

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While we cant claim the authenticity of the historical facts shown in the movie, the direct attack on the Indian National Congress and dig at Mahatma Gandhis path of non-violence are the major highlights of Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.

Other sequences like the meeting of Bhagat Singh and Savarkar and Gandhis assassination by Nathuram Godse add solid punch to the narrative.

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Talking about the performances, Randeep Hooda delivered the performance of his life and brought out his best in the role of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. Ankita Lokhande Jain as Yamuna Bai has a very brief time but she makes it memorable with her powerful presence. Other cast members including Amit Sial and Mark Bennington make their strong presence in the movie.

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On the whole, Swatantrya Veer Savarkar is Randeep Hoodas show, which shines because of its fearless approach and star performances.

Rating: 3 (out of 5 stars)

Swatantrya Veer Savarkar is playing in cinemas
Apple, the tech giant, is facing trouble on many fronts. The latest challenge for the Tim Cook-led company is the lawsuit filed by the US, accusing it of illegally maintaining a monopoly. But thats not all. Theres a barrage of litigations from across the world and sales in China, its largest market outside the US, are seeing a drop

A man holds a bag with a new iPhone inside it in Shanghai, China. The US lawsuit is just one of the many problems facing the tech giant. File image/Reuters

The US has taken a huge bite out of Apple. The US Department of Justice sued the Tim Cook-led company, accusing the tech giant of illegally maintaining a monopoly for its iPhone by stifling competition and imposing exorbitant costs on consumers.

Unsurprisingly, the new lawsuit led to shares of Apple falling, with the Wall Street Journal reporting that it was the worst performer among the Dow industrial stocks.

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The news of the US lawsuit is, however, not the only problem that Apple faces at the moment. From dipping sales to generative AI, Tim Cook has his work cut out for him.

We take a closer look at the many challenges facing Apple and what it means for the tech giants future.

US vs Apple

For those who are unaware, the US Department of Justice on Thursday sued Apple , alleging that the tech titan raked in hundreds of billions of dollars by allegedly making it difficult for consumers to switch to cheaper smartphones and devices.

As news agency AFP reported at the heart of the lawsuit is Apples alleged exclusionary practices that set strict and at times opaque conditions on firms and developers seeking to reach the iPhones 136 million US users.

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Attorney General Merrick Garland said, Consumers should not have to pay higher prices because companies violate the antitrust laws. If left unchallenged, Apple will only continue to strengthen its smartphone monopoly.

In its 88-page lawsuit, US alleges that Apple used its app review process to thwart development of so-called super apps and streaming apps, because it was worried such apps would provide less incentive for customers to stick with iPhones. Similarly, the company has made it difficult to connect iPhones to smart watches made by rivals and blocked banks and other financial firms from accessing its tap-to-pay technology, allowing Apple to earn billions in fees from processing Apple Pay transactions.

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However, the tech giant has denied the lawsuits allegations and stated that the lawsuit could empower government to take a heavy hand in designing peoples technology.

Other legal headaches

But the US lawsuit isnt the only legal trouble that Apple is facing. Apple has been hit with a fine of 1.84 billion (Rs 16,595 crore) by European Union antitrust regulators over its App Store rules, and has been told it cannot stop music services from advertising cheaper subscription deals outside of Apples store.

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Margrethe Vestager, European Commissions executive vice-president in charge of competition policy, had then said, For a decade, Apple abused its dominant position in the market for the distribution of music streaming apps through the App Store. They did so by restricting developers from informing consumers about alternative, cheaper music services available outside of the Apple ecosystem. This is illegal under EU antitrust rules, so today we have fined Apple over 1.8 billion.

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Besides the US lawsuit, Apple is also facing legal headaches from EU antitrust regulators. File image/Reuters

The tech giant is also facing fines in the Netherlands and South Korea. The Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), the Dutch antitrust watchdog hit Apple with 50 million (Rs 450 crore) in fines related to the tech giants failure to comply with an order to allow Netherlands-based dating app providers to use non-Apple payment methods. A similar scene also played out in South Korea.

The Tim Cook-led company has appealed the Dutch fine and, as per a New York Times report, awaiting the results of the probe in Seoul.

Theres also the face-off with video game publisher Epic Games , the makers of Fortnite. It alleges that Apple misuses its market power to wield control over their app stores. In 2020, Fortnite was kicked off Apple app stores after Epic Games offered its own in-app payment system that bypassed the one used by the platforms, and cut out the fees Apple received for in-app payments.

Last week, Epic filed a motion in court, arguing that Apple failed to honour a court-ordered injunction governing payments in its lucrative App Store, reported Reuters.

China falling out of love with Apple

Besides the lawsuits, Apple is also staring at a slowdown of sales from China.

The US tech giants iPhone sales are sliding in China as it sees increasing competition from locals such as Huawei and Vivo. In fact, iPhones sales in China have dipped 24 per cent during the first six weeks of 2022, as per data provided by Counterpoint Research. At the same time, sales of Huawei surged 64 per cent.

What is even more troubling is that Beijing, last September, imposed restrictions on its government employees from using iPhones at work or bring them into the office.

Apple CEO Tim Cook attends an opening event at the new Apple store in Shanghai, China. Reuters

In an attempt to woo back the Chinese customer, Apple has launched an all-out charm offensive; it rolled out rare discounts in January, slashing prices by about $70 for iPhones. And on 21 March (Thursday), Tim Cook visited Shanghai where he opened the eighth store, chatting with suppliers and taking selfies with customers. He was also quoted as saying to China Daily, Theres no supply chain in the world thats more critical to us than China.

Apple lags behind in AI

Ever since OpenAIs ChatGPT burst on to the scene, AI has become a buzz word with companies trying to jump on to the bandwagon. However, Apple has been quiet on this frenzy, with investors worrying that the company is lagging behind.

It is now rumoured that Apple will introduce new Siri features powered by AI in the release of iOS 18 later this year. Some on-device generative AI features also could become exclusive to iPhone 16 models, thanks in part to its custom chips. Tim Cook had in a company meeting last month assured that they would be breaking new ground in AI this year. We believe it will unlock transformative opportunities for our users, he had said.

But this may be a tad bit too late for Apple, as its competitor Samsung has already unveiled phones packed with AI features.

Apple has been quiet the AI frenzy, with investors worrying that the company is lagging behind. File image/Reuters

Apple Car is now dead

On 27 February, Apple announced that it was pulling the plug on its ambitious Apple Car project. For those who dont know, the Apple Car project was an effort to realise a fully electric and self-driving car.

While investors lauded this announcement, it also leaves Apple without any new and big money-maker in the future. This also makes many diehard Apple fans believe that the company is no longer as innovative as it once was. Moreover, as Bloomberg reports, it raises concerns that Apple is playing it safe, rather than fearlessly blazing a trail into new categories.

Loss of talent

One of the most concerning troubles for Apple is the exit of many of its executives. Starting at the end of 2022 and through 2023, the company lost about a dozen of its high-ranking executives. As per reports, most of the people who left carried the title of vice president, which is just below the senior vice president level that reports to Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook.

In February, Apples longest-serving senior industrial designer, Bart Andre, who joined in 1992, announced that he was retiring. Andre was one of the designers who helped create the aesthetic for Apple products released over the past three decades  even prior to Steve Jobs returning to the helm in the late 1990s.

Apple has seen a huge churn of talent in recent times. Some are concerned that the number of exits could affect the companys bottomline. File image/Reuters

Other top designers Colin Burns, Shota Aoyagi and Peter Russell-Clarke also left around the end of last year. Now, design is handled by Jeff Williams, the companys chief operating officer.

But whats the reason for the exits? Reports suggest that it might be due to the growing burden of responsibilities placed on managers as well as other factors like bureaucracy. In recent years, the company has become more bureaucratic over the years, especially when it comes to product development, explained Bloomberg.

Its interesting to see what happens next with Apple. Will it bounce back or will the many problems plaguing the tech giant cause it to fall from grace?

With inputs from agencies
Dr. Bob Fu, Founder and President of the ChinaAid Association, speaks during the ChinaAid banquet April 25, 2019, at Midland Country Club. James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram James Durbin / Midland Reporter-Telegram

There will be a meet and greet with persecuted religious Chinese families from the Mayflower Church who were brought to America by Midland organization ChinaAid on Saturday at Rock the Desert.

Sixty-five members of The Mayflower Church, according to ChinaAid CEO Chad Bullard, were brought to the Midland-Odessa area about a year ago. They were facing persecution in mainland China due to their Christian beliefs.

Bullard said the local community has assisted these new families as the acclimate to American life, including helping them find cars, places to live, bringing them food and pointing them towards job opportunities.

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What we want to do is just get them (the Chinese families) in front of the people and let them know that religious persecution is out there, Bullard said.

ChinaAid is a religious freedom organization founded by Bob Fu. In early February, Bunche Elementary school welcomed a group of Chinese students and their families who were brought to the United States.

What we (ChinaAid) do is if they get arrested, we expose the human rights violations because there is violations everywhere, they reach out to us as an organization and then we work with them, whether that is getting them lawyers, helping them rescue, whatever we have to do to help them out, Bullard said.

Bullard added that if these families were still back in China, many of them would be in prison, including possible lengthy prison sentences for the pastors and elders of the Mayflower Church.

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The Chinese government requires home churches to register with it and it monitors what churches are allowed to teach, according to Bullard. Punishments of religious persecution in China include prison sentences and torture.
The ED arrested Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday in an excise policy-related money laundering case, escalating the AAP-BJP rivalry that has on for a decade

Arvind Kejriwal becomes the first serving chief minister in the history of Independent India to be arrested. His party said he will continue in his post. File image/PTI

In a dramatic turn of events, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested in a case linked to the citys liquor policy from his residence on Wednesday (21 March), after nine summons issued by Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning  the latest being for Thursday (21 March)  which were ignored by him, calling them illegal.

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With this, Kejriwal becomes the first serving chief minister in the history of Independent India to be arrested. His party said he will continue in his post. Kejriwal, on the other hand, approached the Supreme Court against his arrest by the ED.

According to a report in Mint, the Delhi CM has filed a writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution challenging the arrest by the ED.

This arrest has escalated the ongoing rivalry between the Aam Aadmi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to new heights.

Heres how confrontations between the Kejriwal government and the Centre escalated over the years. Is Kejriwals arrest the end of it?

The decade-long tussle

The tussle between the two sides began with their almost simultaneous rise to power with the BJP receiving a massive mandate in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and the AAP forming the government in Delhi with a historic victory a year later by winning 67 Assembly seats out of 70.

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Even before this, Kejriwal, after a brief stint as chief minister of Delhi in 2013, challenged Modi in a much-publicised contest from Varanasi in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, setting the stage for a rivalry that has continued over the years.

Speaking in Delhi Assembly in February this year, Kejriwal, who is also the AAP national convener, asserted that the AAP is the biggest threat to the BJP and vowed to liberate the country from it in the 2029 Lok Sabha polls.

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The confrontations between the Kejriwal government and the Centre over governance related matters assumed political overtones and blame-game with both the AAP and the BJP joining their respective sides.

AAPs turbulent relationship with lieutenant governors

The Aam Aadmi Party dispensation since coming to power in Delhi in 2015 has been involved in frequent run-ins with the office of lieutenant governor.

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It began with the Kejriwal government confronting the then Lt Governor Najeeb Jung over the issues of control over Anti-Corruption Branch, transfer and posting of senior officers, and movement of official files, just after coming to power.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal being taken away from his residence after he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in an excise policy-linked money laundering case, in New Delhi. PTI

The AAP vociferously attacked Jung, who formed a three-member committee headed by former Comptroller and Auditor General of India V K Shunglu to look into 400 files of the Delhi government.

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Another controversy erupted when Jung appointed an IAS officer chief secretary who was asked by Kejriwal not to take charge and even locked his office over the matter.

The tussle between the AAP dispensation and the LG office continued even after Jung resigned in December 2016 and former Union home secretary Anil Baijal replaced him.

Baijals more than five-year tenure as Delhi LG witnessed numerous face-offs, the most remarkable being Chief Minister Kejriwal accompanied by his Cabinet colleagues staging a dharna inside Raj Niwas in 2018, alleging that city bureaucrats were not listening to the ministers.

The AAP dispensation also clashed with Baijal over appointment of special public prosecutors for trial of cases related to Delhi riots in 2020 and anti-CAA protests.

In July 2021, the then deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia objected to Baijal holding meetings with officers and instructing them on works that directly came under the purview of the elected government.

Power struggles

A more bitter face-off ensued after incumbent Lt Governor V K Saxena took charge in May 2022.

Within two months, Saxena recommended a CBI probe into alleged irregularities and procedural lapses in formulation and execution of the Kejriwal governments excise policy 2021-22.

This opened up an altogether new chapter of fraught relations between the AAP dispensation and the other side, with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arresting Sisodia and party MP Sanjay Singh in connection with the alleged liquor scam.

Delhi minister Atishi Singh outside the residence of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal after an ED team arrived there, shortly after the high court refused to grant Kejriwal protection from coercive action in an excise policy-linked money laundering case, in New Delhi. PTI

After the EDs summons to Kejriwal in connection with the excise policy linked money laundering case and also in a separate case related to Delhi Jal Board (DJB), the AAP has sharpened its attack on the BJP and its government at the Centre.

The AAP leadership has accused the BJP of trying to break the party by sending the Delhi chief minister behind the bars and toppling his government in Delhi.

The BJP, on the other hand, is having a field day slamming AAP and Kejriwal over alleged corruption in the Delhi government.

The Delhi LG empowered by implementation of Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act in August 2023, has assumed a more proactive role in governance related matters evoking strong protests by the Kejriwal government and AAP.

The power tussle between the Kejriwal government and the Centre has its genesis in a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs in May 2015, stipulating Delhi LG will have jurisdiction in services, public order, police and land matters.

The notification paved the way for a long legal battle between the two sides in the Delhi High Court as well as the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court on 11 May, 2023, ruled in favour of the Delhi government extending its executive powers over the services matters involving transfer and posting of senior officers.

Within days of SC verdict, the BJP-led Centre brought an ordinance that was later on turned into an Act restoring power balance in favour of its representative LG.

With inputs from PTI
Aam Aadmi Party has insisted that Arvind Kejriwal will continue as Delhi chief minister from jail despite his arrest. AAP leaders say that there is no law that states otherwise. Is that correct? What will be the challenges if he chooses to govern from behind bars?

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal being taken to the Enforcement Directorate office in the excise policy-linked money laundering case, in New Delhi. PTI

As a cavalcade of cars made their way to the Enforcement Directorate office after arresting Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case, his party leader Atishi declared that he would not resign from his post and, if needed, will run the government from jail.

Wednesday night (21 March) turned into a spectacle when a team of 10 ED officials arrived at the Delhi chief ministers official residence and after two hours arrested Arvind Kejriwal after confiscating his phones and other gadgets.

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With this development, Kejriwal has become the third senior leader from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to be arrested in this case and the first sitting chief minister to be arrested in independent India.

But the question that many are now asking is  Can Kejriwal run the government from jail? Is there a law that states otherwise?

We explore this and get you the answers.

Kejriwal to remain CM

Following Kejriwal s arrest and him being taken away to the ED office, the AAP held a press conference post-midnight, asserting that Kejriwal is and will remain the chief minister of Delhi.

Delhi minister Atishi speaking at the presser said, He will continue as the chief minister of Delhi. If need be, he will run the government from jail. There is no rule that stops him from running the government from jail since he has not been convicted.

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Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel, earlier, had also said that Kejriwal will run the Delhi government from jail if arrested. The party and all MLAs have decided that CM Kejriwal will not resign after the arrest. The government will be run from the jail, Ram Niwas Goel had said.

The AAP also alleged a huge conspiracy behind Kejriwals arrest ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

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What the law says

As per the Constitution, the President of India and governors of states and Union territories are exempt from civil and criminal proceedings until his/her term ends, as per the law. Article 361 of the Constitution says that the President of India and Governors of states are not answerable to any court of law for any act done in discharge of their official duties.

However, this does not extend to the prime minister or chief minister of a state.

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Its important to note that there is no law until now that stops a chief minister from running the administration of a state from behind bars. As per Representation of the People Act, 1951, an MLA or MP is only disqualified when convicted. As of now, Kejriwal has not been convicted, meaning he can technically and legally continue in office.

Supporters of the Aam Aadmi Party shout protest slogans in New Delhi following Arvind Kejriwals arrest. AP

Constitution expert SK Sharma told the Times of India there was no specific provision in the law that a chief minister had to necessarily resign and pass on the baton to somebody if he or she was arrested.

Challenges from governing behind bars

But while theres no law that stops Kejriwal from continuing to run the Delhi government from jail, it is easier said than done. There are many practical and even constitutional problems to running a state administration from prison. Imagine the practical problems in getting files to jail for Kejriwal to sign off on. Calling cabinet meetings in jail or review meetings with officials in his cell does not seem practical, Sharma said to Times of India.

As per an NDTV report, Tihar jail officials, where Kejriwal will eventually be taken to, said that there was no precedent to a chief minister working from jail. There is no mention of it in the jail manual and everything will be done according to the jail manual, a source told NDTV.

As per the current jail rules, an inmate can meet family, friends, or associates only twice a week. In such a situation, it will be difficult for him to govern.

There are also constitutional ramifications to Kejriwal running Delhi from jail. A chief minister governing from jail indicates a failure of constitutional machinery in state, the Indian Express reported, which could be used to argue for the imposition of Presidents Rule.

Article 239 AB gives powers to lieutenant governors to recommend to the President of India to suspend the operation of Article 239 AA. Thus, the LG could recommend the imposition of Presidents Rule if he believes that there is a breakdown of constitutional machinery in Delhi. And if done so, the consequences of it would be grave for the AAP.

Delhi minister Atishi with AAP workers being detained during a protest at ITO against the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). PTI

Replacing Kejriwal

While the AAP may insist that Kejriwal will continue as CM, it is clear that its feasibility is difficult. In a such a situation, there are rumours circulating that the AAP may pick a successor from the party to replace Kejriwal. This is exactly what former chief minister of Jharkhand, Hemant Soren, had done before he was arrested; his colleague Champai Soren took the oath of office. Similarly, in the past, former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav made Rabri Devi the CM before he was arrested in the fodder scam.

Speculation is swirling that either Saurabh Bharadwaj or Atishi could succeed Kejriwal as chief minister. However, at the time of this report, both of them had been detained as they participated in a protest against Kejriwals arrest.

An Economic Times report quoting sources said that Kejriwals wife, Sunita, could also be elected.

It is left to be seen what happens next, but stay tuned to Firstpost for more updates and explainers on this matter.

With inputs from agencies
After skipping nine summons, the Enforcement Directorate arrested Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday in the Delhi excise policy case. The investigating officials have alleged that the AAP leader conspired with others to frame the liquor policy that would benefit one lobby of traders through which the party earned kickbacks

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal being taken away from his residence after he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in an excise policy-linked money laundering case, in New Delhi. PTI

After months of speculation and a night which was full of high drama, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on Thursday night (21 March) by officials of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case. With this, Kejriwal now holds the honour of being the first sitting chief minister of Independent India to be arrested.

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After being taken away by ED officials, the Delhi CM spent the night in an ED lock-up.

In the meantime, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has given a call for a nationwide protest against the BJP, with Delhi unit convenor Gopal Rai terming the arrest as the murder of democracy and an announcement of dictatorship. I appeal to the countrymen to protest outside BJP offices across the country against this dictatorship. We will gather at the AAP office at 10 am on Friday and then protest outside the BJP headquarters, Rai, a minister in the Delhi government, said.

But what is the Delhi liquor policy case and how is Arvind Kejriwal linked to it? We get you all the answers.

Kejriwals dramatic arrest

On Thursday evening, a 10-member ED led by an additional director reached Arvind Kejriwals official residence on Flagstaff Road in Civil Lines in the national capital after the high court gave its orders in the matter.

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Incidentally, the appearance of the ED officials at Kejriwals house came after he had been issued summons in the matter of the Delhi liquor policy case nine times. Kejriwal was then arrested by the ED around 9 pm, two hours after the officials had arrived at his residence. According to an NDTV report, his and his wifes phones were confiscated and data from their two tablets as well as their laptop was transferred.

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As news emerged of his arrest, AAP leaders and supporters gathered outside his residence to protest. Delhi minister Atishi called the arrest a conspiracy by the BJP and PM Narendra Modi and said that Kejriwal would continue to be chief minister. We have said from the beginning that he will run the government from jail if need be. He has not been convicted No law stops him from doing so, she said.

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Amid high security and drama, the federal agency officials brought Kejriwal to their office in Delhi around 11.25 pm in an SUV. The chief minister was seen sitting in the rear seat of the vehicle wearing a white half-shirt. He was escorted by three ED officers.

A team of doctors and medics, called by the ED, conducted a basic check-up of Kejriwal as per the stipulated procedure undertaken for people arrested and kept in custody before production in court, the officials said.

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In the hours following Kejriwals arrest, the AAP moved the Supreme Court to quash the arrest order. The apex court is likely to hear the matter today (22 March).

Security as Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal is taken away from his residence after he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in New Delhi. PTI

Kejriwals arrest also drew out reactions from various other opposition parties. They claimed that the BJP is scared of the outcome of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and acting out of panic to create problems for the Opposition.

While the Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the arrogant Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is making false claims of victory every day and trying to weaken the Opposition by indulging in illegal means ahead of the parliamentary polls, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that a scared dictator wanted to create a dead democracy and said the INDIA bloc will give a befitting reply to such designs.

Delhi liquor policy case explained

Delhi CM and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwals arrest is all linked to the Delhi liquor policy case . But what exactly is it?

In 2021, the AAP government headed by Arvind Kejriwal brought in a series of changes to the liquor excise policy. The changes included granting store operation licences to private entities and removing the Delhi government from the business of selling liquor. It also included lowering the drinking age from 25 to 21 years and also proposed an increase in the annual liquor vending licence fee from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 75 lakh.

At the time, the Arvind Kejriwal government said it wanted to end the liquor mafia and black marketing, increase government revenue, and provide a better customer experience.

Aam Aadmi Party workers stage a protest against the arrest of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, in Kochi. PTI

However, this policy didnt last for long and was scrapped a year later on 1 September 2022. This action came after the Delhi chief secretary Naresh Kumar had submitted a report to the Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena in July earlier, pointing to alleged procedural lapses in the formulation of the policy.

Kumars report stated that decisions taken by then Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia as excise minister were arbitrary and had resulted in financial losses to the exchequer estimated at more than Rs 580 crore.

The report further alleged that AAP leaders received kickbacks from owners and operators of alcohol businesses for preferential treatment such as discounts and extensions in licence fee, waiver on penalties and relief due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, etc were used to influence the Assembly elections held in Punjab and Goa in early 2022.

It was then that Delhi lieutenant governor VK Saxena recommended a CBI probe. The CBI launched its investigations and raided Sisodias residence in August 2022. The agency named 15 individuals in its FIR filed in connection with the Delhi excise policy 2021-2022, with the AAP leaders name on top.

The ED also joined the case to probe the money laundering allegations. Subsequently, other leaders and bigwigs were arrested with K Kavitha , Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader and daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, being the most recent arrest.

Kejriwals link to the case

So, how is the Delhi chief minister connected to the case and what are the charges being made by the ED against Kejriwal?

The ED alleges that a conspiracy was hatched by political leaders including Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and K Kavitha (arrested last week) among others in the Delhi excise policy.

The agency alleges that the leaders formulated a liquor policy would benefit a liquor lobby from southern India, which the ED had called the South Lobby, reports NDTV. For this, the South Lobby would give the AAP Rs 100 crore, alleged the ED.

In fact, after arresting K Kavitha last week, the ED spokesperson said, ED investigation revealed that Ms K Kavitha along with others conspired with the top leaders of AAP including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia for getting favours in the Delhi excise policy formulation and implementation. In exchange for these favours, she was involved in paying Rs 100 crore to the leaders of AAP.

The ED alleges that Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia hatched a conspiracy and formulated a liquor policy would benefit a liquor lobby from southern India. File image/PTI

By the acts of corruption and conspiracy in the formulation and implementation of Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, a continuous stream of illegal funds in the form of kickback from the wholesalers was generated for AAP.

The probe agency also alleges that Vijay Nair , AAP media and communications in-charge and an accused in the case, facilitated meetings between liquor traders and Kejriwal. In fact, it was Nair who had arranged a meeting between the owner of Indospirit Group Sameer Mahendru and the Delhi CM. When the meeting did not materialise, Nair arranged a FaceTime call where Kejriwal allegedly told Mahendru that Nair was his boy and that he should trust him.

Theres also the recorded statement of C Arvind, an officer of Danics (Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu and Dadra and. Nagar Haveli (Civil) Services) and secretary to Sisodia. Arvind in his recorded statement said that he was called to the residence of Kejriwal by his boss Sisodia where he was handed over the draft group of ministers (GoM) report, the new excise policy that was allegedly tweaked to benefit the liquor cartel.

In February last year, the ED also grilled Kejriwals personal assistant (PA) Bibhav Kumar on allegations that he had destroyed and concealed evidence, among other things, in the Delhi excise scam. The ED alleges that Kumar and other accused either destroyed or changed SIM cards and 170 phone numbers to conceal facts in the Delhi excise policy case and moreover facilitated meetings and interactions between the accused and Delhi chief minister Kejriwal.

Based on this, the ED issued a summons  a total of nine  for Kejriwal. However, he skipped them, calling them motivated and at the behest of the BJP.

With inputs from agencies
With Arvind Kejriwals arrest in the Delhi liquor policy case, the Aam Aadmi Party faces its biggest challenge ever. There is a leadership crisis with the partys other political minds  Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain and Sanjay Singh  already in jail. As Lok Sabha elections near, what can we expect from AAP?

Aam Aadmi Party workers shout slogans as Enforcement Directorate arrived to arrest Arvind Kejriwal at his residence, in New Delhi on Thursday. Kejriwal was arrested in the alleged Delhi liqour scam. AP

It was months in the making. Now Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested in the alleged Delhi liquor scam. The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at the Delhi chief ministers residence on Thursday. He was questioned and then arrested, as the Delhi high court refused to intervene and provide any protection to him.

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Kejriwal is the first serving chief minister to be arrested. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief is the third senior leader from the party to be held in connection to the Delhi excise policy case . The other two are AAP MP Sanjay Singh and former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia.

The Delhi CMs arrest comes ahead of the Lok Sabha election . AAP ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj were also detained during protests against the arrest.

With many of its top leaders now arrested, what happens to the party? Will it dent its chances in the upcoming polls? We explain.

Will Kejriwal step down as CM?

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As of now, from what AAP leaders have been saying, Kejriwal will not step down as Delhi chief minister.

Delhi minister Atishi has said that the AAP convenor will continue as CM and run the government from jail. Arvind Kejriwal is and will remain the Chief Minister of Delhi there are no two ways about it, Atishi, who is currently the Number 2 in the Kejriwal government, was quoted as saying by NDTV.

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We made it clear from the beginning that he will work from jail if need be. There is no law that stops him from doing so. He has not been convicted, she added.

Arvind Kejriwal was taken to the Enforcement Directorate office in an excise policy case, in New Delhi, on Thursday. PTI

Delhi health and urban development minister Saurabh Bharadwaj echoed the same views. There is no plan to change the Delhi chief minister or the party chief. We have said before that if he is arrested, he will govern from jail and that stance has not changed.

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However, it is not easy to run a government from behind bars. There are legal and constitutional challenges that remain.

Several ministers, including from the AAP, like Satyendar Jain (arrested in a separate money laundering case) and Sisodia, have resigned after being denied bail.

Also read: What led to Arvind Kejriwals arrest? What is his link to Delhi liquor policy case?

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Who leads the AAP in Kejriwals absence?

Even if Kejriwal refuses to resign, the party will need a leader who is accessible  one who can run AAP and the Delhi government on the ground.

The AAP chief oversees everyday governance and plays a crucial role in expanding the partys footprints in other parts of the country. He is the face of the AAP.

But now with his arrest, the party will need some serious rethinking. It doesnt help that the other big political minds in AAP  Sisodia, Jain and Sanjay Singh are already jailed.

The challenge is to find a worthy leader who can match Kejriwals stature. He has been the partys convenor since its inception in 2012 and the Delhi CM for three terms spanning nearly a decade.

Atishi is leading the charge against the BJP after Kejriwals arrest. She is believed to be close to the Delhi CM. File photo/PTI

The next rung of leaders include Atishi, Bharadwaj, Raghav Chadha, Gopal Rai and Sandeep Pathak. The names doing the rounds to lead the party are Kejriwals wife Sunita and Cabinet ministers Atishi and Bharadwaj.

Sunita is a former Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer but has maintained a low profile all along.

Atishi, who holds the most number of portfolios in the Delhi government, including education, finance, PWD, revenue and services, is considered a close aide of Arvind Kejriwal. She is also a spokesperson of the party, who has been defending the AAP government and Arvind Kejriwal, and attacking the BJP in her press conferences and appearances on news channels  more so after the arrest.

Another prominent member of the Delhi cabinet is Bharadwaj, who holds important portfolios, including health and urban development. A known face, he is often seen defending the partys leaders and counter-attacking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its government at the Centre on issues of governance and politics.

The other name that has come up is that of Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, according to a report in the Press Trust of India (PTI). While he is popular among cadres in the state, it remains to be seen if he will leave it for Delhi.

Apart from running the governments in Delhi and Punjab, AAP also has MLAs in Gujarat and Goa.

With limited options, the party has to act quickly. The Lok Sabha elections are around the corner and Delhi also faces assembly elections next year.

Arvind Kejriwal was being taken away from his residence after he was arrested by the ED. He spent the night at the agency headquarters. PTI

Will Kejriwals arrest hurt the partys chances in Lok Sabha?

The arrest is the biggest crisis AAP has faced since its birth. With the Lok Sabha elections nearing, the timing could not have been worse.

The partys campaign in Delhi and Gujarat, where it is contesting four and two seats respectively, is centred around Kejriwal. The Delhi campaign is titled Sansad Mein Bhi Kejriwal, Toh Dilli Hogi Aur Khush Haal and in, Gujarat it says Gujarat Mein Bhi Kejriwal.

In Punjab, while Mann remains the face of AAP, Kejriwal has been travelling frequently. The party is contesting all 13 seats without an alliance with the Congress.

However, the EDs move comes as no surprise and the party seems to have a plan in place  Kejriwal has sealed an alliance with the Congress in Delhi, Gujarat and Haryana.

Arvind Kejriwal speaks during launch of their election campaign for upcoming Lok Sabha polls, at party headqaurters in New Delhi on 8 March. The Delhi CM is the face of the party and his arrest ahead of the polls poses several challenges for the party. PTI

Now the party is expected to use the arrest to its advantage and gather public sympathy. AAP leaders have already raised an alarm.

The Chief Minister has been punished in a false case, what enmity does the Central Government have towards his elderly parents and children? No one is being allowed to meet his family. No one can even sympathize and he is upset, Bharadwaj said in a post on X.

Atishi has raised concerns about Kejriwals security. For the first time in the country, a sitting Chief Minister has been arrested. Arvind Kejriwal has Z+ security cover. Now he is in the custody of ED of the Central Government. We are concerned about their safety and security, she wrote.

     sitting Chief Minister          Z+ security cover        ED       safety  security     Atishi (@AtishiAAP) March 22, 2024

Security has been tightened near roads leading to BJP headquarters where AAP leaders and workers will protest. The public images from the chaos following the arrest, the party, hopes will work in its favour to evoke emotions among its supporters.

Also read: How Arvind Kejriwals arrest intensifies the AAP-BJP tussle

The liquor scam might have dented Kejriwals image to some extent but not among his core voters who have hugely benefitted from his so-called freebies. They still consider him the best bet in Delhi and someone who has not been allowed to do his work by the central government, writes Aurangzeb Naqshbandi, a senior journalist in moneycontrol. The AAP is hoping that Kejriwals arrest will stir the people and further consolidate the 12-year-old party.

But with its main man arrested, it remains to be seen how much the party can stick to its motto: Ladenge, jeetenge.

With inputs from agencies
A decade back, Arvind Kejriwal rode to power in Delhi on the heels of his India Against Corruption (IAC) movement. Now, the Aam Aadmi Party leader, who cultivated a common man image in politics, has been arrested in a money laundering probe related to the scrapped excise policy of his government

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwals arrest last night in a money laundering probe related to the scrapped excise policy has created an uproar among his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Opposition leaders. The arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) comes just weeks before India heads to crucial general elections.

The AAP is expected to move a lower court against the Delhi CMs arrest after withdrawing its plea from the Supreme Court on Friday (22 March). After Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, Kejriwal is the third high-profile AAP leader arrested in the Delhi liquor policy case.

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The Delhi CMs arrest on corruption charges is significant as Kejriwal swept to power in the National Capital almost a decade back on an anti-corruption plank.

Lets take a closer look at his political journey.

Rise and rise of Arvind Kejriwal

Arvind Kejriwal became a household name in 2011 as he led the India Against Corruption (IAC) movement alongside social activist Anna Hazare. They sat on two hunger strikes in Delhi that year, demanding a Jan Lokpal (ombudsman) to tackle political corruption, noted Indian Express.

Kejriwal, a former IRS officer, won admirers nationwide with the anti-corruption movement, which is believed to have impaired the Congress-led UPA governments electoral prospects in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The Grand Old Partys regime was battling major corruption accusations at the time.

Veteran Indian social activist Anna Hazare (R) speaks to Arvind Kejriwal, a member of his team during their hunger strike in New Delhi on 2 August 2012. Reuters File Photo

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is said to have benefited from the Hazare-led movement. Riding on the Modi wave and anti-Congress sentiments, the saffron party was catapulted to power at the Centre, the newspaper reported.

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Emerging from the IAC, Kejriwal and his close aides floated the political party  AAP  in October 2012. The party gained peoples trust and won 28 of the 70 seats in the 2013 Delhi Assembly elections.

Kejriwal even trounced Congress leader and former CM Sheila Dikshit by over 25,000 votes from the New Delhi constituency. He formed the government with outside backing from the Congress.

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Leaning into his common man image, Kejriwal took a Metro to reach Ramlila Maidan for his swearing-in ceremony instead of an official vehicle. His government lasted only 49 days as Kejriwal resigned over the obstruction in the passage of the Jan Lokpal Bill in the Delhi Assembly, according to PTI.

Propelled by his partys performance in its poll debut in Delhi, Kejriwal decided to fight against the BJPs prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi from Varanasi in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. While the AAP leader secured over two lakh votes, he was defeated by Modi by a huge margin.

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As Delhi went to polls again in 2015, Kejriwals party returned to power with a bigger mandate, securing 67 of the 70 Assembly seats. The BJP managed to win three seats, while Congress drew a blank.

AAPs many disputes

As AAP tasted success in Delhi, differences began to arise within the partys leadership. In 2015, the party expelled several founding members like Yogendra Yadav, Prashant Bhushan, Anand Kumar and Ajit Jha.

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Yadav and Bhushan had hit out at Kejriwals alleged dictatorial ways, while the party accused them of undermining its electoral campaign in Delhi.

Another estranged founding member, Mayank Gandhi, told ThePrint in 2018 that Kejriwal was opportunistic and under him, AAP became an autocratic party from a democratic one.

Despite the exit of many prominent faces from the party, Kejriwal continued to garner popularity with his governments focus on improving the National Capitals health infrastructure, upgrading government schools and providing power and water subsidies.

Despite being denounced by his critics for capitulating on his Lokpal promise, Kejriwals acceptance among voters remained intact. While AAP could not win a single seat from Delhi in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the party returned to power in the city by winning 62 seats in the Assembly elections the following year.

ALSO READ: Arvind Kejriwal arrested: Can he continue as Delhi chief minister from jail?

Arvind Kejriwals life comes full circle

Kejriwal, 55, once called himself an insignificant man. However, that is far from the truth now.

After Delhi, the AAP registered a landslide victory in Punjab, overthrowing Congress from power in 2022. It also attained the status of a national party with its expansion in Gujarat by bagging five Assembly seats that year.

Over the decade, Kejriwals politics has evolved. From adopting a soft Hindutva approach to partnering with the Congress for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the AAP has seen major shifts in its stance.

Kejriwal, who rode to power as an anti-corruption crusader, is himself facing corruption charges. In a blow to his common man image, the BJP has accused Kejriwal of revamping his official bungalow for Rs 52.7 crore.

Supporters of Aam Admi Party, or Common Mans Party, shout slogans during a protest against the arrest of their party leader Arvind Kejriwal, in New Delhi, 22 March 2024. AP

The bespectacled, so-called mufflerman has now been arrested on graft allegations in connection with the Delhi excise policy case, after months of skipping ED summons. The Opposition has condemned his arrest, calling it an assault on democracy.

Last year, the Delhi CM had said at a press conference that if Kejriwal is corrupt then no one in this world is honest. As India goes to polls next month and AAPs top leaders are behind bars, we will have to wait to see if the party can successfully revive its anti-corrupt image and convince the voters of Kejriwals innocence.

With inputs from agencies
Trinamool Congress got at least Rs 540 crore worth electoral bonds from lottery king Santiago Martins Future Gaming. He also donated to DMK, YSR Congress, BJP and Congress

The TMC received Rs 1,610 crore through electoral bonds from 211 donors between 12 April, 2019 and 24 January, 2024. File image/PTI

Santiago Martin, the biggest purchaser of the electoral bonds, donated the highest amount of Rs 542 crore to Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC), according to the SBI data released Thursday by the Election Commission.

The owner of the Future Gaming also donated to DMK, YSR Congress, BJP and Congress.

Heres a closer look.

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TMC receives highest amount from top donor

The TMC received Rs 1,610 crore through electoral bonds from 211 donors between 12 April, 2019 and 24 January, 2024  receiving highest amount of Rs 542 crore from Lottery King Santiago Martin s company Future Gaming and Hotel Services Pvt Ltd.

In addition to Future Gaming, the TMC received Rs 281 crore from Haldia Energy and Rs 90 crore from Dhariwal Infrastructure. MKJ Enterprises and AVEES Trading Finance donated more than Rs 45 crore each. Other donors for Mamata Banerjees party include IFB Agro Industries, Chennai Green Woods, PCBL, Prarambh Securities, and Crescent Power, according to an Indian Express report citing EC data.

While the TMC received Rs 542 crore from the firm, the DMK, which is in power in Tamil Nadu, received Rs 509 crore, accounting for more than 77 per cent of the total amount received. The company donated Rs 160 crore to Andhra Pradeshs ruling Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP). The BJP received Rs 100 crore, while Congress received Rs 50 crore.

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While the TMC received Rs 542 crore from the firm, the DMK, which is in power in Tamil Nadu, received Rs 509 crore, accounting for more than 77 per cent of the total amount received. File image/PTI

According to data analysed by News18, nearly 90 per cent of the firms total donations went to the three parties  TMC, DMK, and YSRCP.

Additionally, Future Gaming also donated to Sikkim Krantikari Morcha and Sikkim Democratic Front, as per a Hindustan Times report. The two parties of Sikkim, one of the few states where lottery is legal, together got less than Rs 10 crore.

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While a plethora of well-known corporates bought the bonds when the electoral bond scheme was alive, the biggest donor to political parties, Future Gaming, purchased bonds worth Rs 1,368 crore.

Other donors

The second-biggest donor is known to be Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering, which has given Rs 966 crore to various parties including BJP, Bharat Rashtra Samiti and DMK.

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Megha Engineering donated Rs 584 crore to the BJP, around 55 per cent of its total donations. The firms donation in the BJPs total earnings from bonds stood at just about nine per cent. The party, over the last few years, got Rs 6,060 crore from electoral bonds.

Qwik Supply, the third largest donor to political parties using electoral bonds, bought Rs 410 crore bonds between 2021-22 and 2023-24, and gave Rs 395 crore to the BJP and Rs 25 crore to the Shiv Sena.

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Qwik Supply Chain Private Ltd, a little-known company with a registered address at Navi Mumbais Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge City (DAKC) and having links to Reliance Industries, is described as a manufacturer of warehouses and storage units, gave no money any other political party.

BJP was the major receiver of funds from big corporate groups like Vedanta, Bharti Airtel, Muthoot, Bajaj Auto, Jindal group and TVS Motor.

The Election Commission on Thursday made public a fresh data set of electoral bonds, including their alpha-numeric numbers that can help match their purchasers with the political parties that received the funds.

Vedanta group gave donations to BJP Congress, BJD and TMC while Bharti Airtel donated to BJP, RJD, SAD, Congress, Bihar Pradesh Janta Dal (United).

Muthoot donated to BJP, NCP Maharahstra Pradesh, Bajaj group to BJP and AAP Apollo Tyres to Congress, Keventers to BJP and Congress.

Industrialist Lakshmi Niwas Mittal donated to the BJP, while Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar Shaw donated to BJP, TMC and Congress.

Rungta Sons Private Limited donated to Congress, BJP, TMC and Sikkim Krantikari Morcha.

Pharmaceutical companies Piramal capital and Sun pharma donated to the BJP while Torrent pharmaceutical Limited donated to BJP, AAP and Congress, Natco Pharma gave BJP, TDP, TMC and BRS.

With inputs from PTI
The US government on Thursday sued Apple claiming the tech behemoth illegally maintained a monopoly for its iPhone by stifling competition and imposing high costs on consumers. This, however, is not the only legal dispute confronting the firm

Apple stated that it would "vigorously" contest the US lawsuit. Reuters

In the latest in a string of legal headaches facing Apple, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), along with 16 state attorneys general, filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple, claiming that it illegally maintained a monopoly for its iPhone by stifling competition and imposing high costs on consumers.

Apple has maintained monopoly power in the smartphone market not simply by staying ahead of the competition on the merits, but by violating federal antitrust law, said Attorney General Merrick Garland. Consumers should not have to pay higher prices because companies break the law () Monopolies like Apples threaten the free and fair markets upon which our economy is based. They stifle innovation; they hurt producers and workers; and they increase costs for consumers, Prosecutor Garland said addressing a press conference, as reported by AS USA.

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Apple stated that it would vigorously contest the lawsuit. A victory for the plaintiffs would hinder our ability to create the kind of technology people expect from Apple, the company said adding, if you have an iPhone, you can see for yourself the heart of the governments allegations.

This, however, is not the only legal dispute confronting the firm.

Stand-off with Epic Games

Video game publisher Epic Games has been scouring the courts and approaching the authorities for some years to force Apple and Google to open up their mobile operating systems, iOS and Android  which are between them installed on the vast majority of smartphones  to stores to allow the downloading of alternative applications alternatives.

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The intention: To end commission on user purchases.

Two years ago, a US federal judge asked Apple to permit publishers to offer users alternative payment methods, while declaring that Epic had failed to prove a violation of competition law.

But Epic, backed by other internet giants such as Microsoft and Meta, accuses Apple of not respecting this decision, according to the text of a collective initiative document transmitted on 20 March to a California court.

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US Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks to reporters during a brief news conference at the Justice Department in Washington, US. Reuters

Apple has proposed a solution allowing it to receive between 12 and 27 per cent of the take on purchases outside its store  this representing only a small reduction compared to what it charges on its App Store.

Epic Games also took Apple (and Google) to court in Australia over similar grievances. The trial opened Monday and is expected to last for five months.

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In the EUs sights

After music streaming platform Spotify took a case to the European Commission, the latter imposed a fine on Apple of 1.8 billion (Rs Rs 16,260 crore) on 4 March for preventing European users from accessing information on alternative, cheaper music streaming services.

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In Brussels view, Apple applied restrictions to prevent application developers from promoting alternative and cheaper offers outside the Apple ecosystem to iPhone and iPad users in order to favour its own service Apple Music.

Apple has decided to appeal the judgment.

The situation has become more complex for the company since 7 March when Europes Digital Markets Act (DMA) regulation came into effect.

The Spanish competition authority fined Apple and Amazon 194 million in 2023 for anti-competitive practices related to the distribution of Apple products by Amazon Spain. File image/Reuters

This historic arsenal of legislative power forces the worlds six largest companies, including Apple, to open up their platforms to competition.

Apple has announced that its European users will soon be able to download applications directly from websites.

French lighten load on appeal

In 2020, the French Competition Authority ordered Apple to pay a record fine of 1.1 billion (Rs 9,937 crore) for anti-competitive behaviour towards France-based retailers. The Paris Court of Appeal, however, reduced the sanction by two thirds in 2022, to 372 million (Rs 3,360 crore) after Apple said it had the right to appeal the original punishment.

Spain, Italy distribution

The Spanish competition authority imposed a global fine of 194 million (Rs 1,752 crore) on Apple and Amazon in 2023 for anti-competitive cooperative practices over distribution of Apple brand products by Amazon Spain.

The Italian equivalent body had for its part in 2021 fined Amazon and Apple 200 million (Rs 1,806 crore) for restricting access to Amazons platform for some resellers of Apple products.

British developers join in

Apple faces a further lawsuit relating to app store fees in Britain to the tune of 785 million pounds (Rs 8,277 crore). It is alleged that the firm charged third-party developers hefty unfair commissions of up to 30 per cent on purchases of apps in its app store.

Russian fines too

In January of this year Apple had to pay a $13.6-million (Rs 113 crore) fine in Russia for violating competition laws regarding in-app payments.

Apple had only last year had to pay a fine of some $11.1 million (Rs 92.43 crore) for allegedly abusing its dominant mobile apps market position.

With inputs from AFP
Canada plans to reduce its temporary residents and set a cap on temporary immigration for the first time ever. The move comes as the country seeks to address a housing shortage and stretched essential services. It is likely to impact Indians who want to settle or work there

In recent years Canada has seen a sharp rise in international students, foreign workers and other temporary residents who come to the country on time-limited visas as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government relied on immigration to drive economic growth and plug labor gaps. Reuters

Canada plans to reduce its temporary residents and set a cap on temporary immigration for the first time ever, Immigration Minister Marc Miller said on Thursday.

Ottawa also intends to lower the proportion of temporary foreign workers that companies are able to hire, according to Reuters.

The move comes at a time when the countrys population continues to grow faster than any other big countries mainly because of immigration.

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However, a significant number of Indians who intend to work or live in Canada could be affected by the new measure.

Lets take a closer look.

The latest move

Canada has experienced a significant uptick in the number of temporary residents in recent years, ranging from a surge in international students to more foreign workers filling job vacancies and individuals seeking refuge from conflicts and natural disasters, said Immigration Minister Marc Miller during a press conference.

He stated that in order to address the problem, they will first reduce the number of temporary residents from 6.2 per cent to five per cent.

Miller will convene a meeting with his provincial and territorial counterparts in May to finalise the plan, as per Reuters.

We need to ensure the number of temporary residents entering the country is at a sustainable level, the Immigration Minister told reporters in Ottawa.

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Restrictions on temporary foreign worker visas are expected to go into effect on 1 May.

Marc Miller. File Photo

Starting this fall for the first time, we will expand the immigration levels plan to include both temporary resident arrivals and permanent resident arrivals, he said, referring to the federal governments immigration targets.

Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault announced during a press conference in Ottawa on Thursday that the government will also lower the cap on the number of temporary foreign workers that businesses can hire from 30 per cent to 20 per cent, except for some industries like agriculture.

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Before searching for workers from other nations, the Minister urges firms to make a greater effort to hire Canadians or refugees. According to him, there are 1.2 million job seekers in Canada but only 650,000 available positions.

Changes are necessary to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of the system, Miller emphasised.

Miller has directed Canadas immigration department to assess current programmes that facilitate the entry of temporary migrants to better align them with labour demands and remove any instances of abuse, as per Economic Times.

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The most recent action also follows a recent announcement that capped new permits for foreign students and instituted visa requirements for some visitors to Mexico.

The reason

One major factor contributing to Canadas rapid population growth has been temporary residents. The number of people living in the nation temporarily, including workers, students, refugees, and asylum seekers, is more than 2.5 million, making up 6.2 per cent of the total population, according to CBC News.

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But with so many newcomers, there are worries about housing and other amenities (including healthcare). Some analysts now claim that heavy immigration is making homes even more difficult to find, despite the governments previous claims that it would help with the ageing population and job shortages and boost the economy, as per Indian Express.

Miller believes they need to do more planning and discuss the issue of having enough housing for workers with the provinces. In addition, he aims to facilitate the transition of temporary residents into permanent ones.

In addition, the population increase in Canada is exceeding the development of jobs, making the labour market even tighter.

According to Economic Times which cited official data, there were 678,500 job openings in the final quarter of 2023, down 3.6 per cent from the record high of 983,600 in the second quarter of 2022. This is the sixth straight quarterly reduction in job openings.

Before bringing in a foreign worker, the government wants firms to demonstrate that they have made an effort to hire asylum seekers.

Miller believes that since those who are currently in Canada would have somewhere to reside, this together with hiring international students might help solve the housing crisis.

Impact on Indians

India is one of the top ten countries of origin for temporary foreign workers (TFWs) with a contribution of 26,495 in 2023, as per Indian Express. This means that Indians who intend to settle or work in Canada will be negatively impacted by its decision.

In recent years, there has been a steady increase in the Indian community in Canada. In Canada, the number of Indians who are officially registered increased from 670,000 in 2000 to over one million in 2020. A total of 1,021,356 Indians were registered in Canada by 2020.

Advocates for temporary foreign workers, according to Canadian news site Global News, criticised the latest move, claiming that migrants are scapegoated for the affordability and housing crisis and that they labour in unsafe conditions.

According to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the decision will have an adverse impact on Canadas already fragile workforce shortage problems in certain industries.

Ottawa should be careful placing arbitrary immigration caps. Temporary residents, including temporary foreign workers, are a critical pool of talent for some sectors of our economy. The reality is that we currently have more than 600,000 unfilled job vacancies across the country negatively impacting our ability to grow our economy, Diana Palmerin-Velasco, senior director at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce told Global News.

With inputs from agencies
As per law, Arvind Kejriwal can continue as chief minister of Delhi as long as he is not convicted. However, his arrest has posed a leadership crisis in AAP as well as the Delhi government

Delhi, along with the rest of the country, is wondering who would the next chief minister of the national capital would be in case Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena cites breakdown of Constitutional machinery and recommends Presidents Rule in the city after the arrest of AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal.

On Thursday evening, Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the alleged excise policy scam case after he avoided nine summons issued by the investigative agency.

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While AAP says Kejriwal will not step down from the post of Delhi Chief Minister even after his arrest and will run the government from jail, if needed, given Delhis status as a state with a Union Territory, the LGs role becomes more important in such cases.

Under Section 239 AB, of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the LG can cite breakdown of Constitutional machinery and recommend Presidents Rule.

The L-G can also cite the same reason to dismiss the government under section 239 AA.

But who would be the next CM of Delhi if Kejriwal decides to resign?

As per law, Kejriwal can continue as chief minister as long as he is not convicted. He is also the first sitting CM in India to be arrested. However, his arrest has triggered a leadership crisis in AAP as well as the Delhi government.

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There is a big challenge before the party to come up with a worthy leader who can handle both the party and its government in Kejriwals absence as senior AAP leaders - Satyendar Jain, Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh are also in jail.

Sunita Kejriwal, Atishi, or Saurabh Bharadwaj, who will be Delhis next CM?

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Names of Sunita Kejriwal, Arvind Kejriwals wife, who is a former IRS officer; AAP ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj are in the buzz for chief ministerial post in Delhi.

Atishi, who is considered to be a close aide to Kejriwal, holds the most number of portfolios in the Delhi government, including education, finance, PWD, revenue and services. She is also a spokesperson of AAP.

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Bharadwaj, too, is a prominent member of the Delhi Cabinet holding important portfolios, including health and urban development in the Kejriwal-led government.

He is also a well known face of the party, often engaged in defending the party and its leaders and counter-attacking the BJP and its government at the Centre on issues of governance and politics.

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Who will head AAP?

Kejriwal has been AAPs convenor since the inception of the party in 2012 and Delhi Chief Minister for three terms spanning almost a decade.

But with Kejriwal in jail, the AAP leadership has to find his replacement to head the party that runs the governments in Delhi and Punjab besides having MLAs in Gujarat and Goa.

Also, the party has to make a decision swiftly as the AAP is gearing up to contest Lok Sabha 2024 polls in Punjab, Delhi, Gujarat, Assam, and Haryana where Kejriwal was to be a key campaigner of the party.

For AAPs national convenor role, names of Sunita Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Atishi are taking rounds.
In an ambitious move to enhance the educational landscape of Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government, under CM Mann, has rolled out significant reforms and initiatives

Punjabs literacy rate has gone up from 75.84 per cent (from the 2011 census) to 83.7 per cent (NSSO, 2018), reports suggest. This big jump in the literacy rate is attributable, in no small measure, to the policies of the state government.

Several times during his tenure, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has spoken about implementing the Delhi model of education in Punjab. In an ambitious move to enhance the educational landscape of Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government, under CM Mann, has rolled out significant reforms and initiatives.

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Here is an in-depth look at the top 10 recent measures that aim to revolutionise both primary and higher education in the state.

1. Increased budgetary allocation: The 2024-25 budget earmarks Rs 16,987 crore for the education sector, accounting for approximately 11.5 per cent of the total budget expenditure, showcasing the governments commitment to education.

Introduction of Schools of Happiness: The AAP government allocated over Rs 10 crore for Schools of Happiness in the 2024-25 state budget. This marked the first time focus was laid on such schools in the state. With this initiative, the idea is to improve primary education infrastructure and quality. A plan to upgrade 100 primary schools into Schools of Happiness, with an allocation of Rs 10 crore

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3. Schools of Eminence set up, work continuing: In the 2023-2024 Budget, the Schools for Eminence program for classes 9 to 12 were in focus, getting Rs 200 crore funding. There are 118 such schools. This year, another Rs 100 crore have been allotted for the schools.

Focus on primary education: While the previous years budget highlighted the Schools of Eminence program for classes 9 to 12, this years emphasis on primary education seeks to address infrastructural deficiencies in government primary schools.

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5. Transformation of schools: A plan to upgrade 100 government senior secondary schools into Schools of Brilliance and 100 primary schools into Schools of Happiness, with an allocation of Rs 10 crore for each initiative, aims at enhancing the learning environment through better infrastructure and resources.

6. Launch of School to Work pilot project: This innovative project will provide practical training in high-demand professional streams to students in classes 11 and 12 in 40 government schools, preparing them for future careers.

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7. Strategic partnerships for vocational training: Collaboration with private entities, including Max Healthcare and Orane International, will offer specialized courses in sectors like healthcare and beauty & wellness, enhancing vocational education.

8. Teacher recruitment and regularisation: The governments focus on improving teaching quality includes the regularization of 12,316 teachers, recruitment of 9,518 new teachers, and skill enhancement programs for principals and headmasters.

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9. Infrastructure and safety improvements: Significant investments in school infrastructure, including the repair of 4,300 toilets, installation of over 12,000 internet connections, and enhanced security measures, aim to create a conducive learning environment.

Mission Samarth and medical education expansion: The launch of Mission Samrath with a budget of Rs 10 crore will focus on skill development among students. Additionally, the government is expanding medical education facilities, including the construction of new medical colleges and a girls hostel at Government Ayurvedic College, Patiala, with a proposed outlay of Rs 1,133 crore for medical education and research.

Through these comprehensive steps, the Bhagwant Mann government is setting a new benchmark for educational excellence in Punjab, aiming not only to improve the current state of education but also to ensure that students are well-prepared for the challenges of the future.

With inputs from agencies
Associated Press Writer

Paulette Everett-Norman's self-described Cinderella life suddenly was shattered when her son was taken from her forever by a trusted family friend.

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"I lost my greatest prize," she said of 12-year-old Samuel McKay Everett. "McKay was the most special boy. He was one of my dearest friends. We could talk and share and it was just amazing the level of communication we had."

McKay's decomposing remains were found at the edge of a Louisiana swamp a few days after he disappeared from his Conroe home Sept. 12, 1995. He had been beaten and shot in the head and chest with a .45-caliber pistol.

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The man arrested for his slaying, Hilton Crawford, was a longtime acquaintance of the Everett family and was known fondly to McKay as "Uncle Hilty."

Crawford, convicted of capital murder, is scheduled to be executed Wednesday evening for the slaying.

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McKay's mother says she'll there to watch.

"For years, I said I wouldn't do that," she said. "It's not that I am against the death penalty. I think there are just some things in life you do that warrant that kind of punishment.

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"I realized that I was avoiding part of this process. Even though I don't like being put in this set of circumstances, the fact is I'm in this set of circumstances and if I run from it, that's just not good."

That realization, and even the ability to express it, shows just how far Everett-Norman has come since the crushing loss of her son.

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The good life for the elementary school teacher in Conroe, just north of Houston, imploded dramatically in the aftermath of McKay's death. She suffered a stroke, a physical and emotional meltdown, her marriage crumbled into divorce and she underwent rage therapy.

"I realized in going through therapy we all have defining moments," she said. "Defining moments are choices. I had a choice. I couldn't control what Hilton did, but I had a choice of how to react to it.

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"When I came to from the stroke, I could not speak or walk. I took stock of what I could do. I thought at first I was in a car accident. And then it hit me.

"It was McKay"

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McKay's sudden disappearance from his comfortable suburban home in a heavily wooded neighborhood touched off an intense police hunt and a media frenzy.

His parents that evening left him at home as they attended an Amway meeting and when they returned a couple of hours later he was gone. Within a few minutes, they received a phone call demanding $500,000 ransom in $100 bills.

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Crawford's name surfaced as the frantic parents assembled for police names of people they knew.

Crawford was supposed to attend the same Amway meeting as the Everetts but was a no-show.

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Witnesses reported seeing a gold Chrysler like Crawford's speeding through the neighborhood that night.

The car was later found at a storage yard in Beaumont, the southeast Texas city where Crawford once worked as a police officer and sheriff's deputy, and midway between Conroe and the Louisiana site where McKay's body was found.

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Crawford had been working as a manager for a security company, a business he once owned, but he and his wife had filed for bankruptcy, listing debts of $370,000.

Three days after the disappearance, he was arrested on kidnapping charges. The next day, a Saturday night, he told investigators he wanted to get something off his chest and drew them a map of a gravel road just north of Interstate 10 in the middle of south Louisiana's Atchafalaya Swamp.

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What was left of McKay's body was in the weeds.

Irene Flores, a Houston woman who once worked for Crawford at his security business, pleaded no contest to kidnapping and received a 25-year prison term for placing the ransom call to the Everett house. She contended Crawford duped her into making the call and never thought McKay would be harmed.

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Crawford, who at 64 is the second-oldest of Texas' 451 condemned prisoners, maintains while he was present when McKay was killed, he did not pull the trigger. He blames that on R.L. Remington, a man he said he met at a Louisiana race track. Prosecutors said Remington was a figment of Crawford's imagination.

"It wasn't me," Crawford said in an interview earlier this month. "I was guilty for being there and guilty for being involved. What happened wasn't supposed to happen."

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Asked why he just didn't step in and stop the shooting, he replied: "I wish I would have, but these people I was involved with, once it got too far, it was impossible to stop."

Mike Aduddell, the lead prosecutor in the case, said Crawford violated the trust of McKay and his parents.

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"That's what in so many people's mind had an effect on them, that somebody would do something like this to someone that they knew," Aduddell said last week. "It was just unbelievable."

Authorities speculated the boy was told his parents had been injured or needed him and that's why he went with his abductor.

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Crawford, whose appeals were rejected last week by the U.S. Supreme Court, insists he's had a good life and that he's prepared to die.

"I've been really blessed," he said. "I've brought Christ to several of the men here. I've got peace in my heart."

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He plans to be buried in a Franciscan robe and would like to receive forgiveness from Paulette.

"There's a wall between us," he said, acknowledging he understands why she might be hostile. "If I was on the other side, I don't know if I could. I just pray. I can understand."

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Everett-Norman has emerged from three years of physical therapy. She has remarried and is teaching elementary school again. She also is involved in The McKay Foundation, which seeks to educate children and parents about the possibility of harm.

"The greatest thing I can contribute is the story of what happened and hope people can look at me and hear my story and have an awareness," she said.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the excise policy case post-interrogation after failing to appear for investigation nine times

Union Minister Anurag Thakur Friday said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been exposed in the liquor policy scam and added that leaders of the party should not have remained away from the Enforcement Directorates (ED) investigation if they claimed to be innocent.

Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on Thursday evening in the excise policy case post-interrogation after failing to appear for investigation nine times.

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The BJP, whom the AAP blames for the political witch-hunt against the Delhi CM, has demanded that Kejriwal should step down as the chief minister immediately.

The AAP last night called for nationwide protests against CMs arrest and said that he will not resign.

Arvind Kejriwal was the Delhi CM, is the CM and will continue to remain the CM. He will not resign, Delhi Minister Atishi said, adding, Kejriwal will continue as chief minister of Delhi and run the government from jail.

Insult to people of Delhi

Reacting to Atishis remarks, Thakur said: They are saying that Arvind Kejriwal will run the government from the jail. This is an insult to the people of Delhi, law and democracy.

The leader also mentioned that AAP which once ran a national campaign against Congress corruption scandals has themselves refused to appear before authorities in a corruption case.

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It is unfortunate that a political party that spoke about the corruption of the Congress, and demanded the arrest of Sonia Gandhi, has refused to appear before the ED even after nine summons. Why did have to remain away from the investigation All of them are exposed in this liquor scam, Thakur said.

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Meanwhile, AAP has called for a nationwide protest over the arrest of Kejriwal. In Delhi, several party leaders including, Cabinet Ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj have been detained by the police for leading a mega protest at Delhis ITO on Friday, in violation of authorities prohibitory orders.
I am very upset that Arvind Kejriwal, who used to work with me, raise his voice against liquor, is now making liquor policies. His arrest is because of his own deeds, said Anna Hazare

Social activist Anna Hazare on Friday said that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals arrest in connection with a money laundering case linked to Delhi excise policy is because of his own deeds.

Speaking to ANI news agency in Maharashtras Ahmednagar on Friday, Hazare said its hard to believe that a person who once used to raise voice against liquor was now rolling out liquor policies to launder money.

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#WATCH | Ahmednagar, Maharashtra: On ED arresting Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Social activist Anna Hazare says, "I am very upset that Arvind Kejriwal, who used to work with me, raise his voice against liquor, is now making liquor policies. His arrest is because of his own deeds..." pic.twitter.com/aqeJEeecfM  ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2024

I am very upset that Arvind Kejriwal, who used to work with me, raise his voice against liquor, is now making liquor policies. His arrest is because of his own deeds, said Hazare.

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Kejriwal had joined the Anna movement in 2011 against the then Congress governments alleged corruption. He rode on to the fame and floated his own political party in 2012, and contested for the chief ministers post.

Kejriwal was arrested on Thursday night following two hours of questioning by the Enforcement Directorate and was later taken to the agencys headquarters where he spent the night.

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The arrest, the first of a sitting chief minister, came hours after the Delhi High Court refused to grant protection to the AAP national convenor from any coercive action by the agency.

The 55-year-old leaders arrest, amid campaign for the Lok Sabha elections, drew angry reactions from his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The party said Kejriwal will continue as the chief minister of Delhi. If need be, he will run the government from jail.

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The BJP though demanded that Kejriwal step down as chief minister on moral grounds.

Following his arrest, the AAP called a nationwide protest against his arrest. Delhi Cabinet ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj, who were leading a mega protest march at Delhis ITO on Friday, were detained along with other protesters for violating prohibitory orders.

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The two ministers were pushed into a police bus as officials asked protesters to disperse in view of prohibitory orders under Section 144 imposed in the area.

With inputs from agencies
Whats making news in India today? Catch up quickly with this update on the stories that matter

BJP to go solo in LS and Assembly polls in Odisha

The BJP will go solo in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Odisha, state party president Manmohan Samal said on Friday. Talks for pre-poll alliance were being held between the ruling BJD and the opposition BJP. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will fight this election alone in all 21 Lok Sabha and 147 Assembly seats to create a developed India and a developed Odisha under the visionary leadership of Honble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to fulfil the hopes, aspirations and aspirations of four and a half crore Odiyas, Samal said in a post on X.

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BJP names candidates for 14 more Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu

The BJP on Friday named its Lok Sabha poll candidates for 14 seats in Tamil Nadu and the lone seat of Puducherry. It has fielded A Namassivayam, a minister in the Puducherry government, from the union territory. The party had names its candidates for nine Lok Sabha seats on Thursday. Among the allies, the party has allotted 10 seats to Dr Ramadoss-headed Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) while a few seats have been given to some smaller partners. The BJP had on Thursday fielded its Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai from Coimbatore and Union Minister L Murugan from Nilgiris. It nominated former Telangana governor Tamilisai Soundararajan from Chennai South seat and ex-union minister Pon Radhakrishnan from Kanniyakumari, which he represented in 2014.

Ponmudy sworn in as minister by TN Governor, a day after SC nudge

Senior DMK leader K Ponmudy was on Friday sworn in as minister by Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi, a day after the Supreme Courts nudge. About three months after he lost his post following his conviction by the Madras High Court on 19 December 2023 in a disproportionate assets case, Ponmudy is now again the Tamil Nadu Minister for Higher Education. In a simple ceremony at the Raj Bhavan, Ravi administered the oath of office and secrecy to Ponmudy in the presence of Chief Minister MK Stalin and a couple of other ministers including Udhayanidhi Stalin and Ma Subramanian. Ponmudy was assigned higher education portfolio, which was briefly held by Backward Classes Minister R S Rajakannappan.

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Kejriwal withdraws from SC plea against arrest by ED

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday withdrew from the Supreme Court his plea against arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in the excise policy-linked money laundering case. Kejriwals counsel said he would contest the remand proceedings before the trial court and then come back to the apex court with another petition. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, mentioned the matter before a bench headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna and said since the remand proceedings before the trial court later in the day will be clashing with the hearing in the top court, he be allowed to withdraw the plea.

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AAPs Saurabh Bharadwaj, Aatishi detained as party protests against Kejriwals arrest

Following Aam Aadmi Partys (AAP) nationwide call for protests against the BJP-led Centre over the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case, Cabinet ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj, who were leading a mega protest march at Delhis ITO on Friday, were detained along with other protesters for violating prohibitory orders. The two ministers were pushed into a police bus as officials asked protesters to disperse in view of prohibitory orders under Section 144 imposed in the area.

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One killed, several trapped as under-construction bridge collapses in Bihars Supaul

A person was killed, and several workers were trapped after an under-construction bridge collapsed in Bihars Supaul, according to an India Today report. The incident took place when a slab of an under-construction bridge being built over the Kosi river collapsed. The district official later confirmed the death of one person and injuries to several others. Those injured were rushed to a hospital for treatment.

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With inputs from agencies
The two countries exchanged several MoUs and signed agreements in the fields of energy, trade, digital connectivity, space and agriculture, and finalised the MoU on the establishment of rail links between the two nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured Bhutans leadership of Indias unwavering support in its development endeavours during his two-day state visit to Bhutan to strengthen Indias ties with the Himalayan kingdom under the Neighbourhood First Policy.

Highlighting the unique bilateral relationship between the two countries, Modi expressed Indias commitment to fostering greater cooperation across various sectors including connectivity, infrastructure, trade, and energy.

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PM Modi announced New Delhis pledge to provide financial assistance of Rs 10,000 crore to Thimphu over the next five years, reaffirming Indias commitment to Bhutans progress and prosperity.

The two countries exchanged several MoUs and signed agreements in the fields of energy, trade, digital connectivity, space and agriculture, and finalised the MoU on the establishment of rail links between the two nations. Modi called on the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and held talks with Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said that Prime Minister Narendra Modis announcement to provide Rs 10,000 crore to Bhutan for supporting its 13th five-year plan includes Indias support for its economic stimulus package.While addressing a special briefing on PM Modis State Visit to Bhutan, Kwatra noted that India has been the largest development partner of Bhutan since the inception of Bhutans next five year plan process. He recalled that India had given support of Rs 5000 crore for Bhutans 12th five year plan.

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Kwatra said, Another very significant outcome for India-Bhutan relationship from this ongoing state visit of Prime Minister was the announcement by Prime Minister that the government of India will be supporting the 13th five year plan of Bhutan to the tune of Rs 10,000 crore. This assistance for the 13th five year plan of 10,000 crores also includes Indias support for Bhutans economic stimulus package. As you are aware, India has been the largest development partner of Bhutan since the inception of Bhutans next five year plan process.

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King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the Fifth King of Bhutan, who presented him with the honour, and members of the royal family were also present on the occasion.

We collaborate and celebrate each others successes.When Indias mission Chandrayaan was successful, the people of Bhutan were as happy as the people of India were, Modi said.

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Your Majesty, youre taking forward the rich culture of Bhutan with a modern vision. Your efforts are promoting innovation along with inner joy in Bhutan. Bhutan has given the world the concept of Gross National Happiness. I am confident that Bhutans Mindfulness City will also become an inspiration for the world.

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Modi, speaking in Hindi, asserted that Our ties are inseparable. Our friendship is inseparable. Our mutual cooperation is inseparable. And, the main thing is our faith is unwavering. And, that is why this day is very special for me.

People from Bhutan dressed in their native wear and holding flags of both countries clapped intermittently as Modi addressed them. Ensconced between the mighty Himalayas and India, sharing its border on west, south and east, Bhutan and India share a unique and enduring partnership which is rooted in mutual trust, understanding and goodwill.

Modis visit to Thimphu 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.

India 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.

Earlier, Modi thanked Prime Minister Tobgay for the exceptional public welcome accorded to him, with people greeting him all along the journey from Paro to Thimphu, Indias Ministry of External Affairs said here in a statement.

Modi also received an audience with the Fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, here. The Fourth King of Bhutan extended a warm welcome to the Prime Minister, who in turn, thanked The Fourth King for his leadership, vision and contributions to the strengthening of India- Bhutan relations.

Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome upon his arrival at the Paro International Airport where he was warmly received by Prime Minister Tobgay.

Dressed in their traditional best, the Bhutanese people lined up the entire 45-kilometre route from Paro International Airport to Thimphu, which was decked up with Indian and Bhutanese flags.

Later, a group of Bhutanese youngsters, dressed in traditional Indian attire, performed a dance on a Garba song written by Modi to welcome him to their country.

After watching them perform with rapt attention and applauding at the end of the performance, Modi posted on X along with photos from the occasion: I am grateful to the people of Bhutan, especially the young children, for the memorable welcome to their beautiful country.

With inputs from agencies.
In the first-cabinet meeting, the Punjab government set a bold target of providing 26,000 jobs, a goal achieved within just nine months

In just two years since its ascent to power, the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab made significant strides in tackling the issue of unemployment in the state.

In a recent development, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann distributed appointment letters to 2,487 youth across various departments this month, stressing commitment to merit-based recruitment.

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Job without recommendation

We are giving jobs to the youth without recommendation and without bribe It is also the duty of the youth to sit on the chairs and perform their duty honestly without bribe and without recommendation, Mann said, addressing the youth.

Achieving target in nine months

In the first-cabinet meeting, the Punjab government set a bold target of providing 26,000 jobs, a goal achieved within just nine months.

As per Hindustan Times report, around 42,000 individuals have been employed across 40 state departments, with a substantial 27 per cent of these placements, around 11,467 jobs, occurring in the education sector.

Providing jobs in the state has been a work in progress", Jaspreet Talwar, the principal secretary of the employment generation and skill development department had said.

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The AAP government also organised 3,530 placement camps for 2.04 lakh people with a view to help them secure private sector jobs. Besides this, the services of a large number of contract employees were also regularised in the last two years.

Investing in self-employment

Beyond traditional employment methods, the government has actively promoted self-employment opportunities. Over the span of two years, 1,149 self-employment camps were organised, accompanied by 15,707 career talks, 331 conferences, and guidance sessions, benefitting 1.64 lakh applicants, Talwar added.

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann in February announced Rs 1 crore financial assistance as well as a government job for the family of farm protester Shubh Karan Singh, who died in Haryana Police action at the Khanauri border in February.
A slab of the under construction bridge built on the Kosi river collapsed near Maricha in Bihar. More than 30 workers trapped under debris

A portion of under construction bridge being built on Kosi river collapsed in Bihar. PTI File

Bihar had an unfortunate start to its day, as a portion of an under-construction bridge in Supaul collapsed resulting in the death of one worker. Several other workers were feared to be trapped.

At the time of filing this report, around 30 workers were stuck under debris.

Local authorities and several volunteers swung into action and a rescue operation was underway.

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Around 8-10 injured workers were rescued and immediately rushed to the hospital.

Bihar bridge collapse

A slab of the bridge collapsed near Maricha between Bheja and Bakaur in Bihar.

The bridge was being built on Kosi river, at a cost of Rs 984 crore, as per reports. It was scheduled to be completed in 2025.

VIDEO | Several workers are reportedly trapped as a part of an under-construction bridge over #Kosi River collapses in Bihar's #Supaul. Rescue work underway. More details are awaited.#BiharNews



(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/iNU9SGLevQ  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 22, 2024

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Last year, a four-lane bridge under construction in Bihars Bhagalpur district collapsed like a house of cards for the second time. The bridge built over the Ganga River, at an estimated cost of Rs 1,700 crore crashed, with CM Nitish Kumar initiating an inquiry into the matter. The project, inaugurated in 2014, failed to meet its completion deadline whopping eight times.

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The incident happened on the day when Bihar celebrates its 112th formation day.

Bihar celebrates its formation day on March 22 after being carved out from Bengal in 1912.

President Draupadi Murmu wished the people of the state progress and called Bihar a historical centre of Indian culture & education.
American interference in Indias internal matters in the name of democracy, secularism, religious freedom and human rights in all these decades smacks of hypocrisy

On 10 September, 2013, then American president Barack Obama said, America is not the worlds policeman.

In a prime-time speech to the nation, he asked Americans to support a military strike against Syria after the Bashar al-Assad regime gassed more than 1,000 people to death in the Ghouta countryside in the ongoing civil war.

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However, conflating Assads use of Sarin with United States national security, Obama said, Our ideals and principles  I determined that it is in the national security interests of the United States to respond to the Assad regimes use of chemical weapons through a targeted military strike.

Since 1776, the US has intervened militarily 393 times in other nations, according to the Centre for Strategic Studies Military Intervention Project, with 114 in the post-Cold War era. Several such strikes were ordered in the name of restoring democracy, American ideals and principles and so on, particularly in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

The interventionist policy is not restricted to military action. The US often comments on internal matters of other nations, especially in Asia, that have no relation to its external or internal security.

Last weeks US comments on the notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 and close monitoring of its implementation is the latest example of American interference.

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We are concerned about the notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act on March 11. We are closely monitoring this Act and how it will be implemented, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters.

India hit back immediately. The US State Departments statement is misplaced, misinformed and unwarranted, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told the media.

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Similarly, external affairs minister S Jaishankar criticised the US comment . In reply to US ambassador Eric Garcettis statement that America cant give up on religious freedom and equality, Jaishankar mentioned the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, Lautenberg Amendment and Spector Amendment, which fast-tracked citizenships for specific minorities. If you are saying you are picking some faiths, not others, I will give you many examples from across the world.

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Even the European Parliament tried to poke its nose into CAA by introducing a resolution on 28 January, 2020, terming it discriminatory.

US President Joe Bidens predecessor, Donald Trump, for all his flaws, refused to be dragged into CAA row. During his February 2020 visit, he said, I dont want to discuss that [CAA]. I want to leave that to India. That is really up to India.

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Irrespective of the CAAs merits and demerits, the West, especially the US, isnt a stakeholder and has no right to comment. Neither the CAAs implementation will affect Europes or Americas external or internal security nor Muslims staying there.

Time for US to shut up

US interference in Indias internal matters in the name of democracy, secularism, religious freedom and human rights in all these decades smacks of hypocrisy. India has its problems, and unless it asks for help solving them, Washington should mind its own business.

If the US is the worlds largest democracy, India is the biggest. In the last 10 years, Indias global image has been boosted by its strong economy, independent and assertive foreign policy and signs of an emerging world power.

India doesnt need American guidance or morality lectures on internal and external matters. New Delhi is capable of solving its problems, and the US should stay out of it.

The US has a history of interfering in Indias internal affairs irrespective of a Democratic or Republican government. In April 2022, Biden clubbed India with authoritarian regimes while mentioning his Chinese and Russian counterparts Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.

The State Departments Religious Freedom Report, 2022, released in March 2023, mentioned several countries, including India, China, Russia and Iran, for targeting members of certain communities.

Despite Obamas statement that the US isnt the worlds policeman, his predecessors and successors have been delusional about America being the global moral cop. Even Obama targeted India on religious intolerance twice in 10 days in 2015.

US hypocrisy on Kashmir, terrorism

From Kashmir to CAA, which are Indias internal matters, the US doublespeak and interference is highly condemnable.

Since 1948, the US started supporting Pakistan over Kashmir. British and American involvement in the UN Security Council Resolution on January 17, 1948, was visible. To garner Pakistans support in the region, the US accepted the view that Kashmir was a disputed territory. The Mutual Defence Assistance Agreement in May 1954 sealed Pakistans alignment with the West.

The same year, the Indo-Soviet relationship improved despite then-prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru refusing to get dragged into the Cold War. In September, Pakistan joined the Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation, a collective defence alliance. In subsequent years, the US kept the Kashmir issue alive by pressuring India via the UN and started arming Pakistan.

Americas human rights hypocrisy was exposed in the 1971 India-Pakistan War with the Richard Nixon administration sending a carrier task force of the Seventh Fleet that included the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise and attack submarine Gurnard to the Bay of Bengal to support Pakistan.

The US conveniently overlooked the genocide perpetrated by then-Pakistani president Yahya Khan and General Tikka Khan under Operation Searchlight, in which more than 300,000 Bengali Hindus in East Pakistan were killed and more than 200,000 raped.

The Soviet intervention in Afghanistan in 1979 was a watershed moment in the India-US ties with America backing Pakistan to counter the Red Army. Islamabad allowed planeloads of Stinger missiles on its territory to help the Afghan Mujahideen counter the Soviet Hind attack copters. Gradually, Pakistani started exporting Afghan Mujahedeen to Jammu and Kashmir and training its disaffected youth to trigger terrorism in 1988.

The Bill Clinton administration pressured India on human rights in Kashmir and refused to recognise the instrument of accession . In October 1993, Robin Raphel the then-US assistant secretary of state for South Asia, said, We view Kashmir as a disputed territory. We do not recognise the instrument of accession as meaning that Kashmir is forever an integral part of India.

In fact, in his September 1993 address to the UN General Assembly, Clinton said, Bloody ethnic, religious and civil wars rage from Angola to the Caucasus to Kashmir.

In another instance of interference in Indias matters, the Clinton administration said that it was deeply disappointed by the May 1998 Pokhran II tests and imposed sanctions on India. The US also tried to pressure India to join the CTBT and the NPT.

In 2009, Obama secretly offered Pakistan to ask India for negotiations on Kashmir if it stopped supporting terrorist groups, Pakistans former ambassador to the US, Husain Haqqani, wrote in his book Magnificent Delusions in 2013. Even Trump offered to mediate on Kashmir five times.

Kashmir and terrorism are Indias internal matter, but the US always looked the other way as long as it needed Pakistans support. The Pakistani Army, Inter-Services Intelligence and successive governments have been bleeding India for more than three decades. According to the South Asia Terrorism Portal , more than 22,200 civilians and around 8,400 security personnel have been killed by terrorists in J&K from 1988 to 2023.

America changed its Pakistan policy only after 9/11 mastermind and Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden was neutralised by the Navy SEAL Team Six in Abbottabad on 2 May, 2011.

Even on terrorism, the US supports India publicly but acts otherwise. In a joint statement during PM Narendra Modis June 2023 US visit, both leaders unequivocally condemned terrorism and called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks to be brought to justice.

However, Indias request for extraditing 26/11 co-conspirator and Pakistan-origin Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana from the US has been pending since June 2020. The Ninth Circuit Court had stayed Ranas extradition in August following his appeal. Both Rana and 26/11 co-accused Dawood Gilani, aka David Coleman Headley, who recced potential targets and attended LeT training camps in Pakistan, escaped jail in India because they are in the US.

The US also supported Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus unsubstantiated and unproven allegations of India eliminating Khalistan Tiger Force chief and Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a wanted terrorist in India.

Seeking accountability, a deeply concerned secretary of state Antony Blinken asked India to cooperate with Canada. We are deeply concerned by the allegations referenced by Prime Minister Trudeau  we have publicly and privately urged the Indian government to cooperate in the Canadian investigation, Miller told the media.

The number of attacks on Indian consulates in the US, UK and Canada have increased but these countries havent taken action except for issuing statements.

Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the founder of the banned Sikhs for Justice, threatened to target Canadian-Indians, Indian Parliament, BSE and NSE and blow up Air India flightshe issued these threats from US soil.

The US lectures India on human rights, but the CIA has a bloody record of targeted killings, especially in Muslim countries. Since 1947, the CIA has ordered hundreds of assassinations.

According to The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (BIJ), Obama ordered 563 drone strikes, 10 times more than under George W Bush (57), killing 384-807 civilians in Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen. From 2002 to 2020, 800-1,750 civilians were killed in drone strikes in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen from 2002 to 2020.

Discrimination against Muslims in US

Successive US administrations have been concerned about Indian Muslims. But what happens in Americas backyard?

A Pew Research Centre survey conducted among 5,203 adults from November 27-December 3 last year showed that 53 per cent of Democrats and 22 per cent of Republicans were extremely or very concerned about the possibility of more violence against Muslims after the 7 October Hamas attacks.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) recorded 2,171 reports of bias against Muslims or requests for help, 172 per cent more than the 2022 two-month average, after the Hamas attacks.

Islamophobia in the US has become part of US racism after 9/11. Hate crimes against Muslims jumped by 1,617 per cent from 2000 to 2001, according to the FBI.

Even after 22 years, Islamophobia in the US continues to haunt Muslims. It has taken root and become part of the structure of racism that exists in parts of our country, according to Hussam Ayloush, CEO of CAIRs California chapter. The types of abuses that came out of 9/11 that the government took part in became a part of how Islamophobia evolved.

According to CAIR, Islamophobia was worse under Trump, who banned Muslims in Iran, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, North Korea and Venezuela from entering the US in 2017. Subsequently, 98 per cent of visa applications from these countries were rejected. Now, Trump has vowed to bar Gaza refugees and expand his Muslim travel ban if re-elected.

CAIR recorded a 91 per cent rise in hate crimes against Muslim in the first half of 2017 compared with the same period in 2016.

On one hand, the US is deeply concerned about Indian Muslims. On the other, America has bombed 14 Muslim countries since 1980Iran, Libya, Lebanon, Kuwait, Iraq, Somalia, Bosnia, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Sudan, Kosovo, Yemen, Pakistan and Syria.

The US still believes in its hegemony and a unipolar world. However, Russia and China have eroded American dominance, which has resulted in a multipolar world. Its high time for the US to realise that it cant dictate terms to other countries. India can deal with internal and external problems without American guidance and interference.

The writer is a freelance journalist with two decades of experience and comments primarily on foreign affairs. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
It seems that most of the White world has a racist problem that their governments are struggling to quell

Why are so many young Indian students in their early twenties dying in the US? The tally is nine so far in the three months of 2024 alone. Is it an outbreak of racism extended to the brown Indian student? Are they quite thoroughly unwelcome in America? If so, why do their Indian parents send them there in droves and at enormous expense? The expatriate Indian student community is the largest in the US and bigger than that of the Chinese.

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Generally, it is the American, Caribbean and African people who are subjected to murderous racist attacks. The Black Lives Matter movement is a testament to the fact that rampant racism involving some institutions and police departments persists in America.

To prevent violent attacks against Indian students and other Indians, the current Biden administration has provided security, both on and off campus, and in the community at large. But do some Indian students put themselves in harms way by flouting cautionary advisories on dangerous areas?

Four Indian students have been killed in two weeks according to a news report datelined 2 February 2024. They were 19-year-old Shreyas Reddy Benigher from the Linder School of Business, Ohio, Neil Acharya of Purdue University, Vivek Saini from Panchkula in Haryana. The latest is Sameer Kamath, an Indian-American pursuing his doctorate in mechanical engineering at Purdue University again.

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In addition, Akul Dhawan was found dead of hypothermia outside the University of Illinois UIUC in Champaign. G Dinesh of Telangana and Nikesh of Andhra Pradesh were found gassed to death in their flat in Connecticut. Kuchipudi and Bharat Natyam dancer Amarnath Ghosh, age 34, was shot to death in St Louis Missouri. Paruchuri Abhijit of Boston University was found dead in his car, making up the ninth death so far in 2024.

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There is at least one death of an Indian every day across the US, says an American community leader Mohan Nannapaneni, founder of volunteer-based non-profit organisation TEAM Aid. These are mostly students and H-1B employees who have recently come to America.

Are some Indian students lonely and feeling alienated far from home? Do some of them, unable to fit in socially or cope academically, persist in their studies there due to societal and parental pressures emanating from back in India? Though more often than not, Indian students who go to American universities are exceptionally bright and are there on earned scholarships. But are they mature and experienced enough in the Western cultural mores and milieu to avoid bullying and ridicule? Sometimes, there are underlying mental health issues even amongst gifted students which are activated by the pressures of academics and fitting in.

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Some die of physical illness and natural causes. Perhaps the lack of seeking timely medical attention in an alien medical system is to blame. Again, this is a phenomenon that affects foreign students even here in India, because many tend to neglect themselves in the absence of relatives to keep an eye on them.

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In January 2024, a young girl graduate student Jaahnvi Kandula was run over by a speeding policeman Officer Kevin Dave in a police car at a street intersection crosswalk in Seattle. To compound matters, the manslaughter caused by the police car being driven at 119 kmph was laughed off by another Seattle Police Officer Daniel Auderer, who said Kandulas life had limited value. He dismissed the proposition that officer Dave was at fault and that a criminal investigation was necessary.

The Ministry of External Affairs in India has said a total of 403 Indian students have died abroad from various causes since 2018. The largest number of deaths occurred in Canada followed by Britain.

Several voices in India are being raised against the necessity of sending Indian students to study abroad. Perhaps the answer lies in sending them to better regulated and safer places such as Singapore where the spectre of racism is largely absent.

It seems that most of the White world, including Australia and New Zealand, has a racist problem that their governments are struggling to quell.

The lure of obtaining lucrative jobs in Europe and America by studying and graduating from their universities is under pressure now because of the economic recession. The fact that many American corporations already have Indians in prominent positions or at the top is probably resented by the natives.

Unlike White immigrants, the Indian, by dint of his or her colour, does not blend in. The Indian also tends to not assimilate into the great American or European melting pot. Tensions are bound to result.

The answer may lie, at least in the medium term by setting up US and European university campuses in India and West Asia. Till then, these are very real risks that Indian students and their families must face.

As for the H1 B visa employees, they too must weigh their pros against their cons. Of course, statistically, these tragic demises are not very large compared to the masses of students and employees who go to America.

The Indian diaspora in the West is now in millions after all, and many have found jobs in local, state and federal government as well as the judiciary and medicine.

Those who are already European and American citizens must organise to maintain their security. More so in America, a land where the First Amendment allows everyone to own and use firearms. Nothing works better than a strong response and the perception that Indians are not timid pushovers.

The writer is a Delhi-based political commentator. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
While the deep sea beckons with the promise of boundless resources, it also demands responsible stewardship

In the annals of human exploration, the narratives of the space race and the nuclear arms race have long captured our imagination. However, theres a new contender on the horizon  the deep-sea race. Instead of reaching for the stars or harnessing the power of atoms, nations are now setting their sights on the depths of the ocean, driven by the promise of untold resources lying beneath the waves.

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Treasure hunt in the ocean

According to scientists, the ocean floor is a treasure trove waiting to be tapped, with estimates valuing its resources between a staggering eight to 16 trillion dollars. India, too, has joined this burgeoning race, aiming to mine the deep sea for its abundant resources.

But how does one embark on such a venture? The first step is securing permission, a license to explore the seabed, granted by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), a United Nations body responsible for regulating deep-sea mining. India has already obtained two such licenses back in 2016, but it now seeks to expand its reach with two additional licenses.

One of these licenses is designated for exploring the Indian Oceans Carlsberg Ridge, while the other aims to investigate a seamount, both potentially rich in valuable minerals. While India awaits approval, its legal team engages with the ISA, demonstrating compliance with regulations.

Deep sea challenges

Yet, obtaining a license is merely the beginning. The next hurdle is the actual descent to the seabed, a perilous endeavour fraught with challenges unique to the deep sea environment. Unlike space, where the vacuum reigns, the deep sea exerts immense pressure, capable of crushing both vessels and their occupants. Preparation and technological innovation are paramount.

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In 2021, India unveiled its Deep Ocean Mission, allocating a substantial budget of $480 million towards this ambitious project. Central to this mission is the development of exploration vehicles like Matsya 6000, a self-propelled marine vessel designed to withstand the crushing depths of 6,000 metres. Scheduled for launch in 2026 under the moniker Samudrayaan, this vessel heralds Indias foray into the deep sea domain.

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But what awaits explorers beneath the waves? Poly-metallic nodules, potato-sized rocks laden with coveted rare earth metals such as manganese, cobalt, nickel and copper hold the promise of vast riches. India anticipates a potential haul of 380 million tonnes of these nodules, valued at a staggering 110 billion dollars. These minerals are crucial for various industries, from battery manufacturing to renewable energy infrastructure.

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Hazards to environment

However, the pursuit of deep-sea mining is not without its detractors. Environmentalists and concerned nations advocate for caution, citing the fragile and poorly understood nature of deep-sea ecosystems. The risks of irreversible damage loom large, prompting calls for a temporary ban on mining until thorough studies are conducted.

Yet, amidst these concerns, geopolitical dynamics come into play. With the United States abstaining from deep-sea mining due to its non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, China and Russia have seized the opportunity, securing multiple exploration licenses. India, cognizant of the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean region, aims to assert its presence through deep-sea mining initiatives.

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As international discussions unfold, India finds itself at a crossroads, balancing the allure of economic prosperity with environmental stewardship. The upcoming meeting of the International Seabed Authority holds the promise of clarity regarding regulations and licensing, shaping the future of deep-sea exploration.

While the deep sea beckons with the promise of boundless resources, it also demands responsible stewardship. Indias pursuit of deep-sea mining underscores the delicate balance between economic development and environmental preservation, as nations navigate uncharted waters in their quest for progress.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Senegals journey towards democracy is far from over, but its story serves as an inspiration to nations across the continent and beyond

In the heart of West Africa lies Senegal, a country with a unique story amidst the shadows of its colonial past. Once a French colony like many in the region, Senegal defies the stereotypes often associated with former colonies  instability, poverty and military rule. Instead, it stands as a beacon of stability and democracy, navigating through political challenges with resilience and determination.

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The recent events leading up to Senegals upcoming presidential election highlight this resilience. The nation faced a potential political crisis when its outgoing president, Macky Sall, attempted to extend his rule beyond his mandated two terms. Salls actions, including postponing elections and imprisoning opposition leaders, sparked outrage among the Senegalese people and threatened the democratic process.

Courts defend democracy

However, Senegals institutions, particularly its courts, stood firm in defence of democracy. They swiftly deemed Salls attempts to postpone elections illegal and mandated their immediate rescheduling. This decision not only upheld the rule of law but also served as a testament to the strength of Senegals democratic institutions.

The people of Senegal played a crucial role in safeguarding democracy. Faced with attempts to undermine their rights, they took to the streets in peaceful protest, demanding justice and accountability. Their perseverance and unity in the face of adversity demonstrated a deep commitment to democratic principles.

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Rise of Ousmane Sonko

Central to this story is the figure of Ousmane Sonko, a prominent opposition leader known for his anti-establishment stance and unconventional policies. Sonkos popularity, particularly among Senegals youth, poses a significant challenge to the status quo. Despite facing legal obstacles that barred him from running for president, Sonko mobilised his supporters behind a proxy candidate, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, signalling a potential shift in Senegals political landscape.

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We continue to be demanding towards those who organize the election. That is why I say the president is responsiblehis departure will not be easy. If he wants to render one last service to his country before leaving, he should ensure that these elections go smoothly and are transparent, said Senegal opposition leader Ousmane Sonko.

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Sonkos platform, which advocates for economic reform and the rejection of colonial-era currencies, resonates with many Senegalese disillusioned with the existing system. His message of self-respect and economic empowerment strikes a chord in a country where a significant portion of the population is young and eager for change.

Senegal set for polls

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As Senegal prepares to cast its votes, the outcome remains uncertain. While Salls chosen successor, former prime minister Amadou Ba, may seek to continue his legacy, the winds of change are palpable. Regardless of the election results, the true winners are the people of Senegal, who have reaffirmed their commitment to democracy and shown that even in the face of adversity, the spirit of resilience and hope prevails.

Senegals journey towards democracy is far from over, but its story serves as an inspiration to nations across the continent and beyond. In a region often plagued by instability and authoritarianism, Senegal stands as a testament to the power of perseverance, unity and the unwavering pursuit of democratic ideals.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Google, Meta, Apple and a number of tech companies are set to be investigated by the European Commission on whether they are complying with the new Digital Markets Act. If the commission finds them guilty of non-compliance, they are looking at paying 10% of their global revenue

The European Union (EU) is set to launch investigations into several tech companies, including big-wigs like Google, Meta and Apple, to see if they are adhering to new laws aimed at curbing the influence of Big Tech. If the EU finds them negligent, all of these companies are looking at massive fines, ones that will have a significant da

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Sources familiar with the matter reveal that the European Commission is preparing to unveil probes into both companies under the EUs Digital Markets Act in the imminent future.

The focus of the investigations will encompass the new fees, terms, and conditions set by Apple and Google for developers on their respective app stores, according to these insiders who requested anonymity.

Additionally, theres speculation that a proposal from Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to introduce a subscription fee for users to access these platforms without advertisements, could attract scrutiny under the EUs expanded regulatory powers.

The intensified scrutiny from the EU coincides with legal action taken against Apple by the US Justice Department and 16 state attorneys general.

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They filed a lawsuit on Thursday, alleging antitrust violations by Apple for impeding rivals access to hardware and software features on its devices. This development prompted a decline in Apples shares by as much as 3.8% during Thursdays trading, with Alphabet also experiencing a decrease of up to 1.2%.

The Digital Markets Act empowers the EU to impose significant penalties, including fines of up to 10% of a companys total annual global revenue, and double that for repeated violations. Regulators aim to conclude their investigations within a 12-month timeframe after initiating formal inquiries.

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Both the European Commission and Meta declined to comment on the matter, while Apple and Google have yet to respond to requests for comments.

Apple, having recently been fined 1.8 billion ($2 billion) by the EU for obstructing music streaming apps from informing users about cheaper alternatives, has faced heightened scrutiny since the full implementation of the Digital Markets Act on March 7th.

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In response to Apples proposed changes under the Digital Markets Act, Spotify, which catalyzed the initial complaint against Apple regarding its App Store practices, criticized the additional charges proposed by Apple as unacceptable and nonsensical. Spotify has requested a meeting with Margrethe Vestager, the EUs competition chief, to discuss their concerns. Apples proposal involves eliminating the historically imposed 30% commission while introducing new charges, a move deemed contentious by industry observers.
Apple had made a serious attempt in making Apple Watches support Android devices and non-iPhone devices. However, they had to abandon the attempt after three years, because of technical limitations

Apple had to abandon developing a smartwatch for Android users after it faced a number of technical limitations. Image Credit: Pexels

Apple is facing a significant antitrust lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday, accusing the tech giant of monopolizing the smartphone market with its iPhone and other devices, including the Apple Watch.

US Attorney General Merrick Garland highlighted challenges in using the Apple Watch with non-iPhone devices, although reports suggest that Apple attempted to add Android support to the watch over a three-year period, citing technical constraints.

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According to a report from 9to5Mac, Apple spent three years exploring the possibility of incorporating Android support into the Apple Watch but ultimately cited technical limitations as the reason for its failure to materialize.

The lawsuit, filed in conjunction with 17 state and district attorneys general, alleges that Apples business practices violate antitrust laws. Examples cited in the lawsuit include the imposition of a 30 per cent fee on transactions made through the App Store, the differentiation of iMessage text bubbles for Android users, and the sharing of personal information when using Apple Wallet.

In response to the lawsuit, Apple has refuted the allegations, asserting that the lawsuit misrepresents both the facts and the law.

While the antitrust lawsuit against Apple represents a significant legal challenge in the United States, the tech giant has also faced stringent regulations in the European Union.

These regulations include mandates for Apple to adopt USB-C instead of Lightning cables and to enable support for third-party app stores on its devices. However, its unlikely that any substantial changes will occur swiftly as the lawsuit unfolds in the courts.

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Despite the absence of Android support for the Apple Watch, Google has capitalized on the wearable tech market with its own lineup of devices. Notably, the Pixel Watch, particularly with the recent release of the Pixel Watch 2, has garnered attention.

Additionally, Googles acquisition of Fitbit has bolstered its presence in the wearable device market. Fitbit is poised to integrate artificial intelligence into its devices to provide users with personalized health and fitness insights.
Taking a cue from the US, Germany may ban TikTok, if the social media platform fails to stick to guidelines and regulations. Many parliamentarians believe that the least they can do is ban from govenmnent-issud personal devices

TikTok is facing multiple lawsuits and even possible bans in some countries. Image Credit: Reuters

Some German Members of Parliament serving on a parliamentary intelligence oversight board are advocating for a tougher stance on TikTok, a Chinese-owned social media platform known for short-form videos.

This discussion arises amidst considerations in the United States regarding potential legislation to ban the app altogether.

The US House of Representatives recently passed the legislation unanimously, signalling potential measures to compel ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, to divest the app or face a complete prohibition from app stores within the United States.

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However, this bill still requires scrutiny by the US Senate before becoming law.

Several members of the German parliamentary committee responsible for overseeing intelligence services have expressed concerns regarding TikTok. Roderich Kiesewetter, the vice chairman of the Bundestags intelligence control committee and a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), suggested that Germany should contemplate a general ban on TikTok if they dont abide by stricter regulation of the country.

Kiesewetter highlighted worries that TikTok could pose a threat to democracy due to its perceived role as an important instrument in hybrid warfare tactics employed by China and Russia.

According to a government response presented in the Bundestag, there are approximately 19 million TikTok users in Germany as of 2023.

Jens Zimmerman, a member of Germanys Social Democratic Party, proposed considering at least a ban on the apps usage on federal devices, similar to regulations in place for EU institutions.

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However, not all German politicians are in favour of an outright ban. Ralf Stegner from the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and Konstantin von Notz, the deputy leader of the Green Party, advocate for exploring regulatory avenues instead of imposing a complete ban, which could prove difficult to enforce.

They refer to the Digital Services Act (DSA), which aims to hold Internet companies accountable for curbing disinformation and illegal content on their platforms. TikTok is currently under investigation by the European Commission for potential breaches related to the DSA, including issues concerning minors protection, advertising transparency, and data access.

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The European Commission declined to comment on the US legislation or discussions in Germany regarding TikTok but emphasised that decisions on IT security measures rest with the relevant national authorities.

The Commission highlighted the potential for the DSA to enforce temporary restrictions on access to services if companies fail to comply with legislation. Currently, the suspension of TikTok on corporate devices remains in effect, according to the Commission.
Reddits IPO saw the company debit on the New York Stock Exchange with a value at over $9 billion. The social media platforms stocks soared 48 per cent higher during its debut trading day. It went from $34 to $50.44. share

Shares of social media platform Reddit soared 48 per cent higher during its debut trading day on the New York Stock Exchange, closing at $50.44. This surge comes after Reddit priced its shares at $34 each, near the top end of the marketed range, valuing the company at over $9 billion.

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The IPO, one of the largest ever by a social media platform, offered 22 million shares, with some being made available to Reddits users in a unique move, although the uptake has not been disclosed.

Founded nearly two decades ago, Reddit has risen to become one of the most popular websites globally, boasting over 73 million users as of December 2023. However, the companys IPO filing has reignited questions about its ability to monetize its platform, which primarily facilitates user-generated content and discussions without a subscription fee.

Despite efforts to attract advertisers through visual enhancements in 2017, Reddit has struggled to turn a profit for its first two decades. Yet, a potential breakthrough seems on the horizon, centred around leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) models. Companies like OpenAI have shown willingness to pay for access to Reddits vast dataset to enhance their AI capabilities, with Google reportedly paying $60 million for such access. Reddit has also secured licensing deals exceeding $200 million over the next few years.

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The prospect of profitability, however, is accompanied by regulatory scrutiny and legal challenges. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is investigating Reddits data licensing practices, while mobile phone giant Nokia has accused the platform of patent infringement. Additionally, Reddits SEC filing identifies its user base as a potential risk factor, highlighting the dependence on user-generated content and engagement for its business model.

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Despite occasional user backlash over platform changes, including a blackout in 2023, Reddits dominance in the social media landscape remains largely unchallenged. While user discontent persists, the absence of a significant competitor offers Reddit some stability in tying its market value to its user base.

(With inputs from agencies)
Despite the ongoing tech war between US and China, there were certain things that the two countries would together on, thanks to science and technology agreements between the two countries. However, with tensions at an all time, things may not be as smooth going forward

The US House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously approved a bill on Thursday, aimed at increasing congressional oversight over future State Department engagements regarding science and technology agreements with China.

Introduced by Representative Andy Barr, a Republican from Kentucky, the bill mandates the Secretary of State to furnish Congress with detailed information regarding such agreements, including their benefits and risks, prior to their pursuit.

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If enacted, the administration would need to wait at least 30 days post-submission before proceeding with these agreements, allowing Congress to evaluate national security risks and human rights considerations.

The committees approval of the bill, with a 50-0 vote, sets the stage for further legislative action. However, a specific date for a vote on the House floor has yet to be determined, nor has one been set for the Senate.

The bill poses a potential obstacle to the periodic renewal of the Science and Technology Agreement (STA) between the US and China, initially signed in 1979 by US President Jimmy Carter and Chinese Premier Deng Xiaoping as the first bilateral deal between the two nations. The STA, which is typically renewed every five years, received a series of six-month extensions, including one last August and another in February.

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Under the current agreement, both American and Chinese researchers have benefitted from financial, legal, and political support for decades, fostering scientific collaboration. Proponents argue that the STA protects American scientists in China and facilitates research in the US by providing access to critical Chinese databases, particularly in fields like health studies.

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However, critics argue that Chinas oversight and control over science and technology projects within its borders have allowed it to exploit the STA, addressing scientific gaps and leveraging the decentralized American academic landscape to establish dominance in sectors such as electric vehicles and renewable energy.

Supporters of the bill highlight the need to assess risks and evaluate the STAs impact on American innovation. Representative Mike Gallagher, a Wisconsin Republican who chairs the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, emphasized Chinas misuse of American scientific openness to steal research and advance its own agendas, including military expansion.

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The bipartisan bill also targets the Chinese Communist Partys leadership, proposing sanctions against all 205 members of its Central Committee and their adult family members. Representative Lisa McClain, a Republican from Michigan, sponsored the bill, which passed 28-22. The bill provides the president with the authority to waive sanctions if Beijing demonstrates improvements in various areas, including its treatment of Uygur Muslims and its actions towards Taiwan and Hong Kong.

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While supporters view the legislation as a necessary step to encourage responsible behaviour from the Chinese Communist Party, critics like Representative Gregory Meeks of New York, the committees senior Democrat, argue that such broad sanctions risk damaging US-China relations and could impede American officials and businesses from engaging with Chinese counterparts to advance US interests.
Thirteen of the 36 military aircraft that were found crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, the narrow channel that divides democratic Taiwan from communist China, according to the Ministry of National Defence

Taiwans defence ministry reported on Friday that, over a 24-hour period, 36 Chinese military aircraft were spotted in the area of the self-ruled island, which is a record for this year.

As of Thursday, 2200 GMT on Friday, the Ministry of National Defence reported that it had also seen six navy vessels circling Taiwan in the 24 hours before to that time.

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Thirteen of the 36 military aircraft that were found crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, the narrow channel that divides democratic Taiwan from communist China, according to the ministry.

The report on Friday follows Chinese military activities throughout the night. On Thursday, Taiwans defence ministry said at 10:30 p.m. that 20 fighter jets, aerial unmanned vehicles, and transport planes had been spotted starting at 7:30 p.m.

It is also the day after an uptick in activity during the 24-hour period ending at 6:00 am Thursday, when the ministry said Beijing had sent in 32 aircraft.

Beijing claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory, and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under Chinas control.

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Since the 2016 election of President Tsai Ing-wen  who does not recognise Chinas claim on Taiwan  Beijing has stepped up military and political pressures on the island.

Taiwan sees near-daily Chinese warplanes and naval warships around its island  a form of grey-zone harassment that military experts say are tactics that stop short of open warfare.
Along with harshly criticising Russias ongoing invasion of Ukraine, the two nations issued a warning against potentially unstable military actions in the South China Sea, an area in which China has been establishing a growing presence

Smoke rises during an Israeli ground operation in Khan Younis, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as seen from a tent camp sheltering displaced Palestinians in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. Reuters File

In a joint statement on Friday, Australia and the United Kingdom warned of the potentially disastrous effects of an Israeli ground assault of Rafah in Gaza.

Given the large number of displaced persons taking refuge in the area and lack of safe spaces in Gaza, ministers shared deep concern at the potentially devastating consequences for the civilian population of an expanded Israeli military operation in Rafah, the statement said.

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Despite warnings from other nations, such as the United States, of severe implications for the over a million Palestinians who have sought sanctuary in Rafah after being forcibly evicted elsewhere in the Gaza Strip during the five-month-long conflict, Israel maintains that a physical assault of the area is required to destroy Hamas.

Following their meeting in Adelaide with their Australian counterparts, the British secretaries of defence and foreign policy released the statement.

Along with harshly criticising Russias ongoing invasion of Ukraine, the two nations issued a warning against potentially unstable military actions in the South China Sea, an area in which China has been establishing a growing presence.
This week, defence commanders outlined bold plans to arm Australia with nuclear-powered submarinesa crucial component of the accord

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, Britains Foreign Secretary David Cameron, and Britain's Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps hold a media conference at Government House in Adelaide, South Australia, on March 22, 2024, as part of the annual Australia-United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations. AFP

In spite of growing concerns over prices, capabilities, and the potential return of Donald Trump, Australia reiterated on Friday that a historic agreement to create AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines with Washington and London was going to happen.

The three longstanding allies have committed to working together to strengthen their military might in an effort to thwart Chinas ascent under the recently formed AUKUS agreement.

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This week, defence commanders outlined bold plans to arm Australia with nuclear-powered submarinesa crucial component of the accord.

The three governments involved here are working at pace to make this happen, Australian defence minister Richard Marles told reporters Friday.

This is going to happen and we need it to happen, he added.

AUKUS and its major initiative are barely two years old, yet there are already hints that they may be under threat.

Some fear that if Trump wins the presidential election this year, he would abandon the accord and return to his America first foreign policy.

With potential flashpoints growing throughout the world and China taking an increasingly confrontational position in the Taiwan Strait, visiting UK military minister Grant Shapps said AUKUS was more important than ever.

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Dangerous times

After decades of relative peace, Shapps said the planet was slowly shifting from a post-war era to a pre-war footing.

We are living in more dangerous times, he said during a tour of the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia.

UK defence contractor BAE Systems has been enlisted to help construct Australias fleet of nuclear-propelled submarines.

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Australia hopes to have eight nuclear-powered vessels in the water by the 2050s  a mix of the new AUKUS-class subs built at home and in the UK, and Virgina-class vessels purchased from the United States.

Marles said a drumbeat of AUKUS-class submarines would then continue to roll off Australian production lines every few years in perpetuity.

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There is no country in the world which has obtained the capability to build nuclear-powered submarines, which has then turned that capability off, he said.

We will see submarines being produced here on an enduring basis.

Potent threat

Although the financial details of the BAE deal are under wraps, Australian defence officials want to initially build at least five AUKUS-class nuclear-powered subs at a cost of billions of dollars.

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The subs will be quieter and stealthier than Australias existing diesel fleet, and capable of deploying over vast distances without surfacing, posing a potent threat to any foe.

BAE Systems, one of the largest defence contractors in Europe, said it was already making good progress on the design and development of the next generation submarine.

The company has a close relationship with the UK navy, and is responsible for building its Astute-class and Dreadnought-class nuclear-powered vessels.

The scale of the project is vast, and questions have been raised about whether Australia  with limited nuclear experience and a relatively small navy  can pull it off.

Australian officials believe some 20,000 workers will be needed for the homegrown nuclear industry  among them an army of technicians, metal workers, electricians and welders.

The Australian navy has struggled to maintain its current fleet of ageing diesel-electric subs, which have been plagued by design flaws and cost blowouts.

In total, the AUKUS submarine project could cost up to Aus$368 billion (US$240 billion) over the next 30 years.
Following talks between Houthi top leader Mohammed Abdel Salam and diplomats of China and Russia in Oman, Yemen-based militant group has assured Beijing and Russia that their ships sailing through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden will not be attacked

The Houthis' attacks have disrupted international trade and increased shipping costs, but the strikes have not been able to stop them thus far. AP File

Following talks between Houthi top leader Mohammed Abdel Salam and diplomats of China and Russia in Oman, Yemen-based militant group has assured Beijing and Russia that their ships sailing through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden will not be attacked.

According to a Bloomberg report, citing people with knowledge of the militant groups discussions, the two countries in exchange may provide political support to the Houthis in bodies such as the United Nations Security Council.

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Its not entirely clear how that support would be manifested, but it could include blocking more resolutions against the group, added the report.

The recent discussions indicate growing concerns among major powers, notably Moscow and Beijing, over the Houthi groups missile and drone attacks in the southern Red Sea region since mid-November. While the Houthis have assured that assets belonging to Russia and China would not be targeted, there is a sense of unease among global actors.

Despite claiming to target ships associated with Israel, the US, and the UK, the Houthis have reportedly misidentified some vessels. This has led Russia and China to seek stronger guarantees from the group.

In recent days, the Houthis attacked the True Confidence, a bulk-commodities carrier, resulting in casualties. Although they claimed it to be an American vessel, it was previously owned by Oaktree Capital based in Los Angeles and has since been acquired by a non-US entity.

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Additionally, missiles struck near a ship transporting Russian oil near Yemen in late January. This incident occurred shortly after a Houthi spokesperson assured Russian and Chinese merchant ships of safety.

While ostensibly aimed at pressuring Israel to cease its Gaza conflict with Hamas, analysts remain skeptical that the Houthis would halt their campaign even with a ceasefire or peace deal in place.

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The waterways  including the Bab el-Mandeb strait connecting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden  are crucial for the global economy and normally around 30 per cent of container cargo flows through them. They also handle a large proportion of oil and liquefied natural gas flows.

Since the attacks started, most Western shipping firms have avoided the strait and are instead going around southern Africa. Thats adding days and significant freight costs onto journeys between Asia and Europe.

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Companies from China and Russia have not announced they are avoiding the area and ship-tracking data shows many of them still send their ships through it.

Both China and Russia are diplomatic and economic partners of the Houthis main military and financial backer, Iran. Most Iranian oil exports go to China and the Islamic Republic has, according to the US and European Union, provided drones and other weaponry to Russia for its war in Ukraine.

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Still, the Houthis retain plenty of independence from Tehran. Iran has said it supports the Houthis but that they make their own decisions on political and military matters.

With inputs from agencies
The options EU is exploring include bypassing its current laws that prohibit arms purchase, defence bonds, and using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraines arsenal

Ukrainian forces fighting against Russia at the frontlines are overwhelmingly outgunned. The European Union (EU) is reportedly looking for new ways to offer military aid to Kyiv.

The options EU is exploring include bypassing its current laws that prohibit arms purchase, defence bonds, and using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraines arsenal.

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First, some context.

Ukraine: Outgunned, outmanned

Ukraines ammunition inventory is running low. On the other hand, the numbers and arms of the adversary Russian troops are in a much better situation.

Russias overnight attack on Ukraine on Thursday (local time) was one of its largest offensives in recent times. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that over 90 missiles and 60 Iranian-made drones were used.

He told EU leaders that Ukraines current air defence systems are not enough to protect the countrys entire territory from Russian terror. He also said that the use of artillery at the frontline by our soldiers is humiliating for Europe in the sense that Europe can provide more.

NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg also warned that the situation on the battlefield remains very difficult. Ukraine is running out of ammunition.

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What does EU plan to do?

There is a fresh sense of urgency among EU leaders regarding the future of Ukraine. Heres a look at three plans EU is considering:

Bypassing legal ban on arms purchase for Ukraine: The European Commission, the EUs executive arm, has proposed a legal task force to circumvent an EU treaty clause banning arms purchases from the common budget. Article 41(2) prohibits the EU from using its union budget to fund operations having military or defence implications," Financial Times quoted sources as saying. A more flexible legal interpretation is likely to allow EU to directly purchase weapons and play a more significant role in the continents defence industry. Use Russias frozen assets in EU: Plans to use the interest accrued on frozen Russian assets to buy arms for Ukraine have also been proposed.EU has around 210 billion euros ($228 billion) in Russian central bank assets. Most of this amount in frozen in Belgium, as a retaliatory measure for Moscows war against Ukraine. The groups estimates suggest that the money could generate profits of up to 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) annually.The leaders of Estonia and Lithuania, two of Ukraines strongest supporters within the EU, suggested using the frozen assets instead of just the interest earned on those billions. Defence bonds: The idea of issuing defence bonds is also being considered. This would allow the use of common debt issuance to finance military spending. It would mirror way the EU raised money to kickstart economies with its pandemic recovery fund.

A big challenge

Building consensus on any of these plans in the 27-nation EU is a herculean task. Some member nations hold deep reservations about bypassing Article 41(2). Hungary, and a handful of other nations have refused to supply weapons to Ukraine. There is no unanimous agreement on the defence bonds either.

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With inputs from agencies
50th anniversary of ties with China opportunity to boost cooperation: Malaysian official

Xinhua) 11:26, March 22, 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia is eyeing more opportunities to cooperate with China on the platform of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, a Malaysian official said on Thursday.

Not only is the government eyeing better people-to-people ties, it is also stepping up efforts to foster business-to-business ties, especially in terms of joint ventures, Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, the minister of Investment, Trade and Industry told Xinhua.

"We are participating in major trade events, (and) we are trying to improve the trade numbers that we already have. In terms of people-to-people ties, especially on the business side, we are focusing on how Malaysian companies together with Chinese companies can do a lot more joint ventures in sectors we are promoting," he said.

He added that efforts are underway to facilitate and streamline investments in Malaysia. Additionally, Malaysia is enhancing transparency and improving management and monitoring of investments. The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) is expected to produce comprehensive monthly reports on both approved and realized investment values.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Ishikawa, Mar 22 (News On Japan) - The Emperor and Empress embarked on a visit to Ishikawa Prefecture, aiming to personally assess the devastation caused by the Noto Peninsula earthquake.

Departing from Haneda Airport via a special flight shortly before 10 AM on the 22nd, they arrived at Noto Airport in Wajima City. There, they were warmly received by Governor Hayashi and other officials, who briefed them on the extent of the earthquake's impact.

In the afternoon, the royal couple planned to use helicopters provided by the Self-Defense Forces to survey the affected areas. Their itinerary included visits to damaged sites in Wajima City and engagements at several evacuation centers, offering their sympathies to the evacuees and expressing gratitude to emergency response teams.

Following this, they were to proceed to Suzu City by helicopter, continuing their visits to affected locales and shelters, demonstrating their concern and support for the recovery efforts.

Source: ANN
US District Judge Tom Lee deemed the offenders acts egregious and despicable and sentenced five of the six individuals who attacked Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker in January 2023 to terms that were close to the maximum allowed by federal standards

This combination of photos shows, from top left, former Rankin County sheriff's deputies Hunter Elward, Christian Dedmon, Brett McAlpin, Jeffrey Middleton, Daniel Opdyke and former Richland police officer Joshua Hartfield appearing at the Rankin County Circuit Court in Brandon, Miss. AP File

Six white former Mississippi law enforcement officers who had entered into a guilty plea to breaking into a home without a warrant and torturing two Black men for an hour, including beatings, repeated use of stun guns, and assaults with a sex toy, were handed prison terms ranging from roughly 10 to 40 years by a federal judge on Thursday. One of the victims was then shot in the mouth.

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US District Judge Tom Lee deemed the offenders acts egregious and despicable and sentenced five of the six individuals who attacked Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker in January 2023 to terms that were close to the maximum allowed by federal standards.

Attorney General Merrick Garland was among the nations top law enforcement officers who denounced the case. In its grisly details, local residents saw echoes of Mississippis history of racist atrocities by people in authority. The difference this time is that those who abused their power paid a steep price for their crimes, the victims attorneys said.

The depravity of the crimes committed by these defendants cannot be overstated, Garland said Thursday.

Brett McAlpin, 53, who was the fourth highest-ranking officer in the Rankin County Sheriffs Office, received a sentence of about 27 years on Thursday. McAlpin nodded to his family in the courtroom. He offered an apology before he was sentenced but did not look at the victims as he spoke.

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This was all wrong, very wrong. Its not how people should treat each other and even more so, its not how law enforcement should treat people, McAlpin said. Im really sorry for being a part of something that made law enforcement look so bad.

The only defendant who didnt receive a prison term at the top of the sentencing guidelines was Joshua Hartfield, 32, a former Richland police officer who did not work in a sheriffs department with the others and was not a member of a Goon Squad. He was the last of the six former officers sentenced over three days this week, months after they all pleaded guilty.

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Before giving Hartfield a 10-year sentence Thursday, Lee said Hartfield did not have a history of using excessive force and was roped into the brutal episode by one of the former deputies, Christian Dedmon. Lee said, however, that Hartfield failed to intervene in the violence and participated in a cover-up.

Lee sentenced Dedmon, 29, to 40 years and Daniel Opdyke, 28, to 17.5 years on Wednesday. He gave about 20 years to Hunter Elward, 31, and 17.5 years to Jeffrey Middleton, 46, on Tuesday.

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Arguing for a lengthy sentence, federal prosecutor Christopher Perras said McAlpin was not technically a member of the Goon Squad but molded the men into the goons they became.

Parker told investigators that McAlpin functioned like a mafia don as he instructed the officers throughout the evening. Prosecutors said other deputies often tried to impress McAlpin, and Opdykes attorney said Wednesday that his client saw McAlpin as a father figure.

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The younger deputies tried to wrap their heads around how they had started off wanting to be good law enforcement officers and turned into monsters, Perras said Thursday.

How did these deputies learn to treat another human being this way? Your honor, the answer is sitting right there, Perras said, pointing at McAlpin.

In March 2023, months before federal prosecutors announced charges in August, an investigation by The Associated Press linked some of the deputies to at least four violent encounters with Black men since 2019 that left two dead and another with lasting injuries.

The officers invented false charges against the victims, planting a gun and drugs at the scene of their crime, and stuck to their cover story for months until finally admitting that they tortured Jenkins and Parker. Elward admitted to shoving a gun into Jenkins mouth and firing it in what federal prosecutors said was meant to be a mock execution.

The terror began Jan. 24, 2023, with a racist call for extrajudicial violence when a white person complained to McAlpin that two Black men were staying with a white woman at a house in Braxton. McAlpin told Dedmon, who texted a group of white deputies asking if they were available for a mission.

No bad mugshots, Dedmon texted  a green light, according to prosecutors, to use excessive force on parts of the body that wouldnt appear in a booking photo.

Dedmon also brought Hartfield, who was instructed to cover the back door of the property during their illegal entry.

Once inside, the officers mocked the victims with racial slurs and shocked them with stun guns. They handcuffed them and poured milk, alcohol and chocolate syrup over their faces. Dedmon and Opdyke assaulted them with a sex toy. They forced them to strip naked and shower together to conceal the mess.

After Elward shot Jenkins in the mouth, lacerating his tongue and breaking his jaw, they devised a coverup. The deputies agreed to plant drugs, and false charges stood against Jenkins and Parker for months.

McAlpin and Middleton, the oldest in the group, threatened to kill other officers if they spoke up, prosecutors said. In court Thursday, McAlpins attorney Aafram Sellers said only Middleton threatened to kill them.

Sellers also questioned a probation officer about details submitted to the judge. When federal investigators interviewed the neighbor who called McAlpin, that person reported seeing trashy people at the house who were both white and Black, Sellers said. That called into question whether the episode started on the basis of race, he argued.

Federal prosecutors said the neighbor referred to people at the home as those people and thugs. The information included in the charging documents, which the officers did not dispute when they pleaded guilty, revealed some of them used racial taunts and epithets throughout the episode.

Majority-white Rankin County is just east of Jackson, home to one of the highest percentages of Black residents of any major US city. The officers shouted at Jenkins and Parker to stay out of Rankin County and go back to Jackson or their side of the Pearl River, court documents say.

Attorneys for several of the deputies said their clients became ensnared in a culture of corruption that was encouraged by leaders in the sheriffs office.

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey revealed no details about his deputies actions when he announced they had been fired last June. After they pleaded guilty in August, Bailey said the officers had gone rogue and promised changes. Jenkins and Parker called for his resignation and filed a $400 million civil lawsuit against the department.

Bailey, who was reelected without opposition in November, said in a statement Thursday that he is committed to the betterment of this county and will work with the honest, hard-working men and women currently with this department to make Rankin County safer.

In a statement read by his attorney Thursday, Jenkins said he felt like a slave and was left to die like a dog.

If those who are in charge of the Rankin County Sheriffs Office can participate in these kinds of torture, God help us all, Jenkins said. And God help Rankin County.
A spokeswoman for the IMF, Julie Kozack, announced last month that the organisation will dispatch a team to the country in the Horn of Africa to address its loan programme request

A senior official in the finance ministry announced on Thursday that an IMF staff mission was in Ethiopia. This comes as Ethiopia is in the midst of a deadline with key creditor nations to obtain a loan from the international lender.

A spokeswoman for the IMF, Julie Kozack, announced last month that the organisation will dispatch a team to the country in the Horn of Africa to address its loan programme request.

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As part of a reform package, Ethiopia is in negotiations with the IMF to borrow around $3.5 billion, three people familiar with the talks told Reuters in December.

The staff missions presence in the Ethiopian capital was verified by the IMF.

An IMF mission is starting discussions with the government of Ethiopia this week to continue the constructive dialogue held to date on supporting Ethiopias economic reform, said a spokesperson for the fund.

In December, the Paris Club of developed creditor nations said Ethiopias agreement with its bilateral creditors, other than China, to suspend debt payments until 2025 could be voided if the country does not secure an IMF loan by March 31, 2024.

In the same month, Ethiopia became the third African nation to default in as many years after it failed to make a payment on its $1 billion Eurobond.
Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a close aide of PM Benjamin Netanyahu, has said that his country is firm on invading the southern Gaza city of Rafah and defeat Hamas even if the entire world turns on Israel, including the United States

Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a close aide of PM Benjamin Netanyahu, has said that his country is firm on invading the southern Gaza city of Rafah and defeat Hamas even if the entire world turns on Israel, including the United States.

We are going to go in and finish this job, and anybody who doesnt understand that doesnt understand that the existential nerve of the Jews was touched by the October 7 attack when Hamas operatives killed 1,200 and abducted 250, Bloomberg quoted Dermer as saying on a US podcast posted on Thursday.

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Dermer is scheduled to travel to Washington early next week to hear out concerns from the Biden administration regarding the potential for increased civilian casualties in Gaza amid ongoing famine and disease.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is currently in the region advocating for a negotiated settlement between Israel and Hamas. This includes proposing a six-week ceasefire, the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and a significant uptick in humanitarian aid aimed at assisting the over 2 million Palestinians living in the coastal strip.

Weve been very clear  President Bidens been very clear  that a major ground operation in Rafah would be a mistake, something we cant support, Bloomberg quoted Blinken as telling reporters in Cairo on Thursday evening after meeting with Arab foreign ministers.

There is no place for the many civilians who are massed in Rafah to go to get out of harms way, and for those that inevitably remain, it would be a humanitarian disaster, he added.

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Blinken contended that handling Hamas effectively doesnt necessitate a significant ground operation in Rafah. He highlighted that one of the purposes of the upcoming visit of Israeli government counterparts to Washington is specifically to address this issue.

Dermer said the US has not categorically rejected any Israeli military operation in Rafah.

They said without a credible way of moving a mass of people out of Rafah and surging humanitarian assistance to them they dont see how this can be done effectively, he told Bloomberg.

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And we are saying we agree with you that we have to move the people out, we agree we have to get humanitarian assistance to them, and we believe we can do it, he added.

Dermer said he is going to Washington to listen to US ideas about what to do. There have been a number of disagreements between the US and Israel over strategy during the more than five months of conflict, but they worked through them in the end, he added.

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Could you have a breach over Rafah? You could. We hope we dont, he said.

On Thursday, European Union leaders issued a new call for an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza, responding to growing alarm about the risk of famine in the besieged territory. They also urged Israel not to pursue a ground operation in Rafah.

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Israel went to war in Gaza right after the Hamas attack and has killed more than 31,000, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, which doesnt distinguish between fighters and civilians. Hamas is considered a terrorist organisation by the US and European Union. Israel says it has killed 11,000 fighters.

With inputs from agencies
Despite a court decision requesting negotiations between the physicians and the Health Ministry, thousands of doctors have refrained from working in hospitals since last Thursday due to inadequate compensation and working conditions

Kenyans line up to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. AP File

Kenyan doctors extended a two-week-old nationwide strike on Thursday by ceasing to provide emergency care at public hospitals.

Despite a court decision requesting negotiations between the physicians and the Health Ministry, thousands of doctors have refrained from working in hospitals since last Thursday due to inadequate compensation and working conditions.

According to Dr. Davji Bhimji, Secretary-General of the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union, the physicians increased their strike and ceased offering the barest minimum of care since the government was not making any attempt to settle the labour conflict.

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In the morning, we managed to close the emergency services that were being offered at the Kenyatta national referral hospital, he told journalists on Wednesday.

Health Minister Susan Nakhumicha on Wednesday told local television station KTN that she had instructed two top referral hospitals to recruit doctors to replace those taking part in the national strike.

We will not allow a crisis to happen We cannot afford to have a gap, she said, adding that doctors were offered temporary replacements starting Wednesday night.

The resumption of emergency services at Nairobis Kenyatta National Referral Hospital was confirmed by an Associated Press correspondent on Thursday morning.

The ministry has till this Thursday to send letters to one thousand medical interns who will be assigned to different hospitals around the nation.

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The striking physicians blame the government for not carrying out a number of commitments, such as a collective bargaining agreement that was struck in 2017 following a 100-day strike during which patients died from inadequate treatment.

In an effort to end the impasse that has prevented thousands of Kenyans from receiving critical public health services, a meeting with the union, ministry representatives, and State House representatives is scheduled for this Thursday.
President Maia Sandu has made EU membership the cornerstone of her government in the former Soviet state, which is located between Romania and Ukraine. She claims that Russia poses the greatest threat to Moldovas security

Moldovas Parliament approved an appeal to continue with the countrys bid to join the European Union on Thursday, but the opposition boycotted the vote, while separatists in Transdniestria urged authorities to abandon their claim to the enclave.

President Maia Sandu has made EU membership the cornerstone of her government in the former Soviet state, which is located between Romania and Ukraine. She claims that Russia poses the greatest threat to Moldovas security.

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She has been a strong opponent of Russias conflict in Ukraine and has demanded that this years EU membership vote take place.

After a debate coinciding with an EU summit in Brussels, Parliament adopted by a vote of 54-to-0 a declaration saying, Only joining Europe can ensure the future of the country as a sovereign, neutral and full-fledged democratic state.

It identified EU integration as Moldovas top priority national project. Moldova is one of Europes poorest countries.

The opposition Bloc of Communists and Socialists, sympathetic to Moscow, walked out of the chamber.

In Transdniestria, a sliver of land which broke away from Moldova as the Soviet Union was collapsing, self-styled President Vadim Krasnoselsky called on Moldovan authorities to recognise his territory and renounce all claims to it.

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There is no other way out, he said on the enclaves television. There can be no more talk of autonomy. You must walk away from these territories.

His region, he said, was not separatist, but a normal neighbour seeking peace and stability.

Transdniestria, heavily dependent on Russia for financial support, has no international recognition, not even from Moscow.

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It has remained on Moldovas eastern border for 30 years with little turmoil, but tension has risen since Moldovan authorities imposed customs duties in January on all goods entering and leaving the region.

Elected officials last month appealed to Moscow for diplomatic measures to protect the region.

An EU summit last year gave the green light for membership talks with both Ukraine and Moldova, but no date for the start of talks has been made public, and there was no announcement on the matter at Thursdays meeting in Brussels.

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Moldova has been engaged in an escalating row with Russia, with the Ukraine war and Transdniestria as the focal points.

Authorities summoned the Russian ambassador twice in the past week over Moscows decision to open six polling stations in the enclave for Russias presidential election, and a Russian diplomat was told to leave the country.

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Moldova faces disputes with a second region in the south, Gagauzia, whose leader met Russian President Vladimir Putin this month and is linked to a fugitive pro-Russian businessman sentenced to 15 years in absentia for mass fraud.
The incident occurred Thursday near Sandy Cay reef, several kilometres from the Philippine-held Thitu island in the disputed Spratly Islands, where the two countries have battled often in recent months

On Friday, the Philippine Coast Guard accused a Chinese vessel of dangerous manoeuvres as it attempted to impede Filipino scientists from accessing a coral in the South China Sea.

The incident occurred Thursday near Sandy Cay reef, several kilometres from the Philippine-held Thitu island in the disputed Spratly Islands, where the two countries have battled often in recent months.

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Confrontations between Chinese and Philippine warships in the crucial waterway, including crashes, have strained ties between Manila and Beijing, both of whom have a long history of maritime territorial conflicts.

In the latest incident, a boat belonging to the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources was taking marine scientists to the reef when a China Coast Guard vessel crossed its path, coming as close as 100 metres (330 feet) to the boat, Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said.

Tarriela said the China Coast Guard vessel sounded a siren for more than 30 minutes to draw the attention of Chinese maritime militia boats in the area.

However, the China Coast Guard said Thursday that 34 Filipinos had illegally landed on the reef it calls Tiexian Jiao and the Philippines calls Pagasa Cay 2.

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Chinese law enforcement officers landed there, where they investigated and handled (the situation), China Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu said in a statement.

Thats another lie coming from the Chinese coast guard, Tarriela said on Friday.

Tarriela said the scientific team spent four hours at two reefs and was able to complete its mission, despite the presence of Chinese vessels and a Chinese military helicopter circling overhead.

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China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including the Spratly Islands, brushing off rival claims from countries including the Philippines and an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.

An initial assessment of Sandy Cay and a second reef near Thitu showed that the fish and corals were in a very poor state, University of the Philippines marine biologist Jonathan Anticamara told the press conference.

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Anticamara, who led the scientific mission, said his team observed unnatural and wide piles of rubble taller than a person at Sandy Cay.

We dont know who put it there, Anticamara said.

Some of the countries with overlapping claims to the Spratlys, including China and Vietnam, have turned reefs into artificial islands where they have built ports, airstrips and military facilities.

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Chinas land reclamation has outstripped that of other claimants, according to the US-based Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI).

AMTI estimates China has carried out unprecedented dredging and artificial island-building in the Spratlys since 2013, creating about 1,300 hectares (3,200 acres) of new land.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday landed at Paro International Airport in Thimpu kicking off his two-day visit to Bhutan, his first after the new government took office in the Himalayan nation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday landed at Paro International Airport in Thimpu kicking off his two-day visit to Bhutan, his first after the new government took office in the Himalayan nation.

He was welcomed by Bhutans Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay with a warm embrace as he touched down at the airport.

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PM Modi was earlier scheduled to travel to Bhutan on Thursday, but had to delay the visit by a day due to inclement weather conditions at Paro Airport, which is situated in a deep valley surrounded by Himalayan mountain ranges and has a particularly tricky landing approach.

#WATCH | Paro, Bhutan | A warm embrace between Bharat and Bhutan: Bhutans PM Tshering Tobgay welcomes PM Modi as he lands at Paro airport. pic.twitter.com/tKYHIgEsQc  ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2024

Shortly after his arrival, PM Modi was accorded a guard of honour.

#WATCH | Paro, Bhutan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives Guard of Honour after his arrival at Bhutan's Paro International Airport pic.twitter.com/xwX50Y2cjJ  ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2024

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Ahead of his departure, PM Modi said he will be attending various programmes during his two-day trip aimed at further cementing the India-Bhutan partnership

On the way to Bhutan, where I will be attending various programmes aimed at further cementing the India-Bhutan partnership. I look forward to talks with Majesty the King of Bhutan, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and Prime Minister @tsheringtobgay, the Prime Minister posted on X.

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Earlier this week, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement that the visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on bilateral and regional matters of interest and deliberate on ways to expand and intensify our exemplary partnership for the benefit of our peoples.

India and Bhutan share a unique and enduring partnership which is rooted in mutual trust, understanding and goodwill, the statement emphasised.

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Our shared spiritual heritage and warm people-to-people ties add depth and vibrancy to our exceptional relations, the MEA said.

During the visit, Prime Minister Modi will receive an audience with His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan, and His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan, it said.

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The visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan and the governments emphasis on its Neighbourhood First Policy, the MEA said.

The prime minister will have an audience with Bhutans King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, and his father Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of the Himalayan nation.

Modi will also hold bilateral talks with his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to receive a grand welcome at the Tashichho Dzong, a traditional Buddhist monastery and the seat of the Bhutanese government.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay was on a five-day visit to India last week, his first foreign trip after assuming charge of the top office in January.

He also held meetings with captains of various industries, besides other important engagements

With inputs from agencies
The Order of the Druk Gyalpo was instituted as the decoration for lifetime achievement and is the pinnacle of the honour system in Bhutan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first foreign head of state to receive Bhutan's highest civilian honour. Source: X

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday, became the first foreign Head of the Government to receive Bhutans highest civilian award - the Order of the Druk Gyalpo.

Bhutans King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck awarded the Order of the Druk Glyalpo to PM Modi.

PM Modi dedicates award to 140 crore Indians

Honoured to be conferred with Order of the Druk Gyalpo Award by Bhutan. I dedicate it to 140 crore Indians, PM Modi posted on X.

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Honoured to be conferred with 'Order of the Druk Gyalpo' Award by Bhutan. I dedicate it to 140 crore Indians. https://t.co/gNa7YlcFfG  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 22, 2024

Since its institution, the award has been conferred upon only a handful of eminent personalities.

Previous recipients of the award include:

1 - Her Majesty Royal Queen Grandmother Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck on November 7, 2008

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2 - His Holiness Je Thrizur Tenzin Dendup (68th Je Khenpo of Bhutan) on November 7, 2008

3 - His Holiness Je Tulku Jigme Chhoeda, 70th Je Khenpo of Bhutan, on 17th December,

2018.

As per ranking and precedence established, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo was instituted as the decoration for lifetime achievement and is the pinnacle of the honour system in Bhutan, taking precedence over all orders, decorations and medals.

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Why PM Modi was chosen for Bhutans highest civilian award?

The award has been conferred to PM Modi in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the growth of India-Bhutan relations and for his distinguished service to the Bhutanese nation and people.

The Order of Druk Gyalpo, Bhutans highest civilian award, has been conferred to His

Excellency Shri Narendra Modi, Honble Prime Minister of India, as a mark of deep

appreciation from the people of Bhutan for his leadership and personal efforts towards

strengthening the exceptional relations between Bhutan and India, the media release by Bhutan government read.

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Announcement of honour made in 2021

The announcement for the honour to PM Modi was made by the King of Bhutan during the 114th National Day celebrations on December 17, 2021.

The Indian PM, however, received it during his two-day State visit, his third since he took over as the prime minister in 2014.

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Bhutan King praises PM Modi

The Bhutan King said his countrys highest civilian award was presented to PM Modi is a symbol of our gratitude to India, for having always been our true friend and ally, for our close unity and friendship."

We all know that Prime Minster Modi has serious responsibilities with global implications. So we are honoured and happy that he is here today as our guest. The fact that he has chosen to be in Bhutan at this time is a gesture that speaks volumes about his support and friendship for Bhutan, the king said.

Great joy to see India succeed in every field

For Bhutan our neighbourhood is of vital importance and Bhutan-India relations, particularly, is a unique and time-tested partnership. It brings us great joy to see India succeed in every field, to see her global stature grow, and her people achieve greater prosperity. Bhutan also stands to benefit when India succeeds. We feel reassured about the future of our neighbourhood, the king said.

PM Modi shoulders responsibility to lead 18% of worlds population

The Bhutanese King further said nations need a great leader to progress and prosper, but such leaders are rare.

A great leader must be compassionate, must care deeply for the country, and be willing to give everything in the service of the nation and people. Additionally, a great leader must be visionary and immensely capable and competent. A great leader must be powerful, not for the sake of power, but to effect real change with the wholehearted support of the people, the king said.

In my view, Prime Minister Modi embodies all these qualities. He shoulders the responsibility to lead 1.4 billion people, 18 per cent of the worlds population. And his leadership has been extraordinary and exemplary, the king added.

With PM Modi at the helm, Indias future is bright

The King further said: With him at the helm, Indias future is bright. And as I said before, a successful India means a bright future for Bhutan.

What does citation on the award conferred to PM Modi reads?

The citation of the award conferred by Bhutan to PM Modi reads:

On December 17, 2021, His Majesty The King conferred the Order of Druk Gyalpo, the highest recognition of the Kingdom of Bhutan, to His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India.

Shri Narendra Modi is an outstanding embodiment of national, regional, and global leadership. Under him, India has become the fastest growing economy in the world and will be the third largest economy by 2030.

Prime Minister Modi has emerged as a figure of destiny, transforming the ancient civilization of India into a dynamic centre of technology and innovation. His commitment to safeguard the environment and invest in renewable energy makes Indias progress truly well rounded. Prime Minister Modis leadership has set India on the path of transformation, and Indias moral authority and global influence have grown.

PM Modis Neighbourhood First policy has strengthened South Asia, and paved the way for collective progress.

Bhutan is honoured that a statesman of such stature is a true friend of the Bhutanese people. Prime Minister Modi is a firm supporter of Bhutans national vision to achieve self-reliance and become a developed nation.

Bhutan-India relations is exemplary among nations. Prime Minster Modis friendship and support for all of Bhutans objectives and initiatives have made our bonds stronger than ever.

This award recognises His Excellency Prime Minister Modis personal accomplishments and leadership, and his contributions to strengthen the bonds of friendship between India and Bhutan. It also honours Indias rise as a global power under his leadership, and celebrates Bhutans special bond with India.

Today, we witness a momentous ceremony, in which His Majesty The King presents the Order of Druk Gyalpo to His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi, in person.
At a press conference on Thursday, the authorities said that they were looking into two killings that occurred in the Washington state boundaries of Nez Perce County and Clearwater County

In response to an attack on corrections officers at a Boise hospital, police on Thursday apprehended two members of a white supremacist gang: an Idaho prisoner and his accomplice who helped him escape. Investigators are now investigating if the two killed two people while they were escaping.

After a brief automobile pursuit near Twin Falls, some 130 miles (209 km) from the hospital, Skylar Meade, the escaped prisoner, and Nicholas Umphenour, the man who authorities claim shot two Idaho prisons officials early Wednesday to break Meade out of custody, were taken into custody on Thursday afternoon.

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At a press conference on Thursday, the authorities said that they were looking into two killings that occurred in the Washington state boundaries of Nez Perce County and Clearwater County. Both the victims were men. Police found shackles at the scene of one of the killings and thats one of the ways we tied them together, Idaho State Police Lt. Colonel Sheldon Kelley said.

According to the Clearwater County Sheriffs Office on Facebook, authorities discovered a deceased male after receiving a request for a welfare check on Wednesday night. The office stated that when the call came in, the suspects were many hours outside of the county. No other information was made public.

Meade, 31, was given a 20-year jail term in 2017 for firing at a sheriffs sergeant while leading authorities on a fast-paced pursuit. In January, Umphenour was released from the Idaho Maximum Security Institution, located in Kuna, south of Boise. According to authorities, the two had shared acquaintances both inside and outside of jail, occasionally shared housing, and belonged to the Aryan Knights prison group.

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No shots were fired during the arrest, police said.

The attack on the Idaho Department of Correction officers came just after 2 a.m. Wednesday in the ambulance bay of Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, as they were preparing to return Meade to the prison. He had been brought to the hospital earlier in the night because he injured himself, officials said.

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After the ambush, one officer shot by Umphenour was in critical but stable condition, police said, while the second wounded officer had serious but non-life-threatening injuries. A third corrections officer also sustained non-life-threatening injuries when a responding police officer  mistakenly believing the shooter was still in the emergency room and seeing an armed person near the entrance  opened fire.

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Correction Director Josh Tewalt said Thursday one guard had been released from the hospital, and the other two are stable and improving.

The department is reviewing its policies and practices in light of the escape, he said.

Were channeling every resource we have to trying to understand exactly how they went about planning it, Tewalt said.

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The Aryan Knights is a gang that formed in the mid-1990s in Idahos prison system to organize criminal activity for a select group of white people in custody as well as outside prison walls, according to the U.S. attorneys office in the district of Idaho.

In 2021, Harlan Hale, described as a leader in the group, was sentenced to life in prison for his role in a plot to traffic drugs behind bars and use violence to collect unpaid debts. In a court document, federal prosecutors described the Aryan Knights as a scourge within the states prison system.

The hate-fueled gang engages in many types of criminal activity and casts shadows of intimidation, addiction, and violence over prison life, prosecutors wrote.

In 2022, the Anti-Defamation League counted 75 different white supremacist prison gangs in federal or local facilities in at least 38 states. The ADL said two of the largest such groups, the Aryan Circle and Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, had at least 1,500 members.

Mark Pitcavage, a senior research fellow for the ADLs Center on Extremism, estimates that the Aryan Knights has approximately 150 members behind bars and roughly 100 more on the streets. He said the group operates in other states, including Washington and Oregon.

With all white supremacist prison gangs, the ideology takes a backseat to the organized crime. Thats just a given, he said. They use that as a sort of a glue to help keep them together and help keep them loyal to the gang.

Pitcavage said white supremacist prison gangs are a very different phenomenon from neo-Nazi groups like Aryan Nations, which had a compound in north Idaho at its peak in the 1980s and 1990s.

Recently, Meade had been held in a type of solitary confinement called administrative segregation because officials deemed him a severe security risk, Tewalt said.

Meade had been escorted in the ambulance and at the hospital by a uniformed, unarmed officer wearing a ballistic vest, tailed by two armed officers, Correction officials said.

Security for transporting Meade to the hospital from prison was enhanced because of his violent history, but the department will review their overall policies for transporting inmates to hospitals, Tewalt said.

The attack came amid a wave of gun violence at hospitals and medical centers, which have struggled to adapt to the rise of threats.
The Health Ministry in Gaza raised the territorys death toll Thursday to nearly 32,000 Palestinians. The ministry doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.

Permanent Representative of Algeria to the United Nations Amar Bendjama (L) and Chinas ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, vote against a U.S. ceasefire resolution for the Gaza war during a UN Security Council meeting at the United Nations headquarters on March 22, 2024 in New York City. | Photo Credit: Getty Images via AFP

Russia and China used their veto power in the United Nations Security Council on Friday to block a resolution put forward by the United States. The resolution aimed to establish an immediate and lasting cease-fire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The resolution also sought to ensure the protection of civilians and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to over 2 million Palestinians facing severe food shortages.

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Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the World Health Organization expressed grave concerns about the dire situation in Gaza. He highlighted that the limited access to food supplies has resulted in a staggering increase in malnutrition among children under the age of 5, with up to 60% now suffering from malnutrition compared to less than 1% before the conflict erupted.

The Health Ministry in Gaza raised the territorys death toll Thursday to nearly 32,000 Palestinians. The ministry doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.

Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people in the surprise Oct. 7 attack out of Gaza that triggered the war, and abducted another 250 people. Hamas is still believed to be holding some 100 people hostage, as well as the remains of 30 others.

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Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israeli leaders in Tel Aviv on Friday on the final stop in his sixth urgent trip to the region since the start of the war.

Blinken said he would share alternatives to Israels planned ground assault into the southern Gaza town of Rafah during talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his War Cabinet.

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With inputs from agencies.
KYOTO, Mar 22 (News On Japan) - Starting with the 2026 academic year, Kyoto University announced the introduction of admission slots exclusively available to women in its Faculty of Science and Faculty of Engineering.

According to Kyoto University, these exclusive slots will be part of the "General Selection" process, which assesses applicants' academic abilities and motivation through document screening and interviews in the Faculty of Science, and the "School Recommendation Selection" in the Faculty of Engineering.

For both faculties combined, out of a total of 98 available slots, 39 will be reserved exclusively for women, referred to as "women's slots". Applicants will be evaluated based on their academic activity reports and scores from the Common Test for University Admissions, among other criteria.
Manufactured by the US defence contractor Raytheon, the Patriot is in service with the US and allied countries including Germany, Greece, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Poland, Sweden, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Romania, Spain, and Taiwan.

Nikolai Nozdrev, Russias recently appointed ambassador to Japan warned Tokyo regarding the potential transfer of Patriot missile systems produced under US license in Japan to Ukraine, the RIA news agency reported on Friday.

Nozdrev cautioned that such actions could lead to significant repercussions and prompt retaliatory measures from Moscow. The ambassador emphasized that Russia would closely monitor the destination of Japanese arms exports following Tokyos relaxation of export regulations in late 2023.

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The MIM-104 Patriot (Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept On Target) missile system is the United States Armys main air and missile defence system. It started as an anti-aircraft system, but over the years, newer variants can engage ballistic and cruise missiles, loitering munitions, and aircraft.

In particular, he said, Russia would be watching to see if and when any Patriot missile complexes and missiles made in Japan under U.S. licence are exported to the United States and then to Ukraine.

Accordingly, we will be watching carefully to make sure that the Patriots delivered do not end up in Ukraine, because if that happens, there will be the most severe consequences for bilateral (Russia-Japan) relations, including our retaliatory steps, RIA cited him as saying.

Manufactured by the US defence contractor Raytheon, the Patriot is in service with the US and allied countries including Germany, Greece, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Poland, Sweden, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Romania, Spain, and Taiwan.

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With inputs from Reuters.
Muhoozi Kainerugaba, 48, a general in the military, is widely seen as his fathers successor in waiting and once stirred controversy by threatening to invade neighbouring Kenya. The ministry said in a statement he replaces Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, who was removed and appointed as a junior minister.

Ugandas President Yoweri Museveni appointed his son Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as the top commander of the military on Thursday, sparking controversy in a country where many believe Museveni is grooming his eldest child for the presidency.

Despite a law prohibiting serving army officers from involvement in partisan politics, Kainerugaba has been conducting rallies across the country. He argues that his activities, including the establishment of the Patriotic League of Uganda, are nonpartisan and intended to foster patriotism among Ugandans.

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The ministry said in a statement he replaces Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, who was removed and appointed as a junior minister. In 2022, Museveni removed his son as commander of Ugandas land forces after he made threats to invade neighbouring Kenya in posts on social media platform X.

In the posts, Kainerugaba also expressed support for Russias President Vladimir Putin saying: The majority of mankind (that are non-white) support Russias stand in Ukraine.

Kainerugaba joined the army in the late 1990s, and his rise to the top of the armed forces has been controversial, with critics dubbing it the Muhoozi Project to prepare him for the presidency.

Museveni and Kainerugaba have long denied the existence of such a scheme, but it appears a transition is underway as Museveni, 79, serves what could be his last term without a recognizable successor within the civilian government.

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Kainerugaba has most recently been serving as a senior presidential advisor in charge of special operations after his father removed him as infantry commander in 2022. At the time, Kainerugaba was responsible for a series of offensive tweets, including an unprovoked one in which he threatened to capture the capital of neighbouring Kenya. He has previously served as the commander of an elite group of special forces protecting the first family.

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With inputs from agencies.
US southern state Texas has been trying to secure its border with an anti-immigration law, which allows the state police to arrest immigrants suspected of crossing the border illegally

Illegal immigrants clash with Texas' National Guardsmen in an attempt to enter US. AP File

The US border in the state of Texas saw tensions flaring up after a large group of enraged illegal immigrants marched toward the border wall in El Paso, ending up in a melee with Texas National Guardsman.

Around 100 illegal immigrants broke through the barbed wires in an attempt to enter the US illegally on Thursday after Texas anti-illegal immigration law SB4, was halted by Federal Courts.

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Texas has long argued that it has had to bring an anti-immigration law, which was briefly approved by US Supreme Court, because the President Biden-led administration isnt doing enough to secure the border and deport those who entered the nation illegally.

Riot-like situation at Texas border

A video recorded by The New York Post, shows guards pushing back and closing down gates of the border to stop the mob of illegal migrants from entering US, who were allegedly incited after one family unit was allowed to pass through.

Get the fk back! a soldier can be heard shouting at the illegal immigrants from the other side of the fence.

All the illegal immigrants trying to trespass have been apprehended and will be processed for deportation. The state can also charge the migrants who assaulted the soldiers, Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council said.

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Record 2.4 million immigrants had hit the Texas border in 2023 seeking entry into the United States.

What is the Texas anti-immigration law?

Texas has been trying to secure its border with an anti-immigration law, which allows the state police to arrest immigrants who are suspected of crossing the border illegally.

Number one, we are facing such dangerous situations. And number two, Joe Biden, through his actions, is violating the laws of the United States of America, Texas Governor Greg Abbott had said.

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The US Appeals Court blocked the immigration law, just hours after the Supreme Court allowed the state to enforce measures under it.

The Biden-led government has been opposing the move, arguing that the Texan law infringes federal responsibility over immigration enforcement.

SB 4 will not only make communities in Texas less safe, it will also burden law enforcement, and sow chaos and confusion at our southern border. SB 4 is just another example of Republican officials politicizing the border while blocking real solutions, Washingtons press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement recently.

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Mexico said it wont accept deportations made by Texas under any circumstances. The law would lead to the separation of families, discrimination and racial profiling that violate the human rights of the migrant community, Mexicos Ministry of Foreign Affairs had said.
OSAKA, Mar 22 (News On Japan) - At the "KANSAI COLLECTION 2024 SPRING & SUMMER" fashion event held on March 20 at the Kyocera Dome Osaka, celebrity Yoko Kumada made a striking appearance.

Accompanied by gravure idol Airi Shirakawa and model Ayu Kiyokawa, she took to the runway and, at the head of the runway, the trio suddenly discarded their coats to reveal daring swimsuit looks, showcasing their impressive figures.

The audience were treated to Kumada posing in a pastel pink bikini, posed with her remarkably toned abs, drawing intense attention despite being 41 years old.

In a press conference following the event, when asked about the part of her body she's most confident in, Kumada promptly responded, "My abs. I'm a mother of three, but I work hard to keep my stomach tight."

She also shared, "Actually, my eldest daughter was here at the venue for the first time. It felt great to proudly show her what mom's job is like," with a proud smile that only a mother could have.

Source: ANN
Microsoft has introduced its latest business-focused PCs: the Surface Pro 10 for Business and the Surface Laptop 6 for Business.

These PCs are tailored to meet the demands of business users, offering enhanced performance, longer battery life, more ports, improved security, and durable anti-reflective displays.

Featuring the new Copilot key, these are the first Surface PCs optimized for AI, providing quicker access to Windows AI experiences. Powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra processors, the Surface Pro 10 is 53% faster than its predecessor, while the Surface Laptop 6 is twice as fast as the Laptop 5.

Microsoft Surface Pro 10

The Surface Pro 10 for Business boasts a 13 PixelSense Flow display with a resolution of 2880 x 1920, offering up to 600 nits of brightness and Dolby Vision IQ support. It provides up to 19 hours of usage on a single charge and supports fast charging with a minimum 45W power supply.

It offers up to 64GB LPDDR5x RAM and up to 1TB of Gen4 SSD storage, alongside Intel Graphics. It is equipped with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth Wireless 5.3 technology, it also features a Kickstand with a 165-degree full friction hinge.

With Microsoft Copilot assistance and Windows 11 Pro innovation, the Surface Pro 10 enhances productivity. The device includes a Copilot key on the keyboard for easier access.

Its display is 33% brighter with a higher contrast ratio and a durable anti-reflective coating. It also features an Ultrawide Studio Camera, dual studio mics with voice focus, and Dolby Atmos support for improved video calling.

As a Secured-Core PC, the Surface Pro 10 ensures industry-leading security with Enhanced Sign-in Security and a new NFC reader for secure password-less authentication.

Quick specifications: Microsoft Surface Pro 10

Microsoft Surface 6

Microsoft has introduced the Surface Laptop 6, a laptop tailored for business needs. It runs on the latest Intel Core Ultra H-Series processors, ensuring top-notch performance for tasks like data analysis, graphic design, and software development.

The keyboard on the Surface Laptop 6 is meticulously designed for comfort and efficiency, maintaining Surfaces renowned typing experience. A new Copilot key facilitates easy access to AI features, aiding users in daily tasks while ensuring commercial data protection.

Users can opt for either a 13.5 or 15 PixelSense touchscreen display, optimized for touch interaction and featuring anti-reflective and adaptive color technology for clear visibility in various lighting conditions.

In terms of specifications, the Surface Laptop 6 offers a choice between a 13 or 15 PixelSense Flow display with Dolby Vision IQ support and Corning Gorilla Glass 5. It boasts up to 19 hours of battery life, fast charging capabilities, Intel and Arc Graphics options, up to 1TB of storage, and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity.

For audio, it features Dual Studio Mics with voice focus and Omnisonic speakers with Dolby Atmos support. Additionally, it comes with a new Surface Studio Camera that enhances video calls using AI-driven Windows Studio Effects.

Customers in the U.S. and Canada can also opt for a 15 Surface Laptop 6 with an integrated smart card reader, catering to industries requiring enhanced security measures.

Quick specifications: Microsoft Surface 6

Sustainability and Accessibility

Both laptops prioritize sustainability, incorporating recycled materials in their construction. The Surface Laptop 6 Enclosure contains a minimum of 72% recycled content, meeting ENERGY STAR requirements.

Microsoft emphasizes easy serviceability, providing repair instructions via a built-in QR code and visual guides for component replacement.

Microsoft emphasizes accessibility with features like Copilot integration for easy activation of accessibility features, improved live captions offloaded to the NPU for efficiency, and the launch of the first Surface Pro Keyboard with bold keyset.

Additionally, Microsoft Adaptive Accessories are introduced to empower users with accessibility needs.

Pricing and availability

The Microsoft Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 are now available for pre-order with pricing starts from USD 1,199.99 (Rs. 1,00,025 approx.), with product shipping to customers starting April 9.

The consumer versions, including Surface Pro 10 with an OLED display, are expected to be introduced on May 20th at its hardware and AI event.
Tailgate Issue

Ok so onto the next repair item: Tailgate issue



The tailgate is installed a little lopsided. The opening is 1/2" tighter at the top then the bottom. The supports already hit and damaged the metal next to the tail lights (see pics) The supports move in and out when opening and bind when the tailgate is near closed and it shifts the tailgate over where ever it wants it to be and its not centered up at all inside the bedside openings. So here are my questions:



1. How do I open up the top 1/2" wider to match the bottom opening of the bed? Force and verbal manipulation? Loosen a few bolts somewhere?



2. Is the bottom opening too wide? My measurements are 67 3/4" Bottom width and 67 1/4" Top width



3. Are there better quality and cheaper quality supports? Not sure which ones the PO bought. Seems like these have a lot of play and binding in them but maybe that will change some with proper bed alignment?



Thanks for your help




KYOTO, Mar 22 (News On Japan) - Nidec Corporation, an electronics manufacturer based in Kyoto, has announced that it has entered into a naming rights agreement with Keihan Group, which operates Kyoto Tower.

Kyoto Tower, standing at 131 meters, has been a landmark of the city since its opening in 1964. Known as the "Lighthouse of the City," it is the tallest structure in Kyoto.

Starting April 1st, Kyoto Tower will be renamed "Nidec Kyoto Tower." This year marks the 60th anniversary of Kyoto Tower's opening, and it will be the first time the tower's name includes a corporate name.

Local residents have mixed feelings about the change. One person said, "I think it's a good thing. If Nidec's efforts in Kyoto become known worldwide, it will also benefit Kyoto." Another person commented, "It feels a bit strange. I wonder if people will still say 'Let's go to Kyoto Tower.'"

Nidec Corporation stated, "As a company based in Kyoto, we want to support and energize the local community."

Source: MBS
Boehringer Ingelheim's U.S. headquarters are located in Ridgefield, Conn. The company has announced that it will cap eligible patients' out-of-pocket expenses for inhalers at $35 per month. Carol Kaliff Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, talks to the media as he walks to the House chamber before President Joe Biden's State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol, March 7, 2024, in Washington. Sanders is the chairman of the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which launched in January 2024 an investigation of alleged price manipulation by several inhaler manufacturers, including Boehringer Ingelheim. Jose Luis Magana/AP

RIDGEFIELD  Boehringer Ingelheim, one of the worlds largest manufacturers of inhalers, will cap patients out-of-pocket costs for inhalers, a change made after a U.S. Senate committee launched an investigation of the Ridgefield-based company and several other pharmaceutical giants.

Boehringer Ingelheim announced earlier this month that, starting June 1, eligible patients will pay no more than $35 per month for all of its inhaler products. The new program will dramatically decrease costs at the pharmacy counter for the most vulnerable patients, including those who are uninsured or underinsured, according to company officials. Following Boehringer Ingelheim's lead, two of the other companies implicated in the Senate investigation, GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca, this week also announced $35 monthly maximums for out-of-pocket costs for their inhalers.

The U.S. health care system is complex and often doesnt work for patients, especially the most vulnerable. While we cant fix the entire system alone, we are bringing forward a solution to make it fairer, Jean-Michel Boers, CEO and president of Boehringer Ingelheim USA, said in a March 7 written statement. We want to do our part to help patients living with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or asthma who struggle to pay for their medications. This new program supports patients with predictable, affordable costs at the pharmacy counter. We will also continue to advocate for substantive policy reforms to improve the health care system.

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There are some conditions to the new caps. Boehringer Ingelheim's news release noted that, government restrictions exclude people enrolled in federal government insurance programs from co-pay support.

The company also said it would decrease the list price on some of its inhaler products. In addition, it said it would continue providing significant discounts and rebates off the list price of its medicines to insurers, pharmacy-benefits managers and other parties, although unfortunately, these reductions are not always passed on to patients.

Leaders of the Congressional Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which launched the investigation in January, lauded the new efforts to rein in out-of-pocket expenses.

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The three largest manufacturers of inhalers in the world have all committed to cap the cost of inhalers in the U.S. at no more than $35 at the pharmacy counter, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont and committee chairman, said in a statement on Wednesday. This will significantly cut costs for millions of Americans with asthma and COPD so that they will be able to afford the inhalers that they need.

The senators praise of the new cost caps contrasts with the scathing criticism that they leveled at Boehringer Ingelheim, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline and Teva when they announced the probe. Sanders and several other HELP Committee members asserted that the companies' outrageous inhaler prices  as high as $525 per month for BIs devices, according to their initial findings  were forcing patients, particularly those who are uninsured or underinsured, to ration doses or abandon their prescriptions. The senators argued that patients with asthma and COPD who did not have reliable access to inhalers were more likely to get sick or die, worsening the U.S. toll of thousands of deaths annually from such conditions.

BI has been charging unbelievable amounts for inhaler products in the U.S.  often 10 times the prices that it charges for the same products in Germany, Japan, Canada, France and the United Kingdom, according to a letter sent to the Connecticut company in January from Sanders; Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin; Ben Ray Lujan, D-New Mexico; and Edward Markey, D-Massachusetts. They asserted that the company was charging such high prices in the U.S., mainly because of a lack of generic alternatives. Of BIs seven inhaler products, only one faces generic competition, they said.

The senators' letter did not provide BI-specific revenues because they said the company does not publicly disclose its U.S. inhaler revenues. But their letter stated: Boehringer Ingelheims efforts to block generic competition have allowed it to make billions of dollars in revenue on its inhaler products while the people whose lives depend on these products struggle to afford them.

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In response, BI issued a statement that defended its pricing of inhalers and denied that it was trying to repress generic competition.
Becky Goetsch, owner of Killingworth's Running Brook Hemp, is applying to become a micro-cultivator of recreational marijuana. She already grows marijuana plants heavy with CBD. Jordan Fenster / Hearst Connecticut Media Becky Goetsch, owner of Killingworth's Running Brook Hemp, is applying to become a micro-cultivator of recreational marijuana. She already grows marijuana plants heavy with CBD. Jordan Fenster / Hearst Connecticut Media Group Becky Goetsch, owner of Killingworth's Running Brook Hemp, is applying to become a micro-cultivator of recreational marijuana. She already grows marijuana plants heavy with CBD. Jordan Fenster / Hearst Connecticut Media Group Becky Goetsch, owner of Killingworth's Running Brook Hemp, is applying to become a micro-cultivator of recreational marijuana. She already grows marijuana plants heavy with CBD. Jordan Fenster / Hearst Connecticut Media Group Becky Goetsch, owner of Killingworth's Running Brook Hemp, is applying to become a micro-cultivator of recreational marijuana. She already grows marijuana plants heavy with CBD. Jordan Fenster / Hearst Connecticut Media Group

The Connecticut attorney general has asked Congress to reconsider the law that made hemp legal, which advocates and state lawmakers say could upend both the legislatures plans for THC seltzers and Connecticuts hemp and CBD industry.

A March 20 letter to federal legislators signed by state Attorney General William Tong along with 18 other attorneys general said the good intentions of the 2018 federal farm bill have been overshadowed by illegal, unregulated cannabis products sold across the country on the gray market.

The promise of the 2018 Farm Bill to create this agricultural commodity market, however, has failed, the letter says. Instead, hemp-derived intoxicants have proliferated across our states, posing a significant threat to public health and safety, and benefiting unregulated, untaxed, and unaccountable market actors.

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Becky Goetsch, a hemp farmer and president of the Connecticut Hemp Industry Association, said Tong is naive if he doesn't think that those words are straight up aggressive toward the farming industry.

There are all the existing hemp farmers who operate with integrity and create hemp derived products that are non-intoxicating, she said. It is an agricultural commodity and the agricultural people are creating good, decent, non-intoxicating products.

Tong spokesperson Elizabeth Benton said, The purpose of our bipartisan, multi-state letter was to urge Congress to clarify any residual confusion regarding hemp intoxicants and state regulations.

We continue to see bad actors exploit confusion created by the 2018 Farm Bill hemp definition, including the sale of illegal high-THC products made to look like candy and snack foods attractive to kids," she said. "The purpose of our bipartisan, multi-state letter was to urge Congress to clarify any residual confusion regarding hemp intoxicants and state regulations."

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Tongs office last year began raiding smoke shops and gas stations, seizing products he said are designed to mimic popular brands, but instead contain high amounts of THC, the compound in cannabis that gets you high.

This law has unleashed on our states a flood of products that are nothing less than a more potent form of cannabis, often in candy form that is made attractive to youth and children  with staggering levels of potency, no regulation, no oversight and a limited capability for our offices to rein them in, the letter says.

Meanwhile, state legislators have been attempting to curb the sale of illicit THC products while carving out an exception for THC-infused seltzers, so that they may continue to be sold in Connecticut package stores.

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State Rep. Mike DAgostino, D-Hamden, co-chairman of the legislatures general law committee, said, if I had my druthers, all cannabis products would be sold in licensed and regulated dispensaries: Once you start allowing the sale outside of the dispensaries and regulated structure, eventually you're going to lose control of the marketplace.

Though he knows creating an exception for THC seltzers to be sold in package stores would make cannabis harder and harder for us to regulate, DAgostino said, If that's what people want, I mean, it is a legal product. Then so be it.

That exception would allow THC seltzers  alone among cannabis products in Connecticut  to be grown, processed, tested and manufactured out of state.

If, however, the federal legislators reverse course at the request of attorneys general, then we could say definitively, OK, if we're going to allow these products, they can only be made in Connecticut, DAgostino said.

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The 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp and hemp-derived products containing less than 0.3 percent THC by dry weight, was due to be reauthorized last year. That reauthorization never happened, and the letter to congressional leaders was sent in the hopes that the bill is reconsidered before Congress puts its stamp on the bill for another five years.

Because of the ambiguity created by the 2018 Farm Bill, a massive gray market worth an estimated $28 billion has exploded, forcing cannabis-equivalent products into our economies regardless of states intentions to legalize cannabis use, and dangerously undermining regulations and consumer protections in states where adult-use legal cannabis programs are already in place, the letter says.

On our end, its hard to run a business when the rules and laws are changing every year  so wed welcome some federal guidance  we just cant depend on it and wont be holding our breath, said Jeff Wentzel, a member of CHIA and a manager at U.S. HempCare. Wed probably question the issue being called a 'crisis'  fentanyl overdoses and opioid abuse is a crisis. Weve been seeking federal guidance and regulation for years.

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Though both Wentzel and DAgostino said they agreed with Tongs sentiment and that theyd welcome federal clarification on the issue, Wentzel does not believe tightening restrictions is the answer.
Mourners pray on the bodies of, from left, Ahmad Abu Ali, 22, wrapped with an Islamic Jihad flag, Eyad Azmi, 19, wrapped with an Islamic Jihad flag, Nidal Abu Obeid, 23, wrapped with a Palestinian flag and Abdullah Qeissi, 20, wrapped with an Islamic Jihad flag, during their funerals in the West Bank refugee camp of Nour Shams, Tulkarem, Thursday, March 21, 2024. The military said that the two posed a threat to its forces, which were operating in the Nur Shams refugee camp in Tulkarem. The Palestinian Health Ministry and the Palestinian Red Crescent rescue service both said four people were killed in Nur Shams, including the two killed in the airstrike, without saying whether they were civilians or combatants.
Republican voters cast their ballots at Town Hall during the Republican Town Committee primary election in Greenwich, Conn. on March 5, 2024. Andy Blye/Hearst Connecticut Media

GREENWICH  The State Elections Enforcement Commission, Connecticuts election watchdog, voted to open three investigations into the Republican Town Committee primary held earlier this month.

Several Republican participants have accused fellow party members of wrongdoing in the lead up to the March 6 RTC primary.

All three complaints were filed by Greenwich Republicans and all relate to petition paperwork that triggered the primaries. SEEC voted to investigate these three complaints, as is its standard practice, during a meeting on March 20.

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The first new complaint SEEC voted to investigate this week came from five Republicans in District 5: Jerry Cincotta, Andy Duus, Michael Hahn, Marc Johnson and Paul Olmsted.

They alleged that three signatures on primary petitions were not made by the elector themselves.

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We reviewed the petition and noticed several of the signatures could not have been obtained in the timeframe the petition was being circulated, the group said in a joint statement.

One of the people that supposedly signed a primary petition on Jan. 31 was at a memorial service for her father that day, according to the complaint, and another was actually in Florida on the day they supposedly signed the petition.

The complaint names RTC chair Beth MacGillivray, Mita Spilo and Nan Levy as violators since they are the ones that circulated the petitions with the suspect signatures.

"The SEEC complaint by Jerry Cincotta, Marc Johnson, Paul Olmsted, Andy Duus, and Michael Hahn is a tactic, both a nuisance and harassment," MacGillivray said. "Hard-working, dedicated volunteers who are not residents and neighbors of District 5 collected over 60 signatures required to assure 48 would be validated by the Office of Registrar. If the two signatures in question are invalidated, there is no impact given the abundance of verified signatures. Any insinuation otherwise is baseless and disrespectful of the process instructed by our registrar."

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Spilo and Levy did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The second new complaint was filed by RTC members Michael Spilo and Joe Montanaro. Michael Spilo is married to Mita Spilo, who was named in the District 5 complaint.

Michael Spilo and Montanaro reviewed primary petitions and claimed that in several cases it is self-evident that the signatures of multiple petitioners were penned by the same hand, which they claim is a violation of state law.

Montanaro called the District 5 complaint "frivolous" and said the complaints he filed speak for themselves.

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Michael Spilo similarly said the District 5 complaint only serves to harass and intimidate but did not provide a comment about the complaints he filed.

The complaint names three petition circulators: Jill Kelly, Ed Dadakis and Paul Cappiali. Kelly did not immediately respond, while Cappiali said he did not do anything wrong and that he looks forward to cooperating with SEEC investigators.

Dadakis said the allegations are "completely false."

The third complaint was also filed by Spilo and Montanaro. In it they claim that Fred DeCaro, one of Greenwichs registrars of voters, failed to reject invalid primary petitions from District 2.

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This complaint makes the same allegations as the lawsuit that several RTC candidates filed against DeCaro earlier this month.

DeCaro has vigorously maintained that he and his staff followed the law leading up to the primary.

"I look forward to a speedy resolution to the complaint," he said in a statement. "We followed (the Secretary of State's) interpretation of the law, and re-confirmed that interpretation. There is not a moment of doubt in my mind that we followed the proper procedures as outlined by the Secretary of the State. This complaint presumes the Greenwich Registrars are wrong, the Secretary of the States instructions are wrong, and the other cities and towns we checked with are also wrong in how they follow the law."
Fri Friday

68 /36

Windy with times of sun and clouds. Highs in the upper 60s and lows in the mid 30s.
Statement of the Chair on Cyprus Maritime Corridor

Press and Information Office, Ministry of Interior, Republic of Cyprus

21-03-2024

Further to the Joint Statements of March 8 and March 14, 2024, a senior officials' meeting for technical discussions was convened earlier today in Cyprus, aiming to accelerate the "Amalthea Plan" to deliver much-needed additional amounts of humanitarian assistance by sea to Gaza.

This is to complement and is no substitute to all existing routes, in particular through Rafah, Egypt and Jordan, and entry points from Israel into Gaza for aid delivery at scale. The opening of Ashdod port to humanitarian assistance would be welcomed and a significant complement to the corridor.

During the technical meeting, the United Nations (UN) Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, Ms Sigrid Kaag, who is in charge of facilitating, coordinating, monitoring and verifying the flow of aid into Gaza, under UN Security Council Resolution 2720 (2023), also presented the way in which the maritime route can be one of the many entry points needed to scale up assistance into Gaza, including the UN mechanism and the prospect of setting up a Secretariat.

At today's meeting, over thirty-five countries and several international agencies deliberated on technical aspects with the aim of scaling up capacity as well as flexible funding modalities. Towards this end, the "Amalthea Fund", to which parties can contribute, was announced and the possibility of a UN-managed multi-donor fund was discussed. Further deliberations with core partners will follow in the coming days.

The participants also reaffirmed that protecting civilian lives is a key element of international humanitarian law that must be respected and that together we must all do more to ensure aid gets to people who desperately need it.

(MP/MS/IA)

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he Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Constantinos Kombos, attends the opening session of the Senior Officials Meeting for the Cyprus Maritime Corridor ("Amalthea" Plan)

Press and Information Office, Ministry of Interior, Republic of Cyprus

21-03-2024

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Constantinos Kombos, participated at the opening session of the Senior Officials Meeting for the Cyprus Maritime Corridor, which is taking place today at the Zenon Coordination Centre in Larnaka.

In press statements at the conclusion of the opening session, Foreign Minister Kombos stated:

"The aim of the meeting is to discuss how we can maximise operational capacity, both in terms of departure and in terms of means of transport, and also in relation to the reception and distribution methodology.

The second issue we are discussing today is about the establishment of a fund; a fund that would be able to finance the operational activities of the Plan.

And thirdly, it is about integrating all the states and entities that are participating in order to have a synchronised pace for our actions.

In terms of participation, there are 36 countries participating, including the G7 and the EU. The UN is also present along with a very important attendance of all major agencies relating to or dealing with the humanitarian aid. In addition, we have NGOs that are actively involved or that could be utilised in the near future."

(MF/IA/GS)

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March 21, 2024

Transcript

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh Holds a Press Briefing

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SABRINA SINGH: All right, good afternoon, everyone. I just have a few things at the top, and then happy to jump into your questions.

Yesterday, Secretary Austin spoke with Minister of Defense Gallant regarding the negotiations for the release of hostages and a temporary cease-fire. Secretary Austin also raised the need to consider alternatives to a major ground operation in Rafah while reiterating the shared goal of defeating Hamas. The two also discussed the need to do more to protect civilians and urgently increase the flow of aid into Gaza through land crossings.

Next week on Tuesday, March 26th, Secretary Austin will host Minister Gallant here at the Pentagon for a bilateral meeting to continue their discussions on a range of topics, including efforts to secure the release of all hostages held by Hamas, the need for more humanitarian aid to reach Palestinian civilians and plans to ensure the safety of the more-than one million people sheltering in Rafah, while ensuring Hamas can no longer pose a threat to Israel.

This bilateral meeting is separate from the meeting announced by the White House following a call with President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu in which the prime minister agreed to send a senior interagency team composed of military intelligence and humanitarian officials to Washington.

In other news, the Bob Hope-class vehicle cargo ship Roy P. Benavidez, a large medium-speed roll-on, roll-off ship, departed its pier in Newport News, Virginia today, carrying heavy equipment and material needed to construct the temporary pier to support the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The Benavidez is transporting components for a floating modular pier system which will be delivered to the U.S. Army's Seventh Transportation Brigade, who will construct the temporary pier in the Mediterranean. This capability, known as joint logistics over-the-shore, or JLOTS, will allow for ship-to-shore cargo distribution and is part of the broad U.S. government's efforts to provide food, water and other forms of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.

In other news, the department extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of General Al Gray, the 29th commandant of the Marine Corps, who passed away yesterday in Alexandria, Virginia. As commandant, General Gray made significant contributions to the warfighting capacity of the Marine Corps, most notably, the development of the maneuver warfighting doctrine and the publication of the Fleet Marine Force Manual that remains the foundation for how the Marine Corps thinks about, prepares for and executes all operations. While he was responsible for establishing the Marine Corps University, he was also a Marine's Marine, and he famously remarked that, quote, "Every Marine is, first and foremost, a rifleman. All other conditions are secondary," end quote.

A full obituary will be released shortly, but for additional information, please contact the Marine Corps' communication director.

And finally, in sad news, today is Ryo Nakamura's last day here at the briefing room. He's been an outstanding international member of the Pentagon Press Corps for more than over four -- for more than four years now, and we appreciate all of his professional work reporting on important issues. Ryo, safe travels home to you to Japan, and best wishes to your family. And I think with that, we should give you the first question.

Q: Thank you.

MS. SINGH: Of course.

Q: Thank you so much, Sabrina. Thank you very much for your kind words.

Yeah, I want to ask you about AUKUS. The -- earlier today, the deputy secretary of state, Kurt Campbell said the -- that Japan's participation in AUKUS Pillar II is under consideration. Does the Pentagon assess that Japan has a potential to contribute significantly to advanced cutting-edge defense technology development?

MS. SINGH: Yeah, thanks, Ryo, for the question, and again, we'll certainly miss seeing you here, so you'll have to come visit and stay in touch.

In terms of what you're referencing, I would refer you to State and the White House for any additional information. As you know, Japan is one of our oldest allies in the region. Our relationship right now is closer than ever, but at this time, I just don't have anything to announce.

Q: Similarly...

MS. SINGH: Sure.

Q: ... on the AUKUS Pillar One, the nuclear-powered submarine...

MS. SINGH: Yeah.

Q: There are growing concerns that the delivery of the submarine to Australia could delay, since the administration reduced the funding request for the submarine area -- area this month. So is the Pentagon still confident that you can start delivering the submarine in the early 2030s, or are you open to revising the timetable, moving ahead?

MS. SINGH: Well, so our commitment to AUKUS is unwavering. In terms of timeline on delivery, I'd refer you to the Navy to speak more to that. But I think this is a good reminder that we are well into fiscal year 2024 and we still don't have a budget. We are in the process of now going through our F.Y. '25 budget proposal to Congress, and we still don't have a supplemental passed by Congress.

So again, I would refer you to the Navy to speak to the timelines of, you know - and - and more specifics, but it all has to go back to the budget. And the quicker, the faster that we can get a budget approved by Congress, we're going to meet those benchmarks and we're going to meet those timelines.

If we experience delays, like we are experiencing right now, we're operating with one hand tied behind our back and, you know, we certainly could fall behind. But for more specifics, I'd refer you to the Navy.

AP, Tara Copp?

Q: All right, thank you. First, on Mr. Gallant's visits, what's different about this visit? They talk on the phone all of the time. We still see increased civilian casualties in Gaza. There's still not an open gate for additional humanitarian aid. So why is Mr. Gallant coming here? And how is the Secretary going to push to try and get some of these more strategic goals answered?

MS. SINGH: Well, the Secretary regularly - regularly engages with partners and allies through phone calls and in-person meetings. Minister Gallant was coming to Washington, D.C. This was a meeting that was set up a few weeks ago. So it's just an opportunity to meet face-to-face. Just like when the Secretary travels to the region, he goes and meets with many of the - many of his counterparts that he has regular phone calls with as well.

Sorry, and your second question?

Q: Well - so just to press on that more, I mean, will this - do you think that the in-person visit will make more of a difference than these phone calls have in getting more humanitarian aid through?

MS. SINGH: I think it's another opportunity to discuss the urgent need for humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza. That's something that certainly the Secretary impressed upon Minister Gallant not just in the call yesterday but in every single phone call he has. A face-to-face meeting is just another opportunity to engage. It's a good opportunity for them to see each other in person.

They will discuss also what is happening in the region, what is happening at Rafah, but again, I just want to remind you that this is separate from that team that's going to be - that is going to come following the phone call that the President had with Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Q: OK. And then on the pier, the Benavidez set sail today.

MS. SINGH: Yep.

Q: So we've got the pier elements moving forward, you've got the sailors and soldiers are starting to move forward.

MS. SINGH: Yep.

Q: What is - what's going to be the Pentagon's role in kind of that final mile? Are you letting contracts for contractors to then deliver that aid into Gaza? What - you know, what's kind of the final piece looking like?

MS. SINGH: So that's still something that's being worked out right now. And - and in terms of the distribution, that's not something that the U.S. military will be involved in. We are, you know, the logistics - setting up, coordinating the movement of the humanitarian aid from either the floating pier or to the - that floating causeway, but that's something that - in terms of how the distribution of aid is going to happen once it gets into Gaza, that's not something that, you know, we're handling.

In terms of contracts or, you know, how that's going to be done, whether it's through partners and allies, NGOs, I just don't have - I just don't have that for you right now. We're - we're going to get there though.

Q: OK. So just to be clear, like - but will the Pentagon actually let the contracts that would distribute that final mile, or is that going to be State, or do we know who's actually going to be handling that?

MS. SINGH: There will be no - I mean, there'll be no U.S. military on the ground in Gaza. So again, who's handling that, I just don't have that for you.

Q: ... the agencies, who's going to be responsible for doing the contracts?

MS. SINGH: I am not - I'm not sure at this time who would be responsible for doing the contracts. It might be, again, a partner or an ally that - it - takes this on. This is an interagency effort, but I just don't have more to provide at this time.

Q: ... and then just one last on Niger ...

MS. SINGH: Sure.

Q: Assistant Secretary Wallander said today that the CNSP has not officially asked military - or U.S. military troops to leave. Can you give us a status on the conversations with the - the junta? And what are troops doing right now? Are they just staying by the wire?

MS. SINGH: They're - they're still operating as they were from July, when the initial coup did happen. They've - we've consolidated our - our presence to 201. From an interagency perspective, from the department and State Department as well, there are ongoing conversations with the CNSP to discuss the path forward, but I don't have a further readout of those conversations. All I can tell you is that they're ongoing, and when we have more to share, we certainly will. Great.

Phil, yes?

Q: Just on the timeline for the pier, you know, General Kurilla said today that he thought it would be - he - he suggested a slightly faster timeline, that they'd perhaps be in place in mid-April. So can you just give us a sense, has the timeline been shortened or is it still up to 60 days from the original date that it was announced?

MS. SINGH: I think it's - it's still up to 60 days from when we initially announced it, which was, I think, now - go - go - about two weeks ago, approximately. You know, of course if that - if that period shortens or it gets expedited in any way, you know, that's - that's great and we want to see that, but we're allowing ourselves some time to allow those ships to get there.

So we still - I mean, I think what General Kurilla said is approximately mid-April. That - that sounds accurate. I - I'm not doing the math up here, in terms of, like, 60 days from when we announced, but that - that's about right. Yeah.

Let me go to the phones and then happy to come back in the room. Jeff Schogol, Task & Purpose?

Q: Thank you. I just wanted to double check to see if - you were asked earlier if the - if the DOD is making any plannings for a non-combatant evacuation operation from Haiti. I just wanted to see if anything has changed, if DOD is looking into a possible NEO for Haiti? Thank you.

MS. SINGH: Thanks, Jeff, for the question. So right now, the mission is securing that embassy, augmenting our security, as you saw with the Marine FAST that went in just earlier last - last week. That's the mission right now. There is - the embassy is still open, operating as it normally would.

The State Department has contracted some flights for American citizens who are looking to leave, but that is - you know, if - that is their decision, that's not that a NEO has taken place. Again, our focus right now is just the embassy and embassy security, and that's what our folks on the ground are doing.

Heather, USNI?

Q: Hi, thanks so much. So wanted to get some information about the Red Sea. I'm seeing reports by the Houthis that they have targeted an Israeli ship and an American ship, but that didn't come out in the CENTCOM releases. So I wanted to see if you've heard anything about Houthis targeting this - I think it was the 'Motto' and the 'Pacific 01' were the two ships that they announced that they were targeting - if you've heard anything on that?

And then just in terms of the CENTCOM briefs, I wanted to see if it would be possible to get some more information when we get those briefs? It seems like we're getting less and less information each day.

MS. SINGH: Thanks, Heather. So I'm certainly happy to look into the information that you're looking for and - to provide any more details that you need.

In terms of the targeting of an Israeli or U.S. ship, I - if it's something that just happened earlier today, it's likely going to be included in, you know, our daily roundup that we do of our engagement, whether it be these dynamic strikes that we do or any action that we've taken to shoot down any UAVs that the Houthis shoot towards commercial ships or our ships.

But I just don't have more for you on what you specifically referenced, so happy to get back to you on that.

And then last question from the phone and then I'm happy to come in the room. Eric Schmitt, New York Times?

Q: Sabrina, you mentioned in Niger the U.S. forces are continuing to do what they were doing. Does that include the -- the drone flights for force protection? Are those continuing out of 201?

MS. SINGH: Thanks, Eric. So we are continuing to fly ISR for force protection but it is only for that reason. Thanks, I'll come back in the room. Yes, over here.

Q: Thanks, Sabrina. I have a couple on Ukraine, we hear more and more talks on the Hill both providing aid to Ukraine as a (loan and even some Democrats are saying that they might be open to this idea. Do you consider such an option providing military assistance to Ukraine as a loan?

MS. SINGH: As a loan? That's still something that's still being worked out through Congress. I'm not going to get ahead of that process. I think I spoke to this recently but Ukraine is, right now, in the fight of it's life and every day trying to fight back for it's sovereign territory, very difficult to also burden a nation that's in the middle of war with a loan program.

That being said, that's something that's being worked out with Congress. I'm just not going to get ahead of that process.

Q: I have another one.

MS. SINGH: Sure.

Q: So the Atlantic reports that the Ukrainian military believes that Russia is using satellite imagery provided by private U.S. companies to conduct its missile strikes on Ukraine. Have Ukrainian counterparts raised this issue with the Pentagon and if yes, is there anything that could be done to limit access to satellite imagery over Ukraine?

MS. SINGH: I've seen those reports, I just can't confirm that at this time. We'll continue to look into that and then when I -- if I have more -- I'm happy to get back to you on that.

Yes, Brad.

Q: Yes, there are reports that U.S. troops are stationed permanently in the Taiwan Strait. Can you confirm that at all and like say anything about what their role is and how many troops are there?

MS. SINGH: I don't have anything for you on that. We maintain a presence in the region. Again, we conduct different Taiwan Strait transits at times but I just don't have more for you on that. Luis?

Q: You mentioned the Gallant visit but will there be a DOD component to this visiting team. Will -- in other words will there be a visit to the Pentagon. Will there be military members or representatives of the DOD will partake as part of those discussion?

MS. SINGH: Yes. No, thanks for the question, Luis. I just don't have more for you at this time on that meeting. It's still coming together. I, of course, don't know exactly who will comprise the Israel delegation. So when we have more information I'll be happy to get back to you on that.

Q: There is a possibility that the DOD could participate in those discussion?

MS. SINGH: I think the -- the Department would be involved in some way but I can't tell you if there are going to be discussions here, if they're going to be at the White House. This is an interagency -- this is going to be an interagency conversation.

Yes, great. Yes.

Q: The White House announced the first trilateral U.S./Japan/Philippines leaders summit on April 11th, so given the Chinese provocation in the South China Sea, what kind of trilateral defense cooperation among these three countries do you hope to promote in ...

MS. SINGH: Are you -- are you referencing the state visit that's happening later this month -- or sorry, next month?

Q: Yes, from Japanese prime minister and the Philippines president.

MS. SINGH: Yes. So I'm not going to get ahead of that visit that's happening soon. There will be, of course, engagement from the Department and some of those meetings taking place. But until those meetings happen I'm just not going to get ahead of that. I'm sure you can appreciate that. But when we have more to share, we will.

Yes, hi.

Q: In Europe today as the world talks about -- still talk about what President Macron said about sending troops to Ukraine, a lot of obviously European states don't agree in that. Do you have anything to -- to say from the Pentagon side?

MS. SINGH: So I can only speak on behalf of this Department and you've heard the President be very clear that we're not putting U.S. boots on the ground in Ukraine. We continue to support Ukraine through different presidential draw down packages.

We did just do an emergency draw down package a few weeks ago. But, you know, consistently we had packages going almost weekly to Ukraine and that stopped in December because we don't have any more money left because we don't have a supplemental.

But that's the best way we're supporting Ukraine. We know Ukraine right now is having to make strategic decisions about having to withdraw from certain areas in order to fortify their defensive lines. Those are really hard tough decisions and decisions that they're having to make because we are not able to supply them with the capabilities, the systems that they need because we don't have that authorization from Congress.

So, the best way we can support Ukraine is to have Congress pass a supplemental so we can continue to draw down these packages. And you've heard the Secretary of Defense, he was just -- he just convened the Ukraine Defense Contact Group earlier this week and he said very forcefully that we're not going to let Ukraine fail. And we're not but we do need Congresses help in order to get Ukraine what it needs.

Q: Yes. So no sending -- there's no intention to send in the -- in the near future at least, any troops?

MS. SINGH: President Biden has been very clear that there will be no boots on the ground in Ukraine. Yes, of course. Yes, and then I'll come over to you. Yes. Go ahead.

Q: Thank you. Thank you, Sabrina. And Iraqi delegation headed by the deputy prime minister and foreign minister is visiting Washington D.C. To your knowledge do they have any scheduled meeting with the secretary or any defense official about HMC?

MS. SINGH: I don't have any meetings to preview or announce today. Yes. Sure.

Q: Quick follow-up on the JLOTS plan. Is there an estimated budgets of what this is going to cost yet?

MS. SINGH: I know a few of you have asked and I haven't forgotten about this question, I promise. I don't have that in front of me right now. I'm happy to take that question and we will -- we will answer it.

Q: Great. And would you need more supplemental spending than already requested to help pay for it? If you could like let us know the details of that when you --

(CROSSTALK)

MS. SINGH: Sure. Well, what we -- what we actually need is a budget. So we're six -- yes, we're halfway into the fiscal year, we still don't have appropriated funds for FY '24. You saw we've had over, I think, a dozen engagements on the Hill either today or in the last 48 hours of our commanders giving their budget proposals of what they need for FY '25. So great question when it comes to budgeting and the reality is that right now these services are paying for all of this and having to make decisions about programs or other, you know, items to fund in order -- because we don't have a budget yet.

So that's what you're seeing across this administration, urging Congress to pass a budget. We certainly welcome the progress that we saw. We saw bill text come down early this morning. We're continuing to review that but we would just urge Congress to give us the FY '24 appropriations so we can continue on and fund programs like whether it be replicator or the office of strategic capital to, you know, making sure that we can get this floating pier set up outside the coast line of Gaza. Yeah, of course. Yes, in the back.

Q: Thank you. I'd like to ask about the Secretary's meeting with Israel's Gallant.

MS. SINGH: Sure.

Q: Are they going to have a press conference after their meeting next Tuesday or are you going to issue a statement or readout?

MS. SINGH: Yeah, we usually do a readout following any bilateral meeting. I don't have anything to preview on any type of press event, but usually with all bilateral meetings, we have a press spray component that's open at the top of the meeting.

Yeah, great. All right. Short briefing. Oh, yeah, we've got one more, OK. Yeah, no problem.

Q: Sabrina, Kimberly Underwood from AFCEA's SIGNAL Magazine. I wanted to ask if the Secretary or Deputy Secretary Hicks have any reactions to her trip to Project Convergence Forward, and kind of what they saw in the technologies and kind of experimenting at the joint theater level, and what they're - what they were, I don't know, I guess, pleased with from the exercise.

MS. SINGH: Are you talking to me - the Deputy's travel earlier in the week?

(CROSSTALK)

MS. SINGH: ... last week? Yeah. I think there was a readout from that trip. I would direct you to that. I just don't have more, but again, the Deputy's very focused on some of the issues that you mentioned, but I just wouldn't be able to go beyond the readout that was issued. All right?

Thanks, everyone. And Ryo, again, congratulations and look forward to staying in touch. Thanks, everyone.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3714748/

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March 21, 2024

Transcript

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Remarks Welcoming Federated States of Micronesia President Wesley Simina to the Pentagon

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LLOYD J. AUSTIN III: Well, good afternoon, Mr. President, and welcome to the Pentagon. You're visiting Washington at a historic time for the relationship between the United States and the Federated States of Micronesia. Our defense ties run deep and they uphold peace and stability across the Pacific Islands, and we share a special bond.

Under the Compacts of Free Association, the United States military serves as a defense force for the freely associated states, including Micronesia, and America's all-volunteer force draws strength from FAS citizens. We're grateful for the military service of your country's citizens, Mr. President, and we're proud to serve shoulder-to-shoulder with you.

We're especially glad that President Biden and the United States Congress have recently extended U.S. economic assistance to the FSM into the 2040s as a part of the compacts. Renewing the Compacts was a landmark achievement, and it will help advance our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The Compacts ensure that the United States can maintain a military presence in the freely associated states. That presence helps secure a vital and vast part of the Indo-Pacific, an area that's larger than the continental United States.

Today, we'll discuss new opportunities for defense posture cooperation between our two countries, including on Yap Island, and we'll talk about enhanced exercise opportunities as our partnership grows even stronger.

Mr. President, thanks again for making the trip, and I look forward to a great conversation. And over to you, sir.

PRESIDENT WESLEY SIMINA: Thank you very much, Secretary Austin. Ladies and gentlemen, just a few days ago, our nations exchanged diplomatic notes to commemorate the enduring partnership between the Federated States of Micronesia and the United States. Our Compact of Free Association strengthens our security and defense plans at a critical juncture in the history of our nations, in the Indo-Pacific region, and the world at large.

In reaching this historic moment, I am reminded of the words in our own Constitution, and I quote, "having known war, we hope for peace. Having been divided, we wish for unity. Having been ruled, we seek freedom," end quote.

In this (inaudible), my country has known no greater friend than the United States. Our friendship is one based on shared democratic principles and values - peace, unity, and freedom. In these highest of pursuits, our people have stood shoulder-to-shoulder. Micronesians have stood side-by-side with Americans, proudly serving in the U.S. military, even enlisting at the highest rates. Some have been - have made the ultimate sacrifice as well.

Our partnership is a common understanding that shared principles and values, such as peace, unity, and freedom, are fostered in regional stability not just between our two nations but beyond. And that lasts not just for the next 20 years but beyond, because while the economic provisions of our agreements may need to be revisited in a couple of decades, our cooperation on matters of security and defense has and will always stand firm.

The numbers may change but our shared values and commitment to them will continue to remain the same. This is the foundation upon which our partnership stands, as a beacon of stability and trust, enduring in perpetuity.

Thank you again, Mr. Secretary. May God continue to bless our nations and our peoples. Thank you very much.

SEC. AUSTIN: Again, Mr. President, welcome to the Pentagon. We're delighted to have you here, and I look forward to a great discussion. Thanks, everybody.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3714794/

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March 21, 2024

Release

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With President Wesley Simina of the Federated States of Micronesia

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III hosted President Wesley Simina of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) at the Pentagon today to reaffirm the strong defense and security ties between the United States and the FSM.

The two officials welcomed the recent successful effort by President Biden and Congress to advance the Compacts of Free Association Amendments Act of 2024, which provides funding for the 20-year extension of economic assistance to the Freely Associated States (FAS) under the Compacts of Free Association (COFA). Additionally, they expressed gratitude for the decades of distinguished service by FSM citizens in the U.S. military made possible under the Compacts.

The two officials also underscored the importance of ongoing discussions between both countries to explore opportunities for new cooperation on U.S. defense posture in the FSM, including in the State of Yap, as well as exercise opportunities in the region.

Secretary Austin's meeting with President Simina comes as the United States continues to strengthen partnerships across the Pacific Islands region, including with the FAS. In August 2021, Secretary Austin met with the President of the Republic of Palau, and he met in September 2022 with the President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3714705/

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March 21, 2024

Release

Readout of Senior Defense Sustainment and Logistics Leaders' Trip to the Indo-Pacific

Department of Defense Spokesperson Mr. Robert L. Ditchey II provided the following readout:

Hon. Christopher Lowman, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment and Lieutenant General Leo Kosinski, Joint Staff Director for Logistics led a delegation of senior logisticians from each U.S. Military Service headquarters, the Defense Logistics Agency, and USINDOPACOM to the Indo-Pacific region March 10-20, 2024, to assess sustainment opportunities throughout the region that ensure success in a contested logistics environment.

Focusing on opportunities to strengthen ties with allies and partners, increase sustainment capacity, and further build defense industrial base resilience, the delegation met with U.S. military and national government representatives from Australia, Japan, and the Philippines. Hon. Lowman and delegation members stressed the importance of increasing regional capacity for the sustainment of coalition forces in the region, to include establishing a network of regionally aligned maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities in coordination with national and U.S. commercial industry partners.

Hon. Lowman applauded progress each nation is making and reinforced the need for continued partnership to meet the demands of the region, increase interoperability and interchangeability, and further implement a robust integrated deterrence environment.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3714115/

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West Haven City Hall. In a brief presentation Thursday evening, Mayor Dorinda Borer noted that her budget proposal reduced a planned 37.21 mill tax rate to a 36.6 mill tax rate, or a 1.79 mill increase from the current year's rate. Hearst Connecticut file photo

WEST HAVEN  In the first budget proposal of her mayoralty, Dorinda Borer recommended a slight increase in property taxes.

During her campaign, Borer said the city  the state's sole municipality under the highest level of oversight from the Municipal Accountability Review Board due to historical mismanagement and financial distress  would need to be realistic about its short-term financial situation, and residents should not expect a tax decrease. She noted that the city previously presented a five-year plan to the MARB that included a 2.4 mill increase to the city's current 34.81 mill tax rate for the 2025 fiscal year. One mill represents $1 per $1,000 of assessed property value owed in taxes.

Unfortunately, that is our jumping-off point for this year, she said.

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In a brief presentation Thursday evening, Borer optimistically noted that her proposal slashed the planned 37.21 mill tax rate to a 36.6 mill tax rate, or a 1.79 mill increase from the current year. Borer said she accomplished the reduced increase primarily through making hires and restructuring city departments, finding cost-sharing opportunities and identifying new revenue streams.

In total, the mayor recommended a $182.7 million operating budget, approximately $10 million larger than the fiscal year 2024 budget. The budget also includes a $2 million increase to the Board of Education budget, the first increase to the schools' budget since the 2017 fiscal year. Superintendent of Schools Neil Cavallaro said strategic spending from the district amid an influx of federal pandemic funds allowed the district to operate, but the district would need to pare down some positions offering student support without a budget increase. Borer, who previously served on the Board of Education, called the proposed increase a "commitment to our children."

Borer said that she has made 12 hires since taking office in December, which has reduced the city's projected expenditures on consultants, who sometimes received about three times what would be the equivalent pay for a salaried worker. She said the city's overtime has been "quite frankly out of control," and making new hires has reduced the city's time-and-a-half payments.

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The mayor said the city also projects cost savings on energy due to a prior commitment to pursuing renewable energy and through cost-sharing, such as working with the housing authority on splitting the costs of senior transportation services.

Borer said her administration has also been working to create infrastructure to enforce various fines and collect additional revenue, such as enforcing blight fines and adding more paid parking for non-residents throughout the city. The mayor said the city will also look to overhaul how it registers non-resident landlords for safety concerns as well as enforcing blight fines.

The mayor, who touted her marketing experience on the campaign trail and has expressed a desire to rebrand the city for increased tourism and business investment, proposed the addition of $24,700 for a marketing content specialist and a budget of $50,000 for marketing and social media within the city's human resources department.

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City Council Chairman Nick Pascale, D-At Large, said he was happy to see the mayor's efforts to reduce the projected tax increase.
March 21, 2024

By Joseph Clark , DOD News

Austin Welcomes Micronesia's President to Pentagon

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III underscored the close ties between the U.S. and Micronesia as he met today with Micronesian President Wesley Simina.

Austin welcomed Simina to the Pentagon following the recent renewal of the Compacts of Free Association, or COFA, which establish defense and economic ties between three Pacific Island nations: Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau.

Under the renewed agreement, the U.S. will extend defense and economic support to the three nations, known collectively as the Freely Associated States, into the 2040s.

"Renewing the compacts was a landmark achievement, and it will help advance our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific," Austin said.

"The compacts ensure that the United States can maintain a military presence in the Freely Associated States. That presence helps secure a vital and vast part of the Indo-Pacific, an area that's larger than the continental United States."

The compacts, which were first adopted in the mid-1980s by the U.S., the Marshall Islands and Micronesia and later joined by Palau in the 1990s, provide for U.S. military defense of the three nations.

The compacts also permit citizens of the Freely Associated States to serve in the U.S. military.

"We're grateful for the military service of your country's citizens, Mr. President," Austin said today. "And we're proud to serve shoulder to shoulder with you."

Since taking office, Austin has worked extensively to further strengthen U.S. partnerships across the Pacific Island region.

Austin met with the presidents of the Freely Associated States nations of Palau and the Marshall Islands in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Simina underscored the shared values between his country and the U.S. that serve as the foundation for lasting ties.

"Our friendship is one based on shared democratic principles and values - peace, unity and freedom," he said. "In these highest of pursuits, our people have stood shoulder to shoulder."

Through these shared bonds, Simina said, the two nations will remain close partners for many decades to come.

Ahead of their talks, Austin previewed discussions ranging from new opportunities for defense cooperation between the two countries and opportunities to enhance military exercises.

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March 21, 2024

By Jim Garamone , DOD News

DOD Leaders Detail Conditions in Middle East, Africa to House Committee

The situation in the Middle East and Africa has changed dramatically over the past year, and the Defense Department has moved with speed and agility to address the challenges in these vital areas, said Celeste Wallander, the assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, in testimony today before the House Armed Services Committee.

"The world has significantly changed since our posture testimony in 2023," Wallander said. "The crises proliferating in both the U.S. Centcom and U.S. Africom [areas of operation] have created a level of instability not seen in years."

Testifying alongside Army Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla, the commander of U.S. Central Command, and Marine Corps Gen. Michael E. Langley, the commander of U.S. Africa Command, Wallander said the National Defense Strategy continues to guide actions in both those areas of responsibility.

"DOD applies principles of partnership, deterrence, diplomacy, integration and values as it works to strengthen integrated deterrence, reduce conflict and promote stability," she said. "A strong, principled, adaptive U.S. military remains a central pillar for U.S. leadership in the world, while supporting a stable and open international system."

Dealing with the changed circumstances in both combatant commands is key to navigating between war and peace in the regions, Wallander said.

"Sustainable security relies on expanding regional security constructs, alliances and partnerships and integrating our partners with one another, as well as the United States," Wallander said. "Respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights expand sustainability in our security partnerships. As we take decisive action to address threats and challenges today in the U.S. Africom and U.S. Centcom [areas of operations], we continue to stand with our partners and allies to win what we view as the competition of coalitions that is becoming increasingly critical to our common security."

Actions by others  Russia in Ukraine and China's efforts to increase its footprint in the regions  also must be considered, she said.

The Middle East faces several crises, Wallander said. "Hamas brutally killed 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7, and continues to hold some 130 American and Israeli hostages," she said. "We are alarmed at the significant loss of life throughout the conflict which followed. Israel has an obligation to protect civilians and uphold international humanitarian law."

Wallander also said the region is under assault from malign actors across the region. Chief among these is Iran, which is cynically working to exploit the conflict in Gaza to further its own interests. Iran-backed militias work from Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen to destroy any sense of security in the region, she said.

The Houthis in Yemen have fired on commercial shipping and naval vessels in the Red Sea seeking to disrupt international commerce.

"Amid these crises, the Department of Defense is rising to the occasion to defend the nation's values and interests across the region," Wallander said. "Significant U.S. assistance to Israel aims at ensuring that what happened on Oct. 7 can never be repeated."

At the same time, the United States continues to underscore with Israel "the importance of obligations related to civilian harm mitigation and risks of conflict to civilians during Israel's operations against Hamas," Wallander said.

DOD also continues to hold Iran and its terrorist proxies accountable for attacks on U.S. and coalition forces. "We do not seek conflict in the Middle East, but attacks on American forces will not be tolerated," she said. "We remain postured and prepared to use all means necessary to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran, while working to counter Iran's destabilizing activities."

On the African continent, there are other problems. "African partnerships are critical for the Department of Defense to maintain its technological edge, accomplish its geopolitical and strategic objectives, and power our futures," Wallander said. "Despite Africa's boundless potential, threats, such as political instability, democratic backsliding and the presence of violent extremist organizations are the focus of DOD efforts."

Langley, Africom commander, said Africa is feeling the effects of global events that range from Russia's war in Ukraine to the Houthis attacks in the Red Sea. These events "directly impact the lives of millions of Africans," he said. "Terrorism, poverty, food insecurity, climate change and mass migration shattered African lives. These factors sowed the seeds of violent extremism and Russian exploitation across entire regions of the continent."

Challenges to democratic governance and order are endemic in the Sahel, he said, and this complicates relations with key partners. Africom prides itself on the interagency approach to Africa, and the general said he counts on that to help the command continue to engage on the continent in order to safeguard U.S. interests.

Still, that requires resources, and Langley made a plug for Congress to provide the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development to receive "the resources they need to guarantee our combined success," he said. "In Africa, modest investments and resources go a long way towards advancing our national security interests. Africa faces many challenges, but [it] offers even more opportunities."

Kurilla, Centcom commander, drew the contrast between the situation last year and today. "As I sat here just a year ago, the region was on the verge of improbable, unprecedented and transformative progress," he told the committee. "Today, the central region faces its most volatile security situation in the past half century."

The Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7 "not only permanently changed Israel and Gaza, they created the conditions for malign actors to sow instability throughout the region and beyond," he said. "Iran exploited what they saw as a once in a generation opportunity to reshape the Middle East to their advantage. Iran has worked for decades to encircle the region with its proxies. And in the past six months, we have seen every proxy and the Iranian threat network operationalized in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, the West Bank and Yemen."

The Houthi attacks on U.S. warships and international shipping in the Red Sea, coupled with Iran-allied militia strikes on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, are a direct result of an Iranian threat that has been incrementally spreading, Kurilla said. "Violent extremist organizations have also seized on this opportunity," he said.

The general said the Islamic State is using the chaos to try to reconstitute, and "the risk of attack emanating from Afghanistan is increasing. I assess ISIS-Khorasan retains the capability and the will to attack us and Western interests abroad in as little as six months with little to no warning."

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March 21, 2024

By David Vergun , DOD News

Austin Shares His Views on Gaza With Israeli Defense Minister

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant yesterday regarding the negotiations for the release of hostages and a temporary ceasefire, according to a Pentagon news release.

Austin raised the need to consider alternatives to a major ground operation in Rafah while reiterating the shared goal of defeating Hamas.

The two also discussed the need to do more to protect civilians and urgently increase the flow of aid into Gaza through land crossings.

Austin said he appreciated Gallant's firm and full commitment to protecting U.S. service members in the eastern Mediterranean who will enable the maritime humanitarian aid corridor.

Austin said he also looks forward to hosting Gallant at the Pentagon, March 26, for a bilateral meeting to continue these conversations.

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh, who briefed the media today, said next week's bilateral meeting between the two defense leaders is separate from the meeting announced by the White House following a March 18 call between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which the prime minister agreed to send a senior interagency team composed of military intelligence and humanitarian officials to Washington, D.C.

Biden and Netanyahu agreed to have their teams meet soon in Washington to exchange views and discuss alternative approaches that would target key elements of Hamas and secure the Egypt-Gaza border without a major ground operation in Rafah, according to a March 18 White House statement.

Separately, the Bob Hope-class MV Roy P. Benavidez, a large, medium speed roll-on, roll-off ship, departed Newport News, Virginia today, carrying heavy equipment and material needed to construct a temporary pier to support the flow of multinational humanitarian aid into Gaza, according to the U.S. Transportation Command and the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command.

The ship will anchor in the Newport News area to receive fuel prior to proceeding to the Mediterranean Sea.

The Benavidez is part of the broader U.S. government's efforts to provide food, water and other humanitarian aid to Gaza, Singh said.

The Benavidez, part of the U.S. Maritime Administration's Ready Reserve Fleet, is transporting components for a floating modular pier system which will be delivered to the U.S. Army's 7th Transportation Brigade who will construct the temporary pier in the Mediterranean.

This capability is known as Joint Logistics-Over-the-Shore, or JLOTS.

"JLOTS is a critical capability that allows ship-to-shore cargo distribution in the absence of a usable pier," said Army Lt. Gen. John P. Sullivan, deputy commander, Transcom. "It can be used to augment, an established port or to create a pier where one is needed and allows us to support areas where large populations are isolated from food, water and other forms of humanitarian aid."

JLOTS operations are part of Transcom's strategic sealift mission, operated by MSC for the current JLOTS mission. The Benavidez is crewed by contracted merchant mariners and is dry cargo surge sealift carrier capable of transporting up to 380,000 square feet of containerized cargo and rolling stock between developed ports.



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European Council: Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell upon arrival

European External Action Service (EEAS)

21.03.2024

Brussels

EEAS Press Team

Check against delivery!

Well, [today] it looks like a Foreign and Security Council, because the most important topics today are related to foreign affairs, security, and defence. On Ukraine, there are good news, this 5 billion top up [for Ukraine Assistance Fund], which has already been approved at the level of ministers.

I suppose the leaders will support my proposal, together with the [European] Commission, on seizing the revenues from the Russian frozen assets. I sent this proposal to the Council, the Council has to decide, and I count on the leaders to tell today to their Ministers to approve quickly this proposal that will provide [approximately] 3 billion per year for the Ukranian defence.

Another news is that my last accounting of the military support to Ukraine - I have been talking about 28 billion. Now the figure, until today, is 31 billion; so, every day it changes. So, since the beginning of the war, we have provided 31 billion of military assistance, and for this year, it is planned another 20 billion. So, from the point of view of support, we continue supporting Ukraine.

About ammunition supplies, I said several times that we have donated - for free - until now about 500.000 [shells]. But, if you count exports, commercial relations, the European industry has been working for the Ukrainian defence [with] around 400,000 more. But we have to continue, because even 2 million will not be enough.

The call for Europeans to be aware of the challenges we are facing is good, but we do not have to exaggerate either. War is not imminent. I have heard some voices saying: "War is imminent". Well, thank God, war is not imminent. We live in peace. We support Ukraine. We are not part of this war, we just support Ukraine. And we have to prepare for the future, increase our defence capabilities, augmenting the defence capacities of our industry.

But do not scare people unnecessarily. War is not imminent. What is imminent is the need of Ukrainians to support them. It is not an issue of going to die for Donbas, it is an issue of supporting Ukraine, [helping] them not being killed in Donbas. Or not being killed in Kyiv, when there is bombing.

Gaza is the second issue. The situation in Gaza, there are no words to depict the situation in Gaza. I am happy that the Council today is going to approve Conclusions which go much further than the first conclusion in October, when we said humanitarian pauses.

Today, the Council goes much further, supporting UNRWA, asking for a sustainable ceasefire. Certainly, asking also for the freedom of hostages. Needless to say, condemning Hamas' attacks, but showing a strong concern for the situation of the people in Gaza, which is unacceptable. And something which is unacceptable must not to be accepted. Otherwise, it is pure rhetoric.

What is happening today in Gaza is the failure of humanity. It is not a humanitarian crisis. It is the failure of humanity. It is not an earthquake; it is not a flood: it is bombing. The only way of stopping this humanitarian crisis - human crisis - is Israel respecting more the civilians and allowing more support to enter into Gaza.

We are doing [airdrops by] parachutes. You know there is one airport, one hour driving from the place where we are sending parachutes? But the airport is closed. We are building a port, but there is already a port, the Ashkelon port. It is closed. The borders are open so little that supply does not go into Gaza.

And even now, even now, if we managed to send food to Gaza, people are so starved - and especially children, [they] are so ill because they do not eat - that if they eat, they will be killed by eat[ing] itself. They need medicine. They need preparedness, in order to be able just to eat, because they have been starving. They are starving. So, I hope that the Council will send a strong message to Israel: Stop blocking. Stop preventing food from coming into Gaza. And take care of the civilians, because not all [of] them are Hamas. I have been saying that for months. And I will repeat it again.

Q&A

Q. Mr Borrell, is [inaudible] enough or should we talk about the Association Agreement with Israel as well?

Well, the [Foreign] Ministers discussed about it, and I understand that, to call for a meeting of the Association Agreement is difficult, because we have to make previously a unanimous agreement [on] which is the position - which certainly will not happen. But the [Foreign] Ministers asked me to invite the Israeli [Foreign] Minister [Yisrael Katz] to come to the Foreign Affairs Council and to explain what Israel is doing. And, at the same time, we have to study what is happening. If we say that Israel has the right to defend [itself] - and certainly, Israel has the right to defend [itself], not to revenge - not to revenge, defend.

Certainly, we support the right of Israel to defend [itself]. But we say, at the same time, that it has to be done in accordance with international law and humanitarian law, right? So, why do not we have a look if this really happens? Why do not we analyse if, what is happening, is in accordance with international law? Otherwise, it is pure rhetoric. So, we will study. We have a Special Representative for Human Rights [Olof Skoog], who studies human rights around the world. I will work with him in order to study what is the reality on the ground and report to the ministers. By the time being, nothing happens with the Association Agreement because there is not unanimity, but we cannot close our eyes, and say: "Oh, we complain a lot, but we do nothing."

Q. High Representative, how optimistic are you that there are going to be Conclusions, that there is going to be consensus on the use of windfall profits?

I am sure there will be consensus.

Today, at this summit?

I hope so. I have been working a lot for months in order to make this consensus happen.

But do not make mistakes: Israel has been aggressed by Hamas. Israel has the right to defend. It has to do that in accordance to the international law. Hostages have to be freed. And I am happy that the United States is going to present a proposal, a proposition to the Security Council - asking for the first time - for a ceasefire together with the freedom of the hostages.

Q. So, Ukraine and the windfall profits, do you see any problems from the neutral states who say we should not use these profits from the frozen assets for military purposes?

Their part will not be used for it. Their part, "I am a neutral country, I do not want my money to be used for that". Your part will not be used. But let the others do [it]. It is going to be a very important Council because I hope the leaders will send messages to the Ministers to proceed quickly and take the revenues from the frozen assets.

Q. Will there be a message to Bosnia to start the accession talks?

I don't know, let's see.

Q. Are you going to discuss the situation with Bosnia today and possible kickoff for the negotiation process? Will you talk about a possible timeframe for that?

I hope the leaders will agree on that. It is on the table. I hope they will agree on a push for Bosnia and Herzegovina's path to the European Union.

Is there going to be any additional condition for that?

I do not know. I cannot tell you what is going to happen. Thank you.

Link to the video: https://newsroom.consilium.europa.eu/events/20240321-european-council-march-2024-day-1/144094-arrival-and-doorstep-eu-hr-borrell-20240321

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Indonesia: Statement by the High Representative on the elections result

European External Action Service (EEAS)

21.03.2024

EEAS Press Team

The European Union extends its congratulations to President-elect Prabowo Subianto, following yesterday's publication of the official results of February's elections. The EU also extends congratulations to the Vice-President-elect and all newly elected parliamentarians and acknowledges the efforts of the Indonesian election authorities in ensuring the free conduct of these elections.

The EU welcomes the active participation of Indonesian citizens in the electoral process, demonstrating their commitment to the democratic principles enshrined in the constitution.

The EU looks forward to working with the new Indonesian administration, once it takes office, across the full range of our shared interests, ensuring mutual benefits for both Europe and Indonesia.

The shared commitment of the EU and Indonesia to the principles of international law and a rules-based order positions us as natural partners in the pursuit of peace and prosperity in the broader Indo-Pacific region with ASEAN at its centre.

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Military leaders hold strategic talks, one hundred miles north of Arctic Circle

Military leaders from 11 European and North American nations wrapped up military strategic and joint operational discussions focused on Arctic security during the annual Security Forces Roundtable in Kiruna, Sweden, March 19-21, 2024.

By U.S. European Command Public Affairs , United States European Command KIRUNA, Sweden Mar 21, 2024

With military exercises Arctic Edge in Alaska and Nordic Response in Norway recently culminating in the rugged, frozen tundra of the world's High North, military leaders from 11 European and North American nations wrapped up military strategic and joint operational discussions focused on Arctic security during annual talks in Kiruna, Sweden, March 19-21, 2024.

Co-chaired by U.S. European Command and the Norwegian Defence Staff, this year's Arctic Security Forces Roundtable (ASFR) was hosted by NATO's newest member nation, Sweden, in the country's northernmost city. Located above the Arctic Circle, Kiruna is home to the Esrange Space Center, a rocket range and space research center important to military and scientific applications.

"In hosting these talks at this historic juncture, following Sweden's formal NATO accession, we symbolize not only the unity within the Alliance writ large, but also the cohesion among like-minded Arctic nations," said Rear Adm. Jonas Wikstrom of the Swedish Armed Forces, who served as the official host of the talks. "Our commitment to collective efforts and defense is not new, but now as a full-fledged NATO member, the sense of Alliance unity in the Arctic is significantly enhanced today."

Established in 2010 by Norway and the United States, the ASFR serves as a flag-and-general officer-level, military-to-military forum, which fosters cooperation among military forces operating in and around the Arctic region. ASFR promotes regional understanding and enhances multilateral security cooperation, supporting nations that promote peaceful development of the Arctic and adhere to the international-rules-based order.

"There's rarely been a moment in history in which the solidarity between and among Arctic Allied nations has been this strong," said Air Force Brig. Gen. Gjert Dyndal, chief of operations for the Norwegian Defence Staff and ASFR co-chair. "Our forces are stronger and more cohesive than ever before."

Across the Arctic this month, Allied nations have conducted a wide array of extreme cold weather military training spanning both North America and Europe.

Norway hosted Nordic Response where some 20,000 military forces from 13 nations showcased high levels of interoperability as well as Arctic Shock where America's 11th Airborne Division parachuted into Norway to join Norwegian forces for several days of high-intensity training. Beyond Norway, the U.S. state of Alaska served as the site for Arctic Edge, an exercise featuring special operations forces from a number of Allied nations conducting high-intensity training.

In North America, Canada led Operation Nanook-Nunalivut, which included training exercises such as joint long-range patrols, austere logistics and below-ice diving. While drawing mostly military personnel from the Canadian Armed Forces, it also included about 50 members from the U.S., Belgium, Germany and France.

Also, in the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean, U.S. Submarine Forces, collaborating with the Arctic Submarine Laboratory, is currently conducting Operation Ice Camp, a three-week operation designed to research, test and evaluate operational capabilities in the Arctic region. Alongside forces from the U.S. Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Space Force, other participants included forces from the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Canadian Navy, the French Navy, the United Kingdom Royal Navy and the Royal Australian Navy.

During this year's ASFR, leaders participated in a tabletop exercise at the Esrange Space Center titled: A view from space on operational planning in the High North. The exercise incorporated the space domain for the first time into AFSR military planning considerations.

Beyond the military planning and security aspects of the Arctic, which included briefings from Sweden's Defense University and Defense Research Agency, AFSR members also examined the socio-economic aspects of the region as they toured the LKAB mine, which supplies around 85% of all iron ore to the European Union. ASFR participants also met with members of the local Sami, an indigenous people who have lived in the northern reaches of Sweden, Finland, Norway and Russia's Kola Peninsula dating back to the 15th century.

"At the forefront of Arctic protection, we recognize that the challenges we face in this region demand a collaborative approach," said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Bryony Terrell, USEUCOM's deputy director for security cooperation, policy, partnering and space capabilities and ASFR's co-chair. "ASFR stands as a vital forum for fostering cooperation among nations, ensuring that together, we stand resilient against the icy winds of uncertainty to safeguard the peace and stability of this unique and increasingly strategic domain."

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Government proposes additional funding for border security

Finnish Government

Ministry of the Interior

21.3.2024

Press release

In the first supplementary budget for 2024, the Government proposes over EUR 91 million in additional funding for the administrative branch of the Ministry of the Interior. Of this sum, EUR 86.174 million will be allocated to the Border Guard, EUR 2 million to the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service and EUR 3 million for the further development of the security authorities' Multi-Agency Field Commanding System (KEJO).

Additional funding for managing instrumentalised migration and constructing a fence

The measures to enhance border control taken following the closure of border crossing points and the centralisation of the submission of applications for international protection have caused and continue to cause additional costs to the Border Guard. An increase of EUR 12.174 million is proposed for the Border Guard to cover the additional costs of managing instrumentalised migration.

The Government proposes that EUR 74 million in additional funding be allocated to the Border Guard for the construction of a fence on the eastern border on an accelerated timetable. To this end, spending limits appropriations reserved for the construction of the fence on the eastern border in 2025 will be transferred for use in 2024. The construction of the fence will enhance the effectiveness of border management.

Securing the operation of the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service and developing the field command system

An increase of EUR 2 million is proposed for securing the operational level of the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service. An increase of EUR 3 million is proposed for a project to further develop the Multi-Agency Field Commanding System (KEJO) for the Police, rescue services, health and social services, the Border Guard, the Defence Forces and Customs. The increase will ensure that the implementation of the system will progress during 2024.

The first supplementary budget proposal for 2024 was submitted to Parliament on Thursday 21 March.

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34 Philippine personnel land on China's Tiexian Jiao, handled lawfully by Chinese coast guard: CCG

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Mar 21, 2024 11:02 PM

Thirty-four Philippine personnel have landed on Tiexian Jiao (Tiexian Reef) in the South China Sea on Thursday, ignoring warning and dissuasion from the Chinese side, said China Coast Guard (CCG). Regarding such violations, the Chinese coast guard lawfully landed on the reef to investigate and handle the situation.

The actions of the Filipino side violate Chinese territorial sovereignty, contravene the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and disrupt peace and stability in the South China Sea, which China firmly oppose, said Gan Yu, a spokesperson for Chinese Coast Guard, on Thursday afternoon.

Gan stressed that China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including Tiexian Jiao, and its adjacent waters, with ample historical and legal basis.

We urge the Filipino side to immediately cease their infringement, warned Gan.

For some time, the Philippines has been sending people to Tiexian Jiao and other uninhabited islands and reefs of China's Nansha Islands and sending aircraft and vessels to intrude into adjacent waters and airspace of China's Nansha Islands and Huangyan Dao, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry at a press conference in December.

The Foreign Ministry said then that China made serious demarches for nearly 100 times and officially expressed protest to the Philippines.

In the past few months, the Philippines has repeatedly provoked China over disputes in the South China Sea, including attempting to illegally intrude into waters near China's Huangyan Dao, and groundlessly smearing Beijing for using cyanide to destroy the fishing area, which experts said is a move trying to create more waves among international public opinion to press China through its "combined tactics," but it could not cover up its real purpose of fabricating lies and taking China's islands and reefs as its own.

On March 14, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin noted that the Philippine side should stop misleading the international community and using the South China Sea issue to instigate disputes.

On March 6, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning urged the US to refrain from using the Philippines as a pawn to destabilize the South China Sea. The Philippines also needs to refrain from being manipulated by the US, she said.

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Political agreement in Haiti is a positive step

Government of Norway

News story | Date: 21/03/2024

'I commend the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for its tireless efforts, which have made it possible to achieve a political agreement in Haiti,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.

On 11 March in Jamaica, CARICOM announced that important progress has been made in the political dialogue in Haiti. A broad-based transitional governance arrangement will be established with the aim of paving the way for a peaceful transition of power and free and fair elections.

'An inclusive, Haitian-led political transition is necessary to re-establish democratic structures, promote the rule of law and safeguard the human rights of the population,' said Mr. Eide.

Haiti's serious security challenges led the UN Security Council in 2023 to back the creation of a multinational force to help the Haitian Police regain control. The situation has deteriorated greatly since the country declared a state of emergency in early March due to renewed violent clashes with criminal gangs. These clashes have resulted in more deaths of innocent civilians, attacks on state institutions and mass escapes from several Haitian prisons.

'Once again, it is the people of the country who are most deeply affected by the actions of the gangs. I am deeply concerned about the suffering resulting from the escalating violence in Haiti. The killings, kidnappings and sexualised violence must cease. I hope the planned Multinational Security Support Mission, which has been authorised by the Security Council and is to be led by Kenya, will soon be in place,' Mr. Eide said.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and more than 80 % of the capital is controlled by criminal gangs. The UN reports that nearly 1 200 people have been killed in gang violence so far this year, and more than 300 000 have become internally displaced. Haiti is facing one of the worst food crises across the globe. According to the World Food Programme, some 1.4 million people there may be facing famine.

'The humanitarian situation in Haiti is catastrophic. We must work simultaneously along multiple tracks, including long-term projects to address fundamental problems that lead to poverty. We will continue to support development projects in Haiti as well as the UN's efforts in the country. Food security, climate change prevention and women's rights are important priority areas for Norwegian support,' said Minister of International Development Anne Beathe Tvinnereim.

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Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, March 21, 2024

IDF Press Release

March 21, 2024

21.03.24

IDF

Good evening,

The operation at the Shifa Hospital continues. This is the operation with the largest aggregation of terrorists we have apprehended since the beginning of the war. So far, we have apprehended over 500 suspects, 358 of which are Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists.

They are surrendering, we are interrogating them, and they are providing us with very valuable and important intelligence.

We apprehended the chain of command of the Islamic Jihad, including:

1. Muhammad Jundia - Commander of the Shejaiya Battalion of the Islamic Jihad and the Deputy Commander of the terrorist organization's Northern Brigade

2. Samir Ziad Abd Abu Odeh - Commander of the Al-Shati sector in the rocket unit of the Islamic Jihad.

3. Ahmad Samara - responsible for tunnels and underground terror infrastructure of the Islamic Jihad in the Northern Gaza Strip.

We apprehended senior Hamas figures, including:

1. Hamdallah Ali and Omar Azida- Azida, a senior official in the West Bank Headquarters, responsible for directing Hamas terrorist activity in the area of Nablus. Ali, who advanced Hamas activity in the Qalqilya area. The two are senior officials in the West Bank Headquarters of Hamas, they acted within their roles to advance terrorist attacks from Judea and Samaria, directed the transfer of weapons and funds to terrorists. This group operated under Saleh al-Arouri.

2. Mahmoud Kwasma - an operative in the Hamas West Bank Headquarters, planned and financed the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers in 2014, Naftali Fraenkel, Gilad Shaer and Eyal Yifrach, may their memory be a blessing.

In addition, we apprehended additional senior officials in Hamas' Internal Security forces.

Many terrorists in Shifa, especially from the Islamic Jihad, surrendered to our forces. This is a very hard blow to the Islamic Jihad - many of its operatives in the north, who are the majority of its significant operatives, either surrendered or were eliminated in the operation so far. With a number of them, we exchanged fire until they surrender or are eliminated.

During the last 24 hours, we entered the Qatari Building [in the Shifa compound]. This is a building that we also operated in during the previous operation in Shifa. This time, terrorists were hiding there. Shayetet 13 searched the building. During the scans on the basement floor, they encountered a terrorist cell. Our soldiers eliminated the terrorists without our forces being harmed. In another battle, another terrorist surrendered; after these battles, several terrorists surrendered. Among them are very senior officials - I still cannot publish their identities because they hold significant intelligence - after we finish interrogating them and find the intelligence with them, we will publish the identities of these terrorists. Senior Hamas officials understand well the significance of the operation and as the picture of the apprehended and of the eliminated terrorists becomes clearer - the pressure on them will increase.

At the beginning of the war, we destroyed the underground infrastructure dug under the hospital, and we confiscated military equipment and weapons hidden in it. The terrorists' command center at the Shifa Hospital was dealt with then. The terrorists fled in the previous operation when we called to evacuate the compound.

This time we operated differently. This time we operated by surprise. We raided the compound by surprise. The operation, led by the 162nd Division and carried out by special forces units led by Shayetet 13, in full cooperation on the ground, shoulder to shoulder with the ISA and Unit 504 for intelligence extraction in the field. We used deception tactics in this operation, and it was this that led to the success and apprehension of all 358 terrorists and there are more still inside this compound who haven't managed to escape. This led to Hamas and the Islamic Jihad being severely damaged as a result of the operation. Those who did not surrender to our forces fought against our forces and were eliminated. Among them also the head of the Special Operations Directorate of Hamas' General Security - who chose to fight against our forces openly and our forces eliminated him.

The fighting continues inside the hospital buildings - inside the buildings at the hospital. There are Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists who decided to barricade themselves - they are currently barricading themselves in the area of the emergency room. At this stage, we are evacuating the patients - there are about 220 patients there - to another building. We are creating infrastructure for them, with appropriate medical equipment so that all the patients and doctors can be safe. For the past 24 hours, we continue to call upon the terrorists in the building to surrender, those who surrender will stay alive, those who do not we will fight against until we eliminate them.

Even at these hours, our soldiers are scanning the buildings, evacuating the wounded, and continuing to operate in the compound. There will be more ongoing combat here - there will be several more days to this operation.

Last night, when we visited the soldiers in the field during the operation, from all the special units - as I said, the Commander of Shayetet 13 briefed us, but there was also the ISA, also Unit 504 and also the senior command that came with us to the field. They told us something very very important - they emphasized to us, the soldiers and the commanders, that they will do everything necessary in this operation or another in order to bring about the release of the hostages. They emphasized - this is the most important thing to us.

We do not forget that in Gaza there are 134 hostages. It is our duty to continue and make every operational and intelligence effort, and also in negotiations, in order to bring them back home. This is what we are doing, and this is what we will continue to do. This is our responsibility.

I want to also send encouragement this evening to the families of the hostages. You and your loved ones are with us all the time.

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Richard Michael Christiansen, 28, of North Haven, who is charged with a hate crime in an assault on a fellow patient at St. Vincent's Behavioral Health Services in Westport. Westport Police Department/Contributed photo

WESTPORT  A man was seen on security video repeatedly punching a fellow patient in the head in an apparent hate crime at a local behavioral health facility last month, according to the warrant for his arrest.

Richard Michael Christiansen, 28, of Collett Street in North Haven, was arrested last week on charges of second-degree assault and intimidation based on bigotry or bias. Christiansen has not entered pleas and his public defender, Lisa Stevens, could not be reached for comment.

Westport police said the charges are in connection with an attack that occurred Feb. 29 at St. Vincents Behavioral Health Services on Long Lots Road.

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Security video showed Christiansen, who is white, attacked the Black man while the victim was sitting on a couch, punching him in the head about 18 times with a closed right fist while appearing to hold the victim with his left hand, Westport Police Officer Tyler Mingo wrote in an affidavit contained in the arrest warrant.

Despite efforts by St. Vincents Behavioral Health Services staff to restrain Christiansen, he kicked the victim in the head while being escorted away, the officer wrote in the affidavit.

When a detective interviewed the victim later at Norwalk Hospital, the man had a swollen left eye and a cut above the eye, which a doctor said took five stitches to close, according to the officer's affidavit. Other medical personnel said the victim suffered fractures to an orbital bone around the eye and a bone in his neck, the officer added.

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The victim said he lost consciousness during the assault, and his mother later told police he could not see with his left eye due to damage to the retina, the officer reported.

The victim told the detective that he had never interacted with Christiansen before the attack, the affidavit said.

The victim told police he is a veteran, has post-traumatic stress disorder and was taken to the hospital by ambulance four days before the assault because he was meditating in his parents front yard, the officer reported.

The victim also said he wanted to press charges against Christiansen, adding that he believed the North Haven man was a danger to society because he attacked him for no reason, according to the officer.

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A law enforcement database showed two warrants for Christiansens arrest had been issued months before the assault, charging him with assaulting health care workers in New Haven and Meriden, the officer reported. Another warrant, issued the day after the Westport attack, charged him with an attempted assault and other crimes in North Haven, the officer added.

Although one psychiatrist told police that Christiansen previously had similar incidents at other facilities, his primary psychiatrist said he was surprised by the incident and had seen no previous behavioral signs that would lead to an incident like this, the officer reported.

The primary psychiatrist said Christiansen spends most of his time alone and in bed, and the other psychiatrist said he usually talks to himself when meeting with doctors for assessment, according to the officer.

Another staff member said Christiansen had told employees he committed the assault because the victim was a Black man and that former President Donald Trump was grateful, the officer reported.

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"Donald Trump said thank you," the employee quoted Christiansen as saying, according to the officer's affidavit.

Christiansen was taken to the Whiting Forensic Hospital in Middletown after the incident. Christiansen's parents, who serve as his conservators, did not allow a detective to interview their son, the affidavit said.

Christiansen is being held in lieu of $275,000 bail, court records show. Judge Gary J. White ordered an evaluation to determine his legal competency to stand trial and directed prison officials to provide him with medical and mental health attention, court records show.

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Blinken: New US ceasefire resolution conditioned with captive release

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Thu / 21 March 2024 / 15:55

US Secretary of State gives more details regarding the new draft resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza, which calls "for an immediate ceasefire tied to the release of hostages."

Tehran-ISNA- The United States is currently circulating a new draft resolution to be presented at the United Nations Security Council, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza conditioned with the release of the Israeli captives, Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State announced.

During a visit to Saudi Arabia, Blinken told local news outlet Al Hadath, "Well, in fact, we actually have a resolution that we put forward right now that's before the United Nations Security Council that does call for an immediate ceasefire tied to the release of hostages, and we hope very much that countries will support that," emphasizing that it would send a "strong message."

Blinken has set on his sixth tour to the Middle East, starting with a visit to Saudi Arabia, to hold talks with Prince Mohammed Bin Salman regarding the Israeli war on Gaza, then leading to Egypt on Thursday, and concluding it with a visit to the Israeli occupation.

"Of course, we stand with Israel and its right to defend itself... but at the same time, it's imperative that the civilians who are in harm's way and who are suffering so terribly -- that we focus on them, that we make them a priority, protecting the civilians, getting them humanitarian assistance," Blinken reiterated.

The US, since the start of the genocide in Gaza, has consistently used its veto power against ceasefire resolutions, the latest being in February after an Algerian-sponsored resolution for a humanitarian ceasefire was raised. The US then began lobbying for a six-week truce, during which a ceasefire and captive-release deal would be effectuated, before settling on the current draft.

It is important to note that Hamas has recurrently said that any proposal that does not include its non-negotiables [the cessation of all aggression against Gaza, the release of Palestinian prisoners, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the reconstruction of infrastructure and return of displaced people to their homes] would not be considered.

The draft that the US has been circulating so far points fingers at Hamas, calling the Resistance movement a "terrorist organization" and claiming it did not represent the people of Palestine; it also failed to address the demands made by the group during ceasefire negotiations.

End Item

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Leader: Axis of Resistance has thwarted US regional schemes

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Thu / 21 March 2024 / 15:52

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has praised the anti-Israel operations by resistance factions in Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq.

Tehran-ISNA- The Axis of Resistance has demonstrated its potential and effectively disrupted Washington's strategic calculations in West Asia, the Leader stated.

Ayatollah Khamenei was extending his remarks during an address marking the Persian New Year in Tehran on Wednesday.

The Leader said the United States' long-standing ambition to dominate the region has been undermined by the resilience of the Axis of Resistance.

The United States is now left with no option but to withdraw from the region, Ayatollah Khamenei said.

He refuted Western allegations that Iran orchestrates every act of resistance in the region, clarifying that while Iran supports these movements, they operate on their own.

Highlighting the plight of Palestinians, Ayatollah Khamenei said no conscientious person can remain silent in the face of the genocidal oppression undertaken by the Israeli regime in Gaza.

The Leader said Washington has emerged as a "big loser" in the war in Gaza.

The unwavering support the United States gives Israel has severely damaged its global reputation, inciting ten times more hatred towards Washington in the region, Ayatollah Khamenei stated.

'Gaza has shown Israel's fragility'

The Leader said the Israeli campaign of death and destruction in Gaza has illustrated the fragility of the regime given its struggle to get out of the "quagmire" of the besieged Palestinian territory.

"The Zionist regime is defeated whether it gets out of Gaza or not."

Israel is now beset by deep divisions from within, the Leader said, and the internal strife is hastening the decline of the regime.

Ayatollah Khamenei censured the indifference of certain Western leaders toward the situation in Gaza and their continued support for Israel.

"Over 30,000 people are massacred, from infants to teens to youth to the elderly, men or women, to patients... Their houses are destroyed," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

"The civilized world watches and not only keeps from preventing [these atrocities] but facilitates them."

The Leader said the Israeli occupation of Palestine is a "great injustice."

'People's engagement key to bolstering economy'

On the New Year's theme of enhancing production through people's participation, the Leader reiterated that the economy remains the government's top concern.

He urged mobilization of all resources and called for collective efforts by the entire nation to bolster economic growth.

The Leader highlighted the importance of implementing international economic agreements and improving efficiency as key strategies to further stimulate economy.

Despite ongoing attempts by adversaries aimed at "dismantling" Iran's economy through sanctions and other tactics, the Leader said, these efforts have been consistently foiled by the resilience of the Iranian people.

The Leader said Iran's adversaries are attempting to instill despair among the nation by exaggerating the challenges and minimizing the achievements.

Ayatollah Khamenei underscored the significance of keeping hope and recognizing Iran's remarkable run of successes in the face of such tactics by the enemy.

Emphasizing the critical role of national unity, Ayatollah Khamenei urged more work to foster solidarity among all Iranians.

The Leader called on the people to refrain from propagating animosity and division and, instead, unite in confronting Iran's enemies.

End Item

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Iran: World must urgently free UN from US, Israel stranglehold

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Thu / 21 March 2024 / 15:50

Iran says the United States and Israel have taken the United Nations and its Security Council hostage, urging the international community to immediately free the two world bodies.

Tehran-ISNA- In a post on his X account on Thursday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani said the world is witnessing the continuation of Israel's "barbarism and brutality" in the Gaza Strip.

After 167 consecutive days of Israel's war against the Gaza Strip, international bodies are still refraining from taking an action and have only announced their positions and views, he added.

He emphasized that those who keep silent and support Israel's brutality should be ashamed of themselves.

Pointing to the tragic news about the raid on Gaza's al-Shifa Hospital for the fourth consecutive day, the Iranian spokesperson said the Israeli occupation forces blew up a specialized building in the medical complex and completely destroyed it.

History is unable to narrate such blatant and reckless brutality and ferocity in front of the eyes of the world community, Kan'ani pointed out.

Israel's raid on al-Shifa hospital spilled into a fourth day as reports emerged that the occupying army had blown up buildings inside the medical compound and ordered people sheltering inside to leave, including hundreds of sick and displaced families.

More than 140 people have been killed in fighting in and around Gaza's largest hospital over the past four days.

More than half of medical facilities in the besieged Palestinian territory are now either totally out of order or partially destroyed.

Israel has imposed a siege on al-Shifa hospital since its forces started a raid on the medical complex on March 18.

Al-Shifa has sheltered thousands of Palestinians who fled Israel's hostilities in northern parts of the territory.

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Thursday that at least 31,988 people have been killed in the territory during more than five months of Israel's genocidal war against the people of Palestine in Gaza.

End Item

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Prime Minister's Office Statement

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

The 37th Government

21.03.2024

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening, approved the departure of an Israeli delegation, led by Mossad Director David Barnea, tomorrow, for Qatar to meet with CIA Director William Burns, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abd Al Thani and Egyptian Intelligence Minister Abbas Kamel in order to advance the release of the hostages.

The meeting of senior officials will be held in the framework of the negotiations in Doha, the goal of which is to advance the efforts to return the hostages.

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Fostering U.S.-Lithuanian defence industry cooperation

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2024-03-21

Acquisitions and infrastructure development | Security and defense policy

On March 21 Vice Minister of National Defence Greta Monika Tuckute had a meeting with Director of the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) James Hursch on the Lithuanian and U.S. acquisitions, as well as possibilities for defence industry development.

At the meeting the officials underscored the growth of Lithuania's defence spending and the importance of the Lithuanian Armed Forces modernization. Vice Minister thanked the United States for the leadership in increasing of the capacity of NATO Allies' defence capability industry. According to G. M. Tuckute, the overriding running tasks are implementation of the NATO Defence Production Action Plan agreed to at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, strengthening of the defence industry, and continuation of the U.S.-Lithuanian defence procurement.

"The U.S. is one of the centerpiece Allies for Baltic region security, as well as one of Lithuania's main partners in defence acquisition. Lithuania is also the top customer among the Baltic states in arms procurement from the United States. We can see a significant requirement for cooperation in the defence industry area between the United States and Lithuania and for drawing investment to Lithuania. We are drafting a new Law on Defence Industry to open wider cooperation opportunity in the area," said Greta Monika Tuckute.

The average planned value of Lithuanian weaponry acquisitions from the U.S. over the average period amounts to approx. EUR 1.3 billion, i.e. 20% of all the projected National Defence System acquisitions.

In the recent years agreements have been signed on bilateral defence acquisitions and defence product and service security with the U.S.: the HIMARS High Mobility Artillery Rocket System procurement was agreed to in 2023, earlier contracts were signed or updated regarding 500 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles JLTV, four Black Hawk helicopters, Switchblade loitering ammunition. Lithuania has also been buying from the U.S. the Javelin anti-tank missile systems and different communications equipment for years. .

Last fall the U.S. Defence Security Cooperation Agency also greenlighted sales of the advanced AMRAAM AIM-120C-8 mid-range missiles to Lithuania. The contract is planned to be signed by the end of the year. The AMRAAM missiles used for the NASAMS mid-range Air defence system will not only improve the Lithuanian Armed Forces defence capability but will also increase interoperability with the U.S and other NATO Allies who use it.

The U.S. Defence Security Cooperation Agency promotes the U.S defence and foreign policy interests by strengthening capabilities of the U.S. Allies and Partners to respond to mutual challenges. The Agency oversees security and cooperation programs: foreign sales of military equipment, foreign military financing, international military personnel education and training, and the humanitarian assistance rendered by the U.S. Department of Defence.

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Secretary General thanks Slovenian Prime Minister for contributions to NATO and Ukraine

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

21 Mar. 2024

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the Prime Minister of Slovenia Robert Golob to NATO Headquarters on Thursday (21 March 2024).

Mr Stoltenberg thanked Slovenia for its steadfast commitment to the Alliance, as it marks 20 years of NATO membership. The Secretary General highlighted Slovenia's contributions to security in the Western Balkans, a region of strategic importance to the Alliance, including through the critical role Slovenia plays in ensuring that KFOR continues to fulfil its UN mandate.

Addressing Russia's war against Ukraine, Mr Stoltenberg reiterated that: "Ukraine needs even more support, and they need it now." He also welcomed Slovenia's provision of humanitarian and security assistance and hosting Ukrainian refugees.

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Over 20 killed in bombing blamed on Daesh in Afghanistan

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 21 March 2024 7:07 PM

At least 21 people have been killed and 50 others injured in a bomb attack in Afghanistan's southern city of Kandahar.

The bombing was carried out at about 08:00 a.m. local time (03:30 GMT) on Thursday at a bank in the city center, the Taliban said.

It was at a specific location where Taliban government staff was lining up to collect their monthly pay slips.

"So far 21 dead and at least 50 people injured from the explosion have been brought in," a doctor from Mirwais hospital, the region's largest, told the BBC on the condition of anonymity.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the bombing.

But the Taliban's interior ministry stated that the explosion was carried out by the Daesh terrorist group.

Kandahar serves as the stronghold of the Taliban, acting as the headquarters for their supreme commander.

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US circulates UN resolution seeking immediate Gaza truce

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 21 March 2024 10:04 AM

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Washington has submitted a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council that calls for "an immediate ceasefire" in the Gaza Strip tied to the release of Israeli captives held in the Palestinian territory.

He made the remarks in an interview with Saudi media outlet al-Hadath in Jeddah on Wednesday, as pressure mounts on the US to broker a truce in Israel's genocidal war on the besieged Gaza Strip.

"Well, in fact, we actually have a resolution that we put forward right now that's before the United Nations Security Council that does call for an immediate ceasefire tied to the release of" Israeli captives, Blinken said.

He also expressed hopes that the world countries will support the US motion, adding, "I think that would send a strong message, a strong signal."

Israel waged its bloody US-backed war on Gaza on October 7 after the Hamas resistance movement carried out its historic operation against the usurping entity in retaliation for the regime's intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

During the past almost six months, the US has vetoed three draft resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Israeli offensive, which has so far killed at least 31,923 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 74,096 others.

The US's abuse of its veto power has drawn international condemnations and increasingly isolated Washington at the world stage.

Earlier on Wednesday, a group of 19 Democratic senators, led by Senator Tom Carper, sent a letter to US President Joe Biden urging his administration to establish a "bold, public framework outlining the steps necessary" to establish a Palestinian state.

The crisis in the region had "reached an inflection point" that required the US to move beyond past "facilitation" of Israeli-Palestinian talks, the letter read.

It came days after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an "obstacle to peace" and urged elections in the occupied territories.

In remarks from the Senate floor, Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in the United States, said 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."

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More than half of Gaza's population on brink of famine: World Bank

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 21 March 2024 7:56 AM

Palestinians in Gaza are at an imminent risk of famine as food shortages approaching catastrophic levels are projected to hit more than a million people, the World Bank warned.

In a report on Wednesday, the Washington-based Bank said, "With more than half the population of Gaza on the brink of famineincluding children and the elderlythe World Bank Group calls for urgent action to save lives."

The World Bank said the projected famine could happen at any time between now and late May and conditions were being exacerbated by a number of factors including relentless hostilities, widespread damage to infrastructure and restricted humanitarian access, hindering the delivery of essential supplies and services.

"Household surveys reveal alarming trends, with virtually all households skipping meals daily and a significant portion of children under two suffering from acute malnutrition," the World Bank said.

As per the report, out of the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza, 1.1 million fall in the highest risk category of people in catastrophe (phase 5) of the integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) scale- which means they are at a risk of acute malnutrition or death.

The next 38% have been placed in the category of emergency -requiring immediate action to save lives.

The remaining 12% fall in the third category of people in crisis. The bottom two categories denoting people stressed or people with food security remained empty as no individual in the besieged strip fits in these categories.

The World Bank urged the international community to call for "immediate, free, and unimpeded access of medical supplies, food and life-essential services through all available means at speed and scale to the people of Gaza."

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres described the IPC report as an "appalling indictment of conditions on the ground for civilians."

"Palestinians in Gaza are enduring horrifying levels of hunger and suffering", the UN chief said.

"This is the highest number of people facing catastrophic hunger ever recorded by the Integrated Food Security Classification system - anywhere, anytime," he added.

Terming the starvation as an entirely man-made disaster and a stain on collective humanity, Guterres said, "We must act now to prevent the unthinkable, the unacceptable and the unjustifiable."

UNRWA, the main UN aid agency for Palestinians, has confirmed that one in every three children in northern Gaza is malnourished. In the last few weeks, over 25 children have died due to hunger in the coastal territory.

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Israel gave 'negative' response to Hamas' proposal for Gaza truce: Official

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 21 March 2024 6:44 AM

A senior Hamas official says the resistance group showed "flexibility" in formulating its latest proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, but Israel provided a "negative" response to the offer.

Osama Hamdan, a Lebanon-based Hamas official, made the remarks at a news conference in Beirut on Wednesday, as a new round of talks, involving Egyptian, Qatari and US mediators, is underway in Doha aimed at securing a Gaza truce deal.

"The movement responded to the demands of the mediators ... and showed flexibility that paves the way for an agreement," he said.

However, he added, the mediators "informed us of the occupation's position on the proposal... It is a negative response in general and does not meet the demands of our people and resistance...It even retreats from" previous agreements.

Hamdan also said that Israel is procrastinating "to hamper negotiations and, perhaps, lead them to a dead end."

Israel escalates its aggression in Gaza with the beginning of every round of ceasefire negotiations in a bid to gain advantage at the negotiating table, he noted.

"We reiterate that what the occupation has not achieved through the military battle and the crime of genocide, it will not achieve with political tricks and negotiation games."

The Hamas official further held "criminal" Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his "terrorist" cabinet, and all the supporters of the bloody Gaza onslaught responsible for the failure of efforts aimed at achieving a prisoner exchange deal.

He also called on the administration of US President Joe Biden to stop sending weapons to Israel and providing the occupying regime with economic and financial support.

"Our people, with their patience, steadfastness, and sacrifices, and our resistance with its bravery, strength, and competent management of this battle, will not allow this Nazi enemy and its fascist regime" to make up for their losses in Gaza through political games and prolonging the truce negotiations, he emphasized.

Israel waged its brutal US-backed war on the Gaza Strip on October 7 after Hamas carried out a historic operation against the usurping entity in retaliation for the regime's intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

However, almost six months into the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime has failed to achieve its objectives of "destroying Hamas" and finding Israeli captives despite killing at least 31,923 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring 74,096 others.

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House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, left, and Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding, during a recent news conference in the State Capitol complex. Ken Dixon/Hearst Connecticut Media

House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora claims that the chairwoman of the state's utility regulators is abusing her power in an unprecedented attempt to "interfere" with the executive and legislative branches of government over recent electric rate filings.

In a letter to Gov. Ned Lamont, Candelora, R-North Branford, said he is concerned that Marissa Gillett, who heads the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, has asked Eversource and the United Illuminating Co. to provide "all briefing or other summary information" they might have given to Lamont's office, members of the General Assembly, the Office of Consumer Counsel and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, on pending rate requests.

"Information shared between the utilities, the governor's office, and the legislature has no relevance to PURA's Revenue Adjustment Mechanism (RAM) and to my knowledge, this type of information has never before been requested of any RAM filings in the past," Candelora wrote to Lamont. "This request is, in my view, an abuse of power  and to the extent that PURA is requesting such information from legislators, it's a violation of the separation of powers." Candelora and his minority caucus say Gillett's continued leadership of the authority "will only lead to higher electric bills for our customers."

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He also charged that Gillett's request "will lead to a chilling effect for utility companies to have dialogue to set policies that lower cost for our consumers. It is only with open and transparent dialogue that we can achieve that goal, and I believe PURAs latest request seeks to interfere with that process."

Candelora said that since Gillett's nomination nearly five years ago, she has had an "adversarial" relationship with utilities.

Taren O'Connor, PURA's director of legislation, regulations and communications, said in a Friday afternoon statement that the request was part of the authority's due-diligence.

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"The discovery question referenced in the letter, issued by PURA staff, is a routine question used to develop the record to understand all solutions being offered and discussed so that PURA can make an informed decision," O'Connor said. "Sometimes really great and innovative ideas are discussed in other venues, but legally speaking, the ideas must make it into the evidentiary record to be relied on when reaching a decision.

In recent years, state lawmakers have set higher standards for utility performance, including prohibitions on the inclusion of executive salaries and lobbying costs in requests for rate hikes, as well as possible credits for customers who lose power for prolonged periods.

Last month, Republicans in the General Assembly declared they wanted $190 million in the state's federal pandemic relief fund to go to the utilities to make up for revenue losses.

Candelora, in his letter to Lamont, also asked the governor to fill a pair of vacancies on the PURA board.

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Lamont's office declined to comment on Candelora's letter, but Julia Bergman, spokeswoman for the governor, said Friday that he does not have any plans to change the membership of the authority.

"He believes the shift to performance-based regulation ensures ratepayers are getting a good return on their investment and reduces uncertainty for utility companies," Bergman said in a statement. "He has been clear that the state, the legislature, regulators, and the utilities all need to be at the table working together to ensure Connecticut has a clean, reliable, and affordable energy grid.

Eversource has requested a rate hike that would average about $38 a month for residential customers, while UI is looking for an increase of about $26 a month.
Siege, hunger, and disease to be 'main killer' in Gaza, warns UN agency for Palestinians

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 21 March 2024 6:24 AM

Siege, hunger, and diseases will soon become the main killer in Gaza, says commissioner- general of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

Philippe Lazzarini, who heads the UNRWA for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, took to X on Wednesday to vent his concern for the growing hunger and spread of diseases as a result of the Israeli siege on the besieged strip.

He said starvation and illness may soon be the main killer in Gaza.

"This fabricated and catastrophic level of hunger can still be reversed by flooding Gaza with food and life-saving assistance," Lazzarini said.

"More than ever humanity requires political will," the UNRWA chief added.

In a press release on March 19, UNRWA said that "famine is imminent in the Gaza Strip, especially for isolated populations in northern Gaza deprived of humanitarian aid."

The statement noted that the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), in a latest food security outlook, concluded that up to 1.1 million people in Gaza are facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity.

"Nutrition screenings conducted in February by UNICEF and UNRWA show that rates of acute malnutrition among children in northern Gaza and Rafah have nearly doubled since January," it said.

The Israeli regime has accused UNRWA staff of being involved in the October 7 attack by the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas against the occupied territories, prompting a number of its western allies to suspend funding for the UN agency.

On Wednesday, an agreement was reached by US congressional leaders and the White House on a massive funding bill will continue a ban on US funding for UNRWA until March 2025, Reuters reported.

Earlier this year the US, Canada, Australia, Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Finland, Estonia, Japan, Austria and Romania decided to cut their funding to the UNRWA, considered a lifeline for the Palestinians in Gaza.

France had also announced that it does not plan a new payment to fund UNRWA in the first quarter of 2024.

Condemning the suspension of funding, Lazzarini had said, "It would be immensely irresponsible to sanction an agency and an entire community..., especially at a time of war, displacement and political crises in the region."

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Mar. 20: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 21 March 2024 2:32 AM

By Press TV Website Staff

Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed nearly 32,000 Palestinians, 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.

Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on Mar. 20:

Targeted two Israeli military Merkava tanks with Al-Yassin 105 shells in the vicinity of the Al-Shifa Hospital, west of Gaza City.

Targeted an Israeli military troop carrier in the city of Al-Zahra, northwest of the Gaza Strip, destroying it completely.

Detonated a tunnel occupied by Israeli forces in the Al-Qarara area, north of Khan Younis city in southern Gaza, resulting in casualties.

Confronted and engaged in clashes with Israeli forces in the vicinity of the Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' operations on Mar. 20:

Targeted an Israeli military post established on Mount Gerizim" [Jabal Al-Tur] in Nablus with machine guns, inflicting heavy damage.

Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces and their military vehicles while they were storming Nour Shams camp in Tulkarem, using machine guns and explosive devices.

Bombed a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles with mortar shells and 107-type rockets on the "Netzarim" axis, north of the Gaza Strip.

Bombed a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles with standard 60-caliber mortar shells in the Al-Qarara area, northeast of the city of Khan Younis.

Al-Quds Brigades' operations on Mar. 20:

Bombed, with 60-caliber standard mortar shells, a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their vehicles in the Al-Qarara area, northeast of the city of Khan Younis city.

Mujahideen Brigades' operations on Mar. 20:

Targeted an Israeli military vehicle with an anti-armor shell in the vicinity of the Al-Shifa Hospital, west of Gaza City.

Martyr Omar Al-Qasim Forces' operations on Mar. 20:

Fired an RPG shell at one of the Israeli army vehicles in the vicinity of the Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City.

Al-Nasser Salah Al-Din Brigades' operations on Mar. 20:

Bombed a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their vehicles west of "Netzarim," northern Gaza Strip, with a barrage of heavy-caliber mortar shells.

Hezbollah's operations on Mar. 20:

Eastern sector:

At around 17:35 local time, (https://t.me/PalestineResist/33010) targeted the Hounin settlement with a barrage of rockets, hitting it directly.

At around 17:35 local time, targeted the Ruwaisat Al-Alam site in the occupied Lebanese Kfar Shuba Hills with a barrage of rockets, achieving direct hits.

At around 17:40 local time, targeted the Zebdine site in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms with rockets, achieving direct hits.

At around 18:05 local time, targeted the Al-Marj site with artillery shells.

At around 23:35 local time, targeted an Israeli military infantry force with a rocket as it was entering the Al-Baghdadi site.

Western sector:

At around 22:05 local time, targeted a building where Israeli soldiers were stationed in the Metulla settlement, hitting it directly.

At around 22:30 local time, targeted a building where Israeli soldiers were stationed in the Avivim settlement with appropriate weapons, hitting it directly.

Iraqi resistance's operations on Mar. 20:

Targeted the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv with drones, for the second time in a week.

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Nearly 80% of Indonesians see Beijing's South China Sea actions as threat

A survey showed they preferred a defense alliance with Southeast Asian nations to strengthen Indonesia's sovereignty.

Pizaro Gozali Idrus for BenarNews 2024.03.21 -- A majority of Indonesians perceive China's activities in the South China Sea as a threat to their country's sovereignty, with nearly half favoring a defense alliance with Southeast Asian nations to strengthen its position, a new survey has revealed.

Most respondents believe that Beijing's actions in the waterway also threaten member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to the survey released this week that was conducted by Indonesia Strategic and Defence Studies (ISDS) and Kompas Research and Development.

"The Indonesian public does not like the aggressiveness of Chinese ships which are pushing into Indonesian territory," ISDS co-founder Erik Purnama Putra told BenarNews.

Some 73% of respondents viewed China's presence in the South China Sea as a menace to Indonesian sovereignty, while even more - 79% - perceived Beijing as a threat to ASEAN nations. This sentiment is strongest among people aged 27-42, the study found.

The poll indicated that Indonesians prefer ASEAN as the best partner for defending their territory, and a defensive alliance with these nations as the best bet for security. The United States was the most preferred non-ASEAN partner, the survey suggested.

The poll results show that generally people think that the conflict in the South China Sea is a matter of territorial sovereignty, Dimas Okto Danamasi of Kompas Research told an online press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday, when the survey was released.

"The survey was held to measure the extent of public awareness regarding state sovereignty in four forms, namely political, economic, cultural and territorial sovereignty," Dima, a researcher at Kompas Research, said.

The ISDS-Kompas Research survey polled 312 respondents between the ages of 17 and 60 in five cities - Medan, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, and Makassar.

The South China Sea remains a major source of friction among several territorial claimants. Beijing's assertive actions have also alarmed the United States.

China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including waters within the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of Taiwan and ASEAN member-states Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

While Indonesia does not regard itself as a party to the dispute, its EEZ overlaps with China's expansive nine-dash line. Beijing claims historic rights to parts of that sea overlapping Indonesia's EEZ in and around the Natunas.

Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia have accused China of disrupting their oil and gas exploration activities. And the Philippines has expressed concern over recent encounters near Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal) and Scarborough Shoal, which both lie within its EEZ.

An agreement to prevent such skirmishes from developing into a full-blown conflict - in the making since 2002 - will hopefully be completed by 2025, said Hadi Tjahjanto, coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs.

Negotiations between ASEAN and China for this agreement, a code of conduct (COC) for the South China Sea, resumed last year when Indonesia held the rotating chair of ASEAN.

China "is a strategic comprehensive partner for Indonesia and ASEAN which has a central role in regional peace and stability," Hadi said.

"We all hope that the COC can become an effective document, substantive, and actionable to avoid escalation and at the same time increase mutual trust and mutual confidence between countries with interests in the South China Sea," he added.

There also needs to be increased collaboration among ASEAN coast guards, Vice Admiral Irvansyah, leader of Indonesia's Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), said at the online press conference.

"The situation in the South China Sea requires civil order management, rather than a military emergency response," he said.

'Diplomacy is the key'

Erik, the ISDS co-founder, advocated for a united ASEAN front and stressed the need for closer coordination among maritime security stakeholders, including the military and Bakamla, to make patrols more efficient and effective.

"As a non-aligned country, Indonesia cannot form military alliances, but instead [it] seeks as many friends as possible to solve common problems," he said.

Agus Widjojo, Indonesian ambassador to the Philippines, said he was confident that diplomatic strategies and leveraging national power would be central to resolving the sea dispute. And here, he highlighted Indonesia's potential influence as a major Southeast Asian power.

"Diplomacy is the key to resolving the South China Sea conflict, as no nation stands to gain from its escalation," he said.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news service.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content March not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Deadly Suicide Bombing Strikes Outside Bank In Kandahar As Taliban Employees Wait For Pay

By RFE/RL's Radio Azadi March 21, 2024

A suicide bomber detonated his explosive belt outside a bank in the Afghan city of Kandahar early on March 21 as Taliban employees waited for their salaries.

The bombing, later claimed by the Islamic State (IS) extremist group, killed 19 people, according to a source who spoke to RFE/RL on condition of anonymity.

The source at Kandahar's Mirwais Hospital said the bodies of 19 people were transported to the hospital from the scene along with 18 people who were injured.

Another source quoted by the AFP news agency said 20 people had been killed. That source also spoke on condition of anonymity, citing fear of reprisal for speaking to the media.

A statement from the Taliban-led government's police headquarters in Kandahar said three had been killed in the incident and 13 were injured.

Inamullah Samangani, the director of information and culture for Kandahar Province, said that the situation at one of the city's hospitals where the wounded were transported was under control, denying that there was an urgent need for blood donations.

"There is no such issue, and the wounded people are not in serious condition, they have superficial injuries," he said in a message to journalists quoted by AFP.

The bombing took place around 8 a.m. local time as people employed by the Taliban gathered outside a local branch of the New Kabul Bank to collect their salaries, reports said.

Mullah Asadullah Jamshid, the spokesman of the Taliban's police headquarters in Kandahar, said most of the victims were civilians who were waiting to receive their pay.

An IS fighter "detonated his explosive belt" near a bank in Kandahar city, said a statement from the militant group's Amaq news agency on Telegram. The statement also made reference to a "gathering of the Taliban militia."

One of the dead, Khalil Ahmad, a father of eight in his 40s, had gone to the bank to get his salary, said his nephew, Mohammad Shafiq Saraaj.

"We beg for security to be properly maintained in the country and especially in crowded places, and that our nation be saved from this kind of tragedy," Saraaj was quoted by AFP as saying.

Taliban Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani told AFP that an investigation had been launched and that "the criminals will be identified...and punished for their actions."

The number of random bombings and suicide attacks in Afghanistan has declined since the Taliban seized power in August 2021, but multiple explosions have been reported since the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on March 11 as the regional chapter of IS and other armed groups remain a threat.

The U.S. Charge d'Affaires for Afghanistan, Karen Decker, condemned the bombing at the bank as a "cowardly act" in statement on X, formerly Twitter, and offered condolences to the victims' families.

"Afghans should be able to observe Ramadan peacefully and without fear," she said.

With reporting by AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-kandahar- explosion-taliban-pay-islamic-state/32871326.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry at a Joint Press Availability

US Department of State

Remarks

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Four Seasons Hotel

Cairo, Egypt

March 21, 2024

FOREIGN MINISTER SHOUKRY: (Via interpreter) Good evening. I would like to welcome His Excellency the U.S. Department of State Secretary Antony Blinken in his visit to Cairo. We honored to meet him this morning, and he was received by Mr. President. We also held a session for bilateral discussions and deliberations later on, and during the meeting of the minister, with the president, and with me, then his meeting with the Arab ministers, Gaza's topic was the main topic that occupied most of the discussions that took place.

However, during his meeting with the president and with myself, we discussed the most - the importance of the American-Egyptian relationships and its nature from the strategic, socioeconomic perspectives and the mutual interest in the stability and the grounds of this relationship in order to face the mutual challenges. Of course, we talked about the mutual appreciation, and the more the American-Egyptian relationships are strong, the more we achieve regional stability.

Referring to Gaza's issue, in all the meetings there was a focus on the situation of the war in Gaza and the importance to reach a ceasefire and hostage release and to work on in terms of sharing the amount of humanitarian aid to face unprecedented situation either regarding the civilians who faced the repercussions of the war, and the death of this amount of civilians - almost 30,000 - 20,000 of them are women and children. The obstacles that hinder the increase of the aids were also discussed. We talked also about the broader issues, like the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and ending this conflict on the basis of two-state solution and the international legitimacy.

However, it's - of course, facing the current situation regarding the ongoing war: the suffering, the material suffering; the famine; and the situation in Rafah. The situation in Rafah has - in a very narrow corner there's almost 1,400,000 Palestinians living in very tough conditions from all the perspectives, so it's necessary to tackle any additional repercussions. It's necessary also that Israel will conduct more military operations in this area due to its resulted civilians killings. In addition to the displacements and many other issues, these things the international community, including the United States, agreed to avoid.

The discussions with the ministers were characterized with depth and honesty regarding the mutual actions and its importance between the United States and the attending Arab ministers, including minister of the Saudi Arabia, minister - prime minister of Qatar, minister of foreign affairs and the vice prime minister of Jordan, the Palestinian Authority representative, state of Emirate. There was an agreement on the importance of the continuity of cooperation with United States regarding the current issues due to its sensitivity. Regarding the - including the scale of the conflict and handling the major topics, including the ceasefire and hostage release and the humanitarian situation, we need to work seriously with the specific procedures in order to tackle these exceptional conditions.

I'd like to welcome his excellency the minister. We agreed to continue the coordination with each other and that the experts will meet soon in order to agree on concrete steps to handle the issue of increasing the humanitarian aid. We're looking forward that our mutual efforts would have effect. In the time being, there is no room to wait. Furthermore, there is no room to place the suffering, and there is no room to make the work continue. We hope that we can get over all of this and reach a new phase in the region, away from the conflict and revenge, a phase where the conflict would end on the two-state solution and the establishment of the Palestinian state on the borders of 1967 with Eastern Jerusalem as its capital, and both peoples of Israel and Palestine would enjoy peace and security and cooperation, with more feelings all the peoples of the region will benefit from.

I'd like to welcome the minister and give him the floor.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Sameh, thank you very, very much, and good evening, everyone. And let me start by wishing all a blessed Ramadan. My friend Sameh also pointed out that it's Mother's Day for many in the region, so happy Mother's Day, and also thank you for reminding me to call my mother.

We had a very productive meetings today with President Sisi, with Foreign Minister Shoukry, as well as with our colleagues, and I'll come to that in a minute. Over the last two days in my travels to the region, we met intensively with all of our - virtually all of our regional partners from Saudi Arabia, from Egypt, from Jordan, from the UAE, from Qatar, the Palestinian Authority. But I very much appreciate the foreign minister hosting today's meeting with the Arab foreign ministers. I've been meeting - speaking individually to them over the past several weeks, but it was very good to be together, to have the opportunity to meet as a group; to share views on where we are, where we need to go, and how we can best get there. And there's a clear consensus around a number of shared priorities.

First, the need for an immediate, sustained ceasefire with release of hostages. That would create space to surge more humanitarian assistance, to relieve the suffering of many people, and to build something more enduring. We've been working, as you know, with Egypt, with Qatar, and with Israel to put a strong proposal on the table. Hamas responded to that, negotiators continue to work, the gaps are narrowing, and we're continuing to push for an agreement in Doha. There's still difficult work to get there, but I continue to believe it's possible. The United States has also put forward a United Nations Security Council resolution to support these efforts, and we hope that all countries back that resolution.

Second, there's an agreement, as you heard from Minister Shoukry, on the urgent need to surge and sustain humanitarian assistance for the people of Gaza. Children should not be dying of malnutrition in Gaza or anywhere else for that matter. A hundred percent - a hundred percent of the population of Gaza is experiencing severe levels of acute food insecurity. We cannot, we must not allow that to continue. Now, the ceasefire that we're working on would be the best, most immediate way to enable us to surge humanitarian assistance, but it's not the only way. Regardless, we have to be doing that. We've seen some improvement over the last couple of weeks in getting humanitarian assistance to Palestinians, but it's not enough, and, as I said, we need to really surge and sustain the assistance across land, across sea, and across air.

We have senior officials meeting today in Cyprus to coordinate the international efforts on the maritime corridor, and that includes support for the U.S. military mission to construct a pier - a temporary pier - as an additional channel for aid. As we've said before and I want to emphasize, this maritime corridor, this pier, is a complement to, not a substitute for, other means of getting assistance to people who need it. And in particular the land crossings are the most critical means of getting aid to those in need.

As Ministry Shoukry said, we agreed today - all of the ministers - that we would get our experts together in the coming days to identify the urgent, practical, and concrete steps that can and should be taken to increase the flow of assistance. Israel needs to do more. Tomorrow, I'll be talking to our partners about how to coordinate our efforts.

As the foreign minister mentioned a well, we also discussed Rafah. We all share concerns. There are more than a million people in Rafah, many of whom were displaced from other parts of Gaza. A major ground operation there would mean more civilian deaths, it would worsen the humanitarian crisis. There is a better way to deal with the threat - the ongoing threat posed by Hamas.

Third, we discussed and agreed on the need for long-term peace and security, this discussion very much consistent with the principles that I laid out in Tokyo many months ago: that Gaza cannot be used as a platform for terrorism; there can be no displacement of its population; there can be no reoccupation by Israel. And we also agreed that this requires a path to two states with real security guarantees for Israel.

In turn, this also requires real reform of the Palestinian Authority. And we've seen some initial steps in that direction; more is needed. Revitalizing the PA with a better, more representative government, including Palestinians from Gaza, is critical to achieving the vision of Gaza unified with the West Bank under Palestinian Authority authority. If and as the Palestinian Authority pursues reform, I'm also convinced that the region will strongly support it.

Regional integration is one of the building blocks of lasting peace and lasting security, and that includes normalization for Israel with its neighbors. Yesterday I had an opportunity to meet again with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as well as with the foreign minister, and we had a very good discussion about the work that we've been doing for many months now on normalization, and that work is moving forward. We're continuing to make good progress. I believe we can reach an agreement which would present a historic opportunity for two nations, but also for the region as a whole.

So I think if you look back on these past couple of months, since I was here in January, we have been working very closely together with our Arab partners on all of these post-conflict pieces. There's not only more consensus on the priorities - ceasefire, release of hostages, humanitarian assistance, and a clear pathway planned for the future - I think there is increasingly consensus on the steps needed to achieve that.

These are difficult days, but that only reinforces our determination to get to better days. Thank you.

MODERATOR: (Via interpreter) Now the room is open for taking two questions for every minister. We'll start with Ms. Elshalakany from Al-Dostour newspaper. Please.

QUESTION: (Via interpreter) My question is for His Excellency Mr. Sameh Shoukry. Today's meeting is the third meeting between the ministers of foreign affairs of six countries to tackle how to deal with the crisis in the Gaza Strip. These meetings, of course, include the minister of foreign affairs in the United States. After the visits of Minister Blinken in the region, can you inform us with the spaces of agreement and disagreement on how to get out of this current crisis and to explain to us how this - the positions are close to each other regarding the future of Israel, continuing with the - the Palestinian issue.

FOREIGN MINISTER SHOUKRY: (Via interpreter) I believe that there is a great ground regarding the consensus and the agreement on the importance of ceasefire and hostage release, and this should be done as soon as possible, so there is a room for mitigation and raising the amount of humanitarian aids.

We value the danger of the humanitarian situation. That's why we developed this mechanism at the level of the specialized officials in order to find out ways to increase the aid. There's also consensus or agreement regarding the necessity to avoid a military escalation in Rafah and the total rejection for displacement of the Palestinians outside their lands. This is a common ground, but we have to set the mechanisms on the implementation of these goals. We should go beyond and reach another phase, a (inaudible) phase, which is from the political perspective of this conflict, this can be achieved through the two-state solution.

So we have to tackle both the current issues for the time being and the future issues in order to avoid the vicious circles of the conflicts and the heritage of blood that the current generations would bear with. We have to set the mechanisms and we should be confident in our partner such as United States that has a special relationship with the states of the region as well. Especially with Israel it has an effective role, and of course regarding also the support to - from the other states in the region that has connections with the United States.

So we have a mutual vision regarding a region that enjoys stability to end this conflict that lasted for seven decades. We have to work and intensify our work. It's not enough to be in an agreement regarding the goal, but we have to set the procedures necessary to achieve this goal.

MODERATOR: (Via interpreter) Another question. Ms. Pamuk from Reuters.

QUESTION: (Inaudible.)

MODERATOR: Reuters? Reuters - (inaudible.)

QUESTION: I can shout. No, no, I'm waiting for the microphone, but I can shout.

Thank you. Mr. Secretary, Foreign Minister. Mr. Secretary, you mentioned Doha when talking about ceasefire talks. Can you confirm CIA Chief Bill Burns is going to be there, and do you think these talks are now in the final stretch?

You also talked about your meeting with Saudi crown prince. What progress exactly have you made? Are we close to having a U.S.-Saudi civil defense pact and cooperation on civil nuclear agreement? What are your remaining sticking points?

And on Rafah, Israel's strategic minister Ron Dermer in a podcast said Israel will take control of Rafah even if it leads to a potential breach with the United States. These comments, like many more comments that we've heard over the last couple of months, are in complete contradiction with U.S. stance, and you're going to Israel tomorrow. I feel like I've asked you this question many times, but I'll try again: How will you convince an ally that knows there won't be any serious consequences even if it ignores U.S. warnings repeatedly?

Mr. Foreign Minister, would you - would Egypt allow Hamas members to go through its territory to depart for third-party countries? And separately, U.S. has withheld $85 million of military aid to Egypt last year, saying it has concerns over its human rights track record. How do you feel that U.S. seems unwilling to use the same leverage to Israel? Does that double standard bother you? Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you, Humeyra. Let me again thank you also for getting all of your colleagues' questions, too. (Laughter.)

QUESTION: Oh, there will be more.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: So first of all, on Doha, I can't speak to the CIA director's schedule. I can speak to the fact that he's been doing an extraordinary job in working with our counterparts from Qatar, from Egypt, as well as from Israel in trying to get to an agreement on a ceasefire with the release of hostages. The teams are working every single day on this. As I said, there are still real challenges. We've closed the gaps, but there are still gaps. So I can't - I can't put a timeline on it. I can just say that we're committed to doing everything possible to reach an agreement, and that work is ongoing as we speak. And I also had an opportunity during this trip meeting with counterparts from Egypt and from Qatar to help pursue that effort.

With regard to Saudi Arabia, what - again, what I can tell you is this: This is something, the normalization plan that we've been working on for many months - in fact, we were working on this intensely before October 7th, and in fact I was scheduled to come to the region, to Saudi Arabia and to Israel, on October 10th, precisely for that reason, and to actually focus on the Palestinian component of the normalization plan.

But in terms of where we are now, what I can say is this: We've made very good progress over - especially over the last month or so. We still have some work to do, but I believe that, again, the progress is good, it's real. I can't put a timeframe on it, but we are I think getting close to a point where we'll - we'll have agreements.

On Rafah - again, we've been very clear, President Biden has been very clear, that a major ground operation in Rafah would be a mistake and something that we can't support. There is no place for the many civilians who are massed in Gaza - in Rafah, excuse me - to go to get out of harm's way. And for those that would inevitably remain, it would be a humanitarian disaster.

But there is also a false choice involved here, because we are determined - as Israel is, and indeed as other partners in the region are - to deal with the ongoing problem posed by Hamas, a threat to so many. And Hamas can be effectively dealt with without a major ground operation in Rafah, and one of the reasons that we have counterparts from the Israeli Government coming to Washington next week is precisely to focus on that, to share with them our views on what alternative actions could be that would deal with the - with this very significant problem, but in a way that does not do further harm to civilians.

FOREIGN MINISTER SHOUKRY: Well, related to the question about Hamas, which is purely speculative, I have no knowledge and - or information pertaining to the fact that any such arrangements are under consideration either in the Doha or Egypt rounds of discussions on a cessation of hostilities and a release of hostages and detainees. So it's not something that I would comment on, but I would only reiterate that Egypt will do whatever is possible, whatever is required to facilitate a cessation of hostilities and an end to the military activity for the purpose of the security of the Palestinian civilians that have lost so many lives, the children and women that have been killed during these five months, and thereby we will continue to engage actively among friends related to the resolution of this conflict.

Related to the issue of Egypt's assistance program with the United States, so this is a bilateral matter and we have in-depth discussions which addresses all of the various parameters and - of the assistance program, and we have a deep understanding and discussion that facilitates that we continue to address this issue in terms of the mutual interest that the assistance program represents to both countries.

On the more broader issue of double standards, yes, we are concerned that the world's rule-based order is under severe stress because of a perception and an application of double standards as relates to the Palestinian cause in comparison to other conflicts in the world, whether in terms of humanitarian, in terms of human rights, in terms of cessation of hostilities, which has always been the basic principle of international order is that in any conflict there should be an immediate cessation and halt to military activity and resolution of a conflict through diplomatic channels.

So the moral basis upon which we can rely on a world order are being strained directly because of a sense in many quarters - among them ourselves, many of our Arab and Muslim colleagues - is that there is an application of a double standard. And this should be recognized as a severe challenge to our ability to work together, to continue to cooperate on a predictable set of principles that should govern all our - of our actions.

MODERATOR: (Via interpreter) Randa Abul Azm from Al-Arabiya.

QUESTION: (Via interpreter) Good evening. Excellency, Minister, my question is for Minister Sameh Shoukry and also for Mr. Antony Blinken. We repeatedly - and even yesterday we heard about a dialogue from the Israeli Government and from the office of Netanyahu that they are about to enter Rafah, and there are Israeli policies on the ground that establish the displacement and emigration that Egypt refused from day one. Through your meeting with Mr. Blinken, have you touched any change in the American policies? Here I do not speak about the statements that condemn this; I mean the policy. Will the United States do anything if Israel entered Rafah? Have you touched any changes in the policy?

My question also is for - also Mr. Antony Blinken: Do you intend (inaudible) the export of weapons to Israel, like Canada did and like Germany threatened? Because some people see that Israel is using these weapons in order to kill civilians. We know that more than 32,000 civilians - 70 percent of them women and children - were killed in this war. So do you intend to stop giving weapons to Israel as a means of pressure instead of just condemning? The issue of Rafah is very important. I'd like to know more about it.

FOREIGN MINISTER SHOUKRY: (Via interpreter) I will not speak on the behalf of the ministry - the Minister Blinken, but I can emphasize the fact that the statements of President Biden and the minister and all the occasions (inaudible) divisions between each other, which is the total rejection of military operations in Rafah, especially within the current humanitarian conditions and the resultant dangers either on the humanitarian level or on the level of the issue of migration and displacement and the ending of the Palestinian cause and removing the burden to other states, either Egypt or Jordan. And also, the resulting complications in the regional relationships - this will put lots of pressure from the political perspective regarding the ability to continue the neutral action and find those solutions for the challenges and activating the full implementation of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

I will give the floor to the minister so he can speak about this. But we agree on the danger - about how dangerous the situation is and how necessary we should avoid it, and we should take all the necessary procedures in order to stop this.

The floor is yours.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. Look, I can only repeat that our position, which is very clear, is that a major military operation in Rafah would be a mistake, something we don't support, and it's also not necessary to deal with Hamas, which is necessary. We're going to have an opportunity next week to share in detail that view with our Israeli counterparts and to lay out our views on how to deal with the problem differently. So I don't want to get ahead of that. That's what we're focused on in the coming days.

QUESTION: But no military assistance will be stopped?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: I'm not going to get into hypotheticals about the future. We're focused on the present, which is meetings that we planned next week, again, to make clear why we think it would be a mistake to engage in major military operations in Rafah, but also why there's a false choice involved. It is possible and, indeed, necessary to deal with the ongoing threat posed by Hamas, but without a major military operation. That's what we want to discuss with our Israeli counterparts next week.

MODERATOR: (In Arabic.)

Michael, Washington Post.

QUESTION: Thanks a lot. Michael Birnbaum from The Washington Post. Secretary Blinken, you spent today talking about post-conflict plans, and can you tell us a little bit about the gaps that remain in your - and also, those plans all depend on Israel's willingness to agree to a Palestinian state eventually. Prime Minister Netanyahu has a long history of extreme skepticism. There are others in his cabinet who seem totally opposed. So what is your strategy for convincing the Israelis to agree to this, again, given they have a track record during this conflict of rejecting most of your big proposals?

And then a question about aid and your work there. You're building a pier. You're - we're doing these air drops into Gaza. You're saying that the Gaza needs for humanitarian assistance is greater than in Afghanistan and Sudan. At the same time, U.S.-sourced weaponry is creating that need for aid. So it seems a little paradoxical. How do you resolve that paradox for Americans and for the Palestinians you say you're trying to help?

And Minister Shoukry, we just heard you restate your position. We also heard Secretary Blinken say that Palestinians should not be displaced from their land. We know the history behind your concerns, but at the same time you also just mentioned double standards. In other conflicts, refugees commonly flee the conflict. They go into neighboring countries; they seek safety in their neighbors. A large portion of the residents of Gaza are starving and you in Egypt are in a unique position to help save lives. So I just wanted to ask why you won't do it in this case?

Thanks a lot.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Michael, thank you. I'll try to take on all these questions. There are - as I said, there's a lot of consensus on, first of all, the most urgent issues, but there's also a lot of consensus on where to go going forward, including for post-conflict Gaza and including for how to build an enduring and lasting peace. We had an opportunity today to discuss in some greater detail post-conflict Gaza, including questions of security, administration of governance, development. And we also talked about what would be necessary for lasting and enduring peace. And I think in our shared judgment, that includes a Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel. So I think on the big principles we have very much a shared approach.

Now, obviously the details matter. We shared some thoughts today. We're looking very carefully at what our partners have suggested. They're taking into consideration some of the things that we've put on the table. And we're going to continue these discussions, these talks, because even as we're dealing with the immediate crisis and the urgency that comes with that, we also have to be prepared and planning together for what comes next.

When it comes to a Palestinian state, look, in this moment, given the passions, given the horrific events of October 7th, given the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza in these last five months, I know it's hard. It's hard for people to focus on the future and how to get out of this endless cycle of terrorism, violence, death, destruction. But it's important that we be working on that, so when the moment is right and people can begin to focus on it - and really focus on the choice that's there, and I think the choice is clear. As I've said before, there is a path forward where Israel is genuinely integrated into the region; its security is guaranteed; the Palestinians have a state that they're - that they deserve and are entitled to, with appropriate security guarantees for Israel; we have a reformed and strong Palestinian Authority to engage in governance. And that path is both clear and it's possible.

And what's changed recently is the commitment of virtually every country in the region to really pursue the integration of Israel into the region. But that also requires that there be a pathway to a Palestinian state, and, of course, it requires that there be an end to the conflict in Gaza. So we need to continue to do the work, and when the - when people are able to focus on that path versus the alternative, which, as I said, is a path that leads to endless cycles of violence and also a path that is to the benefit of perhaps the biggest threat to Israel and to many others, which is Iran and its various proxies. The perpetuation of this cycle only benefits Iran and the proxies that are working for it. So I think, as that choice is clear, people will begin to really think about it and make decisions.

Finally, the paradox that you - look, we're committed to Israel's right to defend itself and to making sure that it has what it needs to defend itself and to make sure that October 7th never happens again. We're also committed to doing everything we possibly can to help people who are in harm's way, to protect them from harm if we can, and to give them the assistance they need wherever they are, including in Gaza. These are distinct things, and you've heard our determination - our shared determination - among all the partners about the urgency of getting more assistance to more people more effectively.

FOREIGN MINISTER SHOUKRY: Well, thank you for your question. Certainly the conditions are unprecedented and are incomparable to any other conflict that has erupted in the world or how it has been dealt with or the reactions of the international community towards what is happening. But at the same time, I think the vast majority of Palestinians both in Gaza and the West Bank recognize that there's potentially an intention to liquidate the Palestinian cause, Palestinian rights, by the issue of displacement, by actions that will create internal and external displacement.

And they don't want a further Nakba. They are associated for centuries to this land that they are committed to maintain. Their position on this land - and they have shown a resilience that has gone beyond anything other than mere courageousness of recognizing their legitimate rights and upholding them, whether they do not find the necessary resolve of the international community to recognize that their human rights are as precious as anyone else's and that the circumstances that they are in should not exist - should not exist in the 21st century, should not exist by virtue of the Charter of the United Nations or the rule-based order that we seem to advocate.

But at the same time, Egypt has undertaken its responsibility in terms of provision of assistance, almost 70 percent of it generated by the Egyptian Government, by the Egyptian nongovernmental organizations. And at the same time, the reception of multitudes of Palestinians, civilians, children, women who are - babies who have been transferred into Egypt for hospitalization and for treatment. We will continue to address this issue in the humane manner that we have in the past, whether it's related to those who are coming out for need of assistance or their vulnerability.

And you should be in a position as the media to ask why is the media restricted from reporting effectively what is happening and being in Gaza and reporting on what is the actual state of the humanitarian conditions that exist. We'll do everything possible, and again, because that we look to work together with the United States so that we can end this conflict, both in the short term and hopefully resolve this conflict categorically in the future on the basis of a two-state solution.

I want to thank Tony for the time he has provided us and to wish everyone here a blessed Ramadan. (In Arabic.) Thank you very much.

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Sanctions on Nicaragua's Attorney General

US Department of State

Press Statement

Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson

March 21, 2024

The United States is designating Nicaragua's Attorney General Wendy Carolina Morales Urbina for her role in supporting the ruthless oppression of peaceful opposition members in Nicaragua by President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo.

As Attorney General, Morales Urbina silenced opposition voices, and seized the property of over 300 Nicaraguans. She supported Ortega's move to strip exiled political prisoners of their citizenship. She is responsible for the arbitrary shuttering of over 3,500 civil society organizations, including over 250 evangelical groups. Morales Urbina took part in the Ortega-Murillo regime's baseless attacks on religious institutions, which included false charges and unjust detentions of religious leaders. We reaffirm our commitment to promote accountability for the malign conduct of the Nicaraguan regime and its collaborators.

The Department of the Treasury is imposing sanctions pursuant to Executive Order 13851. For more information on this designation, see Treasury's press release.

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Deputy Secretary Campbell's Meeting with Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Okano and Philippine Undersecretary Lazaro

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

March 21, 2024

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell met with Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Okano Masataka and Philippine Undersecretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro today in Tokyo, Japan. Their meeting follows a series of senior-level engagements over the past year to deepen trilateral cooperation among the United States, Japan, and the Philippines.

Deputy Secretary Campbell, Vice Foreign Minister Okano, and Undersecretary Lazaro reiterated their collective commitment to maintaining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific, including in the South China Sea and East China Sea. The Deputy Secretary and his counterparts also discussed trilateral cooperation in areas related to economic security and resilience; defense and security; the international law of the sea, including freedom of navigation; and growing people-to-people ties. The Deputy Secretary and his counterparts also discussed plans for a leader-level trilateral summit to be held in Washington, D.C., on April 11.

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Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

March 21, 2024

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Shoukry discussed ongoing efforts to protect Palestinian civilians, increase humanitarian assistance to Gaza, and secure an immediate ceasefire that includes the release of hostages. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister consulted on how to advance a path to a Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel. Secretary Blinken reaffirmed the United States' rejection of any forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.

Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Shoukry also discussed shared objectives for regional stability, including responding to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, addressing instability in Libya, and ending the war in Sudan.

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Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Egyptian President El-Sisi

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

March 21, 2024

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi today in Cairo. Secretary Blinken and President El-Sisi discussed negotiations to secure an immediate ceasefire for at least six weeks and the release of all hostages. They also discussed ongoing efforts to protect Palestinian civilians and humanitarian workers in Gaza and Egypt's essential leadership role in facilitating increased humanitarian assistance. The Secretary reiterated the United States' rejection of any forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to work with Egypt to advance peace and regional stability, including through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel. The Secretary condemned the Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and noted they do nothing to advance the cause of the Palestinian people.

Secretary Blinken also conveyed to President El-Sisi the United States' strong support for the Egyptian government's recent economic measures aimed at strengthening Egypt's economy.

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Treasury Sanctions Nicaragua's Attorney General

U.S. Department of the Treasury

March 21, 2024

WASHINGTON -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Wendy Carolina Morales Urbina, Nicaragua's Attorney General,for being complicit in the Ortega-Murillo regime's oppression. Today's action, taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13851, as amended, targets a key actor in the Nicaraguan regime's unjust persecution of political prisoners and civil society within the country.

"The Attorney General of Nicaragua, in concert with the Ortega-Murillo regime, has exploited her office to facilitate a coordinated campaign to suppress dissent by seizing property from government political opponents without a legal basis," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson. "The United States reiterates its enduring support for the Nicaraguan people, who continue to bravely reject the authoritarianism of President Ortega and his inner circle."

In 2018, anti-government protests erupted in Nicaragua, prompting ongoing violent repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime. President Ortega and the Vice President, Rosario Murillo, Ortega's wife, have consolidated power, suppressed popular protests, incarcerated political opponents, and silenced critical voices in the media or forced them into exile. President Ortega governs with a tight-knit group of trusted figures in the police, the military, and parliament. On February 9, 2023, President Ortega expelled 222 political prisoners and put them on a flight to Washington, D.C. According to the Nicaraguan government, the deportation of the prisoners was intended to protect peace and national security and those freed have been declared traitors who can never serve in Nicaraguan public office. As a result, Nicaragua stripped the 222 former political prisoners of their Nicaraguan citizenship.

WENDY CAROLINA MORALES URBINA

Wendy Carolina Morales Urbina (Morales Urbina) is a Nicaraguan national who was appointed to the role of Attorney General of the Republic of Nicaragua on May 10, 2019, by President Ortega. In her capacity as Attorney General, Morales Urbina is responsible for enabling the Ortega-Murillo regime to steal real property formerly belonging to independent media outlets, international organizations, and political prisoners. In her role as Attorney General, Morales Urbina proves to be loyal to the Ortega-Murillo regime. She holds great power under their protection to determine who receives properties.

In several instances Morales Urbina appeared in her official capacity in various private buildings, presented deeds to new owners and declared the properties were now being made for public use. Morales Urbina has also seized property from thousands of non-governmental organizations under law explicitly to suppress freedom of association. Morales Urbina carried out the dispossession of all properties of the 222 political prisoners who were banished from Nicaragua. Morales Urbina was key to formulating the strategy to designate Nicaraguan opposition members as terrorists and block their financial resources using an existing anti-terrorism law.

Morales Urbina is designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13851, as amended, for being an official of the Government of Nicaragua or for having served as an official of the Government of Nicaragua at any time on or after January 10, 2007; and for being responsible for or complicit in, or for having directly or indirectly engaged or attempted to engage in, any transaction or series of transactions involving deceptive practices or corruption by, on behalf of, or otherwise related to the Government of Nicaragua or a current or former official of the Government of Nicaragua, such as the misappropriation of public assets or expropriation of private assets for personal gain or political purposes, corruption related to government contracts, or bribery.

Morales Urbina is one of the voices of the Ortega-Murillo regime at international forums where debates on the crisis in Nicaragua and violations of human rights take place. Morales Urbina frames her statements under the Nicaraguan government's rhetoric of being a victim of human rights defense groups that allegedly want to destabilize Nicaragua. Morales Urbina was appointed Attorney General in 2019 in violation of Nicaraguan law, as she had not practiced law for the requisite 10 years prior to her appointment.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons.

In addition, financial institutions and other persons that engage in certain transactions or activities with the sanctioned entities and individuals may expose themselves to sanctions or be subject to an enforcement action. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.

The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897 here. For detailed information on the process to submit a request for removal from an OFAC sanctions list, please click here.

Click here for more information on the individual and entity designated today.

###

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Chinese clean energy firms continue overseas expansion amid challenges, opportunities

11:26, March 22, 2024 By Ni Hao ( Global Times

This aerial photo taken on Dec. 23, 2023 shows a solar power plant in Tangshan City, north China's Hebei Province. In recent years, Tangshan City in Hebei Province encouraged the development of clean energy and promoted the construction of wind and solar power plants. By far, the installed capacity of clean energy in Tangshan reached 3.242 million kilowatts. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese clean energy companies have been continuing to expand into overseas markets and there are still vast market opportunities, despite challenges such as obstacles put up by Europe and the US, executives said at an industry meeting on Wednesday.

At the Strategic Emerging Industry Development Conference held by China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN), officials from several countries including Uzbekistan and Laos extended a welcoming hand to Chinese clean energy firms to help the energy transition in their countries.

In recent years, due to climate change, there has been growing demand for clean energy in many countries, which has created huge market opportunities overseas for Chinese companies, Wu Kai, vice president of Goldwind Sci & Tech Co, told the Global Times on the sidelines of the meeting.

"Chinese companies going overseas are not only building power infrastructure for people, but more importantly, bringing greater social value, including employment, improving people's lives, and driving the development of local industries," Wu noted.

In recent years, China's clean energy industry, including solar power and wind power, has been on the rise. But Europe and the US have taken various measures such as tariffs to set up obstacles for Chinese businesses and products.

However, that has not stopped Chinese businesses from expanding in overseas markets.

Goldwind Sci & Tech Co has invested in projects in 38 countries on six continents, and this is widely recognized by the public in these places, according to Wu.

CGN has put 48 projects into operation in 16 countries in Asia, Europe, and Africa, and has built a multicomponent, renewable investment portfolio to support the supply chain for international renewable energy, said Shi Weiqi, director of CGN, at the conference. He mentioned that the capacity overseas built by CGN is 13.63 million kilowatts, with assets totaling over 80 billion yuan.

Longi Green Energy Technology Co (LONGi), one of the world's leading suppliers of Solar PV Solutions, has developed production plans in India, said Liu Ting, leader of the firm's strategic marketing division in China.

LONGi's international business covers more than 150 countries and regions around the world, making it the benchmark for China's photovoltaic exports, insiders told the Global Times on Wednesday.

China has exported wind power, photovoltaic, and other renewable products to more than 200 countries and regions, according to data from the National Energy Administration (NEA). The NEA said that the average kilowatt-hour cost of global wind and photovoltaic power projects has fallen over the past decade by more than 60 percent and 80 percent, respectively.

"The falling cost of clean energy projects has largely been supported by Chinese innovation and Chinese factories," said the International Renewable Energy Agency.

Due to the advanced technology of Chinese clean energy products, many countries are also seeking to cooperate with Chinese firms.

At the meeting on Wednesday, government officials from Uzbekistan, Laos, and other countries showed their willingness to invite CGN and other Chinese renewable energy companies to participate in their green development.

"We also warmly invite CGN and all participants in this initiative to actively participate in projects in Uzbekistan," an official from the Uzbek Embassy in China said at the meeting on Wednesday.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Members of Michigans Bipartisan Congressional Delegation gathered on the House-side steps of the U.S. Capitol to take a photo in support of Congressman Dan Kildee and his family. Congressman Dan Kildees office

Members of Michigans Bipartisan Congressional Delegation gathered on the House-side steps of the U.S. Capitol to take a photo in support of Congressman Dan Kildee and his family.

Tim Kildee, the brother of U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, was killed in a shooting early Tuesday morning in Genesee County's Vienna Township.

Timothy John Kildee was arraigned Thursday, March 21on multiple felony charges including the death of his father.

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Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson told the Associated Press that Kildee's son showed up at his father's house after being involved in a domestic incident at about 3 a.m. in Burton. Another family member told police there was a loud confrontation. The son demanded his father's wallet and car key. Then the shooting occurred.

After the shooting, Timothy J. Kildee was involved in a traffic crash which resulted in him being hospitalized for his injuries.

"There was some type of breakdown and or other entanglements that caused him to be so violent, Swanson told the Associated Press.
Amid ongoing strife in Gaza and Ukraine, UN chief reiterates peace call

21 March 2024 - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres doubled down on his call for a ceasefire in Gaza and peace in Ukraine on Thursday, taking aim at the "chaotic" global outlook and any country or armed group that thinks "it can do whatever it wants because there is no accountability".

"When we live in a chaotic world it's very important to stick to principles and the principles are clear: the UN Charter, international law, the territorial integrity of countries and international humanitarian law," the UN chief said, speaking at the opening of the European Council in Brussels.

"That is the reason why we believe it is essential to have peace for Ukraine...(and) that is the reason why for the same reasons we need a ceasefire in Gaza."

In a brief press encounter, Mr. Guterres condemned the Hamas-led terror attacks of 7 October in which some 1,200 Israeli and foreign nationals were killed, before reiterating his alarm that "we are witnessing a number of civilian casualties in Gaza that is unprecedented in my time as Secretary-General".

Tedros starvation alert

Echoing the UN chief's comments, the head of the UN health agency, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on Thursday highlighted the plight of "many" youngsters in northern Gaza lying seriously injured in hospitals or reportedly "starving", after nearly six months of war.

In a social media post accompanying Tedros's appeal, a video clip from Al-Shifa Hospital showed a young amputee, Rafiq, who had been reportedly rescued from under the rubble of his home in Gaza City.

The video - filmed on 17 March, according to WHO - showed the boy's doctor who maintained that nutritious food containing proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals was "unavailable in most of the northern Gaza Strip".

The unnamed medic also noted that in addition to the malnourished young Gaza City patient he was treating, there were "many other children whose parents report that they have died due to malnutrition without any medical examination" at Gaza's overwhelmed hospitals.

WHO was last able to reach the medical facility on 11 March to deliver fuel and medicines, the UN agency said. According to media reports, the Israeli military raid of Al-Shifa that began on Monday is now into its fourth day.

"History will judge us all for what these children are enduring," WHO Director-General Tedros wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "Ceasefire! Allow immediate, unfettered, scaled-up humanitarian access."

On Monday, a UN-backed food insecurity analysis warned that 1.1 million Gazans are now enduring catastrophic hunger and starvation, with famine possible in the north "anytime between now and May".

Latest WHO data indicates 410 attacks on health care in Gaza since 7 October. The attacks reportedly caused hundreds of casualties, damaged nearly 100 facilities and affected more than 100 ambulances.

In the West Bank, the UN health agency documented 403 attacks on health care since 7 October.

Nearly 31,200 people in Gaza have now been killed amid intense Israeli bombardment with more than 74,000 injured, UN aid coordination office OCHA said, citing the enclave's health authorities. According to the Israeli military, 251 soldiers have been killed in the ground operation that began on 27 October.

US calls for 'immediate ceasefire' in new draft

The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said on Thursday that the latest draft of a resolution penned by Washington on Gaza before the Security Council now includes the call for "an immediate ceasefire tied to the release of hostages."

It is unclear when the draft might be put to a vote but news reports suggest it could be as early as Friday. The US has previously blocked attempts to pass a ceasefire resolution.

The top US diplomat was speaking in Egypt and is touring the Middle East as indirect negotiations on a possible deal continue between Israel and Hamas, brokered by the US, Egypt and Qatar. Mr. Blinken said an agreement was "very much possible".

Weapon of war

Meanwhile, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNWRA), Philippe Lazzarini, reiterated calls to "flood" Gaza with humanitarian aid.

Condemning a "man-made famine" in the north, Mr. Lazzarini insisted that the "easy response" was to open "all the land crossings into Gaza". "It is easy to flood Gaza with food, it is easy to reverse this trend and I also believe it is a collective stain on our collective humanity that such a situation is artificially unfolding under our eyes," he said.

The UNRWA Commissioner-General also repeated widespread calls for Israel and Hamas to agree on a ceasefire and the release of all remaining hostages taking during Hamas-led terror attacks in Israel on 7 October. "This should be a priority but meanwhile food should not be used as a weapon of war," Mr. Lazzarini said.

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95th FS, FGS complete first TDY

Published March 21, 2024

By Airman 1st Class Zeeshan Naeem

325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- Airmen from the 95th Fighter Squadron and Fighter Generation Squadron recently went on their first temporary duty assignment at Truax Field, Wisconsin Air National Guard Base, March 1-16.

This TDY marks the first off-station flying training event for Tyndall Air Force Base's F-35A Lightning II mission after jets started arriving to home station, Aug. 1, 2023. The 95th FS and FGS sent six aircraft to lay the groundwork for future mobility and combat readiness events, providing pilots and ground crews the opportunity to refine their skills with the Air Force's latest fifth generation multirole fighter aircraft.

Airmen practiced loading cargo, generating aircraft and preparing jets for takeoff in a constrained environment. Pilots from the 95th FS and Wisconsin ANG's 115th Fighter Wing flew joint training missions focused on weakening enemy defenses in air-to-air combat. The operations section had the responsibility of mission planning, where they scheduled daily air-to-air training.

"The objective was to take the team to an unfamiliar base and operate outside of our normal processes," said Lt. Col. Michael Powell, 95th FS commander. "Truax Field offered a nice stepping-stone approach since they also operate F-35s, which allowed the teams to reduce their footprints in personnel and equipment as we leveraged some of the host unit facilities and equipment. This reduced costs, increased integration and flexibility."

The training in an unaccustomed environment set the tone for readiness, cohesion and adaptability while providing a baseline for what needs to be evaluated for the future. Both necessary feats, as the 325th Fighter Wing recently transitioned from a training mission to an air combat mission.

"We sent a large portion of our squadron, all the way from our squadron commander to some of the newest Airmen," said Tech. Sgt. Ryan Wilson, 95th FGS noncommissioned officer of the support section. "During a TDY, you won't have the comforts of being at home, we had limited personnel, tools and resources. The constraints helped us work together as a team to accomplish mission requirements, forcing us to practice like we play."

The involvement with other units provides valuable experience for the 95th FS, not only for the on-the-job upgrade training but for simulating a combat environment where factors such as location, time or quantity of takeoffs are unpredictable.

"Alongside Ops, the maintenance section exceeded what was originally planned by executing [over eight takeoffs] a day with zero missed sorties in conjunction with routine aircraft maintenance," Powell explained. "Logistics successfully shipped four trucks, 134 personnel and assisted Traux process their own deployment assets with over 280 pieces of equipment and pumped over 106,000 gallons of fuel. The performance while we were there was phenomenal, as each team not only met but exceeded the requirements."

With Tyndall AFB being projected to serve as a hub for F-35 operations, this first temporary duty assignment serves as another step towards the 325th FW becoming a fully capable combat coded wing ready to project unrivaled combat airpower for America.

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US Bolstering Philippines Amid Increasing Assertiveness by China

By John Xie March 21, 2024

The U.S. and Philippines will for the first time venture outside Manila's territorial waters when they begin joint annual combat drills in April, a Philippines government spokesman said Thursday.

Colonel Michael Logico said elements of the Balikatan 2024 drills would be conducted about 22 kilometers (more than 12 nautical miles) off the west coast of Palawan, an island in the archipelago nation that faces a troubled region of the South China Sea.

Chinese ships this month blocked Philippine ships near the Second Thomas Shoal, a reef about 200 kilometers (120 miles) off Palawan that both sides claim.

"The message that we want to send is that we are serious about defending our territory and we have allies," Logico said at a news conference, according to Philippine media.

Beijing claims most of the South China Sea as its own, putting it in conflict with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam, all of which border the sea. An international tribunal at The Hague has rejected China's claim.

Blinken visit

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the Philippines this week to bolster relations between the two countries and underscore Washington's commitment to Manila in the face of an increasingly assertive China.

Blinken on Tuesday cited China's "repeated violations of international law and the rights of the Philippines: water cannons, blocking maneuvers, close shadowing, [and] other dangerous operations."

China has been building up its military presence in the South China Sea by building on reefs, including the disputed Scarborough Shoal, which it effectively seized from the Philippines in 2012.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s government has defiantly sought to assert sovereignty over disputed areas by supplying troops and escorting fishing boats. He told Bloomberg TV on Tuesday that he was not trying to start a conflict but "since the threat has grown, we must do more to defend our territory."

The Philippines announced last week that it would build a new port with U.S. funding on its northern Batanes Islands, 200 kilometers (about 124 miles) from Taiwan.

While the port is expected to be for civilian use, analysts say it could also be used for military purposes and play an important role in defense  and not only for the Philippines.

Carl Thayer, an emeritus professor of politics at Australia's University of New South Wales School of Humanities and Social Sciences, emailed VOA: "U.S. and Filipino forces in the northern Philippines would be able to monitor and strike Chinese forces in the event a conflict over Taiwan broke out."

Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway province that must one day reunite with mainland China, by force if necessary, while the U.S. has vowed to defend Taiwan's right to self-rule.

But the U.S. mainland is separated from the Taiwan Strait by about 11,000 kilometers (6,000 nautical miles), while mainland China is roughly 160 kilometers (100 miles) from the democratic island.

'Positive impact' for Taiwan

Although the U.S. has military bases that are closer to Taiwan in Hawaii, about 8,150 kilometers (4,400 nautical miles); Guam, about 2,780 kilometers (1,500 nautical miles); and Okinawa, about 740 kilometers (400 nautical miles), analysts say the closer its military assets are to Taiwan, the faster they can respond and resupply in the event of a Chinese attack.

"While the Philippines may not change the situation in the Taiwan Strait, the greater interest in the Philippines by Washington and Tokyo will have a positive impact on Taiwan's security," said Thomas J. Shattuck, the senior program manager at the University of Pennsylvania's Perry World House, in an email to VOA.

"It will increase U.S. assets in Taiwan's south," Shattuck said. "It will make it harder for China to dominate in the 'southern theater' of a possible Taiwan conflict. But again, there is more work to be done in this regard."

Marcos last year said the U.S. military would be allowed to use four new military bases in the Philippines, in addition to five where they are already allowed, for training, building infrastructure and pre-positioning supplies, though the access would not be permanent.

Although many countries in the Indo-Pacific region receive U.S. military assistance, the Philippines receives the most. From 2015 to 2022, Manila received more than $1.14 billion worth of aircraft, armored vehicles, small arms, equipment and training, $475 million of it in aid.

Blinken's trip to the Philippines marks the second time a senior U.S. Cabinet official has visited the nation this month. On March 11, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo announced fresh investments from U.S. firms of more than $1 billion in the archipelago nation.

Despite China's more assertive moves in the South China Sea, the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies' Gregory Poling argues Beijing has lost momentum. Poling, who is senior fellow and director of CSIS's Southeast Asia Program and Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, notes that since 2022, Southeast Asian nations such as the Philippines have stopped giving ground to China.

At the same time, he writes in Eurasia Review, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam have resumed development of infrastructure and oil and gas fields in the disputed region, despite China's objections.

China's provocative moves are one of the main topics expected to be on the agenda in April when President Joe Biden hosts a historic summit with Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report.

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With Acute Hunger at 'Record Levels,' US Considers Aid Cuts

By VOA News March 21, 2024

Facing potential budget cuts this year, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)  the world's leading humanitarian donor  says it may need to curtail its response to global crises.

President Joe Biden's proposed budget for the current fiscal year asks for $10.6 billion in humanitarian aid as part of its overall foreign assistance spending, much less than was actually disbursed in each of the past two years. Congress has yet to finalize a budget for the fiscal year, which began last October.

U.S. spending on humanitarian aid reached a record $17 billion in 2022, largely in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and stood at $15 billion in 2023. Both years, the disbursed amounts were significantly higher than originally budgeted, due to supplemental authorizations from Congress.

"In FY 2024, we expect total humanitarian assistance obligations to be less than last year, which would require USAID to reduce funding for nearly all of our crisis responses compared to 2023," a USAID spokesperson told VOA this week in written comments.

USAID is responsible for managing most of the government's humanitarian assistance.

Despite projections, the budget figures can and sometimes do change during the course of the year.

For example, the Biden administration requested $10.5 billion for humanitarian aid in fiscal 2023, and Congress approved only $8.6 billion. Nevertheless, supplemental appropriations during the year pushed the total up to nearly $15 billion, with a large share going to Ukraine.

The USAID spokesperson said the agency is still hoping that Congress will agree on a national security supplemental appropriation for fiscal 2024. Otherwise, "USAID will have no choice but to make critical cuts to lifesaving programs."

UNRWA funding suspension

In January, the U.S. and some of its Western allies suspended funding to the U.N. Relief and World Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Historically, the U.S. has been UNRWA's largest contributor, donating between $300 million and $400 million annually.

This decision came after Israeli officials alleged that several UNRWA employees were involved in a Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. UNRWA fired the accused employees and initiated an investigation into the allegations.

With 13,000 employees in Gaza, UNRWA is the largest and best-equipped agency to deliver aid to the enclave, where the U.N. says hundreds of thousands of people face catastrophic levels of hunger. However, some U.S. lawmakers have warned they will block any resumption of aid to UNRWA.

"A dollar for UNRWA is a dollar for Hamas terrorism," Republican Representative Brian Mast wrote on X last week.

However, the USAID spokesperson said the American agency has a great deal of latitude in how it spends the money allotted to it.

"USAID's humanitarian funding from Congress is fully flexible, allowing USAID to direct it to the countries and sectors that need it the most in any given fiscal year," the spokesperson said.

Humanitarian concerns

In 2022 when U.S. humanitarian funding surged, the U.N. World Food Program received $12.7 billion, enabling it to deliver lifesaving food aid to hundreds of millions of people across the world.

Last year, the organization secured only $8.5 billion from various contributors, falling short of its $23.5 billion need by 64% and forcing it to cut food and nutrition assistance in more than half of its global operations.

"Acute hunger remains at record levels in today's post-pandemic world," a WFP spokesperson told VOA. "Across the board, the gulf between humanitarian needs and funding available to respond has grown steadily, and our humanitarian dollar is stretched to breaking point."

Funding for other humanitarian operations also suffered significant gaps last year.

"Across 33 countries globally, only 36% of requests for water-related funding programs were filled," said Michelle Brown, associate director of advocacy at Action Against Hunger, an international humanitarian organization.

An estimated 3.6 billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water and hygiene, resulting in thousands of deaths from waterborne diseases.

"Inability to provide lifesaving aid is one of the most critical consequences of limited humanitarian funding," said Brown.

While the U.S. has given more than $66 billion in humanitarian assistance over the last decade, other large economies such as China and Russia have contributed far less.

Last year, Russia contributed just $16.5 million and China $4.5 million to the U.N.-led global humanitarian funding appeal.

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Suicide Bomber Hits Taliban's Political Base in Southern Afghanistan

By Ayaz Gul March 21, 2024

A rare suicide bombing in Afghanistan's southern city of Kandahar, known as the Taliban's political headquarters, killed at least three people and injured more than a dozen early Thursday.

Taliban authorities said the victims had gathered outside the officially run New Kabul Bank to receive their salaries when a suicide bomber detonated explosives strapped to his body.

Witnesses and local officials reported that the wounded were taken to a local hospital, with some sustaining serious injuries. A Taliban Interior Ministry spokesperson in the Afghan capital, Kabul, said the attack was under investigation.

A regional Islamic State affiliate, known as IS-Khorasan, claimed responsibility for the deadly bombing.

The reclusive Taliban supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, lives in Kandahar, the historical birthplace of his fundamentalist group, and effectively governs Afghanistan from there.

The men-only Taliban government in Kabul merely implements decrees that Akhundzada routinely issues from Kandahar. He rarely leaves the city.

Akhundzada has banned Afghan girls from receiving an education beyond the sixth grade and has barred many women from public and private workplaces and public life at large.

The Taliban waged an insurgency and reclaimed power in August 2021 when the United States-led foreign forces withdrew from the country after 20 years of involvement in the Afghan war.

The de facto rulers have effectively suppressed or cornered Afghan opposition groups, but IS-Khorasan routinely plots and claims attacks targeting members of the Taliban and the country's minority Shiite community.

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Gangs and Funding Shortages Impede Relief to Haitians

By Margaret Besheer March 21, 2024

Amid gunfire and a shortage of resources, humanitarians are reaching as many of the 5.5 million Haitians in need as they can with food, water and other life-saving assistance, but more access and money are required, the United Nations said.

"There is a very, very great fatigue. There is human suffering of an alarming scale. A lot of fear. Trauma. People are just simply tired," Ulrika Richardson, the U.N. resident and humanitarian coordinator for Haiti, told reporters Thursday in a video call from the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince.

She said that in the first two months of this year, 2,500 people were killed, kidnapped or injured in the violence.

Haiti has been in turmoil since the July 7, 2021, assassination of President Jovenel Moise at his home in the Port-au-Prince suburb of Petion-Ville. Armed gangs now control much of the capital and have spread to other parts of the country. They have carried out massacres and kidnappings, human trafficking and sexual violence.

The situation has continued to unravel rapidly this month, with gangs trying to seize the country's largest airport and helping thousands of prisoners escape from jail.

Flights are grounded at the main airport, and only a few international flights are moving from Cap-Haitien in the north. Richardson said the seaport is under attack, but the Haitian National Police are in control of part of it.

"That's extremely good, because it means fuel is able to come out and basically be put to use in the capital," she said.

On Saturday, the U.N. Children's Fund, UNICEF, said one of its containers had been looted at Port-au-Prince's main seaport. It contained essential items for maternal, neonatal and child survival, including resuscitators and water equipment.

"That was extremely disastrous for our response," Richardson said.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Thursday that it was keeping some supplies at the Port-au-Prince port, but they were at risk of being looted. U.N. agencies and nongovernmental organizations have more than 300 containers in Port-au-Prince, and they are in discussions with the authorities to secure them.

OCHA says it also needs air transportation and maritime services to scale up humanitarian operations.

Meanwhile, the World Food Program, the International Organization for Migration and UNICEF are delivering hot meals, blankets, solar lamps and thousands of gallons of drinking water to displaced people.

The World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization have been distributing water purification tablets, chlorine, gloves and other items at sites for displaced people. They are also providing medicines and supplies to the few health centers still operating.

And the U.N. Population Fund and its partners are assisting women and girls with matters related to sexual and reproductive health, as well as sexual and gender-based violence issues. Richardson said the gangs continue to rape women as both a method of control and revenge.

More than 1 million Haitians are teetering on the brink of conflict-related famine as funding for humanitarian programs is drying up. Only 6.5% of the $674 million the U.N. needs this year has come in.

The World Food Program hot meals program could run out of money in days.

"Unfortunately, if there's no money arriving to our humanitarian response plan, then we will simply need to reduce the level of assistance," Richardson said. "At this stage, it would be a catastrophe."

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Experts See Central Asia Emboldened by Russia's Struggles in Ukraine

By Navbahor Imamova March 21, 2024

Two years ago, as Russia invaded Ukraine's heartland, Central Asian countries feared they would be next to feel the impact of President Vladimir Putin's revanchist obsession.

But as Russia has struggled on the battlefield and suffered massive losses against a determined Ukrainian foe, experts and current and former policymakers in Washington see a more confident and assertive Central Asia that is striving for unity and enjoying greater bargaining power, including with Russia, China and the United States.

Some longtime observers warn that the region may yet fall prey to the Kremlin's ambitions. They argue that the West must understand its challenges and help expand its opportunities.

In their view, the best outcome for Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan would be to emerge from the Ukraine-Russia conflict as a more independent and consolidated region.

Russian threat in decline

Frederick Starr, chairman of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute in Washington, advocates for greater political and economic integration in the region. He observes that the region's governments have been using "China to balance Russia ... and America, to balance them."

In an interview with VOA, Starr noted that Russian chauvinists have even called for the annexation of Central Asia. "It's as if they're announcing to the world that whatever happens in Ukraine, we aren't done."

He urges the region to recognize that Putin's savage attack on Ukraine "has demonstrated, above all, Russia's weakness."

"This stripped bare the mask that all those fancy parades in Red Square created, and now we realize that Russia's military is a farce," he said. "All it has is numbers and brutal leaders who are willing to sacrifice hundreds of thousands of Russian lives for an objective that is unattainable."

Starr argued that countries in Central Asia should demonstrate to Russia that they live in a big world, "have friends east, west, north and south. Russia can no longer be treated as a single player on a chessboard."

This sentiment is echoed by many in the region, who note that the things that make Central Asia dependent on Russia, such as energy, trade and labor migration, make Russia dependent on it as well.

Starr also believes younger Central Asians have a broader worldview and don't care about Russia as much as the older elite, for whom Russia is "a kind of hangover from Soviet times."

Better Western ties

The Atlantic Council's John Herbst, a former U.S. ambassador to Uzbekistan and Ukraine, says Central Asians are interested in a closer relationship with the West "because they are pretty good at geopolitics. Their neighborhood demands nothing less."

"Given [the region's] adjacency to China and Russia, the West needs to be far more active in Central Asia than it is," he said in an address to foreign diplomats, U.S. officials and scholars at George Washington University in Washington. "Russia's revisionist agenda extends to Central Asia."

According to Herbst, the most important development in the region is that Central Asia has maintained its independence and stability since the breakup of the Soviet Union, despite internal tensions and the threat of terrorism.

"You need to find ways to make our role in Central Asia more inviting," Herbst said, appealing to the region. "You will have friends here, who will be making the case publicly along with you and privately."

Sanctions vs. geopolitical interests

Russian scholar Vladislav Inozemtsev, speaking at the same conference, argued that transport corridors bypassing Russia will increase the strategic importance of Central Asia at a time when the West is seeking ways to minimize Moscow's economic options.

But Inozemtsev warned that Western sanctions on Russia can have a negative spillover effect on its Central Asia neighbors. "Russians will still find ways to evade them," he said. "This issue disturbs Central Asian governments and prevents much more fruitful cooperation with the Europeans and Americans."

His suggestion: "Maybe it's better not to focus on sanctions and, sorry to say, even on the human rights issues, but fostering just geopolitical goals in the region when we are in times of war."

Diminished Russian threat?

Allan Mustard, Washington's former ambassador to Turkmenistan, emphasizes the "discreditation" of Russia as a military threat to its neighbors.

"A few years ago, I talked to some friends in Kazakhstan and asked them what the position was of Kazakh people writ large towards Russia as a security guarantor for Central Asia," he said at the GWU forum.

"And they said, 'We've never viewed Russia as a security guarantor. We have always viewed Russia as a security threat to Central Asia.' But that threat is diminishing because we can see what even the Ukrainians can do in terms of destroying the Russian military machine," he said.

The region has a collective capacity to expand trade, Mustard said. He foresees a bolder Central Asia in the near term, especially with the expansion of a Middle Corridor trade route via the Caspian Sea, which would reduce Russia's leverage over the region.

Jamestown Foundation's Margarita Assenova agrees, saying "the primary challenge" for Central Asia and its Western partners is to improve connectivity through the region. But she is optimistic about the prospects for greater collaboration among Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Turkey.

Russia's war on Ukraine has strengthened Central Asia, Assenova said, "accelerating the original integration and seeking greater Western engagement."

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At UN, Nations Cooperate Toward Safe, Trustworthy AI Systems

By Margaret Besheer March 21, 2024

The U.N. General Assembly adopted by consensus Thursday a first-of-its-kind resolution addressing the potential of artificial intelligence to accelerate progress toward sustainable development, while emphasizing the need for safe, secure and trustworthy AI systems.

The initiative, led by the United States, seeks to manage AI's risks while utilizing its benefits.

"Today as the U.N. and AI finally intersect, we have the opportunity and the responsibility to choose as one united global community to govern this technology rather than to let it govern us," said U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield. "So let us reaffirm that AI will be created and deployed through the lens of humanity and dignity, safety and security, human rights and fundamental freedoms."

The Biden administration said it took more than three months to negotiate what it characterized as a "baseline set of principles" around AI, engaging with 120 countries and incorporating feedback from many of them, including China, which was one of the 123 co-sponsors of the text.

While General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, they reflect the political consensus of the international community.

The resolution recognizes the disparities in technological development between developed and developing countries and stresses the need to bridge the digital divide so everyone can equitably access the benefits of AI.

It also outlines measures for responsible AI governance, including the development of regulatory frameworks, capacity building initiatives and support for research and innovation. The resolution encourages international collaboration to address the evolving challenges and opportunities AI technologies pose, with a focus on advancing sustainable development goals.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris welcomed adoption of the resolution, saying all nations must be guided by a common set of understandings on the use of AI systems.

"Too often, in past technological revolutions, the benefits have not been shared equitably, and the harms have been felt by a disproportionate few," she said in a statement. "This resolution establishes a path forward on AI where every country can both seize the promise and manage the risks of AI."

At the World Economic Forum meetings in Davos, Switzerland, in January, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern about the risk of unintended consequences with "every new iteration of generative AI." He said it has "enormous potential" for sustainable development but also the potential to worsen inequality.

"And some powerful tech companies are already pursuing profits with a clear disregard for human rights, personal privacy and social impact," he said at the time.

The U.N. chief created an AI advisory body last year, and it will publish its final report ahead of the U.N.'s Summit of the Future in September.

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Egyptian, U.S. FMs call for ceasefire in Gaza

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 13:07, March 22, 2024

CAIRO, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday called for a peace agreement between Hamas and Israel in the war-torn Gaza Strip.

They made the appeal during a joint press conference following a multilateral meeting between Blinken, who was on a visit to Egypt, and foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Qatar, as well as the UAE minister of state for international cooperation, and the secretary general of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization.

Shoukry underlined the importance of reaching an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, releasing Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and expanding humanitarian aid to Gaza where the residents are suffering from starvation.

He also warned of the catastrophic living conditions in the enclave, urging Israel to abandon plans to carry out future military operations in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza.

"The crisis must be dealt with radically to achieve security and stability in the region by ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, activating the two-state solution, and establishing the Palestinian state," said the top Egyptian diplomat.

Blinken, for his part, said that a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is "difficult" but "still possible," and that Israel's planned military operation on Rafah would be "a mistake."

Blinken started his sixth trip to the Middle East on Wednesday since the outbreak of the Hamas-Israel conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, yet his missions failed to achieve breakthrough in negotiating a peace deal between the two warring parties.

Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved plans for an attack on Rafah, where more than 1.4 million displaced Palestinians are seeking shelter.

On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas launched an attack on southern Israeli towns, killing about 1,200 Israelis and capturing more than 200 as hostages.

Since then, Israel has been on retaliatory offensives against Hamas in Gaza, killing a total of 31,988 Palestinians and wounded 74,188 others, according to the latest data released by Gaza's Health Ministry on Thursday.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 21 March 2024 - Day 756

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that Russian forces continue to focus operations in Donetsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine, making minor gains. They have attempted to expand areas of control north-west of Donetsk city and are highly likely contesting a string of villages including Orlivka, Tonenke, Pervomaiske, and Nevelske.

Russian advances have slowed in recent weeks, likely partially due to heavy losses sustained in the Avdiivka campaign. The situation remains unstable, with Ukrainian shortages of personnel and munitions likely limiting their ability to hold positions.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of March 21, there were 67x tactical engagements.

Russian forces launched a total of 36x missile and 50x air strikes, 96x MLRS attacks on positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Residential apartment blocks and private houses got destroyed and damaged.

Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. No signs of formation of an offensive group.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russia maintains its military presence in the russian areas bordering Ukraine. The Russian troops conduct subversion in order to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian troops to threatened axes. Russia continues shelling of Ukrainian settlements from the territory of Russia and increases the concentration of mining operations along the state border of Ukraine. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Vorozhba, Hrytsenkove, (Sumy oblast). More than 20x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Leonivka (Chernihiv oblast), Chernats'ke, Baranivka, Sosnivka, Khodyne, Boyaro-Lezhachi, Iskryskivshchyna, Katerynivka (Sumy oblast), Udy, Kozacha Lopan', Ambarne (Kharkiv oblast).

Kup'yans'k axis: Russian forces, using air attacks, executed 1x unsuccessful assault on position of Ukrainian defenders in the vicinity of Syn'kivka (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Nadiya (Luhansk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Zapadne, Syn'kivka, Stepova Novoselivka, Kotlyarivka (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 10x assaults in the vicinities of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Spirne, Rozdolivka, Vesele (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces, using air attacks, made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. The Russian adversary launched an air strike in the vicinity of Novosadove (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 15x settlements, including Makiivka, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Yampolivka, Tors'ke, Serebryanka (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 14x attacks in the vicinities of Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Hryhorivka, Kalynivka and New York (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Chasiv Yar, Klishchiivka, Andriivka (Donetsk oblast).

Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 4x attacks in the vicinities of Berdychi, Semenivka, Tonen'ke, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast). The Russian occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinities of Novobakhmutivka, Orlivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 20x settlements, including Novobakhmutivka, Berdychi, Pervomais'ke, Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast).

Novopavlivka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to block Russian forces near Krasnohorivka, Novomykhailivka, Vodyane, Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast). In that area, the Russian invaders, using air attacks, made 24x attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Kurakhove (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 20x settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Paraskoviivka, Vuhledar (Donetsk oblast).

Orikhiv axis: Russian forces, with air support, conducted 6x attacks on positions of Ukrainian defenders in the vicinities of Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast) and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Around 15x settlements, including Malynivka, Charivne, Bilohir'ya, Novodanylivka, P'yatykhatky (Zaporizhzhia oblast), were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Kherson axis: Russian forces did not conduct any offensive operations. The settlement of Ivanivka (Kherson oblast), was under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

During the day of March 21, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 7x concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment. 2x Russian anti-aircraft missile systems.

The Ukrainian Missile Forces hit 1x artillery system and 2x air defense systems of the Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the previous night, the Russian Aerospace Forces delivered a strike by long-range precision weaponry including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles at AFU decision-making centres, logistic bases, temporary deployment areas of special operations forces and foreign mercenaries.

The goal of the strike has been achieved. All the targets have been engaged.

In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 63rd Mechanised Brigade, 57th Motorised Rifle Brigade, and 95th Air Assault Brigade near Sinkovka (Kharkov region), Terni (Donetsk People's Republic), and Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 40 Ukrainian troops, three tanks, and four motor vehicles.

In the course of counter-battery warfare, two Czech-made Vampire MLRS combat vehicles, one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system, and one D-30 howitzer were eliminated.

In Belgorod direction, Russian units continue to take measures to prevent infiltration of AFU sabotage and reconnaissance groups and eliminate these groups in border areas of Ukraine.

Strikes were delivered at the foreign mercenaries formations and 105th Territorial Defence Brigade concentration areas near Velikaya Pisaryovka, Yamnoye, Lukashovka, and Aleksandrovka (Sumy region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 30 Ukrainian militants, three pickup trucks, and one Czech-made Vampire MLRS combat vehicle.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and captured Alebastrovaya station (Donetsk People's Republic).

Strikes were delivered at formations of the AFU 79th Air Assault Brigade, 46th and 81st airmobile brigades near Belogorovka, Razdolovka, Krasnoye, Novomikhailovka, and Georgiyevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 250 Ukrainian troops, two tanks, three armoured fighting vehicles, and seven motor vehicles.

In the course of counter-battery warfare, two Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery systems, one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and one D-20 howitzer were eliminated.

In Avdeyevka direction, cohesive actions of the Tsentr Group of Forces units allowed to liberate Tonenkoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

Strikes were delivered at formations of the AFU 47th, 59th motorised rifle brigades, and 3rd Assault Brigade near Pervomayskoye and Berdichi (Donetsk People's Republic).

One counter-attack launched by an assault detachment of the AFU 24th Mechanised Brigade was repelled near Novgorodskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 320 Ukrainian troops, one tank, four armoured fighting vehicles, and seven motor vehicles.

In the course of counter-battery warfare, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, one D-20 howitzer, one D-30 howitzer, and one U.S.-made M102 gun.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces improved the tactical situation and inflicted losses on AFU formations near Pavlovka, Urozhaynoye, and Staromayorskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

One counter-attack launched by an assault detachment of the AFU 72nd Mechanised Brigade was repelled near Vodyanoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 120 Ukrainian troops, one tank, three armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, and one U.S.-made AN/TPQ-36 counter-battery warfare radar station.

In Kherson direction, units of the Dnepr Group of Forces struck manpower and hardware clusters of the AFU 65th Mechanised Brigade, 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, and 35th Marines Brigade near Rabotino, Stepovoye (Zaporozhye region), and Ivanovka (Kherson region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 50 Ukrainian troops, five motor vehicles, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, and one D-30 howitzer.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces wiped out one unmanned aerial vehicle depot, one unmanned aerial vehicle manufacturing and repair workshop, as well as engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 132 areas during the day.

Air defence units shot down 163 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles and 20 U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS and Czech-made Vampire MLRS projectiles.

In total, 577 airplanes and 270 helicopters, 16,443 unmanned aerial vehicles, 487 air defence missile systems, 15,562 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,251 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,480 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 20,027 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.





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Mark Birdsall has been the assistant editor of the Huron Daily Tribune since April 2022. Mark was first hired by the Tribune in the summer of 2019 to serve as sports editor, covering high school sports and running the Tribunes annual football contest. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Huron County and shut down high school sports in March 2020, Mark made a temporary move to news and officially joined the newsroom as a reporter in July 2021.

Prior to arriving at the Tribune, Mark was night desk editor for the Cadillac News, where he also helped out the sports department on busy high school football and basketball nights. He previously worked at the Holland Sentinel and the Greenville Daily News.

He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in print journalism from Grand Valley State University, where he was editor of the student newspaper, The Lanthorn.

A native of Bay City, Mark is an avid fan of the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, Michigan State Spartans and the Chicago Cubs. Hes also a movie buff and enjoys attending live music events in his spare time.

Mark can be reached by phone at 989-623-3188 or by email at mark.birdsall@hearstnp.com
Gangster Disciples and Sisters of the Struggle Members Sentenced for Gang-Related Murders

Thursday, March 21, 2024

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

A high-ranking member of the Gangster Disciples and a leader of its parallel female organization, the Sisters of the Struggle (SOS), were sentenced yesterday for their roles in a murder conspiracy stemming from gang-related retribution that resulted in the shooting deaths of three men.

Philmon Deshawn Chambers, also known as Dolla Phil, 35, of Atlanta, was sentenced to serve two consecutive life terms in prison plus 10 years in prison. Andrea Paige Browner, also known as Drea, 29, of Athens, Georgia, was sentenced to serve two concurrent sentences of 30 years in prison.

According to court documents, Chambers held a "Position of Authority" within the national Gangster Disciples criminal organization, which included overseeing members of the "Enforcement Team." Enforcement teams within the Gangster Disciples are directed to discipline gang members for violations of gang rules through physical assault or murder. Co-defendant Lesley Chappell Green, also known as Grip, 35, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, was a member of the Enforcement Team and held the title of "Assistant Chief Enforcer."

On Dec. 10, 2018, a Gangster Disciples member was murdered in Athens. Chambers and Browner sought retaliation for the member's death and believed three unnamed Athens residents were responsible. On Dec. 14, 2018, Browner met an individual at a downtown Athens motel and learned that he was related to one of the individuals she believed killed the Gangster Disciples member. Browner sent text messages directing Chambers to travel to the motel, which he did. Chambers then followed the individual home and shot and killed him. Browner notified a Gangster Disciples associate that she and Chambers would be leaving town because the police would be looking for them.

On Dec. 15, 2018, Browner was taken into custody in Mt. Enterprise, Texas; however, Chambers, who had been in the vehicle with Browner, fled from law enforcement. Chambers was suspicious that someone was cooperating with law enforcement, and incorrectly concluded that two individuals were "snitches." Chambers directed Green to carry out the murders of those two individuals. The two individuals were lured by Green, as directed by Chambers, to drive from Athens to Lawrenceville, Georgia, to break into storage sheds and steal items to send to Chambers as "aid and assistance" as he was hiding out from law enforcement in a Gangster Disciple "safe house" in Killeen, Texas. On Dec. 19, 2018, the two individuals were murdered and their bodies were concealed in the storage unit. Chambers and Green, along with Robert Maurice Carlisle, also known as Different, 37, of Lithonia, Georgia, and Shabazz Larry Guidry, also known as Lil Larry, 29, of Decatur, Georgia, conspired to dispose of the victims' bodies, which included potentially burning the bodies or dumping the bodies in a landfill.

A federal jury convicted Chambers in August 2023 of racketeer influenced and corruption organization (RICO) conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, carry and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and causing the death of a person using a firearm. Browner was also convicted in August 2023 of RICO conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, and causing the death of a person using a firearm.

Carlisle and Guidry both pleaded guilty on June 8, 2023, to RICO conspiracy and are scheduled to be sentenced on March 22. Green was sentenced on Feb. 20 to life in prison after a federal jury convicted him on Aug. 17, 2023, of RICO conspiracy.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary for the Middle District of Georgia; Supervisory Senior Special Agent Robert Gibbs of FBI Atlanta Field Office; and Chief Jerry Saulters of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department made the announcement.

The FBI Athens Resident Agency Middle Georgia Safe Streets Gang Task Force, Athens-Clarke County Police Department, and Gwinnett County Police Department investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Kenneth Kaplan, formerly of the Criminal Division's Violent Crime and Racketeering Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Morrison for the Middle District of Georgia are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Stuart Walker for the Middle District of Georgia.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Justice Department's violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Topics: Project Safe Neighborhoods

Violent Crime

Components: Criminal Division

Criminal - Violent Crime and Racketeering Section

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

USAO - Georgia, Middle

Press Release Number: 24-327

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Fentanyl Precursor Scheduling at the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs

US Department of State

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

March 21, 2024

This week at the 67th Session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna, Austria, the international community came together and agreed to new controls for multiple precursor chemicals used in the illicit manufacturing of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs. The international scheduling of these chemicals will strengthen law enforcement efforts to counter trafficking of dangerous drugs that are devastating communities in the United States and around the world.

At the request of the United States, the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) recommended two fentanyl precursors be placed under international control under the 1988 Convention: 4-piperidone and 1-boc-4-piperidone. The CND unanimously agreed to schedule these substances, allowing for new and stronger control of these chemicals.

The INCB also recommended that 16 additional substances that can be used in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine and MDMA be placed under international control under the 1988 Convention: P-2-P methyl glycidic acid and its methyl ester along with seven additional esters of P-2-P methyl glycidic acid; the ethyl ester of 3,4-MDP-2-P methyl glycidic acid and six additional esters of 3,4-MDP-2-P methyl glycidic acid.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the addition of the synthetic opioid butonitazene to the 1961 Convention and that four additional substances be added to the schedules of the 1971 Convention: 3-chloromethcathinone or 3-CMC, dipentylone, 2-fluorodeschloroketamine, bromazolam.

All recommendations were approved unanimously.

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Australia and the United Kingdom commit to modernising our defence relationship

The Hon Richard Marles MP

Deputy Prime Minister

Minister for Defence

21 March 2024

Today, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP, and United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, signed a new defence and security cooperation agreement at Parliament House, Canberra, updating the partnership to meet contemporary challenges.

The agreement includes a status of forces agreement, making it easier for the respective forces to operate together in each other's countries - as seen in the joint training of Ukrainian troops in the UK, and as the UK will do through its contribution to Submarine Rotational Force-West in Australia.

The agreement also formalises the established practice of consulting on issues that affect our sovereignty and regional security.

The new agreement was signed following annual ministerial defence talks as part of the Australia-UK Ministerial consultations (AUKMIN).

Ministers also agreed a range of initiatives to give immediate effect to this deepening cooperation, including:

The UK's contribution to the Combined Intelligence Centre - Australia, within the Defence Intelligence Organisation

Commitment to develop a joint climate action plan by AUKMIN 2025

Continued cooperation on capability development, including through AUKUS

Establishment of elevated joint staff talks, to ensure our operational cooperation meets contemporary challenges

Closer collaboration on undersea warfare, autonomous sea mine clearance, science, technology, and our workforces

The UK's contribution to exercises Talisman Sabre, Pitch Black, and Predators Run

Australia's support for the UK's Littoral Response Group-South and a carrier strike group visit to the Indo-Pacific in 2025.

The signing of this agreement delivers on a commitment made at AUKMIN 2023 to refresh the bilateral defence treaty.

Quote attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

"Australia's relationship with the UK is dynamic and enduring. From the UK's leadership of support for Ukraine and efforts to address the Houthi threat, to increasing contributions in the Pacific and the Indo-Pacific, we continue to work closely together to support a global rules-based order.

"As the world becomes more complex and uncertain, we must modernise our most important partnerships.

"The agreements we reached today will secure this outcome into the future."

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March 21, 2024

Release

AUKUS Trilateral Statement

The Honourable Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Australia; the Right Honourable Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Defence, United Kingdom; and Lloyd J. Austin III, Secretary of Defense, United States.

One year ago, on 13 March 2023 in San Diego, the Leaders of Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States announced the Optimal Pathway. The Optimal Pathway outlines an ambitious plan to deliver a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability (SSNs) for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) - a plan that will strengthen our three countries' combined military capabilities, boost our collective industrial capacity, set the highest non-proliferation standard and enhance our ability to promote stability and security in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

AUKUS is built on the bedrock of decades of close defense, capability and technology cooperation between our three nations and is a natural progression of our partnership. Today, AUKUS partners welcomed the announcement of the selection of ASC Pty Ltd and BAE Systems to build Australia's SSN-AUKUS submarines, and the selection of ASC as Australia's nuclear-powered submarine sustainment partner.

The formation of these strategic partnerships with industry is a significant milestone in the AUKUS endeavour. It is a demonstration of our trilateral industry supporting the Optimal Pathway becoming a reality and will underpin Australia's role as a capable security partner and responsible steward of a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability for decades to come.

The enduring trilateral partnership between the governments of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States supports these commercial relationships and further enables the close industrial collaboration across our three countries in support of AUKUS.

ASC and BAE Systems will build the SSN-AUKUS submarines for the Royal Australian Navy. BAE Systems has been at the heart of the UK's submarine enterprise for generations. SSN-AUKUS is being trilaterally developed, based on the United Kingdom's next-generation design and incorporating technology from all three nations, including cutting edge United States submarine technologies. Also to be built by the UK and operated by the Royal Navy, SSN-AUKUS will be equipped for intelligence, surveillance, undersea warfare and strike missions, and will provide maximum interoperability among AUKUS partners.

ASC has been at the centre of Australia's sovereign submarine program for decades as Australia's sovereign submarine sustainment partner, and the builder of Australia's Collins-class submarines. ASC will build its sustainment capability for SSNs, including through partnering opportunities with UK and US industry. Sustainment capability is critical to the Optimal Pathway, accelerating Australia's ability to operate and sustain its own Virginia class submarines as soon as possible and contribute to regional security, together with AUKUS partners.

The Optimal Pathway was always designed to create a stronger, more resilient trilateral submarine industrial base, supporting submarine production and maintenance in all three countries. The announcements today are a testament to that - the build of SSN-AUKUS will increase opportunities for industrial base collaboration, strengthen our collective industrial base capacity, and generate economic growth in defense and national security sectors in all three countries. Similarly, the announcement of Australia's sovereign sustainment partner is a key milestone to build Australia's capacity to operate and sustain nuclear-powered submarines. ASC will, in time, develop robust industry partnerships with UK and US businesses to gain the technical skills, know-how and capacity to sustain nuclear-powered submarines.

All AUKUS partners are investing significantly to ensure success of the Optimal Pathway and are working at pace to transform and integrate our trilateral industrial bases to support SSN cooperation.

Australia has agreed an AUD$1.5 billion investment for early priority works at HMAS Stirling, to put in place the enablers for the safe and secure rotational presence of United Kingdom and United States SSNs through Submarine Rotational Force-West from 2027. Australia has also commenced enabling works at the future nuclear-powered submarine construction yard at Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide. All up, Australia has committed at least AUD $18 billion in infrastructure upgrades across South Australia and Western Australia over the next 10 years to enable critical milestones for the Optimal Pathway.

The United States has announced the intended investment of USD $11.4 billion in its submarine industrial base across the five-year defense budget period starting in 2025 to increase the production rate of Virginia class submarines as quickly and effectively as possible, to meet its own fleet requirements and support U.S. commitments under AUKUS.

The United Kingdom also announced last year that it would inject GBP A3 billion into its Defence Nuclear Enterprise, including the construction of submarine industrial infrastructure that will help to deliver the SSN-AUKUS program. Subsequently, Rolls-Royce has announced that it will double the size of its Derby site to support the delivery of the UK and Australian programs, which will include building all of Australia's nuclear reactors.

Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States remain fully committed to this shared endeavour. These steps to grow Australia's submarine construction and maintenance capability are critical to the AUKUS partnership, expanding trilateral industrial capacity and building the collective resilience of AUKUS partners to produce and sustain conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines for decades to come.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3714709/

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Australia Signs Security Accord with Britain

By Phil Mercer March 21, 2024

Australia and the United Kingdom signed a new defense and security cooperation agreement Thursday that deepens the strategic relationship between the two nations, makes it easier for their defense forces to operate together in each other's countries, and boosts a fledgling nuclear-powered submarine program with the United States.

Australia has said the new security and defense treaty updates its longstanding relationship with Britain "to meet contemporary challenges."

Australia Defense Minister Richard Marles said in a statement that as "the world becomes more complex and uncertain, we must modernize our most important relationships."

The new accord signed Thursday builds on the 2021 AUKUS alliance, which is designed to allow Australia to build a new multibillion-dollar fleet of nuclear-powered submarines with help from the United States and Britain.

Marles later told reporters in Canberra that a far-reaching pact with Britain was fundamental to Australia's national security.

"It does reflect a relationship that has become much more strategic, a relationship which has a much bigger national security dimension," he said. "To that end, the U.K. has a much greater presence in the Indo-Pacific than we have seen in a very long time. We also spoke today about AUKUS, which is, perhaps, at the heart of the contemporary strategic relationship between our two countries."

Britain's defense minister, Grant Shapps, is in Australia for the annual Australia-U.K. Ministerial (AUKMIN) meetings, which were first held in 2006. Officials said bilateral talks would also include support for Ukraine, peace in the Middle East, gender-based violence in the Pacific, climate change and trade.

The defense treaty signed Thursday includes provisions to make it easier for Australian and British forces to work together in each other's countries, much like the joint training of Ukrainian troops in Britain. There will also be closer collaboration on undersea warfare, intelligence and military exercises.

Shapps told a news conference in Canberra that the treaty would enhance global efforts to maintain peace.

"We stand shoulder-to-shoulder in all of these many, many different ways, and the thing which has struck me most in my first few hours with you here today is the extent to which distance is absolutely no object to us at all because we stand united in our view of the world and what needs to be done and we are proactive nations that are prepared to stand up and make sure that we do maintain the world order," he said.

The announcement of the new defense accord between Canberra and London comes a day after Australia hosted a visit by China's most senior diplomat, the foreign minister Wang Yi.

Analysts have said that China's increasing assertiveness is a key motivation behind the trilateral AUKUS agreement, but China has accused Australia, Britain and the United States of a "Cold War mentality," saying the alliance was embarking on a "path of error and danger."

Thursday, the Canberra government has also announced a new multi-million-dollar deal to send army vehicles to Germany. In one of the biggest defense export deals in Australian history, 100 Boxer armored vehicles will be sent to the German army.

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AUKUS build and sustainment partners announced

The Hon Richard Marles MP

Deputy Prime Minister

Minister for Defence

22 March 2024

The Albanese Government is ensuring local jobs and Australian industry are at the heart of our next generation submarines with the announcement today of Australia's Sovereign Submarine Build Partner and Sovereign Submarine Sustainment Partner.

Today's announcement is a critical step towards the construction of Australia's SSNaAUKUS submarines at Osborne, South Australia, and sustainment of our nuclearapowered submarines, including through Submarine Rotational Force-West, in Western Australia.

These partnerships mark the start of further extensive opportunities for Australian industry and workers, underpinning the single biggest capability acquisition in our nation's history and creating around 20,000 direct jobs over the next 30 years, supporting the Government's vision for a Future Made in Australia.

Working with our AUKUS partners, Australia is not just acquiring world-leading submarine technology, but building a new production line, supply chain and sustainment capability for conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines in Australia

Sovereign Submarine Build Partner

The Government has selected ASC Pty Ltd and BAE Systems to build Australia's SSNaAUKUS submarines. These world-leading companies will work closely together to establish the foundations of the complex project and will initially form a collaborative arrangement, which will lead to the establishment of a long-term incorporated Joint Venture within Australia.

This Joint Venture establishes an enduring partnership between ASC and BAE Systems to bring together and leverage the unique and complementary capabilities, skills, expertise and resources of the two partners to deliver Australia's SSN-AUKUS submarines.

ASC has been at the centre of Australia's sovereign submarine program for decades as Australia's prime sovereign submarine sustainment partner, and the builder of our Collins class submarines.

Its experience in submarine construction, testing, commissioning and certification, including physical integration of US combat systems, make ASC a reliable, tested and capable partner.

BAE Systems is the United Kingdom's long-term submarine build partner and brings over 60 years of nuclear-powered submarine building experience, world-class industrial capability and intellectual property to this partnership.

BAE's involvement ensures an integral connection between the SSN-AUKUS design led by BAE Systems in the UK, where Australian experts are already working alongside their peers, and the SSN-AUKUS build strategy in Australia.

ASC and BAE - and once established, the Joint Venture - will operate collaboratively within a wider enterprise and be accountable and responsible for the delivery of our SSNaAUKUS submarines, as well as ensuring safety, security, and regulatory compliance throughout the build program.

The Commonwealth will hold sovereign protection rights in relation to the governance of the Joint Venture to preserve our national interest in the build program.

By bringing ASC and BAE together, the Albanese Government has determined the best structure for the build of our SSN-AUKUS submarines. Importantly, it enables Australia's Sovereign Submarine Build Partners to develop and expand an Australian industrial base and supply chain for long-term submarine construction in Osborne, South Australia.

Sovereign Submarine Sustainment Partner

The Government has selected ASC Pty Ltd for the sustainment of nuclear-powered submarines, commencing with the Virginia class and followed by the SSN-AUKUS.

This decision recognises ASC's long history and expertise in the sustainment of submarines in Australia, in addition to its established workforce and supply chain network.

Building on ASC's current role and capability in sustaining Australia's Collins class submarines, ASC's sustainment capability for nuclear-powered submarines will be uplifted in the lead up to Australia acquiring its first Virginia class submarine from the United States in the early 2030s. It will include significant workforce growth and the development of skills, knowledge and experience required to sustain Virginia class submarines.

The passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in December 2023 through the United States Congress represented important progress toward enabling the next steps in realising Australia's conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability. With the passage of this Act, exemptions were established that will authorise Australian workers to sustain US submarines - an activity never before enabled under US legislation.

With the NDAA passed, there will be opportunities to embed Australian workers from ASC in the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard to train on sustainment of US conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines. ASC will also provide sustainment support to visiting US and UK submarines at HMAS Stirling, in the lead up to the establishment of Submarine Rotational Force-West from 2027.

Importantly, ASC's growing role in nuclear-powered submarine sustainment will be integrated with the existing Collins class submarine enterprise and sustainment arrangements, providing the opportunity to strengthen our sovereign capability while Australian workers learn new skills for the future. This plan secures our current and future submarine capabilities.

The task ahead is significant and will require ASC's deep engagement with Australian industry. ASC and the Australian Submarine Agency will further refine upcoming opportunities for Australian industry to become involved in the sustainment program as planning matures. ASC will also develop robust industry partnerships with UK and US businesses to gain the technical skills, know-how and capacity to sustain nuclear-powered submarines.

Delivering on AUKUS

The work to deliver Australia's conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines is already well underway, and key land acquisition and infrastructure upgrades have already commenced, all to ensure we are able to begin construction of Australia's first SSNaAUKUS before the end of this decade.

Additionally, work has already begun to develop the skills to maintain our nuclear-powered submarines with increased visits of US and UK SSNs ahead of the arrival of Australia's own sovereign Virginia class submarines.

Australia's commitment to meeting the highest safety, security and nuclear non-proliferation standards in supporting our acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclearapowered submarine capability will be a central element of the work undertaken by both our build and sustainment partners.

The establishment of the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator, with legislation currently before the Australian Parliament, will be another important step in building and ensuring an environment of nuclear safety and security.

The new strategic partnerships announced today will deliver and sustain Australia's nuclear-powered submarines, making Australia a more capable security partner and better able to respond to our changing strategic environment.

AUKUS is the single biggest investment in the history of Australia's defence capability, with record investment in defence, skills, jobs and infrastructure - a vital part of the Government's vision of a Future Made in Australia.

Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

"We have made significant progress in the past 12 months under AUKUS, and today's announcement is another step forward by the Albanese Government to deliver Australia's conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

"At the heart of today's announcement are Australian jobs and a pipeline of work for local Australian industry as we deliver on the commitment to build and sustain submarines here in Australia - and create a sovereign industry and workforce."

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

"The construction of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines will be the greatest industrial endeavor Australia has ever attempted, both in scale and technical complexity. We are now closer to realizing this generational undertaking.

"This announcement today is further evidence that the AUKUS agreement continues to be implemented at pace by all three partners, paving the way for the creation of more than 20,000 highly skilled jobs for decades to come."

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Australian industry and jobs front and centre of AUKUS submarines

The Hon Richard Marles MP

Deputy Prime Minister

Minister for Defence

22 March 2024

Today's announcement of Australia's sovereign submarine build and sustainment partners demonstrates the Albanese Government's focus on maximising Australian industry involvement and jobs in the build and sustainment of Australia's next generation conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

A strong defence industry is critical to providing the deterrence our strategic circumstances demand. This is a whole-of-nation undertaking that will see around 20,000 jobs created across Australia, with unprecedented opportunities for Australian industry at home and abroad with our AUKUS partners. It is the opportunity to build a Future Made in Australia, by Australians, with record investments in defence, skills, jobs and infrastructure.

Industry

The continued development of our industry and workforce is not just important for Australia, but is also pivotal for building more robust and resilient supply chains for all AUKUS partners. This is a key element and strength of the AUKUS trilateral partnership.

The Albanese Government will continue collaboration with AUKUS partners and industry, including ASC Pty Ltd and BAE Systems to develop Australian supply chains and facilitate industry participation in the United Kingdom and United States supply chains. Part of this coordination is the development of an efficient vendor qualification process.

To this end, in January the Defence Industry Vendor Qualification Program was launched. With the assistance of AUKUS partners, the program is reducing barriers and streamlining process as we accelerate the entry of Australian products into UK and US supply chains. Once qualified, Australian companies will be well-positioned to contribute to international supply chains, working with UK and US industrial partners.

In its initial wave, the program is working with 26 companies to qualify supplies across four product families to meet US supply chain requirements. The next wave will expand the program to qualify suppliers into both the US and UK supply chains and will commence in mid-2024.

For further information on becoming involved in the build and sustainment supply chains, on the Defence Industry Vendor Qualification Program and industry engagement activities, companies and industry can register their interest through www.asa.gov.au.

Workforce

Today, we are pleased to announce new initiatives through the Skills and Training Academy to develop Australia's workforce to build and sustain our nuclear-powered submarines.

These pilot programs will be delivered in close consultation with Australia's Sovereign Submarine Build Partner, Sovereign Submarine Sustainment Partner and the shipbuilding industry and include:

Non-Destructive Testing Traineeships to grow the testing technician workforce.

Development of Australia's welding and fabrication pipeline, including: The Welding Aptitude Testing Initiative, providing entry-level workers and mid-career skilled workers opportunities to test their skills and explore welding careers in shipbuilding. A welding bridging initiative for new entrants, existing workers and advanced apprentices in adjacent industries to uplift their skills to fill welding roles in shipbuilding and the nuclear-powered submarine program.

International placements for a 'train the trainer' pilot. Opportunities for Australia's VET teacher workforce to conduct short-term placements in the US to enable them to build an understanding of AUKUS trilateral training requirements and methods, and support students with understanding nuclear-powered submarine career pathways.



The Defence Industry Pathways Program will also expand to include pathways into the nuclear-powered submarine program.

Through an international placements program under the Skills and Training Academy, Australian trainers will be placed within the US nuclear-powered submarine training system to learn skills to bring back to Australia. In order to support the building of the workforce in support of Submarine Rotational ForceaWest, this will include personnel from the South Metropolitan TAFE in Western Australia.

International Placements

Australia is working closely with our AUKUS partners to build the pathways for international placements as part of the upskilling of Australia's domestic industrial workforce.

Following the recent passage by the United States of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Australian industry has benefited from an easing of restrictions that has enabled unprecedented training opportunities in US shipyards, which will enhance the skills and qualifications of Australian workers.

Partnering with US and UK industry will be an important element of our sovereign build and sustainment partners growing the specialist skills and capacity required to build and sustain nuclear-powered submarines, leveraging their decades of expertise.

AUKUS partners are committed to ensuring that all activities to build Australia's future submarine workforce are undertaken in a manner that is consistent with the highest standards for nuclear non-proliferation.

All work by Australian personnel in the UK and US will remain consistent with Australia's domestic and international legal obligations, including with respect to nuclear non-proliferation.

Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

"The announcement of the Sovereign Submarine Build and Sustainment Partners is opening up more avenues for Australian industry and jobs.

"What AUKUS is doing is allowing Australian industry to further invest here, but there are opportunities also opening up with our UK and US partners.

"Be it the build partnership with ASC and BAE Systems or the recent passing of the 2024 National Defence Authorization Act, there are now multiple new avenues and opportunities for Australian industry, which will expand the defence industrial base across all three countries - and realise the historic opportunities the pathway envisioned when we announced it last year."

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

"The importance of this announcement cannot be overstated. It heralds unprecedented levels of scientific, technological and industrial collaboration that will see Australian industry contributing to the combined industrial bases of all three AUKUS partners.

"It is particularly significant that the first work undertaken by Australian industry in relation to the build and sustainment program will be for our AUKUS partners, underscoring the immense opportunities for Australian industry and workers.

"This is a critical step that underscores the Albanese Government's commitment to maximising opportunities for Australian industry and creating jobs and ensures construction of Australia's first SSNaAUKUS submarine can begin in Australia before the end of this decade."

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UN: Belarus Runs Campaign of Violence, Repression to Crush Dissent

By Lisa Schlein March 21, 2024

A report by the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights accuses the government of Belarus of running a campaign of violence and repression to crush political dissent and maintain its grip on power.

"Considering the range of human rights violations committed against the population of real or perceived political opponents in discriminatory fashion, the office's report describes reasonable grounds to believe that the crime against humanity of persecution may have been committed," said Christian Salazar Volkmann, director of the field operations and technical cooperation division at the OHCHR.

The report Volkmann presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council Wednesday examines all alleged human rights violations committed in Belarus related to the run-up to the 2020 presidential elections and its aftermath.

The report is based on information and evidence from first-hand interviews with 657 people supported by more than 5,400 items, as well as 229 written submissions from victims, witnesses and nongovernmental organizations.

Volkmann said information gathered last year "substantiates the scale and patterns of the violations" identified in previous reports and finds that since May 1, 2020, Belarus has "effectively deprived people in Belarus of their ability to exercise" their civic rights.

The 2020 election of incumbent Alexander Lukashenko to a sixth term in office was decried by international monitors as "neither free nor fair." Lukashenko denied this.

In his presentation to the council, Volkmann said that opposition parties had been barred from participating in last month's parliamentary elections, putting into question their ability to participate in next year's presidential elections.

He said laws adopted or amended by Belarus since 2021 have been used "to oppress and punish real or perceived opponents."

"In the course of 2023, several prominent human rights defenders, journalists and trade unionists were sentenced to long prison terms," he said, noting that thousands of people continue to be arbitrarily arrested and detained for "having exercised their freedom of expression and/or assembly."

"Since 2020, thousands of Belarusians have been subjected to cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment or punishment in detention facilities across Belarus," he said.

The report documents cases in which torture has resulted in severe injuries and instances of sexual and gender-based violence, adding that "death and rape threats were widespread."

It describes the horrific, punitive treatment and conditions under which political prisoners are subjected in state-run penal colonies.

Authors of the report say, "Information gathered regarding the lack of adequate medical care in the penal colonies is particularly alarming," adding that at least two people died "in the custody of Belarusian authorities in 2023 due to medical negligence" and two additional prisoners have died this year.

The U.N. human rights office found widespread arbitrary arrests of children took place in 2020 and 2021, resulting in more than 50 politically motivated criminal trials in which the children lacked protections guaranteed under international law.

"OHCHR also found instances of ill-treatment and possibly torture of children," it said.

Volkmann told the U.N. council that Belarusian authorities have removed children in supposedly "dangerous situations" from their parents in ways that seemed more focused on "pressuring and punishing parents than safeguarding the best interest of the child."

He said children sometimes were left without care, taken to orphanages, or "parents were forced under duress to transfer the custody of their children to a relative or friend."

He said the campaign of violence and repression has driven an estimated 300,000 Belarusians into exile since May 2020.

"It is currently not safe for those in exile to return to Belarus," Volkmann said. "I therefore recommend that other member states continue to facilitate access to international refugee protection."

He called on the government of Belarus "to immediately release all individuals arbitrarily detained and sentenced on politically motivated grounds."

To that, Belarus Ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva Larysa Belskaya indignantly responded that "there are no political prisoners in Belarus."

"Persons serving sentences have been convicted of specific crimes, including against national security," she said. "The Belarus lawbreakers are treated equally regardless of whether they are favorites of foreign politicians or act in their interests."

The ambassador accused Western governments of supporting activists who "fled the country, who failed to undermine the Belarusian state through an attempt at a covert revolution and participated in illegal anti-government actions and clashes with law enforcement officers in 2020."

"Now, they broadcast extremist calls and plans to overthrow the legitimate authorities in an armed conflict in Belarus," she said.

"The real situation in Belarus is radically different from the false picture painted by the report of the so-called group of OHCHR experts," she said. "The focus of the state policy of Belarus will always be the strengthening of the well-being of the people and the protection of the interest of the Belarus state."

Volkmann ended his presentation by calling for "prompt, effective, transparent and independent investigations into all past violations of international law occurring since May 2020" and for an end to impunity and accountability for perpetrators of crimes in Belarus.

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Minister Blair introduces legislation to modernize the military justice system and advance culture change in the Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces

National Defence

News release

March 21, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Today, the Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Bill Blair, introduced legislation to amend the National Defence Act that proposes a suite of targeted changes to modernize the military justice system. The proposed amendments address key recommendations made in independent and external reviews conducted by former Supreme Court Justices Louise Arbour and Morris J. Fish.

To address the recommendation 5 from the Honourable Louise Arbour's Independent External Comprehensive Review, the proposed legislation would definitively remove the Canadian Armed Forces' (CAF) jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute Criminal Code sexual offences committed in Canada. The proposed legislation would provide exclusive jurisdiction to civilian authorities to investigate and prosecute such offences committed in Canada.

To address recommendations made by the Honourable Morris J. Fish in his Independent Review, this legislation also seeks to modify the process for the appointment of three key military justice authorities: the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal, the Director of Military Prosecutions, and the Director of Defence Counsel Services. By making these positions Governor-in-Council appointments, they would be insulated from real or perceived influence from the chain of command. As the military justice system continues to serve the CAF, efforts to enhance and modernize it are key to advancing meaningful and lasting institutional reform.

This legislation also seeks to expand the eligibility criteria for military judges to include non-commissioned members, which would help diversify the pool of potential candidates. These amendments are aimed at bolstering the trust and confidence of Canadians in the military justice system.

Quotes

"Members of the Canadian Armed Forces are always there to keep Canada safe - and it is also our obligation to keep them safe from harassment and misconduct. This landmark legislation would transform military justice in Canada and address external recommendations received by former Supreme Court of Canada Justices Arbour and Fish. Through these measures and our ongoing efforts, we will build a diverse, inclusive, and supportive institution that can attract and retain talented people across our country." The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence

"We are taking a systematic, coordinated, and sustained approach to culture change. The modernization of the military justice system is a critical component of our culture change efforts. By applying consistency and rigour to the way we are managing modernization, we aim to increase the level of trust and confidence in our ability to instill change for the betterment of our Defence Team members." Bill Matthews, Deputy Minister of National Defence

"The introduction of this legislation reflects our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of accountability and fairness, crucial for the integrity of the military justice system. By modernizing our processes, we're strengthening the fundamental foundation of trust and confidence, which is indispensable for fostering discipline, efficiency, and morale within the CAF." General Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Staff

"The CAF are committed to the ongoing evolution of the military justice system as an integral part of Canada's legal mosaic. The introduction of legislation to amend the National Defence Act is an important step - with many more to come - in ensuring that Canadians and those who serve in the CAF can continue to have faith in a military justice system that promotes the professional culture and operational effectiveness of the CAF by contributing to discipline, efficiency and morale." Brigadier-General Rob Holman, Judge Advocate General

Quick facts

The proposed legislation seeks to amend the National Defence Act by, among other things: Removing the CAF's investigative and prosecutorial jurisdiction over Criminal Code sexual offences committed in Canada, thereby addressing Recommendation 5 from former Supreme Court Justice Arbour's Independent External Comprehensive Review of the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces. This legislation follows consultations with stakeholders, including provincial and territorial partners. Addressing eight recommendations (2, 7, 8, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16) from the Third Independent Review of the National Defence Act report, by former Supreme Court Justice Fish. Excluding military judges from the summary hearing system and expanding access to Victim Liaison Officers, under the Declaration of Victims Rights, to individuals acting on behalf of a victim. Amending the National Defence Act to align sex offender information and publication ban provisions with the amendments made to the Criminal Code in An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Sex Offender Information Registration Act and the International Transfer of Offenders Act. These amendments are necessary to ensure the military justice system remains constitutional and aligned with the Criminal Code and the civilian criminal justice system.



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Introduction of the Military Justice System Modernization Act

National Defence

Backgrounder

March 21, 2024 - Ottawa - National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Today, the Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Bill Blair, introduced legislation in Parliament to amend the National Defence Act (NDA) that would modernize the military justice system and advance culture change within the Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF) by addressing key recommendations made by former Supreme Court Justices Louise Arbour and Morris Fish.

The introduction of this legislation is one of the many ways that the Government of Canada is advancing culture change within DND/CAF. These changes will be instrumental in ensuring that Canadians can have confidence and trust in the institution.

The proposed legislation is grouped into four key areas:

1. Removing the CAF's investigative and prosecutorial jurisdiction over Criminal Code sexual offences committed in Canada, thereby addressing Recommendation 5 of the Honourable Louise Arbour's Independent External Comprehensive Review, which states that, "Criminal Code sexual offences should be removed from the jurisdiction of the CAF. They should be prosecuted exclusively in civilian criminal courts in all cases. There the offence takes place in Canada, it should be investigated by civilian police forces at the earliest opportunity." The proposed legislation would provide exclusive jurisdiction to civilian authorities to investigate and prosecute these offences in Canada.

Regarding sexual offences that take place outside of Canada, Madame Arbour stated: "Where the offence takes place outside of Canada, the MP may act in the first instance to safeguard evidence and commence an investigation, but should liaise with civilian law enforcement at the earliest possible opportunity."

Recommendation #5 is the only recommendation from Madame Arbour that can exclusively be implemented through legislation. Work is either complete or underway to implement all 48 recommendations, and the External Monitor, Madame Jocelyne Therrien, provides external oversight of this progress.

2. Addressing eight recommendations (2, 7, 8, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16) from the Third Independent Review of the National Defence Act report by former Supreme Court Justice Fish. These amendments seek to, among other things:

modify the process for the appointment of the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal, the Director of Military Prosecutions and the Director of Defence Counsel Services;

expand the class of persons who are eligible to be appointed as a military judge to include non-commissioned members;

affirm the Judge Advocate General's respect for the independence of authorities in the military justice system in the exercise of its superintendence of the administration of military justice;

expand the class of persons who may make an interference complaint and provide that a member of the military police or person performing policing duties or functions under the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal's supervision must make such a complaint in certain circumstances; and

change the title of the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal to the Provost Marshal General to align with the titles of other senior designations in the CAF, such as the Surgeon General, the Chaplain General, and the Judge Advocate General.

Subject to Parliamentary approval, these amendments seek to strengthen trust in military justice authorities operating independently from the chain of command and to bolster the trust and confidence of Canadians in the military justice system.

3. Excluding military judges from the summary hearing system, and expanding access to Victim Liaison Officers, under the Declaration of Victims' Rights, to individuals acting on behalf of a victim.

4. Amending the National Defence Act to align sex offender information and publication ban provisions with the amendments made to the Criminal Code in An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Sex Offender Information Registration Act and the International Transfer of Offenders Act. These proposed amendments are necessary to ensure the parallel military justice system remains constitutional and aligned with the Criminal Code and the civilian criminal justice system.

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Donna Frawley (right) and friend Irene making pasta while in Italy. Provided by Donna Frawley Donna Frawley's antipasta skewers, a recipe she brought back from a 2019 trip to Italy. Provided by Donna Frawley Some pasta Donna Frawley made while in Italy in 2019. Provided by Donna Frawley Donna Frawley's gnocci with pesto, a recipe she brought back from a 2019 trip to Italy. Provided by Donna Frawley Donna Frawley's mussels chowder, a recipe she brought back from a 2019 trip to Italy. Provided by Donna Frawley Donna Frawley's Braciole, a recipe she brought back from a 2019 trip to Italy. Provided by Donna Frawley Donna Frawley has her own Tiramisu recipe that she developed following a 2019 trip to Italy. Provided by Donna Frawley

In the fall of 2019, I spent a week in Italy.

It had been a dream of mine to take a cooking class there, which I ended up doing one evening in Florence. The entire trip and the food were so magnificent.

If any of you have traveled to Europe, you know how exhausting the flight is; long and confined. The trick that our tour guide gave us for the first day is, keep moving. My friend Irene and I moved all right, until we dropped.

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Our first stay was in Sestri Levante on the Italian Riviera. The setting was beautiful, right on the ocean. We sat at an outdoor eatery where we ordered drinks and had free appetizers. Then settled in our room and crashed. The next day we traveled by boat to Santa Margherita Ligure where I had the best Gnocchi with Pesto I had ever had.

That evening we went to what we in America would call a deli, which sold meat, cheese, pizza, focaccia, and other wonderful breads. We drew a number out of the machine and waited our turn. We each chose a different pizza, bought a bottle of wine, and sat on the beach with some of our new tour friends and watched the sunset. It was beautiful.

The next day we took the train to Monterosso al Mare, one of the Cinque Tera (five lands) and Vernazza where I ate mussels. They were fantastic with wonderful bread to soak up the sauce.

We toured in Lucca then readied ourselves for our bus trip to Florence. We were north of Florence at a villa in Impruneta where we had our pasta class.

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When we entered, there were 43 two-cup piles of flour on every flat surface (there were forty-three travelers so one pile for each). We then made pasta and sauce. This was followed by an amazing dinner of which our pasta was only one course.

There were eight courses. I think we rolled to our rooms.

The walk was under a clear star-studded sky with more stars than I had ever seen before.

We then traveled to Sienna for a wine tasting. The owner would have us taste the wine, eat the sampling of food that they paired with the wine and had us taste the wine again. Many of you already know this, but the wine tasted different after the food, which amazed me.

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The next day was spent in the city of Florence where Irene had grilled fruits and vegetables, which were seasoned perfectly.

Our last night we had a farewell dinner with more fabulous food and wine. I was sad to leave this beautiful country and its wonderful food.

The trip was not nearly long enough, but my plans are to go back someday with my daughters and take a five-day cooking course. When I got home, I wanted to keep the memory alive and made fresh pasta several times. I want to share some of my favorite Italian recipes with you.

Italian cooking is more than just pasta, although there is a fair amount of pasta eaten there. Being a narrow peninsula, surrounded by water, seafood is also plentiful. The pace there is slower than in the U.S. and food preparation is deliberate and a gift to those who eat it. They celebrate food and the art of preparing it, and so do I.

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Mussel chowder

There are three pots going at the same time. It is more efficient doing it this way.

2 pounds mussels

1/2 cup dry white wine

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3 cups vegetable broth

2 large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 cup pancetta, diced into 1/4-inch pieces

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1 small yellow onion, finely chopped

1 small rib celery, finely chopped

1 small carrot, finely chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

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1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme

3 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup heavy cream

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Country-Style bread, toasted and rubbed with garlic

Scrub the mussels under cold running water and put them in a large bowl. Add salted ice water to cover and let stand for about an hour or so. Drain and rinse well. Discard any opened or cracked mussels.

Put the mussels and wine in a large pot and cover. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cook, shaking the pot occasionally, just until the mussels have opened, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Using tongs, transfer the mussels to a large bowl, discarding any unopened mussels. Strain the cooking liquid through a fine mesh sieve into another bowl, leaving any grit behind in the pot. Measure the cooking liquid and add enough broth to make 4 cups. Set the cooking liquid mixture aside.

Meanwhile, put the potatoes in a medium saucepan and add cold salted water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 25 minutes. Drain and set the potatoes aside.

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Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add onion, celery, carrot, garlic, and thyme. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle in the flour and mix well. Stir in the reserved liquid mixture and bring to a simmer. Adjust the heat to medium low and cook, with the lid ajar, for 10 minutes to blend the flavors. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Stir in the cream and return to a simmer. Add the mussels and potatoes and cover. Cook just to warm the potatoes and mussels, about 1 minute. Serve the chowder in deep bowls with the bread.

Antipasto salad

8 ounces hard salami, cut into bite size pieces

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8 ounces provolone cheese, cut into bite size pieces

8 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into bite size pieces

2 tomatoes, cut into bite size pieces

1 jar artichoke hearts, drained

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1 jar roasted red peppers, drained and sliced, but reserve the juice

1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives

1/4 cup green olives

1/4 cup fresh basil leaves

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1 head romaine lettuce, quartered and rough chopped

Olive oil

Red wine vinegar

Salt and freshly ground pepper

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Combine the salami, provolone, mozzarella, tomatoes, and artichokes in a bowl. Slice the roasted red peppers and add them to the bowl, along with about 3 tablespoons of their juice.

Mix in the olives. Drizzled olive oil over the entire dish, followed by the red wine vinegar and black pepper. Salad can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until serving.

Tear the fresh basil leaves into bite-sized pieces and add them to the salad just before serving. Mix thoroughly and serve.

Antipasto on skewers

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1 - 9-ounce package fresh tortellini

1 package pepperoni

1 can ripe olives

1 pound mozzarella cheese - cubed

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1-pint cherry tomatoes - cut in half

1 jar artichokes

1 bottle of your favorite Italian dressing

Cook tortellini according to package instructions, rinse in cold water. Arrange all ingredients on skewers, so there is at least one of everything on each skewer. Set in cake pan, jelly roll pan or Tupperware with sides. Pour Italian dressing over skewered food. Let marinate in the refrigerator for several hours. Serve on skewers set on a chilled platter as an appetizer.

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Braciole

1 flank steak

8 to 16 slices of prosciutto

8 mozzarella slices

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Filling:

1 cup pork sausage

1 to 2 eggs

A handful grated Parmigiano Reggiano

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2 cups Italian bread crumbs

Salt and freshly ground pepper

2 teaspoons olive oil + some for browning meat

4 to 5 cloves garlic, mashed

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1 cup chopped Italian parsley

Sauce:

Olive oil for cooking

3 yellow onions, diced

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4 cloves garlic, pressed

4 cups red wine

3 cans whole San Marzano tomatoes or crushed tomatoes

3 tablespoons tomato paste

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Pinch each of salt and pepper

2 Bay leaves

1 tablespoon dried oregano or 3 tablespoons fresh, chopped

2 tablespoons basil, or 6 tablespoons fresh, chopped

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Cut flank steak into 4 even rectangles. Placing your hand on top of one piece, gently split in two using a boning knife. Repeat to make 8 pieces. Pound each piece thin between plastic wrap, using a meat mallet. Cover each slice with prosciutto slices, then a mozzarella slice.

Mix the crumbled sausage, egg, grated cheese, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, olive oil, garlic, and chopped parsley. Spread the mixture on top of prosciutto, leaving a margin.

Roll up the meat with the grain and fasten with toothpicks or cooking twine.

Heat a pot, add olive oil to cover bottom of pot, and brown meat rolls on all sides. Remove braciola from pot. To make sauce: add chopped onion to pot, cook until translucent. Add garlic, stir until fragrant. Deglaze with red wine, scaping to get all meat pieces off the bottom of pot. Add braciola back to pot and reduce wine by 50%.

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Smash canned San Marzano tomatoes with your fingers and pour over meat. Dissolve the tomato paste in a little warm water and add to sauce. Add pinch of salt and pepper. Add herbs. Cover and simmer at a low boil for 1 1/4 hours.

Remove braciola from sauce and allow to rest 5 minutes before slicing. Balance flavors of sauce, adding seasonings as needed. Slice against the rain and serve on a bed of sauce, topped with more sauce.

Tiramisu

1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

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8-ounce container mascarpone cheese, room temperature

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups cold espresso

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3 tablespoons coffee flavored liqueur, optional (Kahlua or DaVinci brands)

1 package Lady Fingers

Cocoa powder for dusting the top

Add whipping cream to a mixing bowl and beat on medium speed with electric mixers (or use a stand mixer). Slowly add sugar and vanilla and continue to beat until stiff peaks. Add mascarpone cheese and fold in until combined. Set aside.

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Add coffee and liqueur to a shallow bowl. Dip the lady fingers in the coffee (Don't soak them--just quickly dip them on both sides to get them wet) and lay them in a single layer on the bottom of an 8x8 inch or similar size pan.

Smooth half of the mascarpone mixture over the top. Add another layer of dipped lady fingers. Smooth remaining mascarpone cream over the top.

Dust cocoa powder generously over the top (I use a fine mesh strainer to do this). Refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours or up to overnight before serving.
US intensifies provocative actions to 'build tensions, contain China'

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun Published: Mar 21, 2024 10:28 PM

The US has recently ramped up its trouble-stirring moves in at least three directions around China to build regional tensions and reinforce its containment of China. Analysts said that Washington has always taken advantage of regional conflicts to serve its selfish geopolitical interests and warned of the consequences of serving as Washington's proxies and cannon fodder.

The US State Department on Wednesday said that the US government recognizes the so-called "Arunachal Pradesh," referring to the Zangnan area in Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, as part of India, Reuters reported on the day.

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular press conference on Thursday that Zangnan is China's territory, a basic fact that is undeniable. The China-India boundary question is a matter between the two countries and has nothing to do with the US side.

It is known to all that the US has consistently spared no efforts to provoke and take advantage of other countries' conflicts to serve its selfish geopolitical interests, Lin said.

In the South China Sea, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken who has just visited the Philippines, reiterated on Tuesday the US' "ironclad commitment" to defend Manila amid rising tensions with China, CNN reported on Wednesday.

Top leaders of the US, Japan and the Philippines are scheduled to hold a summit in Washington on April 11, while the US and the Philippines are planning to hold this year's edition of the Balikatan joint exercise from April 22 to May 8, according to media reports.

In East China, the US continues to sensationalize the Taiwan question, with Admiral John Aquilino, the leader of the Indo-Pacific Command, claiming in a prepared testimony to the US House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday that the Chinese mainland is on track "to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027," Bloomberg reported.

Observers noted that in just a few days, the US has stirred up troubles in at least three directions surrounding China to build up regional tensions, in order to form more "small military cliques" similar to AUKUS and QUAD in multiple directions to encircle and contain China.

Experts reached by the Global Times on Thursday said that the US has added India in its so-called "Indo-Pacific Strategy" to complement its island chain strategy to contain China.

For a long period of time, India's independent diplomatic policy and non-alliance strategy made it hard for the US to use it as a pawn. However, the US in recent years has been sowing discord between China and India, taking advantage of the two countries' border disputes, experts pointed out.

Located in the southern part of the first island chain, the Philippines has been one of the weakest links in the island chain strategy compared with other locations such as Japan, the island of Taiwan, Guam and Australia in terms of military capabilities, analysts said. They noted that since the US lost its deterrence of using aircraft carriers to flex its muscles in the South China Sea thanks to Chinese military's comprehensive capability to strike moving vessels, especially the deployment of anti-ship ballistic missiles, it is seeking more footholds in the South China Sea.

In 2023, the US gained access to four additional military bases in the Philippines, ramped up joint military exercises and patrols, and instigated the Philippines to provoke China over Chinese islands and reefs in the South China Sea like Ren'ai Jiao (also known as Ren'ai Reef) and Huangyan Dao (also known as Huangyan Island), then threw mud at China over its legitimate, reasonable and restrained control measures, observers said.

Ding Duo, deputy director of the Institute of Maritime Law and Policy at the China Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times that the US, the Philippines and Japan have basically formed a small multilateral mechanism against China, and their upcoming summit could see deepened cooperation in terms of military, maritime situational awareness and intelligence sharing.

Military expert Fu Qianshao told the Global Times on Thursday that the US has long been sensationalizing the Taiwan question, but it was the US that had politicians provocatively visit the island, announced arms sales from time to time, and even sent military personnel.

'Proxies suffer losses'

A Beijing-based military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times that the US' global hegemony has been severely impacted by the recent conflicts around the world, its military capability is on the decline due to its de-industrialization, it has acknowledged China's rapid national defense modernization progress, and that it feels that it cannot face China alone.

A lesson people can learn from recent conflicts elsewhere in the world is that military proxies suffer the most losses, the expert said. "When China can hit moving aircraft carriers, which has forced the US military to adjust its strategy, why would any country become US proxies and Washington's cannon fodders?"

China follows a national defense policy that is defensive in nature, but it will resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security, territorial integrity and development interests, experts said, noting that being played by the US as pawns could lead to unnecessary disasters that benefit only the US.

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HK officials, lawmakers confront West's attacks on Article 23 legislation, ready to fight back

Global Times

New national security law in HK fully aligns with the principles of international laws and practices: official

By Chen Qingqing Published: Mar 21, 2024 07:21 PM

Despite the rising criticism and concerns from some Western countries on the Article 23 legislation in Hong Kong, local officials and lawmakers are confronting those misunderstanding and the ill-intentioned slandering and smearing campaign at the global stage, and some told the Global Times on Thursday that they have been ready to "bite the bullet" as some Western officials are calling for the fresh sanctions and other countermeasure against the passage of the law.

A number of officials and representatives have spared no effort in using various international platforms to explain the urgency and necessity of the legislation and to clarify misunderstanding about it.

The Article 23 legislation fully aligns with the principles of international laws and practices. The comments made by some countries and organizations on this issue is in complete disregard of basic jurisprudence and facts, and demonstrate nothing more than double standards and sophistry, Hong Kong Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan told the 55th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Wednesday local time.

Following the passage of the law with unanimous vote at the Legislative Council (LegCo) of Hong Kong on Tuesday, countries and organizations including the US, the UK, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and Australia as well as EU all voiced "concerns" over the legislation, and some criticized that the contents of the law are "too vague" and "too broad" while others said the new law could further "erode the city's freedom."

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker TArk also deplored the "accelerated adoption" of the legislation, citing some concerns about the "incompatibility of many of its provisions with international human rights law," according to a statement issued by the office of the high commissioner.

"The so-called human rights experts at the UN, in my opinion, generally prioritize politics over human rights, as they talk about politics first and human rights are not really a point of great concern for them," Gary Wong Chi-him, who have attended the UNHRC meetings for more than five times and also spoke at this year's session, told the Global Times on Thursday. Wong is a board member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies.

The attitude applies not only to Hong Kong but also to our country as a whole, Wong said. The Hong Kong representative said as those experts have a significant misunderstanding on the National Security Law (NSL) for Hong Kong over the past few years, they now raised similar concerns over the Article 23 legislation.

In fact, Cheung also raised some facts at the UNHRC session. Many countries have enacted a host of national security laws based on their own national security risks and needs. The US has at least 21 pieces of legislation; the UK has at least 14 pieces; Canada has at least nine pieces; and Singapore has at least six pieces, he said.

In refuting the US State Department's criticism over the legislation, the Chinese Embassy in the US said on Wednesday local time that the provisions of relevant crimes are clear, the boundaries between crimes and non-crimes are distinct, the penalties are reasonable, and the regulatory measures are appropriate.

The "external interference" is defined with full consideration of Hong Kong's realities and the common practices of various countries. The legislation is legitimate, lawful and beyond reproach, the embassy said.

"I think many so-called human rights experts, they have not seen the specific provisions of the legislation, and that's why they have a great misunderstanding," Wong said.

Besides those criticism and concerns, a number of Western officials are calling for new sanctions on Hong Kong.

In a joint letter to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken last week vis-a-vis the Article 23 legislation, the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party and the Congressional-Executive Commission on China called for "a re-evaluation of US business and travel advisories" for Hong Kong and "the closure of Hong Kong economic and trade offices" in the US, the NBC reported on Thursday.

Meanwhile, some British MPs also raised the issue that the UK's Foreign Office has "indefinitely" paused targeted sanctions against Chinese officials, criticizing it as "terrible" decision and citing the passage of the Article 23 legislation, according to the Independent.

Nixie Lam Lam, a lawmaker who cast her vote for the passage of the law, told the Global Times on Thursday that when we were advancing the Article 23 legislation, we actually predicated that we might be sanctioned by some Western countries, but as lawmakers, we have been well prepared for that.

"If we are afraid of the so-called sanctions and chose not to protect Hong Kong, it's not the way we are working," Lam said.

Another lawmaker Dominic Lee Tsz-king echoed such view. "We just do good and right things for Hong Kong. As for what will happen later, we will not be afraid and will not think this will have any impact on us," Lee said.

Lam also noted that some Western countries and politicians are running out of tactics for containing Hong Kong, merely resorting to spreading false information about the Article 23 legislation, coupled with threats to sanction our officials. "It's the same old routine but in reality, not effective," she said.

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Bid to smear new HK security law criticized

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 16:46, March 20, 2024By Atlas Shao (Chinadaily.com.cn) 10:11, March 21, 2024

Officials strongly condemned some Western politicians on Wednesday for criticizing Hong Kong's new national security law, saying the attacks cannot stop the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region from achieving greater success.

The SAR will enforce the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance on Saturday after it was unanimously cleared by the Legislative Council on Tuesday. The law has been created to prevent and punish five types of acts endangering national security, including treason, theft of state secrets and espionage.

Some Western politicians have been critical of the ordinance, claiming that it will undermine Hong Kong's freedom. Among those who have been critical are David Cameron, the foreign secretary of the United Kingdom and Josep Borrell, high representative for foreign affairs and security policy of the European Union.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said it is firmly opposed to some countries and organizations denigrating and smearing the SAR's national security ordinance.

At the Foreign Ministry's regular news conference, spokesman Lin Jian said the ordinance is a milestone in the development of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong. It helps the city fulfill its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding national security, and further strengthens the security foundation for Hong Kong's development, Lin said.

Lin stressed that any attack and smear on the ordinance is destined to be in vain.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Commissioner's Office of the Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong refuted Cameron's remarks, emphasizing the new security law, legislated under Article 23 of the Basic Law, will not affect Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, and will fully protect the normal activities of foreign institutions and personnel in the SAR.

The spokesperson noted that the Sino-British Joint Declaration does not give the UK any right to interfere in Hong Kong affairs after the city's return to the motherland in 1997. He urged the British politicians to give up the illusion of continuing to peddle colonial influence in the city, and stop interfering in the internal affairs of China and the SAR.

In a separate statement, the commissioner's office urged the EU to face up to Hong Kong people's broad support for the legislation, saying the ordinance is set to provide strong legal protection for the city's high-quality development and opening-up, better safeguard the properties of local residents, boost the confidence of local and overseas investors, and create a safer, and a more convenient and efficient business environment.

The HKSAR government too on Wednesday condemned some Western countries, organizations and politicians for continuously making slanderous, highly misleading and false statements on the ordinance.

A spokesperson for the SAR government emphasized that the ordinance was broadly supported by various sectors in Hong Kong, helping the city effectively prevent, stop and punish acts that endanger national security.

Chris Tang Ping-keung, the secretary for security, said that only those who want to undermine the city do not want Hong Kong to have a law to protect national security.

Experts familiar with Hong Kong affairs also criticized the smear campaign.

Grenville Cross, senior counsel and former director of public prosecutions of the Hong Kong SAR, said some Western politicians only view the ordinance as a stick to beat Hong Kong with.

He pointed out that the primary allegation is that it threatened human rights. On the contrary, Cross said the ordinance spares no effort to protect human rights, which goes further than any law in other common law jurisdictions such as Australia, Canada, the UK and the United States.

British political and international relations analyst Tom Fowdy said that there is a persistent view that the city cannot make national security laws but only accept Western backed political interference.

Fowdy called the view "nonsensical", saying that only those who have attempted to weaponize the city against China violate the city's long-standing strengths.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on March 21, 2024

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

2024-03-21 20:31

Xinhua News Agency: The Indonesian General Election Commission announced the official presidential election results on March 20. Prabowo Subianto won the elections with about 58 percent of the votes. What's China's comments?a

Lin Jian: China congratulates Mr. Prabowo Subianto on winning the presidential election. President Xi Jinping has sent him a congratulatory message.

China and Indonesia are traditional friends and neighbors. China attaches great importance to its relations with Indonesia. We stand ready to work with Indonesia to carry forward our traditional friendship, deepen our comprehensive strategic cooperation and achieve greater progress in the building of China-Indonesia community with a shared future to bring more benefits to the two countries and the two peoples.a

Danish Broadcasting Corporation: I would like to ask about the visa waivers that have been expanding recently for European countries. So some countries have gotten visa free entry to China. Some have not. And there's a bit of confusion among diplomats and business people about how you qualify and get this visa waiver from China. So do you help clarify what's the criteria for getting a visa waiver and also help me and the audience understand what's the difference between Netherlands, Denmark, Hungary and Sweden?

Lin Jian: China has always been open to expanding people-to-people exchange. We stand ready to enhance communication with relevant countries and make cross-border travel easier.

CRI: Foreign Minister Wang Yi is paying an official visit to Australia. Can you further brief us on the visit?

Lin Jian: On March 20, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Australia. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Foreign Minister Wang Yi held the seventh China-Australia Foreign and Strategic Dialogue with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. During his visit, Foreign Minister Wang Yi engaged extensively with people from various walks of life in Australia, including members of the Australia-China Parliamentary Friendship Group, the leader of the opposition Peter Dutton, former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating and Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns. Foreign Minister Wang Yi also had discussions with those from Australian business and strategic communities.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi noted under the strategic guidance of leaders of our two countries and with joint efforts from both sides, China-Australia relations thawed and set sail again, and exchanges and cooperation in various fields have gradually resumed. The relationship between China and Australia realized the second important transition, which fully serves the fundamental and long-term interests of Australia and its people and is in line with the trend of the times. The ups and downs in this bilateral relationship over the past decade have not only left both sides with lessons to learn from, but also accumulated experience worth cherishing. The most fundamental thing is to uphold mutual respect. The most crucial thing is to stay committed to seeking common ground while shelving differences. The most important thing is to pursue mutual benefit and win-win results. The most precious thing is to remain independent. Since China-Australia relations are back on the right track, both sides should have no hesitation, no yawing and no backward steps. Since the course forward has been charted, both sides should strive to make steady, good and sustained progress. China stands ready to work with Australia to take the opportunity of the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping's successful state visit to Australia and the establishment of the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership to further strengthen high-level exchanges, resume dialogue mechanisms between the two countries, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, manage and rise above differences with the attitude of mutual respect, and jointly build a more mature, stable and fruitful comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Australia.

The Australian side said that Australia and China are comprehensive strategic cooperative partners living in the same region, so differences should not define Australia-China relations. The Australian side welcomes that the bilateral relations are on the right track. The Australian side spoke highly of China's achievements in development and poverty alleviation, and stressed that Australia is and will remain committed to the one-China policy and Australia is willing to further strengthen dialogue and communication with China on the basis of mutual respect, wisely manage differences, leverage complementary advantages, deepen practical cooperation and strive for constructive development of Australia-China relations.

The two sides agreed to resume and establish dialogue in various fields and make it play a practical role, promote more cooperation between the two countries' competent authorities of foreign affairs, economy and trade, science and technology, education and law enforcement, among others and actively consider launching a dialogue on maritime affairs. The two sides agreed to take further measures to facilitate personnel exchanges between the two countries.

CCTV: We noted that there were some criticisms in international media about the Chinese economy, including suspicion of China's ability to achieve its growth target. Some believe that the Chinese economy is in trouble with an anemic growth in 2023, and it will get worse this year. At the same time, there are more positive voice that China's economic growth goes beyond expectation amid rising uncertainties in the world. This shows that China's economic governance is effective. What's your comment?

Lin Jian: Last year, the Chinese economy grew by 5.2 percent, accounting for one third of global growth. The growth target of around 5 percent set by China this year brings more confidence to the international community amid uncertainties in the world economy. Since the beginning of this year, China's economic fundamentals continue to improve, and positive factors bolstering economic rebound have been accumulated and increased. Figures from the National Bureau of Statistics show that in the first two months, value added of industries over the designated size grew by 7 percent year on year, total retail sales of consumer goods was up by 5.5 percent year on year, investment in the manufacturing industry increased by 9.4 percent, and the total volume of imports and exports of goods grew by 8.7 percent, ushering in a promising year. We have appropriately expanded the output of our economy and effectively upgraded its quality with solid foundation for stability and wide space for progress. We believe that the Chinese economy has the conditions and support to achieve the growth target of around 5 percent.

Many international mainstream media outlets commented that the Chinese economy kicked off to a steady start this year. According to the forecast in the IMF report, China will be a major contributor to global economic growth in 2024. Executives from HSBC and other financial institutions believed that although facing challenges, the Chinese economy has entered a sound trajectory in the long term. China remains a popular destination for foreign investment. In January, there were 4,588 newly-established foreign businesses in China, up by 74.4 percent year on year, while investment from Western developed countries rose sharply. Recently, China released an action plan to steadily promote high-standard opening up and make greater efforts to attract and utilize foreign investment. China will continue to foster a market-oriented, law-based and world-class business environment, and strengthen services for foreign businesses.

The Chinese government will keep advancing Chinese modernization on all fronts through high-quality development and expanding high-standard opening-up to bring more benefits to the world, contribute more driving forces to global development, and share more development opportunities with other countries.

Bloomberg: According to US Admiral John Aquilino who is the leader of the Indo-Pacific Command in the address or speech given to the US House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, China is building its military and nuclear arsenal on a scale not seen since World War II, and all signs suggest that China is sticking to its ambitions to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on this US Admiral's testimony?

Lin Jian: The Asia-Pacific region is a pacesetter of peace and development, not an arena for geopolitical games. It is the US, not China, that stokes confrontation and creates division in the Asia-Pacific.

My solemn message to the US side: Taiwan is part of China and the Taiwan question is China's internal affair. Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese ourselves and brooks no foreign interference. Our policy is quite clearawe will continue to strive for peaceful reunification with greatest sincerity. Our bottom line is also quite clearawe will never allow Taiwan to be separated from the motherland. Some in the US are attempting to play up the so-called "China threat", heighten the tension across the Taiwan Strait and stoke confrontation. China firmly opposes this. To ensure cross-Strait peace, it is essential to unequivocally uphold the one-China principle and oppose "Taiwan independence". No one should underestimate the determination, resolve and capability of the Chinese people in safeguarding our sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Dragon TV: Solomon Islands' Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare reportedly praised China's achievements in fueling the economy during a speech on March 20. He said that his country has been struggling to make headway in economic growth for the past several decades with the "diplomatic ties" with Taiwan. He added that his wise decision to break "diplomatic ties" with Taiwan and establish diplomatic ties with China put the Solomon Islands on the map. What's China's comment?

Lin Jian: Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Solomon Islands in September 2019, the two countries have enjoyed fast growth of bilateral relations, friendly cooperation in various fields, and fruitful results which have brought tangible benefits to the people in Solomon Islands. What has happened proves that the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries meets the expectation of the two peoples, follows the prevailing trend in the international community, and serves the common interests of the two peoples.

The fast growth of the bilateral relations since the establishment of our diplomatic ties fully demonstrates that establishing and developing relations with China based on the one-China principle is a right choice that stands the test of time and history. It's never too late to welcome new friends. As long as we engage with each other, we will usher in a bright future. For a handful of countries who still maintain the so-called "diplomatic ties" with the Taiwan region, the example set by Solomon Islands deserves some serious thought.

TASS: Russian media reported that Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine said in a TV program that Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs Li Hui cannot decide on when Kiev and Moscow will sit at the negotiation table. What's the Foreign Ministry's comment?

Lin Jian: I'm not aware of that. Special Representative Li Hui recently visited Ukraine for shuttle diplomacy. He had sound communication with the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, First Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and other principal officials. Ukraine attaches high importance to China-Ukraine relations, highly commends the mediation effort made by Special Representative Li Hui and sincerely hopes that China will continue to play its constructive role in promoting peace. On the Ukraine crisis, China will continue to act in a responsible manner to promote talks for peace and work with relevant parties for an early political settlement of the crisis.a

Global Times: On March 20, the US State Department's spokesperson said that the US recognizes Arunachal Pradesh (Zangnan of China) as Indian territory and strongly opposes any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions or encroachments, military or civilian, across the Line of Actual Control. What's your comment?

Lin Jian: China strongly deplores and firmly opposes this. The China-India boundary has never been delimited. Zangnan is China's territory, a basic fact that is undeniable. The China-India boundary question is a matter between the two countries and has nothing to do with the US side. It is known to all that the US has consistently spared no efforts to provoke and take advantage of other countries' conflicts to serve its selfish geopolitical interests.

AFP: I have a question on Pakistan. A terrorist group launched an attack near a complex at Pakistan's Gwadar Port run by a Chinese company. The attack didn't end until all terrorists were shot to death. What's your response?

Lin Jian: We noted the reports. We strongly condemn the terrorist attack and mourn for the Pakistani personnel killed in the attack.

China is against all forms of terrorism and firmly supports national development and social stability in Pakistan. We firmly support Pakistan's efforts to fight terrorism and defend national security and stability.a

Beijing Daily: The UN International Children's Emergency Fund said that Israel's military operation in Gaza has killed over 13,000 Palestinian children. Many children are suffering from severe malnutrition. A report released by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization showed that 70 percent of the population in northern Gaza is suffering from catastrophic hunger, far exceeding the famine threshold. If the cessation of hostilities doesn't take place, Gaza will face a risk of famine. High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell mentioned that hunger is used as a weapon of war and Israel is causing a manmade disaster of famine. What's China's comment?a

Lin Jian: We are deeply grieved by the death of innocent civilians in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and heart-wrenched by the increasingly severe humanitarian disaster in Gaza. Since the escalation of the latest Palestinian-Israeli conflict nearly half a year ago, over 10,000 civilians in Gaza have been killed, most of whom are women and children. Their homeland is reduced to rubble, hospitals are frequently attacked, people are underfed and casualties are increasing every day. These scenes of human tragedy once and again cross the bottom line of human conscience and trample on the limits of fairness and justice. The extreme importance and urgency of ceasefire is all the more evident. Nothing can justify the inaction of the international community.

China firmly opposes and condemns all moves against civilians and international law. The international community needs to act urgently, set the ceasefire as an overwhelming priority and humanitarian aid as a pressing moral responsibility, and hold a more broad-based, authoritative, and effective international peace conference as early as possible. China stands ready to continue working to end the fighting, fulfill our responsibilities to save lives, and implement the two-State solution for lasting peace in the Middle East.

Bloomberg: The Philippines has said that a Chinese navy ship shadowed its coast guard vessel which was en route to a Philippines-occupied island in the South China Sea. The Philippine Coast Guard said that it issued radio challenges to the Chinese navy vessel that followed it, but didn't get any response. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on this shadowing of the Philippine Coast Guard vessel by a Chinese navy ship in the South China Sea?a

Lin Jian: I am not aware of that.

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Chinese censors remove video showing off Tiananmen massacre medal

The video garnered angry comments, and some supportive ones, before being deleted.

By Yitong Wu and Max Wu for RFA Cantonese 2024.03.21 -- Chinese censors have deleted a video in which a People's Liberation Army soldier brags about a medal given to her father for participating in the 1989 Tiananmen massacre, highlighting the government's efforts to hide that part of its history, according to media reports and social media posts.

In the video posted March 18 to the official account of the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force on the video-sharing platform Bilibili, a woman clad in a camouflage uniform holds up a medal she said was presented to her father after he was among the troops that entered Beijing in early June 1989 to put down weeks of peaceful, student-led protests in Tiananmen Square.

The woman said she used to enjoy wearing the medal herself when she was a little girl.

"My father is a retired soldier," she says, according to subtitles on screenshots published by several media outlets including Taiwan's Liberty Times newspaper, Radio Taiwan International, and the citizen journalist X account "Mr Li is not your teacher."

"Here is the medal he was given for defending the capital," the woman says.

The "Defender of the Capital" honor was handed out to soldiers and other enforcers of martial law in Beijing, which was ordered by late supreme leader Deng Xiaoping on May 20 and defied by protesters and hunger strikers, who remained on Tiananmen Square.

'You're bragging?'

The video soon started to garner comments referencing the killing of civilians by the People's Liberation Army on the night of June 3-4, 1989.

"You're bragging about how the People's Liberation Army killed our compatriots?" said one comment, while another said the medal was fit for a "butcher," according to screenshots of the now-deleted video.

"A 'medal of honor' won for massacring unarmed students on behalf of a dictator," wrote another.

"You must be pretty ignorant to be proud of this," said another comment. "Proud of having innocent people's blood on your hands," said another.

Some comments were from "little pink" supporters of the government, one of whom commented that not enough people were killed in the massacre.

Chinese censors work hard to keep any mention of "June 4," "6/4" or the Tiananmen massacre from the public. Last October, censors deleted a photo showing two hugging Chinese athletes who inadvertently displayed the numbers "6" and "4" on their uniforms.

The video in question was deleted on March 18, the reports said. A capture of the Rocket Force's Bilibili account made on that date by the Internet Archive was unavailable on Thursday.

Part of the machinery

Fang Zheng, whose legs were crushed by a tank during the assault on Beijing, said the soldier has become part of the ruling Communist Party's machinery of oppression.

"This little pink soldier is a second-generation June 4 massacre soldier who has sadly become an integral part of the CCP's brutal machine," Fang told RFA Cantonese.

"As a child, she may not have known the meaning of the 'Defender of the Capital' medal and thought it was an honor for her father," he said. "But the Defender of the Capital medal basically means he suppressed and massacred people."

He said many soldiers in the 27th Army had been at pains to hide the fact that they had taken part, although others have spoken out.

Lt. Gen. Xu Qinxian served a five-year jail term for refusing to lead his 38th army troops into Beijing on the eve of the crackdown. The 27th Army carried out the order after attempts by the 38th Army to enter the city ended in chaos.

Former student leaders have said that they were expecting the army to use water cannons and rubber bullets, but diplomatic archives later declassified by the U.K. government said the army was ordered to "spare no one" as they used dum-dum bullets, automatic weapons and armored vehicles to carry out mass killings in Beijing.

'History written in blood'

Fang said the government still tries to avoid mentioning the massacre in public to this day.

"The June 4 massacre is something the Chinese Communist Party can't get past, so it covers up this part of its history," he said.

Former 1989 student leader Zhou Fengsuo said it's possible that the young woman didn't even know what took place in the early summer of 1989. He said the June 4th Memorial Hall museum in New York also has specimens of the medal shown in the Bilibili video.

"It's a typical vacuum paradox created by years of brainwashing by the Chinese Communist Party," Zhou said. "But this history written in blood can suddenly get shouted out for the world to hear in unexpected places."

"Back then, the government gave out a lot of commendations, medals and watches," he said. "But later, they were seen as incriminating evidence. By keeping these things in the museum, we can confirm the history of the Tiananmen massacre from a different angle."

Translated 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.

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World Uyghur Congress Leader Discusses Time in China, Uyghur-Han Chinese Tension

By Natalie Liu March 21, 2024

As head of the World Uyghur Congress, Dolkun Isa runs one of the most prominent organizations in the world advocating for the rights of Uyghurs.

In his recently released book, The China Freedom Trap, subtitled My Life on the Run, Isa recounts key events that have dotted his journey and time since he left China in 1994.

To learn more about what it was like for him in China, VOA's Natalie Liu spoke to Isa on the sidelines of a Washington event held by the U.S. National Endowment for Democracy on March 14.

In the following interview, edited for clarity and brevity, Isa talks about his early years in what China calls the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region a but he and other Uyghur activists prefer to call East Turkestan a his move to Beijing in the 1990s and his hope for the future.

VOA: You were born in 1967. What was it like growing up in Xinjiang in those years?

Dolkun Isa: That was around the time the Chinese Cultural Revolution started, which lasted [officially] 10 years [until 1976]. I entered primary school in Aksu. We had two or three Chinese [language] class each week, which we [studied] as a foreign language at that time.

By the time I went to high school, I think we had six Chinese language classes every week. It was Uyghur teachers who taught us Chinese.

In 1984, I enrolled in university to study physics. At that time, teaching language was Uyghur a Uyghur professor, teaching Uyghur students, in Uyghur language. This policy was changed in 2004.

Until 2004, from primary school all the way to university, for Uyghur students, the teaching language was Uyghur. In 2004, Uyghur professors had to [become proficient] in Mandarin Chinese to keep their jobs.

VOA: You attended but did not graduate from Xinjiang University?

Isa: That's right. I was not able to graduate because in 1987, I established one of the student cultural groups ... In 1988, we held a big demonstration to protest against [daily] discrimination we felt ... that happened during my last semester, I was kicked out of the university; that's why I wasn't able to graduate.

VOA: You said earlier that at that time, there was no discrimination in terms of the teaching language in the schools. What were the other types of discrimination?

Isa: At that time, the language of instruction was Uyghur, but there were very few textbooks in the Uyghur language, for example.

VOA: Why did you decide to go to Beijing to continue your studies? Which year was that?

Isa: I went to Beijing in 1990, I stayed in Beijing 1990 to 1994. For two years, I studied English and Turkish languages, the [next] two years, I ran a restaurant in Beijing.

VOA: What made you want to study English and Turkish?

Isa: Because I wanted to continue my university studies but I couldn't. I studied at the Number 1 Foreign Languages Institute, now Beijing Foreign Languages University.

VOA: That's a difficult school to get into.

Isa: I didn't go for a diploma, but just a [language] certificate; I paid my own tuition, was there four semesters.

VOA: How much did you have to pay each semester?

Isa: At that time, I remember it was 800 yuan per semester; big money that time.

VOA: And authorities allowed you to go to Beijing to study, instead of saying: 'You're not going anywhere, for the rest of your life' [due to your having led the demonstrations in Xinjiang].

Isa: At that time, they didn't have such [stringent] restrictions. Even ID cards were not that common back then. At the university, you pay, register, and next day, you start [your classes].

VOA: You didn't go to Beijing [from Xinjiang] in 1989?

Isa: No. At that time, I was in East Turkestan.

VOA: That year, a lot of college students in Beijing were sent to military-style disciplinary training (in the aftermath of that year's students-led protests).

Isa: We also had that at Xinjiang University; [newly admitted] students would first go through military exercises, then [Chinese] language classes [before moving on to other subjects].

VOA: How do you feel [in general] about Han Chinese?

Isa: I only became aware of our rights when I entered the university; before, I thought as Uyghurs, we're second [class] citizens, Chinese people being first [class] citizens; this was 'natural,' it was due to [the Chinese Communist Party]'s policies.

Later when I went to Beijing, I also could feel the discrimination. At hotels, they often would welcome us at first because we looked like foreigners, but when we show them our ID which say we're Uyghurs, we were turned away because there were instructions from the police saying no Uyghurs. Also, the Uyghur people were seen [derogatorily] merely as 'those who sell kababs.'

VOA: Are you able to see the Uyghur people and Han Chinese co-existing peacefully in the future?

Isa: The Chinese Communist Party has already done so much brainwashing of the Chinese people; a genocide is being carried out directed at the Uyghur people, but we haven't seen a lot of support from Chinese people both inside China and among the exiles. When Xi Jinping comes to the United States or Germany, there are many Chinese students in these countries who are enjoying democracy, rule of law and freedom of expression that show support of the dictator.

VOA: They're said to be paid by the Chinese Embassy.

Isa: Yes, but still, they call the Uyghurs terrorists and the Tibetans 'separatists.'

VOA: The [December 2022] White Paper protests were started because of the tragic incident that happened in Urumqi, a lot of Chinese were saying: 'If it could happen in Urumqi, it could happen to us.' They showed a lot of solidarity [with the Uyghur people].

Isa: Yes, this is a good point, this gives us some hope. [It's important for this to] continue.

VOA: Do you see other signs of hope?

Isa: I intend to stay an optimist. I keep asking members of the Chinese democratic movement to educate Chinese people living in exile against the 'Great Han Race' [prejudice indoctrinated] by the Chinese Communist Party.

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100,000 North Koreans work abroad, earning US$500 million a year: UN

Workers were sent to more than 40 countries to earn foreign cash, most of it forwarded to Pyongyang.

By Eugene Whong for RFA 2024.03.21 -- Around 100,000 North Koreans worked overseas in 2023, earning about US$500 million for North Korea, indicating that Pyongyang has the means to get around sanctions, a report by the U.N. Security Council's Panel of experts said.

According to the report, which covers July 2023 to January 2024 and was dated Mar. 7, the workers were sent to around 40 countries to work in construction, hospitality, medicine and information technology.

"These workers are initially dispatched on student or tourist visas; some use false nationalities and identity cards," the report said. "The vast majority are reportedly working in two countries."

Though the report did not name those countries, sources have told Radio Free Asia that there are tens of thousands of North Korean workers in Russia and China, with one source saying as recently as December that there were more than 100,000 in China alone.

But the workers can only keep a fraction of their earnings, the report said.

"The remainder is taken by their dispatching agency and in many cases used to purchase items for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," the report said, using North Korea's official name.

More planned

The report said that North Korea also has contracts to send around 400,000 more workers abroad once the border with China opens further after being closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under U.N. Security Council Resolution 2397, meant to deprive Pyongyang of cash and resources that could be funneled into its nuclear and missile programs, all North Korean workers were supposed to have returned home by the end of 2019, and no new work visas were to be issued to North Korean citizens since then.

According to RFA reports, some of the workers who were abroad prior to the deadline ended up stranded in China or Russia once North Korea closed its borders in January 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Though Pyongyang brought some of them home last year, others who have not seen their homes in more than four years remain abroad.

IT workers

Among the various sectors that dispatched North Korean workers are employed in, about 3,000 IT workers abroad and 1,000 at home generate what the panel estimated amounted to between $250-600 million per year.

A report from South Korean outlet NK News quoted human rights activist Sokeel Park as saying that the sanctions should be revised to protect North Korean workers.

"If there is any interim deal that includes sanctions relief with snapback provisions in return for progress on arms controls, sanctions against North Koreans living and working overseas should be relieved first," Park, the South Korea director of Liberty in North Korea, told NK News.

"If these sanctions are adjusted, they could work in a broader range of countries, their visa situations could be regularized and there could be a push for better compliance with International Labour Organization standards and improvement in conditions and share of pay," he said.

Edited by Malcolm Foster

Copyright 1998-2016, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content March not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Chinese residents of North Korea worry about returning from China

New restrictions on imports and possibly travel are making some reluctant to go back, sources say.

By Ahn Chang Gyu for RFA Korean 2024.03.21 -- Chinese residents of North Korea who went to China during the COVID-19 pandemic are starting to return, but some are wondering if they should have stayed in China given all the restrictions on bringing things into the country, sources told Radio Free Asia.

North Korean authorities denied requests by returnees to import goods, even those that they planned to sell or use in their own homes, including clothing and household goods.

"They were going back without items that they wanted to resell," a resident of Yanji in China's northeastern province of Jilin told RFA Korean on condition of anonymity for security reasons. "Their request was denied."

Called Hwagyo in Korean, which means "overseas Chinese," these people descended from Chinese who moved to the Korean peninsula in the late 1800s and first half of the 1900s, prior to the split between North and South Korea. The Korea National Diplomatic Academy estimated that there were around 5,000 North Korean Hwagyo in 2017.

According to rough estimates from North Korean residents, during the coronavirus pandemic, more than 70% of the Hwagyo community decided to weather the storm in China as they were facing severe economic difficulties at home.

North Korea last week gave the green light for a third wave of Hwagyo returnees, after having approved returns in December and January.

But some may be reluctant to return as word gets back about the severe restrictions.

"Many Hwagyo who returned to North Korea are regretting their return," said another Yanji resident, who requested anonymity for personal safety. "They said that Hwagyo are even banned from doing business in the marketplace."

The first Yanji resident said he had heard that 33 Hwagyo entered North Korea through Wonjong customs recently, referring to the border crossing between Hunchun, China, and Rason in northeastern North Korea.

RFA sources confirmed that more Hwagyo came through the border crossing that connects Dandong, China with Sinuiju, North Korea in the peninsula's northwest, but RFA was not able to determine how many.

"The [North Korean] Consulate General in Shenyang asked returning Hwagyo not to reveal details such as the number of people returning and their departure date to the outside," the first resident said. "They were only allowed to carry one piece of luggage upon entry and the luggage was restricted from containing any South Korean products."

Easy Money

The luggage situation might be a big problem for the returnees.

Hwagyo in North Korea do not have North Korean citizenship and are officially citizens of the People's Republic of China, so prior to the pandemic, they had been able to travel back and forth between the two countries with relative ease.

This put them in a very privileged position from a business perspective because they could go to China, load up on products not available in North Korea, and sell them for a considerable markup when they got home.

According to the second Yanji resident, prior to the pandemic, North Korean wholesalers would mark the date that a Hwagyo was to return from China so that they could line up at the house to buy the latest products they brought back. Though most North Koreans struggle to make ends meet, money flowed into the hands of Hwagyo with relative ease.

But now that may all change.

As the news spreads, Hwagyo still in China are worried that they won't be able to go to China as often as before and they won't be able to sell Chinese products in North Korea, the second resident said, adding that many are planning to return to North Korea, settle their affairs, and then move to China permanently.

"If Chinese products cannot be imported and sold in North Korea in the future, there will be no reason for Hwagyo to continue living there," he said

Translated by Claire S. Lee. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.



Copyright 1998-2016, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content March not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Australian-made armoured vehicles to be exported to Germany

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP

Prime Minister of Australia

The Hon Richard Marles MP

Deputy Prime Minister

Minister for Defence

The Hon Pat Conroy MP

Minister for Defence Industry

Minister for International Development and the Pacific

21 March 2024

The Albanese Government has entered the single largest defence export agreement in our nation's history, to supply Australian-made armoured vehicles to Germany.

Under the agreement, more than 100 Boxer Heavy Weapon Carrier vehicles will be built by Rheinmetall at its Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence in Redbank, Queensland and exported for use by the German Army.

This agreement, now passed through the German parliament, follows Prime Minister Anthony Albanese witnessing the signing of the in-principle agreement between Germany and Australia during his visit to Berlin in July last year.

This is a significant milestone for Australia's defence industry: worth over $1 billion to the Australian economy, boosting our sovereign defence industry and securing more than 600 direct jobs in Queensland alone, with even more through the supply chain.

Today's announcement will see Australian defence industry at the forefront of delivering world-leading defence capability to our trusted security partner, Germany.

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

"This significant announcement is worth over $1 billion to the Australian economy in the production and supply of these vehicles.

"The agreement will boost Australia's sovereign defence industry, secure local jobs and contribute to Australia's economic growth.

"This deal secures well-paid jobs in Queensland and across the country."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Richard Marles:

"I am pleased to announce the signing of the biggest defence export agreement in Australia's history.

"The build and export of Boxer Heavy Weapon Carrier vehicles to the German Army highlights a strengthening of the relationship between our two countries.

"The Albanese Government is not only committed to bolstering our nation's growing defence industry, technology and talent, but also supporting ongoing economic prosperity in the region."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy:

"This announcement underscores the support and immense effort on the part of the Albanese Government in ensuring we have a robust defence industry.

"A strong defence industry is crucial to protecting Australians and their interests. This announcement is also a testament to the hardworking Australians employed in this critical industry.

"Today's announcement means more than 600 Australians will secure and stable employment at Rheinmetall's Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence in Queensland, along with many more throughout our defence industry across the nation."

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Iraqi resistance strikes forced US back to negotiating table: Nujaba

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Mar 21, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iraq's Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba has declared that the resistance group supports any action towards the expulsion of American forces from Iraq.

"We have forced the occupiers back to the negotiating table with our strikes," Hussein al-Moussawi, spokesperson for Nujaba, said in an interview with the Lebanese newspaper al-Akhbar on Thursday.

Pointing to an agreement between Baghdad and Washington for the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq, he said the resistance strikes on American bases have forced the US to return to the negotiating table after years.

"However, so far, clear results have not been achieved from the government's negotiations with the Americans, and what is important for us are the interests of the Iraqi people," he added.

Al-Moussawi also reiterated the Iraqi resistance's commitment to supporting the Palestinians against the Israeli war machine.

4353**2050

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Cagle Cartoons Cagle Cartoons JT Sutherland is a professional musician in the Great Lakes Bay region who appreciates communicating with music AND lyrics, crotcheting rag rugs, walking her dog and being as kind as possible in a sometimes scary world. JT Sutherland

There will be those who complain about a little snow and temps in the 20s and 30s for the next few weeks.

"This is Spring!" they will say indignantly, as though they have some say over the weather. As though March going out like a Lion is not normal.

I say, exactly!

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This is the beginning of spring. This is not unexpected, or weird, or out of the ordinary.

What is weird, and unexpected, is having 60 degree weather and rain in February. What is weird, and unexpected, is 70 degree days in March.

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Welcome to the unsteady Arctic jet stream, the calving and melting of Antarctic glaciers at rates 10 times the norm, the changing of ocean salinity and temperature.

Welcome to the upheaval of our next stage as humans.

We know - Michigan weather, wait five minutes, it will change.

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This is beyond a change in daily weather.

This is Michigan in the Anthropocene; human-made climate change.

Michigan weather is always a mix thanks to our environs amidst 20% of the worlds fresh water. Its what I grew up with. Its why you pay attention to what you plant and when you plant it and where in your yard it goes for shade and sun and protection from the wind.

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But the last few decades, more and more fruit buds and flowers bloom too soon and then freeze. Those that survive will risk diseases, fungus and insect infestations due to weakened systems and stressors. Even the pollinators are stressed. Entire crops are lost, not one year, but several years over the course of a decade.

I look out my window, at my ancient lilac trees, and wonder if the buds that appeared two weeks ago in abnormal temps will handle the next two weeks of normal temps. They shouldnt be there.

Personally, I like our weather because it keeps the bugs small. We get a bit of warm weather and a thaw, about every six weeks, just enough to allow the bees a day to trot out and get rid of their waste, but not enough to give us bugs longer than a candy bar. Id like to keep it that way, but understand that it is not outrageous anymore to consider a Michigan future as the worlds next producer of bananas and oranges.

Im embracing the last bit of winter this week with all the concern of a Gen Xer that remembers how it used to be.

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I wonder if we are prepared to handle the agricultural economic consequences of what is truly coming our way in the next few decades.

Peace. JT Sutherland is a professional musician in the Great Lakes Bay region who appreciates communicating with music AND lyrics, crotcheting rag rugs, walking her dog and being as kind as possible in a sometimes scary world.
Iraqi resistance targets electricity generation station in Tel Aviv

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 21 March 2024 2:04 AM

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has said its fighters have launched a new attack against Israeli targets in the occupied territories in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

The Iraqi umbrella group of anti-terror groups said in a statement published on its Telegram channel on Thursday that it carried out a drone attack electricity generation station in Tel Aviv.

"The Mujahideen of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq targeted, at dawn today, Thursday, 3/21/2024, by a Kamikaze drone, the electricity generation station in Tel Aviv in occupied territories," the statement said.

"We will continue to destroy enemy strongholds in completion of the second phase of operations to resist the occupation, and to support our people in Gaza, and in response to the Zionist massacres against defenseless Palestinian civilians."

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq on Wednesday said its fighters attacked Ben Gurion Airport twice in one week using drones.

The resistance confirmed the attack against Israel which waged a genocidal war against the people of Gaza.

"The fighters of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, at dawn today, Tuesday, 20-3-2024, targeted Ben-Gurion airport in the Zionist depth using drones," the resistance statement said.

In response to the Israeli massacres against innocent Palestinian civilians, the second phase of the Resistance's operations has started which include the enforcement of a blockade on Israeli maritime navigation in the Mediterranean and putting Israeli ports out of service.

The Resistance also attacked the same airport on March 12 using drones.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq says it will continue its attacks on Israeli targets until the regime stops its genocide in Gaza.

It has also struck major American military bases in Syria and Iraq amid anger over the US support for Israel's onslaught on Gaza.

Israel has waged a genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7.

Nearly 32,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have since been killed in Gaza, and more than 74,000 injured.

The regime has also imposed a "complete siege" on the territory, cutting off fuel, electricity, food and water to the Palestinians living there.

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March 20, 2024

Release

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant today regarding the negotiations for the release of hostages and a temporary ceasefire. Secretary Austin raised the need to consider alternatives to a major ground operation in Rafah, while reiterating the shared goal of defeating Hamas. The two also discussed the need to do more to protect civilians and urgently increase the flow of aid into Gaza through land crossings. Secretary Austin appreciated Minister Gallant's firm and full commitment to protect U.S. servicemembers in the eastern Mediterranean who will enable the maritime humanitarian aid corridor. Secretary Austin looks forward to hosting Minister Gallant at the Pentagon next week for a bilateral meeting to continue these conversations.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3713310/

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Myanmar's junta shuts down public hospital in wartorn township

Doctors and healthcare staff are told to relocate, creating a medical crisis for the community.

By RFA Burmese 2024.03.21 -- Junta authorities closed a public hospital and several private clinics in a wartorn area of Myanmar's western Rakhine state and ordered doctors and other medical personnel to relocate to the state capital, leaving residents without access to healthcare.

It's the latest example of how Myanmar's three-year civil war has taken a huge toll on hospitals and schools, which have also been forced to close.

A woman said she's worried her pregnant sister and other women won't be able to safely deliver their babies.

"The nurses wrapped all the medical devices and equipment at the hospital," she said, requesting anonymity for security reasons. "The next day, all the doctors and nurses left the hospital."

The March 1 notice in Maungdaw township comes amid intense fighting between junta troops and the rebel Arakan Army, or AA, which has attacked positions in junta-controlled Maungdaw and neighboring Buthidaung township in recent months.

All patients at Maungdaw's public hospital were discharged after the order, a hospital official said. One infant has since died during a delivery that took place outside the hospital, he said.

Rakhine state has been the center of intense clashes since the AA ended a ceasefire in November in place since the military seized power in a February 2021 coup d'etat.

Junta troops have suffered heavy losses on the battlefield while the AA has captured a half dozen townships since November - some of them near the fortified administrative and military hub of Sittwe, where residents have been preparing for possible fighting inside the city.

'No safety guarantee'

There wasn't an official written notice; medical personnel were given a verbal order by junta authorities, sources close to the health care workers told RFA. No specific reason for the move to Sittwe was given, they said.

Three days after the closure, junta authorities announced that the hospital could reopen. But doctors and other medical staff haven't returned due to security concerns and the facility has remained closed, the sources close to the health care workers said.

"No one has gone inside the closed hospital because there's no safety guarantee," the hospital official said. "No medical treatment is provided and medicines aren't available. Even the private clinics outside have all closed due to a lack of doctors."

RFA attempted to contact Kyi Lwin, the director of Rakhine state's Public Health Department, and Hla Thein, the junta's spokesperson for Rakhine state, to ask why all medical staff were told to relocate to Sittwe, but they couldn't be reached on Wednesday.

Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content March not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Junta navy arrests around 80 Rohingya off Myanmar coast

The group is 'being treated well,' according to an official.

By RFA Burmese 2024.03.21 -- Myanmar's junta navy arrested around 80 Rohingya attempting to flee the country by boat, residents who witnessed the event told Radio Free Asia on Thursday.

Officials arrested the group on Tuesday morning in Myanmar's coastal Mon state. The boat was intercepted off the shores of Ye township's Kaleguak Island in the Andaman Sea.

Mon state's junta spokesperson Aung Myat Kyaw Sein told RFA that although Mon's administration was made aware of the arrest, other details have yet to be confirmed.

"The estimated number is about 80, but we do not know the genders yet," he said, adding that unspecified official processes still need to be carried out.

The arrested Rohingya will be treated well and officials will follow official procedures, he said.

RFA was able to confirm the group traveled on a boat named Zwel Khit San, but could not identify where the group traveled from or where it intended to go.

Many Rohingya who had remained in Rakhine state after being targeted in a genocide by the Myanmar military in 2017 fled to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia following the country's 2021 coup. In October and November 2023, junta troops arrested over 200 Rohingya escaping to nearby countries by boat, citing job scarcity, unemployment and increasing restrictions placed on the ethnic minority.

The junta announced on Feb. 10 that it would implement Myanmar's military service law. Videos originating from Rakhine state's west this month showed Rohingya undergoing military training. Troops have also preyed on Rohingya in internally displaced people's camps, offering them freedom of movement in exchange for bolstering the junta's numbers.

Mon state residents said that junta forces arrested 117 Rohingya on a rubber farm in Thanbyuzayat township's War Kha Yu village in January, but the reason is still unknown.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reported on Jan. 23 that during 2023, at least 569 Rohingya died and went missing after leaving Myanmar and refugee camps in Bangladesh.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan and Mike Firn.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content March not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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US opposes Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, trying to halt its construction: Official

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 21 March 2024 7:09 AM

The US assistant secretary of State for South and Central Asia says the United States opposes the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project.

Speaking to congressmen during a congressional hearing in Washington on Wednesday, Donald Lu said the US is exerting maximum efforts to prevent the construction of the IP project.

He added that the US is concerned about the strain in Pakistan's relations with neighboring Iran, particularly on the IP gas pipeline project.

The US official noted that Washington was in contact with Islamabad on the matter.

Emphasizing the importance of monitoring the funding for the mega energy project, Lu said the US is keeping a close watch on it.

"Washington has not received any request from Islamabad regarding sanctions relief, so our efforts to stop Pakistan from Iran's gas project will continue," the diplomat added.

Lu claimed that the project was not in the interest of Pakistan as international companies would not invest in it.

Back in February, Pakistan gave the green light for advancing much-delayed work on the joint gas pipelines project with Iran within its territory in a significant step towards enhancing energy cooperation between the two countries.

Pakistan's Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) granted its approval to start construction on the 80-kilometer pipeline from the Pak-Iran border to Gwadar.

The project, launched in 2013, had initially required Pakistan to finish the construction of the pipeline on its territory by the end of 2014.

However, the project faced prolonged delays due to the potential challenges it posed for Pakistan amid international sanctions targeting Iran.

Pakistan is likely to face an $18-billion fine if it terminates the gas pipeline agreement.

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Tensions Simmer Between South Korea and China as Seoul Pivots to Global Role

By Christy Lee March 21, 2024

South Korea's increasingly outspoken stands on issues including Taiwan and the South China Sea are raising tensions between Beijing and Seoul.

Most recently, South Korea pushed back at China's criticism of Taiwan's participation at the Summit for Democracy that wrapped up in Seoul on Wednesday. Taiwan's Minister of Digital Affairs Audrey Tang spoke virtually on Monday, addressing the risks posed by cyberattacks to elections worldwide.

The event was held to "enhance democracy" and "not meant to target a particular country," South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk said at a news briefing on Tuesday. South Korea's one-China policy remains unchanged, Lim continued.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian had said Monday at a news conference that Beijing "firmly opposes the ROK [Republic of South Korea] inviting the Taiwan authorities" to the event.

At an earlier news briefing on March 12, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin urged South Korea to refrain from taking a position against China on the South China Sea and to "avoid adding unnecessary burden" to their bilateral relations.

He went on to say Seoul "has changed its prudent and neutral position that it had adhered to for years and alluded to or blamed China on the South China Sea issues on multiple occasions."

South Korea's Lim had said at a press briefing on March 7 that Seoul was "deeply concerned" about Chinese coast guard ships using water cannons against a Philippine vessel and that the action "heightens tensions" in the region.

Lim's remarks were welcomed in Taiwan, where Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jeff Liu told VOA via email this week that the ministry expresses "its appreciation and gratitude" to countries such as South Korea for sharing their concerns over the situation in the South China Sea.

He continued, Taiwan "supports freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea."

Regarding Taiwan's participation at the summit, Liu told VOA it has become "China's standard response" to oppose Taiwan whenever it is "active, prominent, acknowledged, or honored internationally."

China considers the self-governing island of Taiwan as its own territory.

Patrick Cronin, chair for Asia-Pacific Security at Hudson Institute, said China wants to remind Seoul not to become "too assertive" in its remarks, but that Beijing has learned to avoid imposing pressure "it knows will be counterproductive."

He recalled that when South Korea installed the U.S. Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD) in 2017, Beijing responded by suspending Chinese group tours to South Korea and closed South Korean Lotte supermarket chains in China.

Cronin pointed out that the Yoon administration in Seoul has declared its wish to play a more central role in the global struggle for freedom and value-based diplomacy.

In the preface to South Korea's National Security Strategy issued in June 2023, President Yoon Suk Yeol said, "As a global pivotal state ground in the spirit of freedom and solidarity, the Republic of Korea endeavors to actively address the rapidly evolving security environment."

Yoon has been more vocal about defending Taiwan and opposing Chinese assertive behavior in the South China Sea than was his predecessor, Moon Jae-in.

In an interview with Reuters ahead of an April 2023 state visit to Washington, Yoon expressed his opposition to attempts to use force to change the status quo between China and Taiwan. China's Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong said Yoon's remarks were "totally unacceptable" a few days later.

In November, before Yoon made a state visit to London, he emphasized the importance of maintaining a rules-based order in the South China Sea and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Those remarks appeared in an interview with The Telegraph, a British newspaper.

Daniel DePetris, a fellow at the Washington-based think tank Defense Priorities, said Seoul's verbal defense of the Philippines is "notable" not only because of what it says about its relations with China but what it says about smaller powers around China.

In an email to VOA on Tuesday, he said Seoul's remarks show that "small and mid-tier states along China's periphery are deepening their own security political relations to better balance Chinese power."

Robert Manning, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center's Reimagining U.S. Grand Strategy Project, told VOA on Wednesday via email that China's remarks urging Seoul to avoid adding unnecessary burden to their bilateral ties "appears a thinly veiled threat in response to the consistent pro-Western posture of the Yoon administration on not just the South China Sea, but global issues such as Ukraine."

Jingxun Li from VOA's Mandarin Service contributed to this report.

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Address to Russian citizens on the outcome of the presidential election

March 21, 2024

13:00

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Citizens of Russia, friends,

The official results of the presidential election were announced today. The election campaign, which was extremely important for our country, society and citizens, has come to a close.

Each candidate had a different approach to addressing specific issues. We will consider all constructive proposals and ideas that resonated with voters in our collective efforts to develop the country.

This election campaign was intense and extremely important. At the end of the day, we were choosing Russia's future direction; we were deciding on our own future and that of our children. The absolute majority of the voters who cast their ballot realised the significance of this event.

Once again, I would like to thank everyone who took part in the voting, regardless of which candidate you voted for. Most importantly, you have shown that you treat your civic duty with respect, value freedom of choice and your vote, and to reiterate, every one of your votes was of great importance.

Friends,

Thank you for your support. It is more important to me than the formal victory in the elections. It signifies support for the political and economic policies of our country and our overall results, which, of course, should be more extensive, but are nonetheless making Russia stronger and more independent.

A few words about the performance of election commissions at all levels. As always, you acted efficiently and competently, adhering to the principles of transparency and strict compliance with the law. The members of the election commissions in our historical territories showed courage and bravery, serving as an example for voters.

Friends,

Thank you for your trust. I am committed to meeting your expectations to the best of my ability. I realise that this level of trust increases my responsibility for Russia, for the well-being of our people, and demands even greater dedication and efficiency from me personally and from our entire team.

We will do everything possible to ensure the successful implementation of the ambitious national projects and programmes that I recently outlined in my Address.

The elections have revealed that Russia today is one big, closely-knit family. We are steadfastly following the historical path we have chosen. We have confidence in ourselves, our abilities, and our future.

Thank you.

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Telephone conversation with President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi

March 21, 2024

18:40

During the telephone conversation, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi congratulated Vladimir Putin on his re-election as President of the Russian Federation, noting his great personal contribution to strengthening friendly relations between Russia and Egypt.

In turn, Vladimir Putin extended greetings to Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and the entire Egyptian nation for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

It was noted with satisfaction that the multifaceted cooperation between the countries is successfully developing as a strategic partnership, with major mutually beneficial projects underway in various spheres.

Current issues on the international agenda were considered, including the situation around Ukraine and in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone. Vladimir Putin praised Cairo's efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

The expectation is that Egypt, as a full member of BRICS, will actively participate in events held as part of the Russian chairmanship.

It was agreed that contacts will continue at various levels.

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Russian Groups Document 'Dirty' Vote As Election Commission Certifies Putin Win

By RFE/RL's Russian Service March 21, 2024

Observers continue to document irregularities in Russia's presidential election as the Central Election Commission (TsIK) announced Vladimir Putin had officially won a landslide victory in a vote that the international community has called a "sham" and not "free and fair."

TsIK said final results from the May 15-17 vote showed Putin won another six-year term with 87.3 percent of the vote amid a brutal crackdown on civil society that saw dissent stifled and any real challengers to Putin's reign imprisoned, forced into exile, or ruled out from running on technical reasons, which came as no surprise to Kremlin critics and close watchers of Russian politics.

While Western election observers were banned from monitoring the balloting, several local groups and independent media outlets estimated that as many as one-third of votes may have been falsified or tampered with in some way.

The Golos independent vote-monitoring group that Russia has labeled a "foreign agent" said two days after the election ended that its analysis of paper ballots only showed some 22 million of the record 76.3 million votes Putin recorded were the result of "pure stuffing."

"The country did not see what was happening in the elections.... It was the most dirty, falsified presidential election in the history of the country," Golos's Ivan Shukshin said in an analysis of the proceedings.

The 71-year old Putin -- who has ruled as either president or prime minister since 2000 -- is set to surpass Soviet dictator Josef Stalin's nearly 30-year reign by the end of his new term to become the longest-serving Russian leader in more than two centuries.

The vote was the first for Putin since he launched his invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 that has killed tens of thousands of Russians and led to a clear break in relations with the West.

Speaking after TsIK announced the final results on March 21, Putin thanked voters for "choosing the path the country will proceed further" and expressed thanks to what he called trust the voters showed in "supporting the current political course."

The vote was also held in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, where hundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers are located. Moscow illegally annexed the regions since launching the invasion, though it remains unclear how much of the territory it controls.

In the tightly controlled race, Putin was opposed by three relatively unknown, Kremlin-friendly politicians whose campaigns were barely noticeable.

Prior to the election, the Kremlin banned anti-war politician Boris Nadezhdin from the ballot after tens of thousands of voters lined up in the cold to support his candidacy. Nadezhdin threatened to undermine the narrative of a nation united behind Putin and his war, experts said.

Russia's opposition movement suffered a serious blow last month when Aleksei Navalny, who was Putin's fiercest and most popular critic, died in unclear circumstances in a maximum-security prison in the Arctic where he was serving a 19-year sentence on charges of extremism widely seen as politically motivated.

Navalny's widow, Yulia, has urged the international community to refuse to recognize Putin as a "legitimate" leader of the country saying the elections have "no meaning."

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told RFE/RL this week that Russia's presidential election was "not free nor fair" and only confirms that Russia is "an authoritarian society," adding that Moscow's attempt to conduct the vote in occupied territories of Ukraine was a violation of international law.

Also this week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Kremlin's marginalization of civil society and the "intense repression" of independent voices in Russia mean the election "can only be described as undemocratic."

With reporting by TASS and Interfax

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-dirty-election- putin-win/32871664.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu inspects the fulfilment of state defence order at defence industry enterprises in Nizhny Novgorod region

21.03.2024

Russian Defence Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu inspected fulfilment of state defence order at defence industry enterprises in Nizhniy Novgorod region.

At the enterprise, the Russian Defence Minister inspected the production of air-delivered ordnance, as well as artillery and tank shells of various calibres.

The Director General of the enterprise reported to General of the Army Sergei Shoigu that the enterprise is fully fulfilling the state defence order and since the beginning of this year the output has increased significantly.

Sergei Shoigu was informed that the enterprise has repeatedly increased the production of FAB-500 aerial bombs, doubled the production of FAB-1500 aerial bombs, and since February of this year, mass production of FAB-3000 aerial bombs has been established.

The range of artillery ammunition produced has also been increased.

Since last year, the enterprise's production of modern artillery and aviation weaponry has been increased five-fold.

Such results have been achieved thanks to the enterprise's reactivating production capabilities, technical re-equipment, and modernisation of production lines for the manufacture of projectiles by modern high-tech equipment. Since 2022, the plant has been reconstructed, modernised, and more than 45,000 square metres of production space have been put into service.

The company noted that most of the plant's sections work around the clock on a three-shift working schedule. The total number of employees at the enterprise has raised by more than 1,100 people since 2022. At the same time, the wage rates, salaries, and employee bonuses have been increased, so that on average the salary at the factory went up by 20 per cent.

Also, the Russian Defence Minister inspected the production of artillery ammunition at the defence industry enterprise that manufactures and repairs ammunition for the Giatsint artillery system.

The company's head reported to Sergei Shoigu on the expansion of the plant's production capabilities, where the repair and technical equipping of the shell repair facility were carried out along with the installation of new equipment at the ammunition manufacturing workshop for 122-mm and 152-mm artillery system shells.

A new ammunition assembly workshop has been built at the enterprise. In addition, it is planned to create new storage facilities for artillery shells.

Following the results of the work, the Russian Defence Minister held a working meeting with the participation of the leadership of the Russian Defence Ministry, representatives of the relevant military authorities, and heads of enterprises.

The Russian Defence Minister noted that the enterprises have undergone serious changes since the previous inspection.

'When it comes to the production of artillery ammunition, the volume of artillery ammunition components has been increased by almost 22-fold, 75% of military ammunition components is recovered, which allows us to maintain a sufficient level of supply of projectiles to the special military operation zone. The tasks we set a year ago have been accomplished. New facilities have been built and they work at full capacity', said Sergei Shoigu.

General of the Army Sergei Shoigu emphasised that the tasks to expand the production capacity by enterprises had previously been set.

'When the new facilities began operation, the production volume actually increased by almost 2.5 times,' said the Russian Defence Minister.

The Russian Defence Minister noted that by commissioning new facilities, enterprises are working ahead of the production schedule.

'We were looking forward to an increase in production in the third quarter, and we did so already after the first quarter was actually completed.

And the work is enormous, the enterprise is not just reconstructed and modernised, it is a new enterprise in many ways,' the Russian Defence Minister stressed.

'This is a great achievement of those who work at the enterprises three shifts a week. Such are the times we live in, so thank you for it,' Sergei Shoigu said.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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UK condemns Russia's failure to uphold OSCE commitments: UK statement to the OSCE

UK condemns electoral violations in Russia as well as breaches of Ukrainian sovereignty in conducting illegal elections on Ukrainian territory.

21 March 2024

Thank you, Mr Chair.

I will get straight to the point. The United Kingdom condemns electoral violations and the suppression of opposition voices during the Russian elections, as well as the breaches of Ukrainian sovereignty in conducting illegal elections on Ukrainian territory.

These Russian elections starkly underlined the depth of repression under President Putin's regime, which seeks to silence any opposition to his illegal war.

As my Foreign Secretary has said, President Putin removes his political opponents, controls the media, and then crowns himself the winner. This is not democracy.

And as many of us have said regularly in this Council, Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia will always be Ukrainian; holding Russia's presidential elections in these regions does not alter this fact. These sham elections are a further violation of the UN Charter and a fraud, nothing more.

Mr Chair,

We all agreed in Moscow, Istanbul and Astana that implementation of OSCE commitments by one participating State is a matter of legitimate concern to all participating States.

So it is of legitimate concern to this Council that Russia has failed to uphold its OSCE commitments guaranteeing that the will of the people would be expressed freely and fairly. Any candidate who expressed anti-war views was swiftly disqualified. With only 3 Kremlin-approved challengers, the outcome of this election was never in any doubt.

And it is of legitimate concern to this Council that Russia chose not to invite OSCE observers. That decision runs directly contrary to the OSCE commitments made by the Russian Federation, including commitments made at Copenhagen in 1990 and in Istanbul in 1999.

The Moscow Mechanism report of 2022 left no room for doubt about the extent of political repression in Russia then. And the death of Alexei Navalny just weeks before the election was a tragic reminder of the severity of political repression in Russia today. Once again, the United Kingdom calls on Russia to release all political prisoners immediately, including British-Russian dual national Vladimir Kara-Murza. He must be released on humanitarian grounds for urgent medical treatment.

Mr Chair,

The United Kingdom condemns Russia's failure to uphold our shared OSCE principles and commitments. We call on Russia to end aggression beyond its borders and repression within its borders. Russia must withdraw all its forces from the entirety of Ukraine. And, I confirm that the United Kingdom will continue to hold Russia to account in this Council for implementation of its OSCE commitments and for the consequences of its actions for our shared regional security.

I thank you Mr Chair.

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Russia is conducting a brutal campaign of human rights violations and resorting to disinformation to justify its aggression: UK statement to the OSCE

As Ambassador Holland marks 10 years since Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea, Russia's repressive measures in Crimea have become a blueprint for its actions in the temporarily Russian controlled territories.

21 March 2024

Thank you, Madam Chair. Over the past decade, Russia's aggression has undermined our collective security. This month marks 10 years since Russia illegally sought to annex Crimea. This violated the first principle of international law - that countries may not acquire territory or change borders by force. And eight years later Crimea was used to launch its full-scale invasion into Ukraine.

Since 2014, Russia has conducted a brutal campaign of human rights abuses and violations against civilians in Crimea - denying them their liberty. Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar communities have endured Russia's systemic attempts to erase their culture and identities. And yet despite the risk of persecution, acts of resistance are seen on the peninsula, such as pro-Ukraine graffiti and the tying of yellow ribbons in public spaces. The UK is proud to stand with the people of Crimea and be a member of the International Crimea Platform.

Russia's illegal annexation has also led to a collapse of Crimea's financial systems. Despite Russia claiming the contrary, many Crimeans have experienced a poorer standard of living since 2014. Recent reports have revealed water shortages in Crimea that are so severe that residents may soon be forced to flee.

Russia's repressive measures in Crimea have become the blueprint for the restrictions on human rights and fundamental freedoms in the temporarily Russian controlled territories of Ukraine. We see actions straight out of Russia's tried and tested playbook - including sham elections and forced passportisation. These are all attempts by Russia to claim legitimacy for its actions.

Repression and silencing any dissenting voices are at the heart of Russia's approach. Ukrainians daring to resist Russia have been wrongly detained. And Russians brave enough to speak out against President Putin's war suffer the same fate. The continued detention of the Wall Street Journal reporter, Evan Gershkovich, further illustrates Russia's continued disregard for, and fear of, media freedom. The UK calls for the immediate release of Mr Gershkovich and of all political prisoners held by Russia. Russia must allow access to international monitoring organisations to ensure the legal and humane treatment of detainees.

Russia continues to resort to disinformation and misinformation to justify its actions. In this room over two years ago, Russia repeatedly labelled our warnings of an imminent full-scale invasion as 'myths'. Russia promised it had no intentions to invade Ukraine. Russia then contravened not only its own promises, but the foundations of this organisation, by invading a sovereign State. Russia's actions proved the difference between its statements here, and reality. The reality is that we hear of the immense suffering of the Ukrainian people every week. Russia must take responsibility for its actions. It must withdraw all its forces from the internationally recognised borders of Ukraine. The UK will never recognise Russia's annexation of Crimea or any other Ukrainian territory.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

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South Africa's ANC Pushes to Keep Zuma's Party Out of Elections

By Kate Bartlett March 21, 2024

South Africa's governing party has gone to court to try stop a newly created rival party from contesting May elections.

National elections on May 29 are widely expected to be the most fiercely contested ever, with surveys suggesting the African National Congress party will win less than 50 percent of the vote for the first time since the advent of democracy in 1994.

Now, a new opposition party named uMkhonto weSizwe, or MK for short, has infuriated the ANC by naming itself after the ANC's disbanded armed wing, which was formed by Nelson Mandela and fought against apartheid.

The fact that former president Jacob Zuma, an ANC stalwart, has thrown his weight behind the rival party has only added insult to injury, and the ANC has suspended him.

On Monday, the ANC went to the electoral court arguing the MK party did not meet the necessary criteria when it registered with the electoral commission late last year.

ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula addressed media outside court on Monday, saying the ANC is also taking legal action to try and prevent Zuma from using the storied uMkhonto weSizwe name.

"We are challenging him in two levels in terms of this formation. You must understand this is the beginning," Mbalula said. "Here today at the electoral court we are challenging him in terms of deregistration of this party."

Mbalula said the ANC was also pursuing a copyright infringement case against the MK party over the name.

While Zuma was forced to resign as president in 2018 amid corruption scandals, and is currently mired in several court cases, he remains very popular with his fellow ethnic Zulus in KwaZulu-Natal province.

When in July 2021 he was briefly jailed for contempt of court, South Africa saw the worst violence in its post-apartheid history, with more than 300 killed in looting and rioting.

A poll this month by a local research group, the Brenthurst Foundation, showed the ANC getting below 40 percent and the MK party winning 13 percent of the vote.

"Does this mean that South Africa's going to experience a violent election because it's more contested? Well that remains to be seen," Brenthurst Foundation Director Greg Mills said. "It's undoubtedly going to be very heated. Especially in KwaZulu-Natal province where the MK party...has around one quarter of the vote."

Some members of the MK party, like the party's youth leader and Visvin Reddy, a Zuma ally, have threatened violence if they are barred from competing in elections.

"This country will be turned into civil war, the day that MK is not allowed to campaign, and be on the ballot paper. No one will vote, we will make sure of it," Reddy said at an MK rally earlier this month.

After Monday's arguments from MK and ANC lawyers, the Electoral Court reserved judgment until a later date.

An MK spokesman did not reply to multiple requests for comment from VOA.

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Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

March 21, 2024

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met yesterday with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud in Jeddah. The Secretary underscored the importance of urgently addressing humanitarian needs in Gaza. Secretary Blinken reaffirmed the United States' commitment to achieve an enduring end to the crisis in Gaza and to the establishment of a future Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel. The Secretary and the Crown Prince continued discussions on achieving lasting regional peace and security, including through greater integration among countries in the region and enhanced bilateral cooperation between the United States and Saudi Arabia. The Secretary and Crown Prince also discussed the need for an end to Houthi attacks that are undermining both freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and progress on the Yemen peace process.

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Israel's illegal attacks on Syria must end immediately: Iran UN envoy

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Mar 21, 2024

New York, IRNA -- Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Amir Saeed Iravani emphasized that there is no military solution to the Syrian crisis and said that the Islamic Republic of Iran considers the Israeli regime's military and illegal attacks in Syria provocative and strongly condemns them.

Iravani made the remarks at the meeting of the United Nations Security Council about the situation in the Middle East and Syria.

"The Zionist regime must Take responsibility for these aggressive actions and put an end to them immediately," he added.

He pointed out that this month is the 13th anniversary of the beginning of the conflict in Syria, adding, "During these 13 years, the Syrian people have suffered a lot and this conflict has had adverse consequences on peace, security and stability throughout the region."

The senior Iranian diplomat at the United Nations added that since the beginning of the conflict in 2011, some countries have pursued their political agenda in Syria through military solutions.

"By ignoring the basic principles of the United Nations Charter, they have violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and supported terrorist and separatist groups," he added.

The full text of Iravani's speech is as follows:

Mr. President,

We thank Mr. Pederson, the Special Envoy, and Ms. Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for their briefings.

Mr. President,

This month marks the thirteenth anniversary of the start of the conflict in Syria.

Over these thirteen years, the Syrian people have greatly suffered, with the conflict also having adverse consequences on the peace, security, and stability of the entire region.

Since the start of the conflict in 2011, certain countries have pursued their political agenda in Syria through military solutions. To this end, they disregarded basic principles of the UN Charter, violated Syrian Sovereignty and territorial integrity, and supported terrorist and separatist groups.

Regrettably, after thirteen years, these countries are resorting to sanctions as a means to achieve objectives they failed to attain through military or diplomatic channels.

Mr. President,

Addressing the root causes of the crisis in Syria requires fundamental actions to ensure lasting peace, security, and stability.

Several key principles must be thoroughly adhered to by all parties involved.

Firstly, it must be recognized that there is no military solution. Likewise, actions such as politicizing humanitarian aid, obstructing the return of refugees and displaced persons, and especially imposing unilateral sanctions, serve only to prolong the crisis and worsen the suffering endured by the Syrian population.

Secondly, the conflict cannot be resolved without upholding the full sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic. Under no circumstances can these essential elements be compromised.

The Syrian people refuse to accept the ongoing occupation of their land or any violation of their sovereignty. Also, the international community must reject such actions, as they contravene fundamental principles of international law.

We reiterate our call for the immediate withdrawal of all uninvited foreign forces from Syria. Specifically, we emphasize the imperative for the withdrawal of U.S. forces occupying parts of Syrian territory.

Furthermore, the restoration of Syria's territorial integrity demands relentless efforts to combat all terrorist groups without interruption.

Any pause in these operations would provide an opportunity for these groups to solidify their position and perpetrate further atrocities. This would make the conflict last longer and make it harder to find a political solution. It is imperative, however, that the protection of civilians remains paramount throughout counterterrorism efforts.

We strongly condemn the ongoing Israeli military attacks in Syria as both unlawful and provocative, serving only to escalate tensions and undermine stability. That regime must be held accountable and forced to end such aggressive actions immediately.

Mr. President,

While providing immediate aid is crucial, it is not a sustainable solution in the long term.

Efforts must focus on rebuilding critical infrastructure, creating conditions for the safe return of refugees and internally displaced persons, and advancing the political process.

In this context, we call for the immediate lifting of unilateral sanctions. The continuous of such inhuman measures violates the basic human rights of the Syrian people, punish the entire Syrian population, and exacerbate the plight of the most vulnerable segments of society. In addition, the alleged humanitarian exemptions within sanctions frameworks often prove ineffective, given the complex and extensive nature of these sanctions.

Mr. President,

In its turn, Iran is committed to a political resolution of this crisis. It will continue supporting a truly Syrian-led, Syrian-owned, UN-facilitated political process, as well as assisting the people and Government of Syria to restore the unity and territorial integrity of their country.

We support the efforts being conducted by Mr. Pederson, Special Envoy, for the resumption of the meetings of the Constitutional Committee as an effective mechanism for advancing the political process. In this regard, we welcome his recent visit from Damascus and engagement with Syrian authorities.

Mr. President,

Iran, along with its Astana format partners, is committed to working towards long-term and sustainable normalization in and around Syria.

We support continuing the Syrian-Turkish dialogue as part of this effort.

We also support efforts and cooperation within the Astana format to reveal the fate of missing persons.

Lastly, it is of utmost importance to make every possible effort to facilitate the safe and dignified return of Syrian refugees to their homeland and to meet their humanitarian needs.

I thank you

2050

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To achieve sustainable peace in Syria, the Assad regime must engage in the political process: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria.

21 March 2024

Thank you, President, and I thank Special Envoy Pedersen and ASG Msuya for their work, and the work of their teams, in trying to alleviate the suffering for the Syrian people as well as for their briefing today.

Thirteen years ago, the Syrian people took to the streets in peaceful protest to demand their freedom, dignity, and respect for human rights. The Assad regime suppressed these protests and launched a ruthless campaign of violence that continues to this day. Over 500,000 people have died and over half of the Syrian population have been forcibly displaced.

Thirteen years on, we need to see three key changes.

First, there needs to be urgent, positive steps on the political process, based on Resolution 2254. Month after month, this Council comes together to stress the importance of SCR 2254. The Format, and the Arab Contact Astana Group, have underscored its importance. But we have not seen the parties, and specifically the regime, take the steps that this Council called for. Too much time has elapsed since the Constitutional Committee last met. We welcome the continued efforts by Special Envoy Pedersen to convene a meeting of the Constitutional Committee in the near future. We reiterate our call for the Assad regime to engage meaningfully in the political process.

Second, the international community needs to increase its humanitarian support and contribute to early recovery. Humanitarian support and early recovery remain critical. The UK remains a committed donor throughout the conflict, contributing over $4 billion since 2011. We call on others to join our early recovery efforts which have supported education and learning, particularly for girls, and opportunities to support people's livelihoods to increase their self-reliance.

In a time of constrained resources, it is the responsibility of all parties in enabling principled, sustainable and unhindered access, including cross-border, to access vulnerable communities in the North-West.

Third, the Assad regime continues to profit from the illicit trade of captagon, fuelling its oppression of the Syrian people. Earlier this month, the UK and the Kingdom of Jordan co-hosted an event here in New York, to highlight the risks and malign effects of the captagon trade. We will continue to seek coordinated global action on captagon, in close cooperation with our regional partners.

President, a Syrian-owned, Syrian-led political settlement in line with resolution 2254 represents the only viable mechanism to bring about sustainable, inclusive peace in Syria.

And I thank you.

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At Security Council Briefing on Syria, Speakers Express Alarm Over Grave Situation in Country, Underscore Need for Sustained, Unrestricted Humanitarian Assistance

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

9583rd Meeting (AM)

SC/15635

21 March 2024



As the conflict in Syria entered its fourteenth year, the "tragic reality" was that developments are going in the wrong direction across all fronts, the Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the country warned the Security Council today, as members echoed his urgent calls on Damascus and other actors to unblock the persisting political impasse.

"I am alarmed at the trajectory of events, and the lack of progress in reversing them," Geir O. Pedersen, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, told the Council, pointing to a deterioration across the country's security, humanitarian, human rights, economic and political spheres. Acute violence continued across many fronts, as did regional spillover, he said, outlining an uptick in violence across the country, including Israeli strikes, one of which reportedly killed a member of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He called for an urgent de-escalation of the conflict in Gaza and an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, pointing to concerning regional ramifications. As well, he called for a de-escalation of the conflict in Syria, progressing towards a nationwide ceasefire.

Noting the presence of six a not five, as used to be the case a foreign armies in the country, with millions of Syrians split across various lines of control, he reported a "loud and clear sense of dismay" over these trend lines in discussions with Syrian civil society actors, including his Deputy's engagements in Istanbul through the Civil Society Support Room. On the political track, he outlined recent engagements with Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad, Syrian Negotiations Commission President Badr Jamous, and other actors, stressing: "My message was clear: the political track, blocked and dormant, needs to be unstuck."

Also briefing was Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, who painted an alarming picture of steep and mounting humanitarian needs, with more than 7 million people displaced and more than half of the population needing food assistance. "More people need humanitarian aid in Syria now than at any point in the crisis," she observed, "and yet, funding for our humanitarian appeal has fallen to a record low." The 2023 humanitarian appeal received less than 40 per cent of the required funding, she said, adding that the consequences were "devastating". She therefore urged sustained and unhindered humanitarian access through all modalities, and the necessary funding to sustain life-saving aid and expand early recovery.

In the ensuing debate, Council members reiterated the Special Envoy's calls for de-escalation and a renewal of the political process. Speakers were near unanimous in expressing alarm over the grave and worsening humanitarian situation, with many delegates underscoring the need for sustained and unrestricted humanitarian aid, while some blamed the deleterious effects of sanctions.

Among them was the delegate of the Russian Federation, who assailed "the suffocating pressure of sanctions from Western countries" on the humanitarian situation. He also expressed concern over the "extremely negative" impact of Israel's actions in Gaza on the situation in Syria, and its air strikes on civilian targets in Syria, including along the Blue Line, adding: "Such irresponsible actions risk dragging Syria and a number of its neighbours into a full-fledged regional confrontation."

The delegate of the United States asserted that sanctions imposed by his country would remain in place until Damascus made concrete, measurable progress towards a political solution. Recalling that, for the past six months, the residents of Sweida have been calling for a peaceful political transition in line with Council resolution 2254 (2015) and for accountability for those who opened fire against protestors, he called on Council members to support Syrians' right to peaceful assembly.

In a similar vein, France's delegate said: "Today, France and the European Union see no reason to lift sanctions or finance the rebuilding of a country that is, in large part, destroyed by its own Government and its allies." However, he added that those decisions are reversible based on real progress in the political process and that the bloc would continue to support Syrians through humanitarian assistance.

The representative of Algeria, also speaking for Guyana, Mozambique and Sierra Leone, was among many delegates urging relevant parties to overcome the deadlock regarding the convening of the ninth meeting of the Constitutional Committee. "At this critical juncture for Syria, the Syrian-led and Syrian-owned process must continue towards a lasting resolution of the crisis," he stressed.

For his part, the representative of Syria asserted that Western permanent Council members promoted "a false narrative on the terrorist war" in his country to cover up their acts of aggression, occupation and economic blockade. Such actions were aimed at destabilizing Syria, he said, calling for sanctions imposed on his country to be immediately lifted. Addressing concerns over humanitarian access, he stated that terrorist organizations are preventing the crossline delivery of humanitarian assistance and are confiscating cross-border aid, underlining the need to "grant UN agencies in Damascus full power to discharge their mandate across Syria in complete coordination with the Government".

Speakers from countries in the region also took the floor, with Iran's representative calling for the immediate withdrawal of all uninvited foreign forces from Syria. Assailing certain countries who have violated Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity and supported terrorist groups since the start of the conflict, he stressed that "there is no military solution to the Syrian crisis". Meanwhile, TArkiye's delegate warned against subcontracting the fight against Da'esh to the "so-called Syrian Democratic Forces", who were neither Syrian, nor democratic. He also called for a change of attitude on the Syrian-led political process to enable it to be revived, emphasizing the need for all actors to support the reconvening of the Constitutional Committee, the only platform where Syrian parties can produce a negotiated solution to the conflict and shape the country's future.

Briefings

GEIR O. PEDERSEN, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria , said that, after 13 years of conflict in Syria, the tragic reality is that developments are going in the wrong direction, including in the security, humanitarian, human rights, economic and political spheres, adding: "I am alarmed at the trajectory of events, and the lack of progress in reversing them." On security, the conflict continues with acute violence on many fronts and continued regional spillover, he said, outlining a slew of concerning events taking place in the past month, including further Israeli strikes, including one that Iran says killed a member of its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; further rocket fire from southern Syria into the occupied Syrian Golan; an uptick in violence in Idlib, where pro-Government air strikes and now drone strikes resumed after a relative hiatus; further Turkish drone strikes in north-east Syria; and new attacks by Da'esh which killed civilians, including, once again, large numbers of civilians searching for truffles in the desert.

Moreover, he voiced concern over the conflict in Gaza and its regional ramifications, calling for de-escalation and an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. As well, he called for an urgent de-escalation of the conflict in Syria, progressing towards a nationwide ceasefire. On the humanitarian front, a "staggering" 16.7 million people need humanitarian assistance a the highest number at any point in 13 years a he said, emphasizing the need for aid to reach them through all modalities. He also voiced concern over massive challenges to basic State services across the country, stressing that its long-term impacts for State functioning, and on reaching a political solution, were concerning. As well, he voiced concern over the estimated 100,000 people who are arbitrarily detained, forcibly disappeared, or missing, calling for their releases at scale, and for information about their fate.

More than half Syria's pre-war population continues to languish in displacement or exile, for over a decade in many cases, he went on, noting that they are not returning due to unaddressed concerns related to protection and livelihood. Meanwhile, women's activists report increased harassment and threats of physical violence, he said, pointing to the recent murder of a local council member in north-west Syria, and calling for their protection. As well, he outlined other concerning signs, including protestors taking to the streets in various parts of the country, and the presence and activities of six a not five, as used to be the case a foreign armies in the country, including a multitude of armed actors. "Millions of Syrians are split across these lines of control," he said, noting a "loud and clear sense of dismay" over these trend lines in discussions with Syrian civil society actors, including his Deputy's engagements in Istanbul through the Civil Society Support Room.

On the diplomatic front, he noted engagements with Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad, as well as with Syrian Negotiations Commission President Badr Jamous, and with Russian, Iranian, Turkish, Chinese, Arab, American and European counterparts, adding: "My message was clear: the political track, blocked and dormant, needs to be unstuck." On the Constitutional Committee, recalling that the Syrian Government did not accept an invitation to reconvene in Geneva in April, he urged it to start engaging in a deepened and concrete dialogue. "But a way out of the crisis also needs the contributions of international actors who play an outsized role in Syria today," he said, adding: "And it needs compromises from all Syrian and international players." He therefore called for preparatory talks on a comprehensive compromise across interlinked tracks, with a view to ending the suffering of the Syrian people and realize Council resolution 2254 (2015).

JOYCE MSUYA, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator , said that Ramadan in 2024 marks 13 years of conflict in Syria, as humanitarian needs mount, more than 7 million people remain displaced and more than half of the population requires food assistance. Acute malnutrition among children under five has surged threefold in the past five years and, as a result, more than 500,000 children will need life-saving treatment for acute malnutrition in 2024. "More people need humanitarian aid in Syria now than at any point in the crisis," she emphasized, adding: "And yet, funding for our humanitarian appeal has fallen to a record low." Further, women and girls continue to grapple with the worst impacts of the humanitarian crisis, and she recalled that her colleagues in Syria recently met with several women who were marking the start of Ramadan in Aleppo.

She reported that one a a mother of five who now also cares for five orphaned grandchildren a said that it has been almost a year since her family had meat or cheese. Another said that she is often forced to make painful choices, such as between food and medicine for her children. And, in Idlib, a mother of 12 said that she has been living in a tent since being displaced from her home five years ago, spending her days with her children at a landfill looking for materials to sell to buy food. "Despite these enormous needs, the humanitarian community's ability to provide assistance is severely limited," she stressed, and the 2023 humanitarian appeal received less than 40 per cent of the funding required. Underscoring that "the consequences are devastating", she reported that the World Food Programme (WFP) can only reach a third of the most severely food insecure.

She also stated that outpatient therapeutic feeding programmes for malnourished children have been forced to close, about half of the total nutrition rapid-response teams have suspended operations and food prices and the cost of living continue to climb to record highs. Vital health services are also being reduced and the prices of medicine have surged 200 per cent in two years and, in the north-west, 49 health facilities partially or fully suspended their operations at the end of 2023. In the north-east, referral services provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) for people who need more advanced health support will be suspended at the end of March. Such services supported 8,000 to 10,000 patients per year a 70 per cent of them women.

"We are doing what we can to bridge the gap," she stressed. However, while the UN allocated $20 million to Syria through the Central Emergency Response Fund in February, far more is needed to meet such massive need and avert even more painful cuts in vital support. Underscoring that the scarcity of resources reinforces the importance of delivering aid through all available routes, she said: "For the 4.2 million people in need in north-west Syria, the cross-border response from TArkiye continues to play an indispensable role." At the same time, the expansion of cross-line deliveries throughout Syria remains a top priority. Concluding, she called for respect for international law, sustained and unhindered humanitarian access through all modalities and the necessary funding to sustain life-saving aid and expand early recovery. "Our appeals are familiar," she observed.

Statements

The representative of the Russian Federation voiced concern over the "extremely negative" impact of Israel's actions in Gaza on the situation in Syria. The sharp rise in tension on the Syrian-Israeli border is amplified by active external interference coupled with the ongoing illegal foreign presence in the north and north-east of Syria. The intensification of air strikes by the Israeli Air Force on civilian targets in Syria, including along the Blue Line, is also worrisome. "Such irresponsible actions risk dragging Syria and a number of its neighbours into a full-fledged regional confrontation," he warned. Israeli strikes negatively impact the timely humanitarian response of UN structures. The hypocrisy of the United States and its satellites is particularly glaring vis-A -vis humanitarian access in Syria, he observed, noting that "the suffocating pressure of sanctions from Western countries contributes to the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in (the country)".

The representative of the United States noted this month's "grim milestone", which marked 13 months since Syrians' calls for a Government that respected fundamental rights and freedoms was met with deadly force. Despite that, Syrians in the country and in the diaspora continued to raise their voices for change, refusing to be forced into submission. The residents of Sweida have, for six months, been calling for a peaceful political transition in line with Council resolution 2254 (2015) and for accountability for those who opened fire against anti-regime protestors, he said, calling on Council members to support Syrians' right to peaceful assembly. On the political track, he called on the Syrian regime to engage in the political process in good faith, pointing to the "human cost of inaction". Underlining the vital importance of the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Syria, he welcomed the UN's investigation of their actions in Gaza, as well as an independent review of neutrality practices. On sanctions imposed by his country, he noted that they would remain in place until the Syrian Government made concrete, measurable progress towards a political solution.

The representative of Switzerland called on the parties a and those with influence over them a to work towards a ceasefire, respect their international-law obligations and commit to preventing even-more-serious regional escalation. For its part, the Council must play an important role in the fight against impunity a necessary for lasting peace a and, to this end, he expressed support for the Human Rights Council's Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria and the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria. Also stressing that dialogue must be conducted at all levels, he said Switzerland will continue to make Geneva available to host all efforts aimed at promoting lasting peace in Syria. Turning to the humanitarian situation a for which Switzerland is the penholder a he stressed that all aid modalities "remain necessary to meet humanitarian needs". Further, all parties are obliged by international law to facilitate the passage of aid to and through areas under their control.

The representative of Algeria , also speaking for Guyana , Mozambique and Sierra Leone , urged the relevant parties to overcome the deadlock regarding the convening of the ninth meeting of the Constitutional Committee. "At this critical juncture for Syria, the Syrian-led and Syrian-owned process must continue towards a lasting resolution of the crisis," he stressed. To reach a credible political solution, restore Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and facilitate the safe and dignified return of refugees, the involvement of Syrian women and youth is essential. Rejecting all external interferences, he voiced concern over the repeated attacks on the Golan Heights. Such actions only perpetuate insecurity and will potentially fuel terrorist activities in the region, he observed, calling for coordinated action to combat terrorism in Syria.

Turning to the dire humanitarian situation in the country, he said that more than 90 per cent of Syrians now live in poverty. Accordingly, he called for sufficient and predictable funding for the Syria Humanitarian Response Plan, noting that its underfunding has forced humanitarian agencies to reduce food assistance and suspend health services. However, Syria should not continue to rely solely on humanitarian funding, he said, emphasizing the importance of investment to reduce external assistance dependency and revive Syria's economic growth. He also stressed that sanctions on Syria must be lifted.

The representative of Ecuador stated that 13 years into the conflict in Syria, sustainable peace is a "distant horizon", despite the efforts of the international community and regional actors. He echoed the call of the Special Envoy on all actors to lay down their arms and for all international humanitarian law obligations to be upheld. The only possible path to peace entails reactivating political dialogue, he said, calling for political will to be restored so the Constitutional Committee can reconvene, stressing: "The political process needs to be unblocked." Voicing concern over the "fragile" security situation, he called for a common approach to address terrorist groups and to dismantle threats looming over the country and the region. As well, the Council must address the plight of the 16.7 million Syrians needing humanitarian assistance, the 13 million in need of food assistance, the 6.8 million internally displaced persons and the 5 million more Syrians who have sought refuge in third countries, almost half of whom are women and girls.

The representative of France pointed out that, since March 2011, the Damascus regime "has not paid the least attention to the demands of its people" a on the contrary, it has responded with repression and remains unwilling to compromise. "Today, France and the European Union see no reason to lift sanctions or finance the rebuilding of a country that is, in large part, destroyed by its own Government and its allies," he said. But those decisions are reversible based on real progress in the political process and, meanwhile, France and the bloc will continue to support Syrians through humanitarian assistance. He stressed, however, that those present must observe that such assistance is "almost exclusively financed" by Europe, the United States, Canada and Japan. Adding that France is multiplying its efforts to prevent regional escalation, he expressed concern over the resurgence of Da'esh and the rapid increase in Captagon trafficking, both of which "feed instability and the complicity of the Damascus regime".

The representative of Malta underscored the need to agree on a date and venue for a resumed Constitutional Committee. The continued air strikes and artillery shelling each month result in the killing, injury and maiming of dozens, she observed, noting that "such reports represent only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to grasping the suffering of the civilian population". Voicing grave concern over the humanitarian funding gap vis-A -vis the UN's response to support the 16 million Syrians in need, she said that, without providing bsuch groups support and protection, there will be a reduction in medical, protection and education services. While welcoming the continued authorization of the border crossing points, Bab Al Hawa, Bab Al Salam and Al-Rai, she reiterated the need to facilitate aid via all modalities in Syria, including that of crossline.

The representative of the United Kingdom recalled that it has been 13 years since the Assad regime launched a ruthless campaign of violence that continues to this day. As a result, over 500,000 people have died and over half of the Syrian population have been forcibly displaced. Underscoring the importance of resolution 2254 (2015), he said that the regime failed to take the steps the Council called for. He stressed that the international community must increase its humanitarian support and contribute to early recovery, noting that London has contributed over $4 billion since 2011. In a time of constrained resources, all parties must enable principled, sustainable and unhindered access, including cross-border access to vulnerable communities in the north-west. He further warned that the Assad regime continues to profit from the illicit trade of Captagon, fuelling its oppression of the Syrian people, noting his Government's commitment to seek coordinated global action on the scourge.

The representative of Slovenia noted that the conflict in Syria has entered its fourteenth year, as the country experiences spillover effects from the region, and generates spillover effects of its own. Syria remains in turmoil, with a whole generation of young Syrians having only known their country in conflict. He underscored the urgent need for a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned political process to resume and for disagreements over the venue of the next meeting of the Constitutional Committee to end. On the humanitarian front, he underlined the need to ensure predictable aid flows across the country, and for all modalities of delivery to be utilized. Strikes on water and electricity facilities in north-east Syria exacerbate the humanitarian situation and must cease immediately. As well, he stressed the need for accountability on the issue of detainees, abductees and missing persons. "It is time to act," he stressed, calling for an immediate ceasefire and full respect for international humanitarian law.

The representative of China , against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, called on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid exacerbating tensions. Further, major countries outside the region should play a constructive role in de-escalating the situation, and the international community must redouble collective efforts to manage the conflict in Gaza. "Support from regional countries can give new impetus to the political settlement of the Syrian issue," he continued, calling on the international community to uphold the principle that such a solution must be owned and led by Syrians. Stressing that terrorism is a persistent threat to the political process, he welcomed the Government's efforts to maintain stability and called on the international community to "fight all terrorism in Syria with zero tolerance". Additionally, the parties concerned must actively cooperate to facilitate crossline deliveries, the international community should provide adequate, non-earmarked early-recovery support and foreign forces should immediately end their illegal military presence in Syria.

The representative of the Republic of Korea said that a as armed conflict continues throughout the country a the number of Syrians in need has amounted to 16.7 million. Accordingly, consistent and predictable humanitarian assistance to Syria through all available border crossings is critical. In this troubling situation, it is crucial "to prevent the Syrian issue from being put on the back burner in terms of emergency and readiness", particularly facing the constant threat of spillover from Gaza. Stressing the need to ensure a ceasefire and the Syrian-led, Syrian-owned political process, in line with resolution 2254 (2015), he called on the relevant parties to agree on the venue of the Syrian Constitutional Committee and to engage in a genuine discussion on a political solution. "As the situation is stalled, it is the Syrian people that continue to suffer the most," he asserted.

The representative of Japan , Council President for March, speaking in his national capacity, noting that the Syrian conflict entered its fourteenth year this month, reiterated that, with active hostilities and a devastating humanitarian situation, the only sustainable solution is an inclusive Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process under UN auspices in line with Council resolution 2254 (2015). Japan calls on all Syrian parties, in particular Damascus, to engage more seriously towards achieving tangible results through the political process. The Constitutional Committee must be resumed at an agreed venue as soon as possible, he added. On the humanitarian front, given immense needs, he underlined the need for assistance to be conducted through all modalities, cross-border and crossline, and for early recovery projects to be carried out. On that, he spotlighted new partnerships by his country with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to improve livelihoods, and with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to enhance education and protection services for earthquake-affected Syrians.

The representative of Syria said that, in March each year, Western permanent Council members promote a "false narrative on the terrorist war that Syria is witnessing". These statements are made to cover up such States' acts of aggression, occupation and economic blockade, which aim to destabilize his country, undermine development achievements, prejudice national choices and weaken its regional role to serve the Israeli occupation. Western bias and support has emboldened the occupying authorities to pursue repeated aggression against Syria and, in this context, he reaffirmed the content of the letters his country has sent to the Secretary-General and the Council asking them to "immediately intervene to end the hysterical Israeli aggression". Further, he warned the Israeli occupying authorities against "the consequences of their criminal actions, which jeopardize regional and international peace and security".

"Contrary to the claims of some Western States", he went on to say, "the Syrian Government has adopted an array of measures aimed at promoting stability and security and meeting the needs of Syrians throughout the country". However, such States prefer to ignore these steps. For its part, the Government is committed to pursue constructive cooperation with the UN and remains hopeful that the Organization will address the concerns repeatedly raised by Damascus. On that, he said that terrorist organizations are preventing the crossline delivery of humanitarian assistance and are confiscating cross-border aid, underlining the need to "grant UN agencies in Damascus full power to discharge their mandate across Syria in complete coordination with the Government". He also called for the immediate, unconditional lifting of unilateral coercive measures and reiterated his Government's rejection of linking humanitarian funding to political conditions.

The representative of Iran observed that since the start of the conflict in 2011, certain countries have pursued their political agenda in Syria through military solutions. To this end, they disregarded basic principles of the Charter of the United Nations, violated Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity, and supported terrorist and separatist groups. The same countries are now resorting to sanctions to achieve objectives they failed to attain through military or diplomatic channels. However, "there is no military solution to the Syrian crisis," he stressed, noting that the politicization of humanitarian aid, obstruction of the return of refugees and displaced persons and imposition of unilateral sanctions only worsen the suffering of the Syrian population. Accordingly, he called for the immediate withdrawal of all uninvited foreign forces from Syria. Furthermore, the restoration of Syria's territorial integrity demands relentless efforts to combat all terrorist groups.

He strongly condemned the ongoing Israeli military attacks in Syria as both unlawful and provocative, serving only to escalate tensions. While providing immediate aid is crucial, it is not a sustainable solution in the long term. Instead, efforts must focus on rebuilding critical infrastructure, creating conditions for the safe return of refugees and internally displaced persons and advancing the political process. In this context, he called for the immediate lifting of unilateral sanctions, stressing that the continuous use of such inhuman measures violates the fundamental human rights of the Syrian people. In addition, the alleged humanitarian exemptions within sanctions frameworks often prove ineffective, given these sanctions' complex and extensive nature. He also supported the resumption of the meetings of the Constitutional Committee as an effective mechanism for advancing the political process.

The representative of TArkiye called for a change of attitude on the Syrian-led political process to enable it to be revived, calling for the implementation of Council resolution 2254 (2015). All actors must support the convening of the Constitutional Committee, which is the only platform where Syrian parties can produce a negotiated solution to the conflict and shape the country's future. On the security front, he warned against subcontracting the fight against Da'esh to the "so-called Syrian Democratic Forces", who were neither Syrian, nor democratic, but in fact, the PKK [Kurdish Workers' Party] and YPG [People's Protection Units]. Further, he emphasized the need for conditions to be met for the safe and voluntary return of Syrian refugees, and for funding for early recovery projects to be stepped up to that end. On the humanitarian front, he voiced concern that, while needs were at their highest, there is a downward trend in deliveries and in funding, emphasizing the need for all three border crossings used for UN operations to remain open as long as needs persisted.

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U.S. admiral refutes report of special forces permanently stationed in Kinmen

ROC Central News Agency

03/21/2024 02:41 PM

Washington, March 20 (CNA) The head of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral John Aquilino, said Wednesday that contrary to a recent news report, there are no American special forces personnel permanently stationed on Taiwan's outlying Kinmen Island.

Aquilino refuted the report when he was asked during a U.S. House Armed Service Committee hearing whether American Green Berets had been stationed permanently in Kinmen to train Taiwanese troops there.

The question, raised during the hearing on the U.S.' military posture in the Indo-Pacific region, cited the American military news outlet SOFREP, which reported in early March that 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.

The missions of the American forces there included regular training and exercises alongside Taiwan's elite forces, and those deployments had been made in line with the U.S. 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, the report said.

Responding to lawmakers' questions on the issue, Aquilino said the information was inaccurate.

"Let me just say the article is incorrect. There is no permanent stationing of U.S. forces there," he told the committee. "We can talk in a classified setting for further evaluation, but that is just inherently inaccurate."

Also during the hearing, Republican Representative Matt Gaetz expressed concern over possible infiltration of Taiwan's military by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China and the consequences of such a scenario.

"I worry whether or not we're gonna be able to rely on the uniformed service there [in Taiwan]," Gaetz said. "So, is there a plan at the [U.S.] Department of Defense to kind of make these assessments about a Home Guard and ensure that you have small arms in the hands of these people that might deter a Chinese invasion?"

In response, Aquilino said there "absolutely" is such a plan but he would prefer to discuss it in a classified setting.

(By Chung Yu-chen and Ko Lin)

Enditem/pc

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Taiwan calls for speedy return of 2 Kinmen anglers rescued by China

ROC Central News Agency

03/21/2024 10:31 PM

Taipei, March 21 (CNA) Taiwan's agency handling relations with China on Thursday expressed hope that the Chinese authorities will expedite the return of two anglers from Kinmen who they confirmed were rescued in waters off the Fujian coast.

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) made the remarks after Chen Binhua (), spokesman of the Chinese State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, confirmed Monday that two individuals from Kinmen were rescued from a boat after its engine failed early that day.

Chen said the Fujian coast guard will arrange for the return of the two men and the boat to Kinmen as soon as possible.

Commenting on the matter at a news conference Thursday, MAC spokesman Jan Jyh-horng () said that Taiwan's coast guard contacted their Chinese counterparts shortly after the incident and confirmed the two men are safe and sound.

Jan expressed hope that the Chinese authorities will honor their promise and send the two men back as quickly as possible.

Apparently, China intends to return the two individuals through non-official channels, he added.

Meanwhile, Kinmen County Magistrate Chen Fu-hai () also called on China to send the two anglers back home as soon as possible, saying the county government has a fishing boat ready to pick them up any time.

(By Hung Hsueh-kuang, Lee Ya-wen and Evelyn Kao)

Enditem/AW

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Taiwanese travelers urged to be cautious after HK passes tough security law

ROC Central News Agency

03/21/2024 08:17 PM

Taipei, March 21 (CNA) Taiwan's government on Thursday reminded Taiwanese people to keep their safety in mind when visiting Hong Kong after the Beijing-controlled Legislative Council passed a new national security law two days ago in the special administrative region (SAR).

The law, called Basic Law Article 23, covers treason, sedition, and state secrets, and allows trials to be held behind closed doors.

Tsai Ming-yen (), the director-general of the National Security Bureau, indicated that the "mainlandization" of Hong Kong's national security and rule of law is a notable trend.

Now that the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance has been passed, the maximum penalty for offenses such as treason and insurrection is life in prison, and 20 years for espionage, Tsai noted.

He warned that such so-called illegal activities are very vaguely defined.

Tsai was responding to a lawmaker's question during a legislative hearing whether Taiwanese people writing remarks considered "disrespectful" towards China on social media could lead to punishment under the new law.

Tsai said that if Taiwanese people wish to enter Hong Kong, they must pay attention to whether they have ever posted anything criticizing China's politics or economics on social media or said anything negative on their mobile phones.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's Presidential Office said that the government is highly concerned about the threats posed by the legislation to the safety and freedom of Hong Kongers and foreign nationals there.

The government will also keep a close watch over the risks facing Taiwanese citizens working and traveling in Hong Kong and respond accordingly, Presidential Office spokesperson Olivia Lin () said.

In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that while the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, the United Nations, and several human rights groups have expressed concerns, criticism, or condemnation over the new law, only China had extended its congratulations.

According to Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jeff Liu (), Taiwan and the democratic camp have common beliefs on progressive values, such as democracy, freedom, human rights, rule of law, rationality, equal rights, pluralism, and openness.

MOFA is highly concerned about the prospects of Hong Kong and deeply sympathizes with the plight of the Hong Kong people, he added.

Liu emphasized that the Taiwan government has always supported the Hong Kongers in their pursuit of democracy and freedom. On the other hand, it will also view what has happened in the SAR as a lesson.

"In addition to continuing to defend democracy and freedom, we will also unite countries in the democratic camp in firmly defending the values of a civilized society," Liu said.

(By Wu Shu-wei, Wu Sheng-hung and Evelyn Kao)

Enditem/kb

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Ireland, County Kerry, Ring of Kerry, Kenmare, Henry Street. The Connecticut General Assembly is considering a bill that would create a trade commission to support future transatlantic business between the state and Ireland. Walter Bibikow/Getty Images A file visual of a plane for Aer Lingus, which has a route between Bradley International Airport and Dublin Airport. On March 21, 2024, the General Assembly's Commerce Committee approved a bill that would establish a Connecticut-Ireland trade commission. Contributed photo/Connecticut Airport Authority

A proposal to strengthen business connections between Connecticut and Ireland made progress on Thursday, as the General Assemblys Commerce Committee passed through a bill that would establish a commission for trade between the state and the country.

Committee members moved quickly during their meeting on Thursday to approve the bill by placing it on a consent calendar, a procedure that allowed them to pass the bill, as well as several others with strong support, in a single vote, which was unanimous by those attending.

The proposed legislation still needs approval from the full House and Senate, which could make amendments or refer it to another committee for review. The last day of this years short legislative session is May 8.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

As it stands now, the approved version of the bill includes an amendment by state Rep. Cindy Harrison, R-Southbury, to add the two ranking members of the Commerce Committee or their designees to the commission membership, and reduce by two the number of the governors appointees. In total, the commission would have 23 members.

The bill gained momentum in a public hearing on March 5 when a number of business and political leaders from Connecticut and Ireland spoke in support of the bill. Among their arguments, they noted the growing amount of transatlantic trade, which was highlighted by the resumption in March 2023 of Aer Lingus flights between Bradley International Airport and Dublin Airport.

Its kind of propitious right now, state Sen. Joan Hartley, D-Waterbury and committee co-chairwoman, said during the meeting on Thursday. This will strengthen relationships.
PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Mar. 21, 2024

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2024/03/21

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1.Dateis

6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Wednesday to Thursday, Mar. 20-21

2. PLA activitiesis

32 PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 20 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southwestern, southeastern, 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.

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PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Mar. 22, 2024

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2024/03/21

2024/03/22

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

 Date

6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Thursday to Friday, Mar. 21-22

 PLA activities

36 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 13 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities.



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Pevkur in Kyiv: Estonia to send Ukraine artillery ammunition and other military aid worth 20 million euros

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Defence

21. March 2024

Today in Kyiv at a meeting with his Ukrainian colleague Rustem Umerov, Estonian Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur announced that Estonia will send the next package of military aid to Ukraine, in the worth of 20 million euros. The newest package includes artillery ammunition rounds that are critically needed to counter Russian aggression.

"The package includes recoilless anti-tank guns, explosives, various types of artillery ammunition, gas masks, sniper equipment, smaller calibre ammunition and more. We put this package together focussing on providing the maximum benefit to Ukraine while making sure to not diminish Estonian defence readiness," said Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur.

The latest aid package includes 155 mm calibre shells, which is Estonia's additional contribution to the European Union's initiative to send one million shells to Ukraine. The replenishment of Estonia's contribution will be partly financed by Denmark. Exact quantities are not public for reasons of security.

"The overview that Defence Minister Umerov gave us about the situation on the battlefield confirmed that this package is very much needed. However, it also showed clearly what moving towards summer, Ukraina needs first and foremost: ammunition, all elements of air defence, and also spare parts and electronic warfare equipment," commented minister Pevkur after his meeting with Ruslan Umerov, Minister of Defence of Ukraine.

Previously, Estonia supplied Ukraine with, for example, Javelin anti-tank missiles, howitzers, artillery ammunition, anti-tank mines, anti-tank grenade launchers, mortars, vehicles, communications equipment, field hospitals (also in cooperation with Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Iceland), medical supplies, personal protective equipment (helmets and so on) and dry rations.

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Report on Ukrainians who fled to Finland published

Finnish Government

Ministry of the Interior

21.3.2024

Press release

According to a survey commissioned by the Ministry of the Interior, Ukrainians who arrived in Finland as refugees after February 2022 are satisfied with their life in Finland and more interested than before in staying in the country. The online survey was completed by 1,300 Ukrainians in November 2023.

The purpose of the survey was to find out about the plans and hopes of Ukrainian refugees in Finland with regard to their residence in the country, applying for registration in a municipality of residence and their possible return to Ukraine. The survey was a follow-up to a similar study carried out in summer 2022.

Of the Ukrainians who responded to the survey, 53% had registered their municipality of residence in Finland and 28% planned to do so in the near future. Under Finnish law, a person can apply for registration in a municipality of residence after they have lived in Finland for one year. Ukrainians enjoying temporary protection are covered by reception services until they have a municipality of residence.

The study was carried out on behalf of the Ministry of the Interior by Arseniy Svynarenko and Anastasia Koptsyukh, who are researchers of Ukrainian origin.

Uncertainty about continued residence causes concern

Based on a decision made by the European Union in March 2022, Ukrainians have been granted temporary protection. This decision will be valid until March 2025. Under the Temporary Protection Directive, temporary protection can last up to three years. The way forward is currently under discussion in the EU.

The free-text responses to the survey reveal that uncertainty about being able to stay in Finland in the future is causing concern among the respondents, which is also reflected in the respondents' desire to apply for a municipality of residence and integrate into Finland. Many also mentioned their concern about the continuity of health and social services when they move from a reception centre to a municipality. People who have received a municipality of residence have the same rights, obligations and services as permanent residents.

Satisfaction with Finland high among Ukrainians

Almost all Ukrainians who responded to the survey were either very satisfied or satisfied with their life in Finland. Compared to the previous survey, an even higher proportion (51%) considered remaining in Finland possible even if they could return to Ukraine. The prolongation of the war increases the desire to stay in Finland because of children, employment in Finland or studies.

The survey found that communication about becoming a resident of a municipality and about the services provided by the authorities in Finland in general has been good. The vast majority of respondents said that they use the information provided by the reception centre and the authorities' communication channels, including websites and social media channels, as their main sources of information.

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The Foreign Minister proposes to Althingi a resolution on long-term support to Ukraine

Government of Iceland

21 March 2024

Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Bjarni Benediktsson has introduced a draft parliamentary resolution on Iceland's long-term support for Ukraine. The aim is to signal Iceland's unwavering commitment and solidarity with Ukraine, and to allow for long-term planning and greater efficiency in these efforts.

Speaking on the urgent need for support for Ukraine's defences, Mr. Benediktsson said that Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine is the most serious security threat facing Europe since the end of the Second World War and a clear challenge to the international system.

With the policy, Iceland aims to support an independent and sovereign Ukraine and its Euro-Atlantic aspirations. It is based on five main elements: strong bilateral cooperation; active participation in international cooperation in support of international law and accountability; support for Ukraine's defences; humanitarian aid; and support for Ukraine's economy, maintenance of basic services and reconstruction, during and following the conflict.

"Never before have we supported the defence of another country in such a direct way, and what's more, this has enjoyed general support in parliament and among our people. It is evident that without defence there would be no need to provide funds for the reconstruction and maintenance of Ukrainian society. If the invasion succeeds, Ukraine will seize to exist," Minister Benediktsson stated in his parliamentary address.

Since Russia's illegal invasion, Iceland's defence, humanitarian, and economic support to Ukraine has amounted to appr. 5.7 billion ISK.

The proposal can be accessed on the website of AlAingi (Icelandic only).

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France's support for Ukraine could go beyond arms supplies: Army chief

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 21 March 2024 5:57 PM

A senior French army general says Russia should not expect the West to limit its support for Ukraine to arms supplies only.

"We have to show him that he will not be able to use this logic to go all the way, because this idea is not right."

General Thierry Burkhard, the chief of staff of France's armed forces, said on Thursday in comments about President Vladimir Putin of Russia and its "special military operation" in Ukraine.

The French army chief said the war in Ukraine "will end when Russia stops attacking."

"The war in Ukraine concerns us because we are involved in its consequences. Europeans must therefore be capable of taking risks to ensure the security of Europe in the decade to come."

French President Emmanuel Macron has also said France "would be ready to make sure that Russia never wins that war."

General Burkhard said Macron's "intention is to make Vladimir Putin understand that we are aware of what is at stake in Ukraine."

Earlier this month, Macron said there are "no limits" to French support for Ukraine.

Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council Dmitry Medvedev reacted to his remarks, saying that Moscow "has no more red lines left for France."

Macron's comments also raised concerns at home, with French political leaders describing his position as "irresponsible and extremely dangerous for the peace of the world."

The French head of state has recently refused to rule out sending ground troops to Ukraine.

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Russia vows retaliation if EU arms Ukraine with its frozen asset profits

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 21 March 2024 1:59 PM

Russia says it will take retaliatory measures in accordance with its own interests if the European Union decides to take revenues from the Kremlin's frozen assets and use them to buy weapons for Ukraine.

Brussels is pressing ahead with a plan to use the profits generated from billions of euros of Russian assets frozen in Europe to arm Ukraine, a senior official said Tuesday.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell hopes that EU leaders will endorse the plan at a summit in Brussels starting on Thursday.

But ahead of the meeting, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Moscow will use every legal mechanism at its disposal if Brussels goes ahead with the plan Moscow described as "banditry and theft."

"Naturally, we will use all possible judicial mechanisms, those that are available now, and all those that become available in the future," he said.

"And on the basis of reciprocity we will not retaliate in kind, but choose different methods in a way that corresponds to our own interests," he added.

The EU is holding around $217 billion in Russian central bank assets as part of sanctions imposed on Moscow over its "special military operation" in Ukraine. Most of the funds are held in Belgium.

The 27-nation bloc estimates that the interest on that money could provide around $3.3 billion each year.

Under the plan, around 90% of the money would be put into a special fund that many EU countries already use to get reimbursed for arms and ammunition they send to Ukraine.

"The Russians will not be very happy. The amount of money, 3 billion per year, is not extraordinary, but it is not negligible," Borrell told reporters.

On Tuesday, European Council President Charles Michel called on the EU to shift to a "war economy" mode and "give Ukraine enough support to stop Russia."

The EU has provided Ukraine with over $30 billion in military assistance, ranging from ammunition to air-defense systems, Leopard tanks, and fighter jets a in addition to supplies provided directly on a bilateral basis by the bloc's member states.

Chinese banks under pressure by EU, US

In separate remarks, the Kremlin spokesperson slammed the West for putting "unprecedented pressure" on Chinese banks accepting payments from Russia.

"The unprecedented US and EU pressure on China continues... this creates certain problems," Peskov said.

Russian media reported earlier on Thursday that some Chinese lenders had stopped accepting payments in Chinese yuan from Russian companies.

Officials in Washington and Brussels are targeting companies and banks in third countries they say are helping Russia avoid Western sanctions by trading and executing payments.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, China has become Russia's most important economic ally. Trade between the two world powers has reached more than $240 billion, according to official data from Beijing.

The figure is a record for both Beijing and Moscow.

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First F-16s Should Be In Ukraine This Summer, Says Dutch Defense Minister

By Roksolana Bychai March 21, 2024

KYIV -- Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren says Ukraine should receive its first F-16 fighter jets this summer as Europe pushes to aid Kyiv amid complications sparked by a stalled aid package in the U.S. Congress.

Ollongren told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service during a visit to Kyiv on March 21 that a plan to deliver 24 F-16s jets is on track, with the first aircraft coming from Denmark.

"I think we are on track to see deliveries, first Danish this summer, and then we're going to scale up," she said while declining to give the exact number of planes involved in the first delivery.

"We know that we will start with the Danish F-16s, that is now in our planning and in the Ukrainian planning. And in the end, I mean, it doesn't matter anymore. If it's a Dutch or Danish or Norwegian F-16 because [the planes are] going to be Ukrainian."

The arrival of the fighter jets will be a long-awaited development to help Kyiv fill a crucial hole in its defense capabilities.

Russia has used its more advanced and more numerous jets to repeatedly bomb Ukrainian cities, slow its counteroffensive, and threaten its ships exporting grain crucial to its economic survival, making Kyiv's acquisition of modern U.S. jets a key ingredient to its successful defense of the country.

Ukraine inherited an aging fleet of Soviet MiG and Sukhoi jets that lack the strike depth and technology of modern Russian jets, putting Kyiv at a significant disadvantage in the war. Ukraine also has a much smaller fleet than Russia.

The more advanced F-16s would allow Ukrainian pilots to strike deep into Russian controlled areas and with great accuracy, intercept missiles that have terrorized Ukraine cities, and take on Russian jets that threaten its shipping lanes.

Ollongren said the key to the effectiveness of the jets will be the training of both pilots and technical staff to ensure they operate at peak performance.

"It is of no use if you don't know how to use [them] most effectively, and that requires training and that requires the right people for the maintenance and the right infrastructure. So when you get [them], you know that you will be able to use [them]," she said.

"So once...Ukraine gets the F-16, everything has to be in place, including, of course, how to protect them."

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the country has been backed by the United States, the European Union, and other Western allies.

But a new $60-billion aid package to Ukraine has been stalled in the U.S. House of Representatives as Republican lawmakers demand deep changes to domestic immigration policy.

With Washington's funding spigots turned off for the time being, the European Union has been moving to increase its assistance.

Earlier this week, the European Council approved the creation of the Ukraine Assistance Fund (UAF) and earmarked 5 billion euros ($5.4 billion) for it to be used for the provision of both "lethal and nonlethal military equipment and training."

Ollongren said the holdup in the United States on new aid is "a bit frustrating," but given the threat Russia's aggression poses to Europe, the 27-nation EU will continue to push to increase aid levels.

"We are working on increasing production levels...For Ukraine, it's an existential threat. But for Europe, it's also an existential threat. So it is in our best interest," to continue aid to Kyiv, she said.

"It's also in the America's best interest to continue that support and to step it up and to do more," she added.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-first-f16s- summer-dutch-minister-ollongren/32871951.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Zelenskiy Pushes EU To Use Profits From Frozen Russian Assets To Aid Ukraine

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service March 21, 2024

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called on EU leaders at the opening of their two-day summit in Brussels on March 21 to "progress on the issue of fair use of Russia's frozen assets."

"This year, we must use Russian assets to protect and restore life in Ukraine, which is being destroyed by the aggressor. This is fair," he said.

Ukraine's European supporters have been discussing the use of profits on frozen Russian assets to finance arms purchases for Kyiv. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said last week that the "windfall" from billions of euros in profits from the frozen assets would support arms purchases.

The EU leaders had previously only considered using the profits to support the reconstruction of Ukraine. However, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said last week the main issue in Ukraine now is not so much reconstruction, but rather avoiding further destruction."

Borrell said he would propose that 90 percent of the revenues from Russian assets frozen in Europe be used to buy arms for Ukraine under the European Peace Facility fund. The remaining 10 percent would be transferred to the EU budget to be used to boost the capacity of the Ukrainian defense industry.

The proposal would require the approval of all EU member states.

Zelenskiy also called on his European colleagues to "invest in Ukraine's production of drones, provide more ammunition, which is currently in short supply at the front, and help protect Ukrainian cities from Russian air strikes."

Existing air defense systems are not enough to protect the entire territory of Ukraine from Russian air strikes, he said, adding that the number of air defense systems needed is "achievable."

Zelenskiy also told the summit that allowing Russia to continue selling grain in the European Union while capping imports from Ukraine was unfair.

"Russian access to the European agricultural market is still unrestricted," Zelenskiy said, speaking over video link.

"When Ukrainian grain is dumped on roads or railway tracks, Russian products are still taken to Europe, as well as goods from...Belarus. It's not fair," Zelenskiy said, referring to the dumping of Ukrainian grain from rail transport wagons last month in Poland. "It is even more unfair when someone tries to destroy systemic trade solutions that have existed for years and work to support the whole of Europe," Zelenskiy said.

The 27-nation bloc dropped tariffs on Ukrainian imports at the beginning of the war in a bid to help keep the country's economy afloat, but the moves have drawn fierce protests from EU farmers who complain they are being undercut by lower-cost imports from Ukraine.

While the EU has taken aim at other parts of Russia's economy through sanctions, it has avoided targeting the farm or fertilizer sectors over fears of destabilizing the global cereal market and undermining food security in Asia and Africa.

But EU member states and lawmakers on March 20 reached a deal to cap duty-free imports of a range of Ukrainian farm goods and the European Commission said last week it was also looking at restrictions on Russian farm imports.

Five European Union nations -- Poland, Czech Republic, and all three Baltic states -- urged the bloc to impose a full ban on grain imports from both Russia and Belarus.

"As members of the EU, we believe it is imperative to fulfil our moral obligation to halt any trade activities that could potentially bolster" Russia and Belarus, the nations' farming ministers said in a joint letter.

With reporting by AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-summit-zelenskiy-russian-assets- ukraine-aid-arms-ammunition/32871628.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Statement by Russian Defence Ministry

21.03.2024

At around 15:15 Moscow time, one Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle was shot down over Belgorod region.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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A house displays an American flag in Stamford, Conn. on Sunday, July 2, 2017. Michael Cummo/Hearst Connecticut Media

Many states, particularly the original 13 colonies, will be celebrating America's 250th anniversary in 2026. Connecticut is brainstorming not only what that celebration will look like, but also how to pay for it  including a proposed tax increase on hotels and rental cars.

Thats one of two proposals being considered by the state legislature to pay for the semiquincentennial celebration, beginning in 2026, 250 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

The other option, according to state Rep. Maria Horn, D-Salisbury, is to bond for the $30 million. The bonding legislation would authorize the state to borrow money that would be paid back with tax dollars at a later date.

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Under the first proposal, the hotel tax would be temporarily increased from 15 percent to 15.615 percent, and the sales and use taxes on rental cars would go from 9.35 percent to 9.965 percent, with the additional funds from those increases to be used for the America 250 semiquincentennial initiative.

The goal, state Rep. Maria Horn said, is to talk about both proposals to determine the right way to pay for the celebration. If the plan is to build infrastructure that would be around to aid in the states tourism efforts for years to come, then maybe bonding is appropriate, she said, but I think this bill provided us the opportunity to have that conversation.

Horn explained that the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, of which she is co-chair, can learn more when there is a bill to raise taxes being considered  even if those taxes are, as in this case, for a specific and limited amount of time.

Bonding proposals have a different process. They dont get heard separately in the finance committee, she said. But revenue proposals do, and so this gives us the opportunity to have the commission members testify about what exactly they plan to do.

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Horn said the tax increase was proposed as a conversation piece, but Ginny Kozlowski, executive director of the Connecticut Lodging Association, said she and her organization would oppose any bill to raise taxes on hotels and rental cars.

We dont think it should come out of a hotel occupancy tax or an increase in the food beverage tax or any increase in the tax if bonding is an option, she said.

As of now, there is no time frame for when a decision will be made.

The semiquincentennial would theoretically be a way to bring tourists and tourism dollars to the state, and Kozlowski sees an increase in the cost of staying in the state as a barrier to that.

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We are still in recovery mode as a sector. Our numbers look okay, but our business patterns have shifted, she said.

There is a commission, established by the governor, whose job it is to determine the plans for the America 250 celebration. Those plans have not yet been determined, though there are established themes: Tell inclusive stories, power of place, doing history and for the common good. Members of the commission include tribal leaders, former officials and representatives from cultural and historical organizations.

Jason Mancini, executive director of Connecticut Humanities and vice chairman of the America 250 Commission, said conversations on how to best celebrate the nations 250th anniversary began very early March of 2020.

It was like the following week [that] COVID struck. So that all sort of came to a crashing halt, he said.

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The commissions hope, Mancini said, is to get into every community across Connecticut.

Some of the low hanging fruit is working with the commissioners and our cultural leaders to create content that might emerge as a banner-type exhibit, he said. The content can be really rich, and we can create 169 versions of these, get them into town halls or public libraries as a starting point for towns to really think about how to commemorate  what does it mean to us, what does it mean to them, what does it mean to Connecticut.

As Horn suggested, Mancini said the commissions hope is for the investment to go beyond a single day.

July 4, 2026 is a date on the calendar, he said. It's really the next eight years or so that we're thinking about and how to tell Connecticuts story and put Connecticut back on the map with respect to its role in the constitution of this nation.

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There are no solid plans yet, Mancini said, because the commission does not know how much money they will have.

We're also scenario planning, he said. We're planning if we get $30 million, we're planning if we get $0. The impact is going to be vastly different, depending on where we stand.

The national America 250 commission has been mired in controversy and lawsuits over alleged mismanagement and discrimination, according to multiple reports. CEO Joe Daniels resigned after a single year in the position.

Mancini said the national commission has dangled $10,000 to be an affiliate and to use their logo but the state group has kept the whole thing at an arm's length.

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They haven't earned a lot of trust from the state commissions, he said. There's been a lot of money put in their hands.

Mancini, though, said its an opportunity to reflect on the nations founding principles, and to have the entire anniversary be more meaningful.

We can talk about history, but I think in this civic moment, we feel very frail, he said. We want to create an environment where we're recommitting to democracy and I think if we're not talking about that, if we're not making a meaningful investment in that, then we're missing the whole point of 250 years, if we can't even imagine the next 250.
Statement by Russian Defence Ministry

21.03.2024

At around 15:10 Moscow time, the Russian Armed Forces have foiled the Kiev regime's attempt to launch a terrorist attack using a fixed-wing UAV against the facilities in the Russian Federation. One Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle was shot down by alerted air defence systems over Bryansk region.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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Statement by Russian Defence Ministry

21.03.2024

At around 14:30 Moscow time, the Russian Armed Forces have foiled the Kiev regime's attempt to launch a terrorist attack using a fixed-wing UAV against the facilities in the Russian Federation. One Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle was shot down by alerted air defence systems over Belgorod region.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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Patriots and other air defense systems are now needed in Ukraine, for our cities and communities - address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

President of Ukraine

21 March 2024 - 21:49

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

It's been a long day.

First of all, I would like to thank our defenders of the sky for shooting down the missiles. More than 30, including ballistic. It is very important to ensure such a result for air defense. And with all our partners, we are always talking about increasing our ability to defend the sky. The partners have the air defense systems that are needed for this, and they can help. It is worth doing so. It is worth protecting lives. Patriots and other systems are now needed in Ukraine, for our cities and communities.

On the other hand, every Russian terrorist attack shows that the world's sanctions against Putin's system are not yet sufficient. Every Russian missile used by these savages to attack our country contains components manufactured by companies from other countries - not from Russia. There are at least 53 types of such components in the design of the X-101 missiles. The Kinzhal missile has at least 49 types of components that Russia does not produce. A significant part of them are manufactured by companies in the free world and imported to Russia through various "gray" schemes. It is imperative to block such schemes and all those who facilitate them. More sanctions are needed. Greater accountability for sanctions circumvention schemes is needed. I am grateful to all states and leaders who are doing this. But much more pressure on Russia is needed. Only today, and only in the missiles used against Kyiv, there were at least 1,500 components that were imported to the terrorist state from normal countries. This must be stopped, and the world has the appropriate levers.

Today, I held several meetings with the military and the heads of our intelligence agencies. In particular, we discussed strengthening our defense against Russian terror and our active measures against the occupier. We are preparing good, effective steps.

There were a lot of international activities. First of all, I participated in a meeting of the European Council, which is a traditional format of our interaction with the European Union. Today, we discussed defense support and economic issues, including the continuation of free trade between Ukraine and the EU, as well as the actual start of negotiations on our country's accession.

The second international activity today was a conversation with the Prime Minister of Greece, Mr. Mitsotakis. We discussed bolstering air defense and implementing the security agreements reached during his visit to Ukraine, to our Odesa. We also talked about the preparation of our bilateral security agreement.

Thirdly, the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Bauer, visited Ukraine today. Of course, the key things discussed are support for our soldiers, protection of our people, and bringing closer the time when we will not only be a de facto part of the Alliance in terms of values, but also when this will be a legally established reality.

I thank everyone who supports Ukraine and Ukrainians! I thank everyone who fights and works for our independence, for our strength.

I started this day in Kyiv region, in Moshchun and Hostomel. It is now the second anniversary of the liberation of the towns and villages of Kyiv region from Russian murderers. We must remember and always speak about what Ukraine and Ukrainians have managed to achieve; we must always be grateful to those who, at a crucial time, did not falter, who fight, work, and deliver the necessary results for Ukraine. Everything depends on our own strength - Ukraine can achieve what it needs. Ukraine has proven this. And will, undoubtedly, prevail.

Glory to Ukraine!

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Our Europe needs real defense self-sufficiency - address by the President of Ukraine at the European Council meeting

President of Ukraine

21 March 2024 - 19:57

Dear Charles, dear Ursula, dear Roberta,

And dear colleagues!

Thank you so much! Thank you for this invitation!

Today in Ukraine we remember the battles of the beginning of a full-scale war. In particular, the battle for Kyiv. On these very days two years ago, the Russian army was stopped near our capital. Ukrainians proved then that Russian defeats are not fantasy, but a simple reality that can be ensured. We have to be clear about our common European goal now. It is the same as it was from the beginning. Putin's system must lose in this war against Ukraine. This is Russia's war not only against Ukraine, but against all of us, against your countries as well, against our entire Europe and the European way of life. Putin is trying to expand the opposite system - the opposite of the European system. In his system, human beings do not matter at all. Human rights, the dignity of all communities in society, equality of peoples - all this simply does not exist under Putin's system. He has armed his system. He put all the resources of Russia at its service. And he threw it into war. And he must lose. This is a matter of life and death for everything that is valuable to us in Europe. Nowhere in Europe should violence and degradation prevail, as it does in Russia.

Dear colleagues!

Last night, there was another missile attack against Kyiv. We shot down 31 Russian missiles, including ballistic. We in Ukraine greatly appreciate all the support to our defense. All the air defense provided to Ukraine, in particular by European countries, keeps our cities and villages alive. But the existing air defense systems are not enough to protect our entire territory from Russian terror. And it's not a matter of hundreds of systems, but of an achievable number - to protect all the territory of Ukraine. You all know what steps need to be taken. I urge you to help to protect our cities - Kharkiv, Sumy, Dnipro, Odesa, Kherson and others. We need to give reliable protection to the skies above the frontline. We need to make Putin lose the battle for the Ukrainian sky, and if he does - he will lose the land as well.

Second. Ammunition is also a vital issue. I am grateful for the creation of the Ukraine Assistance Fund amounting to 5 billion euros and for the support of Czechia's initiative to purchase shells for our soldiers. This will help. Thank you. Unfortunately, the use of artillery at the frontline by our soldiers is humiliating for Europe in the sense that Europe can provide more. And it is crucial to prove it now. Because if there is enough support for Ukraine, it will show Putin's buddies that there will be enough support even if this insane person orders the expansion of aggression to other European countries. We should not anticipate what Putin has in store for the Baltics or other parts of Europe if we can destroy his aggressive potential now.

Third. I hope we can all agree that our Europe needs real defense self-sufficiency. This can only be achieved by increasing the production of weapons and ammunition on the continent. Ukraine demonstrates that it can be done quite quickly. Please do not waste the time needed to activate defense production. The technological side of warfare is being updated, and we need to keep up with these changes for the security of each and every European country. We also welcome the EU's initiative to open a Defense Innovation Office in Kyiv. And we also offer to invest in our production of drones - one of the key types of weapons in modern warfare. The potential of our drone production is sufficient. And sufficient funding is needed to realize this potential on the frontline. Everything we build to protect Ukraine will also work to protect our entire Europe.

Fourth. We must remember that Russia's anti-European actions require not only military but also economic and political consolidation. We in Ukraine cannot accept the fact that the background for Russian terror is the pressure on our country in trade issues. I am grateful to all those in Europe who also see this pressure as unacceptable. Now, the issue of trade - in particular the continuation of the trade liberalization regime with the EU, is not just about certain goods but about the ability to withstand Russian aggression. Any loss in trade is a loss of a resource that stops Russia. I propose that we also look at this from an economic perspective. Every single word of Ukraine is backed by facts. Our grain is important for the southern part of the EU, namely for the agricultural sector in Spain and Italy. Our sugar is needed for the Romanian market. Similar facts can be noted for other categories of goods. Over the past year, we have done and are now doing everything to restore the normal volume of our food exports from the ports of Odesa, as well as through the Danube region and Romanian ports. Ukraine has once again become a donor of food security for our traditional export destinations - North Africa and Asia. Europe will benefit from all of this - from cooperation with Ukraine and from our economic opportunities that stabilize parts of the world neighboring Europe. At the same time we see that, unfortunately, Russian access to the European agricultural market is still unrestricted. And when Ukrainian grain is thrown on the roads or railway tracks, Russian products are still being transported to Europe, as well as goods from Putin's controlled Belarus. This is not fair. It is even more unfair when someone tries to break down systematic trade solutions that have been in place for years and work for the strength of the whole Europe. Attempts of trade separatism within Europe weaken the entire continent.

I would also like to focus on joint political actions - on the issue of starting real negotiations on Ukraine's accession. This is one of the key elements in motivating our people in the fight against Russia - Ukrainians need to see the EU getting closer. And especially during these difficult months, we need a sense of convergence between Ukraine and the EU - when Russia is broadcasting to the world that the West is not able to support us in the way we need, and there are such deficits in defense supplies. Ukraine is fulfilling its part of the commitments to internal transformation, and we know that the EU has a negotiating framework ready for your consideration. Its approval could greatly support our people and send the right signal to the whole of Europe after the European Parliament elections in June.

And the last - fifth. We need progress on the fair use of Russia's frozen assets. The aggressor should pay the highest price for the war - this is in line with both the letter and the spirit of the law. This year, we must use Russian assets to protect and restore life in Ukraine, which the aggressor is destroying. This is only fair when both the profits from Russian assets and the assets themselves will serve to rebuild Ukraine after the hostilities, support Ukraine, and, in part, purchase weapons to stop the terror. Russia must feel the real cost of war and the need for a just peace.

Thank you very much! Thank you, Charles, Mr. President, for your leadership!

 NNN!

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President met with the Chair of the NATO Military Committee

President of Ukraine

21 March 2024 - 19:01

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Admiral Robert Bauer, Chair of the NATO Military Committee.

"Thank you for your first visit to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale war. This is a strong signal of support for our society. The support of NATO and its member states is primarily important for the morale of our troops and civilian Ukrainians. We appreciate that we can count on you," the Head of State said.

The President briefed the Chair of the Military Committee on Ukraine's priority defense needs and emphasized the urgent need for additional air defense systems to reliably protect Ukrainians from constant missile and drone attacks.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Robert Bauer discussed opportunities to strengthen the Alliance's coordination role in supporting Ukraine, in particular in enhancing existing defense capabilities, as well as in developing the future military potential of our country in line with NATO standards and interoperability requirements.

The Head of State also outlined the expectations of the Ukrainian side from this year's NATO Summit in Washington.

"We count on fair assessments of our country's achievements and decisions of the Washington Summit that will bring Ukraine closer to NATO membership," the President noted.

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Zelenskyy Urges EU to Use Profits From Frozen Russian Assets to Arm Ukraine

By VOA News March 21, 2024

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged European Union leaders on Thursday to use billions of euros in profits from frozen Russian financial assets to purchase arms for Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

"Russia must feel the real cost of war and the need for a just peace," Zelenskyy, via video link, told the EU leaders who were holding a two-day summit in Brussels.

The European Commission, the EU's executive body, this week proposed moving 90% of profits from the frozen Russian assets to an EU-run fund used to finance arms for Ukraine. The profits made from the assets are estimated to be between 2.5 billion euros, or $2.73 billion, and 3 billion euros annually.

Some European leaders, including those from Belgium and Germany, support the proposal, but others, including Austria's, expressed concern about the plan.

Some Western banks have also come out against the proposal, citing concerns that redistributing the interest earned from frozen Russian assets could lead to litigation against them.

The proposal came as Russia's defense minister said Thursday that Russian artillery shell production had increased by almost 2.5 times over the past year.

In Zelenskyy's comments to the EU leaders, he said it was "humiliating for Europe" that Ukraine did not have enough arms in its war against Russia.

Those remarks came after Russian aerial attacks targeted Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, on Thursday, with the Ukrainian air force saying it had shot down all 31 Russian missiles involved.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram that rocket fragments fell in multiple districts of the city, hitting residential buildings and causing several fires.

Klitschko said at least 10 people were injured.

"Such terror continues every day and night," Zelenskyy said on social media Thursday.

Later in the afternoon, a Russian missile attack on Ukraine's southern city of Mykolaiv killed at least one person and wounded four others, officials said.

Zelenskyy called on the support of Ukraine's partners, particularly in providing air defense systems.

"Russian terrorists do not have missiles capable of bypassing Patriot and other leading world systems," Zelenskyy said. "This protection is required in Ukraine now. From Kyiv to Kharkiv, Sumy to Kherson, and Odesa to the Donetsk region. This is entirely possible if our partners demonstrate sufficient political will."

The attack on Kyiv came a day after Zelenskyy hosted White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan for talks.

Sullivan sought to reassure Ukrainians that the United States continues to support Ukraine and that despite a delay in Congress, billions in aid will get to the country.

"We will get a strong bipartisan vote in Congress," Sullivan said during a press conference, calling it Plan A.

"We will get that money to you as we should, so I don't think we need to speak about Plan B today." He also acknowledged that the process had "taken too long."

Sullivan met with Andriy Yermak, Ukraine's presidential chief of staff. They talked about what Ukraine needs on the battlefield and two upcoming summits: the NATO summit in July in Washington and a peace summit in Switzerland that is not yet scheduled but may happen this spring. Yermak said that China, an ally of Russia, could attend, but Ukraine will not invite Russia.

Climate of fear

In a new report, the United Nations' human rights office said Russia has created a climate of fear in areas of Ukraine it is occupying.

Based on more than 2,300 interviews with victims and witnesses, the report said Moscow's forces had imposed use of the Russian language and basic Russian governance, while suppressing expressions of Ukrainian culture and identity.

"The actions of the Russian Federation have ruptured the social fabric of communities and left individuals isolated, with profound and long-lasting consequences for Ukrainian society as a whole," said Volker TArk, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights.

The report said, "The occupying authorities shut down Ukrainian internet and mobile networks, TV and radio channels, with traffic re-routed through Russian networks, which allowed control over information accessible online and prevented the population from freely receiving information from independent news sources, families or friends. People were encouraged to inform on one another, leaving them afraid even of their own friends and neighbors."

A coalition of Russians fighting for Ukraine, meanwhile, said Thursday that they would continue their cross-border raids into Russia.

"Our struggle continues," the fighters said in a statement. "Soon we will go to other cities."

Some information for this report came from Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

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China maintains communication on possible peace talk in Switzerland on Ukraine crisis: Chinese diplomat

Global Times

By Chen Qingqing and Bai Yunyi Published: Mar 22, 2024 12:43 PM

China's Special Representative on Eurasian Affairs Li Hui who just concluded the second round of shuttle mediation between Russia, Ukraine and other European countries delivered a briefing in Beijing on Friday, saying that China has communicated with Switzerland on a potential peace talk conference, and that any peace talks should be recognized by both Ukraine and Russia.

The briefing was attended by diplomats and embassy representatives in Beijing from more than 78 countries including Russia, Ukraine, Germany, France and EU. As the Russia-Ukraine conflict has been escalating as it enters its third year, as permanent member of the UN Security Council and a responsible country, China has always been committed to mediating and promoting peace, and never standing by idly, Li said.

As the conflict continues to deteriorate, with no signs of tension easing, the most urgent task now is to launch the peace talk as soon as possible, the Chinese diplomat said.

Li visited Russia, the EU headquarters, Poland, Ukraine, Germany and France from March 2 to 12, and held talks with relevant parties on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, had an in-depth exchange of views, and traveled intensively to mediate among different parties and convey information.

All sides attached high importance to Li's visit and commended China's effort of promoting talks for peace, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

"The purpose of our diplomatic shuttle this time is clear, to engage in in-depth communication with Russia and Ukraine, the two war-engulfed countries, as well as with relevant European nations, and based on the latest developments in the current situation, to jointly seek ways for an early political resolution of the crisis," Li said.

The Chinese diplomat also shared some prominent impressions about the visit. In Russia, Chinese and Russian diplomats held in-depth conversations and both believed that maintaining dialogue on the main crisis reflects the high-level strategic coordination between the two countries. Russia appreciates China's efforts in carrying out the second round of shuttle diplomacy during the crisis and recognized that the Ukraine crisis has to be resolved ultimately by negotiation, Li said.

The Russian side also raised its own opinions on peace talks, reiterating its willingness to engage in comprehensive negotiations on the Ukraine crisis.

The Chinese diplomat also emphasized that the Ukrainian side also attached great importance to his visit. The Ukrainian side expressed that they highly value the Ukraine-China relations, and are willing to push forward the bilateral relations and trade ties while maintaining the people-to-people exchanges.

Li also stressed that the Ukrainian side refuted some false claims that China is deliberately keeping its distance from the country, saying that the bilateral relations have not been affected.

The Ukrainian side also appreciates China's balancing position on the crisis and the position paper that China released on resolving the Ukraine crisis, hoping China to continue playing the constructive role, Li told at the briefing.

The Chinese diplomat also shared some impressions from his most recent round of shuttle diplomacy, saying that more than two years into this crisis, he did not see any signs of de-escalation but the consensus for peace talk is on rise despite relatively big differences for the peace talk still remaining as each side sticks to their own position. But they all agree that this crisis should end ultimately by negotiation, Li said.

He also noted that all parties expect that China will play a bigger and constructive role as they all recognized its call for de-escalating the conflict. And as a UN Security Council permanent member and a common friend to Russia and Ukraine, China can carry on the mediation effort to accumulate more positive factors for peace talk.

When it comes to a possible peace talk conference hosted by the Switzerland, Li said he has discussed this matter with the Swiss side in Brussels during his just concluded visit. He also believes that any peace talk conference should be recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, and should be joined equally by parties involved with all peace solutions openly discussed.

Starting from last year, relevant countries had hosted multiple rounds of international conference on the Ukraine crisis, and some may probably ask why China didn't participate in the follow-up conferences after the Jeddah conference in August 2023, Li noted.

"What I can tell you is that the Chinese side believes that conferences of this kind fail to invite the two major stakeholders to join, and what's been discussed on the table is the proposals from one side... These kind of conferences lacked representation and failed to deliver concrete results," Li said, noting that such conferences won't play an active role in promoting peace.

More and more countries from the global south are agreeing on this, the Chinese diplomat added.

While the peace talk conference in Switzerland is still in preparation, Li said the Chinese side is willing to maintain the communication with all relevant sides.

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New York, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Muscular Dystrophy Associations funding of foundational research leads to new drug approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Duvyzat (givinostat), a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor to treat children and adolescents living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). This drug changes gene expression in cells by altering the three-dimensional folding of DNA and has shown that it can slow DMD progression. Duvyzat (givinostat) will be made available in the United States by ITF Therapeutics.

Results from a phase 3 clinical trial of Duvyzat (givinostat) recently published in The Lancet demonstrated a significantly smaller decline in stair climbing ability in treated patients compared to a placebo control group.

"The approval of Duvyzat (givinostat) provides another significant treatment option for people living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, said Sharon Hesterlee, PhD, Chief Research Officer, MDA. As more drugs are approved for DMD we look forward to understanding if and how they might be used in combination.

Pier Lorenzo Puris group based at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute in San Diego performed the studies that led to the discovery of HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) for treatment of DMD since 2004. These studies were performed in close collaboration with the lab Puri led in Rome in Scientific Park of Castel Romano (2002-2007) and at Fondazione Santa Lucia (2008-2018).

Muscular Dystrophy Associations funding was fundamental for the discovery of HDACi in the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We are grateful to MDA to have enabled studies that support the important pre-clinical evidence that HDACi exerted beneficial effects in the mouse model of DMD. These studies provided the initial experimental evidence that led me to contact Italfarmaco to test givinostat, as a HDACi that was already in clinical trial for other diseases and could have been easily repurposed for DMD, said Pier Lorenzo Puri, M.D., Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute.

For decades, MDA has awarded many research grants to fund investigators worldwide and their promising early-stage science. These grants support the foundational discoveries that enable future clinical translation, such as with Duvyzat (givinostat).

Since the way Duvyzat (givinostat) works is different from other treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the combination of this new drug with other therapies may further improve the lives of our patients living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, said Barry Byrne, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Advisor, MDA and the Associate Chair of Pediatrics and Director of the Powell Gene Therapy Center at the University of Florida.

Were excited to celebrate this additional treatment option for people living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This approval demonstrates the FDAs understanding of the importance of slowing disease progression in diseases like Duchenne, and how meaningful that is to the community. We are proud to partner with the FDA to help speed the approval of new therapies that slow disease progression and ensure the voice of patients and their families is heard, said Paul Melmeyer, Vice President, Public Policy and Advocacy, MDA.

Being part of the Muscular Dystrophy Association is everything. From the MDA Care Center Network and Resource Center to the industry development, educational resources, and advocacy and so much more, because of MDA when people are diagnosed, they have such a wide range of resources. When my son Conner was diagnosed nine years ago, there were 10 drugs in the pipeline for DMD and steroids possibly if you chose to do that -- and really not much else. With this new FDA approval, it's amazing because of the MDA, they've funded the seed research, for a lot of the drugs that are now in the pipeline or already approved. And parents have choices. It is more than fair to say that the Muscular Dystrophy Association has improved lives. My son is an example, said Jessica Curran, MDA family member and mother of Conner who lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

About Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare and progressive genetic muscle disease caused by the lack of a critical membrane-stabilizing protein called dystrophin, which results in muscle degeneration and weakness. DMD symptom onset is in early childhood, usually between ages 2 and 3. The disease primarily affects boys, but in rare cases it can affect girls. In Europe and North America, the prevalence of DMD is approximately 6 per 100,000 individuals. Doctors often diagnose the disease between ages 3 and 6 when children show early signs of significant muscle weakness, such as delayed ability to sit, stand, or walk and difficulties learning to speak. Over time, DMD becomes fatal as muscle degeneration disrupts lung and heart function.

MDAs Legacy in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research

Since our inception, MDA has invested over $229 million in research for Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy. The discovery of the dystrophin gene in the 1980s by MDA-funded research marked the beginning of our understanding of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy. This discovery has been foundational in the development of treatments like Duvyzat (givinostat).

For support and guidance, families and medical professionals in the neuromuscular community may contact the MDA Resource Center, ResourceCenter@mdausa.org.

About Muscular Dystrophy Association

Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is the #1 voluntary health organization in the United States for people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases. For over 70 years, MDA has led the way in accelerating research, advancing care, and advocating for the support of our families. MDA's mission is to empower the people we serve to live longer, more independent lives. To learn more visit mda.org and follow MDA on Instagram, Facebook, X, Threads, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

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Austin, TX, USA, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Custom Market Insights has published a new research report titled India Luxury Hotel Market Size, Trends and Insights By Type (Business Hotels, Airport Hotels, Suite Hotels, Resorts, Others), By Category (Chain, Independent), and By Region - Industry Overview, Statistical Data, Competitive Analysis, Share, Outlook, and Forecast 20232032 in its research database.

According to the latest research study, the demand of India Luxury Hotel Market size & share was valued at approximately USD 29.4 Billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 32.4 Billion in 2023 and is expected to reach a value of around USD 62.2 Billion by 2032, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 8.1% during the forecast period 2023 to 2032.

Click Here to Access a Free Sample Report of the India Luxury Hotel Market @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/request-for-free-sample/?reportid=42249

Indian Luxury Hotel Market: Overview

A luxury hotel is a high-end accommodation facility that surpasses conventional standards, offering a premium and opulent experience to guests. Characterized by exceptional service, sophisticated design, and lavish amenities.

The luxury hotel market in India is witnessing dynamic trends reflecting changing consumer preferences and industry dynamics. Customized experiences tailored to individual tastes, wellness offerings, and sustainability practices have become prominent.

The integration of technology, such as contactless check-ins and smart room features, aligns with modern expectations. Unique collaborations between luxury hotel chains and local businesses enhance the cultural and culinary experiences offered to guests.

The rise of experiential travel has led to an emphasis on curated activities, including local tours and authentic cultural engagements.

Additionally, eco-friendly initiatives, from sustainable architecture to responsible sourcing of materials, are gaining importance, reflecting a growing consciousness towards environmental impact. As Indias economy continues to grow, the luxury hotel market is evolving to meet the diverse demands of both domestic and international luxury travelers.

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By type, the business hotels segment held the highest market share in 2022 and is expected to keep its dominance during the forecast period 2023-2032. Current trends in Indian luxury business hotels emphasize technology integration for seamless experiences, eco-friendly practices, and flexible workspaces to cater to the evolving needs of business travelers.

By category, chain operated hotels segment held the highest market share in 2022 and is expected to keep its dominance during the forecast period 2024-2032. In the Indian luxury hotel market, key trends in chain-operated hotels include a focus on sustainable practices, integration of advanced technology for enhanced guest experiences, curated wellness offerings, and personalized services. These trends reflect evolving consumer preferences and contribute to the growth and competitiveness of luxury hotel chains in India.

South India burgeoning luxury hotel market is propelled by a fusion of cultural richness and burgeoning business hubs. The rise of experiential travel, demand for sustainable and wellness-focused offerings, and a growing affluent middle class further drive the demand for upscale accommodations.

The regions historical landmarks, IT-driven corporate travel, and a growing affluent demographic contribute to the demand for upscale hospitality experiences, shaping key trends in the luxury hotel market.

Report Scope

Feature of the Report Details Market Size in 2023 USD 32.4 Billion Projected Market Size in 2032 USD 62.2 Billion Market Size in 2022 USD 29.4 Billion CAGR Growth Rate 8.1% CAGR Base Year 2022 Forecast Period 2023-2032 Key Segment By Type, Category and Region Report Coverage Revenue Estimation and Forecast, Company Profile, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors and Recent Trends Country Scope India Buying Options Request tailored purchasing options to fulfil your requirements for research.

(A free sample of the India Luxury Hotel report is available upon request; please contact us for more information.)

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Provide detailed chapter-by-chapter guidance on the Request.

Updated Regional Analysis with a Graphical Representation of Size, Share, and Trends for the Year 2023

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The most recent version of the report includes the Top Market Players, their Business Strategies, Sales Volume, and Revenue Analysis

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(Please note that the sample of the India Luxury Hotel report has been modified to include the COVID-19 impact study prior to delivery.)

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Custom Market Insights has comprehensively analyzed India luxury hotel market . The driving forces, restraints, challenges, opportunities, and key trends have been explained in depth to depict depth scenarios of the market. Segment wise market size and market share during the forecast period are duly addressed to portray the probable picture of this Indian luxury hotel industry.

The competitive landscape includes key innovators, after market service providers, market giants as well as niche players are studied and analyzed extensively concerning their strengths, weaknesses as well as value addition prospects. In addition, this report covers key players profiling, market shares, mergers and acquisitions, consequent market fragmentation, new trends and dynamics in partnerships.

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Key questions answered in this report:

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Market Share, Size & Forecast by Revenue | 20232032

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Competitive Landscape  Top Key Vendors and Other Prominent Vendors

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India Luxury Hotel Market: Regional Analysis

India luxury hotel market is segmented into South India, North India, West India and East India. South India dominated the global market in 2022 with a market share of 45% in 2022 and is expected to keep its dominance during the forecast period 2023-2032.

South India plays a pivotal role in propelling the luxury hotel market in India due to its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and growing economic influence. The regions historical attractions, such as ancient temples and palaces, coupled with scenic destinations, attract both domestic and international high-end travellers.

Cities like Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad, being major IT hubs, contribute significantly to business tourism, fostering the demand for luxury accommodations. South Indias culinary delights, traditional art forms, and wellness practices also enhance the appeal of luxury experiences.

As the region witnesses economic growth, an increasing affluent class and corporate travel further boost the demand for upscale hospitality. The incorporation of cultural allure, business opportunities, and a rising affluent demographic positions South India as a driving force in shaping and expanding the luxury hotel market across the country.

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List of the prominent players in the Indian Luxury Hotel Market:

OYO

Lemon Tree Hotel

Treebo

Hyatt Hotels Corporation

InterContinental Hotel Groups

Marriott International

Radisson Blue Hotels

Shangri La Hotels & Resorts

Taj Hotels Resorts & Places

The Lalit Hotels

The Leela Palace

The Oberoi Group

The Park Hotels

Bharat Hotels Limited

Hotel Leela Venture Limited

ITC Hotels Limited

The Indian Hotels Company Limited

Sarovar Hotels Private Limited

Marriott Hotels India Private Limited

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

Others

Marriott International aims to expand its India portfolio to 250 hotels by 2025, with plans to open over 100 properties in at least ten new cities, according to CNBC-TV18. The hotel chain currently operates 140 hotels across the country.

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The Indian Luxury Hotel Market is segmented as follows:

By Type

Business Hotels

Airport Hotels

Suite Hotels

Resorts

Others

By Category

Chain

Independent

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This India Luxury Hotel Market Research/Analysis Report Contains Answers to the following Questions.

Which Trends Are Causing These Developments?

Who Are the Key Players in This India Luxury Hotel Market? What are Their Company Profile, Product Information, and Contact Information?

What Was the Market Status of the India Luxury Hotel Market? What Was the Capacity, Production Value, Cost and PROFIT of the India Luxury Hotel Market?

What Is the Current Market Status of the India Luxury Hotel Industry? What's Market Competition in This Industry, Both Company and Country Wise? What's Market Analysis of India Luxury Hotel Market by Considering Applications and Types?

What Are Projections of the India Luxury Hotel Industry Considering Capacity, Production and Production Value? What Will Be the Estimation of Cost and Profit? What Will Be Market Share, Supply and Consumption? What about imports and exports?

What Is India Luxury Hotel Market Chain Analysis by Upstream Raw Materials and Downstream Industry?

What Is the Economic Impact On India Luxury Hotel Industry? What are Macroeconomic Environment Analysis Results? What Are Macroeconomic Environment Development Trends?

What Are Market Dynamics of India Luxury Hotel Market? What Are Challenges and Opportunities?

What Should Be Entry Strategies, Countermeasures to Economic Impact, and Marketing Channels for India Luxury Hotel Industry?

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India Luxury Hotel Market Report provides qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market based on segmentation involving economic and non-economic factors.

India Luxury Hotel Market report outlines market value (USD) data for each segment and sub-segment.

This report indicates the region and segment expected to witness the fastest growth and dominate the market.

India Luxury Hotel Market Analysis by geography highlights the consumption of the product/service in the region and indicates the factors affecting the market within each region.

The competitive landscape incorporates the market ranking of the major players, along with new service/product launches, partnerships, business expansions, and acquisitions in the past five years of companies profiled.

Extensive company profiles comprising company overview, company insights, product benchmarking, and SWOT analysis for the major market players.

The Industry's current and future market outlook concerning recent developments (which involve growth opportunities and drivers as well as challenges and restraints of both emerging and developed regions.

India Luxury Hotel Market Includes in-depth market analysis from various perspectives through Porter's five forces analysis and provides insight into the market through Value Chain.

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According to the component, application, and industry vertical, this study analyzes the market qualitatively and quantitatively. Additionally, the report offers comparable data for the important regions.

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Participants and stakeholders worldwide India Luxury Hotel market should find this report useful. The research will be useful to all market participants in the India Luxury Hotel industry.

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Dublin, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Indonesia Construction Equipment Rental Market - Strategic Assessment & Forecast 2024-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Indonesia construction equipment rental market was valued at $474.1 in 2023 and is expected to reach a value of $794.8 million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 8.99% from 2023-2029

The rental earthmoving equipment accounted for the largest market share of the Indonesia construction equipment rental market in 2023. Rental excavators in the earthmoving segment accounted for the largest share in 2023. Rising investment in housing, port expansion, and public infrastructure projects is expected to drive the demand for rental excavators in Indonesia's construction equipment rental market.

The region government's ambitious USD 430 billion investment in infrastructure projects from 2021 to 2024, particularly in transportation (roads, railways, ports), is a significant driver for the Indonesia construction equipment rental market growth. Rising coal and nickel extraction demand is boosting the need for heavy equipment rentals. Renting equipment reduces upfront costs for contractors, especially for short-term projects. The construction sector is a key contributor to Indonesia's GDP, typically accounting for 10%.

Caterpillar, Komatsu, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Kobelco, Zoomlion, XCMG, SANY, and Volvo CE are leaders in the Indonesia construction equipment rental market. These companies have strong market share and offer diverse sets of equipment. HD Hyundai Construction, Liugong, Yanmar, Tadano, Manitou, and Bobcat are niche players in the Indonesian construction equipment rental market. These companies offer low product diversification and have a strong presence in the Indonesian local market.

MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

Renting of Electric & Hydrogen Fuel Construction Equipment



Environmental concerns in Indonesia reached new heights in 2023, fueled by the government's ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. This has sparked a significant shift towards environmentally friendly solutions across various industries, including construction. Traditional, diesel-powered construction equipment has been scrutinized for contributing to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

As a result, the demand for electric construction machinery in Indonesia saw a notable rise in 2023. Government initiatives to reduce carbon emissions played a crucial role in this surge, incentivizing companies to explore cleaner alternatives. Further, the Indonesian construction equipment rental market is expected to grow significantly due to a rising demand for electric and hydrogen-powered options.



Surge in Renting of Large Excavators & Dump Trucks

The Indonesian government has invested heavily in infrastructure projects, including airports, railways, highways, and bridges. This has led to a high demand for earthmoving equipment.

There has been a rise in mining activities, particularly for coal and nickel. This has driven the demand for large excavators and dump trucks that extract and transport materials.

The Indonesia construction equipment rental market witnessed growth in the demand for large crawler excavators and dump trucks due to a rise in nickel and coal mining activities in the country in 2023.

Growth in the Mining Industry to Boost the Indonesia Construction Equipment Rental Market



The mining industry was one of the significant contributors to the Indonesian GDP in 2023. Industry accounted for over 5% of it in 2023. According to a report from the Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS), the mining industry witnessed a sharp growth in 2023; the industry's mineral export value reached USD 5.93 billion, a growth of 103% compared to 2022. Also, the iron ore industry recorded the most significant increase of 25.78% in the mining and quarrying sub-sector in 2023.



Rise in Infrastructure Investment Boosting the Indonesian Construction Equipment Rental Market

The Indonesian government aims to invest USD 430 billion in infrastructure development projects from 2021 to 2024, a 20% rise in infrastructure investments from the last investment plan in 2015-2020.

In 2023, the Indonesian government planned 49 projects, including 33 PPP and 16 non-PPP projects. The 33 PPP projects include 18 road sector projects, four telecommunication sector projects, one electricity sector project, six water supply sector projects, three transportation sector projects, and one energy conservation sector project. A total investment value of over USD 38 billion is planned for these infrastructure projects.

A rise in infrastructure projects in the region is expected to drive the growth of the Indonesia construction equipment rental market during the forecast period.

Government Investment Under National Strategic Projects



The government plans to invest USD 430 billion in projects from 2021 to 2024, representing a 20% increase from the previous investment plan. Some key projects driving demand for rental construction equipment:

Toll Road Development: This sector boasts several projects, including Trans-Sumatra, Trans-Java, and Trans-Papua toll roads, requiring earthmoving equipment, cranes, and trucks.

New Airport Construction: Projects like the new Yogyakarta International Airport and the relocation of the capital city to Nusantara necessitate diverse equipment for various stages of construction.

Railway Expansion: Plans for high-speed rail and expansion of existing networks will utilize track-laying machinery, excavators, and heavy-duty cranes.

INDUSTRY RESTRAINTS

Rising Building Material Prices Can Hamper Construction Industry



In 2023, fuel and oil prices rose in the Indonesian market. The increase in fuel prices is expected to affect other commodities, including housing and property sectors. It will also affect the prices of building materials such as iron, cement, sand, steel, and brick. Further, the cost of construction projects of buildings for roads, bridges, and ports increased by 9.6%, followed by the cost of installations of electricity, gas, water, and communication centers, which rose by 5.6%. The construction cost of residential building projects also witnessed a growth of 4.2% in 2023.



Shortage of Skilled Labor Due to High Dependency on Foreign Labor



Indonesia has been facing a shortage of skilled labor. The country needs ~113 million skilled workers by 2030 to achieve economic growth in the manufacturing, infrastructure, and agribusiness sectors. Furthermore, the country depends on foreign and cheap labor from Bangladesh, Nepal, and India.

According to Caterpillar Indonesia, the improper handling of construction machinery is one of the significant challenges facing the Indonesia construction equipment rental market. Also, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 triggered a shortage of skilled labor in the region. The lockdown situations and insurgence of the second wave of infection further impacted the Indonesian labor market in 2022 and 2023.



Policy to Allow Foreign-Manufactured Equipment

Government policies have sidelined local heavy equipment manufacturers in Indonesia as they allow imports of used construction equipment into the market, and such factors have impacted the growth of the Indonesian construction equipment rental market.

There is a surge in government infrastructure projects in the country. Large infrastructure projects are carried out by foreign contractors that import their equipment, both used and new machinery.

In addition, there are other challenges, such as the free entry of heavy equipment for projects funded by China and Japan.

Contractors prefer to use construction equipment for infrastructure projects to reduce the overall project cost.

KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED

How big is the Indonesia construction equipment rental market?

What is the growth rate of the Indonesia construction equipment rental market?

Who are the key players in the Indonesia construction equipment rental market?

What are the trends in the Indonesia construction equipment rental market?

Which are the primary distributor companies in the Indonesia construction equipment rental market?

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 199 Forecast Period 2023 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $474.1 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $794.8 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 8.9% Regions Covered Indonesia

VENDOR LANDSCAPE

Prominent Vendors

Caterpillar

Komatsu

JCB

Volvo Construction Equipment

Hitachi Construction Machinery

Kubota

SANY

Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Co. Ltd. (XCMG)

Liebherr

Kobelco

Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co., Ltd.

SUMITOMO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.

Other Prominent Vendors

Hyundai Construction Equipment

LiuGong

Yanmar

Tadano

Takeuchi Manufacturing

Manitou

KATO WORKS CO., LTD.

GEHL

Bobcat

Terex Corporation

CNH Industrial

AIRMAN

Eurocomach

Ammann

Haulotte

Toyota Material Handling

SAKAI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.

Xiamen XGMA Machinery Company Limited

Rental Companies

Aktio Corporation

PT. Coates Hire

PT. Rental Crane Indonesia (RCI)

Kanamoto

PT. Berlian Amal Perkasa Construction & Rental

Nishio

PT. Indonesia Classification Company

PT Kobexindo Tractors Tbx (KOBEX)

PT. Madhani Talatah Nusantara (MTN)

CV. Mitra Perdana Equipment (MPE)

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/sgxude

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
A community members shares advice for future generations at an event hosted by the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History. The museum recently completed a project documenting COVID in Connecticut. Courtesy of the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History

Everyone in Connecticut has a story (or a dozen) of how the COVID-19 pandemic affected them. A select few will now have those memories recorded as part of a newly completed archive of the period.

The Connecticut Museum of Culture and History, formerly known as the Connecticut Historical Society, has finished a two-year project of collecting pandemic-related oral histories and artifacts, some of which will be digitized and all of which will be preserved as a lasting record of the COVID era.

"We have everything from elected officials to people experiencing homelessness," said Ilene Frank, the museum's deputy executive director. "It's a range of viewpoints, and I'm really happy about that."

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In total, the museum collected 73 interviews spanning more than 64 hours of audio, as well as hundreds of artifacts, including empty vaccine vials, signs warning of social distancing restrictions and a plush Dr. Anthony Fauci doll that was made in Connecticut.

The project, launched with a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, focused particularly on vulnerable communities whose experiences are sometimes lost or overshadowed in the historical record. After initially targeting Hartford, Norwich and New Haven, it soon expanded to include interviews with people in 22 towns across the state.

About two dozen of the interviews are currently available online for anyone who wants to listen, and Frank said the full collection will soon be published on a new site. On Saturday, the museum will host an event marking the end of the project, which will include a panel of people interviewed about their experiences.

Abbie Cowan, who started on the project as an intern and now works full-time at the museum, conducted many of the interviews now in the archive. Her favorites, she said, include a conversation with a New Haven woman who braved COVID as her partner fought cancer and her son struggled with remote learning, as well as a group interview with Hartford teenagers whose high school years were disrupted in ways she could hardly believe.

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Cowan said she was surprised how much interview subjects seemed to benefit from sharing their stories.

"At the end, people would thank us," she said. "One comment we got was, 'That was so therapeutic, thank you so much, I didn't realize how much I needed this."

Though the museum will no longer be collecting COVID oral histories and artifacts moving forward, it has received federal funding to continue conducting interviews about contemporary life in Connecticut, with an emphasis on "unsung heroes or community change-makers" in towns across Connecticut," Frank said.

Shiela Hayes, then president of the Norwich NAACP chapter, was one of the first people interviewed for the COVID history project and will appear on the museum's panel Saturday. In an interview Thursday, she said she appreciates that the museum recorded the stories of regular Connecticut residents, not only prominent or wealthy ones.

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"This project really sought to gather the histories of ordinary, everyday people," she said, "and gather it across different cross-sections and different regions of the state."

Hayes, who last year was elected to Norwich's city council, lamented that most people didn't know what they were in for when COVID first hit four years ago. Part of why she agreed to be interviewed for the oral history project, she said, was so that future generations facing a crisis will have a record to look back on for guidance.

"I looked at it as an opportunity, that this will outlast my lifetime," she said. "Hopefully in 100 years from now, if another pandemic happens, people will listen and learn from some of the experiences that we didn't know we were going to go through."

Over two years of collecting interviews, staff at the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History noticed a shift in attitudes about the COVID era. Whereas people had once been anxious to share their memories, at a certain part they seemed reluctant to revisit the worst of the pandemic.

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Frank said she knew it was time to wind down the project when people the museum approached for interviews began to turn down the chance to share.

But even if many Connecticut residents aren't anxious at the moment to think about COVID, Frank said, dozens of memories will be preserved for whenever they do.

"We want people to know that this stuff is out there," she said. "And even if they don't have a desire to see it now, we want it recorded and documented that this is now a part of the collection."
Dublin, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Microgrid Market Report by Energy Source (Natural Gas, Combined Heat and Power, Solar Photovoltaic (PV), Diesel, Fuel Cell, and Others), Application (Remote Systems, Institution and Campus, Utility/Community, Defence, and Others), and Region 2024-2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global microgrid market size reached US$ 32.1 billion in 2023. The market is projected to reach US$ 74.5 billion by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8% during 2023-2032. The growing demand for enhanced energy security, along with the need for reliable power, rising need for cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, and increasing demand for cost-effective energy systems are some of the major factors propelling the market.





A microgrid is a localized and small-scale energy system that generates, distributes, and manages electricity independently or in conjunction with the main power grid. It typically includes a combination of renewable energy sources, energy storage devices, and conventional generators. It can operate autonomously or disconnect from the main grid during power outages or emergencies and ensure a reliable and continuous power supply to a specific area or facility. As it is highly flexible and can be customized to meet unique energy needs, the demand for microgrid is increasing across the globe.

North America held the biggest market share due to the presence of well-developed energy infrastructure. Apart from this, the rising awareness about maintaining sustainability is contributing to the growth of the market in the region. In line with this, increasing advancements in microgrid technology are propelling the growth of the market. Besides this, favorable government initiatives are supporting the growth of the market in the North America region.



Key players are improving the technologies of these grids by developing more efficient energy storage solutions, advanced control systems, and integrated renewable energy sources to enhance the performance and resilience of the product. Additionally, they are closely working with their clients to design and implement customized solutions tailored to specific energy needs and objectives. This involves assessing the unique requirements of each customer, such as industrial facilities, communities, or commercial properties, and designing these grids accordingly.

Moreover, companies are developing grid-interactive microgrids that can both support local loads and provide grid services, such as frequency regulation and grid stabilization. They are also developing cost-effective and sustainable solutions that can operate independently and reliably in challenging environments.



At present, the rising adoption of microgrids, as they promote energy efficiency, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and enhance grid resilience, is bolstering the growth of the market. In line with this, increasing concerns about reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions around the world are strengthening the growth of the market. Moreover, governing agencies of various countries are encouraging the adoption of microgrids by offering several incentives, which is contributing to the growth of the market.

In addition, advancements in microgrid technology, such as improved control systems, energy storage solutions, and grid management software, are offering lucrative growth opportunities to industry investors. Furthermore, the rising demand for resilient infrastructure during natural disasters and cybersecurity threats is supporting the growth of the market. Apart from this, the increasing adoption of energy systems that have low transmission losses is impelling the growth of the market.



Microgrid Market Trends/Drivers

Rising demand for enhanced energy security



The rising demand for enhanced energy security and reliability in various industries, communities, and critical facilities is bolstering the growth of the market. Traditional centralized power grids are vulnerable to disruptions from natural disasters, cyberattacks, and equipment failures, resulting in costly downtime and potential safety risks.

On the other hand, microgrids offer a solution by providing a decentralized, self-sufficient energy system that can seamlessly disconnect from the main grid during outages. These grids use advanced control systems to detect grid disturbances and autonomously switch to island mode while ensuring an uninterrupted power supply. This capability is especially crucial for critical infrastructure like hospitals, data centers, and military bases, where continuous power is vital for survival.



Increasing need for cleaner and more sustainable energy sources



The increasing need for cleaner and more sustainable energy sources is contributing to the growth of the market. In addition, these grids are ideally suited to incorporate renewable energy generation, such as solar panels and wind turbines. They can effectively balance the intermittent nature of renewables with energy storage systems and ensure a stable power supply.

Apart from this, this integration of renewables assists in reducing reliance on fossil fuels, lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and aligns with the sustainability goals. Furthermore, the rising demand for microgrids due to the declining costs of solar and wind technologies is propelling the growth of the market.



Growing demand for cost-effective energy systems



The escalating demand for cost-effective energy systems to reduce the operational costs of a business is impelling the growth of the market. In line with this, microgrids allow organizations to generate power locally and efficiently, reducing the need to purchase expensive electricity from the grid. By optimizing the use of renewable energy sources, combined with energy storage and efficient demand management, these grids can significantly lower operational costs.

Apart from this, for remote and off-grid applications, such as mining operations or rural communities, these grids provide an affordable and sustainable solution to access electricity and eliminate the need for expensive long-distance power transmission infrastructure, which is offering a positive market outlook.

Key Questions Answered in This Report

How big is the microgrid market?

What is the future of microgrids?

What are the key factors driving the global microgrid market?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global microgrid market?

What is the breakup of the global microgrid market based on the energy source?

What is the breakup of the global microgrid market based on the application?

What are the key regions in the global microgrid market?

Who are the microgrid market players?

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 140 Forecast Period 2023 - 2032 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $32.1 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2032 $74.5 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 9.8% Regions Covered Global

Competition Analysis

Lockheed Martin Corporation

ABB Ltd

General Electric Company (GE)

Eaton Corporation PLC

Siemens AG

Microgrid Industry Segmentation:



Breakup by Energy Source:

Natural Gas

Combined Heat and Power

Solar Photovoltaic (PV)

Diesel

Fuel Cell

Others

Breakup by Application:

Remote Systems

Institution and Campus

Utility/Community

Defence

Others

Breakup by Region:

North America

Asia-Pacific

Europe

Middle East and Africa

Latin America

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/umgnk2

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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MONTREAL, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier Inc. (Bombardier or the Company) today announced the commencement of a tender offer (the Tender Offer) to purchase for cash up to US$400,000,000 aggregate purchase price (exclusive of accrued and unpaid interest) (as such aggregate purchase price may be increased or decreased by the Company, the Aggregate Maximum Purchase Amount) of its outstanding Notes listed in the table below (the Notes). The Tender Offer will be financed, together with cash on hand, by the amounts raised in Bombardiers offering of new Senior Notes (the New Offering) (net of transaction fees and expenses). The Tender Offer is being made pursuant to an Offer to Purchase dated March 22, 2024 (the Offer to Purchase).



The table below summarizes certain payment terms for the Tender Offer:

Title of Note CUSIP / ISIN

(144A) CUSIP / ISIN

(Reg S) Principal

Amount

Outstanding Tender Offer

Consideration

(1)(2) Early

Tender

Payment

(1) Total

Consideration

(1)(2)(3)

7.125% Senior

Notes due 2026 097751 BV2 /

US097751BV25 C10602 BJ5 /

USC10602BJ59 US $1,000,996,000 US$987.50 US $30.00 US$1,017.50

___________

Per US$1,000 principal amount of Notes accepted for purchase. Excludes accrued and unpaid interest, which will be paid in addition to the Tender Offer Consideration or the Total Consideration, as applicable. Includes the applicable Early Tender Payment.

The Tender Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m. New York City time, on April 19, 2024 unless extended or earlier terminated (such date and time, including as extended or earlier terminated, the "Expiration Date"). Registered holders (each, a "Holder" and collectively, the "Holders") of the Notes must validly tender their Notes at or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 4, 2024 (such date and time, including as extended or earlier terminated, the "Early Tender Date") in order to be eligible to receive the Early Tender Payment in addition to the Tender Offer Consideration (as defined below).

Tenders of the Notes may be withdrawn at any time at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 4, 2024, unless extended or earlier terminated (the Withdrawal Deadline), and not thereafter, except in certain limited circumstances where withdrawal rights are required by applicable law.

The Notes will be purchased subject to possible proration of the Notes on the Early Settlement Date (as defined below) or the Final Settlement Date (as defined below) as will be determined in accordance with the terms of the Tender Offer; provided that Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Early Tender Date will be accepted for purchase in priority to Notes tendered after the Early Tender Date.

Accordingly, if the aggregate total purchase price payable for the Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Early Tender Date and accepted for purchase equals or exceeds the Aggregate Maximum Purchase Amount, then Holders who validly tender Notes after the Early Tender Date will not have any such Notes accepted for payment (unless the terms of the Tender Offer are amended by the Company in its sole and absolute discretion).

If, on the Early Settlement Date or Final Settlement Date, as applicable, only a portion of the tendered Notes may be accepted for purchase, the aggregate principal amount of Notes accepted for purchase will be prorated based upon the aggregate principal amount of Notes that have been validly tendered and not yet accepted for purchase in the Tender Offer, such that the Aggregate Maximum Purchase Amount will not be exceeded.

The Total Consideration includes, in each case, an early tender payment (the Early Tender Payment) of US$30.00 for each US$1,000 principal amount of the Notes, which Early Tender Payment is in addition to the Tender Offer Consideration (as defined below).

Subject to purchase in accordance the Aggregate Maximum Purchase Amount and possible proration, Holders validly tendering Notes (that have not been validly withdrawn) at or prior to the Early Tender Date will be eligible to receive the Total Consideration listed in the table above, which includes the Early Tender Payment, on the Early Settlement Date, which is expected to be April 9, 2024, but that may change without notice. Holders validly tendering Notes after the Early Tender Date but at or prior to the Expiration Date will only be eligible to receive the Tender Offer Consideration listed in the table on the Final Settlement Date. The Final Settlement Date is expected to be the third business day after the Expiration Date, which means that the Final Settlement Date is expected to be April 24, 2024, but that may change without notice. In addition to the Total Consideration or Tender Offer Consideration, Holders whose Notes are accepted for purchase will also receive accrued and unpaid interest from the last interest payment date to, but not including, the applicable settlement date.

As explained in the Offer to Purchase, the Company reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to, among other things, increase or decrease the Aggregate Maximum Purchase Amount at any time without extending the Early Tender Date or the Withdrawal Deadline or otherwise reinstating withdrawal rights for the Tender Offer, subject to compliance with applicable law, which could result in the Companys purchasing a greater or lesser amount of Notes in the Tender Offer.

The obligation of the Company to accept for purchase, and to pay for, Notes validly tendered pursuant to the Tender Offer is subject to, and conditioned upon, the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions as set forth in the Offer to Purchase, in the sole and absolute discretion of the Company, including the Companys completion of the New Offering prior to April 9, 2024, on terms satisfactory to the Company, the proceeds of which New Offering (net of transaction fees and expenses), together with cash on hand, will be used to fund a partial redemption of the Companys outstanding 7.875% Senior Notes due 2027 (the 2027 Notes), of which there is US$1,733 million aggregate principal amount outstanding on the date hereof, and to finance the Companys purchase of Notes pursuant to the Tender Offer. The Company intends to complete the New Offering prior to April 9, 2024. Its obligation to accept for purchase any Notes pursuant to the Tender Offer is expressly conditioned on the completion of the New Offering on terms satisfactory to the Company. For avoidance of doubt, references in the Offer to Purchase to completion of the New Offering mean completion of the closing under such New Offering at which closing the Company receives the anticipated proceeds from the New Offering. No assurance can be given that the New Offering will be completed on the terms currently envisioned or at all. If such conditions shall not have been satisfied (or waived by the Company), no payments will be made to tendering Holders on the Early Settlement Date or Final Settlement Date, as applicable. The Tender Offer is not conditioned on any minimum amount of Notes being tendered.

None of Bombardier, the trustees for the Notes, the agents under the respective indentures for the Notes, the dealer managers, the information and tender agent, any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates or any of its or their respective directors, officers, employees or representatives makes any recommendation to Holders as to whether or not to tender all or any portion of their Notes, and none of the foregoing has authorized any person to make any such recommendation. Holders must decide whether to tender Notes, and if tendering, the amount of Notes to tender.

All of the Notes are held in book-entry form. If you hold Notes through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee, you must contact such broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee if you wish to tender Notes pursuant to the Tender Offer. You should check with such broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to determine whether they will charge you a fee for tendering Notes on your behalf. You should also confirm with the broker, dealer, bank, trust company or other nominee any deadlines by which you must provide your tender instructions, because the relevant deadline set by such nominee may be earlier than the deadlines set forth herein.

Bombardier has retained RBC Capital Markets, LLC and TD Securities (USA) LLC to serve as dealer managers for the Tender Offer. Bombardier has retained Global Bondholder Services Corporation to act as the information and tender agent in respect of the Tender Offer.

For additional information regarding the terms of the Tender Offer, please contact RBC Capital Markets, LLC at +1 212-618-7843 (Collect) or +1 877-381-2099 (Toll-Free), or TD Securities (USA) LLC at +1 212-827-2842 (Collect) or +1 866-584-2096 (Toll-Free). Copies of the Offer to Purchase may be obtained at https://www.gbsc-usa.com/bombardier/ or by contacting Global Bondholder Services Corporation at (855) 654 2014 or by email at contact@gbsc-usa.com .

This notice does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to purchase or sell, or any solicitation of any offer to sell or purchase, the Notes or any other securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction, and neither this notice nor any part of it, nor the fact of its release, shall form the basis of, or be relied on or in connection with, any contract therefor. The Tender Offer is made only by and pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Offer to Purchase and the information in this notice is qualified by reference to the Offer to Purchase.

This announcement does not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell any securities in any jurisdiction or in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. In those jurisdictions where the securities, blue sky or other laws require the Tender Offer to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Tender Offer will be deemed to be made by the dealer managers or one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction.

Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements based on current expectations. By their nature, forwardlooking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to important known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. For additional information regarding these risks and uncertainties, and the assumptions underlying the forwardlooking statements, please refer to the Offer to Purchase.

For information
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MAX Power Mining Corp. (CSE: MAXX; OTC: MAXXF; FRANKFURT: 89N) (MAX Power or the Company) is pleased to provide the following corporate update:



Willcox Lithium Project

Initial assays are expected shortly from first-ever diamond drilling at the Willcox Playa in southeast Arizona with MAX Power having completed a Phase 1, 5-hole program consisting of 6,062 feet (1,848 metres) on state ground;

Wide-spacing drilling encountered lithium-rich clays in a predominantly hectorite-saponite mix along with fluid sequences of non-potable liquids;

Drill permits have recently been received from the Bureau of Land Management for the next immediate exploration priority - a large area of extreme low resistivity at the southern end of a 10-km-long corridor on MAXs property;

Based on all information to date, including an initial assessment of favorable mineralogy, the Company considers the 50 sq. mile Willcox Playa to be highly prospective for a large near-surface lithium claystone deposit surrounded by excellent infrastructure including roads, rail, power and services located immediately off Interstate 10 in southeast Arizona, leading to Tucson and Phoenix.

Mr. Peter Lauder, Senior Geologist and Exploration Manager for MAX Power, commented: The first five diamond drill holes at Willcox have supported initial theories regarding prospectivity of intense resistivity and gravimetric low anomalies at the Playa. The southern block on BLM ground features the largest and most extreme anomalies on MAX Powers property. This bodes very well for extending the discovery of clay-rich sediments with high lithium values. Were very pleased to receive these drill permits.

New Direct Lithium Extraction Innovation

MAX Power is pleased to report that Dr. Dimitrius Khaladj presented key innovations related to brine pre-treatment and lithium concentration at the recent American Physics Association (APA) conference in Minneapolis, MN. Dr. Khaladj is a member of the scientific team at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab). This is a California-based U.S. Department of Energy laboratory managed by the University of California. The Berkeley Lab, including pre-eminent American research scientists Dr. Brett Helms and Dr. Michael Whittaker, is working with MAX Power to develop state-of-the-art direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies for brine resources under a co-operative research and development agreement (CRADA).

Dr. Khaladj presented a new concept for direct lithium extraction based on far-from-equilibrium transport of lithium through colloidal graphene oxide percolating networks formed with alternating current electric fields. The technology related to this novel concept could significantly improve the ability of lithium miners to selectively and actively transport lithium in brine without requiring extensive pre-treatment.

Willcox Project Map





Appointment of Market Maker

MAX Power reports that it has appointed Independent Trading Group, Inc. ("ITG") as a market maker for its shares traded on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE"). ITG is a leading Canadian broker dealer, providing liquidity and execution services to clients around the world. As a market maker for MAX Power, ITG will strive to enhance the liquidity of, and contribute to a fair and orderly market for, MAX Power's shares in accordance with the policies of the CSE by buying and selling the Companys shares on the CSE as well as other alternative Canadian trading venues.

ITG is a wholly owned subsidiary of DVX Capital Markets. The contract with ITG is on a month-to-month basis for monthly a fee of CDN $5,500. The contact can be terminated by either party by providing 30 days written notice of such termination. ITG will not receive shares or options as compensation for its services. ITG and MAX Power are unrelated and unaffiliated entities and, at the time of the agreement for ITGs services, to the knowledge of the Company, neither ITG nor its principals have an interest, directly or indirectly, in the securities of the Company.

Independent Trading Group, Inc. is a Toronto based IIROC dealer-member that specializes in market making, liquidity provision, agency execution, ultra-low latency connectivity, and bespoke algorithmic trading solutions. Established in 1992, with a focus on market structure, execution and trading, ITG has leveraged its own proprietary technology to deliver high quality liquidity provision and execution services to a broad array of public issuers and institutional investors.

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Thomas Clarke, P.Geo., Pr.Sci.Nat., and Director for MAX Power Mining Corp. Mr. Clarke is the Qualified Person responsible for the scientific and technical information contained herein under National Instrument 43-101 standards.

About MAX Power

MAX Power is a dynamic exploration stage resource company targeting domestic lithium resources to advance North Americas renewable energy prospects. MAX has also entered into a cooperative research and development agreement with the University of California Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) to develop state-of-the-art direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies for brine resources.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Rav Mlait- CEO

MAX Power Mining Corp.

info@maxpowermining.com

Tel: 778-655-9266 MarketSmart Communications

Tel: 877-261-4466

Forward-Looking Statement Cautions

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, relating to exploration, drilling, mineralization and historical results on the Property; the interpretation of drilling and assay results, the results of any future drilling program, mineralization and the discovery mineralization (if any); plans for future exploration and drilling and the timing of same; the merits of the Willcox Playa Property; the potential for lithium within the Willcox Playa region; ability to access Property; ability to extract resources from the Property, commentary as it related to the opportune timing to explore lithium exploration and any anticipated increasing demand for lithium; any results and updates thereto as it relates to the USGS report; the Companys concentration hypothesis; closing of the transaction; future press releases by the Company; and funding of any future drilling program. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," interpreted, "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," suggests, often, target, future, likely, pending, "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," possibly, preliminary, and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the CSE, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, risks associated with the interpretation of assay results and the drilling program, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's Managements Discussion and Analysis, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.

A map accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/59feadbc-5eb6-4c60-979e-e5f1fee95b6e




Elora, Ontario, Canada, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- USE: #RFE2024 / #Riverfriends / #RiverfestElora

TAG: @RiverfestElora + any of the artists below

VIOLENT FEMMES  FLEET FOXES  JOSH ROSS

WILD RIVERS  SUDAN ARCHIVES  BULLY

CORB LUND  CHALI 2NA & CUT CHEMIST

TREBLE CHARGER  MONEEN

SARAH SHOOK & THE DISARMERS

OMBIIGIZI  NIX & MENNO (OF HOLLERADO)

THE CREEPSHOW  NYSSA  WILLI CARLISLE

& over 40 more acts to perform at Riverfest Elora 2024!

WWW.RIVERFESTELORA.COM

14th Annual Riverfest Elora  Bissell Park, Elora, ON  August 16, 17, 18, 2024

Riverfest Elora, everyones favourite little-big music festival, returns to Ontarios most beautiful village this August!

The beloved 3-day outdoor event has grown into one of Canadas premier music, community & arts festivals, offering top tier headliners, up-and-coming acts of all genres, local artisans, and food trucks, all in a majestic setting along the banks of the famed Grand River in Elora, Ontario.

Riverfest Elora has grown exponentially since starting as a backyard bash in 2009. The festival, which celebrates its 14th edition this summer, now draws crowds of more than 5,000 a day over the August weekend.

Riverfest Elora credits its success over the years to the strength of its local partnerships, and the unwavering support of Eloras small but mighty community. We are deeply grateful to the community of Elora & Centre Wellington for continuing to support us with their enthusiasm, encouragement and their time, says David Lander, Riverfest Eloras newly appointed Executive Director. With a dedicated team of over 500 volunteers, we get to welcome locals and people from across Canada to a truly magical experience each and every year! Its an honour to be a part of all the incredible moving parts that make the festival the national staple that it has become.

The community-run music and arts festival continues to build on the tremendous success of past installments, which have included performances by world class touring acts Metric, Feist, Alessia Cara, The Flaming Lips, City and Colour, MGMT, Charles Bradley, Carly Rae Jepsen, Arkells, Blue Rodeo, and many more.

This years lineup feels like the strongest group of artists weve ever brought to the festival, says Spencer Shewen, Riverfest Eloras Artistic Director. We have something for everyone, with three musically diverse but complementary headliners and an incredible supporting cast that is going to get everyone dancing.

THE 2024 HEADLINERS

Legendary folk punk icons VIOLENT FEMMES (Friday), indie royalty FLEET FOXES (Saturday) and rising country star JOSH ROSS (Sunday) will help us throw Ontario's most epic party of the summer!

Key Points

 Violent Femmes headline Friday, August 16, with performances from Bully, Treble Charger, Nix & Menno (of Hollerado) and more!

 Fleet Foxes headline Saturday, August 17, with performances from Sudan Archives, Chali 2na & Cut Chemist, Moneen and more!

 Josh Ross headlines Sunday, August 18, with performances from Corb Lund, Wild Rivers, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers and more!

 As always, RFE2024 features a fantastic contingent of Canadian performers! This year, 7 of the 54 performers will join us from the United States: Violent Femmes, Fleet Foxes, Sudan Archives, Chali 2na & Cut Chemist, Bully, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers and Willi Carlisle.

 Love for the local scene: Local acts large and small are featured throughout the lineup: Nicolette & The Nobodies, Elaquent, Amanda Braam, Painting Pelicans, Kat Steeves, The Fellow Camper Country Dance Band, Habit, The Flamingos, Ian James Bain, The Boo Radley Project (Karaoke Live!), Adrian Jones and Peter Piper.

For tickets and additional info, visit www.riverfestelora.com

For media inquiries: spencer@riverfestelora.com

Riverfest Eloras Facebook Page  Instagram: @riverfestelora  TikTok: @riverfest_elora

RIVERFEST ELORA IS THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE ITS 2024 LINEUP!

Friday, August 16, 2024

Violent Femmes

Bully

Treble Charger

Nix & Menno (of Hollerado)

NADUH

NYSSA

Thunder Queens

Private Club

Peter Piper

Rivercital

Friday After Parties

The Flamingos

Family Man

The Kewpie Dolls

Elvis Punkley

Habit

Saturday, August 17, 2024

Fleet Foxes

Sudan Archives

Chali 2na & Cut Chemist

Moneen

Ombiigizi

The Creepshow

Population II

Alex Nicol

Motherhood

Elaquent

Una Mia

Luella

Amanda Braam

Painting Pelicans

DJ Alias

Camp Riverfest

Adrian Jones & His Big Bag O Ukes

Paddling Puppeteers

Yoga with Tania and Grace

Peter Piper

Saturday After Parties

illScarlett

Sunshine Makers

Ian James Bain

Tell It To Sweeney

Irresponsible Purchase

Sunday, August 18, 2024

Josh Ross

Corb Lund

Wild Rivers

Sarah Shook & The Disarmers

Willi Carlisle

Mariel Buckley

Raygun Cowboys

Quote the Raven

Nicolette & The Nobodies

The Fellow Camper Country Dance Band

Sister Ray

The Red River Ramblers

Kat Steeves

DJ Barry Spritzer

The Boo Radley Projects Karaoke Live!

Adrian Jones & His Big Bag O Ukes

Paddling Puppeteers

Yoga with Tania and Grace

Peter Piper

Sunday Wrap Party

The Free Label

Private Club

--------------------

100% PACKAGED WATER FREE!

Thanks to Riverfest Eloras partnership with Wellington Water Watchers, the Township of Centre Wellington and Quench Buggy, Riverfest Elora is 100% packaged water free for the 10th edition in a row!

Attachments
BARCELONA, Spain, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alimentaria&Hostelco, the leading trade show platform for the food, beverage, foodservice and hospitality equipment industry, closed yesterday an edition marked by international participation and business that has once again brought together the entire sector and advanced the industry's main lines and trends. More sustainable and healthier products, as well as AI and robotics solutions for the Horeca channel have been presented from 18 to 21 March at the event celebrated in Barcelona (Spain).



Over 3,200 exhibiting companies from 68 countries took part in the event, to encourage business, internationalization and competitiveness in strategic sectors for the Spanish economy. Around 107,900 professionals had visited the show, 25% of them international, from 120 countries. With an estimated economic impact of 180 million euros, the figures for d'Alimentaria&Hostelco reflect the strength of the event, which occupied nearly 100,000 m2 of net exhibition space, almost all of Fira de Barcelona's Gran Via venue.



This edition was attended by more than 900 international firms, led by Italian companies, and with a remarkable return of Asian companies, especially China, South Korea and Thailand.



The trade show reaffirmed its leadership by strengthening the complementarity of its represented sectors and offering a great business platform for its professionals. Attendees included 2,200 important buyers invited from strategic markets for the export of food and hospitality equipment, such as the European Union, the USA and Latin America, who took part in some 13,500 meetings with companies.

Food innovation, gastronomy and the rise of protein, as well as the latest trends in the hospitality sector, were the main features of the program of more than 350 activities at Alimentaria&Hostelco, in which nearly 700 prestigious experts and chefs took part.

The show was a great showcase for hundreds of innovations, including functional and healthier foods. The digital transformation that the sector is undergoing has also been confirmed and it has been possible to discover how new technologies and artificial intelligence are integrated into the industry and services with robots and new solutions that optimize restaurant management and resources, maintenance, customer service and sustainability.

The next edition of the trade fair platform organized by Fira de Barcelona will be held from 23 to 26 March 2026.
Dublin, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Carbon Management Software Market by Component (Software, Services), Application (Energy, Greenhouse Gas Management, Air Quality Management, Sustainability), Industry (Manufacturing, IT and Telecom, Government Sector, Energy and Power, and Others), and Region 2024-2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global carbon management software market size reached US$ 15.1 billion in 2023. The market is projected to reach US$ 38 billion by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 10.82% during 2023-2032. The market is experiencing steady growth driven by increasing regulatory pressures and a growing global commitment to sustainability, the rising awareness of carbon footprints and the need for compliance with environmental regulations, and the escalating demand for transparency in sustainability efforts from stakeholders.







Increasing regulatory compliance and carbon footprint concerns



A significant driver of the global market is the growing need for regulatory compliance. Governments worldwide are imposing stringent regulations to mitigate climate change, leading to increased demand for tools that enable organizations to monitor and report their carbon emissions accurately. This software helps businesses comply with these regulations, avoid potential fines, and maintain a positive public image by demonstrating environmental responsibility. Additionally, with the rising awareness of carbon footprints, companies are increasingly adopting software to analyze, track, and report their emissions, thereby contributing to global sustainability efforts. The software's ability to provide detailed insights into carbon emissions helps businesses identify areas for improvement, thus facilitating the development of more effective strategies for carbon reduction.



Advancements in technology and integration capabilities



Technological advancements are a major factor propelling the growth of the market. Additionally, the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT) is enhancing the capabilities of the software. These technologies enable more accurate and efficient analysis of large volumes of emission data, facilitating better decision-making for carbon reduction strategies. Furthermore, the integration of the software with existing business systems and processes has become easier, encouraging its adoption across various industries. This integration allows for seamless data flow and analysis, leading to more cohesive and comprehensive carbon management strategies. The software's ability to adapt and scale according to the business size and sector is also a key factor in its widespread adoption, as it provides customized solutions catering to specific industry needs and compliance requirements.



Corporate sustainability commitments and stakeholder pressure



The increasing focus on corporate sustainability and the pressure from stakeholders, including investors, customers, and employees, is another major driver of the market. Companies are recognizing the importance of reducing their environmental impact as part of their corporate social responsibility. This shift in corporate culture towards sustainability is leading to the adoption of the software as a tool to achieve and showcase these commitments. The software helps in monitoring and reducing emissions and in reporting these efforts transparently to stakeholders. This transparency is crucial as it builds trust and enhances the company's reputation, potentially leading to increased customer loyalty, investor confidence, and market competitiveness. In addition, employees are increasingly seeking to work for environmentally responsible companies, making carbon management a key aspect of attracting and retaining top talent.



Carbon Management Software Industry Segmentation:



The report provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the global, regional, and country levels for 2023-2032. The report has categorized the market based on component, application, and industry.



Breakup by Component:

Software

Services

Software accounts for the majority of the market share



The software component of the market is the largest and most significant segment. This segment encompasses various software solutions designed to monitor, analyze, and manage carbon emissions. These tools are integral for companies to accurately track their carbon footprint, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and aiding in the development of strategies for carbon reduction. The software often incorporates advanced technologies such as AI and IoT, enhancing its efficiency and accuracy. Its scalability and adaptability to different industry needs make it a versatile tool for businesses of all sizes. Additionally, the demand for software solutions is particularly high in industries with complex operations and significant emissions, such as manufacturing, energy, and transportation.



On the other hand, the services segment of the market, while smaller than the software segment, plays a crucial role in the effective implementation and utilization of carbon management solutions. This segment includes various services such as consulting, implementation, maintenance, and support. Consulting services are essential for businesses to understand their carbon management needs and to devise effective strategies. Implementation services ensure that the software is integrated seamlessly with existing business systems, while maintenance and support services are vital for the ongoing effectiveness of the software. Moreover, the demand for these services is driven by the complexity of carbon management tasks and the need for expertise in software deployment and utilization.



Breakup by Application:

Energy

Greenhouse Gas Management

Air Quality Management

Sustainability

Energy holds the largest share in the industry



In the market, the energy segment emerges as the largest due to its critical role in carbon emissions and management. This segment primarily focuses on monitoring and reducing carbon emissions in the energy production and consumption process. With the global inclination towards renewable energy and sustainable practices, energy companies are increasingly adopting the software to optimize energy use, reduce emissions, and comply with environmental regulations. Additionally, the software aids in tracking and analyzing energy consumption patterns, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing energy-efficient practices.



On the contrary, greenhouse gas management segment is dedicated to the tracking, analysis, and management of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It is critical for organizations aiming to reduce their environmental impact and comply with global GHG reduction targets. The software in this segment helps businesses accurately measure their GHG emissions, identify sources, and develop strategies to reduce these emissions. It is particularly relevant for industries with significant GHG emissions, such as manufacturing, agriculture, and transportation. The growing global emphasis on reducing GHG emissions to combat climate change is a key factor driving the demand in this segment.



Moreover, the air quality management segment focuses on monitoring and managing the impact of business activities on air quality. This segment is gaining importance due to increasing environmental concerns and stringent regulations regarding air pollutants. The software in this segment helps organizations track emissions of various air pollutants, assess their impact on air quality, and devise strategies to minimize this impact. It is crucial for industries that emit particulates and gases affecting air quality, such as chemical manufacturing, mining, and construction.



Furthermore, in the sustainability segment, it is used to support overall sustainability initiatives within organizations. This segment encompasses a broader range of activities beyond carbon and GHG emissions, including waste management, water usage, and sustainable resource utilization. The software aids in integrating sustainability goals into business operations, tracking progress, and reporting on sustainability efforts. This segment is increasingly relevant as more companies commit to comprehensive sustainability agendas, driven by stakeholder pressure and a global shift towards sustainable business practices.



Breakup by Industry:

Manufacturing

IT and Telecom

Government Sector

Energy and Power

Others

Manufacturing represents the leading market segment



The manufacturing segment is the largest in the market, primarily due to the significant carbon emissions and energy consumption associated with manufacturing processes. In this sector, the software is crucial for monitoring and reducing emissions, optimizing energy usage, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. The diverse range of manufacturing industries, from automotive to chemicals, all require tailored solutions to manage their specific emission profiles. As manufacturers increasingly focus on sustainability and reducing their environmental impact, the demand for effective carbon management solutions in this segment continues to grow, driven by both regulatory pressures and corporate social responsibility initiatives.



On the other hand, in the IT and telecom segment, the software is used to monitor and manage the carbon footprint of data centers, network operations, and office environments. This sector faces unique challenges due to the high energy demands of data centers and the need for continuous operation. The software helps in optimizing energy efficiency, reducing emissions, and achieving sustainability goals. With the rapid growth of digital technologies and the increasing focus on green IT practices, this segment is seeing a growing demand for carbon management solutions.



Additionally, the government sector uses the software to meet regulatory requirements and lead by example in environmental stewardship. This segment encompasses a wide range of government operations, including municipal services, public transportation, and government buildings. The software aids in tracking and reporting emissions, setting reduction targets, and implementing policies for sustainable practices. Governments are increasingly adopting these solutions to demonstrate leadership in tackling climate change and to meet national and international environmental commitments.



Furthermore, in the energy and power segment, the software is essential for tracking emissions from energy production and distribution. This includes both renewable and non-renewable energy sources. The software is crucial for managing the carbon footprint of power plants, optimizing energy production processes, and transitioning towards cleaner energy sources. With the global shift towards renewable energy and the need to reduce emissions from fossil fuels, this segment is focusing on adopting advanced carbon management solutions to meet these challenges.



Moreover, the 'others' segment includes a variety of industries such as healthcare, retail, and transportation that are increasingly adopting the software. These industries are integrating carbon management into their operations to reduce their environmental impact, improve sustainability, and comply with the changing regulations. Each industry within this segment has unique requirements and faces different challenges in managing its carbon footprint, driving the demand for versatile and adaptable carbon management solutions.



Breakup by Region:

North America

Asia-Pacific

Europe

Latin America

Middle East and Africa

North America leads the market, accounting for the largest carbon management software market share



North America leads the market, largely due to stringent environmental regulations and high awareness of sustainability issues in the region. The United States and Canada are at the forefront, with numerous industries adopting carbon management practices to comply with regulatory standards and corporate sustainability goals. Additionally, the presence of major market players and technological innovators in this region also contributes to its dominance. Furthermore, the increasing adoption of renewable energy sources and the shift towards greener practices in sectors such as manufacturing and transportation are driving the demand for carbon management solutions in North America.



Concurrently, the Asia-Pacific region is experiencing rapid growth in the market. This growth is driven by increasing industrialization, rising awareness of environmental issues, and the implementation of strict environmental regulations in countries such as China, India, and Japan. The region's focus on sustainable development, particularly in emerging economies, is leading to a higher adoption of carbon management solutions.



In addition, Europe is a significant market, characterized by advanced environmental policies and a strong focus on reducing carbon emissions. The European Union's commitment to the Paris Agreement and its own ambitious climate goals have led to the widespread adoption of carbon management practices across various industries. European countries are also leading in terms of technological advancements and innovations in the software, further providing a boost to the market growth in this region.



Apart from this, the Latin America region, while a smaller segment in the global market, is showing signs of growth. Factors contributing to this growth include increasing environmental awareness, government initiatives for sustainable development, and the gradual adoption of green technologies. Countries such as Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina are gradually incorporating carbon management practices in sectors such as energy, manufacturing, and transportation, which is expected to drive market growth in the region.



Moreover, the Middle East and Africa region is emerging in the market. The market growth in this region is driven by the increasing need for energy management and environmental conservation, particularly in oil-rich countries looking to diversify their economies and reduce carbon emissions. Initiatives for sustainable development and the adoption of renewable energy sources are also contributing factors.

Leading Key Players in the Carbon Management Software Industry



The key players in the market are actively engaged in various strategic activities to strengthen their market positions. These include technological innovations, collaborations with other companies, and expanding their service offerings to meet the diverse needs of different industries. Many are focusing on integrating advanced technologies such as AI, machine learning, and IoT to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of their software. Additionally, these companies are forming partnerships with governmental and non-governmental organizations to align with global sustainability goals. In addition, they are also investing in research and development to create more user-friendly and adaptable solutions, catering to the rising demands of businesses striving for sustainability. These efforts drive their growth and significantly contribute to the overall development and sophistication of the market.



Competitive Analysis



The market research report has provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Detailed profiles of all major companies have also been provided. Some of the key players in the market include:

ENGIE Impact

GreenStep Solutions Inc.

Greenstone+ Ltd.

Metrix Software Solutions (Pty) Ltd.

Salesforce Inc.

SAP SE

Sphera Solutions Inc.

Wolters Kluwer N.V.

(Please note that this is only a partial list of the key players, and the complete list is provided in the report.)



Latest News:

December 11, 2023: GreenStep Solutions Inc. announced that it has joined the GreenStep EcoFund Verified Programme, marking the next phase of its commitment to sustainability.

September 13, 2023: Salesforce Inc. revealed AI technology, the next generation of Einstein. Within the Einstein Trust Layer, Einstein Copilot and Einstein Copilot Studio will function.

June 22, 2023: ENGIE Impact, Posco, PTTEP and Samsung amongst partners for Oman's $7 billion green hydrogen project. As part of Hydrom Phase A Round 1 request for proposals, the consortium was given the 340-square-kilometer onshore concession Z1-02 in Duqm; downstream components of the proposed hydrogen project will be constructed at the Port of Duqm.

Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 141 Forecast Period 2023-2032 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $15.1 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2032 $38 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 10.8% Regions Covered Global

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/u8o081

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
Dublin, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Smart Lock Market Report by Lock Type (Deadbolts, Lever Handles, Padlocks, and Others), Communication Protocol (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Others), End User (Commercial, Residential, Institution and Government, Industrial), and Region 2024-2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global smart lock market reached US$ 2.3 billion in 2023. The market is projected to reach US$ 9.3 billion by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 16.7% during 2023-2032. The growing need for remote access control and monitoring to prevent thefts and fraudulent activities, rising adoption of smart home technologies, and increasing awareness about advanced security systems are some of the major factors propelling the market.







Rising adoption of smart home technologies



The rising demand for smart locks due to the increasing adoption of smart home technologies is supporting the growth of the market. In addition, modern consumers are increasingly seeking convenient, safe, and efficient security solutions in their daily lives. These locks offer a seamless solution for enhanced security and access control. Moreover, they can be easily integrated into existing smart home ecosystems that allow users to manage their locks remotely through their smartphones or other connected devices. The rising popularity of these locks, as they can grant access to visitors, service providers, or family members without physical keys, is contributing to the growth of the market.



Increasing need for remote access control and monitoring



The rising need for remote access control and monitoring security solutions among people with busy and hectic lifestyles is supporting the growth of the market. In line with this, there is a rise in remote working across the globe. Apart from this, smart locks enable users to grant access to their homes or properties from anywhere that eliminates the need for physical presence. The convenience of remotely managing access codes and monitoring entry logs through smartphone apps assists in enhancing security. Moreover, the increasing popularity of advanced security solutions among Airbnb hosts, property managers, and homeowners who may need to provide access to guests or maintenance personnel while they are away is bolstering the growth of the market.



Growing awareness about advanced security systems



Traditional key-based security systems have inherent vulnerabilities, such as the risk of lost or duplicated keys. On the other hand, smart locks offer features, such as biometric authentication, unique access codes, and encrypted communication, that address these concerns effectively. In line with this, they can track the entry and exits of individuals in a property, along with the option to revoke access instantly, which provides an additional feature of security. Consumers are also rapidly seeking advanced and reliable alternatives to traditional locks. Furthermore, the growing awareness about advanced security systems among the masses around the world is offering a favorable market outlook.



Smart Lock Industry Segmentation



The report provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the global smart lock market report, along with forecasts at the global and regional levels from 2023-2032. The report has categorized the market based on lock type, communication protocol and end-user.



Breakup by Lock Type:

Deadbolts

Lever Handles

Padlocks

Others

Deadbolt represents the largest market segment



According to the report, deadbolts represented the largest segment, as they offer a high level of security and reliability and operate by extending a solid metal bolt into the door frame to provide resistance against forced entry. It allows users to control and monitor them remotely and often features keyless entry methods, such as numeric codes or biometric authentication, that eliminate the need for physical keys. It assists in enhancing security through features like tamper alerts and access logs and provides homeowners with real-time information about the security status of their property.



Breakup by Communication Protocol:

Bluetooth

Wi-Fi

Others

Bluetooth accounts for the majority of the market share



Bluetooth-enabled smart lock utilizes short-range wireless communication to connect with smartphones or other devices of users. This technology allows seamless interaction between the lock and the device of individuals within a close proximity. It allows users to easily unlock doors using their smartphones as virtual keys and eliminates the need for physical keys while providing a convenient access control. It is well-suited for residential applications, as it offers a secure and reliable connection for homeowners and authorized individuals. Users can manage access, send virtual keys to guests, and receive notifications about lock activity that enhance security and provide convenience.



Breakup by End User:

Commercial

Residential

Institution and Government

Industrial

Residential holds the biggest market share



Smart locks designed for residential applications offer features tailored to the unique needs of individual households. These locks provide keyless entry options that enable residents to unlock their doors through smartphone apps, access codes, or even biometric authentication. Moreover, the integration with smart home systems allows homeowners to create personalized automation routines that enhance their overall living experience. Furthermore, the rising adoption of smart locks in residential settings, as they provide the convenience of remotely managing access for family members, guests, and service providers, is bolstering the growth of the market.



Breakup by Region:

North America

Europe

Asia-Pacific

Middle East and Africa

Latin America

North America exhibits a clear dominance, accounting for the largest smart lock market share



North America held the biggest market share due to the increasing adoption of smartphones among individuals. In addition, the rising awareness about home security among the masses is strengthening the growth of the market in the region. Besides this, the growing demand for convenient security solutions that offer easy remote control is offering a positive market outlook. In line with this, the presence of key players is supporting the growth of the market in the North America region.



Competitive Landscape



Various manufacturers are continuously investing in research and development (R&D) activities to introduce innovative smart lock products with enhanced features. This includes biometric authentication, improved connectivity, and integration with smart home ecosystems, to provide users with heightened security and convenience. In line with this, they are focusing on improving connectivity options by integrating with various communication protocols like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. This allows users to have flexible control and monitoring of their locks through smartphone apps and other connected devices. Furthermore, companies are prioritizing user-friendly interfaces and intuitive mobile apps that simplify the setup, management, and customization of these locks to ensure that users of all technological backgrounds can easily adopt and utilize the features of locks.



Competition Analysis



The report has provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the market. Detailed profiles of all major companies have also been provided. Some of the key players in the market include:

Assa Abloy

Allegion PLC

Dorma+Kaba Holding AG

Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.

Salto Systems S.L.

Onity, Inc.

Cansec Systems Ltd.

Gantner Electronic GmbH

Master Lock Company LLC

MIWA Lock Co.

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

Amadas Inc.

Sentrilock, LLC

Avent Security

Dessmann

Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 145 Forecast Period 2023-2032 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $2.3 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2032 $9.3 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 16.7% Regions Covered Global

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ofgvxq

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
Dublin, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "E-Learning Market Report by Technology (Online E-Learning, Learning Management System, Mobile E-Learning, Rapid E-Learning, Virtual Classroom, and Others), Provider (Services, Content), Application (Academic, Corporate, Government), and Region 2024-2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global e-learning market reached US$ 316.2 billion in 2023. The market is projected to reach US$ 661.6 billion by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6% during 2023-2032. The market is experiencing steady growth driven by the escalating demand for remote learning solutions due to various benefits, such as accessibility, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, rising need for scalable and accessible training and education solutions, and skills shortages and workforce development.





Increasing demand for remote learning



The rising demand for remote learning solutions is propelling the growth of the market. The need for continuity in education and professional development, even in times of crisis, underscored the importance of e-learning. Remote learning offers several advantages, including accessibility, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. It allows learners to access educational content and training materials from anywhere, at any time, making it particularly appealing for individuals seeking to upskill or gain new knowledge while balancing work and other commitments. Additionally, organizations are recognizing the benefits of e-learning for employee training and development, as it enables them to efficiently deliver consistent training materials to a geographically dispersed workforce. The increasing demand for remote learning is expected to grow around the world, contributing to the growth of the market.



Globalization and cross-border education



As businesses and educational institutions are expanding their reach beyond national borders, the need for scalable and accessible training and education solutions is growing worldwide. E-learning platforms allow organizations to offer standardized training and educational content to a global audience. This is particularly valuable for multinational corporations looking to provide consistent training experiences to their employees. They eliminate geographical barriers, enabling employees or learners from diverse locations to access the same high-quality educational resources. Moreover, the availability of content in multiple languages and the adaptability of e-learning platforms to various cultural contexts make them a practical choice for international audiences. The convenience and cost-effectiveness of online learning make it an ideal tool for addressing the educational and training needs of a globalized workforce.



Skills shortages and workforce development



The persistent skills gap in various industries is strengthening the growth of the market. As technology is evolving rapidly, many traditional skill sets are becoming outdated, necessitating ongoing training and upskilling for the workforce. E-learning platforms provide a versatile solution for addressing these skill shortages. They allow organizations to offer targeted training programs that align with the specific needs of their industries. Whether it is IT professionals acquiring new programming skills or healthcare workers staying updated on medical advancements, they offer flexible and cost-effective training options. Additionally, they allow individuals to acquire new skills or certifications independently, making them an attractive option for career development and advancement. Furthermore, they assist in providing accessible and tailored educational content to bridge skills gaps and enhance workforce capabilities.



Cost-effectiveness and scalability



Traditional education and training methods often involve significant expenses related to physical infrastructure, printed materials, travel, and instructor fees. In contrast, e-learning significantly reduces these costs, as it eliminates the need for physical classrooms or training venues, saving on rent, utilities, and maintenance. Additionally, digital materials can be updated easily, reducing printing and distribution expenses. This cost-efficient approach makes online learning an attractive option for both educational institutions and businesses. Furthermore, e-learning platforms are highly scalable, as they can accommodate a few learners or scale up to serve thousands or even millions of users simultaneously. This scalability is particularly valuable for organizations experiencing rapid growth or those looking to reach a broader audience.



E-Learning Industry Segmentation



The report provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the global, regional, and country levels for 2023-2032. The report has categorized the market based on technology, provider, and application.



Breakup by Technology:

Online E-Learning

Learning Management System

Mobile E-Learning

Rapid E-Learning

Virtual Classroom

Others

Online e-learning accounts for the majority of the market share



Online e-learning segment encompasses a wide range of educational and training materials delivered over the internet. It includes interactive courses, video lectures, quizzes, and assignments accessible through web browsers. It is favored for its accessibility and convenience, allowing learners to access content from anywhere with an internet connection. It caters to various learning styles, making it versatile for both educational institutions and corporate training programs.



Learning management systems are software platforms that facilitate the management, delivery, and tracking of e-learning content. LMSs enable organizations to organize courses, track learner progress, and administer assessments. They provide a centralized hub for educational materials and can be customized to suit the specific needs of institutions or businesses.



Mobile e-learning, also known as m-learning, leverages the ubiquity of smartphones and tablets to deliver educational content on mobile devices. This segment capitalizes on the convenience of on-the-go learning, allowing learners to access courses and resources through mobile apps or responsive websites. It caters to individuals who prefer learning in bite-sized chunks, making it a popular choice for microlearning and skill development.



Rapid e-learning refers to the development of online learning content quickly and cost-effectively. This segment focuses on creating learning materials efficiently, often using authoring tools and templates. It is advantageous when there is a need for rapid deployment of training materials, such as during emergencies or product launches. It allows content creators to adapt and update courses swiftly, making it an agile solution for dynamic industries.



Virtual classroom technology replicates the traditional classroom experience in an online setting. It enables live, interactive instruction through video conferencing and collaboration tools. Learners can engage with instructors and peers in real-time, making it suitable for synchronous learning experiences.



Breakup by Provider:

Services

Content

Content holds the largest share in the industry



According to the report, content accounted for the largest market share due to the rising demand for high-quality educational materials. Content providers focus on creating and curating educational content, which includes video lectures, written materials, interactive exercises, and multimedia resources. They often offer libraries of courses covering a wide range of subjects and industries. They collaborate with educational institutions and corporations to deliver comprehensive e-learning solutions, allowing learners to access well-structured and engaging materials. Content providers also play a crucial role in meeting the diverse learning needs of individuals and organizations.



Service providers in the market offer a range of services to support the implementation and management of e-learning initiatives. These services encompass consulting, instructional design, LMS implementation, technical support, and custom e-learning content development. Service providers collaborate closely with educational institutions and businesses to tailor online learning solutions as per their specific requirements. They help organizations design and implement effective online learning strategies, ensuring seamless integration of technology and content.



Breakup by Application:

Academic

K-12

Higher Education

Vocational Training

Corporate

Small and Medium Enterprises

Large Enterprises

Government

Academic represents the leading market segment



The academic segment encompasses educational institutions at all levels, ranging from K-12 to higher education. E-learning is becoming an integral part of modern education, offering flexibility in curriculum delivery and accessibility to a wide range of subjects. Academic institutions use online learning for remote learning, supplemental materials, flipped classrooms, and fully online degree programs. Online learning in academic enhances engagement, allows for personalized learning paths, and accommodates diverse learning styles.



The corporate sector is embracing e-learning as a powerful tool for employee training and development. E-learning solutions in the corporate segment cater to a wide range of industries, offering compliance training, soft skills development, onboarding programs, and technical skills training. Corporations benefit from the scalability and cost-effectiveness of online learning, enabling them to train geographically dispersed employees efficiently.



The government sector leverages e-learning for a variety of purposes, including training public employees, enhancing the skills of civil servants, and providing educational resources to the public. Government agencies use online learning platforms to deliver compliance training, emergency response training, and professional development programs.



Breakup by Region:

North America

Asia-Pacific

Europe

Latin America

Middle East and Africa

North America leads the market, accounting for the largest e-learning market share



According to the report, North America accounted for the largest market share due to its early adoption of technology, well-established educational institutions, and a strong corporate focus on training and development. The region encompasses the United States and Canada, where e-learning is widely integrated into academic institutions, corporations, and government agencies. The presence of major companies, a tech-savvy population, and high-speed internet infrastructure is contributing to the market growth.



The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing rapid growth in the market, driven by a large and diverse population, increasing internet penetration, and the need for accessible education and skills development. Countries like China and India are witnessing significant investments in online education, both in academic and corporate sectors. The demand for English language learning and professional certifications in countries across Asia-Pacific is further impelling the market growth.



Europe is a substantial player in the market, with countries like the United Kingdom, Germany, and France leading the way. European educational institutions are adopting e-learning to enhance traditional classroom education, and the corporate sector utilizes it for workforce development.



Latin America is experiencing a growing interest in e-learning, with countries, such as Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina, leading the adoption. The region faces challenges in terms of access to quality education, making online learning a viable solution for addressing educational gaps and providing skill development opportunities.



The Middle East and Africa are emerging markets, driven by increasing investment in education and technology infrastructure. Countries like the United Arab Emirates and South Africa are at the forefront of e-learning adoption. In these regions, it is seen as a means to bridge educational disparities and provide access to quality education and training, especially in remote and underserved areas.



Leading Key Players in the E-Learning Industry



Key players in the market are innovating and expanding their offerings to stay competitive and meet evolving educational and training needs. They are investing heavily in cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) to enhance the e-learning experience. These technologies are used to create interactive and immersive content, enabling learners to engage with course materials in new and exciting ways. Additionally, major players are focusing on personalization and adaptive learning algorithms, tailoring content as per individual learners needs. They are also expanding their global reach, forming partnerships with educational institutions and organizations worldwide to provide access to a broader audience. Overall, key players in the market are committed to delivering high-quality, accessible, and technologically advanced learning solutions.



Competitive Analysis



The market research report has provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Detailed profiles of all major companies have also been provided. Some of the key players in the market include:

Adobe Inc.

Aptara Inc. (iEnergizer)

Blackboard Inc.

Cisco Systems Inc.

GP Strategies Corporation

Instructure Inc. (Thoma Bravo)

Oracle Corporation

Pearson PLC

SAP SE

Skillsoft Corporation

Thomson Reuters Corporation (The Woodbridge Company)

(Please note that this is only a partial list of the key players, and the complete list is provided in the report)



Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 146 Forecast Period 2023-2032 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $316.2 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2032 $661.6 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 8.6% Regions Covered Global

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/q0t9tx

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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SALT LAKE CITY, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Savage, a global provider of supply chain infrastructure and solutions, has earned the USA TODAY 2024 Top Workplaces USA award, issued by Energage. The Top Workplaces program has a 15-year history of surveying more than 20 million Team Members and recognizing the top organizations across 60 markets for regional Top Workplaces awards. Top Workplaces USA celebrates organizations across the country that have built great cultures.

Were pleased to be recognized as one of the top workplaces in America, where our Team Members can grow with us as we continue to grow with our Customers, said Kirk Aubry, Savage President and Chief Executive Officer. Our culture of teamwork, integrity, safety and innovation is key to attracting and retaining top talent and making a difference for our Team Members, Customers and communities.

Over 42,000 organizations were invited to participate in the Top Workplaces USA survey. Winners of the Top Workplaces USA award are chosen based solely on Team Member feedback gathered through an engagement survey, issued by Energage. The confidential survey uniquely measures 15 culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization: including alignment, execution, and connection, among others.

Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees, said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. Thats something to be proud of. In todays market, leaders must ensure theyre allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. Thats paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.

About Savage

Established in 1946, Savage is a privately held, global provider of supply chain infrastructure and solutions, with more than 4,000 Team Members in over 200 locations across the United States, Canada, Mexico and Saudi Arabia. We strive to always Do the Right Thing, Find a Better Way and Make a Difference. Our Customers and Partners count on us to safely and sustainably move and manage what is essential to their business so they can Feed the World, Power Our Lives and Sustain the Planet. www.savageco.com

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Alexandria, Va., March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On March 25, representatives of the Prevent Cancer Foundation and its Congressional Families Program will visit Comadre a Comadre, recipient of a $25,000 grant providing breast cancer education and navigation to Hispanic/Latina women across New Mexico.

Comadre a Comadre is a culturally and linguistically designed project, training trusted, community peer breast and cervical cancer survivors through Platicas, addressing barriers to screening and navigating patients to screening appointments. They aim to reach over 850 individuals through health fairs and one-on-one and group classes.

Lisa McGovern, Executive Director of the Congressional Families Program, and Erica Childs-Warner, Managing Director, Research, Education and Outreach, will represent the Prevent Cancer Foundation, joined by Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03). Yolanda (Yoli) Sanchez, PhD, Director and CEO of the University of New Mexico (UNM) Comprehensive Cancer Center will welcome the group. Rep. Leger Fernandez, herself a breast cancer survivor treated at the University of New Mexico, will receive a special pin from Comadre a Comadre as part of its Pin-A-Sister program.

As a breast cancer survivor, I know first-hand the power of community during the long and difficult months of treatment and recovery, said Rep. Leger Fernandez. The work Comadre a Comadre does for New Mexico Latinas is vital for our community. They deserve and have earned this national recognition and $25,000 grant from the Prevent Cancer Foundation to continue providing essential services for Latinas in New Mexico. With early detection and improved education for all women, we bring passion to our fight against breast and cervical cancer.

"We are proud to be here with Congresswoman Leger Fernandez to highlight how Comadre a Comadre is meeting the health needs of New Mexican women, and especially call attention to their work to get Latina women screened for breast and cervical cancers, said Lisa McGovern. Our shared goal is to prevent cancer and detect it early for better outcomes.

The Prevent Cancer Foundations community grants program currently supports 12 projects across the U.S. dedicated to increasing cancer prevention and early detection in rural and urban communities across the U.S. The 2023 projects were selected through a competitive grants process with each program receiving a one-year, $25,000 grant. The awarded projects focus on increasing education, risk reduction, vaccination and screening for breast, colorectal, liver, lung, and skin cancers, as well as cancers caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which includes cervical cancer. Projects emphasize using best practices and all can be adapted for other communities.

The Prevent Cancer Foundation is proud to support Comadre a Comadre in their work to reach this community and improve access to lifesaving screenings.

About the Prevent Cancer Foundation

The Prevent Cancer Foundation is the only U.S. nonprofit organization focused solely on saving lives across all populations through cancer prevention and early detection. Through research, education, outreach and advocacy, we have helped countless people avoid a cancer diagnosis or detect their cancer early enough to be successfully treated.

The Foundation is rising to meet the challenge of reducing cancer deaths by 40% by 2035. To achieve this, we are committed to investing $20 million for innovative technologies to detect cancer early and advance multi-cancer screening, $10 million to expand cancer screening and vaccination access to medically underserved communities, and $10 million to educate the public about screening and vaccination options.

For more information, please visit www.preventcancer.org.

About the Congressional Families Program

The Congressional Families Program is a nonpartisan effort to increase the publics understanding of cancer prevention and early detection. Families of Senate, House, Cabinet, Supreme Court and the Diplomatic Corps are invited to work within their respective constituencies to educate the public. The Congressional Families Program offers educational events, materials and resources to equip its members to bring the message of cancer prevention and early detection back to their communities.

For more information, please visit www.congressionalfamilies.org.

About the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center

The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center is the Official Cancer Center of New Mexico and the only National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center in a 500-mile radius. Its more than 136 board-certified oncology specialty physicians include cancer surgeons in every specialty (abdominal, thoracic, bone and soft tissue, neurosurgery, genitourinary, gynecology, and head and neck cancers), adult and pediatric hematologists/medical oncologists, gynecologic oncologists, and radiation oncologists. They, along with more than 600 other cancer healthcare professionals (nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists, navigators, psychologists and social workers), provide treatment to 65% of New Mexicos cancer patients from all across the state and partner with community health systems statewide to provide cancer care closer to home. They treated almost 15,000 patients in more than 100,000 ambulatory clinic visits in addition to in-patient hospitalizations at UNM Hospital. A total of nearly 1,855 patients participated in cancer clinical trials testing new cancer treatments that include tests of novel cancer prevention strategies and cancer genome sequencing. The more than 123 cancer research scientists affiliated with the UNMCCC were awarded $38.2 million in federal and private grants and contracts for cancer research projects. Since 2015, they have published nearly 1000 manuscripts, and promoting economic development, they filed 136 new patents and launched 10 new biotechnology start-up companies. Finally, the physicians, scientists and staff have provided education and training experiences to more than 500 high school, undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral fellowship students in cancer research and cancer health care delivery.
Connecticut weather: Crocuses and daffodils in bloom at the Colorblends House & Spring Garden, in Bridgeport, Conn. March 19, 2024. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media

Connecticut is expected to have a mild and calm spring this year, after breaking weather records in the winter.

Forecasters at the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released their spring weather outlook for the United States Thursday, projecting above-average temperatures for much of the continental U.S., including Connecticut, from April to June.

The Nutmeg State and most of the Eastern seaboard have a 40 to 50 percent chance of experiencing a warmer-than-normal spring, according to the outlook. The average spring temperature in Hartford is 49.1 degrees and Bridgeport's average is 50 degrees.

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Most parts of the state have equal chances of seeing above- or below-average precipitation levels. Both Hartford and Bridgeport have recorded a spring average of 11-12 inches of precipitation in the last 30 years, according to NOAA.

NOAA scientists explained that the globe is transitioning out of El Nino, a climate pattern that generates warm water temperatures in the equatorial Pacific and influences global weather patterns. During the spring, these warm waters are expected to cool down to neutral conditions, before the cooler counterpart, La Nina, emerges in the summer.

While scientists have attributed the strong El Nino presence as a key factor for its winter outlooks this past year, the climate phenomenon was projected to have little effect on Connecticut. A strong presence of La Nina and El Nino tends to lead to greater weather extremes in impacted areas.

However, the 2023-24 winter season in the Nutmeg State wasn't exactly "normal."

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The past season, December 2023-February 2024, was the wettest and third-hottest winter on record for Hartford, according to the Northeast Regional Climate Center. Bridgeport also saw its third-wettest and sixth-warmest winter in recorded history.

Heading into spring, NOAA's National Water Center predicted a lower-than-average flood risk across the entire country, due to historically little snowfall across the Upper Great Plains and western U.S. Drought conditions have also improved nationwide from last year, with Connecticut having a zero drought risk, but some parts of the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains will likely deal with drought this spring.

Jon Gottschalck, operations branch chief for NOAAs Climate Prediction Center, said in a press conference Thursday that the low snow cover in areas like the northern tier of the U.S. could help in the short term with flooding, but could become a detriment later for drought conditions.

"Things can change very quickly during the spring, Gottschalck said. "We are worried about some areas where extreme heat, wildfire risk, where some of the dry conditions do exist in the Southwest, lower Southern Plains, Northern Plains and Upper Mississippi Valley."

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Experts also warned that climate change is making weather more volatile and shifting the new normal. A new report by Climate Central analyzes how human-induced climate change increased temperatures worldwide from December 2023 to February 2024, the world's hottest February on record.
Dubai, UAE, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --





The cryptocurrency market is witnessing yet another surge, but this time, it's not Shiba Inu (SHIB) taking the spotlight. Instead, it's its emerging rival, Shiba Budz (BUDZ), that's making waves with another impressive price pump. As investors scramble to understand the dynamics behind this sudden surge, experts are weighing in on what this could mean for the future of SHIB and BUDZ.









The Rise of Shiba Budz (BUDZ)

Shiba Budz (BUDZ) has been steadily gaining momentum in the meme coin arena, positioning itself as a formidable rival to Shiba Inu (SHIB). With its unique features and growing community support, BUDZ has captured the attention of investors seeking alternatives to Shiba Inu (SHIB). The recent price pump in Shiba Budz (BUDZ) further solidifies its place in the market and signals the potential for significant growth in the near future.

Factors Driving the Pump

Several factors contribute to the recent surge in Shiba Budz (BUDZ). Firstly, the growing recognition of BUDZ as a viable competitor to Shiba Inu (SHIB) has attracted new investors looking to capitalize on its potential. Additionally, positive sentiment surrounding the meme coin market as a whole has fueled increased interest in BUDZ, driving up its demand and price. Moreover, strategic marketing efforts and community engagement initiatives have bolstered confidence in BUDZ, further contributing to its upward momentum.

Expert Predictions and Analysis

Experts in the cryptocurrency space are closely monitoring the developments surrounding Shiba Budz (BUDZ) and its impact on Shiba Inu (SHIB). While some anticipate continued growth for BUDZ, others remain cautious, citing the inherent volatility of meme coins and the potential for market corrections. However, many agree that the rise of Shiba Budz (BUDZ) underscores the evolving nature of the meme coin landscape and the increasing competition within the market.

Implications for SHIB and BUDZ

The recent price surge in Shiba Budz (BUDZ) has significant implications for both Shiba Inu (SHIB) and BUDZ. For Shiba Inu (SHIB), the emergence of a strong competitor highlights the need for continuous innovation and community engagement to maintain its position in the market. On the other hand, for Shiba Budz (BUDZ), the recent pump reinforces its status as a viable investment option and may attract even more attention from investors seeking high-growth opportunities.

Navigating the Meme Coin Landscape

As the rivalry between Shiba Inu (SHIB) and BUDZ intensifies, investors are faced with the challenge of navigating the meme coin landscape. While both coins offer unique value propositions, it's essential for investors to conduct thorough research and assess the risks and rewards associated with each investment. With careful consideration and strategic decision-making, investors can position themselves to capitalize on the potential upside of both Shiba Inu (SHIB) and BUDZ while mitigating potential downsides.

Conclusion: A Shifting Paradigm

The recent price surge in Shiba Budz (BUDZ) marks a significant development in the meme coin market, signaling a shifting paradigm in the landscape dominated by Shiba Inu (SHIB). As BUDZ continues to gain momentum, it's clear that the era of Shiba Inu (SHIB)s uncontested dominance may be coming to an end. However, amidst the competition, opportunities abound for investors willing to embrace the evolving nature of the meme coin market and capitalize on emerging trends like Shiba Budz (BUDZ).

For more information on the Shiba Budz (BUDZ) Presale:

Presale Website: SHIBA BUDZ (BUDZ)

Use Promo Code Topshib to get 20% bonus

Join and become a BUDZ member:

Telegram: https://t.me/ShibaBudzP2E

Twitter: SHIBA BUDZ "$BUDZ" (@ShibaBudz) / X





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.













Mina Henin

minahenin at vapgroup.co




MONACO, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A Day of Exploration. It is the title of the Environmental Symposium organised by the Yacht Club de Monaco in collaboration with The Explorers Club of New York. Thisconference took place under the aegis of its Monaco Capital of Advanced Yachting approach and as part of Monaco Ocean Week, organised by the Prince Albert II Foundation and the Monaco Government, in partnership with the Monaco Oceanographic Institute & Scientific Centre of Monaco. Contributions from many famous scientists and explorers such as Nina Lanza, Kathryn Sullivan, Victor Vescovo, Mike Horn, Bertrand Piccard and many more were the highlight of the day. The event was attended by the Prince of Monaco Albert II who said: The tradition of exploration is so deeply entrenched in the history of our Principality and inherited from my great-grandfather, Prince Albert the 1st, reminds us of the urgent need to safeguard our marine envinronment and give it all the respect and devotion it warrants.



Today is a very special day because for the first time we have gathered an exceptional fleet of seven explorer yachts in the YCM Marina and at the same time we received the New York Explorer Club. A large delegation of around 150 people came to visit us here at the Club and to us its important to have them here because we need to know more about the Planet, the ocean and their beauty. If you want to protect something, it is fundamental to have a deep knowledge of it, said the Yacht Club de Monaco General Secretary Bernard dAlessandri.

A multidisciplinary, professional society dedicated to the advancement of field research, scientific exploration and resource conservation, the Explorers Club has its the headquarter in New York City with a community of chapters around the world. It has been supporting scientific expeditions of all disciplines, uniting the members in the bonds of good fellowship for more than a century. The Explorers Club is the leading exploration society in the world. It was founded in 1904. Women joined the club in the 1980s and its a really place where people come together, underlined Richard Wiese, president of the Explorers Club. Notable members include Jane Goodall, Kathryn Sullivan, Jeff Bezos, Walter Cronkite, James Cameron, Sylvia Earle, U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, The Apollo 11 crew of Neil Armstrong, Edwin Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, The Mount Everest summit team of Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary, the first team to descend to the Mariana Trench Don Walsh and Jacques Piccard, the crews of the first expeditions to the North and South Poles.

Discovering as a way to build a better world its the common trait of the different experiences shared during the panels held through the day. Nina Lanza, planetary scientist, fulfilled her childhood dream of working on a spaceship. Shes the lead for the ChemCam instrument onboard the NASA Curiosity rover, shes on the science team for the NASA Perseverance rover and working with a spacecraft which is going to the Moon as well. I really think that exploration is a leap of imagination. Were looking for the unknown so we really cant plan. We do our best to hypothesize what we might discover and we always find new things which I think its the most exciting part of my job, said Lanza.



The symposium was also the occasion to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Bertrand Piccard historic Breitling Orbiter 3 expedition, the first non-stop global circum navigation in a balloon. Piccard has also circumnavigated the world on a solar powered plane, a 43,000 kilometer flight.Today Im not only celebrating an anniversary but also announcing a new project which is a hydrogen powered aeroplane to fly nonstop around the world, said Piccard. He will be joined in the 2028 project, Climate Impulse, by French engineer and fellow adventurer Raphael Dinelli, who is supervising design and construction of the aircraft and will navigate the nine-day, non-stop journey around the equator. Piccard has a message for new generations: I would tell to young people: stop to rely on habits, certitudes, old beliefs. You have to know that you can achieve what other people think its impossible and the main job for an explorer right now is to find new solutions. Solutions exist, they need to be discovered. The Yacht Club de Monaco continues its programme hosting the 2ndMonaco Smart Yacht Rendezvous to promote sustainable and adaptable solutions for large yachts (over 24 meters). This event organized in collaboration with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, will bring together innovation experts, architects and yachting enthusiast from around the world. The Rendezvous is a unique platform for collaboration and discovery of the smart, sustainable sustainable technologies shaping the future of yachting.

For more information:

Press Office LaPresse - ufficio.stampa@lapresse.it

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e3fb4c2d-76d1-45bc-8bcc-5f260485c133

A video accompanying this announcement is available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5619f3f8-84e6-4cfa-8d7c-d69e5326bbc7
Meridian, Idaho, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CBH Homes, a leading home builder in Idaho that also has a rental division and homes for rent (CBH Rentals), is warning the community about the surge in rental scams across the nation on new home construction homes that are for sale. These scams target potential renters and are impacting individuals across our community, posing a threat to their financial well-being and personal security. CBH is working to educate on how to avoid these rental scams.

I was a victim of a rental scam. I initially reached out about a house listed under price of rental comps. I thought it may be 'too good to be true', Lauren, the victim, told CBH. When I went to tour, they sent a code for the door that didn't work. Then the contact asked for me to fill out an ID verification, he then gave me a new code that did work. My whole family was there and we were desperate for a place. When I asked about the for sale sign, he told me they were trying a rent to buy program. The experience was very frustrating and very violating.

These scammers often falsely advertise homes for sale as available for rent and take the photos from a builders website, then create their own false listing through sites.

"CBH has seen a large increase in rental scams, especially lately, and we want to help educate people on what to look out for, says Ronda Conger, Vice President of CBH Homes, who emphasizes the need for heightened awareness. "To help with this issue, were taking action and working to provide better signage on homes, catching the false listings early, and increasing the security through our self-guided tour app.

What can people do to prevent being scammed? We are trying to make it as clear as possible. If youre visiting a CBH home, look for CBH Homes branded For Sale signs, along with signs saying the home is not for rent, says Conger. The security through our self-guided tour app will be increasing as well. Expect real-time requests to confirm that you are who you say you are.

To safeguard against falling victim to these scams, here are a few tips and guidelines to follow:

Check the listing for errors and accuracy. Does the price seem too good to be true? If it does, it probably is. Are there basic grammatical errors or errors about the location or type of property that can be discovered by driving by? These are immediate red flags. Google the address. You want to make sure the address exists as advertised and are looking to see if there is any information related to the address available online. Don't send money until you are certain. When everything is going well and it's time to sign on the dotted line, be wary of requests for cash. Remember: Zelle, Venmo, PayPal and other money-sending apps work just like cash  once you send it, its gone. Beware of text message requests. CBH Homes emphasizes the importance of not sending personal information, especially driver's license details, over text messages. Legitimate communications regarding home tours and transactions will be conducted through secure channels. Double-check "For Sale" signs. If there is a "For Sale" sign in the front yard, the property is listed for sale, not for rent. Exercise caution when encountering rental offers for homes with sale signage.

By staying informed and cautious, individuals can protect themselves from falling victim to fraudulent schemes.

CBH Homes has a rental division and homes for rent. To ensure that the listing is real and active, visit cbhhomes.com/rentals to find the listings.

About CBH Homes:

CBH Homes has been building new homes for sale in Idaho for over 31 years, and for 19 of those, CBH Homes has been Idahos #1 Builder, a Best Places to Work in Idaho, ranked #48 in the nation, and proudly working with over 26,000 happy homeowners. Cbhhomes.com RCE-923

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Las Vegas, NV, United States, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Congressman Steven Horsford has announced that the Las VegasClark County Library District will receive $500,000 in federal funding toward construction of the new West Las Vegas Library, which broke ground in February. Congressman Horsford recently joined Library District Executive Director Kelvin Watson and members of the Library Districts Board of Trustees for the presentation of a ceremonial check to commemorate the investment. Part of a $28.2 million Community Project Funding package he secured for Nevada's 4th District, the monies will be allocated to construction costs for the library, which is expected to open in Fall 2025.

"This $500,000 in Community Project Funding for the new West Las Vegas Library shows our commitment to education and community service for everyone in Clark County, said Congressman Horsford. Through this investment, we will create a new hub for learning and empowerment in the Historic Westside. Im proud to stand with Las Vegas-Clark County Library District Executive Director Kelvin Watson and everyone who works at the Library District as we move forward with this important project.

We are extremely grateful to Congressman Horsford for his tireless support of our libraries, said Kelvin Watson, executive director of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District. This funding will allow the Library District to dramatically expand our capacity to serve Clark County residents, especially those who live in the Historic Westside, particularly enhancing the buildings state-of-the-art technology infrastructure to better deliver resources for literacy, learning, and job skills training.

The new West Las Vegas Library is currently under construction at 1861 N. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, and is expected to open in Fall 2025. The 41,178-square-foot building will be more than twice the size of the existing West Las Vegas Library, which is located on West Lake Mead Boulevard, and was built in 1989. The new building will serve the growing population of families and seniors in this culturally diverse community. It will be a place where our children, grandchildren, and generations to come will enjoy story times, arts events, live performances, after-school tutoring, and STEAM activities. It will also offer space for ample parking and outdoor events, which the current West Lake Mead location is lacking.

For more information about the West Las Vegas Library, including architectural renderings of the new West Las Vegas Library, the history of the library branch in the community and more, visit TheLibraryDistrict.org/WestLasVegasLibrary.

About Las Vegas-Clark County Library District

The award-winning Las Vegas-Clark County Library District is an independent taxing entity that serves a diverse community across 8,000 square miles. Through its 25 branches and website, the Library District offers a collection of 3.2 million items, including books, movies, music (including streaming and downloadable), online resources, and free programs for all ages. The Library District is a vibrant and vital member of the community offering limitless learning; business and career advancement; government and social services support; and best of all, a place where customers find a sense of culture and community. For more information, and to support Library District programs, please visit TheLibraryDistrict.org.

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CORAL SPRINGS, Fla., March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nutra Pharma Corporation (OTC: NPHC), (Nutra Pharma or the Company) reached a settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) earlier this week.



On March 19, 2024, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York in SEC v. Nutra Pharma Corporation, Erik Deitsch a/k/a Rik Deitsch, and Sean Peter McManus, Case No. 1:18-cv-05459-JS (E.D.N.Y.), approved bifurcated settlements in the form of consent judgments (the Consent Judgments) entered by the Court, wherein the Defendants, without admitting or denying the allegations of the Complaint except as to personal and subject matter jurisdiction, resolved all liability issues and certain remedies as to each Defendant and left open other issues relating to remedies regarding the appropriateness and amount of disgorgement and/or civil penalties to be paid as to all Defendants, and whether a penny stock bar shall be imposed against Defendant McManus, and if so, the length of any such bar, for later resolution by the Court upon motion or further settlement. The Consent Judgments, among other things:

(1) Permanently enjoin Defendant Nutra Pharma from committing violations of the federal securities laws that the SEC has alleged in this case, including violations of Sections 5(a), 5(c), and 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the Securities Act), Sections 10(b) and 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act), and Rules 10b-5, 13a-11, and 13a-13 thereunder;

(2) Permanently enjoin Defendant Deitsch from committing violations of the federal securities laws that the SEC has alleged in this case, including violations of Sections 5(a), 5(c), and 17(a) of the Securities Act, Sections 9(a)(2), 10(b), 13(a), 13(d), and 16(d) of the Securities Exchange Act, and Rules 10b-5, 13a-14, 13d-2, and 16a-3 thereunder; impose a three-year officer-and-director bar on Deitsch, pursuant to 15 U.S.C.  77t(e) and 78u(d)(2); and impose a three-year penny-stock bar on Deitsch, pursuant to 15 U.S.C.  78u(d)(6); and

(3) Permanently enjoin Defendant McManus from committing violations of the federal securities laws that the SEC has alleged in this case, including violations of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act and Sections 10(b) and 15(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 thereunder.

Pursuant to our settlement with the SEC, I have tendered my resignation as Chairman and CEO of Nutra Pharma Corp effective March 19th, stated Rik J Deitsch. The Companys former CEO, Dr. Michael Flax, will resume this position effective immediately and also serve as Nutra Pharmas Chairman and CFO, he continued. This is an exciting time for the Company as we have an opportunity to move our operations ahead and fulfill on the promises of our portfolio of products and our Intellectual Property, he concluded.

Following his resignation as an officer and director of the Company, our Board of Directors has appointed Mr. Deitsch to the position of Operations Manager: reporting to Joe Lucas, VP of Operations.

Its great to be back at Nutra Pharma, commented Michael Flax, DDS; incoming Chairman and CEO of Nutra Pharma Corp. Ive been a former officer and long-term investor in the Company and Im excited to be part of its future, he continued. We have a lot of things planned as we get past the issues the Company has been facing over the last five years and move into our next phase of growth, including: planned retail rollouts, clinical trials on our ethical drugs and expansion of contract manufacturing at our new facility in Boca Raton, he concluded.

The Company expects to have updates shortly as the new Executive team executes on their business plan.

About Nutra Pharma Corp.

Nutra Pharma Corporation operates as a biotechnology company specializing in the acquisition, licensing, and commercialization of pharmaceutical products and technologies for the management of neurological disorders, cancer, autoimmune, and infectious diseases, including Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN) and Pain. Additionally, the Company markets drug products for sale for the treatment of pain under the brand Nyloxin and Pet Pain-Away. For additional information about Nutra Pharma, visit:

http://www.NutraPharma.com or

http://www.nyloxin.com

http://www.petpainaway.com

SEC Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements. The words or phrases "would be," "will allow," "intends to," "will likely result," "are expected to," "will continue," "is anticipated," "estimate," "project," or similar expressions are intended to identify "forward-looking statements." Actual results could differ materially from those projected in Nutra Pharma's ("the Company") business plan. The Company's filings may be accessed at the SEC's Edgar system at www.sec.gov. Statements made herein are as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as of any subsequent date. The Company cautions readers not to place reliance on such statements. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, we do not undertake, and we specifically disclaim any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences, developments, unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statement.
MONACO, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE: STNG) (Scorpio Tankers or the Company) announced today that its Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023 has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and can be accessed on the Companys website www.scorpiotankers.com in the Investors section under Reports and Presentations.



Shareholders may also request a hard copy of the Annual Report, which includes the Companys complete 2023 audited financial statements, free of charge, by contacting the Company at:

Scorpio Tankers Inc.

Attn: Investor Relations

150 E 58th Street

New York, NY 10155

Tel: +1-212-542-1616

E-mail: investor.relations@scorpiotankers.com

Reports and other information regarding the Company are also available without charge at a website maintained by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov.

About Scorpio Tankers Inc.

Scorpio Tankers Inc. is a provider of marine transportation of petroleum products worldwide. Scorpio Tankers Inc. currently owns or lease finances 110 product tankers (39 LR2 tankers, 57 MR tankers and 14 Handymax tankers) with an average age of 8.1 years. The Company has entered into agreements to sell two of its MR tankers within the first half of 2024. Additional information about the Company is available at the Companys website www.scorpiotankers.com, which is not a part of this press release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forwardlooking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forwardlooking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forwardlooking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words believe, expect, anticipate, estimate, intend, plan, target, project, likely, may, will, would, could and similar expressions identify forwardlooking statements.

The forwardlooking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, managements examination of historical operating trends, data contained in the Companys records and other data available from third parties. Although management believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond the Companys control, there can be no assurance that the Company will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. The Company undertakes no obligation, and specifically declines any obligation, except as required by law, to publicly update or revise any forwardlooking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in the Companys view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forwardlooking statements include unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses, future prospects, business and management strategies in response to epidemic and other public health concerns including any effect on demand for petroleum products and the transportation thereof, expansion and growth of the Companys operations, risks relating to the integration of assets or operations of entities that it has or may in the future acquire and the possibility that the anticipated synergies and other benefits of such acquisitions may not be realized within expected timeframes or at all, the failure of counterparties to fully perform their contracts with the Company, the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand for tanker vessel capacity, changes in the Companys operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for the Companys vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, charter counterparty performance, ability to obtain financing and comply with covenants in such financing arrangements, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, including the impact of the conflict in Ukraine and the developments in the Middle East, including the armed conflict in Israel and Gaza, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of offhires, and other factors. Please see the Companys filings with the SEC for a more complete discussion of certain of these and other risks and uncertainties.

Contact Information

Scorpio Tankers Inc.

James Doyle  Head of Corporate Development & Investor Relations

Tel: +1 646-432-1678

Email: investor.relations@scorpiotankers.com
Dublin, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Japan Pharmaceutical 3PL - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts 2019 - 2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Japan Pharmaceutical 3PL Market size is estimated at USD 67.41 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 94.37 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 7% during the forecast period (2024-2029).









Key Highlights

The pharmaceutical industry's third-party logistics market is growing because more and more people are willing to use online delivery services. This trend has led to a rise in demand for third-party logistics solutions. Japan has been the leading force in the pharmaceutical third-party logistics market, with the government providing incentives. The Japanese Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency, in partnership with the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare and drug companies, created a platform for online information exchange and patient consultation services.





The demand for temperature-controlled logistics services to ship biologics across international borders and the expansion of biopharmaceutical companies' distribution networks to boost sales are fueling market expansion. It serves as motivation. Pharmaceutical logistics organizations have noticed a considerable increase in the use of automated storage and retrieval systems in emerging nations. By limiting supply disruptions and giving priority to crucial treatments, major market actors played a significant role in the fight against COVID-19.





For example, Nippon Express has WHO Standard GDP Certification for the East Japan Pharmaceutical Center in Kuki, Saitama Prefecture. This is because they focus on storage and transit with two temperature zones to meet the demand for high-quality logistics. The center has WHO (World Health Organization) standard GDP certification for storing and transporting medications in two temperature zones (room temperature: 15-25C, cold storage: 2-8C).

Japan Pharmaceutical 3PL Market Trends



Generics drugs market growing in the country



The generic drug market in Japan is growing at a rapid pace, with more and more drug companies starting up in the past few years. Japanese generics are now one of the fastest-growing segments in the pharmaceutical industry, as rising life expectancy and an aging population put pressure on existing suppliers to find new solutions. Japan is a country known for its high technology and strong market competition. It also has one of the highest healthcare expenditures per capita in the world.



Comparing Japan to other developed markets like the US and EU, generic medicine penetration has always been lower in Japan. Since the turn of the century, however, the number of people taking generic drugs has grown quickly due to a change in government policy.



In response to the country's aging population and the rising cost of branded drugs, the government passed a law to cut medical spending and move money from low-cost generics to innovative products. By September 2020, the government set a goal of 80% generic medicine penetration, although it only achieved roughly 2% of that aim. In the Japanese prescription medicine market as of September 2021, generics held a share of roughly 79%.



Generics were a good market for businesses and individuals who wanted brand-name drugs at cheap prices. When making generic versions of more expensive brands, pharmaceutical companies tried to make them taste, look, smell, and even feel like the more expensive brands. These copycat versions were named after the most popular drug names from major manufacturers, so customers could hardly tell the difference between a generic and its branded counterpart.



Pharmaceutical imports growing in the country



Japan is an export market for American pharmaceuticals and the third-largest pharmaceutical market in the world. The healthcare sector was marketed by the Government of Japan ("GOJ") since 2013 as a growth driver under the nation's economic revival and growth strategy. The pharmaceutical industry in Japan, along with the healthcare industry, has recently attracted new interest. This increased interest in Japan's healthcare industry is partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the value of innovative healthcare goods. The requirement to strengthen Japan's drug discovery environment is a significant additional factor driving interest in the country's pharmaceutical industry. About 20% of all pharmaceutical imports into Japan are made up of American products, including those produced locally by American businesses and those that have been licensed to Japanese producers.



Through 2025, the pharmaceuticals market in Japan is expected to contract at a rate of 0.2-1.2% per year, while the global pharmaceuticals market is anticipated to expand at a rate of 4.4%. A concomitant fall in Japan's off-patent drug market is one of the factors contributing to the expected decline in the country's pharmaceutical sector. However, it is anticipated that the Japanese market for patented drugs, where U.S. corporations' goods shine, will continue to expand throughout this time.



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/sqiib2

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
MONTREAL, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier Inc. (Bombardier) today announced that it has successfully priced its offering of US$750 million aggregate principal amount of new Senior Notes due July 1, 2031. The new Senior Notes will carry a coupon of 7.250% per annum and will be sold at 99.75% of par (the New Notes). The issuance of the New Notes is expected to close on or about April 4, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.



Bombardier intends to use the proceeds of the offering of the New Notes, together with cash on hand, (i) to finance the offer to purchase (the 2026 Tender Offer) up to US$550 million aggregate purchase amount (exclusive of accrued and unpaid interest) of its outstanding 7.125% Senior Notes due 2026 (the 2026 Notes), of which there is US$1,001 million aggregate principal amount outstanding on the date hereof, (ii) to fund the redemption (the 2027 Notes Redemption) of US$200 million aggregate purchase amount (exclusive of accrued and unpaid interest) of its outstanding 7.875% Senior Notes due 2027 (the 2027 Notes), of which there is US$1,733 million aggregate principal amount outstanding on the date hereof, and (iii) for the payment of accrued interest and related fees and expenses.

Consummation of the offering of the New Notes, the 2026 Tender Offer and the 2027 Notes Redemption are subject to market and other conditions, and there can be no assurance that Bombardier will be able to successfully complete these transactions on the terms described above, or at all. The 2026 Tender Offer and the 2027 Notes Redemption are subject to certain conditions, including the completion of the offering of the New Notes prior to April 9, 2024, as it relates to the 2026 Tender Offer, and prior to April 22, 2024, as it relates to the 2027 Notes Redemption.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or buy or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation, sale or purchase of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offering, solicitation, sale or purchase would be unlawful.

The New Notes mentioned herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, any state securities laws or the laws of any other jurisdiction, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. The New Notes mentioned herein may be offered and sold in the United States only to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the U.S. Securities Act and outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act. The New Notes mentioned herein have not been and will not be qualified for distribution to the public under applicable Canadian securities laws and, accordingly, any offer and sale of the securities in Canada will be made on a basis which is exempt from the prospectus requirements of such securities laws. The New Notes will be offered and sold in Canada on a private placement basis only to accredited investors pursuant to certain prospectus exemptions.

This announcement does not constitute an offer to purchase or the solicitation of an offer to sell the New Notes, the 2026 Notes or the 2027 Notes. This announcement does not constitute a redemption notice in respect of any 2027 Notes or any other notes. Any redemption of the 2027 Notes or any other notes will be made pursuant to a notice of redemption under the indentures governing such notes. Any purchase of the 2026 Notes pursuant to the 2026 Tender Offer will be made pursuant to an offer to purchase.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements based on current expectations. By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to important known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

For information
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TORONTO, March 21, 2024 - Canadian North Resources Inc. ("the Company," TSXV: CNRI; OTCQX: CNRSF; FSE: EO0 (E-O-zero)) announces that, subject to acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange, it proposes to amend the exercise price of options to purchase a total of 1,600,000 Common Shares from $2.45 to $1.70 per share, for options previously granted to consultants to the Corporation.



About Canadian North Resources

Canadian North Resources Inc. is an exploration and development company focusing on the critical metals for the clean-energy, electric vehicles, battery and high-tech industries. The company is advancing its 100% owned Ferguson Lake nickel, copper, cobalt, palladium, and platinum project that covers an area of 253.8 km2 of mining leases (96.9 km2) and surrounding exploration claims (156.9 km2) in the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut, Canada.

The Ferguson Lake mining property contains substantial resources in compliance with NI43-101 standards, which include Indicated Mineral Resources of 66.1 million tonnes (Mt) containing 1,093 million pounds (Mlb) copper at 0.75%, 678Mlb nickel at 0.47%, 79Mlb cobalt at 0.05%, 2.34 million ounces (Moz) palladium at 1.10gpt and 0.42Moz platinum at 0.19gpt; Inferred Mineral Resources of 25.9 Mt containing 558Mlb copper at 0.98%, 333Mlb nickel at 0.58%, 40Mlb cobalt at 0.07%, 1.12Moz palladium at 1.43gpt and 0.21Moz platinum at 0.25gpt. The Mineral Resource Model indicates potential for continued Mineral Resource expansion along strike and at depth over the 15-km long main mineralized horizon and within the open satellite mineralized zones. (Refer to the press release "Canadian North Resources Reports Substantial Increase of Copper, Nickel, Cobalt, Palladium and Platinum NI 43-101 Compliant Mineral Resources for its 100% owned Ferguson Lake Project in Canada" dated March 19, 2024, available on the Company's website and Sedar+. The technical report on the resource estimates, which is being prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"), will be available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under the Company's issuer profile within 45 days.) The effective date of the current Mineral Resource Statement is March 19, 2024.

For further information contact:

Sophy Cesar, Corporate Development

Phone: 905-696-8288 (Canada) 1-888-688-8809 (Toll-Free)

Email: info@cnresources.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release, including statements which may contain words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", or similar expressions, and statements related to matters which are not historical facts, are forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements, which reflect management's expectations regarding the Company's future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities, are based on certain factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release and the documents incorporated by reference herein are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. In addition, although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any future revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as expressly required by law.
Vancouver, March 21, 2024 - Emperor Metals Inc. (CSE: AUOZ) (OTCQB: EMAUF) (FSE: 9NH) ("Emperor" or the "Company") proposes to complete a non-brokered private placement financing of up to 17,064,000 million units ("Units") at a price of $0.125 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to $2,133,000 (the "Offering"). Each Unit will consist of one (1) common share (a "Share") and one-half (1/2) of a common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each whole Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional Share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.25 for a period of two years from the date or dates of closing of the Offering (a "Closing Date"). The gross proceeds from the sale of the Units will be utilized to fund exploration and development of the Company's Duquesne West Gold Project, and for general working capital.

The Company may pay finder's fees to arm's length finders (each a "Finder") in connection with this placement, which are expected to be up to 6.0% of the gross proceeds raised by such Finder, in cash, and non-transferable share purchase warrants to acquire common shares of the Company of up to 6.0% of the number of Units sold to a purchaser or purchasers introduced by the Finder(s), and exercisable by the Finder(s) at $0.25 per share for a period of up to two years from a Closing Date. The Offering is subject to the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") and any finder's fees payable will be issued in accordance with the policies of the CSE and applicable securities laws.

Evanachan Limited ("EL"; 150 King St. West, Suite 2800, Toronto, ON, M5H 1J9, Tel. (647) 258-0395), a private company controlled by Robert McEwen, will acquire 8,000,000 Units under the Offering, representing 46.9% of the total Offering. Prior to the Offering, EL did not hold any securities of the Company. Following the closing of the Offering, EL will hold 8,000,000 Shares and 4,000,000 Warrants of the Company, which will represent 8.0% of the then total number of issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis, or 11.6% on a partially diluted basis (assuming exercise of its Warrants). The Units are being acquired by EL for long-term investment purposes. EL may acquire additional securities of Emperor, including on the open market or through private acquisitions, or sell securities of Emperor in accordance with applicable securities laws, including on the open market or through private dispositions in the future depending on market conditions, reformulation of plans, and/or other factors that EL considers relevant from time to time.

John Florek, President and CEO, commented, "We would like to welcome Rob McEwen as a shareholder in our Company. His significant investment in Emperor Metals is a ringing endorsement of our aligned vision for growth, value, and success in the heart of Quebec's Abitibi mining district."

About Emperor Metals Inc.

Emperor Metals Inc. is an innovative Canadian mineral exploration company focused on developing high-quality gold properties situated in the Canadian Shield. For more information, please refer to SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), under the Company's profile.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

s/ "Alexander Horsley"

Alexander Horsley, Director

For further information, please contact:

Alexander Horsley

Phone: 778-323-3058

Email: info@emperormetals.com

Website: www.emperormetals.com

THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE HAS NOT APPROVED NOR DISAPPROVED THE CONTENT OF THIS PRESS RELEASE

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

CERTAIN STATEMENTS MADE AND INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN MAY CONSTITUTE "FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION" AND "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS" WITHIN THE MEANING OF APPLICABLE CANADIAN AND UNITED STATES SECURITIES LEGISLATION. THESE STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION ARE BASED ON FACTS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO THE COMPANY AND THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT ACTUAL RESULTS WILL MEET MANAGEMENT'S EXPECTATIONS. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION MAY BE IDENTIFIED BY SUCH TERMS AS "ANTICIPATES", "BELIEVES", "TARGETS", "ESTIMATES", "PLANS", "EXPECTS", "MAY", "WILL", "COULD" OR "WOULD".

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN ARE BASED ON CERTAIN FACTORS AND ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE ESTIMATION OF MINERAL RESOURCES AND RESERVES, THE REALIZATION OF RESOURCE AND RESERVE ESTIMATES, METAL PRICES, TAXATION, THE ESTIMATION, TIMING AND AMOUNT OF FUTURE EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT, CAPITAL AND OPERATING COSTS, THE AVAILABILITY OF FINANCING, THE RECEIPT OF REGULATORY APPROVALS, ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS, TITLE DISPUTES AND OTHER MATTERS. WHILE THE COMPANY CONSIDERS ITS ASSUMPTIONS TO BE REASONABLE AS OF THE DATE HEREOF, FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION ARE NOT GUARANTEES OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE AND READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON SUCH STATEMENTS AS ACTUAL EVENTS AND RESULTS MAY DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE DESCRIBED HEREIN. THE COMPANY DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS OR INFORMATION EXCEPT AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS.

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/202734
Calgary, March 22, 2024 - Copper Fox Metals Inc. (TSXV: CUU) (OTCQX: CPFXF) (FSE: HPU) ("Copper Fox" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has retained Fidel Ricardo Montagu Thomas ("Fidel") to provide the Company investor relations ("IR") services for an initial period of six months (the "Initial Term"), and can be renewed at the option of the Company for an additional one year subject to the terms of the services agreement (the "Agreement"). The Agreement is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") and the OTCQX Market ("OTCQX").

Elmer B. Stewart, President and CEO of Copper Fox stated, "We are pleased to have Fidel join the company in a consulting capacity to provide corporate communication to our shareholders as well as reach out to introduce the Company to prospective shareholders. Fidel has a broad background in corporate communications and his knowledge of the Company, along with his experience in the IR field, make him an excellent choice to expand the investor outreach of Copper Fox."

The Company is engaging Fidel in a consulting capacity to provide corporate communications and to coordinate meetings with current and prospective shareholders, investment advisors, broker-dealers, investment bankers and private equity groups. Pursuant to the Agreement, Fidel is required to comply with all applicable securities laws and regulations in connection with the Services. The Services will include Investor Relations Activities as such term is defined under the Policies of the TSXV and OTCQX. Fidel will receive a monthly fee in the amount of $4,300 CAD plus applicable taxes, paid monthly, for the Services during the Initial Term, unless terminated by the Company. The fee to be paid by the Company to Fidel is for the Services only. The Company and Fidel act at arm's length.

Fidel is a businessman in the Province of British Columbia, operating out of Vancouver, British Columbia and has been providing investor relations services for over 20 years.

Fidel commented "I am excited to work with the Copper Fox team to introduce their portfolio of copper projects to the investment community. Copper, which is listed as a critical metal, plays an important role in transitioning to a low carbon economy and Copper Fox is well positioned to provide producers with geopolitically safe projects."

About Copper Fox

Copper Fox is a Canadian exploration and development company focused on Tier 1 copper projects in Canada and the United States. The principal assets of Copper Fox and its wholly owned subsidiaries, being Northern Fox Copper Inc. and Desert Fox Copper Inc., are the 100% ownership of the Van Dyke oxide copper project located in Miami, AZ, the 100% interest in the Mineral Mountain and Sombrero Butte porphyry copper exploration projects located in Arizona, the 25% interest in the Schaft Creek Joint Venture with Teck Resources Ltd. on the Schaft Creek copper-gold-molybdenum-silver project and the 100% owned Eaglehead polymetallic porphyry copper project each located in northwestern British Columbia. For more information on Copper Fox visit the Company's website at www.copperfoxmetals.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Elmer B. Stewart

President and Chief Executive Officer

For additional information contact:

Lynn Ball at 1-844-464-2820; 1-403-264-2820; investor@copperfoxmetals.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.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information is generally identifiable by use of the words "believes," "may," "plans," "will," "anticipates," "intends," "budgets", "could", "estimates", "expects", "forecasts", "projects" and similar expressions, and the negative of such expressions. Forward-looking information in this news release include statements about; heighten market awareness; broadening the Company's reach within the investment community; the purpose of the Mr. Thomas engagement; the payment by the Company for the Services and the timing thereof; the approval of the TSXV and/or OTCQX; and the intended content of the Services.

In connection with the forward-looking information contained in this news release, Copper Fox and its subsidiaries have made numerous assumptions regarding, among other things: the Services will be provided as expected and will produce the intended results; and the Company will receive all required approvals, if any, in connection with the Agreement. While Copper Fox considers these assumptions to be reasonable, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause Copper Fox's actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. Known risk factors include among others: required approvals for the Agreement, if any, may not be obtained; the Services performed may not be as expected or may not have the expected results; and the Agreement may be terminated early.

A more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing Copper Fox is disclosed in Copper Fox's continuous disclosure filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities at www.sedarplus.ca. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and Copper Fox disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events, or developments, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202724
March 22 - Calgary, Alberta - Ashley Gold Corp. (CSE: "ASHL") ("Ashley" or the "Company") announces the Company has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of units ("Units") on an oversubscribed basis, for gross proceeds of $182,875 (CDN).

The Offering consisted of the issuance of an aggregate of 3,657,500 Units, at a price of $0.05 per Unit and were comprised of one common share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant ("Warrant"). Each full Warrant is exercisable into common shares at a price of $0.07 for a term of 24 months from the closing of the Offering, subject to accelerated expiry provisions described in the notes below. All securities issued under the Offering are subject to a statutory four month hold period.

After giving effect to the Offering the Company has 34,905,248 common shares outstanding.

Darcy Christian, CEO of Ashley comments "We are happy to get this financing closed as it will ensure continued exploration on our Howie, Tabor-Sakoose, and Burnthut Properties this spring. In particular, an IP survey at Howie will be very useful for drill targeting in a future drill program."

Utah Site Visit to the Uranium-Vanadium Sahara Property

On March 20, 2024, Darcy Christian and George Stephenson will conduct a site visit of the Sahara Property as part of due diligence. The visit will include reviewing several boxes of historical data and maps which will be digitized as well as a review of the existing core. Day's 2 and 3 will be spent traveling to reviewing the Sahara Property with focus on historical workings, outcrop verification and evaluating the two declines for reopening.

"I am excited to see the Sahara Property first-hand." Darcy Christian comments. "So far, all the data reviewed has met or exceeded expectations on the potential size and scope of the Property. We will document the trip for our shareholders as best we can in order to capture the potential for everyone to see"

About the Sahara Property

The Sahara Property is located 12 miles southwest of Green River, Utah and consists of over 400 claims totalling over 10,000 acres. The region has produced 4,000,000 lbs of Uranium and 5,000,000 lbs of Vanadium with some historical production occuring on the Property until 1980. The Project is located one mile off of the I-80 and is accessed by all weather gravel roads. Water wells are located on the property and power is located less than a mile away to the northeast. In addition, a nearby telecommunicaions tower and fibre optics at the property provide internet and phone access.

The Sahara Property has over 900 historical drill holes over the Sahara, Jessies Twist and Acheson discoveries. Mineralization occurs in the Salt Wash Member of the Morrison Formation within fluvial sandstones. Additional targets have been identified with surficial gamma-ray spectrometry readings across the property. In additon, bulk tonnage targets have been identified for drilling as well as the hydrodynamic conditions for roll-front bluesky potential.



Click Image To View Full Size

Figure 1 - Ariel image of the Sahara Uranium-Vanadium Property with respect to Green River, Utah

FINANCING TERMS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The gross proceeds form the sale of the Units will go toward to advancing the Howie, Tabor-Sakoose, and Burnthut Properties and for general working capital purposes.

The Company paid a total of $14,750 in finder fees associated with the Offering and issued 295,000 finder warrants at an exercise price of $0.05 expiring 24 months from the closing date of the Offering.

If, on any 10 consecutive trading days occurring after four months and one day has elapsed following the Closing Date of the Offering, the closing sales price of the common shares (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported on a trading day) as quoted on the Canadian Securities Exchange is greater than CDN$0.09 per common share, the Company may provide notice in writing to the holders of the warrants by issuance of a press release that the expiry date of the warrants will be accelerated to the 30th day after the date on which the Company issues such press release.

The Offering is subject to all necessary regulatory approvals including acceptance from the Canadian Securities Exchange. All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a four-month hold period from the closing date under applicable Canadian securities laws, in addition to such other restrictions as may apply under applicable securities laws of jurisdictions outside Canada.

The Existing Shareholder Exemption and Investment Dealer Exemption

The Offering was also made available to existing shareholders of the Company who, as of the close of business on February 20, 2024, held common shares of the Company (and who continue to hold such common shares as of the closing date), pursuant to the prospectus exemption set out in B.C. Instrument 45-534 -- Exemption From Prospectus Requirement for Certain Trades to Existing Security Holders and in similar instruments in other jurisdictions in Canada. The existing shareholder exemption limits a shareholder to a maximum investment of $15,000 in a 12-month period unless the shareholder has obtained advice regarding the suitability of the investment and, if the shareholder is resident in a jurisdiction of Canada, that advice has been obtained from a person that is registered as an investment dealer in the jurisdiction.

The Company has also made the Offering available to certain subscribers pursuant to B.C. Instrument 45-536 - Exemption Form Prospectus Requirement for Certain Distributions Through an Investment Dealer. In accordance with the requirements of the investment dealer exemption, the Company confirms that there is no material fact or material change about the Company that has not been generally disclosed.

Issuing of Options



The Company is also pleased to announce it has approved the grant of 1,000,000 incentive stock options to officers, directors, and consultants of the Company, at an exercise price of $0.10, and which expire on March 21, 2029.

ABOUT ASHLEY GOLD CORP.

Ashley Gold is focused on creating substantive, long-term value for its shareholders through the discovery and development of world class gold deposits. Ashley has acquired, 100% of the Tabor Lake Lease subject to a 1.5% royalty, 100% of the Santa Maria Project subject to a 1.75% royalty, 100% interest in the Howie Lake Project subject to a 0.5% royalty, 100% interest in the Alto-Gardnar Project subject to a 0.5% royalty, 100% interest in the Burnthut Property subject to a 1.5% NSR, and an option to earn 100% of the Sakoose claims subject to a 1.5% NSR.

Ashley Gold Corp. is an early-stage natural resource company engaged primarily in the acquisition, exploration, and if warranted, development of mineral projects. The Corporation's objective is to conduct efficient and economical exploration on its growing portfolio of high-quality gold projects, currently focused in northwestern Ontario within the Eagle-Wabigoon-Manitou Lakes Greenstone Belts. In addition, Ashley has entered into a LOI to earn 100% of the Sahara Uranium-Vanadium property in Emery County, Utah subject to a 2% NSR.

The responsibility of this release lies with Mr. Darcy Christian, President and CEO  +1 (587) 777-9072  dchristian@ashleygoldcorp.com , may be contacted for further information. www.ashleygoldcorp.com

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

DISCLAIMER & FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, and by their very nature involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on currently available information, Ashley Gold Corp. provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Factors which cause results to differ materially are set out in the Company's documents filed on SEDAR. Undue reliance should not be placed on "forward looking statements".

Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH ANY WIRE SERVICE IN THE UNITED STATES

MONTREAL, March 22, 2024 -- Cerro de Pasco Resources Inc. (CSE: CDPR) (OTCPK: GPPRF) (FRA: N8HP) ("CDPR" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce that it has secured the funds to cover the fee payable in relation to the Legal Easement (the "Easement"). Upon publication of the Supreme Resolution granting the Easement, CDPR will pay SOL 3,647,402.44 or approximately CAD 1,350,000 to a specific bank account of Banco de la Nacion. The two-year Easement will provide CDPR with access to the surface areas corresponding to its El Metalurgista Concession and the Quiulacocha Tailings Project, enabling the Corporation to initiate its 40-hole drilling campaign.

Granting of Easement Timeline

The change of Minister of Energy and Mines in February, together with normal process clarifications resulted in a temporary delay in the ongoing procedures. At this time, we are not aware of any additional requirement that should be met for the granting of the easement and no further delays are expected. CDPR has fulfilled all the legal requirements set forth by Peruvian law for those purposes. With the Minister himself reiterating full support, the signature of the Supreme Resolution is expected imminently.



Background

CDPR is the titleholder of the El Metalurgista Concession located in Peru, which grants it the right to explore and exploit the Quiulacocha Tailings located within its assigned area. The enforceability of these rights has been formally confirmed by the General Mining Bureau of Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines.

The Quiulacocha Tailings

The Quiulacocha Tailings Storage Facility covers approximately 115 hectares and is estimated to hold approximately 75 million tonnes of tailings deposited from the 1920s to 1990s.

The Quiulacocha Tailings Storage Facility is comprised of processing residues that came from the Cerro de Pasco open pit and underground mine. Initially these tailings resulted from the mining of copper-silver-gold mineralization with reported historical grades of up to 10% Cu, 4/gt Au and over 300g/t Ag and later from the mining of zinc-lead-silver mineralized material with average historical grades of 7.41% Zn, 2.77% Pb and 90.33 g/t Ag.

The most recent Historical Mineral Resource Estimate for the Quiulacocha tailings, prepared by JA Brophy in 2012, contained 7.4 million tonnes at 1.35% to 1.55% Zn, 0.55% to 1.00% Pb and 1.20 to 1.35 oz/t Ag. This estimate was based on a shallow surface auger sampling program which is estimated to represent only 10% of the expected tonnes of the tailings. Historical Mineral Estimates are historical in nature and cannot be relied upon for economic evaluations.

First Tranche Funding

Funding for the Easement has been secured through the sale of 15,450,000 subscription receipts of the Corporation (the "Subscription Receipts") at a price of $0.10 per Subscription Receipt for aggregate gross proceeds of $1,545,000 (the "Offering"). The funds are held in escrow until the Release Conditions have been satisfied, namely: (i) the Corporation has received subscriptions under the Offering for a minimum amount of US$1,000,000; (ii) issuance of the Supreme Resolution, whereby the Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines grants and/or acknowledges the Corporation's legal easement over certain surface areas owned by Activos Mineros SAC, allowing the Corporation to conduct mining activities in the "El Metalurgista" mining concession; and (iii) notification to the Corporation of the issuance of the Supreme Resolution.

Upon the satisfaction of the Release Conditions, 1) each Subscription Receipt will automatically be converted into a unit of the Corporation ("Unit"). Each Unit will consist of (i) one common share in the capital of the Corporation (a "Share") and (ii) one half of one unit purchase warrant (each whole unit purchase warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to acquire one additional unit (a "Warrant Unit") at a price of $0.15 per Warrant Unit until the earlier of the date which is 24 months after the issue date of the Warrants and, if applicable, the Accelerated Expiry Date (as defined hereinafter) (the "Expiry Date"). Each Warrant Unit shall consist of (i) one additional Share (a "Warrant Share") and (ii) one additional Share purchase warrant (an "Underlying Warrant"). Each Underlying Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to acquire one additional Share (an "Underlying Warrant Share") at a price of $0.25 per Underlying Warrant Share until the Expiry Date.

In the event that, during the 24-month period following the issue date of the Warrants , the volume-weighted average trading price of the Shares exceeds $0.60 per Share for any period of 20 consecutive trading days, the Corporation may, at its option, following such 20-day period, accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants by delivery of a notice (an "Acceleration Notice") to the registered holders thereof and issuing a press release (a "Warrant Acceleration Press Release"), and, in such case, the expiry date of the Warrants shall be deemed to be 5:00 p.m. (Montreal time) on the 30th day following the later of (i) the date on which the Acceleration Notice is sent to Warrant holders, and (ii) the date of issuance of the Warrant Acceleration Press Release (the "Accelerated Expiry Date").

In connection with the completion of the Offering, the Corporation expects to pay finder's fees in an aggregate amount of $21,000 and issue a total of 210,000 Warrants to arm's length third parties who assisted the Corporation by introducing subscribers to the Offering.

All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period in accordance with applicable securities laws, expiring four-month-and-one-day from the issue date of the Subscription Receipts.

The Corporation expects to close an additional tranche by the end of the month.

The securities to be issued under 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 state securities laws. Accordingly, these securities may not be offered or sold, pledged or otherwise transferred within the United States or to U.S. persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to exemptions from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the U.S., nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Technical Information

Mr. Jorge Lozano, MMSAQP and Chief Operating Officer for CDPR, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Lozano is a Qualified Person for the purposes of reporting in compliance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Cerro de Pasco Resources

Cerro de Pasco Resources is a mining company, with the goal to become the next mid-tier producer in Peru. CDPR is focused on the development of its principal 100% owned asset, the El Metalurgista mining concession, comprising mineral tailings and stockpiles extracted from the Cerro de Pasco open pit mine in Central Peru. The company's approach at El Metalurgista entails the reprocessing and environmental remediation of mining waste and the creation of numerous opportunities in a circular economy. CDPR is also focused on mining, development and exploration of its wholly-owned 6,000-hectare Santander Mine in the highly prospective Antamina-Yauricocha Skarn Corridor, located 215 km from Lima. CDPR was founded on clear objectives: to engender long-term economic sustainability and benefit for the local population, from an economic, social and health point of view.

Further Information

Guy Goulet, CEO

Telephone: +1-579-476-7000 Mobile: +1-514-294-7000

ggoulet@pascoresources.com

Forward-Looking Statements and Disclaimer

Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified using forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "seeks", "expects", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "could", "might", "likely" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "will", "could", "would", "might", "will be taken", "occur", "be achieved" or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements, including the expectations of CDPR's management regarding the anticipated use of the proceeds raised under the Offering, statements relating to the publication of the Supreme Resolution granting the Easement to CDPR, the terms of such Easement and the timing of such publication, are based on CDPR's estimates and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of CDPR to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic factors and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements, including the risks associated with exploration, development and mining activities; the impact of macroeconomic events, and any material adverse effect on the business, properties and assets of CDPR, as well as the relevant assumptions and risks factors set out in CDPR's public documents, available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Although CDPR believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements and forward-looking information. Except where required by applicable law, CDPR disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved the content of this news release.
Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. (the "Company") (CSE-GCC/OTC-GCCFF/WKN-A0RLEP) announces that, further to its news release of March 12, 2024, the final tranche of the non-brokered private placement was issued. The summary of the two tranche private placement follows. The private placement was fully subscribed with total gross proceeds of $2,000,000. A total of 20,000,000 Units at a price of $0.10 per Unit, were issued. Each Unit consisted of one common share and one-half share purchase warrant; each full warrant is exercisable for a period of 5 years from the closing at exercise prices as follows: $0.12 in year one, $0.14 in year two, $0.16 in year three, $0.18 in year four, and $0.20 in year five. A total of 10,000,000 warrants were issued, with 6,455,000 expiring on March 8, 2029 and 3,545,000 expiring on March 21, 2029.

Finder's fees were paid in connection with the Offering. Total cash commissions of $89,440 ($76,480 in tranche one and $12,960 in tranche two). Total broker warrants issued were 894,400 (764,800 in tranche one and 129,600 in tranche two). The broker warrants have the same terms as the participant warrants. The proceeds of the private placement will be used for property exploration and for general working capital.

Multilateral Instrument 61-101

Insider participation totaled 350,000 Units for $35,000 ($10,000 in tranche one and $25,000 in tranche two). 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(a) of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 on the basis that the participation in the Offering by the insiders did not exceed 25 per cent of the fair market value of the Company's market capitalization.

Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. announces the granting of 3,200,000 incentive stock options pursuant to its stock option plan to directors and officers of the Company, as well as employees and consultants of the Company. Each option is exercisable to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of $0.22 per share for a term of 5 years. The options vest immediately. Options, and the shares issuable upon exercise, are subject to a four month hold period from the date of grant.

About Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd.

Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. is rediscovering the Cariboo Gold Rush by proceeding with high-grade targeted drilling and trenching programs on its Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine Project which is almost fully encircled on 3 of 4 sides by Osisko Development (NSE-ODV/TSXV-ODV). Historically, over 101 placer gold creeks on the 90 km trend from the Cariboo Hudson mine north to the Quesnelle Gold Quartz mine have recorded production and successful placer mining continues to this day.

Golden Cariboo's Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property is 4 km northeast of, and road accessible from, Hixon in central British Columbia. The property includes the Quesnelle Quartz gold-silver deposit, which was discovered in 1865 in conjunction with placer mining activities. Hixon Creek, which dissects the Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property, is a placer creek which has seen small-scale placer production since the mid 1860's.

Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd.

"J. Frank Callaghan"

J. Frank Callaghan, President & CEO

Neither the "CSE" Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service 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 Statements:

This news release contains statements which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and plans of the Company. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions and includes information regarding; the expectation that the Company will receive all necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; the expectation that the Company will complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; the expectation that the proceeds will be used for property exploration and for general working capital; the Company's exploration plans with respect to its Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property; and the anticipated participation of the insider in the Offering.

Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of management, including, without limitation, that the Company will receive all necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; that the Company will complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; that the proceeds will be used for property exploration and for general working capital; that the Company will have the resources required to proceed with its exploration plans; that the Company will not run into regulatory or other barriers in carrying out its business plans; that the insider will participate in the Offering, on the terms and conditions and in the amount currently expected by management; and that the Company will be able to rely on the exemption from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements on the basis anticipated.

Additionally, forward-looking information involve 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 statements. Such risks include, without limitation: that the Company will not receive the necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; that the Company will not complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; that the Company will be unable to use the proceeds for property exploration and for general working capital; that the Company may incur unanticipated costs; that the Company may not have the resources required to pursue its exploration plans; that the Company's operations could be adversely affected by possible future government legislation policies and controls or by changes in applicable laws and regulations; that the insider may not participate in the Offering on the terms and conditions and in the amount currently expected by management, or at all; and that the Company may not be able to rely on the exemption from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements on the basis currently expected. Such forward-looking information represents management's 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. Neither the Company nor any of its representatives make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, sufficiency or completeness of the information in this news release. Neither the Company nor any of its representatives shall have any liability whatsoever, under contract, tort, trust or otherwise, to you or any person resulting from the use of the information in this news release by you or any of your representatives or for omissions from the information in this news release.

The forward-looking statements herein speak only as of the date they were originally made. The Company has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.


Verstappen denies worrying about Red Bull's 2026 engine

Max Verstappen has denied speculation that rumours about his Red Bull exit could be more about the all-new 2026 engine rules than the Christian Horner saga.

Max Verstappen, Saudi Arabian GP 2024

 Red Bull

The F1 contracts of top stars like Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are all believed to contain certain 'exit clauses' - like the rumoured 'Marko clause' that would allow Max to escape Red Bull in the event Dr Helmut Marko departs.

But while the Austrian and Horner-Thai factions at Red Bull are clearly warring at present, powered in part by fiery comments made by Max's father Jos, the triple world champion sounded calm about the turmoil in Melbourne.

That would tie into rising rumours that Verstappen may be eying the exit door not because of Horner, but because of his nervousness about Red Bull's new powertains project in collaboration with Ford.

Honda, having powered all of Verstappen's titles to date, is switching to Aston Martin for 2026, when the all-new and radical engine regulations will debut.

Last year, Horner sounded the alarm about the 2026 rules, admitting that early simulations at Red Bull showed that drivers will have to get off the throttle mid-straight in order to conserve electrical energy.

I suppose he (Horner) is worried that his engine program is not working and maybe he wants to kill the regulations because of that, Mercedes' Toto Wolff said at the time.

Now, amid the Horner scandal and Red Bull power struggle, Wolff is openly wooing Verstappen to Mercedes. Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert told the Sun newspaper earlier this week: I've heard they are getting quite close with the deal with Mercedes.

So is Verstappen contemplating a move to Mercedes not to escape the Red Bull turmoil, but because he believes the German giant will repeat its earlier feat of acing the start of the most recent engine rules revolution a decade ago?

Verstappen was asked in Melbourne if he is worried about speculation that Red Bull Powertrains, despite Ford's involvement, is struggling with its 2026 engine?

If I had to worry about every speculation, I would also have to worry about whether I will still be alive tomorrow, he is quoted as answering by the Italian newspaper La Repubblica.

I talk to Christian and the people who work in the power unit department and there is no reason to panic, we are not in 2026 yet, the Dutchman insisted.

Yes, we are competing with established engine manufacturers and it will not be easy to beat them, but there are a lot of very good people working on our project.

(GMM)
China, Singapore pledge to strengthen exchanges in leadership building

Xinhua) 11:28, March 22, 2024

Chen Xi, president of the Party School of the Communist Party of China Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), meets with Singapore's Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean in Beijing, capital of China, March 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Chen Xi, president of the Party School of the Communist Party of China Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), met with Singapore's Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean in Beijing on Thursday.

Chen noted that leaders of the two countries elevated China-Singapore relations to an all-round high-quality future-oriented partnership last year, drawing a blueprint for the development of bilateral ties in the new era.

It is hoped that the two sides will continue to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning on governance and leadership training and push for new progress in China-Singapore relations, he added.

Both China and Singapore attach great importance to the development of human resources, Teo said, adding that it is hoped that both sides will continue to strengthen the exchange of experience in leadership building and promote the sustainable development of close relations between the two sides.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Oracle Red Bull Racing

Max Verstappen (2nd, 1:17.658): "Today was a little bit messy because of what happened in FP1: we had some damage to the floor and chassis, which took a bit longer to fix meaning I had a bit of catch up to do. The turnaround was very quick and Team did a great job but we ended up losing a bit of running time in FP2. Normally I would have liked to have had a few more laps and I didn't manage to do many long runs but I think that the laps we did were good. I think we know what we have to focus on and we have a few things to fine tune but we are looking forward to tomorrow."

Sergio Perez (8th, 1:18.090): "It was a tricky Friday in general and overall, I think we have some work to do overnight. Melbourne is also quite difficult when you move to the afternoon because the visibility is super poor with the low sun in your face. I think we are in a good place this season with the car though and we should be looking strong for tomorrow. We need to put it all together because it will be important to qualify high up. Degradation wise it looks quite high on the long runs; we need to look at that and it will be interesting to see what the best strategy will be this weekend. I think Ferrari look strong, this circuit seems to be better for them, they have been competitive in the long runs. They will be a challenge to beat this weekend, generally they are quite fast around here so it could be interesting to see how we match up."

Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team

George Russell (6th, 1:17.951): "We were pushing the limits today and I had a few moments out there. It was all under control in the end though. It was very tight out there in the first session with FP2 slightly more spread out. I was on for a really good lap on my last push on the Soft tyre, but just ran wide in the last two corners and picked up some minor damage to my front-wing. Without that, I think we would have finished the session P3. We are trying to understand this car further and made some changes after Saudi Arabia. Every single lap is so valuable as you learn more about the car and try to get it into the sweet spot. We will have the team back at the factory working hard in the simulator to get more performance out of it. Let's see what tomorrow brings. When you arrive the next day, it can often be very different."

Lewis Hamilton (18th, 1:18.834): "It didn't feel great out there today. We began the day on the front foot and in FP1, the car generally felt good. The first run was actually the best the car has felt so far this year. To continue our learning, we made some big changes into FP2 and unfortunately, that made the car worse. It was tough but there are positives we can take from the first session. We will be working hard overnight to make improvements ahead of tomorrow."

Andrew Shovlin: "We had a good FP1 session. The changes we made to improve our high-speed cornering performance and reduce the bouncing after Saudi Arabia seemed to be a good step in the right direction. Overall, the car was feeling quite good. Unfortunately, FP2 wasn't as strong. Lewis felt that we had gone in the wrong direction with our changes. Frustratingly, they weren't quick to unwind so he had to live with that throughout the session. George found the car a bit trickier in the windier conditions of FP2 compared to earlier in the day. We could have ended a bit higher up the time sheets had he not had a bit of damage. Overall though, it's clear that we've got work to do overnight to improve the car."

Scuderia Ferrari

Charles Leclerc (1st, 1:17.277): "It was a solid first day, everything felt good from the start and I was comfortable in the car. The most important thing for us to do tomorrow will be to go with the track and anticipate what the evolution will be like. We will focus on optimising our balance and try to make a step forward before qualifying. It looks good for now but we have to wait and see how it will look tomorrow, I expect the field to be much tighter."

Carlos Sainz (3rd, 1:17.707): "It's been a couple of tough weeks leading to today and to be honest I'm very happy I could complete both sessions feeling reasonably comfortable. I will continue to take it step by step to make sure I come to qualifying and to the race in the best form possible. I'm confident tomorrow will be better and overall, the car seems to be in a good place this weekend. We'll try to maximise everything from body and machine!"

McLaren Formula 1 Team

Oscar Piastri (7th, 1:18.077): "First day in Melbourne. All-in-all, not a bad day. We were a bit up-and-down but there were definitely some positive signs. We'll have a look and see what we can find for tomorrow  but it's been nice to be driving back at home. We've got a few things to look at and try to work on but I'm feeling optimistic."

Lando Norris (9th, 1:18.155): "A reasonable day. We struggled to find a bit of confidence given the gusts of wind, so we didn't get the best feeling, but I think the pace is reasonable. We're in the mix, which is a good sign. It should make our lives exciting tomorrow  but we've still got a lot of work to do to make the most of it."

Andrea Stella, Team Principal: "A productive day of practice here in Melbourne. We could test all the set-up items that we had in the programme, including understanding the tyres, which will make the race interesting from a strategy point of view. From a performance point of view, it's been an encouraging day. The car behaves well in general but there are some aspects to improve. We have a lot of data to look into this evening to prepare for Qualifying and the race."

Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team

Lance Stroll (4th, 1:17.822):

Fernando Alonso (5th, 1:17.912):

BWT Alpine F1 Team

Pierre Gasly (15th, 1:18.691): "It's been a busy day for us here in Melbourne. We had a couple of small issues on the car in Free Practice 1, which limited our running a little bit. We managed to fix those ahead of the second session to have a much better feeling in the car. The overall balance was in a good place. We were probably stronger on the Medium tyre and that means we have some work to do on the Softs, which we seemed to have more difficulties with. There's some work ahead of us understand how best to get the tyres in the right window ahead of Qualifying. We know the situation we are in and we know it will be challenging so we will keep working hard to improve what we have in our hands. Tyre degradation looked quite high on long runs, which could mean the race will be more eventful."

Esteban Ocon (17th, 1:18.705): "Today was productive and it was good to get out on track in front of full grandstands on a Friday, which is always the case with the fans here in Melbourne. The field is very tight, as it tends to be at Albert Park, so it will be important to extract the maximum from the package, as it could be the difference between one or two rows on the grid. There's still some things we can improve ahead of tomorrow and we will keep working hard overnight to get prepared for Qualifying. It was interesting today to test the new softer compound tyre for this event compared to last year. In general, this is a low degradation circuit, so these changes could offer up some different strategy options and opportunities for the Grand Prix on Sunday."

Williams Racing

Logan Sargeant (13th, 1:18.578): "There was good grip out there compared to last year but the wind picked up this afternoon, making it a little more unpredictable. Generally, on low fuel, we have a decent car with the good news being that we're at the fine-tuning stage, however, I obviously lost that Medium tyre on the spin and didn't get a high fuel run. Despite this, we're in a good place ahead of tomorrow and there's still some more to get out of the car. As a team, we're on the backfoot a bit this weekend but we'll do what we can."

Alexander Albon (20th, No Time): "It was a tricky session in FP1 and I paid the price for it. I ran a little wide and went up onto the exit curb and bottomed out when I landed, so it's frustrating. I think we have a car that's quite quick this weekend, so it's disappointing to not have been able to participate in FP2. We don't have a spare chassis and I know the team are working hard on what repairs can be made, so we'll know more soon."

Dave Robson, Head of Vehicle Performance: "It has been a difficult day for us with issues in both sessions. Alex lost the car having hit the kerb in FP1, causing a lot of damage to the car, including the chassis. He was unable to run in FP2 as a result. Logan damaged his Medium tyres early in FP2 and so his high fuel work was done on the Soft tyre, which wasn't our intended plan. We have a lot of work to do tonight to understand where the performance of the car is, particularly at high fuel. At low fuel, the car is working well, and we know where we can find more time, but we didn't learn much at high fuel today and so it is less clear what we need to do in preparation for the race. We'll work through the data that we have and complete some further testing during FP3 to finalise the setup for Qualifying."

Visa Cash App RB Formula One

Yuki Tsunoda (10th, 1:18.188): "As a first day, we're in good shape compared to the last two races. The team did a fantastic job in terms of preparation, so I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Obviously, the field is very tight in qualifying as we know, so we'll finetune the small details, and I know those things will come and we'll be able to put it all together tomorrow. Now it's maximum preparation tonight, I'll push as much as I can and hopefully, we make it to Q3!"

Daniel Ricciardo (12th, 1:18.534): "Firstly, it was just nice to be back on track  it's a good one. For myself, Oscar and Valtteri it's obviously emotional. The crowd is crazy like you'd get at a rock concert, there are so many people here for a Practice day. I think Albert Park has always done a good job at keeping it full all day. You come to watch on a Friday and you don't just see F1, it's V8, Porsche, F2, 3  it's a lot. It's good that Aussie motorsport is strong, and it's reaching areas like Valtteri in Finland. I drove here in 2022 when they just made the track changes. It's a lot faster than it used to be, it's good. I think as a team we started the morning on the front foot, and I think this afternoon, the others found a little more. I think we're definitely still within a shot of Q3 tomorrow. There are a lot of corners where, because it's still a street circuit obviously, you put it on the edge. I think the conditions and grip were pretty good and it was fun to get into it. There's a little bit of work to do tonight but nothing too crazy. As always, I think there's a bit of finetuning of the car, and it should give us a good chance for tomorrow. In terms of race pace, with the little long run that we did, it seems okay. Let's qualify in the top 10 and then it'll all get easier from there."

Alan Permane, Racing Director: "Today was a fairly routine and trouble-free day. We, like most people, ran a medium and then a soft tyre in the first Practice session to get up to speed, start looking at the car balance and assess the car for qualifying on the soft tyre. The same again for the second session; the medium and then the soft compound, and then high fuel running on the medium tyre. Both drivers were pretty happy with the car straight away and had no issues at all. It's been a nice day where we've just worked through our programmes, completed everything we wanted to do, and now we're preparing the cars for tomorrow."

Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber

Guanyu Zhou (11th, 1:18.421): "It is always great to be back in Melbourne. The fans bring an incredible sense of passion which makes coming back to the track exciting. Today was about understanding our upgrades and the track evolution, and I found a good rhythm with the car. After both sessions, this feels like a car I could push with, and shows the efforts the team, both here and back in Hinwil, has been making. We had a few setting changes between FP1 and FP2, and each time we develop the car, it seems to be going in the right direction. Our front wing upgrade is designed to help with the overall car balance  and there is still more to extract and learn about the car over the weekend. As we continue to finetune our package, I am looking forward to the rest of the weekend and believe we might be fighting closer to the points."

Valtteri Bottas (14th, 1:18.585): "Today was really productive for understanding the car, especially in light of the new upgrades we brought to Australia. We focused on fulfilling our program and on set-up work where we have taken a small step forward: but there is definitely more to unlock tonight. We are aiming for a minimum of Q2, but if we get everything right on Saturday, Q3 could be possible for us. Outside of the track, it's been absolutely brilliant to be in Melbourne and witness all the passion from the fans. The energy is always great, and I hope we can give the crowd some excitement this weekend: I'm looking forward to it."

MoneyGram Haas F1 Team

Nico Hulkenberg (16th, 1:18.702): "It's been very windy today and I think that's why we've seen so many people go off; it makes it pretty tricky out there. It's such a high-speed circuit now and there's no margin for error, so you can get caught out very easily. Our Friday was fine with no issues, so it was the usual program to clean some things up for tomorrow. I feel our one-lap pace wasn't shining today so we have a bit of homework to do to find some performance over one lap. I think in the long run, I felt better than on my low-fuel run, so that's nice for a change as that wasn't always the case last year but we're trying to optimize both as much as we can."

Kevin Magnussen (19th, 1:19.275): "We had two good free practice sessions today so I'm looking forward to seeing what we can do tomorrow. It's a very tight field so we could be anywhere almost, certainly in the mix for P10 or P11. I got a run on the soft tire but I didn't set a time on it  I messed up my laps  but on the medium compound it looks promising so we'll look at the sectors. There's some pace in there."

Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal: "This event is the first time that we're using the C5 compound as the soft tire. We struggled a little bit to extract the performance out of it compared to the C4 medium, so we need to study that a little. On the long run, as we expected, graining is the biggest issue so we need to look at the data and see how we can improve for Sunday. I think with our qualifying pace we have a bit more to find, the same with race pace, but with the C5 we have a bit more focus on qualifying."
OnePlus thinks you should upgrade from your Pixel to the 12R
The seamless updates Android feature introduced by Google way back in 2016 was adopted by most Android OEMs except Samsung. Samsung said it was working on implementing seamless updates on its Android smartphones, and after eight years, the Korean brand has finally brought this feature to its devices, with the Galaxy A55 being the first Samsung smartphone to benefit from it.



Samsung Galaxy A55

The Samsung Galaxy A55 recently received the March 2024 Android security patch in India with firmware version A556EXXS1AXC1, which also brought the seamless updates feature to the smartphone. Thus, users will see two messages upon downloading an update - "Downloading and installing" and "Verification."

The seamless updates feature allows the update to be installed on partition B while you use your phone in partition A and restart it when the installation is complete. This keeps the device usable during the installation and is only unavailable when it's restarting, which could take up to 90 seconds on the Galaxy A55, meaning you no longer have to wait a few minutes for the entire installation process to complete to use your phone.

It's unclear which Samsung smartphone will get the seamless updates feature next, but it's unlikely that older models will support it since the device needs to be configured for this feature before it leaves the factory.

Via
An administrative supervisor at the Office of the Attorney General was charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct for allegedly engaging in sexual acts with a 14-year-old girl, according to documents filed Friday at the Superior Court of Guam.

Lorena Sue Manibusan Uncangco, who works in the Child Support Division at the AGs office, is accused of engaging in sexual penetration with a minor.

Uncangco was confined as of Friday afternoon, and would be placed on administrative leave pending the resolution of her case, according to Chief Deputy Attorney General Joe Guthrie, who is handling the personnel matter for the AGs office.

Special Assistant Attorney General Joseph McDonald, who was hired on a contract at the AGs office, has been assigned the case, according to Guthrie. He said a conflict wall was erected to deal with Uncangcos case.

Attorney General Douglas Moylan told the Pacific Daily News he had represented Uncangcos ex-husband over a decade ago, and had disqualified himself from the matter.

During Uncangcos magistrate hearing in front of Magistrate Judge Benjamin C. Sison on Friday, McDonald requested that Uncangco be held on $25,000 cash bail.

Sison appointed Alternate Public Defender Richard Dirkx to represent her until she secured private counsel of her own.

Dirkx immediately argued against the bail amount, stating that Uncangco posed no flight risk and is a lifelong resident of Guam.

He also argued that McDonalds filed affidavit was invalid, because a prosecutor must be a classified employee of the government and if not, then he must be duly appointed by the governor as a special prosecutor.

McDonald, a former deputy attorney general and chief prosecutor for the AGs office under former AG Elizabeth Barrett-Anderson, countered Dirkx and said that the governor no longer had authority to handle public prosecution unless the Legislature provides statute to do so.

Sison said he would allow the charging documents to remain in effect, and released Uncangco on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond.

That means if Uncangco violated any of her imposed conditions, she would owe the court $25,000.

She was ordered to stay away from the alleged victim and witnesses mentioned in the case, and that she not be left alone with any minors. She was also ordered to check in with the Probation Office once a month by phone.

Sison said Uncangcos next hearing date would be April 11.

Reporter Joe Taitano II contributed to this story.
Guam Community Colleges new multipurpose auditorium, where GCCs first Spring Bazaar will be held this Saturday and Sunday, March 23 and 24, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Guam farmers will have another opportunity to help shape agriculture policies or take stock of what they have, by taking part in an ongoing U.S. Department of Agriculture survey.

One of the most important uses of agriculture census data is to justify claims of farmers who may suffer damages and losses due to natural disasters, such as typhoons.

USDAs National Agricultural Statistics Service has begun visiting farms to collect Census of Agriculture data from all known farmers.

This is done in cooperation with and assistance of the University of Guam Cooperative Extension and Outreach under the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, and the Guam Department of Agriculture, according to a press release from UOG.

For this effort, a farm is defined as any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, in 2023.

Typically conducted every five years, the Census of Agriculture is the most widely used source of statistics on the agriculture industry nationwide.

For Guam, it provides the most comprehensive and impartial agriculture data at the island level.

Federal and local governments, agribusinesses, organizations, and many more use agriculture census data to support funding research and programs to improve farming techniques and equipment, building infrastructure for high-speed internet, providing effective production and distribution systems, as well as natural disaster preparation, response, and recovery assistance.

The Census of Agriculture is a powerful voice for Guams agriculture. The information gathered influences policy decisions that will have a tremendous impact on producers and their communities for years to come, NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer said in a statement. I strongly encourage all farmers to prepare their farm records. We need to hear from all of our farmers to provide the most accurate and helpful information about agriculture in the islands.

The 2023 questionnaire includes an expanded list of commodities and new questions on agricultural practices to better capture changes and trends in the industry.

Responding in the agriculture census is required by federal law under Title 7 USC 2204 (g) Public Law 105-113.

The same law requires USDA to keep all information confidential, to use the data only for statistical purposes, and to publish the data in aggregate form to prevent disclosing the identity of any individual producer or farm operation.

Guam farmers are encouraged to prepare their farm records.

An enumerator will be in touch in the coming months, or farmers can call the University of Guam extension office at (671) 735-2060 to schedule a time with an enumerator.

USDA will release the U.S. territory agriculture census data on its website in the summer of 2025.

For more information about the Census of Agriculture, visit nass.usda.gov/AgCensus.
The longest-serving yet least paid psychologist at the Guam Department of Education will finally receive retroactive pay through the Bonuses, Rewards, and Incentives Program, or BRIP, after winning a case she has been fighting for a decade or since 2014.

Sonia Pablo, who has been employed as a psychologist at GDOE since October 2010, receives the lowest salary among four psychologists at the GDOE Student Support Services Division.

Pablos annual salary is $98,182 while her colleagues, who started working at GDOE in 2015, 2019, and 2021, earn annual salaries of $115,591.05 to $124,517.25.

I implore the commission to seek fairness, equity, and morality that Ive been seeking all this time, Pablo told the board of commissioners during a hearing on Friday. And Ive been denied the true answer. Ive been just misled all these years.

Robert Koss, who serves as Pablos representative, said she has maintained a satisfactory performance throughout her tenure as a psychologist for more than 10 years at GDOE, yet shes the lowest-paid one.

The most senior employee whos never been disciplined, whos never had unsatisfactory performance or missed an increment or been demoted or anything to affect her pay became the lowest paid psychologist in DOE because of an error that occurred in 2014, Koss said during a motion hearing on Thursday.

Civil Service Commission Board Vice Chair Anthony Benavente expressed concern over the pay gap, saying its something that should not be ignored.

The disparity between the senior employee and the new employee was just too much for me to ignore. Even as an HR (Human Resource) person, I would have sat down and said, we got to do something about this, Benavente said.

The two-day hearing ended when the board of commissioners made a unanimous vote in favor of Pablo on Friday.

10 years

According to Koss, Pablo has raised this pay disparity with GDOE management multiple times over the span of 10 years, beginning in March 2014, but no action has been taken to resolve it.

Koss said GDOE acknowledged Pablos issue and offered her the retroactive incentive but only starting from April 2023, not 2014.

In August 2023, Pablo met with GDOE Personnel Services Administrator Katherine Ada, who consulted with the former personnel administrator.

After their discussion, they recommended that Pablos BRIP pay be made retroactive from April 2023, as stated in Pablos letter dated September 2023 to her division supervisor, Christopher Anderson.

I am extremely disappointed with the recommendation. Im requesting a retroactive BRIP pay since the implementation of the Competitive Wage Act 2014, according to Pablos letter.

Why not the day they made the mistake? Because thats where the equity is going to happen, if we correct it at the time they made the mistake, Koss said.

After reviewing the new general pay plan on April 1, 2023, Ada said, she noticed Pablo was the only one not receiving the additional 35% BRIP among the psychologists.

So, my feeling was either they all dont get BRIP or she gets BRIP, but she was the only one amongst them when we reviewed them that wasnt receiving the 35%, Ada said, hence, they decided to award her BRIP from April 2023.

Slotting error

Koss said Pablo has been receiving her BRIP since 2002 until a slotting error was made after the Wage Act came into effect in 2014.

Pablos BRIP has already been integrated into her base salary.

Phyllis Blas, GDOE management representative, said this integration was based on recruitment and retention policies for allied health positions.

When the CWA implemented the new salary, her salary was integrated. However, if you look at what her base salary was and you look at what it ended up being, it was a 41% increase from her salary, Blas said. Thats significant.

My understanding was that when they were reviewing the CWA, they decided to fuse in the 35% that the employee was receiving at that time into her actual salary, Anderson said. And my understanding was that it was designed to help protect the employee because BRIP is designed to be implemented based on availability of funds, and also whether or not the particular position is hard to fill.

Meanwhile, another record shows that Pablo has the highest pay among the GDOE psychologists if BRIP were excluded from their salaries. Currently, none of the psychologists are receiving BRIP.

The position of management is that she should not have a BRIP all the way back in 2014 because her salary was well-adjusted for that, Blas said.

I mean, whoevers going to take my job now is going to get more because of last years continuation of the CWA, Blas said, noting that due to the CWA, starting salaries will continuously increase over time.

Commissioner Board Chair Juan Calvo said this was a misapplication of policies in terms of miscellaneous salary because BRIP should not be embedded into her salary based on CWA.

The Department of Education should establish first the base pay, departing from the old base scale into the new base scale, then calculate it, add on the 35%, and that will be the appropriate salary, he said.

Throughout the two days, basically, Ive been arguing about what justification was given, what authority was given to combine the base pay and the 35%, Benavente said.

Before 2014, Pablos base salary was $43,759, which was under the minimum wage category based on the new pay plan.

With the implementation of CWA in 2014, her salary has increased to $55,488, and with BRIP pay, she should have received $74,908.

But what happened was, because her BRIP was embedded in her base salary, she only received $60,000, which is roughly $14,000 less than she should have been paid.

Based on my analysis and conclusion of this fact, the employer suffered a deprivation of that right to earn that salary, said Calvo.

This was agreed upon by the rest of the board of commissioners, granting Pablo the retroactive pay from 2014.
A Guam Police Department patrol car on its way to respond to a physical disturbance call Friday morning hit at least three vehicles while its making an imprudent left turn by the ITC intersection, according to GPD spokesperson Officer Berlyn Savella.

A child passenger in one of the vehicles hit was transported for further medical assessment to Guam Memorial Hospital. Its non-fatal, Savella said.

The extent of injuries sustained by the child is currently unknown, she said.

In a statement hours after the initial GPD report, Savella said the operator of a patrol vehicle was responding with lights and sirens on to a physical disturbance call and was traveling southbound on Chalan San Antonio on the middle lane toward E.T. Calvo Way.

The patrol vehicle executed a left turn in an imprudent manner onto the intersection of Route 1 by ITC Building and failed to yield the right of way, resulting in a collision with a Jeep Wrangler that was traveling on the middle northbound lane, Savella said.

The operator of the patrol vehicle lost control after the collision, veered into the raised median and struck two other cars waiting to turn left.

There are no serious injuries, GPD stated earlier.

Photos of the accident Friday morning showed a GPD police car resting on a raised road median with damage to its front left side, and another dark-colored vehicle facing it. Theres also a white Honda vehicle behind the police car.

GPD said it is conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision and further details will be provided as they become available.
Senators on Friday failed to override Gov. Lou Leon Guerreros veto of Sen. Chris Barnetts bill seeking to place a new public hospital at Ypao Point in Tamuning.

The override failed with a vote of 7-8.

It needed 10 votes to overcome the governors veto.

This means the impasse over the selection of a new hospital location continues.

There was less support for the override than there was for Bill 185-37s passage.

Thats because Sen. Dwayne San Nicolas, the swing vote that allowed the bill to pass, opted to not back the override.

Voting for the override were Barnett, Sens. Joanne Brown, Chris Duenas, Jesse Lujan, Sabina Perez, Telo Taitague, and Speaker Therese Terlaje.

Voting against the override were Sens. Tom Fisher, Will Parkinson, Roy Quinata, Joe San Agustin, San Nicolas, Amanda Shelton, and Vice Speaker Tina Muna Barnes.

Sen. Frank Blas Jr. passed twice on the vote and was counted as a nay vote.

Barnetts Bill 185-37 would lock in the construction of a hospital at Ypao Point, and authorize the government of Guam to start negotiating with the CHamoru Land Trust Commission for the property.

The governors bill to build the hospital in the Mangilao-Barrigada area also failed to pass twice at the Legislature.

Caviar on corned beef budget

Barnett, who called for the override vote, said he was not surprised by the outcome of the vote, but asked his colleagues to rethink the issue moving forward.

The facts, the finances, and the infrastructure at Ypao Point showed it was a better choice for the hospital site, he added.

While the administration said Guam needed to dream big and build a medical complex in Mangilao-Barrigada, the islands health care infrastructure crumbled, from GMH to the Department of Public Health and Social Services, Barnett said.

We cant afford to dream big. We need to be realistic. This administration they have the taste for caviar (but) we are on a corned beef budget, he said.

Fisher argued that the governors vision for a medical complex in Mangilao-Barrigada was not grandiose, but necessary for the modern community.

A larger facility could open the door to a nursing or even medical college, and improve services for veterans, he said.

She is not building a hospital in Mangilao for personal gain. She is not building a hospital in Mangilao for this generations gain. She wants to build a hospital in Mangilao for generations yet unborn, Fisher said.

Parkinson said he voted against the override because he believed that if lawmakers did not back the governors choice, there would be no progress on the hospital construction.

It was the governors choice where to build, Parkinson said.

If anybody in this body wants to make decisions like the governor, then I suggest they run for governor, and then you can pick. But until then, the choice before this body is this: Do we want to work with the governor now with her vision for hospital complex? Or do we wait for the next governor and the next discussion? Parkinson said.

Terlaje said the governor could have built a new hospital on any parcel of land held by GovGuam, but had instead chosen to build on the Mangilao-Barrigada land in the Guam Ancestral Lands Commission inventory, which required the Legislatures approval.

It was an unreasonable attempt to grab 100 acres of ancestral lands, the speaker said.

GRMC was built on 7 acres of land. The Naval Hospital is built on 17.8 acres of land. Our current hospital has a footprint, including the parking, on 10.9 acres of land. The entire Naval Base is 101 acres of land  are we trying to build a new base or a new hospital? the speaker said.

Meanwhile, Blas stood by his decision not to back either site, and said he preferred funds be put to the current GMH.

While I agree we need to build a new hospital, we have the resource, this administration has the resources to be able to make these fixes to the hospital now, he said.

Blas said he had just gone to visit the GMH emergency room with a group of physicians a few weeks ago, and the aircon was leaking, the seats were caked in dust, and there was mold growing in the hallway.

Other bills passed

Senators passed a number of other measures during Fridays session:
When Amanda Toups heard that Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry refused more than $70 million in government assistance to feed hungry children, her first sensation was rageand then, deja vu.

I never thought wed have to start the free meal program again, she says. How did we end up back here?

Amanda and her husband, chef Isaac Toups, run Toups Meatery in Mid-City - a James-Beard-award-nominated Cajun restaurant, known for its carnivorous dishes and specialty cocktails.

Those who lived in New Orleans during the pandemic may associate the restaurant most closely with its feeding of the masses.

When Toups was forced to partially close in 2020, laying off several employees, owners Amanda and Isaac insisted that staff members return to the restaurant for a family meal every afternoon.

Thats when we all sit down together and eat before going into a busy night. You make sure everyone has a full belly, Amanda says.

At first, only staff members showed up to the shuttered business each day, commiserating about the state of the service industry between mouthfuls of red beans, rice and gumbo. Then, others arrived.

It quickly became that their roommates had been laid off and were hungry. And then there were families. It went from ten, twenty people, and ballooned to 500, she says.

Toups Meatery partnered with World Central Kitchen, a not-for-profit organization devoted to providing meals in the wake of natural disasters to deliver nearly one hundred thousand free meals to hungry New Orleanians over the course of 18 months, Amanda estimates.

Now, four years later, the family meal program is back. Thank our governor.

On Jan. 12, 2024, Landry announced the state would not accept federal funding to supply free breakfast and lunch to children when theyre out of school this summer. Louisiana was set to receive over $71 million as part of the summer EBT program.

While 36 states have opted in, the 14 states that declined are all run by Republicans  prompting claims that the refusal is politically motivated.

They should not find a reason to be partisan when it comes to providing for our young, [vulnerable] people, Rep. Troy Carter (D-La.) said to WRBZ. We should not play politics at a national level to make a point on the party side, not when it comes to children.

The Department of Children and Family Services Secretary David Matlock defended the governors decision, releasing a statement saying, families deserve a pathway to self-sufficiency and the government should stay focused on that mission ... without adding piecemeal programs that come with more strings than long-term solutions.

Its not clear exactly what Louisianas long-term solutions to childhood hunger are. According to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 15% of households in Louisiana are food insecure: the fifth highest rate in the country.

Meanwhile, Louisianans are taking matters into their own hands.

Amanda and Isaac Toups pose before a dinner service at Toups' Meatery in Mid-City.Emily Topping

Im telling my current chef: You need to steel yourself because this is not going to be for the lighthearted, Amanda says. These people are hungry and theyre hurting and its intentional.

On Friday, March 29, Toups Meatery is inviting families to pick up free Easter grocery boxes at the restaurant between 3 and 6 p.m.

The Easter drive will serve two purposes, Amanda explains - Number one: people deserve a nice holiday meal. Number two: I want to hear from moms what they need for the summer. How many children will there be? What kind of food should we be serving? How can we deliver it?

The current plan is to shut down the restaurant during its normal summer happy hours, from 3 - 5 p.m., and use the building as a community center. Families are encouraged to pick up food during this two-hour window. As a mom herself, Amanda aims to provide healthy, filling meals that wont require children to turn on a stove.

Although the work will be overwhelmingboth in physical and emotional laborthe restaurateur sees no other choice.

Two different pediatric hospitals reached out to me independently. They say, these people are so food insecure now, that what happens this summer is going to be terrifying, Amanda says.

Those looking to donate to the Toups Meatery family meal program can send funds to the restaurant directly through Venmo and CashApp, at the username @toupsmeatery.

Families in need are encouraged to fill out a form with Toups Meatery for summer meal assistance.




Haiti - Insecurity : Spain has everything planned to evacuate its nationals from Haiti if necessary





Jose Manuel Albares, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, assured this week that Spain had "planned everything" for "several days" to evacuate its nationals who are in Haiti "if necessary".



"Given the deterioration of the situation, for several days we have planned everything for an evacuation of the small Spanish community, and of the Spanish Embassy, if necessary," declared Albares at the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the European Union in Brussels.



However, Albares stressed that "at the moment, despite the difficulties of the situation" the evacuation is not necessary "But we are prepared for any scenario," he clarified.



He recalled that Spain has already announced a contribution of 3 million euros for Haiti "as part of the deployment of a multinational force" adding "Of course, we will also participate in this multinational force."



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - International Day of La Francophonie : Message of reflection from Lesly Conde





On March 20, International Day of La Francophonie, Lesly Conde Ex-Consul General of Haiti in Chicago (August 2004 - May 2018), delivered, as every year, a message of reflections that we invite you to read and share.



Message from Lesly Conde :



"I am proud to welcome and celebrate with Haitians everywhere this new edition of the World Francophonie Day. Like many other peoples across the planet, we inherited the French language in conditions that are not always romantic, and that we do not intend to explore today. The vagaries of history have meant that we share this beautiful language with other nations. Some of them have many things in common with us, things that this common language allows us to discover. The Francophonie can take advantage of the progress of the age of communication to encourage collaboration between several nations.



Celebrating the Francophonie means, above all, recognizing and respecting this tangible element characterizing people who, despite their clearly different backgrounds, manage to understand, get along and appreciate each other. The local colors that are observed in the use of the French language from one country to another, from one territory to another or from one continent to another make this beautiful language ever richer and more interesting. It's like a pleasant and endless adventure.



The French-speaking world therefore allows us to communicate in complete harmony with brothers alienated by history and geography. We discover fascinating worlds, we explore the complexity and richness of the human experience, we discover ourselves and we enrich our own world.



French ranks fifth among the world's languages in terms of its use. It is preceded by Mandarin, English, Spanish and Arabic. It shares with English the distinction of being a language spoken on every continent of the globe.



The French language is constantly enriched. It is spoken by approximately 321 million humans in 106 countries and territories. She can also boast of being constantly protected by the prestigious Academie Francaise. Haiti is also proudly represented by the eminent writer Danny Laferriere.



I wish you all an excellent Francophonie Day."



Also read :

Message from Lesly Conde 2024:

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41837-haiti-social-international-women-s-day-message-of-reflection-from-lesly-conde.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41575-haiti-black-history-month-message-of-reflection-from-lesly-conde.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41414-haiti-14th-of-the-2010-earthquake-message-from-lesly-conde-video.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41336-haiti-220th-anniversary-of-independence-message-of-reflection-from-lesly-conde.html



Message from Lesly Conde 2023 :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41316-haiti-social-new-year-s-message-from-lesly-conde-2024.html



Message from Lesly Conde 2022 :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-38451-haiti-christmas-end-of-year-message-from-lesly-conde.html



Message from Lesly Conde 2021 :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35584-haiti-social-wishes-from-lesly-conde-on-the-occasion-of-the-new-year.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Police officers reportedly in rebellion

According to the executive director of RNDDH, police officers are in rebellion against the High Command of the national police, whose presence has been timid in the streets of the Haitian capital since the events of February 29. Pierre Esperance suggests that this situation results from the complicity of senior executives of the police institution with the bandits who terrorize the population.



2nd evacuation flight

The State Department transported more than 60 U.S. citizens stuck in Haiti to Miami International Airport on Thursday, the second evacuation flight to South Florida this week, as extreme gang violence continues to threaten overthrow the government of the country.



Operation Indravati

India launches the evacuation of its nationals from Haiti hit by violence, 12 evacuated Thursday. Amid the situation prevailing in Haiti, the Indian government launched "Operation Indravati" to evacuate its nationals from the violence-hit country. Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar took to social media and said that 12 Indian nationals were evacuated on Thursday. The evacuees were transferred to the neighboring Dominican Republic.



Presidential Transitional Council : Change

Another change to the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) among the observers. The former electoral advisor, Frinel Joseph, replaces Pierre Jean Raymond Andre, General Coordinator of the Coordination of Haitian Diaspora Organizations (COODAH). Civil society organizations have already notified Caricom of this change. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41933-haiti-flash-spectacular-about-face-by-jean-charles-moise.html



59 severely disabled orphans in Jamaica

A total of 59 severely disabled orphans, along with 13 caregivers, from Haiti arrived in Jamaica. The group arrived at Errol Flynn Marina in Portland on Thursday and will be hosted at Mustard Seed Communities' newly constructed Ephesus Village, Jacob's Ladder, Moneague. The agreement is initially for a period of two years and funding will be provided by HaitiChildren's various established donors.



Liberation of Lucien Jura

Former presidential spokesperson Lucien Jura regains his freedom after being kidnapped from his home in Vivy Michel (commune of Petion-ville) by armed individuals on Monday March 18, 2024 in the afternoon.



Information for Canadians in Haiti

Canada continues to monitor the situation in Haiti and explore options to assist Canadians.

If you are a Canadian in Haiti and have not yet registered, register for important updates: https://voyage.gc.ca/registration



New email address for Canadian citizens and permanent residents in Haiti : If you need emergency assistance, contact us at haitisos@international.gc.ca



HL/ HaitiLibre


















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.
The Havre Public Schools Board of Trustees will meet Tuesday, March 26, at 12:15 p.m. in the Robins School Administration Building.

The agenda for the meeting is:

A. Call to order

1. Pledge of Allegiance

2. Roll call

3. Welcome to visitors

4. Presentation

Paul Tuss and Bear Paw Development

5. Agenda deletions or corrections, and additions allowed by policy, if any

B. Old business

C. New business

1. Personnel

2. Consideration of 2024-25 Professional Development Plan

3. Mill levy options

4. Health insurance rates

Public Comment  An opportunity for any member of the audience to bring to the attention of the board questions or relevant comments concerning district matters not on the agenda. The board will not discuss or take action on items not on the agenda, but may refer a matter presented to a future agenda.

D. Closing

The next board meeting will be Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 6:30 p.m at Havre Middle School
Press release

Ashleigh Barrett, Ecko Fraser, Quincy McCormick, Madelyn Myers, Savannah Schaumloeffel, Quinn Trueax and Jordyn VanWechel from North Star Schools attended the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America - FCCLA - 2024 State Leadership

Conference in Bozeman March 14-15, 2024.

FCCLA's 2024 conference drew more than 575 members, advisers, and supporters from across the state with opportunities for personal development, career exploration, and community service. The event was made possible through a sponsorship by the Montana State University College of Education, Health and Human Development.

Throughout the conference, attendees participated in a variety of activities. The keynote speaker was motivational speaker, entertainer, author and minister Cody Byrns, and workshop session presenters Included Chef Eduardo Garcia of Montana Mex, Campgrounds of America CEO/President and former Montana FCCLA State President Toby O'Rourke and Brooklynn Gross of FCCLA's Leadership Training Team.

Workshop sessions focused on a variety of topics including personal development, leadership training, career development, and physical and mental health resources.

While at the conference, students competed in career-focused Skill Demonstration Events testing their knowledge in personal finance, consumer responsibilities, technology, health and safety, and more.

Also held during the conference were STAR - Students Taking Action with Recognition - events, where students showcased their efforts and accomplishments in areas including career development, community service and personal growth. Events also Included student projects In areas related specifically to Family and Consumer Sciences content Including child development, nutrition and wellness, personal finance, fashion design, Interior design, and career development.

North Star students received multiple awards at the conference. Results from the competition include Gold in Job Interview, Ashleigh Barrett; Silver in Career Investigation, Ashleigh Barrett; Gold in Event Management, Ecko Fraser and Quinn Trueax; Silver in Toys that Teach, Quincy McCormick; Gold in Food Innovation, Madelyn Myers; Silver in Toys that Teach, Savannah Schaumloeffel; Silver in Repurpose and Redesign, Jordyn VanWechel.

Ecko Fraser, Madelyn Myers and Quinn Trueax will be representing North Star's FCCLA at the National Leadership Conference in July in Seattle.

Another component of the conference activities included the Montana ProStart/FCCLA culinary competitions held at Gallatin College in Bozeman. Culinary students from eight Montana schools competed in both culinary and management competitions, with industry experts critiquing their performance. The ProStart program serves secondary students In Montana schools and Is sponsored by the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation through a partnership with the Montana Retailers Association, preparing secondary students for a smooth transition into the hospitality industry.

Additional activities for conference attendees Included participation In a series of career preparation workshops, chapter leader training in the 2024-25 State Outreach Project Families First, Leadership Development from the Montana National Guard, and a Relax Room, where students learned a variety of strategies to enhance well-being. Serving others was another major component of the conference.

Participants created and donated more than 400 trail mix snack packs for clients served by Tumbleweed Runaway Program, as well as donating more than $1,200 to Montana's Farm in the Dell, offering a lifelong home in an agricultural setting for adults with developmental disabilities.

Many generous sponsorships helped to support this conference. Platinum-level conference sponsors Included the MSU College of Education, Health and Human Development, and Gallatin College MSU.

Gold-level sponsors included Montana Pork Producers, Montana Restaurant Association, Reach Higher Montana, Montana Mex, and Zwilling JA Henckels.

Sponsoring at the silver level were Montana Chamber Foundation, Montana Zero to Five, and Active Learning Labs.

Bronze level sponsors include Bequet Confections, the Montana Council for Economics Education, and Olivelle.

STAR Event sponsorships included Zero to Five Montana, Montana Pork Producers, and the Montana Financial Education Coalition.

The Montana Department of Transportation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, and Youth Service America partnered with the group to sponsor outreach projects.

MDT also presented the Vision Zero awards at the conference, recognizing chapters Implementing projects targeted to teens with the goal of reducing distracted driving. MDT grants provided funding for

chapters to develop these projects and also awarded cash prizes to the top three applicants.

Blue Cross Blue Shield funded local chapter grants for outreach projects through FCCLA's Financial Fitness National Program, as well as cash prizes to the top three applicants.

FCCLA members also networked with fellow youth leaders and learned more about future career and college options during the Conference Expo/College & Career Readiness Fair featuring such participants as Gallatin College MSU, the Montana Department of Labor Job Services and Career Lab, Great Falls College MSU, Reach Higher Montana, MSU College of Education, Health and Human Development, Zwilling JA Henckels, University of Providence, Miles City Community College, Helena College, Zero to Five Montana, MSU Center for Research in Rural Education, Montana Pork Producers Council, Bequet Confections, Educational Opportunity Centers, University of Montana Western, Job Corps, Montana Digital Academy, Active Learning Labs, and Success N Fundraising, LLC.

The people in attendance at the conference exemplified FCCLA's annual theme, "Experience the Ultimate Journey" and shared how they utilize the skills, experiences, and knowledge gained through FCCLA to make a difference in their families, careers, and communities.
Luke 10:25-37

Out our way, livestock can sometimes surprise you. While I won't say they have human emotions and such, there are times I wonder. The mama cow who "babysits" for the rest of the cows while they graze or go down to the water for a "girls day out." Sometimes people show as much consideration for each other, although sadly it is not as common.

Back in seminary, I was introduced to a Jewish scholar and writer named Martin Buber who survived the holocaust. He often wrote stories and one I just read concerned a Jewish rabbi who was asked by one of his students how to be a righteous man.

"Become an atheist" the Rabbi suggested. He went on to explain that to do what is right in order to please God and gain His favor is somewhat self-serving, but to do what is right simply because it is right is true righteousness. "The atheist doesn't do what is good and right in order to please God and enter heaven. The atheist doesn't believe in God or in heaven, so has no other motive to do what is good and righteous but simply because it is good and righteous." Oy! That hit home. Guilty as charged, your honor.

So, of late, I have been attempting to be a "christian atheist." And I am beginning to become aware of other "aheisests" around me. I saw an elderly man trying to park in the handicap site and couldn't navigate the turn. Someone walking to their car stopped and went over to help the elderly man manage what he could not do on his own. Did anyone else notice? I have no idea - but I did, and so did God.

Another incident was someone left their shopping cart in the parking space and drove off. I saw someone who had just parked a few spaces away get out of their car and get that cart and walk to the other end of the section to deposit it in the corral. Did anyone notice or care? I have no idea, but I did - and so did God.

In seminary, while taking Hebrew, we had some rabbis in our class. Back on the East Coast "yiddish" is common amongst many Jews and a Rabbi taught me the highest praise for a fellow human being is to be called "Ein Mensch" It means a "person" but even more, it refers to a real human being. A good and righteous soul. These two righteous souls I mentally admired as "religious atheists" in the sense that wise Rabbi used it, did not do it to please God, but likely did so far more than they could have imagined.

I hope when my time comes for "the last roundup" and I approach the Boss's Ranch gate, I will be recognized by the Lord as a good Christian "atheist" and a righteous Mensch, and invited in.

Be blessed and be a blessing!

Brother John

--

The Rev. John Bruington is the retired pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Havre. He now lives in Colorado, but continues to write "Out Our Way." He can be reached for comment or dialogue at [email protected].
North Central Senior Center

March 25-29

Menu

Monday, March 25  Cheesy hash brown bake, ham, fruit, dessert

Tuesday, March 26  Hot turkey dinner, mashed potatoes with gravy, stuffing, veggies, dessert

Wednesday, March 27  Chili dogs, bun, veggies, fruit, dessert

Thursday, March 28  Red bean casserole, bread and butter, veggies, fruit, dessert

Friday, March 29  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 wi...
Dear editor,

The true measure of any society is found in how it treats its most vulnerable members  M. Gandhi

Having spent our over 40 year careers in Montana as a licensed social worker and physical therapist, we are alarmed at the unraveling of our communities in terms of getting help and resources for our most vulnerable members. Our ability to safely and compassionately care for older adults, persons who are cognitively or physically impaired, mentally ill persons and students is strained.

A solution being offered is decreasing the professional requirements of those who wor...
Its raining so hard on Lucy Arachs farm in Gulu District of northern Uganda, even the dog has sought shelter. But not Lucy. The only concession the 42-year-old mother, grandmother and smallholder farmer has made to the wet weather is to place a plastic bag over her hair. Otherwise, she moves around her farmyard with purpose: from the goat enclosure to the chicken coop to the modest cowshed where she piles fodder for the two Friesen heifers, the young bull and the calf sheltered within.

Lucy operates the faucet of a rainwater collection tank while her 6-month-old grandson Victor watches. Photo by Russell Powell/Heifer International.

Just a few feet from her humble one-story home is a rainwater collection tank. Lucy opens a spigot on the tank and fills a bucket with water, which she carries to the cowshed. A simple act for many of us  turning a spigots handle and receiving water in return  is no small wonder for Lucy. Before she acquired the tank, through Heifer Internationals Jinnai Dairy Development Project, she walked several times each day to the shared community well to haul water home for her household and farm needs. The time and energy she once spent carrying water she can now invest in her family, her home and her farm.

In 2022, the two heifers in Lucys cowshed also came to her, as a livestock loan, through the Jinnai project. Like other farmers participating in the project, Lucy pays for the cows in small monthly installments through milk sales to the Heifer-supported Gulu Nozomi Dairy Cooperative. Lucy spends most of the rest of her earnings on school fees for five of her seven children and to support the two orphaned girls she is raising.

I want these girls to get a better life, to study so that they dont have a lot of regrets, she said.

Lucy speaks not in English but in the Southern Luo dialect of the Acholi people, one of 56 tribes in Uganda. Although English is Ugandas official language, Lucy didnt have the opportunity to study it, nor to attend school in the first place. Her father, a primary school teacher, died of tuberculosis when she was an infant. Lucy was raised alongside her cousins by her mothers family. The family grew millet, sorghum, beans, sweet potatoes, peanuts and oranges; Lucy helped with weeding. Her older siblings, who had attended school, taught her how to write her name and count.

Lucy carries two blue buckets filled with water across her farmyard. Photo by Russell Powell/Heifer International.

Lucy was a teenager when the Lords Resistance Army terrorized Northern Uganda, including Gulu District. For more than five years, rebel fighters routinely raided her familys farm, often stealing their goats and chickens. If the family was outdoors when the rebels arrived, they would run and hide in the bush, sometimes spending the night there.

So, it was really very, very hard because the encounter with the rebels was very, very often, said Lucy.

Shortly after the rebel attacks eased, Lucy married. She was 17. In 2006, she and her husband James bought a half an acre of land. While she was raising their seven children, she slowly built the farm she runs today. She doesnt know how much James earns teaching at the nearby college. She does know its not always enough to support her family.

Lucy helps Patience, a 10-year-old girl she is raising, with homework outside their home in Unyama B village, Uganda. Photo by Russell Powell/Heifer International.

Fluctuating poverty rates in Uganda are principally driven by the experience of rural households, said a 2022 report from the World Bank. Poverty surged during the 2016-2017 drought and again in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. About 90 percent of Ugandas farmers report that climate conditions have worsened for agriculture in the last decade.

Lucy feeds her grandson, Victor, from a bottle while Patience, the young girl she is raising, enjoys a cup of milk. Photo by Russell Powell/Heifer International.

Yet, today, Lucy can afford food and school fees because her farm is more productive. She credits the Jinnai project, in part, for the improvements. Through the project, Lucy not only gained her two heifers, she also learned how to protect them from parasites, grow grasses to feed them and mix those grasses with other ingredients to make more nutritious feed.

Her cows milk production has increased, providing her with enough for her family to drink. Whats left she sells to the cooperative, which earns her enough to pay off her debt to Heifer for the cows and pay for her childrens education. Theres even a little extra. This she saves, hoping to reinvest it in the farm, building several small dwellings to rent out.

Before I joined Heifer, there are times when I will not have 50 shillings on me, said Lucy. That she can now feed and educate her children, and imagine an even more abundant future, brings Lucy joy  an emotion that cant be easily extinguished, not even by a downpour.
YLE on Thursday revealed that the draft proposal would slash the number of entrance exams to universities in the second joint application period that is organised each spring from 120 to 9. The reform would put an end to cramming for entrance exams and enable applicants to simultaneously apply to several fields in different universities.

THE FIRST DRAFT of a reform proposal that would dramatically reduce the number of university entrance exams was unveiled in Finland on Thursday.

The exams would consist primarily of multiple-choice questions. The format would shorten the duration of entrance exams to a maximum of two to three hours and expedite the grading of entrance exams as the lack of essays would enable machine grading.

Tanja Juurus, the head of the task force that drew up the reform, stated to the public broadcasting company that research data support the shift to multiple-choice questions.

Studies show, for example, that multiple-choice questions can measure very deep cognitive skills and that reading comprehension correlates with writing skills. In the field of law, studies have found both that multiple-choice questions alone can create sufficient separation between applicants and that applicants who score highly in essay questions do so also in multiple-choice questions.

The task force is nevertheless exploring the possibility of having questions that test the writing skills of applicants in some of the exams, according to Juurus.

The need for essay questions or other kinds of writing questions have been brought up by representatives from the field of philosophy, history, communication studies and medicine, she said. Discussions about the issue are continuing in these fields because the possible essay questions have a notable impact on when the exams could be organised.

The first proposal would enable the organisation of all nine entrance exams over a roughly three-week period in June.

Postponing entrance exams makes it possible for applications to receive the results of certificate-based selection from all universities they applied to before the exams, highlighted Marja Sutela, the chairperson of the Rectors Council of Finnish Universities (Unifi).

Minister of Science and Culture Sari Multala (NCP) told YLE later yesterday that she is supportive of any measure that could rapidly increase the number of highly educated people in Finland.

This [proposal] would simplify the application process. You wouldnt have to apply to several places, but you could apply to many different universities at the same time, she commented to the public broadcaster.

Multala reminded that the entrance exam reform is but one means to expedite the transition of young people to higher education.

Finnish universities have already decided to amend how the certificates of applicants are scored starting in 2026. Universities have also adopted quotas for newly matriculated applicants in a bid to reduce the number of young people who have a gap year.

Currently, more than half of new students are selected based on certificates.

Both the current and previous government also decided to increase student intake by universities and universities of applied sciences. The current government has pledged to allocate over 40 million euros to increase intake over the next four years, including 12 million euros next year.

Thatll produce almost 2,000 more university students, and [the funds] were targeted now at fields with a particularly notable skills shortage, at social and health care and early-childhood education, said Multala.

She also underscored the importance of preventing education from concentrating so that some people have several degrees while others have none.

We want to use our tax euros as effectively as possible, and the best possible way also for individuals to ensure their good labour market standing is to secure the first higher education qualification, she said.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
Amidst the challenges of integrating into Finlands workforce and society, international women in Finland are advocating for equitable opportunities and inclusive policies to level the playing field in the country's business landscape.

On International Womens Day , Indian Women in Finland Ry, discussed the different barriers on 8th March 2024, prevalent in the Finnish workforce and shared insights into the solutions through active participation and networking, to make a step closer for international women to access the Finnish job market.

Raveesh Kumar, Ambassador of India to Finland, emphasized the imperatives of womens development and empowerment. There are companies who are recognizing the values of diversity and are actively working towards creating inclusive workplaces. I think the Indian women in Finland will be able to break the glass ceiling and move into leadership roles and I think that time is about to come, I think there is something inbuilt into the system that it is not happening, but when there is enough push, when there is enough momentum, I think we are going to see that happen very soon, Raveesh Kumar said.

Ranjana Raveesh, spouse of the Ambassador of India to Finland, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the balance between professional success and familial responsibilities, grounded in compassion, and understanding.

The panel discussion, themed Invest in Women: Accelerate Growth, dealt with crucial aspects of womens empowerment: education, economic independence, health and well-being, legal rights, and representation. These discussions underscored the importance of ensuring access to education, opportunities for economic autonomy, and the promotion of womens health and legal rights.

Many international women in Finland tackle language barriers and integration into Finnish society. Lidiia Salo, Founder of Get Hired in Finland and Co-Founder of YKI Pass, addressed these challenges by advocating for government-supported integration programs. She emphasized that even with minimal knowledge, participating in these programs can significantly expand educational and professional opportunities. Try to take the integration program supported by the Finnish government, and with even little knowledge, it will open up more opportunities, she said.

Tero Niemi, Managing Director, CTS emphasized, The starting point for equity and equality is to create a lot of inclusion events which make it more comfortable for women who do not get side-lined and make it a more inclusive kind of environment where they can network too.

Ramya Sriram, chairperson of IWF emphasized the core ethos of the community, stating, This community is built to inspire, empower, and support its members. Indian Women in Finland Ry (IWF ry) serves as a networking community, particularly for women navigating life in Finland, providing an array of initiatives and events aimed at fostering networking and empowerment. Their endeavors include mentorship sessions led by domain experts to accessible Wecare Facebook sessions offering practical life guidance.

The event also delved into the vital topic of womens participation in the tech sector, shedding light on the necessity for increased funding for female-led startups and businesses. Mari Luukkainen, Principal at Icebreaker.vc, addressed investment in women-led ventures, emphasizing the pivotal role of women in founding teams, stating, In my opinion, women should be a part of the founding team and be actively involved and to get money, you need to start businesses also.

Indrajit Chaudhuri, Chief Platform Officer, Vaisala Oy delved into the tech industrys gender disparity, stressing the need for foundational changes to inspire more women to pursue tech studies and subsequently join male-dominated areas, asserting, You have to start from the bottom and inspire more women to get into the study of Tech.

Anusha Ramakrishnan, Head of Talent Acquisition at Sievo, highlighted the importance of allies and action, stating, Its important to have allies, allies who support or leaders who show you towards the right path, adding, Diversity is not just a buzzword but also acting upon it is very important.

Having that kind of network and what Indian Women Association is doing right now is having a kind mentorship group, having the kind support system that helps and having flexibility and work-life balance is another key point in which we can encourage women to think about leadership and also excel in it, she added.

Insights from Mervi Heinaro, Deputy Mayor of Espoo City underscored the Finnish Governments commitment to womens empowerment and integration services for immigrant women, recognizing the systemic barriers necessitating collective efforts for meaningful change. She states that the disparity in integration services for immigrant women is crucial, aiming to match Nordic-level employment rates. Despite the lowest activity rate in Finland at 65.4%, Norway leads at 77.3%, with Sweden and Denmark close behind. Espoo plans to adopt a comprehensive approach to support womens integration, recognizing diverse roles and circumstances. Today is a reminder of the ongoing fight, as just mentioned, we havent done the work yet, of the ongoing fight for gender parity and social justice, as well as a celebration for the countless achievements of women around the world,

Keynote speaker Minttu Viitanen, representing Accenture, highlights the need for being a part of the community and the power of networking. I learned that in addition to working hard, its also about connecting and networking and such events have helped in enabling that, Viitanen said.

The event was also attended by Erik af Hallstrom, consul general of Finland, Mumbai, and Nina af Hallstorm, executive director, member of Espoo city council, and chairman of the Karkulla joint.

Maithri Palicha Kaji - HT
Students from Tara Redwood School uncovered a fossilized sloth bone in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Tara Redwood School

Kindergartners and first-graders from Tara Redwood School in Soquel made an astonishing discovery last spring while playing in the Santa Cruz Mountains: a fossil sloth bone thats the first of its kind in Santa Cruz County.

The elementary school students brought their finding to the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, where paleontology advisor Wayne Thompson recognized it as an arm bone that likely belonged to an ancient sloth.

He knew it was special right off the bat, said Felicia Van Stolk, executive director for the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History.

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The fossil discovery belonged to the left arm of an ancient sloth.



Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

Fossil experts confirmed that the bone came from Megalonyx jeffersonii, a giant plant-eating mammal that roamed North America and lived between 11,500 years and 300,000 years ago. The animal, also known as Jeffersons ground sloth, is named for then-vice-president Thomas Jefferson, who introduced Megalonyx at a scientific meeting in 1797.

If there were to be a national fossil, that would be a good choice, said sloth expert Melissa Macias, a paleontologist with Applied Earthworks.

The discovery was somewhat rare. Megalonyx only accounts for 14% or 15% of ground sloths that have been found in California, Macias said. Another type of sloth known as Paramylodon makes up 75% or 80%

Jeffersons ground sloth could grow up to 10 feet long and weigh more than 2,000 pounds.



Mason Schratter

The ancient sloths were about the size of an ox, growing up to 10 feet long and weighing more than 2,000 pounds. They had one of the largest geographic ranges of the North American sloths, from Mexico up to Alaska, Macias said.

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Megalonyx jeffersonii is one of the very first fossils documented in North America, Macias said in a statement. Its just one of those iconic animals that more people should know about.

Other types of ground sloths roaming North America during this time were even bigger  as big as an elephant and 18 feet long, Thompson added.

The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History is working with scientists to further pinpoint the age of the fossil, which will be part of an exhibit starting this weekend and running through May 26.

The specimen not only provides greater insight into Megalonyx, but provides new information about the local area, where it will remain on display.

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Fancy travel plazas coming to I-26 interchanges

Under construction are a Sheetz on U.S. 25 at Naples Road in Fletcher (top left) and a QuikTrip on Upward Road at Ballenger Road (top right). Spinx plans a convenience store-gas station on Upward Road across from Dairi-O (bottom left) while Ingles has started construction on its ninth supermarket in the county on U.S. 25 at Butler Bridge Road (bottom right).

The big truck-stop service stations with prepared food choices in large convenience stores are discovering Henderson County.



Construction is under way on a new Quik Trip on Upward Road at Ballenger Road north of the I-26 interchange and on a new Sheetz at the Fletcher-Mountain home exit of the interstate highway. The Spinx Co. of Greenville, South Carolina, just closed last month on a 4-acre site to build a travel plaza on Upward Road across from Dairi-O. And a fleet of excavators is scraping dirt now for the countys newest Ingles, on U.S. 25 at Butler Bridge Road.

If theyre not the famous Bucees, they are fancy enough to offer plenty of fast-food choices and well-stocked convenience stores.

Gary Jones, a commercial real estate broker who deals frequently with national companies seeking to buy land for new locations, said the gasoline and diesel sellers are recognizing they can profit from the areas growth.

Its kind of like Dollar General putting out the small mom and pops, he said. Spinx is family owned but if you look at these  their parent companies  theyre big players.

He pointed out that that another huge travel plaza franchise, Pilot Travel Centers, was just bought in January by Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway. Buffetts investment company had already acquired 80 percent of the Knoxville-based company before it bought the remaining 20 percent at the beginning of the year. Founded in 1958, Pilot over the years acquired Flying J, Speedway, Mr. Fuel and Speedway-Wilco among other chains.

One factor that could have influenced the chains decision to target Upward Road could be the new Blue Commerce Center, a giant distribution center nearing completion thats expected to draw dozens of tractor-trailers a day if not more.

Here are the details of four big service station-retail stores on the two interchanges:

 Sheetz: The Altoona, Pennsylvania- based company with more than 700 stores announced late last year that it was planning to open several new locations in Western North Carolina over the next five years. They include the one under construction on U.S. 25 at Naples Road in Fletcher, one near Asheville Regional Airport and one off Smokey Park Highway in Candler. C-Store Dive, a trade outlet that tracks convenience store trends, quoted a Sheetz spokesperson describing the stores as a restaurant-style experience with self-service kiosks as well as both indoor and outdoor seating. Besides gas pumps, they also electric vehicle charging ports, drive-thrus and car washes and more.

 QuikTrip: Like the Sheetz site, the tall shelter covering the gas pumps is up at the new QT. Part of a chain that brands itself as more than a gas station, the Upward Road store is QTs first in Western North Carolina. The Oklahoma-based company has 37 stores in the Charlotte metro area, 19 in Greenville-Spartanburg and 941 nationwide. Its fast-food specialty is counter-ordered Snackies from its QuikTrip Kitchens. Items include breakfast scrambles, hot dogs, eight different subs and wraps, pork, brisket and chicken barbecue sandwiches, mac and cheese, croissants, pretzels and soft-serve ice cream.

 Ingles: The Black Mountain-based supermarket chain continues its aggressive expansion with a ninth supermarket in Henderson County, planting a large store in a growing area of the county. Besides a super Ingles, the 11.2-acre shopping center would contain an Ace Hardware store, a convenience store with gas pumps and an outparcel for an unspecified retail or food use, according to a site plan the company filed with Henderson County.

 Spinx: The Hendersonville City Council took action on March 7 to annex the property on Upward Road at Old Spartanburg Road and apply the citys Commercial Highway Mixed Use zoning, which allows the travel plaza. The Spinx Co. applied for the satellite annexation of five parcels after it bought the land from Rexs Indoor Range owner Spevines Rex Jones Jr., Deitra Blythe Jones, Michael C. Jones and Cecilia Jones. The Upward Road property is the second parcel of land in the county that Spinx purchased for a new location. It filed an application in late 2022 to build a 6,434-square-foot convenience store, 1,182-square-foot car wash and fuel pumps on the northeast corner of the Fletcher-Mountain Home I-26 interchange. No other action has been taken on that site. Jones, the commercial broker, said he doubted the company would move forward with stations at two interchanges that close to one another.

-30-
The family that was killed in a crash at a bus stop near the West Portal Muni Station: Matilde Moncada Ramos Pinto, 38; her husband, Diego Cardoso de Oliveira, 40; and their sons, 3-month-old Caue and 2-year-old Joaquim. Courtesy photo

Relatives of the San Francisco family killed in the West Portal crash released their first statement Thursday to express gratitude to the emergency crews, hospital workers and city employees who responded to the tragedy after an SUV struck their loved ones as they waited at a bus stop on their way to the zoo.

Diego Cardoso de Oliveira, 40, and Matilde Moncada Ramos Pinto, 38, were warm and loving parents who had a deep love for their beautiful children and enjoyed nothing more than spending time with their two little boys, their relatives said in a statement released by the Consulate General of Portugal that was accompanied by a photo of the family of four.

The parents and their two children, Joaquim, 2, and Caue, 3 months, died after the Mercedes SUV plowed into the bus stop where they were waiting around noon on Saturday. The driver, Mary Fong Lau, 78, was booked on charges including vehicular manslaughter, and remained in custody until Wednesday, when she was released. San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said her office is awaiting more information and has not yet charged Lau.

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Caue died Wednesday morning despite the immense and unwavering efforts of the UCSF Benioff Childrens Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, the relatives said.

Little Caue was a fighter and our hero, they said, His organs were donated and will serve to save the lives of other children.

Oliveira and Joaquim died on impact following the crash, the San Francisco Police Department said. Pinto died the following day. Their infant spent four days in intensive care and was later transferred to palliative care due to the gravity of his injuries, officials said.

He was the last surviving member of Matilde and Diegos direct family, as both his parents and his two-year-old brother Joaquim succumbed to their injuries from the crash, the statement said.

According to their relatives, Oliveira and Pinto were what one would call real life enhancers  the kind of people everyone loved to be around: happy, funny, kind, and always eager to make the best of what life had to offer them.

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The outpouring of love and grief from all over the world, which has greatly moved us, is a testament to this, they added.

The families said they wished to thank the hospital employees and first responders for their work. They also thanked the couples employers, Apple and RSA Films, for their immense help and support during this difficult time.

Oliveira was a Brazilian citizen who had worked as an associate creative director at Apple for four years, according to the Brazilian Consulate of San Francisco and Clube de Criacao, a business association in Brazil. Pinto had a long career in the advertising and film industry and had been an executive producer at Ridley Scotts production company since 2022, according to a company news release from that year.

We loved Diego, Matilde, Joaquim, and Caue deeply and are sure the love they showed to their family and friends will serve as their legacy, the families said.
A bloom of blue-green algae floats next to buoys at Lake Temescal in Oakland in 2014. A caution advisory was in effect there this week. Michael Short/The Chronicle

A bloom of toxic blue-green algae has invaded lakes in the East Bay Regional Parks District, forcing the closure of half of its six swimming lakes.

According to the district website, danger advisories went into effect after the most recent testing at Quarry Lake in Fremont, Del Valle in Livermore and Shadow Cliffs in Pleasanton. All three lakes were immediately closed to swimming for people and pets, and signs were posted indicating that people should avoid contact with the water in these lakes and keep their pets out.

A danger posting means that the water has a higher potential to get humans sick.

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Posted under the less severe caution advisory are Lake Temescal in the Oakland hills, Lake Anza at Tilden Park in the Berkeley hills, and Contra Loma Reservoir in Antioch.

A caution advisory suggests that it is safe to touch the water with immediate rinsing, though pets should still be kept out of the water.

You want to be sure to avoid allowing dogs into the water, said Jen Vanya, acting public information supervisor for the district.

It could be heat, it could be water stagnation, it could be for all kinds of reasons, Vanya said. We dont know what causes the toxins to rise to an unsafe level.

Blue-green algae, also called cyanobacteria, are natural organisms that tend to bloom in areas with low water levels, due to drought and warm temperatures. The first toxic algae blooms in the parks district happened during the drought year of 2014, when blooms were detected in Lake Temescal and Lake Chabot. A comprehensive monitoring program was put into effect, and the reservoirs in the system are constantly tested to ensure that the water is safe for drinking.

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According to the California Department of Public Health, exposure to toxic bloom can cause skin irritation and eye irritation, allergic reactions and, in the most severe cases, death. Several dog deaths in California during the last few years have been attributed to toxic algae blooms.

Officials urge park visitors to follow recommendations on signs posted there. If you see a bloom, stay away from areas with foam, scum or algae mats, and keep pets away from the water. People and animals should not consume water with cyanobacteria, even if it is boiled or filtered.

People or pets exposed to cyanobacteria should rinse with fresh water immediately, monitor for unusual symptoms and, if they occur, get medical treatment.

On Tuesday, the first day of spring, an ABC7 TV sky camera was able to capture what looked to be toxic algae blooms discoloring the water at both Lake Del Valle in Livermore and Shadow Cliffs Lake in Pleasanton.

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Friday March 22, 2024



Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has been serving as a senior presidential advisor



Ugandas President Yoweri Museveni has appointed his son Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba as the country's army commander, a move that is likely to fuel speculation that the president is grooming his eldest child to succeed him.



Gen Kainerugaba has been serving as a senior presidential adviser in charge of special operations after his father removed him as commander of the army's land forces in 2022.





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He takes over from Gen Wilson Mbadi who has been named as trade minister.Two of Gen Kainerugaba's closest advisors were named ministers in the new changes announced by President Museveni.Embattled Karamoja Affairs Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu, who is facing corruption charges involving theft of thousands of metal roofing sheets, was dropped from her post.Lt Gen Samuel Okiding was named as the deputy army chief in the new appointments. He replaced Gen Peter Elwelu, whom Mr Museveni named as one of his senior advisers.Gen Kainerugaba has recently been holding rallies around the country, with his critics saying this was in breach of the military's code of discipline.In power since 1986, Mr Museveni has long been suspected of grooming the 49-year-old general to succeed him to entrench what critics call monarchic rule in Uganda.But Mr Museveni has dismissed the speculation.Uganda is set to hold general elections in 2026.
The issue of Somali piracy dominated maritime security concerns in the Indian Ocean, off the Horn of Africa, for the better part of the last decade. Given the global economic impact of piracy, states across political lines (not without operational differences) cooperated in reining in the piracy threat; largely subduing it by 2018. Such cooperation was not novel or surprising - it is the issue of piracy which generated one of the first universal norms of international law, deeming pirates to be  (enemies of mankind).

The Indian Navy achieved remarkable success both in actively intercepting and raiding ships when the threat was at its height, and in deterring piracy through an active presence when it had waned. For the latter, the Indian Navy has had an active mission since 2019 (Operation Sankalp) to guard vital sea lines of communication (SLOCs) from maritime piracy, of which the Ruen operation was part.

With the resurgence of the piracy threat, it was only natural that the Indian Navy as the largest resident naval power in the Indian Ocean would respond assertively. Hence, even as Indian Navy Marine Commandos conducted multiple anti-piracy operations across early 2024, by the end of January, the Navy deployed its largest flotilla yet - sending 12 warships to the NIO (2 in the Gulf of Aden, and 10 in the western Arabian Sea). Notably, the Navy, which claims that its current deployments make it the largest naval presence in the region, distinguishes its anti-piracy mission from the US Navys Operation Prosperity Guardian against the Houthis who have been attacking ships in the Red Sea as part of their pressure campaign to halt Israels war in Gaza (explained in an earlier column).

A Reuters report from late January had quoted Indian Navy officials as stating that the Houthi attacks and piracy are disconnected. Speaking to the author, Vice Admiral (R) Anil Chawla (Chief of the Indian Navys Southern Command, 2018-2021) further explained that the Indian Navy has long had a policy of not joining such coalitions. However, beyond law enforcement, the Indian Navys operations are guided by two additional factors.

Geopolitical churn in the NIO

The resurgence of the piracy threat, notwithstanding its intensity, is an ancillary development to other regional conflicts. The instability created by the Red Sea crisis opened a window for Somali pirates who are now taking advantage of the Houthis fresh front against international shipping. This bolsters Indias rationale for focusing on piracy as a distinct issue. However, Houthi attacks alone do not make up for the geopolitical complexity of the maritime arena in the NIO. Both the Houthi attacks and the opportunistic return of piracy were both unanticipated developments that spawned out of the Gaza war. Geopolitically, the maritime space between India and West Asia was already growing crowded, at least in the recent past.

For instance, in November 2023, Pakistan and China conducted the largest iteration of Exercise Sea Guardian, which included their first joint maritime patrol in the Arabian Sea. More recently, Russia, Iran, and China conducted their own joint drills (Ex-Marine Security Belt, with over 20 ships) off the Gulf of Oman, with an on-shore component in Irans Chabahar (where India operates a terminal in the Shahid Beheshti Port).

While multilateral exercises featuring China are on the rise in Indias Western maritime neighbourhood, Chinese presence has featured more directly in Indias ties with neighbours such as Maldives. Given the new Maldivian Presidents evident pro-Beijing inclinations, India has been more cautious about Maldivian access to Chinese surveillance vessels in the Arabian Sea.

However, despite the increase in the frequency of Chinese naval visits to the Indian Ocean, their levels of activity in the NIO remain low.

Chawla asserted that the PLA Navy has historically refrained from being proactive in the NIO, whether in countering piracy or acting against threats such as the Houthi attacks (in line with its abstentions at the UNSC). The Indian Navy, on the other hand, has been remarkably proactive, even while operating outside of coalitions (it was the first to respond to a British oil tankers distress call after a Houthi attack in late January).

Moreover, while the Indian Navy conducted its largest-ever Arabian Sea drills in 2023, it inaugurated a new base in Lakshadweeps Minicoy (125 km from the Maldives). Essentially, both its mission-based deployments as well as its increased presence in the Arabian Sea aid the Indian Navy in deterring potential Chinese adventurism, especially when the PLA Navy itself might look to break out of its older mould.

Securing connectivity for India

The logic for a more proactive Navy is also driven by its larger interest in exploiting its geographic position. Among the new thrusts of Indian foreign policy under the present government (since 2014), is a push for greater regional and global connectivity. However, a few of the major connectivity projects that India has pushed for in recent years, have been plagued by their reliance on conflict-ridden states - such as the Kaladan Project (reliant on stability in Myanmar).

Moreover, while projects like the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India Pipeline remain dormant, others like the International North-South Transport Corridor (linking states sanctioned by the West, such as Russia and Iran) depend on the Chabahar Port in the NIO, where China is taking increasing interest.

The latest push in the connectivity effort is the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. Among all others, the IMEEC has one of the largest maritime components, reliant on safe shipping routes especially from India to the UAE, which falls in the NIO. In New Delhis calculus, enhancing the Indian Navys role, especially in anti-piracy and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions in the region, generates more goodwill; External affairs minister S Jaishankar recently characterised the Navys increased operations as being essential for India as a responsible country. Given both old and new threats to international shipping in the IMEEC route, the rationale for more Indian Navy operations in the NIO only increases.

Cumulatively, these necessitate a larger Indian naval presence in the distant waters of its Western seaboard - all the way to the Gulf of Aden. Essentially, while anti-piracy and operations to secure international SLOCs, form the immediate tactical focus of the Indian Navy, its increased profile in NIO meets the strategic objectives of Indias evolving geopolitical interests.

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
On March 18, Pakistan conducted intelligence-based airstrikes on terrorist hideouts in Afghanistans Khost and Paktika provinces, resulting in the death of eight civilians. Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a carefully worded statement, outlined that the primary target of the operation was terrorists belonging to the Hafiz Gul Bahadur (HGB) group, an outfit linked to the Pakistani Taliban. This came close on the heels of an attack on March 16, when terrorists from the HGB group rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a security post in the Mir Ali area of North Waziristan, claiming the lives of seven Pakistani soldiers. Subsequently, at the funeral prayers of two soldiers, President Asif Ali Zardari vowed to retaliate. Pakistan has decided that whoever will enter our borders, homes or country and commit terror, we will respond to them strongly, regardless of who it is or from which country, the President Secretariat Press Wing statement released soon after the attack contended.

As an act of retaliation against Pakistans aggression, the Talibans Defence Ministry announced that its border forces, using heavy weapons, targeted Pakistans military posts along the disputed Durand Line, the 2,670-km long border whose legal validity as the legitimate international border is acknowledged by Pakistan, but historically contested by Afghanistan. The Defence Ministry is under Mullah Yaqoob, the son of now-deceased Mullah Omar, who founded the Taliban movement. Recently, the ministry released an image of Yaqoob clad in an army general's uniform, marking a departure from the attire typically worn by the Taliban commanders.

In 2022, Pakistan reportedly conducted air strikes in Afghanistans border provinces of Khost and Kunar in April 2022, which resulted in the death of over 45 people. The Taliban stressed it wanted to resolve the issue through political means, but the border strikes were an increasing cause of tension between the two countries, the Al-Jazeera reported. The recent Pakistani air strikes, however, have garnered a significantly more hostile response from the Afghan Taliban.

Given Pakistan's history with terrorism, it is unequivocally evident that the country is no stranger to terror attacks perpetrated by militant groups based in the Af-Pak border region, which have led to the loss of its security personnel. So, what explains the recent austere measures espoused by Pakistan against such groups?

Since the Afghan Talibans takeover of Kabul in mid-2021 (widely celebrated by the Pakistani establishment), the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the formers ideological offshoot, has entered a period of resurgence, posing a persistent threat not only to Pakistans internal security but also to its external environ by straining its relations with Afghanistan. Even as the Afghan Taliban publicly dissuades the TTP from engaging in operations outside Afghanistan and consistently denies any support to the terror outfit, its General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) provides financial aid, weapons, and shelter to TTP militants for operations within Pakistan, Pakistani officials believe. The 33rd Report of the UNSC Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team delineates that the Taliban rank-and-file is not only sympathetic to the TTPs aims but has also joined the group due to a perceived religious obligation while providing regular aid packages to TTP commanders and their families. It appears improbable that the Afghan Taliban will alter its favourable policy towards the TTP in the foreseeable future, as highlighted by Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), who pointed to the Afghan Talibans little interest in reining in the TTP, according to the Express Tribune. This, in turn, presents a significant threat to stability in Pakistans border regions and carries the potential of destabilising Central and South Asia.

In response, Pakistan has exhausted all non-kinetic means available, such as issuing demarches to its Afghan counterparts and applying diplomatic pressure by repeatedly broaching the matter at international fora to acquire international support, particularly from the U.S. for its war on the TTP. To that end, Munir Akram, Pakistans Permanent Representative to the UN, earlier this month, forewarned the UNSC of the possibility of the TTP becoming a global threat if left unchecked. He further urged the body to press the Afghan Taliban to sever its ties with the TTP, emphasising that Pakistans future engagement with the Afghan Taliban will be contingent on its commitment to counter-terrorism efforts. However, much to Pakistans chagrin, this has not compelled the Afghan Taliban to take concrete steps against the TTP due to which relations between Kabul and Islamabad continue to deteriorate.

At present, Pakistan also seems vehemently opposed to any peace talks with the TTP, as similar attempts in the past had granted the TTP the breathing space to regroup. Moreover, given the Pakistani states refusal to meet one of its key demands  a reversal of 2018 Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA)-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa merger  and in the absence of any substantial trade-offs, the TTP is unlikely to uphold its side of the bargain. In such a scenario, Kabul has witnessed a flurry of visits from the leaders of Pakistans religious parties, notably the two factions of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, JUI-F and JUI-S, under the ongoing religious/ulema diplomacy to mediate between Islamabad and Kabul amid their deteriorating relations over the TTP. Thus far, their visits have not yielded tangible outcomes; however, they have reportedly returned home with positive messages from the Taliban supremo, Hibatullah Akhundzada, who has purportedly directed the TTP leadership to review its strategy towards Pakistan and reduce the violence, the Express Tribune reported. While it is unclear whether these visits will pave the way for another round of negotiations with the TTP (the last ceasefire with the TTP ended in November 2022), they do serve as stepping stones in forging constructive ties between the two countries, especially when they remain at loggerheads with each other over diverging security concerns. Though far-fetched, a more robust relationship, devoid of mistrust, may influence the Afghan Taliban to deny the TTP a permissive haven in Afghanistan in the future.

For now, however, if the Afghan Taliban remains steadfast in assisting the TTP, Pakistan could initiate more over-the-horizon counter-terror operations, attacking suspected TTP hideouts, and suicide camps, and even attempting to strike at individual leaders to disrupt the groups operational activities. This, however, comes with its own set of challenges  antagonising the Afghan population  a consideration that the Pakistani government must weigh carefully before proceeding with drone attacks, and maintain its precision level to the hilt to prevent civilian casualties and respect the sovereignty of Afghans.

In the coming days, it remains to be seen how Pakistans newly elected government of Shehbaz Sharif, who, in the past, has received warnings from the TTP not to act against it, deftly navigates the TTP-triggered security crisis at home and bilateral crisis in its western backyard. This challenge unfolds against the backdrop of Pakistan grappling with multiple crises revolving around its politics, economy and climate change. Will Sharifs rhetoric of an all-out comprehensive operation against the scourge of terrorism, which he had announced during his first stint as the prime minister in April 2023, be matched with action during his second term? His stance on Pakistan's security being uncompromisable and his grit to enforce the state's full writ on every inch of Pakistan's territory was cut short, as his term concluded before he could implement these objectives. Notwithstanding the nature of the operation that will ensue, Pakistan indubitably has to maintain sustained vigilance and bolster the capabilities of its law enforcement officials and security personnel to pre-empt terrorist attacks. More importantly, the government needs to usher in more economic and political stability so as to obstruct further militant activities.

Bantirani Patro is a Research Associate at the Centre for Air Power Studies, New Delhi. The views expressed are personal.
In a pursuit to redefine performance standards in the Commercial Vehicle tyre industry, Apollo Tyres is delighted to announce the triumph of its Experiential Drive at Natrax, Indore, showcasing the EnduTrax range. The primary aim of this drive was to highlight the toughness, durability, high uptime, and exceptional grip of the Apollo EnduTrax tyre range. Comprising the EnduTrax MD and MD+ for drive applications and the EnduTrax MA for steer application, these products epitomise exceptional grip in both on-road and off-road scenarios, especially in construction and infrastructure sectors. The event underscored Apollo Tyres' unwavering dedication to delivering top-tier performance, establishing a groundbreaking standard in the commercial vehicle tyre industry.

The Apollo EnduTrax Range, featuring three specialised products, remains at the forefront of tyre technology innovation. Tailored for versatile on and off-road use, this range proudly introduces its revolutionary fabric reinforced bead technology, strategically designed to minimize failures related to the bead area and tread/under-tread, ensuring unmatched reliability.

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In the drive segment, the EnduTrax MD+ and MD tyres stand out with their rugged block design, enhancing traction, and reinforced shoulder blocks for added strength. These features collectively define the range's pinnacle of toughness, making it the preferred choice for challenging terrains. Simultaneously, the EnduTrax MA, designed for the steer segment, guarantees superior handling and control, providing a comprehensive solution for commercial vehicles.

Each product within the EnduTrax Range incorporates superior cut and chip resistant technology, contributing to the extended longevity of these tyres. The holistic approach of the EnduTrax Range reflects Apollo Tyres' steadfast commitment to innovation, reliability, and meeting the diverse needs of the commercial vehicle industry.

The event itself served as a live testament to the robustness and performance of the Apollo EnduTrax Range. A meticulously designed track with enhanced components replicated the challenging terrains these tyres navigate in their natural environments. End consumers and key business partners had the unique opportunity to experience this track firsthand in loaded trucks, driven by trained drivers.

The event itself served as a live testament to the robustness and performance of the Apollo EnduTrax Range.

Vikram Garga, Group Head of Marketing, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (APMEA) at Apollo Tyres Ltd, expressed satisfaction after the successful event, stating, "Apollo EnduTrax, renowned for unmatched toughness and performance, symbolizes our unwavering commitment to redefine toughness. Cementing trust in users, this first-of-a-kind experience further builds their confidence." He extended sincere gratitude to all contributors for making the Apollo EnduTrax Experiential Drive a success, adding, Positive feedback affirms this event as more than a tyre showcase; it declares Apollo EnduTrax's commitment to durability, reliability, and peak performance.

The Apollo EnduTrax Experiential Drive at Natrax, Indore, marks a significant chapter in the brand's journey. This wasn't just about tyres; it was a deliberate drive into the heart of toughness. The Apollo EnduTrax Range stands tall, prepared to conquer every challenging terrain, and the event at Natrax ensured that the customers not only comprehend it but genuinely experience it.

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.
In the heart of Purvanchal, a revolution in aesthetic and dermatological care has been unfolding, led by the visionary Dr. Sneha Gupta. Atomic Clinic, established in November 2022, has rapidly emerged as the leading Skin, Hair, and Laser Center in the region, bringing world-class treatments and expertise to the doorstep of Purvanchal's residents.

The inception of Atomic Clinic was driven by a critical need  the absence of high-quality aesthetic centers in Purvanchal. For years, individuals seeking advanced skin and hair care had to travel to metro cities. Recognizing this gap, Dr. Sneha Gupta, along with her esteemed husband, Dr. Ashish Gupta, envisioned a center that would offer unparalleled aesthetic care in Purvanchal.

Along with Atomic Clinic, she is also the co-founder of Atomic Aesthetic Academy, Atomic Pharmacy & Right To Be Beautiful NGO. In the last 6 years, she has treated over 10000+ people, provided employment to over 100 and served numerous youngsters through her NGO.

About Dr Sneha Gupta: A Top Aesthetic Dermatologist & Women Entrepreneur in Purvanchal

At the forefront of Atomic Clinic is Dr. Sneha Gupta, an embodiment of expertise and innovation in the field of aesthetic medicine. Her educational journey, marked by an MBBS, MD, and a degree in dermatology from the University of South Wales, UK, laid the foundation for her illustrious career. Further, she completed a fellowship in Aesthetic Medicine from the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine (AAAM), USA, and is a distinguished member of the same.

Dr. Gupta's expertise is not confined to her educational accolades. She is a renowned expert in anti-aging treatments, specializing in Botox, fillers, and other rejuvenation techniques. Her proficiency has earned her seven prestigious awards, including the Kashi Ratna Award. Notably, she is the only dermatologist in Purvanchal to be invited by Alma Academy, Spain, for advanced training in Aesthetic & Cosmetic procedures, a testament to her international reputation.

Anti-Aging Treatments, Laser Treatments & Hair Treatments by Dr Sneha Gupta at Atomic Clinic:

Botox: Botox injections are a popular anti-aging treatment, effectively reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, resulting in a smoother, more youthful complexion.



Fillers: Dermal fillers restore lost volume and enhance facial contours, diminishing signs of aging and providing a natural, rejuvenated look.

Lip Filler: Lip fillers enhance the volume and shape of the lips, offering a fuller, more defined appearance while maintaining a natural feel.

Laser Treatments:

Laser Hair Reduction: A pain-free solution for unwanted hair, providing long-lasting results and smooth skin with minimal discomfort using World Class Alma Soprano Ice Laser.

Skin Tightening: This treatment using Alma Harmony XL Pro, rejuvenates and tightens the skin, reducing sagging and improving overall skin texture and tone.

Scars Removal: G3 Fractional CO2 Laser technology for scars removal effectively diminishes the appearance of scars, restoring the skin's natural appearance.

Skin Whitening: Using Alma Harmony XL Pro, a safe and effective way to lighten the skin tone, reducing dark spots and achieving a more even complexion.

Melasma Treatment: Targeted laser treatment for melasma reduces skin discoloration, offering a more uniform skin tone.

Acne Scars Treatment: G3 Fractional CO2 Laser treatments effectively reduce the visibility of acne scars, promoting smoother and clearer skin.

Under Eye Darkness: Alma Harmony XL Pro targets under-eye darkness, this treatment brightens the area, reducing the appearance of dark circles.

Hyperpigmentation: Effectively treats hyperpigmentation, restoring a balanced and even skin tone.

Mole Removal: A precise and safe method for removing moles, leaving the skin clear and smooth.

Tattoo Removal: Alma Harmony XL Pro removes unwanted tattoos, erasing ink with minimal risk of scarring. It can remove black as well as colour tattoo too, only available at Atomic Clinic in Purvanchal.

Psoriasis Treatment: Laser therapy provides relief from psoriasis symptoms, reducing inflammation and promoting healthier skin.

Hair & beard Transplant: Our Hair & Beard Transplant procedures are a testament to the fusion of advanced technology and the expertise of Dr. Sneha Gupta. Recognized for her proficiency in dermatology and aesthetic medicine, Dr. Gupta ensures that each hair transplant is performed with precision and personalized care.

Embrace the Atomic Experience

As Atomic Clinic in the leadership of Dr Sneha Gupta, continues to set benchmarks in aesthetic care, it invites you to be a part of this transformative journey. Whether it's rediscovering your youthfulness or embarking on a journey of self-renewal, Atomic Clinic is your partner in achieving your aesthetic aspirations.

Follow Dr Sneha Gupta on Instagram at drsnehagupta_md and on youtube at @Dr.SnehaGupta_MD. For consultations and more information, reach out to us at

+91-7310103481, 9005693227.

Our Center: N b/256 A, Newada, Sunderpur, Varanasi, UP-221005

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.
India, 22nd March 2024: Parul University, a leading academic institution in India, has recently welcomed a new cohort of students to its distinguished Biotechnology BTech program. The four-year program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to utilize biological processes in various industrial procedures. With a strong emphasis on practical applications, the program offers a unique blend of biology and technology coursework and provides students with ample opportunities for academic exploration, including expert talks, seminars, workshops, and industrial visits.

Parul University is committed to nurturing the next generation of skilled leaders who can capably assume leadership positions in the business and industry sectors. With a vision and mission to produce graduates who possess the skills and expertise to excel in their chosen fields, the university aims to make a positive impact on their organizations and society as a whole. The program is designed to offer a wide range of career opportunities, including clinical researcher, lab technician, research engineer, technical instructor, and biotechnologist, among others.

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The faculty members of the Biotechnology BTech program are experts in their respective fields, and the program is designed to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field. The university provides students with a comprehensive learning journey that covers all angles and offers ample opportunities for academic exploration. Furthermore, the university aims to create new avenues for students to showcase their prowess through practical exhibitions and projects, enabling them to continuously learn, improve, and shape the future.

Parul University is committed to institutional excellence and offers a wide variety of technological specializations that deliver outstanding outcomes. The university's successful placements of graduates each academic year are evidence of its commitment to nurturing skilled leaders. The university has earned global recognition through memberships in organizations like the Association of Commonwealth Universities and has received numerous awards recognizing its excellence. These accolades include the Praxis Media Best Private University in Western India, ASSOCHAM Best University in Placements, and the World Education Summit Awards' Most Outstanding University in the West Zone for having the highest number of nationalities on campus.

Parul University is a sprawling 125-acre campus that is dedicated to eco-friendliness and hosts a diverse student body of more than 43,000 from every state in India, as well as over 2,500 international students from 68 countries, making it a truly multicultural and global destination. The university's outstanding quality is evidenced by its DISR recognition for research excellence, NABL accreditation for top-notch clinical medical research, NABH accreditation for quality healthcare, and ARIIA Top 50 ranking for national innovation achievements.

In conclusion, the Biotechnology BTech program at Parul University is a unique opportunity for students who are interested in utilizing biological processes in various industrial procedures. With a strong emphasis on practical applications and a faculty of experts in the field, the program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to excel in their chosen fields. The university's commitment to nurturing skilled leaders and its global recognition for excellence makes it an ideal destination for students seeking a comprehensive learning journey.

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.
22nd March 2024  Parul University, a pioneering institution in the realm of technology education, continues to champion innovation and entrepreneurship through its relentless focus on tech-specific courses and activities. With a steadfast commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a culture of innovation, Parul University provides students with unparalleled opportunities to excel in cutting-edge technological domains and emerge as leaders in the digital era.

Vadodara Startup Festival 4.0:

Parul University takes center stage in fostering innovation at the Vadodara Startup Festival 4.0, where it drew the participation of over 100 industry leaders and startup founders. The festival served as a platform for budding entrepreneurs to forge connections with established industry experts and fellow startup enthusiasts, facilitating invaluable networking opportunities. Notably, Parul University's incubated startup, Dori Handcrafts, secured an impressive cumulative Angel investor funding of 20 lakhs, validating the efficacy of the university's entrepreneurship ecosystem.

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TechExpo 2024:

TechExpo 2024, Gujarat's premier technology exhibition, showcased the prowess of Parul University's tech-focused initiatives. As the flagship annual event, TechExpo provided students with a dynamic platform to showcase their innovation and technology projects. Participants gained practical insights and honed their skills through project presentations and expert guidance from distinguished guests, reinforcing Parul University's commitment to hands-on experiential learning in technological domains.

Parul University's Hackathon Initiatives:

Parul University continues to spearhead hackathons focused on social innovation and problem-solving, demonstrating its dedication to leveraging technology for societal welfare. The Vadodara Police Hackathon, organized in collaboration with the Vadodara Rural Police, brought together student teams to develop technological solutions addressing pressing societal issues. Guided by experienced mentors, students tackled challenging problem statements, showcasing their prowess in coding and innovative thinking. Similarly, the Smart India Hackathon 2022 and Vadodara Hackathon 2.0 provided platforms for students to apply their technical skills to real-world challenges, fostering collaboration and creativity.

Projections 2024:

Projections 2024, Gujarat's largest technical festival, served as a testament to Parul University's commitment to fostering technological innovation. With a robust lineup of workshops, lectures, and competitions, the festival attracted over 12,000 participants from universities nationwide. Rooted in technological creativity, Projections provided students with a platform to showcase their ingenuity across various technical domains. The festival culminated in a sensational performance by renowned musical duo Vishal and Shekhar, adding a vibrant dimension to the event and leaving attendees inspired and energized.

Parul University's unwavering focus on tech-specific courses and activities underscores its commitment to preparing students for success in the digital age. By providing a conducive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship, Parul University empowers students to become trailblazers in technology, driving impactful solutions and shaping the future of the tech industry.

For further information about Parul University and its tech-focused initiatives, please visit the official website at https://paruluniversity.ac.in/

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.
Mumbai, India, 22 March - In a world where sustainability is paramount, R. World Institutional Ranking has taken a pioneering step towards recognizing and promoting institutions committed to environmental, social, and economic sustainability in India. With the belief that human conduct signicantly impacts all forms of sustainability on the planet, R. World Institutional Ranking emphasizes the ethical aspects of reality to ensure a sustainable future. Underlining the importance of ethical sustainability for fostering sustainable political and social systems and processes, the organization has launched the Green Rankings 2024, featuring the top Sustainable Institutions of India (SII).

The Green Rankings 2024 showcase 100 Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) that have demonstrated exemplary commitment and practices towards sustainability. These institutions have been rigorously evaluated based on a comprehensive ranking framework, encompassing the three pillars of sustainability: environmental (Planet), social (People), and economic (Prot). The parameters and indicators considered in the ranking framework reect the core values and practices crucial for fostering sustainability within educational institutions.

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The ranking framework has been meticulously curated to encourage maximum participation from higher educational institutions across India. Open to all HEIs duly recognized by UGC/AICTE, the Green Institutional Ranking aims to foster a culture of sustainability and responsibility within the academic community.

The response to the Green Rankings 2024 has been overwhelming, with institutions of varied sizes and proles participating in the evaluation process. These institutions include renowned Institutions of Eminence Deemed-to-be-Universities, NIRF Top 10 Institutions, NACC A++ accredited institutions, as well as newly established universities. R. World Institutional Ranking is proud to collaborate with institutions as diverse as those with a century-long legacy to emerging educational entities.

Through the Green Rankings 2024, R. World Institutional Ranking not only celebrates the achievements of sustainable institutions but also provides a platform for sharing best practices and fostering collaboration towards a sustainable future. By recognizing and promoting sustainability initiatives within the academic realm, the rankings aim to inspire positive change and drive impactful actions towards a greener, more equitable world.

To explore the complete list of Sustainable Institutions of India featured in the Green Rankings 2024, visit wiranking.com/green-rankings and join us in celebrating the champions of sustainability shaping the future of education in India.

OBE Rankings by R. World Institutional Ranking: The Outcome-Based Education is necessary in India to transform the education system from a content-driven approach to a learner-centric approach, and to ensure that graduates possess the skills and knowledge that are essential for success in the 21st century. The aim of Outcome-Based Education is to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to succeed in their future careers and contribute meaningfully to society. It shifts the focus from merely covering content to ensuring that students develop the desired abilities and achieve specific learning outcomes. While a systemic resilience approach to education is required, amidst all the technological advancements, we realize that students have to be educated, but they have also to be left to educate themselves. OBE Rankings recognises HEIs for successfully implementing the Outcome-Based Education. The OBE Rankings 2024 will be open for data-submissions from 18 April 2024.

The India Academia Rankings is a comprehensive ranking framework to gauge the Research Excellence (RE) and Employability and Startup Ecosystem Rankings (ESER) of HEIs. Research Excellence Rankings (RER) is a conceptual framework to present industry-benchmarks and help establish institutional - reputational yardsticks, with inclusive parameters of research-outputs, research-impact and research-ecosystem. Employability and Startup Ecosystem Rankings (ESER) exclusively focuses on Students' Achievement(s) in terms of their Placements, Entrepreneurship, Startups and other revenue-generation success models, supported by the initiatives of the respective HEI. A blend of three unique Rating and Assessments, clubbed for a single - one time institutional registration. The India Academia Rankings by R. W I Ranking, examines the Research Excellence (RE) and Employability and Startup Ecosystem Rankings (ESER) of HEIs. Institutions will get benefitted with three separate and unique Ratings/Rankings/Bands, and three different certificates will be awarded to the HEIs.

R. World Institutional Ranking is proud to be the pioneer in India to initiate, conduct, and publish exclusive rankings for Mental Health and Wellbeing (MHW), encompassing faculty, students, and staff in a HEI's campus community. An institution ensuring priority to Mental Health and Wellbeing encapsulates academic and non-academic knowledge induced with fun and happy elements to make learning a highly productive and enjoyable exercise and experience for students, for The Best Campus Life. MHW Rankings aims to identify and celebrate the Best Educational Campus in India for Mental Health and Wellbeing (MHW), recognizing those institutions that have taken significant strides in creating a supportive and nurturing environment for their students, faculty, and staff.

About R. W I Ranking: R. W I Ranking stands as a beacon of excellence, aiming to meticulously evaluate and acknowledge educational institutions in India, and, worldwide. By fostering healthy competition, it encourages institutions to continually enhance their standards, quality of education and overall ecosystem of HigherEd. The credibility of R. W I Ranking is rooted in its rigorous methodologies and commitment to objectivity. The ranking framework employs a multifaceted approach, considering diverse factors. R. W I Ranking has garnered widespread institutional acceptance, as a trusted and impartial resource of HEI's ranking, and is celebrated as a valuable resource that facilitates a deeper understanding of the global HigherEd landscape. R. W I Rankings works with various Indian institutions including renowned Institutions of Eminence, Deemed-to-be-Universities, NIRF Top 10 Institutions, NACC A++ accredited institutions, as well as newly established universities. Explore www.wiranking.com for details.

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.
New Delhi (India), March 22: Career prospects and earning potential are crucial factors in determining students choices of where to study, but the importance of a nurturing and enriching academic environment is also key. Cranfield School of Management, located at the prestigious Cranfield University in the UK, combines both rigorous and personalised education along with unparalleled industry partnerships and networks, which means their graduates excel in their chosen paths.

The small class sizes at Cranfield School of Management bring high contact time with academics, foster meaningful collaborations and provide a distinctive and engaging learning experience for our students. They also benefit from lifelong access to Cranfields vast alumni network  connecting them with influential professional and global opportunities across 173 countries.

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The result of this is a remarkable employment rate for their graduates, and high-ranking accolades for career progression. Cranfield is recognised by The Center for World University Rankings as 8th in the UK for employability, and their MBA has been placed in the top 10 in Europe for career progression and value for money. Their MBA ranking has also placed them in the top five in the UK for salary outcomes, and The School of Management is also ranked in the top 10 UK business schools.

Whats more, as a triple-accredited institution and a top-ranking UK business school, Cranfield offers prestige that sets its students apart as well as a mature and professional atmosphere in which to study. The Cranfield campus is set in the English countryside, providing a safe and tranquil environment but with fast connections to London, Birmingham, Oxford and Cambridge - meaning students can enjoy the best of both worlds.

The hardworking and determined nature of Indian students means that they excel at Cranfield as they benefit from our personalised learning and make the most of the opportunities that our networks provide, said Professor David Oglethorpe, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the School of Management during a recent visit to India visiting Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Delhi.

For international students, pursuing either an MBA or MSc at Cranfield helps establish a foothold in a dynamic global talent ecosystem. The UK is an attractive destination and the European marketplace beckons, opening doors to cross-border collaborations and ventures. The opportunities with a Cranfield qualification really are limitless.

Career prospects and professional growth

The post-study work visa is also a key consideration for international students. It opens doors to employment opportunities in the UK, allowing graduates to earn good salaries and build a solid foundation for their careers. Cranfield School of Management recognises its pivotal role in shaping students' futures and is supporting students throughout their journey.

Choosing the right business school is an investment in your future. Cranfield is dedicated to providing you with the knowledge, skills and network necessary to achieve your professional aspirations. They go beyond simply producing graduates; they empower individuals to become the future leaders of the global business landscape.

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.
Kotak Mahindra Bank founder Uday Kotak said that the bank was a start-up back in 1985 when it began operations with a modest sum of 30 lakh. Talking to Business Today, the banker talked about the financial institutions humble origin and earlier years. Most employees at the bank then had middle class background and it was the value system that kept them together, he said. Uday Kotak, Founder, MD and CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd, said that most employees at the bank in the beginning had middle class background and it was the value system that kept them together.(HT Photo)

Uday Kotak said, A lot of Kotak-ites started with strong middle class values and that really kept us all together. We didn't start as highflying. Kotak [in] 1985 was a start-up in today's world. And we started in a bootstrap manner. Raised a little bit of capital, a total of 30 lakh. Therefore the whole concept of entrepreneurship was at the core of who we are. We combined that with the need for professionalism and we actually coined the phrase professional entrepreneur. That is something which we deeply believe in and that is seeped into the culture."

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Uday Kotak said that he sees the company as his family, adding, It is like a joint family. When I was born, I was born in a home with 63 family members and one kitchen. So, the concept of living with family, cousins, uncles, aunts, how do you make sure that you live together at the same time you pursue your own goals and interests.

Talking about global banks, he said, If you go back to the history of successful financial institutions, whether it's a JP Morgan or a Goldman Sachs or Morgan Stanley or a Merrill Lynch, which is now of course part of Bank of America, all these were family names started by individuals and families. Most of the individuals are gone but the institutions have remained.

When you're putting your name on the line you're saying I'm ready to commit my reputation to this institution. That's what we did on day one. Now, of course, the brand Kotak belongs to the institution, and it is extremely important for the board and the management to nurture and protect the brand and reputation over everything else," he explained.
Eli Rosenberg comes to the San Francisco Chronicle most recently from NBC News, where he covered tech and economic issues. Before that, he was a reporter at the Washington Post for four and a half years, covering labor on the business desk. He has written about misinformation campaigns, politics, immigration issues, and fires and other disasters across the country. He spent years in New York as a metro reporter, at the Brooklyn Paper, Daily News, and the New York Times, and is looking forward to getting back to his roots as a local reporter. He lives in the East Bay with his family, and enjoys cold plunges, beach camping and exploring the Bay Area food scene when he's not on deadline.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's stake in Reddit rose by $200 million to over $613 million following the social media company's IPO debut. Shares of the 19-year-old company jumped 48% in New York Stock Exchange trading to close at $50.44. Sam Altman- who is among the biggest Reddit shareholders- has a control of 7.6% of outstanding shares after the offering, according to the companys prospectus. This is behind only Conde Nast parent Advance Magazine Publishers and Chinese internet giant Tencent. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's stake in Reddit rose after the company's IPO debut. Shares of the Reddit jumped 48% in New York Stock Exchange trading to close at $50.44. (AP)

Can Sam Altman sell his Reddit shares?

But Sam Altman is restricted from selling Reddit shares for six months during the so-called lockup period.

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What does Sam Altman's investment portfolio look like?

Prior to the emergence of OpenAI in recent years, Sam Altman was best known as a startup investor and as the president of Y Combinator, a position he exited in 2019. His investment portfolio includes past or present stakes in Airbnb, Uber, Instacart, Stripe and Asana. His top bet is Reddit where he was also on the company board until January 2022 when the firm said he stepped down.

Sam Altman's Reddit relationship

In 2014, Sam Altman led Reddits $50 million Series B funding round, after using the service every day for nine years, he shared. At the time, he called the website an example of something that started out looking like a silly toy for wasting time and has become something very interesting.

In 2021, he invested a combined $60 million in Reddit over two financing rounds and the company's filing shows Sam Altman invested $50 million at $42.47 per share and $10 million at $61.79 per share.

This relieves some pressure for Sam Altman when it comes to profiting from OpenAI, where his tenure has been controversial as last year he was briefly fired by the OpenAI board which said it had lost confidence in his leadership. Although, he was brought back days later after immense pressure built up from employees and investors.

Sam Altman has earlier told US senators in a hearing last May that hes not in OpenAI for the money and filings show he made about $73,500 in total compensation in 2022.

Im paid enough for health insurance, I have no equity in OpenAI, Sam Altman said, when asked if he makes a lot of money in his job. Im doing this because I love it," he added.
The latest search data from Airbnb unveiled a dynamic shift in travel preferences among Indian travellers as we approach the festive Holi and Easter long weekend. South Goa has emerged as India's top getaway spot, witnessing a staggering 330% increase in searches. However, it's not just the beaches that are calling out to travellers. Domestic destinations like Varanasi, Jaipur, Mussoorie, and Manali have also experienced a notable uptick in searches. With a nearly 330% increase in searches, South Goa emerged as India's most popular getaway for India guests for the upcoming Holi and Easter long weekend.

Venturing beyond borders, Airbnb data shows a remarkable 400% surge in searches for international destinations, with the Historic European TrioAthens, Istanbul, and Romeleading the pack. These cities represent a blend of historical richness and cultural vibrancy that resonates deeply with Indian travellers.

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The quest for beachfront stays, amazing views, and amazing pools dominates the search trends, pointing towards a collective yearning for scenic beauty and relaxation.

There has been a notable shift towards non-urban bookings, with a 70% increase indicating a growing preference for tranquility and nature, coupled with around a 20% rise in family-centric searches.

"Indian travellers are increasingly seeking unique and memorable experiences, moving beyond traditional holiday seasons to embrace every opportunity for exploration," said Amanpreet Bajaj, General Manager at Airbnb India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

"Airbnb is at the forefront of this shift, offering diverse and enriching travel experiences that cater to the evolving preferences of Indian travellers."
Amancio Ortega, the Spanish billionaire and founder of the fashion group that owns Zara, has bought an office building in Luxembourg for 175 million euros ($189 million), his family's investment vehicle Pontegadea said on Friday. Zara founder Amancio Ortega is seen.

Baltisse, an investment holding company belonging to Belgian entrepreneur Filip Balcaen, said in a post on social networking website LinkedIn that it had sold the Royal Park office building in the heart of Luxembourg City to an international investor.

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Belgian newspaper De Tijd first reported the purchase and said Pontegadea was the buyer of the 10,000-square-metre (107,639-square-feet) building. The Zara founder's family office later confirmed the report to Reuters.

It is the first time Pontegadea has invested in real estate in Luxembourg, it added.

Ortega, who founded fashion giant Inditex in 1985, earlier this year bought a logistics centre in the Netherlands.

Pontegadea now owns $20.1 billion worth of real estate assets, having mainly invested in luxury buildings and office towers. It has also diversified its portfolio by buying energy and logistics assets in Europe and North America.

The Luxembourg complex is 95% leased to large law firms and private equity players, Baltisse said on LinkedIn.
The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru has decided to suspend all classes for the remainder of the week in view of their student, Dhruv Jatin Thakkar's demise. The 19-year-old law student died on Thursday afternoon after jumping on the tracks of the Bengaluru's Namma Metro at the Attiguppe station. The BMRCL said the deceased's body has been taken to hospital for post-mortem.(X/@bykarthikreddy)

The law institute in this regard announced that they will suspend classes as a mark of respect for their deceased student. An official statement from the university also said there will be a condolence meeting on Friday morning.

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ALSO READ | 19-year-old law student jumps on metro track in Bengaluru, dies. Purple Line faces brief disruption

We request all members of the NLS community to come together for a condolence meeting in the Old Academic Quadrangle on Friday (Mar 22) at 11 am, A statement by the Vice Chancellor of the institute, Sudhir Krishnaswamy, said, as accessed by The New Indian Express.

ALSO READ | Bengaluru metro services disrupted after man walks on track viaduct

The deceased youth is said to be a native of Mumbai and was a first year law student at the university in Bengaluru. Police officials have indicated that this is a suicide. However, the cause for the extreme step is not yet known. Further investigation is underway and more details are awaited.

ALSO READ | Bengaluru metro partially halts after passenger jumps on track

Metro services were interrupted briefly after the tragic incident. The BMRCL said on social media that the deceased's body has been taken to hospital for post-mortem by the police, and that train operations have resumed on the purple line.

(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 (Secundrabad) Contact Nos: 040-66202001, 040-66202000, ONE LIFE: Contact No: 78930 78930, SEVA: Contact No: 09441778290)
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday wrote to his Maharashtra counterpart Eknath Shinde, requesting him to release water from Warna/Koyna Dam to the Krishna River and Bhima River to meet the needs of both humans and livestock in northern Karnataka. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah.(HT_PRINT)

The letter requested the authorities concerned to immediately release 2.00 TMC of water from Warna/Koyna reservoir to the Krishna river and 1.00 TMC of water from Ujjani reservoir to the Bhima river.

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READ | Bengaluru water crisis: Chinnaswamy Stadium to get treated water supply for IPL

In his letter to Shinde, the Karnataka CM said the monsoon season is still far away and there is no chance of any rainfall in the coming months.

"Presently, the Northern Districts of Karnataka are facing severe drought situation due to failure of monsoons. The storages of reservoirs have depleted substantially which is insufficient to meet the domestic needs of human and livestock. The monsoon season is quite far and there be no chance of any likely rainfall in the coming months before the onset of monsoon," Karnataka CM wrote.

READ | Water crisis: Installation drive for tap aerators to begin today in Bengaluru

He also expressed his gratitude to the Maharashtra government for releasing water to the state on several previous occasions.

"On earlier occasions, during the summer seasons, the government of Maharashtra had responded positively to the release of water from the Krishna River to meet the drinking water needs of human beings and livestock. The (Government of Karnataka hereby conveys sincere thanks to the State of Maharashtra," he added.

The state is facing a severe water crisis, with drought-like conditions resulting in a dip in reservoir levels.

READ | Amid water crisis, Bengaluru civic body bans pool parties, rain dances on Holi

The state capital, Bengaluru, is grappling with a shortage of 500 million litres per day (MLD), Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said after reviewing water supply in the city at a meeting on Monday.

The current requirement for drinking water as well as commercial use in Bengaluru is 2,600 MLD, of which 1,450 MLD is being pumped from the Cauvery river, he said, adding that about 650 MLD was available from borewells, leading to a shortage of 500 MLD water in the city.

Necessary measures have been put in place to overcome this shortage, he said.

"We have enough storage of drinking water in the Cauveri and Kabini. Sufficient water is available till the end of June. There is 11.02 TMC water storage in KRS (Krishna Raja Sagara) and 9.02 TMC in Kabini," Siddaramaiah stated.
In September 2022, east Bengaluru was hit by flash floods, with the rainwater overflowing from the lakes and the IT capitals troubles had then become national headlines. Almost 17 months later, Bengaluru is running out of water, and the residents continue to struggle. The lakes of Bengaluru played a crucial role in both the incidents that tested the patience or otherwise the spirit of Bangaloreans. On World Water Day, it is essential to note that the lakes of the city cannot be taken for granted anymore. World Water Day: Why Bengaluru's lakes cannot be taken for granted anymore.

Also Read - How this Bengaluru's housing community is gearing up to battle water woes in future

Lakes of Bengaluru

How many lakes are there in Bengaluru? The number has never been constant as rapid urbanisation and the IT boom evidently defaced many water bodies in the city. However, according to civic body Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike's (BBMP) website, there are 17 functional lakes in the civic body limits at the moment. Lakes play a key role in recharging the ground water units, which are mostly running dry in Bengaluru.

Speaking at a YouTube podcast called Ooru labs, Vishwanath Srikantaiah, a prominent water activist and expert, said, The major reason for borewells going dry apart from lack of rainfall is that the lakes are not manually filled. If Bellandur and Varthur lakes are filled with treated wastewater, these two lakes would be recharging 102 million litres per day (MLD). The influence zones are as much as 10-12 kilometres radius, and apartments that fall in this radius could be drawing water from their borewells.

However, Bengaluru's water supply board is now planning to step into action and fill the dried lakes of the city with treated wastewater that can potentially help the borewells recharge ahead of peak summer.

Water is always an issue: East Bengaluru residents

The Mahadevapura area in east Bengaluru, which is currently dealing with the water crisis, was also severely hit by the floods back in 2022, with incessant waterlogging across the streets and even in posh residential communities.

Shivani T, an IT employee who lives in a high-rise building in Devarabisanahalli of Mahadevapura, said, I moved to Bengaluru in August 2022, and soon after I came, I was affected by the floods and I was unable to step out of home for my basic needs as an excess of water is everywhere. My day-to-day life is once again affected, but now due to lack of water. I hope that the issue will be resolved as soon as possible because I now get water only at specific times, and I will have to store it for usage.

A senior citizen, Hanumanth Rao, complained that the governments only act when there is a crisis and do not have a plan of action ready. After the 2022 floods, the government demolished some buildings, saying that they were built on lake beds. After the water crisis finally hit us, they are filling lakes with treated water. It is high time for the people in governments and civic bodies to show some preparedness on such avoidable problems, he said.

According to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, 6,900 borewells out of 14,000 borewells in Bengaluru are running dry currently. The monsoons are expected to arrive in the first week of June, and the Chief Minister claimed that they will supply water from the Kabini and KRS reservoirs in Mysore.
Aam Aadmi Party leaders in Punjab and Haryana on Thursday slammed the BJP government for the arrest of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, alleging the dictatorial regime was making a mockery of the constitutional norms. Congress leaders from the two states also took on the Centre after the AAP leaders arrest. Delhi chief minister and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal with Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann during the recent Vikas Kranti rally in Hoshiarpur. Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in an excise policy-linked money laundering case in New Delhi on Thursday night. (PTI file photo)

Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday night in an excise policy-linked money laundering case in Delhi.

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Also read: Arvind Kejriwal withdraws SC plea; AAP claims his family under house arrest

The arrest, the first of a sitting chief minister, came hours after the Delhi high court refused to grant protection to the AAP national convener from any coercive action by the agency.

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, in a post on X, said, BJP ki rajnitik team ED Kejriwal ki soch ko qaid nahi kar sakti kyunki AAP hee BJP ko rok sakti hai. Soch ko kabhi bhi dabaya nahi ja sakta. (BJPs political team ED, cannot imprison Kejriwals thinking because only the AAP can stop the BJP. Thinking can never be suppressed).

Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema also condemned the arrest. This dictatorial regime is making a mockery of constitutional norms and killing the spirit of democracy by destroying the opposition in every way. This shows the fear of BJP and todays action is the beginning of the end of BJP, Cheema posted on X.

AAPs Haryana unit president Sushil Gupta said, This is a black day for democracy. The BJP is already trying to destroy the countrys democracy. You have arrested him, how will you stop his ideology? In a video posted on X, Gupta said that the partys Haryana unit has decided to gherao chief minister Nayab Singh Sainis Kurukshetra residence on Friday.

This period is an undeclared emergency created by BJP. The party, scared of the INDIA alliance, is conspiring to stop Kejriwal. Pressure is being put on him to separate from the INDIA alliance, but BJP does not know that the entire country stands with Kejriwal. I am going to Delhi immediately, Gupta said.

BJP destroying opposition: Cong leaders

Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring took on the BJP, alleging it is hell bent upon destroying all opposition by hook or by crook. Just a month before the parliamentary election, INC bank accounts were frozen, making it difficult for opposition to campaign.

Then oppositions Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren was arrested. Now, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested by ED. We strongly condemn this draconian action. This is fascism, Warring posted on X.

Senior Congress leader and the partys Rajya Sabha MP from Haryana, Deepender Singh Hooda, alleged the BJP governments style of targeting opposition leaders by misusing government agencies is nothing new. In the last few years, BJP has done the same work of suppressing all strong voices of opposition in the country, he said.

There is no such party in the opposition, no such strong leader left in the opposition who is not the target of the BJP government. I consider the arrest of Kejriwal unfortunate but not surprising, Hooda posted on X.

Senior BJP leader Birender Singhs son Brijendra Singh, the former Hisar MP who recently quit the saffron party to join the Congress, said: Kejriwals arrest is not just unconstitutional but a glaring sign of political desperation. Resorting to such tactics undermines the very essence of democracy. This is a grave affront to democratic values.

Punjab cabinet minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal alleged that the BJP was punishing Kejriwal for providing excellent schools, hospitals, free electricity and water to the poor and middle-class of Delhi. The public will answer. You can arrest Kejriwal but how will you stop his thinking? he said.

AAP Punjab chief spokesperson Malvinder Singh Kang said Kejriwals arrest over the frivolous Delhi liquor policy money laundering case is a watershed moment in the political history of India. This could indeed be the last straw for the Modi government, he said in a post on X.

Chandigarh Congress president HS Lucky too condemned the arrest of Kejriwal.

The AAP and the Congress fought the recent mayoral elections in Chandigarh in alliance.

AAPs real face exposed: SAD

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema said the arrest of Kejriwal in a serious case of corruption by the ED has exposed the real face of AAP.

The party which came to power by painting the whole political system as corrupt has surpassed all records of corruption in a record time, Cheema said in a post.
Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar on Friday said a party delegation will approach the Election Commission and seek an ED probe into the states excise policy, which he claimed was tailored in line with the one in Delhi. Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal with Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann. State BJP chief Sunil Jakhar alleged that the excise policy under which Delhi ministers have been jailed has been implemented in Punjab and sought a probe by the Enforcement Directorate. (HT file photo)

For the (Delhi) excise policy which Kejriwal had to see this day, the same model has been replicated by their government in Punjab, Jakhar told reporters in Chandigarh.

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Also read: Kejriwal kingpin of Delhi liquor scam, ED says in court; seeks 10-day remand

The AAP national convener and Delhi chief minister was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday night in an excise policy-linked money laundering case in Delhi, triggering protests by party workers in the national capital and AAP-ruled Punjab.

Jakhar said a high-powered delegation of the BJP will meet authorities of the Election Commission on Saturday to demand an ED probe.

The same excise policy under which many Delhi ministers have been jailed has been implemented in Punjab by Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann, he said. The BJP leader said that Kejriwal should have resigned immediately after his arrest but his party leaders are saying that he would continue as chief minister.

This shows that the AAP supremo does not trust his partys leaders and the party is power hungry, Jakhar said.

The state BJP chief said that Congress leaders in the state who had demanded an ED probe into the excise policy earlier should also approach the Election Commission.

Kejriwal will go into the annals of history as the first sitting chief minister to go to jail in an excise policy case, he added.
The trouble for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi following chief minister Arvind Kejriwals arrest in an excise policy-linked money laundering case will have a ripple effect in Punjab. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann speaks to the media on the arrest of Delhi CM and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an alleged irregularity in the now-scrapped liquor policy scam, outside the CM's residence, in New Delhi on Friday. (ANI)

With no senior top-rung leadership at the national level in the absence of Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, both under arrest in the excise case, the present situation appears set to pitchfork Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, who along with Kejriwal had campaigned in state elections, as the sole spearhead of the party campaign in the parliamentary elections if the AAP national convener doesnt come out of jail soon. The Kejriwal-Mann duo had led the partys campaign in the elections in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and other states in the past two years, travelling together most of the time.

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Read more: Arvind Kejriwal withdraws his plea from Supreme Court against ED arrest

Mann not only enjoys Kejriwals confidence but also has the gift of oratory. Of the 22 Lok Sabha seats being contested by the AAP, 13 are in Punjab where Kejriwal had recently declared Mann as the face of the partys poll campaign with the slogan  Sansad ch vee Bhagwant Mann, Khushaal Punjab te vadhegi shaan (With Bhagwant Mann in Parliament as well, Punjab will be happy and prosperous). The catchphrase was on the lines of a similar slogan  Sansad mein bhi Kejriwal, tabhee Dilli hogi aur khushaal  launched by the AAP earlier in Delhi.

The party, which has been left with the monumental challenge of sustaining its election campaign, is contesting four parliamentary seats in Delhi, two in Gujarat, two in Assam, and one in Haryana. Kejriwal was to be the main campaigner for the party in all these states. While the party is going it alone in Punjab, it has an alliance with Congress in other states. Ashutosh Kumar, professor of political science at Panjab University, Chandigarh, said that Mann will have twin responsibilities of leading the election campaign in Punjab and Delhi and keeping the AAP flock together. If he (Kejriwal) remains in jail, he wont be able to canvass for the party, but would be the face of the campaign, he said.

Read more: PMLA case: ED must tell accused grounds of arrest, reaffirms top court

Dent in anti-corruption credentials

Another challenge posed by Kejriwals arrest is its impact on the anti-corruption credentials of the Punjab government. The central theme of the AAPs election campaign in the state was the promise to eradicate corruption as it tapped into public anger against Congress and SAD. Mann, on coming to power, started the anti-graft drive from the get-go. The vigilance bureau has arrested more than 600 people, including over a dozen senior politicians and bureaucrats, in two years. Another 100 inquiries are going on against leaders of the opposition parties.

Read more: Falling Christian population threatens Congress hold on South Goa seat

With Mann never missing any opportunity to target the rival parties over corruption, it was being seen as the ruling partys trump card for the Lok Sabha elections. However, the allegations of corruption against the AAP top brass have cast a long shadow over its credentials and given the opposition parties, which have been crying political vendetta, ammunition to attack the party, including Kejriwal, who was active in the state in the past four months. During his frequent visits to the state, the AAP chief had inaugurated all major initiatives of the state government. Guru Nanak Dev Universitys political science department head Professor Jagroop Singh said these are difficult times for AAP in Punjab. Who is there after Kejriwal who can keep the organisation going and the party together? There will be questions over the excise policy of Punjab, he said.

Unease over ED case

There is unease in the state AAP after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) action in the Delhi excise policy case due to allegations from time to time that Punjabs policy was similar to the one in the national capital. In 2022, the ED had questioned three state officers who were part of the team that framed the excise policy of Punjab. Though the state authorities have repeatedly said that the excise policy has sent the revenue soaring in the last two years, there is worry that the ED might expand the ambit of its probe to the state. Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar on Friday claimed that the states excise policy was tailored in line with the one in Delhi. A party delegation will approach the Election Commission and seek an ED probe into Punjabs excise policy, he said. However, finance and taxation minister Harpal Singh Cheema said they could get the probe done by any agency. It is a good policy. Punjabs revenue from excise duties has gone up from 6,000 crore to 10,000 crore in just two years. The liquor mafia has been finished off in the state, he said, alleging that ED and CBI threats are being given to protect the mafia.
The death toll due to the suspected consumption of spurious liquor in Punjabs Sangrur district has risen to 14, with four more people succumbing in Sunam, 30km from the district headquarters, on Friday, The death toll due to the suspected consumption of spurious liquor in Punjabs Sangrur district has risen to 14, with four more people succumbing in Sunam on Friday. (Representational photo)

Sunam senior medical officer (SMO) Dr Sanjay Kamra said 12 patients were admitted to the civil hospital on Friday morning. Of them, two were declared brought dead, while one died during treatment. The fourth died at the civil hospital in Sangrur.

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Also read: Sukhbir demands judicial probe into Sangrur hooch tragedy

The district administration said that the exact cause of the deaths would be ascertained after the post-mortem.

The deceased were identified as Budh Singh, Laxman Singh, Sakhinath and Darshan Singh.

Ten men had died in various villages of Dirba block of Sangrur after consuming spurious liquor till Thursday.

Sunam deputy superintendent of police GS Dhaliwal said a case was registered under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code and investigation was underway.

On Wednesday, police had said five men had died after consuming spurious liquor and some were hospitalised. Three of those hospitalised at Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala succumbed during treatment, taking the toll to eight, officials said on Thursday.

Special director general of police Arpit Shukla said on Thursday that four people, including main accused and Patiala resident Harmanpreet Singh, have been arrested in connection with the incident. Three others -- Sukhwinder Singh, Manpreet Singh, and Gurlal Singh -- were arrested earlier in the case.

The police recovered 200 litres of ethanol, 156 bottles of alcohol, 130 bottles containing suspected spurious liquor with labelling, 80 bottles containing spurious liquor without labelling, 4,500 empty bottles and a bottling machine, among other items.

The district administration has formed a five-member committee to investigate the matter. The committee comprises Dirba sub-divisional magistrate, two officers of Dirba police (deputy superintendent of police and a station house officer), a senior medical officer and an excise and taxation officer.

The committee is to submit its report by Saturday, Sangrur deputy commissioner Jitendra Jorwal said.

A survey was conducted at Gujran village from where the first five victims were reported to find out if anyone else was suffering deterioration in health. Multiple teams of health officials, anganwadi workers, police, revenue and rural development officials are conducting a door-to-door survey.
Students of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) cast their votes on Friday as the the much-awaited polling for JNU students union (JNUSU) was conducted after a gap of four years. Students wait to cast their votes at JNU on Friday. (ANI)

According to the final list of electorates released by the student election committee (EC), a total of 7,751 voters were expected to cast their votes to elect the members of the central panel as well as the councillors for the various schools. Additionally, arrangements of a digital voting system had also been set up for visually impaired students.

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Shailendra Kumar, chairperson of the election committee said that the voter turnout was around 73% of the expected number.

Read more: AAP protest: Commuters face traffic snarls as police shut several roads in central Delhi

EC also said the counting of polls started late on Friday in the School of International Studies (SIS). The results of the JNUSU elections is scheduled to be declared on March 24, following which the president, vice-president, general secretary and joint secretary will be elected for the central panel and 42 councillors will be elected. The voting, that was supposed to begin at 9am on Friday was delayed by almost two hours and began at 11am and ended at about 7pm, the EC member added. According to a schedule released by EC, the voting was supposed to take place in two phases, from 9am to 1pm and then from 2.30pm to 5.30pm. Kumar said that the delay in the polling process was due to issues regarding arrangements.

Read more: Delhi assembly session cancelled for today, next sitting on March 27

Nomination cancelled

The nomination of left panel general secretary Swati Singh was cancelled late on Thursday night. An official notice, issued by the EC, as seen by HT, read, This is to inform you all that, as per the order of GRC dated 21 March, 2024. vide No. JNU/DOS/JNUSU/2023-24/ the candidature of Ms. Swati Singh contesting for the post of General Secretary in the Central Panel stands cancelled. EC members did not confirm the reason for it , but the Left student organisations have issued a joint appeal that an all-organisation meeting should be called to discuss the same and a re-election for the post be conducted.

Read more: 238 bird species sighted in annual Delhi bird race

Protests in solidarity with Singh continued on the lawns in front of the School of International Studies in between the polling process.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Friday said that the ITO Metro station will remain closed from 08am to 06:00pm. The DMRC said that the move has been taken on the advice of the Delhi Police.(Sakib Ali /Hindustan Times)

The DMRC said that the move has been taken on the advice of the Delhi Police.

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The development comes ahead of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and workers' plan to protest against the arrest of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. Follow Arvind Kejriwal's arrest new LIVE updates here.

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on Thursday by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for his alleged role in the states controversial 2021-22 excise policy after questioning him at his residence.

Following Kejriwal's arrest, the Aam Aadmi Party has ruled out resignation by the Aam Aadmi Party convenor, saying that he will continue as CM and run the government from jail.

He will continue as the chief minister of Delhi. If need be, he will run the government from jail. There is no rule that stops him from running the government from jail, Atishi said outside Kejriwals residence. The party has claimed that a survey it conducted of Delhis citizens said he should continue. The AAP has been preparing for his arrest for months, and warned of its imminence several times.

AAP leader Gopal Rai blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government for Kejriwal's arrest.

"Tomorrow at 10 am we will hold a protest against the BJP party over the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal by the ED," he said.

Kejriwal is the third major AAP leader to be arrested in the probe after his former deputy and senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia as well as the partys Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Traffic Police have requested commuters to avoid routes leading to central Delhi in the anticipation of huge gathering of AAP workers.

Roads leading to the BJP headquarters and ED office in central Delhi have been closed, according to PTI.
A night of drama unfolded around Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwals residence on Flagstaff Road as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) first questioned and then arrested the senior Aam Aadmi Party leader on Thursday evening, prompting his party to allege that the AAP leaders incarceration was part of a political conspiracy by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government. AAP supporters protest outside Kejriwal's residence on Thursday. (Arvind Yadav/HT Photo)

Delhi minister Atishi, among other AAP functionaries, said the AAP chief will continue working as the chief minister of Delhi from jail  a situation that political experts, as well as lawyers, said was out of the ordinary but not entirely impossible. However, given there is no precedence  as Kejriwal is the first incumbent chief minister to be arrested  it may be difficult to run daily affairs of the Capital from jail.

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Read more: Arvind Kejriwal is first sitting chief minister to be arrested

To be sure, there is no prohibition either in the Constitution or under any statute that mandates a sitting CM to resign after arrest in a criminal case. It is only after their conviction and an imposition of a jail term that they must resign. Some precedents and political prudence have seen CMs stepping down after arrests.

Kejriwal was arrested by ED for his involvement in the controversial Delhi excise policy 2021-22, being evasive during questioning, and skipping nine summons issued by the agency.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was afraid of Kejriwal. The people of Delhi love Kejriwal and consider him as their family member. PM Narendra Modi is afraid of Arvind Kejriwal. ED and BJP do not respect the courts. When the court has sent a notice, why they cannot wait for the next date? said Atishi, speaking to media outside the CMs residence.

Read more: Hemant Soren arrested by ED in land scam money laundering probe

Several AAP leaders and workers, including ministers and MLAs, also arrived outside Kejriwals official residence and protested against the ED. Elaborate security arrangements were in place and Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said AAP ministers were not being allowed to go inside the residential complex.

Bharadwaj who arrived at the CMs residence soon after ED, alleged the agency came prepared to arrest Kejriwal. It appears that ED has raided the residence of chief minister... No one is being allowed to go inside the CM residence. It appears they are fully prepared to arrest the CM. The people are watching, we will not remain silent, said Bharadwaj.

By late evening, roads leading to the CMs residence were cordoned off and personnel from Delhi Police as well as paramilitary units were deployed in and around to maintain law and order. Delhi Speaker Ram Niwas Goel, said: All MLAs have unanimously decided Kejriwal will not resign as chief minister after arrest.

May continue as CM

Experts and lawyers said that if the CM has not lost his seat, he can continue to discharge his duties from inside the prison from a constitutional point of view.

It is an option for the CM to run the government from jail. However, how convenient will it be for all the files to be sent to jail for signatures every day and will the jail authorities allow that? It will also depend on what norms the jail authorities follow, said PD Thankappan Achary, former secretary general of Lok Sabha.

Read more: Arvind Kejriwal arrested by ED in liquor probe, AAP demands immediate SC hearing

A second person said if the CM and AAP decide Kejriwal will resign, he can either appoint one of the ministers as acting CM or nominate a relative, such as his wife, to be the CM. Former Bihar CM Lalu Yadav deputing his wife when he got arrested for the fodder scam was cited as precedence.

In such a situation, the relative will have to win the election for his seat within the next six months, said SK Sharma, former secretary of the Delhi Assembly.

Experts added that legally, the Presidents Rule is not a possibility in the current situation. Presidents Rule can only be imposed if the government has lost its majority and fallen. In this situation, all administrative charge lies with the lieutenant governor till the next election.

Presidents Rule would be unconstitutional as there is no political emergency. The option that may work best is if the CM nominates an acting CM on his behalf, said Sunil Gupta, a senior lawyer at the Delhi high court.
Delhi minister Gopal Rai on Friday claimed that the family of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has been put under house arrest. Rai had arrived outside the CM residence in Civil Lines to meet Kejriwals family. Rai had arrived outside the CM residence in Civil Lines to meet Kejriwals family. (ANI file photo)

It seems that the CMs family has been put under house arrest. They are not allowing anyone to meet his family members. The undeclared emergency continues in the country, Rai said after the police personnel deployed around the road leading to CMs residence stopped him from going to meet Kejriwals family.

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I have come here to meet his family members, but they seem to have been put under house arrest. I want to know under which law I am being stopped from meeting the family members of the CM, said Rai.

Reacting to the development, a Delhi Police official said Rai later went inside the CMs residence.

Also Read: Kejriwal arrest: Protest, police, and traffic snarls

Kejriwal was arrested on Thursday after Enforcement Directorate (ED) questioned him at his residence hours after the Delhi high court turned down his plea for interim protection. The arrest weeks before the general elections came after he skipped nine summons ED issued to him.

Kejriwal moved the Supreme Court challenging his arrest on Thursday night, seeking an urgent hearing.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday said it was unsure if Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal is safe in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody, citing the threat perception and the Union governments assessment that warranted the Z+ security cover for him. Delhi minister and AAP leader Atishi. (PTI)

Kejriwal is a sitting chief minister who has been given Z+ security. This is the Union governments assessment. Now, we are not sure if he is safe in custody. We do not know who is going to him with what in their hands. His Z+ security is removed. So, can the ED ensure his safety, said Delhi minister Atishi. She said it is a big safety issue and the party wants to know if ED is keeping the chief ministers security details intact.

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Atishi again hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union government for Kejriwals arrest after the announcement of Lok Sabha elections. She added the BJP got Kejriwal arrested because it is scared that he is the only leader who can challenge and defeat it.

I want to tell them [BJP] that Kejriwal is a leader who left his income tax job to serve the people. He is not a person. He is a thought; an inspiration. If you arrest one Kejriwal, thousands of Kejriwals will hit the streets to support their beloved leader and save democracy.

She added AAP leaders have been arrested one after the other because of the BJPs fear of defeat. Atishi added charges are dropped if leaders facing cases join the BJP. ...but if they do not, they are tortured. We have seen how big companies are threatened using ED and CBI [Central Bureau of Investigation] and extorted using electoral bonds. [Former Jharkhand chief minister] Hemant Soren was arrested on one side, and on the other Congresss bank account was seized.  She alleged attempts were being made to weaken the Opposition and steal the election.

BJP leader Neoma Gupta hit back, saying the AAP should have thought of consequences when Kejriwal ignored EDs multiple summons. The ED kept sending summons for questioning nine times and they ignored it. Legally, they [ED] have all the right to arrest Kejriwal. Gupta said Kejriwal should resign as he has never answered any questions related to the excise policy.

The ED arrested Kejriwal on Thursday for his alleged role in the irregularities in the now-scrapped 2021-22 Delhi excise policy hours after the high court turned down his plea for interim protection.
The Allahabad high court on Friday dismissed the plea of former Uttar Pradesh minister Amarmani Tripathi who had challenged a non-bailable warrant (NBW) issued against him as well as the order declaring him an absconder in a 2001 kidnapping case. The name of Amarmani Tripathi cropped up in the kidnapping case during the course of investigation. He was sent to jail and later released on bail. (For Representation)

Justice Sanjay Kumar Singh dismissed the application of Amarmani Tripathi while observing, However, it goes without saying that in case the applicant appears and applies for regular bail, the same shall be decided on the same day in the light of judgment of the Apex Court in the case of Satender Kumar Antil Vs CBI and Another.

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Earlier, the court had directed the special judge, MP-MLA, Basti, to send a photocopy of the complete order sheet of sessions trial no 2 of 2022 by March 14 by a special messenger in a sealed cover.

To recall, on December 6, 2001, an FIR was lodged by one Dharmraj against unknown persons under section 364A (kidnapping for ransom etc) of the Indian Penal Code in Basti alleging that his son was kidnapped.

The name of the applicant Amarmani Tripathi cropped up in this case during the course of investigation. He was sent to jail and later released on bail.

Later, a supplementary chargesheet was submitted in this case under the Gangsters Act. It was on November 1, 2023, when the special judge, MP-MLA, Basti declared him an absconder in this case. The applicant challenged it before the high court.

During the course of arguments, appearing on behalf of applicant senior advocate GS Chaturvedi assisted by Ajatshatru Pandey argued that the process to declare the applicant as absconder has wrongly been issued as he has already been released on bail in the main case of kidnapping for ransom. Hence, he may be directed to be released in the subsequent case clamped under the Gangsters Act on the personal bail bond.
A former fitter in the office of senior divisional mechanical engineer (C&W), Northeastern Railway, DRM Office, Varanasi, was sentenced to five years imprisonment by a Lucknow court on Friday, said senior CBI officials. For representation only (HT File Photo)

They said that the court also slapped a fine of 55,000 in a 14-year-old case related to causing loss to the Railways. The sentence was pronounced by the special judge for Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) cases, Lucknow.

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The CBI had registered the case against the fitter PK Dutta on December 8, 2007, on the allegations that during January 2006 to June 2007, then Fitter Grade-1 entered into a criminal conspiracy with other accused people and fraudulently prepared and passed fake and forged bills of vehicle repairs submitted in the name of M/s Wintech Engineering and M/s New Tech Enterprises. Thus, the accused allegedly caused the wrongful loss of 20,29,224 to the Railways along with corresponding wrongful gain to themselves.

After investigation, the CBI filed the chargesheet against Dutta on January 27, 2009, while the charges were framed against him on January 16, 2012. The trial file against an absconding accused has been separated with effect from January 18, 2024. Dutta was convicted on March 18, 2024, while pronouncement of sentence had been fixed for Friday.
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Friday appointed Iqbal Singh Chahal as the additional chief secretary in charge of the chief ministers secretariat, replacing Bhushan Gagrani. Iqbal Singh Chahal (File Photo)

The decision came after the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday directed the state government to appoint Gagrani as the new BMC commissioner.

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Following the Lok Sabha poll schedule announcement in March, the ECI had ordered the state government to transfer Chahal, other civic commissioners and additional or deputy municipal commissioners, who have served more than three years.

Chahal, an IAS officer of the 1989 batch, was appointed as the municipal commissioner on May 8, 2020, replacing Praveen Pardeshi.

Former additional municipal commissioner (projects) P Velrasu, a 2002 batch IAS officer, was also transferred and posted in the social justice department in Mantralaya as secretary.
NOIDA: In a bid to help out people who may not be having the Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) on the election day, the Gautam Budh Nagar administration has asked the polling staff to also accept other government documents for the purpose of identification. A total of 26,02,000 voters are eligible to cast their ballot from Gautam Budh Nagar Lok Sabha constituency on April 26. (Anshuman Poyrekar/HT Photo)

However, following directions of the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Gautam Budh Nagar administration has said that the voters will be issued the EPICs that are required to be produced for ones identification and voting at any polling booth during the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

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Local residents, meanwhile, are being informed that they can also produce government-issued photo identity documents such as passport, drivers license, PAN card, Aadhaar card, among others in case they are unable to produce an EPIC.

The polling staff has been directed to accept these documents, district administration officials informed.

Besides, the administrative officials interacted with the polling staff on measures to be taken to ensure smooth conduct of the polls in the district and to ensure necessary arrangements at polling stations, said district magistrate/chief electoral officer (Gautam Budh Nagar) Manish Kumar Verma.

According to the information shared by the district administration, besides PAN, Aadhaar, driving license and passport, MGNREGA job card, passbook (with picture) issued by bank/post office, pension documents (with picture), service identity card (with picture) issued by centre/state/lok upkram/public limited company to their workers, government ID card issued to MPs, MLAs, legislative council members can also be produced by the voter for identification voting at a polling booth.

Moreover, Gautam Budh Nagar administration has started the Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) campaign, a flagship programme of ECI, to spread public awareness regarding voting, through digital platforms.

Under the campaign, a special video curated for sensitising people for voting in the wake of Lok Sabha Elections, 2024, is being played in all movie theatres and multiplexes.

Process of distributing voter slips to voters will be started by poll officials five days ahead of the voting day.

A total of 26,02,000voters will cast their ballot from Gautam Budh Nagar Lok Sabha constituency on April 26, 2024.
The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad arrested a man wanted in connection with the supply of counterfeit currency notes, on Friday. The arrested man was wanted by Manda police in a case registered earlier. For representation only (HT File Photo)

ATS officials said one Subhash Mandal of Malda district of West Bengal was arrested by the ATS and a case against him was registered at Manda police station. During questioning, Subhash told the ATS team that he was part of an organised gang involved in the smuggling of counterfeit currency notes from Bangladesh. The fake currency notes were supplied in Uttar Pradesh and other states through local dealers. Subhash Mandals accomplice Kanchan Mandal was on the run.

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ATS officials said that on Friday, Kanchan Mandal was nabbed from Chandauli district. He was handed over to Manda police for further action and questioning.

Teacher consumes poison at police station

A teacher at Colonelganj Intermediate College consumed poison, accusing a revenue official and a sub inspector of harassment in a dispute over a piece of land. The incident took place on Thursday night at Colonelganj police station.

The teacher has been admitted to SRN Hospital. Meanwhile, police officials said that there is a stay on the property and the teacher consumed poison to create pressure.

Sunil Singh, a resident of Chhota Baghada, is an English teacher at Colonelganj Intermediate College. He is locked in a dispute with his neighbour over a piece of land. On Thursday, Singh was widening his entrance gate when the Kanungo reached the spot, on the complaint of his neighbour and stopped the work. Later, the police outpost in-charge also allegedly issued threats to Sunil Singh.

In the evening, Sunil Singh reached Colonelganj police station but officials refused to listen to him. Sunil Singh then consumed a liquid toilet cleaner he was carrying with him. Police then admitted Sunil to SRN Hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, police officials said that Sunils neighbour has got a stay from the high court and that the allegations of harassment are baseless.

Man held for friends murder

The Puramufti police claimed to have cracked the murder of a labourer, on Friday, and arrested a person in this connection. The accused confessed to have killed his friend during a fight in an inebriated state, police said.

SHO of Puramufti police station Ajeet Kumar Singh said that the body of Ashok Kumar, 44, of Ahmadpur, was found on March 10. The postmortem report revealed that he was assaulted with a heavy object on his face and head. Locals revealed that he had gone to a fair with one Shrichand Patel aka Lalli only a day before he was killed.

The police detained Lalli on suspicion. During interrogation, Lalli confessed to having murdered his friend. He told the police that the duo consumed liquor in the night on March 9. Ashok asked Lalli to purchase another bottle of liquor, but he refused.

After an altercation over the issue, Ashok punched Lalli in the nose. In a fit of rage, Lalli picked up a stone lying nearby and assaulted Ashok multiple times on his head and face resulting in his death. The stone used in the murder has been recovered, police said.
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, shown on Jan. 30, announced the selection of a new police chief Friday, ending more than a year of uncertainty over the high-profile post amid a sharp increase in crime. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao announced the selection of a new police chief Friday, ending more than a year of uncertainty over the high-profile post as a sharp increase in crime draws heightened attention to public safety in the city.

Floyd Mitchell, who was the first Black police chief in Lubbock, Texas, will take charge of the department in Oakland after being picked by Thao from a group of four offered by the Oakland Police Commission. Mitchell resigned in September after four years in Lubbock; he had previously served as chief in Temple, a small city in central Texas.

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Chief Mitchell is a strong leader and a smart crime fighter who delivers results, Thao said in an interview. He has a commitment to proven crime-reduction strategies, including proactive policing, and strong officer-community engagement.

The mayor said Mitchell had a strong record of crime reduction in both Temple and Lubbock. In Lubbock, population 260,000, overall crime decreased by about 5% in 2020 and 2021, his first two full years as chief, before rising about 7%, according to data released by her office.

Oaklands new police chief, Floyd Mitchell, formerly served as the chief of police in Lubbock, Texas. Lubbock Police Department

In Temple, a city of 89,000, crime fell 3% to 12% in each of the four years he was chief, the mayors office said. In both cities, police response times to emergency calls trended downward while he was chief.

Mitchells selection is one of Thaos most consequential decisions, coming just over a year into her mayorship. Violent crime rose steeply in 2023, and the department is still struggling to complete a set of reforms mandated by a federal court two decades ago after a police brutality scandal.

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Concerns about lawlessness  and its effect on the post-pandemic business climate in the city  continue to drive politics in Oakland.

In an interview with the Chronicle, Mitchell, an Air Force veteran, said he was looking forward to stepping into the position  and its demands and pressures.

I love the idea of being challenged and being able to help an organization transform how it is viewed by its community in regards to public safety, and how it is viewed across the nation, he said.

The 56-year-old will move to the Bay Area and start working in April or May. He said he plans to go on a listening tour and meet with department members, city staff, oversight officials and community members during his first 100 days.

One of his top priorities, Mitchell said, is bringing the department out of federal court oversight, which requires better tracking and disciplining of officers. He said hell do a full evaluation of the departments strategies as he maps out a plan to reduce crime.

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Mitchell supports Oaklands groundbreaking Ceasefire violence-prevention program, which the mayor revived this year after it went dormant in recent years, and said he values data-driven strategies and being open with the public and the news media.

Mitchells appointment follows months of political wrangling, after Thao fired Chief LeRonne Armstrong just a month into her tenure in 2023  the latest round of instability for a police department that has dealt with staffing woes, high turnover among chiefs, and on-and-off misconduct issues for years. An arbitrator later cleared Armstrong of wrongdoing.

Oakland has had 12 police chiefs in the past two decades. Former Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick, who served before Armstrong, filed a wrongful termination lawsuit after she was fired and won a $1.5 million jury verdict.

Armstrong, an appointee of the previous mayor, Libby Schaaf, had been placed on paid leave before being dismissed after a report by an independent law firm found he had violated department rules for not reviewing evidence from two misconduct cases before closing the investigations.

Armstrong soon began campaigning for his job back  demanding reinstatement first, appealing his termination, accusing the mayor of retaliating against him for criticizing the federal monitor, and finally filing a lawsuit against the city and Thao.

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The bitter rift spilled over into the Police Commission, the independent oversight body created in 2016, which deliberated for months before including Armstrong on a list of nominees last fall that Thao eventually rejected. The mayor can select a chief only from a list of candidates drafted by the commission, according to the City Charter.

I didnt imagine that it would take this long and have so many hurdles and have so many, you know, barriers to entry, Thao said. If we were back to your old days in Oakland, and the mayor were able to choose her police chief, I can tell you that this process would have been done with and over last year.

A slate of four candidates selected by the commission last month, which included Mitchell, offered Thao a fresh pool.

The mayor set up a panel of her own to interview the group, made up of city officials and community members. The Oakland Police Officers Association declined to participate in the process, according to Sgt. Huy Nguyen, the unions president.

After observing the panel interviews, the mayor selected two finalists: Mitchell and Lisa Davis, an assistant police chief in Cincinnati, and sat for hourlong interviews with each. Mitchell ultimately won her over with a vision for community involvement that she said felt like it was aligned with her goals on police reform.

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What stood out to me was the depth and his breadth of experience that he is coming with, and his ability to work and collaborate with other organization leaders, she said. Its just not the enforcement piece.

On Friday, Armstrong sent his best wishes to Mitchell in a statement.

This is my hometown, it read. I want everyone to be safe and will do everything in my power, now as a private citizen, to assist in that goal.

Notably, the former chief signed off with a title he hadnt yet given up: Chief LeRonne Armstrong.

Nguyen said in a statement the officers eagerly anticipate collaborating with Chief Mitchell in serving our community. Despite challenges, our dedicated Oakland Police Officers continue to show up daily to serve our citys residents.

Born into a blue-collar family in Kansas City, Mo., Mitchell began his law enforcement career there as a patrol officer. Relationships between police and communities of color were strained, but Mitchell wanted to be part of the solution, he said.

After 25 years with the department, Mitchell left to lead the police department in Temple, and four years later, in 2019, he was appointed police chief in Lubbock.

During his tenure, the Lubbock Police Department was flagged for issues with its 911 system. Abandoned 911 calls doubled in two years, to 30,000 in 2022, out of a total of 183,000 calls, local television station KAMC reported. That means more than 16% percent of 911 callers hung up before their call was answered  statistics a City Council member called unacceptable at the time.

Mitchell said he didnt pay close attention to the matter, focusing more was on how quickly answered calls were dispatched. In hindsight, he said he should have paid close attention to both metrics. Oakland, too, has suffered from operational issues with its 911 system that Thao has prioritized fixing.

I learned from that situation, and I will definitely take what I learned when I come into Oakland, he said.

Mitchell said he resigned in September after difficult decisions he made were met with resistance, although he wouldnt elaborate.

When you face resistance, sometimes its just easier to say, Maybe its just time to go in a different direction,  he said.

Oakland will be the biggest department that Mitchell has headed. He already faces critics.

Cat Brooks, co-founder the Anti Police-Terror Project, took issue with elements of Mitchells background, including his military service.

Law enforcement officers who come from the military tend to be more violent, and are more interested in militarizing police departments, she said.

Brooks also brought up the fragile relationship between police and people of color in Oakland, who have disproportionately suffered from over-incarceration and harassment at the hands of law enforcement.

They have chosen a person of color, Brooks said, referring to Mitchell, who is Black. Oftentimes that is used to tell the communities that are more impacted by police violence that they dont have anything to worry about.

However, she added, the only police chief were interested in is one who is actually going to address public safety  through social services and investments in our humanity, not more cops and cages.

Mitchell said he was drawn to the idea of stepping in to help transform the department. Exactly how he intends to do that wasnt immediately clear.
Lahore: Ramesh Singh Arora, the first Sikh minister in Pakistans Punjab province, said that the provincial Sikh Act would undergo a few amendments under which Sikhs would be ineligible to marry if they are below the age of 18 years. First Sikh minister in Pakistans Punjab province Ramesh Singh Arora.

Presiding over a meeting of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) of which he is the president, Arora said the new amendments in Pakistans Sikh Act are going to be in favour of the minority community.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Certain amendments including Sikhs below 18 years ineligible to marry will be made in the Sikh Anand Karaj Marriage Act 2018 and it will duly be approved by the cabinet soon, Arora, the provincial cabinet minister for minority affairs under the chief ministership of Maryam Nawaz, said.

Head granthis from Lahore, Nankana Sahib, Panja Sahib, Dera Sahib and Peshawar also attended the meeting. Several amendments were recommended in the Sikh Act during the meeting.

As per the amended law, the marriage will take place according to the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib. The couple will fill the anand karaj form and submit it to the authorised registrar within 30 days of the marriage. The offices of anand karj registrar or union council will keep a record of all marriages, Arora, a member of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party, said.

During the meeting, various proposals regarding reconciliation council, marriage registrar and appointment of registrar were discussed.

The meeting decided that the union council chairman should be elected from the brides council.

The age of Sikh boys and girls entering into the institution of marriage should be 18 years, according to the outcome of the meeting during which it was also agreed that the five-member Sangat will present its proposals on any issue/conflict between the bride and the groom.

It was also decided that the couple seeking divorce would be bound to send a written notice to the union council chairman who will constitute a conciliation committee within 30 days of receiving the notice. If the couple fails to reconcile after 90 days, a certificate will be issued.

Arora said the Sikhs in Pakistan were facing many legal problems due to the non-registration of their marriages.

Such issues include distribution of inherited assets, he said and added after the implementation of the Act, Sikh couples will be able to legally register their marriages.
At least one worker was killed, and eight others sustained injuries when three pillars of an under-construction bridge collapsed in Supaul on Friday morning. The injured are undergoing treatment at the district hospital. Visuals from the site of the incident. (HT Photo)

Supaul district magistrate (DM) Kaushal Kumar confirmed the development and said a massive rescue operation is underway even as he did not rule out the possibility of the death of more labourers.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Unconfirmed reports stated that over 40 labourers were working at the site when the incident took place. So far, 9 labourers have been rescued.

The 10.2-km road bridge of NHAI on the Kosi river, the longest in the state, will connect Supaul and Madhubani districts.

Two companies  Gammon India and Trans Rail Lighting Ltd  are jointly building the bridge at a cost of 984 crore.

The bridge was to be completed by 2023 but got delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It is expected to be open for public by this year.
BSEB Bihar Board 12th Result 2024 Date and Time: The Bihar School Examination Board on March 22 announced that Class 12th or Intermediate final examination results will be declared on March 23, 2024 at 1.30 pm. The board will hold a press conference to announce Bihar 12th results, after which students can check it on biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in. Bihar board 12th result 2024 live updates Bihar Board 12th Result 2024 Date, Time: BSEB Inter results releasing tomorrow

The board shared this information on its official X page. Heres the post

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Apart from the official website, students can also check the Bihar board 12th results on hindustantimes.com. The direct link to the HT portal is given below:

Bihar board 12th result 2024: BSEB Inter result on HT portal

Roll codes and roll numbers of the Inter final examination are required to check marks sheers online. Hard copies of marks sheets and pass certificates will be sent to schools after the declaration of results.

In the result press conference, students will get to know the following details:

Number of candidates appeared (stream-wise and overall) Number of candidates passed (stream-wise and overall) Pass percentage (stream-wise and overall) Gender-wise results Stream-wise names of toppers Process to apply for re-checking of results Details about the compartment examination Other information.

Soon after the result press conference, the link to download individual scorecards will be displayed on the boards website. If they face any issues while accessing the BSEB result portal, they can use the HT portal for the Bihar board results mentioned above and download their scorecards with ease.

In 2023, a total of 13,04,586 students appeared for the Intermediate examination, of whom 10,91,948 cleared it. The overall pass percentage was 83.7 per cent.

Stream-wise, Commerce students recorded the best pass rate of 93.95 per cent, followed by Science (83.93 per cent) and Arts (82.74 per cent).

It should be mentioned that the Arts stream had the highest number of candidates  6,68,526, followed by Science (5,86,532) and Commerce (49,155).
Bihar Board 12th Result 2024 Live: Bihar Board Inter Results will be declared tomorrow, March 23, by the Bihar School Examination Board. All the candidates can check the Class 12 results on the official website of BSEB at biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in. The Bihar Board 12th result will be declared at 1:30 pm tomorrow, informed the official notification....Read More

The Bihar Board 12th results can also be checked on the other official website - results.biharboardonline.com. Apart from these official websites, the BSEB Inter Result 2024 will be available on the HT Portal Education page.

The link to check the result is given below, which will be activated soon after it is declared by BSEB.

Bihar Board Class 12 Science Result link on HT Portal

Bihar Board Class 12 Commerce Result link on HT Portal

Bihar Board Class 12 Arts Result link on HT Portal

Bihar Board Class 12 Vocational Result link on HT Portal

Bihar Board 12th examination was conducted from February 1 to February 12, 2024, across the state at various exam centres. The BSEB Intermediate examination was conducted for Arts, Commerce and Science on the dates mentioned above.

Follow the blog for the latest updates on BSEB Bihar Board 12th Result 2024.
The registration window for the Odisha Joint Entrance Examination (OJEE)  2024, will close today at 11:59 PM. Eligible candidates who are interested in applying for the examination are advised to visit the official websites ojee.nic.in or odishajee.com to submit their applications before the deadline. OJEE 2024: Registrations for Odisha Joint Entrance Examination 2024 will close today at 11:59 PM. Visit the official website to submit your applications.(Hindustan Times)

Worth mentioning here, an application fee for a form with a single course is Rs.1000 and for the addition of each course thereafter, it is Rs.500. The payment should be done through online mode.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Also read: NTA adds two additional subjects in CUET UG 2024, check details and procedure to select new subjects

To fill out your application, the steps mentioned below may be followed:

Visit the official website of OJEE at ojee.nic.in.

Click on the OJEE 2024 registration link available on the home page.

Register yourself.

Enter the login details and click on submit.

Once done, fill out the application form and make the payment of the application fee.

Click on submit and download the page.

Keep a hard copy of the same for further need.

Also read: BSEB Bihar D.El.Ed Admit Card 2024 releasing date out, notice here

Notably, the last date for registration and final submission of online application forms for OJEE  2024, was earlier notified as March 15, 2024, and later extended up to March 22, 2024.

Following the application submission, the correction window will open on March 23 and will close on March 25, 2024, wherein candidates will be able to make corrections, if required, in their applications.

The admit cards will be available on April 30, 2024, and the examination will be conducted on May 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, 2024 for admission to B.Pharm / MCA /MSc (Computer Sc)/ MBA / Int. MBA / B. CAT / M.Tech / M.Tech (Part-Time) / M.Arch / M Plan / M.Pharm and Lateral Entry to B.Tech / B.Pharm Courses in Government and Private Universities and Colleges of Odisha.

Also read: Vocabulary Made Easy series: Shine bright in exams with strong word power
New Delhi, The Staff Selection Commission has declared results for the recruitment of constables in the Central Armed Police Forces for Manipur after rectifying a data computation error, according to an official statement. HT Image

The final result of the Constable in the CFs, Secretariat Security Force , Rifleman in Assam Rifles and Sepoy in Narcotics Control Bureau Examination, 2022 was declared by the Commission on August 20, 2023, for all states/Union Territories except for Manipur, the SSC said in a notice.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The final result was processed for 49,590 vacancies wherein 45,217 candidates were provisionally recommended for appointment whereas the candidature of 1,337 candidates was kept withheld, it said.

"At the time of declaration of the said final result of the aforesaid examination, the physical and medical tests could not be conducted due to the law and order situation in Manipur.

"Therefore, the result for the state of Manipur for 597 vacancies could not be declared on August 20, 2023. Subsequently, the final result for the state of Manipur was declared on the website of the Commission on March 15, 2024," the statement said.

The physical and medical tests in respect of the candidates belonging to Manipur had been conducted in multiple phases due to the law and order situation in the state, it said.

At least 219 people have been killed in ethnic strife in Manipur since May last year. The violence erupted on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei communitys demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

The SSC said that while processing the result dated March 15, 2024, the data pertaining to one phase was inadvertently missed.

Accordingly, the final result declared on March 15, 2024, for Manipur was withdrawn vide the Commission's notice dated March 18, 2024.

"Based on a comprehensive review of the complete data, the discrepancy has been rectified and changes have been effected in the result declared on March 15, 2024," it said in the notice dated March 21, 2024.

A total of 597 vacancies for Manipur have been considered for allocation to the Border Security Force , Central Industrial Security Force , Central Reserve Police Force , Sashastra Seema Bal , Indo-Tibetan Border Police , Assam Rifles, Narcotics Control Bureau and the SSF, the notice said.

The SSC is one of the largest recruiting agencies of the government with its main mandate being recruitment to all Group B and Group C posts in various central ministries and departments.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
London, Actor Darasing Khurana has kicked off his Commonwealth Year of Youth Champion role with a focus on mental health initiatives, following a meeting with Queen Camilla and discussions with Secretary-General Baroness Patricia Scotland in London. HT Image

The 32-year-old artist founded the Pause.Breathe.Talk Foundation in the wake of the tragic death of his friend, fellow actor Sushant Singh Rajput, hopes to use the many learnings and insights from its focus on making therapy affordable and accessible to young people.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Khurana has been in London since Commonwealth Day on March 11, when he shared his plans with the Queen, who was representing husband King Charles as the Head of the Commonwealth as the monarch undergoes treatment for cancer.

I shared my plans around youth mental health and wellbeing with Her Majesty and she was really supportive, so I'm even more pumped now to get on with the work, shared Khurana, whose intricate fusion sherwani by designers Shantanu & Nikhil was admired by the Queen.

I explained how we want to work towards a better balance with technology in the life of young people by implementing a Commonwealth-wide programme. She agreed it was absolutely the need of the hour and encouraged me to focus on this, he said.

Khurana has helped children as young as eight access heavily discounted counselling through his foundation set up in memory of Rajput, who is believed to have been suffering from depression before his sudden death aged 34 in June 2020.

It hit me really hard and I had to do something in his memory. Through my foundation, I observe young people suffering and that is the reason I feel I can be the voice, and bring this change in the Commonwealth countries. I just want to make sure that we do not take this mental health crisis ahead for the generations to come and we end it here, he said.

Based on research conducted by his foundation, Khurana has pinpointed a drastic drop in patience levels among the younger generation and a corresponding spike in their anxiety levels. The primary reason for this is believed to be the overuse of electronics and social media. Through his work with Dr Rekha Chaudhri, founder of World Digital Detox Day, his focus is on encouraging a lifestyle change that would help young people better harmonise with technology.

We have come up with a roadmap already which can be merged with the education system in all the Commonwealth countries so that students are taught right from the beginning in their schools on how to maintain a balance with technology in their life, he said.

While mental health will be among his top priorities, Khurana also has plans to help organise an interfaith event with the University of Cambridge in an effort to promote greater interfaith understanding. A short film competition and sustainable fashion, inspired by his modelling and acting career, are among some of the other ideas he wants to bring to fruition.

We really need to get to the deeper meaning of religion. We need to bring all the religious leaders from across the globe together and make sure the right message is sent across, that all the religions are together. This is another subject very, very close to my heart, he said.

On the work front, he has an as-yet-untitled Marathi film coming up, something the Maharashtrian actor is very excited about. But, meanwhile, he is keen to pack in as much as he can into his year-long Commonwealth role and help amplify the voice of young people from across the 56 member countries.

As a Commonwealth Year of Youth Champion, Khurana is in exalted company with Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh and brother of King Charles III, who took on the role to promote and raise the profile of issues facing young people in the Commonwealth.

At the Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting in London last year, it was decided to extend the Year of Youth at least until the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting , which will be held in Apia, Samoa, later this year.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Deepika Padukone turned designer for an American home furnishing label. In an interview with Architectural Digest India, the actor opened up about her debut collection with Pottery Barn. Also read: Deepika Padukone becomes global brand ambassador for Hilton hotels Deepika Padukone has come out with her debut collection with US-based Pottery Barn.

The actor has collaborated with the popular brand to come up with a range of embroidered pillows, hand-knotted rugs, elegant wooden furniture and dinnerware made for Indian cuisines  all complete with her 'global Indian aesthetic'. Prices range from 3000 for a set of candles to 395,000 for a Persian-style rug.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

'It's taken a couple of years to put this together'

Deepika said, This is not one of those collaborations where the brand sends you ten things and says, 'Okay, you just approve it, we'll put your name on it, and we'll sell it.' This has truly been a collaboration, and Ive worked on every piece... I think we have a similar aesthetic and sensibility. It wasn't easy, because they're headquartered in California, and I'm based in India; there's been a lot of back and forth, and it's taken us a couple of years to put this together, but I think they have an amazing team... it was me sending them a whole bunch of references; things that I like and things that we should also stay away from"

Deepika's 'biggest grouse with American crockery'

The actor became a brand ambassador for Pottery Barn in December 2022, a few months after the label was launched in India. Deepika shared a highlight from her new collection  Pottery Barn's take on katoris (bowls).

She said, My biggest grouse with American crockery is that you never find small-sized bowls, right? They usually have big salad bowls or cereal bowls, which are great if you're serving Western cuisine. But if you wanted to use that set for Indian food, it's not practical for someone who wants to have a little dahi or dal. And so we created these smaller katoris. So that would be my favourite, because I think it's the most practical for an Indian home."

Deepika is pregnant with first baby

Deepika and actor-husband Ranveer Singh are expecting their first child in a few months. Deepika and Ranveer, who married in 2018 after dating for six years, on February 29 announced the news of her pregnancy on Instagram. They wrote their baby was arriving in September 2024. Deepika and Ranveer, both 38, tied the knot in an intimate wedding ceremony in Lake Como, Italy.

Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment!  Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel  Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place
Kriti and Pultri's sangeet photos

From romantic and fun photos of them dancing to a glimpse of the bride-to-be's stage performance, Kriti and Pulkit Samrat gave fans an insight into their 'epic' pre-wedding celebration. Kriti wore a shimmery blue and silver lehenga for her sangeet, while Pulkit was in an equally dramatic black and silver Indo-western look.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The newlyweds wrote in the caption, The sangeet was probably the most epic celebration! There werent any sides, just one big happy family coming together to celebrate their two kids! The Samrats and Kharbandas were the perfect team (red heart emoji).

More about the couple

Pulkit Samrat, who was previously married to Shweta Rohira, has worked with Kriti in films such as Veerey Ki Wedding, Taish and Pagalpanti. Both Pulkit and Kriti were born in Delhi, and their families reside in the NCR region. Hence, they married at ITC Grand Bharat, near Delhi.

Wedding venue

Stretching across 12 lakh square metres, the heritage hotel is set amidst the Aravalli Range and is only a short drive from New Delhi. Pulkit and Kriti's wedding hotel features four presidential villas and 100 suites, some with a semi-private pool, a walk-in closet and a terrace. Rooms start at 28,000 plus taxes, as per Makemytrip.com.

Wedding album

Kriti and Pulkit married in an intimate ceremony. Sharing the wedding pictures soon after their March 15 wedding, the couple wrote on Instagram, "From the deep blue sky, to the morning dew. Through the low and the high, it's only you. From the start to the end, in every now and every then, when my heart beats different. It's got to be you. Constantly, consistently, continually, You."

Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment!  Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel  Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place
With Sara Ali Khan already an established name in the industry, all eyes are now on her younger brother Ibrahim Ali Khan, who is also looking to make his foray into Bollywood. In a recent interview with ANI, Sara opened up about how talented Ibrahim is as she wished him good luck and success in the industry. (Also Read  Sara Ali Khan on making her family proud: I want to inspire my brother Ibrahim as an elder sister) Ibrahim Ali Khan is all set to follow in Sara Ali Khan's footsteps and make his Bollywood acting debut

What Sara said

Asked if she would like to set an example for her sibling with her work, Sara replied, "No (I don't feel like setting an example for him). My brother is quite smart... it is his life, his luck and his talent. We both have been brought up in the same manner so I know he won't drift from his chosen path. And no matter how far you run, you will come back to yourself. That's what our mom (Amrita Singh) taught us."

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Ibrahim is currently shooting for a couple of projects. However, an official announcement on his projects has not been made yet.

Wishing him luck for his Bollywood debut, Ibrahim's 'aapa' said, "I hope he maintains balance in his life and work. He should stick to his values. He is a grounded child."

About Sara's projects

Meanwhile, Sara is busy promoting her latest release Ae Watan Mere Watan, which is based on pre-Independence India and the life of freedom fighter Usha Mehta. Usha founded Congress Radio, which was instrumental during the Quit India movement in 1942.

Speaking about the film, she said, "I did not know about the contributions that she (Usha) made and that's what made me feel excited and inspired me to do this film. This story deserves to be told. At such a young age, she started an underground radio station that galvanised the Indian national struggle by getting so many people from the country together. Today's youth needs to hear this story of self-belief, conviction and undying perseverance."

Ae Watan Mere Watan is backed by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions. It also features Sachin Khedekar, Abhay Verma, Sparsh Shrivastav, Alexx O' Neil and Anand Tiwari in pivotal roles. Emraan Hashmi also has a special appearance in the Kannan Iyer directorial as nationalist and freedom fighter Ram Manohar Lohia.

The film is streaming on Prime Video India.
Trillion-yuan new industry gears up for takeoff as low-altitude economy in China gains momentum

Global Times) 11:32, March 22, 2024

A flying drone car completes its trial flight in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province, on March 8, 2024. Photo: Courtesy of XPENG AEROHT

During the congested morning rush hour, hopping in a "flying taxi" to work, then enjoying a freshly brewed, drone-delivered coffee, and later, in the evening, watching a light show orchestrated by drones are all scenes that would only be possible in science fictions, are now becoming true.

Little known before, the low-altitude sky is growing increasingly busy, setting the stage for the rise of the low-altitude economy and a trillion-yuan market scale, which is gearing up for a "take-off."

Along with bio-manufacturing and commercial spaceflight, the low-altitude economy is included in this year's Government Work Report for the first time as a new growth engine. While 2024 has been considered the inaugural year for the development of this sector, provinces and cities across China have accelerated its layout, aiming to gain a competitive edge in the emerging industry.

The low-altitude economy refers to a comprehensive economic form that develops in the airspace 3,000 meters above the Earth's surface. It is led by various manned and unmanned aerial vehicles' low-altitude flight activities, a service that produces true economic values.

The economy is characterized by a long industrial chain, wide applications, and strong growth potential, with use scenarios including its integration with agriculture, aerial monitoring, firefighting, logistics and more.

Flying drone vehicles

In the central business district in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, Chinese flying car company XPENG AEROHT recently completed the first low-altitude flight of its drone car XPENG X2, according to a statement the company sent to the Global Times on Wednesday.

It offers valuable insights for the widespread adoption of future urban aerial transportation and low-altitude tourism, among other applications in the low-altitude economy, the company said.

China's leading autonomous aerial vehicle technology platform EHang started to sell its self-developed unmanned electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft EH216-S on Chinese e-commerce platform Taobao, with its pricing set at 2.39 million yuan ($332,032) per unit.

"Our ultimate goal is to offer new low-altitude travel services to every ordinary citizen. On a national platform like Taobao, we hope to promote the value of the future low-altitude economy to consumers," He Tianxing, a deputy president of EHang, told the Global Times in a statement.

EHang's eVTOL aircraft is capable of providing autonomous logistics solutions and services, covering from long distance inter-city transportation to intra-city cargo deliveries, especially the logistics transportation at mountains and remote areas, according to the company.

In December 2023, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has issued a certificate to the country's independently-developed AS700 civil manned airship.

Developed by the Special Vehicle Research Institute under the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, the manned airship can carry up to 10 people onboard, including the pilot. It has a maximum take-off weight of 4,150 kilograms, a maximum flight range of 700 kilometers, and a maximum endurance of 10 hours.

"As a representative of the new quality productive forces, I believe that the inclusion of the low-altitude economy in the Government Work Report is due to its potential to promote productivity and technological revolution," Du Wei, the person in charge of the AS700 research project, told the Global Times on Sunday.

The low-altitude economy also involves the manufacturing of high-end equipment, low-altitude flight activities, and the construction of supporting infrastructure of airspace. It has a wide application and a long industrial chain, belonging to technology-intensive or technology-innovative industries, which align with the characteristics of new quality productive forces, Du said.

New growth engine

While still in its early stages, the low-altitude economy has become a consensus among the government, industry, and enterprises as a new engine for economic growth.

Approximately 20 provinces and cities across the country have prioritized the development of the low-altitude economy in 2024, leading to implementation of favorable policies and regulations, attractive funding and subsidies, infrastructure support and suitable sites for eVTOL operations, and paving the way for establishing a sustainable low-altitude ecosystem.

EHang entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with the municipal government of Hefei, East China's Anhui Province, in October 2023 for joint development of a low-altitude service ecosystem, which includes a financial support fund of $100 million by the city government.

According to the CAAC, the scale of China's low-altitude economy as of the end of 2023 is estimated at approximately 500 billion yuan, with its market size expected to rise to 2 trillion yuan by 2030.

The development prospects and potential economic scale of the low-altitude economy may be broader than we initially anticipated. It has the potential to fundamentally transform transportation and logistics, Wang Yanan, chief editor of Beijing-based Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Moreover, the new sector could significantly enhance the efficiency of societal operations, Wang noted.

Within the scope of the low-altitude economy, aircraft may transition from being primarily large-scale public transportation tools to becoming community oriented, and even possessing a certain degree of individualized customization. This transformation would have considerable implications for both the industry and the societal impact, Wang said.

The reason why many countries around the world are focusing on developing this new sector is because it could herald a new industrial transformation, he said, adding that China has established a technological edge in this field and is better positioned in the industry's future development. "It is crucial to accelerate development and seize the development initiative," Wang noted.

China is expected to account for about 25 to 30 percent of the global eVTOL market in 2030, Xinhua News Agency reported, citing an industry report.

As of the end of 2023, the number of general aviation firms in China stood at 689, with 3,173 general aviation aircraft registered and 451 general aviation airports set up, Xinhua reported.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Mario Cortez joined The Chronicle Food & Wine team in 2022. He is originally from San Diego, where he contributed to local and online publications. He last worked at the Eureka Times-Standard, where he was sports editor and a staff reporter. Cortez was also a regular writer for Eater San Diego.

He likes analog photography, playing soccer and, naturally, great food.

He can be reached at mario.cortez@sfchronicle.com.
Swatantra Veer Savarkar movie review: Narrating chapters from the life of a polarising historic figure is not an easy feat. Yet Randeep Hooda's Swatantra Veer Savarkar  a biopic on Vinayak Damodar Savarkar  takes up the challenge, tries to dissect and detail the key events from his life, and serves us a three-hour long biographical film that works in parts and struggles to hook your attention for the rest. Also read | Swatantra Veer Savarkar, Madgaon Express, Arthur The King: New theatrical releases this week Swatantra Veer Savarkar movie review: Randeep Hooda plays the lead on it and has also directed the film.

Spanning over a decade including both pre and post independence era starting from 1857 to 1966, the film unapologetically narrates the story solely from the point of view of its much controversial protagonist. And it doesn't battle an eyelid while doing so, especially when mounting him as a worshipped figure with ideals that many might not have agreed with initially, but would still eventually come to terms with. As a result, Swatantra Veer Savarkar ends up being a one-sided narrative that's not bothered about presenting a balanced outlook about the contributions made towards India's struggle for freedom.

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Premise of the film

A politician, activist and a writer, Savarkar, who propagated Hindutva and the ideology of Akhand Bharat (undivided India), believed in armed revolution to get rid of the British rule as opposed to Mahatma Gandhi's non-violence beliefs and ideologies. However, the film doesn't endorse or advocate the idea of violence, which was a relief.

It sheds light on the contribution and sacrifices of the armed revolutionaries that are often looked down upon as only non-violence is assumed to have contributed to India's freedom. Using bold newspaper headlines to highlight the rise and fall of Savarkar, the motive of the film is clear  familiarise us with his early life, high points during his time in England when he joined hands with India House and Free India Society, his arrest by the British Police, time spent in the prison and his countless mercy petitions to British authorities as a political prisoner.

Randeep Hooda plays Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in Swatantra Veer Savarkar.

Savarkar's life is so intriguing

Some called him a patriot, some referred to him a bomb golavala who incited violence. He was accused and acquitted of multiple conspiracy theories. What makes Savarkar's life so intriguing is his sacrifices and contribution he made to India's freedom struggle and the film doesn't hesitate in slowly turning pages from his life. The first half offers a great build up showing us a young Savarkar as a child devoted to his elder brother (Amit Sial) and as a grown up, extremely loyal to his wife Yamunabai (Ankita Lokhande) and as a charming and confident law student in England. Sadly, the second half nosedives both in terms of storyline and Hooda's direction. Somewhere, he loses track and goes all the place unable to decide how to put the pieces back together.

Randeep Hooda stands out in the film

Despite the good and the bad, what undeniably stands out throughout the film is Randeep Hooda in the titular role, also credited as the director, co-writer, co-producer of the film. His unbelievable physical transformation (losing 30kgs) with his ribs showing and rotten teeth, remains a sight that's unmissable and difficult to watch at the same time.

There are umpteen disturbing visuals of him getting mercilessly beaten up during his imprisonment in the notorious cellular jail in Andaman and Nicobar islands, and then solitary confinement of Kaalapani, and each time, they leave you with a lump in your throat. From portraying a heroic leader to a helpless prisoner, he impresses in both. The way Hooda has gotten into the skin of Savarkar from his body language, dialogue delivery and even to the voice over he does, it is just outstanding and proves his acting prowess, yet again.

Randeep Hooda in a still from Swatantra Veer Savarkar.

Scenes are handled with maturity and dignity

While many anticipated the film to showcase a clash between Gandhi and Savarkar's ideologies, thankfully, that's not the entirely the case. In fact, the scenes between Savarkar (Randeep Hooda) and Gandhi (Rajesh Khera) are handled with maturity and dignity. Though one scene where Savarkar says, 'Gandhi itna bada kab se ho gaya' might elicit laughter, it has an evidently sarcastic undertone. Swatantra Veer Savarkar might claim it's to not paint its leader as flawless yet you notice several instances where the narrative is aimed at correcting his image. There are subtle yet impactful references when Hooda as Savarkar says he doesn't dislike Gandhi, he dislike the idea of non-violence or when he says he doesn't hate the British, he hate slavery, injustice and oppression.

Final thoughts

The biggest flaw the film suffers from is its length and the editing. At two hours 58 minutes, it meanders a lot more than you'd expect. While Hooda the actor shines, as a director, he had so much to tell that even with this runtime, he struggles to hold on to your attention.

With so much material at hand and such in-depth research and understanding of the subject, I wouldn't mind if Savarkar's life was documented in a long format episodic series than this unending film, which loses direction and our subsequent interest in it after a point. Nevertheless, Randeep Hooda's impeccable act and conviction while portraying this role somewhat salvages it.

Film: Swatantra Veer Savarkar

Cast: Randeep Hooda, Ankita Lokhande, Amit Sial, Rajesh Khera

Director: Randeep Hooda

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Lisa Rinna and Annemarie Wiley are on opposite sides of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills spectrum regarding their employment cases. The 60-year-old actress has no intentions of returning to march alongside the Beverly Hills ladies anytime soon. In fact, her shocking resignation in January 2023 paved the way for her acting career, and she couldn't have asked for anything more. In stark contrast to Rinna's fruitful experience at Bravo, Annemarie Wiley's exit has culminated on a sour note. The 40-year-old took to her Instagram earlier, blowing the lid off the reality series that fired her after misrepresenting her personality to the world. While Lisa Rinna exited Real Housewives of Beverly Hill on her accord, Annemarie Wiley was fired by Bravo.

Lisa Rinna on her RHOBH return

Appearing on the Jennifer Hudson Show, Rinna firmly reinstated that she'll never return to the show again. Though grateful for the experience because it made her a better actor and positively fuelled her acting career again, she put her foot down on the RHOBH comeback issue.

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She joked about how she trained for eight years on that show for her recent Lifetime movie project Mommy Meanest. The eight-year-long experience gave her an insight into different psychologies of different women, something she wouldn't have come across if she hadn't nodded in approval for the show in the first place.

Although she embraced the gratitude she had for the show that became a launching pad for her career, she'll never go back.

Also read | Love Is Blind UK: Release details, hosts and everything we know so far

Rinna exited RHOBH in January 2023 as she was still reeling from her mother's death. Her departure was also linked to the backlash following her feud with Kathy Hilton, who called her the biggest bully in Hollywood. The mother of two joined the long-running trail in Season 5 (2014) and stayed until Season 12. Also addressing her final RHOBH year, she recalled how much she f***ing hated it.

Annemarie Wiley fired from RHOBH

Wiley released an online statement on Instagram after the network didn't ask her to return for RHOBH Season 14 and expressed her disappointment with the network's stereotypical portrayal of her. Despite gaining the audience's favour with her Season 13 debut, her misrepresentation boxed her presence to her debate with Sutton Stracke about the man's oesophagus size.

After her one-season journey, she's been ousted from the show. The nurse anesthesiologist revealed that she'd never auditioned for this show. Instead, they found her and asked her to be on it out of the blue, 6 weeks after the cast had already started filming.

Though enthusiastic about taking on the novel route, she felt miserable about being unable to introduce even a glimpse of (her) unique life story. She'd hoped to kick her important mission into action during the next season by showing a solid Black family unit and that rue Black love exists, even in Beverly Hills.
House of the Dragon is back with its second season after two years and netizens can't keep calm. The fantasy-drama based on George RR Martin's novel Fire & Blood has elements of warfare, treachery, ambition, power, love and loyalty. The battle for throne between Rhaenyra Targaryen's team black and Alicent Hightower's team green has been depicted in two separate trailers released on Thursday. (Read more: House of the Dragon Season 2 trailer: Battle lines have been drawn between Greens and Blacks. Watch) House of the Dragon Season 2 trailer received a positive reaction from netizens.

HOTD 2 is the battle for throne soaked in revenge

The promos showcase Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen declaring a war against team green led by Alicent and her Lord Commander of the Kingsguard Ser Criston Cole. Meanwhile, Lord Corlys Velaryon warns to prepare the army against the Hightowers. The action-packed series promises Targaryen's blood-soaked revenge after the death of her son Lucerys. Many users on X reposted the trailer and expressed their excitement.

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HOTD Trailer gives goosebumps to netizens

A netizen tweeted, The goosebumps I got while watching this trailer are indescribable. I'm beyond excited for this! I can hardly wait....I bet I'm not the only one. Team Black will reign supreme as always. (House Of The Dragon hashtag). Another user wrote, Their joint slay will be one for the history books (hashtag of HOTD). While extending support for Rhaenyra, a user captioned his post as, Team Black. While sharing a few screenshots from the promo, a fan captioned, Weve been blessed.(smiling emoji).

HOTD a spin-off prequel to GoT

House of the Dragon is a prequel to George RR Martin's Game of Thrones. The story is set in the era nearly 200 years before the vents of GoT. Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma DArcy, Eve Best, Steve Toussaint, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, Rhys Ifans, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall, and Matthew Needham play pivotal roles in HOTD. Abubakar Salim, Gayle Rankin, Freddie Fox and Simon Russell Beale are new entrants to the cast.

House of the Dragon Season 2 will start streaming in India from June 17 on JioCinema.

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Ever wanted to reunite with your deceased loved ones? Bae Suzy and Park Bo Gum's upcoming science fiction outing offers a head-scratching twist to reality through the eponymously titled service, allowing people to reunite with their departed dear ones. Director Kim Tae Yong, who previously helmed the camera for Tang Wei and Hyun Bin's 2011 hit movie Late Autumn, has shouldered the creative process for the 2024 anticipated release. The South Korean film wrapped up filming in 2020 ahead of the Record of Youth actor's enlistment date. Its uncertain premiere window caused fans quite the distress, which has now been eased out with the official revelation of when it will be gracing the big screen in Korea. Bae Suzy, Park Bo Gum, Gong Yoo, Choi Woo Shik, Tang Wei and Jung Yu Mi's star-studded Wonderland film has locked a June Korean premiere window,

The much-gushed-about film has long been a buzz-worthy topic of discussion. The Decision to Leave star Tang Wei, who plays a pivotal role in the forthcoming Kim Tae Yong directorial, effusively teased Suzy and Park Bo Gum's onscreen chemistry at the Blue Dragon Film Awards in November 2023. Swirling rumours about the too-cute-to-handle duo even suggest a potential musical duet brewing. All speculations shall be laid to rest when the movie buzz officially takes shape this year.

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Preview for some behind-the-scenes moments that leaked online:

Also read | Kim Soo Hyun in talks for new K-drama after Queen of Tears' sky-high viewership

Wonderland Release date

On March 22, South Korean media outlet JoyNews24 revealed that the Korean sci-fi film is in talks for a June release date. Affirming the report, film distributor Acemaker Movieworks said: "We are currently preparing to release Wonderland in June and have already initiated marketing preparations. It was initially slated for a May 2024 premiere.

Other reports have seemingly attached the Wonderland OTT premiere to Netflix's distribution. However, this factoid should be consumed with a grain of salt. Plus, there's no official word on the international release date yet.

Wonderland Korean Movie: Cast and characters

Suzy and Park Bo Gum lead the multi-starrer feature as a young couple who's grappling with a severe communication barrier since the latter's character was declared a comatose patient.

Alongside them, Jung Yu Mi and Choi Woo Shik coordinate Wonderland's services. The virtual world uses artificial intelligence to reconstruct a simulated reality that transiently puts grieving users at ease.

Finally, Gong Yoo portrays a man in his forties. He's plagued by the memories of his late wife (Tang Wei) until they're finally reunited in Wonderland.
Earlier this week, geologists put an end to a 15-year-old debate: whether the transformation of the natural world due to human intervention had been so profound as to merit a new geological timeline.

According to a report in the New York Times, late in February, the geologists on the Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy (SQS) voted 12/16 (with two abstentions) against identifying this start of the human age, the Anthropocene, as a new geological epoch, and the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) has now accepted the vote.

And yet, scientists insist that whether or not the Anthropocene enters history books, the age of humans has begun, as evidenced by the fundamental changes in the conditions on Earth from those of the Holocene.

Epochs are units of geologic time scale that categorise different stages or eras in Earth's history, taking into factors such as Earth's geological, climatic, or biological features. The current Holocene epoch, for instance, is characterised by the development of human civilisation, agriculture, and the rise of modern human societies.

The idea behind marking a new epoch, Anthropocene, was to recognise the sweeping impact humans have had on the planet  its environment, lands and nature.

These changes have already produced a clear and distinct geological record of such signals as plastics, pesticides, fly ash and the remains of invasive species in recent layers of sand and mud (these being the geological strata of the future); and, many of these planetary changes are effectively irreversible, Jan Zalasiewicz, emeritus professor of Palaeobiology at the University of Leicester, wrote over email. Jan is the chair of the Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy (SQS), which voted down the proposal to mark the start of the Anthropocene in the mid-20th Century.

This proposal was prepared by 37 scientists in the Anthropocene Working Group (AWG), a body set up in 2009 to research the Anthropocene, who after years of research picked the 1950s when nuclear tests scattered radioactive fallout across the world as the starting point.

A chart reflecting the timing of the Anthropocene Event shows how various human activities have affected the planet over millennia in the recent geologic time scale. (Credit: Philip Gibbard, et al., 2022)

A clear starting point needed

But the rules of stratigraphy, the branch of geology concerned with rock layers and how they relate in time, dictate that each interval on the Geologic Time Scale (GTS) needs a clear starting point applicable worldwide.

For instance, the Jurassic period officially began in the Alps, where an ammonite called Psiloceras was found in rocks.

And so the geologists had to answer when the Anthropocene began and whether they needed to update the stratigraphic record  the official timeline of Earth's history from pre-Cambrian to the Holocene. Additionally, they also had to pick a site of the so-called golden spike, or more officially a "Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point".

When such a point is identified, a gold piece of metal is sometimes hammered into place.

For the Anthropocene, they landed on Crawford Lake in Ontario, Canada, where sediments at the bottom of the lake had near pristine records of geochemical change.

The International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) defines every chapter in the planets 4.6 billion-year-old history on the basis of when that age or epoch began, what characters define it and where it began.

The Holocene began 11,700 years ago at the end of the last Ice Age.

Acceptance of the vote that the Anthropocene epoch had begun would have meant acknowledging that human actions had brought the Holocene to an end.

Johan Rockstrom, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, in an address to the World Economic Forum seven years ago explained that the conditions of the Holocene are what made human existence possible, setting in an equilibrium where life could thrive, where the maximum temperature variability is +/-1C.

Humans, however, have shifted this equilibrium over the last few centuries, with a great acceleration setting in the 1950s, scientists say  hence the divide.

The great acceleration argument didnt make the cut

Geologists, most of whom conducted research together over the last 15 years, lack consensus on whether humanitys impact so far should be defined as an epoch, a period typically lasting hundreds of thousands of years, or an event, a far shorter period.

The idea of the Anthropocene was first popularised in the early 2000s when Dutch meteorologist and atmospheric chemist Paul Crutzen wrote: The Anthropocene could be said to have started in the latter part of the eighteenth century when analyses of air trapped in polar ice showed the beginning of growing global concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane.

The official work started in 2009, with the setting up of the AWG.

But Crutzens proposal, Jan said, was not due to a sudden realisation that humans were altering the functioning and geological record of the planet. He and his colleagues were perfectly aware that humans had been doing that for millennia. Thats nothing new, he wrote for The Conversation.

Explaining the rationale for the 1950s starting point, Jan said: The Anthropocene epoch concept represents a major, recent change in Earths surface chemistry, climate, biology etc from the generally stable conditions that characterised the Holocene. By far the greater part of this major planetary change has taken place in just the last 70 years, as a result of the Great Acceleration of population, industrialisation and globalisation that started in the mid-20th century: this is the optimal level, therefore, to represent the beginning of an Anthropocene epoch.

This argument, however, was found to be too limited by several members of the SQS, and even the AWG which even prompted the resignation of one of the members, Erle Ellis, in 2023.

To define the Anthropocene as a shallow band of sediment in a single lake is an esoteric academic matter. But dividing Earths human transformation into two parts, pre- and post-1950, does real damage by denying the deeper history and the ultimate causes of Earths unfolding social-environmental crisis. Are the planetary changes wrought by industrial and colonial nations before 1950 not significant enough to transform the planet?, Ellis, professor of Geography & Environmental Systems at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, wrote in his resignation letter to the AWG.

Humans are changing the planet

In an interview after the vote, Ellis said that the purpose of identifying these changes on the geological timescale is to improve understanding of the planet and the changes it goes through.

The purpose of marking these time breaks in Earth's history is to help understand Earth's geologic changes over huge time intervals based on the limited geological evidence available from the past, Ellis said. But, there is no need to do this to understand the geological changes that are unfolding in the present time.

The SQS was one of the three governing bodies under the IUGS which considered the proposal prepared by the AWG. Sixty percent of each committee had to approve the proposal for it to advance to the next. Instead, the vote was 66% against.

To be clear: the Anthropocene has never been rejected. The Anthropocene is still as real as it has always been  no one has rejected the realities of the Anthropocene, Ellis added.

One of the reasons for the rejection of the proposal was the lack of utility such a definition had for scientists, Ellis said.

The reasons are mostly related to technical aspects but one of these was the lack of utility for geologists and scientists to mark a break in Earth history so recently when there are already so many tools for marking geologic time that can be used to understand all the details of planetary change, he said.

But Jan rejected the approach adopted by Ellis and other geologists.

The Anthropocene as described by Erle Ellis and others is what they call an event, that encompasses all significant human impacts on Earth reaching back 50 thousand years or more. This is a valid concept  but a wholly different concept to that of Paul Crutzen and the AWG, he said.

Giving it the same name, Anthropocene makes little sense. Under a different name, though, it could usefully complement an Anthropocene epoch, Jan said.

To be sure, an event can be any change in the planets history, from a mass extinction to speciation, or even a sudden glacial retreat.

But whatever the side of the debate, scientists agree on one thing: humans are the dominant force of change.

The Anthropocene represents a clear, sharp reality: a reality that is becoming ever more evident with each passing year, Jan said.

And now that the vote has been ratified, despite requests from the SQS chair to nullify it, the whole process may have to begin again, perhaps at a later stage.

Tannu Jain, HT's deputy chief content producer, picks a piece of climate news from around the globe and analyses its impact using connected reports, research and expert speak
In a heartbreaking incident recently, a beloved community dog named Jai met a tragic end at the hands of cruelty in Runwal, Lokhandwala. Actor Aishwarya Sakhuja, an animal lover herself, expresses her deep sorrow and outrage over the incident, and tells us, "A tenant in Runwal, Lokhandwala, mercilessly killed this dog named Jai. The community was taking care of both of them," laments Sakhuja, adding, "From whatever I know, the community is now after the guy to get evicted from society, and animal lovers in Bombay are now taking a stand against him." Aishwarya Sakhuja reacts to recent dog cruelty case

"We all need to first learn how to be human beings and have that basic sense of humanity. There is so much violence that's happening with the feeders and the animals also," she further adds.

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The actor also underscores the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions, emphasizing that such acts of cruelty cannot go unnoticed. "The idea is that the violence cannot go unnoticed, the perpetrator has to be punished. If we are going to continue letting people go after this, you are only creating trouble for yourself."

Expressing her disbelief and dismay, Sakhuja questioned the motives behind such heinous acts of cruelty. "I am honestly trying to understand what kind of pleasure a sane human being must be deriving from this," she says. "Someone has to be mentally screwed for such an act to be done to an animal."

While acknowledging people's concerns about stray animals, Sakhuja stresses the importance of coexistence and compassion. "While I understand people are scared of stray dogs, being an animal lover myself, I try to spend time with my community animals. Till the time you are not attacking them and are not a threat to them, they are not going to do anything to you."

"There are many NGOs working towards the cause, but that's not enough. The law has to be implemented in such a way that people are scared of doing this," she ends.
The Delhi high court on Friday admitted the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) appeal challenging acquittal of former telecom minister A Raja, firms and others in the 2G spectrum allocation case. The judge had reserved his decision on this aspect on March 14. (HT file photo)

Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma said on the basis of the material on record and the submissions made by the lawyers for the parties, a prima facie case is made out by the CBI which requires deeper examination.

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The court on the basis of material on record sworn testimonies and the impugned judgement, is of an opinion that a prima case facie has been made out which requires deeper examination of the entire evidence, a bench of justice Sharma said.

Also Read: 2G case: Delhi HC dismisses plea challenging Centres decision making process relating to CBI appeal

The CBI had alleged that there was a loss of 30,984 crore to the exchequer in allocation of licences for 2G spectrum which were scrapped by the Supreme Court on February 2, 2012.

A special court had on December 21, 2017, acquitted Raja, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Kanimozhi and others in the CBI and the ED cases related to the 2G spectrum allocation case.

On March 19, 2018, ED approached the high court, challenging a special courts December 2017 order acquitting all the accused in the case, claiming that this was a classic case of money laundering and that the special CBI judge, while acquitting the accused persons, wrongly interpreted the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

A day later, the CBI too challenged the acquittal of the accused in the high court. In its appeal, CBI has argued that the 2017 acquittal judgment in the 2G case can have a major impact on corruption cases in the country.
AAP leader Gopal Rai on Friday announced that the party leaders will protest against chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest at Shaheedi Park near the income tax office in New Delhi tomorrow. Rai said that all AAP MLAs, councillors, functionaries and partners of the opposition INDIA bloc will reach the park at 10 am. AAP leader Atishi being detained during their protest against the arrest of AAP leader and Delhi's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, at ITO Chowk in New Delhi, India, on Friday, March 22, 2024. (Photo by Sanchit Khanna Hindustan Times)

We will take an oath to save the country from becoming a dictatorship, the senior AAP leader told a press briefing.

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Gopal Rai also said that all people of Delhi will reach the prime minister's residence for gherao. (Also Read: Kejriwal remanded to 6-day ED custody till March 28 in liquor policy case)

Today, protest was held across the county against the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal. Tomorrow is Martyrs' Day, and all our ministers, MLAs, MLCs and workers will gather at Shaheedi Park. We also appeal to the INDIA bloc leaders to come there at 10 am tomorrow and take a pledge to save the country from dictatorship, Rai later told PTI.

On March 24, we will burn effigies to mark our protest. On March 25, we have suspended all our Holi events. On March 26, the entire Delhi will march towards the PM house, he added.

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari scoffed at Rai's statement wondering "If no one has come today, then who is going to come after 2-4 days?

"The people of Delhi are not even discussing them."

The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday evening arrested AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal in a money laundering probe linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy case. A trial court remanded Kejriwal to six-day ED custody after he was produced around 2 pm amid tight security on and around the court premises.

The central agency which probes economic crimes told the court that Kejriwal was a "key conspirator" in the alleged excise policy scam and sought his 10-day custody.

Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who is representing Kejriwal, said this is the first time in the history of India that a sitting chief minister has been arrested.

"Please don't look at remand as a routine exercise... it requires application of significant judicial mind... larger issues of democracy involved," Singhvi said.

Delhi cabinet ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj were detained here on Friday as AAP leaders staged a protest against the BJP. The two ministers and others were taken away in police buses after they refused to disperse from Central Delhi's ITO intersection, which is near the headquarters of the AAP and the BJP and where prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure were in force. AAP supporters raised slogans against the BJP-led central government and demanded the release of their detained leaders.
New Delhi: Social activist Anna Hazare, who spearheaded the Lokpal movement in the early 2010s along with Arvind Kejriwal, said on Friday that the latter was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate because of his own deeds. In this Sunday, June 5, 2011 photo, Arvind Kejriwal speaks to social activist Anna Hazare in New Delhi. (PTI)

The social activist from Maharashtra, who had become the face of the anti-corruption movement, said he is upset with Arvind Kejriwal.

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Anna Hazare said they used to work against liquor and now he was formulating a policy for the same.

"I am very upset that Arvind Kejriwal, who used to work with me, raise his voice against liquor, is now making liquor policies. His arrest is because of his own deeds," said Hazare.

Hazare and Kejriwal had observed many fasts unto death during the agitation, demanding an anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal from the Congress government at the Centre.

Lakhs of people had rallied behind the two leaders. However, after the protest fizzled out, Kejriwal, and several other members of the non-profit India Against Corruption, formed the Aam Aadmi Party.

Also read: Arvind Kejriwal withdraws Supreme Court plea; AAP claims his family under house arrest

Hazare, who used to maintain that the protest wasn't political, had expressed unhappiness at Kejriwal's move to form the AAP.

Why was Arvind Kejriwal arrested?

The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday night arrested Kejriwal in an excise policy-linked money laundering case. This is the first time a serving chief minister has been arrested in India.

The Aam Aadmi Party has said that Arvind Kejriwal will not resign from the post and run the government from jail. The Bharatiya Janata Party, meanwhile, has demanded his resignation on moral grounds.

On Thursday night, a 10-member ED team raided Kejriwal's house and arrested him after 2-hour-long searches.

The agency moved against Kejriwal after the latter skipped nine summonses.

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party has claimed that the Central government has placed Arvind Kejriwal's family under "house arrest".

The party has mounted a massive protest against Kejriwal's arrest in the national capital.
A little less than three decades ago, Arvind Kejriwal was an officer in the Income Tax department posted in Delhi, reporting under the same larger organisation structure of the department of revenue, from where sleuths of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) turned up on Thursday and placed the now 55-year-old under arrest. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.(File)

Between quitting his job as joint commissioner of Income Tax in 2006 and his arrest over allegations related to alleged irregularities in a now-abandoned 2021-22 excise policy, Kejriwal transited through the three main dimensions of public life: a civil servant, an activist, and a politician on a journey that saw him described as RTI activist, India Against Corruption leader, Aam Aadmi Party convener, and chief minister.

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Thursdays arrest is in connection with allegations pertaining to Delhis excise policy that his AAP administration launched in its fifth year in power in the national capital. The party, which has seen three of its top leaders jailed by federal agencies in connection with the case, has claimed that the allegations are a part of a political conspiracy by Prime Minister Narendra Modis Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a charge the ruling party at the Centre has dismissed.

Over the years, Kejriwal and his colleagues have demonstrated electoral performances that do indeed make them a formidable presence in the national political landscape after the AAP scripted political history by winning its first elections in 2013, a year after it was set up.

Behind Kejriwals and AAPs political disruption of the nations political establishment was an anti-politics populist message honed during the 2011 India Against Corruption demonstrations.

In just over a decade, the party has secured brute majority governments in Delhi and Punjab, won seats across Gujarat and Goa, and sent 10 members to the Rajya Sabha. It is now the third-largest party nationally after the BJP and the opposition Indian National Congress.

The first victory, with 28 seats, led to a short-lived government of mere 49 days --- it was the party itself the pulled the plug on the government with a plan to seek a bigger political mandate. The gamble worked and after an electric campaign marked with door-to-door canvassing and mohalla outreach, the party snagged a historic 67-seat victory in 2015. Then came a repeat victory in Delhi in 2020, and a sweet of Punjab in 2022.

Read more: BJP jittery ahead of LS polls: INDIA bloc slams Centre over Kejriwal's arrest

At the centre of AAPs success is Kejriwal himself, an omnipresent figure deeply involved in strategy, messaging, and shaping the partys upstart brand of governance. His supporters laud policies like free electricity and water in Delhi, alongside a focus in education and health care.

But since its victory in Punjab in 2022, the party has faced major headwinds. It began with then health minister Satyendar Jain being arrested by the ED on May 30, 2022 for alleged money laundering. In July 2022, after Delhi lieutenant governor (LG) VK Saxena recommended a CBI probe into the excise policy, the federal agency registered a case against 15 accused, including then Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia.

Read more: Arvind Kejriwal is first sitting chief minister to be arrested

Sisodia was arrested on February 26, 2023 and in October, AAP MP Sanjay Singh  another prominent face --- was arrested in the same case.

Kejriwal and his colleagues have often cited these political cases to accuse Modi and his party of being unscrupulous political powers that play an unfair game and in doing so, have attempted to position the activist-turned-politician as a future alternative to Modi himself.

All eyes will now be on the nature of the fight -- legal and political  the party launches with some of its main leaders imprisoned, and the implications that lie for the Lok Sabha elections due over the next two months.
Pedestrians walking along Seine with Eiffel Tower in background in autumn in Paris. Jumping Rocks/Universal Images Group via Getty

On Saturday, a horrific traffic collision killed four members of a family as they waited at a bus stop in the West Portal neighborhood of San Francisco. The driver of the Mercedes sport utility vehicle in question allegedly was speeding and driving the wrong way when she came onto the sidewalk, obliterated a bus shelter and immediately killed a father and toddler.

The mother and an infant from the family died after the crash and they marked the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth pedestrian deaths in San Francisco thus far this year. Not even four months into 2024, the city is on track to surpass the 25 traffic-related fatalities it had last year.

The danger isnt just in San Francisco. The United States is experiencing an increasingly dire spike in deadly traffic collisions. Pedestrian deaths are the highest theyve been in 40 years. Cyclists arent faring much better, with deaths steadily rising in the past three years. In 2022, 42,795 pedestrians, cyclists and vehicle passengers died in traffic crashes across the country, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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We still dont know what precipitated the crash in West Portal. With so many factors at play, it can be easy to lean on excuses, and that makes it even more difficult to identify how to eliminate these deaths. But as other places have proved, there is a way out of this mess  if there is political and social will.

San Francisco police secure an area around Munis West Portal Station after a vehicle crash killed four people on Saturday, March 16. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle

France offers a perfect example.

Traffic deaths in the United States and France declined 31% from 1979 to 1994, largely due to the introduction and enforcement of seatbelts and airbags. Progress by the two countries was similarly paced until things started to shift in the early 1990s. While Frances death rate continued to decline, in the United States, the progress slowed. Then in 2014, deaths started to climb in the U.S.

Today the difference is stark. Residents of the United States are three times as likely to die in a traffic collision than someone living in France.

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Theres no singular reason but rather a series of steps in France that has shifted the reliance on cars and where they can be driven.

Consider Paris, which is nearly the same size as San Francisco, though more than twice as densely populated. In recent years, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has made headlines for her efforts to reduce pollution from cars, convert the roads along the Seine River into a pedestrian thoroughfare and cut traffic through the city center. Cars are banned from most streets surrounding schools, and roads surrounding shopping centers are now open to pedestrians. Bike lanes are everywhere.



Many of the citys transportation hubs, such as Quartier des Halles, prioritize pedestrian and bike-only spaces over streets filled with cars.

While not every city resident is on board, voters have largely expressed their support for reducing the presence of gas-guzzling vehicles on their streets. Earlier this year, 55% of the citys voters approved tripling the parking fees for SUVs in the city center. It now costs nearly $20 an hour for SUVs to park near the Louvre.

Its hard to imagine a similar effort succeeding in the United States, where for nearly 50 years, the Ford F-150 pickup truck has been the countrys bestselling vehicle. That alone has deadly implications; pickup trucks have increased in weight by 32%  an average of 1,300 pounds  from 1990 through 2021. The average full-size SUV is 5,000 pounds.

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Notably, the vehicle driven in the West Portal collision was a Mercedes SUV. Large vehicles with greater weight are more likely to seriously injure or kill pedestrians than say, a Smart car.

Ending San Franciscans reliance on SUVs, however, demands ending their desire for cars in the first place. In Paris, only about 30% of residents own a car, compared to 54% in San Francisco.

The family killed in West Portal was doing what more people in San Francisco should consider. They sold their car and chose to rely on the citys robust public transportation network to get around with their children. The fact that they were killed by an SUV while waiting for a bus is an especially cruel irony.

Nothing is stopping San Francisco from following Paris lead in incentivizing the use of smaller vehicles, building more bike lanes or shutting down streets around city centers and transit hubs.

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Would any of that have saved the family killed in West Portal? Its hard to say, but we cant simply wait for more people to die on our streets before we look at how to fix them.

San Franciscos Vision Zero program was launched in 2014 to end traffic fatalities in the city by 2024. Thats not going to happen, and the city knows it; the goal still exists, but the year was quietly dropped from the Vision Zero website. People continue to die on our streets while improvements are stalled or rolled back.

Despite the loud voices of drivers who oppose surrendering streets to pedestrians, for the most part, San Franciscans have expressed support for these efforts. In 2022, 63% of voters approved Prop. J and opted to keep cars off John F. Kennedy Drive in Golden Gate Park, ending a years-long dramatic battle.

Its hard to view the reclamation of this space as anything other than an enormous success. Go there on any given day, and youll see kids learning to bike, visitors enjoying art installations and people playing piano.

Shifting the citys streets from car thoroughfares into safe, people-friendly spaces isnt just a way to bring people together, its a moral imperative. San Franciscans deserve this. Our leaders need to get us there.

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The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the implementation of rules that the government used a day earlier to set up a fact check unit to take down online content deemed fake or misleading, citing serious constitutional concerns over freedom of speech. The top courts order came in response to petitions filed by stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, the Editors Guild of India, and the Association of Indian Magazines (ANI)

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud said there was a prima facie case to stay Rule 3(1)(b)(v) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules 2021(that was amended in 2023).

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Using the rule, the government on Wednesday designated the Press Information Bureau as the governments fact-checking body for any content relating to the central government.

The challenge to Rule 3(1)(b)(v) involves serious constitutional questions. The impact of Rule 3(1)(b)(v) on the fundamental rights of freedom of speech and expression protected under Article 19(1)(a) would fall for analysis by the high court, said the bench, which also comprised Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.

The top courts order came in response to petitions filed by stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, the Editors Guild of India, and the Association of Indian Magazines. They had challenged orders passed by a division bench of the Bombay High Court, which gave a split verdict on the issue  including on interim orders restraining the government on January 31.

A third judge on March 11 said there was no need for an interim stay till the larger challenge to sections of the IT Rules 2021s validity was settled. The Union government issued a notification for the unit on March 20.

The Supreme Court stayed the notification as well as the Bombay High Courts order of March 11 that refused interim relief to the petitioners.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, argued there was no reason for the top court to interfere as the High Court would decide the matter next month. He clarified that the rule did not require social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to take down content critical of the governments functioning.

The rule under challenge does not require the social media intermediaries to take down any post against the business of government but can give a disclaimer indicating that a content on its platform is fake, false or misleading, once it receives an alert from the FCU, Mehta told the court.

However, the petitioners, represented by senior advocates Darius Khambata, Shadan Farasat, and Gautam Bhatia, highlighted the chilling effect the rule could have on free speech, especially during elections.

For 10 months, this rule has not been notified. Why the haste now. There are elections coming up and this is the time public must have information about Central government and not want FCU to take down any information, Khambata argued.

Farasat, representing the Editors Guild, said, This is a classic case where the state is restricting speech about itself. This is the worst time to bring the rules as during elections, it affects the ability of the media to present both sides to an issue.

Bhatia raised concerns about the rules impact on the safe harbour protection for intermediaries under Section 79(1) of the IT Act, which could be lost if they fail to comply with the fact check units directions.

The Supreme Court bench said the issue was whether the status quo as it obtained before the division bench can be allowed to be altered at this stage when one judge had declared the rule invalid and the other had interpreted it with safeguards.

Kamras petition stated, While the IT (Intermediary) Rules are facially directed at intermediaries, it is users (and the information created and hosted by them on various platforms) that are the subject of the impugned Rules.

With the split verdict in the Bombay High Court, the matter was referred to a third judge, Justice AS Chandurkar, whose opinion will determine the fate of the controversial rule. The Supreme Court refrained from commenting further, given the pending consideration before Justice Chandurkar.
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday night arrested Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with a money laundering probe linked to the liquor policy case. Kejriwal became the first serving chief minister in India to be arrested in a criminal case. The ED action came hours after the Delhi High Court refused to grant protection from arrest to the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) national convenor. New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal being taken to the Enforcement Directorate office in an excise policy-linked money laundering case. (PTI)

Arvind Kejriwal's party AAP said that he will not resign from the post of the chief minister of Delhi. While the Aam Aadmi Party has called for nationwide protests outside the BJP offices, the JP Nadda-led party has demanded Arvind Kejriwal's resignation.

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With key leaders like Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh in jail, the Aam Aadmi Party is facing a leadership crisis. Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal and cabinet ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj may now lead the party into the Lok Sabha elections.

Here are the top updates on Arvind Kejriwal's arrest:

The Delhi Police have beefed up the security of the city with multi-layer barricading on roads leading to BJP's headquarters. The action was taken as the Aam Aadmi Party has called a protest outside BJP's office in Delhi at 10 am. The traffic police have requested commuters to avoid routes leading to central Delhi in anticipation of a huge gathering of AAP workers. Roads leading to the BJP headquarters and ED office in central Delhi have been closed. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has said that on the advice of the police, the ITO Metro station will remain closed from 08:00 am to 06:00 pm today. After his arrest, Arvind Kejriwal was brought to the Enforcement Directorate's office in central Delhi at 11.25 pm. He was seen sitting on the back seat of a sports utility vehicle. A 10-member team of the Enforcement Directorate, led by an additional director-level officer, had carried out searches at Arvind Kejriwal's Flagstaff Road in Delhi's Civil Lines area. The Delhi CM was arrested two hours after the ED team reached his residence. The officials questioned Arvind Kejriwal before arresting him. Arvind Kejriwal will be produced in a court today. The Enforcement Directorate will seek his custody for interrogation. This is the 16th arrest by the ED in the case, including that of AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh. Arvind Kejriwal had skipped nine summonses issued by the agency for questioning. The BJP said Kejriwal reaped what he sowed and asserted that the law has finally caught up with him after his long-drawn efforts to evade it. "Arrest of Kejriwal symbolises the defeat of corruption, and now Kejriwal should resign immediately. It is an insult to constitutional norms for leaders of the Kejriwal party to say that Kejriwal will run the government from jail, said Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva. Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed that every corner of Arvind Kejriwal's house was searched by the agency. He said the ED found only  70,000 from his house. He said Kejriwal's mobile phone was seized. "The ED didn't get any evidence, property documents, illegal money, or money trail," he claimed. AAP leader Atishi said the party had moved the Supreme Court to quash Arvind Kejriwal's arrest through a midnight hearing. However, per reports, no special bench was set up on Thursday night. "He(Kejriwal) will continue as the chief minister of Delhi. If need be, he will run the government from jail. There is no rule that stops him from running the government from jail since he has not been convicted," she told reporters. AAP leader Gopal Rai termed Arvind Kejriwal's arrest the "murder of democracy". He asked AAP workers to carry out protests outside BJP offices. "I appeal to the countrymen to protest outside BJP offices across the country against this dictatorship. We will gather at the AAP office at 10 am on Friday and then protest outside the BJP headquarters," Rai, a minister in the Delhi government, said. Meanwhile, AAP's INDIA bloc allies Congress and NCP(SP) rallied behind Arvind Kejriwal. The Congress alleged that the BJP is scared of the upcoming elections and is creating all kinds of problems for the opposition out of panic. Another AAP ally, NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar said Kejriwal's arrest shows the depth to which the BJP will stoop for power. "'INDIA' stands united against this unconstitutional action against Arvind Kejriwal," Pawar wrote on X. News Agency ANI reported that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will either meet Arvind Kejriwal or his family on Friday, to show solidarity with the politician.

With inputs from PTI, ANI
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday night arrested Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal for his alleged role in the Delhi liquor policy case. Enforcement Directorate team takes Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to ED headquarters in New Delhi on Thursday.(ANI)

Following Kejriwal's arrest, the Aam Aadmi Party has ruled out resignation by the Aam Aadmi Party convenor, saying that he will continue as CM and run the government from jail.

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AAP leader Gopal Rai blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government for Kejriwal's arrest. He also announced a nationwide protest by AAP workers against the BJP.

Several Opposition leaders reacted to Kerjiwal's arrest. Here's what they said:

Arvind Kejriwal's arrest is the BJP's political conspiracy: Atishi



Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi accused the BJP of being behind Kejriwal's arrest.

She said that it is the first time that a sitting chief minister has been arrested by the Central government.

"It is the first time that a sitting CM has been arrested by Central government. Even the Jharkhand Chief Minister resigned before his arrest. In the country's history, it is the first time that after the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections, the national convenor of a national party has been arrested. Arvind Kejriwal's arrest is the BJP's political conspiracy," Atishi said.

She also expressed concern regarding about the Delhi chief minister's safety and security.

"Arvind Kejriwal has Z security cover. Now he is in the custody of the ED of the Central Government. We are concerned about his safety and security," Atishi posted on X.

BJP displaying remarkable nervousness: Omar Abdullah

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah targeted the BJP over the arrest of the Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday.

For all the talk of 400+ seats, the ruling dispensation is displaying a remarkable degree of nervousness, he wrote on X. Having a sitting opposition CM arrested by a pliable central agency within days of the general elections being announced is a blot on democracy.

Every person in Delhi is celebrating today: Manoj Tiwary



BJP MP Manoj Tiwary claimed that the every person living in Delhi is celebrating the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate.

Every person living in Delhi is celebrating today. (Delhi CM) Arvind Kejriwal has made the life of the people difficult. He has proved himself the culprit. When he approached the High Court, the honourable Justice also asked why is he still out (of jail)? Tiwary told PTI.

Law is taking its own course: Harish Khurana

Defending ED's action, BJP leader Harish Khurana says that Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested as per the law.

"Law is taking its own course. Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested as per the law. He will be produced before the court and may be taken on remand," Khuran said, according to PTI.

Kejriwal's arrest is unlawful: KT Rama Rao

BRS working president K T Rama Rao condemned Kejriwal's arrest in an excise policy-linked money laundering case, alleging that the arrest was "unlawful".

"Strongly condemn the unlawful arrest of Delhi CM #ArvindKejriwal Ji. The ED and the CBI have become the chief instruments of repression in the hands of BJP. Political opponents are targeted on unsubstantiated grounds & political vendetta is their sole purpose," Rama Rao said on X.

BRS MLC K Kavitha, sister of Rama Rao, was recently arrested in Hyderabad by the ED in the money-laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was remanded to six days of ED custody on Friday.

Arvind Kejriwal News Highlights: In a massive setback to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Arvind Kejriwal, the party's national convenor and Delhi chief minister, was sent to six days in Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody in connection with the Delhi excise policy case on Friday night. This is the most high-profile arrest in the case and makes him the first sitting chief minister to be arrested....Read More

Following the arrest by ED on Thursday, the AAP staged protests in the national capital; the Opposition too condemned ED's action.

Also, in what would be a constitutional crisis, the AAP has already declared that its leader will continue to run his government from jail. Thus, Kejriwal is the first chief minister to lead a government from jail.

Why ED arrested Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal?

 The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday following searches at his official residence and an interrogation lasting nearly two hours.

 The arrest is linked to a money laundering investigation concerning the excise policy case of the Delhi government.

 In court on Friday, the ED said that Arvind Kejriwal was the kingpin behind the alleged Delhi liquor scam.

 The case involves suspected corruption and money laundering related to the formulation and execution of the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22, which was later revoked.

 According to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) allegedly received kickbacks totalling 100 crores in connection with the excise policy.

Read- Why was Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal arrested by ED? What's liquor policy scam?

AAP protest: Delhi Metro advisory

 The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced the closure of Lok Kalyan Marg Metro Station till further notice.

 This decision was made in response to AAP's protest scheduled for Friday, as the road leads to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence. The closure was implemented based on police directives.

 Additionally, earlier in the day, DMRC had also announced the closure of ITO Metro Station from 8 am to 6 pm.
New Delhi: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday withdrew from the Supreme Court his petition challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) a day earlier for his alleged role in the irregularities in the now-scrapped 2021-22 Delhi excise policy, hours after his legal team presses for an urgent hearing and the top court even agreed to hear the plea later in the day. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on Thursday (HT Photo)

Senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, told justice Sanjiv Khanna that his client would rather argue before the trial court where the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener is expected to be produced in the afternoon. ED is likely to seek custodial remand of Kejriwal that Singhvi said would be contested.

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Also Read: Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj detained during protests over Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwals arrest

As the remand proceedings before the trial court are clashing, we have decided to withdraw it here. We will fight the remand and can come back to your lordships... I will give a letter to the registry, Singhvi told justice Khanna, who heads the special bench that was to take up Kejriwals petition in the afternoon. The other judges on this bench are justices MM Sundresh and Bela M Trivedi.

The decision to withdraw the petition from the top court came close on the heels of the special benchs rejection of a similar request by Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha, who was arrested last week by ED in the same case. While refusing to entertain Kavithas plea for freeing her on bail, the special bench said it would not entertain a bail plea directly merely because a petitioner happens to be a political person or can afford to come to the Supreme Court directly. She was asked to go to the trial court first.

Also Read: INDIA bloc rallies behind Kejriwal

Singhvi had in the morning mentioned Kejriwals plea before Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, who asked him to do so before the special bench hearing Kavithas matter. Singhvi then mentioned the case before the regular bench of justice Khanna, who agreed to hear the matter. The judge said the special bench would be reconstituted later in the day to hear Kejriwals petition.

Kejriwal is also due to be produced before a special court at Rouse Avenue on Friday, where ED will seek his custody. ED arrested Kejriwal on Thursday, hours after the Delhi high court turned down his plea for interim protection. The high court asked Kejriwal why he had not approached the lower court seeking anticipatory bail if he was apprehending arrest.

Kejriwal skipped nine ED summonses on the grounds that they were illegal and that ED had not specified in which capacity he was being called in  as an accused or witness, as chief minister, or as national convener of AAP.

Kejriwal is the third major AAP leader to be arrested in the probe after his former deputy and senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia as well as the partys Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh.
The Supreme Court on Thursday relaxed the ban on overhead high power transmission lines across an area spread over 80,680 square kilometres in Rajasthan and Gujarat, the habitat of the endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB), and formed an expert committee to consider the feasibility of limiting the ban to 13,663 square kilometres. GIB is listed as Critically Endangered by International Union for Conservation of Nature (Shutterstock)

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud directed the committee, comprising independent experts, members of the National Board of Wildlife, representatives of power companies, and former and serving bureaucrats drawn from departments of environment and forests and ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) to suggest ways to balance two objectives  the conservation of the bird and Indias sustainable development goals. The first report of the committee is to be submitted to the court by July 31.

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This is a perfect example of why energy is called a wicked problem. Any viable solution comes with its own set of challenges. In this case, the court has attempted to establish some boundaries between the core and non-core areas of the GIB via the expert committee. It is important for this committee to have on it the best of minds representing industry, community and the environment. It is important to recognise that biodiversity benefits are not precisely quantifiable in the way that renewable energy generation can be quantified. It is, therefore, better to err on the side of caution and have a larger area that protects GIBs, Deepak Krishnan, associate director of energy program at World Resources Institute India, said in a statement.

The top court, while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by wildlife activist MK Ranjitsinh and others for preserving the dwindling population of GIBs on April 19, 2021, directed installation of bird diverters in the potential habitat areas and undergrounding of overhead transmission lines in these areas in Gujarat and Rajasthan that are home to many solar power projects. In December 2021, the government returned to court with an application claiming undergrounding of power cables was not feasible and requested modification of the order.

Dealing with the application, the bench, also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said: It does appear that there is no adequate basis to impose a general prohibition in regard to installation of transmission lines as wide as over 80,680 square kilometres. A blanket direction for undergrounding high voltage and low voltage power lines in the nature as directed by this court cannot be accomplished. For the priority area identified (by a report of the Wildlife institute of India) to be 13,663 square kilometres, there still seems to have some basis.

Relaxing its earlier order, the bench said, The injunction imposed by our order dated April 19, 2021 in respect of area described as potential area shall stand relaxed subject to conditions that the expert committee appointed by this court will law down.

The court said the committee would comprise of director, WII Dehradun, NBWL member Hari Shankar Singh, ex-principal conservator of forests Niranjan Vasu, ex-wildlife warden and former PCCF, Maharashtra, B Majmudar, former deputy director of Corbett Foundation Devesh Ghadvi, joint secretary of MNRE Lalit Bohra, and joint secretary of ministry of environment, forests and climate change (MoEFCC).

The court said that issues of this nature are best left to domain experts instead of being adjudicated by courts as it further directed the committee to call two members from the power and transmission sector as special invitees in its deliberations.

Senior advocate Shyam Divan, assisting the court as amicus curiae, requested for a judicial member to be head of the committee as he said that the pressure is huge on the government to sanction power lines in the area. He further requested the court to ensure bird diverters continue to be installed in potential areas and in a further area of 6,654 sq km, identified as an additionally important area for survival of GIB.

The bench allowed the committee to recommend any further measures for protecting GIBs in areas other than priority area, untrammeled by the courts April 2021 direction.

The Centre was represented by attorney general R Venkataramani, solicitor general Tushar Mehta and additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati, who submitted that steps have already been taken to preserve GIB population and collision with overhead transmission lines is not the only reason for causing bird deaths.

The GIB population in India was said to be 150 at the time when the April 2021 direction was passed. Additionally, the Centre claimed that through protective breeding, efforts are on to scale up their population. However, it is believed that there are currently less than 100 surviving GIBs in the wild.

The GIB is listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in its Red List of threatened species. They are also protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Friday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) against West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose accusing him of interfering with the election process ahead of the Lok Sabha poll. West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose. (PTI file photo.)

Beyond the confines of Article 324(6) of the Constitution, which specifies the contours and the role of the Governor, the Governor has no role to play in the election process. Any role sought to be played by the Governor, as is being done with the purported portal, is not only unauthorised but also tantamount to interference with the election process and transgresses into the powers of the exclusively demarcated for the ECI under the Constitution, the TMC letter stated.

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This comes days after Bose launched a portal named Log Sabha to directly connect with the people during the Lok Sabha polls. The Raj Bhavan had said in a statement on Sunday that any citizen can send their suggestions and grievances to the Governor on the dedicated email.

Also Read: Dinhata clash: Governor CV Ananda Bose reviews situation, seeks incident report

In other words, the Governor is seeking to operate a system parallel to the one run by the ECI to oversee, control and supervise the ensuing elections, with scant regards to the powers, duties and responsibilities of the ECI, the letter stated.

Senior ECI officials refused to comment. The Raj Bhavan in Kolkata didnt issue any statement till reports last came in.

On Wednesday, Bose rushed to Dinhata in Cooch Behar in north Bengal where a clash broke out the previous night between TMC and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers in the presence of Udayan Guha, state minister and Nisith Pramanik, Union minister of state for home.

Both the ECI and Governor had also sought reports on the clash from the state police and the district administration separately.

Also Read: Bengal govt warns universities of action if they pay Raj Bhavans lawyers

The TMC has sought that the Governor be restrained from allegedly running a parallel electioneering system and from allegedly interfering with the powers and functions of the ECI.

The TMC is afraid that if free and fair elections are held they would be wiped out. So, whenever any steps are being taken in an attempt to make the polls free, fair and transparent, the TMC is getting jittery. They are going all out to ensure that free and fair elections are not held, said Rahul Sinha, BJP leader.
Children from Jigme Lasol Primary School lined the streets to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival in the Bhutanese national capital, Thimphu. Children from Jigme Lasol Primary School lined the streets to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival in the Bhutanese national capital, Thimphu. (Representational picture)(X(formerly Twitter))

In the visuals, school kids were seen holding Bhutanese and Indian national flags and waiting to get one glimpse of PM Modi.

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A student from Jigme Losel Primary School said that Bhutan is privileged to have India as a supporter and PM Modi has helped Bhutan whenever it needed.

"We, as Bhutanese, are privileged to have India as our supporter. PM Narendra Modi helps us with financial problems or whenever it is needed. They have sent us a lot of vaccines," she said.

"I, as a Bhutanese citizen, would like to thank Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. I am happy to see that he is here to visit our country," another student from Jigme Lasol Primary School said.

One of the residents from Thimphu, Ratna Maya Gurung expressed confidence that PM Modi's visit will strengthen the relationship with India.

"We are glad to have PM Modi here. We already have a strong relationship with our neighbouring country, India. This visit is going to make it more strong," he said.

ALSO READ| PM Narendra Modi arrives in Bhutan for two-day visit

Moreover, another resident, Tshewang Dorji said that they are very excited to welcome PM Modi and students have lined up on the express highway to welcome PM Modi.

"We are very excited to welcome him. All the schools are closed today. All the students have gone to the express highway to welcome PM Modi. We are glad to welcome him," Tshewang Dorji said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday received a warm reception at the Paro International Airport as he landed in Bhutan to pay an official state visit.

PM Modi's arrival embraced warm relations between Bhutan and India as Bhutanese PM Tshering Tongay gave the former a tight hug.

Later on, PM Modi was accorded a grand guard of honour at the airport from Bhutanese armed forces.

PM Modi departed for Bhutan on Friday morning and is scheduled to pay a state visit to Bhutan from March 22-23.

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival in Bhutan, concerned authorities made elaborate preparations to welcome the leader at Paro International Airport.

PM Modi's posters along with his Bhutanese counterpart have been put up at the airport and the venue was decorated with flowers and Rangoli (coloured artwork).

A red carpet and colourful flags to portray Bhutanese culture were also set up to welcome PM Modi.

Moreover, airport security was beefed up to ensure the safe arrival of PM Modi.

During his visit to Bhutan, PM Modi will attend various programmes to further enhance India-Bhutan bilateral partnership.

India and Bhutan share a unique and exemplary bilateral relationship founded on mutual trust, goodwill, and understanding.

Formal diplomatic ties between the two countries were established in 1968, with the cornerstone being the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949 and subsequently renewed in February 2007.

Over the years, high-level exchanges have played a pivotal role in nurturing the strong bond between India and Bhutan.

King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, has made several visits to India, underscoring the close ties between the two nations. His last visit to India was in November 2023.

Similarly, PM Modi's visit to Bhutan in August 2019 marked a significant milestone, with the launch of major bilateral projects aimed at bolstering economic cooperation and connectivity.

The recent official visit of Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan to India in March 2024 further reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to enhancing bilateral relations across various domains, including development cooperation and vibrant economic ties.
Kolkata: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday "vehemently" condemned Arvind Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the liquor policy case. The Trinamool Congress chief called ED's move a blatant assault on democracy. The Bharatiya Janata Party, meanwhile, demanded that Kejriwal resign as the chief minister of Delhi. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on Thursday (HT Photo)

"I vehemently condemn the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, the sitting elected Chief Minister of Delhi elected by the people. I have personally reached out to Smt Sunita Kejriwal to extend my unwavering support and solidarity. It's outrageous that while elected opposition CMs are being deliberately targeted and arrested while individuals accused under CBI/ED investigations are allowed to continue their malpractices with impunity, especially after aligning with the BJP. This is a blatant assault on democracy," she wrote on X.

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Arvind Kejriwal is Mamata Banerjee's ally in the INDIA bloc.

"Today, our INDIA alliance will meet the EC to express our strong objection to the deliberate targeting and arrests of opposition leaders, particularly during the MCC period," she added.

BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said Kejriwal has become the first CM in India's history who didn't resign from his post even after being arrested.

"Arvind Kejriwal has become the first CM in the history of this country who did not care to leave his position even during the arrest. In other words, he (Arvind Kejriwal) is now way ahead of Lalu Prasad Yadav in this matter. It is the same party that once used to say that they would bring 'politics of integrity' to this country," he said.

He sarcastically called Arvind Kejriwal a staunchly honest leader.

"The true character of their 'staunch honesty' is that despite the Court rejecting the petition, Arvind Kejriwal did not leave the chair. Delhi CM is arrested in the allegations of a liquor scam, a policy that was brought by the Delhi government two years back and after investigation, the very policy was withdrawn...Arvind Kejriwal's government withdrew the policy (Delhi Liquor) and now firmly defends it. I wish to ask if it was correct then why it was withdrawn in the first place?," he added.

Also read: Arvind Kejriwal withdraws Supreme Court plea; AAP claims his family under house arrest

Delhi BJP chief Virendraa Sachdeva said Kejriwal has been paying for his deeds.

"It is clear that Kejriwal is corrupt...At the time when Delhi Deputy CM and Sanjay Singh were arrested, even then it was clear that Kejriwal was involved in corruption...Now, AAP should clearly understand that they pay for their deeds," he said.

JDU leader and BJP ally KC Tyagi said Kejriwal should have answered the ED summonses.

"Arvind Kejriwal is the CM of Delhi and has worked as a senior officer of the Income Tax department. The way he rejected the number of ED summons sent to him, wasnt a part of a good process," he said.

Also read: Anna Hazare reacts to Arvind Kejriwal's arrest: Own deeds

Congress MP Digvijaya Singh slammed the BJP for ED's action.

"By making the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, they (central government) have set an example that after a change in any government, if a CM is elected by the people, can be arrested," he said.

The Aam Aadmi Party has said Arvind Kejriwal will continue as the chief minister of Delhi and will run the government from jail.

With inputs from PTI, ANI
On Thursday, the two main opposition parties  Congress and Aam Admi Party  accused the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Union government of political vendetta. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday in an excise policy-linked money laundering case. (PTI Photo)

While the Congress claimed the freezing of its bank accounts by the Income Tax department was a political ploy to financially cripple the party and throttle its electioneering ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the AAP dubbed the late-night arrest of its leader and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal as the governments desperation and an attempt to misuse the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to keep him out of the 2024 general elections.

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The BJP was unfazed. It asserted that the action against both the opposition parties was in line with the governments crackdown on corruption.

The saffron partys 2014 poll campaign was mounted on the planks of anti-corruption and development. The promise of achhe din (good times), the projection of the country as an economic giant, with infrastructure rivalling the developed countries and, most of all, jobs caught the fancy of the voter. But it was the BJPs all-out campaign against the then UPA dispensation, underscoring the scams and irregularities in government auctions and other administrative issues that resonated on the ground.

The 10-year rule of the Congress-led UPA, which had its share of accomplishments and blunders, was reduced to a lost decade. The BJP benefitted from the anti-corruption campaign to win 282 of the 543 seats to form the new NDA government.

However, in the past decade, the NDA government has itself been accused by its political opponents of misusing federal probe agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation, the National Investigation Agencies and the ED. They cite multiple instances of opposition leaders, including those in seats of power, CMs and ministers of being victimised.

In recent months, two chief ministers have been arrested. In Jharkhand, Hemant Soren, anticipating his imminent arrest, resigned hastily to appoint Champai Soren as his successor. Kejriwal was arrested late last night amid protests and high drama in the national capital.

In Telangana, K Kavitha, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader and daughter of former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, was arrested last week in connection with the EDs investigation into money laundering charges linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy.

Political observers trace a pattern in the action against the opposition, pointing out how some leaders who have switched sides to the BJP seem to have either been absolved of charges against them, or cases indicting them put in the cold storage.

Take the case of former Congressman and Maharashtra strongman Ashok Chavan. Days before he was inducted into the BJP last month, the government issued a white paper on the economy, referring to the Adarsh Society scam in Mumbai that had irregularities in the allocation of flats meant for war widows and veterans. The building was allegedly built in violation of various rules and regulations. Chavan was accused of approving additional floor space index (FSI) for the Adarsh building in exchange for flats for his relatives.

The oppositions washing machine jibe, a reference to the BJP welcoming into its fold leaders with cases and complaints against them, which then gets cold, has become living room conversations.

Notwithstanding the oppositions allegations, the BJP is confident of rallying public opinion in its favour, and the image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an uncorruptible leader will justify the actions against opponents.

The general election is inching closer, and zero tolerance to corruption, scams, irregularities will be the centerpiece of BJPs poll pitch.
I support President Bidens call for an immediate cease-fire as part of a deal to secure desperately needed relief for Gazan civilians and the release of hostages, California Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote in an open letter Thursday. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/TNS

SACRAMENTO  Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for a cease-fire in Gaza in an open letter to Californias Muslim, Palestinian American and Arab American communities amid mounting pressure on Democrats to condemn Israels widespread bombing in the region.

I condemn the ongoing and horrific loss of innocent civilian life in Gaza, Newsom wrote Thursday. I support President Bidens call for an immediate cease-fire as part of a deal to secure desperately needed relief for Gazan civilians and the release of hostages.

Though Newsom has previously expressed concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and has condemned discrimination of Muslims and Arab Americans, the letter marks his most public and comprehensive statement on those issues.

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In the letter, Newsom acknowledged instances of Muslims in California and across the country being targeted in an uptick in vitriol against their community as the war rages. He also repeated his condemnation of the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants against Israelis.

Newsom traveled to Israel shortly after the attack and met with several top officials in Tel Aviv, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Newsoms administration has sent aid, including medical supplies, to both Gaza and Israel.

Newsoms letter comes shortly after President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have become more vocal in pushing for a cease-fire. Newsom, a close Biden ally, has stayed essentially in lockstep with the presidents positions on the war and has said he coordinates closely with him on international issues like the situation in Gaza.

A U.S.-backed resolution calling for an immediate and sustained cease-fire was voted down at the United Nations on Friday after Russia, China and Algeria voted against it, arguing that it did not adequately call Israel out for alleged war crimes in the region. The United States had blocked previous cease-fire resolutions.

Gaza stands on the precipice of famine amid intense Israeli bombing since the Oct. 7 attack, when Hamas militants killed about 1,200 Israelis and took roughly 250 hostages  about 100 of whom are still missing  back into Gaza. The Israeli bombardment in response has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

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Democrats including Newsom have faced intense pressure from many of their partys voters to call for a cease-fire. In December, Newsom made the Capitols annual tree-lighting ceremony virtual amid safety concerns over protests. That prompted harsh criticism from the organizers of a pro-Palestinian rally who had planned to protest the governor at the in-person ceremony over his stance on the war.
Mumbai: Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde has slammed the Opposition for comparing Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Aurangzeb. Reacting to Shiv Sena (UBT) Sanjay Raut's veiled attack at PM Modi, Shinde said the remark was an insult to the nation. Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (Shinde) chief Eknath Shinde. (PTI file photo)

"It's very unfortunate that the PM who has fulfilled Balasaheb's dream of Ram Mandir has been compared with Aurangzeb. It's an insult to the nation, and people will give them a befitting reply in the election," he said.

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Eknath Shinde said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has fulfilled Bal Thackeray's dream of revoking Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and he shouldn't be compared with the Mughal ruler.

"PM Modi has fulfilled Balasaheb Thackeray's dream by revoking Article 370. Yet, they are still comparing PM Modi to the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb," he added.

On Thursday, Sanjay Raut invoked the Gujarat link of Pakistan's founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah to launch a veiled attack at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union home minister Amit Shah.

Also read: PM Modi reacts to 'Aurangzeb' jibe: Got 104th abuse today

"Maharashtra faced trouble 400 years ago in the form of Aurangzeb. What Aurangzeb did is being done by two political leaders sitting in Delhi. Aurangzeb was born in Gujarat, so was Mohammad Ali Jinnah who gave birth to Pakistan."

He, however, refrained from naming the two leaders.

"The condition in the country is same. Aurangzeb acted in a way that he would speak sweetly to everyone and seize the kingdom. He even adopted the policy of divide and rule. And the people from Gujarat who went to Delhi have adopted the same policy for Maharashtra and the country. History is repeating itself," Sanjay Raut said.

Sanjay Raut, a confidant of former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, is one of the foremost critics of PM Modi. He is also known for making sharp remarks against his political opponents.

With inputs from PTI, ANI
Ahmedabad: Congress national spokesperson and former social media head Rohan Gupta on Friday announced his resignation from all party positions citing constant humiliation and character assassination by a senior leader. Congress national spokesperson Rohan Gupta (File Photo)

The move came three days after Gupta withdrew his candidature from the Ahmedabad East seat for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

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In a letter addressed to the party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Gupta wrote, I took most difficult decision of my life of withdrawing my candidature. Now I am taking another most difficult decision of leaving the party after serving it for last 15 years because of constant humiliation and character assassination by the leader connected with communication department, he wrote in a letter addressed to Mallikarjun Kharge, preside of the Indian National Congress.

I spent the last 3 days with my father while he is battling serious health conditions, which has really helped me understand his perspective. He narrated the incidences of betrayal and sabotage for the last 40 years and how the leaders got away in spite of their ill-doings. The wounds of those incidences have still not healed, which I could see in his tears. He doesnt want me to pay the same price as the whole family has seen the mental trauma I have gone through in the last two years, which was caused by the senior leader connected with the Communication Department, he shared the letter posted on X.

Without naming the leader, Gupta said that he resigned as the unnamed leaders behaviour was causing him serious mental agony and stress.

The person who has humiliated me for last two years, the person who has not budged from doing it in last three days, I am sure that he will not refrain from doing it in future and nobody will be able stop him. But now I am not ready to take any more assault on my self-esteem, the letter further read.

With broken heart I have taken decision of resigning which is very difficult but necessary to protect my self respect. Now my moral doesnt permit me to continue in the party, he wrote.

Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said that Gupta resigned as he wants to shift to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for his business interests. His resignation letter to the party is scripted, he alleged.

Doshi also accused Gupta of damaging the partys image. The language you are using today shows that you want to please your new masters before entering their house, he added.

Regarding Guptas perceived value to the party, the Doshi said, More than a responsibility, Gupta has been a liability for the party, and its good riddance for the Congress.

On March 18, Gupta withdrew his Lok Sabha election candidature from the Ahmedabad East constituency citing his fathers medical condition.

Due to serious medical condition, my father is admitted in hospital and I am withdrawing my candidature for Ahmedabad east parliament seat as Congress candidate. I will extend complete support to the new candidate nominated by party, Gupta had posted on social platform X.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said his life is dedicated to the country regardless of whether he is in jail or out. Whether inside or outside, my life is dedicated to the country, Kejriwal said in response to a question while he was being produced in the Rouse Avenue Court. Delhi chief minster Arvind Kejriwal at Delhis Rouse Avenue court . (ANI)

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) sought 10-day remand of Kejriwal a day after the agency arrested him on Thursday for his alleged role in the irregularities in the now-scrapped 2021-22 Delhi excise policy. The arrest came after the Delhi high court turned down Kejriwals plea for interim protection.

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The arrest triggered protests. Delhi minister, Saurabh Bharadwaj, who was among those detained during protests, said Kejriwals family has been put under house arrest. Kejriwals mother is not well and recently returned from hospital. The family members are not allowed to meet anyone.

He said peaceful protests were not being allowed. The party workers are not allowed to attend the protest. It is a complete dictatorship. It is being done to win the Lok Sabha election. The people will protest wherever they are, and this will not stop. Revolution cannot be crushed.
Delhi Metro services will not be available till 2.30 pm on the day of Holi on March 25. Taking to X(formerly Twitter) on Friday, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) posted: "On the day of the Holi festival, i.e. 25th March, 2024 (Monday), Metro services will NOT be available till 2:30 PM on all Lines of the Delhi Metro including Rapid Metro/Airport Express Line." Delhi Metro services will not be available till 2.30 pm on the day of Holi on March 25. (File photo)

"Metro train services will thus start at 2:30 PM from terminal stations on all Lines on 25th March and will continue normally thereafter," DMRC said further.

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However, the services on non-terminal stations is expected to be available much later as the operations will start from terminal stations at 2.30pm.

ALSO READ| Arvind Kejriwal's arrest: Delhi braces for AAP protest; police bolster security, ITO metro station shut; Top updates

The Hindu festival of Holi is slated to be celebrated across the country on March 25. The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil. It marks the day when Lord Vishnu in the avatar of Narasimha, killed the demon Hiranyakashipu and saved his devotee Prahalad.

On the day of Holi, people celebrate by smearing colours on each other and hence is known as the "the festival of colours".

ALSO READ| Bengaluru metro security guard suspended over alleged misdemeanour with female passenger

About the Delhi Metro

Three phases of the Delhi Metro are currently operational. The Phase-I covers a distance of 64.751 kilometres, with 59 stations. The Phase-II has a distance of 123.3 kilometres, with 86 stations. Meanwhile, Phase-III covers a distance of 160.367 kilometres, with 110 stations.

For easier identification by the passengers, Delhi Metro has colour-coded all its operational corridors. Some of the existing colour codes on its various routes are: red line, yellow line, blue line, green line, violet line, pink line, magenta line, grey line and airport express orange line. A coloured strip indicating the colour code of a particular corridor is displayed strikingly on the body of the Delhi Metro trains.
Civil aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) imposed a fine of 80 lakh on Air India for violating norms related to flight duty time limitations and fatigue management system of flight crew. The DGCA said there were instances of exceeding duty periods, wrongly marked training records and overlapping duties. (ANI file photo)

The aviation regulator, in a statement issued on Friday, said that it imposed a fine for violation of regulations pertaining to Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) and fatigue management system (FMS) of flight crew.

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As a proactive step towards ensuring a high level of safety in aviation, DGCA conducted a spot audit of Air India Limited in the month of January this year for verifying the regulatory compliance by the operator in respect of FDTL and FMS regulations, the statement read.

Also Read: DGCA looks to regulate duty period for instructors

DGCA said that it collected the evidence during the audit, and even analysed fleet wise random reports.

DGCA is committed to maintaining the highest levels of safety in the civil aviation sector in India and this enforcement action is in line with its commitment, it said.

The analysis of reports and evidence revealed that M/s Air India Limited operated flight(s) with both flight crew aged above 60 years flying together in a few instances, which is a violation of Sub Rule (2) of Rule 28 A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, it said.

The aviation watchdog said that Air India was also found deficient in providing adequate weekly rest, adequate rest before and after ultra-long range (ULR) flights and adequate rest on layover to flight crew, which violates the extant provisions of the Civil Aviation Requirements pertaining to FDTL.

The regulator stated that it also found instances of exceeding duty periods, wrongly marked training records, overlapping duties during the audit.

As a result, the DGCA issued a show cause notice to Air India Limited on March 1 for submitting response to the observed violations.

The airlines response to the regulator was not found satisfactory after which Air India was fined.
New Delhi, CPI leader Brinda Karat on Friday condemned the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and alleged that the Enforcement Directorate was being used by the BJP government to hound opposition leaders. HT Image

Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on Thursday night in an excise policy-linked money laundering case.

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"We very very strongly condemn the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. It is a lawless act. It is completely motivated by politics of the forthcoming elections, and the ruling party is very clearly using the ED as an instrument to hound the opposition, to weaken the opposition by arresting its leaders, and by harassing opposition leaders," Karat told PTI videos.

"Elections have been announced and you're going to arrest chief ministers. It is absolutely unacceptable. Our party is also protesting against it. We join the protest of the A, and demand there should be an immediate reversal of the arrest," she said.

On accusations that Kejriwal's family was not being allowed to meet anyone, the Communist Party of India leader termed it "absurd and illegal".

"This is absolutely absurd and illegal if this is true. And if they're saying they're not being allowed to meet anyone obviously this is true," she said.

Senior A leader and Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Friday claimed the chief minister's family members, including elderly parents, had not been allowed to meet their relatives or party leaders since Thursday evening.

On Electoral Bonds, the CPI leader said the State Bank of India could have released the data earlier, and slammed the BJP for putting in place "the most corrupt system ever".

"The shameless efforts of the government and ruling party to try and fool the Supreme Court that we can't do it and we need three more months, has been shown to be an utter misleading lie.

"All the data is out, which means the SBI had the data all this while and they could have done it three months ago when the court had given the first order in February," said Karat.

The Supreme Court had dismissed an application by the SBI seeking an extension till June 30 to submit the details of Electoral Bonds to the Election Commission of India.

"The government, after the exposure of its most dubious dealings, the quid pro quo, taking donations from companies which were corrupt and being raided, and then freezing those cases just shows how the EC is being used as an instrument to garner money for the ruling party," she said.

"Companies have paid parties, primarily the ruling party... This is a kind of extortion. For example, mining companies are not concerned about Adivasis. Now we know the mining companies have paid crores and crores of rupees for the so-called ease of business policies of the Modi government," she alleged.

Karat said under the leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the "most corrupt system" which subverted democracy has been put in place.

"We are only happy that the Supreme Court intervened even though it was late," she added.

The Election Commission on Thursday made public a fresh data set of electoral bonds, including their alpha-numeric numbers that can help match their purchasers with the political parties that received the funds.

Two separate lists of the donors and the recipients were published by the poll panel on its website after the details were submitted to it by the SBI earlier in the day as per a Supreme Court order.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
New Delhi: Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress received 540 crore from Santiago Martin's Future Gaming through electoral bonds, becoming the largest beneficiary of the 'Lottery King's' firm. The Bharatiya Janata Party also received 100 crore from the company. Santiago Martin(Reuters file photo)

Apart from DMK, YSR Congress, BJP and Congress, the firm also donated to Sikkim Krantikari Morcha and Sikkim Democratic Front.

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Future Gaming turned out to be the biggest buyer of electoral bonds, with a total purchase value of 1,368 crore.

Santiago Martin's company gave 509 crore to Tamil Nadu's ruling party DMK, nearly 160 crore to Andhra Pradesh's YSR Congress Party, 100 crore to BJP and 50 crore to Congress. The two parties of Sikkim together got less than 10 crore from the firm.

Megha Engineering, the second biggest donor which gave 966 crore, mainly donated to the BJP, Bharat Rashtra Samiti and DMK. It donated 584 crore to the BJP.

Qwik Supply, the third largest donor to political parties, bought electoral bonds worth 410 crore between 2021-22 and 2023-24. It gave 395 crore to the BJP and 25 crore to the Shiv Sena.

The BJP is the biggest beneficiary of the electoral bonds scheme with total donations exceeding 6000 crore.

The party received 346 crore from Keventers Food Park, MKJ Enterprises and Madanlal Ltd -- three firms with the same Kolkata address. Vedanata contributed 226 crore and Haldia Energy 81 crore.

Vedanta also donated 125 crore to the Congress.

The BJP also got donations worth 80 crore from Western UP Power and Transmission Company, and 42 crore from Welspun.

Also read: Who is Lottery King Santiago Martin, whose firm donated 1368 crore?

Industrialist Lakshmi Mittal donated 35 crore to the BJP.

The Aam Aadmi Party received donations from Spicejet and Tech Mahindra. Megha Engineering And Infrastructures Limited, Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited, BG Shirke Construction Technology Pvt Ltd, Bajaj Auto Ltd, Tech Mahindra Ltd, Spicejet Limited, Derive Trading And Resorts Private Limit, Vardhman Textiles Ltd and V M Salgaocar Corporation Pvt Ltd were among the major companies that donated electoral bonds to the party.

The Election Commission on Thursday released the alpha-numeric data using which donors could be matched to political parties.

With inputs from PTI, ANI
South Goa parliamentary constituency  once considered a Congress stronghold owing to its large population of Christian minorities  now stands precariously balanced ahead of the Lok Sabha polls as changing population trends combined with a polarisation of the vote could make it a tough fight for the Congress. The party this time is contesting the seat together with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as part of the INDIA bloc.

The seat boasted a Christian population of 46% at the time of the first election in the 1960s which together with some support from Hindus who made up 51%, made it near impossible to defeat the Congress. But today (as per the 2011 census), it has a Christian population of 36.21% while the Hindu population stands at 53.34%.

The decline of the Christian population on account of emigration has only likely accelerated over the decade since the last census was conducted.

The Christian population does not necessarily vote as a block, especially for the state elections. But when it comes to parliamentary elections they have by and large voted for the Congress, Sandesh Prabhudesai, journalist and author of the book Double Engine: A History of Goa Lok Sabha Elections says.

But, consistent with a trend of a declining Christian population, so is the Congress grip on the seat.

In 2019, Congress candidate Francisco Sardinha emerged victorious wresting the seat back from the Bharatiya Janata Party by a margin of a mere 9,755 votes despite increasing the Congress votes share from 40.56% to 47.47%, thus warding off a challenge from both the BJP and the AAP whose candidate secured 20,891 or 4.91% of the vote.

The Congress and the AAP are jointly fighting the elections this time round, a move that will likely prompt a consolidation of the opposition vote but might yet not prove to be enough to save the Congress whose chances of grabbing a share of the non-Christian, non-Muslim vote have further declined as since 2019 the party has continuously bled legislators to the BJP leaving the party hollow on the ground.

The Congress has lost political heavyweights in former chief ministers Ravi Naik, who switched ahead of the 2022 polls, and Digambar Kamat who switched after the 2022 polls. Both current MLAs represent seats in South Goa and claim a considerable follower base to the BJP.

Similarly, Aleixo Sequeira, who was elected on a Congress ticket, switched to the BJP in 2022 and was made a minister in the Pramod Sawant government.

Historically, the Congress or a like-minded party has won the South Goa seat in all elections except for 1999 and 2014 when the BJP won. Former Union minister Eduardo Faleiro famously represented the South Goa parliamentary constituency continuously from 1977 till 1996.

A large part of this dominance was down to the Christian community almost universally voting for either the Congress or the United Goans Party, a now-defunct regional party that championed the cause of Goa remaining a separate territory when the ruling party at the time the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party wished to merge Goa with Maharashtra shortly after Liberation.

While the MGP had a support base in the Hindu Bahujan Samaj  a constituency that has since shifted to the BJP  the UGP enjoyed support among Christians and elite Hindus, but soon lost its base to the Congress that was able to garner support from both communities.

The rise of the AAP in Goa has been at the cost of the Congress. In the 2022 state polls, AAP opened its account in Goa when it won two seats, both overwhelmingly Christian, in the 2022 assembly elections.

The alliance with the AAP will help consolidate the opposition vote, but will not help bring in disgruntled BJP voters, a Congress leader, who declined to be named, said adding that the party needs to win over at least 30,000 to 35,000 voters who would otherwise vote for the BJP if it hopes to retain the seat.

But who the Congress will miss is an alliance partner who will draw BJP votes to the opposition bloc.

In 2019, MGP supremo Sudin Dhavalikar, having been dismissed from the Pramod Sawant-led government, threw his weight behind the Congress candidate  contributing more than 10,000 votes to the Congress total  without which the Congress would have fallen behind the BJP.

No party can win any election depending only on the Christian votes in any constituency in Goa. The question for the Congress is how do they win over the votes of the majority community having lost MLAs to the BJP, Prabhudesai said.

The Congress has never depended on only one community to win the South Goa seat. It could not have worked if they were relying only on one community. There is no doubt that while Christians vote substantially for the Congress it is also the majority community whose vote, while offering lesser support, helps to a large extent, Adv Cleofato Almeida Coutinho, a political analyst, said.

"Much will depend on who the candidates that the respective parties field and the narrative that builds up in the run-up to the polls," Coutinho added.

Goa has a total of 1.17 million registered voters of which 578000 are in North Goa and 593,000 are in South Goa.

The North Goa seat, on the other hand, which is dominated by Hindus in which Catholics form only 16% of the population (as per the 2011 census) has been a BJP bastion since 1999 when incumbent MP Shripad Naik won the seat for what would be the first of his five tenures as an MP. The seat is expected to be retained by the BJP and Naik has already been nominated for the seat for the sixth time.

An earlier version of this article mistakenly stated that Congress or a like-minded party did not win the elections in South Goa in 2004. This has been amended to 1999. The error is regretted.
Hyderabad-based firm Navayuga Engineering Company Ltd (NEC), which is constructing the Silkyara-Barkot tunnel in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi, a portion of which collapsed in November last year, purchased electoral bonds worth 55 crore and donated all the money to the BJP, the data released by the Election Commission revealed. The collapsed Silkyara tunnel. (PTI/File)

Read here: BJP got 84% of electoral bonds bought by top 10 individuals

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Navayuga Engineering, the flagship company of the Navayuga Group, purchased 55 electoral bonds of 1 crore each between April 19, 2019 and October 10, 2022, the ECI data revealed.

NEC, an engineering and core infrastructure company, was contracted to accomplish the Silkyara-Barkot tunnel project, which was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in 2018. The tunnel's construction was to be completed in 2022, but its deadline was extended.

According to the company's website, the firm has built several projects, including the Dhola-Sadia Bridge -- the country's longest river bridge -- over the Brahmaputra river.

The Silkyara-Barkot tunnel is a single-tube tunnel divided into two inter-connected corridors by a partition wall, where each inter-connector corridor works as an escape passage for the other. The 4.5-km tunnel is part of the Centre's 900 km Char Dham Yatra All Weather Road which aims to improve connectivity to the four holy pilgrimage sites.

A major accident took place in November 2023 on Diwali when a portion of the under-construction tunnel collapsed, and 41 workers got trapped under the rubble. After a rigorous rescue operation of over 400 hours, the trapped labourers were finally evacuated out of the tunnel on November 28.

Read here: Electoral bonds: Donor-party link public after SC push

The data came into the limelight after the Supreme Court directed State Bank of India (SBI), the designated lender for issuing the electoral bonds, to disclose all the details of the electoral bonds encashed by the political organisations. The top court also annulled the electoral bonds scheme for political funding, saying it violates the constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression and the right to information.

The electoral bond scheme was announced as an alternative to cash donations made to political parties as part of efforts to bring transparency to political funding. Under the scheme, the name of the donor is known only to banks. Electoral bonds are encashed by an eligible political party only through a bank account with the authorised bank.

(With inputs from PTI)
Former Supreme Court Judge N Santosh Hegde said on Friday he was totally disappointed with Aam Aadmi Party leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested in connection with an excise policy linked money-laundering case. Former Supreme Court Judge N Santosh Hegde(File)

Hegde, a former Solicitor General of India, was among the key personalities, including Kejriwal, behind the then 'India Against Corruption' movement, spearheaded by Anna Hazare, more than a decade ago, which had at the time brought the issue of corruption into sharp focus. "It clearly shows that when in power, greed overtakes you," he said on the case against Kejriwal. "I am totally disappointed. I thought AAP (after it came to power) will uphold administrative fairness which is not there. And it is an indication of the fact that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely," he told PTI here. After a part of the movement became a political party (AAP), Hegde, the former Karnataka Lokayukta, came out of it. "Special reason for coming out was that politics today is a den of corruption. No political party is free from it. The India Against Corruption movement was fighting against corruption in administration. It was our principle that we will stay out of politics and try to clean politics. But then a group of people decided that we should enter into politics (and then went on to form AAP) and clean it which I never believed can be done successfully. And I think what's happening today in AAP is an example of what I thought was correct," Hegde said.

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He said Kejriwal had come home to invite him to join the party but he did not agree. Hegde also shared his views on oft-repeated allegations levelled by opposition parties against the BJP-led NDA government of misusing Central agencies like ED and CBI in corruption cases and targeting them. "Allegation of parties in opposition that the ruling party is doing it only for destroying opposition, I don't believe it. Yes, they are selectively doing this. But that is no offence at all. Because in criminal jurisprudence, there is no Article 14 (of the Constitution)...does not apply equality. "And one day when they will come to power, they will go against the BJP. So, ultimately there will be complete justice, is it? If they don't do it against the opposition, then when they come to power they won't do it against these people also. At least 50 per cent justice is being done now," he said.

In the coming Lok Sabha elections, Hegde said he wants every eligible person to vote. "Vote not based on any caste, or any affiliation whatsoever, vote based on the quality of the candidate. If you don't find a suitable candidate who would serve your constituency, then there is NOTA (None of the Above). Vote for NOTA. That will send a message to political parties that every 'Tom, Dick and Harry' is not a suitable politician," he said.
Jay Donde, an attorney, co-founded the San Francisco Briones Society and hopes to bring more voters into the Republican Party. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle

While the moderate turn that San Francisco Democrats took in this months primary got national Look at whats happening in crazy San Francisco! attention, the citys Republicans just made a similar centrist shift  and its leaders goals are even wilder.

They want Republicans to be relevant in San Francisco.

They hope that the path to relevancy began in this months primary election, when a more moderate slate of Republicans won 17 of 25 seats on the San Francisco Republican County Central Committee, securing the ability to endorse more centrist candidates and reallocate local party funding.

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But the groups larger goal is politically mind-blowing: It wants to use San Francisco as a beta test case to eventually show how moderate Republicans can win elections in left-leaning big cities that they say are failing to govern effectively.

We see whats happening here as reflective of whats happening in many other places: A breakdown of the two-party system, said Jay Donde, the leader of the more centrist group that won control of the San Francisco Republican Central Committee.

Donde hopes to tap into the frustration of San Franciscans who open up their ballot and on the (politically) left side they see people whose ideas dont align with their own values. And they look on the right side and they see people who think wildfires are ignited by space lasers, he said. So, they hold their noses and vote for the progressive.

Donde thinks there is a sizable chunk of voters in San Francisco who feel they dont have good options. Not enough to elect a Republican mayor any time soon, but maybe enough to win a seat on the Board of Education or the Community College Board or to elect sheriff or city attorney.

What we want to do is revitalize the Republican Party so voters have better choices at election time, Donde said.

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It will be the most uphill of climbs in the city of seven hills. George Christopher, San Franciscos last elected Republican mayor, left office in 1964, the same year the Republican National Convention took place in the Cow Palace, just south of San Francisco in Daly City.

The San Francisco Republican Partys ensuing, decades-long irrelevance is shown in how only 7% of the citys voters are registered Republicans, while 63% are Democrats. That irrelevance is compounded by how many voters equate all Republicans with Donald Trump, who won 63% of the partys vote in the March 5 primary in San Francisco and 79% statewide. But Trumps disapproval rating among voters statewide is 63%, according to a March Berkeley IGS Poll.

So Donde and others began planning out a long game.

Three years ago, Donde, an attorney, co-founded the San Francisco Briones Society. Named after Juana Briones, known as the founding mother of San Francisco, for her involvement in the early days of the city, the group has been hosting casual happy hours and meetups to try to form a community of people who want to shrink government, build more housing, improve public safety by doubling the size of the Police Department and see elected leaders spend more time on governing and less on what they call virtue-signaling to progressives.

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On social issues, the group either expresses vague opinions or tries to cling to whatever shred of middle ground remains in 2024 America.

It has expressed a desire to be LGBTQ-friendly, and one of its core principles is Diversity: America is an idea, and we welcome all who embrace it  no matter where they come from, whom they love, or how they worship.

On reproductive rights, the group said in the wake of the Dobbs decision that overturned the right to an abortion, that it unequivocally opposes any laws that would criminalize abortion. But thats far from condemning the decision, and the group didnt offer specifics on when abortion should be legal.

Last year, a Briones member proposed a resolution to the local party that called for it to say it opposes efforts by other states to criminalize gender-affirming healthcare, while at the same time calling for the repeal of SB107, authored by San Francisco state Sen. Scott Wiener, which created safeguards for people who come to California to obtain gender-affirming health care that has been banned and criminalized in red states such as Texas.

The resolution said repealing the law was necessary in order to allow the complex legal issues relating to gender-affirming healthcare to play out according to the values and preferences of each state. The local party rejected it.

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Perhaps most telling is that the groups top core value isnt one often heard on Fox News or other conservative media outlets: Optimism. We believe San Francisco can be the best place to live in America.

When it comes to Trump, Donde said, its hard to have a nuanced conversation. One camp says hes the devil incarnate. And the other says hes the second coming. We are, for the most part, in the not-fans-of-Trump camp. But were not the (anti-Trump) Lincoln Project. Were not spending our time beating up on Trump.

John Dennis, a Trump delegate to the Republican National Convention who chairs the San Francisco Republican Party, said the Briones group is a bunch of Never-Trumpers who are fueled by Never-Trump money.

The group made its move in the March primary to take over the local partys central committee, a typically low-level race where a slate of candidates raises a few thousand dollars  if anything  to get elected.The Briones Society PAC raised $95,751, $40,000 of which came from Martha Conte, a national vice chair at the No Labels Party and opponent of Trump.

But California has seen waves of moderate Republicans come and go, from former South Bay Rep. Tom Campbell to former top Assembly Republican Chad Mayes, who drew heat for supporting Californias cap-and-trade program and for endorsing Harvey Milk Day. He later left the party.

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It was another sign that just because California is overwhelmingly Democratic, it doesnt necessarily mean state Republicans want to move to the center.

This is something thats been tried before and I dont know if its ever worked anywhere, but theyre going to try to be like, Oh, were kind of centrist Republicans who will work with the centrist Democrats,  said Dennis, whose slate was defeated by the Briones-backed candidates.

So the promise that Were gonna start winning elections, is a rookie promise. Its an amateur promise, said Dennis, who leads the California Republican Party county chairs. Show me where one party has 7% (share of) registration and their candidates are able to win.

Yet Donde envisions a path to relevancy through San Franciscos 118,015 no party preference voters, who make up 24% of the electorate. Granted, theyre not all future Republicans. Many of those voters arent registered with a political party because they think the local Democratic Party is too conservative.

But Donde believes that there are roughly 40,000 conservative no party preference voters and about 20,000 persuadable conservative Democrats.

Donde and other Republicans also point to the growing number of Asian Americans born abroad in Chinese-speaking countries and regions who have registered with the party. The San Francisco Standard found that 4,526 registered San Francisco Republicans were born in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia or Singapore as of early 2024, a jump from 2,841 in 2019.
The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court on Friday declared the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004, unconstitutional and violative of secularism, directing the state government to accommodate students studying in madrasas in regular schools, in what is a significant order potentially affecting the lives of tens of thousands of students in Indias most-populous state. There are 16,500 recognised madrassas in the state. (HT Photo)

A division bench of justices Vivek Chaudhary and Subhash Vidyarthi passed the order on a petition filed by Anshuman Singh Rathore, a practising lawyer, challenging the constitutional validity of the act.

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The State has no power to create a board for religious education or to establish a board for school education only for a particular religion and philosophy associated with it, asserted the court.

Any such action on part of the state government violated the principles of secularism, which is in the letter and spirit of the Constitution of India, added the court.

Read more: Firm building Silkyara tunnel donated 55 crore in electoral bonds to BJP

It [the State] cannot discriminate and provide different types of education to children belonging to different religions. Any such action on part of the state would be violative of secularism, which is part of the basic structure of the Constitution of India, said the bench in the 86-page order.

We hold that the Madarsa Act, 2004, is violative of the principle of secularism, which is a part of the basic structure of the Constitution of India, added the court.

The order will affect the lives of roughly 200,000 students currently enrolled in 16,500 recognised and 8,500 unrecognised madrassas or Islamic seminaries across UP, according to the state madrasa board. Muslims form 19.26% of Uttar Pradeshs 190 million population.

The budget of aided madrasas is 900 crore. Where will these students go... to which schools would they be transferred? If this order is implemented, I am also worried about the fate of 10,000 teachers and their families, said Iftikhar Ahmed Javed, chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Education Board.

Read more: Didn't expect so soonwas sitting with parents: Kejriwal on his arrest by ED

The legal team of the madrasa education board was in a huddle after the high courts order.

We are studying the judgment. Our legal team headed by advocate Afzal Siddiqui is vetting all the legal options to appeal in the Supreme Court. However, if relief is not given, then a problem will arise before madrasa teachers, staff, students and their family members, said Javed.

All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) member Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali agreed. Madrasas feed students and impart education to the poorest of the poor in the society. There would be a problem if madrasas are closed... a lot of people would be left unemployed, he said.

We are studying every aspect of the judgement. Once it is done, we will challenge it in the Supreme Court, he added.

The minister of state for minorities affairs, Danish Azad, said, The Yogi government in the state works for the welfare of minorities , we are studying the judgment and will respond after going through judgement carefully after analyzing all the minute aspects before reacting to it.

The Samajwadi Party, which brought the act in 2004, said that the government did not represent the facts of the case which led to the court declaring it unconstitutional.

In its 86-page order, the court said that any policy of the state government that divides society on religious lines violates the constitutional principles.

Aims and objectives of the act are silent as to how and why the requirement arose to have a separate education board for a particular religion while there are secular primary education board and board for high school and intermediate education in the state providing education to one and all without making any differential between children of different religions, said the court in its order.

The court pointed out that modern subjects were either absent or optional in a madrasa and a student could opt only one of the optional subjects. Scheme and purpose of Madarsa Act is only for promoting and providing education of Islam, its prescriptions, instructions and philosophy and to spread the same, said the court.

Read more: Modi announces 10k crore support for Bhutan over next 5 years

This was contrary to the duty of the state government that has to provide education that is secular in nature, asserted the court. Such an action on the part of the state is not only unconstitutional, but also highly divisive of society on religious lines, added the court.

The court pointed out that the state government had sufficient power to frame laws related with education to be provided at school level, both primary and intermediate. However, such education had to be secular in nature.

Under the provisions of Madarsa act for being recognised by the madrasa board it is compulsory for an institution to be set up as a Muslim minority institution and it is also compulsory for a student of madrasa to study in every class, Islam as a religion, including all its prescriptions, instructions and philosophies, to get promoted to the next class, added the court.

The court said that the Madarsa Board was not an educational institution established and administered by any minority, but instead was an institution established by the state government for providing an education system. It prescribed courses, recognises degrees and certificates.

We also find that since the very purpose of the Madarsa Act is found to be violative of secularism, it is not possible to segregate and save any portion of the act, which would be of any relevance, said the court.

The court found that the Madrasa Board was performing the role assigned to the University Grants Commission by handing out degrees, framing courses and suggesting textbooks.

The court said the Madarsa Board provided education related to languages and Islam as a religion, and that modern subjects, including science, were only optional. The entire school education can be completed without studying modern subjects, pointed out the court.

The court asserted that the state government could not teach a particular religion in the name of traditional education. While fulfilling its duties of providing free and compulsory education from classes 1 to 6, the state government was bound to provide universal education, the bench said?.

Teaching merely one religion and a few languages without any study of modern subjects cannot be called quality education, pointed out the court.

Therefore, the education being imparted in madrasas is neither quality nor universal in nature, asserted the court.

Education being provided by the Madrasa Board was in violation of standards prescribed by the Supreme Court while interpreting constitutional provisions. Therefore, this court has no hesitation in holding that the education being provided under the Madarsa Act is violative of Article 21 and 21A of the Constitution of India, the court held.

Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ashutosh Varma said, We demand that the government study the decision and appeal in Supreme Court for the rights of minority education in the state.
New Delhi: Taranjit Singh Sandhu, among the first-timers in the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) list of candidates in Punjab, was Indias ambassador to the US until January this year. The 61-year-old foreign service officer retired in February, headed to Amritsar, and joined the BJP earlier this week. Former Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu joins the BJP in the presence of party general secretaries Vinod Tawde and Tarun Chugh at BJP headquarters in New Delhi on March19. Sandhu was the 28th Ambassador of India to the US. (ANI.)

Sandhu worked closely with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during New Delhis negotiations with Washington to seal the $3 billion predator drones deal and also to finalise the agreement between the two countries to acquire GE engines for the Indian Air Forces figher jets.

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Sandhu spoke to HT about why he and other diplomats are drawn to politics; Foreign minister S Jaishankar and cabinet minister Hardeep Puri are former diplomats who now serve in Modis council of ministers.

When did the idea of entering politics strike you?

I would not really say its coming into politics; its public service. I think diplomats are also from public service. In the last four years, the relationship with the US has become a partnership in a number of areas like semiconductors. In education and knowledge partnership, IITs are already starting three years in India, and one in the US. So, these are already getting operational; similarly, if you look at the defence sector, we have joint production of things like GE engines. So, I feel that Amritsar which is my home town, should be part of this story.

A couple of your predecessors now have major roles in the government: Hardeep Puri and S Jaishankar. Inspiration?

History has had a lot of foreign service officers coming to politics. I think each one has played a different role. I think somewhere, everybody has contributed something. In particular, I want to contribute to my home city and state and ensure that they also get the advantage of the economic resurgence of the world. If you look at IMF (International Monetary Fund) and World Bank projections, they are quite clear that India will be playing a major role. Theres a huge young population and a lot of opening for the young, in Amritsar and Punjab,

Did you have a chat with the Prime Minister about joining?

Since Ive worked with him for the last 10 years, I have been inspired. There is no doubt. Thats why I feel that many of these good schemes, positive schemes can be brought to Amritsar, Punjab, and it will help the model route and also integration of the country with Punjab,

But arent you being quite brave? You are taking the Lok Sabha route in a tough seat.

See, as I told you, public service is public service, but you do have a point. Since my focus is to help people, Im taking the Lok Sabha route and actually touching the people. Im trying to communicate to them what one has been part of, in delivering in Bharat as well as United States. And thats what Im trying to deliver in Amritsar, because I have (had) extensive contacts over the years. I know a lot of people because of the opportunity, which I was given as ambassador to the US. And that opportunity definitely was given by the Prime Minister and the external affairs ministers.

But isnt Amritsar a seat, which the BJP finds challenging?

They say when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Look, wherever there is a challenge, there will be an opportunity. I can tell you that Amritsar requires connectivity and connectivity will lead to increase in incomes of households, not only in agriculture sector but industry, commerce, tourism. Youre aware that a lot of Punjabis are travelling abroad, they need to be conscious that since the investments are coming into India, jobs should also be coming. There are so many possibilities, we can actually give great education, in Amritsar in Punjab, like in rest of India, and then the bulk of people will be trained here. Thats what my vision is.

Will it make a difference for the party or for your political prospects whether the BJP has an alliance with the Akalis?

I think that aspect is being driven by the leadership. Again, my focus is much broader. It is actually to undertake different mechanisms of bringing people together for the development of our country.

Some people seem to feel that retiring bureaucrats who then come into politics, should have a cooling period. What do you think of that?

I do not think so. There is no cooling period for anybody else. This is a public service. This is not your taking an employment. So, therefore, for public service, theres never a cooling period.
Veteran journalists often recall how two young RTI activists  a bespectacled Arvind Kejriwal and a balding Manish Sisodia  would wait patiently at the reception of newspaper offices to hand over RTI replies to media persons. Leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc in Mumbai earlier this month. (ANI Photo)

The entire national capital will recall how a former Indian Revenue Services officer meteorically rose from the anti-corruption movements to sweep Delhi in not just one or two, but three consecutive elections. He had defeated three-time Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit in her own constituency, reduced the mighty BJP to just 8 MLAs and made his 12-year-old Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) a national outfit.

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And yet, the IIT-Kharagpur alumni, who made corruption a successful political plank, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday from his residence on graft charges, making him the first Delhi CM whos been arrested for that reason.

In its defence, ED officials maintained that the 2021-22 excise policy was allegedly designed to fill the pockets of the AAP and some of its leaders, and was the brainchild of Arvind Kejriwal.

Following his arrest, an officer with the federal agency said there were broadly three reasons why the CM was arrested: first, there was evidence he was involved in the formulation and implementation of the policy; two, because he ignored repeated summons; and three, he was evasive during questioning.

Broadly, the allegations around the excise policy pertain to 100 crore in kickbacks paid by a group of businessmen and politicians referred to by investigators as the South Group to AAP. This money was shovelled back to the partys leaders in return for securing nine retail vending zones for alcohol under the new policy, according to the federal agency.

In Kejriwals defence, AAP leaders claimed the ED could only find 70,000 at the chief ministers bungalow. The BJP demanded the resignation of Kejriwal.

After his arrest, Kejriwal was brought to the ED office in central Delhi at 11.25 pm. A 10-member team of the federal agency, led by an additional director-level officer, had carried out searches at the CMs residence on Flagstaff Road in Delhis Civil Lines area. The CM was arrested two hours after the ED team reached his residence after officials questioned him.

This is the 16th arrest by the ED in the case, including that of AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh. Kejriwal had skipped nine summonses issued by the agency for questioning.

The BJP said Kejriwal reaped what he sowed and asserted that the law has finally caught up with him after his long-drawn efforts to evade it. The arrest of Kejriwal symbolises the defeat of corruption, and now Kejriwal should resign immediately. It is an insult to constitutional norms for leaders of the Kejriwal party to say that Kejriwal will run the government from jail, said Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva.

Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed that every corner of Arvind Kejriwals house was searched by the agency and said Kejriwals mobile phone was seized. The ED didnt get any evidence, property documents, illegal money, or money trail, he claimed.

AAP minister Atishi said the party had moved the Supreme Court to quash Arvind Kejriwals arrest through a midnight hearing. However, per reports, no special bench was set up on Thursday night. He (Kejriwal) will continue to be the chief minister of Delhi. If need be, he will run the government from jail. There is no rule that stops him from running the government from jail since he has not been convicted, she told reporters.

INDIA backs Kejriwal

During the days of protests to demand a Lokpal law, the UPA government had reached out to the Anna Hazare camp to give them an unprecedented offer: a group of ministers (GoM) would be constituted to negotiate with the activists. Sharad Pawar, the then agriculture minister and one of the senior most faces of the UPA government, was included in the group.

Kejriwal and Co. refused to sit with him claiming that he is a tainted person. A disgusted Pawar called the head of the GoM Pranab Mukherjee to say that he will opt out of the group to not create any impediments for the talks.

On Thursday, it was the same Sharad Pawar who was one of the first Opposition leaders to condemn Kejriwals arrest. The vindictive misuse of central agencies to target the opposition, especially as general elections loom. This arrest showcases the depth to which BJP will stoop for power. INDIA stands united against this unconstitutional action against #ArvindKejriwal, tweeted Pawar.

From Rahul Gandhi to Trinamool Congress Derek OBrien, opposition leaders slammed the BJP government for Kejriwals arrest, and claimed that the BJP is afraid to fight the elections.

56 candidates in Congress latest list

The Congress party held its fifth meeting on candidates on Thursday and later released its third list for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The Congress on Thursday named its Lok Sabha floor leader Adhir Ranjan Choudhary, former lawmaker MV Rajeev Gowda and former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) minister Jayaprakash Hegde, who jumped ship earlier this month, in its third list of 56 candidates for the much-anticipated Lok Sabha elections this summer.

Other candidates include Samyukta S Patil, daughter of Shivanand Patil (Bagalkot), Mrinal Ravindra Hebbalkar, son of Laxmi Hebbalkar (Belgaum), and Sagar Khandre, son of Eshwar Khandre (Bidar). Mansoor Ali Khan, son of former deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha K Rahman Khan, will contest from Bangalore Central, and Prabha Mallikarjun, wife of minister S S Mallikarjun, will contest from Davangere.

All five are fresh faces and will be contesting Lok Sabha elections for the first time in the Rajasthan list. The other candidates include Congress leader and chairman of a private university Sunil Sharma from Jaipur city, Sangeeta Beniwal from Pali and Umeda Ram Beniwal from Barmer.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will on Friday successfully carried out the landing mission of its Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) named 'Pushpak' from the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Karnatakas Challakere. RLV Pushpak during its autonomous landing.(X/ISRO)

The rocket was launched at around 7 am from the Chalakere Runway.

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This was the third landing mission of the RLV named after the legendary spaceship named in the Ramayan. The space agency had successfully carried out previous missions in 2016 and April last year.

The launch vehicle was carried to an altitude of about 4.5 km by an Indian Air Force helicopter and released after attaining the predetermined pillbox parameters.

Also Read | After Chandrayaan-3, Isro eyes return moon missions

According to ISRO, the mission is part of the space agency's efforts at developing essential technologies for a fully reusable launch vehicle to enable low-cost access to space.

"The Pushpak launch vehicle is India's bold attempt to make access to space most affordable," ISRO chairperson S Somanath said, according to NDTV. "It is India's futuristic Reusable Launch Vehicle, where the most expensive part, the upper stage, which houses all the expensive electronics, is made reusable by bringing it back safely back to Earth. Later, it could even do refuelling of in-orbit satellites or retrieving satellites from orbit for refurbishment. India seeks to minimise space debris and Pushpak is one step towards that as well."

Also Read | Gaganyaan mission: Names of four astronauts revealed by Modi

The Pushpak RLV is designed as an all-rocket, fully reusable single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) vehicle, reported India Today. It also incorporates major elements such as the X-33 advanced technology demonstrator, the X-34 testbed technology demonstrator, and the upgraded DC-XA flight demonstrator.

According to ISRO, Pushpak consists of a fuselage (body), a nose cap, double delta wings and twin vertical tails. It also features symmetrically placed active control surfaces called Elevons and Rudder.

In February, Somnath had briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the RLV mission, which cost an estimated 100, during his visit to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Trivandrum.
While the Congress has thrown its weight behind Arvind Kejriwal, arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday evening in the Delhi excise policy case, the partys former leader Sharmistha Mukherjee, daughter of late Congress stalwart and ex-President of India Pranab Mukherjee, remarked how Karma has caught up with the Delhi chief minister. Sharmistha Mukherjee (Sonu Mehta/HT File Photo)

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Mukherjee recalled the 2011 anti-corruption protests against the day's Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre. While the agitation was led by social activist Anna Hazare, Kejriwal was among its most prominent faces.

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He (Kejriwal) & Anna Hazare gang were responsible for making most irresponsible, baseless & wild allegations against Congress including (ex-Delhi CM) Sheila Dikshit ji saying he had trunk loads of evidence against her. No one has seen the trunk so far. Karma catches up! she posted on the social media platform.

Kejriwal and several others who participated in the anti-corruption movement founded the Aam Aadmi Party in November 2012. The Congress has always held him responsible for besmirching the UPA governments reputation. In subsequent years, the AAP ousted the grand old party from power in both Delhi and Punjab, leading to more bad blood between the two sides.

Previously, leaders of the Congress unit in Delhi too have called for Kejriwal to be arrested in the excise policy case. Now, however, the parties are among over two dozen constituents of the opposition I.N.D.I.A (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) bloc, which will take on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The BJP is aiming for a third consecutive term at the Centre.

Also Read: Arvind Kejriwal is first sitting chief minister to be arrested

The Lok Sabha polls will be held in seven phases; the first phase is on April 19 and the last, on June 1. The counting of votes for all 543 Lok Sabha constituencies will be conducted on June 4, as per the schedule announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has called for protests against dictatorship outside the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters at 10am on Friday as part of countrywide demonstrations a day after chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested for his alleged role in the irregularities in the now-scrapped 2021-22 Delhi excise policy, prompting the deployment of additional police forces and barricading in the heart of the national capital. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal being taken to the Enforcement Directorate office after his arrest. (PTI)

I appeal to the countrymen to protest outside BJP offices across the country against this dictatorship. We will gather at the AAP office [in Delhi] at 10am on Friday and then protest outside the BJP headquarters, said Delhi minister Gopal Rai at a midnight press conference along with top AAP leaders.

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Rai called Kejriwals arrest the murder of democracy and an announcement of dictatorship. He said if Kejriwal can be arrested, anyone can face such an action and their voice can be suppressed. From today, the fight has begun. Kejriwal is not a person, but an ideology.

He linked Kejriwals arrest to the formation of the Opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) and said the BJP feels it will restricted to 40 seats. He said this was the reason why the BJP was targeting opposition leaders. Today, they have crossed all limits.

AAPs Rajya Sabha member Sandeep Pathak said the fight was no longer between the BJP and the AAP. This is a fight between the countrys people and the BJP...and of those who want clean politics in the country.

Delhi minister Atishi said Kejriwals fight will continue from the roads to the court. The Supreme Court will hear the case on Friday. This arrest is unconstitutional. They arrested [former Jharkhand chief minister] Hemant Soren, and Kejriwal and froze the accounts of Congress.

Kejriwal moved the Supreme Court challenging his arrest on Thursday night, seeking an urgent hearing.

Delhi Congress chief Arvinder Singh Lovely joined an AAP protest outside Kejriwals residence on Thursday. They have arrested Soren, and Kejriwal, and froze our accounts. In what direction is the countrys democracy heading? We are standing with our INDIA bloc partner and will fight the elections strongly.

Delhi Police have deployed additional forces in anti-riot gear and put up multi-layer barricading on roads leading to BJP headquarters ahead of AAPs planned protest. They have asked commuters to avoid routes leading to central Delhi in anticipation of the protest as roads leading to the BJP headquarters and Enforcement Directorate (ED) office, where Kejriwal was taken after his arrest, have been shut.

AAP has asked all Delhi lawmakers and councillors to mobilise people at BJP headquarters and the party expects a large gathering.

The Delhi Police intensified checking at entry points into the Capital to prevent the AAP workers from entering the national Capital from neighbouring states even as gatherings have been barred outside BJP headquarters and ED office. News agency PTI reported buses have been deployed to detain these protestors.

Kejriwal was arrested on Thursday after ED questioned him at his residence hours after the Delhi high court turned down his plea for interim protection. The arrest weeks before the general elections came after he skipped nine summons ED issued to him.

The AAP said Kejriwal will continue as the chief minister and run the government from jail if needed. It has been preparing for his arrest for months and warned of its imminence.
A key arterial road was closed in central Delhi as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) planned a protest outside the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters on Friday against chief minister Arvind Kejriwals arrest for his alleged role in the irregularities in the now-scrapped 2021-22 Delhi excise policy, snarling rush hour traffic. The AAP and the BJP headquarters are located on DDU Marg. (HT PHOTO)

In an advisory issued around 9am on Friday, the Delhi Police said that Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Marg will remain closed while traffic will be heavy on the adjoining roadsIP Marg, Vikas Marg, Minto Road and Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg. Kindly avoid these roads and plan your journey accordingly, the advisory said.

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Restrictions and diversions triggered traffic jams on Vikas Marg, Ring Road, Delhi Gate-New Delhi Railways Station Road, Mandi House-Barakhambha Road, Mathura Road, and Minto Road connecting Connaught Place and Kamla Market Road.

A police officer said additional traffic personnel have been deployed to regulate the traffic and assist motorists in using the alternate routes. Those intending to travel to New Delhi Railway Station via DDU Marg are being advised to reach there via Delhi Gate or Connaught Place and Minto Road.

Delhi minister leader Gopal Rai called for nationwide protests against Kejriwals arrest at a midnight press conference. He asked AAP supporters to reach the partys headquarters at the DDU Marg and join the agitation. The AAP and the BJP headquarters are located on DDU Marg.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was the kingpin and key conspirator of the Delhi liquor policy scam, Enforcement Directorate told the Rouse Avenue court on Friday. Kejriwal was arrested by the ED late on Thursday night and produced before the court today. Arvind Kejriwal was produced in the court on Friday, hours after his arrest from his residence on Thursday night.

Seeking 10-day remand for the chief minister, additional solicitor general SV Raju told the court that Kejriwal was directly involved in the formulation of the liquor policy and the subsequent use of the proceeds of the crime. The policy was made in such a manner that it enabled the taking of bribes, he said. Vijay Nair was the middleman between the Aam Aadmi Party and the south cartel, a key part of which was K Kavitha, who has already been arrested.

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Kejriwal produced in court: What next? Follow LIVE updates

What ED told the court against Kejriwal

Vijay Nair was staying near Arvind Kejriwal's house and was closely working with the chief minister who demanded kickbacks from liquor barons for extending favours under their policy. Arvind Kejriwal demanded  100 crore from some accused from the South group for the Punjab election, the ED told the court. The agency also said Kejriwal himself met with Kavitha and said they should work together on the liquor policy. The proceeds of crime were not only  100 crore but the profit made by the bribe givers was also the proceeds of crime. All vendors paid cash to a certain extent, the ED said. Proceeds of crime of about  45 crores received from the South group were used by Aam Aadmi Party in the Goa campaign in 2021-22. ED said they have corroboration of everything they are saying. A huge amount of cash changed hands, ED said. Kejriwal is also liable for the role of his associates. The agency said Goa MLAs said that they received cash

Kejriwal's first reaction after arrest

Kejriwal spent the last night at the ED custody. On Friday morning, Kejriwal withdrew his petition challenging the arrest from the Supreme Court and approached the lower court instead. In the afternoon, he was brought to the court amid a swelling crowd assembled to witness the proceedings. In his first reaction after the arrest, Kejriwal said his life is dedicated to the country regardless of whether he lives inside the jail or outside.

What Kejriwal said in court

Appearing for Kejriwal, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi said the ED has to show the necessity of the arrest. That ED needs to further trace the alleged money trail does not form the ground of arrest, it can be a ground of questionnaire. "You have the basic material, why should you want further custodial custody?" Singhvi said.
New Delhi The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday night arrested Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal for his alleged role in the states controversial 2021-22 excise policy after questioning him at his residence, hours after the citys high court turned down his plea for interim protection from arrest  a stunning turn of events that leaves the Capitals politics in turmoil and pushes to new heights the ongoing conflict between the Union government and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) weeks before the general elections After his arrest, Kejriwal was taken to the ED headquarters at APJ Abdul Kalam Road, where he will be kept in custody overnight and questioned by the probe team. (ANI)

The arrest on corruption charges marks a dramatic moment for a leader who surged to power after platforming himself as an anti-corruption crusader and shook up the Capitals entrenched political structures.

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He will continue as the chief minister of Delhi. If need be, he will run the government from jail. There is no rule that stops him from running the government from jail, Atishi said outside Kejriwals residence. The party has claimed that a survey it conducted of Delhis citizens said he should continue. The AAP has been preparing for his arrest for months, and warned of its imminence several times.

ED officials aware of the matter said he was evasive during interrogations and pointed out that he had skipped all nine summons the agency had issued.

He has been arrested under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), because there is evidence he was involved in the formulation and implementation of the policy, in which AAP leaders were paid kickbacks of 100 crore. He has repeatedly dishonoured summons sent by us. When we went to question him, he was evasive, said an ED officer who asked not to be named.

ED has not referred to Kejriwal as a suspect in any of its six charge sheets in the liquor policy case. However, one of the charge sheets mentions that the policy was Kejriwals brainchild.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), meanwhile, demanded that Kejriwal resign as chief minister.

The arrest is a blow for the AAP, which has built its politics on a fine balance of delivering welfare programmes, providing concessions for various demographic groups and shoring up the Capitals basic infrastructure.

Kejriwal is the third major AAP leader to be arrested in the probe after his former deputy and senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia as well as the partys Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh. This apart, ED arrested Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader and Telangana lawmaker K Kavitha in the case last week.

Major drama played out in Civil Lines as a 10-member ED team accompanied by several Delhi Police contingents swooped down on the chief ministers official residence on Flagstaff Road around 7pm. As police teams set up barricades around the house, top AAP leaders and dozens of party workers swarmed the narrow lane outside in a last bid to keep the chief minister from being taken in.

Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel and additional companies of central forces were also called in, even as Section 144 was imposed.

After his arrest, Kejriwal was taken to the ED headquarters at APJ Abdul Kalam Road, where he will be kept in custody overnight and questioned by the probe team.

He will be produced before the special court at Rouse Avenue on Friday where ED will seek his custody.

His arrest came hours after the Delhi high court turned down his plea to protect him from arrest.

After hearing both the parties, we are not inclined to grant the relief at this stage, a bench of justice Suresh Kumar Kait and justice Manoj Jain said in the order. The court also asked Kejriwal why he had not approached the lower court seeking anticipatory bail if he was apprehending arrest.

Kejriwal has skipped summonses on the grounds that they are illegal, and because ED has not specified in which capacity he is being called in  as an accused or witness, as Delhi CM or as national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party.

Until and unless you attend any of the calls, how would you know what information they want? The summons started from the month of October. If you had apprehension that if you attend their call ... then why did you not challenge? What prevented you to not go to the court below from filing an anticipatory bail? the bench asked senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who represented Kejriwal.

The court asked the probe agency what prevented it from arresting the minister. What prevented you not to arrest? You are sending him summons after summons, the bench asked additional solicitor general SV Raju, who represented ED. Raju also clarified to the court that Kejriwal was being summoned in his individual capacity in the case.

But the series of events that culminated in Kejriwals arrest on Thursday evening germinated nearly three years ago, when then deputy chief minister Sisodia launched the Delhi excise policy  a regime that was meant to revolutionise the citys liquor business.

It aimed to revitalise the citys flagging liquor business by replacing a sales-volume based regime with a licence fee one for traders, and promised swankier stores and a better customer experience. The policy also offered customers discounts on liquor for the first time, ever.

It, however, came to an abrupt end after Delhis lieutenant governor VK Saxena recommended a probe into alleged irregularities in the regime in July 2022. This resulted in the policy being scrapped and being replaced by the previous policy.

While not named as an accused in the case yet, Kejriwals name has found mention in court documents, including charge sheets and remand papers, in reference to alleged meetings, fixing commissions for private players, and the entry of political players and businesspeople from the south into Delhis liquor business.

The first major arrest in the case was Sisodias, in February last year, in what was the first sign that the excise policy was beginning to embroil the AAP. Singh was arrested months later, on October 4.

ED has claimed in past court documents, including charge sheets, that the decision to carve out a 12% profit margin for wholesale private entities in the excise policy was taken at Kejriwals residence in March 2021.

Thursday leaves the AAP in a moment of reckoning. Delhi voted overwhelmingly for the AAP in two straight elections, giving it 67 seats in the 70-member assembly in 2015 and 62 in 2019. The AAP also garnered upwards of 50% of the vote share both times.

But the party has fared poorly in the Lok Sabha elections, winning no seats both in 2014 and 2019. Delhi goes to polls in 2025.

Kejriwal was first anointed Delhi chief minister in December 2013, when he dislodged three-term CM and formidable Congress leader Sheila Dikshit. That year, he beat Dikshit from her bastion from  New Delhi.

He rose to the echelons of Delhis local politics as an angry disruptor and a leader of the India Against Corruption (IAC) movement, aiming his anger at the Congress and the alleged corruption in the system.

Still, he allied with the Congress the 2013 polls, after the Bharatiya Janata Party, which fell short of a majority with just 32 seats, refused to form a government. The AAP won 28 and the Congress was relegated to a distant third with just eight, a pale shadow of its former self.

Yet, Kejriwal snapped those ties in dramatic circumstances just 49 days later, arguing that he was unable to deliver in a coalition government.

Just over 14 months later, Kejriwal stormed back to power, leaving the BJP with just three seats in the assembly and the Congress zero.

Opposition parties and the AAPs partners in the INDIA grouping condemned the arrest.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a post on X said: A scared dictator wants to create a dead democracy While capturing all the institutions including the media, breaking up the parties, extorting money from companies, freezing the account of the main opposition party was not enough for the devilish power, now the arrest of the elected Chief Ministers has also become a common thing.

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin said the BJP had sunk to despicable depths.

Ahead of #Elections2024, driven by fear of a decade of failures and the imminent defeat, the Fascist BJP Govt sinks to despicable depths by arresting Honble Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal, following the unjust targeting of brother @HemantSorenJMM, Stalin said in a post on X.
Karnataka governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has returned a bill to the Siddaramaiah government, seeking clarification on its provisions that propose utilising a higher portion of revenue from affluent Hindu temples for a common pool of funds. The governors decision, marking the first instance of such an action since the Congress government assumed power in May 2023, closely precedes the Lok Sabha elections. Karnataka governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has returned a bill to the Siddaramaiah government, seeking clarification on its provisions that propose utilising a higher portion of revenue from affluent Hindu temples for a common pool of funds (PTI)

The Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill, 2024, has prompted the governor to seek clarification from the state government regarding the potential inclusion of other religious bodies under similar legislative measures.

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As per information from Raj Bhavan, amendments made to the law in 2011 and 2012 were invalidated by the Dharwad bench of the high court. This decision has been contested in the Supreme Court, where the high courts ruling has been stayed, and the case is currently in its final stages of appeal.

Since the case is still pending in the Supreme Court, it is necessary to get more clarification on whether the amendment can be made during the pendency of the case, specifically when the entire Act has already been struck down by the high court and appeal case is at the stage of final hearing (sic), Raj Bhavan said.

Further, has the state government conceptualised any legislation to encompass other religious bodies similarly as this bill? the Raj Bhavan has asked.

The governor has asked whether the amendment can be made during the pendency of the case which is at the stage of final hearing at the Supreme Court; also it is asked whether the government has conceptualised any legislation to encompass other religious bodies like  Bababudangiri Datta Peetha and one more such religious place, where two communities worship  in a similar fashion. It will be clarified, Muzrai minister Ramalinga Reddy told reporters.

As per the bill, government will levy a 10% tax on temples with revenues exceeding 1 crore, and a 5% tax on those generating revenues between 10 lakh and 1 crore. This correction from the existing system essentially reduces the tax on a large section of temples. However, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Congress government in Karnataka of implementing anti-Hindu policies.

Within the Muzrai departments jurisdiction, there exist approximately 35,000 temples, segmented into distinct categories based on their annual incomes. Among these, 205 temples fall into group A, recording incomes surpassing 25 lakh annually, while group B encompasses 193 temples with earnings ranging between 5 lakh and 25 lakh. The remaining 34,000 temples, registering incomes below 5 lakh per annum, constitute group C.

Historically, group A temples have directed 10% of their collection box revenues towards a common fund, while group B temples have allocated 5%. Notably, group C temples have made no contributions to date as per this arrangement.

Under the new amendment, temples generating revenues exceeding 1 crore annually will be obligated to contribute 10% to the Common Pool Fund. Temples yielding revenues ranging from 10 lakh to 1 crore will be required to allocate 5% to the fund. Temples with incomes below 10 lakh will be exempt from contribution requirements altogether.

The bill was earlier defeated by a voice vote in the upper house, where the opposition has a majority, on February 23, after it was passed by the assembly on February 21.

Later the bill was reconsidered and passed by the legislative assembly once again on February 29, and it was sent to the legislative council and there too it got passed.

In the council it was passed amid din, as opposition BJP and JD(S) members were protesting in the House against the government over the pro-Pakistan slogan issue, while in the Assembly it was passed when the opposition had staged a walkout on the same issue.
Office buildings in downtown San Francisco are emptier now than they were last year. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

San Franciscos office vacancy rate hit yet another record high this month, climbing to 36.6%, as leasing activity remains muted.

The vacancy rate was up 1 percentage point from the end of last year and jumped from 29.4% from the first quarter of 2023, according to preliminary data from real estate brokerage CBRE. Its now up ninefold from the 4% low in the first quarter of 2020, at the start of the pandemic.

First-quarter leasing activity was 1.3 million square feet, down from 2 million square feet in the previous quarter and slightly below the first quarter last year.

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Average asking rents fell by $1 per square foot annually, or 1.3% to $68.35, from the prior year. Rents are down almost a quarter compared to before the pandemic, but are still some of the highest in the country.

Empty offices are a drag to the downtown economy and city budget, exacerbating the struggles of local retailers and fueling a wave to property owners seeking lower tax bills.

Colin Yasukochi, executive director of CBREs Tech Insights Center, said there were some positive signs: Prospective tenants are seeking a total of 6 million square feet in space, up from 4.2 million square feet at the end of last year. Thats compared to 6.8 million square feet of demand just before the pandemic.

The San Francisco office market is beginning to transition out of its four-year downturn. While it will take many years to rebalance supply and demand, we are starting to see positive signs, he said in a statement.

Payments-processing company Adyen signed the biggest lease of the year so far, subleasing 150,000 square feet from Pinterest at 505 Brannan St. Accounting giant KPMG renewed its longtime lease at 55 Second St. for around 125,000 square feet, but only through September 2026.

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The return to office in San Francisco remains stagnant, at around 45% of pre-pandemic levels, according to security firm Kastle. That figure has been flat for the past year.

Return to the office remains a significant barrier to a more vibrant San Francisco. We are seeing more office tenants sign new leases  a sign they are more willing to recommit to the City. However, this dynamic is still somewhat tenuous as employers and their employees still have concerns about public safety and the cost of doing business, Yasukochi said.

Additional mandates are unlikely to increase office attendance materially at this point, but rather a booming economy will compel more people to want to be in the office and be better connected to the next growth cycle, he said.
Raj Kumar Saini, a former MP and chief of the Loktanter Suraksha Party, has pledged unconditional support to Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Speaking at the press conference, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters that Saini has decided to extend unconditional support to the party in the Lok Sabha elections after getting inspired by Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Yatra. Former Kurukshetra Member of Parliament Raj Kumar Saini. (HT File)

Inspired by Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Yatra, Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and after hearing his ideas, Raj Kumar Saini (former MP and Loktanter Suraksha Party chief) has decided to extend unconditional support to the party in the Lok Sabha elections. I thank him for his support, Kharge said.

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Talking to HT, Saini earlier this week said that he met Haryana Congress in-charge Deepak Babaria last week and expressed willingness to join the INDIA bloc and requested Sonepat parliamentary seat. (Also Read: Baroda bypoll: Dalits, backward classes at forefront of LSP chiefs campaign)

Our party has a strong base in Sonepat and Kurukshetra parliamentary seats. I asked for the Sonepat seat as the Kurukshetra seat was given to the Aam Aadmi Party. If the talks fail, I will file my nomination from Kurukshetra seat as I won from the seat in the 2014 general polls, he added.

Saini had defeated INLDs Balbir Singh Saini in 2014 Lok Sabha polls on BJPs ticket by 1.3 lakh votes. He contested the 2019 assembly polls from Gohana and lost to Congresss Jagbir Malik.

Rahul Gandhi, who also attended the press conference, outlined the party's next step.

During the (Bharat Jodo Nyay) Yatra, we talked about social justice. The next revolutionary step includes caste census, economic survey, survey of institutions and to find out the level of participation of India's 90% population in the country's systems and institutions, he said.

We have decided to do this revolutionary work, which we have promised in the manifesto, Gandhi added.
A massive fire broke out in two bogies of Godan Express at Nasik Road railway station. The Mumbai-Gorakhpur train's luggage compartment caught fire. There were no immediate reports of loss of lives. Godan Express catches fire.

ALSO READ- Delhi Metro Holi timing: Train services will start from 2.30pm. Check details

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Indian Railways statement

According to Indian Railways spokesperson, an incident occurred near Nasik Station. The affected Seating cum Luggage Rake (SLR) coach was detached from the train within 20 minutes (from 2:50pm to 3:10pm), and the train resumed its journey promptly.

ALSO READ- Woman in West Bengal goes into labour on moving train, passengers and train staff help deliver baby

The spokesperson said that there were no reported injuries to passengers.

The cause of the incident is under investigation. Prompt action was taken, and the smoke was extinguished within half an hour using fire extinguishers, the statement added.

ALSO READ- 3 wagons of spl train carrying vehicles derails in West Champaran, no casualties

Check Godan Express fire video

Visuals from the spot showed thin flames and smoke rising from the compartments.
A day after the Supreme Court reprimanded Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi for defying the court by refusing to swear-in DMK minister K Ponmudi, he extended an invitation to the minister, informing the top court that he had no intention to disregard the highest judicial authoritys direction. Supreme Court of India. (PTI File Photo)

Appearing for the Governor, Attorney General R Venkatramani said, The Governor has conveyed that K Ponmudi will be invited to be sworn in as minister. He has the least intention to disregard this court. His decision to not allow swearing-in was based on his reading of some past decisions of the top court.

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A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud took the statement on record and said, The AG states that he has been asked to convey that there is no intention on part of the Governor to breach the order of this court.

Ponmudi stood disqualified on 21 December 2023, when the Madras high court convicted and sentenced him to three years imprisonment in a disproportionate assets case, setting aside his acquittal given earlier by a trial court. It was on his appeal against this order, the top court suspended his conviction, thus removing the bar existing on him under the Representation of Peoples Act to continue in office.

The latest SC order was passed on an application moved by the Tamil Nadu government challenging the Governors refusal order of March 17 to swear-in Ponmudi suggesting that the conviction has not been set aside and swearing-in a tainted person will be against constitutional morality.

The application was filed in a pending petition filed by the state, challenging an earlier action of the Governor for not giving consent to clear 10 pending bills passed by the state assembly.

Senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi, Abhishek Manu Singhvi and P Wilson appearing for the state government informed SC that as per the Governors invitation on Friday, Ponmudi would be sworn in at 3.30pm.

Wilson said, Parliamentary democracy survives only because of the Supreme Court. Singhvi added by saying, The fact still remains why the state is forced to come before this Court always.

The court had on Thursday called the Governors decision to withhold consent for the swearing-in as constitutionally illegal.

The bench, which also comprised justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, on Thursday observed, We are seriously concerned about the conduct of the Governor. He is defying the Supreme Court of India. Are we governed by rule of law. When the Supreme Court stays conviction, the Governor has no business to say that the conviction is not wiped out. We are deeply concerned on who has advised him and the manner in which this matter has proceeded.

The FIR against Ponmudi and his wife was registered in 2011 on the allegation that during his tenure as the minister of mines and higher education of Tamil Nadu between 2006 to 2010, he acquired assets that were nearly 66% more than his known sources of income.
More than 700 yoga exponents and practitioners from across the country and abroad participated in the week-long annual International Yoga Festival in Uttarakhands Rishikesh that concluded on Thursday. The festival organised by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board had started on March 15.

Organised by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, the festival, which started on March 15, was held at the Yog Bharat Ganga Ghat at Muni-Ki-Reti, with a raft of sessions that took participants through the nuts and bolts of yoga, meditation and spiritual awareness.

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The state government has been promoting the International Yoga Festival with an intent to provide a common platform for yoga enthusiasts, trainers, experts and students within India and beyond. Rishikesh has become the global yoga capital and this festival plays a vital role to further that, state tourism minister Satpal Maharaj said.

According to officials aware of the details, more than 700 yoga exponents, practitioners and learners from over 25 countries, including the US, joined the event.

Expert Douglas Atmanand Rushford from the US, who conducts sessions at the festival every year, said yoga is an ancient art which leads to attainment of peace of mind, happiness and health.

From Ashtanga yoga to laughter yoga, varied asanas, postures, and breathing techniques make yoga stand out differently and way ahead. The whole world is realising and benefiting from this ancient art, practised since ages by sages, ascetics, monks, Rushford said.

I had heard so much about the festival that I wanted to join this time. I feel rejuvenated, peaceful, calm and happier than when I arrived a week ago. The sacred Ganga and a spiritual atmosphere add a divine fervour to practising yoga and meditation here, Konstansa, a yoga learner from Europe, said.

Yoga and religious institutions like Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute, Isha Foundation, Shivanand Ashram, Manav Dharma Ashram and Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram also participated in the festival.
The King of Bhutan on Friday conferred the Order of the Druk Gyalpo on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who became the first foreign head of government to receive Bhutans highest civilian honour. The Order of the Druk Gyalpo holds immense significance within Bhutan's honour system, symbolising a lifetime of outstanding achievements and contributions to society. Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives guard of honour on his arrival at Paro International Airport in Bhutan, on Friday.(ANI)

The Order of the Druk Gyalpo takes precedence over all orders, decorations and medals.

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Since its institution, the award has been conferred upon only four eminent personalities.

Previous recipients of the award include Queen Grandmother of Bhutan Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck in 2008; Je Thrizur Tenzin Dendup (68th Je Khenpo of Bhutan) in 2008 and Je Khenpo Trulku Ngawang Jigme Choedra in 2018. Je Khenpo is the chief Abbot of the central monastic body of Bhutan.

"Honoured to be conferred with 'Order of the Druk Gyalpo' Award by Bhutan. I dedicate it to 140 crore Indians," Modi posted on X soon after.

The announcement for the honour was made by the King of Bhutan during the 114th National Day celebrations on December 17, 2021. On Friday, Prime Minister Modi received it during his two-day State visit, his third since he took over as the prime minister in 2014.

A statement from the Indian Embassy in 2021, when the announcement was made, said, As per ranking and precedence established, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo was instituted as the decoration for lifetime achievement and is the pinnacle of the honor system in Bhutan, taking precedence over all orders, decorations and medals.

PM Modi arrived in Bhutan on Friday after his scheduled visit was postponed for a day due to inclement weather conditions at Paro International Airport. Modi said he was grateful to the Bhutanese people for according to him a memorable welcome to their beautiful country and hoped that India-Bhutan friendship keeps scaling new heights.
Narendra Modi Bhutan Visit Live: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two- day State visit to Bhutan. During his visit, he will attend various programmes aimed at enhancing India-Bhutan bilateral partnership. Taking to X(formerly Twitter) on Friday, PM Modi shared a picture of his departure to Bhutan and captioned the post as: "On the way to Bhutan, where I will be attending various programmes aimed at further cementing the India-Bhutan partnership. I look forward to talks with Majesty the King of Bhutan, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and Prime Minister @tsheringtobgay"....Read More

Earlier, due to adverse weather conditions, PM Modi's departure to Bhutan was rescheduled.

Highlights of PM Modi's visit to Bhutan

On Friday, MoUs were exchanged between India and Bhutan during PM Modi's visit to the country.

A group of Bhutanese youngsters dressed in traditional Indian attire performed on a Garba song written by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to welcome him to their country on Friday, reported news agency PTI.

PM Modi will inaugurate the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital in Thimphu, a state-of-the-art hospital, built with the assistance of the Government of India in Thimphu, reported news agency PTI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday morning arrived in Bhutan for a two-day state visit to Bhutan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi.(PMO)

The prime minister was welcomed by his Bhutanese Tshering Tobgay at the Paro Airport.

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On the way to Bhutan, where I will be attending various programmes aimed at further cementing the India-Bhutan partnership, the prime minister shared on X before departing. I look forward to talks with Majesty the King of Bhutan, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.

Modi's visit to Bhutan was postponed due to inclement weather conditions in the Himalayan nation.

Modi was scheduled to travel to Bhutan from March 21 to March 22 for what was expected to be his last foreign visit before the upcoming general election. New dates were worked out by the two sides through diplomatic channels.

In anticipation of the arrival of Modi, posters and billboards had gone up across Bhutan, welcoming him to the country, reported PTI.

The ministry of external affairs had said that the trip is an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on bilateral and regional matters and discuss ways to expand and intensify their exemplary partnership for the benefit of the people.

The prime minister's Bhutan visit comes days after his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay visited India from March 14-18. India was the destination for Tobgays first foreign visit after assuming office in January.

During Tobgays visit, Modi said India will step up support for Bhutans 13th five-year plan, including considering a request for an economic stimulus programme, and New Delhis development aid will be geared towards creating infrastructure and building connectivity.

A joint statement issued after Modi and Tobgay's meeting said that the premiers acknowledged that the exemplary ties of friendship between India and Bhutan are a source of strength for the region.

The two sides also pledged to further strengthen bilateral ties and Modi said India is committed to supporting Bhutans quest to become a high-income nation in line with the vision of the Bhutanese king.

On his part, Tobgay thanked the Indian government for its development aid of 5,000 crore for Bhutans last five-year plan.

The air will be geared towards developing infrastructure, building road, rail, air, and digital connectivity, and supporting sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, skilling, and cultural preservation, the statement added.
The Supreme Court has dismissed the Union governments plea to reconsider its judgment that made it mandatory for the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to provide a copy of the grounds of arrest to accused in money laundering cases while adding that a mere verbal information would be construed as a breach of constitutional right of arrested persons. The Centre filed the review petition in December against the Supreme Courts October 3 judgment which questioned the federal agencys style of functioning (ANI)

We have carefully gone through the review petitions and the connected papers. We do not find any error, much less apparent, in the order impugned, warranting its reconsideration. The review petition is dismissed accordingly, held a bench of justices AS Bopanna and Sanjay Kumar. The review petition was considered by judges in their chambers on Wednesday. The order was released on Friday.

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The Centre filed the review petition in December against the Supreme Courts October 3 judgment which questioned the federal agencys style of functioning and directed it to maintain pristine standards of probity and fairness instead of being vindictive.

Read more: Firm building Silkyara tunnel donated 55 crore in electoral bonds to BJP

We hold that it will be necessary for a copy of grounds of arrest to be furnished to the accused at the time of arrest, the court had then ordered, virtually taking the sting out of one of EDs controversial powers that was affirmed by another top court judgment delivered IN 2022.

The July 2022 judgment by the top court had earlier held that informing an accused about the grounds of arrest is sufficient compliance of the mandate of Article 22(1) of the Constitution, which lays down that no arrested person shall be detained in custody without being informed of the grounds of arrest nor shall they be denied the right to legal representation of his choice.

However, taking a divergent view, the two-judge bench on October 3 said that it is the constitutional right of a person under Article 22(1) to be informed of the grounds of arrest and that this right can be effectively realised only when the grounds are supplied in a written form. This, the bench said, would enable the accused to take legal counsel based on the written grounds of arrest, adding the absence of written grounds of arrest would boil down to the word of ED against the word of the accused.

Read more: Didn't expect so soonwas sitting with parents: Kejriwal on his arrest by ED

The judgment clarified that the mere passing of an order of remand by a jurisdictional trial court cannot subsequently validate the grounds of arrest nor can it be said to be a sufficient fulfilment of EDs obligation under the Constitution or the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

The October 3 judgment further held that ED cannot arrest anyone under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for failing to respond to agencys questions, or for a mere non-cooperation in response to summons, adding it is not legitimate for the federal anti-money laundering agency to expect an admission of guilt from a person called for interrogation.

Flagging the lack of uniform practice followed by ED for supply of the grounds of arrest to accused, the top court on October 3 maintained that the situation required laying down norms for the entire country so that the right balance could be struck between an investigation and the right of accused.

That judgment came as the bench ordered immediate release of arrested directors of real estate group M3M in an alleged money laundering case. Pankaj and Basant Bansal were summoned by ED on June 14 for questioning in connection with a money laundering case, but they were arrested in another case registered by ED on the same day. The Bansals challenged their arrest citing breach of Article 22 and Section 19(1) of the PMLA, which provided that accused has to be contemporaneously informed about the grounds of arrest.

Read more: Modi announces 10k crore support for Bhutan over next 5 years

While ED claimed that its officials read out the grounds of arrest to the Bansals at the time of their arrest, the top court maintained that merely reading out the grounds of arrest does not fulfil the mandate of either Article 22(1) of Constitution or Section 19(1) of the PMLA.

The Bansals are accused by ED of diverting 400 crore through several shell companies. The agency has further alleged that M3M, along with another realty firm Ireo Group, tried to manipulate the trial court proceedings in the ED cases by indirectly bribing a Panchkula special court judge, who was suspended from service on April 27.

The Supreme Courts views in its October 3 judgment were at a complete variance from the three-judge bench ruling in July 2022 when the court ruled that a person being arrested can be denied a copy of the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) -- the equivalent of an FIR in an ordinary criminal case.

Non-supply of ECIR, which is essentially an internal document of ED, cannot be cited as violation of constitutional right. Concededly, the person arrested, in terms of Section 19 of the 2002 Act, is contemporaneously made aware about the grounds of his arrest. This is compliant with the mandate of Article 22(1) of the Constitution... So long as the person has been informed about grounds of his arrest that is sufficient compliance of mandate of Article 22(1), the 2022 judgment had held while affirmed agencys sweeping powers for summoning individuals, making arrests, conducting raids, and attaching properties of the suspects.
The Supreme Court on Thursday slammed Tamil Nadu governor RN Ravi for defying it by refusing to swear in K Ponmudi as minister after the top court suspended the DMK politicians conviction early this month in a disproportionate assets case, and gave him till Friday to set it right, failing which, it said, it would pass an order asking the Governor to follow the Constitution. The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in Tamil Nadu approached the top court on March 18, a day after the Governor rejected chief minister MK Stalins request to swear in Ponmudi as higher education minister (ANI)

The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu approached the top court on March 18, a day after the Governor rejected chief minister MK Stalins request to swear in Ponmudi as higher education minister. Ponmudi was disqualified on December 21, 2023 when the Madras high court convicted and sentenced him to three years imprisonment in a disproportionate assets case. But on March 11, the top court suspended the conviction.

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Rejecting Stalins request in a letter on March 17, the Governor noted that Ponmudis conviction has only been suspended, not set aside. He further claimed that Ponmudi is tainted of corruption and his appointment would be against constitutional morality.

Hearing the matter on Thursday, a bench headed by chief justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud said: We are seriously concerned about the conduct of the Governor. He is defying the Supreme Court of India. Are we governed by rule of law. When Supreme Court stays conviction, the Governor has no business to say that the conviction is not wiped out. We are deeply concerned on who has advised him and the manner in which this matter has proceeded.

Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for Governor, sought time to take instructions. He objected to the manner in which the state government raised the issue about the swearing-in of a minister in a pending petition from last year that challenged the Governors inaction to clear pending bills and appointments.

The court, however, told AG: Can the Governor say I will defend my constitutionally illegal conduct by pointing fingers at the state for moving an application. Do we close our eyes to the constitutional breach by the Governor on this technical issue...what do the states do if Governor does not follow the Constitution. They have to approach this Court.

The elected governments of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, and Punjab, all ruled by parties opposed to the Bharatiya Janata Party which runs the Union government, have alleged that Governors are exceeding their constitutional remit by refusing to sign off on legislations and behaving like agents of the Centre.

Posting the matter for Friday, the bench observed, We will keep it tomorrow otherwise...if we dont hear in a positive manner from you, we will have to pass an order asking the Governor to follow the Constitution. We dont want to do that as we want the Governor to set it right.

The bench, also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, further asked: How can the Governor say that after the SC stayed the conviction, his (the politicians) re-induction will be against constitutional morality.

Referring to a past judgment by the top court on what stay of conviction means, the bench said: Once substantive order of conviction is suspended by this Court, there is no conviction that exists. You cant say then that he is tainted.

The bench further reminded the Governor that he is a titular head holding a constitutional office. How can any constitutional authority act in this manner? It is not about subjective perception about a minister. I may have a view about a particular person but we must act according to Constitution. On his conviction being stayed, the chief minister wants to re-induct him as part of Parliamentary democracy. And when Supreme Court has stayed the conviction, law must follow its course, the bench said.

Senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and P Wilson, appearing for the state government, alleged that the Governors action amounts to destruction of constitutional ethos. He is cocking a snook at the Supreme Court by saying Supreme Court is guilty of not following constitutional morality. Primacy of elected government is part of basic structure of Constitution. His action amounts to destruction of constitutional ethos.

Venkatramani told the Court, I am not justifying what the Governor has done but I need to know what persuaded him to do that. But I am objecting to the way this application has been filed.

By separate orders of December 19 and 21 last year, the Madras high court reversed an acquittal order passed by the trial court in April 2016 against Ponmudi and his wife P Visalakshi. The trial court held that clubbing the property of Ponmudi with his wife was not permissible under law as she is not a public servant, but runs independent business and has a separate source of income.

The FIR against the minister was registered in 2011 on the allegation that during his tenure as minister of mines and higher education in the state between 2006 to 2010, he acquired assets that were nearly 66% more than his known sources of income.

While suspending the conviction, the top court on March 11 held that disqualifying him for holding office of minister and MLA would be an irreversible situation. Following the SC order, the Speaker of TN Assembly declared that Ponmudis disqualification had ceased to operate and even the Election Commission on March 16 withdrew the notification of vacancy of Thirukovilur assembly seat arising from Ponmudis disqualification.
The Supreme Court on Friday refused to interfere with a Madhya Pradesh high court order this month directing the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to survey Bhojshala, a protected 11th-century monument, while posting the matter for hearing on April 1. The court observed that an ASI survey usually takes time. (HT PHOTO)

Hindus consider Bhojshala to be a temple dedicated to Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati) while the Muslims call it Kamal Maula Mosque.

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A petition against the high court order of March 11 was mentioned before a bench of Justice Hrishikesh Roy for an urgent hearing. The bench said it cannot stay the survey without hearing the other side. It noted the matter is listed for hearing on April 1 when the court reopens after the Holi break. We will take it up on that day. The court observed that the ASI survey usually takes time.

The petitioner, Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society, moved the Supreme Court registry on Thursday for an urgent hearing saying the ASI survey due to begin on Friday will damage the protected monument.

Hindu Front for Justice filed a petition in the high court in May 2022 against namaz at Bhojshala. It sought a survey to determine the real religious character of Bhojshala.

The high court allowed ASI to survey the monument based on evidence the petitioners presented in the form of coloured photographs of pillars where Sanskrit verses are written. The ASI in April 2003 allowed Hindus to perform puja at Bhojshala every Tuesday. Muslims were given the go-ahead to offer namaz in the complex on Fridays.

In May 2022, the court called Hindu Front for Justices public interest litigation challenging the ASI move comprehensive. It issued notices to the ASI, the Union, and the state government seeking responses to the plea. The plea urged the court to direct the Union government to re-establish an idol of Goddess Saraswati within the Bhojshala complex. It said the then rulers of Dhar installed the statue at Bhojshala in 1034 AD and that the British took it to London in 1857.
Jade Tu, right, campaign manager for San Francisco mayoral candidate Mark Farrell, exchanges words with criminal defense attorney Marc Zilversmit during a protest Friday outside the Hall of Justice over a judges decision to grant probation to the man who stabbed a 94-year-old woman. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

A Chinese American activist faced off against a white defense attorney in one of the tensest exchanges during a protest Friday outside the San Francisco Superior Court.

Do you care about Asian people? shouted Jade Tu, who is also the campaign manager for mayoral candidate Mark Farrell. Holding a megaphone to the face of Marc Zilversmit, a San Francisco criminal defense attorney, she continued, How would you feel if you got stabbed multiple times? Get the f out of here. This is our protest.

Zilversmit yelled back. Hed shown up, he told the Chronicle earlier, to defend the independence of the judiciary.

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Protesters and counter protesters converged on the steps of the Hall of Justice in San Francisco on Friday regarding the probationary sentence for a man convicted in the nonfatal stabbing an older Asian woman in June 2021. San Francisco Chronicle

About 60 mostly Asian American activists and community members, joined by District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, were outside the Hall of Justice to protest what they saw as an injustice  a San Francisco judge granting probation and mental health treatment to Daniel Cauich, who pled guilty in November to charges related to the 2021 nonfatal stabbing of Ahn Peng Taylor, a Chinese Vietnamese woman in her 90s.

A small counterprotest of about a half-dozen defense attorneys stood to the side, interrupting with chants of their own, shaming Jenkins, making this yet another flash point in the politicized debate about how to best treat mentally ill defendants in violent crimes against Asian American residents, particularly older adults.

On June 16, 2021, then-94-year-old Taylor was walking along Post Street with the aid of a cane when Cauich approached her and stabbed her several times in the abdomen and arm. Taylor suffered two lacerations to her hip and torso and a stab wound that went through her wrist, according to court documents filed by prosecutors.

After the attack, the documents state, Taylor was no longer able to leave the house for daily walks as she had before. She could barely walk between rooms in her own home without assistance and was so significantly fatigued that by afternoon (she) could barely maintain conversation.

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The Chronicle could not reach Taylor or her family members, who did not attend Fridays protest, for comment.

The district attorneys office had offered a 12-year state prison sentence to Cauich, stating in court filings that he committed an unprovoked attack, suggesting a quick willingness to do harm to vulnerable people within our community.

Cauich, through his attorney, countered by offering a 10-year prison sentence that would be suspended while Cauich underwent supervised mental health treatment and probation.

On Nov. 17, 2023, over the objections of the district attorneys office, the court accepted Cauichs deal.

Cauich pleaded guilty to attempted murder, elder abuse and assault with a deadly weapon. On March 15, Judge Ksenia Kay Tsenin sentenced him to five years of supervised probation. He must also complete an individualized treatment plan and participation in Intensive Supervision Court, which the court describes as a last chance program for high-risk, high-needs probationers to avoid state prison.

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Members of San Franciscos Asian Pacific American Community Center protest outside the Hall of Justice in San Francisco on Friday over the sentencing of Daniel Cauich to probation for stabbing Ahn Peng Taylor in June 2021. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

Cauichs 10-year prison sentence was suspended, which means he doesnt have to serve it if he abides by the rules of his probation. His next court date is April 12, when terms of his probation will be discussed.

Lisa DewBerry, Cauichs attorney, told the Chronicle on Wednesday that her client did not have evil intent, but had mental health and substance issues that caused him to inexplicably stab that poor lady.

When we were able to get through to him, he was distressed to the point that he cried and cried and cried, DewBerry said. He is getting mental health treatment. He is trying to work his way out of this nightmare that he was in.

Cauich has an extensive history of substance abuse starting when he was 14, according to a court briefing that included a statement of facts from the prosecution opposing the deal, and had a change in behavior, including experiencing paranoia and auditory hallucinations, after being hit by a car in 2020.

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A forensic neuropsychologist identified as R. Dempsey in the prosecutors filing concluded Cauich suffered from alcohol, stimulant and opioid use disorders as well as mild neurocognitive and psychotic disorders due to traumatic brain injury.

The protesters outside the Hall of Justice insisted Cauich is dangerous and that sentencing him to mental health treatment was not holding him accountable for his actions.

We want to make sure that our Asian seniors have the ability to walk down the street safely in our city, said Jenkins, who is running for reelection this year. If there is no accountability for the people who attack them, if we dont have adequate consequences for that behavior, it will continue.

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins speaks alongside members of the Asian Pacific American Community Center during a protest against the sentencing of Daniel Cauich to probation for stabbing Ahn Peng Taylor in June 2021. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

Lily Ho, one of the protests organizers and a newly elected member of the Democratic County Central Committee, said that none of the protesters thought the judges decision was right.

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Shame on you, she said. This case is exactly the reason why I personally supported new judges, referring to a largely unsuccessful push by political moderates to elect new tough-on-crime judges in the recent March election.

Visitacion Valley resident Han Chang Su, 87, said in Cantonese that he wants the court to stop releasing violent criminals and called the sentencing of Cauich a slap on the wrist.

They must sentence harsher, because if its too lenient, it poses a danger for all of us, Su said.

The San Francisco Superior Court did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Counterprotesters said that regardless of whether people agreed with the decision, it is important to protect the independence of the judiciary.

The group held signs stating Mental health isnt political and Mental health treatment = public safety.

Criminal defense attorney Sidney Hollar said it was inappropriate for Jenkins to be involved in the protest.

Why is she trying to impact the judiciary? Hollar said. Shes a prosecutor, not a judge.

Rebecca Young, a criminal defense attorney who used to work for former District Attorney Chesa Boudin and was fired when Jenkins took office, after Boudin was recalled, accused Jenkins of politicizing the case to win Chinese voters.

She is feeding the bloodletting here, Young said.
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) on Thursday released results of successful recruits from Manipur as constables in central paramilitary forces, four days after the first result was withdrawn citing a clerical error. The state has been roiled by ethnic clashes that have claimed 219 lives since May 2023 (ANI)

The new results showed that at least 84 non-tribal candidates have cleared the test.

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This follows controversy on the results that the SSC released on Friday that showed that the test was cleared exclusively by tribal candidates, except one Meitei OBC.

Meitei candidates and groups had alleged that these results had errors and had demanded a probe. Protests broke out on the weekend, following which chief secretary Vineet Joshi hurriedly flew to Delhi to prevent a potential law-and-order problem in a state already roiled by ethnic clashes that have claimed 219 lives since May 2023. A joint action committee of non tribals students  Meitei, Meitei Panggel, Nepali, Bengalis. had also met chief minister Biren Singh on Mondayand complained of the anomaly.

Admitting that an error had occurred during processing, the SSC withdrew the results on Monday night. While processing the result dated March 15, the data pertaining to one phase was inadvertently missed out. In view of the above, the result published on March 15 is treated as withdrawn. The revised result in respect of Manipur incorporating the complete data of the candidates will be published shortly, the commission said in a statement.

In the notification that released the fresh results on Thursday, the SSC said,  The final result declared on March 15 for the state of Manipur was withdrawn vide the Commissions Notice dated May 18. Based on a comprehensive review of the complete data, the discrepancy has been rectified and changes have been effected.

The results that SSC released on Thursday showed that 391 male candidates cleared the examination, which included six Schedule Caste (SC) candidates, 158 from Schedule Tribe (ST), 34 from Other Backward Classes (OBC) and 193 from Under Reserved (UR) category.

Of the 193 who had got the jobs in the UR category, there was one EWS candidate, 14 SC, 130 ST, 29 OBC and rest were general category candidates.

According to the withdrawn result that was released on Friday, 232 male candidates had cleared the examination 231 were from multiple tribes while one was a Meitei OBC. Of the 231 tribal candidates, almost 70% were Kukis. The SSC has said that because of the law-and-order situation in Manipur, the physical and medical tests of candidates belonging to the state were conducted in multiple phases and the results of one phase was inadvertently missed.
The Supreme Court should not entertain a bail plea directly just because the petitioner happens to be a political person or can afford to come straight to it, a special bench in the apex court said on Friday while declining to consider Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavithas bail petition in a money laundering case related to Delhis controversial 2021-22 excise policy. BRS leader K Kavitha being taken to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office after she was produced before the Rouse Avenue Court in connection with the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case in New Delhi on March 15.(PTI)

The bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna, MM Sundresh, and Bela M Trivedi emphasised that the trial court should be the first to hear any bail request, and asked Kavitha to seek her remedy from the first tier of judicial hierarchy.

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We are very clear that merely because someone is a political person or that he or she can come directly to the Supreme Court, we could bypass the procedure. We have to be uniform in our practice. Everyone has to go through the trial court first, the bench told senior counsel Kapil Sibal, who represented the BRS leader.

While Sibal commenced his arguments by seeking an urgent intervention of the court since several Opposition leaders were being arrested, the court said that it would have to follow the law.

Also Read | Sukesh Chandrashekhar's karma dig in letter to BRS leader K Kavitha

Please, dont make it a political platform...What you are asking us to do is not possible. You are asking us to directly entertain a petition under Article 32 [a writ directly before the top court] just because that person can come to the Supreme Court. It has to be uniform, it said.

Dismayed, Sibal remarked: When the history of this court will be written, this will not be in gold. The bench responded: Its okay, we will see. We have to act uniform.

The bench disposed of Kavithas bail plea even as it issued notice to the Centre and Enforcement Directorate (ED) on a challenge to certain provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) relating to the powers of the federal agency to issue summons and make arrests. A bunch of similar petitions are pending before the court.

Kavitha was arrested by ED on March 15 in Hyderabad and was later brought to Delhi. She was arrested after a day-long questioning followed by a raid at her residence. On March 16, Delhis Rouse Avenue Court sent Kavitha to custodial remand until March 23.

Kavitha, who is former Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Raos daughter, was 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. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was also arrested in the case on Thursday night.

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 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 replaced by the previous policy.

Kavitha has not been named as an accused in any of the six charge sheets ED has filed in the case since November 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. 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.

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.

She is under the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)s scanner as well. The agency is conducting a parallel corruption probe in the case and issued a summons to her last month, which she skipped, citing an exemption granted by the Supreme Court.

Kavitha has in the past maintained her innocence and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using ED to strong-arm the BRS.
The Supreme Court on Friday asked Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha to approach the trial court for bail in the money laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy. BRS leader K Kavitha, arrested by the ED in connection with the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case, being produced at the Rouse Avenue Court in New Delhi on March 16.(HT photo)

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna, MM Sundresh and Bela M Trivedi asked Kavitha to approach the trial court, saying it is a practice that this court is following and that cannot bypass the protocol, reported PTI.

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It, however, issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on her petition challenging provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act under which she was arrested on March 15.

The petition challenging the provisions will come up with the pending matters, the bench told senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Kavitha, according to PTI.

During the hearing, Sibal told the bench that people are being arrested on the basis of an approver's statement. The court, however, said it is not going into the merit of the case at the moment.

Case against K Kavitha



Kavitha, the daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, is currently in the agency's custody till March 23.

The ED claims that Kavitha conspired with top Aam Aadmi Party leaders, including the party supremo and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and former minister Manish Sisodia, to get favours in the Delhi liquor policy by paying 100 crore to the political party. Kavitha has refuted the allegations and has termed ED's actions against her as illegal.

Following her arrest, BRS leader and her brother KT Rama Rao lashed out at the BJP-led government at the Centre. In a post on X, he wrote, Abuse of power and institutional misuse to settle political scores is something that has become increasingly common with BJP govt in last 10 years

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.

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.

Kavitha was also earlier questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the case.
Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Friday launched a veiled attack on the BJP-led central government, accusing it of misusing the central investigative agencies to suppress the voice of the opposition ahead of the Lok Sabha Polls. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav(HT_PRINT)

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While reacting to the arrest of Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money-laundering case, Yadav questioned the credibility of probe agencies and institutions saying that an organisation which should work to ensure proper law and order in a democracy is working to please the ruling BJP.

The SP chief, however, without taking any name took a jibe at the previous governments (Congress-led UPA) of using these agencies as a tool to suppress the opposition parties. He said that everyone knows that whoever holds the power uses these agencies. He said that since the BJP is the ruling faction, it is using the agencies ten times more, while previously also, whoever was in power used these institutions.

Read here: 'PM Modi following footsteps of Putin': Punjab CM Mann on Kejriwal's arrest

"These are govt institutions, they'll do what the govt wants. This is the question that in a democracy, the institutions work as the instrument, and they're working as an instrument to please the BJP... Whoever holds the power uses these institutions. Previously also, whoever was in power used these institutions and now the BJP is doing it ten times more. What remains the credibility of these institutions?..." news agency ANI quoted Yadav as saying.

Interestingly, Akhilesh Yadav's SP is a part of the opposition's Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc formed to unitedly contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls against the ruling BJP-led NDA.

Read here: Kejriwal kingpin of Delhi liquor scam, money trail traced to Punjab, Goa elections: ED

In Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party and the Congress have decided on a seat-sharing arrangement, according to which the Congress will contest 17 seats and the Samajwadi Party will field its candidates on 63 seats. The SP has given the Bhadohi seat to its INDIA bloc partner Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Kejriwal who was arrested by the probe agency amid much chaos on Thursday night was produced before the magistrate in Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on Friday where the ED sought a 10-day custody of the AAP leader alleging that Kejriwal was the kingpin and the key conspirator of the Delhi liquor policy scam.

(With inputs from agencies)
New Delhi: The opposition leaders have condemned the arrest of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), saying that the Centre is deliberately targeting the opposition leaders ahead of the Lok Sabha elections and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of misusing government agencies for political ends. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on Thursday (File Photo)

The ED on Thursday night arrested Kejriwal after questioning him at his residence, and he was produced before the Rouse Avenue court on Friday afternoon. This is the most high-profile arrest in the ongoing case.

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Kejriwal has denied all such allegations and accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of playing dirty politics.

Expressing their support for Kejriwal, the opposition said that the probe agencys action is a desperate action of the ruling party to stop the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader from campaigning for the upcoming general elections.

The opposition INDIA bloc also said they will meet the Election Commission of India on the issue and will protest against the Delhi CMs arrest.

Also Read: Kejriwal kingpin of Delhi liquor scam, money trail traced to Punjab, Goa elections: ED

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressed strong objection to the deliberate targeting and arrests of opposition leaders, particularly during the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) period and decided to designate Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Derek OBrien and Md. Nadimul Haque to represent TMC in a crucial meeting with the election commission.

Banerjee in a post on X said, I vehemently condemn the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, the sitting elected Chief Minister of Delhi elected by the people. I have personally reached out to Smt Sunita Kejriwal to extend my unwavering support and solidarity.

Its outrageous that while elected opposition CMs are being deliberately targeted and arrested while individuals accused under CBI/ED investigations are allowed to continue their malpractices with impunity, especially after aligning with the BJP. This is a blatant assault on democracy, she added.

Derek OBrien in a statement to HT said, INDIA alliance has a lot of common grounds. We are going to address the issue and will appeal to ECI and SC to provide a level playing field.

At 4:30 today, all INDIA parties are going to EC over the subject that even when MCC is in place and the poll process has started, CMs are being arrested. The PM is behaving like a tinpot dictator, he added.

Congress leaders and former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot called the BJP-led government a dictatorship.

By freezing the bank accounts of Congress and arresting the Chief Minister of Delhi@ArvindKejriwalthe BJP, which is involved in the huge electoral bond scam, has made it clear that it will use all tactics to win the elections. This dictatorial tendency of BJP is bent on creating a system like China and Russia by strangulating elections based on democracy, Gehlot posted on X.

Also Read: Dedicated to country regardless of whether in jail or out: Kejriwal

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hit out at PM Modi saying that a scared dictator wants to create a dead democracy. A scared dictator wants to create a dead democracy. While capturing all the institutions including the media, breaking up the parties, extorting money from companies, freezing the account of the main opposition party was not enough for the devilish power, now the arrest of the elected Chief Ministers has also become a common thing. INDIA will give a befitting reply to this, he said in a post on X.

Nationalist Congress Party-Sharad faction leader Sharad Pawar condemned Kejriwals arrest saying indictive misuse of central agencies to target the opposition.Strongly condemn the vindictive misuse of central agencies to target the opposition, especially as general elections loom. This arrest showcases the depth to which BJP will stoop for power. INDIA stands united against this unconstitutional action against #ArvindKejriwal, he said in a post on X.

National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah condemned the arrest saying it was a blot on democracy. Aisi Taisi Democracy. For all the talk of 400+ seats, the ruling dispensation is displaying a remarkable degree of nervousness. Having a sitting opposition CM arrested by a pliable central agency within days of the general elections being announced is a blot on democracy, Abdullah said in a post on X.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav condemned the arrest saying that this arrest would give birth to a new peoples revolution.

Those who are themselves imprisoned in the fear of defeat. What will they do by imprisoning someone else? BJP knows that it will not come to power again, due to this fear, it wants to remove the opposition leaders from the public by any means at the time of elections, arrest is just an excuse. This arrest will give birth to a new peoples revolution, he said in a post on X.

Also Read: PM Modi following footsteps of Putin: Punjab CM Mann on Kejriwals arrest

Slamming his arrest, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Kovai Sathyan said that Kejriwals arrest has proved that there is a three-point agenda for the BJP.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan while condemning Kejriwals arrest said that it was done to silence opposition voices. The arrest of Delhi Chief Minister @ArvindKejriwal is outright vicious and part of a callous plot to silence all opposition voices just ahead of the general elections. This exposes the cowardice of those who fear democratic process and calls for collective action to resist abuse of power, he said.

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema said the arrest of Kejriwal in a serious case of corruption by the ED has exposed the real face of AAP.The party which came to power by painting the whole political system as corrupt has surpassed all records of corruption in a record time, Cheema said in a post.

The Enforcement Directorate produced Kejriwal in the Rouse Avenue court on Friday and told the court that he was the kingpin and the key conspirator of the Delhi liquor policy scam. The ED is expected to request for a 10-day custody.

Additional solicitor general SV Raju also told the court that Kejriwal is the main conspirator in the Delhi liquor policy and he was directly involved in the implementation of the liquor policy.
At the end of his first research trip to northern Uttar Pradesh, half the village came to see him off, says director and cinematographer Siddartha Jatla. I was there to learn more about a report that said local families were sending older members into the forest to be tiger prey so they could collect compensation from the government. I am from Hyderabad and dont speak Hindi very well, so I was very worried about how they would react to me, he says.

It turned out that the popularity of dubbed South Indian action films had paved the way. I think they became extremely fond of me, in fact, because of how I speak Hindi, he says with a smile.

The 40-year-old eventually spent about 16 months in this village that he doesnt want to name, and the result is his second film. In the Belly of a Tiger premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival last month. Through the story of a man who offers himself up to a hungry tiger in order to secure some money for his family (government compensation can go as high as 10 lakh), Jatla and co-writer Amanda Mooney dissect structures of community and capitalism.

In the time that I spent in the village, I never saw a tiger and you never see one in the film. That area has a lot of problems, including poverty, lack of education and alcoholism, but the animal isnt one of them, Jatla says.

The surreal overlap of the personal and the political is at the heart of the stories he tells. His debut film, Love and Shukla (2017), which premiered at the Busan International Film Festival, was about a newly married autorickshaw drivers struggles to connect with his wife, in an overcrowded home, his efforts hobbled by a society that has provided him with no map for how to navigate this stage of their lives.

There was a lot that I learnt from doing the rounds of festivals with Love and Shukla and I leveraged that when making my second film, Jatla says. I had produced the first myself. Then I realised that its very difficult for an Indian newcomer to get into the Big Five (the Venice, Cannes, Berlin, Toronto and Sundance film festivals) if they havent been a part of script labs, and arent backed by known producers or have famous technicians as part of the crew.

So In the Belly of a Tiger is a co-production backed by banners from India, the US, China, Indonesia and Taiwan. Its crew includes the Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty and the legendary Japanese composer Shigeru Umebayashi, whose work includes the music for Wong Kar-wais In the Mood for Love (2000).

After we finished the script, Amanda asked who Id want to do the music for the film. I had three names on my wishlist  AR Rahman, Hans Zimmer and Umebayashi. She wrote to all three and Umebayashi was one of the two who responded.

Jatlas only brief to the composer at their first meeting was that he didnt want any Indian instruments. As in any creative collaboration, there were disagreements, but that first meeting really set the tone. Its his magnanimity that every time I told him I didnt like a segment, he said, You are the director.

For the films cast, Jatla went another way. The main characters are all played by local theatre actors. The secondary and tertiary members are all real villagers. I was told that I should have at least one established actor in the film, but it just wouldnt have been right for this movie, he says.

Together, the cast attended four months of workshops, which included watching films from a range of genres. I showed them films by Jia Zhangke, a Chinese filmmaker who uses non-actors very effectively. We also watched Raam Reddys Thithi (2015) and Chaitanya Tamhanes Court (2014), which feature non-actors, and it really helped the villagers understand what I was looking for.

***

Jatla shot the film in rural Uttar Pradesh in 2022, during the pandemic. The villagers I worked with are such wonderful people, full of love and empathy, but their lives are brutal. I saw people I had developed relationships with, including my landlord in the village, succumb to the virus. It was devastating, he says.

As the films cinematographer, he juxtaposes the bleakness of this world with the intrinsic beauty of the region. No matter where I set the camera in that village, I always had a gorgeous frame, he says. This, coupled with his decision to clothe the cast in vivid colours, has earned some criticism. People are used to seeing a certain kind of Indian poverty on screen; the kind that we saw in Satyajit Rays films or more recently in Peepli Live (2010; a film about farmer suicides). While I have a lot of respect for Ray, I am a little tired of the stereotype, Jatla says. My actors had to be dressed in bright, happy colours. Thats how the villagers dress.

There is other brightness too. In the Belly of a Tiger is also a love story. In its final act, the film takes an odd but effective turn as it focuses on the couple at the heart of the story, stilling all other plot lines to follow them as they look back on their time together.

This, Jatla learnt from Kim Ki-duk, he says, referring to the South Korean filmmaker as the Dronacharya to his Eklavya. I discovered Ki-duk while in Busan on a student exchange programme. Watching his films gave me the confidence to not worry about a films budget, Jatla says. I made Love and Shukla on a budget of $10,000. And, in this film, Ive incorporated his storytelling style that takes the audience down an unexpected path midway through the film.

***

Born to Telugu filmmaker Jatla Venkataswamy Naidu and actress Jatla Meenakshi Naidu, Jatla grew up watching his parents struggle financially. I think of my father as a beautiful disaster, because he never brought money home, he says. Growing up, the boy loved movies nonetheless; particularly entertainers made by the likes of Chiranjeevi and Steven Spielberg. Later, he would come to appreciate the work of Andrei Tarkovsky, whom he discovered while studying at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).

Earnestness has never made a film more watchable to him though, Jatla says; an exceptional story has always been key.

When I was six, my dad took me to watch Salaam Bombay! (1988) at a film club. I cried so much, because I hated it, that he promised to take me to a Chiranjeevi film. Ive watched Titanic (1997) scores of times.

His next film will be a love story, he says. It will have a twist, and I am hoping to set the story in China, where I completed post-production on this film. I dont speak the language but if theres one thing Ive learnt after making this film in UP, it is that emotions are universal.
Shaheed Diwas 2024: Shaheed Diwas or Martyr's Day is celebrated in India on a lot of occasions to commemorate the sacrifices of the freedom fighters of the country who sacrificed their lives for the independence of the nation. The British ruled the country for two hundred years, inflicting terror, torture and trauma on the countrymen. Many people rose to the occasion and started joining the freedom movement to save Mother India from the chains of the British government and make the nation free. One of the Shaheed Diwas is observed on January 30  the day when the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse. In March, Shaheed Diwas is observed on March 23. (HT Photo)

In March, Shaheed Diwas is observed on March 23 to commemorate the fateful day when three freedom fighters - Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, and Sukhdev Thapar  were hanged by the British Government. As we gear up to observe Shaheed Diwas, here are a few things to keep in mind.

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ALSO READ: Martyrs' Day 2024: 10 inspirational quotes by Mahatma Gandhi to share on this day

Date:

Every year, Shaheed Diwas is observed on multiple dates throughout the year commemorating the sacrifices of the freedom fighters. In March, Shaheed Diwas is observed on March 23.

History:

Bhagat Singh, along with his companions, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar, became an inspiration for the youngsters of the country for their daring adventures. On Aoril 8, 1929, they threw bombs at the Central Legislative Assembly while shouting the slogan  Inquilab Zindabad. They were soon arrested and charged with murder. On March 23, 1931, Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, and Sukhdev Thapar were hanged.

Significance:

Shaheed Diwas is observed to celebrate the sacrifices of the freedom fighters and remind us of the martyrs who fought for the nation and helped us gain the independence that we enjoy today. Shaheed Diwas is a constant reminder that we should never take our freedom for granted, and should never forget the freedom fighters who, through their heroic acts, made the nation free.
AT&T paid $30,000 to HotWired.com in exchange for a banner ad for three months. The ad featured just two sentences: Have you ever clicked your mouse right HERE? YOU WILL.

Clicking on the ad took the user to a page that held three hyperlinks. The first read Have you ever toured an art museum without leaving your seat? Clicking that link took one on a virtual tour of some of the worlds greatest museums, including the Louvre and the US Library of Congress. (The other links took you to more information about AT&Ts products, and a feedback survey.)

During the three months that the ad was up, 44% of the people who visited the site clicked on it.

Advertisers took note, and flocked to the new medium. Initially, they would negotiate with websites directly, for a flat rate, much like AT&T did. But soon a new advertising model emerged. By 1995, the websites Netscape and Infoseek had shifted to a pricing model known as cost per thousand impressions (CPM; M being the Roman numeral for 1,000).

In 1997, the infamous popup ad was born. The first ad servers to measure the return on investment of online ads appeared. By February 1998, the search site GoTo.com was selling its top search results slots, by auctioning search terms  or keywords.

Later that year, Google launched its search engine.

Ethan Zuckerman, former director of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Center for Civic Media, and the inventor of the popup ad, has called advertising the internets original sin.

It became the default business model on the web, he wrote, in a 2014 essay in The Atlantic, because it was the easiest model for a web startup to implement, and the easiest to market to investors. Web startups could contract their revenue growth to an ad network and focus on building an audience. If revenues were insucient to cover the costs of providing the content or service, it didnt matterwhat mattered was audience growth, as a site with tens of millions of loyal users would surely nd a way to generate revenue.

***

If we look at the internet in those early years, it was characterised by a desire to make information available to everyone. Information wants to be free was the motto of the early internet.

The easiest way to keep the information free was to accept advertising. And for a while, this seemed to work. In the early Aughts, especially after the election of George W Bush and during the Iraq War (2003-11), the blogosphere bloomed. People  ordinary people, but people who felt deeply about the state of the world  started sharing their analyses of news and current events. Blogs with passionately argued positions, supported by facts and figures, found massive readerships. They would reference other blog posts, sometimes in agreement, sometime in opposition, and the reader would find themselves going through a maze of links, starting from a piece on the legal basis of the US invasion of Iraq and ending up with a detailed scientific analysis of Supermans superpowers.

Meanwhile, Google was learning to provide answers to our questions, even predict them, with an accuracy that seemed almost uncanny. The new social-media sites saw us connect with friends from school and college, rebuild old networks and find new ways to meet, talk and congregate.

Somewhere along the line, it all began to go off-track.

Today, we spend most of our time on social media, trapped in the infinite scroll invented, incidentally, by a man who now deeply regrets it: Aza Raskin. He was in his 20s at the time and, about a decade later, would co-found the non-profit Center for Humane Technology, with the stated aim of exposing the negative effects of persuasive technology and social media.

On Instagram, X and Facebook, our infinite streams are filled with content designed to maximize engagement. The best results are garnered by content that is negative, or inane, or both. A study published in Nature last year, conducted by researchers across four countries (the US, Germany, Switzerland and Sweden), found that topics that arouse emotions such as anger and fear get better engagement than more nuanced or neutral takes.

For social media, this engagement is critical. As users stay glued to their feeds, their private data is harvested across devices, in order to target them with a customised stream of ads.

Information wants to be free changed to If youre not the customer, youre the product.

***

In November 2022, this decline of the internet got a name, when internet activist Cory Doctorow coined the term enshittification. Heres how he describes the phenomenon: companies begin by needing millions of users, so they provide good services and benefits. Users attract other users, which brings in business customers; usually, advertisers.

Once the business customers are locked in, the company starts to put the squeeze on them, and all benefits now go to the tech companys shareholders.

Surpluses are first directed to users; then, once theyre locked in, surpluses go to suppliers; then once theyre locked in, the surplus is handed to shareholders and the platform becomes a useless pile of shit. From mobile app stores to Steam, from Facebook to Twitter, this is the enshittification lifecycle, he wrote in Wired last year.

And thats the state of the internet today. Googles almost magical ability to come up with the truest answer has all but disappeared, replaced by pages and pages of search-optimised dreck, now AI-generated dreck. The quirky sites dealing with individual obsessions, the passionate and detailed discussions on politics or books or movies, have all but disappeared (subreddits are possibly the last remnants of the old Net). Conspiracy theories, hate-mongering and rage-bait abound.

So what does the future hold? Maybe an ad-supported internet is not for everyone. Already, platforms such as YouTube offer ad-free experiences to paying subscribers. Most professional news organisations have moved at least some of their content behind firewalls. The old bloggers have moved on to Substacks subscription model or to direct-monetisation platforms such as Patreon.

Governments have taken note of the power these platforms wield, and may seek to control how they operate. In 2022, the EU passed the sweeping Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires online platforms to give users more choices and rivals more opportunities to compete. Earlier this month, the deadline for compliance passed. Violations can lead to fines of up to 10% of a companys global revenue, and up to 20% for repeat offences. (Apple has already been fined 1.8 million Euro for thwarting competition among music-streaming rivals, and is appealing the ruling.)

Similar action has been unfolding in the US since 2020, with the government filing suits against Meta, Alphabet and Amazon. There is talk of action against Apple too. It remains to be seen how successful such action will be, in altering how these companies conduct business, tackle competition, and leverage revenue streams.

Because even the original slogan of the internet, Information wants to be free, was part of a far more nuanced idea.

Counter-culturist Stewart Brands original quote, from the first Hackers Conference in 1984, was: Information wants to be free. Information also wants to be expensive. Information wants to be free because it has become too cheap to meter. It wants to be expensive because it can be immeasurably valuable to the recipient. That tension will not go away. It leads to endless wrenching debate (and) each round of new devices makes the tension worse, not better.
Holi, the festival of colours, is just around the corner and we can't wait to celebrate this vibrant festival with family and friends. One of the biggest festivals in India after Diwali, it is celebrated with great fanfare by Hindus around the world. Two days are devoted to the festivities, with Dhulandi or Rangwali Holi coming after Choti Holi or Holika Dahan. It marks the victory of good over evil. It takes place in the Hindu month of Phalgun, which falls between February and March. People celebrate the day with balloons, flowers, water and colours. Adults and children apply gulal to each other and ask their elders for blessings. From history to significance, scroll down to know more. (Also read: Widow's Holi at Vrindavan 2024: Date, history, significance and everything you need to know ) Holi 2024: When is Holi? Find out all you need to know about the festivals of colours inside.(Pexels)

Holi 2024 Date: When is Holi and its shubh muhurat?

This year, Holi falls on Monday, March 25, and Holika Dahan falls on March 24. According to Drik Panchang, the auspicious timings are as follows:

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Purnima Tithi Begins - 09:54 AM on March 24, 2024

Purnima Tithi Ends - 12:29 PM on March 25, 2024

Holi 2024 History and Significance

Holi is a festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil and the heavenly love shared by Lord Krishna and Radha. It is also celebrated as a harvest festival to honour the arrival of spring and the end of winter. According to Hindu mythology, Radha was extremely fair and Lord Krishna had a dark complexion. Because of their different skin tones, Krishna often worried about whether Radha would accept him and complained to his mother Yashoda. Yashoda once jokingly suggested that Krishna paint Radha's face a different colour to hide any differences. Krishna did as his mother advised and used gulal to smear Radha's face. And that's how the celebration of Holi began.

Another legend associated with Holi tells the story of King Hiranyakashipu, his son Prahalad, who was a follower of Lord Vishnu, and his aunt Holika, the demon. According to Indian mythology, Hiranyakashipu was given a boon that prevented both humans and animals from killing him. So he made them worship him. But Hiranyakashipu asked his sister Holika to have his son killed by sitting on a funeral pyre and covering himself with a garment to protect himself from the flames after the boy became a follower of Lord Vishnu and refused to worship him. But to protect him, Prahlad prayed to Lord Vishnu, who responded by sending a gust of wind that carried the cloth from Holika to him. Holika Dahan is therefore celebrated the day before Holi to commemorate the triumph of good over evil.

Holi 2024 Celebrations:

The Braj regions, which include Mathura, Vrindavan, Gowardhan, Gokul, Nandagaon and Barsana, are associated with Lord Krishna and are the sites of a grand celebration of the festival of Holi. World famous Holi celebrations include Phoolwali Holi in Vrindavan and Lathmar Holi, a customary Holi celebration in Barsana. The festival is observed over two days, namely Rangwali Holi, also known as Dhulandi, and Chhoti Holi, also known as Holika Dahan. On Holika Dahan, people light bonfires to symbolise the triumph of good over evil. They get up early the next day to play with colours or gulal. Children play with their friends by putting water in balloons and toy guns. Sweets and thandai made especially for the festival are also enjoyed by the public.
St. Helena, a small, craggy island in the South Atlantic Ocean, hasn't seen many tourists in the past for good reason: It's one of the most remote inhabited places in the world. Tourists take photos of Jonathan, a 192-year-old tortoise, on the lawn of Plantation House on the South Atlantic island of St. Helena. St. Helena tourism guide: History, food, how to reach, where to stay at the remote island in South Atlantic (AP Photo/Nicole Evatt)

Until 2017, it took five nights by boat to reach the British overseas territory, which is nearly halfway between southern Africa and Brazil. Today, with weekly commercial flights and the recent arrival of high-speed internet, the government is hoping to breathe new life into a fledgling tourism industry that welcomed about 2,100 leisure travellers in 2023.

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The island has just a little more than 4,000 residents, or Saints as they call themselves, and is likely to attract a certain kind of visitor.

Its people with a real desire to travel and learn rather than, lets go somewhere to have a bit of sunshine and some nice food, says Emma Phillips, whose husband, Nigel, is St. Helena's governor.

After all, weather can be unpredictable and supplies occasionally run low when youre 1,200 miles from the nearest continent.

Youve got to be prepared to embrace all of that, Phillips says, while extolling the islands welcoming locals, rich history and natural wonders. Come with an open mind.

HISTORY: NAPOLEON, GEORGIAN ARCHITECTURE

Perhaps best known as the site of Napoleon Bonapartes exile from 1815 until his death in 1821, St. Helena features multiple heritage sites honoring the deposed French emperor. Visitors can tour his homes and his original burial grounds. His remains were returned to France in 1840.

The capital city, Jamestown, is an eclectic mix of new and old. British Georgian-era colonial buildings house small retail and grocery stores. There are a couple DVD rental shops  remnants of the islands pre-high-speed internet days.

For a workout with a view, climb the 699 steps of Jacobs Ladder on the edge of town. The 600-foot-high outdoor staircase was originally a donkey-powered cart track used to transport goods between the city and fortifications on the cliffs above.

Plantation House, 2 miles south of the capital, is a grand Georgian mansion built in 1792 by the British East India Company, which administered St. Helena until 1834. Now the official governors residence, the house features a collection of royal portraits and original furnishings, including antique china and a chandelier from Bonapartes final home.

NATURE: WHALE SHARKS, A LEGENDARY TORTOISE

Plantation Houses well-manicured yard is home to one of the islands most famous residents, a venerable tortoise named Jonathan. At the approximate age of 192, Jonathan holds the Guinness World Record for the oldest living land animal. He has met several royals, including Queen Elizabeth II, who visited St. Helena in 1947, and Prince Edward, who made the trip in January.

Jonathan is an enigmatic tortoise, says Teeny Lucy, one of his caretakers for over a decade. If you come to St. Helena, people usually know two things: Jonathan the tortoise and Napoleon Bonaparte. Shes not sure who is the bigger celebrity.

Jonathan has lost his sight and sense of smell, but remains a major draw for tourists like Gilly Hill, who travelled from the UK to snap selfies with him.

I just think hes the most amazing creature, she said.

Other bucket-list activities include swimming with Chilean devil rays or whale sharks, which are often spotted December through March. Theres also humpback whale watching from June to December. Come in January to catch peak nesting season for the wirebird, also known as the St. Helena plover, which can only be found on St. Helena.

FOR OUTDOORS LOVERS: BIODIVERSITY, SCENERY

Roughly one-third of all endemic biodiversity in U.K. territories can be found within the 47-square-mile island. More than 500 species are not seen anywhere else on earth, including 45 flowering plants and ferns.

Microclimates that range from cool tropical forests to sunny rolling grasslands and windswept volcanic cliffs can all be experienced within an hours drive.

With two dozen scenic trails, St. Helena can satisfy even the most avid hikers wanderlust. Serious trekkers might opt for the highest point, Dianas Peak. The 2.3-mile hike takes you 2,690 feet above sea level and into Britains last remaining natural cloud forest.

Casual hikers can stroll along Blue Point Trail for spectacular views of Sandy Bay, Sperry Island and Castle Rock. For a moderate challenge, try the shaded hike to St. Helenas famed Heart Shaped Waterfall, which only flows in winter and early spring. Be sure to catch the best views of the falls from the main road out of Jamestown.

FOR FOODIES: RARE COFFEE, COLOURFUL CAKES

Perched at 1,700 feet on one of the lushest and most remote parts of the island lies a historic estate with sweeping cloud-forest views and a really good cup of joe.

Wranghams is a small coffee farm with tours and home stays, run by Neil and Debbie Fantom.

Coffee connoisseurs seek out St. Helenas beans, often touted as one of the rarest and most expensive varieties in the world due to their export costs and single-origin status. It sells online for $150 per half pound. Extreme isolation has ensured that the coffee plants, which were imported from Yemen in the 18th century, have never been cross-fertilized.

Is it the best in the world? I couldnt tell you. Is it coffee that we enjoy producing and drinking? One hundred percent, Neil says. Weve got the perfect climate for it, and we do it ourselves.

With love, adds Debbie.

Other local culinary delights include plo, a cross between curry and Spanish paella, fresh fishcakes, and sponge cakes with bright pink icing known as coconut fingers.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Money: St. Helena has no ATMs, credit cards are not widely accepted, and the local bank has limited hours. Be sure to bring British pounds (GBP) to cover your stay and the 20 pounds entry fee (about $25). Another option is St. Helena Banks prepaid Tourist Card app, which can be loaded with debit cards online and is accepted throughout the island.

Connectivity: Download essentials like the Tourist Card app and offline Google maps before you arrive, as Wi-Fi and mobile data is limited and expensive.

Getting There: Airlink flies once weekly from Johannesburg. A mid-week flight is often added during the busier summer season, December to March. Youll need proof of medical insurance covering at least 175,000 pounds (about $223,000) to board the plane.

Where to Stay: Accommodations range from simple home stays to boutique hotels. The higher-end Mantis St. Helena has 30 rooms and complimentary, reliable internet.

Getting Around: St. Helenas narrow roads and blind curves are not for the faint of heart. If youre comfortable driving stick shift on the left side of the road, rental cars are available. Otherwise, taxis are your best option for island adventuring.
Coastal rain and mountain snow is expected across Northern California on Friday evening. Up to an inch of rain is possible at the coast, with 1-3 feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada through Sunday. Baron/Lynx

Wet weather is set to return to Northern California on Friday, with rain and snow showers likely to stick around through the weekend.

A cold front is expected to swing across the northern half of the state Friday. Cold fronts are boundaries between warm and cold air masses, marked by a shift in wind direction, showers and sometimes thunderstorms. Moderate rain and mountain snow showers are expected along this cold frontal boundary Friday, with an unsettled air mass in its wake Saturday capable of popping thunderstorms.

Live storm map: See where rain is hitting California and Bay Area

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Temperatures will take a dive, and it will feel chilly, especially compared to the recent warmth. Saturdays highs in the valleys could be as much as 20 degrees lower than earlier this week. Highs will be in the lower to upper 60s Friday, upper 50s to lower 60s Saturday, and lower to mid-60s Sunday. Lows will be in the 40s to lower 50s each night.

Friday rain

While Fridays rain is not expected to cause any flooding, it will be the wettest day in more than two weeks for most Bay Area cities.

Showers are expected to begin midmorning in Santa Rosa and spread southeastward as the day progresses. A few light showers are possible in San Francisco and Oakland in the early afternoon, but steady moderate rain should hold off until after 3 p.m. San Jose and Livermore will be at the expense of the rain shadow but should pick up some light showers in the evening.

Weather models predict moderate rain showers around the Bay Area on Friday evening associated with a cold front. Baron/Lynx

Rain is expected to continue for several hours before tapering off late Friday evening. The initial cold frontal precipitation is expected to add up to around a half-inch of rain in the North Bay, a third of an inch in San Francisco and Oakland, and a quarter-inch or less in the interior East Bay and South Bay.

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Mountain snow

Temperatures will start out well above freezing in the Sierra Nevada on Friday morning, but as the cold front passes in the evening, temperatures are expected to drop and rain will gradually switch to snow. The snow line is expected to be around 7,000 feet Friday afternoon but then drop to around 4,000 feet by Saturday morning.

Moderate to heavy snow will begin late Friday evening and continue overnight along Interstate 80 over Donner Summit and Highway 50 over Echo Summit. Snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour are possible overnight. Gusts up to 45 mph are also possible along the roadways.

Moderate to locally major winter weather impacts are expected in the Sierra Nevada from the weekend storm. Baron/Lynx

Skiers heading up to the mountains Saturday will likely encounter snow-covered roads and continued scattered snow showers through the day. A winter storm warning is in effect for the west slope of the Sierra Nevada from 6 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Sunday. Through Saturday evening, up to 2 feet of snow is possible along Donner and Echo summits, with up to 3 feet at the highest peaks.

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A separate winter weather advisory is in effect for the Lake Tahoe Basin from 2 p.m. Friday to 11 a.m. Saturday. In South Lake Tahoe and Tahoe City, 3-8 inches of snow is predicted. Scattered snow showers could continue around the Tahoe Basin on Sunday, but additional accumulations will be light.

Saturday thunderstorms

After steady rain moves out of the Bay Area on Friday night, the atmosphere is expected to become increasingly unstable Saturday. Sunshine should prevail between passing showers, heating the ground and charging the atmosphere with energy for increasing chances of thunderstorms in the afternoon.

A general risk of thunderstorms is forecast across Northern and Central California on Saturday. Brief downpours, occasional cloud-to-ground lightning, small hail and erratic wind gusts are possible with thunderstorms. Baron/Lynx

The Storm Prediction Center forecasts a general risk of thunderstorms throughout Northern California on Saturday. Thunderstorms could include brief downpours, small hail, occasional cloud-to-ground lightning and erratic wind gusts up to 40 mph. While thunderstorms are likely in parts of Northern California, the overall chance is low at any one point due to the hit-or-miss nature of the showers.

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Thunderstorms are currently not expected to be severe, but hailstones up to a half-inch in diameter are possible in the Sacramento Valley. A few showers may linger Sunday, but dry weather should prevail by the evening hours into Monday.
The Pakistani establishment was ecstatic at the Taliban victory in Afghanistan in August 2021. Having backed them for over 25 years, they expected a friendly, if not pliable, regime in Kabul. Prime Minister Imran Khan credited them with having broken the shackles of slavery. Subsequent events have belied the euphoria.

Following the killing of seven army personnel in North Waziristan in a terror attack mounted by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from Afghan soil, Pakistan announced on March 18 that it had carried out intelligence-based anti-terrorist operations in the border regions of Afghanistan against a terror group aligned with TTP. The armed forces public relations wing accused the Taliban regime of not only arming terrorists but also providing safe haven to those committing terrorism in Pakistan. The Taliban confirmed the killing of eight women and children in two Pakistani airstrikes in the Paktika and Khost provinces. Strongly condemning the attacks as a violation of Afghanistans territory, they warned Pakistan of dire consequences. Subsequently, the Taliban defence ministry said that its forces had targeted bases of the Pakistan army across the artificial Durand Line with heavy weapons in retaliation. The Pakistani media reported some casualties on their side.

Barring the Pakistani strategists blinded by their India obsession and the urge for strategic depth in Afghanistan, few will be surprised by the turn of events. The Pakistani establishment has brought it upon itself. After all, the Taliban leadership is the product of madrassas in Pakistan and came to rule large parts of Afghanistan for the first time in the late 1990s with Pakistans help. Even as Pakistan collaborated under duress with the United States (US))-led North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces to oust them from power post 9/11, it provided them sanctuary on its soil and once again helped them to secure their August 2021 victory. Pakistans hope of a friendly regime in Kabul was grossly misplaced. Its quest for strategic depth in Afghanistan over the years has alienated the Afghans. Moreover, they are a fiercely independent people and no government in Kabul will play second fiddle to Pakistan.

The ongoing tension between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban centres on three issues.

First, much to Pakistans chagrin, the Taliban government has repeatedly questioned the Durand Line as the border between the two countries. There have been instances of Afghan forces damaging the fence erected by Pakistan along it. Mullah Omar, head of the first Taliban government, is reported to have finessed Pakistans request for its recognition by invoking fraternal ties between the people on both sides.

Second, terrorism in Pakistan has spiked sharply since the Taliban takeover in Kabul. Pakistan alleges that 5,000-6,000 TTP militants are sheltered in Afghanistan and the Taliban have failed to keep them subdued despite specific intelligence inputs. It has also alleged that TTP is getting money from India through Afghan proxies. The Taliban have been flatly denying the presence of TTP cadres in Afghanistan and counselling Pakistan to resolve its problems with them through dialogue. They facilitated behind-the-scenes talks between the two sides during Imran Khans prime ministership. However, the dialogue approach was discredited in Pakistan as it facilitated the return of several TTP militants to its tribal belt and a further spike in terror incidents. Pakistan blames certain elements within the Taliban for fomenting trouble, thus hinting that it is not friendless among them. However, its friends have failed to render any meaningful help so far. The following factors rule out serious action by the Taliban against TTP: One, their ideological affinity and the fact that TTP fought alongside them against the US-NATO forces; and two, the apprehension that strong action against it could push its cadres towards their nemesis, the Islamic State-Khorasan Province.

Frustrated with the Taliban response, Pakistan took some punitive measures towards the end of 2023. It imposed restrictions on Afghan transit trade through its territory  a move strongly opposed by its beneficiaries on both sides. It threatens to introduce visas for Afghans to enter its territory. This too is resented by both sides, especially by the Afghans who reject the Durand Line. Finally, Pakistan expelled around half a million Afghans living illegally on its soil without due process and compensation for their properties and belongings. This move invited strong condemnation by top Taliban functionaries.

This is not the first military action by Pakistan in Afghanistan. It has carried out targeted killings of TTP leaders and mounted airstrikes at least once earlier: In April 2022, it killed over 40 persons. There has been periodic exchange of fire between the forces of the two countries. However, both sides have their limitations. Transit trade through Pakistan is vital for Afghanistan. So is access for Afghan citizens to Pakistan for trade, medical treatment and visiting relations. Pakistan also realises that military means alone cannot resolve its problems with the Taliban. After all, they survived the military might of the US. Pushed into a corner, they could ramp up terror in Pakistan.

Moreover, as Pakistan gets into deeper trouble with the Taliban, they are being courted by major regional countries. Pakistans iron brother China recently signalled its intent to engage the Taliban more substantively when President Xi Jinping received the credentials of the Afghan ambassador. Therefore, while an all-out escalation is unlikely, the Pak-Afghan relationship will remain fraught. However, the situation could worsen if an increasingly frustrated Pakistan does what it has done repeatedly in the past  try to destabilise another government in Kabul that refuses to comply with its diktats. Besides intensifying Pakistans security challenge, it will also add to regional instability.

Sharat Sabharwal is a former high commissioner to Pakistan and author of Indias Pakistan Conundrum: Managing a Complex Relationship. The views expressed are personal
Earlier this week, Microsoft Corp. named artificial intelligence pioneer Mustafa Suleyman chief of its consumer AI business and hired most of the staff from his Inflection AI startup. A day before, Bloomberg reported that Alphabet Inc.s Google was in talks to license its Gemini AI engine to Apple Inc. HT Image

The moves suggest that despite pouring billions of dollars into partnerships, investments and product development, Microsoft and Google are struggling to figure out how to capitalize on generative artificial intelligence. Neither company is moving fast enough to field consumer products that generate revenue and grab market share, and, despite their size and power, they remain vulnerable to being disrupted. Even as engineers labor to perfect the large language models undergirding the technology, the companies are forming alliances and scouring the world for talent and promising startups.

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Forging a leading position in generative AI requires each of the tech giants to assemble various ingredientscomputing power, top-of-the-line AI models, trustworthy and easy-to-use products and ways of getting them to people. None of the tech giants has all of the ingredients. Google, once the pioneer in large language models, keeps releasing products with worrying errors and biases. Microsoft got a head start with exclusive access to many of OpenAIs ground-breaking models, but has never been skilled at building exciting consumer products besides video games. Apple is years behind in AI and planning to announce a comeback strategy in June, but it does have the iPhone and app store.

Even large tech companies and cloud providers, with their vast resources, cannot innovate the entire generative AI ecosystem single handedly, said Ido Caspi, a research analyst at Global X ETFs. Companies must constantly be on the lookout for the best talent and technology to fill gaps in their portfolios.

Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella isnt satisfied with his teams efforts to create consumer products, according to two people familiar with his thinking. Over the past year, the company has baked AI into the Bing search engine, Windows, Office and other productscreating various digital assistants under the new Copilot brand. Yet the new Bing has made few gains against search market leader Google, and the other products are works in progress. Though OpenAI has given Microsoft a first mover advantage, the startup is focused on the underlying technology not developing products for the software giant.

Thats why Nadella recruited Suleyman to be executive vice president and CEO of Microsoft AI, along with Inflection AI co-founder Karen Simonyan, who will become chief scientist of the new unit. Nadella wanted someone to unify and oversee product development and believes he found that person in Suleyman, with whom he bonded during conversations about how AI could be tailored to individual users.

Really all were trying to do is craft a true end-to-end product experience, so the user feels that there is a seamless, fluid, human-like conversational interaction, Suleyman said in an interview Monday. He likened the work to sculpting and said that art requires you to know the real sweet spot of when a piece of technology is ready and how to dress the experience so that it has an essence and a character which is familiar and accessible and trusted.

Nadella also knows that because AI will completely transform the industry, even Microsofts flagship products arent immune to disruptionwhether by a peer like Google or a startup that hasnt even been invented yet. These businesses are big and theyre all going to get re-litigated, right? Nadella said in an interview. So even the incumbents cant take it for granted.

Nadellas faith in Suleyman isnt universally shared. During his time at Googles DeepMind, Suleyman wasnt focused on consumer products. At Inflection AI, he oversaw the development of a chatbot called Pi that was designed to interact with users in a more human and supportive fashion. But despite attracting a million active daily users, the startup never found a business case. Suleyman was also accused of treating DeepMind employees poorly. He has acknowledged making mistakes and says he learned from the experience. Still, its unclear how well hell mesh with Microsofts existing team.

The proposed partnership between Google and Apple is still being worked out so there are few details of how exactly it would work. But assuming the deal comes to fruition, it could help each company with their AI efforts.

Since early last year, Apple has been testing its own large language model codenamed Ajax, according to people familiar with the situation. Some employees also have been trying out a basic chatbot dubbed Apple GPT. But Apples technology remains inferior to tools from Google and other rivals, according to the people, making a partnership look like the better option. Apple could ultimately team up with another company, including OpenAI, or several.

Google has raced to weave AI into its products, but the company has been dogged by concerns that its been too slow to capitalize on the shift in the market and has been playing catch up to Microsoft. Last month, the company pulled an image generator amid a flurry of criticism over inaccurate historical depictions of race. A deal with Apple would be Googles highest-profile partnership for Gemini to date and could be a major boon for the companys AI efforts. Apple has more than 2 billion devices in active use that could potentially become home to Google Gemini later this year.

Pushing Googles AI tools to as many devices as possible could help make them the ones users turn to reflexively, as they do with the companys search engine, creating a virtuous cycle whereby the programs become sharper and sharper with additional user data. Earlier this year, Google struck a deal with Samsung Electronics Co. to incorporate its Gemini technology into the South Korean companys phones, offering a glimpse of how Google could leverage its relationships with Android device manufacturers in the age of generative AI.

Industry observers expect tech companies to continue collaborating and investing in startups to augment their services and avoid being disrupted. They need each other, especially in a space like AI which requires engineering expertise and lots of computing power, said Dan Wang, a Columbia Business School professor who teaches innovation and entrepreneurship. Its a sensible way for the large tech companies to spread out the risk. No one, he added, has really found a killer application just yet that people are willing to pay for.

With assistance from Mark Bergen, Mark Gurman and Julia Love.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
A burglar, who disguised himself as an Amazon worker, has robbed people of $35,000 (approximately 29 lakh) during a robbery spree in New York City that has been going on for months now. He has reportedly been linked to at least nine apartment break-ins in Sunnyside, Astoria, and Long Island City. The cat burglar who has been linked to nine apartment break-ins in New York City. (Screengrab)

According to a report by the New York Post, the burglar has taken cash and valuables with him, including cash saved for a 12-year-old girl.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The CCTV footage released by the police department shows the burglar wearing an Amazon vest and entering through a front door.

Watch the video here:

Estrla Islas, one of the victims who also happens to be a single mother, told Fox 5 New York that the burglar broke into her apartment in Sunnyside through a bathroom window and took almost $9,000, which she saved for her daughter.

He took almost like $9,000. $9,000 in cash, Islas told Fox 5 New York.

The burglar began his robbery spree in January this year, with the most recent incident occurring on March 5. The cat burglar is still on the loose, and the New York Police Department is actively searching for the perpetrator, reported the New York Post.

According to the Fox News Digital, Amazon is investigating the matter.

Earlier, two Indian-origin men, Rambhai Patel, 36, and Balwinder Singh, 39, were apprehended by Massachusetts prosecutors for allegedly orchestrating a series of armed robberies at convenience stores and fast food chains. They carried out robberies to assist the purported "victims" in applying for special immigration visas. The charges brought against Patel and Singh include one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud.

The duo executed a total of eight fake robberies, wherein one individual would simulate a robbery, brandishing a gun to intimidate store clerks into surrendering cash. Following each incident, the clerks would delay contacting the authorities for at least five minutes after the perpetrators had fled the scene.

Patel would receive payment from each supposed "victim" for his role and compensate the store owners for using their premises to stage robberies. This helped the store clerks apply for a special "U visa", allowing them to remain in the United States for up to four years, during which they would assist in prosecuting criminals.
Japans ambassador to India Hiroshi Suzuki recently visited Film City in Mumbai with his wife Eiko Suzuki. He even shared a few glimpses from his visit to the city on X. Expectedly, the photos and videos shared by him gained significant attention online. Japan ambassador to India Hiroshi Suzuki (centre) sitting in bum chairs used in Aamir Khan's hit film with his wife Eiko Suzuki (left). (X/@HiroSuzukiAmbJP)

Fully enjoyed Film City in Mumbai, wrote Suzuki while sharing a few pictures and a video on X.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

In one of the videos shared on X, Suzuki can be seen dancing to the song Pink Blue x Saude Baazi with his wife. One of the pictures shows the couple posing for the camera on the same bike that was used in the film Golmaal.

Take a look at the post shared by the ambassador on X here:

He shared another post two minutes later, which he captioned, Felt like Aamir Khan! The post shows Suzuki, his wife and another individual sitting in the iconic bum chairs used in Aamir Khans romance comedy 3 Idiots.

Hiroshi Suzuki with his wife Eiko Suzuki in Mumbai Film City. (X/@HiroSuzukiAmbJP)

The posts, since being shared on X, have been viewed numerous times. Additionally, the post has received numerous likes and a plethora of comments from people.

Check out a few of them here:

So from now on, we can expect you in Bollywood movies, wrote an individual.

Another added, You are full of life, sir.

Welcome to Mumbai, expressed a third.

A fourth chimed in, You are a rock star.

My favourite song, posted a fifth, referencing to the video of the ambassador and his wife dancing inside the Film City in Mumbai.

A sixth joined, Great. Love to see you.

Now, that is couple goals, shared a seventh.

What are your thoughts on these posts shared by the ambassador on X?
Elena Larrea, an Instagram influencer and animal rights activist, tragically passed away from a blood clot following a liposuction treatment. Larrea, 30, underwent surgery just a few days prior and died on Tuesday, March 19, from a pulmonary thrombosis. Larrea's family confirmed the news on social media, as per reports. Elena Larrea passed away on March 19. (Instagram/@Cuacolandia)

The statement published by her animal shelter read, "With deep sorrow, we inform you of the departure of Elena Larrea, president and founder of Cuacolandia, who, unfortunately, yesterday, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 3:30 pm, died due to a pulmonary thrombosis that caused a clot in the lung." (Also Read: Beauty influencer Jessica Pettway misdiagnosed with fibroids, dies at the age of 36 from cervical cancer)

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Take a look at the post here:

According to The Sun, the specific origin of the blood clot is still unknown; it is said that she died after having liposuction. The influencer established the Cuacolandia horse sanctuary seven years ago and was well-known for her animal advocacy. Her mission was to rescue mistreated or abandoned horses, donkeys, mules, and other animals.

Elena helped to change her state's legislature to declare bestiality a criminal offence. To prevent her sanctuary in Atlixco, near Mexico City, from going bankrupt, she even signed up for OnlyFans. She said at the time that she had resorted to the adult platform to prevent the sanctuary from closing as she was having financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, reported The Sun.

In a touching ode to the late activist, state governor Sergio Salomon praised the tremendous impact of her work. He said, "I deeply regret the death of Elena Larrea, a tireless fighter for the defence of animal welfare. Her rescue of thousands of abused horses is testimony to her life and work." (Also Read: Its truly our time as Indian women to be able to do that: Diipa Buller-Khosla)

He further added, "On behalf of the Puebla Government, we would like to express our solidarity to her family and friends. With the Ministry of the Environment, we can guarantee the protection of the animals at Cuacolandia. We will provide all the necessary help so other horses are cared for by the authorities as well as those already rescued, prioritising their wellbeing at all times. We will follow your example. Rest in peace, Elena."
The local train system is an integral part of Mumbai's transport network. Thousands of people use it every day, but there are also many challenges that people face. Recently, X user Venkat took to a microblogging platform to complain about the difficulties he encountered while booking an online ticket for a local train. After he posted his tweet, it quickly gained attention and received mixed reactions from people. Snapshot of the Unreserved Ticketing System app. (X/@Venkat)

"My long-distance train arrived, and there is a local train ready to depart from the adjacent platform. I couldn't board that because I had to go out to scan the QR code as this app didn't allow me to book the ticket. This is what happens when the babus sitting in the AC rooms don't want to know how things work," wrote Venkat in his tweet. (Also Read: Piyush Goyal takes Mumbai local day after getting Lok Sabha ticket. Watch)

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He also posted a snapshot of the UTS (Unreserved Ticketing System) app, which showed his struggle with booking the ticket.

Take a look at the tweet here:

This post was shared on March 19. Since being posted, it has garnered close to three lakh views. The post also has more than 1,400 likes and numerous comments. Many people took to the comments section of the post to share their reactions. (Also Read: Billionaire businessman travels in local train to beat Mumbai traffic. Video)

Here's how people reacted:

An individual wrote, "Faced with the same issue four or five years ago, I can't believe they don't want to rewrite this piece of code."

A second added, "The distance feature is there to prevent misuse. Else, many ticketless travellers, upon seeing an approaching TC, would take out mobiles and immediately book tickets, even after boarding a train."

"True. I, too, face these same situations. Useless app!" posted a third.

A fourth commented, "I don't know why UTS considers GPS as a factor to let to buy a ticket. Even so, it can't determine the correct location. UTS needs modification."

"There is a geo-tagging, which doesn't allow one to book tickets at stations. Many stations had QR codes at platforms & FOBs, where one could scan and take a ticket, but even many of them were missing. Hence, the only choice is to go to the ticket counter and buy one," shared a fifth.
British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis, is all set to wrap up his tenure in India. As the UK envoy is bidding farewell, he shared a heartwarming video on X, showcasing his wonderful time in the country. Ellis reminisced about his favourite moments and shared his favourite movies, among other things. Snapshot of Alex Ellis talking about his time in India. (X/@UKinIndia)

As the official X handle of the UK in India posted the clip, in the caption of the post, they wrote, "Alex Ellis, naam toh suna he hoga? (You must have heard the name). The High Commissioner's digital diplomacy game has kept us entertained (and quite busy) over the past three years. As he wraps up his tenure in India, watch him relive some of his favourites?"

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

In the video, he shares how it was a "great honour" for him to meet former President Ram Nath Kovind. Then he talks about Chupke Chupke and Sholay and says they are some of his favourite movies. He further mentions Kishore Kumar and even sings Pal-Pal Dil Ke Paas. (Also Read: British high commissioner Alex Ellis shares his oops moment during UK PM Sunak's visit to India)

As the clip goes on, he also shares about the time he met Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar. At the end of the clip, he talks about some of his favourite foods and also recounts when he tore his trousers just before meeting the UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Watch the video shared by the UK in India here:

This post was shared on March 20. Since being posted, it has gained more than 32,000 views. The post also has close to 200 likes and numerous comments. Many people flocked to the comments section of the post to share their reactions. (Also Read: Alex Ellis shares this video after his Sholay-chole tweet goes viral)

How did X users react to the post?

An individual wrote, "Congratulations on your remarkable leadership in India, @AlexWEllis! Your efforts in strengthening the UK-India friendship have been truly commendable. It was a pleasure to have met you and share wonderful experiences exploring the heritage and culture of Gujarat together. Wishing you all the best for your future endeavours! Looking forward to meeting you again in India or in the UK!"

A second added, "I wish you all the best in your future undertakings."

"Fantastic job by Alex in India," posted a third.
Chiltern Railways employee Rehana Khawaja, 45, has shown her dedication to her workplace by changing her name. Yes, you read that right. Khawaja, who has worked at the London Marylebone station for 20 years, changed her middle name from Ismat to Marylebone, as per reports. Chiltern Railways employee Rehana Khawaja changed her name to a station. (Unspalsh)

Throughout her 20-year tenure with Chiltern Railways, Khawaja has frequently been based in Marylebone. She has held a number of positions, including station manager and train dispatcher.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

As the manager of security and safety for the operator, she presently works throughout the network, but she makes frequent trips back to Marylebone, reported the Boreham Wood Times.

She told the news outlet, "The station itself is not big, but it's got a soul. The more I explored it over my time here, the more I was falling in love with it. It really does feel like a home away from home to me. We know that things go wrong sometimes, and people can get delayed. But everybody there works so hard with a smile on their face." (Also Read: Outgoing UK envoy Alex Ellis reminisces his time in India, talks about Kishore Kumar and 'Sholay')

She further added, "It's got a personal touch. It's warm and welcoming. Not every London station is like that. I love the building, I love the people, and I love the history of the station. When I got to manage the station, I felt like I was flying. I still feel like that when I'm there now. It's such a huge part of my life, and now I'll carry it with me officially, which is really exciting."

Vanessa Russell, HR director at the railways, was "surprised" after Khawaja changed her name. (Also Read: Thief does 'yoga' before breaking into a bakery and stealing croissants. Watch viral video)

She told the Boreham Wood Times, "I think it's a testament to the importance of the station and the community feel it has. Compared to other London stations, Marylebone is small but mighty. It has a rich history, and I'm touched that the station has had such a tangible impact on Rehana's life. Her pride in the station is utterly heartwarming."
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal married Grecia Munoz, a Mexican model, people familiar with the matter told HT.com. The couple returned from their honeymoon in February, sources said, asking not to be named. Grecia Munoz and Deepinder Goyal married two months ago, sources said. (Instagram/greciamunozp, File photo)

Another person familiar with the matter said they got married two months ago.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Who is Grecia Munoz, married to Zomato boss Deepinder Goyal?

Born in Mexico, Grecia Munoz says she is now at home in India, according to her Instagram bio. She describes herself as a model and a television host, as per her Threads bio. However, one of the persons cited above said that Munoz no longer models. In January, Munoz had shared photos of her visiting Delhis famous locations, such as Red Fort and Qutub Minar. Dilli Darshan (Part 1) - glimpses of my new life at my new home, she captioned the post. Munoz has shared various photos of her modelling on her Instagram profile.

The marriage to Grecia Munoz is Goyals second. He was previously married to Kanchan Joshi whom he met while studying at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Delhi.

Also Read: Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal marries Mexican model Grecia Munoz

Deepinder Goyal: Muktsar boy to billionaires club

Gurgaon-based Deepinder Goyal, 41, spent his childhood in the town of Muktsar in Punjab. He completed his pre-university in Chandigarh.

He began his career at consulting firm Bain & Company in 2005, soon after completing his college. He spent his childhood in the town of Muktsar in Punjab. He completed his pre-university in Chandigarh.

He co-founded restaurant aggregator and food delivery giant Zomato (then known as Foodiebay.com) in 2008 after quitting Bain & Company.

After the success of Zomato's blockbuster listing around three years ago, Goyal emerged as one of India's richest people. At that time, he was estimated to be worth $650 million based on his stake in Zomato, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal has tied the knot with model Grecia Munoz, people familiar with the matter told HT.com. Grecia Munoz, wife of Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal, was born in Mexico. (Instagram/greciamunozp, File photo)

Goyal, founder of the food delivery platform, and the Mexican-born Munoz returned from their honeymoon in February, one of the persons cited above said, asking not to be named.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Another person familiar with the matter said the couple got married two months ago, adding that Munoz no longer models. This person too did not want to be named.

Grecia Munoz says she is now at home in India, according to her Instagram bio. She also describes herself as a television host, as per her Threads bio.

In January, Munoz had shared photos of her touring famous locations in Delhi.

The marriage to Grecia Munoz, winner of the Metropolitan Fashion Week in the United States in 2022 per her Instagram bio, is Goyals second.

Gurgaon-based Deepinder Goyal, 41, co-founded restaurant aggregator and food delivery company Zomato (then known as Foodiebay.com) in 2008 after leaving his job at consulting firm Bain & Company.

Goyal and Zomato faced a huge backlash this week over plans for separate green uniforms for a new vegetarian-only food delivery service, called Pure Veg Mode and Pure Veg Fleet.

On Wednesday, Goyal said the company will roll back the plan for a green dress code for its delivery agents and green boxes, and that all delivery agents will continue to sport the current red shirts or t-shirts.

"While we are going to continue to have a fleet for vegetarians, we have decided to remove the on-ground segregation of this fleet on the ground using the colour green. All our riders -- both our regular fleet, and our fleet for vegetarians, will wear the colour red," Goyal said on X (formerly Twitter).

Goyal declined to comment for this article.

Goyal is one of the richest people in India after the blockbuster listing of Zomato some three years ago. Then, he was estimated to be worth $650 million based on his stake in Zomato, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Today Scott Technology (NZX: SCT ) announces that CFO, Cameron Mathewson, has resigned to take up another CFO role.

Mr McLauchlan noted Earlier this week I announced that Scott Group CEO John Kippenberger had decided to step down at the end of May 2024 from his role leading the global company. With the departure of our CFO in the near future, John has offered to delay his departure as CEO and director. We will work through with John over the next few days the details of an appropriate transition that is in the best interests of the Scott Group. The board is grateful to John for his immediate offer to put his own plans on hold.

I want to stress that the two resignations are completely unrelated and in no way signal that there are any matters that are of concern to the board with the Scott Groups performance. It is simply an unfortunate coincidence that the two senior resignations came in the same week.

The Scott Group does not normally provide guidance however the half year results to the end of February are due to be announced on 16 April 2024. Under the circumstances the board determined it is appropriate to give an indication of the operational and financial performance that the business has achieved during the six months.

The business has been performing well during the period and we are expecting to announce double digit growth at both the revenue and EBITDA level. Borrowing, depreciation and lease costs will be higher than for the same period last year due to the positive momentum of the Scott Groups underlying growth and performance. The company continues to experience positive growth drivers across all core sectors. Further information will be provided when we announce the half year results commented Mr McLauchlan.

ENDS

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The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has publicly expressed his doubts about Kate Middletons lately decreased public exposure. Since 2013 Welby has experienced the sad reality of the uptick in the number of lives undermined by rumours, and as you have probably guessed, that is the sole reason by he is in this position. Archbishop of Canterbury urges respect for Kate Middleton's privacy.(AP)

Addressing the issue of such a speculative fuss on Times Radio on Thursday, Welby said how extremely unhealthy are those conspiracy theories.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Gossiping in that way is wrong

We are obsessed with conspiracy, and we have little sense of the humanity of those who are caught in the glare of the news, Welby stated. He argued, It doesnt matter who it is, people should be allowed to be ill, have an operation, whatever it is, and to live their lives in peace without everyone demanding that they prove something every other day.

ALSO READ| Prince Harry definitely out of King Charles succession plans; but he wont accept because

Welby attributed such theories' proliferation to the internet's power, allowing rumours to spread globally in mere seconds. He likened the situation to old-fashioned village gossip and urged the public to refrain from engaging in such behaviour.

We have to turn away from that. Gossiping in that way is wrong, he concluded.

The rumours started to swirl after the announcement of Kates abdominal surgery in January. Kensington Palace released a statement confirming the operations success. The surgery was successful, and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery, the statement read.

Kate will resume her royal duties after Easter

The statement also suggested, Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.

While the specifics of Kates surgery remain confidential, a source close to the situation hinted to Us Weekly that she might be willing to discuss the matter once she resumes her royal responsibilities. When she goes back to work after Easter, she will likely be ready to talk about it, the source revealed, suggesting that Kate might address the publics curiosity during a royal engagement.

ALSO READ| Queen Camilla gives major update on King Charles; Were his medical records also breached?

Nobody at the palace knows what the exact medical condition Kate has been suffering with. But Kate is a very transparent person. Shes not really capable of lying but at this stage and just wants her privacy.

However, this need for discretion has not prevented Kate from being seen in public. She has been spotted on three occasions, including a drive with her mother, Carole Middleton, and a shopping trip with Prince William to Windsor Farm Shop, which caught significant online attention.
Dozens of Rohingya refugees are feared dead or missing after a boat survivors said held around 150 people capsized this week off the westernmost coast of Indonesia, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) said Friday. Rohingya refugees are seen on a capsized boat before being rescued in the waters of West Aceh, Indonesia.(REUTERS)

"The fear is for those out of the 151, that haven't been so far rescued, is that those lives have been lost or they have gone missing," UNHCR spokesman Babar Baloch told AFP.

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"Let's hope that tomorrow, that if they are still alive somewhere, that they are rescued."

Indonesian rescuers called off the search for any remaining Rohingya refugees missing at sea earlier in the day, despite reports from some of the survivors that dozens of people were swept away.

Survivors estimated there were "around 150 people on the boat", West Aceh fishing community secretary-general Pawang Amiruddin told AFP by phone on Wednesday.

UNHCR said in a joint statement with the International Organization of Migration (IOM) on Friday they were "shocked and deeply concerned over the situation" after the boat capsized 16 nautical miles (30 kilometres) off the coast of West Aceh.

"If confirmed this would be the biggest loss of life so far this year," the joint statement said.

On Thursday authorities staged a dramatic rescue of 69 Rohingya who had been adrift at sea for weeks before the boat capsized, with many found clinging to the hull of the overturned vessel.

From mid-November to late January, 1,752 refugees, mostly women and children, landed in the Indonesian provinces of Aceh and North Sumatra, according to the UNHCR.

The UN agency said it was the biggest influx into the Muslim-majority country since 2015.
Dozens of Rohingya refugees are feared dead or missing after their boat capsized off Indonesia's westernmost coast this week, the United Nations said Friday, as local rescuers called off the search despite survivor accounts many were swept away. HT Image

The mostly Muslim Rohingya are heavily persecuted in Myanmar, and thousands risk their lives each year on long and expensive sea journeys, often on flimsy boats, to try to reach Malaysia or Indonesia.

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Authorities staged a dramatic rescue Thursday of 69 Rohingya who had been adrift at sea for weeks before their boat and another trying to help them capsized a day earlier, with many found clinging to the hull of an overturned vessel.

Survivors told local authorities that as many as 151 refugees were onboard the boat.

If those still missing are confirmed to have died, it would represent the biggest loss of life for the Rohingya at sea this year, according to the UN refugee agency .

"The fear is for those out of the 151, that haven't been so far rescued, is that those lives have been lost or they have gone missing," UNHCR spokesman Babar Baloch told AFP.

But local authorities nixed the search earlier on Friday because there was no list of passengers.

"The search ended on Thursday. All Rohingya refugees on top of the boat yesterday have been rescued," Muhammad Fathur Rachman, an official from the search and rescue agency in Aceh, said through a spokesperson.

The people rescued included 40 men, 18 women and 11 children who were found off Aceh Province on Thursday.

Six others, including four women and two men, were rescued by fishermen a day earlier.

But rescuer Rachman said there was "no additional information that we received about missing persons, and there is no manifest of the boat".

"Our analysis is the boat cannot hold 150 people."

A protection associate for the United Nations refugee agency , Faisal Rahman, told AFP that one of the survivors said "the boat took 151 people once the boat capsized, approximately around 50 people maybe missing and passed away".

At least eight of the refugees were hospitalised on Thursday evening. The search and rescue agency said they were admitted for dehydration.

The others were taken to a temporary shelter at an old Red Cross building in a village near West Aceh district capital Meulaboh.

Survivors said they had travelled from Bangladesh where many have fled into squalid camps to escape persecution at home. Some said they were trying to reach Malaysia via Indonesia.

Many Rohingya make the perilous 4,000-kilometre journey from Bangladesh to Malaysia, fuelling a multi-million dollar human-smuggling operation that often involves stopovers in Indonesia.

At the temporary shelter, many of the refugees were eating food cooked by locals, who also gave them used clothes, according to an AFP journalist.

Some were sleeping on a tarpaulin sheet on the floor, using sarongs as blankets.

At dawn, refugees were taking part in morning prayer using donated Korans.

But some locals protested their arrival, unfurling a banner that said they rejected the Rohingya being there.

Some Rohingya boats landing in Aceh in recent months have been pushed back out to sea as sentiment towards the minority group shifts in the ultra-conservative Indonesian province.

Many Acehnese, who themselves have memories of decades of bloody conflict, are sympathetic to the plight of their fellow Muslims.

But others say their patience has been tested, claiming the Rohingya consume scarce resources.

From mid-November to late January, 1,752 refugees, mostly women and children, landed in the Indonesian provinces of Aceh and North Sumatra, according to the UNHCR.

Hundreds remain in limbo at temporary shelters. Some seek to stay in Indonesia and have been caught trying to escape their shelters, while others have paid smugglers to reach Muslim-majority Malaysia.

The UN agency said it was the biggest influx into the Muslim-majority country since 2015.

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The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Friday that at least 32,070 people have been killed in the territory in more than five months of war between Israel and Palestinian militants. Israel-Hamas war: A view of the rubble of buildings hit by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City (AP)

The toll includes at least 82 deaths over the past 24 hours, a ministry statement said, adding that 74,298 people have been wounded in the Gaza Strip since the war began when Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday once again left the Middle East empty-handed as Israels prime minister rejected American appeals to call off a promised ground invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which is overflowing with displaced civilians. A picture taken from Rafah shows smoke billowing after Israeli bombardment on Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip (AFP)

The tough message from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sets the stage for potentially difficult talks next week in Washington between top U.S. officials and a high-level Israeli delegation. Netanyahu said Israel is ready to do it alone in Rafah if necessary. Despite their differences, the Biden administration has continued to provide crucial military aid and diplomatic support, even as Israels war against Hamas has killed more than 32,000 people in Gaza and led to a worsening humanitarian crisis.

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Israel says Rafah is the last remaining stronghold of Hamas and says the militant groups forces there must be defeated for Israel to meet its war objectives. Israel vowed to destroy Hamas following the groups Oct. 7 attack, which killed some 1,200 people, took 250 others hostage and triggered the fierce Israeli air and ground offensive in Gaza.

But Rafah now shelters over 1 million homeless Palestinians who fled fighting elsewhere in Gaza. The U.S., along with most of the international community, fears an Israeli ground invasion will endanger civilians' lives and impede the flow of desperately needed humanitarian aid into the territory, most of which comes through Rafah.

Netanyahu said he told Blinken that Israel is working on ways to evacuate civilians from combat zones and to address the humanitarian needs of Gaza, where international aid officials say the entire population is suffering from food insecurity and famine is imminent in the hard-hit north.

I also said that we have no way to defeat Hamas without entering Rafah, Netanyahu said. I told him that I hope we would do this with U.S. support but if necessary  we will do it alone.

Blinken, wrapping up his sixth visit to the Mideast since the war broke out, told reporters that the U.S. shares Israels goal of defeating Hamas.

But a major ground operation in Rafah is not, in our judgment, the way to achieve it and we were very clear about that, he said, adding that Israel faces growing isolation if it presses ahead.

The looming Rafah invasion has cast a shadow over ongoing efforts to forge a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas. Blinken, who also met with Arab leaders during his trip this week, acknowledged theres still a lot of work to be done.

Blinken spoke shortly after a U.S.-sponsored cease-fire resolution in the U.N. Security Council was vetoed by Russia and China. Blinken said it was unimaginable that the measure had been rejected.

Rafah tensions rising

The U.S. initially sided strongly with Israel after the Oct. 7 attack. But relations have increasingly soured as the war, drags on into its fifth month.

Palestinian health officials in Gaza said Friday that at least 32,070 people have been killed, with at least two thirds of them women and children. Israel claims at least one-third of those killed are Hamas militants, and says the group is responsible for civilian casualties by hiding and operating in residential areas.

The U.S. position on a Rafah operation has shifted in recent days. Initially, U.S. officials called for a plan to get civilians out of harms way. Now, they say there is no credible way to do that.

It risks killing more civilians. It risks wreaking greater havoc with the provision of humanitarian assistance. It risks further isolating Israel around the world and jeopardizing its long term security and standing, Blinken said.

U.S. officials say other options, including specifically targeted operations against known Hamas fighters and commanders, are the only way to avoid a civilian catastrophe.

Roughly three quarters of Gazas 2.3 million people have fled into Rafah, the farthest south they can go before the Egyptian border. Sprawling tent camps now dot the city.

The U.S. will share its ideas for alternatives at next week's meetings, when a delegation led by Netanyahus national security adviser and a member of Israels War Cabinet heads to Washington. Israels defense minister, another member of the War Cabinet, will also visit.

Blinken said talks would focus on post-war plans, another area of disagreement.

The U.S. wants the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority  which Hamas ousted from Gaza in 2007  to return to power in the territory, along with a clear path toward an independent Palestinian state beside Israel. Netanyahu rejects Palestinian independence or a role for the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the occupied West Bank, and says Israel must maintain long-term security control over Gaza.

An elusive cease-fire

International mediators, led by the U.S., Qatar and Egypt, have been working on a cease-fire to pause or end the war in Gaza.

Israel is seeking the release of the more than 100 hostages still held by Hamas, while Hamas wants an end  not a temporary pause  to the war along with the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Hamas is wants Israel to release large numbers of Palestinian prisoners.

After his talks with Israeli leaders, Blinken met with families of hostages who hold U.S. citizenship before departing. He later greeted a small group of protesters who gathered in solidarity with the families outside his hotel.

Protesters chanted Blinken, thank you, as he walked by the crowd. He said the U.S. was working to bring them home as he shook hands.

Blinken told reporters that progress has been made in recent weeks, but the final gaps tend to be the hardest.

Theres still a lot of work to be done, hard work to be done, he said.

Toward those efforts, he said he also discussed the need to increase humanitarian aid entering Gaza. He said some positive steps have been taken in recent days. But its not enough.

Israel says it places no restrictions on the amounts of humanitarian aid it allows into Gaza. But international aid groups say deliveries have been impeded by Israeli military restrictions, ongoing hostilities and the breakdown of public order.

So little food has been allowed into Gaza that up to 60% of children under 5 are now malnourished, compared with fewer than 1% before the war began, the head of the World Health Organization said Thursday.

U.N. resolution was cynically vetoed

At the United Nations, Russia and China vetoed a U.S.-sponsored U.N. resolution supporting an immediate and sustained cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. The two countries called the measure ambiguous and said it was not the direct demand to end the fighting that much of the world seeks.

The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 11 members in favor and three against, including Algeria, the Arab representative on the council. Guyana abstained.

A key issue was the unusual language that said the Security Council determines the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire. The phrasing was not a straightforward demand or call to halt hostilities.

It also appeared to loosen, but not drop, previous U.S. demands that Hamas release all hostages as part of a cease-fire.

Blinken said the measure had been cynically vetoed and should have been embraced.

We were trying to show the international communitys sense of urgency about getting a cease-fire tied to the release of hostages, Blinken said. He also said it had sought to condemn Hamas. Its unimaginable why countries wouldnt be able to do that.
In an interview with local media, Maldives president Mohamed Muizzu acknowledged India's significant role in providing aid to the Maldives and said India has implemented the "greatest number" of projects. He urged New Delhi to consider providing debt relief to the archipelago nation, which owed approximately USD 400.9 million to India by the end of last year. Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu. (File)(HT_PRINT)

Stressing the enduring bond between the Maldives and India, President Muizzu said that India would continue to be the Maldives' closest ally, Maldives news portal Edition.mv said in a report that carried excerpts of Muizzus interview to its Dhivehi language sister-publication Mihaaru.

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ALSO READ- US' strong statement after China's claim over Arunachal Pradesh, backs India

We have inherited very large loans taken from India: Muizzu

During an interview, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu urged India to consider debt relief measures for the Maldives due to the burden of significant loans taken over multiple governments.

The conditions we have inherited are such that there are very large loans taken from India. Hence, we are holding discussions to explore leniencies in the repayment structure of these loans.

Instead of halting any ongoing projects ... to proceed with them at speed, so I see no reason for any adverse effects (on Maldives-India relations), Muizzu added.

Under the previous administration led by Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, said to be pro-India, loans from the Export and Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) totalled USD 1.4 million (MVR 22 million). As of last year, Maldives owed approximately MVR 6.2 billion to India, roughly USD 400.9 million at the current exchange rate.

ALSO READ- India cant achieve Chinas past 8-10% growth, Morgan Stanley says

Matter of our national security: Muizzu on Indian military presence in Maldive

President Mohamed Muizzu said the Indian military presence in Maldives is the only matter of contention with the neighbourhood. He said that both countries had acknowledged this issue, with India agreeing to withdraw its military presence.

ALSO READ- Maldives says 2nd batch of Indian military personnel will be withdrawn by April 10

It is not nice to dismiss or disregard aid from one country to another as useless, he said and claimed that he had not taken any action or made any statements that may strain the relationship between the two countries.

Even if they are troops of some other country, we will deal with them in the same manner. I have said so very clearly. It is nothing personal but rather a matter of our national security, he added.

Regarding the deployment of civilians instead of military personnel to operate helicopters and aircraft, Muizzu defended the decision as pragmatic.

Inputs from PTI
British model Rose Hanbury's legal team has taken action against late-night host Stephen Colbert after he made jests about her amid ongoing rumours regarding an alleged affair with Prince William, In Touch has exclusively reported. Rose Hanbury claps back at Colbert's on-air allegations, "The rumours are completely false."(File_Image)

Hanbury's lawyers told the outlet, The rumor appears to have entered into the mainstream media recently as a result of another joke made about it on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. We have written on our client's behalf to CBS and various other reputable media organisations to confirm that the allegation is false.

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Hanbury's response follows Colbert's remarks during the March 12 episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, where he humorously referenced the infidelity rumours concerning Prince William and Hanbury.

ALSO READ| Rose Hanbury linked to artifacts scandal amidst William affair rumours

Colbert's joke was too far fetched

Colbert quipped, The kingdom has been all a flutter by 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 William having an affair, and added, So, I think we all know who the alleged other woman is. Say it with me  the Marchioness of Cholmondeley  what a beautiful name!

Now, there have been rumors [of] an affair between William and the Marching Band of Chicanery since 2019, he continued making fun of her name.

According to tabloids back then, when Kate supposedly confronted him about it, he laughed it off saying there was nothing to it. Always a good response when your wife accuses you of cheating. Ha ha, imagine me having an affair! It is to laugh.

Marchioness of Cholmondeley's legal representatives has moved swiftly to address the matter, emphasizing the falsity of the rumours and seeking clarification from media outlets involved.

Hanbury refuted the allegations in a statement to Business Insider on March 16, stating firmly, The rumours are completely false.

ALSO READ| Rose Hanbury: 9 points on the British aristocrat amid Prince William-Kate Middleton royal drama

Despite Hanbury's firm denial, speculation regarding Prince William's fidelity has intensified amid Princess Kate's apparent absence from public view.

In January, the royal family announced Kate's scheduled abdominal surgery, just fueled the rumours and heightened scrutiny. While Kate has not been publicly sighted since the announcement, the palace has assured the public of her recovery and wellbeing, stating, The Wales family continues to be grateful for the well wishes they have received from around the world.
Russia and China on Friday vetoed a US-led draft resolution at the Security Council on a ceasefire in Gaza, joining Arab countries in saying it did not pressure Israel with Moscow accusing Washington of a "hypocritical spectacle." The United Nations Security Council meets to consider a United States-sponsored resolution calling for a ceasefire during the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas(REUTERS)

The United States, Israel's main ally which has vetoed previous ceasefire calls, put forward the resolution in which the Security Council would have supported "the imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire" and for the first time condemned the October 7 attack by Hamas.

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Russia and China exercised their vetoes, Algeria also voted against and Guyana abstained. The other 11 Security Council members voted in favor, including permanent members France and Britain.

Russia's ambassador, Vasily Nebenzia, said that the text would do nothing to rein in Israel, mocking Washington for speaking of a ceasefire after "Gaza has been virtually wiped off the face of the Earth."

"We have observed a typical hypocritical spectacle," he said.

Nebenzia said the US draft was intended to "play to voters and throw them a bone in the form of some kind of a mention of a ceasefire in Gaza."

The resolution will "ensure the impunity of Israel, whose crimes are not even assessed in the draft."

Cynically vetoed

The draft had stopped short of explicitly demanding that Israel immediately end its campaign in Gaza. In the delicate language of Security Council resolutions, the draft "determines" the "imperative" of an "immediate and sustained" ceasefire.

It linked a ceasefire to ongoing talks, led by Qatar with support from the United States and Egypt, to halt fighting in return for Hamas releasing hostages.

China's representative, Zhang Jun, said the draft "dodged the most central issue, that of a ceasefire" through its "ambiguous" language.

"Nor does it even provide an answer to the question of realizing a ceasefire in the short term," he said.

On a visit to Israel, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Russia and China "cynically vetoed" a resolution that had "strong support."

"I think we were trying to show the international community a sense of urgency about getting a ceasefire," Blinken told reporters.

Push for alternative resolution

French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking in Brussels immediately after the vetoes, said France would keep pushing an alternative resolution for a ceasefire.

The Security Council may consider another resolution late Friday or Saturday with an explicit call for an immediate ceasefire, said the Palestinian envoy, Riyad Mansour.

He said that Arab nations as a bloc backed Algeria in opposing the US text as it was not a "crystal-clear call for a ceasefire."

The US ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, indicated opposition to the alternative draft, saying it would jeopardize ongoing talks for the release of hostages.

"Let's be honest -- for all the fiery rhetoric, we all know that Russia and China are not doing anything diplomatically to advance a lasting peace or to meaningfully contribute to the humanitarian response effort," she said.

Russia, China and Algeria said that the resolution should stop Israel from a threatened offensive in the city of Rafah, where more than one million Palestinians have sheltered.

The United States has publicly opposed the operation, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Friday after meeting Blinken to go into Rafah even without Washington's support.

Israel's UN ambassador, Gilad Erdan, said the vetoes of the US resolution meant that "terrorists can continue benefitting from this Council."

"The Council's decision to not condemn Hamas is a stain that will never be forgotten," he said.

More than 1,160 people, mostly civilians, died on October 7 when militants infiltrated Israel in the country's deadliest ever attack, according to Israeli official figures.

Militants also seized about 250 hostages, of whom Israel believes 130 remain in Gaza, including 33 who are presumed dead.

Israel afterward vowed to eradicate Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. Some 32,000 people, mostly civilians, have died, according to the Gaza health ministry, and the United Nations has warned of imminent famine in the territory.
As North America prepares for its second total solar eclipse in seven years, on April 8, the Moon will cast a shadow over a portion of the Earth that will be shrouded in darkness. Mexico mainland will first witness the astronomical spectacle, which will wrap up the show in Canada. With the Moon moving between the Earth and the Sun, it'll wrap the solar light and bar us from its direct view. The once-in-a-blue-moon alignment makes the two bodies appear similarly sized in the sky. The complete eclipse begins with its partial counterpart until the Moon fully shields the Sun. According to NASA, this phenomenon lasts for about 70 to 80 minutes. Totality occurs when the Moon blocks the Sun entirely. A total solar eclipse(REUTERS)

Interesting facts about Solar Eclipse

Solar eclipse as an omen

According to ancient Greece's lore, solar eclipses were perceived as ill omens because they were seen as a symbol of gods' anger. Hence, the word's Greek origins - ekleipsis - which refers to being abandoned.

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Total solar eclipses are seen only on Earth

Earth is the only planet in our solar system that witnesses a perfect total solar eclipse due to the relative size and distance ratio of the Sun and the Moon from the planet. No other planet's Moon is of a similar size to facilitate the phenomenon.

Also read | Ozempic faces multiple lawsuits over dangerous side effects, here's what to know

No Total Solar Eclipses in about 600M years

Richard Vondrak, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Centre lunar scientist, had previously described a total eclipse as a dance with three partners: the moon, the sun and Earth. He also affirmed, About 600 million years from now, Earth will experience the beauty and drama of a total solar eclipse for the last time. Total solar eclipses occur because of the Moon and the Sun's relative size and distance. While the Sun is about 400 times wider than the Moon, the latter is about 400 times closer to the Earth - both bodies appear to have the same size in Earth's sky. However, a NASA statement addressed the growing distance - about 1.5 inches per year - between the Moon and Earth, affecting the resulting total solar eclipse due to the diminished size of the Moon in the sky. Therefore, over time, the number and frequency of total solar eclipses will decrease.

The 2024 totality will be the longest one since 2010

Nazas in Mexico will experience the greatest eclipse duration on April 8, with 4 minutes and 28 seconds of totality. This will exceed the 4 minutes and 40 seconds of totality witnessed by Rapa Nui in July 2010. The 2027 total solar eclipse is estimated to last 6 minutes and 23 seconds in Egypt.

Saros cycle: The same overlapping pattern will recur in 2042

Every 18 years, 11 days and eight hours, the same alignment between the Sun, Moon and Earth results in a similar solar eclipse. The April 8, 2024, alignment will similarly repeat its pattern on April 20, 2042.

First total solar eclipse in the continent US in 7 years

North America's last total solar eclipse happened on August 21, 2017. Seven years ago, it traversed from Oregon to South Carolina. The next one will be witnessed 20 years later, on August 23, 2044.
An American Airlines passenger was headlocked and forcibly removed from the aircraft for throwing antisemitic slurs at a flight attendant. American Airlines passenger removed after antisemitic remark(X)

The plane was delayed because of the scuffles, and it was initially supposed to fly from Tampa Airport to Philadelphia International Airport.

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The racist person donning a blue and white striped shirt, was in a heated exchange between the ship's crew, and fellow passengers. He shifted the level from rational to irrational things and opted to quit assertions and accusations towards passengers, claiming they are teaming up against him, while the flight attendants asked him board off the flight.

The matters has been turned upside down and he was eventually taken of the plane as recorded by a video that was shared online.

He called another flight attendant, k***e.

ALSO READ| Boeing trouble continues as 737's cabin panel slips mid-air, sparks investigation

He shouted in frustration, Im trying to get to my home country and you all people made it harder for me to get to my home country.

The situation escalated further when the passenger confronted another flyer, a man dressed in a blue pullover. The exchange turned heated, with accusations of physical contact flying between the two. The video depicts a physical struggle as the man in blue puts the disruptive passenger in a headlock.

"Now put your hands down and don't touch anybody," the man in blue yells as he restrains the other passenger. A woman wearing a backward hat then approached the pair. "I'm a police officer," she shouted, prompting the man in blue to retort, "So am I," and ordered the stranded passenger, Turn around and walk.

Then the man in blue, along with the woman in the hat and another passenger, ultimately escorted the disruptive individual off the plane.

ALSO READ| 'It's not suicide': Boeing whistleblower's last words were grim warning before being found dead

American Airlines issued an apology

Authorities confirmed the arrest of a man outside the aircraft later that evening. He faces charges of disorderly intoxication and battery (two counts).

American Airlines, in a statement to the Philadelphia Inquirer, acknowledged the incident as "a disturbance in the cabin involving a disruptive customer" and confirmed that law enforcement was involved. The airline also offered an apology stating, We thank our team for their professionalism and apologize to our customers for the inconvenience.
Australia insisted on Friday that a landmark deal to develop AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines with London and Washington was "going to happen", despite mounting fears about costs, capabilities and the possible return of Donald Trump. HT Image

Under the fledgling AUKUS deal, the three longtime allies have pledged to jointly beef up their military muscle in a bid to counter China's rise.

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Defence chiefs this week unveiled ambitious plans to supply Australia with nuclear-powered submarines, a key pillar of the agreement.

"The three governments involved here are working at pace to make this happen," Australian defence minister Richard Marles told reporters Friday.

"This is going to happen and we need it to happen," he added.

Barely two years old, there are already signs that AUKUS and its central project could be under threat.

Some fear Trump could jettison the pact if he wins this year's presidential election, returning to his "America first" style of foreign policy.

With potential flashpoints emerging across the globe, and China taking an increasingly aggressive stance in the Taiwan Strait, visiting UK defence minister Grant Shapps said AUKUS was as crucial as ever.

After decades of relative peace, Shapps said the planet was slowly shifting from a "post-war" era to a "pre-war" footing.

"We are living in more dangerous times," he said during a tour of the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia.

UK defence contractor BAE Systems has been enlisted to help construct Australia's fleet of nuclear-propelled submarines.

Australia hopes to have eight nuclear-powered vessels in the water by the 2050s a mix of the new AUKUS-class subs built at home and in the UK, and Virgina-class vessels purchased from the United States.

Marles said a "drumbeat" of AUKUS-class submarines would then continue to roll off Australian production lines "every few years" in perpetuity.

"There is no country in the world which has obtained the capability to build nuclear-powered submarines, which has then turned that capability off," he said.

"We will see submarines being produced here on an enduring basis."

Although the financial details of the BAE deal are under wraps, Australian defence officials want to initially build at least five AUKUS-class nuclear-powered subs at a cost of billions of dollars.

The subs will be quieter and stealthier than Australia's existing diesel fleet, and capable of deploying over vast distances without surfacing, posing a potent threat to any foe.

BAE Systems, one of the largest defence contractors in Europe, said it was "already making good progress on the design and development of the next generation submarine".

The company has a close relationship with the UK navy, and is responsible for building its Astute-class and Dreadnought-class nuclear-powered vessels.

The scale of the project is vast, and questions have been raised about whether Australia with limited nuclear experience and a relatively small navy can pull it off.

Australian officials believe some 20,000 workers will be needed for the homegrown nuclear industry among them an army of technicians, metal workers, electricians and welders.

The Australian navy has struggled to maintain its current fleet of ageing diesel-electric subs, which have been plagued by design flaws and cost blowouts.

In total, the AUKUS submarine project could cost up to Aus$368 billion over the next 30 years.

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In a dramatic incident on Thursday, a large group of illegal immigrants forcefully broke through razor wire and charged towards the border wall in El Paso, Texas. The chaotic scene unfolded as the state's controversial anti-illegal immigration law was put on hold by the court. Illegal immigrants broke down border fencing and assaulted border security guards amid standoff over Texas law(Reuters)

A video being circulated on social media showed dozens of adult males tearing down the state-installed razor wire and rushing past Texas National Guardsmen. The migrants attempted to breach a section of the border wall but were prevented from advancing further.

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According to a Texas law enforcement source quoted on Fox News, the group comprised over 300 illegal immigrants, with approximately 100 adult males confronting the guards. One individual has been arrested for assaulting a soldier, and further arrests are anticipated for property damage and assault.

"Get the f--- back!" shouted a soldier in the video, directing the illegal immigrants from the opposite side of the fence.

Migrants apprehended for assaulting soldiers

Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, informed Fox News Digital that all migrants involved have been apprehended. Agents are reviewing video footage to identify those who assaulted the soldiers. The migrants will be processed for deportation but retain the option to claim asylum. Texas authorities also have the authority to charge the migrants responsible for the assault.

This incident marks the latest flashpoint in a three-year border crisis characterized by record migrant numbers, reaching 2.4 million in FY 23 alone. Although the numbers have decreased since the peak of 302,000 in December, concerns persist that the figures could surge again as the summer months approach..

Texas Governor blames Joe Biden for border mayhem

Texas Governor Greg Abbott countered, "Number one, we are facing such dangerous situations. And number two, Joe Biden, through his actions, is violating the laws of the United States of America."

Texas maintains that it has been compelled to act due to the administration's failure to secure the border and deport those residing in the country illegally.

"The surge today in El Paso is the direct result of the unsustainable chaos President Biden has unleashed on the border. The Texas Military Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety quickly gained control of the situation and are working to repair the damage. These illegal immigrants committed crimes in Texas, and the Department of Public Safety is under instruction to arrest every illegal immigrant involved for committing criminal trespass and destruction of property," stated Andrew Mahaleris, spokesperson for Governor Abbott.

Biden Administration : S.B.4 will sow chaos and confusion

The Biden administration contends that the law infringes upon federal authority over immigration enforcement.

"S.B. 4 will not only make communities in Texas less safe, but it will also burden law enforcement and sow chaos and confusion at our southern border. S.B. 4 is just another example of Republican officials politicizing the border while blocking real solutions," stated White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
The Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent of the Truth Social digital platform, may begin to trade on the stock exchange by Monday. Such a transaction could potentially increase former President Donald Trump's wealth by more than $3 billion, serving as a way to pay for expanding legal complaints and further harnessing the President's political ambitions. Will Donald Trump's media stock surge solve his legal woes?(AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File)(AP)

The former president has appeared in front of the camera after the judges ruling requiring him to pay $454 million in a fraud case in New York City because of his inflating property values upon the banks.

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Shedding light on the under-the-radar solution

As a last measure, Trump has submitted his appeal to the appeals court with two goals: either halting the judgment until the verdict is made or being granted a lowered bond with the acknowledgement of his financial strain. Trump has spent $50 million to clear his legal bills last year, and realizes that there are unavoidable financial obligations for him.

ALSO READ| US government sues Apple for violating antitrust laws, tech giant accused of harming consumers and smaller companies

Now when it is the alpha and the omega to the public debut of Trump Media through its merger with Digital World Acquisition Corporation  after years of having to shuffle regulatory procedures and lawyer visits  the company might have finally observed the light. The merger, which is required to get shareholder approvals by August 3, is also subject to a lockup provision among the shareholders who will not be able to sell their shares, a practice followed by a large number of companies to maintain the price stability and inspire investor confidence.

Nevertheless, it is not unlikely that these prohibitions will be exploited by businesses that will seek to evade their provisions due to the substantial participation of the incumbent in the media outlet. He can apply for exemption from the Board Digital World or use another way, such as transmitting shares to them or presenting the shares to family members. The makeup of the Trump Media board, which might contain individuals, who held important positions in the administration or his son Donald Trump Jr., would be more likely to pave the way for such requests to be approved.

ALSO READ| Who is Marco Rubio? All about Florida senator being considered Trump's potential VP pick

Upon shareholder approval, Trump Media is slated to commence trading, with Trump's 79 million shares estimated to exceed $3 billion based on Digital World's current stock price. Nonetheless, the trading trajectory remains uncertain given Trump Media's substantial losses and modest advertising revenue, raising questions about its market performance.

Upon completion of the merger, Digital World's shareholders, predominantly individual investors, will transition to become stockholders of Trump Media. Many of these shareholders have been vocal supporters of Trump on Truth Social.
Body of Riley Strain, a 22-year-old University of Missouri senior who had been missing since March 8, was in the Cumberland River on Friday morning, according to Nashville police. Riley Strain had disappeared after an evening out with friends on Broadway in downtown Nashville (AP)

Strain had disappeared after an evening out with friends on Broadway in downtown Nashville. He was visiting the city for his fraternity's spring formal trip.

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During a Friday morning press conference, Metro Nashville Police Department Chief John Drake provided details on the discovery. He stated, "This morning, around 7:28 a.m., a worker on 61st Avenue adjacent to the Cumberland River spotted an object in the river that appeared to be Riley Strain."

An autopsy is pending to determine the cause of Strain's death

The Nashville Fire Department retrieved Strains body from the river, and an examination at the scene indicated no signs of foul play. "Mr. Strain was found with the shirt he was last seen wearing, along with other identifying factors," Chief Drake confirmed.

On the night of his disappearance, Strain had been drinking with friends at Luke Bryan's downtown bar, Luke's 32. He was asked to leave by the staff and his last known location, based on phone pings, was near Gay Street, which borders the Cumberland River.

Police later released a video of Strain greeting Officer Reginald Young on Gay Street, shortly before he went missing. "Riley did not seem distressed during this brief encounter," police reported.

Luke's 32 released a statement saying that bartenders served Strain one drink before asking him to leave. "At 9:35 p.m., our security team decided to escort him out of the venue through our Broadway exit," the bar said.

Strain had informed his friends that he would return to their hotel, Tempo by Hilton, located approximately five blocks away from Luke's 32. However, when his friends didn't see him later that night, they reported him missing.

The circumstances leading Strain to walk in the opposite direction of his hotel are still under investigation. Chris Dingman, a family spokesperson, mentioned the possibility that Strain might have entered the wrong destination in his phone's map application.

Strain's family flew to Nashville and joined the search effort as soon as they were notified of his disappearance.
Weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have gained popularity in recent years. Despite their side effects, many celebrities have admitted to using weight loss-assisting drugs. With the increasing demands for such drugs, including diabetes medications, many people have come forward with lawsuits alleging that their risks outweigh the benefits. Recently, Sharon Osbourne highlighted the risks of Ozempic, admitting that she never wanted to go that thin. Many people have sued Ozempic after suffering from serious, life-altering side effects

Why are people suing Ozempic and other weight loss drugs?

According to USA Today, many people are filing lawsuits against Ozempic and similar drugs after suffering from life-altering side effects. Paulsen Bronston, an Arizona resident, was prescribed Ozempic to manage his diabetes by his doctor. In 2018, the physician who prescribed him the medicine told him that its benefits outweighed any risk of side effects.

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However, that wasn't the case with Bronston, who ultimately needed to have his gallbladder removed after suffering from severe diarrhoea and discomfort for months. Recalling his agony, Bronston told the outlet, I started hurting really bad. I got yellow eyes and stuff like that. Next thing you know, I was in the hospital, having my gallbladder removed.

READ MORE: Woman suffers fatal Ozempic nightmare, will have diarrhea forever

The outlet adds that over 60 lawsuits are pending in Philadelphia before US District Judge Gene E. K. Pratter. Bronston's lawyer, Anthony G. Simon, revealed that many patients have lifelong problems. A San Diego attorney explained that his firm represents 2,000 people who have dealt with side effects from diabetes and weight loss drugs.

Van Arsdale's clients include Monica Church and Bob Tuttle, who have faced life-altering effects after Ozempic usage. I couldnt eat anything. I couldnt drink anything. I had such burning in my stomach and in my chest that nothing helped, Church said. Meanwhile, Tuttle revealed, Since all this has happened, I've just gotten less active. I'm not able to run and gun like I used to.

What are the side effects of Ozempic?

The most common side effects of Ozempic, according to Drugwatch.com, are:

Abdominal pain Constipation Nausea Vomiting Diarrhoea

The website adds that more serious side effects, though less common, are:

Acute gallbladder disease Acute kidney injury Allergic reactions Diabetic retinopathy Hypoglycemia (when used with insulin or sulfonylurea) Increased risk of thyroid tumors Pancreatitis

It is important to note that these lists are not exhaustive as different studies link several other serious side effects of taking Ozempic. According to the FDA, in rare cases, some people have suffered from gastroparesis, or paralyzed stomach, after taking the popular weight loss drug.
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle stepped away from their royal duties back in 2020 to start a new life in California, US. Yet, an ongoing back-and-forth with the UK royals has continued, exacerbated by their public remarks. Harrys latest memoir, Spare worsened tensions with King Charles, allegedly further straining their relationship. Now, royal experts suggest that the palace has initiated succession planning, and that Harry is "definitely not in line of succession," although he remains unconvinced. This official handout Christening photograph released by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex shows Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (centre left), and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex holding their baby son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor flanked by (L-R) Britain's Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Ms Doria Ragland, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle, west of London on July 6, 2019.(AFP)

Also read: Reason behind Palace's silence over Kate Middletons conspiracy theories, William is worried..

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Royal Palace begins succession planning

Earlier, the palace announced King Charles cancer diagnosis and its impact on his ongoing royal duties. Despite undergoing treatments and exercising caution, experts believe that the King has already initiated succession planning. This process, originally scheduled to commence five years later, has been sped up due to the current circumstances.

Royal expert and author Tom Quinn, in conversation with Mirror, shed light on the palaces approach. He stated, The royals dont regret slimming down the monarchy because, although King Charles cancer diagnosis has increased pressure on the other working royals, a streamlined royal family resonates positively with the public - they are perceived to be managing despite their challenges.

Prince Harry definitely out from succession

The author believes Prince Harry is not ready to accept being excluded from the planning process that he might have expected had he remained part of the royal family. Earlier it was reported that the Duke of Sussex hated being left out. Tom says, Its all about whos going to be in and whos going to be out and Harry is definitely out, but he still doesn't completely get it. He's like a naughty boy who always thinks he will ultimately be forgiven.

Also read: Prince Harry concerned over Kate's stories, scraps his Spare sequel out of fear that

King Charles focused on Kate and William

The royal author has pointed out that the Kings priority is to hand over royal duties to his oldest son Prince William and his wife Kate, whom he trusts more than anyone else as the successor to the throne. Prince Harry, on the other hand, has made no secret of his desire to help the family if needed. The author further explained, "Due to King Charles' cancer diagnosis, succession planning is underway at present  a process accelerated by at least five years from the initial timeline. The priority is to ensure that William and Kate are well-prepared for their future roles."
Russia and China on Friday vetoed a U.S.-sponsored U.N. resolution calling for an immediate and sustained cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid to be delivered to more than 2 million hungry Palestinians. US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield speaks with Israel's Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan after a UN Security Council motion for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal vote at UN headquarters in New York, on March 22, 2024. Russia and China on Friday vetoed a US-backed draft resolution at the Security Council on a ceasefire in Gaza, with Moscow accusing Washington of a "hypocritical spectacle" that does not pressure Israel. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)(AFP)

The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 11 members in favor, three against and one abstention.

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Before the vote, Russias U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Moscow supports an immediate cease-fire, but he questioned the language in the resolution and accused U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield of misleading the international community for politicized reasons.

The resolution declared that a cease-fire is imperative."

The draft that was put to a vote made no direct link to the release of hostages taken during Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which was in the previous draft. But it unequivocally supported diplomatic efforts to secure such a cease-fire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages.

The Security Council had already adopted two resolutions on the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, but none calling for a cease-fire.

Russia and China vetoed a U.S.-sponsored resolution in late October calling for pauses in the fighting to deliver aid, protection of civilians, and a halt to arming Hamas. They said it didnt reflect global calls for a cease-fire.

The U.S., Israels closest ally, has vetoed three resolutions demanding a cease-fire, the most recent an Arab-backed measure supported by 13 council members with one abstention on Feb. 20.

A day earlier, the U.S. circulated a rival resolution, which went through major changes during negotiations before Friday's vote. It initially would have supported a temporary cease-fire linked to the release of all hostages, and the previous draft would have supported international efforts for a cease-fire as part of a hostage deal.

The vote took place as Blinken, Americas top diplomat, is on his sixth urgent mission to the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war, discussing a deal for a cease-fire and hostage release, as well as post-war scenarios.

Nate Evans, the spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, said the resolution was "an opportunity for the Council to speak with one voice to support the diplomacy happening on the ground and pressure Hamas to accept the deal on the table.

Meanwhile, the 10 elected members of the Security Council have been drafting their own resolution, which demands an immediate humanitarian cease-fire for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan that began March 10 to be respected by all parties leading to a permanent sustainable cease-fire.

It also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages  and emphasizes the urgent need to protect civilians and deliver humanitarian aid throughout the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people in the surprise Oct. 7 attack into southern Israel that triggered the war, and abducted another 250 people. Hamas is still believed to be holding some 100 people hostage, as well as the remains of 30 others.

In Gaza, the Health Ministry raised the death toll in the territory Thursday to nearly 32,000 Palestinians. It doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.

The international communitys authority on determining the severity of hunger crises warned this week that famine is imminent in northern Gaza, where 70% of people are experiencing catastrophic hunger. The report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification initiative, or IPC, warned that escalation of the war could push half of Gazas total population to the brink of starvation.

The U.S. draft expressed deep concern about the threat of conflict-induced famine and epidemics presently facing the civilian population in Gaza as well as the number of undernourished people, and also that hunger in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels.

It emphasized the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance to civilians in the entire Gaza Strip and lift all barriers to getting aid to civilians at scale.

Israel faces mounting pressure from even its closest allies to streamline the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip and to open more land crossings, and come to a cease-fire agreement. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to move the military offensive to the southern city of Rafah, where some 1.3 million displaced Palestinians have sought safety. Netanyahu says it's a Hamas stronghold.

The final U.S. draft eliminated language in the initial draft that said Israels offensive in Rafah should not proceed under current circumstances. Instead, in an introductory paragraph, the council emphasized its concern that a ground offensive into 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.

For the first time in a U.N. resolution, the U.S. draft would condemn all acts of terrorism, including 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.
In what could be a breakthrough for disabled people, a quadriplegic man was able to livestream himself playing digital chess on Wednesday - using only his mind to control the computer.

In January, Noland Arbaugh became the first human to have Elon Musk's Neuralink chip implanted into his brain - allowing him to move a computer cursor using his thoughts.

"Basically, it was like using 'the Force' on the cursor, and I could get it to move wherever I wanted," said Arbaugh, according to Al Jazeera. "Just stare somewhere on the screen and it would move where I wanted it to, which was such a wild experience the first time it happened."

Arbaugh said that the chip implantation was relatively straightforward and that he left the hospital within 24 hours of the surgery, with no cognitive impairments.

The 29-year-old, who was paralyzed from the shoulders down in a diving accident, said that he had given up on playing his favorite video game, Civilization VI, ever again.

"[Neuralink] gave me the ability to do that again and [I] played for 8 hours straight," he said, according to Reuters.

Arbaugh cautioned that the chip implantation would not be the "end of the journey," a warning that was echoed by experts in the field. Neuralink is also not the first brain chip implant - the Australian company Synchron performed a similar but less invasive procedure in 2022.

There's still a lot of work to be done, but it has already changed my life," Arbaugh said, according to Al Jazeera.

Neural engineering expert Kip Ludwig said that while the chip implantation was positive, it was not a "breakthrough."

"It is still in the very early days post-implantation, and there is a lot of learning on both the Neuralink side and the subject's side to maximize the amount of information for control that can be achieved," he told Reuters. "It's certainly a good starting point."

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In an unusual occurrence, two critically endangered great white sharks surfaced, off the coast of Florida, within a minute of each other, on Tuesday.

The nonprofit research organization OCEARCH logged the two sharks - nicknamed Bob and Breton - as they popped their fins above water at 12:45 and 12:46 a.m., respectively.

The organization tags the sharks with a GPS device on their dorsal fins, which then pings whenever the massive fish breach the surface of the water, according to the Florida Times-Union.

Breton weighs in at a whopping 1,437 pounds and measures 13 feet three inches. He has traveled the length of the eastern seaboard - from Nova Scotia to Florida - drawing what OCEARCH describes as a "self-portrait" in the process. If Breton's surface excursions are charted on a map, they appear to create the outline of a shark.

Bob - the first shark to surface - is named after OCEARCH Chief Scientist Dr. Robert Hueter. The shark weighed 1,308 pounds and was 13 feet four inches when he was tagged by OCEARCH in 2021. Like many others, Bob chooses to spend the winter in Florida and has surfaced three times off the Florida coast this year.

"We'll be following the journeys of both Bob the shark and Dr. Bob Hueter as they continue to help us grow in the world of science for the betterment of our sharks and our oceans," the OCEARCH website reads.

OCEARCH's team members say that sharks play an especially important role in the environment, due to their status at the top of the food chain.

"The ocean needs lots of sharks," Chris Fischer told the Louisville Courier-Journal. "Sharks keep everything in check. If we lose the sharks, we lose the oceans."

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A giant tiled fireplace occupies an exterior wall of the large dining room at The Pompano, a new seafood, sushi, and steak restaurant at 16 North Main Street in Norwalk, Conn. on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Brian A. Pounds/Hearst Connecticut Media

With Osetra caviar, sushi and a New York strip steak on its menu, The Pompano is different from Evarito's Mexican Kitchen & Bar, even though it occupies the same space and has some of the same decor features, like the tiled fireplace and chevron-patterned bar. The new restaurant also has the same owner as its predecessor.

Restaurateur Christian Burns said that he wanted to try something different.

From left; Owner Christian Burns, Director of Operations Mario Contacessi, and Chef Franz Fruhmann at The Pompano, a new seafood, sushi, and steak restaurant at 16 North Main Street in Norwalk, Conn. on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Brian A. Pounds/Hearst Connecticut Media

"The space has a high-design feel with an upscale beachy vibe" he said.

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So, Burns closed Evarito's in January and quietly opened The Pompano on March 13, with the promise of oysters, seafood, sushi and steak, according to its website. The interior is now decorated with pops of turquoise and fish-themed artwork, with white tablecloths draping over tables.

"The feedback in the first week has really been fantastic," Burns said. "(Guests) feel a new vibe and experience in the space."

Fresh Copps Island Oysters at The Pompano, a new seafood, sushi, and steak restaurant, at 16 North Main Street in Norwalk, Conn. on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Brian A. Pounds/Hearst Connecticut Media

Burns said he's working to figure out when he'll host a grand opening and ribbon cutting.

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In the meantime, The Pompano is open for dinner Wednesdays through Sundays. Its menu includes a large raw bar, caviar service and hot and cold lobster rolls.

"The ones that are my favorite are the warm crab and asparagus salad (and) the wood-fired Long Island squid," Burns said. "The swordfish has been a big hit along with the lobster ravioli."

The Warm Crab & Asparagus Salad at The Pompano, a new seafood, sushi, and steak restaurant, at 16 North Main Street in Norwalk, Conn. on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Brian A. Pounds/Hearst Connecticut Media

The Pompano also lets guests build their own fish dishes. People can choose a market fish and have it grilled or sauteed, with two side dishes of their choice. Alternatively, they can choose a fish and have it prepared in the style of one of the existing fish entrees such as cod brandade or bay scallops with arborio rice.

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The sushi menu is focused on rolls, but Burns said that sashimi and nigiri will be added.

The dining room at The Pompano, a new seafood, sushi, and steak restaurant, at 16 North Main Street in Norwalk, Conn. on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Brian A. Pounds/Hearst Connecticut Media

And, yes, Burns said, sometimes pompano will be available on the menu.

"It's actually one of the fish that I love to fish for, when they're running in South Florida and Bermuda," he said.

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The rooftop lounge area, Burns said, will reopen. He's aiming for Memorial Day weekend.

The Halibut, served with artichoke puree, roasted peppers, and meyer lemon, at The Pompano, a new seafood, sushi, and steak restaurant, at 16 North Main Street in Norwalk, Conn. on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Brian A. Pounds/Hearst Connecticut Media

"We're going to have a menu that really brings the the vibes of summer upstairs," Burns said. "We're going to have oyster towers, lobster rolls, grilled seafood and then, of course, you get the views of the Sound."

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Wicliff Yves Fleurizard, 26, was arrested for allegedly boarding a Delta Airlines flight in Utah using a photo of another passenger's ticket.

Fleurizard, who resides in George, Texas, had been in Utah for a snowboarding trip and was eager to return home as he had family visiting from Florida.

He was traveling via Southwest Airlines but soon learned the flight was full and ultimately rebooked for later that day.

Rather than waiting for the next Southwest flight, Fleurizard went to the Delta gate in the airport, where he was caught on video surveillance taking photos of several passengers' phones and their boarding passes while distracted.

He then proceeded to use the pictures on his own phone to board Delta flight 1683.

When Fleurizard boarded the flight, he went straight to the lavatory, where he hid for a "significant amount of time" while passengers continued to board, reported NBC News.

Once boarding was complete, Fleurizard made his way to the back of the plane when an attendant noticed there were no seats available on the flight and approached him.

But aircraft doors had been secured, and the plane began to taxi onto the runway.

He claimed that his seat was 21F, but the flight attendant verified that the seat was reserved for another person.

After taking his name, they were unable to find a valid ticket or reservation for him on that Delta flight or any other Delta flight.

At this point, the plane was forced to return to the gate where Fleurizard was escorted off the aircraft and met by law enforcement.

They first interviewed a Delta gate agent who disclosed that a minor female passenger traveling alone had an issue when attempting to scan her ticket. Once scanned, the system showed she had already boarded.

In security footage, Fleurizard is seen taking a photo of the girl's phone.

He told authorities that he received a Southwest buddy pass ticket for March 16, but as there were no available seats, his flight was rebooked for March 17, which also happened to be at capacity.

Though booked for another Southwest flight that day, he left the boarding area and approached Delta.

"Fleurizard admitted he had made a mistake and was only trying to get home," the complaint said.

Fleurizard is now facing a charge of a stowaway on an aircraft. The Transportation Security Administration said the man had been screened at the airport on March 17 without issue using a photo ID matching the name on the boarding pass.

He has an active warrant out of Austin Texas, according to court documents. While it's unclear what the warrant entails, Austin police flagged Fleurizard as "one having 'violent tendencies'"

He is currently being held in Salt Lake County on a federal detainer.

Delta is cooperating with the law enforcement and federal agencies in the investigation.

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On Tuesday, doctors in Boston confirmed that for the first time, surgeons have transplanted a kidney from a genetically modified pig into a living person.

Richard Slayman, 62, who is suffering from end-stage kidney disease, received the organ in a four-hour procedure at Massachusetts General Hospital.

The hospital announced he's doing well and is expected to be discharged soon.

"I saw it not only as a way to help me, but a way to provide hope for the thousands of people who need a transplant to survive," Slayman said in a statement released by the hospital.

The procedure is the latest news in efforts to create genetically modified pigs to produce kidneys, livers, hearts, and other organs to help fix the shortage of organs for people in need of transplants, reported NPR.

"Our hope is that this transplant approach will offer a lifeline to millions of patients worldwide who are suffering from kidney failure," said Dr. Tatsuo Kawai, the hospital's director for clinical transplant tolerance, in the hospital statement.

The race is now on as several biotech companies are working to develop a supply of cloned pigs whose DNA has been genetically modified so that human bodies won't reject them or spread pig viruses to people and cause other problems.

The kidney Slayman received in Boston came from a pig created by eGenesis of Cambridge, Mass. The eGensis pigs are bred with 69 genetic modifications to prepare organs for human transplantation.

"We are grateful for the courageous contribution of the patient and to the advancement of transplantation science," Mike Curtis, chief executive officer for eGenesis, expressed in a statement.

"This represents a new frontier in medicine and demonstrates the potential of genome engineering to change the lives of millions of patients."

More than 103,000 people are currently on an organ waitlist, and approximately 17 die every day due to the shortage, according to NPR.

Federal statistics show that end-stage renal disease is 3.8 times more common among Black people than white people in the US.

The transplant "represents a potential breakthrough in solving one of the more intractable problems in our field, that being unequal access for ethnic minority patients to the opportunity for kidney transplants due to the extreme donor organ shortage and other system-based barriers," said Dr. Winfred Williams, the kidney specialist treating Slayman, who is a Black man.

The downside to the process is that the research also raises a few question marks. The possibility of spreading animal viruses to humans or slaughtering thousands of animals every year to harvest their organs are just a few examples. There's also the added fear of testing the organs on severely ill patients.

"I think we need to be very, very careful," L. Syd M. Johnson, a bioethicist at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY, told NPR.

"I have a lot of concerns about a therapy that is very much unproven."

Slayman initially received a human kidney for his procedure after having been on dialysis for seven years, according to the hospital. However, the kidney began to show signs of failure after roughly five years, prompting Slayman's need to resume dialysis last May.

"When my transplanted kidney began failing in 2023, I again trusted my care team at MGH to meet my goals of not just improving my quality of life but extending it," Slayman said in the hospital's statement, adding the doctors explained the "pros and cons of this procedure."

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As many as 70 dogs died when in a fire at an Ohio kennel described as a "puppy mill."

The Johnsville Fire Department responded to a fire in Morrow County, about 50 miles north of Columbus at around 1 a.m. Wednesday.

Firefighters say part of the kennel had already partially collapsed by the time they arrived.

Johnsville Fire Chief Harlen Barrick told WSYX it took about 40 minutes to get the fire under control.

A firefighter rescued one puppy found hiding in a corner of the building.

The owner reportedly was able to open some of the external kennels to free 17 other dogs.

The fire department said the fire started at a wood-burning stove in the middle of the building.

Barrick told WBNS-TV that it was one of the most emotional scenes he has worked in his four decades as a firefighter.

The property owner would not talk to reporters and ordered them off of the property.

The fate of the dogs that survived the fire was not known.

A Medina woman had previously started a campaign to protect dogs that are kept in large-volume dog breeding facilities in Ohio.

Nancy Davis told WJW-TV that Ohio is near the top of the Humane Society of the United States "Horrible Hundred" report, which calls attention to problem breeders.

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(Photo : Northwest Rankin High School)

Carly Madison Gregg, 14, will be tried as an adult for the alleged murder of her mom, Ashley Smylie, a math teacher at Northwest Rankin High School.

A Mississippi teen accused of fatally shooting her mother and attempting to kill her stepdad before fleeing the family home had her bail set at $1 million.

Carly Madison Gregg, 14, will also be tried as an adult for the alleged murder of her mom, Ashley Smylie, a math teacher at Northwest Rankin High School, and the attempted murder of her stepfather, according to authorities, WAPT-TV, WLBT-TV, and AL.com and reported.

She pleaded not guilty.

Gregg's stepdad told investigators he arrived at the family's Brandon, Mississippi, home Tuesday evening to find his 40-year-old wife dead from an apparent gunshot wound. His stepdaughter then allegedly shot him in the shoulder, before he was able to wrestle the gun from her. She, in turn, fled the scene.

Gregg was captured in the area 30 minutes later.

Authorities have not disclosed a motive.

The teen was reportedly a student at the same school where her mother taught, according to WLBT.

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The US just announced its plan to send more than $47 million in humanitarian aid to war-torn Sudan, as well as to two neighboring countries where at least a million people have fled within the last year.

According to a statement released by the US State Department Wednesday, the aid package is meant to help curb the suffering of roughly 25 million people, including refugees who fled into Chad and South Sudan.

"This US humanitarian assistance provides critical life-saving assistance including food, water and sanitation facilities, shelter, medical services including mental health support, and protection to Sudanese fleeing the conflict," it said.

The new funds bring the total US aid for Sudan to more than $968 million since last year.

The International Rescue Committee cited the power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which began last April as a major driving force behind the increasing instability of the region.

"Before the conflict, Sudan was already experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis," the IRC said. "Long-term political instability and economic pressures meant that 15.8 million people were in need of humanitarian aid."

Sudan topped the IRC's annual Emergency Watchlist, which assesses the 20 countries at greatest risk of new humanitarian emergencies each year

The war in Sudan only exacerbated the conditions, leaving almost 25 million people in need, which amounts to more than half of Sudan's population.

More than 9 million people are believed to be internally displaced in Sudan, and 1.5 million refugees have fled to neighboring countries, reported The Associated Press.

Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees, and Migration Julieta Valls Noyes announced the US relief funds during a meeting in N'Djamena with Chadian Prime Minister Succes Masra.

Chad will receive $18 million of the entire package, as revealed in a statement posted by the US Population, Refugees and Migration Bureau on the social media platform X.

The country alone has taken in 700,000 Sudanese since the conflict began.

The US is seemingly pleased with the opportunity to renew its calls on warring parties to end hostilities.

"Preventing a famine and long-term catastrophe will require both a ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access," the statement said.

The announcement follows UN Director of Humanitarian Operations Edem Wosornu's statement to the Security Council, noting that Sudan may become the world's worst hunger crisis as 18 million people are already facing famine.

Wosornu emphasized the dire need for humanitarian aid and protested that the UN appeal for $2.7 billion for Sudan was less than 5% funded, only receiving $131 million.

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New attacks were reported in Port-au-Prince on Wednesday. Heavy gunfire could be heard across communities in the Haitian capital.

At least five bodies were seen in and around the suburbs, with gangs blocking entrances to several areas, according to ABC News.

Haitians caught in the crosslines called radio stations begging for help from Haiti's national police force, which remains understaffed and useless as gangs have taken over the capital.

Among the communities targeted in the early hours were Petion-Ville, Meyotte, Diegue, and Metivier.

"When I woke up to go to work, I found I could not leave because the neighborhood was in the hand of the bandits," said Samuel Orelus.

"They were about 30 men with heavy weapons. If the neighborhood had mobilized, we could have destroyed them, but they were heavily armed, and there was nothing we could do."

A police officer was shot and killed in broad daylight Wednesday afternoon in the neighborhood of Delmas 72, said the SYNAPOHA police union.

With no sign of slowing down, the US State Department announced it completed the first evacuation of American citizens. More than 15 Americans were transported via airlift to Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic.

More than 30 US citizens are now able to leave Port-au-Price daily abroad on the US government-organized helicopter flights.

"We will continue to monitor demand from US citizens for assistance in departing Haiti on a real-time basis," the department said.

The agency evacuated more than 30 American citizens from Cap-Haitien, a coastal city in northern Haiti, to Miami International Airport.

"We hope that conditions will allow a return of commercial means for people to travel from Haiti soon. We and the international community and the Haitian authorities are working for that to become a reality," the State Department said.

A plane chartered by the Florida Department of Emergency Management also evacuated 14 Florida residents, including children, revealed Kevin Gutherie, executive director of the state agency.

More than 300 Floridians are trapped in Haiti. Despite bureaucratic impediments, the Florida-sponsored operation is actively working on getting them on future flights.

"We understand there are people really in danger right now who are fellow Floridians," DeSantis said in a news conference.

Two days before the attacks, gangs rioted through the affluent neighborhoods of Laboule and Thomassin in Petion-Ville, killing at least a dozen people.

The violence has prompted the closure of banks, schools, and businesses within the community.

Haitians are currently waiting on the promise of new leadership, while Caribbean officials are scurrying to help form a transitional presidential council.

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Former Mississippi law enforcement officers were sentenced to decades in prison following hearings in a Jackson federal court for torturing two Black men.

Four of the perpetrators were sentenced earlier this week, while the remaining two were sentenced on Thursday.

Former Rankin County sheriff's deputy Brett McAlpin was sentenced to almost 27 years in prison, while former Richland police officer Joshua Hartfield was sentenced to 10 years, reported ABC News.

McAlpin and Hartfield make up a group of former law enforcement officers who called themselves the "Goon Squad" due to their use of excessive force, according to the US Department of Justice.

All six members pleaded guilty to 16 felonies in relation to the racially motivated torture and sexual assault of Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker, as well as a plan to cover up their crimes.

Christian Dedmon, former Rankin County sheriff's deputy, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for his role in the torture and assault of Jenkins and Parker. His sentence also includes the assault of another man during an incident that occurred during a traffic stop in December 2022.

Federal prosecutors allege Dedmon was the leader behind both attacks as he's received the harshest sentence thus far.

"I want to tell them I'm sorry for what they went through, what they are going through," Dedmon said during the sentencing hearing, per WAPT. "If I [could] take every bit of it back, I promise I would."

Lead attorney Malik Shabazz, who represented both Jenkins and Parker, told ABC News in a statement following Dedmon's sentencing that "history was made today in Mississippi."

"The 40-year prison sentence given to 'Goon Squad' member Christian Dedman by Judge Thomas Lee for the sick and serious crimes committed against our clients Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker made history today," Shabazz said.

"All of these 'Goon Squad' sentences are sending a serious message to all rogue police and other 'Goon Squads' all over America, that justice is coming to you."

Earlier on Wednesday, former Rankin County sheriff's deputy Daniel Opdyke was sentenced to 17 1/2 years in prison for his role in the incident.

Opdyke even cried during his sentencing and claims his time in prison has helped him reflect on "how I transformed into the monster I became that night."

"The weight of my actions and the harm I've caused will haunt me every day," Opdyke told the victims. "I wish I could take away your suffering."

Former Rankin County sheriff's deputy Hunter Elward was sentenced on Tuesday to 20 years, while Jeffrey Middleton received a 17 1/2-year sentence for his role, disclosed the US Department of Justice.

"These defendants will spend 20 years and 17.5 years in prison for their heinous attack on citizens they had sworn an oath to protect," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement on Tuesday following the first round of sentencing.

"The Justice Department will hold accountable officers who violate constitutional rights, and in so doing, betray the public trust," his statement concluded.

The Department of Justice launched an investigation into the incident in Feb. 2023, along with the FBI, amid outrage from the community.

Attorneys for Jenkins and Parker filed a notice of claim for a $400 million federal lawsuit, reported ABC.

"It's in court, and we're fighting," Shabazz told the news outlet Monday when asked about the status of the lawsuit.

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On Thursday, a large group of illegal immigrants broke through razor wire and charged at the border wall in El Paso, Texas. It was a wild scene, and guards were knocked over.

The incident happened at the same time that the state's law against illegal immigration is being held up in the courts.

Migrants Knocks Texas' Razor Wire

Around 600 people were trying to cross the border, but Texas National Guard troops were trying to push them back in small groups.

As groups separated out, things got tense. A video shows the refugees calling for help and running to the border gate. A group of men wearing hoodies, gloves, and winter jackets pulls the fence apart. Five guards stand in a defensive line to fill the space.

A law enforcement source in Texas told Fox News that the group was made up of more than 300 illegal immigrants. The source also said that about 100 adult males rushed the soldiers, and one has been caught so far for assaulting a soldier.

There was a fight when one family was let through. The source said that more people may be arrested for assault and property damage.

In a video, some migrants put their hands up to show that they are giving up. But just seconds later, others rush through and push the guards out of the way.

Hundreds of migrants were pushed south of the concertina wire in the middle of the night by Texas National Guard. Hours later they again breached the concertina and made a rush for the border wall in El Paso, Texas. #Border #Texas pic.twitter.com/d4sZib29BI  J. Omar Ornelas (@fotornelas) March 21, 2024

A few people in the group run to the border gate and yell at the National Guardsmen who are there. The Texas National Guard then moves quickly to protect the area.

Read Also: Judge Rules Undocumented Immigrants Can Legally Posses Firearms

SB4 Law

Because of Texas law SB4, many of these people seeking asylum did not turn themselves in right away, even though this is a well-known place to do so. Instead, they decided to wait because they were stuck in limbo.

The controversial rule in Texas lets local police arrest people who are in the country illegally. Until now, this authority had only been given to federal agents like the Customs Enforcement and US Border Patrol and Immigration.

Federal courts blocked the law several times in the past few days. On Tuesday, it was allowed to go into action for a few hours before it was blocked again that night.

Because the law was so confusing, many travelers didn't know what would happen to them if they turned themselves into Border Patrol. The last two days, as the camp grew, things got more tense.

This week, the Supreme Court briefly let Texas' law against illegal immigration go into force. This law lets police arrest people who are in the country illegally, even though the Biden administration was challenging it in court.

The law was sent back to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which stopped it again hours later while the appeals process continued.The Biden administration has said that the law takes away from the federal government's role in enforcing immigration laws.

As part of Operation Lone Star, which is led by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas has sent National Guard troops to the border with Mexico, according to Opera News.

Related Article: US Appeals Court to Block Texas Migrant Arrest Law

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On Thursday, federal auto regulators said that Hyundai and Kia were recalling 147,100 electric vehicles in the US due to charging unit issue.

According to documents sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Hyundai and Kia's Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) stops charging the car's 12-volt backup battery and may even damage it.

Hyundai, Kia Recalled Evs Over ICCU Damage

The glitch could put Hyundai and Kia electric car owners at risk of accidents because the power could go out while they are traveling.

In the US, the two car names are run by different companies. Hyundai said that the better ICCU software cuts peak voltage and thermal loading during running to protect the ICCU from damage.

Hyundai Motor Group has a big stake in Kia. So, models from both companies often use the same tech and parts. This is why recalls can affect both companies.

The recall affected 98,878 Hyundai vehicles and 48, 232 Kia vehicles, according to NBC Los Angeles.

The vehicles that are being called back are the Hyundai IONIQ 5 from 2022 to 2024, the Hyundai IONIQ 6 from 2023 to 2024, and the Genesis GV60, GV70, and GV80 from 2023 to 2024. Meanwhile, Kia's 2022-2024 EV6 is being called back.

Hyundai, Kia Suffer Several Recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) started a probe in the US on June 8, 2023, after hearing that some 2022-2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 cars lost power.

Dealers will check the ICCU and repair it if it needs to be. At the dealer, owners will also get an update for their ICCU program. Letters of notification should be sent out on May 14, 2024.

Kia called back more than 101,000 cars and SUVs in January because the roofs could be dangerous and kill the driver.

The NHTSA has heard of problems with the roof molding on these cars, which can come loose or break while the driver is driving.

The Kia Sportage 2023 and 2024 and the Kia Carnival 2022 to 2024 are the models that will be affected.

Hyundai also called back almost 200,000 Elantras earlier this month owing to a problem with the trunk latch that could lock someone inside.

A warning from the NHTSA said that dealers will now replace the trunks of cars that are affected for free. Over 186, 000 of the company's Elantra 2015-2016 cars are being recalled.

Hyundai owners can get more information by calling customer service at 1-855-371-9460. People who own Kias can call customer help at 1-800-333-4542.

You can also visit NHTSA.gov or call the NHTSA hotline at 1-888-327-4236 to find out more.

Related Article: Nissan, Honda to Collaborate in Developing EVs, Smart Car Technology

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On Thursday, France's Senate voted overwhelmingly against legislation to ratify a 2017 trade deal between the European Union and Canada, dubbed CETA, which farmers have criticized as bringing unfair competition from abroad.

All EU governments agreed to the CETA, which went into effect provisionally in September 2017. However, its full implementation requires approval by each national parliament.

French Senate Rejects Bill to Ratify CETA

The Senate's decision on Thursday, 211-44, does not imply that France will ultimately reject ratification.

After the vote, the bill is returned to the powerful National Assembly, which had already approved it in 2019 and can still move to overturn the Senate's rejection and give final approval to the measure.

However, Macron's centrist alliance, which has supported the CETA agreement, lost its majority in the lower chamber in 2022.

The EU trade agreement would be jeopardized if the Assembly rejected the legislation in its second vote, which would signal France's failure to ratify.

Furthermore, the conservative majority in the Senate and leftist lawmakers opposed the bill mostly because they wanted to defend France's food sovereignty and protect local farmers from unfair competition. The Assembly has not yet announced a date to discuss the legislation.

The EU's ratification process has been slow, with nine member states, including Belgium and Italy, not yet approving.

Since the trade agreement temporarily came into force, there have been notable increases in trade volume between the EU and Canada. Trade increased by 51% between 2017 and 2023, including a 33% increase in French exports to Canada.

Despite these economic gains, CETA has drawn criticism because of its effects on the environment and farmers in Europe. Critics claim that the increased transport of goods could damage local agriculture and increase greenhouse gas emissions.

CETA's ultimate goal is to eliminate about 99% of tariffs. It includes special recognition for European goods such as Agen prunes and Savoie reblochon.

In 2019, the Senate's rejection pressured the National Assembly, which barely passed CETA. The treaty could fall apart and impact the provisions now in effect if France or any other EU member state firmly opposes it.

Furthermore, French senators' vote comes after farmers throughout France and Europe over high regulations, low wages, and unfair competition from overseas. They often criticized free-trade agreements, such as the CETA.

Read Also: Elon Musk's Neuralink Shows Brain-Chip Patient Using 'Telepathy' to Play Online Chess in New Video

Polish Farmers Block Roads Near German Border

Polish farmers began to block a major highway near the German border to protest EU agricultural climate efforts and food imports from Ukraine.

According to broadcaster Radio Zet, the police diverted traffic from the A2 highway connecting Berlin and Warsaw. The demonstrators have scheduled the protest until Wednesday.

For months, farmers have been staging periodic protests against the EU's and national government's policies, which has caused difficulties for Prime Minister Donald Tusk's new cabinet. EU ministers have pushed the bloc to expedite a review of its policies to ease unrest among farmers.

Related Article: Polish Farmers' Protest: Demonstrators Use Tractors To Block Much of Ukraine's Border



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Egyptian, U.S. FMs call for ceasefire in Gaza

Xinhua) 13:07, March 22, 2024

CAIRO, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday called for a peace agreement between Hamas and Israel in the war-torn Gaza Strip.

They made the appeal during a joint press conference following a multilateral meeting between Blinken, who was on a visit to Egypt, and foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Qatar, as well as the UAE minister of state for international cooperation, and the secretary general of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization.

Shoukry underlined the importance of reaching an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, releasing Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and expanding humanitarian aid to Gaza where the residents are suffering from starvation.

He also warned of the catastrophic living conditions in the enclave, urging Israel to abandon plans to carry out future military operations in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza.

"The crisis must be dealt with radically to achieve security and stability in the region by ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, activating the two-state solution, and establishing the Palestinian state," said the top Egyptian diplomat.

Blinken, for his part, said that a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is "difficult" but "still possible," and that Israel's planned military operation on Rafah would be "a mistake."

Blinken started his sixth trip to the Middle East on Wednesday since the outbreak of the Hamas-Israel conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, yet his missions failed to achieve breakthrough in negotiating a peace deal between the two warring parties.

Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved plans for an attack on Rafah, where more than 1.4 million displaced Palestinians are seeking shelter.

On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas launched an attack on southern Israeli towns, killing about 1,200 Israelis and capturing more than 200 as hostages.

Since then, Israel has been on retaliatory offensives against Hamas in Gaza, killing a total of 31,988 Palestinians and wounded 74,188 others, according to the latest data released by Gaza's Health Ministry on Thursday.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Noomi Rapace, right, stars as Jo Ericsson, an astronaut who returns to Earth after a disastrous event in space, in "Constellation." (Apple TV+/TNS) TNS

Sci-fi reigns supreme as Apple TV+ continues Constellation, its newest space saga. What evolves as a spooky, eight-episode mystery begins in Sweden as a woman is seen driving through a snowy forest with her young daughter.

Shes Johanna Jo Ericsson (Noomi Rapace), an astronaut who recently returned from a disastrous mission on the International Space Station, where Commander Paul Lancaster (William Catlett) died after a mysterious collision and her colleagues  Russian cosmonaut Ilya Andreev (Henry David), ESA astronaut Yasmina Sun (Sandra Tele) and French astronaut Audrey Brostin (Carole Weyers)  took to an escape pod to conserve oxygen and power for Jo.

After pleas from ground control, Jo manages to save the extraordinary CAL (Cold Atom Laboratory) experiment master-minded by aging Nobel Prize-winning scientist/astronaut Henry Caldera (Jonathan Banks) and his cosmic twin Bud.

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Described by quantum entanglement mumbo-jumbo, its enigmatic purpose somehow relates to an 89-year-old Thought Experiment: Schrodingers Cat.

(Irish physicist Edwin Schrodinger imagined a hypothetical cat in a box with a mechanism that releases radioactive poison. Until you look inside, the cat is both alive and dead  simultaneously  posing the question of when exactly superposition ends and reality resolves into one possibility or the other.)

So how does this CAL capsule  showing how one particle can exist in two different states simultaneously  relate to Jo? At one point, Henry looks at her, noting that curiosity killed the cat. Is that a warning not to try to break the space-time fabric and observe the unknown?

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What Jo does come to realize is that the life she comes back to does not appear to be the life she left behind. Her car, once red, is now blue. Her 10-year-old daughter Alice (twins Davina & Rosie Coleman) no longer speaks Swedish and hides in cupboards to escape the Valya. Plus, Jos marital relationship with husband Magnus (James DArcy) has changed.

(Fans of The Matrix may relate to a pivotal choice between reality and illusion that evokes memories of Neos red pill/blue pill parallel universe quest.)

Although Jo cannot play piano, when she sits down at the keyboard, she expertly executes Sergei Rachmaninoffs difficult classical prelude #3, reading the intricate sheet music and exhibiting amazing physical dexterity.

Above all, why is no one willing to acknowledge that  somehow  in space there was a sudden collision with the desiccated corpse of a long-dead USSR female cosmonaut?

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Created as a baffling, non-linear, psychological thriller by Peter Harness (BBCs War of the Worlds miniseries), its based on an idea from Sean Jablonski, and directed by Michelle MacLaren, Oliver Hirschbiegel and Joseph Cedar.

The production involved designer Andy Nicholson creating an almost full-scale space station at Germanys Studio Babelberg, including special effects coordinator Martin Goeres camera platforms and microgravity simulator harnesses for weightlessness.

On the Granger Gauge of 1 to 10, Constellation is a confusing yet compelling, slow-paced 7, streaming on Apple TV+ with the finale airing on March 27.
The United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the very first global resolution on artificial intelligence (AI), encouraging countries to safeguard human rights, protect personal data, and monitor AI for risks.

Reuters reported that the nonbinding resolution proposed by the United States, China, and 120 other member nations was approved on Thursday (Mar. 21).

"Today, all 193 members of the United Nations General Assembly have spoken in one voice, and together, chosen to govern artificial intelligence rather than let it govern us," US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said.

She also told the Associated Press that she believed that the world's nations came together partly because AI technology "is moving so fast that people don't have a sense of what is happening and how it will impact them, particularly for countries in the developing world."

"They want to know that this technology will be available for them to take advantage of it in the future, so this resolution gives them that confidence," she added. "It's just the first step. I'm not overplaying it, but it's an important first step."

The resolution is the latest in a series of initiatives by governments around the world to shape AI development amid fears that it could be used to disrupt democratic processes, turbocharge fraud, or lead to dramatic job losses, among other harms.

The UN measure read in part, "The improper or malicious design, development, deployment and use of artificial intelligence systems ... pose risks that could ... undercut the protection, promotion and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms."

In November, the US, the UK, and several other countries unveiled the first detailed international agreement on how to keep AI safe from rogue actors, pushing companies to create AI systems that are "secure by design."

Read Also: US To Give $47 Million in Aid To Sudan, 'Worst Humanitarian Disasters In Recent Memory': UN

Lawmakers from the European Union adopted a provisional agreement this month to oversee the technology. The Biden administration urged Congress to develop similar AI legislation, but to no avail due to the polarization in Capitol Hill.

Nevertheless, in October, the White House issued a new executive order to reduce AI risks to consumers, workers, and minorities while bolstering national security.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the resolution was negotiated over nearly four months but gave the world "a baseline set of principles to guide next steps in AI's development and use."

Asked on Wednesday (Mar. 20) whether negotiators faced resistance from Russia or China, senior administration officials said there were "lots of heated conversations," but the administration actively engaged with countries with which it has different views.

Moscow and Beijing are at the forefront of pushing the envelope of AI use for multiple purposes.

Last month, Microsoft said it had caught hackers from both countries and North Korea using Microsoft-backed OpenAI software to hone their espionage skills. In response to the Microsoft report, China said it opposes what it called groundless accusations, while Russia did not respond to a request for comment.

Meanwhile, US Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement that the resolution was a step forward toward safer AI use.

"AI must be in the public interest - it must be adopted and advanced in a way that protects everyone from potential harm and ensures everyone is able to enjoy its benefits," she said.

Related Article: Microsoft's New Copilot Upgrade Will Offer GPT-4 Turbo Even for Free Users

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On Thursday, the office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said that 16 US states, including Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, have filed a lawsuit to challenge the US federal government's ban on approving applications to export liquefied natural gas.

According to the lawsuit, the federal government cannot deny those permits.

Sixteen US States Sue Biden Administration

In January, President Joe Biden stated that the halt would give officials time to review the process of analyzing the economic and environmental impacts of projects seeking approval to export LNG in countries where fuel is in high demand, including Europe and Asia.

According to experts, the halt may jeopardize the construction of over a dozen gas export terminals originally intended for the Gulf of Mexico coast. Environmentalists and several locals are also quite concerned about the situation.

One analysis estimates that the 3.2 billion tons of greenhouse gases produced by all of the projected LNG projects shipping gas abroad would be equal to the emissions of the European Union.

"This pause on new LNG approvals sees the climate crisis for what it isthe existential threat of our time," Biden said in January, announcing the pause.

Furthermore, the lawsuit was filed in Lake Charles, Louisiana, federal court. It claims that as the region works to wean itself off of piped gas from Russia, the US Department of Energy's delay will hurt the economy and jeopardize efforts to provide reliable LNG supplies to foreign partners in Europe.

Read Also: Algeria's Tebboune to Hold Early Presidential Elections This Year

Climate Activists Rally Over LNG Export Projects

The last review of LNG export projects was in 2018 when export capacity was 4 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd). That capacity tripled, with the US emerging as the leading global LNG exporter last year, and projects in construction will likely push that capacity much higher by 2030.

Biden's support base, environmentalists, have protested the sudden growth. Protesters claim that new LNG projects have the potential to pollute nearby towns, lock in the world's dependency on fossil fuels for many years, and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas, through gas leaks and combustion emissions.

Environmentalists praised the move as a bold step.

Ben Jealous, head of the environmental non-profit organization Sierra Club, said the administration's historic efforts to meet the global commitment to phase out fossil fuels and confront the climate crisis head-on continue.

Furthermore, many sectors of the US economy, including steel, chemicals, food, and agriculture, are against unrestricted gas exports from the US because they believe it will jeopardize fuel costs and reliability.

An administration official stated, without naming them, that the suspension would only affect four projects with export approvals pending at the DOE. The DOE website indicated that the projects might be those of Sempra Infrastructure, Commonwealth LNG, and Energy Transfer ET.N.

Related Article: Biden Administration Postpones Massive Natural Gas Export Terminal Over Climate Impact Evaluation



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Members of the so-called 'Ghost Army' tricked German soldiers by using inflated tanks, fictitious uniforms, false stories, and spectacular effects during World War II, helping to divert attention away from larger units and saving hundreds of thousands of American lives.

Three of the more than 1,000 survivors of the 'Ghost Army,' Bernard Bluestein, John Christman, and Seymour Nussenbaum, were present for the ceremony on Thursday. However, their contributions remained classified for decades, with many veterans taking the secret to their graves.

'Ghost Army' Members Receive Gold Medal

On Thursday, after many years of lobbying, the 'Ghost Army' members finally received public recognition and were awarded the highest honor bestowed by the legislative body, the Congressional Gold Medal.

Three former members arrived at the US Capitol to receive the medal, accompanied by representatives of both parties' legislative staffs, military and congressional leaders, and 'Ghost Army' members' families.

Rick Beyer, president of the nonprofit Ghost Army Legacy Project, said that it has been 80 years since the 'Ghost Army' landed in France and 19 years since he came to this story.

He noted that he has been working on the gold medal for nine years. "This is a day that has been coming for a long time. But it has been well worth the wait, right?" he added.

The audience erupted in cheers.

The 23d Headquarters Special Troops and its sister unit, the 3133 Signal Co., are notably recognized for their accomplishments in conducting over 20 "deception missions" near the front lines in Belgium, France, Germany, and Luxembourg between June 1944 and March 1945. Special, which practiced sonic deception in Italy in 1945.

According to the National WWII Museum, 'The Ghost Army' had around 1,000 soldiers, although it could simulate two units with about 30,000 service members. Just seven members reside across the country, from Florida to Michigan to New Jersey.

Three outstanding veterans were in attendance on Thursday: Nussenbaum, an avid stamp collector who enlisted in the Army from the Pratt Institute; Christman, a demolition specialist; and Bluestein, who joined the visual deception unit from the Cleveland Institute of Art and became an industrial designer.

After the war, Bluestein spent several years working in package design and contributed to creating the unit's fake patches.

Many attendees had personal or geographic ties to the members of Congress who had fought for their recognition, and many were descended from other 'Ghost Army' soldiers. US President Biden signed into law in 2022, and the lobbyists' and lawmakers' efforts culminated in this legislation following the bipartisan passage of the "Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act."

Recalling a passage from a declassified US Army report on the mission, House Speaker Mike Johnson began the event by saying, "Rarely if ever has there existed a group of such few men which had so great an influence on the outcome of a major military campaign."

Speakers afterward praised the veterans, which is believed to have saved the lives of 15,000 and 30,000 American soldiers, and celebrated the overdue recognition of the group.

Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., one of the bill's two Senate sponsors, said that the veterans' tactics were meant to be invisible, but today, their constructions will no longer remain unseen in the shadows. He added that their weapons were unconventional, but their patriotism was unquestionable.

Read Also: French Senate Votes Against Ratifying EU-Canada Free-Trade Deal Amid Farmer Unrest

Beyer Encourages Youth To Trick Nazis, Save Lives

In 2015, Beyer, who co-wrote 'The Ghost Army of World War II' and produced a 2013 PBS documentary on the 'Ghost Army' told New Hampshire Public Radio that US Army planners in London drew inspiration from the way the Allies misled the Germans about the site of the D-Day landings.

The Army recruited young professionals and art students from communications firms, advertising agencies, and other creative fields. Many would have illustrious careers, such as Bill Blass, the fashion designer, and Ellsworth Kelly, the painter and sculptor.

Beyer told NHPR that the 'Ghost Army' included people from all walks of life, highly skilled radio operators, and engineers.

He added that they have this mix of technically highly trained people, regular coal miners, bartenders, policemen, etc., all working together to pull off these deceptions.

Related Article: World War II Vet, 100, to Marry Near D-Day Beaches in France Where US Troops Landed



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Despite the developments in forming a transitional council, the violence in Haiti rages on, with vigilantes forced to fight gangs.

In response to the violence, several communities took the matters into their own hands due to the lack of manpower in Haiti's police force.

CNN reported that vigilantes are blocking off their neighborhoods with felled trees and chains, killing and burning outsiders suspected of gang membership, saying that it was the only way to defend themselves.

One particular village where vigilantes are fighting back is in the neighborhood of Petion-Ville, south of Port-au-Prince. According to a Reuters reporter at the scene, at least two suspected gang members were killed and set on fire. One of those killed was a gang leader named Makandal, whose family home was also raided and burned.

Read Also: Haiti: Progress in Forming Transitional Council Reported Amid Gang Violence

Local media further cited police reports saying that the local population had been involved in a shootout in Petion-Ville.

Almost a year ago, a group of Port-au-Prince residents lynched and set fire to around a dozen men believed to be gang members, launching what became known as the Bwa Kale movement, a vigilante justice movement which rights groups say has sometimes been carried out with members of Haiti's police.

The newest complication to the already worse situation in Haiti came as political parties are still in the process of naming members for a proposed transitional council to restore law and order in the country.

Related Article: Haiti Suffers New Gang Violence As Government's Future Uncertain

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The CIA requested that tax investigators avoid speaking with the "sugar brother" who gave millions of cash to rescue Hunter Biden.

A minimum of $5 million was given to the president's son by Kevin Morris, who also purchased his artwork and paid Hunter's ex-wife Kathleen Buhle and his illegitimate daughter Lunden Roberts.

Hunter Biden's 'Sugar Brother' Kevin Morris

Hunter Biden, the son of President Biden, has been accused by the Department of Justice (DOJ) of allegedly providing preferential treatment to his father's associate, Kevin Morris.

Federal officials conducting an investigation into Biden's tax affairs were called to CIA headquarters in Virginia. There, Morris was informed that he would not be able to provide testimony for their inquiry.

In a letter to William Burns, the director of the CIA, House lawmakers seeking the president's impeachment have demanded an explanation.

The whistleblower alerted the chairman of the Oversight Committee, James Comer, and the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Jim Jordan, that two Department of Justice officials had been called to the headquarters of the Central Intelligence Agency in Virginia and told Morris that he "could not be a witness" for their inquiry into Biden.

The House leaders have asked the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to turn over all of the files that are currently in its control that are connected to the Department of Justice's and the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) ongoing inquiries against Biden or Kevin Morris.

The CIA states that it works closely with oversight bodies and law enforcement partners, but it remains silent about specific investigations.

Two former IRS employees who spoke out against the agency said that President Joe Biden got in the way of the investigation by stopping other witnesses from testifying and tax investigators from asking questions that could lead them to Biden.

Read Also: US To Give $47 million In Aid To Sudan, 'Worst Humanitarian Disasters In Recent Memory': UN

Committees Grill Morris on Biden Loan

The House Ways and Means Committee, the Oversight Committee, and the Judiciary Committee conducted an interview with Morris on January 18. During the duration of the interview, Morris said that he has provided the first son, who is 54 years old, with a loan of at least $5 million since they first met at a political fundraiser for his father in Hollywood in late 2019.

Since the start of the inquiry into the president's son's tax situation, which began one month after Hunter Biden had his initial meeting with the president, the Justice Department has been conducting ongoing investigations into the situation.

US District Judge Maryellen Noreika questioned the probe in July of last year, which initially resulted in a plea deal that did not include any conditions other than probation.

The Department of Justice deviated from conventional investigative procedures in its investigation of Hunter Biden, as shown by additional evidence that supports the whistleblower's testimony. According to a statement released by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to the New York Post, the agency does not interfere with investigations and works along with law enforcement partners.

The committee has demanded that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) produce any records that pertain to the investigation that the Department of Justice and the Internal Revenue Service are conducting into Hunter Biden or Kevin Morris, DNYUZZ reported.

Related Article: Top Admiral Says China 'Ready to Invade' Taiwan Using 'Force if Directed' By 2027

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Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an attack on rebel fighters by attacking his own country with fighter jets.

The rebel fighters were able to capture Kozinka from the forces of the dictator leader on Wednesday. As a result, the armed forces responded with glide bombs, resulting in significant casualties.

Putin's Attack on Kozinka

According to reports, Russian President Vladimir Putin attacked Kozinka in Belgorod, damaging residential houses and killing many enemy army groups. Despite proof, the Russian military denies hostile soldiers in Kozinka and other villages across the Ukraine border. Pro-Putin governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said citizens were being evacuated but denied the Ukrainian military entered Russia.

Putin's violent blitzing of the area is a response to Ukrainian and partisan attacks on Belgorod. Putin ordered his troops to bomb civilian targets in Ukraine and his FSB to find and murder anti-Putin partisan rebels this week.

Moscow's armed forces have never purposefully targeted a Russian border settlement in Belgorod, an area increasingly under attack by pro-Ukrainian troops and paramilitary rebels.

The Russian Freedom Legion (RFL), Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), and Siberian Battalion (SB) rebels launched an unprecedented cross-border attack on their motherland on March 12. They wanted to disrupt Putin's phony elections last week and "take our territory back from [Putin's] dictatorship centimeter by centimetre."

In an internet video of Russian government soldiers clashing, the SB declared "fierce fighting is underway on the Russian Federation soil."

Another video message was released by the FRL stating that their mission is to rescue people from impoverishment, suffering, and terror-not to murder, erase, destroy, or punish. They advised Russians not to vote in this week's presidential elections and stated the criminal authoritarian system in Russia could not be overthrown peacefully, according to Daily Mail.

Read Also: Texas Man faces 'Stowaway' Charge After Using Photo of Another Passenger's Ticket to Board Delta Flight

Russian Forces Strike Kyiv

Moreover, Russian forces attacked Kyiv for the first time in 44 days, intensifying the war. Ukrainian air defense troops knocked down over three dozen hostile missiles, including ballistic missiles, over Kyiv and nearby, wounding 10 people.

A kindergarten in Sviatoshynskyi was hit by rocket shrapnel, while a residence and a car caught fire nearby in the capital. After days of attacking Russia's Belgorod area bordering Ukraine, Kyiv launched the strike.

After the operation, the Russian military said they had cleansed Kozinka of Ukrainian insurgents. Ukraine's military denies involvement in border incursions and calls paramilitary formations "independent organisations" of Russian citizens working "at home."

Putin ordered his soldiers to assault Ukrainian civilian sites, as they did throughout the war. He instructed the FSB to find and assassinate anti-Putin partisans. The dictator ordered his secret agency high command to find and kill "scum" Russian rebels attacking Ukraine on Tuesday.

Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov ordered the evacuation of 9,000 children from the new borderline, where paramilitaries have been firing and crossing. Stavropol will receive refugees, including children from Belgorod, which has been under bombardment for days.

Putin has shown the power of his military, but he cannot protect a territory. Anti-Kremlin groups have warned people of "massive strikes," The Sun reported.

Related Article: Putin Warns West, Says Russia Is Ready for Nuclear War If Sovereignty Is Threatened

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US Senator Bob Menendeztwice indicted during his Congressional career, including a recent one involving bribe moneyannounced on Thursday, Mar. 21, that he would not be running for reelection as a Democrat.

However, Politico reported that he would still take his chance to retain his Senate seat for New Jersey in November as an independent, saying that he was hopeful that his "exoneration" would "take place this summer."

"Unfortunately, the present accusations I am facing of which I am innocent and will prove sowill not allow me to have that type of dialogue and debate with political opponents that have already made it the cornerstone of their campaign," Menendez said in a video statement. "New Jerseyans deserve better than that."

Menendez's announcement came days before New Jersey's Democratic filing deadline on Monday (Mar. 25). If he ran for reelection as a Democrat, he would not only be jumping into an already contentious primary between Rep. Andy Kim and New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy but also need to convince New Jerseyans due to poor performance in recent public polls.

From Democrat to Independent

The senator was scheduled to undergo trial in early May, while the independent filing would be on June 4, which meant that he was keeping the independent option on the table to see if he would be exonerated.

Menendez faced a previous indictment and trial when he was up for reelection, but a mistrial in 2017 allowed him to maintain support from the state's party establishment in 2018.

However, unlike half a decade ago, he would need to do the same feat in a tighter timeframe and an environment where virtually every statewide Democrat of influence has abandoned him.

Regardless, an independent Menendez could potentially raise problems for Democrats, as New Jersey has not elected a Republican to the Senate in 50 years. To make matters worse, the Democratic primary has shown deep divisions between the party establishment and its progressive wing.

As there were more independent voters than registered Republicans, the primary fight between Kim and Murphy could ripple into the general election, with the presidency and the closely divided Senate on the line.

"I will win in November even if I have to beat Menendez and a Republican simultaneously," Kim said on X, formerly Twitter. "The balance of the Senate is on the line and we need the strongest candidate possible to keep this seat blue and the Senate in Democratic control."

Read Also: AOC, Bernie Sanders Bringing Back 'Green New Deal' For Housing Push

GOP Field Day

On the other hand, Republicans took a field day for the turmoil from within the Democrats.

Mendham Borough Mayor Christine Serrano Glassner, a Republican connected to Donald Trump, called Menendez "Gold Bar Bob" because of the allegations against him regarding bribe money. She said in a statement that she welcomed him staying in the Senatorial race.

"As I've said from the beginning, Menendez should have to face the voters and the people of New Jersey should have the opportunity to repudiate him - and the corruption and cronyism of the Democratic Party as a whole - at the ballot box," she said in a statement.

The son of Cuban immigrants, Menendez entered politics in 1974 as a Union City school board member. He was then elected mayor of Union City in 1986 and a state legislator in 1987. He won a House seat in 1992 and became a senator in 2006.

His past year in Congress was defined by allegations of corruption and bribery, all of which he has repeatedly denied. The first news of the indictment broke in September when court documents accused Menendez and his wife of accepting bribes in the form of cash, a car, and gold bars to help aid the Egyptian government.

A second indictment was then filed against him in January, this time alleging that he was acting as a foreign agent of Qatar.

Menendez strongly maintained his innocence.

Despite calls from within his own party and state to resign, Menendez stayed in office, saying he was being falsely attacked as a Cuban-American. Menendez has also reaffirmed that "of course" he could win reelection.

Related Article: New Jersey Businessman Pleads Guilty to Bribing Senator Menendez, Cooperates in Corruption Case

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The United Nations Security Council is set to vote on a United States-sponsored resolution on Friday (Mar 22) declaring that "an immediate and sustained ceasefire" in the Israel-Hamas War in Gaza is "imperative" to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid to be delivered to over 2 million Palestinians, most of which crammed in the southern Gazan city of Rafah.

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield expressed optimism that the new and tougher draft resolution would be approved by the 15-member council in a vote on Friday.

The Associated Press reported that the draft being put to a vote "determines the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire," with no direct link to the release of hostages taken during Hamas's Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which was in the previous draft.

What made the newest draft unique was the provision to unequivocally support diplomatic efforts "to secure such a ceasefire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages."

However, Russian deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyansky said that the Kremlin would not be satisfied "with anything that doesn't call for an immediate ceasefire," saying that it was what US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was pressing for and what "everybody" wanted.

"What's an imperative?" Polyansky asked about the wording. "I have an imperative to give you $100, but ... it's only an imperative, not $100. So, somebody's fooling around, I think, (with the) international community."

Read Also: UN Rights Chief Says Israeli Settlements in Palestinian Territories Expanded by Record Number

Deadlock in the Security Council

The UN Security Council had already adopted two resolutions on the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, but both of them did not call for a ceasefire.

What made things worse is that the US, Russia, and China, as permanent members of the council, have used their veto powers to block resolutions about the matter.

The vote would take place as Blinken was on his sixth urgent mission to the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas War, discussing a deal for a ceasefire and hostage release, as well as a post-war scenario.

"This resolution is an opportunity for the Council to speak with one voice to support the diplomacy happening on the ground and pressure Hamas to accept the deal on the table," US Mission to the UN spokesperson Nate Evans said.

While the permanent members have been in a diplomatic back-and-forth, the 10 elected members of the Security Council have been drafting their own resolution, which would demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan to be "respected by all parties leading to a permanent sustainable ceasefire." It also demanded "the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages," as well as emphasizing the urgent need to protect civilians and deliver humanitarian aid throughout Gaza.

The US draft would express "deep concern about the threat of conflict-induced famine and epidemics presently facing the civilian population in Gaza as well as the number of undernourished people, and also that hunger in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels."

It also emphasized the "urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance to civilians in the entire Gaza Strip" and lift all barriers to getting aid to civilians "at scale."

"There is a desire to take action, no one want to procrastinate, so we hope that a decision can be made by tomorrow (Friday) evening," French Ambassador to the UN Nicolas de Riviere told reporters. "There are two options: Either the U.S. text is adopted and then we'll move to the next phase of this crisis management, or the text is not adopted and then the draft of the elected members will come to the table and put to the vote, and I hope it will be adopted."

Related Article: UN Expert Criticizes US Aid Policy for Gaza as 'Absurd' Amid Military Support for Israel

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Major TikTok investor Jeffrey Yass has emerged as the top Republican donor so far in the 2024 election cycle.

A former pro poker player who now owns a trading firm and ranks among TikTok's biggest financial backers has emerged as the top donor of the 2024 election cycle, doling out more than $46 million - as lawmakers mull legislation that could ban the popular app.

Jeffrey Yass, 65, has made the hefty donations to four former rivals to Donald Trump for the Republican presidential nomination - entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Sen. Tim Scott and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie - as well as groups supporting school choice, Reuters reported Thursday, citing political donations tracking site OpenSecrets.

Yass is yet to donate to Trump, the former president and presumptive favorite for the GOP's 2024 nomination, who is facing a sizable cash crunch amid his many ongoing legal battles.

However, Trump earlier this month reversed his previous stance in favor of banning TikTok, fueling speculation that Trump may be courting Yass' support, according to Reuters.

Trump said that he was now pro-TikTok because a potential ban on it might help Meta's Facebook, which he has also strongly criticized through the years, dating back to his presidency.

Trump has said that he and Yass have met only for "a few minutes" at a recent Florida gathering of the conservative Club for Growth donor group, and did not discuss TikTok.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are making a renewed pitch to pass legislation that could ban TikTok, citing national security concerns related to its ownership by Chinese company ByteDance. The latest bill would give ByteDance 180 days to divest from TikTok or face a ban on the app in the United States.

Yass, whose net worth is estimated by Forbes at around $27 billion, declined comment to Reuters through a spokesperson.

Yass has also previously donated to several members of Congress in favor of banning TikTok, the report notes.

His true political passion is advocating for school choice, programs that dedicate public funds toward allowing students to attend private and religious schools, said one Republican donor familiar with Yass.

"He is truly a libertarian," Frayda Levin told Reuters. " His main interest is promoting school choice. That's what motivates Jeff."

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(Photo : Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Police string tape across a New York City street.

Two squatters beat a woman to death when she found they'd taken up residence in her late mother's New York City apartment, then fled to Pennsylvania in the victim's Lexus, sparking a manhunt that continued into Friday, according to authorities and reports.

Nadia Vitel, 52, flew in from her home in Spain earlier this month to prepare the East 31st Street apartment so a family friend could stay there, according to the New York Post.

But when she arrived, Vitel found that the apartment she'd believed had been empty for some three to four months was, in fact, occupied.

"We believe that some squatters took the apartment over and this woman came home ... and walked in on the squatters that were there," said NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny, according to the Post.

Vitel was last seen entering the building on the morning of March 12.

The squatters - who have not been publicly named and are described only as a man and woman in their 20s - then beat Vitel, leaving her with head trauma, facial fractures, a brain bleed and two broken ribs, police reportedly said.

The pair then left the building and drove off in Vitel's Lexus SUV, crossing the George Washington Bridge into New Jersey, then heading into Pennsylvania, police reportedly said.

They eventually crashed in Lower Paxton Township just outside Harrisburg and ditched the Lexus, then hit up several local dealerships trying to buy a replacement ride for $1,000.

Meanwhile, Vitel's 19-year-old son, Michael Medvedev, became concerned that he hadn't heard from his mother and headed to the apartment with the building's super on March 14.

Medvedev opened up a closet near the apartment's front door and found a duffel bag, his mother's body stuffed inside, police reportedly said.

The suspects remained at large as of early Friday, with the Regional Fugitive Task Force in pursuit of them, according to the NYPD.

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Rendering of the first North 7 building proposed for near the Merritt 7 train station at 77 Glover Ave. in Norwalk. The city of Norwalk, contributed by The view looking north along Glover Avenue at the intersection of Oakwood Ave. in Norwalk, Conn., on Dec. 12, 2023. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Rendering of the first North 7 building proposed for near the Merritt 7 train station at 77 Glover Ave. in Norwalk. The city of Norwalk, contributed by Rendering of the first North 7 building proposed for near the Merritt 7 train station at 77 Glover Ave. in Norwalk. The city of Norwalk, contributed by The new Merritt 7 Metro-North station in Norwalk, Conn., photographed on Monday, March 11, 2024. The station, which broke ground in September 2020, experienced supply chain issues during construction that delayed its complete opening to January 2024. Tyler Sizemore/Hearst Connecticut Media

NORWALK  The fate of the North 7 development plan is unknown after Stamford developer Building and Land Technology yanked its application for a 266-unit mixed-use apartment building over a city requirement that developers bury the utility lines.

Mr. Chairman, point of order, the applications are hereby withdrawn, said BLTs attorney David Waters after two hours of discussion on the application in the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting Wednesday. There is no need to take any further action.

Earlier in the meeting, Waters explained that if the P&Z Commission required BLT to place the utilities underground, then it would make this project economically not viable.

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At this point, to underground the overhead utilities that currently exist would literally cost several million dollars, and by our consulting engineers' estimate, it would take about a year to do it, Waters said.

Despite BLTs claims, several P&Z Commission members said they believed this requirement is fair.

I think we need to do what is best for the project, best for the neighborhood and best for the city, said Louis Schulman, chair of the P&Z Commission. I think having the utilities underground responds to all three of those.

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I think it also adds to the resilience, too. If the utilities are buried underground, they are more likely not to be damaged in a storm or have to get replaced in the storm, ensuring power for the area, said Steve Kleppin, director of planning and zoning.

Before the P&Z Commission officially voted to keep the condition to require the underground utilities, Waters pulled the application because it appeared the commission would require it.

Commissioners were shocked by the withdrawal of the application.

Its a shame given where we are with it and all the work thats gone into it, P&Z commissioner Nicholas Kantor said.

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I would hate to see this project go away, P&Z commissioner Galen Wells said.

I dont appreciate the attempts to manipulate us in this way, Schulman added.

The North 7 master plan from BLT, which also developed Stamfords Harbor Point, included 1,300 apartment units across several buildings. The fate of the entire project is now at a stalemate over who is responsible for burying the the power lines.

This application was just phase 1 of BLTs North 7 Master Plan, which included a 12-story, 266-unit building with retail and a town square amenity located across the street from the newly completed Merritt 7 train station.

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Earlier this month, Gov. Ned Lamont and other leaders visited the station to admire the new pedestrian bridge that connects Glover Avenue and train commuters to the Merritt 7 office park and Main Avenue. During the tour, Lamont said this new station is the blueprint for transit-oriented development.

Waters said BLT has always supported the mission to get power lines underground but said it should have been done by Connecticuts Department of Transportation during the train station project.

This is a bit of a sore point for us because we have been arguing about this and arguing for this for over five years, he said. We completely agree that they should have been placed underground. They should have been placed underground years ago.

While the power lines were not put underground, they were moved to the other side of the street by DOT, which Waters said BLT was not pleased about.

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To add insult to injury, when DOT and Eversource did the station improvements, they moved the overhead lines from the east side, from the train station side of the street, over to our side of the street, Waters said. So now they have impacted us even more.
President Biden is attempting to launch a Latino Outreach Voter Initiative in attempt to sway the Latino vote.

"Latinos were essential to my win in 2020, and they'll be again essential," affirmed Biden. "I'm working hard to earn their vote."

This comes amid criticism from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, who have warned Biden against giving in to GOP demands on stiffer protocols on border security and immigration.

Biden rhetoric on issues of immigration and border safety hasn't endeared him to some representatives.

"I don't think the Biden administration was going to get any credit for going Republican lite on immigration," Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) told Punchbowl News. "We're never going to be halfway on the issue of immigration."

Firebrand Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has accused the administration of copying former President Donald Trump to appease moderates, calling possible restrictions "outrageous."

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus released a statement calling Biden's consideration of using executive order power "unbelievable."

The CHC further stated that they were not briefed on the matter at all. The CHC also felt snubbed by the administration during border talks in the Senate and argued it was unfair that there were not any Hispanic or immigrant representatives at the table.

Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragan (D-San Pedro) brought this up at a House Democrat retreat, usually a time for partying and unity.

"It's completely unacceptable that the Hispanic Caucus would not be at the table on the issue that we lead on, which is immigration," Barragan said. "We've got to continue to not just talk about it, but making sure something is done. We will continue to fight for that."

DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who faced impeachment for his alleged handling of the southern border by House Republicans, had a meeting with nine CHC members that revealed the group's growing discontent.

"Up until that point, we hadn't been engaged and we hadn't been informed about the communication going on between the Senate and the White House," said Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas), who attended the meeting.

"[The Hispanic vote] is not a freebee," she added. "He's got to go out there and earn it, but I think most people are pretty happy."

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Russia targeted Ukraine's electrical power infrastructure, including the country's largest hydroelectric plant, in air strikes that killed at least five people and left more than a million people without power, according to reports.

The attacks Friday were the largest on Ukraine's energy utilities this year and one of the largest since Russia invaded in February 2022, the Associated Press.

"Even last winter, attacks on our energy system were not as large as they were this night," the head of energy utility Ukrenergo, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, told the wire service.

Last winter, Russia's military regularly bombed the power grid, forcing millions to go without electricity, water and heat in what some Ukrainians believed was a concerted campaign to terrorize civilians.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said about 60 drones and 90 missiles were used in the attack.

Zelenskyy, who has pleaded with the United States and its Western allies to bolster its air defense systems, said widespread assaults from Russia further depletes Ukraine's ability to fight back.

"With Russian missiles, there are no delays, like with aid packages to our state. Shaheds don't have indecisiveness, as do some politicians. It is important to understand the cost of delays and postponed decisions," Zelenskyy said, the AP reported, referring to the Iranian-made Shahed drones that Russia deploys.

About 1.2 million people in four areas of Ukraine were without power because of the attacks, according to totals that presidential aide Oleksy Kuleba posted on social media, with the bulk of the outages in the Kharkiv region, Reuters reported.

"The goal is not just to damage, but to try again, like last year, to cause a large-scale failure of the country's energy system," Energy Minister German Galushchenko said.

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The FBI believes passengers onboard the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 that suffered a near-catastrophic midair blowout in January may have been victims of a crime, according to a letter sent out to passengers who were on that flight.

That letter was shared with CNN by Attorney Mark Lindquist, who is representing several passengers who were on flight 1282 that day. "I'm contacting you because we have identified you as a possible victim of a crime," the letter reads in part.

It also notes that the FBI is currently investigating the case.

"My clients and I welcome the DOJ investigation," Lindquist told CNN, "We want accountability. We want answers. We want safer Boeing planes. And a DOJ investigation helps advance our goals."

Flight attendants aboard the flight were interviewed by Justice Department investigators, according to CNN.

The letters were first reported by the Wall Street Journal earlier this month.

"The FBI does not confirm or deny the existence of an investigation," FBI Seattle's Public Affairs Office wrote in an email to CNN, citing Department of Justice policy.

The Justice Department opened a probe into the incident and airliner manufacturer Boeing in February.

Said investigation carries the possibility of upending the deferred prosecution agreement Boeing reached with the Justice Department in the final month of Trump's presidency.

That settlement was for charges that Boeing defrauded the Federal Aviation Administration during the certification process for the 737 Max.

Boeing agreed to pay $205 billion as part of the deal. However, most of the money Boeing had already agreed to pay to airlines that purchased the Max jet, which was grounded for nearly two years following the Ethiopian Air crash and an earlier crash in Indonesia.

The deferred prosecution agreement could have ended the threat of Boeing facing criminal liability for those earlier fraud charges. The deferred prosecution agreement had the potential to end the legal threat of Boeing facing criminal liability charges for those earlier fraud charges.

However, the January incident came days before a three-year probation period was set to expire.

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Wanted fugitives in the slaying of a woman whose body was stuffed in a duffel bag in her Manhattan apartment have been apprehended in Pennsylvania, according to police.

US Marshals tracked down 19-year-old Hailey Tejada and 18-year-old Kensly Alston in York, PA around 11 am in the morning and took the pair into custody.

It has been about a week since the body of 52-year-old Nadia Vitel was found hidden inside the 19th floor of an apartment on East 31st St in Manhattan.

Authorities believe the teenagers were squatting in the upscale apartment when they came face-to-face with Vitel, beating her to death in an ensuing scuffle.

The victim reportedly suffered multiple facial fractures, two broken ribs, and blunt force trauma to the head that caused brain bleeding.

The New York Post reported that the floor of the closet where the victim's body was discovered was soaked in blood, and one of the walls of the apartment had a crack in it.

A blood stain remained Thursday on the floor of the closet where her body was found and one of the walls of the apartment had a huge crack, grim photos of the crime scene show.

Surveillance video showed the suspects escaping the scene in the dead woman's Lexus SUV after the slaying, according to NYPD.

Nadia Vitel, 52, flew in from her home in Spain earlier this month to prepare the East 31st Street apartment so a family friend could stay there, according to the New York Post.

But when she arrived, Vitel found that the apartment she believed had been empty for some three to four months was occupied.

"We believe that some squatters took the apartment over and this woman came home ... and walked in on the squatters that were there," said NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny, according to the Post.

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Authorities charged a Detroit babysitter with the murder of a toddler with autism after she allegedly admitted to pouring scalding hot water on the victim and banging her head against the bathtub.

Iesha Harris has also been charged with first-degree child abuse in connection with the death of the child, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.

It's unclear if Harris, 30, entered a plea to the charges or retained an attorney to comment on her behalf.

The victim's parents identified their daughter as 3-year-old Harmoni Henderson, who they described as non-verbal and autistic, according to WJBK-TV.

"I would never in one million years (think) she would do this to my baby," Paris England, Harmoni's mother said, the outlet reported. "Even if you think you trust the person, you can't."

On Sunday, Harris was babysitting Harmoni at a Detroit home when she locked the girl in a room with her 1-year-old while she smoked marijuana, prosecutors alleged in court Thursday. Harris became upset when she realized Harmoni threw up on herself.

"Ms. Harris allegedly admitted to police she poured scalding water on top of the 3-year-old and slammed her head against the side of the bathtub," Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer Douglas said, according to WDIV-TV.

During a video call, Harris allegedly told England that Harmoni bumped her head after slipping down the stairs.

"From my knowledge, it was just a fall down the stairs - that she just missed her step, and that's all it was. She told me everything was okay," England told WJBK. "I saw her through the video chat, she was okay."

But when England arrived the next morning, Harmoni was unresponsive.

"She was already dead from the moment that I got there," said England. "She was gone."

The medical examiner determined Harmoni died from blunt force trauma. Harris was arrested Thursday.

"I done cried so much, I don't even know if there's no more tears left in there," the girl's father, Marquise Henderson, said.

Harris was denied bond. She's due back in court Wednesday.

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(Photo : Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Former President Donald Trump stands to get a billion dollar windfall after shareholders of Digital World Acquisition Corp. approved a merger with his media company. Trump faces a Monday deadline to come up the $454 million bond in his civil fraud case.

Former President Donald Trump could be in line for a 10-figure windfall just as the deadline nears for him to secure a $454 million bond on a civil fraud judgment he is appealing, according to reports.

Shareholders of Digital World Acquisition Corp. approved a merger with Trump's media company on Friday that will put $300 million into Trump Media & Technology Group and allow his cash-strapped Truth Social platform to keep operating, the Associated Press reported.

Trump Media will trade on the stock market under the DJT symbol.

The former president could also be in line for a substantial payout because he will own 79 million shares of the combined company, the report said.

Based on Digital World's closing stock price of $42.81 on Thursday, Trump's stake could exceed $3 billion. Trump faces a Monday deadline to come up with the bond to cover the civil fraud penalty in New York.

But even though the stock may begin trading next week, Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, will be unable to cash out immediately because of a "lock-up" provision that restricts company officials from selling shares for six months.

Trump could ask the board for a waiver so he could access some of his windfall, according to Business Insider.

Serving on the board are his son Donald Trump Jr., Linda McMahon, who headed the Small Business Administration in the Trump White House, and Kash Patel, a former member of Trump's National Security Council.

If Trump fails to secure the bond, or convince an appeals court to post a smaller amount or delay the payment until after his appeal, New York Secretary of State Letitia James is poised to seize some of his real estate properties that include 40 Wall Street, Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue and his hotel near Central Park.

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(Photo : Sue Benedict via AP, File)

District attorney called the fight between the teen and three girls an instance of mutual combat and said charges were not warranted.

No criminal charges will be filed against the Oklahoma teens who fought with Nex Benedict in a high school bathroom shortly before the nonbinary teen died by suicide, prosecutors said Thursday.

Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler said in a statement that after reviewing the investigation by the Owasso Police Department, he agreed with detectives' assessment that the fight between Benedict and three girls was an "instance of mutual combat" and that charges were not warranted, according to local outlet WKYT.

"When I review a report and make a decision to file a charge, I must be convinced - as is every prosecutor - that a crime was committed and that I have a reasonable belief that a judge or jury would be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime was committed," Kunzweiler said.

"From all the evidence gathered, this fight was an instance of mutual combat."

Kunzweiler revealed that Owasso police recovered a "suicide note."

Last week, the state medical examiner ruled Benedict's February death a suicide caused by a drug overdose.

"An important part of the Owasso Police Department's investigation was the discovery of some brief notes, written by Benedict, which appeared to be related to the suicide," Kunzweiler said.

"The precise contents of the suicide note are a personal matter which the family will have to address within the privacy of their own lives."

An attorney for Benedict's family, Jacob Biby, said he didn't expect the family to comment on the district attorney's decision.

In a statement released last week, Nex's family called upon schools, administrators, and lawmakers to push for reforms that will help put an end to bullying.

"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 change that all involved should be able to rally behind," Bendict's family said.

The death of Benedict, who identified as nonbinary and used they/them pronouns, has become a focus point for LGBTQ+ rights groups over bullying in schools and has garnered national attention from Oklahoma's governor, Republican Kevin Stitt, as well as President Joe Biden.

In footage recorded at the hospital on the day of the incident, Benedict told an officer how the girls had been targeting them and their friends because of their attire.

Benedict said that during the encounter in the bathroom, the students made remarks such as "Why do they laugh like that," about 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 told the officer from a hospital bed.

The next day, Benedict collapsed at home. Paramedics responded to the family's house and performed CPR before rushing Benedict to the hospital, where the teen later died, said WKYT.

Owasso Public Schools confirmed that the district received notice of the investigation and said the allegations are unsupported with no evidence.

Kunzweiler further said that while securing a criminal conviction requires a standard of proof "beyond a reasonable doubt," the burden of proof in a civil case is considerably less.

"Whether or not individuals may choose to seek legal counsel for remedies in the civil realm of the court system is a decision best left to them," he said.

"The scope of those inquiries are not as limited as the question of criminal/delinquent conduct which I was asked to address in this case."

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : (Photo by STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images))

Emergency services vehicles are seen outside the burning Crocus City Hall concert hall following the shooting incident in Krasnogorsk, outside Moscow, on March 22, 2024. Gunmen opened fire at a concert hall in a Moscow suburb leaving multiple people dead and injured.

Several camouflaged gunmen armed with automatic weapons shot up and set fire to a crowded concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow Friday, killing at least 40 people and wounding over 100 more, authorities and reports said, as Russian officials described the large-scale assault as an apparent act of terrorism.

The attack at Crocus City Hall, for which there was no immediate claim of responsibility, is the deadliest on Russian soil in recent years, the Associated Press reported.

Forty people died and more than 100 were injured, as some 50 ambulance crews descended on the scene, according to the AP and Reuters, which cited Russian news agencies.'

The attackers "threw a grenade or an incendiary bomb, which started a fire," Russian outlet RIA Novosti reported, according to CNN.

Multiple outlets reported that the venue's roof was on the verge of collapse, and video footage obtained by Reuters showed flames lighting up the sky and puffs of black smoke consuming the venue from above.

"A terrible tragedy occurred in the shopping center Crocus City today," Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said. "I am sorry for the loved ones of the victims."

Sobyanin said all necessary assistance would be provided to those injured during the attack.

Several individuals were reportedly still in the venue when emergency vehicles arrived.

In a graphic, unverified video posted on social media, several men with automatic weapons are seen firing continuously at screaming civilians, including women, who were hiding under an entrance sign to the venue.

Another video showed chaos among attendees already seated inside the venue.

Russian investigators are probing the attack as terrorism.

The identities - and fate - of the attackers were not immediately clear.

Earlier this month, the U.S. embassy in Russia warned that extremists had impending plans for an attack in Moscow, though it was not immediately clear whether Friday's attack was related to those plans.

That alert was issued some hours after Russia's Federal Security Service claimed it had prevented an attack on a synagogue in Moscow orchestrated by a cell of the militant Sunni Muslim group Islamic State.

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have spoken out for the first time about Kate Middleton's heartbreaking cancer diagnosis.

In a statement released after the 42-year-old Princess of Wales disclosed she has been receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer, the couple expressed their wish for Middleton to have privacy as she fights her illness.

"We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace," the Duke and Duchess of Sussex penned in a statement.

Middleton announced the cancer diagnosis in a video statement and revealed it was detected after she underwent "major abdominal surgery" back in January at the London Clinic.

"This, of course, came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family," Kate said in the recording.

Harry and Meghan have been estranged from the royal family following their public departure from their royal duties in 2020 and moving with their two children to California.

In February, Harry flew to the United Kingdom from Montecito, California, for a quick trip to visit his father, King Charles III, after he, too, was diagnosed with cancer, reported the New York Post.

However, Harry did not meet with Middleton or his brother William during the short stay.

He later sat down for an interview with "Good Morning America" and discussed his father's cancer diagnosis and his trip.

"Look, I love my family. The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him, I'm grateful for that," expressed the prince.

"I went to go and see him as soon as I could," he told the hosts.

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A homeless person smashes cans for recycling at the Bozza Street car wash this week. While Alton has an overnight warming location for the homeless to use at night when temperatures drop below 20 degrees, there is currently no day shelter for other times. The Alton Salvation Army is working on getting approval to build a shelter at the site of the old Booth House on East 5th Street. John Badman

ALTON  The citizens of Alton shared their thoughts on the monthly Ward 1 meeting at Alton City Hall Wednesday night.

In August 2021, The Salvation Army discontinued operation of The Booth House next to The Salvation Armys Alton Corps Community Center in the 500 block of Alby Street. The building was torn down in 2022.

The Salvation Army said New Hope House would provide three floors of rooms and each would be equipped with a kitchen, restroom facilities and storage for personal belongings. Included would be common areas for laundry machines and recreational areas both on the interior and exterior of the building.

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The house would also provide 48 beds, which includes 16 beds for singles, 12 rooms with 24 beds for couples, and four beds, two bedrooms each, for families.

Once the question and answer portion of the forum began, tensions were high and opinions were split.

Transparency

Many people were concerned that The Salvation Army had been further into the process of the construction of the New Hope House than they area.

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In the Telegraph article posted on March 12, it reported that on Monday, March 11 the Madison County Boards Grants Committee approved the use of $2.5 million in county HOME/ARPA funds for the project. The Madison County Board was planning to vote on this Wednesday, March 20, but was tabled to the next meeting.

Additional funding would include a matching $2.5 million from the Salvation Army, $350,000 in Illinois Housing Development Authority tax credits, a requested federal congressional appropriation of $765,900 and $1 million from the city of Alton.

Some participants felt that this meant that The Salvation Army had skipped the application process and went directly to Mayor David Goins for the $1 million. Travis Widman, Salvation Army Madison County Corps. advisory council member, said that this was not the case and that the $1 million was a projected number.

"We never, ever claimed that the mayor or anyone from the city awarded us that money," Widman said.

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Madison County Building and Zoning Director Chris Doucleff said many in the county board were not aware of the project.

"No one in the neighborhood was contacted about this, we found out last week. Im the Building and Zoning Director for Madison County and I did not know about this, Doucleff said. "Tom Haine, the States Attorney, who lives in the neighborhood, did not know about this. My sister (Valerie Doucleff) whos on the County Board did not know about this."

Safety

Safety was another concerne among participants.

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Widman said that New Hope House would not accommodate those with certain issues, including severe mental illness, severe health issues, or severe drug or alcohol addiction, or those who are sex or violent offenders.

The house would also be staffed 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Each resident would be required to follow rules and guidelines to maintain residency. This includes a daily curfew between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Some raised concerns that if the curfew would actually help. One resident said that he lived next to the Booth House for 17 years before it was torn down, stating that it was nothing but a disaster. He also said that the Booth House had the same rules as the proposed facility and that when they would be kicked out for violating curfew, they would go in front of his house and drink.

Doucleff said that the safety of the people in the neighborhood should take priority.

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"Maybe an alternative or someplace else, but not in our neighborhood," Doucleff said. "The majority of people we talked to, they do not want it, and no spin can change our mind either, because we've seen it, weve lived it."

Location and Preservation

The proposed location for the facility is on the 500 block of Alby Street, which is in the Middletown Historic District.

Some residents felt that the location was too close to Marquette Catholic High School, located on East 4th Street. Additionally, residents felt that this facility being in the Middletown Historic District will threaten the neighborhoods preservation.

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"We care about our neighborhood," Doucleff said. "And we want to preserve the great town Alton is. This is not going to preserve it, this is going to make it worse and this could be the death knell that Alton finally takes."

A local resident who works in home appraising said that this new facility would "crush the value of houses for blocks around".

Kyrainett Pinn, a former employee at the Booth House, criticized some of the residents for not supporting "their own".

"It is very disappointing to see all these people who are not willing to help their neighbors," she said.

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Additional Comments

Mayor David Goins also made a statement near the end of the meeting, saying that everyone is trying to help the best way they know how. He also said that it is important for people of differing opinions to work together and find a solution.

"There's a saying that says, 'The only thing that needs to happen for evil to prevail is when good people do nothing,' and so we have to do something," Goins said.

Earlier before the Ward 1 meeting, the Madison County Board met to discuss this issue. At the start of the meeting, Widman and Capt. Cassy Gray spoke during the public comment period in support of the project.

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However, it was not on the agenda and at the end of the meeting Committee Chair Denise Wiehardt said it had been pulled because of questions, and would be discussed at the April Grants meeting.

The issue came up when Alison Lamothe asked why it wasnt on the agenda, saying she planned to vote in favor of it.

Grants Committee Member Valerie Doucleff, the only no vote at the committee meeting, said she had talked to approximately 80 people in the neighborhood, and they were absolutely against it.

She noted nobody was there to speak against it because they were all going to be attending the Alton meeting.

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Mike Babcock said that those who dont want to help the homeless are heartless, but there were questions about the project.

Lamothe countered that the countys job in this is to provide grant money.

The issue is nobody wants it in their backyard, she said.

Mick Madison noted the board needs to let the process be completed, and that would play out in Alton.

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If this is going to help people get off the street, I would hope people would be in favor of it, Michael Doc Holliday said.

Jason Palmero questioned whether the proposed location was set in stone.

The Madison County Grants Committee will host a public meeting at the Madison County Administration Building, 157 N. Main St. in Edwardsville, in the County Board chambers at 4:30 p.m. April 2.
The Madison County Historical Society Museum and Archival Library. The museum is located at 715 N. Main St. and is the former residence of Dr. John Weir. The library is next door at 801 N. Main St. Billy Woods The Intelligencer

EDWARDSVILLE  Jack LeChien and Mollie McKenzie, co-chairs of the Gustave Koerner House Restoration Committee in Belleville, will present a program for the Madison County Historical Societys Speaker Series on April 14 at 2 p.m.

The subject is Lincoln and Koerner at the Crossroads of History. MCHS Speaker Series events are free and open to the public. The location for the event is the Main Street Community Center at 1003 N. Main St.

Gustave Koerner may be one of Southwestern Illinois least known, yet most influential Illinoisians from his era. Born in Germany in 1809, he was a college-educated man who in his youth was an activist. Regarded as a freedom fighter by modern historians, in Germany, in his time, he was considered a dangerous anti-government revolutionary. He fled his native country to avoid imprisonment.

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In America, Koerner continued his activism, working with his friend, Abraham Lincoln, to stop the expansion of slavery in America. He helped form the Republican Party and in 1856 became chair of the Illinois Republican Party. Two years later, he was president of the convention that nominated his friend, Abraham Lincoln, to the Senate.

He traveled the state, politicking for Lincoln and against the expansion of slavery, lecturing in both German and English, depending on the audience. One author called him a confessed enemy of slavery. That description relates to Koerners words when he said, Do right and fear no one.

When he came to America, Koerner eventually settled in Belleville, where his accomplishments were extraordinary. He was an attorney who was better educated than most due to his university education in Germany. When his law partner, James Shields, retired as Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, Koerner was chosen to replace him. He met Abraham Lincoln through his legal career and sometimes was co-counsel in railroad cases.

He was a politician who was a party loyalist, but not afraid to change parties when it failed to support issues he felt strongly about. Koerner also served as a lieutenant governor of Illinois, as a colonel in the Civil War, and, as U.S. ambassador to Spain.

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Le Chien and McKenzie are responsible for the renovation of Koerners 1854 two-story Greek Revival home in Belleville. Both are completely immersed in the history of Gustave Koerner and they tell a good story about both the man and his influences on this area and the country. They will also discuss the restoration of Koerners nearly 200-year-old house.

Le Chien was news director at WIBV radio, Belleville, for 17 years and in that job learned an appreciation of the history of southwest Illinois. Since 1995 he has been involved in historic preservation in Belleville and in 2001 became co-chair with Molly McKenzie of the Gustave Koerner House Committee.

In 2010, McKenzie retired from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency after a 32-year career spent in Southwestern Illinois. She has received many awards over the years for both professional and volunteer projects promoting preservation as well as projects that educate the public about the diverse historical record of this area.

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Housed in a 110-year-old church in the heart of Adams Morgan, the 220-room hotel offers a uniquely rich way to experience the nation's capital. Its location is an amenity in itself: in the heart of DC, but with an eclectic and residential vibe that makes it feel anything but bureaucratic, Adams Morgan is home to a unique mix of shops, restaurants, and bars. Boasting 60-foot vaulted ceilings, grand copper entry doors, intricate millwork, and ornate brass detailing, The LINE DC is the pinnacle of distinctive and opulent hospitality. Created and managed Sydell Group, the hotel is a modern respite focused on creating inviting spaces and experiences that unite diverse communities of travelers, neighbors and colleagues No Goodbyes is the hotel's all-day neighborhood hangout that taps the farmers, fishers and small-time ranchers in DC's own backyard  The Chesapeake Bay and Mid Atlantic Region  to create an eclectic mix of feel-good dishes. The concept features a cocktail program from veteran D.C. bartender Lukas B. Smith. Guests can choose their own dining adventure, as No Goodbyes encompasses several distinct menus and spaces, including a restaurant, bar, and coffee shop.Guestrooms are designed to conjure the comforts of home, with wood floors, micro libraries, and original art from local female artists. Even pets stay free, and the hotel's Guest Experience team is here for all animal friends with neighborhood recommendations for walks, parks and pet-friendly bars and restaurants, and courtesy cleanup bags, water bowls and treats. Additional hotel amenities include in-room Soothe spa services, a dedicated gym, Priority bicycles and Cowshed bath amenities.In addition to the hotel's elegant accommodations and dining options, The LINE DC is committed to fostering a sense of community and creativity. Its thoughtfully-curated cultural programming includes art exhibitions, live performances, and interactive workshops, providing guests with enriching experiences that celebrate the spirit of Washington D.C. Twelve distinct meetings & events venues spanning 10,000 square feet, both indoors and out, ensure that visitors can host every kind of event or celebration. The property also boasts the Adams Morgan Community Center, a 4,000 sq. ft. community and nonprofit incubator space with a mission to support and empower the artistic and philanthropic endeavors of our neighborhood while celebrating the rich history of the Adams Morgan area. It welcomes artists and nonprofit organizations from across the city to apply to use the space - which includes Carina East, a satellite meeting space located in the LINE DC - for events and exhibits.

Hotel website
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has appointed a new Director of Culinary, Remi Van Peteghem, who brings three decades of culinary experience including with numerous Michelin-starred restaurants around the world. Van Peteghem is a member of the Association of Maitres Cuisinier de France.

Van Peteghem arrives in Hanoi from Singapore, where he most recently served as Culinary Director and Assistant Vice President of food and beverage for Resorts World Sentosa, overseeing its overall culinary operations, including at Michelin-starred Table65.

Prior to that, he was Executive Chef at InterContinental Doha The City, Executive Chef at Royal Monceau Paris (home to the Michelin-starred Il Carpaccio) and Executive Sous Chef at Peninsula New York. During his tenure at Peninsula Hong Kong, he oversaw the management of the historic and iconic French fine dining restaurant Gaddi's for four years.

Other Michelin-starred restaurants Van Peteghem has worked with include Le Sensing (1 star), in his first position as Chef de Cuisine in 2011; Lasserre (2 stars); Pavillon Le Doyen (3 stars); L'Arpege (3 stars); Grand Vefour (3 stars); Il Cortile (1 star); Montparnasse 25 (1 star); and Carre des Feuillants (2 stars).

His culinary approach involves sourcing the highest-quality and freshest produce, both locally and imported, with a strong focus on seasonality, while he is very creative and open-minded in his creation of distinctive menus.

Van Peteghem, a French national, joins Metropole Hanoi as the iconic, 123-year-old luxury hotel relaunches its historic Metropole Heritage Wing following an extensive and inspired renovation and restoration.

His arrival also follows that of a new Chef de Cuisine at Le Beaulieu, Charles Degrendele, who joined the hotel's signature restaurant after its relaunch in 2022 following an extensive refurbishment that resulted in an elegant and sophisticated new design, alongside renowned French gastronomy and Hanoi's most impressive selection of wines.

Stephane Prost, a French national, also recently joined Metropole Hanoi's culinary team as Executive Pastry Chef. Prost, who specializes in fine chocolates and more, is a 30-year veteran of the culinary industry and has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants at 5-star hotels, as well as in resorts, palaces and luxury pastry shops around the world.
Scott Credit Union earns top workplace honors.

EDWARDSVILLE  Scott Credit Union has earned the 2024 Top Workplaces USA award, issued by Energage, a purpose-driven organization that develops solutions to build and brand Top Workplaces. The Top Workplaces program has a 15-year history of surveying more than 20 million employees and recognizing the top organizations across 60 markets for regional Top Workplaces awards.

Top Workplaces USA celebrates organizations with 150 or more employees that have built great cultures. More than 42,000 organizations were invited to participate in the Top Workplaces USA survey. Winners of the Top Workplaces USA list are chosen based solely on employee feedback gathered through an employee engagement survey, issued by Energage.

Results are calculated by comparing the surveys research-based statements, including 15 Culture Drivers that are proven to predict high performance against industry benchmarks.

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Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees, said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. That's something to be proud of. In today's market, leaders must ensure theyre allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That's paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.

We are proud and humbled to be recognized by Energage as a recipient of the 2024 Top Workplaces USA award, remarked Frank Padak, President and CEO of Scott Credit Union. This achievement underscores our commitment to fostering an environment where every team member feels valued, empowered, and heard.

Padak added, The recognition is a testament to the dedication and passion of our employees, whose feedback has shaped our organization into the thriving community it is today. We are honored to be among the distinguished companies recognized for building exceptional workplace cultures, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing an outstanding experience for our team members.

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The Hotel & Shop Plus Shanghai will be held on 26-29 March 2024 at Shanghai New International Expo Center. As China's leading trade show, it has been devoted to hospitality and commercial space for more than 30 years.

With the support of China Tourist Hotel Association, China Commerce Association for General Merchandise, China Association of Lighting Industry, China Architectural Culture Centre, MoHURD , and organized by Sinoexpo Informa Markets, this mega event will gather again to benefit all the participants.

As a one-stop sourcing platform for construction and operation of hotels and commercial space, it covers a wealth of products ranging from Bathroom & Hardware Wall & Floor Coverings, Outdoor Design, Interior Design, Smart Hotel, Decorative Lighting, Smart Control Systems, Hotel Supplies, Hotel Textiles & Uniforms, Commercial Space to Commercial Design, etc.

Hotel & Shop Plus 2024 will provide valuable opportunities for participants. Join us on this wonderful journey as we will offer more chances and fresh experiences for you!

This event is organized by Sinoexpo Informa Markets

For more information please contact Jade Liao

+86 21 3339 2113
What is a hotel booking app?

A hotel booking app is an application or website that travellers use to book a stay at a hotel. Often travellers will use apps via their mobile devices to research, book, and pay for hotel accommodation. Some well known examples of hotel booking apps include Booking.com, Airbnb, or HotelTonight.

This blog will provide a full guide to hotel booking apps and which ones may be the most useful to sell your inventory on.

Table of contents

1. What is a hotel booking app?

2. Why should you be aware of the best hotel booking apps?

3. List of popular hotel booking and travel apps

4. Best travel booking app for hotels

5. Booking apps for and by hotels

Why should you be aware of the best hotel booking apps?

Hotel booking apps are now a dominant source of bookings for accommodation providers, with travellers booking their trips online more often than not.

Travellers can spend up to 12 weeks researching their trip and may visit up to 38 websites before they complete a purchase.

Given the online travel industry generated revenue worth $667.55 billion in 2023, booking apps are where the money is  as well as your own hotel website.

Being present on the best and most popular booking apps will help your hotel become a consideration for travellers as they prepare to book their stays.

The wider you cast your net, the better too. If you use a solution such as a channel manager, you can list your inventory on as many booking apps as you want with no risk of double bookings or inaccurate inventory.

List of popular hotel booking and travel apps

As we know, travellers are very resourceful. They look high and low, using many different apps and websites to find the best deals, value, and experiences for their stays. However there are also many different traveller profiles  who all have unique needs. This is another reason why it pays to be advertising on a range of travel apps.

Cheapest hotel app

Theres really no definitive cheapest hotel app, since budget hotels and affordable accommodations can be found on all apps. Of course, there are specific examples such as HostelWorld which offers hostels exclusively, a generally cheaper type of accommodation.

Hotels.com is another channel renowned for having cheap accommodation available.

Travellers might also use metasearch apps like Trivago, or local apps such as Australias Wotif, to discover properties at lower prices and easily compare their options.

Discount hotel app

Plenty of hotel apps might offer exclusive discounts or deals, or make it easier for travellers to survey the best options available to them.

Hopper is a fast-growing mobile travel app that offers plenty of personalised deals to users, while Kayak is another strong metasearch option.

Last minute hotel booking app

The very appropriately named Lastminute.com is one of the most popular options for travellers looking to secure hotel rooms at short notice, finding good deals in real-time.

HotelTonight is a similar app that is also used a lot for last minute bookings, while Hotwire is slightly less popular but also advertises last minute deals.

RedDoorz hotel booking app

RedDoorz is a popular hotel booking app across hot asian destinations such as Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

Members of RedDoorz can enjoy special offers and deals, while hotels listing on the platform will have access to highly focused and motivated travellers searching for accommodation in these regions.

 Source: SiteMinder

Best travel booking app for hotels

So which travel booking apps should your hotel be listing and selling your inventory on? Theres no secret about which booking channels are the biggest and most popular in the world  of course we mean Booking.com and Expedia.

However, unique channels like Airbnb, Mr and Mrs Smith, or Lastminute.com can also provide strong reservation and revenue opportunities.

You also have to consider key metrics within your channel performance, such as which channels have the highest cancellation rates or longest lengths of stay.

Best hotel booking app in USA

Thanks to SiteMinders Hotel Booking Trends, we know the best hotel booking app in the USA and across the rest of the world.

If we take revenue generation as a measure of success, the best booking apps for USA hotels are:

Booking.com

Expedia

Agoda

Airbnb

Hotelbeds

HotelTonight

Hostelworld Group

Webbeds

Hopper

HotelsCombined

Note: Direct bookings (hotel websites) drive the third most revenue for USA hotels, while Global Distribution Systems are at number five.

Best hotel booking app in Europe

Using the same data, we can look at the best hotel bookings apps in Europe too.

For instance, here are the top five in some key destinations:

UK  Booking.com, Expedia, Hotelbeds, Agoda, Trip.com

 Booking.com, Expedia, Hotelbeds, Agoda, Trip.com Spain  Booking.com, Expedia, Hotelbeds, Jet2holidays, World 2 Meet

 Booking.com, Expedia, Hotelbeds, Jet2holidays, World 2 Meet Italy  Booking.com, Expedia, Hotelbeds, Hostelworld Group, Agoda

 Booking.com, Expedia, Hotelbeds, Hostelworld Group, Agoda Germany  Booking.com, Expedia, HRS, Hotelbeds, Hostelworld Group

 Booking.com, Expedia, HRS, Hotelbeds, Hostelworld Group France 

Booking.com, Expedia, Hotelbeds, Agoda, Hostelworld Group

As you can see there are variations across markets in Europe, and the best hotel booking app will depend on the goals of your hotel and who you are looking to attract.

For example, the UK attracts a lot of travellers from China which is why Trip.com is such a prominent booking channel.

Best hotel reservation app

Determining the best hotel reservation app depends on how you define it, because it will mean different things to travellers and hotels.

For hotels looking for an app to help manage their reservations, there are plenty available on the market.

Popular options include Little Hotelier, Cloudbeds, Preno, WebRezPro, and Hostaway to name a few.

Little Hotelier in particular is a great option for smaller accommodation providers, as its an all-in-one solution that includes a property management system, channel manager, booking engine, and more. Its also equipped with a mobile app so operators can manage their reservations anywhere, anytime.

Similarly, SiteMinder can be a great choice for independent properties and larger hotels, as it has the industrys leading channel manager and booking engine, making it easy for hoteliers to attract and convert reservations for their business. It also has a mobile app, further enhancing the convenience of the platform.

Our previous direct booking option was very confusing and not very user-friendly. SiteMinders booking engine is a lot better integrated on the website and makes it easy for guests to book. So far, we have increased our direct bookings by 15%. Mirja Wolf, Manager Hotel Kragemann

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Booking apps for and by hotels

Omni hotel app

The Omni hotel app is an app offered by Omni Hotels. It allows hoteliers to maintain efficient and effective housekeeping using real-time data and communication.

Choice hotel app

The Choice hotel app is offered by Choice Hotels and allows travellers to easily search and book Choice hotels from their mobile device. Guests can also manage their reservations, and redeem rewards if they are a member.

Hilton hotel app

The Hilton hotel app, or Hilton Honors App, is offered by Hilton Hotels. It allows travellers and guests to book stays, search destinations, and earn rewards.

Sheraton hotel app

The Sheraton hotel app is actually the Marriott Bonvoy app, since Marriott owns Sheraton Hotels. The app allows guests to book stays, gives them a mobile room key, unlocks live chat for assistance and requests, and enables them to order food and beverages.

Westin hotel app

Just like Sheraton, the Westin hotel app is actually part of the Marriott Bonvoy app. Many brands fall under Marriotts umbrella, including Westin. The app allows guests to get rewards and discounts for these brands.

Radisson hotel app

The Radisson hotel app is offered by Radisson Hotels. It gives members exclusive benefits, cheaper rates, and additional offers. Guests can book stays across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific.

Use SiteMinder to find success on all the best hotel booking apps

SiteMinder is the industrys leading hotel platform, unlocking the full revenue potential of hotel businesses around the world.

With SiteMinders unrivalled power and performance, every major hotel booking app is in your hands:

Access 450+ booking channels: SiteMinders channel manager can connect to a vast ecosystem of booking channels including Booking.com, Expedia, Airbnb, and many more. This allows your hotel to access and accept bookings from guests in every corner of the world.

SiteMinders channel manager can connect to a vast ecosystem of booking channels including Booking.com, Expedia, Airbnb, and many more. This allows your hotel to access and accept bookings from guests in every corner of the world. Connect with hundreds of booking app partners: SiteMinder has partnerships in every sector of the industry. This includes app partners, which can help your hotel market your offerings, optimise guest engagement, enhance revenue management, increase upsells, manage reviews and reputation, and create seamless check-in and in-stay experiences.

SiteMinder has partnerships in every sector of the industry. This includes app partners, which can help your hotel market your offerings, optimise guest engagement, enhance revenue management, increase upsells, manage reviews and reputation, and create seamless check-in and in-stay experiences. Boost direct bookings: SiteMinders booking engine is rated the industrys #1, and allows your hotel to seamlessly accept direct bookings on your website, via metasearch, and via social media. It can also integrate with direct booking plugins to further increase guest experience and profitability.

SiteMinder also now has its own mobile app, meaning you can get the power of SiteMinder in the palm of your hand, anytime and anywhere.

Why not try SiteMinder for free and see the difference it makes for your business?

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.

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Hotels are places normally associated with pleasure, relaxation and luxury  weddings, parties, holidays  or more mundane activities like business trips and conferences. They are omnipresent and ordinary, but when circumstances are extraordinary, as they are in the middle of the current COVID-19 crisis, hotels have to adapt quickly to new and unexpected realities.

As the current crisis gradually closes down the tourist industry in many parts of the world, empty hotels are being redeployed as accommodation for key medical staff, as quarantine centres or as field hospitals. No longer places for leisure, business, enjoyment and indulgence, they have become instead vital components in the infrastructure of crisis management.

It is, of course, well documented that in crises, such as wars, hotels can play an important role.

They can be militarised (as strategic assets), as some of Beiruts grandest  the St Georges, the Phoenicia, the Hilton and the Holiday Inn  were during the Battle of the Hotels in Beirut in 1975.

Read the full article at Al Jazeera Media Network
WASHINGTON  AHLA Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), announced its 2024 officers and Board of Trustees, further diversifying the boards representation of industry segments.

Julienne Smith, Chief Development Officer, Americas at IHG Hotels & Resorts was appointed Chair of the Board, succeeding RLJ Lodging Trust Chief Operating Officer and EVP Tom Bardenett. Bardenett will remain on the 2024 Board as Immediate Past Chair, serving with President and Global Head of Hilton Supply Management Anu Saxena, as the boards Vice Chair and Summit Hotel Properties President & CEO Jonathan Stanner as the boards Secretary/Treasurer.

I am thrilled and honored to step into the role as Chair of the AHLA Foundation. The Foundations work focuses on the single most important thing in our industry  supporting our people, who are the heart of our hotels and who make hospitality a fantastic career path. Julienne Smith

AHLA Foundation welcomed three new members to the Board of Trustees: Amber Asher, CEO, Standard International; Kevin Osterhaus, President, Graduate Hotels; and Harry Javer, Founder & President, The Conference Bureau.

Supporting the hotel workforce, the people at the heart of this industry, is at the center of AHLA Foundations work. Our Board plays a vital role in advancing our mission, and the leadership and guidance of these industry leaders will set the stage for deeper impact and even greater reach. AHLA Foundation President Anna Blue

See the full list of AHLA Foundation Board of Trustees here.

About the AHLA Foundation

The AHLA Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, works to support the hotel and lodging industry's greatest asset our people. By connecting employees, employers, and their communities, we seek to continuously nurture a culture of professional growth and belonging. When the people who work in our industry thrive, the industry thrives along with them. The Foundation is funded by grants and charitable contributions from generous individuals and organizations who want to support individuals seeking opportunities to thrive in the hotel and lodging industry. Learn more at www.ahlafoundation.org.
The 12th World Congress on Snow, Mountain and Wellness Tourism identified key challenges, among them climate change and evolving consumer trends, while recognizing the role tourism can play in the protection of the fragile mountain ecosystem, the building of resilience for mountain communities, and the preservation of the local heritage.

Five Years of Action

Held in the framework of the United Nations Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions, the Congress focused on medical and wellness tourism, sustainability, the promotion of premium segments in mountain areas, emerging tourism products and the attraction and retention of human talent.

Also on the agenda was ensuring the importance of measuring the flow of visitors to mountains, representing the vital step towards unlocking the potential of the sector, promoting evidence based policies and ensure its sustainable management, according to a UN Tourism report, jointly developed with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Mountain Partnership (MP) presented at the event.

Opening the Congress, Prime Minister, Xavier Espot, stated: Tourism in Andorra has recovered pre-pandemic numbers, with more than 9 million tourists and 12 million overnight stays in 2023. However, it is important to seek a balance that ensures environmental continuity and the well-being of people, moving towards a model based on sustainability to find the balance between quantity and quality. Tourism should not be perceived as a problem, but as part of the solutions to the great challenges that the future brings, because a tourism that is respectful of nature, culture and society guarantees resources for the future.

Natalia Bayona, Executive Director at UN Tourism, recalled that Tourism is a lifeline for many communities in mountain regions. At the same time, it can play a leading role in protecting these important ecosystems. It can provide new opportunities for conservation and drive the development of local communities. I trust that this Congress will help us move towards a better, more innovative, inclusive and sustainable growth for people and planet.

High-level panel looks into polices for mountain tourism development

A high-level panel on policies that promote diversification, innovation and sustainability for mountain destinations gathered Jordi Torres Falco, Minister of Tourism and Commerce of Andorra, Rosana Morillo Rodriguez, Secretary of State for Tourism of Spain, and Alessandra Priante, President of the Italian National Tourism Board (ENIT). Participants stressed the importance of creating a strong framework that aligns all related stakeholders towards a common vision for the development of sustainable, resilient, and inclusive mountain tourism that benefits its communities directly.

Exploring health tourism for mountain development

As an outcome of the 2022 edition, the 2024 Congress included a new focus on health (medical and wellness) tourism, a segment where mountains can offer important added value and have a competitive advantage. This reflects the shift to diversify mountain tourism products, create demand all year around and address the demand of todays tourist.

Experiences in this segment were presented by speakers such as Csilla Mezosi, Secretary-General of the European Spas Association, Laszlo Puczko, CEO of Health Tourism Worldwide, Joan Muro, President of the Health Tourism Association of Andorra Health Destination and Emma Haefeli, Marketing Director of CHENOT GROUP (Switzerland).

Tourism for rural development

Recalling how tourism can be a driver of rural development, promoting the valorisation and preservation of local culture and values of mountain communities, the Congress also counted with the participation of representatives from three Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism: Saas-Fee of the Swiss region of Valais (BTV in 2021), St. Anton am Arlberg of Austria (BTV 2023) and Ordino of Andorra (BTV in 2023). These villages presented how they stand out in addressing seasonality by diversifying tourism products in an innovative and sustainable manner.

Over 300 participants from 14 countries gathered in Andorra, with many also joining via livestreaming. Speakers included, among others, representatives from Slow Food Carinthia in Austria, National Geographic, lAgence des Pyrenees, the Sustainable Alpine Tourism Initiative, Pic du Midi, the Creative Tourism Network, Mabrian (Spain), Horwath HTL, as well as leading education institutions such as CETT Barcelona and the Bella Vista Institute of Higher Education of Switzerland.

Minister of Tourism and Commerce of Andorra, Jordi Torres Falco, concluded: This year we have introduced a new segment, wellness, demonstrating that in the tourism sector we evolve and adapt to new tourism trends. We also face the need to continue working to advance the Congress, allowing us to respond to the needs of the sector, providing knowledge and tools to improve the mountain tourism offer and, at the same time, become a laboratory where we can delve deeper into topics as varied as the integration of tourism in local communities, or education and training .

About UN Tourism

The World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.

As the leading international organization in the field of tourism, UN Tourism promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide.

Our Priorities

Mainstreaming tourism in the global agenda: Advocating the value of tourism as a driver of socio-economic growth and development, its inclusion as a priority in national and international policies and the need to create a level playing field for the sector to develop and prosper.

Promoting sustainable tourism development: Supporting sustainable tourism policies and practices: policies which make optimal use of environmental resources, respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities and provide socio-economic benefits for all.

Fostering knowledge, education and capacity building: Supporting countries to assess and address their needs in education and training, as well as providing networks for knowledge creation and exchange.

Improving tourism competitiveness: Improving UN Tourism Members' competitiveness through knowledge creation and exchange, human resources development and the promotion of excellence in areas such as policy planning, statistics and market trends, sustainable tourism development, marketing and promotion, product development and risk and crisis management.

Advancing tourism's contribution to poverty reduction and development: Maximizing the contribution of tourism to poverty reduction and achieving the SDGs by making tourism work as a tool for development and promoting the inclusion of tourism in the development agenda.

Building partnerships: Engaging with the private sector, regional and local tourism organizations, academia and research institutions, civil society and the UN system to build a more sustainable, responsible and competitive tourism sector.

Our Structure

Members: An intergovernmental organization, UN Tourism has 160 Member States, 6 Associate Members, 2 Observers and over 500 Affiliate Members.

Organs: The General Assembly is the supreme organ of the Organization. The Executive Council take all measures, in consultation with the Secretary-General, for the implementation of the decisions and recommendations of the General Assembly and reports to the Assembly.

Secretariat: UN Tourism headquarters are based in Madrid, Spain. The Secretariat is led by the Secretary-General and organized into departments covering issues such as sustainability, education, tourism trends and marketing, sustainable development, statistics and the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA), destination management, ethics and risk and crisis management. The Technical Cooperation and Silk Road Department carries out development projects in over 100 countries worldwide, while the Regional Departments for Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and the Middle East serve as the link between UN Tourism and its 160 Member States. The Affiliate Members Department represents UN Tourism's 500 plus Affiliate members.

UN Tourism Communications Department

+34 91 567 8100

UN Tourism
WASHINGTON - U.S. Travel Association announced today the appointment of two new members to its executive board and three new members to its governance committee.

Diane Shober, executive director, Wyoming Office of Tourism and Vic Isley, president and CEO, Explore Asheville, join the associations executive board. Dan Surette, chief sales officer, Omni Hotels & Resorts, Kevin J. Thibault, P.E., CEO, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, and Timothy Wolfe, director, Colorado Tourism Office join the associations governance committee.

The nominations were approved during U.S. Travel Associations spring executive board meeting on March 20.

The U.S. Travel members stepping up to these roles bring unique and important perspectives to our associations leadership. Their insights will be of tremendous value as we continue to build a best-in-class trade association and advance our strategic priorities for future success. U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman

Board Officers Affirmed

U.S. Travels board officers were nominated and approved for second terms. These officers broadly represent the U.S. travel industry and perform essential administrative functions that ensure the association operates effectively and meets member expectations.

U.S. Travel thanks these valued members for their commitment to guiding our association and creating a stronger, more competitive industry, said Freeman.

The full board of delegates, including newly affirmed at-large delegates, can be found here.

About U.S. Travel Association

U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing the $1.2 trillion travel industry, an essential contributor to our nation's economy and success. U.S. Travel produces programs and insights and advocates for policies to increase travel to and within the United States. Visit ustravel.org for information and recovery-related data.

Greg Staley

U.S. Travel Association
EHL Hospitality Business School, a leader in hospitality management education, is proud to announce its upcoming conference panel, "Managing Hotels in Times of War," as part of its Hospitality for Society initiative. The conference, scheduled for Tuesday, April 30th, will bring together industry experts to discuss the operational challenges of navigating the hospitality industry in conflict zones.

With the support of the EHL Career Club, the event will take place on EHLs campus in Lausanne. It will feature a panel discussion in English with hospitality professionals:

Mr. Guy Lindt , General Manager of the American Colony Hotel in Jerusalem and EHL alumnus

, General Manager of the American Colony Hotel in Jerusalem and EHL alumnus Mr. Artem Prykhodko , General Manager of the InterContinental in Kyiv

, General Manager of the InterContinental in Kyiv Mr. Nicolas Vout, Head of Digital Transformation & Data at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and EHL alumnus

Moderator: Dr. Ines Blal, Associate Professor at EHL Hospitality Business School

The conference aims to explore the intricate connections between geopolitical changes and hotel operations. The experts will also share how hotels can transform into safe havens in conflict. The panel will delve into the operational challenges faced by hoteliers, including staff management, infrastructural modifications, and security aspects. The discussion will also highlight the role of ICRC in preparing hotels for escalating conflicts and managing new logistics.

In navigating the complexities of managing hotels amidst conflict, we learn firsthand about resilience and the positive social impact of hospitality. We look forward to the discussion to delve into these unique and inspirational experiences. Dr. Ines Blal, Associate Professor at EHL Hospitality Business School

The event is free of charge for EHL students, staff, and alumni, while external guests can register for a fee of 49 CHF. A networking cocktail will follow the discussion so attendees can engage with the panelists and fellow industry professionals. Any profit generated will support the EHL Student Committee of the Career Club.

This conference is the first event of the Hospitality for Society platform, which gives voice to those making positive societal impacts through hospitality. It underscores EHL's commitment to fostering dialogue and learning around critical industry challenges.

We invite anyone who wishes to join and learn from the frontlines of hospitality management in conflict zones and contribute to a meaningful discussion on the role of hotels in society. To register for the conference, please scan the QR code on the invitation.

About EHL Group

EHL Group is the global reference in education, innovation and consulting for the hospitality and service sector.

With expertise dating back to 1893, EHL Group now offers a wide range of leading educational programs from apprenticeships to master's degrees, as well as professional and executive education, on three campuses in Switzerland and Singapore. EHL Group also offers consulting and certification services to companies and learning centers around the world. True to its values and committed to building a sustainable world, EHL Group's purpose is to provide education, services and working environments that are people-centered and open to the world. www.ehlgroup.com
The collaboration heralds the associations Greek market debut, extending HSMAIs membership and industry leading certification opportunities to SACs highly regarded alumni network of more than 6,000 hospitality professionals and all industry executives in Greece.

HSMAI Europe, the European arm of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), the industrys leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable revenue growth globally, is making its Greece debut after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a collaborative partnership with renowned hospitality education institution, Swiss Alpine Center (SAC).

Marking a major milestone for HSMAI Europe as it looks to rapidly expand its pan-regional presence, the agreement extends membership and exclusive professional development opportunities to SACs esteemed, 6,000-strong alumni network, many of whom hold prominent positions globally. This includes access to HSMAI Europes highly regarded workshops and industry leading certification programmes in revenue management, sales, leadership and customer centricity.

A renowned hospitality education institution headquartered in Alpnach Dorf-Obwalden, Switzerland, SACs world-revered legacy includes the establishment of its rst international campus in Greece in 1987. Offering world-class programmes in Hospitality and Tourism Management, as well as Culinary Arts Management, SAC, like HSMAI, champions excellence in hospitality education, making the partners a perfect fit.

As part of the collaboration, two of SACs current students will join HSMAI Europes Student Council, the first initiative of its kind to span hotel business schools and universities. It helps students and education institutions such as SAC build a network beyond their usual scope, stimulate students professional growth, and creates a sense of industry belonging and pride.

It is an honour to partner with Swiss Alpine Center, an institution known worldwide for its commitment to excellence in hospitality education, to expand HSMAI Europes presence to Greece, a market with huge potential for our association and its hospitality industry community. Together, we will provide unparalleled opportunities for professional development, empowering hospitality professionals to enhance their commercial acumen. We are also looking forward to leveraging the wealth of knowledge at SAC and its powerful alumni, with some of the industrys greatest minds providing an exceptional contribution to our association. Ingunn Hofseth, President & CEO, HSMAI Region Europe

HSMAI stands as a global hub for professionals in sales, marketing, and revenue management across various sectors within hospitality. Over the past three decades, Ive actively contributed to the advancement of hospitality and tourism education in Greece. It brings me immense pride to introduce HSMAI to the Greek market. This organisation places a significant emphasis on education and has emerged as a leading force in recognising and disseminating trends within the hospitality realm. With Greeces tourism industry experiencing a resurgence post-pandemic, I am confident that numerous professionals will find immense value in aligning with HSMAI. By leveraging its wealth of best practices, individuals can enhance their sales and marketing strategies while benefiting from world-class workshops in revenue management, sales techniques, marketing strategies, and leadership development. Sybil Hofmann, President, International Programmes, Swiss Alpine Center (SAC)

HSMAI Europe is excited to announce its upcoming press conference, scheduled to take place in Athens on Thursday afternoon, May 23. Executives and professionals from the Greek hospitality sector are cordially invited to attend. This event will serve as a platform to discuss important updates and initiatives within the hospitality industry, along with the unveiling of upcoming workshops.

Additionally, in the Autumn season, HSMAI Europe will be organizing a pre-certification workshop within revenue management, followed by a global exam. This workshop and exam present a valuable opportunity for professionals to enhance their careers by obtaining the prestigious Certified Revenue Management Executive (CRME) certification, recognized globally for its standards of excellence in revenue management.

The CRME certification, already adopted by global hotel chains, is designed to help hospitality professionals enhance their revenue management expertise. It certifies them as: a professional in the field of revenue management and clearly conversant with its intricacies and importance; competent to develop an infrastructure to support revenue management within the framework of an organisation; able to maximise revenue opportunities and optimise profits by managing revenue; capable of making informed decisions to accept or reject business to meet overall organisational goals; and proficient at the art and science of revenue management

Leading the Athens pre-certification workshop is Frederic Toitot, a seasoned hospitality and travel professional with 15 years of experience at Accors global headquarters. He is currently Founder and Managing Director at Hotel Games and member and past chair of the HSMAI Europe Revenue Optimisation Advisory Board.

Expert insights on the hospitality market in Greece and wider Europe have also been bolstered by two recent HSMAI Europe appointments, each held by professionals with Greek heritage. Revered industry veteran Dimitris Manikis, President EMEA at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, has joined the associations board of directors, and Kostas Ioannidis, Sales Director, Global Sales Europe, at IHG Hotels & Resorts has taken the helm as Sales Advisory Board Chair for HSMAI Europe.
The travel scholarship program, supported by a grant from the Nareit Foundation, will increase student exposure to commercial real estate career pathways

AHLA Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), today announced plans to expand its travel scholarship program in partnership with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The opportunity to grow the program, and formally connect HBCU students to the real estate investment trust (REIT) industry, was made possible by a 2023 grant from the Nareit Foundations Dividends Through Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DDEI) Giving Campaign.

HBCUs are an incredible, yet underestimated, resource for talent said AHLA Foundation President Anna Blue. Travel scholarships are an important tool for fostering inclusion at the earliest stages and help to increase exposure to the different parts of industry, including hotel and lodging REITs.

AHLA Foundation launched its travel scholarship program in 2023 to increase student exposure to career pathways in hospitality by inviting them to attend industry conferences, including The Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) Conference, ForWard Conference 2024, the Lodging Conference, and the Hospitality Show. The $85,000 grant from the Nareit Foundationthe philanthropic arm of Nareitwill support HBCU students attendance at REIT- and investment-focused events such as the Hunter: Hotel Investment Conference in March and the NYU International Hospitality Industry Conference in June. Read more about how REITs are investing in HBCU programs to ensure visibility of CRE career paths for top talent here.

HBCU travel scholarships are available for students attending AHLA Foundation-affiliated schools, including Bethune-Cookman University, Howard University, Morgan State University, North Carolina Central University, University of the District of Columbia, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Virginia State University. Each school may choose to nominate students to receive these scholarships. Recipients must demonstrate leadership ability and commitment to a future in the hotel and lodging industry, and meet eligibility guidelines. For more information about AHLA Foundation travel scholarships, contact scholarships@ahla.com.
STR Reports More Global Hotel Markets Growing RevPAR

STR's global "bubble chart" update as of 9 March 2024 shows that 77% of markets increased revenue per available room (RevPAR) from the comparable period in 2023, which was 4% more than the last update. Occupancy and average daily rate (ADR) were also steadily higher than last year.

Among countries with 50,000 rooms and adequate hotel reporting levels, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, France, Switzerland, and New Zealand led in RevPAR on an actual basis. Singapore recorded the highest ADR at $284, which was 17% higher year over year as the market hosted Taylor Swifts Eras Tour. During the same period, occupancy increased mildly by 4.6%.

New Zealand joined the leader list for the first time since this update began years ago. The country recorded the highest occupancy rate (84.8%) toward the end of its summer season. Notably, Thailand recorded occupancy above 80%, continuing to surpass its highest occupancy of the post-pandemic period.

Overall, 36 of 48 countries with hotel supply greater than 50,000 rooms recorded growth in RevPAR versus 2023.

Excluding countries with fluctuating exchange rates, the leaders in year-over-year RevPAR growth were Japan, Greece, Malaysia, the Czech Republic, and Singapore. Notably, Greece and the Czech Republic recorded occupancy growth of more than 8%, while Japan experienced a slight decrease in the metric (-0.1%) but the highest ADR growth (+30%).

Excluding provincial areas and country markets, the top five performers in RevPAR were Macau, Stuttgart, Hokkaido, Sanya, and Frankfurt. Leisure markets in China benefited greatly from the Lunar New Year holiday, with Macau experiencing a 17% increase in occupancy and Sanya seeing a 46% rise in ADR.

While other China markets were influenced by the shifting calendar effect of Chinese New Year, most of the countrys markets experienced drops in both occupancy and ADR. Excluding Chinas markets, 65% and 75% of markets saw higher occupancy and ADR, respectively, year over year. Ta

This article originally appeared on STR.
Delano Dubai

Delano Dubai

Delano Dubai

Delano Dubai

Ennismore announced that its Delano brand will be coming to the UAE for the first time. Opening later this year at the waterfront destination Bluewaters Dubai, Delano Dubai will be a luxurious destination in its own right, appealing to discerning individuals who define luxury by attention to detail, craftsmanship and personalised experiences.

The launch of Delano Dubai forms part of a landmark deal signed between Ennismore and Dubai Holding in 2023 to introduce a unique luxury lifestyle experience in Dubai, and follows the opening of Banyan Tree Dubai at Bluewaters Dubai late last year.

Delano Dubai will feature 251 guestrooms, including 84 suites, some with private pools, exceptional culinary and mixology experiences, an ocean-front swimming pool, and ultimate discretion on a secluded corner of this island retreat. Guests will be able to discover four distinctive food and beverage concepts, including a collaboration with Paris Society for a unique restaurant and pool club, a patisserie, a Levantine-inspired destination restaurant, a modern Italian and a contemporary reimagining of Delano's renowned and famous Rose Bar.

Sharan Pasricha, Founder & Co-CEO and Gaurav Bhushan, Co-CEO, Ennismore, said, "When Delano launched in Miami in 1995, it traded traditional, gilded luxury for something far more modern and understated, but equally grand. Delano pioneered the concept of lifestyle hospitality as we know it today, and we are thrilled to be bringing the iconic Delano to the forefront of global hospitality again, with a new home in Dubai  marking a major milestone in the brand's journey. From its origins in Miami, a bustling social hub, to the new global hub of extraordinary experiences, Dubai, Delano is set to introduce a new level of luxury, discernment and vibrant energy to the city as our debut property in the region. We look forward to sharing more exciting details about Delano Dubai over the coming months."

Amit Kaushal, Group Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Holding, said: "The launch of Delano Dubai underscores our commitment to set new standards of excellence in luxury hospitality and strengthen Dubai's position as a leading international tourism hub. Together with the recent opening of Banyan Tree Dubai, we are proud to mark another milestone in the evolution of Bluewaters Dubai as a luxury lifestyle destination. Our collaboration with market leaders like Ennismore and Banyan Group will continue to focus on welcoming new brands to Dubai and further enrich the city's vibrant hospitality landscape."

Guided by the same principles that propelled the original Delano Miami Beach to icon status, Delano Dubai will usher in a new era characterised by refined luxury, sophisticated style and elevated service to the UAE. Design signatures  such as the use of "Delano white" offset with rich woods, natural materials and sumptuous fabrics  hark back to the original property and have evolved for today. Innately connected to nature, the design blurs lines between outdoors and indoors to create flow and a guest choreography that inspires discovery and invigorates the senses. In collaboration with Ennismore's in-house team, leading interior design firms Elastic Architects, LaBottega and SA Consultants will collectively transform the existing hotel into a marquee Delano location.

In 2024, Ennismore entered into a long-term partnership with Cain International to drive forward the global expansion of the iconic Delano brand and reopen Delano Miami Beach.
Hudson, NY (12534)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low around 35F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low around 35F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
Bandlab passes 100 million users

BandLab has passed 100 million registered users of its flagship social music creation platform, up 40 million in a little over a year. Thirty percent of the platforms creators are based in the US.

Its funny when you get to these large milestones, especially something like 100 million, which is slightly hard to fathom in terms of the scale of the number, BandLabs Singapore-based CEO Meng Ru Kuok told Bloomberg. It was also something that really felt like nothing really special. It sort of crossed, and I think we all realized, like, Oh, thats great. But I think thats just the result of how fast things have grown.

At least one bonafide hit emerged from Bandlabs 100 million creators. dv4d broke onto Billboard Hot 100 in 2022 with Romantic Homicide, a track he created in the app that also resulted in his signing with UMGs Interscope/Darkroom label.

Seeing artists go on to major labels and independent labels is a great, great joy and success for us, Kuok said. Our relationship with an artist doesnt end when they progress in the industry.

Last year BandLab secured $25M in a Series B1 funding at a valuation of $425M.

Bruce Houghton is the Founder and Editor of Hypebot, a Senior Advisor at Bandsintown, President of the Skyline Artists Agency, and a Berklee College Of Music professor.

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FlamingosisBetter Will Come Tour With The Bodega Groove Collective

Brooklyn-based artist and producer Aaron Velasquez, known by his stage name Flamingosis, is gearing up for his highly anticipated Better Will Come Tour. The tour accompanies the release of his upcoming studio album, and fans can expect an incredible fusion of soul, funk, jazz, hip-hop, and electronic music from the creative project. Flamingosis recently dropped the second single from the album, titled Nebula Gazer, accompanied by a captivating animated visualizer by Space Dawg.

Nebula Gazer, released on March 14, captivates listeners with a catchy funk riff and foot-stomping bassline.. Flamingosis unique sound has gained him a dedicated following, and fans eagerly await the release of his new studio album, Better Will Come, later this spring.

The Better Will Come Tour kicks off on May 17, starting with a series of dates along the west coast. Flamingosis will be joined by The Bodega Groove Collective, an all-star band of accomplished musicians, including Nico Jimenez on percussion (OPIUO live band), Ian Gilley on keys (DIASTRATA [formerly RECESS]), Drew Birch on guitar (DIASTRATA [formerly RECESS]), and Nate Miller on trumpet. Occasional players, such as Jeff Franca on drums (Thievery Corporation), Dan Africano on bass (Thievery Corporation), Drew Sayers on saxophone (The Motet), and Scott Flynn on trombone (ODESZA live band), will also contribute to the performances.

The tour includes various cities along the west coast, including Salt Lake City, Boise, Spokane, Seattle, Vancouver, Portland, Bend, Sacramento, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, and Santa Fe. Fans in these locations will have the opportunity to witness the captivating sounds of Flamingosis and The Bodega Groove Collective in person, ensuring a memorable live music experience.

Tickets for the Better Will Come Tour are now on sale, offering fans the chance to secure their spots for these highly anticipated shows!

UPCOMING TOUR DATES:

Fri 5/17  Salt Lake City, UT  Urban Lounge

Sat 5/18  Boise, ID  Shrine Social Club (aka Shrine Ballroom)

Sun 5/19  Spokane, WA  District Bar

Tue 5/21  Seattle, WA  Neumos

Wed 5/22  Vancouver, BC  Fortune Sound Club

Thu 5/23  Portland, OR  The Get Down

Fri 5/24  Bend, OR  Volcanic Theater Pub

Sun 5/26  Sacramento, CA  Harlows

Wed 5/29  Santa Barbara, CA  SOhO Music Hall

Thu 5/30  San Francisco, CA  The Independent

Sat 6/1  Los Angeles, CA  Lodge Room

Sun 6/2  San Diego, CA  Quartyard

Tue 6/4  Phoenix, AZ  Thundercat Lounge

Wed 6/5  Santa Fe, NM  Meow Wolf

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In 1 week, this bot farm generated 5.5M fake streams of 244 songs

A Danish man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for using fake accounts and bot-generated streams to defraud streaming services of 2 million kroner ($290,000 USD) in royalties.

Fake streams dilute the royalty pool and lower payments to legitimate artists.

In one week alone, the defendant played 244 tracks 5.5 million times, with 20 accounts responsible for most of the streams. According to the Danish Rights Alliance, he had 69 accounts with music streaming services, including 20 with Spotify. At one point, his fake streams made him the 46th highest-earning musician in Denmark.

While he created most of the music streamed between 2013 and 2019, 37 tracks were altered versions of Danish folk songs, with their tempo and pitch changed, Maria Fredenslund, CEO of the Danish Rights Alliance, told Wired.

The convict and his company have, for many years, at the expense of other music artists and rights holders, received royalties that they should never have received, Amir Amirian, special prosecutor at Denmarks National Unit for Special Crime, said in a statement.

A brief history of fake streams

The general public first learned of streaming bots and so-called stream farms in 2020, and Spotify and other streamers vowed to stop them.

According to a study by Frances National Music Center, there will be 1 to 3 billion fake streams on major music platforms in 2021.

Hypebot published this unverified video of a music stream farm in 2022.

Bruce Houghton is the Founder and Editor of Hypebot, a Senior Advisor at Bandsintown, President of the Skyline Artists Agency, and a Berklee College Of Music professor.

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MBABANE  The tender for the construction supervision services for Mpakeni Dam and associated works including main access road, that were terminated last year, started afresh and are set to be awarded to another company.

Following another competitive bidding process, in terms of Section 45 of the Public Procurement Act No. 7 of 2011 (the Act), Isiphethu Engineering (Pty) Ltd - Lasicon Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd Joint Venture, emerged as the best evaluated tenderer.

According to the intention to award tender notice published by the Eswatini Public Procurement Regulatory Agency (ESPPRA), the proposed contract price is E196 404 693.50. Isiphethu Engineering (Pty) Ltd and Lasicon Consulting Engineers, which are South African and Eswatini companies in joint venture, emerged as the best evaluated bidders after scoring 84.74 per cent.

Ventures

They were contesting against two other joint ventures namely; Nippon Koei Co.Ltd - Koei Africa Co.Ltd - ZMCK Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd and Knight Piesold Swaziland (Pty) Ltd - Dlamini GIBB (Pty) Ltd Joint Venture. The above joint ventures scored 81.90 and 75.52 per cent respectively. It is worth noting that before being terminated, the tender was awarded to Knight Piesold Swaziland and Dlamini Gibb Consortium.

However, an Italian company, called Studio ING. Pietrangeli S.R.L Consulting Engineers (SP) that was contesting at that time, challenged the awarding of the tender to former. SP even took the matter to court stating that the independent review committee (IRC) was taking too long to decide on the matter.

Nonetheless, the independent review committee convened to review the complaints by SP and made a ruling to the effect that the tender be terminated and eventually on May 9, 2023, Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (EWADE) issued a cancellation of the entire tender.

According to the IRC, the matter has a protracted history particularly between the applicant and the respondent and this is evidenced by the back and forth correspondence culminating to the present application. The IRC indicated that it had anticipated delivering this ruling earlier, but reasons beyond its control owing to the nature of the dispute and volumes of documents which were accessed, have caused the delay. The relevant legislation referred to as the Act in the ruling is the Public Procurement Act of 2011.

Access

In its ruling, the IRC said the decision taken by EWADE to reject SPs bid in respect of tender Number EWADE/0610, for the supervision services for Mpakeni Dam and associated works, including main access road was reviewed and set aside. That the decision taken by the EWADE (second impugned decision) to award the tender to the second respondent is hereby reviewed and set aside, read the IRC ruling.



The ruling came after EWADE in October 2022, issued a tender; EWADE/0610, for construction supervision services for Mpakeni Dam and associated works, including main access road and Applicant expressed its interest by bidding for the tender. At the conclusion of the tender evaluation process, the tender committee recommended that the tender be awarded to SP as it had scored higher than the other bidders.

Surprisingly, a notice of intention to award was ultimately issued much against the tender evaluation committee, submitted SP to the IRC. SP argued that EWADE took three decisions that have individually and collectively systematically ensured that the tender was not awarded to them. The IRC was informed that these three decisions were the nucleus of the cause for complaint; particularly in the manner these decisions were taken and conveyed to SP.

SP complained that, on February 15, 2023, the EWADE Board decided to reject its bid in response to the tender.

This decision the IRC referred to as the first impugned decision. On the same day, EWADE corresponded with SP that it intended to award the tender to Knight Piesold Swaziland. This was referred to as the second impugned decision, according to the IRC.

On May 9, 2023, EWADE issued a cancellation of the entire tender, which was referred to as the third decision.

With the above three impugned decisions, on both the main notice of motion and the amended notice of motion, the committee has noted that the applicant has also sought a termination of the procurement process, the IRC stated.

SP also prayed that if the tender was not awarded to them, it should at least be terminated and indeed the tender was terminated until now whereby another intention to award was issued on Wednesday afternoon.
MOLARI Welcomes HealthCare Coordinator, Congratulates Promoted Supervisor

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  MOLARI HealthCare Services announced the addition of Ariana Lysonski-Phillips as a HealthCare Coordinator.

Additionally, they announced the promotion of Isabella French to the position of HealthCare Supervisor.

In Ariana Lysonski-Phillips role as HealthCare Coordinator, she will facilitate connections between caregivers and clients, to better serve the home healthcare needs of the Berkshire County community.

Isabella French has been promoted to the position of HealthCare Supervisor. In her new role, she will work closely with MOLARI's caregivers and clients in Central Berkshire County, ensuring that each client receives personalized care tailored to their unique needs.

"We are delighted to welcome Ariana Lysonski-Phillips to our team and congratulate Isabella French on her well-deserved promotion," said Lee Rudin, Director of HealthCare of MOLARI Employment and HealthCare Services. "Their combined expertise and dedication to providing exceptional care will undoubtedly strengthen our ability to serve our community and make a positive impact on the lives of those we serve."
NAPS Holds Forum on School Closure, New Grade Configuration

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Superintendent Barbara Malkas answered questions and corrected misinformation in a community forum regarding the closing of Greylock Elementary School.

Malkas took the first half hour of the forum Wednesday to present some facts about the budget and financial realities moving the district toward closing Greylock.

"I want to start by saying no superintendent, no school committee members, nobody wants to be in this position," she said in Brayton Elementary's Welcome Center. "This is not something we elect to do, it is something we have to do because we need to be financially responsible to our community."

Malkas said the district was facing this same $2.4 million budget shortfall in fiscal 2020, and she had planned on discussing closing Greylock School then. However, this necessity was put on hold once the pandemic struck and the schools were closed.

But in the fiscal year 2025 budget cycle, the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds used during the pandemic is no longer available leaving the full local contribution with the city.

"The ending of ESSER was referred to in the press as a fiscal cliff. Coupling that with our other financial liabilities, I can tell you that I feel like I have been standing at the precipice of a cliff for months," she said.

She said the increases are driven by the usual items including contractual obligations and an increase in high-needs students. And with a declining student population, these funds are harder to recoup through enrollment-based state funding.

Closing Greylock will save nearly $1.2 million. Limping it along further will be even more costly.

"That school has inherent deficiencies, mostly due to its age. It has been lovingly cared for by the community and school department for many years, and it has served the community well, but it is time for that building to become anew," Malkas said.

Closing the school fast tracks consolidation efforts as the district plans to eventually close Brayton Elementary after a proposed new $60 million Greylock School is built.

With the closure and building project, the district plans to adopt a new grade-span configuration. So instead of having the same grade levels spread throughout the city in different schools, all students within the same grade will stay together as they move through grades and schools as a cohort.

After the presentation, Malkas and her team fielded questions but spent much of the time setting the record straight. Some attendees confused the end of COVID-19 assistance funds was actual district debt coming to light. Others had not heard the city was pursuing the rebuild of Greylock Elementary School, in the works since 2019.

She reiterated that the numbers work and that the other schools can easily absorb the influx of students. She added that class sizes should not change and will remain lower than the state average.

Mayor Jennifer Macksey answered questions about funding, immediately quashing a rumor on social media that the city has already passed a Proposition 2 1/2 override to fund a new school project.

She clarified that although an override vote could be on the table, the city and School Building Committee are not currently at that point in the MSBA process.

"We aren't even there yet. Our construction costs and all of that are still being estimated and built out," she said. "We are just starting that financial piece. Regardless, the community will have to vote on whether they want a new school or not."

She added that although she does not want to close a school, it sets North Adams up for a stronger future. Noting the MSBA applauded the city for taking pause on their plan to renovate Brayton and take another look at Greylock considering the grade-span model.

"I don't want to close a school, but it would be irresponsible if we did not take these steps," she said. "... This grade span will really help us financially plus we can't keep fixing or not fixing the situation at Greylock."

Attendees were less worried about footing the bill but more concerned about convincing the majority of residents to support the project. Many attendees called back to Clarkburg's failed MSBA project

Malkas said the financial aspect is a months-long process. She said not only will they have to determine final costs and how to allocate the local share but also mount a campaign to convince residents that the project is worthwhile and a benefit to the city.

The superintendent touched on some proposed reductions specifically among teaching assistants. She said using grants and available funds, the district was able to pull a few of the ESSER-funded positions into the budget. She said through attrition, layoffs should be minimal. She hoped to only have to release less than 5 percent of reduction of workforce notices.

When asked about central office positions that could be cut, she said most of the positions are state-mandated and others are grant-funded, meaning elimination would not help balance the budget at all.

She said summer programming will be moved from Brayton to Greylock to help accommodate the move.

As for Brayton's future, Malkas said no decisions have been made but the building should remain an educational asset. She said options that have been discussed include moving the central office to the school, expanding the Head Start program, creating an adult education program in the building, and working with Berkshire Community College to offer classes locally.

There were questions if Brayton could handle potentially more disabled students, especially during an evacuation. Malkas said equipment and staff needed to support student movement will travel with students from Greylock.

Malkas did not have immediate answers for some of the more logistical questions including how students would be grouped once the schools combine. Malkas said much of this work would take place once teachers receive their placements, probably on May 1. She said students will be balanced and placing students will be less about keeping kids from Greylock together and more about creating inclusive and diverse groups of students.

There were also questions about start and end day times as well as busing but Malkas noted these answers are tied to final enrollment numbers and contractual negotiations. She said she would have clearer answers come this summer.

Malkas also did not have specifics on teaching assistant's layout and departmentalization within the school although it is something they plan to explore.

At the end of the hour-and-a-half-long meeting, there were many voices in support of the project, especially the new grade-span model. Parents felt their children would have more resources and saw the benefits of a core group of students sticking together through their entire school career in the North Adams Public Schools.
the committee heard a presentation from Allegrone Construction Co., which requested $350 in CPA funds to support an $18 million overhaul of the historic Wright Building and the Jim's House of Shoes property.

Pittsfield CPA Committee OKs Funding Extension, Plans Formal Process

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The Historical Commission is seeking an extension for Community Preservation Act funding after a previously awarded project "fell through the cracks."



On Monday, the Community Preservation Committee voted to honor the request and formalize a process for three-year CPA extensions. The commission was awarded $5,000 in two consecutive years for a contractor to do inventory forms on endangered Pittsfield properties.



"My understanding and I don't know what the whole timeline is, one of those year's funding has lapsed, the other hasn't," Historical Commission Chair John Dickson told the committee.



He cited the COVID-19 pandemic and a change of staff as causing the project to lapse. It is not the commission's responsibility to do the hiring for the work, as it is not a contracting agency.



The proposal came out of a project that the panel had done on endangered properties funded by the Massachusetts Historical Planning Project. It was considered best practice at the time to identify properties that were in danger of being torn down before they needed to be demolished.



"They liked it because normally before the Historical Commission the properties come to us only when they are ready to be torn down," Dickson said.



"So this was kind of a pre-demolition opportunity to start identifying buildings around the city."



There are 24 properties with a list of recommendations that could be done, 17 of them were recommended for a Form B document that has an architectural and historical description and can be used by developers to get the full context of a property.



"With the change of staff at the city and with COVID it fell through the cracks," Dickson said.



He was unsure about the timeline of the funding. According to an iBerkshires.com article, the CPA committee accepted the $10,000 request as eligible.



The city lost touch with its Form B contractors but in January, Dickson and City Planner Jacinta Williams began reaching out to two contractors who are "ready to go" and it should be completed by the end of the year.



Some members of the CPA Committee agreed that it is their responsibility to have a process for extensions. In the near future, a process will be formally documented and approved.



"I think we can take this as a lesson to move forward and develop that," Alexandra Tasak Groff said.



In other news, the committee heard a presentation from Allegrone Construction Co., which requested $350,000 in CPA funds to support an $18 million overhaul of the historic Wright Building and the Jim's House of Shoes property.
Snow/Sleet Starts Off Weekend

It may be spring but winter isn't quite done with us. This week's drop in temperatures and flurries are being followed by a more significant storm that could drop 2 to 6 inches over the region this weekend.

A winter weather advisory is in effect beginning at 11 p.m. on Friday through 11 p.m. Saturday for Berkshire County, Southern Vermont and eastern New York.

The National Weather Service in Albany, N.Y., says be prepared for gusty winds and icy roads on the morrow as snow turns to freezing rain on Saturday.

These periods of rain and sleet will turn back to snow by Saturday evening and snowfall rates may get close to one inch per hour late Saturday before precipitation ends. Areas to south and east may see flooding as more than 3 inches of rain is expected to fall along the Atlantic Coast, according to Accuweather.

Up to 18 inches of snow could fall across upstate New York and central Vermont but North Berkshire looks to get 2 to 3 inches, with the potential for 4 to 6 along the Vermont border. Southern Berkshire could see 1 to 2 inches of snow that could turn to fully to rain/sleet.

A reminder that most parking bans are still in place until at least March 31. Also, Thunderfest in Adams has been postponed to Sunday, March 24.

*BREAKING* Updated snow map for the Capital Region. Cold air in place will allow for more snow to fall tonight before a change to cold rain or mixed precip. In the North Country, it will stay all snow with 5-10" and up to 14" in these locations. @WNYT pic.twitter.com/59NS0TN6bH  Paul Caiano (@PaulCaiano) March 22, 2024

Our next storm gets going overnight... and begins wintry. Snow showers changing to a mixed bag of sleet, freezing rain and rain for most through sunrise. Rain takes over from the lower valley to the NW hills through Noon. #mawx pic.twitter.com/JW5nCejqWu  Janna Brown ?? (@MetJannaBrown) March 22, 2024

Winter Storm Warning expanded for most areas north of Albany.

Winter Weather advisories elsewhere for snow and mixed precip. pic.twitter.com/ut8pGnSiuf  Steve Caporizzo (@SteveCaporizzo) March 22, 2024
MANZINI - A member of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) shot himself dead with a service gun.

The incident took place on Wednesday at an army camp at Hlane, in the Lubombo Region. According to a source close to the matter, the military man was off duty when the incident happened. The incident was confirmed by the UEDF Public Affairs Officer Lieutenant Tengetile Khumalo. However, she said she was not in a position to comment further about the incident, because the army was still gathering information in order to report to the relevant structures and bodies.

On the same note, Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni, confirmed that police attended the matter. Meanwhile, Mnguni said Hlatikhulu police are investigating a murder, wherein on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at around 9am, a 36-year-old man of Lwandle was assaulted with sticks all over the body, while he was at Mawelawela. She said the man sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Hlatikhulu Government Hospital, where he was certified dead upon arrival by a medical practitioner.

Again, Mnguni said Piggs Peak police were investigating the theft of a car, whereby on Wednesday March 20, 2024, at around 5:30am, a 65-year-old man of Mgobodzi discovered that his vehicle, a grey VW Polo sedan, with registration numbers YSO 316 AL and valued at E180 000, had been stolen. She said the car was parked at Mgobodzi.

She appealed to the nation that anyone who might have information, which might lead to the arrest of the suspect(s), should contact Hhohho Regional Crime Branch Officer Superintendent Jabulani Madlopha at 7605 7428 or Desk Officer Assistant Inspector Justice Motsa at 7605 8445 or Piggs Peak Police at 2437 1222 or dial 999 for emergency.
Philippine-based education platform Bitskwela elevates Baguios transformation to a Smart City through the Bull or Bear: Philippine Web3 Debate, highlighting the potential of Web3 to drive technological-based governance, reforms, and innovations in the city and across local governments all over the country.

Held at the University of the Cordilleras, Bitskwelas sixth Bull or Bear debate, themed "Web3 in Baguio," served as a melting pot for different stakeholders, enthusiasts, and students to engage in an open discussion on the pros and cons of blockchain-related technologies. With a leveled understanding, Baguio citizens are able to make well-informed decisions when engaging with the Web3 space.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who is leading the charge to classify Baguio as a full-fledged Smart City by 2027, underscored the significance of the event: "This debate represents a pivotal step forward in our journey towards becoming a Smart City. By learning how to harness the transformative power of Web3 technology, we are not just envisioning a future of advanced governance and innovation but actively building it. Collaborations like these are crucial for us to realize a more connected, efficient, and inclusive city for all our residents.

The goal of the Baguio Smart City project is to leverage emerging technologies, such as data analytics and artificial intelligence, to enact good governance. Alongside the tech-savvy population of Baguio, emerging technologies like blockchain and cryptocurrencies potentially play as a strong complement to sectors such as tourism management and citizen welfare, said Bitskwela CEO Jiro Reyes, echoing Mayor Magalongs view on the integral role of Web3 in achieving the citys goal.

The debate featured esteemed leaders and experts in blockchain, technology, and innovation, including Christopher Star of Web3PH, Paolo Dioquino of DeFi Philippines, Henry James of Bitshares Labs, Pat Arro of Polkadot SEA, and Van Orpilla of Google Developers Group Baguio. They provided thought-provoking insights into topics such as the adoption of digital currencies to improve commerce and governance and the use of NFTs to boost tourism.

Bull or Bear is part of Bitskwelas mission to help Filipinos own a piece of the internet. Our goal in these events is to bring Web3 and blockchain education to target areas where there is enough interest in emerging technology. Bitskwela envisions a Philippines where the words Bitcoin, crypto, and NFTs arent scary anymore for the everyday Filipino. We want cryptocurrency to be a household conversation; thats why were bringing Bull or Bear to institutions such as the University of Cordillera, Bitskwela CMO JC Macalintal added.

The Bull or Bear Baguio event was co-presented by Globe Telecom and Coins.ph, In collaboration with Polkadot, UC Innovation And Technology Transfer Office, and Bitshares Labs, along with Blockceler8 by Uniquecorn Strategies as its official PR partner. The event is also supported by NextBlock, KTX Finance, and friendzone.pro.
The latest Kaspersky survey found that 48% of companies require over half a year to find a qualified cybersecurity professional. A lack of proven experience was cited as one of the biggest challenges, along with the high cost of hiring and global competition in talent acquisition.

With global labor markets continuing to clamor for InfoSec professionals, the latest Kaspersky research revealed that 41% of companies admit their cybersecurity teams are understaffed. The portrait of the modern Information Security professional survey seeks to evaluate the current state of the labor market and analyze the exact reasons it lacks cybersecurity experts. The study also identifies the skills and characteristics bosses demand when hiring staff.

Respondents say it takes more than six months to fill an average information security position. As expected, recruitment for senior-level positions takes the longest, with 36% of companies saying it requires almost a year or more, while junior jobs can be filled in the shortest time  one to three months, according to 42% of respondents. These figures are alarming since companies that operate for long periods without the necessary staff are at huge risk, as the absence of cybersecurity personnel provides cybercriminals ample opportunity to penetrate business infrastructure and damage business processes.

When asked about the biggest challenges in finding and hiring the right InfoSec professional, the majority of respondents cited a discrepancy between certification and real practical skills (52%) and lack of experience (49%) emphasizing that proven professional expertise is one of the most important characteristics companies are looking for searching in a cybersecurity practitioner.

The high cost in hiring these specialists is an obstacle for 48% of bosses, and global competition, expressed through aggressive and competitive hiring practices by multiple organizations, bothers more than 41% of respondents. Figures like these show that, even if a company finally finds candidates who meet all the requirements, it doesnt mean that they will work for that company, as in such a competitive environment, other organizations may headhunt them, so the hiring process could continue indefinitely.

Companies often spend a lot of time not only on the hiring process but also on additional training for the team, in attempts to develop a diverse workforce within the company, with the right knowledge and skills. This strategy is effective for big companies and for organizations that have to comply with many local standards and regulations. As for small and medium-sized businesses, its usually recommended to outsource cybersecurity tasks to managed security services providers (MSSP) because it helps them close talent gaps in a short time and with minimum losses, comments Ivan Vassunov, VP, Corporate products, Kaspersky.

To minimize the negative consequences of global cybersecurity staff shortfall, Kaspersky experts recommend the following:

Adopt managed security services such as Kaspersky Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and/or Incident Response thus acquiring additional expertise without hiring additional personnel. This helps protect against cyberattacks and investigate incidents if the company lacks cybersecurity staff. Regularly educate IT and InfoSec staff about actual cyber risks and invest in their training to advance their skills in detecting and responding to even sophisticated cyber threats. Use centralized and automated solutions such as Kaspersky Extended Detection and Response (XDR) to reduce the burden on the IT security team and minimize the possibility of making mistakes. By aggregating and correlating data from multiple sources in one place and using technologies of machine learning, such solutions reduce the mean time to detect threats (MTTD) and provide fast automated responses.

The full report with more findings on the global shortfall of qualified InfoSec professionals is available via the link.
LOBAMBA  Some senators have advised that gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide should be non-bailable offences and be declared a national disaster.

Non-bailable offences are serious crimes, for which bail cannot be granted. After being arrested and taken into custody for a serious or non-bailable offence, a person cannot ask to be released on bail as a matter of right.

The suggestion was made yesterday during the Deputy Prime Ministers (DPM) Office annual performance report and budget debate by the Senate Portfolio Committee.

The senators noted that the DPMs Office launched the 2023 to 2028 strategy to end GBV last November. They were interested in finding out the successes of the 2017 to 2022 strategy and how the 2023-28 strategy had been improved. The senators raised concerns about the GBV rate and femicides. They noted that over 14 678 cases were reported through the National Surveillance System on Violence (NSSV).

They stressed the need to upscale the countrys interventions in dealing with GBV. There was an outcry over the granting of bail and prolonged court cases in issues of GBV. The senators suggested that there should be a law, besides the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act, that should make GBV and femicides non-baliable offences.

They suggested that it would not be a bad idea to have a designated court, to deal with GBV cases. They said this could speed up the court processes and finalisation of GBV cases. Senator Chief Prince Mphafwa, who is also the Chairperson of the Senate Portfolio Committee, wanted to know if there were enough funds to operationilise the GBV strategy that was launched last November. He raised issues of corruption that may hinder the success of the strategy.

We do not want to see a repeat of the E50 million Capacity Building Fund, where money disappeared, because of corruption, he said. The chief urged the DPM, Thulisile Dladla, to bring to Parliament a legislation to strengthen GBV laws, so that they may have tougher sentences, with the option to make such offences non-bailable.

Reforms

Who removed non-bailable offences? We are ready to bring it back through law reforms, he said. The senator said he was confident that once GBV was made a non-bailable offence, people would see all services that would prevent them from committing GBV offences, because they would fear rotting in jail. They appreciated that the DPM, in the strategy, had a lot of preventative programmes, but mentioned that tough laws on such offenders were paramount.

Senator Isaac Magagula condemned the killing of women.

What kind of a narrative are we sending, as a country to the world, regarding the excessive violence against women? he asked. Magagula said he understood that there was a strategy to deal with GBV that had been launched. He said they were eager as the portfolio committee to know what was in the strategy. He noted that there was a strategy that was launched before and he wanted to find out the milestones and challenges of the 2017/22 strategy.

We need to look into pronouncing GBV and femicides cases as national disasters, he said.

He also urged the DPM to work with the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and the Judiciary, to form special courts that would deal with SODV and GBV cases. Magagula said it was high time that every department confronted the fact that the main court system could not be able to handle the SODV cases.

I wonder if the DPM, working with other stakeholders, has considered special courts for SODV cases. The mainstream court system is overwhelmed and cannot solve cases timely. Justice delayed is justice denied, he said.

Senator Lorraine Nxumalo mentioned the need to also get assistance for the survivors and victims of GBV, instead of focusing on perpetrators. The DPM, in response, told the senators that initially, she had asked for E15 million to operationalise the strategy successfully, but due to limited funds, she received lesser. The DPM will present a detailed response on Monday.

She appreciated the willingness of the senators to support the strategy. Dladla said as per the senators suggestions, coming up with laws, in collaboration with other stakeholders, would help the country to successfully fight GBV.
In 2023, Kaspersky anti-phishing technologies detected nearly 500,000 attempts to follow a phishing link on businesses devices in Southeast Asia (SEA). Interestingly, this number only refers to phishing links related to finance matters  e-commerce, banking, and payment systems.

Phishing persuades users to take action which gives a scammer access to your device, accounts, or personal information. By pretending to be a person or organization the users trust, they can more easily infect the victim with malware or steal their information.

These social engineering schemes bait with trust to get valuable information. This could be anything from a social media login, to your entire identity via your social security number. These schemes may urge the user to open an attachment, follow a link, fill out a form, or reply with personal information.

Financial phishing is a type of phishing that refers to fraudulent resources related to banking, payment systems and digital shops. Payment system phishing includes pages impersonating well-known payment brands.

From January to December last year, Kaspersky solutions detected and blocked a total of 455,708 financial phishing attempts targeting companies of various sizes in the region. The statistics reflect clicks on phishing links placed in various communication channels, including emails, fraudulent websites, messengers, social media, etc.

Phishing is a trusted technique for cybercriminals when it comes to infiltrating business networks because they usually work. The rise of generative AI helps cybercriminals to make phishing messages or scam resources more convincing. As a result, it becomes challenging for people to distinguish between a scam and a legitimate communication. That's why the role of robust security solutions increases, comments Yeo Siang Tiong, General Manager for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky.

The Philippines logged the highest number of financial phishing at 163,279 attempts in 2023, followed by Malaysia with 124,105. Indonesia chalked up 97,465 incidents while Vietnam experienced 36,130 phishing attacks related to financial matters. Thailand and Singapore registered the least number of this threat at 25,227 and 9,502 respectively.

Cybercriminals employ various tactics, including financial-related phishing, to deceive employees and trick them into falling victim to an attack Our recent study showed employee security violations can be as damaging as external hacking for companies in Asia Pacific which means the human factor continues to play a role in making businesses vulnerable. Tools to help safeguard against human error are a vital step forward, but they cant exclude employee education, skills development, and overall strengthening of the companys ability to detect and respond to cyberattacks, adds Yeo.

To help companies protect their systems against the damages of a successful phishing attack, Kaspersky experts recommend:
Makati-based Security Bank has entered a new partnership with Avaloq, a leading provider of wealth management technology and software. The bank aims to digitalize its wealth management business with the Avaloq Core Platform and to roll out Avaloqs Relationship Manager (RM) Workplace solution to strengthen its front office. The new partnership will further streamline the banks operations while creating an enhanced client experience.

Security Bank is one of the Philippines best-capitalized private universal banks, providing bespoke financing, leasing, foreign exchange, stock brokerage, investment banking, and asset management services. Since launching its Wealth Management business in 2017, the bank has grown its wealth management assets under management by a CAGR of 44% and has expanded its client base by a CAGR of 40%. For these results, Asiamoney has recognized Security Bank as Best for HNWs (high net worth) in the Philippines for three consecutive years in 2023, 2022 and 2021. To address the growing demand for bespoke wealth management services, Security Bank has partnered with Avaloq to drive the digitalization of the bank, optimize its front office, and create a solid operational foundation for its continued growth over the long term.

The banks new wealth management platform will automate and standardize workflows and enable Security Bank to offer a full spectrum of bespoke investment advisory services and products for its high net worth and affluent clients. Thanks to the native automation capabilities of the Avaloq Core Platform, Security Bank can benefit from high straight-through processing (STP) and service accuracy rates for payments, securities and fund processing, which will improve operational efficiency. This means that Security Bank can focus more resources on providing personalized service, creating new innovative offerings, and expanding into new markets and client segments.

Avaloqs intuitive RM Workplace solution will provide Security Banks relationship managers with a complete overview of client profiles and portfolios, ensuring more targeted communication and simpler transaction management to boost productivity and foster closer client relationships. This will also enable the banks relationship managers to offer tailored investment advisory services to a larger, more diverse client base. The solution can be fully customized based on the banks needs and is seamlessly integrated with the Avaloq Core Platform.

Arnold Bengco, Financial Markets Head at Security Bank, said: The banks strategic partnership with Avaloq will strengthen our wealth management capabilities even further. We continue to innovate our financial markets products to meet the evolving needs of our clients. With this acute focus to deliver tailored solutions and distinct BetterBanking service, were confident our new platform will attract incremental investment AUM and help deepen customer relationships with our Bank.

Lucose Eralil, Executive Vice President Head Enterprise Technology & Operations at Security Bank, said: This new partnership with Avaloq reflects our commitment to digitally transforming our bank to deliver exceptional value to our clients and stakeholders and to become the most customer-centric bank in the Philippines. With Avaloqs specialized wealth management platform and RM Workplace solution, we can further expand our wealth management business to help individuals and businesses in the region grow and preserve their wealth. I look forward to strengthening our partnership with Avaloq over the years to come.

Pascal Wengi, Managing Director for Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa at Avaloq, said: We are firmly committed to supporting Security Bank on its digitalization journey across the front, middle and back office. By automating end-to-end processes, from order entry to reporting, the Avaloq Core Platform will provide the operational foundation for the future growth and success of the banks wealth management business. At the same time, our RM Workplace solution will empower the banks relationship managers, helping them to build lasting relationships with their clients. We are proud to work closely with Security Bank to support the growth of the Philippines wealth management sector.
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There is, its fair to say, nothing more important to the movies than actors.

The right performance can tip a film into the realm of greatness; a bad one can doom an otherwise promising project to mediocrity or ridicule.

What would There Will Be Blood be without Daniel Day-Lewis at its centre? Would The Godfather still sparkle without Al Pacino and Marlon Brando?

These are not questions anyone is keen to know the answer to. The best performances are irreplaceable; they are key to the very essence of cinema.

But what happens when one good performance isnt enough to save a film? When a terrific performance is wasted on a substandard story?

From Anthony Hopkins to Leonardo DiCaprio, many of the finest actors working today have lent their talents to inferior projects. Sometimes they simply phone it in, but other times, they manage to shine despite the material.

Heres The Independents list of 23 secretly brilliant performances in bad films...

Phillip Seymour Hoffman  Along Came Polly (2004)

The late, great Phillip Seymour Hoffman was that rarest of things; an actor who brought depth to even the flimsiest of roles, from The Hunger Games Plutarch Heavensby to Mission: Impossible IIIs villainous Owen Davian. The critically lambasted romcom Along Came Polly may be the best example of this, however, as Hoffman delivering a coruscating comic turn that stole not just a scene but the whole film from under Ben Stiller and Jennifer Anistons noses.

Margot Robbie  Suicide Squad (2016)

Suicide Squad - Trailer

One of the worst blockbusters in living memory, David Ayers supervillain dirge Suicide Squad was met with unanimous damnation from the critical community. Reviews were also unanimous, however, in their praise for Margot Robbies performance, with the Australian star later reprising the role in two subsequent movies.

Tom Hanks  The Ladykillers (2004)

The Ladykillers is rightfully considered the nadir of the Coen brothers otherwise pretty miraculously consistent filmography. But thats not at all down to Tom Hanks, who compellingly reinvented a role so brilliantly inhabited by Alec Guinness in the classic Ealing original. Unctuous, erudite and deeply sinister, the felonious band leader is a far cry from any other character Hanks has tackled; he devours the Coens typically sardonic dialogue with a grin.

A not-so-serious man: Tom Hanks as Professor Goldthwaite Higginson Dorr in The Ladykillers' (Buena Vista Pictures)

James McAvoy  Split (2016)

M Night Shyamalans pulpy multiple-personality horror Split had plenty of issues, but James McAvoys showstopper performance wasnt one of them. Playing, essentially, eight characters in one is a tough task to pull off, but McAvoy manages it with theatrical aplomb.

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Kristen Stewart  American Ultra (2015)

Though Kristen Stewart has been in a few of the best films of the last 10 years, shes still had her fair share of misfires. The 2015 stoner-thriller American Ultra was inarguably a misfire, as she played the girlfriend and handler of Jesse Eisenbergs amnesiac government sleeper agent. Its a bad film that never lives up to its larger-than-life premise, but Stewart turns in some remarkably good work here.

Peter Dinklage  Pixels (2015)

Theres almost nothing good to say about this insipid Adam Sandler video game comedy from 2015. But what little there is exclusively concerns Game of Thrones Peter Dinklage, who turns in an incongruously funny performance as obnoxious video game champion Eddie "The Fireblaster" Plant.

Peter Dinklage in the insipid 2015 gamer comedy Pixels' (Sony)

Thomas Hayden Church  Spider-Man 3 (2007)

Probably the worst Spider-Man film to ever grace cinemas, Sam Raimis trilogy capper was a torrid mess of plotlines, too many villains and bad haircuts. The films only sincere pathos comes from Thomas Hayden Church, who manages to somehow survive the carnage with his head held high, playing the tragically fated Flint Marko, AKA Sandman.

John C Reilly  Kong: Skull Island (2017)

On paper, Kong: Skull Island should have been a blast. It had a solid cast (including Brie Larson, Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L Jackson, and John Goodman), an intriguing premise (King Kong during the Vietnam War) and the 104ft ape we all know and love. But the film was a major disappointment. The only saving grace was John C Reilly, whose brief appearance as a WWII pilot stranded on Skull Island after his plane was shot down felt like it was from another film entirely.

Uma Thurman  Batman & Robin (1997)

Uma Thurman knew how to pitch her performance better than anyone else in this despised 1997 superhero flick. In the role of fern fatale Poison Ivy, Thurman gives a performance of enjoyable camp extremity. To quote Janet Maslin in her contemporaneous review for the New York Times: As played by Uma Thurman, Poison Ivy is perfect, flaunting great looks, a mocking attitude and madly flamboyant disguises. Like Mae West, she mixes true femininity with the winking womanliness of a drag queen.

Uma Thurman as Dr Pamela Isley, AKA Poison Ivy, in Batman & Robin' (Warner Bros)

Michelle Pfieffer  Grease 2 (1982)

The original Grease has not endured the ravages of time with a whole lot of grace, and its reviled 1982 sequel has fared even worse. Nevertheless, Grease 2 had one living, breathing redeeming quality: its 23-year-old newcomer star Michelle Pfieffer, whose charisma and talents survived the stink of the whole schlocky affair.

Alan Rickman  Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

Kevin Costner may have failed to set Sherwood Forest alight with his role in the ropey Robin Hood adaptation Prince of Thieves, but the same cant be said for his co-star Alan Rickman. The Die Hard star gave an outstanding performance as the nefarious Sheriff of Nottingham. Was Rickman playing to type? Well, yes, but there was pretty much no one better at doing what he does here.

Martin Freeman  The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

Forged in the afterglow of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Peter Jacksons Hobbit prequels were doomed to live in the shadow of their predecessors. But not many people were ready for quite how bad they were. Look past the dodgy CGI and over-egged plotting, however, and Martin Freeman was an inspired choice as a young Bilbo Baggins: no-one plays a genial, put-upon everyman (or should that be everyhobbit?) quite like him.

Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' (New Line Cinema)

Max von Sydow  Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2011)

This skin-crawling 9/11 drama was criticised upon its release for being exploitative and trying to milk sentiment from real-life tragedy. Max Von Sydows performance was spared the knives, however, with the legendary Swedish actor giving a moving  and wordless  turn as an elderly renter. His efforts didnt go unacknowledged, and von Sydow was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

Phil Hartman  Jingle All the Way (1996)

Barring a few notable exceptions (such as The Simpsons and NewsRadio), the late Phil Hartman pretty much made a career out of radically outshining his co-stars. During his eight-year stint on Saturday Night Live, a low period for the shows reputation, Hartman was known as the glue. He didnt manage to hold all the cracks in the wretched holiday comedy Jingle All the Way together, but he was nonetheless an enjoyable, consistently funny presence, playing Arnold Schwarzeneggers smarmy neighbour.

Leonardo DiCaprio  The Great Gatsby (2013)

Baz Luhrmann was always an odd choice to adapt F Scott Fitzgeralds literary classic; his brand of cinema is one of bombast and flash. While Tobey Maguire was a pretty drab Nick Carraway, and the usually brilliant Carey Mulligan underwhelming as Daisy Buchannan, DiCaprio was perfectly cast as Gatsby, striking the right balance of insecurity, bluster and poignancy.

Boats against the current: DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby' (Warner Bros)

Anthony Hopkins  Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)

For an actor of the highest calibre, Anthony Hopkins has still been known to phone it in from time to time; when he receives a script, he reportedly marks certain pages with the letters NAR (No Acting Required). Hed have been forgiven for just dialling it in for this dismal Transformers sequel, but instead, hes unnecessarily compelling, playing a sagacious astronomer whos studied the history of Transformers.

Oscar Isaac  Sucker Punch (2011)

Even by director Zack Snyders own standards, Sucker Punch was something of a spiky, unpleasant misstep. The film, a fantasy about a woman who tries to escape a mental institution through a series of fantasy worlds, was savaged by critics. Oscar Isaac, not yet a name movie star, acquitted himself shockingly well, however, playing a despicable orderly at the facility.

Adam Driver  Star Wars: Episode IX  The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

Theres much to detest about the final film in the so-called Skywalker Saga, from the dialogue and the lazy fan pandering, to the way in which it all but abandoned story arcs previously given to characters like Finn (John Boyega) and Rose (Kelly Marie Tran). Though his masked villain, Kylo Ren, is rushed through a slipshod redemption-by-numbers story, Adam Driver doesnt stop turning in good work, however. The force was certainly weak with this one, but Driver emerged from the wreckage with his reputation utterly unscathed.

Adam Driver as Kylo Ren in The Rise of Skywalker' (LucasFilm)

Ewan McGregor  Star Wars: Episode III  Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Driver wasnt the only actor who valiantly struggled to provide a good performance in a thoroughly bad Star Wars film. Ewan McGregors work as Obi-Wan Kenobi came under scrutiny throughout the first two of George Lucass maligned prequels, but by the third, he had well and truly found his footing.

Michael K Williams  Assassins Creed (2016)

Even by the metric of video game adaptations, Assassins Creed was capital-b Bad. Usually bankable actors like Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard were histrionic and laughable here; the plot and characterisation almost defy belief. But in the midst of this is The Wires Michael K Williams, delivering a typically classy turn as a Haitian Assassin called Moussa.

Florence Pugh  Black Widow (2021)

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has lured a number of elite actors to its shores, from veterans like Robert Redford and Michael Keaton to younger stars like Michael B Jordan and Zendaya. In terms of up-and-comers, there are few better than Florence Pugh, who appeared as Yelena in the otherwise dreary 2021 blockbuster Black Widow. Pugh makes the films lead, Scarlett Johansson, pale in comparison, but the materials simply not up to snuff.

Matthew Lillard  Scooby Doo (2002)

Say what you will about the puerile 2002 movie adaptation of the classic kids cartoon Scooby-Doo, but you cant really fault the casting. Linda Cardellini, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr are all well-suited to the roles of Velma, Daphne and Fred respectively, but theyre not a patch on Matthew Lillard (Scream; Twin Peaks: The Return), whose big, swing-for-the-fences performance as the feckless slacker Shaggy Rogers is a masterclass in understanding the assignment.

Matthew Lillard as Shaggy Rogers in Scooby-Doo: The Movie' (Warner Bros)

Raul Julia  Street Fighter (1994)

The Addams Familys incomparable Raul Julia died tragically in 1994 at the age of 54, having suffered a stroke. While it may seem like a shame for his final major film to be as shoddy an effort as Street Fighter, Raul Julias performance in it is nothing short of a cult sensation. Playing the villainous M Bison, Julia is laugh-out-loud funny, a wonderful foil for a set of unworthy adversaries.
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Sharon Stone has taken a swipe at Johnny Depp in a new interview about her success in the art world.

The Hollywood star, whose credits include Basic Instinct and Casino, has turned her back on acting to pursue her painting skills  and she cast aspersions on an art collection created by Depp that fetched millions in 2022.

Stone reignited her passion for art during lockdown, and decided to embrace the skill full-time after failing to be offered roles she believed were worthy of her talents.

She has now opened her own exhibition  in Berlin  and another is due to open in San Francisco in April. However, while she acknowledged that her rapid success in the art could probably be attributed to her fame, the actor told The Guardian she has several obstacles as she isnt necessarily painting art that galleries want.

Here, Stone hit out at Depps lucrative art collection, stating: Johnny Depp is printing pictures of people, putting some paint over it and signing it, and making a fortune.

Stone was referring to Depps Friends & Heroes, an art collection featuring 780 prints of famous faces, which he sold for an estimated $3.65m. He followed this up with even more prints in 2023, which included the faces of famous figures such as Heath Ledger and Hunter S Thompson.

Also last year, Depp unveiled a self-portrait, which captures the emotional exhaustion he felt during a difficult period in his life. The actor donated $200 from every sale of the picture to Mental Health America.

Stone said curators have made requests seemingly based on Depps success, telling the outlet: I had galleries approach me and say, Could you please make prints of your face? I think its my duty not to do that. Its my job to open a window for other women and hold it open further.

In the past, Stone has been supportive of Depp in regards to his personal life. Addressing his high-profile court case with ex-wife Amber Heard, Stone told The Telegraph in 2020: Ive known Johnny from when he was a kid and hes a terrific guy: sweet and nice and very warm and generous. So I have a feeling its more about this young lady.

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Sharon Stone is not a fan of Johnny Depps art skills (Getty Images for VOX Media)

On Wednesday (20 March), Depp responded to an accusation that he treated his Blow co-star Lola Glaudini aggressively on the films set.

A rep for the actor denied Glaudinis claims, saying: Johnny always prioritises good working relationships with cast and crew and this recounting differs greatly from the recollection of other members on set at the time.
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Playwright and screenwriter Tony Kushner has spoken out in support of director Jonathan Glazer who is facing backlash over his Oscars acceptance speech.

Kushner, who has won Pulitzer and Tony awards for his play Angels in America, said on the Haaretz Podcast released Wednesday that he identified with Glazers speech and described it as really sort of unimpeachable, irrefutable statement.

Of course. I mean, who doesnt? What hes saying is so simple. Hes saying: Jewishness, Jewish identity, Jewish history, the history of the Holocaust, the history of Jewish suffering must not be used in a campaign of  as an excuse for a project of dehumanising or slaughtering other people.

This is a misappropriation of what it means to be a Jew, what the Holocaust meant, and [Glazer] rejects that. Who doesnt agree with that? What kind of person thinks that whats going on now in Gaza is acceptable? he said.

And if you find yourself saying out loud and in public, Oh its fine with me what theyre doing, because you feel that its the only choice for you, because youre a Jew, is to defend everything that Israel does, you know, shame on you.

"The Fabelmans" Portrait Session (2022 Invision)

Kushner, who is Jewish and a longtime critic of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus policies and treatment of Palestinians, also spoke about accusations that calling for a ceasefire was antisemitism.

The people that I know who are passionately involved in calls for a ceasefire, these are not people who are antisemites, their interest is not in destroying Israel and certainly their interest is not in pogroms against Jews elsewhere.

Kushner added that he wanted Israelis to be able to live in peace and security, but that the treatment of the Palestinians, as many Israelis have been saying for decades, the occupation of the West Bank and the imprisonment of people in Gaza, and the checkpoints, and the wall, and all this stuff actually doesnt make Israel safe.

Glazer won the best foreign language film Oscar for The Zone of Interest, a German-language film set in the lives of the Hoss family, who live comfortably next to Auschwitz during the Holocaust. While accepting his Oscar, Glazer gave the only pointedly political speech that night, relating the events of his film to the war in Gaza.

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Our film shows where dehumanisation leads at its worst. Its shaped all of our past and present, said Glazer.

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 Oct. 7 in Israel or the ongoing attack on Gaza, all the victims of this dehumanisation  how do we resist?

Smiling evil: Sandra Huller as Hedwig in The Zone of Interest (A24)

Glazer has faced backlash after his speech was seen by many as refuting his Jewish identity. An open letter denouncing his speech was passed around, with signatures from over a 1,000 people, including Debra Messing, Brett Gelman, Julianna Margulies, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Michael Rapaport.

The letter, described as a statement from Jewish Hollywood professionals, said: We refute our Jewishness being hijacked for the purpose of drawing a moral equivalence between a Nazi regime that sought to exterminate a race of people, and an Israeli nation that seeks to avert its own extermination.

However, other people from the industry, including Boots Riley, Zoe Kazan and Asif Kapadia came to Glazers defence. Kapadia told Variety, He stood up and told the truth. This is what true artists do, and Zoe Kazan posted on X, saying she was shocked that people who had seen Glazers film were surprised by his message.

Israel launched its heaviest-ever bombardment of Gaza and a total siege in retaliation against the bloody Hamas militant attack on southern Israel on 7 October. Around 1,200 people were killed in that attack, with another 250 taken hostage, including toddlers. Up to 136 of the hostages remain in Gaza, an unknown number are still alive.

Israels bombardment has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians, the vast majority women and children, according to Palestinian health officials in the Hamas-run strip. At least 60 per cent of Gazas homes and buildings have reportedly been destroyed or damaged. More than three-quarters of the strips population are displaced.
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On a grey day in central Manchester, the three founding members of The Mary Wallopers are chatting to me on the upper floor of the universitys concert hall. They play traditional Irish music, raucously, with the wildness of The Pogues and the heart of a young Christy Moore  with harmonies all their own. Theyre not short of an opinion either. We said something like, F*** the Catholic Church in some article, one of the trio, Charles Hendy, tells me, and some f***ing p**** of a priest down the country read mass, saying, Theres a band called The Mary Wallopers. Theyre turning people away from the church. How did they feel? F***ing delighted! Thats the biggest compliment you can get.

The group  fronted by vocalists Charles, 30, his brother Andrew, 29, and Sean McKenna, 31  seem to have a take on just about everything and everyone. Irish humour? The English dont get jokes. Shane McGowan? His poetry could move mountains. Bono? F*** Bono! They have a way with words thats both profane and rich in colour, brought to life in thick, charismatic brogues. Under our conversation is the long, mellifluous drone of pipes: the final stages of a sound check. A few hours later theyll be onstage doing some preaching of their own  this time very much to the converted.

Related: Orlando Bloom sings Irish folk song at pub on St Patricks Day

The Wallopers started out as a trio, playing for pints in their hometown of Dundalk, halfway between Dublin and Belfast. Over the past few years, theyve blown up (were like diarrhoea, Charles interjects)  an expansion that began in lockdown, as they performed increasingly buzzy gigs to pandemic-trapped listeners over livestream. When they were loosed, they hit the live circuit with a vengeance. Gigs were manic, sweaty, jovial affairs. The aim: bedlam.

Within a short time, theyve gone from total anonymity to selling out serious venues. Their number swelled to six with the additions of bassist Roisin Barrett, drummer Ken Mooney, and Finnian OConnor on whistle and pipes. On New Years Eve, they stole the show on Jools Hollands Hootenanny. We have a tour bus now. Things are nice! says Charles. Well, now it f***ing smells and were all on top of each other. As part of their ongoing UK tour, theyre playing this week at east Londons Troxy and The Roundhouse in Camden, to a combined audience of thousands. In a few months, the band are set to return to Glastonbury, this time on the long-coveted Park Stage.

What, exactly, is the secret of their appeal? Theres something very genuine and accessible about us, says McKenna. Things are very plastic, I suppose. People say bubblegum music and pop music are so fake. We try to remove the pedestal between the audience and musicians.

I first saw the Wallopers in 2022, when they were playing before a small crowd of middle-class revellers at Wilderness, a notoriously bourgeois music festival. Throughout their set, they seemed palpably mocking of their audience, cracking jokes about the IRA and telling them repeatedly, this is our first ever gig. At one point, they stared menacingly at the crowd, introducing Rich Man and the Poor Man: This is a song about rich people going to hell. They were, despite this brazen, unrecognised scorn  or perhaps because of it  absolutely brilliant.

Oh yes! Thats the real Tory festival. They told us about David Cameron going, so we had a prejudice towards it, Andrew says. And then we arrived and our prejudice was correct!

Dundalk trad band The Mary Wallopers pose for a photo (Sorcha Frances Ryder )

It was full of Tories in tutus, which is an unimaginable horror, says Charles. We had this f***ing group of English girls at the front, who kept going Sing Galway Girl. And we were like, Shut the f*** up, you f***ing English bastards!

Mostly, though, festivals are a lark. Except for the hippies, he continues. F*** them c***s. They were annoying bastards. We hate hippies. All types of hippies. If you dont like wearing shoes, f*** off!

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Most hippies are not too far away from Tories anyway, Andrew adds, a little more sincerely. Theyre all far right, his brother says. F***ing hippies used to be like, Peace and love, man. Now theyre like, Jews run the world, man. Theyre f***ing wasters. Hippies are wasters, and they should all get jobs. They all burst into laughter.

It can be tricky getting a completely straight answer out of the Hendy brothers  or even an answer thats legally acceptable to publish. Charles, the elder Hendy, does the most talking, and has his face fixed in an infectious, rabble-rousing grin. Andrew, the younger and slighter of the two, looks almost sweet as punch  but then chips in with something sharp and outrageous, like a choirboy possessed by the spirit of a more vicious Bugs Bunny. The moustached, deceptively gruff-looking McKenna, meanwhile, is almost mild by comparison. All three seem completely without filter.

Charles Hendy performs as part of The Mary Wallopers at Jools Annual Hootenanny (BBC Studios / Michael Leckie)

Before the Wallopers took off, the Hendys had brief viral success with a hip-hop single under the moniker TPM (Tax-Payers Money). On paper, this is quite the genre shift  imagine the horrors of a Bob Dylan grime album  but in practice, it speaks more to the Wallopers understanding of what folk actually is: something urgent and pugnacious.

Folk music got this name for a while  that it was a lad in a f***ing tweed f***ing hat. Folk music is radical music, he says. Theres this perception that its safe, something to put on in art class. Whereas it should be, Oh my God, theres a folk artist playing. I wonder what theyre gonna say.

How much money would be in England if you got rid of the royal family? You could sell the big gaff by the park as well

This is the Wallopers whole musical ethos. In their covers, they sing about social issues: from poverty, immigration, the hypocrisy of the Catholic Church. It is original songs, though, that will be the true test of greatness. The three originals included on their 2022 sophomore album Irish Rock N Roll (The Idler, Vultures of Christmas and Gates of Heaven) suggest they have the goods, fitting in seamlessly with the established classics  some centuries old  not just in the musical style, but in the punch and flow of the lyrics. Their next record, still a few months away, will be mostly original material. (You just have to f***ing do it, you know?)

There seems to be little difference between their onstage personas and everyday convictions. The trio have predictably robust opinions on everything from the violence in Palestine  a recent fundraiser for medical aid saw the band hit with fascist abuse from creepy bastards on the internet  to the British royal family. Theyve been ripping off the people of England for years, says Charles. That fella with the fingers [the King]  I saw people were talking about him and saying, Well, Jesus, if he dies now, how are we going to be able to afford another coronation? Heres an idea  dont bother!

How much money would be in England if you got rid of the royal family? You could sell the big gaff by the park as well. Sell the f***ing s***hole!

In the jacks: pubs and venues are usually turned upside down during Mary Wallopers shows (Sorcha Frances Ryder)

Go to the bar or the toilets at a Wallopers gig, and wherever in the world you are, youll likely be surrounded by Irish accents. I ask about their own relationship to Irishness  whether they ever feel wary of how they present their culture when, for instance, touring around England. Irish people  a very small amount of Irish people  have complained more about it being paddywhackery. Theyre making Irish people out to be eejits and all that, he says. But theyre Irish people who denounce being Irish. Theyre ashamed of their culture.

We sing a lot of old songs that a lot of bands wouldnt sing because they sound too Irish. Well we are f***ing Irish. We are incredibly proud of that. Theres been enough bands that have pretended not to be Irish like f***ing U2.

Later that night, the gig is in full swing. The crowd is rapt; packed; yelling along to every song. But even this isnt enough. We want you to tear the f***ing roof off, they tell the crowd. It feels almost lacking if a Mary Wallopers night doesnt devolve into mayhem.

And when the encore arrives, surely enough  it does.

The Mary Wallopers will play The Troxy, London on 21 March; all tour dates can be found here.
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Miriam Margolyes has raised eyebrows after she bluntly asked an Australian talk show host about his skin colour.

The British-Australian star, 82, best known for her role as Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter film series, was discussing the war in Gaza during an appearance on the Australian programme The Project on Thursday (21 March), when she quizzed host Waleed Aly, 45.

Whether youre black or white, it doesnt matter, the notoriously outspoken actor said, before turning her attention to Aly, pointing at him and asking: What are you by the way? Sort of brown?

The audience erupted into a mixture of gasps and laughter, while Aly appeared shocked by her enquiry.

Aly then held his head down toward the desk and began laughing along with the rest of the panellists, who all looked slightly puzzled by the line of questioning.

Once Aly had composed himself, he replied: This is a really interesting questionIve thought about this a lot. Im not joking about that.

So, Im Egyptian, he said, to which Margolyes replied: Oh really?

Waleed Aly then held his head down toward the desk after Margolyes asked him, What are you? Sort of brown? (Channel 10)

Which is in Africa, continued Aly. So what do you wanna call that?

Well, lucky, she replied, changing the subject. Because I like Egyptian people. Im on the side of the Palestinians I have to tell you that now.

Miriam Margolyes was appearing on the show to call for a ceasfire in Gaza (Channel 10)

Because being Jewish, we always have to say what we are. Are we for Israel or against Israel? Im only for humanity. Ceasefire. Ceasefire, she said, to applause from the studio audience.

Aly turned to the camera and poked fun at the unexpected exchange, telling viewers: Well I think its safe to say that conversation did not go as predicted!

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Well I think its safe to say that conversation did not go as predicted! said Aly (Channel 10)

Who the hell cares, shouted Margolyes in response. Its important!

The Independent has contacted Margolyess representative for comment.

Her comments come one week after she told Harry Potter fans to grow up and get over it.

She said in two recent interviews that she worries about adult fans of the 25-year-old franchise because they should be over that by now.

"It was 25 years ago, and I think its for children," Margolyes told New Zealands 1News.

I do cameos [personalised video messages] and people say they are doing a Harry Potter-themed wedding, and I think, Oh gosh what is their first night of fun going to be? I cant even think about it. Harry Potter is wonderful, Im very grateful to it. Its over. Thats what I think.

The Call the Midwife actor later told ABC News Australia that once teens are through puberty, its time to forget about it and go on to other things.

If your balls have dropped, then its time to forget about it. You know, go on to other things, she said.

I just think that its for children. And then its time to move on.
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The Apprentice star Noor Bouziane failed to appear for her interview on spin-off show Youre Fired after being let go.

The 23-year-old was fired by Lord Alan Sugar on tonights (21 March) episode, becoming the ninth candidate to leave this series.

Typically, candidates who leave then go on to appear on Youre Fired in the immediate aftermath of the main show, but host Tom Allen said that Noor would not be making an appearance.

A spokesperson for The Apprentice told The Independent: Noor declined the opportunity to appear on this weeks episode of The Apprentice: Youre Fired! and we respect her decision.

Bouzianes exit from the show came following her first showing as project manager.

The teams were asked to create an advertising campaign for an electric camper van, with Lord Sugar judging the contest.

Bouzianes Team Supream took the lead on developing a 30-second advert for the product, but after the clip was completed Lord Sugar said he felt the end result lacked clarity and quality.

Bouziane attempted to defend the advert, saying: I didnt want to use the cliche, like the typical advert where the van is moving. I feel like thats done before.

The Apprentices Noor Bouziane was fired tonight (21 March) (BBC/Naked)

Lord Sugar fired Bouziane and labelled her advert as terrible.

Later on Youre Fired, comedian and podcaster Cally Beaton said she felt sorry for Bouziane.

I have sympathy with her as she tried to have a voice when it wasnt always the same as the people in charge, said Beaton.

The only place she really fell down  and its such a hard lesson to learn  is knowing what you dont know and surrounding yourself with people who may know more than you. Leaning on them, willingly, is a brilliant way to get better.

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I think thats where she hasnt quite got it yet, just letting the outside input stuff in. And letting people make you look good  if somebody else does something and you get the credit for it, thats fantastic. Fail forward, thats fine!

In last weeks episode, one task on The Apprentice left viewers comparing it to the disastrous Glasgow Wonka experience.

Contestants were flown to Budapest where they were asked to prepare a city tour. Maura Rath was appointed project manager of one team and they decided to put together a wine tour.

However, her guests appeared baffled as she told them to take a moment to feel the earth and could not name the grape of Sauvignon Blanc, prompting viewers to compare it to the viral childrens event.

One viewer wrote The Budapest wine experience next to a picture of a worker at the Glasgow Wonka experience.
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A sequel series to Disney Channels Wizards of Waverly Place has officially received a green light  but fans are lamenting that Selena Gomez will only return as a guest star in the first episode.

The fantasy comedy originally ran from 2007 to 2012, and helped to launch Gomezs career.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the studio has now given a formal series order to a sequel series. Production is set to begin in April, and it is expected to air later this year on the Disney Channel and Disney+.

The original Wizards of Waverly Place centered on teenage wizards living on the titular street in New Yorks Greenwich Village.

The new series will reportedly pick up its story after a mysterious incident at WizTech, where an adult Justin Russo has neglected his wizard powers in favour of pursuing a normal, human life with his wife and two sons.

However, he is drawn back into the world of magic when a powerful young wizard turns up at his door in search of training, and Justin realises he must embrace his past to secure the future of the Wizard World.

Selena Gomez and Hayley Kiyoko in the original Wizards of Waverly Place (Disney)

Fans on social media have celebrated the return of the series, while declaring it too bad that Gomez will not be a series regular.

One fan wrote: I want this so bad. Too bad shes only in the pilot episode.

While another added: only the pilot episode?? with a crying emoji.

Other fans hoped that Gomez might reprise her vocal contribution to the series, saying: the wizards of waverly place theme song better be sang by selena again! PLS

Gomez was recently cast as folk rock trailblazer Linda Ronstadt in an upcoming biopic.

Last year, Gomez told her Wizards of Waverly Place costars that her biggest mistake was losing touch with them.

She was appearing on the Wizards of Waverly Pod podcast with her former costars Jennifer Stone and David DeLuise  who played her best friend and father, respectively.

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During a Q&A segment of the podcast, Gomez was asked what her biggest mistake was, to which she replied: Probably not staying in touch with you guys.

I felt ashamed of the decisions that I made, the Only Murders in the Building star explained. I didnt want you guys to see me in the state that I was in because A, you would have told me the truth which terrifies me, and B, I didnt want to let you down.

DeLuise responded: Thats really sweet and thank you for saying that. We obviously I miss you and Im happy youre doing well now.

Stone, meanwhile, opened up about how she felt when their friendship fell off.

I appreciate you saying that too, she said. To be perfectly blunt... there has been times where Im like  Did we stop being friends because I didnt tell her what she wanted to hear, you know what I mean so I appreciate you being here.

I appreciate you guys dearly and I love you so much in a way that Ive never loved anybody else, Gomez added.

Gomez has been open about her mental health struggles that have been exacerbated by the showbiz industry and her stardom from a young age.

I think when I started hitting my early twenties is when it started to get really dark, when I started to feel like I was not in control of what I was feeling, whether that was really great or really bad, Gomez said in 2022.
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A former executive was sentenced to death on Friday in the 2020 poisoning of the founder of the high-profile Chinese gaming company, which has links to Game of Thrones and the new Netflix series, The Three-Body Problem.

Xu Yao poisoned the food of Yoozoo Game founder Lin Qi in December 2020 because of a dispute over the running of the business, the Shanghai First Intermediate Peoples Court said.

Lin, who was 39, died on Christmas day. Police detained Xu a few days after Lins death.

Four other people were left seriously ill but did not die after Xu poisoned beverages in the office between September and December 2020 because of disputes with two of them, the court said in a statement.

Lin Qi, Chairman and CEO of Yoozoo Games Co was poisoned (VCG via Getty Images)

Shanghai-headquartered Yoozoo said at the time of the death that it had received notice of Lins passing via his family. It did not specify a cause or provide further detail.

In a post to social media signed from the entire staff, the company wrote: You saw through what was imperfect but still believed in beauty; encountered unkindness but still believed in kindness. Together, we will continue to be kind, continue to believe in beauty, and continue to fight against all that is unkind. The goodbye was paired with an image of a handwritten note with a quote from The Three-Body Problem.

Yoozoo owns the film rights to The Three-Body Problem, a best-selling Chinese science fiction trilogy, and Xu headed up a subsidiary in charge of business related to it, according to Chinese media reports.

Lin was an executive producer alongside Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss on the high-profile English-language adaptation of novelist Liu Cixins trilogy for Netflix.

The Yoozoo Game logo in Shaghai (Chinatopix)

In September 2020, the company granted Netflix the right to produce an adaptation of the trilogy.

The series has just been released on Netflix and follows a group of present-day scientists as humanity faces an alien invasion.

In present-day Britain, a group of physicists, nicknamed The Oxford Five seek to understand why scientific experiments around the world are failing. They get a helping hand from unconventional detective, Da Shi (Benedict Wong), an operative of a secret intelligence agency.

The eight-episode series ensemble cast includes actors Eiza Gonzalez, Jovan Adepo, Jess Hong and Jonathan Pryce, while Brad Pitt, Rosamund Pike and Rian Johnson are among the shows executive producers.

Yoozoo, also known as Youzu Interactive, developed Game of Thrones: Winter Is Coming, a game based on the TV series.
MBABANE  It is good and bad news for the country, in terms of employment and unemployment opportunities.

This follows the findings of the Integrated Labour Force Survey 2023, which was officially released by the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Phila Buthelezi. According to the survey, Buthelezi said the countrys employment creation yielded some positive results, with the employed population increasing from 241 933 in 2021 to 260 356 in 2023.

Announcing the latest key finding results, Buthelezi said the working age population increased from 790 862 to 793 614, leading to an increase in the labour force participation rate, hence a decline in those who were currently out of the labour force.

Employment

Buthelezi said in terms of employment creation, the country had yielded positive results, as the employed population increased from 241 933 to 260 356. The minister highlighted that the economic sectors that contributed to the increase in employment were; agriculture, construction, manufacturing, transport, financial and insurance activities.

Buthelezi attributed the increase to the informal sector, adding that there was a drastic decreased in the formal sector, of about 14.2 per cent.

He stated that it was better to be in the labour force than to be out. Buthelezi said the absorption rate, which was the employment-to-population ratio, had increased from 30.6 per cent to 32.8 per cent, which was a sign that the economy was improving.

On the other hand, he stated that the unemployment rate had also increased by 2.1 per cent from 33.3 per cent, to 35.4 per cent. The minister said the Shiselweni Region was leading in terms of the unemployment rate, standing at 42.7 per cent, followed by Hhohho Region that recorded 39.9 per cent. Manzini and Lubombo regions recorded a tie, standing at 30.9 per cent.

According to the minister, in terms of the unemployment rate, females recorded the highest number, sitting at 37.6 per cent, while males were at 33.1 per cent. He said the labour market was in a crisis and there was a need to get the economy working again and reverse the gloomy picture painted by the figures.

The minister stated that the figures showed that the country had a huge task ahead in order to turn the tide. Meanwhile, it has been reported that youth unemployment rate has decreased from 58.2 per cent to 56 per cent.




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The US has said it recognizes Arunachal Pradesh as part of India and strongly opposes any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims in the northeastern Indian state that shares a poorly demarcated border with China.

For years India has maintained that the state is its integral and inalienable part despite Chinas claims that Arunachal Pradesh belongs to southern Tibet.

The current flashpoint in border diplomacy comes in the wake of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi unveiling a tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh on 9 March at an elevation of 13,000ft (3962m). The Sela Tunnel is designed to offer year-round connectivity to the strategically important Tawang area in the state and is anticipated to facilitate troop mobility in the region.

The tunnel will also help India bolster its defence along the 3,500km unofficial border with China, known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Chinas Ministry of National Defense took exception to the inauguration of the tunnel and said India should stop making any moves that complicate the border issue and earnestly maintain peace and stability in the border areas.

Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Defence Ministry, added that the tunnels inauguration in Arunachal Pradesh  a state it locally calls Zangnan  runs counter to the efforts made by both sides to ease the border situation.

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India has been quick to counter China. Repeating baseless arguments in this regard does not lend such claims any validity, Indias Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

On Wednesday, US State Departments principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel told the media: We strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions or encroachments, military or civilian, across the Line of Actual Control.

As tensions escalated, China strongly opposed the US stand on the disputed region. Delimitation of the China-India boundary has never been completed, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters.

The two nuclear-armed neighbours have about 3,000km (approximately 1,860mile) border between them, which is largely ill-defined. According to the Crisis Group, stretching across the Himalayas, the Sino-Indian frontier is the longest disputed border in the world.

Both countries have been entangled in a longstanding boundary dispute, which escalated into a war in 1962 that India lost. In the confrontations that erupted along their shared border in the western Himalayas in 2020  the first in decades  at least 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers lost their lives.

Another confrontation in January 2021 resulted in injuries to soldiers on both sides. This incident occurred near the state of Sikkim in India, situated between Bhutan and Nepal.

In fact, India and China do not even agree on the length of the Line of Actual Control (LAC): India claims it to be 3,488km long, while China says it is only 2,000km, the Crisis Group noted.

Recently, Chinas publication of new maps claiming territories like Arunachal Pradesh and the Aksai Chin plateau, which India asserts as its own, has reignited border tensions. India has formally protested these claims, with Indian external affairs minister S Jaishankar dismissing the significance of such unilateral territorial assertions by China.

The border dispute, which dates back to the colonial era, is not just a bilateral issue but has broader implications for regional stability, international relations, and global power dynamics, observers note.

A statue of Buddha is seen in Tawang near the Line of Actual Control (LAC), neighbouring China, in the northeast Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh on October 20, 2021 (AFP via Getty Images)

The Line of Actual Control between India and China is divided into three sectors: the western, middle, and eastern sectors, with significant disagreements on its exact location, particularly at the extremes.

In the western sector, China occupies Aksai Chin (38,000 sq km), claimed by India as part of Ladakh. The eastern sector extends from the India-Bhutan-China to the India-China-Myanmar junctions, covering Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. Here, India relies on the McMahon Line from the 1914 Tibet-British India Simla Convention, which China disputes, not recognising it due to Tibets purported lack of sovereignty at the time.

While Beijing informally respects the McMahon Line as the LAC, it claims about 90,000 sq km in Arunachal Pradesh as Tibetan territory. The middle sector, less disputed, lies opposite Tibet, with Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on the Indian side.

This picture taken on 4 April 2023 shows a road construction site in the Tawang district of Indias Arunachal Pradesh state. - Freshly laid roads, bridges, upgraded military camps, and new civilian infrastructure dot the winding high Himalayan route to the Indian frontier village of Zemithang -- which China renamed last month to press its claim to the area. It is in the far northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, almost all of which Beijing insists falls under its sovereignty as 'South Tibet (AFP via Getty Images)

In December 2022, the Indian and Chinese armed forces engaged in a confrontation at Yangtse along the Line of Actual Control in the Tawang Sector of Arunachal Pradesh. In an attempt to solidify its claims in the region, China has embarked on innovative strategies, including the construction of xiaokang or model villages in key locations, the renaming of places, and issuing new border laws that India sees as giving more legal cover to its forces, according to a Hindu newspaper report.

The Modi administration has also taken steps to fortify Indias stance along its borders, intensifying the development of infrastructure such as roads, bridges, tunnels, and airfields. India has done more in the past ten years to strengthen and build border infrastructure and military preparedness, and to create offsetting and asymmetric capabilities, than in any decade since independence, Shivshankar Menon, a former Indian national security adviser, wrote in 2016.

In fact, last year, the US Senate introduced a bipartisan resolution reaffirming the state of Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory while positing that Chinas claim over Arunachal Pradesh is part of its increasingly aggressive and expansionist policies.

This picture taken on 4 April 2023 shows an Indian border post near the frontier with China in Khinzemane, in Indias Arunachal Pradesh state. - Freshly laid roads, bridges, upgraded military camps, and new civilian infrastructure dot the winding high Himalayan route to the Indian frontier village of Zemithang -- which China renamed last month to press its claim to the area. It is in the far northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, almost all of which Beijing insists falls under its sovereignty as 'South Tibet (AFP via Getty Images)

Amrita Jash, assistant professor at the Department of Geopolitics and International Relations, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, wrote in Scroll last year: Having replaced peaceful co-existence with armed co-existence, the increased volatility at the India-China border is making it even harder to foresee a permanent solution to the territorial dispute in the immediate future.

She added: Given the uncertainties and the prevailing conditions along the India-China boundary, the possibility of yet another flare-up remains very real. Any such situation will be detrimental to the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region and have implications for every other stakeholder, beyond just India and China.
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Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by a federal anti-money laundering agency on corruption charges just weeks before the country heads into the national elections  a move condemned by the opposition as the murder of democracy.

Mr Kejriwal, the chief of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and a key opposition politician, was arrested by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Thursday night in connection with corruption allegations relating to the citys liquor policy.

My life is dedicated to the country no matter whether I am, in jail or outside, Mr Kejriwal told reporters while being taken to a Delhi court where the ED sought 10 days of his custody.

AAP has called for countrywide protests with the top politicians of the party descending on the capital on Friday. People belonging to the party, including ministers and cabinet members, were detained by the Delhi Police during their protest.

Mr Kejriwal is also the first serving CM to be arrested, sparking fears of a constitutional crisis.

The opposition has accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by prime minister Narendra Modi of conspiracy and said Mr Kejriwals arrest was the murder of democracy in the country. The AAPs legal team approached the Supreme Court requesting a late-night hearing, but the plea was withdrawn the next morning.

His arrest is a conspiracy by the prime minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, said Atishi, Delhis finance minister.

If there is any opposition member that the prime minister is scared of, it is Kejriwal, she added. If necessary he will run the government from jail, she said.

She was among several top party members detained. Police resorted to baton-charge on Friday afternoon as protests intensified in the national capital region, apart from the states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

A spokesperson of AAP told Al Jazeera that the arrest was dirty politics by Mr Modi over a bogus case.

Mr Kejriwal is the second top opposition member to be arrested by the federal agency in two months just weeks before the general elections, where Mr Modi is eyeing a third term. The ED in January arrested Hemant Soren  who was, until then, the chief minister of eastern Jharkhand state  for allegedly facilitating an illegal land sale. His party denies the accusations.

Member of the upper house of parliament, Raghav Chadha, said: India is under an undeclared Emergency. Our democracy stands critically endangered today. This is an act of cowardice, and a vicious plot to silence the strongest opposition voices.

Indian Rapid Action force soldiers stand outside Aam Aadmi Party, or Common Man's Party, leader Arvind Kejriwal's residence as Enforcement Directorate (AP)

Mr Chadha, who is also an AAP spokesperson, was comparing the situation to when prime minister Indira Gandhi suspended Indias constitution during a crisis in 1975.

The arrest is seen as the latest setback to the AAP after its top politicians, including deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and lawmaker Sanjay Singh, were arrested in the same case.

The party leadership has been under investigation over allegations that a liquor policy implemented by the Delhi government in 2022 gave undue advantages to private retailers and received kickbacks from alcohol companies.

The policy ended the EDs control over the sale of liquor in the capital and was rolled back within months with most of the 849 private alcohol shops shutting their outlets.

The AAP has said no evidence of wrongdoing has emerged in the investigation and Mr Kejriwal previously claimed that if he is corrupt "then there is no one in this world who is honest".

Mr Kejriwal was arrested after the ED issued nine summons to him for questioning, which went unanswered.

Supporters of the Aam Aadmi Party shout slogans outside in front of the home of Aam Aadmi Party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after he was arrested (AFP via Getty Images)

Critics of the Modi government have accused the Hindu nationalist government of weaponising law enforcement agencies against political rivals to intimidate and weaken them ahead of elections. A slew of politicians have faced legal challenges with some arrested and others convicted.

The alleged clampdown on the opposition party comes just days after details of a now-scrapped opaque electoral funding system were released. The first release last week sparked political turmoil after Mr Modis BJP emerged as the biggest beneficiary of the scheme by a large margin.

Heavy security has been deployed around Mr Kejriwals residence and places where he will be taken, with drones monitoring the movements. Mr Kejriwal is scheduled to undergo a medical checkup before the EDs proceedings begin.

Several traffic restrictions are in place in anticipation of protests by AAP supporters with roads leading to the BJP headquarters and ED office in central Delhi barricaded.

Opposition politicians from across the political spectrum denounced Mr Kejriwals arrest, with senior Congress member Rahul Gandhi offering to provide his family with legal assistance.

Mr Gandhi called Mr Modi a scared dictator and doubled down on his criticism as the arrest came on the same day his party claimed that the government allegedly froze its bank accounts ahead of the election.

A scared dictator wants to create a dead democracy. While capturing all the institutions including the media, breaking up the parties, extorting money from companies, freezing the account of the main opposition party was not enough for the devilish power, now the arrest of the elected Chief Ministers has also become a common thing, Mr Gandhi said.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the arrest exposes the cowardice of those who fear democratic process and calls for collective action to resist abuse of power.

Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin said the BJP was a fascist regime. Not a single BJP leader faces scrutiny or arrest, laying bare their abuse of power and the decay of democracy.

Mr Kejriwal, 55, rose to power as an anti-corruption crusader and founded the AAP, Hindi for common mans party in 2011. After storming into power in Delhi in 2013, AAP swept state elections in the northern state of Punjab in 2022 and won a few seats in Mr Modis home state Gujarat in the same year.

The arrest is also seen as a blow to the INDIA block, an alliance of opposition that hopes to challenge the BJP party as it seeks a third term in the elections beginning on 19 April.

It looks like harassment because only opposition leaders are being singled out, political commentator Neerja Chowdhury told the Associated Press.

Mr Gandhi was convicted of criminal libel in 2023 after a complaint by a member of Mr Modis party. A two-year prison sentence disqualified him from parliament, until the verdict was suspended by a higher court.
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Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi chief minister and a prominent political rival of Narendra Modi, was arrested on Thursday just weeks ahead of Indias general elections in which the prime minister is seeking a third straight term.

Indias financial crime agency arrested Kejriwal, an anti-corruption campaigner who heads the Aam Aadmi Party (Common Mans Party), in connection with graft allegations relating to the capital citys liquor policy.

Kejriwal is the first serving chief minister to be arrested in India.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating allegations that a liquor policy implemented by the Delhi government in 2022, which ended its control over sale of liquor, gave undue advantages to private retailers. The policy was subsequently withdrawn and the AAP government has said no evidence of wrongdoing has emerged in the investigation.

His arrest comes as a blow to AAP and a broader opposition coalition against the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in power. Kejriwal plays a pivotal role in an alliance of opposition parties aiming to take on the Modi juggernaut in the April elections that the prime minister is widely expected to win, riding a populist wave.

AAPs members allege that Kejriwals arrest was the BJPs way to stop him from campaigning in the elections. They accuse the Modi government of misusing its power by wielding federal investigative agencies under its government to intimidate political opponents.

After Kejriwals arrest, several protesting AAP affiliates were detained by the police as they attempted to proceed towards the municipal court where Kejriwal was slated for an appearance.

This is a way to steal elections, says Delhi finance minister Atishi, who uses only one name.

Who is Arvind Kejriwal?

More than a decade ago, Kejriwal, a former tax collector from East Delhi and a prominent figure in the Indian anti-corruption movement, emerged as a disruptive force in Indian politics, challenging corruption within the nations political, government, and business sectors.

From a non-descript, humble office in the city, Kejriwal accused various high-profile individuals, including members of Indias leading political families and parties, of corruption, utilising the Right to Information Act and whistleblower information as his arsenal.

Despite not leading to formal investigations, his accusations received extensive media coverage and stirred a public discourse on corruption.

The federal government and the BJP refute any allegations of political meddling, stating that law enforcement agencies were merely carrying out their duties. All the main leaders of AAP are in jail in connection with the liquor case.

Kejriwal, who started out in politics with the intention of directly challenging and changing the political establishment, has been called an opportunist as well as a naive idealist by his rivals. Observers note that his strategy and the establishment of his political party a decade ago represented a courageous effort to revolutionise Indian politics from the inside, targeting systemic reform to address the widespread issue of corruption.

Without jumping into the system, it will be impossible to clean up the system. We are going to challenge this political system on a daily basis, Kejriwal said as he began his political journey.

Kejriwals history of rivalry with Modi

If there is any opposition member that prime minister Modi is scared of, it is Kejriwal, says Atishi, who was among the AAP politicians who were detained on Friday. If necessary, he will run the government from jail, she says.

This is not the first time Kejriwal has locked horns with BJP.

He assumed the role of Delhis chief minister for the first time in 2013 for 49 chaotic days before resigning, frustrated by obstacles put in the way of an anti-corruption bill that his party wanted to table in parliament. He said the countrys entrenched political parties were not letting him govern.

His decision to resign was seen as a strategic move, casting him as a principled politician who prioritised the fight against corruption over holding onto power. This led to a comprehensive win in the 2015 Delhi assembly elections.

The rivalry between the BJP and the AAP began nearly simultaneously, with the BJP winning a significant majority in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and the AAP securing a landmark victory in Delhi by claiming 67 out of 70 assembly seats in 2015.

Indian Rapid Action force soldiers stand outside Aam Aadmi Party, or Common Man's Party, leader Arvind Kejriwal's residence (AP)

Prior to this, Kejriwal had already set the stage for the ongoing conflict by challenging and losing to Modi in Varanasi, an ancient Hindu holy city in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. The state sends the most number of lawmakers to parliament.

But AAPs focus on healthcare, schools and subsidies on power and water bills  benefiting the poor the most  gained traction in Delhi, Punjab and some parts of Gujarat, Modis home state.

In 2018 Indias Supreme Court upheld the powers of the chief minister of Delhi in a win for Kejriwals political party embroiled in a protracted fight with Modis government.

Under Indias political system, Delhi has a unique position in which the federal government controls the state police and oversees land issues while the local government is in charge of the general upkeep of the capital of some 19 million people. But Kejriwals party sought more powers and operational autonomy to govern the city ever since it beat Modis party in the stunning election upset in the capital in 2015.

It accused Modis party of trying to interfere in Delhis governance through the federally appointed lieutenant governor.

The BJP controls officers and staff in Delhi. officers are being called and threatened that they will be suspended if they work for the AAP government. They brought an ordinance to nullify the Supreme Court order which said AAP will control services. The finance department is not giving payment to the Delhi Jal Board. Sewer lines are overflowing and people are facing a water crisis, Kejriwal said at that time.

In February Kejriwal said that his party, and not the century-old Congress, was the main challenger to the BJP, especially for the 2029 election.

File. Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal, waves from a truck as he campaigns for the Gujarat state elections in Ahmedabad, India, Thursday, 1 December 2022 (AP)

In response to what it termed a targeted campaign by the federal government to dismantle the party, the AAP initiated a campaign in December last year to gather public support in Delhi.

Manish Sisodia  once the deputy chief minister of Delhi from AAP  was already in jail for corruption and money laundering charges connected to Delhis liquor rules. Kejriwal was also under scrutiny, with ED summoning him for questioning in the same case.

File. Delhi's chief minister Arvind Kejriwal speaks during a public rally in Guwahati on 2 April 2023. Indian authorities arrested prominent opposition politician and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on 21 March 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)

Through the campaign, titled Mai Bhi Kejriwal (I am Kejriwal), AAP sought to rally public opinion by questioning Delhi residents on whether the CM should resign or lead from jail if arrested. The campaign was aimed at highlighting the BJPs alleged vendetta against them ahead of the upcoming elections.

This heightened the ongoing clashes and political disagreements between the Delhi government under Kejriwal and the federal government, with both parties entrenched in an extended blame game.
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A deadly infection is spreading in Japan at a startling rate, with experts unable to work out why.

Streptococcal A, commonly known as Strep A, is known for causing strep throat in children. But a more severe form of the bacteria can lead to complications such as Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS).

The number of cases of the most severe form of streptococcus reached level highs last year with 941 confirmed cases of STSS, according to Japan Times.

The fatality rate of the infection is 30 per cent (National Institute of Infectious Diseases)

However, the number of cases this year is already expected to surpass this record, with 378 cases recorded in the first two months of 2024.

Strep A infections are spread through close contact with an infected person, they can also be passed on through coughs, sneezes and wounds, the NHS explains.

The bacteria can be spread through coughing (Alamy)

Some people have the bacteria in their body but are asymptomatic, but can still pass it on to infect others.

The National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) told The Guardian: There are still many unknown factors regarding the mechanisms behind fulminant (severe and sudden) forms of streptococcus, and we are not at the stage where we can explain them.

What is Strep A?

Strep A is a common type of bacteria, which lives in the throat and on the skin, it is usually easily treated, but some infections are more serious, the NHS explained.

Milder infections caused by Strep A include scarlet fever, impetigo cellulitis and laryngitis which are all treatable with antibiotics, according to the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA).

Scarlet fever is a milder infection caused by Strep A (Getty)

More serious infections come from a more invasive group of Strep A known as iGas.

The most severe form of the infection is STSS, of which symptoms include fever, chills, muscle pain, nausea and vomiting, according to the USAs centre for disease control.

In the most severe occurrences, STSS progresses to sepsis, organ failure and necrosis - also known as flesh-eating disease.

The fatality rate of STSS is 30 per cent, according to the Guardian.

How to stop the spread

To reduce the chance of catching or spreading an infection: people should avoid close contact with infected people, practice frequent handwashing, use a tissue to cover their nose and mouth after coughing or sneezing and bin tissues quickly after use.

Why has Japan seen a rise?

According to some experts, the rapid surge in cases is connected to the lifting of restrictions during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Covid-19 was downgraded to the same severity category as seasonal flu in May 2023, which led the once vigilant population to become more lax, Ken Kikuchi, a professor of infectious diseases at Tokyo Womens Medical University told The Guardian.

Mask use was common throughout the Covid-19 outbreak (Alamy/PA)

He said: In my opinion, over 50 per cent of Japanese people have been infected by Sars-CoV-2 [the virus that causes Covid-19].

Peoples immunological status after recovering from Covid-19 might alter their susceptibility to some microorganisms. We need to clarify the infection cycle of severe invasive streptococcal pyogenes diseases and get them under control immediately.

Common symptoms of strep A include:
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At least three people were killed and a dozen others sustained injuries in a suicide attack at a private bank in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for what is considered to be the "biggest blast" this year during the month of Ramadan in the South Asian nation.

The victims were civilians who had gathered at the branch of New Kabul Bank on Thursday morning to collect their monthly salaries, said Inamullah Samangani, head of the governments Kandahar information and culture department.

Taliban officials said three people were killed and 12 sustained injuries, while a source from the hospital claimed the toll was much higher.

Mirwais Hospital has "received 20 people killed since this morning from the explosion", a source told AFP on the condition of anonymity.

Abdul Mateen Qani, a spokesperson for the Taliban Interior Ministry said the attack was being investigated without providing further details.

The suicide bomber "detonated his explosive belt" near "a gathering of the Taliban militia" near a bank, according to a report issued by the Islamic State's Amaq mouthpiece.

Mr Samangani said the situation was under control and the wounded people were not in a serious condition.

Kandahar  the second largest city in Afghanistan  is the seat of power for the Taliban and home to its supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada.

The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021 during the chaotic departure of US and Nato troops after 20 years. Despite initial promises of a more moderate stance, the Taliban gradually reimposed a harsh interpretation of Islamic law, or Shariah, as they did during their previous rule of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001.

The Islamic State groups affiliate, a major Taliban rival, has conducted previous attacks on schools, hospitals, mosques and Shiite areas throughout the country.

Karen Decker, the US charge daffaires for Afghanistan, condemned all acts of terror and offered condolences to the bereaved families.

Afghans should be able to observe Ramadan peacefully and without fear, she said on X.
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Nepal has announced a new set of rules for mountaineers in the Himalayas, including one ordering them to carry GPS trackers following a deadly year in which 18 people died on Everest and at least five bodies were left unrecovered on the mountain.

With the spring climbing season underway, Nepali officials say climbers must carry small, passive trackers which can be sewn into a jacket and dont need power. They can be detected through packed snow up to 20 yards away and further when tracked from the air using a handheld detector.

The trackers are mandatory for climbers this year, so that if there is an accident their location can be accurately identified, Rakesh Gurung, director of mountaineering at Nepals tourism department, was quoted as saying by AFP.

Students clean the Khumjung School which was established by Edmund Hillary, ahead of the Everest Day celebrations in the village of Khumjung, located in the shadow of Mount Everest (AFP via Getty)

Last month, authorities also announced that Everest climbers will be obliged to bring their excreta back to the base camp in poo bags after summiting the peak.

The new regulation followed increasing complaints about the volume of human waste lining the routes up the mountain, which is prevented from degrading naturally by the extreme cold temperatures.

Nepal has eight of the worlds 14 highest peaks. According to Nepals ministry of tourism, by 14 May last year towards the end of the climbing season, the government had generated revenues of 4.5m from mountain tourism, 3.9m from Everest alone.

Mountaineers tents at Camp 2 of Mount Everest (AFP via Getty)

Professional climbers and some expedition companies have long used advanced trackers to monitor climb progress and provide data for sponsors. However, the newly required GPS trackers will be simpler, passive devices with limited features, no bigger than a USB stick, power-free, and easily integrated into a jackets fabric.

These trackers, costing between 8 and 12 each, will be supplied by the trekking company and reused by detaching them from the climbers upon their descent.

Last year, 60,000 tourists visited Sagarmatha National Park, home to Everest, with 600 attempting the summit. The mountain is littered with tons of waste, including empty cans, bottles, gas canisters, abandoned climbing equipment, as well as plastic and human waste, earning it the unfortunate title of the highest dumpster in the world.

A bird flies with Mount Everest seen in the background (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)

The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee reportedly is in the process of procuring approximately 8,000 excreta bags from the US, which will be distributed among climbers, sherpas, and support staff. Each person will be allotted two bags, designed for multiple uses.

These bags are equipped with chemicals that solidify human waste and significantly reduce its odour.

Jonathan Reilly, director of the British Expedition Company, which organises treks to Everest base camp, told the Telegraph: The waste on Everest is ridiculous.

The question I have is, will climbers bring the poo bags back down the mountain or will they just discard them up there, a bit like dog walkers throwing away plastic bags of dog poo? That would be worse than the current situation because the bags will make it impossible for the waste to biodegrade.

I suspect there will be some climbers who use the bags and then dump them rather than bring them down the mountain.

Everest Base Camp is seen from Crampon Point, the entrance to the Khumbu icefall below the mountain (AFP via Getty)

Similar initiatives have already successfully been implemented on other mountains, such as Mount Denali in Alaska, and have reportedly been welcomed by Everest expedition operators.

The rapid growth of the climbing industry on Everest has led to intense competition and safety concerns. Limited weather windows cause dangerous bottlenecks, exposing climbers to increased risks as they wait in harsh conditions and use up oxygen. Theres also anxiety about operators taking inexperienced climbers into the hazardous death zone above 8,000m, heightening danger for all on the mountain.

A Nepalese rescue helicopter lands at Everest Base Camp during rescue efforts following an avalanche that killed 16 Nepalese sherpas in the Khumbu icefall in 2014 (AFP via Getty)

In October last year, after visiting Nepals high peaks, UN secretary general Antonio Guterres emphasised the urgent need to end the fossil fuel era, highlighting the alarming rate of Himalayan glacier melting due to global warming.

Mr Guterres, who toured the base camps of Mount Everest and Mount Annapurna, stressed the devastating impacts he observed: record glacier melting, increased risk of natural disasters like rockslides, landslides, avalanches, and threats to cultures due to rising rivers and seas.

Mountaineers descending from the summit of Mount Everest (AFP/Getty)

I am here today to cry out from the rooftop of the world: stop the madness, Mr Guterres said at the time. The glaciers are retreating, but we cannot. We must end the fossil fuel age.

A report earlier in 2023 by the Nepal-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development said that the Himalayas could lose up to 80 per cent of their glaciers if the earth warms by 4C in the coming decades or centuries.

We must act now to protect people on the frontline. And to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C, Mr Guterres said.
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A dramatic story of survival and rescue off the western coast of Indonesias Aceh province has put the spotlight again on the plight of ethnic Rohingya Muslim refugees from Myanmar who make extremely dangerous voyages across the Indian Ocean to seek better lives.

Desperate survivors were pulled to safety from their capsized boat by local fishermen on Thursday, after a yet-unknown number perished.

For Rohingya refugees living in squalid refugee camps in Bangladesh, escaping across the seas might seem like a good option --- but its often a deadly one. The UN estimates that as many as one in eight people die or disappear in the attempt.

The UN refugee agency said in January that of 4,500 Rohingyas embarking on sea journeys last year in Southeast Asian waters, 569 were reported dead or missing.

Roots of displacement

Members of the Muslim Rohingya ethnic minority have long been considered by Myanmars Buddhist majority to be illegal settlers from Bangladesh, even though many of their families lived in Myanmar for generations. Aside from social discrimination, nearly all have been denied citizenship since 1982, effectively rendering them stateless, and have been denied freedom of movement and other basic rights.

In August 2017, Myanmars military launched what it called a clearance campaign in northern Rakhine State in response to attacks by a shadowy Rohingya insurgent group. The counterinsurgency action forced about 740,000 Rohingya to flee to neighboring Bangladesh and led to accusations that security forces committed mass rapes, killings and burned thousands of homes. International courts are now considering whether the campaign amounted to genocide.

There are now about 1 million Rohingya residing in refugee camps in Bangladesh, including those who fled previous waves of repression.

Most live in large open camps in Coxs Bazar district, close to the border with Myanmar. There is inadequate water, sanitation, and health care in the overcrowded camps, which are susceptible to fire, flood and outbreaks of disease. There are few opportunities for meaningful work and violent criminal gangs operate unhindered.

A second major camp set up on the remote island of Bhasan Char in the Bay of Bengal houses about 30,000 refugees. It was supposed to help ease the overcrowding at Coxs Bazar, but critics say its housing resembles prison blocks, heightening an already dispiriting dead-end atmosphere, and it is vulnerable to flooding.

An estimated 600,000 Rohingya still live in Myanmar, most in camps for internally displaced people or tightly restricted ghettos.

Escape by sea

Social and economic pressures convince some Rohingya living in camps in Myanmar as well as Bangladesh to embark on the dangerous sea voyage to Malaysia or Indonesia, which have Muslim majority populations.

The suffer from a lack of economic opportunity, as well as unhealthy physical and psychological conditions in the camps. Because the majority of Rohingya refugees are stateless, they have no legal hope of resettlement.

The modest job opportunities they believe await them elsewhere are a strong attraction, and in some cases they can get help from relatives who have already started new lives abroad.

But they are often exploited by human traffickers who charge extortionate amounts -- anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars  to make the crossing on ramshackle boats with little concern for safety. In some cases, the traffickers deliver the refugees to confederates who trap them into jobs of virtual slavery.

The voyages can take weeks or even months on vessels without adequate supplies of food, water, and safety equipment.

Some never complete the journey. In a single deadly incident in November 2023, it is feared that some 200 Rohingya lost their lives when their boat was reported to have sunk in the Andaman Sea, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said in January.

Destinations

If they are not turned back or lost, the Rohingya refugees usually end up in Thailand, Malaysia or Indonesia.

Thailand tries to discourage refugee landings by offering food, fuel and repairs to send the boats on their way, though if the refugees make landfall they are detained.

Malaysia is relatively more welcoming, allowing thousands of Rohingya refugees to disembark over the years. Like Thailand, it is a middle income country and needs low cost labor. Thailand, however, has a bottomless supply of low cost workers from immediate neighbors such as Myanmar and Cambodia, which Malaysia does not, so in Malaysia the Rohingya arrivals can help fill that gap.

Indonesia has for many years welcomed Rohingya refugees, providing them with temporary accommodation and allowing them to register for resettlement in third countries, a process that can take years.

In the past year, however, there have been signs of resentment in Aceh, where several hundred refugees have occasionally arrived in a single day, sparking protests about them taking advantage of local resources and other complaints. The negative sentiment has been egged on by apparently coordinated online hate speech campaigns whose origins are unclear.

Funding plea

While crises elsewhere around the world garner more attention, the UN continues to seek funds to ease the burdens of the Rohingya refugees and their hosts in Bangladesh.

The UN last week launched an appeal to member nations to fund a $852.4 million plan to provide food, shelter, health care, access to drinkable water, protection services, education and livelihood opportunities and skills development to the Rohingya refugees and the communities where their camps are.
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As Chancellor Jeremy Hunts recent budget came under fire for its failure to provide significant incentives to boost EV sales, we asked Independent readers what would encourage them to switch from a petrol car to electric.

Mr Hunts spring Budget did not include sweeteners for private EV buyers, such as a halving VAT on new EVs and a reduction in VAT on public charging, despite industry calls.

Manufacturers have expressed concern that the absence of such incentives could hinder their ability to meet the stringent targets outlined in the Governments zero emission vehicle mandate.

From a more robust charging network to batteries with bigger ranges and cheaper electricity rates for charging in public, readers had several thoughts on making EV ownership more attractive.

Heres what you had to say:

Manufacturers need to make vehicles that match the present usability

If a product needs Government (ie taxpayer) paid for incentives to get people to buy it then it doesnt say much for the economics of making the product.

If I bought a new electric version of my existing hatchback it would cost 10000 more than the equivalent new petrol version, cost more to run due to the present higher cost of electricity, have a much shorter range and take far longer to refuel (recharge).

Manufacturers need to produce vehicles that match the usability of present vehicles and are a similar cost to run, then market forces will lead to the adoption of this new technology.

Halcyon

Its been great to use

We replaced our 20-year-old petrol car with an EV, when it became too expensive to get repaired.

Its been great to use, but we can charge at home, which we do 95% of the time.

Ive driven it to Cardiff and back without delay, topping up just (every time) whilst I make a comfort break. Leaving it until the tank is nearly empty only makes sense with petrol or diesel

JohnG

Cheaper electricity would be welcome

EV only markings in the space next to the charging lampposts, as I dont have a driveway with my own charger and trying to find a lamppost to charge at that doesnt have a petrol or diesel car parked next to it is incredibly difficult. Cheaper electricity would be welcome too as I have no way of creating my own electricity.

Maybe its just my manor, Tower Hamlets, but there is a severe lack of fast chargers, so its a double whammy! Other than that EVs are great!!

GrumpyG

No need to accept a degraded experience

I would only consider buying an EV if I can replicate what I can do now, including the cost of a replacement vehicle. I can drive from London to Manchester, and back, on just 6 gallons of diesel without the need to stop to fill up (400 miles). When I do fill up it takes no more than 3 minutes and I can always do so without having to wait for a pump to be free which are ubiquitous and available at short distances between each other.

To accept anything less convenient or affordable would require me to change how I travel and I wont agree to that as there is no need to accept that a degraded experience is required.

AVoter

Make electric cars better

Yes. Make electric cars a lot better than they are now. Thats the incentive. Dont bribe me by taking money away from hospitals saying youll give it to me if I make an inferior choice.

TheRedSquirrel

The car industry is pushing EVs to save the car industry, not the planet

Electric cars still have poor and temperature-variable battery capacity; batteries decay in efficiency in a way that petrol and diesel engines simply dont do; the charging infrastructure is woefully inadequate here, both in capacity and charging speed - I refuse to wait 45 minutes+ drinking over-priced ash-tasting coffee in a bleak and dirty Wild Bean Cafe. And should you be involved in a serious collision on your way to a frequent and stressful recharge, an EV fire is next to impossible to easily put out.

Also range anxiety is still a thing, and there have been enough software problems to cause alarm too. And what happens to the old and spent batteries when the first wave of EV batteries dies? We dont really know. Whats the environmental cost of ramping up battery production? We really dont know.

And finally, EVs have terrible depreciation and awful resale values. And surely itd be better for the environment for me to keep my existing well-serviced and efficient five-year-old petrol car that I drive once a month or so, than to scrap it and get an EV?

The car industry is pushing EVs to save the car industry, not the planet. If EVs do get subsidised, thatll help virtue-signalling urbanites and no-one else.

Intactilis

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.
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Ferraris Charles Leclerc saw off Max Verstappen in practice for the Australian Grand Prix  as Lewis Hamilton claimed something was wrong with his Mercedes after he finished only 18th.

Verstappen is bidding to match his record of 10 consecutive wins at this weekends race in Melbourne. But Leclerc could pose a threat to the all-conquering Dutchman, following an impressive practice lap that put him nearly four-tenths clear.

Leclercs Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz  back in his cockpit following British teenager Ollie Bearmans stand-in drive in Saudi Arabia a fortnight ago  ended the running in third, with Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso fourth and fifth, respectively, for Aston Martin.

George Russell took sixth for Mercedes, 0.674 seconds behind Leclerc, but team-mate Hamilton finished ahead of only Haas Kevin Magnussen on a troubling day for the seven-time world champion.

Hamilton, 39, ran off the road in the first running at a sun-cooked Albert Park, and his struggles continued into the days concluding session, with a best lap that put him 1.5 sec off the pace and nearly a second behind Russell.

What times are people doing? Hamilton asked over the radio. After he was informed of leader Leclercs pace, he replied, Yeah, something is wrong.

Only 19 drivers took part in the second session following Alex Albons high-speed crash in the opening session.

The London-born Thai driver lost control of his Williams on the exit of Turn 6 before smashing into the wall on the inside of the track and rebounding across the circuit.

Albons right-front wheel tore off his machine under impact, with debris from his Williams littering the track.

Albon came to a standstill and was able to get out of his cockpit. Sorry, he said over the radio before he was taken away in the medical car.

Muchos debris, said Lando Norris. Is he alright? It looked pretty large.

Albon, 27, was taken to the medical centre for precautionary checks as the session was red-flagged to clear his destroyed machine.

Williams said he would not participate in the second practice due to the damage to his car, and it is uncertain if he will be able to take part in the remainder of the weekend with spare parts limited to the British team.

Elsewhere, home favourite Oscar Piastri finished seventh, two positions ahead of Norris in the other McLaren who had topped the time charts earlier in the day in front of a record 124,000-strong crowd.
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On 25 March people around the world will celebrate the Hindu festival of Holi, also known as the Festival of Colours.

Observed for centuries, the festival is a jubilant occasion that sees Hindus create bonfires and cover each other in rainbow-hued powder to commemorate the beginning of spring.

From the festivals significance to how it is celebrated, heres everything you need to know about Holi:

What is Holi?

Holi 2019 in pictures: Hindus celebrate Indian Festival of Colours Show all 20 1 / 20 Holi 2019 in pictures: Hindus celebrate Indian Festival of Colours Holi 2019 in pictures: Hindus celebrate Indian Festival of Colours Hindu devotees raise their hands in prayer as they are sprayed with colour by a priest during Holi celebrations in Ahmedabad, India Reuters Holi 2019 in pictures: Hindus celebrate Indian Festival of Colours A girl smears her friend in colour during Holi festival celebrations at Durgiana Temple in Armristar, India EPA Holi 2019 in pictures: Hindus celebrate Indian Festival of Colours Hindu devotees celebrate Holi inside a temple in Uttar Pradesh, India Reuters Holi 2019 in pictures: Hindus celebrate Indian Festival of Colours Hindu devotees are sprayed with colour by a priest during Holi celebrations in Ahmedabad, India AP Holi 2019 in pictures: Hindus celebrate Indian Festival of Colours College girls pose during Holi festival celebrations in Bhopal, India EPA Holi 2019 in pictures: Hindus celebrate Indian Festival of Colours A college girl takes part in the Holi festival celebrations in Bhopal, India EPA Holi 2019 in pictures: Hindus celebrate Indian Festival of Colours A young girl smeared with colour during Holi festival celebrations at Durgiana Temple in Armristar, India EPA Holi 2019 in pictures: Hindus celebrate Indian Festival of Colours Colour fills the air during Holi celebrations in Ahmedabad, India Reuters Holi 2019 in pictures: Hindus celebrate Indian Festival of Colours An Indian man is splattered with colour during Holi celebrations in Allahabad, India AP Holi 2019 in pictures: Hindus celebrate Indian Festival of Colours Hindu devotees celebrate Holi inside a temple in Uttar Pradesh, India Reuters Holi 2019 in pictures: Hindus celebrate Indian Festival of Colours A vendor sells coloured powder known as gulal prior to Holi celebrations in Siliguru, India AFP/Getty Holi 2019 in pictures: Hindus celebrate Indian Festival of Colours An Indian man is splattered with colour during Holi celebrations in Allahabad, India AP Holi 2019 in pictures: Hindus celebrate Indian Festival of Colours A hindu priest is smeared with colour during Holi festival celebrations at Durgiana Temple in Armristar, India EPA Holi 2019 in pictures: Hindus celebrate Indian Festival of Colours A student is covered in colour on a campus in Chandigarh, India Reuters Holi 2019 in pictures: Hindus celebrate Indian Festival of Colours Colour is sprayed from a temple during Holi celebrations in Ahmedabad, India Reuters Holi 2019 in pictures: Hindus celebrate Indian Festival of Colours Students smeared in colour dance during Holi celebrations in Chandigarh, India Reuters Holi 2019 in pictures: Hindus celebrate Indian Festival of Colours Hindu devotees are sprayed with colour by a priest during Holi celebrations in Ahmedabad, India Reuters Holi 2019 in pictures: Hindus celebrate Indian Festival of Colours Hindu devotees are sprayed with colour by a priest during Holi celebrations in Ahmedabad, India Reuters Holi 2019 in pictures: Hindus celebrate Indian Festival of Colours A young man is smeared in colour by his friend during Holi festival celebrations at Durgiana Temple in Armristar, India EPA Holi 2019 in pictures: Hindus celebrate Indian Festival of Colours Women play with powdered colours Holi festival celebrations at Durgiana Temple in Armristar, India EPA

In addition to marking the arrival of spring, Holi also celebrates fertility, colour, love, and the triumph of good over evil.

The origins of the festival can be found in various legends in Hindu mythology, one of which tells the story of a demon, Holika, and her brother, King Hiranyakashipu.

According to the legend, King Hiranyakashipu believed that everyone should worship him as a god. His son, Prahlada, refused to do so, opting to worship the Hindu god Vishnu instead.

Spurred by his sons disobedience, the king and his sister Holika plotted to kill Prahlada. As part of their plans, Holika lured Prahlada onto a pyre in an attempt to burn him to death.

While sitting on the pyre with Prahlada, Holika donned a magical shawl that protected her from the fire. However, as the pyre burned, the shawl flew from Holikas shoulders onto Prahladas, resulting in the demon perishing in the flames.

Vishnu, the god who Prahlada had chosen to worship instead of his father, then appeared. Taking the form of a half man and half lion, the god killed the treacherous king.

On the night before Holi, bonfires are lit to signify the burning of Holika and the victory of good over evil. Some Hindus who observe the festival will also smear themselves with ashes from the fire, as a symbol of purification.

One of the other legends pertaining to Holi tells the tale of the love shared between the Hindu deities Radha and Krishna, who is frequently depicted with blue skin.

The ancient legend tells how Krishna fell in love with Radha, but was concerned their difference in skin colour would keep them apart.

After voicing his concerns, Krishna's mother encouraged him to smear a brightly coloured powder on Radha's face.

After doing so, Radha then returned Krishna's love and the pair were married.

It is said that lovers have continued this tradition ever since, painting their faces the same colour in celebration of Holi and their love.

When does it take place?

This year, Holi falls on Monday, 25 March. The timing of Holi depends on the moon, meaning that the date of the event can vary, although it usually occurs in March to mark the end of winter.

The festival is split into two events, beginning with Holika Dahan on the night before the main festivities and culminating with Rangwali Holi on the next day.

How is it celebrated?

The oldest accounts of Holi being commemorated date as far back as the 4th century. Its celebrated around the world, although the festivities predominantly occur in India and Nepal.

The festival begins with Holika Dahan, the ritual burning of pyres that take place the night before. This tradition is mostly followed in regions including North India, Nepal and South India.

Wood and the other materials burnt in the bonfires are collected days in advance, while an effigy of Holika is also typically placed on top of the pyre.

On the day of Holi, the main portion of the festival, Rangwali Holi, is observed.

Those taking part in the festivities cover each other in gulal, a fine powder that comes in many different colours, while also being drenched in water.

The colours of the rainbow are all symbolic in Hinduism. For example, red represents sensuality, while green symbolises life and happiness, Sanskriti magazine outlines.

Yellow is believed to represent knowledge, white signifies purity, and blue symbolises determination.

Before joining in the fun of the Festival of Colours, people are advised to take appropriate precautions to take care of their skin and hair.

According to Times of India, one should apply oil to their face, exposed skin and hair to protect against staining colours.

Once the celebrations are over, its recommended that those who took part shower as soon as possible to remove the colours.

They should use lukewarm water to wash the colours from their face, and refrain from rubbing their skin too roughly.
Feature: Bridging cultures: A German national's 50-year odyssey in China

13:23, March 22, 2024 By Ren Ke, Ren Yaoti ( Xinhua

BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Uwe Kraeuter vividly remembers the days before leaving Heidelberg in southwestern Germany in July 1974. He wandered around the city, trying to etch every detail of his hometown into his memory before heading to China, a place he considered "further away than the moon."

Initially intending to return home after a few years, Kraeuter found himself rooted in China for the past half a century.

The 78-year-old is one of the longest-residing Germans and Westerners in China. During his time in the country, he participated in the translation of major political documents, facilitated the first overseas tour of China's classic drama "Teahouse," and produced numerous documentaries for international broadcast. Presently, he focuses on introducing Chinese regional dramas to European audiences.

Kraeuter married Chinese film actress Shen Danping in 1984, a rare intercultural marriage during that time. However, his decision to stay in China and foster mutual exchanges between the two countries goes far beyond.

Adorning the wall of Kraeuter's home is a painting gifted to him by a renowned Chinese artist. This piece of art uses traditional Chinese ink painting techniques to depict an owl with golden-red hair and mustache, and golden eyes -- bearing a resemblance to a young Kraeuter.

"I love such comparisons between the East and the West, Europe and Asia, and Heidelberg and Beijing... I never feel bored in China," said Kraeuter, reflecting on his captivating half-century saga in China.

In 1974, Kraeuter, a PhD student in sociology at Heidelberg University, got a job offer from Foreign Languages Press in Beijing to work as a German language expert. While translating and polishing important documents and articles, he met many cultural celebrities in Beijing, including playwrights, translators, painters and actors. Their minds were full of creative ideas that deeply attracted Kraeuter.

"We became friends. They were important for my decision not to go back to Germany," Kraeuter said.

Influenced by these artists, Kraeuter's focus shifted from translation to culture. Around this time he watched "Teahouse," one of China's most famous contemporary plays vividly portraying the country's turbulent first half of the 20th century, particularly through the lens of a teahouse in Beijing.

"I've watched it at least 20 times," said Kraeuter, taking out a pink-covered booklet, the German version of "Teahouse" that he co-translated with a Chinese friend. The book was published in July 1980 and is still available for sale on Amazon.

According to Kraeuter, although the historical backgrounds of China and the West are different, the portrayal of humanity in "Teahouse" resonates universally. This realization can be both enlightening and pleasantly surprising for Western audiences, catalyzing deeper understanding and appreciation.

He reached out to Mannheim National Theatre to organize a tour for the crew to stage this play in 16 cities in West Germany, France and Switzerland in the fall of 1980, with his simultaneous interpretation.

"The tour was a great success. The audience stood up and applauded enthusiastically at the end!" Kraeuter said.

Later, Kraeuter started his own cultural business, facilitating exchanges between Germany and China. He has traveled all over China and produced documentaries capturing the diverse aspects of the country. He went to Sichuan Province to film giant pandas. He crossed the Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and made a documentary named "Children in the Desert," which garnered widespread popularity.

"German TV stations and the audience asked me to do more programs about China. The content in my films is different, it is about real life in China," Kraeuter said.

Currently, Kraeuter is actively engaged in efforts to bring "Huiju," a traditional opera from east China's Anhui Province, to Germany for performances, aiming to introduce it to Western audiences across the region.

"It is very important that we do understand more about the thinking, culture, and habits in other countries, especially in far-away countries," said Kraeuter, noting that China in Western media is different from the China he lives in. In an attempt to capture the audience's attention, Western media often portray China in a dramatic light. However, Kraeuter has found that China is culturally diverse, and its people lead colorful lives.

He hopes that through his efforts, more Westerners will realize the importance of understanding China and other non-Western cultures, fostering mutual learning characterized by humility and equality, rather than adopting a condescending attitude.

Having witnessed China's drastic changes over the past five decades, Kraeuter is amazed at the country's rapid modernization and the diminishing gap between China and developed Western countries.

What impresses him the most is the increasingly open and confident mindset of the Chinese people. Cultural exchanges between China and the West have become more frequent, and his work has received support from governments at all levels. Organizing cultural events and cross-country exchanges has become easier.

Kraeuter noted a significant shift in the mindset of the Chinese people. With China's increasing openness, there has been a marked development in their rational comprehension of the outside world, as well as a deeper appreciation of China's history, cultural traditions and capabilities.

The younger generation of creative individuals in China, particularly directors and screenwriters familiar to Kraeuter, have their own unique China stories to share. They aspire to engage in more equitable exchanges with the West.

Kraeuter visits Germany two or three times every year. He frequently reflects on his life compared to that of his friends in Heidelberg, reaffirming that his decision to move to China in 1974, rather than remaining surrounded by the familiar environment and concepts of his hometown, was the right one.

"Some German people ask me whether I would return to Germany as my life has entered the evening. I said I don't consider it, I don't even look at my life as an evening...I love every day I am here," Kraeuter said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
MBABANE  Former FSRA CEO Sandile Chief Dlamini allegedly visited Ecsponent South Africa and on his return, he purportedly granted Ecsponent Eswatini a licence.

The charge sheet states that Escalator and/or Ecsponent, allegedly made a payment of E117 000 into Dlaminis bank account. Sandile, who was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Wednesday morning, was granted bail of E50 000 by Judge Nkosinathi Maseko yesterday. He was ordered to pay a cash amount of E7 500 and provide surety for the balance of E42 500. The accused was represented by Mxolisi Dlamini of Dynasty Inc Attorneys.

Served

Sandile, apart from being the Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), he served as the Registrar of Insurance and Retrenchment Funds at FSRA. It was the registrar of Capital Markets who was responsible for licensing investment advisors. According to the charge sheet, any company requiring registration as an investment advisor was obliged to submit a formal application to FSRA for approval, pursuant to having been registered as a company with the registrar of companies.

In November 2013, according to the summary of evidence, Escalator submitted an application for such registration as an investment advisor. The court was informed that an application by Escalator was declined after consultation, allegedly with Sandile, as it did not satisfy the requirements for licensing. Escalator is alleged to have changed its name to Ecsponent and resubmitted the application for licensing, after having registered as a company. However, the licensing application was refused.

In the event a licence application is refused, there are prescribed appeal procedures laid down by the FSRA Appeals Tribunal. Pursuant to the refusal to grant the licence to Ecsponent, it did not pursue the appeal, the court was told.

The accused (Sandile), thereafter, was invited to visit the head office of Ecsponent in Pretoria, South Africa, and did so visit the said premises.

On his return, the licence was granted by the accused, in contravention of the prescribed procedures and notwithstanding the fact that he did not occupy the position of registrar of Capital Markets, reads part of the charge sheet. Sandile is alleged to have received a payment of E117 000 from Escalator and/or Ecsponent on December 22, 2014, which was paid into his personal bank account.

Status Capital Building Society then sought registration and licensing from FSRA as a building society, in terms of the Building Societies Act, 1962. FSRA allegedly attended to both registration and licensing in building society applications. As a result of queries raised by the minister of Finance, such registration was not approved.

The accused ignored the aforementioned enquiries and issued the licence in contravention of the prescribed and applicable procedures. Thus in fact Status Capital was licensed by the accused even before it was registered.

The accused, therefore, licensed Status Capital, being a non-registered company, further reads the charge sheet.

Sandiles contract with FSRA expired on November 30, 2019 and, according to the charge sheet, he was appointed as a Director of Status Capital.

During his arrest on Wednesday, ACC officers seized his laptop, an iPad and seven USB devices. Likhwane Beneficiary Services (Pty) Limited made allegations in its matter against FRSA that the ACC had discovered funds in the former FSRA CEOs bank account. The money, according to Likhwane, had purportedly been transferred from Ecsponent Eswatini.

According to Likhwane, there was allegedly strong circumstantial and direct evidence that Sandile, together with directors and officers of Ecsponent, now known as ESW Investment Group Limited, purportedly conspired to use the latter as a vehicle to use investors funds for their personal gain. This is contained in combined summons filed by Likhwane at the High Court. Likhwane in this matter is demanding E63 023 000 from FSRA and ESW Investment Group Limited.

This money, according to Likhwane, was invested in ESW Investment Group, after the FSRA had granted the former an investment advisor licence. At the High Court, there is a pending case where ESW Investment Group (Pty) Ltd accused Sandile of having allegedly received unlawful payments in his personal account. In its court papers, ESW informed the court that the alleged unlawful payments were made in the account of the former CEO through Escalator Africa (Pty) Ltd.

This, according to ESW, was done as part of the alleged relationship Sandile had with Ecsponent South Africa (SA).

ESW also informed the court that Sandiles former wife was in 2014 employed by Ecsponent SA. According to ESW, as CEO of FSRA, Sandile allegedly unlawfully sanctioned a financial services licence for Status Building Society. The FSRA, according to ESW and Ligagu Investments (Pty) Ltd, are vicariously liable for acts and/or omissions caused by the alleged bad faith of Sandile and the officials of FSRA, cooperating with him, causing a loss of E335 240 000. Despite lawful demand, the defendants, according to ESW, allegedly failed and/or refused to make payment to it in the sum of E335 240 000 or any part of it.

Recovered

ESW told the court that all amounts recovered from the defendants would be distributed with the consent of Ligagu Investments to compensate the investors for proven investment losses suffered in terms of a process to distribute available funds in relation to their claims. The process, submitted ESW, must be agreed upon and sanctioned by the court to facilitate claims and payments in terms of the proven claims. The veracity of these allegations is still to be tested in court.

In the combined summons that were issued by ESW lawyer in January 2024, the investment company further accused Sandile of being involved in a purported fraudulent scheme that resulted in the transfer of over E335 million outside Eswatini. ESW Investment Group made these allegations in the matter in which it is demanding a sum of E335 240 000 from FSRA, Ecsponent Limited South Africa and GetBucks (Pty) Limited South Africa.
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Youve probably seen photos or videos online of huge crowds of people jubilantly throwing brightly coloured powder and paint at one another as part of Holi Festival which falls on 25 March this year.

But do you know why this glorious rainbow display happens every year? Or where the name comes from?

1. Its a celebration of good triumphing over evil

Marking the arrival of spring, Holi is a national holiday in India and Nepal held to coincide with the last full moon day of winter, according to the Hindu lunar calendar.

The religious origin centres around the legend of Holika (hence the name Holi). The sister of the demon king Hiranyakashipu, Holika was killed in a fire after she attempted to murder her nephew Prahlad, who prayed to the god Vishnu and was saved from the fire.

2. It starts with bonfires

Symbolising the fire that killed Holika, in India the festival starts the night before Holi with the lighting of bonfires (called Holika Dahan). People gather around the fires  sometimes topped with an effigy of Holika  celebrating the coming of spring (the heat of the flames is said to represent the onset of warmer weather).

3. The colours symbolise equality

Also known as the festival of colours, Holi honours the vibrant hues of spring, and the bright powders and colour waters symbolise flames as well, but theres a deeper meaning behind why people cover each other with pigmented abir powder and gulal paste.

The colours act as a great leveller, making everyone equal (or equally messy) no matter their caste, culture or religion.

4. Food is an important part of the celebrations

No party would be complete without a delicious spread, and during Holi its all about sweet treats.

To fuel all that energetic paint throwing, big batches of desserts are served up, such as Gujiya, flaky pastry parcels filled with dried fruit, served with sugar syrup; malpua, deep-fried mini pancakes; and thandai, a sweet, milky drink flavoured with the likes of cardamom, saffron, fennel seeds and rosewater.

5. As is a certain stimulating drink

Bhang is the name of a traditional Indian cannabis-infused drink often consumed during Holi, mixed with creamy lassi or the aforementioned thandai.

While cannabis is technically illegal in India, the law banning the consumption of the plant neglects to mention the leaves, the part used to make bhang.

6. Nepal has its own Holi traditions

In Nepal, Holi begins when a ceremonial bamboo pole called a chir is erected in capital Kathmandu. Strips of cloth are tied to the pole as good luck charms, and it is later burned in a bonfire.

As well as the usual paint and powder, in Nepal people also pelt each other with water balloons called lolas.

7. Its celebrated all over the world

While the biggest celebrations take place in India and Nepal, people around the world gather each year to mark the festival, some for religious reasons, others just for fun, from Berlin to Barcelona, Singapore to Suriname (pandemic restrictions allowing).
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Buckingham Palace is hiring a new communications assistant to boost its engagement with the media and public.

The entry level position will promote the work, role, relevance and value of the Royal Family to a worldwide audience.

The job advertisement comes amid a flurry of conspiracy theories relating to the Princess of Waless withdrawal from public life as she recovers from abdominal surgery.

The advert reads: The reaction to our work is always high-profile, and so reputation and impact will be at the forefront of all that you do.

Whether working on a state visit, ceremonial event or Royal engagement, youll make sure our communications consistently spark interest and reach a range of audiences.

According to the job spec, the employee will assist with proactive and reactive communications, facilitate and oversee media access to royal engagements across royal residences and elsewhere, produce written content across social media, respond to media enquiries, assist with admin and provide logistical support to the team.

Job advert for the new opening in the communications team at Buckingham Palace (Buckingham Palace)

The opening comes after criticism over the royal comms department due to their handling of a string of blunders including the decision to release a doctored photograph of Kate and her children on Mothers Day.

Global picture agencies detected the image had been retouched and claimed they called for Kensington Palace to release the original photo, which they declined to do so.

Instead, Kate issued a public apology admitting she was behind the Photoshop faux-pas.

Kate Middleton doctored Mothers Day photo (Reuters)

Phil Chetwynd, the global news director of Agence-France Presse, hit out at the palace saying it was no longer a trusted source.

Since then, the Princess has been given little respite from the conspiracy theories originating from her absence from the public eye, with people across the world offering their verdicts on her whereabouts and condition of her health.

Meanwhile, the Princess of Wales was spotted alongside Prince William over the weekend at their local Windsor Farm Shop which triggered further rumours.

The escalating furore led her lookalike Heidi Agani to refute the claims, the 43-year-old impersonator even provide an alibi, and said at the time of the sighting in Windsor on Saturday she was teaching at a dance school.

Amid the chaos, the new hire would be offered a starting salary of 25,642.50 per annum for a working week of 37.5 hours across Monday to Friday and 25 days holiday.
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The Princess of Wales has announced she has been diagnosed with cancer and is in the early stages of preventative chemotherapy.

In a recorded video statement, the princess said that her condition was initially not believed to be cancerous when she underwent major abdominal surgery in January.

However, subsequent tests revealed the presence of cancer and she has since been advised to undergo treatment, which she is in the early stages of receiving.

This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family, she said.

Follow our live coverage for all the latest updates here

Kate Middleton underwent abdominal surgery in January (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment.

But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok, she said.

The 42-year-old princess added that having Prince William by her side had been a great source of comfort and reassurance and requested that the family receive privacy while she completes her treatment.

According to the NHS website, chemotherapy is a treatment aimed at stopping cancer cells from reproducing, which prevents them from growing and spreading in the body.

As well as killing cancer cells, chemotherapy can damage some healthy cells in your body such as blood cells, skin cells and cells in the stomach. This can cause nausea, tiredness, hair loss and an increased risk of infections.

It follows weeks of speculation into Kates health, with a number of conspiracy theories circulating since her admission to hospital for abdominal surgery.

The princess has only been spotted on a handful of occasions since January, including at a farm shop in Windsor earlier this week with her husband William.

Despite a video appearing of the couple, wild claims emerged that an impersonator had been taking her place with one lookalike forced to deny that she was the woman in the widely-seen footage.

On Wednesday, it also emerged that a member of staff at the private hospital The London Clinic, where Kate spent two weeks receiving treatment, had allegedly attempted to view Kates files while she was a patient.

Up to three staff members are allegedly being investigated, with the Information Commissioners Office, the UKs privacy watchdog, confirming they had received a breach report and were assessing the information provided.

Speculation around Kates disappearance from public duties were only fuelled after she was forced to apologise when an image released on Mothers Day was found to have been manipulated.

An image released on Mothers Day was shown to have been manipulated (Reuters)

Kensington Palace released the image of the princess with her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, on Sunday, 10 March.

Within hours however, major picture agencies across the world issued a rare kill notice after a number of editing issues were spotted. This included Charlottes sleeve being misaligned, Kates hand being blurry and her zipper being misaligned.

As the furore into the picture controversy continued, with picture agencies such as Getty Images demanding an explanation from the palace, Kate released a statement apologising for the confusion caused.

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, she said.

Other images taken by Kate of the royal family have since been reassessed and found to have been digitally altered, including a picture taken at Balmoral on the late Queens 97th birthday.

She has now begun preventative chemotherapy treatment (PA Images)

While Kate has only been spotted next to her husband on her to way to attend a private appointment and out in Windsor, Prince William has continued to attend royal engagements.

Despite initially taking a period of leave to care for his family, he return to public duties in February and has since attended events in Wrexham, Sheffield and London.

He did however miss a memorial for his godfather the late King Constantine on 27 February, sparking concerns for his wifes health.

Constantine died at the age of 82 in January last year, decades after being toppled from the throne in a military coup.

William, 41, called the Greek royal family to let them know he was unable to attend, and Crown Prince Pavlos stood in for the British heir to the throne who was due to give a Bible reading.

The palace reported the Prince of Wales missed the memorial service due to a personal matter, however, they did not elaborate further.

Following the princesss admission into hospital, the exact nature of her condition was not revealed, with the Palace previously saying it was not cancer-related, and that Kate wished her personal medical information to remain private.

William pulled out of attending a memorial service event for unknown reasons (2023 Getty Images)

Challenging pregnancies

During the then-Duchess of Cambridges three pregnancies, she suffered with hyperemesis gravidarum, a condition which causes severe vomiting.

To overcome the extreme sickness, she revealed in a podcast Happy Mum, Happy Baby, she resorted to hypnobirthing techniques of mindfulness and meditation.

In the 2020 podcast, the Princess told the host Giovanna Fletcher: Im not going to say that William was standing there sort of, chanting sweet nothings at me.

He definitely wasnt. I didnt even ask him about it, but it was just something I wanted to do for myself.

I saw the power of it really, the meditation and the deep breathing and things like that, that they teach you in hypnobirthing, when I was really sick, and actually I realised that this was something I could take control of, I suppose, during labour. It was hugely powerful.

Kate has only been spotted on a handful of occasions since Christmas (Getty Images)

Her latest health issues come amid a series of setbacks for the British monarchy, with King Charles also undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.

The 75-year-old monarch has stepped back from public duties and is said to be doing very well, but has continued with other state affairs, including his weekly discussions with the prime minister.

Prince Andrews former wife, Sarah Ferguson, is also currently undergoing treatment for skin cancer, just six months after being treated for breast cancer.
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One sister has stirred conversation after mentioning she wanted to host her nuptials in the spot her sibling has always desired.

Debating whether it was a good idea, the curious woman took to Reddits famed forum, Am I The A**hole, seeking other opinions.

I (24F) am from the US, but went to university in the UK and have been in England since. My fiance Nick (25M) is from Italy, but similarly came to the UK for uni, she explained before noting that her 27-year-old sister, Sarah, wasnt engaged. Still, Sarah has always fantasised about her future wedding, from the colour scheme to the location being an Italian vineyard.

That said, the Redditor and her fiance have selected Tuscany as their wedding venue after considering New York and London.

We chose Tuscany because: 1) we find it the most beautiful, 2) his family has a huge vineyard where theyre happy to host everyone, and 3) with the money wed save for venue and accommodations, we could pay for the airfare of all our guests coming from the US, she proclaimed.

The Reddit user then added: Itll be a small wedding, max 50 people (~15 from the US, 10 from the UK, so its doable). Anyway we go about it itll be a destination wedding for some people, so Tuscany is thus the best financially speaking.

Despite the benefits, Sarah isnt pleased with their decision. The Redditor described her sibling as being furious and wrote: She called me selfish for doing this to her, since Ive never cared nearly as much about weddings but now Im stealing her dream location.

Their parents had sided with Sarah. However, the Reddit user told them she and Nick would be covering the travel and accommodation costs for their family, which squashed their financial concerns about two destination weddings. Sarah is still upset.

After talking with my mom today she suggested that we just have it in England to keep the peace, since this means so much to my sister while Ive never cared much for weddings, the original poster admitted.

She then said her mom and dad discussed and think theyre able to cover the cost of all the airfare for people flying from the US  which might be financially doable for them, but really not ideal as theyre both retired.

Now, the Redditor isnt sure what to do. Nick would love to tie the knot in Italy, and his parents are more than willing to host.

I dont think Im the AH since this is literally where Nicks family LIVES, but Im willing to admit Im wrong. So WIBTA if I dont give in? she questioned.

Passionate readers responded to the Reddit users situation, debating whether she should be responsible for keeping the peace.

One viewer remarked: NTA. Keep the peace means your sisters wishes mean everything and yours mean nothing. Your sister does not have a wedding planned at an Italian vin[e]yard. Shes not even engaged! There are a thousand vin[e]yards anyway, hardly a unique location.

Shes just really jealous, a blunt individual added. You live abroad, got the italian guy, are getting married, and to top it all at a destination she dreamt of and is basically your inlaws home...

What if she never gets married? What if she meets an Italian dream boat at your wedding and still can have hers at another gorgeous winery there too? a Reddit user suggested.

One experienced woman related to Sarah: I almost got mad at my BFF for naming her child the name I chose for my future daughter. I was pissy about a day, because I wasnt planning on getting pregnant anytime soon. I knew I didnt own the name and I loved the child before she was even born.

If shes concerned that she wont get a family turnout because people may not be able to get PTO for two destination weddings, theres no difference between getting PTO for an English wedding or an Italian wedding, a rational user noted.
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Stephen Fry is the latest celebrity to criticise weight-loss drug Ozempic, after the medication made him violently sick.

The Blackadder star was left vomiting up to five times a day after taking the medication in a last-ditch attempt to prevent weight gain.

As an early adopter of the diabetes drug, which has swept Hollywood and been promoted by the likes of Sharon Osbourne and Amy Schumer, the 66-year-old shared that at first he thought the results were astonishing.

The first week or so, I was thinking, This is astonishing. Not only do I not want to eat, I dont want any alcohol of any kind. This is going to be brilliant, he said during a recent appearance on the River Cafe Table 4 podcast.

Fry, however, was forced to stop taking Ozempic after he began feeling sicker and sicker.

I started feeling sick, and I started getting sicker and sicker and sicker, he said. I was literally throwing up four, five times a day and I thought, I cant do this. So thats it.

The new variant, Tirzepatide Mounjaro its called makes it even worse apparently.

The comedian said he was in America at the time when he read about the medication, many years ago.

Im an early adopter of these things. I happened to be in America, and Id read about it, and I asked my doctor in America, my physician as they like to call them, and he said, I think I can get you some. He tried me on it, Fry said.

Fry took the drug many years ago as an early adopter (Getty Images)

According to The Mirror, Fry weighed over 290 pounds in April 2019. By August that same year, he had lost five-and-a-half stone due to Ozempic.

Many celebrities have commented on the use of Ozempic, with Celebrity Big Brother star Sharon Osbourne, 71, reporting she had no regrets about taking the drug although she feels she is now too gaunt and cannot put weight. Her daughter, Kelly Osbourne, incited fury after she said any critics of the drug simply couldnt afford it.

Oscar-winning actor Kate Winslet is one of several celebrities to speak out against Ozempic, condemning the weight-loss medication as terrible.

Oprah Winfrey recently made headlines after she spoke about her own recent weight-loss journey in which she used a drug that she stopped short of mentioning by name. The talk show host did admit to using similar medication to Ozempic including Mounjaro injections.
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An Arizona rancher goes on trial Friday in the fatal shooting of a migrant on his property near Mexico as the national debate over border security heats up ahead of this year's presidential election.

George Alan Kelly, 75, has been charged with second-degree murder in the killing of a man he encountered on his property outside Nogales, Arizona. The trial in Santa Cruz County Superior Court is expected to last up to a month.

Kelly had earlier rejected a plea deal that would have reduced the charge to one count of negligent homicide if he pleaded guilty.

He was arrested and charged last year in the Jan. 30, 2023, shooting of 48-year-old Gabriel Cuen-Buitimea of adjacent Nogales, Mexico, just south of the border.

Kelly shot at a group of unarmed migrants who were walking through his nearly 170-acre (69-hectare) cattle ranch in the Kino Springs area, and Cuen-Buitimea was among them, authorities said.

Prosecutors have said Kelly recklessly fired an AK-47 rifle toward the migrants, who were about 100 yards (90 meters) away from him.

Kellys lawyer has said her client shot into the air above the migrants and he feared for his safety and that of his wife and the property.

The other migrants werent injured and managed to escape back to Mexico.

Cuen-Buitimea also entered the U.S. illegally several times and was convicted and deported, most recently in 2016, court records show.

The case is being watched closely by the Mexican consulate in Nogales, Arizona, which has been in contact with the victim's family.

The shooting sparked strong political feelings about border security issues less than six months after a prison warden and his brother were arrested in a West Texas shooting that killed one migrant and wounded another. Twin brothers Michael and Mark Sheppard, both 60, were charged with manslaughter in the September 2022 shooting in El Paso County.

The brothers pulled over their truck near a town about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from the border and opened fire on a group of migrants getting water along the road. A male migrant died, and a female suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach, authorities said.

Florida news media reported last fall that the brothers were out on bond and living in the state.

Border security is a key issue in this year's presidential contest with Republican Donald Trump and Democratic President Joe Biden making dueling visits to the Texas-Mexico border in late February.
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A joint security force announced by the juntas ruling Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso to fight the worsening extremist violence in their Sahel region countries faces a number of challenges that cast doubt on its effectiveness, analysts said Thursday.

Niger's top military chief, Brig. Gen. Moussa Salaou Barmou said in a statement after meeting with his counterparts Wednesday that the joint force would be "operational as soon as possible to meet the security challenges in our area.

The announcement is the latest in a series of actions taken by the three countries to strike a more independent path away from regional and international allies since the region experienced a string of coups  the most recent in Niger in July last year.

They have already formed a security alliance after severing military ties with neighbors and European nations such as France and turning to Russia  already present in parts of the Sahel  for support.

Barmou did not give details about the operation of the force, which he referred to as an operational concept that will enable us to achieve our defence and security objectives.

Although the militaries had promised to end the insurgencies in their territories after deposing their respective elected governments, conflict analysts say the violence has instead worsened under their regimes. They all share borders in the conflict-hit Sahel region and their security forces fighting jihadi violence are overstretched.

The effectiveness of their security alliance would depend not just on their resources but on external support, said Bedr Issa, an independent analyst who researches the conflict in the Sahel.

The three regimes are also very fragile, James Barnett, a researcher specializing in West Africa at the U.S.-based Hudson Institute, said, raising doubts about their capacity to work together.

They've come to power through coups, they are likely facing a high risk of coups themselves, so it is hard to build a stable security framework when the foundation of each individual regime is shaky, said Barnett.

-

Associated Press writer Chinedu Asadu in Abuja, Nigeria contributed.
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A top Pentagon official told Congress on Thursday that the U.S. has not received a formal request from Niger's junta to depart the country, saying it has received mixed signals on whether the hundreds of U.S. troops there are no longer welcome.

Celeste Wallander, assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, told the House Armed Services Committee that so far Niger's ruling military council, known as the CNSP, has not formally asked the U.S. military to leave.

Wallander said the CNSP has said the status of forces agreement, which sets the terms of a U.S. military presence in a country, is now null and void. However, she said the junta has "assured us that American military forces are protected and they will take no action that will endanger them.

The U.S. military has about 650 troops and another several hundred support personnel still in Niger, which in the past has been a critical hub for counterterrorism operations. But last July mutinous soldiers ousted the countrys democratically elected president and months later asked French forces to leave.

Wallander said the U.S. is continuing to look at ways to conduct operations against violent extremist organizations in the region.

In Niger, U.S. personnel have largely consolidated to one base and continue to run drone operations, but those are limited to force protection, Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said.

There are ongoing conversations with the CNSP to discuss the path forward, Singh said.

The quick turn of relations had some U.S. lawmakers questioning how Niger could go from a strategic ally to being run by a junta in such a short time.

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, the head of U.S. Africa Command, said that disinformation has played a huge role in Niger and in a number of governments that have fallen across the Sahel in recent years.

There are more than 600 million people across the continent on social media now, compared to just a very small minority who had access just a decade ago, Langley said. Russia has actively and strategically saturated that audience with disinformation, Langley said.

What we teach, the law of armed conflict and civilian-led governance is failing because its being drowned out, Langley said.

Langley said he has asked the State Department for additional resources to counter Russias disinformation campaign.
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A three-year-old toddler has been left needing surgery after being mauled by an XL Bully in Doncaster.

Police were called to the family home at around 1pm on Monday after the little boy tried to climb on the dog, which led to him suffering serious injuries.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service took the boy to the hospital where he required surgery. The dog has been taken to police kennels while an investigation continues.

A toddler has been left needing surgery after being attacked by an XL bully (PA Wire)

This family have acknowledged the change in legislation around the XL Bully and registered their dog, chief inspector Emma Cheney of South Yorkshire Police said.

But this doesnt remove the danger these dogs pose and why the ban has come into place.

All dogs can be aggressive, they are animals. But some dogs have greater capability to cause harm due to their size and strength.

She added that children should never be left unsupervised with dogs, including family pets that parents believe would never hurt their children.

A dogs instinct to protect itself is to bite. Parents should ensure children learn to respect a dogs space and be encouraged to have boundaries around feeding and resting times, she said.

Chief inspector Cheney added: An incident like this is a stark reminder that regardless of a dogs nature, or previous interactions with children, other dogs and people, they are animals and their innate instinct is to protect themselves which can result in serious injuries and sometimes fatality. Take action now and protect your children.

Under new laws introduced last year, it is illegal to own an XL Bully unless it has been previously registered as of 1 February. Dogs must be microchipped and neutered, and must remain on a lead with a muzzle in all public spaces.

This follows a number of high-profile incidents involving the breed, including the death of 10-year-old Jack Lis and 68-year-old Esther Martin.

On Monday evening, an XL Bully was shot dead in Battersea, south London, after injuring four people.
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Simon Harris, who is set to become Irelands youngest ever premier, has hit back at criticism that Fine Gael is lacking energy, saying you aint seen nothing yet.

The Further and Higher Education Minister announced his candidature on Thursday night after receiving a series of endorsements from within the Fine Gael parliamentary party and after a number of senior colleagues said they did not intend to stand to replace outgoing Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

He described the last week as a whirlwind and said he is overwhelmed and honoured by the level of support he has secured for his Fine Gael leadership bid.

To anybody who thinks this party is tired, to anyone who thinks this party lacks energy, you aint seen nothing yet Simon Harris

Mr Harris addressed the media on Friday morning after attending a breakfast meeting with Fine Gael election candidates alongside Justice Minister Helen McEntee in Co Meath.

I am overwhelmed and honoured by the level of support that Ive received from so many colleagues, including Helen, over the last number of hours, whether they were ministers, ministers of state, TDs, senators, MEPs, councillors, council candidates, grassroots members, he said.

To each and every one of them I want to thank them, I am humbled, and my commitment to them and my commitment to the people of this country, if given the honour of serving, is that I will give this my all and I will work day and night.

I believe politics is about delivery. Its about people. Sometimes politics in Ireland has gone a bit too presidential, a bit too personal.

Politics is about actually getting things done for people. In many ways, Im an accidental politician. I ended up in politics when my brother was born with autism and I stood as a moody teenager, and started campaigning in Wicklow, saying there has to be a better way of providing educational supports for people with autism.

I know how politics can deliver for people and, if given the honour of serving, I want to take that can-do approach to getting things done, to renewing our party, to injecting a level of energy and, to anybody who thinks this party is tired, to anyone who thinks this party lacks energy, you aint seen nothing yet.

Mr Harris said that if elected the next leader of Fine Gael, he would remain fully committed to the programme for government agreed with coalition partners Fianna Fail and the Green Party.

He stopped short of ruling out a general election this year but insisted such a poll was not his priority.

Asked if he was ruling out a general election this year, Mr Harris replied: Im certainly not ruling anything in or out, but my priority at the moment isnt about elections. My priority is the election of leader of Fine Gael.

Mr Harris said his vision for Fine Gael was founded on the principle of equality of opportunity.

Asked if he was a Thatcherite, an ideology previously attributed to Mr Varadkar, Mr Harris made clear he was not.

I dont believe in ideological labels, he said.

Im committed to the values of the Fine Gael party. The Fine Gael party is a party that has proudly been Christian democratic. Its a party, though, that I think in Ireland, labels are often misrepresented.

Outgoing Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach Mr Varadkar surprised many within the political establishment by announcing his resignation on Wednesday.

Aside from Mr Harris, all other senior Fine Gael cabinet ministers have ruled themselves out of contention.

Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe, Ms Helen McEntee, Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys and Enterprise Minister and Fine Gael deputy leader Simon Coveney have all said they will not seek a nomination for the leadership.

Ms Humphrey and Ms McEntee are also among a wave of Fine Gael members to have come out publicly in support of Mr Harris.

If appointed Fine Gael leader, Mr Harris would be expected to be formally elected as taoiseach in the Dail in April following the Easter recess.

He would become the countrys youngest premier at the age of 37.
DRI seizes 1.5 kg cocaine worth Rs 15 cr in Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 22 (UNI) Continuing its crackdown on the trafficking in narcotic drugs, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) unearthed an international syndicate and seized 1.59 kg (gross wt.) cocaine, valued at about Rs 15 crore, here on Friday.

The syndicate engaged in the smuggling of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) into India from Africa via Indo-Nepal border, Ministry of Finance said in a release.

Acting on specific intelligence, an Indian national, who arrived in the morning of March 22, from Raxaul, Bihar, in a train at Anand Vihar Railway Station, Delhi, was intercepted, and 92 pale yellow capsules containing white powdery substances were recovered.
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Healthcare workers and severely disabled people are among thousands being wrongly stripped of work and benefits, forcing them to use food banks and borrow money to power critical medical equipment because the Home Office refuses to provide them with documents to prove their legal status, a court has heard.

In a scandal with echoes of Windrush, where hundreds of Caribbean immigrants working and living in the UK were wrongly targeted by immigration enforcement, High Court lawyers have argued that thousands of people have become the unintended victims of the hostile environment because they do not have a documentary form of their lawful immigration status.

The claim came to light in a court case in which lawyers for a charity are trying to force the Home Office to provide the documentation needed for claimants, including the severely disabled, to show that they are in Britain legally in order to receive benefits and to work.

Foreign nationals on leave to remain have to renew their status every few years, and while they wait for a decision, they are put on 3C leave.

This is meant to protect the rights they have to work, study or claim benefits, but it leaves them without a physical document confirming their status  something many employers insist on seeing.

Although the Home Office does not publish figures for the number of people on 3C leave, freedom of information data shows that at least 370,000 had this status in 2019.

Now the High Court has heard how people on 3C leave have been stripped of their employment without notice and plunged into destitution. Others have been unable to take up university offers because they cant get student finance, and some have had their benefits suddenly removed.

Lawyers on behalf of charity Ramfel and a Ghanaian national, Cecelia Adjei, are trying to force the Home Office to provide physical documentary proof for people on 3C leave. The Home Office told the High Court in a hearing this week that it is not possible to provide such a document for these people, because of their uncertain status.

Government lawyers also said there was no evidence to suggest that a lack of documentation was having a seriously harmful impact on these foreign nationals.

Lunar House in Croydon, south London, which houses the headquarters of UK Visas and Immigration, a division of the Home Office (PA)

Ms Adjei, who has been living in the UK since 2000, told the court how she had been suspended from work twice because she was unable to physically prove her immigration status while on 3C leave.

She was working as a healthcare support worker at the Whittington Hospital in north London on a shift-by-shift basis, and recalled how one day in October 2021 she logged on to the hospital system to book more work and the screen was just blank.

I had been taken out of the system. I had no idea that this would happen so I was very shocked, she explained. The company that she was working for told her that her right to work had expired so they couldnt offer her any more work. While her leave to remain had expired, she had applied for an in-time renewal, so her right to work was in fact protected while she waited for a new visa.

In a witness statement, Ms Adjei said: I had no warning that I would be suspended from work. I had therefore not planned for the sudden drop in my income. It was a real struggle to keep the bills paid and the children fed. Things got so bad that I had to use a food bank at one point ... In the half-term break [my children] got a voucher instead of school meals that we could use in the supermarket. I used that to bulk buy things like large bags of rice and long-life milk to keep us going ... I had to borrow money from friends and church members to see me through.

She was finally able to return to work after about four weeks, but it meant a 500-600 drop in income which is a large sum for us as a family, she said.

In May 2022, she was suddenly suspended from work again for the same reason. I was again plunged into a financial crisis situation which I had no opportunity to plan for, she told the court.

She added: I had no choice but to pay the rent and our bills first, so that we were not at risk of eviction or in arrears with electricity, water and gas. But that meant that there was a significantly reduced sum of money left over to meet basic food and other needs. At one point, my bank balance almost reached zero.

Her leave to remain was finally extended in October 2022, but she is scared that she will face the same problems when she has to renew her visa again.

One highly vulnerable disabled woman, who is partially blind, severely arthritic and asthmatic, and requires daily healthcare support, had her personal independent payment, a form of disability benefit, stopped out of the blue. Her PIP payments constituted over 50 per cent of her income, and they were suspended without notice in July 2023 because she was on 3C leave.

Nick Beales, from Ramfel, detailed her case in his submission to the court, saying: She was left without food and had to borrow money from her carer to put onto her electricity meter, which powers the lifesaving breathing equipment she requires at night, as well as various pieces of mobility equipment that enable her to wash and get in and out of bed.

Ramfel has previously estimated that over 27,000 people could have been subjected to serious detriment as a result of their 3C leave status.

One woman, a mother of a British teenage son, had her jobseekers allowance suspended without notice just before Christmas in 2021. In a separate case, a single mother of four children had an offer of a teaching job at Lambeth College withdrawn because she was on 3C leave.

In another case, a man known as ST was suspended from work without notice or pay after he applied to renew his leave to remain in the UK. His employer told him that he had one month to provide evidence that his visa had been renewed, when renewals can take 12 months on average to process.

After Ramfel intervened, ST was able to return to work, but the few days when he was suspended caused him significant distress, the charity explained.

Any loss of income is particularly problematic, as his son relies on it to meet his basic needs. Our client was so distressed that he had stopped eating and became physically unwell, Mr Beales said.

Radha Ruskin from Womens Aid said that she had come across workers at womens refuges who had evicted victims of domestic violence because they mistakenly believed they werent entitled to a place while on 3C leave. Without a physical form of documentation showing that they are entitled to benefits, she said, they are vulnerable to such misunderstandings.

Services are often very disinclined to offer women accommodation if they do not hold a valid biometric residence permit, as they remain unconvinced regarding the womans eligibility to access welfare benefits, said Ms Ruskin.

A Home Office spokesperson said: Individuals who have submitted an application for further leave in the UK before their existing leave has expired must not be discriminated against. There are a range of channels by which a persons entitlement to employment, study and other benefits can be confirmed, and we expect employers and others who need to check immigration status to use them.

We do not comment on ongoing legal proceedings.

Judgment on the judicial review case was reserved.
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A bankrupt British socialite who is the former son-in-law of Bernie Ecclestone has lost a High Court battle over ownership of a centuries-old painting.

James Stunt tried to distance himself from the ownership of The Cheeke Sisters, an artwork by Sir Anthony Van Dyck worth around 4million, in a dispute with the trustees in his bankruptcy.

Stunt, and father Geoffrey, claimed that the latter bought the painting for 600,000 in 2013. James told the court he had an interest in the painting but that it was not for me.

James Stunt arrives at the Rolls Building in London for the trial in March (PA Wire)

He added: It was negotiated fully by my father and my father paid by cheque.

However, in a ruling on Friday, Judge Clive Jones dismissed the duos claims and ruled that the painting should be classed as belonging to James as part of his bankruptcy.

He said: In my judgment on the balance of probability, Mr James Stunt was the contracting buyer. He did not hold the beneficial interest on trust for his father.

Geoffrey Stunt, the father of James Stunt arrives, at the Rolls Building, in London (Victoria Jones/PA Wire)

The fact that Mr Geoffrey Stunt paid by cheque was taken into consideration when reaching that conclusion. The painting forms part of the bankruptcy estate.

James was previously married to Petra Ecclestone, the daughter of former Formula 1 boss, Bernie Ecclestone. The pair divorced in 2017, with James declared bankrupt in June 2019.

The three-day trial heard from Joseph Curl KC, representing the trustees, that James Stunt purchased the painting, which is now valued at up to 4 million, but Geoffrey later claimed ownership of it.

The court heard that this represented a significant injustice to the trustees and that the painting should be considered part of James bankruptcy estate.

James Stunt arrives with partner Helena Robinson at the Rolls Building in London (Victoria Jones/PA) (PA Wire)

Mr Curl told the court that the art company that sold the painting believed James became and was always intended to be the owner of the painting.

Giving evidence, James said that despite initially showing an interest in the painting, he declined to buy it as he was rather saturated by Van Dycks at the time, estimating he had purchased around 40 works by the artist in his life.

James described the portrait to his father as very spectacular but said the artwork was fully negotiated by Geoffrey, who owned the item, James said.

I did not purchase this painting. It was my fathers painting, he told the court.

Lee Schama, representing Geoffrey, told the court that the artwork was bought by and for him.

James was previously married to Petra Ecclestone, the daughter of former Formula 1 boss, Bernie Ecclestone (pictured). The pair divorced in 2017. (PA Wire)

But in his judgment, Judge Jones said that while the money used to pay for the painting was drawn on Geoffreys account, James was able to use his fathers bank card for very substantial sums and that Geoffrey was a generous, supportive father who assisted his son through loans.

He added that the pair had failed to demonstrate the artwork was not intended for James.

The judge said: The fact that he (Geoffrey) made loans would not mean this could not be a personal investment but the point is that he simply has not advanced a case to rebut the presumption by addressing any of these matters.

Van Dyck was born in modern-day Belgium and came to work in England in 1632 at the invitation of King Charles I.

The Cheeke Sisters: Essex, Countess of Manchester and Anne, Lady Rich was painted around 1640 and is one of a small collection of double portraits painted by Van Dyck.

The artist was born in modern-day Belgium and came to work in England in 1632 at the invitation of King Charles I.

Additional reporting by PA
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King Charles has paid tribute to his courageous daughter-in-law Kate following her cancer diagnosis.

Buckingham Palace released a statement saying the king has been in close contact with the Princess of Wales over the last few weeks, following their time in hospital together.

It said Charles and Queen Camilla will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time.

In a video message released on Friday, Kate said she underwent major abdominal surgery on January 14 for a condition that was believed to be non-cancerous but subsequent tests revealed cancer had been present.

Charles said he was so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did and has remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks (AP)

In the heartfelt message, the princess, 42, revealed the diagnosis had come as a huge shock and she and Prince William had been doing everything to process it privately for the sake of their young family.

She also revealed she had been advised to undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy, and was now in the early stages of the treatment.

In response, Charles said he was so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did and has remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks, after they spent time in hospital together.

King Charles has shown publicly support to Kate Middleton after her cancer diagnosis (Getty)

The King is currently undergoing his own treatment for cancer having revealed his own shock diagnosis in January - at the same time it emerged Kate was in hospital after her abdominal surgery.

Charles has stepped back from royal duties, with his wife, Camilla, attending a recent engagement in Belfast in Northern Ireland.

However, the King has still been doing work, like meeting four British veterans of the Korean War ahead of a palace reception to mark the 70th anniversary of the conflict last week.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have issued a short statement of support to the Princess of Wales after she revealed her cancer diagnosis.

We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace, the statement read.

It comes just hours after the Princess of Wales released a statement on Friday at 6pm revealing her cancer diagnosis.

In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present, the statement from Kate said.

My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.

The two couples have not been seen in public together since the death of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022 (AP)

King Charles and Queen Camilla said they were so proud of the Princess of Wales for her courage in speaking as she did, according to Buckingham Palace.

The statement added that the monarch, who was himself diagnosed with cancer in February, remains in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law.

When the King revealed his cancer diagnosis in February, Prince Harry flew from Los Angeles to speak to his father.

But it is unclear whether Harry and Ms Markle have spoken to Kate or William since the announcement.

The two couples have not been seen in public together since the death of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022 having been formerly referred to as the Fab Four.

After Prince Harry returned to the UK in February to see his father, a royal source said the two brothers had no plans to get together.

Leaders and politicians from across the world have rushed to send messages of support to the Princess of Wales.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the princess had the support of the whole country as she undergoes chemotherapy treatment.

Canadian leader Justin Trudeau said his thoughts were with the Princess of Wales following the news.

Mr Trudeau wrote on X, formerly Twitter: My thoughts are with the Princess of Wales, her children, and the entire Royal Family following the news of her cancer so courageously shared.

On behalf of Canadians, I'm sending my support as she undergoes treatment. We're all wishing her a swift recovery.
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The Archbishop of Canterbury has joined a growing chorus of voices urging more privacy for the Princess of Wales as she continues to recover from surgery.

Justin Welby branded the conspiracy theories surrounding Kate during her absence from the public eye as old-fashioned village gossip and said people who have health concerns should be allowed to live their lives in peace.

We are obsessed with conspiracy and we have little sense of the humanity of those who are caught in the glare of the news, he told Times Radio. It doesnt matter who it is, people should be allowed to be ill, have an operation, whatever it is, and to live their lives in peace without everyone demanding that they prove something every other day.

Justin Welby says Kate should be given peace to recover (PA Wire)

He added: Its the web that has made these conspiracy theories, for all kinds of people, run riot.

Its extremely unhealthy. Its just old-fashioned village gossip that can now go round the world in seconds. We have to turn away from that. Gossiping in that way is wrong.

His intervention came hours after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said everyone should butt out of the princesss affairs.

He said people should leave Kate alone because she had gone through a difficult surgery and deserved privacy.

Kate has not conducted any official public engagements since undergoing surgery for an unspecified abdominal condition. Her withdrawal has prompted a public frenzy over her health.

Keir Starmer said people should butt out of princesss business (Reuters)

On Wednesday it was reported that members of staff working at The London Clinic, where Kate was treated, had tried to access her medical records.

The hospital said any breach of patient information would be investigated.

According to the Daily Mirror, which reported the alleged data breach, three employees were suspended on Thursday. If found guilty of any wrongdoing they could face disciplinary action and could face a criminal charge.

Kate was seen in public for the first time since her surgery when she visited the Windsor Farm Shop with the Prince of Wales over the weekend.

Kate recently underwent medical treatment in London (AP)

Footage showed her smiling and walking with William with her hair down, wearing a black jacket and leggings, and carrying a large white bag.

The Windsor Farm Shop is a short drive from their Adelaide Cottage home in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

But the sighting, which came after her Mothers Day photo editing row, only served to fuel conspiracies about the princess and her health.

Kate is understood to be targeting Easter weekend for a soft return to life in the public eye.

Queen Camilla looks on at Fitz William Salmon-Corrie in Knotts Bakery during her visit to Northern Ireland on Thursday (Reuters)

Palace aides have been discussing with Kate the possibility of her walking to church on Easter Sunday to join other family members for the annual Easter matins service which takes place at St Georges Chapel, Windsor, according to The Times.

The newspaper said a team of palace officials was working to manage the messaging around Kates return to make her transition back to work as smooth as possible.

Her Easter weekend appearance would be followed by a break with her children during the school holidays, with a more permanent return to public duties pencilled in at the start of the new school term, it is claimed. Kate and Williams children return to Lambrook School in mid-April.

Charles, pictured with wife Camilla, is undergoing treatment for cancer (AP)

King Charles was also admitted to The London Clinic in January for treatment of an enlarged prostate.

He was later diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer and has also stepped back from his public duties to undergo treatment.

Queen Camilla has been helping out with public duties while the King continues his course of treatment.

On Thursday she visited Belfast, where she entered shops on the Lisburn Road and talked with locals in the Northern Ireland capital.

During a visit to The Arcadia delicatessen, shop assistant Brenda Robb handed over a get-well card for Charles, and extended her best wishes.

Camilla took the card with thanks, adding: Hes doing very well.... he was very disappointed he couldnt come.

The Queen with first minister Michelle ONeill, left, and deputy first minister Emma Little-Pengelly (PA )

She later visited Michelle ONeill and Emma Little-Pengelly, the first and deputy first ministers, at Stormont

While visiting a bakery, the Queen joked that she had her thunder stolen by a toddler dressed up in a tuxedo.

Fitz Corrie Salmon, 23 months old, beamed for the cameras while Camilla had a look around Knotts Bakery owned by his father William.

The boys mother, Zoe Salmon, is a TV presenter who previously hosted Blue Peter and appeared on Dancing on Ice in early 2009.

We have a natural for the cameras, Camilla said as she smiled at the smartly dressed youngster.
 Close King Charles waves as he arrives for Easter Sunday church service in Windsor

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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.
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The National Trust is going in the wrong direction and there are serious flaws in the way the organisation is being run, a former chair of the charity has said.

Sir William Proby said he was reluctant to come forward and criticise the organisation or his successors but has concerns about where the charity is headed.

His comments come after a right-wing think tank accused the National Trust of being undemocratic and engaging in a subversion of democracy over changes to voting at its annual meeting.

Sir William Proby pictured with Kate Middleton (PA)

Writing in The Daily Telegraph, Sir William said: The National Trust has always attracted controversy. This is because of its importance in our national life and the passion which so many people feel for what it does. This is healthy and should be welcomed by the management and board of trustees.

A truly democratic structure allows these issues to be debated, voted on, and the organisation can move on. Stifling dissent will only lead to a running sore of disaffected members outside the organisation, which inevitably will damage this great institution.

Sir William added that he hoped the report would prompt the charity to restore its democratic principles and take another look at its governance structures.

The report, called National Distrust: The End of Democracy in the National Trust, was compiled by Zewditu Gebreyohanes, a senior researcher at the Legatum Institute think tank.

Ms Gebreyohanes is also the former lead of Restore Trust, a National Trust members campaign group that wants the charity to stick to its remit of the protection of historic building and away from wokeness.

The report criticises the new quick vote system implemented by the charity which allows members at the National Trust to vote for all the leadership recommendations in one go.

It claims this was brought in without the prior knowledge of members, is undemocratic and was introduced in 2022, just a year after the Restore Trust was created.

A recent National Trust members resolution calling for the abolition of Quick Vote was defeated only with the use of over 54,000 Quick Votes, meaning that almost 80 per cent of votes cast against the resolution were themselves Quick Votes, it says.

All candidates endorsed by Restore Trust  the grassroots campaign of critical members seeking to return the Trust to its statutory aims  would have been elected in both 2022 and 2023 had the results of each Trust-endorsed candidate not been inflated by over 55,000 and 72,000 Quick Votes in those years, respectively.

It alleges that if a political party had been in charge of drawing up the reforms, the public would see it as a significant abuse of power and a subversion of democracy.

The report makes two recommendations: the first is that Lucy Frazer, the secretary of state for culture, media and sport, should introduce legislation to prevent anti-democratic measures; and the second is that the Charity Commission should open an inquiry into the National Trust, which is Europes largest conservation charity.

A spokesperson for the National Trust said: The National Trust is an independent charity, regulated  like all UK charities  by the Charity Commission.

We have open and democratic governance processes, and are accountable both to our regulators and to our members. Our members firmly rejected a resolution suggesting government oversight in our work via an ombudsman at our AGM in 2022.

Quick Vote was introduced following advice from our independent election services provider that it is standard practice for large membership bodies. We will continue to take advice on what is standard electoral practice from accountable, regulated institutions that are experts in this field, and which have their own transparent systems of governance.
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A warning has been issued about a super-strength street drug after four of the six deaths at a prison in the space of a month are believed to be linked to the powerful opioid.

South Wales Police said the drug Nitazene, which can be many times stronger than heroin, had been connected to four of the prisoners who had all died at HMP Parc in Bridgend, South Wales.

Two of the deaths are being treated as non-suspicious, while the other four are believed to be drug related.

Potent synthetic opioids known as nitazenes  some of which are 500 times stronger than morphine  have been detected in at least 20 postcodes around the UK since September, in a worrying surge in availability, The Independent revealed last year.

The drugs  so dangerous that a dose the size of a grain of sand can kill  have contaminated heroin supplies since 2019 but are increasingly found in counterfeit prescription anxiety medication sold on the dark web and at online pharmacies.

Detective Inspector Steve Jones, of South Wales Police, said: At this stage we cannot confirm that the four deaths are connected to any specific drug however a fast-track process has been undertaken and identified the presence of Nitazene based substances in connection with all four deaths.

Spice has been identified in two of the four deaths.

Post-mortem examinations have been completed on two of the four men and at this stage cause of death is inconclusive and we are awaiting toxicology.

The other two men are awaiting a post-mortem examination.

150,000 nitazene tablets were seized in the countrys largest ever synthetic opioid haul in October (Metropolitan Police )

A multi-agency investigation involving the prison, prison operator G4S, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman and Public Health Wales has been launched.

Ombudsman Adrian Usher has already urged inmates at the prison to dispose of any drugs.

John Rose and Jason Hussey both died at the privately run category B jail in Bridgend on February 27, while Christopher Stokes died on March 9, according to the watchdogs record of ongoing fatal incident investigations.

The three other people who have died at the prison have not yet been named.

These are among 20 deaths which the organisation has been notified of, and begun investigating, since January 2022.

On Wednesday, G4S  the security firm which runs the prison  said their thoughts were with the families and friends of the prisoners who had died at HMP Parc.

The prison was previously at the centre of a scandal after a nurse who worked there was jailed in 2022 for having a relationship with an inmate.

That same year, the chief inspector of prisons Charlie Taylor warned in a report of high rates of violence at the jail  one of the largest in England and Wales, holding around 1,700 men  and said the rate of self-harm remained higher than at comparable sites.

The Home Office announced in November it was cracking down on synthetic opioids, with 15 new drugs. including 14 nitazene compounds, set to become class As in the New Year, but there are concerns it will do little to stop it flooding the illegal drugs market.
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The UK government has warned Israel that it could withhold weapons if the Red Cross is not given access to imprisoned Hamas fighters, according to Israeli media.

Foreign secretary Lord Cameron is said to have warned Israeli officials that an arms embargo could be declared in Europe if Israel continue to withhold access to prisoners, according to the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper on Thursday.

The caution follows reports that the UK government was considering withholding arms if Israel invaded the Gazan city of Rafah, after Lord Cameron wrote to parliaments foreign affairs select committee saying that he could not see how an offensive in Rafah could go ahead without harming civilians and destroying homes.

The former prime minister expressed his deep concern about the prospect of an offensive.

We do not underestimate the devastating humanitarian impacts that a full ground offensive, if enacted, would have in these circumstances, he said.

He added: We continue to urge Israel to ensure that it limits its operations to military targets and take all possible steps to avoid harming civilians and destroying homes.

British officials have now reportedly demanded that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) be allowed to visit Hamas prisoners in Israel to ensure adherence to international law.

The Foreign Secretary said Israel had an obligation to ensure significantly more humanitarian aid reached the people of Gaza (PA Wire)

Yedioth Ahronoth also reported that British lawyers visited Israel to examine the issue and issued advice that all prisoners in Israel, including the Hamas suspects, should be allowed a visit by the Red Cross.

Chair of the foreign affairs committee Alicia Kearns told LBC she expected the government to publish a decision on whether or not Israel is still upholding international law and whether it would continue to provide weapons within the week.

She said: I pushed the government last week and again this week on whether or not our assessment has changed or whether or not international law is being upheld by Israel. And the answer was that we are currently undertaking the assessment and we will go back to the house shortly.

She added: If we dont hear that within the week, I would be very surprised.

Lord Camerons alleged challenge to the Israeli government comes amid mounting pressure on Western nations to prevent the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

Canadas house of commons moved to halt future arms sales to Israel following a non-binding vote earlier in the week.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has warned Israel it had a legal responsibility to address the urgent and monumental humanitarian needs of Palestinians in Gaza.

The Most Rev Justin Welby said international law called for the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians but he accused the Israeli government of preventing access.

The archbishop warned that if nothing changes then famine is imminent, with children already dying from starvation and dehydration.

He said: Israels prosecution of this war has destroyed large parts of the Gaza Strip  decimating infrastructure essential to human survival.

The UK will not disclose the arms export licences granted to Israel in the final quarter of last year until later this year. In 2022 the UK granted export licences to Israel worth 42m.

A FCDO spokesperson said: We keep advice on Israels adherence to International Humanitarian Law under review and will act in accordance with that advice.

All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria.
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Police are investigating alleged racist comments made by Tory party donor Frank Hester at a meeting in 2019.

The investigation by West Yorkshire police follows a police report made by former Labour MP Diane Abbott about the alleged remarks, as first reported by The Independent.

The force said the investigation had been passed over from the Metropolitan Police as the meeting took place in Horsforth, Leeds.

A spokesperson said officers were now working to establish the facts and to ultimately ascertain whether a crime has been committed.

They added that the Metropolitan Police had been contacted on March 11 about a report in The Guardian, and that this was the first time the comments had been brought to the attention of police.

Frank Hester allegedly made the comments in 2019 (Screengrab/PA) (PA Wire)

Ms Abbott filed a complaint with the Metropolitan Polices parliamentary liaison and investigations team after Mr Hester, who donated 10m to the Tories last year, allegedly made a series of incendiary comments about her, including that she made him want to hate all Black women.

Mr Hesters firm released a statement after the comments were first published, saying that he was deeply sorry and had rung Ms Abbott twice to try to apologise directly for the hurt he has caused her.

Frank Hester accepts that he was rude about Diane Abbott in a private meeting several years ago but his criticism had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin, the statement said.

Mr Hester abhors racism, not least because he experienced it as the child of Irish immigrants in the 1970s, the statement said, adding: He wishes to make it clear that he regards racism as a poison which has no place in public life. In response to a request by the BBC, a spokesperson for Mr Hester said the statement is not a confirmation of the alleged quotes in The Guardian.

Mr Hester later issued a statement which appeared to suggest his comments were made playfully without seeking to cause offence.

Ms Abbott described the reported comments as worrying.

It is frightening. I live in Hackney, I dont drive, so I find myself, at weekends, popping on a bus or even walking places, more than most MPs, she said.

I am a single woman and that makes me vulnerable anyway. But to hear someone talking like this is worrying.

Diane Abbott has denied reports she was not co-operating with Labour over the restoration of the whip (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Archive)

She added: For all of my career as an MP I have thought it important not to live in a bubble but to mix and mingle with ordinary people. The fact that two MPs have been murdered in recent years makes talk like this all the more alarming.

The row has caused outrage within and outside of the Conservative party, but Rishi Sunak has refused to return the donation from Mr Hester.

The businessman - who was the single biggest donor to the Conservative party last year - is reported to have donated an additional 5m to the Conservative party since the start of this year.

Leading government figures have asserted that retaining the money was justifiable since Mr Hester is not a racist and has issued an apology.

Communities secretary Michael Gove told Sky News that he believed the business tycoons apology was sincere, adding: I havent spoken to Mr Hester, but I think that when someone says that they are sorry, and I understand hes deeply sorry for these remarks, then my natural inclination is to exercise Christian forgiveness.

Meanwhile, business secretry Kemi Badenoch dismissed the row over the alleged comments as trivia and insisted the Conservative party should not return the businessmans 10m donation.
Washington, Mar 22 (UNI) The United States has imposed sanctions on Nicaragua's Attorney General Wendy Carolina Morales Urbina, the US Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said in a statement on Thursday.

Today, the Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Wendy Carolina Morales Urbina, Nicaraguas Attorney General, for being complicit in the Ortega-Murillo regimes oppression, the statement said.

The US authorities stressed that Morales Urbina is responsible for confiscating real property formerly belonging to independent media outlets, international organizations, and political prisoners.

Morales Urbina has also seized property from thousands of non-governmental organizations under law explicitly to suppress freedom of association. Morales Urbina carried out the dispossession of all properties of the 222 political prisoners who were banished from Nicaragua, the statement added.

The US Treasury pointed out Nicaraguas Attorney General became a key figure who was formulating the strategy to designate Nicaraguan opposition members as terrorists. She used an existing anti-terrorism law to block their financial resources, according to the statement.

The Attorney General of Nicaragua, in concert with the Ortega-Murillo regime [Nicaraguas President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo], has exploited her office to facilitate a coordinated campaign to suppress dissent by seizing property from government political opponents without a legal basis, Under Secretary of the Treasury Brian Nelson said.

The US reminded that anti-government protests erupted in Nicaragua in 2018. However, the authorities suppressed demonstrations and incarcerated political activists, the statement added.

UNI/SPUTNIK GNK
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On 2 May Londoners will head to the polls to elect a mayor and 25 London Assembly members.

Around six million registered voters will choose who will be in charge of the capital for the next four years.

This year there will be a new voting system first past the post (FPTP), similar to what is used in general elections.

In previous mayoral elections voters could make a first and second choice for mayor, however this time they will only get one vote.

The London mayoral candidates have officially been announced on Thursday 28 March, with 13 candidates running for office.

Here are all the candidates running for London mayor.

Sadiq Khan  Labour Party

Sadiq Khan (PA Wire)

Sadiq Khan is running for his third term as London mayor after first being elected in 2016.

The Labour incumbent launched his re-election campaign on Monday 18 March and accused the Conservatives of an abject failure on housing.

He pledged to build 40,000 new council homes by the end of the decade to unleash the greatest council housebuilding drive in a generation if voted back in.

He said the capital would go much further, much faster with Labour running both Downing Street and City Hall and without the Tories holding us back.

The mayor vowed to deliver a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make real inroads into solving Londons housing crisis and end the scandal of rough sleeping.

The Ultra-Low Emission Zone (Ulez), one of Khans flagship policies, has been the centre of controversy in recent years.

First introduced in the capital in 2019 to tackle air pollution, Ulez was expanded to every borough in August 2023 despite vocal backlash. Many of the other mayoral candidates vow to scrap the scheme if elected.

Susan Hall  Conservative Party

Susan Hall (PA Wire)

Susan Hall is a London Assembly member and former council leader.

If she defeats Mr Khan, she will become the first woman to lead London as mayor.

Ms Hall has a five-point plan for London. She vows to reduce crime, scrap Ulez, build family homes, and make London a cleaner and greener city.

The Tory candidate has been a controversial choice since her selection last year.

She previously apologised for liking a string of tweets including Islamophobic abuse of Mr Khan and images of former Conservative politician Enoch Powell, best known for his infamous rivers of blood immigration speech that was widely blamed for heightening racial tensions in the 1960s.

Ms Hall also admitted she does not know the price of bus fares in London.

Rob Blackie  Liberal Democrats

Rob Blackie (Andrew King/Rob Blackie)

Rob Blackie is an anti-Brexit campaigner and digital marketer who advises start-up tech companies.

The Lib Dem candidate launched his election campaign on Tuesday 18 March, saying his top priority is crime and policing.

Sadiq Khans failure on those issues is the main reason I am standing against him, he said.

Violent crime has risen by 30 per cent in London since Mr Khan has been in office. Sexual offence clear-up rates have halved in the last eight years

Sadiq Khan blames everyone else for this but himself. The buck stops with him and we will call him out in this campaign.

Mr Blackie also described Conservative candidate Ms Hall as beyond the pale.

Zoe Garbett  Green Party

Zoe Garbett (Zoe Garbett/Green Party/X)

Zoe Garbett is a councillor for Dalston and Hackney.

She tweeted in February: Im overjoyed to have been chosen to be the Green Party candidate for London Mayor. Huge thank you to London Green Party for your support and cant wait to start the campaign.

Ms Garbett has called for a two-year rent freeze as one of her main priorities.

Vying to become Londons first Green mayor, she said: If people want to vote Green, they can  and should! The Green Party has consistently come third in London and we are a growing force nationally.

Green Assembly members have a track record of delivering for Londoners. A Green mayor would be much more ambitious tackling the issues that really matter to voters: dealing with the housing crisis, making our city more affordable and a more accountable police service.

Howard Cox  Reform UK

Howard Cox at an anti-Ulez protest in London (George Lithgow/PA Wire)

Howard Cox is the founder of Fair Fuel UK campaign and Reform UKs candidate for mayor.

Mr Cox has pledged to scrap Ulez as well as low-traffic neighbourhoods.

At an anti-Ulez protest earlier this year, the Reform candidate said: Good, decent, honest, taxpaying, hardworking people are being impacted by Ulez.

Its such a sad thing because we do not need Ulez. Science proves we dont need it.

Stop picking on the motorists, theyre the commercial heartbeat of the economy.

Amy Gallagher - Social Democrat Party

Amy Gallagher is an NHS nurse and psychotherapist.

Ms Gallagher told the BBC she was standing in the election to push back on woke ideology.

Ms Gallagher said London had become more divided and that Sadiq Khan was spending too much money on campaigns that are all about virtue signalling. If elected, her top priority would be to defund divisive diversity and inclusive spending.

She added: Poor living conditions, lack of community, division, increases in crime, unreliable public transport: many people feel like politicians have let them down and they never get the change they were promised.

Ms Gallagher garnered media attention after bringing legal action against the NHS, accusing it of forcing critical race theory on people.

Count Binface  Independent

Count Binface (PA Archive)

Count Binface describes himself as an intergalactic space warrior.

He previously ran in the 2021 London election and came ninth.

He pledges to enforce a price cap on croissants, rename London Bridge to Phoebe Waller-Bridge and bring back Ceefax.

He also vows to ban loud snacks from theatres and give royal palaces to the homeless.

Other candidates

Brian Rose  London Real Party

Femy Amin  Animal Welfare Party  People, Animals, Environment

Nick Scanlon  Britain First  No To Immigration

Natalie Campbell  Former Conservative hopeful

Shyam Batra  Finance and property broker

Tarun Ghulati  Investment banker

Andreas Michli  Health and fitness entrepreneur

When and how can voters go to the polls?

Anyone who lives in London and is over the age of 18 on the day of the election is eligible to vote. You must be registered to vote.

The deadline to register to vote is Tuesday 16 April. It can be done here.

Voters can cast their ballot in person on 2 May, by post or by proxy. Find your nearest polling station here.

Everyone will need to show photo ID at polling stations before they vote.

People will have three votes  one for mayor and two for the London Assembly.

The results will be announced at City Hall on Saturday 4 May.
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Home secretary James Cleverly spent 165,561 chartering a private jet for a one-day round trip to Rwanda to sign Rishi Sunaks deportation deal.

The revelations come just days after the Institute for Public Policy Research estimated that the true cost of Mr Sunaks plan to remove asylum seekers could reach up to 3.9bn over five years, equating to a staggering 230,000 per person.

Spending watchdog the National Audit Office revealed earlier this month that the Home Office will pay the Rwandan government 370m to take asylum seekers, with a further 120m once 300 people have been relocated to the country.

Britain will also spend as much as 150,874 on processing and operational costs for each asylum seeker sent to Rwanda. This is on top of the 220m that ministers have already sent to Rwanda as part of a project aimed at developing its economy.

A disclosure by the Home Office revealed that Mr Cleverly travelled to Kigali back in December 2023 with officials and a TV crew in a private jet at a cost of more than 160,000 to the taxpayer.

The home secretary signed the new legally binding treaty alongside Rwandas foreign affairs minister to create a new appeal body made up of judges with asylum expertise from a range of countries.

Labours shadow minister for immigration Stephen Kinnock called the cost of the flight insulting.

Mr Clevely flew out to Kigali with officials and a TV crew in a private jet (Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)

Mr Cleverly was the third home secretary to make his way to Rwanda to sign a returns agreement, following his predecessors Priti Patel and Suella Braverman.

A spokesperson for the Rwandan government at the time said the country had a proven record of offering a home to refugees, and the new treaty would re-emphasise, in a binding manner, already existing commitments on asylum seeker protection.

The Home Office has already identified 150 migrants for the first two deportation flights.

Mr Sunaks Rwanda bill has suffered a series of setbacks and delays after a narrowly avoided rebellion on the bill earlier in the year.

Peers have also inflicted defeats on Mr Sunaks flagship small boats bill, and on Wednesday introduced amendments to ensure the bill has due regard for international law, and that the UKs treaty with Rwanda should be fully implemented before flights begin.

MPs had overturned all 10 of the previous Lords amendments to the proposed legislation, including an attempt by peers to prevent age-disputed children from being sent to Rwanda.

The Lords considered the Safety of Rwanda Bill after MPs stripped out a host of its amendments (PA Wire)

But on its return to the upper House, peers defeated the government on all seven votes, including passing an amendment that would exempt Afghan heroes who supported British troops from deportation to Rwanda.

Labours Vernon Coaker told peers that the reputation of the country was at stake, stressing that it cant be right that the bill exempts ministers from following international law.

The bill is now in a state of parliamentary ping pong as it is set to return once again to the commons after Easter recess.

A Home Office spokesperson said: Stopping the boats is one of our top priorities. The cost of the asylum system could reach up to 11bn per year by 2026, and we make no apologies for pursuing bold solutions like our partnership with Rwanda to stop the boats and save lives.

All government spend goes through thorough due diligence to ensure best value for money.

Mr Kinnock said: Having clearly decided that committing 600m of taxpayers money to the Rwandan government for just 300 refugees wasn't insulting enough, the home secretary decided to blow 165,000 on a flight to sign off on the hare-brained scheme. This government's enthusiasm for wasting taxpayers' money knows no bounds.

He added: "Labour would redirect the cash set aside for Rwanda into a cross-border police unit and security partnership to smash the criminal smuggler gangs at source, and introduce a new returns unit to quickly remove those with no right to be here.
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This is really a battle between good and evil, evangelical TV preacher Hank Kunneman says of the slew of criminal charges facing Donald Trump. Theres something on President Trump that the enemy fears: Its called the anointing.

The Nebraska pastor, who was speaking on cable news show FlashPoint last summer, is among several voices in Christian media pressing a message of Biblical proportions: The 2024 presidential race is a fight for Americas soul, and a persecuted Trump has Gods protection.

Theyre just trying to bankrupt him. Theyre trying to take everything hes got. Theyre trying to put him in prison, author, media personality and self-proclaimed prophet Lance Wallnau said in October on The Jim Bakker Show, an hour-long daily broadcast that focuses on news and revelations about the end times that it says we are living in.

A supporter of Republican presidential candidate and former US President Donald Trump attends his South Carolina Republican presidential primary election night party in Columbia (REUTERS)

The hand of God is on him and he cannot be stopped. In both the 2016 and 2020 elections, evangelical voters staunchly supported Trump despite claims of adultery and sexual misconduct, which he denied. With Trump now facing dozens of criminal charges as he pursues a second term, some Christian media are bolstering his support by portraying him as an instrument of Gods will who faces persecution by his foes.

While the people making these claims are largely outside the mainstream in Christian media, they have amassed significant online followings and their messages reverberate across radio shows, cable TV and streaming platforms that reach millions of Americans every day.

A supporter stands as former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during the National Rifle Association (NRA) Presidential Forum at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, (REUTERS)

The claims that Trump benefits from divine help present a jarring counterpoint to the views voiced by his critics, who denounce him as an immoral grifter set on dismantling democracy and point to his inflammatory rhetoric about immigrants in the country illegally and opponents he has threatened to prosecute. The former presidents myriad legal woes include allegations of sexual abuse and financial chicanery. In May, a jury decided Trump must pay $5 million in damages for sexually abusing a magazine writer in the 1990s and then branding her a liar. He is also facing a criminal trial on charges he covered up hush-money payments to a porn star. He has denied wrongdoing in both cases.

The barrage of legal actions have broadly served to rev up Trumps support among Republicans rather than diminish it, according to a July Reuters/Ipsos poll. The roughly 80 million Americans who describe themselves as born-again or evangelical Protestants - about a quarter of the population - have provided the bedrock for his meteoric rise, and their turnout levels this November could prove critical in a tight contest against Democratic rival Joe Biden.

Reuters interviews with 10 experts in faith-based political outreach, political science, media and religion outlined the contours of a Christian media space broadly supportive of Trump and his policies, though offering differing views about any religious mission he might have, and highlighting a shift in the messaging at the fringes in the run-up to this election.

Many conservative Christians have long relied on Christian media to champion political causes tied to their faith, like anti-communism and anti-abortion.

(REUTERS)

But whats new about this election cycle is the unabashed support for Trump and the frequency he is depicted as Gods chosen leader, said Brian Calfano, a political science and journalism professor at the University of Cincinnati who has researched the proliferation of media-savvy ministers who support Trump.

Before Trump, there was some hero worship of favored politicians, but the larger philosophical or ideological causes received greater attention.

Language that casts Trump in messianic terms helps to energize his base, said Paul Djupe, a political scientist at Denison University who specializes in religion and politics.

Wallnau and Kunneman did not respond to Reuters requests for comment for this article, while representatives for FlashPoint host Gene Bailey and Bakker declined to comment. The Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

Supporters pray for US President Donald Trump before he make a speech to evangelical supports in Miami, Florida (REUTERS)

Christian media includes thousands of religious podcasts, radio shows, cable TV and streaming platforms, with a combined monthly audience of more than 140 million Americans, according to the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) association.

Shows like FlashPoint and Bakkers show are comparatively niche.

FlashPoint for instance pulls in an average monthly cable TV audience of roughly 11,000 households, according to Comscore data, while the Victory Channel it appears on has more than a million followers on YouTube and Facebook combined. Trump participated in six interviews with FlashPoint between 2021 and 2023.

Many preachers ply their own trade and command significant online audiences. For example, Wallnau has his own podcast and more than 1.3 million followers on social media. Kunneman, another self-styled prophet, has close to 250,000.

Many Christian voters credit Trump with a series of policy victories, including the US Supreme Courts decision in 2022 to overturn the constitutional right to abortion after he appointed three conservative justices to the court, plus the moving of the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

Theres a lot of evangelical conservative Christian voters that have some challenges with some aspects of his personality, but when they look at his policies, what he did, juxtaposed to what we have, and whats proposed by those on the other side, its a no-brainer, said Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council evangelical advocacy group.

His Washington Watch with Tony Perkins airs every week day on about 100 Christian TV stations, various streaming channels and 800 radio stations and draws an average monthly cable TV audience of roughly 5,000 households, according to Comscore.

While Perkins, a more mainstream voice in Christian media, steers clear of any messianic messaging, the former Louisiana lawmaker said on his show in December that efforts to kick Trump off the Republican primary ballot were part of a battle between good and evil.

You will hear the fact that we do believe that God calls people to different walks of life, including into the political realm, Perkins told Reuters in an interview.

Much of the Trump content on Christian media looks at the former president through the lens of the Bible, he added, for example drawing a parallel between him and Cyrus the Great, the pagan ruler of the 6th century BC who liberated the Jews from Babylonian captivity and enshrined religious freedom.

On Trinity Broadcasting Network, a Christian outlet that reaches more than 100 million US households, former Arkansas governor, TV host and Baptist minister Mike Huckabee says Trump should be judged by his deeds.

He proved to be the most pro-life president in American history, by not just by what he said, but by what he did, Huckabee said in December.

Huckabee and Trinity Broadcasting Network did not respond to requests for comment.

People attend the 2024 National Religious Broadcasters Association International Christian Media Convention (REUTERS)

Its difficult to get an exact count of how much of the Christian media is explicitly pro-Trump, because like other aspects of the fragmented media industry, it has ballooned in recent years over TV, radio, podcasts and social media.

NRB President Troy Miller said Christian media was becoming more politically focused, although political programming still represented less than 3% of overall content.

Nevertheless, he added, it is filling a vacuum for conservative evangelicals who feel mainstream media coverage doesnt reflect their values or fairly cover a candidate who in their eyes understands them and the issues they care about.

Youre programming for your audience, so Trumps going to be a major part of that, he said in an interview.

Miller said the view that Trump has been anointed by God reflects the fringe of Christian media but that the notion of spiritual warfare playing out in the US is more mainstream.

Trump himself has leaned into the battle.

In a speech to an NRB conference last month Trump vowed to defend Christianity and urged Christians to vote for him in the November. 5 election, a contest he depicted in religious terms and likened to the great battles of World War Two.

I know that to achieve victory in this fight, just like in the battles of the past, we still need the hand of our Lord, and the grace of Almighty God, he told the gathering to applause.

The former president has started some rallies with a messianic video made by social media influencers which opens with the line: On June 14, 1946, God looked down on his planned paradise and said: I need a caretaker, so God gave us Trump.

He has also shared on the Truth Social media app a sketch of himself in court, sitting next to what appears to be a rendering of Jesus Christ.

Written above the drawing: Nobody could have made it this far alone.
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An executive for the Little Rock, Arkansas airport was killed in a shootout with federal agents on Tuesday amid a weapons sales probe, authorities have said.

Bryan Malinowski, 53, who was executive director of Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, was shot at his home after he opened fire at federal agents who arrived to serve a warrant at around 6am on Tuesday morning, officials said.

The 53-year-old died on Thursday, his family said, after being shot in the head.

An ATF agent was also shot and suffered non life-threatening injuries, according to state police.

Following the shootout, search warrant records unsealed on Thursday showed federal agents obtained a warrant as part of an investigation into Mr Malinowski for allegedly selling firearms without a license.

The investigation began in November when authorities in Canada received a photo of firearms from a confidential informant and after visible serial numbers showed they were bought by Mr Malinowski, according to an affidavit.

Investigators alleged that Mr Malinowski had bought more than 150 guns from May 2021 to 27 February this year, including AR-style pistols, and shipped them to a business that is redacted in the affidavit where he picked them up.

The affidavit alleges that he filled out ATF Form 4773, which warns that a gun cant be for someone else and that the repetitive purchase of firearms in order to sell them for a profit without a licence is illegal, before the weapons were handed over to him.

The document also accuses Mr Malinowski of selling guns, including at gun shows. At one show, he was allegedly seen selling firearms to a customer without asking for any ID or paperwork.

Investigators said he told an undercover agent that because they were private sales, no paperwork was needed.

According to the affidavit, filed by an agent with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, six guns were later recovered in the commission of a crime, and undercover ATF agents bought three others at gun shows.

One of the guns cited in the affidavit was found on a 15-year-old Norteno gang member in California in 2022, the document added.

In a statement released on Thursday, Mr Malinowskis family said that they have endured an unspeakable tragedy and one that is almost impossible to understand.

They also questioned why the ATF conducted what they characterized as a raid on a private home that led to the gunfire.

Even if the allegations in the affidavit are true, they dont begin to justify what happened, the family said, adding: At worst, Bryan Malinowski, a gun owner and gun enthusiast, stood accused of making private firearm sales to a person who may not have been legally entitled to purchase the guns.

The family said they are now waiting for all the facts to come out.

In the meantime, we ask that the public and the media respect our privacy.

Mr Malinowski was an executive director at Little Rock airport where he worked for 16 years.
 Close Elijah Vues family plead for help in finding him

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Elijah Vues mother pleaded not guilty on Friday to charges in connection to the toddlers disappearance.

Katrina Baur appeared briefly before Judge Robert Dewane, with her next court appearance now set over a month from now.

This comes after a brief court appearance on Thursday for her friend Jesse Vang, who was the last known person to see Elijah.

The toddler was last seen by Mr Vang on 20 February in Two Rivers, a town on the shore of Lake Michigan.

Authorities say Ms Baur sent her son to live with Mr Vang for disciplinary reasons, where the boy was reportedly subjected to lengthy time-outs and threats of cold water if he misbehaved.

Now, it has emerged that Mr Vang was previously charged with human trafficking. The charges were later dropped.

Earlier this week, police found a blanket belonging to Elijah four miles from his last known location. There is a $40,000 reward for anyone with information that leads to an arrest. Officials describe Elijah as three feet tall, with brown hair and brown eyes  he is also of Hmong and white ethnicity.
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The homicide victims linked to an Idaho prison escape have been identified as two men aged 83 and 72, according to the Nez Pearce County Coroners Office and Clearwater County Coroners Office.

The body of James L Mauney, 83, was found outside of Leland, Idaho. Hes from the Juliaetta area, officials said in a news release. The fugitives, Skylar Meade, 31 and Nicholas Umphenour, encountered the man as he was walking his dogs. Mr Mauney and his dogs were taken and driven eastbound in a 2019 silver Chrysler Pacifica.

Police found the mans body close to a separate abandoned vehicle connected to the crime. Detectives said they dont believe that the man knew the suspects.

An autopsy for Mr Mauney is scheduled for next week. Dennis Fuller, the coroner for Clearwater County said Gerald Don Henderson, 72, died from an apparent gunshot wound but that his manner of death was still pending an autopsy. His body was found at his residence outside Orofino.

Mr Mauneys dogs were also at the mans home in addition to a pair of shackles, which police suspect were left by Meade. Its thought that Mr Henderson knew the suspects but officials do not know the specifics of their relationships. Mr Mauneys dogs were later returned to his family members unharmed.

James L Mauney, 83, was identified as one of the murder victims in connection with the Idaho prison escape this week. (Nez Perce County Sheriffs Office)

On Thursday, officials with the Boise, Idaho Police Department said theyd captured Meade and Umphenour after Meade busted out of prison while at Saint Alphonsus hospital in Boise for treatment around 2.15am on Wednesday.

As officers were getting ready to transport the man back to a correctional facility, Umphenour attacked the correctional officers, firing shots and striking two of them. The men were at large for just over 24 hours before they were captured. In total, three officers were shot in the incident.

Meade has been incarcerated since 2016 October. His most recent sentence is slated to end in 2036 October. He was serving time for aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer with a firearm enhancement and has prior convictions, including felony possession of a controlled substance, grand theft and introduction of contraband into a correctional facility.

The inmate was convicted after shooting at a Twin Falls sheriffs sergeant during a high-speed car chase. He had been fleeing a traffic stop.

This week, as the men fled Mr Hendersons home, law enforcement secured the area around the residence. Meade and Umphenour left in different cars.

The inmate was stopped and arrested nearby, while Umphenour attempted to flee but was chased and apprehended. Both were captured without further incident and no gunshots were fired.
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A third person has been charged in connection with the Missouri mass shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade in February.

Terry Young, 20, was charged with murder in the second degree, unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of armed criminal action, the Jackson County Prosecutors Office announced on Thursday, 21 March.

Two other adults  Dominic Miller, 18, and Lyndell Mays, 22  were charged last month with the same charges in connection with the 14 February attack, which left over two dozen injured and killed 42-year-old mother-of-two Lisa Lopez-Galvan.

Young and two other individuals walked up to an individual in another group, when a verbal altercation began, the prosecutors office wrote. After one person  believed to be Mr Mays  pulled out a firearm, Young did the same and pointed it at and advanced toward the first individual.

Meanwhile, Mr Miller may have fired the fatal shot that killed Lisa Lopez-Galvan, the only person who died on the scene, according to court documents.

Surveillance footage captured Mr Young appearing to shoot several times, the office said. Detectives identified Young using cell phone data and his distinctive backpack seen in the footage.

Terry Young (AP)

Everyone weve identified who discharged a firearm in response to the verbal altercation detailed here has been taken into custody, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said in a statement.

Miller and Mays are both being held on $1m bail, while prosecutors have requested the same for Young.

The mass shooting has resulted in a series of arrests in the state.

Earlier this week, the office announced that three juveniles also face charges in Family Court.

On top of this, three other adults  Fedo Antonia Manning, 22, Ronnel Dewayne Williams Jr, 21, and Chaelyn Hendrick Groves, 19  were also charged. However, their criminal complaints do not list the men as shooters on 14 February, but instead pertain to where they got their guns.

The US Attorneys Office of the Western District of Missouri said that at least two of the firearms found following the shooting were purchased illegally or trafficked, authorities said earlier this week.

These cases underscore the importance of enforcing federal firearms laws, US Attorney Teresa Moore said in a statement. Stopping straw buyers and preventing illegal firearms trafficking is our first line of defence against gun violence.

Despite all the recent arrests, the prosecutors office wrote, due to the scope of this continuing investigation, additional charges are still expected.
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All six former Mississippi police officers who tortured two Black men during a raid on a home in January 2023 have now been sentenced, with their jail time reaching more than 130 years between them.

At a final hearing on Thursday afternoon, former Richland police officer Joshua Hartfield was sentenced to just over 10 years in prison, after trying to destroy evidence of the groups crimes.

Hartfield, along with five former Rankin County Sheriffs Office deputies, were part of the so-called Goon Squad who subjected Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker to hours of abuse after breaking into the home they were staying in without a warrant in January 2023.

Earlier on Thursday morning Brett McAlpin, 53, was handed a 327 month, or 27.25 years, prison sentence.

On Wednesday, Daniel Opdyke, 28, was handed a 17.5-year sentence and Christian Dedmon, 29, was jailed for 40 years, while on Tuesday Hunter Elward, 31, and Jeffrey Middleton, 46, were jailed for 20 and 17 years respectively.

After breaking into the home in Braxton on 24 January 2023, the group then subjected the two victims to several hours of torture which included tasering, waterboarding and assault with a dildo, before culminating in Mr Jenkins being shot in the mouth by Elward.

At his Thursday hearing, McAlpin told the victims he was sorry, reported CNN.

Im sorry to your families because I have three boys and I know I would feel the very same, no different than you did, for what happened to Michael and Eddie. What happened was wrong, McAlpin said.

The former officer, who lived in the neighbourhood where the victims were staying and made the initial call to another officer about them, was not alone in telling the pair he was sorry.

At his sentencing on Wednesday, The Associated Press reported that Opdyke said his time behind bars had given him time to reflect on his part.

The weight of my actions and the harm Ive caused will haunt me every day, Opdyke told the victims, weeping as he spoke. I wish I could take away your suffering.

When Dedmon was sentenced, the AP said he did not look at the victims but said he would never forgive himself for the pain he caused.

Mr Jenkins responded through his lawyer, describing Dedmon as the most aggressive, sickest and most wicked of the six individuals.

The two mens apologies came after Elward turned to the victims and apologised on Tuesday morning.

Im so sorry, the former officer told Mr Jenkins and Mr Parker, CNN reported. I dont want to get too personal with you, Michael.

Theres no telling what youve seen. Im so sorry that I caused that. I hate myself for it. I hate that I gave you that. I accept all responsibility.

Mr Jenkins reportedly nodded, while Mr Parker stood up and said: We forgive you, man.

The group, who called themselves the Goon Squad for their use of excessive force, called the pair racial slurs during the January 2023 raid, telling them to stay out of Raskin County.

Mr Jenkins and Mr Parker were also punched, kicked, tasered 17 times, assaulted with a dildo and forced to ingest liquids. Dedmon also fired his gun twice to intimidate the men.

When that was over, Elward removed a bullet from his gun and then placed the device in Mr Jenkinss mouth before pulling the trigger. Elward then racked the gun, intending to dry-fire for a second time but instead, the firearm discharged, lacerated Mr Jenkinss tongue and broke his jaw.

Elward faced the most serious charge from the January 2023 attack  discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

While he faced up to 30 years in prison, the judge opted for an approximately 20-year sentence.

After Elward fired his gun during the incident last January, and the victim lay on the floor bleeding, the defendants didnt provide medical aid.

Instead, the Department of Justice said, they gathered outside the home to come up with a false cover story.

Part of that cover included planting a gun on Mr Jenkins, destroying surveillance footage and submitting fake drug evidence to the crime lab.

The victims then filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in June 2023, with the indictments unsealed in August.

It was then that the former officers pleaded guilty to a combination of 13 felonies.

No human being should ever be subjected to the kind of torturous, traumatising and horrific acts of violence that were carried out by these law enforcement officers, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division said in August.

The physical and emotional impact of their crimes resulted from a calculated, deliberate, and egregious course of conduct that required a significant response from authorities.

Despite the words of forgiveness, Mr Parker said in his victims impact statement that the crime will haunt him forever.

The very bad actions of the Rankin County Goon Squad severely impacted me and left a scar on me forever, Mr Parkers statement, read by attorney Malik Shabazz, said.

I dont know if I will ever be able to sleep at night. I fear I will be attacked again and even killed.

Mr Jenkins added that he did not think he would ever be the person he was before the incident.

Following the first sentences on Tuesday, US Attorney General Merrick B Garland called the attacks heinous.

These defendants kicked in the door of a home where two Black men were residing, handcuffed and arrested them without probable cause, called them racial slurs, and punched, kicked, tased, and assaulted them, the Attorney General said in a statement.

After one of the defendants fired his gun in the mouth of one of the victims, breaking his jaw, the defendants gathered outside to come up with a cover story as the victim lay bleeding on the floor. The Justice Department will hold accountable officers who violate constitutional rights, and in so doing, betray the public trust.
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An actor who has appeared in the likes of NCIS and The Rookie has been arrested for allegedly taking part in the January 6 riot at the US Capitol.

Nolan Freeman spent around 28 minutes inside the Capitol, after entering through a broken window alongside other Donald Trump supporters that day, according to a charging document revealed by Politico.

Mr Freeman was tracked down as part of an FBI investigation into all those supporters of the former president involved in the riot, seeking to overturn the 2020 election results.

Agents have scoured through video footage and images, from security cameras, phones and TV cameras, seeking out suspects.

In Mr Freemans case, video footage from the Capitol Police showed the actor entering the building wearing a red hoodie covered with a black jacket, along with a red hat with white lettering, at around 2.23pm.

Investigators say that he was then seen leaving at around 2.49pm.

FBI agents visited Mr Freeman at his home in Nevada on 27 June 2023, with the actor asking to speak to an attorney when they asked if he was at the Capitol on January 6.

A subsequent subpoena of information from American Airlines showed that Mr Freeman had travelled to Washington DC two days before the riot and then back home again two days later.

Mr Freeman has been charged with the obstruction of an official proceeding and knowingly entering or remaining on the grounds of a government building without lawful authority.

He is also accused of using loud, threatening, or abusive language to disrupt the orderly conduct of Congress.

Mr Freemans last known TV appearance was in NCIS in 2019, with one upcoming part listed as in production for a short film called Under a Black Veil.

The suspect appeared in court in Nevada on 19 March, with his next appearance due on 2 April.

According to the Department of Justice, more than 1,358 people have so far been charged in connection with the attack, many of them accused of assaulting law enforcement.

The FBI is continuing to ask for the publics assistance in identifying those pictured at the Capitol that day.
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A pastor in California has been arrested after allegedly paying a hitman $40,000 to kill his daughters boyfriend last year.

Samuel Pasillas, 47, of Victorville, was arrested on Wednesday 13 March and charged with solicitation for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, and assault with a deadly weapon.

According to the Riverside Police Department (RPD), officers responded to a local hospital on Saturday 21 October 2023 after a man arrived with gunshot wounds.

The man told investigators he had been the victim of a drive-by shooting but had been able to drive himself to the hospital for medical attention.

Detectives from the RPD Robbery-Homicide Unit conducted a follow-up investigation and subsequently learned that the incident was a murder-for-hire shooting.

Samuel Pasillas, 47, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with solicitation for murder, among other things (Riverside Police Department)

The victim had been dating a woman, whose father was later identified as Mr Pasillas  a pastor for a Spanish-speaking church in Victorville.

During their investigation, detectives uncovered evidence the father met with the men he hired and provided them information about the victim, including his location the evening of the shooting.

They also determined the men were paid almost $40,000 by the father and had conducted surveillance on the victim in the weeks leading up to the shooting.

Juan Manuel Cebreros, 55, of Long Beach, was later arrested and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, and assault with a deadly weapon.

Both he and Mr Pasillas are currently being held on one million dollars bail.

The investigation remains ongoing.
New Delhi, Mar 22 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that the coming five years will bring new energy to the India-Bhutan relationship.

"To fulfil your goals, India stands with you for BBBrand Bhutan and Bhutan Believe," Prime Minister Modi said while addressing the gathering at Tendrelthang Festival Ground in Bhutan. Prime Minister Modi is on a two-day state visit to Bhutan.

"I assure you that the upcoming 5 years will give new energy to our relations. We will work to create avenues in the connectivity, infrastructure, trade, and energy sectors," PM Modi said.

Calling the "Bharat-Bhutan partnership" not limited to land and water, the Prime Minister said, "Bhutan is now a partner of Bharat in its space missions. Scientists of Bhutan have launched satellites in collaboration with ISRO," adding that we celebrate each other's achievements."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, Today, India is the world's fifth-largest economy, growing at the fastest pace. To take today's achievements forward, we have resolved to have 25 years of Amritkaal."

"Soon we are going to become the world's third-largest economy. Bhutan will be a strong partner in this journey of ours," he further added.

Saying the aspirations and goals of the youth of India and Bhutan are the same, PM Modi said, "India has set a goal of becoming a developed country by 2047, while Bhutan has set a goal of becoming a high-income country by 2034.".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also conferred with Bhutan's highest civilian award, the 'Order of the Druk Gyalpo,' making him the first foreign Head of Government to receive this prestigious recognition.

The award was given in acknowledgement of "his outstanding contribution to the growth of India-Bhutan relations and for his distinguished service to the Bhutanese nation and people."

Expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister for the award, PM Modi said, "Today is a very big day in my life as an Indian. This honour is not my achievement; it is the honour of India and 140 crore Indians.".

UNI JA AKS
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The body of missing University of Missouri student Riley Strain has been located in West Nashville after he disappeared two weeks ago.

Authorities discovered Strains body approximately 8 miles from downtown Nashville in the Cumberland River, Nashville Police Chief John Drake said at a press conference. Workers were removing an object from the river when they stumbled upon Strains body.

Riley Strain's mother speaks out after his body is recovered

According to police, Strain was wearing his distinctive black and white shirt when he was found, contradicting earlier claims by that the shirt had been taken and worn by a man named Ross.

An initial autopsy revealed there were no signs of foul play-related trauma, local outlet WKRN reports.

Mr Drake made note of a grim detail during the presser that could shed some light on why it took so long to find Strain; a body matching Strains height and weight would typically take approximately 14 to 20 days to surface after being submerged in a body of water. He said the police were expecting to find him sometime this week as a result.

Strain, 22, was visiting Nashville with his fraternity brothers for an annual spring formal trip. On 8 March, he was kicked out of country star Luke Bryan's 32 Bridge Food + Drink, reportedly for being intoxicated.

After being kicked out, Strain spoke with his friends on the phone and told them he would return to their hotel. Rather than doing so, he began walking in the opposite direction, toward the Cumberland River.

Riley Strains body was recovered on 22 March (Chris Whiteid via AP/Metro Nashville PD)

The last signal sent from Strain's phone placed him in the proximity of a park located near the river's banks.

Strain's friends eventually realised that he had not returned to the hotel. They called 911 to report Strain missing at 1.46 am on Saturday, 9 March.

That kicked off a two week search in Nashville. Police, volunteers, and Strain's friends and family from Missouri wandered the streets and questioned locals in an attempt to find the missing student.

The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department used sonar-equipped boats to search the Cumberlands River's waters for any sign of Strain while a helicopter and drone inspected the nearby riverbanks.

Those searches turned up no evidence that Strain had fallen into the river.

Police continued to push for answers, and told the public relatively early that they believed there had been no foul play involved in the student's disappearance.

Two women assisting in the search for Strain eventually discovered his bank card discarded on the banks of the Cumberland River. Homeless residents told police they'd seen him wandering near the banks on the night of the disappearance, and eventually even a police officer revealed he'd had a chance, albeit brief, encounter with the student the night he disappeared.

A candlelight vigil for Riley Strain, held on the same street where footage last captured him alive (AP)

The night his body was found, Nashville residents held a candlelight vigil for Strain on Gay Street, where he was last seen by surveillance footage. Strains family also held a press conference thanking the Nashville community for their support during the two-week search for the student.

I want to reiterate how thankful we are for everyone and how much we appreciate everyones support, love and prayers, Riley Strains mother, Michelle Whiteid, said.

I just ask that you mamas out there hug your babies tight tonight, please, for me, she continued.
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Ivanka Trump has joined the White House in sending messages of support to the Princess of Wales and the Royal family, following the announcement that she has been diagnosed with cancer.

The news was shared by Kensington Palace on Friday, with a video message from the Princess in which she thanked her medical team and the public for their support during an incredibly tough couple of months.

Ms Trump  former White House adviser to her father, former president Donald Trump  responded to the princess Instagram post, writing sending love and prayers to you and your family.

In a lenghtier post on X, she wrote: I am deeply saddened to hear about Princess Kates diagnosis. Amidst the trials she faces, her strength and grace continue to shine brightly. Its disheartening to see the speculation that has surrounded her, particularly during a time when support and kindness are most needed.

During this challenging period, my thoughts and prayers are with Kate and her family. I hope for her swift and full recovery, and I look forward to seeing her continue to inspire and make a positive impact in the lives of others.

Let us all show our support by respecting her privacy and focusing on sending positive thoughts her way.

In Fridays White House press briefing, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also addressed the news, which broke moments before the conference began. Ms Jean-Pierre said the White House wished Kate a full recovery.

Our thoughts are with the Duchess of Cambridge and her family members and friends during this incredibly difficult time, and certainly we wish her a full recovery, she said. I think its important that we respect their privacy, especially at this time. so Im not going to go further than that.

She added: I know folks are going to ask whether the president has spoken to her or the family.

Ivanka Trump responded to the princess Instagram post in which she announced her cancer diagnosis (AP)

I can just say right now that we dont have anything to share at this time, but obviously we wish the Duchess of Cambridge a full recovery and we are incredibly sad to hear of the news.

We are taking this in, this terrible news, as all of you are, and so we dont just have anything to share we want to make sure that we certainly respect their privacy at this incredibly difficult time, not just for her but her family.

Obviously we we wish the Duchess of Cambridge, a full recovery, and we are incredibly sad to hear of the news.

President Joe Biden later addressed the news personally, writing from his own account on X: Jill and I join millions around the world in praying for your full recovery, Princess Kate.

First Lady Jill Biden later sent a short message, posted on X, adding You are brave, and we love you. ~Jill in response to Kates video.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who live in Montecito, California, also sent a message of support. We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace, it read.

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau also said his thoughts were with the Royal family following the news saying that it had been so courageously shared.

Mr Trudeau wrote on X: My thoughts are with the Princess of Wales, her children, and the entire Royal Family following the news of her cancer so courageously shared.

On behalf of Canadians, Im sending my support as she undergoes treatment. Were all wishing her a swift recovery.

In the deeply moving video message posted online on Friday, Kate disclosed that the cancer was discovered while she underwent major abdominal surgery at the London Clinic at the start of the year.

The 42-year-old princess said she needed to recover from surgery before she could start preventative chemotherapy, as advised by her medical team. This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family, she added.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also addressed the announcement on Friday (AFP via Getty Images)

The news comes as a huge shock to the royal family with King Charles and the future queen now both fighting cancer at the same time.

Global speculation has swirled for weeks about the Princess medical condition, with ceaseless rumours and wild conspiracy theories online.

Earlier this month Kate posted a Mothers Day photo online, aimed to to quell speculation about her health, which came under further scrutiny after it was revealed it had been doctored. The princess later apologised, saying that she had edited the image herself.

US celebrities including Kim Kardashian weighed in on the speculation, and a number of US talk shows also dedicated segments in their shows to discuss the royals.
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Advocacy groups in Oklahoma have criticised a statement from authorities over the death of non-binary teenager Nex Benedict, saying that the set of facts put out is violently in opposition to the experiences of members of the LGBTQ+ community.

On Thursday the Tulsa County district attorney announced that no charges would be brought against the other students involved in the altercation with Benedict, and that the incident was a case of mutual combat.

The teenager was beaten by other students inside a bathroom on 7 February, at the Owasso High School in Oklahoma. They died the following day, with the coroner later the death to be by suicide.

In his statement, Tulsa County DA Steve Kunzweiler said: When I review a report and make a decision to file a charge I must be convinced  as is every prosecutor  that a crime was committed and that I have reasonable belief that a judge or jury would be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime was committed.

From all the evidence gathered, this fight was an instance of mutual combat.

The DAs decision not to bring charges came despite the broader context of Benedicts suicide following the fight, which has sparked calls for reforms against bullying and hate in schools from Benedicts family and attention from LGBTQ+ rights groups, Oklahoma governor Kevin Stitt, and president Joe Biden.

A statement later released by LGBTQ+ advocacy group Freedom Oklahoma said the statement offered: No more evidence or insight, instead, it asks us to trust the status quo in believing a set of facts that are so violently in opposition to the lived experiences of [LGBTQ+] Oklahomans.

[LGBTQ+] people have always been, and will always be in Oklahoma. We deserve the safety to learn here, to thrive here. We deserve truth, transparency, and justice.

We stand in solidarity with those seeking honest answers to what happened to Nex. And we do so because we hear and believe the harm [LGBTQ+]+ Oklahomans tell us they experience every day as a result of targeted policies and hostile school environments.

The statement also criticised the DAs statement for deadnaming the teenager. Deadnaming is the act of referring to a transgender or non-binary person by a name they used prior to transitioning, such as their birth name.

A statement that deadnames a trans victim as its opening sentence is one that clearly indicates the brand of justice doled out by DA Kunzweilers officeone that does not include or respect Two Spirit, transgender, or gender nonconforming+ (2STGNC+) people, Freedom Oklahoma said.

The teenager was beaten by other students inside a bathroom on 7 February, at the Owasso High School in Oklahoma (THE OKLAHOMAN)

Its a shame to see DA Kunzweiler use the platform of his office in this way, but not unexpected given the culture of punishment, not justice, that is the Oklahoma standard when it comes to the criminal punishment system.

The group added that it would be awaiting the results of a separate investigation into Benedicts death by the US Department of Education.

In his statement on Thursday Mr Kunzweiler said that the contents of a note left by Benedict to their family were a personal matter that would be addressed privately.

On the decision not to bring charges he added that while securing a criminal conviction requires a standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, the burden of proof in a civil case is significantly less.

Whether or not individuals may choose to seek legal counsel for remedies in the civil realm of the court system is a decision best left to them, he said.

The scope of those inquiries are not as limited as the question of criminal/delinquent conduct which I was asked to address in this case.

Last week, President Joe Biden said that he and first lady Jill Biden were heartbroken by Nexs death.

In a statement released by the White House, Mr Biden said that all young people should have a fundamental right and freedom to be who they are and feel safe at school.

Nex Benedict had been bullied for at least a year at Owasso High School in Oklahoma, their mother says (Courtesy of Benedict family)

The presidents statement read: 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. Nex Benedict, a kid who just wanted to be accepted, should still be here with us today.

The statement continued: Nonbinary and transgender people are some of the bravest Americans I know. But nobody should have to be brave just to be themselves.

It continued: Bullying is hurtful and cruel, and no one should face the bullying that Nex did. Parents and schools must take reports of bullying seriously. My prayers are with Nexs family, friends, and all who loved them  and to all LGBTQI+ Americans for whom this tragedy feels so personal, know this: I will always have your back.

To LGBTQI+ young people across the country  you are loved exactly as you are.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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A Colorado boy who died while living off the grid in the Rocky Mountain wilderness nearly a year after he was whisked away by his mother and aunt over fears of pandemic conspiracy theories kept a journal that painted a chilling picture of his life in isolation.

The tattered notebook found next to the mummified remains of 13-year-old Talon Vance started in a cheerful tone, but soon took a dark turn as he chronicled his sadness of having to leave his friends and his mental breakdown at an Arbys fast food restaurant.

Talon weighed less than 40 pounds when he was found dead in July 2023 outside of a tent where the bodies of his mother Rebecca Becky Vance, 42, and 41-year-old aunt, Christine Vance, 41, were found.

The trio left their Colorado home in 2022 to permanently live off the grid in a tent near Gold Creek Campground, about an hours drive from Gunnison, Colorado, in an attempt to escape society.

In the days before they left, Talon told his online Roblox gaming friends goodbye, which he wrote about in 24 pages in his journal, according to Tom Conover with Outside Magazine.

NOOO COME BACK, a gamer with the username Fluffy wrote.

Please I will give anything for you to come back, another wrote.

At one point during their trip, they stopped at Arbys for food and Talon wrote about how he was having a mental breakdown because nothing feels the same.

I also had a mini breakdown at Arbys because nothing feels the same anymore [sad face], he wrote.

He also wrote about going to the grocery store with his aunt, who let him pick out a treat.

During my breakdown, she took us to Safeway and let me pick out candy of my choice! I was so sad, that nothing really sounded appealing to me anymore. So I picked out chocolate for mommy mostly, and then Aunty suggested fruit snacks for me, so I just said OK.

Family members still reeling from their tragic outcome said they didnt know their escape would be a permanent one.

Beckys stepsister, Trevela Jara, told The Independent she couldnt even bring herself to read the journal entries.

Talons half-sister, Emma, who provided copies of the journal entries for Conover, told him the pages smelled like smoke from a campfire, he said.

None of the three had outdoor survival experience, according to family members, but some of the entries revealed Talons mother had been trying to prepare him for the trip by encouraging him to learn survival skills, including how to tie knots.

Square knot! Right over left, Left over right, he wrote, ending the entry with a smiley face.

He also detailed how to tie a clove hitch, bowline, Japanese square lashing, and timber hitch, exclaiming: Side note: I did the truckers hitch first try!!

Just before the family left Colorado Springs, he wrote about having to leave his stinky cat Oreo behind.

Oreo always plopped on our laps when we were on the couch, he wrote. On the 29th of July, Oreo plopped between me and mommy as we were practicing ropes and knots. During online school, I would work on the couch a lot of the time. Because of that, Oreo would plop on me. On the 29th of July, Oreo plopped on me for the last time.

The cat was left behind with Trevela Jara before the trio left for their trip.

Ms Jara previously told The New York Times that her stepsister was so discouraged with the state of the world that she was set on living in a remote destination away from modern stressors.

She went for good intentions, she said. She thought she was protecting her son and our sister, Christine, because she didnt want them to get wrapped up in what the world was coming to in her eyes.

The Covid-19 pandemic only intensified her uneasiness with the state of the world, Ms Jara added.

Beckys sister Christine initially did not want to go, but ended up joining the mother-son duo because she thought that if she was with them, they had a better chance of surviving.

In July 2023, Gunnison County officials located three heavily decomposed bodies at the Rocky Mountain campsite after a hiker noticed one of the corpses, which turned out to be Talon. The sisters bodies were found inside the tent nearby.

Their shelter, later described by investigators as an eighty-dollar Walmart tent, was not warm enough for the harsh winter in the wilderness and they did not have the appropriate equipment to survive.

While no firearms or knives were found at the site, investigators did find a fishing rod, however, the lakes are frozen and inaccessible in winter. They also found a set of four fantasy-themed Choose Your Own Adventure books, a Bible, and a journal Becky kept that detailed plant identification and high-altitude foraging.

It is not known when exactly the trio died but an autopsy ruled that they died of malnutrition and hypothermia.
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In remarks on the floor of the House of Representatives on Friday, US Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez warned of imminent, weaponised famine in Gaza and the unfolding genocide against Palestinians by Israel, urging Congress to suspend the transfer of US weapons in an effort to prevent further atrocity.

The Democratic congresswoman from New York amplified warnings from humanitarian aid groups as more than one million people in Gaza are at famines door, a crisis that she said is being intentionally precipitated through the blocking of food and global humanitarian assistance by leaders in the Israeli government.

This is a mass starvation of people, engineered and orchestrated, following the killing of another 30,000, 70 per cent of whom were women and children, she said. There is hardly a single hospital left. And this was all accomplished, much of this accomplished, with US resources and weapons.

If you want to know what an unfolding genocide looks like, open your eyes, she added.

It looks like the forced famine of 1.1 million innocents. It looks like thousands of children eating grass as their bodies consume themselves while trucks of food are slowed and halted just miles away. It looks like good and decent people who do nothing or too little too late.

Earlier this week, progressive House members condemned a bipartisan spending bill that blocked US funding for the primary humanitarian agency operating in Gaza until 2025.

Ms Ocasio-Cortez told The Independent that cutting critical funds to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees would be unconscionable. Israel has accused the agency of having ties to Hamas, prompting a wave of cuts to the UN agency among Western countries, even as Israel and investigative bodies have yet to produce evidence.

UNRWA has provided a critical lifeline of food, water and shelter in Gaza since Israel launched its retaliatory campaign in the aftermath of October 7, when Hamas militants killed roughly 1,200 people and took another 250 people hostage.

In the months that followed, Israel Defense Forces have killed more than 30,000 Palestinians, including more than 13,000 children.

President Joe Biden also has validated that figure. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in meetings with members of Congress, estimated the death toll to be 28,000.

A boy stands next to canned food in Rafah in the south of Gaza on 22 March (REUTERS)

A recent report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification initiative confirmed that famine in Gaza will likely occur before May of this year unless a ceasefire is implemented.

UN secretary general Antonio Guterres called the IPC report an appalling indictment of conditions on the ground.

This is an entirely man-made disaster and the report makes clear that it can be halted, he said from UN headquarters in New York this week.

Gazas entire population of roughly 2.2 million people faces acute levels of food insecurity, and half of the strips population  more than one million people  will experience famine levels of hunger by July, according to the report.

Inside the Gaza hospital where mums are too weak to breastfeed

Israel is facing a complaint of genocide from South Africa at the UNs top court, and Israel also is the subject of a provisional emergency ruling to admit life-saving aid into Gaza.

On Friday, China and Russia vetoed a US resolution at the United Nations Security Council supporting an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the latest in a line of failed ceasefire resolutions, including three vetoes from the US.

The latest measure declared the imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire, but the resolution was not legally binding. It did, however, mark the first time the US had backed any UN resolution urging an immediate ceasefire.

Russias deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyansky said ahead of the vote that Moscow would not be satisfied with anything that doesnt call for an immediate ceasefire.

Humanitarian aid parcels attached to parachutes are airdropped from military aircraft over Gazaon 21 March (AFP via Getty Images)

The measure urged an immediate and sustained ceasefire in Gaza with an urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance to all civilians and lifting all barriers to delivering aid.

It is against United States law to provide weapons to forces who block United States humanitarian assistance. And that is exactly what is happening right now, Ms Ocasio-Cortez said in her remarks on Friday.

The proposed construction of a US military-supported port to allow for aid to flow into Gaza under Israels blockade will be too late, she said.

The time is now to force compliance with US law and the standards of humanity and fulfill our obligations to the American people to suspend the transfer of US weapons to the Israeli government in order to stop and prevent further atrocity, she added.
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A Maryland Democratic congressman has been forced to apologise after he used a racist slur during a speech he made on Capitol Hill.

Rep David Trone made the apology after he dropped a disparaging term for Black people while speaking during a House Budget Committee hearing about tax policy in which the director of the Office of Budget and Management, Shalanda Young, was testifying. Ms Young is Black.

So this Republican jigaboo that its the tax rate thats stopping business investment, its just completely faulty by people who have never run a business. Theyve never been there. They dont have a clue what theyre talking about, he said.

The slur is a derogatory and offensive term for a Black person. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, its origins can be traced back to a song from 1909, with the word being used throughout the early 20th century in association with the mockery of stereotypical African-American physical features.

Mr Trone apologised for his remarks in a statement to The Washington Post, claiming he misspoke and meant to use a different word.

While attempting to use the word bugaboo in a hearing, I misspoke and mistakenly used a phrase that is offensive, he said.

Merriam-Webster defines bugaboo as an imaginary object of fear.

Rep David Trone (Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Mr Trone added that the word he used has a long dark terrible history and that it should never be used any time, anywhere, in any conversation.

Upon learning the meaning of the word I was deeply disappointed to have accidentally used it, and I apologise, he said, adding: I recognize that as a White man, I have privilege. And as an elected official, I have a responsibility for the words I use  especially in the heat of the moment. Regardless of what I meant to say, I shouldnt have used that language.

Mr Trone was criticised on social media for his remarks, with one person writing: Rep. David Trone needs to explain why TF he used the word j*ggaboo in a budget hearing today.

I watched his comments in context, and using that word was totally bizarre. No, it wasnt racial, but because thats not the kind of word that should even be in your head to slip out, Im side eyeing him. Since his ads paint him as a racial justice warrior, he *should* know better!

Others called for Mr Strone to resign amid his remarks. He knew exactly what he was doing and should resign and drop out of the senate race, another X user wrote.

Mr Strone is currently competing against County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, who is Black, for the Democratic nomination to run for a seat in the Senate.

He is the frontrunner for the nomination and will likely face Marylands former Republican governor, Larry Hogan, in the general election if he wins.

Early polls suggested a tight race between the two. However, a Washington Post/University of Maryland poll released on Wednesday showed Mr Hogan with a double-digit lead.
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a law that bans people experiencing homelessness from sleeping in public spaces overnight, a measure that follows a wave of similar legislation across the US targeting unhoused people.

Floridas bill, which opponents have warned does nothing to address the root causes of homelessness or provide longer-term solutions, prohibits public camping or sleeping  including the presence of bedding or pillows  on any public property, such as public parks.

Instead, the law directs local governments to open temporary campsites if shelters have reached capacity. It goes into effect in October.

At a press conference announcing the law on Wednesday, Mr DeSantis underscored that the measure is about law and order and intended to improve the quality of life for other people.

You should not be accosted by a homeless like we see, he said. You should be able to walk down the street and live your life.

In a statement announcing the measure, he said the law would not allow homeless encampments to intrude on its citizens or undermine their quality of life.

The legislation also requires local designate specific sites for outdoor sleeping, while offering behavioral health services and bathrooms with running water. If they dont, the law allows businesses and residents to sue.

Martha Are, executive director of the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida, has argued that the law could unnecessarily expose local governments to costly lawsuits if they dont have enough funding to operate such shelters.

If a city or county cant afford to provide such a place  and the expense to do so statewide would add up more than the entire state budget for homelessness  the bills enable any person or business to sue the jurisdiction if there are still people living on the streets, she wrote in an op-ed for the Orlando Sentinel.

The cities and counties will need to arrest everyone on the street  thus leaving the cities and counties vulnerable to civil rights lawsuits, she wrote. Or the cities and counties will ignore the statute, and so theyll face lawsuits.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signs a measure into law on 20 March that bans people from sleeping in public spaces. (Getty Images)

Floridas bill, which passed through the Republican-led legislature earlier this month, was signed into law roughly one month before the US Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in a landmark case that could determine whether local governments have the constitutional right to criminalize living outside and unsheltered when no other option is available.

Johnson v Grants Pass  based on a lawsuit from a group of people experiencing homelessness challenging an Oregon citys ban on public campaign  will be the first major Supreme Court case addressing homelessness in roughly 40 years when it reaches the justices on 22 April.

A decision that reverses a lower-court ruling in favour of the city of Grants Pass could have profound, far-reaching impacts on unhoused people, and could fly in the face of previous court rulings that held that criminalising homelessness constitutes cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment.

Miami police speak with an unhoused person before a street is cleared in 2021. Under a new Florida law, effective this October, unhoused people cannot sleep in public spaces. (AP)

Since 2017, the number of people experiencing homelessness across the country has risen by more than 8 per cent to more than 653,000, according to the results of the US Department of Housing and Urban Developments latest point-in-time survey from January 2023.

More than 50,000 of those people are living in Deep South states, including Florida, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

At least 30,000 people in Florida are unhoused. The state has the third-highest rate of homelessness in the US, behind California and New York.

Last year, neighboring Georgia enacted a measure to enforce bans on public camping, without first studying the impacts of the legislation. More than 12,000 people in the state were unhoused that year.

While those rates are increasing, state and local lawmakers  relying on draft legislation from law enforcement think tank the Cicero Institute  have introduced roughly three dozen measures this year aimed at banning unhoused people from panhandling and sleeping in public places.

In recent years the number of people experiencing homelessness has risen and so too have the efforts to criminalize this. We see this across the country, according to Gina Azito Thompson, a policy analyst for the Southern Poverty Law Centers Eradicating Poverty initiative and the author of the report Sheltering Injustice: A Call for Georgia to Stop Criminalizing People Experiencing Homelessness.

Homelessness itself is a traumatic experience. Rather than further traumatize people by making the simple act of sitting and sleeping a crime, the simple and proven solution is just to give people resources and housing, Azito Thompson said.
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A US resolution on an immediate ceasefire in Gaza has been vetoed by both China and Russia at the UN Security Council as the death toll in the besieged territory reached 32,000 people.

It is the latest in a line of ceasefire resolutions to have been voted down in recent months, with the US having exercised its own veto three times. The US resolution, which had undergone several drafts before the vote, declared the imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire, but did not make it a legally binding demand as previous resolutions had.

It did, however, mark the first time the US had backed any UN resolution urging an immediate ceasefire.

Russias deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyansky said ahead of the vote that Moscow would not be satisfied with anything that doesnt call for an immediate ceasefire.

Americas UN ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield speaks on the resolution (AP)

Chinas ambassador to the UN, Zhang Jun, offered a similar explanation for his countrys veto, describing the final text as ambiguous.

The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 11 members in favour and three against, including Algeria, the Arab representative on the council. There was one abstention, from Guyana. As two of the five permanent security council members, the Russian and Chinese votes counted as vetoes.

Mr Jun said the draft did not call for an immediate ceasefire nor does it even provide an answer to the question of realising a ceasefire in the short term. This is a clear deviation from the consensus of the council members and fell far short of the expectations of the international community.

The US has blocked three previous UN Security Council resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire, including one last month backed by Arab states for which it was the only country on the 15-member council to issue its veto.

The UN vote came amid a flurry of diplomacy by US secretary of state Antony Blinken, who met with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday to urge Israel not to launch a ground attack on the city of Rafah and to do more to allow humanitarian aid to enter the territory.

Mr Blinken spent the days before his arrival in Israel travelling the region in an attempt to broker a new ceasefire in Gaza, meeting with Arab foreign ministers and leaders, including Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman.

A US State Department spokesperson told The Independent that the UN resolution supports the diplomatic effort to secure a ceasefire in the context of a hostage release and so would put pressure on Hamas to accept the proposal on the table.

The draft also condemned Hamas for the 7 October attacks and reiterated the need to do more to surge humanitarian aid into Gaza, the spokesperson said.

French president Emmanuel Macron said following the vote that he would work on a new ceasefire resolution that would be agreeable to all permanent members.

Following Russias and Chinas veto a few minutes ago, we are going to resume work on the basis of the French draft resolution in the Security Council and work with our American, European and Arab partners to reach an agreement, he said at the end of a European Union leaders summit in Brussels.

He noted that the US now seemed open to backing an immediate ceasefire.

What is important to note is that the US has changed its position and has indicated its desire to now very clearly defend a ceasefire, which is a good thing for us and for the progress of our draft, Mr Macron said.

US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said following the vote: Russia and China simply did not want to vote for a resolution that was penned by the United States because they would rather see us fail than to see this council succeed.

At the White House, National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby called the resolution a balanced, timely text that was in line with our long standing calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza over a period of at least six weeks as part of a hostage deal.

Echoing Ms Thomas-Greenfields comments about why Russia and China opposed the measure, he told reporters: Theyd rather shoot down something that we authored simply because we authored it rather than consider the strength of what it called for with overwhelming Council support.

Its difficult to look at that text and find whats objectionable about it except the fact that the United States is the one that authored it and put it forward, he said.

Mr Kirby also sought to differentiate between China and Russias veto of the US-authored resolution today and the US use of its veto of another ceasefire resolution put forth last month, calling the US veto one that had been based on substance.

Ours was based on the actual content in the resolution, which just called for immediate ceasefire, no condemnation of Hamas, no connection to getting the hostages out, nothing in there about humanitarian assistance. We support an immediate ceasefire, but as our resolution said, in connection with a hostile deal that gets those people home, gets more aid in, ... condemns Hamas for what they did on the seventh of October, he said.

Our objections and our vetoes were based on substance and content. The objections in the vetoes today, by Russia and China, were ... on politics  because we authored it, it had to be bad.

The UKs representative to the Security Council says she is deeply disappointed that Russia and China did not back the US draft resolution.

Dame Barbara Woodward says the UK had voted for an an immediate and sustained ceasefire, to free Israeli hostages, and to urge against a ground offensive into Rafah.

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, called the US resolution one-sided.

We reject framing what is happening as a terrorism issue. It is a genocide against the entire population of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, he told reporters.

While the US-backed resolution was being vetoed at the UN, Mr Blinken sat down with Mr Netanyahu to discuss the delivery of aid into Gaza and Israels planned offensive in Rafah.

The visit comes at a particularly tense period for US-Israel relations, as gaps between the two historic allies have emerged over Israels devastating war against Hamas.

In recent weeks, the Biden administration has publicly called for Israel to rethink its plan to invade the city of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians are sheltering after being displaced from across the territory.

Speaking as he departed Israel, Mr Blinken told reporters he had candid conversations with the Israeli prime minister.

He added that such an offensive in Rafah risks killing more civilians. It risks wreaking greater havoc with the humanitarian assistance. It risks further isolating Israel around the world and jeopardising its long-term security and standing.

Mr Netanyahu has baulked at the suggestions, however, and said following his meeting with Mr Blinken he remained committed to launching an operation in the city.

I also said that we have no way to defeat Hamas without going into Rafah and eliminating the rest of the battalions there. And I told him that I hope we will do it with the support of the US, but if we have to, we will do it alone, he said in a video statement to reporters.

Ahead of the meeting, Mr Blinken said he would urge Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into the territory after a United Nations report warned that widespread famine was imminent in northern Gaza, and a major acceleration of death would follow if an immediate ceasefire is not reached .

The visit marks the secretary of states sixth trip to the Middle East since Hamas killed some 1,200 people and took more than 200 hostage in a surprise attack on 7 October in southern Israel. Israels offensive in response has killed more than 32,000 people in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials, who told The Independent there have been at least 27 reported deaths due to starvation and dehydration, including 23 children.

While the failed resolution did not come with any enforcement mechanism, it is perhaps the strongest resolution regarding Israels war in Gaza that the US has agreed to back.

Mr Biden last month described Israels conduct in the war as over the top, but he has not shown any willingness to leverage massive US aid to Israel to pressure its ally.

His administration has quietly approved and delivered more than 100 weapons deliveries to Israel since 7 October, the Washington Post reported , sales that were not announced publicly. The White House has also bypassed Congress twice to send hundreds of millions of dollars worth of tank shells and ammunition.

Six months of war has caused an acute humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, which is home to more than two million people. The US has been unable to persuade Israel to allow sufficient aid deliveries into Gaza to prevent hunger from taking hold. Those disruptions led to the US launching air drops of aid into the strip, and a plan to build a temporary port on Gazas coast to facilitate further aid deliveries, but aid experts said those measures would be insufficient to prevent a famine.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), whose assessments are relied on by UN agencies, said this week that nearly three-quarters of people in parts of northern Gaza were now afflicted by the most severe level of food shortage, far exceeding the 20 per cent famine threshold.

Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary general, called the IPC report an appalling indictment of conditions on the ground.

This is an entirely man-made disaster and the report makes clear that it can be halted, he told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York, calling on Israel to ensure access to humanitarian goods throughout Gaza.

Mr Blinken arrived in Israel after meeting with foreign ministers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan on Thursday as part of his push for a new ceasefire agreement.

He said in the same interview with Saudi media outlet Al-Hadath that the gaps are narrowing between Israel and Hamas in their negotiations for a ceasefire, and that an agreement is very much possible.
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Democratic lawmaker Jared Moskowitz is increasingly working to turn the GOPs impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden into a spectacle as the evidence gathered by his committee appears to still lack the votes to pass even the hardline Republican-held House of Representatives.

Mr Moskowitz was spotted on Capitol Hill on Wednesday wearing a mask bearing the likeness of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, an apparent reference to the testimony of Rudy Giuliani associate Lev Parnas wherein Mr Parnas claimed that the allegations against the Biden family were a Russian propaganda op.

It was the second headline-catching move of the day by the Democrat from Florida, who has emerged as a persistent thorn in the side of Republicans on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on which he serves. Mr Moskowitz has repeatedly gotten in angry back-and-forth arguments with Oversight Committee chairman James Comer, who has resorted to childishly insulting his colleagues appearance as Mr Moskowitz has berated Republicans for pursuing what he has derided as a sham inquiry.

This week, another one of those public displays of tensions on the panel took place at Wednesdays hearing when Mr Moskowitz dared Republicans to pass a motion to advance the impeachment inquiry to the full House of Representatives, and called the motion himself. Republicans on the panel refrained from supporting it, leading Mr Moskowitz to accuse them of pursuing the probe with no end in sight or target in mind.

Lets just do the impeachment, he said during the committees hearing on Wednesday. Why continue to waste millions of dollars of the taxpayers money if were going to impeach because you believe youve shown hes committed a high crime or misdemeanour? What are you waiting on?

Jim Jordan, a member of the committees Republican side, responded: "We don't do snap impeachments like you guys. We actually do the facts.

A spokesperson for the GOP majority on the panel, meanwhile, claimed that Mr Moskowitz was not a serious member of Congress in a statement to Newsweek.

The hearing of the Oversight Committee on Wednesday came as the White House issued a letter to Mr Comer earlier this month calling on him to end the investigation of the president if no impeachment vote is to take place. A spokesperson for the president reiterated that call after this weeks hearing.

"That hearing was embarrassing for House Republicans. A total waste of time. Its time to move on from this sad charade. There are real issues the American people want us to address," Ian Sams told Fox News. The conservative network was among the critics of the GOPs investigation on Wednesday, and reported that the probe had fizzled with no clear path forward for the investigation.

Republicans have made no indication that they will end the probe or take any meaningful steps forward to move the investigation towards a potential Senate trial, even as the probe has now dragged on for months and as a second GOP-led investigation into Mr Bidens DHS chief Alejandro Mayorkas travelled through the House, failed to pass the chamber, later successfully passed the chamber, and then appeared to die on arrival in the Senate.

Any attempt by the GOP to end the impeachment inquiry would likely result in a backlash on the far right, with Donald Trump and his allies in the House likely to turn their fire on more moderate members of the caucus if the probe fully implodes.
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Lev Parnas has offered a scathing prediction for whats looming in the near future for former president Donald Trump and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Prison and jumpsuits, he said. They will be cellmates for the rest of their lives.

The Ukrainian-American businessman and former close associate of Mr Giuliani spoke to The Independent after giving fiery testimony this week at a House Republican impeachment hearing into President Joe Biden.

During the House Oversight Committees 20 March hearing, Mr Parnas did not mince his words.

He testified that he had found precisely zero proof of the Bidens criminality.

But, instead he claimed that Mr Trump, Mr Giuliani and their associates lied to the American people when they pushed falsehoods knowing it would undermine the strength of our nation.

He said that Mr Giuliani, then Mr Trumps personal lawyer, was tasked with finding dirt on the Bidens ahead of the 2020 presidential election.

Mr Trump and his allies then planned to use this information to damage the Bidens reputations and secure the 2020 election for Trump, Mr Parnas told the committee.

Speaking to The Independent on Friday, Mr Parnas said that it was poignant that Mr Trump, who has a penchant for posting on his Truth Social platform, has not tweeted, not made one comment about me after the testimony.

He said he believes that the former president hasnt publicly remarked on his testimony for one of two reasons.

Either hes a cowardbecause hes scared for the truth to come out, he said. Or maybe dementia has set in, and he just doesnt remember who I am.

His comments about Mr Trump and Mr Giuliani come as the pair face a mountain of legal battles.

In Georgia, where they are codefendants in a sprawling RICO case, they are each facing decades in prison. They have both pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Independent has reached out to representatives for Mr Trump and Mr Giuliani for comment.

Aside from the 2024 Republican frontrunner and his former associate, Mr Parnas also slammed members of Congress in his testimony, accusing Rep Pete Sessions, former Rep Devin Nunes and Senator Ron Johnson of having understood they were pushing a false narrative in the runup to the 2020 election.

Asked how these elected officials should be held to account, Mr Parnas told The Independent: We should have a congressional hearing on how Russian disinformation could get into the halls of Congress, the DOJ and the FBI and be used to impeach a sitting US president.

He questioned whether or not individuals did this knowingly or willingly.

Lev Parnas testifies before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Wednesday March 20 2024 (REUTERS)

Or was it just because theyre blatantly incompetent, stupid? Mr Parnas asked.

The only information ever pushed about the Bidens and Ukraine has come from Russia and Russian agents, which everyone sitting here today knows, Mr Parnas testified on Wednesday, pointing to the recent indictment of former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov.

Earlier this year, Mr Smirnov was charged with providing false derogatory information about the Bidens business dealings. His arrest dealt a huge setback to the Republican-led probe, which so far has seen unsuccessful efforts to support allegations of the Biden family members corruption.

Mr Parnas reflected that, after sitting through the eight-hour long hearing: I was truly disappointed. Im embarrassed for our country.

The world saw a kangaroo court, he said, adding that he believes Republicans are using the inquiry as a political sham rather than to seek the truth.

They have no evidence, they dont have the votes and it needs to stop, he said.

At the chaotic hearing, Democratic Rep Stephen Lynch went so far as to say that the impeachment effort has actually provided more evidence to impeach Donald Trump for a third time than you have in so much as laying a glove on Joe Biden.
New Delhi, Mar 22 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bhutan on Friday on a two-day state visit, where he will hold talks with the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay.

Prime Minister Modi was received by his Bhutani counterpart, Tshering Tobgay, at Paro airport and accorded a ceremonial welcome.

His visit was part of "Neighbourhood First Policy," with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan and the governments emphasis on its Neighbourhood First Policy, said the Ministry of External Affairs.

During the visit, the Prime Minister will receive an audience with Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan, and Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth King of Bhutan.

The MEA said PM Modi will inaugurate the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital in Thimphu, a state-of-the-art hospital built with the assistance of the Government of India in Thimphu.

Before leaving for Bhutan, PM Modi said, "I will be attending various programs aimed at further cementing the India-Bhutan partnership.".

"On the way to Bhutan, where I look forward to talks with Majesty the King of Bhutan, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, and Prime Minister @tsheringtobgay," he wrote on X.

PM Modi's visit to Bhutan was earlier postponed a day due to inclement weather conditions in the Himalayan nation.

The Prime Minister's visit to Bhutan comes days after his Bhutanese counterpart, Tshering Tobgay, visited India from March 1418.

UNI JA GNK
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Marco Rubio, the Florida senator who once suggested the size of Donald Trumps hands indicated smaller-than-average reproductive anatomy when he and the future president both ran for president eight years ago, has indicated a willingness to serve as Mr Trumps vice president should the 45th president succeed in becoming the 47th after the November presidential election.

The Sunshine States junior senator said on Thursday that it would be an honour for Mr Trump to choose him as his 2024 running-mate after NBC News reported that he is under consideration, citing sources close to the ex-president.

I think anybody who would be offered that should be honored, but Ive never spoken to anybody in the Trump world about it, he said.

Because the US Constitution doesnt allow the president and vice president to be residents of the same state, selecting Mr Rubio as his running mate would require the former president to change his primary residence from Mar-a-Lago, his Palm Beach, Florida social club and the site where he allegedly stored hundreds of classified documents after he left the White House following his 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden.

In such an instance, Mr Trump could re-establish residency in New York, where he lived from birth until he moved to Washington at the start of his term in 2017.

Selecting the Florida senator as his vice president would represent a significant rapprochement between the two men, who attacked each other in vulgar terms when they squared off for the GOP nomination during the 2016 election cycle.

During one March 2016 primary debate, Mr Rubio responded to Mr Trump calling him little Marco by suggesting that Mr Trumps genitals were undersized by remarking on the size of the New Yorkers hands.

And you know what they say about guys with small hands, said Mr Rubio, who was then a sitting senator while Mr Trump was merely a real estate developer turned reality television host.

The future president defended his manhood shortly thereafter, falsely claiming that no one had ever commented on his hand size before even though the now-defunct Spy magazine had routinely referred to him as a short-fingered vulgarian.

I have to say this, he hit my hands. Nobody has ever hit my hands. Ive never heard of this one. Look at those hands. Are they small hands? And he referred to my hands if theyre small, something else must be small, he said. I guarantee you theres no problem. I guarantee you.
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Marjorie Taylor Greene initiated the process to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson as the US House of Representatives narrowly passed a bill to avoid a government shutdown despite the objections of conservatives like the Georgia Republican who support former president Donald Trump.

Ms Greene filed a motion to vacate the speaker as the House was still voting on the spending agreement.

A two-thirds majority was reached to pass the spending package  286 voted in favour and 134 voted against.

This is a betrayal of Republican voters, Ms Greene told reporters on Friday. The bill ... forced Republicans to choose between funding to pay our soldiers and in doing so, funding late-term abortion  this bill was basically a dream and a wish list for Democrats and for the White House.

The Senate voted to 74-24 early Saturday morning, allowing the government to stay open and sending the bill to President Joe Biden, who said he would sign the legislation immediately once it reaches his desk. The bill will keep the government open until the end of Fiscal Year 2024 on 30 September.

Ms Greene said the process was completely led by [Democratic Senate Majority Leader] Chuck Schumer, not our Republican Speaker of the House, not our conference, and we weren't even allowed to put amendments to the floor to have a chance to make changes to the bill.

Unlike Representative Matt Gaetzs motion to vacate last year that ousted Kevin McCarthy as speaker, Ms Greenes will not trigger a vote within two legislative days. Rather, Ms Greene said she wanted to put Mr Johnson on notice rather than oust him.

I filed the motion to vacate today, but it's more of a warning than a pink slip, she added. Its time for us to go through the process, take our time and find a new speaker of the House that will stand with Republicans and our Republican majority instead of standing with the Democrats.

Republicans in the House told The Independent they had little appetite to join in a motion to vacate after last years ouster of Mr McCarthy left the House without a speaker for 22 days. Republican Arizona Representative Juan Ciscomani told The Independent that the filing of the motion to vacate was very unfortunate.

He added that he didnt support the motion to vacate former Mr McCarthy last autumn. This is a bad idea again.

Mr Johnson argued in a statement that House Republicans achieved conservative policy wins, rejected extreme Democrat proposals, and imposed substantial cuts while significantly strengthening national defense.

The process was also an important step in breaking the omnibus muscle memory and represents the best achievable outcome in a divided government, he added.

As the House voted on Friday, Texas Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett told The Independent that it was about damn time that the funding agreement was passed.

Asked about the months of struggles to fund the government, Republican Wisconsin Representative Mike Gallagher said, Divided government is hard, and we still got a lot of work left to do. So we'll see what happens.

He added that he wasnt concerned about the motion to vacate the speaker. Hours later, Mr Gallagher announced that he would resign from Congress, reducing the Republican majority down to one vote.

New York Republican Representative Mike Lawler told reporters that the American people agree with us on the issues. What they dont agree with is the idiocy and the chaos that is totally unnecessary and does nothing to actually solve the problem.

The people that are so upset about this bill today should have thought ... long and hard before they removed Kevin McCarthy as speaker, he added.

Ive won twice in two-to-one Democratic districts because Ive taken a common sense bipartisan approach, and thats what Ill continue to do. I call it as I see it ... and this stunt by Marjorie is idiotic, he told The Independent.

Michigan Republican Rep Lisa McClain said it was about time that the spending agreement was passed, adding that she was concerned about the motion to vacate the speaker.

To what end? Weve got to move forward ... I don't know what this accomplishes, she said.

Maryland Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin told the press that their party lives on insurrection and division and polarisation and so it doesn't surprise me that they're again cannibalizing themselves.

This is the Donald Trump playbook that has overtaken the Republican Party and for people interested in democracy, freedom and effective governance, the Democratic Party has a plan, he told The Independent.

The spending bill is part of an agreement by House and Senate leadership as well as the leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. Earlier this month, Congress passed six spending bills and a stopgap spending bill to allow for negotiations to continue for some of the more contentious pieces of legislation.

Conservatives objected to the fact that the legislation did not make steep enough spending cuts and the House Freedom Caucus had called for Mr Johnson to put in place more measures to restrict immigration at the US-Mexico border.

Conversely, progressives objected to cuts in funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York called unconscionable.

At the same time, the legislation also includes 12,000 special immigrant visas for Afghans who assisted US servicemembers during the war in Afghanistan.

The so-called minibus spending bill contains the remaining six spending bills to fund the State Department; the Pentagon; the Department of Homeland Security; Congress; the Department of Health and Human Services; the Department of Education; financial services and the general government.

Republicans pushed to include amendments on immigration. Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas accused Mr Schumer of trying to shield vulnerable Democrats from taking tough votes.

In response, when Senator Jon Tester, a Democrat from Montana up for re-election, saw Mr Cotton, he told reporters did Cotton say they're holding amendments because of John tester because if he did, he might be full of something that comes off the back of a cow.

It shows how this place is broken, Senator Jon Tester, a Democrat from Montana, told The Independent about how the process being dragged out.

The push for amendments also came as Senator Susan Collins, the top Republican on the Appropriations Committee, hoped to return to Maine on Saturday for her mothers funeral. An eventual agreement for amendment votes came in the early hours of Saturday as the White House Office of Management and Budget announced agencies would continue normal operations.

The passage of the spending bill allows for the House and Senate to begin a two-week vacation. But it does not mean the end of work on spending bills. Congress will either need to once again craft 12 spending bills by 30 September or pass another stopgap spending bill before they break again for an October recess.
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Progressives slammed the bipartisan spending bill that would keep the government open for the rest of the year for its proposal to halt direct US funding for the primary humanitarian agency operating in Gaza until 2025.

The leaders of the Appropriations Committees on the House and Senate released the text for six spending bills to keep the government open for the rest of the fiscal year which ends on 30 September. But progressives immediately criticised the bills for cutting off aid to Palestinians amid a humanitarian crisis.

Progressive Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told The Independent that further halting direct funding to the organization would be unconscionable.

Its also not sound, not grounded in sound facts, she said. We have intelligence assessments that speak to this.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has been the main provider of food, water and shelter in Gaza since the war began on 7 October, when Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking another 250 people hostage. Since then, attacks by the Israel Defense Forces on Gaza have killed more than 30,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

Now, a new spending bill that could pass Congress in the coming days would stop US funds from going towards a contribution, grant, or other payment to UNRWA until March 2025.

UNRWA fell under heavy scrutiny after Israeli officials alleged that some staffers in Gaza participated in the 7 October attack by Hamas militants. Earlier this month, Israel claimed some 450 UNRWA employees were members of Gaza militant groups but provided no evidence, the Associated Press reports.

Displaced Palestinians wait to receive UNRWA aid in Rafah (REUTERS)

Due to these reports, in January President Joe Biden put a temporary pause on US funding to UNRWA pending the outcome of a United Nations (UN) investigation. That pause is ongoing.

Several countries declared they would halt funding in response, but many have already reversed their decision, including Australia, Sweden and Canada. The European Union also pledged to pay $54m to UNRWA earlier this month after the agency agreed to allow EU-appointed experts to audit the way it screens staff to identify extremists.

Fellow progressive Ro Khanna echoed Ms Ocasio-Cortezs same concerns.

It restricts funding for kids who are dying in Gaza. Its unconscionable, the congressman told The Independent.

Representative Delia Ramirez of Illinois told The Independent she would be briefed on the legislation but she worried about the consequences of restricting aid to UNRWRA.

We should not be restricting, we should be restoring, I've been saying that on public record, she said. The idea that people are literally starving to death and we are contributing to that is a problem.

On top of supporting those in Gaza, UNRWA also supports millions of Palestinian refugees across the Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the West Bank.

An UNRWA worker prepares to distribute aid (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Democrats like Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia oppose the provision on the grounds that UNRWA provides essential support outside of Gaza.

Set aside Gaza for a second: UNRWA does really important work in Jordan and other countries where we dont necessarily have others, so that in my view is a real weakness of the bill, Mr Kaine told The Independent.

Others expressed concerns that no one could fill the gap that UNRWA would leave in Gaza.

I dont know that theres another organization that can step in and do the job, Democratic Senator Dick Durbin told The Independent.

Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, who supports a ceasefire, has in the past defended UNRWA and criticised the provision on Thursday.

I'm very disappointed in a time when UNRWA is the primary system for delivering aid to starving people that funding would be turned off, he told The Independent.

However, Republican leadership has hailed the provision as positive. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson praised the move, echoing Israels claims.

Importantly, it halts funding for the UN agency which employed terrorists who participated in the October 7 attacks against Israel, Mr Johnson said in a statement.

Mike Johnson and other members of the GOP have long supported halting funding to UNRWA (Getty Images)

But even pro-Israel Democrats worry about cutting off spending for UNRWA. Senator Ben Cardin--the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who is a major supporter of Israel--said it was a mistake type of prohibition.

So I think we obviously have suspension in regards to Gaza, Mr Cardin, who is Jewish, told The Independent. The UNRWA operates in other countries besides Gaza.

Halting UNRWA funding comes as part of a much larger $1.2 trillion spending bill just days ahead of the government shutdown deadline. The so-called minibus spending bill will fund the State Department; the Pentagon; the Department of Homeland Security; Congress; the Department of Health and Human Services; the Department of Education; financial services and the general government. If the bill passes, Congress will have finally completed the appropriations process for the current fiscal year following several failed spending bills and continuing resolutions.

Given Republican opposition to the spending bill and the razor-thin Republican majority, the legislation will likely be subjected to a suspension of the rules vote, which would require a two-thirds majority vote in the House. But if progressives oppose the spending bill, the legislation might not survive.

This bill would not be the first time the US has halted or cut funding to the UNRWA. In 2018, then-President Donald Trump cut all funding before President Joe Biden restored it in 2021.

Should the minibus pass, Mr Biden has already committed to signing it immediately.
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Donald Trump has sent out a panicked fundraising message to his supporters as he begs them to help foot his ballooning legal bills.

The desperate memo, titled Keep your filthy hands off Trump Tower!, comes as the Monday deadline to pay his $464m bond in his New York fraud trial judgement ticks ever closer.

KEEP YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF TRUMP TOWER! the text reads, linking to an accompanying memo that states: Insane radical Democrat AG Letitia James wants to SEIZE my properties in New York. THIS INCLUDES THE ICONIC TRUMP TOWER!

It continues: Democrats think this will intimidate me. They think that if they take my cash to stifle my campaign, that Ill give up! Heres one thing they dont know: WE WILL NEVER SURRENDER!

The frantic tone of the plea stands in stark contrast to the statement issued by Trump spokesman Steven Cheung to CNN on Wednesday in which he dismissed the networks reporting that the presumptive Republican presidential nominee was in panic mode over the matter as pure bulls*** and fake news.

As it stands, Mr Trump  who made his name in luxury property before turning to reality television and then politics  has until 25 March to stump up the money if he wishes to appeal Judge Arthur Engorons ruling last month.

The judge ordered Mr Trump to pay around $355m in fines and a further $100m plus in interest for misrepresenting the value of Trump Organization assets between 2011 and 2021, in order to obtain favourable loans from banks and insurers.

With interest ticking ever-upwards at 9 per cent or $120,000 per day, the exact total he owes at the time of writing (Thursday 21 March) stands at a staggering $467.6m, according to the helpful Trump Debt Counter website.

Mr Trumps lawyers notified an appeals court earlier this week that their client has failed to raise the capital to cover the bond, saying finding a surety company to help them was proving a practical impossibility.

The former president has approached about 30 surety companies through four separate brokers, his attorneys said, but had so far come back empty-handed in the face of insurmountable difficulties.

Critical among these challenges is not just the inability and reluctance of the vast majority of sureties to underwrite a bond for this unprecedented sum, but, even more significantly, the unwillingness of every surety bond provider approached by defendants to accept real estate as collateral, his attorneys wrote.

The companies approached will only accept cash or cash equivalents such as marketable securities, they said, and would typically require collateral of approximately 120 per cent of the amount of the judgement, which, in this case, comes to almost $560m.

Sureties would then in all probability charge bond premiums of approximately 2 per cent per year with two years in advance  an upfront cost over $18m, according to the attorneys.

That money would not be recoverable even if Mr Trump were to ultimately succeed in overturning the judgement against him.

Trump Tower in Manhattan, New York City (AP)

The former president has hotly objected to a fire sale of his property empire  selling off assets to generate cash to meet the bond.

But failing to do so risks allowing such prized properties as Trump Tower in Manhattan  a property so integral to his brand  to fall into the hands of New York Attorney General Letitia James, who has already said she is more than happy to repossess his holdings.

On Wednesday, The New York Post quoted Trump insiders as saying that the former president may be inclined to simply do nothing rather than continue to scramble to raise the money from companies, wealthy friends or donors or file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy  which would in any case not rid him of debts accrued through fraud and definitively undermine his claims of being a billionaire businessman and therefore, potentially, his electoral appeal.

Assuming his legal team cannot secure a pause in the enforcement of the financial portion of the judgement in the meantime, allowing Mondays deadline to pass would enable Ms James to begin taking charge of his assets and leave Mr Trump to gamble on him being able to recover them later via an appeal to the US Supreme Court.

Even if there is a taking, it doesnt mean he cant take it back later, the Trump source told the newspaper.

Former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham was also asked recently by CNN about which of Mr Trumps properties he would most hate to lose and answered: I think if it were to happen, 40 Wall Street is probably the one that he would, I mean, he would hate it.

But I think if she tried to seize Mar-a-Lago or Bedminster or Trump Tower even, I mean, those are his babies.

Asked in an interview with Fox News later on Wednesday whether Mr Trump could look to wealthy overseas donors in Russia or Saudi Arabia for help, Mr Trumps attorney Alina Habba did not rule it out, stating instead that she could not discuss strategy.
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With the Republican National Committee (RNC) nomination all but formally secured for Donald Trump, all eyes are on who the former president will choose as his running mate in pursuit of the White House.

Already, rumours are swirling about Mr Trumps short list of potential options  nearly all of which are people who have backed Mr Trump and denounced the 2020 election results, despite widespread evidence that it was not stolen.

It is unclear when Mr Trump will announce his decision, but he revealed Mike Pence as his running mate in July 2016, before the RNC held its annual convention.

Here are the potential options:

Kristi Noem

South Dakotas Governor Kristi Noem speaks during the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) meeting on 23 February 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland (AFP via Getty Images)

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has emerged as a close Trump ally and popular conservative having secured a second term in a landslide victory during the 2022 midterms.

The South Dakota governor is a strong advocate for gun rights, championing the National Rifle Association, and supports anti-abortion legislation. Her long hair and freshly whitened smile also reflect a similar look in other notable conservative women.

Mr Trump has brought Ms Noem on parts of his campaign trail in Iowa, Ohio and South Dakota and trumpeted her endorsement.

Elise Stefanik

Elise Stefanik leaves a meeting where she was elected House Republican conference chair in the US Capitol Visitors Center on 14 May 2021 (Getty Images)

New York Representative Elise Stefanik is a fiercely loyal Trump ally who is slowly becoming a notable ultra-conservative in Congress.

Ms Stefanik is one of the people who voted against certifying the 2020 election results, she spread false claims of election fraud, defended January 6 rioters and pushed for legislation that would expunge Mr Trump from the impeachments.

Most recently she found stardom in criticising the leadership of three universities for their handling of antisemitism on campuses.

Though she is the third-ranking House Republican, Mr Trump reportedly said behind closed doors that he doesnt trust her.

Tim Scott

Tim Scott cheers on Donald Trump as he speaks during an election night watch party at the State Fairgrounds on 24 February 2024 (Getty Images)

South Carolina Senator Tim Scott is a well-liked traditional conservative who has proven a knack for fundraising that could be helpful to Mr Trump.

Though Mr Scott launched his own campaign for president this year, as soon as he removed his name from the running, he quickly jumped on board Mr Trumps  handing him a key endorsement before the South Carolina primary.

On top of that, he is the only Black Republican in the Senate, appeals to the conservative evangelical vote and has pushed for a 15-week federal abortion ban.

However, Mr Scott is not the most loyal Trump ally on the list of potential picks and notably did not poll well nationally during his campaign.

Marco Rubio

Marco Rubio at a rally at the Cheyenne Saloon on 7 November 2022 in Orlando, Florida (Getty Images)

Florida Senator Marco Rubio is a recent addition to the former presidents shot-long list of potential running mates.

Mr Rubios name carries some weight within the Republican Party because he is an experienced politician. He was a member of the Florida State Legislature before becoming a senator in 2010 and had a failed presidential campaign in 2016.

He is Cuban-American, a gun rights advocate, supporter of stronger border policies and is pro-Israel  all of which are relevant issues.

JD Vance

JD Vance walks to a luncheon with Senate Republicans at the US Capitol Building on 27 February 2024 (Getty Images)

Ohio Senator JD Vance was an outspoken critic of Mr Trump but has become a staunch loyalist, making him a potential contender for the former president.

During the 2022 midterms, Mr Trump handed Mr Vance one of his coveted endorsements, which may have helped him secure his win.

Since then, he has repeated Mr Trumps false claims of election fraud and defended the former president against critics.

Notably, Mr Vance has used extremely anti-immigration rhetoric to speak about the crisis at the US-Mexico border  a hot topic that Mr Trump has capitalised on to appeal to conservative voters.

Ben Carson

Ben Carson addresses the virtual Republican National Convention at the Andrew W Mellon Auditorium on 27 August 2020 (Getty Images)

Ben Carson is a retired neurosurgeon and former cabinet member in the Trump administration who is also one of the most prominent Black conservatives.

Mr Carson worked with Mr Trump as secretary of housing and urban development where he was accused of overspending to redecorate his office and making transphobic remarks, which he denied.

He has endorsed Mr Trump for the 2024 presidency.

Kari Lake

Kari Lake listens as Donald Trump speaks at the Faith and Freedom Road to Majority conference (Getty Images)

Failed Arizona gubernatorial candidate and former TV news anchor Kari Lake is one of Mr Trumps most outspoken advocates and defenders.

She has spread false claims of election fraud in the 2020 presidential election and taken a page from Mr Trumps book in unfoundedly declaring election fraud contributed to her 2022 gubernatorial loss. She has lost multiple lawsuits in that pursuit and is now eyeing a spot as Arizonas senator.

Though she is loyal to Mr Trump, Ms Lake is divisive within the Republican Party.

Byron Donalds

Byron Donalds speaks at CPAC in National Harbor, Maryland, on 22 February 2024 (Reuters)

Florida Representative Byron Donalds could be a possible contender for Mr Trumps vice presidential pick as an up-and-coming star in the Republican Party.

He is a Trump ally, advocate for gun rights, anti-abortion and said he would not vote to certify election results if he thought state officials were violating the law.

Mr Donalds made headlines last year when he unsuccessfully threw his hat in the ring for speaker of the House.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Sarah Huckabee Sanders waits to deliver the Republican response to the State of the Union address by President Joe Biden on 7 February 2023 in Little Rock, Arkansas (Getty Images)

Political nepo baby Sarah Huckabee Sanders is a rising star in the Republican Party as the former White House press secretary and current governor of Arkansas.

As governor she has tackled woke issues through legislation like banning transgender students from using the bathroom of their choice, banning some gender-neutral terms and erecting a monument for aborted fetuses near the state Capitol.

Though she could be a potential pick, she recently found herself in the middle of a scandal involving a $19k lectern.
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The US Department of State is coming to the aid of about 1,600 Americans stuck in Haiti.

Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, Department Spokesperson Vedant Patel said that the US began evacuating citizens from Port-au-Prince this week. Government-chartered helicopter flights were scheduled to take citizens from Haiti to Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. The two countries share the island of Hispaniola.

There, government personnel are able to provide consular assistance. Citizens will have to find their own way home from the Dominican Republic, Mr Patel added. Several of the trips were expected to take place on Wednesday.

The US may facilitate more helicopter flights depending on the level of demand, the situation on the ground and availability of commercial transportation. The state department does not recommend that US citizens travel to Haiti under any circumstances.

The country has had that designation ever since 2020. The security in the country is high risk, especially in the capital.

Our hope is to keep these options available for American citizens who need it, and the feasibility and the assessment of that work is going to be ongoing, the spokesperson continued, adding that the state department would not facilitate the flights if they believed them to be unsafe.

In late February, gangs in Haiti launched attacks against the capitals international airport, a sea port and released thousands of prisoners from the countrys national penitentiary, in addition to burning numerous police stations.

Its thought that the gangs were partly frustrated with the lack of general elections in the country. Mr Henry was the longest-serving prime minister since Haitis constitution was founded in 1987. Hed been in his position since 2021.

The countrys prime minister at the time, Ariel Henry, was not in Haiti and has not been able to return to the country. He eventually landed in Puerto Rico and has since resigned from his port.

A group of global leaders met in Kingston, Jamaica earlier this month to determine the future of the Caribbean nation. Plans were set to appoint a transitional presidential council and a security support mission.

Mr Patel said that conversations about who would serve on the council were ongoing.

We think this needs to happen swiftly because it is clear to us that this Haitian-led process is key for paving the way for free and fair elections, he said.

Anyone wishing to secure a helicopter flight out of the country can do so using an intake form. Mr Patel said that not all of the 1,600 submissions the state department received so far were from individuals wanting to secure passage out of Haiti.

Some wanted to stay in touch with the US embassy in Port-au-Prince, were seeking advice on how to stay safe and wanted to discuss departure options down the line.
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Britain and Australia have warned that there would be devastating consequences of an Israeli ground invasion in the southern Gaza town of Rafah.

A joint statement by the two countries read: Given the large number of displaced persons taking refuge in the area and lack of safe spaces in Gaza, ministers shared deep concern at the potentially devastating consequences for the civilian population of an expanded Israeli military operation in Rafah.

The statement comes after Israels assertion that such an invasion is crucial to counter Hamas, despite international warnings about the severe implications for the over one million displaced Palestinians in Rafah, amid a five-month-old conflict in the Gaza Strip.

The statement was issued after the defence and foreign secretaries of Britain met with their Australian counterparts in Adelaide.

The defence and foreign secretaries expressed the urgency of an immediate cessation of fighting in Gaza to allow aid to flow and hostages to be released as a crucial step toward a permanent, sustainable ceasefire.

It continued: Ministers support ongoing diplomatic efforts to achieve this. Ministers confirmed their commitment to provide increased support for humanitarian relief in Gaza. Ministers reaffirmed both nations commitment to a two-state solution in which Israel and a future Palestinian state coexist, in peace and security, based on the 1967 lines, and discussed how recognition might assist in giving momentum toward that goal.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken also reiterated on Thursday that a major Israeli ground assault on the Rafah would be a mistake. He added that it would be unnecessary to defeat Hamas.

Mr Blinken is set to meet with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet on Friday.

The UN Security Council plans to vote on a resolution drafted by the US, which advocates for a ceasefire in Gaza on Friday. This action comes as the EU has urged a humanitarian pause, intensifying the call for Israel to halt its five-month bombardment of the Palestinian territory.
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Watch from outside a concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow, Russia, after reports of a shooting and explosion on Friday 22 March.

At least 40 deaths have been reported following the incident at Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk.

Footage from the scene showed plumes of smoke rising and flames raging from the building, before a fire was contained.

Gunmen opened fire at the hall during a concert of the band Picnic, Russian news agency TASS reported.

The Islamic State later claimed responsibility for the attack.

Vladimir Putin is receiving regular updates about the shooting, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.

A terrible tragedy occurred, Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin wrote, sharing a statement on Telegram.

I am sorry for the loved ones of the victims.
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Multiple people have reportedly been killed and many more wounded after several gunman opened fire at a concert hall near to Moscow.

The state Tassnews agency reported that the shooting occurred at the Crocus City Hall, a huge concert hall on the western edge of the Russian capital.

Graphic footage from inside the hall showed gunman moving steadily through the venue firing shots and leaving a trail of destruction. People were seen fleeing past dead bodies.

Other video showed a number of people lying motionless in pools of blood outside the hall, though the footage was not immediately verifiable, according to Reuters.

It was not immediately clear how many people had been injured and who the gunmen were, but Russian news agencies said 50 ambulance crews had been sent to the scene. Riot police units have also reportedly been sent to the area as people were evacuated.

A terrible tragedy occurred in the shopping center Crocus City today, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said. I am sorry for the loved ones of the victims. Mr Sobyanin said all necessary assistance would be provided to those injured during the incident.

(REUTERS)

Several other Russian media outlets reported the shooting and said that the mall was on fire. Video circulated on social media, showing huge plumes of black smoke rising over the building, appeared to confirm the reports.

Russian news reports also said that the assailants also used explosives to cause the massive blaze. RIA Novosti said the three men threw a grenade or an incendiary bomb, which started a fire in the concert hall, per one of its correspondents on the scene.

Shortly after news of the attack broke, White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby told reporters: There is no indication at this time that Ukraine, or Ukrainians were involved in the shooting, but again, this just broke.

The unfolding incident comes after UK and US residents were warned not to travel to Russia earlier this month amid a warning that a terror attack was planned for the countrys capital.

The US embassy in Russia warned that extremists had imminent plans for an attack in Moscow, hours after Russian security services said they had foiled a planned shooting at a synagogue by a cell from the Afghan arm of Islamic State.

The embassy, which has repeatedly urged all US citizens to leave Russia immediately, gave no further details about the nature of the threat, but said people should avoid concerts and crowds and be aware of their surroundings.
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 Close Zelensky rejects Putins claims that Ukraine involved in Moscow attack

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Russia is using barges in a bid to enhance the defences of one of its ports in the Black Sea, Britains Ministry of Defence has said.

It comes following a number of successful Ukrainian strikes on navy ships in the region. Recent imagery analysis has identified four barges positioned at the entrance to the Black Sea fleet facility of Novorossiysk Sea Port, the MoD said in its latest intelligence update.

This is an effort to enhance the defence of the port against attacks from Ukrainian Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs).

Elsewhere, A Russian cruise missile strike on infrastructure in Ukraines western Lviv region killed one man, while another died in an attack in the northeast, officials said Sunday.

The attack in Lviv destroyed a building and sparked a fire, governor Maksym Kozytskyi wrote on social media app Telegram. He said that rescue operations were being conducted.

In the Kharkiv region, governor Oleh Syniehubov said that an air attack killed an 19-year-old man after a missile hit a gas station.
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A Briton, tortured by Russia while a prisoner of war (POW), called for immediate help from the US to save Ukraine during the latest virtual event from The Independent.

Shaun Pinner, a veteran of numerous tours with the British army, pointed out the impossible situation facing Ukraines President Zelenskyy and the countrys military leadership. Theyre talking about calling up half a million more [conscripts]. But whats the point without any ammunition? They need help now.

Answering questions from viewers during our exclusive event on 21 March, hosted by Tim White, the soldier also recounted his time being held in occupied Donetsk after being forced to surrender in Mariupol in 2022.

Nothing can train you for the pain said Mr Pinner, who had undergone special training for such an eventuality during his time in the UK forces.

In the event, Mr Pinner recalled haunting memories of starvation, electrocution and the fact they stabbed me in the leg to stop me running anywhere.

He also lifted the lid on the tactics employed by Russian prisons.

In July 2022 around 50 Ukraine POWs were killed in an airstrike on the Olenivka prison in Donetsk region. No international organisations have been allowed to visit the site, with most Western nations believing Russia bombed the prison itself.

Speaking about the incident for the first time, Shaun told viewers that during captivity he met someone he knew, who had been transferred from Olenivka after that missile attack.

The fellow POW told him Russia didnt have enough guards to control all the prisoners and that they tried to create divisions among the Ukrainians between the haves and have-nots.

Watch the entire Q&A event for free below.

Shaun Pinner: Escaping Russian capture

To find out about our next virtual event and how to sign up click here.
Fugitive separatist Carles Puigdemont has vowed to return to Spain seven years after fleeing the country, seeking to once again become the president of the Catalan region.

Puigdemont faces possible charges related to a failed independence bid in 2017, which forced him into exile in Belgium. He also faces another probe by an investigative judge into allegations he was the head of an internet-based group called Democratic Tsunami that organised protests in Barcelona and other parts of Catalonia that turned violent in 2019.

The door to campaigning in the Catalan elections, scheduled for 12 May, has been opened by a controversial amnesty law. Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish prime minister, agreed to absolve him and hundreds of others facing possible charges  as part of a deal with two Catalan parties to enable him to form a new government following an inconclusive election last summer.
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Russia has launched its largest attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure since the war began, Kyiv has said  firing more than 150 missiles and drones, hitting a vast dam over the Dnipro River and killing at least five people.

Dozens of energy facilities across the country were hit in the attacks, plunging more than a million Ukrainian civilians across seven regions into blackouts, as Poland, Romania and Slovakia rushed to supply emergency power.

The world sees the targets of Russian terrorists as clearly as possible: power plants and energy supply lines, a hydroelectric dam, ordinary residential buildings, even a trolleybus, wrote Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on the Telegram messaging platform. Russia is at war against the ordinary life of people.

Ukraines largest dam, the DniproHES in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, which supplies electricity to the nearby nuclear plant, was also hit eight times, according to Yuriy Bielousov, head of the war department of the general prosecutors office.

The main external power line to the plant was cut off as a result, International Atomic Energy Agency head Rafael Grossi said, though Ukraines nuclear energy operator said it was restored several hours later.

Moscow called the strikes revenge for deadly cross-border raids earlier this month by pro-Ukrainian military groups and repeated attacks by Kyiv on Russian infrastructure. It is a claim rejected by Andriy Kramarov, a former officer of a Ukrainian anti-missile unit.

It is very bad that there are discussions suggesting todays Russian strikes on us are equal to our strikes on their [oil] refineries, he said. They dont even have any people that struggle from these attacks. We have a lot of civilians killed. They are not the same. The idea that the attacks cause casualties of war on both sides is wrong. Todays attack was another terrorist attack from Russia. We are just trying to strike their economy without any civilian casualties.

The attack came as the Kremlin described the invasion of Ukraine as a war for the first time. For more than two years, Russian officials and state-owned media have used the propagandistic phrase special military operation to describe the attack on Ukraine in order to downplay its impact on mainland Russia and its people.

It started as a special military operation, said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov in an interview with a Russian newspaper, But as soon as this gang developed and the collective West started participating in the conflict on the side of Ukraine, for us it became a war.

Mark Galeotti, an expert on Russian strategy, said the adoption of the word war signalled the Kremlins demand that every Russian get into a wartime mindset, and realise there is now no middle ground between being a patriot and a traitor.

Self-defence unit volunteers stand by burned-out cars in a residential area of the city of Belgorod following fresh aerial attacks on March 22 (AFP via Getty)

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, meanwhile, said the comments proved that the Kremlin betrayed the Russian population for the last two years by hiding the facts and denying that they are at war.

Russias Belgorod and Kursk regions bordering Ukraine have been attacked multiple times this month by pro-Kyiv Russian military groups. Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said one person had been killed by further Ukrainian strikes in the region on Friday morning. And at least nine oil refineries in western Russia have also been attacked by long-range drones this year.

The overnight long-range assault across Ukrainian territory  at least 12 regions across Ukraine were hit by the onslaught of missiles and drones, fired from land, sea and air. Some 1.2 million people in at least four regions have been left without power due to the attacks on Ukraine, according to figures posted by presidential aide Oleksiy Kuleba. Around 700,000 of those were in the eastern region of Kharkiv alone.

It was the most significant and well-planned attack on the energy sector since the onset of the war, targeting dozens of energy facilities, said Oleksandr Kharchenko, director of the Energy Industry Research Center in Kyiv, which advises the Ukrainian government on the energy sector.

A handout photo made available by the State Emergency Service shows rescuers at work at the scene of a missile strike in the city of Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine (EPA)

He said the scale of the attack indicated extensive preparation time, including the stockpiling of missiles and the gathering of information on the current state of the Ukrainian energy system. Similar attacks were carried out in the winter of 2022, which Mr Kharchenko suggested meant Russians had been studying in preparation for this attack.

Its a solid assumption that the planning of this operation involved not only military personnel but also intelligence services and Russian energy specialists, he said. Given the nature of the attack, they were well-informed about our defences and attempted to bypass them. Strategic planning was undoubtedly conducted by energy experts, considering the specific targets they aimed to hit.
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Israeli has declared 800 hectares in the occupied West Bank as state land, in a move that will facilitate the use of the ground for settlement building.

Fridays announcement, on the day US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Israel for talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, underlined the governments determination to press ahead with settlement building in the West Bank, despite growing international opposition.

Palestinian authorities condemned the move.

While there are those in Israel and in the world who seek to undermine our right to Judea and Samaria and the country in general, we promote settlement through hard work and in a strategic manner all over the country, Smotrich said, using Biblical names for the area of the West Bank that are commonly employed in Israel.

The denomination of the 1,976 acres of land in the Jordan Valley as state land follows a similar designation of 300 hectares (740 acres) in the Maale Adumim area of the West Bank, which the Palestinians want as the core of a future independent state.

The United States said last month Israels expansion of settlements in West Bank was inconsistent with international law, signalling a return to long-standing US policy that had been reversed by the previous administration of Donald Trump.

The change brought the United States back into line with most of the world, which considers the settlements built on territory Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war to be illegal. Israel itself disputes this view, citing the Jewish peoples historical and Biblical ties to the land.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, second on the left, with members of Israels war cabinet (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The Palestinians say the expansion of settlements across the West Bank is part of a deliberate Israeli policy to undermine its ambition of creating an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the latest move was a continuation of the extermination and displacement of our people from their homeland.

The international failure to protect our people is complicity and cover for Israels ongoing evasion of punishment, it added.

Smotrich, the influential leader of one of the hard-right pro-settler parties in Netanyahus coalition, himself lives in a settlement and has consistently backed settlement building.

International pressure for a resumption of efforts to reach a two state solution, with an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, has grown amid efforts to end the nearly six month war in Gaza.

Little progress has been made on achieving Palestinian statehood since the signing of the Oslo Accords in the early 1990s. Among the obstacles impeding it are expanding Israeli settlements.
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Alien life could be found in a tiny grain of ice, researchers have said.

The discovery suggests that upcoming telescopes might be able to spot extraterrestrial life relatively soon.

The oceans of some moons orbiting Saturn and Jupiter are key places for the search for alien life. Researchers believe that moons such as Enceladus and Europa  which have oceans underneath an icy crust  could serve as home for other living beings within our solar system.

To find them, however, researchers need to analyse that water for signs of life. Doing so has proven difficult given it is contained within that icy crust in distant planets.

One potential cause for hope, however, is the plumes that spew out of that icy crust. Scientists have already sent spacecraft to fly through those plumes and examine them  and will be sending yet more later this year.

Now scientists have shown that it would be possible to find signs of alien life in samples taken from those plumes, even if it only existed in tiny amounts.

For the first time we have shown that even a tiny fraction of cellular material could be identified by a mass spectrometer onboard a spacecraft, said lead author Fabian Klenner, from the University of Washington.

Our results give us more confidence that using upcoming instruments, we will be able to detect lifeforms similar to those on Earth, which we increasingly believe could be present on ocean-bearing moons.

The Cassini mission, run by Nasa and other space agencies, already found cracks on the south pole of Enceladus, a moon around Saturn. Plumes containing gas and ice grains spew out of those cracks, it found.

Another mission, known as Europa Clipper, will launch in October carrying more instruments than its predecessor. It will look at Europa, a moon around Jupiter.

In the new work, scientists examined what it might be able to find. While it is difficult to simulate the actual process of sampling those plumes  they fly through space at around 5 kilometres per second and then hit the instrument  researchers were able to model it on Earth.

They send the liquid water into a vacuum, where it disintegrated into droplets. They then used a laser to excite those droplets and used sensors that were able to mimic those on the spacecraft.

They found that instruments intended for future space missions can find cellular material from those plumes  even if it is in just one of a hundreds of thousands of ice grains.

With suitable instrumentation, such as the SUrface Dust Analyzer on NASAs Europa Clipper space probe, it might be easier than we thought to find life, or traces of it, on icy moons, said senior author Frank Postberg, a professor of planetary sciences at the Freie Universitat Berlin. If life is present there, of course, and cares to be enclosed in ice grains originating from an environment such as a subsurface water reservoir.

The work is described in a new paper, How to identify cell material in a single ice grain emitted from Enceladus or Europa, published in the journal Cells.
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A huge blaze inside a multi-storey car park at Luton Airport started from a moving diesel vehicle and was an accident, a new report has found.

The investigation by Bedfordshire Police and Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service into last Octobers fire discovered that all evidence pointed towards the cause most probably being an electrical fault or component failure in the engine bay while the vehicle was moving.

The fire and rescue service said in a statement that the cause was accidental.

According to the report, the owner tried to stop the fire but it spread to other components and then to other parked vehicles.

The report also concluded that the car had a diesel engine, and stated that it was not a mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle, quashing widespread internet claims that the blaze was started by a battery-powered model.

The massive fire destroyed more than 1,400 cars on October 10 and was declared a major incident, with over 100 firefighters tackling it at its height. The flames also spread across multiple floors of the car park, causing a partial collapse of the structure.

The scene after the blaze at Luton Airports Terminal Car Park 2 (PA Wire)

The incident saw aircraft grounded until the next day.

At the time, Luton Airport said it had provided the Motor Insurers Bureau with the registration details of 1,405 vehicles and, along with parking provider APCOA, had responded to almost 16,500 customer queries since the fire.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service says that a full incident report is expected to be published during the summer.

Between 40,000 and 50,000 passengers are thought to have been affected by 273 suspended, cancelled or diverted flights.

A Polish family on holiday in London told how they slept on the floor at Luton Airport as a result of the fire.

Gregorz Szmit, 46, said their flight to Gdansk should have departed at 9.50pm on the Tuesday but then left at 7.30pm on Wednesday.

Mr Szmit, speaking from the terminal building where he is waiting with his wife and their two sons, aged seven and 15, said: We were on holiday for five days to visit London  British Museum, Trafalgar Square. This is difficult, I must say.

This is our first journey to England, to London. Its been an adventure.
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One of the worlds most remote islands  famous for being where Napoleon was exiled  is about to open for tourists.

St Helena, a small, craggy island in the South Atlantic Ocean, hasn't seen many people in the past for good reason: It's one of the most remote inhabited places in the world. But you can still use British pounds.

Until 2017, it took five nights by boat to reach the British overseas territory, which is nearly halfway between southern Africa and Brazil. Today, with weekly commercial flights and the recent arrival of high-speed internet, the government is hoping to breathe new life into a fledgling tourism industry that welcomed about 2,100 leisure travelers in 2023.

The city of Jamestown (AP Photo/Nicole Evatt)

The island has just a little more than 4,000 residents, or Saints as they call themselves, and is likely to attract a certain kind of visitor.

Its people with a real desire to travel and learn rather than, lets go somewhere to have a bit of sunshine and some nice food, says Emma Phillips, whose husband, Nigel, is St Helena's governor.

After all, weather can be unpredictable and supplies occasionally run low when youre 1,200 miles from the nearest continent.

Youve got to be prepared to embrace all of that, Phillips says, while extolling the islands welcoming locals, rich history and natural wonders. Come with an open mind.

The site of Napoleon Bonaparte's tomb, known as the Valley of the Tomb

Perhaps best known as the site of Napoleon Bonapartes exile from 1815 until his death in 1821, St Helena features multiple heritage sites honoring the deposed French emperor. Visitors can tour his homes and his original burial grounds. His remains were returned to France in 1840.

The capital city, Jamestown, is an eclectic mix of new and old. British Georgian-era colonial buildings house small retail and grocery stores. There are a couple DVD rental shops  remnants of the islands pre-high-speed internet days.

For a workout with a view, climb the 699 steps of Jacobs Ladder on the edge of town. The 600-foot-high outdoor staircase was originally a donkey-powered cart track used to transport goods between the city and fortifications on the cliffs above.

Plantation House, two miles south of the capital, is a grand Georgian mansion built in 1792 by the British East India Company, which administered St Helena until 1834. Now the official governors residence, the house features a collection of royal portraits and original furnishings, including antique china and a chandelier from Bonapartes final home.

Jonathan holds the record for the oldest living land animal

Plantation Houses well-manicured yard is home to one of the islands most famous residents, a venerable tortoise named Jonathan. At the approximate age of 192, Jonathan holds the Guinness World Record for the oldest living land animal. He has met several royals, including Queen Elizabeth II, who visited St Helena in 1947, and Prince Edward, who made the trip in January.

Jonathan is an enigmatic tortoise, says Teeny Lucy, one of his caretakers for over a decade. If you come to St Helena, people usually know two things: Jonathan the tortoise and Napoleon Bonaparte. Shes not sure who is the bigger celebrity.

Jonathan has lost his sight and sense of smell, but remains a major draw for tourists like Gilly Hill, who traveled from the UK to snap selfies with him.

I just think hes the most amazing creature, she said.

Tourism What you need to know before visiting St Helena Money: St Helena has no ATMs, credit cards are not widely accepted, and the local bank has limited hours. Be sure to bring British pounds (GBP) to cover your stay and the 20 entry fee (about $25). Another option is St Helena Banks prepaid Tourist Card app, which can be loaded with debit cards online and is accepted throughout the island. Connectivity: Download essentials like the Tourist Card app and offline Google maps before you arrive, as Wi-Fi and mobile data is limited and expensive. Getting There: Airlink flies once weekly from Johannesburg. A mid-week flight is often added during the busier summer season, December to March. Youll need proof of medical insurance covering at least 175,000 (about $223,000) to board the plane. Where to Stay: Accommodations range from simple home stays to boutique hotels. The higher-end Mantis St Helena has 30 rooms and complimentary, reliable internet. Getting Around: St Helenas narrow roads and blind curves are not for the faint of heart. If youre comfortable driving stick shift on the left side of the road, rental cars are available. Otherwise, taxis are your best option for island adventuring.

Other bucket-list activities include swimming with Chilean devil rays or whale sharks, which are often spotted December through March. Theres also humpback whale watching from June to December. Come in January to catch peak nesting season for the wirebird, also known as the St Helena plover, which can only be found on St Helena.

A wooden bridge leading to the Heart Shaped Waterfall on the island of St Helena

Roughly one-third of all endemic biodiversity in UK territories can be found within the 47-square-mile island. More than 500 species are not seen anywhere else on earth, including 45 flowering plants and ferns.

Microclimates that range from cool tropical forests to sunny rolling grasslands and windswept volcanic cliffs can all be experienced within an hours drive.

With two dozen scenic trails, St Helena can satisfy even the most avid hikers wanderlust. Serious trekkers might opt for the highest point, Dianas Peak. The 2.3-mile hike takes you 2,690 feet above sea level and into Britains last remaining natural cloud forest

Casual hikers can stroll along Blue Point Trail for spectacular views of Sandy Bay, Sperry Island and Castle Rock. For a moderate challenge, try the shaded hike to St Helenas famed Heart Shaped Waterfall, which only flows in winter and early spring. Be sure to catch the best views of the falls from the main road out of Jamestown.

St Helenas famed coffee is pictured during a farm tour and tasting at Wranghams

Perched at 1,700 feet on one of the lushest and most remote parts of the island lies a historic estate with sweeping cloud-forest views and a really good cup of joe.

Wranghams is a small coffee farm with tours and home stays, run by Neil and Debbie Fantom.

Coffee connoisseurs seek out St Helenas beans, often touted as one of the rarest and most expensive varieties in the world due to their export costs and single-origin status. It sells online for $150 per half pound. Extreme isolation has ensured that the coffee plants, which were imported from Yemen in the 18th century, have never been cross-fertilized.

Is it the best in the world? I couldnt tell you. Is it coffee that we enjoy producing and drinking? One hundred percent, Neil says. Weve got the perfect climate for it, and we do it ourselves.

With love, adds Debbie.

Other local culinary delights include plo, a cross between curry and Spanish paella, fresh fishcakes, and sponge cakes with bright pink icing known as coconut fingers.
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Some UK airports are highly successful, with Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Stansted all bouncing back strongly after the Covid pandemic. The UKs busiest airport, Heathrow, handled a record number of passengers in February: an average of 200,000 per day.

Yet some smaller British airports do not even register 200,000 travellers in a year. Many rely on public subsidies to survive, for social and economic reasons. Highlands and Islands Airports, which looks after 11 airports in Scotland, received 56m in subsidy in the latest financial year  a whacking 40 for every passenger who used its facilities.

Other airports are not so lucky. This century, six English airports have closed  most recently Doncaster Sheffield. Sixteen months after the final passengers departed, the South Yorkshire airport is the subject of a rescue bid.

So which airports are toast  and which could be revived? These are the key questions and answers.

The six airports that have closed to commercial flights this century

Sheffield City

Flights at the first South Yorkshire airport began in 1998 with domestic links to London City, Belfast City and Jersey, and international connections with Amsterdam, Brussels and Dublin. These routes were progressively cancelled, with the final flights to and from Belfast City in August 2002.

Could it reopen? No. The site is now part of Sheffield Business Park.

Coventry

This is a weird one. Baginton aerodrome, southeast of Coventry, has been going since 1936. In 2004, the giant tour operator Tui decided to base a new budget airline, Thomsonfly, in Coventry  and bought the airport.

The thinking was that operating from its own airport would be cheaper and easier than using Birmingham (13 miles west) or East Midlands (33 miles north).

The facilities comprised a jumble of temporary buildings. Thomsonfly, a belated and botched response to the success of easyJet and Ryanair, duly took off, and over the next four years there was quite a Mediterranean-focused network from Coventry. Even Wizz Air came in with flights to Gdansk and Katowice. But in 2008, after the High Court turned down plans to build a permanent terminal, Thomsonfly went away. Permanently.

Tui now has a flourishing presence at Birmingham airport, though it now faces competition from easyJet as well as Ryanair and Jet2.

Could it reopen? Coventry airport continues to function as a general aviation aerodrome for small aircraft. There are no plans for a commercial revival.

Makeshift terminal: Day one for Thomsonfly at Coventry airport (Simon Calder)

Plymouth City

The airport north of the city centre opened in 1925. Like many smaller airports, it was dropped by British Airways during a cull on domestic routes. On the one occasion I used it, in 2004, the experience was calm  with only nine passengers on my Air Southwest flight to Gatwick (179 miles away) via Newquay (39 miles away). Other links served Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle, Jersey and Cardiff  just 75 miles away by air, but more than twice as far by road or rail. By 2011, the airport had closed.

Could it reopen? Certainly, according to Plymouth city council leader Tudor Evans. Last month he said: We are a major city, we have ambitions to grow and thrive and an airport must be part of that story.

Manston

What could possibly go wrong? The former RAF Manston is located in the far northeast of Kent, on the Isle of Thanet. That gives Manston airport a big advantage: Frankfurt, Luxembourg and Amsterdam are at least 20 minutes closer to Manston than to Heathrow. A lightly used airport at an extreme part of Kent, 66 miles from the centre of London, avoids congestion on the ground and in the skies over London  the busiest air-traffic control space in the world.

Access from the capital on the M2 and the A299 (the motorways continuation into Thanet) is easy. Thanks to the HS1 rail line, Ramsgate station is just 79 minutes from London St Pancras, with the airport about five minutes beyond.

Yet repeated attempts to run scheduled flights from Manston have failed. In September 2004, I was aboard the first EUjet flight, to Dublin; the following July, the airline went bust. Since then Flybe has collapsed not once but twice. But before it did so the regional carrier axed its routes from Manston to Edinburgh and Belfast.

KLMs Amsterdam service took off from Manston, but not financially. The final scheduled flight from Manston departed for the Dutch capital on 9 April 2014. Since then, the airport has had quite a lucrative sideline as a standby lorry park for Brexit-related traffic chaos in Kent.

Could it reopen? Yes, according to RiverOak Strategic Partners, whose aim is reviving Manston airport as a successful and profitable airfreight hub, of national significance, with complementary passenger and engineering services.

Poor Fokker: Manston airport on the launch day for EUjet, which lasted for less than a year with its fleet of Fokker 100 aircraft (Simon Calder )

Blackpool

The year 2014 wasnt great for small UK airports. As Manston shut down, Blackpool airport on the Lancashire coast was going through its death throes in terms of scheduled flying. Squires Gate airport had an interesting history. Over the years many routes had come and gone including a frequent Ryanair jet link with Stansted, a Tui charter programme to the Med, and a prop-jet connection to Biggin Hill airfield on the London-Kent border. The restoration of direct trains from Blackpool to London appears to have been the death knell. The last passenger flights departed in October 2015.

Could it reopen? Blackpool is open and thriving for general aviation and business flights. In 2022, it handled more flights than Teesside, Leeds Bradford, Bournemouth and Southampton. But the prospects for more passenger flights with Manchester airport just 85 minutes by direct train look bleak.

Doncaster Sheffield

RAF Finningley, six miles from Doncaster and 19 miles from Sheffield, closed in 1995. A decade later, it reopened as Robin Hood airport  with Tui once again a keen proponent of a new, low-cost departure point for UK holidaymakers. But Doncaster Sheffield has four competing airports within an hours drive. It is 28 miles from Humberside, 38 miles from Leeds Bradford, 46 miles from East Midlands and 53 miles from Manchester. DSA, as it had become, closed in 2022. The owner, Peel Group, said at the time: No tangible proposals have been received regarding the ownership of the airport or which address the fundamental lack of financial viability. Promises by the then-prime minister Liz Truss to protect this airport and this infrastructure had no effect. The last flights touched down in November 2022.

Could it reopen? Yes. The mayor of Doncaster, Labours Ros Jones, has signed a deal for the local council to take over the airport. But it is not clear which airport operator might be interested in running DSA, or which airlines might fly there.

On financial life support

Each of the nations of the UK has an airport that is kept afloat through heavy subsidies.

Prestwick, Scotland

This wonderful airport, southwest of Glasgow, is celebrated as the only British soil on which Elvis Presley set foot  during a refuelling stop for a US military flight from Germany to the US. For decades Prestwick was a prime transatlantic airport, with British Airways offering daily departures to New York. But its location on the lovely Ayrshire coast is tricky for many people in Scotland, and routes gradually eroded. In October 1995, Ryanair took the revolutionary step of opening a new domestic route in Britain, from Prestwick to London Stansted, for 19. Ryanair is still the only commercial operator at Prestwick, typically with two or three flights per day. The Scottish government owns Prestwick, and it remains ministers long-term intention to return Prestwick airport to the private sector at the appropriate opportunity.

Going places? Prestwick has a couple of flights a day on Ryanair (Simon Calder)

Teesside, England

The airport whose railway station had only two trains a week was a basket case when Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen brought it back into public ownership rather than allow Peel Holdings to flatten the site and build houses. Teesside was the first airport in the UK to scrap the 100ml limit on liquids in hand luggage. Apart from that, the main excitement is the twice-daily Amsterdam link and occasional Ryanair flights. Last year the airport lost 2.26m  representing exactly 10 per passenger.

Cardiff, Wales

Over the past two decades, passenger numbers at Cardiff have roughly halved, while Bristol airport now handles about twice as many in the same time frame. The capitals airport, southwest of the city, is struggling to attract passengers back to pre-pandemic levels. While almost every UK airport grew in 2023 compared with a year earlier, the latest figures from the Civil Aviation Authority show a slight drop at Cardiff  with only 837,000 passengers using the airport.

Losses totalled 4.5m in the year to March 2023, with the Welsh government making a grant of 5.3m.

City of Derry, Northern Ireland

CoDA is a superb gateway to the city of Derry/Londonderry, as well as County Donegal in the republic. But as the third Northern Ireland airport, after Belfast International and George Best Belfast City, it has always faced challenges. Keeping the airport going costs over 3m annually, and the local council is seeking further funding from Stormont.
Steve Martin was "hurt" when he was ambushed on the red carpet by British comedian Paul Kaye back in 1996.

The Hollywood comedian was blindsided by Kaye - who was in character as his obnoxious alter-ego Dennis Pennis - when he approached him at the premiere of his movie 'Sgt Bilko' and asked "How come youre not funny any more?" - and Steve admits the jibe stung because he was worried about his showbiz career at the time.

He told the Guardian newspaper: "It hurt because I was at a very vulnerable moment in my career."

It was later suggested that Steve cancelled the rest of his press interviews for the film following the incident, but he is adamant that's not true. He added: "Bad reviews hurt; they really hurt. But if Im at a screening and I see the critic, I just go: Hey! How you doing? Like you dont know anything."

Kaye in his guise as fictional interviewer Dennis Pennis became well-known for accosting celebrities and insulting them with his line of questioning and his victims included famous faces such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Demi Moore and Kevin Costner.

During his interview with the Guardian, Steve was told that Kaye has since been haunted by his encounter at the 'Sgt Bilko' screening because strangers now come up to him and ask: "How come youre not funny any more?"

Steve reacted by laughing and saying: "I hold no grudges. Things have gone well."

The 'Only Murders In The Building' star was also asked about his current career high and he insisted he takes nothing for granted these days. He explained: "If youre anointed tonight, you can be dumped on tomorrow ... " adding: "Idolatry is so fleeting".

The comedian will next be seen in an Apple TV Plus documentary about his life and career titled 'Steve! (Martin): A Documentary in 2 Pieces', but he recently confessed he plans to step away from the industry when 'Only Murders In The Building' ends.

He told The Hollywood Reporter: "When this television show is done, Im not going to seek others. Im not going to seek other movies. I dont want to do cameos. This is, weirdly, it."
Wetherspoons founder and chairman Sir Tim Martin has pledged to freeze the price of Wetherspoons English breakfast amid rising food costs.

According to the Wetherspoons website, the current cost of its traditional English breakfast is 5.75. For that, a customer gets a fried egg, bacon, sausage, baked beans, two hash browns and a slice of toast.

Sir Tim appeared on LBCs breakfast show on Friday (22 March) to discuss the rising price of food across the country.

Presenter Nick Ferrari asked: What is the impact on the cost of your English breakfast? Are you going to be able to freeze the price of that?

Sir Tim confirmed the price would not increase this year.
Supporters of an anti-corruption crusader and one of Indias most consequential politicians of the past decade held protests today (Friday 22 March) against his arrest.

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested yesterday by a federal agency that accused his party and ministers of accepting 1 billion rupees ($12 million) in bribes from liquor contractors nearly two years ago, a top leader of his party said.

Atishi Singh, a leader of Kejriwals Aam Admi Party denied the accusations and said they were fabricated by the federal agency, which is controlled by Prime Minister Narendra Modis government.

Singh said her party will ask India's Supreme Court to quash Kejriwal's arrest and that he should be questioned, not arrested, as the investigation is still in progress in the case.
Watch the Prince and Princess of Wales attend a church service on Christmas Day 2023, the last time they were seen in public with other members of the royal family.

Kate revealed on Friday 22 March that she is undergoing treatment for cancer in an emotional video message.

The princess was admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery on 16 January and at the time her condition was thought to be non-cancerous but tests after the successful operation found cancer.

She has been absent from royal engagements since, and revealed that her family have experienced an incredibly tough couple of months.
Warning: Contains firearms content

Five gunmen dressed in camouflage opened fire with automatic weapons at a concert in the Crocus City Hall near Moscow on Friday 22 March, according to Russian media outlets.

Dozens of people are reported to have been killed and injured in the incident.

Plumes of black smoke rose above the venue as flames raged after the attack in Krasnogorsk, pictures and video from the scene showed.

Russian media reported a second blast at the venue and there were reports that some of the gunmen had barricaded themselves in the building.

The shooting appeared to have begun at a concert of the band Picnic.

Russian prosecutors called the attack an act of terrorism .
Police have confirmed that Riley Strains body has been located after a two-week search for the missing student.

The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said on Friday morning (22 March) that the students body had been retrieved from a river in Nashville.

University of Missouri student Mr Strain, 22, was partying with his fraternity brothers in the city on the night of 8 March when he was kicked out of a bar.

He had not been seen or heard from since.

The body of Riley Strain was recovered from the Cumberland River in West Nashville this morning, approximately eight miles from downtown, a statement, shared by Metro Nashville PD on Friday, read.

No foul play-related trauma was observed. An autopsy is pending.
As Donald Trump looks increasingly unlikely to secure a bond to satisfy his $464m civil fraud judgment, New York Attorney General Letitia James has not been shy about the idea of seizing assets.

His New York City namesake, Trump Tower, is one piece of his property empire in the crosshairs.

The former president has made it clear that he does not want his building seized, and a fundraising message to his supporters read: KEEP YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF TRUMP TOWER!

But how do New Yorkers feel about the suggestion that the attorney general could seize his property?

The Independent finds out.
The Supreme Court has been urged to bring to an end now a 2012 civil claim against former Irish Nationwide Building Society (INBS) chief executive Michael Fingleton alleging he negligently mismanaged the failed lender.

The 86-year-old, acting through his wife and son, Michael Fingleton Jr, under their powers of attorney, claims he cannot receive a fair trial due to being incapacitated after suffering a stroke several years ago. He denied the claims against him.

The High Court and Court of Appeal refused to halt the case brought by the liquidators of the State-owned Irish Bank Resolution Corporation (IBRC), which took over INBS after it collapsed.

Mr Fingletons lawyers submitted to a five-judge Supreme Court on Thursday that there was a clear unfairness in the case proceeding this far removed from the alleged events against someone who has lost the ability to defend himself.

Padraic Lyons SC said the case is missing the key witness. It is not supported by vast amounts of documents and the evidence of expert witnesses will play a very limited role, he submitted.

Alleged negligence of a director of a bank is fact-specific and director-specific, he said, with the court required to ascertain what happened and why. The role of running a bank is not analogous to the duties of other professionals such as architects and doctors, who must follow clear, established principles, he said.

The case concerns the business judgment exercised by Mr Fingleton when decisions were made to give out five key loans under scrutiny in the case, he said.

The liquidators right to get the case on is not greater than Mr Fingletons right to a fair trial, he said.

In the unusual circumstances of the case, the court should bring the proceedings to an end now, he added.

The liquidators lawyers submitted that there is a high value in allowing plaintiffs to bring their cases to hearing.

John D Fitzgerald SC said preventing a case from getting to trial is a draconian step only to be exercised in exceptional cases and in clear cases.

In the absence of clarity about evidence, there is a clear preference for proceeding to trial where the judge hearing the case necessarily knows more about the issues, he said.

He said this case was instituted in 2012 and served on Mr Fingleton the following year, six years before he became incapacitated. Yet, his side is still dealing with bald assertions of unfairness.

The Supreme Court reserved its decision in the case.
Witness in 2.5bn Russian jet-leasing case in Dublin said they fear for their safety

High Court says expert witness testimony must be heard in private during the trial

Aeroflot is among the Russian airlines that leased hundreds of jets from western companies. Photo: Reuters

John Mulligan Fri 22 Mar 2024 at 03:30

An expert witness in a 2.5bn insurance case taken by aircraft lessors in Dublin following Russias invasion of Ukraine has said they fear for their personal safety if their identity is revealed.
A former RTE journalist has been hired by CBS News to lead a new verification unit that will identify deep fakes and disinformation created by artificial intelligence.

Rhona Tarrant, from Listowel, has been appointed executive editor of CBS News Confirmed, the fact-checking initiative launched by the US station last November.

The Irish journalist is joining from Storyful, the social media intelligence agency with its headquarters in Dublin, that was bought a decade ago by Rupert Murdochs News Corp.

Ms Tarrant was head of editorial for Storyful in the US, overseeing its editorial output as well as leading a team of journalists who verified footage emerging on social media relating to breaking news stories, working in conjunction with newsrooms in media outlets such as The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal.

Storyful also identifies disinformation, particularly around elections.

Based in New York, Ms Tarrant will now be reporting to Claudia Milne, senior vice-president for standards and practices at CBS News and Stations.

In a statement, she described Ms Tarrant as one of the leading journalists and editors in the world working in, and breaking new ground in, the area of verifying information.

She has developed new tools to uncover misinformation and disinformation and has worked across multiple platforms.

Ms Tarrant said the rise of generative AI and online misinformation has made the role of journalists more critical than ever.

She added: I am thrilled to join the exceptional team at CBS News to lead this new unit dedicated to visual verification and fact-checking. Together, well support CBS News unwavering commitment to journalistic excellence and empower our audience to sort fact from fiction.

CBS has said its new unit will bring together a team of journalists who use data and technology to verify and fact-check questionable videos and reports.

CBS News Confirmed represents an investment in several key areas: hiring forensic journalists, new training, state-of-the-art technology and other tools, all focused on ensuring that CBS News combats misinformation and ensures the accuracy of its reporting, it said.

Ms Tarrant also researched disinformation and AI during two fellowships at Harvard University in 2020-21. Before joining the Storyful office in Dublin in 2017, she worked as a reported and producer on RTE Radio 1 for six years and was an assistant producer at WYNC radio in New York. A native of Listowel, she is a graduate of Griffith College and the University of Limerick.
High electricity costs for consumers have been a feature of the market for two years now. Stock image

Energy suppliers have been accused of short-changing consumers after it emerged that wholesale costs have collapsed but they have only passed on a fraction of these cost reductions.

Calculations based on figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that wholesale electricity costs are down by 78pc since their peak in August 2022.

But prices for households have only come down by between 20pc and 25pc.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 22nd March 2024

Most energy companies have announced two or more price cuts for consumers, with the larger players resisting calls for larger price reductions.

The CSO figures show that in February, wholesale electricity prices fell by 15.3pc when compared with the previous month.

In the last year, wholesale prices were down 46.8pc.

Calculations by this publication show that wholesale prices are now down 78pc since they peaked in August 2022.

Chairman of the Consumers Association of Ireland Michael Kilcoyne accused electricity suppliers and the Government of fleecing households.

We are being short-changed. The industry and the Government, with its Vat and other levies on electricity, are taking us for fools. Consumers are being fleeced, Mr Kilcoyne said.

Daragh Cassidy of Bonkers.ie confirmed the Irish Independent calculations that wholesale electricity prices are down 78pc since August 2022.

At the same time, consumer prices have only fallen by between 20pc and 25pc.

However, he pointed out that not all of the rise in wholesale costs was passed on to consumers.

He said: Wholesale electricity prices continue to ease largely on the back of falling wholesale gas prices as well as strong wind output.

However, they still remain high by historical standards.

Mr Cassidy said wholesale prices are now at their lowest level since the start of 2021 before a host of events caused prices to skyrocket.

This included a wind drought during the summer of 2021, prolonged outages at two of the countrys biggest power stations for much of that same year, lingering Covid-related supply chain issues, and then the outbreak of war in Ukraine at the start of 2022.

Mr Cassidy said that due to hedging, it takes time for price decreases on wholesale markets to feed through into lower bills for consumers.

He said wholesale prices only make up around half of the final cost of electricity for consumers. Government tax and levies, costs for the distribution of electricity into peoples homes, and supplier operating costs and profit margin also need to be factored in.

However, if wholesale prices remain close to where they are, its highly likely well see another round of price cuts in the second half of the year of between 10pc to 20pc, Mr Cassidy said.

Mr Cassidy said this comes on the back of two rounds of price cuts over the past six months that have seen electricity bills fall by around 20pc to 25pc.
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Want to switch your brain off with Celebrity Big Brother, sit on the edge of your seat with Manhunt, or launch yourself into dystopian German drama?

Louis Walsh has made it to the final of Celebrity Big Brother (Photo: ITV)

Whether you want a trashy murder mystery or thrilling documentary, theres something for everyone on television and streaming services this weekend.

Friday

BEYOND PARADISE

BBC1, 8pm

Criticism of this cosy crime drama or its parent show, Death in Paradise, is invariably met with the response: But it gets eight million viewers

Indeed it does  but so what? Midsomer Murders used to get even more than that but it doesnt mean its not a load of old cobblers. In this second season opener, Humphrey (Kris Marshall) investigates murder among an am-dram group on a train journey. Two cliches for the price of one.

Tobias Menzies in the Lincoln assassination miniseries Manhunt. Photo: Apple TV+

MANHUNT

Apple TV+

Episode three of this excellent miniseries finds Edwin Stanton (the excellent Tobias Menzies) having to juggle his hunt for Abraham Lincolns assassin with leading his inadequate successor, Andrew Johnson, through the process of Reconstruction.

PHOTOGRAPHER

National Geographic, 5pm

New six-part series in which top documentary filmmakers tell the stories of noted photographers. Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin  directors of the Oscar-nominated movie Nyad  direct the first film, about Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier, who document damage to the environment.

Joe Lycett and Alan Davies in Travel Man. Photo: Channel 4

TRAVEL MAN: 48 HOURS IN TRIESTE

Channel 4, 8.30pm

Joe Lycetts companion for a trip to the Italian port city is Alan Davies. They check out a wind museum (cue some fart jokes), guzzle some Prosecco in the village of Prosecco, and visit the cafe where James Joyce liked to hang out.

CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER: THE FINAL

Virgin Media 2/ITV1, 9pm

Whoever is left standing, the real winner is Louis Walsh, who succeeded in making it all about him. You have to hand it to the man: he could get milk from a plastic cow.

German dystopian drama 'Helgoland 513'. Photo: Sky

HELGOLAND 513

Sky Atlantic, 10pm & 11pm

German dystopian drama, set in 2035 on a North Sea island thats become a safe haven in the midst of a deadly pandemic. Theres a hitch: it can sustain just 513 people, who are ranked in order of their usefulness.

Saturday

CASUALTY

BBC1, 8.25pm & 9.15pm

Possibly to compensate for the absence of Charlie Fairhead (Derek Thompson), whose farewell episode last Saturday seemed to go down extremely well with critics and viewers alike, there are two helpings of the medical drama tonight, as well as two new additions to the cast.

A REVOLUTION ON CANVAS

Documentaries, 9pm

Iranian painter Nicky Nodjoumi was forced to flee to the United States in 1980 after an exhibition in a Tehran art museum offended the new religious regime. The paintings were left behind.

In this feature-length documentary, Nodjoumi, who lives in New York, and his daughter Sara, who directed the film, set out to reclaim them.

FRANKIE HOWERD NIGHT

BBC4, from 10.45pm

There are few performers from the golden age of British TV comedy more fascinating than Frankie Howerd (he changed the a in his surname to an e at the start of his career to make him stand out).

He was tortured by his homosexuality, which he kept secret from the public and even his own mother, yet notoriously promiscuous. While he often seemed to be making his act up as he went along, his script collection revealed every pause, diversion and ad-lib was carefully added and exhaustively rehearsed. This block of archive programmes features a Parkinson interview, a collection of clips and a 1990 Arena profile.

DARA O BRIAIN: SO WHERE WERE WE?

RTE1, 11.05pm

The comedian is in flying form in this 2022 stand-up show at Dublins Vicar Street.

Sunday

THE GREAT CELEBRITY BAKE OFF

Channel 4, 7.40pm

There are some properly well-known faces on this weeks cancer charity special, including Danny Dyer, Rhod Gilbert and, ditching his irritating Keith Lemon persona for once, Leigh Francis. They have to make cakes representing their biggest personal failure.

THE FULL IRISH HIDDEN CAMERA SHOW

RTE1, 8.30pm

This is 2024, isnt it? Sorry for asking, but I was worried that I might somehow have slipped through a hole in space and time and fetched up in 1984 when broadcasters still thought Candid Camera-style shows were daring and funny. Silly me. Its just RTE hitting its usual high standards on a Sunday evening.

Ralf Little in 'Death in Paradise'. Photo: BBC

DEATH IN PARADISE

BBC1, 9pm

As its spin-off, Beyond Paradise, returns for a second season (see Friday), the original reaches the final episode of its current run. But will this be the last fans see of Ralf Little as Neville, the longest-serving of the series four lead detectives?

HUNTED

Channel 4, 9pm

It wouldnt be Hunted without at least one contestant doing something incredibly stupid. Step forward Beth, who tries to convince her dad Steve they should ditch camping and book into a luxury hotel.

Hugh Wallace hosts 'The Great Home Revival'. Photo: RTE

THE GREAT HOUSE REVIVAL

RTE1, 9.30pm

In case youre suffering Hugh Wallace withdrawal symptoms between episodes of the nauseating Home of the Year, hes back with a fourth season of this even more nauseating paean to people spending huge amounts of money doing up clapped-out gaffs.

HEMINGWAY

BBC4, 11.40pm &12.40am

First two parts of Ken Burnss documentary on the life of the novelist whose public and private selves were in conflict.
LATEST | Enoch Burke sent back to prison after tirade of abuse against judge who offered to release him

It is a great shame and a disgrace that we have such scenes in an Irish courtroom, said Judge Mark Sanfey

Enoch Burke outside the entrance to Wilson's Hospital School. Photo: Gerry Mooney

Shane Phelan Fri 22 Mar 2024 at 15:23







A High Court judge withdrew an offer to release Enoch Burke from prison after the sacked schoolteacher engaged in a tirade of abuse against him.
22/3/2024 Family of the late Daniel O Reilly pictured arriving at the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ)on Parkgate Street in Dublin for the sentence hearing of John McDonagh, 36, of Manorfield Dale, Blanchardstown, Dublin. Pic: IrishPhotoDesk.ie

A man who drove over his father-in-law and killed him after shots were fired during a row at a family christening party has been jailed for three years.

There were shouts of protest in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today, as John McDonagh was sentenced, with family members  including his in-laws  screaming at him as he was led into custody.
A member of An Garda Siochana will appear in court this morning as part of an investigation into anti corruption.

The man, who has been charged, will appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice.

A garda spokesperson said the Garda Anti-Corruption Unit has been carrying out an investigation into the activities of a particular Garda unit based in the Dublin Region.

Since the start of this investigation, four members of An Garda Siochana have been suspended from duty, they said.

As this is an ongoing criminal investigation An Garda Siochana is making no further comment.

This is the fourth court appearance as part of this investigation.

The particular unit has continued operational activities performed by other members of An Garda Siochana.
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
Minister Simon Harris vowed to decrease waiting times to four months over five years ago.

An independent chairman has been appointed to a taskforce to drive improvements in tackling waiting lists for children in need of spinal surgery.

It comes five years after Simon Harris, who is expected to be the next Taoiseach on Sunday, said when Minister for Health that no child would wait more than four months for surgery  but this failed to materialise..

Today, the current Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said senior counsel Mark Connaughton will chair the taskforce which is made of various interest groups including some patient representatives.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 22nd March 2024

However, some patient groups including the Scoliosis Advocacy Network are refusing to take part insisting it should be set up on a statutory basis.

The waiting lists for spinal surgery continue to be too long, leaving some children in pain and at risk of deterioration.

During his tenure as Minister for Health, Simon Harris promised no child would wait more than four months.

At the end of last year, 230 patients were on a waiting list for spinal surgery, which was a 2.1pc reduction compared to December 2022.

Mr Donnelly said Mr Connaughton would chair the paediatric spinal taskforce.

He said the multi-stakeholder taskforce is being established to drive improvements and enable all stakeholders to contribute to the improvement and development of our paediatric spinal services.

The range of stakeholders represented on this taskforce will bring their own expertise, experience and perspectives and this important collaborative effort will provide a whole of system approach to progressing this significant area of work.

Terms of reference are currently being drafted and all stakeholders have been invited to provide input to this important process.

He added: There has been much work done to support the delivery of services and care to children across the paediatric spinal service. The establishment of this multi-stakeholder taskforce is an important next step at this juncture.

This taskforce provides all the key stakeholders the opportunity to come together and work collaboratively to ensure the children who access this service are provided with the highest standards of care and facilities and make long-lasting improvements to these services and the lives of these children.

Mark brings a considerable wealth of experience to his role as chair, and I am confident that, with his experience and expertise, he will be an ideal person to steer this important work.

Mr Connaughton said: I am delighted to accept Minister Donnellys invitation to chair the taskforce. It is clear to me that there is a strong desire amongst all the stakeholders for this taskforce to have a positive impact. I look forward to working with all concerned and making my contribution.

He has been in practice since 1990 and was appointed senior counsel in 2002. He has extensive experience in civil litigation and mediation.

Around 19m was allocated two years ago to reduce waiting lists further but controversy remains over how this money was spent.

The taskforce is not expected to report to Childrens Health Ireland which oversees Temple St and Crumlin Hospitals.
Dublin Rathdown TD says she informed Taoiseach about her decision last summerMs Madigan backs Simon Harris as new leaderBecomes 11th Fine Gael TD that wont run in next general election

Josepha Madigan has resigned from her position as junior minister from today and confirmed she will not be contesting the next general election.

The Fine Gael TD said she informed Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last summer she would not be running in the next election.

Ms Madigan becomes the 11th Fine Gael TD to announce they will not be running in the next general election.

There is also speculation about the position of a number of other TDs and whether they will decide to contest>

The Dublin Rathdown TD added that she will be supporting Simon Harris as new leader of Fine Gael.

Ms Madigan failed to secure a party nomination for the European elections.

Incoming Taoiseach Simon Harris will be in charge of appointing a new Minister in the Department of Education following Ms Madigan's resignation.

In a statement, Ms Madigan said: I am today confirming my position not to contest the next general election.

"I am also resigning today from my ministerial position. I wish Simon all the best in forming a new Fine Gael ministerial team to lead the party into the next election.

"Politics is not an easy profession but that does not mean it is not a rewarding one. I hope that people with strong hearts, resilience and courage will continue to enter public life to help better our country and its people.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 22nd March 2024

Mr Varadkar paid tribute to Ms Madigan describing her as a "hard-working Fine Gael public representative".

"We first met at a Strictly Come Dancing charity fundraiser in South Dublin back in 2015 when she was a candidate for the Dail. My partner, Matt, was one of the competitors. Shane Ross TD, then in opposition, was a judge. We hit it off and have been friends ever since. She is easily one of the kindest and most empathetic politicians I know. Sometimes kindness in politics is seen as weakness. I believe it is one of her strengths," he said.

Ms Madigan was in the Cabinet as Minister for Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht in 2017. She was dropped from Cabinet after the 2020 general election and became Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion in 2020.

"More special classes and special schools have opened and more SNAs and special education teachers are working in schools now, thanks to her work. She has ensured that many more children have the very best start in life, Mr Varadkar added.

Josepha will be missed in the Dail. I wish her the very best as she takes on a new chapter in her life after politics.
Simon Harris is being urged to reshuffle his cabinet and promote fresh blood in a move that could spell the end of Simon Coveneys ministerial career, as Mr Harris was yesterday all but crowned the next Taoiseach.

Supporters of the Fine Gael leader-in-waiting believe Mr Harris should use his overwhelming mandate from the parliamentary party to promote a number of junior ministers to the senior ranks.

Reams of TDs and senators threw their weight behind Mr Harris yesterday before cabinet members  and possible rivals  Paschal Donohoe and Heather Humphreys ruled themselves out.

The position of Mr Coveney, the Enterprise Minister, is seen as vulnerable as he has served in the Cabinet since 2011.

Simon Harris addresses potential cabinet reshuffle in Fine Gael

Mr Harriss supporters last night noted that Mr Coveney, the partys deputy leader, had failed to publicly endorse the Higher Education Minister despite Mr Harris backing his failed leadership bid seven years ago.

Coveney is vulnerable, definitely, a source said.

Mr Donohoe, the Public Expenditure Minister who has been in the Cabinet for a decade, would also be at risk were it not for his presidency of the Eurogroup of eurozone finance ministers  a role that makes him untouchable in any reshuffle, according to one minister.

Junior ministers Neale Richmond, Peter Burke and Jennifer Carroll MacNeill are among those seen as contenders for promotion to the Cabinet when Mr Harris becomes Taoiseach next month.

While both Mr Coveney and Mr Donohoe ruled themselves out of a leadership contest, they did not publicly endorse Mr Harris, unlike Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys and Justice Minister Helen McEntee whose positions in the Cabinet are considered more secure.

However, Ms McEntee could be moved out of the Justice portfolio amid a strong view across Fine Gael that the party needs a stronger message on law and order.

Ms Humphreys and Ms Carroll MacNeill, who has been linked to the Justice portfolio, are considered the main contenders to succeed Mr Coveney as the partys deputy leader.

Its not just that its a change of leader, but its a fresh approach, that if this isnt continuity you can look at putting people in different positions and fresh faces, one minister said last night.

Simon Harris TD, walks out of Leinster House last night.

A second minister suggested Mr Harris could promote backbenchers to the junior ranks in order to emphasise party renewal, with party chair Alan Dillon a possible contender.

A senior Fianna Fail source said they expected Tanaiste Micheal Martin to seek a firm commitment from Mr Harris that the Coalition will serve the full term in return for his partys support for the incoming leaders election as Taoiseach on April 9. Green Party leader Eamon Ryan is likely to seek similar assurances, having repeatedly publicly stated that he wants the Government to run its full term.

The incumbent Taoiseach attended his last European Council meeting yesterday as Brussels figures expressed shock and dismay over his sudden departure. To many it appeared inexplicable.

Mr Varadkar is held in high regard in Brussels for his Brexit track record and he is loved among some colleagues, and especially well liked by Polands prime minister Donald Tusk, despite Fine Gael appearing to move away from its European grouping, the EPP, recently.

One source within the EPP expressed reservations because the incoming Taoiseach has no foreign affairs, international or Brussels experience.

However, this wont be held against him, a European Commission figure said.

Mr Donohoe currently serves as the Eurogroup president and is very well regarded in Brussels and internationally.

They know Paschal  and nobody went against him. So they will be impressed that he went in unopposed, they said.

From the early hours of yesterday morning, Fine Gael TDs and senators lined up to back the Further and Higher Education Minister for Taoiseach.

Ms McEntee was the first to rule herself out. She was followed some hours later by Mr Donohoe and Ms Humphreys. However, Mr Donohoe did not back Mr Harris.

Mr Harris told RTE: I want to be the next leader of Fine Gael. Im ready to step up, and Im ready to serve.

The Taoiseach-in-waiting was crowned in glory all day as he more than exceeded the quota needed to be elected party leader.

Mr Harris denied there was much orchestration to his leadership bid.

It may look like that, it certainly didnt feel like that over the last 24 hours, he said of his campaign, adding it was a shock that Mr Varadkar had announced he was stepping down.
The party has brought forward the close of nominations by 24 hoursHigher Education Minister to be confirmed as the only candidateYou aint seen nothing yet, Harris declares as he sets out stall

Simon Harris says he is 'overwhelmed and honoured' for support in becoming next Taoiseach

The party has brought forward the close of nominations by 24 hours.

Fine Gael is holding a European election selection convention in Athlone, Co Westmeath, on Sunday afternoon.

Mr Harris will be confirmed as the only candidate and deemed elected as leader.

A note has been sent out to Fine Gael TDs, senators and MEPs today.

Following a meeting of the Fine Gael Executive Council, the closing date for nominations to be submitted to contest the election for the position of party leader has been brought forward to 1pm on Sunday, March 24, it stated.

The returning officer will make an announcement at the conclusion of the Midlands North West European Election Selection Convention confirming the person/s duly nominated, and if only one person is nominated will confirm that person as party leader. In that case, the party leader will address the meeting.

Earlier today Mr Harris promised a get things done attitude to politics if elected leader of Fine Gael, declaring this morning: You aint seen nothing yet.

I will work day and night. I believe politics is about delivery. Its about people, he said.

It came as Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe finally came out in support of Mr Harris to be the next Fine Gael leader, having notably not backed any candidate yesterday while ruling himself out of the race.

Mr Donohoe was unable to say why he didn't back Mr Harris in a statement he put out yesterday ruling himself out of the Fine Gael leadership race.

He said he was travelling to attend a Eurogroup meeting in Brussels. Mr Donohoe said he rang Mr Harris yesterday to congratulate him on his support and wish him luck for the future.

He said he is very lucky to be a cabinet minister and be president of the Eurogroup and is eager to continue with his work in cabinet.

Mr Harris (37) emerged as the only remaining candidate to be the leader of his party  and by extension the next taoiseach  yesterday after all other likely contenders bowed out, including Ministers Simon Coveney, Helen McEntee, Paschal Donohoe and Heather Humphreys, with more than two dozen Fine Gael TDs, senators and MEPs giving Mr Harris their backing.

This leaves Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney as the only high-profile minister who has not yet publicly backed any candidate.

Mr Harris said he was humbled by the support he has received from colleagues, and spoke about the shock moment when Leo Varadkar announced he would be resigning.

The last couple of days have been quite a whirlwind if we're being honest with each other. I don't think that when anybody got out of bed and came into work this week they expected the Taoiseach of the country, the leader of our party, to make the decision that he did. I was in the room with Minister McEntee when he told us, and I think we'll never forget that sense of collective shock and surprise. The air just went out of the room, he said.

And I want to join with others in thanking Leo Varadkar for his leadership, for his leadership of our party for seven years, during which almost all of that time he's either been the Taoiseach or Tanaiste of our country, and indeed for ministries that he held in advance of being Taoiseach and Tanaiste as well.

I want to thank him for how he's represented our country at home and abroad. And I must say, I was so proud not just as a colleague of his but as a as a citizen of Ireland, so proud to listen to him, to watch him last week in the United States of America, espousing values that arent just Irish values, but I think are values founded in human rights and decency in terms of calling for a cessation of violence in the Middle East and for saying that in the Oval Office, and for having the president of the United States say the words I agree.

He added: That tells you the ability of statecraft and the incredible talents that he has, and I thank him for that.

Speaking about the likelihood of him filling the vacancy, Minister Harris said politics is about actually getting things done for people.

In many ways, I'm an accidental politician. I ended up in politics when my brother was born with autism and as a moody teenager I started campaigning in Wicklow and saying there has to be a better way of providing educational supports for people with autism, Mr Harris said.

"I know how politics can deliver for people, and if given the honour of serving, I want to take that kind of approach to getting things done to renewing our party to injecting a level of energy. And to anybody who thinks this party is tired, to anyone who thinks his party lacks energy: You ain't seen nothing yet, he said.

Mr Harris would not be drawn on whether the Government would run its full term or if he would push for an early general election if made leader.

There is only one contest Im involved in currently and thats to be the leader of the Fine Gael party, which Im not currently, and Im conscious that nominations are still open and that process needs to play itself out in the coming hours, and Im engaging with members, councillors, TDs, senators, colleagues here today, and indeed in other locations today, and listening to people. And lets see how that process goes in the coming hours and days, he said at a fundraiser for local election candidate Sharon Tolan in Co Meath.

Programme for Government

If given the opportunity to serve as Fine Gael leader, I will remain committed to the Programme for Government. Ive heard the leaders of the other parties outline their support for the Programme for Government. This Government was never one about personalities or individuals. This was a government about policy, and that shared policy is outlined in the Programme for Government. So yes, if given the opportunity to serve I remain fully committed to implementing the Programme for Government and to working with colleagues in Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Green Party to deliver for the people of this country.

Mr Harris added: I dont believe in ideological labels. Im committed to the values of the Fine Gael party. This is a party that, for me, is about equality of opportunity. That is how I define my vision and approach. Its the approach Ive tried to bring to ministries that Ive held, most particularly the one that Ive had the honour of establishing from scratch  making sure that no matter who you are, where you come from, what your mother or father did before you, I want everyone in this country to be able to reach their full potential.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee acknowledged Leo Varadkars significant contribution to Irish politics, and thanked him for his service and friendship over the years.

She said she believes Mr Harris will be the next leader of the party.

I think he will be an excellent leader. I think hes someone who brings energy. I think hes someone who has a lot of ideas, a lot of ambition, and I think hes someone who will not just reinvigorate our party, but as Taoiseach of this country I think he will do great things and Im fully behind them and I look forward to working with him, she added.

Paschal Donohoe

Separately, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe backed Further and Higher Education Minister Simon Harris for the Fine Gael leadership after notably failing to do so yesterday.

Mr Donohoe was seen by some Fine Gael TDs as a possible leadership contender but he ruled himself out yesterday alongside other cabinet colleagues.

He said he hopes to continue as Public Expenditure Minister in any possible reshuffle but said it is an issue for the new taoiseach.

When asked by news agency Bloomberg if he supports Mr Harris, he said: Of course I do. I have known Simon for many, many, many years. I believe he has all the qualities that will enable him to be a very, very successful leader for Fine Gael and also allow him to be an excellent Taoiseach. Weve had a very dramatic week back home.

He said Mr Varadkar has done a phenomenal job.

Mr Donohoe said he hopes to continue in his current cabinet portfolio but said it is a matter for the new taoiseach.

Thats very much a matter for whoever the new taoiseach will be. I will very much hope to continue with my work, from being through many moments like this in the past, its a matter for the next taoiseach.

Of course I want to continue with my work but I recognise that it is his decision and that it is his mandate.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 22nd March 2024
Patrick Hennessy (1915-1980) was an openly gay artist whose work explored themes of sexuality at a time when homosexuality was illegal in Ireland.

His hyper-realistic paintings  landscape, portrait, still life  had an unsettling quality.

The Irish art world didnt know what to make of him. No-one else in Ireland made comparable work and, as Sean Kissane, curator of Patrick Hennessy: De Profundis, IMMA 2016 wrote: Many of his works were comprised of visual codes that signified clear narratives of homosexual life.

Most people didnt want to look at that in detail. Hennessy was dubbed a Surrealist, which sidestepped the uncomfortable issue of queerness.

By the 1970s Hennessy and his partner, Henry Robertson Craig, had settled in Tangier, where there was a strong creative community of gay men.

Hennessys work, previously coded with hidden references to sexual identity, became more explicitly gay.

An art collector who attended his 1970s openings at the Ritchie Hendriks gallery in Dublin reported a frisson among the (mostly closeted) gay community.

The art critic Bruce Arnold was downright scathing: Hennessys exhibition is full of stupid pictures of young men standing around on beaches in their underpants. Now, these paintings are held in high regard.

There are four paintings by Hennessy in Adams Important Irish Art sale, which takes place on Wednesday March 27.

The finest, Rebuilding Of Monte Cassino, 1951 (Lot 20: est. 10,000 to 15,000) is a landscape, showing the bombed-out abbey under reconstruction.

The Italian monastery, founded by St Benedict of Nursia in 596 AD, had been destroyed by American-led air raids in the Second World War.

Allied Forces assumed, wrongly as it turned out, that the Germans were using Monte Cassino as an observation post and reduced it to rubble in February 1944.

Both the Germans and the allies had assured the Vatican that the monastery would not be attacked. Thinking it was safe, many local civilians had taken shelter there  around 250 of these died in the bombing.

Eighty years on, the apportioning of blame, for their deaths and for the destruction of the heritage site, is still ongoing.

When Hennessy visited, seven years after the bombing, reconstruction was underway.

His painting shows ruins in the foreground and the abbey under scaffolding beneath a dappled sky. It encapsulated a moment in history showing wholesale destruction with a glimmer of hope.

Harry Robertson Craig On Dun Laoghaire Pier, 1953 (Lot 122: est. 1,000 to 2,000) is a portrait of Hennessys partner.

He stands, hands in pockets, a picture of 1950s respectability in jacket, shirt and tie.

Behind him, a boy points out something to a man with binoculars. Its a classic father-and-son vignette and points to an aspect of society from which Craig, as a gay man, was forever excluded.

Both paintings come from the collection of Pamela and George Fegan, who purchased them directly from the artist.

This is their first outing on the auction circuit. George Fegan (1921-2007) was a medical doctor who also collected Irish antiques, mostly silver, and paintings by Irish artists.

He is most famous for his treatment of varicose veins. Anecdotally, Fegan was Hennessys doctor and went on to become a collector of his paintings.

Like Hennessy, Fegan retired to Africa for the sake of his health and ended his days on Lamu, an island off the Kenyan coast.

Patrick Hennessy's Never Ending Summer

Hennessy exhibited Never Ending Summer (Lot 3: est. 6,000 to 8,000) at his annual exhibition at the Ritchie Hendriks Gallery in 1964.

By this time, he was spending much of his time in Morocco. His doctors, possibly including Fegan, had recommend he avoid Irish winters for the sake of his health.

The painting is an imagined landscape with a bunch of red roses in the foreground. Its a motif that he used many times. An entry-level Hennessy, Rose Study (Lot 21: est. 800 to 1,200), shows a rose without the eerie landscape.

Henry Robertson Craig (1916-1984) was also an artist, although not as good as his partner.

The Fegans collected his work too, including Cafe de la Paix (Lot 23: est. 7,000 to 9,000), a peaceful Parisian cafe scene.

The historically interesting H.E. Mr Leopold Senghor, President Of Senegal, In Procession In The Champs Elysees, Paris (Lot 123: est 3,000 to 5,000) shows the cavalcade of motorcycles around the car of Leopold Sedar Senghor (1906-2001), Senegalese poet, cultural theorist and the first president of Senegal.

See adams.ie
Fionnan Sheahan: Simon Harris, our TikTok Taoiseach-elect, is a political chameleon who will want to show results

He has flip-flopped on a number of issues, but the Fine Gael leader in waiting has had a meteoric rise to the top of Irish politics

ARCHIVE: Simon Harris makes TikTok video with, appearance by then Tanaiste Leo Varadkar

Fionnan Sheahan Fri 22 Mar 2024 at 03:30

The Civil War is truly over when a former Fianna Fail member is now the leader of Fine Gael. Flipping from being an activist with Ogra Fianna Fail to campaigning with Fine Gael is not the only transformation Simon Harris has gone through during his time in politics.
Oprah Winfrey has had enough of body shaming. For 25 years, making fun of my weight was a national sport, she said. I have to say I took on the shame the world gave to me.

On television in the US this week, she read out several headlines that had been written about her in the past, including one in 1990 that branded her bumpy, lumpy and downright dumpy.
Many Sinn Fein TDs have been calling for a general election based on the false notion that the next taoiseach should be elected by the public, not parliament.

This is not how the Irish political system works. The public elect TDs for a five-year term, and those TDs then vote to nominate a taoiseach who is appointed by the President. The public directly elect the President, but not the taoiseach.

Having refused to recognise the legitimacy of the Irish State in its various forms since 1922, Sinn Fein are, of course, late converts to the idea of parliamentary democracy, having only abandoned their abstentionist policy in 1986 after decades of supporting republican violence.

Perhaps the current Sinn Fein leaders could swot up on how democracy works by reading a copy of Politics For Dummies.

Henry Cruise, Celbridge, Co Kildare

Allowing Fine Gael TDs to decide who leads country is an affront to democracy

The resignation of Leo Varadkar and the forthcoming appointment of a new taoiseach from the Fine Gael parliamentary party raise concerns about the democratic process.

As a proud citizen, I have always cherished our hard-fought-for democracy and the right to self-rule, which many sacrificed their lives for.

However, it is disheartening and alarming to witness Fine Gael adopting the same undemocratic practices as the Tories. The practice of crowning a new leader from within the party, rather than allowing the people to have their say through a general election, undermines the very essence of democracy.

Irelands democracy is not a mere spectacle for party elites to perform coronations; it is a solemn commitment to the will of the people.

Therefore, it is time for a general election in which every citizen has the opportunity to cast their vote and shape the future of our nation.

Let us not forget the sacrifices made by those who fought for our democratic rights. Let us honour their memory by upholding the principles of democracy.

Allowing the Fine Gael parliamentary party to appoint the next leader of our nation must not be an option when you consider that one third of those members are not standing in the next general election.

Killian Brennan, Malahide Road, Dublin 17

Leo Varadkars defining moment was how he led us all during the pandemic

Leo Varadkar has been minister for enterprise, trade and employment, minister for social protection, minister for health, minister for transport, tourism and sport, Taoiseach and Tanaiste.

He promised much, but delivered less. However, as your editorial (March 21) says, it is a rare privilege for a politician to call time on their own terms (Bold leader during challenging times knew when to go.

Varadkars defining moment was the pandemic. His Churchillian-like speech to the nation from Washington four years ago will never be forgotten.

The country owes him a debt of gratitude for his leadership at a time of unprecedented crisis.

Not all superheroes wear capes, some wear scrubs and gowns, he said. Indeed.

Tom McElligott, Listowel, Co Kerry

Opposition politicians failed to show Taoiseach even a modicum of respect

Fair play to Leo Varadkar for choosing his time to depart the political stage. He certainly caught everyone by surprise.

We all tend to enjoy, especially the media, the drama of a heave, a knives-in-the-back exit, rather than a dignified short goodbye. There was no drama, just shock and a sense that he was determined to avoid the fate of the cliche that says all political careers end in failure.

Still, I couldnt help but sense his disappointment and despondency following his meeting with President Joe Biden last Thursday, when it appeared the US president wasnt engaged in putting real pressure on Israel for a ceasefire in Gaza.

However, he got his last word in, appropriately, at the shamrock bowl ceremony on Sunday.

On the home front, we owe Leo Varadkar, along with Micheal Martin and Tony Holohan, a great debt for the way they steered the country through Covid. It is so easy to forget, but we should not.

In a week when we were hearing how toxic life has become for politicians with all things social media, it was disappointing to hear those on the opposition benches fail to show class, decency and respect on a historic day when a taoiseach resigns.

As Leo Varadkar said: Despite the challenges, I would wholeheartedly recommend a career in politics to anyone who is considering it.

There speaks a decent man who has given much value to our country as a politician and as taoiseach.

Aidan Roddy, Cabinteely, Dublin 18

My namesake prospered while the tides of fortune remained in his favour

An old quotation, There is a tide in the affairs of man..., brings to mind the announcement that Leo Varadkar is stepping down. From one Leo to another, I wish him the best of luck.

Leo Gormley, Dundalk, Co Louth

True, you dont have to be Irish to speak our lovely, poetic native language

Aontaim go mor le Adrian O Dubhghaill (Litreacha, Marta 20u) ag tagairt don meid daoine nar Eireannaigh iad, go bhfuil meas acu ar an nGaeilge agus i a labhairt.

The Irish Language Act does not insist you have to be Irish to speak as Gaeilge. (Do cheannline). Maith thu, Adrian.

Eileen Clear, Sexton Street, Limerick

Army dreamers need to wake up or else they will waste a lot of lives

European Council president Charles Michel has declared that if we want peace, we must prepare for war.

Christopher Clark in The Sleepwalkers  his well-regarded analysis of the background to World War I  shows how the great powers each believed they could forestall war by competing in the arms race.

In this sense, Clark writes, the protagonists of 1914 were sleepwalkers, watchful but unseeing, haunted by dreams, yet blind to the reality of the horror they were about to bring into the world.

Will the current Irish Government wake up from it own daydream and tell the EU to stop before its too late? I fear not.

Dominic Carroll, Ardfield, Co Cork
Representatives of Irish offshore survey company Green Rebel travelled to Washington DC as part of an Enterprise Ireland trade mission in the United States during the St Patricks celebrations in the US capital.

Headquartered in Cork with a base also in Limerick, the companys focus was on sustainability, as well as marking the St Patricks Day celebrations with outgoing Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

Green Rebel was established in Crosshaven in 2020 and provides a full range of survey and data services to the offshore renewable energy industry.

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The company specialises in acquiring, processing and analysing marine, aerial and met-ocean data using its fleet of survey boats and aircraft together with purpose-built innovative technologies.

We, at Green Rebel, have already demonstrated our ability to do business in Ireland and Europe from our bases in Cork and Limerick. We are building links and developing relationships with the support of Enterprise Ireland, said Kieran Ivers, CEO of Green Rebel.

This trip was an exciting opportunity for us as we started in a portacabin in Crosshaven less than four years ago and now were part of delegations with An Taoiseach to the capital of the United States. Additionally, we are looking forward to attending this Aprils IPF conference in New Orleans as part of our commitment to the US market, he added.

During the St Patricks Day visit the CEO attended a number of events with key people from the US Department of Energy and the Chief of Staff, to Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry.

He was a guest at the American Ireland Funds Gala, and attended the annual St. Patricks Day Business Lunch and the Irish Embassy reception.

Green Rebel also features on a special St Patricks Day edition of Impact with John Shegerian, the weekly podcast featured conversations with some of the greatest business minds and thought leaders across the globe.
It was initially announced in the latter stages of 2023 that 56 International Protection male applicants were to be accommodated in the 19th century townhouse.

The Department of Integration subsequently confirmed in February that the criteria was changed to accommodate International Protection families and children.

Fine Gael councillor Noel McCarthy said the IP applicants moved into Abbeyville House on Thursday afternoon. 52 asylum seekers moved in to Abbeyville on Thursday afternoon at around 3pm. We dont have a breakdown of how many women and children are included in this figure yet. I have written to the Department to find out a more detailed breakdown. I am waiting for clarity, he said.

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Abbeyville House closed as a bed-and-breakfast some years ago.

In recent months, the listed building, which dates back to the 1850s, has been undergoing renovation and adaptation works in preparation for its planned use as an accommodation centre for people seeking international protection.

Cllr McCarthy admits he is still worried that Abbeyville House is not big enough to accommodate 52 people. There are a still a few upset that this number is still too many for that particular house and I have to agree with them. It seems to be an awful lot of people to be located in a house that was made for 25 or 30 people. Other than that I have no problems with them.

"I was one of the five councillors who write to Minister OGorman seeking that he look again at the allocation and put families in there. I welcome that, but I still have grave concerns about overcrowding. I would be worried that services in Fermoy would be under pressure as well, he added.

Daily protests have been held outside Abbeyville House since plans were first announced to house 56 IP applicants at the historic house in Fermoy.

A tent was set up to enable protestors maintain a 24/7 presence at the site.

The main theme expressed by the protestors is around safety both for locals and migrants and the lack of key services.

Cllr McCarthy said the protests are peaceful. The protestors are still there but it is peaceful. The people in St Josephs have been made very welcome and they have settled into the community. The Ukrainians who are here now a couple of years have also settled in very well. Fermoy is a fine town. There is always a good welcome for people in Fermoy.
The leader of the Fine Gael party grouping in Cork County Council, Cllr John Paul OShea said he will be supporting the Taoiseach-in-waiting Simon Harris.

The Minister for Higher Education, looks set to be elected leader of his party and youngest ever Taoiseach unopposed.

Mr Harris (37) emerged as the only remaining candidate to lead his party and by extension the next Taoiseach after all other likely contenders bowed out in recent days including Ministers Simon Coveney, Helen McEntee, Paschal Donohoe and Heather Humphreys, with more than two dozen Fine Gael TDs, senators and MEPs coming out behind Mr Harris.

Cllr John Paul OShea believes Mr Harris will make an excellent Taoiseach. I will be supporting Simon Harris to be the next leader of Fine Gael. Throughout his time in politics he has shown huge energy and integrity. He is a very strong communicator. He has been a capable minister and he will make an excellent Taoiseach.

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Read more Simon Harris to become Fine Gael leader on Sunday

Fine Gael councillor Noel McCarthy is also confident the Taoiseach-in-waiting will do well. I was shocked to see Leo step down. He has his reasons and I wish him well. We must respect them. It now looks like Simon Harris will succeed him. I met Simon last September in Limerick at a working day for Fine Gael. I found him to be a very nice gentleman. I have good confidence that he will do well.

He will bring great drive and enthusiasm, said Cllr McCarthy. He was a very committed and diligent minister. He has been a very active and strong minister.

The experienced politician is now hoping his party will benefit from a new leader in the run up to the local and European elections in June. I hope there will be a bounce now for the party. Local elections are different altogether and they are generally focused more on local issues rather than national issues. From a personal perspective I hope people judge me on the work I have done over the last 15 years or so.

I hope to continue on that work. I have made mistakes over the years but you have to learn from them and keep working hard for the electorate, he added.
Maisie is raising money for social clubs which help children with special needs

Maisie D'Arcy is cutting 14-inches off her hair for the Rapunzel Foundation

A young girl from Portmarnock is donating her long hair to children who have lost theirs.

Maisie, who has not cut her hair since her last donation to the Rapunzel Foundation, is cutting another 14 inches off over the Easter break for her local arch club.

Maisie has set up a GoFundMe to raise funds for Portmarnock Junior Arch Club and The Anchor Club in Malahide, two social clubs for children with additional needs and their families.

In Portmarnock, there are two clubs, and its a sanctuary for children to come and be themselves, participating in fun-filled activities allowing them to make friends and develop life skills.

She is one of many children who need to have a space that allows her to blossom, make friends, and enjoy what life has to offer, Sinead McGowan, one of the committee members of the Arch Club, said.

Maisies mother, Orla DArcy, says: She has four siblings, three of them are autistic, and she attends the junior club on a Wednesday.

Maisie is raising money for social clubs which help children with special needs

It gives her an opportunity to meet other siblings as well because Maisie is like a young carer.

She added that she knows her daughter can see the importance of the club and that shes benefiting from it. The clubs rely on fundraisers and volunteers to keep them going.

The 10-year-old has already managed to raise 950, this being her fourth time donating to a charity at such a young age.

The hair donated to The Rapunzel Foundation will be made into wigs for children with alopecia, and those who have lost their hair from treatments such as chemotherapy.

To make wigs for the affected children, 14 inches of hair is the minimum, and Maisie will be cutting her hair over the Easter break. Jennie from The Parlour Hair Salon in Malahide has offered to cut her hair for free.

Maisie told the Irish Independent that she knew she wanted to donate her hair again because she knows it helps other children.

Im a little bit scared of cutting it, but Ive done it before, and it grows back, she said.
A Galway student has spoken of his shock and concerns after learning that local student accommodation provider Hubble Living will increase its accommodation fee by 30% for the 2024/25 academic year.

20-year-old Justin Kossel has been living in the Hubble Livings accommodation on Headford Road for the past three years, since moving from his home in Wexford to study Marine Biology at University of Galway.

Justin explained that every year rent has progressively gotten more expensive, but nothing compared to the recently announced hike.

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For the academic year 2023/2024, a deluxe room consisting of a room with a double bed and a shared bathroom costs 8,061.96 for a 39-week stay, while next year the same room would be rented at 10,070.

Justin Kossel lives in a Hubble Livings apartment

Justin explained that the apartments in the student accommodation vary, but are all offering a bedroom, a shared or en-suite bathroom, and a shared kitchen. However, the 20-year-old argued that the amount of money asked every month is too much.

He said: Its nice for what is supposed to be, it could do a lot better.

They make us pay the amount of money for an apartment that should be outstanding.

Justin recalled when he told his family about the rent increase:

We were all just a little bit shocked.

My mother is a single parent, my sister is in Germany, she lives there now for the last two years, and shes doing an apprenticeship in carpentry, so its not like we have cash to spare.

Justin Kossel lives in a Hubble Livings apartment

Justin said that in order to afford the already-high rent he works throughout the academic year, and works for a ferry company during the summer months as well. However, this has been affecting his SUSI grant.

He explained: Because my rent was so much I worked a lot over the summer. The most Ive done so far on the vessel was five weeks in a row.

It affected my SUSI grant as well, so it went from 350 to about 210 my second year and now this year I got 180. I keep working more and more, because I have to keep up with my rent, but at the same time the more I work the less SUSI I get.

As he cannot afford to live at Hubble next year, Justin needs to leave his accommodation by May 13, and he is currently looking for a new place to live along with five friends.

Justin Kossel lives in a Hubble Livings apartment

However, the search is not easy and so far the group has viewed only one home.

He explained: The house that were really hopeful about getting is 3,600 a month, for six double-beds and three bathrooms. For the entire year, per person is about 7,300.

Its a really nice house but at the same time there were so many other people obviously looking for it. Its frustrating.

When asked what he would suggest to first year students, he replied: If you can study anywhere but Galway, do it, study in towns instead of cities. If you can only come to Galway, I would say make sure you have a car and live somewhere outside of Galway.
Army Hotel Manager in South Korea Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Steal Government Property and Commit Bribery

A U.S. citizen who served as U.S. Army hotel manager in South Korea pleaded guilty yesterday to a conspiracy involving the theft of government property and influencing the award of hotel contracts in exchange for bribes from a South Korean company.

According to court documents, Bon Ku, 52, was employed by the Dragon Hill Lodge (DHL), which is owned by a U.S. Army base in Seoul, South Korea. DHL is one of five resorts operated by the Department of Defense under the Armed Forces Recreation Centers program. Between 2014 and 2020, Ku conspired with Donald Gower, a U.S. citizen who was also a manager at DHL, to engage in two schemes to convert payments for DHLs recyclable goods to their own use. To carry out these schemes, Ku directed DHL employees to engage in tasks outside the scope of their normal employment duties, resulting in the United States paying them to perform tasks that benefited Ku and Gower.

Between 2014 and 2021, Ku was also involved in four additional schemes in which he influenced the award of contracts valued at over $9 million in exchange for bribes from four South Korean companies, one of which was part of the conspiracy to which Ku pleaded guilty. As part of the bribe scheme to which Ku pleaded guilty, DHL awarded a contract to a South Korean company to, among other things, clean its loading dock. Prior to awarding this contract, Ku had an agreement with the company under which he would receive approximately 10-20% of the value of the contracts that were awarded by DHL. After entering into this agreement, Ku made a positive recommendation to DHL officials regarding the companys ability to perform on the contract to influence its award to the company. Ku received payments related to this agreement from the company in his South Korean bank account, after which Ku split the payments with Gower.

Ku pleaded guilty to a dual-object conspiracy to commit theft of government property and bribery of a public official. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 18 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. As part of a global resolution, the government will move to dismiss an indictment in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in which Ku is charged with conduct related to one of the additional schemes.

On Sept. 15, 2022, Gower pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit theft of government property. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 8 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Departments Criminal Division; Assistant Director Michael Nordwall of the FBIs Criminal Investigative Division; Acting Assistant Director in Charge Amir Ehsaei of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Keith K. Kelly of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Divisions (Army-CID) Fraud Field Office made the announcement.

The FBI and Army-CID are investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Matt Kahn and Brandon Burkart of the Criminal Divisions Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.

This story has been published on: 2024-03-22. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
A distressed puppy found curled up in a hedge in county Longford by ISPCA inspectors.

One of the "shaking" and "terrified" pointer puppies that were found dumped in a field in Longford.

Animal welfare officials have launched an investigation into the discovery of a litter of puppies found terrified and starving after being dumped in a field in county Longford.

ISPCA officials have begun inquiries into the shocking rescue of five pointer puppies that were discovered abandoned and running loose through a number of fields.

The alarm was raised on March 11 when Senior Inspector, Karen Lyons, acted on a call made to the ISPCAs National Animal Cruelty Helpline.

Three of the puppies, about four months old, were initially rescued by kind-hearted members of the public as a search began across a large stretch of land to locate the other puppies.

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One of those was found hiding in a hedge after Ms Lyons crawled through uninviting vegetation to get him to safety.

The ISPCA said the puppy, which has since been called Stefan, was left shaking and terrified by the ordeal.

A fifth puppy was later brought to safety after an extensive two day search in a cowering and distressed state, the animal welfare charity said.

A distressed puppy found curled up in a hedge in county Longford by ISPCA inspectors.

Ms Lyons hit out at an incident she believed was carefully orchestrated and one that underlined the way an ever-growing number of unwanted dogs are being treated.

There was such a vast distance where the puppies were first spotted, that it would appear someone went along the road and periodically let the pups out, one-by-one and drove off, she said.

I dont understand why the owner didnt reach out and ask for help. Its evident to me that the puppies were surplus to requirement, and it is symptomatic of the situation with dogs throughout Ireland at present.

Despite their ordeal, the puppies, which have since been named Bonnie, Hope, Stefan, Klaus and Samon are settling in well at the ISPCAs National Animal Centre in Kenagh.

Ms Lyons, in heaping praise on locals who helped locate the puppies, described the episode as cruel, inhumane, and extremely cowardly, as efforts now switch to identifying those responsible.

Anyone with information in relation to the origin of the puppies is asked to contact the ISPCAs National Animal Cruelty Helpline in confidence on 0818 515 515 or email helpline@ispca.ie.
Deputy Mattie McGrath implored for the Housing Minister to pause planning enforcement proceedings on log cabins

The case of a Tipperary pensioner facing jail time for building a log cabin on his own land has been brought up again in the Dail, as Minister Darragh OBrien was urged to pause planning enforcement proceedings on log cabins due to the housing crisis.

Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath described the situation as baloney and implored that the Housing Minister sign a statutory amendment immediately to temporarily pause planning enforcement proceedings while the country grapples with the housing crisis.

However, Deputy Mattie McGrath was told by Minister of State Niall Collins, who was speaking on behalf of Minister Darragh OBrien, that the case of Sean Meehan and others in a similar situation to him were completely out of the ministers hands and were instead in the hands of the local authority.

Minister Collins explained that Minister O'Brien does not have the authority to enact legislation to overrule an enforcement order.

Deputy McGrath said that a review of planning guidelines is needed in light of the housing crisis.

"Alongside Sean Meehan, I have at least 12 others in South Tipperary, some of them have removed their lovely log cabins, forced to remove them by the Local Authority, explained Deputy McGrath in the Dail.

"This is ridiculous in a housing crisis where people want to house themselves and are able to house themselves sensitively and in a aesthetically pleasing way.

"We havent had a review of the planning guidelines in 20 years. We are crying out for them.

Minister of State Niall Collins sympathised with Deputy McGrath, but stated the power is not in the Ministers hands to create a regulation to intervene in enforcement proceedings that are before the courts.

Sean Meehan at his log cabin in New Inn, Co Tipperary.

"I understand fully the points the Deputy has made. I come across it in my own constituency, explained Minister of State Niall Collins. I will make the Minister absolutely aware of the points that you have raised.

"He can't halt an enforcement, under the act, under the law of this land he cant step in and write a statutory instrument or create a regulation to halt an enforcement. He just does not have that authority or power as Minister under the planning act, and I think youll appreciate that.

Minister Collins added: But there are ways obviously that the Local Authority in question can deal with it. Obviously enforcement is one and youre trying to find a way out of that. The individual can apply for retention, depending on the outcome of that application he can apply to An Bord Pleanala for them to look at it or he could vary the proposal and make another application. There are lots of avenues open. But the Minister does not have the avenue to create a statutory instrument to allow a regulation to intervene in enforcement proceedings that are before the courts.

Sean Meehan from New Inn, Co Tipperary is due back before Cashel District Court on April 4 for refusing to take down his modified log cabin. He was told that he will be removed from there to Limerick prison to serve a four month prison sentence if he refused to demolish his home by March 14.

Mr. Meehan, who faces the prospect of becoming homeless if his cabin is demolished, told the Irish Independent on the deadline day of March 14 that he is willing to lay down in front of a digger to prevent his home being demolished.

"If I take it down I am homeless but if I dont take it down I am homeless and in jail, explained Mr. Meehan.

The 65-year-old added that although he is panicked by the situation, he is willing to take a stand a go to prison to help stand up for other people who have found themselves in a similar situation facing the prospect of homelessness.

"I am ready to walk into prison with my head held high, said Sean proudly. I can walk in there knowing I have done nothing to hurt anyone and if me going to prison means being able to help someone else in a similar situation down the line then I will do it. I will take the stand.
Monaghan man Colm McEneaney on last night's First Dates Ireland show. Photo: RTE

Colm with his date, Daniel (33) from Wexford. Photo: RTE

There was no love at first sight for Monaghan native Colm McEneaney after the Carrickmacross personal trainer last night appeared on RTE's final episode of this season's First Dates Ireland show.

There were no loving pleas of take a chance on me for a Monaghan ABBA tribute act band member as he became the latest hopeful singleton to feature on RTEs First Dates Ireland show.

Carrickmacross native Colm McEneaney was matched with his date, 33-year-old Daniel, from Wexford.

The Monaghan man applied for the dating show a short time after seeing a post about it on his own social media feed.

Colm with his date, Daniel (33) from Wexford. Photo: RTE

The pair enjoyed plenty of deep conversations, most notably with Colm lifting the lid over homophobic bullying at school, and how that experience combined with his love of sport prevented him from coming out sooner.

Despite those exchanges and appearing to strike up a friendly atmosphere, the evening ended with both going their separate ways.

Asked at the end of the night if there was any chance of a possible romance emerging at some stage in the future, the Carrickmacross man gave a curt, albeit honest response.

Monaghan man Colm McEneaney on last night's First Dates Ireland show. Photo: RTE

No, said the personal trainer, in reply to the possibility of a second date.

It was a night out for a bit of fun and a few drinks and a bit of laugh but unfortunately no spark from me."

That view was one which Daniel didnt appear to share as he conceded the prospect of meeting Colm again was something he would have liked.
Annie John, a sixth class pupil from Scoil Mhuire, Coolcotts, has won Wexfords Easons Spelling Bee competition for the second year in a row. Travelling to Goreys Educate Together NS to defend her title, Annie faced some stiff competition from 23 other pupils but once more emerged victorious, her winning word being brasserie.

She will now go on to represent Wexford in the Leinster finals later this school year.

Annie's classmates and I are extremely proud of her amazing achievement, said her teacher, Ms. Marina Kehoe, who described the star speller as a motivated and diligent pupil.

Dr. Mags Jordan, Principal of Scoil Mhuire, said she is incredibly proud of Annie. Easons have given children a very enjoyable educational experience, one that is also a marvellous confidence builder for the participants, she continued. They get to have fun, all while expanding their vocabulary and refining their spelling skills.

Annies parents have been helping her train for the spelling bees and were in attendance at the county final in Gorey. Her dad, John Bakthan, said the sixth class pupil has had a love of the written word since she was a toddler. She was always into reading, was reading small story books even before she went into playschool. Since then she has got into the Harry Potter books, Roald Dahl, and received great encouragement from her teachers at Scoil Mhuire.

Revealing that his daughter also enjoys writing stories of her own, John said much of Annies success is down to an innate curiosity to know everything about words, to learn about their definition and meaning, not just their spelling. Hopeful that she will go one step further this year and win the Leinster title, John said Annies ambition when she finishes school is no longer to become a teacher, and said she has since decided she would prefer to be a doctor.

Celebrating its 11th year, the Eason Spelling Bee is part of an overall literacy and reading drive to encourage and inspire children to develop their spelling and pronunciation skills. Over the years the competition has helped school children gain a greater appreciation of words and fosters vocabulary growth and self-confidence for children.

Group Head of Marketing at Eason, Brendan Corbett, said, We are thrilled to be kicking off the 2024 Eason Spelling Bee with such accomplished children taking part in Wexford  they are a great testament to the talent of the children of Ireland. I am certain that this year we will be successful in building on 2023s triumph and inspire everyone to support their local schools, and especially, their bees.

The All-Ireland winning bee will get a selection of books for their school library valued at 7,500, in addition to the coveted title of Eason Spelling Bee 2024 Champion. The winner themselves will also receive a goodie bag packed of books worth 500.

This year, over 525 schools nationwide will compete against each other in a bid to win the prestigious prize. The Eason Spelling Bee team will be travelling around the country to host County Final Bees, and then progressing to a Provincial Bee contest. The champions from these will then go head-to-head in the All-Ireland Final Bee, taking place in June 2024, with the lucky winner being crowned King or Queen Bee.

Keep up to date with all the 2024 Spelling Bee buzz on www.easons.com/spellingbee and @easons #EasonSpellingBee.
Sarah Blake, Clodagh McLoughlin, Sinead Martin, Holly Donaldson, Charlie Gleeson, Aoife Fleming and Conor Blake from Down Syndrome Wexford at the Blackpool Ballroom.

There was glitz, glamour and dancing of the highest quality recently as seven members of Down Syndrome Wexford flew the flag for Ireland as they took part in a ballroom dancing competition in Blackpool recently.

Claiming the top spot in multiple competitions, they blazed a trail for people with disabilities everywhere.

Quite a bit of work went into perfecting what the judges saw on the dancefloor. Martina Leacy has guided her troupe of dancers for over a year in weekly classes. Every time they reach a goal, she knows she can set the bar higher for them as they smashed through preconceived notions of what people with disabilities can accomplish.

It was a very proud moment for Martina seeing all that hard work pay off.

For Clodagh Mcloughlin and Sarah Blake to compete on the open level was a huge achievement, she said.

They danced like the true Professionals they are. It was a very proud moment for their parents and for me as a dance teacher.

On the foot of their wins in Blackpool, some dancers performed a cha cha for President Michael D. Higgins at the St Patricks Day parade in Dublin.

The group are not finished yet either. In October, the Wexford dancers will have the once in a lifetime opportunity to take their newly kindled passion for dance all the way to Disneyland Paris to perform there.

Down Syndrome Wexford would like to thank all members of the public who have donated during the year.

"We rely totally on the generosity of the people to help our members achieve their goals, a spokesperson said. With every euro youve donated, you put a lasting smile on our faces.

Run entirely by volunteers, Down Syndrome Wexford relies completely on donations to provide members with access to vital services such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy.
Wexford Independent Alliance seeks to change the face of local government  the main parties wont have the power they have at the moment

Ten new candidates announced for upcoming local elections as Deputy Verona Murphy launches new group of council hopefuls

Back row. l-r: Jimmy Flemimg, Marty Murphy, Ray Shannon, Nicky Bolger, Cyril Wheelock, Pat Barden and Jack Barden. Front: Michelle O'Neill, Verona Murphy, Majella Wall and Paddy Kavanagh at the launch of Wexford Independent Alliance in the Riverside Park Hotel.

Simon Bourke  Wexford People Fri 22 Mar 2024 at 08:00

In what was described as a new wave in Irish politics, the Wexford Independent Alliance (WIA) was officially launched in the Riverside Park Hotel in Enniscorthy on Wednesday evening. The approximately 600 people in attendance were introduced to ten new candidates for Co Wexford, each of whom will run in this summers local elections which take place on June 7.
Bray-based firm Smurfit Kappa Security Concepts, the high security printing and identity management solutions provider, has announced that Managing Director Tom OMahony will retire after 33 years with the business. Peter Thomas will take over the role on May 1, 2024.

Mr OMahony joined the business in 1990 as an accountant when it was De La Rue Smurfit Limited. a joint venture by De La Rue plc, the currency printers and Jefferson Smurfit, the carton manufacturers. Before he joined the business he worked in the Middle East.

In 2008, the company became a wholly owned Smurfit Kappa company, trading as DLRS Ltd and in 2018 changed its name to Smurfit Kappa Security Concepts.

Commenting on his long career with the firm, Mr OMahony said: I wish Peter and the team every success. I have enjoyed my time here, building a company with its roots in Ireland, where we honed our skills and expertise on award-winning projects, including the Irish passport before bringing that experience to support organisations around the world.

"I have worked hard to make this a good place to work where we look after people and are part of the local community. I hope that is part of my legacy, he added.

SKSC offers high security printing and identity management solutions, with a range of award-winning products including passports, identity cards, excise stamps, birth and education certificates.

Working with governments and corporates across the globe, SKSCs reputation has been earned over almost 50 years as a leading player in the sector, enabling organisations to outsource these critical components with confidence.

The firm is based in Pinewood Close, in Bray Industrial Estate.
Wicklow County Council (WCC) has secured a funding allocation and is working on the design to complete the long-awaited Kilcoole Road footpath between Knockroe and Kilcoole Community Centre. The Council is expected to soon run a tender for the project and appoint a contractor to carry out the work, with construction planned for the third quarter of 2024.

Cllr Stephen Stokes, Cathaoirleach of the Greystones Municipal District, is supporting the plan after he said the issue has dragged on for too long.

"The residents of Kilcoole deserve to see a decisive resolution to this project, he said. The unfinished footpath is a vital accessibility issue. Additionally, it is unsightly and does not give visitors the best first impression. I will support any positive plan for Kilcoole or anywhere else in the Greystones Municipal District to improve pedestrian facilities," he added.

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Meanwhile, Cllr Stokes is calling on WCC to put together an action plan that will audit road markings across all municipal districts in County Wicklow, having raised the issue at the March 2024 meeting of WCC.

During the meeting, WCC Chief Executive Emer O'Gorman agreed with Cllr Stokes's recommendation that there should be an audit to create an action plan for road markings. Ms OGorman also commented that while travelling around Wicklow, there are no road markings at all in some places.

Cllr Stokes added: "While I want to see any road marking that is in poor condition re-done, I do believe that we should prioritise ramps, junctions and areas outside schools. It would certainly be a positive first step. Some junctions are so bad that people are confused as to which lane they should be in, or where to stop. This is a significant road safety concern.

"The road markings are generally in a poor state across the Greystones Municipal District. An excellent example is right outside Kilcoole Primary School, on the Main Street. I want decisive action to rectify this. Unless there is a full road scheme planned, it is almost impossible to get a road or ramp re-painted. Of course many roads should be re-surfaced too. People contact me on a weekly, if not daily, basis about road markings. I believe that Wicklow County Council needs to re-visit this issue as a priority.

The full meeting of the Council heard a further contribution that there are very few companies in Ireland that specialise in road markings, and that they can be hampered by poor weather.

"If weather is an issue, we really need to book ahead for summer to maximise our chances. Additionally, if Wicklow County Council is over-reliant on external companies to do road re-surfacing or re-painting, then we may need to further invest in more outdoor staffing and equipment ourselves. This would mean that we can always get to work when the weather is good. There would also be no shortage of work for them to do. I will continue to press the case for road improvements."
The persistent issue of flooding at the south beach, in Greystones, which is home to one of the most popular playgrounds in the area, is finally being tackled by Irish Rail.

Greystones Green Party Councillor Lourda Scott confirmed that Irish Rail will fix the existing railway bridge at the second arch by the south beach playground in Greystones, where the flooding frequently occurs.

Cllr Scott had contacted Irish Rail after installation began of the accessible boardwalk last year, when it became evident that completion of the boardwalk would not be possible until the flooding was fixed.

Flooding under this bridge has always been an issue, she said. "After speaking with our local engineer it was confirmed that the solution lay with Irish Rail and until it was resolved the boardwalk at the southern end could not be finished.

"This means that people in wheelchairs can't access the boardwalk from the southern end, which is nearest to the car park by the playground. Obviously, this is not ideal and while many people have been enjoying this new amenity, it wasn't fully serving its purpose.

"I had previously worked with the access officer in Irish Rail on getting wheelchair access to Kilcoole beach. They were very willing to engage and the works done at Kilcoole have been excellent. So when the problem arose in Greystones, I spoke to the Irish Rail access officer in December about a solution to the flooding.

"I followed up with their Infrastructure Manager in the early new year to keep the issue prioritised. I was delighted to get confirmation that works will be done to fix the bridge to prevent any more flooding by mid-April.

"I will continue to ensure that the next steps are taken to ensure full access from the boardwalk from both entry points. I am very impressed with Irish Rail and how proactive they were on getting back to me on this matter, she said. It also highlights the value of having an access officer in an organisation. Even though in this case access to Irish Rail facilities wasn't affected, I believe having a person dedicated to coordinating assistance to people with disabilities really helped me to keep this matter prioritised."
The weekly guided tours of the Wicklow Town Heritage Trail recommence on Saturday, March 30, and will continue right through the Summer until the last Saturday in September.

The walk will commence from outside the Failte Ireland office in Fitzwilliam Square at 11am and will take approximately two hours to complete - enabling the participants to spend some time at each location. These weekly guided walks will continue right through the Summer until the last Saturday in September.

John Finlay, the Chairperson of the Wicklow Historical Society said: Since the Heritage Trail commenced two years ago, this new tourist offering to the town has welcomed visitors from the five continents of the world. Many Irish tourists and local residents have enjoyed and appreciated the rich and ancient heritage of Wicklow town.

Locals, visitors and tourists are all welcome to take part in what is a very informative walk detailing the rich history of Wicklow Town, from the landing of St. Patrick in 432 to the end of the Civil War in 1923.

The trail covers 18 key sites of historical interest including the story of local man Robert Halpin who laid the first Trans-Atlantic cable, the history of the Abbey Grounds and the Franciscan Abbey and the story of Billy Byrne and the 1798 rising in Wicklow town.

The trail also takes in the massacre of over 300 mainly women and children in Melancholy Lane by Sir Charles Coote in 1641 ad the history of the Black Castle, including details of some of the battles that took place over six centuries.

Participants in the walk will also learn about the attempted landing by St. Patrick at Travilahawk Beach, and the history relating to the Barrow Green, including stories of the secret burials that took place there.

On each of the storyboards located throughout the town, there is a QR code which enables participants to watch a video on their phone, telling them the story of each key location. The actors featured on the videos are members of the local dramatic society.
Xi congratulates president-elect of Indonesia

08:09, March 22, 2024 By Xu Wei ( Chinadaily.com.cn

The congratulatory message from President Xi Jinping to Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto underscores China's readiness to build on the robust diplomatic ties, fueling expectations for more outcomes from the bilateral community with a shared future, said Beijing's top envoy to Jakarta.

In the message extended to Subianto on Wednesday, the Chinese president stressed his strong emphasis on the development of ties with Indonesia, saying that he looks forward to concerted efforts with the president-elect to usher in greater achievements in building a bilateral community with a shared future.

The two nations should set an example of solidarity and coordination for common development among major developing countries, deliver more benefits to the two peoples and give strong impetus to regional and global prosperity and stability, Xi said.

Subianto, who is the defense minister of Indonesia, was announced as the winner of the Southeast Asian country's presidential election on Wednesday, securing the Feb 14 contest with nearly 60 percent of the votes.

In an interview with China Daily, Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Lu Kang underlined Beijing's readiness to work with the new Indonesian government to continue building high-level strategic trust, deepening comprehensive strategic cooperation and promoting substantial development of the China-Indonesia community with a shared future.

Lu said Chinese leaders extended congratulatory messages to Subianto and his running mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, immediately after the official announcement of the election results.

"This speaks volumes for the high regard Chinese leaders have for the development of China-Indonesia relations," he said.

"It is the common aspiration of the Chinese and Indonesian people to maintain the sustained and steady development of bilateral relations," Lu said. "We believe that in the future, we will see more frequent and closer interactions between the leaders of the two countries."

The relationship between China and Indonesia, under the strategic guidance of Xi and President Joko Widodo, has grown rapidly, Lu said.

The two sides have kept enhancing alignment in development strategies, jointly established a high-level dialogue and cooperation mechanism, and formed a new pattern of "four-wheel drive" cooperation in the political, economic, cultural and maritime fields, he said.

As one of the landmark projects of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway has proved to be a resounding success, facilitating the travel of the Indonesian people and propelling economic growth.

Lu said one of the key experiences of the project's success is that the two sides have always adhered to the principle of wide consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits.

The success will enable both nations to further substantiate their Belt and Road cooperation and set a new landmark for pragmatic cooperation across various sectors, especially in infrastructure and production capacity, said the ambassador.

Xu Liping, director of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Center of Southeast Asian Studies, said "the trend of friendship between China and Indonesia has become irreversible" after decadelong efforts to build up bilateral relations.

"This friendship has given the Indonesian people a concrete sense of gain, and laid a solid foundation for the bilateral relationship going forward."

Lu said that China will continue to utilize its technology, equipment and manufacturing to boost bilateral cooperation in connectivity, continue to promote the "Two Countries, Two Parks" and other landmark projects of the BRI, and carry out more projects for improving public well-being.

He also stressed China's readiness to deepen cooperation in emerging fields such as the digital economy, the green economy and Silk Road e-commerce.

China, already the largest trading partner of Indonesia for 11 consecutive years, has long been a major source of investment for the Southeast Asian country. The total trade volume between both nations reached $139.4 billion last year.

There are now over 1,000 Chinese businesses in Indonesia, covering sectors such as energy, telecommunications, power grids, mining, internet and the digital economy.

Lu highlighted the immense potential for the two countries to bolster trade and economic ties, saying that both nations will step up cooperation in sustainable development, food security, energy infrastructure and clean energy.

"The two sides will also expand collaboration in high-tech and emerging sectors, such as smart cities, 5G and the digital economy," he said.

To further bolster people-to-people links between China and Indonesia, the envoy said both sides will open more tourism flight routes, strengthen subnational cooperation, enhance cooperation and exchanges in talent training, and encourage more exchanges and visits between nongovernmental and religious groups.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Why Changsha stands out as "cyberstar" city

13:34, March 22, 2024 By Yan Ke, Sun Chao ( People's Daily

Photo shows a night view of the Changsha Meixihu International Culture & Arts Center in Changsha, central China's Hunan province. (People's Daily Online/Li Jian)

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan province on March 18, which has drawn more attention to this "cyberstar" city.

Changsha has made itself a great example showing how cultural advancement and economic development are integrated and mutually reinforcing each other.

As a city among the first batch of state-level famous historic and cultural cities in China, Changsha boasts profound cultural heritage. At the same time, it is home to a large number of trendy internet-famous brands, which leads to prosperous urban consumption. Many young tourists from outside the city would merge into the bustling crowds in downtown Changsha, even before dropping off their suitcases, just to visit the stores they have long coveted.

Building upon the Hunan culture, which stresses practicality, Changsha has well blended its culture into the hustle and bustle of the urban life. The popularity of "cyberstar" cities exactly stems from their vitality in cultural economy.

Culture endows economic development with profound humanistic value. Cultural economy encompasses the processes of cultural economization and economic culturalization, which essentially involve the integration and mutual development of culture and economy.

People visit the Hunan Museum in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, Feb. 12, 2024. (People's Daily Online/Li Jian)

Modern China Tea Shop is a local bubble tea brand in Changsha that has gained fame across the entire country. Why are so many tourists traveling to Changsha just to take a sip of its bubble tea?

Lyu Liang, the founder of the bubble tea brand, said that they once spent over 100,000 yuan ($13,890) to purchase the copyright of a Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) portrait, solely for making innovative designs of bubble tea cups.

"Culture is the most nourishing soil for a brand," Lyu said.

Culture empowers the economy and paints the humanistic feature of a city.

In Changsha, the most bustling commercial areas are often the ones with a long history. Historical and cultural sites, including the Chaozong Street, the Taiping Street, and the Duzheng Street, have been revitalized through urban renewal. Passing through tranquil residences of historical figures, tourists in the city will find themselves surrounded by vibrant and trendy stores. These streets, deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of Changsha and yet exuding a fashionable atmosphere, have become the most dynamic places in Changsha at night.

Economic development vitalizes culture and injects new vitality into a city's innovation.

Tourists pose for a picture in the Taiping Street, Changsha, central China's Hunan province. (People's Daily Online/Lin Daohui)

The dazzling neon at the foot of the Yuelu Mountain, the internet-famous bookstores on Juzizhou Island, and the bustling night markets all depict the youthful and energetic image of Changsha.

In 2022, the population of Changsha increased by 181,300. As a city that leads economic development in Hunan province, Changsha has set a new goal of building itself into a global research and development center. The attractiveness to talents, fueled by the city's vibrant energy, is one of its important driving forces.

The Changsha Huagu Opera theater has gained 3.5 million views at the first livestreaming performances on short video platform Douyin in September 2022, which is 70 times more than the number of in-person audience it receives in a year. Today, many Gen-Zers who enjoy the Huagu Opera are also hitting the theaters to feel the charm of the traditional art form.

Profound yet dynamic, ancient yet youthful, the zeitgeist of Changsha reflects the inclusiveness and pioneering spirit of Hunan, as well as progressive spirit of the Chinese nation - staying on the right course without following the beaten track and respecting traditions but not obsolete practices.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Du Mingming)
Bitcoin Fog Operator Convicted of Money Laundering Conspiracy

A federal jury in Washington, D.C., convicted a dual Russian-Swedish national today for his operation of the longest-running bitcoin money laundering service on the darknet.

Roman Sterlingov thought he could use the shadows of the internet to launder hundreds of millions of dollars in bitcoin without getting caught. But he was wrong, said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. Our team of agents, analysts, and prosecutors were relentless in their pursuit of justice, painstakingly tracing bitcoin through the blockchain to hold Sterlingov and his Bitcoin Fog enterprise to account. Today, a jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts  showing that no matter where you operate, if your cryptocurrency service reaches the United States, you must abide by U.S. law.

The FBIs cyber workforce remains relentless in the pursuit of criminals who leverage technology to conduct and facilitate illegal activity, said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. Todays conviction is the result of close collaboration between the FBI and our federal and international partners to impose consequences on Bitcoin Fog and its operator for their money laundering activities. The FBI will continue to use all available tools and resources to impose costs on cybercriminals, no matter where they operate.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Roman Sterlingov, 35, was involved in operating Bitcoin Fog from 2011 through 2021. Bitcoin Fog was the longest-running cryptocurrency mixer, gaining notoriety as a go-to money laundering service for criminals seeking to hide their illicit proceeds from law enforcement. Over the course of its decade-long operation, Bitcoin Fog moved over 1.2 million bitcoin, which was valued at approximately $400 million at the time of the transactions. The bulk of this cryptocurrency came from darknet marketplaces and was tied to illegal narcotics, computer crimes, identity theft, and child sexual abuse material.

Roman Sterlingov operated Bitcoin Fog, a cryptocurrency mixing service that allowed criminals to launder hundreds of millions of dollars in illicit funds from darknet marketplaces. The defendant and his customers believed they could use Bitcoin Fog to conceal these illicit transactions, said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Departments Criminal Division. As the jurys guilty verdict shows, that belief was mistaken. The Criminal Division is committed to unmasking and prosecuting those who use technology to hide their crimes, no matter how sophisticated the scheme may be.

Darknet criminals should know by now that operations like Bitcoin Fog cannot provide the anonymity for cryptocurrency transactions that they claim they can, said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. This conviction demonstrates that the United States can and will combat the use of technology to carry out crimes in cyberspace.

Evidence presented at trial clearly showed that the defendant laundered hundreds of millions of illicit funds from the dark web through Bitcoin Fog in an attempt to conceal the origin of those funds, said Chief Jim Lee of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). IRS Criminal Investigation special agents are specially equipped to follow the complex financial trail left by criminals, and we are dedicated to holding those accountable for crimes committed.

The jury convicted Sterlingov of money laundering conspiracy and sting money laundering, which each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business and money transmission without a license in the District of Columbia, which each carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The IRS-CI District of Columbia Cyber Crime Unit and FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case. The Justice Departments Office of International Affairs and FBIs Virtual Asset Unit provided invaluable assistance. Additional assistance was provided by Europol; the Swedish Economic Crime Authority, Swedish Prosecution Authority, and Swedish Police Authority; and the General Inspectorate of Romanian Police, Directorate for Combatting Organized Crime, and Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism.

Trial Attorneys Jeff Pearlman and C. Alden Pelker of the Criminal Divisions Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher B. Brown for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case. Pelker and Brown are members of CCIPS National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET). CCIPS Paralegal Specialist Divya Ramjee and Paralegal Specialist Angela De Falco for the District of Columbia provided valuable assistance.

This story has been published on: 2024-03-22. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Our beauty writer shares some of her favourite eye products, ideal for those who are tight on time

At an event last week, I was commiserating with some other mothers of small children over how difficult it is for us to get ourselves to a morning event or meeting these days. Even if you manage the logistics of getting your children to childcare and yourself to the designated location at the appointed time, being washed with your hair brushed and a bit of makeup on is a different battle.

We complimented each other on managing it that day and immediately began to interrogate each other about our makeup. It wasnt long before I was pulling the Laura Mercier Caviar Stick (34 via spacenk.com) I was wearing on my eyes out of my bag and extolling its virtues.

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick (34 via SpaceNK.com)

Caviar Sticks are eyeshadow sticks which come in a wide array of shades and formulas, from mattes to shimmers, and I absolutely love them. They apply easily and blend like a dream, making them an ideal product for anyone whos busy or just doesnt have the inclination to spend ages on an eye makeup look. Shades like Sepia and Brick will give the effect of a warm smoky eye if applied to the lid and just under the lower lashes before blending out with a brush.

If you do like to get creative on your eyes, they work wonderfully when layered under other shadows and play the role of a primer. Nude shades like Au Natural or Vanilla Kiss will neutralise the eyelid and make colours pop when applied over them.

The women I was talking to were surprised by me waxing lyrically about a cream shadow, and I understand why. Once upon a time (the late 1990s and early 2000s to be precise), you couldnt hear the phrase cream shadow without the word creasing.

Using a cream shadow then meant your eyeshadow wouldnt last, and nobody wants that. If youre someone whos carried that belief with you to the present day, please let me assure you that things have dramatically improved.

Vieve Eye Wand (25.90 via cultbeauty.com)

These days, many cream shadow formulas are waterproof and creaseproof. The aforementioned Caviar Sticks are a good example, but I also rate Vieve Eye Wands (25.90 via cultbeauty.com) which are very similar.

I am also devoted to Armani Eye Tint Liquid Eyeshadow (35 via brownthomas.com). In my experience, none of these crease or deteriorate over the course of a day, and all can be applied quickly and blended more easily than a powder shadow.

Armani Eye Tint Liquid Eyeshadow (35 via brownthomas.com)

If youre someone whose eyelids veer towards oily, you may still find you have issues. In which case, application process is important. As with all products, thin layers are key. If you apply a lot of any cream or liquid product to any area of your face, its more likely to crack or crease.

A thin layer will set quickly and last longer. If you need to build opacity or colour depth, apply thin layers until you get the finish you want.

Unsurprisingly, the trickiest place to avoid creasing, if youre prone to it, is along the eye sockets crease. With that in mind, be especially careful when applying product in the area, and consider applying a thin layer of translucent powder over it for extra security.

Lost in translation

Astaxanthin is an ingredient well be seeing a lot of in 2024 skincare chat. This is a red pigment which is responsible for the pink in salmon, but its also an active ingredient in skincare. It has higher antioxidant activity than vitamin C, which means it will reduce hyperpigmentation, maintain collagen production and generally fight the ageing process. You can see why its becoming popular. This ingredient can be taken as a supplement and in topical skincare products, and is most powerful when used both ways.

Something old

BPerfect Cosmetics The Cheek

Irish brand BPerfect Cosmetics has become a global success, with makeup lovers from all over the world rating the products. What began with a single eyebrow product is now a full range, from tanning products to foundation, eyeshadow palettes and loads more.

Todays focus is The Cheek, a brilliantly named multi-use liquid blush. Available in 10 shades, from fuchsia to pinks and peaches, this liquid applies easily and blends beautifully. It dries down quickly to a powder finish, and can be used on the eyes as well as the lips. Personally, I think using one tone across the face looks incredibly polished and sophisticated, and using a liquid blush on the cheeks and the eyes is a great way to achieve that. Just using a little of this as a base for your eyeshadow will tie your look together and make everything work harmoniously.

... Something new

Lancome Idole Tint Liquid Eye-Blusher

Lancomes Idole range has yet to let me down. From beautiful floral perfume to high-impact volumising mascara, and now the latest launch, Idole Tint Liquid Eye-Blusher (30 via boots.ie), a versatile liquid eye blusher. Available in seven shades, this product was designed to be used as a blush and eyeshadow, and even as a graphic liner if youre so inclined. Some shades are also shimmery and can double up as a highlighter.

I love a multi-use product. They cut down on time and handbag space if youre on the move, and can simplify a makeup routine brilliantly. This product promises 16-hour wear and, in my experience, it genuinely delivers that. Also, the first time I wore it, someone complimented me on the shade of blush I was wearing - not something Ive experienced before. (It was Sienna, by the way.)
McGregors Black Forge pub in Crumlin now has the name Road House in blue signage erected over its main door

Conoe McGregor has temporarily renamed his pub in Dublin in honour of his new movie.

The Black Forge Inn pub in Crumlin now has the name Road House in blue signage erected over its main door.

The Notorious, who got 5 million for his debut acting role for playing a misfit in the remake of the 1989 classic movie, has been on a whistle-stop tour of America and England recently promoting the flick.

Friends and family were last night treated to a private screening of the film in The Black Forge but McGregor himself was not in attendance as he hit the promotional trail.

The Black Forge Inn temporarily changes name

Liam Flynn, manager of The Black Forge Inn, said Were delighted to bring a little bit of Hollywood to west Dublin as we celebrate Conors first ever major role in a blockbuster.

"We might not have the Florida weather but you wont beat the craic we have here in the Forge and were looking forward to raising a pint as we watch Conor raise some hell on the silver screen.

Despite McGregor bigging up his participation in the film, American promotional billboards are only using pictures of its main star Jake Gyllenhaal to promote the movie, which is being streamed on Amazons Prime channel from tomorrow.

Gyllenhaal plays Patrick Swayzes famous bouncer character Dalton in the film, and gets to fight McGregors character Knox in several scenes.

The first shot we ever shot together was like the headbutt where were face to face, Gyllenhaal told ITVs This Morning show earlier today.

Conor McGregor

Every time I was like what am I doing. At the same time I was like oh my God, this is pretty cool. I was also like totally terrified.

Its not just Conor. A number of fighters are in our movie, and it was really funny to me, teaching professional fighters who would like totally kick my ass how to kick my ass (laughs). It was so funny. So that people really buy it.

Gyllenhaal beefed up for his role, while McGregor uses his native Dublin accent in the film, rather than the put on the semi-American one he occasionally uses.

Whats also great is when youre working with professional fighters, their ability to judge distance is unlike anyone else, adds Gyllenhaal.

To be working with someone who is able to judge that distance, theres a safety to that too.
Europe

Pope uses Easter address to call for Gaza ceasefire: How much suffering we see in the eyes of children
Pierce Brosnan, who played James Bond in four movies between 1995 and 2002. Photo: Yui Mok/PA

Pierce Brosnan has offered advice to British actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who has reportedly been offered the role of James Bond.

Speaking on The Ray DArcy Show on RTE Radio 1, Brosnan told Taylor-Johnson to be bold as he takes on the iconic role.

Irish actor Brosnan played the secret agent 007 in four films between 1995 and 2002. Taylor-Johnson looks set to take over the mantle from Brosnans successor Daniel Craig.

I think the man has the chops and the talent and the charisma to play Bond, very much so, he said.

A connection already exists between Brosnan and Taylor-Johnson. They starred together alongside Carey Mulligan and Susan Sarandon in The Greatest in 2009.

"I read the news about his possibilities of being a Bond so I would definitely tip my hat to the fellow.

Be bold, go out there and have a great time. Just love it, just go for it. He can do it.

Asked about his hometown in Navan, Co Meath, Brosnan said he hasnt visited in some time and his family home has been torn down.

"I read that they tore the house down there a while ago. It was a bungalow on the banks of the River Boyne that my grandfather built.

"The last time I saw it, it was a wreck of a place. I went there with my mother and it was a lovely wee bungalow back in the day but on the particular day I saw it, it was filled with beer cans. It was an awful mess.

"Everything changes, everything falls apart. I thank everybody who wanted to keep it but something you just cant keep. Its a fond memory.

Brosnan spoke to host Ray DArcy about his IFTA nominated performance in The Last Rifleman.

Brosnan spoke about working with director Terry Loane on the film and said the pair had been trying to work together for years.

"He brought me this jewel of a film which is really based on a true story of this gentleman Bernard Jordan who left the old peoples home. He was a World War Two veteran and he wanted to celebrate his comrades in Normandy, left the home and it was on the news.

Though just 70-years-old himself, the character Brosnan played based on Mr Jordan was aged 92 in the film.

There is a reflection slowly as you got up, youd open your eyes and there was this other you before you.

"You have the costume, you have the stick, you have the environment, you have the preparation and imagination that goes into making it.
'Drew' wrapover jacket in flat poplin, also available in crepe, 595, and 'Coco' circular skirt in white pique, 595, andtate.com

Sharon Hoey is a new name on the line-up for the annual Arc fashion show, which takes place at the RDS on March 28 in aid of the cancer support centres.

Traditionally one of the biggest fashion shows of the year in the country, this is the ninth consecutive show raising funds for Arc. It will be produced by Eddie Shanahan and will feature 24 fashion designers, eight milliners and three accessories designers so, all in all, a massive night for Irish creatives.

Sharon will be showing her new AndTate SS24 collection, which crosses from full-on glamour occasion and evening wear, such the Cleo dress in Kelly green, to stylish dresses, satin coats and glamorous mix-and-match separates that allow you to play with the elements to suit the day.

After more than three decades as an acknowledged expert in the bridal market, Sharon has discovered a whole new genre of customer with her AndTate line, which she started during the pandemic with a range of white shirts.

'Drew' wrapover jacket in flat poplin, also available in crepe, 595, and 'Coco' circular skirt in white pique, 595, andtate.com

Since then, it has developed very organically into something exciting, and the publics response has vindicated her gut feeling to expand.

The new collection, which she is showing at the Arc event, was inspired by the 1930s, including the wardrobe of Wallis Simpson, and Sharon is carrying this on into the next season or two, so theres the clear sense of wardrobe building.

At the moment, everything is very ladylike, very elegant, and thats where we are coming from with this SS24 collection, Sharon explained as she gave me a walk-through in advance of the show.

We have taken a really nice ladylike aesthetic, applying it to some modern-day shapes. I like very structured shapes so we are keeping that and adding in colour.

'Chrissy' top, 395, and 'Twilight' skirt, 695, from Sharon Hoey's AndTate collection

A perfect example of this is the Cleo dress (750)  modern and sleek but factoring in 1930s elements, like the pussycat bow, the sexy shoulders that are cutaway but not too much and the play of contrasting fabrics, something the Dublin designer loves to do in her work.

A lot of what I do is a play between satin and crepe, between shine and matt, Sharon says. The satin bottom band on the A-line Cleo goes up higher in the front of the dress, which is also available in baby blue, Kelly green, black, navy, champagne and tomato red.

Sharons blue satin Dusk coat has been cleverly cut with a subtle curve factor which you can see on the side and also on the centre back seam, and it creates that old-world glamour.

I love, love, love coats, I never have enough of them, so this was a must for me, says Sharon. The Dusk (975) can be worn over the Clair de Lune T-shirt top (325) in an Italian satin back crepe  a key fabric for the design house  and with the Claudia wrap skirt (525).

Blue satin 'Dusk' coat, 975, 'Clair de Lune' top, 325, and 'Claudia' wrap skirt, 524, andtate.com

Alternatively, Sharon suggests that the Dusk coat could be worn perhaps more casually with palazzo trousers or cigarette-end pants cropped at the ankle, but there is also the possibility of getting a special occasion out of it worn with the Carolina dress (850) which has a double puff sleeve and satin-finish neck bow.

This season, Sharon has introduced the Drew wrap-over jacket (595), which ties at the waist. Made in a flat poplin, it has deep cuffs and handmade buttons. She is also doing it in a crepe fabric and, for the show, it will be styled with a full-circle skirt in a white pique fabric with signature crinoline hem (595).

The Arc event will be opened by author Emily Hourican. The catwalk show will feature professional models alongside Arc Angels  women who have gone through cancer and are Arc support users. Tickets for the show cost 65 each. arccancersupport.ie

Wild Atlantic inspiration

Im long overdue a visit to Donegal, and one of the first places I want to visit is Murvagh beach after seeing the campaign imagery from the new collection from Magee 1866.

Its SS24 collection was inspired by the windswept and sandy shorelines of the county on the Wild Atlantic Way.

Grace coat in blue wool Donegal tweed with slant pockets, notch lapel and three-button cuffs, 335, Magee 1866

This is a fifth-generation Irish family brand with more than 150 years experience in designing and weaving natural-fibre fabrics, and Charlotte Temple, the creative director, explained how the seascapes and shorelines of Donegal were the starting point for SS24 collection. Bright blue seas and sandy hues are told in soft stripes, solids, subtle herringbones and salt and pepper weaves.

Magee 1866 'Josie' coat, magee1866.com

Favourites include the Grace jacket, the Josie coat (525) in lemon yellow, the brands take on the contemporary tweed coat in an Irish wool herringbone weave, and also the Roisin quilted jacket (275) and Lizzie gilet (199) in an exclusive fabrication of Made with Liberty Fabrics Love Links heart print. Very cute. magee1866.com.
Conscripts serving their one-year compulsory military service march during the final trial in their basic training at a military camp in Taichung, Taiwan. Photo: Reuters

The United States has positioned troops on a tiny island chain less than 6km from the Chinese coast, Taiwan has admitted.

In an apparent escalation of the American military presence in Taiwan, a Taiwanese defence minister told reporters the country was running an exchange with the US to figure out how to improve its military.
It looked like a hairy poo, but on closer inspection a mysterious object found on a leaf in an Australian rainforest has turned out to be an entirely new species of bug.
Irish News

Jurgen was fantastic, he wrote me a letter when Sean was still in a coma  Sean Coxs family thank Klopp for support after Anfield attack
An emergency service psychologist, left, comforts a woman at the site of Russia's air attack, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Friday, March 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Andriy Andriyenko)

Russia on Friday staged its largest air strike on Ukrainian energy infrastructure of the war, hitting a vast dam, killing at least five people and leaving more than a million others without electricity, Kyiv said.
At least 17 hurt by falling debris

Ukraine has foiled Russias largest attack on Kyiv in weeks  with the countrys air force saying all 31 missiles used in the assault had been shot down.

The ballistic and cruise missiles, the first fired on the Ukrainian capital in 44 days, were knocked out of the sky but at least 17 people were injured in Kyiv and the surrounding area by falling debris. Schools, residential buildings and industrial facilities were also damaged, Ukrainian officials said.
Hong Kong: Contractors suspended from bidding

The Development Bureau has suspended the contractors involved in a fatal industrial incident at the construction site for the Kwai Chung Hospital Phase 2 Redevelopment from tendering for public works contracts.

The bureau noted that the contractors concerned were on the List of Approved Contractors for Public Works.

As the party responsible for procuring services for public works, the bureau said it had notified the contractors concerned that they are suspended from tendering for public works contracts in the buildings category with immediate effect.

The contractors concerned are required to undergo an independent safety audit to review their safety management system. They will be required to take heed of the audits findings and to submit and improvement action plan and improvement measures, with a view to demonstrating that they have an effective safety management system in place, before removal of the suspension can be considered.

The suspension applies not only to future tender exercises, but also those in which procedures have been initiated but not concluded.

A government department is investigating the industrial incident, which happened yesterday, and will handle it in accordance with the law.

Based on the investigations findings, the bureau will impose further regulatory actions on the contractors concerned.

This story has been published on: 2024-03-22. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Mourners cry during a funeral of Palestinians who were killed during an Israeli raid at Nour Shams camp in Tulkarm, in the West Bank. Photo: Reuters

Israeli forces killed three Palestinians in separate incidents in the occupied West Bank yesterday, increasing to 10 the number of Palestinians killed in the territory over 24 hours, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

Since the Gaza war began, Israel has stepped up military raids in the West Bank, where violence had already been surging for over a year. UN records show that Israeli forces or settlers have killed hundreds of Palestinians in West Bank clashes since Hamass October 7 attack on Israel that triggered the Gaza war.
US and Egyptian officials meet to push for a six-week truce in Gaza

World Health Organisation urges land crossings to be allowed so famine can be prevented

A Palestinian woman fleeing Al Shifa hospital following an Israeli raid, carries her triplet children as she moves southward, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the central Gaza Strip yesterday. Photo: Reuters

Humeyra Pamuk and Nidal Al-Mughrabhi Fri 22 Mar 2024 at 03:30







US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Egypts president yesterday for talks on securing a Gaza ceasefire, as Gazas Palestinians despaired at observing Ramadan without relatives who have been killed and lacking adequate food for their children.
Photo Courtesy: Grecia Munoz Instagram page

Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal has tied the knot with Mexico-born model-turned-entrepreneur Grecia Munoz, media reports said.

Goyal, founder of the food delivery platform, and the Mexican-born Munoz returned from their honeymoon in February, people familiar with the matter told Hindustan Times.

Another person familiar with the matter told the newspaper that the couple got married two months ago, adding that Munoz no longer models.

As per the model's Instagram page, she is now at 'home in India'.

Her last Instagram image series showed her exploring Delhi.

She wrote in the caption section: " Dilli Darshan (Part 1) - glimpses of my new life at my new home."

Who is Deepinder Goyal?

41-year-old Deepinder Goyal, who is based in Gurgaon, co-founded Zomato in 2008 after leaving his job at consulting firm Bain & Company.

Zomato is an Indian multinational restaurant aggregator and food delivery company.

According to reports, Deepinder Goyal was earlier married to Kanchan Joshi.

They reportedly met during their IIT-Delhi days.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

Tackling emissions of methane now, is essential to meet the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels by 2050, according to a new report issued by the UN-backed Global Methane Forum on Wednesday.

The Forum is meeting in Geneva, hosted by the UN Economic Commission for Europe, the UN Environment Programme-convened Climate and Clean Air Coalition and other partners.

Political momentum is building towards methane mitigation and new technology is allowing more accurate measurement, revealing the urgent need to turn commitment into real cuts, the Forum said in a press release.

Nearly 500 participants from across the world have been sharing success stories to catalyze methane emission reductions in line with the Global Methane Pledge, which aims to reduce emissions by at least 30 per cent from 2020 levels up to end of this decade. It now has 157 countries and the European Union on board.

A powerful greenhouse gas, methane has a warming effect over 80 times greater than CO2 over a 20-year timeframe, which means action to cut emissions now can unlock significant near-term benefits for climate action.

The gas is responsible for around 30% of total warming since the Industrial Revolution and is the second largest contributor to global warming after CO2.

Turning pledges into action

UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean opened the plenary session on Tuesday by making a global call to mobilize more ambitious action: Hand in hand with decarbonization of energy systems, methane emissions need to be addressed in governments plans for stronger climate action.

Meeting the Global Methane Pledge goals could reduce global warming by at least 0.2 C by 2050.

In view of the devastation and suffering caused by extreme weather events, in particular in the most vulnerable countries, the world can simply not afford to miss this opportunity, she added.
Photo Courtesy: Indian Air Force X page

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) marked a significant achievement with the successful execution of a landing mission for its Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) named "Pushpak" from the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Karnataka's Chalakere on Friday.

Taking off at approximately 7 a.m. from the Chalakere Runway, this mission represented the RLV's third landing endeavor, following previous successful missions in 2016 and April last year.

In a departure from conventional methods, the launch vehicle was lifted to an altitude of about 4.5 km by an Indian Air Force helicopter before being released upon meeting predetermined pillbox parameters.

Emphasising the mission's significance, ISRO highlighted its integral role in ongoing efforts to develop essential technologies for a fully reusable launch vehicle, aimed at enabling cost-effective access to space.

The winged vehicle, Pushpak (RLV-TD), executed an autonomous landing with precision on the runway after being released from an off-nominal position.

ISRO Chairperson S Somanath underscored the importance of the Pushpak launch vehicle, characterizing it as India's bold step towards enhancing the affordability of space access.

Utilising the #IAF Chinook helicopter for its airlift and subsequent positioning at a predefined altitude and location, @isro successfully demonstrated the autonomous landing capability of the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) 'PUSHPAK' as part of its RLV-LEX 2 mission.



Airlifted to pic.twitter.com/FCTGHk51wO  Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) March 22, 2024

Somanath elaborated on the reusability of the upper stage, housing expensive electronics, which could potentially facilitate tasks such as refueling in-orbit satellites or refurbishing satellites, thereby contributing to space debris reduction.

The Reusable Launch Vehicle  Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) project stands as one of ISRO's most technologically challenging endeavors. Its primary objective is to develop crucial technologies for a fully reusable launch vehicle, ultimately aimed at reducing the cost of space missions.

With a configuration resembling that of an aircraft but incorporating complexities from both a launch vehicle and an airplane, the RLV-TD serves as a flying test bed to evaluate various technologies, including hypersonic flight, autonomous landing, and powered cruise flight.

ISRO envisions scaling up the RLV-TD to serve as the first stage of India's reusable two-stage orbital launch vehicle.

In February, Somanath briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the RLV mission during Modi's visit to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Trivandrum. The project, named after the legendary spaceship in the Ramayana, is estimated to have incurred a cost exceeding Rs 100 crore.

(With UNI inputs)
Hong Kong: CE signs national security ordinance

Chief Executive John Lee today signed the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance passed by the Legislative Council in accordance with the Basic Law Article 48(3).

The ordinance will officially take effect upon gazettal tomorrow, ensuring the effective protection of national security.

Mr Lee stressed that the passing of the ordinance signifies that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has fulfilled its constitutional responsibility as stipulated in the Basic Law Article 23 to enact local legislation to safeguard national security, and that it has accomplished a historic mission, living up to the trust placed in it by the central authorities and the country.

He pointed out that the completion of the legislation is essential to the implementation of the principle of one country, two systems, ensuring the effective protection of the national security of one country and the long-term prosperity and stability of the Hong Kong SAR under two systems.

He stressed that the ordinance will bring safety to society, along with stability and prosperity, and that a safe and stable environment will make Hong Kong an attractive place for enterprises and investment.

While safeguarding security, the ordinance ensures human rights and freedoms are protected, he added, stressing that the principles of protecting human rights and freedoms are clearly and explicitly stipulated in the legal provisions.

Under the ordinance, human rights are to be respected and protected, and the rights and freedoms enjoyed under the Basic Law, and under the provisions of two international covenants as applied to the Hong Kong SAR  namely the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights  are to be protected in accordance with the law.

Mr Lee also highlighted that the ordinance ensures property and investments in the Hong Kong SAR are protected by law.

The ordinance fully implements the requirements set out in the Basic Law Article 23, the Decision of the National Peoples Congress on Establishing & Improving the Legal System & Enforcement Mechanisms for the Hong Kong SAR to Safeguard National Security, and the National Security Law, for improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the Hong Kong SAR to safeguard national security.

Mr Lee outlined that the Hong Kong SAR Government will discharge its responsibilities and diligently carry out its work under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. It will also continue to enhance public education and publicity to deepen public understanding of the necessity of safeguarding national security and its pivotal role in maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

The Chief Executive said that from tomorrow the national security of the Hong Kong SAR will be more effectively safeguarded, allowing Hong Kong to move forward.

He added that the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to lead Hong Kong with a focus on economic development, improving peoples livelihoods, and maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of the city, with a view to creating a brighter and more prosperous future.

This story has been published on: 2024-03-22. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Photo Courtesy: PR Team

One hundred and twenty high school students of Kolkata participated in the US-India Poem Project hosted by the US Consulate on Thursday.

Two US poet laureates, Meera Dasgupta and Kashiv Ramani, joined virtually from the North American nation to engage with students and highlight the importance of poetry to them.

They also read excerpts from their poems during the event.

In her opening remarks, American Center Director Elizabeth Lee said: "We are thrilled that you have decided to participate in the launch of the U.S.-India Poem Project: Kolkata Youth Poet Laureate Programme."

"We need more young, fearless poets like you, to pick up the pen and motivate a thousand others, like our young friends here today, to do the same," she said.

"The world needs you to write powerfully about yesterday, today, and tomorrow because poetry is a language that serves both the educated elite and the common person," she said.

What is the US-India Poem Project?

The US-India Poem Project will collect poems from Indian students and along with partner Urban Word will work with organisations, arts councils, colleges and universities, and poets to promote the programme, and shortlist poems from student leaders (age group 16-25).

The National Youth Poet Laureate Programme is an initiative of Urban Word.

The project aims to identify and celebrate young poets through a city-wide contest.

To prepare for the project, Urban Word will offer in-person and virtual workshops and presentations for students and key stakeholders. Urban Word will manage all poetry submissions and provide all promotional materials.

Next, the top 20 young poets will submit a full portfolio to be named Kolkatas first ever Youth Poet Laureate. The partner, with Post support, will launch and run the entire contest, select winners, and publish an anthology of selected student poems.



Over a span of 18 months, Urban Word will train and support poets and organisations on the ground in Kolkata, promote and administer the National Poem Project contest, support the professional development of 20 winners of the National Poem Project, and administer the adjudication of the finalists to select the first-ever Youth Poet Laureate of Kolkata.

The partner will also measure the short, medium, and long-term success and change in mindset of the university/college students, which will be measured by social media analytics, institutional feedback, mentimeter tracking, and surveys.
Photo Courtesy: Arvind Kejriwal Instagram page

The Aam Aadmi Party has said arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will not step down and run his government from jail.

The AAP leader and Delhi Minister Atishi Marlena on Thursday said, ''Arvind Kejriwal is Delhi Chief Minister, and he will remain Delhi Chief Minister; this is absolutely clear.''

''Kejriwal will run the government from jail, '' she was quoted as saying by UNI.

The Delhi Minister said AAP has challenged Kejriwal's arrest in the Supreme Court.

Kejriwal arrested

Just weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha election, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was on Thursday evening arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in the alleged liquor policy scam.

The arrest comes hours after a team from the ED questioned him at his residence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Kejriwal has become the first serving Chief Minister to be arrested and is the third senior leader from the party to be arrested in connection with the Delhi liquor policy scam.

Kejriwal had skipped nine summons issued by the ED in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam.

On Monday, he skipped a summon issued by the agency in a money-laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in the Delhi Jal Board.

The ED's questioning of the Delhi chief minister less than a week after BRS leader K Kavitha was arrested in the liquor policy case. After her arrest, Kejriwal was, for the first time, named as a conspirator in the case.

Ever since the ED issued the first summons in October last year and Kejriwal was asked to appear on Nov 2 last year, there was a momentum that the Delhi chief minister would be arrested by the agency.

Former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia was arrested in connection with the case in February last year, and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh was taken into custody in October.
Photo Courtesy: Narendra Modi X page

Aiming to further cement the relationship, Indian PM Narendra Modi commenced his Bhutan visit on Friday.

Modi said he is looking forward to his meeting with Bhutanese leaders including King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck

The Indian PM posted on X: "On the way to Bhutan, where I will be attending various programmes aimed at further cementing the India-Bhutan partnership. I look forward to talks with Majesty the King of Bhutan, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and Prime Minister

@tsheringtobgay."

On the way to Bhutan, where I will be attending various programmes aimed at further cementing the India-Bhutan partnership. I look forward to talks with Majesty the King of Bhutan, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and Prime Minister @tsheringtobgay. pic.twitter.com/tMsYNBuFNQ  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 22, 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bhutan was postponed "due to ongoing inclement weather conditions over Paro airport", the foreign office said Wednesday (March 20, 2024).

"Due to ongoing inclement weather conditions over Paro airport, it has been mutually decided to postpone the state visit of the Prime Minister to Bhutan on 21-22 March 2024. The new dates are being worked out by the two sides through diplomatic channels," the statement said a day before the scheduled visit.

Ahead of the PM's visit, massive posters have been put up along the mountain roads in Bhutan to welcome him to the country.

Bhutan's PM Tshering Tobgay was on a five-day visit to India last week, which was his first foreign trip after taking charge of the top office in January.

During the visit, PM Tobgay met Modi and President Droupadi Murmu.
Photo courtesy: Facebook/Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi/UNI: The Delhi Assembly on Friday cancelled the scheduled sitting of the house slated for March 22, i.e., today, and set the next sitting for March 27 at 11:00 am.

This comes after the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday evening in a money laundering case related to an alleged liquor policy scam.

The Legislative Assembly Secretariat has issued orders regarding the cancellation of the sitting of the House.

A team of the ED yesterday evening reached the residence of the AAP chief for questioning hours after the Delhi High Court refused to grant him any protection in money laundering linked with the excise policy case.

Kejriwal was arrested by the ED during a search operation conducted at his residence.

The party termed the arrest of Kejriwal the BJP's political conspiracy.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, AAP leader Atishi said, "This is for the first time in the history of Indias democracy that a sitting CM has been arrested by the Central government after the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections.

"Even the Jharkhand Chief Minister resigned before his arrest. Arvind Kejriwal's arrest is the BJP's political conspiracy."

Arrest in an investigation in which recovery of a single rupee of the proceeds of crime has not taken place even after two years of investigation.

"This only shows that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scared of Arvind Kejriwal; he feels there is only one leader in the country who can challenge him, Atishi added.

The party filed a petition seeking an urgent hearing from the Supreme Court to challenge the arrest of Delhi CM and also called for an All-India protest for Friday, i.e., today.

AAP leader Sandeep Pathak, during the partys mid-night press conference after Kejriwals arrest, said, "We don't know such politics of giving and taking, but we know how to fight for the country.

"I want to say to the Bharatiya Janata Party: if you have courage, then fight in the election field. Why are you attacking from behind by making these false cases? This is no longer the fight of the AAP alone. Now it is the fight of every family who wants corruption-free politics.
Photo courtesy: Facebook/Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata/New Delhi/IBNS: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has called the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrest of her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the excise policy case a "blatant assault on democracy".

Mamata, a staunch opponent of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), posted on X, "I vehemently condemn the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, the sitting elected Chief Minister of Delhi elected by the people. I have personally reached out to Smt Sunita Kejriwal to extend my unwavering support and solidarity.

"It's outrageous that while elected opposition CMs are being deliberately targeted and arrested while individuals accused under CBI/ED investigations are allowed to continue their malpractices with impunity, especially after aligning with the BJP. This is a blatant assault on democracy."

In the same X post, Mamata, who heads the Trinamool Congress (TMC), said the anti-BJP front, INDIA, will meet the Election Commission of India (ECI) to express their objection to the arrest when elections have been announced.

She said, " Today, our INDIA alliance will meet the EC to express our strong objection to the deliberate targeting and arrests of opposition leaders, particularly during the MCC period.

"To this end, I have designated @derekobrienmp and @MdNadimulHaque6 to represent @AITCofficial in this crucial meeting with the Election Commission."

I vehemently condemn the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, the sitting elected Chief Minister of Delhi elected by the people. I have personally reached out to Smt Sunita Kejriwal to extend my unwavering support and solidarity. It's outrageous that while elected opposition CMs are being  Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 22, 2024

Kejriwal, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the excise policy case last night from his residence, will be produced in court on Friday.

Kejriwal has become the first serving Chief Minister to be arrested and is the third senior leader from the party to be arrested in connection with the Delhi liquor policy scam.

The arrest comes hours after a team from the ED questioned him at his residence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Atishi, who is at the forefront in briefing the media and taking on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has confirmed that Kejriwal will continue to remain the chief Minister of the national capital.

According to reports, the AAP will approach the Supreme Court against the arrest on Friday.

Kejriwal had already skipped nine summons issued by the ED in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam.

Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was arrested in connection with the case in February last year, and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh was taken into custody in October.
Photo courtesy: Facebook/Arvind Kejriwal

A group of party workers assembled near the Press Enclave in the city center and tried to take a march, which was, however, foiled by the police.

Few protesters were detained by the police, they said.

We were even not allowed to take a march against the arrest of our leader. Our fight for democracy will continue, said an AAP worker.

Omar reacts

National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah on Friday said the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is a part of the process whereby the democratic institution of the country has gradually been "eroded".

He said the arrest was clearly linked to coming elections.

Within days of the Election Commission announcing the dates for the Lok Sabha polls the sitting Chief Minister and an important part of the opposition alliance has been arbitrarily arrested by the enforcement directorate. But he is not the first opposition leader to face this, Omar told reporters in Srinagar.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is also chief of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), was arrested on Thursday night by the Enforcement Directorate in the Delhi liquor policy case.

This is just unfortunately part of a process whereby democratic institutions in this country have gradually been eroded to the point where they almost now cease to exist. Now weather the country realizes the risk and the threat that our democracy faces or not time will tell, the former chief minister said.

 But the legacy that this government will leave because this government won't last forever. At some point or the other this government will be out of power but the lasting legacy that they will leave where in democratic institutions will have been all but destroyed is one that is extremely unfortunate for this country, he added.

Earlier in a post on X, Omar said the arrest shows the ruling dispensation remarkable degree of nervousness before the polls.

Aisi Taisi Democracy. For all the talk of 400+ seats, the ruling dispensation is displaying a remarkable degree of nervousness. Having a sitting opposition CM arrested by a pliable central agency within days of the general elections being announced is a blot on democracy, Omar said, adding the NC stands with Kejriwal and AAP.

Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti termed the arrest a cowardly act of the ruling party.

The arbitrary arrest of yet another CM by ED reeks of political vendetta & growing authoritarianism. This cowardly act has exposed fears of the ruling party now resorting to desperate measures by manipulating elections even before they are held. History has shown that tyranny never prevails in the face of unified resistance. We will not be intimidated, Mufti said in a post on X.

(With UNI inputs)
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

Hyderabad witnessed extraordinary bravery on Thursday when a mother-and-daughter duo thwarted a robbery attempt in the Begumpet Police Station limits, leading to the arrest of two individuals hailing from Uttar Pradesh.

The police confiscated ropes, a Tapancha weapon, a rubber bullet shell, two knives, and a gift paper box from their possession.

T. Sushil Kumar, a native of Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, and Prem Chandra, a native of Faridput, Uttar Pradesh, were apprehended based on a complaint and were being presented before the XI ACMM Court, Secunderabad, for judicial remand, a police statement said on Friday.

The attempted robbery occurred on Thursday around 1300 hours when Sushil Kumar and Premchandra, attempted to rob a family in Begumpet.

The duo meticulously planned their crime, conducting a reconnaissance of the targeted house before initiating their attempt.

Pretending to deliver a courier under the guise of 'N K Jain', Sushil lured the homeowner's servant downstairs, while he and Prem Chandra, disguised with a helmet and face mask, respectively, forcibly entered the house.

Once inside, Premchandra threatened the maid with a knife, while a scuffle broke out between Sushil and the homeowner's daughter.

The homeowner, Amita, intervened and, utilizing her martial arts skills, disarmed Sushil, causing him to flee.

However, the commotion alerted neighbours who managed to apprehend Premchandra.

A case has been registered under various provisions of the IPC and Arms Act, with Detective Inspector M Mallesham leading the investigation under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner of Police P Gopal Krishna Murthy and guidance from Deputy Commissioner of Police North Zone, Rohini Priyadarshini, of the Hyderabad City Police.

(With UNI inputs)
Photo courtesy: Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi/IBNS: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, arrested over alleged excise policy scam, has been remanded to the 7-day custody of the Enforcement Directorate till March 28.

The order was passed late Friday by Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court, hours after the Delhi Chief Minister withdrew a Supreme Court plea challenging his arrest in the alleged liquor policy scam case.

The central agency had sought custody of Kejriwal for 10 days, stating it needed time to complete its investigation and confront the Aam Aadmi Party supremo with other arrested accused in the case.

In Friday's hearing, the agency called Arvind Kejriwal the "kingpin" and "key conspirator" in the alleged scam.

The ED called him the "middleman" between the 'south group' and other accused, including ex-Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia (arrested last year).

According to the agency, total proceeds of the alleged scam exceeded Rs. 600 crore including Rs.100 crore allegedly paid by the 'south group'- Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K Kavitha, who was arrested last week.

Kejriwal, the first sitting Chief Minister to be arrested, spent the night at the agency's office, and has denied all charges.

The AAP has repeatedly stated the ED has yet to recover any of the alleged cash.

"He was directly involved in implementation of the policy, and giving favour to the south group. He demanded kickbacks in exchange for favours... this is corroborated by statements," Additional Solicitor-General SV Raju, argued for the Enforcement Directorate, "He is involved in use of proceeds of crime."

In his first reaction since the arrest, Kejriwal told reporters: "My life is dedicated to the nation". Shortly afterwards his wife, Sunita Kejriwal posted an appeal on X (formerly Twitter).

"Your Chief Minister always stood with you.. whether inside or outside (jail), his life is dedicated to the country," she said.

The ED claimed Rs. 45 crore of the kickbacks were used to fund the AAP's Goa and Punjab elections in 2022.

The vote share of 6.8 per cent in the former confirmed AAP as a national party, and its victory over the Congress in the latter allowed it to establish a first state government outside of Delhi.

Kejriwal's advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi told the court that the ED had no need to arrest the Delhi CM.

"The first thing is necessity for arrest... power to arrest is not equal to need. Just because you have the power to arrest someone does not mean you should..." he argued, adding the central agency's claim about tracing the money trail further "can't be a ground for arrest... it can be grounds for questioning".

"There is a new pattern... you have a witness who does not name Kejriwal in first or second statement. You arrest him, oppose bail vehemently... then he turns approver and, one fine day, he gives a brilliant statement..."Singhvi said.

Kejirwal earlier in the day withdrew his plea in the Supreme Court against his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the excise policy case, media reports said.
Photo Courtesy: https://twitter.com/ElvishYadav

Noida: Popular YouTuber Elvish Yadav has been released on bail by a court in snake venom rave party case, media reported

"The court has granted bail with two sureties of Rs 50,000 each," his lawyer Prashant Rathi told news agency ANI.

Refuting the accusations against Yadav, Prashant Rathi said that once the necessary procedures are finalized, Yadav will be discharged from custody.

The winner of Bigg Boss OTT, who has often found himself mired in controversies, was arrested last Sunday in connection with the snake venom-rave party incident after an interrogation by Noida Police.

He was remanded to a 14-day judicial custody, media reported.

A case has been filed against Yadav and five others under the Wildlife Act in Noida for organising snake venom as a recreational substance at rave gatherings last year, the report said.

Last November, police raided a banquet hall in sector 51 of Noida, arresting five people, including four snake charmers, and seizing nine snakes along with poison.

Apart from allegations of snake involvement in rave parties, it is claimed that Yadav also used snakes in his video shoots. The renowned YouTuber has numerous videos featuring snakes on his channel.

According to the NDTV report, animal rights organisation People For Animal (PFA) took note of the YouTubers videos with snakes and decided to dig deeper.

PFA, which is headed by BJP leader Maneka Gandhi, called him up without revealing its identity and asked him to provide snakes and snake venom.

Yadav, 26, allegedly provided the contact information of a person named Rahul, who invited them to the banquet in sector 51.

Upon arrival, the PFA team found four snake charmers - Jaikaran, Titunath, Narayan, and Ravinath - present, along with nine snakes, including five cobras, and 20 ml of snake poison. The PFA then called a joint team comprising Noida Police and the Forest Department, leading to the arrest of all the people involved.

Yadav, who was questioned earlier, too, in connection with the matter has rubbished the charges of involvement in the case.

"Baseless, fake and not even 1 percent true," he said.

According to the report, police had earlier said that Yadav was not present at the party hall and his involvement in the whole case was being probed.

However, Maneka Gandhi accused him of involvement in the illicit selling of snake venom and sought his immediate arrest.

"He (Elvish Yadav) has escaped for now but his arrest should definitely take place," Gandhi had told reporters, according to the report.
A view of the General Assembly in session. Photo Courtesy: UN Photo/Loey Felipe

The UN General Assembly on Thursday adopted a landmark resolution on the promotion of safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI) systems that will also benefit sustainable development for all.

Adopting a United States-led draft resolution without a vote, the Assembly also highlighted the respect, protection and promotion of human rights in the design, development, deployment and the use of AI.

The text was co-sponsored or backed by more than 120 other Member States.

The General Assembly also recognized AI systems potential to accelerate and enable progress towards reaching the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

It represents the first time the Assembly has adopted a resolution on regulating the emerging field. The US National Security Advisor reportedly said earlier this month that the adoption would represent an historic step forward for the safe use of AI.

Same rights, online and offline

The Assembly called on all Member States and stakeholders to refrain from or cease the use of artificial intelligence systems that are impossible to operate in compliance with international human rights law or that pose undue risks to the enjoyment of human rights.

The same rights that people have offline must also be protected online, including throughout the life cycle of artificial intelligence systems, it affirmed.

The Assembly also urged all States, the private sector, civil society, research organizations and the media, to develop and support regulatory and governance approaches and frameworks related to safe, secure and trustworthy use of AI.

Closing the digital divide

The Assembly further recognized the varying levels of technological development between and within countries, and that developing nations face unique challenges in keeping up with the rapid pace of innovation.

It urged Member States and stakeholders to cooperate with and support developing countries so they can benefit from inclusive and equitable access, close the digital divide, and increase digital literacy.

Hope for other sectors

Speaking before the adoption, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, introduced the draft resolution.

She expressed hope that the inclusive and constructive dialogue that led to this resolution would serve as a model for future conversations on AI challenges in other arenas, for example, with respect to peace and security and responsible military use of AI autonomy.

Thomas-Greenfield noted that the resolution was designed to amplify the work already being done by the UN, including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Human Rights Council.

We intend for it to complement future UN initiatives, including negotiations toward a global digital compact and the work of the Secretary-Generals high-level advisory body on artificial intelligence, she said.

We govern AI

Thomas-Greenfield also highlighted the opportunity and the responsibility of the international community to govern this technology rather than let it govern us.

So let us reaffirm that AI will be created and deployed through the lens of humanity and dignity, safety and security, human rights and fundamental freedoms, she said.

Let us commit to closing the digital gap within and between nations and using this technology to advance shared priorities around sustainable development.
Hong Kong: Govt condemns skewed remarks

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today issued a strong condemnation of skewed, fact-twisting, scaremongering and panic-spreading remarks by countries and regions including Australia and Chinas Taiwan region.

It said that under the pretext of foreign travel advice, those countries and regions had smeared the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance by claiming that the risks of travelling to Hong Kong would increase and that people could break the laws without intending to after the ordinance comes into effect.

The Hong Kong SAR Government stressed that the offences endangering national security stipulated by the ordinance target acts endangering national security with precision, and define the elements and penalties of the offences with clarity.

Ordinary travellers, including those from Australia and Chinas Taiwan region, will not engage in acts and activities endangering national security and will not unwittingly violate the law, it added.

It stressed that extraterritorial effect for offences under the National Security Law and the new ordinance fully aligns with the principles of international law, as well as with the common practice adopted in various other countries and regions.

It highlighted that the national security laws of various countries, including the US, the UK, Australia, Canada and the member states of the European Union, also have extraterritorial effect under the personality principle and the protective principle.

In formulating the extraterritorial effect under the ordinance, the principles of international law and the international practice of state jurisdiction, as well as the nature of the offences, have to be taken into account, it said.

It also emphasised that all law enforcement actions taken by the law enforcement agencies of the Hong Kong SAR are based on evidence, strictly according to the law and in relation to the acts of the persons concerned, instead of the ordinance allowing for arbitrary arrests, as had been claimed.

As regards the power to restrict consultation with lawyers under the ordinance, it said this is attended by sufficient safeguards to ensure that the provision is consistent with the right to confidential legal advice and a choice of lawyers.

The Hong Kong SAR Government also noted that individual countries including the US, Canada and Japan, and some external organisations, have continued to make unfounded criticisms of the ordinance, disregarding the strong popular support for it, as well as its benefits for Hong Kongs economic development and its protection of human rights. It said their attempts to mislead the public should be condemned.

The ordinance clearly specifies that the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Basic Law, as well as the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, as applied to Hong Kong, are to be protected in accordance with the law.

The Hong Kong SAR Government said that critics have neglected these provisions and have lashed out wantonly, fully exposing their malicious intentions to harm Hong Kong.

Enacting laws to safeguard national security is an inherent right of every sovereign state and also a widespread international practice, it added. Many common law jurisdictions have multiple examples of national security legislation. Nevertheless, the Hong Kong SAR Government stressed, the parties concerned have deliberately turned a deaf ear and maliciously smeared the ordinance, unmasking their double standards.

The Hong Kong SAR Government strongly urged the countries, regions and organisations concerned, all with ulterior motives, to stop interfering in Hong Kongs affairs, which are the internal affairs of China, and warned that their attempts to destabilise Hong Kong will never succeed.

This story has been published on: 2024-03-22. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Photo Courtesy: CIFOR/Ollivier Girard

Large parts of Burkina Faso are being terrorized by armed groups and the rampant insecurity is beyond alarming, said the UN human rights chief on Thursday following a brief visit to the country.

High Commissioner Volker Turk said, from the capital Ouagadougou, that his local office had been engaging intensely with the authorities, civil society actors, human rights defenders, UN partners and others on many of the multifaceted human rights challenges the country faces following a coup in January 2022 that saw Captain Ibrahim Traore assume power.

Solidarity visit

I came here to express my solidarity with the people of Burkina Faso at this difficult time and to engage on the human rights situation at the highest level, said Mr. Turk.

OHCHR The UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk addresses the media at the end of his visit to Burkina Faso.

He expressed gratitude to Captain Traore, in his role as President of the transition, adding that they had held in-depth and wide-ranging discussions on the grave security situation, the humanitarian crisis as well as climate change and environmental degradation.

They also discussed shrinking civic space, inequalities, the need to forge a new social contract and on ensuring inclusive participation of all Burkinabe in the transition process back to civilian rule.

Describing the suffering of Burkinabe as heartbreaking, the head of OHCHR said there are 2.3 million people who are food insecure, more than two million people internally displaced and 800,000 children out of school.

In all, around 6.3 million out of a population of 20 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance.

Falling off the agenda

Yet, it has slipped off the international agenda and the resources made available are totally insufficient to respond to the scale of peoples needs, said Mr. Turk.

Just last year, OHCHR documented 1,335 violations and abuses of human rights and humanitarian law, involving at least 3,800 civilian victims.

Armed groups were responsible for the vast majority of violations against civilians in incidents involving more than 86 per cent of the victims. Protection of civilians is paramount. Such wanton violence must stop and the perpetrators held accountable.

He said he understood the grave challenges faced by security forces and had been encouraged by assurances that steps are being taken to ensure their conduct fully complies with international humanitarian and international human rights laws.

The transition now needs to proceed rooted in human rights, he said, calling on the international community not to lose sight of the widespread needs in Burkina Faso.
Chiese FM Wang Yi visits Australia. Photo Courtesy: Minister Penny Wong X page

Police clashed with Tibetan and Uyghur demonstrators who were protesting outside the Chinese Embassy in Canberra against Chiese FM Wang Yi visit to Australia.

Federal police officers had to remove several protesters holding Tibetan and Uyghur flags and chanting anti-Chinese government slogans outside the embassy's compound, reported ABC News.

Protest organiser Tsewang Thupten told the crowd present at the venue that it was important to send a strong message to the visiting Chinese dignitary over human rights violations committed in the country.

"We will never be silent! We will never be silent. We will have courage. We will have courage. We will never stop! We will never stop!" protesters chanted as quoted by ABC News.

During her interaction with the Chinese Minister, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she raised Australia's concerns about human rights, including in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong.

She told reporters: "I expressed our concern  our serious concern  about unsafe conduct at sea, our desire for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in our region. I reflected the view of our region as outlined again and underscored again at the recent ASEAN summit about the importance of the South China Sea being governed by international law, particularly UNCLOS."

Speaking further on the meeting, she also posted on X: " I raised Australia's concerns about the new legislation in Hong Kong and its potential impact in Australia with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi yesterday. "
Sonu Srinivas Gowda, a notable figure from Bigg Boss Kannada OTT, was apprehended in Bengaluru, Karnataka, following a coordinated effort between officials from the Child Protection Office and local police on Friday morning.

Bigg Boss Kannada OTT Star Sonu Srinivas Gowda Arrested Over 8-Year-Old Adoption

What Exactly Led To Sonu Srinivas' Arrest?

The arrest comes in the wake of allegations that Sonu did not adhere to proper adoption procedures after publicly announcing the adoption of an 8-year-old girl.

Authorities claim that Sonu's motives were centered around seeking attention and social media popularity rather than genuine care for the child.

What Were The Accusations Against Sonu?

A formal case was filed against Sonu by the Child Protection Office, asserting that the adoption was orchestrated to solicit "undeserved sympathy" and elevate her celebrity status.



Sonu's Defence

Despite the accusations, Sonu maintains her innocence, asserting that she followed all necessary adoption protocols. In a bid to defend herself, she shared recorded evidence of communication between herself and the child's biological parents. Sonu insists that she intends to complete all formalities within the next three months.

Authorities Seek Answers

However, authorities remain skeptical, citing Sonu's lack of comprehensive information during questioning. Currently under the scrutiny of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Sonu faces inquiries regarding the adoption process and her underlying intentions.

Child's Fate Uncertain

As the investigation unfolds, the fate of the adopted child remains uncertain. The incident has sparked concerns about the welfare of children involved in adoption processes and highlighted the importance of adhering to established protocols.

Awaiting Further Developments

With Sonu's interrogation ongoing and the investigation progressing, the case continues to unfold, prompting reflections on the complexities surrounding adoption procedures and the responsibilities of public figures in such matters.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Today marks the release of the highly anticipated film "Swatantrya Veer Savarkar," featuring Randeep Hooda and Ankita Lokhande in lead roles.

Directed and produced by Hooda himself, in collaboration with Zee Studios, Sandeep Singh, Anand Palit, and Sam Khan, the movie offers an immersive journey into the life of the revered freedom fighter, Veer Savarkar.

Since its promotional teasers and trailers, "Swatantrya Veer Savarkar" has captured audiences' attention, building anticipation for Randeep Hooda's portrayal of the titular character. As the film premieres in theatres today, social media platforms are flooded with praise for Ankita's performance in the lead.

The film's X review offers valuable insights for those planning to watch it soon.

One Twitter user said, "Ankita Lokhande's portrayal of Yamuna Bai is filled with depth and emotion."

Another wrote, "Please go watch Swatantra Veer Savarkar only if you are prepared for the heat because your blood will boil. I wasn't prepared for this. Non-violence is a lie & the truth is gory."

Screenshots Of Twitter Reviews/X

All About Swatantrya Veer Savarkar

Randeep Hooda Reveals Intense Preparation For Swatantrya Veer Savarkar Role, Admits To Taking Sleeping Pills/Instagram

"Swatantrya Veer Savarkar" gets deep into Veer Savarkar's life, shedding light on his pivotal role in India's struggle for independence.

From his strategic endeavours to his time in the Kaala Paani jail, the film aims to educate and inspire viewers about Savarkar's ideology and his relentless pursuit of a free and united India.

For those curious about Randeep Hooda's performance and how "Swatantrya Veer Savarkar" is making waves, the X review is a must-read.

And as people head to theatres to see the film, it honours the remarkable legacy of Veer Savarkar, a true hero of India's freedom struggle.

For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


Dol Jatra 2024: The festival of Holi holds cultural significance among various Hindu traditions of the Indian subcontinent. Traditionally, the day signifies the triumph of good over evil. But it also celebrates the arrival of Spring in India, the end of winter, and the blossoming of love.

The majority of revellers celebrate the day by dancing, organising a feast, creating rangolis, playing with colours and playing games. However, certain things can be culturally different on the day depending on the region. Each state in our country has its unique style and distinct traditions to celebrate Holi.

One unique Holi celebration is Dol Jatra, observed primarily in Eastern India, particularly in West Bengal and Odisha. This festival, which occurs during Holi, commences with the worship of Lord Krishna. During Dol Jatra, idols of Lord Krishna and Radha are adorned and placed on swings as part of the festivities.

Which state celebrates Dol Jatra?

Dol Jatra, also called Dol Purnima or Doul Utsav, epitomises the vibrant festival of colours in Eastern India, particularly in regions like West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, and Tripura. Celebrated fervently on the full moon day of the Phalguna month in the Hindu calendar, Dol Jatra often aligns with the North Indian festival of Holi. Despite the shared emphasis on colourful revelry, Dol Jatra possesses unique characteristics deeply rooted in the rich cultural heritage of the East.

What is the significance of Dol Jatra?

The legend behind Holi centers on the demon king Hiranyakashyapu, who possessed a boon rendering him invincible. Despite this, his son Prahlad remained a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu. When Hiranyakashyapu's sister, Holika, who was immune to fire, attempted to burn Prahlad alive, his unwavering faith saved him, and Holika perished instead. The burning of Holika symbolises the victory of good over evil and is marked by a bonfire on the eve of Holi.

What is the difference between Holi and Dol Jatra?

Dol Yatra or just Dol, celebrated primarily in eastern India, is a festival that marks the time when Krishna reunited with Radha and expressed his love. Holi, on the other hand, is more on the mythology of good winning over evil, when Holika got killed in the very fire in which she was trying to murder Prahlad.

A Vibrantly Spiritual Journey

In contrast, Dol Jatra finds its roots in the playful romance between Lord Krishna and Radha. According to Hindu mythology, on the full moon day of Phalguna, Lord Krishna expressed his love for Radha by playfully smearing colours on her while they swung in the forests of Vrindavan. This act of playful affection and the onset of spring are celebrated through Dol Jatra.

Dol Jatra begins with the worship of Lord Krishna and Radha. The idols are adorned with colourful clothes and flowers, presenting a visually striking sight. Devotees offer sweets and sing devotional songs, immersing themselves in the playful atmosphere reminiscent of Krishna and Radha.

At the heart of the celebration is the ritual of offering "Abir," a fragrant powder made from crushed leaves and sandalwood. Unlike the water-based colours used in Holi, Abir is delicately applied to the forehead and cheeks, symbolising blessings and the essence of playful love.

Note: Details mentioned here are as per the information available.



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For the first time in Indian history, elderly citizens have been given the option to 'vote from home' in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

According to the Election Commission of India, voters aged 85 years and above can cast their votes from the comfort of their homes.

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More than 5000 voters above 100

In Punjab, among those eligible to vote from home are more than five thousand voters who are aged between 100 and 119 years.

According to Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C, there are a total of 205 eligible voters in the state who are above the age of 120. This includes 122 males and 83 females.

Ludhiana has most elderly voters

Ludhiana district has the highest number of elderly voters, with 77 men and 34 women above the age of 120, followed by Ferozepur district with 24 men and 25 women.

As far as the 5,004 voters aged between 100 and 119 years are concerned, there are 1,917 males and 2,928 females falling within the 100 to 109-year age bracket. Furthermore, there are 59 males and 100 females aged 110 to 119 years.

First-time voters in Punjab

Punjab has 2,12,71,246 voters, comprising 1,11,92,959 males and 1,00,77,543 females.

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Out of this, 4,89,631 are first-time voters aged 18-19.

Lok Sabha Election date in Punjab

Punjab will vote for all 13 Lok Sabha seats in the seventh phase on June 1.

The state election office will also make efforts to increase the voting percentage in those areas where turnout was low in previous elections.

Punjab's voting percentage during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections was 65.96 per cent.

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The Chief Electoral Officer said a target has been set to achieve a voter turnout of more than 70 per cent.

In an effort to encourage more voters to cast their ballots, the state election office has also announced to serve sweetened water at polling stations to beat the summer heat.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
India has launched Operation Indravati to evacuate its citizens in the Caribbean nation of Haiti which was overrun by gangs recently.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday that India was "fully committed" to the security and well-being of Indians abroad.

REUTERS

Indians in Haiti to be evacuated to Dominican Republic

India doesn't have an embassy in Haiti and the situation in the country is being monitored by the Indian mission at Santo Domingo, the capital of neighbouring Dominican Republic.

According to the MEA, there are around 90 Indians in Haiti. Under Operation Indravati the Indian nationals will be first evacuated from Haiti to the Dominican Republic.

Amid violence and looting in the impoverished Caribbean nation, a control room and an emergency helpline number were opened to evacuate distressed Indian nationals from Haiti.

First batch of Indians evacuated

There are between 75 and 90 Indians in Haiti and about 60 of them have registered with Indian authorities to return to India "if need be", External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said at his weekly media briefing on March 15.

"We are ready to evacuate everybody," he had said.

On Thursday, Minister Jaishankar said that the first batch of 12 Indians were evacuated from Haiti.

MEA

"India begins Operation Indravati to evacuate its nationals from Haiti to the Dominican Republic. 12 Indians evacuated today. Fully committed to the security and well-being of our nationals abroad. Thank the Government of the Dominican Republic for their support," Jaishankar said on social media.

What is happening in Haiti

Haiti, the most impoverished nation in the Americas plunged into chaos after armed gangs forced the country's acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign.

REUTERS

While Henry was out of the country, gangs laid siege to the country's main airport to prevent his return.

Armed groups now control 80 per cent of Haiti's capital, according to United Nations estimates, while continuing to fight for the rest.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
CS Rangarajan, the head priest of the Sri Chilkur Balaji Temple in Rangareddy District in Telangana has gifted a bull to a Muslim farmer.

The bull was donated from the Chilkur Balaji Temple's gaushala to one Mohammad Ghouse after he lost his farming animal to electrocution.

BCCL

Bull gifted from gaushala

The temple has a gaushala which houses 56 cows, calves, and bulls.

According to reports, the bull donated to the farmer was born and raised in the temple's gaushala.

The priest said that it is a tradition of the Chilukur Balaji temple to support the farmers in distress.

Humanity above religion

Humanity does not see religion, caste or creed. It is the belief of Chilkuru Balaji Pujari, his disciples and people associated with him that service to God is to help fellow human beings, he said.

BCCL

While highlighting the role farm animals play in the life and livelihood of farmers, Rangarajan also appealed to people to participate in cattle gifting programs to help those in distress.

In the past few years, Rangarajan, with the help of devotees and wellwishers has gifted farm animals to farmers from neighbouring villages who lost their cattle to electrocution, lightning, or any other accidents.

BCCL

Chikur Balaji Temple

The Chilkur Balaji Temple which is located on the banks of Osman Sagar in Rangareddy District is one of the oldest Hindu shrines in Telangana and dates back to the 14th century.

One of the most unique features of the temple is that it has no hundi and neither accepts any money from devotees.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
In the bustling streets of Bengaluru, where the traffic often feels like a never-ending ordeal, two startup co-founders found themselves in an unexpected brainstorming session.

Amidst the gridlock and honking horns, they sparked a conversation leading to a cascade of innovative ideas. As the minutes ticked by, frustration gave way to inspiration, and the mundane surroundings became a breeding ground for creativity.

Little did they know, their exchange would birth a concept that would soon spread like wildfire across the internet.

In a city known for its vibrant tech scene, this chance encounter in traffic would be more than just a momentary inconvenienceit would become the catalyst for a viral sensation.

Join us as we delve into how two minds trapped in urban congestion found a path to entrepreneurial success amidst the chaos of Bengaluru's streets.

What Did These Co-Founder Do While Stuck In Bengaluru Traffic?

On his way to the office, Ankit Parasher, co-founder of Salt and Lets Transport, found himself caught in dense Bengaluru traffic.

By chance, he encountered his colleague, who conveniently lives nearby. As they waited at the lengthy red light, they seized the opportunity to brainstorm a fresh 'onboarding flow.''

The startup co-founder and a co-worker brainstorm viral ideas while stuck in Bengaluru traffic | Image: X

Parasher shared a snapshot on X with the caption, "Before relocating to Bengaluru, I had heard about the bustling startup scene and the notorious traffic."



He further remarked, "Today, the two worlds collided! Caught at a red light, @_shivamsr and I hashed out ideas for our new onboarding flow.

Though we arrived late to the office, it was a fruitful diversion!"

A snapshot depicting Parasher sitting in his car with his colleague on a motorcycle is accompanying the message.

With Parasher's window rolled down, they used the traffic signal pause for an unplanned brainstorming session.



Where Can You Watch The Video?

You can watch the video on X posted by @AnkitParasher.

Before moving to Bengaluru, I heard about the startup vibe and the crazy traffic.



Today, they merged! Stuck at a red light, @_shivamsr and I brainstormed our new onboarding flow. We were late to the office, but it was a productive detour!  pic.twitter.com/9NOtxBQfN5  Ankit Parasher  (@AnkitParasher) March 21, 2024

How Did The Internet React?

The post quickly gained traction, garnering over 22k views on X. Users flooded the comments section with creative remarks, sparking a lively discussion.

One user suggested humorously, "Wow, a new startup concept: conducting meetings in Bangalore traffic."

Emojis flooded the comments section, reflecting the diverse reactions from the online community.



Internet reacts to the startup co-founder and a co-worker brainstorm viral ideas while stuck in Bengaluru traffic | Image: X

Internet reacts to the startup co-founder and a co-worker brainstorm viral ideas while stuck in Bengaluru traffic | Image: X

What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments.



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Tech billionaires like Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and Space X chief Elon Musk are working aggressively on their ambitious plans to colonize other planets. However, not many are onboard with their vision as they believe that a lot of work needs to be done on planet Earth first!

Recently, former US President Barack Obama and Bezos locked horns in a debate regarding the same.

At the 2024 POwR.Earth Summit in Paris, Obama minced no words to criticize Silicon Valley magnates, including Bezos, for investing in projects aimed at establishing human colonies beyond Earth.

AFP

Elon Musk Started His Space Venture With An Investment Of 100 Million Dollars, Bezos Is Speculated To Put Up To 20 Billion Dollars!

Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, initiated his foray into the aerospace industry with a significant personal investment of around $100 million. On the other hand, Jeff Bezos is estimated to have invested between $7.5 billion and $20 billion of his personal wealth into his aerospace company, Blue Origin. These substantial investments highlight the immense financial commitment made by both entrepreneurs to advance space exploration and technology.

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However, Former POTUS Obama Doesnt Approve!

Obama voiced his concerns, emphasizing his preference for prioritizing the care of Earth over plans to colonize Mars. He questioned the reasoning behind investing in Martian colonization, citing potential risks to the environment of our own planet.

"When I hear some of the people talk about the plan to colonise Mars because the Earth environment may become so degraded that it becomes unliveable, I look at them like, what are you talking about?" Obama said.

Jeff Bezos Believes That Space Exploration Is Essential As It Will Help In Safeguarding Earths Resources

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On the other hand, Bezos argues that space exploration presents an opportunity for humanity's ongoing growth while preserving the limited resources of Earth. He pointed out advancements in literacy, reductions in poverty, and decreases in infant mortality as signs of advancement, even though they may come at the cost of Earth's natural environments.



Bezos, a co-founder of Blue Origin, promotes a vision of humanity's future living in vast space stations orbiting Earth, utilizing resources from celestial bodies like asteroids and near-Earth objects. He envisions this approach easing the strain on Earth's resources and fostering human exploration and creativity.

Unlike Musk's Mars-centric approach, Bezos imagines space stations becoming the primary dwelling places for humanity, with Earth transforming into a destination for recreational visits, similar to tourist attractions such as Yellowstone National Park.

Which side are you batting for pro-Earth or pro-Space/Other Planets? Tell us in the comments section below.
Yiannis Marakakis, representing the families affected by the Tempe train disaster, has raised significant concerns regarding the potential involvement of xylene in the incident. He alleged a deliberate attempt to conceal a fuel smuggling operation. He also criticized the immediate order given to a contractor to remove 300 square meters of soil from the crash

site , branding it an obstruction of justice.

Marakakis lamented the loss of crucial evidence, noting that if the soil had been preserved, it could have been illuminating for the investigation. He detailed how technical advisors could only access the site months later, by which time the area had been significantly altered. This hindered any possibility of conducting an effective forensic analysis or uncovering objective findings.

Highlighting the challenges faced by experts because of the sites alteration, Marakakis emphasized the importance of examining one cubic meter of soil, which was removed and no longer available. He pointed out that such analysis could have led to different results and insights. He mentioned that the explosion, originating from the trains underside and surpassing the bridges height, indicated the likely involvement of a flammable liquid.

Marakakis continued to express criticism towards the handling of the investigation. He revealed that when experts were finally given access, they discovered biological material and human remains within the trains canteen car. If the responsible team had conducted a proper investigation, they would have found this evidence much earlier.

He questioned the authorities decision to allow access to the site to company executives currently facing felony charges. He also condemned the transfer of the excavated soil to a private lot, which was then restricted from further examination.

He stressed, Removing the surrounding soil is either a grave oversight or raises serious suspicions. Its criminal, moving soil from such a large area of land and taking it somewhere else. Specifically, to a private plot where you dont provide any access. What was the motivation behind this? We found out this information by accident, no one came to report it. Can you see how flawed the investigation was in its initial stages?

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The President of Ukraine disclosed on X that during the Greek Prime Minister's recent visit to Odessa, certain agreements were forged. He highlighted ongoing progress on "a bilateral security agreement following the principles of the G7's Vilnius Declaration."

Greek citizens and opposition find

themselves, yet again, belatedly informed about the governments undertakings and decisions made by Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The revelation came from Ukraine this time. Volodymyr Zelenskiy shared in his post: During the recent visit of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Ukraine, we discussed the fulfilment of our agreements, our ongoing defence collaboration, and specifically the enhancement of our air defence systems. On March 6 in Odessa, Prime Minister Mitsotakis witnessed the crucial need for robust aerial protection. Moreover, I briefed him on the Russian attack in Kiev this morning. We concurred on expediting the bilateral security agreement based on the G7 Vilnius Declaration.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis, however, chose to remain silent about these agreements in a social media post he shared two hours later. He mentioned, I had a conversation with Volodymyr Zelensky prior to todays European Council session on Ukraine. Greeces support for Ukraine will persist. My trip to Odessa underscored the pressing necessity for increased assistance. Its encouraging to witness Ukraines consistent advancement towards EU integration, the Greek Prime Minister noted, omitting any mention of the agreements discussed with Zelensky.

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 agreement was signed betweenand Ukraine during Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' recent visit to Odessa, government sources said on Thursday
Nigerias food scene is a vibrant tapestry, woven with threads of indigenous flavours, colonial influences, and a dash of global inspiration. From smoky jollof rice to aromatic stews, the country offers a feast for the senses. But with so many restaurants vying for your attention, where do you begin? Fear not, intrepid gourmand, for this guide from CJ Digital unveils the best culinary gems across Nigeria, catering to every palate and pocket.

Lagos: A City that Sizzles

Lagos, Nigerias throbbing heart, is a melting pot of cultures reflected in its diverse culinary offerings.

Fine Dining with a Twist: For an opulent experience, look no further than NOK by Alara. Chef Imoteda Ayo Obes innovative take on New African Cuisine is a revelation. Think deconstructed pounded yam with a twist, or delicately spiced ostrich carpaccio. The sleek ambience and impeccable service make it a night to remember.

For an opulent experience, look no further than NOK by Alara. Chef Imoteda Ayo Obes innovative take on New African Cuisine is a revelation. Think deconstructed pounded yam with a twist, or delicately spiced ostrich carpaccio. The sleek ambience and impeccable service make it a night to remember. Global Gastronomy: Travel the world on a plate at RSVP. This sophisticated eatery offers a delectable mix of international fare, from juicy steaks to gourmet burgers. Dont miss their signature cocktails on the vibrant poolside bar  the perfect way to unwind after a day exploring the bustling city.

Travel the world on a plate at RSVP. This sophisticated eatery offers a delectable mix of international fare, from juicy steaks to gourmet burgers. Dont miss their signature cocktails on the vibrant poolside bar  the perfect way to unwind after a day exploring the bustling city. A Slice of Italy: Lagos love affair with Italian cuisine is beautifully expressed at La Veranda. Nestled within the Blowfish Hotel, this charming restaurant serves up authentic pizzas, pastas, and fresh seafood dishes. The intimate setting and attentive staff make it ideal for a romantic rendezvous.

Abuja: Power and Palates

Nigerias capital, Abuja, offers a sophisticated dining scene with a touch of political intrigue.

Lebanese Delights: BluCabana infuses Abuja with a taste of the Middle East. Their flavourful mezze platters with hummus, baba ghanoush, and falafel are a must-try. The succulent lamb shawarma and vegetarian options ensure theres something for everyone. The vibrant atmosphere and child-friendly facilities make it perfect for a family outing.

BluCabana infuses Abuja with a taste of the Middle East. Their flavourful mezze platters with hummus, baba ghanoush, and falafel are a must-try. The succulent lamb shawarma and vegetarian options ensure theres something for everyone. The vibrant atmosphere and child-friendly facilities make it perfect for a family outing. A Celebration of Seafood: Ocean Basket offers a taste of the oceans bounty. Their extensive menu features fresh fish and shellfish prepared in a variety of styles. Opt for the classic grilled prawns or indulge in a steaming pot of mussels bathed in a fragrant garlic butter sauce. The casual setting and wallet-friendly prices make it a great option for a relaxed lunch.

Beyond the Big Cities: Regional Gems

Nigerias culinary landscape extends far beyond the major metropolises. Here are a few regional treasures waiting to be discovered:

Calabar Kitchen Magic: Calabar, in Nigerias south-east, is renowned for its fiery stews and soups. Head to a local buka (a small, casual eatery) and try the Afang soup, a rich and spicy concoction made with water leaves, assorted meats, and sometimes even periwinkles.

Calabar, in Nigerias south-east, is renowned for its fiery stews and soups. Head to a local buka (a small, casual eatery) and try the Afang soup, a rich and spicy concoction made with water leaves, assorted meats, and sometimes even periwinkles. The Jollof Rice Kings and Queens: No Nigerian food adventure is complete without jollof rice, a fragrant one-pot dish of rice, tomatoes, spices, and meat or fish. Every region boasts its own variation, each claiming to be the best. Explore local restaurants to find your favourite version of this national treasure.

Beyond the Plate: A Taste of Nigerian Culture

Dining in Nigeria is more than just a meal; its a cultural experience. Here are some tips to fully immerse yourself:

Embrace Street Food: Venture into the vibrant street food scene for a taste of authentic Nigerian flavours. Sample the smoky suya (skewered spiced meat), the crispy bole (roasted plantains), or the refreshing coconut water. Dont be afraid to step outside your comfort zone  you might just discover your new favourite snack.

Venture into the vibrant street food scene for a taste of authentic Nigerian flavours. Sample the smoky suya (skewered spiced meat), the crispy bole (roasted plantains), or the refreshing coconut water. Dont be afraid to step outside your comfort zone  you might just discover your new favourite snack. Etiquette Essentials: In some parts of Nigeria, its customary to wash your hands before and after a meal using a bowl of water and a small towel provided by your host. Its also considered polite to compliment the cook on the food.

In some parts of Nigeria, its customary to wash your hands before and after a meal using a bowl of water and a small towel provided by your host. Its also considered polite to compliment the cook on the food. Dining with Dignity: Be mindful of portion sizes. Its considered good manners to finish everything on your plate, but dont hesitate to ask for a doggy bag if overwhelmed.

Nigerias culinary scene is a vibrant tapestry waiting to be explored. From the bustling streets of Lagos to the hidden gems of regional kitchens, a world of flavour awaits. So, grab your fork (or spoon!), embrace the spirit of adventure, and embark on a delicious journey through the heart of Nigeria.
Meta Platforms, led by former UK Deputy Prime Minister and its President of Global Affairs, Sir Nick Clegg, said that the company would introduce a feature on its Instagram app that will allow Nigerian creators to monetise their content.

It was gathered that the development, which will be unveiled in June 2024, will enable indigenous content creators to earn a living using the app.

However, Metas President of Global Affairs, Sir Nick, made this known during his visitation to President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.

Disclosing the development to the public, in a statement made by the Presidents spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale said that the Meta chief thanked Tinubu for an executive order he issued which enabled the landing of the Meta-backed deep-sea cable in Nigeria.

The statement reads: Sir Clegg also said Meta will introduce in June 2024 a feature on its Instagram app that will allow Nigerian creators to monetize their content to enable them to earn a living using the app.

READ MORE: Meta Set To Begin WhatsApp Business Owners Verification

It is an extraordinary infrastructure project. When it comes on stream in the first quarter of 2025, it will be twice as much as the capacity of all subsea cables that exist.

We buried the cable 50 percent deeper than any other subsea cables under the seabed. It is more powerful and more extensive in terms of its geographical connectivity.

It could yield up to 37 billion dollars worth of increase in economic activity in the next two or three years across the African continent.

However, President Tinubu also added that Nigerian youths are the most critical asset in Nigerias arsenal, adding that his government is moving to achieve digital economic expansion through its 3MTT programme which is training three million Nigerian youths in digital technology and essential skills before deploying them to innovation hubs nationwide.

He said: For us in Nigeria, we have a vibrant, gifted, and resourceful youth population. Recognizing that the future is most likely to be AI-enabled, we have to prepare our youths and make them ready to compete and participate in the global economy.

I can assure you that Nigeria is open for business. We want to lead the African continent in digital technology. Data is valuable to our development. We are ready to cooperate on technological advancements. It is the only way to go. We need a collaboration that will be a win-win for all.
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, says eight of the 18 Edo State political parties seeking participation in the September 21 governorship election are yet to file their nominations on INECs portal.

He disclosed this, yesterday, in Abuja, at the first quarterly consultative meeting with media organisations, warning that the March 24 deadline would not be extended.

For Edo State, 18 political parties conducted their primaries monitored by the Commission. Going by the provision of the Timetable for the election, political parties have 20 days from 4th March 2024 to upload the list and personal particulars of their candidates to our dedicated web portal.

A week later on 31st March 2024, the Commission will publish the personal particulars of the candidates (Form EC9) as required by law. I urge the media and the general public, particularly registered voters in Edo State, to scrutinise the bio-data and credentials of the candidates which is the essence of the publication as provided by law, Yakubu said.

Speaking about Ondo State, Yakubu said political parties will commence their primaries for the Governorship election in the next two weeks.

READ ALSO: Nobody Has Prosecuted Abure, He Wont Resign  LP Deputy National Chair

According to him, 17 out of 18 parties have indicated interest in participating in the election

He further urged media organizations to engage with political parties as well as their aspirants and report on the primaries with the same diligence and depth they report on the main election.

His words: Doing so will go a long way to strengthen our democracy since only the products of the party primaries are ultimately placed on the ballot paper for citizens to vote for in the main election. Party primaries are as important as the main election conducted by INEC.

A very important reality in todays age of information technology is the spread of fake news and misinformation instantly and on a global scale.

We appreciate our partnership with the media and I want to reassure you that INEC will continue to work closely with you.

More specifically, some of the innovations introduced by the Commission to improve service delivery to the electorate, ensure the safety and security of journalists and grant them unimpeded access to various locations during elections and electoral activities drawn from your reports as well as the suggestions and recommendations made during our quarterly meetings. I urge you to continue to be a bulwark against fake news and misleading narratives about the Commission and its activities.
Barely a week after the gruesome killing of 17 military personnel in the Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has vowed that those behind the act will not go free.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that Badaru insisted that the suspects will surely be apprehended and will face the wrath of the law.

It was gathered that the minister made this known when he visited the troops of the one mechanised division in Kaduna, to commiserate with the General Officer Commanding the division over the incident.

He noted that the Federal Government and military authorities will not rest until the masterminds of the killing of military personnel who were on a peace mission are apprehended.

Badaru said: We will find the killers of our soldiers and deal with them. You dont kill our men and go scot-free, we will deal with them squarely.

We have the power, will, strength and determination and our morale is high to end insecurity.

READ MORE: You Wont Go Unpunished  Tinubu Tells Delta Soldiers Killers

I know what you have been doing to rescue the school children unhurt and keep the morale high, the President is behind you one hundred per cent.

I have been briefed about your efforts to rescue the kidnapped school children.

The strategies that I have been briefed about are going on very well and I am sure you will get them.

We will free those children and bring them back to their parents. We thank you for your sleepless nights to keep us safe.
Not less than two students of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, died Friday morning, following a stampede occasioned by the distribution of palliatives.

According to an eye witness, the deceased persons were among those who trooped to convocation square, the venue for the palliatives distribution sponsored by the State Government.

What we are hearing now is that two female students have died. They were said to have been suffocated because of the crowd and they were later declared dead by the healthcare workers, the informant told Daily Trust.

Reacting, Yunusa Yusuf Baduku, National President of the Nasarawa State Students Association, said most of the affected students have been rushed to hospitals for medical attention.

Seriously, what happened this morning at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, is uncalled for, and very pathetic.

READ ALSO: Nigerians Not Seeing, Recieving Palliatives; Subsidise Food Cost Instead  Catholic Bishop To FG

After our arrangement for the distribution of palliatives to the students which was to hold at the Universitys convocation square, they (students) suddenly arrived at the venue in their numbers and overpowered the security.

They broke through the gate into the Convocation square where the bags of rice was to be shared.

Unfortunately, most of our female students sustained several degrees of injuries, while others got suffocated because of the population at the venue for the distribution of the palliatives.

Right now, I am at the Federal Medical Center, Keffi, where we brought some of our students for emergency treatment.

Also, as National President of NASA, I got an official report that one student has died as a result of the unfortunate incident.

For the numbers of those injured, I cannot confirm that at the moment because some of them are at the schools clinic while others are here at the FMC, Keffi receiving treatment, he said.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Thursday, weighed in on the controversy behind the budget padding allegation made by suspended senator, Abdul Ningi.

He told the leadership of the 10th Senate that he would always encourage the cooperation between the executive and judiciary for the advancement of the nation.

The integrity of the National Assembly, he said, remains intact irrespective of the allegations.

Tinubu stated this when he hosted the leadership of the Senate to a dinner on Thursday to break the Ramadan fast at the State House, Abuja.

Speaking via a statement released in the early hours of Friday by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the nations leader noted that he knows the arithmetic of the budget.

According to him, those making allegations of budget padding do not understand the arithmetic of the budget.

READ ALSO: Foreign Airlines Refute CBNs Settled FX Backlog Claim, Say $700m Still Trapped

He said, I know the arithmetic of the budget and the numbers that I brought to the National Assembly, and I know what numbers came back.

I appreciate all of you for the expeditious handling of the budget. Thank you very much.

Those who are talking about malicious embellishment in the budget; they did not understand the arithmetic and did not refer to the baseline of what I brought. But your integrity is intact.

Tinubu thanked the lawmakers, adding that Nigerians are at the turning corner of the economic challenges.

The natural challenge we are facing will be over. On the current economic difficulty, we are about turning the corner.

Our revenue has improved. All we have to do is to control expenditures and manage ourselves better.

Light is at the end of the tunnel, and Nigerians will soon smile again, the President affirmed.

Tinubu also thanked members of the National Assembly for the speedy attention given to the Student Loan Amendment Bill, urging more tolerance, forgiveness, and charity during Ramadan.
Ayo Olorunfemi, the Deputy National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), has declared that Julius Abure, LPs National Chairman, will not resign amidst the demand for his resignation by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The Labour Party has been embroiled in controversy following allegations of mismanagement and financial impropriety against Abure.

The NLC, a foundational supporter of the Party, has been at the forefront of the calls for Abures resignation.

The Union recently stormed the partys headquarters, decrying the clandestine scheduling of its national convention.

Speaking on the situation via Arise Television, Olorunfemi emphasised the principle of due process and the absence of any formal charges or convictions against the Chairman.

At our level, we should not base our judgement on allegations. Anybody can write against anybody and say hes a thief and send it to the police. Its the duty of the police to investigate and if the person is found culpable, they do the next thing by prosecuting him.

READ ALSO: NASS Distracting My Cabinet With Frequent Summons  Tinubu

But has anybody prosecuted Abure? Has he been charged to court? Has he been proven guilty? Has he been sentenced for committing any of the alleged crimes?

You know people just take advantage of the position they are to give wrong information, and because of their selfish interests, they want to call a dog a bad name in order to hang it. But in this case, it wont work. We are in the 21st century, where we can easily verify information, he said.

Olorunfemi added that forcing Abure to resign would be an act of ingratitude, considering his contributions to the Partys current status.

We will not allow the chairman who brought the party to the level it is now to resign. That would be evil. That would be wicked and ungrateful. We will not do that, he added.
Former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, says police report has indicted National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure.

This is as Ayo Olorunfemi, LPs Deputy National Chairman, declared that Abure will not resign amidst the demand for his resignation.

He had said: At our level, we should not base our judgement on allegations. Anybody can write against anybody and say hes a thief and send it to the police. Its the duty of the police to investigate and if the person is found culpable, they do the next thing by prosecuting him.

But has anybody prosecuted Abure? Has he been charged to court? Has he been proven guilty? Has he been sentenced for committing any of the alleged crimes?

However, Wabba, during a Thursday interview on Channels Televisions Politics Today said the report indicting Abure was submitted to him even before he left office.

READ ALSO: Nobody Has Prosecuted Abure, He Wont Resign  LP Deputy National Chair

According to him, Abure was hiding from the police to evade prosecution.

Police have done a full investigation. He (Abure) has been indicted. There is a full report and it was forwarded to me even before I left office. We have asked police to prosecute him. We know he has been hiding from the police.

The basic fact is that it has been established that there is a fraudulent act within the Labour Party. Police have carried out an in-depth investigation. He has been indicted. The report has been forwarded to me and I handed it to the colleague, who took over from me.

There is a delay because the report is with the police. The power to prosecute is in the police. I think the process is ongoing. I read about a blackmail that the police trying to politicize the issue.

But the fact is that there was a committee and it has been established. We will allow the police to do their work, he said.
Nigerias Odunayo Adekuoroye, has been ranked number one globally in the 57 kg category with 49000 points.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the rating, which was released on Thursday, by the United World Wrestling, disclosed that Odunayos performance in wrestling at the ongoing African Games in Ghana earned her the position.

It was gathered that she defeated Zineb Hassoune of Morocco by a pinfall to win gold in the 57kg at the 13th African Games.

READ MORE: African Games: Ese Brume Wins Long Jump Gold Medal

In the second position is Anastasia Nichita of Moldova with 47200 points, while in the third place is Tsugumi Sakurai of Japan with 45000 points.

Daniel Igali, the president of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, said that he was elated at the wrestlers feat, even though she had not competed as much as she would like to.

He said: This ranking gives us added motivation to prepare adequately for the Olympics.

We came with 15 athletes, won 9 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze medals. We had 10 women, won 9 gold and 1 silver in the female style.

We are now getting ready for the 2024 Oceania/Africa Olympic qualifiers, which start on March 22, Greco Roman on the 22nd, female wrestling on the 23rd, and freestyle on the 24th. Our goal is to qualify for about five or six slots.
The Philadelphia 76ers, in partnership with Mural Arts Philadelphia, unveiled its wall mural this morning intersection of Broad and Federal Streets featuring Sixers legends Allen Iverson, Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Dr. J Erving, Charles Barkley, Hal Greer and Bobby Jones. The mural depicts incredible moments in Sixers history. Here, showing mutual admiration for each other Sixers great Bobby Jones meets 11 year old Brendan Dougherty who's winning entry in the Sixers Mural Arts Contest inspired the mural. Read more

Per Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers first budget proposal to City Council, Mural Arts Philadelphia may face a $1 million funding loss in 2025.

The mayors $6.29 billion budget proposal, released March 14, looks to clean up trash-ridden streets, recruit additional police officers, and end Kensingtons open drug market, among other things.

Its my first budget proposal as your mayor and its big and its bold, Parker said during her address. Im calling it the One Philly Budget, and it funds my promise to the people of Philadelphia of a safer, cleaner, greener city, with access to economic opportunity for all.

Earlier this month, Parker selected Valerie Gay as the citys new head of arts and culture. The trained soprano was recently deputy director of audience engagement and chief experience officer at the Barnes Foundation.

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If the One Philly Budget is approved, it could be one of the largest financial drops Mural Arts has seen in recent years.

The long-running arts organization, which specializes in project-based community programming, has more than $3.68 million in city funding in its total operating budget of $18.3 million for the year. Parkers proposed budget could reduce the citys portion to $2.68 million per year for the next five years.

In 2024, Mural Arts received several state, federal, and private grants that will not recur in 2025. Owing to grant terms, the organization is not eligible to reapply for the grants for several years. But once budget hearings begin, Mural Arts will start advocating with [the] city, as additional funds can be allocated to the organization with Council support, Mural Arts officials said.

The $1 million funding loss isnt a surprise, Mural Arts officials said. The $2.68 million city total was already planned under former Mayor Jim Kenneys administration and was adopted by Parker in the new financial plan.

As Mural Arts continues to analyze Parkers proposal, Chad Eric Smith, senior director of communications and brand management at Mural Arts, said he and others will work closely with Parker and her administration to help the mayors new vision for arts and culture to Philadelphia communities.

The organization has been fortunate enough to receive increased funding over the past four years when advocating with City Council, allowing it to enhance programs and projects, Smith said. Mural Arts looks forward to continuing its dialogue with the administration and City Council regarding its proposed budget so it can fully support the mayors vision of a safer, cleaner, and greener Philadelphia.

No decisions will be made about Mural Arts programming and initiatives until a final budget has been approved.

In February, Parker addressed the importance of the art and culture sector in Philly during a news conference for the renaming of Verizon Hall, which, starting in June, will be named in honor of contralto and civil rights leader Marian Anderson. You are what I would consider to be a part of the nucleus of what is a great unifier in our globe, in our Commonwealth and here in our city, no matter the race, class, socio-economic status, the zip code, sexual orientation or identity, and/or religion. There is something about melody, music, and art that allows us to feel our human oneness, she said at the time.
Ash Cooper leaves the District Court in Bensalem on March 6. Read more

A Bensalem teen who shot and killed a 12-year-old girl, then displayed her corpse in an Instagram video call as she sought help in hiding her crime will spend 15 to 40 years in prison after admitting her guilt Thursday.

Ash Cooper, 18, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and related crimes in the shooting death of Morgan Connors in the trailer Cooper shared with her father in the Top of the Ridge Trailer Park in November 2022.

In accepting the guilty plea, Bucks County Court Judge Jeffrey L. Finley decried Coopers actions and lamented Morgans death.

Its a horrible tragedy, he said. A tragedy no family should ever have to undergo.

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Connors grandfather and adoptive father, Allen Gold, called Morgan a sweet, beautiful person and said that every year on her birthday, he and his family remembered the aspiring writer they lost.

A parent should never have to bury a child, Gold said in a statement read in court by Chief Deputy District Attorney Kristin McElroy. The human heart was not designed for such heartbreak.

Shortly after 4 p.m. Nov. 25, 2022, Bensalem Police received a 911 call from a woman who said her daughter got an Instagram video call from Cooper in which she said she had just killed someone, authorities said. Cooper flipped the video image on the call, showing the girls legs and feet covered in blood, authorities said.

The woman who called police said Cooper had told her daughter she just killed someone and needed help disposing of the body, authorities said.

When officers arrived at the scene, Cooper, who was 16 at the time, was seen running away toward a nearby wooded area. Police found the 12-year-old inside the cramped bathroom of Coopers trailer, lying facedown with a gunshot wound to the back.

Investigators said it was clear someone had attempted to clean up the scene of the crime. Police found bottles of household cleaners, bleach and a pile of blood-soaked towels sitting next to the victims body.

Based on where the bullet holes were found in the trailer, investigators determined the shot that killed the girl was fired from inside the trailer.

Cooper was taken into custody at the scene and told police it was an accident and she was afraid of going to jail for the rest of her life, according to court testimony.

Coopers attorney, Paul Lang, said she had a difficult upbringing in the years leading up to the crime. He said he was hopeful that the guilty plea and prison sentence would bring rehabilitation and redemption.

He said Cooper deeply regretted her actions. There is nothing but significant remorse and sorrow, said Lang. As the lawyer spoke on her behalf, Cooper wiped away tears.

Outside the courtroom, the lawyer said he was pleased that Cooper, in admitting guilt, had avoided a possible death penalty.

This is a big step in Ash accepting responsibility and moving forward as a citizen of this country and a human on this planet, he said.

McElroy, the prosecutor, said investigators never determined a motive for the killing of Morgan. McElroy and Lang agreed Cooper and Morgan were friends.

Lang said he, too, was at loss to understand what led Cooper to kill the girl.
A $15 million gift to Drexel University from the Howley Foundation will fund scholarships for up to 10 students to attend the university each year, the university said Friday.

The money, which expands the Howley College Scholars Program that began in 2023, will be available to eligible students from seven Philadelphia-area schools: West Catholic Preparatory High School, Roman Catholic High School, St. Josephs Preparatory School, Merion Mercy Academy, Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High School, Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School, and Little Flower High School.

Combined with Drexel scholarships, the Howley Program will cover the full cost of attendance for selected students.

Students will be selected based on their academic record, and acceptance into one of Drexels programs in engineering, biomedical engineering, business, nursing, or computing and informatics, according to the university.

We believe the best way to encourage upward social and economic mobility is through an education opportunity that leads to a high-quality job and career, Nick Howley, a Drexel alumnus and trustee who leads the foundation with wife Lorie and daughter Meg, said in a statement. Howley, co-founder and board chairman of TransDigm Group Inc., said Drexels five-year co-op program makes it uniquely qualified to allow students to complete their educations and achieve career objectives.

The program was initially launched to fund students from West Catholic attending Drexel as engineering, accounting or finance majors.

With its continued generosity, the Howley Foundation is enabling our university to deliver on its mission of expanding access to a Drexel education, Drexel president John Fry said in a statement, crediting the program with bolstering the student body with some of Philadelphias best and brightest.
Cherry Hill High School East junior Jack Neary (center) boards a school bus with his parents Jim Neary (left) and Laurie Neary (right) joining other students, teachers and board members to attend a public hearing on Gov. Murphy's proposed budget. Read more

In his proposed budget, Gov. Phil Murphy included historic funding for most of New Jerseys 600 school districts, which enroll about 1.1 million students. For the first time in state history, the requirements of the funding formula used to determine how much aid districts receive would be fully met.

But 140 districts across the state would receive less funding than last year under the proposed spending plan.

South Jersey districts including Cherry Hill, Collingswood, Haddon Township, Lenape Regional and Pitman are among those appealing to the Legislature, hoping to have millions in funding restored for the coming school year. They also want the state to change the formula used to calculate aid, which relies heavily upon property taxes.

Under the proposed budget, here are the districts in Burlington County, Camden County, and Gloucester County that will receive less funding for the 2024-25 school year.
University of Pennsylvania Law alumni Jawad Moradi at the University of Pennsylvania law school in Philadelphia, Pa. Jawad was an at-risk scholar from Afghanistan who went on to pass the New York bar exam, helped by law professor Eric Feldman. Read more

When the Taliban gained control of Afghanistan in 2021, Jawad Moradi feared that he would be put in prison, or worse.

Five years earlier, he had earned his master of laws degree at Duke University. Because of his U.S. legal education and interaction with colleagues in the United States and elsewhere, he was at risk. And as a member of a minority population that had been targeted by the Taliban, he was even more vulnerable.

I had to hide myself in my house, he said.

But one day, dressed in drab clothes to escape detection, he and his wife traveled a risky route lined with Taliban checkpoints, from Kabul to a northern province, where an evacuation flight arranged by a deputy director at a U.S. university collaborative awaited him.

He found himself in a refugee camp in the United Arab Emirates and nearly a year later in the United States, at the University of Pennsylvanias Carey Law School.

What would I do if I didnt have this support from Penn? Moradi, 35, often wonders.

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Moradi is one of six at-risk scholars that Penn has brought to campus since its Penn Global office launched a new program in 2021. The university had previously helped scholars, but the crisis in Afghanistan showed the need for a more coordinated, concerted effort, said Scott Moore, practice professor of political science who oversees the program.

The other five scholars come from Afghanistan, as well as Venezuela and Ukraine, Moore said.

Penn Global provides $30,000 annual stipends for up to two years, and the school or department hosting the scholar is expected to match it. The approximately $60,000 helps with housing and other expenses; they also get office space. Penn Global also assists with visa applications.

You cant do lots and lots of people, but you can make a difference, said Ezekiel J. Emanuel, vice provost for global initiatives.

Bringing in the scholars also benefits Penn faculty and students, he said, giving them a wider view of the scholarship happening in other countries.

The scholars dont necessarily have to be students or professors; they can be public intellectuals, musicians, artists, journalists, politicians, anyone whose presence would add to the teaching, research and service missions of the university, Moore said.

Part of a national effort to rescue scholars

The Penn program fits into a larger effort by universities to offer refuge to scholars whose lives or work are endangered in their home countries.

The Institute of International Education, based in New York City, runs the largest program in the nation funded through a $52 million endowment, grants and donors. Started in 2002, it has helped 1,106 scholars from 62 countries find new academic homes at 502 institutions worldwide.

In 2023, the institute received nearly 750 applications and awarded 127 fellowships, said Mark Angelson, the institutes board chair.

But even before that, the institute on a less formal basis was helping scholars, including those persecuted by the Nazis and targeted by the Bolshevik party in Russia, he said.

We always had the idea that the crisis would be over, the war would be over, said Allan E. Goodman, the institutes chief executive officer. It really wasnt until the millennium, we realized this is a permanent state of the world. We better get ready to do this globally and permanently.

The institute at any given time is supporting about 125 scholars, who most often come with their families. They receive visa and travel support, a stipend and assistance with finding housing and adjusting to their new community. About half return to their countries after the threat passes, Goodman said.

But some stay. Salam Al Kuntara, an archaeologist who advocates for the protection and preservation of cultural heritage sites in her home country of Syria, became an assistant professor of classics at Rutgers after her time as a scholar at Penn.

Other Philadelphia-area colleges that have hosted scholars through the institutes program include Penn, Rutgers, Drexel, Temple, Arcadia and Villanova, Angelson said.

I can order almost anything

Pavel Golubev, 39, a Russian art historian, had been head curator at a museum in Ukraine when Russia invaded in 2022. He had left Russia after publishing the diaries of Konstantin Somov, highlighting the painters homosexuality, a part of his life that had been silenced in Russia.

He had been invited to the Odessa Fine Arts Museum in Ukraine, where he created an exhibition on Somov and was later offered a full-time position there.

Golubev already knew Jonathan D. Katz, an associate professor of practice at Penn in history of art and gender, sexuality and womens studies. Katz had contacted Golubev when he was putting together The First Homosexuals, an exhibition that opened on a small scale in Chicago a couple of years ago and will have a larger debut next year. He was marshaling a group of scholars from around the world to help with the exhibition, which chronicles the earliest appearances of sexual difference in art.

Katz was worried about Golubev in the Ukraine and offered to bring him to Penn. Golubev was hesitant to leave until he could assure the works at Odessa were safe, but eventually came to Philadelphia in August 2022. Golubev found an apartment, and Katzs colleagues provided the necessary furnishing and supplies.

I have furniture with a history and provenance, Golubev said proudly, sitting in the history department office he shares with Katz.

He presented his research on Somov at a Penn colloquium that December and continues to work with Katz on the upcoming exhibition. He also conducts a reading group for doctoral students on queer studies in art history.

The program did what it was supposed to do, which was to get scholars at risk out of danger, Katz said.

Katz said that, through Golubev, he has learned about the large Russian Slavic neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia: It really was wild, he said. I felt like I was somehow in Eastern Europe.

Golubev was amazed at the access to a wide array of materials through Penns libraries. I can order almost anything, he said.

He hopes to find work and stay in the United States after he completes the scholar program.

Maybe I should do something

Jesus Fernandez-Villaverde, a professor of economics, heard about Angel Alvarado from a mutual friend when he was visiting a university in Spain. Alvarado, his friend told him, was a Venezuelan congressman and economist who had been advocating for democracy and improved economic policy in the country. Venezuela, Fernandez-Villaverde said, has had the worlds largest collapse of gross national product in the last 100 years in a country that was not at war.

It was not going well for him, Fernandez-Villaverde said.

Alvarado, 43, had been beaten by police and a friend died under suspicious circumstances while in police custody in 2018, he said.

I thought maybe I should do something, Fernandez-Villaverde said.

Alvarado has spent two years at Penn. He has co-taught an online course on the economic history of Latin America and interviews Spanish-speaking economists for a podcast. He also finished his dissertation.

Alvarado wants to return to Venezuela if there is a regime change.

Philadelphia for me has been heaven, in a sense, he said. Penn is a top university ... with top academic professors, researchers ... and the students are top students in terms of achievement and ideas, people who want to change the world.

Just dreaming

For Moradi, it was Karen Hall, deputy executive director at the Rule of Law Collaborative at the University of South Carolina, who helped arrange his time at Penn. She was assisting several dozen scholars get from Afghanistan to U.S. universities. She reached Eric Feldman, deputy dean for international programs at Penn Carey Law.

Feldman said Moradi showed up with a smile on his face and asked how he could repay Penn. Moradi thought he would have to do research or complete other scholarly duties.

We said, What you can do is study for the bar [exam] and do your very best to pass the bar, Feldman said.

It was the only way for Moradi to remain in the United States and work as a lawyer.

Moradi passed the New York bar exam last year and got a job at a financial company in Delaware. Hes already been promoted and serves as corporate counsel. He and his wife live in Philadelphia.

Sometimes, he said, I think maybe Im just dreaming.
Matthew Paneth (left) and Nikki Lopez outside the former Dobbs at 304 South St., to be opening as Nikki Lopez. Read more

There is a Nikki Lopez behind Nikki Lopez, a bar and performance venue taking shape on the former site of Dobbs, the storied South Street club that closed last year.

Lopez is a photographer, bartender, and habitue of New Yorks music scene. When he and friend Matthew Paneth, a New York-based concert promoter, talked about opening a place of their own in Philadelphia, Paneth insisted that it carry Lopezs name.

Its an honor, I guess, Lopez said.

They plan to open in July after renovations.

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 READ MORE: Signs of rebirth along South Street

Theres a lot of really nice, fancy bars in Philadelphia, but theres not a lot of really good drinks at an affordable price, and Im excited to do that here, said Paneth, an independent concert promoter who ran the bar at Webster Hall, the landmark club in Manhattans East Village. He taught Lopez, a customer, to tend bar nearby at Sweetie, owned by two brothers whose family once ran Webster Hall.

In addition to low-priced drinks, they plan to keep the food menu uncomplicated: hot dogs only.

Were going to bring fun stuff to the neighborhood, said Paneth, who promises live music, literary events, and comedy nights. His recent oeuvre runs the gamut: punk shows, Taylor Swift-theme boat parties, and a book-release concert for Philadelphia author Kim Kelly (Fight Like Hell).

The idea, Paneth said, is to fill each month with programming.

Lopez started in music at 17, working with promoters at New Yorks now-closed B.B. King Blues Club & Grill. Its like all the worlds are colliding, Lopez said.

South Street, meanwhile, is showing signs of a resurgence following a low point in its long history of ups and downs. Jims Steaks at Fourth and South, which drives a lot of pedestrian traffic, is expected to come back this spring from a 2022 fire.

Were committed to making South Street a better place, Paneth said.

Dobbs closed last summer amid the fallout from an allegation that an employee had sexually assaulted a patron. Bands reacted by canceling or relocating their shows. Paneth had booked the folk-punk band Days N Daze, whose show was moved to the Ukie Club.

 READ MORE: What to eat, drink, and do on South Street

We heard that the place was closing down, reached out to the landlord, and here we are, Paneth said. Hopefully, he said, Days N Daze are going to be one of the first artists we have here.

Dobbs history

Dobbs, at 304 South St., followed the ebbs and flows of South Street. Initially opened in the mid-1970s as J.C. Dobbs, the bar booked before-they-were-famous bands including Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Oasis, and Green Day.

The 2012 documentary Meet Me on South Street: The Story of J.C. Dobbs by musician/filmmaker George Manney lovingly recalled the early days.

In 1996, it was sold and renamed the Pontiac Bar & Grill, which closed in 2005. That business reopened under new management in 2010, borrowing from the original name as the Legendary Dobbs, but closed in 2015.

The building sat vacant until 2021, when it reopened as Dobbs on South.
Philadelphias health department issued an advisory calling for more widespread use of Paxlovid to reduce hospitalizations and serious illness in high-risk patients with COVID. Read more

Not enough doctors are prescribing an antiviral drug to treat COVID, Philadelphias health department said this month in a health advisory, adding that more widespread use of the drug can reduce hospitalizations and serious illness in high-risk patients.

Sold under the brand name Paxlovid, the antiviral medication makes it harder for COVID to replicate in a persons body, decreasing a persons risk of severe symptoms from the virus, said Shara Epstein, the medical director of the health departments Division of Disease Control.

The most important thing to know about Paxlovid is that is needs to be prescribed based on a persons risk for severe disease, not based on current symptoms, she wrote in an email.

But research suggests the treatment is underutilized, including among people who could benefit most from the drug. Patients at the highest risk for serious COVID complications were treated with antiviral drugs less often than people with a lower risk, a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found, using 2022 data for seniors and other patients receiving coverage through the government-funded Medicare program.

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Had more high-risk patients received such treatments, the study found, thousands of COVID deaths might have been prevented, researchers concluded.

That study, and others, also noted racial disparities among people prescribed COVID treatments, with white patients more likely to receive them than Black and Hispanic patients.

Why is Paxlovid underused in Philly?

In Philadelphia, the health department doesnt have specific information on how many people are prescribed Paxlovid, the brand name for ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir. Pennsylvania ranked in the middle of U.S. states for Paxlovid prescribing rates, according to a 2022 analysis by the U.S. Department of Health.

Epstein cited several reasons why Paxlovid might not be prescribed as often as it could be.

A person with COVID might not initially experience serious symptoms, and they or their doctor might want to try an antiviral medication only after they get worse, Epstein said. But once disease is severe, Paxlovid wont help, she said.

Other doctors might balk at prescribing Paxlovid to patients who take other medications, because the drug can negatively interact with them. Most other medications can be paused while a patient takes Paxlovid, Epstein said.

Patients might also have concerns about a viral rebound after taking Paxlovid  a recurrence of COVID symptoms after an initial recovery. Most studies show that there is not an increase in rebound after taking Paxlovid, Epstein said, adding that people who do experience a COVID rebound dont have severe symptoms.

Older adults, immunocompromised patients and other people with the highest risk of serious COVID complications should talk to their doctor about taking Paxlovid. Another option for treatment, the antiviral medication sold under the brand name Lagevrio, can also be prescribed for people who are not good candidate for Paxlovid treatment, she said.
The newly unionized nurses and techs at Temple Health's Fox Chase Cancer Center have authorized a strike if progress is not made in ongoing negotiations for contracts. Read more

The nurses and techs at Temple Healths Fox Chase Cancer Center authorized on Thursday a potential strike, as six months of negotiations with the health system has not produced agreements for their first contracts as unionized groups.

The roughly 135 techs and nearly 400 nurses at the specialty cancer center in Northeast Philadelphia gave their unions bargaining committees approval to hand Temple a 10-day strike notice, if they do not make progress in the ongoing negotiations. The Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals, or PASNAP, which represents the workers, did not share the vote tallies.

 READ MORE: Virtua Health nurses approve contract in a second vote, but the union remains divided

Temple has been negotiating separately since the fall with the two sets of unionized employees  the nurses and the techs, including X-ray techs, surgical techs, and respiratory therapists. PASNAP filed an unfair labor practices complaint with the National Labor Relations Board on March 6 alleging bad faith bargaining by Temple.

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It can take a long time to reach a good contract, said Temple spokesperson Jeremy Moore in a statement. For example, Temple negotiated with the roughly 35 Fox Chase and Jeanes Hospitals certified registered nurse anesthetists for 13 months to reach their first contract, which both parties signed on January 2023.

It comes as no surprise that PASNAP held a strike authorization vote, Moore said. All unions do this as a common pressure tactic to add leverage to their bargaining position.

Another strike vote for Temple

The nurses and techs at Fox Chase have each held roughly 20 bargaining sessions with Temples management since September.

Their differences began in deciding on a format for the negotiations, said Nancy McIntyre, an X-ray tech at Fox Chase.

The nurses and techs wanted to negotiate together, but Temple has been negotiating with each group separately, McIntyre said. The nurses and techs also proposed to hold bargaining sessions on Temples Cottman Avenue campus to make it easier for employees to participate, but Temple refused and negotiations have been taking place off campus.

They have been calling the shots, and weve been giving in, she said.

There has been little progress in the negotiations with the techs, McIntyre said.

 READ MORE: Nurses at Temple Healths Jeanes hospital authorize strike but stop short of declaring one

The nurses and management have agreed on some issues, such as bereavement time, but have made no progress on more contentious issues such as the number of patients each nurse has under their care or benefit packages, said Ed Hall, a critical-care nurse at Fox Chase.

Its been really difficult, really slow, very frustrating, Hall said.

The roughly 370 nurses at Jeanes Hospital, which is adjacent to Fox Chase, authorized a strike on Feb. 29. The Jeanes nurses contract expired in November, and negotiations are ongoing.
Brian Bigler, of West Chester, told police in January 2023 that he wrote 202 prescriptions for the opioid painkiller Oxycodone that were not for legitimate medical purposes. Read more

West Chester physician Brian Bigler relinquished his license to practice medicine in Pennsylvania earlier this month, after pleading guilty to illegally prescribing opioid painkillers.

Bigler wrote 202 prescriptions for Oxycodone, and took some pills for himself, between 2013 and 2018, according to records from law enforcement and his state disciplinary proceedings. After the prescriptions were filled by others, he received some of the pills back for his personal use.

The ophthalmologist wrote the illegal prescriptions on pads of his employer at the time, Vistarr Eye Care Centers in West Chester, without the knowledge of his supervisors, records show.

 READ MORE: Pa. suspended a weight-loss doctor who performed intimate exams on women. He still sees patients in Brooklyn.

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Bigler pleaded guilty last November to three counts of acquiring a controlled substance by fraud, identity theft, and conspiracy in Chester County Court of Common Pleas.

He was sentenced to seven years probation, the first six months of which he will serve under house arrest.

Biglers lawyer, Clifford Swift, declined to comment.

The eye doctor agreed to surrender his license to the Pennsylvania Board of Medicine, which regulates physician licenses and oversees their discipline.

Doctors rarely give up their medical licenses. Only 11 medical doctors statewide voluntarily surrendered their license last year, according to data from the board.
Dumped on the sidewalk is where Mark Berman, owner of Anna Bees Honey, thinks his equipment will end up after being stolen from his truck.

Berman headed to his truck, parked near Third and Manton Streets, Wednesday morning. On the ground, he found shattered pieces of the passenger seat window. His large camping bag was gone, along with the three beekeeping suits, hive tools, brushes, and testing equipment that traveled inside it.

Leaving the backpack in the car isnt something he does often, Berman said. But, one time was enough to cost him a $700 loss.

Each suit is worth $100 to $170. He needs the suits for Anna Bees Honey Be a Beekeeper for a Day, a regular educational experience in which people learn about honey bees and interact with hives.

I think they will keep the bag, but whats inside its really no use to them, Berman said.

It was a crime of opportunity that amazed him, considering that it was the first time in his 29 years in the Pennsport area that something like this happened to him.

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In a Ring camera video uploaded to Facebook, a person can be seen walking by Bermans truck a little after midnight. Something appears to catch the persons eye while passing the windshield, making the person lean forward.

The figure, who was carrying a backpack and a box, looked around and into the passenger window. What happened next is not on the posted video, but the bandit broke the window, reached for the bag, and walked away with extra luggage.

Once Berman realized what transpired, later in the day, he attempted to call the police and file a report.

He said he waited outside for an hour, but no one came.

I dont have the luxury of waiting around, I had to go to work, the beekeeper said.

Still wanting to prevent people in the neighborhood from experiencing something similar, Berman posted the story on Anna Bees Honeys social media, along with a link for a GoFundMe page. He offered a bottle of raw honey to anyone who donated more than $50.

Donations started pouring in.

The goal of $750 was reached in less than two days, and Berman asked folks to stop donating.

There are so many real crimes here in Philadelphia, I didnt think I deserve it, Berman said. It was amazing to see people I dont even know caring about the bees and wanting to support beekeeping.

The new beekeeping equipment was set to arrive over the weekend.

Although the situation put a sting in his day, Berman hopes people see it as a hiccup, and instead turn the buzz toward the Grays Ferry-area bees he has been taking care of for nine years, and the educational resources that Anna Bees Honey provides.

To anyone with a vehicle, Berman advises: Dont make the same mistake I made, keep all your belongings in your house.
A man who escaped a Western Pennsylvania prison last year was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals in Philadelphia on Friday.

Isaiah Tilghman, 33, escaped the Blair County Prison on Dec. 3 and was known to be in Philadelphia that month, according to a U.S. Marshals spokesperson.

Marshals took Tilghman into custody on the 3300 block of Aramingo Avenue around 11 a.m. Friday, the services Philadelphia unit said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Photos from the arrest show Tilghman against the exterior wall of a Planet Fitness gym. Mashals said they had been surveilling Tilghman this week, and they followed him as he drove a black BMW from a home in Kensington to the gym, where he was surrounded by 20 officers after exiting.

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Before his December escape, Tilghman had been incarcerated at the prison since May on felony narcotics charges as well as parole violations, court records show. His address was listed as State College.

Marshals said they learned that Tilghman had fled to Philadelphia in the weeks following. On Dec. 15, Marshals recovered on the 2600 block of South Front Street a red Ford F-150 that they believe Tilghman had stolen. The vehicles license plate was stolen off another truck in Port Richmond, according to a post on X from the Marshals.

Tilghman was awaiting sentencing when he escaped. After his capture, he was additionally charged with escape, flight to avoid apprehension, and related charges. He will be transported back to Blair County for those proceedings, Marshals said.

The arrest was a result of Fugitive Task Forces in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, diligently working together, said Robert Clark, supervisory deputy U.S. Marshal for the Eastern Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force.
Pavel Golubev, Visiting Research Scholar at University of Pennsylvania, poses for a portrait at the Fine Arts Library at Penn. Read more

Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter

Happy Friday. I hope the cherry blossoms arent too confused by the weather this week. The morning is another freezing one before temps rise to a high around 50.

A Penn program is bringing international scholars who fear persecution in their home countries to work at the university. In the past three years, Penn has welcomed intellectuals from Afghanistan, Venezuela and most recently Ukraine.

And on Fridays during Lent, one Northampton County firehouse transforms into the regions hottest Italian restaurant.

Read on for these stories and more. Plus, be sure to scroll far enough to see this newsletters newest feature: Curious Philly Fridays!

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 Julie Zeglen (@juliezeglen, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

Their stories and home countries are varied: a Venezuelan congressman advocating for better economic policy. A Russian art historian working as a curator in Ukraine. A former Duke law student nervous about Taliban control of Afghanistan.

They all ended up in Philly, thanks to a Penn program that brings at-risk scholars  academics as well as journalists and other public thinkers  to work at the university. The program launched in 2021 and has so far hosted six scholars who feared persecution of some sort back home.

Philadelphia for me has been Heaven in a sense, said Angel Alvarado, who hopes to return to Venezuela if there is a regime change.

Penn Global is part of a national effort going back decades and spanning dozens of countries. Susan Snyder spoke to several of these scholars and their university advocates about how both they and the Penn community have benefitted.

During Lent, fundraising fish fries are popular across Pennsylvania, as Catholics abstain from eating other kinds of meat on Fridays during the 40-day period of reflection before Easter.

The concept is slightly elevated at Columbia Fire Company No. 1 in Roseto, Northampton County. The firehouse serves homemade lobster bisque, chianti, local trout, and plenty more on these Lenten Fridays.

This is Roseto, fire chief and head chef Michael Goffredo told The Inquirers Jason Nark. This is no fish fry.

OK, fine, more than slightly. As Nark notes in his look at the towns closely held tradition, Rosetos firehouse is the place to be if you want to eat great Italian food and dont mind sitting on metal folding chairs to do it. Youd better plan ahead, though: Even the mayor needs a reservation.

What you should know today

Why dont SEPTA Regional Rail trains have bathrooms? Why is the Broad Street Line so slow between Walnut-Locust and Lombard-South? Why doesnt Citizens Bank Park have a dedicated hoagie place?

Inquirer reporters have been answering essentially Philadelphian questions like these through Curious Philly, our forum for readers to ask about the citys quirks.

Welcome to Curious Philly Friday, where well feature both new and timeless stories from the series in this newsletter.

First up is a feature by Michelle Myers, who has details on the most recent addition to the citys sprawling park system. (As it turns out, we have a whopping 576 parks, including 403 overseen by the citys parks and rec department.) She also shares whats next and whether there are plans for green space in the in-development Bellwether District.

Have your own burning question about Philadelphia, its local oddities, or how the region works? Submit it riiiight here.

 Trivia time

Wawa is opening more than 70 new stores in 2024 as it celebrates a big milestone. How many years has the homegrown convenience chain (and so much more) been in business?

A) 70 years

B) 60 years

C) 50 years

D) 40 years

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we're...

 Biking: Washington Ave, cautiously, after reading this summary of recent traffic-calming changes.

 Drinking: The pinot gris at Mural Citys new winery, opening this Friday at Frankford and Berks.

 Filing: A claim to the self-described minister of loneliness.

 Unscramble the anagram

This vessel just made its first journey down the Delaware River from Camden to Paulsboro in three decades.

Hint:  

ABSENTS JEWELER PITHY

Email us if you know the answer. Well select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Sithi Bucciarelli, who correctly solved Thursdays anagram: Kochs Deli is the nearly 60-year-old deli at 43rd and Locust thats in a legal pickle, as an evicted tenant seeks to use its name at a new Center City location.

Photo of the day

Wishing you a wonderful weekend. See you next week!

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.
Pennsylvania will be a key battleground in the presidential election. The state has seen a slight decline in its population since the last race between Joe Biden and Donald Trump in 2020. Read more

Newly released Census data show Pennsylvanias population declines since the last presidential election are mostly concentrated in counties where President Joe Biden won in 2020.

About 45,000 Pennsylvania residents left counties that Biden won, according to the analysis from Franklin & Marshall College. Counties that voted for former President Donald Trump gained 4,500 residents, adding up to a net statewide loss of about 41,000 people from the 13.0 million residents counted during the 2020 census.

The analysis looks at residents, not registered voters, so its impossible to deduce whether one party benefits and whether shifts might impact a statewide vote. About half of the residents who left counties that Biden won relocated within the state and half moved to another state.

The analysis reflects population growth trends in parts of Central and South Pennsylvania, known as the T, and population losses in the states two biggest cities, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

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The natural feeling is that Trump counties, rural counties are losing population, but theres a lot of central Pennsylvania counties experiencing growth that are still Republican counties, said Berwood Yost, who conducted the analysis.

Typically a states demographics dont change enough in four years to seriously affect a presidential election from one cycle to the cycle. But Pennsylvanias narrow margins mean that any shift could be magnified.

We dont know how many of these people will vote, we dont know what happens when they move within the state and if they take their views with them, Yost said. Its just another data point that says we knew this race was gonna be close and guess what, you could infer from these movements that its probably gonna be even closer than we thought.

Counties Biden won declined in population by more than 45,000 people

The population decline in counties Biden won was largely due to losses in the states two biggest cities. Philadelphias estimated population decreased for the third consecutive year in 2023, possibly due to pandemic-related migration. Philadelphia has not declined in population for three years in a row since between 2004 and 2006

Since April 2020, Philadelphias population has declined 3.3%  or 53,251 residents, now standing at an estimated 1,550,542 residents.

Allegheny County, which includes Pittsburgh and its outlying suburbs, lost about 26,000 residents over the last four years.

The decline in counties Biden won would be almost twice as large if not for international migration. About 48,000 people have migrated from other countries to Pennsylvania counties that Biden won.

About half of the 45,000 residents who left Biden counties relocated in-state and half left the state, according to Yosts analysis. That means that there are about 22,500 fewer people living in counties that voted for Biden than there were in 2020. How, or if those people vote, is unknown.

Biden won Pennsylvania by about 80,000 votes in 2020, a little more than 1%. Trump won it by 44,000 votes in 2016, a little less than 1%.

Most of the people who moved out of Philadelphia but stayed in-state moved to the collar counties. Suburban counties like Chester and Montgomery had the largest gains statewide.

Residents who left Allegheny but stayed in-state also sought out the nearest suburbs, moving mostly to Westmoreland, Washington, Beaver, and Butler Counties. But in that case, the suburb-seekers were relocating from a Democratic stronghold to more conservative areas. People move for all sorts of reasons, including sometimes political ideology.

If you leave Philly and you go to the suburbs, those are still places were Biden performed pretty well, Yost said. But if you leave Pittsburgh and go to Westmoreland or Beaver, places where Trump won, are you moving out there to save money or because its more in line with your political viewpoints?

Trump-counties gained a small number of residents

While rural counties have experienced population losses in Pennsylvania and around the country, Pennsylvania is home to a lot of mid-sized cities and exurban areas that are growing in areas like Adams, York, Cumberland, Lebanon, and Berks Counties.

Migration into counties Trump won was significant enough to offset natural population decline in those areas, where there are more deaths and fewer births than in other parts of the state.

The population shifts also reflect voter registration changes in the state. Since 2020, Republicans have narrowed the registration gap with Democrats in the state, according to an Inquirer analysis. Many of those counties where Republicans gained were counties where the population increased.

Democratic-leaning Montgomery, Chester, and Delaware Counties, some of the larger growing counties, were the only places where the net share of registered Democrats also grew.
Sen. Bob Menendez, (D., N.J.), will not run in the Democratic primary, but hopes to pursue an independent bid. Read more

Sen. Bob Menendez will not run in the New Jersey Democratic primary, but he hopes to run as an independent this November.

The announcement came weeks after federal prosecutors brought new charges of obstruction of justice against Menendez, a Democrat who has been in the Senate since 2006, and his wife, Nadine Arslanian. The new charges add to the sweeping bribery and corruption case the couple already face.

I am hopeful that my exoneration will take place this summer and allow me to pursue my candidacy as an independent Democrat in the general election, he said Thursday evening in a YouTube video.

Menendez, 70, said the allegations against him would prevent him from engaging in dialogue with his would-be primary opponents.

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I know many of you are hurt and disappointed in me with the accusations I am facing, he said. Believe me, I am disappointed at the false accusations as well. All I can ask of you is to withhold judgment until justice takes place.

Menendez would have had to file petitions by Monday to make it on the June 4 New Jersey primary ballot, but if he runs as an independent he can wait until June to file documents to be on Novembers ballot.

The race for Menendezs seat is already underway in a heated matchup between Tammy Murphy, the wife of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, and Rep. Andy Kim (D., Burlington).

Both candidates jumped into the race shortly after Menendez was charged last fall and have been campaigning across the state in the lead-up to the primary.

Menendez has maintained his innocence and refused calls to resign, but Thursdays announcement was the first indication he has given about whether he will run for reelection since he was charged in September.

When I decide, then everybody will know, Menendez said earlier this month when asked by a CNN reporter if he would run after his new charges mounted.

Federal prosecutors allege Menendez accepted bribes in the form of hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, gold bars, and a luxury car in exchange for helping three New Jersey businessmen with their legal and business problems. The senator is also accused of using his powerful former role as the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to benefit Egypt and Qatar.

In the latest indictment, prosecutors argue that Menendez and Arslanian tried to cover up their crimes following an FBI raid on Menendezs Bergen County home and subpoenas seeking documents related to payments he had received from three New Jersey businessmen. While the charges stem from accusations detailed in previous indictments against Menendez and Arslanian, they bring the threat of potential prison time.

Menendez called the new charges a flagrant abuse of power.

I am innocent, the senator said earlier this month, and will prove it no matter how many charges they continue to pile on.

Jose Uribe, one of the three businessmen and a codefendant in the case, pleaded guilty this month to bribing the couple and agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors.

Uribe admitted to buying the couple a Mercedes-Benz worth more than $60,000 in 2019 in hopes of persuading the senator to interfere in a pending criminal investigation involving two of his associates. He made payments to Arslanian for the car, who had totaled her previous vehicle in December 2018 after striking and killing a pedestrian in Bogota, N.J.

This case comes less than six years after Menendez escaped the threat of conviction in a separate federal bribery probe  one alleging that he accepted lavish gifts, flights on private jets, and campaign support from a Florida eye doctor.

Menendezs most vocal critic has been Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.), who made the first call for him to resign. More than 30 of his fellow Democratic senators also said last fall that Menendez should resign, and Fetterman has continued to advocate for Menendezs expulsion.

How can we chuck [GOP Rep. George] Santos, but keep a sleazeball like him around? Fetterman said, referring to the ousted New York congressman.

A battleground has already been set

Murphy, 58, and Kim, 41, have already been campaigning to replace Menendez, as has a field of Republicans, including Cape May hotelier Curtis Bradshaw and former television reporter Alex Zdan.

After Menendezs announcement, Kim remained confident he could win the seat even if the senator draws away Democratic votes.

I will win in November even if I have to beat Menendez and a Republican simultaneously, he said in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. The balance of the Senate is on the line and we need the strongest candidate possible to keep this seat blue and the Senate in Democratic control.

Murphy criticized Menendezs decision to pursue an independent bid. New Jersey needs a Senator focused on solving the challenges facing our families, she said on X.

Senator Menendez continues to place himself ahead of whats best for New Jerseyans and the Democratic Party as a whole. He shouldnt have the privilege of serving in the Senate in any capacity, the New Jersey first lady said.

Without Menendez in the primary contest, allegations that Murphy, the states first lady, and her husband are using their power to line up endorsements in the counties have dominated the race, as well as questions about having the two top statewide elected positions in Jersey belong to one couple. Murphy denies that the concentration of power would be an issue, with her husband finishing his final term as governor.

Kim, who has served in Congress since 2019, is a former national security official in the Obama administration who has campaigned outside traditional New Jersey machine politics. He would be the first Asian American U.S. senator from New Jersey.

He filed a federal lawsuit last month asking a judge to call the states ballot system unconstitutional. New Jersey is the only state in the nation that categorizes candidates based on who gets the most county party endorsements, rather than the office theyre seeking. This system, known as the line, allows candidates with support from the machine to be advantageously placed on the ballot.

Murphy, a former Goldman Sachs analyst, has had a prominent role in her husbands administration.

While Murphy has faced scrutiny over her record as a Republican prior to 2014, she has criticized Kim for not embracing progressive ideas like Medicare for all and President Joe Bidens student loan forgiveness. Kim, a member of the Houses progressive caucus, said he wants to explore other health-care options but supports a universal model. As for student loans, he said he wants a legislative fix to address the cost of higher education rather than an executive order.

Two other candidates, Lawrence Hamm and Patricia Campos-Medina, both activists, are also running in the Democratic primary.

Staff writers Jeremy Roebuck and Amy S. Rosenberg contributed to this article.
Linsey Franklin stands in front of her family's former home in Fishtown. Her advocacy, after she had to fight an Act 135 petition, sparked City Council to call a hearing about the law. Read more

The Malesiewskis had lived in their three-story Queen Village rowhouse since the 1930s. But by 2016, Edward Malesiewski had died, and his widow, Olga, was in a nursing home.

That left the property vacant and blighted  conditions that were the basis for a lawsuit, by the Philadelphia Community Development Coalition and an investor group, to take over the property under Pennsylvanias controversial conservatorship law, Act 135. Under the law, the nonprofit and its partner were permitted to get control of the property, rehab it, and sell it for $990,000  more than $900,000 of which went to the organizations costs and fees.

Now, four years later, the property is sitting vacant once again.

This time, its because the current owners of the home say its uninhabitable and filled with mold. According to a recent lawsuit, they lived there for just two weeks in 2023. Then, they were displaced from the home as a result of the extensive and prevalent systemic water infiltration and damage, the suit contends.

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The case highlights one of the key criticisms of Act 135: that some conservators can run up the tab with costly construction and legal fees, amounting to equity stripping by predatory nonprofit organizations.

 READ MORE: Extreme Home Takeover: Busting blight is big business. Poor Philadelphians are paying the price.

One such critic is City Councilmember Jeffery Young, who convened a hearing on the law Thursday. City Council has no power to change the law, but can pass on recommendations to state lawmakers.

We are all for removing blight from our city, he said. But there are some fundamental core and constitutional issues.  I believe that when we are taking possession of property, divesting folks of their property rights, there needs to be a little bit more scrutiny.

At the hearing, property owners, particularly in gentrifying areas, said they were under siege.

Many of their stories echoed the findings of an Inquirer investigation that uncovered an ecosystem of single-purpose nonprofits, many of them run by real-estate investors, using Act 135 for their own benefit  by filing cases in order to obtain cash settlements, or buying properties targeted for conservatorship at a discount and then flipping them for large profits. In other cases, the laws fee structure, which reimburses conservators all their costs plus up to 20% of the sale price, meant that property owners were left with nothing.

 READ MORE: Pennsylvania's blight-busting law has unintended consequences

Raymond Johnson, the owner of a small real-estate development company, said he had just secured a $440,000 construction loan to rehab a house on Christian Streets historic Black Doctors Row when he was hit with an Act 135 petition  the second in four years. The lawsuits prevented him from accessing that capital, he said, and cost him $60,000 in legal fees. In the wake of that, he ended up losing the property at sheriffs sale.

And Erdis Hennigan said that a developer who wanted to buy her familys Lancaster Avenue property dragged us through the legal system for five grueling years. Eventually, she paid the developer $29,000 to settle the case.

But Paul Toner, a lawyer who has filed scores of Act 135 cases, said critics misunderstood the law, because it cant be used against residents living in their homes. And, he said, it is a necessary protection for neighbors. Theyre suffering significant economic loss. Theyre suffering [threats] to the safety of their family.

 READ MORE: How an obscure City Council rule leaves a trail of blight in Philadelphia

City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, whose district encompasses much of West Philadelphia, said shes had to step in to stop petitions filed against people who are actually living in their properties  which is traumatic and harassing.

Gauthier acknowledged that the law, at times, was crucial to helping neighbors shut down nuisance properties, such as a house on Walton Street that attracted squatters, drug dealing and violent crime.

I did everything I could for almost a year to bring the police and [the Department of Licenses & Inspections] to the table to shut this property down, and bring it back into productive use for the neighbors. We couldnt do it, she said. So, neighbors worked with Act 135 nonprofit Scioli Turco to take control. That was an example where Act 135 was the only tool available to make that block safe again.

 READ MORE: A Fishtown nonprofit went to court to seize a family's home

Gauthier said that, more often, she saw predatory conduct.

A University of Pennsylvania report, released last year, found that cases are disproportionately filed against Black and Asian American property owners, and in areas where rising property values have already led to an elevated risk of residents being displaced.

The report also raised concerns that many owners facing Act 135 cases are poor, elderly and ill-equipped to defend themselves. Others facing petitions are in nursing homes, such as Malesiewski, or lifelong Fishtown resident Denise Pomroy, who died in December as her family was scrambling to defend against an Act 135 petition. The familys story, which gained attention on social media and in The Inquirer, sparked Young to call for the hearings.

This being used to steal wealth from Black and brown people, said Gauthier, is absolutely what we have to stop.
Given the limited number of just 16 inspectors to manage the extensive NSW property portfolio, OCN has noted instances of investigations into serious allegations against a strata manager that have stretched beyond two years without reaching a conclusion. We see this as an invaluable moment to advocate for the necessary changes that will ensure the safety and rights of strata residents.
This decision came after the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) contested a clause obligating policyholders to inform the insurer about any alterations to their property or possessions. The dispute centred on whether this clause was unjust according to the provisions of the ASIC Act.
In a press release, the broker said that it has extended its insurance and reinsurance brokerage solutions and will be putting focus on serving subsidiaries and stakeholders from SOCAR Turkiye. It will collaborate with domestic and global insurance firms as it looks to provide options to corporations and individuals.
Flooding is Canadas costliest and most frequent climate threat and puts millions of people at risk each year, its statement said. The federal government committed to a low-cost national flood insurance program for high-risk households in last years federal budget. However, progress on the program has stalled awaiting the 2024 Budget, leaving too many Canadians vulnerable to the financially devastating consequences of flooding.
IOA is headquartered in Florida and has its second largest state presence in California. Both catastrophe-prone states have grappled with soaring property insurance prices and shrinking availability. In cases, staff have had to deliver the bad news of premium increases spiking by as much as 200%. Shifting building values are driving property insurance prices up. With pure premium dollars rising, some clients have been forced to trim down coverage and take more risks themselves.
We are thrilled to welcome Peter, Carey and their entire teams to Hub, said Paul Collins, president and CEO of Hub Northeast. For Peter, this is a homecoming, as he started his career with Hub. Now with both Peter and Carey, we strengthen our leadership team and add talent that will expand our ability to offer a best-in-class client experience supported by Hubs resources and boundaryless capabilities.
According to the RGA, the materials for the presentation as well as a link for the live audio webcast will be available on its website on the morning of the event. After the event, the recording will also be available and will be posted to the website.
A Connecticut employer has the right to terminate an employee who is impaired by medical marijuana in the workplace.

The Connecticut Appellate Court on March 19 upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit brought against a nonprofit pre-school by a teaching assistant who used medical marijuana for treatment of her disability and was fired for violating the schools drug-free workplace policy by showing up for work impaired.

The court ruled that even though Connecticut has a law permitting use of marijuana for medical purposes, employers still may prohibit qualifying patients from being under its influence in the workplace. According to the appellate court, employees making claims under Connecticuts Palliative Use of Marijuana Act (PUMA) must show that they were terminated solely because the employee had a prescription for medical marijuana.

The court also affirmed the right of an employer to seek a drug test of an employee when the employer has a reasonable suspicion that an employee is violating its drug free policy.

Prescriptions

Alyssa Bartolotta had a doctors prescriptions for Valium and medical marijuana as part of treatment for her epilepsy. She did not inform her employer, Human Resources of New Britain, Inc., of her epilepsy or her Valium or medical marijuana use until after incidents at work.

She told her employer about her epilepsy and Valium only after she had a seizure at work. Thereafter, the school made some accommodations for her including letting her leave for the day whenever she had a seizure and assigning her to a room where she would always be with another teacher.

The employer, however, declined her request to have the school nurse hold some doses of Valium on the premises for her in case she needed it. In denying her request, the school stressed its drug-free policy and that the part-time nurse was not authorized to administer medications. The school told her she could hold the Valium at work herself.

In an incident on January 2, 2019, after a fellow employee questioned her behavior at the school when she called a child by the wrong name, Bartolotta acknowledged that her head was just not right because she likely had ingested too much marijuana and the effects carried over into the workday. Her medical protocol called for her to take the drugs at 8 pm in the evening. Six days later she agreed to take a drug that ending up showing positive for Valium but negative for marijuana.

Termination

After first suspending Bartolotta, then conducting an investigation that revealed concerns of several other employees, and obtaining the drug test, the school terminated Bartolotta. The school concluded that Bartolotta signed and was aware of the drug-free policy and violated that policy by showing for work in an impaired state, which she admitted in an interview. The school noted that Bartolotta did not disclose her medical marijuana use until an incident occurred and never requested an accommodation.

In terminating her, the school explained that her firing was not because of her epilepsy or her medical marijuana user status but for showing to work in an impaired state. Bartolotta said at the time that she understood the reason.

After the schools grievance committee and board of directors both upheld her termination as proper, Bartolotta filed an employment discrimination complaint with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. In her accompanying affidavit, Bartolotta alleged that the her employer terminated her employment because of her disability and failed to accommodate her by prohibiting her from working while taking prescription medication for her disability. The commission issued a release of jurisdiction over her complaint.

After that, Bartolotta sued Human Resources of New Britain, alleging violations of the states fair employment practices and medical malpractice laws, including unfair discrimination and wrongful termination because of her epilepsy disability and her status as a medical marijuana user, and illegal drug testing. A trial court found she had no case and awarded her employer summary judgment.

Now the appellate court has upheld the dismissal of her suit and the actions of her employer.

Clams Denied

Bartolotta had signed an acknowledgment of the schools drug free workplace policy. In her deposition testimony, she admitted that she was aware that her employment could be terminated if she came to work impaired. But in her deposition she maintained that she was not impaired when the incident occurred on January 2, and that taking medical marijuana does not make her impaired. She further averred that the results of the drug test conducted six days after the January 2 incident proved that she didnt come to work impaired.

In dismissing her complaint, the appellate court stressed that the states medical marijuana law contains language making clear that it shall not restrict an employers ability to prohibit the use of intoxicating substances during work hours or restrict an employers ability to discipline an employee for being under the influence of intoxicating substances during work hours.

The appellate court noted that the written disciplinary notice issued by school stated that, during an interview on January 8, Bartolotta admitted that she uses medical marijuana, did show up to work impaired, and she may be abusing it. In addition, during multiple phone calls with the schools human resources director, she did not deny showing up to work impaired.

Noting that the employers notice concluded that her employment was being terminated because she failed to follow company policy and procedures regarding drug and alcohol use in the workplace, the court dismissed her claims that she was fired because of her disability or her medical marijuana use for lack of evidence.

Bald Assertion

Bartolottas complaint stated that terminating an employee for using medication for a disability is the equivalent of terminating an employee because of her disability. However, the court found she provided no legal authority for that bald assertion, which runs contrary to the plain language of the law.

Bartolotta also failed to provide any legal authority to support the proposition that she should have been allowed to use her medical marijuana during the workday or to appear at the preschool facility in an impaired state.

The court found that the schools denial of Bartolottas requested accommodation regarding holding the Valium was reasonable, and that neither Bartolotta nor her doctor ever requested an accommodation for her medical marijuana use. In addition, the court said it is unclear whatif anyaccommodation the school could make short of allowing her to appear impaired in the workplace.

Finally, the court found that in light of reports by other employees of her behavior and her own admission of showing up to work impaired, Human Resources of New Britain had the requisite reasonable suspicion under the state law to request a drug test.

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One of Vermonts historic covered bridges has fallen under threat from modern technology.

Box truck drivers relying on GPS continually crash through Lyndons 140-year-old Millers Run bridge despite signs, including a flashing one, to deter vehicles that are too tall or too heavy from crossing. Drivers can face a fine of $5,000 from the town, plus state penalties.

Still, the bridge keeps getting whacked.

GPS is the most general excuse that is given by drivers that do hit the bridge, said Justin Smith, Lyndons municipal administrator. He says the real problem is lack of common sense.

The bridge, built in 1878 and renovated in 1995, lies on a short cut motorists use to avoid downtown Lyndonville. The community, which has five historic covered bridges, including two that are in use, calls itself the Covered Bridge Capital of the NEK, short for Northeast Kingdom area.

Police chief Jack Harris estimates the Millers Run bridge has been struck two dozen times, and at least once, two times in one day. The drivers are using GPS programs for cars rather than commercial vehicles, he said. Typically the damage is cosmetic, though on two occasions the bridge had to be closed for several months for repairs, he said.

In 2019, a delivery truck hit the supports and the engineering and repair costs were nearly $100,000, said Smith. About half the time, the town recoups insurance money from the drivers  if it catches them. Many just drive away.

They will claim that they didnt know they hit it and yet youll see the truck stop in the middle of the bridge and theyll look up to see that theyre hitting the bridge, Police Chief Harris said. I can count the number that have stopped and waited on one hand, Harris said.

Many are inexperienced in driving box trucks, such as people who may have just rented one to move, he said.

Every now and then well get a large camper being pulled through and those generally get damaged because the bridge will take air conditioning units right off the top, he said.

A neighbors security camera trained on the bridge has helped track down some errant drivers.

Lyndon is far from alone, according to Bill Caswell, president of the National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges.

You can visit many covered bridges throughout Vermont and other states and see broken boards on the portals and broken or missing roof braces, he said by email.

Last November, a tractor trailer truck seriously damaged a covered bridge in Princeton, Illinois, and a bridge in Ohio was damaged in a similar way a year earlier, he said. An historic covered bridge in Cobb County, Georgia, was struck numerous times until metal barriers were installed at each end, he said. It also has a warning signs and flashing lights.

Even with all the warnings, the barriers are still struck, Caswell wrote. But the bridge is now protected.

A box truck rental company in Lyndonville now warns drivers about covered bridges in the area, and the town is considering installing a steel beam in front of the bridge to force trucks that are too tall to a full stop.

A Google spokesperson said Google Maps is designed for drivers of standard-sized vehicles. To get the best routes, we encourage drivers of trucks and larger vehicles to use navigation tools designed specifically for those vehicle types.

Apple did not respond to an email seeking comment.

There are mixed views in town about what to do, Smith said.

Some people obviously want to see something that protects the bridge so we can keep it in place, he said. Others are like: Its time to take it off and set it on the side and put a more standard bridge in.

I swear, we could take that bridge out and not replace it and people would go in the river. Its very frustrating to think that we are that set to what something tells us to do.

Photo: This selection of undated still frames from security video camera footage provided by Michael Grant shows a variety of oversized box trucks crashing through the historic Millers Run covered bridge in Lyndon, Vt. Over the years, truck drivers have failed to notice the height warning signs leading to the bridge. (Michael Grant via AP)

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Two of the Vermont communities hardest hit by last summers catastrophic flooding have requested $3.5 million in state funding to elevate 20 homes in Barre and the capital city of Montpelier for flood victims who still need safe places to live as the state grapples with a housing crisis.

Many whose homes were significantly damaged or lost are still recovering, and saving houses is far cheaper than building new ones, community leaders said at a Statehouse news conference.

This is an urgent request. These are people living many  in places that are not completely safe. But they have nowhere else to go, Barre City Manager Nicolas Storellicastro said. And those who are seeking a government buyout wont know anytime soon if that will happen, officials said.

We have folks that are living in dangerous situations who cannot wait that long, Montpelier City Manager Bill Frasier said.

One Montpelier woman lives in a flood-damaged 1870s farmhouse with her two children, City Council member Lauren Hierl said.

After the flood they had nowhere to go. They have been living with no floors, no walls. Shes been cooking on a grill that entire time, Hierl said.

The woman has spent at least $40,000 toward the work of drying out and demolding the house, she said. She has added insulation and subfloors, and no longer has a bathroom on the first floor. If a buyout happens, the bank owns the home so she and her children will be homeless, Hierl said.

Every day she and her kids get up wondering if they will still have a home, she said.

The ask comes during a tight budget year, and city officials said they are grateful for the help they have already received. A spokesman for Republican Gov. Phil Scott did not immediately return an email seeking comment.

The July flooding only exacerbated Vermonts housing crisis, and elevating homes is a cost-effective way to keep people in them and in Vermont, officials said.

It turns out that there are safe ways to rebuild even in flood plains, said Vermont state Sen. Anne Watson, who previously served as mayor of Montpelier. And part of that means elevating buildings or homes. That is what this money would be used for, and as far as we can be preserving housing I think we need to be moving in that direction.

Photo: This image made from drone footage provided by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets shows flooding in Montpelier, Vt., Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets via AP)

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Flood Vermont
Danish maritime authorities have detained a tanker that was due to carry Russian oil after it collided with another ship in its waters earlier this month.

The Andromeda Star collided with a cargo ship called Peace south of Copenhagen on March 2, the Danish Maritime Authority said. The oil tanker suffered a minor crack in its hull and was detained on safety grounds until repairs are completed.

The ship has been allowed to sail to a repair yard, where it arrived over the weekend, ship tracking data showed.

Read more: Shadow-Fleet Oil Tanker Damaged in Collision Near Denmark

The incident offered another reminder of the risks that vessels with unclear ownership pose to even countries that arent dealing with Russian oil anymore. There was no spill because the collision occurred when the vessel had no cargo on board and there were also no injuries.

The Andromeda Star had all the required certifications, including insurance, the DMA said. However, possible police reports are being considered against the parties involved in the accident for violations of maritime regulations.

Photograph: The impounded Iranian crude oil tanker, Grace 1, right, is silhouetted as it sits anchored off the coast of Gibraltar, on Saturday, July 20, 2019. Photo credit: Marcelo del Pozo/Bloomberg

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.

Topics Energy Oil Gas
Discovery Ltd., South Africas biggest health insurance provider, is in talks with US peers to bring its flagship wellness program known as Vitality to their market.

While Discovery has long had a relationship with John Hancock Life Insurance Co. to offer Vitality to its customers in the US, its now looking to deepen its foothold in the lucrative market, Chief Executive Officer Adrian Gore said in an interview with Bloomberg Television. Vitality offers discounts to people who keep fit and choose healthy food options in a bid to lower insurance claims.

Were offering it to certain US health plans, and we think that has potential, Gore said. Weve led the space, weve created it in a way. Im pretty confident we can penetrate in the US.

Annual US health-care spending will reach nearly $7.2 trillion in 2031, growing faster than the countrys economy through the start of the next decade, according to government estimates last year. Already, America spends more on health-care relative to the size of its economy than any other developed country.

A 59-year-old former actuary, Gore started Discovery in 1992 and the company initially focused on private health insurance. The company has since expanded into banking and asset management as it inked partnerships with companies across Europe, the US, China, Singapore and Australia.

Those deals have given Discovery access to data on millions more customers for its Vitality program. The company uses that data to model the impact of behavior change on health-care costs and health and reward good behavior.

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.

Topics Carriers USA
Apple, Meta Platforms and Alphabets Google are set to be investigated for potential violations of the European Unions Digital Markets Act (DMA) that could lead to hefty fines by the end of the year, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter.

The European Commission will likely announce the investigations, either at the same time or one after the other rapidly, in the coming days and issue decisions before EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestagers term ends in November, they said.

DMA breaches could cost the companies as much as 10% of their global annual turnover. The landmark EU tech rule requires companies to give users and rivals more choices to ensure a level playing field.

The Commission declined to comment. Apple, Meta and Google did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Earlier this week, Vestager in an interview told Reuters Apple and Metas new fees for their services may hinder users from enjoying the benefits of the DMA, and that this was going to be part of any investigation.

She also singled out tactics used by some companies to disparage rival products or services to discourage users switching to them, saying it was unwise for companies to do so.

Vestager also said she wanted to speed up any DMA investigations, aiming to get decisions out preferably in six months so that users and apps developers can see the fruits of the new rules soon. Traditional EU antitrust probes in contrast take years.

Rivals of the three companies have shared frustrations with the EU competition enforcer, saying measures announced by the companies to re-wire their core platform services are inadequate.

The DMA requires the three companies, as well as Microsoft, Amazon.com and TikTok owner ByteDance to allow users to remove any pre-installed software or app if they want, and to get users consent to use their data across their various services or for personalized ads.

The companies are not allowed to favor their services or products over rivals on their platforms.

Bloomberg was the first to report the imminent DMA investigations into Apple, Meta and Google.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee in Brussels; editing by Andrew Cawthorne, Matthew Lewis and Bill Berkrot)

Topics Europe Google
Insurance broker Aon plc has launched its Climate Risk Monitor, a tool that helps clients visualize and understand their exposures to physical climate risk in order to enable better business decisions.

The property insurance market is increasingly influenced by climate-related perils, with $112 billion of insured losses caused by weather-related catastrophes in 2023.

Aons Climate Risk Monitor assesses an organizations current and future exposures to key chronic risks  drought, extreme rainfall, extreme heat, freeze and wildfire  under different climate change scenarios, providing diagnostic reports on individual asset and portfolio impact, as well as geographical visualizations.

Risk managers can use this data to better understand climate risk and in turn inform property insurance placements for their organizations, collaborating with Aons brokers to help obtain optimal limits and renewals pricing, Aon said.

As part of Aons Risk Capital capability, the firm brings expertise, relationships, and analytics to unlock capital, which is accessed across markets, geographies, or instruments.

Climate Risk Monitor allows clients to assess evolving risk profiles and manage risk in locations with projected changes  thereby informing risk transfer strategies  while assisting them to demonstrate climate understanding and planning to stakeholders, and supporting their climate disclosures, Aon continued.

The tool can also help to better inform insurers risk selection, and strategies around pricing and reinsurance renewals.

Climate Risk Monitor expands on Aons existing solutions that help clients assess and manage natural catastrophe risk, including the firms Impact Forecasting suite of global catastrophe models; experts in enterprise risk management, engineering, casualty and transition risk; and 14 global academic collaborations.

In developing Climate Risk Monitor, we utilized our wide-ranging scientific and business expertise to transform a wealth of well-validated climate data into useful information for clients, commented Liz Henderson, global head of Climate Risk Advisory for Aon, in a statement.

The importance of this output extends beyond physical risk management  having a better understanding of climate exposures can also assist with human capital decisions around health and talent, Henderson said.

Aons new Climate Hub in Singapore, which was launched in May 2023, will help develop the Climate Risk Monitor in collaboration with the firms global reinsurance analytics experts. Supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board, the Climate Hub helps Aons global clients to navigate environmental risk and opportunities.

The Climate Risk Monitor tool uses standard IPCC (SSP-RCP) emissions scenarios over multiple time horizons to align with regulatory requirements. To produce relevant peril metrics, Aon leverages a range of global climate model outputs from different global academic and government institutions, as part of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6, whose results are used in IPCC assessment reports.

Source: Aon

Topics InsurTech Tech Climate Change Aon
The Yemen-based Houthis have told China and Russia their ships can sail through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden without being attacked, according to several people with knowledge of the militant groups discussions.

China and Russia reached an understanding following talks between their diplomats in Oman and Mohammed Abdel Salam, one of the Houthis top political figures, said the people, who asked not to be named discussing private matters.

In exchange, the two countries may provide political support to the Houthis in bodies such as the United Nations Security Council, according to the people. Its not entirely clear how that support would be manifested, but it could include blocking more resolutions against the group.

Spokespeople for the governments of China and Russia, as well as the Houthis, including Abdel Salam, didnt reply to Bloombergs requests for comment.

While the Houthis have already signaled Moscow and Beijings assets would not be targeted, the talks underscore the increased nervousness among world powers about the groups missile and drone attacks in and around the southern Red Sea since mid-November.

The Houthis, an Islamist group, say theyre targeting ships linked to Israel, the US and UK. Yet they appear to have mis-identified some vessels and Russia and China may have wanted stronger assurances from the group.

This month, the Houthis hit the True Confidence, a bulk-commodities carrier, causing the first deaths since they started their maritime attacks. The Houthis said the vessel was American. It used to be owned by Los Angeles-based Oaktree Capital, according to a person with knowledge of the matter, but a new, non-US company recently took it on.

Separately, missiles exploded near a ship hauling Russian oil near Yemen in late January. It happened days after a spokesman for the Houthis told a Russian newspaper that Russian and Chinese merchant ships neednt fear attacks.

Ostensibly, the assaults are to put pressure on Israel to stop its war in Gaza against Hamas, though many analysts doubt the Houthis would end their campaign in the event of a cease-fire or permanent peace deal.

The waterways  including the Bab el-Mandeb strait connecting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden  are crucial for the global economy and normally around 30% of container cargo flows through them. They also handle a large proportion of oil and liquefied natural gas flows.

Since the attacks started, most Western shipping firms have avoided the strait and are instead going around southern Africa. Thats adding days and significant freight costs onto journeys between Asia and Europe.

Companies from China and Russia havent announced theyre avoiding the area and ship-tracking data shows many of them still send their ships through it.

Yemen War

Both China and Russia are diplomatic and economic partners of the Houthis main military and financial backer, Iran. Most Iranian oil exports go to China and the Islamic Republic has, according to the US and European Union, provided drones and other weaponry to Russia for its war in Ukraine.

Still, the Houthis retain plenty of independence from Tehran. Iran has said it supports the Houthis but that they make their own decisions on political and military matters.

The Houthis are a rebel group that took control of Yemens capital, Sanaa, at the start of the countrys civil war in 2014. They now also hold the key Red Sea port of Hodeidah.

They have survived years of bombing from a Saudi-led coalition aimed at ousting them. Theres been a tentative truce in the civil war for about two years and the Houthis are involved in peace talks with the Saudis.

But the group isnt formally recognized by international governments and is on a US terrorism list.

China and Russia have already given some diplomatic support to the Houthis. In early January, they abstained from a resolution sponsored by the US and Japan that condemned in the strongest terms the Houthi attacks on ships. Hours after it passed, the US and UK began airstrikes against targeting the Houthis military infrastructure, including missile launch sites and radar stations.

In mid-February, China and Russia questioned the legality of the strikes against the Houthis and said they had never been authorized by the Security Council.

The US and UK moves have failed to deter the Houthis. Even so, the Pentagon says the groups attacks are becoming less frequent as its capabilities are degraded.

The Houthis goal is sinking America, Britain and the West in the swamp of the Red Sea, Ali Alqhoom, a senior Houthi political leader, said on X, formerly known as Twitter. He claimed China and Russia back the groups campaign, even though theyve both said they want ships to move freely through international waters. Beijing has called for a halt to the attacks more than once.

Last week, the Houthis leader, Abdul Malik Al-Houthi, vowed to expand the campaign to the Indian Ocean and hit vessels traveling around South Africa.

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.

Topics Russia China
Elon Musks SpaceX has been accused by a U.S. labor agency of requiring employees who were laid off or fired from the rocket and satellite maker to sign unlawful agreements barring them from disparaging the company and joining class-action lawsuits against it.

The complaint, filed late Wednesday by a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) regional official in Seattle, comes as SpaceX is already facing a separate case before the NLRB and has in turn filed a lawsuit claiming the agencys structure violates the U.S. Constitution.

SpaceX, based in Hawthorne, California, is accused in the new complaint of requiring separated employees to sign severance agreements with confidentiality and non-disparagement clauses that restrict them from exercising their rights under U.S. labor law, the labor board said in a release on Thursday.

Those provisions are common in severance pacts signed by workers, but the NLRB has said such agreements must make clear that workers cannot waive their rights to advocate for better working conditions or file complaints with the NLRB.

The NLRB said the complaint, which was not immediately available, also alleges that agreements signed by SpaceX employees to bring legal disputes in arbitration rather than court and forego participation in class actions against the company were illegal.

SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

An initial hearing in the case is scheduled for October before an administrative judge, whose decision can be reviewed by the NLRBS five-member labor board appointed by the U.S. president. Board rulings can be appealed in federal court.

The complaint seeks to force SpaceX to rescind the agreements and block it from enforcing agreements already signed by workers.

The companys lawsuit against the labor board, which is pending in a Texas federal court, stems from a separate case in which the agency claims SpaceX illegally fired eight engineers who circulated a letter that criticized Musk, the companys CEO and founder, and accused him of sexist conduct.

SpaceX has denied wrongdoing in that case and has argued that the NLRBs in-house enforcement proceedings violate its constitutional right to a jury trial. The company also says that limits on the removal of board members and administrative judges violate the U.S. Constitution.

Amazon.com, Starbucks, Trader Joes and three Starbucks baristas who oppose unions at the stores where they work are making similar claims in pending lawsuits and board cases.

SpaceX has asked a New Orleans-based U.S. appeals court to reconsider its recent decision rejecting the companys bid to keep its lawsuit in Texas. A judge had transferred the case to California, where SpaceX is based, and the administrative case involving the fired engineers is proceeding there.

Topics Claims Aerospace
A Moodys publication looks why it was so warm last year and the impacts the effects of global warming will have in 2024.

The publication Warmest Year; Warmest Months: Climate Change and El Nino Edged the Global Closer to the Paris Accord Temperature Bound notes that long-term warming trends associated with the increase in atmospheric greenhouse gases, which were then superimposed on the oscillations of the equatorial temperatures across the Pacific: The El Nino Southern Oscillation or ENSO.

The arrival of a moderate/strong El Nino was declared by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in June 2023. In an El Nino phase, hot water accumulated at the western edge of the equatorial Pacific spreads across the ocean, liberating vast amounts of heat, the publication notes.

The global average temperature for 2023 was 14.98 degrees Celsius, 0.17 degrees Celsius higher than the previous maximum in 2016. El Nino was also present between 2018 and 2019, but was relatively weak. Global temperature records were not exceeded, and then there was no El Nino until 2023.

The 2023 El Nino is now fading and is likely to pass into Neutral or La Nina conditions into the second half of 2024.

However, as has already been seen, the influence of El Nino is still being felt in the record temperatures at the start of 2024, the publication states. The (Copernicus Climate Change Service) suggests that even though El Nino continued to weaken in the equatorial Pacific, marine air temperatures, in general, remained at an unusually high level.

Once the current El Nino has dissipated, we can then expect a few years that are not quite as warm as 2023  until the next strong El Nino year breaks the 2023 record, it continues. The next El Nino could be in three years, or as many as seven years, as with the gap from 2016 to 2023.

Heat Stress

Extreme levels of heat stress have more than doubled over the past 40 years, a trend that is expected to continue, according to a new brief from NASA.

The brief explains how climate change may make some places too hot to live, and how climate scientists are tracking a key measure of heat stress that can warn us of harmful conditions.

Heat stress is a leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. each year, and heat waves are becoming more frequent and severe as Earths climate warms, according to the NASA brief.

While most people are familiar with a heat index, scientists conducting global climate studies are more frequently using a measure of heat stress called wet-bulb temperature. Thats the lowest temperature an object can cool down to when moisture evaporates from it. It measures how well bodies cool down by sweating when its hot and humid.

Like the heat index, wet-bulb temperatures are calculated using data on air temperature and humidity. According to the brief, the highest wet-bulb temperature humans can survive when exposed to the elements for at least six hours is roughly 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

Since 2005, wet-bulb temperature values above 95 degrees have been measured for short periods on nine occasions in subtropical locations including Pakistan and the Persian Gulf, and they appear to be becoming more frequent. Incidences of slightly lower wet-bulb temperature values in the 90 to 95-degree Fahrenheit range have more than tripled over the 40 years studied, according to the brief.

Greenwashing

An Amsterdam court ruled Dutch airline KLM misled customers through advertisements that suggested its flights are climate friendly with claims in advertisements based on vague and general statements about environmental benefits, thereby misleading consumers.

The carrier didnt provide travelers with honest and concrete information, it said. Airlines depend on sustainable aviation fuels or buying carbon offsets to demonstrate how they are reducing emissions, but many of those steps are currently seen as inadequate, Bloomberg reported in an article this week on Insurance Journal.

Air France-KLMs Dutch arm was one of the first major airlines to face a lawsuit over greenwashing when it was sued by environmental pressure groups in 2022 over allegations that the airlines Fly Responsibly campaign created a false impression of its climate impact.

KLM paints an overly rosy picture of measures such as sustainable aviation fuels and reforestation which only marginally reduce the negative environmental aspects and give the wrong impression that flying with KLM is sustainable, the court said in its verdict. The airline has discontinued the ad campaign, Bloomberg reported.

More Heat Stress

Heat stress may reduce productivity, a potential worry for people who see it as an important part of economies.

A new study from the National University of Singapore called Project HeatSafe entails a large-scale study in Singapore and the region aimed at investigating the impact of rising heat levels on the health, productivity and well-being of occupational workers in tropical climates, as well as the impact of heat stress on a macroeconomic and national level.

The study also indicates heat stress causes lower fertility and reduced cognitive capacity.

The study examines wet-bulb globe temperature, a measure of heat stress in direct sunlight, which considers humidity, air temperature, wind speed and solar radiation, at 24 indoor and outdoor workplaces.

The study aimed to find out how workers and their employers perceived heat stress during the hottest months of the year (April to August), and the impact on productivity through surveys with 355 workers and 214 employers in Singapore.

It found the higher the physical and mental exertion in the job role, the higher the productivity and economic losses. Economic loss significantly increased along with workers exposed to adverse environmental conditions at the workplace, such as working under the sun or being exposed to additional sources of heat. For every hot day, it was estimated the reduced productivity during working hours translated into a median income loss of S$21 per worker, roughly 24% of the daily median salary of the surveyed workers, the study shows.

Past columns:
Texas, Louisiana and more than a dozen other US states challenged the Biden administrations suspension of new licenses to export natural gas via ocean-going tankers.

A lawsuit filed against President Joe Biden and the US Department of Energy in Louisiana federal court on Thursday asks a judge to overturn the temporary pause. The action supported by 16 state attorneys general, argues the administration runs counter to Congressional intent and decades of policy.

The ban will drive billions of dollars in investment away from Texas, hinder our ability to maximize revenue for public schools, force Texas producers to flare excess natural gas instead of taking it to market, and annihilate critical jobs, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wrote in a statement.

The Energy Department didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. LNG is gas that has been super-cooled to transform it into a liquid so it can be loaded onto tankers and shipped around the world.

The Biden administration announced in late January it was halting new licenses to export LNG so it could study how the shipments affect climate change, the economy and national security.

The White Houses move struck at the heart of the debate over the future of energy. While advocates contend gas is crucial for discouraging coal use in developing nations, environmentalists warn that building the enormous infrastructure required to facilitate the LNG trade ensures it will be burned for generations to come.

The pause will disrupt the development and production of natural gas and gives us no choice but to turn to the courts to enforce the law, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill wrote in a statement after the filing.

Photo: Tug boats prepare to pull out an LNG Tanker vessel at the Cheniere Sabine Pass Liquefaction facility in Cameron, Louisiana in 2022. Photographer: Mark Felix/Bloomberg

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.

Topics Lawsuits Texas Louisiana
A U.S. judicial panel on Thursday consolidated at least nine lawsuits challenging the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissions new rules requiring public companies to report climate-related risks in a venue favored by Republican-led states and a business group.

The St. Louis-based 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was chosen randomly via a lottery and will consider the legal challenges to the landmark rule, which aims to standardize public company disclosures about greenhouse gas emissions, weather-related risks and how they are preparing for the transition to a low-carbon economy.

The court, which has 10 Republican-appointed active judges and one appointed by a Democratic president, was the venue where nine Republican-led states including Iowa, Montana and North Dakota and the business lobbying group American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce filed their challenge.

Representatives for the Republican-led states and industry challengers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The SEC declined to comment.

First proposed in 2022, the rules are part of Democratic President Joe Bidens efforts to leverage federal agency rulemaking to address climate change threats.

Related: SEC Scales Back New Pollution-Disclosure Rules for Companies

They were approved by the SEC on March 6, and the first lawsuit seeking to block them was filed later that day.

Related: US Appeals Court Temporarily Pauses SEC Climate Disclosure Rules

The consolidated lawsuits include challenges filed by at least 25 Republican-led states, energy industry companies and business groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the nations largest business lobby, seeking to overturn the rules.

They have argued, among other things, that the disclosure requirements amount to back-door environmental regulations that go beyond the SECs legal authority.

Challengers on the other side of the issue like the environmental organization the Sierra Club and Natural Resources Defense Council have meanwhile said the rules do not go far enough to protect investors, and arbitrarily stripped the final version of stronger reporting requirement rules.

Representatives for the environmental groups said they look forward to arguing before the court.

The conservative-dominated 5th Circuit, the court where Texas and energy companies filed their challenges, temporarily paused the rules from going into effect on Friday.

The SEC is expected to ask the 8th Circuit to revisit that ruling. It had told the 5th Circuit a pause was unnecessary, since the rules have extended compliance deadlines that do not require disclosures before March 2026.

The agency has also said the rules fit comfortably within its authority to require disclosure of information important to investors, and that they would provide consistent, comparable and reliable information about climate risks.

The nine lawsuits were filed in six appeals courts. The 8th Circuit had previously set a deadline for the challengers who sued in that court to file their opening brief in May.
An Oklahoma City employers failure to follow federal safety procedures left a 30-year-old worker suffering fatal asphyxiation as they tried to make repairs inside a water tank at a McClain County wellsite in September 2023, a federal investigation has found.

Responding to the report of a fatality in Purcell, investigators with the U.S. Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined the worker had entered a permit-required confined space to fix a leaking bulkhead valve in a production tank and then lost consciousness. Two co-workers entered the tank in a failed rescue attempt and suffered effects from exposure to low atmospheric conditions. Neither sustained injuries.

OSHA investigators found the employer, C&M Roustabout Services LLC failed to evaluate the tank for hazardous conditions  including testing the atmosphere  and did not use protective systems to prevent worker injuries, a violation of federal regulations.

Further investigation determined the remaining water in the tank contained compounds  including ethyl benzene, xylene, trimethylbenzene, isobutane and other cyclic aliphatic compounds  and atmospheric readings inside showed low oxygen content, volatile organic compounds and carbon dioxide, all of which can lead to asphyxiation.

The company faces $103,232 in proposed penalties for its violations.

Headquartered in Pauls Valley, C&M has provided roustabout services to Oklahomas oil industry since 2008.

Source: OSHA

Topics Commercial Lines Business Insurance Contractors Oklahoma
Alfa, one of the largest property-casualty insurers in Alabama, is clarifying that it is not planning to move into the health insurance business: A hotly debated bill in the state Legislature would allow Alfas affiliated farmers federation to offer a health plan to some members, and some Alabama news reports this week suggested that Alfa Insurance is behind the move.

Alfa Insurance is a property-casualty and life insurance company. It has no intention of getting into health insurance coverage, said Jeff Helms, director of communications for Alfa Farmers organization.

Senate Bill 232 does not name Alfa, which started out as Alabama Farmers Federation in 1921 and created its insurance arm in the 1940s. But the bill would allow nonprofit agricultural organizations to provide health benefits to members and their families. Alfa officials have said they are hoping to reach small business owners and others who dont qualify for the Affordable Care Act health plan, known as ObamaCare, but who say they cant really afford market-based health insurance.

Two Alabama news outlets indicated that Alfa Insurance, best known for its 1 million home and auto policies around the South, is now setting its sights on the health insurance market. Helms said thats not the case.

Nonetheless, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, which now writes the health coverage for Alfa members, has opposed the plan. A video recording of the Alabama Senate Banking and Insurance Committee meeting this week was not available, but news outlets quoted Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabamas government affairs director as saying the bill is an end-run around strict health insurance regulations.

The bill is not pro-business, only pro-Alfa, lobbyist Ted Hosp told the committee.

A Democrat on the committee, Sen. Bobby Singleton, of Greensboro, said that if Alfa wants to help with health coverage for working people, it should support Medicaid expansion, the Daily News reported. Expanding Medicaid has been opposed by many Republican leaders in Alabama and a few other Southern states.

The American Cancer Society also questioned the bill, noting it would allow Alfas membership federation to cherry-pick the people it wants to cover and would not guarantee coverage for cancer treatments, as health insurers have to do.

Under current Alabama law, organizations like Alfas federation are not authorized to offer health benefits to members, the bill explains. The proposed change would allow plans similar to those in Tennessee and five other states, the Daily News noted.

The bill is sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, a business owner and chair of the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee.

If approved and signed into law, the measure could have a significant impact on state premium tax collections, according to a fiscal analysis by legislative staff. It could decrease insurance premium tax receipts to the State General Fund by an undetermined amount if members of nonprofit agricultural organizations cancel existing insurance plans in lieu of the health benefits options provided by nonprofit agricultural organizations, the fiscal note reads.

That revenue loss could come to more than $19 million a year if just 15% of Alfas members were to enroll, the Alabama Political Reporter noted.

The bill specifies that the nonprofit agricultural organization would not be engaged in the business of health insurance, but would be able to offer benefits.

A nonprofit agricultural organization that offers nonprofit agricultural organization health benefits shall provide to an individual applying for nonprofit agricultural organization health benefits written notice that the benefits are not provided through an insurance policy or other product the offering or issuance of which is regulated as the business of insurance in this state, the bill reads.

The bill may have a good chance of passing this year. Alfa is known for its influence in the Alabama Capitol, and other insurers and some insurance agents have repeatedly complained that Alfa is provided preferential treatment with significant tax breaks that other carriers dont enjoy.

Alfa Farmers has more than 300,000 members.

Photo: Alabamas State Capitol building.

Topics Carriers Alabama
Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler fined First Premier Home Warranty Corp. $100,000 and ordered the New York-based home warranty company to stop conducting insurance business in Washington.

The cease-and-desist order notes that First Premier submitted a service contract provider application to the Office of the Insurance Commissioner in August of 2022, but never included the documents required to complete the process. Companies must be authorized by the OIC to transact or solicit insurance business in Washington.

A consumer with a home in Washington filed a complaint with Kreidlers office after First Premier denied a claim for repairs to a refrigerator. Despite its service agreement stating it covered repair or replacement if any item became inoperable, First Premier denied the claim based on it being a sealed system failure, according to the OIC.

The consumer requested a policy refund of $1,830 and was offered a $725.99 credit, after a $1,649 administrative fee. The consumer then filed a complaint with the OIC.

The company informed OIC investigators that it sold 22 service contracts, received $20,859.22 in payments and paid $5,549.83 to consumers. First Premier has 90 days to request a hearing to contest the order.

Since 2001, Kreidler has assessed more than $40 million in fines, which are directed to the states general fund to pay for state services.

Topics Washington
March 22, 2024 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Germany's venture capital (VC) landscape saw notable activity during January-February 2024, with 62 disclosed deals of worth $1.3 billion. Despite a 38.6% year-on-year (YoY) decline in deal volume, the funding value witnessed an impressive 18.9% growth, positioning the country among the top five global markets by funding value. Significant VC funding, including those secured by startups such as Everphone and Enviria, contributed to this robust performance, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

An analysis of GlobalData's Deals Database reveals that German startups raised VC funding worth $1.1 billion across 101 VC deals during the first two months of 2023.

Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: "Germany was the among the top five global markets by funding value during January-February 2024 and secured the fourth position by this metric. Interestingly, among these top five markets, Germany was the only exception to register YoY growth, in terms of funding value during January-February 2024. It also saw the announcement of some big-ticket deals during this period."

Some of the notable VC funding deals announced in Germany during the first two months of 2024 include $294 million raised by Everphone, $200 million worth of funding secured by Enviria, $129 million raised by Ineratec, and $109 million secured by FINN.

Within Europe, Germany stood just next to the UK in terms of both VC funding volume and value during the review period. In fact, the UK and Germany were the only two European markets to surpass $1 billion in total VC funding value during the first two months of 2024.

Bose concludes: "Germany's resilience in the VC market highlights its appeal for investment and its crucial role in shaping innovation within Europe's VC landscape. The significant funding secured by German startups underscore the market's attractiveness to investors and signal potential for further expansion and success."

Note: Historic data may change in case some deals get added to previous months because of a delay in disclosure of information in the public domain

For more information

To gain access to our latest press releases: GlobalData Media Centre

Analysts available for comment. Please contact the GlobalData Press Office:

EMEA & Americas: +44 (0)207 832 4399

Asia-Pacific: +91 40 6616 6809

Email: pr@globaldata.com

Notes to Editors

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The information is based on GlobalData's Financial Deals Database

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Foreign journalists impressed by Jiangsus development during media exchange event

Global Times) 13:40, March 22, 2024

Foreign journalists attend the launch ceremony of Travelogue of China in Wuxi, East Chinas Jiangsu Province on March 21, 2024. Photo: Courtesy of Global Times Online

Many foreign journalists said on Thursday that they were impressed by the rich history, natural beauty, as well as prosperity in East Chinas Jiangsu Province, as they visited the province as part of Travelogue of China, a media exchange program.

"I searched for Jiangsu on the internet, but while being here, I even like it better, Aastha Gobin, a senior news editor and presenter from Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation, told the Global Times on Thursday. "This water town nestled along the Yangtze River shows not only breathtaking scenery and rich history but also remarkable achievements of infrastructure development."

Gobin said that Jiangsu's prosperity, marked by robust international exchanges and diverse economic partnerships, is now recognized not only within China but also worldwide. "Today, it serves as a shining example of successful collaboration, with foreign countries partnering with local industries to enhance mutual growth and set new standards for excellence," she said.

Gobin is one of the 33 journalists from 32 countries and regions who participated in the "Travelogue of China" program, which kicked off in Wuxi, Jiangsu. The event was guided by the Cyberspace Administration of China's Bureau of Internet Communication and jointly hosted by the China Public Diplomacy Association and Global Times Online.

"Though mountains and seas may separate us, unity fosters harmony. Hosting this exchange program will strongly promote communication and cooperation between domestic and foreign media, enabling the world to better understand China, Jiangsu, and Wuxi, injecting new momentum into Wuxi's urban international development," Huang Weigong, deputy secretary-general of the municipal committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Wuxi and director of the Policy Research Office of CPC Wuxi Municipal Committee, said in the welcome address.

"We look forward to all media journalists making full use of this opportunity to witness the real China, capturing their observations, experiences, and feelings with their lenses and pens. This will enable them to present a comprehensive, objective, three-dimensional, and vivid China to their own people and even to people worldwide," said Wu Hailong, president of the China Public Diplomacy Association.

"We hope our friends from different media agencies, can experience the strength of the infrastructure giant while visiting the industrial parks and capture the threads of heritage and explore the stories behind them while walking in natural scenic areas and historical sites," said Shan Chengbiao, general manager of Global Times Online.

"Travelogue of China" Jiangsu tour starts from Wuxi, and lasts for six days. Foreign media journalists will engage in various activities, including visits, exchanges, and interactive experiences, exploring Wuxi, Taizhou, Changshu and other areas. They will immerse themselves in scenic spots, experiencing the blend of tradition and modernity and the vibrancy of China's economic development.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Ireland needs a simple national strategy on housing that everyone can follow to accelerate current progress in new home builds, says Simon OKeeffe, Cork region chair of the Construction Industry Federation.

You have to be practical in order to get things done, said Mr OKeeffe. The strategy needs to be simple enough for people to implement. You need to decide how many houses you need to build and ensure that everyone knows the part they have to play in achieving that.

It is about how we plan to solve the problem, and then we get everyone on board to agree on getting it done. Things are going in the right direction, but with a bit of common sense we can work to ensure that there will be affordable homes for the next generation of young people to live in.

Simon OKeeffe, general manager at Postformed Systems, an off-site construction facility in Ballincollig, has taken over the CIF Cork chair from Kieran ODonovan, managing surveyor at building contractors Murnane OShea.

Mr OKeeffe will highlight Irelands progress in housing development at tonights annual CIF Southern Region Dinner at Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork, sponsored by Unilin.

Kieran O'Donovan, outgoing chair, Simon O'Keeffe, new Cork region chair of the Construction Industry Federation, and Joanne Treacy, director, Southern Region of the CIF. Photo: Brian Lougheed

In 2023, 32,696 residential units were built, up 10% on 2022, and up 60% on 2021. New apartments completed in 2023 totalled 11,642, up 28.0% from 2022.

Also in 2023, some 1,450 new student bed spaces were built. In terms of new residential units. Decembers commencement figure of 3,167 was the highest figure for a December in over 15 years.

Some 32,801 units were commenced in 2023, up 21.68% on 2022 figures. This was followed by a 59.25% increase in January 2024 commencements versus January 2023.

We are making progress, but it is a long road, he said. If I could change one thing, it would be to speed up the planning process. It is taking too long. We need to look at how objections are handled.

Planning remains one of the most significant constraints to building out the National Development Plan in a timely and efficient manner. The length of time from project inception to execution is years and this means that the cost of carrying out projects inevitably changes.

We must be more streamlined in our assessment process and our process of adjudicating on planning applications to accelerate the delivery of critically needed infrastructure and housing.

We need a consistent interplay between business and the State. Housing is an issue that will not solve itself without Government help. The Government needs to be judicious, and to focus on the results.

The CIF Cork annual dinner takes place against an upbeat mood in the sector. The CIFs January barometer found that 80% of companies expect to maintain or increase turnover in the first quarter. The industry believes that is well-positioned to respond to the aims of the National Development Plan, Housing for All and the Climate Action Plan.

In terms of the construction labour force, employment in the sector remains static at 170,000. However, apprenticeships are now on the up at last, with 2023 seeing an increase in registrations of 20% on 2019 figures. This increase is attributable to a significant push by the construction sector, and government to encourage school leavers into the industry.

If infrastructure is the skeleton upon which so much of our built environment rests, construction workers are its backbone, says Simon. Building a workforce for the future is key. The CIF greatly welcome Government initiatives such as the new Careers in Construction Action Plan and public campaign being implemented to encourage more workers into the sector.

Mr OKeeffe is also well placed to comment on the benefits of off-site construction, which he sees as a significant opportunity for Irish construction, including off-site manufacturing of prefab housing.

Simons company, Postformed Systems, specialises in manufacturing washrooms and medical plumbing ducts off-site for construction developments. These are then fitted on-site, for a quicker, more cost-effective building solution.

With off-site production, you need people with experience and expertise, but we are well on the way with this in Ireland, he said. We have people who are becoming really expert in building prefabricated developments in factories.

One benefit is that it is far better from a health and safety perspective when you dont need to have 300 people working on a building site. But you do need people with experience and expertise in this area.

Mr OKeeffe says that recruitment has been challenging for construction in Ireland in recent years. When Covid led to a slowdown in building, many people in the sector moved to work on projects in Australia, Canada and elsewhere.

He welcomes the Governments overseas campaigns seeking to inspire people to return to Ireland to work in construction, engineering and other key sectors. He also welcomes the efforts made by UCC, MTU and the CETB to enhance the courses and training available to students looking to work in construction.

Investment opportunities must not be lost by Cork for reasons which we can avoid, we must see the realisation of the Events Centre and the upgrade to the N25, we must keep moving forward and leading with the vision Cork has a history of demonstrating successfully. There is no time to be wasted, he said.
155 projects in 26 counties have been awarded funding under the Community Water Development Fund Open Call 2024.

The types of projects approved for funding under this years open call include river and habitat enhancement work, such as planting of native tree species and hedgerows; pollinator-friendly planting; fencing and installation of riparian buffer zones near waterbodies (areas free of chemical and organic fertilisers, cultivation and spraying); and a range of awareness-raising initiatives.

The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), working on behalf of Irelands 31 local authorities to protect and restore good water quality, has awarded the funding.

Under the fund, local communities and groups were invited to apply for financial assistance to support the delivery of projects and initiatives to enhance local water bodies and benefit water quality and biodiversity.

A total of 1.2m for water quality projects nationwide has been announced.

Minister of State with responsibility for nature Malcolm Noonan said that under the Community Water Development Fund, grants totalling 702,605 will "fund the grassroots work of local communities and voluntary groups to raise awareness of our rivers, lakes and streams and the biodiversity they support".

"A further 500,000 under the new LAWPRO Catchment Support Fund, to be rolled out by LAWPRO, will help NGOs working on water quality to develop and strengthen the skills, processes, and resources they need to grow," he added.

Significant pressure

Agriculture is the most prevalent significant pressure impacting over 1,000 waterbodies in Ireland, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Addressing this week's Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Anthony Coleman, LAWPRO director of services, said that the programme currently has a team of 74 staff working across communities, catchments and Farming for Water EIP teams.

LAWPROs catchment assessment team undertakes "scientific local catchment assessments in priority areas for action and provide evidence-based science to better target measures to improve water quality within a catchment".

"Where agriculture is identified as a significant pressure, LAWPROs Catchment Assessment Team directs issues to advisors in the Teagasc and Dairy Industry Ireland led Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP)," Mr Coleman told the committee.

"These advisors then work with farmers to improve farm practices and raise awareness of the local water quality issues. To date, up to 8,000 farms have been identified by LAWPRO for targeted advice by ASSAP.

"In 2022, we collaborated with the EPA and ASSAP to prepare catchment referrals for nitrogen for 1,231 waterbodies (709,040 hectares of land), within and outside the priority areas for action, which the ASSAP dairy co-ops advisors used to better target farm visits in nitrate risky areas."

Funding

Mr Coleman said that farmer engagement with the ASSAP has been successful, however, "lack of funding for farmers was identified as a barrier to the implementation of supplementary measures required to protect and restore water quality".

In response to this, the Department of Agriculture and Department of Housing launched a competitive call under the European Innovation Partnerships (EIP) initiative of Irelands Rural Development Programme.

"LAWPRO in partnership with Teagasc and Dairy Industry Ireland submitted a successful bid for the Farming for Water  European Innovation Partnership (EIP)," he continued.

This will provide 50m in funding directly to farmers for the adoption of voluntary measures, over and above regulatory compliance to reduce losses of phosphorus, nitrogen, sediment, and pesticides to water.

"The project prioritises areas which need most attention to protect or restore water quality and will remove the financial barrier that currently prevents some farmers following the recommendations of LAWPRO and ASSAP."

The measures in the scheme will aim to protect and improve water quality, along with benefitting "biodiversity, flood mitigation and support ecosystem climate resilience", according to Mr Coleman.

"These will include spatially targeted actions as well as improvements in nitrogen use efficiency and nutrient management.

"The scheme aims to engage up to 15,000 farmers by the end of 2027 and will have at its core the promotion of water stewardship within the agricultural sector.

"While this targeted scheme will not solve water quality issues in isolation, it will contribute to the multi-agency industry-wide effort required to protect and preserve our waterbodies for future generations, while ensuring the sustainability of the agricultural sector."
Farmers are urging Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue to introduce a fodder support scheme immediately.

With cattle housed in many parts of the country since last September and in most areas since early October, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association said that action is needed to address what has been an "exceptionally long and wet winter period necessitating prolonged housing and the obvious need to replenish stocks as the year progresses".

ICMSA president Denis Drennan said that the winter period has placed an "enormous mental strain on farmers from a financial and personal perspective and farmers were doing their utmost to manage their way through an extremely difficult spring".

Regulators need to recognise this, he said, and acknowledge the real and difficult challenges currently facing farmers and act accordingly.

Cashflow is tight

Mr Drennan also called for inspections to be "put aside" for now in recognition of the exceptional difficulty weather and ground conditions with which farmers are dealing.

We know from communications and contact with our farmer members and the wider industry that cashflow at farm level is extremely tight, and its also becoming clear that jobs that would normally be complete at this stage of the year have not even commenced across all farm sectors," Mr Drennan said.

"Farmers are weeks behind in their work schedules and we think that a clear priority at this stage must be to provide guidance and assistance to farmers until animals get to grass and then support them in rebuilding fodder stock for the 2024/2025 winter."

Exclusion

Pointing out that the minister had a fodder scheme in place in 2022 and 2023 and that it is "already obvious" that 2024 would require another fodder scheme, Mr Drennan stressed that this years scheme must cover all farmers and that last years "unfair and unacceptable exclusion of dairy farmers could absolutely not be repeated".

The minister should immediately announce a fodder support scheme and show that the Government recognises the unexpected challenges facing farmers and will support them through this difficult period," Mr Drennan said.

"But its just as important that this fodder scheme will not exclude dairy farmers as was the unfair and unacceptable case in the last scheme.

Whether youre a dairy farmer, beef farmer, sheep farmer or tillage farmer, all are under pressure and the minister needs to step up and provide support immediately.

"Neighbours are out there supporting neighbours, we need to see the Government adopt the same attitude immediately and show that they actually understand the serious challenges facing farmers."

Reconvening of committee

Macra is urging the minister to reconvene the National Fodder and Food Security Committee to address the challenges faced by farmers around immediate and future fodder security at farm level.

It is crucial that this committee meet as soon as possible, and I have written to the minister to this effect," Macra president Elaine Houlihan said.

"Farmers are facing difficult decisions in the coming days regarding fodder supplies, grassland management, future fodder stocks and cereal planting.

"Weather conditions remain challenging, and farmers need support and advice around future fodder decisions at farm level."
Based on a true story, Baltimore (15A) opens in 1974 with English heiress Rose Dugdale (Imogen Poots) leading an IRA raid on Russborough House, stealing a host of paintings that she plans to ransom to secure the release of IRA prisoners being held in Britain.

When the gang  which includes Dominic (Tom Vaughan-Lawlor) and Roses lover Eddie (Jack Meade)  retreats to a rural hideout, the story begins flashing back to Roses earlier years to explain how this aristocratic scion embarked on a career of social protest and political agitation that led her to joining the IRA.

Its a fascinating story that begins with the young Rose being revolted when she is blooded after her first fox hunt, a revulsion that sets in train her rejection of everything her parents and their class represent.

Imogen Poots leads the cast of Baltimore

Imogen Poots is compelling as the complex firebrand, and she gets strong support from Vaughan-Lawlor as the veteran IRA volunteer, but their performances are undermined by an occasionally clunky script from writer-directors Joe Lawlor and Christine Molloy as they seek to flesh out the documented facts.

It may well be historically accurate that the class warriors of the early 1970s were po-faced activists who communicated in Marxist cliches, but fidelity to the truth doesnt necessarily make for compelling drama.
How might it have felt to be the Virgin Mary? Blessed or cursed? Immaculate (16s) stars Sydney Sweeney as Sister Cecilia, an American novitiate who arrives at a remote Italian convent to take her vows.

Greeted warmly by the Mother Superior (Dora Romano) and Father Tedeschi (Alvaro Morte), the quietly devoted Cecilia  who as a child narrowly escaped death  settles down to patiently wait for Gods plan to make itself known.

But when that plan is revealed as the greatest of all miracles, Cecilia quickly realises her life is no longer her own.

Sydney Sweeney stars as a virginal nun that becomes pregnant at an Italian monastery in Immaculate

Written by Andrew Lobel and directed by Michael Mohan, Immaculate is a cut above the run-of-the-mill horror.

There are a few conventional jump-scares early on, and some faceless nuns invest the story with a gothic flavour, but the true horror here lies in Cecilias gradual realisation that her bodily autonomy now lies in the hands of religious fanatics who believe they are doing Gods work.

Its a genuinely unsettling proposition, and while the story leans a little on Rosemarys Baby for its inspiration, it gradually broadens out into a gripping psychological horror on its own terms.

Sydney Sweeney is a force of nature as an unworldly innocent manipulated in the most grotesque way by patriarchal extremists, and the story itself is bracingly irreverent as it builds towards its grand guignol ending.
IF Steve Jobs were to apply for a position today, he would likely find it difficult to get an interview. The CV of the entrepreneur, businessman, and co-founder of Apple would probably be cast aside by the artificial intelligence (AI) tools now used to recruit and select employees.

So says Hilke Schellmann, an award-winning American journalist and author of The Algorithm, which explores how AI is increasingly being used to hire employees.

Jobs didnt complete college and sometimes had long breaks in his employment history, says Schellmann.

These factors could lead CV screeners to reject his job application instantly.

A 2023 survey of 1,700 managers in Ireland, Britain, and Germany by the tech company Greenhouse Software found that 48% use CV screeners to search CVs for specific keywords to determine which candidates to call for an interview.

Some 43% of managers then invite the selected candidates to one-way interviews. In this process, employers set questions, the candidates record their answers, and the software analyses their answers to decide which candidates proceed to the face-to-face interview stage.

Hilke Schellmann: I have found gender, race and disability bias in many [AI] tools." Pic: Jennifer S Altman

Schellmann sees the attraction of such AI tools.

Online job platforms and digitisation have made it so easy for job seekers to apply for positions that large companies can get millions of job applications per year, she says. These tools allow them to process the applications efficiently while saving on labour costs. They also promise they are bias-free, which allows them to pick the most qualified candidates.

Dr Na Fu, a professor of human resource management at Trinity College Dublin, reports that these tools are transforming the recruitment sector.

Unilever used to recruit from 840 US colleges, but AI allows it to recruit from triple that number, she says. The Hilton Group has said that AI has made its job recruitment process 90% faster. If these tools mean you can recruit from a wider talent pool while saving time and money, its no wonder employers are so eager to use them.

But Schellmann isnt so sure that these tools deliver on their promise. She argues that some are based on poor science.

For example, some measure candidates facial expressions during one-way interviews, she says. The idea that our innermost thoughts are revealed through our facial expressions was shown to be a pseudoscience decades ago. There is no evidence to show what facial expressions are causally related to being able to do ones job successfully.

Schellmann also believes the algorithms underpinning many of these tools are biased because the data they were built upon reflects the preconceptions of those who designed them.

I have found gender, race and disability bias in many tools, she says. For example, one asked job seekers to hit the spacebar as fast as possible. Someone with a motor disability might be unable to fulfil this particular task, which doesnt seem related to anything they would ever be asked to do in the workplace.

Professor Na Fu, TCD

Battling in-built bias

Fu acknowledges that bias is a concern, citing Amazons failed attempt to use AI in its recruitment process. Its algorithm used CVs submitted to the company over a 10-year period to learn how to spot the best candidates. But it didnt factor in the low proportion of women who were working for the company at that time.

This meant the algorithm was fed with male-dominant recruitment words such as competitive and leader, making less likely to select women, says Fu. Amazon eventually had to abandon that AI recruitment tool.

However, humans can be equally biased when left in charge of recruitment. In the Greenhouse Software survey, 56% of HR managers said they would be more likely to hire someone from the same background as them.

The difference is that theres only so much impact a single HR manager can have on an organisations hiring patterns. An algorithm used across the organisation or multiple organisations is much more influential. It can affect hundreds of thousands of prospective candidates.

Fu is part of a team at Trinity College that is collaborating with teams at Maynooth University, University College Dublin and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia to reduce the risk of in-built bias in AI.

We need stakeholder co-creation, where all the different stakeholders are involved in the design stage of algorithms, not just the tech designers, she says. If employers, managers and employees are are involved in continuous dialogue, AI tools will become more ethical and reliable.

Managing AI safely

In the meantime, Mary Rose Lyons, the founder of the AI Institute, suggests ways for employers to safely incorporate AI into their recruitment processes.

Many tools can improve workflow by automating some tasks and getting better-quality output in others, she says. For example, recruiters can use ChatGPT to write job descriptions. If we learn how to use these tools constructively, they can provide us with shortcuts that save us time and labour.

She defends the use of CV screeners.

If you receive hundreds or even thousands of job applications, theres no way a human will be able to assess every single one of them, she says. A CV screener can be formatted to do it for you. You just need to be careful in how you instruct it.

Its all about ensuring that efficiency doesnt come at the expense of fairness, according to Schellmann, who advises taking a cautious approach to AI.

Think long and hard about why you want to invest in particular tools, she says. Ask yourself what problem youre trying to solve and if this tool will help. Then find out how the tool was designed and tested to ensure it doesnt discriminate. Id also urge HR managers to test the tools themselves to see how they perform.

Fu recommends experimenting with AI.

AI is there to stay, and we shouldnt be afraid of it, she says. Instead, we should experiment to see what tools work best for us. Compare a job description written by ChatGPT with the one you wrote. If its just as good, perhaps you can save time by getting AI to do that task from now on.

Lyons reassures those who worry that AI tools might work against them, just as they might have discriminated against Steve Jobs.

You too can leverage this technology to your advantage, she says. ChatGPT can hone your CV so that it matches the job description. It can suggest commonly asked interview questions and possible responses. There are so many tools out there to help you  just take a look at www.theresanaiforthat.com.

Were in the early stages of incorporating AI into recruitment, and some problems need to be addressed.

We dont want to go back to using human hiring managers as they have a lot of unconscious bias, but nor do we want to build tools in which these human biases are reproduced so that they discriminate at scale, says Schellmann. We have to start building better, more transparent tools.

While we wait for those to be developed, the consensus is for employers to proceed with care, experimenting with the tools available to ensure that they work for you.

As for prospective employees? They can pitch the AI tools available to them against the AI software used by recruiters, levelling the playing field in their favour. You can be sure thats what Steve Jobs would have done.
A Mexican businessman who pleaded guilty to defrauding 18 international students with their college fees, has been given three months to pay the remainder of the 30,000 he took from them.

Raul Ramirez Rodriquez 36, now living in Dublin, pleaded guilty to the offences last year. He told gardai instead of securing college places for the students, who came to Ireland to study, he used the money to invest in a restaurant business, which failed during the pandemic.

He was due to be sentenced on Thursday, however, Judge Orla Crowe gave him extra time to repay the money. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Mr Rodriquez has paid back 14,050 to the students, and that he had a further 1,000 with him.

Keith Spencer BL, defending, said they were expecting another 4,000 from their client on Thursday, in addition to the 1,000 but there was a technical issue which caused a delay in receiving the money. However, Mr Spencer said he hoped the 4,000 would be handed into the court by the end of the day.

Dressed in a black bomber jacket and white shirt, Mr Rodriguez did not speak during the short hearing. A number of the students who were defrauded were also in attendance in court 22.

When his legal team asked for extra time for their client to repay all of the money, Justice Crowe asked: How much time?. The court was told three months should be enough time for him to gather the rest of the money.

The prosecution said they were also in favour of delaying sentencing so that the balance could be paid. Justice Crowe said she would give Mr Rodriguez until June 27 to repay the remaining money.

That matter will be finalised then, she said, adding that the prosecution had liberty to come back in the meantime if there were any other issues.

Speaking outside the court the students said they were extremely disappointed that the matter was not finalised today.

Chisa Fukushima said the case has hurt me emotionally and that she lost trust in the system after she was defrauded of 1,650 in fees for an English course in Dublin. She added that there should be more safeguards in place for international students.
The theft of a tip jar from a cafe counter was described as a mean offence by a judge who imposed a five-month sentence on the woman who committed the crime.

Lisa Lenihan of Courtown Drive, Knocknaheeny, Cork, was sentenced by Judge Mary Dorgan to seven months with the last two months suspended.

The sentence was imposed for several crimes but Judge Dorgan remarked that stealing a tip jar was a particularly mean thing to do.

On November 18, 2023, Lenihan, aged 36, went to Dulce Bun House on Oliver Plunkett Street and stole a tip jar containing approximately 100 from the coffee house.

On November 20, 2023, she was involved in shoplifting at 53 Degrees North on Paul Street.

On January 18 she stole a jacket and handbag from Enable Ireland on North Main Street.

On January 22 at JD Sports on St Patricks Street, she stole 105 worth of clothing.

On the same day, she stole 64 worth of alcohol and cosmetics at Tesco, Paul Street.

On February 1 at Lloyds pharmacy, Hollyhill shopping centre, she stole a charity box belonging to Marymount hospice.

At Kent train station on February 9, she stole a box of cigarettes at the Thomas Stanley shop.

And also back on November 14, 2023, when she was about to be searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act she put a substance in her mouth and swallowed it, obstructing the search.

The judge said an aggravating feature of the case was the repetitive rate of the offending.
A young man who carried out a one-man attack on a garda station has been released after a four-month stint in prison during which he read most of the Bible.

Sam Davies, a 22-year-old who previously lived in Bandon but who is now of no fixed abode, had been in custody on remand for some four months following the incident at Dunmanway Garda Station in West Cork last October.

In initially charging him gardai had said that he had caused damage to the Garda Station worth some 2,000.

The incident occurred at 5.40pm on October 7 last when Mr Davies went to the station  which was unattended at the time  and knocked on the door. On not receiving a response he then began to throw rocks at the building, as well as kicking the door and causing damage to windows and window frames. CCTV cameras were damaged.

At Bandon District Court he pleaded guilty to the charges, with Judge James McNulty stating that on a bad day in October last year he effectively conducted a one-man attack on Dunmanway Garda Station and did a lot of damage.

He has been in custody for four months, the judge added, with Mr Daviess solicitor, Plunkett Taaffe, explaining that bar a two-to-three week period, Mr Davies had been in custody since October 8 last. Judge McNulty said Mr Davies had effectively remanded himself back into custody as he was not making the bail conditions.

A probation report was provided to the court and Mr Taaffe said his client would be pleading guilty to the charges. Mr Taaffe said one issue was the lack of suitable accommodation, adding that this would likely also be a concern at the end of any sentence Mr Davies might serve.

The judge referred to a fractured and difficult upbringing and Mr Taaffe said one option might be for Cork-based support organisation The Foyer  which assists people released from prison  to secure some form of accommodation for him.

Judge McNulty directed they be contacted immediately so they could prioritise Mr Daviess case, adding: Sam is sound.

If he gets a lucky break with accommodation I am sure he could do great things with his life. He deserves a break.

Asked if he was still chipping away at the big book, Mr Davies said he was now reading the New Testament. I was raised religiously, he said, adding this had meant mostly keeping the faith.

Judge McNulty said Mr Davies had learned a lesson and sentenced him to six months in prison on two of the criminal damage charges, deeming it to have already been served, with other charges taken into consideration. On a public order charge, Mr Davies entered a probation bond for one year with supervision on his own bond of 100, no cash required.
A Cork man who was convicted of engaging in threatening behaviour for the 48th time insisted he was not a violent person.

35-year-old Johnathan Murphy of Cork Simon Community was jailed for two months on Friday arising out of an incident last month on MacCurtain Street, Cork.

Sergeant John Kelleher said after 9pm on February 28, Garda Kate Sheehan approached the accused, who was lying on the street with an empty one-litre vodka bottle beside him.

He refused to provide his name and address and told Garda Sheehan to fuck off and said, Youll be sorry, while aggressively gesturing towards her and cursing, Sgt Kelleher said.

Mr Murphy was arrested and charged with refusing to provide his details when requested and being threatening and drunk and a danger.

He pleaded guilty to those charges at Cork District Court where Sgt Kelleher said the accused man had a total of 228 previous convictions, including 15 for burglary, 62 for being so intoxicated that he was a danger and 47 for threatening conduct.

Aoife Buttimer, solicitor, said the accused had been homeless for the past four years. While he had been living on the streets for some of that time he now has a full-time bed with the Simon Community.

He has not had a drink for a week which would be a big step for him. He had been living chaotically at the time of this incident. He says he is not a violent person, Ms Buttimer said.

Judge Mary Dorgan imposed a prison sentence of two months on the accused.
Cork County Council has said it is confident the OPW will fund another four local authority engineers to be seconded to the flood relief project in Midleton.

One of the main roles of the engineers is to advise vulnerable householders and businesses on how best to protect their properties before multi-million euro defences are built in the town.

The OPW has already paid for a senior council engineer to join its project team and senior council officials have said they hope four more of its engineers will join that team soon.

Catherine Murphy, a senior official in the councils flood relief section, said the engineers will be focused on the delivery of interim flood mitigation measures in Midleton and other nearby communities which were severely impacted by last Octobers Storm Babet.

Work is ongoing on the development of a plan for the implementation of individual property protection on a phased basis in Midleton. The roll-out of interim measures in Midleton is underway in a phased manner. The planning design of the preferred option (for flood relief works) is underway and is not being delayed by the analysis of Storm Babet, she said.

Ms Murphy added, however, that some minor adjustments to heights and extents of flood defences are anticipated as a result of updated hydrological and hydraulic analysis following the storm.

The options report, which is anticipated to be published in the summer, will outline these changes and provide full details of the preferred options.

Ms Murphy said she anticipates that the scheme will be submitted for statutory consent in quarter three of next year. However, she warned that the statutory consent timeline is not within the control of the council or the OPW and therefore confirmation of timelines for construction are not possible at present.

She made her comments at a meeting of the councils Southern Division, which controls the East Cork area. Both Fine Gael councillor Michael Hegarty and Social Democrats councillor Liam Quaide welcomed her optimism on the OPW approval for the appointments.

Mr Quaide said in particular he welcomed the focus on efforts to protect individual properties, but asked that this not just be confined to Midleton but expanded to other areas in the region which were also badly impacted by Storm Babet.

Ms Murphy said that initially the concentration of such efforts will be in Midleton, but the promised engineers will then move on to help property owners in nearby villages impacted by last Octobers deluge.

She told Mr Hegarty that flooding which occurred on the same date in Ladysbridge may well be due to a development there which didnt comply with planning permission" in respect of run-off culverts, and this was being examined by the councils planning enforcement section.

She also said that flooding in Whitegate that day was due to water pouring down the road from the cemetery side into the village and that culverts on that road were incapable of dealing with the volume. Ms Murphy said it will be expensive to resolve this problem.

Meanwhile, she informed Fine Gael councillor Anthony Barry that flood prevention works for the proposed creation of the 2,500-house town at Waterrock, to the east of Midleton, are still on the table in conjunction with the Midleton project.

He had expressed concern the land earmarked for the major housing development is also at risk of flooding.
Ireland will recognise Palestine as a state when to do so would make a "positive contribution", the Taoiseach has said.

In a joint statement with the prime ministers of Malta, Slovenia and Spain, Leo Varadkar said the countries are ready to recognise Palestinian independence.

Mr Varadkar met with his fellow leaders in the margins of a European Council meeting to share views on the situation in Gaza and the Middle East.

"We are agreed on the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages and a rapid, massive and sustained increase of humanitarian aid into Gaza," the joint statement said.

"We are agreed that the only way to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region is through implementation of a two-state solution, with Israeli and Palestinian states living side-by-side, in peace and security.

"We discussed together our readiness to recognise Palestine and said that we would do so when it can make a positive contribution and the circumstances are right."

On Thursday night, the Taoiseach welcomed the move by European leaders, who agreed on the need for a humanitarian pause for the release of all hostages and admission of large volumes of food and medicine leading to a sustained ceasefire.

Its good that we finally have unanimous agreement at EU level on Gaza. Collectively, we condemned Hamass terrorist actions, called for a ceasefire, rapid access of humanitarian aid to relieve the suffering of the civilian population in Gaza, the release of hostages, an end to the expansion of illegal settlements, and a two-state solution.

We now have a common position very much in line with the public position of the Irish Government.
On the night of April, 26 1974, 19 prized masterpieces were stolen at gunpoint from Russborough House, Co Wicklow, the home of Alfred Beit, a former Conservative MP and South African mining heir.

The haul included paintings by Goya, Velazquez, Vermeer, Rubens, Hals, Gainsborough and Guardi. It was one of the largest art heists in history. The IRA gang had tricked their way into the stately home, led by a woman pretending to be a French tourist whose car had broken down.

Rose Dugdale, who died aged 83 earlier this week, may have started out as an Oxford-educated debutante and heiress but her unconventional life spiralled through political activism into republican violence, culminating in her developing explosives to destroy RUC-armoured Land Rovers.

A privileged renegade, she has been compared to contemporary, 1970s' ultra-leftist revolutionaries such as Patty Hearst, Italys Red Brigades and the Baader-Meinhof gang.

Earlier in 1974, she had carried out the IRAs first helicopter-bomb attack on a Northern Ireland police station. The aircraft had been hired in Donegal by a woman posing as a freelance journalist for a photographic assignment.

Once airborne, the pilot was threatened with a pistol and ordered by Dugdale and her accomplice, Eddie Gallagher, to collect milk churns packed with explosives and then fly over the border. One device was then dropped on the RUC station in Strabane, Co Tyrone  the main charge failed to explode. No one was injured.

The Wicklow heist was not Dugdales first art theft. Knowledge of classical painting acquired in her youth had proved useful.

In 1973, she broke into her parents home in Devon with professional burglars and looted 80,000 worth of pictures, silver and antiques to raise money for revolutionary causes. She was subsequently given a two-year suspended sentence by a judge, who said it was unlikely she would reoffend.

The aim of the Russborough House raid, her idea, was to ransom paintings for the return from an English jail to a Northern Irish prison of four hunger-striking IRA bombers  Gerry Kelly, Hugh Feeney and the sisters Dolours and Marian Price.

After the servants were rounded up and Alfred Beit was beaten, everyone was tied up. Dugdale, maintaining the character of a French tourist, went from room to room pointing at pictures. Zis one and zis one! Non. Not zat one! according to Sean ODriscolls 2022 biography Heiress, Rebel, Vigilante, Bomber: The Extraordinary Life of Rose Dugdale. Gallagher and two other IRA men loaded the paintings into the car.

They drove to the West Cork village of Glandore, where she had booked a cottage under the name of Ms Merrimee. A ransom note was sent to the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin. After that, the plot began to unravel.

The Price family called for the paintings not to be damaged. Dugdale opened the door to gardai using her false French accent. They were not convinced by her explanation and raided the cottage to discover canvases estimated to be worth about 100m (116m) at todays valuations.

A portrait of Rose Dugdale painted in 2007 as part of a series titled Untold about women who had been imprisoned during the Troubles. Picture: Conor O Mearain

Dugdale was born at Yarty Farm, her familys 600-acre estate in east Devon. Her father was Lieutenant Colonel Eric Dugdale, a successful Lloyds underwriter, whose main home was in Chelsea in London. Her mother, Carol (nee Timmis), was from a wealthy Gloucestershire family; she had studied art and initially married Oswald Mosleys younger brother John; they had two sons but divorced over his womanising. She subsequently married Dugdale, with whom she had three children.

Bridget Rose was the middle child. Despite her first name, she had no immediate Irish ancestry and was known as Rose. She attended Miss Ironsides school for girls in Kensington.

In an early display of characteristic resolve, she initially resisted becoming a debutante but struck a deal with her family  agreeing to be presented to the queen at Buckingham Palace in return for being allowed to apply to university. The 1958 coming out season, where young women were launched into high society, was the last ceremony hosted by the monarch.

Dugdale went to St Annes College, Oxford, in 1959 to study philosophy, politics and economics, graduating three years later. Among her tutors were the novelist Iris Murdoch and Peter Ady, a female economist with whom she had an affair.

Her first confrontation with the establishment came when she and another student dressed as men to infiltrate the then all-male Oxford Union debating society, as part of a campaign that later led to the admission of women to full membership in February 1963.

She took a masters degree in philosophy at a US college, returned to London to work as a government economics adviser on developing countries with Ady in 1965, then completed a doctorate at Bedford College, London, where she taught economics.

The 1960s' countercultural revolution broadened her horizons. Dugdale travelled to communist Cuba and to Belfast, where she witnessed the army on the streets. Radicalisation followed. She left academia in 1971, deciding she wanted to give away her inherited wealth to the poor.

Rose Dugdale protesting outside the Israeli Embassy in Dublin in 2010 over Israel's decision to storm one of six ships trying to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza. Picture: Collins Photos

Using her own money, she set up a north London claimants union office supporting marginalised people. She fell in with Wally Heaton, a former soldier who urged her to become involved in armed revolution.

Bloody Sunday in January 1972, when the Parachute Regiment shot dead 14 civil rights protesters in Derry, was a watershed. She and Heaton travelled there, met IRA leaders and offered them money to buy weapons. She returned repeatedly to Belfast and Derry, delivering guns she had obtained.

Heaton was jailed for the raid on Dugdales parents home and in 1973 she met Gallagher, who had volunteered to work in her claimants union office. They teamed up and later that year moved to Ireland where she joined an IRA training camp.

Following the Russborough House raid, Dugdale was sentenced to nine years in prison for the Strabane hijacking and the art theft. She was held in Limerick jail, where it was eventually noticed she was pregnant. The father was Gallagher.

The following year, Gallagher, who was on the run, kidnapped the Dutch industrialist Tiede Herrema in Limerick. The IRA gang demanded the release of Dugdale and two other republican prisoners within 48 hours, warning Herrema would be shot.

Gardai tracked down the kidnappers. After an 18-day siege they surrendered. Herrema was unharmed. Gallagher was sentenced to 20 years.

Even in prison, Dugdale kept up the pressure  forcing the authorities to allow her and Gallagher to marry behind bars in 1978 so she could avoid extradition to the UK. She was freed in 1980 and moved to Dublin to raise her son, Ruairi.

Imogen Poots as Rose Dugdale in Baltimore, a film based on Rose Dugdale's life.

If her earlier years had an air of political theatrics, her later years showed more deadly intent. She worked with residents vigilante groups to drive heroin dealers out of inner-city estates. She also broke up with Gallagher and lived with Jim Monaghan, an expert IRA bomb maker.

Together, they helped refine the Provisionals weapons technology, conducting research on a remote farm in Co Mayo. Their improved missile launchers  which used digestive biscuit packets to absorb the recoil  and fertiliser-based bombs enabled the IRA to kill more soldiers, RUC officers and civilians.

She never expressed regret. The happiest day of my life was the bombing in Strabane, she told the author Sean ODriscoll. It was the first time I felt at the centre of things, that I was really doing as I said I would do.

A feature film based on her life, Baltimore, focusing on the Wicklow art raid, is due to be released in the UK on 22 March.

Dugdale, who had been living in a Dublin care home run by nuns, is survived by her partner, Monaghan, by Gallagher, to whom she remained married, and by Ruairi.

 Bridget Rose Dugdale, academic and IRA member, born March 25, 1941; died March 18, 2024
The first proper office space used by Voxpro, the call centre firm that made multimillionaires of husband and wife owners Dan and Linda Kiely, is up for rent for 92,000 per annum.

The offices at Unit 6 Nore House, in Riverview Business Park, Mahon, were used in the noughties by Voxpro, before the company sold for a reported $150m to Canadian call centre giant Telus International in 2017. The Canadian company has a large base near City Gate in Mahon.

About 20 Voxpro workers initially operated out of Nore House, up from six staff that ran the business from an office above a pub on Marlboro St in Cork City centre in the 1990s. Voxpro went on to become a global business, providing high-end call-centre operations for fast-growing tech companies, such as Google and Airbnb. After it was bought by Telus International, its workforce grew from 2,700 to 6,000 employees.

Now, one of its early homes is up for rent via Gerard OCallaghan of ERA Downey McCarthy and he says its ideally suited to a call-centre business.

Unit 6, Nore House, Riverview Business Park, Mahon

There is so much infrastructure there since the days of Voxpro  internal access control, high-quality office furniture, even staff lockers. Its as if the Voxpro staff left their desks and left everything you need in an office after them, Mr OCallaghan said.

The agent said the building benefited from extensive investment in recent years and offers a turnkey solution for the right company.

The optimum buyer is someone operating a call centre or outsourcing business where the company was working out of a vast space, which it no longer needs, because staff are working from home or hybrid working since the pandemic, said Mr OCallaghan, adding that its ideal for someone looking to rightsize.

Accommodation at Unit 6 includes a 28sq m ground floor, with a private lobby and lift access; a 521sq m first floor; and 98sq m second floor. First-floor offices are laid out over two large open-plan areas with meeting rooms, private office, kitchen, and staff facilities. Theres additional office space on the second floor with a large server room. The overall area of the building is 647sq m and the BER is D1.

Mr OCallaghan said the location is excellent, in a business park, with good car parking and access to public transport and the South Ring road network. Its close to City Gate Park and Mahon Shopping Centre.

Details: Gerard OCallaghan, ERA Downey McCarthy, Tel: 021 4905000

Email: gerard@eracork.ie
Claire McGovern is the founder of Rhyme Studio  a New York design consultancy based in Brooklyn. Her range of Irish wool rugs had their Irish debut at the recent Showcase 2024 trade fair in Dublin and she also won the Showcase Best in Category Award in the Home category.

Before moving to New York from her native Dublin, McGovern spent many years living in San Francisco working with designers and artists through a business which evolved into the consultancy she operates today from NYC.

After a stint in museums and galleries, I cut my teeth working on hotel and spa designs for a West Coast-based firm and went on to develop interiors for projects ranging from San Francisco and Silicon Valley residences and offices to New York City restaurants and residences. Ive worked on projects with Lexus, Google, and Facebook and even the Ambassador of Ireland to the US, Geraldine Byrne-Nason.

Rhyme Studio designs pictured at the launch of Showcase 2024.

Closer to home, Rhyme Studio is currently working on the design for a new sustainable, five-star hotel and spa in Northern Ireland. Our partner, Rory McCreesh of Duce, a luxury construction company responsible for some exceptional building and renovation projects here, is developing the project in his home county of Armagh.

The brief is to not only create a leading destination for sustainable luxury hospitality and wellness but also to celebrate the best of contemporary Irish design, native materials and craftsmanship.

While McGovern launched her own range of rugs in the States six years ago, the Showcase 2024 event was the European debut of her products. The designer is influenced by Irish art, history, and culture  merging classic Irish iconography with contemporary aesthetics to create beautiful rugs that are sustainably and ethically produced here in Ireland from Irish wool.

Rhyme Studios rugs are designed for use on the floor, certainly, but also function as wall hangings.

The Croi rug from the Insula Series by Rhyme Studio.

The range includes the stunning Insula collection which features contemporary takes on Irish motifs drawn from insular art  the seventh-century artistic movement that emerged during early Irish monasticism.

The Fado Fado rug by Rhyme Studio.

Another collection, Modernity, is inspired by the work of modernist artist Kasimir Malevich, said to have had a profound influence on the work of iconic Irish furniture designer, architect, and rug designer Eileen Gray.

Another, the Black Sheep, utilises the undyed wool of Irish zwartbles sheep  wool once considered useless because it could not be dyed yet that is even more sustainable and better for use in interior environments precisely because it does not need to be dyed.

Clients often purchase the works as fibre art or tapestry, says McGovern. While I always knew, as an interior designer, that wool was one of the most sustainable and regenerative materials available, we have since uncovered its extraordinary array of health and wellness benefits for the home. Our carpets or wall hangings, in the right proportions, offer significant air purifying and acoustic properties.

Conscious of the fact that the rug industry is awash with products made of synthetic fibres  essentially nylon derived from fossil fuels  McGovern says that it was important to her to source genuine Irish wool for her rugs from the outset.

Claire McGovern, founder of Rhyme Studio in New York.

This is no mean feat due to the collapse of the Irish wool industry which sees the majority of yarn thats spun here made from imported fibres.

We had no idea the extent of the market problems when we first started working with this material in 2017, she says.

Its a complicated situation but our design intent was to celebrate authentic Irish materials and craftsmanship so we persevered in buying Irish wool initially from Kerry Woollen Mills and Cushendale or directly from Irish sheep farmers. While we know small operators in Ireland who clean wool, there is no large commercial facility for this and almost all Irish wool harvested is sent to the UK for cleaning. We now partner with Donegal Yarns which has taken a prominent stand on supporting native Irish wool and is very aligned with us in terms of the need for greater sustainability in design.

Are her discerning and affluent American clients particularly interested in the fact that the products are made from wool sourced in Ireland?

To date, most of our clients are interested primarily in the design quality, the story, and the fact that we are producing exclusively in Ireland.

Rug and cushion designs by Rhyme Studio.

While in Dublin in January, McGovern was one of the organisers of a series of events at Showcase with the recently formed Irish Grown Wool Council  a voluntary body with an all-island approach to reinvigorating the Irish-grown wool industry here. McGovern believes its important for her to be part of the conversation here as an advocate for native Irish wool in the US.

The point of our Dublin debut was not only to illustrate the design potential of this resilient wool for carpeting and health but to connect with public and private sector investors interested in supporting sustainable Irish design, she says passionately.

There is no justifiable reason for the extraordinary wool waste that occurs, not just in Ireland, but in many countries around the world. All wool has a value and it makes no sense that the manufacturing world invests so heavily in producing synthetics while a material from nature that outperforms every other fibre goes to waste.

The daughter of the late architect Sean McGovern and poet Cecilia McGovern, Claire McGovern now resides in the historic brownstone neighbourhood of Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, where her son attends school.

Heal - the St Brigid's Cross-inspired rug in Irish wool by Rhyme Studio.

She lives in a converted brownstone surrounded by many of the pieces of art and furniture she has collected over the years as well as the recent rugs of her own design.

AT HOME

Some of McGoverns favourite items in her home are her own Heal carpet design which is inspired by the traditional St Brigids Cross: I love the connotations of bringing healing into the home and the neuroaesthetic implications of an air purifying wool design that also means protection, she says. One of her most precious pieces of furniture is her timeless Egg chair  that classic piece by Danish design legend Arne Jacobsen.

Tangolunda Moods by artist Ian Sheldon.

We have quite a bit of art that rotates around between the studio, our Brooklyn home and the family home in Dublin too, she says. A new addition to the current inventory that I love is by our favourite storm-chaser oil painter Ian Sheldon  a piece called Tangolunda Moods.

When it comes to McGoverns favourite New York design destinations she says its difficult to choose in a city so vibrant however she cites the craftsmanship and ethos of Atelier Courbet and the Carpenters Workshop Gallery New York. I love the Noguchi Museum too for its timeless design and sculpture amidst a zen-like oasis, she says.

One of my favourite art movements has always been Land Art and I adore Walter del Marias Earth Room in Soho commissioned by the incredible Dia Art Foundation.

When paying a visit to New York, its always worth checking the latest happenings of the Public Art Fund which curate and sponsor some of the most incredible public art installations in the city, she says.

As an interior designer does McGovern have any tips in terms of how to achieve a luxe look on a limited budget?

If funds are limited we always advise you to do your best to acquire a few key pieces of affordable art while focusing on low-cost furnishings that are not recognisably from any one manufacturer or company, she says.

Rug and cushion designs by Rhyme Studio.

Invest in a paint colour consultation with an expert while keeping the furniture design and fabrics to clean, minimal geometric lines, natural fibres and neutral colours.

Its not hard to find affordable original oil on canvas paintings, and juxtaposed with a series of art prints or giclees, this will help to create the overall feel of a more luxe interior that doesnt have to feature expensive furniture design.

Oh, and a Rhyme Studio rug in the mix might pull it all together, we think.

www.rhymestudio.com
A Russian court has rejected a lawsuit filed by the mother of Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader who died in prison in February, that claimed he received inadequate medical care.

Ivan Zhdanov, head of the Anti-Corruption Foundation founded by Mr Navalny, said the court in the town of Labytnangi, near the Arctic prison where he died, turned down Lyudmila Navalnayas case because it said only Mr Navalny could be the plaintiff.
The United Nations Security Council is set to vote on a United States-sponsored resolution declaring that an immediate and sustained ceasefire in Gaza is imperative to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid to be delivered to more than two million hungry Palestinians.

US ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said she was optimistic that the 15-member council would approve the new, tougher draft resolution on Friday.

The draft being put to a vote determines  which is a council order  the imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire, with no direct link to the release of hostages taken during Hamas October 7 attack on Israel, which was in the previous draft.

But it would unequivocally support diplomatic efforts to secure such a ceasefire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken (Evelyn Hockstein/Pool via AP)

Russias deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyansky said Moscow will not be satisfied with anything that doesnt call for an immediate ceasefire, saying it is what US secretary of state Antony Blinken is pressing for and what everybody wants.

He questioned the wording of the draft, asking, Whats an imperative? I have an imperative to give you 100 dollars, but  its only an imperative, not 100 dollars.

So, somebodys fooling around, I think, (with the) international community, the Russian envoy said.

The Security Council had already adopted two resolutions on the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, but none calling for a ceasefire.

Russia and China vetoed a US-sponsored resolution in late October calling for pauses in the fighting to deliver aid, protection of civilians, and a halt to arming Hamas.

They said it did not reflect global calls for a ceasefire.

Tens of thousands of people have died in the Israeli offensive (AP)

The US, Israels closest ally, has vetoed three resolutions demanding a ceasefire, the most recent being an Arab-backed measure supported by 13 council members with one abstention on February 20.

A day earlier, the US circulated a rival resolution, which has gone through major changes during negotiations before Fridays vote.

It initially would have supported a temporary ceasefire linked to the release of all hostages, and the previous draft would have supported international efforts for a ceasefire as part of a hostage deal.

The vote will take place as Mr Blinken, Americas top diplomat, is on his sixth urgent mission to the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war, discussing a deal for a ceasefire and hostage release, as well as post-war scenarios.

Nate Evans, the spokesperson for the US Mission to the United Nations who announced the Friday morning vote, said: This resolution is an opportunity for the Council to speak with one voice to support the diplomacy happening on the ground and pressure Hamas to accept the deal on the table.

Meanwhile, the 10 elected members of the Security Council have been drafting their own resolution, which would demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan that began on March 10 to be respected by all parties leading to a permanent sustainable ceasefire.

It also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and emphasises the urgent need to protect civilians and deliver humanitarian aid throughout the Gaza Strip.
A farmer has documented a massacre which took place in a Burkina Faso village.

The 32-year-old took a series of photos in the central village in Namentenga province after security forces launched an attack on November 5 last year, killing more than a dozen of his relatives.

The images the anonymous man took showed women who had been killed with babies wrapped against their bodies, lifeless children intertwined together, and a two-month-old child lying face-up on the ground with puppies crawling on his tiny frame.

The troops came with mounted pickup trucks, guns and drones, the farmer said.

He said he hid in a neighbours compound and took a series of photos before fleeing the next morning.

A grave security & humanitarian situation & impact of climate change - the suffering of the Burkinabe people must not slip off the intl agenda.



My Office will do its best to accompany #BurkinaFaso through the next steps in the transition, rooted in human rights - @volker_turk  UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) March 21, 2024

Dozens more people were killed that day in Zaongo village, according to the farmers account and that of two other survivors, as well as a UN report citing government figures.

The images the man sent to reporters and the interviews with the three survivors are rare first-hand accounts amid a stark increase in civilian killings by Burkina Fasos security forces as the junta struggles to beat back a growing jihadi insurgency and attacks citizens under the guise of counter-terrorism.

Most attacks  including the killing of children by soldiers at a military base last year, uncovered in an AP investigation  go unpunished and unreported in a nation run by a repressive leadership that silences perceived dissidents.

More than 20,000 people have been killed since jihadi violence linked to al-Qaida and the so-called Islamic State group first hit the West African nation nine years ago, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, a US-based non-profit.

The fighting has divided a once peaceful population, blockaded dozens of cities and led to two military coups.

Burkina Fasos government spokesman did not respond to requests for comment about the November 5 attack.

Frank & open exchanges with President of the Transition of Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Traore, about the need for human rights to be at the centre of all efforts to manage the multifaceted challenges the country is facing. My sincere solidarity with the people of Burkina Faso.  Volker Turk (@volker_turk) March 21, 2024

Previously, officials had denied killing civilians and claimed jihadis often disguise themselves as soldiers.

The three survivors told AP they are certain the men were security forces, not jihadis. They describe them wearing military uniforms, one with a Burkina Faso flag fastened to him.

The farmer saw a helicopter flying toward the village in the attacks aftermath  those are used solely by the military, not insurgents.

The United Nations urged the government to investigate, hold those responsible accountable, and compensate victims, said Seif Magango, of the UN Human Rights Office.

Burkina Fasos prosecutors office said it opened an investigation. Four months later, survivors said they have had no news.
A UN humanitarian official has appealed for more than four billion dollars (3.1 billion) in life-saving aid for more than 10 million Syrians, saying that the countrys largely forgotten crisis remains one of the most deadly to civilians in the world.

Adam Abdelmoula, resident coordinator in Syria for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, made the appeal days after Syria marked the 13th anniversary of the civil war that has killed nearly a half million people and left large parts of the country destroyed.

Mr Abdelmoula told reporters in Geneva: Today, we are facing an unprecedented situation in Syria  one that we cannot afford to ignore.

Inaction will be costly for all of us and will inevitably lead to additional suffering.

The country is effectively carved up into areas controlled by the Damascus government, various opposition groups and Kurdish forces (AP)

About 16.7 million people require some form of humanitarian assistance in Syria, an increase from 15.3 million last year, he said.

More than seven million people are internally displaced and nearly as many are refugees in other countries, including neighbouring Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.

The war has left 90% of Syrias population below the poverty line as millions face cuts in food aid because of a funding shortfall. The UN World Food Programme ended its main assistance scheme in the country in January.

The Syria crisis remains one of the most deadly to civilians in the world. Hostilities continue to plague various parts of Syria and have recently seen a sharp spike, especially in the north, Mr Abdelmoula said.

He suggested that Israels war against Hamas in Gaza had given cover for more military activity in parts of Syria.

We saw the worlds attention focusing on Gaza, and that provided some kind of diversion of attention that allowed the significant escalation of hostilities in the north-east without much attention being paid to that situation by the international community, Mr Abdelmoula added.
Russia has unleashed one of its most devastating attacks against Ukraines electric sector, an aerial assault it said was retaliation for recent strikes inside Russia and which could signal an escalation of the war.

It comes just days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on power in a preordained election.

Many Ukrainians were plunged into darkness across several cities, at least five people were killed, and damage to the countrys largest hydroelectric plant briefly cut off power to a nuclear plant that has been a safety risk throughout the war.

A burning trolleybus after Russian attacks in Dnipro, Ukraine (Telegram channel of Petro Andryuschenko, the adviser of the head of Mariupol citys administration via AP)

Russia fired off more than 60 exploding drones and 90 missiles in what Ukrainian officials described as the most brutal attack against its energy infrastructure since the full-scale war began in early 2022.

Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, sustained the most damage, officials said, and the attack came a day after Russia had fired 31 missiles into the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been urging Western allies for weeks to provide it with additional air defence systems and ammunition, a period in which 60 billion dollars in US aid has been held up by divisions in Congress.

With Russian missiles, there are no delays, like with aid packages to our state, Mr Zelensky said.

It is important to understand the cost of delays and postponed decisions.

Russias Defence Ministry called Fridays attacks strikes of retribution.

Ukraine has increased shelling of Russias Belgorod region along its north-east border and has launched drone strikes targeting Russian oil refineries and other energy facilities.

Ukraines latest strike inside Russia on Friday killed one person and injured at least three, according to local officials.

Damage after Russias air attack on a residential building in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine (Andriy Andriyenko/AP)

Mr Putin has described Ukrainian attacks on Belgorod and other regions as an effort to frighten residents and derail the highly orchestrated election that ended on Sunday.

And he vowed to strike back.

The day after he declared victory, Mr Putin said Russia would seek to create a buffer zone inside eastern Ukraine to help protect against long-range strikes and cross-border raids.

Russia has made progress on the battlefield in recent months against exhausted Ukrainian troops struggling with a shortage of manpower and ammunition along the front line that stretches over 1,000 kilometres (620 miles).

When Mr Putin invaded in 2022, he called it a special military operation, and his officials have mostly eschewed the word war.

But in a change of rhetoric on Friday that may herald a new escalation, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a Russian newspaper that when the collective West became a participant in this on the side of Ukraine, for us it already became a war.

In the winter of 2022-23, Russia targeted Ukraines energy infrastructure, causing frequent blackouts across the country.

Many in Ukraine and the West expected that Russia might repeat this strategy this winter, but Russia instead focused its strikes on Ukraines defence industries.

An emergency service psychologist, left, comforts a woman at the site of a Russian air attack in Zaporizhzhia (Andriy Andriyenko/AP)

While launching the strikes, Russia has combined sophisticated ballistic and cruise missiles with waves of cheap Iranian-made Shahed drones in a bid to oversaturate and weaken Ukrainian air defences.

Volodymyr Kudrytsky, head of the national utility Ukrenergo, described Fridays barrage as the largest assault on Ukraines energy infrastructure since the full-scale war began.

This attack was especially dangerous because the adversary combined different means of attack, kamikaze drones, ballistic and cruise missiles, he said.

Strikes sparked a fire at the hydroelectric plan in Dnipro, which supplies electricity to the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia, the largest such installation in Europe.

Power to the nuclear plant was lost for several hours before it was restored, International Atomic Energy Agency head Rafael Grossi said early on Friday.

The Zaporizhzhia plant has been occupied by Russian troops since the early days of the invasion, and fighting around it has raised the risk of a nuclear accident.

The dam at the hydroelectric station was not in danger of breaching, the countrys hydroelectric authority said.

A dam breach could not only disrupt supplies to the nuclear plant but could potentially cause severe flooding similar to what occurred last year when a major dam at Kakhovka further down the Dnieper River collapsed.

Emergency workers in Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)

Attacks on energy facilities in the Kharkiv region caused blackouts and disrupted critical air raid siren systems.

Other attacks were reported in areas of western Ukraine far from the front line.

The power outages left 1,060 miners trapped in the Dnipropetrovsk region and an evacuation was under way, according to private energy company DTEK.
At least 40 people were killed and over 100 hurt when gunmen in camouflage clothing opened fire with automatic weapons on people at a concert in the Crocus City Hall near Moscow on Friday, Russia's FSB security service said.

In one of the worst such attacks in Russia in years, at least five gunmen were shown in unverified videos firing repeatedly at screaming civilians cowering in the concert hall as Soviet-era rock group "Picnic" was about to perform.

The 6,200-seat concert hall in a suburb west of Moscow, which is near a shopping mall also called Crocus City, was sold out for the performance.

Other video footage showed the men shooting people below what looked like an entrance sign to Crocus City Hall. People lying motionless in pools of blood outside the hall were also visible.

Islamic State, the militant group that once sought control over swathes of Iraq and Syria, claimed responsibility for the attack, the group's Telegram channel said.

It said "fighters attacked on the outskirts of Moscow, killing and wounding hundreds and causing great destruction to the place before they withdrew to their bases safely."

"Suddenly there were bangs behind us - shots. A burst of firing - I do not know what," one witness, who asked not to be identified by name, told Reuters.

"A stampede began. Everyone ran to the escalator," the witness said. "Everyone was screaming; everyone was running."

Flames leapt into the sky, and plumes of black smoke rose above the venue as hundreds of blue lights from emergency vehicles flashed in the night, Reuters pictures and video showed.

Helicopters sought to douse the flames and evacuated around 100 people from the basement, Russian media reported. The roof of the venue was collapsing, state news agency RIA said.

Smoke rises above the burning Crocus City Hall concert venue following a reported shooting incident, outside Moscow, Russia, March 22, 2024. Sergei Vedyashkin/Moscow News Agency/Handout via REUTERS

Russian media reported a second blast at the venue, and there were reports that some of the gunmen had barricaded themselves in the building.

It was not immediately clear who the attackers were. No group had yet claimed responsibility. Russia's foreign ministry said it was a "bloody terrorist attack".

ATTACK WARNING

Two weeks ago, the US embassy in Russia warned that "extremists" had imminent plans for an attack in Moscow.

The embassy issued its warning several hours after the FSB said it had foiled an attack on a Moscow synagogue by a cell of the militant Sunni Muslim group Islamic State.

President Vladimir Putin, who was on Sunday re-elected for a new six-year term, sent thousands of troops into Ukraine in 2022 and has repeatedly warned that various powers - including countries in the West - are seeking to sow chaos inside Russia.

Putin is receiving regular updates about the incident, the Kremlin said.

"Vladimir Putin was informed about the beginning of the shooting in the first minutes of what happened in Crocus City Hall," the Kremlin said.

"The president constantly receives information about what is happening and about the measures being taken through all relevant services. The head of state gave all the necessary instructions," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

SECURITY TIGHTENED

After the attack, Russia tightened security at airports, transportation stations and across the capital - a vast urban area of over 21 million people.

"A terrible tragedy occurred in the shopping centre Crocus City today," Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said. "I am sorry for the loved ones of the victims."

The White House said that images of the shooting were hard to watch while Germany's foreign ministry called the images "horrific."

"...Our thoughts obviously are going to be with the victims of this terrible, terrible shooting attack," White House spokesman John Kirby said.

Germany foreign ministry said on X, "The background must be clarified quickly. Our deepest condolences go out to the families of the victims."

"The entire world community is obliged to condemn this monstrous crime," Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. "All efforts are being thrown at saving people."

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said that Kyiv "had absolutely nothing to do with these events" in a video message posted on Telegram while Kirby said there was "no indication at this time that Ukraine, or Ukrainians were involved in the shooting."

Zakharova questioned how the US knew this and said Washington should immediately pass any information it had to Moscow, or stop making such statements.

"On what basis do officials in Washington draw any conclusions in the midst of a tragedy about someone's innocence?" Zakharova said.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said he was "shocked" by the scenes.

In a post on X, he wrote: "I am shocked by the horrific scenes of the indiscriminate attack in Moscow tonight. Targeting civilians can never be justified in any circumstances. I extend my condolences to all those who have lost loved ones."
Forty people have died and more than 100 were wounded in an attack at a Moscow concert hall, Russias Federal Security Service said.

The attack, which Russian authorities are investigating as terrorism, is the deadliest in Russia in recent years.

Several gunmen burst into the concert hall on the edge of Moscow and sprayed visitors with automatic gunfire, killing and wounding dozens and starting a massive blaze.

A massive blaze over the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow (Sergei Vedyashkin/Moscow News Agency via AP)

Russian media reported that the venues roof was collapsing.

The attack comes days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on the country in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide.

Russian news reports said that the assailants threw explosives, triggering the massive blaze.

Video posted on social media showed huge plumes of black smoke rising over the building, which can accommodate more than 6,000 people.

The attack took place as crowds gathered for a performance by Picnic, a famous Russian rock band.

Russian news reports said that visitors were being evacuated, but some said that an unspecified number of people could have been trapped by the blaze.

The prosecutors office said several men in combat fatigues entered the concert hall and fired at visitors.

Extended rounds of gunfire could be heard on multiple videos posted by Russian media and Telegram channels.

Police block the road to the Crocus City Hall (Dmitry Serebryakov/AP)

One showed two men with rifles moving through the mall.

Another one showed a man inside the auditorium, saying the assailants set it on fire, as gunshots rang out incessantly in the background.

More videos showed up to four attackers, armed with assault rifles and wearing caps, who were shooting screaming people at point-blank range.

Andrei Vorobyov, the governor of the Moscow region, said he was heading to the area and had set up a task force to deal with the damage.

He did not immediately offer any further details.

Russian media reports said that riot police units were being sent to the area as people were being evacuated.

Russian authorities said security was tightened at Moscows airports and railway stations, while the Moscow mayor cancelled all mass gatherings scheduled for the weekend.

White House national security adviser John Kirby said he could not yet speak about all the details but that the images are just horrible. And just hard to watch.

The blaze over the Crocus City Hall (Denis Voronin/Moscow News Agency via AP)

Our thoughts are going to be with the victims of this terrible, terrible shooting attack, Mr Kirby said.

There are some moms and dads and brothers and sisters and sons and daughters who havent gotten the news yet. This is going to be a tough day.

The attack followed a statement issued earlier this month by the US embassy in Moscow that urged Americans to avoid crowded places in the Russian capital in view of an imminent attack, a warning that was repeated by several other Western embassies.

Mr Putin, who extended his grip on Russia for another six years in the March 15-17 presidential vote after a sweeping crackdown on dissent, earlier this week denounced the Western warnings as an attempt to intimidate Russians.

Russia was shaken by a series of deadly terror attacks in the early 2000s during the fighting with separatists in the Russian province of Chechnya.

In October 2002, Chechen militants took about 800 people hostage at a Moscow theatre.

Two days later, Russian special forces stormed the building and 129 hostages and 41 Chechen fighters died, most of them from effects of narcotic gas Russian forces used to subdue the attackers.

And in September 2004, about 30 Chechen militants seized a school in Beslan in southern Russia, taking hundreds of hostages.

The siege ended in a bloodbath two days later and more than 330 people, about half of them children, were killed.
US secretary of state Antony Blinken has once again left the Middle East empty-handed as Israels prime minister rejected American appeals to call off a promised ground invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

The tough message from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sets the stage for potentially difficult talks next week in Washington between top US officials and a high-level Israeli delegation.

Mr Netanyahu said Israel is ready to do it alone in Rafah if necessary.

I also said that we have no way to defeat Hamas without entering Rafah. I told him that I hope we would do this with US support, but if necessary we will do it alone

Despite their differences, the Biden administration has continued to provide crucial military aid and diplomatic support, even as Israels war against Hamas has killed more than 32,000 people in Gaza and led to a worsening humanitarian crisis.

Israel says Rafah is the last remaining stronghold of Hamas and says the militant groups forces there must be defeated for Israel to meet its war objectives.

Israel vowed to destroy Hamas following the groups October 7 attack, which killed some 1,200 people, took 250 others hostage and triggered the fierce Israeli air and ground offensive in Gaza.

But Rafah now shelters more than one million homeless Palestinians who fled fighting elsewhere in Gaza.

The US, along with most of the international community, fears an Israeli ground invasion will endanger civilians lives and impede the flow of desperately needed humanitarian aid into the territory, most of which comes through Rafah.

Mr Netanyahu said he told Mr Blinken that Israel is working on ways to evacuate civilians from combat zones and to address the humanitarian needs of Gaza, where international aid officials say the entire population is suffering from food insecurity and famine is imminent in the hard-hit north.

I also said that we have no way to defeat Hamas without entering Rafah, Mr Netanyahu said.

I told him that I hope we would do this with US support, but if necessary we will do it alone.

Palestinians look at a residential building destroyed in an Israeli strike in Rafah, Gaza Strip (Hatem Ali/AP)

Mr Blinken, wrapping up his sixth visit to the Middle East since the war broke out, told reporters that the US shares Israels goal of defeating Hamas.

But a major ground operation in Rafah is not, in our judgment, the way to achieve it and we were very clear about that, he said, adding that Israel faces growing isolation if it presses ahead.

The looming Rafah invasion has cast a shadow over ongoing efforts to forge a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

Mr Blinken, who also met Arab leaders during his trip this week, acknowledged theres still a lot of work to be done.

He spoke shortly after a US-sponsored ceasefire resolution in the UN Security Council was vetoed by Russia and China.

Mr Blinken said it was unimaginable that the measure had been rejected.

The US initially sided strongly with Israel after the October 7 attack.

But relations have increasingly soured as the war drags on into its fifth month.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken speaks to the media as he departs at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel (Evelyn Hockstein, Pool Photo via AP)

Palestinian health officials in Gaza said on Friday that at least 32,070 people have been killed, with at least two thirds of them women and children.

Israel claims at least one-third of those killed are Hamas militants, and says the group is responsible for civilian casualties by hiding and operating in residential areas.

The US position on a Rafah operation has shifted in recent days.

Initially, US officials called for a plan to get civilians out of harms way.

Now, they say there is no credible way to do that.

It risks killing more civilians. It risks wreaking greater havoc with the provision of humanitarian assistance. It risks further isolating Israel around the world and jeopardising its long-term security and standing, Mr Blinken said.

US officials say other options, including specifically targeted operations against known Hamas fighters and commanders, are the only way to avoid a civilian catastrophe.

Roughly three quarters of Gazas 2.3 million people have fled into Rafah, the farthest south they can go before the Egyptian border.

Israeli army bulldozers manoeuvre near the Gaza border in southern Israel (Tsafrir Abayov/AP)

Sprawling tent camps now dot the city.

The US will share its ideas for alternatives at next weeks meetings, when a delegation led by Mr Netanyahus national security adviser and a member of Israels War Cabinet heads to Washington.

Israels defence minister, another member of the War Cabinet, will also visit.

Mr Blinken said talks would focus on post-war plans, another area of disagreement.

The US wants the internationally recognised Palestinian Authority  which Hamas ousted from Gaza in 2007  to return to power in the territory, along with a clear path towards an independent Palestinian state beside Israel.

Mr Netanyahu rejects Palestinian independence or a role for the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the occupied West Bank, and says Israel must maintain long-term security control over Gaza.

International mediators, led by the US, Qatar and Egypt, have been working on a ceasefire to pause or end the war in Gaza.

Israel is seeking the release of the more than 100 hostages still held by Hamas, while Hamas wants an end  not a temporary pause  to the war along with the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

Palestinians perform Friday prayers of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan near the ruins of a destroyed mosque in Rafah (Fatima Shbair/AP)

Hamas wants Israel to release large numbers of Palestinian prisoners.

After his talks with Israeli leaders, Mr Blinken met with families of hostages who hold US citizenship before departing.

He later greeted a small group of protesters who gathered in solidarity with the families outside his hotel.

Protesters chanted Blinken, thank you, as he walked by the crowd.

He said the US was working to bring them home as he shook hands.

Mr Blinken told reporters that progress has been made in recent weeks, but the final gaps tend to be the hardest.

Theres still a lot of work to be done, hard work to be done, he said.

Towards those efforts, Mr Blinken said he also discussed the need to increase humanitarian aid entering Gaza.

Families and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza wave signs and the Israeli and US flags during a protest calling for their return, outside a meeting between US secretary of state Antony Blinken and families of hostages, in Tel Aviv, Isra

He said some positive steps have been taken in recent days. But its not enough.

Israel says it places no restrictions on the amounts of humanitarian aid it allows into Gaza.

But international aid groups say deliveries have been impeded by Israeli military restrictions, ongoing hostilities and the breakdown of public order.

So little food has been allowed into Gaza that up to 60% of children under five are now malnourished, compared with fewer than 1% before the war began, the head of the World Health Organisation said on Thursday.

At the United Nations, Russia and China vetoed a US-sponsored UN resolution supporting an immediate and sustained ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

The two countries called the measure ambiguous and said it was not the direct demand to end the fighting that much of the world seeks.

The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 11 members in favour and three against, including Algeria, the Arab representative on the council.

Guyana abstained.

A key issue was the unusual language that said the Security Council determines the imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire.

The phrasing was not a straightforward demand or call to halt hostilities.

It also appeared to loosen, but not drop, previous US demands that Hamas release all hostages as part of a ceasefire.

Mr Blinken said the measure had been cynically vetoed and should have been embraced.

We were trying to show the international communitys sense of urgency about getting a ceasefire tied to the release of hostages, he said.

Mr Blinken also said it had sought to condemn Hamas.

He said: Its unimaginable why countries wouldnt be able to do that.
Friday, Mar 22nd, 2024 (9:11 am) - Score 2,080

The UK telecoms regulator, Ofcom, has today finalised new rules  due to be enforced from 1st October 2024  that will require mobile network operators, such as Three UK, Vodafone, EE and O2 (inc. MVNO operators), to protect consumers who travel abroad from mobile BILL SHOCKS on data (broadband), call and text charges.

Some readers might well be forgiven for thinking that such protections already exist, probably because youve seen or been told about them before, but the reality is a little more complicated. A couple of years ago most of the UKs primary mobile operators, except O2 (VMO2), scrapped inclusive (free) EU roaming in favour of a return to charges (e.g. a surcharge of 2-4 per day is quite common)  often despite originally pledging not to do this.

Post-Brexit, the UK Government did introduce some limited protections against the risk of future roaming linked BILL SHOCKS by adding a legislated cap of 45 +vat on roaming charges, including related warnings / SMS messages about roaming charges. But this was a time-limited protection, which came to an end in June 2022, and since then most mobile operators have voluntarily opted to retain the warning system.

However, a review by Ofcom, which was conducted last year, found that the quality of information being provided by mobile operators can be inconsistent and unclear. The research found that 19% of holidaymakers are unaware they could face extra charges when using their phone abroad, and a similar proportion (18%) said they do not research roaming charges before travelling.

Cristina Luna-Esteban, Ofcoms Director of Telecoms Consumer Policy, said: The last thing holidaymakers want when returning from a trip abroad is an unexpected mobile phone bill. At the moment, some customers arent getting clear information from their provider to help them manage their mobile use and plan their spend. Our new protections will mean youre told what itll cost when you start roaming, so you can be confident that there wont be any surprises when it comes to your mobile bill while on holiday.

The regulator does not have the power to stop mobile providers charging customers for using their services when travelling, so instead theyre introducing new rules and guidance that would require all UK mobile operators to tell their customers when they start roaming, how much it will cost them and any action they can take to limit their spend.

The new rules also tackle the issue of inadvertent roaming, which is where mobile phones inadvertently roam to a network in a different country even though the customer is not physically in that country, such as when UK customers on the English coast inadvertently roam on to French networks (Ofcom says 14% of UK mobile customers experience this both when abroad or still in the UK).

The new rules and guidance will apply from 1st October 2024, and you can see a full summary below.

What Ofcom have decided  in brief Requiring providers to send roaming alerts so that customers can make informed decisions and are protected from unexpected bills Providers must notify customers when they start roaming (both in the EU and rest of world destinations). The notification(s) must provide clear, comprehensible, accurate information so a customer can make informed decisions when roaming and:  enable customers to understand any charges that apply to using roaming services, any fair use limits and the time period that applies to any time-limited charges. The new rules give providers some flexibility in how they communicate the information to their customers;  inform customers that they can specify or modify a mobile bill limit and direct them to information on how to put in place or amend such a limit; and  direct customers to free to access, clear, comprehensible and accurate additional information on roaming. While regulatory protections are already in place to ensure that customers are given pricing information and the option to set a mobile bill limit at the time they contract for mobile services, the roaming alert is intended to ensure customers are provided with timely, clear and accurate information at the point of roaming. It should ensure they can make an informed decision about the use of roaming services and are aware of their right to specify or modify a mobile bill limit, helping to protect customers from harms such as unexpected roaming bills. Providers must protect customers against the impact of inadvertent roaming The requirements on roaming alerts should ensure that customers are alerted to the fact that they are roaming, including where this is inadvertent. However, considering the potential for harm and to help protect customers from the impacts of inadvertent roaming, we have decided to bring into force the inadvertent roaming rules we consulted on. These will require providers to:  have measures in place to enable customers to reduce and/or limit expenditure related to inadvertent roaming while they are in the UK (e.g. treating Ireland usage as UK usage).  provide clear, comprehensible and accurate information to customers about the above measures and also how to avoid inadvertent roaming in and outside of the UK, particularly in border regions. This approach takes account of providers current practices such as treating certain roaming usage as UK usage, which protects customers from the impact of inadvertent roaming while in the UK. This will particularly benefit customers in Northern Ireland who can experience inadvertent roaming on a regular basis. Guidance setting out expectations and examples of good practice We are issuing guidance to accompany the new roaming rules to provide greater clarity to providers on what we expect and how we are likely to approach investigating compliance as well as to promote good practice. This includes examples of roaming alerts and steps that providers are already taking to help customers in Northern Ireland protect themselves from inadvertent roaming (e.g. treating Ireland usage as UK usage).

UPDATE 11:26am

Weve had a comment from O2 (VMO2).
1371138342::cfb49c8e-2422-11e5-99a3-d7f5c6e8b241

A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more.
(Photo : nsplash/Vidar Nordli-Mathisen )

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee approved legislation on Thursday to safeguard songwriters, performers, and other music industry professionals from potential risks associated with artificial intelligence.

This action positions Tennessee, renowned as the birthplace of country music and a starting point for musical icons, as the first state in the US to implement such regulations. Advocates assert that the objective is to prevent AI tools from mimicking an artist's voice without explicit permission, which will take effect on July 1.

Protecting Artists' Intellectual Rights from AI Misuses

Following the bill's enactment, Lee informed reporters that Tennessee employs more individuals in the music industry than any other state. Lee emphasized the importance of artists' intellectual property, gifts, and individual uniqueness, asserting that artificial intelligence cannot replicate these qualities.

In addition to Tennessee, two other states consider names, photographs, and likenesses as property rights rather than rights of publicity. The newly enacted ELVIS Act, known as the Ensuring Likeness, Voice, and Image Security Act, will now include vocal likeness in that category.

The legislation also introduces a new civil action whereby individuals can be held accountable if they disseminate or utilize an individual's voice without consent or employ technology to generate an artist's name, photographs, voice, or likeness without appropriate authorization.

READ ALSO: OpenAI CEO Warns of Societal Misalignment, Calls for a Regulatory Body to Supervise AI

Rising Concerns on The Bill's Effectiveness

However, the legislation's effectiveness in protecting artists' work from being scraped and replicated by AI without their consent is still uncertain. Supporters, including Lee, recognize that despite strong backing from within the music industry and unanimous approval from the Tennessee Statehouse, the legislation has yet to be tested. This level of bipartisan agreement amidst ongoing tensions between the GOP supermajority and a small number of Democrats is a notable anomaly.

Musicians Pushing for The ELVIS Act

Numerous Tennessee musicians argue that they cannot afford to wait for a perfect solution, emphasizing that the threats posed by AI are already evident in their cellphones and recording studios.

Country star Luke Bryan expressed concern, stating that material appearing on his phone sometimes appears indistinguishable from his work. He emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue and hoped that the newly enacted legislation would help mitigate and deter such unauthorized replication.

The bill signing event took place at the heart of Nashville's Lower Broadway, inside the bustling Robert's Western World, which is an iconic honky tonk tourists seek for authentic country music experiences while indulging in fried bologna sandwiches. Lee playfully mentioned that he and his wife, Maria, occasionally enjoy covertly visiting Robert's for a date night, while other lawmakers shared anecdotes of dropping by the iconic establishment on weekends.

The Right to Publicity After Death

Naming the newly enacted statute after Elvis Presley was not merely a tribute to one of the state's most iconic residents. Following Presley's death in 1977, a contentious and protracted lengthy legal dispute ensued regarding the unauthorized utilization of his name and likeness, where many contended that upon a celebrity's demise, their name and image became part of the public domain.

In 1984, the Tennessee Legislature enacted the Personal Rights Protection Act, establishing that personality rights extend beyond death and can be inherited by others. The act specifies that these individual rights are considered property rights, allowing them to be freely assigned and licensed, and they persist beyond the individual's death.

The Personal Rights Protection Act, enacted in 1984, was widely regarded as essential for safeguarding Presley's estate. However, over the ensuing decades, it has also been commended for extending protections to all public figures' names, photographs, and likenesses in Tennessee. Now, with the addition of vocal likeness to these safeguards, Tennessee continues to strengthen its measures for protecting the rights of individuals in the public eye.

RELATED ARTICLE: Reddit Receives Warning from Nokia, Discloses Patent Infringement Complaint Ahead of Going Public

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( Tomdispatch.com )  We should already be talking about what it would be like, if Donald Trump wins the 2024 election, to live under a developing autocracy. Beyond the publicized plans of those around him to gut the federal civil service system and consolidate power in the hands of You Know Who, under Trump 2.0, so much else would change for the worse.

All too many of us who now argue about the Ukraine and Gaza wars and their ensuing humanitarian crises, about police violence and extremism in the military here at home, about all sorts of things, would no longer share a common language. Basics that once might have meant the same thing to you and me, like claiming someone won an election, might become unsafe to mention. In a Trump 2.0 world, more of our journalists would undoubtedly face repercussions and need to find roundabout ways to allude to all too many topics. A moving opinion column by the New York Timess David French, who faced threats for his writing about Donald Trump, highlighted how some who voiced their views on him already need round-the-clock police protection to ensure their safety and that of their family.

I often think about the slippery slope we Americans could soon find ourselves on. After all, from the time Vladimir Putin became Russias president in 1999, I spent 20 years traveling to his country and back, working there first as an anthropology doctoral student and later as a human rights researcher. Ive followed Russian politics closely, including as a therapist specializing in war-affected populations, asylum seekers, and refugees. Friends and colleagues of mine there have faced threats to their safety and their careers amid a Kremlin crackdown on public discussion after Putins invasion of Ukraine, and several fled the country with their families in search of safety and a better life.

To be sure, there are many differences between the United States, with its robust democratic tradition, and Russia, which only briefly had competitive elections and a free press. Nonetheless, my experiences there offer a warning about how a Trumpian version of top-down rule could someday stifle any possibility of calling out state-sponsored violence for what it is, and what it might feel like if thats our situation here someday.

Tucker Carlsons Moscow

On first look, far-right journalist Tucker Carlsons recent visit to Moscow, covered exuberantly by Russias state media, might seem like an example of an American tourists naive glorification of another countrys luxuries. Carlson marveled at the fancy tilework of the citys subway system, visited the national ballet, and noted that you can buy caviar cheaply at the local grocery store. He also pointed out that Moscows pristine streets had no homeless people and no apparent poverty.

In the gilded halls of the Kremlin palace, he interviewed President Putin for more than two hours. Despite his guileless expression, Carlson occasionally appeared flummoxed as Putin lectured him endlessly on Russian history and the centuries-old claim he insisted Moscow has on Kyiv as its protector from aggressors near and far. Of course, he never challenged Putin on his rationale for invading that country (nor did he refer to it as an invasion) or any of the Russian leaders other outrageous claims.

Im of the school of thought that considers Putins Russia exactly the sort of anti-woke paradise the MAGA crowd craves. Anyone of Carlsons age who grew up during the Cold War and turned on his or her television in that pivotal period when the Berlin Wall fell should certainly know that all of Russia doesnt look anything like what he was shown. He should also have known about the recent history of economic shock therapy that drained Russian public services of funding and human resources, not to speak of the decades of corruption and unfair economic policies that enriched a choice few in Putins circle at the expense of so many.

Of course, something had to happen to turn the Moscow that Carlson saw into a sanitized moonscape. If you havent been following developments in Russia under Putin, let me summarize what Ive noticed.

Protesters  even many going to opposition leader Alexei Navalnys recent memorial service  have been arrested or at least intimidated when appearing to sympathize with anything thats not part of the Kremlins official pro-Putin ideology. Many groups, from Asian migrants to the homeless, have either been rounded up by the police or at least relocated far out of the view of tourists of any sort. In fact, the imprisoned American journalist whom Carlson briefly gestured toward emancipating, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, had written on the practice of zachistki, or mop-up operations by the Russian authorities that, for instance, relocated homeless services to the outskirts of Moscow, far from public view. Of course, Gershkovich is now imprisoned indefinitely in Russia on charges of espionage for simply reporting on the war in Ukraine, proving the very point Carlson so studiously avoided, that an endless string of lies underscore Putins latest war.

Whats more, amid sub-subsistence wages, housing shortages, and the thin walls of so many city apartments, ordinary Russians are not always able to engage in the hard conversations that conservatives like Alabama Senator Katie Britt boast of having in their well-furbished kitchens. After all, neighbors are now encouraged to denounce each other for decrying Russias war. (You could, it seems, even end up in prison if your child writes no to war on a drawing she did for school.)

There are very personal ramifications to living in an autocracy with which Tucker Carlson and, of course, the Orange Jesus himself are signaling their agreement when they entertain the views of leaders like Vladimir Putin or call Hungarian autocrat Viktor Orban fantastic. Theyre signaling what their end goal is to Americans and, sadly enough, its not particularly far-fetched anymore to suggest that, someday, we wont even have the freedom to talk about all of this with each other.

The Thing That Cannot Be Named

Tucker Carlson at least did his homework. He clearly knew that you couldnt describe the war in Ukraine as an unprovoked Russian invasion, given that countrys carefully crafted censorship laws.

Since his February 2022 invasion, Putin has referred to it as a special military operation focused on the defense of Russia from NATO and the denazification of Ukraine. During that first spring, the Russian president signed a law forbidding journalists from even calling the invasion a war, choosing instead to frame the killing, displacement, abduction, torture, and rape of Ukrainian citizens as a surgical rescue operation provoked by the victims themselves. Broader, vaguer censorship laws were then passed, further limiting what Russians of all stripes could say, including one against discrediting the army, which imposed stiff fines and prison sentences, and more recently, property confiscations on anyone deemed to have said anything negative about Russias armed forces. While the thousands of arrests made may seem modest, given Russias 146 million people, its still, in my opinion, thousands too many.

The Russian leaders perverse framing of his unprovoked war is undoubtedly what also allows him to admit that hundreds of thousands of Russians have been killed or wounded so far, something he couldnt otherwise say. In a country suffused with right-wing Christian nationalism, it also certainly helps his cause that most of Russias war dead come from remote, poor, and predominantly minority regions.

This is the sort of muddling of meaning and motives that autocratic leaders engage in to justify deaths of all kinds. American equivalents might be what the MAGA crowds do when they blame the January 6th far-right assault at the Capitol, aimed at police and lawmakers, on the Antifa, or extreme leftists, without disputing that people were hurt. Or consider then-President Donald Trumps comment that far-right white supremacist Charlottesville rioters and counter-protesters included very fine people on both sides  no matter that one such fine person plowed down a counter-protester in his car, murdering her, or that certain of those fine white supremacists espoused anti-Semitic conspiracy theories considered by some an incitement to violence.

For their part, Russians of various political stripes enjoy an ancient tradition of using dark humor and irony to engage in the kinds of conversations they really want to have. Take as an example the way progressive journalists like those at the news stations TV Rain and Novaya Gazeta (since banned from operating) began discussing the war in Ukraine as the thing that cannot be named. Eventually, however, sweeping censorship laws prevented even workarounds like those.

Its not a small thing to live in a place where you cant say what you want to for fear of political persecution, especially when youve grown up in other circumstances. A good friend of mine who came of age after the fall of the Berlin Wall and led a prosperous, happy life in St. Petersburg, fled the country on the last train out of that city to Helsinki, Finland, her young child in tow. Her goal: to start life over from scratch and avoid having to raise her child in a place where he would be brainwashed into thinking Russias armed forces and police were infallible and beyond critique. I suspect that many of the hundreds of thousands of Russians who joined her in fleeing the country werent that different.

Imagine raising a child whose unquestioning mind you cant recognize. (That goes for you, too, Trump supporters, because  count on it!  once in office again, he would undoubtedly move toward ending elections as we know them, not to speak of shutting down whatever institutions protect our speech!)

America and the Lie that Begot Other Lies

Events in recent years indicate that Americans  particularly those in the MAGA camp  have grown inured to the public mention of armed violence. Who could forget the moment in 2016 when candidate Trump boasted at a campaign rally before winning the presidency that I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldnt lose voters? As racially and politically motivated violence and threats have proliferated, so many of us seemed to grow ever less bothered by both the incidents themselves and the rationales of those who seek to encourage and justify them.

My own adult life began as Vladimir Putin consolidated power in Russia, while former President George W. Bush launched his  really, our  disastrous Global War on Terror, based on lies like that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction. Unfortunately, weve spilled all too little ink here on the nearly one million people who died across our Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African war zones since 2001 (and the many millions more who lost their lives, even if less directly, or were turned into refugees thanks to those wars of ours). And dont forget the more than 7,000 American troops (and more than 8,000 contractors!) who died in the process, essentially baptizing our national lies in pools of blood. And how could that not have helped normalize other lies to come like Trumps giant one about the 2020 election?

Thankfully, in this country we can still say what we want (more or less). We can still, for instance, call out the Pentagon for underreporting the deaths its forces have caused. In other words, something like the Costs of War Project that I helped to found to put our lies in context can still exist. But how long before such things could become punishable, if not by law, then through vigilantism?

Yes, President Biden is arming Israel in its gruesome fight against Hamas while providing only the most modest aid to Gazas war-devastated population, but we can still hold him to account for that. If the 2024 election goes to Donald Trump, how long will that be true? If we dont get to the point right now where all of us are calling out lies all the time, then every Trumpian lie about violence  from Republican members of Congress calling the January 6th rioters peaceful patriots to The Donalds claim that he would only be a dictator on day one of his next presidency (a desire supported by a significant majority of Republicans)  will amount to lies as consequential as the 1933 burning of the Reichstag parliament building in Germany, which Hitlers ascendant Nazi party attributed to communists, setting the stage for him to claim sweeping powers.

We are entering a new and perilous American world and its important to grasp that fact. In that context, let me mention a Russian moment when I did no such thing. I still feel guilty about a dinner I had with human-rights colleagues in 2014, including a Russian activist who had dedicated his career to documenting political violence and war crimes committed under successive Russian leaders from Joseph Stalin to Vladimir Putin. I was sitting at the far end of the table where I couldnt catch much of the conversation and I joked that I was out in Siberia. Yes, my dinner companions graciously laughed, but with an undercurrent of discomfort and tension  and for good reason. They knew the dangerous world they were in and, in fact, that very activist has since been sent to a penal colony for his work discrediting the actions of the Russian armed forces. My joke is anything but a joke now and consider that a reminder of how quickly things can change  and not just in Russia, either.

In fact, oppression feels closer than ever in America today and verbal massaging, joking, or willful ignorance can only mask what another Trump presidency could mean for us all.

Copyright 2024 Andrea Mazzarino

Tomdispatch.com
Montreal (Special to Informed Comment; Feature)  The Jewish holiday of Purim, related in the Book of Esther, celebrates deliverance from a genocide. How to celebrate it when death and starvation kill thousands in Gaza, and the holidays rhetoric, namely the memory of the archenemy Amalek, is being used by Israeli politicians responsible for it?

Jewish tradition as shaped by Rabbinic Judaism abhors literal reading of the Torah all the while considering it the holiest object in existence. This, in fact, is what distinguishes the Jews from the Karaims, who remain attached to literalism. One may offer different reasons for the rabbis insistence on interpreting biblical verses. They consider the text timeless, so in order to make it meaningful for future generations they must explain and decode it. This dynamic view of the eternal is reflected in the very term used for Judaic law, the halakha, which is derived from the root move. It may well be that rabbis felt uneasy with the literal reading and so offered their own understanding of a biblical verse. This approach rejects anachronism and fundamentalism and tries to make the Torah a living source of inspiration.

Violence is not rare in biblical texts. The Pentateuch and several of the books of the prophets, such as Joshua and Judges, teem with violent images. From the genocidal command to wipe out seven nations inhabiting the Promised Land to the obligation to blot out the memory of Amalek, there are quite a few episodes that appear to promote massacre. Biblical Israel was conquered under conditions that could hardly be described as peaceful.

But far from glorifying war, Jewish tradition decisively deemphasizes military prowess as the principal reason for the victories mentioned in the Bible. After the Romans destruction of the Second Temple of Jerusalem, Jewish life underwent a transformation. Viewed in the context of Judaism, the annihilation of Jerusalem defined the normative attitude toward force, resistance, and the Land of Israel for nearly two millennia.

Rather than promote revenge, Jewish tradition encourages self-examination. After a calamity or a misfortune occurs, one is advised to examine and correct ones own misdeeds (lefashpesh bemaasaw). This approach suggests that the Temple was razed by the Romans because of gratuitous hatred among the Jews, and that the first exile to Babylonia occurred because of illicit sex, murder, and idolatry.

The Roman siege of Jerusalem in the first century, like the Israeli siege of Gaza, sharply divided the Jews. The scholars of the Law tended to favor negotiated compromise, while the zealots organized a forceful response. Classical exegetes  such as the Italian Ovadia Seforno (14701550)  condemned the advocates of armed struggle in particularly severe terms: If the Zealots had heeded Rabbi Yohanan Ben Zakkai [a prominent scholar opposed to violence], the Temple of Jerusalem would not be destroyed. Considering the central position held by the Temple in Judaism, the accusation is indeed serious and serves as a warning against any collective temptation to use force. The Mishna defines a strong man as someone who succeeds in controlling his own inclinations, passions, and urges (Pirke Avot, 4:1).

But what does Jewish tradition do with explicit violence mentioned in the Torah? The oral tradition interprets it allegorically: the sword and the bow used by Jacob the Patriarch against his enemies (Genesis 48:22) become prayer and supplication (Bereshit Rabbah 97:6); the victory of Benaiah over Moab (2 Samuel 23:20) now stands for Torah study (Babylonian Talmud, Berakhot, 18b).

To some, Purim provides a model for conflict resolution. The story is as simple as it is prophetic. Haman, the Persian vizier, has planned a total massacre: to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day (Esther 3:13). The response of the Jews was to proclaim a fast of repentance, but at the same time to find a way to influence the king and thereby circumvent the vizier and his decree. Queen Esther intervened, revealed to the king her Jewish origins, and convinced him to stop the planned genocide. But it did not occur to any of the Jews to use physical means against Haman, noted Rabbi Elhanan Wasserman in his commentary on the history of Purim written at the end of the 1930s (Jewish Guardian 1977, 89). Yet, the massacre of 75 000 people at the hand of the Jews that is mentioned in the final chapter, albeit explicitly authorized by the king, causes anguish and calls for interpretation.



Edward Armitage, The Festival of Esther, 1865, Royal Academy of Arts 03/1188

One such initiative was undertaken by the Shalom Center in Philadelphia. A range of people wrote their own versions of the final chapter. Many were inspired by classical Judaic sources aware that violence can only beget more violence and cycles of revenge. One commentary suggests that Jews offered gifts of food to their erstwhile enemies, which dovetails with the Purim custom of mishloah manot, sending each other edible items. Moreover, such behavior would be considered heroic. Avot de Rabbi Nathan, an 8th century source, defines a hero as someone who can turn an enemy into a friend (23:1).

Yet, quite a few followers of National Judaism (or, in Hebrew, dati-leumi), including members of the current Israeli government, revere a different kind of a hero. They erected a shrine to commemorate Dr Baruch Goldstein (19561994), a US-born physician, who massacred dozens of Muslims praying in Hebron on the day of Purim. He had apparently been influenced by the biblical readings associated with Purim, calling for the extermination of Amalek. He saw Amalek in Muslims and Palestinians, which inspired his murderous mission.

The association of the Palestinians with Amalek seems to have become so common in Israel that it encourages unbridled cruelty from IDF soldiers sent to Gaza. They chant with joy about how they are destroying Amalek. The direct link between the biblical texts and the challenges facing Israel encourages violence as has been graphically shown at the International Court of Justice in The Hague in January 2024.

Jews have long associated their enemies with Amalek. Among others, Zionists have been often portrayed as Amalekites by those Jews who oppose the Zionist colonization of Palestine. But they would never resort to violence in their struggle against the modern Amalek. Rather, some rabbis called on the faithful to resist the internal Amalek and fight off the emotion, in rabbinical parlance, the evil inclination (yetser hara), which tempts some Jews to identify with Zionism and the state that embodies this ideology. The numerical value (gematria) of the letters constituting Amalek is equal to that of the letters in the word safeq, doubt. These rabbis argue that rejection of Zionism should brook no doubt.

Zionist settlement in Palestine and the unilateral declaration of independence by the state of Israel in 1948 challenged the tradition of non-literalism, certainly among the secularized settlers but only slightly less among those affiliated with National Judaism. From the beginning, Zionism has encouraged love of the land, a love that has taken political and ideological forms. The nature hikes with the Torah in the hand have been intended to impart an intimate knowledge of the terrain mentioned in biblical verses. This organic intimacy breeds literal rapport with the Torah recounting events that are believed to have happened mostly in that land.

But the events narrated in the Book of Esther are located elsewhere. Against the continuing massacres and starvation of Palestinians in Gaza we can celebrate Purim by transforming the violence it contains into a manifestation of empathy. We can write our own finales for the Book of Esther. After all, Purim is a holiday of radical transformation. Haman thought he would be the one to be honored by the king, but it was his worst enemy, Mordechai, whom Haman was forced to praise and parade. Jews were facing a genocide, but then the tables turned, transforming a day of anguish into festivity. The Torah is eternal precisely because it is not immutable and allows for time-sensitive interpretations, including those of the Book of Esther.
( Middle East Monitor )  Its unfortunate that no ones taking in the refugees, lamented former White House advisor during the Trump administration Jared Kushner. He made his comment during an interview at Harvard University last month. The reason? Gaza is being eyed as potential space for valuable waterfront property, so why shouldnt Israel clean up?

Asked to comment on the fact that Palestinians wouldnt be allowed to return once they were forcibly displaced from Gaza, Kushner responded, Maybe, but Im not sure theres much left of Gaza at this point. And to further discredit the enclave, Trumps son-in-law described it as having no historical precedent  It was the result of a war  you had tribes that went different places and then Gaza became a thing. Hes wrong, of course; Gaza has a very long history behind it. Its the Gaza Strip as a territorial entity that is a relatively recent construct.

The simplifications have become obscene. Gaza is the entire symbol and experience of Palestine

It holds Palestinian history and memory within a confined space that is now subjected to what is very obviously genocide according to all legal definitions, while the world debates and questions whether Israel really is, when all is said and done, committing genocide. And if it is, what about 7 October? This obscene normalisation and acceptance of genocide is built upon normalising decades of Israeli colonial violence so, unfortunately, no one should really be surprised. Nevertheless, the shame of it should stain the international community forever.

Kushners humanitarian pretences are equally as hypocritical as those of the international community. The international community, a euphemism for Western countries, refuses to take in Palestinian refugees on the grounds that those countries do not want to be complicit in the forced displacement of the indigenous population of Palestine. But the same countries do not appear to mind Palestinians being subjected to an Israeli genocide, which is the ultimate form of ethnic cleansing. How far fetched would it be for Israel and Kushner to have their way, and we see the international community praising settlements and real estate deals as economics for peace? Of course, there would be no Palestinians left to make peace with in such a scenario, or the numbers would be so low that peace would fall from the equation, leaving only economic benefits for Israel and its accomplices.

There is not much left in terms of Gazas infrastructure, but Kushner is wrong to say theres not much left of Gaza. If the citizens of a country are its essence, then 2.3 million Palestinians are Gaza. His sweeping statement eliminates even the existence of Gaza  and thus its Palestinian population  which is still a territorial reality, albeit one now imbued with a new bloody history that is Israels doing.

Majority Report with Sam Seder Video: Jared Kushner Sees Israel Cleaning Gaza And Developing Its Beachfront Property

Im sitting in Miami Beach right now, Kushner added for context, while explaining to the interviewer what hed do if he was in Israel. This was the epitome of how international politics plays out in Palestine, and what Palestinians have suffered as a result.

Someone sitting in Miami Beach, or anywhere else for that matter, has no right to decide the genocidal fate of Palestinians. However, as much as Kushner should be called out for his complicity, so should the UN, the international entity that recognised a colonial enterprise built upon an ethnic cleansing in process which has now morphed into the worlds most complicit genocidal action.

Waterfront real estate in Gaza when Palestinians homes have been completely destroyed? This is what happens when the UN only speaks in terms of purportedly isolated violations and not in terms of the ongoing Zionist colonial conquest of Palestine.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.
By Jonathan Este, The Conversation | 

(The Conversation)  As the casualty count on the Gaza Strip approaches 32,000 people, in itself a terrible and distressing statistic, another number also stood out this week. It is reported that in the past week, more than 100 aid workers have been killed. Twenty-three on March 19 as they waited at the Kuwait roundabout in Gaza City to receive an aid convoy, but others in raids which have reportedly focused on aid distribution centres and warehouses, according to the Middle East Monitor.

In a situation such as the one unfolding in Gaza, with millions facing critical shortages of food, fuel and medicines, aid agency staff are precious frontline workers. They perform the vital  and very dangerous  task of coordinating aid distribution to 2 million desperate people. Like medical staff in a conflict situation, they are protected by the Geneva conventions.

As always against the background of a chaotic and politically sensitive conflict, it should be noted that these reports  like the overall death toll reports  originate with the authorities in Gaza and must be treated with due caution. But UNRWA, the United Nations relief agency for Palestinian refugees, reports that 165 of its workers have been killed in the five months of the conflict.

This is complicated by Israels claims that UNRWA workers were involved in the vicious October 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas, leading it to go so far as calling UNRWA an active participant in the conflict on the side of Hamas  although so far it has offered no evidence to support these claims. Despite this, the agency  which has an estimated 13,000 workers in Gaza  has had its funding paused by several countries, including the US and UK.

Al Jazeera English Video: WHO chief calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza, aid delivery

All of which makes for distressing viewing on the nightly news. Its fair to say that in many western countries  judging by the massive and regular protests calling for a ceasefire and humanitarian intervention in Gaza  the views of significant numbers of people are out of sync with the actions of their political leaders.

Which sets up an interesting dynamic in an election year for the US. Last week, a speech by Chuck Schumer, a senior Democrat who is the US Senate majority leader and a vociferous, longtime supporter of Israel  and, until recently at least, friend of its prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu  called for Netanyahu to resign and make way for an election, adding:

Nobody expects Prime Minister Netanyahu to do the things that must be done to break the cycle of violence, to preserve his credibility on the world stage, to work to a two-state solution.

Schumers boss, Joe Biden, commented that he had made a good speech, adding that: I think he expressed a serious concern shared not only by him but by many Americans.

But, as John Strawson  an expert in Israeli politics at the University of East London  writes here, all indications are that this is highly unlikely. Manoeuvrings inside Netanyahus ruling coalition, Strawson believes, have actually shored up the prime ministers position when compared with his main rival Benny Gantz.

Schumer also called for the Palestinian Authority to make changes at the top to usher in a new generation of Palestinian leaders who will work towards attaining peace with a Jewish state. But this looks highly unlikely too, given that the PA president, Mahmoud Abbas, has just appointed a decidedly old-school prime minister: Muhammad Mustafa is a 69-year-old political ally who hardly represents a new generation of leadership.

Schumers speech also bears examination for what it tells us about Washingtons attitude towards the Israeli government  at least on the Democrat side. As Dov Waxman, professor of Israel Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, tells Naomi Schalit, political editor of The Conversation US, Schumers speech marks the culmination of a process thats been underway for some time, whereby the Democratic Party has increasingly turned against Netanyahu.

In this illuminating interview, Waxman sets out the nuances in the speech which, he believes, was aimed as much at a domestic audience of Democrat voters as at Israelis, Palestinians or the watching international community, with Schumer deliberately positioning the Democrats as pro-Israel but against the Netanyahu government and what it is doing in Gaza.

Hidden in the speech was a key phrase warning that if this goes on much longer, it will force the Biden administration to play a more active role in shaping Israeli policy by using our leverage to change the present course. By this, says Waxman, Schumer means that US military aid to Israel could be on the line. Now that would be a game-changer.

By sea? By air?

As you would expect, Biden made Gaza one of the key segments of his recent State of the Union address. With a view to voters on both sides of the spectrum, he apportioned blame carefully, noting that the conflict had begun with the Hamas assault on October 7 but adding that the overwhelming majority of the victims of Israels reprisal operation in Gaza have been innocent civilians.

Declaring that its heartbreaking, Biden announced that he had instructed the US military to build a temporary pier in the Mediterranean to enable the delivery of aid by sea. No US boots will be on the ground, he noted, adding that the pier would enable a massive increase in the amount of humanitarian assistance getting into Gaza every day.

But Foteini Stavropoulou of Liverpool John Moores University and Sarah Schiffling of Hanken School of Economics  both experts in aid distribution  believe this will fall far short of the capacity required to meet the urgent needs of the starving population of Gaza. Here, they outline six steps which could help get the required volumes of humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.

There have been airdrops of aid over the past weeks. Stavropoulou and Schiffling believe this is a delivery option of last resort, but for 12 months from 1948, the US and UK maintained an airlift into blockaded west Berlin, feeding more than 2 million people cut off by Soviet forces.

Claudia Milena Adler, an expert in humanitarianism with the University of York, and Abdullah Yusuf, an expert in international relations at the University of Dundee, compare what was achieved during the Berlin airlift with what is required now, and ask whether the west can perform the same miraculous service in Gaza.

They are not optimistic. Feeding Berlin in 1948 took a clear effort of political will and western unity to achieve. Its far from clear, they write, that the same political will exists today when it comes to Israel and Palestine.

Ramadan in Rafah

Back in January, the aforementioned Benny Gantz  a member of Israels war cabinet  said that unless all hostages were released, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would commence an assault on the city of Rafah by March 10  which would coincide with the start of Ramadan. This, as the director of the Middle East Institutes program on Palestine, Khaled Elgindy, said at the time, adds a layer of distastefulness and outrage to an already pretty horrendous situation.

In the event, the assault has not begun. Now we have a situation where almost daily, Biden and other senior world leaders warn Israel not to go into Rafah  where more than a million Palestinian refugees from the rest of the Gaza Strip are huddling and close to starvation. Meanwhile, Israel doubles down on its insistence that it still plans to carry out the assault.

Carlo Aldrovandi, a professor in international peace studies at Trinity College Dublin, explains the significance of Ramadan, not only to the 2 million Palestinians trapped in Gaza but the wider Islamic world. And he warns that Islams holiest month could see increased violence on the West Bank, where tensions remain high.

Jonathan Este, Senior International Affairs Editor, Associate Editor, The Conversation

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 22, 2024) - Archer Exploration Corp. (CSE: RCHR) (OTCQB: RCHRF) (FSE: 6YR0) (the "Company" or "Archer") is pleased to announce the results of its 2024 Winter Exploration Program at the 100% owned Grasset Nickel Project ("Grasset") in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt of Quebec, Canada.

Highlights

Drill hole GR24-10A intersected the newly discovered H1X Zone at 400 metres below surface: 2.67% Ni, 0.44% Cu, 2.32 g/t Pt-Pd over 2.90 metres Including 4.08% Ni, 0.98% Cu, 4.57 g/t Pt-Pd over 0.85 metres Within a larger zone grading 1.19% Ni, 0.17% Cu, 0.99 g/t Pt-Pd over 8.20 metres

The H1X Discovery Zone, discovered in 2023, is a high-grade south-eastern extension of the H1 Zone, as seen by: GR23-03 : 1.55% Ni, 0.18% Cu, 1.2 g/t Pt-Pd over 5.80 metres GR23-07 : 2.97% Ni, 0.10% Cu, 4.1 g/t Pt-Pd over 0.44 metres GR23-08 : 1.06% Ni, 0.14% Cu, 0.7 g/t Pt-Pd over 5.60 metres



"Today's assay results further reinforce our confidence in the presence of a robust mineralizing system that we can't fully appreciate yet," said Tom Meyer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Archer. "As our technical team persists in exploring and defining the boundaries of the Grasset Deposit, we remain highly encouraged from the successes of our fall and winter drilling campaigns. We are particularly enthusiastic about future drilling as we focus on the H1X Discovery Zone at depth and towards the southeast, an area devoid of any historical drilling or exploration along the Sunday Lake Fault."

Winter 2024 Drill Program

The 2024 Winter Program consisted of three diamond drill holes totaling 1,323 metres of drilling. The primary objective of the program was to test the new geophysical anomaly, N9, approximately two kilometres northeast of the Grasset Deposit and to further explore the high-grade H1X Discovery Zone.

H1X Discovery Zone Drilling Results

Holes GR23-07 and GR23-08, drilled in December 2023, confirmed the extension of mineralization in the H1X Zone to a depth of approximately 430 metres, approximately 100 metres below the discovery hole, GR23-03, which intersected 0.30 metres of massive sulphides at a depth of 330 metres. Hole GR24-10A intersected the H1X Zone 50 metres above and 50 metres southeast of hole GR23-08. The mineralized zone is located on the northern contact at the bottom of the main ultramafic sequence.

Hole GR24-10A intersected 2.67% Ni, 0.44% Cu, 2.32 g/t Pt-Pd over 2.90 metres, including a subinterval of 4.08% Ni, 0.98% Cu, 4.57 g/t Pt-Pd over 0.85 metres within a broader zone grading 1.19% Ni, 0.17% Cu, 0.99 g/t Pt-Pd over 8.20 metres. The mineralization is comprised of two zones of massive sulphides, (pyrrhotine and pentlandite) 0.25 and 0.35 cm thick, within a 2.90 metre section of net-texture mineralization. This is the first intersection demonstrating large, high-grade net-texture thickness within the H1X Zone.

Hole GR24-11 was targeting the up-dip extension of the trend defined through the intersections of holes GR23-08 and GR23-03. Unfortunately, due to strong deviation, the hole interested the H1 Horizon 50 metres west of the target and intersected 0.41% Ni over 0.70 metres. As with hole GR23-07, the bottom contact of the ultramafic was strongly sheared with a small zone of disseminated sulphides.

Holes GR23-03, GR23-08 and GR24-10A, which now define the newly discovered H1X Zone, clearly demonstrate the presence of a strong mineralizing system that remains open in all directions below 250 metres in the southeast portion of the H1 Horizon (Figure 1).

Grades and textures, observed at the bottom of the main ultramafic package, indicate the potential for recent intersections to be at the fringe of a new high-grade-hosting ultramafic conduit. All four drill holes in the H1X Discovery Zone intersected nickel grades higher than the Indicated Resources average grade of the H1 Horizon of 0.82% (Tables 1 and 2).

N9 Target Drilling

The N9 electromagnetic conductive plate (Figure 1) was interpreted from a high-power, large loop InfiniTEM-XL surface survey conducted in 2023. The N9 plate ranges from a depth of 300 to 700 metres and occupies an area of approximately 400 by 400 metres. The anomaly is located at the northern contact of an ultramafic sequence (interpreted from magnetic surveys) similar in nature to the H1 Zone.

Hole GR24-09 was designed to intersect the center of the conductive plate, at a depth of about 400 metres below surface. Due to technical difficulties, hole GR23-09 was unable to reach its target and following an unsuccessful attempt to wedge the hole a depth of 336 metres, the decision was made to abandon the hole and move the drill rig to the Grasset Deposit for continued drilling of the H1X Discovery Zone. Notwithstanding the technical challenges, the N9 target remains a priority as it presents very similar characteristics to the S6 plate (Figure 1) that overlays the H1X Discovery Zone.

Figure 1: Grasset Geological Surface Plan

Figure 2: H1 Horizon Metal Factor Vertical Longitudinal Section

Table 1: Assay Highlights from the Winter 2024 Drilling Program at H1X Zone

Hole ID From

(m) To

(m) Length

(m) Ni

(%) Cu

(%) Co

(%) Pt

(g/t) Pd

(g/t) GR24-10A 439.7 447.9 8.20 1.19 0.17 0.03 0.27 0.72 Including 445.0 447.9 2.90 2.67 0.44 0.06 0.62 1.70 Including 447.0 447.9 0.85 4.08 0.98 0.09 0.91 3.67 GR24-11 290.6 291.3 0.70 0.41 0.05 0.01 0.10 0.21

All lengths are downhole lengths and true widths are expected to be greater than or equal to 50-70% of downhole lengths.

Table 2: Assay Highlights from the 2023 Drilling Program at H1X Zone

Hole ID From

(m) To

(m) Length

(m) Ni

(%) Cu

(%) Co

(%) Pt

(g/t) Pd

(g/t) GR23-03 403.0 408.8 5.80 1.55 0.18 0.04 0.35 0.82 Including 404.2 408.8 4.60 1.82 0.22 0.04 0.40 0.95 Including 408.2 408.8 0.60 5.75 0.24 0.13 1.68 3.85 GR23-07 516.2 516.6 0.44 2.97 0.10 0.07 1.14 2.96 GR23-08 490.5 496.1 5.60 1.06 0.14 0.03 0.23 0.51 Including 493.6 496.1 2.50 1.61 0.24 0.05 0.34 0.75

All lengths are downhole lengths and true widths are expected to be greater than or equal to 50-70% of downhole lengths.

Table 3: Drillhole Collar Coordinates

Hole ID Easting

(UTM) Northing

(UTM) Elevation

(m) Azimuth

() Dip

() Hole Length

(m) GR23-01 679759 5539876 291 21 -90 446 GR23-02 679859 5539783 291 322 -88 759 GR23-02W1 679859 5539783 291 322 -88 874 GR23-03 679939 5539491 291 30 -60 576 GR23-04 679374 5537683 291 45 -55 885 GR23-05 679323 5539538 291 50 -70 1,152 GR23-06 679020 5539776 291 45 -62 1,104 GR23-07 679850 5539470 289 39 -62 567 GR23-08 679890 5539444 289 45 -65 565 GR24-09 681459 5540702 309 20 -70.6 366 GR24-09W1 681459 5540702 309 20 -70.6 12 GR24-10 679945 5539490 291 46 -67.7 120 GR24-10A 679941 5539487 291 50 -68 468 GR24-11 679878 5539592 291 52 -61 357

Collar coordinates are UTM Zone 17N.

Azimuths and dips are taken from survey record at collar unless otherwise noted.

Erratum

Archer would like to make a correction to a previously published assay result in the press release "Archer Exploration Extends Mineralization to Depth in H1 Discovery Zone of Grasset Nickel Project' dated January 17, 2024. An inversion of two sample tags at the lab produced an error in our database resulting in an incorrect assay for one sample. Following a thorough audit by ALS Laboratory, the Company has received final verification and a new assay certificate with the corrected results.

Previously reported on January 17, 2024:

Hole ID From

(m) To

(m) Length (m) Ni (%) Cu (%) Co (%) Pt (g/t) Pd (g/t) GR23-08 486.0 487.4 1.40 2.14 0.09 0.03 0.40 0.22

Corrected assay as of March 22, 2024:

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Ni (%) Cu (%) Co (%) Pt (g/t) Pd (g/t) GR23-08 486.0 487.4 1.40 0.03 0.001 0.001 0.02 0.05

The Company's database and figures have been modified accordingly.

Director Resignation

The Company also wishes to report that Mr. Michael Konnert has resigned as a director of the Company, effective immediately, to focus on other professional commitments.

The Board of Directors wishes to thank Mr. Konnert for his contributions to the Company as a director and wish him the best in his future endeavours.

The Grasset Project

The Grasset Deposit, discovered in 2012 and located at the southern end of the Grasset Ultramafic Complex, comprises two subparallel, and sub-vertically dipping zones (H1 and H3 horizons) of disseminated to locally semi-massive sulphides mineralization. The H1 and H3 horizons each remain open at depth and along strike to the northwest.

In 2021, an updated mineral resource estimate, using a 2016 drilling cutoff, was completed with an Indicated Mineral Resource Estimate of 5.5 Mt grading 1.53% nickel equivalent ("NiEq") and an Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate of 217,000 tonnes grading 1.01% NiEq. For additional information regarding Archer's Grasset Project please refer to the Technical Report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Grasset Property, Quebec, Canada" dated effective September 2, 2022, prepared by Carl Pelletier, P.Geo., available under Archer's profile on www.sedarplus.ca.

The vast majority of the Grasset Ultramafic Complex is underexplored and limited exploration prior to 2016 resulted in the discovery of several significant nickel sulphides showings along the entire 23-kilometre-long belt. Most notable is the GUC Central discovery, 7 kilometres northwest of the Grasset Deposit, which hosts a 950-metre-thick ultramafic sequence with several mineralized horizons of nickel sulphides and a best mineralized intercept of 4.14% Ni over 0.65 metres, within 7.58 metres of 1.05% Ni.

The Grasset Deposit is one of the largest nickel sulphides deposits in Canada's Abitibi region and the only North American nickel sulphides deposit, with an Indicated Mineral Resource Estimate of more than 50,000 contained tonnes of nickel and an average NiEq grade of over 1.5%, not controlled by a major mining company.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Archer implements high-quality industry-standard quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") procedures for its diamond drill programs. Archer's geologists insert alternating blanks and standards approximately one per every 10 samples collected. Moreover, a blank is added after logged, potentially high-grade mineralized zones with standards additionally inserted within such mineralized zones. Overall, blanks and standards account for approximately 12% of the samples submitted to the lab.

All samples are being assayed at ALS's Val d'Or laboratory where duplicates are inserted in the sample sequence at a rate of 1 in 40 samples sequence alternating with standards and blanks to result in a QA/QC insertion rate of about 1 in 10 samples. All drill core samples are analyzed using a 4-Acid digestion followed by 33 element ICP-AES analyses (ALS's Code ME-ICP61). Over limit Ni results are further analyzed by 4-Acid ore grade elements ICP-AES process (Code ICP-81 or ME-OG62). Analyses for Au, Pd and Pt are done using the ore grade ICP-AES procedure (Code PGM-ICP23). Gold only assays are performed with Au-ICP21 or AU-GRA21 if any visible gold. ALS is an accredited laboratory (SCC - CAN-P-1579 and CAN-P-4E ISO/IEC 17025) and is independent of the Company.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical content of this press release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Jacquelin Gauthier, P.Geo, Vice President, Exploration, who is a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Gauthier is satisfied that the analytical and testing procedures used are standard industry operating procedures and methodologies, including sampling, analytical and test data underlying the technical information disclosed in this news release.

About Archer

Archer Exploration is a Canadian Ni-Cu-Co-PGE focused exploration and development company with an extensive portfolio of assets in Quebec and Ontario, Canada. The Company's flagship asset is the Grasset Project, located within the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, with an Indicated Resource of 5.5 Mt @ 1.53% NiEq. In addition, the Company holds a portfolio of 37 properties and over 300 km2 in the world-class mining district of Sudbury, Ontario.

The Company's growth strategy is focused on the exploration and development of its nickel sulphide properties within its portfolio. Archer's vision is to be a responsible nickel sulphide project developer in stable pro-mining jurisdictions. Archer is committed to socially responsible exploration and development, working safely, ethically, and with integrity. For more information, please visit www.archerexploration.com.

Tom Meyer

President & Chief Executive Officer

Tel: +1 866.899.7247 (RCHR)

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that Archer expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof. Forward-looking information and statements contained herein includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the continued exploration, drilling and completion of the Winter 2024 campaign; and that funding from the Company's recent private placement is sufficient for operations.

Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, that the results of planned exploration activities are as anticipated, the anticipated cost of planned exploration activities, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms, that third party contractors, equipment and supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct Archer's planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner. Although the assumptions made by Archer in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, among others: risks associated with the conduct of the Company's mining activities; risks and uncertainties associated with certain exploration and drilling tools and/or measures; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks related to the use of proceeds of the Company's recent private placement; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; the Company's interactions with surrounding communities; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; the speculative nature of exploration and development; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East; general economic factors (including inflationary pressure); the price of commodities; and the factors identified under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's public disclosure documents.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of Archer as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. Archer does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - Emperor Metals Inc. (CSE: AUOZ) (OTCQB: EMAUF) (FSE: 9NH) ("Emperor" or the "Company") proposes to complete a non-brokered private placement financing of up to 17,064,000 million units ("Units") at a price of $0.125 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to $2,133,000 (the "Offering"). Each Unit will consist of one (1) common share (a "Share") and one-half (1/2) of a common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each whole Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional Share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.25 for a period of two years from the date or dates of closing of the Offering (a "Closing Date"). The gross proceeds from the sale of the Units will be utilized to fund exploration and development of the Company's Duquesne West Gold Project, and for general working capital.

The Company may pay finder's fees to arm's length finders (each a "Finder") in connection with this placement, which are expected to be up to 6.0% of the gross proceeds raised by such Finder, in cash, and non-transferable share purchase warrants to acquire common shares of the Company of up to 6.0% of the number of Units sold to a purchaser or purchasers introduced by the Finder(s), and exercisable by the Finder(s) at $0.25 per share for a period of up to two years from a Closing Date. The Offering is subject to the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") and any finder's fees payable will be issued in accordance with the policies of the CSE and applicable securities laws.

Evanachan Limited ("EL"; 150 King St. West, Suite 2800, Toronto, ON, M5H 1J9, Tel. (647) 258-0395), a private company controlled by Robert McEwen, will acquire 8,000,000 Units under the Offering, representing 46.9% of the total Offering. Prior to the Offering, EL did not hold any securities of the Company. Following the closing of the Offering, EL will hold 8,000,000 Shares and 4,000,000 Warrants of the Company, which will represent 8.0% of the then total number of issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis, or 11.6% on a partially diluted basis (assuming exercise of its Warrants). The Units are being acquired by EL for long-term investment purposes. EL may acquire additional securities of Emperor, including on the open market or through private acquisitions, or sell securities of Emperor in accordance with applicable securities laws, including on the open market or through private dispositions in the future depending on market conditions, reformulation of plans, and/or other factors that EL considers relevant from time to time.

John Florek, President and CEO, commented, "We would like to welcome Rob McEwen as a shareholder in our Company. His significant investment in Emperor Metals is a ringing endorsement of our aligned vision for growth, value, and success in the heart of Quebec's Abitibi mining district."

About Emperor Metals Inc.

Emperor Metals Inc. is an innovative Canadian mineral exploration company focused on developing high-quality gold properties situated in the Canadian Shield. For more information, please refer to SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), under the Company's profile.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

s/ "Alexander Horsley"

Alexander Horsley, Director

For further information, please contact:

Alexander Horsley

Phone: 778-323-3058

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.emperormetals.com

THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE HAS NOT APPROVED NOR DISAPPROVED THE CONTENT OF THIS PRESS RELEASE

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

CERTAIN STATEMENTS MADE AND INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN MAY CONSTITUTE "FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION" AND "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS" WITHIN THE MEANING OF APPLICABLE CANADIAN AND UNITED STATES SECURITIES LEGISLATION. THESE STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION ARE BASED ON FACTS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO THE COMPANY AND THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT ACTUAL RESULTS WILL MEET MANAGEMENT'S EXPECTATIONS. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION MAY BE IDENTIFIED BY SUCH TERMS AS "ANTICIPATES", "BELIEVES", "TARGETS", "ESTIMATES", "PLANS", "EXPECTS", "MAY", "WILL", "COULD" OR "WOULD".

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN ARE BASED ON CERTAIN FACTORS AND ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE ESTIMATION OF MINERAL RESOURCES AND RESERVES, THE REALIZATION OF RESOURCE AND RESERVE ESTIMATES, METAL PRICES, TAXATION, THE ESTIMATION, TIMING AND AMOUNT OF FUTURE EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT, CAPITAL AND OPERATING COSTS, THE AVAILABILITY OF FINANCING, THE RECEIPT OF REGULATORY APPROVALS, ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS, TITLE DISPUTES AND OTHER MATTERS. WHILE THE COMPANY CONSIDERS ITS ASSUMPTIONS TO BE REASONABLE AS OF THE DATE HEREOF, FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION ARE NOT GUARANTEES OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE AND READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON SUCH STATEMENTS AS ACTUAL EVENTS AND RESULTS MAY DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE DESCRIBED HEREIN. THE COMPANY DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS OR INFORMATION EXCEPT AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - Onyx Gold Corp. (TSXV: ONYX) (OTCQX: ONXGF) ("Onyx" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to the Company's news releases dated February 26, 2024 and March 20, 2024, the Company has upsized and closed the final tranche (the "Final Tranche") of its non-brokered private placement of securities for aggregate gross proceeds of $1,507,849 (the "Offering").

Pursuant to the Offering, the Company issued 3,777,829 premium flow-through shares (the "Premium FT Shares") at a price of $0.27 per Premium FT Share for gross proceeds of $1,020,014 and 2,269,000 traditional flow through shares (the "FT Shares") at a price of $0.215 per FT Share for gross proceeds of $487,835. Each FT Share and Premium FT Share will qualify as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act").

The gross proceeds raised from the Offering will be used for exploration activities in Ontario that will qualify as "Canadian Exploration Expenses" and "flow through mining expenditures" (as such terms are defined in the Tax Act), which will be incurred on or before December 31, 2025 and renounced with an effective date no later than December 31, 2024 to the initial purchasers of FT Shares and Premium FT Shares.

In connection with the Offering, the Company paid a total of $6,235 in cash commissions to certain arm's length finders.

The securities offered in the Final Tranche are subject to a four month and a day transfer restriction from the date of issuance expiring on July 22, 2024, in addition to such other restrictions as may apply under applicable securities laws of jurisdictions outside Canada.

The Offering remains subject to receipt of final TSX Venture Exchange approval and all other necessary regulatory approvals.

Multilateral Instrument 61-101

Certain directors of the Company (the "Interested Parties") purchased or acquired direction and control over an aggregate of 50,000 Premium FT Shares and 75,000 FT Shares in the Offering, accounting for 3.39% of the proceeds raised in the Offering. The placement to the Interested Parties constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the directors of the Company have determined that the Interested Parties' participation in the Offering will be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 in reliance on the exemptions set forth in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report 21 days prior to the closing of the Offering as the details of the participation of the Interested Parties had not been confirmed at that time.

About Onyx Gold

Onyx Gold is an exploration company focused on well-established Canadian mining jurisdictions, with assets in Timmins, Ontario, and Yukon Territory. The Company's extensive portfolio of quality gold projects in the greater Timmins gold camp includes the Munro-Croesus Gold property, renowned for its high-grade mineralization, plus two additional earlier-stage large exploration properties, Golden Mile and Timmins South. Onyx Gold also controls four properties in the Selwyn Basin area of Yukon Territory, which is currently gaining significance due to recent discoveries in the area. Onyx Gold's experienced board and senior management team are committed to creating shareholder value through the discovery process, careful allocation of capital, and environmentally/socially responsible mineral exploration.

About the Timmins Area Gold Properties

Onyx owns 100% of its three Timmins properties, totaling 420 km2 in size. The Munro-Croesus Gold Project is located approximately 75 kilometers (47 miles) east of Timmins, proximal to the Porcupine-Destor and Pipestone Faults, and approximately two kilometers (1.2 miles) northwest and along trend of Mayfair Gold Corp.'s multi-million ounce Fenn-Gib gold deposit. Mining occurred intermittently at Munro-Croesus between 1915 and 1936. The Golden Mile 140 square kilometer (54 square miles) property is located nine kilometers (5.6 miles) northeast of Newmont's multi-million-ounce Hoyle Pond deposit in Timmins. The Timmins South (Golden Perimeter) 187 square kilometers (72 square miles) property is located to the south and southeast of Timmins and surrounds the Shaw dome structure.

On Behalf of Onyx Gold Corp.

"Brock Colterjohn"

President & CEO

For further information, please visit the Onyx Gold Corp. website at www.onyxgold.com or contact:

Brock Colterjohn, President & CEO

or

Nicole Hoeller, VP of Corporate Communications

Phone: 1-604-629-1165 or North American toll-free 1-855-629-1165

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.onyxgold.com

Twitter: @OnyxGoldCorp

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.

Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forwardlooking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things, the use of proceeds from the Offering and final TSX Venture Exchange approval of the Offering.

These forwardlooking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the Company not receiving the necessary regulatory approvals in respect of the Offering; recent market volatility; and the state of the financial markets for the Company's securities.

In making the forward looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that the Company will receive the necessary regulatory approvals in respect of the Offering.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.
TORONTO / Mar 21, 2024 / Business Wire / Sherritt International Corporation (Sherritt or the Corporation) (TSX:S) is pleased to announce the appointments of Louise Blais and Steven H. Goldman to its Board of Directors effective immediately. The appointments of Ms. Blais and Mr. Goldman are in accordance with Sherritts Board succession planning with the retirements of Maryse Belanger and John Warwick, both of whom are not seeking re-election at the Corporations 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM). Ms. Belanger will be retiring from the Board as of today and Mr. Warwick will be retiring from the Board at the AGM on May 9, 2024.

Sir Richard Lapthorne, Chair of Sherritts Board of Directors commented, We are delighted to welcome Louise and Steven to our Board of Directors. Louises 25 years of experience as a senior diplomat have cultivated strong government relationships in Canada and internationally which will be invaluable to Sherritt. Her government experience working in North America and in other markets of interest to Sherritt align well with our strategic objectives. Steven brings a differentiated blend of business and legal acumen to the Board as well as extensive experience fostering new avenues for companies to achieve success. His insights will be instrumental to Sherritt as our planned future growth ultimately enables us to consider new markets and strategies.

Sir Richard Lapthorne continued, Additionally, I would like to extend my gratitude to both Maryse and John for their extensive contributions and tireless commitment.

Louise Blais was Canadas Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York from 2017 to 2021. During this time, she also served as Vice President to UNICEFs Executive Board. As a senior diplomat, she served abroad in Washington and Tokyo and as Minister-Counsellor for Political Affairs at the Embassy in Paris. In 2014 she was appointed Consul General of Canada in Atlanta, covering North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. Ms. Blais is currently an Associate at the Pendleton Group and Special Senior Advisor, International Affairs, to the Business Council of Canada and the QG100 in Quebec. Ms. Blais holds a B.A. from McGill University.

Steven H. Goldman is a founding member of the Toronto law firm of Goldman Hine LLP which he retired from in January 2021. He is currently President, CEO and director of Comstock Metals Inc. and a director and audit committee member of Select Sands Corp. Mr. Goldman was formerly a director and audit committee member of Tribute Pharmaceuticals Inc. and a director of Allegro Health Corp. Mr. Goldman received his B.A. (Presidents Medal) from Carleton University and his JD from Queens University.

About Sherritt International

Sherritt is a world leader in using hydrometallurgical processes to mine and refine nickel and cobalt  metals deemed critical for the energy transition. Sherritts Moa Joint Venture has a current estimated mine life of 25 years and has embarked on an expansion program focused on increasing annual mixed sulphide precipitate production by approximately 20% of contained nickel and cobalt (100% basis). The Corporations Power division, through its ownership in Energas S.A., is the largest independent energy producer in Cuba with installed electrical generating capacity of 506 MW, representing approximately 10% of the national electrical generating capacity in Cuba. The Energas facilities are comprised of two combined cycle plants that produce low-cost electricity from one of the lowest carbon emitting sources of power in Cuba. Sherritts common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol S.
Nov. 8, 2016 - Mitchell Resources Ltd. ("Mitchell" or the "Company") (TSXV: MI) is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement (the "Agreement") with the shareholders of Hannan Metals Ltd. ("Hannan Canada"), a private British Columbia company, to acquire all of the issued and outstanding... Read More
For the past few months, much of the worlds attention has been focused on the disappearance of a single person from public life, with masses of speculation about the consequences of a missing princess for the functioning of an august institution - the British royal family. On a much smaller scale, the narrow coterie of international justice watchers has noted the disappearance of Hague-based judge Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua, and is similarly concerned about its consequences for the long awaited verdict for one Malian man and for the smooth administration of justice of another august institution - the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The trial of Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud began over three years ago. He is charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity, including sexual slavery, for his role in Timbuktu northern Mali as leader of the religious police in the Ansar Dine Islamist group which took control of the city in 2012. His defence team, lead by Melinda Taylor, has argued that torture and duress against their client while he was detained in a Malian prison undermines the prosecution case. Both sides wrapped up their arguments after three years in court  and seven years for Al Hassan in detention. 52 witnesses were called by prosecution, two witnesses by the victims representative and 22 by the defence.

A wait and see approach

Those final arguments were before a three-person panel, as stipulated in the governing text of the ICC, presided over by judge Mindua. Eight months later, at short notice, the court abruptly cancelled the original date for the pronouncement of the judgement - 18 January - In light of the current health situation of Mindua, who is temporarily unavailable.

That temporary has continued. So that now ten months on from the final hearings - which in the judges handbook, is the expected limit of the length of time to deliver a judgement - there has been little information. It has only emerged in dribs and drabs, via obscure filings. In their latest request for the information, the defence has resorted to quoting from French media which published reports that the judge may have been ill for some months, and that he hoped to deliver a judgement in June. A wait-and-see approach is not sustainable at this juncture, the defence says.

Judge Mindua remains generally unavailable

The defence have made it clear that they have been provided with no direct information by the court. At the same time as victims counsel, they had enquired how to gain such information and had been told on February 5, by email, to make a formal request. It was responded to by single judge Kimberly Prost: The parties and participants raise valid concerns and queries. The single judge can only agree that it is of the utmost importance, in the circumstances, and particularly at this stage, for all to receive updated information promptly. Best efforts have been made to obtain such information with as much detail as possible. However, judge Mindua remains generally unavailable such that the other judges of the Chamber have had only limited communication with him over the past four weeks.

The list of questions raised by the unexplained and indeterminate absence of a judge is myriad. In a trenchant and prescient article from 2015, the now-deceased Megan Fairlie of Florida International University noted that delayed verdicts tend to undermine public confidence in the relevant system of justice. She was writing about the disqualification of a judge and immediate substitution of another at the then International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in the case against Serb politician Vojislav Seselj. But she used her critique of the lack of forethought in that tribunal, to predict that unless changes are made, it is only a matter of time before an ICC Trial Chamber is rendered incomplete mid-trial. Its only a matter of time, especially with these long trials concurs Hemi Mistry of the University of Nottingham. Im surprised that this sort of issue hasnt happened sooner, she adds.

Al Hassan liable for compensation?

But how serious is the human impact? Despite this being unusual because it comes just before a trial judgement, says Mistry, its important to consider the real impact. Undoubtedly, she suggests delays of this kind do impact upon a defendant. It would cause distress. Al Hassan could even be liable for some compensation she suggests. Danya Chaikel, the FIDH representative to the International Criminal Court, describes the delay as mysterious and says that it can extend victims trauma and uncertainty, affecting their mental health and well-being. The delay also directly impedes the implementation of reparations in the event of a conviction, stalling the healing process for victims and their communities.

But separate from the uncertainty, is a delay prejudicial to Al Hassans rights to a fair trial? There Mistry is much more hesitant - so far. The evidence has all been presented. Three judges completed that task. That assessment could change. If it wasnt just a case of doing a final proofread of the judgement, and there is still a substantive decision making still to take place that does raise questions, she says. Its not yet a violation of the right to fair trial, agrees David Donat Cattin, adjunct professor at New York University. Even though, he says certainty and predictability of proceedings is some sort of corollary to the principle of fairness in proceedings and the fact that every party needs to know exactly what will happen next and when and how. But because this issue comes at the very end, unfortunately, a real assessment of the importance of whats going on can only be made ex post facto.

An outgoing judge clinging to his post?

Judge Minduas absence comes against the backdrop of the changing of the guard among the judges at the ICC. Six new judges were elected in December at the Assembly of States Parties and Mindua is one of those leaving the court after 9 years of service. Established practice is that an outgoing judge finishes his trial work before departing.

At the same time, the incoming presidency of judges Tomoko Akane, president of the Court, Rosario Salvatore Aitala and Reine Alapini-Gansou, vice-presidents, has introduced - for the first time at the ICC - alternate judges for three trial chambers, but not for the Al Hassan Chamber. Donat Cattin recalls the experience of the biggest trial at the ICTY of former Serbian president Slobodan Milosevic, where the presiding judge fell sick and suddenly passed away. That considerably delayed the trial, which was the most important one at the time, and in the end it was never completed because of the death of the defendant. Fairlie was arguing 10 years ago that alternate judges in international criminal proceedings - despite their price tag - are worth their weight in gold.

In the case of the ICC Donat Cattin points out that those drafting the Rome Statute in 1998 were prescient. In paragraph one article 74 its quite stunning, he says, to see that in the composition of the chamber, the presidency can assign an alternate judge under the statute. Its not the rules, not the regulations, not the practice manual, its in the Rome Statute itself, he emphasizes.

The alternative judge is imperative

Then the question is why this provision was never applied, asks Donat Cattin: I would ask the question to all the former presidents of the court. While in the meantime, the Hague court is facing a considerable crunch in its lack of arrestees. None has entered the pipeline for a number of years. Instead, the judges have accepted the prosecutors proposal to organize an in absentia pre-trial hearing for Lords Resistance Army leader Joseph Kony. And several arrest warrants issued in the Ukraine situation have been made public, although unlikely to lead to arrests.

I think its a matter of good lawmaking. The more complex a case, the more justified the presence of a fourth judge, stresses Donat Cattin. Because you dont want to lose, at any moment in time, all the work done, the evidence, the witnesses, the documents acquired. If and when we will have big trials like Omar al-Bashirs or one day, hopefully, Vladimir Putins, I would say that the alternative judge is imperative.

The defence motions requesting information are angled at trying to understand who knew what when, and whether judge Mindua has kept his fellow judges, including the presidency, informed. However, if he has not been keeping his fellow judges informed, the question is raised about whether the presidency should be intervening.
"The Impossible Heir" star Hong Su Zu is garnering attention for the wrong reasons.

The Disney+ series features a powerhouse cast, with Lee Jae Wook and Lee Jun Young playing as the main characters. Rookie actress Hong Su Zu joins the lineup as one of the main leads, alongside Choi Hee Jin.

As the drama nears its finale, viewers continue to express their disappointment in one cast member for her poor acting skills.

Hong Su Zu sparked negative reactions on social media as viewers criticized her portrayal of Na Hye Won.

In the 12-episode K-drama, Na Hye Won is Han Tae Oh's (Lee Jae Wook) love interest but got married to his best friend Kang In Ha (Lee Jun Young).

The trio met during their high school years and agreed to push their plan to take over one of South Korea's largest conglomerates.

Growing up, Hye Won experienced living in a struggling family. She is the daughter of a gambler who had to deal with her mother's huge debt. This is also the reason she joined Tae Oh and In Ha on their plan.

IN CASE YOU MISSED: Lee Jae Wook, Lee Jun Young & Hong Su Zu Confident About Their Chemistry: 'I found it easy to focus on...'

As "The Impossible Heir" entered the second half, viewers noticed Hong Su Zu's lack of improvement in her portrayal. With this, viewers flocked to social media to express their displeasure with her performance.

Hong Su Zu's 'Awkward Expression' in 'The Impossible Heir' Has People Disappointed

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, a user shared a TikTok video with a compilation of Hong Su Zu's portrayal of Na Hye Won.

The post with the caption, "Go girl, give us nothing," continued to gain the attention of viewers who expressed the same stance on the actress' acting skills.

Users were brutally honest about their thoughts on Hong Su Zu's acting, citing that she lacks chemistry with Lee Jae Wook and Lee Jun Young.

In addition, netizens also pointed out her "awkward expression" during heavy emotional scenes.

With some calling her acting "worse," others mentioned that the Disney+ series has potential because of its intriguing plot but was "wasted" because of the "incomprehensible bad acting" of the lead actress.

On the other hand, while Hong Su Zu faced backlash from viewers, supporting actress Choi Hee Jin, who played the role of Kang In Ha's stepsister Kang Hee Joo, was praised for her unique chemistry with Lee Jae Wook.

Some even mentioned that they wanted to see more screen time between Kang Hee Joo and Han Tae Oh.

Where to Watch 'The Impossible Heir'

Released on February 28, Disney+ introduced the webtoon-based K-drama "The Impossible Heir," which depicts the story of a trio who wanted to take over Kangoh Group, one of the largest conglomerates run by Kang In Ha's father.

However, amid their plan, Han Tae Oh gets caught up in a frame-up, resulting in his falling out with Kang In Ha.

Airing every Wednesday, viewers get to see the latest episode through Disney+ and Hulu.

READ MORE: K-Drama Actors Who Dated K-pop Stars: Ahn Bo Hyun, Lee Jae Wook, More

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article

Written by Geca Flores
In an interview with Netflix, seasoned actor Ahn Jae Hong dished on his brand new acting series "Chicken Nugget."

He also shared how he prepared for his character, and other various stories about the work.

Ahn Jae Hong Shares Affection For 'Chicken Nugget'

On March 22, Ahn Jae Hong talked about his new Netflix series "Chicken Nugget" in a brief interview.

The show, which was based on the webtoon of the same name, follows a man who desperately finds out how to turn a chicken nugget back into its human form.

In the series, Ahn Jae Hong transformed into a clumsy company intern who has a huge crush on his boss' daughter who suddenly becomes a chicken nugget.

The Netflix show marks the actor's second acting project this 2024, following his raunchy drama "LTNS" with Esom. Because of this, he worked hard to reinvent his image in the work.

According to Ahn Jae Hong, it's his first time making a lot of effort into perfecting a role due to its unique charisma despite its subtle tones. He even sang and danced in the work.

He revealed that he attended popular choreographer Aiki's dance classes, and also received tips on how to naturally move and flow without looking awkward.

The actor also received singing lessons for the work wherein he sang an OST for the very first time. He said, "I listen to the OST called "Chicken Nugget Rhapsody" a lot. I think it's charming."

READ MORE: 3 Most Hilarious 'Chicken Nugget' Moments Featuring Ryu Seung Ryong & Ahn Jae Hong





Check out "Chicken Nugget Rhapsody" now below:

Ahn Jae Hong Reveals Secret About Role's Costume

Following the success of "Chicken Nugget," Ahn Jae Hong let fans in on a secret regarding his brand new acting role.

Ahn Jae Hong revealed that his character, Go Baek Jung, wore a belly fat costume throughout the filming to synchronize perfectly with the character in the webtoon.

"Since my character only wears one piece of clothing, the size is absolutely unnoticeable," Ahn Jae Hong shared. "However, after the exercise sequences in episode 1, I wore a small-sized vest."

If Ahn Jae Hong didn't reveal the trick to his costume design, no one would ever know he was wearing such clothing. He added, "Jung Ho Yeon was even surprised when I took off my belly fat costume."

In the show, Jung Ho Yeon played Ahn Jae Hong's ex-girlfriend Hong Cha who was obsessed with his "fat" appearance and cute belly fat.

ALSO READ: Ryu Seung Ryong Shares Hilarious Statement Following 'Chicken Nugget' Release: 'I can't eat chicken anymore'

On the other hand, it's not only Ahn Jae Hong who had to wear a costume during filming. In a previous interview, Kim Yoo Jung shared that she had to wear a chicken nugget costume.

Undoubtedly, "Chicken Nugget" is an eccentric yet exhilarating work that has a lot to offer. Within days of its premiere, the work already took the No. 1 spot in the most streamed works.

It even bested "Queen of Tears" and "Exhuma," two of the most successful works in the first half of 2024. Make sure to watch "Chicken Nugget" now on Netflix.

KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Elijah Mariscotes.
The long wait is over for the long anticipated noir film "Wonderland" as it's finally set to hit the cinemas this 2024.

Starring Bae Suzy, Choi Woo Shik, Park Bo Gum, Gong Yoo, Jung Yu Mi and Chinese actress Tang Wei, the film is expected to deliver a high caliber production to satisfy the fans.

Here's what we know so far about the movie. Keep on reading.

Bae Suzy & Choi Woo Shik's 'Wonderland' Confirms Premiere

After a long wait, the noir movie "Wonderland" is finally coming to the theaters.

On March 22, media outlets reported that "Wonderland" is in discussions for a June release after a long haul of production.

In response to the reports, ACEMAKER MOVIEWORKS, the film's distributor, confirmed that the film will be released in the said month, and marketing preparations are underway.

With that, excitement for the work is doubled. The film is helmed by Kim Tae Yong, the director of the 2011 film "Late Autumn" which stars Chinese actress Tang Wei and Hyun Bin.

Tang Wei is once again working with the director through the work. The film also boasts the participation of its stellar cast Bae Suzy, Park Bo Gum, Choi Woo Shik, Gong Yoo and Jung Yu Mi.

YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THIS: Ryu Seung Ryong Shares Love-Hate Relationship With Comedy Genre: 'I Will Do It Again When It's Time'

Meanwhile, the film follows the lives of people who use the "Wonderland" technology in order to reunite with their deceased loved ones through reconstructing big data.

'Wonderland' Cast, What To Expect From Film & More

Since the announcement of its production, many fans have been looking forward to seeing the film due to its stellar cast.

In the film, Bae Suzy and Park Bo Gum portray a young couple who can no longer communicate in real life after Park Bo Gum's character falls into a coma.

Meanwhile, Jung Yu Mi and Choi Woo Shik play the beings who control the events that take place within the simulated reality in "Wonderland." Lastly, Gong Yoo transforms into a man in his 40s who misses his deceased wife, played by Tang Wei.

Besides the sci-fi elements in the work, a gut-wrenching emotional production is expected from the work so make sure to bring boxes of tissue at the theaters.

On the other hand, the film is also expected to deliver comfort to viewers who are experiencing grief and loss at the moment.

READ MORE: Kim Sejeong To Reunite With 'Business Proposal' Director In New K-drama - More Details Inside!

Are you excited for "Wonderland"? Stay tuned for more updates!

KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Elijah Mully.
Ontario is extending a program that helps rural and northern hospitals avoid temporary ER closures for another six months. An ambulance is seen at the emergency department of the Lakeridge Health hospital in Bowmanville, Ont. on January 12, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Doug Ives
Kennesaw States Garrard Conley candid about his best-selling memoir and upcoming novel

KENNESAW, Ga. | Mar 22, 2024

With his big cloud of black hair standing straight up, the gleam in his bright eyes, and the fluidity of his body as he speaks, its easy to be intrigued by Kennesaw State assistant professor of creative writing Garrard Conley. Its easier still to be entranced by how candidly he speaks about religion, sexuality, activism, and why he asks his students to write with compassion even about the most flawed human beings.

Conley is the author of Boy Erased, a 2016 Lambda-nominated memoir adapted into a major motion picture starring Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe. It tells the story of a closeted gay son of religious parents being forced into conversion therapy.

When director Joel Edgerton first told me he was considering Nicole Kidman for my mom and Russell Crowe for my dad, I just laughed, Conley said. I thought it was ridiculous, that it would never happen. I knew my mom would be flattered, but I wasnt going to even tell her. Then, a few days later, Nicole said yes.

Conley first broached the idea of his life story as a book when he was a graduate student.

When I started sharing drafts of early chapters, I wanted to know if my classmates would judge my father in a way that I felt was unfair, Conley said. Through my writing, I hoped they would come to understand my father as a complex human being who defies many of the labels they may have about a Missionary Baptist preacher from small-town Arkansas. A lot of readers have preconceived notions about the South, and I want my work to offer a challenge to that readership.

The path from finding the courage to tell his story to seeing it portrayed on the big screen was long and winding, but the journey is an important aspect of what he teaches his students at Kennesaw State.

I never want my students to think luck wasnt involved, Conley said. But theres also a certain amount of grit and determination. Hopefully, you have talent, but thats really the smallest part of the equation.

Luck and grit intersected for Conley in 2013 when he attended a writers conference in Boston. Thats where a friend invited him to a party where he sat next to an influential writer and critic. Conley pitched the concept of his memoir, and the critic, immediately intrigued, invited him to meet her agent. A couple of sleepless weeks later with nonstop work drafting several more chapters of his memoir, Conley had a contract with that agent.

Getting an editor to agree to publish Boy Erased was one of the bigger challenges.

It felt niche to a lot of people, Conley said. They didnt see the potential for LGBTQ stories at the time, and I remember repeatedly hearing versions of gay memoirs dont really sell.

One publisher, Penguin Random House, finally said yes. Conley had a year to complete the book.

It felt like a dream to me, Conley said. I was nervous I wouldnt be able to write it. I kept asking, do I have it in me to write this?

Conley forged ahead, writing in the early mornings before dawn and teaching high school during the day. His book was published, and he soon realized it had not only opened eyes and started mainstream conversations, but his book was also saving lives.

I got an email pretty early on from this 16-year-old student named Max, Conley said. His parents were pretty conservative, and they wouldnt approve of the book at home. So, he would go to the library to read it, and his suicidal ideation would lessen. Hed go back to the library to read it until his suicidal thoughts disappeared altogether. He said he no longer felt alone. And I kept hearing things like that. After this letter, I was able to convince my publicity team that conversion therapy was a life-or-death situation, an issue we needed to push widely in the general public. We ended up working with the Human Rights Campaign, The Trevor Project, and many other fantastic organizations to ban conversion therapy. In many states, this became a rare bipartisan cause.

Conley said the marketing of the book and later the film became urgent for him. He didnt want anyone to feel alienated for questioning their beliefs.

I wanted everyone to know that we arent attacking religion or conservative values, Conley said. What were attacking is torture. Particular methods being used against LGBTQ youth are torture, and if we can get that across, then we can create change. I think all of this publicity around Boy Erased was a big reason conversion therapy was banned in many states.

Boy Erased was on the New York Times bestseller list for four weeks. Conley said one of his greatest life experiences during this time was getting to see his mom on a stage with Nicole Kidman in front of crowds of thousands.

All my moms life shed been told she had made a mistake by taking me out of conversion therapy. And suddenly, theres this whole world here to applaud you for being a hero and saving your child, Conley said. My mom stole the show from Nicole Kidman, if you can believe it. Thats how charming my mom is. It was the gift of a lifetime. She literally saved my life, so to have that moment where she was celebrated so widely was incredibly profound.

After monumental success with his debut book, Conley is about to embark on his second journey as an author. His upcoming novel, which launches on March 26, is historical fiction but embraces similar themes of religion and sexuality as it tells the story of a minister falling in love with another man in Puritan New England. All the World Beside, out from Penguin Random House, is set to be released in March.

I have over 500 sources for this book. I asked my graduate research assistant here at Kennesaw State, Aly Gilmore, to help organize all my research, Conley said. She was a miracle worker and tagged everything into categories like LGBTQ life in the 18th century, material culture, even things like what a table would look like in the 18th century. The texture of history is very important to my prose.

Conley said the time period and genre may differ, but the theme of his new book is similar to Boy Erased.

Yes, theres a central LGBTQ love story in the middle of my new book, but the story is much bigger, just like Boy Erased, Conley said. Its about family, forgiveness, and love. Its an attempt to unerase people who existed in the past.

Conley is as passionate about teaching as he is about writing. He had wanted a nonfiction tenured track position when he was looking for a teaching opportunity. After a brief visit from his residence in New York, he happily accepted an offer from Kennesaw State in 2020.

I feel perfectly calibrated to the students here. I grew up in the South, and a lot of my students are very much like the people I grew up with, Conley said. I love that this university is dynamic and changing, and the students want to share their stories. They arent shy or pretentious. There isnt a level of privilege that you get in other teaching institutions.

Conleys writings have literally changed and saved lives. Hes also mindful of his power to mold lives in the creative writing classes he teaches at the university.

We talk about being vulnerable in our pieces, Conley said. I push my students to write with compassion and to treat their subjects with respect. Good fiction and good nonfiction have to make us see perspectives we didnt consider. The students here are willing to listen, grow, and learn. I think theres some special magic at KSU that Im not quite sure I entirely understand, but its here.

Conley will be on a book tour throughout the spring, but will be returning to the classroom at Kennesaw State next fall.

This article also appears in the current issue of Kennesaw States Summit Magazine.

 Amanda Cook

Photos by Darnell Wilburn

Related Stories

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 45,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The universitys vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.


Friday, March 22, 2024  An eight-year-old boy traveled 3,500 miles from Mali to Italy in search of a school after a jihadist group attacked his hometown.

According to Mail Online, Oumar decided he had to leave his tiny village near Tambaga in the west of Mali after the attack on his hometown four months ago.

He reportedly walked through the Sahara desert and spent time in prison before finally boarding a dinghy to try and cross the Mediterranean Sea to get to Europe.

After making the journey, he was able to phone his father to inform him he was alright.

During the attack four months prior, he had fled on foot from the terrorists but became separated from his family. Instead of going back to his village, Oumar kept walking, right through the Sahara desert.

On his journey, he joined different groups of travellers along the way and eventually ended up in Libya.

In Libya, he was captured by a gang that forced him to work as a welder and a painter. He later broke free from his captors and attempted to sail across the Mediterranean Sea to Europe.

During the trip, his dinghy was captured by the Libyan coast guard and he was thrown into the notoriously brutal Ain Zara jail in Tripoli.

Oumar then got smuggled out of the prison in a garbage bin by two adults, and eventually made it back to the coast at Zawiya, just outside of Tripoli, to board a second dinghy.

There he joined another dinghy along with a bigger boy  also named Oumar  who recognised him from prison and acted like a big brother for the rest of his trip.

The pair joined 23 other children and 60-plus adults on a desperately dangerous sea voyage to Europe.

After days adrift in the Mediterranean Sea, the two Oumars thought they would be taken back to Libya when they spotted a coast guard boat.But it was the NGO lifeboat Ocean Viking and the boys and the rest of the boat's crew were finally safely rescued.

The boat had just responded to another drifting migrant vessel from Libya which seen some 60 to 100 people die.

Angela Nocioni, an Italian journalist who was on board the lifeboat at the time, told The Telegraph : 'He is an incredible child. When he told me his story, I did everything I could to confirm all the details.

'Every survivor on the dinghy told me, 'It's true, he is all alone.'

When Oumar was picked up by the lifeboat he didn't want to leave Angela's side and was found to be suffering from dehydration, hunger, and hypothermia.

The older Oumar confirmed that the younger Oumar had been all alone since Ain Zara prison.

When the Ocean Viking finally docked in the seaport of Ancona on the northeastern Italian coast of the Adriatic sea, the two Oumars held hands as they walked off the boat.

The pair then hugged and parted ways. When the younger Oumar arrived at the local leisure centre for processing, a mediator from Mali was waiting.

Ancona migrant centre director Alessandro Fucili told the paper that Oumar said both his parents were still in Mali.

Oumar said he could remember his father's phone number by heart and Mr Fucili then gave him his phone to call.

His father answered, and Oumar told him he was in Europe before asking 'can I go to school, Papa?'

Doctors checked over Oumar and it became clear his body had been through a lot, with scars and a broken bone in his heel that needed a cast.

Mr Fucili called him a 'very intelligent' and said he was 'very brave'.

He said the centre was trying to find a place for him in a local school, alongside other migrant children.




Friday, March 22, 2024 - Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have arrested a rogue Kenya Power official in Diani, Kwale County, for soliciting a Ksh.100, 000 bribe from a local resident to restore power supply to their premises.

Evans Otieno Ochieng, a debt controller at Kenya Power's Ukunda office, was nabbed by EACC sleuths after receiving an advance payment of Ksh.70,000 from Godliver Anyango to reconnect her disconnected power meter.

He reportedly demanded the bribe on Tuesday after disconnecting Ms. Anyango's power supply on Monday.

The suspect was apprehended after the Commission received the concurrence of the Director of Public Prosecutions to charge him with the offences," EACC Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi said.

Investigations commenced upon receipt of allegations that Ochieng, the KPLC Kwale Debts Controller, based at Ukunda Office solicited a financial advantage of Ksh.100,000 as an inducement so as to reconnect the power he had disconnected on 18th October 2021 due to accrued bills at Pine Grove Estate, Ngumbi added.

The suspect was on Thursday afternoon presented before Kwale Law Courts and is currently waiting to take a plea on two counts of bribery charges.







The Kenyan DAILY POST.


Friday, March 22, 2024  For the first time ever, Canada plans to reduce its temporary residents and set a cap on temporary immigration.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller disclosed this on Thursday, March 21, while discussing the latest government effort to address a housing shortage and stretched essential services.

In recent years Canada has seen a sharp rise in international students, foreign workers and other temporary residents who come to the country on time-limited visas as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government relied on immigration to drive economic growth and plug labor gaps.

However, the population growth has led to a strain on housing and services provided by the provinces, such as education and healthcare.

To ameliorate this, the government wants to reduce temporary residents to 5% of the total population over the next three years from 6.5% in 2023, Miller said. That would be a cut of about 20% from Canada's 2.5 million temporary residents in 2023.

Miller will convene a meeting with his provincial and territorial counterparts in May to finalize the plan.

"We need to ensure the number of temporary residents entering the country is at a sustainable level," Miller told reporters in Ottawa.

"Starting this fall for the first time, we will expand the immigration levels plan to include both temporary resident arrivals and permanent resident arrivals," he said, referring to the federal government's immigration targets.

In January, Canada announced a two-year cap on the intake of foreign students and said it would stop giving work permits to some students after graduation as it seeks to rein in record numbers of newcomers.




Friday, March 22, 2024 - Former United States ambassador to Haiti, Dan Foote, has dismissed the Kenya government's plan of sending 1000 police officers to the Caribbean nation for peacekeeping.

In an interview with CNN on Friday, Foote said the 1000 Kenyan officers fall short of what is required to liberate the Caribbean nation from marauding gangs.

Foote pointed out that every time there has been a military intervention in Haiti, at least 20,000 troops have been deployed to Port-au-Prince, adding that none of these missions achieved success.

"A thousand isn't going to cut it and while they have commitments for double or triple that, that's still not going to cut it. Every time there has been a military intervention in Haiti in the past 20 years, it's had a minimum of 20,000 troops or police going in there," Foote said.

The former envoy additionally suggested that Kenya's motivation to lead the security mission is largely spurred by financial incentives from the UN Security Council and not genuine peacekeeping efforts.

"I believe that this is more of a cash grab by President Ruto whose country will receive a lot of money for doing this," he said.

The US government initially pledged $100 million (Ksh.13 billion) to support the Kenyan-led multinational force to restore security to Haiti, further urging other nations to make similar contributions.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Friday, March 22, 2024 - Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has dismissed speculation suggesting that she is contemplating quitting President William Rutos government over the ongoing doctors' strike.

Speaking during an interview, Nakhumicha noted she would not step down as she was ready to fulfill her mandate and deliverables assigned to her by Ruto.

Nakhumicha insisted that it was time for the country to know who exactly she was, vowing to resolve the stalemate with the doctors soon.

Leadership capacity and capability is tested during a crisis. So, these are the times when people will know who Nakhumicha is, noted the CS.

"I think they have just been seeing me. We are going to resolve this issue permanently," Nakhumicha promised.

According to the CS, the doctors' strike was a result of the grievances raised in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed in 2017 that has since lapsed.

Nakhumicha clarified that the 2017 CBA which allowed intern doctors to receive Ksh206,000 could not be fully implemented because of the increase in the number of graduates who have since been posted as interns.

The CS also stated that interns were not employees and therefore they were not entitled to remuneration.

However, the CS noted there was room for fresh negotiations and signing a new CBA following the expiry of the previous one.

Nakhumicha stated that the Ministry was committed to addressing some of the concerns raised by the doctors.

Moreover, those that are not within the Ministry's means posed a challenge.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Friday, March 22, 2024  Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, on Thursday, March 21, replaced Bernard Arnault as the worlds richest person.

According to data from Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Bezos has a net worth of $201 billion.

His net worth rose by $2 billion, from $199 billion on March 20.

The publication said Bezos source of wealth is from his e-commerce and cloud computing company, Amazon, as well as investments in media and streaming markets.

Arnault dropped from the top position after a $3 billion decline in his net worth, which fell from $202 billion to $199 billion within 24 hours.

Following the drop, Arnault, the owner of Louis Vuitton and Moet Hennessy (LVMH), is now ranked second on the list of the richest people in the world. Arnault is described as an investor and art collector, with an empire of 75 fashion and cosmetics brands, which includes Sephora.

The French businessman also owns jeweller, Tiffany & Co. after acquiring the company for $16 billion in 2021.

Elon Musk, owner of Tesla and X (formerly Twitter), follows the Frenchman closely in third position, with a net worth of $189 billion.

Facebook Founder, Mark Zuckerberg comes fourth with an estimated wealth of $179 billion while Bill Gates, Microsoft founder, comes fifth with an estimated net worth of $153 billion.


Friday, March 22, 2024 - President William Ruto will receive a whopping Ksh10 billion monthly from the Housing Levy after he assented to the Affordable Housing Bill.

This was revealed by Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga.

During an interview, Hinga remarked that this was Ksh4 billion more than the previous deductions declared unlawful by the courts in January.

Before the court stopped it, we had peaked at Ksh5 billion a month. Then there was a government contribution of about Ksh1 billion making it between Ksh6 billion to Ksh6.5 billion a month, Hinga explained.

Going forward, we are estimating we will be collecting anywhere between Ksh9 billion and Ksh10 billion a month.

Hinga explained that the Ksh4 billion increase was due to the inclusion of non-salaried Kenyans in payment of the levy.

While salaried Kenyans will have 1.5 per cent of their salary go towards the Housing Levy, Kenyans who earn through partnership and consultancy fees will have a 1.5 per cent deduction imposed on their gross income.

Kenyans working in the informal sector will on the other hand have the Housing Levy deducted from the already existing Turnover Tax (TOT).

The PS explained that for all categories of Kenyans, the deductions were starting with immediate effect and must be captured in the March 2024, earnings.

For employers, submission of their deductions must be availed to the Kenya Revenue Authority by April 9.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Thursday, March 21, 2024  Jonathan Majors has reacted to the latest lawsuit from his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari.

The 34-year-old actor was seen leaving a Los Angeles gym with fitness expert Jason Best. He told TMZ that he was training for 'work' linked to his acting career.

He added, 'Fingers crossed,' a reference to the rocky professional and legal path amid domestic violence allegations Jabbari made against him in March of 2023, stemming from an altercation in the back of an SUV.

In December, Majors was found guilty of two counts of harassment and assault in connection with the incident; he is slated to be sentenced next month.

Asked if it felt good getting back into acting, the Emmy-nominated actor said there's 'nothing better in the world,' except for being a father to his daughter Ella.

He mentioned his fondness for girlfriend Meagan Good, 42, saying she's his 'heart' and that they have a strong sense of 'connection,' 'understanding' and 'love.'

Majors said that he's 'not surprised' by the new lawsuit brought about by Jabbari, who said that the actor perpetrated acts of 'intentional infliction of emotional distress' against her.

The Lompoc, California-born entertainer said of the suit: 'I knew it was coming from the beginning, really.'

Majors, grilled for more details on his opinion of the lawsuit, told the outlet that he 'cant say much else about it - that's the law.'

On Tuesday, Jabbari, a British dancer, filed a civil complaint that said that she is now seeking damages for the injuries she suffered from the incident and has alleged that Majors committed 'intentional infliction of emotional distress' against her.

He was acquitted of two other counts for assault and aggravated harassment after Jabbari, 30, said she suffered 'excruciating' pain when the Marvel movie star struck her on the head and broke her finger in the car after she saw a flirty text message from another woman on his phone this year.

In the complaint, Jabbari also alleged that her ex-boyfriend 'made knowingly false statements' about her during a January interview with ABC News- his first since he was convicted.

'Put bluntly, Majors's defense to Grace's descriptions of the numerous acts of violence Majors perpetrated against her was to brazenly defame her and label her a liar on all claims,' the complaint said.

'Defendant intended his false and defamatory statements to be broadcast around the world.'

The complaint went on to allege malicious prosecution by the actor after he filed a complaint against her and said that he was the one that was assaulted during the altercation.

In October 2023, Jabbari was arrested in New York on misdemeanor assault and criminal mischief charges, but the Manhattan DA's office did not prosecute her because the case lacked prosecutorial merit.

Brittany Henderson, Jabbari's attorney, told ABC News: 'It takes true bravery to hold someone with this level of power and acclaim accountable. Bravery that Grace Jabbari has demonstrated at every stage of the legal process.'

'We strongly believe that through this action, truth and transparency will bring Grace the just that she deserves.'

During the trial, jurors were tasked with examining conflicting narratives about whether Majors was the aggressor or the victim during the chaotic SUV struggle with Jabbari in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan on March 25, 2023.

Within days, they reached the guilty verdict for assault recklessly causing physical injury - but not assault with intent to cause physical injury.

Majors' lawyer Priya Chaudhry claimed the mix of guilty and not guilty verdicts meant jurors did not entirely 'believe' Jabbari's account, and that Majors still hopes to clear his name.

'It is clear that the jury did not believe Grace Jabbaris story of what happened in the SUV because they found that Mr. Majors did not intentionally cause any injuries to her,' Chaudhry said. 'We are grateful for that. We are disappointed, however, that despite not believing Ms. Jabbari, the jury nevertheless found that Mr. Majors was somehow reckless while she was attacking him.

'Mr. Majors is grateful to God, his family, his friends, and his fans for their love and support during these harrowing eight months. Mr. Majors still has faith in the process and looks forward to fully clearing his name.'


Friday, March 22, 2024  A British mum who was accused of the murder of her three-year-old son has been convicted after claiming she was following the Bible to discipline her child.

Christina Robinson, 30, was accused of causing a fatal injury to her son Dwelaniyah, three, by violently shaking him at her house in Bracken Court, Ushaw Moor, Durham, in November 2022.

Robinson has now been convicted of murder and four child cruelty charges.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how she scalded and caned him.

Robinson immersed the boy in hot scalding water which caused severe burns that would have caused excruciating pain in the weeks before his death.

Robinson in court, admitted to hitting her son with a bamboo cane but claimed she was following a Bible scripture which advised the use of the rod for the correction of children.

She is a member of the Black Hebrew Israelite religion and said she used the cane because her son was messing around with his food.

The jury found she caused a fatal brain injury to her son and waited 20 minutes before she dialed 999. Also before she called emergency services, she googled how to resuscitate a child and also phoned her husband who was 240 miles away working for the UK Air Force.

Robinson appeared calm when paramedics arrived at her home but they could not save the young boy.

His post-mortem examination showed he had been the victim of a series of assaults and had sustained a number of non-accidental injuries.

Mr Justice Garnham told the jury: I know from looking at you, this has been a stressful process, you need to get away and do something else, and think about something more cheerful.

I am extremely grateful for all you have done. he added

Justice Garnham will pass sentence on May 24.




Friday, March 22, 2024  Rebel ODM legislator and Kisumu Senator, Tom Ojienda, has confirmed that he indeed supported and voted for President William Rutos controversial Affordable Housing Bill, which is now law.

Speaking yesterday, Ojienda explained why he threw his weight behind the revised iteration of the Affordable Housing Bill, despite coming from a region where leaders vehemently opposed it.

While justifying his decision, the rebel legislator pointed out that Affordable Housing was a key component of his party Leader Raila Odingas manifesto.

My party has a framework in the ODM manifesto, Affordable Housing is one of the pillars and you know very well that the party leader spoke well about the project, explained Ojienda.

He also added that his support for the project was based on the availability of jobs for people from his county which will be guaranteed by the law.

According to Ojienda, every Kenyan can apply to receive a house with the government, having confirmed that issuance will be on a first come first serve basis.

He also clarified that the government was working to ensure that each county had an Affordable Housing project constructed.

Moreover, Ojienda added that within some counties such as Homabay and Nairobi, some projects were almost complete.

His argument also centred around explaining that the project would seek to revitalise the estates in the country which had been run down.

However, ODM and the Azimio Coalition at large both opposed the bill before it was passed noting that it will impose a heavy tax burden on Kenyans.

Ojienda is one of the ODM rebels who were expelled from the party for aligning themselves with Ruto before they were saved by the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Friday, March 22, 2024 - Environment Principal Secretary Festus Ng'eno unearthed details of a separate bank account used by President William Ruto to receive Ksh3.9 billion in funds for the Africa Climate Summit (ACS) held in September 2023.

Speaking during a session held by the National Assembly, Forestry and Mining Committee, MPs sought to determine the total amount of funds allocated by the government for the Summit and establish if the funds were utilised efficiently.

While making his submissions, PS Ng'eno revealed that the government approved a total budget of USD 28 million, translating to Ksh3.9 billion for the event.

To properly manage the funds, they formed a partnership with Pricewaterhouse Coopers Limited (PwC).

Turkana Central MP Joseph Emathe requested PS Ng'eno to provide the Committee with a closing balance certificate to ascertain the transparency in the use of the funds.

"From your submission, we received money from various sources, donor funds, and Bilateral funds among others amounting to millions of dollars. I can see that other monies were not directly remitted to your account. How then can this Committee confirm the closing balance without a certificate?" Emathe questioned.

On his part, the PS noted that he received a letter from Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung'u allowing them to open an account to receive the funds.

He added that matters about the Summit were done under the discretion of President William Ruto.

"Kenya was allowed to host the Summit through the African Union (AU) hold the rights to host the Summit and this is because of the pivotal role played by the president on matters of environment and climate change," he stated.

"Therefore, we were only beneficiaries in other African Countries. Hon. Chair I can confirm that the AU only supported the secretariat."

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Friday, March 22, 2024  The Queen of UK, Camilla has given an update on King Charless health during her visit to Northern Ireland on Thursday, March 21.

King Charles, who was diagnosed with cancer, previously attended the London Clinic that is now under investigation after three staff members allegedly tried to access Kate Middletons medical records.

She said he is doing very well when talking to crowds in Belfast today.

The Queen spent time at shops on the Lisburn Road in the Northern Ireland capital on Thursday morning.

During a visit to The Arcadia deli, shop assistant Brenda Robb handed over a get well card for Charles, and extended her best wishes.

King Charles was seen leaving Clarence House on Thursday, flanked by police cars as the cancer-stricken king drove off from his Westminster home.

King Charles has been absent from public duties since January while he undergoes treatment for an unspecified form of cancer, while Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, also recuperates from a health problem




Friday, March 22, 2024 - The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has issued a clarification over the Affordable Housing program, following the High Court ruling which gave the green light for President William Rutos pet project.

In a notice, the Authority noted that the deductions took effect on March 19, 2024, meaning all employers will be deducted 1.5 per cent of their gross monthly salary which will be matched with an equal amount from the employer.

Further, all employers will be required to declare their levy and make payments at KRA agent banks or mobile money through the eCitizen Paybill Number 222 222 or the USSD code *222#.

Kenyans who make contributions to the Levy will be entitled to a housing tax relief at 15 per cent of the amount deducted.

This is eligible for Kenyans who, after a year of making the contributions and saving under the Boma Yangu platform for a housing unit, shall make an application for relief.

KRA instructed Kenyans to comply with the Affordable Housing Levy deductions, failure to which a penalty equivalent to three per cent of the unpaid funds for every month will be charged.

"The due date for remittance of Affordable Housing Levy is the 9th working day after the end of the month in which the gross salary was due or gross income was received or accrued," the notice read in part.

"KRA clarifies that all employers are required to declare the AHL under sheet 'M' of the PAYE return on itax; generate a payment slip under the tax head 'agency revenue' and tax sub-head 'Housing Levy' and make payments at KRA agent banks or mobile money through eCitizen Paybill Number."

"The employer's contribution to the Affordable Housing is an allowable deduction under Section 15 of the Income Tax Act."

The Kenyan DAILY POST.
Construction of China's smart customs enters phase of comprehensive implementation

15:02, March 22, 2024 By Wang Junling ( People's Daily

As the customs of the world's largest trading nation in goods, the Customs of China inspects the largest volume of goods each year, with the most diverse scenarios and most comprehensive modes.

The construction of China's smart customs has entered a phase of comprehensive implementation this year, and the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) will build nine landmark projects to make customs supervision services more intelligent and automated, said an official with the GACC at a regular press briefing recently.

The Shanghai Customs for the first time launched inspection for exhibition halls and exhibits with new technologies such as augmented reality (AR) goggles and digital tags during the fourth China International Import Expo in 2021. Photo shows a customs officer checking the information of a milk powder product with AR goggles. (Photo from the official account of the publicity department of the Pudong New Area of Shanghai on WeChat)

In recent years, the rapid development of new technologies such as big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things has provided new ways and means for customs supervision services, offering strong technological support.

"We will continue to strengthen and explore the application of technological innovation in different customs scenarios," said Chen Zongwang, deputy head of the Department of Science and Technology of the GACC, adding that the construction of smart customs will fully leverage the guiding and supporting role of technological innovation.

For example, through intelligent image recognition, various goods can be identified, which will enable a 24/7 working mode, reduce frontline pressure, and enhance port targeted supervision capabilities.

Additionally, intelligent trademark recognition technology for intellectual property rights can quickly search trademark information in the intellectual property rights filing system online, thus identifying infringing trademarks.

In recent years, the GACC has been continuously promoting digital transformation and intelligent upgrading, optimizing regulatory services and supporting the construction of the international logistics system.

Customs officers of Huaibei, east China's Anhui province launch inspection in a workshop of a local company. (People's Daily Online/Xiao Benxiang)

Du Hongwei, deputy head of the Department of General Operation of the GACC, noted that the GACC will focus on three main areas of work in order to further promote high-level opening-up.

Firstly, the GACC will strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation. It will collaborate with the World Customs Organization on a "smart customs" project, actively promote a smart customs partnership initiative within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation framework, and deepen institutional cooperation on inspection and quarantine with customs of neighboring countries such as Central Asian and ASEAN countries.

It will also promote the electronic origin networking with members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and expand international cooperation on mutual recognition of AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) status.

Secondly, the GACC will serve high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. On one hand, it will expand the connection with international trade single windows and promote cooperation between China and Belt and Road partner countries in this area. On the other hand, it will further support the establishment of efficient international logistics corridors that are compatible with new production and logistics methods, and facilitate the coordinated development of international logistics corridors such as the China-Europe freight train service, the new western land-sea corridor, and the China-Laos Railway.

Thirdly, the GACC will facilitate the construction of high-level opening-up platforms. The administration has been actively exploring and designing intelligent solutions to the innovation of regulatory systems and the application of advanced technologies, focusing on the development of opening-up platforms including the Hainan Free Trade Port, the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, comprehensive bonded zones and pilot free trade zones. It will continue to unleash the dividends of reform and contribute to the advancement of high-level institutional opening-up.

A visitor learns about artificial intelligence products at an expo on smart customs clearance held in Beijing, Nov. 26, 2023. (People's Daily Online/Guo Junfeng)

Promoting the construction of smart customs helps reduce trade costs and facilitates the clearance of personnel and goods. Currently, customs clearance in China is becoming smarter and smarter.

Thanks to the construction of an intelligent platform for cross-border trade in Hunchun, northeast China's Jilin province, border residents can complete online declarations on their mobile phones, reducing the average clearance time by nearly 70 percent. The platform also allows customs officials to establish stronger service and supervision collaboration with departments such as taxation, banking, and fisheries associations through data connectivity.

Multiple airports, such as Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport, are utilizing new intelligent facilities and equipment, including integrated smart channels, intelligent robots, and non-intrusive advanced inspection systems, to provide convenient services for inbound and outbound travelers during the customs clearance process.

"By taking technology as our eyes and using information as our ears, we can create the best customs clearance environment for law-abiding travelers," said Xia Qian, an official with the Shanghai Customs.

According to Du, the GACC will promote the application of new technologies and facilities through optimizing non-intrusive supervision, and improve the level of automation in law enforcement operations in various fields such as maritime, land, air, rail, and postal services.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)




Friday, March 22, 2024 - Former Nandi Hills Member of Parliament, Alfred Keter, has claimed that President William Ruto fears some of his cabinet secretaries.

In an interview with Spice FM on Thursday, Keter, who is a fierce critic of President William Ruto, explained that the Head of State shares a history with his CSs, hence careful not to offend them.

You might think he looks like a strong person who can stand against anything, but on a closer look he fears those cabinet secretaries, he said.

He added that the president had defended one of his ministers when the media had raised issues on the said CS.

The president should dissolve his entire cabinet if he wants to help this country, he uttered.

The former lawmaker also said Rutos government is full of cartels and the President is among the cartels who are looting public money.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Friday, March 22, 2024 - President William Ruto lost it yesterday after he reprimanded his Cabinet Secretaries for disobeying his direct order.

Speaking during the launch of the Medium-Term Plan IV at State House in Nairobi, Ruto expressed his displeasure after Cabinet Secretaries failed to comply with his instructions on the nationwide tree planting exercise.

The Head of State noted each Cabinet Secretary had been handed the role of facilitating the planting of trees in two counties.

According to Ruto, the CSs were instructed to draft and submit their plans and strategies of how they would ensure the project was a success.

However, the head of state noted that he had yet to receive any meaningful strategies and plans from the CSs on the nationwide programme.

This did not go down well with Ruto who expressed his disapproval of the Cabinet Secretaries' failure to act.

Every Cabinet Minister has already been assigned 2 counties and we will be expecting clarity. Every Cabinet Secretary and their team are doing on the tree planting exercise, Ruto stated.

I note with a bit of concern that I am yet to receive any meaningful strategy and plan from Cabinet Secretaries, he added.

The CSs, according to Ruto, were to facilitate the plantation of between 400 million to 600 million trees in each county.

While commenting on the matter, the Head of State called on each minister to ensure they submit their plan promptly before the long rains begin, as predicted by the weatherman, failure to which they will have him to contend with.

"I will be expecting that every Cabinet Secretary will mobilise tree seedlings, communities, private sector, development partners and friends to participate in this excess in each county," Ruto stated.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Friday, March 22, 2024  President William Ruto has unveiled an ambitious plan to distribute cooking gas cylinders to 500,000 low-income households in a 4-year plan.

In the National Reporting Indicator Handbook for the newly launched Fourth Medium Term Plan (MTP IV) 2023-2027, it was highlighted that the distribution of the gas cylinders promised by Ruto would begin in the current financial year.

According to the plan, 100,000 cylinders will be distributed by July 1, 2024.

The government also revealed that an additional 100,000 cylinders will be delivered to low-income households in the 2024/2025 Financial Year.

The remaining 300,000 will also be distributed in batches of 100,000 for every financial year between July 2025 and July 2028.

Notably, apart from the gas cylinders, the government will also be distributing various accessories including burners.

Earlier, Energy Cabinet Secretary David Chirchir noted that the government will also be introducing different sizes for the gas cylinders explaining that most Kenyans still find difficulty in refilling 6kg cylinders which many Kenyans use.

Meanwhile, it was also revealed that the government would also roll out a similar programme for schools that often use firewood.

Under the National Liquified Petroleum Gas Enhancement, 5,000 public boarding learning institutions will be provided with clean cooking gas infrastructure.

100 of similar facilities are set to be provided to schools by July 1.

Ruto had promised to deliver the subsidized gas cylinders to every home by July 2023.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Friday, March 22, 2024 - Governor Johnson Sakaja has urged doctors from Nairobi County who are on strike to resume work within 24 hours or be fired.

In a memo, Sakaja told the doctors to report to their workstations from Friday or be replaced.

I have given the doctors of Nairobi 12 hours to show up in our hospitals.

"Those who want to continue working in the county of Nairobi you have 12 hours to show up in our hospitals because the mandate that I have is to ensure that I provide healthcare to the people of Nairobi, said Sakaja.

Sakaja, who spoke after meeting with the leadership of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), stated that there is a more effective way to show support for the national branch's issues without jeopardising patient care in Nairobi.

The governor said his administration has no issues with the ongoing strike, hence it is wrong for doctors to jeopardise the lives of Nairobians.

I want to implore upon our KMPDU, Nairobi branch that there are different ways to show solidarity with the national branch that has issues with the national government without jeopardising or putting in line the lives of Nairobi, whose government you have no issues worth going to strike on, he added.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Friday, March 22, 2024  Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna met face-to-face with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for the first time and told him to his face that they are not friends.

Speaking during the funeral of Embakasi MP Benjamin Gathirus father in Nyeri County, which was also attended by DP Gachagua, Sifuna said even though he has no problem with Gachagua, the two are not friends.

"Deputy President, I cannot call myself your friend. We are not friends; today is the first time we have met. However, I want to tell you that I bear no ill will towards you.

"There is nothing that breeds animosity between us, affirmed Sifuna.

The ODM Party Secretary General noted that issues that were pitting him against DP Gachagua were now decreasing.

Sifuna pointed out that he was happy to hear the Deputy President say the Finance Act 2023 needs to be relooked and some issues sorted.

"I was delighted the other day when I heard you saying that during the implementation of the finance bill last year, the citizens themselves are raising concerns that the shoe is pinching them and they want us to amend that tax law, especially for avocado farmers, Sifuna told DP Gachagua.

Further, the ODM Senator said he had issues with Gachagua over his stance that those who overwhelmingly voted for the Kenya Kwanza regime should benefit first.

"The other issue that was causing a difference is when you were saying people like Sifuna don't have shares in this country.

"But then I heard you yourself saying that for us to build this country, every Kenyan should feel that they are part of the Kenyan government, Sifuna added.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Thursday, March 21, 2024  Two squatters are wanted for murder after they allegedly killed a woman who walked in on them living in her mother's New York City apartment, police sources told ABC News.

The victim, Nadia Vitel, a 52-year-old woman from Spain, came to the U.S. to prepare her mother's Manhattan apartment for a family friend, sources said.

The Kips Bay apartment had been vacant for the last few months after Vitel's mother died, sources said. When Vitel went inside, she found a man and a woman living there, the sources said.





A struggle erupted, and it appears Vitel was thrown into a sheetrock wall, sources said.

The two suspects then allegedly stole Vitel's Lexus and drove to New Jersey and then Pennsylvania, where they crashed near Harrisburg.

On March 14, 2024, Vitel's worried son, who hadn't heard from his mother in two days, accessed the Kips Bay apartment with the superintendent and other relatives, and found his mom's body. Vitel's body was in a duffel bag in a closet, with her foot sticking out of the bag, sources said.





She died from blunt force trauma to the head and her death was ruled a homicide, officials said.

The two suspects remain at large.


Thursday, March 21, 2024  A California teen girl died from injuries she sustained during a fight with a bully inside a bathroom that was caught on camera at a Los Angeles-area high school earlier this month.

Shaylee Mejia, 16, suffered a fatal brain haemorrhage that was reportedly linked to several severe fights she was involved in at Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles, her anguished mother, Maria Juarez, told KTLA.

During the suspected fatal brawl on March 5, Mejia was seen hitting her head on a bathroom stall before falling to the floor. The teen complained about a headache but still attended classes for several days, her mother said.

Four days after the fight, Mejia attended a party where she fainted and a friend rushed her to the hospital.

She remained unconscious until her death on March 15.

Doctors say Mejia suffered a fatal haemorrhage resulting from a brain injury, according to the outlet.

Juarez, a single mom of two, claimed Mejia often returned home covered in bruises after she enrolled at the public school in south LA eight months ago.

The distraught mother allegedly took pictures and documented her daughters injuries to report them to school officials and campus police, but her pleas for help reportedly went unheard, according to KTLA.

Juarez, a housekeeper and sole provider for her family, said she only learned about the March 5 fight after her daughters death. The grieving mother blamed the tragedy on the school after she reported the videos to the officials and claimed nothing was done with the bullies.

Everybody knows about my daughter hitting her head, the teachers too, Juarez told the outlet. Everybody knows.

An official cause of death has not yet been made, and an investigation is ongoing.

Part of the investigation will examine claims that Mejia had fallen down a flight of stairs.

I am saddened to report the recent death of one of our students off campus. On behalf of our entire school community, I want to offer my deepest condolences to those who are impacted by this loss, including the students family, friends, and teachers, Manual Arts High School principal Alejandro Macias said in a statement obtained by KTLA.

Mejias brawl occurred days before 16-year-old teen Kaylee Gain was severely injured during a high school fight. Gains head was repeatedly pounded on the pavement in the March 8 assault near Hazelwood East High School in Spanish Lake, Mo., outside St. Louis. She suffered a fractured skull, resulting in life-threatening brain swelling and bleeding, and has not regained consciousness, according to a statement shared by the family attorney on Monday, March 18.


Thursday, March 21, 2024  A 14-year-old Mississippi girl allegedly murdered her mother  who was a teacher at her school  and shot her stepfather, police said.

Ashley Smylie, 40, a high school algebra teacher, was found by her husband in her Brandon home, east of Jackson, Tuesday afternoon, March 19. She was already dead from a gunshot wound when he found her.

The husband was then confronted by Smylies 14-year-old daughter, Carly Madison Gregg, who was brandishing a pistol, news station WJLT reported.

He wrestled the weapon away from her, but she shot him in the shoulder, according to the report. The alleged teen killer then jumped over a backyard fence and fled.

She was tracked down by authorities near the home and arrested for murder and attempted murder.

She appeared Wednesday, March 20, in court, where she pleaded not guilty to the charges. Her bond was set at $1 million.

The young suspect reportedly attended Northwest Rankin High School in Flowood, where her slain mom had taught.

Our deepest prayers and condolences are with our Northwest Rankin family during this difficult time. We love our Cougar family. You are not alone, the city of Flowood said in a statement.


Thursday, March 21, 2024  The US Justice Department and more than a dozen states have filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple, saying its devices and software are a monopoly that gives it vast profits at the expense of customers.

The DOJ, along with 16 state and district attorneys general, accuses Apple of driving up prices for consumers and developers at the expense of making users more reliant on its phones. The parties allege that Apple selectively imposes contractual restrictions on developers and withholds critical ways of accessing the phone as a way to prevent competition from arising, according to the release.

Apple exercises its monopoly power to extract more money from consumers, developers, content creators, artists, publishers, small businesses, and merchants, among others, the DOJ wrote.

The government points to several different ways that Apple has allegedly illegally maintained its monopoly:

Disrupting super apps that encompass many different programs and could degrade iOS stickiness by making it easier for iPhone users to switch to competing devices

Blocking cloud-streaming apps for things like video games that would lower the need for more expensive hardware

Suppressing the quality of messaging between the iPhone and competing platforms like Android

Limiting the functionality of third-party smartwatches with its iPhones and making it harder for Apple Watch users to switch from the iPhone due to compatibility issues

Blocking third-party developers from creating competing digital wallets with tap-to-pay functionality for the iPhone

For years, Apple responded to competitive threats by imposing a series of Whac-A-Mole contractual rules and restrictions that have allowed Apple to extract higher prices from consumers, impose higher fees on developers and creators, and to throttle competitive alternatives from rival technologies, DOJ Antitrust Division Chief Jonathan Kanter said in a statement.

The case is being filed in the US District Court for the District of New Jersey. Attorneys general from New Jersey, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia joined the DOJ in the complaint.

The enforcers are asking the court to stop Apple from using its control of app distribution to undermine cross-platform technologies such as super apps and cloud streaming apps, prevent it from using private APIs to undermine crossplatform technologies like messaging, smartwatches, and digital wallets, and keep it from using the terms and conditions of its contracts with developers, accessory makers, consumers, or others to obtain, maintain, extend, or entrench a monopoly.

They also ask the court for any other relief needed to restore competition. On a background call with reporters, DOJ officials would not address if they would seek to break up Apple if it wins at the liability stage. They said any relief would need to be tied to what the court ultimately finds Apple to be liable for.

At a press conference on Thursday announcing the lawsuit, DOJ Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said Apple has maintained a chokehold on competition and smothered an entire industry through its shift from revolutionizing the smartphone market to stalling its advancement.

Kanter added that Apple was a significant beneficiary of the DOJs suit against Microsoft over 20 years ago, and this case aims to protect competition and innovation for the next generation of technology.

US Attorney General Merrick Garland acknowledged the resource imbalance the government is up against, facing a company worth trillions of dollars. When you have an institution with a lot of resources that, in our view, is harming the American economy and the American people, its important for us to allocate our resources to protect the American people, Garland said. And that is certainly the case where individual Americans have no ability to protect themselves.

In a statement, Apple spokesperson Fred Sainz said the lawsuit threatens who we are and the principles that set Apple products apart in fiercely competitive markets. If successful, it would hinder our ability to create the kind of technology people expect from Apple  where hardware, software, and services intersect. It would also set a dangerous precedent, empowering government to take a heavy hand in designing peoples technology. We believe this lawsuit is wrong on the facts and the law, and we will vigorously defend against it.

Apple plans to move to dismiss the case, an Apple spokesperson told reporters in a background briefing with several news outlets on Thursday. The company also disagrees with the relevant market the DOJ defined for the case, believing it should be the global smartphone market, not just the US one, a spokesperson said.


Thursday, March 21, 2024  A Zimbabwean woman based in South Africa has reportedly committed suicide after being caught in bed with her husbands coworker.

H-Metro reported that the woman identified as Mai Aisha was captured in a viral video making out with her husband's colleague. The pair faced a violent confrontation from Mai Aishas husband, referred to as Baba Aisha, and his friends upon being caught.

Baba Aisha recounted that the incident unfolded after receiving a tip-off while Mai Aisha tried to justify Madzibabas presence by claiming he was there to fix a light.

Following the confrontation, Mai Aisha took her life the next day. Baba Aisha, devastated by the turn of events, shared his account, revealing that he had physically confronted his wife and discussed her infidelity, agreeing that she should return to her familys home. He even arranged a bus ticket for her, intending for her to leave, only to return from work to find her deceased.

Baba Aisha described the scene, recalling discovering an empty bottle of poison beside her lifeless body, along with a note indicating her actions. He expressed his overwhelming sense of loss and confusion, unsure of how to proceed.

He said;

I assaulted her when I caught her with my friend. We talked about her cheating and agreed that she goes back kumba kwavo. I then booked her a bus ticket but found her dead when I came back from work. I saw an empty bottle and a note by her side saying she (swallowed) the poison, I dont know where to start now.
Despite their idealized oath to do no harm, physicians are still human, and as such, mistakes, errors, and the unpredictability of life still occur. Although the stories that grab headlines are of doctors intentionally harming patients, such instances are exceedingly rare. Far more prevalent, however, are the cases of physicians who begin their careers with the best intentions, only to encounter challenges along the way. According to the American Medical Association, an impaired physician is defined as someone who cannot provide medical care with appropriate skill and safety due to physical and mental health-related issues that affect their performance.

Physicians become impaired due to three primary challenges: substance abuse, psychological issues, and physical health problems. The most common challenge is substance abuse, which includes alcohol as well as narcotics, depressants, and stimulants. Substance abuse, in particular, is further heightened by easy access to controlled substances. Psychological issues can also undermine a physicians professional capabilities, including bereavement, divorce, or mental health disorders like depression or anxiety. Lastly, physical health issues, both acute and chronic, can impair a physicians ability to practice effectively, including cognitive decline or musculoskeletal disorders like Parkinsons.

Society often places doctors on a pedestal, believing theyre immune to the vulnerabilities that affect the rest of the population. However, there is no evidence that physicians experience any less incidence of mental health issues, addiction, or disease than anyone else working under similar circumstances. Although these challenges are normal, the concern arises when such issues start impacting professional duties, thereby directly jeopardizing patient health and safety.

Personal challenges impacting professional capabilities are not unique to the medical field, either. This extends to other high-stakes professions, such as pilots and CEOs, where personal difficulties can significantly affect professional judgment and actions. When individuals in these critical positions falter, the question arises: What policies and procedures are in place to address these harms or, better yet, to catch them before they happen?

The ineffectiveness of quiet interventions

In an ideal world, colleagues would promptly identify problematic behavior and report it to the medical licensing authorities, leading to swift action and investigation. However, with no clear procedure in place, this rarely happens, with months or even years passing before collective action is taken to address a problematic doctor. This inertia stems from various factors: the convenience of inaction, the lack of concrete evidence, personal relationships that encourage a gentler approach, or institutional reluctance to challenge a financially profitable physician. Commonly, co-workers engage in a process described by sociologists as a Terribly Quiet Chat, where they discreetly pull the physician aside to inquire about their well-being and to express their concerns. Sometimes, these informal chats help, but if not well-received, there is a lack of authority to effect real change.

I had a colleague who was confronted with this issue during her first week as a new attending trauma surgeon. A patient presented in extremis with unstable vital signs from a blunt injury to her abdomen from a motor vehicle accident. She instructed the team to move the patient quickly to the operating room for a trauma laparotomy. Suddenly, the long-time chair of the surgery department entered the room and barked at everyone to move the patient to the ICU for fluid and blood product resuscitation to stabilize the patient first instead. My colleague was new and junior and stepped out of the room with the chair to understand his thinking about not going straight into surgery. He said, I have seen this situation a thousand times  trust me. He was unwilling to listen to her concerns, and a contrary opinion was uninvited. Troubled by his overriding decision, she ran the case by other surgeons in the department only to receive shrugs or indifference.

Two hours later, the patient died of cardiac arrest in the ICU from a ruptured spleen despite massive blood product resuscitation. Going to the ICU instead of the operating room was wrong for this patient, a mother of two children. Distraught by this case, my colleague felt responsible for not being able to persuade the chair to go to the OR. Indeed, unbeknownst to her, the chairs behavior had become a pattern over the last few years, and the following week, he left a clamp in a patients abdomen. Multiple colleagues had engaged in informal discussions with the chair to address concerns about his professional conduct. Despite these conversations, there was a collective failure to notice, acknowledge, or address the fact that he was evidently experiencing neurocognitive decline. This decline was impairing his judgment and his ability to safely care for patients, and he retired the following week.

Similar examples of physician impairment and professional decline were documented in depth in The New Yorkers 2000 article titled When Good Doctors Go Bad. Overwhelmed by grief, depression, or stress, doctors erred or failed to act appropriately, and as a result, patients were injured. Some of these doctors recovered and improved, while others were pushed into early retirement; some colleagues confronted the impaired physician, while other colleagues stepped in and quietly made sure no patients were injured. A striking commonality in these cases was the absence of a clear protocol for hospitals to manage such situations.

While Id like to think progress has been made in the two decades since my encounter with physician impairment, the reality is that there still lacks a comprehensive system to effectively address such situations. The Terribly Quiet Chat was limited and ineffective then and remains so today. Its informal nature means it carries no real force or obligation for the physician to enact change. More concerning is that these conversations are retrospective, usually occurring after a discernible pattern of patient harm has emerged. Despite increased awareness and dialogue around physician impairment and patient safety, a cohesive and proactive approach to identifying and managing the decline in a health care professionals capabilities remains elusive.

Challenges and solutions in addressing physician impairment

As we approach the 25th anniversary of the landmark report To Err Is Human, we should reflect on the strides made in health care safety and the gaps that persist. This seminal work highlighted the systemic issues contributing to medical errors, sparking significant reforms to enhance patient safety across the health care spectrum. Yet, as we delve into the nuances of health care improvement, it becomes evident that one critical area has seen little evolution: the approach to managing and dealing with impaired physicians. Despite the advancements in protocols, technologies, and policies designed to safeguard patients, the dilemma of addressing the challenges faced by physicians struggling with mental health issues, addiction, or physical impairments remains largely unchanged.

Physicians have a fundamental duty to maintain their own health and to act with self-awareness as part of their professional commitment to patient care. This includes recognizing when their own physical or mental health might impair their ability to provide safe and effective care and taking necessary steps to seek assistance. Furthermore, physicians have an ethical responsibility to respond if they perceive a colleague might be compromised in their ability to practice safely. This involves intervening with respect and compassion, ensuring the colleague does not pose a risk to patients and receives appropriate evaluation and care. In cases where unsafe practices continue despite initial efforts, physicians are ethically obligated to take further action, including reporting if necessary, as part of the professions duty to self-regulate and uphold patient safety.

We should no longer depend on casual, informal discussions that carry little or no weight or obligation for change; instead, there should be specifically designed programs to tackle physician burnout, stress, mental health concerns, substance abuse, and other disorders. These programs should focus on immediate intervention and also provide a clear, documented path toward rehabilitation while carefully considering the physicians potential for re-entry into practice or transition into retirement. By implementing robust support systems, health institutions can safeguard patient welfare while simultaneously providing the necessary care and support for their medical staff. Without such measures, health systems and their representatives risk perpetuating a cycle of patient harm.

Scott Ellner has been a general surgeon for over 20 years, and can be reached at PEAK Health. He has transitioned into health care executive roles due to his passion for patient safety, quality, and value-based care delivery. His authentic leadership style inspires team members to navigate challenging situations, such as resistance to change and innovation, in order to bring about meaningful transformation. Most recently, he served as the CEO of Billings Clinic, the largest health system in Montana. During his tenure, Forbes recognized the clinic as the best place to work in the state. It was also at that time that he formulated a strategic growth plan that included the development of a level 1 trauma network and a rural-based clinically integrated network.
As Black History Month draws to a close, it is crucial to recognize the ongoing challenges faced by Black physicians and the importance of fostering diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and belonging in the medical field. National rhetoric condemning DEI efforts has made for an increasingly difficult environment for Black medical trainees to thrive. This Black History Month, we had the honor of hosting three events aimed at celebrating Black excellence in medicine and cultivating a sense of community among Black doctors and aspiring medical professionals in our home base of Chicago.

The significance of these events cannot be overstated, especially in light of the stark underrepresentation of Black physicians in the medical profession. According to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), Black individuals make up just 5 percent of practicing physicians in the United States, despite constituting over 13 percent of the population. This glaring disparity not only deprives the medical profession of diverse perspectives and talents but also has tangible negative impacts on both Black physicians and the patients they serve.

The underrepresentation of Black people in medicine hinders their opportunities to build community and find mentorship. It also heightens loneliness and rates of depression for those who navigate the long medical training journey. They also face unique challenges, including implicit bias, discrimination, and limited opportunities for advancement. Research has shown that Black physicians are more likely to practice in underserved communities and care for marginalized patient populations. These barriers not only hinder the professional growth and well-being of Black physicians but also contribute to disparities in health care access and outcomes for Black patients.

In addition to these systemic challenges, DEI efforts are under attack nationwide and in medicine specifically. A recent anti-DEI resolution put forth by members of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) called for the organization to sunset all DEI efforts, even though only 3 percent of dermatologists identify as Black. The statement was signed by dozens of leaders in the field, including residency program leadership and a department chair. The statement has drawn widespread criticism for failing to recognize the importance of representation and cultural competence in delivering high-quality patient care. This comes on the heels of national anti-DEI rhetoric across the country, buoyed by national figures such as Ben Shapiro and Elon Musk, which have increased after the Supreme Court ruled to ban affirmative action in education.

In light of this environment, the already small group of Black people in the medical training pathway are facing even more challenges to feel a sense of belonging in their training environments. Research shows that opportunities for increased peer-connectedness decrease their rates of anxiety & depression for Black medical trainees. This year, we hosted three separate events aimed at fostering community among Black physicians and aspiring doctors.

The first event was a mentorship dinner that brought together pre-medical students, residents, fellows, and attendings across the University of Chicago. The concept was convened by us, as leaders of out hospitals Housestaff Diversity Committee. It was a robustly attended event, filled with inspiration and guidance, as individuals at different stages of their medical journey came together to share their experiences, concerns, and aspirations. The sense of camaraderie and support was palpable, as mentors provided valuable insights and advice to those following in their footsteps.

The collective joy and sense of community felt during this gathering further emphasized that cultivating an inclusive environment within the medical community is pivotal for nurturing the next generation of medical learners from underrepresented backgrounds. When aspiring physicians witness representation and feel supported, they are more likely to pursue and persist in their medical careers. Thus, investing in DEI is not just about the well-being of current Black providers, it is about safeguarding the future of medicine by ensuring that all aspiring health care professionals have equitable opportunities to thrive.

Later in the month, we hosted a casino-themed game night for Black doctors across specialties in Chicago. This event not only provided an opportunity for networking and socializing but also served as a platform for fostering connections and building relationships for those who are facing loneliness and lack of support. Our local National Medical Association (NMA) chapter, the Cook County Physicians Association, co-sponsored the event for local residents and attendings, along with University of Chicago Housestaff Diversity, University of Illinois at Chicago Medicine DEI, Northwestern McGaw Underrepresented Residents & Fellows Forum and Lurie Childrens DEI Committee. The night was a celebration of diversity and unity within the Black medical community, as well as an opportunity for individuals to meet mentors and receive resources to support them through their medical journey.

The final event was a dinner specifically for Black attendings in the emergency department at our hospital. This gathering allowed us to come together, share our stories, and lean on one another for support. In a profession where Black physicians are often underrepresented and face disproportionate challenges with advancement, having a space where we can find solidarity and strength is invaluable.

These events are more than just social gatherings. They serve as beacons of hope and solidarity for Black physicians. They are a testament to the resilience and excellence of Black doctors in the face of adversity. By providing spaces for networking, mentorship, and mutual support, these events empower Black doctors to navigate the challenges of their profession with resilience and determination. They also send a powerful message to the medical community at large: that diversity, equity, and inclusion are not merely buzzwords but essential principles that must be upheld to ensure the health and well-being of all individuals.

At a time when diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are under attack, both within and outside the medical community, we must reaffirm our commitment to creating spaces where all voices are heard and valued. Our community remains steadfast in our dedication to advancing DEI in medicine and ensuring that Black physicians have the support and opportunities they deserve.

As we look to the future, let us continue to celebrate Black excellence in medicine, not just during Black History Month, but every day of the year. Let us redouble our efforts to promote DEI in medicine and dismantle the barriers that prevent Black physicians from realizing their full potential. By fostering a more inclusive and equitable health care system, we can create a brighter future for Black doctors, patients, and communities alike.

Bernice Fokum, Udoka Oji, and Abdullah Pratt are emergency physicians.
Having more than 90,000 of illegal drugs hidden in a rucksack in his bedroom has seen one man convicted of having drugs for sale and supply.



Rafal Brauner, 35 Shortcourse, Waterford, has begun a two year prison sentence, following his conviction at Kilkenny Circuit Court.

Mr Brauner was also convicted of having benzocaine, described as a mixing agent for the cocaine.



Evidence was heard in court from Garda Brian Carthy that gardai were granted a search warrant for a home in Ferrybank, Waterford, following information from Waterford Gardai.



On August 26, 2022, gardai searched the home in Abbeygate, Ferrybank. On entering the premises they met four people, one of whom was Mr Brauner.

When it was explained to Mr Brauner that the gardai had a search warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act he immediately stated that there was drugs on the premises.



Mr Brauner took a pink backpack from a wardrobe in his bedroom and it was handed over to gardai.

The bag contained cannabis, cocaine and a crystalised substance that was the benzocaine.

Forensic examination

On examination by Forensic Science Ireland it was reported the bag contained 1076.9g of cocaine, valued at 75,355, 727.8g of cannabis, valued at 14,450, and 112g of benzocaine, which had no value in itself but it is used in the production, cutting and bulking of cocaine, the court was told.



Mr Brauner was arrested and taken to a garda station where he made full admissions. He said none of the other people in the house had any knowledge of the drugs.

Mr Brauner told gardai that he had accrued a substantial drugs debt and had been offered 2,000 towards that to hold the drugs, by another person.

He was afraid to name that person in interview.



The garda said Mr Brauner had never come to garda attention before and was in full time employment and therefore had been trusted to hold the drugs.



At the time Mr Brauner was paying a car loan, which gardai confirmed, and had no trappings of wealth.

Defence barrister, Michelle Smith, said Mr Brauner had been living with his mother, sister and brother at the time. His family are very upset by what happened.



Her client was earning 470 a week, at the time, and had a lot of bills. He was struggling financially.

Mr Brauner, now 27, was training to be a mechanical fitter. He had just 12 weeks left to being fully qualified when he was arrested and his employer let him go.



Mr Brauner was a young man with a very bright future, Ms Smith said. That was put in jeopardy by agreeing to hold the drugs.

Two and a half years before his arrest, Mr Brauner had started using drugs recreationally.

This became more frequent until he was using every second or third day and built up a debt.

Her client had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and had never been in court before.



Mr Brauner had been a good worker, Ms Smith said, handing in a number of references to the court from previous employers who said they would employ him again.

Mr Brauner had written his own letter expressing sincere remorse. He has now realised his actions supported criminal activity at a higher scale, the barrister said.



He had been an honest, decent, hard-working young man and in some respects it was baffling why he was before the court, Ms Smith said.

But Mr Brauner had told them why - that his recreational drug use got out of control, he accrued a debt and was easy prey for a drug gang.



Mr Brauner is still at an age where he has very good prospects, Ms Smith said, he is young and has ability.

He has been proactive in terms of his rehabilitation and has engaged with community drug counselling.

Judge Cormac Quinn said he was satisfied there was an element of fear behind Mr Brauners actions.

Aggravating factors in the case were the seriousness of the offence, the amount of drugs and the harm to society from drugs, the judge said.

Plea

Mitigating factors included Mr Brauners young age, his early guilty plea, his co-operation with gardai and not coming to their attention otherwise.

The judge also considered that Mr Brauner was addicted at the time of the offence and a Probation Report conclusion that he is managing his recovery well.

Convicting Mr Brauner, the judge imposed a jail sentence of three years on the charge of being in possession of illegal drugs for sale or supply, with the last 12 months suspended for 12 months.

On the charge of having benzocaine a concurrent 18 months imprisonment was imposed.

A destruction order was issued for the seized drugs.
Two men in their 50s have been arrested in connection with the fatal explosion at a service station in Co Donegal, which claimed the lives of 10 people in 2022.

Four men, three women and three young people, with ages ranging from five to 59, died in the blast on the afternoon of Friday October 7 in the Irish village of Creeslough.

Police investigating the explosion said the two men were arrested on Friday morning for alleged offences contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.

Both men are currently detained at separate garda stations in Co Donegal.

The investigation into the fatal explosion at a building complex in Creeslough continues to be co-ordinated from Milford garda station, where an incident room is established under the direction of a garda senior investigating officer (SIO).

The investigation continues to be led by local gardai, supported by a number of different agencies.

Robert Garwe and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan-Garwe, Catherine ODonnell and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan, fashion student Jessica Gallagher, Celtic fan Martin McGill, Sydney native James OFlaherty, shop worker Martina Martin, carpenter Hugh Hughie Kelly and 14-year-old Leona Harper were killed in the explosion.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said he hopes to see officer numbers reach 15,000 as he welcomed the latest to join the force.

He was speaking at an attestation ceremony for 165 new gardai who are ready to take on duties.

There has been criticism of gardai numbers, particularly following the initial handling of rioting in Dublin city centre last year.

The Irish Government recently increased the Garda entry age limit from 35 years to 50 in a bid to boost numbers.

The newest cohort were attested as sworn members of the force on Friday in a ceremony attended by Mr Harris and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee.

Of the 165, some 67% are male, 33 female while 17 were born outside of Ireland with new members originally from countries including the US, UK, Hong Lon, Uganda and Poland.

This brings total Garda numbers to 14,091, supported by 3,494 staff and 346 reserves.

A further 277 recruits are currently undergoing the training programme at the Garda College.

Mr Harris said he wants to grow the organisation to 15,000 Gardai in time.

He said the most recent recruitment campaign received over 6,300 applications, which he described as very reassuring.

The Commissioner also highlighted recently introduced enhanced personal safety equipment, including stronger incapacitant spray, and said the public order units will soon be provided with tasers, and smaller riot shields.

Ms McEntee described good momentum in building numbers.

Budget 2024 provided the highest ever allocation of 2.3 billion euro to An Garda Siochana, which is a 23% increase since 2020.

This funding allows for the continued recruitment of between 800 and 1,000 Garda members, she said.

Today is the first attestation to take place at the Garda College in 2024, with further attestations planned for June and September this year.

Four further intakes into the Garda College are planned for April, July, September and December of this year.

There is good momentum building in recruitment to An Garda Siochana now.

It is great to see classes growing in size, regular intakes and attestations, each once bolstering the strength of the organisation and improving Garda visibility in our communities.

Despite the competitive jobs market, we continue to see dedicated and talented people pursuing a career in policing and public service.

This means more Gardai on the frontline, preventing crime, supporting victims and helping keep all of us safe.
The Castle Cafe is a new cafe opening on the ground floor of the Kilkenny Design Centre.

Situated in the heart of Kilkenny, adjacent to the iconic Kilkenny Castle, Castle Cafe promises to be a haven for both locals and tourists seeking handcrafted food dishes, great coffee, pastries and more.

Nestled at the forefront of the Kilkenny Design Centre on the ground floor, Castle Cafe offers visitors the chance to enjoy food, coffee and more in this picturesque location.

Buttermilk Chicken Salad Bowl

With the majestic Kilkenny Castle as its neighbour, visitors can enjoy their refreshments against the backdrop of one of Ireland's most renowned landmarks.

From freshly brewed coffee to sandwiches crafted from locally sourced ingredients, and irresistible desserts to satisfy any sweet tooth, Castle Cafe ensures that every visit is a memorable one.

Local Suppliers sold in the cafe

With seating for 30 people indoors and more seating outdoors at the back of the centre, it is more than just a place to dine. Castle Cafe serves as a vibrant gathering spot for the community in Kilkenny.

Moreover, Castle Cafe is committed to supporting local artisans and producers, with a retail section dedicated to showcasing locally sourced produce including preservatives, honey, chocolate, coffee, and much more.

Chef James Dewberry

Castle Cafe Manager and Kilkenny native Emmet Lanigan commented:

Its great to open this cafe downstairs called the Castle Cafe so it can serve locals and tourists alike as they visit the Castle and grounds or just browse in the Kilkenny Design Centre.

James Dewberry, our new chef, has made a big impact on the food offering since he joined. His scones are the most sought-after item in the cafe.

For more information, visit www.kilkennycafe.ie or follow us on social media @kilkenny_cafe on Instagram and Facebook.

*Sponsored Content
Three bright and talented students from Presentation Secondary School in Kilkenny are currently organising a charity walk to raise money for My Lovely Horse Rescue.

Niamh Brett, Danica Tervit Kruger and Hazel Maher recently won the senior category of the Student Enterprise County Final for their student business project, The Little Lost Collection.

The Little Lost Collection is a story book collection created to educate children on the animal welfare situation in Ireland and teach them why it is important to adopt pets.

In their recent publication, The Little Lost Puppy, Bella is the main character of the story and she is based on the true story of a dog named Britney who was in the care of My Lovely Horse Rescue.

We based our story on one of the rescues longest residents Britney, a dog that was used for breeding and then discarded, they said.

Britney, who is called Bella in our story, had spent almost one year in the care of the My Lovely Horse Rescue team.

She watched her friends come and go and was patiently waiting for a loving family. Britney has had many litters of puppies who were sold on for profit-making purposes , which we highlight in our book.

Luckily, those days are now behind her as she was lucky enough to finally get adopted over the Christmas period.

We decided to write the story about Britney as we disagree with the breeding of animals when Irelands rescues are currently bursting at the seams with unwanted animals.

My Lovely Horse Animal Rescue rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes unwanted, neglected and abused animals with the aim of giving them a life worth living.

According to the girls, this upcoming charity walks aim is to educate as many people as possible about the animal welfare situation in Ireland.

We are also having a raffle to raise more money for the rescue, they said.

There will be a prize of brunch for two in Aran, 50 euro to spend as you wish in Red Mills and of course an Easter egg, just in time for Easter!



Registration (5) for the walk will take place at Wild Tails Cafe on Canal Walk at 11am on Sunday, March 24.

If you join the walk, you are automatically entered into the raffle draw but if youd just like to enter the raffle or give a donation, contact them (@the.little.lost.collection on Instagram) or via email at thelittlelostcollection@gmail

.com for Revolut details.
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) has recovered the body of missing University of Missouri student Riley Strain, who had been missing since March 8.

Strain's body was found in the river approximately 8 miles from downtown Nashville, according to social media posts from police. Security footage and a phone ping placed Strain, 22, along the Cumberland River the night he went missing.

River workers were removing an object from the river when the body surfaced, Nashville Police Chief John Drake said in a Friday morning press conference.

Police and the Nashville Fire Department were called to the scene around 7:28 a.m. Friday. The fire department removed the body from the water, and a medical examiner confirmed it to be Strain's body. He was in the clothes he was wearing when he went missing, Drake said.

4:27 WATCH: Nashville Police Chief John Drake announces Riley Strain's body found in Cumberland River Nashville Police Chief John Drake held a press conference Friday morning after Riley Strain's body was discovered in the Cumberland River, abo

No foul play is suspected, and an autopsy is pending, Drake said.

"I want to say to the family, my heart and prayers go out to you all for this tragic incident," Drake said.

Strain's family traveled to Nashville from Springfield, Missouri, when they found out Strain was missing. The family held a press conference Friday night, along with the United Cajun Navy, which assisted in search efforts.

"Thank you all for being here... our whole family will remember you," Ryan Gilbert, Strain's father said.

"To the people of Nashville, I can't thank you enough for the love you've shown me and my wife, and Ryan  You don't know what that meant to us in our darkest hours. The hugs, the prayers, I can't say it enough, thank you," Chris Whiteid, Strains stepfather, said.

"I just ask that you mamas out there, hug your babies tight tonight please. Please for me, just hugs your babies tight. And again thank you, thank you for sharing our story," Michelle Whiteid, Strain's mother, said.

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Strain was last seen the night of March 8, after he was asked to leave Luke's 32 Bridge Food + Drink on Broadway while on a trip for his fraternity spring formal.

The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission confirmed on March 15 it launched an investigation into whether Strain was over served alcohol.

In a March 15 statement, TC Restaurant Group and Lukes 32 Bridge said its employees served Strain one drink and two waters before they escorted Strain out of the bar.

Searches by foot, helicopter and boat have been ongoing since his disappearance.

Strain was a senior at MU pursuing an interdisciplinary degree.

UM System President Mun Choi sent a campuswide email Friday afternoon, acknowledging the recovery of Strain's body and offering resources.

"The university is equipped to assist you as you process this loss," Choi said. "Students can contact the MU Counseling Center for support. Additionally, the Employee Assistance Program is available to faculty and staff."

Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell said on social media that he met with Strain's family earlier this week and offered his condolences.

When asked about the body recovery and safety of Nashville during his weekly roundtable Friday, O'Connell said he could "imagine" barriers along the Cumberland River.

Ive walked this stretch for decades, and I could certainly imagine there being barriers that made it harder to get from the sidewalk into the areas of growth that are right there along the riverbank. You know, I would say also just helping people with the basics of wayfinding, OConnell said. Through the years, we have had different types of things that show where you are in downtown. I think making sure that its easy to find your way back to a hotel or to a residence; there are a couple of different options.

A GoFundMe was set up following Strain's disappearance, which will go toward supporting his family.

A vigil is also planned under the Gay Street bridge in Nashville Friday night.

WSMV, the NBC affiliate in Nashville, contributed to this story.
University of Missouri student Riley Strain's body was recovered from the Cumberland River in Nashville on the morning of Friday, March 22, two weeks after his disappearance.

Below is a timeline of the events since March 8 when Strain was escorted out of a bar in Nashville and disappeared.

Friday, March 8: Strain gets kicked out of Nashville bar on fraternity trip

Strain and his friends traveled to Nashville for a fraternity formal. They allegedly stayed at the Tempo Hotel, located at 127 Rosa L Parks Blvd.

9:35 p.m.: Security escorted Strain out of Luke's 32 Bridge, a bar located at 301 Broadway, due to conduct standards, according to a March 15 statement from TC Restaurant Group.

"He was followed down the stairs with one member of his party. The individual with Riley did not exit and returned upstairs," the statement said.

The bar said Strain bought one alcoholic drink and two waters before he was kicked out.

9:45 p.m. Video shared by Downtown Smoke & Vape Shop on Church Street showed Strain stumbling and following in a parking lot at Third Avenue North and Church Street. The video has a timestamp beginning at 9:45:02 p.m.

0:36 WATCH: Additional security video of missing MU student Riley Strain Security video from Downtown Smoke and Vape Shop on Church Street in Nashville shows missing MU student Riley Strain. The video has a timestam

The smoke shop shared another video with a different angle of Strain stumbling on a sidewalk along Church Street. When Strain enters the screen, the timestamp shows 9:45:57 p.m.

0:21 WATCH: Additional security video of missing MU student Riley Strain Security video from Downtown Smoke and Vape Shop on Church Street in Nashville shows missing MU student Riley Strain. This video has a timesta

9:47 p.m.: Video shared by police shows Strain crossing First Avenue North to Gay Street (right to left).

9:52 p.m.: Body-camera video (released on March 18) reportedly showed Strain walking on Gay Street, south of the Woodland Street Bridge, and speaking with an officer.

Strain exchanges greetings with police officer Reginald Young, who was in the area on a vehicle burglary call and remained on that portion of Gay Street for 45 minutes, according to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.

0:49 WATCH: New video of Riley Strain exchanging greetings with Nashville police officer before disappearance Video shared March 18 by the Nashville Police Department shows Riley Strain's brief exchange with officer Reginald Young on Gay Street, south 

MNPD said Strain did not appear to be distressed.

Between 9:55 and 10 p.m.: Strain's last phone ping was near James Robertson Parkway and Gay Street. Police said the cell tower radius is about 2 miles and does not give an exact location.

Police said his last phone call with a friend was also during this time.

Saturday, March 9: Strain reported missing by friends during Nashville fraternity trip

1:46 p.m.: Strains friend makes a 911 call to file a missing person's report.

Monday, March 11: Nashville police post to social media about Strain

2:11 p.m.: The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department posts to social media for the first time about Strain's disappearance.

A Metropolitan Nashville Police Department helicopter searched along Gay Street, including near the bank of the Cumberland River. Detectives also search on the ground.

Strain was last seen at 9:52 p.m. Friday on Gay St. after drinking downtown. An MNPD helicopter searched that area today, including the riverbank. Detectives on the ground also searched, but to no avail. The investigation as to his whereabouts is active. https://t.co/gyhVeJo0Wh  Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) March 11, 2024

KOMU 8 spoke to Strain's father, Ryan Gilbert, who calls the situation "a parent's worst nightmare."

Tuesday, March 12: Luke Bryan's bar issues statement, comments on Strain's disappearance

Luke Bryan commented on Strain's disappearance, calling it "scary" and urging anyone with information to contact police.

TC Restaurant Group issued its first statement:

"TC Restaurant Group, operator and owner of Lukes 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."

Wednesday, March 13: Tennessee Alcohol Beverage Commission opens investigation

The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (NABC) confirmed to KOMU 8 it launched an investigation into whether Strain was overserved alcohol at Luke's 32 Bridge on March 8.

There are no specific rules or statutes that governs escorting out intoxicated patrons from their businesses or providing assistance in getting someone home, NABC Director of Communication Aaron Rummage said. However, state law prohibits serving alcoholic beverages to someone who is visibly intoxicated. A violation is a class A misdemeanor."

The Nashville Office of Emergency Management deployed two boats and sonar equipment to search the Cumberland riverbank area.

OEM crews deployed 2 boats to aid with searches of the riverbank area. Addition of sonar equipment was requested with this launch & crews will work a path set in coordination with @MNPDNashville as they continue to investigate the whereabouts of the missing 22 year old student. pic.twitter.com/8HBifRdugv  Nashville EOC/OEM (@NashvilleEOC) March 13, 2024

7 p.m.: A candlelight vigil was held in Strain's hometown of Springfield, Missouri.

Thursday, March 14: Nashville police speak on camera to media for first time

The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department addressed the media for the first time regarding the continuous search for Strain.

Sgt. Robert Nielsen, a supervisor for MNPD's Cold Case and Missing Unit, said there is no indication of foul play or evidence that another crime was committed at the time of Strain's disappearance.

The Nashville Urban Search and Rescue team searched along the bank of the Cumberland River. Detectives also spoke with people living in nearby homeless camps to piece together any clues that might help find Strain.

Friday, March 15: TC Restaurant Group releases second statement on Strain's disappearance

TC Restaurant Group and Lukes 32 Bridge, released a statement detailing Strain's visit. Some of the details in the statement are already included in the timeline below.

Sunday, March 17: Strain's bank card found along Cumberland River embankment

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2:42 p.m.: The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said Strain's bank card was discovered on an embankment between Gay Street and the Cumberland River.

Around 1 p.m., a body was reported floating in the Cumberland River, near the 1000 block of Cleeces Ferry Road, according to WSMV. Investigators said it did not match Strain's description.

The Uvalde Foundation for kids, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending school violence formed after the Robb Elementary shooting, also announced Sunday that it has assembled a special team of volunteers to join search efforts.

The volunteers come from its STOPNOW school community patrol teams.

Monday, March 18: Nashville police release video showing Strain interacting with Nashville police officer

The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department shared video that shows Strain speaking with an officer on Gay Street, south of the Woodland Street Bridge, the evening of March 8, before Strain disappeared.

Within the video, Strain can be seen interacting with police officer Reginald Young though a brief exchange of greetings. Young was in the area on a vehicle burglary call and remained on that portion of Gay Street for 45 minutes, according to MNPD. The video was captured at approximately 9:52 p.m. March 8.

Strain's family also met with detectives on March 17 and received a full briefing of the investigation, police said.

Tuesday, March 19: Strain's family, United Cajun Navy hold press conference on Strain investigation

On the 11th day of Strain's disappearance, his family held a press conference and called for more organized search efforts.

The United Cajun Navy, a natural disaster response organization formed after Hurricane Katrina, was contacted by the Strain family and has provided resources in the ongoing search.

40:42 WATCH: Family of missing MU student Riley Strain holds press conference Members of the Nashville Police Department and United Cajun Navy also spoke at the press conference Tuesday.

Operations Director David Flagg called for volunteers to get involved with the organization. He said their main goal is to find Strain, but the "secondary focus is to ensure the safety of the people who are out here searching."

During the press conference, Flagg and one of the women who found Strain's bank card provided safety tips for those who are searching on their own:

Wear sturdy shoes Wear gripped or heavy-duty gloves Layer your clothing Wear a mask

Metropolitan Nashville Police Department helicopters and Nashville Office of Emergency Management boats returned to the Cumberland River to search for Strain.

Our helicopters continue to fly over the Cumberland River in the ongoing search for Riley Strain. MNPD & @NashvilleEOC boats were on the water again today. The Cheatham Co. Sheriff's Office is also assisting down river. See him? Pls call 615-862-8600. pic.twitter.com/qF96AQqzAO  Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) March 20, 2024

Wednesday, March 20: Crews search for Strain at Cheatham Dam

The Cheatham County, Tennessee, Sheriff's Office, at a request of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, searched at the Cheatham Dam in Ashland City March 20 in an effort to search for Strain, according to Nashville NBC affiliate WSMV. The dam is about 42 miles down the Cumberland River from Nashville.

WSMV said crews burped  closed and opened  the dam for the search efforts. People also stood at the top of the dam looking at debris in the water. WSMV reported crews did not find anything and were done searching the area by 2:30 p.m.

The search for #RileyStrain has now moved to the Cheatham Dam where officials have shutdown the water flow this afternoon. Ill have the latest details from both the dam and downtown starting at 3p live @WSMV pic.twitter.com/QkVIse7lhb  Brendan Tierney (@BTierneyTV) March 20, 2024

Friday, March 22: Body of Riley Strain found in Cumberland River

The body of Riley Strain was recovered from the Cumberland River in West Nashville Friday morning, approximately 8 miles from downtown, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

4:27 WATCH: Nashville Police Chief John Drake announces Riley Strain's body found in Cumberland River Nashville Police Chief John Drake held a press conference Friday morning after Riley Strain's body was discovered in the Cumberland River, abo

Nashville Police Chief John Drake said river workers discovered Strain's body just before 7:30 a.m. March 22. When they removed an object from the river, Strain's body surfaced.

The city's fire department removed the body from the water, and a medical examiner confirmed it to be Strain's body. He was in the clothes he was wearing when he went missing, Drake said.

No foul play is suspected, and an autopsy is pending, Drake said.

Sunday, March 24: Initial autopsy examination suggests drowning was accidental

Metro Nashville Police Department spokesperson Kris Mumford says a detective attended the autopsy examination for Riley Strain, who says his death continues to appear accidental."

While Mumford says toxicology results are still pending, she says there is no apparent foul play. A final autopsy won't be complete until all testing is finished.

Wednesday, March 27: Family orders second autopsy before body returns to Springfield for visitation, celebration of life

Strain's family is reportedly still searching for answers after he was found dead without his wallet or the pants and cowboy boots he wore the night he disappeared, a family friend told NewsNation on Wednesday.

The only thing that was found with him, as the police stated in the report, was the watch and the shirt, Chris Dingman said.

Dingman told the outlet that the family was confused by the coroner saying that no water was found in Strain's lungs, prompting them to ask for a second autopsy from a private company in Nashville, Tennessee.

"Usually, water in the lungs means that they were alive when they went into the water," Dingman said.

Dingman did not expand on the findings of the second autopsy, but says Strain's body has returned to his hometown Springfield, where a public visitation and celebration of life is scheduled for Friday.

The public visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at Greenlawn Funeral Home East, according to his obituary. A celebration of life will follow, and a private burial will be held at a later time.

The obituary states that since Strain often said, "Green makes you look good," attendees are asked to wear something green and dress comfortably.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Strain's honor to the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Thursday, March 28: Officials release 911 call detailing discovery of Strain's body

The Nashville Department of Emergency Communications released the 911 phone call to KOMU on Thursday, which reported finding Strain's body.

During the four-minute exchange, the caller says they found a dead body face down in the water, which they believed was Strain.

The caller identifies himself as someone who works on the river, and says they found the body fully submerged on the front of a barge at River Marker 184 as he was checking around the dock.
Former Mississippi officers get sentences of 10 to 40 years in torture of 2 Black men

A federal judge has given prison terms of about 10 to 40 years to six white former Mississippi law enforcement officers who pleaded guilty to breaking into a home without a warrant and torturing two Black men
James Lemons and his family are struggling and looking for help after he was struck in the leg by a stray bullet at the Chiefs Parade last month.
A two-headed western rat snake named Tiger-Lily is recovering well after having surgery at the St. Louis Zoo in March.
Fidelity D & D Bancorp Inc. reduced its stake in Lockheed Martin Co. (NYSE:LMT  Free Report) by 3.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 718 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 29 shares during the quarter. Fidelity D & D Bancorp Inc.s holdings in Lockheed Martin were worth $325,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in LMT. State Street Corp increased its stake in Lockheed Martin by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 37,972,543 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $17,950,761,000 after buying an additional 176,739 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in Lockheed Martin by 1.3% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 22,302,719 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $9,120,920,000 after buying an additional 279,162 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in Lockheed Martin by 1.8% in the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 5,686,937 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $2,302,388,000 after buying an additional 97,916 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Lockheed Martin by 2.5% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,451,163 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $2,045,055,000 after buying an additional 106,461 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP increased its stake in Lockheed Martin by 4.0% in the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 3,158,783 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,291,816,000 after buying an additional 121,358 shares during the last quarter. 74.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Lockheed Martin

In other Lockheed Martin news, COO John Frank A. St sold 6,648 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated 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 filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other news, COO John Frank A. St sold 6,648 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, SVP Maryanne Lavan sold 4,022 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $434.39, for a total transaction of $1,747,116.58. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 16,874 shares of company stock valued at $7,249,946 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock.

Lockheed Martin Stock Performance

LMT traded up $2.66 on Thursday, reaching $443.07. The company had a trading volume of 912,078 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,192,150. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.53, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.21. The stock has a market cap of $106.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.09, a P/E/G ratio of 4.00 and a beta of 0.48. Lockheed Martin Co. has a fifty-two week low of $393.77 and a fifty-two week high of $508.10. The companys fifty day moving average is $434.58 and its 200 day moving average is $437.98.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 23rd. The aerospace company reported $7.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $7.26 by $0.64. The firm had revenue of $18.87 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $17.96 billion. Lockheed Martin had a net margin of 10.24% and a return on equity of 79.91%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $7.79 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Lockheed Martin Co. will post 26.13 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Lockheed Martin Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 1st will be issued a $3.15 dividend. This represents a $12.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.84%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 29th. Lockheed Martins dividend payout ratio is currently 45.74%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Citigroup lowered their price target on shares of Lockheed Martin from $540.00 to $508.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Susquehanna lowered their price objective on shares of Lockheed Martin from $550.00 to $540.00 and set a positive rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price objective on shares of Lockheed Martin from $438.00 to $472.00 in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of Lockheed Martin from $513.00 to $503.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on shares of Lockheed Martin from $475.00 to $470.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $491.92.

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Lockheed Martin Profile

(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.

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KB Home (NYSE:KBH  Get Free Report) issued its earnings results on Wednesday. The construction company reported $1.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.57 by $0.19, Briefing.com reports. KB Home had a net margin of 9.29% and a return on equity of 15.87%. The company had revenue of $1.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.46 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.45 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 6.5% on a year-over-year basis.

KB Home Trading Down 0.5 %

KBH traded down $0.31 during trading on Friday, hitting $68.31. 269,721 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,203,890. The company has a market cap of $5.17 billion, a PE ratio of 9.28, a P/E/G ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.73. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $63.45 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $55.91. KB Home has a 1 year low of $38.26 and a 1 year high of $72.00.

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KB Home Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced 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 1.17%. KB Homes payout ratio is 10.88%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

KBH has been the topic of several recent research reports. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of KB Home from $63.00 to $69.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday. Evercore ISI decreased their price target on shares of KB Home from $82.00 to $78.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of KB Home from $82.00 to $87.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on shares of KB Home from $61.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded shares of KB Home from a hold rating to a sell rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $55.00 to $46.00 in a research report on Friday, December 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $61.96.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on KB Home

Insider Activity at KB Home

In other KB Home news, EVP Brian J. Woram sold 83,272 shares of KB Home stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.53, for a total value of $5,040,454.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 156,119 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,449,883.07. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In related news, CAO William R. Hollinger sold 45,471 shares of KB Home stock in a transaction dated 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 of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,650,551.07. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Brian J. Woram sold 83,272 shares of KB Home stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.53, for a total transaction of $5,040,454.16. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 156,119 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,449,883.07. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 373,635 shares of company stock valued at $22,400,005. Corporate insiders own 4.44% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On KB Home

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in KBH. Mariner LLC lifted its holdings in KB Home by 3.7% during the 3rd quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 5,484 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $254,000 after buying an additional 198 shares in the last quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. lifted its holdings in KB Home by 4.6% during the 4th quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. now owns 7,232 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $451,000 after buying an additional 316 shares in the last quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans lifted its holdings in KB Home by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 22,758 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $648,000 after buying an additional 362 shares in the last quarter. First Republic Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in KB Home by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. First Republic Investment Management Inc. now owns 38,980 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,242,000 after buying an additional 370 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cim Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in KB Home by 3.6% during the 1st quarter. Cim Investment Management Inc. now owns 14,310 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $575,000 after buying an additional 494 shares in the last quarter. 91.27% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.

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Korea and Kazakhstan have agreed to expand the number of flights on their bilateral routes, paving the way for increased passenger travel and cargo deliveries, the transport ministry said Friday.

Under the existing bilateral aviation deal, Asiana Airlines, Korea's second-biggest full-service carrier, had the transportation rights to operate 1,450 seats per week on the Incheon-Almaty route, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Kazakh national carrier Air Astana also had the right to operate the same 1,450 seats on the same route on a weekly basis.

But the new agreement will initially allow Asiana and Air Astana to operate 14 flights a week on the route, respectively, which the ministry expects will significantly promote the convenience of travelers and bilateral business ties, a ministry official said over the phone.

The two countries have also agreed to lift the ban on the number of destinations and the number of carriers in each other's country.

In Korea, budget carrier T'way Air has been designated as another airline which can offer flights on the route depending on future market demands, the official said.

On the cargo side, airlines from the two countries will have the right to transport a total of 20 times of cargo deliveries a week, respectively, he said. (Yonhap)
Korea's industry ministry said Friday it has discussed ways to broaden the economic ties with Bangladesh, including seeking a bilateral trade and investment promotion framework (TIPF).

Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo met with his Bangladesh counterpart, Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, in Seoul, and conveyed the government's eagerness to share its development experiences, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

During the meeting, Cheong highlighted that a bilateral TIPF would enable both countries to broaden the scope of cooperation, extending beyond traditional sectors like textiles to encompass emerging areas such as digitalization and carbon neutrality.

A TIPF is a nonbinding agreement that calls for enhancing economic ties and facilitating cooperative exchanges in various areas, including the supply chain, digital and biotechnology. The agreement, however, does not include tariff-free terms as a traditional free trade agreement.

Cheong also asked the Bangladeshi government to support Korean firms operating within the South Asian nation by addressing issues regarding visa issuance, tariff, customs and infrastructure.

Humayun said Dhaka will make proactive efforts to ensure stable operations of Korean businesses.

Korea has been seeking to deepen ties with Bangladesh, which has boasted annual economic growth of around 7 percent since 2016. (Yonhap)
The commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) highlighted South Korea's defense production capabilities on Thursday, as he addressed a complex question of how American forces would overcome logistical challenges in the event of a Pacific contingency far away from the U.S. mainland.

Gen. Paul LaCamera commented on the issue, pointing out challenges from the anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) threat, a term that often refers to China's strategy to leverage its advanced military assets to keep hostile forces, namely U.S. forces, at bay.

Over recent decades, China has been enhancing its A2/AD capabilities with cruise and ballistic missiles, bombers and other advanced weapons systems with longer operational ranges, and greater lethality and accuracy.

"The other part of the fight is the fact that I sit inside the A2/AD bubble and we are actually on the Asian continent in South Korea," he said during a hearing of the Senate Committee on Armed Services in Washington.

"(South Korea) is not a third world country. It's a first world country that has production capabilities ... I think we are looking at all avenues of what we can do to sustain ourselves," he added.

The general went on to say, "We've got to keep there and the sea lines of communications in the fight." He did not elaborate further.

His remarks appeared to indicate that the USFK commander sees the potential strategic value of the Asian ally, South Korea, in terms of logistical support against China's A2/AD shield in the event of contingencies in the Pacific.

South Korea's defense production capabilities have received renewed attention in the wake of Russia's war in Ukraine. Poland and other nations have looked to South Korea to strengthen their military stockpiles as South Korea has maintained defense manufacturing capacity to deal with persistent threats from North Korea.

Responding to a question about ongoing efforts to transfer wartime operational control (OPCON) from the U.S. to South Korea, LaCamera said, "We are on the trajectory to complete it."

"But it's standards-based, not-time based," he said. "We are working on it and we are moving forward."

Seoul and Washington have been working on the conditions-based OPCON transition. Conditions include South Korea's capabilities to lead combined forces, its strike and air defense capabilities and the regional security environment conducive to the handover.

The South handed over operational control over its troops to the U.S.-led U.N. Command during the 1950-53 Korean War. It was then transferred to South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC) when the command was launched in 1978.

Seoul retook peacetime OPCON in 1994, but Washington maintains wartime OPCON.

Commenting on security cooperation between South Korea and Japan, LaCamera underlined the need to continue trilateral cooperation between the U.S. and the two allies in the face of regional security challenges.

"The true existential threat to the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan is not World War II imperial Japan. It's the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) with nuclear weapons pointed at both countries, and quite frankly our country," he said. ROK and DPRK stand for the official names of South Korea and North Korea, respectively.

He added, "The Korea theater of operations is pretty tight. We are all inside the A2/AD bubble for both countries, and we've got to continue to work together for the security of all three nations." (Yonhap)
Angola, IN (46703)

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Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Rain. Thunder possible. Low 41F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

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Mark is drawing attention for his statement during NCT Dream's appearance on "Pinggyego." Keep reading for all the details.

Entertainer Yoo Jae Suk hosts the web show "Pinggyego," a show where he invites celebrities for coffee, sits down with them, and casually chats with them. Several stars have already visited the show, such as LE SSERAFIM, K.Will, and Byul. The latest guest on the show is NCT Dream.

Out of all the moments in the latest episode, it was Mark's statement that drew the most attention.

NCT Mark Garners Attention for Statement on 'Pinggyego'

On March 21, 2024, a post was made to a South Korean community forum concerning NCT Dream's appearance on the aforementioned web show. However, it was Mark's statement that was the focus.



During the show, Mark wanted to say something, but hesitated. He stated that he was unsure if it was something that was appropriate for him to say as an idol. Initially, Yoo Jae Suk urged Mark to speak his mind freely.

However, he still hesitated, saying, "Later, I really want to... Anyways! Maybe, possible... really far away in my life." As Mark continued to beat around the show, he joked that Mark should just not say it.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: IN THE LOOP: Hyeri's Apology, NCT Taeyong's Enlistment, BTS V's 'FRI(END)S,' More of K-pop's Hottest THIS Week!

However, he continued to support Mark in speaking his mind while also protecting his idol image by saying, "Okay, so later one, maybe one day, possibly far away in the future..."

Mark then settled on saying, "In my next life!" He then revealed that he believes he would be a father who would be a total fool for his daughter.

K-Netizens React to NCT Mark's Statement on a Possible Future Daughter

Those who saw the post immediately rushed to the comment section to share their feelings.

Many were amused by how Mark struggled to say what he wanted to say, only for the idol to say something innocent and adorable. Others, on the other hand, joked that they wished to be reborn as Mark's daughter.

Some comments read,

"But did he have to go that far just to say that? LOL"

"It's not even that bad!"

"He really said 'next life' LOL!"

"So he needs to be in his next life to become a fool for his daughter HAHAHA!"

"He is so cute!"

"I need to be born as Mark's daughter in my next life."

"Not even a fool for his wife, but a fool for his daughter LOL!"

What do you think of the situation? Tell us in the comments below!

CHECK THIS OUT:SEVENTEEN S Coups Dragged Amid NCT Taeyong's Enlistment News: 'He Must Be Embarrassed'

KpopStarz Owns This

Written by Alexa Lopez
SHREVEPORT, La. -- Two former and one current Caddo Parish principals -- one of whom was nam
Village in Ningxia prospers in tourism thanks to utilization of local culture

16:27, March 22, 2024 By Qin Ruijie ( People's Daily

Photo shows the Old Lanes. (Photo courtesy of the publicity department of the Communist Party of China Longde county committee)

In the village of Hongya in Longde county, Guyuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region, a bonfire crackled merrily on a lively night. Young people and children gathered around the fire, mustering their courage to run, jump, and leap over the flame, welcoming the arrival of spring.

"Liaogan" is a folk custom in northwest China, said Yang Guoquan, a resident in the village, adding that jumping over the bonfire symbolizes warding off illness and disasters.

"Once the Liaogan Festival is over, spring will arrive," Yang said. "The best Liaogan activities in Guyuan are in our Old Lanes."

"The more vibrant our folk customs are, the happier the villagers feel, and the more tourists come. Some say it is the cultural essence of the Old Lanes that has allowed us to profit from the cultural industry," Yang told People's Daily.

The "Old Lanes" Yang referred to is an old street in Hongya village, which is covered by bluestone pavement and lined on the two sides with stone walls whose crevices are filled with yellow mud. The traditional architectural style of the Liupan Mountain area where the Hongya village is located, is well preserved.

In 2010, Longde county launched a renovation plan to protect the well-preserved residential houses along the old street and named the street "Old Lanes." In 2016, the second phase of renovation of Hongya village began, transforming this national-level traditional village into a scenic area.

Yang Guoquan poses for a picture in front of his paper-cutting works. (People's Daily Online/Wang Jing)

Though the village was turned into a scenic area, the villagers still had to live there. Therefore a meeting was held to discuss the future of the village.

"In the past, we all made a living by farming," said Zhang Hongsheng, Party head of the Hongya community. It were the village cadres that brought back tourism experiences from other villages that encouraged Hongya to develop tourism, Zhang recalled.

Soon after, many agritainment businesses sprang up along the Old Lanes. Yang started a B&B hotel with an investment of 50,000 yuan ($6,946.28), while villager He Gong converted his courtyard into a restaurant, building 18 private dining rooms.

However, when the villagers calculated their accounts, most of them found themselves operating at a loss.

"Business was decent at first, but it gradually declined. The Old Lanes lacked tourist attractions, making it difficult to retain visitors for long," a villager said.

"These small courtyards looked nice, but the quality was still not up to par," said another.

To help solve the problem, villagers voiced their various ideas. "It's not enough for us to have just a scenic area. We need something special and unique to attract visitors," said He, suggesting they capitalize on the "old" of the Old Lanes by tapping into its cultural heritage.

Once this direction was set, concrete plans followed - opening traditional handicraft workshops, introducing exhibitions of Longde's intangible cultural heritage, promoting local specialty hot pot dishes... Yang also leveraged his paper-cutting skills, opening a paper-cutting workshop.

Holding the paper with his left hand, scissors in his right, Yang made a big cut for the basic outline, then meticulously carved out intricate patterns. In no time, a Chinese character "chun" (spring) in the shape of a peach emerged from his cuts.

Tourists visit the Old Lanes. (Photo from the official account of the Longde bureau of culture, tourism, broadcast and television on WeChat)

"Paper-cutting was just a hobby of me, and I never thought it could become something big when combined with tourism," said Yang, who is now a municipal-level inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage of paper-cutting. The popularity of his workshop has livened up his B&B hotel.

Nowadays, paper-cutting is not the only intangible cultural heritage in the Old Lanes. During the initial renovation, eight connected old courtyards in Hongya village were preserved, exhibiting traditional intangible cultural heritage items like Wei-style brick carvings, local folk celebration, Yang-style clay sculptures, and more. Each courtyard has its unique attraction, and together they form an interconnected cultural space.

"Activities are frequently held in the courtyards, with live demonstrations of clay sculpting, face mask painting, and shadow puppetry performances. The melodious tunes of local opera are more attractive than any hawking," said Zhang.

The cultural attractions have boosted business. Visitors are streaming into the Old Lanes year-round, and He's courtyard restaurant is always packed. "During the peak period in summer, our daily revenue can reach 20,000 yuan," said He.

Nowadays, the Old Lanes scenic area has 48 businesses, including calligraphy and painting studios, restaurants, B&B hotels, and gift shops. The annual average disposable income there has risen from just a few thousand yuan before the renovation to 26,000 yuan in 2023. In 2022, the scenic area welcomed around 350,000 visits and generated a direct revenue of 20 million yuan.

"The charm of Hongya village lies in its vibrant culture," said Zhang. Many scenic villages across China have become purely commercial spots, while Hongya village has preserved a rare authenticity, he added.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
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.


NewsVoir

Amsterdam [Netherlands], March 22: MintCFD, a leading online trading platform, proudly announces its achievement as it surpasses the milestone of 1 million trades executed in a short period of time. This remarkable milestone signifies MintCFD's growing success in the online trading industry.

Also Read | World Water Day 2024: Aamir Khan's Lagaan, Shah Rukh Khan's Swades, and Other Bollywood Movies That Shed Light on 'Water Issues'.

* The platform's exponential growth and unwavering commitment to providing traders with innovative tools and unparalleled opportunities have propelled to this significant milestone.

* With a steadfast dedication to transparency, reliability, and user-centricity, MintCFD continues to redefine the trading experience for individuals worldwide.

Also Read | Mahindra Partners With Adani Total Energies E-Mobility To Boost EV Charging Infrastructure in India.

In a short period of time, MintCFD has facilitated over 1 million trades, reflecting the trust and confidence placed in the platform by traders seeking to capitalize on global market trends.

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Register on MintCFD & begin your trading journey today.

MintCFD is a leading online trading platform that provides traders with access to a diverse range of financial markets. With a focus on transparency, reliability, and user-centricity, MintCFD empowers traders to capitalize on global market trends and achieve their financial objectives.

* Disclaimer: Trading involves risks, and users are advised to exercise caution and perform due diligence before engaging in any trading activities. Past performance is not indicative of future results. *

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

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Supaul (Bihar) [India], March 22 (ANI): One labourer was killed and several others were injured after an under-construction bridge over the Koshi River, between Supaul and Madhubani districts in Bihar, collapsed on Thursday.

The 10.2 km bridge over the Koshi river, linking Bakaur in Supaul district to Bheja in Madhubani district was being constructed by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).

Also Read | Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi Accepts MK Stalin's Recommendation, K Ponmudy to Be Re-Inducted as Cabinet Minister.

An eyewitness to the incident, Dharmendra Yadav said that "around ten to eleven people were working on the under-construction site when it collapsed, and when the brige collapsed many suffered serious injuries."

The Bihar government announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the deceased and Rs one lakh each for the injured.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: BSP Releases First List of Two Candidates for Chhattisgarh.

"A part of the bridge had collapsed, in which one person has died and ten are injured. The injured are under treatment and are out of danger. Ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for the injured has been announced. We are trying to find out if more people are stuck with the help of cranes," Supaul District Magistrate Kaushal Kumar said.

Meanwhile, the Bihar government has reiterated that no leniency will be shown towards those found guilty of malpractice.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha has assured a high level investigation into the case.

"An accident has occurred on an under-construction bridge over the Kosi river. The portion of that bridge fell down which led to the death of one person and injured 10. We have spoken to the district officer. The deceased family will get Rs 10 lakh through related agencies. A full-fledged investigation is required to find who is the main culprit," Vijay Kumar Sinha told ANI. (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], March 22 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has extended support to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in Lakshadweep.

In a post on social media platform X on Friday, BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde said, "BJP extend complete support to NCP (Ajit Pawar) candidate from Lakshadweep. Together NDA can and NDA will achieve victory!"

Also Read | Earth Hour 2024: Olympic Medallist PV Sindhu Named Goodwill Ambassador for This Year's 'Earth Hour India'.

The Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP is yet to finalise the candidate in Lakshadweep for the general elections.

"Under the leadership of National President of Bharatiya Janata Party, Jagat Prakash Nadda, the party has decided that in the parliamentary elections 2024, BJP will support the candidate of National Congress Party (Ajit Pawar) from Lakshadweep," according to a statement issued from the office of Tawde.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Bhim Army's Chandrashekhar Azad To Contest Against Samajwadi Party's Manoj Kumar From UP's Nagina Constituency.

Tawde, in the statement, also expressed confidence in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) crossing the 400-mark in the Lok Sabha. Further, he asserted that PM Modi will return to power.

"Under the leadership of respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi, NDA will cross the 400 mark. With the blessings of the public, the NDA government will be formed again at the Center under the leadership of the successful Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi with a majority of more than 400," it said.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Mohammed Faizal PP of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Sharad Pawar won the seat in the Lakshadweep Lok Sabha constituency, securing 22,851 votes.

Faizal defeated Hamdullah Sayeed of the Congress party by a margin of 823 votes, retaining his position as the incumbent MP. Congress has fielded Sayeed again this year.

The Lakshadweep LS constituency which is reserved for the Scheduled Tribes will go to polls on April 19 in a single phase.

The Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases from April 19 to June 1. The counting of votes will held on June 4. (ANI)

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Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], March 22 (ANI): The Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Himachal Pradesh legislative assembly, Jairam Thakur, accused the Congress-led government in the state of framing false cases against the elected representatives and working in the spirit of revenge.

"False cases are being filed against many elected representatives. Instructions have been given to demolish (Inder Dutt) Lakhanpal's (disqualified Congress MLA) house and even the road to Hoshiyar Singh's (independent MLA) house has been closed. Apart from this, cases are also being framed against other leaders, which is unfortunate," he said.

Also Read | INDIA Bloc Leaders Rap Election Commission's Door, Allege Misuse of Central Agencies Amid Arvind Kejriwal's Arrest by ED.

Thakur said that he never worked out of 'political malice' when he held the office of the Chief Minister while alleging that the Congress-led government was working with revenge.

He further said that the Chief Minister is 'not able to handle' his MLAs and is blaming it on the BJP.

Also Read | Bihar Diwas: From Maithili to Angika, 5 Different Languages Commonly Spoken in Bihar State.

Six MLAs voted for Rajya Sabha in the interest of Himachal and now they are being called back by luring them. Government ministers are calling him and saying that they are removing Sukhu from the post of CM after the Lok Sabha elections. Congress leaders are no longer even ready to contest the Lok Sabha elections, he said.

The state president of Congress has refused to contest the Lok Sabha elections and has said that elections cannot be won with MP funds. The Congress President is angry with his government and now it seems that he has been convinced. This has been going on in the state for the last 15 months, Thakur claimed.

On Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal's arrest, Jairam Thakur said that the party, which was started against corruption, had all its leaders jailed in corruption cases. Kejriwal was summoned nine times by the ED but he did not appear and was arrested last evening, he said.

He alleged that Kejriwal used to call himself an example of honesty but while in government, he had committed a liquor scam worth Rs 100 crore.

Jai Ram Thakur said that the three independent legislators who resigned from the state assembly will join the BJP and will be given tickets for the By-election in the state.

The MLAs include KL Thakur from Nalagarh, Hoshiyar Singh from Dehra and Ashish Sharma from the Hamirpur assembly seat. There are reports that these MLAS will be joining the BJP. (ANI)

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New Delhi, Mar 22 (PTI) IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari visited the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Tamil Nadu's Wellington on Friday and told a group of officers about the IAF's vision to transition into a "contemporary and future ready aerospace force".

The IAF chief also highlighted the significant air power lessons derived from existing conflicts such as Russia-Ukraine war and Israel-Hamas conflict, the defence ministry said in a statement.

Also Read | Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, Says She Has Cancer and is Undergoing Chemotherapy (Watch Video).

In his address to them, he also covered the challenges confronting the IAF, its capability development plan and jointmanship, it said.

He addressed the student officers from the Indian armed forces and friendly foreign countries undergoing the 79th Staff Course and the permanent staff of DSSC.

Also Read | Arvind Kejriwal Goes to ED Custody Till March 28, Agency Says He Facilitated Money Laundering in Excise Case.

Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari "spelt out the transition of IAF into a contemporary and future ready aerospace force".

He reiterated the vision as spelt out in the IAF doctrine, which envisages an agile and adaptive air force to provide decisive aerospace power.

"The dominant role played by IAF during evacuation of Indian diaspora from conflict zones and during disaster relief operations was highlighted" by him, it said.

The IAF chief was also briefed on the ongoing training activities and the impetus to jointmanship at DSSC.

Meanwhile, in a post on X, the IAF congratulated ISRO on achieving a milestone in the area of reusable launch vehicle technology through the RLV LEX-02 landing experiment.

"Utilising the #IAF Chinook helicopter for its airlift and subsequent positioning at a predefined altitude and location, @isro successfully demonstrated the autonomous landing capability of the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) 'PUSHPAK' as part of its RLV-LEX 2 mission.

"Airlifted to an altitude of 4.5 kms, IAF Air Warriors were part of the successful mission. IAF heartily congratulates #ISRO on achieving this milestone. IAF will contribute and collaborate in future as well, for many such undertakings. #AtmanirbharBharat #HarKaamDeshKeNaam," it posted and also shared some photographs and a video.

ISRO on Friday said it has achieved a major milestone in the area of reusable launch vehicle technology through the RLV LEX-02 landing experiment.

This is the second of the series conducted at Aeronautical Test Range, Chitradurga, in Karnataka at 7.10 am.

After the RLV-LEX-01 mission was accomplished last year, RLV-LEX-02 demonstrated the autonomous landing capability of reusable launch vehicle (RLV) from off-nominal initial conditions at release from helicopter, the Bengaluru-headquartered space agency said in a statement.

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New Delhi, March 22: After Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in the excise policy case, INDIA bloc leaders met with the Election Commission of India on Friday and demanded its intervention in the "targeting of opposition leaders" by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party through the "misuse of central agencies". The representation to the ECI was made by Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, Abhishek Singhvi, NCP (SCP) leader Jitendra Awhad, CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury, TMC MP Derek O Brien and several other leaders.

After meeting the Election Commission, Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi said that a level playing field is needed for elections, but the ruling party is not allowing that, which has had an impact of free and fair elections. "Almost every opposition party is here. This incident happened late at night (arrest of Delhi CM). We had a detailed discussion with the election commission. This isn't about an individual or any party but it relates to the basic structure of the constitution. When a level playing field is needed for an election and you do not let the field be leveled by misusing agencies, it impacts free and fair elections and ultimately democracy," he said. Arvind Kejriwal Arrested: ED Gets 10-Day Custody of Delhi CM

Singhvi also informed that it has submitted evidence of the misuse of agencies by the ruling party to the poll body. "The Election Commission has been given the responsibility and is the police to protect this level field. We asked the Election Commission to interfere. In the history of 75 years of independent India, the first time a sitting CM has been arrested. The accounts of the grand old and the biggest opposition party have been frozen. We have given evidence of the misuse of agencies against the opposition leaders. We asked, if the election commission can change the DGP secretary, then why does it not control these agencies?" he said.

The letter submitted to the poll body by the INDIA on Friday asserted that "arrests, of individuals holding Constitutional posts are clearly intended to have a stifling and deleterious effect on the democratic functioning of the affairs of their respective states, as well as the parties themselves". The letter further read, "It is a move that is deliberately designed to demotivate and demoralise the members of these parties and the opposition at large. These arrested individuals, one of whom is the National Convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party, and the other is the Working President of Jharkhand, Mukti Morcha, are elected leaders of our country who have championed the cause of those on the margins of our society, including our brothers and sisters belonging to the tribal communities.

"Their arrests are meant to send a message straight to the voter. That the ruling regime will not countenance any real opposition to its electoral ambitions," it added. Alleging that the BJP is freezing the Congress bank accounts ahead of the polls, the letter stated that these "malafide and egregious acts of freezing bank accounts followed by forceful recoveries, have been done with the intention of disadvantaging the principal opposition party from running an unfettered election campaign for the Lok Sabha". Blatant Assault on Democracy: Mamata Banerjee Condemns Arrest of Arvind Kejriwal by ED in Liquor Policy Case

INDIA Bloc Leaders Meet ECI

#WATCH | After meeting the Election Commission, Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi says, "Almost every opposition party is here. This incident happened late at night (arrest of Delhi CM). We have a detailed discussion with the election commission. This isn't about an individual or https://t.co/RnYWXTKnsd pic.twitter.com/DWv6f8WzHq  ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2024

#WATCH | Delhi: After meeting the Election Commission, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury says, "The process of election has begun. The model code of conduct is in force; despite that such actions (Arvind Kejriwal's arrest) are being taken, which is destroying the level pic.twitter.com/OsEGKZGflh  ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2024

#WATCH | Delhi: After meeting the Election Commission, NCP-SCP leader Jitendra Awhad says, "We are asking the Election Commission, which is the highest body during the election, to intervene...People slowly but surely are losing faith in every agency...This is the death of pic.twitter.com/emvwRuUEUY  ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2024

Meanwhile, CPI (M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury who was also part of INDIA delegation, said that without a level playing field, democracy is nothing. "The process of election has begun. The model code of conduct is in force; despite that such actions (Arvind Kejriwal's arrest) are being taken, which is destroying the level playing field. Without a level playing field, democracy is nothing. If the Election Commission keeps control over the police and the administration, then why not on central agencies; They have to think about it," he said.

NCP-SCP leader Jitendra Awhad also urged the Election Commission to intervene against the misuse of central agencies. "We are asking the Election Commission, which is the highest body during the election, to intervene. People are slowly but surely losing faith in every agency. This is the death of democracy," he said. High voltage drama unfolded on Thursday late night when the ED arrested Kejriwal in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case linked to a money laundering case. The case pertains to alleged irregularities and money laundering in framing and implementing the Delhi excise policy case 2022, which was later scrapped.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kolkata, Mar 22 (PTI) Income tax sleuths continued their search operations at the premises of Trinamool Congress leader Swarup Biswas in the metropolis for the third day on Friday over alleged tax evasion, an official said.

The raids, which began on Wednesday morning, are part of an investigation into alleged tax evasion by two real estate companies, he said.

Also Read | Govt Extends Tenure of PLI Scheme for The Auto Industry With Partial Amendments.

The companies allegedly transferred funds to the account of Biswas, who is also the brother of state minister Aroop Biswas, violating income tax rules, the I-T official said.

"The search operations are underway for the third day today," he said.

Also Read | Dog Breeds Ban in India: Activists Fear Surge in Pet Dog Abandonment After Government Order.

The raids are being carried out for "tax evasion and possession of disproportionate assets by the TMC leader", he said.

The I-T sleuths have conducted searches at several locations in the city, including Biswas's residence in south Kolkata, the official said.

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New Delhi, Mar 22 (PTI) Mariam Mammen Mathew, CEO of Manorama Online, has been appointed chairperson of the Digital News Publishers' Association for two years, an official statement said on Friday.

Mathew, whose tenure begins on April 1, succeeds Tanmay Maheshwari, MD, Amar Ujala. Mathew served as vice-chairperson of the DNPA during Maheshwari's chairmanship, it said.

Also Read | Chennai Shocker: Rapido Bike Taxi Driver Flashes At Woman After Dropping Her at Location, Arrested.

Puneet Gupt, COO of Times Internet, was made the new vice-chairman of the DNPA while Puneet Jain, CEO of Digital HT Media, continues as the treasurer, it said.

The DNPA decided to elevate Mathew as the chairperson at its recent annual meeting, where new officers were appointed to the DNPA board, the statement said.

Also Read | Train on Fire in Nashik: Mumbai-Gorakhpur Godan Express Bogie Catches Fire Near Nashik Railway Station, No Casualties (Watch Video).

"I am honoured to take on the role as chairperson of DNPA and contribute to the country's digital media landscape, said Mathew.

My main goal will be to amplify the scale, influence and durability of digital news media entities. An integral part of this vision is embracing Artificial Intelligence to augment our capabilities and drive transformative change.

"Additionally, I am committed to nurturing a culture of Diversity, Inclusion and Equity within our organisation, which will play a pivotal role in reshaping the media landscape," she said.

Manorama Online is the digital arm of Malayala Manorama, one of India's largest and oldest media houses, with operations in print, television, radio and digital properties.

The DNPA represents 18 media organisations and serves as a dynamic umbrella organisation for the digital wings of media businesses, including print and broadcasting. It has taken proactive action in recent years to ensure equality and fairness for all news publishers, the statement said.

Having served as the DNPA chairman for two stimulating years, I was pleased to contribute to the endeavour of democratising India's digital news landscape. I am confident that Mariam Mathew will bring valuable insights to our shared mission, Maheshwari said.

During Maheshwari's tenure as chairman, DNPA made a significant contribution to India's digital news media landscape. It successfully held several editions of the DNPA Dialogues and two editions of the DNPA Conclave and Awards, it said.

The DNPA is dedicated to promoting, supporting and protecting the growth of digital news publishers. It fosters friendly relations among its members and encourages cooperation among them to maximise mutual benefit.

While ensuring that its members deliver credible news, it protects them from unfair and unethical practices.

Through events and activities, the DNPA seeks to safeguard the interests of India's digital news media houses. During Tanmay Maheshwari's tenure as chairman and under his guidance, we made significant strides in making India's digital news landscape increasingly equitable, Sujata Gupta, secretary general of the DNPA, said.

The road ahead for digital news media was one of the topics discussed at various events organised by the DNPA. The organisation has also sought greater collaboration between Big Tech platforms and India's digital news media organisations.

The DNPA's efforts at democratising the digital news space come at a time when India's regulators, led by the Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar, are seeking to bring fairness in how Big Tech platforms operate in the country. PTI

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Chandigarh, Mar 22 (PTI) The death toll due to the suspected consumption of spurious liquor in Punjab's Sangrur district has risen to 14 as six more people succumbed on Friday, officials said.

Police said they have arrested two more people. With this, a total of six people have been nabbed in connection with the case.

Also Read | Chennai Shocker: Rapido Bike Taxi Driver Flashes At Woman After Dropping Her at Location, Arrested.

Earlier on Thursday, police had recovered ethanol and raw material used for making alcohol.

"Fourteen people have died in this incident so far. We have made two fresh arrests in the case. Investigations are on and culprits will not be spared," Deputy Inspector General of Police, Harcharan Singh Bhullar told PTI on Friday.

Also Read | Train on Fire in Nashik: Mumbai-Gorakhpur Godan Express Bogie Catches Fire Near Nashik Railway Station, No Casualties (Watch Video).

Police had earlier suggested that the sale of spurious liquor could be part of an attempt to lure voters ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

On Wednesday, five people died allegedly after consuming spurious liquor and some were hospitalised. The next day, three more people succumbed during treatment at Patiala's Rajindra Hospital.

On late Thursday night, two more people died while four others succumbed his morning, taking the total death in the incident to 14.

Officials said that most of the deaths have taken place in different villages under Dirba block of Sangrur, a few deaths were also reported from Sunam.

Punjab Finance and Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who is under fire from the opposition over the deaths in Gujran village which falls in his Dirba assembly constituency, had on Thursday expressed grief and said whosoever responsible for this incident will not be spared.

The Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal hit out at the AAP government over the Sangrur hooch tragedy.

On Thursday, Special Director General of Police Arpit Shukla had said they have arrested a fourth person, identified as Patiala-resident Harmanpreet Singh, in connection with the incident.

Police had earlier recovered 200 litres of ethanol, 156 bottles of alcohol, 130 bottles containing suspected spurious liquor with labelling, 80 bottles containing spurious liquor without labelling, 4,500 empty bottles and a bottling machine etc.

A case was registered under section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code and the Excise Act and a probe is underway. The district administration has also formed a five-member committee to investigate the matter.

The committee has been asked to submit a report on the matter in 72 hours, Sangrur Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal had said on Wednesday.

A survey was also being conducted in affected villages to find out if anyone else reported symptoms of deterioration in health. Multiple teams of health officials, Anganwadi workers, police, revenue and rural development officials are conducting a door-to-door survey.

Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal has said the Sangrur hooch tragedy was indicative of the state of affairs in Punjab as well as those in chief minister Bhagwant Mann's home district of Sangrur, even as he demanded a judicial probe into the tragedy.

Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa has also criticised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for his "failure" to fix responsibility for the tragedy and seek the resignation of Harpal Cheema.

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Chennai, March 22: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin thanked the Supreme Court on Friday for its 'timely intervention' after the top court's directive to re-induct senior DMK leader K Ponmudy as a minister in the state cabinet. "On behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu, I thank the Supreme Court, the custodian of the Constitution, for its timely intervention, upholding the spirit of the Constitution and saving the democracy. In the last decade, the people of #INDIA witnessed the dithering of democracy, the withering of federalism and misadventures to put spikes before the functioning of sovereign governments elected by the people and give age-old traditions a go by," Stalin said in a post on X.

"#Elections2024 are crucial to save democracy and uphold the Constitution. Let us strive hard to prevent the brazen abuse of power by fascist forces threatening to ruin our glorious nation," he said. Meanwhile, K Ponmudywas sworn in as a minister in the Tamil Nadu cabinet earlier in the day after the apex court on Thursday questioned the conduct of Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi over his decision to refuse to appoint K Ponmudy as a minister in the state cabinet and said that he had defied the order of the top court. Tamil Nadu Governor Invites K Ponmudy to Swear in as Minister Today

CJI Chandrachud said, "We are seriously concerned about the conduct of the governor in this case. We did not want to say it out loud in court but you are now constraining us to say it aloud." CJI noted that Ponmudy's conviction has been stayed by the top court and despite that, the Tamil Nadu Governor is not allowing him to swear in. The court was dealing with the TN government's plea against the governor's decision to refuse to appoint Ponmudy as minister. In the plea, the Tamil Nadu Government has urged the top court to issue directions to appoint K Ponmudy as a Member of Legislative Assembly as a Minister of the Government of Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi Accepts MK Stalins Recommendation, K Ponmudy to Be Re-Inducted as Cabinet Minister

Governor Ravi agreed to swear in K Ponmudy as a minister on Friday following the intervention of the top court. Disqualified Tamil Nadu minister and DMK senior leader K Ponmudy was reinstated days after the Supreme Court stayed his conviction and three-year jail sentence in a disproportionate asset case on March 13, 2024. The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption registered a case against Ponmudy and his wife, Visalakshi, in 2011. Ponmudy was also the minister for higher education and mines during the DMK regime from 2006 to 2011.

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New Delhi, Mar 22 (PTI) The Jawaharlal Nehru University Vice Chancellor Santishree D Pandit on Friday asked the security of the varsity to submit a report on certain "motivated" slogans raised during the presidential debate on campus.

On Thursday, candidates across party lines vying for president's post in the JNU Students' Union elections, delivered fiery speeches, with some attacking the central government on Manipur violence and electoral bonds issues.

Also Read | Bihar Diwas: From Maithili to Angika, 5 Different Languages Commonly Spoken in Bihar State.

The candidates raised anti-establishment slogans while targeting the ruling party and RSS' student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, which is also in the fray.

"It has come to the notice that some students have allegedly raised certain motivated slogans, during the event of presidential debate of JNUSU elections held on March 21, which are totally unacceptable as it may hurt the feelings and sentiments of various sections of the JNU community.

Also Read | Martyrs Day Dates in India: Bhagat Singh Death Anniversary, Mahatma Gandhi Punyatithi and List of Other Recognised Shaheed Diwas Dates in the Country.

"The administration has taken cognizance of the matter and the security branch has been instructed by the Vice Chancellor to look into the matter and submit a report," a statement issued by the varsity read.

The administration appealed to the students to refrain from "vitiating the peaceful atmosphere of the campus" and a smooth functioning of the JNUSU elections.

Polling was held at JNU in two phases for the students union elections earlier in the day with counting of votes slated to commence at 9 pm onwards.

Ahead of the polling, JNU held presidential debates on the lines of the United States model, during which contenders for the post of president addressed students to garner support.

The JNUSU results will be declared on Sunday. The last elections were held in 2019.

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New Delhi, Mar 22 (PTI) JSW Energy's arm JSW Renewable Energy has signed an agreement with Reliance Power to acquire its 45 MW wind power project in Vashpet, Maharashtra, for Rs 132 crore.

JSW Renewable Energy (Coated) Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of JSW Neo Energy Limited and a step-down subsidiary of JSW Energy Limited, which is engaged in the business of renewable power generation, Reliance Power said in a regulatory filing.

Also Read | Bihar Diwas: From Maithili to Angika, 5 Different Languages Commonly Spoken in Bihar State.

"Reliance Power signs sale agreement with JSW Renewable Energy for the sale of its 45 MW wind power project in Vashpet, Maharashtra, for a consideration of Rs 132 crores," it added.

The deal is likely to be completed by May 21, 2024.

Also Read | Martyrs Day Dates in India: Bhagat Singh Death Anniversary, Mahatma Gandhi Punyatithi and List of Other Recognised Shaheed Diwas Dates in the Country.

"The proceeds from the sale will be used to retire the debt. Reliance Power is aiming to be a debt-free company by the end of this financial year. The total debt of Reliance Power as of March 31, 2023, was around Rs 700 crore," according to company sources.

Reliance Power has been settling its debt with the banks. In the last 3 months, it has settled its debt with three banks -- DBS Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank, they added.

The unit has been operational since June 2013 and it has a power offtake agreement with Adani Electricity, sources said.

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Tumakuru (Karnataka), Mar 22 (PTI) Three charred bodies were found in a burnt car on a lake bed on the outskirts of this district headquarters town about 70 km from Bengaluru, police said on Friday.

Police suspect it to be a case of murder and said that investigations are in full swing.

Also Read | Martyrs Day Dates in India: Bhagat Singh Death Anniversary, Mahatma Gandhi Punyatithi and List of Other Recognised Shaheed Diwas Dates in the Country.

According to police, the burnt car with charred bodies beyond recognition was found on the lake bed of Kuchchangi lake here today.

Also Read | Bihar Day 2024 Date and Significance: Know About Bihar Sthapana Diwas History and Celebrations That Take Place To Honour the Formation of the State.

We don't know how the incident happened. Our investigations are on. It could be murder. Two bodies were in the boot space and the third body was in the second row. The incident may have happened in the midnight. It came to our notice only today afternoon, Tumakuru Superintendent of Police Ashok K V told PTI.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Thimphu, March 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day state visit to Bhutan, received a rousing welcome from the people who turned out in large numbers to accord a warm reception. In an unprecedented welcome for PM Modi in Bhutan, people lined up the streets across the entire stretch of 45 kms from the airport in Paro to the national capital, Thimphu.

It was as if a human wall was present across the entire stretch of 45 kms from Paro to Thimphu and the entire Bhutan was on roads. On arriving in Thimphu, PM Modi also greeted the people of Bhutan and interacted with people standing across the streets. PM Modi Bhutan Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Arrives in Bhutan on Two-Day State Visit; Receives Red Carpet Welcome (Watch Videos).

People of Bhutan Extend a Warm Welcome to PM Modi

#WATCH | Thimphu | People of Bhutan extend a warm welcome to PM Modi on his arrival in their country on a two-day State visit pic.twitter.com/O7WZc8xnYM  ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2024

#WATCH | PM Modi welcomed by locals in Bhutan's Thimphu during his two-day State visit pic.twitter.com/Pi1lMoZm6E  ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier received a warm reception at the Paro International Airport as he landed in Bhutan's Paro International Airport to pay an official state visit. PM Modi was accorded a grand guard of honour at the airport from Bhutanese armed forces. During his visit to Bhutan, PM Modi will attend various programmes to further enhance India-Bhutan bilateral partnership.

India and Bhutan share a unique and exemplary bilateral relationship founded on mutual trust, goodwill, and understanding. Formal diplomatic ties between the two countries were established in 1968, with the cornerstone being the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949 and subsequently renewed in February 2007. PM Modi Bhutan Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Leaves for Two-Day Visit to Bhutan (See Pics and Video).

Over the years, high-level exchanges have played a pivotal role in nurturing the strong bond between India and Bhutan. King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, has made several visits to India, underscoring the close ties between the two nations. His last visit to India was in November 2023.

Similarly, PM Modi's visit to Bhutan in August 2019 marked a significant milestone, with the launch of major bilateral projects aimed at bolstering economic cooperation and connectivity.

The recent official visit of Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan to India in March 2024 further reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to enhancing bilateral relations across various domains, including development cooperation and vibrant economic ties.

(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 22 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday met the ASEAN special envoy on Myanmar, Alounkeo Kittikhoun here in New Delhi.

In his meeting with the envoy, Jaishankar appreciated the "open and useful" discussion on the situation in Myanmar.

Also Read | Earth Hour Day 2024 Date, Theme, History and Significance: Know About the Global Initiative To Switch Off Lights, Raising Awareness of Environmental Issues.

"Pleased to receive Alounkeo Kittikhoun, ASEAN Special Envoy on Myanmar," Jaishankar wrote in a post on X.

"Appreciated the open and useful discussion on the situation in Myanmar and its implications for the neighborhood," the EAM added.

Also Read | Dog Attack in UK: Toddler Climbing on Pet XL Bully Injured in Horrifying Mauling.

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.

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 March 15.

"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. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Streaks of Light Seen in California. (Photo Credits: Video Grab)

Geneva [Switzerland], March 22 (ANI): Social and human rights activist Shunichi Fujiki in his intervention during the 38th meeting of the 55th General Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, shed light on the barbarity faced by the Uyghur community in Xinjiang due to Mainland China's actions.

During his intervention, Fujiki expressed grave concern about the ongoing systematic human rights abuses against Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

Also Read | Elena Larrea Dies: Animal Rights Influencer Passes Away Aged 30 Due to Pulmonary Embolism After Undergoing Liposuction Operation.

He highlighted China's refusal to grant access to the region, hindering independent verification of reports on systemic discrimination, mass arbitrary detention, and forced labour.

Despite these challenges, a growing body of evidence, including extensive research by NGOs, journalists, and academics, reveals a disturbing pattern of systematic human rights violations.

Also Read | Attack on Indian Students in US: Indra Nooyi, Former PepsiCo CEO, Advises Indian Students To Be 'Watchful' Amid String of Tragedies (Watch Video).

In his intervention Fujiki outlined China's efforts to erase the unique Uyghur identity and culture, citing mass detentions in "vocational training centers" that serve as de facto internment camps.

These facilities subject individuals to political indoctrination forced labor, and attempts at cultural assimilation.

He referenced a 2023 report by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which raised concerns about mass surveillance, restrictions on religious practices, and forced sterilizations.

Shunichi also Fujiki urged the UNHRC to take immediate action. He called for free access to Xinjiang for observers, including UN human rights experts, the release of arbitrarily detained individuals, and a comprehensive investigation into allegations of torture, forced labour, and cultural assimilation.

Additionally, Fujiki appealed to member states to enact legislation banning the import of goods produced with forced labor in Xinjiang. He emphasized the urgent need for decisive actions, as the Uyghur community continues to suffer under oppressive conditions. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Thimphu, Mar 22 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India will provide support of Rs 10,000 crore to Bhutan over the next five years, as the two sides signed several agreements in a range of fields including energy, trade and space to bolster cooperation.

He made the announcement in his address to a gathering here after receiving Bhutan's highest civilian award, the 'Order of the Druk Gyalpo', the first foreign Head of the Government to receive the honour.

Also Read | Earth Hour Day 2024 Date, Theme, History and Significance: Know About the Global Initiative To Switch Off Lights, Raising Awareness of Environmental Issues.

Modi said the relationship between India and Bhutan are as much old as they are modern and timely, adding, the depth of their relationship is both 'B2B' and 'P2P'.

"And, 'B2B' means' Bharat to Bhutan', and 'P2P' means people to people connect," he said.

Also Read | Dog Attack in UK: Toddler Climbing on Pet XL Bully Injured in Horrifying Mauling.

Modi also spoke of the Bhutanese government's 13th Five-Year Plan (FYP) and said, "Our full support and cooperation will be there".

"In the next five years, the government of India will provide support of Rs 10,000 crore in this direction," he added.

He made the announcement in the presence of Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and other dignitaries.

Prime Minister Modi is here on a two-day State visit to further cement India's unique relations with Bhutan as part of India's 'Neighbourhood First' Policy.

"For the 12th Five Year Plan of the Royal Government of Bhutan, India committed an assistance package of INR 5000 crores. Under the 12th Five Year Plan, India has implemented 82 Project Tied Assistance Projects and 524 High Impact Community Development Projects in Bhutan. India's commitment includes INR 400 crores towards Transitional Trade Support Facility," according to a statement issued on India-Bhutan relations in early March by the Indian Embassy in Thimpu.

India and Bhutan on Friday exchanged several MoUs and signed agreements in the fields of energy, trade, digital connectivity, space and agriculture, and finalised the MoU on the establishment of rail links between the two nations.

Later in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs issued a joint statement on the State Visit of the Prime Minister of India to Bhutan.

The statement is 'Bharat and Bhutan: Together for Progress and Development'.

"Since Bhutan's First Five Year Plan in 1961, India's development partnership with Bhutan has been empowering the people and ensuring development across sectors and regions. Our development partnership is a confluence of India's approach of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas' and the philosophy of Gross National Happiness in Bhutan. We will continue to expand our development partnership in line with the priorities of the people and the Government of Bhutan, and the vision of His Majesty," it read.

Modi in his nearly 25-minute address said India is the fastest growing, fifth largest economy in the world and "we have laid down a roadmap for its Amrit Kaal".

"We are on our way to becoming the third largest economy, and in this journey, Bhutan will be an important partner," he said.

Modi termed the Gross National Happiness Index of Bhutan a "visionary framework" and said he was confident that 'Mindfulness City' in Gelephu will also become an inspiration for the world.

He also said, "When the world is struggling with the challenge of climate change, Bhutan's 'carbon neutral' progress will guide the way".

"We celebrate each other's accomplishments. When Mission Chandrayaan happened, Bhutanese people were equally happy as Indians were". Similarly, when the film "Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom", was nominated for an Oscar, it made Indians rejoice too.

For better connectivity, whether it is a new airport, proposed rail links, or Brahmaputra waterways, "soon we will see them come to fruition".

And, for trade and infrastructure too, and to make them stronger, "integrated check posts will be made," he said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Colombo, Mar 22 (PTI) Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday released 234 acres of land, previously held by the Jaffna Security Forces Headquarters, to farmers in the area, according to an official statement.

Jaffna is a Tamil-dominated capital city of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.

Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Bhutan Visit: India, Bhutan Ink Several Pacts, Finalise MoU on Establishment of Rail Links Between Two Nations (See Pics).

"President Ranil Wickremesinghe released 234 acres of land which were previously held by the Jaffna Security Forces Headquarters, to farmers for cultivation purposes in 5 Grama Niladhari Divisions in Jaffna," the statement issued by the President's Media Division (PMD) said in a post on X.

These plots of land were released to farmers across five Grama Niladhari Divisions in Jaffna for cultivation purposes.

Also Read | PM Modi Conferred With Order of the Druk Gyalpo: Bhutan King Confers Prime Minister Narendra Modi Country's Highest Honour.

Wickremesinghe symbolically presented the deeds benefiting 408 individuals at a ceremony held in Jaffna's Oddakapulam under the Urumaya national programme, aimed at distributing two million freehold deeds to the deserving public.

Officials said some 68 acres had also been released on March 10.

These lands had been cultivated by the military since public access to them had been shut due to the military operations against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) till 2009.

During and after the conflict with LTTE, some 3,500 acres of privately owned lands were taken over by the military to create the high-security zone around the Palaly military base of Jaffna which is also the site for the current Jaffna International Airport.

Since 2015 some of these lands have been released to their private owners in response to pleas after the military defeated the LTTE in 2009.

Jaffna holds great significance as it was the region where the LTTE had run a military campaign for a separate Tamil homeland for nearly 30 years before its collapse in 2009 after the Sri Lankan Army killed its supreme leader V Prabhakaran.

The region has lacked economic development and the Sri Lankan leaders have said they are committed to the development of the Tamil-dominated Northern and Eastern provinces of the island nation.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Beijing, Mar 22 (PTI) Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena will pay a six-day visit to China starting from March 25 during which the two countries will strive for new progress in the strategic cooperative partnership, it was announced on Friday.

During his visit, Gunawardena will be meeting President Xi Jinping and hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a media briefing here.

Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Bhutan Visit: India, Bhutan Ink Several Pacts, Finalise MoU on Establishment of Rail Links Between Two Nations (See Pics).

Lin said China attaches great importance to its relations with Sri Lanka and seeks to enhance cooperation in various fields, including high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and strive for new progress in the strategic cooperative partnership.

This will be the first visit by a Sri Lankan leader to Beijing after Colombo put a moratorium on recurring visits by Chinese research ships to Hambantota port reportedly due to India's security concerns.

Also Read | PM Modi Conferred With Order of the Druk Gyalpo: Bhutan King Confers Prime Minister Narendra Modi Country's Highest Honour.

Colombo's move had drawn angry reactions from Beijing.

On Wednesday, however, Sri Lanka said it will allow foreign offshore research ships for replenishments at its ports despite a one-year ban on such vessels.

Gunawardena's visit also comes days after the International Monetary Fund reached a staff-level agreement with Sri Lanka for the next phase that would enable it access to USD 337 million from the nearly USD 3 billion bailout approved in 2023 for the cash-strapped country.

In 2022, Sri Lanka had announced a default on over USD 51 foreign loans. According to Sri Lanka's official data, China tops the list of its creditors with 43 per cent followed by Japan with 23 per cent and India with 15 per cent.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
World Meteorological Day is an annual observance that is marked on March 23. The international event commemorates the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1950. The WMO is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN) responsible for promoting international cooperation in meteorology, climatology, hydrology, and related fields. The theme for World Meteorological Day 2024 is At the frontline of climate action. The day showcases the essential contribution of the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to the safety and well-being of society and is celebrated with activities around the world. World Meteorological Day: India Manoeuvring One of the Best Forecasting Systems in the World.

World Meteorological Day 2024 Date

Like every year, the World Meteorological Day will be observed on March 23, i.e., Saturday.

World Meteorological Day 2024 Theme

Each year, the themes chosen for World Meteorological Day reflect topical weather, climate or water-related issues. The World Meteorological Day 2024 theme is At the frontline of climate action.

World Meteorological Day History

The first World Meteorological Day was held on March 23, 1961. According to historical records, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), a United Nations organisation, was created on March 23, 1950, to replace the International Meteorological Organization. The WMO began operations in 1951 to coordinate member nations in meteorology, operational hydrology, and Earth sciences for the security of their populations.

World Meteorological Day Significance

World Meteorological Day is an important global event that aims to raise awareness about the importance of meteorology and its contributions to society, particularly in areas like weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and disaster risk reduction. Each year, World Meteorological Day is marked with various events, seminars, and activities organised by meteorological organisations around the world.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 22, 2024 03:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
The rear parcel bogie of the Mumbai-Gorakhpur Godan Express, which had set off from Mumbai, caught fire near the Nashik railway station on Friday afternoon but there were no casualties, officials said.
New Delhi, March 22: Grecia Munoz, recently been put into the limelight, not just for her accomplishments in the fashion industry but also for her personal life. She gained widespread attention following her marriage to Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal.

The relationship between Grecia Munoz and Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal is a blend of glamour and corporate success, making a new chapter in both their lives. Their wedding might attract many, as it brings together two individuals from different professional backgrounds. Deepinder Goyal-Grecia Munoz Wedding: Zomato CEO Marries Mexican Model-Enterpreneur, Takes Honeymoon Trip With Wife.

Grecia Munoz's Instagram bio provides information of her journey, stating "Born in Mexico ...now at home in India." This simple phrase describes her transition from her native country to her new life in India. Her profile also announces her achievement as the winner at the Metropolitan Fashion Week in 2022, highlighting her success in the fashion world.

Grecia Munoz is a Mexican model who is well-known on the international fashion stage. Her career picked up when she was crowned the winner at the Metropolitan Fashion Week in the United States in 2022. Munoz has also described herself as a television host.

Her personal life took a romantic turn when she met Deepinder Goyal, the CEO of Zomato, a leading food delivery platform in India. The couple's relationship grew, leading to their marriage. According to reports, they celebrated their marriage privately and enjoyed a honeymoon in February 2024. Zomato Launches Pure Veg Mode: Deepinder Goyal Announces Pure Veg Fleet With Vegetarian Riders From Eateries That Dont Serve Meat.

Deepinder Goyal is also a well-known businessman who co-founded Zomato in 2008. His leadership has seen the company grow into a giant in food delivery sector. Goyal had married Kanchan Joshi his first wife whom he supposedly meet while studying at IIT Delhi. Deepinder Goyal is now in a new chapter of his life, with his second marriage to Mexican model, Grecia Munoz.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 22, 2024 11:59 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
In anticipation of large-scale protests following the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in an alleged liquor policy case, traffic restrictions have been imposed in Delhi. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has announced the temporary closure of the ITO Metro station until 6 PM on Friday. Furthermore, the Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory urging commuters to avoid certain routes due to special arrangements. The routes to be avoided include Krishna Menon Marg, Motilal Nehru Marg, Janpath, and Dr Apj Abdul Kalam Road. Commuters are advised to steer clear of these stretches until further notice. These measures have been taken in response to the recent arrest of Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam. Arvind Kejriwal Arrested: 'Corrupt Will Go to Jail', Says BJP on Delhi CM's Arrest, AAP Protest Against ED Action.

ITO Metro Closed

Service Update On advice of Delhi Police, ITO Metro station will remain closed from 08:00 AM to 06:00 PM today i.e, 22nd March 2024.  Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) March 22, 2024

Delhi Traffic Advisory

Traffic Advisory In view of the proposed protest by Political party at DDU Marg Delhi, Traffic will remain heavy at IP Marg, Vikas Marg, Minto Road and Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg. DDU marg will remain closed for traffic movement. Kindly avoid these roads and plan your journey  Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) March 22, 2024

Traffic Alert On 22.03.2024, Due to Special arrangements, Traffic may remain affected on Krishna Menon Marg, Motilal Nehru Marg, Janpath, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Road.Commuters are advised to avoid these stretches till further notice.  Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) March 22, 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.)
Gangster Prasad Pujari, who has been wanted for the last 20 years, has been deported to India from China, the Mumbai Crime Branch said on Friday. The crime branch confirmed that Prasad Pujari will land at the Mumbai International Airport by midnight on Friday. Terrorists in Mumbai? Police Receive Threatening Call About Armed Terrorists Entering Dongri Area, Turns Out To Be Hoax; One Arrested.

Gangster Prasad Pujari Deported From China

Mumbai Crime Branch deports gangster Prasad Pujari. He will be brought to Mumbai by midnight from China: Mumbai Crime Branch  ANI (@ANI) March 22, 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 21 March Argentinas defence minister,, and public security minister,, announced that the government would be presenting congress with bills to reform the penal code and tackle drug trafficking, including one that would allow the armed forces to participate in public security efforts.

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On 21 March Mexicos foreign minister,, said that Mexico has reached an agreement with Venezuela to repatriate Venezuelan citizens.

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On 21 March Brazils Presidentunveiled a series of environmental protection measures, on the same day that he hosted an event with representatives from the big farming sector, the lobbying efforts of which have often proved a thorn in his side.

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Despite often boasting that he is rich, Donald Trump is in massive financial trouble, and this is shown in his new joint fundraising agreement with the Republican National Committee (RNC), which he wants to direct the donations it receives to not just his presidential campaign, but also to the political action committee that pays for his legal bills.

The Associated Press has obtained a copy of Trump's fundraising invitation, and it has revealed that the money that donors will be making to the RNC would be sent to the Trump Campaign and his Save America PAC before the RNC itself even gets a cut of the donations.

As the AP noted, this could mean that RNC donors could see their donated money go to Donald Trump's lawyers rather than the Republican Party itself. These Trump lawyers have received at least $76 million over the last two years, defending him on his four criminal indictments and various civil cases. The move of funneling RNC money into Trump's legal battle is now troubling some Republicans.

As for the invitation from Trump, it was to lure high-dollar donors to Palm Beach, Florida, for an April 6 fundraiser. The invitation letter itself stated in the fine print that "the Trump 47 Committee will first be used to give the maximum amount allowed under federal law to Trump's campaign." The leftovers will next go to the Save America PAC, with the rest going to the RNC and state political parties.

RNC donations usually go to Republican races all over the US, but with the new Trump-backed RNC headed by his own daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, those state races will have to take a backseat as the Trump Campaign and his legal battles should go first.

The RNC itself has been struggling with money problems as of late, and Trump's latest moves could deal a much bigger blow for the rest of the party in November.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Rants About Having To Sell Properties in 'Fire Sale Prices' as $454 Million New York Fraud Trial Judgement Looms

Donald Trump Urging Supporters To Donate Money To Him in New Fundraising Letter

The biggest of Trump's financial troubles is the almost $500 million judgment in the New York fraud case. With this, he is not just targeting the big-money donors but also his more ardent supporters in trying to fund his ever-growing legal bills. In a fundraising email to his supporters with the headline "Keep your filthy hands off Trump Tower!" he urges supporters to pay for his legal fees.

"Insane radical Democrat AG Letitia James wants to SEIZE my properties in New York. This includes the iconic Trump Tower," the email read, urging supporters to Donate. Democrats think that this will intimidate me. They think that if they take my cash to stifle my campaign, that I'll GIVE UP!"

Donald Trump Behind Joe Biden in Campaign Fundraising

Meanwhile, that donation money going to his legal fees also means that Trump is way behind Joe Biden in terms of cash. A report from the Trump Campaign and his Save America PAC has shown that they raised a combined $15.9 million in February and ended the month with more than $37 million on hand.

However, the incumbent president has managed to raise a lot more than this, with his campaign raising $53 million last month and ending February with $155 million on hand, according to the Associated Press.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Admits He Cannot Afford To Pay $454 Million New York Fraud Judgment

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Trump faces 'insurmountable difficulties' in securing bond in civil fraud case - ABC News
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres supports factions' creation of a Haiti transitional council to handle presidential duties before elections.

However, recent violence in Port-au-Prince and Petion-Ville indicates worsening clashes with armed gangs, deepening the capital's insecurity, according to Reuters.

The council aims to heal Haiti's divided politics and appoint a successor to Prime Minister Henry, who resigned.

It will temporarily hold presidential power until elections are arranged. Challenges persist, notably in agreeing on representation among factions.

Brokered by CARICOM in Jamaica, the transition plan faces delays due to discord among Haitian political groups.

Gang leader Jimmy "Barbeque" Cherizier's threats against participating politicians add to the complexity.

The ongoing violence highlights Haiti's fragile state, requiring humanitarian aid and support for Haitian police, as urged by the UN Security Council.

Efforts to establish the Haiti Transitional Council navigate persistent challenges and security risks.

READ NEXT: Haiti Gang Attacks Wealthy Neighborhoods

Haitians Seek Respite Amid Gang Violence, Gunfire Erupts in Port-au-Prince

Citizens rushed to buy essentials during a brief break from Haiti gang violence Thursday, only for gunfire to erupt in downtown Port-au-Prince hours later, AP News reports.

Female vendors, carrying heavy loads, fled as bullets flew near landmarks like the hospital, National Palace, and main prison in another attack on the capital.

Amidst the chaos, a policeman tended to a wounded man's leg.

The gunfire started in the afternoon, following evacuations of foreigners stranded since the attacks began on February 29.

Gangs targeted police stations, the closed airport, and Haiti's largest prisons, freeing over 4,000 inmates.

The violence has killed dozens and left 17,000 homeless as gangs raid neighborhoods.

The UN Security Council, in a statement Thursday, strongly condemned the violence and attacks by armed gangs.

They emphasized the urgent need for intensified humanitarian aid and support for the Haitian National Police.

US Evacuates More Trapped US Citizens Amid Haiti Gang Violence Escalation

On Thursday, the State Department evacuated over 60 US citizens from Haiti to Miami International Airport, the second such operation this week due to escalating gang violence threatening the Haitian government.

Departing from Cap-Haitien, the flight included individuals stranded in the northern port city and those from the gang-ridden capital, where escape routes are controlled by armed groups, the Miami Herald noted.

Commercial flights between Haiti and the US ceased after armed attacks on Toussaint Louverture International Airport and a nearby seaport on March 4.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized Haiti's Level 4 travel advisory due to Haiti gang violence.

"We've been stressing that the United States government cannot guarantee American citizens will all be evacuated given the treacherous situation on the ground," she said, adding that they have notified registered Americans that we're considering different possibilities to assist their departure from both Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien.

In addition to evacuations from the less violent north, the US airlifted 15 citizens from Port-au-Prince to Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic's capital, intending to transport up to 30 Americans daily.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also facilitated the evacuation of 14 Floridians to Orlando from Haiti.

Tania Diogene, a Haitian American, found herself stranded in Haiti after gangs orchestrated mass jailbreaks just after her arrival on March 1.

While Diogene's mother remains in Port-au-Prince, she learned of the US evacuation while in Cap-Haitien.

Earlier this month, criminal gangs attempted to overthrow Prime Minister Ariel Henry during his absence, delaying the deployment of a multinational security force.

READ MORE: Haiti Transition Proposal Rejected

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Haiti's political crisis: Gang leader Jimmy Cherizier talks to Al Jazeera - From Al Jazeera English
US Senators who attended a secret briefing about the alleged TikTok ban told Axios that China's government could spy on Americans and spread propaganda through the popular social media app, according to Axios.

The senators didn't provide many details about the briefing held on Wednesday but emphasized that Americans should be concerned about TikTok's access to their personal information.

One of the US senators said security officials explained how China could gather user data and use it for propaganda and false information.

Another lawmaker mentioned that they were informed TikTok could listen in on users' microphones, track their typing, and monitor their activities on other apps.

Senate leaders are considering what to do with a proposed bill that would require the Chinese company ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban in the United States.

The House approved the bill with strong support last week after its members received a similar briefing on security concerns.

READ NEXT: TikTok Ban Bill Passes House

TikTok Bans Threaten Educational Content, Say Influencers and Experts

In December 2020, a rural Southern public school teacher known as "Ms. James" found success in teaching grammar on TikTok amid the pandemic. Rapidly gaining followers, she now has 5.8 million.

However, discussions of a TikTok ban threaten her educational content. Ms. James worries about its impact on providing quality education, particularly for ESL and homeschooled students, Reuters noted.

She sees her work on TikTok as a global educational aid. Content creator Naomi Hearts, with 1.1 million followers, shares her concerns.

USC professor Karen North warns of TikTok's data risks, such as facial recognition and location tracking, which she believes outweigh its benefits, especially in academia.

Dr. Anthony Youn, a plastic surgeon with 8.4 million followers, emphasizes TikTok's educational role and fears a ban would hinder information accessibility.

Both Dr. Youn and Naomi Hearts doubt the ban's motive, viewing it as a way to curb informative content rather than safeguard data, noting other apps also collect personal information.

Senate Clarifies: TikTok Legislation Not a Ban, But Ownership Transition

Senate supporters of legislation aimed to clarify one thing: it's not a TikTok ban. Senator Richard Blumenthal stressed that they're talking about a change in ownership, not shutting down TikTok altogether, Slate reports.

This comes after a classified briefing on the app's security risks, as it's owned by China-based ByteDance.

The House recently passed a bill giving ByteDance around six months to sell TikTok or face a ban.

While the House vote was decisive, the Senate isn't rushing. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer only said they'll review the bill.

There's no set plan yet. US Senators see this as an opportunity to refine the bill and put their stamp on it.

Meanwhile, TikTok is lobbying hard. Senate supporters are keen to stress it's not about banning TikTok, which is hugely popular among American youth.

They don't want to be seen as taking away a beloved pastime.

READ MORE: Plastic Surgeon Who Livestreamed Failed Procedures on TikTok Banned

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Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Senators in both parties signal potential support for bill that could ban TikTok - From NBC News
A new transcript of a testimony from a former valet to then-President Donald Trump has been released to the public, and it showed the former president threatening his vice president, Mike Pence. The testimony further validates the claims that Trump was pressuring Pence to overturn the results of the 2020 elections on January 6, 2021.

"Mike, this is a political career killer if you do this," then-President Trump told then-Vice President Pence in a phone call between the two on the morning of January 6. The testimony was given during the investigation by the House Select Committee on January 6.

The witness, an unnamed valet, has told investigators that Trump's White House staff were in chaos while the riot was happening. Many of them were running around in panic while also in disbelief that Trump did nothing but watch TV.

According to The New York Times, after the incident, Donald Trump was still angry at Mike Pence and was repeatedly saying that "Mike had let him down."

Donald Trump Unconcerned When News of a Civilian's Death During January 6 Reached Him

The Trump valet's identity remains to be classified, but that valet also testified that "Trump appeared unconcerned when he was told a civilian had been shot dead as the Capitol was stormed."

"I just remember seeing it in front of him," the valet told the House January 6 committee, saying that the then-president received the information of a civilian's death while watching the insurrection unfold on TV. "I don't remember how it got there or whatever. But there was no, like, reaction."

READ MORE: Donald Trump's Own Vice President, Mike Pence, Will Not Endorse Him

That civilian was later identified as Ashli Babbitt, who has become a far-right martyr. Trump even called her a "great patriot," according to The Guardian.

There were eight reported deaths that came after the events of the January 6 Capitol insurrection, including police officers who committed suicide days after the siege. Over 1,200 arrests have been made since, but Trump has continued to claim that he did nothing wrong and called the imprisoned rioters as "prisoners."

Donald Trump Attempting to Rewrite History Over January 6

Donald Trump has continued downplaying what happened during the January 6 Capitol insurrection, where his supporters stormed the Capitol while his vice president, Mike Pence, was overseeing the tabulation of the election results.

During a campaign rally in Ohio, Trump introduced a choir of convicted insurrectionists as they sang a rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner."

"Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the horribly and unfairly treated January 6th hostages," he said as he introduced the "J6 Prison Choir." Trump has called these convicted rioters "patriots" in his rally.

In portraying the insurrectionists as "patriots," he is also painting himself as the "victim" of political persecution, no matter how compelling the evidence against him turns out to be. Trump has used the 91 indictments against him as a political rallying cry to his base, though it has proven to be unpopular with more moderate Republicans and independents.

READ NEXT: Donald Trump Caught On Tape Talking About Classified Document He Kept

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Donald Trump told Mike Pence his career was over if he certified the election on January 6th - MSNBC
Idaho police captured two white supremacist gang members linked to two homicides after a prison escape.

Idaho fugitive Skylar Meade, 31, and Nicholas Umphenour, 28, were arrested in Twin Falls.

Umphenour allegedly ambushed guards during Meade's return from hospital to prison, injuring three officers.

Both are Aryan Knights gang members; it is unclear if the escape was gang-sanctioned, according to BBC.

They're suspected of two homicides since Wednesday; shackles were found at one crime scene in rural Idaho.

Meade and Umphenour were caught after a brief car chase driving a victim's Honda Civic.

Meade escaped from a Boise hospital due to self-harm behavior.

Umphenour fired on staff during Meade's transport back to prison.

Umphenour, released earlier this year from the same prison, lived in the same housing unit as Meade, investigators say.

READ NEXT: Idaho Officials Pauses Execution for Thomas Eugene Creech

Gunfire Erupts During Transport of Inmate Seeking Medical Treatment

According to IDOC Director Josh Tewalt, on Wednesday, March 20, around 2 AM, the Idaho fugitive, Meade, was taken by ambulance to Saint Alphonsus for self-inflicted wounds on his face and body.

Two IDOC officers accompanied him, with additional armed staff following behind.

When asked by KTVB if Meade harmed himself to escape, an IDOC representative stated, "At this point in the investigation, that appears to be accurate."

As Meade was being prepared for transport back to prison, Nicholas Umphenour, an unknown suspect, fired shots at officers, hitting two, as per BPD, KTVB reports.

BPD officers responded to reports of an active shooter at Saint Alphonsus.

One officer shot at an armed man, later identified as an IDOC employee.

The employee sustained minor injuries. IDOC stated their officers were in uniform during the incident.

Three officers were injured, with one in critical but stable condition, another with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, and the third receiving care for minor injuries, BPD reported.

Both individuals were arrested around 2 PM on March 21, each taken into custody separately.

One arrest took place at 2500 North, just east of Curry Crossing, while the other occurred at a residence on North Street in Filer.

Police Link White Supremacist Inmate to Shootings and Homicides

Umphenour, named as the suspected shooter in a police statement on Wednesday, faces charges of aggravated battery against law enforcement and aiding and abetting an escape, CNN noted.

Meade and Umphenour had connections in custody and shared a housing unit at a corrections facility from December 29, 2020, until Umphenour's release on January 17, 2024, according to Tewalt.

Lt. Colonel Sheldon Kelley of the Idaho State Police reported that two homicides are under investigation, potentially linked to the suspects.

The victims, two adult males, were killed separately in Nez Perce County and Clearwater County. Meade's shackles were found at one crime scene, and the suspects had one victim's car.

County coroners will release the victims' identities and causes of death later.

Idaho fugitive Meade, sentenced in October 2016 for aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, has numerous prior convictions and is a documented Aryan Knights gang member.

He was scheduled for release in 2036.

The Aryan Knights, primarily based in Idaho, is a white supremacist prison gang, according to the Anti-Defamation League.

READ MORE: Missing Missouri Student Riley Strain

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Fugitive Idaho suspects caught - From ABC News
UPDATE: Classes resume Friday at Saucon Valley schools after 3rd bomb threat

Law enforcement authorities investigating a second bomb threat against the Saucon Valley School District searched the campus with K9 teams Thursday.

The police department explosive-detection K9 teams came to the schools serving Lower Saucon Township and Hellertown from Bethlehem, Palmer Township, the Northampton County Sheriffs Department and Pennsylvania State Police, according to an update from the Lower Saucon police.
The executive director of Little Rocks airport, who was injured earlier this week in a shootout with federal agents serving a search warrant at his home, died on Thursday.

Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport said in a statement that Bryan Malinowski died at noon. He was 53.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said agents were trying to serve the warrant just after 6 a.m. Tuesday at Malinowskis home in west Little Rock when someone inside fired gunshots at the agents, news outlets reported. The agents returned fire, striking the shooter, who was identified as Malinowski. An unidentified ATF agent was also shot but the wound was not life-threatening, officials said.

In a heavily redacted warrant affidavit released Thursday, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said Malinowski bought over 150 guns between May 2021 and February 2024 that he resold without a dealers license, KARK-TV reported.

About a half-dozen of those were found after being linked to a crime, and undercover federal agents bought three more from Malinowski at Arkansas gun shows, the affidavit said.

Malinowski bought the guns through legal means and checked a box on the purchase form to say they were for himself, according to the document. He would then resell them in as little as 24 hours through gun shows where he maintained a table or through private sales.

In a statement, Malinowskis family called the shooting an unspeakable tragedy and one that is almost impossible to understand. The family said their thoughts and prayers go out to the government agent who was shot and his relatives.

The statement also expressed concern about the allegations in the affidavit and said that even if true, they didnt justify the use of deadly force.

At worst, Bryan Malinowski, a gun owner and gun enthusiast, stood accused of making private firearm sales to a person who may not have been legally entitled to purchase the guns, the family said, adding they would wait for al the facts to come out.

There was no immediate response to a phone message seeking comment that was left Thursday with an ATF spokesman.

Regionally, Malinowski was employed by the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority in Hanover Township, Lehigh County for a few years prior to 2000. He left his position voluntarily for a new job, authority spokesman Colin Riccobon told lehighvalleylive.com.

Malinowski joined the management team at Clinton National in 2008 as director of properties, planning and development before being promoted to deputy director of the airport a year later. He took over as executive director in 2019.

Bill Walker, chair of the Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission, said that under Malinowskis leadership the airport saw significant growth and success. It offered condolences to Malinowskis family.

Bryan was a 16-year employee of the airport, Walker said in the statement. Under his leadership, our airport has experienced significant growth and success, expanding services and offerings to our community and state. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Bryans wife, Maer, loved ones and friends.

Lehighvalleylive.com reporter Pamela Sroka-Holzmann contributed to this report.
A 57-year-old Slatington man faces a sentence of up to 40 years after pleading guilty to murder of a 4-month-old baby, the Lehigh County District Attorneys Office announced Friday.

George C. Sutch, 57, is charged with felony third-degree murder in the childs death in February 2023. First-degree murder is the most serious homicide charge in Pennsylvania. Third-degree murder differs from first-degree in that it doesnt require premeditation.

Sutch at the time was in a relationship with the childs mother, authorities have said.
Pohatcong Township Council on Tuesday chose to pull the plug on a request to redevelop a large patch of agricultural land behind the former Phillipsburg Mall.

The council said they were not on board with the full scope of the plan that couldve seen a second warehouse constructed on Block 1, Lot 1, behind the soon-to-be warehousing center along Route 22.

On Wednesday morning, by instruction of council, township attorney Kevin Benbrook told the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and the New Jersey Highlands Council that Pohatcong wasnt interested any longer in that designation (for commercial zoning and use) for its tract, he said.

By Wednesday afternoon, a hearing by the New Jersey Highlands Council on the final zoning designation of Block 1, Lot 1 in Pohatcong Township and Block 2, Lot 9 in Lopatcong Township that was scheduled for Thursday in Chester was canceled, Benbrook said.

A Highlands Council spokesperson confirmed Benbrooks statement on Wednesday.

Read more on the original Highlands proposal here.

The agricultural block under consideration is bisected by township lines, public documents show.

According to the townships application to the Highlands Council, Lopatcong Township was primary applicant, and was chosen to make decisions on behalf of both townships; but, because the application required a mutual agreement, Tuesdays decision by Pohatcong officials has nullified that agreement.

Lopatcong Township could continue to seek a redesignation independently, Benbrook said, but we will not.

Tuesdays decision will have no impact on the future of the site of the former mall-turning-warehousing center. That site will continue to develop commercially however it will develop, Benbrook said.

The property at Block 1, Lot 1 isnt likely to change anytime soon, said Mayor David Slack.

What Lopatcong chooses to do with its side is Lopatcongs business, Slack said. We pulled our support for the project. Its just not what the people want.

A spokesperson for Lopatcong Township did not immediately return requests for comment on Wednesday evening.

Tuesdays decision will also leave plans by Pohatcong Township to develop a tract titled Block 38, Lot 1, along South Main Street, unscathed, Benbrook said. In 2023, all three proposals were presented to council, but each required different approvals, Benbrook explained.

The Highlands Council is scheduled to hear the question whether to redesignate Block 38, Lot 1 as a Highlands Center in April.

A Highlands Center is an area where development and redevelopment is planned and encouraged, according to the Highlands website. Most importantly, the designation will permit the township to extend public water and sewer utilities to the vacant lot.

Roughly 96 apartment units are planned at the property, according to a 2023 summary to the Highlands Council.

Glenn Epps can be reached at gepps@lehighvalleylive.com or glenn_epps_on X (formerly known as Twitter.com), Facebook and Threads.

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Today, Friday, March 22nd is Daffodil Day and people are urged to donate via cancer.ie or to make a donation via collections on street and in shopping centres nationwide.

This is the Irish Cancer Societys most important Daffodil Day yet and they are asking Ireland to go all in to support cancer patients and their families.

"We have seen surge in demand for our services with a 30% increase in the bookings for free drives to and from cancer appointments. Other services include our freephone Support Line, our free Night Nursing service, practical and financial support and free counselling, to name a few.

"We only receive 5% of our funding from Government and the rest is comes from and is powered by the generosity of the public. We want to be there to make sure nobody goes through cancer alone," according to Darragh Moriarty, Irish Cancer Society Communications Officer.

Statistics issued by the Irish Cancer Society show its drivers covered 2.3 million kilometres in 2023, bringing over 2,200 cancer patients to and from chemotherapy treatments. That amounts to a 30% increase last year in demand for the Irish Cancer Societys Transport Service.

Demand for other vital services also grew. Interactions with the Societys Support Line and Daffodil Centres have seen a 31% year-on-year increase. The number of Night Nursing nights, which allow cancer patients to die at home surrounded by their loved ones, also rose in 2023.

Stomach cancer survivor, Jacinta Farrelly from Co. Cavan, who used the Transport Service last year, says it was a lifeline during her diagnosis.

She said:The Irish Cancer Society Transport service and its incredible drivers were a lifeline and Im forever grateful. It was one less thing to worry about when faced with cancer and gave me huge relief both practically and financially. Throughout my chemotherapy, they arranged for a driver to pick me up in the mornings, take me to each appointment and he would be there waiting to take me home whenever I was finished treatment.

If you can support Daffodil Day, please do. It's because of your donations these vital free services exist for people like me and continue to be available for anyone who needs them.

CEO Averil Power is calling on everyone to go all in against cancer to raise vital funds this Friday, March 22nd.

She said: 42,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every year in Ireland. The Irish Cancer Society aims to be there for every one of them. But the state provides just 5% of our funding. To meet the increasing demand for our services we need to raise over 25million this year. Thats why we need communities across Ireland to go all in this Daffodil Day. Only with your help can we ensure every child and adult affected by cancer gets the support they need.

Anyone with questions or concerns about cancer can contact the Irish Cancer Society Support Line on Freephone 1800 200 700 or supportline@irishcancer.ie
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced an investment of 1 million to support 122 Agricultural Shows right across the country, including three in Co Leitrim and others in neighbouring counties.

As part of the initiative, each show will receive a grant of 6,000-11,000 depending on their size.

This will support each committee to prepare for the upcoming Show Season, which takes place over the summer months.

In Leitrim, the following shows will receive:

Ballinamore Show, Tues 13th August, 8,350

Manorhamilton Agricultural Show, Sat 27th July, 8,350

Mohill Agricultural Show, Sun 18th August, 8,350

Other local shows to receive funding include:

Arva Agricultural Show, Sun 28th July, 9,205

Boyle Summer Show, Sun 11th August 6,700

Elphin Agricultural Show, Sat 31st August, 8,350

Strokestown Show, Sat 14th Sept, 9,205

Ballyshannon Agricutural Show, Sun 18th August, 8,350

Minister Humphreys made the announcement as she launched the 2024 Yearbook for Irish Shows Association (ISA).

Announcing the funding, Minister Humphreys said:

Im delighted today to announce a further investment of 1 million to support 122 Agricultural Shows right across the country.

Our Agricultural Shows play a vital role in community life and raise awareness of the important role agriculture plays in our society.

These shows are the threads that build bridges between our towns and villages, and the hinterlands that support them.

They act as a platform for local producers to showcase their products and have become a key date in the calendar for the farming community.

Our shows sum up all that is good about country life and Im delighted to support them, once again, through this substantial investment.
An Garda Siochana are warning Irish communities contacted by people claiming to be Gardai to be cautious.

The warning was published online yesterday (March 21), with Gardai urging anyone who has received a phone call, text or email from someone claiming to be a Garda to come forward.

A spokesperson stated, "Have you or someone you know had their phone lost or stolen, and later been contacted by someone claiming to be Gardai? It's not us. We will never ask for a PIN or unlock code to verify ownership. It can easily happen because these criminals are sophisticated but never disclose personal or financial information over the phone, by text or by email.

"If you have been called by someone posing as a Garda please let us know - report it at your local Garda Station right away. Help us raise awareness of this scam by spreading the word among those you know."

Smartphone owners are being urged to familiarise themselves with simple steps to prevent their phones being taken, which may allow scammers an opportunity to steal sensitive information later on.

Advice includes dialling *#06#, saving a screenshot of IMEI number and emailing a screenshot to yourself, keeping your phone locked and enabling PIN security and phone finder features, and keeping your phone out of view of the public.

Gardai also advise avoiding making calls or texting while crossing a road, not leaving phones in cars, and reporting phone loss to Gardai and service providers if it is stolen.
Midlands Northwest MEP Chris MacManus has met with the EU Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union, Mairead McGuinness, in Brussels to discuss the EUs proposal on protecting cash and his Right to Cash campaign.

MacManus said: This was an important meeting as Commissioner McGuinness is the Commissioner responsible for the EUs proposals on protecting cash. As one of six key MEPs shaping the new laws on protecting cash, I was able to give her an update on our progress in the European Parliament.

The Commissions original proposal was weak in some respects. It needed strengthening in areas such as the banning of No Cash signs and allowing for loopholes. So far I am making excellent progress in removing these exemptions, so that cash really is a right and not a privilege.

I also took the opportunity to brief the Commission on my campaign in Ireland on the Right to Cash, which will continue. This is a core part of my work and my approach is that people have the right to use cash, no ifs, no buts. That is my message whether in Brussels with the Commission or at home in our villages and towns.
CIBC Asset Management Inc. announces fund terminations





TORONTO, March 22, 2024 /CNW/ - CIBC (TSX: CM) (NYSE: CM) ? CIBC Asset Management Inc. (CAM), today announced its intention to terminate the Renaissance Real Return Bond Fund and the CIBC Ultra Short-Term Income Private Pool (the "Funds") on or about August 16, 2024 (the "Termination Date").

Effective immediately, units of the Funds are no longer available for new purchases, including additional purchases by existing unitholders and through pre-authorized chequing plans.

Unitholders will have the right to redeem or switch their investments in the Funds up to the close of business on the Termination Date. Unitholders will not be required to pay any short-term trading fees, switch fees or other fees associated with the termination of the Funds.

In accordance with securities legislation, notice of the terminations will be sent to unitholders of the Funds no less than 60 days prior to the Termination Date.

CAM encourages all unitholders to consult with their advisors to discuss the financial and tax implications of the terminations and to determine the solution that best suits their investment needs and personal situation.

About CIBC

CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with 14 million personal banking, business, public sector and institutional clients. Across Personal and Business Banking, Commercial Banking and Wealth Management, and Capital Markets and Direct Financial Services businesses, CIBC offers a full range of advice, solutions and services through its leading digital banking network, and locations across?Canada, in?the United States?and around the world. Ongoing news releases and more information about CIBC can be found at?www.cibc.com/ca/media-centre.

About CIBC Asset Management

CIBC Asset Management, Inc. (CAM), the asset management subsidiary of CIBC, provides a range of high-quality investment management services and solutions to retail and institutional investors. CAM's offerings include: a comprehensive platform of mutual funds, strategic managed portfolio solutions, discretionary investment management services for high-net-worth individuals, and institutional portfolio management. CAM is one of Canada's largest asset management firms, with over $170 billion in assets under administration as of January 2024.

SOURCE CIBC

22 march 2024 at 07:30

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Enforcement notification - Tax evasion - Fugitive Brampton tax preparer caught and jailed for $34 million fraudulent charitable donation scheme





BRAMPTON, ON, March 22, 2024 /CNW/ - The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced today that Festus Bayden of Brampton, Ontario, was sentenced on February 27, 2024, in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton, to three years in jail. Bayden pleaded guilty to one count of fraud over $5,000 under the Criminal Code.

Bayden was a partner in a tax preparation business known as E & F Tax Associates or as Bankay Financial Services Inc. in Toronto, Ontario, and later in Brampton. A CRA investigation revealed that Bayden claimed more than $34 million in false charitable donations on individual income tax returns for the 2004 to 2006 tax years that he prepared for over 30 of his clients. Bayden told his clients that a larger refund or reduced taxes could be obtained if they made a charitable donation for an amount that was far less than what was actually claimed on their income tax returns. Bayden then provided his clients with false charitable donation receipts in the names of various charitable organizations to which he was connected. Bayden charged his clients approximately 10% of the face value of the false charitable donation amounts that were claimed.

Bayden fled Canada before authorities could prosecute him on the charges. He was apprehended when he returned to Canada on June 13, 2023.

All case-specific information above was obtained from the court records.

Tax promoters are individuals or corporations who promote or sell schemes that seek to break or bend the rules of Canadian tax laws, including the Income Tax Act and the Excise Tax Act. These promoters deliberately make false statements to assist their clients in avoiding or evading tax. As a result, they obtain a financial benefit from the fees they receive from their clients. To maintain the fairness of our tax system, the CRA holds both those promoters who facilitate tax evasion, as well as those who use their services to evade taxes, accountable for their actions.

The CRA is dedicated to maintaining the integrity of Canada's tax system, thereby contributing to the social and economic well-being of Canadians. The CRA continues to aggressively pursue tax evasion and false claims with all the tools available to it. The CRA works to make sure that individuals and businesses report all income earned and only claim benefits to which they are entitled, so that important benefit programs can be administered to those who need them. Any individual or business who underreports income, or claims losses or benefits to which they are not entitled, may have to repay the benefit amounts and may be subject to other possible action.

The CRA has set up a free subscription service to help Canadians stay current on the CRA's enforcement efforts.

Associated links

Reporting suspected tax or benefit cheating in Canada

Voluntary Disclosures Program

Contacts

Media Relations

Canada Revenue Agency

613-948-8366

[email protected]

Stay connected



Follow the CRA on Facebook

Follow the CRA on Twitter ? @CanRevAgency

Follow the CRA on LinkedIn

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Subscribe to a CRA electronic mailing list

Add our RSS feeds to your feed reader

You can also watch our tax-related videos on YouTube

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SOURCE Canada Revenue Agency

22 march 2024 at 09:00

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Statement by the Prime Minister on World Water Day





OTTAWA, ON, March 22, 2024 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on World Water Day:

"Water is our most precious natural resource. It keeps us healthy, helps grow our food, and fuels our economy. Today, as we mark World Water Day, we reaffirm our commitment to preserving and protecting clean water for generations to come.

"Canada is home to a fifth of the world's fresh water. But as climate change increasingly threatens our waters, we need transformative action to protect them. That's why, last year, we announced the creation of a new Canada Water Agency in Winnipeg and invested $650 million over 10 years in the Freshwater Action Plan to protect water quality and ecosystems across the country.

"In response to calls from First Nations, we introduced Bill C-61, the First Nations Clean Water Act, which aims to put in place enforceable safe drinking water protections, in line with the United Nations (UN) Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We are also working to help make sure all long-term drinking water advisories are lifted. Following substantial, necessary investments into First Nations communities, we've supported the lifting of 144 long-term drinking water advisories and over 270 short-term advisories.

"Safe drinking water is a human right, and ensuring access to it is part of Canada's commitment to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This year's World Water Day theme, 'Water for Peace', reminds us of the need to unite around protecting and conserving water while expanding access for the 2.2 billion people around the world without access to safe drinking water.

"On World Water Day, I invite all Canadians to reflect on the importance of our most precious resource. It is our shared responsibility to protect and conserve our shared waters, and by working together, we can help ensure water security for all, now and into the future."

This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca

SOURCE Prime Minister's Office

22 march 2024 at 09:00

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BaseRock Partners Advises Cabrera Services Inc. on Its Sale to EnergySolutions, Inc.





BaseRock Partners is pleased to announce the sale of Cabrera Services Inc. to EnergySolutions, Inc., a portfolio company of TriArtisan Capital Advisors.

DENVER, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- BaseRock Partners is pleased to announce the sale of Cabrera Services Inc. to EnergySolutions, Inc., a portfolio company of TriArtisan Capital Advisors. BaseRock Partners ("BaseRock") acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Cabrera Services Inc. ("Cabrera") in this transaction.

EnergySolutions shares our deep commitment to safety and top-notch environmental services, and together, we'll have the resources and reach to make an even bigger impact. I'm particularly grateful to BaseRock Partners for their invaluable strategic guidance throughout this process.

For nearly 30 years, Cabrera has established itself as a trusted partner for environmental and radiological remediation projects nationwide. Headquartered in East Hartford, Connecticut, Cabrera provides services to commercial and federal clients and has been a prominent contractor in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program markets. The company has a proven track record of safety and quality, with expertise spanning the entire environmental cleanup process. Cabrera management and employees will remain in place following the sale.

EnergySolutions, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a global leader in the nuclear services industry, providing integrated solutions for nuclear decommissioning and waste management. With decades of experience, EnergySolutions serves government and commercial customers in the nuclear, environmental, and energy sectors. It was acquired by TriArtisan Capital Advisors in November 2021. Cabrera will be fully integrated into EnergySolutions' federal program.

"This is a tremendous opportunity to take Cabrera to the next level," said Rob Flowers, President and COO of Cabrera Services, Inc. "EnergySolutions shares our deep commitment to safety and top-notch environmental services, and together, we'll have the resources and reach to make an even bigger impact. I'm particularly grateful to BaseRock Partners for their invaluable strategic guidance throughout this process. Their patience, resilience, and flexibility were instrumental in navigating the complexities of this transaction."

About BaseRock Partners

BaseRock Partners is a full-service investment bank built to serve the engineering and construction industry. BaseRock advises clients using a team-oriented approach that combines decades of industry expertise, deep industry relationships, and unique transaction capabilities specifically designed to meet the needs of engineering and construction companies.

Media Contact

Matthew Drake, BaseRock Partners, 1 312.882.7649, [email protected], https://baserockpartners.com/

SOURCE BaseRock Partners

22 march 2024 at 12:56

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AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty Resseguros Brasil S.A.





AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "aa" (Superior), of Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty Resseguros Brasil S.A. (AGCS Re Brazil) (Sao Paulo, Brazil). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect AGCS Re Brazil's strategic importance as a subsidiary of Allianz SE (Allianz) that on a consolidated basis has a balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its strong operating performance, very favorable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

The stable outlooks are underpinned by AM Best's expectation that risk-adjusted capitalization will remain at the strongest level as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), supported by conservative capital management and excellent financial flexibility. The group is expected to remain one of the leaders in the global insurance market and continue to demonstrate stable and strong operating performance, supported by superior diversification by line of business and geography, as well as continued technical discipline.

Allianz is one of the world's largest insurance groups, with superior diversification in geography and business, as well as leading positions in many developed and emerging markets, offering a complete range of life and non-life insurance products and asset management services. Its competitive position is supported by its scale, strong management capabilities, dynamic strategy and strong brand.

AGCS Re Brazil's operations and management, which are fully integrated with Allianz, have demonstrated a track record of supporting the group's strategy, providing access to the Brazilian reinsurance market as a local reinsurer. The group's competitive advantages include the opportunity of expansion in Latin America by serving as a regional hub and the exploitation of commercial and operational opportunities, as well as synergies with Allianz's retail entities in Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Mexico. The company specializes in offering reinsurance coverages across a broad spectrum of categories in life and property/casualty.

Operating performance is characterized by consistently positive bottom-line results, derived from the company's well-diversified business portfolio. Underwriting practices are sound, and benefit from the synergies provided by the group through the rest of Allianz's financial entities, which have enabled AGCS Re Brazil to contain operating expenses.

AM Best expects the group's risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by BCAR, to continue to be supported by the intragroup excess of loss reinsurance contracts and its stop loss agreement. AGCS Brazil's operations are clearly identified as part of the wider Allianz group and the Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty segment.

If there are negative rating actions on the main operating subsidiaries of Allianz, as a result of weakening in risk-adjusted capitalization, or a sustained deterioration of operating performance, the ratings of AGCS Re Brazil would mirror those same actions. Positive rating actions are unlikely in the near term. Over a longer term, positive rating actions could arise if Allianz outperforms its peers in terms of operating results for an extended period of time and demonstrates strengthening of its key rating fundamentals to a standard commensurate with a higher rating level. A change in AM Best's perception regarding the strategic importance of AGCS Re Brazil to the group also could impact the company's ratings.

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 specializing 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.

22 march 2024 at 13:10

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The "Charming Taste of Europe" Campaign Returns in the US and Canada For Its 2nd Edition





The campaign, co-funded by the European Union, will continue to promote the wines of Abruzzo from Italy, the white wines from Bordeaux, France, and the kiwis of its new partner, the Association of Agricultural Cooperatives of Imathia, Greece, for three more years

NEW YORK, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Charming Taste of Europe campaign, which started in 2021, is thrilled to announce its return in the US and Canadian markets for its second edition. Lasting for another three years, it will increase awareness of the merits and quality standards of select European wines and fresh fruits with numerous promotional activities.

The Charming Taste of Europe is promoted by the Consortium for the Protection of Wines of Abruzzo, the Union des vins doux de Bordeaux, and their newest partner, the Association of Agricultural Cooperatives of Imathia, the eight largest Fruit Producer Organization in Greece, with their primary fruit being kiwi.

As part of the campaign, The Union des vins doux de Bordeaux, will hold multiple initiatives to promote their white wines in the US and Canada throughout March.

From March 23rd to March 25th they will participate in the Raspipav trade fair in Montreal with a dedicated table offering a selection of wines from 10 wineries, and two seminars to discover the 8 appellations of the Bordeaux region where these wines are produced: Bordeaux Moelleux, Bordeaux Superieur, Cadillac, Cerons, Cotes de Bordeaux Saint-Macaire, Loupiac, Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux, and Sainte-Croix-Du-Mont.

The tour will continue in Chicago on March 27th, where the Union des vins doux de Bordeaux will host a masterclass at the Lincoln Park Clubhouse with wine expert Christina Furhman. For this occasion, participants will be able to discover the beauty of the Bordeaux region and its long winemaking tradition through a surprising and unique food pairing of Pintxos & Paella from Cafe Ba Ba Reeba. Following Chicago, another masterclass will be held on March 29th in St. Louis at Saucy Porka, guided by Advanced Sommelier Wanda Cole-Nicholson. This masterclass will feature a special lunch menu, pairing the white Bordeaux wines with Asian Latin fusion dishes.

The Wines of Abruzzo will also be the protagonist of the Charming Taste of Europe campaign in March with the participation of the Abruzzo Wine Consortium in the Slow Wine US Tour with a series of seminars promoting Abruzzo signature grape varieties: in New York City, on March 19th, with the masterclass "Pecorino from Abruzzo, The Next Big Thing; in Austin, on March 21st, 2024, with the masterclass "Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo, Now That's a Serious Rose"; and finally in Denver on March 25th with the masterclass "Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Rediscovering All the Potential of One of Italy's Great Reds."

The Charming Taste of Europe aims to educate participants on the beauty of the Bordeaux and Abruzzo regions by calling attention to their rich history and excellent wines through educated wine professionals.

About Charming Taste of Europe

Europe, a place with timeless charm, is the birthplace of some of the highest-quality products in the world. The Charming Taste of Europe is a special project that introduces exquisite specialties to the United States and Canada, such as Italian and French wines, and fresh kiwis from Greece, that showcase Europe's charm, beauty, culture, history, art, heritage and unmistakable tastes.

The mission of the Charming Taste of Europe, co-funded by the European Union, is to increase awareness of the merits and quality standards of select European wines and fresh fruits with promotional activities in the competitive markets of the U.S. and Canada. The Charming Taste of Europe is promoted by the Consortium for the Protection of Wines of Abruzzo, the Association of Imathia's Agricultural Cooperatives and the Union of Sweet Bordeaux Wines. These European agricultural products, famous around the world for their outstanding qualities, will continue to be promoted with initiatives and events for consumers, journalists and trade professionals. For more information visit charmingtasteofeurope.eu

To Follow The Charming Taste of Europe Campaign:

Website: charmingtasteofeurope.eu

Facebook: @CharmingTasteofEU

Instagram: @charmeu_usa

YouTube: The Charming Taste of Europe

Hashtags: #thecharmingtasteofeu and #charmeu

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European union or the European research executive agency (Rea). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Media Contact

Stephanie Apricena, Colangelo PR, (646) 624-2885, [email protected]

SOURCE The Charming Taste of Europe

22 march 2024 at 14:30

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This Feb. 15, 2007 file photo shows then Bishop of Bruges Roger Vangheluwe, in Bruges, Belgium. Pope Francis has defrocked a notorious Belgian bishop who admitted 14 years ago that he sexually abused his nephew but faced no Vatican punishment. PETER MAENHOUDT / AP

Pope Francis on Thursday, March 21, defrocked a notorious Belgian bishop who admitted 14 years ago that he sexually abused his nephew but faced no Vatican punishment.

The case of Roger Vangheluwe, the emeritus bishop of Bruges, long ago became a symbol of the Catholic Churchs hypocrisy and dysfunction in dealing with cases of abuse. Not only was he allowed to quietly retire after the scandal broke in 2010, but his superior, Cardinal Godfried Danneels, was caught on tape asking one of his victims to keep his abuse secret until the bishop left office.

The Vatican announcement that Francis had laicized Vangheluwe came a few months before the pope is due to visit Belgium, where the case would have been an unwelcome and problematic distraction.

Vangheluwe, 87, shot to international infamy in 2010 amid disclosures he had sexually abused his young nephew for over a dozen years when he was a priest and later a bishop. He later admitted he also abused a second nephew. All along, he made light of his crimes, describing his abuse as "a little game" that didnt involve "rough sex."

He was allowed to retire two years shy of the normal retirement age, but faced no further punishment. It was evidence of the Holy Sees general refusal at the time to sanction Catholic bishops even for admitted sex crimes.

The Vatican embassy in Belgium said in a statement Thursday that in recent months "grave new elements" had been reported to the Holy Sees sex abuse office that justified reopening the case.

It didnt say what new information had been received. But in recent months Belgiums own bishops have grown increasingly public in their stated outrage at the Vaticans refusal to take action against Vangheluwe.

In September, Antwerp Bishop Johan Bonny told Belgian broadcaster VRT that the Belgian bishops had asked the Vatican for years, in writing and in person, to defrock Vangheluwe but got no response.

A 'PR stunt'

In its statement, the Vatican embassy said that after Vangheluwes defense was heard, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith presented the case to Francis on March 8. Three days later, it said, Francis decided to accept the recommendation that Vangheluwe be laicized. It is the harshest punishment that the Vatican can hand down, but it just means that Vangheluwe is now a layman and cannot present himself as a priest.

He asked to be allowed to live in a retreat house "without any contact with the world" to dedicate himself to prayer and penitence, the statement said.

Lieve Halsberghe, a Belgian advocate for abuse survivors, said the Vatican's belated laicization brought no justice to Vangheluwe's victims and was a mere "PR stunt" ahead of Francis' visit later this year to Leuven, where the pope is to commemorate the 600th anniversary of Belgium's Catholic university.

"Images of child sexual abuse were found in 2011 on the mans computer and charges were never laid, because Vangheluwe is protected in high places," Halsberghe told The Associated Press. "The gesture of the Vatican today, after 14 years of charades with letters to and from the Vatican, is no more than a PR stunt of the Vatican, pressured by the Belgian bishops."
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a joint press conference with Egypt's foreign minister, following a meeting between the US top diplomat and Arab envoys, in Cairo on March, 21, 2024. KHALED DESOUKI / AFP

Britain and Australia declared the need for an "immediate cessation of fighting" in the war-torn enclave. After a meeting of Australian and UK foreign and defense ministers in Adelaide, the allies issued a statement that stressed the "urgency of an immediate cessation of fighting in Gaza to allow aid to flow and hostages to be released."

Britain and Australia said a cessation was now urgently needed to "allow aid to flow and hostages to be released as a crucial step toward a permanent, sustainable ceasefire."

The EU's 27 leaders had called the day before, on Thursday, March 21, for an "immediate humanitarian pause" in Gaza, urging Israel not to launch a major ground offensive in the southernmost city of Rafah.

"The European Council calls for an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire," the leaders said after meeting in Brussels, while also calling for "the unconditional release of all hostages."

Read more Subscribers only Israeli attacks on aid convoy escorts in Gaza jeopardize food distribution

The European Union has struggled for a united response on Israel's military operation following the October 7 attack by Hamas. There have been mounting warnings of the risk of famine in Gaza, and the leaders called for "full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access into" Gaza.

The leaders were "deeply concerned about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and its disproportionate effect on civilians, particularly children, as well as the imminent risk of famine caused by the insufficient entry of aid into Gaza."

US pressure

The call came just hours before the United States was expected to put a resolution to the UN Security Council stressing the need for "an immediate ceasefire". Washington has for months vetoed calls for an immediate ceasefire, hoping to shield its closest Middle Eastern ally, Israel, as it tries to avenge the attacks of October 7.

Such a UN resolution would create pressure on Israel to temper its intense five-month-old offensive in Gaza, which has claimed almost 32,000 lives, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken headed to Israel on Friday to press for a truce. Ahead of a key UN Security Council vote on a US draft resolution on the need for an "immediate" ceasefire. After talks in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Blinken will fly to Israel on Friday, marking his sixth trip to the region since the war began with Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7.

Israel said its spy chief would also head back to Qatar on Friday for more truce talks with US, Egyptian and Qatari mediators who are trying to negotiate a six-week pause. The talks are focused on securing a truce agreement, hinged on the release of hostages held by Hamas militants in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody and the delivery of more aid to Gaza, where famine is threatening its 2.4 million people.

Blinken told reporters in Cairo on Thursday "gaps are narrowing" and that the United States was "continuing to push for an agreement in Doha." "It's difficult to get there, but I believe it is still possible," Blinken said. He warned that an Israeli ground offensive in Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city where around 1.5 million people are hemmed in by the Egyptian border, would be "a mistake".

"There is no place for the civilians amassed in Rafah to get out of harm's way," Blinken said. "There is a better way to deal with the ongoing threat posed by Hamas."
A NEW special school is to be located at Mungret Community College, the Department of Education has confirmed.

Mungret Community College will be moving to a new campus which is at an advanced stage of construction in September 2024.

The Department of Education and Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board are progressing the preparations for the reconfiguration of the new special school. This new special school is under the patronage of Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board.

Limerick TD, Willie O'Dea says he was informed of the location of the new special school by the Minister for Education, Norma Foley.

The Minister has confirmed to me that the new Special school will be located at Mungret Community College and will start in September with an enrollment of 24 pupils, eventually growing to a capacity of 130 pupils, Me ODea said.

Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board were selected by the Department of Education to open a new special school catering for children with a moderate general learning disability and complex needs up to eighteen years of age, with an initial focus on those children who do not yet have an offer of a special school place for September 2024.

This is wonderful news for pupils in Limerick with autism and complex needs. I have been making ongoing representations to have more classes and better facilities for special needs children and I am delighted that there is agreement to deliver this Special School in Limerick. Well done to all involved in bringing this fantastic project to this stage of development, he added.

Minister Foley commented:

I am delighted to confirm the locations of the two new special schools in Limerick and Kildare. This is a further sign of this governments commitment to delivering an inclusive education system that is inclusive, open and welcoming to everyone.

Budget 2024 dedicates in excess of 2.7 billion to providing supports for children with special educational needs. There are now more than 3,000 special classes in operation, with around two-thirds of them being set up during this governments term in office.

Our school communities have demonstrated a real commitment to inclusion. I would like to thank those involved in supporting the continued establishment of special classes and special schools, she added.
LIMERICK woman Bridget Carr, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2019, is calling on her local community to go all in against cancer for the Irish Cancer Societys (ICS) Daffodil Day.

Daffodil Day takes place on Friday, March 22.

Bridget, from Cappamore, is encouraging anybody who has received a diagnosis to reach out for support and not go through cancer alone.

My first port of call was the Irish Cancer Society Daffodil Centre in University Hospital Limerick. It was there where I got chatting with one of their nurses who was so helpful and she gave me a leaflet for OvaCare. It was through them that I first met other women who had ovarian cancer and I found that peer support and just talking to other people going through what youre going through so invaluable, Bridget said.

Since participating in an ICS research project, Bridget says she has been bitten by the patient participation bug. Being involved in that research started me on a journey and since then, Ive thrown myself into things because it is important that the patients voice gets heard.

READ MORE: Limerick lady with a sweet tooth celebrates 107th birthday

The ICS is there to ensure that every person affected by cancer has a place to turn to, the support they need and the hope that there will come a day when no one in Ireland dies from cancer.

Thanks to the amazing generosity of the Irish public, the Irish Cancer Society invests in groundbreaking cancer research and delivers crucial free support services for people affected by cancer, throughout Limerick, a spokesperson for the ICS said.

In 2023, your generous support provided over 510 free lifts to bring Limerick-based cancer patients to their treatment, over 180 free counselling sessions to people living in Limerick; and almost 400 nights of free Night Nursing care to allow cancer patients in Limerick to die at home surrounded by loved ones, the spokesperson added.
A NEW master plan will look to transform King Johns Castle into a world-class visitor attraction.

The iconic 13th-century castles revamp will be devised by a multi-disciplinary design team led by international design practice Galmstrup Architects.

They will aim to create a roadmap for maximising the potential of one of Irelands foremost cultural and heritage sites, a spokesperson for Discover Limerick DAC said.

Limerick City and County Council took over the operation of the castle from Shannon Heritage in April 2022, with all business operations and staff transferred to Discover Limerick DAC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Limerick City and County Council.

Last year, 2.264 million in government funding was announced for King Johns Castles continued development.

The consultants for this project have been appointed following a public procurement competition conducted through the course of 2023, the spokesperson said.

The master plan will be expected to identify opportunities for the castle, increasing its value as a visitor attraction.

The castle is currently open to the public 362 days of the year and welcomes more than 100,000 visitors annually.

Welcoming the appointment, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Councillor Gerald Mitchell said that King Johns Castle has been the jewel in the crown of Limerick dating back to the 13th century.

READ MORE: Limerick minister of state makes swift stop at Super Bowl champion's stadium

It was the fortress on which so much of our proud Limerick history pivots but what we are now embarking on is turning this incredible opportunity we have here on the banks of the Shannon into a truly world-class visitor attraction for the future, he added.

Minister of State with Responsibility for Local Government and Planning, Kieran ODonnell TD said he was delighted to have secured the 2.264m in funding for the project.

King Johns Castle is one of the finest Irish castles with a rich history and sits on the banks of our majestic and internationally renowned River Shannon, he added.
SEVEN people have been arrested in Limerick following a search operation, during which Gardai seized a pipe bomb from a residential property.

Conducted earlier today, the operation aimed at targeting the sale and supply of illegal drugs and related criminal activity in Limerick City and was coordinated by 80 local members of An Garda Siochana with assistance from the Garda Armed Support Unit (ASU) and the Garda Dog Unit.

Seven search warrants were executed in the St Marys Park and King's Island areas of Limerick city.

During the course of the searches, a suspected pipe bomb was seized at a residential property.

Drugs, cash and watches were also seized.

The Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was requested to attend, and the scene has since been declared safe.

A man was arrested in connection with the seizure and is currently detained under Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act, 1939, at a Garda station in the Limerick area.

Quantities of suspected illegal drugs, cash and watches were also seized. All drugs seized are now subject to examination by Forensic Science Ireland (FSI).

Five men and 1 woman were also arrested under suspicion of alleged incidents of theft, robbery and drug driving.

One of these men has since appeared before the Courts, 1 man remains in Garda custody. The woman and three other men have since been released from custody.

Investigations are ongoing.
Mustafa Suleyman has spearheaded some of the highest-profile artificial intelligence pushes over the years at DeepMind, Google and a brand-new AI company. Now, hes leaving his startup to take a top spot in one of the biggest and oldest in tech.

On Tuesday, Microsoft Chief Executive Satya Nadella announced Suleyman, along with the co-founder of his startup and other members of the team, would lead a new division at Microsoft.

It is rare for founders to leave their startups and bring staff to a big competitor. Suleyman, a foundational figure in the modern AI landscape, had raised more than $1.5 billion for his startup Inflection AI from a group of big-name investors, including Microsoft.

At Microsoft, Suleyman will oversee the AI products for the companys consumer offerings, such as its Bing search engine and Windows.

Its been an amazing journey, with so much more to come," he posted on X after the announcement.

In Suleyman, Microsoft is gaining one of the most visible figures in the AI communityalbeit someone who has occasionally courted controversy and not always delivered hit products.

Suleyman shot to prominence as one of the three co-founders behind the U.K.-based AI research lab DeepMind. He started the company in 2010 with two friends, Demis Hassabis and Shane Legg, in what he once described as a quaint Regency-era office overlooking Londons Russell Square."

In those early days, Suleyman was involved with the effective altruism community in London. They aim to help the world by funding causes that they believe will yield the most substantial possible returns. The divisive philosophy has long had an outsize influence among AI researchers, many of whom argue that more powerful AI systems could devastate humanity unless the industry aligns those systems with human values.

In his book The Coming Wave," published last year, Suleyman wrote that AI could put large numbers of people out of work and introduce new, harmful threats unless global leaders acted. In the past, he said his arguments were often dismissed by founders, CEOs and tech leaders who werent ready to confront the risks.

Our species is not wired to truly grapple with transformation at this scale, let alone the potential that technology might fail us in this way," Suleyman wrote.

DeepMind was snapped up by Google in 2014.

During his time at Google, Suleyman was sometimes a divisive figure. In 2019, he was stripped of some management responsibilities after complaints about how he treated staff.

In response to questions from The Wall Street Journal at the time, he said he accepted feedback that, as a co-founder at DeepMind, I drove people too hard and at times, my management style was not constructive."

Suleyman left Google in 2022.

After launching Inflection that year, the company developed its first consumer product, Pi, an AI assistant and companion. Pi was pitched as an AI counselor for personal advice and emotional guidance. Suleyman said Pi is kinder and friendlier than competing AI chatbots and less likely to seem to go rogue and answer questions in disturbing ways.

Our focus is on building product that is useful and safe," he said at a Wall Street Journal event last year.

Still, Pi didnt catch on with enough consumers. Some analysts said the limited response to Pi shows that Suleyman doesnt have a great record of building successful consumer AI products.

With Suleyman and others exiting, Inflection announced that under a new CEO, it is planning to pivot its business away from consumer products and toward services for enterprises. Its investors have been told they will be repaid over time by the proceeds of a licensing deal between Microsoft and Inflection, a person close to Inflection said. Forbes earlier reported the plans to pay investors.

Microsoft agreed to pay Inflection around $650 million as part of a licensing fee to resell the startups technology, said a person familiar with the discussions. The Information earlier reported that amount.

Microsofts Nadella was directly involved in recruiting Suleyman and his team. The two talked for weeks about the move, said people familiar with the discussions.

Generative AI technology is being used more by professionals and businesses than individual consumers. AI coding assistantslike Microsofts GitHub Copilothave been embraced by programmers, for example, while a limited number of AI chatbots for consumers have taken off in popularity.

Microsofts Bing AI chatbot has so far failed to make a dent in Googles search market share.

Microsoft executives are hoping Suleyman and his team can reinvigorate the companys consumer AI with fresh blood and ideas, said a person familiar with the matter.

Suleyman, for years, has been saying AI would bring in a new era of technology for everyone.

I believe AI will be one of the most significant transformations well witness this century," he said in a November opinion article in the Journal.
BYJU's on Friday announced that it has shut down 10 per cent of its tuition centres across the country as a part of its cost optimisation measures. Think and Learn, which owns BYJU's brand, has closed 30 out of its 292 tuition centres, according to an official statement.

BYJUs also said that it aims to turn most of the remaining 262 centres profitable in the third year of their operations.

BYJUs is immensely proud of the dedication of its teachers and the performance of its students. BYJUs focus on quality with efficiency is helping most of its centres turn profitable in their third year."

"Ninety per cent of its tuition centres, i.e. 262 out of 292, will continue to function in this novel hybrid model, integrating the best and the latest technology in the coming years," the company said in the statement.

BYJUs Tuition Centres (BTCs) are entering their third year of full capacity operations. The edtech firm is also using premises of BTCs as sales offices.

BYJUs said that as the company strives for operational efficiency, it has identified opportunities for improvement for a small percentage of BTCs, which will undergo strategic restructuring to align with BYJUS long-term vision.

"Most of our current students have already signed up for the next academic year (2024-25) and BYJUS thanks both the students and parents for their trust, confidence and support," the company said.

The embattled edtech firm has called the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on March 29, to increase authorized share capital of the company following the recent $200 million rights issue.

However, a group of aggrieved investors  Prosus, General Atlantic, Sofina, and Peak XV -- along with support from other shareholders, including Tiger and Owl Ventures -- have opposed meeting before company tribunal NCLT, Bangalore.

It has been asked to consider extending the closing date of the $200 million rights issue. The NCLT Bangalore Bench has said the funds received by the company through the rights issue should be kept in a separate escrow account and should not be withdrawn till the disposal of the matter.

The miffed investors led by Prosus want to remove Byju's founder and CEO Byju Raveendran and his family members from the board.

(With agency inputs)

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PepsiCo Inc ., a leading global food and beverage company, has announced a significant investment commitment of an additional $400 million in Vietnam. Newswire Reuters reported quoting a Vietnamese government release that the funds will be used to build two new manufacturing facilities powered by renewable energy sources in the Southeast Asian nation.

The Vietnamese government's announcement on March 22 coincided with a three-day working visit to Vietnam by delegations of more than 60 U.S. enterprises, including Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam Beverage.

The investment will see the establishment of a beverage manufacturing plant in Long An province, located in the southern region of Vietnam, with a projected cost exceeding 300 million. Additionally, a food processing facility will be built in the northern province of a Nam province with an investment of $90 million, the Vietnamese government said, according to the Reuters report.

While the Vietnamese government's report did not provide specific details on the commissioning timeline for the two factories, PepsiCo had previously revealed plans to commence operations at the Ha Nam facility in the third quarter of 2025, after securing an investment certificate late last year.

PepsiCo, a prominent player in the Vietnamese market since its entry in 1994, currently operates five factories across the country. The company's decision to invest in renewable energy-powered plants aligns with its commitment to sustainable business practices and reducing its environmental footprint.

Meanwhile, PepsiCo disclosed that its India operations delivered an overall mid-single-digit organic revenue growth in 2023, reflecting the diverse performance across its product categories, as per a Mint report

The company highlighted the strong performance of its developing and emerging markets, with several countries recording impressive double-digit organic revenue growth. Among these markets were Mexico, Brazil, Egypt, Turkey, Poland, and Pakistan. Additionally, Saudi Arabia witnessed high-single-digit growth, while China and India reported mid-single-digit growth.

PepsiCo attributed its organic revenue growth in 2023 to notable marketplace results across many of its key markets, underscoring the company's resilience and adaptability in diverse geographic regions.

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Mumbai: Lenders to Vedanta Ltd are concerned about the lack of clarity on how their debt will be split among the various business units following the mining behemoths proposed demerger, said two bankers aware of the discussions. The lenders consortium, whose clearance is required for the merger to go through, is yet to schedule a meeting to decide on the matter.

The bankers, who are part of the consortium, said the lead lender State Bank of India (SBI) has informed them that its subsidiary SBI Capital Markets (SBI Caps) is looking at the demerger proposal floated six months ago.

Bankers have appointed SBI Caps to look at issues like division of debt, and they started work on this a few days ago. This was done so that an external expert can closely look at the demerger proposal and see how it will impact lenders," one of the two bankers said on the condition of anonymity.

The lenders will meet once SBI Caps assesses the plan. In September, billionaire Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta Ltd said it wanted to split the company into six separate listed companies housing businesses such as aluminium, power, and base metals. It is expected to be completed in the coming financial year.

According to the second banker, most of the loans were given to Vedanta Ltd and they have a certain rating, which would change depending on which new entity our loans reside in after the demerger. We do not know which separate entity will service our loans after the split, and that will be one of the sore points whenever a meeting of the creditors is held."

According to the second banker, if the resultant debt after the split is in a company housing a business that did not perform well in the past quarters, lenders would be displeased.

Meanwhile, senior executives from Vedanta recently met some bankers to discuss the proposed split and to assuage concerns regarding the proposal, the second banker said.

In a note on 19 January, ratings company Crisil had raised similar doubts. Vedanta currently has a Crisil credit rating of AA-, and is on rating watch with developing implications.

As of 31 December, Vedantas standalone gross debt stood at 44,134 crore, and after accounting for cash and cash equivalents of 1,052 crore, its net debt was at 43,082 crore.

Besides State Bank, Vedantas other lenders include Bank of Baroda (BoB), Punjab National Bank, Union Bank of India, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, and IDBI Bank.

Crisil said that clarity on allocation of assets and liabilities across entities under the proposed structure, along with group/parent support philosophy for each entity, was yet to emerge.

This, it said, will be critical for evaluating the credit profiles of the entities, including Vedanta, under the proposed structure, and for the resolution of the rating watch.

In November, Crisil had downgraded Vedantas ratings citing an increased possibility of Vedantas consolidated financial leverage, or the ratio of net debt to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda) for FY24 remaining higher than the rating threshold of 2.7 times.

This is because successful completion of the companys plans to deleverage the balance-sheet through the inorganic route of asset monetization is expected to fall behind the earlier expected timelines," the rating agency said in November.

Emails sent to Vedanta, SBI, and SBI Caps remained unanswered till press time.

Others said it would not be smooth sailing for Vedanta. According to analysts at financial research firm CreditSights, the demerger could face major hurdles from Vedantas minority shareholders or creditors, potentially derailing the deal.

While we acknowledge the demerger could improve Vedanta Ltds overall equity fund-raising ability and valuations and simplifies price discovery, we are cognizant that cash leakage via dividend upstreaming is still unchanged," the Fitch group company said in a note on 13 March.

Mint reported in July that local banks had turned cautious on their exposures to Vedanta, worried that chunky dividend payments to ease the parents debt burden might stress the local balance sheet. Vedanta Resources holds a 63.71% stake in Vedanta Ltd, which, in turn, owns 64.9% in Hindustan Zinc Ltd. The government owns 29.54% in Hindustan Zinc.
BRUSSELSIn a big shift, the European Union is planning to impose tariffs on Russian grain, part of an effort to curb Moscows export revenue and appease European farmers who are angry about imports of cheaper agricultural products.

The planthe blocs first push to restrict food products from Russia during the warcomes amid protests over Ukrainian agricultural imports by farmers who have at times set up blockades at border crossings. The tariffs will apply to EU imports of cereals, oilseeds and derived products from Russia and its ally Belarus.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the move would help protect European markets and farmers from what she described as a growing risk and reduce Russias capacity to exploit the EU for the benefit of its war machine."

The EU doesnt import a large volume of grains from Russia, but officials are worried that the amount could rise. Russias overall grain exports to the world have jumped since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, EU officials said.

The EU tariffs are expected to be set at a level of 95 euros, equivalent to around $103, per metric ton for most cereal products and 50% for oilseeds and derived products, an official said. The tariffs are intended to be at a level where imports of those products to the bloc will no longer be viable.

Most of those products dont currently face tariffs when they enter the EU market.

The bloc had previously avoided trade measures targeting food products from Russia because of concerns that they could impact global access to food, especially in low-income countries. European officials said Friday that they didnt expect the new tariffs to harm global food security because no new restrictions will be placed on products that transit through the EU.

European farmers have staged protests in recent weeks over what they view as a flood of cheap agricultural imports, including from Ukraine, prompting growing concern from political leaders.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has complained that Russia has been able to export to the EU market without major restrictions.

When Ukrainian grain is thrown onto roads or railway tracks, Russian products, as well as goods from Putins controlled Belarus, continue to be sent to Europe," Zelensky wrote this week on X. This is not fair."

Write to Kim Mackrael at kim.mackrael@wsj.com
Hong Kongs IPO market was once the biggest in the world. Now, its great hope is bubble tea.

At least four Chinese stores that sell bubble tea are preparing to go public in Hong Kong, where nine companies have listed shares so far this year. They include tea-and-ice cream chain Mixue Group, whose targeted $1 billion listing would lift current volumes in the market more than threefold. Guming and Chabaidao, its nearest rivals, want to raise as much as $300 million each, according to people familiar with the deals.

These deals offer a striking example of how the slowdown in Chinas economy has had a ripple effect on the big financial center at its border.

Hong Kongs stock exchange once boasted more deals than anywhere else in the world, generating bumper fee revenues for Wall Street banks and attracting hordes of global investors. The $40 billion raised from new listings in 2019 was about five times the total in London and only second to the amount raised on U.S. stock exchanges, according to Dealogic.

During the boom years, the landmark listings in Hong Kong came from technology companies. They included internet giants Alibaba Group, JD.com and Meituan, which raised more than $20 billion among them. These companies offered investors the chance to bet on Chinas bright future, which would be fueled by social-media and technology firms that could compete with the best the U.S. had to offer.

The bubble-tea companies present a different vision. Chinas economy is slowing, consumer confidence has soured, and the countrys citizens are increasingly searching for bargains. Bubble-tea sellers offer drinks for $1 or so each, and compete hard for customers by offering promotions and discounts. They are well-suited to the current economic environment, analysts say.

Its a consumption trade-down trend," said Han Zhang, an analyst at Deutsche Bank.

But bubble-tea companies will need to convince cautious portfolio managers, who are almost as reluctant as Chinese consumers to put their money on the line. Hong Kongs Hang Seng Index has lost more than 40% of its value in the last three years, and is now in its fifth consecutive year of declines, according to FactSet.

Hong Kongs IPO market has tumbled to No. 9 in the world this year, based on a ranking of exchanges by the money raised in new listings. Just $471.8 million has been raised through listings in Hong Kong since the start of 2024, compared to $8.7 billion in the U.S. Exchanges in Mumbai, Frankfurt and Athens have all been busier.

Many foreign investors have cut their exposure to China, following a boom in stock prices in the U.S., Japan and elsewhere. Albert Kwok, a Boston-based emerging-markets portfolio manager at Jennison Associates, said he no longer even takes meetings with bankers pitching IPOs from Chinese companies.

To me its just a waste of time," Kwok said. I dont want to mislead people."

Bankers will also need to overcome doubts from investors about how bubble-tea companies can fend off their rivals, a fear that is likely to be exacerbated by the fact that four of them plan to sell shares around the same time.

There are tons of players in the market, but none of them can differentiate," said Barry Wang, co-portfolio manager at Oberweis Asset Managements China Opportunities Fund. No economic moat can be built in the sector in China now," he added.

Bubble tea is ubiquitous in China and many other countries in Asia, and consumers have limited brand loyalty, Deutsche Banks Zhang said.

With roots in Taiwan in the 1980s, bubble teaor boba, as it is often called in North Americahas become a staple, sugary refreshment among Asian communities worldwide. It began as a simple concoction of tea mixed with milk and topped with chewy tapioca pearls, but bubble-tea stores now sell that include cream-cheese toppings and popping bubbles.

Mixue, which operates more than 36,000 stores, sells bubble tea, ice cream and other sugary treats and has been expanding rapidly outside China in countries like South Korea and Indonesia. Guming, based in Zhejiang, and Chabaidao, based in Sichuan, both have fewer than 10,000 stores.

Auntea Jenny, a Shanghai-based bubble-tea seller, has also added its name to the list. The company filed listing paperwork in February and wants to raise more than $100 million, people familiar with the matter said.

There is one troubling omen for these IPO hopefuls: Nayuki, the only Chinese bubble-tea chain to have listed in Hong Kong so far. The company raised more than $650 million in June 2021. Its shares have fallen more than 80% since.

Write to Dave Sebastian at dave.sebastian@wsj.com
Shares of One 97 Communications Ltd, the parent company of Paytm, recovered from a recent low of 334 after it received approval from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) on 14 March to continue its UPI business as a third-party application provider. The stock has now surpassed 400.

This was more of a relief rally as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had said clearly that its ban applied only to Paytm Payments Bank (PPBL) and not the fintech business. PPBL is a separate entity in which Paytm holds a 49% stake and its promoter Vijay Shekhar Sharma holds 51% in his personal capacity.

It's understandable if investors are worried about the extent of the stocks recovery, given the threat from Jio Payments Bank. The well-capitalised newcomer could further shrink the already wafer-thin margins of Paytms bread-and-butter business. Jio Payments is reportedly testing a soundbox product that can also act as a point-of-sale device. And a few days ago, Policy Bazaars parent firm PB Fintech set up a new wholly-owned subsidiary to get into the payment aggregation business.

Paytm has been gradually losing market share on UPI, according to data from the NPCI website. While PhonePe and Google Pay grew the value of their transactions over January even though February has fewer days, Paytms customer-initiated transaction value fell from 1.64 trillion to 1.51 trillion. The UPI business is the mainstay of the company and accounts for 60% of total revenue. It has two key variables  gross merchandise value (GMV) and gross payment margin (GMP). The companys earnings are sensitive to even minor changes in the GMP.

For instance, Paytm had a GMV of 5.1 trillion in the December quarter (Q3FY24) and a GMP of 33 basis points, including UPI incentives. If the GMP shrinks by even a couple of basis points, the reported adjusted Ebitda (before Esops) of 220 crore could drop drastically. While Paytm can hope to grow GMV in line with the fast-growing digital payments industry, it has very little control over GMP.

Paytms management is aware of the challenges in online payments and has been looking to add new revenue streams. But just when these efforts were beginning to show results, it faced a setback. The companys financial-services business, dominated by loan distribution, doubled disbursements to 46,600 crore in the nine months to December (9MFY24). Over the same period, income from financial services grew nearly 60% to 1,700 crore year-on-year. This was a key factor making the path to profitability clearer and drawing investors attention.

But the business is likely to suffer as the Reserve Bank of India has increased the risk weights on unsecured loans, causing banks and NBFCs that Paytm had partnered with to slow down their lending. The marketing services (commerce and cloud) segment has been doing well, but accounted for less than 20% of total revenue in 9MFY24.

While the ban on PPBL does not have a major impact on Paytm's financials, it constrains incremental business opportunities, with FASTag being the prime example. As a payments bank, there was additional money to be made from the float money or the bank balances held by customers over and above the full commission/interchange fee of 1%. After discontinuing the payments bank, Paytm can only earn a partial commission of less than 1% from FASTag as it will have to share the revenue as an agent of other banks.

Paytms cash pile of more than $1 billion offers a big cushion, curtailing the stock downside. It could also be used for promotional cashback and other incentives to retain customers and keep competitors at bay. Against this backdrop, investors will be looking at whether the management can arrest the slide in UPI market share. The stocks trajectory will depend on this to a large extent.
Penny stock SJVN has posted multibagger returns in the last 4 years, rising from 20.75 to around 122.4 currently. This implies a return of 490 percent for its investors.

An investment of 1 lakh in this stock in March 2022 would have turned into over 5.9 lakh now.

SJVN Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the generation and sale of electricity in India, Nepal, and Bhutan. The company is also involved in thermal power, hydropower, wind power, solar power, and power transmission businesses. In addition, it provides consultancy services in the field of hydroelectric projects, highway tunnels, railway tunnels, etc., as well as project management services.

The company was formerly known as Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited and changed its name to SJVN Limited in September 2009. SJVN Limited was incorporated in 1988 and is based in Shimla, India.

Read here: Multibagger! This FMCG penny stock surged 2400% since March 2020

The stock has surged 290 percent in the last 1 year and over 34.5 percent in 2024 YTD, giving positive returns in all 2 of the 3 months this year so far.

It has jumped almost 1 percent in March so far, after an 8 percent decline in February and a 45 percent surge in January this year.

Currently trading at 122.4, the stock is over 28 percent away from its record high of 170.45, hit earlier last month on February 5, 2024. Meanwhile, it has soared 303 percent from its 52-week low of 30.39, hit on March 27, 2023.

Read here: Multibagger! This penny stock turned 10k to over 2 lakh in just 2 years

The significant upward movement reflects a strong wave of market optimism and positive sentiment surrounding the stock, signifying a notable milestone for the company amidst the current market landscape.

Earnings

In the December quarter (Q3FY24), the company posted a significant year-on-year decrease of 51.6 percent in its net profit at 139 crore. According to a regulatory filing, SJVN reported a net profit of 287 crore for the corresponding quarter last year. Meanwhile, the company's revenue from operations saw a marginal decrease of 1.6 percent to 543.3 crore as against 552 crore in the same period of the previous fiscal year.

At the operational level, SJVN witnessed a 3.2 percent decline in EBITDA, which stood at 368.5 crore for the third quarter of this fiscal year, compared to 380.6 crore year-over-year. The EBITDA margin for the reporting quarter was noted at 67.8 percent, down from 69 percent in the corresponding period of the preceding fiscal year.

Read here: Multibagger! Penny stock Alok Industries surges 1900% in less than 5 years

Brokerage view

According to ICICI Direct, the stock has been witnessing strong momentum - Its stock price is above short, medium and long-term moving averages. Meanwhile, its Book Value per share has also been improving for the last 2 years.

Meanwhile, its weaknesses, as per the brokerage are -

- Inefficient use of assets to generate profits - ROA declining in the last 2 years

- Degrowth in revenue and profit

- Degrowth in quarterly revenue and profit in recent results (YoY)

Read here: Multibagger! Penny stock IFCI rises over 850% in 4 years, 278% in just 1 year

What are penny stocks?

Penny stocks typically refer to stocks of small companies that trade at a relatively low price per share. These stocks are characterised by their low market capitalization, limited liquidity, and speculative nature. Penny stocks are often associated with early-stage companies, startups, or companies that are facing financial difficulties.

Investing in penny stocks can be highly speculative and risky due to their volatile nature. These stocks are prone to significant price fluctuations, and their low liquidity can make it challenging to buy or sell shares without impacting the stock price.

Additionally, penny stocks may lack the stringent regulatory oversight and reporting requirements that larger, more established companies adhere to, making them potentially susceptible to fraudulent activities or manipulation.

Read here: 19 to 246: Penny stock RVNL turns multibagger. Rises 1150% in five years

While some investors are attracted to penny stocks because of their low price and the potential for high returns, it's essential to approach them with caution. Due diligence, thorough research, and risk management are crucial when considering investing in penny stocks to mitigate the inherent risks associated with this segment of the market.

Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. Please speak to an investment advisor before making any investment decisions.

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Auto space has witnessed a strong outperformance this year as well as in the last 1 year on the back of significant volume expansion and enhanced operational efficiency.

During Q3FY24 as well automotive companies witnessed favorable year-on-year volume growth across various segments. This growth in volume was complemented by improved realization, supported by premiumization strategies and enhanced net pricing. Moreover, the margin performance was bolstered by a favorable product mix and advantages stemming from the easing of commodity prices.

Amid this positive environment, let's analyse between Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), which auto stock has better long-term investment opportunities.

Read here: Lok Sabha polls 2024 and Indian stock market: IT, Auto among top 5 picks for this season

Stock Price Trend

Tata Motors has outperformed benchmark Nifty Auto this year so far as well as is the better performer between the two. Tata Motors has risen 2 percent in 2024 YTD while M&M is up just 7.5 percent. In comparison, the Nifty Auto index has gained 11.5 percent in this period.

This year so far, Tata Motors has given positive returns in all 3 months so far while M&M has been positive for just 1. Tata Motors rose 1.4 percent in March so far, extending gains for the fifth straight month since November 2023. Between November and March, it has surged over 53 percent. Meanwhile, it jumped 7.4 percent in February and 13.4 percent in January 2024.

M&M, on the other hand, has shed 3 percent in March so far after a 16.6 percent rally in February. It was also over 4 percent down in January 2024.

Read here: Nifty Auto outperforms with 10% YTD gains; Time to remain careful, say analysts

Meanwhile, in the last 1 year as well, Tata Motors is the better stock. It has given multibagger returns, soaring 129 percent whereas M&M has risen almost 60 percent. In comparison, Nifty Auto has surged over 70 percent in this time.

Both Tata Motors and M&M have also hit their record highs in the current month, March. Tata Motors hit its new peak of 1,065.60 on March 5, 2024. Currently trading at 964.85, it is over 9 percent away from its peak. However, it has advanced 141 percent from its 52-week low of 400.40, hit on March 28, 2023.

Meanwhile, M&M also touched its all-time high of 1982.30 on March 1, 2024, and is currently around 6 percent away from peak. Currently trading at 1867.60, it has gained over 66 percent from its 52-week low of 1,124, hit on March 28, 2023.

Read here: Apollo Tyres jump over 58% in 1 year; should you still buy?

Moreover, in the long term, 3 years, again Tata Motors has emerged as the winner. Both stocks have given multibagger with Tata Motors up 212 percent and M&M up 120 percent.

Earnings

In the quarter ended December 2023, Tata Motors, India's most valuable carmaker, beat Street estimates as it reported a more than two-fold increase in net profit driven by strong sales in its British luxury car unit, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). Tata Motors consolidated net profit surged 137.5 percent to rs 7,025.11 crore in Q3FY24, compared to 2,958 crore in the year-ago period. Its total revenue from operations in the third quarter of FY24 rose 25 percent to 1,10,577 crore from 88,488.59 crore, YoY, led by JLR sales which rose 27 percent in the period.

Earlier this month, the auto major also announced a demerger of its commercial and passenger vehicle segments into two distinct listed entities. This move aims to enhance the company's ability to capitalize on growth opportunities effectively.

Read here: SBI vs Bank of Baroda: Which PSU bank stock should you pick for long term?

On the other hand, in Q3FY24, Mahindra and Mahindra reported a consolidated net profit of 2,658.40 crore, mildly lower than a profit of 2,676.56 crore in the same quarter last year. Its total income from operations, on a consolidated basis, for the quarter under review rose over 15 percent to 35,299.39 crore as against 30,621.28 crore year-on-year (YoY).

However, the company's standalone PAT (profit after tax) for the quarter under review surged almost 61 percent YoY to 2,453.98 crore against 1,528.06 crore in Q3FY23, whereas its standalone revenue from operations stood at 25,288.51 crore for Q3FY24, up 17 percent against 21,653.74 crore YoY.

Read here: Godrej Properties vs DLF: Which realty stock should you pick for long term?

Which auto major has better long-term investment opportunities?

Akshay Karwa, Research Analyst, Anand Rathi Institutional Equities likes M&M over Tata Motors

M&M's strategic initiatives, such as expanding its EV lineup and leveraging partnerships (VW), position it well for growth and market leadership in the PV space, particularly in the burgeoning electric vehicle segment.

1) M&M's Healthy Order Book: M&M has a healthy order book of 226,000 units, with a booking rate of approximately 50,000 units per month. This indicates strong demand for their products.

2) Market Share Gain in PV Space: With such a robust order book and high booking rate, M&M is poised to gain market share in the Passenger Vehicle (PV) space. Their growth projections indicate a significant outperformance compared to the industry average, with volumes expected to grow in the high mid-teens against an industry growth rate pegged at around 5 percent.

3) New EV SUVs Launch: M&M plans to launch five new Electric Vehicle (EV) SUVs by December 2024. These SUVs will be based on their new electric platform, INGLO. Leveraging components from VW indicates a strategy, which would provide M&M with access to advanced technology and expertise in the EV segment.

Read here: ITC vs HUL: Which FMCG stock should you pick for long term?

Motilal Oswal, as well, is more bullish on M&M

While the brokerage has downgraded Tata Motors post the demerger news, it has an 'add' call on M&M. For Tata Motors, MOSL has a target price of 1,000, implying a just 3.6 percent upside, whereas for M&M, it'a target is 2,005, indicating an over 7 percent upside potential.

"Tata Motors (TTMT) has announced the demerger of its business verticals into two separate listed companies. While the demerger seems to be a step in the right direction, we do not foresee any need to revisit our target price, which is already based on SoTP valuation. Moreover, despite factoring in most of the positive triggers in our estimates, we get limited upside given the recent sharp run-up in the stock," said MOSL.

For M&M, MOSL noted that M&Ms auto business is expected to be the key growth driver for the next couple of years on the back of its healthy order backlog and new launches.

"The near-term outlook for tractors remains weak, but we expect tractor demand to revive to mid-single digit growth amid favourable indicators. We estimate a CAGR of nearly 12 percent, 15 percent and 16 percent in revenue, EBITDA, and PAT, respectively, over FY23-26," it stated.

Read here: Nifty FMCG vs Nifty Finance: Which sector is better for long-term investment?

Nuvama Wealth Management also prefers M&M better

The brokerage has maintained a 'buy' call on M&M and raised the target price to 2,080, implying an over 11 percent upside potential.

It foresees a consistent revenue and core earnings Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13 percent and 18 percent respectively throughout FY2326E, with an anticipated sustained Return on Invested Capital (RoIC) exceeding 35 percent. Notable catalysts for the stock are expected to include production ramp-up initiatives and additional announcements related to Electric Vehicles (EVs), it added.

Meanwhile, it downgraded Tata Motors to 'Hold,' with a target price of 960, citing limited upside potential and a moderating volume outlook.

Read here: Nifty Auto vs Nifty Realty: Which sector is a better bet for long term?

According to Nuvama Institutional Equities, Tata Motors' recent decision to separate its commercial vehicle and passenger vehicles businesses into two distinct entities is deemed a "non-event" in the immediate term. The brokerage firm suggests that the entire process of separation could span approximately 15 months to finalize. Drawing a parallel, the firm likens this move to JIO's recent demerger from Reliance Industries Limited, wherein JIO was listed separately and subsequently excluded from domestic indices in the following days.

Presently, Tata Motors holds membership in all passive indices. However, once the demerger is successfully completed, the smaller entity (CV business) evolving into a standalone entity would lead to its exit from both the Nifty 50 and Sensex indices.

Overall, the consensus among analysts leans towards M&M for better long-term investment opportunities in the automotive sector.

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before taking any investment decision.

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The stock market has recently been tough on small and midcap companies , with their share prices tumbling. Interestingly, this downturn has drawn attention from an unexpected quarter: the companies' own promoters, who have seen this as an opportune moment to buy back their shares.

This marks a stark departure from the previous month, where the trend was more toward promoter selling. Although it's too soon to draw definitive conclusions, this shift in promoter activity could signal a changing sentiment towards smaller companies.

Let's explore five companies that have witnessed notable promoter buying in March 2024.

#1 Man Industries

Man Industries stands out as the first company to mention. As a leading entity within the Man Group, UK, it specializes in the manufacturing, processing, and trading of submerged arc-welded pipes and steel products. These products are essential for industries such as oil, gas, petrochemicals, fertilizers, and dredging.

In March 2024, Man Finance Private Ltd, a promoter group entity, capitalized on the stock's 18% decline by purchasing 52,225 shares across four transactions. A significant factor behind this increased interest could be the company's venture into the burgeoning hydrogen market, recognizing the potential of clean hydrogen as a future energy solution.

Man Industries has begun producing specialized pipes for hydrogen transport, aligning with the global push towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company recently celebrated a milestone in secure hydrogen conveyance pipe testing in Italy, conducted by RINA Consulting - Centro Sviluppo Materiali SPA.

Looking forward, Man Industries anticipates a topline of about 40 billion in two years, buoyed by massive bids for new businesses both domestically and internationally.

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#2 Praveg

Next, we have Praveg, an advertising firm with a knack for exhibition and event management, also offering services to the hospitality sector. It boasts a portfolio of exhibitions and projects across the globe, including in the US, China, South Korea, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.

In response to a 30% drop in its shares, the promoter group increased its stake in March 2024 through nine trades, acquiring 551,288 shares through six open market trades.

A recent win for Praveg was securing an order for the development and management of 50 tents at Agatti Island, Lakshadweep, offering a range of commercial activities.

The company's vision includes expanding to 50-60 resorts by 2028 and targeting 2,500 rooms by the end of FY29, with an estimated revenue potential of approximately 4.5 billion.

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#3 Gokul Agro Resources

Gokul Agro Resources, involved in manufacturing and trading edible and non-edible oil, meals, and other agro products, also saw promoter buying.

Ritika Infracon Private Ltd, part of the promoter group, acquired 921,300 shares in March, increasing its stake to 0.7% as of 19 March 2024. This move was likely influenced by the stock's nearly 20% decline, alongside strategic decisions like acquiring a 25% stake in PT Riya Pasifik Nabati in Indonesia by its subsidiary.

The company stands out among its peers with a low price-to-earnings ratio of 13 and a modest debt-to-equity ratio of 0.7. With a focus on debt reduction and profitability, going ahead, Gokul Agro is aiming for sustainable growth.

View Full Image Gokul Agro Resources Share Price Performance - 1 Year.

#4 Sarla Performance Fibre

Sarla Performance Fibre, transitioning from commodity to specialized yarns, also experienced promoter investment.

Hindustan Cotton, a promoter entity, increased its stake by acquiring 85,431 shares in March, responding to a 20% decline in stock price. As a result, Hindustan Cotton's stake in the company rose to 56.6% as of 13 March from from 56.5% in February.

This investment also aligns with the company's strong Q3 results, with an impressive 18.2% year-on-year revenue growth, reaching 963 million, and a 300% surge in net profit to 85 million.

Going forward, the company plans to expand its business, indicating a proactive approach to capitalising on new opportunities and ensuring future growth.

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#5 Star Cement

Star Cement, a key player in northeast India's cement industry, also promoter attention. The company's plant has a plant spread across 200 hectares in Lumshnong, Meghalaya, a strategic location that ensures easy availability of high-grade limestone.

Taking advantage of a 20% decline in the company's stock in March, promoter Prem Kumar Bhajanka bought 289,470 shares during the month, raising his stake from 10.1% in February to 10.2% as of 19 March 2024.

This coincided with strategic plans to expand presence, especially in south India, and a significant coal procurement deal with Coal India Ltd.

Looking ahead, Star Cement aims to capitalise on the anticipated surge in cement demand in eastern and northeastern India. To achieve this, the company is accelerating its expansion plans in greenfield and brownfield projects. By 2025-26, total annual capacity is projected to reach 9.7 million tonnes.

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Conclusion

Promoter buying is a strong signal of confidence in a company's future prospects, aligning promoter and shareholder interests.

This trend 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.

Furthermore, the act of promoter buying may suggest a belief in the current undervaluation of the company's stock, making it an appealing entry point with expectations of future appreciation.

While such activity often reflects positively on the company, investors are advised to conduct their due diligence.

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.

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
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's family and expressed the party's support to them following the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) arrest of the Delhi CM on Thursday, March 21, party sources informed ANI .

Rahul Gandhi will try to meet Arvind Kejriwal and his family on Friday, March 22, and provide legal help, sources informed ANI.

The Delhi CM had filed a plea before the Delhi High Court on March 21 after being served nine summons to appear before the ED for a probe in the liquor policy case. The court refused to grant him interim protection, and hence, the AAP convener was arrested yesterday evening from his residence.

Later, Arvind Kejriwal was taken to the Enforcement Directorate headquarters while a medical team arrived at the ED office. Arvind Kejriwal's arrest came as a shock to many, as AAP workers and leaders rallied behind their leader.

Meanwhile, not just the Congress but the entire INDIA bloc also extended their support for the AAP leader. However, BJP leaders claimed truth had to prevail" while extending their support to the ED's actions against the Delhi Chief Minister.

Education Minister of Delhi and Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi on March 21 urged the BJP to stop using the Enforcement Directorate as a 'political tool' to prevent the AAP convener from contesting the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Also read: Arvind Kejriwal arrested by ED in excise policy case after raids at residence

Atishi said that the party had approached the Supreme Court to quash Delhi CM's arrest and had sought an urgent hearing. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Atishi stated, "We have moved the Supreme Court to quash the arrest of Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal by ED. We have asked for an urgent hearing by the Supreme Court tonight itself."

While mentioning the arrests of two opposition Chief Ministers and the freezing of a bank account of the Congress party, Atishi said, Today, the BJP is murdering democracy. They have arrested two opposition chief ministers (One chief minister, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, was put in jail, and now another, Kejriwal) and frozen a party's bank account. Is this how the BJP wants to win the election?"

She alleged that the ruling BJP was attempting to win upcoming polls through undemocratic means and said, I want to tell the BJP that if you want to fight, then come forward and fight in the political arena, in the election field. Stop doing politics hiding behind the ED; stop using the ED as your weapon," reported ANI.

She urged the BJP-led Centre to engage in fair political competition rather than use the ED as a tool or weapon to realise their political agenda.

(With inputs from ANI)

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When Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called for new elections aimed at ending the current government in Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took umbrage. On CNN last Sunday, Netanyahu called Schumers comments about elections totally inappropriate," adding, Thats something the Israeli public does on its own. We are not a banana republic."

Netanyahu found a receptive ear among Senate Republicans, whom he addressed in a virtual closed-door speech on Wednesday. Sen. Ted Cruz reiterated afterward that Schumer had the arrogance and audacity to seek to instruct another nation as if it were a vassal state, a banana republic."

The term banana republic" conjures an image of a small, politically unstable regime with an ever-changing leadership, dependent on a larger power like the U.S. The derogatory expression was first attached to Central American countries, where the trade in bananas and other tropical fruit historically served as the basis for commercial exploitation by U.S. companies.

The word banana" entered English in the late 16th century, after Portuguese sailors encountered the fruit in West Africa and brought it to the Americas along with its indigenous name. Bananas werent widely consumed until the establishment of large Caribbean plantations in the late 19th century. The Boston Fruit Company, founded in 1885 to export bananas and other fruit to the U.S., was succeeded by the United Fruit Company. By buying up land for plantations, American corporations wielded monopolistic control over the banana trade in countries like Honduras and Guatemala, while manipulating local politics to favor their interests in the region.

In 1899, an item in New Orleans Daily Picayune described how Central American fruit ships" had carried the mails and the goods of New Orleans merchants," though they were hampered by climatic and governmental conditions in the banana republics." The expression received wider attention through the writings of William Sydney Porter, better known by his pen name, O. Henry.

Porter lived in Honduras in the 1890s after fleeing there to avoid embezzlement charges at a bank in Austin, Texas, where he worked as a teller. He returned to the U.S. and served prison time, writing short stories based on his experiences abroad. In Rouge et Noir," published in 1901 under the name Olivier Henry, he wrote of the banana trade in a fictional Central American country he called the banana republic of Costaragua." The story was later incorporated into his novel Cabbages and Kings," set in Anchuria, a small, maritime banana republic."

Later, banana republic" was broadened beyond Latin America as a derisive term for any country politically dominated by foreign corporate interests. It was kept alive in popular culture, as in Woody Allens 1971 comedy Bananas," which takes place in yet another fictional banana republic, San Marcos.

But the phrase took on a whole new set of connotations when a San Francisco couple, Mel and Patricia Ziegler, started a clothing store in 1978 called the Banana Republic Travel & Safari Clothing Company. As the Zieglers explained in their 2012 memoir Wild Company," the name was intended to suggest a proverbial source of military surplus," with politically unstable tropical countries" providing an abundance of disposed uniforms from toppled regimes."

When Banana Republic was acquired by The Gap, it retained its branding but lost its safari theme. Despite the names commercialization, banana republic" continues to evoke a pejorative air for a country unable to manage its own business. And as Netanyahu demonstrated, no nation wants to be known as that.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday slammed the Opposition's comparison of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, saying that it was an insult to the nation.

Shinde's response came after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said that Shivaji was born in Maharashtra and Aurangzeb in Gujarat. Raut further sparked outrage as he claimed that Dahod, the birthplace of the Mughal ruler, was not very far from where PM Modi was born

Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai's Worli today on March 21, the Shiv Sena chief asserted that the people of the country would give a befitting reply to the Opposition. "It's very unfortunate that the PM who has fulfilled Balasaheb's dream of Ram Mandir has been compared with Aurangzeb. It's an insult to the nation, and people will give them a befitting reply in the election," newswire ANI reported quoting the Maharashtra Chief Minister.

Shinde claimed that the Prime Minister has fulfilled Balasaheb Thackeray's dream by revoking Article 370 and they (opposition) still compare him to the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

Meanwhile, CM Shinde convened the meeting of his party members for the first time after the Lok Sabha election dates were announced. Scores of Shiv Sena leaders from all over the state, including MLAs, MPs and Ministers gathered to attend the meeting.

Neelam Gorhe, senior party leader and chairperson of Legislative Council said that the CM briefed party members on their conduct for the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

"In today's meeting, CM Shinde has instructed us to follow all the do's and don'ts. Seat-sharing decisions will be taken in the coming days, and senior leaders will announce them. We have to take our work to the people," ANI quoted Neelam Gorhe as saying.

In Maharashtra, elections to the 48 Lok Sabha seats are scheduled to take place in five phases, on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13 and May 20. Meanwhile counting of votes will take place on June 4.

(With inputs from ANI)

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The India-UK free trade agreement is likely to be signed post the formation of new government at the Centre.

"The legal vetting of the trade deal is on. Even if we iron out the last few issues, the deal cannot be announced till elections are over and a new government is formed" a senior government official told ANI.

The last round of negotiations on pending issues between India and United Kingdom concluded this month, but the negotiating teams of both sides are continuing to hold virtual discussions on a few vital issues.

Intense negotiations were held for last two months to iron out the contentious issues.

India and the UK launched the talks for a free-trade agreement (FTA) in January 2022 and there have been 14 round of talks so far. Chapter wise textual negotiations are almost over and schedules on Goods and Services are being finalised.

On March 12, PM Narendra Modi and his counterpart UK PM Rishi Sunak had a telephonic discussion for early conclusion of the FTA. This gives the negotiating team a final push to finalise the deal at the earliest.

The two leaders also affirmed their commitment to further bolster the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations.

"Had a good conversation with PM Rishi Sunak. We reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthen the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and work for early conclusion of a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement," PM Modi had posted on X.

The two countries are also negotiating a bilateral investment treaty (BIT), which is being negotiated by the finance ministry.

"UK is unwilling the sign the FTA without finalising the BIT" said the official to ANI.

India has signed three FTAs in the last two years, with UAE, Australia and the European Free Trade Association

Through the FTA, India is looking for greater access to sectors like textiles, automobile parts, and marine products. The deal will also facilitate easier movement of skilled professionals.

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This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
Several metro stations in Delhi including Lok Kalyan Marg and ITO will remain closed for a few hours on Friday in view of AAP's protest against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate in an excise policy-related money laundering case.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) wrote, On the advice of Delhi Police, Lok Kalyan Marg Metro station will also remain closed in addition to ITO Metro station till further notice."

Earlier in the day, DMRC announced the closure of ITO Metro Station from 8 am to 6 pm. The temporary closure of the ITO metro station could be because the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) protested in front of the headquarters of PM Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is located at Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, near the same metro station.

Delhi Police has escalated security measures in the national capital to avert any potential disturbances. Authorities emphasized the necessity of maintaining law and order, particularly around the court premises.

Also Read | Live updates on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest

We have ensured strict security measures to avoid any problems with law and order. The security concerns around the court have also been taken care of. We need to take care of the law and order situation. ITO is a busy junction, where there is huge inflow of traffic, so to avoid any congestion, security measures have been put to place," said DCP Central, M. Harshavardhan.

He informed that Section 144 has been imposed at the DDU marg because it is not a designated protest site and a lot of vital installations and important offices are there.

Delhi Ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj and Atishi were also detained by the Delhi police during the party protest. Besides Delhi, DMK leaders also protested in Chennai against Kejriwal's arrest.

Kejriwal's name has been mentioned multiple times in the charge sheets filed by the ED. The agency has alleged that the accused were in touch with Kejriwal to formulate the excise policy that resulted in undue benefits to them in return for which they paid kickbacks to the AAP.

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Days after withdrawing his candidature from the Ahmedabad East constituency for the Lok Sabha elections 2024, Gujarat Congress leader Rohan Gupta Friday quit the grand old party, alleging "constant humiliation" and character assassination".

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Rohan Gupta said he was troubled by senior Congress leaders associated with its Communication department. His father who is battling with serious health conditions narrated the incidences of betrayal and sabotage for the last 40 years, Gupta wrote in his resignation letter shared on X.

He doesnt want me to pay the same price as the whole family has seen the mental trauma I have gone through in the last two years which was caused by the senior leader connected with the Communication Department," Gupta wrote on the microblogging site.

The former Congress leader said, My father could visualise the same thing happening to me which I could not. He tolerated the same and ended up spoiling his health and underwent bypass surgery which he never wanted me to."

Gupta stated that he is not ready to take any more assault on his self-esteem because the person who has humiliated him for the last two years will not refrain from doing it in the future and nobody will be able to stop him, the letter read.

With broken heart I have taken decision of resigning which is very difficult but necessary to protect my self respect. Now my moral doesnt permit me to continue in the party. The same leader has damaged party also with his arrogant and rude behaviour," he added.

On March 19, Rohan Gupta withdrew from the contest on Ahmedabad East Lok Sabha seat due to his father's serious medical condition. Gupta was the Congress' national spokesperson and his name was in the list of candidates declared by the party on March 12.

All 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat will witness polling in a single phase on May 7 and counting will be held on June 4.

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From high-stakes legal battles involving prominent political figures to crucial sporting events and technological milestones, the nation is poised to witness significant developments in the coming days. Stay tuned as we bring you comprehensive coverage of these unfolding events.

AAP announces nationwide protest against Kejriwal's arrest, invites INDIA bloc to join: AAP leader Gopal Rai announced nationwide protests to be held today against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest on allegations of corruption linked to the city's liquor policy.

Delhi Minister and AAP leader Rai said,"...The BJP sent agencies and got Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal arrested...This is the murder of democracy."

Gopal Rai said, "Tomorrow at 10 am, we will hold a protest against the BJP party over the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal by the ED."

Delhi excise policy case: Judicial custody of Manish Sisodia extended to March 22: A Delhi court prolonged the judicial detention of former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia until March 22 in connection with a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the now defunct liquor excise policy.

Delhi excise policy case: SC to hear BRS's K Kavitha's plea challenging her arrest Mar 22- The Supreme Court, on March 22, will hear BRS leader K Kavitha's plea challenging her arrest in a money laundering case relating to Delhi excise policy irregularities matter.

TN: IPL to begin, CSK to host RCB at the MA Chidambaram Stadium: In the inaugural match of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL), the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will face off against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk, Chennai. Notably, one team has undergone a name change, with Bangalore now referred to as Bengaluru, while the other team has made a significant departure from tradition by appointing Ruturaj Gikawad as their new captain, ending MS Dhoni's longstanding captaincy.

H-1B initial registration period to close Mar 22: The United States is currently in the midst of the H-1B cap season for fiscal year 2025, with registrations now underway and set to conclude on March 22. However, notable modifications to the application process have been implemented, emphasising the importance for both employers and applicants to grasp the updated procedures comprehensively.

TN CM Stalin to kickstart INDIA bloc campaign from Tiruchi: On March 22, CM Stalin will initiate the INDIA bloc campaign from Tiruchi in Tamil Nadu. The inaugural programme, overseen by DMK leader and state Minister K N Nehru, will commence from Siruganur in Tiruchi.

Bihar-Subhash Yadav judicial custody, Patna court to hear the matter: On Monday, March 18, a special PMLA court in Patna, Bihar, remanded Subhash Yadav, a close aide of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav, to judicial custody until March 22. This decision follows the Enforcement Directorate's raids on March 9, targeting properties associated with the RJD leader and alleged sand mafia.

Punjab-SAD core committee to decide over joining NDA alliance: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has resumed discussions with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to rejoin the NDA alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha 2024 elections in Punjab. Previously, the Akali Dal was a member of the NDA but withdrew from the alliance due to disagreements over the three farm laws, which faced strong opposition in Punjab.

JNU Students' Union elections to be held on March 22: The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus is preparing for the Student Union Election scheduled for March 22, with nomination filings beginning Thursday, March 14. The final candidate list, unveiled on March 16, includes a total of 7,751 registered voters who will participate in the voting process. This election marks the end of a four-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

LS polls-BJP to release candidates list for 5 seats in Karnataka: On Wednesday, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa announced that the party plans to complete the selection of candidates for the remaining five Lok Sabha seats in the state by Friday.

Holi special-UP to run special buses from Mar 22-Apr 1 to manage festive rush: To manage the long weekend rush due to Holi and Good Friday, the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) will operate special buses from March 22 to April 1. The decision has been taken to tackle the anticipated surge in travel due to Holi, falling on March 24 and 25, followed by the Good Friday holiday and a weekend.

Axis Bank's group executive Ravi Narayanan resigns, to exit on March 22: As per an exchange filing made by the company on March 14, Ravi Narayanana, who serves as the group executive of Retail Liabilities, Branch Banking, and Products at Axis Bank, tendered his resignation on March 13 and is scheduled to be relieved from his duties on March 22.

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MUMBAI : A duty differential in silver imported under an India-UAE treaty is being exploited by unscrupulous jewellers to short-change unsuspecting buyers, according to an official from nodal trade body India Bullion and Jewellers Association.

The differential can also queer the pitch for silver exchange traded funds in India, he said.

Surendra Mehta, national secretary of IBJA, told Mint it was imperative for stock exchange MCX and the Securities and Exchange Board of India to consider allowing contracts and ETF units backed by Dubai silver to be traded on the exchanges.

This is because quota-free silver imports from the UAE have ballooned thanks to the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) of April 2022, he said.

Currently, MCX allows delivery of only LBMA silver, while mutual fund ETF units are also backed by LBMA silver, which trade at a premium to the spot market price because silver from the UAE is imported at 9% duty under the CEPA against LBMA silver imported at 15% duty," said Mehta.

The London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) oversees the wholesale gold and silver markets in London.

While both importers and customers should benefit from access to cheaper imports, there is a tendency among certain jewellers to display the MCX silver price in their shops and pass off Dubai silver as LBMA silver to unsuspecting customers, making a neat 6% gain in the bargain," Mehta said.

He contended that even mutual funds that have launched silver ETFs will have a problem at redemption as they will perforce" have to sell the silver backing the units at a discount in the spot market. Sebi should consider allowing funds to offer silver ETFs backed by Dubai silver in addition to LBMA silver, Mehta added.

The polled price of silver in the spot market as per IBJA was 75,045 per kg at closing on Thursday, while the intraday price of the May contract on MCX was 76,130, a 1.4% premium, attributable partly to storage and insurance costs.

The Axis Silver ETF listed on NSE quoted at 75.8 a unit, translating to a price of 75,800 per kg.

An executive with a private bank that imports silver on consignment basis cited customs data to show that Indian silver bullion imports hit a monthly record of 2,212 tonnes in February, which was 64% of total silver imports (3,475 tonnes) in 2023.

A substantial portion of this could be silver imported from the UAE under CEPA because of cheaper duty, this executive said.

An MCX official was not immediately available to comment on whether an internal advisory committee of the exchange could debate on allowing delivery of silver from the UAE on the exchange.

A query to Sebi on allowing mutual funds to offer silver ETF units backed by Dubai silver also went unanswered.

While the quota for gold imports under the UAE CEPA stands at 140 tonnes for FY24, the quota for the next fiscal year stands at 160 tonnes, according to Mehta. However, for silver imports there is no quota, which is compounding the problem.

If the India-UAE CEPA remains without a quota for silver, more than 50% of the white metal will be imported from Dubai," said Chirag Sheth, principal consultant, precious metals consultancy, Metals Focus. In such conditions, the prices of Dubais share should be reflected in the market."
The Supreme Court has reserved its judgment in the case regarding borrowing limits between the Union government and the state of Kerala.

A SC bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice K.V. Viswanathan has reserved the verdict following an extensive hearing that spanned over two consecutive days.

Both Kerala and the Union government urged the court to pass an interim order in the case before the conclusion of the current financial year on 31 March after several rounds of talks failed to yield an agreement.

Kerala filed the suit against the Centre under Article 131 of the Constitution, contesting the Union's norms on borrowing limits and highlighting the unique financial landscape of the state.

During negotiations, Kerala initially requested the Centre's approval to borrow 19,351 crore. While the Centre initially agreed to allow an additional borrowing of 13,608 crores, it insisted that Kerala withdraw the legal suit. However, the court intervened, stating that the Centre cannot impose conditions on Kerala to withdraw the lawsuit.

Subsequently, Kerala rejected the Centre's offer of 5,000 crore as a one-time measure, citing various conditions. Instead, the state demanded a minimum of 10,000 crore as a one-time measure, arguing that the proposed amount was insufficient to meet essential obligations such as public fund disbursements, pensions, and pay revisions.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal representing Kerala argued that the Centre's restrictions constituted executive overreach, emphasizing Kerala's constitutional authority to determine its budget and borrowing needs. Sibal highlighted the significant reduction in Kerala's borrowing from the Union government post-liberalization and objected to the Union's interference in the state's financial affairs.

In response, additional solicitor general N. Venkataraman contested Kerala's claims, alleging misrepresentation of figures and pointing out that the state's consistent over-borrowing in recent years. He raised concerns about Kerala's macroeconomic stability and the potential adverse effects of granting the requested 10,000 crore.

According to the Union government, any financial stress faced by Kerala was due to mismanagement, citing substantial financial resources provided to the state, including payments to meet GST compensation shortfalls. The Union government noted the importance of public finance management in maintaining India's credit rating.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman clarified in Parliament in December that there was no proposal to relax rules on state governments' borrowing capacity for FY24, including Kerala's.

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OTT releases this week: Several movies and web series, including Oppenheimer, Fighter and Abraham Ozler, are being released on platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar. With Holi 2024 falling on March 25, you'll have a long weekend to finish watching these.

Lets have a look.

Marakkuma Nenjam

Plot: Students from a convent school reunite at their school a decade later. They now have to dedicate three months to studying for their board examinations.

Cast: Rakshan, Malina, Ashika Kader, Prankster Rahul

Genre: Drama

Platform: Amazon Prime Video

Release Date: March 19

Abraham Ozler

Plot: ACP Abraham Ozler's life turns tragic when he's tricked by a false police call that results in the violent loss of his wife and their daughter. The person responsible wanted to get back at Ozler for putting him in jail over drug charges.

Cast: Jayaram, Mammootty, Jagadish, Senthil Krishna

Genre: Thriller/Crime

Platform: Disney+ Hotstar

Release Date: March 20

3 Body Problem

Plot: A teacher gives a clear and simple talk about the three-body problem, making it easy for everyone to grasp.

Cast: Jovan Adepo, Liam Cunningham, Eiza Gonzalez

Genre: Sci-fi

Platform: Netflix

Release Date: March 21

Ae Watan Mere Watan

Plot: The story centres on Usha Mehta, a courageous young woman who set up a secret radio station in 1942 to support India's fight for independence.

Cast: Sara Ali Khan, Sparsh Srivastav, Emraan Hashmi

Genre: Biopic

Platform: Amazon Prime Video

Release Date: March 21

Fighter

Plot: Shamsher Pathania, aka Patty, goes on a mission to rescue fellow soldiers trapped under a terrorists control in Pakistan.

Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor

Genre: Action/Drama

Platform: Netflix

Release Date: March 21

Oppenheimer

Plot: In World War II, army leader Leslie Groves picked scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer to lead the secret project to build an atomic bomb. After years of hard work, they successfully tested the first nuclear bomb on July 16, 1945, which had a huge impact on history.

Cast: Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon

Genre: Historical Drama

Platform: JioCinema (For premium subscribers)

Release Date: March 21

Road House

Plot: A famous security guard is hired to deal with the chaos at a bad reputation bar. He clashes with a powerful criminal who runs the place. They're heading towards a big fight.

Cast: Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon

Genre: Action/Thriller

Platform: Amazon Prime Video

Release Date: March 21

Anatomy of a Fall

Plot: A blind son is the only one who knows if his mother killed his father, and he doesn't know what to do about it.

Cast: Sandra Huller, Swann Arlaud, Milo Machado-Graner

Genre: Suspense Thriller

Platform: Disney+ Hotstar

Release Date: March 22

Argylle

Plot: An author famous for writing spy stories creates a popular character named Argylle. Strangely, her fictional tales start to match the secret deeds of a real spy group.

Cast: Henry Cavill, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell

Genre: Action/Crime

Platform: Netflix

Release Date: March 22

Lootere

Plot: The story follows the Jadhav family who moved from Bihar to Kenya. They found themselves in the middle of intense local ethnic clashes.

Cast: Vivek Gomber, Rajat Kapoor, Amrita Khanvilkar, Chandan Roy Sanyal.

Genre: Thriller

Platform: Disney+ Hotstar

Release Date: March 22

Shirley

Plot: In 1972, Shirley Chisholm made history by being the first Black woman to run for President of the United States.

Cast: Vivek Gomber, Rajat Kapoor, Amrita Khanvilkar, Chandan Roy Sanyal.

Genre: Drama

Platform: Netflix

Release Date: March 22

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Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal has married Mexico-born model-turned-entrepreneur Grecia Munoz. The couple tied the knot over a month ago, HT.com reported.

A former model, Munoz is now working on her own luxury consumer products startup. The couple returned from their honeymoon in February, a person familiar with the development told HT.com.

In her Instagram bio, Munoz says she is now at home in India". In her bio on Threads, Munoz describes herself as a television host. She is also winner of the Metropolitan Fashion Week in the United States in 2022.

In January, Munoz had shared photos of her touring famous locations in Delhi.

Meanwhile, this is Goyals second marriage. He was earlier married to Kanchan Joshi, whom he met while studying at IIT-Delhi. The Zomato CEO declined to comment for this article.

Gurgaon-based Deepinder Goyal, 41, co-founded restaurant aggregator and food delivery company Zomato (then known as Foodiebay.com) in 2008 after leaving his job at consulting firm Bain & Company.

Goyal and Zomato faced a huge backlash this week over plans for separate green uniforms for a new vegetarian-only food delivery service, called Pure Veg Mode" and Pure Veg Fleet".

On Wednesday, Goyal said the company will roll back the plan for a green dress code for its delivery agents and green boxes, and that all delivery agents will continue to sport the current red shirts or t-shirts.

"While we are going to continue to have a fleet for vegetarians, we have decided to remove the on-ground segregation of this fleet on the ground using the colour green. All our riders -- both our regular fleet, and our fleet for vegetarians, will wear the colour red," Goyal said on X (formerly Twitter).

Goyal is one of the richest people in India after the blockbuster listing of Zomato some three years ago. Then, he was estimated to be worth $650 million based on his stake in Zomato, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

(Disclaimer: This story first appeared on hindustantimes.com)

ZOMATO More Information

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome in Bhutan on Friday, March 22, as youngsters greeted the PM at his hotel in Thimphu with a graceful Garba performance. These performers danced to the tunes of a song written by PM Modi himself.

Video footage of the scene shows performers reverberating festive vibes in traditional Gujarati attire, Ghagra-choli and Kurta Paijama. PM Modi met and interacted with the members of the Indian diaspora and the local people of Bhutan following which the performance was staged.

The PM also greeted the officials gathered at the hotel located in Bhutan's capital, Thimphu.

The Bhutanese Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) in Hindi stated, "Bhutan mein aapka swagat hai mere bade bhai @narendramodi Ji."

PM Modi was warmly received by the prime minister of Bhutan and was accorded a red-carpet ceremonial welcome upon his arrival at the Paro airport.

The Bhutanese people marked the arrival of the Indian PM by lining up the entire 45-kilometre route from Paro International Airport to Thimphu. Indian and Bhutanese flags and banners adored the entire route leading up to the hotel.

The members of the Indian community expressed their happiness and said that they felt honoured to meet PM Modi, ANI reported.

PM Modi will attend various programmes to strengthen the India-Bhutan bilateral partnership during his visit to the neighbouring nation. The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement, Prime Minister will inaugurate the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital in Thimphu, a state-of-the-art hospital, built with the assistance of the Government of India in Thimphu."

The ministry in a statement earlier this week said that the visit of PM Modi would provide an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on bilateral and regional matters of interest and deliberate on ways to expand and intensify our exemplary partnership for the benefit of our peoples."

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)

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I have a good job, a loving husband, healthy kids and a comfortable home. I came late to it all and I sometimes cant believe my luck: that the sleep-warm little bodies I help dress in the morning are my own children, that the man in my bed at night helped me make them.

But the cliches about motherhood and aging and that ever-elusive work-life balance did not quite prepare me for the cliches of my life. Time slides by in a haze of emails that need answering, tushies that need wiping and Cheerios-encrusted floors that need more than the feckless Swiffering theyll get. Did I smile yesterday? Not at the playground, where time tic-tic-tics so slowly, amid all the hand-holding, swing-pushing, witnessing and refereeing. I am on antidepressants, of course, like nearly all of my female friends.

I seem to care more than my husband does about whether the kids get exercise or do their homework, or whether the floors are vacuumed and the pantry is stocked, so I handle most of that stuff. I also fill out the forms, cook the meals, make the doctors appointments and pay most of the bills. At night, when Im usually back at my desk, I am careful to schedule send" emails for 8 a.m. because the actual timestamp is embarrassing.

Also, I am happy. At least Im pretty sure this is what contentment looks like for me.

Apparently, I have lots of company. A forthcoming paper in the journal Social Indicators Research analyzes 11 surveys of 167 countries and finds that always and everywhere, regardless of how the question is asked or what measure is used, women say they are more anxious, more depressed, more tired and more pessimistic than men. They are less likely than men to recall smiling or enjoying themselves the day before and are more likely to say they are stressed, lonely, restless and worried about their finances. Women typically report more chronic pain and poorer health and are more likely to take antidepressants.

And yet: Women everywhere are still more likely than men to say they are happy and satisfied with their lives. In Gallup World Poll surveys of 167 countries between 2005 and 2021, women from Australia to Saudi Arabia typically rated their lives as high if not higher than men.

The fact that women can be both sadder and happier than men has baffled economists such as David Blanchflower at Dartmouth, a leading scholar of happiness, who co-wrote the new study with Alex Bryson of University College London. I mean, what the hell is going on?" he asked. Every single year, women say they are happier than men, but when they are asked, Did you have enjoyment yesterday? in every single case its negative. Same data sets, same control, same everything. Its very strange."

Surveys that aim to quantify peoples feelings are meant to fill the gaps left by strictly economic measures of a countrys progress, such as GDP. Policymakers are increasingly looking to self-reports of health and happiness to find out whats going right, whats going wrong and where inequities persist. So the fact that women consistently say they are suffering more than men has troubled researchers for years. Just why so many women also say they are happier is a riddle that no one has quite solved. Some economists call it the female happiness paradox."

There are plenty of theories. Blanchflower and Bryson, for example, write that it shouldnt be surprising that women feel more stress, fatigue and anxiety than men, given that women face a world that, even today, is patriarchalstructured by men, for men." Women in poorer countries typically have fewer opportunities, less education and lower incomes. Even in the more egalitarian households of rich countries, women still tend to do the lions share of the child care and housework, regardless of whether they work full time outside the home.

When we say womens work, no ones thinking Supreme Court justice," said Regina Lark, a decluttering specialist in Los Angeles and author of the book Emotional Labor: Why a Womans Work Is Never Done and What to Do About It." She told me that the clients who come to her for help managing the chaos of their homes are usually womenor men who feel that their wives arent great at being homemakers. Theyll come in and say Can you fix her?"

A 2023 Pew Research Center analysis of American Time-Use Survey data found that in the 29% of American marriages in which both partners earn similar incomes, fathers spent over four hours more on leisure each week, while mothers clocked in over six hours more of caregiving and housework. Many mothers are also managing this juggle on their own: The share of births to unmarried moms in the U.S. has been around 40% for years, according to U.S. census data.

As for why women still often say they are happier, Blanchflower and Bryson suggest that they may have more ways than men to feel like their lives are going well. Being a good mother or homemaker or friend or daughter is still a source of pride and respect.

Women are the head of operations in the home. Were making sure that everything is running smoothly," Simone Colbert, a single mother who works as a doula in Brooklyn, told me. We want to see our homes clean, our families taken care of, and I think theres satisfaction in getting it all done, but its also exhausting to be the one who makes sure it all gets done."

Other economists argue that women report being both more miserable and more fulfilled than men because they simply have lower expectations for what a good life looks like. Writing in the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization in 2022, Mallory Montgomery used Gallup World Poll survey data from 102 countries to show that men and women rated the life satisfaction of hypothetical characters differently. When asked to assess the quality of life for a happily married and financially comfortable 40-year-old woman with terrible back pain, or of a 50-year-old divorced man with a high-paying job and a good relationship with his daughter, women consistently offered higher ratings than men.

Women are just more generous in their ratings," Montgomery told me. Although her research didnt quite clarify why this happens, she suggests it could be because women are socialized to feel that they should be more thankful for what they have."

Jodi Duncan, the president of Flint Group, a public-relations firm in Fargo, N.D., suggests that low expectations mixed with low self-esteem may be why her female employeesaround 75% of her staffare both less likely to apply for promotions and more likely to obsess over criticism than their male peers. Its a feeling that she understands: Youre carrying around all this extra weight because your internal voice is telling you, Im not good enough or I really screwed up." Duncan told me she feels satisfied with her life, but wonders if its at least partly because girls and women are taught to be grateful for all the blessings."

Economists Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers suggest that this lower-standards theory could at least partly explain why American female happiness declined in both absolute terms and relative to men between the 1970s and the early 2000sdespite the real gains in education, wages and opportunities enjoyed by women over that period. In a 2009 paper, they wrote that American women may have been happier in the 1970s because they didnt expect to have it all. By the 1990s, when more women hoped to balance a happy home with a fulfilling career, it was perhaps harder to stay sunny while learning these ambitions were hubris.

By the mid-2000s, however, American women returned to reporting being mostly happier than men. Carol Graham, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution who has spent decades studying well-being measures around the world, suggests that American female happiness may have rebounded because by 2000 womens labor participation had reached 60%, almost double what it was in the 1950s. As a result, women striving for work-life balance had more role models, less stigma and perhaps more accommodating partners than they would have had a decade or two before.

Blanchflower admits he is not convinced by any of these theories for why women around the world typically say they are both happier and sadder than men. If you ask me, Do you believe women are happier than men? I say no," he told me. Ive written 30 papers on life satisfaction and happiness data, and Im coming around to the view that I dont really know what it all means."

This bewilderment is odd to me, because the female happiness paradox" doesnt seem all that paradoxical. The sources of fatigue, anxiety and occasional joylessness in my own lifemy family, my job, my marriage, the needs of my friendsare also the main sources of meaning.

In my interviews with women across the country, including a Target cashier in Brooklyn, a Honduran immigrant with a beauty salon in Corinth, Tex., and an out-of-work professional services executive in Nashville, Tenn., they all offered similar observations. Over and over, they told me that a fulfilling and even happy life is often made up of hard days, particularly if these days featured moments of serving others, of human connection.

A lot of the joy and satisfaction in everyday life comes from things that are otherwise difficult to measure," said Stevenson, a professor of economics and public policy at the University of Michigan. She explained that theres a difference between describing an emotional state, like sadness, and offering a cognitive evaluation of how ones life is going. I can step back and look at my life and say, Im pretty happy with the way things are going: My career is on track, my kids are doing pretty well, I like my neighborhood, my friends, my marriage. I rate things pretty high," she said. Also, today both kids were late to school, one has a virus, my husbands sick with a virus, and I fear Im coming down with it. Im behind on three different assignments. Im anxious and jittery and annoyed, and Im very irritable today."

Graham has found that the happiness gap between men and women is greater in wealthier countries with better rights for women and is particularly pronounced among educated people in urban areas. This raises what should probably be a more pertinent question for economists: What is going on with men? If men around the world are indeed more likely than women to say they smiled, had fun, slept well and feel fine, why arent they also saying they are satisfied with their lives, particularly in countries that are presumably rich in economic opportunities? Shouldnt we be talking about a male unhappiness paradox?

The problem may be that men are less in touch with their feelings. Blanchflower and Bryson acknowledge that though men are less likely than women to say they are depressed, they are more likely to die from deaths of despair, including drug overdoses, alcoholism and suicide. Though women in Europe and the U.S. are far more likely than men to discuss and attempt suicide, men are nearly four times as likely to actually kill themselves. I think we should be much more worried about male unhappiness right now," Graham told me.

All of this raises real questions about the value of well-being surveys. If they fail to capture the reality of well-being, or alert policymakers of which groups are actually struggling, do these metrics even matter? Measures of GDP may miss much of the story, but quantifying fuzzy things like feelings is clearly an imperfect art.

Stevenson insists these surveys are still valuable, but she notes that there is often a real gap between what people say and what they do. Right now people are telling us they are miserable about the economy, yet we have one of the strongest economies weve seen since the late 1990s, with unemployment near record lows and spending at record highs," she said. Although Americans are saying they feel anxious about the economy, they are also splurging on vacations: I dont think we know the answer as to how to interpret what that means."

Perhaps the answer is not to fixate on presumed paradoxes but to consider the ways that data on feelings help us to understand ourselves. These surveys may not accurately tell us who is actually suffering more, or even what people are really feeling, but they do make plain that pleasure and enjoyment are not reliable tickets to a satisfying and meaningful life.

Buried in this data is another fortifying truth, a source of comfort when the alarm forces me to confront another day: Stress, fatigue and anxiety are not terribly fun to feel, but they may be some of the inevitable ingredients of a rich and full life.
World Water Day, celebrated on March 22 every year, is an occasion to realise the importance of freshwater, especially this year amid the ongoing Bengaluru water crisis. The tech hub is facing an acute water shortage due to failed monsoons and drying groundwater resources.

History

In 1992, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro saw the first formal proposal of World Water Day under Agenda 21. The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution in December 1992 by which March 22 was declared World Water Day.

Significance

The United Nations (UN) marks this day to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. On this day, the UNs flagship report on water and sanitation is launched every year.

Theme

The theme for this year is Water for prosperity and peace. Thus, the 2024 edition of the UNs flagship World Water Development Report (WWDR) report will explore this theme and be released today. The theme changes every year, but the central focus remains on topics relevant to clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), which is in line with the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 6.

Key takeaways from UNs World Water Day 2024 message

Water can create peace or spark conflict- Tensions in societies arise when water is scarce or polluted or when people struggle for access. We can balance everyones water needs only through cooperation.

Prosperity and peace rely on water- Mass migration and political unrest make water cooperation a central part of how nations manage climate change.

Water can lead us out of crisis- Harmony between communities and countries can be fostered by uniting around the fair and sustainable use of water. By approaching this goal at the international level via United Nations conventions and implementing actions at the local level, we can overcome the water crisis peacefully.

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In November 2012, Arvind Kejriwal - who, along with social activist Anna Hazare, had dominated headlines during the anti-corruption movement - decided to launch a political party.

Kejriwal had said then that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was the result of our struggle against corruption-ridden Indian politics. On December 28, 2013, Kejriwal, was sworn in as Chief Minister of Delhi in front of tens of thousands of supporters at the historic Ramlila Grounds in the national capital.

Muffler-Man

In the past decade since, there has been a noticeable shift in Arvind Kejriwal's image. He is no longer seen as the trademark bespectacled muffler-man who wears a Monte Carlo sweater and travels around in his iconic blue Wagon R.

Follow all Arvind Kejriwal Arrest LIVE updates here

The former Income Tax officer has been sworn in as Delhi's Chief Minister three times. His Aam Aadmi Party is now a national party with a formidable presence in two key states  Delhi and Punjab  where it is in power. Elsewhere, the party has won seats in Gujarat and Goa. The party has 10 members in the Rajya Sabha. However, the Aam Aadmi Party has no member in the Lok Sabha.

On Thursday, Kejriwal, 55, became the first sitting Chief Minister of the country to be arrested for graft charges in the Delhi Liquor Policy by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED).

Full Circle

In February 2006, Kejriwal, an Indian Revenue Services officer, resigned from his position as Joint Commissioner of Income Tax in New Delhi. He became an activist and founded the Public Cause Research Foundation to campaign for transparent governance.

The Income Tax Department is governed by the Central Board for Direct Taxes (CBDT) and is part of the Department of Revenue under the Union Ministry of Finance. As fate would have it, the ED, which has arrested Kejriwal, is also part of the Department of Revenue in the Union Ministry of Finance.

Kejriwal's arrest on Thursday is related to the alleged graft in Delhis excise policy, which his government launched in 2021 to undertake significant reforms in the excise sector, including privatisation of liquor stores. Before Kejriwal, two senior party leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, have been arrested in connection with the same case.

Also Read: Arvind Kejriwal's arrest is linked to this pharma firms electoral bond donations to BJP: Report

Though EDs primary chargesheet didn't mention Kejriwal as an accused in the case, his name featured in a release following the arrest of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha on March 15.

Political Vendetta

Aam Aadmi Party leaders have termed Kejriwal's arrest a political conspiracy by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a charge the saffron party has dismissed. The BJP leaders ask why he skipped nine summons by ED, if he was so sure of his innocence.

The timing of Kejriwal's arrest is crucial as it comes weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. It also assumes significance because the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP is part of the Opposition INDIA bloc, an amalgamation of parties, including the Congress, contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha polls together against the incumbent BJP.

Kejriwal is the second opposition Chief Minister to be arrested by ED in two different corruption cases in the last two months. Former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren was arrested by ED on January 31.

Due to his national presence, Arvind Kejriwal has been, at times, seen by some political observers as one of the probable challengers to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in future.

IITian Chief Minister

Born in the Bhiwani district of Haryana on August 16, 1968, Kejriwal is the first of the three children of Gobind Ram Kejriwal and Gita Devi. His father was an electrical engineer who graduated from the Birla Institute of Technology. Kejriwal graduated from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, majoring in mechanical engineering. He joined Tata Steel in 1989 and quit before becoming a civil servant in 1995.

Also Read: Can Arvind Kejriwal run government from behind the bars? Here is what the law says

During his transition from an anti-corruption crusader to a Chief Minister in ED custody, Arvind Kejriwal has also faced charges of being politically dishonest. Over the years, he has parted ways with many of his comrades, such as Kumar Vishwas, Prashant Bhushan, Ashutosh and Yogendra Yadav. Yet, most of them have unequivocally condemned his arrest.

Another criticism is about his old promise of never to contest elections. His populist schemes includes free electricity and water in Delhi has also faced flak.

Kejriwal has been known for his personal attacks on PM Modi, though there was a radio silence for some time. In 2015, Kejriwal had called PM Modi a 'coward and a psychopath,' in a tweet on X (formerly Twitter) raising heckles among the BJP members.

Work From Jail

As the Lok Sabha polls draw near, all eyes will now be on the legal fight that the Aam Aadmi Party takes to get its national convenor out of ED custody. Although there is no law that bars a CM from functioning from jail, it would be logistically impractical for Kejriwal to operate. No CM has ever done that.

What happens in the next few days will have a bearing on the party's political future at a time when the country goes to polls in a few weeks from now.

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Political parties in India should refrain from stoking anti-China sentiments to garner votes in the upcoming L ok Sabha elections 2024 , urges an article published in the Chinese state run-Global Times.

Any attempt to exacerbate anti-China sentiment will ultimately cause more trouble for the bilateral relationship and bring more instability to India, reads the opinion piece published on March 17, a day after Election Commission of India announced the schedule for seven-phase Indian general elections beginning April 19. The results will be declared on June 4, the poll panel said.

We hope that relevant parties in India will maintain a clear understanding of this. India's existing electoral system has the potential to harm China-India relations," said the Global Times article.

Also Read : Chinese daily hails India's foreign policy led by PM Modi, says moving towards great power

The Chinese media, it reads, is paying great attention to this election, as India is a neighboring country to China and the two countries have frequent border disputes. It also mentions the violent clash in the Galwan Valley in 2020.

On June 15 2020, Ladakhs Galwan Valley witnessed a violent clash between the armies of the two bordering nations. The clash, in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed, was one of the worst in 45 years and led to a military standoff with China.

The article mentions that the continuous improvement of China-India economic and trade relations has been a focus of attention for the Chinese media. In 2023, China-India bilateral trade volume amounted to $136.22 billion, a year-on-year increase of 1.5 percent, of which China's exports to India reached $117.68 billion, up 0.8 percent year-on-year, while China's imports from India were $18.54 billion, up 6 percent year-on-year."

The article also referred to PM Narendra Modi's visit to Arunachal Pradesh on March 9 when he inaugurated the strategically significant Sela Tunnel project.

China, which claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet, routinely objects to Indian leaders' visits to Arunachal Pradesh staking its old claim. Beijing has also named the area as Zangnan.

Also Read : India responds to China: Arunachal Pradesh will always be integral and inalienable part of India

"The area of Zangnan is Chinese territory. The Chinese government has never recognized the so-called "Arunachal Pradesh" illegally set up by India and firmly opposes it. China firmly opposes the Indian leader's visit to the East Section of the China-India boundary, and has made solemn representations to India," it read.

India has repeatedly rejected Chinas territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the state is an integral part of the country. New Delhi has also dismissed Beijing's move to assign "invented" names to the area, saying it does not alter the reality.

The piece reads that resolving the remaining issues between India and China required joint efforts from both sides, which is conducive to creating an atmosphere for the two countries to resolve issues such as borders and trade through political means.

External forces, especially Western public opinion, create comparisons through so-called democratic topics, pit one side against the other, sow discord between China and India, maliciously hype up China-India competition and even spread rumors to mislead India into viewing China as a major competitor. All this seriously affects and undermines the perception each side has of the other. During the election period, Indian public opinion needs to be highly vigilant against this kind of misleading that could cause long-term harm to China-India relations," it said.

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Arvind Kejriwal arrest news: Political parties across the spectrum have condemned the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case linked to the excise policy, terming it "violative of the spirit of democracy".

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor called upon the Supreme Court to take suo moto cognizance of Kejriwal's arrest. The court has every right to take imminent action against anything that has a material effect on the elections," Tharoor told newswire ANI.

The Thiruvananthapuram MP said that the ED action is fundamentally violative of the political rights of every Indian citizen". At 11 am, there will be a march to the Raj Bhawan"

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also slammed that BJP-led central government saying that the "fascist BJP" government has sunk to despicable depths by arresting Arvind Kejriwal and that the relentless persecution of opposition leaders by the BJP government smacks of a desperate witch-hunt.

"Ahead of #Elections2024, driven by fear of a decade of failures and the imminent defeat, the fascist BJP government sinks to despicable depths by arresting Hon'ble Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal, following the unjust targeting of @HemantSorenJMM. Not a single BJP leader faces scrutiny or arrest, laying bare their abuse of power and the decay of democracy," Stalin posted on X.

BRS working president K T Rama Rao has also condemned the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal in an excise policy case, alleging that the arrest was "unlawful".

"Strongly condemn the unlawful arrest of Delhi CM #ArvindKejriwal Ji. The ED and the CBI have become the chief instruments of repression in the hands of BJP. Political opponents are targeted on unsubstantiated grounds & political vendetta is their sole purpose," Rama Rao posted on X.

Meanwhile, AAP minister Saurabh Bhardwaj has expressed his gratitude to opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, MK Stalin, Akhilesh Yadav, and others who extended support for Kejriwal.

Also Read | Live updates on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest

"What is being done with Kejriwal is injustice. It is an attempt to finish a political party. Our legal experts are working on the next course of action. Our party office has been converted into a cantonment, the ITO metro station has been shut...Is there a Model Code of Conduct imposed? What is the Election Commission doing?" he said.

In a post on X, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann also reacted to the arrest of Aam Aadmi Party's national convenor. You will arrest Arvind Kejriwal but how will you arrest his thinking... Arvind Kejriwal is not a person but an idea and we stand with our leader like a rock."

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said, By making the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, they (central government) have set an example that after a change in any government if a CM is elected by people, can be arrested."

BJP welcomes Kejriwal's arrest

On the other hand, Delhi BJP Vice President Kapil Mishra said the politics of Manish Sisodia, Satyender Jain, and Arvind Kejriwal will end in Tihar jail as it is the time for justice.

The arrest was ensured... The connections of corruption lead to Arvind Kejriwal's home It is time for justice against the web of alcohol spread by them," Mishra told media persons.

Another BJP leader Bansuri Swaraj said the ED has been asking Kejriwal to cooperate in the investigation, but he kept making excuses and went to a 10-day Vipassana workshop. Arvind Kejriwal himself has created this situation and all of this has nothing to do with the elections," she added.

BJP National Secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa hit out at the AAP leaders for raising slogans against the saffron party after Kejriwal's arrest, saying these people have lost all shame.

Experts of lying are questioning the BJP today. The people who made transactions worth crores are saying that the BJP is corrupt... I am surprised by the dedication of their (AAP) workers that they are raising slogans in support of such a corrupt man," he said.

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An asteroid has been named after Indian Professor and distinguished scientist Jayant Murthy. He is known for his work in space missions, ultraviolet astronomy, and interstellar medium. Previously cataloged as 2005 EX296, the asteroid has now been designated as (215884) Jayantmurthy.

The announcement was made by the International Astronomical Union (IAU)'s Working Group, the authority responsible for naming small objects in the Solar System, India Today reported.

MW Buie discovered the asteroid (215884) Jayantmurthy in 2005 at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, USA. It completed a full orbit of the Sun between Mars and Jupiter every 3.3 years.

NASA's New Horizons spacecraft captured global attention by providing previously unheard-of views and data of the dwarf planet and its moons with its historic flyby of Pluto in 2015.

Who is Professor Jayant Murthy?

In 2021, Prof Murthy retired from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA). Since then, he has served as an Honorary Professor. He was also the acting Director of IIA from July 2018 to October 2019.

Prof Murthy was involved with NASA's New Horizons Science Team whose observations of UV background radiation have been essential in helping us understand more about cosmic phenomena.

About studying the ultraviolet background radiation far out in the Solar System, where interference from the Sun and interplanetary medium is minimal, Prof Murthy's invaluable contributions to the New Horizons mission are recognized by the asteroid's name.

Expressing gratitude over renaming asteroid, Prof Murthy said, as quoted by India Today, I am thrilled to have an asteroid named after me, in connection with my work on the New Horizons team, led by Dr. Alan Stern."

IIA Director Prof Annapurni Subramaniam hailed the honor as a unique acknowledgment the global impact of Prof Murthy's research.

She pointed out that Professor Murthy has joined a distinguished cohort of IIA faculty members, which also includes Professors MK Vainu Bappu and JC Bhattacharyya, both of whom have had asteroids named after them.

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SINGAPOREApple has held preliminary talks with Baidu about using the Chinese companys generative artificial-intelligence technology in its devices in China, the latest example of the iPhone makers efforts to widen its AI capabilities.

The U.S. tech giant has been exploring using external partners to help accelerate its AI ambitions. It has held discussions with companies including Google and OpenAI about using their technology to power its mobile features.

In China, Apple has been looking for a local generative AI model provider, mainly because China requires such models to be vetted by its cyberspace regulator before being launched to the public, people familiar with the matter said.

Since the authorities introduced the rule in August, Beijing has approved more than 40 generative AI models, including Baidus Ernie Bot. No models made by foreign developers have been approved yet, and it isnt known if any foreign companies have sought government approval.

Leading generative AI models including OpenAIs ChatGPT and Googles Gemini arent available in China. Apple rival Samsungs newest Galaxy smartphone uses Gemini outside of China and Baidus Ernie in China to power some AI features.

Apples discussions with Baidu are still exploratory, the people said. It isnt known if Apple has engaged with other Chinese generative AI companies.

Global consumer-electronics makers are competing to roll out AI-enabled laptops and smartphones, riding the wave of generative AI to boost sales that have weakened over the past two years.

The iPhone maker has invested in developing its AI capabilities, including building its own generative AI model, seeking to leverage the technology to enhance features such as voice assistant, photo editing and email.

Apple already stores its China dataphotos, documents and messages uploaded by Apple usersin a cloud operated by a state-owned partner, complying with laws mandating that customer data collected in the country be stored locally.

China is Apples biggest overseas market, but it is struggling with intensifying competition from homegrown rivals including U.S.-sanctioned Huawei Technologies. In the first six weeks of this year, Apples iPhone sales there fell 24% while Huawei phone sales rose 64%, according to Counterpoint Research. Other challenges Apple faces in China include weaker consumption amid a tepid economy and limits on state employees using iPhones.

Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook is visiting China this week, inaugurating the opening of a new store, the companys biggest overseas, in Shanghai. He has reaffirmed the companys commitment to the market, being quoted by the Communist Party-backed Global Times as saying that there is no supply chain that is more critical to Apple than China.

Earlier this month, Apple said it has doubled its research-and-development team in China in the past five years and would open a new lab for research and testing of its iPhone, iPad and Vision Pro product lines. The company is hiring engineers and sales representatives for Vision Pro as it prepares to launch the headset in China.

Cook has paid several visits to China and met with senior Chinese officials since China reopened its borders in the wake of the pandemic.

He is among U.S. executives heading to the Chinese capital this weekend for the China Development Forum, an annual gathering where global business leaders rub shoulders with Chinese policymakers.

Analysts say teaming up with a local AI model supplier could save Apple compliance burdens and help the company compete with rivals, especially in Chinese-language AI capabilities.

Chinese consumer-electronics companies including smartphone makers Xiaomi and Honor are attempting to deploy small AI models on devices.

Apple will be a laggard in this space, and it would take tremendous innovation for them to outshine the rest," said Lian Jye Su, chief analyst at Omdia, who is focused on AI market research. The companys strength is in introducing innovative use cases and killer apps for various technologies."

Write to Raffaele Huang at raffaele.huang@wsj.com
The House tackled TikTok last weekand won. By a 352-65 vote, it passed a bill that would require the social-media company to divest from ByteDanceits parent company, based in Beijingor face a ban in the U.S.

Its a smart approach to an app that poses a unique threat. For years TikTok has assured the public that it keeps U.S. user data outside China and beyond the Communist Partys reach. A TikTok official stated in 2020 that the data doesnt even exist in China."

We soon learned that those assurances were worthless. Everything is seen in China," a TikTok official said in a leaked recording reported by BuzzFeed. That everything" is far more than dance videos. TikTok collects reams of sensitive data on U.S. users, including their locations, search and browsing histories, keystroke patterns and biometrics.

TikTok hardly uses this data for benign purposes. ByteDance admitted in December 2022 that some of its employees covertly spied on American journalists while trying to identify internal leakers. Caught red-handed, a spokeswoman chalked this up to a misguided plan," and TikTok promised to wall off U.S. data. But a January 2024 report in the Journal revealed that staff continued to share data with colleagues in other parts of the company and with ByteDance workers without going through official channels." Why? Simple. From everything Ive seen, the Communist Party is in control. Only a structural remedy that requires TikTok to break with China will work.

None of this is unprecedented. The U.S. has long protected our communications infrastructure from unfettered foreign control. The Federal Communications Commission has banned telecom carriers and equipment, including China Mobile and Huawei. And federal law prohibits foreign governments from holding any broadcast license.

Yet as the Senate considers this bill, some argue that requiring TikTok to sever ties with the Communist Party would violate the First Amendment. That isnt true.

The Supreme Court draws a distinction between laws based on the content of speech and conduct. Laws proscribing the former almost always violate the First Amendment, while those affecting the latter dont. The House bill falls squarely on the conduct side. It isnt based on the content of TikToks speech or anything its users express. The text specifically concerns TikToks actions, which present a serious national-security threat.

The high courts decision in Arcara v. Cloud Books (1986) resolves the issue. In that case, plaintiffs sought to close a bookstore under a New York state public-health nuisance statute after a sheriffs investigation found that it was being used for prostitution. The owners objected, arguing that the state couldnt close the store because the First Amendment protects the sale of books. Yet the court recognized that as sophistry. The underlying statute, it ruled, was permissibly directed at unlawful conduct having nothing to do with books or other expressive activity."

So too here. The First Amendment doesnt protect espionage, and the Constitution doesnt require the government to allow TikToks national-security threat to persist simply because the platform also enables speech.

You can use a pen to write salacious anti-American propaganda, and the government cant censor that content. Nor can it stop Americans from seeking such messages out. But if you use the same pen to pick a lock to steal someone elses property, the government could prosecute you for illegal conduct.

That is what the Houses TikTok bill has done. Its consistent with the Constitutions letter and spirit and our longstanding approach to foreign adversary control.

Mr. Carr is a commissioner of the FCC.
Man sentenced to death for homicide

Xinhua) 16:45, March 22, 2024

SHANGHAI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- A man has been sentenced to death on Friday for poisoning his co-workers' food and drinks, leaving one dead and four others injured.

The man, named Xu Yao, was given capital punishment and a six-year sentence after being convicted of homicide and releasing hazardous substances, according to the Shanghai First Intermediate People's Court.

Between Dec. 14 and 15, 2020, Xu poisoned the food of a co-worker surnamed Lin after they had a conflict over company operation and management, resulting in Lin's death.

Besides, between September and December 2020, Xu poisoned drinks and other items in an office, leaving four co-workers poisoned.

The defendant Xu Yao deliberately killed people by poisoning and endangered public safety. His criminal motive is extremely despicable and should be severely punished according to law, said the court.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Johnson has signaled a willingness to turn the Ukraine aid into a loan for the country, an idea floated by former President Donald Trump that has prompted Democratic skepticism.
The data is from the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years.
The changes would make it tougher for companies to use those boots and would force them to make it easier to free the car or truck.
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A woman who has never gotten to grips with her drug problem was sentenced to one year in prison after pleading guilty to a series of thefts from businesses in Longford and Athlone.

Sharon Clarke (41) with charge sheet addresses of 7 Fry Court, Athlone, Westmeath; 48 Camlin Meadows, Longford; 7 Midland Court, Longford; and 224 Boireann Bheag, Roscam, Galway was before Judge Bernadette Owens at Longford District Court in regard to a number of offences.

The charges against the defendant include public intoxication on May 28 23 at Sheraton Hotel Gleeson St, Athlone; theft of cosmetics valued at 450 on October 23, 2022 at Boots Ballymahon St, Longford; theft of groceries 34.80 on June 30, 2023 at SuperValu Longford; on June 13, 2023 at8 St Michael's Rd, Longford stole property 770.

The defendant was also charged with on March 4, 2023 at Coffee House 45 stealing 20 cash; on June 1 and 2, 2023 at Lloyds Pharmacy, stole cosmetics; on June 10 Wards Pharmacy stole cosmetics valued at 60; on June 12 at Lloyds Pharmacy stole cosmetics valued at 474; and on June 16 at Longford Garda Station was in the unlawful possession of methadone and diamorphine.

Solicitor Mark Cooney indicated that his client had pleaded guilty to all the charges before the court. Mr Cooney told Judge Bernadette Owens his client was in custody on matters pending before Athlone court.

The legal representative said there was an underlying issue at the heart of his client's offending, that was her dependence on drugs. Mr Cooney explained that she had engaged with the Community Alcohol and Drug Services (CADS) in Athlone.

Ms Clarke thought she had turned a corner, but things started to unravel. She has never gotten to grips with her drug problem. Sharon is taking steps in the right direction. She now has to make the best of her time in custody and she is asking the court to take that into account in sentencing, Mr Cooney said.

Noting that the defendant had 45 previous convictions Judge Owens referred to the fact that some were committed while on bail. The judge also said efforts by Ms Clarke to engage with residential drug treatment had never materialised.

Judge Owens imposed three consecutive prison sentences; the first for six months, the second for six months and the third for five months, however she suspended the five month custodial term for a period of two years as an incentive to encourage Ms Clarke to engage with addiction services upon the defendant's release.
The academic accomplishments of 70 exceptional students at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), Athlone Campus, were celebrated at a prestigious Deans Honours List ceremony recently.

These students, hailing from diverse disciplines within the Faculty of Business and Hospitality, were honoured for their outstanding achievements during the past academic year.

The TUS Dean's Honours List, a hallmark of academic excellence, is bestowed upon students who maintain an exceptional first-class honour gradeequivalent to a 70% averagethroughout their degree programme.



Dr Michael Tobin, currently acting in the capacity of Dean of Business and Hospitality, the significance of the award, stating that it serves as a beacon of inspiration, encouraging students to strive for excellence in their chosen fields.

Caption: Patrick Murray, Abbeyshrule receiving his Bachelor of Business (Hons) in abinito Year 2 from Dr Michael Tobin - Dean of Faculty of Business and Hospitality Picture: Nathan Cafolla TUS

"The awards are a highlight of the academic calendar, and the response from both students and faculty to this esteemed accolade has been overwhelmingly positive," remarked Dr Tobin.

"For past recipients, it has served as a catalyst for sustained academic engagement, while for others, it has ignited a fervent desire for improvement."

He underscored the importance of maintaining this high level of commitment throughout their academic journey, expressing his hope that the award will spur the awardees to continue their pursuit of excellence in both their studies and future careers.

Caption: Richard Sweetnam, Ballymahon accepting his Bachelor of Business (Hons) in abinito Year 3 from Dr Michael Tobin, Dean of Faculty of Business and Hospitality Picture: Nathan Cafolla TUS

Each awardee was presented with a certificate commemorating their exceptional academic performance.

As the ceremony drew to a close, Dr Tobin extended his heartfelt congratulations to all the awardees, wishing them continued success in their academic endeavours and beyond.

Caption: Krista Jansone from Drumlish accepting her Higher Certificate in Arts in Culinary Arts Year 1 from Dr Michael Tobin, Dean of Faculty of Business and Hospitality at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), Athlone Campus

Picture: Nathan Cafolla TUS

Established in 2018, the Dean's Honours List at TUS's Athlone Campus has become a symbol of academic distinction, recognising the outstanding achievements of students across the campus.

Caption: Conor Farrell, Ardagh accepting his Bachelor of Business (Hons) Business & LawYear 2 from Dr Michael Tobin, Dean of Faculty of Business and Hospitality Picture: Nathan Cafolla TUS
Local News

By Long Island Published: March 22 2024

Suffolk County Police have launched a Silver Alert for 29-year-old Amanda Ardle, last seen in Ridge, urging the community to aid in her safe return.

In the heart of Suffolk County, a community bound by its picturesque landscapes and close-knit neighborhoods, a somber mood has descended upon the town of Ridge. The local police, with a sense of urgency, have issued a Silver Alert, a beacon of hope in the search for 29-year-old Amanda Ardle, whose disappearance has left a void in the fabric of this tranquil community.

Amanda, a woman known for her kindness and vibrant spirit, was last seen by her loved ones on the evening of March 21, as she departed from her residence at 29 Eason Drive around 7:15 p.m. Dressed in a blue hoodie, complemented by a black jacket and leggings, she stepped into the night, unaware of the concern her absence would trigger. The vehicle she chose for her journey, a gray Honda Accord bearing the New York State license plate KJA 4430, became the only trace of her path when it was discovered at 133-33 Brookville Blvd., Rosedale, within the jurisdiction of the NYPD 105th Precinct.

The news of her car being located, while providing a clue, only deepened the mystery and concern for Amanda, described as a woman with a warm smile that could light up any room. Standing at 5 feet 2 inches, with long dark blonde hair framing her face and blue eyes reflecting the depth of her soul, her absence is felt deeply by those who know her. Weighing 190 pounds, Amanda's physical characteristics are distinctive, aiding the community and authorities in their search to bring her home.

Amid the swirling autumn leaves and the whispering winds, the call for Amanda's safe return echoes far and wide. The Suffolk County Police, along with the Seventh Squad detectives, stand at the forefront of this search, their dedication unwavering as they comb through every lead and piece of information. The public, united in concern and hope, is urged to be the eyes and ears in this critical time, any information regarding Amandas location, no matter how small it may seem, could be the key to reuniting her with her family.
Coram Man Busted After Caught Red-Handed Attempting to Break Into Remsenburg Residence, Police Say

Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: March 22 2024

Louis Zangla, 36, is charged with Burglary 2nd (felony) and Criminal Possession of Burglary Tools (misdemeanor).

At approximately 2:14 PM, Southampton Town Police Department received a 911 call of a burglary in progress in Remsenburg.

Patrol Units responded and spoke to the homeowner who reported arriving home and seeing a male at the bottom of the basement steps. When he was confronted as to why he was there he stated he would call his boss. He left the residence and fled in a vehicle.

Southampton Town Police Detectives responded to continue the investigation.

Information developed led to the identification of a suspect who was subsequently located by the Southampton Town Police Community Response Unit.
Imposing Swiss-style law which restricts non-residents aiming to buy property would not be a quick fix to housing problems, parliamentary report concludes

House prices in Luxembourg more than doubled in the period from 2010 to 2022, according to a report from Eurostat

House prices in Luxembourg more than doubled in the period from 2010 to 2022, according to a report from Eurostat  Photo credit: Anouk Antony

House prices in Luxembourg more than doubled in the period from 2010 to 2022, according to a report from Eurostat  Photo credit: Anouk Antony

Imposing Swiss-style legislation to ban or restrict the purchase of property in Luxembourg by non-residents is not a quick fix for the Grand Duchys housing crisis, a report by a parliamentary research body has concluded.

Also read:

Housing crisis is undermining wellbeing, Statec report concludes

Interest in Luxembourg in the so-called Lex Koller law, which was first introduced in Switzerland in 1961 and has since been amended, is probably due to the fact that the size of its property market and its demographic make-up appear to be comparable, according to the report by the Chamber of Deputies scientific unit, published on Friday.

In particular, the interest shown in this law in the political sphere suggests that the assumption that there is a causal link between the presence of a foreign population and the housing crisis would be equally valid in Luxembourg, the authors wrote.

The restrictions applied under the Lex Koller law have been relaxed on several occasions, the report noted, which indicates that it is somewhat inadequate as an instrument in tackling the Swiss housing crisis.

Data shows that a major contributing factor to Luxembourgs housing shortage is the concentration of property ownership by a small number of individuals. House prices in Luxembourg more than doubled between 2010 and 2022, the EUs statistics agency said last year.

Foreign investment boosts economy

Using information gathered by the national housing observatory, the parliamentary research study concluded that the acquisition of property by foreigners is not a factor in explaining the housing crisis or the rise in prices. Rather, foreign investment plays a role in boosting the Luxembourg economy, it stated.

Also read:

The 49 land owners who hold a quarter of Luxembourg's plots

In addition, legislation along the lines of the Lex Koller law would not be compatible with the Luxembourg constitution or with Luxembourgs European and international commitments.

From the point of view of domestic law, where the owner wishes to sell his property, legislation along the lines of the Lex Koller does not seem compatible with the owners freedom to choose his co-contractor, the report said.

Also read:

Housing woes have been years in making, Statec says

Land reform projects currently under discussion in the Luxembourgs parliament, such as imposing taxes on empty and vacant dwellings, tend to push owners to rent up or sell up, the report said. This effect applies equally to Luxembourgers and foreigners, the authors said.
International summit calls for AMR accountability in public health interventions

21 March 2024



The UK-Africa Health Summit took place this week, uniting global health leaders in antimicrobial stewardship to tackle this increasing threat ahead of the 2024 High-level Meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in New York.

Panel event at UK-Africa Health Summit in London, March 2024

From 18 to 19 March 2024, the global health community gathered in London for the UK-Africa Health Summit, an important precursor to the UN General Assembly (UNGA) High-level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) taking place in September this year. Convening under the theme Accelerating collaborative approaches to health workforce sustainability and antimicrobial stewardship, the meeting discussed initiatives for curbing AMR, one of the most pressing public health challenges.

Closing the session on Monday, the UKs Minister of State for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, spoke of the importance of sustainable partnerships and alliances in responding to global health challenges and emphasised the need for collaborative approaches to health workforce sustainability and antimicrobial stewardship. Improved communication and coordination globally, alongside effective monitoring and evaluation to improve accountability of AMR interventions, will be critical in tackling this increasing threat.

In 2019, AMR caused 1.27 million deaths worldwide. The crisis is particularly acute in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in sub-Saharan Africa, which bears a disproportionate burden of AMR. The threat of resistance to artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs)  the most effective treatment for uncomplicated malaria  compounds the situation and could undermine progress in efforts to eliminate malaria.

AMR, while occurring naturally, has accelerated in scale and speed due to factors including overuse and misuse of antimicrobial drugs in both humans and animal husbandry, and environmental contamination with drugs.

The UK government has provided funding for international partnerships to find global solutions to tackle AMR. Strengthening national surveillance systems in LMICs to improve monitoring and understanding of AMR trends to allow timely and effective responses and evidence-based decision-making has been identified as a key pillar, as has community engagement and investment in research and development (R&D).

In collaboration with partners, Malaria Consortiums ongoing work in Bangladesh and Nepal is implementing and evaluating an innovative, community-led community engagement intervention to address the contextual drivers of AMR.

Engaging communities is essential to cultivate a broader understanding of AMR and encourage individual and collective action in support of stewardship initiatives. Even with investment in research and development promising new tools and therapies to outpace the emergence of drug resistance, the behaviour of individuals is crucial in contributing to efforts to preserve the effectiveness of treatments and safeguard health for future generations, reflected Helen Hawkings, Malaria Consortiums Social and Behaviour Change Specialist.

The summits spotlight on AMR offered a timely impetus for building momentum ahead of the High-level Meeting in New York later this year. As participants look toward the outcomes of this gathering, it is hoped that concerted actions today will pave the way for a safer, healthier future with a lessened burden of AMR.

Read more in our position statement: Antimicrobial resistance: A growing threat to global health

Image by Action for Global Health
Next time youre planning your May getaway, look no further than Nantucket.

The island was named one of the best places to travel in May by renowned travel outlet Conde Nast.

The team at Conde Nast published a list of the top travel destinations on Thursday, March 7 mentioning spots from Sicily to Zambia. Nantucket was the only New England spot included on the list.

So much more than just a summer town, Nantucket is a beauty in every season. But there are a few perks to visiting in Maynamely, beating the summer influx of tourists, Conde Nast wrote. You wont have to dodge quite as many crowds as you bike and sail your way around the island, and you can score some unobstructed views of the three million daffodils that bloom here in late April and early May.

Top attractions on the island include the Whaling Museum, Cisco Brewers, Great Point Light, Madaket Beach and more, according to Tripadvisor.

Conde Nast said to dine at Cru and Dune for some unforgettable meals, visit the Nantucket Wine Festival that runs from May 15-19 this year and stay at The Wauwinet.
Its showtime. The official trailer for the second Beetlejuice movie, which was partially filmed in Massachusetts, has officially been released.

The movie, starring Michael Keaton as the iconic character from the 1988 original film, will come to theaters on Sept. 6. The trailer, which officially dropped on Thursday, March 21, shows scenes from what appears to be Beetlejuices funeral before the character remerges uttering the line, The juice is loose.

The film also stars Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz, Jenna Ortega as Lydias daughter Astrid, Catherine OHara as Delia Deetz, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, Arthur Conti and Willem Dafoe. Tim Burton also makes his return as director.

After an unexpected family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydias life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened, the trailers YouTube description reads.

With trouble brewing in both realms, its only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuices name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem, it continued.

In November, Ortega was spotted filming scenes for the movie in a Melrose neighborhood. The movie set was set up for about two days, according to WBZ-TV.

The Wednesday actress was seen in a purple-and-black-striped dress riding a bicycle into the backyard of a house at the corner of Charles and West Emerson streets.

Jenna Ortega on the set of Beetlejuice 2, which has some scenes being filmed in Melrose @masslivenews pic.twitter.com/DcV1U9ZY7q  David Cifarelli (@DavidCifarelli) November 16, 2023

The houses in and around the streets were also adorned in Halloween decorations, which was supposed to depict a Connecticut neighborhood in the movie.

This is the same neighborhood where Beetlejuice Beetlejuice started filming over the summer, until the SAG-AFTRA strike halted production.

You can watch the trailer below:
A man was arrested in Florida in connection with a triple shooting that happened in Lynn in late December 2023, Lynn police announced.

William Baez, 19, was charged with three counts of armed assault with intent to murder, Lynn police said in a statement on Friday.

The Lynn Police Department was working with the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section and the United States Marshals Service - Florida/Caribbean Regional Taskforce in a joint investigation that led to Baezs arrest.

Baez was found in Lauderhill and is being held at the Broward County Jail pending rendition, according to Lynn police.

The shooting happened near a Pizza Hut located in a shopping plaza on State Street around 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 26, according to Lt. Rick Connick. The glass in one of the restaurants doors was shattered and bullet holes were visible in the other door, according to WBZ-TV. Police were unclear whether the shooting happened inside or outside the restaurant.

Three people were found and brought to the hospital with serious injuries, Connick said. At this time, authorities believe the incident was targeted.

On Jan. 3, 2024, Lynn police announced that Delvin Sanchez, 18, was arrested in connection with the shooting in Peabody. He was charged with armed assault to murder, accessory before the fact and accessary after the fact, according to police.

This shooting was followed by another on Dec. 27 where a 16-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man were both killed near 10 Camden St., which is around the corner from the AL Prime gas station, at around 10:20 p.m.
A major cruise line has suspended ships from going to the Caribbean nation of Haiti because of an increase of violence and unrest in the area.

Royal Caribbean has suspended calls at Labadee due to the evolving situation in Haiti, the company said in a prepared statement as reported by Cruiseindustrynews.com.

We continue to monitor and assess the situation with our Global Security & Intelligence Team, Royal Caribbean continued. Neither passengers nor crew have faced violence or threats, the company said.

This comes after the State Department urged people to not visit and implemented a Travel Advisory earlier this month. The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince told American tourists to not travel to Haiti in a press release issued March 10.

The current security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous, the statement continued. We are aware that there are few or no commercial options to depart Haiti safely at this time. As they become available, we urge U.S. citizens to take advantage of them.

A do-not-travel alert for Haiti was issued in July 2023 for what the State Department described as kidnapping, crime, civil unrest and poor health care infrastructure.

The Travel Advisory for Haiti is now at Level Four, which discourages any travel to the country.

American travelers in Haiti are advised to avoid crowds, avoid being outside after dark, prepare to shelter in place, keep a low profile and be aware of their surroundings, the U.S. Embassy said.

Several Royal Caribbean ships were set to visit Labadee over the next several days. Instead, those stops will be replaced by a day at sea as well as extra time at a previously scheduled stop in Falmouth, Jamaica.

Other ships will visit Nassau, the Bahamas or Perfect Day at CocoCay, another company-owned location.

More than 33,000 people have fled Haitis capital in a span of nearly two weeks as gangs continue to pillage homes and attack state institutions, according to a new report by the U.N.s International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The majority of those displaced have traveled to Haitis southern region, which is generally peaceful compared with Port-au-Prince, which has an estimated population of 3 million, and remains largely paralyzed by gang violence. The airport in Port-au-Prince has also been closed because of the violence.

Scores of people have been killed and some 17,000 people overall have been left homeless since the gang attacks began on Feb. 29, with gunmen targeting police stations and the main international airport that remains closed.

They also stormed Haitis two biggest prisons and released more than 4,000 inmates.

More than 90% of those fleeing did so by bus, forced to go through the community of Martissant, which connects Port-au-Prince with Haitis southern region, and is controlled by warring gangs that have killed dozens of civilians in the area.

IOM noted that Haitis southern region is already home to another 116,000 people who fled gang violence in previous months, and that rural provinces do not have the infrastructure or resources to cope with these massive displacement flows coming from the capital.

The majority of new arrivals have settled in cities like Les Cayes, Jeremie and Leogane, with more than half of Haitians interviewed saying they chose to relocate to the south because theyre originally from there. Nearly all said they planned to stay with family.

More than 70% of people who fled Port-au-Prince between March 8-20 said gang violence had already left them homeless and that they had been living with relatives or in crowded, makeshift shelters. More people are expected to leave the capital in upcoming days and weeks as gang violence continues unabated.

The Associated Press contributed to the reporting of this story.
A Former United States Postal Service employee was indicted in connection with stealing over $19,000 in postal money orders, Acting United States Attorney Joshua Levys office announced.

Christin Hedges, 46, of Brockton, was indicted on one count of theft of government money on March 20, Levys office said in a statement on Friday. Hedges appeared in federal court in Boston on Friday and was released on conditions not specified by Levys statement.

She started working as a USPS employee in 2020, with her most recent role being as a lead sales and service associate in Brockton, Levys office said. Between October 2021 and August 2023, Hedges conducted a scheme to steal USPS funds for personal use where she generated no-fee money orders without customers physically present at her customer window.

Hedges took cash from her workstation and often attempted to conceal her theft by replacing the cash with these fraudulent money orders, Levys office said. Eleven of those no-fee money orders were made out to a family member or her boyfriend.

Video surveillance from two weeks in August 2023 showed her on at least one occasion taking cash from her assigned drawer and placing the cash in her pocket, Levys office said. In all, she stole $19,707 in postal funds.

The charge of theft of government money provides a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
Mayor Brian DePena placed Lawrence Police Department Provisional Chief William Castro on paid administrative leave after the Massachusetts Police Officer Standards and Training Commission voted to suspend him, a city spokesperson told MassLive.

Castro was suspended pending a review of his POST Commission suspension on Thursday, the spokesperson said Friday. DePena assigned police Lt. Melix Bonilla in charge of the police department until further notice.

In a letter explaining its decision, the POST Commission said Castro was suspended after he engaged in a motor-vehicle pursuit in violation of the policies of the Lawrence Police Department, that he was untruthful in his subsequent written report regarding that pursuit, and that he and/or his appointing authority failed to independently investigate whether there was a policy violation or report the same to the commission.

The commission added that there were credible reports that called Castros hiring and certification practices into question concerning certain candidates for employment as law enforcement officers.

Castro, a former correctional officer, was appointed by DePena in October 2023, according to The Eagle Tribune. He was also DePenas chief of staff and political ally, and succeeded Lawrence Police Capt. Michael McCarthy after he served as acting chief since January 2023.

MassLive reporter Charlie McKenna contributed to the reporting of this story.
A man convicted of killing a Boston police officer in 1993 was arrested in Rhode Island on Tuesday for punching and robbing a woman who was carrying over $12,000 to the bank, the North Providence Police Department said.

Joshua McCullough, 60, of Warwick, R.I., faces charges of first degree robbery and felony assault, the department said. He was held without bail after his arraignment in Kent County District Court on Thursday and is awaiting his next court date to be scheduled.

He was previously known as Terrell Muhammad when he shot and killed Boston officer Thomas Rose on Feb. 19, 1993, while he was in custody for suspicion of theft at a precinct in the city, the department said.

McCullough was convicted and sentenced to 26-30 years in prison for Roses killing. He ended up serving 15 years before his release in 2009, the department said.

But on Tuesday, McCullough was brought back into law enforcement custody after a call came in to report a robbery at the Citizens Bank on 1090 Charles St. in North Providence, R.I., police said.

A woman who works for Family Dollar was in the parking lot of the bank at 9:55 a.m. and was going to deposit $12,665 for her company, the department said.

Read more: Lawrence police chief William Castro on paid leave after suspension over car chase

McCullough went up to her, punched her in the chest and grabbed the deposit bag, then drove off in a silver Jeep Cherokee, police said.

An arrest warrant for McCullough and search warrants for his home and car were issued on Wednesday after he was identified through detectives investigation and Flock cameras in the area, police said.

At 6 a.m. on Thursday, several agencies including local departments, Rhode Island State Police and a SWAT team executed the warrants and McCullough was arrested.

In 1986, McCullough was also arrested and convicted of manslaughter in connection with the shooting death of a Dorchester clerk, the department said, serving about six years in prison.
On April 8, millions of Americans will be saying goodbye to the sun for a brief moment, as a total solar eclipse will cut through North America.

Although the eclipse can experienced from almost anywhere in the U.S., only 15 states are along the eclipses path of totality  where people can see the Moon completely block the Sun , according to pbs.org.

Those states are Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, according to greatamericaneclipse.com, a website dedicated to tracking solar eclipses.

But, if youd like to know how much of the eclipse you can see in Massachusetts, NASA has published a tool where people can search by city or ZIP code to see the April eclipses details.

In Springfield, the eclipse will start at 2:13 p.m. and end at 4:37 p.m., according to NASAs tool. At its peak, the Moon will cover 93.4 percent of the Sun.

You can try out the tool here.

The eclipse will begin over Mexicos Pacific coast and stretch through Texas and Oklahoma, parts of the Midwest, mid-Atlantic and New England before leaving through eastern Canada and into the Atlantic, according to pbs.org.

At its peak, the April eclipse is set to last 4 minutes and 28 seconds in a place 25 minutes northwest of Torreon, Mexico, according to NASA.

During any total solar eclipse, totality lasts the longest near the center of the path, widthwise, and decreases toward the edge, according a January post on NASAs website. But those seeking totality shouldnt worry that they need to be exactly at the center. The time in totality falls off pretty slowly until you get close to the edge.
When the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, Anne Mosenthal, the regional executive dean of UMass Chan-Lahey, said she and her colleagues witnessed the stark disparities in access to healthcare throughout Massachusetts.

While some patients were able to afford life-saving services, Mosenthal told MassLive others could not receive any care, whether it be because of a disability, chronic homelessness or poverty.

Its clear we need to transform healthcare in the United States, Mosenthal said. It has never been more clearer since COVID.

To achieve this transformation proposed by Mosenthal, UMass Chan Medical School and Lahey Hospital and Medical Center announced on Thursday its plan to launch a quantitative science research hub focused on researching different uses of digital medicine and health science.

According to the Digital Medicine Society, digital medicine is defined as a field of medicine involving different technologies for intervention in human health.

Mosenthal told MassLive that both UMass-Chan and Lahey Hospital will use the hub and their research to study methods that could reduce healthcare disparities. The institutions will make those findings public for healthcare providers and others in the medical field.

She said faculty and students from UMass-Chan in Worcester, and Lahey Hospital in Burlington, will engage with different communities throughout eastern Massachusetts; and collect data on what forms of healthcare are accessible based on several data points, including income, transportation and housing.

Mosenthal said the first task for the newly launched hub is to hire an associate dean of researcha hiring process she estimates will last until this fall.

It really is about improving real-world healthcare, Mosenthal said. It doesnt really matter if we have great healthcare if no one can access it.

As part of the agreement, Mosenthal said Lahey Hospital will create an institute for healthcare delivery science, where research on digital medicine, population health, and healthcare delivery will be conducted.

She also said that the research and results from the institute will be available to staff and faculty of both schools.

We already have the research at UMass, Mosenthal explained. This will expand our research further.

The partnership between UMass-Chan and Lahey Hospital dates to December 2022, when the two administrations unveiled a new medical research campus in Burlington.

The campus was built to add more physicians in the United States, which could face a shortfall in 10 years based on a prediction made by the Association of American Medical Colleges.

As part of the partnership, a new curriculum known as the UMass Chan-Lahey track, called LEAD@Lahey, was launched in 2023.

A UMass-Chan spokesperson told MassLive the first students who will study under the LEAD@Lahey curriculum will begin in August 2024.

Mosenthal said the students will play a crucial role in helping understand the disparities of healthcare in Massachusetts and hopes they will also help find ways to make healthcare more accessible for every resident in the Bay State and the United States.

We will be working on this together, she said. We need to know what works and what doesnt work in healthcare.
The majority-Democrat state Senate has given its unanimous approval to legislation making Massachusetts the 49th state to enforceably ban revenge porn, teeing up fresh negotiations on a topic where lawmakers failed to complete their work last term.

On Thursday, all 40 senators voted in favor of the bill, which creates a new criminal offense for disseminating sexually explicit material without the subjects consent, craft new education and diversion programs to deal with teen sexting, and crack down on coercive control by abusers.

Backers said they are optimistic the measure can finally close a legal loophole that leaves Massachusetts and South Carolina as the only two states where law enforcement is unable to respond forcefully to revenge porn, a practice that has become more common and subjects survivors to major emotional, psychological and financial harm.

The state House, also controlled by Democrats, unanimously approved its own revenge porn bill in January and top Democrats have said the branches are more closely aligned on the issue than in the past.

Sen. John Keenan, D-Norfolk/Plymouth, who filed standalone legislation to crack down on the behavior, turned his eyes toward the Senate gallery during Thursdays session and thanked survivors in attendance for coming forward with their personal stories.

Today, let us close this loophole. Let us give closure to people who have been victimized by this crime but have been survivors and have contributed to making a difference, the Quincy Democrat said. Let this legislation make a difference so that everyone knows this is not acceptable, it is criminal, and there will be a consequence.

Senators adopted nine of the 32 amendments they had filed to the bill that emerged from the Senate Ways and Means Committee last week, addressing pre-trial probation, abuse of harassment orders, reporting requirements and more.

One of the adopted amendments, from Sen. Michael Moore, D-2nd Worcester, calls for the responsible use of generative artificial intelligence to be included in the education and diversion program curriculum called for in the underlying bill.

Moore mentioned deepfakes  AI-created images or videos that often depict situations, actions or speech that never really happened  and said the technology is increasingly used to create nonconsensual pornographic images.

Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Cape and Islands, had an amendment that also addressed deepfakes, by establishing a task force to begin to address problems that are closely related to revenge porn but are not revenge porn. He said the task force could wrestle with the legal implications of things like impersonation, deepfakes, and sexting.

While the commonwealth has laws that are dedicated to various forms of identity theft, there are no current laws addressing these issues and we felt that it made sense to begin to take a look at the myriad of other instruments on the internet that could cause headaches and distress and worse to residents here in the commonwealth, Cyr, a Truro Democrat, said.

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, R-First Essex/Middlesex, sponsored an adopted amendment that would take a step in that direction of allowing for an increase in the penalty (both time of incarceration and amount of a monetary fine) for any offender whose victim is a minor.

Tarr said the amendment was redrafted to make it clear that prosecution under the statute that we now debate -- if it were to become law -- would not preclude prosecution concurrently, pursuant to other statutes which carry a severe penalty.

I think we can all agree to the proposition that when that kind of activity occurs, it is predatory. And we should make it clear that it should be punished in the most strictly available way that we have at our disposal, Tarr said.

The measure that we take now moves us in the right direction ... But I would say that its imperative that we continue this conversation to ensure that folks that engage in this behavior and are predating on minors get a severe penalty that is beyond the simple penalty, the Gloucester Republican added.

Before they can put a bill on Gov. Maura Healeys desk, top House and Senate Democrats will need to reconcile differences in the versions they approved.

They diverge on which entity should be in charge of overseeing education and diversion programs for teens involved in sexting, with the House tasking the attorney generals office and the Senate instead calling for the Office of the Child Advocate to take the lead.

The bills also take different approaches to reforming how long prosecutors can pursue charges in some abuse cases. The House proposal would extend the statute of limitations from six years to 15 years for assault and battery on a family or household member or against someone with an active restraining order.

That reform does not appear in the Senate bill.

Sen. Joan Lovely, D-2nd Essex, offered an amendment that would have added similar language that senators rejected on an unrecorded voice vote without debate -- after which the Salem lawmake received unanimous consent to change the amendments official outcome to withdrawn.
(*This story was updated at 7:23 a.m. on Friday, March 22, 2024, with additional reporting.)

The Massachusetts state Senate voted 32-8 just after 9 p.m. on Thursday to limit how long families can stay in the states overburdened emergency shelter system and give the administration authority to draw down more than $800 million from state savings to pay for the crisis response into mid-2025.

The chambers Republicans, Sens. Peter Durant and Ryan Fattman, of Worcester; Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, R-1st Essex/Middlesex, and Patrick OConnor, R-1st Plymouth/Norfolk, joined Democratic Sens. Nick Collins, 1st Suffolk; John Cronin, D-Worcester/Middlesex; Walter Timilty, D-Norfolk/Plymouth/Bristol, and John Velis, D-Hampden/Hampshire, to vote against it.

In the face of declining revenues, increasing expenses, and economic uncertainty, this bill abandons our responsibility for appropriating funds, and sets the stage for the depletion of a transitional escrow account that could well be needed to support important priorities like local schools, roads and bridges, and police and fire protection. It does so to put funding on auto - pilot for an unsustainable course to a growing crisis, Tarr said in a statement distributed by the state Republican Party.

With an alleged rape at a Rockland shelter site in the news, senators voted 39-0 to adopt an amendment from Sen. Michael Moore, D-2nd Worcester, to charge a special commission created in the underlying bill with reviewing safety practices and procedures at emergency shelters ... including hotels and motels used for emergency shelter and overflow emergency shelter sites.

In a statement, Senate President Karen E. Spilka, D-Middlesex/Norfolk, said the Senate-approved bill addresses the states fiscal reality while also treating individuals who have migrated to our state with dignity and respect.

As we continue to navigate through a challenge that has landed on our doorstep because of Congressional inaction, today we are addressing the immediate need to house families, bolstering our existing efforts to support those who have immigrated here in becoming part of our workforce, and providing a roadmap to manage this effort over time, Spilka said.

The chambers top budget-writer, Senate Ways & Means Committee Chairperson Michael J. Rodriques, D-1st Bristol/Plymouth, noted that about half the families currently in the system are state residents.

If the money were to run out without any action on the plan, we would be talking about thousands of these families suddenly on the street in many communities across the state. This is an unacceptable and equally irresponsible outcome, Rodrigues said, according to the Boston Herald.

The vote tees up a likely clash with the majority Democrat state House over the two chambers dueling proposals to address the soaring costs of the commonwealths emergency shelter system, as migrants continue to stream into the Bay State.

Rodriques said Thursday that the cash-strapped shelter system will run out funding in the first or second week of April, putting additional pressure on the House and Senate to get a deal, the Herald reported.

Were going to try to get it done as quickly as possible, he said, according to the Herald. I dont draw any lines in the sand. Ill go into conference committee with [House Ways & Means Committee Chairperson AaronMichlewitz with an open mind.

Thursdays Senate vote came a little more than two weeks after the state House passed a $245 million spending bill aimed at containing the costs of a shelter system where expenses are where costs are expected to soar past $900 million a year over the next two years, amid a time of flagging tax revenues.

Last year, Democratic Gov. Maura Healeys office announced a self-imposed cap of 7,500 families in the states shelter system, which includes both migrants and state residents who are experiencing homelessness.

As of Thursday morning, 7,522 families were enrolled in the system, with 18 enrolling in the last 24 hours, state data showed. Hundreds more are being housed in overflow sites, with additional hundreds on a state waiting list, MassLive previously reported.

An administration-authored report recently submitted to lawmakers indicates that families who stay in the shelter system are there for an average of a year or longer, imposing increased stresses on the system as demand continues to rise.

Healeys office has continued to call for assistance from the federal government, arguing that the state can only do so much in the absence of comprehensive immigration reform. The chances for action, in an election year, appear remote  particularly in the wake of a collapse earlier this year of a bipartisan reform plan.
FORT MYERS, Fla.  Kenley Jansen reached 95 mph on the stadium radar gun during his perfect fifth inning against the Orioles here at JetBlue Park on Thursday.

Jansen threw 13 pitches (nine strikes). He struck out two (one looking, one swinging) and got a flyout to center field. He feels hell need just two more outings before being ready for Opening Day next Thursday in Seattle.

I feel great. After this outing, its like, All right. were ready to go, Jansen said.

Jansen reiterated he has no doubt in his mind hell be ready for the opener.

Ill be ready, said Jansen, who was pleased with the consistency of both his fastball and slider.

The Red Sox have three more spring training games left in Florida, then two exhibition games in Texas on Monday and Tuesday. So Jansen still has time to pitch in two more games.

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Thursdays outing was only Jansens second spring training outing. The 36-year-old closer didnt make his Grapefruit League debut until last Friday because he was dealing with lat soreness that he felt soon after he reported to camp in mid-February. He gave up three runs on three hits (two homers) while recording just two outs.

He was scheduled to pitch again Monday but the Red Sox held him out because of lower back tightness. He again was held out of an outing Tuesday and didnt pitch in a minor league game Wednesday because of lingering back tightness.

I felt healthy today, Jansen said. I felt pain-free out there. Like I said, this whole spring has been tough dealing with stuff. Every day I have something thats hurting. But like I said, I feel great today. The arm slot was in a better spot. The body was moving quicker.

Jansen said it was annoying for the back issue to pop up right after he began throwing again following the lat soreness.

Youve just gotta fight it, Jansen said. Youve got to tough it out and fight it and be ready.
CHICOPEE  State police investigators and members of the Chicopee Police Department on Wednesday arrested two men, one a homicide suspect in the Dominican Republic, who they say were involved in a large-scale fentanyl and cocaine operation.

Authorities said the investigators executed two search warrants on Chicopee addresses and confiscated large quantities of fentanyl and powdered cocaine, along with machinery for processing the drugs.
A man who police say shot and killed a Springfield resident early this year faces murder charges after his arrest in South Carolina.

Springfield police say Jermaine Atkins of Westfield, 36, was arrested on a fugitive from justice charge Thursday at a detention center in Conway, South Carolina. He was flown under police escort back to Massachusetts and was booked at the local police headquarters.

Police say Atkins fatally shot Nicorie Adams, 30, on Rochelle Street in Springfield on Jan. 31.
THE leader of the Rural Ireland Organisation has announced that he will stand in the upcoming Mayo County Council elections.

Gerry Loftus will stand in the Castlebar Local Electoral Area as an Independent candidate in the local elections, which are scheduled to take place on June 7.

Mr Loftus said he had been approached by a number of political parties to run on their ticket but has declined, saying that it would interfere with the workings of The Rural Ireland Organisation.

He also stated that he is gravely concerned with the calibre of politicians standing in the Midlands North West constituency in the European elections.

We need people on that ticket to represent country and rural Ireland, small- to medium-sized farmers, our heritage and our culture. In my view, the calibre of person or persons we need is not on the ticket, he said.

Mr Loftus was recently part of a successful campaign to reinstate a GP in the North Mayo village of Lahardane.

He has recently spoken out against the development of forestry in Craggagh and the proposed route for the new section of the Clew Bay Greenway.

Mr Loftus received 574 first preference votes when he ran as an Independent in the 2020 general election.
A Mayo student has led a major initiative for sustainable change in the beverage industry.

In an endeavour to promote environmental sustainability, Peter Joyce, a final year student from Westport, alongside his classmate, Padraic Clarke of Tipperary, are at the forefront of a pioneering project aimed at transforming the beverage sector.

Both students, currently in their final year at Trinity College Dublin, are leveraging their capstone project to lobby the Irish government for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their shift from single-use plastics to eco-friendly alternatives.

This innovative project is part of their challenge-based learning curriculum, a dynamic approach that not only enhances their educational experience but also addresses real-world problems.

Mr Joyce, who is studying Global Business, was inspired to tackle this issue upon noticing the prevalent consumption of single-use plastic beverage bottles across campus and retail outlets nationwide.

With the beverage industry being a significant contributor to plastic waste, Mr Joyce and Mr Clarke decided to act.

Their ongoing engagement with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, along with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, has culminated in the drafting of a policy proposal. This proposal aims to offer viable solutions for the reduction of single-use plastics within the industry.

The duo's in-depth research into single-use plastics, their alternatives, and their environmental impact has not only broadened their knowledge but also honed their leadership skills. Their goal is to utilise these skills to influence meaningful change.

Joyce and Clarkes mission centres around assisting SMEs in the food and beverage sector to transition away from single-use plastics.

"The primary objective of our initiative is to persuade the Irish government to introduce programmes, policies, or incentives that support SMEs in making a sustainable shift," explained Mr Clarke.

Their focus on SMEs stems from the challenges these businesses face in adapting to environmental policies due to limited capital, unlike their multinational counterparts.

The students project is particularly timely, resonating with an increasing awareness among consumers about the health and environmental impacts of their choices. This shift is evident in both spending patterns and the support for legislative actions aimed at reducing plastic waste, such as the recently introduced Re-turn scheme.

While these initiatives are crucial steps towards sustainability, they present a considerable financial challenge for small and medium-sized enterprises. Thus, underlining the importance of their proposal, which seeks to balance environmental progress with economic viability for businesses of all sizes.

Expanding their initiative's reach, the students have been actively engaging with key stakeholders in the industry including Britvic, one of the country's largest beverage distributors as well as smaller enterprises like X-LITE, and SAOR water.

The collaborations aim to gather a broad spectrum of insights, ensuring that their policy proposal is both comprehensive and practical.

For those interested in supporting or providing insights into this transformative project, Peter and Padraic welcome communication. The pair can be reached via email at plasticproblemtcd@gmail.com.
Michael Ring TD has confirmed 77,560 in funding in total has been allocated to nine Mayo Agricultural Shows for 2024.

Deputy Michael Ring said he is very pleased that the Government has once again allocated funding to support our Agricultural Shows here in Mayo.

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, today announced the one million euro investment in support of 122 Agricultural Shows nationwide.

This funding will assist each committee in preparing for the upcoming Show Season, which takes place over the summer months said Deputy Ring.

He called the shows a very important part of our rural calendars which are enjoyed by all. He also acknowledged the huge economic benefits the shows bring to an area.

The shows play a vital role in community life and raise awareness of the important role agriculture plays in our society.

They are a wonderful opportunity for producers to showcase their products and have become a key date in the calendar for the farming community continued Deputy Ring.

The Department of Rural and Community Development will work alongside the Irish Shows Association (ISA) to administer the scheme this year.

These shows would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of volunteers, committees, sponsors, local organisations and local businesses. I would encourage people to come out and support their local shows where possible concluded Deputy Michael Ring.

The following shows the successful allocations in Mayo:
by Fern Siegel , March 22, 2024

Whisky is evolving  both in flavor and demographics. The launch of Crown Royal Blackberry Flavored Whisky, the brand's newest limited edition, was teased on the brand's site and Instagram page.

The news generating significant buzz. The company recorded an organic surge in consumers crafting their own signature serves and sharing their positive reviews across various social-media platforms.

Jesse Damashek, senior vice president North American Whiskeys at Diageo, told Agency Daily: We are currently collaborating with Crown Royals partner agencies, including Vayner Media and Anomaly New York, on a robust, 360 consumer campaign rollout in the coming months.

He called the new whisky "a testament to our dedication to innovation," noting the company caters to "the evolving preferences of loyal Crown drinkers and spirit connoisseurs alike. We really wanted to prioritize the next generation of 21+ consumers who are looking to add versatility in their cocktail choices this summer to maximize their experiences."

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The brand is promoting four cocktails on its site: Royal Blackberry Lemonade, Crown Royal Blackberry Bramble, Crown Blackberry Collins, and a Royal Blackberry Mojito. A social-media element will be added, as well.

In the past four years, in North America, Crown Royal has maintained 4 of the top 10 flavored whiskies, per Nielsen. Golden Apple was rated the No. 1 flavored luxury whisky within the first month of its launch, according to NABCA Greenbook.

Parent company Diageo is a global liquor leader. Its brands include Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff and Ketel One vodkas, Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Adam Rogers, research director for IWSR Drinks Market Analysis, told Wine Enthusiast: Coming out of the pandemic, newer releases have taken more of an indulgent treat-oneself approach with nuanced flavors, such as cookie dough, chocolate, pumpkin spice, peanut butter or combinations of these.

The global flavored whiskey market was valued at $27.9 billion in 2022 and is projected to hit $47.1 billion by 2030, according to Vantage Market Research. Flavored whiskey comprises more than one-fifth of the whiskey drinkers in the U.S. (American and Irish liquor producers favor the "whiskey" spelling. Scottish, Canadian and Japanese producers use "whisky.")
by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, March 21, 2024

While an earnest apple and a snarky bunch of purple grapes may not be on every marketers dream team, Fruit of the Loom is re-enlisting the Fruit People for its latest launch.

Its all part of an integrated campaign for the brands new underwear line, The Getaway Collection, aimed at the under-35 crowd who might be looking for fresh skivvies to toss in their vacation suitcase.

The new product collection is intended to lean into the increased appeal in travel, both big and small. The versatility of this product is that it can conquer any getaway, says Bryse Yonts, director of brand communications.

The campaign, created by GSD&M, takes two different approaches. First, those Fruit People took a road trip from the companys Bowling Green, Kentucky headquarters to South Padre Island in Texas, filming as they went.

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Like any spring breakers, they made plenty of pit stops. Those included stopping at a Walmart to stock up on road trip essentials and heading to Buckys, a large chain of gas stations.

The brand is also working with three social media influencers to promote the line on its channels.

Another series of spots features videos that build on the brands Well Made. Well Priced tagline. They are also humorous, albeit without the Fruit People. In one, the product is introduced to a hiker as undies that wick away calls from the office. Another promises undies comfortable enough to make the middle seat feel like a first-class upgrade.

These are fun ways to show people how versatile, lightweight and comfortable the product is, Yonts tells Marketing Daily. They can truly conquer any situation.

The company is leaning into different activations, too. Once in South Padre Island, the brand turned South Padres Blue Water Laundromat into a pop-up night spot. "Club Laundry" had lights, music, and a live performance by famous DJ Baauer.

We intercepted spring breakers cleaning their dirty clothes and gave them a fresh pair of underwear while they waited, Yonts says.

The company served drinks in underwear-shaped beverage holders that cooled, just like those Getaway boxer briefs.

And in a first for the brand, its using shoppable ads on smart TVs. Adds Yonts: Were trying to increase conversions by reaching consumers through as many different touch points as we can.
by Tanya Gazdik , March 21, 2024

Lyft has hired an industry veteran as its new CMO.

Brian Irving has over two decades of experience building and marketing iconic, global technology brands including Meta, Eventbrite, Airbnb, Google and Apple.

He replaces Felipe Avila, who was in the CMO role for less than seven months. Avila joined the ride share company in September 2023 and at the time, Lyft touted his 20 years of experience leading consumer brands, including The Container Store, where he directed brand strategy and reimagined the companys loyalty program.

Avila posted on LinkedIn that he had left the company. He has not responded to a request for comment.

Irving also previously served as co-CMO and vice president of global digital marketing for Levi Strauss & Co.

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Most recently, Irving spent the last three years as CMO and vice president of marketing at Meta Reality Labs. His LinkedIn page says that role ended in February.

During his 15 months at Airbnb, he helped orchestrate the Live There rebranding campaign that encouraged travelers to connect with hosts and immerse themselves in the neighborhoods while traveling.

He is a member of the board of directors at The Trevor Project, the leading nonprofit organization focused on suicide prevention among LGBTQIA+ youth.

I grew up in the automotive industry [and was] always fascinated by helping people get places, Irving says in a release. And now, as a loyal Lyft rider for years, I get to meld my passion for transportation with the technology that helps riders and drivers alike.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, March 22, 2024

Kevin OLeary, chairman of OLeary Ventures and "Shark Tank" investor, reiterated on "Fox & Friends" Friday morning his intention to acquire the TikTok brand and 170 million of its users from ByteDance. He is putting together a syndicate to seal the deal.

Any deal for TikTok -- which PitchBook valued at about $220 billion in 2023 -- would likely exclude the algorithms.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) would never sell the algorithms, OLeary said.

The plan is to raise between $30 billion and $40 billion just for the brand and its users. Some have questioned whether TikTok or its parent company ByteDance own the algorithms.

The initial bid for the social media giant would start between $20 billion and $30 billion. The algorithms would bring the cost much higher if they were sold.

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OLeary estimates 5 million businesses use the platform. These are my businesses -- Shark Tank guys in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, OLeary said. Eighty percent of the people on TikTok know who I am.

I think you need a steward to tell them a simple message, OLeary said, adding that he also wants all the data sitting on Oracle servers. I guarantee you that if I buy this asset, the day I switch over, I will turn TikTok China into TikTok U.S.A.

He vowed to bring in an American team and shut down the "Chinese back doors."

O'Leary is willing to start the bidding at $30 billion, although the social network is not TikTok unless an investor can reverse-engineer the technology.

Without the algorithms, there is no history of the users purchase behavior.

O'Leary says he is willing to bring in a new team to rewrite how the platform works, but that would be figured into the purchase price.

He pointed to Twitter as a challenge. The deal is going to require cooperation with the White House, whoever is in it, he said.

These secret algorithms, proprietary information, is typically based on user intersections that include posts, videos, engagement and time spent on site. One user on Reddit who goes by the name of PeaceDuke_official with more than 44,000 TikTok followers wrote in a post what he believes drives the algorithms.

He described a metric TikTokers need to hit in order to become successful on the platform. It "varies based on video length, but for mine (3-5 minutes) TT seems to appreciate it if roughly 40% of viewers watch over a minute and 10%+ watch till the end. For shorter videos, these metrics are much harsher," he wrote.
by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, March 22, 2024

COMvergence is out with its final 2023 global media agency new business study, finding that WPPs Wavemaker is the top-ranked global media agency network with a total billings value of $2.4 billion. That includes retentions, which accounted for $1.7 billion of the total, and included successful defenses of clients Perfetti and Church & Dwight global, Huawei in China, and Adobe in the US.

Omnicoms OMD ranks second, scoring the largest amount of new client wins ($1.7 billion) including several big global wins (Beiersdorf, Tchibo, Under Armour and Vans among them).

advertisement advertisement Publicis Spark Foundry takes the 3rd position, following strong results in the US.

However, in terms of net new business (excluding retentions), Spark Foundry shows the best score among the top 20 media agency networks, with incremental total billings of $1.3 billion, followed by OMD ($970 million) and Hearts & Science ($870 million).

At the group level, Publicis Media leads both rankings (including and excluding retentions) with total net new billings of $5 billion and Omnicom Media Group ranks 2nd in both rankings with total net new billings of +$2.85 billion.

Mediabrands takes 3rd place in terms of net new billings with a total of +$2 billion (including wins for Geico, Constellation Brands, and Bristol Myers Squibb). And when including retentions, GroupM ranks 3rd after successfully defending $2.9B of existing client billings in 2023.

In 2023, COMvergence assessed 4,380 media account moves and retentions (2,790 advertisers in total) across 48 countries totaling $35 billion (+9% vs. 2022). The US accounts for 37% of the total spend reviewed globally.

Local pitches represent 55% of the total reviewed spend amounting to $19 billion. The average retention rate is 25% (vs. 34% in 2022). It is the lowest rate since 2016. Wavemaker, Mediaplus, Zenith and OMD have been the most successful agency networks to retain their client relationships, while Publicis Media scored the best retention rate among the Big 6 groups (61%). The largest global and multi-country reviews resulted in $16 billion.
Royal Philips

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Proposals to re-appoint Chairman Feike Sijbesma (Dutch, 1959) and Peter Loscher (Austrian, 1957) as members of the Supervisory Board, with effect from May 7, 2024.

Proposal to appoint Charlotte Hanneman (Dutch, 1978) as member of the Board of Management, fulfilling the role of Chief Financial Officer, with effect from October 1, 2024.

Proposal to appoint Benoit Ribadeau-Dumas (French, 1972) as new member of the Supervisory Board, with effect from May 7, 2024.

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Proposals to adopt an amended Remuneration Policy for the Board of Management and an amended Remuneration Policy for the Supervisory Board.

A number of recurring items, such as the 2023 Remuneration Report as included in the Annual Report 2023 (advisory vote), and the proposals to adopt the companys financial statements and dividend.

here
The Navy SEAL captain who was fired Wednesday from his command of Navy Special Warfare Group Eight had been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in January, according to court records.

The Virginia Beach court records show that Capt. Richard Zaszewski was arrested Jan. 19, 2024, for driving while intoxicated, or DWI, with a blood alcohol content between 0.15% and 0.2%. The legal limit is 0.08%.

Naval Special Warfare Command, which oversees Navy SEAL teams, announced that Zaszewski was relieved of command Wednesday for a "loss of confidence in his ability to command," making him at least the second Navy commander to be relieved over drinking and driving this year.

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A Navy official wouldn't comment on why the relief took place more than two months after the arrest but did confirm that the two were related.

Navy Times was the first publication to report the charge.

According to the court records, the charge is considered a misdemeanor, and this is Zaszewski's first DWI. He was released on his own recognizance following the arrest.

Military.com reached out to Robert Morecock, Zaszewski's attorney, but did not immediately hear back.

Court records show that Zaszewski's next court hearing is set for May 15, and it does not appear that he has entered a plea in the case.

Typically, firings over arrests move much faster, taking days, not months.

On Jan. 15, the Navy also relieved the commanding officer of the USS Georgia sub's blue crew -- Capt. Geoffry Patterson -- after he was arrested in the early hours of Jan. 9 on charges including driving under the influence and improper lane change.

According to the Camden County Sheriff's Office, where Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay is located, Patterson was released on bond after a payment of more than $1,800.

Zaszewski spent nearly 20 years assigned to "East Coast-based Special Warfare Units" -- a broad term that Naval Special Warfare Command uses to avoid identifying which specific teams SEALs are assigned to -- according to service records released by the Navy.

He has previously been awarded the Silver Star, three Bronze Stars with one "V" device for valor, a Combat Action Ribbon, and campaign medals for Afghanistan and Operation Inherent Resolve, among other awards, according to his service record. The Silver Star Medal is the third-highest award a service member can be awarded for displaying heroic acts of valor in combat situations.

Zaszewski is at least the fifth firing of a Navy commanding officer in 2024. Navy officials have previously said the service relieved 15 commanding officers in 2023.

Deputy commodore Capt. Stig Sanness assumed the duties of commodore for NSWG-8, Lt. Cmdr. Chelsea Irish, a spokesperson for Navy Special Warfare Command, told Military.com on Wednesday.

Related: Navy SEAL Commodore for Special Warfare Group Fired for 'Behavior Related' Issue
DALLAS  With inflatable tanks, radio trickery, costume uniforms and acting, the American military units that became known as the Ghost Army outwitted the enemy during World War II. Their mission was kept secret for decades, but on Thursday the group stepped out of the shadows as they were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal at a ceremony in Washington.

The actions of the Ghost Army helped change the course of the war for thousands of American and Allied troops and contributed to the liberation of a continent from a terrible evil, Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth said during the ceremony at the U.S. Capitol.

She said that many of the techniques the Ghost Army pioneered are still used on the battlefield. Even though technology has changed quite a bit since 1944, our modern techniques build on a lot of what the Ghost Army did and we are still learning from your legacy, she said.

Three of the seven known surviving members attended the ceremony at the U.S. Capitol: Bernard Bluestein, 100, of Hoffman Estates, Illinois; John Christman, 99, of Leesburg, New Jersey; and Seymour Nussenbaum, 100, of Monroe Township, New Jersey.

Their work during the war "was like putting on a big production, Nussenbaum said in an interview before the ceremony.

We have had in some cases people impersonating generals, putting on a general's uniform and walking around the streets," he said.

Nussenbaum, who grew up in New York City, was studying art at the Pratt Institute before he joined the Army. Eventually, he joined a unit specializing in camouflage that was part of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops.

Our mission was to fool the enemy, to put on a big act, said Nussenbaum, a painter who went on to a career in commercial art.

Sen. Edward Markey of Massachusetts said during the ceremony that the Ghost Army members were creative, original thinkers, who used engineering, art, architecture and advertising to wage battle with the enemy.

Their weapons were unconventional but their patriotism was unquestionable, he said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said during the ceremony that its estimated that between 15,000 to 30,000 lives were saved because of the Ghost Armys work.

The legislation to honor the military units with the Congressional Gold Medal  Congress' highest honor  was signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2022. That came after almost a decade of work by family members of the soldiers and Rick Beyer, a filmmaker and author who has who helped bring their story to light after their mission was declassified in 1996. Beyer, president of the Ghost Army Legacy Project, produced and directed the 2013 documentary The Ghost Army" and co-authored the 2015 book The Ghost Army of World War II.

They put themselves in harms way wielding imagination, bravado and creativity in order that other soldiers might be able to fight and live, Beyer told those gathered Thursday.

This is a day that has been a long time coming but it has been well worth the wait, Beyer said.

The Ghost Army included about 1,100 soldiers in the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, which carried out about 20 battlefield deceptions in France, Luxembourg, Belgium and Germany, and around 200 soldiers in the 3133rd Signal Company Special, which carried out two deceptions in Italy.

One of the biggest missions, called Operation Viersen, came in March 1945 when the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops' deception drew German units away from the point on the Rhine River where the 9th Army was actually crossing.

They had hundreds of inflatables set up," Beyer said in an interview before the ceremony. They had their sound trucks operating for multiple nights. They had other units attached to them. They had set up multiple phony headquarters and staffed them with officers who were pretending to be colonels.

This was an all-hands-on-deck affair and it was completely successful," Beyer said. It fooled the Germans. They moved their troops to the river opposite where the deception was.

In September 1944, the Ghost Army helped fill a gap in Gen. George Patton's line during an attack on the Germans in the French city of Metz.

They end up holding this part of the line for eight days, which is really long in terms of doing a deception, trying to keep up appearances, Beyer said.

Kim Seale of Dallas said that his father's work in the Ghost Army came as a surprise to him. Only about six months after his father's death at the age of 84 in 2001, he was told of the connection by a past member of the Ghost Army who was putting together a reunion.

I said, What do you mean, Ghost Army? Seale said.

My Dad never talked about it," Seale said. He kept the oath.

He said his father, Oscar Seale, who was a captain, had told him that at one point during the war that he had transitioned from a tank division to a position as a courier. Seale said he now thinks that's when his father joined the Ghost Army.

Its been a 20-plus year journey of learning about the Ghost Army, learning about what my Dad did, learning about what the men did and just being amazed at that story, he said.
A House GOP proposal to retool the Toxic Exposures Fund -- a pot of money created by the PACT Act to pay health care and disability benefits to troops exposed to toxic substances -- drew fierce pushback Thursday from the Department of Veterans Affairs and Democrats.

Republicans maintain their proposed legislation aims to fix a problem that few dispute: Toxic Exposures Fund rules are projected to increase mandatory federal spending on other veterans bills unrelated to toxic exposure, which in turn could make it harder for Congress to pass legislation that affects veterans.

But Democrats are accusing Republicans of trying to undermine the PACT Act's guarantee of health care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxins during their military service, and VA officials testified during a hearing Thursday on Capitol Hill that they oppose the GOP's proposal, called the Toxic Exposure Fund Improvement Act.

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"Given the great success of the PACT Act and the Toxic Exposures Fund, we are concerned about certain provisions contained in the Toxic Exposure Fund Improvement Act and potential unintended consequences that may adversely affect veterans," said VA Chief Financial Officer Jon Rychalski.

Rychalski's written hearing testimony added that "VA's ability to provide benefits and services for toxic-exposed veterans would be significantly jeopardized" by parts of the bill.

Formally called the Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund, or the TEF as it has come to be known, the fund has been a flash point since Congress was first debating the PACT Act.

The fund was created to pay for the expanded benefits and care granted by the PACT Act. It was designated as mandatory spending, which supporters argued would shield it from the whims of Congress' annual funding debates. In general, mandatory spending is funding that is provided independent of the yearly appropriations process, while discretionary spending is subject to annual approval from Congress.

During the 2022 consideration of the PACT Act, some Republicans argued the TEF would become a slush fund so the VA and other parts of the federal government could skirt budget constraints. The fund was at the center of why some Senate Republicans blocked the PACT Act's passage before veterans staged a 24/7 protest on the steps of the Capitol.

For this fiscal year, the fund was allocated $20 billion, and it is on track to get $24 billion in the next fiscal year.

Since the passage of the PACT Act, the Congressional Budget Office has projected that several veterans bills unrelated to toxic exposure could increase mandatory spending because they could potentially be paid for with the TEF. In general, congressional rules require any increase in mandatory spending to be offset either with spending cuts elsewhere or increased revenue, making it difficult to pass the veterans bills getting a bad CBO score.

To address that, the bill debated Thursday by the House Veterans Affairs Committee would narrow the circumstances in which TEF funding could be used; redesignate funding to discretionary spending; place caps on the fund through fiscal 2033; and require the VA to submit a plan to Congress for funding amounts from 2034 to 2045.

"This bill would absolutely not abolish, cut or undermine the Toxic Exposures Fund," House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost, R-Ill., said at the hearing. "It would finally solve the wonky, inside-the-Beltway problem that has stopped a lot of good, bipartisan legislation from moving through this committee."

But Democrats charged that Republicans are really aiming to kneecap the PACT Act.

"We agreed that we would not pit toxic-exposed veterans against other Americans in need -- whether it be hungry children, seniors, those going to college, Americans who need job training, or even other veterans who use these programs," said Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., the ranking member of the committee. "This legislation could have the effect of taking us back to a situation of deciding which veterans' programs would get cut, or whether we would have to deny benefits to some cohort of toxic-exposed veterans."

Takano added that, while he agrees the issue of CBO scores needs to be addressed, he believes that can be done without rewriting the rules of the TEF.

Among the issues that VA officials said they have with Bost's proposal is that the caps would be $17 billion less than VA budget projections are currently estimating the fund will receive in the coming years.

"We'd have to make that up somewhere else," Rychalski said. "We would take it from other programs. It could be infrastructure, it could be equipment, it could be rural health, it could be wherever we need it to. Obviously, we're going to provide the care to veterans, so other things are going to" need to be cut.

The caps could also make it hard to add conditions to the list of illnesses presumed to be caused by military service, Rychalski said. The PACT Act designated certain illnesses as presumed to be linked to military service, but it also created a streamlined process to add more ailments to the VA's presumptive list in the future.

"We are just coming out of years of denial of the effects of toxic exposure to the age of enlightenment," he said. "We have now the statutory authority in the PACT Act or the statutory process to look at presumptives, and we have to have the resources to do that. The current Toxic Exposures Fund provides those resources. The Toxic Exposure Improvement Act does not."

Bost suggested he is open to changes in the bill even as he bristled at Democrats' characterization that it would undermine the PACT Act.

"If anyone has a proposal besides this one to fix the problem, I'm here," he said. "We have handcuffed ourselves on this committee. To try to figure out and be responsible now, we've got to unhandcuff ourselves so that all veterans and family members and survivors can receive the benefits they deserve."

Related: 'Millions' of Veterans Exposed to Environmental Hazards Will Be Eligible for VA Health Care on March 5
Editor's Note: This story has been updated with information from an Air Force statement provided to Military.com after publication regarding its investigation, as well as information regarding the airman's service record.

An airman stationed with an intelligence unit in Alaska who was investigated by federal officials in 2022 was found to be involved with online extremist groups. The investigation ultimately led to his arrest on child pornography charges, according to federal documents made public this week.

Jason Gray, then a staff sergeant with the Air Force's 381st Intelligence Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, used Discord -- a popular social media chat room -- under the username "LazyAirmen#7460." He often posted in Discord channels in support of the Boogaloo movement, an anti-government extremist ideology with followers who believe a second U.S. civil war is coming, as well as "dark humor, funny memes, and dissatisfaction with the United States Government," according to a search warrant affidavit.

The Alaska airman told Air Force special investigators in September 2022 that he was "the administrator for an anti-government, anti-authority social media page" and also "admitted to creating a Facebook page for Boogaloo adherents titled 'CNN journalist Support Group,'" a federal search warrant states.

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Gray was also initially believed to have potentially shared classified information on Discord, but he was eventually cleared.

Authorities said Gray made the Boogaloo Facebook page because he was dissatisfied with being stationed in Alaska.

"Gray was upset and disgruntled with his permanent change of station (PCS) to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER). Gray was upset due to the delays and efficiency of the process," the affidavit supporting a search warrant states.

Also during the course of the investigation, Air Force investigators said Gray consented to a search of his Discord, where "agents identified an image sent in a private channel" that "appeared to be classified and was likely obtained via Gray's access to National Security Agency (NSA) intelligence."

After discovering the potentially classified image, the Defense Department and NSA "immediately restricted Gray's access to all NSA material and classified documents," according to the document.

It's unclear what the image depicted and how widely it was circulated.

"Based on Gray utilizing Discord to communicate with other Boogaloo members, there is potential the image shared was in the furtherance of the Boogaloo ideology," the affidavit for a search warrant states.

An Air Force spokesperson told Military.com in a statement on Friday that, while the affidavit from November 2022 laid out what was believed to be on Gray's devices, the Air Force's investigation ultimately "concluded there was no unauthorized disclosure of classified information."

Air Force officials' initial suspicion over Gray's potential leak of classified information on Discord in 2022 came around the same time that Jack Teixeira, then a member of the Air Force National Guard, was also leaking classified information on Discord. Teixeira was arrested in 2023 and pleaded guilty to his crimes earlier this month. Teixeira faces no less than 11 months and up to 200 months, or more than 16 years, in prison -- which could mark one of the stiffest sentences imposed for similar crimes in recent history.

Notably, the airman stationed in Alaska was not charged with any crimes related to the disclosure of the classified information, but while searching his electronic devices as part of a military investigation, agents discovered child pornography, according to a sentencing document.

Gray was charged in January 2023 with distribution of child pornography and pleaded guilty to the crime later that year. He was separated from the service on Dec. 15, 2023.

The Air Force has been dealing with several cases of airmen and employees being careless with sensitive material online.

Earlier this month, the same day Teixeira pleaded guilty, it was announced that a civilian employee at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska was arrested and charged with providing classified information through an online dating app to someone claiming to be a woman in Ukraine, according to federal prosecutors.

David Franklin Slater, a 63-year-old Air Force employee and retired Army lieutenant colonel assigned to U.S. Strategic Command, was arrested and charged with one count of conspiring to transmit and two counts of transmitting classified information related to the national defense.

The information was shared "on a foreign online dating platform beginning in or around February 2022 until in or around April 2022," federal officials said in a press release, also the same year as the investigation into Gray's Discord use and Teixeira's disclosures.

Related: Retired Lieutenant Colonel Charged with Leaking Classified Information on Dating Platform
Army Secretary Christine Wormuth suspended one of the service's top generals Friday after Military.com reporting revealed he may have inappropriately intervened in a service assessment panel's work in an attempt to help the career of a subordinate officer who was deemed unfit for command.

The case of Gen. Charles Hamilton, who oversees Army Materiel Command, was also referred by the Army to the Defense Department inspector general for investigation -- a rare move to take against a seasoned four-star general.

"This week, Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth became aware of credible allegations Gen. Charles Hamilton, commanding general of Army Materiel Command (AMC), interfered in the Army's Command Assessment Program (CAP) process last fall," Col. Randee Farrell, a spokesperson for Wormuth, told Military.com in a statement, adding that Hamilton has been suspended pending the outcome of the Pentagon's and any other "subsequent" investigations.

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Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan, deputy commander of AMC, will serve in Hamilton's place for the time being.

Military.com's investigation found that Hamilton used what one general with direct knowledge of the situation called a "pressure campaign" aimed at influencing the Army Command Assessment Program panel in support of a female lieutenant colonel who was seeking a battalion command post. The assessment process is specifically designed to eliminate outside influence.

Despite Hamilton's efforts, which included contacting panel members, the assessment process, which is designed to validate whether an officer is fit for command, found the lieutenant colonel unqualified due to ineffective and counterproductive leadership.

However, Hamilton's subordinate officer was later placed on a selection list for command despite rejection by two assessment panels.

Following Military.com's reporting this week on Hamilton's actions, she will no longer be a candidate to take command and will have to recompete next year. The lieutenant colonel's name is being withheld because Military.com found no evidence of wrongdoing on her part.

For its investigation, Military.com interviewed key Army staff and officials, including general officers, who were directly familiar with the lieutenant colonel's command assessment panels. Hamilton's conduct was viewed as so out of line that the director of the assessment panel, Col. Robert O'Brien, penned a memo with a detailed timeline of events, which the publication also reviewed. O'Brien did not return requests for comment.

Hamilton's lobbying campaign

It started with closed-door meetings between Hamilton and staff with the Army's Command Assessment Program, or CAP, in Washington, D.C., at the annual Association of the United States Army convention. The event is a massive gathering of the who's who of the service held every October.

The lieutenant colonel's first Battalion Commander Assessment Program, or BCAP, panel was held later that month.

BCAP includes a series of assessments of a lieutenant colonel's command potential, including a physical fitness test, examinations of communications skills, psychological evaluations, and a panel of five randomly selected generals doing a blind interview with the candidate.

The assessment panelists are not supposed to know the candidate's name and very little about their background. The candidate is also behind a curtain, the idea being that the service wants to take every measure possible to prevent bias. Panelists are also selected just hours before the panel, in an effort to prevent lobbying.

On Oct. 30, the lieutenant colonel had her BCAP assessment panel at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The process was monitored by Hamilton at his request, a move officials explained is technically allowed but bizarre. By a vote of 0-5, the five panel members voted that the lieutenant colonel be uncertified for command, citing "counterproductive leadership."

Hamilton took issue with the psychologist's characterization of the lieutenant colonel's mental state ahead of the panel, arguing it was "too negative." He demanded a second panel, an unheard-of move that is against the Army's own rules, which dictate that a failed BCAP candidate has to wait a year for another chance.

O'Brien granted the re-panel "solely based" on Hamilton's request, according to his own memo. However, the lieutenant colonel was told by Col. Townley Hedrick, Command Assessment Program deputy chief of staff, that she was being re-paneled due to "technical issues." Hamilton later called Hedrick, thanking him for "playing a part."

The re-panel was rescheduled for Nov. 1, two days after her first failed assessment

In the lead-up to that panel, Hamilton called at least three of the five panel members, who are intended to be anonymous to avoid outside influence -- Maj. Gens. Jeth Rey, Trevor Bredenkamp and Hope Rampy -- to discuss the lieutenant colonel, multiple sources with direct knowledge of the situation told Military.com. It's unclear whether Hamilton called the other two panel members or attempted to make contact.

Throughout the entire day of the second panel, starting in the early morning until 9 p.m., Hamilton sent a barrage of text messages to O'Brien and Hedrick asking about the results, according to O'Brien's memo. The second panel wrapped up at noon, and the lieutenant colonel was again found unfit for command, this time in a 2-3 vote.

It's unclear when those results were shared with Hamilton, or if Command Assessment Program staff ever responded to him.

BCAP was supposed to be clean

The news of Hamilton's attempts to subvert the service's command selection process roiled the Army from the rank and file to senior staff at the Pentagon, with one senior Army official characterizing Hamilton's conduct to Military.com as a "cartoonish example" of corrupt judgment.

After the investigation of Hamilton, the service says it will review its command assessment process.

"Following the completion of the [inspector general's] work, the Army will undertake an additional review of CAP itself and the entirety of the command selection process to determine what additional steps may be needed to ensure maximum fairness and integrity in the command selection process," Farrell added.

Army officials have described to Military.com that the service went through a painstakingly detailed process to assure BCAP was about as impenetrable from manipulation as possible.

Most of those officials, including half a dozen senior officers interviewed, contend that BCAP is still a solid way to find officers, but that Hamilton's conduct revealed weaknesses in the process.

"A perfect hiring process doesn't exist, but this is the best we have and we have a lot of safeguards here," one general explained to Military.com on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media on the subject. "But this whole event shows we have work to do. I'm still a believer [in BCAP]. I want it to survive, but we certainly need to look at how we can prevent this from happening again."

BCAP started in 2020 and was largely seen across the force as the most significant improvement to how the Army selects battalion commanders. Posts at that level are among the most consequential in the service, where the Pentagon's big picture and the management of front-line troops meet.

"We spend more time and more money on selecting a private to be in [75th] Ranger Regiment than we do selecting what I would argue is one of the most consequential leadership positions in the Army, our battalion commanders," Gen. James McConville, who at the time was the service's top officer, said during the development of the program.

Meanwhile, generals are rarely disciplined in meaningful ways, let alone publicly. However, Wormuth has fired senior officers for smaller offenses.

Among the most recent four-stars to be relieved was Gen. Kevin Byrnes in 2005. He led the Army's Training and Doctrine Command, or TRADOC. The New York Times reported at the time that the firing was due to a consensual adulterous affair.

Gen. Stanley McChrystal effectively had a forced resignation in 2010 after a Rolling Stone article painted a picture of the general and his top aides making snide comments about then-Vice President Joe Biden and other top Obama administration officials.

"How senior leaders respond will be very telling," another general told Military.com. "If Hamilton is guilty, he should be relieved and retired under grade reduction."

Related: Army General Pressured Assessment Panel to Help Career of 'Ineffective' Officer
FORT BRAGG, Ca.  On March 15, between midnight and 1:24 a.m., crew members on the US Coast Guard Cutter Alder discovered that approximately 500 gallons of diesel fuel had been released into the ocean about 30 miles off Fort Bragg's coast.

Alameda officers, including US Coast Guard Sector San Francisco Incident Management Division authorities, were contacted. The Alder is a 225-foot multi-purpose vessel based in San Francisco on Yerba Buena Island. She was initially assigned to Duluth, Minnesota, and was reassigned to the West Coast in 2022.

All state and environmental agencies, such as the California Fish and Wildlife Spill Prevention and Response Office (OSPR), were also notified. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA) provided guidance for monitoring the spill and its drift. By Friday afternoon, a US Coast Guard flyover reported that the fuel was drifting east and evaporating.

NOAA predicted that the 500-gallon spill would evaporate within 18 hours since diesel fuel is categorized as a " non-persistent fuel." NOAA ranks a spill between 500 and 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel as "small."

Because the oil is lighter than water, a spill will not sink and accumulate at the ocean bottom. This also means that no oil adheres to any sediments. Generally, a "small" spill does not require recovery by a trained team.

Small spills from recreational and fishing boats that the public never hears of regularly occur. Although it is unfortunate to see boats and ships on the ocean, environmental groups have raised no general alarm.

Oil remains on the ocean's surface but will drift if the winds are strong enough. If the accident occurs close to shore, concern about a small spill is far greater. Coral reefs and seagrass beds can be adversely affected. According to NOAA research, "Diesel is one of the most acutely toxic oil types."

NOAA reported, "Any fish or invertebrates that come in direct contact with diesel in the water column may be killed." However, according to NOAA, "Small spills in open water are so rapidly diluted that fish kills have never been reported." Fish kills have also been reported in other water bodies, such as streams and shallow waters.

Marine birds can be affected by a small spill, but in past spills, the oil's quick evaporation has affected very few birds. Harm is far more likely if the spill falls directly into a nesting area. The same is true for shellfish.

To cause high mortality, the spill must occur fairly close to the shoreline. The ocean's constant movement contributes to the diluent and evaporation, and NOAA expects the process to continue without harming marine life.

Sarah Grimes, Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator and Educator at the Noyo Center for Marine Science has been trained to respond to toxic spills in the ocean. She remarked, "I have not been contacted about this incident." The response seems to be state, federal, and military rather than including local response teams.

Spokesperson Chief Petty Officer Levi A. Read said, "The US Coast Guard's investigation into the cause of the spill is ongoing but has no timeline for completion." He explained how the cutter's crew diligently monitors the water for fuel releases, a protocol Sarah Grimes confirmed from her own experience.

Crew members routinely monitor fuel use at sea and check for any visible signs of fuel discharge into the ocean. The Alder, a buoy tender cutter, was en route to Humboldt Bay. When the spill was discovered, the crew determined the one-and-a-half-hour window during which it occurred.

The Alder was on a routine mission along California's coast. The cutter's crew maintains all the navigational channel buoys along the coast, from north of Los Angeles to the Oregon border. Buoys are repositioned when necessary and thoroughly cleaned yearly to keep their lights visible.

Coast Guard Rear Admiral Andrew Sugimoto, Commander of District 11, said, "We are investigating the incident and working diligently to minimize any potential environmental impacts. Our priority is protecting the environment and preventing future incidents."

___

(c)2024 Fort Bragg Advocate-News, Calif.

Visit Fort Bragg Advocate-News, Calif. at https://www.advocate-news.com/

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Lets go home, Petty Officer 3rd Class Marquez Martinez said while adjusting his sea bag on his shoulder.

Yes, lets go, beamed wife Katarina Martinez, toting 8-month-old Alaina on her hip while 2-year-old Mason sat in the stroller. The kids donned star-spangled pants that complemented their fathers dress blues.

Martinez, an information systems technician, was one of 1,000 sailors welcomed home Thursday from the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group following an extended eight-month deployment to the Middle East. The group included assault ship USS Bataan, which pulled into port Thursday at Naval Station Norfolk, and dock landing ship USS Carter Hall, which returned to its homeport of Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek in Virginia Beach. Transport dock USS Mesa Verde, homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, returns Friday.

The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed with the Bataan group July 10 from Hampton Roads to create an interoperable force capable of storming foreign shores. The rapid response Marine force returned home to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

The mission for this deployment was all about presence.

It just means we are here and that reassured our allies and partner nations, Capt. Paul Burkhart, commanding officer of the Bataan, said after disembarking the ship.

Less than two weeks after the group deployed, the Bataan and Carter Hall were ordered to sail to the Middle East to bolster maritime security. After roughly four months of deterring aggression, the Department of Defense sent the Bataan group toward Israel following the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, long designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. The Bataan and Carter Hall operated in the Red Sea before later rejoining the Mesa Verde in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The Bataan group participated in Operation Prosperity Guardian, a U.S.-led multinational security task force formed in December to respond to increased Iranian-backed Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.

Its all about contingency response  special operations that we see are necessary in todays world to do the wide variety of missions, specifically in the Eastern Mediterranean, said Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander of Norfolk-based U.S. Fleet Forces.

In recent months, merchant vessels and military ships traveling through the Suez Canal have been the target of attack drones and anti-ship missiles launched from Houthi-controlled Yemen, U.S. military officials said. The Houthis had at times targeted ships in the region, but the attacks have increased since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, The Associated Press reported. A number of commercial ships have been struck since December.

Debt of gratitude: Secretary of Navy visits Ford sailors at sea ahead of their return to Norfolk

Our Navy and Marine Corps team remains a key contributor to maintaining maritime safety, security and global stability, and we remain committed to maintaining freedom of navigation in international waters, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said.

Del Toro and wife Betty were among the crowd welcoming the Bataan sailors at Naval Station Norfolk. Before sailors disembarked the assault ship, Del Toro mingled with families and cradled children  including offering Alaina Martinez a challenge coin.

Dont eat it, Del Toro said with a laugh.

The Bataan task force was due to return in January but its time at sea was extended by about two months. The families shouldered the burdens of daily life, Del Toro said, while the sailors and Marines were away longer than expected.

While these last 255 days have certainly not been easy for them (the families), I am forever grateful to them for keeping the faith and for believing that their family sacrifices and defense of their fellow Americans was worth it, Del Toro said.

The extended deployment meant Petty Officer 2nd Class Kareem Moore, an aviation boatswains mate, missed the birth of daughter Kinsley-Rae. The 5-week-old, born Feb. 11, snuggled in her mothers arms moments before meeting her dad.

We were devastated. He has missed the birth of both our children because of deployments, mother and wife Kimberly Moore said as she motioned to Kareem Jr., 7.

Down the pier, Sadie Potter, 20, waved to sailors standing at the bow of the assault ship as she looked for Petty Officer 3rd Class Brennon Potter  her husband an an electronics technician. Their daughter, 11-month-old Hailey, slept soundly swaddled against Sadies chest despite the pomp and circumstance.

The baby was just 3 months old when Brennon departed. His deployment, coupled with training at sea months prior, meant he has only spent around two weeks with his daughter, Sadie said.

Smiling as she wiped her daughters nose, the mother said, We are excited to be a family for the first time.

2024 The Virginian-Pilot. Visit pilotonline.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
5G tech empowers blueberry cultivation in E China's Anhui

People's Daily Online) 13:17, March 22, 2024

During the ongoing blueberry harvest season, the greenhouses at a blueberry planting base in Shizi township, Langxi county, east China's Anhui Province exhibit clusters of alluring and aromatic blueberries hanging from the branches.

Differing from traditional planting methods, the blueberries at this base are cultivated in pots using a soil-less technique. The greenhouses are equipped with intelligent drip and spray irrigation systems, as well as temperature and humidity control systems. Through precise regulation, each blueberry plant receives ample water and nutrients.

Photo shows an aerial view of a blueberry planting base in Shizi town, Langxi county, east China's Anhui Province. (Photo/Gao Yifan)

"We have been exploring innovative methods to surpass traditional cultivation techniques, and these are the outcomes of the incorporation of Internet of Things (IoT) backed by 5G," said Mei Yihe, head of the planting base.

"The planting base currently has over 50 greenhouses and 47,000 pots of blueberries, focusing on four high-quality varieties," Mei Yihe expressed.

"After 10 months of careful cultivation, the blueberries are available on the market at least over one month ahead of regular blueberries. Currently, large-sized fruits are priced at 400 yuan ($56) per kilogram, while regular ones are priced at 300 yuan per kilogram, and they are very popular among consumers in the Yangtze River Delta region," said Mei Yihe.

In January 2024, Mei Wei, Mei Yihe's daughter, decided to leave her high-paying job in Shanghai and return to her hometown to grow blueberries.

"At first, I had concerns about my ability to learn in this new industry. However, upon coming back home, I quickly realized that I could effortlessly manage over 40,000 pots of blueberries in the greenhouses using just my mobile phone," said Mei Wei.

Workers pick blueberries at a greenhouse in Shizi township, Langxi county, east China's Anhui Province. (Photo/Gao Yifan)

The intelligent management of the planting base has created employment opportunities for local villagers. Reliable sources said nearly 1,000 jobs have been provided through blueberry orchard construction, harvesting and sales.

Shizi township is fully covered by 5G networks, establishing a strong foundation for the development of digital agriculture.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
The Giants announced Thursday evening that theyve released veteran reliever Amir Garrett from his minor league deal (X link via Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle). He had been in camp as a non-roster invitee but wasnt going to make the Opening Day roster.

Thats not a surprise given the left-handers numbers this spring. Garrett allowed nine runs over 6 1/3 innings. He surrendered 13 hits and issued seven walks while recording three strikeouts. The Giants could use lefty relief help, but Garrett simply hadnt performed well.

The 31-year-old should nevertheless find interest on a minor league deal elsewhere. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and he has an above-average 26.4% strikeout rate over 325 1/3 career innings. Garrett fanned a quarter of batters faced with a 3.33 ERA in 27 appearances for the Royals last season, but Kansas City cut him loose because his walk rate had jumped to a near-18% clip. He finished the year in Triple-A with the Guardians, where he struggled in a very small sample. While Garrett is unlikely to get a season-opening opportunity in a major league bullpen, hes a sensible target for teams looking for upper minors relief depth based on his velocity and bat-missing ability.

San Francisco only has one left-hander who is a lock for their bullpen: Taylor Rogers. They optioned Erik Miller earlier in camp, while Ethan Small is headed to the injured list after straining his right oblique. There are no other lefty relievers on the 40-man roster.

If the Giants want a second left-hander, non-roster invitee Juan Sanchez has seemingly pitched his way to the top of list. The 23-year-old has punched out 11 against two walks with a massive 60% ground-ball rate over nine innings in camp. He has allowed four runs, two of them earned.
The Pirates are moving right-hander Roansy Contreras to the bullpen, Derek Shelton told reporters after tonights Spring Training contest (X link via MLB.coms Alex Stumpf). While the Pittsburgh manager left open the possibility of giving Contreras another rotation look down the line, hes viewed as a reliever for the moment.

At this time last year, the 24-year-old looked like one of the more promising starting pitchers in the organization. The Bucs had made him the arguable centerpiece of their 2021 trade return from the Yankees for Jameson Taillon. Contreras was viewed as a fringe Top 100-caliber prospect before turning in a solid 22 campaign as a rookie. Contreras held a spot in the Pittsburgh rotation for a good portion of that season. He tossed 95 innings of 3.79 ERA ball with a strikeout and walk profile that wasnt far off league average.

That showing earned him a spot in last years rotation. Contreras raw stuff and results all backed up, though, and he was tagged for 6.59 earned runs per nine innings. His strikeout rate dropped nearly three percentage points, sitting at a middling 18.8% clip. His walk rate went slightly up. The average velocity on his four-seam fastball ticked down from 95.8 MPH to 94.6 MPH. Contreras slider remained an effective offering, although he even lost a few percentage points on that pitchs swing-and-miss rate.

As the struggles mounted, the Bucs first kicked him to the bullpen and eventually back to the minors. He made eight appearances in Triple-A, where he had an ERA just below 5.00 in a hitter-friendly league. The Pirates even assigned him back to their Florida complex for a few weeks to work through his mechanics outside of a game setting.

Those paths arent on the table this year. Last season burned Contreras final minor league option. The Pirates can no longer send him down without first exposing him to waivers, where hed very likely be claimed. If they dont want to risk losing him, they need to keep him in the majors. Yet Contreras performance this spring has been far from encouraging.

He has started three of five outings in exhibition play but only gotten through 12 1/3 innings. Contreras has issued 13 walks against nine strikeouts while allowing nine runs. His fastball velocity has sat in the 94-95 MPH range, but the inability to find the strike zone is alarming. It wouldve been difficult to justify giving him a spot in the MLB rotation coming off that kind of performance. A relief role will afford Shelton some flexibility in keeping Contreras out of high-leverage spots while he tries to recapture the form that hed shown through 2022.

In other Bucs news, the team announced theyve optioned Nick Gonzales to Triple-A Indianapolis. That takes him out of the mix in the camp battle for the Opening Day second base job. The former #7 overall pick had a middling spring, hitting .235/.278/.412 over 36 plate appearances. Liover Peguero and Jared Triolo are the top options to start at the keystone. Theyve each hit well in camp. Peguero has a .292/.370/.458 line in 11 games, while Triolo has turned in a .344/.432/.469 mark over 12 contests.
ROYAL OAK, MI - Actor Tim Meadows is returning home to Michigan to host a screening of the new Mean Girls film. Meadows, who is from Detroit, stars as Mr. Duvall in both the 2024 movie musical and the 2004 film.

The screening will be held at Emagine Royal Oak on Saturday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets ($20-$48) can be purchased here. Proceeds benefit the Detroit Creativity Projects free improve programs in Detroit public schools.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - A woman is suing a Grand Rapids bar for allegedly not giving her time to breast pump at work and firing her because of the time she took to pump milk for her infant.

A federal lawsuit accuses Glass House of violating the PUMP Act  a recently passed law that gives protections to workers who are breast pumping. Since going into effect in April 2023, the law has been levied against major employers like Amazon, McDonalds and Dollar General.

This PUMP Act case, filed in the U.S. District Court of Western Michigan, is one of the first in the state.

I hope that our filing the suit would give others hope that theres a remedy when their employer doesnt do the right thing, said Rob Howard, a Cunningham Dalman attorney representing the woman. And maybe it can raise awareness among employers so that they do the right thing and dont have to face the prospects of litigation.

Related: 5 things you need to know about the PUMP Act and breastfeeding protections for workers

Kamri Jones, 27, started working as a bartender and server at Glass House in August last year, five months after giving birth to her first son, court documents say. She needed to pump roughly every two hours to keep producing enough milk for her baby.

Jones, who lived across the street from the bar, often left her shift to pump at home.

The lawsuit claims Glass House did not provide Jones with space to breast pump and wouldnt let her work certain shifts because of her pumping. Management then fired Jones on Jan. 7 saying she wasnt fast enough at her job, according to court documents.

The reason given for Jones termination  performance  is a pretext because the proffered reason is not true, it is not the real reason for her termination and is not sufficient to justify her termination, the suit says.

Glass House did not comment on the litigation.

Under the PUMP Act, employers of any size are required to give workers a reasonable break time and a private, sanitary space to pump milk that is not a bathroom. It also closes loopholes in a 2010 law that originally carved out rights for breast pumping workers but left roughly 9 million, including teachers, nurses and farmworkers, without protections.

And, importantly, it gives workers the right to sue their employers for violating the law.

That provision, says Aditi Fruitwala, a staff attorney with the ACLU Center for Liberty, gives the act teeth.

I think we will likely see a wave of lawsuits targeting really big companies, she said. Hopefully when those resolve favorably, other companies are going to kind of pick up and realize that they have this obligation as well.

In the past year, that flurry of lawsuits has targeted fast food giants and retailers.

A McDonalds manager brought a case in February saying she was forced to pump in a stockroom and didnt get a break for at least half her shifts. A Wendys worker claims she had to pump in an open space in the employee break room. Ulta, a beauty store chain, is facing a class-action lawsuit after a makeup artist said she could only pump in her car.

Even the U.S. Postal Service is facing a lawsuit from three breast pumping employees. One woman claims her supervisor yelled if you dont want to do your job, you can leave the building when she needed to pump. Another woman described pumping in the back of a mail truck with no windows, air conditioning or lights.

I expect there will be a bit of a learning curve for employers to figure out what they need to do, Howard said. Then this is going to be something that the public needs to be educated on.

Related: Its like gold: Second donor breastmilk bank opening in Michigan

In the Michigan case, Glass House is also accused of sex discrimination under the states Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. The suit says that because Jones was allegedly fired for needing time to pump breastmilk, the termination was directly related to her sex.

Before last year, workers had to rely on these types of civil rights laws to enforce breast pumping rights, but the PUMP Act now gives workers a direct path to court.

One thing about lactation is that it seems like a fringe issue or a niche issue, but really this is one of the more prominent ways that sex discrimination shows up in our modern workplace, Fruitwala said.

Research has found that women given both enough time and space to pump at work are more likely to breastfeed their children for longer, which improves both the health of the baby and the mother. Studies also show workplaces that provide breast pumping accommodations see higher employee satisfaction, better retention rates and improved recruitment.

When employers really implement these new obligations, we can see, hopefully, somewhat of a change in the workplace of people feeling like theyre able to come back to work when they want to rather than having to make a choice between staying home to breastfeed or come back, Fruitwala said.
LANSING, Mich. (AP)  A man convicted of driving into the Detroit River and drowning his four children in 1989 pleaded with the Michigan parole board for a shorter prison sentence Thursday, insisting the deaths were an accident.

Lawrence DeLisle, 63, said during a public board hearing that a leg cramp caused him to hit the gas pedal and plunge the vehicle into the river in Wyandotte.

The next thing I know Im in the water, coughing, trying to locate the vehicle. ... A wave of despair came over me, DeLisle said.

He and his wife were rescued, but their four children, ages 8 and under, died. DeLisle, who has been in prison for nearly 35 years, is serving a life sentence for first-degree murder and attempted murder.

Only Gov. Gretchen Whitmer can commute, or shorten, DeLisles prison term. The state parole board will review a transcript of the hearing, discuss the case and give an opinion.

The Wayne County prosecutors office said it opposes DeLisles request, The Detroit News reported.

He hasnt committed any misconduct while in prison, which is very rare for someone locked up for decades, state Corrections Department spokesman Kyle Kaminski said.

Parole board member Anthony King, who led the hearing, said its hard to believe that DeLisle didnt slam on the brakes after the vehicle jerked forward.

The Innocence Clinic at University of Michigan law school and the law school at Northwestern University are supporting DeLisle and say the crash was an accident, not a crime, the News reported.

Hes not a danger to anyone, and theres no reason to keep him in prison, said retired attorney Peter Van Hoek, who was involved in earlier appeals.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  If you want an up-close look at road conditions, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will put you virtually behind the wheel of a snowplow.

MDOTs MiDrive map provides a look at state roads from cameras installed in plow trucks.

The MiDrive site also provides photos of traffic conditions from cameras on major highways, and information including speeds, crash sites and work zones.

Related: Friday storm updates: New snowfall map, 2 separate rounds of snow

The online transportation map system shows where state and contracted county plows are working and gives close-up view of road conditions and traffic from in-plow cameras.

Michigan Department of Transportation's MiDrive map uses in-plow cameras to show road conditions across the state. (Michigan Department of Transportation).Michigan Department of Transportation

The MiDrive map is available at https://mdotjboss.state.mi.us/MiDrive/map or click here. Go to your city or zip code to look at roads in your area. Click on icons on the upper left of the site to look at speeds, photos from highway cameras, in-plow cameras, crashes and work zones.

The snowplows have catchy names like Artic Fox, John Bon Swowi, and Mitten Muscle. Those plows and many others were on the road Friday morning.

Two storms are expected to hit the state, roughly during the morning and afternoon commutes. The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids said motorists should expect slippery conditions.

Related: West Michigan school closings for Friday, March 22

Up to 8 inches of snow is expected in an area between I-96 and M-46, with lesser amounts to the north and south.
ANN ARBOR, MI  The Ann Arbor YMCAs search for its president/CEO will continue after the person set to take over resigned before he began.

The Ann Arbor YMCA announced earlier this week that its four-month long search for its next president/CEO had come to an end as Josh Chapman was set to take over the role in May.

Chapman was planning to bring experience from his time serving as president/CEO of the Blue Water Area YMCA in Port Huron.

Related: New CEO picked for Ann Arbor YMCA after months of searching

However, the announcement was short-lived as Chapman resigned on Thursday due to personal reasons, according to statement from the Ann Arbor YMCA.

The Ann Arbor YMCA has a top-notch staff team, committed volunteers and phenomenal community support- it truly is an amazing opportunity, Chapman wrote in an email to MLive/The Ann Arbor News. I chose to stay home at the Y I started at as an intern and worked my way to CEO. My heart and family is in the blue water area, and Im sincerely apologize to all this negatively impacted.

The YMCAs search committee spent roughly four months looking for someone to fill the position after former president/CEO Toni Kayumi resigned in November to become director of Washtenaw Countys Office of Community and Economic Development.

Related: Yearlong vacancy at head of key Washtenaw County office ends with hiring of YMCA leader

Ann Arbor YMCA plans to reopen its search for the next CEO and will continue to operate under the leadership of interim-CEO Becca Schnetzer in the meantime.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter.
FLINT, MI -- In the middle of the chaos of Gazas war-torn streets, Flint-based doctor Dr. Bara Zuhaili found himself treating the most vulnerable victims: women and children.

Im telling you, Ive never seen bullets completely destroy bones, muscles, and arteries like what I saw with the people of Gaza, said Zuhaili, a vascular surgeon for the Michigan Vascular Center, a private practice based in Flint, whose doctors also perform surgeries at local hospitals. Ive seen gunshot wounds before. The type of bullets that were used there, Ive never seen before. It was almost like an explosion.

The Michigan Vascular Center is a 17-person staff that works with local hospitals McLaren Flint, Hurley and Genesys.

Zuhaili traveled to Gaza from Jan. 22 to Feb. 6 to help perform surgeries for wounded civilians through the Michigan-based charity, Rahma Worldwide, an international, independent humanitarian organization founded in 2014.

He was based in Deir al Balah, a Palestinian city in the central Gaza Strip.

While the Israel-Palestine war has been ongoing since 1948, the battle was illuminated to a global audience last October.

More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed since Oct. 7, including about 12,000 children, meaning more children were killed during four months of war in Gaza than in four years of war worldwide, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The death toll in Israel from Hamass Oct. 7 attack stands over 1,200.

Zuhaili is sharing his story so people in the United States can imagine their own family members in this situation.

For him, the true battle lays not only in saving lives but in navigating the treacherous journey to reach those in dire need.

Hindered by Israeli checkpoints, victims often arrived at the hospital gates approximately 10 hours after sustaining their wounds.

I heard through my connections about the desperate need for healthcare workers in Gaza, he said. Many healthcare workers were either killed or disabled by the active conflict. Thats why I went there.

Zuhaili was born and raised in Syria, where he went to medical school before moving to the United States in 2006. He and his wife, Iman, lived in Baltimore while he was an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Thats where he received his masters of public health degree. The couple moved to Flint in 2020 to get closer to his wifes family.

One year ago, Zuhaili survived a massive earthquake while visiting Turkey and has performed surgeries during war in Syria and provided aid to people in Uganda.

Reem Almasri, community outreach coordinator at Rahma Worldwide, said the organization was founded to help provide relief to people in the Syrian war and now operates in 18 different countries.

Rahma was the first U.S. organization to send doctors into Gaza, she said, and the nonprofit dispatches 20 different physicians periodically throughout the year to provide aid for two weeks.

The doctors pay for their own flights and are not compensated by Rahma.

Its very selfless from Dr. Zuhaili to go into a war zone and all the other doctors that do so, Almasri said. A lot of the doctors wives contact me asking if we can stay in touch in case anything happens. So you see the fear their families have about them.

Related: Michigan surgeon escaped deadly earthquake. He aches for those who didnt

But what Zuhaili saw in Gaza does not compare to any prior experience.

The amount of injuries, the type of injuries and the amount of deaths that happened with every attack was something Ive never seen in my life, he said, with the delay in time for treatment costing some their lives.

The ambulance people would swear to me that the kids were alive when they arrived on the scene, but by the time they made it to the hospital, they were dead, Zuhaili said.

Most of the women and children arrived at the hospital with extremities damaged beyond repair. The hospital he worked at, Shuhadah Al-Aqsa, can only treat a maximum of 200 patients with limited supplies.

Zuhaili performed over 200 surgeries, he estimated. By day four of his trip, he completed more amputations than the previous two years total in the U.S. to save peoples lives.

On Jan. 22, the Flint City Council approved a ceremonial ceasefire resolution proposed by the Arab American Heritage Council, which Mayor Sheldon Neeley supported. Numerous cities across the U.S. have also passed a similar resolution, including Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta and San Francisco.

Zuhaili supports the plea for a ceasefire, calling it a humanitarian issue and not a political one.

He wants peace and for innocent lives impacted by the conflict to be protected.

Anyone who travels to Gaza has no promise of returning back home. As Zuhaili, a father of three, made the decision to leave, he prepared his wife for his possible death.

He organized his finances to make sure his family would be taken care of, finalized a will, wrote letters to his wife, and three children and left them in his office with instructions to colleague Dr. Alison Kinning in case he died.

Kinning was the only staff member aware of Zuhailis Gaza trip. Other staff members assumed he was on vacation, she said.

Each day, she would text Zuhaili to make sure he made it through.

He is my best friend in the practice, Kinning said. He is such an upstanding human being that I am privileged to know. Hes always one of the ones thats willing to stay late, lend a hand, offload the work from somebody else.

Zuhaili has had trouble sleeping after witnessing the death and injuries during his trip.

As the Flint doctor shared a story about children playing in the streets as bombs went off in the background, his voice cracked and tears welled in his eyes.

If even 1 percent of that happened to me, I would have melted down, he said. But 100 percent of it happened to the people of Gaza and they somehow still manage to have good spirit.
GENESEE COUNTY, MI - A snowstorm expected across the state of Michigan has led to some area businesses being closed on Friday, March 22.

A winter weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service is in effect from 6 a.m. to midnight Friday in Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Livingston, Oakland and Macomb counties.

Related: Cold air is going to bring lake-effect snow showers to Michigan, up to 8 inches in the U.P.

Snow accumulations of three to six inches are expected. Hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute, according to the National Weather Service.

Closures for Friday include the following:

Sloan Museum

Sloan Museum of Discovery in Flint is closed today.

If you have purchased tickets in advance, you may use the tickets on a later date.

If you have questions about your tickets, email Sloan@SloanLongway.org.

Check the Facebook page or www.SloanMuseum.org for updates.

Longway Planetarium

There will be no field trips or public shows today at Longway Planetarium.

If you have purchased tickets for a show today, you may exchange your tickets for another date or request a refund by emailing your order number to Longway@SloanLongway.org by Monday, March 25, 2024.

Check Longway Planetariums Facebook, Instagram and website for updates and potential schedule changes.

First Presbyterian Church of Flint

The church office is closed today.

Flint School of Performing Arts

All classes and lessons are canceled.

All FIM buildings will remain open.

Flushing Senior Citizens Center

Congregate meals are canceled.

The Veterans Services presentation will be rescheduled to a later date.

Genesee Health System

The Behavioral Health Urgent Care continues to be open and available as are their Virtual Appointments

Behavioral Health Urgent Care can be reached at 810-496-5500. The Crisis Line is also available at 810-257-3740.

Genesee Community Health Center

Clio Center for the Arts

Durand Senior Center

Davison Senior Center
KENT COUNTY, MI  A 65-year-old man was arrested shorty after he allegedly robbed a Wyoming bank by implying he had a weapon, Wyoming police said.

The robbery happened around 9 a.m. Friday, March 22, at Fifth Third Bank at 2828 Michael Avenue SW, near 28th Street, in Wyoming, police said. The robber approached a teller, demanded money and implied he had weapon.

The robber left with an undisclosed amount of money, police said.

As police searched the area after the holdup, an officer spotted a man who fit the description of the robber on 28th Street SW between Buchanan Avenue and South Division Avenue. The man was arrested without incident and taken to Kent County Correctional Facility.

His name was not released pending arraignment in Wyoming District Court.

Detectives, working the FBI, continue to investigate circumstances of the robbery.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A 30-year-old man has been convicted in the death of a woman who was shot through a door in front of her young children.

Keyante Newbern, 30, was convicted Friday, March 22 of first-degree murder following jury deliberations.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Well over 100 West Michigan schools have closed Friday, March 22, with winter-weather advisories in effect and wind and snow expected across the state.

The closings include schools in Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon, Allegan, Ionia, Van Buren, Montcalm and Newaygo counties.

Among the school districts that have closed are Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Byron Center, Forest Hills, Ravenna, Grandville, Wyoming, Hesperia, Kent City, Northview, Kenowa Hills, Cedar Springs, White Cloud, Allendale, Belding, Greenville, Fremont, Newaygo and Grant.

Other include Big Rapids, Godwin Heights, Kelloggsville, Sparta Area, Ionia, Lakeview, Lowell Area, Vestaburg and White Cloud.

RELATED: Fridays snow map: Which areas will see up to 8 inches with winter storm

Grand Rapids Public Schools Superintendent Leadriane Roby called the snow day after district leaders evaluated road conditions early Friday morning and considered the snowfall forecast for the day, in a news release.

The districts administrative offices will be open.

Snow began falling early Friday and is expected to continue into the evening, the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids said.

Snow is expected to be heavy at time and slow travel.

A swath of 4 or more inches is looking likely in the Grand Rapids to Alma region, the weather service said on Facebook.

The Kent, Ionia, Van Buren and Mecosta-Osceola Intermediate School Districts also closed.

For a complete list, go to WZZM-13 school closings.

State police urged motorists to slow speeds on area roads. Kent County Road Commission said the snow started around 4 a.m. Crews pretreated bridges, ramps and other area with salt. Roads are expected to be slushy.
JACKSON COUNTY, MI  A case of measles has been reported in the Jackson County area and health officials are warning residents of possible exposure.

The potential exposure was reported between 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, March 10, at Henry Ford Jackson Hospitals emergency department, 205 N. East Ave. This is related to a case in Washtenaw County, Jackson County Health Department officials said in a statement Friday, March 22.

Related: 2nd measles case reported in Washtenaw County. Officials warn of exposure spots

Anyone potentially exposed to the measles case should monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days after exposure, officials said. If symptoms develop, health officials recommend calling a doctor, urgent care or hospital before seeking treatment to avoid exposing others, officials said.

Symptoms usually begin between seven to 14 days after exposure and can include:

A high fever, which may spike to over 104 degrees

Cough

Runny nose

Red, watery eyes

Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin

A rash that is red, raised and blotchy, usually starting on the face and spreading to the torso, arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin

The Jackson County Health Department is working closely with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Henry Ford Jackson Hospital and the Washtenaw County Health Department to investigate the situation and prevent additional cases. The case individual is following all isolation protocols, Jackson County Health Department, officials said.

Residents are encouraged to reach out to their health care provider, pharmacy or the Jackson County Health Department at 517-768-1664 for vaccination and guidance. Since more than 72 hours have passed since the potential exposure, it is too late for immediate vaccination to prevent infection, officials said.

The measles vaccine is highly effective and provides long-lasting protection. Vaccinated people are unlikely to be infected, with just three in every 100 exposed to measles becoming ill if they come into contact with the virus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

With the risk for community spread, anyone not fully vaccinated against measles is encouraged to do so as soon as possible. To verify their vaccination status, residents are encouraged to contact their health care provider or the Jackson County Health Department, officials said.

Vaccination is available from healthcare providers, pharmacies and the Jackson County Health Department. Children eligible for the Vaccines for Children program may receive the vaccine from a provider enrolled in that program at no cost, officials said.

Cases are increasing across the U.S. and outbreaks are occurring nationally and globally. In addition to recent Michigan cases, over 40 measles cases have been reported 15 other states so far in 2024, officials said.

Michigan saw the first confirmed case of measles since 2019 in February in Oakland County, and since cases have since also been reported in Wayne and Washtenaw counties.

More information about measles resources and vaccines can be found on the Jackson County Health Departments website.

Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter.
NILES, MI - A Niles couple pleaded guilty to two felony counts each of Medicaid fraud, according to a Thursday announcement by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Gregory Barney, owner of the Highland Counseling Center in Niles and a licensed marriage and family counselor, was charged alongside his wife and the centers office manager Jacquelyn, officials said.

On March 22, they both pleaded guilty to two counts each of fraud, a felony punishable up to four years in prison on each count, officials said. Both also agreed to pay $48,000 in restitution to the Medicaid program, officials said.

The wife took patient information from another practice while she worked as a biller for a separate medical office, officials said. She then billed Medicaid for counseling sessions provided by her husband and the center, but these sessions were never fulfilled, officials said.

Investigators interviewed clients that told them they did not know Gregory Barney and never received counseling from him, officials said.

My office takes instances of Medicaid fraud very seriously, Nessel said in a statement. Charging a practitioner underscores our commitment to protecting the integrity of the Medicaid program and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used appropriately. We will continue to vigorously prosecute those who attempt to defraud the system and hold them accountable for their actions.

In September 2021, the couple was arrested and charged in 54th District Court in Ingham County. A sentencing is scheduled for May 30.

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The Mississippi River Delta and its smaller kin to the east, the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, are the largest systems of their kind in North America. Their floodplains, rivers, streams, and swamps stretch across the southeastern United States and support thousands of animal and plant species.

Collectively known as the Southern Deltas, they are among the most biodiverse places on earth.

However, they are also critical economic centers that support the vast oil, gas, and chemical industries. A dizzying array of ships of all sizes can be seen traversing the busy waters of the lower Mississippi River, the end of what is essentially a superhighway between Minneapolis and the Gulf of Mexico. The Mobile-Tensaw delta, while smaller, is also a major regional hub of industry, allowing Mobile, Alabamas port to become one of the fastest growing in the country.

The deltas industrial roles, which support hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs, are often at odds with those who want to protect their waters and the rich ecosystem they support.

Can they co-exist? And what can be done to improve the health of the deltas?

On World Water Day, Reckon spoke with Dr. Alex Kolker, a professor at Tulane University in New Orleans. He specializes in understanding how coastal systems of the Mississippi River Delta and along the Gulf Coast are impacted by climate change and human-caused pollution.

Reckon: In this era of hyper-awareness about the environment and climate change, I was curious about the health of our two major delta systems. How are they doing?

Dr. Kolker: Many deltas worldwide are retreating and losing land because of a vast array of human impacts, like climate change, sea level rise, and natural processes. The Mississippi River Delta in Louisiana is a prime example of that. Coastal Louisiana has lost about 2,000 square miles, or about 5,000 square kilometers worth of land, over the last 100 years.

The ground under the Mississippi River Delta is sinking because so many canals were cut for oil and gas. It also doesnt receive much restorative sediment from the Mississippi River because its behind levees, which is another big problem. Climate change is causing water levels to rise, preventing the protective wetlands in the deltas from doing their job.

Can you explain the Mississippi Delta and why it has so much activity in its waters?

[The Mississippi Delta] is an area where there were huge plantations, and a lot of people who live there today are descendants. Then theres the Mississippi River Delta, which is the part that hits the Gulf of Mexico. When people like me talk about the Mississippi River Delta, they talk about the lower part of that system.

Industrial facilities are in that general area, supporting oil and gas facilities south of Baton Rouge. Youll see heavy shipping because thats where the most intense parts of the petrochemical corridor are. About half of what moves up and down the lower Mississippi River is related to energy, oil, coal, gas, and heavy chemicals.

As you mentioned, the Mississippi River Delta has a huge amount of industrial activity. At the same time, the Mobile Delta is surrounded by sources of pollution, from port activity to chemical plants upriver and a giant coal ash pond that feeds toxic chemicals into the groundwater.

Whats the effect of pollution on people, our water and the precious ecosystems of the Southern Deltas?

There are a lot of effects of chemical pollution in the Mississippi River Delta, in terms of chemistry in the water, but also the bigger impact on peoples health. These facilities produce a lot of air toxinsnitrogen oxide, volatile organic carbon, sulfur dioxide and other things that are harmful to people. They are respiratory hazards and carcinogens. That is a big concern for a lot of people in South Louisiana. Thats the stretch that people call Cancer Alley.

In terms of the waters chemistry, theres a large hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico that has lost much of its dissolved oxygen because of the nitrogen fertilizer that flows from farms upriver.

Its hard for fish and shellfish to breathe.

Coal terminals are also along the lower Mississippi River, raising concerns that dust from those coal facilities could get into wetlands. Theyre also building huge liquefied natural gas plants near wetlands in Louisiana, which is actually near a big coastal restoration project.

Living in lower Alabama, Ive spent a decent amount of time in the Mobile Delta and Mobile Bay. Its quite disgusting, and I know from reading reports that much of the seagrass is dead, killed by pollution and a lack of sunlight. And I often wonder how effective our environmental laws, like the Clean Water Act of 1972, have been.

Im not a Clean Water Act specialist, but in the late 1960s and 70s, the Cuyahoga River around Cleveland would catch fire. That sort of thing doesnt happen anymore, so I think these laws have had some effect, like reducing harmful chemicals in the water. Industry is now required to report pollutants. Whether the Clean Water Act has done enough is more of a policy question.

You mentioned the importance of wetlands earlier. The Supreme Court decided they werent part of the Clean Water Act. What effect has that had on coastal communities?

The previous interpretation of the Clean Water Act was that it could be used to prevent dredging, filling in, and other activities that would harm wetlands. Last year, the Supreme Court decided that wetlands dont come under the Clean Water Act, significantly reducing the federal governments ability to regulate them. That may be the most significant change to the delta ecosystems.

Wetlands provide a lot of assets to coastal communities, including flood protection and habitat for many economically important species that people harvest, like crabs, shellfish, and fin fish Their lifecycles are tied to wetland marshes. And a lot of wading birds  herons and egrets and the like  also call them home. Wetlands also buffer against storms and regulate water quality by filtering out harmful pollutants. These are big issues.

What can we do to improve the situation of our Southern Deltas?

Theres a lot that can be done. One thing that should be mentioned is that Louisiana has a significant plan to restore the Mississippi River Delta. It could involve taking sediment from onshore or offshore, putting it on the marshes, and partially diverting the flow of the Mississippi River. Its a broad program that aims to spend about $1 billion annually for the next 50 years.

About half of that is for restoration, and the rest is for coastal protection, which largely involves building levees. The idea is to reduce flooding impacts.

Louisiana is doing it on a significant scale. Its not going to be perfect by any means. If you look at the projections with climate change and sea level rise, the area will continue to lose land, and intense and damaging storms will continue. So, I dont want to tell you its a panacea.

However, the idea of combining storm, flood protection, and ecosystem restoration on a broad scale is something that other coastal communities should consider. If you look at the data, many of these plans will work if climate change is modest and stays at relatively moderate levels. But wetland restoration becomes very difficult if climate change accelerates and continues to accelerate.

The data point is that if we want to save and preserve our southern deltas, we need to do something about climate change.
DETROIT  Fans cheered when Dylan Larkin took the ice in pregame warmups and again during his first shift a minute into the game.

Then, as the Detroit Red Wings were wrapping up a pivotal 6-3 victory over the New York Islanders at Little Caesars Arena, the crowd chanted DY-LAN LAR-KIN!
Slow and steady - thats been the recipe for Fridays day-long snow event that has accumulations stacking up across a broad area of Michigan. And for a big chunk of the state, its not over yet. A few more inches of snow could fall between this afternoon and tonight, according to the latest forecast update from the National Weather Service (NWS).

While snow totals wont be available until the system moves out of Michigan, weve seen weather spotter reports today that talked about 4 to 5 inches of snow being measured so far in Grand Ledge, northern Kent County, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties.

The afternoon/evening snow will be concentrated across part of Michigan, according to the NWS.

Most of the remaining snow to fall through Friday evening will be focused in a belt across Lower Michigan, including near I-96 (Muskegon through Lansing) and M-46, meteorologists in the Grand Rapids office said. An additional 1 to 3 inches may fall there, and some roads could become slushy again late in the day.

The NWS team shared the video below. It shows a computer simulation of what the radar may look like through 10 p.m. tonight. The blue is snow.

For Southeast Michigan areas like Flint, Pontiac, Lapeer and Warren, the NWS team in Detroit is advising caution for motorists for the remainder of today as snow-covered roadways are especially slick. Snow is also causing reduced-visibility issues for drivers.

Light to moderate snow will continue to impact the region this afternoon, north of M-59. Snow is then expected to fill back in south of the M-59 corridor late tonight.

New snow accumulations up to an inch are possible through late afternoon
China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:CIHKY  Get Free Report) rose 0.1% on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $19.59 and last traded at $19.45. Approximately 28,809 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 71% from the average daily volume of 100,584 shares. The stock had previously closed at $19.43.

China Merchants Bank Price Performance

The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $18.60 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $18.77. The stock has a market capitalization of $98.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.94 and a beta of 0.39.

About China Merchants Bank

(Get Free Report)

China Merchants Bank Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and services. It operates through Wholesale Finance Business, Retail Finance Business, and Other Business segments. The company offers current, demand, time, call, savings, notice, and renminbi accounts. Its loan products include personal commercial real estate, consumption, housing, and car loans; loans to finance for studying abroad; micro-business loans; mortgage loans for equipment; joint guarantee, special guarantee, and housing mortgage loan; bank acceptance, discount, liquid capital, and fixed asset loans; and loans for vessels.

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Fortitude Family Office LLC purchased a new position in Danaher Co. (NYSE:DHR  Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 1,153 shares of the conglomerates stock, valued at approximately $267,000.

Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Dudley & Shanley Inc. raised its stake in shares of Danaher by 11.0% during the 4th quarter. Dudley & Shanley Inc. now owns 110,704 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $25,610,000 after acquiring an additional 10,999 shares in the last quarter. Chemistry Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Danaher during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,097,000. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC increased its stake in Danaher by 42.8% during the 4th quarter. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC now owns 10,679 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $2,470,000 after purchasing an additional 3,202 shares in the last quarter. IFM Investors Pty Ltd increased its stake in Danaher by 3.8% during the 4th quarter. IFM Investors Pty Ltd now owns 149,756 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $34,645,000 after purchasing an additional 5,413 shares in the last quarter. Finally, 17 Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in Danaher during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,418,000. Institutional investors own 76.71% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Danaher

In other Danaher news, SVP Daniel Raskas sold 23,757 shares of Danaher stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $252.00, for a total transaction of $5,986,764.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now 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 through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Teri List sold 3,289 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $248.32, for a total value of $816,724.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 19,726 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,898,360.32. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP Daniel Raskas sold 23,757 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $252.00, for a total transaction of $5,986,764.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 38,102 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,601,704. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 32,957 shares of company stock worth $8,265,802 over the last three months. Insiders own 11.10% of the companys stock.

Danaher Trading Up 0.9 %

Danaher stock traded up $2.36 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $254.04. 2,313,181 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,783,265. Danaher Co. has a fifty-two week low of $182.09 and a fifty-two week high of $259.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $187.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.77, a PEG ratio of 3.85 and a beta of 0.84. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $244.68 and its 200 day simple moving average is $230.76. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31.

Danaher (NYSE:DHR  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 30th. The conglomerate reported $2.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.91 by $0.18. Danaher had a net margin of 17.26% and a return on equity of 12.25%. The firm had revenue of $6.41 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.10 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.87 earnings per share. Danahers revenue was down 10.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Danaher Co. will post 7.63 EPS for the current year.

Danaher Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 26th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 28th will be given a dividend of $0.27 per share. This is a boost from Danahers previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. This represents a $1.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.43%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. Danahers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 15.02%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

DHR has been the topic of several recent research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of Danaher from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $215.00 to $205.00 in a report on Thursday, December 7th. HSBC initiated coverage on shares of Danaher in a report on Monday, December 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Barclays downgraded shares of Danaher from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $240.00 price objective on the stock. in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of Danaher from $254.00 to $282.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. Finally, Wolfe Research initiated coverage on shares of Danaher in a report on Wednesday, December 13th. They set a peer perform rating on the stock. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $266.00.

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Danaher Company Profile

(Free Report)

Danaher Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets professional, medical, industrial, and commercial products and services worldwide. The Biotechnology segments offers bioprocess technologies, consumables, and services that advance, accelerate, and integrate the development and manufacture of therapeutics; cell line and cell culture media development services; cell culture media, process liquids and buffers for manufacturing, chromatography resins, filtration technologies, aseptic fill finish; single-use hardware and consumables and services, such as the design and installation of full manufacturing suites; lab filtration, separation, and purification; lab-scale protein purification and analytical tools; reagents, membranes, and services; and healthcare filtration solutions.

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Fortitude Family Office LLC bought a new stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 6,581 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock, valued at approximately $338,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in BMY. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter valued at $1,873,696,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 114,228.7% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 21,469,785 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,544,751,000 after purchasing an additional 21,451,006 shares in the last quarter. Capital International Investors lifted its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 12.8% during the 2nd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 69,296,006 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $4,431,517,000 after buying an additional 7,878,833 shares in the last quarter. Cowa LLC lifted its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 9,777.8% during the 1st quarter. Cowa LLC now owns 1,657,894 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,211,000 after buying an additional 1,641,110 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 41.8% during the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 5,322,434 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $340,370,000 after buying an additional 1,569,932 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.98% of the companys stock.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Down 0.5 %

Shares of NYSE BMY traded down $0.29 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $51.60. The company had a trading volume of 12,623,708 shares, compared to its average volume of 17,283,379. The stock has a market capitalization of $104.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a quick ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 1-year low of $47.58 and a 1-year high of $71.07. The firms 50 day moving average is $50.58 and its 200-day moving average is $52.73.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Dividend

Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.15. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 50.95% and a net margin of 17.83%. The business had revenue of $11.48 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.19 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.82 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 6.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 5th will be issued a dividend of $0.60 per share. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.65%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 4th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is 62.18%.

Bristol-Myers Squibb announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock repurchase plan on Thursday, December 7th that allows the company to buyback $3.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the biopharmaceutical company to buy up to 2.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are generally a sign that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have weighed in on BMY shares. Redburn Atlantic cut Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $77.00 to $54.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Bank of America cut Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $68.00 to $60.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company lowered 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. Societe Generale cut Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, March 11th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have issued a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $61.12.

View Our Latest Analysis on BMY

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for various anti-cancer indications, including bladder, blood, CRC, head and neck, RCC, HCC, lung, melanoma, MPM, stomach and esophageal cancer; Pomalyst/Imnovid for multiple myeloma; Orencia for active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

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KB Home (NYSE:KBH  Get Free Report) issued its earnings results on Wednesday. The construction company reported $1.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.57 by $0.19, Briefing.com reports. The firm had revenue of $1.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.46 billion. KB Home had a return on equity of 15.87% and a net margin of 9.29%. The companys revenue was up 6.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.45 earnings per share.

KB Home Stock Performance

NYSE KBH traded down $0.22 during trading on Friday, hitting $68.40. The stock had a trading volume of 1,039,481 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,216,971. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.28, a P/E/G ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.73. KB Home has a one year low of $38.26 and a one year high of $72.00. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $63.45 and a 200 day simple moving average of $55.91.

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KB Home Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 22nd. Investors of record on Thursday, February 8th were given a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 7th. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.17%. KB Homes dividend payout ratio is currently 10.88%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have weighed in on KBH. Wedbush raised their price target on KB Home from $60.00 to $64.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday. Evercore ISI reduced their target price on KB Home from $82.00 to $78.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on KB Home from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on KB Home from $63.00 to $69.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded KB Home from a hold rating to a sell rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $55.00 to $46.00 in a research report on Friday, December 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, KB Home presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $61.96.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CFO Jeff Kaminski sold 4,928 shares of KB Home stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $59.86, for a total transaction of $294,990.08. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 38,386 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,297,785.96. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, CFO Jeff Kaminski sold 4,928 shares of KB Home stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $59.86, for a total transaction of $294,990.08. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 38,386 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,297,785.96. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Jeffrey T. Mezger sold 59,157 shares of KB Home stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.34, for a total transaction of $3,569,533.38. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,491,298 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $89,984,921.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 373,635 shares of company stock valued at $22,400,005 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 4.44% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Citigroup Inc. raised its position in shares of KB Home by 20.9% during the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 109,019 shares of the construction companys stock worth $3,530,000 after purchasing an additional 18,818 shares during the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC grew its stake in KB Home by 35.5% during the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 2,169 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $69,000 after acquiring an additional 568 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its stake in KB Home by 39.7% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 96,105 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $3,112,000 after acquiring an additional 27,327 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS grew its stake in KB Home by 10.5% during the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 31,411 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,017,000 after acquiring an additional 2,995 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Great West Life Assurance Co. Can grew its stake in KB Home by 7.1% during the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 47,231 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,571,000 after acquiring an additional 3,140 shares in the last quarter. 91.27% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.

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Mezzasalma Advisors LLC lowered its position in shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 8.0% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 7,957 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 691 shares during the period. Mezzasalma Advisors LLCs holdings in Pfizer were worth $229,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in PFE. Quinn Opportunity Partners LLC bought a new position in Pfizer in the 2nd quarter worth $10,304,000. Fulton Bank N.A. increased its stake in shares of Pfizer by 4.7% in the 3rd quarter. Fulton Bank N.A. now owns 176,239 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $5,846,000 after acquiring an additional 7,991 shares in the last quarter. Portside Wealth Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Pfizer in the 2nd quarter worth about $2,072,000. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. increased its stake in shares of Pfizer by 40.5% in the 3rd quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 4,739,672 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $157,215,000 after acquiring an additional 1,365,295 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Brookstone Capital Management increased its stake in shares of Pfizer by 88.5% in the 3rd quarter. Brookstone Capital Management now owns 452,352 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $14,109,000 after acquiring an additional 212,369 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.05% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently issued reports on PFE. Truist Financial decreased their price target on shares of Pfizer from $42.00 to $36.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. TD Cowen downgraded shares of Pfizer from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $32.00 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $34.00 to $28.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. UBS Group dropped their price target on shares of Pfizer from $34.00 to $27.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 14th. Finally, Guggenheim began coverage on shares of Pfizer in a report on Friday, February 23rd. They set a buy rating and a $36.00 price target on the stock. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $36.88.

Pfizer Stock Performance

NYSE PFE traded down $0.03 on Thursday, reaching $27.67. 29,615,294 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 44,656,723. Pfizer Inc. has a one year low of $25.61 and a one year high of $42.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $156.68 billion, a PE ratio of 76.83, a PEG ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 0.61. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $27.55 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $29.71. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.10 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.19) by $0.29. Pfizer had a net margin of 3.62% and a return on equity of 10.88%. The company had revenue of $14.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.37 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.14 EPS. The firms revenue was down 41.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.22 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Pfizer

(Free Report)

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PFE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report).

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08:03 | Lima, Mar. 22.

As is known, such limitation has led, among other restrictive measures, to the arrest of opposition leaders.

Through Official Statement No. 007 - 2024 , Peru reiterates its call to ensure that the Barbados Agreements, signed last October, is implemented in good faith,
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Siddharth Upasani is a Special Correspondent at Moneycontrol. He has been covering the Indian economy, economic data, and monetary and fiscal policies for nine years. He tweets at @SiddharthUbiWan. Contact: siddharth.upasani@nw18.com
? Este Gobierno viene invirtiendo mas de S/ 2 790 millones para la ejecucion de 301 obras de agua y saneamiento a nivel nacional que benefician a cerca de un millon y medio de peruanas y peruanos. Asi lo destaco la presidenta Dina Boluarte al conmemorar el #DiaMundialDelAgua. pic.twitter.com/rMu0QCcPuT
in today's edition of Moneycontrol Pro Panorama: Bond demand remains strong, can SME IPOs continue its performance run, poll-bound...

Moneycontrol spoke with Ramesh Narasimhan , CEO, Worldline India, about what the Reserve Bank of

The Indian fintech ecosystem is the fastest-growing and the third largest globally, according to Invest India, the countrys National Investment Promotion and Facilitation agency. The industry's market size, which was $50 billion in 2021, is estimated to treble to $150 billion by 2025. One of the major segments of this industry  the payments sector  is expected to hit $50 billion in revenues by 2030.

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Dave Lee is Bloomberg Opinion's US technology columnist. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
Aditi Bhaduri is a journalist and political analyst. Views are personal, and do not represent the stance of this publication.
Karishma Vaswani is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.
YEREVAN, 22 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 22 March, USD exchange rate down by 0.72 drams to 397.76 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 4.84 drams to 430.26 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.07 drams to 4.28 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 8.24 drams to 500.46 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 116.94 drams to 27756.96 drams. Silver price up by 6.78 drams to 325.21 drams.
In a thrilling encounter, the Delhi Capitals clinched victory by 20 runs against the Chennai Super Kings. Stellar performances from David Warner, Rishabh Pant, and Prithvi Shaw powered Delhi to set a challenging target of 192.



Despite a promising start, CSK's opening pair faltered, and Delhi's spinners tightened the grip, restricting their batting lineup.



Although Rahane and Mitchell steadied the innings, quick wickets hindered CSK's chase. A late surge by Dhoni injected some hope, but it wasn't enough to bridge the gap, as Delhi Capitals emerged triumphant, defending their target successfully and securing a crucial win in the IPL match.



Here are some key moments that turned the match:



Delhi Capitals 1st Innings



David Warner smashes the first six of the innings



David Warner hits a four



Deepak Chahar opens the CSK attack.



In 4.5 overs Warner hits four



Prithvi Shaw smashes back-to-back boundaries!



Prithvi Shaw smashes third four on Mustafizur Rahman's delivery



Warner hits four on Jadeja's delivery in 6.4 overs.



Matheesha Pathirana bowls two wides in the 7.4th over.



Warner hits a massive six in 8.1 overs on Ravindra Jadeja's delivery



Warner caught by Matheesha Pathirana on Mustafizur Rahman's delivery



Jadeja dismisses Shaw in 10.4 over



Pant hits SIX in 12.3 on Jadeja's delivery



In 13.6 over, Mitchell Marsh showcases sheer power as he hits a six off Deepak Chahar's delivery!



Clean bold, Marsh out on Matheesha Pathirana delivery in 14.4



Matheesha Pathirana strikes! Tristan Stubbs is bowled, adding to Delhi's troubles with another wicket down.



Rishabh Pant dispatches a delivery from Tushar Deshpande for a boundary!



Rishabh Pant finds the boundary off Mustafizur Rahman, providing a much-needed boost for Delhi Capitals!



Rishabh Pant smashes another boundary, a six!



Rishabh Pant falls, caught by Ruturaj Gaikwad on Matheesha Pathirana delivery on 18.4 overs



Delhi Capitals scores 191/5 in 20 overs



Chennai Super Kings 2nd Innings



DC gets first wicket! Ruturaj Gaikwad caught by Pant on Khaleel Ahmed's delivery



2nd wicket down: CSK in trouble as Rachin caught by Stubbs in 2.5 over on Khalil's delivery



Daryl Mitchell hits 4 on Khalil's delivery



CSK at 23/2 in 5th over



A huge six by Daryl Mitchell on Axar Patel's delivery



A huge six by Ajinkya Rahane on Rasikh Dar's delivery in 9.3 overs



A big six by Daryl Mitchell on Rasikh Dar's delivery in 9.5 overs



Daryl Mitchell out on Axar Patel's delivery



Ajinkya Rahane smashes back-to-back boundaries!



Shivam Dube hits four in 12.5 over on Anrich Nortje's delivery



13.3 over: Rahane out on Mukesh Kumar's delivery caught by David Warner



Another wicket fell Sameer Rizvi out in 13.4 overs. CSK at 102/5



Shivam Dubey caught by Stubbs on Mukesh's delivery in 16.1 over



MS Dhoni hits four



Ravindra Jadeja hits Four on Mukesh Kumar's Delivery



Dhoni hits Four on Mukesh Kumar's Delivery



Dhoni hits a huge Six on Khaleel Ahmed's delivery in 17.5 over



Dhoni hits a huge Six on Anrich Nortje's delivery in 19.2 over



Dhoni hits four in 19.3 overs



Delhi Capitals wins by 20 runs
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Christin Mathew Philip is an Assistant editor at moneycontrol.com. Based in Bengaluru, he writes on mobility, infrastructure and start-ups. He is a Ramnath Goenka excellence in journalism awardee. You can find him on Twitter here: twitter.com/ChristinMP_
On the occasion of the International Day of Forests, yesterday, on March 21st, the environmental NGO My Forest Armenia initiated a conference on the topic Forest ecosystem services and the impact on business. Tigran Mkhitaryan, Corporate Business Director of IDBank also participated in the conference.

During the panel discussion, Tigran Mkhitaryan spoke about the role of environmental programs in business growth and the importance of companies' involvement in environmental sustainability and environmental protection.

According to Tigran Mkhitaryan, one of the directions of corporate social responsibility programs of IDBank and Idram is environmental protection. It is no coincidence that for the second time the joint initiative of Idram and the Bank The Power of One Dram is supporting My Forest Armenia NGO, says Tigran Mkhitaryan.

The entire amount of one drams accumulated during March-April 2022, AMD 10 757 867, was directed to the forest restoration program of My Forest Armenia NGO. As a result, tree planting was organized with the participation of company employees, and 16,000 trees were planted on behalf of IDBank and Idram in the Jrashen area. This speaks not only about the high social responsibility of the companies, but also of the employees.

My Forest Armenia is once again the beneficiary of The Power of One Dram. During the current month March, all the money accumulated in return for customer payments will be transferred to the My Forest Armenia environmental non-governmental organization.

And how much that amount will be depends on everyone. After all, the amount is generated from the number of payments made through the online platforms of Idram&IDBank, IDBanking.am, Idram.am, as well as through the terminals of the companies. By the way, you can pay with Idram at more than 20,000 outlets completing your transaction in a few moments.

Now anyone can become a goodwill ambassador: just join Idram and IDBank, make all your payments online, contactless and safe, and do good deeds without spending a single dram.

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Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has been taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the liquor policy case, withdrew his plea filed before the Supreme Court on Friday.

A special Bench of the top court was scheduled to hear on Friday afternoon the plea filed by Chief Minister Kejriwal seeking quashing of his arrest.

Earlier in the day, Justice Sanjiv Khanna  who returned to the Bench in a different combination  told senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi that the 3-judge special Bench will hold the sitting to hear Kejriwals petition as soon as other matters on board get over.

The same special Bench, comprising Justices Khanna, MM Sundresh and Bela M Trivedi, on Friday, denied any interim relief on a plea filed by BRS leader K. Kavitha against her arrest by the ED in the money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy case.

Agreeing to urgently list CM Kejriwals plea, CJI DY Chandrachud on Friday morning told his counsel senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi: A special bench is convening in Justice Sanjiv Khannas court. You can go right away and it will be taken up right away.

Before Singhvi could mention the matter, Justice Khanna-led special Bench had risen after concluding the scheduled hearing. However, Justice Khanna assured the senior counsel, representing Kejriwal, that the special Bench would assemble as soon as other matters on board get over.

On late Thursday, Chief Minister Kejriwal knocked Supreme Courts doors after the Delhi High Court denied him protection against "coercive action" by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which has issued multiple summons to him in connection with the excise policy case.

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.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on Thursday night by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the liquor policy case after being questioned at his official residence for over two hours, and taken to the agency's office.

The ED team, which included a Joint Director of the agency, moved the CM from his residence to the financial probe agency's office on A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Road at 11 p.m.

A large number of police personnel were also deployed around the agency's office as barricades were put up in the vicinity. Prohibitory orders have also been promulgated.

"Kejriwal will remain in the ED lockup tonight. Investigators are likely to question him (Kejriwal) more. He will be produced before the court on Friday after a medical examination," a source said.

Meanwhile, as per sources, the legal team of the ED is also preparing a remand application to be submitted in court to get Kejriwals custody.

The Delhi Chief Minister's arrest came hours after the Delhi High Court rejected his plea seeking protection from 'coercive action' by the agency, which had served repeated summons to him.

In another setback to Kejriwal, the Supreme Court, which his team had moved against the Delhi High Court order, declined to hold an urgent hearing on Thursday night.

The matter is likely to be mentioned before the apex court for an urgent hearing on Friday morning.

Kejriwal is the biggest name to be arrested in the alleged scam so far, after BRS lawmaker K. Kavitha, former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, and AAP RS member Sanjay Singh, among others.

While the AAP and the opposition parties, including the Congress, the BRS, the Samajwadi Party, the CPI-M, the DMK, and others, slammed the government over Kejriwal's arrest, the BJP welcomed it.

Shortly before Kejriwal's arrest was announced, Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel said that as decided earlier, the Chief Minister will run the government and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) from prison.

"Everyone is aware that Manish Sisodia was arrested without any evidence against him. Additionally, hundreds of people have been detained by the ED so far. The aim is to silence Arvind Kejriwal before the elections," he said.

Earlier, capping a day of fast-moving developments, an ED team reached the CM's residence on Thursday evening where a large contingent of Delhi Police personnel, along with the RAF, was deployed.

Senior officers, including Deputy Commissioner of Police (North), M.K. Meena, and officers of ACP rank were present at the spot.

Delhi Ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj, along with other AAP leaders, had also reached the CM's residence after news of the ED team reaching there came, and claimed that they were stopped from entering the house.

Atishi said that searches were going on at Kejriwal's house, adding that the ED had come with the intent to arrest the Chief Minister.

It's evident how the ED, under the influence of the BJP, demonstrates disregard for the judiciary. Had they respected the courts, they wouldn't have conducted a raid at Arvind Kejriwal's residence today. This situation reeks of political scheming, as their main intention appears to be to arrest Arvind Kejriwal," she said.

Earlier in the day, a division bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain, after hearing the arguments from both sides, declined to pass any order granting interim relief on Kejriwals plea.

The bench on Wednesday asked him why he doesn't appear before the probe agency in response to the summons.

On Thursday, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, contended that the ED's summons lacked clarity regarding the capacity in which Kejriwal was asked to appear, accusing the agency of attempting to create an uneven playing field ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

In response, ASG S.V. Raju, along with special counsel Zoheb Hossain, appearing for the ED, opposed granting interim relief (to Arvind Kejriwal), saying that the law must be applied uniformly to all individuals, regardless of their position.

He clarified that Kejriwal was summoned in his personal capacity, and not as the Chief Minister or the Aam Aadmi Party chief, as he stressed the necessity for the Delhi CM's interrogation based on the available evidence.

The ED had issued its first summons to Kejriwal in October last year, the second in December, and the third summon to appear before it for questioning on January 3.

It had summoned him for the fourth time on January 13, asking him to appear before it on January 18, before issuing its fifth summons to Kejriwal, telling him to appear before the agency on February 2.

On February 19, Kejriwal skipped the EDs sixth summons in connection with the excise policy case. After Kejriwal skipped the seventh summons issued on February 22, the agency issued the eighth summons asking him to appear before it on March 4.

The ninth summons was scheduled for March 21.

The ED has also issued summons to CM Kejriwal in the Delhi Jal Board case.

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.
In the latest development concerning the electoral bonds case, the State Bank of India (SBI) has submitted 'unique alpha-numeric' details to the Election Commission of India (ECI). The data comes in two sets: electoral bonds purchased and those redeemed between 2019 and January 2024. Total donations to all political parties come to over Rs12,769 crore. From this data, one can glean which parties got how much from whom and which were the largest donors.

The top five parties included in redeeming electoral bonds are BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), TMC (All India Trinamool Congress-AITC), Congress (Indian National Congress-INC), BRS (Bharath Rashtra Samithi) and BJD (Biju Janata Dal). If the top five and top 10 donors of political parties are analysed, then some interesting data will appear.

Unknown Donors: The most curious aspect of the data is the large number of redemptions to almost all political parties from unknown sources, identified in the SBI document as NA (not available). The total donations from such unknown sources was over Rs623 crore. Of this, Rs466 crore went to the BJP. Since the bonds could not be purchased without a stringent identification process, it is mystifying that SBI does not know who bought hundreds of crores of bonds. Separately, there is a big mismatch between the total bonds purchased and redeemed, which is around Rs613 crore.

Bhartiya Janata Party: BJP was found to have a lower concentration, with the top 5 donors contributing 28% of its donations. BJP's highest donations were from Megha Engineering and Infrastructure (Rs584 crore), Qwik Supply Chain Pvt Ltd controlled by the Reliance group (Rs375 crore), Vedanta (Rs230.2 crore), Bharti Airtel group (Rs247 crore) and Madanlal Ltd (Rs175.5 crore) while all other donors together contributed Rs4,032.2 crore. In all, BJP received over Rs6,060 crores.

All India Trinamool Congress: AITC's donations were highly concentrated. Future Gaming and Hotel Services Pvt Ltd donated around one-third at Rs542 crore of the total contributions of Rs1,610 crore received by the party through electoral bonds. The other donors in the top five were Haldia Energy (Rs281 crore), Dhariwal Infrastructure Ltd (Rs90 crore), MKJ Infrastructure Ltd (Rs45.9 crore), Avees Trading and Finance (Rs45.5 crore). AITC redeemed bonds worth over Rs1,609 crore.

Indian National Congress: INC, the third largest receiver of donations, received its highest donation from Vedanta (Rs125 crore). The other contributions were from Western UP Power Transmission Co Ltd (Rs110 crore), MKJ Enterprises (Rs91.6 crore), Yashoda Super Specialty Hospital (Rs64 crore) and Avees Trading and Finance (Rs53 crore). Others donated a total sum of Rs907.5 crore. In all, Congress got donations worth over Rs1,421 crore.

Bharat Rashtra Samithi: The highest donor for BJP was also the highest donor of BRS, i.e. Megha Engineering and Infrastructure (Rs195 crore). The other top five donors are Yashoda Super Specialty (Rs94 crore), Chennai Greenwoods Pvt Ltd (Rs50 crore), Dr Reddy's Laboratory (Rs32 crore), Hetero Drugs (Rs30 crore), while other donors contributed around Rs790 crore. BRS received total donations of over Rs1,214 crore.

Biju Janata Dal: For BJD, Essel Mining and Inds Ltd was the highest donor, with a donation of Rs174.5 crore. Jindal Steel and Power Ltd was the second highest donor, with a donation of Rs 100 crore. The other donors in the top five include Utkal Alumina International (Rs70 crore), Rungta Sonsp Ltd (Rs50 crore) and Mssn Mohanty (Rs45 crore). The other donors contributed Rs336 crore. Total donations to BJD were over Rs775 crore.

Dravidra Munnetra Kazhagam: For DMK, the donation contribution was highly concentrated on one donor, i.e., Future Gaming and Hotel Services Pvt Ltd, which was Rs503 crore. Megha Engineering and Infra was the second-highest donor with Rs85 crore. Other donors in the top five made comparatively small donations of Rs8 crore (West Well Gases Pvt Ltd), Rs7 crore (Askus Logistics Pvt Ltd), Rs5 crore (Fertilel and Foods Pvt Ltd). The other donors together contributed Rs24 crore. Total donations were Rs639 crores.

Some of these donations were from companies making net losses or having severely low profit during this period. Future Gaming purchased a total of Rs1,368 crore worth of electoral bonds, but its net profit was just Rs215 crore from FY19-20 to FY22-23.

Similarly, Qwik Supply Chain purchased bonds worth Rs410 crore while its net profit was just Rs109 crore. Further, Navayuga Construction Engineering company purchased bonds worth Rs55 crore but reported a net loss of Rs495 crore from FY19-20 to FY22-23.

Some of the major donors were also found to be under investigation by central investigative agencies. For example, the highest bond buyer, Future Gaming, under investigation by the directorate of enforcement (ED) in July 2019, faced raids in April 2022 and May 2023.

Megha Engineering also faced raids from the ED as well as the income tax (I-T) department. MK Jalan Group donated bonds worth Rs616.9 crore and there was a search by ED in February 2019.

Hero Motocorp faced I-T raids in March 2022 and purchased electoral bonds worth Rs20 crore on 7 October 2022, which were encashed by BJP on 11 October 2022. But the company again faced ED raids at the house of its chairman in August 2023.

Aurobindo Pharma's MD (managing director) was arrested by ED on 10 November 2022. In the same month, Aurobindo Pharma bought an electoral bond worth Rs5 crore on 15 November, which were then encashed by BJP on 21 November 2022.
The RBI on Thursday issued an omnibus framework for recognising self-regulatory organisations (SROs) for its regulated entities such as banks, NBFCs and housing finance companies.

The omnibus SRO framework prescribes the broad objectives, functions, eligibility criteria and governance standards, which will be common for all SROs, irrespective of the sector.

The framework also lays down the broad membership criteria and other terms and conditions to be followed by the SROs for grant of recognition by the Reserve Bank.

The framework states that an SRO is expected to adhere to a set of overarching objectives for betterment of the sector they represent, foster advancement and address critical industry concerns within the broader financial system.

In particular, an SRO is expected to achieve the following objectives:

* Promote a culture of compliance among its members by encouraging progressive practices and conventions. Special attention must be given on extending guidance and support, particularly to smaller entities within the sector.

* Act as the collective voice of its members in engagements with the Reserve Bank, government authorities or other regulatory and statutory bodies, in India.

* Collect and share relevant sectoral information to the Reserve Bank to aid in policy-making.

* Encourage a culture of research and development within the sector to encourage innovation while ensuring the highest standards of compliance and self-governance.

The RBI also said that existing SROs that have already been recognised shall continue to be governed by the terms and conditions under which they were recognised, unless this framework is specifically extended to such SROs.

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.
YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS. On March 22, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a meeting with the Armenian National Assembly Civil Contract Faction. Members of the government also attended the meeting, the National Assembly said.

The discussion primarily focused on the vision for Armenia's development.
An order of the International Court of Arbitration (ICA) of the International Chamber of Commerce based in Chicago has directed Glocal Healthcare Systems Pvt Ltd and four of its promoter-directors, including M Damodaran, former chief of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), liable for a breach of contract against UpHealth Inc and has awarded hefty damages totalling US$110.2mn (million) (about Rs918.75 crore) including legal costs and other expenses incurred in the arbitration.

Responding to this order, Glocal Healthcare has issued a strongly worded press release to say ICA, a private tribunal, does not have jurisdiction in this matter. It also calls the order a one-sided and perverse award against Glocal Healthcare Systems, a company doing path-breaking work in the field of accessible healthcare, and its shareholders.

The release also says, this 'ex-parte award was pronounced notwithstanding the non-participation of the company as well as its promoters and shareholders in the arbitral proceedings'. Mr Damodaran also clarified that he was just a shareholder in Glocal Healthcare. The dispute is related to Glocal Healthcare Systems and the digital health subsidiary of UpHealth Holdings Inc.

UpHealth Inc had purchased a majority shareholding of over 94% in Glocal Healthcare Systems and, following a dispute, there are ongoing lawsuits in India as well. Glocal Healthcares release further refers to criminal fraud perpetrated by UpHealth Holdings, UpHealth Inc and Avi Katz, Raluca Dinu, and Martin S Beck, which has been accepted prima facie by both relevant courts and the investigating authorities. While finding no evidence of misrepresentation by Glocal or its management or shareholders, the private tribunal proceeded to award damages on the claim of loss of control to UpHealth Holdings, which had never been transferred nor could have legitimately been transferred as the transaction was a part of egregious criminal fraud by UpHealth Holdings and others that has subsequently filed for voluntary bankruptcy and is under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in US and by investigating authorities in India."

"The sole reason given by the tribunal is that Glocal and others did not present their case, and therefore, they are responsible for this award. Glocal has always intimated that this case requires criminal investigation and encompasses issues which are on the face of it, nonarbitrable. Participation in such proceedings, which were a nullity and lacking subject matter jurisdiction, would be in contrast to every tenet of legal procedure," it added.

A competent commercial court in India has also returned a categorical finding of fraud committed against Glocal by the delinquents. This was also communicated to the ICC Tribunal, but was brushed aside.

Glocal had also filed a complaint seeking criminal enforcement action against UpHealth Inc with the Securities and Exchange Commission, USA (SEC). The SEC was informed that UpHealth Inc has committed securities fraud of extraordinary proportions in violation of (i) Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (ii) Title 15 U.S. Code  78j(b) and (iii) Title 17 Code of Federal Regulations  240.10b-5. Further, UpHealth Inc has also committed Securities and Commodities fraud punishable with imprisonment under Title 18 U.S. Code  1348.

Meanwhile, the ICA award of US$110.2mn and costs were apportioned based on the shareholders' percentage of each of the Indian directors and shareholders of Glocal: 34.38% to be paid by Dr Syed Sabahat Azim, 34.38% by Richa Sana Azim, 4.69% by Gautam Chowdhury, 22.54% or US$24.83mn (about Rs207 crore) by Meleveetil (M) Damodaran, and 4.02% by Kimberlite Social India Pvt Ltd. As for the finding against Mr Damodaran, he did not influence others to vote in support of two of UpHealth's nominees to the board.

On 30 October 2020, UpHealth and Glocal Healthcare signed a share purchase agreement (SPA), under which the US-based company invested about Rs2,100 crore to acquire a 94.81% stake in the Indian company.

UpHealth alleged that the five directors and stakeholders did not relinquish control of Glocal Healthcare to UpHealth Holdings. The ICA found that they "failed to give (UpHealth Holdings) control of (Glocal Healthcare)" after the closing of the acquisition, despite the payment in full of the acquisition consideration, saying the respondents are personally liable.

Glocal Healthcare, however, says that it has terminated the SPA; the majority shareholding of UpHealth has also been cancelled. "The issues referred to arbitration were non-arbitrable on the grounds of egregious fraud perpetrated by UpHealth Holdings as well as its principals and officials in conspiracy with its holding entity UpHealth. The delinquents dishonestly and fraudulently induced the shareholders of Glocal Healthcare to enter into an SPA, knowing full well that they neither had the intent nor had the wherewithal to fulfil the obligations of the Agreement and the garb of the SPA was only used as an artifice to dishonestly gain access to the shareholding of Glocal Healthcare. These agreements have subsequently been terminated by Glocal Healthcare, and consequently, the majority shareholding of the delinquents in Glocal Healthcare also stands cancelled."

Further, after learning about the "intricate fraud as had been played upon it", Glocal Healthcare says it alerted the authorities in India and immediately registered first information reports (FIRs) against the principals of UpHealth, including Dr Katz, Ms Dinu, Arthur Beck, Ramesh Balakrishnan and Ranjini Ramakrishna.

The company is committed to resisting any and every manner of enforcement of such a defective, void and non-est award. Other matters that the tribunal is opining on are infructuous, including shares fraudulently received by UpHealth Holdings are subject matter of Indian courts and the said excess shares have already been cancelled by the Glocal board after court observations and forensic and legal reports duly received. The company is also in the process of filing a claim for damages against the said entities. On the basis of initial estimates, the same is likely to be quantified at over US$500mn, Glocal Healthcare says.

Meanwhile, UpHealths press statement says that it wants the resignations of two board members, Dr Chirinjeev Kathuria and Dr Mariya Pylypiv, who had joined an investment and voting group of shareholders of Glocal Healthcare when the breach occurred. "Given the harmful conduct of the Glocal Healthcare shareholders, the remainder of the board calls upon Dr Kathuria and Dr Pylypiv to resign immediately from the board to ensure the UpHealth board is comprised of directors who will pursue the collection of this award impartially and without conflict or delay," Dr Katz added.

The litigation in India has been on for a while and there are two orders reported by Live Law on 23 December 2022: https://www.livelaw.in/pdf_upload/uphealth-holdings-inc-versus-glocal-healthcare-systems-452566.pdf and 23 August 2023: https://www.livelaw.in/pdf_upload/judgement-2-489431.pdf that refer to the international arbitration.

It remains to be seen how the matter proceeds based on the latest order.
While Australia's property boom has become the stuff of nightmares for first-time buyers, the market over in the UK is as equally daunting. Just ask those who showed interest in what was being advertised as a $38,000 (20,000) anomaly but eventually sold for a whopping $315,000 (169,000).

The property you ask? An abandoned block of toilets on a plot barely wide enough to swing a cat.

The toilet block in Cornwall has sold for way above its guide price. Source: Clive Emson

Of course, the selling point is the unrivalled and "truly spectacular" sea views in one of the UK's most quaint areas, Cornwall. But what you can actually do with the 0.12-acre sliver of land is yet to be determined. "Future uses [are] all subject to all necessary consents," the local auctioneers who sold the property stressed.

The graffiti-covered structure housing the closed-down toilets does not have an electricity source, with a significant cost expected to install it. Locals in the coastal suburb of Longrock had previously expressed their anger to see the block of toilets fall into disrepair, with some hoping a cafe could be built on the plot.

The view from the oddly-shaped plot is quite breathtaking. Source: Clive Emson

Katie Semmens, of Clive Emson Land and Property Auctioneers, said the huge fee paid on Thursday was an "extraordinary outcome" and speculated the buyer had cash to splash, the BBC reported.

Australia's land values soar

The price of the tiny plot comes as it was revealed the price of a square metre of land in Australia continues to soar. The lure of living in the country's biggest cities has seen suburbs such as Sydney's Paddington and Darlinghurst surge to $27,440 per sqm $25,065 per sqm respectively.

In November, a 56-sqm Paddington studio was sold for a whopping $1.39 million - which works out to an eye-watering $24,821 per sqm.

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Across the Tasman Sea, a 9sqm 'shed' in Auckland sold for a staggering $300,000 in 2022.

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Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both."
Few circumstances infuriate a driver more than finding a shocking parking job impacting the other cars around them.

Ryan O'Daly, sick of seeing just this, has taken matters into his own hands by going so far as to purchase laminated cards to leave on the windscreen of cars parked in such a way.

"Learn to park. You accidentally parked like an a**hole. Get the help you need before becoming the s**thead everyone hates," the black and orange cards read.

Ryan bought the pre-made cards on eBay to use when he sees 'atrocious' parking. Source: TikTok

Ryan, who drives a lot for work, told Yahoo News Australia he purchased the cards from eBay. "I see a lot of atrocious parking jobs," he said. "The cards are a light-hearted and humorous way to spread awareness  and they are reusable!"

While he sees many less-than-perfect parks, he admits he doesn't get the card out too often. "Just when the right opportunity presents itself," he said  like on Saturday when he filmed a dark silver car parked at an angle in Modbury, Adelaide with its front almost on the line leaving little room for anyone on that side to get in and out of the driver seat.

Ryan recently left a card on one windscreen after coming across their inadequate parking job. Source: TikTok

He shared a video of the park along with him putting the card on its windscreen. People impressed by his card asked where they could get them from. "I need these for real," another added.

One did defend the silver car though, saying it was "still in the lines".

Notes often left for parked cars in Aussie cities

While a pre-made card is not common, there are many instances of drivers coming to find angry notes left on their windscreen due to where or how they have parked  with some more warranted than others.

On Monday, a local resident legally parked on a street in Coogee was taken aback to find a note left on her windscreen when she returned to her vehicle. "Please move your car. This is not a parking lot. You do not live in this street!" the note read. And, in January, a dark grey Mazda was seen parked with a note under its windscreen wiper with the note reading:

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"Many three year olds have trouble staying within the lines. Maybe if you practise colouring this turtle, it will help with your parking."

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A passenger on board a Jetstar flight to Bali which was forced to turn back to Melbourne following a womans mid-air outburst has hit out at the airline  calling on them to do better after she was left in tears unable to continue on her holiday.

Ashleigh Baker was on the JQ43 flight on Monday morning when the Denpasar-bound plane was forced to make a U-turn less than halfway through the journey due to the security threat posed by an unruly passenger.

She alleges Jetstar offered little communication or compensation following the altercation and ensuing delay, except to alert passengers a new flight was rescheduled for 10am the following day.

Desperate to get her holiday back on track, Ashleigh contacted Jetstar to see if there were any flights leaving earlier than 10am on Tuesday and after a miscommunication, was almost forced off the replacement flight as well.

"I was running around, crying for the hours before the flight and Jetstar did nothing, she told Yahoo News Australia. "I lost [that] entire day because of this unruly woman, and Jetstar's decision-making.

Ashleigh Baker claims Jetstar had 'little sympathy' and 'no communication' following the incident. TikTok/Getty

Mid-air outburst causes chaos

Ashleigh alleges the drama started on the ground in Melbourne, telling Yahoo the woman was behaving erratically" ahead of the flight. Despite this, all the passengers were allowed to board and two hours after leaving Melbourne, the rowdy mid-air outburst became aggressive so the pilot turned back.

At the time of the incident, a Jetstar spokesperson publicly apologised to those affected, offering accommodation for travellers who needed it until the flight attempts its journey again at 10am on Tuesday.

"We know this was a difficult experience for other customers and our team members, and we thank those who assisted with the situation," a Jetstar spokesperson said.

After landing back in Melbourne, Ashleigh contacted Jetstar to see if there were any other flights leaving earlier than 10am the following day  as she was already eating into her holiday time.

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"They offered a 20-hour duration flight that left at 11pm [Monday] and would stop in Sydney, and I said no  just stick to the 10am replacement," she explained.

The original flight to Bali was forced to turn around following an unruly passenger's tirade turning abusive according to witnesses. Source: Nine News

With her boarding pass confirming the 10am flight, she arrived at the airport on Tuesday morning and "walked straight" through security and immigration.

"It was only when my partner asked the flight number and [we were told] 'that takes off at 6pm' that I realised there were two flights," Ashleigh said.

Miscommunication leaves passenger 'in tears'

To cater for all of the passengers who were forced to turn back to Melbourne, Jetstar had added an extra flight to the Tuesday schedule which meant one flight had to be pushed back. Ashleigh had been booked on the second flight, which was delayed.

Ashleigh claims after being told by staff she was put on the later flight, leaving at 6pm Tuesday, she "went to border security" to ask for help, who phoned the Jetstar desk.

"[Jetstar] asked me to come to the gate [so] I went and waited for over an hour before they arrived, which was now 45 mins before take off," she said.

Ashleigh claims this is when Jetstar staff told her there was "nothing they could do" and she would have to wait until the evening. "They had left me in tears saying nothing can be done and its my fault for not checking earlier," she said.

In one final, last-ditch effort to get onto the earlier flight, Ashleigh "ran back" to border security to ask for their help in getting her on this flight. "[Border security] phoned them and essentially forced them to put me on the flight and gave me 'immigration clearance'.

"I had so many fellow passengers advocating for me and everyone clapped for me when I got on because they all knew what happened."

'The final straw' for passenger

After the lack of adequate compensation following the incident, the constant problems with communication and "little sympathy" from staff on Tuesday, Ashleigh said the "final straw" for her came when Jetstar staff tried to stop her boarding the 10am flight.

"I was told I should have flagged at check-in, yet I mobile checked in and received no communications," she recalled.

Ashleigh says there were so many people on the flight impacted, and while Jetstar could "do better" by offering compensation they "chose not to". "I met a couple on their honeymoon, families on their first trip overseas," she said.

Jetstar claims it was passenger's decision to change flight

Jetstar has insisted it was Ashleigh who had moved herself off the 10am Tuesday flight but was then moved back to it, despite there seemingly being miscommunications from airport staff on the day.

"All affected customers including Ms Baker were moved to our replacement flight the following morning. Ms Baker subsequently requested several flight changes which we assisted her with," a spokesperson told Yahoo. "Later she asked to be moved back to her original rescheduled flight which we arranged."

But Ashleigh has disputed this, alleging border security were the only reason she made it onto the 10am flight on Tuesday, while Jetstar did "nothing". "It would have been another half day if border security hadnt forced them to let me on the earlier flight."

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Grassroots activism against FGM needs more help, says Nimco Ali (Daniel Hambury/@stellapicsltd)

With brutal timing, on International Womens Day, the UN released data that showed that 30 million girls have been subject to female genital mutilation (FGM) between 2016 and 2023. That means globally now more than 230 million girls and women alive today have undergone this abhorrent practice.

As gut-wrenching as this news was, it was not the only shocking revelation on that day. Pro-FGM MPs and their supporters in Gambia also tabled their legislation to repeal the ban on FGM that day. FGM whenever it happens is an incredibly cruel and painful act, as I know personally, but in Gambia it is carried out on babies. To see men seeking to overturn legislation which seeks to protect children is just beyond words.

The anti-FGM legislation in Gambia was passed in 2015 as a result of the work led by Jaha Dukureh, an amazing Gambian activist who herself had FGM before her first birthday. I worked with Jaha as she fought to ban FGM in Gambia and I saw the change the law was making, how it gave women the power to protect their daughters.

Nearly 80 per cent of women and girls in Gambia have been subjected to FGM, but those shocking numbers were falling in the young population, making Gambia one of the places we were seeing change. It was this change which the Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron had spoken about.

Cameron is familiar with the issue of FGM. When he was prime minister in 2014, he hosted the first Girl Summit, aimed at mobilising efforts to end female genital mutilation.

And when Lord Cameron spoke on March 4, there were things to be hopeful about: countless girls have been protected in the UK from FGM thanks to the work his government started in 2014.

Much of the money the UK has invested in FGM had done little for women and girls

But what was missing from his speech  which I listened to in a grand room at the Foreign Office  was that much of the money the UK has invested in FGM had done little for women and girls. And that it had failed to support grassroots activism which is at the heart of any social change, especially the social change needed to end FGM.

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I have written about this before, so I wont talk about it here, but what I will say is that both Cameron and Andrew Mitchell, his development minister, are men who not only get that we need to end FGM but also passionately care. I hope they now use that passion to stand with not just with the women of Gambia but all women across Africa and change the way their department funds and works with those of us seeking to protect women and girls.

We could have saved those 30 million (yes, you read that number right) girls who have been added to the dry, devastating global statistics of FGM.

Grassroots activism needed much, much more help. I was part of the programme in 2013 that gave Jaha Dukureh the funds and support to lead a successful campaign to ban FGM in Gambia. My foundation is one of those helping mobilise womens organisations in Gambia to push back against the men who want to lift the ban on FGM. Men who are well funded and organised.

Imam Fatty is leading the fight to repeal the anti-FGM legislation and has built an army of supporters over the past 10 years. Meanwhile, womens organisations have been left out in the cold, so when he and his allies launched their hateful campaign on International Womens Day, they were sending a message not just to the women of Gambia, but also to those of us who failed to support those women.

This is a message which, if we dont heed it, will have a devastating impact across the region. Think of countries like Mali and Sierra Leone  where a few weeks ago several young women died as a result of FGM. Keeping the ban in Gambia is key to saving lives.

I hope if he really wants to have a true legacy of change in the world, David Cameron not only engages in the fight to end FGM again but this time really listens to African women on the frontline. Not the pen-pushers at the Foreign Office, who have let so many down in the way they have invested money that could have saved women and girls.

Nimco Ali is an activist and columnist
UN agencies fear about 70 missing or dead from capsized Rohingya refugee boat View Photo

MEULABOH, Indonesia (AP) 

About 70 Muslim Rohingya refugees are feared missing or dead from a boat that made a grueling sea voyage from Bangladesh and sank off Indonesias coast this week with 75 survivors, U.N. agencies said.

A statement issued jointly by U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, or UNHCR, and the International Office for Migration, or IOM, said they were extremely concerned about the scale of potential loss of life, saying that accounts from survivors indicated about 150 people originally were aboard.

That likely would have included a crew of about five people, who apparently abandoned the vessel and whose whereabouts are unknown. Two survivors told The Associated Press on Friday that the captain and four crew abandoned the boat for another one when the refugee vessel started to sink.

Indonesian fishermen raised the alarm about the stricken vessel Wednesday when they started rescuing its passengers, and an Indonesian search and rescue ship on Thursday pulled remaining people from the capsized hull about 22 kilometers (14 miles) off the western coast of Indonesias Aceh province.

The U.N. joint statement did not specify the exact number of people believed lost, but a website maintained by UNHCR said 75 people were reported dead or missing from a boat whose details match the one that capsized Wednesday.

If confirmed this would be the biggest loss of life so far this year, said the statement, referring to a steady stream of boats carrying Rohingya seeking to escape crowded refugee camps in Bangladesh and Myanmar.

There has been a notable increase in Rohingya refugee arrivals in Indonesia over the past year. The 2,300 refugees who arrived in 2023 were more than the previous four years combined, the statement said.

The survivors from the boat are 44 men, 22 women and nine children. A few were taken to a local hospital for treatment but most were sent to a temporary shelter in the Acehs Barat district. Several told UNHCR workers they had lost family members on the journey.

In one case, there was a child whose parents and siblings died during the trip, Faisal Rahman, a UNHCR staff member in Aceh, said Friday. There was another case, a husband whose wife and child died. Also, children whose mothers have died. So there were several families who said their relatives had disappeared or died at sea,

Soliya Begum, a 18-year-old survivor, told The Associated Press the captain scuttled the boat and fled to another one with his crew when it started taking on water. Her account could not be immediately confirmed. Sometimes people purposely sink refugee boats to force rescuers from destination nations to take the passengers ashore, but usually such action is taken closer to land.

Another survivor, Akram Ullah, 30, told the AP that the boat had left Bangladesh on March 9 and that its captain and at least some of its crew were Indonesian. He also said the captain and four other crew members fled the boat as it was starting to sink.

About 1 million Rohingya from Myanmar are refugees in Bangladesh. They include about 740,000 who fled in 2017 to escape a brutal counterinsurgency campaign by Myanmar security forces, who were accused of committing mass rapes and killings and burning thousands of homes. The Rohingya minority in Myanmar faces widespread discrimination and most are denied citizenship.

With inadequate water, sanitation, and health care, life is hard in the refugee camps in Bangladesh. which are susceptible to fire, flood and outbreaks of disease. There are few opportunities for meaningful work and violent criminal gangs terrorize residents.

The aid agency Save the Childfren said the continuing sea voyages reflect the dire situation in the camps in Bangladesh. It said 250 unaccompanied children were among the Rohingya who arrived in Indonesia in the last three months of last year.

The presence of unaccompanied children in Aceh is alarming and suggests that Rohingya families are desperate enough to send their children away in search of a better life, the groups temporary Indonesia director Dessy Kurwiany Ukar said.

The group said other countries in the region besides Indonesia should share the responsibility for taking in Rohingya refugees.

___

Tarigan reported from Jakarta. AP journalist Grant Peck contributed to this story from Bangkok.

By REZA SAIFULLAH and EDNA TARIGAN

Associated Press
Fugitive Catalan chief Puigdemont pledges he will return to Spain if he can be restored to power

Fugitive Catalan chief Puigdemont pledges he will return to Spain if he can be restored to power View Photo

BARCELONA, Spain (AP)  Carles Puigdemont, the former leader of the Spanish region of Catalonia who fled the country after a failed secession attempt six years ago, said Thursday that he will return to Spain if he has a viable chance to be restored as regional president following upcoming elections.

Puigdemont, 61, ran to Belgium after leading a 2017 breakaway bid that quickly collapsed and is still a wanted man in Spain. A contentious amnesty bill, crafted by Spains left-wing government to clear him and hundreds of other supporters of Catalan independence, is slowly making its way through the national Parliament.

I will run in the next elections for the Catalan Parliament  now that I have the chance to restore my presidency, Puigdemont said at a rally in Elna, France, near the Spanish border, when he announced his candidacy. The countdown until my return begins today.

It appears that Puigdemont will campaign from abroad for his party in the May 12 regional ballot, that was called by Catalans regional president Pere Aragones, a political rival of Puigdemont inside the separatist camp, after he failed to pass a regional budget last week.

It is still unclear, however, if Puigdemont will be able to avoid legal trouble if he returns  and he would need to physically be present in Barcelona to be able to become the regional president. Puigdemont admitted that the risk would still exist that, in his words, a judge could rebel and try to bring him before a court even if the amnesty is in effect.

Puigdemont has continued his political career as a self-styled political exile from Waterloo. He won a European Parliament seat in 2019 and maintained the leadership of his Junts Together party while cultivating an almost cult-like status as the figurehead of the movement in exile.

He appeared to be fading in relevance until an inconclusive national election in Spain in July, which left his Junts and Aragones party holding the keys to power. They were able to secure an amnesty for hundreds of Catalan separatists in legal trouble in exchange for allowing Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to form a new government.

The amnesty has received initial approval from the lower house of Spains Parliament, but it will likely be rejected by the Senate and not finally pushed into law by the lower house until mid- to late May. Spains conservatives oppose the amnesty and have organized several protests against it.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Puigdemont on charges of the misuse of public funds during the 2017 secession attempt. And in recent months another investigative judge has opened a probe examining the possibility that Puigdemont was the leader of a shadowy Internet-based group called Tsunami Democratic that organized protests in Barcelona and other parts of Catalonia that turned violent in 2019.

I believe Mr. Puigdemont is in a very sticky situation, Mario Pereira, professor of law at the University of Navarra, told The Associated Press.

The checkmate against him is the case against the Tsunami Democratic, he said. Because it is a terrorism probe and Puigdemont has a record as a flight risk, Pereira said the politician could be placed in pre-trial custody, perhaps for months, if he comes back to Spain.

Puigdemont also has his work cut out to secure the backing of a majority of lawmakers in forming a new regional government in Barcelona.

He successfully campaigned for Junts from Belgium in an election in 2017 weeks after fleeing, helping a member of his party then be named regional president. But after a 2021 ballot, Republic Left of Catalonia beat out Junts and took power, and Junts performed poorly in the July national elections.

Polls show Junts trailing both Sanchezs Socialist Party and Aragones Republic Left of Catalonia, but political watchers expect Puigdemont to draw some votes from Republic Left of Catalonia to Junts  and perhaps also boost the vote for the Socialists and conservatives among Catalans who fear his return to power. Puigdemont maintains his goal of carving out a new state in northeast Spain.

Junts still appeals to its electorate thanks to his (Puigdemonts) charismatic pull, Lluis Orriols, a political science professor at Madrids Carlos III University, told the AP. Carles Puigdemont can still cash in on his epic status as the leader who went in exile.

The priorities of Catalans have also changed. A record drought is their number one concern, according to the most recent survey by Catalonias public opinion office. The survey also said 51% of Catalans are against independence while 42% are for it. When Puigdemont left in 2017, it was 49% in favor of independence and 43% against.

By JOSEPH WILSON

Associated Press
Sonora, CA Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (D-Jackson), in collaboration with Assemblyman James C. Ramos, Chair of the Native American Caucus, has announced the commencement of a 10-day statewide Tribal listening tour across nine counties during the Legislatures spring recess. The Senator has extended invitations to members from both houses of the California State Legislature to join her in this endeavor.

Senator Alvarado-Gil reflected on the importance of the listening tour, stating, As stewards of California policy, it is critical that we gain a greater understanding of the sovereign nations and how our governments intersect. The listening tour provides an opportunity for legislators to listen, learn, and collaborate with tribal communities. By approaching this tour with humility and openness, we can better address the needs and aspirations of our tribal partners.

During the tour, Senator Alvarado-Gil will immerse herself in the cultural heritage of the following tribes:

Yurok Tribe of the Yurok Reservation, California

Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation

Barona Capitan Grande Band of Diegueno Mission Indians of California

Morongo Band of Mission Indians, California

Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians of California

Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians of the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation, California

Big Pine Paiute Tribe of the Owens Valley and Bishop Paiute Tribe

Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians of California

Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation

Tuolumne Band of Mi-Wuk Indians
Article submitted by Sonora High School:

Sonora, CA  Ashton Martinez is a normal teenager. Apart from the big hair and big personality, he doesnt stand out in a crowd from his peers at Sonora High School. Hes kind, down-to-Earth, and goofyalways cracking jokes. But when it comes to music, Martinez is as serious as can be.

During the holidays, he was given an unexpected opportunity, and he made the most of it. The school had a rally coming up, and planned to have students perform holiday raps dressed as characters such as Santa Claus, The Grinch, and Frosty the Snowman. With the script finished and rehearsals having gone on for weeks, Martinez was asked at the last minute to jump in as the surprise last guestto roast all the others. Martinez recalled the experience, saying, Mr. Smith called me and said, Ive got a crazy idea, but I think youd be perfect for it and once he explained it, I was pumped. I wrote my rap that night, recorded it the next morning, and performed it that afternoon in front of the whole school. I was super nervous, but it was the most fun I think Ive ever had.

Growing up in the Bay Area, with family members and friends involved in music production, Martinez has long had the dream of being a performer. He has recorded his own songs in studios and performed small gigs in the Bay and in the Mother Lode, as he has grown a solid following online. With regularity, he writes new songs and works them out in the studio, and repeats the process over and againhoning his craft. For several years, he has been putting in many hours to this end, waiting for the next opportunity.

In mid-February, Sonora High held a talent show, the first one in many years. Seeing a chance to show his skills and get some practice, Martinez was one of the first acts to sign on. To drum up interest, he and a staff member promoted their rap battle act on the schools social media page. Each went back and forth, making fun of one anothers generations, and teasing one another about everything from their taste in music to their age. Martinez said, My favorite line was probably Man you old as the Goonies, how you a teacher but cant even school me? It was just good banter back and forth, and we did the whole thing kind of being silly, just to help the audience have a good time.

Martinez noted that they put in a lot of work planning not just the raps, but the act as a whole. This was just another avenue that Martinez used to expand his skillset. It was a really fun way to show what I can do in front of the school and community. I knew we had something fun, but it went even better than I expected, he noted, referring to the fact that the act won the Best Overall performance in the talent show. I wrote the first rap in only about 90 minutes, and the second one in less time, so it felt good to know I can do this if Ive got the right mindset and inspiration. This just motivated me to write so much more, Martinez said. I know how much Ashton loves music and I just keep making him do stuff to use that gift, said his teacher, Greg Smith. Hes got a great personality and a ton of talent, so I just keep telling him to go after any opportunity, no matter how small. He has done that, and Im super proud of him, Smith said.

During the run-up to the Talent Show, another opportunity presented itself, and as instructed, Martinez jumped at it. The spring play had already been cast, but he was encouraged behind the scenes to go and talk to the Drama teacher about joining. Initially she (Drama teacher, Anita Leonard) told me it was cast already and that was that, but she was kind and let me come read, and later the student who had the role was like you should do it and I was added. Its been a cool journey, Martinez reflected. This week she said I knew my lines better than most and she was so glad I joined, and the whole thing has just given me a ton of confidence.

Martinez never saw himself joining Drama or performing in a play, but his foray into acting was just like the other eventssomething to get him on stage. I never planned to be in plays or anything like that, but the part was a kid who raps at a school talent show, so I knew I could do thateasy, Martinez said. Seeing the ins-and-outs and everything that goes into a play, its surreal. Ive always loved watching movies, but to have to learn the script and do all the blocking and dancing and memorization to get off bookthats all new and exciting. I had no idea how much went into it and its really cool to see, he said.

Recently, Martinez added to his quickly growing resume by performing a show in the Bay Area in front of hundreds of people. He also finished several new songs, is currently experimenting with new recording techniques and software, and working on promoting his growing song list. A lot of people think it sounds weird to say Im going to be a rapper and I get that. But I know I can do this, and I know my drive and how much this matters to me. There are safer paths out there, but this is the one Im going to take. Right now, it feels like the only one I can.
UN seeks $4B for aid in Syria as civilians face growing humanitarian crisis View Photo

BEIRUT (AP)  A U.N. humanitarian official appealed Friday for more than $4 billion in life-saving aid for more than 10 million Syrians, saying that the countrys largely forgotten crisis remains one of the most deadly to civilians in the world.

Adam Abdelmoula, resident coordinator in Syria for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, made the appeal days after Syria marked the 13th anniversary of the conflict that has killed nearly a half million people and left large parts of the country destroyed.

Today, we are facing an unprecedented situation in Syria  one that we cannot afford to ignore, Abdelmoula told reporters in Geneva. Inaction will be costly for all of us and will inevitably lead to additional suffering.

About 16.7 million people require some form of humanitarian assistance in Syria, an increase from 15.3 million last year, he said. Over 7 million people are internally displaced and nearly as many are refugees in other countries, including neighboring Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.

Abdelmoula said the U.N. is seeking $4.07 billion to provide life-saving aid to 10.8 million Syrians.

The war has left 90% of Syrias population below the poverty line as millions face cuts in food aid because of a funding shortfall. The U.N. World Food Program ended its main assistance program in the country in January.

The Syria crisis remains one of the most deadly to civilians in the world. Hostilities continue to plague various parts of Syria and have recently seen a sharp spike, especially in the north, Abdelmoula said.

He suggested that Israels war against Hamas in Gaza had given cover for more military activity in parts of Syria.

We saw the worlds attention focusing on Gaza, and that provided some kind of diversion of attention that allowed the significant escalation of hostilities in the northeast without much attention being paid to that situation by the international community, Abdelmoula said.

He said aid to Syria is being affected by other conflicts in the world.

We are competing with so many crises. If you look at the global picture, you have Gaza, you have Ukraine, you have Sudan, you have Afghanistan  and the list goes on and on, he said.

With each emerging crisis, the Syria one that is now over a decade old keeps being pushed to the back burner, said Abdelmoula. We are struggling to keep it in the global attention. And that is proving to be challenging every year.

____

Keaten reported from Geneva.

By BASSEM MROUE and JAMEY KEATEN

Associated Press
Battleship on the Delaware River: USS New Jersey traveling to Philadelphia for repairs View Photo

CAMDEN, N.J. (AP)  Residents in the Philadelphia area are about to see a rare site  a battleship floating down the Delaware River.

The USS New Jersey is scheduled to move from its dock in Camden on Thursday, when it will head to the Philadelphia Navy Yard for extensive maintenance work. The vessel, guided by tugboats, will initially head to the Paulsboro Marine Terminal, where it will be balanced to prepare for dry docking, and will then go to the Navy Yard six days later.

The maintenance work is expected to take about two months to complete, officials said. Three major repair projects are planned, including repainting the ships hull, fixing the anti-corrosion system underneath the ship and inspecting through-hull openings.

The battleship, which was built in the 1940s in Philadelphia, served for about 50 years before its retirement in February 1991. It has been a floating museum since 2001. The ship was built at the former Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and was launched from there on Dec. 7, 1942, the first anniversary of the Japanese air attack on Pearl Harbor.

The ship is the most decorated battleship in Navy history, earning distinction in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War and conflicts in the Middle East, according to its website. The ship steamed more miles, fought in more battles and fired more shells in combat than any other battleship.

By BRUCE SHIPKOWSKI

Associated Press
New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez says he wont run in Democratic primary View Photo

TRENTON, N.J. (AP)  U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey said Thursday he wont run in the Democratic primary as he faces federal corruption charges, but he left open the possibility that he would reenter the race as an independent later this year if he is exonerated at a trial.

Menendezs announcement comes four days before a state deadline to file to run in the June 4 Democratic primary thats already being contested by Rep. Andy Kim and New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy. The almost 10-minute video shows Menendez speaking about his decades in Congress, pushing for aid for his state, including for Superstorm Sandy recovery and COVID-19 relief.

The present accusations I am facing of which I am innocent and will prove so will not allow me to have that type of dialogue and debate with political opponents, he said in a video posted on social media. You deserve to hear from those who wish to represent you about what they would do for you and your families in the future. Therefore I will not file for the Democratic party this June.

Menendez said hes hopeful that he will be exonerated at trial and could run as an independent Democrat in the general election.

The decision comes as Menendez fights federal bribery charges, along with his wife, Nadine, and three business associates.

Menendez and his spouse are charged with taking bribes of gold bars, cash and a Mercedes-Benz in return for the senators help with projects pursued by three New Jersey businessmen. In return for the haul, Menendez helped one of the men get a lucrative meat-certification deal with Egypt, taking actions favorable to the Egyptian government, according to prosecutors. An additional indictment said Menendez helped another associate get a deal with a Qatari investment fund.

The senator, his wife and two of the three business associates have pleaded not guilty. One of the business associates has pleaded guilty and agreed to testify in the case.

Menendezs retreat from the Democratic primary sets the stage for Murphy and Kim to vie to be the partys standard bearer in a deep blue state that hasnt elected a Republican to the Senate since 1972.

Murphy is a first-time candidate whos running with the backing of influential party insiders. Kim is a three-term congressman whos centered his campaign in part on upending the states unique ballot design, widely viewed as favoring candidates preferred by county party insiders.

I will win in November even if I have to beat Menendez and a Republican simultaneously, Kim said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Murphy said in a post on X that the state needs a senator focused on issues confronting families in New Jersey.

Senator Menendez continues to place himself ahead of whats best for New Jerseyans and the Democratic Party as a whole. He shouldnt have the privilege of serving in the Senate in any capacity, she said.

The stakes are high, with Democrats competing to hold on to their narrow control of the Senate.

Republicans have their own primary unfolding, featuring southern New Jersey businessman Curtis Bashaw, Mendham Borough Mayor Christine Serrano Glassner and former TV news reporter Alex Zdan.

Menendez, whos serving a third full term in the Senate, has been elected to office at every level in the state. His stature among Democrats withstood an earlier federal corruption trial that ended in a hung jury and saw him reelected in 2018 with the full-throated endorsement of his party.

This time, though, Democrats called for his resignation soon after the Justice Departments case was unsealed. The day after the first indictment in September, Kim announced his campaign.

Menendez, who has espoused a defiant tone since the indictment was announced, mingled that with conciliation in his more than nine-minute video.

I know many of you are hurt and disappointed in me with the accusations Im facing, he said. Believe me, I am disappointed at the false accusations as well. All I can ask of you is to withhold judgement until justice takes place.

The son of Cuban immigrants and an attorney by training, Menendez was a Union City, New Jersey, school board member at age 20 and went on to become the mayor of the city, where he still has deep roots.

His own biography touts the fact that he wanted to fight corruption early in his political career, testifying against Union City officials and building a reputation as tough. From there, he was elected to the state Assembly, then the state Senate before heading to the U.S. House.

Menendez was appointed to be a U.S. senator in 2006 when the seat opened up after Jon Corzine, the incumbent at the time, became governor.

He was elected outright in 2006 and again in 2012 and 2018. He served as chair of the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee beginning in 2013, but lost that post after the earlier indictment. He regained the position after federal prosecutors did not renew charges in that case, which ended in a mistrial.

He again was forced to give up that position after he was indicted in 2023.

By MIKE CATALINI

Associated Press
Alabama woman who faked kidnapping pleads guilty to false reporting View Photo

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP)  An Alabama woman who claimed she was abducted after stopping her car to check on a wandering toddler pleaded guilty on Thursday to charges of giving false information to law enforcement.

News outlets reported that Carlee Russell pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of false reporting to law enforcement and falsely reporting an incident. She was given a suspended six-month sentence which will allow her to avoid jail. She was ordered to pay more than $17,000 restitution.

Her two-day disappearance, and her story of being abducted alongside an interstate highway, captivated the nation before police called her story a hoax.

Russell, accompanied to court by her family and defense lawyers, apologized for her actions.

I want to genuinely apologize for my actions. I made a grave mistake while trying to fight through various emotional issues and stress. Im extremely remorseful for the panic, fear and various range of negative emotions that were experienced across the nation, Russell said according to WBRC.

Russell disappeared July 13 after calling 911 to report a toddler beside a stretch of Interstate 459 in the Birmingham suburb of Hoover. She returned home two days later and told police she had been abducted and forced into a vehicle.

Police quickly cast doubt on Russells story. Her attorney issued a statement through police acknowledging there was no kidnapping and that she never saw a toddler. In the statement, Russell apologized to law enforcement and the volunteers who searched for her.

The Alabama attorney generals office had argued that Russell should spend time in jail because of the time and energy that law enforcement spent in looking for her.

Jefferson County Circuit Judge David Carpenter told Russell that while her actions caused panic and disruption in the community that it would be a waste of resources to put her in jail for misdemeanors, news outlets reported.

Katherine Robertson, Chief Counsel in the Alabama attorney generals office, said Thursday that they are disappointed, but not surprised that Russell did not get the requested jail time.

Robertson said current law provides a weak penalty for false reporting and fails to account for situations, like Ms. Russells, that result in a significant law enforcement response. Alabama legislators this year are considering a bill that would enhance penalties for falsely reporting crimes. The attorney generals office is supporting that effort.

The next time law enforcement resources are needlessly wasted in this manner, the offender will be forever labeled a felon, Robertson said.
Prosecutors in 3 Wisconsin counties decline to pursue charges against Trump committee, lawmaker View Photo

MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Prosecutors in three Wisconsin counties declined to pursue felony charges of campaign finance violations against former President Donald Trump s fundraising committee and a Republican state lawmaker related to an effort to unseat Assembly Speaker Robin Vos.

The prosecutors cited conflicts of interest, in some cases because they too are actively involved in their local Republican parties.

The Wisconsin Ethics Commission, which recommended last month that charges be filed, announced the local prosecutors decisions in a memo prepared for a Friday meeting. Charges were also forwarded to district attorneys in three additional counties but they had yet to inform the commission of their plans.

The ethics commission on Friday referred the charges to counties adjacent to the three that declined to prosecute. Ultimately, the state attorney general, Democrat Josh Kaul, could be asked to prosecute the cases.

The commission alleges that Trumps fundraising committee and state Rep. Janel Brandtjen, a Trump ally, conspired in a scheme to evade campaign finance laws to support the Republican primary challenger to Vos in 2022.

Vos had angered Trump by firing a former state Supreme Court justice Vos had hired to investigate Trumps discredited allegations of fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Vos launched the probe under pressure from Trump, but eventually distanced himself from Trumps effort to overturn President Joe Bidens win in Wisconsin.

Trump and Brandtjen then tried to unseat Vos by backing a GOP primary opponent, Adam Steen. Trump called Steen a motivated patriot when endorsing him shortly before the 2022 primary. Vos, the longest-serving Assembly speaker in Wisconsin history, defeated Steen by just 260 votes.

Steen is currently backing an effort to recall Vos from office.

The ethics commission alleges that Trumps Save America political action committee, Brandtjen, Republican Party officials in three counties and Steens campaign conspired to avoid state fundraising limits as they steered at least $40,000 into the effort to defeat Vos.

The commission alleges that those involved took advantage of Wisconsin laws that allow for unlimited donations to political parties, but then illegally steered the money to Steen. State law caps individual donations to Assembly candidates at $1,000.

The ethics commission recommended that charges be brought against the Trump fundraising committee, Brandtjen, Steens campaign, eight other individuals and three county Republican parties.

Prosecutors in Chippewa, Florence and Langlade counties declined to prosecute. The allegations were also referred to district attorneys in Racine, St. Croix and Waukesha counties.

Chippewa County District Attorney Wade Newell had said he would not pursue the charges because he is a member of the county Republican Party, which could be charged.

Florence County District Attorney Doug Drexler said in a letter to the commission that he had a conflict of interest because he has been a member of the county Republican Party for more than 30 years and performed legal services for members of the party.

Langlade County District Attorney Kelly Hays on Friday provided a letter she sent to the ethics commission indicating that she had a conflict of interest, but the letter did not say what the conflict was. She did not respond to follow-up questions.

By SCOTT BAUER

Associated Press
The Buffalo church that in 1976 hosted Cardinal Karol Wojtyla  who became globe-trotting Pope John Paul II and St. John Paul II after his death  is the latest Catholic church in danger of being shut down because it cant pay its bills.

Parishioners of St. Casimir, a multi-domed architectural gem built in 1929 and believed to be the first church in the United States with a Byzantine Romanesque design, recently made a $5,000 payment to the Buffalo Diocese to keep the building insurance from lapsing and to stave off closure  at least through the end of March.

Longtime church members said the Kaisertown church should be saved because it is a one-of-a-kind structure in Western New York that offers a unique Catholic experience.

People who come here say, I cant get this anywhere else, said Lisa Molle, who drives from Williamsville for the weekly five senses worship experience that regularly features the burning of incense and other traditions ignored by most parishes.

Molle said she and her husband cried at every Mass for the first few months they attended St. Casimirs on Sunday mornings, because of the overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit inside the church.

The regular worshippers, many of whom are senior citizens, need help paying parish bills totaling as much as $20,000 per month.

Church members said theyve reached out for help to Lovejoy District Common Council Member Bryan J. Bollman, as well as potential benefactors, including restaurateur Russell J. Salvatore, who donates to a variety of Catholic and other causes.

But they are running out of time.

Diocese officials have already confirmed that three churches  All Saints in Buffalos Riverside neighborhood, St. Andrew in the Town of Tonawanda, and St. Lawrence on Buffalos East Side near the Cheektowaga border  will be closing this year after evaluations of their finances determined they werent viable.

At a meeting earlier this month, the Rev. Michael Brown, pastor of a family of four parishes that includes St. Casimir Church, told parishioners the church was behind in its insurance payments to the diocese by more than $200,000 and needed to pay at least $5,000 immediately to forestall a lapse in liability coverage.

Between now and last Sunday, we coughed up enough money to stay open until the end of March, said Linda Smith, a longtime parishioner who serves on the finance council.

The self-insured diocese had been charging about $35,000 per year to insure the St. Casimir Church campus at Cable and Casimir streets.

Weve been paying as much as we could, but certainly not the amount that was due, said Smith.

The insurance rate is now going up to $55,000 per year, she said.

The building also has maintenance needs estimated at $350,000 for tuckpointing, brick work and other repairs, and recently vandals have stolen valuable copper gutters and spray-painted graffiti on doors.

Were trying like hell to make ends meet, said David Grzybek, a lifelong member of the parish who is president of the Holy Name Society and serves as head usher.

The Rev. Bryan Zielenieski, the dioceses vicar for renewal, wrote in a letter that the parish had a year to get its finances in order, according to parishioners who read the letter. It also said that any financial obligations needed to be met by the end of August.

We need to have at least $55,000 to pay the building insurance, said Smith.

Diocese spokesman Joseph Martone said St. Casimir will be evaluated to determine how financially stable they will be going into the future.

They were kind of put on notice, he said. Their unique status doesnt exempt St. Casimir from any of their financial responsibilities to the family and to the diocese.

Church members said they can generate more revenue from so-called event worship  special liturgies and other gatherings offered throughout the year featuring processions, chanting and other traditional Catholic rites offered nowhere else in the diocese  if more people knew about the offerings and experienced them firsthand.

Because its not on a main drag  its on a side street  most people are not aware of it, said Smith.

Founded by Polish immigrant families in 1890, St. Casimir parish has long been at the heart of Buffalos Kaisertown neighborhood bordering Cheektowaga and West Seneca. The current church was completed in 1929 at a cost of $500,000. It was inspired by the early Byzantine basilicas that a former pastor, the Rev. Anthony Majewski, visited in Europe, including Turkey, where the famed Hagia Sophia is located.

Architect Chester Oakley designed the church, which features a main dome, four smaller domes and a half dome, extensive exterior terra cotta adornment, and interior murals by painter Marion Rzeznik. It was designated a city landmark in 1977.

David McElroy, a volunteer caretaker at the church, said he notices a different elegant feature of the church every time he steps foot in it.

Its a miracle. You could not build this today. This would be tens of millions of dollars today, McElroy said.

In 1976, with much fanfare, Cardinal Wojtyla, who was archbishop of Krakow at the time, visited Buffalo, home to one of the largest populations of Polish American Catholics in the U.S. He celebrated Mass in the church and spent two nights in the rectory.

He was awestruck about this church. He loved it, said Grzybek.

Two years later, Wojtyla was elected pope and took the name John Paul II. His epic papacy lasted until his death in 2005, and he was canonized a saint in 2014.

That same year, St. Casimir Church opened the rectory bedroom suite where Wojtyla had stayed in 1976 and invited visitors inside for a glimpse.

St. Casimir Church has come back before from the precipice of closure.

Under the dioceses Journey in Faith & Grace parish restructuring effort that resulted in the merger of dozens of parishes and the closure of more than 100 worship sites, St. Casimir was slated to become an oratory, open only for special occasions such as weddings and funerals. But Bishop Edward U. Kmiec changed course in 2011, designating St. Casimir as a freestanding diocesan church and appointing a priest, the Rev. Czeslaw Krysa, as rector.

Now, the diocese is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy and must provide a full accounting of all its assets, revenues, expenditures and debts as it works to build a settlement fund to compensate 900 people who have made child sexual abuse claims. Parishes are also engaged in another reorganization effort to address their own growing financial challenges and a shortage of priests.

Other parishes in the Kaisertown/Sloan family do not appear to be in as dire financial condition as St. Casimir. Parishioners of St. Bernard Church, located on Clinton Street about a half-mile from St. Casimir, were told at a meeting on Sunday that the parish was behind on about $40,000 in insurance and assessment payments.

The diocese is not forgiving debt anymore, said Peter Stachowski, a St. Bernard parishioner. They want their money. So, either you pay your bills or youre going to get closed is basically whats happening.

Stachowski said St. Bernard should be able to get out of the red quickly and has already started scheduling fundraisers.

The Kaisertown neighborhood, once overwhelmingly Catholic, has seen a growing Muslim population over the past two decades.

Some parishioners expressed concern that the diocese has little interest in preserving the church and simply wants to unload the property by selling it to a Muslim organization that would be eager to buy it.

The diocese has the right to shut us down and sell it, said Smith. Weve had Muslim people actually ask about it, if they could buy it, years ago, Id say six, seven years ago. Theyre very much interested in it.

Muslim groups already have purchased at least three former Catholic churches in other parts of Buffalo for use as mosques.

St. Casimir was designed to resemble the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. That world-famous structure dates to 537 and was originally built as a Christian church. It was converted to a mosque during the Ottoman Empire, designated as a museum in 1934, and returned to use as a mosque for worship in 2020.
Wyoming governor vetoes abortion restrictions, signs transgender medical care ban for minors View Photo

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP)  Wyomings governor on Friday vetoed a bill that would have erected significant barriers to abortion, should it remain legal in the state, and signed legislation banning gender-affirming care for minors.

The abortion bill rejected by Gov. Mark Gordon, a Republican, would have required facilities providing surgical abortions to be licensed as outpatient surgical centers, adding to their cost and the burdens they face to operate.

Women would have had to get ultrasounds no less than 48 hours before either a surgical or pill abortion to determine the fetuss gestational age and location and viability of the pregnancy.

Abortion is legal in Wyoming pending the outcome of a lawsuit challenging new laws to ban the procedure. The bill was aimed at the states only full-service abortion clinic, Wellspring Health Access. The Casper facility opened in 2023  almost a year later than planned after being badly burned in an arson attack by a woman who opposed abortion.

Gordon said in announcing the veto that the measure would have properly regulated clinics. But he said amendments added by lawmakers made it vulnerable to legal challenge.

The state is closer than ever to a decision on the constitutionality of abortion in Wyoming, Gordon said in a statement, adding that the bill had the potential to further delay the resolution of this critical issue for the unborn.

Most abortions at Wellspring are administered through pills but the clinic has been able to perform surgical abortions as well, according to clinic officials who opposed the bill.

The measure would have required abortions at any clinic to be provided only by a licensed physician who has admitting privileges at a hospital no more than 10 miles (16 kilometers) away.

The result would have been major new costs to renovate Wellspring to meet ambulatory surgical facility standards while getting medically unnecessary admitting privileges for its doctors, clinic founder Julie Burkhart said in an emailed statement. Women also faced added travel and time-off-work costs to meet the ultrasound requirement, Burkhart added.

She said the bill was meant to close down the clinic, which would hurt people who are in need of abortion services.

Outlawing abortion will never serve as a vehicle for making this health care obsolete, she said.

Last year, the Wyoming Legislature passed  and Gordon signed into law  measures that restrict abortion in the state, including the first-in-the-U.S. explicit ban on abortion pills. Teton County District Judge Melissa Owens in Jackson has put the laws on hold while considering lawsuits against them filed by Wellspring and others.

At a hearing in December, Owens said she planned to issue a ruling rather than let the lawsuit go to trial. On Monday, however, she sent all major questions in the case to the state Supreme Court to consider instead.

Owens has shown sympathy for Wyomings abortion-rights supporters. She has said they are likely to prevail, for example, with their argument that abortion is allowed under a 2012 state constitutional amendment, which states that competent adults have the right to make their own health care decisions.

Attorneys for Wyoming counter that the amendment  approved in response to the federal Affordable Care Act  was never intended to apply to abortion.

Wyomings latest abortion bill faced a higher bar just to be debated in this years legislative session, which ended March 8. Bills in the four-week session not related to the budget needed a two-thirds vote to be introduced.

Those of us who stand for legislation like this, we know deep down that life has meaning beyond this floor, Sen. Dan Dockstader, a Republican from Afton, said in a debate before the bill passed the Senate on a 24-6 vote March 1.

The bill earlier cleared the state House with a 53-9 vote.

While rejecting the abortion bill, Gordon signed into law a measure that makes Wyoming the latest state to ban gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors, saying he supports the bills protections for minors. He added, however, that he also thinks such legislation amounts to the government straying into the personal affairs of families.

At least 24 states have adopted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming medical care for minors, and most of those states have been sued. A federal judge struck down Arkansas ban as unconstitutional. In Idaho and Montana, judges orders are in place temporarily blocking enforcement of the bans.

Wyoming lawmakers also passed bills this session enforcing parental rights in education. Gordon said the Legislature needs to sort out its intentions on parental rights.

By MEAD GRUVER

Associated Press
Senate rival Frank LaRose joins other GOP Ohio officeholders in endorsing Bernie Moreno View Photo

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose joined other GOP statewide officeholders Thursday in endorsing his former rival, Republican Senate nominee Bernie Moreno  after a bruising and expensive primary in which he repeatedly attacked his rival as untrustworthy.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, LaRose said he joined the Senate race because he was concerned about the direction of the country and that he believes Moreno has what it takes to bring real change to Washington and work with President Trump to make America great again.

We urgently need to change course, tweeted LaRose, who lost the former presidents endorsement to Moreno. That starts by retiring Sherrod Brown and replacing the failed leadership in Washington. LaRose said he stands ready to help.

Brown, the third-term Democratic incumbent, is viewed as among his partys most vulnerable senators this year, as his liberal voting record is viewed as increasingly at odds with the former bellwether states tack to the political right in recent years.

The Ohio Democratic Party wasted no time after Tuesdays vote launching an anti-Moreno website that included some of Republicans own intraparty attacks against the nominee, including LaRoses.

Besides LaRose, Moreno also won support Wednesday from Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague, Ohio Auditor Keith Faber and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, a longtime political ally.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, who had backed rival candidate Matt Dolan in the primary, endorsed Moreno on Wednesday. Attorney General Dave Yost had already endorsed Moreno before the primary.

All five officeholders are Republicans.

By JULIE CARR SMYTH

Associated Press
California Democratic lawmakers seek ways to combat retail theft while keeping progressive policy View Photo

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  Facing mounting pressure to crack down on a retail theft crisis, California lawmakers are split on how best to tackle the problem that some say has caused major store closures and products like deodorants to be locked behind plexiglass.

Top Democratic leaders have already ruled out reforming progressive policies like Proposition 47, a ballot measure approved by 60% of state voters in 2014 that reduced certain theft and drug possession offenses from felonies to misdemeanors to address overcrowding jails. But a growing number of law enforcement officials, along with Republican and moderate Democratic lawmakers, said California needs to consider all options, including rolling back the measure.

While shoplifting has been a growing problem, large-scale thefts, in which groups of individuals brazenly rush into stores and take goods in plain sight, have become a crisis in California and elsewhere in recent years. California Retailers Association said its challenging to quantify the issue in California because many stores dont share their data.

Urban areas and big cities like Bay Area and Los Angeles saw a steady increase in shoplifting between 2021 and 2022, according to a study of the latest crime data by The Public Policy Institute of California. Across the state, shoplifting rates rose during the same time period but were still lower than the pre-pandemic levels in 2019, while commercial burglaries and robberies have become more prevalent in urban counties, the study says.

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, a champion of Proposition 47 who has repeatedly argued California already has tools to sufficiently go after criminals, rejected calls to reform the measure in January. He instead urged lawmakers to bolster existing laws and go after motor vehicle thefts and resellers of stolen merchandise. California also is spending $267 million to help dozens of local law enforcement agencies increase patrols, buy surveillance equipment and conduct other activities to crack down on retail theft.

Not to say everything about Prop. 47 is hunky-dory and perfect, Newsom said in January. We want to help fix some of the ambiguities there, but we could do it without reforming or going back to the voters.

California voters approved Proposition 47 in 2014 to help California comply with a 2011 California Supreme Court order, which upheld that Californias overcrowded prisons violated incarcerated individuals Eighth Amendment rights against cruel and unusual punishment. The proposition modified, but did not eliminate, sentencing for many drug and nonviolent property crimes, including thefts under $950.

Funding saved from having fewer people in jails and prisons, which totals to $113 million this fiscal year, have gone to local programs to fight recidivism with some successes, state officials and advocates said. But the proposition has made it harder to prosecute shoplifters and enabled brazen crime rings, law enforcement officials said. An effort to reform the measure failed in 2020.

Following Newsoms directions, Democratic leaders in both chambers at the Capitol also have shut down calls to repeal the measure. Last month, the states new Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire, with bipartisan support, introduced a package of legislation that would target auto thefts and large-scale resell schemes and expand diversion programs such as drug courts and treatment services. Online marketplaces also would be required to crack down on users reselling stolen goods on their platforms under the proposal.

I do not believe that this state needs to touch Prop. 47 to be able to help make our communities safer, full stop, McGuire said during a news conference.

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, who has said he also doesnt want to repeal Proposition 47, co-authored similar legislation taking aim at repeat thieves and online resellers. It would allow law enforcement to stack the value of goods stolen from different victims to impose harsher penalties and arrest people for shoplifting using video footage or witness statements. The measure also would mandate online sellers to maintain records proving the merchandise wasnt stolen and require some retail businesses to report stolen goods data.

But some Democratic lawmakers said those efforts wont be enough to make a difference. Assemblymember James Ramos, who authored bipartisan legislation to increase penalties for repeat shoplifters, said many lawmakers want to see the pendulum swing back to the middle. The bill would require voters approval.

Prop. 47 needs to have some type of resetting, Ramos said. We have the opportunity now to start that dialogue.

Democratic Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, chair of the Assembly Public Safety Committee, said he also is exploring options, including putting something on the ballot.

Everything is on the table, McCarty said.

Meanwhile, major retail groups and the California District Attorney Association, along with Democratic mayors of San Francisco and San Jose, have thrown their support behind a ballot initiative to stiffen penalties for repeat thieves, among other things. The groups are still collecting signatures to qualify for the November ballot before the April deadline.

By TRAN NGUYEN

Associated Press
Spanish daily El Mundo said Thursday that its correspondent in Russia left the country after authorities refused to renew his journalist visa.

El Mundo said Xavier Colas left Russia on Wednesday, a day after an official told him that if he didnt leave before his visa expired, he would have problems. He is one of several journalists effectively expelled from Russia amid unrelenting crackdown on critical news outlets, opposition activists and human rights groups that has intensified since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine more than two years ago.

According to El Mundo, Colas had been visited by police officers who warned him to stop covering demonstrations by women whose loved ones serve in the Russian military, one of the few visible signs of public discontent with the war.

Russias Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Colas had been reporting from Russia for 12 years. He also reported from Ukraine and recently published his first book, Putinistan, about President Vladimir Putin s government.

I have simply done my job: I have told what happens, I have spoken to the people who suffer because of it and I have explained who is responsible for what is happening, the journalist said on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday, adding that he had 24 hours to leave Russia.

Independent media and journalists in Russia have come under increasing pressure from the government in recent years. Multiple Russian news outlets have been blocked online, labeled as foreign agents or outlawed as undesirable organizations.

A number of foreign journalists have been expelled from the country, or faced the Foreign Ministrys refusal to extend their visas.

In August 2021, the Foreign Ministry refused to renew the visa for BBC correspondent Sarah Rainsford amid tensions with the U.K. Several months later, the Russian authorities expelled Tom Vennink, a Moscow correspondent for the Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant, citing administrative violations.

In February 2022, just three weeks before invading Ukraine, the Russian authorities announced shutting down the Moscow office of German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle and withdrawing its staffs accreditations.

In May 2022, when the fighting in Ukraine was in full swing, the Russian authorities closed the bureau of Canadas broadcaster the CBC and stripped its journalists of visas and credentials.

In March 2023, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was arrested on a reporting trip to Russia and later charged with espionage  allegations he and his employer vehemently denied, while the U.S. government declared him to be wrongfully detained.

In August 2023, Russian authorities refused to renew the visa of Eva Hartog, a Dutch journalist writing for the Dutch news magazine De Groene Amsterdammer and for Politico Europe.

By The Associated Press
Frances Senate rejects bill to ratify EU-Canada trade deal because of farmers concerns View Photo

PARIS (AP)  Frances Senate voted overwhelmingly Thursday to reject legislation to ratify a 2017 trade deal between the European Union and Canada that has been criticized by farmers as bringing unfair competition from abroad.

The EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, or CETA, provisionally went into effect in September 2017 after all EU governments agreed to it, but its full implementation requires approval by each national parliament.

Thursdays 211-44 vote in the Senate does not necessarily mean that France ultimately will reject ratification.

The vote sends the bill back to the powerful National Assembly, which had approved it in 2019 and can still move to override the Senate rejection and give final approval to the measure.

But Macrons centrist alliance, which has advocated for the adoption of the CETA agreement, lost its majority at the lower house in 2022, making the outcome of a new vote uncertain.

If the Assembly should reject the legislation during its second vote, that would signal Frances failure to ratify and could unravel the EU trade deal.

In the Senate, opposition from both the conservative majority and leftist legislators centered on concerns about shielding local farmers from what they consider unfair competition and protecting Frances food sovereignty. The Assembly has not yet set a date to consider the legislation.

The ratification process across the European Union has been slow, with France and nine other EU countries, including Italy and Belgium, not yet giving their approval.

There have been significant increases in trade volume between the EU and Canada since the trade deal provisionally went into effect. From 2017 to 2023, trade between the two jumped by 51%, with French exports to Canada rising by 33%.

Despite these economic gains, CETA has faced criticism, including over its impact on European farmers and the environment. Critics argue it could undermine local agriculture and increase greenhouse gas emissions due to more transport of goods.

CETA aims to eventually eliminate nearly 99% of tariffs. It includes special recognition for certain European products like Agen prunes and Savoie reblochon.

The Senates rejection pressures the National Assembly, which only narrowly passed CETA in 2019. If France or any other EU member state definitively rejects the treaty, it could unravel, affecting the parts of the agreement already in operation.

French senators vote comes after farmers across France and Europe demonstrated on their tractors earlier this year in protests over low earnings, heavy regulation and what they call unfair competition from abroad, often criticizing free-trade agreements, including the CETA.

-

AP Writer Sylvie Corbet contributed to the story

By THOMAS ADAMSON

Associated Press
The Latest | Blinken urges Israel not to invade Rafah. Netanyahu says hell do it alone

The Latest | Blinken urges Israel not to invade Rafah. Netanyahu says hell do it alone View Photo

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sternly rejected the visiting U.S. secretary of states plea not to launch a ground invasion into Gazas southernmost city of Rafah, saying Friday we will do it alone if necessary.

The looming Rafah invasion has cast a shadow over ongoing efforts to forge a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters theres still a lot of work to be done as he wrapped up his sixth trip to the Mideast since the war began.

And at the U.N. Security Council, Russia and China vetoed a U.S.-sponsored resolution on the Israel-Hamas war that determines the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire. The two dissenting nations called the measure ambiguous, and said it was not the direct demand to end the fighting that much of the world seeks.

International aid officials say the entire population of the Gaza Strip  2.3 million people  is suffering from food insecurity and that famine is imminent in the hard-hit north. More than a million people have crowded into Rafah as they flee fighting across the besieged territory.

Gazas Health Ministry raised the territorys death toll to 32,070 people, with around 74,300 wounded. 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 were killed on Oct. 7 when Palestinian militants launched a surprise attack out of Gaza, triggering the war, and abducted another 250 people. Hamas is still believed to be holding some 100 Israelis hostage, as well as the remains of 30 others.

Currently:

 Russia and China veto US resolution calling for immediate cease-fire in Gaza.

 Blinken says an Israeli assault on Gazas Rafah would be a mistake, and isnt needed to defeat Hamas.

 Israel says Rafah is Hamas last major stronghold in the Gaza Strip, and its determined to launch an offensive.

 U.S. House speaker says he plans to invite Netanyahu to address the Congress.

 Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war.

Heres the latest:

U.S. FIGHTER JETS BOMB YEMENS CAPITAL, TARGETING STORAGE FACILITIES IN HOUTHI-CONTROLLED AREAS

SANAA, YEMEN  U.S. fighter jets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier struck three underground storage facilities in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen late Friday, according to a U.S. official. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a military operation not yet made public, said the ship is in the Red Sea.

Strikes and explosions were seen and heard in the capital Sanaa on Friday night, according to witnesses and videos, some circulating on social media. Footage showed explosions and smoke rising over the city.

There was no official confirmation of the injured or the origin of the explosions. Yemeni TV station Al-Masirah, which is linked to the Houthis, reported strikes hitting the city.

Yemens Houthi rebels, which are allied with Iran and control much of the countrys north and west, have launched a campaign of drone and missile attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, which the rebels describe as an effort to pressure Israel to end its war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The Houthis have kept up their campaign of attacks despite two months of U.S.-led airstrikes.

___

Associated Press writer Lolita C. Baldor in Washington contributed to this report.

U.N. SAYS ISRAELS ONGOING RAID AT SHIFA HOSPITAL HAS CUT OFF STAFF AND ENDANGERS PATIENTS

UNITED NATIONS  U.N. humanitarian officials report that Israels military operation in and around Shifa Hospital in Gaza City continued for a fifth day amid intense exchanges of fire with Palestinian armed groups, a U.N. spokesperson says.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization, said the U.N. agency and its partners have lost contact with health personnel at the hospital since the raid began, deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said Friday.

Tedros reported that its now impossible to access Shifa Hospital and a planned mission Thursday had to be canceled due to lack of security, Haq said.

With reports of health workers being arrested and detained, he warned that the ongoing situation could affect the hospitals ability to function, even minimally, and deprive people of critical, lifesaving care, Haq said.

As the health sector in Gaza continues to deteriorate, Haq said, the U.N. childrens agency UNICEF and its partners are providing fuel to produce clean water, as well as trucking in water.

UNICEF is also distributing water tanks, containers and hygiene kits to thousands of people in different parts of the Gaza Strip, Haq said. But UNICEF warns that water scarcity, hygiene challenges and inadequate sanitation services are posing serious health risks to children, he said.

U.N. CHIEF WILL START HIS ANNUAL RAMADAN SOLIDARITY TRIP WITH VISITS TO EGYPT AND JORDAN

UNITED NATIONS  U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is starting on his annual solidarity trip during the Muslim holy month of Ramada with visits to Egypt and Jordan, where he is expected to reiterate calls to silence the guns in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and in Sudan.

U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said Guterres is arriving in Cairo on Friday night during turbulent times.

While in Egypt, Haq said, the U,N. chief will travel to northern Sinai, where he will visit a hospital in El-Arish. He will then go to Rafah on the Egyptian side of the border with Gaza where he will be meeting with U.N. humanitarian workers, Haq said.

In Cairo, Haq said, Guterres is expected to have an iftar meal breaking the daily Ramadan fast with Sudanese refugees who fled fighting between government and paramilitary forces that began in April. He is also expected to meet Egyptian officials, the U.N. spokesperson said.

In the Jordanian capital, Amman, Haq said Guterres will visit facilities of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, will have a Ramadan iftar with Palestinian refugees and U.N. staff, and meet with Jordanian officials.

HEAD OF UNRWA PRAISES FINLANDS DECISION TO RESUME FUNDING TO EMBATTLED U.N. AGANCY

GENEVA  The head of the U.N.s lead agency helping Palestinians praised Finlands decision to resume funding the agency, weeks after it lost hundreds of millions of dollars in support following Israeli allegations against some of its staffers in Gaza.

Philippe Lazzarini on Friday welcomed the news that all five Nordic countries have restored their funding to the agency, known by the acronym UNRWA.

Israel accused 12 employees of UNRWA in Gaza of participating in the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel that killed 1,200 people. In response, more than a dozen countries including Finland suspended funding to UNRWA worth about $450 million, almost half its budget for the year.

Israel now alleges that 450 UNRWA employees were members of militant groups in Gaza, although it has provided no evidence.

Lazzarini has accused Israel of seeking to eliminate the UNRWA. It was created more than 70 years ago to assist Palestinians who fled or were forced from their homes during the 1948 Mideast war over Israels creation.

ISRAEL SAYS IT WILL INVESTIGATE AIRSTRIKE THAT APPARENTLY KILLED FIVE MEN WALKING IN GAZA

JERUSALEM  Israels military says it has opened an investigation into an airstrike that appears to have killed five Palestinians in the southern Gaza Strip.

Aerial footage of the episode circulating on social media shows four men walking along a dirt road before they are hit in the strike. A fifth man is then hit as he tries to run away.

The origin of the footage remains unclear. But in a statement Friday, the army said the airstrike had occurred in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis, a focus of army operations against Hamas, in early February.

It said the video was being investigated by its special fact finding body tasked with investigating potential crimes by its forces.

Khan Younis has seen some of the fiercest fighting of the war, sparked when Hamas militants invaded southern Israel on Oct. 7 and killed 1,200 people and took 250 others hostage.

Rights groups have accused Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza, where nearly 32,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war.

South Africa has filed a case in the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide  a claim Israel rejects. Israel says Hamas is guilty of war crimes and says its military acts within the rules of international law.

BLINKEN URGES ISRAELI LEADERS NOT TO INVADE RAFAH

TEL AVIV, Israel  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has once again urged Israel not to carry out its promised invasion of the Gaza city of Rafah.

Blinken told reporters Friday that the U.S. shares Israels goal of defeating Hamas. But he said the ground operation is not, in our judgment, the way to achieve it.

He spoke after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said he had told the secretary that Israel remains committed to the Rafah ground operation.

Blinken spoke shortly before returning to the U.S. after his sixth trip to the Mideast since the war erupted last October.

Blinken says much of the trip focused on efforts to forge a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and to increase the amount of humanitarian aid flowing into the war-battered Gaza Strip.

He said there has been progress, but still lots of work to be done before a deal is reached.

The U.S. has been working for weeks with mediators Qatar and Egypt in search of a formula that would halt the fighting in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas militants in Gaza.

ISRAELI FORCES KILL PALESTINIAN SHOOTER WHO WOUNDED THREE ISRAELIS IN OCCUPIED WEST BANK

RAMALLAH, West Bank  The Israeli military said it killed a Palestinian man who opened fire near a Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank on Friday, as violence has surged across the territory amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

Three Israelis were wounded in the shooting, one in a serious condition, medical officials said.

The military said the man opened fire at an Israeli vehicle at a junction near Dolev settlement around 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the city of Ramallah early Friday morning.

After a search, Israeli forces later killed the shooter near the name junction. During the search, troops raided his home in the nearby Palestinian village of Deir Ibzi. His wife, Lamees Samhan, said she was she briefly detained and blindfolded.

Violence has spiked across the West Bank since Hamas Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. At least 447 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in east Jerusalem and the West Bank since October, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

ISRAEL SEIZES ANOTHER 2,000 ACRES FOR SETTLEMENTS IN THE WEST BANK, WATCHDOG SAYS

JERUSALEM  An Israeli anti-settlement watchdog group says Israel has seized nearly 2,000 acres of land in the occupied West Bank, clearing the way for Israel to build settlements there.

The announcement came as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was visiting Israel. The international community, along with the Palestinians, considers settlement construction illegal or illegitimate and an obstacle to peace.

In a statement, Peace Now said the area is the largest piece of land seized by Israel since the interim Oslo peace accords three decades ago.

Peace Now said Friday that Israeli Cabinet Minister Bezalel Smotrich had declared the area state land  a designation that makes it government property. The land is in the Jordan Valley  a strategic area that is home to many Palestinian farms and seen as essential for the viability of a future Palestinian state.

The year 2024 marks a peak in the extent of declarations of state land, the group said.

Smotrich serves as Israels finance minister and in a newly created ministerial position in the Defense Ministry putting him in charge of Israels settlement policy. Smotrich, himself an outspoken settler leader, heads an ultra-nationalist party in parliament and has used his position to bolster the settlements.

Israels Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus governing coalition is dominated by West Bank settlers and their political supporters.

Over 500,000 Israeli settlers now live in the West Bank, captured by Israel with east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians seek all three areas for a future independent state.

NETANYAHU REJECTS U.S. CALL NOT TO INVADE RAFAH

JERUSALEM  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rebuffed American calls to halt plans for a ground invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

Netanyahu said Friday that he told the visiting U.S. secretary of state, Antony Blinken, that a ground offensive is the only way to destroy Hamas.

I said we have no way to defeat Hamas without entering Rafah and destroying the remaining battalions there, he said. I told him that I hope we will do this with the support of the United States, but if necessary, we will do it alone.

Ahead of the meeting, Blinken had said the U.S. supports Israels goal of defeating Hamas, but believes there are alternatives to a ground invasion.

Over 1 million displaced Palestinians have sought shelter in Rafah after fleeing fighting elsewhere in Gaza. The U.S. and the rest of the international community fear an Israeli invasion will lead to large civilian casualties.

Blinken was set to speak to reporters later Friday before returning to the U.S.

RELATIVES OF ISRAELI HOSTAGES RALLY OUTSIDE BLINKENS HOTEL, DEMANDING A DEAL TO RELEASE CAPTIVES IN GAZA

TEL AVIV, Israel  Dozens of relatives of Israeli hostages held by Hamas demonstrated Friday outside the hotel where the U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is staying in central Tel Aviv, demanding a deal to bring the release of their loved ones.

Many held up American and Israeli flags while others brandished placards of their relatives who were seized by the militant group when its fighters invaded southern Israel on Oct. 7., the act that sparked the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Hostage deal now! the crowd chanted. Blinken, you can bring them home again!

The rally came hours before the start of the Jewish holiday of Purim, normally a festive occasion. Referring to one hostage by name, a sign read: This is Purim without Ofer.

Blinken arrived in Israel earlier Friday in the final stop of his Mideast tour, his sixth visit to the region since October.

Families of the captives have accused Israels war cabinet of not doing enough to secure the release of the hostages after months of failed cease-fire negotiations.

Any cease-fire deal would likely see the hostages freed in return for the release of a larger number of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. About 120 hostages held by Hamas and hundreds of imprisoned Palestinians were freed during a week-long cease-fire in November.

Hamas is believed to still be holding around 100 hostages.

RUSSIA AND CHINA VETO A U.N. CEASE-FIRE RESOLUTION

UNITED NATIONS Russia and China on Friday vetoed a U.S.-sponsored U.N. resolution calling for an immediate and sustained cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid to be delivered to more than 2 million hungry Palestinians.

The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 11 members in favor, three against and one abstention.

Before the vote, Russias U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Moscow supports an immediate cease-fire, but he questioned the language in the resolution and accused U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield of misleading the international community for politicized reasons.

EUROPEAN UNION UNANIMOUSLY CALLS FOR A CEASE-FIRE IN GAZA

BRUSSELS  After five months of fighting in Gaza and tens of thousands of casualties, the 27 European Union countries have overcome their differences and agreed to call for a cease-fire.

In a statement overnight, EU leaders called for an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and the provision of humanitarian assistance.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, whose country currently holds the EUs rotating presidency, said the EU position is largely in line with that of the United States. It comes as the United Nations Security Council prepares to vote later Friday on a U.S.-sponsored resolution declaring the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.

EU countries have long been divided over their support for Israel and the Palestinians, and the U.N. vote will be a fresh public test of their unity. In December, two EU members voted against calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire while four countries abstained.

BLINKEN ARRIVES IN ISRAEL FOR TALKS WITH NETANYAHU OVER THE WAR IN GAZA

TEL AVIV, Israel  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for what were expected expected to be fractious talks over the war in Gaza as public differences over the conflict have intensified.

Its the final stop in Blinkens sixth urgent diplomatic mission to the Middle East, and he started the brief six-hour visit Friday with a one-on-one meeting with Netanyahu followed by a larger gathering with Israels war Cabinet aimed at convincing them not to proceed with plans for a large-scale military offensive in the southern city of Rafah that many fear could make an already disastrous humanitarian crisis in Gaza even worse.

A major military operation in Rafah would be a mistake, something we dont support, Blinken said Thursday in Cairo, where he met with top diplomats from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. And, its also not necessary to deal with Hamas, which is necessary.

Instead, Blinken will present Netanyahu with alternatives for dealing with Hamas in Rafah in discussions that will continue next week when Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and a separate delegation of senior Israeli officials visit Washington. Netanyahu agreed to send the delegation in a Monday phone call with U.S. President Joe Biden  their first conversation in a month amid the widening divisions.

Blinkens brief visit to Israel, which was announced only Wednesday and was not part of his original Mideast itinerary, comes as top intelligence officials from the U.S., Israel, Egypt and Qatar were to meet in Doha to hammer out details of a proposed cease-fire-for-hostages deal. Qatar, and to a lesser extent Egypt, are the main interlocutors with Hamas, which has thus far rebuffed offers the negotiations have produced.

UN SECURITY COUNCIL WILL VOTE ON US RESOLUTION FOR AN IMMEDIATE AND SUSTAINED CEASE-FIRE IN GAZA

The United Nations Security Council is set to vote on a United States-sponsored resolution declaring that an immediate and sustained cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza is imperative to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid to be delivered to more than 2 million hungry Palestinians.

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said she was optimistic that the new, tougher draft resolution would be approved Friday by the 15-member council.

The draft being put to a vote determines  which is a council order  the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire, with no direct link to the release of hostages taken during Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which was in the previous draft. But it would unequivocally support diplomatic efforts to secure such a cease-fire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages, and emphasizes the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance to civilians in the entire Gaza Strip.

Russias deputy U.N. ambassador Dmitry Polyansky said Moscow will not be satisfied with anything that doesnt call for an immediate cease-fire, saying its what U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is pressing for and what everybody wants. He questioned the wording of the draft, asking, Whats an imperative? I have an imperative to give you $100, but  its only an imperative, not $100.

The Security Council has already adopted two resolutions on the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, but none calling for a cease-fire.

By The Associated Press
Hungarys Orban congratulates Putin on widely criticized Russian election win View Photo

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP)  Hungarys populist prime minister, Viktor Orban, has congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin on his victory in an election whose outcome was never in doubt after systematic crackdowns on dissent.

Orban, widely seen as Putins closest ally in the European Union, sent the letter of congratulations on Thursday after the release of official election results in Russia, according to his press chief. The Hungarian leader was the only head of a EU country to congratulate Putin on his reelection, which will extend his nearly quarter-century rule of Russia by another six years.

Putins landslide victory was widely criticized by Western leaders, who characterized the result as preordained in Russias repressive political system. The EU criticized the election as taking place in a highly restricted environment exacerbated also by Russias illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.

Russian authorities have continued to increase the systematic internal repression by cracking down on opposition politicians, civil society organisations, independent media and other critical voices with the use of repressive legislation and politically motivated prison sentences, an EU statement said.

Orbans letter said that the cooperation between Hungary and Russia, based on mutual respect, enables important discussions even in challenging geopolitical contexts.

He also pointed out what he called Hungarys commitment to peace, which has taken the form of repeated calls for an immediate cease-fire in Ukraine without outlining what such a step would entail for that countrys territorial integrity.

Orbans government has taken a differing approach to the war in Ukraine from its EU and NATO allies since Russia began its full-scale invasion more than two years ago. Hungary has refused to supply Ukraine with weapons or allow their transfer across its borders, and has held up EU efforts to supply Ukraine with badly needed funding.

Hungary has also sought to deepen energy deals with Moscow even as other countries in Europe have decreased their dependency on Russian fossil fuels. Orbans approach has led to significant tensions with Ukraines government and with his partners in the EU.

Speaking in an interview with Hungarian public radio from Brussels on Friday, Orban accused EU leaders of taking an increasingly active role in the conflict in Ukraine, something he predicted would be a key issue in the blocs elections this summer.

The leaders speak as if they are fighting their own war against Russia. Not like us who say, Look, this is a war between Russia and Ukraine. This is not our war, Orban said. We are not at war with Russia, they are at war, and they even speak as if Russia must be defeated.

On Thursday, Hungary refused to support a Czech-led effort to acquire ammunition that Ukraine badly needs from third countries outside the EU.

By JUSTIN SPIKE

Associated Press
EU slaps sanctions on Russian justice officials blamed for jailing Alexei Navalny View Photo

BRUSSELS (AP)  The European Union on Friday imposed sanctions on the Russian justice and prison officials responsible for imprisoning opposition leader Alexei Navalny before his death last month.

Alexei Navalnys slow killing by the Kremlin regime is a stark reminder of its utter disregard for human life, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement announcing the move.

Borrell said the sanctions, which target 33 officials and two prisons and involve asset freezes and travel bans, demonstrate our determination to hold Russias political leadership and authorities to account for the continuing violation of the human rights in Russia.

Navalny, the most persistent foe of President Vladimir Putin, was serving a 19-year sentence when he died. He had been behind bars since January 2021 after returning to Russia from Germany where he had been recovering from nerve-agent poisoning that he blamed on the Kremlin.

The cause of his Feb. 16 death has been described by officials only as due to natural causes.

The EU said that its measures would hit the IK-6 corrective colony and IK-3 maximum security corrective colony, including the official in charge Vadim Kalinin, where Navalny had been held before his death.

Both colonies are known for exerting physical and psychological pressure, full isolation, torture and violence on prisoners. In both places Mr. Navalny suffered abuses, including through repeated solitary confinement in a punishment cell and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, leading to the severe deterioration of his health, it said.

Justice officials targeted by the EU measures include Andrey Suvorov, who last year sentenced Navalny to 19 years in a special regime colony, and Kirill Nikiforov, who rejected Navalnys lawsuit against IK-6 to appeal his transfer to a punishment cell for 12 days. Its unclear whether the officials traveled to or through EU countries or had significant assets in Europe.
Israels Netanyahu rebuffs US plea to halt Rafah offensive. Tensions rise ahead of Washington talks View Photo

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP)  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday once again left the Middle East empty-handed as Israels prime minister rejected American appeals to call off a promised ground invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which is overflowing with displaced civilians.

The tough message from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sets the stage for potentially difficult talks next week in Washington between top U.S. officials and a high-level Israeli delegation. Netanyahu said Israel is ready to do it alone in Rafah if necessary. Despite their differences, the Biden administration has continued to provide crucial military aid and diplomatic support, even as Israels war against Hamas has killed more than 32,000 people in Gaza and led to a worsening humanitarian crisis.

Israel says Rafah is the last remaining stronghold of Hamas and says the militant groups forces there must be defeated for Israel to meet its war objectives. Israel vowed to destroy Hamas following the groups Oct. 7 attack, which killed some 1,200 people, took 250 others hostage and triggered the fierce Israeli air and ground offensive in Gaza.

But Rafah now shelters over 1 million homeless Palestinians who fled fighting elsewhere in Gaza. The U.S., along with most of the international community, fears an Israeli ground invasion will endanger civilians lives and impede the flow of desperately needed humanitarian aid into the territory, most of which comes through Rafah.

Netanyahu said he told Blinken that Israel is working on ways to evacuate civilians from combat zones and to address the humanitarian needs of Gaza, where international aid officials say the entire population is suffering from food insecurity and famine is imminent in the hard-hit north.

I also said that we have no way to defeat Hamas without entering Rafah, Netanyahu said. I told him that I hope we would do this with U.S. support but if necessary  we will do it alone.

Blinken, wrapping up his sixth visit to the Mideast since the war broke out, told reporters that the U.S. shares Israels goal of defeating Hamas.

But a major ground operation in Rafah is not, in our judgment, the way to achieve it and we were very clear about that, he said, adding that Israel faces growing isolation if it presses ahead.

The looming Rafah invasion has cast a shadow over ongoing efforts to forge a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas. Blinken, who also met with Arab leaders during his trip this week, acknowledged theres still a lot of work to be done.

Blinken spoke shortly after a U.S.-sponsored cease-fire resolution in the U.N. Security Council was vetoed by Russia and China. Blinken said it was unimaginable that the measure had been rejected.

RAFAH TENSIONS RISING

The U.S. initially sided strongly with Israel after the Oct. 7 attack. But relations have increasingly soured as the war drags on into its fifth month.

Palestinian health officials in Gaza said Friday that at least 32,070 people have been killed, with at least two thirds of them women and children. Israel claims at least a third of the dead are Hamas militants, and says the group is responsible for civilian casualties by hiding and operating in residential areas.

The U.S. position on a Rafah operation shifted in recent days. Officials had called for a plan to get civilians out of harms way. Now, they say there is no credible way to do that.

It risks killing more civilians. It risks wreaking greater havoc with the provision of humanitarian assistance. It risks further isolating Israel around the world and jeopardizing its long term security and standing, Blinken said.

U.S. officials say other options, including specifically targeted operations against known Hamas fighters and commanders, are the only way to avoid a civilian catastrophe.

Roughly three quarters of Gazas 2.3 million people have fled into Rafah, the farthest south they can go before the Egyptian border. Sprawling tent camps now dot the city.

The U.S. will share its ideas for alternatives at next weeks meetings, when a delegation led by Netanyahus national security adviser and a member of Israels War Cabinet heads to Washington. Israels defense minister, another member of the War Cabinet, will also visit.

Blinken said talks would focus on post-war plans, another area of disagreement.

The U.S. wants the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority  which Hamas ousted from Gaza in 2007  to return to power in the territory, along with a clear path toward an independent Palestinian state beside Israel. Netanyahu rejects Palestinian independence or a role for the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the occupied West Bank, and says Israel must maintain long-term security control over Gaza.

AN ELUSIVE CEASE-FIRE

International mediators, led by the U.S., Qatar and Egypt, have been working on a cease-fire to pause or end the war in Gaza.

Israel is seeking the release of the more than 100 hostages still held by Hamas, while Hamas wants an end  not a temporary pause  to the war along with the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Hamas wants Israel to release large numbers of Palestinian prisoners.

After his talks with Israeli leaders, Blinken met with families of hostages who hold U.S. citizenship. He later greeted a small group of protesters who gathered in solidarity with the families outside his hotel.

Protesters chanted Blinken, thank you, as he walked by the crowd. He said the U.S. was working to bring them home as he shook hands.

Blinken told reporters that progress has been made in recent weeks, but the final gaps tend to be the hardest.

Theres still a lot of work to be done, hard work to be done, he said.

Toward those efforts, he said he also discussed the need to increase humanitarian aid entering Gaza. He said some positive steps have been taken in recent days. But its not enough.

Israel says it places no restrictions on the amounts of humanitarian aid it allows into Gaza. But international aid groups say deliveries have been impeded by Israeli military restrictions, ongoing hostilities and the breakdown of public order.

So little food has been allowed into Gaza that up to 60% of children under 5 are now malnourished, compared with fewer than 1% before the war began, the head of the World Health Organization said Thursday.

U.N. RESOLUTION WAS CYNICALLY VETOED

At the United Nations, Russia and China vetoed a U.S.-sponsored U.N. resolution supporting an immediate and sustained cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. The two countries called the measure ambiguous, and said it was not the direct demand to end the fighting that much of the world seeks.

The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 11 members in favor and three against  including Algeria, the Arab representative on the council. Guyana abstained.

A key issue was the unusual language that said the Security Council determines the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire. The phrasing was not a straightforward demand or call to halt hostilities.

It also appeared to loosen, but not drop, previous U.S. demands that Hamas release all hostages as part of a cease-fire.

Blinken said the measure had been cynically vetoed and should have been embraced.

We were trying to show the international communitys sense of urgency about getting a cease-fire tied to the release of hostages, Blinken said. He also said it had sought to condemn Hamas. Its unimaginable why countries wouldnt be able to do that.

___

Federman reported from Jerusalem.

By MATTHEW LEE and JOSEF FEDERMAN

Associated Press
Central New York's members of Congress, U.S. Reps. Claudia Tenney and Brandon Williams, were split as the House passed a $1.2 trillion spending bill to avert a government shutdown and fund most federal agencies through September.

The spending package, which includes appropriations for the Department of Defense and State Department, passed 286-134 Friday. Williams, R-Sennett, was one of 101 Republicans who joined with 185 Democrats to approve the legislation.

Tenney, R-Cleveland, was among the 112 Republicans and 22 Democrats who voted against the spending measure. Earlier this month, she was the lone New Yorker who opposed a separate $460 billion spending bill to fund other government agencies.

With the latest spending bill, Tenney blasted it for furthering President Joe Biden's policy agenda and not including many House Republican priorities.

"While this bill had positive aspects, including a $27 billion increase to critical national defense efforts, this legislation was not enough to protect the American people," Tenney said. "I could not, in good faith, support legislation that did not provide relief to hardworking families in NY-24."

In a news release explaining her vote, Tenney outlined provisions she opposed or noted what the bill did not include, namely funding for border wall construction. She claimed the legislation violates the Hyde Amendment by providing funding to Planned Parenthood and criticized the decision to continue funding for the World Health Organization.

Although Tenney opposed the bill, she highlighted her support for some of its contents, including a 5.2% pay increase for military servicemembers and fully funding the Civil Air Patrol and Job Corps programs.

The Senate passed the spending bill early Saturday and Biden signed it later that day. In a statement, Biden said the legislation keeps the federal government open and bolsters the economy and national security.

"This agreement represents a compromise, which means neither side got everything it wanted," the president continued. "But it rejects extreme cuts from House Republicans and expands access to child care, invests in cancer research, funds mental health and substance use care, advances American leadership abroad, and provides resources to secure the border that my administration successfully fought to include. That's good news for the American people."

With the spending bills finalized, Biden urged Congress to pass national security aid for Israel and Ukraine. He is also calling for passage of a bipartisan border security bill. While there is support in the Senate, House Republicans oppose that proposal.
VICE President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has said one of President Mnangagwas ancestors was one of the Ndebele warriors who resoundingly defeated colonial forces led by Major Allan Wilson at the Battle of Pupu in 1893.

VP Chiwenga made the revelation when he was introducing President Mnangagwa to a huge crowd that had gathered for the official commissioning of the memorial site.

Im so pleased to introduce our guest of honour the President of Zimbabwe Cde Dr Mnangagwa. Let me say a few things that relate to our guest of honour.

President Mnangagwas great grandfather Muvengo was part of the Ndebele warriors and was part of the amabutho who fought in the Pupu Battle, said VP Chiwenga

He said the people of Zimbabwe fought British encroachment as one force.

Those who will visit this centre will understand that the people of Zimbabwe have never fought in disintegration. Whites would want to project Zimbabwean struggle along tribal lines yet it is not the case, he said.

VP Chiwenga called for the preservation of culture saying there is proof that the traditional systems worked.

He said the President is a symbol of strength and resistance in leading the country.

The Vice President said the Pupu Battlefield Memorial Site commissioning is an opportunity to tell the correct Zimbabwean history.

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I cant recall a time where a top financial publication has taken to lobbying, hard, against an investment strategy that has boatloads of fund managers and professional hangers-on benefitting from its largesse. Yet the Financial Times has in the space of barely more than a week, published two pieces, one a very long and extremely well done FT Alphaville overview, from the early days of private equity to the present, with emphasis on how its returns have been falling, yet there are all sorts of pretenses that that isnt happening. Then after reporting that CalPERS is planning to greatly increase its allocation to private assets, both private equity and private debt, the pink paper releases a story that says, bluntly, that this looks like a Bad Idea.

Mind you, we have been writing for over a decade about how private equity did not out-perform on a risk-adjusted basis. And there have been tacit admissions of that. Over the last decade plus, benchmarks have been made more forgiving. Since the early days of the strategy, the rule of thumb, embraced by the likes of Wilshire and other portfolio consultants, was 300 basis points (3%) over the an equity index, which was nearly always the S&P 500. The risk premium was to compensate for private equitys higher leverage and its illiquidity. Some experts argued 300 basis points was too low. And using the S&P 500 was also a gimmie: S&P 500 members are much bigger that private equity portfolio companies, so they should have been compared to a smaller company index. But heavens, private equity might come up short!

It has now hit the point where any pretense at intellectual honesty has gone out the window. CalPERS justifies its decision to commit more bigly to private equity by saying it offers the best potential return. Not the best risk adjusted potential return, mind you. Chasing absolute return and not considering risk is a mugs game. But then again, this is CalPERS.

There is plenty of corroborating evidence for this view. For instance, dean of the quant analysis industry, Richard Ennis, has looked in depth at so-called alts, as in alternative investments over a series of papers and articles. Some headlines from our posts making use of his findings:

But before we go deeper into the Financial Times recent takedowns of private equity pretenses to having built a better investment mousetrap for their investors, as opposed to creating a ginormous fee machine for themselves and their many minions, these critiques miss another element, which is the societal costs. Public pension fund enthusiasm for private equity is a variant of the Lenin quip: Public pension funds are buying the rope which is being used to hang them.

Private equity is a major vehicle for wealth transfer upward. Private equity managers regularly cut pay, employment levels1 and benefit levels, including breaking defined benefit plans and cutting contributions to defined contribution plans. And in the not-infrequent event of bankrupting a business, the losses are bigger and wider-ranging, not just to employees but to vendors and landlords.

The effect of this asset-stripping is to stain local and state government budget by crimping real wages of ordinary workers. That in turn hurts sales and property tax receipts. CalPERS employers, as in the government entities that pay to maintain the CalPERS benefits to their workers, are complaining about the costs, which have been taking a larger and larger share of their budgets. And exiting CalPERS is no solution; the giant fund manager has a draconian formula for assessing an exit charge (the short version is they have to immediately pay CalPERS the total actuarially expected amounts due to be paid for the employees in the plan, with very conservative, as in low, investment return assumptions).

Let us return to the Financial Times private equity critiques. The first was an impressive long-form treatment in FT Alphaville, Is private equity actually worth it? by Robin Wigglesworth. This treatment was about as good as it gets in long-form article format, and I have to add that I am envious in the day it tidily covered many of the issued Naked Capitalism has explored over the last decade. The article starts from the decision of a private equity holdout, the Norwegian sovereign wealth fund, to join the private equity party.2 to the inception of private equity in the 1970s, when it was first called bootstrapping and then leveraged buyouts.

The article describes the analysis by some prominent private equity boosters, claiming private equity beats stock market returns. Wellie, private equity companies are vastly more leveraged than public companies, so if that was not happening on average, there would be something extremely wrong with that picture. Again, not a single one of these cheerleaders mentions risk-adjusted returns. The all tout absolute returns. If any of them tried that argument on an MBA or CFA exam, theyd get a failing grade.

Wigglesworth then turns to a long (but still partial!) list of academic studies questioning the notion that private outperforms, staring with the classic 2005 Private Equity Performance: Returns, Persistence and Capital Flows by Steven Kaplan and Antoinette Schoar in the prestigious Journal of Finance.

Again, due likely to length and reader patience constraints, the article includes only some of the items from the industrys rap sheet of questionable return computation: the use of internal rates of return, and later papers that pointed out that to the extent the industry outperformed, the fund managers took it for themselves in eyepopping fees (estimated by CalPERS at 7% per annum; the fact that no limited partner knows what they are paying is another scandal).

Other known problem with private equity returns:

The lack of independent valuations, which is acceptable no where else in fund management; The resulting fact that private equity fund managers have been found to or even are widely acknowledged to exaggerate value: right before raising big funds (as in years 3-5 into their current fund), when equity markets are bad, and late in fund life, by carrying unsaleable dogs at their purchase price. Even though the fund managers say the lying in years 3-5 is of no matter since they have to back it out later, it goose those widely used IRRs. Similarly, lying about value in bad markets makes fund risks look way lower than they are.

Another not-widely acknowledged fact is that the appearance of superior returns comes from the very early days of leveraged buyouts, where there were many over-diversified, under-valued conglomerates that could be busted up, with the parts selling for more than the value of the former whole, and vintage years 1995 to 1999, when the returns were spectacular due to the money allocated to private equity having thinned down after the late 1980s leveraged buyout crisis (masked by the bigger and more visible S&L crisis), so that from 1990 to say as late as 1995-1996, there were plenty of companies to be bought cheaply. When those spectacuar return years rolled out of comparisons, the industry case looked weaker.

And the Norwegian state fund and now CalPERS bulking up in private equity continues the returns-depressing trend of too much money chasing too few deals.

The article also goes through some claims we have debunked, that co-investing is a magic solution (it isnt; there is often adverse selection in the deals the general partners offer up for that) or that a big investor can extract better terms (they cant; most investors insist on most favored nation clauses, so the way big fish get better prices is because the general partner, at fundraising time, has a pricing schedule, with larger commitments getting better prices).

Now to the even more fun Financial Times dissing of CalPERS plan to bulk up in private equity and private debt. To quickly dismiss the private debt part, a contact just wrote:

Of course, they [private equity fund managers] dont engage at all the evidence that excess return in PE is gone. I want to a credit conference a few weeks ago where a professor gave the keynote arguing that there is no alpha in lending. So cross that off the list as well as an opportunity.

No alpha = no extra performance generated by managers. Investors might as well go to BlackRock and buy the cheapest comparable index.

Here is the Financial Times recap from Calpers to invest more than $30bn in private markets:

Calpers, the USs biggest public pension plan, is to increase its holdings in private markets by more than $30bn and reduce its allocation to stock markets and bonds in an effort to improve returns. A proposal to increase the $483bn funds positions in assets such as private equity and private credit from 33 per cent of the plan to 40 per cent was approved on Monday

The throat-clearing comes in a related article, Calpers bets on leveraged equities

The worrisome aspect of this allocation decision jumps right off the page: it sounds like Calpers is steering the car by the rear-view mirror.  And, as Unhedged has argued before, there are at least three good reasons to think that private equity performance is going to get worse in relative terms. At least one of them, and maybe two, applies to private credit, too: The fast growth of the private equity industry has led to greater competition for assets, and therefore higher purchase valuations. This results in lower returns relative to public equity. This may explain the compression in private equitys outperformance that is already evident; see the chart below from Bain & Companys Global Private Equity report (while remembering that internal rates of return are not the same as distributions). It is would not be surprising if private credit returns followed the same pattern relative to high-yield bonds. A crucial component of private equitys high historical returns, very inexpensive debt, may not be available in years to come If you believe that a private equity portfolio is a near equivalent to a leveraged public equity portfolio  as Unhedged does  then underlying returns on US public equities are a critical component of private equity return (depending on your global equity weightings). But US equities returns are very likely to be lower in the next 10 years than the last 10, for the simple reason that they were extraordinarily high in the past decade, at 12 per cent annually for the S&P 1500 broad index. Long-term equity returns revert pretty reliably to 7 per cent or so. It may be that the Calpers investment office does have a theory about why private equity should continue to be the best asset class in the next 10 years. But I dont know what that theory is, and its not in the slide decks from the offices recent asset allocation review or its 2023 trust level review.

There is a LOT more where that came from.

The article also criticized CalPERS barmily low correlation assumptions (as in its claim as to how much private equity will reduce portfolio risk by not moving up and down in synch with other assets), which is something we have assailed before. The pretense that it happens (and the claims are typically way more modest than the CalPERS assumption), its due to bad accounting, namely not correcting for the one-quarter reporting lag for private equity, and fibbing about losses in bad markets.

But so many are so dazzled by what is now increasingly recognized as sham superior returns that the hopium keeps growing. If someone out there is making more money, or thinks he is, others will follow the herd.

______

1See Eileen Applelbaum and Rosemary Batt in Private Equity at Work, for example. They looked carefully at one seen as reputable study that found the reverse, and found a fundamental misdirection in the sample construction that when corrected, led to the opposite findings, that PE-bought companies cut pay and headcount more than carefully-matched peer companies.

2 This fund had previously sought the advice of Oxford professor Ludovic Phalippou, who in a very detailed analysis of industry returns, showed why private equity didnt earn enough to compensate for its additional risk. He did advise the fund to invest in private equitybut only in market downdrafts when they could buy secondary interests on the cheap.
Whats Lymphoma?  Risks Posed by Immediate Release of Test Results to Patients New England Journal of Medicine (Dr. Kevin)

New gene therapy, to be priced at $4.25 million, has already transformed childrens lives STAT (Dr. Kevin)

Fetal tissue research gains in importance as roadblocks multiply STAT (Dr. Kevin)

The Age of Cultural Stagnation New Republic (Anthony L)

#COVID-19

In 2020 I used first principles to note that where there was T cell death, there would likely be dysfunction of the immune system subsequently It is still highly contentious but there are deniers that would prefer you not attribute shingles to Covidhttps://t.co/PLFdz2h3WK  AJ Leonardi, MBBS, PhD (@fitterhappierAJ) March 21, 2024 Absolutely bonkers that Biden is bragging about getting sick people back into the workplace to spread Covid. https://t.co/kRDurKjnDm  Pat Just Pat  (@PatTheSocialist) March 21, 2024

Climate/Environment

Touring Ground Zero of the Methane Emergency Powering the Planet (Kurt Y)

China?

US weighs sanctions against Huaweis chip network Asia Times (Kevin W) This is an unbelievable number: looks like China's industrial capacity grew in the last 3 months by an amount equivalent to India's TOTAL industrial capacity. This is according to Eric Li, a famous Chinese venture capitalist and political scientist, speaking 3 days ago at the pic.twitter.com/daTvvlGUSB  Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) March 21, 2024

European Disunion

Gaza

New Not-So-Cold War

Syraqistan

The Middle East: The worlds playground for the privatization of war James Dorsey Chess Grandmaster Anna Muzychuk refuses to play in Saudi Arabia and says: "In a few days, I will lose two world titles, back to back." Because I decided not to go to Saudi Arabia. I refuse to play by special rules, to wear abaya, to be accompanied by a man so I can leave the pic.twitter.com/JWJbItNhKs  James Tate (@JamesTate121) March 21, 2024

Assange

Washington mulls plea deal for Julian Assange: Report The Cradle. Micael T: This I believe when I see it. Until then this should be considered as part of the psychological torture program.

Imperial Collapse Watch

How the U.S. Waged a Global Campaign Against Baby Formula Regulation ProPublica (Carla). It boggles the mind that we throw our weight around for non-strategic commercial players this way, and then for a product with negative health effects (there is a case for formula for preemies, proven out by an academic and practicing MD who has made breastfeeding a research topic. But even then, formula is beneficial only as 20% of intake. Breastfeeding advocates were enraged than even a very limited use of formula was proven to be beneficial) US forces unwelcome at Japanese ports and airfields Asia Times (Kevin W)

Trump

Biden

BREAKING: Democratic star Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez obliterates the Republicans' hack witness during a hearing for the sham Biden impeachment inquiry. This is one for the books "I have a quick question. Simple. Is it your testimony today that you personally pic.twitter.com/ilx39seExc  Occupy Democrats (@OccupyDemocrats) March 20, 2024 Biden cancels $6bn in student debt for public service workers BBC (Kevin W)

GOP Clown Car

Immigration

This is the moment when TX National Guard became overrun by migrants rioting to get across the border here in El Paso today We were there and saw it all happen. Absolute chaos here. pic.twitter.com/VN6Kf663ie  Jennie Taer (@JennieSTaer) March 21, 2024

Our No Longer Free Press

Abortion

Pregnancy care has changed in alarming ways since Louisiana banned abortion NPR (furzy)

Antitrust

AI

Business leaders push sustainable intelligence Bangkok Post (furzy). Seems like an oxymoron.

The Bezzle

Class Warfare

Antidote du jour (via):

And a bonus (Chuck L):

The owner recieved noise complaints from neighbours when she was at work so she set up a camera This is what she saw pic.twitter.com/sDjQ2YpIbN  B&S (@_B___S) March 19, 2024

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
Yves here. As we indicated, Rajiv Sethi was surprised, and not in a good way, at having a very careful and well-substantiated post he wrote on RFK, Jr.s presidential bid, with attention to the candidates anti-Covid vaccine claims singled out by Google as [AntiVaccination]. He was sufficiently troubled that he used this development to discuss his post, the Google denigration of it at Naked Capitalism, and the impact of censorship generally.

Notice that Sethi endorses our reading of Googles demand to remove the posts it cited as plainly and systematically flawed. He uses our case as a point of departure to discuss the question of whether the vaccine mandates were based on unduly narrow considerations and the fact the strangling of debate around the Covid vaccines has backfired and bolstered anti-vaccine sentiment generally.

One of the issues with the censorship of Covid vaccine-relation discussion is some key information is not well known to people like Sethi, interested and rigorous thinkers who nevertheless can only go selectively into Covid and vaccine data. He gives public health officials the benefit of the doubt in quoting Francis Collins, then a director of the National Institutes of Health, as regretting how public health officials may have over-prioritized saving lives and not considered societal costs adequately.

Aside from the fact that public health is not a monolith (it is a state responsibility, although the CDC and NIH try very hard to drive the train), problems with the vaccine approval process and the shifting rationale for the vaccinations have been conveniently memory-holed. Sethi likely does not know about Pfizers extreme efforts to bar the release of data, or the fact that neither Pfizer or J&J set to measure all cause mortality as a study endpoint. They then set out to make that impossible by making sure there was not long-term control group by urging the controls to take the vaccines once the positive efficacy data came in.

In addition, a key priority of the vaccine mandates was the notion that vaccination would prevent spread. That was explicitly stated by some officials, as we have repeatedly shown. It may actually have been true to some degree with the wild type Covid but was vastly less so with Delta, witness Rochelle Walensky being shocked after an outbreak in Provincetown generated the finding that the vaccinated had the same nasal viral load as the unvaccinated. However, a major and not-well admitted motivation was shielding hospitals. Recall that hospitalization with wild type led to two to three weeks of patients coughing their lungs out and, generally, death. That tied up so many hospital beds that routine criseslike heart attacks and strokes often faced 36+ hour waits in the emergency room. Lambert also noted in subsequent Covid waves that the metric officials seemed to care most about was hospitalization, even as evidence of other, cumulative health costs from getting Covid keeps rising.

In any event, we very much appreciate Rajiv Sethi taking issue with ever-rising censorship campaigns in the US and pointing out that the Covid example shows they can be counterproductive as well as corrosive.

By Rajiv Sethi, Professor of Economics at Barnard College, Columbia University. Originally published at his website

Back in July 2023, when RFK Jr was still seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, I wrote a post evaluating his candidacy and claims. Yves Smith at naked capitalism occasionally reposts my articles in full (with a link back to the original source) and did so in this case. A couple of weeks ago, Yves emailed me to say that Google had threatened to demonetize her site based on 16 posts that allegedly violated their policy, and that mine was among them. She believes that the company relied on algorithms to single out these posts, and that the AI results are plainly and systematically flawed.

I think that any reasonable person who looked at the list of posts that were flagged would reach the same conclusion. But these are not just clumsy errors that can be easily corrected and quickly forgotten. They feed the narrative that free speech is under siege in America, and inflame precisely the sentiments that have attracted people to Kennedy. He has polled as high as 22 percent in recent surveys by well respected organizationsQuinnipiac, Reuters/Ipsos, and Harvard/Harrisand stands at 15 percent in the RCP three-way average. This is a sizeable group of voters, and they could well prove decisive in the election.

The following extract from my original post summarizes my view of Kennedy and his appeal:

Kennedy believes with a high degree of subjective certainty many things that are likely to be false, or at best remain unsupported by the very evidence he cites But the evidence is ambiguous enough to create doubts, and the failure of many mainstream outlets and experts to acknowledge these doubts fuels suspicion in the public at large, making people receptive to exaggerated claims in the opposite direction. Furthermore, the general themes that arise in Kennedys rhetoricthe corrupting influence of money in politics, the folly of military adventurism abroad, the smugness and failures of elite opinion, and the need for open and robust debatewill strike a chord with many voters across the ideological spectrum Kennedys bid remains unlikely to succeed, but if his party adopts a dismissive and contemptuous stance towards him and towards those whom he has mobilized, it will sink its own prospects. The proper and prudent response is to identify and absorb his legitimate concerns, while pushing back firmly but respectfully on the claims that lack merit.

Although Kennedy is now running as an independent, I stand by these remarks.

The failure to engage in robust and honest debate about contentious issues, and the inclination to target dissenters with ad hominem attacks, can lead to significant policy failures. Consider for example, this recent post by Paul Offit, a pioneer in the development of vaccines and a strong supporter of mandates early in the pandemic:

In May 2021, after about 70 percent of the United States population had been vaccinated, we hit a wall. About 30 percent of the American public simply refused to get a COVID vaccine, either because they thought the vaccine was unsafe or because they didnt think COVID was that bad. In response, we mandated COVID vaccines. We mandated them for travel, schools, restaurants, businesses, and federal employees. We mandated them for entry into churches and synagogues. We mandated them for sporting events; athletes who refused to be vaccinated werent allowed to compete Early in the pandemic, mandates appeared to be the way to go. But there was, as it turned out, an unanticipated price to pay. Some public health officials now question whether vaccine mandates were a mistake. Heres why. In 2023 alone, 48 states introduced 377 bills many of which addressed the legality of vaccine mandates and argued for more non-medical exemptions. For example, in April 2023, Mississippi allowed a religious exemption to vaccination. A few months later, 1,800 religious exemptionswere granted. Prior to this ruling, Mississippi, because it had only offered medical exemptions to vaccines, had the highest vaccination rate in the country and, consequently, one of the lowest rates of vaccine preventable diseases. That wont last. And Mississippi is just the tip of the iceberg. About 35 percent of parents now question the value of school vaccine mandates for all vaccines. Consequently, vaccine exemptions among school children have increased dramatically. It is not a coincidence that measles cases are how sweeping across the country; 15 states are reporting cases.

As a second example, consider the case of Francis Collins, who was among the architects of our pandemic response as director of the National Institutes of Health. On a podcast appearance first posted in July 2023, Collins expressed some regrets (the relevant clip is just 45 seconds long):

If youre a public-health person and youre trying to make a decision, you have this very narrow view of what the right decision is, and that is something that will save a life. Doesnt matter what else happens. So you attach infinite value to stopping the disease and saving a life. You attach a zero value to whether this actually totally disrupts peoples lives, ruins the economy, and has many kids kept out of school in a way that they never quite recovered This is a public-health mindset, and I think a lot of us involved in trying to make those recommendations had that mindset, and that was really unfortunate.

The video didnt attract much attention until several months later, when it was posted on social media and picked up by more conventional outlets. While it is heartening to see some reflection of this kind, the lives versus livelihoods framing is misleading. Unemployment, learning loss, and social isolation dont just affect the quality of life, they have downstream effects on morbidity and mortality. These ought to be factored into any public health mindset. Moreover, other mindsets also need to be applied to major policy decisions, even those concerned with disease suppression.

I was born at a time and place when small pox was still a deadly scourge, and have the mark on my left arm where the vaccine was administered. I had both measles and mumps at about the same time when very young, and though my memory of this is hazy, Im told by my parents that my temperature reached 105 degrees and I could well have perished. I got my second dose of the Moderna vaccine in March 2021, just weeks before rushing to India, where my father was desperately clinging to life in the midst of the deadly Delta wave. Im convinced that the vaccine protected me when I most needed it, and when others most needed me to stay healthy.
As economists, we commend (Honduran) President Castro and the people of Honduras, and hope that countries across the world follow their lead toward a fairer, more democratic trade system.

In 2023, the small Central American country of Honduras (population: 10.7 million) was the second most sued nation at the World Banks International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), with a total of nine ISDS (investor-state dispute settlement) cases against it (the only country with more was Mexico, with 10). Just one of those suits, brought by U.S. corporation Prospera Inc, a company financed by several Silicon Valley investors, including Peter Thiel, Balaji Srinivasan, and Marc Andreessen, is for $10.8 billion, equivalent to around a third of Honduras GDP.

Prospera Inc. filed its ISDS case with ICSID in late 2022 after Honduras left-leaning President Xiamora Castro (no relation to Fidel) partially repealed a law granting foreign investors like Prospera the right to create charter cities in Zones of Employment and Economic Development, or ZEDEs. Established in 2021 on Roatan, an island 40 miles off Honduras northern coast, Prospera was described by the tech news website Rest of World as a crypto-libertarian paradise.

Then, just a year later, the Castro government pulled the rug from under Prosperas feet by doing away with part of the law allowing ZEDEs to operate as more or less autonomous territories on Honduran soil. In its ISDS suit, Prospera Inc. alleges that Honduras owes it more than $10 billion for breaking a 50-year legal stability guarantee granting it sovereignty over Prospera, including the ability to create its own laws, courts, authorities and taxes.

Claws and Teeth

For those unfamiliar with this topic, ISDS clauses are what give most bilateral or multilateral investment treaties their claws and teeth, essentially enabling foreign investors to ride roughshod over domestic laws and regulations. Put simply, foreign investors get to sue governments for any loss of profit, including profits not yet earned, resulting from new laws and regulations, and they tend to have a chilling effect on pubic-interest regulatory action. The cases are decided by secret panels staffed by highly-paid, investor-friendly arbitrators and are always brought by corporations against governments, never the other way round.

But something almost unheard of is happening in Honduras case. Instead of waiting for the imposition of crippling fines that would almost certainly bankrupt her government, Xiaomi Castro decided in late February to withdraw her country from ICSID, arguing that the court was infringing illegally on Honduran sovereignty.

In taking this step, Honduras has become the first Central American country to walk away from ICSID, the worlds most important forum for the settlement of differences between investors and States, with a total of 149 government signatories. Until now, Latin America has been a hugely lucrative source of income for (mostly Western) corporations seeking legal damages against governments for passing laws or regulations that threaten their bottom line as well as the international arbitration lawyers that argue the cases. From an article I wrote in 2016:

[O]ver the last ten years, the region has been one of the primary sources of their exorbitant fees, which can range from $375 to $700 per hour depending on where the arbitration takes place. By 2008, more than half of all registered claims at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) were pending against Latin American countries. In 2012, around one-quarter of all new ICSID disputes involved a Latin American state.

A Little Background

Xiomara Castro is the wife of former Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, who was ousted in a 2009 US-supported coup. In April, 2022, four months into office, she announced that she had already fulfilled one of her main campaign pledges by repealing a 2013 passed by the government of former strongarm President Porfirio Lobo Sosa that had allowed foreign investors to create charter cities in designated ZEDEs. According to Reuters, the law has only been partially repealed, though further steps to do away with the ZEDEs are expected in 2025.

The amount of autonomy that Lobo Sosas government had granted to the owners of the ZEDEs is mind-boggling. As the Honduran daily newspaper La Prensa reported in 2021, the 2013 law clearly established that each ZEDE will have its own internal security bodies (), including its own police, crime investigation bodies, intelligence, criminal prosecution and penitentiary system. The cities will also have an independent financial regime, and will not be subject to the exchange control of the Central Bank of Honduras; they are empowered to develop their own internal monetary policy.

Even before Castros election, local businesses were complaining that the law had granted too many privileges to foreign investors to the detriment of domestic capital. The US economist Paul Rohmer, the godfather of international charter cities who had initially worked with the Lobo Sosa government to develop ZEDEs, had disowned the project, warning that Honduras ZEDEs system was undemocratic, opaque, destined for collapse and shrouded in lies. As a recent article in The Intercept explains, the legal showdown between the Honduran government and the investors behind the charter cities presents an almost impossible-to-believe scenario:

A group of libertarian investors teamed up with a former Honduran government  which was tied at the hip with narco-traffickers and came to power after a U.S.-backed military coup  in order to implement the worlds most radical libertarian policy, which turned over significant portions of the country to those investors through so-called special economic zones. The Honduran public, in a backlash, ousted the narco-backed regime, and the new government repealed the libertarian legislation. The crypto investors are now using the World Bank to force Honduras to honor the narco-governments policies The law that established ZEDEs  short for Zone for Employment and Economic Development  effectively carved out portions of Honduras and turned them over to American investors, who operate as effective sovereign governments. The ZEDEs could one day control 35 percent of Hondurass territory, according to the United Nations, which has said that the zones raise human rights concerns. It took enormous political muscle more than a decade ago to force the ZEDEs into law. They only became possible when Castros husband, Manuel Zelaya, was removed in a U.S.-backed coup in 2009. After Zelaya was ousted, a new election brought in President Porfirio Lobo Sosa, who quickly moved to undo Zelayas social reforms, attacking workers rights and reneging on land reform efforts. The Supreme Court struck down the first version of the ZEDEs law as unconstitutional, but after the constitution was amended and four new justices were added to the Supreme Court, the law stuck in 2013.

Economic Self-Harm

Eleven years later, business lobbies in Honduras are warning of imminent disaster as foreign investors begin shunning the country. The Honduran Council of Private Enterprise described the Castro governments decision to withdraw from ICSID as economic self-harm, putting at risk not only Honduras current economic stability, but also future opportunities for growth and development. The governments move, it said, slams the door in the face of foreign investors and the international community and risks triggering a flight of investors at a moment that we most need their confidence and capital to support our economy.

A group of 85 international economists, including many whose names regularly appear on this site (e.g. Ha-Joon Chang, Yannis Varoufakis, Ann Pettifor, Jayati Ghosh and Daniela Gabor), could not disagree more. In a letter published in Progressive International the economists argue that they have found scant economic evidence that mechanisms like ICSID stimulate meaningful foreign direct investment. Instead, they say, international arbitration courts like ICSID have allowed corporations to sue states and restrict their freedom to regulate in favour of consumers, workers and the environment for decades:

Since 1996, governments in Latin America alone have been forced to compensate foreign corporations over $30 billion, intimidating regulators away from raising minimum wages, protecting vulnerable ecosystems, and introducing climate protections, among other domestic policy priorities.

The economists also describe Honduras predicament as a powerful case of corporate abuse through the ISDS system:

Since the 2021 election of the countrys first woman President, Xiomara Castro, corporations have brought a total of 10 ICSID cases against them. The largest, brought by the US corporation Prospera Inc, seeks more than $10 billion  two-thirds of the countrys annual budget  as compensation for the countrys decision to derogate the disastrous ZEDEs law that forfeited Honduran territory to foreign corporations like Prospera to found private cities that operate almost without regard for labour, environmental, or health regulations.

The letter closes with a bold assertion that the era of corporate supremacy in the international trade system is coming to an end.

The European Union recently announced its withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT). US President Joseph R. Biden, meanwhile, has pledged to not have provisions for these corporate courts in future trade deals. And major developing countries, such as Brazil and India, stand firm in their refusal to enter treaties like ICSID in the first place. Now, the government of President Xiomara Castro has taken another important step to prioritise sustainable development over corporate profit. As economists, we commend President Castro and the people of Honduras, and hope that countries across the world follow their lead toward a fairer, more democratic trade system.

While it is hard to find fault with the letters overall message, especially the hope that other countries follow Honduras lead, the claim that corporate dominance of the global trade system is coming to an end, while certainly a desirable outcome, is perhaps a little optimistic. As Yves noted in the preamble to a recent cross-posted article on the gathering backlash against ISDS clauses, while new ISDS provisions arent simply accepted as they once were, there are still plenty of trade deals in force with those stipulations.

Rest assured that powerful international arbitration tribunals such as ICSID will do whatever they can to protect their racket for as long as possible. In other words, while the current ISDS system is most probably in terminal decline, especially after the collapse of the TPP and TTIP eight years ago, which in the eternal words of Obamas US Trade Rep Michael Froman would become the global benchmark for standards in a globalized world, its death is likely to be painfully slow (for members of the global public, not the corporations that will continue to benefit from it).

Advanced economies like Australia and the EU may wish to disentangle themselves from their ISDS commitments but this will take time. Six years ago, the European Court of Justice ruled that the ISDS clauses contained within almost 200 bilateral investment treaties (BITs) between EU member countries are incompatible with EU law. Since then, the EU has modified the legal mechanism applicable to the trade agreements it signs while developing its own multilateral investment court system. However, as a 2022 European Parliament report notes, the number of IPAs (investment partnership agreements) signed by the EU has stalled since then, quite possibly due to the new arrangements.

Meanwhile, one hopes that Xiomara Castros defence of her nations economic interests against the rapacious demands of the ZEDE investors holds firm, and that her presidency doesnt meet a similar fate to her husbands. These are, after all, powerful forces  i.e., many of the worlds largest corporations  she is up against, and the last thing they will want is for countries in the Global South to begin abandoning the ICSID and other international arbitration panels.

To cap it all off, Castros government is currently negotiating a trade agreement with China after announcing the establishment of diplomatic relations with Beijing in October. In doing so, it became the latest in a long line of Latin American governments to jettison their decades-long ties with Taiwan, much to Washingtons chagrin. As the Washington Post ominously noted at the time, Honduras (emphasis my own) was long among the most docile of U.S. regional partners. Now, its government is cosying up to China, Washingtons principal strategic rival.
State Rep. Torrey Harris (D-Memphis) and state Sen. Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma) look ready to prove out a rare project of bipartisan lawmaking. This week, it was Harris turn to marshal their shared legislation  an in-the-weeds bill enabling commercial drivers license holders who owe child support to keep working with proper documentation  through the House Civil Justice Committee. On March 12, it easily cleared the Republican-controlled House Subcommittee on Children and Family Affairs.

Civil Justice Chair Andrew Farmer (R-Sevierville) brought it up at the end of Wednesdays committee meeting. House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) dutifully kicked its tires, probing Harris with questions before sitting back, apparently satisfied. Rep. Antonio Parkinson (D-Memphis) commended Harris lawmaking.

We do have a long way to go with this, kind of like what the leader said, Harris told colleagues. Hopefully we will continue this work next year some more. Thank you for not killing my bill.

With debate seemingly over, Rep. Jason Powell (D-Nashville) called for a vote.

Farmer presided over a procedural whirlwind lasting less than 20 seconds. Rep. Chris Todd (R-Jackson) indicated he had a last-minute question on the bill. Farmer asked Powell to withdraw his motion to accommodate Todds request  Powell did. Instead of asking Harris a question about CDLs or child support, he moved to adjourn the committee. Farmer laughed from the dais.

Are there any objections to that?" said Farmer. "Members, all those in favor to adjourn, say, Aye.'" A chorus of Republican ayes ended the meeting without a vote on the bill. Harris threw up his hands in frustration. Procedure rolled his bill to the following week.

Its a sad situation for Rep. Harris," Powell tells the Scene. "I should have just stuck with my original question, but I wanted to be respectful and honor the system. Its just another sign that we have really moved away from respecting each other as members and, in my opinion, that we are moving to an authoritarian system where voices are silenced.

Powell brought up another instance earlier this year when Republicans killed his bill on no-bid contracts without discussion.

I didnt even speak on the bill, says Powell.

On Tuesday, House Criminal Justice Subcommittee Chair Clay Doggett (R-Pulaski) gaveled down a gun safety bill brought by Rep. Justin Pearson (D-Memphis), claiming it didnt get a motion to be heard. It took Pearson a second to realize that Doggett hadnt even asked for one.

Kicking out Democratic Reps. Pearson and Justin Jones (D-Nashville) made national headlines last year as a brazen attempt by Tennessees Republican supermajority to silence and control political opposition. Rules about the House gallery created during last year's special session limited public access to lawmaking and prompted constitutional concerns about Tennesseans First Amendment rights.

Todds maneuver is one of several ways that GOP legislators have limited Democrats abilities to shepherd bills through the legislative process. Rather than defeat them by voting, Republican leaders  including state House Speaker Cameron Sexton  use procedural power to ignore Democrats requests to speak, defer their bills and quick-gavel over any objections. Several subcommittees include just one Democrat, effectively killing any bill that lacks a Republican second required for discussion.

Johanna Keohane, a Republican from Robertson County, witnessed the non-vote on Wednesday. During Augusts special session, she started traveling to Nashville to watch House proceedings. She makes videos on TikTok about the legislature.

There was good debate and questions from Rep. Lamberth and Rep. Parkinson, Keohane wrote in an email to all members of the Civil Justice Committee on Thursday. Honestly sitting in the seating area I thought this was a great bipartisan effort. I was proud to witness it. There is so much focus on decorum and respect for members of the House. Well, how was this respectful? It wasnt respectful to Harris. It wasnt respectful to Rep. Powell, and it wasnt respectful to the people of Tennessee who you all represent.

Harris, Farmer and Todd did not respond to the Scene's request for comment.
Gov. Bill Lee signed the ELVIS Act into law on Thursday, making Tennessee the first state to ensure likeness, voice and image protections for individuals as artificial intelligence technology continues to advance.

In addition to adding voice to already existing protections for Tennesseans, the act is the first in the nation to include language granting protections from an algorithm, software, tool or other technology, service or device. With the state being a music industry hub, the governor and state legislators emphasized the importance of the law giving further legal protections for artists and songwriters.

The bill passed both the Tennessee House and Senate unanimously in early March.

Technology experts have said when states begin to enact laws piecemeal in this way it can affect the work of AI-focused tech companies, and legal experts agree it will be important to have federal guardrails guiding the technology as it continues to progress. But both acknowledge that tech often moves faster than legislators can act.

A draft bill called the No Fakes Act has been circulated in the U.S. Senate, supported by Tennessee's U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, but has not yet been filed. The No AI Fraud Act has been filed by Florida's U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar in the House, but it has yet to move through a committee meeting.

State's ELVIS Act Headed to Floor Votes Legislation protecting voice and likeness from AI generation passed in committees

The Human Artistry Campaign, an initiative for keeping human creativity as part of responsible AI advancement, issued a release celebrating the signing of Tennessees law on Thursday.

The Nashville Songwriters Association International was proud to play a role in its adoption and we hope this becomes a template for similar federal legislation and a starting point for other important protections for creators when it comes to AI, says Bart Herbison, NSAI executive director and a member of the Human Artistry Campaign, in the release.

Music industry big shots including Luke Bryan, Natalie Grant and Chris Janson were at the signing Thursday at Robert's Western World in Nashville, alongside state House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) and Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin).

Recording Industry Association of America Chairman and CEO Mitch Glazier says in a release: This incredible result once again shows that when the music community stands together, there's nothing we can't do. We applaud Tennessee's swift and thoughtful bipartisan leadership against unconsented AI deepfakes and voice clones and look forward to additional states and the U.S. Congress moving quickly to protect the unique humanity and individuality of all Americans.

This article was first published by our sister publication, the Nashville Post.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On March 20, ECARX on its Tech Day 2024 brought forth the companys latest advancements in intelligent cockpits, autonomous driving, automotive chips, and more. ECARX emphasized its ongoing commitment to strengthen its position as a global leader in automotive intelligence technology.

Through further collaboration with Xingji Meizu Group, ECARX introduced the Qorgir computing platform based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 platform. This platform boasts a CPU power of 330 KDMIPS, GPU power of 4.2T FLOPS, and flagship performance with 60 TOPS hybrid edge-cloud AI, supporting up to 8K displays and hardware ray tracing technology.

Additionally, ECARX announced the development of the Atlas and Pikes computing platforms based on the fourth-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon cockpit SoC. Leveraging the FlymeAuto and Google Automotive Services ecosystems, ECARX aims to accelerate its global expansion and support the intelligent strategies of global automotive brands.

In the realm of intelligent driving, ECARX showcased the progress of its Skyland Pro intelligent driving computing platform's integrated driving and parking capabilities, including highway and urban Navigate on Autopilot (NOA), Automatic Park Assist (APA), Remote Park Assist (RPA), and Home Zone Park Assist (HPA), among other capabilities. With two intelligent driving chips from Black Sesame Technologies, this platform offers 64 KDMIPS of CPU power and 116 TOPS of NPU power. It has already been deployed onto the Lynk & Co 08 model.

During the event, ECARX also unveiled two LiDAR products, expanding its footprint in the sensor field. Specifically, the Photon-Matrix automotive LiDAR, featuring a long-range semi-solid-state main LiDAR with a detection range of 200 meters, and a short-range solid-state LiDAR for perceiving the 3D environment around the vehicle.

The cost of the short-range LiDAR is expected to drop to $100 (approximately 720 yuan), while the long-range LiDAR will be priced at $200 (approximately 1,440 yuan), with mass production expected by the end of this year. The LiDAR products will be integrated into upcoming Polestar models.
Speeches by the NATO Secretary General, the Chair of the NATO Military Committee and Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia and Belgium

Available live on the NATO website, on CCTV, EBU Worldfeed, to EBU news exchange, as well as on X and YouTube, and afterwards on natomultimedia.tv for download
American Christians mobilizing for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an end to U.S. arms sales to Israel

A coalition comprising hundreds of American Christians is mobilizing local congressional offices in at least 20 cities across the United States with a mission to urge elected officials to support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and to halt Washington's arms sales to Israel.

Organized by a group called the Christians for a Free Palestine (C4FP), the campaign not only calls for a cessation of hostilities in Gaza but also aims to persuade representatives to reject Christian Zionism  an ideology that bases its political support for Israel on Biblical prophecies. (Related: Christian Zionism harbors a contradiction  genocide can't be reconciled with the teachings of Jesus Christ.)

"Christianity should not be leveraged to prioritize weapons of war over the peace and safety of people in our own local communities and across the world," said Cicia Lee, an organizer with the C4FP.

"Christian Zionism and Christian Nationalism work side by side  both are ideologies that justify violence against others, fueling antisemitism and anti-Muslim violence and currently enabling a genocide. We instead turn to the liberating path of Jesus, who fought against empire and proclaimed 'Blessed are the peacemakers.'"

The coalition asserts that Christian Zionism represents a significant political and financial force that supports what they describe as the genocide of Palestinians. The group comprises Christians from various denominations, mainly Presbyterians, Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and Lutherans, along with smaller groups of allies such as Quakers.

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.

This action is part of a series of lobbying efforts in recent weeks aimed at advocating for an end to the conflict in Gaza.

Despite the administration of President Joe Biden's staunch support for Israel's actions, demonstrations across the U.S. have demanded an end to the conflict and Israel's occupation of Palestine. However, the Christian-led action stands out as one of the few explicitly condemning Christian Zionism.

Christian Zionism hinges on the belief that the modern state of Israel fulfills Biblical prophecies, with its fate intertwined with that of the United States.

With an estimated 20 million followers in the U.S., Christian Zionists have exerted significant political and financial influence, including sponsoring Jewish migration to Israel and funding the construction of illegal settlements in internationally recognized Palestinian territory in the West Bank.

U.S., Israel agree to framework for proposed Gaza ceasefire

Early this month, the United States said Israel has approved a framework for a proposed ceasefire in Gaza and a prisoner release agreement, leaving the decision in the hands of Hamas.

"There's a framework deal. The Israelis have more or less accepted it," a senior U.S. official from the White House told reporters during a conference call, speaking on the condition of anonymity. "Right now, the ball is in the camp of Hamas."

According to the official, the proposed framework includes a temporary ceasefire of six weeks and the release of captives by Hamas, particularly those considered vulnerable, such as hostages who are sick, wounded, the elderly and women.

Additionally, a potential agreement would likely facilitate the delivery of aid to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza who are facing severe humanitarian challenges, including the threat of famine.

Israel has imposed strict restrictions on the entry of essential supplies, including food, water, and medicine, into the Gaza Strip since the conflict began on Oct. 7.

Reporting from Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, Al Jazeera's Bernard Smith noted that the U.S. announcement appears to be aimed at pressuring Hamas to accept the broad terms of the proposed six-week ceasefire. However, he highlighted the uncertainty surrounding Hamas's response.

"Hamas has previously insisted on a full permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza," Smith said. "These are demands that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called delusional. So both sides, on the face of it, seem far apart."

Watch this report from Al Jazeera of how Israeli forces massacred people waiting for aid in Gaza.

This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Poll: Two-thirds of American voters want U.S. to push for PERMANENT CEASEFIRE in Gaza.

Palestinian Christians in Gaza fear Israel's ongoing bombing campaigns will lead to their EXTINCTION.

Gaza's dwindling Palestinian Christian community could be COMPLETELY WIPED OUT by Israeli attacks.

The untold story of Christian Zionism's rise to power in the United States.

Evangelical Christians turn their backs on Christians in Palestine who are being murdered and attacked by Jews as they give unconditional support to Israel.

Sources include:

MiddleEastEye.net

AlJazeera.com

Brighteon.com
COVER-UP: Federal agency CANCELS cell phone radiation research after safety risks uncovered

In a shocking announcement, the National Toxicology Program (NTP) has announced that it will no longer investigate any evidence linking cellphone radiation to harm caused in animals or people.

Even though this very type of research is why the NTP exists, the agency has decided that, from here on out, it will never again even attempt to study whether or not cellphone radiation harms people and their pets.

"(There's) no scientific explanation or justification for this sudden reversal," said Devra Davis, a former senior adviser to the assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

According to the NTP, it is simply too hard to study the negative effects of cellphone radiation  or as they put it, conducting radiofrequency radiation (RFR) studies is too "technically challenging and more resource-intensive than expected."

Davis says this is not a valid excuse, otherwise the NTP could claim this same thing about every other type of research it conducts.

"Everything that we know for sure causes cancer in people will produce it in animals when adequately studied," Davis added.

(Related: It is an undeniable fact that cellphone radiation is directly linked to cancer.)

NTP never even published supposedly "completed" 2019 research

The last time the NTP even attempted any type of research into cellphone radiation was back in 2019 when it developed a novel, small-scale RFR exposure system. In the process of developing that system, the NTP abruptly stopped all research, leaving only completed research on highly outdated 2G and 3G frequencies, and nothing for the more modern 4G (LTE) and 5G technologies used on most smartphones.

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Davis is dumbfounded by the decision, seeing as how she helped make recommendations for the NTP concerning how to develop its test chambers. Since it takes years for such studies to be planned, Davis said it is "beyond my comprehension at this point" why the NTP suddenly stopped setting up the trial.

The NTP claims that its work on the small-scale exposure systems and accompanying research has been completed and that the full results will be posted on the agency's website only "when internal reviews are finished." It has been five years, though, and there is still nothing published on the 2019 trial.

In 2018, the NTP published the results of two-year toxicology studies showing "clear evidence" of a link between 2G and 3G cellphone radiation and cancer tumors in male rats. Follow-up research in 2019 likewise showed DNA damage in the brain, liver and blood cells of exposed rodents.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had originally requested to oversee these studies as they were conducted, but the FDA has since dismissed the NTP's findings entirely.

In 2019, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the latest 5G technologies using outdated 1996 radiation standards  5G did not even exist in 1996, just to be clear. To help pull the wool over America's eyes, the FDA anonymously produced an unreviewed document in 2020 that it claims supports the "safe" use of 5G technology.

The Environmental Health Trust (EHT) sued the FCC for this travesty, resulting in a 2021 U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruling against the FCC. It was determined that the FCC acted improperly and illegally by relying on the outdated 1996 wireless radiation exposure limits.

"The court found the FCC ignored evidence that radiation below its current limits can cause adverse health effects besides cancer, noting that the FCC also failed to respond to comments about the environmental harm caused by radiation," reports explain.

"The court ordered revised standards accounting for EHT's records on risks to children and the environment."

If at all possible, limit your exposure to RFs and EMFs to protect you and your family from deadly radiation. Learn more at EMF.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

NaturalNews.com
Georgian MP introduces bill that seeks to ban LGBT propaganda and indoctrination efforts (most of which target youth)

Mamuka Mdinaradze, majority leader of Georgia's unicameral parliament, has introduced a bill that seeks to ban LGBT propaganda in the country.

The bill aims to protect the society from pseudo-liberal ideology and its inevitable harmful consequences. "Georgian society has always been tolerant, but it cannot be tolerant towards pseudo-liberal propaganda," said Mdinaradze, who leads the parliamentary faction of the Georgia Dream party in the chamber, earlier in March.

"We are witnessing serious trends in the spread of pseudo-liberal ideology worldwide. This propaganda is becoming increasingly aggressive. Most importantly, the propaganda has serious consequences."

The lawmaker further argued that international research supports the need for such a law, pointing to studies indicating a rise in non-traditional sexual orientations  particularly among younger demographics  in countries where pseudo-liberal ideology is prevalent.

"International studies confirm that in a number of countries where pseudo-liberal ideology is particularly rampant, the percentage of people with non-traditional sexual orientations among those aged 18 to 25 already amounts to about 20 percent and in some places even more," Mdinaradze explained. "It is alarming that over seven years, this figure has tripled, and the increase coincides with the period when this propaganda became particularly active."

According to him, LGBTQ+ advocacy groups like Tbilisi Pride, along with the United Nations (UN), have been spreading LGBT propaganda within the country. He accused these "pseudo-liberals" of imposing "pseudo-liberal" ideology on the general public by organizing annual events like the Pride Parade (Gay Parade), even though the majority viewed it negatively. (Related: Support for LGBT drops as pushback increases, report finds.)

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"[Tbilisi Pride] organized the training with the financing from the UN Development Fund. The officials from [Tbilisi Pride] claimed that it was a workshop to counter Russian disinformation, while the [UN Development Program] has said that it had funded workshops about minority rights. In fact, the topic of the conversation was the defense of pseudo-liberal propaganda."

Anti-LGBT propaganda bill not the first of its kind

The anti-LGBT propaganda bill introduced by Mdinaradze and his Georgia Dream party is not the first of its kind legislation proposed in the country over the years.

In May 2023, the pro-Russian party Conservative Movement teamed up with the ultra-right broadcasting company "Alt-Info" to create a set of bills with similar content. The set of bills is an amendment to the law "On meetings and demonstrations" to prohibit the propagation of non-traditional sexual orientations within the country.

The proposed amendments explicitly stated that meetings and demonstrations would be prohibited if they were suspected of promoting non-traditional sexual orientations, if they involved any statements against religious movements and if they incited social discord.

Violations of the proposed law would entail fines of 3,000 Georgian lari (about $1,210) or administrative imprisonment for up to 25 days for participants. Meanwhile, organizers would be fined 5,000 lari (about $2010) or up to 30 days of administrative arrest.

However, Mdinaradze opposed the bill for several reasons.

First, for legal reasons. Secondly, there is a pragmatic consideration: Such a law may become more favorable for LGBT propagandists and radical forces that build their entire narrative around it. Thirdly, many members of our team believe that healthy propaganda should be opposed to unhealthy propaganda, and not legal mechanisms, with which certain claims can then arise."

Furthermore, in 2017, Tbilisi prevented the legalization of same-sex marriages, and the following year, it was explicitly defined in the Georgian Constitution that marriage is a union between a man and a woman to create a family.

Watch this clip of the Russian Supreme Court banning the "extremist" LGBT movement in Russia.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Tennessee House of Representatives passes bill banning LGBT pride flags in public schools.

Tennessee city to BAN all LGBT books from county libraries.

Russias highest court designates international LGBT movement an extremist organization.

Texas bans LGBT trans hormone drugs and other toxic gender-bending mutilators of children.

Obama denounces profoundly misguided bans on sexually explicit and pro-LGBT books from public school libraries.

Sources include:

RT.com

JAMNews.net 1

JAMNews.net 2

Brighteon.com
Israel accuses Biden of trying to topple Netanyahu after U.S. president said Israeli Prime Minister needs to come to Jesus

The latest intelligence assessment out of the United States suggests that the Biden regime here in America wants to remove the Netanyahu regime in Israel, this according to Israel's most senior political source who spoke to

This "very senior" Israeli official, as he is described, retaliated against the intelligence assessment, which expresses concerns about the way Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is handling the war on Gaza. According to the official, Netanyahu's government "may be in jeopardy" because of it.

After reading the intelligence assessment, the very senior official declared that "those who elect the prime minister of Israel are the citizens of Israel, and no one else."

"Israel is not a protectorate of the U.S. but an independent and democratic country whose citizens are the ones who elect the government," the official added. "We expect our friends to act to overthrow the terror regime of Hamas and not the elected government in Israel."

(Related: Sen. Chuck Schumer [D-N.Y.] also wants Netanyahu to go.)

Netanyahu left "fuming"

The Biden regime's intelligence assessment of the Netanyahu regime states that there is growing "distrust" among members of the public concerning Netanyahu's ability to rule effectively in Israel.

"Distrust of Netanyahu's ability to rule has deepened and broadened across the public from its already high levels before the war, and we expect large protests demanding his resignation and new elections," the assessment reads.

"A different, more moderate government is a possibility."

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The assessment goes on to note that despite Israel's insistence that its response to the October 7 Hamas attack would be swift and guarantee "total victory," the reality, according to the Biden regime, is that Hamas will likely pose a threat to Israel for years to come.

While the Israeli public "broadly supports" the destruction of Hamas, "Israel probably will face lingering armed resistance from Hamas for years to come, and the military will struggle to neutralize Hamas's underground infrastructure, which allows insurgents to hide, regain strength and surprise Israeli forces," the assessment continues.

It could very well be that the very senior official who spoke to Channel 12 was Netanyahu himself, seeing as how it was reported that reading the assessment left him "fuming."

Netanyahu has since been reported to have "decided to embark upon strong, public and dramatic confrontations with the president of the United States" over the assessment.

At the same time, Netanyahu just appeared at the annual AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) lobbying gathering in Washington, D.C., to thank the Biden regime for its support.

Speaking on behalf of Israel, Netanyahu said he "deeply appreciate[s] the support we have received from President Biden and the administration, and I hope it will continue."

"But let me be clear," Netanyahu added. "Israel will win this war, no matter what," adding that Israel "must destroy the remaining Hamas battalions in Rafah" in order to win the conflict.

"Hamas will regroup, reassemble and retake Gaza if that happens," Netanyahu continued about what he believes will happen if Hamas is not rooted out of Rafah.

"That is an intolerable threat to our future, and we will not accept it. We will destroy Hamas, free our hostages and ensure that Gaza doesn't pose a threat to Israel again."

Netanyahu continues to claim that Israel is doing what it can to get civilians out of harm's way before the Rafah operation commences.

"You cannot say you support Israel's right to exist and to defend itself and then oppose Israel when it exercises that right," Netanyahu added, broadsiding the U.S. and other allies who have expressed concerns about the high number of civilian deaths that have already occurred even before the Rafah operation.

The latest news about Israel can be found at IsraelCollapse.com.

Sources for this article include:

GreatGameIndia.com

NaturalNews.com
Report: Israeli military has weaponized humanitarian initiatives in Gaza to accelerate the displacement and killing of Palestinians

The investigative organization Forensic Architecture recently released a study indicating that the Israeli military has effectively "weaponized" humanitarian initiatives like "evacuation orders" and "safe zones" in Gaza, enabling it to ensure the widespread displacement of Palestinians.

Forensic Architecture's 80-page report asserts that Israel's implementation of these strategies has exacerbated forced transfers and mass displacements, contravening international legal norms.

Moreover, the report reveals that these measures often lacked consistency and clarity, leading to confusion and ultimately resulting in more casualties and Israel's bombardment of designated safe zones in Gaza.

Rather than serving as genuine humanitarian efforts aimed at safeguarding civilian lives, the report suggests that Israel's actions constitute a form of "humanitarian violence," which aligns with Israel's broader genocidal actions against the Palestinian population of the Strip. (Related: Israel weaponizes food supply as almost 600,000 people go hungry in Gaza.)

According to the report, international humanitarian law prohibits the evacuation of civilians from combat zones unless it is genuinely for their protection and so long as their relocation to areas with essential survival provisions such as food, water and shelter is ensured.

Despite Israel's assertions that its "evacuation orders" were intended to safeguard Palestinian civilians, the humanitarian measures implemented since the outbreak of conflict in October have failed to adhere to these stipulations.

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Instead, these policies have functioned as instruments of mass displacement, pushing civilians into uninhabitable areas that subsequently come under attack, further exacerbating Israel's genocidal campaign against the Palestinian people.

The report underscores that Israel's "weaponized" humanitarian measures persist even after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on January 26 that "at least some of the acts and omissions" Israel has committed in Gaza meet the criteria of genocide as set forth by the 1948 Genocide Convention which legally defined it.

Despite this court ruling, Israel has continued to forcibly remove Palestinians from their homes and deny them essential resources, such as adequate food, water, and medical care, in violation of the court's directives.

31,000 Palestinians killed by Israel's military campaign in Gaza

Israel's actions have resulted in the death toll in Gaza surpassing 31,000, with over 72,400 wounded and approximately 7,000 more missing, most of whom are presumed dead and buried under rubble.

Over three-quarters of Gaza's population had been internally displaced due to the conflict. Among them, more than a million individuals are crowded into Rafah, a small area of land whose population has ballooned to five times its pre-war size.

This humanitarian crisis has been exacerbated by unprecedented levels of infrastructural destruction, agricultural damage and the deliberate targeting of vital civilian structures, including hospitals, schools, religious sites and residential homes.

The devastation wrought by the conflict has left homes and livelihoods in ruins, with disease rampant throughout the region. Hunger is pervasive, particularly affecting the over 155,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women, among whom malnutrition rates have sharply risen.

Gaza's health system is in dire straits, with hospitals overwhelmed and medical personnel facing immense stress amidst deteriorating sanitation conditions. The estimated 5,500 pregnant women expected to give birth in the coming month face formidable challenges in accessing adequate medical care, as many essential healthcare facilities have been destroyed.

Additionally, more than 690,000 menstruating women and adolescent girls in Gaza are grappling with limited access to menstrual hygiene supplies and privacy, exacerbated by the scarcity of water which compromises cleanliness and increases the risk of infection.

Read more stories like this at IsraelCollapse.com.

Watch this video of Israeli pro-war protesters attempting to block aid trucks from entering Gaza.

This video is from the AllTheWorldsAStage channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Israel is weaponizing FAMINE while destroying food system in Gaza, says UN human rights expert.

Israel refusing to allow HUMANITARIAN AID to reach the 2 million civilians trapped in Gaza.

Israel is ISOLATING ITSELF as the world unites against its illegal occupation of Palestinian territory.

Sources include:

MiddleEastEye.net

UNFPA.org

Brighteon.com
Israels chickens come home to roost

Israel's decision to commit genocide in Gaza is radicalizing people in ways never before thought possible.

(Article by Chris Menahan republished from InformationLiberation.com)

The Young Turk's Ana Kasparian went on an epic rant on Thursday in response to a report in The Prospect detailing how the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is meeting in Washington, DC to demand Congress hand over another $14 billion to Israel ASAP.

GO OFF ANA! TALK YOUR SHIT QUEEN! pic.twitter.com/Iy04MV9ETj  Jon Miller (@MillerStream) March 16, 2024

"AIPAC is evil. AIPAC is evil -- evil!" Kasparian ranted. "My fellow Americans, Are you okay with that? Are you okay with a lobbying group representing the best interests of a foreign government telling you [that] you need to bust your ass every day, work a job that you likely hate, and have a portion of your earnings taken from you by our federal government and funneled to the Israeli government so they can commit atrocities in the Gaza Strip?"

"Are you okay with that? Because I'm not okay with that," she continued. "And nothing gets under my skin more okay than hearing these pieces of crap say things that make it clear that they're they feel entitled to our money. Entitled -- entitled! That gets under my skin more than you guys understand!"

Full segment:

Imagine the chutzpah you have to have to demand Americans fund and arm your genocide campaign, shut down the number one social media site in the country to silence your critics and pass laws to make it illegal to criticize you.

Imagine then accusing anyone who pushes back against your agenda of being an "anti-Semite" who hates you for no reason.

Their atrocity propaganda and lies are quite simply not working, as these ratios for the ages from Jake Shields make abundantly clear:

This is no doubt why Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) -- the self-described "Guardian of Israel" did his stupid little speech on Friday trying to scapegoat Netanyahu and his "far-right" regime for everything and calling for Israel to hold new elections.

The "far-right" would actually likely pick up a ton of seats if elections were held today because the war is wildly popular in Israel and the biggest criticism of Netanyahu is that his genocide campaign is not genocidal enough.

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 stuck in the past. pic.twitter.com/jvjm6o0JPA  Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) March 14, 2024

72% of Israelis support the idea of withholding aid to the starving population of Gaza. The Israeli govt policy of using starvation as a weapon of war has broad public support. https://t.co/RW4GCGtQS1  Khaled Elgindy (@elgindy_) March 8, 2024

"We still have not revenged in a biblical waywe did not burn Gaza to ashes immediately. Create a tremendous humanity crisis. Level the entire area. Do not leave a stone upon stone in Gaza. Gaza needs to turn to Dresden. Annihilate Gaza now!"#Israeli politician Moshe Feiglin pic.twitter.com/SwC8zYMw6a  Quds News Network (@QudsNen) October 26, 2023

Schumer clearly got orders to try and distance American Jews from Israel ahead of Netanyahu's approved ground invasion of Rafah which is likely going to dramatically escalate their genocidal ethnic cleansing campaign.

AIPAC didn't even bother to criticize Schumer over his comments (why would they?) and he went to their conference this week.

Politico reported in so many words on Friday that it's all for show:

"My decades long relationship with AIPAC goes beyond any one president and any one Prime Minister," Schumer said in a statement to POLITICO. "We both share a deeply rooted love for Israel and the common goal to preserving the bipartisan support for Israel. We will continue to work together to strengthen and support the U.S.-Israel bond." One former Schumer aide, granted anonymity to speak freely about an old boss, said Schumer's remarks appeared to be marketed toward "domestic consumption, [rather] than international consumption." The speech seemed political, given the level of concern about Israel's actions within his caucus, the former staffer said. Democrats are under increasing pressure from their base to push back on the Israeli government, whose bombardment of Gaza has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians. Hundreds of thousands of Democrats voted "uncommitted" in primary contests across the country in recent weeks as a rebuke to President Joe Biden's handling of the Israel-Hamas war. "[AIPAC] recognizes that Schumer has a left flank problem just like the Israel lobby has a left flank problem," said one Democratic consultant who works with major Jewish donors, granted anonymity to discuss the issue candidly. "You stick with the guy who's always been with you, but you also let him have the breathing room to say what he needs to say if it helps him with his left flank." [...] AIPAC is also sophisticated enough to know that its relationships with Democratic leadership depends on whether those leaders can maintain the support of voters, said one former Democratic Senate aide who has worked with AIPAC. Schumer's relationship with AIPAC has always been "strong, resolute, frank and open," the person added. "They understand bare-knuckle politics and how it works," the person said. "True career-long relationships are not done away with, with one statement, one vote, or one policy position."

Zionists have lost the American public and alienated the entire world.

Read more at: InformationLiberation.com
Medvedev slams Brussels over its demand that Russia return gold bullion to Romania

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev did not mince words in his response to a demand by the European Union that Russia return the gold bullion that allegedly belongs to Romania.

In a March 15 post on his page on the Russian VK social media platform, the former Russian leader described the move as "impudence." The deputy chairman of Russia's National Security Council wrote: "I don't even know how to respond to such."

"The EU has stolen $300 billion worth of Russian assets and is now demanding that Russia return gold to Romania. There is nothing to say except f**k off."

Medvedev's response came a day after the European Parliament in Brussels adopted a non-binding resolution that called on Moscow to send back 91.5 metric tons of gold and cultural artifacts to Bucharest. These were sent by Romania to the Russian Empire from 1916 to 1917 at the height of World War I for safekeeping.

The European Parliament passed the resolution, introduced by Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Eugen Tomac, on March 14. Tomac's resolution had the backing of the National Bank of Romania, according to ABC News.

The MEP hailed the resolution as "a historic vote" and "a matter of national dignity" in a Facebook post. He continued: "Romania cannot and must not accept anything less than the return of 91.5 tons of gold and the [country's] entire cultural treasure." Despite acknowledging the minuscule chance of Bucharest ever seeing the return of the gold, Tomac said it was "important not to give up."

Medvedev found an ally in Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). She claimed that Romania's demand may be part of a desperate attempt to fix the "deplorable situation [in the country's] national economy against the backdrop of farm strikes throughout the country." Zakharova also accused Bucharest of using "Russophobic platforms such as the European Parliament, which is ready for any excuse to force onto us its century-old phantom debts." (Related: IMF says SEIZURE of frozen Russian assets must have sufficient legal support.)

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.

Why is Romania's gold with Russia to begin with?

According to Historic Mysteries, Russia came into possession of Romania's gold as a result of WWI. The Romanian capital had been occupied by the Central Powers  Germany, Austria, the Ottoman Empire (today Turkey), and Bulgaria. Romanian officials at the time feared losing its gold reserves to looting by the Central forces.

Thus, an initial 91.5 metric tons of gold (valued at $5 billion today) were loaded into a train in December 1916 and sent to the Kremlin, then under the Russian Empire. A second train from Romania was sent seven months later in July containing many other treasures such as ancient artifacts, art pieces, many rare books and the jewels of Romania.

But in November 1917, almost a full year after the initial gold-loaded train left for Romania, the Russian Empire was overthrown by the Bolsheviks under the leadership of Vladimir Lenin. In 1935, the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin returned a portion of the valuables to Romania "as a sign of goodwill"  a fact Zakharova mentioned.

The MFA spokeswoman also mentioned that the Soviet Union had forgiven all of Romania's debts stemming from the "troubles and destruction" it caused during WWII. Bucharest had sided with Adolf Hitler during the war, and his Romanian allies committed "atrocities" as per Zakharova.

"This is no less than $300 million in reparations," she explained. "If converted to today's money, it would be something in the region of $4 billion."

Zakharova continued that if these Romanian debts to the Soviet Union (and to its successor the Russian Federation) were expressed in terms of bullion, they would be equivalent to between 1,365 and 1,665 tons of gold. This number, she said, is "20 to 25 times more than Romania's entire gold reserve that was sent to Russia from 1916 to 1917."

Watch Dmitry Medvedev comments on a map that shows Poland, Russia and Romania  but without Ukraine.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Russia vows to respond in kind if West seizes its frozen assets.

Russia boosts gold stock to cushion impact of US, EU sanctions.

Russia is considering bringing back the GOLD STANDARD to maintain financial sovereignty amid economic sanctions.

Sources include:

RT.com

ABCNews.go.com

HistoricMysteries.com

Brighteon.com
Portugal court ruled in 2020 that PCR tests are TOO UNRELIABLE to confirm COVID-19  but this ruling is still being ignored

In late 2020, a judge in Portugal condemned the widely used PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test for identifying the presence of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) in individuals as being up to 97 percent unreliable  but this ruling is still being ignored

The verdict, delivered on Nov. 11, 2020, followed an appeal against a writ of habeas corpus filed by four German holidaymakers to the Azores against the Azores Regional Health Authority. The health authority had been appealing a ruling from a lower court that favored the tourists, who claimed that they were illegally confined to a hotel without their consent, in compliance with the required 14-day isolation period for new arrivals to the Azores.

The 34-page ruling by the Lisbon Appeal Court reaffirmed the earlier decision of the courts that the four German tourists were "illegally confined" to a hotel in the Azores. The tourists were ordered to stay in the hotel after one of them tested positive for COVID-19 using a PCR test. The other three were labeled as close contacts and therefore were made to quarantine as well. (Related: PCR testing a fraud: Government uses faulty testing to amplify COVID case numbers.)

The appeals court further ruled that only a doctor can "diagnose" someone with a disease and were critical of the fact that the four tourists were never assessed by one. The court was also scathing about the reliability of the PCR test.

The conclusion of their 34-page ruling included the following: In view of current scientific evidence, this test shows itself to be unable to determine beyond reasonable doubt that such positivity corresponds, in fact, to the infection of a person by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

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.

PCR testing far too unreliable to confirm COVID-19

The Portuguese court noted that the two most important reasons for questioning the reliability of COVID-19 tests are that "the test's reliability depends on the number of cycles used" and that "the test's reliability depends on the viral load present."

There is a discrepancy around the world regarding the "cycle threshold" for PCR tests, or the number of amplifications that are performed. Each cycle exponentially increases the amount of viral DNA in the sample.

This number in most American and European labs is 35to 40 cycles, but experts have claimed that even 35 cycles is far too many and that a more reasonable protocol would call for 25 to 30 cycles.

The Portuguese judges cited a study conducted by some of the leading European and world specialists, which was published by Oxford Academic. It showed that if someone tested positive for COVID-19 at a cycle threshold of 35 or higher, the chances of that person actually being infected is less than three percent, and that the probability of receiving a false positive is 97 percent or higher.

While the judges in this case admitted that the cycle threshold used in Portuguese labs was unknown, they took this as further proof that the detention of the tourists was unlawful. The implication was that the results could not be trusted.

Watch this video discussing how the PCR test for COVID-19 doesn't actually test for the virus.

This video is from the Slawomir Slowianin channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

FDA warns against using COVID-19 at-home test due to bacterial contamination.

PCR tests and the rise of disease panic.

COVID RACKET: Biden stole $1 billion from U.S. taxpayers by overpaying for Chinese covid test kits.

PCR tests once again proven fraudulent.

Sources include:

NexusNewsfeed.com

ThePortugalNews.com

PortugalResident.com

Brighteon.com
State senator calls for RIOTS after Tennessee Republicans pass bill undoing police traffic stop reforms

The passage of a bill in Tennessee that reverses another police reform bill in the wake of the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols by Memphis cops in 2023 is stirring up anger as some residents, including state Sen. Charlane Oliver, are suggesting that people riot in opposition to it.

The original bill, adopted by the Memphis City Council, outlawed so-called pretextual traffic stops for minor violations such as a broken taillight. Republicans were so upset by the bill that they passed a statewide one to override any and all local limits on traffic stops when an officer observes or has reasonable suspicion that someone in the car has violated either a local ordinance or a state or federal law.

House Republicans reportedly approved the statewide overriding measure followed by Senate Republicans adopting it as well. The only people who opposed the bill were the chamber's six voting Democrats.

"I pleaded with the sponsor not to run this because it's a slap in the face, not only for our city council but for all the local governing bodies in this state," commented Sen. London Lamar, a Democrat from Memphis whose district includes the location where Nichols was killed by police.

"[They're telling us we] are not smart enough to decide policies to help govern [our] own city. This is extreme government overreach."

State Sen. Oliver also called the bill a slap in the face, adding that "you might as well stomp on the grave of Tyre Nichols for bringing this bill.

"Yes, we are emotionally charged," she added. "Why? Because it's personal for us. [Sen. Brent] Taylor made this personal the minute he introduced this legislation to target one family and one life that was lost. So yeah, we gonna fight."

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.

"Dr. King said the riots are the language of the unheard. You ain't seen nothing yet. If you keep silencing us like this, what do you think our district's gonna do? We have had it up here, gloves off. Like, we got to fight like hell. You don't expect us to respond?"

(Related: During the Wuhan coronavirus [COVID-19] "pandemic," Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed an executive order authorizing quarantines and involuntary internment of state residents by the National Guard.)

Race wars enflaming in Tennessee

When Nichols was killed in January 2023, many local Memphis residents called for police reform not only locally but nationally. This came after video footage showed an almost three-minute barrage of fists, feet, and police batons striking Nichols' face and head, both front and back.

All five of the officers involved, all of whom are black, were charged with federal civil rights violations and second-degree murder, along with other criminal counts in state court. One has pleaded guilty in federal court.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is also now involved with an investigation into how Memphis Police Department officers use force and conduct arrests. The DOJ is also looking into whether the department in the majority-black city engages in racially discriminatory policing.

While the new bill has yet to be signed by Gov. Bill Lee, he has also never handed down a single veto since taking office, which suggests he plans on signing it just like every other bill that has ever come across his desk.

There is much debate over whether Nichols even drove into oncoming traffic at all, a claim initially made by police that was later refuted by Police Chief Cerelyn "CJ" Davis who said there was no evidence that Nichols was driving recklessly.

"Memphis is an independent city, so to speak," said Rodney Well, Nichols' stepfather. "It's not like any other city in Tennessee. It's majority black. Fair is fair. We worked too hard to get this bill passed for it to be overturned like this."

More related news can be found at PoliceViolence.news.

Sources for this article include:

ThePostMillennial.com

Fox17.com

NaturalNews.com
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On March 20, BYD made a significant stride in its European expansion by launching two new models in Greece. This launch event marks BYD's official entry into the Greek passenger car market, symbolizing a new chapter in BYD's European green journey.

Photo credit: BYD

The launch was a collaborative effort between BYD and its Greek dealer, Sfakianakis Group, held at the Zappeion Hall in Athensa venue rich in symbolism and historical significance. The first two BYD models to be distributed in Greece by Sfakianakis Group are the BYD ATTO 3 SUV and the BYD SEAL sedan, followed by the BYD DOLPHIN hatchback and the BYD SEAL U SUV, which will be available in both BEV (battery electric vehicle) and PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) variants.

Michael Shu, Managing Director of BYD Europe, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership with Sfakianakis Group, stating, "We welcome the Sfakianakis Group as a key member of BYD's global strategic layout. We are confident that our shared commitment to sustainable electrification will power Greece's transition to green mobility. Together, we will focus on customer-centric solutions, aiming to deliver satisfying sales experiences and comprehensive, high-quality after-sales services."

Founded in 1958, Sfakianakis Group is among Greece's leading commercial entities, employing over 1,500 staff across 14 European countries. With BYD's first store already open in Athens and a second store slated to begin operations in early April, Greek consumers can experience and order BYD products firsthand.

Since September 2022, BYD has actively pursued its European market strategy, partnering with local allies to introduce a range of new energy vehicle models across 20 European countries, including Germany, the UK, Spain, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Norway, and Hungary. This expansion has led to the establishment of over 250 stores across the continent, demonstrating BYD's commitment to promoting sustainable mobility worldwide.
The alleged superpower, USA, no longer has a military

West Point Drops Duty, Honor, Country from Its Motto and Replaces It with Army Values in Its Mission Statement

(Article republished from PaulCraigRoberts.org)

Does this mean that duty, honor, country are no longer Army values?

Are we moving toward a military academy whose values will be transformed in keeping with the woke ideology that has taken over the universities, public schools, Democrat Party, corporations, and media? Will the academys values be transgenderism, equity, and open borders?

Time will tell.

We can see why honor and country have to go. The last time the US military fought a war that could be claimed was defending the country was World War II. The Korean War was about preventing unification of Korea under the communists. The Vietnam War was about this and also defending the Domino theory. The Middle East wars were fought for the benefit of Israel. The Ukraine war was orchestrated as a strategy against Russia. The Israeli-Hamas war was intended to be a prelude for an attack on Iran. Actually, all wars are fought for the benefit of the power and profit of the US military/security complex.

Most of these wars were about bombing women and children. The notion that these murdered women and children were a threat to the United States is so far-fetched as to be insane.

The question before us concerned civilians of the United States and the military veterans and retired officers is: Who is it that is destroying the US Military and its traditional values?

The US military has turned off real warriors. The US military today is a tower of babel. There is no unity between heterosexual white males mainly from the South, and sexual perverts, feminists, people of color, and the higher command that restricts white heterosexual promotions and requires its only warriors to submit to sensitivity training. Sensitivity training means one thing only: that a white person must accept that compared to people of color you are a second class citizen.

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.

This is the American world today. Little wonder no military service can meet its recruitment needs and is talking about enrolling immigrant-invaders to defend the country they themselves have violated.

Duty, honor, country to be displaced by Army Values is for me and my generation a sacrilege. To witness the Superintendent of West Point, the Biden Secretary of the Army, and the Secretary of Defense submit to, or is it to orchestrate, this sacrilege tells me that the future purpose of the US military is not to protect the United States of America from invasion, but to serve the interests of the ruling elite.

Indeed, the current tyrannical regime in Washington has declared open borders and is flooding America with immigrant-invaders. The same tyrants asserting American hegemony are pellmell destroying America.

And dumbshit Americans will vote for this anti-white, anti-American regime that is destroying them. A country half of whose population is committed to its own destruction is already destroyed.

Read more at: PaulCraigRoberts.org
Amazons Jeff Bezos demonizing farming while investing more than $1.27 billion in fake food production

(summary by "Neo" LLM via Brighteon.AI

- Jeff Bezos' Earth Fund will spend over $1.27 billion on manufacturing fake food, specifically plant-based and lab-grown "meats."

- The goal is to demonize traditional farming methods and force a shift towards fake meat alternatives.

- The Aspen Ideas Climate conference featured discussions about using technology, biotechnology, and geoengineering to transform urban landscapes and financing strategies for the fake meat revolution.

- Speakers at the event emphasized the need for a "seismic shift" in how trillions of dollars are invested into fighting "climate change" by suppressing traditional farming activities.

---

At the recent Aspen Ideas Climate conference in Miami, Fla., Bezos Earth Fund vice chair Lauren Sanchez  the Bezos Earth Fund is a project of former Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos  revealed that a large portion of Bezos' fortune will be spent on manufacturing fake food for the masses.

According to Sanchez, more than $1.27 billion from the Bezos Earth Fund will be spent on creating more "plant-based, lab-grown 'meats,'" this while demonizing the farming of real food as outdated and something that needs to go.

The three-day conference featured speakers who highlighted their belief that Big Tech in general will play a critical role in this transformation from real meat to fake "meat." They talked about lab-cultured food "intelligence," biotechnology and geoengineering (chemtrails), and other tools they say are critical in forcing farmers and ranchers to stop growing and producing real food.

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.

Urban landscapes will also need to be "redeveloped" to facilitate this shift, the speakers explained, as will the way financing works. There will have to be a "seismic shift" in financial strategies that funnel trillions rather than billions of dollars into the fake meat revolution  all of this being necessary, they claim, to stop "global warming."

"From the resonance of music to the subtleties of architecture, from stirring art to imaginative fiction, profound calls to action are often hidden in the unexpected," it was also stated at the event about how everything has to change, including music and art, in order for any of this to work.

"Experience the captivating stories that inspire change from some of the most unanticipated sources."

(Related: A few years ago, Bezos announced that he plans to dump most of his $124 billion net worth into fighting "climate change," which includes this latest move.)

Climate change, a brain disease

Sanchez, who like Bezos is fully devoted to and obsessed with fighting "climate change," told two fictional stories during her 10-minute presentation that aimed to scare the audience into fearing deforestation and global warming.

"Deforestation and global warming ... it's not just about solving a problem," Sanchez said. "It's also about reimagining our interaction with the world. We need to invent our way out of climate change."

Sanchez talked a lot about methane, also known as cow flatulence, and how to track its "leaks" all around the world  in other words, they want to keep a close eye on cow farts, and they plan to do it with a recently launched satellite called MethanSat.

"It's a game-changing satellite we support with the Environmental Defense Fund," Sanchez said, somehow with a straight face.

"Now, before MethaneSat launched into orbit, just last week, ... we weren't able to see the big picture of where and how bad the methane leaks are ... we now have innovative technology which we can see and measure leaks like never before."

MethaneSat also looks for methane releases from oil and gas facilities, which also have to go, say the climate fanatics, because these natural, earth-based fuels are making temperatures too warm  or too cold, depending on the propaganda of the day.

Just about the only thing Sanchez said that made any sense whatsoever was her "novel" idea that perhaps planting more trees around the world will help the planet. It does not require a multi-billion-dollar satellite to tell us that, though.

"This will need a ton of innovation," Sanchez continued while proceeding to basically say that all livestock needs to go.

"We're investing heavily in [the] livestock sector and inventions that will give consumers meat options that are better for the earth," she said.

In other words, you will not eat meat and you will like it, according to these Bezos-backed lunatics.

Jeff Bezos is one of the evilest people in the world. Learn more at Evil.news.

Sources for this article include:

Expose-News.com

NaturalNews.com
Court declares BAR exam racist and thus optional total collapse of judicial system now underway

The next generation of lawyers may not have to pass the universal bar exam in order to practice after the Washington Supreme Court released two orders approving several "anti-racist" alternatives.

Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis of the Washington Supreme Court and Dean Anthony Varona of the Seattle University Law School decided that the legal profession, at least in that state, needs to "diversify" because the universal bar exam requirement is "racist."

According to the court, the bar exam "blocks marginalized groups from entering the practice of law" and also has "racism and classism written into the test itself."

Montoya-Lewis and Varona spearheaded a task force during the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "pandemic" to reevaluate the bar exam and come up with proposed changes. That task force found that the bar exam "disproportionately and unnecessarily blocks marginalized groups from entering the practice of law, and the traditional bar exam is at best minimally effective for ensuring competent lawyers."

One proposed alternative from the court is the so-called NextGen bar exam from the National Conference of Bar Examiners. That alternative to the traditional bar is set to be available come summer of 2026, and will require a reduced passing score of just 266.

The court also approved three experimental learning options for both law graduates and current law students, as well as APR 6 law clerks.

(Related: Remember last spring when Biden declared that data itself is "racist" and a representation of "white supremacy?")

Top American universities abandoning standardized test scores

This newly proposed pathway for more people of color (POC) to become attorneys would involve a six-month apprenticeship for law graduates under a qualified attorney, as well as three mandatory standardized courses.

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.

"Law students must complete 12 qualifying skills credits and gain 500 hours of work experience as a licensed legal intern," explains The National Pulse about how the program would work. "Law clerks would follow a similar path to law school graduate apprenticeships while also obtaining the required hours as interns."

The court also plans, moving forward, to join the Washington State Bar Association to jointly develop an implementation system and timeline. This is despite controversy that arose recently over questionable remarks made by an executive member of the association.

Critics of the new anti-racist plan say it will result in under-qualified and less-than-capable people becoming lawyers, which will only end up disintegrating the integrity (whatever remains of it, anyway) of America's judicial system.

Keep in mind that many top American universities are making similar changes, one being that they are no longer requiring standardized test scores as a condition of admission. This will diversify the pool of students to include more POCs, though some universities have since reneged on that decision and are once again requiring applicants to submit standardized test scores.

As to how and why the Washington court decided that the traditional bar exam is racist, MyNorthwest.com reported that the entire process of becoming a lawyer was determined to be nothing more than a "dam" that was "rather hastily built ... that holds back more water than it should."

"The bar exam ... is a way to regulate the profession and it keeps going back to an intention to exclude historically excluded groups," claimed Matt Audish during a July 2021 task force meeting.

Audish added that the "bar exam generally measures privilege more so than the competency to study law" because it is easy for wealthy people to take time off of work to study for it.

The costs associated with taking the bar exam were also determined to "reinforce historical inequities in our profession," the task force decided.

More related news can be found at Twisted.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheNationalPulse.com

NaturalNews.com

MyNorthwest.com
Collusion coverup: Department of Justice intervenes in Pfizer fraud case, in a corrupt attempt to shut the case down

(summary by "Neo" LLM via Brighteon.AI

- The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) is attempting to shut down the Pfizer fraud case scheduled for April 17.

- The lawsuit alleges that Pfizer-BioNTech violated the False Claims Act during their clinical trials and knowingly delivered a defective product to the world.

- Former employee Brook Jackson, who worked at Ventavia Research Group (a company that conducted some of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials), is suing Pfizer, her former employer Ventavia, and another Pfizer contractor, ICON plc.

- The DOJ asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit, claiming it would be inconsistent with their public health policy.

- The DOJ's motion to dismiss cites a flimsy hypothesis authored by the FDA, which supports the faulty vaccines and contradicts Jackson's claims of fraud and negligence.

---

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) just made a brazen attempt to shut down the Pfizer fraud case that is scheduled for April 17 before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas Beaumont Division. The lawsuit alleges that Pfizer-BioNTech violated the False Claims Act during their clinical trials and knowingly delivered a defective product to the world.

The lawsuit was filed by Brook Jackson, a whistleblower and former employee of the Ventavia Research Group. Ventavia conducted some of the clinical trials for Pfizers mRNA covid-19 vaccines. Jackson provides evidence that Pfizer committed fraud to get a vaccine contract with the federal government. This fraud led to the FDAs approval of an ineffective and unsafe vaccine that caused numerous injuries and deaths, while providing no substantial immunity to the alleged causative agent. According to the claim, Pfizer-BioNTech violated the protocols for their COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial at three study sites in Texas. Jackson not only sued Pfizer, but also her former employer Ventavia and another Pfizer contractor, ICON plc.

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.

This fraud has undoubtedly cost American taxpayers billions of dollars and has led to an untold number of injuries from the COVID-19 countermeasure, including permanent disability and death among my fellow citizens, Jackson said.

At a March 8 presentation of the Vaccine Safety Research Foundation, one of the lawyers representing Jackson spoke about the extent of the fraud. "Any and every form of fraud they [Pfizer] could commit, they did," said Robert Barnes. "[Jackson] discovered it, uncovered it and went through the appropriate internal review protocols and assumed that people would correct the defects, Barnes said. And instead of that occurring, she was summarily fired."

DOJ asks court to dismiss lawsuit against Pfizer

The DOJ already revealed their partiality in this case when they asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit. The United States should not be required to expend resources on a case that is inconsistent with its public health policy, the DOJ said in its motion to dismiss.

If the DOJs public health policy includes shutting down investigation and covering up evidence of Pfizers fraud, then the government agency itself is suspect in a much grander investigation of fraud and medical malfeasance.

The very agencies that are meant to hold corporations accountable cannot willfully act in the best interest of those corporations and refuse to hear the evidence of why these vaccines were a failure from the start. With this arrogant move, the DOJ seeks to dismiss well-cited claims of fraud. With this suspicious act, the DOJ seeks to shut down evidence of injustices that were waged against the people of the United States. This is corruption at its finest, and the fight must go on.

DOJ peddles vaccine propaganda, completely ignoring evidence of fraud

The False Claims Act requires the United States to notify the court whether it will intervene in the qui tam action or decline to take over the action, following a period of investigation. A qui tam action refers to any legal case where a private citizen initiates legal action on behalf of a state. In qui tam cases, the government must choose whether to intervene. They can either file a motion to dismiss or try to settle the case on behalf of the citizen who originally filed the claim. The DOJ decided to double down on their support for Pfizers fraud and willful negligence. Instead of standing by the whistleblower, the DOJ decided to come against her.

To justify their support for Pfizer, the DOJ argued that the discovery process and ongoing legal proceedings will impose a significant burden on FDA, HHS [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services] and DOJ.

The DOJ's motion to dismiss cites a flimsy hypothesis authored by the very agency (the FDA) that was used by Pfizer to push the faulty vaccines. The DOJ cites a Jan. 5, 2024, JAMA editorial authored by FDA Commissioner Robert Califf and the FDAs Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research Director Peter Marks, claiming that: "Contrary to a wealth of misinformation available on social media and the internet, data from various studies indicate that since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic tens of millions of lives were saved by vaccination."

This hyperbolic statement about the "savior" COVID-19 vaccines makes Jackson's lawsuit even more important. Further discovery into this matter continues to uncover a trail of corruption, fraud and propaganda within the government agencies. Not only did the Biden Administration unlawfully mandate a product in violation of the U.S. Constitution and the Nuremberg Code, but they also falsely advertised a harmful intervention, while willfully and negligently pushing it out into the population, with deleterious effects.

Sources include:

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

Justice.gov

Sashalatypova.substack.com

ChildrensHealthDefense.org [PDF]

Law.Cornell.edu

Ori.HHS.gov
Organized migrant gangs now targeting luxury homes in Los Angeles, Scottsdale

(summary by "Neo" LLM via Brighteon.AI

- Latin American gangs are targeting upscale residences in Southern California and Scottsdale, Arizona.

- Los Angeles Police Department Chief Dominic Choi reports a significant increase in burglaries from organized groups operating outside the country.

- Some of these gangs may be exploiting the 2014 visa waiver program to conduct heists.

- Burglars avoid using firearms and instead use jamming devices to disable home security systems.

- Police are having to come up with a more proactive response to protect the affluent from these organized and often transnational burglary gangs.

---

The rich spend a lot of time and money trying to distance themselves as far away from the poor as possible in order to protect their lavish lifestyles. But as America descends into lawlessness due to many decades' worth of corruption, both financially and otherwise, the rich are seeing the poor go after their often-ill-gotten wealth with a vengeance.

The latest culprits are Latin American gangs that are reportedly targeting upscale residences throughout Southern California, as well as in the wealthy enclave of Scottsdale, Ariz., an upper crust suburb of Phoenix.

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief Dominic Choi says burglaries in LA are rising as organized groups, many of them operating at a distance from places like Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, target the wealthiest neighborhoods for theft.

"I can tell you that we have a significant increase in burglaries from organized groups that are outside this country, that are coming into the country, and they are targeting high-end residents," Choi said.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Learn about our free, non-commercial AI / LLM project here. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

Some of these organized gangs are believed to be exploiting the 2014 visa waiver program to conduct these heists, said program allowing foreigners to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business without a visa requirement.

According to Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton, these burglars avoid using firearms to avoid potential gun charges, instead relying on elaborate jamming devices to interfere with or disable home security systems.

"They sometimes carry jamming devices to disable home security systems," Hamilton commented about the matter.

(Related: Did you catch what Ed Dowd said last fall about how a "slow Mad Max" scenario is unfolding in America as the nation collapses in real time?)

Over in Scottsdale, local police are reporting similar trends, describing what the gangs often do as "dinner-time burglaries"

Three individuals were recently arrested after being caught engaging in what media reports are now describing as exceptionally professional and strategic burglary plots that involve a high level of planning and sophistication. These are not mere smash-and-grab operations, in other words.

Many of these burglars are operating interstate, including both in Arizona and California. Area residents are scared, they say, and are now desperately trying to upgrade their home security systems to feel safer.

"I'm from Chicago, and that's, like, a crime city," complained Scottsdale resident Dwayne Staten. "I came here looking for tranquility and no crime. I just bought this new alarm system and I didn't think I needed it. I'm at the top of the mountain."

Being at the top of the mountain no longer ensures a safe and secure existence from everyone down below, though. Staten and others like him are realizing that peace and security have left the building, no matter what the upper crust does to try to insulate itself from the unfolding collapse of this nation gone wrong.

Police both in LA and Scottsdale say they are having to come up with a more proactive response to protect the affluent from these organized and often transnational burglary gangs, which exist in many other cities and states across America besides just California and Arizona.

"It's a big deal," said Scottsdale Police Chief Jeff Walther in a recent press conference. "It's impacting Scottsdale. It's impacting the valley. It's impacting the state. It's impacting the country."

Because of the high level of sophistication of these burglary gangs, as well as the precise coordination of their various criminal networks, law enforcement is experiencing great difficulties getting a grip on the situation as they desperately try to stop it.

As the gap between rich and poor continues to widen in America, and throughout the world at large, increasing lawlessness will naturally fill that void. Find out more at Collapse.news.

Sources for this article include:

LawEnforcementToday.com

NaturalNews.com
Iran-backed Houthis claim to have a HYPERSONIC MISSILE they can use against Israel

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels claim that they have a hypersonic missile to use against Israel , even successfully testing it.

Members of the Houthi movement  formally Ansar Allah (Supporters of God)  reportedly conducted the first successful tests of the hypersonic missile on March 14. Hypersonic missiles are called as such due to their ability to reach speeds of Mach 5 (about 3,700 to 3,800 miles per hour) or higher. According to the Houthis, this cutting-edge could easily cross the Israeli border and deal damage to the Jewish state.

The Yemeni group backed by Iran claimed that its new missile could travel at eight times the speed of sound. "Missile forces of the [Houthi] movement have successfully tested a missile that can reach speeds of up to Mach 8 (6,200 mph) and is powered by solid fuel," a spokesperson told Sputnik News. Russia's state-run RIA Novosti news agency also initially reported on this claim.

The spokesperson also mentioned that Yemen plans to mass-produce this missile for deployment not just against potential targets in Israel. It will also be used for attacks within the Red Sea, Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden, they added. (Related: British merchant ship abandoned in Red Sea following Houthi missile strike.)

At such remarkable velocities, intercepting inbound missiles becomes significantly more challenging for conventional anti-air systems. Speculation from the Associated Press suggests that the inclusion of hypersonic missiles in the Houthis' arsenal fulfills the "surprise" alluded to by a spokesperson last month.

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.

If the Houthis' claims of having a hypersonic missile are proven true, it is highly likely that Iran provided them with such a weapon. Last year, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) believed to be operating in Yemen unveiled its own hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile called the Fattah II. But the U.S. Department of Defense rebuffed the claims, saying that reports of the Houthis having hypersonic missiles "are inaccurate."

Hypersonic missiles part of Houthis' "surprise" weapons against the West

For weeks, the Houthis have hinted at "surprises" they plan to deploy in maritime battles to counter the U.S. and its allies. These adversaries have successfully intercepted any missile or bomb-carrying drone approaching their warships in Middle Eastern waters.

Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the group's secretive leader, meanwhile announced on Thursday that the rebels would target ships heading towards the Cape of Good Hope in Africa's southern tip. This marks a departure from their previous focus on ships heading into the Red Sea towards the Suez Canal. However, the specifics of how they plan to carry out such assaults remain unclear.

Meanwhile, Iran and the U.S. reportedly engaged in indirect talks in Oman, marking the first such dialogue in months amid escalating tensions over Tehran's nuclear program and attacks by its proxies.

As the main benefactor of the Houthis, Iran claims to possess hypersonic missile technology and has provided the rebels with the missiles they currently utilize. Equipping the Houthis with hypersonic missiles could pose a significant challenge to the air defense systems employed by the U.S. and its allies, including Israel.

The Houthis have pledged to expand the scope and effectiveness of their operations to unforeseen areas and locations. While the Houthis lack a navy and weapons capable of reaching the far reaches of the Indian Ocean, Iran has been suspected of targeting vessels linked to Israel in that region before. The Houthis have previously claimed responsibility for attacks attributed to Iran, such as the 2019 strike on Saudi Arabia's oil production facilities.

Since seizing Yemens capital, Sanaa, in 2014, the Houthis have acquired weaponry from government arsenals, including Soviet-era Scud missiles. Despite Yemen's lacking indigenous missile manufacturing capabilities, newer missiles have found their way into rebel hands, particularly as the Saudi-led coalition intervened in the conflict in 2015.

Watch this video about Houthis successfully testing their hypersonic missiles.

This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

America no longer has the capability or credibility to embark on an amphibious war with the Yemeni Houthis

$32M U.S. reaper drone SHOT DOWN near Yemen; U.K. tanker destroyed on the SAME DAY

U.S. destroyer intercepts drone, missile attacks launched by Houthi rebels toward Israel

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

APNews.com

Brighteon.com
Florida braces for impact: Hurricane Haiti is about to crash the Sunshine State

Florida is gearing up for a massive impact. But no, its not facing down a Category 7 hurricaneits something even more daunting. A massive influx of Haitian migrants is heading its way, all expecting a warm US welcome complete with open arms, free health insurance, and whatever else they might wish for. What is the current state of Haiti? An utter catastrophe. Yet, this was somewhat to be expected; after all, Haiti stands as the first nation established on the principles of DEI.

(Article republished from Revolver.news)

Haiti is on the brink of collapse. The jails have been emptied, bloodthirsty gangs patrol the streets and the now-resigned Prime Minister fled for his life to Puerto Rico. We spent $6 billion in Haiti  what happened? All Primetime can find is a "gender inclusive" police force... pic.twitter.com/a8NS0EGOnb  Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) March 14, 2024

Joe Biden helped install this weak, feckless prime minister, by the way. This was just another abysmal failure for Grandpa Sleeps-a-Lot.

The crisis in Haiti has grown more and more severe, with the Prime Minister resigning early Tuesday morning and gangs taking over, further inciting violence and terror. Instead of our administration and State Department working to evacuate Americans, who are trying to make a pic.twitter.com/3A7F4eiRre  Rep. Cory Mills ?? (@RepMillsPress) March 14, 2024

Meanwhile, Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz is ringing the alarm loud and clear. Hes adamant he doesnt want southeast Florida to turn into Haiti. Hes urging Biden to do the right thing, which pretty much sounds like a long shot.

Gaetz:

I dont want southeast Florida to become Haiti. I am calling on Joe Biden to do the right thing and declare an anticipated state of mass migration over water. That way we could get naval vessels in the Florida straits to deter the thousands of incoming Haitians before they invade the United States.

I dont want southeast Florida to become Haiti. I am calling on Joe Biden to do the right thing and declare an anticipated state of mass migration over water. That way we could get naval vessels in the Florida straits to deter the thousands of incoming Haitians before they pic.twitter.com/o0rd3sFaOY  Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) March 14, 2024

In fact, it seems that those 300,000 migrants have already gotten the green light to proceed.

According to Intelligence sources, the U.S. Coast Guard has been ordered to allow illegal migrants from Haiti to enter the U.S. through southern Florida. So were just going to welcome the cannibals with open arms? pic.twitter.com/lcj7Uzv7CB  Rob (@_ROB_29) March 14, 2024

At this rate, Bidens determined to flip Florida blue, come hell or high water. And while Biden builds his voter base, Florida is bracing for impact.

Bloomberg:

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is deploying 250 law enforcement officers and an air-and-sea fleet to Floridas southern waters to help curb a potential wave of Haitian immigrants. Haiti has spiraled after weeks of chaos and violence, with gangs controlling 80% of the capital and large swaths of countryside, forcing tens of thousand of people from their homes. Prime Minister Ariel Henry stepped down on Tuesday to make way for a transitional government, and the US and other countries have evacuated non-essential embassy personnel. No state has done more to supplement the (under-resourced) U.S. Coast Guards interdiction efforts; we cannot have illegal aliens coming to Florida, DeSantis said in a statement on Tuesday. Read More: How Violent Gangs Set Stage for Haitis New Crisis: QuickTake While the US Coast Guard repatriated about 65 Haitians located near the Bahamas this week, theres no current indication of a mass exodus to Florida, which lies 700 miles (1,100 kilometers) from Haiti. The governor said he will send up to 133 Florida State Guardsmen to the Florida Keys, alongside additional support from the states National Guard, department of law enforcement, highway patrol and fish and wildlife conservation commission. Florida has been seeing an increase in the number of migrants from Caribbean nations like Cuba and Haiti coming by boat. About 500 Cuban migrants arrived to the small islands of the Florida Keys in January 2023 over three days.

As we brace for the arrival of the 300,000 horde, the question on many minds is why were funneling $150 million in aid to a country presently under the control of cannibal gangs.

Someone please explain this. The Biden administration is giving $150 million for aid to Haiti. A gang leader is in charge of Haiti since the prime minister resigned. Who is getting the $150 million?  Carmine Sabia (@CarmineSabia) March 14, 2024

Unfortunately, tracing where our money goes or how its used in Haiti is a mystery likely to remain unsolved, just like in Ukraine. Welcome to the Biden Way.

But when all is said and done, President Trump was the one who got the Haiti situation spot on. And what did he get for it? Mockery and ridicule from the left. But once again, he was absolutely right.

How it started: How it's going: pic.twitter.com/V3cKoil0Lh  End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) March 10, 2024

Read more at: Revolver.news
NYC homeowner arrested after changing locks on her house to deter squatters who broke in and started living there

A New York City homeowner has been arrested for changing the locks on her home after it was taken over by squatters.

47-year-old Adele Andalaro inherited the $1 million home in Flushing, Queens, after her parents passed away. After putting it on the market last month, she noticed that squatters had moved into the home and changed the homes entire front door, including its locks.

In an attempt to deal with the problem, she went to the home with a local TV outlet with the deeds to her home and called a locksmith to change the home's locks. This resulted in an altercation with the squatters that was caught on camera and culminated with police leading Andaloro away in handcuffs and charging her with unlawful eviction.

Police told her that the matter was considered a landlord-tenant issue and must be dealt with in the housing court system. According to the Rent Stabilization Association, it takes an average of 20 months for New York City eviction cases to be resolved.

Andaloro told ABC7 New York: Its enraging. It really is. Its not fair that I, as the homeowner, have to be going through this.

A news crew who spoke to the squatters said one of them, Brian Rodriguez, claimed to have a lease but was unable to provide documentation proving it and would not supply the name of the realtor he allegedly worked with to rent the home.

Neighbors had reported concerning activity coming from the home since the squatters took over it, with one neighbor saying that everyone knew what was going on there and was unhappy about it. There were multiple complaints about noise coming from the house. Another neighbor said that the home had a "for sale" sign on it for a long time before someone came out of nowhere and started living there. Andaloro had lived in the home with her mother and daughter until her mother passed away.

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.

Squatters have rights after just 30 days in NYC

In New York state, squatters can claim the legal right to stay on a property without permission from the owner if they have been living there for at least 10 years. However, in New York City, individuals can claim squatters rights if they have been squatting at a property for only 30 days. This makes it illegal for the rightful owners of the home to turn off utilities, remove the squatters' belongings, or change the locks.

By the time someone does their investigation, their work, and their job, it will be over 30 days, and this man will still be in my home, she said.

Im really fearful that these people are going to get away with stealing my home.

Squatters stop couple with disabled son from moving into home they bought

In a similar recent case, a couple in New York City were unable to move into a $2 million property they bought on Long Island near family members after a squatter took it over. They had bought it in October as a place to spend their retirement and take care of their son, who has Down syndrome.

The man living there, 32-year-old Brett Flores, has even advertised rooms in the home online for rent for $50 a night, while the new homeowners are forced to pay all the bills, including thousands of dollars in utility expenses. He has held up the court process repeatedly, using stalling tactics such as showing up for court without an attorney and filing for bankruptcy.

Its a problem that more and more people are facing throughout the U.S. Although the length of time required for squatters to claim rights varies by location, the system often seems to side with squatters, forcing rightful homeowners to deal with the expense, time and stress involved in evicting them.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

FoxNews.com

NYPost.com
5G Defense Powder contains key nutritional ingredient that may help protect your bodys cells from health risks linked to 5G exposure and electropollution

5G technology (5G), which stands for "fifth generation," is the latest generation in mobile technology and is now being used in nearly all broadband cellular networks. Its steadily increasing popularity can be traced to its fast connection speeds, which can range anywhere from 10 to 100 times faster than current 4G networks, or the fourth generation of mobile phone technology.

But unlike 4G technology, 5G technology uses "ultra high frequency" or "ultra high intensity" millimeter waves to work.

The millimeter wavelength (mmWave) uses "directed energy" instead of the "spread energy" of 4G technology. But since 5G technology uses different hardware from 4G technology to deliver signals, the former will require new and more cell towers to be built very closely to one another.

The danger lies in the inevitable and unprecedented levels of exposure to electromagnetic radiation in almost all urban and populated areas.

Pulsed wave is more dangerous than continuous wave radiation

One unique feature of smart meters is that they emit pulsed wave radiation, not continuous wave radiation. This means they run in start-stop cycles of emitting a burst of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and then going temporarily inactive.

This happens too many times per day, with testimony from utility companies like Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) of California revealing that smart meters send pulsed waves between 9,600 and 190,000 times per day.

In a video from 2018, wireless radiation and EMF scientist Dr. Martin Pall warned that 13 studies showed that pulsed wave EMFs are more active and dangerous compared to continuous wave EMFs. (Related: 5G wireless technology is a DISASTER waiting to happen.)

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.

5G has been linked to deep EMF penetration

The main reason why cell or mobile phones are more dangerous for children than adults, aside from the fact that radiation absorption is cumulative over a lifetime, is because of EMF penetration.

Pall explained that the industry has made claims that more conventional microwave frequency EMFs are limited in effect to only about the outer one centimeter of the body. But data has proven that this is not true "due to the effects deep in the human brain, on the heart [and] hormone systems."

In what could be two of the most important studies demonstrating the effects of EMFs deep within the body, Professor Michael Hassig and his colleagues in Switzerland analyzed cataract formation in newborn calves. These two studies demonstrated that when pregnant cows are grazing near mobile phone base stations or cell phone towers, the calves are born with "very greatly increased incidences of cataracts."

In the 2009 study, Hassig explained that out of 253 calves, 79 (32 percent) had various degrees of nuclear cataracts and that nine (3.6 percent) calves had severe nuclear cataracts.

The results showed a relation between the location of veal calves with nuclear cataracts in the first trimester of gestation and the strength of antennas. The number of antennas within 100 to 199 meters was linked to oxidative stress.

The research team also reported that there was a link "between oxidative stress and the distance to the nearest MPBS (Mobile Phone Base Station)."

Get 5g Defense Powder to help protect your cells against free radicals

The Health Ranger Store understands the importance of protecting your body from the hidden dangers of 5G radiation and electropollution, which is why it offers additional protection and antioxidant support for you in the form of Groovy Bee 5G Defense Powder.

This premium supplement combines the potent health benefits of ascorbic acid, magnesium glycinate, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, EXTRAMEL Organic SOD (Superoxide Dismutase from melon juice concentrate) and selenium chelate to help protect your body from oxidative damage caused by harmful free radicals.

Groovy Bee 5G Defense Powder is non-GMO, non-China and has undergone rigorous lab testing for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology. Use Groovy Bee 5G Defense Powder to give yourself and your loved ones an added layer of protection against dangerous free radicals that can be induced by electropollution.

Watch the video below to learn more about the benefits of using 5G Defense Powder.

This video is from the Health Ranger Store channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

5G Danger: 4 Ways 5G wireless technology can seriously harm human health.

Biden admin earmarks $1.5B for 5G rollout despite public pushback and newfound health risks.

5G REMOTE KILL VECTOR: Science paper reveals cell phone signals can activate the release of biological PAYLOADS from graphene oxide injected into the body.

Sources include:

GlobalResearch.ca

EMFSafetyNetwork.org[PDF]

PubMed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

HealthRangerStore.com 1

HealthRangerStore.com 2

Brighteon.com
Trump wins primaries in Florida, Ohio and Illinois

Former President Donald Trump continues his winning streak in primaries

The real estate mogul won the GOP primaries in Florida, Ohio and Illinois all held on March 19. He's now the lone horse in the race as he already has enough delegates to secure the party's nomination. However, this won't be announced until the Republican National Committee's convention in Milwaukee over the summer.

Trump got 79 delegates in the Buckeye State, 125 in the Sunshine State and 31 in the Prairie State. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden also won the Democratic Party primaries. Trump and Biden are set to face off in the November general election, a repeat of their clash in 2020.

Earlier that day, Trump cast his ballot in Florida along with his wife Melania. Incidentally, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis  who dropped out of the presidential race months ago  still took home nearly four percent of the vote in his home state. (Related: DeSantis withdraws from presidential race, endorses DONALD TRUMP.)

Trump's wins in three states came almost two weeks after Super Tuesday, where he won 14 of 15 state primaries on March 5. The lone state that he didn't win was Vermont, which voted for former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley as its nominee. She had earlier won the Washington, D.C. primary.

Despite not winning in Vermont on Super Tuesday, Trump "carried other states that might have been favorable to her such as Virginia, Massachusetts and Maine." These states, according to the Associated Press, "have large swaths of moderate voters like those who have backed her in previous primaries."

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.

Trump's dominant run in primaries a signal for his rivals to WITHDRAW from the race

Trump began the race with several rivals for the party's nomination. But his racking up win after win in various primaries eventually served as a signal for them to withdraw from the race.

In January, DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy both dropped out after they lost at the Iowa caucuses. Both conceded defeat and endorsed Trump in two separate statements.

"I think it is true that we did not achieve the surprise that we wanted to deliver. As of this moment, we are going to suspend this presidential campaign. There is no path for me to be the next president," Ramaswamy said on Jan. 15. He also announced that Trump would be receiving his "full endorsement."

Meanwhile, DeSantis said on Jan. 21: "Following our second-place finish in Iowa, we've prayed and deliberated on the path forward. It's clear to me that a majority of Republican primary voters want to give Trump another chance."

In contrast, Haley did not withdraw from the race from the period between the Iowa caucuses and Super Tuesday in March. But the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations eventually conceded in favor of her former boss after Super Tuesday.

"In all likelihood, Trump will be the [GOP] nominee with [the Republican National Convention] meets in July," she told supporters during her withdrawal speech. "I congratulate him and wish him well. I wish anyone well who would be America's president."

But while Haley extended her congratulations to her former boss, she stopped short of endorsing him. "It is now up to Trump to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him," she said. "And I hope he does that."

Head over to Trump.news for more stories about the former president ahead of the November presidential election.

Watch this video about Donald Trump's wins in 14 state primaries on Super Tuesday.

This video is from the Right Edition channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Nikki Haley finally DROPS OUT of Republican presidential race after burning through huge donation war chest.

SUPER TRUMP wins 14 of 15 states on Super Tuesday, forcing Haley to withdraw from GOP presidential race.

DeSantis DROPS OUT of presidential race, leaving Trump as clear Republican nominee.

Vivek Ramaswamy drops out of Republican primary race, endorses Donald Trump.

Sources include:

ThePostMillennial.com

TheEpochTimes.com

LifeSiteNews.com

Breitbart.com

Brighteon.com
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Recently, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology ("MIIT") in China revealed a new batch of vehicles set for public release, among which Volkswagen Anhui, a joint venture between Volkswagen Group and JAC Group, made a notable appearance.

As Volkswagen Group's third joint venture in China, established in 2020, Volkswagen Anhui symbolizes a significant step in the German automaker's expansion within the Chinese market, holding a commanding 75% share and marking its lead in the partnership.

After over three years of planning and development, Volkswagen Anhui is poised to introduce its first mass-produced vehicle model to the public, the ID.UNYX, known in Chinese as .

The ID.UNYX's dimensions reveal a vehicle of 4,663mm in length, 1,860mm in width, and 1,610mm in height, with a wheelbase measuring 2,766mm.

Photo credit: MIIT

Powering the ID.UNYX are CATL's ternary lithium-ion batteries, available in both single and dual motor versions. The single motor variant boasts a top power of 170kW, while the dual motor option ramps up performance with a combined maximum power of 250kW, courtesy of an additional 80kW front motor.

Departuring from the existing ID. models from Volkswagen's other joint ventures in China, the ID.UNYX features unique design elements. Notably, its triangular headlights and through-type light strip, coupled with raised lines on the front hood, endow the ID.UNYX with a sharper, more aggressive stance.

Viewed from the side, the vehicle presents a pronounced hatchback silhouette, suggesting its positioning as a coupe-style SUV.

Photo credit: MIIT

The rear lights maintain an iconic "inverted trapezoid" shape, but what truly sets the ID.UNYX apart are the gold-lettered inscriptions of ID.UNYX, , and  (Volkswagen). These golden emblems boldly highlight the vehicle's distinguished pedigree and easily distinguish it from the existing models within the Volkswagen ID. series.
The latest report shows that the ocean surface is increasingly concerning due to strong El Nino and climate change, according to a long-term sea level data set.

Rising sea levels can affect low-lying areas. Experts found that El Nino significantly accelerated global sea level rise from 2022 to 2023.

In the recent NWN report, the rapid rise in seawater threatens communities in Cartagena, Columbia. Researchers discovered that the area could suffer from significant sea level rise due to increasing global warming and volcanic formations in the region, resulting in a devastating sinking of land.

Ocean Surface, Sea Level Rise Due to Strong El Nino

A NOAA report explains that increasing sea levels can suffer more from deadly storm surges and severe weather conditions. People in low-lying communities are more vulnerable to potential risks.

In the latest study, a long-term sea level data set was analyzed based on 30 years of satellite observations, with the help of the French TOPEX/Poseidon mission, and the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich mission. The urgency to understand the sea level impacts is crucial amidst the growing threats of climate change and global warming.

"During La Nina, rain that normally falls in the ocean falls on the land instead, temporarily taking water out of the ocean and lowering sea levels," Josh Willis, a researcher at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, said, as quoted in a report.

The study findings showed that about four inches have been recorded in the rise of the global average sea level since 1993. The researchers pointed out that the rates of acceleration can increase by 2050. Alarmingly, the rapid rise of water can cause more frequent and devastating flooding.

From 2022 to 2023, the global sea level increased due to the El Nino phenomenon. La Nina and El Nino can impact seasonal patterns of rainfall, causing frequent warm-ups or precipitation.

"El Nino years, a lot of the rain that normally falls on land ends up in the ocean, which raises sea levels temporarily," Willis said.

Also Read: Climate Change Effects on Sierra Nevada's Snowpack Can Threaten Species Health Suffering from Starvation

Strong El Nino and Climate Change

In the US, a NASA report shows that a strong El Nino can bring challenging winter conditions, bringing high-tide flooding concerns. With sea levels and warming events, low-lying buildings can become more vulnerable.

Additionally, as a result of greenhouse gas emissions, climate change can cause frequent storms, floods, wildfires, heatwaves, and droughts, among other severe to extreme weather events.

As a result, mitigating climate change impacts is important for the planet to prevent the rapid rise of seawater.

Related Article: Rapid Seawater Rise Threatens Low-Lying Communities in Cartagena, Colombia

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
The recent heatwave that gripped through West Africa in February was amplified by human-caused global warming and increased to unprecedented levels, according to a new study.

Human-Caused Climate Change

The World Weather Attribution group of scientists discovered that the heatwave would have occurred less than once per century in a world without climate change. Instead, it was a once-in-a-decade event, with global temperatures rising by an average of 1.2 degrees Celsius over the last four years.

According to the study, average air temperatures in West Africa reached 36 degrees Celsius from February 11 to 15, while the heat index was around 50 degrees Celsius. The humidity was also excessive, making it difficult for people to cool down by sweating.

According to the study's authors, human-caused climate change increased the likelihood of the "dangerous humid heat" that enveloped the region.

"The February heatwave happened early in the year, meaning many people wouldn't have been acclimatized to the heat. With every fraction of a degree of global warming, heatwaves like this will become even hotter," said Wasiu Adeniyi Ibrahim, of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.

Globally, this February was the hottest ever recorded, breaking the record for the ninth consecutive month. Rising carbon emissions and the El Nino phenomenon have contributed to the current high temperatures.

Meteorological organizations in Nigeria and Ghana sent advance warnings about the heat, but many of the other countries affected did not prepare for extreme temperatures.

Africa's record-breaking heat extended into March. From March 18 to 19, at least five African countries, including South Africa and South Sudan, recorded record-breaking temperatures.

Read Also: Madagascar Heatwave: Impact of Global Heat Among Populations Unrecorded

Effects On Agriculture

The region is the world's largest cocoa exporter, and farmers say the heat weakened their plants, which had already been damaged by heavy rains in December.

Prices for cocoa, a crucial ingredient in chocolate, have risen in recent years as a result of climate-related crop damage, and the new heatwave adds to the pressure.

Farmers in Ivory Coast reported in February that high temperatures and a lack of rain were harming their crops.

In a report, large cocoa mills in Ghana and elsewhere halted or slowed processing in March due to a lack of funds to purchase the beans. Cocoa bean prices have reached an all-time high of more than $8,000 a ton, more than tripling the price in March 2020.

"Farmers in west Africa who grow the main ingredient of the Easter eggs many of us are looking forward to are struggling in the face of both extreme heat and rainfall," said Amber Sawyer, of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit in the UK.

The research stressed the importance of taking proactive actions to lessen the effects of extreme heat, particularly in areas that lack adequate infrastructure and readiness.

As the world struggles with the growing effects of climate change, experts emphasize the vital need for wealthier nations to help developing countries with their adaptation efforts.

However, achieving net-zero emissions remains the ultimate goal in solving the growing global crisis.

Related Article: Heatwave Kills Cheetah Cubs Said to End Extinction of Species in India
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Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On March 22, ZEEKR, a premium electric vehicle brand under China's Geely Auto, officially released the images of its fifth model, the ZEEKR MIX.

ZEEKR MIX; photo credit: ZEEKR

The ZEEKR MIX is set to feature the brand's latest design language and incorporates the STARGATE integrated smart light screen, alongside a novel approach to its door opening mechanism, signaling a fresh direction in vehicle functionality.

Adopting the minimalist "Hidden Energy" design language introduced with the ZEEKR 007, the new model presents a front design characterized by rounded lines and slim, technology-driven headlights. This aesthetic choice is complemented by a substantial black air intake, enhancing the vehicle's visual appeal and adding depth to its design profile.

ZEEKR MIX; photo credit: ZEEKR

The vehicle boasts an MPV-like body shape, with dimensions of 4,688mm in length, 1,995mm in width, and 1,755mm in height, and a wheelbase of 3,008mm, promising a spacious interior. Interest has been particularly piqued by the ZEEKR MIX's door opening mechanism, which remains under wraps but is speculated to feature a combination of traditional front and sliding rear door.

The rear design of the ZEEKR MIX is characterized by its simplicity, with a through-type light strip beneath the rear windscreen. The model is anticipated to offer 19-inch wheels as standard, with the option to upgrade to 20 inches on high-spec trims.

In terms of power, the ZEEKR MIX is set to feature an electric motor identified as TZ235XYC01, boasting a maximum power of 310kW. Two versions have been registered, with kerb weights of 2,739kg and 2,639kg, respectively, each powered by CATL's ternary lithium batteries. Battery capacity may vary between variants, suggesting a range of options for potential buyers.
Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages decreased from 11 outages to seven. In the U.S., collaboration app network outages decreased from 5 to 2 outages.

Two notable outages

On February 16, Hurricane Electric, a network transit provider headquartered in Fremont, CA, experienced an outage that impacted customers and downstream partners across multiple regions, including the U.S., Egypt, Sweden, the U.K., Japan, Mexico, Australia, Argentina, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Canada. The outage, first observed around 8:25 AM EST, lasted 23 minutes in total and was divided into two occurrences over a thirty-minute period. The first occurrence appeared to initially center on Hurricane Electric nodes located in New York, NY. Fifteen minutes into the first occurrence, the nodes located in New York, NY, were joined by nodes located in Paris, France and Amsterdam, the Netherlands in exhibiting outage conditions. Five minutes after appearing to clear, nodes located in New York, NY once again began exhibiting outage conditions. The outage was cleared at around 8:55 AM EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On February 17, AT&T experienced an outage on their network that impacted AT&T customers and partners across the U.S. The outage, lasting around 14 minutes, was first observed around 3:40 PM EST, appearing to center on AT&T nodes located in Little Rock, AR. Five minutes after first being observed, the number of nodes exhibiting outage conditions located in Little Rock, AR, appeared to rise. This increase in nodes exhibiting outage conditions appeared to coincide with a rise in the number of impacted partners and customers. The outage was cleared at around 3:55 PM EST. Click here for an interactive view.

Additional details from ThousandEyes are available here.

Internet report for February 5-11, 2024

ThousandEyes reported 319 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of February 5-11. Thats up from 265 outages in the week prior  an increase of 20%. Specific to the U.S., there were 91 outages. Thats up from 45 outages the week prior, an increase of 102%. Heres a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages increased from 106 to 134 outages, a 26% increase compared to the week prior. In the U.S., ISP outages more than doubled from 28 to 60 outages, a 114% increase compared to the previous week.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud provider network outages decreased slightly from 117 to 107, a 9% decrease compared to the week prior. In the U.S., they decreased from five to four outages.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages climbed from three outages to 11. In the U.S., there were five collaboration app network outages, up from zero the week prior.

Two notable outages

On February 7, Time Warner Cable, a U.S. based ISP, experienced a disruption that impacted a number of customers and partners across multiple regions, including the U.S., Ireland, the U.K., Canada, India, Australia, Singapore, Japan, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Indonesia, Hong Kong, South Korea, China, and Brazil. The outage was observed across a series of occurrences over the course of forty-five minutes. First observed at around 4:50 PM EST, the outage, consisting of five equally spaced four-minute periods, appeared to initially center on Time Warner Cable nodes in New York, NY. Five minutes after appearing to clear, nodes located in New York, NY, were again observed exhibiting outage conditions, joined by nodes located in San Jose, CA. By the third period, the nodes located in San Jose, CA, had appeared to clear and were instead replaced by nodes located in Los Angeles, CA, in exhibiting outage conditions, in addition to nodes located in New York, NY. The outage lasted a total of 20 minutes and was cleared at around 5:35 PM EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On February 6, NTT America, a global Tier 1 ISP and subsidiary of NTT Global, experienced an outage that impacted some of its customers and downstream partners in multiple regions, including the U.S., Germany, the U.K., the Netherlands, and Hong Kong The outage, lasting 24 minutes, was first observed around 8:10 PM EST and appeared to initially center on NTT nodes located in Chicago, IL and Dallas, TX. Around five minutes into the outage, the nodes located in Chicago, IL and Dallas, TX, were joined by nodes located in Newark, NJ, in exhibiting outage conditions. The apparent increase of nodes exhibiting outage conditions appeared to coincide with an increase in the number of impacted downstream customers and partners. The outage was cleared around 8:35 PM EST. Click here for an interactive view.

Additional details from ThousandEyes are available here.

Internet report for January 29- February 4, 2024

ThousandEyes reported 265 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of January 29- February 4. Thats more than double the number of outages in the week prior (126). Specific to the U.S., there were 45 outages. Thats down from 55 outages the week prior, a decrease of 18%. Heres a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages was 106, an increase of 15% compared to 92 outages the previous week. In the U.S., ISP outages decreased by 28%, dropping from 39 to 28 outages.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud provider network outages skyrocketed from five to 117 last week (the increase appeared to be a result of an increase in outages in the APJC region). In the U.S., they increased from two to five outages.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages decreased from five outages to three. In the U.S., collaboration app network outages decreased from one outage to zero.

Two notable outages

On January 31, Comcast Communications experienced an outage that impacted a number of downstream partners and customers across multiple regions including the U.S., Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Canada, Germany, South Korea, Japan, and Australia. The outage, lasting 18 minutes, was first observed around 8:00 PM EST and appeared to be centered on Comcast nodes located in Ashburn, VA. Ten minutes into the outage, the nodes exhibiting outage conditions, located in Ashburn, VA, appeared to increase. The apparent increase of nodes exhibiting outage conditions appeared to coincide with an increase in the number of impacted downstream customers and partners. The outage was cleared around 8:20 PM EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On February 2, NTT America, a global Tier 1 ISP and subsidiary of NTT Global, experienced an outage that impacted some of its customers and downstream partners in multiple regions, including the U.S., Germany, the Netherlands, and the U.K. The outage, lasting 23 minutes, was first observed around 1:25 PM EST and appeared to center on NTT nodes located in Dallas, TX and Chicago, IL. The outage was cleared around 1:50 PM EST. Click here for an interactive view.

Additional details from ThousandEyes are available here.

Internet report for January 22-28, 2024

ThousandEyes reported 126 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of January 22-28. Thats down from 156 the week prior, a decrease of 19%. Specific to the U.S., there were 55 outages. Thats down from 91 outages the week prior, a decrease of 40%. Heres a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages was 92, a decrease of 14% compared to 107 outages the previous week. In the U.S., ISP outages decreased by 35%, dropping from 60 to 39 outages.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud provider network outages dropped from 14 to five last week. In the U.S., they decreased from seven to two outages.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages remained the same as the week prior: five outages. In the U.S., collaboration app network outages decreased from four outages to one.

Three notable outages

On January 26, Microsoft experienced an issue that affected its customers in various regions around the globe. The outage was first observed around 11:00 AM EST and seemed to cause service failures in Microsoft Teams, which affected the usability of the application for users across the globe. While there was no packet loss when connecting to the Microsoft Teams edge servers, the failures were consistent with reported issues within Microsofts network that may have prevented the edge servers from reaching the application components on the backend. The incident was resolved for many users by 6:10 PM EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On January 24, Akamai experienced an outage on its network that impacted content delivery connectivity for customers and partners using Akamai Edge delivery services in the Washington D.C. area. The outage was first observed around 12:10 PM EST and appeared to center on Akamai nodes located in Washington D.C. The outage lasted a total of 24 minutes. Akamai announced that normal operations had resumed at 1:00 PM EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On January 23, Internap, a U.S based cloud service provider, experienced an outage that impacted many of its downstream partners and customers in multiple regions, including the U.S., and Singapore. The outage, which was first observed around 2:30 AM EST, lasted 18 minutes in total and appeared to be centered on Internap nodes located in Boston, MA. The outage was at its peak around fifteen minutes after being observed, with the highest number of impacted regions, partners, and customers. The outage was cleared around 2:55 AM EST. Click here for an interactive view.

Additional details from ThousandEyes are available here.

Internet report for January 15-21, 2024

ThousandEyes reported 156 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of January 15-21. Thats up from 151 the week prior, an increase of 3%. Specific to the U.S., there were 91 outages. Thats up significantly from 63 outages the week prior, an increase of 44%. Heres a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages was 107, an increase of 8% compared to 83 outages the previous week, and in the U.S. ISP outages increased by 58%, climbing from 38 to 60 outages.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud provider network outages dropped from 30 to 14 last week. In the U.S., they increased from six to seven outages.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages decreased from seven to five outages. In the U.S., collaboration app network outages stayed at the same level: four outages.

Two notable outages

On January 16, Oracle experienced an outage on its network that impacted Oracle customers and downstream partners interacting with Oracle Cloud services in multiple regions, including the U.S., Canada, China, Panama, Norway, the Netherlands, India, Germany, Malaysia, Sweden, Czech Republic, and Norway. The outage was first observed around 8:45 AM EST and appeared to center on Oracle nodes located in various regions worldwide, including Ashburn, VA, Tokyo, Japan, San Jose, CA, Melbourne, Australia, Cardiff, Wales, London, England, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Frankfurt, Germany, Slough, England, Phoenix, AZ, San Francisco, CA, Atlanta, GA, Washington D.C., Richmond, VA, Sydney, Australia, New York, NY, Osaka, Japan, and Chicago, IL. Thirty-five minutes after first being observed, all the nodes exhibiting outage conditions appeared to clear. A further ten minutes later, nodes located in Toronto, Canada, Phoenix, AZ, Frankfurt, Germany, Cleveland, OH, Slough, England, Ashburn, VA, Washington, D.C., Cardiff, Wales, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Montreal, Canada, London, England, Sydney, Australia, and Melbourne, Australia began exhibiting outage conditions again. The outage lasted 40 minutes in total and was cleared at around 9:50 AM EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On January 20, Hurricane Electric, a network transit provider headquartered in Fremont, CA, experienced an outage that impacted customers and downstream partners across multiple regions, including the U.S., Thailand, Hong Kong, India, Japan, and Australia. The outage, first observed around 7:15 PM EST, lasted 11 minutes in total and was divided into two occurrences over a one-hour five-minute period. The first occurrence appeared to center on Hurricane Electric nodes located in Los Angeles, CA. Fifty minutes after the first occurrence appeared to clear, the second occurrence was observed. Lasting 8 minutes, the outage initially appeared to center on nodes located in Los Angeles, CA. Around five minutes into the second occurrence, the nodes in Los Angeles, CA were joined by nodes located in San Jose, CA, in exhibiting outage conditions. The outage was cleared at around 8:20 PM EST. Click here for an interactive view.

Additional details from ThousandEyes are available here.

Internet report for January 8-14, 2024

ThousandEyes reported 151 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of January 8-14. Thats up from 122 the week prior, an increase of 24%. Specific to the U.S., there were 63 outages. Thats up from 58 outages the week prior, an increase of 9%. Heres a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages was 83, an increase of 8% compared to the previous week, and in the U.S. they increased by 6%, climbing from 36 to 38 outages.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud provider network outages jumped from 19 to 30 last week. In the U.S., they decreased from 10 to six outages.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages increased from five to seven outages. In the U.S., collaboration app network outages increased from one to four outages.

Two notable outages

On January 14, Zayo Group, a U.S. based Tier 1 carrier headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, experienced an outage that impacted some of its partners and customers across multiple regions including the U.S., Canada, Sweden, and Germany. The outage lasted around 14 minutes, was first observed around 7:10 PM EST, and appeared to initially center on Zayo Group nodes located in Houston, TX. Ten minutes after first being observed, nodes located in Houston, TX, were joined by nodes located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in exhibiting outage conditions. This rise of the number of nodes exhibiting outage conditions appeared to coincide with an increase in the number of impacted downstream partners and customers. The outage was cleared around 7:25 PM EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On January 13, Time Warner Cable, a U.S. based ISP, experienced a disruption that impacted a number of customers and partners across the U.S. The outage was first observed at around 12:45 PM EST and appeared to center on Time Warner Cable nodes located in New York, NY. Fifteen minutes into the outage, the number of nodes located in New York, NY, exhibiting outage conditions increased. The outage lasted 19 minutes and was cleared at around 1:05 PM EST. Click here for an interactive view.

Additional details from ThousandEyes are available here.

Internet report for January 1-7, 2024

ThousandEyes reported 122 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week ofJanuary 1-7. Over the prior three weeks, all outage categories continuously decreased for two weeks before increasing in the last week. Specific to the U.S., there were 58 outages. Heres a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages was 77, an increase of 43% compared to the previous week, and in the U.S. they nearly doubled from 20 to 36.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud provider network outages increased from 13 to 19 last week. In the U.S., they increased from 6 to 10.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages increased from one to five outages. In the U.S., collaboration app network outages increased from zero to one.

Two notable outages

On January 4, Time Warner Cable, a U.S. based ISP, experienced a disruption that impacted a number of customers and partners across the U.S. The outage was first observed at around 10:45 AM EST and appeared to center on Time Warner Cable nodes located in New York, NY. Five minutes into the outage, the number of nodes located in New York, NY, exhibiting outage conditions increased. The outage lasted 13 minutes and was cleared at around 11:00 AM EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On January 4, Telecom Italia Sparkle, a Tier 1 provider headquartered in Rome, Italy, and part of the Italian-owned Telecom Italia, experienced an outage that impacted many of its downstream partners and customers in multiple regions, including the U.S., Argentina, Brazil, and Chile. The outage lasted 28 minutes in total and was divided into two episodes over a 35-minute period. It was first observed around 4:00 AM EST. The first period of the outage, lasting around 24 minutes, appeared to be centered on Telecom Italia Sparkle nodes located in Miami, FL. Five minutes after appearing to clear, nodes located in Miami, FL, again exhibited outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 4:35 AM EST. Click here for an interactive view.

Additional details from ThousandEyes are available here.
Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages decreased from 20 to 14 outages, and in the U.S., they increased from nine to 12 outages.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages decreased from nine to just one outage. In the U.S., collaboration app network outages declined all the way from six to zero outages.

Two notable outages

On November 4, Oracle experienced an outage on its network that impacted Oracle customers and downstream partners interacting with Oracle Cloud services in the US West (San Jose) region. The outage was first observed around 7:47 PM EDT and appeared to initially center on Oracle nodes located in San Jose, CA. Twenty-five minutes after first being observed, the nodes located in San Jose, CA, were joined by nodes located in San Francisco, CA, Los Angeles, CA, and Santa Clara, CA, in exhibiting outage conditions. The disruption appeared to last a total of 43 minutes and was cleared at around 9:05 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On October 31, Cogent Communications, a U.S. based multinational transit provider, experienced an outage that impacted multiple downstream providers as well as Cogent customers across multiple regions, including the U.S. and Taiwan. The outage, lasting 24 minutes, was first observed around 3:20 AM EDT and appeared to initially be centered on Cogent nodes located in San Francisco, CA. Five minutes into the outage, the nodes located in San Francisco, CA, appeared to clear but were replaced by nodes located in Oklahoma City, OK, in exhibiting outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 3:45 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for October 23-29, 2023

ThousandEyes reported 221 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of October 23-29. Thats up from 163 the week prior, an increase of 36%. Specific to the U.S., there were 103 outages. Thats up from 75 outages the week prior, an increase of 37%. Heres a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages climbed from 105 to 129 outages, a 23% increase, and in the U.S. they increased from 40 to 54, an increase of 35%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages increased from 17 to 20 outages, and in the U.S., they decreased from 13 to nine outages.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages increased from four to nine outages. In the U.S., collaboration app network outages jumped from one to six outages.

Two notable outages

On October 29, TATA Communications (America) Inc., a global ISP and part of the Indian-owned TATA Communications, experienced an outage that impacted many of its downstream partners and customers in multiple regions, including the U.S., Hong Kong, Vietnam, Japan, Germany, Singapore, Mexico, Australia, the Philippines, Thailand, and China. The outage lasted 51 minutes in total and was divided into four episodes over a one hour and 20-minute period, first observed around 1:55 AM EDT. The outage was cleared around 3:15 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On October 24, NTT America, a global Tier 1 ISP and subsidiary of NTT Global, experienced an outage that impacted some of its customers and downstream partners in multiple regions including the U.S., China, South Korea, the Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland, France, Poland, Germany, Denmark, the U.K., Japan, and Ireland. The outage, lasting 9 minutes, was first observed around 3:05 PM EDT and appeared to initially center on NTT nodes located in San Jose, CA, Los Angeles, CA, Seattle, WA, Tokyo, Japan and Osaka, Japan. Around five minutes into the outage, the nodes located in San Jose, CA, Los Angeles, CA, Seattle, WA, Tokyo, Japan and Osaka, Japan, were joined by nodes located in Ashburn VA, and Dallas, TX, in exhibiting outage conditions. The apparent increase of nodes exhibiting outage conditions appeared to coincide with an increase in the number of impacted downstream customers and partners. The outage was cleared around 3:15 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for October 16-22, 2023

ThousandEyes reported 163 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of October 16-22. Thats down from 192 the week prior, a decrease of 15%. Specific to the U.S., there were 75 outages, which is the same number as the week prior. Heres a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages fell from 159 to 105 outages, a 34% decline, and in the U.S. they fell from 61 to 40, a decrease of 34%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages more than doubled from seven to 17 outages, and in the U.S., they climbed from six to 13 outages.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages increased from three to four outages. In the U.S., collaboration app network outages fell from two to one.

Two notable outages

On October 16, Hurricane Electric, a network transit provider headquartered in Fremont, CA, experienced an outage that impacted customers and downstream partners across multiple regions, including the U.S., Australia, China, Canada, Argentina, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and South Africa. The outage, first observed around 12:00 AM EDT, lasted 32 minutes in total and was divided into three occurrences over a 55-minute period. The first occurrence appeared to center on Hurricane Electric nodes located in New York, NY and San Jose, CA. Fifteen minutes after the first occurrence appeared to clear, the second occurrence was observed. Lasting 24 minutes, the outage initially appeared to center on nodes located in San Jose, CA, New York, NY and Paris, France. Around fifteen minutes into the second occurrence, the nodes located in San Jose, CA, appeared to clear leaving nodes located in New York, NY and Paris France exhibiting outage conditions. Five minutes after the second occurrence appeared to clear, the third occurrence was observed, appearing to center on nodes located in New York, NY. The outage was cleared at around 12:55 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On October 19, Comcast Communications experienced an outage that impacted a number of downstream partners and customers across the U.S. The outage, lasting a total of 4 minutes, consisted of two occurrences over a 14-minute period. The first occurrence was observed around 8:35 PM EDT and appeared to center on Comcast nodes located in Dallas, TX. Five minutes after appearing to clear, the nodes located in Dallas, TX, once again appeared to exhibit outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 8:49 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for October 9-15, 2023

ThousandEyes reported 192 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of October 9-15. Thats up from 184 the week prior, a increase of 4%. Specific to the U.S., outages increased from 69 to 75, up 9%. Heres a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages climbed from 124 to 159 outages, a 28% increase, and in the U.S. they increased from 39 to 61, an increase of 56%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages dropped from 23 to seven outages, and in the U.S., they fell from 15 to six outages.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages increased from two to three outages. In the U.S., collaboration app network outages went from zero to two.

Two notable outages

On October 14, Level 3 Communications, a U.S. based Tier 1 carrier, experienced an outage that impacted multiple downstream partners and customers in multiple regions including the U.S., France, Spain, Austria, Germany, Ireland, and India. The outage, lasting a total of 20 minutes over a 55-minute period, was divided into a series of occurrences. First observed around 4:40 AM EDT, the outage appeared to center on nodes located in Portland, OR. The outage appeared to clear completely around 5:35 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On October 10, Microsoft experienced an outage on its network that impacted some downstream partners and access to services running on Microsoft environments in multiple regions including the U.S., France, South Africa, Brazil, the Netherlands, Singapore, China, and the U.K. The outage, which lasted 9 minutes, was first observed around 11:20 AM EDT and appeared to center on Microsoft nodes located in Des Moines, IA. The outage was cleared around 11:30 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for October 2-8, 2023

ThousandEyes reported 184 global outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of October 2-8. Thats up from 136 the week prior, an increase of 35%. U.S. outages climbed 19% from 58 to 69. Heres a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages climbed from 94 to 124 outages, a 32% increase, and in the U.S. they increased from 32 to 39, an increase of 22%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages jumped from 10 to 23 outages, and in the U.S., they more than doubled from 7 to 15 outages.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages decreased from eight to two outages. In the U.S., collaboration app network outages dropped back to zero.

Two notable outages

On October 5, Hurricane Electric, a network transit provider headquartered in Fremont, CA, experienced an outage that impacted customers and downstream partners across multiple regions, including the U.S., Argentina, Malaysia, South Africa, Indonesia, Canada, Kenya, China, and Australia. The outage, first observed at around 6:25 PM EDT, lasted 33 minutes in total and was divided into three occurrences over one hour. The first occurrence appeared to center on Hurricane Electric nodes located in New York, NY. Fifteen minutes after the first occurrence appeared to clear, the second occurrence was observed. Lasting 29 minutes, the outage initially appeared to center on nodes located in San Jose, CA. Around five minutes into the second occurrence, the nodes located in San Jose, CA, were joined by nodes located in New York, NY and Chicago, IL, in exhibiting outage conditions. Around 7:00 PM EDT, the nodes located in New York, NY and Chicago, IL, appeared to clear, leaving just the nodes located in San Jose, CA, in exhibiting outage conditions. Five minutes later, the nodes in San Jose, CA, appeared to clear, and nodes located in New York, NY, Chicago, IL and Paris, France, began exhibiting outage conditions. A further five minutes later, nodes located in New York, NY and Chicago, IL, appeared to clear. The nodes located in Paris, France, were joined by nodes located in Marseille, France, in exhibiting outage conditions. Five minutes after the second occurrence appeared to clear, the third occurrence was observed, appearing to center on nodes located in New York, NY. The outage was cleared at around 7:25 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On October 4, Level 3 Communications, a U.S. based Tier 1 carrier, experienced an outage that impacted multiple downstream partners and customers across multiple regions including the U.S., Canada, Brazil, the U.K., Singapore, and India. The outage, lasting 8 minutes, was first observed around 12:16 AM EDT and appeared to be centered on Level 3 nodes located in Philadelphia, PA. The outage was cleared around 12:25 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for September 25  October 1, 2023

ThousandEyes reported 136 global outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of September 25  October 1. Thats a significant drop from 194 the week prior, a decrease of 30%. U.S. outages likewise fell 30%, decreasing from 83 to 58. Heres a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages decreased from 137 to 94, a decline of 31%, and in the U.S. they decreased from 47 to 32, a drop of 32%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages decreased from 16 to 10, and in the U.S., they fell from 15 to 7.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages increased from zero to eight. In the U.S., there were seven collaboration-app network outages, up from zero the week prior.

Two notable outages

On September 27, Rackspace Technology, a managed cloud computing provider headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, experienced a series of outages over a period of fifteen minutes that impacted multiple downstream providers, as well as Rackspace customers within multiple regions including the U.S. and India. The outage, lasting a total of 8 minutes, was first observed around 3:50 AM EDT and appeared to center on Rackspace nodes located in Dallas, TX. The outage was cleared around 4:05 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On September 28, Lumen, a U.S. based Tier 1 carrier (previously known as CenturyLink), experienced two outage occurrences over a fifteen-minute period that impacted downstream partners and customers across the U.S. The outage, lasting a total of 8 minutes, was first observed around 8:20 PM EDT and appeared to initially be centered on CenturyLink nodes located in New York, NY and Washington, DC. Ten minutes after first being observed, the nodes located in New York, NY, appeared to clear, leaving just the nodes located in Washington, DC in exhibiting outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 8:35 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for September 18-24, 2023

ThousandEyes reported 194 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of September 18-24. Thats down 15% from 229 outage events the week prior. Specific to the U.S., outages fell from 107 to 83, a decrease of 22%. Heres a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages decreased from 157 to 137, a decline of 13%, and in the U.S. they decreased from 67 to 47, a drop of 30%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages climbed from 13 to 16, and in the U.S., they climbed from 11 to 15.

Collaboration app network outages: Both globally and in the U.S., there were zero collaboration app network outages last week.

Two notable outages

On September 20, NTT America, a global Tier 1 ISP and subsidiary of NTT Global, experienced an outage that impacted some of its customers and downstream partners across multiple regions, including, the U.S., Germany, the Netherlands, the U.K., and France. The outage, lasting around 19 minutes, was observed around 3:25 AM EDT and appeared to initially center on NTT nodes located in Dallas, TX, and Paris, France. Around fifteen minutes into the outage, the nodes located in Dallas, TX, appeared to clear, leaving just the nodes located in Paris, France, exhibiting outage conditions. The drop in nodes exhibiting outage conditions appeared to coincide with a decrease in the number of downstream customers and partners impacted. The outage was cleared at around 3:45 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On September 22, Rackspace Technology, a U.S. managed cloud computing provider headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, experienced a series of outages over a period of forty-five minutes that impacted multiple downstream providers as well as Rackspace customers within multiple regions, including the U.S., and Canada. The outage, lasting a total of 18 minutes, was first observed around 10:40 PM EDT and appeared to center on Rackspace nodes located in Dallas, TX. The outage was cleared around 11:25 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for September 11-17, 2023

ThousandEyes reported 229 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of September 11-17. Thats up 24% from 184 outage events the week prior. Specific to the U.S., outages climbed from 91 to 107, an increase of 18%. Heres a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages increased from 141 to 157, a climb of 11%, and in the U.S. they decreased from 69 to 67, a drop of 3%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages climbed from seven to 13, and in the U.S., they climbed from six to 11.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages increased from four to nine. In the U.S., there were two collaboration-app network outages, which is the same as the week prior.

Two notable outages

On September 11, Arelion (formerly known as Telia Carrier), a global Tier 1 ISP headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, experienced an outage that impacted customers and downstream partners across the U.S. and Canada. The disruption, lasting a total of 8 minutes, was first observed around 10:50 PM EDT and appeared to center on nodes located in Newark, NJ. Five minutes after first being observed, the number of nodes exhibiting outage conditions located in Newark, NJ, appeared to decrease. This drop also appeared to coincide with a decrease in the number of downstream customers, partners, and regions impacted. The outage was cleared around 11:00 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On September 17, Comcast Communications experienced an outage that impacted a number of downstream partners and customers across the U.S. The outage, lasting a total of 9 minutes, was first observed around 7:25 AM EDT and appeared to center on Comcast nodes located in Ashburn, VA. Five minutes into the outage the number of nodes exhibiting outage conditions located in Ashburn, VA appeared to increase. This rise also appeared to coincide with an increase in the number of downstream partners and customers impacted. The outage was cleared around 7:35 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for September 4-10, 2023

ThousandEyes reported 184 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of September 4-10. Thats up 12% from 164 outage events the week prior. Specific to the U.S., outages climbed from 66 to 91, an increase of 38%. Heres a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages increased from 113 to 141, a climb of 25%, and in the U.S. they jumped from 44 to 69, an increase of 57%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages dropped by half from 14 to seven, and in the U.S., they fell from 11 to six.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages increased from two to four. In the U.S., there were two collaboration-app network outages, compared to zero the week prior.

Two notable outages

On September 9, NTT America, a global Tier 1 ISP and subsidiary of NTT Global, experienced an outage that impacted some of its customers and downstream partners across multiple regions, including, the U.S., Hong Kong, South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, China, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Japan. The outage, lasting around 23 minutes, was observed around 2:45 AM EDT and appeared to center on NTT nodes located in Dallas, TX. Around twenty minutes into the outage, some of the nodes located in Dallas, TX, appeared to clear. The drop in nodes and exhibiting outage conditions appeared to coincide with a decrease in the number of downstream customers and partners impacted. The outage was cleared at around 3:10 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On September 6, Cogent Communications, a U.S. based multinational transit provider, experienced an outage that impacted multiple downstream providers as well as Cogent customers across multiple regions including the U.S., India, Singapore, Spain, Mexico, Hong Kong, Australia, Indonesia, the U.K., Costa Rica, Switzerland, Canada, Egypt, Malaysia, Germany, Japan, and China. The outage, lasting a total of 57 minutes, was divided into three occurrences over a one hour and fifteen-minute period. The first occurrence was observed around 4:55 PM EDT and appeared to initially be centered on Cogent nodes located in Houston, TX. Five minutes after first being observed, nodes exhibiting outage conditions expanded to include nodes located in Phoenix, AZ, and El Paso, TX. This rise of the number of nodes exhibiting outage conditions appeared to coincide with an increase in the number of impacted regions, downstream partners, and customers. Around ten minutes after appearing to clear, the second occurrence was observed. In the second occurrence the nodes located in El Paso, TX, Houston, TX and Phoenix, AZ, were joined by Cogent nodes located in Columbus, OH, in exhibiting outage conditions. Five minutes into the second occurrence, all the nodes, except for the nodes located in Phoenix, AZ, and Columbus, OH, appeared to recover. Five minutes after appearing to clear, the third occurrence was observed, initially appearing to center on nodes located in Phoenix, AZ. Around ten minutes into the third occurrence, nodes located in Phoenix, AZ, were joined by nodes located in Los Angeles, CA, and Houston, TX, in exhibiting outage conditions. Five minutes later, nodes located in Los Angeles, CA, appeared to clear. With nodes located in Phoenix, AZ, and Houston, TX, joined by nodes located in El Paso, TX, in exhibiting outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 6:10 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for August 28- September 3, 2023

ThousandEyes reported 164 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of August 28- September 3. Thats up 27% from 129 outage events the week prior. Specific to the U.S., outages increased from 63 to 66, up 5%. Heres a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages increased from 77 to 113, a climb of 47%, and in the U.S. they spiked from 26 to 44, an increase of 69%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages increased from 11 to 14, and in the U.S., they increased from 10 to 11.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages decreased from 10 to two. In the U.S., there were zero collaboration-app network outages, compared to nine the week prior.

Two notable outages

On September 2, Level 3 Communications, a U.S. based Tier 1 carrier, experienced an outage that impacted multiple downstream partners and customers in multiple countries including the U.S., South Africa, Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, Argentina, Spain, Brazil, Poland, Canada, the U.K., the Netherlands, France, Australia, Egypt, Ireland, Hong Kong, India, Turkey, Singapore, and Japan. The outage, lasting a total of 64 minutes, over a two hour and 30-minute period, was divided into a series of occurrences. First observed around 12:10 PM EDT, the outage initially appeared to center on nodes located in Raleigh, NC. Thirty-five minutes into the first occurrence, nodes exhibiting outage conditions increased to include nodes located in San Francisco, CA. This increase in nodes exhibiting outage conditions also appeared to coincide with an increase in the number of downstream customers, partners and regions impacted. This first occurrence was the longest, lasting 44 minutes. Around five minutes after appearing to clear, nodes located in Raleigh, NC, once again appeared exhibiting outage conditions. This brief second occurrence, lasting around 4 minutes, was followed ten minutes later, by another 4-minute disruption, this time appearing to center on nodes located in San Francisco, CA. Around 25 minutes after appearing to clear, the nodes located in San Francisco, CA, appeared to exhibit outage conditions again. Forty minutes after the nodes located in San Francisco, CA, appeared to clear, the last occurrence of the outage was observed, appearing to center on nodes located in Raleigh, NC. The outage appeared to clear completely around 2:40 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On August 28, Time Warner Cable, a U.S. based ISP, experienced a disruption that impacted a number of customers and partners in multiple countries including the U.S., the U.K., Brazil, the Netherlands, Germany, India, Canada, Japan, France, Ireland, Australia, and Hong Kong. The outage was first observed at around 6:50 PM EDT and appeared to center on Time Warner Cable nodes located in New York, NY. The outage lasted a total of 20 minutes, with five evenly distributed occurrences, each lasting around 4 minutes each, over a period of 45 minutes. The outage was cleared at around 7:35 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for August 21-27, 2023

ThousandEyes reported 129 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of August 21-27. Thats down 12% from 147 outage events the week prior. Specific to the U.S., outages increased from 62 to 63, up 2%. Heres a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages decreased from 85 to 77, down 9%, and in the U.S. they decreased from 31 to 26, down 16%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages decreased from 13 to 11, and in the U.S., they jumped from four to 10.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages climbed from two to 10. In the U.S., there were nine collaboration-app network outages, up from two the week prior.

Two notable outages

On August 24, Rackspace Technology, a U.S. managed cloud computing provider headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, experienced a series of outages over a period of fifteen minutes that impacted multiple downstream providers, as well as Rackspace customers within multiple regions including the U.S., France, Japan, Spain, South Africa, Vietnam, the U.K., Peru, Chile, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, the Netherlands, Singapore, Turkey, and Brazil. The outage, lasting a total of 8 minutes, was first observed around 1:00 AM EDT and appeared to center on Rackspace nodes located in Chicago, IL. Ten minutes after first being observed, an increased number of Rackspace nodes located in Chicago, IL, once again exhibited outage conditions, increasing the number of impacted customers and partners, before clearing at around 1:15 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On August 21, Arelion (formerly known as Telia Carrier), a global Tier 1 ISP headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, experienced an outage that impacted customers and downstream partners across the U.S. The disruption, lasting a total of 8 minutes, was first observed around 6:10 AM EDT and appeared to center on nodes located in Newark, NJ. Five minutes after first being observed, the number of nodes exhibiting outage conditions located in Newark, NJ, appeared to decrease. This drop also appeared to coincide with a decrease in the number of downstream customers, partners and regions impacted. The outage was cleared around 6:20 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for August 14-20, 2023

ThousandEyes reported 147 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of August 14-20. Thats down 14% from 171 outage events the week prior. Specific to the U.S., outages increased from 59 to 62, up 5%. Heres a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages decreased from 105 to 85, down 19%, and in the U.S. they increased from 29 to 31, up 7%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages decreased from 17 to 13, and in the U.S., they dropped from 14 to four.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages decreased from six to two. In the U.S., there were two collaboration-app network outages, up from one the week prior.

Two notable outages

On August 20, Cogent Communications, a U.S. based multinational transit provider, experienced an outage that impacted multiple downstream providers as well as Cogent customers across multiple regions including the U.S., India, and Canada. The outage, lasting a total of 15 minutes, was divided into three occurrences over a thirty-five-minute period. The first occurrence was observed around 4:00 AM EDT and appeared to initially be centered on Cogent nodes located in Boise, ID and Phoenix, AZ. Five minutes after appearing to clear, the second occurrence was observed. In the second occurrence the only nodes located in Boise, ID, appeared to exhibit outage conditions. Five minutes after appearing to clear the nodes located in Boise, ID, once again began exhibiting outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 4:35 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On August 16, Level 3 Communications, a U.S. based Tier 1 carrier, experienced an outage that impacted multiple downstream partners and customers across the U.S. The outage, lasting 9 minutes, was first observed around 1:00 PM EDT and appeared to be centered on Level 3 nodes located in Raleigh, NC. The outage was cleared around 1:10 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for August 7-13, 2023

ThousandEyes reported 171 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of August 7-13. Thats the same as the week prior. Specific to the U.S., outages decreased from 63 to 59, down 5%. Heres a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages increased from 94 to 105, up 12%, and in the U.S. they decreased from 31 to 29, down 12%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages increased from 16 to 17, and in the U.S., they doubled from seven to 14.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages tripled from two to six. In the U.S., there was one collaboration-app network outage, up from zero the week prior.

Two notable outages

On August 10, NTT America, a global Tier 1 ISP and subsidiary of NTT Global, experienced an outage that impacted some of its customers and downstream partners across multiple regions including, the U.S., Singapore, Japan, Thailand, India, the Netherlands, South Korea, Malaysia, Brazil, Denmark and Germany. The outage, lasting 10 minutes, was first observed around 8:00 AM EDT and appeared to initially center on NTT nodes located in Los Angeles, CA, Singapore, Tokyo, Japan, and Vienna, Austria. Five minutes into the outage, nodes located in Los Angeles, CA, and Vienna, Austria, appeared to clear, leaving just nodes located in Tokyo, Japan, and Singapore in exhibiting outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 8:15 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On August 9, Google experienced an outage on its network that impacted access to services running on Google environments in multiple regions including the U.S. and Canada. The outage, lasting a total of 13 minutes, was divided into two occurrences spread over a thirty-minute period. The first occurrence, lasting 9 minutes, was observed around 6:15 AM EDT and appeared to be centered on Google nodes located in Los Angeles, CA, San Jose, CA and San Francisco, CA. Fifteen minutes after the first occurrence cleared, the second occurrence was observed, this time appearing to center on nodes located in Dallas, TX. The outage was cleared around 6:45 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for July 31- August 6, 2023

ThousandEyes reported 171 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of July 31- August 6. Thats up from 156 the week prior, a increase of 10%. Specific to the U.S., outages increased from 60 to 63, up 5%. Heres a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages decreased from 108 to 94, down 13%, and in the U.S. they decreased from 39 to 31, down 21%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages jumped from nine to 16, and in the U.S. decreased from eight to seven.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration-app network outages dropped from three to two, and in the U.S. they dropped from one to zero.

Two notable outages

On August 1, Zayo Group, a U.S. based Tier 1 carrier headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, experienced an outage that impacted some of its partners and customers across the U.S. and Canada. The outage lasted around 14 minutes, was first observed around 1:40 AM EDT, and appeared to initially center on Zayo Group nodes located in Paris, France. Five minutes into the outage, the nodes located in Paris, France, appeared to clear, replaced by nodes located in Minneapolis, MN, in exhibiting outage conditions. Around 1:50 AM EDT, the nodes located in Minneapolis, MN, appeared to clear, replaced by nodes located in Seattle, WA, exhibiting outage conditions for the remainder of the outage. The outage was cleared around 1:55 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On August 3, NTT America, a global Tier 1 ISP and subsidiary of NTT Global, experienced an outage that impacted some of its customers and downstream partners across multiple regions including, the U.S., South Korea, Japan, and the U.K. The outage, lasting 19 minutes, was first observed around 7:45 PM EDT, and appeared to center on NTT nodes located in Los Angeles, CA. The outage was cleared around 8:05 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for July 24-30, 2023

ThousandEyes reported 156 global outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of July 24-30. Thats down from 186 the week prior, a decline of 16%. Specific to the U.S., outages decreased from 74 to 60, down 19%. Heres a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages decreased from 118 to 108, down 8%, and in the U.S. they increased slightly from 37 to 39, up 5%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud provider-network outages decreased from 10 to nine, and in the U.S. they decreased from nine to eight.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration-app network outages dropped from four to three, and in the U.S. they decreased from three to one.

Two notable outages

On July 24, Microsoft experienced an issue that impacted connectivity to SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business services. First observed around 3:05 PM EDT, it appeared to impact connectivity for users globally. Users encountered a certificate error when attempting to access SharePoint Online and OneDrive due to an erroneous change in the SSL certificate that prevented the establishment of a secure connection to the services. Approximately ten minutes later, at around 3:15 PM EDT, it appeared to be replaced with a valid certificate, and SharePoint and OneDrive service reachability was restored for most users by around 3:20 PM EDT. Around 5:34 PM EDT, Microsoft announced that the outage was the result of a configuration issue and had been resolved. Click here for an interactive view.

On July 26, GTT Communications, a Tier 1 ISP headquartered in Tysons, VA, experienced an outage that impacted some of its partners and customers across multiple regions, including the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and the Republic of Korea. The outage lasted 8 minutes in total and was divided into two episodes over a 15-minute period, first observed around 8:30 AM EDT. The first period of the outage, lasting around 4 minutes, appeared to be centered on GTT nodes located in Seattle, WA, and New York, NY. Five minutes after appearing to clear, the second occurrence was observed, this time with just nodes located in New York, NY, exhibiting outage conditions. This reduction in nodes exhibiting outage conditions appeared to coincide with a decrease in the number of regions and partners impacted. The outage was cleared around 8:45 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for July 17-23, 2023

ThousandEyes reported 186 global outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of July 17-23. Thats down from 192 the week prior, a decrease of 3%. Specific to the U.S., outages decreased from 96 to 74, a decline of 23%. Heres a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages increased from 115 to 118, up 3%, and in the U.S. they decreased from 60 to 37, a decline of 38%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud provider-network outages decreased from 17 to ten. In the U.S., however, cloud provider network outages increased from four to nine.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration-app network outages increased from two to four, and in the U.S. they increased from one to three.

Two notable outages

On July 21, Cogent Communications, a U.S. based multinational transit provider, experienced an outage that impacted multiple downstream providers as well as Cogent customers across multiple regions including the U.S., Brazil, Singapore, India, Spain, the U.K., Hong Kong, Portugal, Germany, Switzerland, France, Mexico, Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Columbia, Costa Rica, Greece, Malaysia, and Luxembourg. The outage, lasting a total of 33 minutes, was divided into two occurrences over a fifty-minute period. The first occurrence was observed around 6:55 AM EDT and appeared to initially be centered on Cogent nodes located in El Paso, TX, Atlanta, GA, and Denver, CO. Five minutes after first being observed, nodes exhibiting outage conditions expanded to include nodes located in Cleveland, OH, Baltimore, MD, Miami, FL, and Phoenix, AZ. This rise of the number of nodes exhibiting outage conditions appeared to coincide with an increase in the number of impacted regions, downstream partners, and customers. Around fifteen minutes after appearing to clear, the second occurrence was observed. In the second occurrence, the nodes located in Atlanta, GA, El Paso, TX, Denver, CO, Miami, FL, and Phoenix, AZ, were joined by Cogent nodes located in Houston, TX, and Mexico City, Mexico, in exhibiting outage conditions. Fifteen minutes into the second occurrence, all the nodes, with the exception of the nodes located in El Paso, TX, appeared to recover. The outage was cleared around 7:45 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On July 21, Zayo Group, a U.S. based Tier 1 carrier headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, experienced an outage that impacted some of its partners and customers in multiple countries including the U.S., Germany, and Malaysia. The outage lasted around 8 minutes in total and was divided into two occurrences over a fifteen-minute period. First observed around 7:20 AM EDT, the outage appeared to center on Zayo Group nodes located in Phoenix, AZ. The outage was cleared around 7:35 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for July 10-16, 2023

ThousandEyes reported 192 global outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of July 10-16. Thats a jump from 117 the week prior, an increase of 64%. Specific to the U.S., outages spiked from 61 to 96, an increase of 57%. Heres a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages increased from 68 to 115, up 69%, and in the U.S. they spiked from 32 to 60, up 88%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages increased from three to 17, and in the U.S. they increased from three to four.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration-app network outages dropped from five to two, and in the U.S. there was one collaboration app network outage, same as the week prior.

Two notable outages

On July 12, Hurricane Electric, a network transit provider headquartered in Fremont, CA, experienced an outage that impacted customers and downstream partners across the U.S. The outage, first observed at around 1:20 PM EDT, lasted a total of 32 minutes and was divided into three occurrences over a one-hour and 5-minute period. The first occurrence, lasting 24 minutes, appeared to center on Hurricane Electric nodes located in Dallas, TX, and Kansas City, MO. Around 1:25 PM EDT, the nodes located in Kansas City, MO, appeared to temporarily clear before once again exhibiting outage conditions again around 1:30 PM EDT. Around 1:40 PM EDT, the nodes located in Dallas, TX appeared to clear, leaving the nodes located in Kansas City, MO, exhibiting outages for the remainder of the first occurrence. Around 2:00 PM EDT, fifteen minutes after the nodes located in Kansas City, MO appeared to clear, the second occurrence was observed and appeared to center on nodes located in Dallas, TX. Five minutes after the Dallas, TX nodes cleared, the third occurrence was observed and appeared to center on nodes located in Kansas City, MO. The outage was cleared at around 2:15 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On July 14, Zayo Group, a U.S. based Tier 1 carrier headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, experienced an outage that impacted some of its partners and customers across the U.S. The outage lasted around 14 minutes, was first observed around 3:50 AM EDT, and appeared to center on Zayo Group nodes located in Seattle, WA. Five minutes after first being observed, the number of nodes located in Seattle, WA, exhibiting outage conditions appeared to increase. This rise of the number of nodes exhibiting outage conditions appeared to coincide with an increase in the number of impacted downstream partners and customers. The outage was cleared around 4:05 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Global outages across all three categories last week decreased from 210 to 146, down 30% compared to the week prior. In the US they decreased from 99 to 57, down 42%. Globally, the number of ISP outages decreased from 125 to 95, down 24%, and in the US they decreased from 52 to 37, down 29%. Globally, cloud provider-network outages decreased from 12 to seven, and in the US they decreased from six to four. Globally, collaboration-app network outages dropped from 12 to three, and in the US they decreased from nine to two.

Two notable outages

On June 24, GTT Communications experienced an outage affecting partners and customers across the US, Italy, and Canada. The 14-minute outage was first observed around 1:30 a.m. EDT and appeared centered on GTT nodes in Atlanta, Georgia. The outage was cleared around 1:35 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On June 23, Cogent Communications, experienced an outage affecting multiple downstream providers and Cogent customers across the US and Singapore. The eight-minute outage was first observed around 2:20 a.m. EDT and appeared centered on Cogent nodes in Houston, Texas, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Five minutes after being observed, the Oklahoma nodes appeared to recover. The outage was cleared around 2:30 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Global outages across all three categories last week jumped from 130 to 210, up 62% compared to the week prior. In the US, outages jumped from 52 to 99, up 90%. Globally, the number of ISP outages increased from 82 to 125, up 52%, and in the US they increased from 28 to 52, up 86%. Globally, cloud-provider network outages increased from four to 12, and in the US increased from four to six.Globally, collaboration-app network outages increased from six to 12, and in the US they increased from three to nine.

Two notable outages

On June 13, Amazon Web Services (AWS) experienced an incident affecting services in its US-EAST-1 region. The incident, which lasted more than two hours, was first detected around 2:50 p.m. EDT and affecting the availability of applications hosted within AWS. This was confirmed by AWS, announcing via its status page that it had identified the root cause to be an issue with a subsystem responsible for capacity management for AWS Lambda, which caused errors directly for customers and indirectly through the use of other AWS services. The issue was mostly resolved by 4:40 p.m. EDT, with availability returning to normal levels for a majority of AWS services, as well as subsequently affected applications. Click here for an interactive view, and here for a detailed analysis.

On June 14, GTT Communications experienced an outage affecting partners and customers across the US and Canada. The nine-minute outage was first observed around 3:25 p.m. EDT initially centered on GTT nodes located in Seattle, Washington. Five minutes later, nodes in Chicago, Illinois also exhibited outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 3:35 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Global outages across all three categories last week decreased from 176 to 130, a decline of 26% compared to the week prior. In the US, they decreased from 86 to 52, a drop of 40%. Globally, ISP outages decreased from 95 to 82, down 14%, and in the US they decreased from 44 to 28, down 36%. Globally, cloud-provider outages decreased from 10 to 4, and in the US decreased from seven to four. Globally, collaboration-app network outages decreased from three to six, and in the US dropped from zero to two.

Two notable outages

On June 5, Microsoft experienced an outage impacting Microsoft 365 services. First observed around 10:15 a.m. EDT, the outage was made up of several sustained periods of disruption spread over 27 hours. The first occurrence lasted around an hour and 39 minutes, manifesting as decreased application availability across some Microsoft 365 services for global users. Around 3 hours and 30 minutes after appearing to clear, the outage reappeared, exhibiting the same symptoms as the previous outage. This second occurrence lasted around 3 hours and 3 minutes. Services appeared to return with access completely restored around 6:30 p.m. EDT. However, eight and a half hours later, a third occurrence lasted 68 minutes and appeared to clear around 5:10 a.m. EDT (June 6), before reoccurring at 11:00 a.m. EDT for 52 minutes and again around 12:10 a.m. EDT for 24 minutes. The disruption appeared to be cleared around 1:05 p.m. EDT. Click here for a more detailed description of the outage.

On June 6, Rackspace Technology, a U.S. managed cloud computing provider headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, experienced a series of outages over a period of fifteen minutes that impacted multiple downstream providers as well as Rackspace customers within the U.S. and India. The outage, lasting a total of 8 minutes, was first observed around 8:20 p.m. EDT and appeared to center on Rackspace nodes located in Dallas, TX. Ten minutes after first being observed, a reduced number of Rackspace nodes located in Dallas, TX once again exhibited outage conditions reducing the number of impacted customers and partners, before clearing at around 8:35 p.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Global outages across all three categories last week increased from 170 to 176, up 4% compared to the week prior. In the US, they increased from 78 to 86, up 10%. Globally, ISP outages decreased from 108 to 95, down 12%, and in the US they decreased from 45 to 44, down 2%. Globally, cloud-provider outages increased from nine to 10, and in the US decreased from eight to seven. Globally, collaboration-app network outages decreased from six to four, and in the US dropped from two to zero.

Two notable outages

On May 31, Cloudflare suffered an interruption affecting customers in the US, Australia, the UK, India, China, and Canada. First observed around 6:55 a.m EDT, the outage appeared centered on Cloudflare nodes located in New York, New York; Chicago, Illinois; Newark, New Jersey; Dallas, Texas; Kansas City, Missouri; London, England; and Mumbai, Pune and New Delhi, India. Five minutes into the outage, nodes in Melbourne and Brisbane, Australia; Los Angeles, California; and Montreal, Canada; were also affected. The outage lasted 19 minutes in total and was cleared around 7:15 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On May 31, GTT Communications experienced an outage affecting some partners and customers across the US. The nine-minute outage was first observed around 2:25 a.m. EDT and appeared centered on GTT nodes in Miami, Florida. The outage cleared around 2:35 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Global outages across all three categories last week decreased from 174 to 170, down 2% compared to the week prior. In the US they increased from 71 to 78, up 10%. Globally, ISP outages increased from 102 to 108, up 6%, and in the US they remained the same at 45. Globally, cloud-provider network outages increased from eight to nine, and in the US increased from four to eight. Globally, collaboration-app network outages increased from two to six, and in the US they increased from zero to two.

Two notable outages

On May 25, TATA Communications (America) Inc., experienced an outage affecting downstream partners and customers in the US, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Canada, Sweden, and China. First observed around 5:26 p.m. EDT, the outage lasted 32 minutes in total divided into two episodes over a 39-minute period. The first period lasted around 28 minutes and appeared centered on TATA nodes in New York, New York. Five minutes after it cleared, the outage returned. The outage was cleared around 6:05 p.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On May 24, Hurricane Electric experienced an 18-minute outage affecting customers and downstream partners in the US, Germany, Canada, the UK, France, Ireland, Sweden, Belgium, South Africa, and Australia. The outage was first observed around 3:15 p.m. EDT centered on Hurricane Electric nodes in Singapore. Five minutes later those nodes appeared to clear and those in San Jose, California exhibited outage conditions. Ten minutes after first being observed, nodes exhibiting outage conditions included those in San Jose and New York, New York. The outage was cleared around 3:35 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Global outages across all three categories last week dropped from 574 to 174, down 70% compared to the week prior. In the US, they dropped from 231 to 71, down 69%. Globally, ISP outages decreased from 393 to 102, down 74%, and in the US they dropped from 187 to 45, down 76%. Globally, cloud-provider network outages dropped from 17 to eight, and in the US they dropped from 10 to four. Globally, collaboration-app network outages decreased from three to two, and in the US they remained at zero for the second week.

Two notable outages

On May 18, PCCW experienced an outage affecting customers and networks in the US, UK, Luxembourg, Hong Kong, South Africa, and Mexico. The outage lasted around 16 minutes in total and was divided into four periods over a 35-minute span. The outage was first observed around 10:40 a.m. EDT and appeared centered on PCCW infrastructure in Ashburn Virginia; Dallas, Texas; and London, England. The first period of the outage lasted around four minutes before recurring five minutes later. Fifteen minutes after first being observed, the Ashburn, Dallas, and London nodes appeared to recover. However, five minutes later, Ashburn nodes appeared to exhibit outage conditions again. The outage was cleared around 11:15 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On May 17, Arelion experienced an outage affecting customers and downstream partners across the US, UK, South Africa, Poland, Canada, Sweden, and Norway. The nine-minute disruption was first observed around 11:45 a.m. EDT and appeared centered on nodes in Newark, New Jersey. Five minutes later, the number of affected New Jersey nodes appeared to increase. The outage was cleared around 11:55 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Global outages across all three categories last week increased from 310 to 574, up 85% compared to the week prior. In the US, they increased from 175 to 231, up 32%. Globally, ISP outages jumped from 200 to 393, up 97%, and in the US they increased from 128 to 187, up 46%. Globally, cloud-provider network outages remained the same at 17, and in the US they increased from 9 to ten. Globally, collaboration-app network outages decreased from five to three, and there were none in the US, down from two the week before.

Two notable outages

On May 11, TATA Communications (America) Inc., experienced an outage affecting downstream partners and customers in countries including the US, the UK, Singapore, the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and India. The 19-minute outage was first observed around 11:45 a.m. EDT apparently centered on TATA nodes in Newark, New Jersey, and London, England. Five minutes later, nodes in Marseille, France also exhibited outage conditions. Fifteen minutes into the outage, the Marseille and London nodes appeared to clear, and nodes in Laredo, Texas; Los Angeles, California; and Paris, France; exhibited outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 1:05 p.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On May 11, GTT Communications experienced an outage affecting some partners and customers across the US and the Netherlands. The 13-minute outage was first observed around 4:05 a.m. EDT, and was divided into two episodes over a 20-minute period. The first lasted around 9 minutes, and appeared centered on GTT nodes in Seattle, Washington. Five minutes later, nodes in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, also exhibited outage conditions. Five minutes after appearing to clear, the Seattle nodes started exhibiting outage conditions again. The outage was cleared around 4:25 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Global outages across all three categories last week increased from 213 to 310, up 46% compared to the week prior. In the US, they increased from 95 to 175, up 84%. Globally, ISP outages increased from 139 to 200, up 44%, and in the US, they increased from 60 to 128, up 113%. Globally, cloud-provider network outages increased from six to 17, and in the US they increased from five to nine. Globally, collaboration-app network outages increased from four to five, and in the US, they increased from zero to two.

Two notable outages

On May 6, Cogent Communications, experienced an outage affecting multiple downstream providers and customers in countries including the US, UK, Australia, Singapore, Japan, Argentina, Brazil, China, Thailand, Mexico, Turkey, Taiwan, Republic of Korea, Canada, South Africa, Germany, Spain, Poland, Denmark, and Luxembourg. The 23-minute outage was divided into two occurrences over a 30-minute period. The first occurrence was observed around 6:45 a.m. EDT, apparently centered on Cogent nodes in San Francisco and San Jose, California. Five minutes later, nodes in Los Angeles, California, and Seattle, Washington, also exhibited outage conditions. Five minutes after appearing to clear, the second occurrence was observed, initially centering on San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles nodes. The outage was cleared around 7:15 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On May 2, Cox Communications, experienced a disruption affecting Cox Communications customers and partners. The outage was first observed at around 5:41 a.m. EDT apparently centered on Cox nodes in Ashburn, Virginia. Twenty minutes later, Cox nodes in Ohio were also observed exhibiting outage conditions. The 21-minute outage was cleared around 6:05 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Global outages across all three categories last week decreased from 239 to 213, down 11% compared to the week prior. US outages decreased from 109 to 95, down 13%. Globally, ISP outages decreased from 146 to 139, down 5%, and in the US decreased from 63 to 60, down 5%. Globally, cloud-provider network outages dropped from 13 to six, and in the US from nine to five. Globally, collaboration-app network outages decreased from eight to four and in the US they remained at zero.

Two notable outages

On April 26, Qwest Communications experienced an outage affecting downstream partners and customers across the US. The 14-minute outage was first observed around 12:20 a.m. EDT, apparently centered on Qwest nodes in Atlanta, Georgia. The outage was cleared around 12:35 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On April 26, Microsoft experienced an outage on its network affecting some downstream partners and access to services running in Microsoft environments in multiple countries including the US, Taiwan, and India. The nine-minute outage was first observed around 1:20 a.m. EDT and appeared to initially center on Microsoft nodes in Atlanta, Georgia, and Cleveland, Ohio. Around five minutes later the Cleveland nodes appeared to clear. The outage was cleared around 1:30 a.m.EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Global outages across all three categories last week increased from 235 to 239, up 2% compared to the week prior. In the US, outages increased from 100 to 109, up 9%. Globally, the number of ISP outages increased from 137 to 146, up 7%, and in the US they increased from 60 to 63, up 5%. Globally, cloud-provider network outages increased from 10 to 13 and in the US from eight to nine. Globally, collaboration-app network outages increased from seven to eight and in the US dropped from one to zero.

Two notable outages

On April 18, NTT America experienced an outage affecting some customers and downstream partners across the US. The 14-minute outage was first observed around 12:30 a.m. EDT and appeared centered on NTT nodes in San Jose and Los Angeles, California. Around five minutes later, the San Jose nodes appeared to recover. Ten minutes after first being observed, the Los Angeles nodes appeared to recover, too, but nodes in New York, New York, exhibited outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 12:45 a.m.EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On April 19, Oracle experienced an outage on its network affecting Oracle customers and downstream partners interacting with Oracle Cloud services in multiple countries including the US, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, and Canada. The outage was first observed around 3:25 a.m. EDT and appeared to center on Oracle nodes in Ashburn, Virginia; Washington, DC; Toronto, Canada; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and Tokyo, Japan. Five minutes later the Dubai and Toronto nodes appeared to recover, but nodes located in Montreal, Canada showed outage conditions. A further five minutes later Dubai nodes once again exhibited outage conditions. Fifteen minutes after first being observed, the Ashburn, Washington, Toronto, Dubai and Tokyo nodes exhibited outage conditions again. The outage lasted 19 minutes in total and was cleared around 3:45 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Global outages across all three categories last week decreased from 242 to 235, down 3% compared to the week prior. In the US they decreased from 105 to 100, down 5%. Global ISP outages decreased from 157 to 137, down 13%, and in the US, decreased from 72 to 60, down 17%. Global cloud-provider network outages increased from nine to 10, and in the US they increased from four to eight. Global collaboration-app network outages decreased from 12 to seven, and in the US they decreased from four to one.

Two notable outages

On April 14, Cogent Communications experienced a 14-minute outage affecting downstream providers and customers in countries including the US, UK, Germany, Luxemburg, South Africa, India, Israel, Spain, France, Singapore, Ireland, Austria, Australia, Italy, and Brazil. First observed around 7:30 p.m. EDT, the outage centered on Cogent nodes in Washington, DC; London; New York; Paris; Frankfurt, Germany; Boston, Massachusetts; and Houston, Texas. Five minutes later, only Paris, Frankfurt, and Marseille, France, nodes showed outage conditions. Five minutes after that, the Paris, Frankfurt, and Marseille, nodes all appeared to clear, but those in London exhibited outage conditions. The outage cleared around 7:45 p.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On April 15, Oracle experienced an outage affecting its customers and downstream partners interacting with Oracle Cloud services in countries including the US, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, China, and Japan. The outage was first observed around 8:20 p.m. EDT and appeared centered on Oracle nodes in Ashburn, Virginia; Washington, DC; Montreal, Canada; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and Tokyo, Japan. Fifteen minutes later, all the nodes except those in Montreal appeared to recover. The outage lasted 18 minutes and was cleared around 8:40 p.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Global outages across all three categories last week decreased from 265 to 242, down 9% compared to the week prior. In the US, they increased from 95 to 105, up 11%. Globally, the number of ISP outages decreased from 170 to 157, down 8%, and in the US they increased from 62 to 72, up 16%. Globally, cloud-provider network outages remained the same as the week prior, at nine, and in the US decreased from six to four. Globally, collaboration-app network outages more than doubled, increasing from five to 12, and in the US decreased from five to four.

Three notable outages

On April 8, Level 3 Communications, a U.S. based Tier 1 carrier, experienced an outage that impacted multiple downstream partners and customers across the U.S. and India. The outage, lasting 24 minutes, was first observed around 4:05 AM EDT and appeared to initially be centered on Level 3 nodes located in Kansas City, MO and San Francisco, CA. Fifteen minutes after first being observed, the nodes located in Kansas City appeared to clear, leaving just the nodes located in San Francisco exhibiting outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 4:30 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On April 3 and 4, Virgin Media UK, a British based ISP, experienced two outages that impacted the reachability of its network and services to the global Internet. The two outages shared similar characteristics and appeared to impact access for Virgin Media customers in the U.K. predominantly. The first incident took place between ~8:30 PM EDT and ~3:00 AM EDT, while the second began at ~11:20 AM EDT and was resolved around 1:30 PM EDT. A more detailed explanation of the outage can be found here. Click here for an interactive view.

On April 5, Cogent Communications, a U.S. based multinational transit provider, experienced an outage that impacted multiple downstream providers as well as Cogent customers in multiple regions, including the U.S., the Netherlands, Germany, and the Czech Republic. The outage, lasting a total of 19 minutes, was divided into two occurrences distributed over a thirty-minute period. The first occurrence was observed around 4:00 PM EDT and appeared to initially be centered on nodes located in Boise, ID. Five minutes after appearing to clear, the nodes located in Boise appeared to exhibit outage conditions once again. Twenty-five minutes after first being observed, the Cogent nodes exhibiting the outage conditions extended to include nodes located in Cleveland, OH. As the Cogent nodes impacted increased, so did the number of customer networks and providers impacted. The outage was cleared around 4:30 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Global outages across all three categories last week increased from 181 to 265, up 46% compared to the week prior. In the US, they increased from 65 to 95, also up 46%. Globally, the number of ISP outages increased from 121 to 170, up 40%, and in the US they increased from 44 to 62, up 41%. Globally, cloud-provider network outages increased from six to nine, and in the US from one to six. Globally, collaboration-app network outages increased from one to five and in the US increased from zero to five.

Two notable outages

On April 1, Cogent Communications experienced an outage affecting multiple downstream providers as well as Cogent customers in countries including the US, Canada, the UK, Israel, China, Mexico, Singapore, Australia, Germany, Portugal, India, Spain, Switzerland, New Zealand, Philippines, Costa Rica, Brazil, and Japan. The nine-minute outage was first observed around 1:25 a.m. EDT centered on Cogent nodes in Washington, DC; Atlanta, Georgia; and Bilbao, Spain. Five minutes later, nodes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; New York, New York; and El Paso and Houston, Texas; also showed outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 1:35 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On April 1, Oracle experienced a nine-minute network outage affecting Oracle customers and downstream partners interacting with Oracle Cloud services in multiple countries including the US, Luxembourg, Finland, Mexico, South Africa, the UK, Germany, and Canada. First observed around 2:55 a.m. EDT, the outage appeared centered on Oracle nodes in Ashburn, Virginia; Washington, DC; Phoenix; and Cleveland, Ohio. Five minutes later, the Cleveland nodes appeared to recover, along with some nodes in Ashburn, Washington, and Phoenix. This reduced the number of affected countries to the US, South Africa, Finland, the UK, and Canada. The outage was cleared around 3:05 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Global outages across all three categories last week decreased from 247 to 181, down 27% compared to the week prior. In the US, outages decreased from 82 to 65, down 21%. Globally, the number of ISP outages decreased from 163 to 121, down 26%, while in the US they decreased from 61 to 44, down 28%. Globally, cloud-provider network outages decreased from 11 to six, and in the US they dropped from five to one. Globally, collaboration-app network outages decreased from seven to one, and in the US they dropped from four to zero.

Two notable outages

On March 23, TATA Communications (America) experienced an outage affecting downstream partners and customers in multiple countries including the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, and China. First observed around 12:05 p.m. EDT, the outage, lasted 13 minutes in total, divided into two episodes over a 20-minute period. The first, nine-minute outage initially appeared centered on TATA nodes in Los Angeles. Five minutes into the outage, nodes exhibiting outage conditions included those in San Francisco. Five minutes after the first occurrence cleared, the outage reappeared, with San Francisco and Newark, New Jersey nodes exhibiting outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 12:25 p.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On March 26, GTT Communications experienced an outage affecting some of its partners and customers across multiple countries, including the US, Spain, and the UK. The eight-minute outage was first observed around 9:30 a.m. EDT and appeared to initially center on GTT nodes in Atlanta and Wisconsin. Five minutes after first being observed, the Wisconsin ndes appeared to clear. The outage was cleared around 9:40 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Global outages across all three categories last week decreased from 271 to 247, down 9% compared to the week prior. In the US, outages decreased from 105 to 82, down 22%. Global ISP outages decreased from 191 to 163, down 15%, and in the US they decreased from 83 to 61, down 27%. Global cloud-provider network outages jumped from three to 11, and in the US increased from two to five. Global collaboration-app network outages increased from three to seven, and in the US from one to four.

Two notable outages

On March 14, NTT America experienced an outage affecting customers and downstream partners across multiple countries including the US, Brazil, the UK, Australia, and China. The outage, lasting a total of 18 minutes, was divided into two occurrences over a 35-minute period. Initially observed around 11:40 a.m. EDT, the first occurrence appeared to center on NTT nodes in New York and Dallas. Around five minutes after the New York and Dallas nodes appeared to clear, nodes in San Jose, California, began exhibiting outage conditions. The outage cleared around 12:205 p.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On March 18, Cogent Communications experienced a series of outages over a period of an hour and 15 minutes affecting multiple downstream providers and Cogent customers across multiple countries including the US, Canada, China, and Mexico. The outage, lasting a total of 32 minutes, was first observed around 1:30 a.m. EDT, apparently centered on Cogent nodes in Oakland, California, and lasted six minutes. The Cogent environment was stable for 10 minutes before experiencing a nine-minute outage observed on Cogent nodes in Atlanta, Georgia. Five minutes after appearing to clear, they began exhibiting outage conditions again. Fifty minutes after the initial Oakland outage was observed, the nodes appeared to exhibit outage conditions again, as did nodes in Phoenix and El Paso, Texas. Ten minutes later, after appearing to clear, the Oakland and Phoenix nodes began exhibiting outage conditions, as did nodes in Denver, Colorado. The outage cleared around 2:45 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Global outages in all three categories last week decreased from 337 to 271, down 20% decrease compared to the week prior. In the US they increased from 95 to 105, up 11%. Globally, ISP outages decreased from 205 to 191, down 7%, and in the US they increased from 66 to 83, up 26%. Globally, cloud-provider network outages dropped from 12 to three, and in the US they decreased from six to two. Globally, collaboration-app network outages dropped from 11 to three, and in the US they dropped from nine to one.

Two notable outages

On March 6, Twitter experienced a service disruption affecting users globally. First observed around 11:45 a.m. EST, many users were unable to access service, although the application remained reachable from a network perspective. During the incident, users were receiving 403 forbidden errors, which is indicative of a backend application issue. Around 12:19 p.m. EST, Twitter announced the disruption was caused by an internal system change that had unintentional consequences, and they were working to resolve it. The disruption lasted 60 minutes, with access restored to users around 12:50 p.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On March 12, Okta experienced an issue that disrupted access to its service for a number of users globally. First observed around 11:56 a.m. EDT, connection requests appeared to return HTTP 403 forbidden status codes, indicating an application issue rather than internet or network problems connecting to Okta. The incident appeared to resolve for most users approximately 48 minutes later around 12:45 p.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Global outages across all three categories last week increased from 316 to 337, up 7% from the week prior. In the US, outages increased from 62 to 95, up 53%. Globally, ISP outages decreased from 228 to 205, down 10%, while in the US they increased from 47 to 66, up 40%. Globally, cloud-provider network outages increased from 10 to 12, and in the US they increased from four to six. Globally, collaboration-app network outages jumped from two to 11, and in the US jumped from one to nine.

Two notable outages

On February 27, TATA Communications (America) Inc. experienced an outage affecting many of its downstream partners and customers in multiple countries, including the US, Germany, the UK, France, the Netherlands, India, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, China, Mexico, Portugal, and Hong Kong. The outage lasted 53 minutes, divided into three segments over an hour and 55-minute period. The initial period of the outage was observed around 1:50 a.m. EST and appeared centered on TATA Los Angeles nodes. Five minutes after that occurrence cleared, nodes in Los Angeles and San Francisco, appeared to exhibit outage conditions and cleared after three minutes. Ten minutes later, the third occurrence was observed, affecting nodes in Los Angeles; Newark, New Jersey; and Paris. Ten minutes into the third occurrence, nodes in London and Amsterdam exhibited outage conditions. Twenty-five minutes later, Newark and Amsterdam nodes appeared to clear. The remainder of the outage was cleared around 3:05 a.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On March 1, Cogent Communications experienced an outage affecting downstream providers and Cogent customers in countries including the US, China, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Turkey, the Republic of Korea, India, Germany, the UK, and Australia. The 23-minute outagewas first observed around 12:05 a.m. EST, initially centered on Cogent nodes in San Francisco and San Jose. Five minutes later, nodes in Oakland, California, Kansas City, Missouri, and Washington, DC exhibited outage conditions. Twenty minutes into the outage, the Kansas City, Washington, DC, and San Francisco nodes appeared to recover. The outage was cleared around 12:30 a.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

Global outages across all three categories last week decreased, from 339 to 316, down 7% compared to the week prior. In the US, they decreased from 76 to 62, down 18%. Globally, the number of ISP outages decreased from 258 to 228, down 12%, and in the US they decreased from 53 to 47, down 11%. Globally, cloud-provider network outages decreased from 14 to 10, and in the US from eight to four. Globally collaboration-app network outages decreased from four to two, and in the US they decreased from two to one.

Two notable outages

On February 21, Arelion experienced an outage affecting customers and downstream partners across the US. The disruption, lasting a total of 24 minutes, was first observed around 4:40 p.m. EST and appeared to center on nodes located in San Jose, California. Fifteen minutes the number of nodes appeared to reduce, and the outage was cleared around 5:05 p.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On February 24, Oracle experienced an outage on its network affecting customers and downstream partners interacting with Oracle Cloud services in the US and Canada. First observed around 10 p.m. EST, it appeared initially to center on Oracle nodes in Ashburn, Virginia, and Washington, DC. Five minutes later they appeared to clear and nodes in Toronto and Montreal, Canada, exhibited outage conditions. Around 10:10 p.m. EST, the Ashburn and Washington nodes exhibeted outage conditions again. The outage lasted 17 minutes and was cleared at around 10:20 p.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

Global outages across all three categories last week increased from 301 to 339, up 13% compared to the week prior. In the US, outages increased from 73 to 76, up 4%. Global ISP outages increased from 215 to 258, up 20%, and in the US they remained the same at 53. Global cloud provider network outages increased from 10 to 14, and they increased from three to eight in the US. Global collaboration app network outages decreased from five to four, and increased from zero to two in the US.

Two notable outages

On February 18, Zayo Group experienced an outage affecting partners and customers in the US, Canada, China, Australia, and Malaysia. The 14-minute outage was first observed around 4 p.m. EST, and appeared centered on Zayo Group nodes located in Houston, Texas; New York, New York; and Newark, New Jersey. Five minutes after being observed, the New York and Newark nodes appeared to recover. The outage cleared around 4:15 p.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On February 14, Hurricane Electric experienced an outage affecting customers and downstream partners in the US, Japan, Mexico, and Hong Kong. The outage, first observed at around 8:01 p.m. EST, lasted a total of 19 minutes and was divided into two occurrences over a 29-minute period. The first occurrence, lasting six minutes, appeared centered on Hurricane Electric nodes in Paris, France. Around 8:15 p.m. EST, five minutes after the Paris nodes appeared to clear, the second occurrence was observed. It lasted around 13 minutes and appeared centered on nodes in New York, New York. As the second occurrence progressed, the number of New York nodes exhibiting outage conditions dropped, which coincided with a reduction in the number of affected regions and customers. The outage was cleared around 7:35 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Global outages across all three categories last week decreased from 331 to 301, down 9% compared to the week prior. In the US, outages decreased from 117 to 73, down 38%. Globally, ISP outages decreased from 231 to 215, down 7%, and in the US they dropped from 85 to 53, down 38%. Globally, cloud-provider network outages decreased from 12 to 10, and in the US they decreased from seven to three. Globally, collaboration-app outages dropped from 10 to five, and in the US dropped from three to none. Global outages across all three categories last week decreased from 331 to 301, down 9% compared to the week prior. In the US, outages decreased from 117 to 73, down 38%. Globally, ISP outages decreased from 231 to 215, down 7%, and in the US they dropped from 85 to 53, down38%.

Two notable outages

On February 6, Microsoft experienced an outage that affected services in North America, Europe, and Asia. The outage, first observed around 10:55 p.m. EST, appeared to affect user access to Microsoft Outlook services. Microsoft confirmed that a change to some Microsoft 365 systems had contributed to the outage, and used targeted restarts to parts of their infrastructure to restore service. The bulk of the incident lasted about an hour and 39 minutes, although access issues could be seen for about four hours after that. The incident was similar to the January 25th event in terms of global reach and duration, but it did not appear to be network related, as no significant packet loss or latency or unusual routing behavior was observed. Click here for an interactive view.

On February 12, Comcast Communications experienced an outage that affected a number of downstream partners and customers across the US. The 21-minute outage was first observed around 1:30 p.m. EST and appeared to center on Comcast nodes in Denver. The outage was cleared around 1:55 p.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

Globally, outages across all three categories last week decreased compared to the week prior, from 373 to 331, down 11%. In the US they increased from 102 to 117, up 15%. Globally, the number of ISP outages decreased from 278 to 231, down 17%, and in the US they increased from 81 to 85, up 5%. Globally, cloud-provider network outages increased from 10 to 12 and increased from two to seven in the US. Globally, collaboration-app network outages increased from four to 10 and increased from one to three in the US.

Two notable outages

On January 31, Level 3 Communications experienced an outage affecting multiple downstream partners and customers in countries including the US, Canada, Brazil, the Philippines, China, Mexico, the UK, Japan, India, Singapore, Taiwan, and Australia. The outage lasted a total of 47 minutes divided into three occurrences. First observed around 4:25 a.m. EST, the outage initially appeared centered on nodes in San Jose, California. Five minutes later, nodes in Los Angeles and San Francisco, California; Chicago, Illinois; Denver, Colorado; Dallas, Texas; and Sao Paulo and Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, also exhibited outage conditions. Fourteen minutes after initially being observed, the outages appeared to clear. Around 10 minutes after that, San Jose, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, and San Francisco nodes appeared to exhibit outage conditions again. The second occurrence lasted 19 minutes and appeared to clear around 5:10 a.m. EST. Twenty minutes after that, a third occurrence was observed, this time initially appearing to center on nodes located in San Jose, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Rio de Janeiro, and Sao Paul. Five minutes into the third occurrence, the Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo nodes appeared to clear, leaving the San Jose, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Denver nodes exhibiting outage conditions. The outage appeared to clear completely around 5:45 a.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On February 3, Okta experienced an issue that disrupted access to its service for a number of users globally. First observed around 1:10 p.m. EST, connection requests appeared to return HTTP 403 forbidden status codes, indicating an application issue rather than internet or network problems connecting to Okta. The incident appeared to resolve for most users approximately 30 minutes later at around 1:40 p.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

Global outages across all three categories last week increased from 245 to 373, up 52% over the week prior. In the US, they jumped from 57 to 102, up 79%. Globally, ISP outages increased from 187 to 278, up 49%, and in the us they increased from 42 to 81, up 93%. Globally, cloud-provider network outages increased from six to 10 outages, while in the US decreased from three to two. Globally, collaboration-app network outages increased from one to four, and in the US they remained the same at one.

Two notable outages

On January 25, Microsoft experienced a significant disruption affecting connectivity to many of its services, including Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and SharePoint. First observed around 2:05 a.m. EST, the disruption appeared to impact connectivity for users globally. Around 3:15 a.m. EST, Microsoft announced a potential issue within its network configuration. Around 4:26 a.m. EST, Microsoft announced it had rolled back the network configuration change and was monitoring the services as they recovered. The bulk of the incident lasted approximately 90 minutes, although residual connectivity issues could be seen into the following day. A more detailed analysis of the outage can be found here. Click here for an interactive view.

On January 25, Cogent Communications experienced an outage affecting downstream providers as well as Cogent customers in the US, UK, and South Africa. The outage, lasting an hour and 18 minutes, was first observed around 6:40 p.m. EST and appeared centered on Cogent nodes located in New York, New York. The last 55 minutes of the outage saw a number of the New York nodes appearing to clear and coincided with a reduction in the number of affected downstream partners, customers, and regions. The outage was cleared around 8 p.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

Global outages across all three categories last week decreased from 252 to 245, down 3% from the week prior. In the US they decreased from 68 to 57, down 16%. Globally, ISP outages decreased from 189 to 187, down less than1%, but in the US they decreased from 53 to 42, down 21%. Globally, cloud-provider outages remained the same at six, but in the US they increased from two to three. Globally, collaboration-app network outages dropped from 12 to one and decreased from three to one in the US.

Two notable outages

On January 18, Time Warner Cable experienced a disruption affecting customers and partners across the US that came in two waves over the course of an hour and 10 minutes. First observed at around 1:40 p.m. EST, the first part of the outage lasted four minutes and appeared centered on Time Warner nodes in Chicago, Illinois. Fifty-five minutes after appearing to clear, the Chicago nodes again exhibited outage conditions for nine more minutes before being cleared around 2:50 p.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On January 17, Qwest Communications experienced an outage affecting downstream partners and customers across the US. The 20-minute outage was first observed around 8:25 a.m. EST and appeared centered on nodes in Atlanta, Georgia. The outage was cleared around 8:50 AM EST. Click here for an interactive view.

Global outages across all three categories last week increased from 217 to 252, up 16%, compared to the week prior. In the US they increased from 57 to 68, up 19%. Globally, ISP outages increased from 166 to 189, up 14%, and in the US they increased from 48 to 53, up 10%. Globally, cloud-provider network outages increased from four to six, and in the US from one to two. Globally, collaboration-app network outages increased from five to 12, and in the US from zero to five.

Three notable outages

On January 10, Cogent Communications, experienced an outage affecting multiple downstream providers and Cogent customers in countries, including the US, Singapore, Germany, and Canada. The outage, lasting a total of 43 minutes, was first observed around 1:05 a.m. EST, initially centered on Cogent nodes in Seattle, Washington. Five minutes later, the Seattle nodes appeared to clear, and nodes in Oakland, California exhibited outage conditions. Fourteen minutes after first being observed, the Oakland nodes appeared to clear. Forty minutes after that, those nodes again exhibited outage conditions. Around 2:30 a.m. EST, about an hour and 15 minutes after appearing to clear, Seattle nodes again exhibited outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 2:35 a.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On January 10, Hurricane Electric experienced an outage affecting customers and downstream partners across the US, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, Sweden, France, and Brazil. The 17-minute outage was first observed around 5:20 a.m. EST, apparently centered Hurricane Electric nodes in New York, New York. Five minutes later the outage included nodes in San Jose, California. Twenty minutes after first being observed, nodes exhibiting outage conditions expanded to include nodes in Los Angeles and San Jose, California. The outage was cleared around 5:40 AM EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On January 13, Spotify experienced an outage that prevented some users globally from streaming songs or using the service. First observed around 7:40 p.m. EST, the disruption lasted around an hour and 55 minutes, with the major period of the disruption lasting about an hour and 11 minutes. During the outage, Spotify service was contactable, with a number of requests either timing out or returning service unreachable or unauthorized messages, which is indicative of backend system issues. The outage was cleared around 9:35 p.m. EST when. Around 11:16 PM EST Spotify announced that all services had been restored. Click here for an interactive view.

Global outages across all three categories last week increased from 120 to 217, up 81% compared to the week prior. In the US, outages increased from 31 to 57, up 84%. Globally, ISP outages increased, from 76 to 166, up 118%, and in the US they increased from 18 to 48, up 167%. Globally, cloud-provider network outages dropped from eight to four, and in the US they decreased from five to one. Globally, collaboration-app network outages increased from four to five, and in the US they dropped from one to zero.

Two notable outages

On January 4, Time Warner Cable experienced a series of outages over a period of two hours and 15 minutes affecting multiple downstream providers and Time Warner Cable customers in the US and Canada. An outage was first observed around 1:50 a.m. EST and appeared to center on Time Warner Cable nodes in Dallas, Texas. The ensuing series of outages lasted a total of eight minutes and were cleared at around 4:05 a.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On January 6, Qwest Communications experienced an outage affecting downstream partners and customers across the US. The 16-minute outage was first observed around 12:25 a.m. EST and appeared centered on Qwest nodes in Atlanta, Georgia. It was cleared around 12:45 a.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.
BOISE, IdahoBrad Little, the Republican governor of Idaho, on Thursday signed House Bill (HB) 498 into law, implementing the U.S.'s next state-level age verification law.

According to Gov. Little's office, HB 498 was one of dozens of bills adopted by the governor from the latest legislative session. HB 498 was signed in a batch of other bills, giving it very little fanfare and notice from local news media.

Lawmakers in the Idaho Senate voted unanimously recently to adopt House Bill (HB) 498, which was proposed by Republican state Reps. Elaine Price and Julianne Young. The House of Representatives unanimously adopted the measure on February 14.

The law enters force on July 1, 2024.
'Warm Hug, guard of honour': PM Modi receives grand reception as he arrives in Bhutan for state visit

Paru, March 22

P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday received a warm reception at the Paro International Airport as he landed in Bhutan to pay an official state visit.

PM Modi's arrival embraced warm relations between Bhutan and India as Bhutanese PM Tshering Tongay gave the former a warm hug.

Later on, PM Modi was accorded a grand guard of honour at the airport from Bhutanese armed forces.

PM Modi departed for Bhutan on Friday morning and is scheduled to pay a state visit to Bhutan from March 22-23.

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival in Bhutan, concerned authorities made elaborate preparations to welcome the leader at Paro International Airport.

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PM Modi's posters along with his Bhutanese counterpart have been put up at the airport and the venue was decorated with flowers and Rangoli (coloured artwork).

A red carpet and colourful flags to portray Bhutanese culture were also set up to welcome PM Modi.

Moreover, airport security was beefed up to ensure the safe arrival of PM Modi.

During his visit to Bhutan, PM Modi will attend various programmes to further enhance India-Bhutan bilateral partnership.

PM Modi's departure to Bhutan comes after the Ministry of External (MEA) said on Wednesday that his visit has been pushed back due to 'inclement' weather and new dates are being worked out through diplomatic channels on both sides.

India and Bhutan share a unique and exemplary bilateral relationship founded on mutual trust, goodwill, and understanding.

Formal diplomatic ties between the two countries were established in 1968, with the cornerstone being the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949 and subsequently renewed in February 2007.

Over the years, high-level exchanges have played a pivotal role in nurturing the strong bond between India and Bhutan.

King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, has made several visits to India, underscoring the close ties between the two nations. His last visit to India was in November 2023.

Similarly, PM Modi's visit to Bhutan in August 2019 marked a significant milestone, with the launch of major bilateral projects aimed at bolstering economic cooperation and connectivity.

The recent official visit of Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan to India in March 2024 further reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to enhancing bilateral relations across various domains, including development cooperation and vibrant economic ties.

'Warm Hug, guard of honour': PM Modi receives grand reception as he arrives in Bhutan for state visit

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Privileged to have India as our supporter: Bhutanese school children line Thimphu's streets to welcome PM Modi

Thimphu, March 22

C hildren from Jigme Lasol Primary School lined the streets to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival in the Bhutanese national capital, Thimphu.

In the visuals, school kids were seen holding Bhutanese and Indian national flags and waiting to get one glimpse of PM Modi.

A student from Jigme Losel Primary School said that Bhutan is privileged to have India as a supporter and PM Modi has helped Bhutan whenever it needed.

"We, as Bhutanese, are privileged to have India as our supporter. PM Narendra Modi helps us with financial problems or whenever it is needed. They have sent us a lot of vaccines," she said.

"I, as a Bhutanese citizen, would like to thank Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. I am happy to see that he is here to visit our country," another student from Jigme Lasol Primary School said.

One of the residents from Thimphu, Ratna Maya Gurung expressed confidence that PM Modi's visit will strengthen the relationship with India.

"We are glad to have PM Modi here. We already have a strong relationship with our neighbouring country, India. This visit is going to make it more strong," he said.

Moreover, another resident, Tshewang Dorji said that they are very excited to welcome PM Modi and students have lined up on the express highway to welcome PM Modi.

"We are very excited to welcome him. All the schools are closed today. All the students have gone to the express highway to welcome PM Modi. We are glad to welcome him," Tshewang Dorji said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday received a warm reception at the Paro International Airport as he landed in Bhutan to pay an official state visit.

PM Modi's arrival embraced warm relations between Bhutan and India as Bhutanese PM Tshering Tongay gave the former a tight hug.

Later on, PM Modi was accorded a grand guard of honour at the airport from Bhutanese armed forces.

PM Modi departed for Bhutan on Friday morning and is scheduled to pay a state visit to Bhutan from March 22-23.

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival in Bhutan, concerned authorities made elaborate preparations to welcome the leader at Paro International Airport.

PM Modi's posters along with his Bhutanese counterpart have been put up at the airport and the venue was decorated with flowers and Rangoli (coloured artwork).

A red carpet and colourful flags to portray Bhutanese culture were also set up to welcome PM Modi.

Moreover, airport security was beefed up to ensure the safe arrival of PM Modi.

During his visit to Bhutan, PM Modi will attend various programmes to further enhance India-Bhutan bilateral partnership.

India and Bhutan share a unique and exemplary bilateral relationship founded on mutual trust, goodwill, and understanding.

Formal diplomatic ties between the two countries were established in 1968, with the cornerstone being the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949 and subsequently renewed in February 2007.

Over the years, high-level exchanges have played a pivotal role in nurturing the strong bond between India and Bhutan.

King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, has made several visits to India, underscoring the close ties between the two nations. His last visit to India was in November 2023.

Similarly, PM Modi's visit to Bhutan in August 2019 marked a significant milestone, with the launch of major bilateral projects aimed at bolstering economic cooperation and connectivity.

The recent official visit of Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan to India in March 2024 further reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to enhancing bilateral relations across various domains, including development cooperation and vibrant economic ties.

Privileged to have India as our supporter: Bhutanese school children line Thimphu's streets to welcome PM Modi

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New Delhi, March 22

B hutan rolled out the red carpet for Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, as the leader landed in the Himalayan kingdom and was accorded a ceremonial welcome.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has begun his state visit to Bhutan from March 22-23 and was warmly received by his counterpart, Tshering Tobgay, at Paro airport, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

He will be inaugurating the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital, a state-of-the-art hospital in Thimphu, built with the assistance of the Government of India.

PM Modi will also receive an audience with Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth King of Bhutan, and PM Tobgay.

The visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the countries, and Indias emphasis on its Neighbourhood First policy.

"The visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on bilateral and regional matters of interest and deliberate on ways to expand and intensify our exemplary partnership between the two nations," MEA had said earlier.

PM Modi accepted the invitation extended by his counterpart Tshering Tobgay last week, on behalf of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, to visit Bhutan.

PM Modi reaches Bhutan to inaugurate hospital, meet King

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New Delhi, March 22

F eelings of warmth and bonhomie overflowed the streets of Bhutan on Friday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded a rousing welcome from the people who turned up in huge numbers cheering and waving flags of the two nations.

Crowds lined up the entire 45-kilometer route from Paro to the capital Thimphu, as PM Modi walked waving at them and blessing young children as a Bhutanese welcome song played in the background.

He exchanged smiles and greetings with the public and walked along with young children who had gathered with Indian flags to catch a glimpse of him.

Arriving in the Himalayan kingdom on a two-day state visit, PM Modi was received by his counterpart, Tshering Tobgay, with warm hugs and was also presented with a traditional Bhutanese scarf.

He was also accorded a Guard of Honour at the Paro Airport by the Bhutanese armed forces.

In a post on X on Friday, PM Modi thanked his counterpart Tobgay for a warm welcome. "Thank you for the warm welcome to Bhutan, PM @tsheringtobgay. May India-Bhutan friendship keep scaling new heights."

The visit, which was earlier postponed by a day due to weather conditions, is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the countries, and India's emphasis on its Neighbourhood First policy.

During his stay, PM Modi will be inaugurating the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital, a state-of-the-art hospital in Thimphu, built with the assistance of the Government of India.

He will also receive an audience with Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth King of Bhutan, and PM Tobgay.

Diplomatic relations between the two neighbours were established in 1968 with the establishment of a special office of India in Thimphu.

Unprecedented welcome for PM Modi in Bhutan

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New Delhi, March 22

T his year's Holi is all about 'Made in India,' with traders and consumers boycotting goods manufactured in China.

Praveen Khandelwal, Secretary General, Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on Friday said that for this year's Holi festival only products that are manufactured in India are being sold in abundance.

"Traders and consumers have boycotted goods made in China. Only herbal colors, gulal, water guns, balloons, sandalwood, puja items, clothing, and other items made in India are being sold in abundance. Additionally, there is a huge demand for sweets, dry fruits, gift items, flowers and fruits, clothes, furnishing fabrics, groceries, FMCG products, consumer durables, and various other products in the markets," Khandelwal said.

Khandelwal, who is also the BJP candidate from Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha seat, said that large-scale Holi events are being organized across Delhi and the rest of the country, resulting in a boost for banquet halls, farmhouses, hotels, restaurants, and public parks, witnessing good business after two years.

"In Delhi alone, more than 3,000 Holi celebration events are being organized, where people are experiencing a new joyous and enthusiastic atmosphere," he said.

He also informed that compared to previous years, "There's an estimated increase of nearly 50 per cent in business during the Holi season nationwide, resulting in a business worth more than Rs 50,000 crore."

"In Delhi alone, the expected business is around Rs 5,000 crore. Similar to previous years, both traders and common people have completely boycotted Chinese goods sold during Holi. The import of Holi-related items in the country is approximately Rs 10,000 crore, which was negligible this year," he said.

The CAIT Secretary General also said that demand for chemical-free colours, herbal colours, and gulal is more compared to artificial colours, and demand for balloons and water guns is higher than in previous years.

"Various types of water guns, balloons, and other attractive items are available in the market. Pressure guns are available from Rs 100 to Rs 350, while tank-shaped water guns are available from Rs 100 to Rs 400. Besides, there is a craze for fancy pipes in the market. Children like Spiderman, Chhota Bheem, and similar characters, and there is a high demand for spray gulal," he said.

Holi is a popular and significant festival celebrated as the festival of colours, love, and spring.

'Made in India' Holi celebrations this year; traders, consumers boycott Chinese goods

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New Delhi, March 22

B hutan conferred its highest civilian award, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, making him the first foreign head of a government to receive the kingdom's highest civilian honour.

He was presented the award by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck as he landed in the country on a two-day official state visit amidst a rousing welcome and warm reception.

Dedicating the award to 140 crore Indians, PM Modi wrote on X: "Honoured to be conferred with 'Order of the Druk Gyalpo' Award by Bhutan. I dedicate it to 140 crore Indians"

The Order of the Druk Gyalpo was instituted as a decoration for lifetime achievement and is the pinnacle of the honor system in Bhutan. Since its institution, the award has been conferred upon only four people.

Previous recipients of the award include Her Majesty Royal Queen Grandmother Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck in 2008; His Holiness Je Thrizur Tenzin Dendup (68th Je Khenpo of Bhutan) in 2008 and His Holiness Je Khenpo Trulku Ngawang Jigme Choedra in 2018. Je Khenpo is the Chief Abbot of the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan.

Bhutan confers its highest civilian award on PM Modi

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Steve Martin was 'hurt' when he was ambushed on the red carpet in 1996

Los Angeles, March 22

H ollywood actor and comedian Steve Martin shared that he was upset when he was ambushed on the red carpet by British comedian Paul Kaye as his alter-ego in 1996.

The actor told the Guardian newspaper: "It hurt because I was at a very vulnerable moment in my career."

It was later suggested that Martin cancelled the rest of his interviews for the film following the incident.

However, Martin insisted that it was not true.

Martin added: "Bad reviews hurt; they really hurt. But if Im at a screening and I see the critic, I just go: Hey! How you doing? Like you dont know anything."

Kaye in his guise as fictional interviewer Dennis became well-known for accosting celebrities and insulting them with his line of questioning, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Martin was told that Kaye has since been haunted by his encounter at the 'Sgt Bilko' screening because strangers now come up to him and ask: "How come youre not funny any more?"

Martin reacted by laughing and saying: "I hold no grudges. Things have gone well."

The 'Only Murders In The Building' star was also asked about his current career high and he insisted he takes nothing for granted these days.

He said: "If youre anointed tonight, you can be dumped on tomorrow... " adding: "Idolatry is so fleeting".

Steve Martin was 'hurt' when he was ambushed on the red carpet in 1996

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On May 26, 2020, a bleeding gunshot victim in the 3200 block of Ridgewood Drive told police that "Coreyon Duncan" had shot him. Prosecutors presented evidence that the 35-year-old was responsible for paralyzing the man, while his defense attorney said no one saw Duncan pull the trigger.
A 13-year-old girl was struggling with depression when she was admitted to The Pavilion in 2020. After she was raped by another patient, lawyers are seeking damages in the hundreds of millions from the psychiatric-care facility.
In a recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics, researchers assess the distribution and prevalence of lead exposure through drinking water for children below six years of age in Chicago, Illinois.

Study: Estimated childhood lead exposure from drinking water in Chicago. Image Credit: bakhistudio / Shutterstock.com

Lead exposure through contaminated water

Since discovering the toxic effects associated with lead exposure, large-scale efforts have been implemented throughout the United States to reduce exposure to this heavy metal from previously common sources like gasoline and paint. Although the installation of new lead pipes was banned in 1986, the contamination of drinking water from existing pipes remains an urgent public health concern.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), no level of lead in drinking water is considered safe for consumption. Chronic exposure to low levels of lead-contaminated water can increase blood lead levels (BLLs), which increases the risk of various adverse health effects, particularly among children. These effects may include, but are not limited to, development deficits, cardiovascular complications, chronic kidney disease, and neurotoxicity.

Like many other cities throughout the U.S., Chicago, Illinois, continues to have lead service lines in its water system. In fact, current estimates indicate that over 400,000 lead pipes remain in use in Chicago, which is much greater than in any other U.S. city. Although efforts have been made to identify and replace lead service lines, only 0.007% of lead pipes were replaced in Chicago between 2020 and 2022.

About the study

Lead testing data was obtained from 38,385 tests provided by the Chicago Department of Water Management to households throughout Chicago between January 2016 and September 2023. Each test assessed lead concentrations in water that had been kept stagnant for at least six hours, water after two minutes of flushing, and water after five minutes of flushing.

Lead measurements, provided in parts per billion (ppb), were analyzed computationally to estimate childhood lead exposure at the city scale using machine learning algorithms and microsimulation studies. Risk-adjusted logistic regression analysis also determined racial disparities in lead exposure levels.

Study findings

Lead contamination in drinking water was present in 75% of the blocks. While at least one ppb was present in 70% of samples, 33% contained five ppb or more of lead.

Thus, almost 70% of Chicago's nearly 130,000 children under six years of age are exposed to lead-contaminated drinking water. About 20% of study participants reported drinking unfiltered tap water most of the time, which increased BLLs after three months.

The geographical location, population, and number of buildings for each block most accurately predicted the risk of lead exposure. The risk of exposure declined with the population; however, this risk rose with the number of buildings for each block. Blocks in Chicago's south and west neighborhoods had the highest contamination rates and lowest screening rates.

Although Black and Hispanic blocks were much more likely to be exposed to lead in drinking water, they were significantly less likely to complete at-home lead testing. For each increase of ten percentage points in block-level Black and Hispanic populations, the likelihood of lead testing declined by 3% and 6%, respectively, whereas the risk of lead-contaminated drinking water rose by 3% and 11%, respectively.

With a ten-percentage point increase in White populations, the likelihood of lead screening rose by 24%, even while the risk of contamination declined by 5%. This may reflect the increased use of drinking bottled water, rather than tap water, among White households compared to households of other ethnicities. However, lead contamination may also occur through bottled water, as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets five ppb as the upper limit for lead in bottled water.

Implications for lead exposure

The study findings demonstrate widespread exposure to lead in drinking water among children in Chicago. While exposure rates were markedly higher among Blacks and Hispanics, they were also tested at much lower levels.

Lower screening rates, lower consumption of tap water, and higher levels of lead exposure among predominantly Black and Hispanic blocks may indicate mistrust toward water sources or lack of community engagement from relevant authorities.

Chronic low-level lead exposure has the potential to affect humans of all ages by reducing mean IQ levels and increasing the rate of preterm births. Thus, there remains an urgent need to correct racial and ethnic inequities in childhood lead exposure. These efforts may include, but are not limited to, contacting these populations to improve access to lead testing, replacing lead pipes, filtering out lead, and using anti-corrosion agents to arrest lead leaching into tap water.
Developed by scientists from the University of Oxford, the Francis Crick Institute and University College London, the LungVax vaccine uses technology similar to the highly successful Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

The team will receive funding for the study over the next 2 years to support lab research and initial manufacturing of 3,000 doses of the vaccine at the Oxford Clinical BioManufacturing Facility.

Lung cancer cells look different from normal cells due to having "red flag" proteins called neoantigens. Neoantigens appear on the surface of the cell because of cancer-causing mutations within the cell's DNA.

The LungVax vaccine will carry a strand of DNA which trains the immune system to recognize these neoantigens on abnormal lung cells. The LungVax vaccine will then activate the immune system to kill these cells and stop lung cancer.

In this study, the scientists are developing this vaccine in the lab to show that it successfully triggers an immune response. If this work is successful, the vaccine will move straight into a clinical trial. If the subsequent early trial delivers promising results, the vaccine could then be scaled up to bigger trials for people at high risk of lung cancer. This could include people aged 55-74 who are current smokers, or have previously smoked, and currently qualify for targeted lung health checks in some parts of the UK.

There are around 48,500 cases of lung cancer every year in the UK. 72% of lung cancers are caused by smoking, which is the biggest preventable cause of cancer worldwide.

Kidani Professor of Immuno-oncology at the University of Oxford and research lead for the LungVax project, Professor Tim Elliott, said:

"Cancer is a disease of our own bodies and it's hard for the immune system to distinguish between what's normal and what's cancer. Getting the immune system to recognize and attack cancer is one of the biggest challenges in cancer research today.

"This research could deliver an off-the-shelf vaccine based on Oxford's vaccine technology, which proved itself in the COVID-19 pandemic. If we can replicate the kind of success seen in trials during the pandemic, we could save the lives of tens of thousands of people every year in the UK alone."

When given to people with cancer at its earliest stages, anti-cancer treatments are more likely to be successful. We are developing a vaccine to stop the formation of lung cancer in people at high risk. This is an important step forward in preventing this devastating disease." Professor Sarah Blagden, Professor of Experimental Oncology at the University of Oxford and founder of the LungVax project

Professor Mariam Jamal-Hanjani of University College London and the Francis Crick Institute, who will be leading the LungVax clinical trial, said:

"Fewer than 10% of people with lung cancer survive their disease for 10 years or more. That must change. This research complements existing efforts through lung health checks to detect lung cancer earlier in people who are at greatest risk.

"We think the vaccine could cover around 90% of all lung cancers, based on our computer models and previous research, and this funding will allow us to take the vital first steps towards trials in patients.

"LungVax will not replace stopping smoking as the best way to reduce your risk of lung cancer. But it could offer a viable route to preventing some of the earliest stage cancers from emerging in the first place."

Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, Michelle Mitchell, said:

"The science that successfully steered the world out of the pandemic could soon be guiding us toward a future where people can live longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer.

"Projects like LungVax are a really important step forward into an exciting future, where cancer is much more preventable. We're in a golden age of research and this is one of many projects which we hope will transform lung cancer survival."

President of CRIS Cancer Foundation, Lola Manterola, said:

"We are at a crucial moment in the history of cancer research and treatment. For the first time, technology and knowledge of the immune system are allowing us to take the first steps towards preventing cancer.

"This groundbreaking study represents a firm step in that direction, and we at CRIS consider it essential to support it."
University of Calgary researchers have discovered the lungs communicate directly with the brain when there is an infection. Findings show the brain plays a critical role in triggering the symptoms of sickness, which may change the way we treat respiratory infections and chronic conditions.

The lungs are using the same sensors and neurons in the pain pathway to let the brain know there's an infection. The brain prompts the symptoms associated with sickness; that overall feeling of being unwell, feeling tired and loosing your appetite. The discovery indicates we may have to treat the nervous system as well as the infection." Dr. Bryan Yipp, MD '05, MSc'05, clinician researcher at the Cumming School of Medicine and senior author on the study

Prior to this study, conducted in mice, it was thought infections in the lungs and pneumonia induce inflammatory molecules that eventually made their way to the brain through the blood stream. Sickness was thought to be a consequence of the immune system kicking into action. However, findings reveal that sickness results from nervous system activation in the lung.

Understanding the lung-brain dialogue is important for treatment because bacteria that cause lung infections can produce a biofilm, a coating to surround themselves so the nervous system can't see them. That allows the bug to hide out in the lungs for a long time, which may shed light across diverse serious lung infections that are less symptomatic. For example, an unexplained anomaly Yipp witnessed in the intensive care unit (ICU) during COVID. The phenomenon, coined "happy hypoxia", was being recorded in ICUs throughout the world.

"We would have patients whose oxygen levels were extremely low and x-rays confirmed they may need to be put on life support. Yet, when I went to see the patient, they would say I feel fine," says Yipp. "These people were experiencing limited sickness symptoms even though the virus was aggressively damaging their lungs."

Yipp says understanding the lung brain communication pathways may also have broad implications for people with chronic lung infections like cystic fibrosis (CF). Many people with CF have a biofilm bacterium in their lungs and are asymptomatic. They feel okay, but then have a flare where they can become very ill. The reason for the flare can't always be traced.

"It is possible the flare is also neurological that these people live asymptomatically because bacteria are hiding out," says Yipp.

The findings, published in Cell, are the work of an interdisciplinary team including experts in neurobiology, microbiology, immunology, and infectious disease.

"Physician specialties are usually based on individual organs, with pulmonologists caring for the lungs and neurologists caring for the brain. Our study shows the lung is altering the brain and the brain is altering the organ. This intersection of communication is a different way of thinking about disease," says Yipp. "It's all connected to the brain and there are probably even more complex circuits that are happening. We can now think about targeting neurocircuitry along with antibiotics to deal with infections and the sickness they cause."

University of Calgary researchers Drs. Christophe Altier, PhD, Joe Harrison, PhD, and Deborah Kurrasch, PhD, along with Dr. Jaideep Bains, PhD, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, are corresponding authors on the study.

The researchers add there was one more unique finding. Male mice were much sicker than the females even though they had the same bacterial infection. Researchers found that male sickness was more dependent on neuronal communications then females. Yipp says this finding could lend credibility to the so-called "man flu", a colloquial term where men are thought to wildly exaggerate sickness due to respiratory infections. Turns out they may not be exaggerating, after all.

University of Calgary researchers have discovered the lungs communicate directly with the brain when there is an infection. Findings show the brain plays a critical role in triggering the symptoms of sickness, which may change the way we treat respiratory infections and chronic conditions.

"The lungs are using the same sensors and neurons in the pain pathway to let the brain know there's an infection," says Dr. Bryan Yipp, MD '05, MSc'05, clinician researcher at the Cumming School of Medicine and senior author on the study. "The brain prompts the symptoms associated with sickness; that overall feeling of being unwell, feeling tired and loosing your appetite. The discovery indicates we may have to treat the nervous system as well as the infection."

Prior to this study, conducted in mice, it was thought infections in the lungs and pneumonia induce inflammatory molecules that eventually made their way to the brain through the blood stream. Sickness was thought to be a consequence of the immune system kicking into action. However, findings reveal that sickness results from nervous system activation in the lung.

Understanding the lung-brain dialogue is important for treatment because bacteria that cause lung infections can produce a biofilm, a coating to surround themselves so the nervous system can't see them. That allows the bug to hide out in the lungs for a long time, which may shed light across diverse serious lung infections that are less symptomatic. For example, an unexplained anomaly Yipp witnessed in the intensive care unit (ICU) during COVID. The phenomenon, coined "happy hypoxia", was being recorded in ICUs throughout the world.

"We would have patients whose oxygen levels were extremely low and x-rays confirmed they may need to be put on life support. Yet, when I went to see the patient, they would say I feel fine," says Yipp. "These people were experiencing limited sickness symptoms even though the virus was aggressively damaging their lungs."

Yipp says understanding the lung brain communication pathways may also have broad implications for people with chronic lung infections like cystic fibrosis (CF). Many people with CF have a biofilm bacterium in their lungs and are asymptomatic. They feel okay, but then have a flare where they can become very ill. The reason for the flare can't always be traced.

"It is possible the flare is also neurological that these people live asymptomatically because bacteria are hiding out," says Yipp.

The findings, published in Cell, are the work of an interdisciplinary team including experts in neurobiology, microbiology, immunology, and infectious disease.

"Physician specialties are usually based on individual organs, with pulmonologists caring for the lungs and neurologists caring for the brain. Our study shows the lung is altering the brain and the brain is altering the organ. This intersection of communication is a different way of thinking about disease," says Yipp. "It's all connected to the brain and there are probably even more complex circuits that are happening. We can now think about targeting neurocircuitry along with antibiotics to deal with infections and the sickness they cause."

University of Calgary researchers Drs. Christophe Altier, PhD, Joe Harrison, PhD, and Deborah Kurrasch, PhD, along with Dr. Jaideep Bains, PhD, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, are corresponding authors on the study.

The researchers add there was one more unique finding. Male mice were much sicker than the females even though they had the same bacterial infection. Researchers found that male sickness was more dependent on neuronal communications then females. Yipp says this finding could lend credibility to the so-called "man flu", a colloquial term where men are thought to wildly exaggerate sickness due to respiratory infections. Turns out they may not be exaggerating, after all.
Women experience disruptions in their sleep patterns and report heightened feelings of anger in the days leading up to their period, according to new research.

The study sheds new light on the intricate relationship between women's menstrual cycles, emotions, and sleep patterns.

Our research provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between menstrual cycles, emotions, and sleep and the impact of hormonal fluctuations on women's well-being. By understanding how these factors interact, we can better address the unique needs of women in terms of sleep health and emotional well-being." Dr. Jo Bower, Co-author of the University of East Anglia's School of Psychology

The study analyzed data from 51 healthy women aged between 18 and 35, who had regular periods and were not taking hormonal contraception.

Utilising ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methodology, reproductive-aged women completed daily self-reports on their sleep and emotion measures and wore actiwatches (a sleep/wake tracking watch) to track sleep across two menstrual months.

The researchers discovered compelling associations between menstrual phases, emotional states, and sleep quality.

Key findings from the study include:

Women experience disruptions in their sleep patterns in the days leading up to and during their period (peri-menstrual phase), spending more time awake at night, with a lower proportion of time spent in bed that is asleep (lower sleep efficiency).

During the peri-menstrual phase, women report heightened feelings of anger compared to other phases of their menstrual cycle.

Sleep disturbances during the peri-menstrual phase correlate with reduced positive emotions such as calmness, happiness, and enthusiasm.

This contributes to a growing body of evidence suggesting that menstrual cycles may play a significant role in women's vulnerability to insomnia and mental health issues.

Dr Bower added: "The findings underscore the importance of considering hormonal fluctuations when addressing sleep disorders and emotional distress in women.

"The implications of this research reach further than just the controlled setting, providing potential pathways for interventions and treatments aimed at enhancing sleep quality and emotional resilience in women."

Although the study had unique strengths, such as the use of both objective and subjective prospective data across two menstrual cycles, the researchers said the findings must be interpreted within the context of several limitations.

For example, the data was collected between May 2020 and January 2021, and precisely how the Covid-19 pandemic impacted outcomes cannot be fully known.

Although the researchers did not find strong effects for pandemic stress on outcome variables, they cannot discount the fact that the pandemic likely impacted participants' emotional experiences and sleep-wake behaviours.

The research was led by Dr Jessica Meers at the Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, which is a collaboration between the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and the Baylor College of Medicine, which are both based in Houston, Texas. The University of East Anglia and the University of Houston were also partners in the research.
Medi-Cal health coverage kicked in for Antonio Abundis just when the custodian needed it most.

Shortly after Abundis transitioned from limited to full-scope coverage in 2022 under California's expansion of Medi-Cal to older residents without legal immigration status, he was diagnosed with leukemia, a cancer affecting the blood cells. The soft-spoken father of three took the news in stride as his doctor said his blood test suggested his cancer wasn't advanced. His next steps were to get more tests and formulate a treatment plan with a cancer team at Epic Care in Emeryville. But all of that was derailed when he showed up last July for bloodwork at La Clinica de La Raza in Oakland and was told he was no longer on Medi-Cal.

"They never sent me a letter or anything telling me that I was removed," Abundis, now 63, said in Spanish about losing his insurance.

Abundis is among hundreds of thousands of Latinos who have been kicked off Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program for low-income people, as states resume annual eligibility checks that were paused at the height of the covid-19 pandemic. The redetermination process, as it is known, has disproportionately affected Latinos, who make up a majority of Medi-Cal beneficiaries. According to the California Department of Health Care Services, more than 653,000 of the more than 1.3 million residents who have been disenrolled over eight months identify as Latino. Some, including Abundis, had only recently gained coverage as the state expanded Medi-Cal to residents without legal residency.

The collision of state and federal policies has not only set off enrollee whiplash but swelled demand for enrollment assistance as people are dropped from Medi-Cal, often for procedural issues. Health groups serving Latino communities report being inundated by requests for help, but at the same time, a state-sponsored survey suggests Hispanic households are more likely than other ethnic or racial groups to lose coverage because they're less knowledgeable of the renewal process. They may also struggle to advocate for themselves.

Some health advocates are pressing for a pause. They warn that disenrollments will not only undercut the state's effort to reduce the number of uninsured but could exacerbate health disparities, particularly for an ethnic group that bore the brunt of the pandemic. One national study found that Latinos in the U.S. were three times as likely to contract covid and twice as likely to die of it than the general population, in part because they tend to live in more crowded or multigenerational households and work in front-line jobs.

"These difficulties place all of us as a community in this more fragile state where the safety net means even more now," said Seciah Aquino, executive director of the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California, a health advocacy organization.

Assembly member Tasha Boerner, an Encinitas Democrat, has introduced a bill that would slow disenrollments by allowing people 19 and older to keep their coverage automatically for 12 months and extend flexible pandemic-era policies such as not requiring proof of income in certain cases for renewals. That would benefit Hispanics, who make up nearly 51% of the Medi-Cal population compared with 40% of the overall state population. The governor's office said it does not comment on pending legislation.

Tony Cava, a spokesperson for the Department of Health Care Services, said in an email that the agency has taken steps to increase the number of people automatically reenrolled in Medi-Cal and does not consider a pause necessary. The disenrollment rate dropped 10% from November to December, Cava said.

Still, state officials acknowledge more could be done to help people complete their applications. "Were still not reaching certain pockets, said Yingjia Huang, assistant deputy director of health care benefits and eligibility at DHCS.

California was the first state to expand Medicaid eligibility to all qualified immigrants regardless of legal status, phasing it in over several years: children in 2016, young adults ages 19-26 in 2020, people 50 and older in 2022, and all remaining adults this year.

But California, like other states, resumed eligibility checks last April, and the process is expected to continue through May. The state is now seeing disenrollment rates return to pre-pandemic levels, or 19%-20% of the Medi-Cal population each year, according to DHCS.

Jane Garcia, CEO of La Clinica de La Raza, testified before the Alameda County Board of Supervisors' health committee that disenrollments continue to pose a challenge just as her team tries to enroll newly eligible residents. "It's a heck of a load on our staff," she told supervisors in January.

Although many beneficiaries no longer qualify because their incomes rose, more have been dropped from the rolls for failing to respond to notices or return paperwork. Often, renewal packets were sent to old addresses. Many find out they've lost coverage only upon seeking medical care.

"They knew something was happening," said Janet Anwar, eligibility manager at Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center in the East Bay. "They didnt know exactly what it was, how it was gonna affect them until actually the day came and they were disenrolled. And they were getting checked in or scheduling an appointment, then, 'Hey, you lost your coverage.'"

But reenrollment is a challenge. A state-sponsored survey published Feb. 12 by the California Health Care Foundation found 30% of Hispanic households tried but were unable to complete a renewal form, compared with 19% for white non-Hispanic households. And 43% of Hispanics reported they would like to restart Medi-Cal but did not know how, versus 32% of people in white non-Hispanic households.

The Abundis family is among those who don't know where to get their questions answered. Though Abundis' wife submitted the family's Medi-Cal renewal paperwork in October, his wife and two children who still live with them were able to maintain coverage; Abundis was the only one dropped. He hasn't received an explanation for being disenrolled nor been notified how to appeal or reapply. Now he worries he may not qualify on his own based on his roughly $36,000 annual income since the limit is $20,121 for an individual but $41,400 for a family of four.

It is likely an eligibility worker could check if he and his family qualify as a household or assist him with signing up for a private plan that can run less than $10 a month for premiums on Covered California. The health insurance exchange allows for special enrollment when people lose Medi-Cal or employer-based coverage. But Abundis assumes he won't be able to afford premiums or copays, so he hasn't applied.

Abundis, who first visited a doctor in May 2022 about unrelenting fatigue, constant pain in his back and knees, shortness of breath, and unexplained weight loss, worries he's unable to afford medical care. La Clinica de La Raza, the community health clinic where he received blood testing, worked with him that day so he didn't have to pay upfront, but he has since stopped seeking medical care.

More than a year after his diagnosis, Abundis still doesn't know which stage cancer he has, or what his treatment plan should be. Though early cancer detection can lead to a higher chance of survival, some types of leukemia advance quickly. Without further testing, Abundis does not know his outlook.

"I've mentally prepared," Abundis said of his cancer. "What happens, happens."

Even those who seek help run into challenges. Marisol, a 53-year-old immigrant from Mexico who lives in Richmond, California, without legal permission, tried to reestablish coverage for months. Although the state saw a 26% drop in disenrollments from December to January, the share of Latinos disenrolled during that period remained nearly the same, suggesting they face more barriers to renewal.

Marisol, who requested her last name be withheld out of fear of deportation, also qualified for full-scope Medi-Cal during the state expansion to all immigrants 50 and older.

She received a packet in December letting her know that her household income exceeded Medi-Cal's threshold  something she believed was an error. Marisol's husband is out of work due to a back injury, she said, and her two children primarily support their family with part-time jobs at Ross Dress for Less.

That month, Marisol visited a Richmond branch office of the Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department, hoping to speak to an eligibility worker. Instead, she was told to leave her paperwork and to call a phone number to check her application status. Since then, she made numerous calls and spent hours on hold, but has not been able to speak with anyone.

County officials acknowledged longer wait times due to increased calls and said the average wait time is 30 minutes. "We understand community members' frustration when they have difficulty getting through at times," spokesperson Tish Gallegos wrote in an email. Gallegos noted the call center increases staffing during peak hours.

After El Timpano reached out to the county for comment, Marisol said she was contacted by an eligibility worker, who explained that her family was dropped because their children had filed taxes separately, so the Medi-Cal system determined their eligibility individually rather than as one household. The county reinstated Marisol and her family on March 15.

Marisol said regaining Medi-Cal was a joyous but bittersweet ending to a months-long struggle, especially knowing that other people get dropped for procedural issues. "Sadly, there has to be pressure for them to fix something," she said.

Jasmine Aguilera of El Timpano is participating in the Journalism & Women Symposium's Health Journalism Fellowship, supported by The Commonwealth Fund. Vanessa Flores, Katherine Nagasawa, and Hiram Alejandro Duran of El Timpano contributed to this article.
A collaboration between scientists from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute uncovered four proteins that govern the identity of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), an aggressive form of cancer. These proteins comprise a core regulatory circuit (CRC) that surprisingly incorporates a dysregulated signaling protein. Establishing the CRC for this lymphoma gives researchers insight into potential vulnerabilities that may be future therapeutic targets. The findings were published today in Cell Reports Medicine.

"Mutations in signaling pathways have long been known to drive oncogenic transformation and tumor progression," said senior co-corresponding author Mark Zimmerman, PhD, currently of Foghorn Therapeutics, previously of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital. "Our new results show a mechanistic link in this aggressive T-cell lymphoma between aberrant signaling pathway activation and the dysregulated gene expression that is a hallmark of these tumor cells."

ALCL patient tumors and models showed significant dysregulation of a protein called signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). STAT3 is a signaling protein that integrates information from other proteins, acting as a transcription factor (a protein involved in regulating the copying of genetic information from DNA into messenger RNA).

We have found how dysregulation of the signaling protein STAT3 is central to enforcing ALCL cancer identity. A healthy cell has a 'Board of Directors' made up of a few dominant regulators, and STAT3 gets 'promoted' from a division chief to a full board member with all the rights and powers that grants." Brian J. Abraham, PhD, co-corresponding author, St. Jude Department of Computational Biology

Among the genes it controls, STAT3 increases expression of the protein MYC, which is well-known to be associated with cancers. Nearly every ALCL cell line tested showed either a mutation in STAT3 or in a protein that signals to STAT3, causing it always to be always "on" and directing gene expression, promoting perpetual cell growth through its targets.

The findings have implications for treatment because drugs that target the STAT family of proteins and other proteins that signal through STAT3 already exist.

Finding a core regulatory circuit for all ALCL subtypes

"Transcription factors and proteins that regulate the oncogenic gene expression programs are emerging as some of the most direct and effective targets for cancer therapy," said first author Nicole Prutsch, PhD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital. "STAT3 was already a recognized transcriptional activator in ALCL, but our research has identified a core transcriptional regulatory circuit hijacked by STAT3 to drive genes essential for ALCL cell growth."

STAT3 hijacks three transcription factors that comprise the CRC: BATF3, IRF4 and IKZF1. All were expressed at high levels in ALCL cells, although they lacked any cancer-causing mutations. They were also identified as potential vulnerabilities in the DepMap Consortium gene knockout studies. When the scientists lowered the expression of any of these proteins, it significantly reduced cancer cell growth, demonstrating the centrality of the CRC.

"This is the first core regulatory circuit, to our knowledge, identified for ALCL," Abraham said. Of the two major known molecular ALCL subtypes, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive has an 80% survival rate, while ALK-negative has a 48% survival rate. Contrary to these differences, the researchers found both types relied on the same CRC.

"ALCL represents a diverse group of T-cell lymphomas with distinct clinical behaviors," Prutsch said. "While ALK-positive cases respond well to ALK inhibitors, ALK-negative ALCL is highly aggressive and possesses limited targeted therapy options, highlighting the critical need for new treatment strategies."

To understand the difference between the subtypes and find potential vulnerabilities, the researchers mapped special complexes of DNA and proteins called super-enhancers. These clusters of transcription-regulating elements are known to influence gene expression tightly. In cancers, super-enhancers can play a role in maintaining the cancer's identity as a malignancy.

The scientists found that super-enhancers that differed among ALCLs converged to highlight the same CRC across ALCL tumors and models.

"The core regulatory circuit appears to be common across what have historically been treated as distinct diseases," Abraham said. "Regardless of if an ALCL cell is ALK-positive or ALK-negative, it relies on the expression and the positive feedback provided by this circuit to stay ALCL."

Potential vulnerabilities highlight treatment opportunities

Understanding the central role of the CRC in this cancer has implications for treatment. Drugs that target the STAT family of proteins and other proteins that signal through STAT3 already exist -; but they have seen limited success, particularly in ALK-negative disease. Knowledge of the CRC and its interaction with STAT3 may allow for developing novel therapeutics and combination strategies.

"Our findings reveal a significant relationship between the core regulatory circuit members and STAT3," Prutsch said, "This emphasizes the potential for therapies leveraging these connections and offers attractive options for developing new treatments in ALK-negative ALCL."

The same methods used in the study may also provide a path to understanding and searching for vulnerabilities in other malignancies without a clear driver mutation.

"Our discovery indicates that exploiting the interconnectedness between signaling and transcriptional dependencies is a rational approach to developing new treatment strategies across a broad range of cancers," Zimmerman said.

Authors and funding

The study's other authors are Shuning He, Alla Berezovskaya, and Kimberly Stegmaier, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital; Neekesh Dharia, Genentech; Jamie Matthews, Lucy Hare, and Suzanne Turner, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital; Lukas Kenner, Masaryk University; Olaf Merkel, Medical University of Vienna; and Adam Durbin, and Kelsey Maher, St. Jude.

The study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (R35CA210064, R35CA210030 and K08CA245251), Lymphoma Research Foundation, Julia's Legacy of Hope St. Baldrick's Foundation Fellowship, National Institute for Cancer Research (Programme EXCELES, ID Project No. LX22NPO5102), European Union - Next Generation, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre (CTRQQR-2021\100012), Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, Charles A. King Trust, Claudia Adams Barr Foundation and ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization of St. Jude.
Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a major cause of illness and death in developed countries. While advanced technology has boosted survival and rehabilitation odds, not much is known about the impact of anxiety or depression on the eventual outcomes. The prevalence of heart failure (HF) is predicted to increase by half in 2030. This will mean that eight million adults with HF, with almost $31 billion being required to treat them.

A new study looks at this area in order to provide evidence for key recommendations in the treatment of such patients.

Mental health and heart disease outcomes

Several previous studies have reported that anxiety and depression are independent risk factors for IHD and HF. Anxiety increases the incidence of IHD and HF by 41% and 35%, respectively, while increasing IHD-related mortality by 41%. Since anxiety and depression may originate in common factors, further research on their cross-linkage with cardiovascular disease and its outcomes is necessary.

Moreover, anxiety and depression both increase the odds of rehospitalizations and Emergency Department (ED) visits, pushing up healthcare costs. However, there is contradictory evidence for the benefits of treating anxiety or depression in IHD or HF, including recent trials like the SADHEART (Sertraline Antidepressant Heart Attack Randomized Trial).

Yet these mental and physical conditions reduce the quality of life, acting synergistically with the others due to their shared pathways. For instance, coexistence of depression results in perception of symptom severity that exceed measures of actual functional impairment.

About the study

The aim of the current study, published online in the Journal of the American Heart Association, aimed to examine the effect of treatment for anxiety or depression on the odds of repeated hospital admissions, ED visits, or mortality.

The researchers used a population-based cohort from the Ohio Medicaid database, exploring data retrospectively to assess the link between being treated for these conditions and future outcomes. All participants had ischemic heart disease (IHD) or heart failure, along with anxiety or depression.

There were ~1,500 participants, over 80% being White, with a mean age of 50 years. The upper age limit was 64 since people older than this are not eligible for Medicaid.

Treatment of anxiety and depression in the cohort

Over 92% were diagnosed with anxiety and 56% with depression. About half were disabled, a similar number had a history of substance use, and almost 60% had lung disease.

They were treated medically with antidepressant medication, or with psychotherapy, or both. About a quarter were on both courses of treatment, while ~30% were on antidepressants only and 15% on psychotherapy alone.

Anxiety was diagnosed in 90% of those on both therapies and depression in 70%. In the antidepressant group, 93% were anxious, and 53% were depressed. The corresponding figures in the psychotherapy group were similar.

The majority of those on treatment with antidepressants, alone or in combination with psychotherapy, were on benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, or mood stabilizers. Tricyclic antidepressants were used by a small proportion of patients.

About half the patients were on beta-blockers for their heart conditions, 36% on angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), and 26% on calcium channel blockers.

How did treatment affect outcomes?

For all outcomes except mortality from IHD, those who received some form of mental health treatment were significantly less likely to experience the outcome than those who received no mental health treatment.

Those who received both psychotherapy and antidepressant therapy showed the greatest benefit in all three outcomes compared to no treatment and also when compared to either therapeutic modality alone.

The group treated with both modalities was 75% less likely to require another hospitalization or ED visit. After compensating for all known confounding factors, the risk of all-cause mortality dropped by 65% compared to those not treated for their mental ill-health.

With psychotherapy alone, there was a 40% reduction in mortality from all causes. There was no significant difference in the antidepressant-only group. None of the treatments resulted in a difference in the risk of IHD mortality, perhaps because the study was underpowered to detect this effect.

ED visits were reduced with all treatments. The combination therapy group showed a reduction of 74% compared to the no-treatment group. Psychotherapy alone, or antidepressants alone, was linked to a reduction in risk by 50%.

Hospital readmissions were also lower with combined therapy, at ~75% below the no-treatment group. With psychotherapy alone or antidepressants alone, the risk was approximately 50% and 60% lower, respectively.

Future implications

This article is the first to show that mental health treatment may be associated with reduced risk for relevant outcomes.

The unequivocal findings indicate the need to screen heart patients for anxiety and depression. If these conditions are diagnosed, providing appropriate treatment markedly improves the risk of rehospitalization and ED visits. Strategies must be optimized to diagnose and treat anxiety and depression in this group of patients to improve their quality of life.

Sympathetic activation occurs with anxiety and depression, along with heart disease. This results in the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, promoting the progression of all three conditions. This may explain in part why treatment of mental ill-health improves the incidence of cardiovascular events.

This marks an advance from earlier studies that focused mostly on the safety of administering such medications to patients with IHD or HF and fills this research gap. Treating anxiety and depression in heart patients not only improves their health outcomes but may significantly reduce their healthcare costs, with a positive cost-benefit ratio.
In a mouse study, UCLA researchers tested a vaccine against the bacterium that causes melioidosis and found it was highly protective against the disease, which is endemic in many tropical areas, causing approximately 165,000 cases with 89,000 fatalities around the world each year.

The bacterium, called Burkholderia pseudomallei, is spread through contact with contaminated soil and water through inhalation, ingestion or broken skin. It is so dangerous that it is categorized as a Tier 1 Select Agent of bioterrorism, and it can cause rapidly fatal pneumonia when inhaled in low doses. If aerosolized and unleashed in a terror attack, it could lead to widespread death.

To date there are no licensed vaccines against the bacterium, said senior author Dr. Marcus Horwitz, Distinguished Professor of Medicine, in the division of infectious diseases, and of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

A safe and effective vaccine is needed to prevent this disease as melioidosis is often difficult to diagnose, requires very lengthy treatment lasting three to six months, and has a high fatality rate even in high resource settings. Such a vaccine would be of great benefit to people living in endemic regions, travelers, and military personnel stationed in these areas, and it would also reduce the risk from an intentional release of B. pseudomallei in a bioterrorist attack." Dr. Marcus Horwitz, Senior Author

The study is published in the peer-reviewed journal mBio.

The researchers developed the vaccine using a bacterial vector called LVS capB as a platform to express highly immunogenic proteins from B. pseudomallei that are able to induce an immune response that later protects the host from illness and death when infected with the pathogen. LVS capB, derived from a weakened form of a vaccine against tularemia, or "rabbit fever," had been developed in Horwitz's lab as a vector platform for creation of vaccines against other diseases caused by Tier 1 Select Agents such as anthrax and plague as well as tularemia.

They administered the new vaccine through both skin injection and intranasal delivery in a strain of mice that is particularly sensitive to B. pseudomallei lung infection. The researchers found that the vaccine was not only safe and non-toxic, but effective even against a highly lethal strain of the melioidosis bacteria. Intranasal administration provided better protection than skin injection, with just a single dose proving effective with long-lasting protection.

The next steps are to test the vaccine for protection against pneumonic melioidosis in a second animal model, which the Food and Drug Administration requires in the case of vaccines for which human efficacy studies cannot be conducted. If it passes that test, the vaccine would then become eligible for testing in humans for safety and immunogenicityS. The researchers will also evaluate the vaccine's effectiveness against subcutaneous infection with B. pseudomallei, which is the way most cases of melioidosis are thought to be acquired naturally, and test it for efficacy against the closely related Tier 1 Select Agent pathogen Burkholderia mallei, which causes glanders in humans and animals.

Study co-authors are Michael Tullius, Peter Back, Sasa Maslesa-Galic, and Susana Nava of UCLA, and Richard Bowen of Colorado State University.

The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health (AI141390). Flow cytometry was performed in the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC) and Center for AIDS Research Flow Cytometry Core Facility that is supported by National Institutes of Health awards P30 CA016042 and 5P30 AI028697, and by the JCCC, the UCLA AIDS Institute, the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, the UCLA Chancellor's Office, and the UCLA Vice Chancellor's Office of Research.
Aviation watchdog DGCA on Friday imposed a fine of Rs 80 lakh on Air India for violations of norms related to flight duty time limitations and fatigue management system of flight crew.

The judgment was made following a spot audit of Air India by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in January, which involved the collection of evidence and the analysis of random reports broken down by fleet

The analysis of reports and evidence revealed that Air India Limited operated flight(s) with both flight crew aged above 60 years flying together in a few instances.  the operator was also found deficient in providing adequate weekly rest, adequate rest before and after ultra-long range flights and adequate rest on layover to the flight crew, which violates the extant provisions of the Civil Aviation Requirements about FDTL, the regulator said in its release.

Further, the DGCA said there were instances of exceeding duty periods, wrongly marked training records, and overlapping duties. On March 1, the regulator issued a show cause notice to Air India concerning the violations.

The operator submitted its response to the show cause notice, which was unsatisfactory. Under the non-satisfactory response submitted by the operator, a fine of Rs 80,00,000 has been imposed on the operator, the release said.

Earlier, the directorate imposed a penalty of Rs 1.10 crore on Air India for non-compliance of safety norms.

Imposing the fine, DGCA said that following a complaint from an airline employee, it conducted a comprehensive investigation into the alleged safety violations by Air India on certain long-range terrain critical routes.

The aviation regulator said, Since the investigation prima facie revealed non-compliance by the airline, a Show Cause Notice was issued to the Accountable Manager of Air India Limited. The response to the Show Cause Notice was duly examined with respect to the laid down stipulations under the relevant statutory provisions and the performance limits stipulated in critical documentations laid down by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

(with inputs from Nikhil Lakhwani)
In the world of billionaires, Mark Zuckerberg is a significant figure who co-founded Meta Platforms, one of the worlds largest social media platforms.

The tech-savvy billionaires public persona and private life present a fascinating contrast. His casual attire and focus on technology might restrain the immense wealth he enjoys. He leads a life of luxury and multi-million-dollar purchases that make every persons jaw drop.

Recently, speculations have swirled around Mark Zuckerbergs potential purchase of a 118-metre megayacht. As per Hindustan Times, Mark Zuckerberg might be the new owner of Megayacht, Launchpad, presently docked in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The speculation fueled after reports surfaced that Zuckerberg had visited Feadships shipyard in the Netherlands and possibly purchased a megayacht akin to Jeff Bezos extravagant vessel. The 118-metre-long yacht, known as Launchpad, recently made its maiden voyage from Gibraltar to St. Maarten. The said yacht is said to be nine metres shorter than Jeff Bezos renowned superyacht, Koru.

However, Business Insider reported that the details about the transaction could not be confirmed, as yacht world insiders have remained tight-lipped about revealing any information. Despite earlier reports about Mark Zuckerberg owning the superyacht Ulysses being debunked, the buzz around Launchpad persists.

As per a report by Business Insider, the ships builder, Feadship, adhered to its standard policy to never divulge any information regarding yacht ownership, costs, or delivery details. This policy applies regardless of the yachts size or historical significance, emphasising the companys commitment to discretion.

Whether it is an 18-metre Feadship from the 1960s or a 118-metre Feadship from the 21st century, we do not share private information, the ships builder, Feadship, further added.

Earlier, it was reported that the tech behemothvisited Feadships shipyard in the Netherlands. Yachting bloggers and enthusiasts like eSysman Superyachts and Auto Evolution speculated that he officially bought the boat in March last year, originally built for a sanctioned Russian businessman, at a $300 million price tag.

Public marine tracking also revealed that the yacht bears the flag of the Marshall Islands, a US territory popular among American buyers. This revelation fueled rumours about Mark Zuckerbergs ownership of the megayacht.

If the reports of Mark Zuckerbergs purchase are accurate, he would join the prestigious group ofsuperyacht-owning tech billionaires. This exclusive circle includes Jeff Bezos, Google cofounder Sergey Brin, Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison, and Larry Page, who boast impressive superyachts as part of their opulent lifestyles.
If you are a salaried individual and want to ensure that you can handle your daily expenditures while maintaining your lifestyle, you need to save enough money for retirement. This is where you may benefit from the Employee Provident Fund (EPF). EPF is a savings scheme designed to help people build a nest egg for retirement. It was established under the Employees Provident Funds Act in 1952 and is now managed by the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

In the EPF scheme, employees need to contribute 12% of their basic income each month, and their employer matches this amount. When you retire, you receive the total amount (your contribution plus the employers) as a lump sum, along with interest.

EPF is considered a low-risk investment because it is managed by the Government of India, which guarantees a fixed rate of return. Around 8.33% of the employers contribution is allocated to the interest-free Employee Pension Scheme (EPS).

For instance, if your monthly basic salary is Rs 1,00,000 and your EPF contribution is Rs 12,000 (12% of your basic salary), you can claim a deduction of Rs 1,44,000 (12 x Rs 12,000) per year under Section 80C. This reduces your taxable income and lowers your tax liability.

The EPF not only gives members a dependable retirement fund source, but it also offers tax advantages. This enhances its long-term investment potential.

EPF is a desirable choice for retirement planning since Section 80C permits deductions of up to Rs. 1,50,000, allows for tax-free interest collection, and completely exempts withdrawals after five years from income tax, CEO and Co-founder of Tax2win, Abhishek Soni, told Mint.

Due to its special EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) tax benefit and guarantee of financial stability, EPF is a key element of effective retirement planning. The EPF offers a noteworthy advantage in the form of triple tax exemption on contributions, interest and withdrawals. This significant tax benefit makes EPF a desirable savings preference, Director of Acube Ventures, Ashish Aggarwal, told Mint.

You might possibly save money on taxes by contributing a percentage of your pay into a pension fund, which also lowers your taxable income. The whole amount of your EPF funds is not taxed when you withdraw it after retirement or voluntarily leave your work. This implies that there are no tax deductions, so you may still profit fully from your hard-earned funds.
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal has tied the knot with entrepreneur Grecia Munoz, Moneycontrol.com reported.

Their wedding took place over a month ago, the person added, declining to be named. Born in Mexico, Munoz is a former model who is now working on her own startup that deals in luxury consumer products.

Goyal, founder of the food delivery platform, and the Mexican-born Munoz returned from their honeymoon in February, according to reports.

This is Goyals second marriage. He was earlier married to Kanchan Joshi, whom he met while studying at IIT-Delhi.

In January, Munoz had also shared glimpses from her Dilli Darshan.

Glimpses of my new life at my new home, Munoz wrote on Instagram, sharing photographs that show her visiting some of the national capitals famous monuments, like the Red Fort.

Deepinder Goyal, 41, is the founder and CEO of Gurugram-headquartered food delivery platform Zomato. He started the company in 2008 from his apartment  it was then called Foodiebay.
The Karnataka High Court on Friday granted permission to the State Government to proceed with the conduct of board exams for classes 5,8, 9 and 11 for the academic year 2023-24, overturning the March six order of a single judge bench. The decision of the division bench comprising Justice K Somashekar and Justice Rajesh Rai K, came after the State Government filed an appeal challenging the earlier ruling.

The single judges verdict had nullified the State Governments decision, made in October 2023, to hold board exams for these classes through the Karnataka State Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB).

The judge had argued that the scheme for conducting these exams lacked the necessary framework provided by Sections 22 and 145 of the Karnataka Education Act, 1983, which mandate the formulation of rules for implementing the examination system and require input from stakeholders before finalising such rules.

The division benchs ruling interpreted the notifications issued by the State Government regarding the board exams as guidelines rather than strict regulations, based on its understanding of the powers granted under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.

The courts decision now allows the government to continue and complete the halted exams for classes 5, 8, and 9 and also finish evaluating the exams conducted for class 11.

The exams for classes 5, 8, and 9 were stopped midway following a judgment by the apex court, creating uncertainty among students and educational institutions.

The bench also directed the government to engage in consultations with stakeholders before issuing a formal notification for conducting board exams for the next academic year. This emphasis on stakeholder input aligns with the principles of inclusive decision-making and ensures that the concerns and perspectives of all relevant parties are taken into account. The legal proceedings surrounding this issue also involved interventions from the Supreme Court.

Initially, the division bench had passed an interim order on March 7 in favour of the governments stance on conducting the exams. However, this interim order was set aside by the Supreme Court on March 12, directing the bench to thoroughly review the appeal on its merits.

After hearing arguments from both the State Government and petitioner-school associations on March 18, the division bench deliberated on the matter and delivered its verdict on Friday.
The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) cell is gearing up to start registrations for Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA), Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS) and Bachelor of Business Management (BBM) programmes from March 21. Eligible candidates can apply for the examination in the official website, cetcell.mahacet.org. This MAH CET is the key to secure admissions in BCA, BBA, BMS and BBM programmes for the academic year 2024-25 and admission to these courses will be based on the results of the entrance examination.

Before proceeding to fill out the application form, its crucial for students to carefully review the eligibility specified for the respective courses. As per the criteria, students who have successfully cleared their Class 12 (HSC) exams or a similar examination, as well as those who are currently appearing for it, are eligible to apply.

According to the notification, applications must be submitted by April 11. Its essential for eligible candidates to complete the MAH CET application form and submit the application fee within the provided time. Further details regarding the admission process will be shared by the authorities very soon.

MAH CET 2024: How to Register

Students who are eligible to take the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (CET) exams can follow these simple steps to complete their application:

Step 1  Go to the official Maharashtra CET website, cetcell.mahacet.org.

Step 2  Click on the MAH CET candidates portal.

Step 3  Enter the required details in the provided link.

Step 4  Complete the application form with accurate information.

Step 5  Submit the application fee and click on the final submission link.

Admissions to Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA), Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS) and Bachelor of Business Management (BBM) courses will be based on the marks obtained by students in the entrance exam.

Candidates must submit the application fee online and heres a breakdown of the fee structure based on categories:

1  Open Category Candidates from Maharashtra State, Outside Maharashtra State (OMS) and J & K Migrant candidates need to pay an application fee of Rs 1000.

2  Candidates of Backward Class Categories [SC, ST, VJ/DT- NT(A), NT(B), NT(C), NT(D), OBC, EWS] & Persons with Disability Candidates (PWD) who are residents of Maharashtra State are required to pay an application fee of Rs 800.
BJP Odisha president Manmohan Samal on Friday announced that the BJP will run independently in both the Lok Sabha and assembly elections in Odisha. This announcement puts an end to weeks of speculation about a potential pre-election alliance with the ruling BJD led by Naveen Patnaik.

In a post on social media platform X, Manmohan Samal said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will run independently across all 21 Lok Sabha and 147 assembly seats in Odisha.

To fulfill the hopes, wishes and aspirations of 4.5 crore people of Odisha, under the visionary leadership of the Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, to make a developed India and developed Odisha, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will win all the 21 seats of the Lok Sabha and all the 147 seats of the Legislative Assembly. Will contest the seats alone, said the BJP Odisha president.

Samal also expressed gratitude towards BJD president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for the partys support to the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre over the past decade.

For the last 10 years, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) party of Odisha, under the leadership of Shri Naveen Patnaik ji, has been supporting the Government of the Honorable Prime Minister of the Center Shri Narendra Modi ji in many matters of national importance, for this we express our gratitude to him, he remarked.

Furthermore, the BJP state president highlighted that several welfare schemes of the Modi government have failed to reach the grassroots level in Odisha, depriving the poor people of their rightful benefits.

Experience has shown that wherever there has been a double engine government across the country, development and poor welfare work has accelerated and the state has progressed in every field. But today many welfare schemes of Modi government are not reaching the ground in Odisha, due to which the poor sisters and brothers of Odisha are not getting their benefits. We have concerns on many issues related to Odisha-identity, Odisha-pride and interest of the people of Odisha, he added.

During a media conclave on Wednesday, Union Minister Home Minister Amit Shah mentioned that the BJP party is still considering the alliance with the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), with negotiations ongoing. He emphasised that the final decision will be made by the partys national president, JP Nadda.
Punjab health minister Balbir Singh is confident that the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will not impact the AAPs chances in the upcoming elections as people are rallying behind the party. In a chat with CNN-News18, Singh said the fight was about saving the Constitution and democracy.

Edited Excerpts:

What is the reason you have come from Punjab?

We found it difficult to reach here. We are very saddened that the countrys most honest chief minister, who is being discussed for his model of governance in education, health and employment, and works for people has been arrested by a party that has been caught by the Supreme Court for being steeped in corruption and indulging in extortion. The leaders of that party have arrested our honest leader. They have already arrested two of our ministers. One is behind bars for two years, another for one year and another for six months. They have not found anything. On the other hand, there is documentary evidence regarding election bonds through which they BJP has gained Rs 1.8 crore. First they raid, then they collect chanda [donation] and then give dhanda [job] through that. They have been exposed. They are losing these elections which is why they are arresting honest people.

Can AAP handle this crisis?

AAP can definitely handle this crisis. How will they arrest Kejriwals ideology even if they arrest Kejriwal? If they arrest one Kejriwal, thousands more will be born. If you look at Punjab, Haryana I am telling you 140 crore people will come onto the streets. I have never seen such extortion. Mainstream media was not so badly affected then as it is now. Back then, one judge had done justice, and we believe that even now, one judge still exists who will save democracy and the Constitution.

Will this arrest not derail your campaign?

Our campaign is in top gear. I am coming from a meeting which saw massive crowds. They [BJP] are scared of the support we are receiving. In Punjab, people are drunk on Bhagwant Manns magic. Arvind Kejriwals jadoo has spread across Hindustan. They are scared of the duo of Kejriwal and Mann as they know that this is the jodi who will show them their place. They will all be brought to justice. They are the ones who destroyed the media, lives of farmers, and women.

Will Congress support AAP in Punjab?

This is not about AAP or Congress. All the people of Punjab are supporting us. This is about saving the Constitution and democracy. Now, neither AAP nor Congress is important. That is why the INDIA bloc was formed to save democracy.

What about the Constitutional crisis that may emerge if Kejriwal continues to be CM?

Who has created this crisis? Even the SC is watching; 140 crore people are watching. This is created by the BJP. Now there will be a huge Lok Adalat. When that Lok Adalat gives its verdict, you will not find the BJP anywhere. They have been wiped out in Maharashtra and Bihar. That is why they are stooping so low. BJP has created this crisis. They can see the writing on the wall. They are arresting chief ministers and freezing accounts to challenge opposition parties. There is no rule of law.

Will the Punjab CM be in Delhi?

The Punjab CM is on his way.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed an election meeting of the BJP in Shimoga on Monday. He made a blistering speech describing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as a weak leader who has to handle many others eager to dictate terms or unseat him. Modi exuded confidence that the BJP would hands down win Karnataka.

Siddaramaiah hit back at Modi, calling him a weak PM who has surrendered to BS Yediyurappa and was unable to put an end to the open revolt of senior BJP leader KS Eshwarappa who also hails from Shimoga. In an unprecedented development, the veteran leader had refused to attend the PMs public meeting, threatening to contest as an Independent candidate against sitting MP and BSYs son BY Raghavendra.

Unfazed by the pre-poll surveys that have predicted single-digit seats for the party, the ruling Congress led by Siddaramaiah and state Congress president DK Shivakumar is hoping to beat the BJP in the polls. It is planning to go all out against the Modi-led BJP, banking on its five guarantee schemes, caste coalitions, clout of the candidates and local leaders. It feels these factors can turn the tide against the BJP, which is banking only on Modis popularity, Hindutva and Ram Mandir.

For the first time since 2014, the BJP is facing an unprecedented open rebellion against its state leadership. Over a dozen top leaders, some of whom are sitting MPs, have raised a banner of revolt against Yediyurappa and his other son BY Vijayendra who took charge as Karnataka BJP president only a few months ago.

Besides Eshwarappa, former chief minister and Union minister DV Sadananda Gowda, who lost the nomination from Bengaluru North to Union minister and BSY confidante Shobha Karandlaje, Mysore MP Pratap Simha, former ministers JC Madhu Swamy, MP Renukacharya, CT Ravi, BC Patil, sitting MP from Koppal Sanganna Karadi and local BJP leaders from Belagavi are also openly expressing their unhappiness at being denied a ticket. Some of them have even indicated that they might contest as Independents or sabotage the election.

The open revolt seems to have unsettled BSY and Vijayendra, raising the hopes of the Congress. The grand old party feels that the BJP on its own, minus Modi, is no big threat in Karnataka, and exploiting the discontent, it can cause heavy damage to the saffron partys prospects.

To ensure that powerful ministers fight well in their respective districts, the Congress has fielded their kith and kin in at least 12 of the total 28 seats. It has also kept the caste equations in mind when deciding the seats.

Children of ministers Satish Jarkhiholi, Lakshmi Hebbalkar, Shivananda Patil and Ishwar Khandre have been fielded from Chikkodi (Priyanka Jarkhiholi), Belgaum (Mrinal Hebbalkar), Bagalkote (Samyukta Patil)m and Bidar (Sagar Khandre), respectively. Dr Prabha, wife of minister SS Mallikarjuna, has been given the ticket in Davanagere. Her father-in-law Shamanur Shivashankarappa is also a veteran Congress leader and MLA.

Radhakrishna Doddamani, son-in-law of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has been fielded from Gulbarga/Kalaburgi making it a prestigious seat.

Geetha Shivarajkumar, the elder sister of education minister Madhu Bangarappa, has been fielded against BSYs son BY Raghavendra in Shimoga. She also happens to be the wife of Kannada film star Shivarajkumar.

Rajashekhara Hitnal, brother of MLA Raghavendra Hitnal, has received the ticket from Koppal and the Congress seems to have persuaded sitting MLA E Tukaram to contest in neighbouring Bellary.

It has also fielded former Union minister K Rahman Khans son Mansoor Ali Khan in Bengaluru Central; Sowmya Reddy, former MLA and daughter of minister R Ramalingareddy, in Bengaluru South; and son of former Assembly Speaker and former MP MV Rajeev Gowda in Bengaluru North.

Former Congress MP and minister K Jayaprakash Hegde has returned from the BJP to Congress to contest in Udupi Chikmagalur constituency.

The Congress is emphasising on its five guarantees that have been successfully implemented after it came to power in the May 2023 Assembly elections. It is countering the BJPs Modi guarantees with guarantees of its own.

Speaking to News18, Siddaramaiah maintained that voters, especially women, will stand by the party in its toughest election. He said the Congress will win in 20 seats proving all poll predictions wrong.

Modi guarantee is a bogus. It is only on paper. We have successfully implemented all five big poll promises and will do more after the elections. I am sure the beneficiaries will not disappoint us, he said.

He is also hoping that a coalition of castes  Other Backward Castes, SCs/STs  and minorities will back the Congress against the BJP.

DK Shivakumar, who has now emerged as a top Vokkaliga caste leader, had decimated the JD-S of the HD Deve Gowda clan in last years Assembly elections in the Vokkaliga-dominated old Mysore region.

To save the JD-S from total collapse, Gowdas son and former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy has entered into an alliance with the BJP and has managed to get three Lok Sabha seats for the party. His brother-in-law and renowned cardiologist Dr CN Manjunath is contesting on BJP ticket against Shivakumars younger brother DK Suresh in Bengaluru rural.

But the alliance has not gone down well with workers of either parties. Congress insiders, in fact, are expecting the fall of JD-S post elections.

If Shivakumar manages to hold onto his caste base and Siddaramaiah keeps majority OBC, SC/STs and minority votes, the election can throw up surprising results.

The BJP, which is aware of its limitations and weaknesses in Karnataka, is banking heavily on the Modi magic to win maximum seats. The state will vote in two phases on April 26 and May 7. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress and JD-S had fought together against the BJP and the combine was decimated. The BJP had won a record 25 seats, Congress and JD-S won just one seat each.
Lok Sabha Election 2024: Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has decided to contest the Lok Sabha Election 2024 alone. Sharing the decision of the microblogging site, X Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal announced that the party will contest all 147 assembly constituencies and all 21 Lok Sabha constituencies alone under the leadership of Naveen Patnaik.

The decision comes amid the resignation of senior leader and MP Bhartruhari Mahtab. Senior BJD MP and one of its founder members Bhartruhari Mahtap resigned from the primary membership of the party on Friday. Mahtab, a six-time MP from the Cuttack Lok Sabha constituency, said that he has sent his resignation letter to BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at 4 pm.

The decision to go solo in Odisha is not one the BJP took overnight. At least four rounds of meetings among top brass, including party national president JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, went into arriving at the decision, sources told News18, adding that the state BJP unit was also opposed to the alliance.

Top BJP sources said the decision to not enter into an alliance with the BJD was taken based on detailed feedback from the state unit. The state BJP has been trying to build a campaign for itself for the last many years and this alliance would actually mean all its efforts going into vain, a source said.
The BJP on Friday announced extending its support to the ruling National Peoples Party (NPP) in Meghalaya in both the Lok Sabha seats in the state and the Naga Peoples Front (NPF) in one of the two parliamentary constituencies in Manipur in the 2024 general election.

In the states sole Lok Sabha seat, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), now in power in Nagaland, will also receive backing from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The BJP in-charge for the northeastern region, Sambit Patra, announced X.

As per the instructions of BJP president J P Nadda ji, I am pleased to inform that BJP will extend its support to Lok Sabha candidates of NPP in both the seats of Meghalaya (Shillong and Tura), to NPF in the Outer Manipur constituency and NDPP in Nagaland in the ensuing parliamentary elections 2024, Patra said in a post on the microblogging platform.

As per the instructions of the Honble National President of @BJP4India, Shri @JPNadda ji, I am pleased to inform that BJP will extend its support to Lok Sabha Candidates of NPP in both the seats of Meghalaya (Shillong and Tura),to NPF in the Outer Manipur Constituency and to Sambit Patra (Modi Ka Parivar) (@sambitswaraj) March 22, 2024

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the saffron party waged an unsuccessful campaign for one seat in Manipur and two seats in Meghalaya. In 2019, the BJP gave the NPF and the NDPP support in the seats thereby winning. The NPP had won one of the two seats in Meghalaya.

The political fallout from the ethnic conflicts in Manipur, according to sources, may have led the BJP to back these regional parties in these predominantly Christian constituencies. These state parties have frequently backed the central administration led by the BJP.

Along with it, BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde announced that the saffron party is supporting the NCP (Ajit Pawar) candidate from Lakshadweep.

BJP extends complete support toNCP (Ajit Pawar) candidate from Lakshadweep. Together NDA can and NDA will achieve victory!@AjitPawarSpeaks Vinod Tawde (Modi Ka Parivar) (@TawdeVinod) March 22, 2024

Reassuring about their win, he posted on microblogging site, X and said that together NDA will win.

(with inputs from PTI)
After weeks of will-they-wont-they, its been decided that they wont. Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Naveen Patnaiks Biju Janata Dal (BJD) have announced they will not be entering into an alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Odisha.

Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal confirmed on social media on Friday that the saffron party will contest the elections in Odisha.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will fight alone this time in all 21 Lok Sabha and 147 Assembly seats to create a developed India and a developed Odisha under the visionary leadership of Honble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to fulfill the hopes, aspirations and aspirations of four and a half crore Odiyans, Samal posted on X (formerly Twitter).

            ()                             Manmohan Samal (Modi Ka Parivar) (@SamalManmohan7) March 22, 2024

Few hours later, BJD leader Pranab Prakash Das posted on the microblogging site that the party too would contest the elections alone.

BJD will contest in all 147 assembly constituencies and all 21 Lok Sabha constituencies with the support of people of Odisha and win more than three fourth seats under the leadership of Shri Naveen Patnaik, he said.

With the blessings of Lord Jagannatha and the faith of people of Odisha, BJD has been serving the state and transforming it like never before in every sector.BJD will contest in all 147 assembly constituencies and all 21 Lok Sabha constituencies with the support of people of  Pranab Prakash Das (@pranabpdas) March 22, 2024

The decision to go solo in Odisha is not one the BJP took overnight. At least four rounds of meetings among top brass, including party national president JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, went into arriving at the decision, sources told News18, adding that the state BJP unit was also opposed to the alliance.

Top BJP sources said the decision to not enter into an alliance with the BJD was taken based on detailed feedback from the state unit. The state BJP has been trying to build a campaign for itself for the last many years and this alliance would actually mean all its efforts going into vain, a source said.

The state unit says it has prepared itself well and will be able to win 45-60 Assembly seats on its own, the source added.

The BJP currently has eight of the 21 Lok Sabha seats allotted to Odisha and is confident of winning more than 12 seats on its own given the mass appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the development work done by the central government since 2014.

Apart from disagreements on the seat-sharing formula, the BJP and BJD were also at loggerheads over some sought-after seats. The BJD reportedly did not want to part with crucial seats like Bhubaneswar, which is the state capital, and Puri, home of the famous Jagannath Temple.

The BJP has not been very keen on giving away seats like Bhubaneswar and Puri. In 2019, it was a close contest between Dr Sambit Patra and Pinaki Misra in Puri. However, much water has flown under the bridge in the last five years, with Pinaki being out of the poll fray from the holy city. Sambit Patra, however, has relentlessly campaigned in Puri and practically made it his home and base. The BJP is very confident that he (Patra) will be able to win the seat this time, another BJP source told News18.

The current Bhubaneswar MP is from the BJP  former IAS officer Aparajita Sarangi. Given the BJPs impact in the urban areas, it is very confident that Sarangi will be able to repeat her performance in the upcoming Lok Sabha election, the insider added.

Since Narendra Modi came to power at the Centre in 2014, the BJD has been one of the friendlier opposition parties, supporting the BJP and the central government on key bills and issues in Parliament. In fact, it was with the support of the BJD that Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was elected last month to the Rajya Sabha from the eastern state.

One of the BJPs star candidates in Odisha for the upcoming parliamentary polls is Union Minister of Education and Minister of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan, who will be making his electoral debut in the state. Pradhan had won the 2004 Lok Sabha elections from Bihar. For the last two terms, he has been a member of the Rajya Sabha. He is expected to contest the upcoming elections from the western Odisha seat of Sambalpur.

There is no clarity from the BJP so far on whether Baijant Jay Panda, who jumped ship from the BJD, would be fielded from his traditional seat of Kendrapada. Actor-turned-politician Anubhaw Mohanty is the sitting Kendrapada MP and had defeated Panda in 2019. At present, Panda is the BJP in-charge of Uttar Pradesh.

For the last decade, Naveen Patnaik has led Odisha and his party while maintaining perfect relations with the BJP and Prime Minister Modi. The upcoming election is a special one for him. Patnaik is seeking his sixth term as the Chief Minister, a feat in itself.

The NDA is not new turf for Patnaik as he was part of the alliance in the days of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. For both the BJD and the BJP the points of consideration are possible demerits of an alliance. But in politics, its not done until its done. The final call to join hands or pull out will be taken at the highest levels of the parties, between Narendra Modi and Naveen Patnaik.
With the arrest of Aam Aadmi Party convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, AAPs worst fears have come true.

A team of the Enforcement Directorate reached the CMs residence a short while after 7pm on Thursday as the division bench of the Delhi High Court refused to provide interim relief or protection against coercive action or arrest to the chief minister. AAPs legal strategy was to move the Supreme Court to challenge the high courts order and ask for protection against arrest. However, the officers of the Enforcement Directorate moved before the AAP did. And a little after two hours of search and interrogation, they arrested the chief minister.

The arrest of its founder on the eve of the crucial Lok Sabha elections is perhaps the biggest challenge that the AAP has faced since its inception nearly 12 years ago on the anti-corruption plank. AAP has always stated that the arrest of its leaders is a political witch-hunt designed to silence one of Prime Minister Narendra Modis biggest critics, disable its campaign ahead of Lok Sabha elections, break the party, and topple the government.

With Kejriwals arrest, the entire top brass of the AAP is now behind bars. Minister Atishi, however, reiterated that Kejriwal will remain the chief minister. We have always said that Arvind Kejriwal will run the government from jail. He will remain the chief minister of Delhi. As of now, according to AAPs top strategists, there is no move to find a replacement for Kejriwal.

As per law, Kejriwal can continue as chief minister as long as he is not convicted. In fact, when Satyendar Jain and Manish Sisodia were arrested, Kejriwal took his time before removing them from the cabinet. Both of them had continued as ministers without a portfolio. What may help AAPs case practically is that Kejriwal does not hold any portfolios. However, it may not be a wise move politically. In the case of the arrest of Hemant Soren, the Jharkhand chief minister had resigned and proved his strength before the Governor before his arrest, thus saving his government.

WHAT DO THE RULES SAY?

According to the Representation of the People Act, 1951, until proven guilty, an elected representative does not have to quit. However, there is a moral question about continuing in office.

Lalu Yadav, and, most recently, Hemant Soren, had resigned, proven majority to the Governor and were then arrested formally. Since Kejriwal has not resigned, he becomes the first sitting chief minister to be arrested. However, Kejriwal would need some relief from the court or jail to be able to carry on as chief minister.

Given Delhis status as a state with a Union Territory, the Lieutenant Governors role becomes more important.

If Kejriwal decides to remain CM, the L-G may cite breakdown of Constitutional machinery and recommend Presidents Rule under Section 239 AB. The L-G can also cite the same reason to dismiss the government under section 239 AA.

WAY AHEAD

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh was often the partys firefighter and shock absorber for disgruntled MLAs and activists. With him also behind bars, there is a big question over who will now play that role. AAP minister Gopal Rai, who is not just the senior-most minister in the cabinet but has been with the AAP since its founding days, will have to step up to keep the partys flock together.

In the eventuality of a long arrest period, as is being apprehended by the AAP, and if the AAP strategists feel that Kejriwal continuing as chief minister is untenable politically, then the party  with the consent of the chief minister  may move to appoint someone else in his position. It is possible that Kejriwals wife, Sunita Kejriwal, fills his shoes.

With Kejriwals arrest, the next tallest mass leader in the party is Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Mann is also expected to play a big role in keeping the flock together and the partys campaign in an aggressive mode. The Punjab chief minister is expected to reach Delhi on Friday.

Kejriwal has already launched the partys campaign in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Gujarat. AAP is contesting on 23 seats. However, with its biggest face behind bars, the big question is whether AAPs second rung of leaders can keep the campaign fire burning.

AAPs national general secretary Sandeep Pathak has tweeted that Kejriwals arrest will prove costly for the BJP. Pathak is the man behind AAPs phenomenal Punjab win. He is also the person who is the key negotiator of the party within the INDIA bloc. The AAP expects to make Kejriwals arrest and the other arrests of AAP leaders a big election plank. The party hopes that people will support it, given that Kejriwal is a mass leader and commands great support in the national capital.

For now, AAPs challenges are manifold: How long will Kejriwal continue to be chief minister? If the position of him continuing as chief minister becomes politically untenable, will he appoint someone else? In case Kejriwal does decide to rule Delhi from jail, would that position not be challenged and pave the way for Presidents Rule in Delhi? What will AAP do to protect its flock of MLAs? And lastly, who will spearhead the AAPs Lok Sabha campaign?
After a cat-and-mouse game since November 2023, the Enforcement Directorate finally arrested Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday. The ED arrested Kejriwal after the Delhi High Court refused to intervene and provide any protection to him.

What led to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwals Arrest?

1. High Court not intervening

Arvind Kejriwal was buoyant after a Delhi court granted him bail against the EDs plea. But his petition before the High Court yielded no result. On Thursday, the HC refused to intervene when Kejriwal sought protection from coercive action".

In fact, during the hearing, the High Court asked Additional Solicitor General SV Raju what was stopping the agency from arresting Arvind Kejriwal.

We never said that were going to arrest. The power is there. You come join the investigation, we may or may not arrest," Raju said.

Within an hour, a 12-member team of ED, supported by Delhi Police and other officials, reached the Delhi CMs residence. A search ensued leading to the seizure of mobile phones and digital devices. Around 9 pm, Kejriwal was arrested on charges of conspiracy and money laundering.

2. Kavithas arrest gave hint

The arrest of Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K Kavitha by the ED last week gave indications that the agency was moving fast against Arvind Kejriwal too. The directorates statement against the BRS leader said, Investigation has revealed that K Kavitha along with others allegedly conspired with the top leaders of AAP including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia for getting favours in the Delhi Excise policy-formulation and implementation. In exchange for these favours, she was allegedly involved in paying 100 Crore to the leaders of AAP."

The ED could confront Kejriwal with Kavitha who would be in the agencys custody till March 23.

3. Nine summonses ignored

Even though the ED has been under attack from the opposition for allegedly working at the behest of the union government and the ruling BJP, the legal advice in the case of Arvind Kejriwal suggested the probe team was on solid ground.

The legal advice, as per officials, was that Kejriwal had queered the pitch for himself by evading nine summonses. The AAP convener had first called the summonses illegal and political and then said that he was available to answer questions via videoconferencing. He also sought clarification from the ED about in what capacity he was being summoned. On Thursday, the ED told the Delhi High Court that Kejriwal was called for questioning in his individual capacity and not as the national convener of AAP.

4. Evidence against Kejriwal

The ED in its previous charge sheets too quoted Kejriwals FaceTime conversation with so-called South Group businessman Sameer Mahendru, in which he allegedly called Vijay Nair my boy". AAPs former communication incharge Nair stands accused of colluding with the South Group from the start, ensuring bribe in cash was delivered, and the excise policy was drafted in a way that provided quid pro quo to the alleged bribe payers. Sarath Reddy, a businessman of the South Group, reportedly told the ED that Nair facilitated discussions with businessmen from the group and proposed an amount of Rs 100 crore to influence the excise policy in favour of K Kavitha and the South Group.

The ED now wants to question Kejriwal in custody about his alleged FaceTime conversation and his association with Nair.

The agency also wants Kejriwal to answer if he met MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy in March 2021 when discussions about the impending Delhi excise policy happened. At this meeting allegedly Kejriwal mentioned that Kavitha was already in the loop about the policy.

The agency has picked up fresh evidence after raiding K Kavitha about the payment and laundering of bribe amounts. Officials said Kejriwal was evasive in his answers and hence custodial interrogation was needed.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was remanded in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate by a city court till March 28 late on Friday night.

The verdict by the Rouse Avenue Court came following a hearing during which the Enforcement Directorate said it had concrete evidence that Delhis excise policy was changed by the Arvind Kejriwal government to fund the Aam Aadmi Partys 2022 Goa assembly election campaign.

Delhi chief minister Kejriwal was produced before the court by the ED, hours after the CM withdrew his plea before the Supreme Court against his arrest.

The AAP convener was produced in the Rouse Avenue court around 2 pm amid tight security on and around the premises.

There is concrete evidence to show there is a scam and fraud. The excise policy was changed to fund Goa elections for AAP, SV Raju, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) representing ED, told the court.

Arvind Kejriwal News LIVE

Calling Kejriwal the key conspirator, the Directorate sought his 10-day custody from the court, which later reserved the order. Zoheb Hossain, the Special Counsel for ED told Special Judge Kaveri Baweja at the that Kejriwal received several crores of rupees as kickbacks from the south group for formulating and implementing the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.

There is sufficient material to come to the conclusion that he is prima facie guilty of the offence, said the ASG. He is guilty not just in his personal capacity but even vicariously. We have established that money came through kickbacks for Goa elections.

ASG Raju also told the court that Kejriwal had requested Rs 100 crore from the accused members of the South Group for their participation in the Punjab elections.

According to the law officer, the money trail revealed that the Rs 45 crore kickback utilised in the Goa polls came through four hawala networks, adding that the Call Detail Records (CDR) supported the accuseds and witnesses allegations.

We have given an application for 10 days remand, ASG Raju told the court. He said the AAP is not an individual but a company, and every person responsible for the conduct of the company will be held responsible.

Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Kejriwal, opposed the EDs plea for remand, contending that statements of witnesses could not be grounds to arrest him because of the pattern it revealed.

There is a new pattern now. You have a witness, he does not name Kejriwal in statement one or statement two. You then arrest him and oppose his bail vehemently. He then turns approver. And one fine day he gives a brilliant statement, Singhvi said. There is no direct evidence except these statements saying I met Mr Kejriwal etc. If people are arrested and pardoned then they will definitely name anyone.

#WATCH | Whether I am inside or outside, my life is dedicated to the country, said arrested Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal as he was produced before Rouse Avenue court by ED following his arrest yesterday.(Video source: AAP) pic.twitter.com/A9YGNlxIGy  ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2024

Latest Updates

Before the AAP supremo was being taken to the court, he said his life is dedicated to the nation whether he is inside jail or outside jail.

This was Kejriwals first reaction after being arrested by the ED on Thursday night. The Aam Aadmi Party has called his arrest a political conspiracy to stop him from campaigning in the Lok Sabha polls.

Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appearing for Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal argued before the Rouse Avenue Court that there is no direct evidence (against him). Without there being any material in possession of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on the basis of which Kejriwal can be believed to be guilty of an offence, he is being illegally and arbitrarily arrested by the ED, Singhvi said.

Singhvi argued before the top court that 80% of people involved in the case have not take his (Arvind Kejriwal) name and 82% have not mentioned any dealings with the Delhi CM.

Arguing on remand application, senior advocate Vikram Chaudhary, appearing for Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, argued before the court that the the probe agency had the evidence then why didnt they arrest the AAP chief before. This material was available with youthen why did you not arrest me earlier. Were you waiting for this time to stop me from contesting elections? Chaudhary said.

Singhvi requested that please do not look at the remand as a routine. It requires the application of significant judicial mindthere are larger issues of democracy involved, he added.

Senior Advocate Ramesh Gupta appearing for Arvind Kejriwal argues before Rouse Avenue Court that hes not an accused in predicate offence and AAP is not an accused in the predicate offence. Its totally an illegal arrest,  Gupta said. With this, the Delhi CMs advocates concluded their argument and the ED team began the rebuttal in the court.

We have concrete evidence to show that the excise policy was changed only to fund the Goa Elections claims the agency in the court, ED said.

Law officer also adds tha Kejriwal was not arrested pursuant to the summons. Even if he had come pursuant to the summons, he wouldve been arrested as a conspirator being vicariously liable by the company which is AAP.

(with inputs from agencies)
Arvind Kejriwal Arrest: Delhi Rouse Avenue Court sent Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to a 6-day ED custody till March 28 in the excise policy case.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was produced before the Rouse Avenue court on Friday following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday night. While the hearing on his remand application is still underway, the AAP national convenor was taken outside the court earlier in the day because of health reasons.

After two hours of questioning at his residence, the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday night arrested Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party president Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the excise policy case.

The arrest came hours after the Delhi High Court denied any interim protection from arrest to the AAP chief in connection with the summonses issued to him by the federal agency in the liquor policy scam case.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on Thursday in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have registered one case each in relation to the excise policy. The ED is probing if money was laundered using the policy.

Along with Kejriwal, two other top AAP leaders and K Kavitha, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader and daughter of former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, is also in jail.

The case stems from a report presented by Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena in July 2022. The report highlighted purported procedural shortcomings in the development of the policy and outlined cases where arbitrary and unilateral decisions were made by former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, who was also the then-excise minister. These decisions led to financial losses to the exchequer amounting to over Rs 580 crore.

The report alleged that kickbacks received by the AAP Delhi government and AAP leaders from alcohol businesses influenced the Assembly elections in Punjab and Goa in early 2022, leading to the AAP forming the government in Punjab. The report said that the owners and operators of the alcohol business received preferential treatment in the form of discounts and extensions in licence fee, waiver on penalties and relief due to disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The report was then referred to the CBI, leading to Sisodias arrest.

Following this, when the CBI named Sisodia and 14 others in its FIR, including AAP communications in-charge Vijay Nair, the ED informed a court in March that the alleged proceeds of crime exceeded Rs 292 crore and stressed the necessity to establish the modus operandi.

The ED accused that the scam involved granting the wholesale liquor business to private entities with a fixed 12% margin, allowing for a 6% kickback. In its initial prosecution complaint filed in November 2021, the ED stated that the policy was deliberately crafted with loopholes that facilitated cartel formations and benefited AAP leaders.

Here Is A List Of Leaders Who Have Been Arrested In The Delhi Excise Policy Case:
Social activist Anna Hazare on Friday made a scathing remark against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and said the Enforcement Directorate arrested him because of his own deeds. Hazare, who spearheaded the Lokpal movement in the early 2010s along with Kejriwal, said he had warned the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), arrested in the excise policy case, to avoid making such laws.

I had told him that our job is not to make excise policy. Even a small child knows that liquor is bad. I had asked him to stay away from this (excise policy) issue. But he went ahead and made the policy, Hazare told reporters at his village Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra.

He thought that he will earn more money and that is why he made this policy. I felt sad and wrote to him twice. I felt sad that a person like Kejriwal, who once worked with me and raised our voice against alcohol, is now making the excise policy.

He got arrested due to his deeds. Had he not done anything, there was no question of his being arrested. Now law will take its course and the government will do the needful, Hazare said.

Former Supreme Court Judge N Santosh Hegde, another key personality behind Hazares anti-corruption movement, also criticised the Delhi CM and said he was totally disappointed with Kejriwal, who was arrested in connection with an excise policy linked money-laundering case.

It clearly shows that when in power, greed overtakes you, the former Solicitor General of India said.

I am totally disappointed. I thought AAP (after it came to power) will uphold administrative fairness which is not there. And it is an indication of the fact that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, he added.

After a part of the movement became a political party (AAP), Hegde, the former Karnataka Lokayukta, came out of it.

Special reason for coming out was that politics today is a den of corruption. No political party is free from it. The India Against Corruption movement was fighting against corruption in administration.

It was our principle that we would stay out of politics and try to clean politics. But then a group of people decided that we should enter into politics (and then went on to form AAP) and clean it which I never believed it can be done successfully. And I think whats happening today in AAP is an example of what I thought was correct, Hegde said.

He said Kejriwal had come home to invite him to join the party but he disagreed.

Hegde also shared his views on oft-repeated allegations levelled by opposition parties against the BJP-led NDA government of misusing Central agencies like ED and CBI in corruption cases and targeting them.

Allegation of parties in opposition that the ruling party is doing it only for destroying opposition, I dont believe it. Yes, they are selectively doing this. But that is no offence at all. Because in criminal jurisprudence, there is no Article 14 (of the Constitution)does not apply equality.

And one day when they will come to power, they will go against the BJP. So, ultimately there will be complete justice, is it? If they dont do it against the opposition, then when they come to power they wont do it against these people also. At least 50 per cent justice is being done now, he said.

In the coming Lok Sabha elections, Hegde said he wants every eligible person to vote.

Vote not based on any caste, or any affiliation whatsoever, vote based on the quality of the candidate. If you dont find a suitable candidate who would serve your constituency, then there is NOTA (None of the Above). Vote for NOTA. That will send a message to political parties that every Tom, Dick and Harry is not a suitable politician, he said.

(With PTI Inputs)
Urging Indian students in the US to be watchful, former CEO of PepsiCo Indra Nooyi has offered a series of advice to ensure their safety and security in the country amid a string of unfortunate incidents involving Indians. The 10-minute-long video message was posted by the Consulate General of India in New York on Thursday.

The reason Im recording this video is to talk to all of you, all you young people who are looking to come to the United States or are here already pursuing your studies because Ive been reading and listening to all the news about several examples of Indian students finding themselves in unfortunate situations, the 68-year-old said in the video. Its up to you to make sure you do what it takes to remain safe.stay within the law, do not venture out into dark places alone at night, do not engage in drugs or excessive drinking please. All of these are just formulae for disaster, she said.

Tragic Incidents

This week, the Indian Consulate said it is working with local law enforcement authorities to locate 25-year-old Indian student Mohammad Abdul Arfath, who has been missing since the beginning of this month, in Cleveland. Arfath was pursuing a masters degree in IT at Cleveland University in Ohio and has been out of contact with his family since March 7.

Indian-American Sameer Kamath, 23, a student at Purdue University who was found dead in a nature preserve in Indiana in February, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to authorities. In January, 18-year-old Akul Dhawan, a University of Illinois student, was found unresponsive outside a campus building. In another tragedy that month, 25-year-old Indian student Vivek Saini was hammered to death by a homeless drug addict in Georgia.

Choose your university, course carefully

In the video, Nooyi pleaded with the students coming to the US to choose your university and course carefully. She added that coming to the US to pursue higher education can be a cultural sea change for many because they are away from the comforts of their families, communities and ecosystems. So when you come to the United States, be very watchful in the initial months of your landing here, in terms of who you select as friends, the new habits you develop and how you cope with cultural changes because its very easy to get caught up with all the freedoms you have and think that you should experiment with everything. Be very, very careful.

She noted that while Indian students are known for their hard work and success, there are also incidents of some youngsters experimenting with and eventually getting addicted to drugs such as Fentanyl. This is lethal. Let me repeat, this is lethal, she said, adding that these are extremely harmful drugs impacting mental and physical health and will definitely be detrimental to your career prospects here. Please do not verge into this whole area of experimenting with dangerous stuff. Most importantly, do not partake in unlawful activities, understand the law and stay within the law, she said.

Avoid Shady Neighbourhood

Nooyi added that many international students are not familiar with the laws and regulations of the host country. It is important to know the consequences of your actions and hence you have to stay alert all the time, she said. You need to know your visa status and its permissibility towards part-time employment. Do not violate the law, she said, adding that the students must know the boundaries of what you can do as a foreign student in the United States.

Nooyi also urged students to be aware of the safe areas in the city in which they are residing or travelling. Please avoid shady neighbourhoods. Do not venture out late into the night alone or do not venture out very late in the night at all, she said, advising the students to go out in groups and with friends. Nooyis message comes amid a string of troubling cases pertaining to the safety and security of Indian students in the US. Since the beginning of this year, several cases of deaths among Indian and Indian-origin students have caused alarm and concern among the community.

Be Very Aware

Nooyi underscored that the US offers phenomenal educational opportunities, and is multicultural and welcoming. She, however, added that studying in the US is not at all cheap, its very expensive and would not necessarily secure a job for you here today. It is not guaranteed. Nor should it be your objective in this globalised world, where India itself is offering huge numbers of opportunities for educated people, she said.

Nooyi urged the students to be very aware of the resources available to them in their universities and local communities, strongly suggesting that students engage with the university support system, the local Indian consulates and local Indian Americans to learn from their experiences and seek their support when needed. She also appealed to the students to beware of scams, including on social media, that may dupe them of their money and resources. She stressed the need for students to take care of their mental health and well being, stay connected with friends, families and support groups.
Senior Mohiniyattam dancer Kalamandalam Sathyabhama faced heavy criticism after making racist remarks against a fellow artiste during an interview with a YouTube channel on Thursday.

Renowned Mohiniyattam dancer Dr RLV Ramakrishnan alleged that Sathyabhamas remakrs were about him and said that he would initiate legal action against her.

Though Sathyabama denied Ramakrishnans allegations and said that she did not name anyone specifically, her remarks stirred a major controversy in Kerala society.

I have not taken any names in the interview. What I have said in the interview is my opinion, and I stand by that. I dont have any regrets, she said.

WHAT DID SATHYABHAMA SAY?

During the interview, Sathyabhama can be heard saying, The person who performs Mohiniyattam should be mohini (enchanting). He has the colour of a crow. This is an art form that requires a stance that keeps the legs wide apart. There is nothing more repulsive than a man who performs with his legs wide apart in this manner.

In my opinion, men should perform Mohiniyattam only if they are that good-looking But his looks are unbearable, she was quoted as saying by PTI.

She had even declared that the person was not apt for the dance form of Mohiniyattam.

WHAT RAMAKRISHNAN SAID

Hailing from Chalakudy, Ramakrishnan is the brother of famous film actor late Kalabhavan Mani.

Taking to Facebook, Ramakrishnan said that the 66-year-old senior dance was continuing her racist abuse against him, alleging that he was not qualified to teach Mohiniyattam.

I completed my studies at the renowned RLV college in Tripunithura. I am a first-rank holder in MA Mohiniyattam from MG University. I am a top scorer in MPhil and completed a PhD from Kalamandalam, Ramakrishnan said.

He went on to say that this was not the first time that he faced insults from her. He said that due to such people, it is difficult for a person from a scheduled caste to survive in the field of classical dance.

Legal action will be taken against such people, he added.

KERALA HRC INITIATES CASE AGAINST SATHYABHAMA

The Kerala State Human Right Commission on Friday initiated a case against the 66-year-old Sathyabhama over her controversial racist remarks against a fellow artiste.

SHRC member VK Beena Kumar directed the Thrissur police chief and governments Secretary of Culture to look into the dancers statement and submit a report within 15 days.

The action was taken by the Commission on its own based on media reports, it said, adding that a human rights activist Guinness Madasamy had also filed a complaint on the same issue.

POLITICIANS SUPPORT RAMAKRISHNAN

Support from several political leaders flooded in for Ramakrishnan following Sathyabhamas remarks.

Ministers Saji Cheriyan, R Bindu, Veena George, Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan, BJP state chief K Surendran, among others, condemned the statement.

Culture Minister Saji Cheriyan extended his support to Ramakrishnan and urged Sathyabhama to withdraw the statement and apologise.

He said that Keralas history records progressive moments that fought and achieved rights for the oppressed communities, adding that Art knows no monopolies.

The remarks made by Sathyabhama are an insult to Keralas cultural ethos. People with such conservative mentalities have no right to use the name of such a respected institution along with their names. Alongside the insult regarding his (skin) colour, her words exhibited inherent casteism, Cheriyan said.

Minister Bindu, meanwhile, hailed Ramakrishnan saying that he has rewritten the history of Mohiniyattam and liberated the art form of outdated values and feudal times.

Taking to X, Bindu said, Shocked to hear a classical dance performer, who seems to be harbouring the rotting remnants of caste and colour-based discrimination, level such slanderous words against a creative genius like RLV Ramakrishnan. This is highly objectionable.

BJP state chief K Surendran said that there is no distinction based on caste, colour, race, sex or financial status in art.

Everyone in this field is above all this. And those who distinguish thus, no matter how great the throne of knowledge they may ascend, will remain ignorant. Dont use pride and arrogance to insult others. With RLV Ramakrishnan, Surendran said in a post on social media.

Sathyabhamas remarks are an insult to Kerala society itself, said Minister George.

Leader of Opposition Satheesan also expressed solidarity with Ramakrishnan and said, Art is important, not colour. Art is the union of humility and compassion. Art and culture die when one is insulted on the basis of colour and caste.

Congress leader and Chalakudy MLA Saneesh Kumar Joseph led a protest march in Chalakudy town against Sathyabhamas remark on Ramakrishnan.

The youth wing of the ruling CPI(M), DYFI, announced that it would organise statewide events to host Ramakrishnans performances.

KERALA KALAMANDALAMS STANCE

The Kerala Kalamandalam, a premiere public institution that preserves Keralas artistic heritage, also criticised Sathyabhamas remarks against Ramakrishnan.

In its statement, Kalamandalam said that those who make such uncivilised comments while associating their name with the institution being disgrace upon it.

The institution noted that it does not any have connection with Sathyabhama at present, other than the fact that she was a former student.

Other than Kalamandalam, Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham (Progressive Arts and Literary Organisation) condemned the casteist remarks and said Ramakrishnans contribution to Mohiniyattam is invaluable.

(With PTI inputs)
KERALA LOTTERY NIRMAL NR-372 RESULT ON FRIDAY, MARCH 22, LIVE UPDATES: The Kerala State Lottery Department has announced the results of the Nirmal NR-372 lucky draw for Friday, March 22. Check the full list of winning numbers below.

ALSO READ: Kerala Lottery Result TODAY: Summer Bumper BR-96 Results on March 27, 2024; First Prize Rs 10 Crore!

NIRMAL NR-372 LOTTERY: WINNING NUMBERS

WINNING NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE WORTH RS 8,000 ARE

NA 208934

NB 208934

NC 208934

ND 208934

NE 208934

NF 208934

NG 208934

NH 208934

NK 208934

NL 208934

NM 208934

WINNING NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE WORTH RS 70 LAKH IS NJ 208934 (IDUKKI)

Agent Name: SAJU MATHEW

Agency No.: Y 3080

WINNING NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE WORTH RS 10 LAKH IS NB 640416 (THRISSUR)

Agent Name: SURESH KUMAR M V

Agency No.: R 6106

WINNING NUMBER FOR 3RD PRIZE WORTH RS 1 LAKH ARE

NA 307956 (ADIMALY)

NB 240441 (KOLLAM)

NC 886364 (PATTAMBI)

ND 319074 (ADOOR)

NE 674943 (ERNAKULAM)

NF 506746 (ADOOR)

NG 985440 (PAYYANUR)

NH 290753 (GURUVAYOOR)

NJ 265038 (KANNUR)

NK 673515 (ERNAKULAM)

NL 939894 (MALAPPURAM)

NM 899199 (ADIMALY)

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE WORTH RS 5,000 ARE

1286 1392 2079 2165 2496 2754 2827 4278 4475 5445 6205 6586 7041 7272 7369 7564 7956 8128

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE WORTH RS 1,000 ARE

0085 0343 0444 0508 0615 0679 0680 1120 1170 1229 1410 1514 1559 1591 1893 2563 2681 2961 3237 3729 3872 3876 4103 4504 4619 5192 5441 6284 7342 7422 8227 8237 8763 9261 9342 9953

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE WORTH RS 500 ARE

0059 0073 0294 0564 0613 0664 0904 0918 1274 1338 1564 1608 2010 2019 2024 2058 2108 2121 2189 2410 2434 2591 2839 2954 3013 3166 3292 3402 3484 4254 4255 4308 4404 4482 4799 4870 4959 4978 5233 5271 5320 5612 5695 5723 5796 5909 5933 6079 6085 6107 6184 6260 6280 6283 6370 6513 6919 7232 7359 7444 7576 7844 7938 7949 7987 8047 8074 8078 8137 8160 8165 8290 8432 8527 8644 8851 8909 9101 9221

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE WORTH RS 100 ARE

0029 0064 0179 0272 0360 0714 0764 0817 0846 0852 0967 1056 1107 1111 1262 1379 1381 1476 1679 1885 1911 2094 2156 2248 2307 2308 2430 2474 2545 2749 2927 2945 2971 2975 3197 3216 3233 3461 3475 3534 3557 3596 3976 4174 4213 4520 4719 4876 4881 4950 5043 5088 5247 5249 5268 5312 5363 5384 5474 5479 5615 5700 5725 5835 5864 5896 5897 6014 6091 6099 6137 6213 6222 6228 6290 6452 6490 6546 6772 6850 6858 6922 6925 7074 7085 7114 7187 7248 7253 7285 7413 7425 7653 7736 7757 7811 7850 7913 7927 7931 8075 8088 8146 8155 8212 8380 8681 8780 8832 8974 9345 9379 9421 9499 9606 9742 9796 9818 9908 9914 9932 9992

NIRMAL NR-372 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 KERALA NIRMAL NR-372 LOTTERY RESULTS?

To check the results of the Nirmal NR-372 lottery, visit the Kerala Lottery Departments official website at www.keralalottery.info. Alternatively, ticket numbers can be checked through physical validation in the Kerala Government Gazette.

HOW TO CLAIM THE PRIZE MONEY?

To determine whether you won the Nirmal Lottery NR-372 prize, compare the draw results published in the Kerala Government Gazette to your ticket number. If the two numbers match, you will be eligible for the prize. Winners have 30 days after the results are announced to claim their prizes at the Kerala Lottery Office in Thiruvananthapuram. To obtain the prize money, contestants must show their winning tickets and provide relevant identity for verification.

Kerala Lottery Summer Bumper BR-96 Results on March 27, 2024

The Kerala State Lottery Department will announce the results of the Summer Bumper BR-96 lucky draw on March 27, 2024 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: I Dedicate It To 140 Crore Indians: PM Modi Becomes First Foreign Leader To Receive Bhutans Top Civilian Honour; Can Kejriwals Arrest Create Karunanidhi-Like Sympathy of 2001? Why BJP Does Not Think So among others.

I Dedicate It To 140 Crore Indians: PM Modi Becomes First Foreign Leader To Receive Bhutans Top Civilian Honour

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made history on Friday by becoming the first foreign Head of Government to be bestowed with Bhutans highest civilian honour, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo. Modi was awarded by the King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, during his state visit to the country. READ MORE

Saffron Scoop | Can Kejriwals Arrest Create Karunanidhi-Like Sympathy of 2001? Why BJP Does Not Think So

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals arrest from his Civil Lines residence by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) late on Thursday night has many thinking that the timing of the move can be counterproductive for the BJP, with less than a month for the Lok Sabha election to begin. However, it may instead expose fault lines within the Congress for supporting Kejriwal, given that the party had been at the forefront of raising the liquor scam. READ MORE

Manager Asked for Sex: Mumbai Woman, Seeking Dead Dads PF, Faces Harrowing Time

Mumbai police have booked an HR manager of a private company for allegedly demanding sexual favours for a 23-year-old woman in exchange for releasing her deceased fathers provident fund (PF). The incident came to light on Wednesday, after the woman, a resident of Bandra (E), approached the police.

Dhoni Had Hinted at Leaving CSK Captaincy Via Facebook but Fans Missed It: Ruturaj Gaikwad Reveals

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Thursday surprised their fans by announcing a new skipper in Ruturaj Gaikwad. Just a day before the commencement of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, the franchise announced the successor of MS Dhoni via social media. CSK secured the services of Gaikwad at the IPL 2019 player auction and since then he hasnt disappointed with the bat and will now lead the squad. However, stepping into the big shoes will be full of challenges but the Maharashtra batter is ready and looking forward to it. READ MORE

Indian Govt Raises Major Security Alert For Firefox Browser Users: What We Know

The Indian government has been proactively warning its users about major security threats, something that we have seen happen for Apple, Chrome and Adobe users. But now, Firefox users have also been alerted about some major security risks that can be handled by updating to the latest version of the Mozilla products. READ MORE
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday arrested two more key operatives in the Attari drug seizure case involving the recovery and seizure of a total of over 102 kgs heroin, smuggled into the country concealed in a consignment of licorice roots (mulethi) in April 2022.

The two accused have been identified as Deepak Khurana, Deepu of Ferozepur (Punjab) and Avtar Singh, Sunny of Jamia Nagar, South Delhi. With this, a total of five accused have so far been arrested in the case.

Financial investigations and the examination of the associates of the accused have revealed that Deepak Khurana was not only a drug dealer and drug quality tester, but also a handler of proceeds of drugs. And Avtar was involved in distribution of drugs, handling of cash and laundering the drug proceeds through banking and hawala channels.

Both the accused have been identified as long-term associates of the prime accused, Razi Haider Zaidi and Shahid Ahmed, and Qazi Abdul Wadood. NIA investigations show that Deepak and Avtar are key operatives in the larger conspiracy hatched by the international drug cartel for suppply of drugs to various distributors in India and channelling of the proceeds of the drugs to main foreign-based accused persons.

The drug seizures in the instant case were made in two instalments, on 24th and 26th April 2022, by the Indian Customs department when the narcotics arrived in the country from Afghanistan via ICP Attari, Amritsar. The total value of the narcotics was approximately Rs. 700 crore.

As per NIA investigations, the consignment was sent into India by absconding accused Nazir Ahmed Qani, a resident of Mazar-e-Sharif in Afghanistan, on the directions of Dubai-based absconding accused Shahid Ahmed, and Qazi Abdul Wadood was meant to be delivered to Razi Haider Zaidi in India, for further distribution in various parts of the country.

NIA had, on December 16 2022, filed a Chargesheet against Shahid Ahmed and Nazir Ahmed Qani, along with two others, identified as Razi Haider Zaidi and Vipin Mittal. Razi and Vipin were arrested earlier in the case. Another, Amritpal Singh, was arrested on 15th December 2023 while attempting to flee the country. c

He was arrested after proceeds of narcotics amounting to Rs 1.34 Crores were recovered from him and were frozen under relevant legal provisions. Further investigations into the case continue.
At least one person was killed and 10 others were injured after an under-construction bridge collapsed in Bihars Supaul on Friday morning. The incident took place at Maricha, between Bheja and Bakaur, when a slab of an under-construction bridge being built over the Kosi River collapsed.

Several construction workers are feared to be trapped under the debris. The authorities are on the spot and the rescue operations have been started with the help of local volunteers.

#WATCH | Supaul, Bihar: A part of an under-construction bridge collapsed near Maricha between Bheja-Bakaur. pic.twitter.com/NNVR5aQ5IZ ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2024

Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha, who holds the Road Construction portfolio, said that an inquiry has been ordered and action will be taken against those responsible for the incident.

An accident has occurred on an under-construction bridge over the Kosi river. The portion of that bridge fell down which led to the death of 1 person and 10 injured. We have spoken to the district officer. The deceased family will get Rs 10 lakh through related agenciesA full-fledged investigation is required to find who is the main culprit, he said.

Sinha said he was in constant touch with the NHAI as well as the district administration.

Supaul District Magistrate Kaushal Kumar said the injured are undergoing treatment at the district hospital. He did not rule out the possibility of more deaths.

Bihar Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha later announced Rs 10 lakh compensation to the family of the deceased worker and Rs 1 lakh each for the injured. The government of India has a clear direction to take care of all the medical requirements of the workers and also to conduct a fair investigation he added.

#WATCH | On Supaul bridge collapse, Bihar deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha says, I have just reviewed the bridge collapse. While lifting the segment, it fell down injuring workers. 11 workers were injured out of which 10 are out of danger now and one of them unfortunately died. pic.twitter.com/6yDxpoon3g ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2024

The countrys longest road bridge is being built between Bakour in Supaul and Bheja in Madhubani district. The 10.2-km bridge was being constructed by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) at a cost of Rs 984 crore. Two companies  Gammon India and Trans Rail Lighting Limited are jointly overseeing its construction.

NHAI Regional Officer YB Singh told news agency PTI that the bridge has 171 piers, and the span between piers 153 and 154 collapsed.

Adequate compensation for the deceased as well as injured victims is being arranged. Experts have been briefed and asked to assess the reason for the accident and suggest necessary remedial measures. Senior NHAI officers have rushed to the site to take immediate action on the matter, he added.

As per unconfirmed media reports, more than 40 labourers were working when pillars collapsed at around 7:30 am.

The incident bears eerie similarities to another incident last year when a superstructure of our-lane Sultanganj-Aguani Ghat bridge across the Ganga River in Bhagalpur district collapsed on June 4, 2023.

The under-construction bridge, to link Bhagalpur and Khagaria in Bihar first collapsed on April 30, 2023, and then a second time on June 4.
In a landmark ruling, the Allahabad High Court on Friday declared the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004, unconstitutional and violative of the principle of secularism. The court further asked the state government to accommodate current students in the formal schooling system.

The verdict was passed by a division bench comprising Justice Vivek Chaudhary and Justice Subhash Vidyarthi of the Lucknow branch of the court.

The court declared the law ultra vires on a writ petition filed by a person named Anshuman Singh Rathore.

Rathore had challenged the constitutionality of the UP Madarsa Board as well as objected to the management of madarsa by the Minority Welfare department, both by Union of India and the state government.

Interstingling, the judgement came months after the state government decided to survey the Islamic education institutions in the state.

The Yogi Adityanath government has also formed a special investigation team (SIT) in October 2023 to probe madrassas funds from abroad.

(With PTI Inputs)
Hindu New Year, also known as Vikram Samvat, is celebrated annually by millions of Hindus worldwide, and this year it falls on April 9. The day symbolizes new beginnings and is deemed an auspicious time to embark on new ventures. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which commences the new year on January 1, the Hindu New Year starts with the arrival of the Chaitra month. The year starts with Navratri in the Chaitra month, while the Phalgun month marks the culmination of the Hindu calendar.

On the Hindu New Year, various communities celebrate their respective festivals. The Sindhi community observes Cheti Chand, while Maharashtra celebrates Gudi Padwa. In Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, its known as Yugadi, and in Telangana, its called Ugadi. The Konkani community in Goa and Kerala celebrates it as well. Additionally, its known as Samvatsar Padva, Navreh in Kashmir, and Sajibu Nongma Panba in Manipur.

Hindu New Year 2024: History

According to local legend, Vikramaditya, the revered king of Ujjain, is said to have freed his subjects from the dominance of the Sakas nearly 2068 years ago. Historians suggest that the traditional Indian calendar, Vikram Samvat, is set 57 years ahead of the widely used Gregorian calendar. This year marks Vikram Samvat 2081.

The Hindu New Year, or Vikram Samvat, is observed on the first day of the Shukla Paksha of the Chaitra month and is known for its mathematical precision. In several states, the Hindu New Year commences on the first day of the Hindu month of Baishakh.

Hindu New Year 2024: Significance

It signifies the commencement of the New Year according to the traditional Hindu lunar calendar. This auspicious day is considered ideal for new beginnings, fresh starts, and revitalizing relationships. Celebrations entail various customs and rituals, such as cleaning homes, preparing lavish feasts, and offering prayers to deities.

Many also exchange gifts and greetings with their loved ones during this festive period. Moreover, besides its cultural and religious significance, the Hindu New Year also heralds the start of the new harvest season in numerous parts of India.

Hindu New Year 2024: Shubh Muhurat

According to Drik Panchang, Chaitra Shukla Pratipada Tithi begins on April 8, 2024, at 11:50 PM, and ends on April 9 at 8:30 PM. Chaitra Navratri Ghatasthapana Muhurata starts from 6:02 AM to 10:16 AM, while the Kalash Sthapana Abhijit Muhurat starts between 11:57 AM and 12:48 PM.

Vikram Samvat 2081: Wishes & Greetings
Holi, the vibrant festival of colors, serves as an enchanting occasion for people to unwind, come together, and engage in joyous celebrations with friends and family. Across the vast expanse of India, this festival is celebrated in different ways, each region infusing its own unique customs and traditions, yet all sharing in the unwavering spirit that defines the festival of colours. Streets turn into bright parties with lots of laughter, music, and people throwing colors everywhere.

When To Celebrate Holi 2024?

Holi, also called the Festival of Colours, occurs when spring begins. It doesnt have a fixed date like New Years Day. Instead, its celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu calendars Falgun month, which usually falls in February or March. This year, the festival will be celebrated on March 25.

Where To Celebrate Holi 2024?

Holi, a significant festival celebrated throughout India, offers a variety of activities in different regions. Each region in India boasts its own unique customs and traditions associated with Holi, offering a diverse range of experiences for revelers.

Heres a list of places where you can enjoy Holi celebrations this year.

Lathmar Holi in Uttar Pradesh

Phoolon Ki Holi in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, offers a truly enchanting way to celebrate this vibrant festival. Instead of traditional coluored powders, people joyfully toss fragrant flower petals, creating a mesmerizing display of colors and scents.

IN PICS: Unique Holi Traditions

Vrindavan holds a special significance as the childhood playground of Lord Krishna, infusing the celebration with profound spiritual essence. The Banke Bihari Temple and the ISKCON Temple stand as must-visit destinations to witness the spiritual fervor of Phoolon Ki Holi.

Another place to enjoy Holi in Uttar Pradesh is Barsana, known as the birthplace of Radha, where Lathmar Holi is celebrated. During Lathmar Holi, women playfully chase and hit men from Nandgaon, Krishnas village, with sticks.

This is like a game to recreate the playful teasing between Radha and Krishna. Its a colourful and lively festival that brings joy to everyone involved.

Basant Utsav in West Bengal

In West Bengals Shantiniketan, Holi takes on the name Basanta Utsav also known as Spring Festival. This unique celebration was initiated by the renowned Bengali poet and Nobel Laureate, Rabindranath Tagore, and has become a cherished tradition at Vishva Bharati University.

During Basanta Utsav, students wear vibrant spring attire and showcase cultural performances, including dances set to Tagores melodies, for visitors. Following the festivities, participants joyfully engage in the colorful tradition of throwing powdered colors, mirroring the jubilant spirit of conventional Holi celebrations.

Himachal Pradesh

Dive into the extraordinary Holi celebration in Sangla Valley, Himachal Pradesh, as part of the four-day Faguli Festival. This valley offers a unique twist on the traditional festival. Unlike other parts of India, Sangla uses dry colors and even snow for playful celebration, adding an adventurous touch to the festivities. You can also witness the vibrant procession during Holi, where characters from the Ramayana come to life amidst the sound of drums and joyful singing.

Punjab

Hola Mohalla is a significant festival for the Sikh community, typically occurring in March just after Holi. Originating from the time of the 10th Sikh Guru, Shri Guru Gobind Singh, this festival holds deep cultural and historical significance. During Hola Mohalla, Sikh warriors known as Nihangs dress in distinctive blue attire and demonstrate their martial skills with swords, weapons, and Gatka, a traditional form of martial arts.

Goa

Shigmo, also known as Shishirotsava, is a vibrant spring festival celebrated in Goa, marking one of the major festivals for the Hindu community. Additionally, it is enthusiastically observed by the Konkani diaspora. The festival, which typically takes place in the Phalguna month of the Hindu calendar, corresponds to March in the Gregorian calendar. Shigmo is a time of grandeur and splendor, with colorful processions, traditional dances, and joyful celebrations filling the streets of Goa.

Manipur

Yosang, also known as the festival of colours or Yaoshang, is a renowned celebration in Manipur, particularly among the Meitei community, the largest group in the state. During Yosang, people engage in various joyful activities such as dancing, singing, and playing games. A highlight of the festival is the Thabal Chongba dance, where boys and girls come together, holding hands, to dance around bonfires to the beats of drums and other instruments.

Rajasthan

Holi celebration in Rajasthan is a grand affair. In Udaipur, Holi celebrations are hosted by the royal family which presents a magnificent display of the citys cultural richness. Led by the Maharana of Mewar, the grand procession commences at the historic City Palace. Guests enjoy a delicious feast amidst enjoying captivating local performances. The highlight of the event is the Holika Dahan ceremony, signifying the triumph of good over evil. The following day, both the royal family and guests engage in joyful Holi festivities and enjoy traditional delicacies.

Karnataka

Traveling south, Hampi offers an enchanting setting for vibrant Holi celebrations. Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which sets the stage for festive joy. The festivities start off with bonfires, symbolising the victory of good over evil. The next day, everyone engages themselves in playful celebration by throwing colors and enjoying the festival with music, dance, and gatherings.
Only 2.5 per cent of the Earths water is classified as fresh. The water crisis is a big issue in India as per the 2019 Niti Aayog report. Despite accommodating 17 per cent of the global population, India possesses only 4 per cent of the planets freshwater resources. World Water Day, commemorated every March 22, serves to underscore the criticality of fresh water. Below, we look at the theme of this years event, its history, and its significance. Additionally, implementing five straightforward steps to conserve water can significantly address this pressing issue.

World Water Day 2024 Theme

The theme for this years World Water Day campaign is Water for Peace. The scarcity of fresh water often sparks conflicts among individuals, communities, and even nations. Shockingly, only 24 out of 153 countries have established water-sharing agreements, according to the United Nations (UN). To mitigate potential conflicts and guarantee access to basic water needs across borders, water conservation is imperative. This effort aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which aims to ensure water and sanitation for all by 2030.

World Water Day: History

In 1992, during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, the proposal to designate an annual day for water conservation was introduced as part of the UNs Agenda 21.

Subsequently, in December of the same year, the UN General Assembly formally accepted this proposal through its resolution A/RES/47/193, thereby establishing March 22 as World Water Day. The inaugural observation of World Water Day took place the following year, with the theme, Caring for our Water Resources is Everybodys Business.

World Water Day: Significance

Observed by the UN and coordinated by UN-Water, World Water Day creates awareness about key issues related to water use. The day is used to inspire people, elected officials, others in governance and lawmakers to take a proactive stand regarding the unfolding crisis of water and sanitation across the globe.

5 Steps To Conserve Water
After a hiatus of 25 years, the renowned AR Rahman and the iconic dancer Prabhu Deva are teaming up once again for a cinematic project. Currently known as ARRPD6, this film is a creative endeavor by writer and director Manoj NS. The announcement was made by Rahman himself on Friday, 22 March, alongside the unveiling of the movies poster.

The poster that was shared by the music maestro, featured a memorable image of Prabhu Deva from the Muqabla song, with a golden silhouette of Rahman set against the sky in the background.

The cast of ARRPD6 includes Prabhu Deva, Yogi Babu, along with Malayalam actors Aju Varghese and Arjun Ashokan taking on prominent roles. Actors Motta Rajendran and Redin Kingsley will also appear in the film.

Produced by Manoj NS, Divya Manoj, and Dr. Praveen Elak, the movie is brought to the forefront by Behindwoods. Rahman is crafting the films music, while Anup V Shylaya is responsible for its cinematography. Filming is set to begin shortly, marking the sixth collaboration between Rahman and Prabhu Deva.

The duos earlier works, such as their music and dance combinations in the 1990s, are still celebrated. Hits from the Tamil movie Kadhalan (1994), including Muqabla and Urvashi, became phenomenal successes. These songs, alongside their dubbed versions in Hindi and Telugu, dominated the charts and inspired a generation to emulate Prabhu Devas dynamic dance moves.

Their noteworthy collaborations, like Chiku Buku Raile from Gentleman (1993), Romeo Aatam from Mr Romeo (1996), and Petta Rap from Kadhalan, led the music charts for years.

Currently, Rahmans compositions for Prithviraj Sukumarans awaited movie Aadujeevitham have gained significant attention online, ahead of its release on 29 March in multiple languages.

Prabhu Deva is also engaged with Vishnu Manchus upcoming movie Kannappa. He has recently returned from New Zealand after shooting a song and several important scenes for the film.
It seems like the saga of gangster Tommy Shelby is far from over. Steven Knight, creator of Peaky Blinders, revealed to Birmingham World during the premiere of his latest BBC drama, The Town, that Cillian Murphy will reprise his iconic role in the upcoming film. Knight assured fans that Murphy is definitely returning and the filming is slated to kick off in Birmingham, UK, in September.

Murphys reprisal of his role as Tommy Shelby in the film adaptation doesnt come as a surprise, considering the actors consistent stance of only returning if the script meets his standards. Originally airing on the BBC in 2013, the show gained international acclaim upon its arrival on Netflix. Despite the series concluding in April 2022, creator Steven Knight has repeatedly expressed his eagerness to continue Tommys story.

While Knight has been determined to turn Peaky Blinders into a film, he previously didnt confirm whether Murphy would return as the Birmingham gang leader. During the red carpet of his new film, the filmmaker said, He is definitely returning for it. Were shooting it in September just down the road in Digbeth.

In a different interview with Esquire, Knight had said, The film, I know exactly what its about. And I know what two stories its going to tell. How the story will unfold, I dont know. What will happen after that, I want that to depend on the film. For all we know somebody is going to pop out  I think I know who its going to be.

Previously, in a conversation with Rolling Stones UK last year, Cillian Murphy expressed his interest in returning as Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders movie, but with a specific condition. He stated that he would love to continue if there was more story to tell and claimed that it has to be meaningful. Murphy praised the work of series creator Steven Knight, highlighting that he wrote 36 hours of television and ended the show on a high note.

Steven Knight initially revealed in July 2022 that a script for the film was in progress and wanted to shoot the series in locales where the real Peaky Blinders once operated, such as Digbeth and Small Heath. Now as the news about filming is confirmed, fans are eagerly waiting to witness the conclusion of Tommy Shelbys iconic journey.
Kannada actor Jaggesh showcased his exceptional acting prowess in films like Guru, Neer Dose and Melkote Manja. He and his wife Parimala Jaggesh are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary today. On this joyous occasion, Jaggesh uploaded a video on Instagram showing some endearing clips from their wedding. The video also shows their photos with children. Jaggesh and Parimala got married on March 22, 1984. The 61-year-old actor added a song to the video that perfectly complements well with their wedding anniversary.

Jaggeshs fans congratulated them on their happy journey and wished them many more years of happiness.

Jaggesh and Parimalas journey to tie the knot, however, was riddled with difficulties. The latter talked about it in an interview with a media portal. She said that Jaggesh took her to Chennai when she was 17 and this led to her parents filing a kidnap case against him and a habeas corpus in the Bangalore court. Parimala remembered pleading before the Bangalore High Court judge to let her stay with her husband. As per Parimala, I told him that the only reason my parents opposed this marriage was because he was a Kannadiga and I was a Tamilian. There was a culture and caste difference. But we loved each other and language was not a barrier. Thankfully, the judge considered my words and granted us permission to stay together. The couple had to fight the case in the Chennai Court and the Supreme Court as well and they finally got permission to be with each other.

Jaggesh ticks all the boxes correctly when it comes to his professional life as well. He last acted in the film Ranganayaka. Written and directed by Guruprasad, this film was released at the cinemas on March 8, 2024. Vikhyath Chitra Productions backed this film. Ranganayaka received poor reviews from audiences. They mentioned that apart from Jaggeshs acting, there is nothing worth noting in the film. Yograj Bhat, Rachitha Mahalakshmi, and others have also acted in this film.
Richa Langella used to be one of the most sought-after actresses in the Telugu and Tamil film industry. She garnered critical acclaim for her acting in the films Mayakkam Enna, and Leader. Bhai, headlined by Nagarjuna Akkineni, turned out to be her last film. Since then, she has left the film industry to return to the United States for studies. Richa was three years old when her family moved to the United States from Delhi. The Bhai actress completed her degree in Masters in Business Administration from Washington University in St Louis in May 2017. Richa then tied the knot with her business school classmate Joe Langella and embraced parenthood in May 2021 with her son Luca Shaan Langella. She currently resides in Portland, Oregon with her family.

Richa keeps sharing glimpses from her personal life on social media.

Richa had started her career as an actress on a successful note but decided to leave it for other goals and her family life. She has no regrets about it and shared her thoughts about it on Twitter on November 25, 2020. She wrote, Wow.I cant believe its already been #9YearsOfMayakkamEnna . I guess I took a page out of that story in real life, by leaving reel life to pursue other passions and changing my career track altogether! No regrets. In fact, no regrets about anything in life so far :).

Wow.I can't believe it's already been #9YearsOfMayakkamEnna . I guess I took a page out of that story in "real" life, by leaving "reel" life to pursue other passions and change my career track altogether! No regrets. In fact, no regrets about anything in life so far :). Richa Langella (Gangopadhyay) (@richyricha) November 25, 2020

In an earlier interview with Idlebrain.com, Richa had opened up about many other facets of her life. She had revealed that she was fond of performing arts since childhood and participated in theatre during school time. Richa added that she had undergone training in Anupam Khers Actor Prepares and then took part in many modelling commercials for brands like Dabur Vatika, Peter England People, Medimix, etc. The actress added that she also remained active in the fashion field and got the opportunity to walk on the ramps several times. She also lavished praise on the writer and director Sekhar Kammula and said that he is genuinely creative and has a love for art and cinema.
Urvashi Rautela recently revealed that she was asked to step down as the winner of Miss Universe in 2012 by Sushmita Sen as she did not reach the age limit. Urvashi said that while the age limit was 18, she was unaware of this criteria and won when she was 17 years old.

Urvashi told Mirchi Plus, When I won Miss Universe India for the first time in 2012, there is an age limit for Miss Universe Our boss was Donald Trump. The age limit was 18, even I didnt know that I was 17 after I won. I was 24 days short from the age limit, At this time, Donald Trump co-owned the Miss Universe organisation. Sushmita Sens company was in charge of selecting the representatives as Femina Miss India had given up its exclusive rights.

Urvashi said, Sushmita Sen told me that Urvashi, you cant go At that point, I felt like the biggest loser of my life. Urvashi added that while she questioned the age limit rule, her efforts were in vain. In 2015, when Miss Diva was in charge of selecting the Indian representative for Miss Universe, Urvashi again took part in the pageant.

However, when she went to give her audition, the other women present at the venue thought she was there as a judge due to her age. All the girls there, they did not want me to participate. And I could actually feel that because there was this entire group and I was all alone, she said. People said who gives 10th standard exams after passing 12th standard exams? But I still did it, and I still won. I am the only girl who won Miss Universe India twice, Urvashi shared.

Meanwhile, on the work front, actress Urvashi Rautela will soon be seen in a film titled JNU: Jahangir National University.
The Beatrice Middle School Hope Squad celebrated Hope Week with games and activities throughout the week.

Hope Squad is a school-based peer to peer suicide prevention program developed in Utah by Dr. Greg Hudnall. The curriculum has been researched and listed as a best practice in suicide prevention. It has been adopted by schools throughout the country.

The BMS Hope Squad was established about eight years ago.

Each year approximately 16 youth in seventh and eighth grades are nominated by their peers to be Hope Squad members. The group meets once a month for focused training facilitated by BMS staff members that have agreed to serve as trusted adults and advisors in the school.

BMS broadened Hope Squad by creating an extension group called the HOPEsters. Any student at BMS is encouraged to attend which is usually held the first Friday morning of the month during mentor time.

Hope Squad Advisor and Guidance Counselor Angie Vogel said the Hope Squad members spread hope and kindness.

We know that students are talking to each other about important topics like suicidal thoughts, but they dont always know when they need to get adult help. Hope Squads help to break down that barrier and to teach our students how and when adult help is needed. In general, they agree to spread hope and kindness throughout the school.

The Hope Squad members helped plan the weeks events with the help of the advisors.

Hope Week is dedicated to suicide prevention, mental wellness activities, and having fun throughout our whole school, Vogel said.

Activities included this year were dress up days, games in the gym, a door decorating contest, coping skills trivia, and a walk for hope outside on the track. In addition, all students were trained in QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), a nationally recognized suicide prevention program.

It's so important to highlight mental health awareness and break down the stigma that is associated with that. It was a very fun week learning more about how to take care of our mental health.

The weeks activities concluded on Friday afternoon with an assembly. BMS Delegation members performed their show Out of the Darkness and Into the Light.

As we have shared the hope during HOPE week, we know that we can help others out of their darkness and to find the light, Vogel said.
Vicky Kaushal recently appeared on Neha Dhupias talk show, No Filter Neha, and gave his fans an insight into his life. Neha Dhupia asked Vicky Kaushal about his most embarrassing web search and his answer left her in splits.

In the latest episode of No Filter Neha, Vicky Kaushal gave audiences a peek into his life and talked about his most embarrassing search history, revealing, My most embarrassing search history has been Vicky Kaushal. Randomly, when I get bored, Ill search for Vicky Kaushal, but nothing too interesting comes up. I then tell myself, I wont do this again in my life.

Vicky Kaushal often makes headlines because of his stellar acting prowess. He will next be seen in Bad Newz with Ammy Virk and Triptii Dimri. Vicky Kaushal on Monday set the internet abuzz after he teased his fans about a new project with Triptii Dimri and Ammy Virk. Then, filmmaker Karan Johar, who is backing the film with his production house, made an official announcement for the films title and shared a bundle of posters. The film titled Bad Newz is all set to hit the theatres this July.

Last year, several photos of Vicky Kaushal and Triptii Dimri went viral when they were shooting in Croatia. In the pictures, Vicky Kaushal was seen holding Triptii close as they shoot for the song. In one of the photos, the actor was also seen lifting the Animal star in his arms. The upcoming entertainer is being helmed by Bandish Bandits fame director Anand Tiwari.

Vicky Kaushal was last seen in Sam Bahadur. Apart from Bad Newz, he will also be seen in Chhava. The film is reported to be a period drama, where Kaushal will share the screen with Rashmika Mandanna. The film is expected to delve into Sambhaji Maharajs bravery, sacrifice, and wartime strategies while incorporating an emotional love story between him and his wife.
This weekend marked the end of the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra which started in Manipur in January this year. The concluding event was held at Shivaji Stadium in Mumbai amidst the leadership of the INDI alliance. The 63-day yatra was the second such outreach by the Congress, this time starting from the East to the West. However, unlike the first yatra which received attention from the media and political observers, the second yatra paled in comparison. Even though the yatra began from Thoubal in Manipur and hoped to take advantage of the recent ethnic clashes in the state, it had very little impact on the ground.

A state weary of the conflict that it had recently endured, seemed to be cautious against the politicisation of their internal matter. However, in light of the conflict, as Rahul had pitched himself as the unifier, it is noteworthy that the Meitei congressmen were asked to not attend the second half of the yatra that went through the Kuki-dominated areas. It has been reported that many Kuki organisations had made the request to drop Meitei leaders when the yatra entered Sekmai and some other reports have indicated that it was the Congress leadership itself that asked Meitei leaders not to accompany the yatra beyond the Meitei-dominated areas.

Either way, it was evident that Rahul Gandhi was incapable of bringing two warring communities together under the umbrella of the Indian National Congress (INC) and a yatra that was intended to unite Bharat.

The media coverage was limited and the yatra moved on to the rest of the Northeastern states where the reception to his road trip was, at the most, driven by curiosity rather than actual allegiance. In Mizoram, where he had visited prior to the Assembly elections held in Nov- Dec 2023, INC lost four seats and was left with only one. It must be remembered that Congress had ruled Mizoram for over 22 years since it received full statehood.

This downward spiral that the Rahul Gandhi-led INC has faced in the Northeastern states has been a free fall. There was a time when the Congress in the Northeast was in power or the principle opposition in most states of the region but today, the story is different. The INC lost Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh with a massive exodus of its MLAs and senior leaders like former Chief Minister Mukul Sangma to other parties, especially the BJP. In Nagaland, they barely have a foothold without a single MLA in the state assembly. Tripura is in the same position, where the INC is holding on to a mere 8.56 per cent of the vote share. But in Assam, where the Congress had nearly six decades to lord over its subjects, observers watched closely for some signs of life in the INC. And for a moment, there seemed to be some movement.

Videos were shared of large crowds in Dhubri, Assam. The optics seemed to be better than the sum total of the other Northeast states Gandhi had visited. But almost immediately news spread that the crowds were mobilised by Badruddin Ajmal, the sitting MP from Dhubri and President of the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), which enjoys 16 seats in the state, all of which are Muslim dominated. It was, however, not the deflection of credit to Ajmal that pointed towards an utter failure of the yatra, but the fact that hordes of Congress workers left the party.

Assam Congress Working President Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha resigned and extended support to the Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is from the BJP. Mangaldoi MLA Congressman Basanta Das also extended his support to Sarma in addition to over 150 Congress workers who joined the BJP en-masse, including senior names such as Angkita Dutta, daughter of former Assam Congress Committee President and former minister Bismita Gogoi, who went on record to say that women were not safe in the Congress after she accused state Congress leaders of passing misogynistic remarks. Dutta too, had filed a case of harassment against India Youth Congress President, Srinivas BV. Unfortunately for Dutta, she was expelled.

The rest of the yatra too was not any better. While Rahul Gandhi was in Guwahati, Congress leader from Maharashtra, Milind Deora, quit the party. In West Bengal, he did not get any support from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, his INDI alliance partner. Her reticence was a precursor to the decision to fight all the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state by herself without sharing any with the Congress. As the yatra touched Bihar, the JDU, one of the major stakeholders in the INDI alliance withdrew. The chips continued to fall as the yatra forced itself to continue, somewhere in the middle of all of this mayhem, Rahul Gandhi in his distinctive style decided to do the disappearing act.

He left the yatra midway to go to the University of Cambridge for a series of lectures, only for it to be revealed that it was not an invitation from the prestigious university but a paid commercial event in a seminar hall. Taking into account that it was an external booking, it remains a mystery, like many aspects about Rahul Gandhi and his yatra, as to why the lectures could not have been timed after the conclusion of the yatra.

However, the yatra of errors had to live up to its function. The concluding ceremony in Mumbai at Shivaji Stadium last weekend saw Rahul Gandhi end his yatra with another unsurmountable error of judgement, by pitting himself against Shakti. There is a word Shakti in Hinduism, he said. We are fighting against a Shakti. The question is, what is that Shakti. The whole country was left aghast at this hugely offensive and direct attack on the foundation of the fundamental cosmic energy in Hinduism. Shakti embodies the feminine and is the consort of Shiva. In the tradition of Shaktism, Shakti is the worship of the supreme brahmaan herself.

In one clean sweep, Rahul Gandhi set the stage and the characters for the upcoming elections, unfortunately appointing himself as the demon Mahishasura, who was defeated by the embodiment of Shakti  Goddess Durga. PM Modi immediately accepted the challenge to defeat those who oppose Shakti with Shakti, explaining that every woman in this country was an embodiment of Shakti. On the other hand, Rahul Gandhi had perhaps already forgotten the character of places and the people he had crossed in the Northeast. Many communities there are matriarchal and most women of the Northeast are known for their strength and independence. They dont take insults kindly.

The Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra was at the most a road trip that garnered little if any tangible benefits for Rahul Gandhis role as a leader. It also failed to enthuse the voters who could have been potential supporters of the Congress and the INDI alliance. However, all is not lost, the yatra did achieve something even if it wasnt for Gandhi. The yatra in 63 days reminded us that India deserves a better Opposition. This is not about comparing the optics and the mobilisation of the first yatra with the second, neither is it about Rahul Gandhi and his self-destructive nature. It is really about India deserving a better Opposition, which could compete with the ruling dispensation, and in the process strengthen democratic functioning.

But with Shakti on the firing line in the run-up to the 2024 elections, it is just as well that the Angkitas and Bismitas of Assam are not living through the 56 years of Congress rule in Assam. For them, and others like them, there is still hope.

Rami Niranjan Desai is an anthropologist and a scholar on the northeast region of India. She is a columnist and author and presently a Distinguished Fellow at India Foundation, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
The morning after Aam Aadmi Party national convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested and remained in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate, AAP had expected massive protests in front of the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in the capital. Kejriwal is AAPs fifth top leader to be arrested and the party recognises that this could be a long fight  legally and politically. However, for a seasoned protester like AAP, the response in Delhi was relatively low-key.

Party MP Sandeep Pathak explained that the protest was fine, while the ruling BJP and the central government deployed police forces, detained AAPs leaders on Thursday night itself, and put most of them under house arrest. Our protest was not an aggressive violent protest, it was a peaceful protest. We called people to come over here and wanted to speak to them. They could not digest even a peaceful protest. They barricaded every road that could lead to this place. The Metro station was shut down, buses were stopped. You have a brute police force. You can always stop people from coming here, he said.

AAP ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bhardwaj, MLA Sahiram Pahalwan, Punjab ministers Dr Balbir Singh and Harjot Bains, and other party workers were detained at the ITO crossroads where the police had erected barricades and they were taken to the Alipur police station. While being detained, Bhardwaj said to waiting reporters, We will state before the Supreme Court that Arvind Kejriwal should be allowed to meet his lawyer and family and also allowed to carry out his official work. Kejriwals family has been put under house arrest. However, it was at ITO that AAP put up its most spirited protest.

AAP activists also protested in various parts of the country, such as Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Maharashtra, etc.

In the morning, AAP had stated that no one was being allowed to meet the chief ministers family. Bhardwaj posted on social media site X: They punished the CM on a false case. What enmity does the central government have towards his old parents and children? No one is allowed to meet his family. No one can express solidarity and they would be more troubled.. However, later party colleagues were allowed to meet the CMs family.

By around 11 am, the police had already removed a small group of protesters who were carrying placards of Mein Bhi Kejriwal in front of the AAP office and detained them. Soon, the roads outside the office wore a deserted look, bereft of protesters or workers. A bunch of yellow-blue placards, the trademark soundboxes, and mikes that were put up at the AAP offices gate lay around unused. The usually buzzing office, with back-to-back press conferences and an unending supply of tea, was uncharacteristically quiet, as many of the leaders were detained, multiple barricades were put up, section 144 was imposed, and the ITO metro station was shut from 8 am till 8 pm.

This was a symbolic protest. The real protest will be when people will go to vote. The real protest will be when the house of every Delhiite, whom Kejriwal has supported, will show support through vote and that is what matters, said Pathak, adding that the police stopped most people en route. But thats not important. It is important that people will show their protest through voting.

AAPs Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia had resigned 48 hours after his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation as the Supreme Court denied him bail, along with Satyendar Jain who was arrested ten months back. Jain had not resigned immediately upon arrest. However, when the Supreme Court denied bail to Sisodia, he resigned along with Jain.

Asked whether there is such a possibility when it comes to Kejriwal, the AAPs national organisation secretary said, Arvind Kejriwal ji is going to continue to be chief minister of Delhi. The entire conspiracy that the BJP has hatched is this  they wanted to arrest Arvind Kejriwal so that someone else became the chief minister of Delhi and they could break the government and steal the government. We are not novices in politics. We would not get trapped in their design. The people of Delhi wanted Kejriwal to be the CM and continue as CM. We will run the government from jail. What is the problem?

Probed further on whether that would not lead to a constitutional crisis as an imprisoned person would not be allowed to organise meetings, sign files, etc, the AAPs election strategist replied that it was the courts responsibility to ensure that the government could run. The entire case is political, when MCC is in place and elections are around the corner, you are arresting your opposition leaders and you are expecting him to resign and put in someone else. It is a clear-cut design, conspiracy, and I would say that we will not get trapped in their design. We will fight it out, he said. It is Arvind Kejriwals AAP. We have always surprised them. They must be happy that they have arrested Arvind Kejriwal, but I will say this with full responsibility and confidence that we will emerge stronger and we will surprise them with a greater share of votes than anybody would have expected.

There is no constitutional crisis, Pathak emphasised. The day that Arvind Kejriwal became the CM of Delhi, the BJP arrested the entire government. You could not see that arrest. They tried to hamper all government work, stop everything. In a way, they tried to arrest the government and it has been imprisoned for so many years. Still, Arvind Kejriwal managed to govern Delhi better than any other state. This is what the BJP would try to create and project but we will not fall into their trap. We will not resign. Arvind Kejriwal is the CM, he will remain the CM, he said.

While the detained Punjab ministers were let off by the police after some time, AAP ministers Atishi and Bhardwaj, along with other party workers, continued to be held.

AAPs Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann reached Kejriwals residence at around 1.30 pm and met the family. Around 1.50 pm, the ED, in a cavalcade of cars, took Arvind Kejriwal to the Rouse Avenue Court, crossing the partys headquarters at 203 Rouse Avenue on the way. The chief minister looked grave and remained silent, perhaps because the court had earlier barred Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh from giving political speeches to the media. However, when a reporter asked him whether he had any message, the CM replied, Mera jeevan desh ko samarpit hai, chahe woh andar ho ya bahar ho (My life is dedicated to the nation, whether Im behind bars or free).

The hearing itself began around twenty minutes later, at about 2.20 pm. The court afterwards remanded the Delhi CM in ED custody till March 28. While the hearing was on, Mann said, If Kejriwal had to earn money, he could have done so as he was an income tax commissioner and his wife was an IRS officer. He added that Kejriwal was the prime accused of destroying the BJP.

After Kejriwal was produced in the court, people from AAP were allowed to meet him. Apart from Punjab chief minister Mann, the Speakers of the Delhi and Punjab assemblies also met Kejriwals family.

While the AAP and Kejriwal came in for sharp attacks from the BJP, which demanded the chief ministers resignation, there was a thin silver lining in the dark clouds. And that was the solidarity by opposition leaders from the INDIA bloc, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Shashi Tharoor, Sitaram Yechury, MK Stalin, Akhilesh Yadav, Mamata Banerjee, Sharad Pawar, and others. Leaders from the alliance appeared united like never before. Kejriwals arrest had stirred these leaders to come together on one issue.

INDIA front parties went to the Election Commission to protest against Kejriwals arrest on the eve of Lok Sabha polls. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee posted on X: Today, our INDIA alliance will meet the EC to express our strong objection to the deliberate targeting and arrests of opposition leaders, particularly during the MCC period. To this end, I have designated @derekobrienmp and @MdNadimulHaque6 to represent @AITCofficial in this crucial meeting with the Election Commission.

She also said, I vehemently condemn the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, the sitting elected Chief Minister of Delhi elected by the people. I have personally reached out to Smt Sunita Kejriwal to extend my unwavering support and solidarity. Its outrageous that elected opposition CMs are being deliberately targeted and arrested while individuals accused under CBI/ED investigations are allowed to continue their malpractices with impunity, especially after aligning with the BJP. This is a blatant assault on democracy.

Both Mamata Banerjee and Rahul Gandhi had spoken to the arrested CMs wife and former IRS officer Sunita Kejriwal.

AAPs founding members Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, who had later broken away from the party, rose over their personal equations and came out in support of their estranged colleague.

AAP MLAs and councillors walked to gather at the Delhi CMs Civil Lines residence in the evening to meet the chief ministers family and express solidarity.
Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on Thursday by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over allegations related to the Delhi liquor excise policy.

Kejriwals arrest came after the Delhi High Court rejected his plea for relief against potential coercive action. It is alleged that the AAP received kickbacks amounting to Rs 100 crore, which were purportedly used to fund elections in Punjab and Goa.

Kejriwal is the second sitting Chief Minister to be arrested by the central agency, following the arrest of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren on similar charges in January.

Murder of Democracy, Misuse of Probe Agencies: Opposition leaders react

On Friday, several leaders and politicians criticised his arrest, calling it a part of the Central governments crackdown on opposition figures.

West Bengals Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee strongly condemned the arrest, labelling it a targeted attack on opposition leaders while those with ties to the BJP remained untouched.

Banerjee announced that representatives from the INDIA bloc would be meeting the Election Commission to protest the arrests of opposition figures.

I vehemently condemn the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, the sitting elected Chief Minister of Delhi elected by the people. I have personally reached out to Smt Sunita Kejriwal to extend my unwavering support and solidarity. Its outrageous that while elected opposition CMs are being deliberately targeted and arrested while individuals accused under CBI/ED investigations are allowed to continue their malpractices with impunity, especially after aligning with the BJP. This is a blatant assault on democracy, Banerjee wrote in a post on X.

I vehemently condemn the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, the sitting elected Chief Minister of Delhi elected by the people. I have personally reached out to Smt Sunita Kejriwal to extend my unwavering support and solidarity. Its outrageous that while elected opposition CMs are being Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 22, 2024

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot slammed the BJP-led Centre for what he saw as the misuse of central probe agencies, stating that it was unprecedented for leaders holding constitutional posts to be arrested.

The arrest of first the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Mr @HemantSorenJMM and now the Chief Minister of Delhi, Mr @ArvindKejriwal is the pinnacle of misuse of central agencies. It is being seen for the first time in the country that leaders holding constitutional posts are being arrested, Gehlot said in a post on X in Hindi. The work of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is now limited to political sabotage, the senior Congress leader said, adding, This is democracy being murdered.

Another senior Congress leader, Digvijaya Singh, deplored Kejriwals arrest, stating that it represented an unconstitutional emergency in the country where the voices of opposition and democracy were being suppressed.

His fault was that he became an INDIA bloc partner I strongly castigate the arrest, the Rajya Sabha member told reporters.

National Conference Vice-President and former J&K CM Omar Abdullah described Kejriwals arrest as a stain on democracy, indicating a high level of nervousness within the ruling party. He affirmed his partys support for Kejriwal and the AAP.

Aisi Taisi Democracy. For all the talk of 400+ seats, the ruling dispensation is displaying a remarkable degree of nervousness. Having a sitting opposition CM arrested by a pliable central agency within days of the general elections being announced is a blot on democracy. @JKNC_ stands with @ArvindKejriwal & @AamAadmiParty, Abdullah wrote in his X post.

Aisi Taisi Democracy. For all the talk of 400+ seats, the ruling dispensation is displaying a remarkable degree of nervousness. Having a sitting opposition CM arrested by a pliable central agency within days of the general elections being announced is a blot on democracy. @JKNC_ Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) March 22, 2024

BJP Rebukes AAPs Jail Governance Assertion

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticised the Aam Aadmi Partys assertion that Kejriwal would continue to govern from jail, calling it as an insult to the law and democracy.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur questioned whether Kejriwal considered himself above the law, stating that he ignored nine summons from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and refused to join the probe.

Does he think he is above law, the Union minister asked, further adding, His decision to continue as chief minister is an insult to the people of Delhi, law and democracy, Thakur stated.

While BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra accused AAP leaders of spreading falsehoods and affirmed that those involved in corruption would face legal consequences.

(With inputs from PTI)
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals arrest from his Civil Lines residence by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) late on Thursday night has many thinking that the timing of the move can be counterproductive for the BJP, with less than a month for the Lok Sabha election to begin. However, it may instead expose fault lines within the Congress for supporting Kejriwal, given that the party had been at the forefront of raising the liquor scam.

On December 7, 1996, the ruling DMK arrested former chief minister J Jayalalithaa and sent her to prison for a month on charges of corruption in the purchase of TV sets for villagers. In 2001, she bounced back to power. On June 30, that year, the Tamil Nadu police arrested M Karunanidhi  almost as an act of revenge  in a dramatic way as police carried him out of his house at midnight. Soon, protests erupted, and the DMK came back to power in the next election. So, the implication of Kejriwals arrest resulting in a sympathy wave in Delhi and Punjab  states ruled by the AAP  and Haryana  where Kejriwal is originally fromcannot be discounted.

While one set points to the galvanisation of a fractured Opposition, the other predicts a possible political and legal challenge to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), under which Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, K Kavitha, Sanjay Singh, and Hemant Soren have been arrested by the ED. In both cases, it is the BJP that has to lose, they argue, regardless of the fact that Kejriwal has disregarded nine summons so far.

BJP insiders maintain Kejriwals stature is neither Jayalalithaas nor Karunanidhis, nor are we in the 90s, when emotions largely guided politics. The BJP also cites the successive jolts from the Delhi High Court and Supreme Court to claim that voters can see through the chief ministers facade. Kejriwal Exposed has been one of the top trends on X, where BJP-leaning handles present facts about the scam to set the narrative in the partys favour.

In early signs, it seems it may help the BJP  not just in Delhi but across India  and divide the Congress.

Maken said 100 cr scam, Pranabs daughter sees Karma

Soon after the arrest, BJP leader Amit Malviya posted a dated video from not so long ago where Congress leader Ajay Maken was seen giving a description of the liquor scam, which is worth at least Rs 100 crore and involves kickbacks. He added that the money trail has been established, demanding Kejriwal step down.

After Rahul Gandhis open support for Kejriwal, where he spoke to the chief ministers family and offered legal help, Maken retweeted Gandhis post condemning Kejriwals arrest but desisted from posting any condemnation himself or giving any press statements. When Manish Sisodia was arrested, Maken had alleged that Kejriwal used the ill-gotten money from a liquor scam against the Congress in the Goa election, which is what Congress leaders supporting Kejriwal need to understand.

While no longer an active member of the party, former President Pranab Mukherjees daughter, Sharmishtha Mukherjee, reminded how Kejriwal, before the launch of his political career, was responsible for making the most irresponsible, baseless & wild allegations against Congress, including Sheila Dikshit, and added, Karma catches up. Before the launch of AAP, India Against Corruption (IAC) activists had thrown slippers at then Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit, infuriating many.

Former Congress media coordinator Rachit Seth, who stepped down from his position in 2019 and has in the past worked with senior party leaders like former PM Dr Manmohan Singh, too, hit out at the chief minister. Dont forget, this is the same Arvind Kejriwal who made vile allegations of corruption against Dr Manmohan Singh ji, he said. Before their political launch, IAC activists, many of whom later joined AAP, threw coal blocks inside 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, alleging Dr Singhs involvement in the coal scam.

Division not just limited to Delhi

The division within Congress isnt just limited to the national capital. In Punjab, the AAP has run a high-decibel, anti-Congress campaign since the 2017 assembly polls, followed by the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Mehtab Singh Khaira is the son of Congressman and former Leader of Opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira. Reminding of Kejriwals reaction when his father was illegally arrested, Khaira Junior said, Arvind Kejriwal said we have arrested a drug smuggler. Kejriwals arrest by the ED is justice.

Sohom Banerjee, former state secretary of the West Bengal Congress, too termed Kejriwals arrest as justice. He took to social media to say: You can all crib or cry, but I can never support a man whos a product of RSS, mini Sanghi and who wanted to arrest Shiela Dixit ji and wanted Sonia Gandhi in Jail. I can never support Arvind Kejriwal. Banerjee was referring to Kejriwals dare in 2016 when he asked the reason for the delay in arresting Sonia Gandhi in the Augusta Westland Scam.

Chasing the larger issue?

Congress leader Sandip Dikshit, son of Sheila Dikshit, reached outside the CMs house on Thursday to show solidarity with AAP. Had you (agencies) come in the morning, one would understand. Is it the way you come at one or two in the night and then arrest someone? he asked. The tone of protest was subdued in comparison to that of Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi. Kejriwal had an acrimonious relationship with Dikshits mother, whom the chief minister repeatedly called corrupt and promised to throw in jail. He ended Sheila Dikshits political career by defeating her in the 2013 Delhi assembly election.

While Pawan Khera too objected to Kejriwals arrest, he clubbed it along with the freezing of Congress accounts and the arrest of Hemant Soren  making it part of a larger issue.

Khera served as the personal secretary of Sheila Dikshit for a long time and hadnt taken too kindly to Kejriwals diatribe against the then chief minister. He, too, has raised the liquor scam issue in the past. In fact, in March last year, Khera took credit for the probe into the scam on behalf of the Congress, claiming they forced the Centre to act.

None of these voices are happy to stand by Arvind Kejriwal today as the ED grills him.

BJP leader Kapil Mishra was one of the founding members of the AAP and was sacked for raising his voice against irregularities in the Delhi Jal Board. Calling it a day of happiness for so many IAC volunteers who left their jobs to join this movement, believing Kejriwal, he denies that the arrest will boomerang politically. The way the Delhi High Court took a stand on Thursday and how the Supreme Court has taken a strong stand on multiple occasions, denying bail to top leaders, including Manish Sisodia, sends a clear message that they committed a crime and justice must be done.
Willie James Pye, aged 59 and living in Georgia, is the first person to be executed in the state since January 2020.

As per a statement from the Georgia Department of Corrections, Pye was found guilty of murdering his ex-girlfriend, Alicia Lynn Yarbrough, back in November 1993. He received a lethal injection at 11:03 pm on Wednesday. This marks the first execution in Georgia in over four years.

Pyes legal representatives submitted a last-minute plea to the U.S. Supreme Court to stop the execution, citing procedural deficiencies and contending that the state had not met the prerequisites for resuming executions post-COVID-19. But the appeal was dismissed.

His legal team claimed that brain damage, possibly due to fetal alcohol syndrome, has left him intellectually disabled, impacting his planning and impulse control. Individuals with such disabilities are exempt from execution. But the Georgia Parole Board dismissed these claims on Tuesday and refused to release him.

Lori Benoit, spokesperson for the Department of Corrections, told Pye was visited by six family members, a clergy member and an attorney. He requested chicken sandwiches and cheeseburgers as his last meal.

An individual was spotted protesting against the death penalty outside Jackson Prison. Holding a sign that read DONT KILL Willie Pye and his image, the protester grabbed the attention of passing drivers.

Pye, previously involved with Yarbrough, who was living with another man, allegedly planned a robbery with Chester Adams and a 15-year-old accomplice. They obtained a gun, attended a nearby party and then headed to Yarbroughs home after midnight. Finding her alone with her baby, they broke in, stole her jewellery and forced her to leave the infant behind.

According to prosecutors, the group took Yarbrough to a motel, where they attacked her. They then drove her away in a car. Eventually, they stopped on a dirt road where Pye instructed Yarbrough to exit the vehicle and lie face down. Subsequently, Pye allegedly shot her three times, as detailed in court documents.

Yarbroughs body was found on November 17, 1993, not long after she died. The police quickly caught Pye, Adams and the teenager. Even though Pye and Adams said they didnt know what happened to Yarbrough, the teenager admitted to the crime and said they were all involved.

The teenager reached an agreement with prosecutors and became the key witness during Pyes trial. In June 1996, a jury determined Pye guilty of murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, rape and burglary. As a result, he received a death sentence.
In recent weeks, global attention has been keenly focused on the whereabouts of Princess Kate following her last public appearance during the Christmas season of the previous year. Notably, Kate Middleton has been noticeably absent from public engagements since undergoing abdominal surgery, as confirmed by Kensington Palace. The palace further indicated that her return to royal duties is not expected until Easter. This departure from her usual active presence has raised eyebrows worldwide, given her esteemed position as a steadfast member of the royal family.

Amid all the speculations, a report now suggests that the Princess of Wales is presently working from home while being in post-surgery recovery mode.

According to a New York Post report, the palace has confirmed that Kate has shifted all her focus on her early years project towards improving the lives of newborn babies. Earlier, it was reported that she would start working at the start of February; however, sources close to the family now claim that Middleton is working from bed to prepare before returning to official duties.

She has been very hands-on with the campaign for the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood (RFCEC) project which has yielded overwhelmingly positive, the palace adds.

The project was launched by the princess in January this year to highlight the importance of early years development in children, which has now become her lifes work during her recovery process.

Speculations around Kate Middletons public absence

A lot of speculations and theories have been made following Kate Middletons extended absence from public appearances.

Recently, a video of Kate Middleton and her husband Prince William went viral, showing the duo coming out of a farmers shop. However, the internet seemed quite unconvinced with many even claiming that the woman in the video was someone else and not the princess.

Apart from that, a poorly edited Mothers Day picture from the palace also added more to the theories.

Kensington Palace refuses to release Kate Middletons original Mothers Day photo after botched release https://t.co/cZeKvoFIk4 pic.twitter.com/oIXhXpZMyg New York Post (@nypost) March 11, 2024

Earlier this week, three staff members from a London-based clinic (where Middleton underwent surgery) were put under investigation for an alleged data breach. While the princess is believed to remain at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, she is not expected to return to her public duties until after Easter, which falls on 31 March 2024.
We often come across several inspirational stories on social media, ranging from people battling illness to overcoming poverty. These stirring tales of real life heroes have a great influence on our mindsets. Now, a story of a teacher and her student is doing the rounds on the internet. This tale has yet again proved that teachers play a vital role in shaping the lives of children. They are the most impactful guiding force in every individuals life.

Recently, a teacher shared a touching journey of her former student on X (Formerly Twitter), tracing her transformation over the span of 13 years. In her series of posts, X user Revs shared Alishas story from being one of the naughtiest kids in her class to a special needs teacher.

Revs dropped two pictures featuring herself and Alisha. Alisha had a reputation for her fiery personality and impatience. Speaking about her, Revs mentioned, Other teachers in school warned me about Alisha. She was a fire brand. Revs further wrote, She was her own boss. Doing what she wanted to do when she wanted to do it. Revs said she used to spend her entire time thinking about Alishas future, wondering if she would find purpose in education. She wondered if she could do something to help her better the circumstances of her life.

Check The Post Here:

There is a gap of 13 years between the two pics.Alisha used to be one of the naughtiest kids in my class. Legend has it that she broke a few teeth of another child in my class because he was annoying her. The other teachers in school warned me about Alisha. She was a fire brand pic.twitter.com/dystYVPthv Revs  (@Full_Meals) March 21, 2024

Two years after Revs fellowship ended at an organisation, she received an essay from a teacher from the organisation written by Alisha on the topic Which person do you admire the most. The letter deeply moved her, as Alisha wrote about Revs in her essay. Revs said she was distressed thinking whether Alisha would overcome the challenges she faced at home.

As the years passed, Alisha got enrolled in college during the pandemic, feeling lost and uncertain about her path. In 2024, Alisha became a teacher in Mumbais school, specialising in working with children with special needs.

When asked why she chose teaching, especially with special-needs children, Alisha credited Revs for believing in her. Alisha expressed her desire to support children deemed naughty and underestimated by others.

Alisha told Revs, Didi, Ive always wanted to be a teacher like you, and Ive always wanted to be a teacher for kids who everyone thought were naughty and not capable of doing anything. You believed in me and loved me and didnt treat me like a nuisance.

Revs, in her X post, said when she chose to become a teacher in 2011, she didnt think of all the amazing, profound and meaningful ways in which it would change her life. The deep love, compassion, and forgiveness I received from the children I taught, their parents, and the many ways in which it fundamentally changed me as a person, Revs wrote.
Japan is a country of unique experiences that blends culture with cutting-edge technology including innovative products. If youre planning to visit the nation and looking for a fun hot spring experience, Hakone Kowakien Yunessun is definitely worth considering. Just be prepared to embrace the unusual and have some fun! This place is perfect for wine lovers who dream of taking a dip in a pool filled with the beverage. Yes, we arent kidding.

At the Hakone Kowakien Yunessun, relax in a luxurious red wine bath located in Hakone. While not exactly a pool of drinkable wine, visitors can take baths in the red wine hot spring, which is said to have beautifying properties for the skin. According to the Japan National Tourism Organisation, The wine bath features an enormous 3.6-metre-tall bottle. One may also get a chance to experience a special wine show in which staff members spray bathers with a bottle of Yunessun wine.

Tourists can also opt for a variety of themed baths, including coffee, Japanese sake, and green tea. The experience has the potential to soothe and beautify your skin, the Japan National Tourism Organisation claims.

Recently, an Instagram user shared some glimpses of this amusement park, Hakone Kowakien Yunessun. In the said video, the vlogger is seen experiencing a red wine bath and a green tea bath. In addition to that, she shared that the park also offers water slides, making them a fun destination for families and groups. Posting the clip, the vlogger wrote that this amusement park offers unique baths with wine, sake, green tea, and chocolate that guests can enjoy in swimwear. She also mentioned that theres even an outdoor pool inside a cave, which is super kid-friendly.

Have a look at the video below:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by MOROKOVancouver foodie/Japan finds/Pusheen hunter (@morokokoko)

The video was a hit online, and within a few days of being shared, it had pulled in more than 1 million views. Social media users were fascinated by the concept and expressed their willingness to try it out. Some users who have already been to the place shared that they had a fun time in the theme park, while others wondered if visitors took a sip of the wine. There were a few who voiced the possible health concerns of the Fish Foot Spa and the purity of the wine and sake pools.

I didnt think that place was real, lol. I saw it in an anime, commented a user.

An individual wrote, This is so cool! I wonder if anyone has ever taken a sip of the wine or sake.

Ive been here before. They didnt have sake or chocolate when I went there. But overall, it was still a nice experience. I walked a bit further, past the outdoor slide, and arrived at the outdoor pool, kind of thing (just follow the signs), where you can enjoy the mountain view. Worth it, shared a user.

An account remarked, I went there during winter! It was a cool experience.

Wow, they made my dream of swimming in wine a reality, expressed another.

An Instagram user posted, Hahaha what a cool experience! It looks so much fun; now I dream of visiting this place!

Everything sounds awesome, and the wine bath is crazynot sure how I feel about it, added another.

Isnt it a unique experience?
Caroline Meister, a 30-year-old woman residing in Northern California, USA, has been reported missing since Monday. Meister embarked on a hike at 10 a.m. on March 18, departing from her workplace at the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center in Carmel Valley. She informed her colleagues that she planned to follow a hiking route that would lead her back to the Zen Center. Concern arose when Meister did not return as expected, prompting her colleagues to report her missing at 11:30 p.m. on the same day. The Monterey County Sheriffs Office has noted that Meister had only brought snacks for the day and was not prepared for an overnight stay.

Heather Larusso, the director of the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, told KSBW8, We really dont know what happened, so everything is just speculation. All we know is that she was going on a simple hike, and she has yet to return from that hike. The Tassajara Zen Mountain Center is located at the edge of the Ventana Wilderness. It is a Japanese Buddhist Zen monastery established in 1967. Caroline has been working there for the last year and a half.

KSBW8 spoke to Carolines parents on Wednesday. They are hopeful that their daughter will be found well. John Meister, Carolines father told the local news station that, Caroline is familiar with the area and is an avid hiker. Her mother, Jean Meister said, She is very strong and resilient and we have great faith shes doing whatever she can to stay safe.

Heather Larusso also shared an optimistic outlook and said, Im not thinking of the worst-case scenario. Im thinking about the best-case scenario which is that well find her, and shell be alright. Well be able to welcome her back take care of her, and give her a lot of hugs and love.

Monterey County Sheriffs Office has requested hikers who plan to take the hike around the area to look out for Caroline. Monterey County Sheriffs Office spokesperson Andres Rosas said, Were hoping that somebody saw her. If anybody saw her, we want to know where you saw her, when you saw her. We want to find her and make sure that shes OK.

Caroline is 5-foot-6 inches tall and weighs 68 kilograms. She has long brown hair that was tied back when she went for the hike. She was wearing teal boots and carried a blue bag.
The Mayors Prayer Breakfast will be held on Wednesday, March 27 at the Holiday Inn in Beatrice.

Breakfast will be served starting at 6 a.m. by Colleens Catering. The program will begin at 7 a.m. with Mayor Bob Morgan serving as the emcee and Pastor Josh Janzen of First Mennonite Church offering the prayer.

University of Nebraska Medical Center Chancellor Dr. Jeff Gold is scheduled to be the keynote speaker for the program. Earlier this week, it was announced that Gold was a priority candidate for the University of Nebraska president.

Organizer Gary Barnard said he wanted to bring the tradition of the breakfast back.

I had gone to them for a number of years and always really enjoyed them, he said. We hadn't been able to have the event for a while, but earlier this year Mayor Bob Morgan said he would participate if there was interest. Ted Fairbanks and Terry Doyle are also helping organize the breakfast.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door or at the city offices prior to the event.
American travel influencer Tara Katims has come under fire for promoting a controversial tour during her recent visit to India. Katims shared a video with her followers showing how to spend 72 hours in Mumbai. While her itinerary included iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal and the backwaters of Kerala, along with attending Pilates class, going clubbing and a cooking lesson, it was her trip to the Dharavi slum in Mumbai that left social media users outraged. Dharavi is known as one of the worlds largest slums. After the snippet of her exploration went viral, many accused her for exploiting poverty for tourism and glamorising the struggles of those living in the slums. Meanwhile, these slum tours are common, organised by locals, who charge something from Rs 700 to Rs 1000.

In a TikTok video circulating on X (Formerly Twitter), Katims trip begins by visiting Delhi but expresses disappointment, claiming the city is polluted and there are safety concerns. She highlights that there are emergency buttons in taxis due to harassment risks. Despite this, she suggests that living in South Delhi is safer and praises the affordability of custom clothing. The video then features her trips to Agra and Kerala. In the final seconds of the clip, Katims discusses her tour of the slums in Mumbai, praising the hosts and claiming that it was the best way to learn about the city. However, despite her appreciation, social media users criticised her for focusing on the countrys poorer side rather than exploring more developed areas that are often overlooked.

im sorry did this woman just say that she went on a slums tour ????? pic.twitter.com/aYyFwUOluI kp (@earthlykisssed) March 16, 2024

A user expressed frustration and criticised the western tourist for their obsession with poverty in India.

whites and their obsession with poverty in india prags. (@OyyeHoyyeBasket) March 16, 2024

Another highlighted the various realities of India and claimed that while there are poor, there are also developed areas.

Really thats all you have to showcase about India?Yes there overload of everything, culture, growth, garbage.You find extremes everywhere, extreme developed cities and extreme mismanagement as well.But you know therere two sides of coin for this developing and growing nation Sarabjit (@Sarabjit_cse) March 20, 2024

An individual pointed out that while there are slums in Mumbai, they do not represent the whole country, as theyre in minority.

ohh God Im so fed up with white peoples obsession to show poverty in India.and a small portion of people in mumbai live in slums, not most people. get your facts right pls baz (@daltadkaparcel) March 21, 2024

A user criticising the influencer, questioned the motivation behind seeking fame through showing poverty and people living in slums dont need their support.

Shame on you. Why dont you mention how British and other colonial people looted country so badly and responsible for such situation. Why you want a fame for filming or watching poorness of people. They are happy with their life they dont want attention from heartless people Sujit (@sujitsgawand) March 21, 2024

Reportedly, in a separate video, Tara Katims defended her decision to take the slum tour and explained that the tour operators intention was to challenge the negativity associated with growing up in the slums. She claimed that individuals from these areas often face discrimination during employment and according to the influencer; the profits generated from the tours are given to the community. Katims argued that while many visitors may choose to focus on the picturesque locations of India, its important to see the reality of how some people in Mumbai live.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has initiated a criminal probe into the incident involving a door panel blowout on an Alaska Airlines flight, which occurred at 16,000 feet.

In a letter sent on Tuesday, the FBIs Seattle bureau confirmed the initiation of a criminal investigation into the January 5 incident involving the Boeing 737 MAX flight, the New York Post reported. The letter directed the 171 passengers to register through the departments Victim Notification System to receive updates on the case.

Alaska Flight Victims

Acknowledging the potential complexity of criminal investigations, the letter, according to the Seattle Times, stated that updates on progress couldnt be provided at the time. The FBI anticipates several potential victims and has established an email address for Alaska Flight Victims to facilitate contact with the agency.

Mark Lindquist, an attorney representing some passengers intending to sue Boeing and Alaska Airlines, said that the letter was encouraging as it validated their belief that the incident was serious and should not have occurred. Boeing declined to comment, while Alaska Airlines asserted its full cooperation with the Department of Justice investigation.

US federal investigators revealed that four bolts intended to secure the door plug were missing when the plane left Boeings assembly plant last year. The Federal Aviation Administration discovered numerous issues in Boeings 737 MAX production process following the incident, including unorthodox methods used by mechanics at a key supplier to test compliance.

Boeing failed 33 out of 89 product audits, resulting in 97 counts of alleged noncompliance, according to US media reports. Consequently, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) launched a criminal investigation to determine if Boeing complied with a $2.5 billion settlement in 2021 following investigations into fatal flights involving its Max 737 planes in 2018 and 2019, which claimed 346 lives.

The DOJ officials have interviewed multiple witnesses, including the pilot and crew members, and issued subpoenas to the company. A grand jury has been convened in Seattle as part of the investigation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made history on Friday by becoming the first foreign Head of Government to be bestowed with Bhutans highest civilian honour, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo. Modi was awarded by the King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, during his state visit to the country.

This honour is not my personal achievement, it is the honour of India and 140 crore Indians. I humbly accept this honour on behalf of all Indians in this great land of Bhutan and thank you all from the bottom of my heart for this honour, the Prime Minister said at a public award ceremony at the Tendrelthang, Thimphu.

PM Modi further expressed gratitude to the King of Bhutan in an X post for presenting the award. I dedicate it to the 140 crore people of India. I am also confident that India-Bhutan relations will keep growing and benefit our citizens, the prime minister wrote on microblogging site X.

It is with great humility that I accept the Order of the Druk Gyalpo. I am grateful to HM the King of Bhutan for presenting the Award. I dedicate it to the 140 crore people of India. I am also confident that India-Bhutan relations will keep growing and benefit our citizens. pic.twitter.com/bDtKZJsS7X Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 22, 2024

Bond of Friendship Between India-Bhutan Strengthened: EAM Jaishankar

Congratulating PM Modi on being conferred Bhutans highest civilian decoration, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that this decision strengthens the India-Bhutan bonds of friendship and celebrates the exceptional ties between the two countries. That PM Modi is the first foreign leader to be conferred this high distinction is a reflection both of his personal stature and our unique relationship, Jaishankar said in a post on X.

Honoured to be conferred with Order of the Druk Gyalpo Award by Bhutan. I dedicate it to 140 crore Indians. https://t.co/gNa7YlcFfG Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 22, 2024

Special Gestures For Modi

Modi arrived in Paro today on a State Visit to Bhutan from March 22-23. The visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan and the Governments emphasis on its Neighbourhood First Policy. Prime Minister was warmly received by Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay at Paro airport and accorded a ceremonial welcome.

For the first time in history, an Indian Prime Minister is being hosted for a private dinner by the King of Bhutan. The exclusive event is taking place at the K5 Residence in the majestic Lingkana Palace. Earlier today, PM Modi became the first foreign national to be given the countrys highest award. As per ranking and precedence established, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo was instituted as the decoration for lifetime achievement and is the pinnacle of the honor system in Bhutan, taking precedence over all orders, decorations and medals.

First Foreign Leader

Since its institution, the award has been conferred upon only four eminent personalities. PM Modi is the first foreign Head of Government to receive Bhutans highest civilian honour. Previous recipients of the award include Royal Queen Grandmother Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck in 2008; Je Thrizur Tenzin Dendup (68th Je Khenpo of Bhutan) in 2008 and Je Khenpo Trulku Ngawang Jigme Choedra in 2018. Je Khenpo is the Chief Abbot of the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan.

This award was first announced in December 2021 during Bhutans National Day. Narendra Modi is an outstanding embodiment of national, regional, and global leadership. Under him, India has become the fastest growing economy in the world and will be the third largest economy by 2030, a citation on the award conferred to PM reads.

Read More: Bhutan Confers Its Highest Civilian Decoration Order of the Druk Gyalpo on PM Modi

Modis leadership

Prime Minister Modi has emerged as a figure of destiny, transforming the ancient civilization of India into a dynamic centre of technology and innovation. His commitment to safeguard the environment and invest in renewable energy makes Indias progress truly well rounded. Prime Minister Modis leadership has set India on the path of transformation, and Indias moral authority and global influence have grown, it added.

The citation further states that PM Modis Neighbourhood First policy has strengthened South Asia, and paved the way for collective progress. Bhutan is honoured that a statesman of such stature is a true friend of the Bhutanese people. Prime Minister Modi is a firm supporter of Bhutans national vision to achieve self-reliance and become a developed nation. Bhutan-India relations is exemplary among nations.

(With inputs from Shailendra Wangu)
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, in a recent interview, appeared to soften his tone, when he asserted that India will remain his countrys closest ally and urged New Delhi to provide debt relief to the archipelago.

On Thursday, Muizzu, previously known for his anti-India stance, said New Delhi was instrumental in providing aid to Male and has implemented the greatest number of projects, local news portal Edition.mv reported. India will continue to remain the Maldives closest ally, he said, stressing that there was no question about it.

The Maldivian leaders comments in his first interview with the local media since assuming office came after the first batch of Indian military personnel left the island nation this month as planned. He had demanded that all 88 military personnel, manning the three Indian aviation platforms, should leave the country. Since he took office as president in November last year, the pro-China Maldivian leader has pursued a hardline stance towards India, even as the Maldives owed approximately USD 400.9 million to India by the end of last year.

Accommodate debt relief

In the interview, Muizzu urged India to accommodate debt relief measures for the Maldives in the repayment of the hefty loans taken over consecutive governments. The conditions we have inherited are such that there are very large loans taken from India. Hence, we are holding discussions to explore leniencies in the repayment structure of these loans. Instead of halting any ongoing projects  to proceed with them at speed, so I see no reason for any adverse effects (on Maldives-India relations), Muizzu added.

Muizzus conciliatory remarks towards India came ahead of Parliament elections in Maldives slated in mid-April. He said Maldives has taken significant loans from India, which are heftier than can be borne by the Maldivian economy. Due to this, he is currently discussing with the Indian government to explore options to repay the loans to the best of the Maldives economic capabilities, the news portal said quoting him.

Muizzu, who expressed hope that India would facilitate debt relief measures in the repayment of these loans, also said that he has conveyed his appreciation to the Indian government for their contributions. During the previous regime, headed by pro-India leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solihs administration, the total amount of loans taken from the Export and Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) stood at USD 1.4 million (MVR 22 million). Together with this, the amount owed by Maldives to India by the end of last year stood at MVR 6.2 billion, he said.

Did not intend to halt any projects

I also conveyed to Prime Minister Modi during our meeting that I did not intend to halt any ongoing projects. Instead, I expressed my desire to strengthen and expedite them he said, referring to his discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Dubai on the sidelines of the COP28 summit in Dubai in December 2023. I suggested a high-level committee be established, one designed for quick decision-making even in the bridge project to ensure speedy work. The same for the Hanimaadhoo Airport, he added.

Read More: Batch of Indian Troops Leave Maldives After Arrival of Civilian Staff: Report

Answering a question about Indian military personnel, Muizzu termed it as the only matter of contention that arose with India about the presence of Indian military in the Maldives and added that India, too, had accepted the fact and agreed to withdraw the military personnel. It is not nice to dismiss or disregard aid from one country to another as useless, he said and claimed that he had not taken any action or made any statements that may strain the relationship between the two countries. Even if they are troops of some other country, we will deal with them in the same manner. I have said so very clearly. It is nothing personal but rather a matter of our national security, he added.

Read More: Maldives Wont Renew Hydrographic Survey Pact with India, Says Atoll-Nation Will Conduct Study by Itself

Amid his tenuous ties with India, Muizzu had pursued an obvious pro-China policy starting with his January visit to Beijing. During his China visit, he signed a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership besides signing 20 agreements to assist Maldives infrastructure after his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

China also announced a USD 130 million grant besides promising to send more Chinese tourists to the tourism-dependent Maldives. After his return from China, Muizzu, without naming any country, said Maldives may be a small country, but that is not a license for anybody to bully us. Muizzu also terminated a hydrography agreement with India and has been claiming that the Indian Ocean does not belong to any particular country.

(With agency inputs)
Migrant TikToker and Venezuelan national Leonel Moreno, who has a 500,000-strong online following, offers tips on how to invade unoccupied homes and invoke squatters rights in the United States through his TikTok videos.

Illegals are taking America over one house at a time now. Leonel Moreno, a Venezuelan national known as @leitooficial_25 on TikTok and Instagram, residing in a Columbus, Ohio suburb, recently explained in a video that according to US law, if a house is not inhabited, we can pic.twitter.com/L8EatZM3Pp nycphotog (@nycphotog) March 21, 2024

Many have said that the Venezuelan migrants, who is a resident of Columbus, Ohio, call to other illegal migrants to misuse American laws to take advantage of tax benefits and invoke adverse possession laws, commonly known as squatters rights, is problematic.

In one of his videos, shared on TikTok, he claimed his African friends have already taken about seven homes.

He urges others to take advantage of squatters rights and which allow unlawful property occupants rights over the property they occupy without the owners consent, in certain circumstances, according to a report by the New York Post. In many of his videos, he tells migrants if a house is not inhabited, we can seize it under US law.

You came to the United States to work, and I came to vacation, look at the difference. You and I didnt come with the same purpose. You came to the United States to pay the taxes that you didnt pay in Venezuela, he says in one of his videos.

I confess that I dont like to work because it gives me allergies. You work, I dont, but in the end, neither of us have money. They keep criticising us because I live off of taxes that you pay monthly, he says in another video.

His recent video where he extends support to 15-year-old Jesus Alejandro Rivas-Figueroa, who was charged as an adult with attempted murder for allegedly shooting a tourist in Times Square and firing on cops.

I invite you to look for [his] mother and all of us join to pay the bail, so that this young Venezuelan feels that youre not alone in difficult times, but remembers that there is a God up there who sees. Today it could be him, tomorrow it could be youHe did something wrong, its okay, he said in a TikTok, which went viral.

Many social media users have called for his arrest and Daniel Di Martino, a Venezuelan migrant himself who is now an US citizen and is a fellow at the Manhattan Institute.

Hes just one of many who are ripping off the taxpayer because of our own badly written laws that allow them to collect some welfare and take years to decide asylum cases that likely will be denied, Di Martino was quoted as saying by the New York Post.

Columnist Kirsten Fleming pointed out that Moreno also threatens US President Joe Biden, whom he calls mi papa, that he will mobilise voters away from him in November if TikTok is banned in the US.

The migrant crisis affecting the southern states of the US has become a national issue and has led to clashes between the Democrats and the Republicans in the US Congress as well state legislatures.

Democrat-led cities including New York City, Atlanta and Los Angeles are also highlighting issues with rising numbers of illegal immigrants.
A sessions court in Pakistans most populous region has sentenced a 40-year-old woman to life in prison after finding her guilty of burning pages of the Quran. Asia Bibi, a resident of the Bedian Road area of Lahore, was arrested in 2021 on a complaint by a man of her locality who accused her of burning a copy of Islams holy book outside her house.

She was subsequently booked under the stringent blasphemy laws of the country, the Dawn newspaper reported. Her counsel, advocate Sarmad Ali, pointed out fundamental flaws in the case against Asia saying she did not commit any blasphemy and she was implicated wrongfully by her neighbour to settle a personal score.

Notably, there have been glaring contradictions in the statements of the prosecution witnesses, he said, and questioned as to why the principal complainant was replaced by a police officer who was not a witness to the incident. Prosecutor Mohazib Awais, however, said Asia was caught red-handed while burning a copy of the Quran which was also recovered from the spot.

Sessions court judge Imran Sheikh announced the verdict observing that the prosecution has established its case beyond any shadow of a doubt. Sarmad Ali said Asia Bibi will challenge the verdict in the Lahore High Court and expressed hope to get relief from the higher judiciary.

This incident comes a few days after two Pakistani women were sentenced to death for murdering their madrassa teacher who they accused of committing blasphemy. Blasphemy is an incendiary charge in Muslim-majority Pakistan, where even unproven allegations of insulting Islam have provoked deadly vigilantism

(With agency inputs)
Pakistan recently carried out two air strikes in Afghanistan, killing five women and three children. In response, the Taliban on Monday said it fired heavy weapons at Pakistani forces along the border in retaliation.

The neighbouring countries have traded blame over who is responsible for a recent spate of Islamist militant attacks in Pakistan. Islamabad said the March 16 suicide attack on a Pakistani military post in North Waziristan was launched from Afghan soil. Meanwhile, Afghanistans ruling Taliban denies this.

The Pakistani foreign office, in a statement, said it had carried out intelligence-based anti-terrorist operations in the border regions inside Afghanistan. It added the strikes targeted members of the Hafiz Gulf Bahadur, announcing the return of a familiar militant group to the forefront.

Who is Hafiz Gul Bahadur?

What is being seen as a shift from being hailed as the good Taliban to being labeled as the bad Taliban, the Bahadur outfit has recently been involved in terror attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwas southern region, raising questions about the groups position within countrys militant landscape dominated by the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Bahadur, a prominent figure from the Mada Khel clan of the Uthmanzai Wazir tribe in North Waziristan, has a complex history intertwined with the regions militant activities, according to a Dawn report. Initially aligning with the US in the war on terror post-2001, Bahadur provided refuge to militants fleeing Afghanistan into Pakistans tribal areas, the report.

Despite entering into a peace agreement with the Pakistani government in 2006, Bahadur maintained ties with the Afghan Taliban, operating a suicide training camp for the Afghan insurgency. According to the Pak newspaper, his reluctance to join the TTP stemmed from a focus on the Afghan insurgency rather than activities within Pakistan, as well as concerns about divisions among local Taliban groups and ideological differences.

Links to Haqqani Network, Al Qaeda

Bahadurs group has benefited from support from influential groups like the Haqqani Network, Al Qaeda, and the TTP, receiving crucial resources and operational freedom due to the tribal makeup of the region. The groups transformation from good to bad Taliban was marked by the end of the peace agreement in 2014, following a major military offensive in North Waziristan. The indiscriminate tactics employed during the operation, including the killing of Bahadurs relatives and displacement of their families, fueled his anti-government stance, according to Dawn.

Recent developments indicate a potential shift in Bahadurs groups focus towards Pakistan, with collaborations with the TTP being reported. The TTPs aim to become the leading jihadist force in Pakistan has led to mergers with various factions, including Bahadurs group. Talks of a unified platform between the TTP and Bahadurs group have raised concerns about the security situation in south Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the challenges it poses to security forces.

Bahadurs groups evolution from a cooperative entity to an adversarial force within Pakistans militant landscape reflects the intricate dynamics of the regions militant activities and the shifting alliances among different groups. The recent developments hint at a potential collaboration between Bahadurs faction and the TTP, posing new challenges to security forces and raising concerns about the security situation in the region.

(With agency inputs)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Bhutan on Friday for a two-day visit. Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay received PM Modi as he landed at the Paro Airport and addressed him as his elder brother in a tweet marking the Prime Ministers visit as well as warm ties between India and Bhutan.

Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay received PM Modi as he landed at the Paro Airport and addressed him as his elder brother in a tweet marking the Prime Ministers visit as well as warm ties between India and Bhutan.

Welcome to Bhutan, my elder brother, PM Narendra Modi ji," Tobgay said in a post on social media site X as he received the Prime Minister and also shared a glimpse of the preparations being made to welcome Modi to the Himalayan kingdom.

On the way to Bhutan, where I will be attending various programmes aimed at further cementing the India-Bhutan partnership. I look forward to talks with Majesty the King of Bhutan, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay," PM Modi said before his departure.

On the way to Bhutan, where I will be attending various programmes aimed at further cementing the India-Bhutan partnership. I look forward to talks with Majesty the King of Bhutan, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and Prime Minister @tsheringtobgay. pic.twitter.com/tMsYNBuFNQ Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 22, 2024

He was initially expected to visit the neighbouring nation on Thursday but postponed his visit due to inclement weather. A report by The Hindu said he is due to receive Bhutans highest civilian award, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo. Modi will also inaugurate the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital in Thimphu, a state-of-the-art hospital, built with the assistance of the Government of India in Thimphu, news agency PTI said in a report.

The report said that Bhutans King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck will present the award to PM Modi to appreciate his efforts towards strengthening India-Bhutan ties and also for providing the first round of 500,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines in 2021.

The PMs visit comes after Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgays visit to Delhi. The report by The Hindu pointed out that it is unusual that the visit comes a week after Tobgays visit to Delhi but the trip is aimed to show Indias commitment to Bhutan and to the governments neighbourhood first" policy.

He will receive a ceremonial welcome at the Tashichhodzong complex and will also have an audience with the Bhutanese king. He will also exchange signed MoUs with Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay on cooperation on energy conservation and food safety standards.

Ahead of Modis visit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a statement also said that India and Bhutan share a unique and enduring partnership which is rooted in mutual trust, understanding and goodwill".

The visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan and the governments emphasis on its Neighbourhood First Policy," the MEA said.

India and Bhutan share a unique and enduring partnership which is rooted in mutual trust, understanding and goodwill. Our shared spiritual heritage and warm people to people ties add depth and vibrancy to our exceptional relations," the ministry said.

The visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to"exchange views on bilateral and regional matters of interest and deliberate on ways to expand and intensify our exemplary partnership for the benefit of our people", the statement added.
Reports from central Intelligence agencies over the past few months have indicated that Pro-Khalistan Entities (PKEs) are grappling with a leadership vacuum and are in the process of cultivating a fresh leadership cadre. Top sources quoting a recent analysis done by a central agency said that meetings to identify potential leaders for anti-India activities across various countries have been held multiple times with the expectation that apart from declared terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, new faces will emerge to spearhead operations in different countries.

Recent events have revealed a fragmentation within PKEs, as only a fraction of supporters agreed to stage violent protests during a recent gathering outside a venue visited by Indian diplomats, citing the absence of strong leadership. Sources also said that additionally, Pakistan-backed terror groups are intensifying efforts to recruit individuals to advance the Khalistan agenda, particularly in the UK and Canada, amidst reported discord among supporters during protests in Toronto and Surrey.

Sources said that despite ongoing efforts, Indian Intelligence agencies have been monitoring developments closely and have diplomatically warned against violent anti-India activities outside Indian consulates by PKEs. Furthermore, concerns persist over unchecked human trafficking operations facilitated by PKEs, which continue unabated despite alerts from Indian agencies and the apparent indifference of Canadian authorities.

Internal strife among previous leadership factions has further undermined the coherence of Khalistani terror groups, with documented instances of inter-group violence recorded by central agencies. Moreover, sources attribute multiple targeted killings in Punjab post-2016 to figures like Hardip Singh Nijjar and his associates, yet Canadian authorities have refrained from launching inquiries or investigations into their activities, dismissing them as political activists despite mounting casualties.

Highlighting the nexus between Khalistani elements and organised crime, sources have pointed out the involvement of many Khalistanis in drug trade in Canada, where inter-gang rivalries among Punjabi gangsters have become commonplace. Despite incidents like the murder of pro-India Sikh leader Ripudaman Singh Malik in 2022, allegedly orchestrated by Hardip Singh Nijjar, Canadian agencies have been criticised for their perceived lack of urgency in unraveling such conspiracies and apprehending the perpetrators.
Russia has targeted electrical power facilities in much of Ukraine, including the countrys largest hydroelectric plant, causing widespread outages and killing at least three people.

The nighttime drone and rocket on Friday attacks were the largest attack on the Ukrainian energy sector in recent times, according to Energy Minister German Galushchenko. The aim is not just to cause damage, but to cause a failure of all energy system. Terrorussia cant break us, he said in a post on X.

Today ru launched the biggest attack onenergy sector in recent times. There were damaged power generation facilities,transmission and distribution systems.The aim is not just to cause damage, but to cause a failure of all energy system.Terrorussia cant break us!Well stand pic.twitter.com/xQCCUJiQ0N German Galushchenko (@G_Galushchenko) March 22, 2024

The attacks caused a fire at the Dnipro Hydroelectric Station, which supplies electricity to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europes largest nuclear power installation. The main 750-kilovolt power line to the plant was cut off, International Atomic Energy Agency head Rafael Grossi said early Friday. A lower-power backup line was working, he said.

The plant is occupied by Russian troops, and fighting around the plant has been a constant concern because of the potential for a nuclear accident. The dam at the hydroelectric station was not in danger of breaching, the countrys hydroelectric authority said.

Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Planthas lost connection to main 750 kV off-site power line amid reports of military action in Ukraine; back-up 330 kV power line still working, IAEA Director General @rafaelmgrossi said today. IAEA  International Atomic Energy Agency  (@iaeaorg) March 22, 2024

READ MORE: EXPLAINED: How Dangerous Was Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Strike In Russia-Ukraine War?

A dam breach could not only disrupt supplies to the nuclear plant but would potentially cause severe flooding similar to what occurred last year when a major dam at Kakhovka further down the Dnieper collapsed. One person was killed and at least eight injured in the Russian attack, said Zaporizhzhia regional governor Ivan Fedorov.

Attacks on energy facilities in the Kharkiv region caused blackouts, and other attacks were reported in areas of western Ukraine far from the front lines. Two people died in the Khmelnytskyi region, according to the Internal Affairs Ministry. The world sees the targets of Russian terrorists as clearly as possible: power plants and energy supply lines, a hydroelectric dam, ordinary residential buildings, even a trolleybus. Russia is fighting against the ordinary life of people, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday on the Telegram messaging app.

Russian officials said Friday that one person died and at least three were injured in Ukrainian shelling of areas near the border. The governor of the Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said a woman was killed when a shell hit nearby while she was walking her dogs and that two others were injured. The town of Tetkino in the Kursk region was shelled, injuring one person, said Gov. Roman Starovoit. Both regions have been subject to shelling and drone attacks in recent weeks and officials have said that attempts by Ukrainian fighters to cross into Russian territory have been repelled.

(With agency inputs)
A Billings man admitted Thursday to holding a nurse against her will in an attempt to escape from police custody.

Colbey James Bradley pleaded guilty in Yellowstone County District Court to aggravated kidnapping. The 41-year-old was being treated in 2022 at Billings Clinic while an inmate at the Yellowstone County jail when he grabbed and threatened a nurse. A standoff ensued between himself and law enforcement, and ended with him being taken back into custody.

Coinciding with the criminal case filed against Bradley, the nurse he held hostage has filed a lawsuit against Yellowstone County alleging county government failed in its obligation keep Bradley restrained and monitored during the hospital visit. That lawsuit has culminated with a potential settlement between her and the county that could be finalized by the end of the month.

Her (the nurses) intention with the lawsuit was making sure nobody has to go through what she did, said John Heenan, one of the attorneys representing the nurse in the lawsuit.

In May 2022, Yellowstone County Sheriffs Office personnel brought Bradley to the Billings Clinic for medical care. Hed been booked into Yellowstone County Detention Facility earlier that day. Under the watch of a YSCO officer, Bradley was lying in a hospital bed with an IV in his arm. When a Billings Clinic nurse finished replacing that IV, Bradley grabbed her. Bradley brought his right hand to her throat, claiming to have a shank and demanded the officer let him go.

Bradley dragged the nurse out of the hospital room and toward a stairwell, and the officer saw he wasnt armed with anything in his right hand. A melee ensued between the Bradley and the officer, with the nurse getting free. With the help of hospital security, the officer put Bradley in handcuffs. An investigating officer with the Billings Police Department noted scratches to the nurse's throat.

Yellowstone County prosecutors subsequently charged Bradley with aggravated kidnapping and two counts attempted escape from custody, alleging he tried to flee from law enforcement at the hospital and during the drive from the hospital back to jail. Bradley pleaded not guilty to all three counts.

Bradley, represented in court by Attorney Tyler Dugger, reached a plea agreement with prosecutors, entering his guilty plea in court Thursday. In exchange for admitting to aggravated kidnapping, the charges of attempted escape were dismissed. Prosecutors are currently recommending Bradley be sentenced to 40 years in prison, with 10 years suspended, but a sentencing date has yet to be scheduled.

In January 2023, the nurse filed a lawsuit against Yellowstone County, claiming the county was liable for Bradleys actions as he was in the custody of YSCO. She also claimed the county was negligent in its oversight of Bradly while he was being treated at the hospital.

Speaking to the Gazette on Friday, Heenan said his client and the county had reached a settlement in principle. All that remains is for the two parties to agree to that settlement, he said, which includes monetary and non-monetary relief.

We are both pleased with how the county responded to this lawsuit, Heenan said.

An attorney representing Yellowstone County could not comment on the case as litigation is still ongoing. Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder similarly could not comment while the case was still open, but did say YCSO has general procedures in place for law enforcement to follow when transported inmates from the jail to local hospitals.

Health care workers in the United States have faced a marked increase in violence during the past decade, particularly since 2020, according to data compiled the federal government and organizations representing health care workers. Those in the medical profession, especially nurses, are currently at a higher risk of violence than most other jobs in the U.S., per reports from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

The risk health care workers face has spurred federal legislation, with lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives proposing the SAVE Act, which would grant legal protections specifically for health care employees subjected to violence or intimidation. Another bill, one that would require health care and social service employers to create comprehensive workplace violence prevention plans, is currently making its way through the U.S. Senate.

In Montana, employees working in health care and social assistance reported the highest number of work-related injuries and illnesses out of all the industries in the state in 2022, according to the latest survey published by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. That same year, medical and social workers had a non-fatal incidence rate of nearly five per 100 fulltime workers.

In October 2022, a woman eventually convicted of assault with a weapon and criminal endangerment brought a loaded handgun into Billings Clinic, frightening hospital staff members and instigating a standoff with police. That standoff ended with the woman shot twice; once by herself and once by a Billings Police officer.
Russia and China on Friday vetoed a U.S.-sponsored U.N. resolution supporting an immediate and sustained cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, calling the measure ambiguous and saying it was not the direct demand to end the fighting that much of the world seeks.

The vote became another showdown involving world powers that are mad at each other elsewhere, with the United States taking criticism for not being tough enough against its ally Israel, whose ongoing military offensive has created a dire humanitarian crisis for the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza.

The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 11 members in favor and three against, including Algeria, the Arab representative on the council. There was one abstention, from Guyana.

A key issue in the vote was the unusual language that said the Security Council determines the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire. The phrasing was not a straightforward demand or call to halt hostilities.

The resolution reflected a shift by the United States, which has found itself at odds with much of the world as even allies of Israel push for an unconditional end to fighting.

In previous resolutions, the U.S. has closely intertwined calls for a cease-fire with demands for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. This resolution, through wording thats open to interpretation, continued to link the two issues, but not as firmly.

Before the vote, Russian U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Moscow supports an immediate cease-fire, but he criticized the diluted language, which he called philosophical wording that does not belong in a U.N. resolution.

He accused U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield of deliberately misleading the international community.

This was some kind of an empty rhetorical exercise, Nebenzia said. The American product is exceedingly politicized, the sole purpose of which is to help to play to the voters, to throw them a bone in the form of some kind of a mention of a cease-fire in Gaza  and to ensure the impunity of Israel, whose crimes in the draft are not even assessed.

Thomas-Greenfield urged the council to adopt the resolution to press for an immediate cease-fire and the release of the hostages, as well as to address Gazas humanitarian crisis and support ongoing diplomacy by the United States, Egypt and Qatar.

After the vote, Thomas-Greenfield accused Russia and China of voting for deeply cynical reasons, saying they could not bring themselves to condemn Hamas terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, which the resolution would have done for the first time.

The U.S. has vetoed three resolutions demanding a cease-fire, the most recent an Arab-backed measure supported by 13 council members with one abstention on Feb. 20.

While the most recent resolution would have been officially binding under international law, it would not have ended the fighting or led to the release of hostages. But it would have added to the pressure on Israel as its closest ally falls more in line with global demands for a cease-fire at a time of rising tensions between the U.S. and Israeli governments.

Meanwhile, the 10 elected members of the Security Council have put their own resolution in a final form to be voted on. It demands an immediate humanitarian cease-fire for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan that began March 10 to be respected by all parties leading to a permanent sustainable cease-fire. Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian U.N. ambassador, told reporters the vote would take place either late Friday or Saturday morning.

The resolution also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages  and emphasizes the urgent need to protect civilians and deliver humanitarian aid throughout the Gaza Strip.

Nebenzia urged council members to support it, but Thomas-Greenfield said the texts current form fails to support sensitive diplomacy in the region. Worse, it could actually give Hamas an excuse to walk away from the deal on the table.

The Security Council had already adopted two resolutions on the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, but none has called for a cease-fire.

Russia and China vetoed a U.S.-sponsored resolution in late October calling for pauses in the fighting to deliver aid, protection of civilians and a halt to arming Hamas. They said it did not reflect global calls for a cease-fire.

A day earlier, the U.S. circulated a rival resolution, which went through major changes during negotiations before Fridays vote. It initially would have supported a temporary cease-fire linked to the release of all hostages, and the previous draft would have supported international efforts for a cease-fire as part of a hostage deal.

The vote took place as Blinken, Americas top diplomat, is on his sixth urgent mission to the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war, discussing a deal for a cease-fire and hostage release, as well as post-war scenarios.

Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people in the surprise Oct. 7 attack into southern Israel that triggered the war, and abducted another 250 people. Hamas is still believed to be holding some 100 people hostage, as well as the remains of 30 others.

In Gaza, the Health Ministry raised the death toll in the territory Thursday to nearly 32,000 Palestinians. The agency does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.

The international communitys authority on determining the severity of hunger crises warned this week that famine is imminent in northern Gaza, where 70% of people are experiencing catastrophic hunger. The report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification initiative, or IPC, warned that escalation of the war could push half of Gazas total population to the brink of starvation.

The U.S. draft expressed deep concern about the threat of conflict-induced famine and epidemics presently facing the civilian population in Gaza as well as the number of undernourished people, and also that hunger in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels.

It emphasized the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance to civilians in the entire Gaza Strip and lift all barriers to getting aid to civilians at scale.

Israel faces mounting pressure to streamline the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip, to open more land crossings and to come to a cease-fire agreement. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to move the military offensive to the southern city of Rafah, where some 1.3 million displaced Palestinians have sought safety. Netanyahu says its a Hamas stronghold.

The final U.S. draft eliminated language in the initial draft that said Israels offensive in Rafah should not proceed under current circumstances. Instead, in an introductory paragraph, the council emphasized its concern that a ground offensive into 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.
Bhutanese youngsters dancing to the tunes of a garba song while donning Gujarats traditional attire, ghagra-choli and kurta paijama greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his hotel in Bhutans capital city, Thimphu. The song that they were dancing to  Garbo  was also written by PM Modi.

VIDEO | A special welcome for PM Modi in #Bhutan: Youngsters perform on the Garba song written by PM Modi.(Full video available on PTI Videos  https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/q303PUfH4O  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 22, 2024

He watched them perform with rapt attention and applauded at the end of the performance.

The meeting came after PM Modis interaction with members of the Indian diaspora and the local people of Bhutan. Modi received a warm welcome, with the Bhutanese people lining the entire 45-kilometre route from Paro International Airport to Thimphu which was also decked up with Indian and Bhutanese flags.

The Prime Minister was accorded a red-carpet welcome upon his arrival at the Paro airport.

He was initially expected to visit the neighbouring nation on Thursday but postponed his visit due to inclement weather. Modi will also inaugurate the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital in Thimphu, a state-of-the-art hospital, built with the assistance of the Government of India in Thimphu

He was warmly received by Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan, at Paro airport and accorded a ceremonial welcome.

The Bhutanese prime minister wrote on X in Hindi: Bhutan mein aapka swagat hai mere bade bhai @narendramodi Ji. Earlier, Modi posted on X about his visit to Bhutan.

Huge banners have been put up in the capital city to welcome the Indian prime minister.

The visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on bilateral and regional matters of interest and deliberate on ways to expand and intensify our exemplary partnership for the benefit of our peoples, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement earlier this week.

India and Bhutan share a unique and enduring partnership which is rooted in mutual trust, understanding and goodwill, the statement emphasised.

Diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan were established in 1968. The basic framework of India- Bhutan relations has been the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949 between the two countries, which was revised in February 2007.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Bhutans highest civilian honour, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, on Friday. He was awarded by the King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, during his state visit to the country.

Expressing gratitude, Modi said, Honoured to be conferred with Order of the Druk Gyalpo Award by Bhutan. I dedicate it to 140 crore Indians. This award was first announced in December 2021 during Bhutans National Day.

READ MORE: I Dedicate It To 140 Crore Indians: PM Modi Becomes First Foreign Leader To Receive Bhutans Top Civilian Honour

A new landmark in  enduring friendship!PM @narendramodi conferred with Order of the Druk Gyalpo, Bhutans highest civilian award, by H.M. the King of Bhutan at a grand ceremony held at the Tendrelthang, Thimphu. PM Modi is the first foreign leader to be given this pic.twitter.com/UFBA6iPZwX  Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) March 22, 2024

What Is Order of the Druk Gyalpo

The Order of the Druk Gyalpo stands as Bhutans most esteemed civilian accolade, reserved for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional contributions to society, embodying values of service, integrity, and leadership.

Instituted as a decoration for lifetime achievement, this honour holds paramount importance in the Himalayan Kingdom. Recipients of this prestigious award are carefully selected based on their outstanding accomplishments and positive impact on society. Their contributions are assessed in alignment with Bhutanese values, emphasising holistic development, cultural preservation, and regional harmony.

Why Was Modi Awarded?

PM Modis selection as the first foreign Head of Government to receive this honour underlined the strong bilateral ties between the two countries. The citation accompanying Modis award underlines his leadership, characterised by an unwavering commitment to progress, which aligns closely with Bhutans national vision of achieving self-reliance.

Narendra Modi is an outstanding embodiment of national, regional, and global leadership. Under him, India has become the fastest growing economy in the world and will be the third largest economy by 2030, according to a citation on the award conferred to PM.

Prime Minister Modi has emerged as a figure of destiny, transforming the ancient civilisation of India into a dynamic centre of technology and innovation. His commitment to safeguard the environment and invest in renewable energy makes Indias progress truly well rounded. Prime Minister Modis leadership has set India on the path of transformation, and Indias moral authority and global influence have grown, it adds.

Modis Achievements  Neighbourhood First policy

It also refers to how PM Modis Neighbourhood First policy has strengthened South Asia and paved the way for collective progress. Bhutan is honoured that a statesman of such stature is a true friend of the Bhutanese people. Prime Minister Modi is a firm supporter of Bhutans national vision to achieve self-reliance and become a developed nation, the citation adds.

Highlighting Bhutan-India relations as exemplary, it appreacites Prime Minister Modis friendship and support for all of Bhutans objectives and initiatives. This award recognises Prime Minister Modis personal accomplishments and leadership, and his contributions to strengthen the bonds of friendship between India and Bhutan. It also honours Indias rise as a global power under his leadership, and celebrates Bhutans special bond with India, it adds.
More than two dozen environmental groups have submitted an alternative plan for grizzly reintroduction in the Bitterroot as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) considers the impacts of bringing the threatened species back to the ecosystem.

Rather than using artificial human reintroduction of grizzly bears to the Bitterroot Ecosystem (BE), the alternative plan proposed by environmental groups and scientists calls for enhancing grizzly connectivity areas from northern ecosystems to the Bitterroot, developing habitat management standards, the formation of a scientific committee and conflict prevention measures between both livestock and humans.

The letter, submitted by WildEarth Guardians, noted that it is not a no-action alternative, with the creation of various habitat measures and passage structures meant to assist a growing number of grizzlies immigrating to the BE.

This alternative is scientifically sound and takes a slow and steady approach to grizzly bear recovery in the Bitterroot Ecosystem, President of the Flathead-Lolo-Bitterroot Citizen Task Force Patty Ames said. Grizzly bears have already been verified and we do not believe that human-assisted reintroductions to the Bitterroot are necessary at this time. What is needed is protected connectivity areas, sanitation and education, highway passage structures, acceptance and reduced grizzly bear mortality. The bears will do the rest on their own.

The Flathead-Lolo-Bitterroot Citizen Task Force was one of several environmental organizations to sign onto the letter. Others included Alliance for the Wild Rockies, the Center for Biological Diversity, the Endangered Species Coalition, and Friends of the Bitterroot.

The BE is one of six recovery zones in the contiguous U.S. for grizzly bears. The area was identified as a recovery zone in 1993 for being large enough and of sufficient quality to provide grizzly habitat.

The USFWS initially created a plan to begin artificially reintroducing grizzlies into the BE in 2000, yet reintroduction never occurred. In March 2023, a federal district court judge found the agency unnecessarily delayed actions in implementing the plan and ordered it to supplement an Environmental Impact Statement or to issue new plans.

The USFWS decided to work on a new plan determining the best path forward for grizzly bear introduction. Planning documents are scheduled to be completed by October 2026.

The environmental groups noted that residents close to grizzly recovery zones are often more tolerant of natural recovery than bears being physically reintroduced to the area.

The comment follows Ravalli County Commissioners urging the USFWS to take a no-action alternative for grizzly bear reintroduction. The commissioners letter said that manual reintroduction presents problems and risks to the community.

In Montana, grizzly bear populations are present in three ecosystems, including the Cabinet-Yaak in the states northwestern corner, the Northern Continental Divide surrounding Glacier National Park and the Greater Yellowstone Area surrounding Yellowstone National Park.

Past attempts at grizzly reintroduction have struggled, the groups stated. Artificial reintroduction wouldn't help the BE when grizzlies are already migrating there currently.

An augmentation program in the Cabinet Mountains has largely been a failure, the letter stated. Several translocated bears returned to the NCDE (Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem) or were killed. Notably, of the 22 translocated bears, only three contributed genetically to the Cabinet Mountains population, and of these three, just one contributed 87% of documented offspring and there was just a 13% success rate per bear. A 13% success rate would not result in Bitterroot repopulation.

Comment for the public scoping phase of the USFWSs grizzly management plan closed Monday. More than 1,200 comments were received in a two-month time period. Nearly all expressed opposition to artificial reintroduction.

Environmental groups said that recent studies show that residents are more accepting of grizzly bears moving on their own than being reintroduced by the government.

Grizzlies have been observed in increasing individual numbers in the BE, yet no established population of grizzly bears exists currently. A population is defined as having two or more breeding females or one female with two consecutive litters.

USFWS estimates that grizzly bear breeding could occur in the BE as soon as 15 years. That could be accelerated by efforts made by the USFWS in providing highway passage structures and designated connectivity areas, following the groups proposed plan.

Under this alternative, effective monitoring of natural immigration would occur for 15 years, the letter stated. If, after 15 years there is no verified evidence of resident breeding age females and/or reproduction, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service may consider human-assisted translocations.
Biden administration plans to allow beef imports from Paraguay was rejected Wednesday by the U.S. Senate, which passed a bill by Montana Sen. Jon Tester.

The bill was just the latest step by Tester to address the risk of foot and mouth disease to U.S. livestock. Previous Tester bills blocked beef imported from Argentina for the same reason. The Montana Democrat has also waged a years-long battle against relocating a National Bio and Agro-Defense facility from Plum Island off the New York coast to Kansas.

Supporters of the ban include the Billings-based Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America, as well as the National Cattlemens Beef Association, two groups typically on opposite ends of the debate concerning restrictions on meatpackers.

Look, while the chances of a foot and mouth disease outbreak, to some, may appear low. The effects of just one outbreak can be devastating, Tester said before the bills passage. The cost to ranchers, for our economy, is estimated as high as $200 billion. And you say why could that happen? Well, I mean, how could it happen? It's just a little bit of meat coming into the U.S.

"Well, the fact is, this is highly contagious. And what happens if a cow contracts this disease, its just like pouring acid over their nose, over their udders, over their feet, blisters the mouth. . . Quite frankly, it goes through a herd like wildfire and puts people out of business and impacts our food security.

The bill passed 70 to 25. Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota was a primary co-sponsor. Republican Sens. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, and North Dakotas John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer were co-sponsors as well.

Montana Sen. Steve Daines voted for the bill. Bipartisan wins in the Senate usually become more difficult in an election year. Tester is on the ballot in November. The outcome of Tester's race could determine control of the Senate.

Tuesday, President Joe Bidens office issued a letter discouraging passage of Testers bill, which it said, would undermine the credibility of long-standing science-based decision-making processes respected by the U.S. and upheld in our trade agreements and could in turn severely threaten fair access to new and existing export markets for U.S. farmers and ranchers.

Russia cut off access to some Paraguayan beef exporters after the South American country denounced Russias invasion of Ukraine. Paraguay also lost access to China after recognizing Taiwans independence. Rejecting an ally that shares United States priorities sends the wrong message, according to the president.

This resolution would amplify the false narratives pushed by our adversaries that the United States is not a reliable economic partner. And it would seriously harm U.S. national security interests, especially our efforts to support partners around the world who seek our help to resist economic coercion, the presidents office said.

The Embassy of Paraguay in the United States, responded to the bill by sharing Bidens letter of caution and adding that the authorization of importation of beef from Paraguay came after a comprehensive risk analysis of several years by the USDA, which have confirmed that our food safety system governing beef products is equivalent to that of the United States.
More than 40 years after he tried to kill Ronald Reagan, John Hinckley Jr. is getting frustrated by his struggle to make progress in the music business. "With all of my concerts canceled, it's a fair statement to say I'm a victim of cancel culture," he said in a post on X Thursday after a venue in Naugatuck, Connecticut, said his concert was postponed until further notice. "They book me and then the show gets announced and then the venue starts getting backlash," Hinckley tells the New York Post . "The owners always cave, they cancel. It's happened so many times, it's kinda what I expect," he added. "I don't really get upset."

The Naugatuck concert had been scheduled for March 30, the 43rd anniversary of the day Hinckley opened fire outside a hotel in Washington, DC, wounding Reagan, Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy, police officer Thomas Delahanty, and press secretary James Brady, who died from his injuries in 2014. Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity and was released from all court oversight in 2022. The 68-year-old says he's a changed man but venues, often citing security concerns, tend to cancel his concerts before he takes the stage, Salon reports.

Hinckley, who lives in Williamsburg, Virginia, has been making money by selling paintings of his cat on eBay. "I'm looking for a place to open my own music venue," he said in a post on X last week. He tells the Post that he'd like to open a concert hall in his hometown "where artists and bands wouldn't get canceled." He says he's written thousands of songs, but he hates modern music. "I'm still stuck in the '60s and '70s with what I listen to," he says. (More John Hinckley stories.)
A small town on Maryland's Eastern Shore has suspended its entire police force pending the results of an investigation by state prosecutors, a largely unexplained decision that has left residents shocked, skeptical, and on edge. With the Ridgely Police Department temporarily defunct, other public safety agencies have agreed to fill the void. But residents of the historic town of around 1,600 people are concerned about response times should they need assistance. And they remain entirely in the dark about why their police department was shut down, the AP reports.

Laura Cline, a longtime Ridgely resident, says she's frustrated with the lack of transparency from town leaders and law enforcement. "What's very concerning is that they didn't communicate with us in an honest and open way," Cline says. "Treat us with respect. We're adultsthinking, rational adults who deserve the truth." In a statement posted to the town government's website last week, officials said Ridgely's three-member commission had "suspended with pay the entirety of the Ridgely Police Department," and that an investigation is being conducted by the Office of State Prosecutor, which handles cases of public misconduct, election fraud, ethics law violations, and more.

But Ridgely Director of Operations David Crist declined to provide the AP with even basic information about the suspensions, including the number of officers on the force. The department's website says it employs half a dozen officers. "We were blindsided," says Holly Justice, an esthetician who owns a spa in Ridgely. "It makes you question the integrity of people who are supposed to protect and serve."

While the suspension came as a shock to residents, it isn't the first time Ridgely has faced questions about policing practices.The department made headlines several years ago when its then-chief was involved in the 2018 death of Anton Black in neighboring Greensboro. Black died after officers pinned him down for more than five minutes as they wrestled him into handcuffs and shackles. His family filed a wrongful death lawsuit and received a $5 million settlement from three Eastern Shore towns, including Ridgely, whose off-duty chief helped restrain the 19-year-old.

An officer hired last year in Ridgely had faced misconduct allegations in Delaware before joining the department, court records show. That officer resigned in January. Another Ridgely officer was hired despite having an arrest record in Delaware. While speculation has fueled the rumor mill in recent days, residents said, suspending the whole department suggests the problem is bigger than one officer.

(More Maryland stories.)
Donald Trump's new joint fundraising agreement with the Republican National Committee directs donations to his campaign and a political action committee that pays the former president's legal bills before the RNC gets a cut, per a fundraising invitation obtained by the AP. The unorthodox diversion of funds to the Save America PAC makes it more likely that Republican donors could see their money go to Trump's lawyers, who've received at least $76 million over the last two years to defend him against four felony indictments and multiple civil cases. Some Republicans are already worried that Trump's takeover of the RNC, now co-chaired by his daughter-in-law Lara Trump, could shortchange the cash-strapped party.

The invite: Trump has summoned high-dollar donors to Palm Beach, Florida, for an April 6 fundraiser that comes as his fundraising is well behind President Biden and national Democrats. The invitation's fine print says donations to the Trump 47 Committee will first be used to give the maximum amount allowed under federal law to Trump's campaign. Anything left from the donation next goes toward a maximum contribution to Save America, then to the RNC, then to state political parties.
Its name may sound boring enough, but the eastern brown snake is one of the world's deadliest. That's why when Australia's Jerromy Brookes found out there may have been one nestled in a Queensland child-care center this week, he rushed in to retrieve ita move that ended up costing him his life. ABC Australia reports that the 47-year-old dad of three entered the facility in Townsville on Tuesday and was bitten multiple times on the arm. He reportedly drove himself home, where his wife tried to take care of him, but he then went into cardiac arrest and was taken to a local hospital by ambulance, where he died.

7News reports that the child care center is now under investigation by workplace safety officials, especially considering Brookes didn't have a permit to handle or remove snakes. The outlet also notes it hasn't been confirmed that the creature that bit him was a brown snake (though that's the running theory), and that while Brookes' wife and daughters are child care workers, the facility where he was bit isn't believed to be the one where they work. "He was doing his very best to keep the children safe," Michelle O'Connor, who employs his family members, tells ABC.

Per the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, a couple of hundred people are hospitalized annually in Australia after coming into contact with brown snakes, though fatal snake bites are rare in the island nation, per AFP. "We have very good quality antivenom in Australia," says Christina Zdenek of the Australian Reptile Academy. The indigenous brown snake, which ranks among Australia's most dangerous slitherers, is described by Australian Geographic as "fast-moving, aggressive, and known for [its] bad temper." As for what you should do if you ever find yourself on the receiving end of a snakebite: "[Stay] still, calm, and [wrap] the whole limb tightly with a stretchy bandage," Zdenek says. (More snake bite stories.)
Richard Higgins, one of the few remaining survivors of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, has died. He was 102. Higgins died at home in Bend, Oregon, on Tuesday of natural causes, granddaughter Angela Norton said. He was a radioman assigned to a patrol squadron of seaplanes based at the Hawaii naval base when Japanese planes began dropping bombs on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941. In a 2008 oral history interview, per the AP , Higgins recalled how he was in his bunk inside a screened-in lanai, or porch, on the third floor of his barracks when the bombing began.

"I jumped out of my bunk and I ran over to the edge of the lanai and just as I got there, a plane went right over the barracks," Higgins said, according to the interview by the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas. He estimated the plane was 50 feet to his side and 100 feet above his barracks. He described "big red meatballs" on the plane, in reference to the red circular emblem painted on the wings and fuselages of the Japanese aircraft. "So, there was no doubt what was happening in my mind, because of the things that had been going on," he said.

Higgins was born on a farm near Mangum, Oklahoma. He joined the Navy in 1939 and retired 20 years later. He then became an aeronautics engineer for Northrop Corp. and other defense contractors. He worked on the B-2 Stealth Bomber, Norton said. His wife, Winnie Ruth, died in 2004 at 82; they had been married for 60 years. There are now 22 survivors of the attack still living, said Kathleen Farley, California chair of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors. Farley said there could be more survivors, but not all joined the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association and so may not be known to her.

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About 2,400 service members were killed in the bombing, which launched the US into World War II. The USS Arizona battleship alone lost 1,177 sailors and Marines, nearly half of the death toll, per the AP. Norton called her grandfather a humble and kind man who would frequently visit schools to share stories about Pearl Harbor, World War II, and the Great Depression. Norton said he wanted to teach people history so they wouldn't repeat it. "It was never about him," Norton said. "The heroes were those that didn't come home."

(More obituary stories.)
UPDATE

Mar 22, 2024 8:43 AM CDT

The US changed its mind about a Gaza ceasefire on Friday, but to no avail. The UN Security Council voted on a resolution to demand an immediate halt to fighting, but Russia and China vetoed the measure, reports the New York Times. The US had vetoed three previous calls for a ceasefire. Eleven nations voted in favor of the resolution, while Algeria (which does not have veto power) also voted against it.

Mar 22, 2024 8:11 AM CDT

Weeks after vetoing a third United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, the US has proposed an "immediate and sustained ceasefire" at the UN, in a marked shift for Israel's closest ally. Here's what to know:


After years of controversy, Colombia says it will begin raising the " holy grail of shipwrecks " within days. The Spanish galleon, San Jose, was sunk by the British off the coast of Cartagena in 1708 while transporting treasure from Spain's colonies in South America to Europe, killing 600 sailors and sending upwards of $17 billion worth of gold, silver, and emeralds to the depths. The treasure has been claimed variously by Spain; indigenous groups in Bolivia whose ancestors mined the precious metals; US company Sea Search Armada, which claims to have found the ship decades ago; and Colombia, which purports to have found the San Jose in an uncharted location in 2015. Regardless, Colombia said Tuesday it would begin raising the ship and its treasure next month, per CBS News .

The government said it would invest more than $4.5 million in the recovery, which is to involve the use of underwater robots, per USA Today. But "we aren't thinking about treasure," says Alhena Caicedo, director of the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History, per the Guardian. "We're thinking about how to access the historical and archeological information at the site." Less headline-grabbing than its treasure, the ship's other artifacts could give historians a better understanding of the global trade networks of the 18th century, Spain's colonial hierarchy, and the lives of the lost sailors, the Guardian reports. Caicedo says the hope is to eventually house the artifacts and the wreck itself in a custom-built museum, as England did with the Mary Rose, the flagship of King Henry VIII's fleet.

Such a move would be unprecedented. "Few ships like the San Jose have ever been recoveredand none has ever been salvaged from warm tropical waters," the Guardian reports. "We don't even know if it is possible to raise something out of the water," says Caicedo. "In a way, we are pioneers." It's unclear to what extent the venture might be challenged. In 2011, a US court declared the San Jose property of the Colombian state. Bolivia's indigenous communities have since requested the return of only a few artifacts, per CBS News. Sea Search Armada, however, is demanding $10 billion from Colombia in a case before the UN's Permanent Court of Arbitration, per Bloomberg and CBS. (More shipwreck stories.)
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a law banning homeless people from sleeping overnight in public places including parks and sidewalks. HB 1365 says cities and counties can set up government-run camps if shelters are full. DeSantis and other Republicans say the legislation will help provide unsheltered people with "wraparound services" incuding mental health services and addiction treatment, USA Today reports. Critics say it doesn't provide enough funding or long-term solutionslike homes.

DeSantis cites "commitment to law and order." In a statement, DeSantis said the bill "upholds our commitment to law and order while also ensuring homeless individuals have the resources they need to get back on their feet." The governor has said he wants to stop Florida from looking like San Francisco, which he has described as "overwhelmed with tent cities and homeless encampments," per USA Today. "These are difficult issues, but you should not be accosted by a homeless [person] like we see," he said when he signed the bill Wednesday. "You should be able to walk down the street and live your life."
Boeing skirted criminal liability by reaching a deferred prosecution agreement with the Justice Department three years ago on charges that it had defrauded regulators during the certification process for 737 Max jets. The period much like a probation hasn't quite expired yet, and that could become a problem for the manufacturer. The FBI has now sent a letter to passengers on the Alaska Airlines flight that lost a door panel in January, CNN reports, advising them that they might have been victims "of a crime." The letter says the agency is investigating but does not say what the crime would have been.
Australia's Herald Sun reported Patterson had been moved to the protected wing in the prison out of fears for her safety, citing a prison insider.

"There's a rule, you don't touch the elderly and you don't touch babies so because of that, you go into protection," the insider said.

Patterson will now have access to a shower, toilet, desk, closet, and possibly a kitchen too, according to reports.

"All the stuff you can buy in Coles and Woolworths, if she feels like steak, she can make that," said the prison source.

A brief of evidence against Patterson is due to be served on Monday.

What was Erin Patterson accused of?

Erin Patterson was detained four months after she cooked and served a beef Wellington lunch to four guests in July last year. The meal had been laced with death cap mushrooms.



Three of the guests later died in a Melbourne hospital after displaying symptoms linked to the poisonous mushrooms.

Erin Patterson's former in-laws were the victims: 70-year-olds Don and Gail Patterson, plus Gail's 66-year-old sister Heather Wilkinson, all died.

Heather's husband Ian survived, but he spent months recovering in hospital.

Victoria Police also allege Erin Patterson tried to kill her ex-husband, Simon, four separate times between 2021 and 2023.
As the debate over in vitro fertilization continues, Rep. Matt Rosendale is one of four House Republicans to sign a letter to the secretary of Veterans Affairs denouncing the VAs expansion of infertility treatments for unmarried veterans and veterans in same-sex marriages.

The letter calls IVF  a treatment used by 238,126 women annually including 412 Montanans  morally dubious.

The representatives accuse the VA of responding to the appeals of activists and trying to remake the nuclear family. It argued that the VA should instead expand its program to help financially support adoption for eligible veterans.

Beyond the purview of the VA, the nuclear family is changing on its own. The birth rate fell 10.5% nationally and just over 18% in Montana between 2014 and 2021, the last year for which there is available data from the Center for Disease Control. In 2014, Montana had the 15th highest fertility rate of any state. In 2021, it had the 16th lowest fertility rate of any state.

The number of births in Montana fell 10% in that period, from 12,431 births in 2014 to 11,231 in 2021, despite an almost 8% increase in the states population.

Billings Clinic is the only IVF provider in the state, though its reproductive specialists now see 8.5 times more patients than when its fertility program opened in 2011. The percentage of IVF births doubled in Montana between 2011 and 2021, from 0.81% in 2011 to 1.6% in 2021.

About 10% of women in the United States have trouble getting pregnant, according to the CDC. Insurance is not required to cover IVF in Montana unless someone is diagnosed with cancer and treatment could lead to infertility, according to the National Infertility Association.

Rosendale previously said that he supports states making their own decisions about IVF.

When the Supreme Court decided Dobbs v. Jackson there was a clear mandate to states that they are able to set their own rules pertaining to the life of an unborn child, he said in a statement earlier this month. The Alabama Supreme Court ruled an IVF embryo is a human life and must be treated as such.
A man has been charged over the alleged hit-and-run that killed Kiwi lawyer Mitch East in Sydney.

East had just been dropped off by an Uber driver early on Sunday morning when he was hit, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Neighbours told 9 News they heard a loud bang or thud followed by a car alarm about the same time the incident was reported.

Police officers and paramedics performed CPR but were unable to revive East.

Following his death at the scene, police sought the driver of a white Subaru Outback caught on CCTV at the time of the crash.

Australian media now report a 63-year-old man has been arrested by police after he handed himself into Granville Police Station on Friday morning.

It's reported he has been charged with multiple offences, including failing to stop and assist after the crash, dangerous driving occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning death and using a mobile phone when not permitted.

He has been denied bail and is due to appear in court on Saturday.
Fairbanks, AK (99701)

Today

Variable clouds with snow showers. Temps nearly steady in the mid to upper 30s. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 50%..

Tonight

Mainly cloudy with snow showers around this evening. Low 22F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Bahrain Kerala Social Forum (BKSF) has organised the Ramadan pilgrimage from Bahrain to the holy city of Mecca, a venture previously hindered by logistical challenges.

Today marks a significant milestone as 50 deserving individuals embark on the sacred Umrah pilgrimage at 7:30am, made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Adliya Juma Masjid in Bahrain and BKSFs service initiative, spearheaded by Fazal Ul Haq.

This unprecedented undertaking, facilitated by the generosity of the community, embodies a spirit of unity and support. Alongside prayers for a successful and unhindered pilgrimage, heartfelt gratitude is extended to all who have contributed financially and offered unwavering support.

Their collective efforts have paved the way for this profound spiritual journey, symbolising the power of community and compassion. As the pilgrims set forth on this sacred voyage, they carry with them the hopes and blessings of many, with prayers for their safe return and the fulfillment of their spiritual aspirations.
AFP | Cairo

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The US top diplomat stressed yesterday the need for an immediate ceasefire and a deal to free hostages in war-torn Gaza as he visited Egypt for talks with Arab envoys.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on his latest Middle East crisis tour, was trying to shore up support for a truce as the Israel-Hamas war ground on and experts issued a further warning about the risk of famine in Gaza.

Washington, Israels top ally, has hardened its tone in recent weeks and circulated for the first time a draft UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate end to the fighting. However, the Israeli bombardment of Gaza has continued with at least 70 people killed overnight, pushing the overall toll towards 32,000, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

Gazas biggest hospital has emerged as a major flashpoint after Israel launched a days-long raid on Monday that it said had killed more than 140 Hamas fighters by yesterday. Israel said Hamas fighters were hiding out at the vast Al-Shifa hospital complex and civilians had not been harmed.

Hamas said the ongoing attack on an area crowded with patients and people seeking refuge was a crime. AFP images showed streams of people fleeing south from the hospital along Gazas coast. A 60-year-old patient who gave his name as Younis said he had been forced outside without clothes, blindfolded and interrogated before being freed. The soldiers beat all the young men and arrested them, Younis told AFP.

Veto

The US has vetoed previous UN Security Council texts on the war, objecting even last month to the term immediate in a draft submitted by Algeria. A new version circulated by the US and seen by AFP stressed the need for an immediate and durable ceasefire to protect civilians and allow aid into the territory.

No vote has been scheduled on the text but Blinken told Saudi media outlet Al Hadath on Wednesday that universal support for the resolution would send a strong message.
AFP | Lisbon

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Portugal's new Prime Minister Luis Montenegro vowed "stable" leadership after his appointment Thursday but faces a tough job ruling in a minority government with opposition from a rising far right.

The 51-year-old lawyer and veteran parliamentarian was named premier after midnight early Thursday after final results came through from the March 10 polls.

Despite falling far short of a majority in parliament, he has ruled out teaming up with the anti-immigration Chega party in government.

"There is no internal or external reason to doubt our ability to have a stable government," he said on Thursday after meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels.

His government "has the confidence of the voters," he said.

"It also has what is required of all political players, including those now in opposition, that is a sense of responsibility," Montenegro added.

"There is no reason to call into question the country's stability".

- Growing far right -

Montenegro's Democratic Alliance (AD) had campaigned on promises to boost economic growth by cutting taxes, and to improve unreliable public health services and education, which have been hit by strikes by teachers and school workers over pay.

Montenegro is scheduled to present his new government next Thursday and it will take office on April 2, he told reporters after a late-night meeting with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

Montenegro's party beat the Socialist Party (PS) of outgoing premier Antonio Costa in the elections by a narrow margin.

In Wednesday's final count, AD won 28.8 percent of the vote and 80 seats, far short of a majority in the 230-seat parliament.

Even with the backing of the tiny business-friendly Liberal Initiative (IL) party, the AD would still need the support of Chega to reach a majority of 116 seats in the assembly.

The election was called after Costa, 62, unexpectedly resigned in November following an influence-peddling investigation that involved a search of his official residence and the arrest of his chief of staff.

The PS came second in the elections, with 28 percent of the vote and 78 seats in parliament.

Chega posted the biggest gains, winning 50 seats after taking just 12 in the last election in 2022, cementing its position in Portugal's political landscape.

But Montenegro has ruled out forming a coalition with Chega, saying he intends to form a minority government.

Chega leader Andre Ventura this week warned of political instability if the AD continued to reject a coalition, threatening to oppose it if Montenegro refused to open negotiations.

- Budget negotiations -

The autumn deadline for agreeing the state budget for 2025 will be Montenegro's first major test.

The new Socialist leader Pedro Nuno Santos said Tuesday that he was ready to vote on a budget amendment to increase the pay of teachers, police officers, nurses and court clerks, but that a favourable vote by the Socialist Party for the budget overall was "practically impossible".

Montenegro's new government will be "condemned to negotiation, because that is the fate of minority governments", political scientist Antonio Costa Pinto, of the University of Lisbon's Institute of Social Sciences, told AFP.

But it is not necessarily doomed to be an unstable government since "none of the players have an interest in triggering a crisis", he added.

In the event of political deadlock, President Rebelo de Sousa would mediate the negotiations.

Outgoing prime minister Costa said there would be "no change" to Portugal's foreign policy.

"Even Chega, unlike the far-right parties in other European countries, has never campaigned against the European Union or exploited any Eurosceptic attitude," Costa said at his last European Council meeting in Brussels.
Thai king's second son says will return to kingdom

Thai king's second son says will return to kingdom

AFP | Bangkok

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn's second son has said he wants to return to the kingdom permanently after living abroad for more than two decades, in an interview published Thursday.

Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse grew up in the United States following his parents' divorce in the 1990s, but he made an unexpected visit to Thailand in August last year.

The trip was closely followed by Thai media, but there was no official comment from the palace.

Now back in the country, the 42-year-old told the Bangkok Post he wanted to move back but insisted he had "no aspirations" of his own.

He said he was there "privately" and intended to make his return permanent.

"No one told me to come. I am not representing anyone," he said.

"I don't want to compete for anything... I have no resources, no power."

Vacharaesorn is the second of four sons from the king's second marriage to former actress Sujarinee Vivacharawongse. None hold official royal titles.

"I don't have aspirations beyond providing value in my own capacity," he told the Bangkok Post.

In recent weeks, he has shared Instagram images of visiting a temple in the northern city of Chiang Mai, as well as meeting the Lawyers Council of Thailand.

Vacharaesorn also told the newspaper he had obtained a Thai passport and ID, and would move from the United States -- where he works as a lawyer -- to live permanently in the kingdom.

The palace has not commented on the visit.

The king, who has seven children from four marriages, has not formally named an heir, though succession rules favour sons.

His eldest daughter, Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, remains in hospital after collapsing and losing consciousness in 2022.

The monarch and his close family are protected by Thailand's strict royal insult laws which shield them from almost all criticism and can carry heavy jail sentences.

In September, Vacharaesorn called for open discussion of the country's tough lese-majeste laws after visiting an exhibition in New York highlighting those persecuted under the legislation.

Critics have long maintained the laws have been weaponised to silence dissent.
Yellowstone Safe Passages, a coalition dedicated to improving the safety of people and wildlife on Montana Highway 89, published a comprehensive assessment of wildlife-vehicle collisions along the stretch between Livingston and Gardiner.

The newly completed assessment also offers a framework of short- and long-term solutions for the issue.

Wildlife-vehicle clashes and working to mitigate them has been a topic of frequent discussion recently. Multiple studies have been done in recent years and Montana received more than $9 million in federal funds last year to go to wildlife crossings. That funding went primarily toward the northwest region of the state.

According to the report, Montana ranks second-most in wildlife-collision risks with 10% of all reported crashes involving wildlife. The Livingston-Gardiner area experiences five times that number, with wildlife strikes making up half of all reported crashes.

Daniel Anderson, founder and facilitating director of the Common Ground Project, one of the partners in Yellowstone Safe Passages, said there is a lot of work to be done on U.S. Highway 89 that has yet to be initiated. He said they will be leveraging the new report in the hopes of getting millions in federal funding.

The grant cycle is nationwide and highly competitive, so they will be getting aggressive, Anderson said. The Montana Department of Transportation would likely be the agency submitting any grant applications while Yellowstone Safe Passages provides capacity and support.

Anderson said the assessment was something that needed to be accomplished prior to seeking funding.

The robust and data-driven study used more than a decade of information across agencies and smartphone app observations from citizen scientists.

Field technician Michelle Zizian collected additional data to verify and confirm the observations made by citizen scientists.

Its been a real struggle seeing the sheer number of dead wildlife along the highway, especially the rare species or newborn animals just trying to figure out their place in the world. Those Ill never forget. Hopefully the data weve collected will lead to fewer accidents and better long-term solutions for wildlife in the valley, Zizian said.

A unique part of this report is its inclusion of short-term measures. Anderson said all options of what can be done need to be considered on top of longer-term projects like wildlife crossings, which typically have a five- to 10-year timeline.

Even though the longer-lasting and longer to build projects work best big picture, Anderson said there are short-term options available that have yet to be tried.

Sometimes its not worth waiting for five years when we might be able to try something now, he said.

These options include variable and temporary message signs to warn drivers that can be adapted to seasonal wildlife changes. The report showed permanent signs warning of wildlife are less effective than temporary fixtures.

Engaging more effectively across the community to provide upfront information is another short-term approach, he said.

Weve taken the better part of four years to engage the community here and bring people into it so its not considered this foreign object coming into the community. Youve got to build trust, he said.

Yellowstone Safe Passages plans to share findings from the report during community information sessions in the coming weeks.

With unprecedented funding opportunities for wildlife crossings at the federal level, we hope this assessment will provide a strong foundation for decision-makers and community members to successfully pursue projects that improve safety for both people and wildlife, said Liz Fairbank co-leader of the assessment and road ecologist at the Center for Large Landscape Conservation.
Stakeholder pressure and evolving regulations prompting concerns about ESG fraud, research shows

MONTREAL, March 21, 2024 /CNW/ - Quebec businesses that have experienced fraud are deeply concerned about a new and emerging type of scam: ESG fraud, according to new research from KPMG in Canada.

Last month KPMG polled 102 Quebec business leaders whose organizations have been victimized by fraud to learn about the types of scams they had experienced. ESG fraud emerged as one of the most-common scams, with 27 per cent of respondents saying they have experienced or are experiencing ESG fraud at their organizations, slightly higher than the national average of 24 per cent.

More than nine in 10 (94 per cent) said their organizations are facing intense scrutiny from stakeholders to demonstrate tangible progress on ESG targets, and that's causing most (85 per cent) respondents concern that these pressures are increasing the risk of ESG-related fraud happening within their organizations. Nearly nine in 10 (89 per cent) said they are worried their organization could inadvertently commit ESG fraud.

"Quebec businesses are facing enormous pressure from stakeholders and regulators to demonstrate their ESG agendas, and that pressure could be tempting some individuals or teams within those organizations to embellish or exaggerate their ESG data," says Sonia Hernandez, partner and leader of KPMG in Canada's ESG practice in Quebec.

"Some might see opportunities to take advantage of regulatory frameworks that are still maturing, and organizations must be mindful of that risk and have strategies to mitigate it. If they don't, they could be facing a higher risk of ESG fraud happening within their organizations, and the consequences include financial, reputational and legal damage," she adds.

Ms. Hernandez notes that recently announced draft proposals on Canadian standards for sustainability-related financial information and climate-related disclosures by The Canadian Sustainability Standards Board (CSSB) will help provide more clarity for organizations on their ESG reporting and could help mitigate the risk of ESG misstatements.

Key highlights

27 per cent of organizations victimized by fraud have experienced or are currently experiencing ESG fraud ( 24 per cent nationally)



11 per cent have experienced or are currently experiencing internal ESG fraud involving someone within their organization ( 9 per cent nationally)



8 per cent are experiencing or have experienced external ESG fraud involving someone outside the company, such as a supplier or vendor ( 8 per cent nationally)



8 per cent report that they are currently dealing with both internal and external ESG fraud ( 7 per cent nationally)





of organizations victimized by have experienced or are currently experiencing ESG ( nationally) 94 per cent said their organizations are facing intense scrutiny from their stakeholders to demonstrate tangible progress on ESG targets ( 89 per cent nationally)





said their organizations are facing intense scrutiny from their stakeholders to demonstrate tangible progress on ESG targets ( nationally) 85 per cent are concerned about the growing risks of ESG fraud within their organizations given how important ESG is becoming ( 86 per cent nationally)





are concerned about the growing risks of ESG within their organizations given how important ESG is becoming ( nationally) 89 per cent are concerned their organization could unwittingly commit ESG fraud (81 per cent nationally)

Mitigating ESG fraud risk

More than nine in 10 (92 per cent) respondents said ESG fraud is an emerging litigation risk  slightly higher than the national average of 89 per cent.

Myriam Duguay, a Montreal partner who leads KPMG in Canada's national Investigation Services and Fraud Risk Management practice, says heightened scrutiny around ESG has stakeholders looking closely for proof that businesses are making progress on their sustainability programs. If investors, activists or regulators find false or misleading claims in an organization's reporting of ESG efforts  known as "greenwashing"  they could face securities investigations or even class action lawsuits, she notes.

To guard against those risks, Ms. Duguay recommends organizations understand and identify the greenwashing risks that could exist within the company and build and implement robust internal controls accordingly.

"It's critical for organizations to have anti-fraud controls baked into their ESG strategies from the start. That includes having strong risk management and governance structures, having a series of check and balances within the organization to ensure ESG activities are being properly monitored and reported, conducting regular internal audits, offering continuous staff training and education, setting up whistleblower programs where stakeholders can report on ESG issues, and using technologies such as artificial intelligence for advanced detection capabilities," she says.

"Equally important as having strong anti-fraud measures at the heart of ESG programs is continually updating them as well. As ESG regulations, reporting frameworks and stakeholder expectations evolve, so too should an organization's anti-fraud controls," she adds.

Notably, four in 10 Quebec respondents expressed a high level of confidence in their ability to mitigate ESG risks, to the extent that they are not overly worried about potential ESG fraud  slightly higher than the national average of 38 per cent. Ms. Duguay says while that's a positive sign, it's still relatively low and she'd like to see that number grow.

"It's encouraging to see some Quebec businesses have already taken steps to bolster their ESG agendas with a foundation that includes compliance, risk management and reporting frameworks, but clearly there is still a lot of room for improvement," she says.

About the KPMG in Canada 2024 Fraud Survey

KPMG in Canada surveyed business owners or executive level C-suite decision makers at 102 small-and-medium-sized Quebec companies victimized by fraud between February 13-21, 2024, using Sago's premier business research panel. A majority (89 per cent) of the companies surveyed have annual gross revenue between $50 million to $299.9 million; seven per cent have between $300 million to $1 billion; and four per cent have over $1 billion. No respondents under $50 million in annual revenue were included in the survey. Over half (54 per cent) are publicly traded and 46 per cent are privately held.

About KPMG in Canada

KPMG LLP, a limited liability partnership, is a full-service Audit, Tax and Advisory firm owned and operated by Canadians. For over 150 years, our professionals have provided consulting, accounting, auditing, and tax services to Canadians, inspiring confidence, empowering change, and driving innovation. Guided by our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Courage, Together, For Better, KPMG employs more than 10,000 people in over 40 locations across Canada, serving private- and public-sector clients. KPMG is consistently ranked one of Canada's top employers and one of the best places to work in the country.

The firm is established under the laws of Ontario and is a member of KPMG's global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International, a private English company limited by guarantee. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. For more information, see kpmg.com/ca

For media inquiries:

Roula Meditskos

National Communications and Media Relations

KPMG in Canada

(416) 549-7982

[email protected]

SOURCE KPMG LLP
Nearly nine in 10 companies victimized by fraud worry about ESG scams, and nearly one quarter are currently experiencing ESG fraud

TORONTO, March 21, 2024 /CNW/ - Canadian businesses that have experienced fraud are deeply concerned about a new and emerging type of scam: ESG fraud, according to new research from KPMG in Canada.

Last month, KPMG polled 300 Canadian organizations victimized by fraud to learn about the types of scams they have experienced. The survey showed 24 per cent of respondents that had experienced fraud within the past five years have discovered ESG fraud, and some are currently still dealing with it. ESG fraud occurs when a company's environmental, social and governance efforts or data are exaggerated, embellished, or distorted.

As the pressure mounts on organizations to deliver on ambitious sustainability targets, nearly nine in 10 (89 per cent) respondents said they are facing intense scrutiny from their stakeholders to demonstrate tangible progress on ESG targets. Additionally, 86 per cent are concerned that the pressures are increasing the risk of ESG-related fraud happening within their organizations, and 81 per cent are concerned their organization could inadvertently commit ESG fraud.

"The fact that stakeholders are demanding accountability for ESG performance is a positive factor for driving change, but unfortunately it can motivate  and already is motivating  some individuals or teams within organizations to misrepresent or inflate their sustainability and financial metrics for corporate or personal gain," says Becky Seidler, a partner in KPMG in Canada's forensic and dispute advisory practice.

"The consequences of ESG fraud can be significant, including financial and reputational harm, and quite possibly the loss of social license to operate if stakeholder trust is damaged," she adds.

Ms. Seidler says the survey findings underscore the need for organizations to implement strong controls that properly address ESG fraud. ESG fraud can take many forms, such as falsifying carbon offsets in ESG reporting, greenwashing and other types of data "washing", misusing ESG grant funds, breaching ESG regulations and bribery and corruption, for example.

"ESG fraud is a new and emerging risk for many organizations. That's why it's crucial for businesses to build anti-fraud defenses into their ESG strategies early and proactively, rather than reacting after the fact," she says.

Key survey highlights:

24 per cent of 300 Canadian companies victimized by fraud in the past five years reported that they are experiencing or have experienced ESG fraud 9 per cent are currently dealing with or have previously dealt with internal ESG fraud ; that is, employees or teams within their company have been found embellishing, distorting, or exaggerating ESG data or efforts 8 per cent are currently dealing with or have previously discovered external ESG fraud ; that is, their suppliers or vendors are embellishing, distorting, or exaggerating their ESG data or efforts 7 per cent report that they are experiencing or have experienced internal and external ESG fraud

of 300 Canadian companies victimized by in the past five years reported that they are experiencing or have experienced ESG 86 per cent are concerned about the growing risks of ESG fraud within their organization given how important ESG is becoming

are concerned about the growing risks of ESG within their organization given how important ESG is becoming 81 per cent are concerned their organization could inadvertently commit ESG fraud

are concerned their organization could inadvertently commit ESG 89 per cent say their stakeholders are increasingly demanding proof of their ESG records

say their stakeholders are increasingly demanding proof of their ESG records 89 per cent say their stakeholders are increasingly demanding proof of compliance with anti-corruption and anti-money laundering regulations

Confidence in compliance programs

Amid widespread concerns about the growing risk of ESG fraud, nine in 10 respondents (90 per cent) say their organization has an ESG compliance program and 92 per cent also have anti-corruption compliance programs in place.

When asked to characterize the effectiveness of their programs, nearly six in 10 (59 per cent) say their ESG compliance programs "meet or exceed industry peers", and 56 per cent say the same about their anti-corruption compliance programs.

While Ms. Seidler calls those numbers encouraging, she warns that ESG regulations are still evolving in many countries including Canada, and compliance programs need to continually evolve in lockstep to mitigate the risk of ESG fraud.

"Loosely and self-defined ESG metrics provide an opportunity for potential misstatements," Ms. Seidler says. "Even when the metrics are clear, an organization's internal controls over ESG reporting and regulatory compliance might still be immature. For example, if there are no qualified individuals to review ESG reporting for accuracy, completeness and understandability against a consistent framework, or the company lacks external assurance over its ESG reporting, the risk of fraud increases.

"Given the complexity and changing nature of ESG regulations and metrics, compliance programs need to be updated regularly. Companies really need to be proactive," she adds.

ESG: An emerging litigation risk

Another major consequence of ESG fraud is the risk of legal action. Nearly nine in 10 (89 per cent) respondents say ESG fraud is an emerging litigation risk.

Conor Chell, KPMG in Canada's national leader of ESG Legal Risk and Disclosure says litigation is a serious risk for businesses if activists and other investors find inconsistencies in an organization's reporting of ESG data.

"There's a heightened scrutiny around ESG disclosure and performance right now, and any fraudulent or negligent misrepresentation in financial or other public ESG disclosures  for example, a company's ESG report  could lead to a securities or Competition Bureau investigation, or even class action litigation from shareholders or customers," Mr. Chell says.

Mr. Chell says recently announced draft proposals on Canadian standards for sustainability-related financial information and climate-related disclosures by The Canadian Sustainability Standards Board (CSSB) will also help provide more clarity for organizations on their ESG reporting.

"Once the CSSB standards are finalized  and if adopted by the Canadian Securities Administrators as law  one of the potential consequences of non-compliance will be litigation, so adhering to the new standards will help organizations mitigate that risk," he notes.

"Companies can guard against ESG litigation risk by proactively and comprehensively identifying the sources and types of ESG legal risk that could exist internally, as well as external factors that span well beyond the four corners of a company's ESG report," he says.

For more insights into sustainability reporting, visit KPMG Canada's ESG reporting page.

About the KPMG in Canada Fraud Survey

KPMG in Canada surveyed business owners or executive level C-suite decision makers at 300 small-and-medium-sized Canadian companies that were victimized by fraud. The survey took place between February 13-21, 2024 using Sago's premier business research panel. Seventy per cent of the companies surveyed have annual gross revenue between $50 million to $299.9 million; 20 per cent have between $300 million to $1 billion; and 9 per cent have over $1 billion. No respondents under $50 million in annual revenue were included in the survey. Over half (51 per cent) are privately held and 49 per cent are publicly traded. Thirty-seven per cent are based in Ontario, 34 per cent in Quebec, 12 per cent in Alberta, and 7 per cent in B.C. The remaining respondents are from other regions across Canada.

About KPMG in Canada

KPMG LLP, a limited liability partnership, is a full-service Audit, Tax and Advisory firm owned and operated by Canadians. For over 150 years, our professionals have provided consulting, accounting, auditing, and tax services to Canadians, inspiring confidence, empowering change, and driving innovation. Guided by our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Courage, Together, For Better, KPMG employs more than 10,000 people in over 40 locations across Canada, serving private- and public-sector clients. KPMG is consistently ranked one of Canada's top employers and one of the best places to work in the country.

The firm is established under the laws of Ontario and is a member of KPMG's global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International, a private English company limited by guarantee. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. For more information, see kpmg.com/ca.

For media inquiries:

Roula Meditskos

National Communications and Media Relations

KPMG in Canada

(416) 549-7982

[email protected]

SOURCE KPMG LLP
The creation of Analog Pharma Canada marks another milestone for growing Quebec-based pharmaceutical inventor and manufacturer

BLAINVILLE, QC, March 22, 2024 /CNW/ - Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group (DPG), one of the 8 companies across the country chosen to participate in the Government of Canada's Global Hypergrowth Project, is pleased to announce the newest addition to its family of companies with the launch of Analog Pharma Canada, aiming at providing high-quality orphan generic medications to the Canadian market.

The new entity logo (CNW Group/Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group (DPG))

Impelled by abundant support and building on the success of its American twin company, Analog Pharma Canada will provide lower-cost generic versions of its flagship products available from other companies of Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group as well as those from other developers, including important generic treatments for rare diseases.

The new divison becomes the third pharmaceutical company in Canada operated by DPG, in addition to Duchesnay Inc. (Canada), which provides branded therapies focused on Women's Health, and Medunik Canada, which provides branded therapies for rare diseases. Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group also has operations in the United States for all three companies  Duchesnay USA, Medunik USA and Analog Pharma.

"We are very proud to launch Analog Pharma Canada to bring high-quality, affordable generic therapies to Canadians and the health system, particularly treatments for rare diseases," said Dany Halle, Vice-President, Commercial Affairs, DPG. "This addition is part of the ambitious growth plan of Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group involving our activities in Canada, the United States and our export of Canadian-manufactured treatments to Europe and other parts of the world."

This expansion was accelerated thanks to DPG's participation in the Global Hypergrowth Project, confirming the Group's contribution to the sustainability of the Canadian economy. "The support offered by corporations such as Business Development Bank of Canada allows us to facilitate access to vital treatments for patients living with rare conditions, in addition to promoting the independence of our supply chain and Canadian manufacturing capacity" explains Melanie Therrien, Vice-President, Finance and Corporate Affairs, DPG.

Analog Pharma Canada is finalizing the initial products that it plans to announce and offer to Canadian patients by the middle of this year. The objective of Analog Pharma Canada is to offer quality orphan generic medications at affordable prices and allow Canadian patients to benefit from its unique expertise by distributing "ultra-generic" versions of its flagship products including those developed in partnership with globally renowned life sciences industry leaders.

Rare diseases affect 3 million Canadians and their treatment cost is a burden to them and the health system. Having lower-cost generic treatment options will reduce this financial burden while also easing access to vital treatments.

Analog Pharma Canada is headquartered in Blainville, Quebec, at the site of the headquarters of Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group and its other Canadian companies, as well as its state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing facility where products are made for both domestic consumption as well as for export. It has also launched its website at https://analogpharma.ca/en.

About Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group

Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group (DPG), with its affiliated companies, is headquartered in Blainville, Quebec. The Group consists of six pharmaceutical companies to meet the needs of patients in Canada, the U.S. and abroad. The companies are Duchesnay (Canada) and Duchesnay USA, both dedicated to women's health; Medunik Canada and Medunik USA, which provide treatments for rare diseases; and Analog Pharma Canada and Analog Pharma, specializing in orphan generic medications. From its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant, DPG exports its innovative treatments to more than 50 countries.

DPG is one of the 8 companies across the country chosen to participate in the Government of Canada's Global Hypergrowth Project. This appointment offers exclusive and personalized support for at least 2 years, in order to accelerate our growth to become an anchor firm in the Canadian economy.

Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group, through its proprietary research and development, and through exclusive partnerships, offers innovative treatments for a variety of medical conditions in women's health, urology, oncology and for rare diseases, plus lower-cost generic medications. DPG recognizes the dedication and professionalism of its employees and promotes a positive culture and flexible work environment. It is deeply committed to environmental responsibility and to giving back to the community through the support of various charitable organizations.

For more information, please visit https://duchesnaypharmaceuticalgroup.com/en.

SOURCE Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group (DPG)

For further information: Media contact: Mariia Savchuk, Senior Advisor, Communications, [email protected], +1 (263) 388-3141
Despite concerns about possible effects to Wyomings oil and gas industry, as well as fears about inciting more federal restrictions, the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission on March 12 approved continued work on designating the Sublette pronghorn migration corridor.

I almost see it as a defensive move for us, said Commissioner John Masterson of Casper.

Several speakers representing western Wyomings oil and gas industry suggested the commission delay approving the measure until the Bureau of Land Management finishes with new sage grouse and resource planning efforts in the region.

The corridor moves through the Pinedale Anticline Project Area, a natural gas development in Sublette County spread across more than 197,000 acres, as well as the 30,000-acre Jonah Field farther south. The Jonah Field contains more than 2,400 producing wells while the Pinedale project has 3,500.

Jasmine Allison, of PureWest Energy, a natural gas operator in the Pinedale area, said her company is already overburdened with regulations on its 2,000-acre development. Designating a 165-mile long pronghorn migration path across five counties from southwest to northwest Wyoming through the Pinedale Anticline may add to them, she said.

We do believe that there are enough provisions in place already to support this Sublette antelope herd in the area, she told the commission.

Wyoming Game and Fish has the ability to control the timeline to assess what the BLM does, said Director Brian Nesvik. When weighing the risks, the state is better off leading than following on the issue, he added.

In public comments collected at three public meetings in the region, and from online comments, WGFD said 90% favored establishing the migration corridor.

Slow process

Protecting the pronghorn migration route from industrial development, fences, roads and housing has been on Wyoming Game and Fish Departments radar for decades.

Rich Guenzel, a retired WGFD wildlife biologist, worked with and studied pronghorn beginning in 1978. He said the migration route was first acknowledged 100 years ago and called the Sublette herd one of the largest and most significant pronghorn populations in the state, if not the whole planet.

This is not new information, said Nick Dobric of the Wilderness Society, comparing the issues repeated consideration to the movie Groundhog Day, where the main character must relive the same day over and over again.

In advocating to protect the corridor this time around, Guenzel said, There are more threats today than weve seen before.

With so many development pressures conspiring against pronghorns, Guenzel said the prairie speedsters are less resilient in responding to disease outbreaks and harsh winters like the ones that decimated the population last winter. Estimates are the region's herds declined from around 43,000 animals to 24,000 from 2022 to 2023. Maintaining the status quo under such conditions, Guenzel said, will not help the population recover. Especially as threats are predicted to continue to grow.

Its easier to maintain habitat integrity than to restore it, said Meghan Riley, of the Wyoming Outdoor Council.

Data collected

Guenzels WGFD successors, in partnership with researchers at the University of Wyoming, have gathered a tremendous amount of information on the Sublette pronghorns. Jill Randall, WGFDs big game migration coordinator, touted the agencys database from 10 years of GPS collared pronghorns as world class.

Even though were in this great wide-open space, there is a lot of fragmentation that has occurred, Randall said. Hopefully, identification of this corridor will help ensure maintenance of the route.

From its GPS data of collared pronghorns, WGFD has identified the many barriers to the pronghorns annual migration  which takes the farthest-traveling animals from sagebrush prairies in the southwest to Grand Teton National Park in the northwest  as they pursue the most nutritious vegetation to eat. In 2008, the U.S. Forest Service recognized the uniqueness of the migration and protected a section of the corridor through the Upper Green River and Gros Ventre River drainages in the Bridger-Teton National Forest as the Path of the Pronghorn.

Due to recognition of the migration route, Randall said there has been a lot of positive actions taken, including rebuilding 750 miles of fence to make them wildlife friendly, constructing highway crossings to avoid wildlife-vehicle collisions, weed treatment to eliminate invasive grasses that are a fire hazard and outcompete native species, and establishing conservation easements to protect private lands from development.

Executive order

Despite the Wyoming Game and Fish Commissions decision to continue pursuing designation of the migration corridor, a final decision could be years off.

This process is still going to take a while, which it should, said Commissioner Rusty Bell of Gillette.

The next step for WGFD is to draft a biological risk assessment in collaboration with local government, stakeholders and affected landowners, the agency said. The public will have the opportunity to comment on the assessment. Once completed, the commission will be asked to vote on whether to recommend a formal designation to the governor.

That assessment will divide the route into sections and examine things like the density of roads and fences to evaluate risks and opportunities for each segment.

The governor has the final say about whether to designate the corridor through an executive order. The order has already outlined what it wont do, which includes: not applying regulations to private land, not affecting federal grazing permits or access to public land, not deterring energy development or other permits, and not affecting any existing recreation.

More than 60 projects have been reviewed along the migration corridor since the executive order was created and all were able to proceed in some fashion, according to Will Schultz, WGFD supervisor of the habitat protection program.

Angi Bruce, deputy director of External Affairs for WGFD, told the commission the executive order is very specific enabling the governor to find a way to authorize continued development.

WGFD has identified suburban expansion and demand for renewable energy resources as the most concerning threats to the functionality of the corridor. Zach Key, of SOS Well Services in LeBarge, said houses are a bigger concern than oil and gas development since homes are permanent and when natural gas wells dry up they will be reclaimed.

An executive order recognizing the migration route could provide access to federal and nonprofit funds for more work along the route, conservation group speakers noted.

In Wyoming we have something really special here, and this process will help us keep that, Dobric said.
With a bizarre collection of proposals to upset the North Dakota election system, a band of outliers are now carrying petitions across the state to put a catch-all constitutional amendment on the November ballot.

The amendment has neither coherence nor common sense for the professionals who have administered election laws in North Dakota with the utmost of integrity and accuracy.

Secretary State Michael Howe, Wells County Auditor Dan Stutlien and State Auditor Josh Gallion have unanimously agreed that the North Dakota election system is secure.

In a study I did a few years back, we asked the election inspectors in the larger cities and all state's attorneys for their appraisal, and these folks working on the ground attested to the fact that we have one of the best electoral systems in the nation under Republicans and Democrats alike.

Numerous suggestions

If adopted, the measure would require the following:

Any citizen in the United States would be given the authority to scour North Dakota election returns, e.g. a Nevada resident could walk into the Stutsman County Courthouse and demand to see election returns. Many cookies on the loose could make a career of election meddling.

Ballots with some 40 items would be hand-counted so results would not be know for days after the election. Hand counting is more vulnerable to errors than the scientific machines not used.

Early voting or voting by mail would be outlawed, leaving some people with disabilities unable to cast a ballot.

The Legislature would be required to propose constitutional amendments by a two-thirds majority, a change from the simple majority required at present. This is a solution for which there is no problem. History proves that the Legislature has been very frugal in proposing amendments.

The proposal would make it easier to recall elected officials, another answer for a nonexistent problem. No doubt, the sponsors would hope to use recall as a weapon for the radical wing to intimidate public officials.

Lydia Gessele, of Chasely, chair of the sponsoring committee, has failed to provide documented information about the failures in the present system.

Sponsors without facts

Among her arguments are generalities without facts. She has been quoted there are a lot of errors that needed to be corrected and I saw major problems with the machines. A lay person lacks the technical knowledge to make such sweeping allegations.

She hangs her whole case on Missouri where they are still hand-counting some ballots. But Missouri sheds no light because it has fewer candidates and fewer measures on the ballot.

Auditor Daniel Stutlien said hand-counting for very small precincts such as Wells County may be possible, but hand-counting in Grand Forks, Fargo, Minot and Bismarck would require an army to complete.

After burning up millions of dollars in public money and time, this measure will not be approved by the citizenry. It has tied a number of issues into one package, forcing the voters to swallow the whole package with one vote. They wont vote for a pig in the poke.

Some voters may favor eliminating mail ballots but be against easier recall. As we learned in the vote on a new constitution back in 1972, the variety of issues brought out a variety of opponents, each with a specific reason for voting against it.

On the whole, this proposal tends to open the gates for the radicals who want to generate more conflict in the electoral system.

(This column leans heavily on a story written by Jeff Beach for the North Dakota Monitor.)




Benue State House of Assembly, on Thursday, declined confirming one Vincent Gisaor nominated by Governor Hyacinth Alia for the membership of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission.

The nominee was rejected by members of the Assembly for allegedly insulting the Tiv tribe via a post on his Facebook page.

Gisaor was one of the eight nominees for the state electoral commission submitted for screening a few days ago.

The other nominees are Dr John Chen (Chairman), Theodore Uchi, Terhemen Shom, Solomon Deva, Peter Ogagbolo, Edache Isaac and Gloria Clement.

At a plenary session on Thursday, a member of the House, representing Konshisha State Constituency, Cephas Dyako called the attention of his colleagues to a Facebook post made by Gisaor prior to his nomination.

Dyako pointed out that the nominee, in the Facebook post, made derogatory remarks about the entire Tiv ethnic group in the state.

Dyako told the House that: Mr Gisaor said in Tiv dialect your nyash to all the Tiv people in his post, which I find very derogatory from a person of his standing.

Dyako said one person who commented on Gisaors Facebook post advised him to delete the post and apologise but he refused to do so.

When asked to defend himself, the nominee explained that he met an elderly woman during a fight between the Yarev and Ikparev people of Tyo-mu in Makurdi and it was the woman who insulted the Tiv people while talking to him.

I was merely quoting the woman but the recording I made of the womans reply to me when I asked what caused the fight, unfortunately, got deleted from the post, Gisaor stated.

However, the lawmakers refused to buy Gisaors explanation as they all agreed that the nominee was not fit to hold such a public office and urged the House not to confirm his nomination.

Ruling, the Speaker, Hyacinth Dajoh, said the nominee never quoted anyone while making the post, so it was assumed that it was his opinion.

The Speaker, therefore, asked the governor to nominate another person in place of Gisaor.




The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has lamented a boom in illicit drug business in the state, saying drugs are being hawked like sachet water.





Callys Alumona, the new Commander of of the agency, made the remarks on Thursday during a visit to the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, at the Government House in Benin City.





Alumona, who said the agency had visited some hotspots for the sale of illicit drugs in Benin metropolis, noted that drugs are being hawked like pure water in the areas.





According to him, We have been to Ihama and Country Home Hotel Roads and other hotspots for sale of illicit drugs in the State. What we saw was not pleasing at all. Drugs are being hawked like pure water in these areas.





This experience has led us to begin to raid some of these places identified. We have raided Ihama about three times to get these people.





He added that about 12 drug abusers have been apprehended and are currently being rehabilitated.





He also added that about 14,000 tonnes of cannabis sativa have been destroyed in the state while about 153,000 kilograms of cannabis and other assorted drugs have been mopped up from the streets.





In his remarks, Obaseki accused some officers of the agency of being responsible for the boom of illicit drug business in the state, alleging that they collude with sellers and users.





Obaseki, represented by his Chief of Staff, Osaigbovo Iyoha, said there were over 15 hotspots where illicit drugs are being traded that the government are monitoring.





He said some of the officers of the agency allegedly came to the hotspots for settlement and allow the illicit business to continue.





I can show you the hotspots around Benin City. We have over 15 hotspots which we are monitoring. The drug business is troubling because some officers collude with these drug sellers and users.





They come into these hotspots to request for settlement and allow the illicit business to continue. In doing this, lives are being destroyed.





A breach of intelligence report may have been responsible for the death of some of your men in Edo North during one of your operations to raid drug spots, he alleged.





Obaseki also alleged that a breach of intelligence report may have been responsible for the death of some officials of the agency during one of their operations to raid drug spots in Edo North.





He said his government is strengthening collaboration with the NDLEA and other sister security agencies to improve strategies and efforts at combating the drug menace in the State.





While adding that the state government was empowering youths in the State to discourage them from substance abuse and other social vices, he commended the new commander for raiding hotspots in the State and other efforts to end the menace in Edo.





The issue of drugs for us is a problem that we are taking seriously as an administration because the drug problem leads to other criminal activities. Most accidents occur as a result of the abuse and use of drugs.





Government is taking the issue of drug abuse seriously. We have visited Col. Buba Maruwa in Abuja to discuss how to rid the State of illicit drugs. It is important that you have visited Ihama, Country Home Hotel Roads, and other locations, because that shows that you are ready to work. We thank you and want to let you know that there is more work to be done.





We are ready to provide the necessary support needed for you to succeed in this fight against drug abuse in the State.





You have a lot to do as we will collaborate with you and other sister security agencies to win the war against this drug issue. Nobody can do it alone. Synergy will help us succeed and win against all odds, he added.





NDLEA officials were in government house to brainstorm and chart ways to strengthen the war against illicit drugs in the State.





Recall that the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, had on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 while parading some suspects also lamented boom in illegal arms in the state.





We have observed that some unscrupulous elements have turned this state to a situation where guns are just like catapults. These are not good for the society and we are not going to allow it.





In this state, it is quite astonishing and almost unbelievable that people are now carrying arms. These were recovered within a spate of four days from different parts of the state. This is absolutely scaring and we will not allow it.





If you have arms with license, come to renew your license. For now, we are moping all arms, he stated.
Meta, the parent company of Instagram, says it will introduce a new feature on the social media app in June 2024, to allow Nigerian creators to monetise their content.

The company said the feature will enable Nigerian creators to earn a livelihood through the social media platform.

Nick Clegg, Metas president of global affairs, said this when he led a delegation to meet with President Bola Tinubu at the presidential villa on Thursday.

This was disclosed in a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser on media and publicity to the president.

Also, Clegg expressed gratitude to the president for facilitating an executive order crucial to the landing of Meta-backed deep-sea cable infrastructure in Nigeria.

He said the cable could result in a $37 billion economic impact in the next two or three years in Africa.

It is an extraordinary infrastructure project. When it comes on stream in the first quarter of 2025, it will be twice as much as the capacity of all subsea cables that exist, Clegg said.

We buried the cable 50 percent deeper than any other subsea cables under the seabed.

It is more powerful and more extensive in terms of its geographical connectivity.

It could yield up to 37 billion dollars worth of increase in economic activity in the next two or three years across the African continent.

NIGERIA READY TO LEAD AFRICA IN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY

Tinubu said Nigeria is ready to lead the African continent in digital technology.

The president said Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind in this age of technological advancements.

He said his administration is opening up channels of opportunities in information and communications technology, deepening capacity, and fostering partnerships.

In view of his administrations three million technical talent (3MTT) programme, Tinubu said Nigerian youths are the most critical asset in Nigerias arsenal as it moves to achieve digital economic expansion.

For us in Nigeria, we have a vibrant, gifted and resourceful youth population. Recognizing that the future is most likely to be AI-enabled, we have to prepare our youths and make them ready to compete and participate in the global economy, Tinubu said.

I can assure you that Nigeria is open for business. We want to lead the African continent in digital technology.

Data is valuable to our development. We are ready to cooperate on technological advancements. It is the only way to go. We need a collaboration that will be a win-win for all.

Emphasising the importance of technology in driving small businesses, Tinubu said he is committed to ensuring that technology is deployed, adapted, enhanced, and used to catalyse growth across a vast majority of micro-businesses, spurring mass prosperity down the line.

What interests me is the use of technology in the development of small businesses. We need to make the business environment more conducive for you and more profitable for us as well, he said.

I hope we can collaborate and continue to promote our mutual interests.

Also speaking, Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation, and digital economy, emphasised the importance of Meta platforms in Nigeria, stressing the need for collaborative engagements to promote development in the digital economy sector.

We must continue to engage to create opportunities for our people so they can also share in global prosperity, Tijani said.

The minister said digital technology is an opportunity to connect Africa to contribute to the development of the world.




Michael Aondoakaa, an ex-attorney-general of the federation (AGF), says former President Muhammadu Buhari had tried to settle the criminal case against Murtala Nyako, a former Adamawa governor, out of court.

Addressing the court on Thursday, Aondoakaa, the former governors lead counsel, said Buhari had tried to have the case settled out of court on account of Mr Nyakos age.

Nyako and his son, Abdulaziz, were re-arraigned on the allegation of N29 billion theft before Peter Lifu, a judge of the federal high court in Abuja.

Shortly after the arraignment, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, prosecution counsel, told the court that there were moves by the Nyakos to enter a plea bargain with the government.

However, reacting swiftly, Aondoakaa stated that Atolagbes claim of plea bargain was misleading as it meant an admission of guilt by the defendants in the case.

Aondoakaa said Buhari had instructed Abubakar Malami, immediate past AGF, to liaise with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to have the charges dropped.

But politics got in the way of the negotiation because the then AGF wanted to be governor of Kebbi state, Aondoakaa told the court.

After the defendants pleaded not guilty, the judge admitted them to bail on the previous bail conditions.

The prosecution did not object to the bail requests.

While the charges were being read to the defendants, Nyako protested from the dock, saying I do not have the faintest idea about the allegation.

You want to send me to jail so that I die? Nyako asked the court registrar who read the charges.

It took the intervention of Nyakos son, Abdulaziz, to calm the brewing tension.

Nyako also claimed that four assassination attempts had been made on him.

He said when his enemies failed with their plot, they brought him to court on frivolous charges.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the 37-count charge.

Nyako and his co-defendants were first arraigned on July 8, 2015, before Evoh Chukwu, a judge.

The case started afresh on September 12 2016 before Okon Abang, another judge, after the demise of Chukwu on June 8, 2016.

Following Abangs elevation to the court of appeal in 2023, the case was reassigned to Lifu.

Recalling the history of the case, Atolagbe said the prosecution had called 21 witnesses and closed its case before Abang was appointed justice of the appellate court.

He said Abang had dismissed the defendants no-case-submission and ordered them to enter their defence in the suit.

The judges ruling was upheld by the court of appeal in Abuja.

The EFCC is prosecuting the Nyakos alongside Zulkifik Abba, Abubakar Aliyu, Blue Opal Ltd, Tower Assets Management Ltd and Crust Energy Ltd, on charges of criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money laundering.




The Niger-Delta Women Professionals have called on the people involved in the killing of soldiers from 181 Amphibious Division in Okuama community in Delta to surrender to the military authorities without delay to restore peace to the troubled communities.





This is according to a statement by the President and General Secretary of the group, Mrs Augusta Wariboko and Dr Agnes Tari, on Friday in Abuja.





They also urged people in Okuama and environs to cooperate and give security agencies necessary information to effect the arrest of the culprits.





The group said members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria had made so much sacrifice for the country, adding that they did not deserve such wickedness.





They described the killing as unacceptable and capable of truncating the peace in the region.





The women group said the military had played a pivotal role in building peace in the region, especially using non-kinetic approach, saying the killing must be condemned in all ramifications.





They also declared their support for the ongoing efforts to capture the leader of the militant group and his members responsible for the heinous crime.





We support the investigation ordered by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Chris Musa, to get to the root of the problem.





It is important the culprits surrender to the military authorities immediately.





We urge residents of Okuama and environs to pass on useful information to the security agencies.





We, women in the Niger-Delta are vehemently against the atrocious conduct of the militant group. What has happened doesnt represent the people of the Niger-Delta.





We are totally in support of what Gen. Musa and his troops are doing, especially in tackling oil theft, the group added.




President Bola Tinubu has said that those alleging embellishments in the 2024 budget did not understand arithmetic.

Recall that the 2024 budget was shrouded in controversy following allegations by Senator Abdul Ningi representing Bauchi Central, saying over N3.7 trillion in the budget could not be traced to any project.

The allegations, which landed him three-month suspension, stimulated reactions from concerned Nigerians across the country.

Speaking on the matter, Tinubu while hosting the leadership of the Senate to a dinner to break the Ramadan fast at the State House on Thursday in Abuja, assured the lawmakers that their integrity was still intact.

I know the arithmetic of the budget and the numbers that I brought to the National Assembly, and I know what numbers came back. I appreciate all of you for the expeditious handling of the budget. Thank you very much.

Those who are talking about malicious embellishment in the budget, they did not understand the arithmetic and did not refer to the baseline of what I brought. But your integrity is intact.

I am grateful for what you have been doing. The natural challenge we are facing will be over.

On the current economic difficulty, we are about turning the corner. Our revenue has improved. All we have to do is to control expenditure and manage ourselves better, the President said.

Tinubu thanked members of the National Assembly for the speedy attention given to the Students Loan Amendment Bill, urging more tolerance, forgiveness, and charity during Ramadan.




Nollywood actor, lawyer and Labour Party Chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo, has hit out at the administration of President Bola Tinubu again.





Speaking with Channels Televisions host Seun Okinbaloye in a recent interview, Okonkwo claimed that anarchy is looming in the country.





He warned Tinubu that Nigeria is not Lagos and criticized the presidents decision to allow his children to stand before Ministers in the Order of Protocols during his visit to Qatar earlier this month.





Okonkwo also accused Tinubu of nepotism and claimed the nine months of his government is worse than his predecessor, Muhammadu Tinubu.





He said: Anarchy looms in Nigeria. Nigeria isnt Lagos where you sit down and decree things, and you expect it to work that way.





You dont compare gold with carrots.





I thought Buharis regime was going to be the worst, but the nine months of this present government has surpassed it.





Do you know what it means when you place your children in order of protocols before the Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria? What do you call that? You allowed someone to come into Aso Rock, sitting on the Coat of Arms to call our military men thieves.





This government in terms of appointment is just concentrating not even on South West but on the Lagos axis of his Jagabanic proteges.
UPDATE: Man sought in fatal shooting surrenders to police

Authorities have arrested two men in a shooting that left one dead at a South Jersey apartment complex earlier this month, while the third accused shooter is still at large.

The men are accused of gunning down 35-year-old Dashon Lee at the Asselta Acres Apartments in Vineland on the morning of Saturday, March 9, the Cumberland County Prosecutors Office said.

Jamin Carney, 28, of Millville and Chavez Mills, 26, of Vineland, were both charged on March 14. Carney was charged with murder and conspiracy, while Mills faces the charge of conspiracy to commit murder. Mills was arrested that same day and Carney was apprehended a day later.

Angel A. Aguero, 31, the first alleged shooter to be charged, is considered a fugitive. Authorities said on March 13 that he was armed and dangerous and should not be approached. Aguero has been charged with murder and multiple weapons offenses.

Police were responding to a reported shooting at the apartment complex around 12:30 a.m. on March 9 when they found Lee, a Vineland resident, suffering from gunshot wounds. He was brought to Inspira Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead that same day, officials said.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about Agueros whereabouts to call 1-877-WANTED-2 or submit an online tip at www.usmarshals.gov.

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Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
Six women and two companies were indicted by a state grand jury of a decade-long fraud conspiracy to funnel over $700,000 from the publicly-funded Traumatic Brain Injury Fund, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced Friday.

Maria Sirange Viana DeSouza, 48, and Patricia Souza Lima, 36, of Newark; Marlene Souza-Sales, 45, and Stephanie Andrade, 36, of Elizabeth; Estela Maristol Zapata, 46, of Edison and Clara Rincon, 48, of the Bronx, New York, were all charged with conspiracy, theft by deception, misapplication of government property, tampering with public records, falsifying or tampering with records and official misconduct.

Marlenes Cleaning Service, based in Newark, and S&N Household Management, based in Elizabeth were also indicted in the scheme. Both companies were founded in 2018, officials said.
From Saturday until Tuesday, snow will fall somewhere in the Dakotas, as a strengthening winter storm moves from the Rockies into the Great Plains.

Meteorologist Joe Martucci is here to explain when the heaviest snow will be. Joe says a number of locations should have enough snow to be plowed. Be aware of low visibility driving or flying thanks to blowing snow, too.
A Hoboken woman was sentenced to five years in prison after admitting to a $1.5 million fraud scheme that targeted non-profits, private schools and religious institutions, U.S. Attorney Phillip R. Sellinger said Thursday.

Yezenia Castillo, 47, previously pleaded guilty to one count each of wire fraud and tax evasion after authorities accused her of posing as a Certified Public Accountant who could provide financial and accounting services to non-profit organizations throughout New Jersey and then taking over $1.5 million in client funds.

Authorities claimed that for almost ten years, from 2012 through 2021, Castillo used various methods to steal from her clients, including collecting fees for services never provided and transferring client money to herself without authorization. Castillo also collected money from clients to pay taxes, but instead kept the money, authorities said.
A federal judge in Texas dismissed charges Wednesday against a Hoboken man with hundreds of thousands of social media followers who was accused of participating in a pump and dump stock market scheme, his attorneys said.

Mitchell Hennessey, of Hoboken, and seven others were accused of using their extensive social media presence on Twitter and Discord to hype interest in particular securities. Officials claimed they posted false and misleading information in order to pump the prices of those securities, while concealing their intent to later dump their shares by selling them at the artificially inflated prices, according to court documents.

However, according to his attorneys, prosecutors claimed Hennessey committed securities fraud because he posted on social media that he owned a stock and his reasons for purchasing the stock but did not also state when he intended to sell the stock.

The judge ultimately ruled his online conduct did not constitute a crime and concluded that Hennessey did not deprive investors of their money or property through any misrepresentation, according to a statement from the attorneys, Laura M. Kidd Cordova and associate Michael Murtha, of Texas-based law firm Jackson Walker.

It is an absolute honor and privilege to represent Mitch Hennessey, Cordova said in a statement. It was clear to me from the beginning that he did not commit any crime, and it is incredibly gratifying that the judge recognized that and dismissed all charges against him.

Cordova also confirmed to NJ Advance Media that charges levied against Edward Constantinescu, of Montgomery, Texas; Perry PJ Matlock, of The Woodlands, Texas, John Rybarczyk, of Spring, Texas; Gary Deel, of Beverly Hills, California, Stefan Hrvatin, of Miami, Florida and Tom Cooperman, also of Beverly Hills, were also dismissed. They, along with Hennessy, were all charged in 2022 with with conspiracy to commit securities fraud.

Another man charged, Dan Knight, of Houston, Texas, pleaded guilty in March of of last year to securities fraud, she said.

Knight was accused of aiding and abetting the alleged scheme and and is now is scheduled to be sentenced on July 29, according to Variety.

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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
Speaker after speaker shared a story of a friend or family member or even themselves being struck by vehicles  in some cases a distracted driver trying to turn right on a red light, checking left for cars, but failing to see the pedestrians crossing on the right.

Jennifer Marin was struck by a car 10 years ago at the corner of Sixth Street and Marin Boulevard.
A second New York man was sentenced Thursday for his role in threatening to harm and extorting a Monmouth County resident in 2019, U.S. Attorney Phillip R. Sellinger announced.

Endrit Kllogjeri, 30, was convicted in a one-week trial last June of Hobbs Act and conspiracy charges. He was sentenced to seven years in prison by a federal judge in Trenton Thursday.

Kllogjeris co-defendant Francis Garzon, 35, also of Brooklyn, previously pleaded guilty to similar charges and was sentenced to 10 years and one month in prison in January.

Prosecutors accused Kllogjeri and Garzon of aggressively extorting a Monmouth County resident and his son, who lived in Brooklyn, for eight days in Dec. 2019. Kllogjeri and Garzon threatened to physically harm the man if he did not return a bag that allegedly contained property worth $100,000 from his son, authorities said.

Kllogjeri and Garzon demanded an additional $100,000 as interest and continued to threaten the Monmouth County man and his family with violence over one week, officials said. Kllogjeri and Garzon were arrested in Brooklyn on Dec. 9, 2019.

Kllogjeri was sentenced to an additional three years of supervised release after his prison term. Attorneys for Kllogjeri did not immediately return a request for comment Thursday night.

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Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X
Will there be a garage sale?

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, who has repeatedly defied calls for his resignation after his sweeping corruption charges six months ago, announced Thursday he will not run in the Democratic primary for re-election. But the New Jersey senator said he might run as an independent candidate in the fall after his exoneration.

I will not file for the Democratic primary this June. I am hopeful that my exoneration will take place this summer and allow me to pursue my candidacy as an independent Democrat in the general election, Menendez said in a nine-minute video.

At least one of his Democratic colleagues doesnt believe hell return to Congress and covets one of Menendezs perks.

Dibs on your parking space, U.S. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvanis posted on Twitter over the video of Menendez making his announcement.

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In January, Fetterman  one of the first Democrats to demand Menendezs resignation  dared Menendez to run for re-election and said he should not have access to classified documents. Fetterman has proposed a resolution that would prohibit senators charged with certain criminal offenses  including acting as a foreign agent  from receiving classified information.

He has the right to have his day in court, absolutely, Fetterman said, but he doesnt have the right to necessarily be a senator, and he definitely doesnt have the right to be in classified briefings that involve nations that he is now credibly accused of being a foreign agent of. Its outrageous and I truly cant understand why anybody would be okay with that.

Menendezs political career began more than 40 years ago when he beat the Hudson County machine to become mayor of Union City. He was later elected to the state Assembly and state Senate, followed by his election in November 1992 to the U.S. House of Representatives. He was appointed to the U.S. Senate in 2006.

Menendez, 70, had been silent about whether he would mount a bid for a fourth term. First, he must face his legal troubles.

Menendez was charged, along with his wife Nadine, originally was charged with taking bribes that included gold bars, envelopes stuffed with cash and a $60,000 Mercedes-Benz C-300 convertible, in return for his influence to benefit friends and allies.

Earlier this month, prosecutors piled on more charges, and Menendez now faces 18 criminal counts that include bribery, extortion, conspiracy to act as a foreign agent, wire fraud and obstruction of justice.

His trial is scheduled to begin in May. The deadline for independents to enter the race is June 4.

NJ Advance Media staff writers Brent Johnson and Ted Sherman contributed to this report.

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A roundup of conversations we're having daily on the site. Subscribe to the Reckon Daily for stories centering marginalized communities and speaking to the under-covered issues of the moment.

The House of Representatives on Friday passed an appropriations bill meant to fund the government through Sept. 30. Though the bill, which awaits a vote in the Senate, includes six spending measures for departments like the Homeland Security and the Labor and Health and Human Services and Education, it bans direct federal funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the largest humanitarian organization offering aid to thousands of people in the Gaza war zone.

Palestinian rights groups and supporters of a ceasefire in Gaza have slammed the measure to stop funding UNRWA through at least March 2025.

This government funding bill would contribute to the forced starvation and death of even more Palestinian refugees in Gaza during a genocide, according to a call to action by the civil rights network U.S. Campaign For Palestinian Rights. UNRWA is the only UN agency with the infrastructure to provide aid directly to Palestinians in Gaza.

UNRWA was created about 75 years ago as a temporary program to provide social services and protection for Palestinian refugees in the Middle East. The agencys Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini in an address to the U.N. General Assembly in early March said UNRWA has continued to operate pending a just political solution to the question of Palestine.

According to UNRWA, in the last five months, more children, journalists, medical personnel and U.N. staff have been killed at the strip than anywhere else in the world during a conflict. According to estimates, more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed since Oct. 7.

Republicans celebrated the bills provisions, citing the defunding of UNRWA among targeted cuts to overfunded non-defense programs while praising its continued commitment to Israel by punishing the United Nations for what lawmakers claim was a blatant bias against our allies. The act also eliminates funding for the U.N. Commission of Inquiry against Israel.

The U.S. has historically provided the majority of UNRWAs funding, but that changed early this year amid claims by Israel of UNRWA staff involvement in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. The U.N. has cast doubt on those claims over a lack of evidence.

Nonetheless, 16 countries, including the U.S., put their funding on hold, totalling a loss of $450 million for UNRWA.

Urgent action is needed, the nonprofit Americans for Justice in Palestine Action said in a social media post on Thursday. Advocates are calling on the Biden Administration to reinstate full funding to UNRWA, ensure people in Gaza receive humanitarian aid, stop supplying Israel with weapons and demand a complete ceasefire.

This isnt the first time UNRWA has faced threats to its existence. In 2018, former President Donald Trump cut all U.S. funding to the agency, calling it irredeemably flawed. President Biden restored support in 2021 before pausing funding in January. The appropriations bill would extend the pause to next year.

On March 1, several non-governmental organizations signed a letter urging U.N. members to reaffirm support for UNRWAs work to help Palestinians survive one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes of our times.

The suspension of funding by donor states to the main aid provider for millions of Palestinians in Gaza and the region, at a time where famine is looming and disease outbreaks are worsening, will impact life-saving assistance for over two million civilians, half of whom are children, who rely on UNRWA aid in Gaza, according to the letter.

In addition to the tens of thousands killed, more than 85 percent of Palestinians in Gaza were displaced by the war, with 1 million people sheltering in UNRWA facilities across the region, according to the U.N. Civil rights leaders worry famine may be imminent.

Senate officials are expected to vote on the legislation on Friday to prevent a partial government shutdown over the weekend. Biden said he would sign the bill.

The appropriations bill will provide $9.6 billion to fund ICE, including $5.1 billion for enforcement and removal of migrants, and $3 million more for the body-worn cameras pilot. The legislation sets aside an extra $1 billion for child care and early education programs, which Democrats said was the largest funding item at over $20 billion.

The legislation also funds 22,000 border patrol officers, the highest level ever funded, according to Republicans. The bill funds what they said is the largest increase in basic military pay (5.2 percent) in over two decades. It also requires the U.N. and other international aid agencies to report on their efforts to combat anti-Israel bias and antisemitism and vet their staff for connections to terrorist groups.
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A Garrison woman who pleaded guilty to child abuse and child neglect stemming from an incident last year involving an infant was sentenced to two years in prison Friday.

Brittany St. Vincent, 30, was given an eight-year sentence with six years suspended on the child abuse charge and an additional two-year sentence on the child neglect charge. The sentences will run at the same time. Upon her release, St. Vincent will serve two years of supervised probation and be required to register as an offender against children.

Charges against St. Vincent were filed after she brought a a 3-month-old infant to the Garrison hospital in February 2023. The child was transferred to a Fargo hospital and examinations revealed multiple fractures to the infant's wrists, legs and right elbow as well as bruises in various stages of healing, according to an affidavit. The document also says doctors found a laceration inside the child's mouth.

Doctors at the Garrison hospital determined the injuries were not accidental. They advised St. Vincent that the infant needed to be transferred to Fargo, but St. Vincent refused, citing costs, the affidavit said.

Authorities then contacted McLean County Social Services, which took custody of the infant, who was then transferred to Fargo. Treatment included two surgical procedures, and doctors discovered two additional fractures not initially reported, according to the affidavit.

Authorities who searched St. Vincent's home described it as having unsafe living conditions and a strong smell of burnt marijuana. In an interview with investigators St. Vincent reportedly admitted hurting the child, telling authorities she was at least partly to blame for the infant's injuries, saying "It was an accident and I didn't realize how heavy handed I am," according to the affidavit.
The Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation on Friday signed an alcohol tax revenue sharing agreement with the state of North Dakota.

MHA Nation Chairman Mark Fox, Gov. Doug Burgum and Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus gathered in the Capitol's Memorial Hall to sign the historic accord. It's the first under legislation approved last year. Each of the five tribal nations in North Dakota can impose a tax on alcoholic beverages sold at retail and wholesale levels on their reservation, keeping 80% of the tax revenue, with the rest going into the states general fund.

The MHA Nation has been contending with the impacts of alcohol being sold on our reservation for a very long time. It has greatly burdened our judicial system with domestic violence, alcohol-related injuries and deaths from vehicle accidents, and various forms of crime, Fox said. This new tax revenue will help relieve the tremendous amount of money our government spends yearly to provide treatment services related to alcohol addiction, social and wellness services, and supplement enhancements to law enforcement."

Burgum said This agreement underscores the commitment of the state of North Dakota and MHA Nation to work together for the mutual benefit of their communities."
Capture the Flag is back for Jazz Fest 2024 and we are teaming up with Miller Lite again, to send you and a friend to Jazz Fest for free. All you have to do is find our festival flag to enter for your chance to win!

How to play:

Follow @gambitneworleans on Instagram, @gambitgoods on Twitter, or like our Facebook page to be notified when we release a clue. We recommend turning notifications on!



Every Friday from March 29- April 26, we'll post a new clue directing you to a mystery location in the Greater New Orleans area along with a 30 minute window to be there.



Solve the clue and show up to the mystery site during the specified time frame to enter a drawing for tickets to Jazz Fest and some great Miller Lite gear (Multiple ticket winners will be selected at each flag drop).

*Please note: Only one winner per household is permitted in the 2024 Capture the Flag Promotion. Employees of Capture the Flag mystery locations are not eligible to participate in the contest round hosted on site at their employers business. Must be 21+ to participate.



NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. 1. Open to legal residents of the Continental United States. 2. Must be 21 years or older to enter to be eligible to win listed prizes, unless otherwise stated. 3. No substitution or transfer of prize permitted. Prizes are non-redeemable for cash. 4. Gambit reserves the right to refuse any submission for any reason. 5. Odds of winning depend upon the number of eligible entries received. 6. Winners will be notified by email or telephone. 7. Employees of Gambit, its subsidiaries, affiliates, and their families are not eligible to enter. 8. For the names of the prize winners send a SASE for receipt within 60 days following the end of the Promotion Period to the attention of Marketing Department at the below address. Please be sure to specify the name of the Promotion for which you are requesting the winners list. Gambit, Marketing Department, 823 Camp St., New Orleans, LA 70130. 9. By entering, participants agree to release and hold harmless Gambit and any other sponsors of the contest, their parents, subsidiaries and affiliated entities, and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, attorneys, agents, and representatives from any damage, injury, expense, cost, death, loss, claim, action, demand, or other liability that may arise in connection with the Contest, or resulting from their acceptance and/or use of any prize, their travel to or from any prize related activity, their participation in this promotion, or from any misuse or malfunction of any prize awarded, including, without limitation, personal injury, death, and/or property damage. 10. By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of Gambit, which shall be final and binding with regard to all matters relating to the Contest.

New Orleans Jazz Fest 2023: The cubes are here! Check out the performance times and stages for Dead & Co., Lizzo, Jon Batiste and hundreds more.
Ed.note: A previous version of this story stated Paul Rainwater owns Cornerstone Government Affairs. He works for the company but does not own it.

Gov. Jeff Landrys Sewerage & Water Board Task Force appears poised to recommend a series of sweeping changes to the citys beleaguered utility, including rate hikes on residents and businesses, as well as structural changes that could pave the way for privatization, among others.

At their third and final public meeting Thursday morning, task force members offered suggestions on how to reform the S&WB, which has been under increased scrutiny regarding billing issues, outdated infrastructure and lagging pumping capabilities.

Paul Flower, a committee member and the CEO of Woodward Design+Build, suggested implementing new fees for property owners, and requiring nonprofits, which are currently exempt from stormwater fees, to begin paying. That would increase revenue and allow the agency to afford vital updates and maintenance, he said.

Its [currently] unsustainable and it needs to be fair, he said. The basic desire is to make sure everyone in the city is paying their fair share for the service of pumping stormwater from their property.

He also suggested incentivizing property owners to use permeable materials to help prevent flooding, an issue that has received bipartisan support for years.

Some task force members have taken issue with the way S&WB is governed.

Currently it is led by a board controlled by the mayor, funded by the New Orleans City Council and regulated by the Louisiana Legislature. Some say thats simply too many cooks in the kitchen.

There seems to be a general consensus that theres a fundamental disconnect of accountability in the governance structure, said task force member and real estate investor Ryan Berger.

Flower expressed doubt that the city can manage the agency without the state stepping in with greater oversight.

The truth of the matter is, the way the city is operating right now, they couldnt handle it, in my opinion, he said.

Members also discussed the possibility of changing the classification of S&WB employees from city civil servants to state civil servants.

Such a move is widely seen as a key step towards privatizing S&WB and turning it into something akin to Entergy New Orleans, the citys power provider.

In fact, Rep. Stephanie Hilferty, a Jefferson Parish Republican whose district also includes a small portion of New Orleans, has introduced HB 593, which would redesignate the boards personnel.

Additionally, a bill authored by Republican State Sen. Glen Womack appears to support some of the task forces ideas, though Womack has not worked directly with the task force.

Senate Bill 73, if passed, would create a series of new state-level guardrails for public and privately run sewerage and water systems across Louisiana.

Task force members also discussed potentially stripping responsibility for the citys catch basins from the Department of Public Works and instead putting them under the purview of the S&WB.

That, members argued, could streamline certain issues when it comes to flood mitigation, since clogged catch basins frequently contribute to the problems.

Rate increases are also favorable among the task force officials, who pointed out the rising costs of maintenance and new equipment.

That is unlikely to sit well with the public, as many residents showed up the week prior to air their grievances about high bills stemming from inaccurate readings and leaks.

The S&WB has meanwhile been working on upgrading its billing practices through its Smart Meter program.

Nothing is set in stone yet. The task force, which is merely an advisory board and does not greenlight policy directly, is expected to give final recommendations to the governors office next Thursday, March 27.

The task force itself is controversial. Members largely represent business interests and the private sector, and its chair is a lobbyist.

The Louisiana Illuminator earlier today reported that Paul Rainwater, who works for Cornerstone Government Affairs, represents the city of New Orleans and four other agencies, including the Sewerage and Water Board, as a lobbyist before state government.

Landry and S&WB executive director Ghassan Korban are reportedly not concerned about that issue.
State officials were informed of the spill at a pipeline operated by Scout Energy Management LLC around 7  miles northeast of Medora. The leak caused the spill of 350 barrels or 14,700 gallons of produced water, which is saltwater that can contain oil and drilling chemicals.

The spill impacted rangeland, DEQ said. The pipeline has since been isolated, and 315 barrels or 13,230 gallons have been recovered, according to the spill report on file with the state.

The other spill happened Thursday at a well operated by Rough Rider Operating LLC about 12 miles southwest of Ross in northwest Mountrail County, the state Department of Mineral Resources said. Around 330 barrels or 13,860 gallons of produced water spilled.

All products were contained on location, and 310 barrels or 13,020 gallons have been recovered, according to the spill report on file with the state.

Officials have inspected the sites, and will continue to monitor an investigation and cleanup, regulators said.
Louisiana is the latest state to consider giving parents control ofthe public dollars used to pay for the education of their children. A bill 
One group of Louisiana voters regularly cast ballots without ever going to the polls. And if there's a runoff, they've already made their choi
The North Dakota Public Service Commission has set the details for public hearings on a route permit for Summit Carbon Solutions' planned multistate carbon dioxide pipeline.

This will be the second round of public hearings the PSC has held on Summit's siting application. The first round started last spring, taking place in numerous communities near the pipeline's more-than-300-mile proposed route across the state. The commission ultimately denied the project in August.

The PSC cited several reasons for its initial decision, including that Summit had not adequately addressed how the project would impact sensitive areas including cultural sites, some wildlife areas and unstable geological areas. The PSC in its order also said that Summit has not taken the steps to address outstanding legitimate impacts expressed by landowners during the public comment or demonstrated why a reroute is not feasible.

The PSC last September granted Summit a petition for a reconsideration. At the time, one commissioner cited the desire to maintain the record given that Summit would have likely reapplied if the petition was denied.

Almost 2,000 additional pages of information have been submitted since the PSC granted Summit its petition for reconsideration. This includes large and small reroutes across the pipeline's footprint, and the company's attempts to address the other issues.

The first set of hearings will begin April 22 starting at 9 a.m. in the ballroom at the Baymont Inn & Suites in Mandan. This will primarily focus on portions of the project in Burleigh, Morton and Oliver counties, and it could last multiple days. The largest changes to the route are in Burleigh County.

At an earlier meeting commissioners indicated this would also be when many of the other aspects of the application would be discussed.

The second public hearing is set for May 24 at the Harry Stern & Ella Stern Cultural Center at the North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton. This will primarily focus on route adjustments in Dickey, Sargent, Cass and Richland counties in eastern North Dakota.

The final public hearing is set for June 4 in the Our Club in Linton. It will primarily focus on adjustments in Emmons, Logan and McIntosh Counties in central North Dakota.
A Barnstaple man is set to embark on a remarkable solo journey across London.

Andy Hood will be running to 21 different Krispy Kreme doughnut stores on Saturday April 6 spanning from Stratford to Canary Wharf, covering a staggering distance of 50 kilometres.

This self-designed challenge aims to raise awareness about testicular cancer while fundraising for The Oddballs Foundation, a charity dedicated to supporting individuals affected by this disease.

Andy, a testicular cancer survivor himself, found solace and strength in running after his diagnosis in 2021.

Now, he's leveraging his passion for running to support others facing similar battles.

Reflecting on his journey, Andy said: "After the operation and chemotherapy, I returned to the running shoes with a goal to help others."

The idea for this unique challenge struck Andy as he contemplated his love for Krispy Kreme doughnuts and wondered about the locations of their stores across London.

"I decided I wanted to do something a bit different and unusual," he explained.

"I then got wondering where all their London stores are located."

With careful planning, Andy crafted a route that would take him through various neighbourhoods of London, starting from Stratford and culminating at Canary Wharf.

"The route was unbelievable," he expressed.

"What I mapped out, takes me down through a strip from Stratford, you get to go through Bethnal Green, High Holborn and Bloomsbury."

Despite the solo nature of the challenge, Andy will have the support of a few friends who will join him for parts of the run.

"I've got a few runners, friends of mine that are going to join me for a few miles here and there," he revealed.

"I've got the map, and they're going to come and pick me up at certain points."

Andy has said Krispy Kreme has been instrumental in supporting his endeavour, with the company fully on board with his unique challenge.

"Krispy Kreme have been amazing with planning the whole event," Andy acknowledged. He said: Krispy Kreme said to me we're really happy with you to do it, we're gonna supply you some free doughnuts at the beginning"

Andys run will be tracked via GPS, allowing supporters to follow his progress live as he tackles this extraordinary feat for a worthy cause.

Andys fundraising efforts will benefit The OddBalls Foundation, a prominent charity established in 2015 dedicated to raising awareness of testicular cancer.

The foundation's mission revolves around educating individuals about the fundamentals of testicular cancer and promoting regular self-checks to facilitate early detection, ultimately saving lives.

Andy's dedication to supporting charitable causes is evident through his remarkable fundraising efforts.

Through his passion for running, Andy has raised an impressive 7,760 for charity. Expressing his gratitude to all those who have supported his endeavours, Andy has shared a powerful message: "Just do it!"

You can support Andy here: https://shorturl.at/uK359
A High Bickington postman has retired after 42 years working as a postman for the village.

Richard Lethbridge has bid farewell to his long career as a postman with a retirement party at the community centre scheduled for Tuesday, March 26, at 2pm.

This celebration marks the end of an era for the 66-year-old retiree, who has dutifully served the community since his early days as a postman.

Richard began his career as a postman after his tenure at Dartington Glass in Torrington, where he spent several years working before the recession prompted a change in his career and he took voluntary redundancy.

It was his mother, already a part-time postwoman, who guided him towards this new path. Nervously, he applied for a part time job and found success, eventually transitioning into a full-time role and selecting High Bickington as his preferred round.

In 2002, Richard was honoured with an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II, a recognition bestowed upon him by the villagers for his dedicated service.

Reflecting on this accolade, he initially hesitated but was encouraged by others to accept the honour.

"It is a real community effort," Richard expressed, describing the preparations for his retirement party.

Over 200 individuals have responded affirmatively to the invitation.

Richard envisioned a cream tea affair and sent flyers about the event around.

The local village shop has generously offered to cater scones for the occasion, with a donor stepping forward to cover the expenses.

The community centre has even offered the centre free of charge for the event.

Since his retirement last Saturday (March 16) Richard has said: People have been coming up to me telling me they respect me and how much they miss me since Ive been gone.

Richard also fondly reminisced about his time as a postman, recalling memorable moments such as collecting mail delivered by rail, a task that required him to meet the train at quarter to four in the morning alongside his colleagues.

Amidst the nostalgia, he expressed excitement about his upcoming retirement plans, revealing his passion for ballroom dancing and an upcoming dance cruise with his partner through the Netherlands, Bruges, and Cherbourg.
I have routinely reported back on the crucial issue of the state of the housing market.

This is critically important to Northern Devon, a viable, successful and growing market is a significant wealth creator and generates numerous jobs and stimulates/ supports many of our local businesses.

My normal focus is on house price trends. It is however equally important to look at how successful the market is in providing adequate new residences. This will undoubtedly be one of the most significant debating points for the forthcoming General Election (my best estimate still remains October 2024).

A huge amount of media attention has focused in on housing delivery. The government set a target that was needed to keep pace with demand.

This is partly because we have a growing population. Partly to allow families to develop their own households and partly because there is a huge undersupply of houses to rent and for affordable housing accommodation.

Currently, the situation is one of significant market failure. The governments target for new homes each year was set back in 2004, requiring the delivery of 300,000 new homes (each year). Both the Labour and Conservative administrations supported this target.

The reality, however, is that this figure has never been met. Supply increased from around 185,000 in 2004 to a peak of 249,000 in 2019.

The predictions regarding population growth however show the stark reality of this failure to deliver. Because we have never built enough each year and because of the new predictions regarding housing demand, it is now estimated that the annual target needs to be increased to 385,000 new homes per year.

It is a sad reality that during the 14 years of Conservative rule, the situation has continued to deteriorate. The latest predictions are that annual delivery for each of the next three years will not exceed 180,000.

Many within the industry regard even this assessment as heroically optimistic. Some of the most dire predictions indicate that the real number could be less than 150,000 per year.

This market failure is a serious indictment of bad policies and a heavily bureaucratic processes. There are always claims that any freeing up of controls will result in a builders charter to build over green fields. The simple truth, however, is that this is a gross misrepresentation of the real constraints.

The finger of blame can be pointed in a number of directions. Sadly, one of the main culprits is the planning system. Local Authorities who deliver planning services have had to cope with a 44 per cent cut in their planning department budgets since 2010.

This has effectively paralysed the market. There is a huge log jam. It is not unusual for planning applications to take between 2-5 years to resolve.

We need also to be realistic about the suppliers of new homes. Currently, the UK is reliant upon around 11 major house builders. These include well known names, such as, Barratt, Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey. Collectively, these build around 25 per cent of all our new housing stock.

The governments Levelling-Up department have been probing to see if house builders are guilty of land banking. The results of this have proved to be largely negative.

Most of the sites owned by house builders that have not commenced, are stalled either because of planning delays or because of increasing difficulties of securing adequate utility connections.

In Somerset, for example, the new housing market has virtually ground to a halt because of regulations regarding Phosphate pollution in watercourses (phosphate emissions from new houses is around 20 per cent of the problem. Farming and industrial practices are around 80 per cent of the problem, but the restrictions only fall on new house builders).

Another major delaying factor which is increasingly being experienced, is an adequate electricity supply. This problem is going to get much worse because of the drive towards all electric heating systems (ground and air sourced) and the need to provide for electric vehicle charging points for each dwelling.

Additional problems are in trying to stimulate smaller regional companies to provide new stock. Before 2008, smaller developers built around 40 per cent of new homes, this has now fallen to around 15 per cent.

Another huge problem is that the UK lacks skilled construction trades workers. The current deficit is estimated at around 937,000 with no prospect that this will improve within the next 10 years. Cutting off the skills lifeline of skilled European construction workers has also been a major disruption to the market.

These are huge problems but they equally bear down on the Northern Devon economy. We have more than our share of poorly insulated properties.

We also desperately need new homes for first time buyers, those trying to get off the rental ladder and to support the growth of expanding businesses with the provision of key worker accommodation.

I could have written a lot more on this subject and will return to it. There are no easy answers here, but a frank debate is essential.
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PRAISE

Advance Praise for Music and Mind



At a time when the bonds of our common humanity are being stretched to the limits, at the same time as the intensifying stresses on our personal well-being, Renees book is a timely reminder that music is the meta language that connects all individuals and spans all cultures, religions, and races. Music has never been more important.

Sting



This lyrical book opens our hearts and minds to the vast potential of the creative artsmusic, dance, and synchronous movementsto sooth, comfort and connect to each other, and thereby promote health and well-being. The authors, some of the most luminous musicians, dancers, physicians, and neuroscientists of our time, all are deeply engaging, sometimes even magical, writers. This book inspires us all to immerse ourselves in the vast potential of music and other creative arts to heal our wounds, sharpen our minds, enliven our bodies, and restore our broken connections.

Bessel van der Kolk



Renee Fleming has the voice of an angel and the brain of a scholar. Her boundless curiosity has enabled her to assemble a myriad of experts to explore this exciting new field of science. Her work has given me a new appreciation of the wonders of music and the impact it has on our brains as well as our lives.

Katie Couric



Brava, Renee, for assembling this groundbreaking collection of writings on music and the brain, with all the latest fascinating connections and possibilities splendidly presented. This volume will be a touchstone not only for researchers and musicians, but also for plain old music-lovers and good-book-lovers like myself.

Jamie Bernstein



Renees deep commitment to the powerful intersection of art and wellness is an inspiration. These studies are a beacon leading us to the inevitable realization that art is essential to humanity. I highly recommend this book for musicians and non-musicians alike. In our current divisive world, art offers hope, comfort and healing.

Marin Alsop



This extraordinary volume edited by Renee Fleming is the most comprehensive compilation of the role of music in every aspect of life, from biological evolution to our own mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. The meaning of life is in the music of life.

Deepak Chopra



[A] stimulating anthology. . . . Taken together, the essays reflect a human-centric model of care that smoothly integrates traditional scientific research and intuitive notions of integrative health. The result is an expansive and thought-provoking look at the dynamic intersection between art and science.

Publishers Weekly



Compelling. . . . A must-read for anyone who questions the health benefits of music.

Kirkus Reviews
VALPARAISO  Sentencing was postponed Friday for a 39-year-old area man, who pleaded guilty after being nabbed nearly two years ago sharing child pornography online, including images of girls under the age of 10 pictured with adult men.

Defense attorney Mark Chargualaf sought the delay for Jeffrey Rogers, saying he needed time to work out final details.

Rogers pleaded guilty in February to a felony count of child exploitation in return for prosecutors dismissing two counts of possessing child pornography, records show.

He faces up to eight years behind bars when sentencing is carried out during the new hearing date of May 3. He will be required to register as a sex offender and comply with those restrictions, records show.

An Indiana State Police officer, who works with the Indiana Crimes Against Children Task Force, said that in July 2022 she began investigating a tip received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The individual in question, who later turned out to be Rogers, was using the online site Reddit to download child pornography, a court document says.

The user was tracked down to an address within the Whispering Sands Manufactured Home Community in Liberty Township, where police learned Rogers would visit and stay on occasion with a family member. It was confirmed he had been at the site during the time period in question of May 18 to July 5, 2022

Police said they were told Rogers had up to four cell phones at a time. Using a search warrant, police took possession of the phones and found at least one contained multiple pornographic images of female and male children.
VALPARAISO  A Porter County judge rejected a proposed plea agreement Friday from a 34-year-old Michigan City man charged with driving while intoxicated and causing a crash that resulted in the death of a female passenger and left an 18-month-old boy on life support.

Porter Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Clymer did not explain his decision, which came at the start of what was supposed to be a sentencing hearing in the case.

Rather, Clymer pointed out that the case was two years old and was going to trial.

It was agreed that the accused, Marcus Wright, will face jurors beginning July 8.

"The case is old," Clymer said. "It's time for a trial."

Wright has claimed he was not driving at the time of the fatal March 25, 2022, crash into a pond in Pine Township.

The driver, he insisted, was 22-year-old Alisa Oman, who drowned.

Porter County man pleads guilty in child porn case, sentencing delayed until May VALPARAISO  Sentencing was postponed Friday for a 39-year-old area man, who pleaded guilty after being nabbed nearly two years ago sharing ch

"Marcus Wright stated that Alisa was driving and that she was driving too fast," according to a charging document. "Mr. Wright stated that he observed Alisa try to stop at the stop sign but believed that there was an issue with the vehicle's brakes."

Wright is charged with felony counts of operating while intoxicated causing death, OWI causing catastrophic injury and OWI with a passenger who is less than 18 years of age and a misdemeanor OWI charge, records show.

A 1-year-old boy was reported in critical condition and on a breathing machine at Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago after being underwater without oxygen for 15 to 17 minutes.

Police said they were called about 4:40 p.m. March 25, 2022 to the crash in the 1600 block of Ardendale Avenue in Pine Township.

Police said an investigation shows the gray 2000 Buick LeSabre was westbound on County Road 1675 North when it failed to stop at the T-intersection at County Road 625 East/Ardendale Avenue. The vehicle traveled through a residential yard and came to rest upside down and submerged in the pond.

Porter Fire Chief Jay Craig waded into the pond, opened a rear door of the vehicle and located an unsecured child's seat floating beneath the surface of water, charges state. He felt the infant's leg and removed the child from the vehicle and took him to a firefighter waiting on shore.

Wright initially refused to identify himself, Oman or the child, charges state.

Police said Wright smelled of alcohol and later testified positive for alcohol consumption and for amphetamines and cannabinoids.

Police also found bruising on Wright's chest that was consistent with a driver's-side seat belt. The driver's side seat was found to be in a position inconsistent with Oman's body size, according to the charges.
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Facing a looming shortfall, the School City of Hammond has been looking at cost-cutting measures like laying off teachers and closing schools.

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. blamed a suburban exodus and lack of student funding in a fiery, impassioned rant at the Lake County Economic Alliance's annual meeting at Briar Ridge Country Club in Schererville. He said the urban education system was "in shambles" and it was a problem holding Northwest Indiana back economically.

"The people who moved out of my city and moved out of Gary and moved out of East Chicago for education reasons, they just move out and forget about the old city. That's one of our biggest problems," he said. "Just because you live in Crown Point or Hobart doesn't mean the problems are gone."

It's a problem for the whole Region, not just cities in northern Lake County, McDermott said.

"We're attracting companies that are bringing thousands of jobs and they're going to have to look at a city like Hammond, Gary or East Chicago," he said. "Let me tell you what's going on there right now. I'm in good shape on the civil city side, but on the school city side, if you had an operating referendum that passed and gives you seven years of financing, then you hire a bunch of teachers for seven years, what happens when the operating referendum comes back due and the voters turn it down? You lay off teachers. You shut down schools. That's what's going on in Hammond right now. That's what's happened in Gary and East Chicago. And we all move out to our Chestertons and our Valparaisos and act like nothing's wrong. But there is."

McDermott lamented the state's level of funding for public education, saying it was hurting kids.

"The state of Indiana is not funding public education," he said. "I think the state of Indiana is trying to shut down public education. But it's on its way in Hammond. In Gary, it's been there already."

The situation is untenable, he said.

"If you think that's normal, you're wrong," McDermott said. "If you go out to Valparaiso and put your head in the sand and act like nothing's wrong, you're part of the problem. No offense, I'm not here to piss people off. But that's a problem. Our education system is a shambles in urban city  a shambles! It's embarrassing. If we all want to act like everything's great, we have our problem too. Yeah, Illinois is a high-tax environment but they're not laying off teachers and shutting down schools. We're not Shangri-La. We've got work to do, regardless of where you live."

Cities are suffering from departures and disinvestment.

"My hospital that was shut down is in Crown Point now," he said, referring to Franciscan Health closing its more-than-century-old hospital in downtown Hammond and opening a new hospital just off Interstate 65 in Crown Point. "All of my teachers are moving to better school districts. Is that the answer? We've got problems, guys. We want to act like we don't have problems but we do."

Gary Mayor Eddie Melton said the budget in the Gary Community School Corp. is now in the black for the first time in a decade.

"We were the first city where our school system was taken over because of debt, not because of academics but because of debt," he said. "Clearly, there's a fiscal issue on how we fund education."

Schools now commonly rely on referendums to pay for capital expenses and operating costs after Indiana passed property tax caps of 1%, 2% and 3%.

The Region's aging industrial cities also have been long losing residents to new subdivisions in more suburban communities like Schererville, St. John, Crown Point, Valparaiso and Portage due to a number of factors like aging housing stock, pollution and school grades. Hammond's population peaked at 111,698 in the 1960 census. It was 77,879 in the most recent census in 2020. Gary's population peaked at 187,320 in 1960 and fell to 69,093 in 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. East Chicago's population reached a height of 57,669 in 1960 and was 26,370 in the latest census.

Lake County Economic Alliance Interim CEO Don Babcock said the heavy industry hurt the air quality in the cities, leading residents to move to more suburban communities in southern Lake County and Porter County.

"Part of the reason we were getting an exodus from these urban cities was for the pollution," he said. "You could come across the Illinois state line in Indiana and the sky was orange and it stunk and it was grey all the time. I remember going to the beach in Michigan City. Very rarely could I watch the sun set over Chicago. There was fog and pollution and everything else. There's a lot to brag about here but I appreciate the frank discussion. There's a lot of work to do and we all need to pull together to make this place great."

Hobart Mayor Josh Huddlestun said better education and less brain-drain was needed for economic development.

"We need to look at it from a community standpoint, making sure to do everything we can within the city of Hobart to make an impact and draw and attract talent, new investment, schools. We need to continue the pressure downstate to make sure our education, our school systems are being taken care of because those people end up becoming jobs in the future, become good-hard-working people in our community. The more we can do to keep them here in the state of Indiana and in the county  we've got a lot of successful people from Hobart who go on to do great things and develop businesses but they move out of the Region so we have to keep those people here. Those people, those minds, those innovators can really transform the Region."
Two Northwest Indiana farming operations will be among the 15 Hoosier farmers featured during this year's Indiana State Fair.

The featured farmer program, now in its 9th year, celebrates and puts a face on Indiana agriculture by connecting consumers with fellow Hoosiers who grow the food they eat.

"Our mission at the Indiana State Fair is rooted in agriculture and connecting our fair goers to the farmers feeding the world," said Cindy Hoye, executive director, Indiana State Fair Commission. "These farmers have incredible stories to tell, and we are grateful to celebrate them with our partners at Corteva Agriscience."

The Northwest Indiana farmers set to be featured at the fair are Scarborough Farms of LaPorte County, which grows soybeans, on Aug. 2; and Howe Farms of Lake County, which produces beef, pork and hops, on Aug. 4.

State Fair visitors can chat with the featured farmers in the Glass Barn each afternoon of the fair, as well as take advantage of other opportunities to learn more about agriculture across the fairgrounds.

"The Indiana State Fair is the perfect place for fair goers who are also consumers to meet Indiana farmers from across the state who dedicate their lives to feeding all of us," said Heidi Spahn, Corteva Agriscience corporate and community investment leader.

The 2024 Indiana State Fair is set to run Aug. 2-Aug. 18 (excluding Mondays) at the fairgrounds on the northeast side of Indianapolis.

Its theme this year is "The Art and Nature of Fun," and will feature multiple, new experiences encompassing art and nature being developed by Newfields, formerly known as the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

More information about the fair is available online at indianastatefair.com.

Gallery: Get to know the state symbols of Indiana State Aircraft: Republic Aviation P-47 Thunderbolt State Bird: Cardinal State Flag State Flower: Peony State Fossil: Mastodon State Gun: Grouseland Rifle State Insect: Say's Firefly State Language: English State Motto: "Crossroads of America" State Nickname: The Hoosier State State Pie: Sugar Cream Pie (unofficial) State Poem: "Indiana" State River: Wabash State Seal State Snack: Indiana-Grown Popcorn State Song: "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away" State Stone: Limestone State Tree: Tulip tree
Gov. Eric Holcomb is encouraging the candidates for Indiana governor to move beyond typical campaign rhetoric and instead tell Hoosier voters how they plan to address key state issues they're certain to confront when one of them takes his seat next year.

The term-limited Republican chief executive posted a thread Friday afternoon on X, formerly known as Twitter, seemingly pleading with his potential successors to stop debating national issues and to focus on what the governor of Indiana actually does.

"For 20 years, Indiana has been on a roll. We have enjoyed a AAA credit rating, reserves to keep it and balanced budgets. Over the last 6 years, GDP has grown by $150 billion, allowing unprecedented strategic investments in public education, health, safety, infrastructure and quality of place," Holcomb said.

"As the states chief executive, you wont be able to rely on slogans or empty campaign promises to yield positive results. Instead, your vision, and where you want to lead the state must be accompanied by detailed plans that you will implement."

In particular, Holcomb said Hoosiers voting early or at the May 7 primary election deserve to know how the candidates plan to address Indiana's economic environment, child care and early learning, public health, quality of place, elementary and secondary education, and workforce training.

"The answers to these questions are what Im looking for in a candidate. Your first days on the job will consist of the makings of your first budget and agenda and addressing the Hoosiers who have selected you as their leader," Holcomb said.

"Every governor hopes to go beyond where other great leaders have gone before them. Ive had the unique opportunity to act in ways that feel very personal to me. We have prioritized Hoosiers from all walks of life, who may not have anything in common except they call Indiana home."

Holcomb has yet to endorse any of the candidates vying for the Republican gubernatorial nomination: U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, former Commerce Secretary Brad Chambers, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Fort Wayne businessman Eric Doden, former Attorney General Curtis Hill Jr., and Jamie Reitenour, of Indianapolis.

The presumptive Democratic gubernatorial nominee is former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick, who was elected in 2016 to that office as a Republican.

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
Gov. Eric Holcomb has evaluated the new state laws proposed by the Republican-controlled General Assembly and he agrees 171 of them should be added to the Indiana Code.

The Republican chief executive this year vetoed just one measure, House Enrolled Act 1002, after a dispute between the House and Senate over a definition of antisemitism, and how best to further prohibit it at Indiana schools and universities, left no one especially satisfied with the legislation.

In response, Holcomb issued a proclamation firmly declaring the state's rejection of antisemitism, as well as bigotry of any kind toward all people. Indiana law already prohibits the denial of equal opportunity in education based on creed or religious beliefs.

"The state of Indiana condemns antisemitism and stands in solidarity with the Jewish community in the face of this pernicious and insidious hatred," Holcomb said.

As for the 171 new state laws, nearly all of them take effect, as is customary, on July 1. Though a handful were approved with immediate effective dates and went into force as soon they received Holcomb's endorsement.

"I'm proud of the work my colleagues and I have accomplished and look forward to the positive impact these and other new laws will have on our state," said Senate President Rod Bray, R-Martinsville.

Those other new laws taking effect July 1 run the gamut from holding back more third graders if they are unable to read (Senate Enrolled Act 1) to restricting Indiana property purchases by citizens or businesses from counties the United States considers "foreign adversaries," including China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia and Venezuela (House Enrolled Act 1183).

Holcomb's signature on even controversial proposals is not unusual because the Legislature can override a gubernatorial veto, and enact a law notwithstanding his objections, by a simple majority vote in each chamber  the same number needed to approve a measure in the first place.

Meet the 2024 Northwest Indiana legislative delegation State Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland State Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago State Sen. Dave Vinzant, D-Hobart State Sen. Rodney Pol Jr. State Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso State Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell State Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores State Rep. Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond State Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago State Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary State Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso State Rep. Pat Boy, D-Michigan City State Rep. Chuck Moseley, D-Portage State Rep. Mike Aylesworth, R-Hebron State Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster State Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary State Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville State Rep. Kendell Culp, R-Rensselaer State Rep. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point State Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie
Louisiana and 15 other Republican-led states sued the Biden administration on Thursday over its decision to temporarily stop approving new permits for facilities that export liquefied natural gas.

The lawsuit contends that the Biden administration acted illegally when it decided in January to pause the approvals so it could study how gas exports affect climate change, the economy and national security.

Filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, the lawsuit asks a judge to end the pause, arguing that the White House had flouted the regulatory process and instead taken action by fiat.

There is no legal basis for the pause, Elizabeth B. Murrill, the attorney general of Louisiana, which led the legal challenge, said in an interview.
The executive director of Arkansass largest airport died on Thursday after being wounded in a shootout this week with federal agents who were executing a search warrant at his home, the authorities said.

According to the authorities, Bryan Malinowski, 53, the director of the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, shot at agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, who then returned fire as they tried to carry out the search warrant on Tuesday.

One A.T.F. agent suffered a gunshot wound that was not life-threatening, the authorities said.

In a 51-page affidavit that was unsealed on Thursday, officials offered insight into what had led to the early-morning search warrant in suburban Little Rock, which Mr. Malinowskis family has criticized as unnecessary and dangerous.

The authorities accused Mr. Malinowski of having purchased more than 100 guns in recent years and of illegally selling many of them, including at least three that were later found to be connected with a crime. Mr. Malinowski first bought the guns legally, checking a box on purchase forms stating that the guns were for himself, before selling them privately to individuals, the affidavit states.
An Idaho prison gang member and an accomplice who fled a Boise hospital on Wednesday in a brazen escape in which three corrections officers were shot were arrested on Thursday, according to the authorities, who said they were investigating whether the men had killed two people while they were at large.

The episode began about 2 a.m. Wednesday, when Idaho Department of Correction officers took Skylar Meade, 31, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence, to the Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho, for medical treatment, the Boise Police Department said on Wednesday.

As the officers were about to take him back to prison, they were attacked by someone who was later identified as Nicholas Umphenour, 28, according to the authorities. Three officers were shot  two by Mr. Umphenour, and one by a police officer who arrived at the hospital just after the ambush, the authorities said. Mr. Meade and Mr. Umphenour, who were prison mates for about four years, fled before Boise Police officers arrived at the hospital, the Police Department said.

While Mr. Meade and Mr. Umphenour were on the loose, the police warned that the two men were considered armed and dangerous. They were caught without incident around 2 p.m. Thursday after a brief vehicle pursuit in the Twin Falls area, about 120 miles southeast of Boise, Chief Ron Winegar of the Boise Police Department said at a news conference.
A view of Gulou Square, Kaifeng city, Henan Province. Photo: VCG

Editor's Note:During the past decade, the world has increasingly witnessed a trend of "the East is rising, and the West is declining" in the spheres of economy, security and discourse power. Western countries, particularly the US, plagued by internal woes, have sought the old path of passing the buck and instigating turmoil elsewhere to ease their own pressure. China, representative of the emerging countries, is proposing new solutions to global problems. By advocating win-win development, facilitating consultation and reconciliation and proposing a balanced and effective security mechanism, China is striving to build a community with a shared future for mankind.In the 11th piece of the series, Peter Walker, speaker on China-US relations and author of the book Powerful, Different, Equal: Overcoming the misconceptions and differences between China and the US, told Global Times reporter Yu Jincui that in China, meritocracy contributes to China's achievements as the best and the brightest always aspire to government service. He also dismissed Western misperceptions such as Chinese people are unhappy, and government has not been serving the people.GT: You have visited China more than 80 times, what do you think of changes in China over the past decade?Walker: My business in China really goes back probably 20 years and anyone who visits China frequently as I did can't help but be impressed by how the infrastructure has changed and how effectively things get done.I think the talent in the Chinese government is undeniably very strong, because if you go back to Confucian values, the best and the brightest always aspire to government service, not to business. In the US, the best and the brightest aspire to business and to make money, not to serve the government.In China, the Party is made up of, especially at the most senior levels, very highly educated and experienced people, they make long-term decisions in terms of investment. So, the investment in cutting-edge technologies, in terms of energy and microchips and renewables - all of those things - China has made 10-year, 20-year commitments, and you can't do that in a governance model where you have different parties coming in and changing direction.And China is also very good at executing things. I spent a lot of time in my book with people who were involved in the five-year planning process. And it's very thorough when that planning process is done, which is top-down and bottom-up, syndicated in every industry and every province, you have agreed to direction and goals and key performance indicators that everybody follows.So, when China sets out to deliver strong economic growth or to make advances in science, it's because they set out to do it, they put the resources behind it to do it, and they delivered. So, I think China's progress over the last 10 years has been nothing short of amazing. I think it's likely to continue. Obviously, there are challenges. COVID-19 has presented problems. Supply chains have been broken up. But at the end of the day, China has always dealt with its problems as they come along and done it in a fairly efficient and effective way.GT: Based on your observation and your experiences in dealing with China, what's the biggest misunderstanding in the US about China over the past decade?Walker: One of them, I think, is that "people are unhappy" and that "people are oppressed." That is just not true. In the West they'd like to believe that, because communism has always been associated with the Soviet Union and a total lack of freedom. But communism in China is very different from communism in the Soviet Union. In China, you have a large group of very highly educated, experienced people who weigh decisions and make choices. And those choices have over time benefited the quality of life in China.I got so tired of reading in the Western press that the Chinese people were unhappy and had no freedom because I never met those people. Wherever I went, I met people who were happy. They were proud. Their standard of living was increasing on a very steady basis. China had shifted its attention from building strong positions in commodities to being much more sophisticated and focused on advanced technologies. And so, the people see that every day. There's a phrase in the US "it's the economy, stupid!" The same is true in China. So as long as people in China believe that the quality of their life continues to improve, they're going to be happy.The second thing is you'll even frequently hear people say things like I like the Chinese people, but I don't like the government. When you think about it, that's a very illogical statement. The reality is when you look at the polls, what you discover is that the Chinese people are more committed to their government and have more trust in their government than people in almost any other country in the world. So how can you say we like the people, but we don't like the government when the people of China who are the ones living there actually support the government very strongly. So that's another misconception that the government has not been serving the people. It's obvious that the government has been serving the people. Otherwise, the standard of living wouldn't be as it is.GT: There are many predictions about China's future in the West and different comments on China's development path. Are you optimistic about China's future development and prosperity?Walker: You've had 40 years of reform and opening-up. If you look at the model, it's really very similar to the most successful model that the US businesses have been using for years. So, if you're a US business, what do you want? You want to have a board of directors that provides oversight and direction at a very high level. China calls that Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau. You want to advance people, meritocracy plays. If you look at the history of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, and its role in evaluating people in government, it makes sure that people are advanced after they have adequate experience in a number of different areas. So, people are advanced based on what they accomplish.And then the next thing you have is a focus on strategy. What do we want to do long-term? China is investing in new technologies. The Belt and Road Initiative is another good example of a long-term investment that will improve China's relationships with other developing countries. And then if you combine that with short-term operational planning, which are China's five-year plans, you have a model that will always be effective at getting things done.Our model is very different. Our model in the US is based on the underlying idea that our country is not going to be defined by the government. Our country is going to be defined by the businesses. So, America is home to many of the most successful businesses on the globe. And that model, taking advantage of US ingenuity, hard work, creativity, innovation, is a very different model. And that's why I argue this is not about right or wrong. These are two very different models. They both have been incredibly successful in raising the standard of living in both countries. Therefore, rather than criticize the other model as wrong, why not accept the fact that it's different?I'm very confident that China is going to continue to be very successful. And we have to remember that the population of China is four times the population of the US so it's inevitable that as China increases its productivity, China will become - there's no question just do the math - the largest economy in the world.As long as China's core model remains, you are going to have a unified government, not a divided one. You are going to advance people who are the most educated, have the most experience and have a track record of delivering results. You will be thinking strategically.I think at the end of the day, the most important thing for China is to continue to deliver on the economy. Nothing is more important than China continuing to deliver that economic performance and not get caught up in ideology. And for example, favoring state-owned enterprises over private enterprise is a mistake.The great companies in the US were started by entrepreneurs who had a passion for what they were building. If you look at the US today, Elon Musk and what he's done is amazing, but that's a person who had the freedom in the American system to go out and build that and make it happen. China's great companies are private companies. So, it's very important that private enterprises continue to thrive in China, and that the opportunities to compete are there to create the next generation whether it's Huawei, Alibaba, Baidu, Tencent or Tiktok. China is very dependent on private enterprise being successful longer term.
A week after Russia invaded Ukraine, in March 2022, a host of the British podcast The Rest Is Politics explained what it was like to be in a room with President Vladimir V. Putin.

Alastair Campbell, who worked as the director of communications and strategy in Tony Blairs Labour government, said that when he first met Russias president in 1999, he was almost timid, very slight, very small, quite quiet. But Putins aggression increased over time, Campbell said on the podcast, and at a dinner in 2003, the president had hurled abuse at Blair. Putin didnt say that the British prime minister was George W. Bushs poodle, but he wasnt far-off, Campbell recalled.

This discussion, which opened the shows first episode, revealed a key appeal of The Rest Is Politics: its hosts political resumes. Campbell and his co-host Rory Stewart, a former Conservative lawmaker, draw on their time in government to explore the issues of the day under the unofficial banner of disagreeing agreeably.

The emphasis on civility and the shows centrist leanings have made The Rest Is Politics one of the most popular podcasts in Britain over the last two years. In the glow of that success, other former politicians have followed suit, with podcasts that join forces from across the aisle at a time when many believe that politics in the country is overly polarized.
As part of its more aggressive restitution investigation efforts, the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Friday announced that it had appointed a Sothebys executive to the newly created position of head of provenance research.

Lucian Simmons will leave Sothebys, where he is vice chairman and worldwide head of the restitution department  and senior specialist for the Impressionist and Modern art department  to take on the role of coordinating research efforts across the museum, starting in May.

Like museums all over the world, the Met has faced increased scrutiny from law enforcement officials, academics and the news media over the extent to which its collection of more than 1.5 million works includes looted artifacts. In recent years, for example, the Manhattan district attorneys office has seized dozens of antiquities from the museum to return them to countries including Turkey, Egypt and Italy.

In a telephone interview, Max Hollein, the museums director and chief executive, said the volume of materials an auction house must review gave Simmons the background necessary to take on a review of the Mets encyclopedic collection.
Season 1, Episode 5: Judgment Day

Its not working, Raj Varma says.

An officer in the Royal Navy  and the boyfriend of the cosmologist Jin Cheng, a fact one doubts is a coincidence  Raj has been handpicked by top black-ops bloke Thomas Wade to run a crucial operation. Scientists and military engineers under his command must retrieve all available data from the floating headquarters of Mike Evanss pro-alien cult, without allowing the cultists to destroy the information or doing so themselves in the process.

To Raj, it looks like the plan has failed. Using the experimental nanofibers developed by Auggie Salazar, finally free of that maddening alien countdown, now that the Shan-Ti have cut off contact with their faithful, theyve constructed an invisible net that seems ready to catch the ship. Given how the team is talking about casualties, sinking seems the more likely outcome.

But to all appearances, the gigantic repurposed oil tanker is cruising right through the Panama Canal, passing by the support beams across which the nano-net has been stretched. Raj, who inherited his ends-justify-the-means attitude from his war-hero father, has long suspected Auggies heart isnt in the project, since shes pretty much told him so to his face. He suspects sabotage. He leans in toward her in the command center. Why isnt it working? he asks her accusingly.

The camera shifts focus from his face to hers. It is, she says, never taking her eyes off the monitor showing her the ship.
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.

The MAGA-pprentice

In his monologue on Thursday, Jimmy Kimmel talked about the speculation over who Donald Trumps running mate will be. Supposedly, Trump plans to audition potential candidates at campaign rallies. Hes turning this into The MAGA-pprentice, Kimmel said.
Artificial intelligences integration into everyday life has stirred up doubts and unsettling questions for many about humanitys path forward. But in Anguilla, a tiny Caribbean island to the east of Puerto Rico, the A.I. boom has made the country a fortune.

The British territory collects a fee from every registration for internet addresses that end in .ai, which happens to be the domain name assigned to the island, like .fr for France and .jp for Japan. With companies wanting internet addresses that communicate they are at the forefront of the A.I. boom  like Elon Musks X.ai website for his artificial intelligence company  Anguilla has recently received a huge influx in requests for domain names.

For each domain registration, Anguillas government gets anywhere from $140 to thousands of dollars from website names sold at auctions, according government data. Last year, Anguillas government made about $32 million from those fees. That amounted to more than 10 percent of gross domestic product for the territory of almost 16,000 people and 35 square miles.

Some people call it a windfall, Anguillas premier, Ellis Webster, said. We just call it God smiling down on us.
Its safe to say that the Mauritanian French director Med Hondos West Indies: The Fugitive Slaves of Liberty is a unique film. That might be the only safe thing about it.

The first African movie musical, it traces nearly four centuries of French colonialism with unsparing clarity and relentless creativity, shot entirely on a replica of a slave ship built within an abandoned Citroen factory in Paris.

Since its wonky release in 1979, it has quietly built a group of devoted fans, including the Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins, who placed it at the top of his list of the greatest films of all time for Sight & Sound magazine in 2022. But a new 4K restoration and a weeklong run at Film Forum might finally land it in the wider canon.
After three years of fits and starts, the rollout of New Yorks recreational cannabis market gained speed in 2024, most notably with the opening of about 50 licensed dispensaries so far this year.

But the licensed retailers, who number about 85 in total, are far outnumbered by more than 2,000 rogue head shops, the target of complaints that they siphon customers, sell to children and attract criminals.

The quick and brazen takeover has left many people frustrated with the governments slower and stricter approach to expanding the legal market and has emerged as the most pressing challenge facing the rollout, as the authorities struggle to keep the states promise to deliver a $5 billion market to diverse small businesses and people harmed by past anti-marijuana policies.

They need to get a handle on that quickly, said James Stephenson, a co-founder and chief executive of oHHo, a wellness brand that depends on dispensaries to sell its cannabis-infused chocolates, gummies and seltzers. You cant have one set of people playing by the rules.
There has been little evidence that Mr. Santos had done much campaign work or fund-raising for the contest. Nevertheless, he said he would stay in the race and take his Ultra MAGA/Trump supporting values to the ballot in November as an independent.

If he does so, he could potentially draw some votes away from Mr. LaLota, which would benefit the undetermined Democratic candidate in a district that Donald J. Trump won by just under 2 points in 2020.

Even so, neither Mr. LaLota nor Jesse Garcia, the Suffolk County Republican Party chairman, seemed particularly concerned by Mr. Santoss threat.

George Santos is irrelevant to the electoral process, Mr. Garcia said upon hearing the news, adding that the announcement was nothing more than a ploy for attention.

Mr. LaLota said in a statement that just as Mr. Santoss expulsion had been good for the nation, his resignation from the Republican Party was good for common-sense conservatives.
Its not often that a poll result causes me to do a double take. This month, however, a Pew Research Center survey grabbed my attention. As part of a comprehensive poll on the importance of religion in public life, Pew compared Americans knowledge of and support for Christian nationalism between September 2022 and February 2024 and found no meaningful change at all. The exact same percentage of Americans said theyd heard or read about Christian nationalism  45 percent in 2022 and 45 percent in 2024. The exact same percentage of Americans said theyd never heard or read about Christian nationalism  54 percent in both years.

The beliefs and attitudes of those who had heard about Christian nationalism were remarkably static. After months of debates in the media, the percentage of Americans who have a favorable view of Christian nationalism was unchanged. The percentage of those who have an unfavorable view increased a single percentage point  from 24 percent to 25 percent. In fact, the largest change in the poll was the whopping 2 percent decrease in the number of people who said they had no opinion, from 8 percent to 6 percent.

My first response was surprise. How could this be? The Christian nationalism debate has flooded online spaces since Jan. 6, 2021, if not earlier. Theres a fight over its definition, a fight over its reach and a furious fight (especially within Christian spaces) over its desirability. Is it actually possible that all of those articles, podcasts and speeches have made no difference at all?

The more I thought about it, though, the more I realized my surprise was misplaced. I had another take that trumped my first. When you take a step back and think through some of the larger issues in American politics, the poll result makes perfect sense. Note that I said that Americans have been having a furious online conversation about Christian nationalism. Yet an online conversation isnt the same thing as a national conversation.
ezra klein

From New York Times Opinion, this is The Ezra Klein Show. [MUSIC PLAYING] So earlier in the week, we released an episode with demographer Jennifer Sciubba looking at falling birthrates around the world. But that was looking at a lot of different countries with very different levels of wealth, very different cultures, very different places. Todays episode is a little closer to home. Why have fertility rates fallen so much in America? Youll sometimes hear, politically from liberals, that it reflects our very family unfriendly policies. Were unusual, for instance, in having no guaranteed paid family leave, which is nuts, no guaranteed paid sick days, no national child care. Of course, people arent having more kids. But how does this look in countries that are more like us? Caitlyn Collins is a sociologist and the author of Making Motherhood Work, How Women Manage Careers and Caregiving. The book is built around more than 130 interviews with middle class women in four countries  Sweden, Germany, Italy, and the U.S. And we look politically here at Sweden, which has just extraordinarily family-friendly policies, and the U.S., which doesnt. Having kids sounds a lot easier and better in Sweden. But, spoiler, that hasnt really changed how many kids families have. So you have to dig deeper, which Collins has done. What are the parenting cultures like? How are they different, sure, but how are they similar? And how have they changed over time in ways that are similar? As always, my email, ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com. Caitlyn Collins welcome to the show.

caitlyn collins

Thanks for having me today.

ezra klein

So you have this great term in your book, the lifeworlds around parenthood. What is a lifeworld?

caitlyn collins

A lifeworld is the distinctive social universe of individual experiences, interactions, the organizations and the institutions that shape the employment and child-rearing possibilities that women can envision for themselves. So what women want and expect, I think what also men want and expect, when it comes to caregiving and employment is confined by this lifeworld, what they can envision for themselves in their daily lives.

ezra klein

What does the lifeworld surrounding parenthood in the U.S. feel like right now? And how is it different, maybe, than it was 30 or 50 years ago?

caitlyn collins

The lifeworlds for parents in the U.S., to be honest with you, Ezra, seem to be defined by a great deal of stress and overwhelm, unfortunately. So for parents today, theres an expectation that they are largely going to go it alone when it comes to working for pay in the paid labor force and caring for their children largely on their own, with the expectation that its on them and them solely to make this work. A fabulous study, actually, by Jennifer Glass and Robin Simon and Matthew Anderson has shown that when we compare the feelings of happiness for parents versus non-parents, that gap between parents and non-parents and their levels of happiness is widest in the U.S. of any Western industrialized country. And they conceptualize parenting in the U.S. as a stressor, and they argue that, in fact, institutional support and resources can buffer the stress that parenthood brings to parents. And of course, unfortunately, the United States has the most family hostile public policy of any country in the Western industrialized world when it comes to supporting work and family.

ezra klein

I remember before I had kids, being very interested in this research on whether having kids made you happier or not. And now that I have kids, I find that research weirdly beside the point. Theres a lot of things in life that are not about making you happier on a hour-to-hour time use survey.

caitlyn collins

Yeah.

ezra klein

That if you check how happy I am any given hour of the day at work versus when I am at a bar with my friends or reading quietly at a coffee shop or sleeping or something, I might not be happier with it. But it does bring certain kinds of meaning into my life, certain kinds of deeper satisfaction. And so I also wonder about this discourse that doesnt feel to me like it has always been true for humanity, That the right way to ask this question is given the universe of things I could do for myself, will having kids make me happier than the other options.

caitlyn collins

I love this question. And to me, the issue of happiness and studying it, measuring it, quantifying it, cross-nationally is a useful and partial way to understand the role of parenting in an adults life. We know research shows that the vast majority of adults in the U.S. do want to have kids. And the truth is also that 8 in 10 adults today have children during their working-age lives, so the vast majority of adults are navigating employment with child rearing. And this looks very different here in the U.S. than it does in other countries. And to me, that, as a sociologist, is an interesting question, and its part of why pairing these fantastic cross-national survey studies with qualitative interview research, which is my area of expertise, helps to triangulate and paint a much more rich, nuanced, complex picture of whats going on for parents today.

ezra klein

So one of the things that is motivating this episode and another episode were doing is how rapid and striking the change in total fertility rates has been. So in 1958, the total fertility rate in the U.S. was about 3.6. So on average, women are having 3.6 children. By 2021, its 1.66. In Sweden, its 1.67. France, a little bit higher, 1.8. Italy, which always surprises me, given that its a highly Catholic country, is a little lower, around 1.3. But theyre all somewhat clustered, and thats a really profound drop in a fairly short number of decades. How do you understand that?

caitlyn collins

This drop in total fertility rate has been dramatic, and demographers have been trying to puzzle out answers to this question for years now. And we have to take a broader look at the sorts of social, political, historical, economic factors that are shaping, as you said, these lifeworlds of parenthood, right? So in the past half century, we have seen dramatic, revolutionary change, really, in womens entrance into the paid labor force, right? So of course, thats a good thing. Along with paid employment for women comes increased economic independence, access to finances and occupations that provide, again, meaning and fulfillment. What we also see in this same period of time, of course, is a boom in the way that women can access birth control, for example. They have more power and autonomy when it comes to controlling their reproductive decisions, which is, of course, a fabulous thing. So the set of factors influencing the sorts of decisions parents  or adults, I should say, make in their daily lives about whether or not they want to have children truly has shifted. When women have a wider array of opportunities available to them, the opportunity cost of having children versus other meaningful avenues to achieve that sense of fulfillment we talked about have really shifted.

ezra klein

So one thing that can change the lifeworld, one thing that can change the lived experience of parenting, is policy  is what a particular country does to support working parents, to support parents of all kinds. Something I so appreciate about your book is the cross-national nature of it, looking at what this looks like in Sweden and Germany. Lets start with Sweden because I think that is an example that if you are a liberal who uses the internet, you run into fairly often. What is different about becoming a parent in Sweden?

caitlyn collins

Oh, Sweden. What is so often held up, this nation, as this gender-equality nirvana, and for very real reasons. I think this stereotype applies. I wouldnt call it a nirvana for gender equality yet, but they are light years ahead of the United States. So Sweden has what sociologists refer to as a social democratic welfare state. The state intervenes intentionally in peoples lives with the explicit goal of bringing about gender equality. And thats, to my American way of thinking, quite revolutionary, right? They have intertwined their labor market policy and their family policy with this goal of gender equality policy. So let me give you a few examples of what their work family policies look like. In Sweden, parents have the right to 480 days of paid parental leave after their child is born. If you are single, you get all 480 days. If you are in a relationship, three months of that time is reserved for each parent, and the remaining days can be shared as you like between the two parents. These parental leave days are paid out at 80 percent of your wages. And very often, as a result of collective bargaining agreements, employers top that up, the last 10 percent to 20 percent, so that you dont actually receive any pay cut when you take parental leave. So this is a way, I think, of those policies as sending messages. They are symbolic about what is valued in a given society, and Sweden sends the message that it is paramount that parents have time to spend for those giving birth, to recover from that experience, but also to bond with and care for their child. So paid parental leave is dramatic. You also have a legal right to reduce your working hours from full time, or 40 hours a week, to 30 hours a week, or a 25 percent reduction in those hours worked, for the first eight years of your childs life. Can you imagine how many parents in the U.S. would welcome the prospect of working a 75 percent schedule for the first eight years of their kiddos lives? To me, that feels, again, quite revolutionary. Sweden also has what is often regarded as the most high quality early childhood and education system in the world where spots are available to children starting at the age of one, and it is highly subsidized by the state. Its on a sliding scale, so you pay nothing if youre a low income family. But the wealthiest families in Sweden, for full time child care including meals and everything for your little ones, the most expensive rate that could possibly be applied to a wealthy family in Sweden is the economic equivalent in the U.S. of roughly $175 a month.

ezra klein

Great. Im moving to Sweden immediately here.

caitlyn collins

Right? I cant tell you the number of times when I say that figure out loud to audiences here in the U.S., and folks either laugh in an angry way or their jaws just drop because for anyone who has kids who are enrolled in some form of child care in the U.S., those numbers sound comical. There are many families who pay $175 a day for child care here. So the idea that would be a monthly rate is, again, quite revolutionary. And these policies, again, serve the message that child rearing is a collective responsibility that is a public good. It is in our collective best interest for children to be raised well.

ezra klein

So one thing I always wonder about when I hear about these Swedish policies is you can put all this into statutory language. You can say you need to give parents this much time off and these many paid family days and et cetera. But its hard to keep workplaces from preferring people who are not going to take eight months of leave repeatedly. Its hard to keep workplaces from not preferring people who are going to be available constantly around the clock. First, is Sweden able to keep there from being what you might call implicit discrimination against parents who fully take advantage of these policies? And if so, how?

caitlyn collins

So something that struck me so much in spending time in Sweden and interviewing middle class mothers in Stockholm was that truly, work makes way for family for everyone. Not just workers, but managers, folks in the C-suite, also take time away from work to have  I dont know, leisure pursuits, but primarily to spend time with their families. Sweden has 25 days of paid vacation a year. You have a right to at least four consecutive weeks of those vacation days in the summer, when the weather and light are awesome, which is rare in Sweden. And to me, that is such a revelatory way to think about the world of work. Moms would tell me all the time, well, yeah. I mean, I have a boss whos a man, but he leaves work at 2:45 every day to go pick up his kid from day care. I interviewed an emergency room nurse who said, oh, yeah. The surgeon I work with the most, hes on a 10 month parental leave right now with his newest child. And to me, hearing about surgeons taking 10 months of leave felt, again, very different from how we think about this in the U.S. So yes, Sweden is a place that does value the market, but we can see that it has not hurt their G.D.P. It has not hurt economic productivity. It has not hurt creativity and innovation to have folks focus on things other than work. And to be honest, the level of stress and overwhelm and burnout we feel here in the United States for being obsessed with our jobs, it doesnt make us better workers. It doesnt make us more creative and more efficient, right? The truth is that when we think about, again, our well-being more holistically, I actually think it makes us much better workers.

ezra klein

Tell me a bit about how Swedish policy treats fathers and their role, and how it has tried to change or influence fathers and their role?

caitlyn collins

Yeah. So Sweden was the first wealthy Western nation in 1974 to implement a gender-neutral paid parental leave, with the idea that men and women alike should be taking time off after they have children. Sweden had had paid maternity leave for decades. But again, it was quite revolutionary for the state to say, actually, we think men should be involved in this very vital time in a childs life. Theres abundant research that shows that involving men in these early weeks and months of a childs life has enormous, wonderful benefits to men and their children and their women partners, if theyre in different gender couples, over the long term. And so Sweden used policy as a lever to try and incentivize men to take this time off. And they did that with this high wage replacement, where they economically incentivize men to do it such that it would seem, honestly, illogical for men not to take this time off. Why work when you can be paid to stay at home, right? And so we see absolutely dramatic change on the part of Swedish men, in virtually one generation, go from not taking time off when their kids are born to taking paid parental leave. And it is the case still in Sweden that women still take more of the paid parental leave days than men. But virtually every single father in Sweden takes paid parental leave. And in fact, when I spoke to Swedish fathers, they told me that they would be stigmatized if they didnt take time off to spend with their children, that people would think something was wrong that they didnt want to spend time with their children. And I would say I think its really cool here in Sweden that men feel this kind of duty and obligation to be involved so deeply in their kids lives. And they would look at me sort of funny and say, obligation? No, I have a right to spend time with my child. Fathers there joke to me, in fact, that often Americans get off the airplane and look around in shock like I was about the sight of so many men in public with their babies, on the metro, in the grocery store, at the park, running errands, at the doctors office, and ask why it is in Sweden that so many men work as nannies. And the fact that Swedes have this stereotype about Americans being so confused at the sight of fathers caregiving says a lot about the cultural imagination about parenthood here in the United States.

ezra klein

Its a very depressing 

caitlyn collins

Isnt it so depressing? Its honestly embarrassing.

ezra klein

And I say that from a household where I do half the parenting, and our nanny is a man. So theres 

caitlyn collins

I like it, Ezra.

ezra klein

We are subverting the dominant paradigm here. One of the things, though, that is striking about Sweden is theres a way the conversation over fertility rates in America go. Its particularly on the liberal side. So somebody will point out that the fertility rate is falling, and then liberals will tend to say something like, yeah, its incredibly hard to have children here. If only we looked like Sweden. If we want it to be possible, if we want it to be doable to have bigger families, the government needs to support that. We need paid family leave. We need paid sick days. We need to subsidize child care. We need to make parenting more equitable across the genders. And Sweden did all that. And again, to go back to these numbers again, the U.S. fertility rate in 2021 was about 1.66, and in Sweden, it was about 1.67. So Sweden has done, I think, functionally every intervention you could possibly imagine to make it easier to parent, and it has probably made it easier to parent. I mean, I think your book has quite a lot of evidence in that direction. But it has not, on the margin, shifted Swedish parents towards having more children. Why do you think that is?

caitlyn collins

Youre right. The total fertility rate in Sweden and the United States is virtually identical. And to me, that suggests that public policies are part of the equation. They are a necessary but insufficient set of resources to influence couples or individuals decisions whether or not to have children. And the flip side of that conversation about policy, to me, is culture. Whats going on culturally that influences this decision? What are the cultural norms about being a mother, being a father, what it means to be a good mother and a good father? And one thing that I actually think is quite similar across the two of them, especially for highly educated, socioeconomically advantaged parents, has to do with the very lofty cultural expectations of what it means to parent, quote, unquote, well today. I think we have to be talking about this cultural dimension.

ezra klein

I want to put a pin in that because we are going to talk about that cultural dimension. But before we leave Sweden, one of the things I was thinking about as I looked over their policies and looked at all this data, is that you could call these pro-family policies, and they are. But I think you could also call them pro-working family policies. You could call them, in a different way, pro-work policies. One way to look at them is these are policies to make it more possible to have high female labor force participation and parenthood, which is great, right? I dont want to turn back the clock on full participation in the labor force, either. But thats actually different, in a way, than policies that are meant to increase family size or policies that are just meant to be pro-family. Sometimes I think we almost dont have a language for are we talking about policies to have more children, or are we talking about policies to make it easier to exist in what is in rich countries the modern parenting condition, which is to be a two full-time earner parent household, or maybe even a one parent household with a single parent is a full-time earner. Are these policies about children, or are these policies about work-family balance?

caitlyn collins

So in Sweden, these policies are absolutely not pronatalist in intention. The Swedish government has stated outright for decades that is not their goal. The goal is exactly what you pointed to, Ezra, which is about enabling women to participate in the paid labor force. And Swedens work-family policies are oriented at individuals, not at families, which is different than in other Western industrialized countries. These policies try to enable independence and self-sufficiency amongst individuals so that they can make the decisions that feel best for themselves as individuals, not in order to encourage or incentivize them to have children. And again, this intentionality behind the policy is significant. Like you said, we know lots of other nations very intentionally create policies with the goal of increasing fertility, and thats not the case in a Swedish context. [MUSIC PLAYING]

ezra klein

One of my conclusions from looking at least some of the policy studies on this issue is that policy just isnt really effective, at least at any of the margins anyone has been able to try, if what you want to do is increase the birthrate. I mean, the example to me that stands out most is South Korea, where the birthrate is now below 1. It was 0.81 in 2021, which means that society is going to go a very rapid shrinkage. Theyve spent more than $200 billion, which is a fair amount in South Korea, subsidizing child care and parental leave and other things over the past 16 years. Fertility rate fell in that time from 1.1 to 0.81. Japan and Singapore have both really wanted to get their birthrates up, and neither have been particularly successful. Is there any example you know of, putting aside some of the really authoritarian efforts, like Romania back in the day, where policy has been effective at increasing fertility rates? And if not, why not?

caitlyn collins

No. I know of no nations in which implementing policies has increased the fertility rate. Investing hundreds of billions of dollars in the goal of increasing the number of children women have has been ineffective, which is fascinating, right? Theres more going on here when adults are weighing what they want in their short lives.

ezra klein

Lets talk about some of that more, thats going on. So in your book you discuss two competing  not just pressures, but archetypes that are weighing on parents nowadays. So one is the ideal worker norm, and the other is the good mother, good father, good parent norm. So tell me about those, and how they conflict.

caitlyn collins

So the ideal worker norm  this is a term coined by Joan Acker. The ideal worker norm is the idea that adults today should be fully committed and entirely devoted to their jobs and their employers  available at a moments notice, unencumbered by external responsibilities that might diminish from their ability to perform their jobs well. And competing with this ideal of the ideal worker is, as you said, this intensive parenting norm. And often, we talk about it as an intensive mothering norm because it is primarily mothers who take on the lions share of domestic work in households today. Yes, fathers in decades past did less than men today do. There has been an increase in the amount of time men spend caregiving compared to previous generations of men. But theres still a large gap between the amount of time men and women spend doing child care and housework today. And this intensive mothering norm suggests that, as you might guess, child rearing should be time intensive, emotionally involved, and child-centered or child-focused, such that what it means to be a good mother is to be self-sacrificing, to devote yourself entirely to your childrens well-being and upbringing. And you can imagine why these two cultural norms are in distinct tension with one another. It is categorically impossible to be an ideal worker and an ideal mother at the same time. And so abundant research has shown just how painful that tension is between the two norms. Sociologist Mary Blair-Loy calls these competing devotions. She talks about the moral weight that adults in the U.S.  especially, again, mothers  feel in that they are unable to feel like theyre giving it their all in the workplace or giving it their all at home. And I think the tension, the stress of trying to enact both norms simultaneously  to be honest with you, Ezra, I think its crushing American parents right now. Ive heard this time and again in my interviews with U.S. mothers.

ezra klein

I want to add some numbers to this because these shocked me. So these are from a 2006 study that was looking at time diaries from back in the year 2000, so this is even back a bit. But it found that married fathers in 2000 were spending 153 percent more time per week caring for their children than they did in 1965. At the same time, though, married mothers were spending 21 percent more time with their children than in 1965, even though so many more of them were now working. Single mothers were spending 57 percent more time with their children than in 1965. So somehow, overall, labor force participation is much higher than it was in 1965. We have this whole kind of ideal worker model and hustle culture and all the rest of it. And were also spending more time with our children. And youve done a lot of the qualitative work here. How do you understand this? What did it look like to be raising children in this less intensive parenting sphere, and how does it look differently now?

caitlyn collins

This is so interesting and so complicated to me. So there are still 24 hours in a day, just like there were decades ago, and yet parents have eked out even more time to spend with their children than in decades past. And to me, as you said, thats remarkable because the vast majority of adults participate in the paid labor force, and most of them do so full time. So full time work in the U.S. is roughly 40 hours a week, and we know many folks work over 40 hours a week. There just arent that many hours in the day left. And yet these intensive parenting norms suggest that the cultural imperative is to spend as much time with your children as possible. And in addition, you should be cultivating your child, thinking about what it means to help them develop optimally. And so many parents today talk about, for example, all the extracurricular activities theyve decided to enroll their children in, and the schlepping to and from that is required to get these kids to and from the many activities that especially middle class parents are enrolling their kids in. And to be honest, Ezra, something has to give. Theres only so many hours in the day. And what I heard mom say over and over again to me is what has changed is time to themselves, time to foster their romantic relationship with their partner, with their friends, time to exercise, time to engage in leisure pursuits that also help bring meaning to their lives. So many women told me, this time in my life, I work, and I care for my children, and thats all I have time for. I will get back to the rest when I dont have kids at home anymore. So theyre really sacrificing their well-being, right? To me, that feels remarkable, and also really alarming, to be honest with you.

ezra klein

I feel like this as a father, too. But the thing I dont quite understand about it is  and my kids are quite young. My kids are 5 and 2. When I think about the way I parent, its not clear to me what it would mean to not be parenting this way. I mean, they cant put on their clothes by themselves. Theyre just not that capable.

caitlyn collins

Yes.

ezra klein

And the older one can put on some of his clothing by himself if hes in the mood to. When you look at those numbers, what were people doing? What was this less intensive kind of parenting? I mean, what were these kids doing all day?

caitlyn collins

Good question, Ezra. And Im laughing to myself. I have a 18-month-old, and she definitely cant dress herself. And she would never wear shoes if it was up to her, but it turns out she needs shoes on and someone has to put those on her body, right? So the actual labor involved in keeping your child healthy and safe, I would argue, is probably similar. But when I talk to my own mom and my own grandmother about their experiences parenting compared to mine, especially when I talk to my grandma, she is shocked about how much time I spend with my daughter and also shocked about how I take her places. When I send her photos of us at the park, at the zoo, at the museum, at the grocery store, out to lunch with us, she is struck at the fact that my child is engaged in the public sphere with me and that we do so many child-centered activities in addition to things we just need to get done, like grocery shop together. And shell say to me, yeah, but shes just a baby. What are you doing? And it hasnt occurred to me not to do some of these things. Like you were saying, whats the alternative? And for my grandmother, at least, upper middle class in Los Angeles, she often dropped  my understanding is, dropped my mom and my uncle off at the grandparents house, and they just kind of toddled around and took care of themselves. And of course, Im sure that wasnt the case when they were teeny babies. But the intensive supervision, I think, looked very different for folks of my grandmothers generation than now. At home, Im often with my daughter doing art at her little arts and crafts table. Im reading books with her, or maybe shes looking at a little book for 60 seconds while I try to catch up on the news on my phone or  I dont know  review an article or something for work. And my mom recounts, especially when she was  I dont know  maybe elementary age, leaving the house in the morning. This is that stereotypical idea of leaving the house, and my grandparents having absolutely no idea where she was all day long. And sometimes she would come home for dinner, and sometimes she wouldnt. And that just didnt really matter. She was left to her own devices, and that was considered much more normative. And of course, the sorts of social structures, the architecture of our neighborhoods in terms of children spending time with one another in little bands roving around neighborhoods, was also very different than it is today.

ezra klein

Let me pick up on something there, which is this idea of are the children in the parents world or is the parent in the childs world? And then there are also others, right? Are the children just in a world with other children, the parents just with other parents? And something I noticed in modern parenting that feels different to me than what I read about from past eras is that, at least in my cohort, on the weekends, the parents are in the childrens world. Its just an endless procession of this playground, Brooklyn Childrens Museum, go here. As the kids get older, you take them to sports. You take them to martial arts. You take them to dance class, whatever it might be. Theres tutoring. When I look back, it seems like much more of the kids were forced to tag along in the parents world. I mean, they were working on 

caitlyn collins

Absolutely.

ezra klein

To be a little bit glib about it, they were working on the farm. But there was also, it seemed to me, a kind of discipline where the kids were expected to sit quietly in church. The kids were expected to  sometimes people talk about being seen and not heard. I dont know exactly how true that was. But its very much not how a lot of us parent today, where its like anytime my five-year-old wants to be heard, that kid is getting heard. And then, as you mentioned, theres the roving bands of kids, where the older ones take a little bit more care of the younger ones. We sometimes talk about whether or not society is pro-natal or anti-natal, but it sometimes feels to me that weve become like pro-child and anti-natal. Were so pro-child that you cant have many children. Maybe its pro-child and anti-children is a different way to put it. And another canonical example is just the rules on car seats, where if you want to have more than two kids, you just need a really big car now because you have to have a ton of car seats. And theyre not going to fit in a Prius, or theyre not going to fit in a Honda Civic. So theres something there about the way in which we have oriented towards individual children such that having lots of children has become incredibly daunting.

caitlyn collins

Exactly. It, to me, gets back to this cultural ideal of what it means to be a good parent. And intensive parenting, again, requires that this is incredibly emotionally absorbing. It tends to be quite expensive. It should be time consuming, and it should be child-centered. Sitting around and doing arts and crafts is something that my grandmother really cant fathom. Shed be like, shes a year and a half. Shes just drawing scribbles on paper. Whats the deal? And in my head, Im like, well, this is a sensory activity, right? I follow Instagram accounts that tell me how important sensory play is to help my child develop her socioemotional skills and creativity. And that to me feels so wildly different than how parents of previous generations have thought about passing the time with children. And like you said, Ezra, I dont know how to do it differently, to be honest with you. I mean, weekends, after I have spent two solid days with my child, when I go back to work on Monday morning, Im like, ooh, OK. Now I get to have my easier workweek, which feels so much less intensive and involved than caregiving for my child full-time, to be honest with you. And of course, it would be categorically quite difficult to do that with a whole bunch of kids. You cant give them the time and attention and resources that we think children need in order to turn out, quote, unquote, well. What does well mean, I guess, is part of what my question is here because these cultural ideals are really moral imperatives that get to the heart of what it means to be a good person, but also a good mother, a good father, a good adult, a good parent. And these, again, are so morally weighty that not fulfilling these ideals would make us feel really, really bad about ourselves.

ezra klein

This feels like it also bears on the question of why a lot of what gets called pro-family policy does not have an impact on birthrates.

caitlyn collins

Yes.

ezra klein

Because if you think back to the  or if I think back to the Swedish policies we were talking about earlier  and Ill say something here that makes me both sound like a bad liberal and a bad parent, although I want people to have a lot more paid family leave than they do. They idea of taking eight months off of work for each kid, I shudder. To just sit there staring over an infant  I love my children. I absolutely love them, and thats a lot of time to do that. I dont know how to say this differently, and I want people to have the options they want to have in life. But that is a policy built around intensive parenting. I dont know what the policy structure would be to encourage eh parenting. I dont know what youre supposed to do as a policymaker to make it easier to be like, yeah, you go play outside. But there is something here that if you understand  I mean, if you wanted to conceptualize, the fertility rate is a problem. And behind that problem is the idea that we have just made parenting too hard and intensive. I mean, most of the policies that I can think of are operating within the structure of you should be able to spend more time with your children, more and more and more time. And Ive taken parental leave for both of my children, and that time was really important to me. But there is some issue here that I think is a little bit harder to conceptualize or resolve between what does it look like to say, from a policy or a cultural perspective, that we like children, and we think children are great, and that its not supposed to be exactly a whole other job?

caitlyn collins

Man, this is so thorny and important. And I think it gets to the heart of this broader demographic issue around total fertility rates, Ezra, because what were talking about is how we spend our time minute to minute, day to day, with our children feels often wonderful and often very exhausting. Thats just the truth of contemporary life as a parent today. And I think back to what you just said about parental leave. I also took paid parental leave with my daughter, and I look back on that time thinking, Im so glad I had it, and Im so glad I survived it because it was really hard. And I want to draw a comparison to Sweden for a moment to drive this point home. Because virtually all parents take substantial paid parental leave, they have also built a number of infrastructural supports to help parents during this time. So for example, there are community centers attached to public parks where parents regularly go when theyre on parental leave and their other  if theyre partnered, their partner has gone back to work. And there are little classes or meetups or informal gatherings or little child-centered activities, like a little music class or something. Your baby might be eight months old, but you just kind of sit and play and do something that gets you out of the house and around other people who are going through the same thing you are. And to me, this source of communal support sounded absolutely vital to parents I interviewed in Germany and Sweden. It got them out of the house. It got them around other people. It got them in conversation with other parents who were struggling with the same thing, like introducing your child to solid foods for the first time is a really big deal. And being able to talk about that with other parents rather than sitting at home, stressed on your phone, trying to figure out the right way to cut up blackberries so that your child doesnt choke on it. Its much easier when youre having these conversations in community. And I think parenting in isolation here in the States is part of what makes it so profoundly difficult, exhausting, and overwhelming to be a parent in the U.S. And having abundant playgrounds  I mean, Ezra, you walk around Sweden  I should talk about Stockholm, in particular, urban areas. They are flooded with gorgeous parks and playgrounds for kids, and families flood there as soon as kids get out of day care. And its so fun to not be able to walk more than a block or two without stumbling across one of these. It is an immensely family friendly cultural environment and also built infrastructural environment that feels so different from the U.S.

ezra klein

I want to pick up on a tension that I think is lurking here because were talking about intensive parenting. Were talking about being the ideal worker. And were talking about all of these as external pressures. But theres also the internal pressure, the intrinsic motivation. And the pressure of ones own identity, where one derives their meaning from. I mean, you and I have now both confessed to finding parental leave beautiful and hard.

caitlyn collins

Yes.

ezra klein

And for me, one reason its hard  and I recognize not everybody has a job they love and derive tremendous meaning from, but Im lucky to have that. And a lot of people I know have that, and in general, our society is set up to tell people to get a lot of meaning from their work. And this is something people, I think correctly, critique. But nevertheless, we have built  I mean, from the time you are young, you are in school. Youre being pushed into standardized testing, pushed into bolstering your college application resume with all these extracurriculars. Then you go to college, and eventually, this is all to get a job and a career and then to advance in your career. And so we train everybody, at this very deep level, from very early on, to put a tremendous amount of their self-worth into how their career is going and what is happening in their career and what is happening in their work. And then all of a sudden, you have children. And the demand is to first shift a tremendous amount of that self-identity to your parenting, to your family. But also theres just, I think, at some level, you can only be so good a parent and a worker at the same time. And thats not just the outside world asking it of you. Its the inside world, to say nothing of any hobbies you might have, to say nothing of what it means to be a person yourself. But to have a culture that is so built around professional identity and then also prizes intensive parenting, I just wonder if that is actually a tension you can resolve.

caitlyn collins

Good question, Ezra. And I think important to this conversation is kind of rendering visible the truth that, as you said, lots of folks arent fortunate enough to be in jobs from which they derive meaning and fulfillment. But of course, jobs in the United States are also the primary way that we access security for ourselves and our families, right? Our health care is tied closely to our employment these days. Social Security and other benefits are tied to our employment. So not only is this about self-identity and fulfillment, but I think part of it is about what it means to secure  to create security for yourself and your family long term. And Im right there with you. My job matters a lot to me. I love being a professor, and I also really love being a mom. But I have about as wonderful a set of resources at my disposal, both in my personal life with my wonderful partner, whos quite egalitarian in our family, and also on the job, to help me have what I might call the ideal, probably, work-family balance of anyone I can think of. And yet, Ezra, I am still exhausted. [LAUGHS] I heard this from my American interviewees all the time. They are obsessed with the concept of time because they feel like they are short on it constantly  not enough time, carving out time, eking out time. I thought to myself before leaving for work, maybe I wont make my bed so that I can get to work five minutes earlier in the morning because I need to meet a deadline. And when I zoom out and look at myself thinking that question, Im like, this is insanity. Whether or not I make my bed has no bearing on whether my day is going to go poorly or well. But it doesnt matter how many policy supports I have. The fact that my job is very intensive and demanding and caring for my daughter is very intensive and demanding is a tension that I dont think can be resolved by even the best set of policies and resources. And in truth, its just because parenting is hard, right? Both the time and the resources necessary to do it are kind of nonnegotiable. What I would really love is to live in some sort of cohousing community where my dear friends, who I want to co-parent with, share, for example, a communal kitchen, and we rotate meals and cleaning responsibilities because the isolation of feeling like my partner and I are raising our kid without community support, to me, is part of why this feels so exhausting.

ezra klein

Oh, see, now youre really talking my language. All I want here is to move to a future of utopian co-parenting communes.

caitlyn collins

Yes. Lets make it happen.

ezra klein

Thats my actual solution to all this.

caitlyn collins

Right? And that means we have to change the structure, the architecture of our homes and our neighborhoods. We have to think creatively and expansively about what it means to create families for ourselves that give us the support and the meaning and fulfillment that we all both need and deserve. Youve had an episode before about what kind of relationships you would have if you could choose them, right? Youve had episodes about polyamory and folks who are co-parenting. You and I were just talking about cohousing communes. I think we need to think, again, much more creatively and expansively about envisioning the life we want for ourselves than the pretty current limited and limiting set of options we envision.

ezra klein

The only thing we have to change is everything.

caitlyn collins

Just everything. No big deal. [MUSIC PLAYING]

ezra klein

One of the things that operates in the background here is just this enormous, crushing guilt. I think Im a pretty good parent. I try really hard. I have a very close relationship with my kids. I just constantly feel guilty. And they make me feel guilty, to be fair. Theyre very good at that. And then I also feel guilty sometimes at work. Im pretty good at my job, but you know, everything is just  youre always making choices, taking from one or the other, to say then nothing of how often am I calling my family, am I showing up for my friends, right? Its not possible to do everything as well as you want to do it. Am I taking care of myself? I was so impressed that you sometimes make your bed. That sounds wonderful. But yeah, you must be really time rich to be making your bed daily. Rachel Cohen at Vox had a really interesting piece a couple months back about how millennials are coming to dread motherhood and parenthood and how the dominant language discussion  I mean, even in this conversation about it  it really front loads this set of just really negative feelings. And she writes, quote, for at least the last decade, women of my age have absorbed cultural messaging that motherhood is thankless and depleting, straining careers, health, and friendships and destroying sex lives. Today, its genuinely difficult to find mainstream portrayals of moms who are not stressed to the brink, depressed, isolated, or increasingly resentful. What do you see in the way that the portrayal and conversation about motherhood has changed in recent decades, and what it looks like in different cultures?

caitlyn collins

I think Rachel is right in her depiction of how we think about motherhood here in the United States. I think that dread is real. And I mentioned that I took paid leave with my daughter after she was born. And I would say the six month mark is about when your little bean becomes like a person you can interact with in a way that feels fulfilling. But I remember telling a girlfriend who was pregnant, my daughter is so fun. I have so much fun with her. And she got teary and said, you do? Shes fun? You have fun with her? I said, absolutely. Taking her to the tile store with me and to pick out glasses at Warby Parker, its so much more fun because shes along for the ride with me than if I was there by myself. And this was kind of revelatory for her. And she said, thank you for sharing that with me because no one has talked to me about it being fun to have kids. And the truth is, it is so fun to hang out with my daughter. She makes me laugh all day long. In addition to it being exhausting to care for her, we have a blast together. And I think the truth is that most U.S. parents lack the time and resources to access the wonderful parts of parenthood. And to me, that is the devastating consequence of this lack of public policy support for parents, and this is why it looks very different in other countries. As you mentioned, Swedish moms, for me, talk about spending wonderful time with their children, and they also feel guilty. The difference is that they can use the policies available to them to alleviate that guilt. So moms in Sweden did tell me they wanted to make sure they were getting enough time with their children. They worried about their childrens well-being. They worried about their working hours. However, moms could use policies like schedule flexibility, as I mentioned, to spend more time with their children, if thats what they wanted. Many parents in Sweden told me that they would, for example, pick up their children every day from day care at 3 p.m. in order to spend the kind of quality time with them that gave them meaning and fulfillment and, again, that joy and happiness weve been discussing. And having more time and resources to access the joy to me feels like a crucial piece of the puzzle that were missing here.

ezra klein

But is this just a time and resources question? So something in my mind here is you go back to 2007, the U.S. total fertility rate is 2.12. So its fallen by more than 16 percent since then. And our family policy did not get worse. Whether were working to not change dramatically. But I do think theres a way in which digital media and social media and everything else has created, across a lot of domains, a preference for highly negative conversations. Everything in politics is terrible. Parenting is terrible. Im super anxious. Were seeing a big teen mental health crisis. And I do wonder sometimes if it hasnt become harder to talk about anything being good. If you say something is good, you have to confess your privilege in six different ways before you do so. I was just thinking, when you were telling that story about your daughter, theres actually nobody in the world  in the entire world, and I have the most doting mother. I have friends who adore me. I have a great marriage. Nobody in the world is nicer to me than my five-year-old. Nobody is more purely nice to me than he is.

caitlyn collins

What a beautiful statement.

ezra klein

And its just not something I talk about that much. I do wonder, to Rachels point, if there isnt a way that the conversation feeds on itself, if it becomes self-fulfilling. It is safe to confess your exhaustion. It is not safe to confess your joy. But also, theres something about the things we learn how to notice in our world. The stories we tell ourselves also become the stories we exist in, right? If we are taught to notice what is so hard, we will primarily notice what is so hard. If were taught to feel guilty all the time, and were hearing everybody else feeling guilty all the time, we will feel guilty all the time. And so I do wonder if this is all about policy and material resources because fertility rates are going down fast. But its not like the world is getting worse fast, in terms of those things. Most family policy has gotten better. People have gotten richer. And were still seeing these declines. And so it does seem to me theres got to be something happening that is beyond, that is not just policy and money and time.

caitlyn collins

Yes, and this gets back to the issue of culture I think youre spot on here, Ezra. First of all, I would love to hear more about how nice your son is to you. That sounds like a fabulous topic of conversation to me.

ezra klein

Four-part series.

caitlyn collins

[LAUGHING] The truth is here, youre right. We do not talk about the more positive aspects. You mentioned guilt, Ezra. To me, guilt matters a lot here. I wrote an article about guilt across these four countries because to me, it is an internalized way we see these cultural ideals manifesting in our sense of self. And to me, thats a big problem, and we need to push back on it. I also want to interject here with a point about inequality. Often, when I interviewed women here in the U.S., when they mentioned taking two months off for paid parental leave, when they mentioned that they liked the child care that their kiddo is enrolled at, they always, always followed it up with telling me how lucky they were. Im really lucky that I got two months off of paid leave, which, again, Swedes would be appalled at. Im really fortunate that we can afford a good quality day care for my kid. And to me, this is a way that socioeconomically advantaged folks deal with the discomfort of living in a deeply unequal society where they know other folks are way less fortunate, less privileged. So me complaining about my kid, and then following it up with, oh, but Im so lucky, is one way to address this strident inequality. And in the other three countries in Europe where I conducted interviews, in Italy and Sweden and Germany, moms did not use a discourse of privilege to talk about the things that they appreciated by way of support. They talked about it with a sense of entitlement, as a right to have time with their children, to have paid parental leave, to have good quality care for their children. And that, to me, feels very different about the U.S. compared to these other countries, is that we feel grateful for anything because, again, we are told to think that child-rearing and our familys well-being is our personal and private responsibility. And thats just not how all these other societies structure it.

ezra klein

But theres also a way in which that discourse can lead us to flat in ways in which the data doesnt back up what that would imply. So Im just looking here at a chart of birthrates in the United States in 2019 by household income, and the birthrates are higher when you go down the income ladder, not up. People making $200,000 or more, people making $150,000 or more are having fewer children than people making $25,000 or less, people making $50,000 or less. Theres a recent Pew survey where 80 percent of respondents described parenting as enjoyable, quote, all or most of the time. But crucially, low income parents, Black parents, Hispanic parents, were most likely to rate it highly, not least likely to rate it highly. What do you make of that?

caitlyn collins

I have seen these statistics. And to me, this has to do with, again, the sorts of privileges that accrue to folks in positions of advantage means that the opportunity cost to having children is much higher when you are advantaged. When you have a degree that gives you access to a variety of fabulous jobs, the idea of having children and, perhaps honestly, having to step away from or pivot your trajectory in that fantastic career trajectory looks very different when youre advantaged compared to when you  in the United States, anyway  dont have access to those sorts of opportunities in the paid labor market or in the world of education, for example. And theres research by Kathy Eden, a sociologist, with low income mothers who talk about putting parenting before marriage. And they talk about how much, again, meaning and fulfillment they derive from parenting, and how prioritizing that over a job or even a marriage mattered because it was a source of stability and a source of fulfillment and connection that they desperately desired. And I understand completely why that would be the case.

ezra klein

And this opens up, too, the question of values and meaning. I mean, something we observe not in every single subgroup, but I think overall, this is true, is that more religious communities have more children than more secular communities. And what you were just saying, that when youre more privileged, you have more of these choices of affluence, more places to get  not just meaning, but again, going back to something we talked about at the beginning, fun, happiness, delight. Youre deciding whether to do more international travel or not, deciding what to do in your career. And I wonder about the values. But there is something that when you observe it at a population level about this question of societies that understand themselves as in continuity, cultures that understand themselves as about what comes after them, and cultures that are highly individualistic, highly built around not just individual choice but individual satisfaction, such that it makes a ton of sense to ask the question, is having children going to make me happier? Will it be a more pleasant or less pleasant choice for the next seven years? And if the answer is less pleasant, maybe thats a good reason not to do it. And its funny because on any individual level, I think that choice is totally fine to make. And then when you see it happening across the society, you begin to wonder, well, what do I think of a society that just doesnt value children on their own merits that much because its kind of a pain in the butt for a lot of the adults?

caitlyn collins

It does make you wonder. And to be honest with you, Ezra, as a sociologist, as a feminist, I dont really care about our total fertility rate as a policy target. If you asked me, I would tell you, we should open up our borders and let immigration solve our, quote, unquote, fertility problem. I dont think that we should try to be using policy as a lever to encourage more births. What I do care deeply about is creating a society in which adults can make choices for themselves that bring them, again, as weve been talking about today, joy, meaning, fulfillment, happiness, a sense of wholeness. Thats what matters to me. I want to create a society where people feel they have the opportunity and power  I call this in my book, rather than this goal of work-family balance for parents, I really think about the term justice, thinking about this as political in orientation, that parents really deserve  men and women alike  the opportunity and the power to participate fully in paid work and in child rearing, should they elect to do so. And supporting parents to give them a multiplicity of options to pursue those identities is my goal, not just increasing the birthrate.

ezra klein

Lets say you do care about the birthrate. And I hear you, that you may not. Given that weve talked about the ways policy does not have a lot of leverage on this, what does change culture? Because I think the place where I get a little nervous about a pure choice framework is that the choices we even want to make  and were not even getting to make those. I mean, on average, people want to have more children in the United States than they are having. But peoples  the choices they want to make are very dependent on the culture around them, what the people who they know are doing. In a world where a lot of people have four kids, having four kids becomes something you can really imagine. In a world where almost nobody does, its like youre the unusual couple with four kids. In a world where all of your friends dont have kids until their early to mid-30s, having kids at 24 becomes a very almost countercultural decision. So individual choice, its so also communal that I almost never know what to think about it. But how do you change culture? If you wanted to have a culture, if you think, as I kind of think, that our culture is too tilted towards the achievements of work and just not towards other things. Not just family, honestly, but just living. What is the leverage on culture?

caitlyn collins

Oh, Ezra, this is what keeps me up at night, thinking about culture and social change, positive social change. But youre right, our reference groups really matter. And I think this era of the digital age in which we now live means that perhaps our reference groups are opening up because we have access to understanding what life looks like for other people in a way that we didnt when we didnt have the world at our fingertips on our phones. And to me, culture change here is absolutely vital, especially when were thinking about, for example, gender, thinking about who can and should care for children. How do you bring about revolutionary social change? I do know scholars in this arena talk about what they call punctuated equilibrium, that things kind of stay the same until there are dramatic events that really upend things. And that often is an opportunity that creates fissures in our cultural collective imagination, where we can envision how life might look a little bit different than it does right now. And to me, the pandemic was  there was a lot going on in the pandemic, as it relates to our conversation today about parenting and employment. We are not going to hope for another life-upending and tragic circumstance like that, of course. But the pandemic brought about an absolute about-face in some of our understandings, for example, in the world of work. The possibility for remote work opened up tremendous possibilities for parents, for example. Activists have been calling for more flexible remote work options for decades, both for feminist reasons. Also folks in the disability movement have been calling for remote work also, to bring about more autonomy for disabled folks in their world of work. So big disruptions like the pandemic  which is, of course, entirely unexpected  can bring about cultural change. Shifting the cultural narrative about what is possible for adults, to me, requires thinking broadly and expansively in kind of liberatory terms and turning to communities that maybe we dont often put the spotlight on to think about how we might do this differently.

ezra klein

So my colleague Ross Douthat wrote this essay in 2020 that I think about sometimes. And hes taken on this argument that its selfish to not have children, and he kind of flips it on its head. He says, quote, The deepest reason to have more kids is self-centered in a radically different way. Having a bunch of kids is a form of life most likely to force you toward kenosis, self-emptying  the experience of what it means to live entirely for someone other than yourself. And what Ross goes on to say in this piece is that we are getting meaning wrong. Ross comes from a different politics than I do, but hes more critical of the individual rights-focused secular liberalism that dominates, particularly in a lot of elite circles now. And this idea that you will live a more rooted, meaningful life if you are actually more tethered towards responsibility, towards community, towards family, towards others, is actually something we should be pursuing for ourselves, not just for others. Its not sacrificial. Actually, what were doing here might sound good, but its not the way to pursue a deeper happiness. Im curious how you think about that.

caitlyn collins

Thats powerful and compelling to me. And youre right, perhaps different from how I tend to think about this. We think about parenting sometimes through this lens of altruism. But of course, having children can be deeply meaningful for ourselves. I think parenting can be the utmost act of selflessness and selfishness at the exact same time. I dont think we need to use either/or language to talk about what it means to be a parent and to care give and to submit your time and resources toward the well-being of someone other than yourself. I think of that as something that can give you tremendous meaning, I guess, of course, in the emptying, but also in the fulfillment at the same time. We can think of that through the lens of both/and rather than either/or.

ezra klein

And then always our final question, what are three books you would recommend to the audience?

caitlyn collins

Oh, three books. I mentioned one already by Mary Blair-Loy called Competing Devotions: Career and Family Among Women Executives. This is a groundbreaking interview study with women executives in the financial services industry. And Mary is really powerful in leveraging this interview data to show us the moral weight of these competing devotions between work and family. I think its a must-read for anyone interested in this topic. A second book is by Dawn Dow called Mothering While Black: Boundaries and Burdens of Middle Class Parenthood. And I think of Dons book as this fabulous, crucial complement to my own about the necessity of an intersectional approach to studying work and family. And she really shows us that the frameworks researchers are using to study middle class families tend to really focus on white moms experiences, which are, unsurprisingly, very dissimilar to how African-American middle class moms are navigating often very different expectations about breadwinning and caregiving. So I adore Dawns book and encourage folks to read Mothering While Black if theyve got the time. And the third book is not a sociological one. Its by Rebecca Solnit. Hope in the Dark: Untold Histories, Wild Possibilities. Shes also written a book called Men Explain Things To Me, which I find fantastic. But Hope in the Dark to me is this sort of much-needed balm for the kind of political cynicism and despair of our contemporary moment, and it implores us to really continue to engage in collective action. Even and actually especially when our future feels so uncertain and unknowable these days, she begs us to not kind of sit in despair, but in fact to  she talks about hope as this mechanism for action that I really love, and this idea that  she says, hope is not a lottery ticket you can sit on the sofa and clutch feeling lucky. I say it because hope is an ax you break down doors with in an emergency because hope should shove you out the door. And this to me is how we bring about the kind of cultural and political change we desperately need here in the U.S. so that adults are able to make the decisions that feel right for them when it comes to combining work and family. [MUSIC PLAYING]

ezra klein

Caitlyn Collins, thank you very much.

caitlyn collins

Thank you.

ezra klein
"Forgive your enemies. But first, get even."

That's the terrific last line of Blood on the Sun, which takes place a dozen years before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and dragged America into World War II. Produced just before the war ended in 1945, director Frank Lloyd's high-octane film noir focuses on a key warning sign that might have tipped off the U.S. to Japan's nefarious intentions. The final kiss-off, delivered with defiance by the movie's star, James Cagney, signals America's willingness to make peace with its enemy but emphasizes its resolve to finish the job at hand.

It's 1929 and cocky newspaper editor Nick Condon (Cagney) publishes a controversial article in the Tokyo Chronicle about the existence of a secret document called the Tanaka Memorial. Penned by Baron Giichi Tanaka (John Emery), who the film calls "the Oriental Hitler" in its prologue, the explosive memo outlines Japan's plan for total world domination, beginning with takeovers of China and the United States. Condon's colleague Ollie Miller (Wallace Ford) has been paid a substantial fee to take the missive out of the country and publicize it, but before he can make his escape, he and his wife (Rosemary DeCamp) are murdered.

What follows is a cat-and-mouse game between Condon, Japanese operatives, and Iris Hilliard (Sylvia Sidney), a mysterious half-Chinese woman who may or may not be working for the Japanese. All of them covet the document and will risk everything to secure it. As the intrigue mounts, Condon falls for Iris, but is she playing him for a sap or aiding his cause by helping him foil his adversaries and alert the world to the dire Japanese threat?

The Tanaka Memorial has long been the subject of scrutiny because the original document has never been found. Most historians now believe it to be a hoax perpetrated by either the Chinese, Soviets, or British, but it sure makes for a good story and Blood on the Sun milks it for all it's worth. The screenplay by Lester Cole (who would gain notoriety as part of the left-leaning Hollywood Ten targeted by the House UnAmerican Committee) immerses us in Asian culture while delivering an action-packed tale that blends political skullduggery with violence and romance. Cole even throws some feminism into the mix.

Lloyd, whose most famous film is the original Mutiny on the Bounty (he also won Oscars for The Divine Lady and Cavalcade), brings an exotic noir flavor to Blood on the Sun that's accented by the Oscar-winning art direction and rousing music score by Miklos Rosza. All of that almost makes up for the shameful but common practice of casting Caucasian actors in the major Asian parts. Though Emery, Robert Armstrong (of King Kong fame), John Halloran, Leonard Strong, and others assert themselves well as Japanese characters, their obvious western heritage and cheesy makeup strike sour notes that degrade an otherwise fine film. (Sidney gets a pass, because her character is half-Chinese.)

Cagney laces his typically pugnacious performance with some effective tender nuances that add depth and heighten emotional involvement. He also learned jujitsu for this film and though most of his rough-and-tumble moves are executed by a double, Cagney looks darn authentic when the spotlight is on him. He and Sidney, who might seem like an odd couple on paper, create marvelous chemistry that makes us wish they could have co-starred in more pictures. It's too bad Sidney, who uncannily resembles Bette Davis during much of Blood on the Sun, was largely absent from Hollywood during the 1940s, because she would have made a fantastic femme fatale if given the chance, as her duplicitous portrayal here proves.

It's historical accuracy may be suspect, but Blood on the Sun provides plenty of thrills and colorfully tackles a little-known yet fascinating subject. Some rough edges and narrative hiccups prevent the film from scaling lofty heights, but Cagney and company keep its engine humming and help transmit the rousing message of courage in the face of evil.

Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray

Blood on the Sun arrives on Blu-ray packaged in a standard case. Video codec is 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 and audio is DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono. Once the disc is inserted into the player, the static menu with music immediately pops up; no previews or promos precede it.
The Committee to Protect Journalists has documented that at least 320 members of the press were behind bars around the globe as 2024 began. In Vladimir Putins police state, at least 22 journalists are jailed, most for committing that most elemental of journalistic duties, speaking the truth. Two of them are American reporters. One of them, Evan Gershkovich of The Wall Street Journal, will soon mark a year in the infamous Lefortovo prison, awaiting trial on charges of espionage. The other, Alsu Kurmasheva, an editor for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, was arrested while visiting her mother and has been in detention since October.

The charges against both are a travesty. Their incarceration is a violation of their rights and an assault on foreign journalists that is even more egregious than what transpired under Soviet rule. The Biden administration should continue to do all in its power to secure their freedom.

Mr. Gershkovich, now 32, is not a spy, and his accusers know it. He is a reporter, a correspondent for The Wall Street Journal who worked in Moscow with official accreditation from the Russian government until he was taken prisoner by a secretive police unit in Yekaterinburg on March 29, 2023.

The reason for the arrest may be known only to Mr. Putin. Perhaps it was to send a signal that foreign correspondents are no safer from the reach of the Kremlins police than Russian reporters. For some time now, and especially since the invasion of Ukraine two years ago, the Kremlin under Mr. Putin has dealt ruthlessly with any opposition, as demonstrated most starkly by the sudden death last month of Aleksei Navalny, Mr. Putins most prominent opponent.
For the last decade or so, an ideological tremor has been unsettling American Jewish life. Since Oct. 7, it has become an earthquake. It concerns the relationship between liberalism and Zionism, two creeds that for more than half a century have defined American Jewish identity. In the years to come, American Jews will face growing pressure to choose between them.

They will face that pressure because Israels war in Gaza has supercharged a transformation on the American left. Solidarity with Palestinians is becoming as essential to leftist politics as support for abortion rights or opposition to fossil fuels. And as happened during the Vietnam War and the struggle against South African apartheid, leftist fervor is reshaping the liberal mainstream. In December, the United Automobile Workers demanded a cease-fire and formed a divestment working group to consider the unions economic ties to the conflict. In January, the National L.G.B.T.Q. Task Force called for a cease-fire as well. In February, the leadership of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the nations oldest Black Protestant denomination, called on the United States to halt aid to the Jewish state. Across blue America, many liberals who once supported Israel or avoided the subject are making the Palestinian cause their own.

This transformation remains in its early stages. In many prominent liberal institutions  most significantly, the Democratic Party  supporters of Israel remain not only welcome but also dominant. But the leaders of those institutions no longer represent much of their base. The Democratic majority leader, Senator Chuck Schumer, acknowledged this divide in a speech on Israel on the Senate floor last week. He reiterated his longstanding commitment to the Jewish state, though not its prime minister. But he also conceded, in the speechs most remarkable line, that he can understand the idealism that inspires so many young people in particular to support a one-state solution  a solution that does not involve a Jewish state. Those are the words of a politician who understands that his party is undergoing profound change.

The American Jews most committed to Zionism, the ones who run establishment institutions, understand that liberal America is becoming less ideologically hospitable. And they are responding by forging common cause with the American right. Its no surprise that the Anti-Defamation League, which only a few years ago harshly criticized Donald Trumps immigration policies, recently honored his son-in-law and former senior adviser, Jared Kushner.
Teodora Maria Bun and Menchilou Deo Antopina began watching RuPauls Drag Race, like clockwork, together each week after they met in Singapore.

For extra oomph, and sometimes with friends, they usually downed shots  including a mystery shot once mixed with durian, the notoriously pungent fruit  each time a drag queen on the reality competition show performed an amazing feat like a cartwheel, split or death drop.

Its part of our relationship, said Ms. Antopina, 32, who goes by Mench.

She super liked Ms. Bun, 30, who goes by Maria, her very first time on Tinder one Sunday evening in July 2020.

Ms. Buns green eyes in a selfie blew her away.

It shows her beauty, said Ms. Antopina, who had arrived in Singapore at the end of January 2020, a few weeks before pandemic lockdown, to take a breather from her career as an accountant in Cebu, the Philippines, where she grew up.
After Tiffany Quynhnhu Langlinais and Michael Steven Graves had their first date in central New Orleans, Mr. Graves drove off to Chicago in a green 2008 Kia Sedona minivan to officiate a friends wedding. And so, to Ms. Langlinaiss friends, he was known as minivan Mike.

Ms. Langlinais, 33, wasnt used to dating a man who drove a minivan, but she said she appreciated seeing him in an unfiltered way throughout the date. She found him forthright and intentional, plus she was a fan of his beard.

The two met in June 2021 on Magazine Street, a six mile-long, major thoroughfare in New Orleans, after matching on Hinge in May. Mr. Graves, 35, needed to buy gifts for his newborn nephew in Chicago. He wanted to make sure he saw Ms. Langlinais before he left town for two weeks, so he asked her if she wanted to join him.

We hit it off right away. I thought she was very beautiful and couldnt believe she was into me, Mr. Graves said.
Shortly after Jonathan Kanter took over the Justice Departments antitrust division in November 2021, the agency secured an additional $50 million to investigate monopolies, bust criminal cartels and block mergers.

To celebrate, Mr. Kanter bought a prop of a giant check, placed it outside his office and wrote on the checks memo line: Break Em Up.

Mr. Kanter, 50, has pushed that philosophy ever since, becoming a lead architect of the most significant effort in decades to fight the concentration of power in corporate America. On Thursday, he took his biggest swing when the Justice Department filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple. In the 88-page lawsuit, the government argued that Apple had violated antitrust laws with practices intended to keep customers reliant on its iPhones and less likely to switch to competing devices.

That lawsuit joins two Justice Department antitrust cases against Google that argue the company illegally shored up monopolies. Mr. Kanters staff has also challenged numerous corporate mergers, including suing to stop JetBlue Airways from buying Spirit Airlines.
Kate Oh was no ones idea of a get-along-to-go-along employee.

During her five years as a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union, she was an unsparing critic of her superiors, known for sending long, blistering emails to human resources complaining about what she described as a hostile workplace.

She considered herself a whistle blower and advocate for other women in the office, drawing unflattering attention to an environment she said was rife with sexism, burdened by unmanageable workloads and stymied by a fear-based culture.

Then the tables turned, and Ms. Oh was the one slapped with an accusation of serious misconduct. The A.C.L.U. said her complaints about several superiors  all of whom were Black  used racist stereotypes. She was fired in May 2022.

The A.C.L.U. acknowledges that Ms. Oh, who is Korean American, never used any kind of racial slur. But the group says that her use of certain phrases and words demonstrated a pattern of willful anti-Black animus.
Passengers aboard an Alaska Airlines plane that made an emergency landing after a fuselage panel blew off this year have started to receive letters from the F.B.I. identifying them as possible victims of a crime.

The letters are a sign that a criminal investigation the Justice Department has opened into Boeing, the manufacturer of the 737 Max 9 jet, is ramping up.

As a victim specialist with the Seattle division, Im contacting you because we have identified you as a possible victim of a crime, reads the letter from the F.B.I.s Seattle office, a copy of which was obtained by The New York Times. The letter says the incident is under criminal F.B.I. investigation but adds that such inquiries can be lengthy and that for several reasons, we cannot tell you about its progress at this time.

The panel on the flight, which was carrying 171 passengers and six crew members, blew off at an altitude of 16,000 feet, shortly after the plane left the Portland, Ore., airport in early January. The National Transportation Safety Board said in a preliminary report that the panel, known as a door plug and used to fill space that would have been occupied by an emergency exit door if the plane had included more seats, was missing four bolts meant to secure it in place.
As the Biden administration increasingly clashes with Israeli leaders over the war in Gaza, a question that often arises is whether U.S. officials will try to exercise some form of harder leverage as Israel ignores their pleas.

They could do so, critics say, to try to get Israel to let more humanitarian aid into Gaza as it teeters on the brink of famine, to scale back its military campaign or to refrain from invading the Gaza Strip city of Rafah, where many civilians have fled.

Since the Hamas terrorist attacks on Oct. 7, in which about 1,200 Israelis were killed and about 240 taken hostage, Israels strikes have killed more than 30,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. President Biden has tried to influence Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu behind the scenes while showing strong support for Israel. Yet confrontations loom.

Israeli officials are expected to meet with their U.S. counterparts next week in Washington to hash out opposing opinions on plans to invade Rafah. And a growing number of former American officials say Mr. Biden has to start exercising leverage to shift Israel away from what they call its disastrous war.
Senator Sherrod Brown, Democrat of Ohio, has always had the luxury of running for election in remarkably good years for his party. He won his seat in 2006, during the backlash to the Iraq War, won re-election in 2012, the last time a Democrat carried the state, and did so again in 2018, amid a national reckoning of Donald J. Trumps presidency.

His campaign in 2024 will be different, and most likely the toughest of his career, with a Republican Party determined to win his seat and a Democratic president hanging off him like one of his trademark rumpled suits. In an election year when control of the Senate relies on the Democratic Partys ability to win every single competitive race, an enormous weight sits on the slumped shoulders of the famously disheveled 71-year-old.

I fight for Ohioans, Mr. Brown said in an interview on Wednesday. Theres a reason I win in a state thats a little more Republican.

Mr. Browns tousled hair and gravelly voice have spoken to working-class voters since he was elected Ohios secretary of state in 1982. His arms may be clenched tightly around his chest, but he projects a casual confidence that he can win once again in firmly red Ohio, where he is the last Democrat holding statewide office.
After being sworn in as attorney general in March 2021, Merrick B. Garland gathered his closest aides to discuss a topic too sensitive to broach in bigger groups: the possibility that evidence from the far-ranging Jan. 6 investigation could quickly lead to former President Donald J. Trump and his inner circle.

At the time, some in the Justice Department were pushing for the chance to look at ties between pro-Trump rioters who assaulted the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, his allies who had camped out at the Willard Hotel, and possibly Mr. Trump himself.

Mr. Garland said he would place no restrictions on their work, even if the evidence leads to Trump, according to people with knowledge of several conversations held over his first months in office.

Follow the connective tissue upward, said Mr. Garland, adding a directive that would eventually lead to a dead end: Follow the money.
Background

With Gov. Mark Gordons signature, Wyoming joins 23 other states that have passed partial or total bans on gender-affirming care in recent years.

Wyomings bill, known as Senate File 99, was approved by lawmakers in both chambers earlier this month. Under the legislation, doctors, pharmacists and other health care providers who provide gender-affirming care could have their licenses suspended or revoked.

As in other states, proponents of the measure have argued that the treatments in minors are relatively new, and that the long-term effects are not well studied. The bills sponsor, Senator Anthony Bouchard, said that the law prohibits the use of pharmaceuticals to alter normal adolescent development.

On Friday, Governor Gordon offered muted support for the measure.

I signed SF99 because I support the protections this bill includes for children, Mr. Gordon said in a statement. However, it is my belief that the government is straying into the personal affairs of families.

Transgender advocates in Wyoming said the conservative resistance to government intrusion is one reason similar measures have previously failed to pass. In prior sessions, some Republicans were sympathetic to the argument that the restrictions violated the rights of parents to make decisions for their children.

The idea that the government is going to reach into your living room and tell you what kind of health care your kid can receive  I just cant underline enough how backward that would be for Wyoming, Sara Burlingame, a former Democratic state legislator, said in an interview.
In Senegal, the president tried to cancel an election. In Niger, a military coup detat toppled an elected president, who eight months later is still imprisoned in the presidential palace. In Chad, the leading opposition politician was killed in a shootout with security forces. And in Tunisia, once the only democratic success story of the Arab Spring rebellions, the president is steering the state toward increasing autocracy.

Democracy is in trouble in former French colonies in Africa. And the two ways it is being subverted  by the elected officials entrusted with upholding it, or by coup plotters overthrowing governments  are manifestations of the same malaise, according to some experts.

After they won independence from France in the 1960s, nascent states modeled their constitutions on Frances, concentrating power in presidents hands. And France maintained a web of business and political ties with its former colonies  a system known as Francafrique  often propping up corrupt governments. These are among the reasons analysts cite for the democratic crisis in these countries.

While a majority of Africans polled still say they prefer democracy to other forms of government, support for it is declining in Africa, while approval of military rule is on the rise  it has doubled since 2000. That shift is happening much faster in former French colonies than in former British ones, according to Boniface Dulani, the director of surveys for Afrobarometer, a nonpartisan research organization.
The Senate overwhelmingly gave final approval early Saturday to a $1.2 trillion spending bill to fund more than half of the government, effectively averting a shutdown by sending the legislation to President Bidens desk just hours after a midnight deadline.

The 74-to-24 vote, which concluded about 2 a.m., capped an extraordinary day on Capitol Hill that began with a big bipartisan vote to speed the measure through the House, which set off a conservative revolt and prompted one Republican to threaten a bid to oust Speaker Mike Johnson from his post.

The Senate action came more than 12 hours after the House vote, after intense haggling to arrange a series of politically charged votes on proposed changes to the legislation that Republicans had demanded that threatened to push the government into a brief partial shutdown into the weekend.

The White House said in a statement minutes after the midnight deadline that federal officials had ceased shutdown preparations in anticipation of Mr. Biden signing the legislation later Saturday. But the delay underscored the difficulties that have plagued spending negotiations from the beginning and was a fitting coda to an excruciating set of talks that are on track to finally fund the government through the end of the fiscal year, Sept. 30, six months behind schedule.
The Islamic State claimed responsibility on Friday for the massacre at a Moscow area concert hall, one of the deadliest attacks in Russia in decades, and U.S. officials confirmed the claim shortly afterward.

The United States collected intelligence in March that Islamic State-Khorasan, known as ISIS-K, the branch of the group based in Afghanistan, had been planning an attack on Moscow, according to officials. ISIS members have been active in Russia, one U.S. official said.

After a period of relative quiet, the Islamic State has been trying to increase its external attacks, according to U.S. counterterrorism officials. Most of those plots in Europe have been thwarted, prompting assessments that the group had diminished capabilities.

ISIS-K has been fixated on Russia for the past two years, frequently criticizing President Vladimir V. Putin in its propaganda, said Colin P. Clarke, a counterterrorism analyst at the Soufan Group, a security consulting firm based in New York. ISIS-K accuses the Kremlin of having Muslim blood in its hands, referencing Moscows interventions in Afghanistan, Chechnya and Syria.

The attack on Friday in Moscow, like a January assault in Iran claimed by the group, could prompt a reassessment of its ability to strike outside its home territory.

In addition to publicly warning on March 7 about a possible attack, U.S. officials said they had privately told Russian officials about the intelligence pointing to an impending attack. It is not clear how much information the United States gave Russian officials beyond what was in the public warning.

American intelligence agencies have a duty to warn potential targets of dangers when they learn of them.

The United States had warned Iran of a possible attack ahead of twin bombings in January that killed scores and wounded hundreds of others at a memorial service for Irans former top general, Qassim Suleimani, who was killed by a U.S. drone strike four years before.

Western intelligence agencies had collected intelligence about possible planning by ISIS-K to bomb the service. As in Russia, ISIS claimed responsibility for that attack.
The U.S. Embassy in Moscow issued a security alert on March 7, warning that its personnel were monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, to include concerts. The statement warned Americans that an attack could take place in the next 48 hours.

The warning was related to the attack on Friday, according to people briefed on the matter. But it was not related to possible Ukrainian sabotage, American officials said, adding that the State Department would not have used the word extremists to warn about actions ordered from Kyiv.

Pro-Kremlin voices immediately seized on the U.S. Embassys warning to paint America as trying to scare Russians.

America officials are worried that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia could seek to falsely blame Ukraine for the attack, putting pressure on Western governments to identify who they think may be responsible. Mr. Putin frequently twists events, even tragic ones, to fit his public narrative. And he has been quick to accuse Ukraine of acts of terrorism to justify his invasion of the country.

U.S. officials said Mr. Putin could do that again after Fridays attack, seeking to use the loss of life to undermine support for Ukraine both domestically and around the world.

On March 19, the Russian leader called the U.S. Embassy statement obvious blackmail made with the intention to intimidate and destabilize our society. But he had yet to comment directly on the attack Friday.

John Kirby, a spokesman for President Bidens National Security Council, told reporters on Friday that the White House had no indication at this time that Ukraine or Ukrainians were involved. He added: Were taking a look at it. But I would disabuse you at this early hour of any connection to Ukraine.

Our thoughts obviously are going to be with the victims of this terrible, terrible shooting attack, he also said.

Russias foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said however, according to Reuters, On what basis do officials in Washington draw any conclusions in the midst of a tragedy about someones innocence? She added that if Washington had information, it should be shared.

Mykhailo Podolyak, a top adviser to Ukraines presidential office, said in a video statement that Ukraine has absolutely nothing to do with the attack.

Aishvarya Kavi contributed reporting.
A group of gunmen stormed a concert venue on the outskirts of Moscow on Friday night, killing at least 133 people and wounding more than 100, Russias top security agency said, according to state news agencies.

The authorities in Russia have yet to identify who was behind the attack, though U.S. officials said they believed that a branch of the Islamic State, Islamic State-Khorasan, or ISIS-K, the branch of the group based in Afghanistan, was responsible for the attack.

The assault also led to explosions and an enormous fire at the venue, Crocus City Hall, which is one of the largest and most popular concert halls in Moscow and the site of a shopping mall.

The Russian authorities said Saturday that they had arrested the four people who carried out the mass killing and arson. Russias Investigative Committee, the countrys equivalent to the F.B.I., said it had opened a criminal case into a terrorist act.
Several camouflage-clad gunmen opened fire at a popular concert venue on the outskirts of Moscow on Friday night, killing about 60 people and wounding more than 100, Russian authorities said, making it the deadliest attack in the capital region in more than a decade.

Hours after the mayhem began, the Russian national guard said its officers were still looking for the attackers. State media agencies reported that there had been up to five perpetrators.

As gunshots boomed through the building containing the concert hall, one of the largest and most popular music venues in the Moscow area, fire erupted in the upper floors of the structure, and the blaze intensified after an explosion, causing the roof to collapse.

The Islamic State, through an affiliated news agency, claimed responsibility. U.S. security officials, including a senior counterterrorism official, said they believed the attack was carried out by the Islamic State in Khorasan, a branch of the terrorist group that is active in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
Norman Miller was visiting the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1999 with his sons, Steven and Michael, when they stopped at an exhibit that described the top Nazi leaders who had carried out the extermination of six million Jews. When he pointed to a picture of Arthur Seyss-Inquart, a high-level but not widely known Nazi, he made a stunning admission.

I told you I arrested him, didnt I? Norman Miller said.

We were incredulous, Steven Miller recalled in an interview. We turned to him and said, What?

Until then, the elder Mr. Miller had not said a word to them about Mr. Seyss-Inquart, who, as the Reich commissioner of the German-occupied Netherlands, was responsible for deporting thousands of Dutch Jews to concentration camps. He had held a similar job in Poland, where he was known for policies that favored Jewish persecution.

The chance encounter between Mr. Miller, a German refugee who was serving in the British Army, and Mr. Seyss-Inquart happened on May 7, 1945, the day Germany surrendered to the Allies to end the war in Europe. Mr. Miller was part of the Royal Welch Fusiliers regiment, which was guarding a checkpoint between the American and British sectors in Hamburg.
Rose Dugdale, an Oxford-educated Englishwoman who left a life of wealth to become a partisan activist fighting for Irish independence, in a career that included bomb making, hijacking and art theft, died on March 18 in Dublin. She was 82.

Her death, in a nursing home, was confirmed by Aengus O Snodaigh, a friend and a member of the Irish Parliament. No cause was given.

Throughout the 1970s, Ms. Dugdale, whose family owned a large share of the insurance company Lloyds of London, captivated the British and Irish news media with her exploits. Her story  like that of Patricia Hearst, another heiress-turned-revolutionary who was making news in the United States around the same time  fed a narrative about glamorous, radical youth run amok in the post-60s era:

Ms. Dugdale rejected her inheritance and liquidated her trust fund to support a variety of social and political causes. She and an accomplice were arrested in 1973 for stealing thousands of dollars in art and silverware from her parents home, with plans to sell it and give the proceeds to the Irish Republican Army.

Her father, Eric, appeared as a witness at her trial, and under British law she was allowed to cross-examine him herself  an opportunity she used to make political statements.
Oleksii Yukov spends many of his nights dodging drones, navigating minefields and hoping not to be targeted by Russian artillery as he races to collect the remains of fallen soldiers from the battlefield.

In just three shattered tree lines around the ruined village of Klishchiivka outside Bakhmut, where Ukrainian and Russian forces have fought seesaw battles for well over a year, he collected 300 bodies. They were almost all Russian, he said, left behind in a maelstrom of violence where the struggle to stay alive often outweighs concern for the dead.

Mr. Yukov has been collecting bodies from the bloody fields and battered villages of eastern Ukraine for a decade. He is now the head of a group of civilian volunteers called Platsdarm, and has witnessed more death than he would care to remember.
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken warned during a visit to Israel on Friday that the countrys plans to press ahead with an invasion of Rafah risked isolating the country, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continued to resist U.S. calls for restraint.

The Biden administration was accelerating efforts to halt the Gaza war as Mr. Blinken met with Israeli leaders in Tel Aviv and the C.I.A. director traveled to Qatar, where mediators were trying to narrow gaps between Israel and Hamas over a cease-fire deal that would free Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

Mr. Blinken met with Mr. Netanyahu and with members of Israels war cabinet at a time of high tension between the allies. U.S. officials have grown more vocal in criticizing Mr. Netanyahus war strategy, including his plan to mount a military offensive in Rafah, the southern Gazan city packed with displaced civilians.

But the Biden administration has stopped short of placing restrictions on military aid to Israel. Although it backed a U.N. Security Council resolution on Friday calling for an immediate cease-fire  a measure that failed to pass  it has also not demanded a permanent stop to Israels military offensive in Gaza.

In a statement after their meeting, Mr. Netanyahu said that he had repeated to Mr. Blinken that Israel recognized the need to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian aid for Gaza but was determined to send troops into Rafah, where well-organized Hamas forces remain.

We have no way to defeat Hamas without going into Rafah and eliminating the rest of the battalions there, Mr. Netanyahu said. And I told him that I hope we will do it with the support of the U.S. But if we must  we will do it alone.
A U.S. bid to have the U.N. Security Council call for an immediate and sustained cease-fire in the Gaza Strip failed on Friday, after Russia and China vetoed the American resolution that included some of Washingtons strongest language since the start of the war.

The resolution reflected the Biden administrations growing frustration both with the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Israels conduct in a war that has killed about 30,000 people and reduced much of the enclave to ruins. The administration has been pressuring Israel not to attack the southern Gazan city of Rafah, where more than a million civilians have sought refuge, and to enable more aid to enter the territory.

But international frictions, including over Washingtons previous use of its veto power in the Security Council and its refusal to call for a permanent cease-fire, doomed the resolution. Eleven members voted in favor of the resolution, but Russia and China  permanent members  voted against it, as did Algeria. Guyana abstained.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, who was traveling in Israel on Friday, expressed disappointment that the resolution failed.
Before the United States presented a resolution at the United Nations Security Council on Friday calling for an immediate and sustained cease-fire in Gaza, it had vetoed three previous ones demanding a halt to the fighting.

The United States has long used its veto power as a permanent Security Council member to block measures that Israel, its close ally, opposes. But the Biden administration has become increasingly vocal in criticizing Israels approach to the war against Hamas, and the resolution offered on Friday reflected that, using the strongest language the United States has supported at the U.N. in an effort to pause the war. (The resolution failed after Russia and China vetoed it.)

Here is a look at the three previous resolutions and how the U.S. position has changed:

October

Less than two weeks after the war began in response to the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, Brazil put forward a resolution that condemned the attacks while calling for humanitarian access and protection of civilians in Gaza and the immediate release of hostages captured in the incursion. The United States was the only no vote; Russia and Britain abstained, and the two other permanent members of the Council, France and China, joined with the remaining 10 members in voting for passage.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the American ambassador to the United Nations, said the United States couldnt support the resolution without a mention of Israels right to self-defense.
By all estimates, a relatively small number of voters in just a few states are likely to decide this years presidential election: the undecided voters in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Wisconsin.

Do you live in one of those states? Are you unsure whether youll cast a ballot for President Biden, former President Donald J. Trump or someone else? If youre leaning in one direction, could you be persuaded to change your mind? Are you thinking about not voting at all?

My colleagues covering the election for The Times and I want to hear your perspective on politics.

Ive been covering national politics for The Times for the last five years, often focusing on how voters think about the political debates and divides in the country. I frequently hear from those who are most committed to one party or another, but Im eager to hear from voters who are still sorting out their choice. What worries you? What inspires you? What will convince you one way or another?
Vietnamese doctors recently saved a young mans life by removing a live 30-cm-long eel from his abdomen, where it had caused intestinal perforations.

On March 20, a 34-year-old man was admitted to the Hai Ha District Medical Center in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam, with severe abdominal cramps. Since the patient was in too much pain to be questioned about his symptoms, the hospital staff conducted an X-ray and an ultrasound which revealed a foreign body in his abdomen, as well as intestinal perforation and peritonitis. Doctors decided that the best course of action was to conduct surgery, remove the suspicious object, and try to mitigate the damage to the mans intestines. Upon opening up the patients abdomen, doctors were surprised to find that the foreign object was a 30 cm live eel.

After removing the eel, doctors proceeded to remove the necrotic colorectal segment of the intestines, a delicate procedure with a high potential for infection due to the proximity to the rectal area. Luckily, the operation was a success and the patient was stabilized. He reported only mild abdominal discomfort after the procedure, but he is still under observation at the hospital.

Asked how the large eel could have wound up in his abdomen, the 34-year-old man could not provide a clear answer, but doctors believe that the slippery animal crawled from the anus to the patients colon, bit through the intestine, and entered the abdomen. But what truly shocked the hospital staff was that the eel was still alive inside the mans body.

This bizarre case and the photo of the eel being removed from the patients abdomen are eerily reminiscent of a xenomorph bursting out of a human hosts stomach in an Alien movie.
Three boys, ages 11, 12 and 16, and dubbed the Little Rascals, were recently arrested after being turned in by their parents for robbing a Houston bank.

Most kids spend their spring break from school playing video games, watching TV, or hanging on with their friends, but three Houston juveniles decided to put their free time to better use by robbing a local bank. Police claim that the three boys walked into a Wells Fargo bank in the Greenspoint area of north Houston on March 14, passed a threatening note to a teller, and managed to get away on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. When police arrived and checked the surveillance footage, they were shocked to see that the bank robbers were incredibly young.

The age of the younger two, thats unusual for a bank robbery, its one of the first times Ive seen that, Mike Schneider, a retired juvenile district court judge, told ABC13. I was thinking either this was very low in sophistication or maybe an adult had something to do with this. That is not uncommon.

Police have yet to reveal if anyone else was involved in the bizarre heist, but for now the three little rascals are charged with robbery by threat, a second-degree felony. If proven guilty, they could face probation until they turn 18 or juvenile prison until they turn 19, according to one criminal defense attorney.

According to the Harris County Sheriffs Office, although the three juvenile bank robbers, ages 11, 12 and 16, did not present a gun during the heist, from the note they passed the teller, they were believed to be armed.



After checking the bank cameras, the FBI started putting up posters that read Recognize these Little Rascals? Believe it or not, they just robbed a bank. Shortly after the photos of the three perpetrators were released, the parents of the two youngest boys came forward and turned their sons in. The 16-year-old was recognized after getting into an unrelated fight and handled by a law enforcement agency.

Theres nothing light-hearted about this crime, former FBI investigator Bill Daly told Inside Edition. If police were to get into the bank, no matter how young a perpetrator might be, if they posed a threat to them, something bad could happen.
Samuel Davalos Pasillas, a 47-year-old California pastor, was recently arrested for allegedly paying to men to kill his daughters boyfriend.

Last week, Riverside police arrested Samuel Pasillas after gathering enough evidence that he had ordered the attempted murder of the man dating his own daughter. The hit took place on October 21, 2023, in Riverside. The victim was sitting in his car when he was shot multiple times from a vehicle that pulled up alongside his. The shooters quickly drove away, but the victim survived by driving himself to a nearby hospital. He couldnt provide investigators with too much information about his would-be killers, but five months later, police concluded that the incident was a murder-for-hire shooting orchestrated by his girlfriends father, Pastor Pasillas.

Photo: Maxim Hopman/Unsplash

He actually provided information to these suspects that he hired, Riverside Police Officer Ryan Railsback told ABC Eyewitness News. He paid them almost $40,000.

Police arrested Pasillas and one of the alleged hit men, 55-year-old Juan Manuel Cebreros of Long Beach, but they are still looking for the third suspect, one Jesus Abel Felix Garcia. Both Pasillas and Cebreros pleaded not guilty during a joint arraignment at the Riverside Hall of Justice, but they are being held for $1 million bail at the Robert Presley Jail until their felony settlement conference on March 26.



Sources from the Riverside Police Department told reporters that Pastor Pasillas had met with the two alleged gunmen, paid them $40,000, and provided information on the victims whereabouts the night of the shooting. As for the reason for wanting the man dead, Pasillas allegedly didnt approve of his daughter dating him, and since he couldnt convince her to break up with him, he went for the most extreme approach.
Edelman is negotiating a formal contract with the Bahamas for strategic communications on issues impacting its reputation abroad.

The two-month pact will be worth $100K in fees, plus expenses, for services such as scenario planning, media relations and materials development.

Edelmans agreement will be with the office of the prime minister Philip Davis, who last month issued a statement about the Bahamas being a safe destination for visitors.

His government is alert, attentive, and proactive to ensure the country is welcoming to travelers.

Philips statement followed the US State Depts decision on Jan. 26 to issue a Level 2 (exercise increased caution) travel advisory for the Bahamas due to violent crime and gang-on-gang violence.

The Bahamas had used Weber Shandwick for PR but its contact ended at the end of 2023.
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.
Constructive dialogue, cooperation key to human rights protection: Chinese ambassador

Xinhua) 08:12, March 22, 2024

Chen Xu, permanent representative of China to the United Nations (UN) Office in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, speaks during the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Shi Song)

Chen denounced the politicization and instrumentalization of human rights issues in a joint statement delivered Wednesday.

GENEVA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- China's permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) Office in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland has stressed the need to promote and protect human rights through constructive dialogue and cooperation.

During the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Chen Xu denounced the politicization and instrumentalization of human rights issues in a joint statement delivered Wednesday on behalf of the Group of Friends on the Promotion of Human Rights through Dialogues and Cooperation.

The joint statement pointed out that the politicized and polarized atmosphere is exacerbating at the Human Rights Council, which runs counter to its original intention and violates the principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity, non-politicization and non-selectivity.

The establishment of country specific mechanisms against the will of the countries concerned and the proliferation of parallel mechanisms cause a huge waste of financial and human resources without yielding tangible outcomes and are therefore not conducive to promoting or protecting human rights, the statement said.

This photo taken on Feb. 29, 2024 shows an exterior view of the United Nations (UN) Office in Geneva, Switzerland. (Xinhua/Shi Song)

The joint statement also reiterated three propositions regarding the work of the Human Rights Council.

-- to uphold fairness and justice, adhere to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, oppose interference in the internal affairs of member states using human rights as an excuse and call for an immediate cessation of unilateral coercive measures.

-- to uphold openness and inclusiveness, play a constructive role in facilitating dialogue and cooperation on an equal and mutually respectful basis, expand consensus through dialogue and exchanges, and work together to protect and promote human rights through peace, security, common development, dialogues and collaboration.

-- to uphold objectivity and impartiality, conduct its work on accurate and objective information, respect the sovereignty and political independence of all countries, respect the human rights development paths chosen by each country based on their domestic situation, and provide technical assistance and capacity building according to the countries' needs and wishes.

The joint statement was widely supported and applauded by the developing countries.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Tipperary Independent TD, Deputy Michael Lowry told the Dail that the agricultural way of life in rural Ireland is on the verge of 'being squeezed out of existence'.

Bureaucracy is smothering farmers. Farmers have become so bogged down in adhering to a myriad of directives and tackling mountains of paperwork, that the actual pleasure and satisfaction of farming is slipping from their grasp Deputy Michael Lowry told the Tanaiste during Leaders Questions in the Dail on Thursday.

Farmers throughout Ireland, are facing changes and challenges unlike anything ever witnessed. Reduced sales prices, rising costs, heavy regulation, serious debt, climate change demands and cheap imports are threatening the livelihoods of farmers in my constituency of Tipperary/North Kilkenny.

Farmers are not against change and advancement. They are pro-progress and pro-improvement. However, the imposition of ever-changing rules, regulations, inspection regimes and red tape is grinding down farmers. Farmers young and old are questioning viability and survival prospects. Our oldest and largest indigenous sector is in danger of being squeezed out of existence he stated.

Deputy Lowry said that he has been meeting and talking with farmers for many years and has never before witnessed such exasperation and vexation.

The imposition of negative measures is leading to frustration, aggravation and in many cases despair. The desire for young farmers to take over family-run farms has all but evaporated.

Looming in the back of the minds of our future farmers is the Mercosur Deal, which remains a massive threat to the beef sector. The transformation of CAP away from supporting food production towards actually reducing farm output.

CAP funding is being redirected to environmental schemes  the EU is effectively implementing new environmental regulations such as the eco-schemes on the cheap by redirecting existing funding instead of allocating additional funds.

A matter of grave concern is the reductions to the Nitrates derogation imposed by the European Commission with absolutely no flexibility offered and, the Commission threat to remove the derogation entirely in 2026.

The economic viability of the Irish tillage sector is in an extremely precarious position he continued. The level of rainfall has made it impossible to move livestock out into fields; planting and sowing of tillage crops is way behind and bills are mounting as farmers struggle to keep on top of their work.

I support the IFAs call for a tillage expansion and sustainability scheme to be urgently introduced to financially support farmers in the sector and halt the decline in the national tillage area he told the Dail.

The issue of VAT rebates remains a big issue for farmers who have carried out essential works on their farms. Issues have arisen with Revenue Commissioners interpretation whereby some investment items, which farmers had previously received refunds on, are no longer eligible. This is unfair and counterproductive.

The struggle to remain in farming is growing more challenging. Worry and stress replace incentive and planning. Strategies for growth have changed to prayers for survival said Deputy Lowry as he questioned what the Governments response is to farmers at this critical juncture.

Acknowledging the variety of important issues raised by Deputy Lowry, the Tanaiste said that the Department engages on all Scheme delivery issues, adding that there is a Farmers Charter that provides for regular engagement, plus a range of practical supports such as Farmer Information Meetings.

The Tanaiste highlighted the excessive rainfall, which caused very high water tables and resulted in a difficult year for the Tillage Sector. The Government provided more support to tillage farmers than any other in the history of the State he said, and Minister McConalogue has established a Tillage Stakeholders Group and work continues on resolving outstanding issues.

He continued that the Minister negotiated a comprehensive Common Agricultural Policy Agreement at European Union level, which has resulted in very significant supports for farming in Ireland. He added that direct supports for Protein Aid have more than doubled from 3m to 7m under the CAP Strategic Plan and that this was topped up 3m last year to bring the total to 10m. We will continue to work with the Tillage Sector he said.

Adding that he had met with many farmers in respect of the Nitrates Derogation and what has happened, the Tanaiste said that it is essential that the industry works with the Government to make sure we get the Derogation in 2026.

It has to be a collective national effort to make sure we achieve that target he said, adding that the Water Quality Group has been established, involving stakeholders and delivery on dual objectives and Ministers McConalogue and OBrien recently launched a 60m scheme to support farmers in improving water quality.

On the Mercosur Agreement, the Tanaiste emphasised that Ireland has persistently raised concerns at EU level in terms of our concerns on the beef market as well as the Environmental provisions within that Agreement.

Minister McConalogue has made it very clear that there needs to be equivalence of standards and there needs to be the same expectations on countries that are importing into the EU as we expect from our own farmers.

The Government is supportive of farming and supportive of agriculture said the Tanaiste.
A father of six who struck another man up to 20 times with a shillelagh during a "savage and vicious" pub attack has had his 2.5-year jail term more than doubled by the Court of Appeal.

In January last year at Longford Circuit Criminal Court, Edward 'Blondie' Stokes (33) of Ferriskill, Granard, Co Longford, was given a three-year sentence with the final six months suspended for 12 months for violent disorder.

Judge Kenneth Connolly said the attack was a "frenzied" assault on then 27-year-old part time farmer John Baxter at Kane's Bar, Main Street, Granard, during lunchtime on October 7, 2018.

Stokes was also sentenced to two years and three months for endangerment and to 18 months for the production of an article, all of which were to run concurrently. Stokes had pleaded not guilty to all counts but a unanimous jury verdict found him guilty on all counts after a nine-day trial.

"This was a particularly savage, vicious and sustained assault on Mr Baxter by Mr Stokes and other persons present that involved about 20 or more blows to Mr Baxter," said Judge Connolly, adding he believed the blunt instrument used to be a shillelagh.

Mr Baxter sustained lacerations to his head and bruising to both arms and legs after being left in a pool of blood on the floor of the pub.

The State successfully appealed the sentence on grounds of undue leniency and at the Court of Appeal today (Thursday, March 21), Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy said the court would quash the original sentence and increase Stokes jail time by four years.

Shane P Geraghty BL, for the State, submitted that the overall term of two-and-a-half years imprisonment had been unduly lenient, specifically regarding the sentence for violent disorder.

Mr Geraghty said the incident happened at around 1.40pm on a Sunday afternoon in a public house when others were present and where children were in the vicinity.

CCTV footage played to the three-judge court showed a male in a physical altercation with Mr Baxter before Stokes and another man enter with bats or shillelaghs and strike the injured party around 20 times each.

Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy said there had been an element of savagery from what she had viewed on CCTV.

Mr Geraghty said the attack had been one of joint enterprise that was premeditated.

It was preplanned. Stokes arrived there in a vehicle. It wasnt opportunistic in that there were weapons involved. The three males arrived at the location hell-bent on causing injuries, said counsel.

Referring to the CCTV footage, Mr Geraghty said there had been a calmness and coolness in the way Stokes goes about this.

Counsel said that Stokes moved a table during the incident so he can get the headshots and that is the intention of Mr Stokes.

Barry White SC, for Stokes, said that while the sentence might be a lenient one, it is not an unduly lenient one.

Mr White said the trial judge had specifically taken all aggravating factors into account when sentencing his client and had also viewed the CCTV footage.

Ms Justice Kennedy said Stokes had two previous convictions for assault, which was aggravating and relevant to the case and that mitigation was very slight.

In quashing the original sentence, Mr Justice McCarthy said great violence had been used in the attack and that a table had been moved by Stokes in order to get further access to the head of the injured party.

Noting that the maximum penalty for violent disorder is 10 years imprisonment, Mr Justice McCarthy said the court could not agree with the trial judges placing of the headline sentence at four years.

The trial judge engaged thoroughly but we cannot agree the headline was correct. We quash the sentence on violent disorder and will proceed to re-sentencing, said the judge.

Mr Justice McCarthy said that, given the aggravating factors present in the case, the appropriate headline sentence was eight years.

The judge said mitigating factors in the case were very modest in that Stokes has a family and a business but noted no guilty plea had been entered in the case.

Mr Justice McCarthy then reduced Stokes sentence to seven years imprisonment with the final six months suspended leaving Stokes having to serve six-and-a-half years in jail.
Irish tourists heading on holiday to a number of regions of Spain, including island resorts Tenerife and Majorca, are being made aware of rising tensions and a number of changes locally.

A number of protests in the like of Tenerife, Majorca and Malaga have seen holidaymakers from Ireland, Britain and beyond to "get out", "stay away" or "go home."

A poster spotted by some in Malaga recently advised tourists to "f**k off home" while in Tenerife graffiti marking the words "go home" has been reported.

Last summer, a video circulated online of protesters shouting at tourists and telling them to "go home" at a popular resort on the island. The Canary islands in particular are hugely popular with Irish tourists.

There are tensions over housing with some local tenants reportedly being given notices to leave properties to make way for holiday rentals. In Malaga, locals are said to be sick of the situation.

A number of changes in policy have even been introduced in Magaluf, a noted party holiday spot on the island of Majorca. Authorities are clamping down on what they deem to be the "aggressive sale" of alcohol, including happy hours and the times during which alcohol can be sold at supermarkets.

Magaluf Mayor Alfonso Rodriguez has said they are tackling other issues like "the degradation of women with wild party games in the large pubs.

"Weve banned pub crawls and the advertising of party boats, which are no longer allowed to sell alcohol on board," he is reported as saying in a local publication.

In terms of the Canary Islands like Lanzarote, Tenerife and Gran Canaria, the Canary Islands Tourist Board told us last month they still want tourists and defended the holiday industry their against local protest in terms of the environment and cost of living for locals.

In a statement, a spokesperson said: "The Canary Islands received 14.6 million tourists until November 2023. Estimating the month of December, for which the data is not yet available, we can say that the Canary Islands would have received 16.2 million tourists during the year 2023.

"A figure that had already been reached in 2017, three years before the pandemic was declared, when 16 million tourists arrived on the islands. In fact, between 2017 and 2020, the range of visitors that the Canary Islands received was between 16 million and 15.1 million, never a lower amount."

They went on to say that "in no case can the number of tourists be confused with the number of passengers transiting through the Canary Islands airports, which, as AENA reported, was 48.4 million in 2023. But it must be taken into account that all passengers are not tourists and that round trips are taken into account, as well as inter-island air traffic."

As for last year 2023, the monthly distribution of tourists was as follows:

"The influx of tourists is very stable throughout the year, with hardly any seasonality. Nationalities alternate and net balances are compensated," the tourism spokesperson said.

"This means the presence of 312,216 tourists in the Canary Islands daily, so the pressure on the territory and its resources and the local population is much less than in other destinations that concentrate the arrival of tourists in specific periods of the year."

They also pointed out the climate action taken in the region to mitigate environmental impacts.

"Our destination has been a pioneer in taking on the goals and commitments set out in the Glasgow Declaration, which pursues Net Zero by 2050. We were the first Spanish region to adhere to this commitment with a Climate Action Plan.

"In addition, we have made the digital tool Journey to Decarbonisation available to tourism companies, which will allow the sector to measure and reduce its carbon footprint," they concluded.
Ireland is in for a mixed weekend of weather with wintry showers, thunder, hail and windy weather all in the Met Eireann weather forecast.

According to Met Eireann, it will be unsettled and rather cool for the time of year with temperatures dropping as low as one degree in places at night over the weekend.

According to the latest Met Eireann weather forecast for Ireland, it will be cold and windy on Friday night with a mix of clear spells and showers, some of the showers will be heavy and prolonged with hail and thunder possible. Some wintry falls are possible, mainly over the hills. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 4 degrees in fresh to strong westerly winds. A touch of frost is likely in some sheltered spots.

According to Met Eireann, Saturday will be a fairly windy day with a mix of sunny spells and showers with the continued chance of hail and thunder. Some wintry falls are possible in the morning on high ground. Highest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees, but feeling colder in a fresh to strong northwest breeze.

Cold and breezy on Saturday night with clear spells and scattered showers. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 5 degrees with fresh and gusty northwest winds, moderating later in the night.

According to the latest Met Eireann weather forecast for Ireland, Sunday will start out dry in most areas with just the odd shower. However, rain will develop in the southwest during the morning, spreading across Connacht, Munster and south Leinster by afternoon. Rain will then extend nationwide in the evening. Highest afternoon temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees with mostly light and variable breezes at first but a freshening southerly breeze will develop later on. Widespread outbreaks of rain on Sunday night with some heavy falls. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees with moderate to fresh south or southeast winds.

According to Met Eireann, it looks set to be a cloudy and wet day on Monday with outbreaks of rain. Some heavy falls are possible with the chance of some spot flooding. Maximum temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees in moderate southeast or variable winds. Rain is expected to ease on Monday night with good dry and clear spells developing. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees in a moderate northeast breeze.
Attitudes towards non-EU immigration and peoples views that immigrants contribute a lot to Ireland has declined in recent months, a survey has suggested.

The research, compiled by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), found that while some attitudes towards refugees had become less positive, the majority of views on the issue in Ireland remained largely positive.

The data was compared with previous data on attitudes in Ireland and compared with other European countries.

The research found that some attitudes had become less positive in the last six months of 2023 in particular, and that attitudes were more positive towards some groups than others.

There had also been an increase in the proportion of people who felt immigration was one of the top two issues facing Ireland today.

The report examined attitudes towards immigration over the past 20 years.

Using a representative survey of 3,008 adults in Ireland in 2023, it also examined what factors were associated with more or less positive attitudes and comfort levels with different migrant groups.

Over the last decade, Irish positivity towards immigration had significantly increased.

In 2022, beliefs that immigrants made the country a better place to live, that the countrys cultural life was enriched by immigrants, and that immigration was good for the economy were at an historic high, based on data going back to 2002 and having improved significantly from dips during the recession.

But in recent years, there had been declines in some indicators.

Positivity towards immigration from EU countries was 10 percentage points lower in 2023 than in 2020.

Several attitudes declined, especially between June and November 2023, including peoples positivity towards non-EU immigration and peoples feelings that immigrants contributed a lot to Ireland.

These declines in Ireland mirrored similar declines in average attitudes across the 27 EU countries.

There was a sharp and substantial rise in the salience or importance of migration.

The proportion of people who said that immigration was one of the top two most important issues facing Ireland rose from 3% in July 2022 to 14% in June 2023 and November 2023.

This compared with 56% of people who said housing was one of the two most important issues facing Ireland.

Despite very recent declines in support for immigration, Ireland has some of the most positive attitudes towards immigration of all EU27 countries. It is ranked fourth most supportive of immigration among EU27 countries and the UK.

The study found that, according to an Irish survey from March/April 2023, people in Ireland were more positive about immigration from other EU member states and Ukraine, showing that 85% were very positive/fairly positive compared with immigration from outside the EU/Ukraine at 73%.

The research also found that people in Ireland were more supportive of helping Ukrainian refugees at 87% than asylum seekers at 76%.

People in Ireland were also more comfortable with having European migrants in their everyday lives, as neighbours, in their childs class in school, in a romantic relationship with their child.

They were somewhat less comfortable with Ukrainian refugees, and least comfortable with asylum seekers.

While the research showed high support for helping refugees, a survey experiment showed that this support may be conditional on the potential costs that providing support might bring, such as pressure on services or a tax increase.

The report found that education and perceived financial strain were some of the most consistent predictors of immigration attitudes and how comfortable people felt with different migrant groups.

People with lower qualifications and those who found making ends meet more difficult were less positive about immigration and immigrants, it found.

Living in private rented accommodation was associated with more positive attitudes to immigrants and immigration, compared to living in owner-occupied accommodation.

A survey experiment also showed that those who identified as politically left-wing were more positive across some indicators, which may indicate the emergence of a left/right split in attitudes to immigrants in Ireland.

Peoples perceptions of the past and future were also associated with their immigration attitudes.

Those who felt that their quality of life was better in the past or who had less confidence in the future were less positive about immigration overall and felt less comfortable with migrants in their everyday lives, especially with asylum seekers.

People concerned about access to housing and access to services were also somewhat less positive towards immigration than people concerned about racism, climate change or poverty in Ireland.

Report author Dr James Laurence stated: Understanding attitudes to immigrants and immigration are important for migrant integration.

Despite concerns regarding an escalation of anti-immigration activities, evidence suggests that most people in Ireland are supportive of immigration and are comfortable with different immigrant groups.

The findings indicate that broader policy concerns among people can spill over to shape peoples concerns about immigration.

Attitudes are likely influenced by peoples social and economic conditions, such as whether they are having difficulties making ends meet.
Four men are in garda custody after they were arrested by armed gardai in connection with an alleged kidnapping in Belfast.

Gardai say a "containment operation" was put in place on the M50 on Thursday night they were alerted to reports of an abduction by their colleagues in the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

"A car was intercepted on the M50 at Junction 4 (Ballymun) shortly before 10pm by armed garda units," confirmed a spokesperson.

"Four adult males, occupants of the car, were arrested at the scene for alleged offences under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. A firearm, subject to technical and ballistic examination, was recovered from the vehicle," they added.

The four men are currently detained under the provisions of Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007, at garda stations in the Dublin region.

Gardai have also confirmed that another man who was in the car had earlier been reported missing from Belfast.

He was found "safe and well" and An Garda Siochana say they continue to liaise closely with the PSNI.

Investigations are ongoing.
Simon Harris, who is set to become Irelands youngest ever premier, has hit back at criticism that Fine Gael is lacking energy, saying you aint seen nothing yet.

The Further and Higher Education Minister announced his candidature on Thursday night after receiving a series of endorsements from within the Fine Gael parliamentary party and after a number of senior colleagues said they did not intend to stand to replace outgoing Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

He described the last week as a whirlwind and said he is overwhelmed and honoured by the level of support he has secured for his Fine Gael leadership bid.

Mr Harris addressed the media on Friday morning after attending a breakfast meeting with Fine Gael election candidates alongside Justice Minister Helen McEntee in Co Meath.

I am overwhelmed and honoured by the level of support that Ive received from so many colleagues, including Helen, over the last number of hours, whether they were ministers, ministers of state, TDs, senators, MEPs, councillors, council candidates, grassroots members, he said.

To each and every one of them I want to thank them, I am humbled, and my commitment to them and my commitment to the people of this country, if given the honour of serving, is that I will give this my all and I will work day and night.

I believe politics is about delivery. Its about people. Sometimes politics in Ireland has gone a bit too presidential, a bit too personal.

Politics is about actually getting things done for people. In many ways, Im an accidental politician. I ended up in politics when my brother was born with autism and I stood as a moody teenager, and started campaigning in Wicklow, saying there has to be a better way of providing educational supports for people with autism.

I know how politics can deliver for people and, if given the honour of serving, I want to take that can-do approach to getting things done, to renewing our party, to injecting a level of energy and, to anybody who thinks this party is tired, to anyone who thinks this party lacks energy, you aint seen nothing yet.

Mr Harris said that if elected the next leader of Fine Gael, he would remain fully committed to the programme for government agreed with coalition partners Fianna Fail and the Green Party.

He stopped short of ruling out a general election this year but insisted such a poll was not his priority.

Asked if he was ruling out a general election this year, Mr Harris replied: Im certainly not ruling anything in or out, but my priority at the moment isnt about elections. My priority is the election of leader of Fine Gael.

Mr Harris said his vision for Fine Gael was founded on the principle of equality of opportunity.

Asked if he was a Thatcherite, an ideology previously attributed to Mr Varadkar, Mr Harris made clear he was not.

I dont believe in ideological labels, he said.

Im committed to the values of the Fine Gael party. The Fine Gael party is a party that has proudly been Christian democratic. Its a party, though, that I think in Ireland, labels are often misrepresented.

Outgoing Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach Mr Varadkar surprised many within the political establishment by announcing his resignation on Wednesday.

Aside from Mr Harris, all other senior Fine Gael cabinet ministers have ruled themselves out of contention.

Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe, Ms Helen McEntee, Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys and Enterprise Minister and Fine Gael deputy leader Simon Coveney have all said they will not seek a nomination for the leadership.

Ms Humphrey and Ms McEntee are also among a wave of Fine Gael members to have come out publicly in support of Mr Harris.

If appointed Fine Gael leader, Mr Harris would be expected to be formally elected as taoiseach in the Dail in April following the Easter recess.

He would become the countrys youngest premier at the age of 37.

Mr Varadkar said whoever becomes the next Fine Gael leader will have his full support, but stopped short of going further than that.

He said: Im not going to say anything about that until nominations close on Monday except to say that whoever is the new Fine Gael leader will have my full support, absolute unequivocal. I will do anything I can for them.

Speaking on his last trip to Brussels, Mr Varadkar said that reflections on his time as Taoiseach is for another day.

The nature of this job is that it never stops and the fact that dramatic events may have happened during the week, it doesnt mean my job here as Taoiseach is any different to what it would have been, he added.

The dust hasnt settled for me yet.

Mr Varadkar also denied that his decision to step down as Taoiseach was a Nicola Sturgeon-type exit.

I think you are asking me is there is some sort of scandal thats about to break that Im aware of, and there isnt, he said.

I understand the need for conspiracy theories and for speculation but that is simply not the case.

Thats not to say someone will throw some sort of allegation at me tomorrow or next week or in a few months time that Im not aware of now.

It will probably be rubbish like most of them are, and people will turn around and say ah-ha thats the real reason.

If you want to do that, thats fine but thats not the case.
The closure of Gorman's comes following the closure of the post office and Langton's in the village leaving no grocery store to serve the people of Killeigh and district

The end of an era in Killeigh with the closure of Gorman's shop has been commemorated in verse by Daingean poet, Jim Brennan.

In his poem, The Shop 1924  2024, Jim looks back on the history of the famous grocery store over the past century.

The current owners, Frank and Liz Gorman, started trading there 35 years ago.

We've had many happy memories since we came here in 1990, Liz Gorman told the Tribune as she and her husband, Frank, and their two employees, Melissa Gorman and Ciara O'Brien, prepared to close the shop last Saturday.

There has been a shop on the site of Gorman's for 100 years this year, starting with Buckleys, then the Mahon family, through Danny Coughlan and family, Marie Louise McEnroe, to Frank and Liz Gorman.

The closure of Gorman's comes following the closure of the post office and Langton's in the village leaving no grocery store to serve the people of Killeigh and district.

The Shop 1924  2024

It's a warm morning in Killeigh

The sun is casting shadows across the green

The Irish Free State still an infant,

The shop window is full of surprises.

The ponies and traps, the ass and carts go by.

The pennies, shillings and trupenny bits, the half crowns

and the ten bob notes are rattling the till.

The women in their shawls

The farmers and farm labourers in their stout boots

The bread and tea, sugar and spices, the soft sacks of flour

The bulls eyes, the sweet things

The weighing scales, the balls of twine

Holding the years together.

The shopkeepers serving and minding their people

And if money was tight,

A prayer book of credit,

A page of promises to pay up the reckoning

All the penny toffees and the gob stoppers

All has not vanished,

Gorman's shop lives in the memory of our living and our dying

And the story of or growing and our going away

we closed our doors on St Patrick's weekend 2024

and go to tend flowers for the butterflies and the bees

and a long contemplation of the light.

(Jim Brennan is a native of Daingean and a published poet)
Buffalo-based ACV Auctions has expanded into India with the opening of a technology development center in Chennai.

ACV has launched the center with 15 employees and plans to grow that figure to about 100 within a year, the company's chief operating officer, Vikas Mehta, said in an interview with the publication Business Line.

"The launch of ACV India is a testament to our forward-looking growth strategy and our belief in the power of global talent to drive technological advancements," George Chamoun, ACV's CEO, said in a statement.
The Buffalo church that in 1976 hosted Cardinal Karol Wojtyla  who became globe-trotting Pope John Paul II and St. John Paul II after his death  is the latest Catholic church in danger of being shut down because it cant pay its bills.

Parishioners of St. Casimir, a multi-domed architectural gem built in 1929 and believed to be the first church in the United States with a Byzantine Romanesque design, recently made a $5,000 payment to the Buffalo Diocese to keep the building insurance from lapsing and to stave off closure  at least through the end of March.

Longtime church members said the Kaisertown church should be saved because it is a one-of-a-kind structure in Western New York that offers a unique Catholic experience.

Struggling St. Lawrence Church to shut down; third Buffalo Catholic parish put on notice in past few weeks A Buffalo Diocese spokesman confirmed on Friday that St. Lawrence Church at 1520 E. Delavan Ave. will shut down due to fiscal struggles and a lack of sacramental ministries.

People who come here say, I cant get this anywhere else, said Lisa Molle, who drives from Williamsville for the weekly five senses worship experience that regularly features the burning of incense and other traditions ignored by most parishes.

Molle said she and her husband cried at every Mass for the first few months they attended St. Casimirs on Sunday mornings, because of the overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit inside the church.

The regular worshippers, many of whom are senior citizens, need help paying parish bills totaling as much as $20,000 per month.

Church members said theyve reached out for help to Lovejoy District Common Council Member Bryan J. Bollman, as well as potential benefactors, including restaurateur Russell J. Salvatore, who donates to a variety of Catholic and other causes.

But they are running out of time.

Diocese officials have already confirmed that three churches  All Saints in Buffalos Riverside neighborhood, St. Andrew in the Town of Tonawanda, and St. Lawrence on Buffalos East Side near the Cheektowaga border  will be closing this year after evaluations of their finances determined they werent viable.

At a meeting earlier this month, the Rev. Michael Brown, pastor of a family of four parishes that includes St. Casimir Church, told parishioners the church was behind in its insurance payments to the diocese by more than $200,000 and needed to pay at least $5,000 immediately to forestall a lapse in liability coverage.

Buffalo Diocese headquarters for sale for $9.8 million The Buffalo Dioceses headquarters in the former Courier-Express newspaper building on Main Street in the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus is being listed for sale at $9.8 million.

Between now and last Sunday, we coughed up enough money to stay open until the end of March, said Linda Smith, a longtime parishioner who serves on the finance council.

The self-insured diocese had been charging about $35,000 per year to insure the St. Casimir Church campus at Cable and Casimir streets.

Weve been paying as much as we could, but certainly not the amount that was due, said Smith.

The insurance rate is now going up to $55,000 per year, she said.

The building also has maintenance needs estimated at $350,000 for tuckpointing, brick work and other repairs, and recently vandals have stolen valuable copper gutters and spray-painted graffiti on doors.

Were trying like hell to make ends meet, said David Grzybek, a lifelong member of the parish who is president of the Holy Name Society and serves as head usher.

The Rev. Bryan Zielenieski, the dioceses vicar for renewal, wrote in a letter that the parish had a year to get its finances in order, according to parishioners who read the letter. It also said that any financial obligations needed to be met by the end of August.

We need to have at least $55,000 to pay the building insurance, said Smith.

Diocese spokesman Joseph Martone said St. Casimir will be evaluated to determine how financially stable they will be going into the future.

They were kind of put on notice, he said. Their unique status doesnt exempt St. Casimir from any of their financial responsibilities to the family and to the diocese.

Church members said they can generate more revenue from so-called event worship  special liturgies and other gatherings offered throughout the year featuring processions, chanting and other traditional Catholic rites offered nowhere else in the diocese  if more people knew about the offerings and experienced them firsthand.

Because its not on a main drag  its on a side street  most people are not aware of it, said Smith.

Founded by Polish immigrant families in 1890, St. Casimir parish has long been at the heart of Buffalos Kaisertown neighborhood bordering Cheektowaga and West Seneca. The current church was completed in 1929 at a cost of $500,000. It was inspired by the early Byzantine basilicas that a former pastor, the Rev. Anthony Majewski, visited in Europe, including Turkey, where the famed Hagia Sophia is located.

Architect Chester Oakley designed the church, which features a main dome, four smaller domes and a half dome, extensive exterior terra cotta adornment, and interior murals by painter Marion Rzeznik. It was designated a city landmark in 1977.

David McElroy, a volunteer caretaker at the church, said he notices a different elegant feature of the church every time he steps foot in it.

Its a miracle. You could not build this today. This would be tens of millions of dollars today, McElroy said.

In 1976, with much fanfare, Cardinal Wojtyla, who was archbishop of Krakow at the time, visited Buffalo, home to one of the largest populations of Polish American Catholics in the U.S. He celebrated Mass in the church and spent two nights in the rectory.

He was awestruck about this church. He loved it, said Grzybek.

Two years later, Wojtyla was elected pope and took the name John Paul II. His epic papacy lasted until his death in 2005, and he was canonized a saint in 2014.

That same year, St. Casimir Church opened the rectory bedroom suite where Wojtyla had stayed in 1976 and invited visitors inside for a glimpse.

St. Casimir Church has come back before from the precipice of closure.

Under the dioceses Journey in Faith & Grace parish restructuring effort that resulted in the merger of dozens of parishes and the closure of more than 100 worship sites, St. Casimir was slated to become an oratory, open only for special occasions such as weddings and funerals. But Bishop Edward U. Kmiec changed course in 2011, designating St. Casimir as a freestanding diocesan church and appointing a priest, the Rev. Czeslaw Krysa, as rector.

Now, the diocese is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy and must provide a full accounting of all its assets, revenues, expenditures and debts as it works to build a settlement fund to compensate 900 people who have made child sexual abuse claims. Parishes are also engaged in another reorganization effort to address their own growing financial challenges and a shortage of priests.

Other parishes in the Kaisertown/Sloan family do not appear to be in as dire financial condition as St. Casimir. Parishioners of St. Bernard Church, located on Clinton Street about a half-mile from St. Casimir, were told at a meeting on Sunday that the parish was behind on about $40,000 in insurance and assessment payments.

The diocese is not forgiving debt anymore, said Peter Stachowski, a St. Bernard parishioner. They want their money. So, either you pay your bills or youre going to get closed is basically whats happening.

Stachowski said St. Bernard should be able to get out of the red quickly and has already started scheduling fundraisers.

The Kaisertown neighborhood, once overwhelmingly Catholic, has seen a growing Muslim population over the past two decades.

Some parishioners expressed concern that the diocese has little interest in preserving the church and simply wants to unload the property by selling it to a Muslim organization that would be eager to buy it.

The diocese has the right to shut us down and sell it, said Smith. Weve had Muslim people actually ask about it, if they could buy it, years ago, Id say six, seven years ago. Theyre very much interested in it.

Muslim groups already have purchased at least three former Catholic churches in other parts of Buffalo for use as mosques.

St. Casimir was designed to resemble the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. That world-famous structure dates to 537 and was originally built as a Christian church. It was converted to a mosque during the Ottoman Empire, designated as a museum in 1934, and returned to use as a mosque for worship in 2020.
Sri Lanka Police offer cash rewards for information on illegal firearms and organized crime

Posted by Editor on March 22, 2024 - 11:56 am

Sri Lanka Police have decided to offer cash rewards to individuals who provide information about illegal firearms used by members of organized crime gangs.

On March 19, the Sri Lanka Police launched a special operation aimed at combating organized crime, running concurrently with the Yukthiya operation, which commenced in late December 2023 to eliminate drug distribution.

Consequently, 20 special police teams, each consisting of nine members, including one Crimes OIC, four intelligence officers, and two officers of the Special Task Force (STF), were deployed in the Western Province and Galle District.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Deshbandu Tennakoon, has decided to offer cash rewards to any individual who provides information about firearms and members of organized crime gangs. Additionally, 46 contact numbers were introduced for members of the public to provide relevant information, with the police assuring the confidentiality of informants identities.

As such, a reward of Rs. 500,000 is offered for tip-offs about automatic firearms such as T56, AK47, M16, SAR80, and T81.

For information on semi-automatic firearms, including 84S, SLR, and auto-loading shotguns, a cash prize of Rs. 300,000 is offered.

The full details of the cash rewards offered by the police are as follows:
Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator

At least one UNRWA staff member was killed after Israel targeted a food distribution center in Rafah, in southern Gaza, on March 13. Another 22 UNRWA workers were injured in the attack by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

On March 14, the IDF released a statement to the US media CBS news, that the IDF has precisely targeted a 'Hamas Operations Unit' based on intelligence, which the IDF claims were distributing humanitarian aid to 'terrorists'.

UNRWA confirmed that the aid distribution center attacked was on a list of UN-supported facilities across Gaza which are by international law to be safe for civilians and aid workers alike. By Israel attacking known humanitarian sites, such as food centers, schools and clinics, the IDF is declaring that there is nowhere safe in Gaza, or in southern Gaza, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had instructed all civilians to gather for safety.

The UN has warned that the people in Gaza are close to famine from lack of food aid during the current and ongoing bombardment of civilian homes and infrastructure.

Over 30 people have died recently from lack of food and water, and many were children.

Open Arms

On March 12, a Spanish ship, 'Open Arms', left Cyprus for Gaza. It is expected to arrive on Friday, March 15, carrying 200 tons of aid.

This desperate attempt to stave off famine in Gaza is the brain-child of Spanish-American celebrity chef, Jose' Andre's, founder of the non-profit World Central Kitchen (WCK).

WCK has Palestinians building a jetty in Gaza, utilizing rubble and materials from bombed buildings, which will play a role in offloading the food and supplies. This jetty is a temporary structure and in not related to the pier the US is planning.

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Twelve important items to browse and share as you see fit to help end the march of folly to a regional and global war.

ITEM 1: 21st March we celebrate Mothers' Day. For the record this was founded by Anna Jarvis and Julia Ward Howe as "Mothers' Day For Peace" where mothers demanded an end to wars and stop sacrificing people on the altar of men's racism, greed, and egos. Look it up. I remember my own mother who fought for peace and died peacefully last year remembering a massacred friend of hers (Hayah Balbisi from Deir Yassin killed April 1948 by terrorist Zionist militias).

ITEM 2: Update on the genocide. 32,000 confirmed civilians murdered in the genocide on Gaza till now (and thousands more missing under the rubble). Genocide by US sponsored Israeli junta military both by carpet bombings and by starvation and thirst. The levels of misery and genocide in Gaza is part and parcel of colonial tactics to destroy indigenous communities who stand between the colonizers and their vision of transforming the land to a new reality sans indigenous people.

Here is shocking report on Israeli-made famine

The Israeli regime is committing massacres in Al-Shifa hospital (over 150 killed, over 250 injured including medical personnel and patients). Also Israel kidnapped most of the medical staff and electricity cutoff resulted in many deaths in the intensive care unit and they also killed the police chief in Gaza city in charge of coordinating humanitarian affairs with UN agencies.

The situation of the half a million people who remain in Gaza city is getting worse daily. Here is a graphic (CAUTION) example of one of hundreds of massacres committed by these colonizers supported by the US colonizers

The daily flood of videos and images continues. Here is a the execution of four unarmed civilians documented by an Israeli drone image (the drone captured)

and a testimony of a survivor of this ongoing holocaust

Israel's Ultimate Goal Is Ethnic Cleansing

Killing a 12 yo

Israel denies UN humanitarian chief entry to Gaza

Meanwhile the US is helping implement the Zonist plan of genocide (with weapons and shielding from international law) AND to ethnically cleanse others as already started via Egypt and will accelerate via the "temporary port" being built by the US. The US cynically offers UN resolutions for temporary pauses, release of 100 Israeli (but not the 11,000 Palestinian) captives. The US buys Israel time to finish using genocide to cause full surrender of any surviving Palestinians and liquidate the Palestinian cause. Why not diplomacy and end the 76 year war on the Palestinian people by giving us our rights (especially to return refugees and self-determination). And sleazy Secretary of State Blinken and other US officials will be talking with their partners in Crime in Washington next week to develop (in their words) "An integrated military, political, and humanitarian" plan to achieve victory and get Israel out of this strong so that Palestine is finished and colonial Israel can expand its colonial empire outside Palestine. Even as Israel announces thousands of new colonial settlement units on Palestinian lands, the flood of US taxpayer money and weapons continues to the fascist junta running the "Jewish state".

ITEM 3: Event: Saturday, 23 March 4:30 London time, 6:30 PM Palestine time. Palestine, People, Planet: We go online to explore the devastating environmental and social impact of the war on the Palestinian people with 3 leading Palestinian scientists. For more and to register

ITEM 4: Here is how a native american summed it up in succinct effective language

ITEM 5: Saudi Arabia to partner with zionist firm likely giving it $40 billion (Horowiz is a known right wing fascist) and to UNRWA only 40 million. The Kingdom is also saving the Israeli economy from total collapse by operating a land bridge from the Gulf through its land and via Jordan.Time to change course?

ITEM 6: Israel losing the war on six fronts

ITEM 7: Collateral genocide: what really happened on 7 Oct 2023

ITEM 8: On the Origins and Deployment of Semitic and Antisemitic Tropes

ITEM 9: It is time to register AIPAC as a foreign agent

ITEM 10: Trump Son-in-Law Jared Kushner Calls for Ethnic Cleansing of Gaza to 'Finish the Job': Kushner, who served as a key Middle East adviser to Trump, said that Gaza's "waterfront property could be very valuable" and urged Israel to "clean it up."

ITEM 11: Lee Mordechai, a historian and an Israeli citizen, testify in this document, as events are unfolding, to the horrible situation in the Gaza Strip. I write my personal opinion out of a sense of double responsibility: as a citizen whose country is committing what I consider as grave crimes, and as an academic, who believes that after having dedicated my career to research I am obliged to speak up against injustice, especially when it is so close. I write also because of the disappointing general silence on this issue among many international and Israeli academic institutions, especially those that are well-positioned to comment on it.

ITEM 12: The International Criminal Court is biased and appoints biased people The people must challenge this.

Stay Human, keep Palestine alive, organize, act, share

Mazin Qumsiyeh

A bedouin in cyberspace, a villager at home Professor, Founder, and (volunteer) Director Palestine Museum of Natural History Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability Bethlehem University Occupied Palestine

facebook pages Personal Institute
Dubai, UAE - In a strategic move to solidify its position as the leading residential and commercial cleaning services provider in the UAE, ABB Services LLC has joined forces with Aun Digital (https://aundigital.ae/), the renowned web design company in Dubai. This collaboration marks a pivotal milestone in ABB Services LLC's digital transformation journey, leveraging Aun Digital's unparalleled expertise in web design services in Dubai to elevate its online presence and 
CORVALLIS  When outsiders try to describe and publicize Oregon States 2023-24 womens basketball, there are a few convenient individual targets.

Raegan Beers and her brute force inside. Talia von Oelhoffens defense and late-game heroics. Timea Gardiner blossoming after entering OSU as the programs highest-ever rated recruit. Donovyn Hunters coolness as a freshman point guard.
Seven months after signing a designated-developer agreement to renovate the former Black Rock Academy building, Douglas Jemal is bringing forth his plan to convert the historic three-story building into 90 apartments near the Niagara River.

Jemals Douglas Development Corp. wants to convert the 90,983-square-foot former Buffalo Public School #51 at 101 Hertel Ave. into a residential project that will both embrace the school history and create a unique high-end experience, according to a letter from project attorney Diana E. Konik that was filed with the city.

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Located at the southwest corner of Hertel and Guernsey Street, just three blocks from Niagara Street, the 1.74-acre site is under developer agreement for Jemal to acquire it from the city for $354,000, but a formal purchase agreement is still pending, and the deal has not yet closed.

Plans call for the market-rate units to be spread across the two-tone brick-and-stone facilitys three floors and basement, including 40 studio, 27 one-bedroom, 22 two-bedroom and one three-bedroom apartment. Units will range in size from as little as 387 square feet to 1,223 square feet.

The $15 million project will also feature a 797-square-foot fitness room and 5,513 square feet of rentable tenant storage in the basement, as well as 18 indoor bicycle storage spaces and five outdoor bicycle spaces. An outdoor courtyard will be located on the first floor. And it will have 55 surface parking spaces in the fenced rear lot available for separate rental, with a driveway entrance off Guernsey and the main building entrance facing Hertel.

The property is zoned as residential within the Black Rock neighborhood, and is mostly surrounded by residential properties. The proposed project mostly complies with the Green Code, except Jemal needs a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals for density to allow the number of units he is proposing, as the code would limit him at 60 units. That is required before it could be approved by the city Planning Board, which will review it on Monday.

The developer is proposing to redevelop a once thriving public school that unfortunately had to close and has remained vacant for many years into a high-end residential living experience, while respecting and maintaining the historical features and architectural significance of the schoolhouse, Konik wrote.

The redevelopment is the latest project by Jemal, who came to Buffalo eight years ago to buy and redevelop Seneca One tower, but has since taken on a host of other renovation and new construction projects around the city  including the Statler, the Police Apartments, the Richardson Hotel and Richardson-Olmsted Complex, Mohawk Ramp and Simon Electric properties, to name a few.

It would also mark another successful property disposition by the city, which issued a request-for-proposals to redevelop the school in November 2022, and received four responses before selecting Jemal and signing the developer agreement in September. The city had sought 100 apartments in the building.

The school complex consists of two connected brick buildings, with the original Renaissance Revival-style structure designed by William W. Johnson and built in 1894-1895, followed by an additional Tudor Revival-style wing designed by Ernest Crimi and constructed in 1927-1928. It later became Black Rock Academy, serving students from pre-K through eighth grade, until it closed in 2005.

It has been vacant since then. But it is one of the only remaining school buildings from the 19th century in Buffalo, and was listed on the National Register for Historic Places in 2019.

According to the designated-developer agreement, Jemal will fund the purchase with cash and then use financing and historic tax credits to pay for the redevelopment, which is expected to take a year.

As part of the project, Douglas Development will restore both buildings. It will replace existing windows to save energy, and will paint, clean and repair the exterior masonry and entrances, but does not plan major alterations, Konik wrote. It will, however, upgrade the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire-protection systems, and add new landscaping, lighting and pedestrian walkways.
Kat Olivas said she awoke on a Saturday morning last month to discover her Toyota Camry gone from her assigned parking spot outside of her Beaverton apartment.

So, like most people, she called police to report it stolen. Thats when she said she learned Beaverton Towing had hauled away her car. And the boggling reason for it? She said shed backed into her space, which violated her apartment complexs rules.
A grand jury has found that a Portland police officer who fatally shot a 31-year-old man in January acted lawfully, the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office announced Thursday.

Officer Joshua Howery, a 23-year police veteran, shot and killed Matthew Lee Holland on Jan. 14 after he was suspected of firing an AR-15-style rifle into neighboring apartment units at the Portland Astoria downtown. No one else was injured in the incident.
A man died early Friday morning after an attack on Portlands Eastbank Esplanade, police said.

Portland Police Bureau officers responded to an assault call on the esplanade around 4:26 a.m. and found the victim, believed to be an adult male, dead. Officers detained a suspect and took the person to a hospital.

The killing is the second on the Portland waterfront in a week, following Fernando Luis Aguirres stabbing death March 15.

Police ask anyone with information about the Friday attack to contact Detective Meghan Burkeen at Meghan.Burkeen@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-2092 or Detective Brian Sims at Brian.Sims@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-2079

 Fedor Zarkhin is a breaking news and enterprise reporter with a focus on crime. Reach him at 971-373-2905; fzarkhin@oregonian.

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Police identified the 38-year-old man fatally stabbed on the Steel Bridge on Friday as Fernando Luis Aguirre.

Officers responded to reports of a stabbing on the lower deck of the downtown Portland bridge around 1:15 p.m. to find Aguirre badly injured. Officers applied tourniquets to try to stop the bleeding, and paramedics then transported Aguirre to hospital, where he died.

Portland police publicly identified a suspect in the deadly daylight attack Saturday.

The 31-year-old suspect was booked into Multnomah County jail on allegations of second-degree manslaughter, unlawful use of a weapon and other charges. But prosecutors did not press charges against the man at his arraignment Monday, citing a lack of evidence, and he was released.

The spokesperson for the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office, Elizabeth Merah, told The Oregonian/OregonLive that prosecutors are reviewing video evidence that could shed light on the level of culpability of the involved parties.

 Austin De Dios covers public safety and diversity, equity and inclusion. Reach him at 503-319-9744, adedios@oregonian.com or @AustinDeDios.

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Police identified the 33-year-old man killed in a shooting in downtown Portland Sunday night as Aaron Beasley.

Officers responded to a call reporting gunfire in the 800 block of Southwest 10th Avenue just before midnight. They arrived to find Beasley with a gunshot wound, police said. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died.

Beasleys death marked the 19th homicide in the city so far this year, compared to 17 at this time last year.

Police have made no arrests in the shooting.

Investigators ask anyone who knew Beasley or has information on the incident to contact Detective Jennifer Hertzler jennifer.hertzler@police.portlandoregon.gov (503) 823-1040 or Detective Joseph Corona joseph.corona@police.portlandoregon.gov (503) 823-0508.

 Austin De Dios covers public safety and diversity, equity and inclusion. Reach him at 503-319-9744, adedios@oregonian.com or @AustinDeDios.

Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com.
Portland police have arrested a 23-year-old suspect in a 2022 homicide and a February shooting, three weeks after announcing they were searching for the man.

Police arrested Jacob Alan Fitzgerald on Monday in the killing of 53-year-old Otis Abner.
Los Burros Supremos, the Submarine Hospitality-backed burrito concept from chef Adan Fausto, will move into the former Kenny & Zukes space beneath Portlands Ace Hotel, the restaurant announced this week.

The prominent downtown Portland dining room has sat empty since Ken Gordons longtime deli decamped for the east side in 2022. Kenny & Zukes closed its last Portland location last year.

Fausto, a chef with experience at both Michelin-starred restaurants (Daniel in New York, Sons & Daughters in San Francisco) and large corporations (cooking for Apple CEO Tim Cook), moved to Portland in 2021, first making a splash locally as the chef at Gueros parking lot pop-up Paradise Mariscos, then with Tacos Con Onda, his flour tortilla-loving carne asada taco pop-up.

Los Burros Supremos, which began serving regional burritos from the old Woodsman Tavern last year, has been a relative bright spot for Submarine Hospitality and its parent company, investment firm Sortis Holdings. During a visit earlier this year, Mission- and Norteno-style burritos were flying out of The Woodsmans side door as fast as Fausto and his team could wrap them.

After a brief closure starting after service on Sunday, March 24, Los Burros Supremos anticipates bringing its burritos, pinto beans, Tejano queso, chips and guac, burro bowls, bottled margaritas and guajillo-spiced Mexican chocolate cookies to the airy corner spot at Southwest 11th Avenue and Harvey Milk Street in early April.

We are incredibly excited to take this next step in our journey, Fausto said in a press release announcing the move. From our humble beginnings as a small burrito window, we have been overwhelmed by the support and enthusiasm of our community. We cant wait to share this exciting new chapter with our guests.

The move spells the end of Submarines involvement in The Woodsman space, a handsome brick building near the original Stumptown cafe that had been scheduled to become La Lenadora, an ambitious restaurant with house nixtamalized tortillas and a really aggressive agave program. According to a Sortis spokesperson, that concept could still open in another space.

Los Burros Supremos will leave its original home at The Woodsman Tavern, 4529 S.E. Division St., after service on Sunday, March 24 and reopen in downtown Portlands former Kenny & Zukes space, 1038 S.W. Harvey Milk St., by early April; 503-342-1122; losburrossupremos.com

 Michael Russell; mrussell@oregonian.com
The former head of the Oregon Department of Education has been tapped as the interim superintendent of the Eugene school district, the seventh largest in the state.

Colt Gill left the state education agency last June after five years as state schools chief, a position to which he was appointed by former Gov. Kate Brown.

His temporary appointment in Eugene, finalized by school board members there on Wednesday, comes just two weeks after the district parted ways with former Superintendent Andy Dey, who resigned after internal investigations into misconduct allegations, as first reported by Eugene Weekly.

Gill, 57, previously served as superintendent of the Bethel School District, a Eugene suburb. He grew up in the region and attended school in the neighboring Springfield school district.

Gill was at the epicenter of policymaking for Oregons 197 school districts during the pandemic.He also oversaw the rollout of a corporate tax for education that has delivered about $1 billion a year for new and upgraded programs and services.

During his tenure, Gills leadership came under criticism from state auditors for what they described as the education departments hands off approach to overseeing the billions of dollars that the state funnels to school districts every biennium.

The audit charged that the state agency didnt do enough to set high standards for districts and had largely failed to intervene despite some districts producing consistently poor results for their students, especially those of color and those living in poverty.

Eugene is one of several large districts in Oregon currently seeking a new superintendent. Others include Portland and Tigard-Tualatin.

 Julia Silverman covers education policy and schools for The Oregonian/OregonLive. She can be reached via email at jsilverman@oregonlive.com. Follow her on X.com at @jrlsilverman.
A Lebanon middle school teacher is on paid administrative leave after allegedly slapping students in the classroom earlier this month.

According to one Lebanon parent, that teacher allegedly slapped three students, including her eighth grader, on the back of the head during a class.

The Lebanon Community School District confirmed it is investigating such an incident that reportedly occurred on March 7 at Seven Oak Middle School, located on Cascade Drive in South Lebanon. The district, however, didnt disclose the name of the teacher.

According to district spokesperson Susanne Stefani, Seven Oak Middle School Principal Mike Hillman received reports from students regarding a teachers behavior after the alleged incident in the classroom.

Following those reports, Hillman immediately filed a report with the Department of Human Services and informed the districts human resources department about the incident, Stefani said. The district then put the middle school teacher on paid administrative leave that same day.

The school administration and district leadership take these reports extremely seriously and are carefully following steps to ensure that students are safe and that this is handled appropriately, Stefani wrote via email.

Stefani added the districts investigation into the incident isnt complete, so she couldnt offer further information.
Gray whale populations are slowly recovering, and whale watchers in Oregon are set to celebrate with an extended Spring Whale Watch Week on the coast.

The spring whale watching event is returning to 15 Oregon state park sites up and down the coastline, where volunteers will be staffed to help visitors spot the cetaceans from March 23 to 31.

That schedule is three days longer than the 2023 event, giving people more opportunities to spot the whales with help of a trained whale watcher. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department said the decision to extend the event came in light of a recent announcement by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ending the unusual mortality event for gray whale populations on the West Coast.

Heres everything you need to know to identify Oregons 10 most well known and documented gray whales:

Researchers with Oregon State University have spent so much time with our local gray whales that they know them by name. Now, theyre sharing those observations to help casual whale watchers become better acquainted with the animals and to help raise money for additional research through the their Adopt a Whale campaign.

Look closely and you might spot whales like Moby Dick, who has large white splotches, Orange Knuckles, notable by the orange bumps on his spine, or Scarlett, who has a large scar on her back.

Researchers at OSU use distinctive markings and injuries to distinguish between each whale, they said. By combining photo identification with other observations like drone footage and fecal samples, they can infer even more information about the whales, like health, behavior and relationships.

HERE IS OREGON: HereisOregon.com | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok

Nearly 20,000 gray whales call the Pacific coastline home, migrating annually between winter breeding grounds in Baja California and spring feeding grounds off the coast of Alaska. A much smaller group of about 250 gray whales remain in the Pacific Northwest to feed, swimming between northern California and British Columbia, according to researchers.

RECENT OREGON WHALE NEWS: Rare dead fin whale on Oregon coast will be left to decompose

Growing to nearly 50 feet long, gray whales are among the largest animals on the Earth. They typically travel and live in pods with relatives, feeding on smaller organisms like mysid shrimp and crab larvae through baleen plates that filter food from the water.

In 2019, researchers declared an unusual mortality event after more than 120 dead gray whales washed up on Pacific coast beaches, theorizing that the population may have grown too large for the ecosystem to sustain. The whales also face threat from orcas, which often hunt gray whale calves and sometimes attack adults.

Visitors to the Oregon coast can spot whales during winter and spring migrations, or try their luck for a closer view on one of several whale watching tours, most of which leave out of Depoe Bay.

See if you can spot some of the distinctive locals while youre out there. Oregon State Universitys Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Laboratory has highlighted 10 of the most commonly seen gray whales that live in the Pacific Coast Feeding Group along the coastline of the Pacific Northwest.

NOAA Fisheries

GEMM Lab, Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University, individuwhale.com

GEMM Lab, Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University, individuwhale.com

GEMM Lab, Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University, individuwhale.com

GEMM Lab, Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University, individuwhale.com

GEMM Lab, Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University, individuwhale.com

GEMM Lab, Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University, individuwhale.com

GEMM Lab, Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University, individuwhale.com

GEMM Lab, Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University, individuwhale.com

GEMM Lab, Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University, individuwhale.com

GEMM Lab, Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University, individuwhale.com

-- Mark Graves and Jamie Hale, The Oregonian/Oregonlive.com

503-860-3060

mgraves@oregonian.com

@mark_w_graves

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When Tara Wasik was growing up in Lockport, her father offered her some career advice.

He worked at General Motors and was seeing more women getting into technical roles with the automaker in the 1990s.

He said, Tara, if you go to college for engineering and get your degree and you get a job at General Motors, the skys the limit for you, she said.

Ex-Teamsters officer George Harrigan draws on lifetime of lessons from labor leadership George Harrigan retired at the end of December as principal officer and secretary of Local 449, and president of Joint Council 46, which extends to Rochester.

Wasik went on to earn a degree in mechanical engineering at the University at Buffalo and embarked on a career at GM.

In May, she was named plant director of GMs Town of Tonawanda engine plant, the first woman to hold the plants top leadership role. It is a responsibility she does not take lightly, knowing that more than 1,000 hourly and salaried employees count on the plant for their paychecks.

Then again, Wasik, 47, had plenty of preparation for the job.

In 1996, she had a summer job working on the production floor at GMs components plant in Lockport. GM followed up with the offer of a full-time job. During her final three years of college, Wasik was both a full-time UB student and a full-time GM employee, building heating and air conditioning units.

The combined workload wasnt easy, but she would do it all over again.

It was an opportunity of a lifetime, Wasik said. I was learning the business, going to school, getting some tuition reimbursement.

After graduating from UB in 1999, Wasik was hired for a job at the GM Tonawanda plant. She has been there ever since, approaching her 25th work anniversary this May.

Wasiks first job at the Tonawanda plant was as a group leader on an engine assembly line. She would move on to other positions at the plant, developing a feel for different segments of the operations along the way. She helped launch some new engines, projects that ensure a steady flow of work for the facility.

Wasik has met co-workers who have had different career experiences with GM at other domestic plants, or even in other countries. But she has appreciated the variety of opportunities she has had to learn and grow within GM Tonawanda.

Staying close to home meant a lot to her.

I have a deep sense of pride for the plant here, Wasik said. Ive had other opportunities to maybe try some things outside of Tonawanda, but Ive elected to kind of stay true to whats important to me, which is my roots, my family, this team, this plant.

Moving up

A big career step for Wasik came in summer 2021. She was named assistant plant manager, responsible for the plants day-to-day operations. Before taking that role, Wasik had focused on the specific duties that came with her other jobs. As assistant plant manager, she had a wider lens.

Wasik learned to rely on a larger team to help with decision-making, and she paid close attention to setting priorities and time management.

All those things, you just have to hone in on, you have to be really crisp on to be successful when youre running an operation of this size, she said.

Then came the promotion to plant director in May. She took over in a year when GM at the national level was negotiating a new labor contract with the United Auto Workers. The UAW called strikes at select GM plants, but not Tonawandas. A new contract was ratified in November.

Union-management relations are strong

Developing labor relationships is another element of the plant directors job. Wasik said she feels she has a good working relationship with Mike Grimmer, shop chairman of UAW Local 774, even if the two of them dont always agree on things.

We have the same goal in mind, which is the future of Tonawanda, she said.

Grimmer, whose local represents about 750 hourly workers, said he also finds the relationship productive.

Its very open. I dont get blindsided, he said. We disagree on issues, but we do it in a manner that is respectful, and we work very well together, quite honestly. And when those disagreements do arise, he said, they get resolved at the local level.

Grimmer said Wasik is good about keeping the union in the loop about upcoming changes.

Whether we like the changes or whatevers happening, at least we know whats going on and we have a conversation about it. Thats definitely an improvement over what we had, he said.

Grimmer said he sees it as beneficial that Wasik is a local native who wants to be at the Tonawanda plant.

I believe, with her skill set, she could transfer anywhere she wants, and she chooses to stay here. I think thats great for the plant, he said.

Electric outlook

As part of the new labor contract, GM has pledged to invest $300 million in GM Tonawanda for drive-unit production to support electric vehicles. As a plant making internal combustion engines for an automaker committed to an all-electric fleet by 2035, there had been questions about GM Tonawandas prospects. The $300 million pledged investment represented a vote of confidence.

The pledged EV investment sets the stage for the long term.

I think our futures bright, Wasik said. GM believes in our plant. Weve shown that over the decades with the investments put into this plant. We know that weve got some future business in the EV space, potentially, that will help be part of that portfolio, and we feel confident in that.

Grimmer said that adding the EV products is exciting, because it puts us in the next phase of where General Motors is heading. Obviously, wed like to get another internal combustion engine, as well, to fill up the plant. But being diversified with electric and gas is a great position for the plant to be in.

Grimmer said he and Wasik want to see the Tonawanda plant prosper for all the employees and the community. We both share that goal.

The plant directors job comes with a different vantage point. Wasik recently traveled to Michigan for a meeting with other plant leaders to hear about GMs vision and strategy. She is aware of how GM Tonawanda is geographically separated from the hub of GM operations in Michigan, but said the plant has proven itself with its results over its 85-year history. Last year, the plant celebrated producing the 76 millionth engine in its history.

I would say our plant being an (internal combustion engine) plant today has a critical role in GMs strategy, she said. We are making (internal combustion engines) for some of GMs hottest products: our light duty, heavy duty pickup trucks and SUVs that really are going to fuel our future.

She is also working on initiatives to make the plant a place where people want to come every day. And while she appreciates that she made history as the first woman to hold the top job at the plant, Wasik said she is focused on the impact she can have as plant director.

Its about being someone that can get results, she said. Its about being someone that has a positive work attitude and someone that people want on their team. This is advice I give to my daughter, or even students that I talk to or bring in for tours: Be that person that people want on their team, and get the results. Then you get to choose what team you work on.
Three high-level staffers in Gov. Tina Koteks office will depart in the next two weeks, her office said Friday.

Chief of Staff Andrea Cooper will leave Koteks office effective March 29, Koteks office announced in a press release Friday morning. Cooper previously served as deputy chief of staff to former Gov. Kate Brown and managed Browns 2018 reelection campaign. Prior to that, she worked for Service Employees International Union Local 503.

Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Administration Chris Warner will take over as Koteks chief of staff, her office announced.

I thank Andrea for bringing her experience to help lead my office during a whirlwind transition in the first year of my administration, Kotek said in the release.

Deputy Chief of Staff Lindsey OBrien will go on leave April 5, according to Koteks spokesperson Elisabeth Shepard. Shepard did not say why OBrien was going on leave or whether the leave was indefinite. OBrien has worked for Kotek since her days as House Speaker. She served as Koteks communications director from 2015 to 2017 and her chief of staff from 2019 to 2022, before joining Koteks campaign for governor, according to her LinkedIn page.

Special Advisor Abby Tibbs will leave Koteks office to return to Oregon Health & Sciences University effective March 31, Shepard said. Tibbs joined Koteks team in 2022 to help her transition into the new role, but effectively remained on loan from OHSU, where she previously worked as a lobbyist.

Shepard did not respond to a question asking if there was any reason for the close timing of all three employees leaving.

Their departures will create a leadership void in Koteks office. Cooper, Tibbs, OBrien and Warner are the sole aides that Kotek listed on her website as comprising her executive team.

 Carlos Fuentes covers state politics and government. Reach him at 503-221-5386 or cfuentes@oregonian.com.

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National Cocktail Day is Sunday, and that means its time for some drink rankings.

BetCalifornia.com, another of the myriad websites out there putting together lists that have nothing to do with their stated mission, ranked the top three most popular drinks in every state.

Whiskey drinks lead the way in Oregon, with the Old Fashioned at No. 1 and the Manhattan at No. 2. In third place, Oregon calls an audible  the Paloma, a slightly less well-known grapefruit and tequila concoction that only shows up in two other states top three. Cheers, California and Kentucky.

BetCalifornia.com said in a news release that it started with VinePairs 50 Most Popular Cocktails of 2023 and then looked at each states Google searches to compile its list.

Portland, of course, is known for its craft cocktails and bars, including a handful of bars that are considered among the best in the country.

If you prefer your cocktails booze-free, Portland is also a great place to be. Theres a thriving nonalcoholic cocktail scene in the city.
New York, US (PANA) - Russia and and China have vetoed draft resolution from the United States in the UN Security Council on Friday calling for an immediate and sustained ceasefire to protect civilians on all sides, facilitate essential aid delivery and support ongoing talks between Israel and Hamas militants to create a sustainable end to the hostilities, tied to the release of all hostages
Buffalo Rail & Infrastructure has Acquired Taylor Pulp Assets from Canfor for $7 Million

The Taylor pulp mill, located in Taylor, British Columbia, Canada, has been idle since the first quarter of 2022. The Taylor pulp mill, located in Taylor, British Columbia, Canada, has been idle since the first quarter of 2022.

March 22, 2024 - Buffalo Rail & Infrastructure Corp. ("Buffalo") on March 19 announced its $7 million acquisition of Canfor Pulp Products' recently discontinued pulp mill assets, including 300+ acres of heavy industrial land, in Taylor, British Columbia, Canada.

The Taylor pulp mill has been idle since the first quarter of 2022 due to ongoing uncertainty with regards to the availability of economically viable fibre in the region and market weakness for its product  Bleached ChemiThermo Mechanical Pulp (BCTMP). The mill has the installed capacity to produce 230,000 air-dried metric tonnes per year of BCTMP.

According to Buffalo, the property will be repurposed over time into a multi-use industrial distribution and logistics hub focused on serving the region's energy, agricultural and forestry industries.

"When one door closes, another one opens for this site," said Jarrett Zielinski, President & CEO of Buffalo. "We, along with our stakeholders at Buffalo Rail, were able to establish new uses for the discontinued pulp mill that will optimize the site's characteristics and support industrial growth in the region.

"The multi-phased, multi-year development provides a much-needed response to the changing logistics and supply chains needs of industrial participants across multiple industries and sectors in Western Canada and beyond," Zielinski explained.

Involving an estimated $50+ million capital investment in the area, the first phase of development is anticipated to see 100 construction jobs and 30 full-time permanent jobs on the site. Phase 1 is expected to become operational around Q2 of 2025.

Robert Reimer, Chief Financial Officer of Buffalo, commented, "We appreciated working with Kevin Edgson and the folks at Canfor Pulp Products Inc. on this transaction and look forward to working with the community to develop this strategically important site. The features of this site provide boundless opportunity to support the industrial growth forecast for the region."

Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Buffalo Rail & Infrastructure Corp. was created in 2023 by a diverse team of logistics industry veterans to capitalize on global shifts in supply chain strategy. With its mission to develop modernized rail and rail adjacent infrastructure, Buffalo is set to better service the evolving needs of North American producers and shippers.

SOURCE: Buffalo Rail & Infrastructure Corp.
Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Mill to Sell Excess Energy to Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro

March 22, 2024 - Kruger on March 15 said that its Corner Brook Pulp and Paper mill, under an agreement with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, will sell excess green energy from its Deer Lake Power assets to Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.

The Corner Brook mill, located in Newfoundland, produces newsprint from thermomechanical pulp. The mill has two hydroelectric plants and a biomass cogeneration plant as well as a woodlands department.

The energy agreement, which benefits both entities, will better position the Corner Brook mill to face increasingly challenging conditions in the global newsprint market.

Furthermore, a Kruger said that a dedicated task force will work to identify viable projects to diversify Corner Brook's production in the field of wood-based bioproducts. The goal is to add revenue sources to make operations more sustainable in the long term, while also unlocking Newfoundland and Labrador's high forest potential.

Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Kruger is a producer of pulp and paper, paperboard and packaging, and is now also active in such diverse sectors as green energy, tissue products, recycling and biomaterials.

SOURCE: Kruger Inc.
Photo: (Photo : Hannah Mckay/Getty Images)

NICU nurses, Taylor and Drew Deras, unexpectedly met their soon-to-be child when a premature baby girl in the hosptial ward they are assigned was rushed for urgent care.

In the intensive care unit (NICU) of Methodist Women's Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, Taylor and Drew Deras, both seasoned nurses, share a remarkable bond forged by their dedication to caring for fragile newborns.

Their journey took an unexpected turn when they crossed paths with Ella, a premature baby born at just 23 weeks and 1 day, during Taylor's shifts at the NICU.

NICU Nurses Meet Their Soon-To-Be Child

Ella's early days were filled with uncertainty as she navigated critical health battles, spending months in the NICU under the watchful care of Taylor and her colleagues.

"She was at the very edge of being able to survive, essentially," recalled Drew, highlighting the precariousness of Ella's condition.

However, Ella's fighting spirit prevailed as she gradually conquered multiple health obstacles, transitioning from intensive medical support to more stable care, including bottle feeding and minimal oxygen assistance.

As Ella's progress became a beacon of hope in the NICU, the Derases received news that she had become a ward of the state in December 2021.

Drawn to Ella's resilience and spirit, Taylor expressed a deep desire to be part of her journey, despite the daunting challenges ahead.

This pivotal moment sparked a profound decision for Taylor and Drew, who decided to extend their care beyond the hospital walls by becoming Ella's foster parents.

Their decision was rooted in a deep sense of love and connection, transforming their roles from dedicated caregivers to devoted parents.

"I loved her as my patient, and then once we became foster parents, I loved her as my own child," shared Taylor, reflecting on the emotional journey.

The Derases' story resonates as a testament to the power of compassion and the extraordinary lengths healthcare professionals go to in nurturing and advocating for their patients.

Ella's journey, from a fragile newborn in the NICU to a cherished member of a loving family, embodies the resilience and hope that define the human spirit.

Read Also: Mother-Daughter Duo Make History as First To Co-Pilot International Flight for FedEx

Adoption Journey of the Premature Baby Ella

The Derases were officially approved as Ella's foster parents from December 2021 until November 2023, marking a transformative period in their lives.

Reflecting on their journey as foster parents, Drew Deras, 34, expressed how the initial barriers of attachment dissolved as they embraced their role in Ella's life.

"As a foster parent, it was like shedding the protective guard against falling in love with someone else's child. We realized that this child needs us as much as we need her," Drew shared, describing the profound shift in their hearts.

Their commitment to Ella never wavered, with the Derases standing steadfastly by her side through her hospital discharge on April 7, 2022.

This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a new chapter as they transitioned from fostering to adoption.

On November 18, 2023, coinciding with National Adoption Day, the Derases officially welcomed Ella into their family through adoption.

The significance of this day was not lost on them, as they cherished the moment when the judge declared Ella their own.

Taylor Deras described it as a long-awaited dream come true, while Drew likened the joy to their wedding day, emphasizing its unparalleled significance in their lives.

Today, Ella thrives with a vibrant personality, making remarkable progress in her development.

Taylor joyfully shared, "She's reaching milestones that mirror those of a typical 2-year-old, walking, talking, and preparing for preschool in the fall."

The Derases consider themselves fortunate to have Ella as their "miracle" daughter, recognizing the profound impact adoption has had on their lives.

Their message of encouragement to others contemplating adoption is rooted in their own experiences, urging perseverance and a listening heart for the many children in need of loving homes.

Related Article: Postpartum Preeclampsia: Rare Condition That Caught This Mom Off Guard
Photo: (Photo : Brandon Bell / Getty Images)

The Biden administration plans to send personalized emails to an additional 380,000 public service workers, expressing gratitude for their dedicated service and informing them of their progress towards debt cancellation through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program within the next two years.

Today, the Biden-Harris Administration made a significant announcement regarding the approval of $5.8 billion in additional student loan debt relief, benefiting 77,700 borrowers.

These approvals reflect the successful implementation of fixes made by the administration to improve the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

Biden Administration's Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Today's announcement marks a significant milestone for the Biden-Harris Administration, with total loan forgiveness approvals reaching $143.6 billion for 3.96 million Americans. This action reflects President Biden and his administration's ongoing efforts to deliver debt relief swiftly and comprehensively.

Under Secretary James Kvaal of the U.S. Department of Education expressed pride in providing relief to an additional 77,700 borrowers engaged in public service, aiming to ease financial burdens for them and their families.

The debt relief package announced today encompasses beneficiaries of the Biden-Harris Administration's limited PSLF waiver and regulatory enhancements to the program.

Since October 2021, total relief through PSLF has amounted to $62.5 billion for 871,000 borrowers, a stark increase compared to the previous figures.

In addition to debt relief initiatives, the administration has secured substantial improvements, including the largest increase in Pell Grants in ten years and finalized rules safeguarding borrowers from unmanageable debts post-graduation.

Despite challenges such as the Supreme Court's decision on the original debt relief plan, the administration remains committed to exploring alternative avenues for debt relief through negotiated rulemaking under the Higher Education Act.

Read Also: March Brings Unexpected $7,430 Stimulus Checks for Eligible Americans-Find Out If You Qualify

Student Loan Debt Relief Will Be Awarded To Borrowers

An additional nearly 380,000 borrowers, who are within two years or 24 qualifying payments away from receiving forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, are set to receive personalized communication from President Biden starting next week.

In these communications, President Biden expresses heartfelt appreciation for their dedication to public service and outlines the pathway to potential loan forgiveness within the specified timeframe for those who continue their invaluable contributions to society.

Biden also acknowledged that "for too long, the program failed to live up to its commitments - and public service workers like you never got the relief you are entitled to under the law because of errors and administrative failures. I vowed to fix that."

President Biden's message carries a poignant reminder of the importance of the PSLF program in incentivizing more Americans to pursue careers in public service while alleviating the financial strain of student loan debt.

The communication acknowledges the historical challenges faced by public service workers in accessing their entitled debt relief due to program complexities and administrative hurdles, assuring prompt and effective resolutions under the current administration's leadership.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona lauds the Biden-Harris Administration for its proactive approach to addressing these longstanding issues, noting a substantial increase in PSLF eligibility.

This signifies a pivotal shift towards rectifying past discrepancies and broadening access to debt relief, ultimately fostering a more supportive environment for public service workers nationwide.

Related Article: California Toddler Drives Truck, Fatally Strikes 2-Year-Old Girl
An Israeli staff member of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo has been removed from his job after he was tied to social media posts that celebrated and mocked Palestinian suffering during the Israel-Hamas War.

The postings were shocking, said Patty Simonson, JCCs chief executive officer. Even though they were private and personal opinions, they didnt reflect the sentiments of the JCC. We dont perpetuate hate and were not about hate, were about inclusivity.

The comments posted by Gon Erez, director of Israel Engagement, included sarcastic humor about the rape of Palestinian women, a comment suggesting indifference to a photo of a Palestinian child who starved to death, and encouraging Palestinian supporters to set themselves on fire as U.S. Airman Aaron Bushnell did last month in protesting Israeli treatment of Palestinians.

Simonson removed Erez from his position on March 13. She told The Buffalo News on Thursday that she first became aware on March 2 of postings from him on X, formerly known as Twitter.

They stretched back to last December, two months after Hamas fighters attacked Israel, killing more than 1,100 civilians and security personnel, and taking 253 Israelis and foreigners as hostages into the Gaza Strip. An estimated 31,800 Palestinians, including over 13,000 women and children have been killed by Israel, much of the Gaza Strip has been leveled in the military offensive and 70% of people are said to be facing catastrophic hunger as the European Union's top diplomat said starvation is being used as a weapon of war.

Simonson opened an investigation and concluded he needed to be removed from his job.

Erez, an Israeli citizen who was a lieutenant in the Israeli Defense Forces, worked for three years at the JCC in Youngstown, Ohio, before coming to the regional JCC more than two years ago. His job description was as an ambassador of Israel to the United States, Simonson said, and included sharing Israels history, culture and religion, and Israeli advocacy.

Erezs postings also caught the attention this month of JCC members and others, culminating in a letter signed by more than 100 people earlier in the week. The JCC received the letter on Wednesday, one week to the day after Erez had been quietly removed from his job.

The letter included the names of 52 JCC members, as well as several former members and staffers.

'Violence perpetuates violence': Israeli-Hamas war vigils become more common in WNY As the Israeli-Hamas war rages in the Middle East, hundreds of people gathered for vigils and demonstrations in Western New York during the last week alone, calling for an end of the violence and a greater emphasis on a lasting, peaceful end to hostilities.

Erez, who could not be reached for comment, expressed remorse in a Facebook posting Thursday morning.

I have close friends from all across the political spectrum, Jews and Arabs alike, and I see them all as equal human beings, he said. Public debates on social media, especially during these sensitive times, have led me to express myself in ways that dont reflect my true character. ... Since I have learned how easy it is to fall into these toxic verbal traps, I call all those who who read my words to learn from my experience and think twice before posting and commenting on any platform.

Erez wrote that he has been struggling with great loads of pain, sorrow and anger since the Hamas attack.

Id like to sincerely apologize to the people Ive hurt, especially my community members and loved ones, he said. I have no hate in my heart for anyone. ... Im taking time for self-reflection so this lesson resonates in everything I do.

The letter to the JCC said Erezs posts betrayed JCC values.

These shocking statements made by Mr. Erez on a public platform add to the divisiveness of this war and dehumanize everyone involved, the letter said. The JCC seems to pride itself on creating a safe campus for diverse communities and building a stronger community and welcoming everyone. If these are the values that define the JCC, how can you condone the behavior and posts by Mr. Erez?

Several JCC members told The News they were deeply upset by what they saw.

I cant excuse these as being childish or flippant, and while social media certainly seems to promote a lot of rash and outrageous kinds of comments, that also is no excuse, Jordan Geiger said. Human suffering is human suffering, regardless of who it is. Ones own politics are irrelevant.

Heather Nowak said she had completely trusted the JCC, noting her daughter likes it there, is in the after-school program and attends JCCs Camp Centerland.

I was alarmed and shocked that anyone affiliated with the community center, in a leadership position, would say such things, Nowak said.

Trina Hamilton felt similarly after being made aware of Erezs postings by other friends who are JCC members.

What struck me was the dehumanizing of whole groups of people, and that this was multiple instances, rather than lashing out in anger, Hamilton said. I dont think people should be fired for different politics or what they do personally that has no bearing on their job, but this was someone who worked for an organization that says its a place that welcomes everybody.
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Ive lately begun reading a new book by Robert Christophor Coppes entitled Impressions of Near-Death Experiences: Quotations from Over 100 Experiencers. Dr. Coppes is an economist who is now retired from a career spent at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, a French bank, and eventually the Dutch Central Bank, which is roughly comparable to the U.S. Federal Reserve.

There are several things of interest on every single page. Heres a passage from the book that that Ive chosen almost at random.

She floated outside her body up to the ceiling from where she could see a great consternation unfolding around her body. She continued floating. She floated out the hospital and came to rest in a dense, velvet-black space in which she felt at ease. There was nothing there, but she felt free from all pain and fear, enveloped in a profound sense of peace and tranquility. She had no body, but no pain, either. Time did not exist. Moreover, she realized that she was thinking and, therefore, that she must still exist. She knew it was real. She wrote that it was as true, as palpable, and as certain as had been my life on Earth . . . I was remembering something I had forgotten, something that had been erased from memory when I was born. (Thornton, 2014, pp. 94-95) What she had forgotten was that she already existed before her life on Earth began, that is, before her birth into her current lifetime. She had returned to her source, which she recognized as her real home (Anonymous, 2013, June 17).

Its striking to me how very many out-of-body experiences include floating up to the ceiling (if they commence indoors, of course) and looking down from there onto what is transpiring below. And, of course, it should be no surprise that, as a believing Latter-day Saint, the mention of a pre-mortal life instantly caught my attention.

Just so youre clear on this: Whatever The Usual Suspects may claim, this story actually has no connection at all with the Interpreter Foundation: What you need to know about the Shohei Ohtani interpreter scandal

But this item is connected: Hugh Nibley Observed: Hugh Nibley and Joseph Smith, given by Richard Lyman Bushman:

I am honored to inaugurate the Maxwell Institute lecture series on Hugh Nibley, surely the spiritual godfather, along with Elder Neal A. Maxwell, of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship. Nibleys mind was capacious enough to encompass nearly all of the institutes multifarious projects. He may have been the first to grasp the scope of the scholarship required to comprehend the Restoration. 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/.

A friend called my attention to the fact that I recently misidentified this week, rather than next, as Holy Week. I dont quite know why that happened but, although Ive been corrected on the date of Easter at least twice, Ive somehow had it stuck in my mind that Easter Sunday was this weekend. Which would, obviously, make this week Holy Week. Perhaps its because my attention has been focused on Easter earlier than it usually is: Because of a certain exceedingly cute presence in our home, for example, our house has been festooned with all manner of Easter decorations for a couple of weeks now. And because the person invited to write this years Easter essay for Interpreter suffered a serious last-minute family emergency, I was obliged to step in to write that essay this year, getting it in just under the, umm, drop-dead editorial deadline.

In any case, this week isnt Easter week. Next week is and thats actually a relief. When I announced here on Tuesday that this was Holy Week, I was dismayed to realize that we were already well into it and that I hadnt been thinking about it. But now theres been a reprieve. Easter Week is next week, and the 2014 piece that I wrote on Holy Week for the old Hamblin/Peterson Higher Things column in the Deseret News is still timely.

So, well, alright. Im fallible. Who knew?

Friends, I regularly plumb the terrifying depths of the Christopher Hitchens Memorial How Religion Poisons Everything File so that you dont have to. Its most likely the uniquely profound personal depravity that is regularly attributed to me by a small coven of my fiercest anonymous critics that has equipped me to do so. (No normal person could cope with it.) Personal reveries aside, though, here is a quintet of items that Ive recently retrieved for your appalled but nonetheless gratified enjoyment:

Both John Lennon and Vladimir Lenin invited us to imagine a world with no religion. Perhaps such specimens above, which are merely samples from a vastly larger supply that Ive retrieved out of the apparently inexhaustible Hitchens File, will help you to do exactly that. Just imagine!
12-Point Summary + Biblical Evidence for the Treasury of Merit and Redemptive Suffering

Rev. Dr. Jordan B. Cooper is a Lutheran pastor, adjunct professor of Systematic Theology, Executive Director of the popular Just & Sinner YouTube channel, and the President of the American Lutheran Theological Seminary (which holds to a doctrinally traditional Lutheranism, similar to the Lutheran Church  Missouri Synod). He has authored several books, as well as theological articles in a variety of publications. All my Bible citations are from RSV, unless otherwise indicated. Jordans words will be in blue.

This is my 15th reply to Jordan (many more to come, because I want to interact with the best, most informed Protestant opponents). All of these respectful critiques can be found in the Replies to Jordan Cooper section at the top of my Lutheranism web page.

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Please Hit Subscribe! If youve received benefit from this or any of my 4,500+ articles, please follow this blog by signing up (email address) on the sidebar to the right, above the icon bar, Sign Me Up!: to receive notice when I post a new blog article. This is the equivalent of subscribing to a YouTube channel. Please also consider following me on Twitter / X and purchasing one or more of my 55 books. All of this helps me get more exposure and concretely supports my full-time apologetics work. Thanks so much and happy reading!

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This is a response to a portion of Jordans YouTube video, A Further Critique of Offering Prayers to the Saints (10-5-20).

32:20 The New Testament doesnt mention prayers [to] the saints

38:23 they also dont appear in Scripture

47:24 the New Testament itself . . . is silent about any prayers [to] the saints

I already responded to this claim at length in a reply to Jordan almost two years ago. But let me highlight the NT evidence (with corresponding references to OT evidence):

1) The rich man in Hades (whom tradition has named Dives) petitions Abraham three times in prayer (Luke 16:19-31). In the KJV it even says, I pray thee. From my earlier reply:

This shows (in a fascinating way) that not only can dead saints hear our requests, they also have some measure of power to carry them out on their own. Abraham is asked to send a dead man to appear to Dives brothers, in order for them to avoid damnation (yet another [potential] instance of dead men  like the prophet Samuel to Saul  communicating to those on the earth). Abraham doesnt deny that he is able to potentially send Lazarus to do such a thing; he only denies that it would work, or that it is necessary (by the logic of if they dont respond to greater factor x, nor will they to lesser factor y). Therefore, it is assumed in the story that Abraham could have possibly done so on his own. And this is all told, remember, by our Lord Jesus. It is disputed whether it is a parable or not (several textual factors suggest that it is not; e.g., parables do not use proper names), but even if it is, it nevertheless cannot contain things that are untrue, lest Jesus be guilty of leading people into heresy by means of false illustrations or analogies within His common teaching tool: the parable. Whether Dives was dead or not is also irrelevant to the argument at hand, since standard Protestant theology holds that no one can make such a request to anyone but God (and Dr. Cooper reiterates this as pertains to Lutheranism). Hes asking Abraham to send Lazarus to him, and then to his brothers, to prevent them from going to hell. That is very much, prayer: asking for supernatural aid from those who have left the earthly life and attained sainthood and perfection, with God. . . . Abraham is functioning as a mini-mediator. He is being asked to accomplish certain things. An intercessory request was made of him, not God. In fact, God is never mentioned in the entire story. Why did Jesus teach in this fashion? Why did He teach that Dives was asking Abraham to do things that Protestant theology would hold that only God can do? And why is the whole story about him asking Abraham for requests, rather than going directly to God and asking Him: which is required by Lutheran and general Protestant theology? [cf. King Saul speaking to the dead prophet Samuel, who appeared to him after death, and making a petition (1 Sam 28:15). Samuel  like Abraham  never said that Saul shouldnt have done that.]

2) It was thought by bystanders at the cross that Jesus may have been calling upon Elijah (Mt 27:46-50; cf. Mk 15:34-36). An argument for invocation of dead saints can be constructed from this (again, I cite my earlier reply):

The bystanders are presented as allies of Jesus, since one of them gave Him a drink, in the next verse (Matthew 27:48). The next verse (27:49) again shows that this was common belief at the time: But the others said, Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him. Thus, it was believed that one could pray to one such as Elijah (who had already appeared with Jesus at the transfiguration), and that he had power to come and give aid; to save a person (in this case, Jesus from a horrible death). Its not presented as if they are wrong, and in light of other related Scriptures it is more likely that they are correct in thinking that this was a permitted scenario. Jesus, after all, had already referred to Elijah, saying that he was the prototype for John the Baptist (Mt 11:14; 17:10-13; cf. Lk 1:17 from the angel Gabriel), and it could also have been known that Elijah and Moses appeared with Jesus at the transfiguration (Mt 17:1-6), if these were His followers.

3) Departed saints in heaven pray for those on earth, and/or present their prayers to God (Rev 5:8). Its Gods will that they are involved in the process of our prayers getting to God. Its a reasonable supposition, then, that they have also heard our prayers. (cf. Jer 15:1: Moses and Samuel; 2 Macc 15:12-16).

4) Angels in heaven pray for those on earth, and/or present their prayers to God (Rev 8:2-3). Its Gods will that they are involved in the process of our prayers getting to God. Its a reasonable supposition, then, that they have also heard our prayers (cf. Tobit 12:15). In fact, in the OT, Lot made two petitionary prayer requests to angels, and they were both granted (Gen 19:15, 18-21).

5) St. John, when he was on the earth (on Patmos) spoke to one of the elders (dead saints) in heaven (Rev 7:14) and they spoke back to him (Rev 5:5; 7:13-17).

6) St. John, when he was on the earth (on Patmos) spoke to an angel in heaven (Rev 10:9) and angels spoke to him from heaven (Rev 1:1-2, 9; 10:9, 11; 11:1-2; 17:1-2; 7-18; 19:9-10; 21:9, 15; 22:6-11; cf. Gen 21:17).

7) Jesus Himself invoked a dead person twice: Jairus daughter (Mk 5:41: Little girl, I say to you, arise; cf. Lk 8:54: Child, arise) and Lazarus (Jn 11:43: Lazarus, come out). If someone objects that this is a special case because Hes God, then we have St. Peter invoking a dead person, too: turning to the body he said, Tabitha, rise. And she opened her eyes, (Acts 9:40).

8) Jesus talked to the dead Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mt 17:1-4; cf. Mk 9:2-5; Lk 9:29-33).

9) If God desired no contact at all between those living on the earth and dead saints, then its beyond odd that right after Jesus died, many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many (Mt 27:52-53). Presumably, some or many or all of these talked to people and had conversations with them, just as Saul, Moses, Elijah, and the risen Jesus did when they came back from the dead.

10) Many commentators believe, and the traditional interpretation of Revelation 11:3 holds, that the two witnesses referred to were Enoch and Elijah come back to earth. Neither one died (they were taken up to heaven), and so they return and do die in this instance (Rev 11:7-12) and the Bible informs us that again they went up to heaven in a cloud.

11) I have made an extended biblical argument, in another recent reply to Jordan, about the extraordinary characteristics of saints in heaven, which lend themselves to a belief that they can not only hear our intercessions (Hebrews 12:1 and Revelation 6:9-10 show their awareness), but would also respond to them in charity, by the analogy of their presenting our prayers to God (#3 above).

12) The vast amount of biblical information concerning angels and their contact with human beings also shows that there is a God-willed connection between heaven and earth; between men and angels. To highlight just some of that: Matthew 18:10 instructs us that each person has a guardian angel. St. Stephen said that the law was delivered by angels (Acts 7:53). Angels appeared to and informed the Blessed Virgin Mary (Lk 1:26-38), Zechariah (Lk 1:11-20), St. Joseph  in a dream (Mt 1:20-21), Philip (Acts 8:26), and the shepherds in the field when Jesus was born (Lk 2:8-15). They are ministering spirits sent forth to serve the elect (Heb 1:14). And thats just from the New Testament. Its not far from all of this to speculate that we could also ask their assistance in an intercessory fashion. We know for a fact that Lot already did that in Abrahams time, and that his two petitions were granted (Gen 19:15, 18-21).

Thats an awful lot of material consistent with, highly suggestive of, or literally flat-out biblical examples of the intercessory prayer of saints and angels and general permissible, God-willed contact with the dead or angels from or in heaven in the NT  a thing that Jordan expressly denied was present at all, by making a universal negative denial in nine words. I provide extensive proof and twelve lines of argument from Bible passages.

Take your pick. Jordan would have to respond to the above and offer superior counter-explanations, for all of it to be discounted and entirely dismissed. Thats a pretty uphill battle, if you ask me. Id love to see answers to and attempted refutations of all of the above. Then it could be a truly serious and constructive, productive Catholic-Protestant discussion, where our proofs are addressed head on, in a way that rarely ever happens.

36:01 You do have it [prayers to the saints] developing later, but you dont have it in those major early sources and yeah again thats significant . . . of course what you can argue is the Newman development hypothesis: that it was this kind of development of doctrine of prayer to the saints that came out of a recognition of things like the communion of the saints and what are these very scriptural themes, and I would argue that that is true too, in that these did develop from what are biblical ideas of honor to the saints and the communion of saints and union of the church in heaven and the beginning of the church on earth . . . but then it does develop into what I say is an unbiblical doctrine and I guess one who holds to the Newman development hypothesis can say, well it did develop, but it developed in a way that is good.

Thats exactly what we would say (and I write as one whose primary influence in becoming Catholic, was precisely Newmans Essay on Development). Ive just shown how there are twelve different types of biblical arguments (all even based in the New Testament logically and theologically leading to and harmonious with the proposition of the invocation and intercession of saints. So it may have developed slowly at first (like many doctrines), but eventually, based on, I submit, reflection on all these biblical motifs, it legitimately developed, because more than enough scriptural information to form the essential presuppositions was already present from the beginning of the Church. And a big part of the Protestant objection to the intercession of saints are the false premises (which I just dealt with in reply to Jordan) holding that all prayer is worship, and that its impossible for saints to answer many thousands of prayers without being quasi-omniscient.

45:08 what we dont have is confirmation that the saints can hear the thoughts of our heads and the intentions of our hearts and can them respond in some way to that

Jordan just got through establishing that the saints in heaven are actively concerned about those on the earth and that they pray, so thats one premise we agree on. Now he takes it further, and its a good question. This is harder to verify, but I think I have done it through a fairly strong deduction and analogy from what we know in Holy Scripture. I already made the argument in my second reply back to Jordan, but here it is in a nutshell (repetition being a great teacher, and condensed, abridged arguments often helpful to many):

Saints in heaven shall understand fully (1 Cor 13:12), and possess knowledge that Paul describes as perfect(1 Cor 13:9-10) and will be filled with all the fulness of God (Eph 3:19) and the fulness of Christ (Eph 4:13) and will be fully partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet 1:4). Now, I happen to think that all of that amazing knowledge granted by Gods love and power would include knowledge of the thoughts of our heads and the intentions of our hearts. The more we become like God, as those verses teach, the more things we will have in common with Him. Knowing thoughts would be one such thing.

But there is a second related argument that can be made, too: if were equal to angels after death, according to Jesus (Lk 20:36), and like angels (Mt 22:30; Mk 12:25), and we know that angels communicate with those on earth (many examples in the Bible; e.g., the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven  Gen 21:17; see also #12 in my list of twelve arguments above), then it stands to reason that the dead saints will by analogy be able to do the same thing. Jesus said, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents (Lk 15:10). Thats an interior disposition (how would an angel know that unless words to that effect were spoken or written?). If angels know that, and we will be equal to them, then dead saints in heaven can certainly hear a petition, since by analogy to the angels theyll be able to discern interior thoughts.

As to responding, we know they can do that, from concrete examples: Abraham with the rich man and Samuel with Saul. Both were petitioned and both refused the petitions themselves (without disputing the practice of asking them in the first place). The Bible gives no indication whatsoever that these instances of prayers to men were intrinsically wrong or forbidden. And in the case of Abraham, its a story told by Jesus. Bottom line, the stories are presented as if Abraham and Samuel could have possibly granted the petitions (if they had been asked according to Gods will).

As it was, Samuel did give a correct prophecy that Saul would be killed in battle the next day. So he knew that; and it was in the future. He had the gift of prophecy from God. But this goes back to my point about the incredible knowledge saints will have in heaven. God can just as easily communicate to any saint who was asked to intercede, what the answer would be. God gives them the power to :hear our thoughts in the first place and to respond in some way, by the same power. Its all from God, as Paul stated: I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God which is with me (1 Cor 15:10).

49:26 this merit of the saints [that] can be transferred to the believer through the treasury of merit that is something that the Church has the ability to dispense merit to us . . . [is] extremely problematic and extremely unbiblical. Its just not taught in Scripture. There simply is no transfer of merit other than the merit of Christ himself and his righteousness counted to us; we are found righteous in him, but in terms of there being some kind of a human individual that has excess merit that they can transfer to us and prayers to the saints being involved in that, this is of course a problem.

Not in Scripture at all (yet another universal negative that can easily be disproved)? Thats news to me:

Deuteronomy 9:18-19 Then I lay prostrate before the LORD as before, forty days and forty nights; I neither ate bread nor drank water, because of all the sin which you had committed, in doing what was evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. [19] For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure which the LORD bore against you, so that he was ready to destroy you. But the LORD hearkened to me that time also. (cf. 9:9; Ex 34:28) Daniel 9:3-6, 16 Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and supplications with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. [4] I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, O Lord, the great and terrible God, who keepest covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, [5] we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from thy commandments and ordinances; [6] we have not listened to thy servants the prophets, who spoke in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. . . . [16] O Lord, according to all thy righteous acts, let thy anger and thy wrath turn away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy hill; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people have become a byword among all who are round about us. 2 Corinthians 1:5-6 For as we share abundantly in Christs sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. [6] If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; . . . 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, 15 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; [9] persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; [10] always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. . . . [15] For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 12:15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. Ephesians 3:13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christs afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 2 Timothy 2:9-10 the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered. [10] Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory.

Also, it can be argued that if a holy person prays for another and their prayer is granted (because the prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects: Jas 5:16), then that is merit transferred from the holy person to others. They benefit from it. Its the same principle.

Genesis 20:7 Now then restore the mans wife; for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you, and you shall live. . . . Numbers 14:17-20 And now, I pray thee, let the power of the LORD be great as thou hast promised, saying, [18] `The LORD is slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of fathers upon children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation. [19] Pardon the iniquity of this people, I pray thee, according to the greatness of thy steadfast love, and according as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now. [20] Then the LORD said, I have pardoned, according to your word; Deuteronomy 10:10 I stayed on the mountain, as at the first time, forty days and forty nights, and the LORD hearkened to me that time also; the LORD was unwilling to destroy you. 1 Samuel 7:8 And the people of Israel said to Samuel, Do not cease to cry to the LORD our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.

56:41 Roman Catholic listeners will probably have plenty of retorts and responses to this, so Ill be looking forward to those as well.

Again, I hope that Jordan chooses to respond to my respectful criticisms. Whoever is confident in his position loves to do so. I certainly do. I would be delighted to receive the sort of Bible-soaked, in-depth criticisms that I offer to others.

*

Photo credit: Photograph by Dr Dawn Tames (3-9-04) [Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0 license]

Summary: Jordan Cooper denies any biblical evidence for the invocation of saints. I provide twelve biblical arguments for that & more for merit and redemptive suffering.
+ Good & Bad Protestant & Catholic Apologetics & Historical Revisionism & Twisting

Rev. Dr. Jordan B. Cooper is a Lutheran pastor, adjunct professor of Systematic Theology, Executive Director of the popular Just & Sinner YouTube channel, and the President of the American Lutheran Theological Seminary (which holds to a doctrinally traditional Lutheranism, similar to the Lutheran Church  Missouri Synod). He has authored several books, as well as theological articles in a variety of publications. All my Bible citations are from RSV, unless otherwise indicated. Jordans words will be in blue.

This is my 14th reply to Jordan (many more to come, because I want to interact with the best, most informed Protestant opponents). All of these respectful critiques can be found in the Replies to Jordan Cooper section at the top of my Lutheranism web page.

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This is a response to a portion of Jordans YouTube video, A Further Critique of Offering Prayers to the Saints (10-5-20).

5:02 Its something Im asked about a lot. A lot of people seem to want me to divert my entire course of study to Roman Catholic polemics or something, which Im not going to do, but nonetheless I do think its important to delve into Roman Catholic issues.

I think its important to delve into Lutheran and larger Protestant issues, and to show that Catholic beliefs can be thoroughly defended from the Bible, history, and reason. Where we agree, I rejoice in that, too. Im ecumenical as well as apologetic, and Im not anti-Protestant. I am  pro-Catholic with great respect for, and respectful disagreement with, our Protestant brethren in Christ.

5:49 I actually have done quite a bit [on] Roman Catholicism, too, if you go back into the podcast archives. Before I was doing all of these things on YouTube there are a number of programs Ive done [on] Roman Catholicism. Ive done programs on purgatory; Ive interacted with a number of lecturers . . . on various issues . . . More recently there was a YouTuber who responded to a couple of my recent programs and a lot of people really wanted me to interact with those videos. I personally didnt see it that worthwhile interacting with those videos. I didnt find the argumentation very compelling, and some of you may have, but to some extent I have to limit what I respond to and what I dont. I dont want to have. . . just continual back and forth with different people . . . I have to choose certain things to do and certain things not to do.

Understood. I hope to engage in cordial, constructive dialogue with Jordan and explain about our views and how we defend them from Scripture, tradition, and reason, and learn more about his views. I believe that I offer plenty of substance and food for thought  agree or disagree  and that its done in a respectful, cordial manner. Inter-Christian dialogue is especially good for the purpose of simply understanding each other better. Christian unity, as much as we can achieve, is a wonderful thing and worthy goal. The following gracious comments about me came from three prominent Lutherans, with whom I have dialogued quite a bit (all from the Missouri Synod):

Dave Armstrong is a former Protestant Catholic who is in fact blessedly free of the kind of any enemy of Protestantism is a friend of mine coalition-building . . . hes pro-Catholic (naturally) without being anti-Protestant (or anti-Orthodox, for that matter). [CPA: professor of history] Whether one agrees with Daves take on everything or not, everyone should take it quite seriously, because he presents his arguments formidably. Dave is one of the best Catholic apologists. [pastor and professor Ken Howes, who also wrote a glowing review of my recent book, The Word Set in Stone: How Archaeology, Science, and History Back Up the Bible (Catholic Answers Press: 2023), very kindly noting that this book is worthy company to the books of Lutheran John Warwick Montgomery and Anglican C.S. Lewis, and it has my endorsement.] You are a very friendly adversary who really does try to do all things with gentleness and respect. For this I praise God. [Nathan Rinne, apologist]

10:18 This is the kind of twisting of the very clear historical evidences that you find in a lot of pop apologetics and Roman Catholicism. Its the same kind of things you find in Mormonism. I find a major parallel in some of these this historical revisionism and trying to explain away statements that are really obvious historically, in context. Whats going on is very similar to what I find in Mormon apologists, when theyre trying to deal with and reckon with what are the problems of early Mormonism and things like polygamy.

Its obvious that there are good and bad apologists for any given viewpoint. The problem is compounded by the nature of social media. Anyone who talks a good game these days, and has a DJ voice and appealing personal demeanor (being good-looking doesnt hurt, either), can start a YouTube channel and reach many many thousands of people. All the action today is in videos (more power to them, but I keep writing because that is my skill and what I was called to do; and I think its far more substantive). And so with that comes  on all sides  a lot of underqualified people, who spread a great deal of misinformation and disinformation: both in videos and written material. We have many unsavory folks of that type within Catholicism (in charity, I wont name them), and I have written hundreds of articles critiquing them. Its a huge problem.

But as for historical revisionism and rationalizing, again, people who do that are found on all sides. Pop Catholic apologists have far from a monopoly with regard to that shortcoming. Jordan has, predictably, found several Catholics doing that because hes defending Lutheranism and critiquing Catholicism. Ive found several Protestants doing that because Im defending Catholicism and critiquing Protestantism. I could tell a hundred stories about the ridiculous positions I have seen people try to defend (my absolute favorite is that 68 million people supposedly were killed in the Inquisition). The thing to do is not to equate the whole of a viewpoint with those of its (usually amateur and quite unqualified) defenders who leave a lot to be desired. We dont throw the baby out with the bathwater, as the old saying goes.

And by the way, I have material addressing Mormonism on my blog, and my first large apologetics project was studying Jehovahs Witnesses in great depth as an evangelical Protestant apologist in the early 80s: possibly before Jordan was born. I came out of the evangelical cult-watching community (Walter Martin et al), and I was on the largest Christian radio station in metro Detroit discussing the JWs in 1989, when I was still a Protestant. So it gave me a bit of a chuckle to see the Mormon comparison above. I used to compare JWs to Catholicism, myself, back when I had a dim understanding of Catholicism. We all live and learn. But I agree that some people do argue that badly. I just dont think that they are only  or even predominantly  Catholic.

10:00 Luther was opposed to the killing of heretics

In fact, Martin Luther favored the death penalty for Anabaptists in the 1530s, which I documented in one of my articles over twenty years ago. Lest it be thought that I am engaging in revisionism, myself, as a biased Catholic apologist (and everyone naturally has biases), I need only cite by far the most famous Protestant biographer of Luther, Roland Bainton (who cant possibly be accused of anti-Luther bias), from his famous book, Here I Stand:

In 1530 Luther advanced the view that two offences should be penalized even with death, namely sedition and blasphemy. The emphasis was thus shifted from incorrect belief to its public manifestation by word and deed. This was, however, no great gain for liberty, because Luther construed mere abstention from public office and military service as sedition and a rejection of an article of the Apostles Creed as blasphemy. In a memorandum of 1531, composed by Melanchthon and signed by Luther, a rejection of the ministerial office was described as insufferable blasphemy, and the disintegration of the Church as sedition against the ecclesiastical order. In a memorandum of 1536, again composed by Melanchthon and signed by Luther, the distinction between the peaceful and the revolutionary Anabaptists was obliterated . . . Melanchthon this time argued that even the passive action of the Anabaptists in rejecting government, oaths, private property, and marriages outside the faith was itself disruptive of the civil order and therefore seditious. The Anabaptist protest against the punishment of blasphemy was itself blasphemy. The discontinuance of infant baptism would produce a heathen society and separation from the Church, and the formation of sects was an offense against God. Luther may not have been too happy about signing these memoranda. At any rate he appended postscripts to each. To the first he said, I assent. Although it seems cruel to punish them with the sword, it is crueler that they condemn the ministry of the Word and have no well-grounded doctrine and suppress the true and in this way seek to subvert the civil order. . . . In 1540 he is reported in his Table Talk to have returned to the position of Philip of Hesse that only seditious Anabaptists should be executed; the others should be merely banished. But Luther passed by many an opportunity to speak a word for those who with joy gave themselves as sheep for the slaughter. . . . For the understanding of Luthers position one must bear in mind that Anabaptism was not in every instance socially innocuous. The year in which Luther signed the memorandum counseling death even for the peaceful Anabaptists was the year in which a group of them ceases to be peaceful . . . By forcible measures they took over the city of Munster in Westphalia . . . Yet when all these attenuating considerations are adduced, one cannot forget that Melanchthons memorandum justified the eradication of the peaceful, not because they were incipient and clandestine revolutionaries, but on the ground that even a peaceful renunciation of the state itself constituted sedition. (Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther, New York: Mentor, 1950, 295-296)

I remember reading this very book in October 1984, as we drove down to our honeymoon in Tennessee. Luther was a huge hero of mine then (I still admire him in some ways). The 1536 memorandum by Melanchthon (referred to above), that Luther signed, read in part:

That seditious articles of doctrine should be punished with the sword needed no further proof. For the rest, the Anabaptists hold tenets relating to infant baptism, original sin, and inspiration which have no connection with the Word of God, and are indeed opposed to it. . . . Concerning such tenets, this is our answer : As the secular authorities are bound to control and punish open blasphemy, so they are also bound to restrain and punish avowedly false doctrine, irregular Church services and heresies in their own dominions; . . . Also when it is a case of only upholding some spiritual tenet, such as infant baptism, original sin, and unnecessary separation, then, because these articles are also important. . . we conclude that in these cases also the stubborn sectaries must be put to death. (cited in Johannes Janssen, History of the German People from the Close of the Middle Ages, 16 volumes, translated by A.M. Christie, St. Louis: B. Herder, 1910 [orig. 1891]; Vol. X, 222-223; compare Baintons translation in the article mentioned in the next paragraph below)

Bainton also wrote a very informative and thorough 26-page chapter entitled, Luthers Attitudes On Religious Liberty, for the book, Studies on the Reformation (Boston: Beacon Press, 1963). I abridged it and made a blog article of it. Here is an excerpt (see the documentation there):

The Protestant Reformation itself has at times been credited with the rise of religious liberty but such a statement can be made only with distinct reserve . . . The outstanding reformers of the sixteenth century were in no sense tolerant. Luther in 1530 acquiesced in the death penalty for Anabaptists and Calvin instigated the execution of Servetus, while Melanchthon applauded. The reformers can be ranged on the side of liberty only if the younger Luther be pitted against the older or the left wing of the Reformation against the right . . . The opinion of the dominant group was expressed with pithy brutality by Theodore Beza when he stigmatized religious liberty as a most diabolical dogma because it means that everyone should be left to go to hell in his own way. . . . My first study of Luther was a paper dealing with his attitude to religious liberty in 1929. It was written at a time when I felt intense resentment against him because he spoke so magnificently for liberty in the early 1520s and condoned the death penalty for Anabaptists a decade later. Having worked eight years on a biography of Luther in the 1940s, anger changed to sadness through the discovery that in this case, as often elsewhere, it is the saints who burn the saints.

Under Martin Luthers and his best friend and successor Philip Melanchthons policies in the 1530s, I could have been killed if I had the view that I held as an evangelical, when I believed in adult, believers baptism (from 1980-1990). But if I had been a Catholic in Luthers Saxony in the 1530s, I would have been safe from the Lutherans sword, because they generally favored censorship and sometimes banishment of Catholics, but not the death penalty. Melanchthon also favored execution for denying the Real Presence in the Eucharist (a thing he later denied, himself!). I could have been killed under that policy, too.

12:19 You can point out inconsistencies in the Lutheran tradition as well, and I dont have to then go back and and try to defend that or make those words not mean what they really said. I can just say, yeah thats an inconsistency.

Then here is an opportunity for Jordan to do just that, by declaring that he has now discovered that Luther advocated the death penalty for heresy against fellow Protestants, not even Catholics. Virtually all Christians have executed for heresy at one point or another, and the early Lutherans and Calvinists were no exceptions.

*

Photo credit: Portrait of Martin Luther (1528), by Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553). This was three years before Luther advocated the death penalty for peaceful Anabaptists [public domain / Wikimedia Commons]

Summary: Jordan Cooper complained about historical revisionism by pop Catholic apologists, but then incorrectly denied Luthers advocacy of execution of Anabaptists.
The rumors have now become facts. Recent speculation suggested that Microsoft would offer the latest version of Office (officially Microsoft 365) not only as a subscription, but also as a one-off purchase again. Well, Microsoft has made it official!

The next version of Microsoft 365 (aka Microsoft Office) will be released later in 2024. In addition to Microsoft offering it as a one-off purchase, there will also be a Mac version of the program and it will support both 32- and 64-bit versions. Heres what we know about Office 2024.

Microsoft Office 365 Home Premium

In a blog post about the upcoming preview of Microsoft Office LTSC 2024, the company emphasizes that you can buy Microsoft Office 365 2024 and use it permanently. Of course, this only makes sense until the end of support after five years. Once support ends, you will no longer receive any security updates for Microsoft Office 2024, making it unsafe to use.

This statement only applies to Office LTSC, i.e. a variant of Microsoft Office that is intended for commercial customers and public authorities. For private users, however, the question of whether Microsoft will release Office 2024 as a non-subscription version is much more exciting. And the blog post does indeed address this:

We also plan to release a new version of Office for home users later this year, Office 2024, which will also be supported for five years with the traditional one-time purchase model. We have no plans to change the price of these products at the time of release. We will provide more details on the new features in Office 2024 shortly before general availability.

Heres what you can expect from the latest Microsoft Office 364:

The next version of Microsoft Office 364 for home users will launch in 2024 as Office 2024

Microsoft will provide updates for the next five years

You can purchase Microsoft Office 365 as a one-off payment

Office 2024 will also be released for macOS

Office 2024 supports Windows 10, except on ARM devices

Office 2024 supports 32-bit

The price remains unchanged

Microsoft Office Home and Business 2021, price comparison

If youre in favor of the subscription model with annual costs or the variant with a one-off payment and no follow-up cost, the new features are only available for the subscription model. The standalone version only receives security and repair updates.

The preview of Microsoft Office LTSC 2024 will be available for testers in April 2024. Microsoft is discontinuing Microsoft Publisher and Teams is missing because the company is making Teams available for download separately.

This article first appeared on PCWelt and has been translated from German to English.
The Managing Director (MD) of the Ghana Post Company Limited, Bice Osei-Kuffour, has been adjudged the Most Innovative Chief Executive Officer at the 14th edition of the Ghana Entrepreneur and Corporate Executive Awards.



The award was in recognition of his innovative leadership at the Ghana Post over the past three years.



Citation



A citation presented in his honour said under your leadership, Ghana Post has spearheaded innovation through Digital transformation, delivery of technological enhanced postal services and your personal involvement in the delivery of customised gifts to notable personalities in the country on Valentines Day.



The event which was held in Accra last Saturday (March 16) was on the theme: "Promoting Digital Entrepreneurship as a tool for sustainable Digital Economic Development".



It was organised by the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Ghana to celebrate and honour successful entrepreneurs, business executives and public service chief executives who have had significant and positive impact on the economy, sustained business performance and demonstrated outstanding leadership and significant business success in their respective fields over the past years. About 36 individuals were honoured during the night.



Resuscitation



Mr Osei-Kuffour, after receiving the award, commended the organisers for recognising his effort in repositioning the Ghana Post.



He stressed that his outfit was keen on riding on the back of technology to reach its full potential.



In that regard, he said the company had introduced new innovations such as the Pick and Drop delivery app among others to enhance the companys capabilities.



In addition, he said efforts had been made to capitalise on the staff strength to ensure that the company became a leader in the space in which it operated.



We are on the right path, the staff are motivated and the workforce is committed and that is what is turning the story around.



As a leader, all I do is to show the way and the staff take over. We are on the right path, the staff are motivated and the workforce is committed and that is what is turning the story around, Mr Osei-Kuffour said.

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.

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The United Nations Development Programme in collaboration with National Development Planning Commission, and the Ghana Statistic Service has produced the Ghana National Human Development Report, 2023.



According to the 2023 reports by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), 14.7% are unemployed in the country.



The engagement sessions encouraged dialogue and knowledge exchange among key stakeholders including young people, community members, CSOs, private sector, research institutions and the media.



Speaking with Peace FM News, the Director General for the National Development Planning Commission, Mr. Kodjo Mensah-Abrampa stated that the National Human Development Report 2023 is very essential because it is dealing with the issues of unemployment in Ghana which is at the heart of the development of the country.



He said this report will help solve some unemployment challenges in the country.



He said the National Development Planning Commission has focused on job creation for the last two terms which is very important.



Mr. Mensah-Abrampa said they did not have concrete data to build some of their models on when it comes to human capacity building but now there is the population census and a lot of analysis pursued by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).



He, therefore, attest to the fact that these information have helped in the Human capacity strategy building and in job creation.



The theme for Ghana's National Human Development Report, 2023 launched by the United Nations Development Programmes and the National Development Planning Commission is 'The Future Value of Work in Ghana: Pathways to Sustainable Jobs'.



The United Nations Development Programmes Residents representative in Ghana, Dr. Angela Lusigi also stated that the National Human Development Report will show where we are now as a country, the unemployment rates and also determine the future value of work in Ghana.

Source: Clinton Akwasi Amoako/Peace FM News









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Thirty-five per cent of burns cases on admission to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital are caused by gas explosions, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the hospital, Dr Opoku Ware Ampomah, has disclosed.



He said those cases of burns occurred due to improper use of domestic liquified petroleum gas (LPG).



He said even though domestic LPG cylinders were not supposed to be kept indoors, it had been proved that members of the public usually kept them indoors.



He said what was even worse was when people put stones on the regulator instead of servicing them properly in case of leakages.



Dr Ampomah said this as a call to action for domestic fire safety and paediatric burn prevention campaign initiated by the Public Health Alliance International Ghana (PHAIG).



The campaign, among others, is aimed at reducing the incidence of paediatric burns, promoting awareness of child safety and paediatric burn management, as well as raising funds to support paediatric burns patients in the country.



Dr Ampomah also urged the public to be careful with their electrical gadgets, especially now that the country was experiencing frequent power outages, explaining that sometimes, those frequent power surges could cause domestic fires and put peoples lives in danger.



Describing injury from burns as one of the most significant traumatic but largely preventable incidents an individual could experience. He said 80 per cent of the incidents were due to some form of carelessness on the part of the victims or caregivers in the case of children, and, therefore, stressed the need for the country to put in place both primary and secondary preventive strategies.



Those strategies, which he said had helped other high-income countries, were personal education, enforcing building regulations, including design, and ensuring that public buildings had compartmentation so that in the event of fire, it would not be able to spread to other rooms, among other strategies.



He also talked about the need for people to change or check the wiring in their homes.



He said burns accounted for about 300,000 deaths around the world every year, pointing out that whereas in the developed world mortality from burns was about 0.8 per 100,000 population, that of other parts of the world was 10.3 per 100,000 population.



He said aside from the fact that people could lose their lives from burns, for those who survived, it could cause disfiguring, especially in the face, which led to stigmatisation.



Burns

Furthermore, he said burns could cause loss of vision and difficulty in breathing when it occurred around the nose, and the scars were prone to forming cancers 10 or more years after the injury.



For females who suffer injuries on their chests, Dr Ampomah explained that at puberty, because their scarred skin could not contain their growth, they would have to undergo surgery to enable their breasts to develop.



In Ghana, Dr Ampomah said a look at epidemiology showed that over 50 per cent of burns occurred in children, with the commonest cause being hot liquids either in the kitchen or bathroom.



He, therefore, called for the kitchen to be out of bounds for children, adding that it should not be a play area for them.



He mentioned things that predisposed children to burns to include placing hot liquids on a table that had table cloth and placing liquid chemicals such as acid in open places where children could easily access them.



The Chief Executive Officer of Atlantic Life Sciences Limited, Dhananjay Tripathi, said one of the glaring challenges faced by burns patients was the difficulty in obtaining the best and most appropriate treatment, adding that in many cases, the expertise and resources required for optimal care might be scarce, leading to suboptimal outcomes and prolonged suffering.





Source: graphiconline.com









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Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, has indicated that the current rate of attrition of health workers is unprecedented in the history of the country.



The staff attrition is occasioned by global shortage of health workers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic but we are working assiduously with the MOH to fill the gaps created by this loss, he said.



According to him, the GHS is working to ensure better conditions of service for those who take up appointments in less endowed areas.



I shall take this opportunity to remind our dear managers to put in mechanisms to rotate staff so that those who take up appointments in hard-to-reach and less-endowed areas are not left there forever, he said.



The GHS Director revealed that a significant number of health professionals, specifically over 3,688 nurses, have left the country in search of better opportunities over the past three years.



He made this known at the Northern Regional Health Directorate 2023 Annual Performance Review Meeting on the theme, Sustaining Essential Health Service Delivery Towards Achieving Universal Health Coverage: The Role of Stakeholders is Resource Mobilization



Dr. Kuma-Aboagye was optimistic that with hard-working staff, the deliberate efforts at leadership transformation through the GHS Institute, and ongoing efforts to re-equip and provide needed logistics for their facilities will enhance health care delivery across the country.



I urge you all to be focused on delivering good quality work as always. Let us forge good relationships and partnerships wherever we are, for alone we can do little but together with others, we can do so much more.



The Northern Regional Director of the GHS, Dr. Abdulai Abukari, revealed that the region encountered serious challenges in their fight against maternal mortality.



He revealed that the region recorded 100 Institutional Maternal Deaths in 2023 as compared to 69 deaths in 2022 which brings their Institutional Maternal Mortality Ratio to 136.7 per 100,000 live births in 2023 compared to 94.5 per 100,000 live births for the year 2022 with the national target being 125 per 100,000 live births.



This year, the Regional Health Directorate has taken some serious measures towards addressing this worrisome trend of Maternal Deaths in the region, he said.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









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Buffalo police release names of two people who died in Main Street crash

Buffalo police on Friday released the names of the two people killed in a Thursday morning crash at Main Street and Humboldt Parkway.

Two killed, two injured in Buffalo collision; police arrest motorist in 2nd car The crash occurred shortly after midnight at Main and Humboldt Parkway, when the driver of a Dodge Magnum "traveling north on Main Street at an apparent high rate of speed" collided with the driver of a Toyota Corolla trying to turn left onto Main Street, police spokesman Michael DeGeorge said in an email.

Nasir Musazada, 27, of Buffalo, was the Lyft driver who was turning left onto Main shortly after midnight when an oncoming driver in a Dodge Magnum traveling north on Main at a high rate of speed struck his Toyota Corolla. Musazada and one of his three passengers, Morgan Ehrenbeit, 26, from Chagrin Falls, Ohio, died in the crash, police said.

Two other passengers, both 31-year-old men from East Lake, Ohio, were injured, one of them critically. Police spokesman Michael DeGeorge did not release their names or update their conditions Friday afternoon.

All four were taken to Erie County Medical Center, where Musazada and Ehrenbeit were pronounced dead.

Devin Ford, 23, the driver of the Dodge, also was taken to ECMC with injuries. He was arraigned from his hospital bed Thursday on two counts each of second-degree manslaughter and first-degree assault, Erie County District Attorney John Flynn said during a Thursday afternoon press conference at Buffalo Police Headquarters.

The investigation into the crash continued Friday.

- Debadrita Sur
It was an emotional moment when the family of the late Deputy Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament (MP) for Ejisu Constituency, John Kumah, called on President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House on Wednesday evening.



The delegation was led by the General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, to officially inform the President about John Kumahs passing and to also brief him on plans for his funeral.



President Akufo-Addo said he was saddened about his death, describing the late 45-year-old budding politician as one of the vibrant, hardworking and truthful young men of the NPP who had a bright political future.



I realised that judging from the way he speaks, comports himself and his truthfulness, he had a very bright future in Ghanaian politics, he said, literally putting tears in the eyes of the family members and government officials present.



Apart from his many contributions to the party both in opposition and in power, the President said he realised the hard work, true dedication and commitment of the late John Kumah to the party and government when he (Akufo-Addo) became the leader of the party, and eventually President of Ghana, saying, John Kumah helped me a lot.



He spoke about his work as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) to create job opportunities and support for the youth in the private sector, and indicated that, He did it to my utmost satisfaction, so in my second term I decided to promote him to the position of Deputy Minister of Finance.



He said information he received from the constituency was that he constantly interacted with the electorate and worked hard for them while exhibiting a great sense of respect for the elders of the community.



The President described the death of the late Deputy Minister as difficult to understand even though he said Gods ways are not the ways of man, neither will men understand the things he do.



He, therefore, noted that John Kumahs death was a great loss to the wife and children, the family, the party and country.



Painful and bitter as his death was and may be, he said, But our faith is still in God who understands all the happenings, with an advice in tow, he added, We should also understand that just as Kumah is gone, that is how God will call all of us at the appointed time.



President Akufo-Addo however assured that the government will give him a befitting burial. He expressed his condolences and that of the government to the family and promised to be at the one-week observance scheduled for March 28, 2024.



The Executive Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo, recounted how John Kumah walked to his legal chambers to request to do his internship as a law student and how he worked with him after he had completed school. He therefore spoke of how his death has affected him.



Spokesperson for the family, Kwasi Owusu Twumasi, presented drinks as part of tradition to inform the President about the death, and promised to keep him and the government updated on plans for his burial and funeral rites.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









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Ralph Poku-Adusei, the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate for Bekwai Constituency in the Ashanti Region, has extended a helping hand to Muslim communities in Bekwai by donating essential food items during the ongoing Ramadan fast.



In a gesture of solidarity, Poku-Adusei presented 20 bags of sugar (50kg), 15 cartons of milk, 15 boxes of Lipton tea, and other necessities to support the 30-day fasting period.



The generous donation, aimed at aiding those observing Ramadan, will benefit communities such as Kensere, Kokofu, Bekwai, Dominase, Poano, Ntinanko, Wawase, Aniantentem, and Atwotwosu within the Bekwai Constituency.



Expressing the significance of Ramadan to Muslims both locally and globally, Poku-Adusei emphasized the importance of supporting those fasting during this sacred time.



He underscored the NPP's commitment to recognizing and respecting religious observances.



Upon receiving the donation, leaders of the Muslim community in Bekwai expressed their gratitude to Ralph Poku-Adusei and the NPP leadership in Bekwai, acknowledging the thoughtful gesture.



They assured fair distribution of the items to ensure that all fasting Muslims in the municipality receive assistance during the Ramadan.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Chiefs and people of Nyinahin-Mpasaaso have held a durbar to welcome the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) and Mytilineos S.A into the community.



This follows the selection and announcement of Mytilineos S.A as strategic partner to develop portions of Nyinahin bauxite resources and build a refinery, known as Project 3A.



Mytilineos is an industrial and energy multinational company, listed on the Athens Stock Exchange.



It was a euphoric atmosphere as the people of Nyinahin-Mpasaaso and surrounding communities thronged the durbar grounds to welcome senior executives of GIADEC and Mytilineos.



Omanhene of Mpasaso traditional area, Nana Tabiri Gyansah III and Bantamahene, Nana Baffuor Owusu Amankwatia VI who represented the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, graced the occasion.



Also in attendance were Isaac Kofi Marfo and Joseph Frimpong Bonsu, District Chief Executives of Atwima-Mponua, and Ahafo Ano South West respectively.



GIADECs 19-member committee of Mpasaaso and Nyinahene, the district police personnel and other key stakeholders within the area were also present for the big occasion.



Bantamahene Nana Baffuor Owusu Amankwatia VI, described the occasion as a historic event that will inspire hope in the people. He emphasized that the execution of Project 3A, which involves the development of a mine and a refinery, will boost the local economy and transform the lives of the people and communities.



He noted that the project has their emphatic support and made a passionate appeal to GIADEC and Mytilineos to consider, first, residents of the area for employment opportunities.



He further urged the partners on the project to conduct their operations in a manner that respects the culture of the people and upholds environmental standards.



The Omanhene of Mpasaso traditional area, Nana Tabiri Gyansah III on his part, reiterated the call on GIADEC and Mytilineos to prioritize the local people at every phase of the project. This, he said, would ensure that the project receive the buy-in of the people and give the partners the license to operate.



Chief Executive Officer of GIADEC, Mr. Michael Ansah thanked the Chiefs and people of Nyinahin-Mpasaaso for welcoming GIADEC and Mytilineos and assured them that local content which will involve using local artisans, sub-contractors and providing skills training for the youth was at the heart of the plans of both GIADEC and Mytilineos.



He emphasized that Mytilineos is a world class company with demonstrable experience and track record of upholding global environmental standards in their operations and has been carefully selected to lead execution of Project 3A, working with GIADEC. He added that Mytilineos can only succeed if the company gets the full support and co-operation from the chiefs and people of the area.



Mr. Ansah commended President Akufo-Addo for his relentless support, adding that the collaboration between Mytilineos and GIADEC, will play a major role in the realisation of the vision of developing an integrated aluminium industry in Ghana.



Administrative Director of Mytilineos, Dimitrios Kakarouchas stated that Mytilineos would leverage on the existing relationship built with the Ghanaian people over the years through the companys involvement in Ghanas energy sector and deepen their understanding of the people and local environment as they expand into metals. He said that Mytilineos would take initiatives that would empower the local communities, create quality job opportunities and stimulate economic activity.



After the durbar, the Chiefs joined the team from GIADEC and Mytilineos to climb up the hills for the symbolic opening and entry into the project site where Mytilineos will, first, undertake Mineral Resource Estimates (MRE) to establish the bauxite quantities.



The delegaton from GIADEC & Mytilineos S.A had earlier on Monday paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene at Manhyia Palace in Kumasi to introduce Mytilineos to Otumfuo.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Atik Mohammed has cautioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo against failing to assent to the anti-LGBTQ bill.



The bill passed by Parliament is to serve as a check on homosexual practices and offenders will face a six-month to 5-year imprisonment.



The bill however awaits the President's assent to become a law but the President has served notice to delay his assent citing an interlocutory application by some persons at the Supreme Court.



Supreme Court



The President cited a Supreme Court case by some persons in the country challenging the constitutionality of the bill.



Due to this, he has asked the nation to hold our hands, and await the decision of the Court before he takes any action.



I think it will serve little purpose to go, at this stage, into the details of the origin of this proposed law, which is yet to reach my desk. But, suffice it to say, that I have learnt that, today, a challenge has been mounted at the Supreme Court by a concerned citizen to the constitutionality of the proposed legislation.



In the circumstances, it would be, as well, for all of us to hold our hands, and await the decision of the Court before any action is taken. The operation of the institutions of the Ghanaian state will determine the future trajectory of the rule of law and human rights compliance in our country, portions of the statement dated March 4, 2024 further said.



President Cautions Parliament



The Office of the President has also written to Parliament to refrain from transmitting the Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values, commonly referred to as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, for his assent.



In a letter addressed to Parliament on Monday, March 18, and signed by the Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo, the letter emphasized that it would be improper for Parliament to proceed with transmitting the bill to President Akufo-Addo for any action until the matters before the court are addressed.



This office is aware of two pending applications for an order of interlocutory injunction, both filed on 7th March, 2024 in the Supreme Court in Dr. Amanda Odoi v. The Speaker of Parliament and The Attorney-General (J1/13/2023) and Richard Sky v. The Parliament of Ghana and The Attorney-General (J1/9/2024) respectively, to restrain you and Parliament from transmitting the Bill to the President and, also, to restrain the President from signifying his assent to the Bill, pending the final determination of the matter.



It is the understanding of this Office that both applications have also been duly served on Parliament. Therefore, it would be improper for you to transmit the Bill to the President and equally improper for this Office to receive the Bill until the Supreme Court determines the matters raised in the suitsIn the circumstances, you are kindly requested to cease and desist from transmitting the Bill to the President until the matters before the Supreme Court are resolved, portions of the letter read.





Atik Replies Akufo-Addo

But Atik Mohammed says the President's delaying tactics will have dire consequences for him and his New Patriotic Party.



"It has political effects and the person I cry for is Bawumia because whether the NPP likes it or not, this tag that they endorse LGBTQ is going to be a tag that will dog them for the entirety of this election and even beyond," he replied and questioned; "Is that what President Akufo-Addo wants to leave behind for Dr. Bawumia?"



The former PNC General Secretary further lambasted the President saying "a President who condones these activities in this country is not a President who is worth celebrating".



To him, "President Akufo-Addo is giving life to this gay issue. He's showing them that so long as I remain President, I am not someone who stifle your advocacy because my faith is that if you do well, it will be something Ghanaians will accept, meanwhile Ghanaians are saying we don't like this".



Atik Mohammed made these submissions on Peace FM's Thursday edition of "Kokrokoo" morning show.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah, a Governance Lecturer at the Central University, has slammed President Nana Akufo-Addo over his delay to assent to the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.



The bill, originally called the Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values, is to prohibit LGBTQ+ activities in Ghana and ensure nobody engages in any practice that breaches Ghanaian family values and sexual rights.



But the President says he will not sign the bill because there are pending cases in Supreme Court regarding the bill.



I think it will serve little purpose to go, at this stage, into the details of the origin of this proposed law, which is yet to reach my desk. But, suffice it to say, that I have learnt that, today, a challenge has been mounted at the Supreme Court by a concerned citizen to the constitutionality of the proposed legislation.



In the circumstances, it would be, as well, for all of us to hold our hands, and await the decision of the Court before any action is taken. The operation of the institutions of the Ghanaian state will determine the future trajectory of the rule of law and human rights compliance in our country, a statement dated March 4, 2024 said.



The President, in a letter, has also asked Parliament to refrain from transmitting the bill to him saying this office is aware of two pending applications for an order of interlocutory injunction, both filed on 7th March, 2024 in the Supreme Court in Dr. Amanda Odoi v. The Speaker of Parliament and The Attorney-General (J1/13/2023) and Richard Sky v. The Parliament of Ghana and The Attorney-General (J1/9/2024) respectively, to restrain you and Parliament from transmitting the Bill to the President and, also, to restrain the President from signifying his assent to the Bill, pending the final determination of the matter".



It is the understanding of this Office that both applications have also been duly served on Parliament. Therefore, it would be improper for you to transmit the Bill to the President and equally improper for this Office to receive the Bill until the Supreme Court determines the matters raised in the suitsIn the circumstances, you are kindly requested to cease and desist from transmitting the Bill to the President until the matters before the Supreme Court are resolved, parts of the letter read.



Dr. Otchere-Ankrah, speaking on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, expressed disappointment in the President stressing he is Ghana's problem.



"President Akufo-Addo has done some things for Ghana but at this point, he is the problem...I'm not comfortable with his actions as President...I respect him as President but at this point, he is our problem," he fumed.



Watch video below





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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

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Dr. John Kwabena Kwakye, Director of Research at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Ghana has urged Ghanaians not to vote for leaders who will depend on foreign aid rather than relying on the natural resources of the country to generate revenue for development.



According to Dr. Kwakye, leaders who solely depend on foreign aid should not been given the opportunity to be leaders in Ghana.



On his X platform, Dr. Kwakye said, We should reject political leaders who maintain that we are poor and have to go begging for Western aid or reparation. We cannot be poor when we have trillions of dollars of natural resource wealth underneath our feet.



"Political leaders who cannot promise to use our trillions of dollars of natural resources wealth to end our self-inflicted poverty musty be rejected at the 2024 polls.



As Ghanaians prepare to go to the polls on December 7, 2024, the prerequisite for the various leaders and candidates, according to Dr. Kwakye, should be the ability to harness the natural resources to bring economic freedom and stability to all Ghanaians.



He stressed, Our incoming political leaders must promise us that never again will they give away our mineral wealth cheaply to foreigners. Otherwise, we should reject them at the 2024 polls.





Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









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

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A Dillsburg man has been found guilty for crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021 riots in Washington, D.C.

A D.C. jury convicted Lynnwood Nester, 57, of entering and remaining inside a restricted building, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building, disorderly conduct in a capitol building and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a capitol building.

Nester arrived in the U.S. Capitol Building the morning of Jan. 6 alongside fellow defendants Michael Pomeroy, of Harrisburg; and Brian Korte, of York Haven.

Nester and Korte entered the Capitol through the second floor of the east side of the building at around 2:40 p.m. and lingered for around 10 minutes. Pomeroy followed them shortly after, but traveled around the rotunda. He left the building at around 3:05 p.m.

The three met and knew one another through Free PA, a political group that vows to protect and restore the rights of Pennsylvanians through ACTION, ACTION, ACTION!, according to its website. The FBI obtained a photo depicting Pomeroy, Korte and Nester with three other members of the group in Washington, D.C. wearing Free PA paraphernalia.

Two chapters of the group, in Lancaster County and Montgomery County, have been described as anti-government movements that are opposed to democracy by watchdogs, including the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Pomeroy pleaded guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a capitol building in May. District Judge Tanya Chutkan sentenced him to 30 days in prison and $500 in restitution.

Korte pleaded guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a capitol building in March. District Judge Tanya Chutkan sentenced him to 21 days in prison and $500 in restitution.
A Mechanicsburg Jan. 6 defendant will not get her sentence reduced in line with new sentencing rules, a judge has ordered.

Federal District Judge Amy Berman Jackson denied 25-year-old Riley Williams attempt to reduce her sentence Friday after considering arguments from federal prosecutors and Williams attorney.

Jackson found Williams conduct inside the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021 constituted the use of force, so she was not eligible for a reduction based on new sentencing rules.

A District of Columbia jury found Williams guilty of six offenses in November of 2022 related to her role as an accelerant in the Jan. 6 riots, barking commands, encouraging others to resist Capitol Polices attempts to secure the building, and even encouraging someone to steal Nancy Pelosis laptop.

Williams initially received three years in federal prison, to be served out at FCI Hazelton in West Virginia, at a sentencing hearing last spring. She is expected to be released from prison May 28, 2025; but had her sentence been reduced as requested, she could have been released in late November this year.

To meet the requirements of the new federal sentencing guidelines, Williams must have not used violence or credible threats of violence in connection with her convictions for her conduct at the United States Capitol Building on Jan. 6.

Williams lawyer, Lori Ulrich, argued Williams was not convicted of any assault-related offenses. Because of that, Ulrich said Williams cannot be denied access to a reconsideration of her sentence on the grounds the offense she committed was not a violent offense.

However, prosecutors argued the violent nature of the Jan. 6 attacks on the U.S. Capitol Building  combined with Williams own efforts to propel and direct that violence  disqualifies her.

Jackson formed her own determination based on the Williams trial jurys verdict. She said part of the crime of resisting or impeding federal officers includes the element of force, attempted use of force or threatened use of force against a federal officer or officers.

Jackson quoted Williams own words after the Jan. 6 insurrection:

I was right in front of the police calling them traitors. And they pushed against me. I just turned around and put my back against them and grabbed the guy in front of me and told him to push against me, Williams said, according to Jackson.

The new version of federal sentencing guidelines do not define use violence or usecredible threats of violence. So instead, Jackson said she referred to Blacks Law Dictionarys definition of violence as the use of physical force, usu[ally] accompanied by fury, vehemence, or outrage; esp[ecially] physical force unlawfully exercised with the intent to harm.

She said she believed that the resisting and impeding conviction, as the jury ruled, is enough to implicate Williams actions as violent or making credible threats of violence.

Ulrich said she was disappointed in the order, and indicated she would appeal the decision on Williams behalf.

The court and government continue to hold Riley accountable for things the Government did not prove, Ulrich said. This is compounded by the fact that she has received no credit for her post sentencing efforts.

During her sentencing hearing in March of 2023, Dalke and Gordon initially asked for Williams to be sentenced to 7, and then 5, years of prison, citing assault as an aggravated factor.

Williams was never tried for aggravated assault, however, and Judge Amy Jackson bit into the prosecution for pulling that charge at trial then arguing it should be factored in during sentencing.

Ulrich argued Williams good behavior in prison also supported a reduced sentence.

Williams is currently assigned to a landscaping job at prison, which includes lawn mowing, weed whacking and snow removal in the wintertime. She also takes out the trash from housing units.

Her most recent work performance report said Williams does superior work and would do well at a more demanding job. according to her attorneys.

Williams is enrolled in numerous classes at Hazelton and has earned several certificates during her stay. She tutors fellow inmates in English as a secondary language, and helps them prepare to take the GED. She also attends weekly chapel service on Sundays, according to Ulrich.

Williams paid $2,000 in restitution to the government as soon as possible, Ulrich said.

Williams only infractions at prison occurred when she wore sewn sweatpants, which is considered contraband, and when she attended recreation time despite having received a rec ban due to the sweatpants incident.
A Pennsylvania man and a women were both found guilty Thursday in the 2023 slaying of a Philadelphia teacher.

Zakkee Steven Alhakim, 34, and Julie Jean, 35, were both found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Rachel King. Each was sentenced to life in prison, NBC10 reported.

It took the Montgomery County jury only about 45 minutes to render the verdict, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

King was shot in front of her 11-year-old son while both were sitting in a car at a Dunkin drive-thru in Cheltenham Township, Montgomery County, on April 11. She was on her way to take her son to a violin lesson before school started. The child was not injured.

King was a seventh- and eighth-grade history teacher at Grover Cleveland Mastery Charter School in Tioga, Tioga County. She had worked there for 10 years.

Prosecutors said that Jean and Alhakim conspired to kill King. Jean had been having an affair with Kings fiance, William Hayes. When Hayes broke off the affair with Jean, she got angry and began plotting with Alhakim to kill King.

Vengeance can be a terrible thing, District Attorney Kevin Steele said during his closing statement. Vengeance in this case was deadly. Vengeance in this case took a life, the life of someone who did nothing wrong.

Prosecutors said that Jean gave Alhakim $500 the day before he purchased an untraceable ghost gun to use in the murder. Detectives also found a Google Maps screenshot showing Kings address on Alhakims phone. The screenshot had hand-drawn instructions on how to enter her apartment complex.

Jean also purchased a used Mercury Sable, that prosecutors said was used to follow and ambush King on the day of her murder, the Inquirer reported.

After the trial, Kings older sister, Ahyana, told the Inquirer that she looked forward to telling her nephew the outcome of the trial.

I get to hug him and tell him that the people who murdered his mother in cold blood were held accountable and will never get out of prison, she said. That will be the greatest hug.
A six-month investigation into claims of institutional racism at Lehigh Valley Health Network had led to sweeping changes in its human resources department, how the nonprofit handles discrimination complaints and how it will train employees about diversity.

The health network hired New York law firm King & Spalding to conduct the review after the publication of a scathing blog by former medical resident Robert Ray. Ray described being mistreated and misunderstood during his four-year residency on the way to becoming a doctor. He was the only Black person in his class, he wrote.

Ray said he changed from a model resident into a depressed and confused outcast whose complaints about institutional racism were ignored and who was shunned by his peers and managers. Human resources officers offered conflicting responses to his complaints, and he was repeatedly interrogated and shuffled from one HR representative to another while his concerns went unresolved, Ray wrote.

The King & Spalding investigation that was supposed to take six weeks wound up taking six months, according to health network spokesman Brain Downs. Downs said the investigation ended in January, and results were released internally to colleagues within the health network.

Downs said the investigation resulted in these recommendations, some of which have been implemented and others of which are in the process of being implemented:

Reorganizing the human resources department.

Revising the process for submitting and investigating concerns raised internally through the human resources department.

Creating a more senior Diversity, Equity and Inclusion position with involvement in leadership meetings to ensure high-level visibility and promote DEI initiatives.

Conducting robust, in-person interactive and educational sessions on inclusion and implicit and unconscious bias, as well as stereotypes and protected characteristics for LVHNs more than 23,000 colleagues.

Taking appropriate personnel action.

The health network will also revise its dress code policy with standards that prevent subjective interpretation. Ray was told he couldnt wear a Black Lives Matter hoodie due to the health network dress code despite numerous dress code violations by employees all around him. A Black Lives Matter bracelet also proved unpopular with colleagues, Ray wrote. Ray was the butt of some off-color racist jokes and comments by co-workers, his blog says.

Rays attorney, Marc Weinstein of Fort Washington, Pa., had no comment on the statement from Lehigh Valley Health Network concerning the investigation and its results.

After Ray completed his residency in 2023, he accepted a fellowship at the University of California-Davis to study toxicology.

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com.
Get your Pride flags ready.

Buffalos annual Pride Parade along Elmwood Avenue will be held on June 2, organizers announced Thursday.

The parade, which features colorfully decorated floats and costumed marchers, will be followed the same day by the Pride Festival at Canalside. The two events celebrating the LGBTQ+ community typically draw thousands of revelers to Elmwood Avenue and Canalside.

Organizers also announced that theyve changed the name from Buffalo Pride Week to Buffalo Pride to better recognize LGBTQ+ Pride happenings throughout June and year-round.

The parade and festival are hosted by Evergreen Health Foundation, an affiliate of Evergreen Health, and sponsored by Evergreen Health and M&T Bank.

Registration to participate in the parade opened on Thursday. Single marchers may register and march for free. Organizations who wish to participate agree to pay an entrance fee of $50 to $250. The money is used to offset parade expenses such as insurance, security, and supplies. Any profits from the parade and festival will be donated to the Pride Center of Western New York

The outpouring of support from the community during the Buffalo Pride Parade and Festival provides funding for vital resources and services the Pride Center of Western New York offers, Kelly Craig, the centers executive director, said in a statement. We thank all our community partners who support our mission, and we look forward to both signature events to celebrate our peers. Nows the time to celebrate what makes us all unique!

The theme of Buffalo Pride 2024 is Nows the Time.

The parade line-up will begin at 8 a.m. at Buffalo State University. Step off is at 11 a.m. at Elmwood and Forest avenues, and paraders will proceed along Elmwood for about 2 miles to Allen Street, in the heart of Buffalos Allentown neighborhood.

The Pride Festival will begin at 1 p.m. at Canalside. Guests and performers at the festival will be publicly announced later. For more information, visit buffalopride.org.
By MARCIA DUNN, AP Aerospace Writer

The sun is about to pull another disappearing act across North America, turning day into night during a total solar eclipse.

The peak spectacle on April 8 will last up to 4 minutes, 28 seconds in the path of total darkness  twice as long as the total solar eclipse that dimmed U.S. skies in 2017.

This eclipse will take a different and more populated route, entering over Mexicos Pacific coast, dashing up through Texas and Oklahoma, and crisscrossing the Midwest, mid-Atlantic and New England, before exiting over eastern Canada into the Atlantic.

An estimated 44 million people live inside the 115-mile-wide path of totality stretching from Mazatlan, Mexico to Newfoundland; about 32 million of them are in the U.S., guaranteeing jammed roads for the must-see celestial sensation.

The eclipse will allow many to share in the wonder of the universe without going very far, said NASAs eclipse program manager Kelly Korreck.

Heres what to know about Aprils extravaganza and how to prepare:

What happens during the total solar eclipse?

The moon will line up perfectly between the Earth and the sun, blotting out the sunlight. It will slice a diagonal line from the southwest to the northeast across North America, briefly plunging communities along the track into darkness.

Fifteen U.S. states will get a piece of the action, albeit two of them  Tennessee and Michigan  just barely.

Among the cities smack dab in the action: Dallas; Little Rock, Arkansas; Indianapolis, Cleveland; Buffalo, New York; and Montreal  making for the continents biggest eclipse crowd.

Dont fret if you dont have front-row seats. Practically everyone on the continent can catch at least a partial eclipse. The farther from the path of totality, the smaller the moons bite will be out of the sun. In Seattle and Portland, Oregon, about as far away as you can get in the continental U.S., one-third of the sun will be swallowed.

The 2024 total solar eclipse path crosses from Mexico, through the United States from Texas to Maine, and up through Canada. (NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio)NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio

Why is totality longer?

By a cosmic stroke of luck, the moon will make the months closest approach to Earth the day before the total solar eclipse. That puts the moon just 223,000 miles away on eclipse day.

The moon will appear slightly bigger in the sky thanks to that proximity, resulting in an especially long period of sun-blocked darkness.

Whats more, the Earth and moon will be 93 million miles from the sun that day, the average distance.

When a closer moon pairs up with a more distant sun, totality can last as long as an astounding 7-1/2 minutes. The last time the world saw more than seven minutes of totality was in 1973 over Africa. That wont happen again until 2150 over the Pacific.

How do I safely watch the eclipse?

Sunglasses wont cut it. Special eclipse glasses are crucial for safely observing the sun as the moon marches across the late morning and afternoon sky, covering more and more and then less and less of our star.

During totality when the sun is completely shrouded, its fine to remove your glasses and look with your naked eyes. But before and after, certified eclipse glasses are essential to avoid eye damage. Just make sure theyre not scratched or torn.

Cameras, binoculars and telescopes must be outfitted with special solar filters for safe viewing. Bottom line: Never look at an exposed sun without proper protection any day of the year.

Where are some eclipse watch parties near me?

Towns up and down the path of totality are throwing star parties. Festivals, races, yoga retreats, drum circles and more will unfold at museums, fairgrounds, parks, stadiums, wineries, breweries and even one of Ohios oldest drive-in movie theaters and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Besides looking up, you can attend a space prom in Texas Hill Country, get married at eclipse-themed ceremonies in Tiffin, Ohio, and Russellville, Arkansas, or brush up on moonwalking history at the Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio  Neil Armstrongs hometown.

As the eclipse unfolds, NASA will launch small rockets with science instruments into the upper atmosphere from Virginia and chase totalitys shadow from high-altitude planes. Satellites and the International Space Station crew will attempt to capture the show from space.

There will be numerous livestreams for those stuck with clouds or outside the path.

When is the next total solar eclipse?

Full solar eclipses occur every year or two or three, often in the middle of nowhere like the South Pacific or Antarctic. The next total solar eclipse, in 2026, will grace the northern fringes of Greenland, Iceland and Spain.

North America wont experience totality again until 2033, with Alaska getting sole dibs. Then thats it until 2044, when totality will be confined to Western Canada, Montana and North Dakota.

There wont be another U.S. eclipse, spanning coast to coast, until 2045. That one will stretch from Northern California all the way to Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Aside from Carbondale, Illinois, in the crosshairs of both the 2017 and 2024 eclipses, it usually takes 400 years to 1,000 years before totality returns to the same spot, according to NASAs Korreck.
A big change is coming to Subway restaurants in 2025.

The sandwich chain announced earlier via a press release its dropping Coca-Cola products in favor of rival PepsiCo. (Did anyone say soda wars?)

Pepsi will begin supplying 20,000 U.S. restaurants on Jan. 1, 2025 as part of a 10-year agreement, Subway announced. It will carry Pepsi, Pepsi Zero Sugar, Mountain Dew, Starry, Tropicana, Lipton, Aquafina, and Gatorade.

Subway franchisees will also have the option to offer an assortment of Gatorade beverages.

The chain said the new agreement underscores Subways commitment to delivering better food and a better guest experience, which includes ensuring the brands beverage offerings align with guest preferences across demographics.

Subway has been selling Coca-Cola products for about 20 years. The company said all of the restaurants will be supplied with new beverage equipment.

The partnership with PepsiCo is an exciting milestone in our journey to become Americas favorite place to eat, drink and work, said Doug Fry, president of Subway, North America. It is a win-win for everyone, as it brings a delicious suite of beverage and snack choices to our guests, driving additional consideration of these menu items, while also providing cost-effective, streamlined solutions to our franchisees.

Subway said it also extended its partnership with Frito-Lay, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PepsiCo.
Popular convenience store and gas station chain, Sheetz, has been sued.

The Pennsylvania-based company is facing accusations of negligence on behalf of the family of a man who was killed by a drunk driver.
MOSCOW (AP)  Several gunmen burst into a large concert hall on the edge of Moscow on Friday and sprayed visitors with automatic gunfire, killing at least 40 and injuring 100 others in an attack that came just days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on the country in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide.

There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the raid, which Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin described as a huge tragedy and which state authorities were investigating as an act of terrorism. It was the deadliest attack in Russia in years and came as the countrys war in Ukraine dragged into a third year.

Russias Federal Security Service, the main domestic security and counter-terrorism agency, said 40 people were killed and more than 100 were wounded in the attack at Crocus City Hall, a large music venue on Moscows western edge.

A Russian Rosguardia (National Guard) servicemen secures an area as a massive blaze seen over the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Dmitry Serebryakov)AP

Russian news reports said that the assailants threw explosives, triggering the massive blaze at the hall, which can accommodate 6,000. Video from outside showed the building on fire, with a huge cloud of smoke rising through the night sky. The street was lit up by the blinking blue lights of dozens of firetrucks, ambulances and other emergency vehicles.

The attack took place as crowds gathered for performance by Picnic, a famous Russian rock band. Russian news reports said concertgoers were being evacuated, but that an unknown number could have been trapped by the blaze.

The prosecutors office said several men in combat fatigues entered the concert hall and fired on concertgoers.

Extended rounds of gunfire could be heard in videos posted by Russian media and on Telegram channels. One showed two men with rifles moving through the venue. Another showed a man inside the auditorium and saying the assailants had set it on fire, as gunshots rang out incessantly in the background.

Police block the road to the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Dmitry Serebryakov)AP

A massive blaze is seen over the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Dmitry Serebryakov)AP

Other videos showed up to four attackers, armed with assault rifles and wearing caps, who were shooting screaming people at point-blank range.

Andrei Vorobyov, the governor of the Moscow region, said he was heading to the area and set up a task force to deal with the damage. He didnt offer further details.

Russian media reports said that riot police units were being sent to the area as people were being evacuated.
LURAY, Va. (AP)  Crews were battling scores of wildfires around Virginia on Thursday, including a fire affecting hundreds of acres at Shenandoah National Park, amid an elevated fire risk, officials said.

More than 100 new fires popped up Wednesday amid gusty winds and low relative humidity, affecting more than 2 1/2 square miles (6.47 square kilometers) across the state, many of them in the central part of the state, Virginia Department of Forestry spokesperson Cory Swift said by telephone.

Shenandoah County officials announced Thursday that five homes were lost due to a fire northwest of Strasburg, noting that the number may change as the area is assessed. Residents of homes that were not affected who evacuated may return, officials said in a news release. That fire and another large fire near Basye have been contained, and there are no known fatalities, officials said.

At least 16 fires were contained and hundreds of firefighters worked overnight to contain the others, Swift said. Amid high winds, officials were seeing some downed powerlines causing fires, he said.

A fire that started on private land in the Luray area of Page County spread very quickly into Shenandoah National Park, reaching about 450 acres (182.11 hectares) by Thursday morning, park spokesperson Claire Comer said by telephone. The majority of the fire is inside the 200,000-acre (80,937-hectare) park and is about 10% contained, she said. Officials are hoping for additional resources to arrive Thursday.

Bergton Volunteer Fire Company firefighter James Morris sprays water on a wildfire as it approaches a house on Brushy Run Road, Wednesday, March 20, 2024, in Bergton, Va. (Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record via AP)AP

Smoke from a wildfire closed about 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) of Skyline Drive, the park announced Wednesday. Fire also closed sections of the Appalachian Trail and a fire ban was in effect for all of Shenandoah National Park.

Page County officials declared a state of emergency Wednesday evening as several communities were asked to evacuate and county schools were closed Thursday. Louisa County also declared a state of emergency and recommended evacuations in some communities, but by evening the fires were contained, officials said.

The National Weather Services Baltimore-Washington said in a social media post Wednesday that if people smelled smoke outdoors numerous wildfires in the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding areas were the likely source.

Wildfires were also reported in neighboring Maryland and West Virginia on Wednesday.

Crews contained a 60-acre fire in a wooded area in Barnesville, Maryland, in northwestern Montgomery County, that was believed to have been started by a downed power line, county Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson Pete Piringer said in a social media post. Another fire that broke out in a wooded area in Silver Spring on Wednesday night was visible from the Capital Beltway, he said.

Conditions were expected to be less elevated Thursday and precipitation expected in the region Friday could help dampen fuels and soak the ground, Swift said.

A wildfire burns in western Rockingham County above Peake Mountain Road, Wednesday, March 20, 2024, near Rawley Springs, Va. (Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record via AP)AP

In West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice declared a state of emergency Thursday in the northeastern counties of Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, and Pendleton. The move was meant to ensure the allocation of necessary resources and to expedite emergency response efforts, the governors office said in a statement.

In Hardy County, an undetermined number of structures have burned from wind-whipped flames, according to a Facebook post from the Bruceton Brandonville Volunteer Fire Department. The department, located in Preston County, has sent a small crew to Hardy County to assist.
By Alexandra Skores, The Dallas Morning News (TNS)

A passenger under the influence on an American Airlines flight to Tampa, Florida, got booted off after he allegedly stated he would take this plane down, along with other problematic language.

On Tuesday, Shail Nitin Patel, 29, was aboard American flight 2506 leaving Tampa and heading to Philadelphia when he began causing a scene while intoxicated, much of which was posted in videos on social media where he stated an antisemitic slur and other aggressive language.

According to American, law enforcement was requested to the aircraft due to the disturbance.

An affidavit from Hillsborough County in Florida says Patel was erratically yelling and cursing at the passengers. While on the plane, Patel said, (expletive) you blue-eyed, white devils, the affidavit read. Im gonna take this plane down with all you (expletive) on it.

He spit on another passenger and hit him in the hand and face, the affidavit said. Patel was slurring his speech and had bloodshot eyes, that paired with a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath, the affidavit said.

Passengers on the plane detained him until law enforcement could handcuff and place Patel under arrest. He was charged with three misdemeanors: disorderly intoxication and two counts of battery.

The flight was delayed 30 minutes because of Patels outburst. He is scheduled to appear in a Tampa courtroom for an arraignment on April 1.

According to the FAA, there have been 411 reports of unruly passengers in 2024 as of March 17. Last year, there were 2,075 reports of unruly passengers on U.S. flights.

More:

Delta flight diverts to Pa. airport after reporting engine problem

HIA to lose airline that provided direct flight to Florida

Passenger charged after asking flight attendants to join mile high club: feds
A western Pennsylvania woman has been charged in the drowning death of her 1-year-old son in a backyard pool last year.

Brittany Garrison, a 28-year-old Etna resident, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person, Allegheny County police said in a Thursday statement.
Police are looking for a 17-year-old boy who they say shot a man Thursday night in York County.

Northern York County Regional Police found a 38-year-old man suffering a gunshot wound on his left arm near his shoulder at about 5:17 p.m. Thursday in the Meadow Run Mobile Home Park, located at 5145 Susquehanna Trail.

Witnesses identified the shooter as a teenage boy from Philadelphia nicknamed Kato.

Investigators were able to identify Kato as Lysias Jesus Delgado, 17, of Philadelphia.

Police said Delgado had been staying at the mobile home park for several months until he got into an argument with the victim early Thursday.

During the argument, the victim told him he needed to leave. Delgado left the area at an unknown time and returned with two other people in a white Dodge Durango at 5:16 p.m.

During a fight between the victim, Delgado, and a woman who was with the teen, Delgado pulled out a black handgun, pointed it at the victims head, and fired.

Delgado and the other occupants of the Durango fled the scene. There is no registration information available for the vehicle.

Police said the man is currently in stable condition after being transported by EMS to York Hospital.

Delgado has been charged as an adult with criminal attempt homicide, aggravated assault, firearms not to be carried without a license, possession of a firearm by a minor, recklessly endangering another person, and simple assault with a deadly weapon.

Anyone with information on the shooting and the whereabouts of Delgado is asked to call 911 or Northern York County Regional police tip line at 717-467-8355 or email tips@nycrpd.org.
By Jade Campos, LNP, Lancaster, Pa. (TNS)

East Hempfield Township supervisors plan to discuss pulling township funding from Lancaster Public Library if the it hosts its scheduled Drag Queen Story Hour event Saturday.

Four of the five supervisors said during a meeting this week that taxpayer money should not go toward the library if it hosts political events. The board is expected to discuss the issue at at a meeting 7 p.m. April 3 at the township municipal building on Nissley Road.

The library is indeed an independent organization, and they do not need our permission or our blessing in how they run their operation, said supervisor Scott Wiglesworth, who introduced the plan. However, the Drag Queen Story Hour is a radical change in direction on the librarys behalf, and you simply cannot head down this path and enter into the political arena and still expect to receive taxpayer dollars.

East Hempfield allocated $26,700 to Lancaster Public Library this year. Manager Cindy Schweitzer said the money has not been distributed yet, as donations are usually paid during the third quarter of the year.

FILE: In this 2017 photo, "Lil Miss Hot Mess" reads to children during a Drag Queen Story Hour at the Brooklyn Public Library in New York. (AP Photo | Mary Altaffer, file)Associated Press

The story hour has gained significant attention in the past several weeks after Republican Lancaster County Commissioners Josh Parsons and Ray DAgostino called attention to the event on social media and at public meetings. They said the program is inappropriate for children and have called for its cancellation, suggesting the county might consider pulling its own library funding, which is funneled through the Library System of Lancaster County.

Berks County resident Christopher Paolini will sing songs and read childrens books under his drag persona Miss Amie at the library Saturday. Paolini has hosted Drag Queen Story Hour as Miss Amie throughout the region for years.

Republican East Hempfield supervisors Tom Bennett, Scott Russell and Roger Brubaker said the township should no longer give the library money if it hosts the story hour.

The only thing were saying here is that were stewards of our tax dollars that people in the township provide us. Those dollars need to be used for something better than this, Bennett said.

Bob Johnson, the boards lone Democrat, offered the only dissenting opinion. He said he would vote against defunding the library. Johnson said he would support any decision on the part of the library to host an event that generates community interest.

Boards like us should not be telling the library what types of programs to select, Johnson said.

A few township residents Wednesday spoke in support of the boards plan, including Wendy Voulopos, who shared concerns about the story hour at two county commissioners meetings this week. She suggested the township attach conditions for use to its money if it decides to donate to the library in the future.

This has nothing to do with how I feel about people that identify as other things or have other interests. I dont care about what people do in their private time. I care a lot about where my tax money is going, Voulopos said.

Wiglesworth and Bennett said Thursday theyve heard from a number of residents opposed to the story hour. Johnson said he hasnt heard any resident concerns yet.

Lancaster Public Library Executive Director Lissa Holland was not available for comment Thursday, though she has said the library stands by its decision to host the story hour.

Holland also has emphasized how difficult it would be for the library to lose money from any of its funding sources. Most local libraries in Lancaster County fundraise a majority of their own budgets.

The events supporters and detractors have shared their thoughts with county commissioners at meetings over the last couple of weeks. The attention caused a surge in sign-ups for the story hour, and the library had to add a second sitting for the event to accommodate the hundreds of families that registered to participate.

Lancaster Pride will host a peaceful event outside the library in Ewell Plaza in the 100 block of North Queen Street on Saturday to support participating families.

A Lancaster County Moms for Liberty chapter member plans to hold an opposing event across the street in Binns Park for praying over our city, our state, our nation, lifting it up in song and in worship.
So-called Never-Trumper Mark Cuban was spotted cozying up to President Joe Biden at a Dallas fundraiser this week after previously backing Nikki Haley.

The billionaire Shark Tank investor told ABC News he attended the private Wednesday night event with the president, saying he wanted to show [his] support and say hi to Biden.
Manhattan on the cheap

Heres one elected official who went out of his way to safeguard taxpayer dollars  with a little help from mom.

At a recent Clarence Town Board meeting, members voted to approve the request of Council Member Peter DiCostanzo to attend last months meeting of the Association of Towns of the State of New York. The four-day session was held in New York City.

The Town Board agreed to pay all of DiCostanzos travel expenses, per town policy, but meeting minutes included this note:

On the question, Councilman DiCostanzo stated he will be staying with his mother to save money as the hotels costs were high.

This frugal gesture caught our eye, so we reached out to the council member himself to learn more.

Im a CPA by trade, which stands not just for Certified Public Accountant but also Cheapest People Alive, DiCostanzo said in an email.

DiCostanzo said he grew up on Long Island, and worked in New York City for four years after college, and his mother and sister still live on Long Island.

He stayed with his mother for three nights instead of at the New York Marriott Marquis in midtown Manhattan, the hotel that hosted the conference and where a recent check showed rooms starting at $600 a night.

It did take me back to 1989-1993 when I rode the Long Island Railroad into Penn Station five days a week, he wrote. Happy that commuting torture is behind me. People in WNY have no idea how good they have it with a half-hour rush hour. 

 Stephen T. Watson

A diss best served cold

You can bring Irish to the state comptroller, but you cant make him eat like an Irishman.

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli killed two birds with one stone last Friday when he came to Buffalo. He participated in a news conference in the morning with Erie County District Attorney John Flynn regarding the arrest of a former deputy county clerk, accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer money. And he participated in the annual Buffalo Irish Center luncheon, which kicks off a weekend St. Patricks Day festivities and doubles as a huge political networking event.

Flynn set up the news conference for 11:15 a.m., which made all participating, green-tie-wearing elected officials late for the Buffalo Irish Center luncheon. When one of them complained that they were going to miss out on the corned beef as they headed for the elevators, DiNapoli quipped: I never eat the corned beef at these things. Its not lasagna.

 Sandra Tan

Take THAT, Amherst

You know times are tough in Amherst when Town Board meetings become synonymous with unpleasant political drama and barbs even when the drama has nothing to do with Amherst at all.

At a recent meeting of the Erie County Legislature, when elected leaders were debating the need to hire an outside auditor to figure out money issues in the County Clerks Office, some tense exchanges resulted in assertions of resentment, insults and disservice to taxpayers.

When a question was asked of Comptroller Kevin Hardwick after some lengthy discussion and debate, he responded with some confusion and an overarching observation.

We support the resolution thats before us, and I think thats what were talking about, Hardwick said. I feel like I went to the County Legislature caucus and an Amherst Town Board meeting broke out. Were all over the place.

 Sandra Tan
By Mike Catalini, The Associated Press

TRENTON, N.J.  U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey said Thursday he wont run in the Democratic primary as he faces federal corruption charges, but he left open the possibility that he would reenter the race as an independent later this year if he is exonerated at a trial.

Menendezs announcement comes four days before a state deadline to file to run in the June 4 Democratic primary thats already being contested by Rep. Andy Kim and New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy. The almost 10-minute video shows Menendez speaking about his decades in Congress, pushing for aid for his state, including for Superstorm Sandy recovery and COVID-19 relief.

The present accusations I am facing of which I am innocent and will prove so will not allow me to have that type of dialogue and debate with political opponents, he said in a video posted on social media. You deserve to hear from those who wish to represent you about what they would do for you and your families in the future. Therefore I will not file for the Democratic party this June.

Menendez said hes hopeful that he will be exonerated at trial and could run as an independent Democrat in the general election.

The decision comes as Menendez fights federal bribery charges, along with his wife, Nadine, and three business associates.

Menendez and his spouse are charged with taking bribes of gold bars, cash and a Mercedes-Benz in return for the senators help with projects pursued by three New Jersey businessmen. In return for the haul, Menendez helped one of the men get a lucrative meat-certification deal with Egypt, taking actions favorable to the Egyptian government, according to prosecutors. An additional indictment said Menendez helped another associate get a deal with a Qatari investment fund.

The senator, his wife and two of the three business associates have pleaded not guilty. One of the business associates has pleaded guilty and agreed to testify in the case.

Menendezs retreat from the Democratic primary sets the stage for Murphy and Kim to vie to be the partys standard bearer in a deep blue state that hasnt elected a Republican to the Senate since 1972.

Murphy is a first-time candidate whos running with the backing of influential party insiders. Kim is a three-term congressman whos centered his campaign in part on upending the states unique ballot design, widely viewed as favoring candidates preferred by county party insiders.

I will win in November even if I have to beat Menendez and a Republican simultaneously, Kim said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Murphy said in a post on X that the state needs a senator focused on issues confronting families in New Jersey.

Senator Menendez continues to place himself ahead of whats best for New Jerseyans and the Democratic Party as a whole. He shouldnt have the privilege of serving in the Senate in any capacity, she said.

The stakes are high, with Democrats competing to hold on to their narrow control of the Senate.

Republicans have their own primary unfolding, featuring southern New Jersey businessman Curtis Bashaw, Mendham Borough Mayor Christine Serrano Glassner and former TV news reporter Alex Zdan.

Menendez, whos serving a third full term in the Senate, has been elected to office at every level in the state. His stature among Democrats withstood an earlier federal corruption trial that ended in a hung jury and saw him reelected in 2018 with the full-throated endorsement of his party.

This time, though, Democrats called for his resignation soon after the Justice Departments case was unsealed. The day after the first indictment in September, Kim announced his campaign.

Menendez, who has espoused a defiant tone since the indictment was announced, mingled that with conciliation in his more than nine-minute video.

I know many of you are hurt and disappointed in me with the accusations Im facing, he said. Believe me, I am disappointed at the false accusations as well. All I can ask of you is to withhold judgment until justice takes place.

The son of Cuban immigrants and an attorney by training, Menendez was a Union City, New Jersey, school board member at age 20 and went on to become the mayor of the city, where he still has deep roots.

His own biography touts the fact that he wanted to fight corruption early in his political career, testifying against Union City officials and building a reputation as tough. From there, he was elected to the state Assembly, then the state Senate before heading to the U.S. House.

FILE - U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., asks a question during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)AP

Menendez was appointed to be a U.S. senator in 2006 when the seat opened up after Jon Corzine, the incumbent at the time, became governor.

He was elected outright in 2006 and again in 2012 and 2018. He served as chair of the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee beginning in 2013, but lost that post after the earlier indictment. He regained the position after federal prosecutors did not renew charges in that case, which ended in a mistrial.

He again was forced to give up that position after he was indicted in 2023.
Ontario has struck a tentative deal with the federal government to drop the Highway 413 project's designation under Ottawa's impugned Impact Assessment Act. Ontario Premier Doug Ford makes an announcement about building transit and highways in Bowmanville, Ont., Friday, May 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Vincent Elkaim
Bradley Lohr parked along Elmwood Avenue last July intending to pick up his daughter Sydney, a 21-year-old college student, after she wrapped up a shift waiting tables at Coles restaurant.

Instead, Lohr experienced a fathers worst nightmare come true, witnessing an SUV barrel into his daughter as she tried to cross Elmwood, near Forest Avenue.

Sydney Lohr was rushed to Erie County Medical Center in an ambulance and died the next day from her injuries.

On Friday, more than eight months after the crash, Mohammed Tanbir, 26, of Buffalo, was arraigned in Buffalo City Court on felony charges related to heavily tinted windows on the 2023 BMW he was driving when he hit Lohr.

In New York State, it is illegal to drive a vehicle with a windshield or front side window that blocks more than 30% of light, although the Department of Motor Vehicles will grant exemptions for people with certain medical conditions that make it necessary, such as albinism, chronic actinic dermatitis and xeroderma. Applications for exemptions must include a signed physicians statement.

In 2020, 2021 and 2022, Tanbir applied for and received a medical exemption from the DMV to use tinted windows, according to the Erie County District Attorneys Office.

Prosecutors concluded that the tinted windows did not contribute to the deadly crash.

But they also found evidence that Tanbir had submitted falsified forms to the DMV.

Prosecutors accused him of intending to defraud by submitting forms stating he had a medical condition and falsifying a doctors signature on the forms.

Tanbir, who pleaded not guilty on Friday, could face as much as seven years in prison if convicted on three counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, which are felonies.

The Lohr family was very thankful for the efforts of the Buffalo police and the District Attorneys Office in investigating the matter, said Michael T. OConnor, an attorney who represents Sydneys father and mother, Bridget.

But OConnor said the family strenuously disagrees with the DAs conclusion that the tinted windows were not a factor in the crash.

We think, and our investigation has determined, that the illegal window tints absolutely contributed to and had a part in the happening of this accident, said OConnor. It was at night. It was raining out, and he had these tints on his windows that youre not supposed to have.

OConnor said Sydney Lohr was wearing a white shirt that night and theres absolutely no reason why Tanbir, had he been looking and had those tints not been in place, shouldnt have seen her. Theres absolutely every reason he should have.

Tanbir was heading southbound on Elmwood Avenue around 11 p.m. Brad Lohr was parked curbside on Elmwood waiting for his daughter, who was working over the summer to make money before heading back to St. Lawrence University for her senior year as an honors student, according to OConnor.

He was there to pick her up from work and went through unspeakable, just unimaginable grief, said OConnor.

Tanbir is scheduled to return to court April 17 for a felony hearing. He was released on his own recognizance.

District Attorney John J. Flynn in a news release commended the work of Confidential Criminal Investigator Bob Bebak in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Brian P. Dassero of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau.

In addition to the felony charges, Tanbir also faces pending violations of New York vehicle and traffic laws for having illegally tinted windows and for failing to use caution around a pedestrian, said OConnor.
Hear From the Lawmaker Who Wants to Grow Online Poker in Pennsylvania

March 21, 2024 Connor Richards Editor & Live Reporter U.S.

Shared liquidity in online poker may be coming to Pennsylvania thanks to a state lawmaker's efforts to "nudge" Governor Josh Shapiro into entering the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA).

While there is technically nothing stopping Pennsylvania from entering the multi-state compact with Nevada,New Jersey, Delaware, Michigan and West Virginia, House Bill 2078, introduced by State Rep. George Dunbar, would initiate the process through the legislative body rather than relying on action from the governor.

"This action, also known as 'shared liquidity', is critical to a healthy online poker system," Dunbar wrote in a memorandum to his fellow House members on Feb. 14. "Much like what we have seen with multistate lottery contests, joining MSIGA will mean more players in the overall player pool. This makes for bigger tournaments allowing operators to offer bigger guarantees."

Dunbar, who himself is a poker player, recently spoke with PokerNews ambassador and Twitch streamer Keith "AccidentalGrenade" Becker about his efforts to bring shared liquidity to The Keystone State and its 13 million residents.

Learn More About Poker In Pennsylvania!

"Shared Liquidity is a Big Thing"

Dunbar, a Republican, has poker roots that date back to his childhood. "I've always been a poker player. Even as a little kid playing for pennies."

In the 1990s, Dunbar began playing on online sites like partypoker and Full Tilt Poker and "was pretty relatively successful then" before Black Friday shut down online poker in the US.

"I had quite a bit of dollars tied up when Black Friday came, but the DOJ did make me whole eventually."

It was Dunbar's experience with Black Friday that encouraged him to write HB 271 in 2017, a bill that legalized and regulated online poker and casino games in Pennsylvania. Now, Dunbar wants Pennsylvania to have a shared online poker pool.

"If you are a poker player, it means a lot. I am a poker player, and there's a huge difference between playing a $20 or $30 buy-in tournament with 600 people in it and a few thousand people in it," Dunbar said. "There's a world of difference there."

"I had quite a bit of dollars tied up when Black Friday came."

"Shared liquidity is a big thing for poker tournaments. Sharing that liquidity with other states makes higher payouts, higher win amounts. It's very much like Powerball and the lottery."

Growing Poker in Pennsylvania

Not only would Pennsylvania joining MSIGA be good for poker players, it would also be good for the state as a whole, according to Dunbar, who argued that Pennsylvania could return to being at the top of the list of revenue generated from poker" after falling behind New Jersey.

"So for Pennsylvania taxpayers, it's more revenue," he said. "It's not substantial; it's not earth-shattering. But it is more."

While Dunbar noted that gambling legislation "is not something that I think is high on (Gov. Shapiro's) priority list," he added that "it's something he could do easily" and that he doesn't see any hurdles in the way of his bill passing through both legislative bodies.

"Nobody's opposed. There's no reason to be opposed, to be honest with you."

"My colleagues that play poker, they all know and they're all supportive because we play poker together, just like any other place where there's 200 people together, you find people who have a shared interest ... But nobody's opposed. There's no reason to be opposed, to be honest with you."

Dunbar encouraged Pennsylvania residents who are interested in supporting HB 2078 to reach out to the governor's office, their local representatives and House Majority Leader Matthew Bradford, who Dunbar noted is a poker player.

"He does play poker," said Dunbar, "because I've played poker with Matt."

The poker industry site Pokerfuse is calling on poker players in Pennsylvania to bring awareness to the bill by using the hashtag #GrowPApoker on social media and by contacting state officials.

Pennsylvania Online Tournament Calendar

As PokerNews is the best place for everything poker-related in the Keystone State, we're excited to introduce the Online Poker Tournament Calendar.

Designed with the needs of Pennsylvania's poker community in mind, this dynamic widget provides players with up-to-date information on the latest tournaments for you to play. Why not check it out below?
The EAPT Takes a 200,000 Gtd Main Event to Malta This April

March 22, 2024 Matthew Pitt Senior Editor

The Casino Portomaso is the location for the next stop on the popular EAPT, with the tour calling it home from April 5-10. The 2024 EAPT Malta festival features five action-packed tournaments, including the 200,000 guaranteed Main Event, which the PokerNews Live Reporting team is bringing you all of the action from.

EAPT Malta's Main Event features six Day 1s, including a pair of turbo-structures flights, each costing 560 to enter. Each EAPT Malta Main Event Day 1 plays until only 15% of the field remains, with those surviving players progressing to Day 2 with a min-cash locked up. Levels on Day 1 last 40-minutes, with the turbo-structured Day 1s featuring 20-minute levels.

Unlimited re-entries are permitted until late registration closes, which is after the sixth level for Day 1A-1D, and after Level 9 on both turbos.

In addition to having a 200,000 guaranteed prize pool, the 2024 EAPT Malta Main Event awards the top five finishers a 5,000 package to the EAPT Grand Final in Cyprus. The EAPT Grand Final is a $2,200 buy-in, $2 million guaranteed affair held at the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel in North Cyprus from May 4.

Follow the EAPT Malta updates from Apr. 8 Live updates here!

EAPT Malta Schedule

Date Time Event Guarantee Fri 5 Apr 12:00 p.m. 120 NLHE Flight to MPP Day 1A 50,000 5:00 p.m. 120 NLHE Flight to MPP Day 1B 50,000 8:00 p.m. 120 NLHE Flight to MPP Day 1 Turbo 50,000 Sat 6 Apr 12:00 p.m. NLHE Flight to MPP Day 1C 50,000 5:00 p.m 120 NLHE Flight to MPP Day 1D 50,000 8:00 p.m. 120 NLHE Flight to MPP Day 1 Turbo 50,000 Sun 7 Apr 12:00 p.m. Flight to MPP Day 2 50,000 1:00 p.m. 120 PLO Bounty Mon 8 Apr 12:00 p.m. 560 NLHE Main Event Day 1A 200,000 5:00 p.m. 560 NLHE Main Event Day 1B 200,000 9:00 p.m. 560 NLHE Main Event Day 1 Turbo 200,000 Tue 9 Apr 12:00 p.m. 560 NLHE Main Event Day 1C 200,000 5:00 p.m. 560 NLHE Main Event Day 1D 200,000 9:00 p.m. 560 NLHE Main Event Day 1 Turbo 200,000 Wed 10 Apr 12:00 p.m. Main Event Day 2 200,000 2:00 p.m. 1,100 NLHE High Roller 25,000 2:00 p.m. 120 NLHE Closer 10,000

EAPT Malta Main Event Satellites

Those with access to EA Poker online can play their way to a 1,650 EAPT Malta Festival ME package. This package awards its worthy winner a 560 entry to the EAPT Malta Main Event and five nights' accommodation at the five-star Hilton Malta Hotel. These phase satellites start at only 1.65 and feed into the 165 buy-in final.

If you don't live in a country where EA Poker is available, several satellites run at Casino Portomaso through the EAPT Malta festival.

It is possible to purchase EAPT Malta packages using Luxon Pay via the official EAPT website. Five nights in a single room at the Hilton Malta and the EAPT Malta Main Event seat costs 1,650, with a double room package available for 1,880.

Stay tuned to PokerNews throughout the EAPT Malta festival as we bring you all the updates you can handle from the 200,000 guaranteed Main Event.

Sharelines The EAPT heads to the Casino Portomaso for the 2024 edition of the EAPT Malta festival.
PokerNews Podcast: Nik Airball 20-Minute Tank, Pet Peeves & Corey Eyring's Quest for $1,000,000

March 22, 2024 Chad Holloway PR & Media Manager

In the 822nd episode of the PokerNews Podcast, which is sponsored by WPT Global, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz & Kyna England come to you from Level 9 Studios in Las Vegas to discuss the latest poker news, stories, and gossip.

That includes Nik Airball's 20-minute tank in a big hand on The Lodge Poker Live Stream, which prompted Doug Polk to take action. That led to a discussion on pet peeves at the table, and in Mike's case, the pet part is quite literal.

The crew also plays the first edition of PokerNews Plinko, discusses Chad's poker thrift store "Tweet of the Week," and talks about the current state of poker given Bitcoin is at an all-time high. From there, they dive into the wild journey of poker vlogger Corey Eyring, who is risking his entire net worth in an attempt to win $500,000 by the end of the year. Whatever amount he ends up with, the plan is to place it all on a single roulette bet of either red or black. Chad chatted with Eyring about his crazy quest and highlighted various clips throughout the episode.

Finally, the crew once again touches on Kevin Martin's 24/7 stream while attempting to win $5,000 playing online, which came to an unceremonius end.

Did you know the PokerNews Podcast is no longer just audio? That's right, we've added a video show as well that you can view on the PokerNews YouTube Channel.

Time Stamps

Time Topic 00:21 Welcome to Episode #822 00:49 Nik Airball has been in the house 05:53 Nik Airball tanks for 20 minutes 10:01 Sponsor: WPT Global 11:00 When do you call the clock? 13:24 Would Nik Airball be good for Game of Gold? 14:40 What are your pet peeves at the table 15:58 Fake service dogs at the poker table 17:38 Kyna hates guys who put chips in a certain way 18:48 Yoh Viral with all the swagger 21:08 Kyna mad at a dealer 21:41 Kyna a little bit of a Karen at the table 26:20 PokerNews Plinko 30:13 Who is Corey Eyring? 31:13 Hoping to put $500,000 on red or black 33:19 Preview of Corey Eyrings poker vlog 36:35 Degen-ing 38:39 Coreys degen & grandma stories 40:06 Mike & Chad play against Corey on Poker Night in America 41:06 Giggle fits 42:00 Poker Thrift Store Tweet of the Week 46:37 Bitcoin at an all-time high = good for poker 47:01 Big Huni ahead of the Bitcoin curve 47:40 Kevin Martin calls it quits after 500 hours of 24/7 streaming 48:19 What is Team Hot Dog?

Check out Chad's full interview with Corey Eyring here:

Tell us who you want to hear from. Let us know what you think of the show  tweet about the podcast using #PNPod, and be sure to follow Chad Holloway, Kyna England, and Mike Holtz on X.

Subscribe to the PokerNews Podcast on Apple Podcasts here!

Check Out Past Episodes of the PN Podcast Here!

*Image courtesy of Poker Night in America.

Sharelines PokerNews Podcast Episode No. 822: Nik Airball tanks for 20 minutes, Corey Eyring's quest for $1M.
Another 12 levels of play are in the books at 888poker LIVE Bucharest, where a trio of 888poker Ambassadors joined the field on Day 1b of the 560 Main Event.

A total of 69 new entries were recorded, bringing the tournament total to 179 over the first two flights at 888poker Room Bucharest. Thursdays 27 survivors will join the 34 players from Day 1a, with two more opening flights to come on Friday, March 22.

Everyone will be chasing a piece of the 200,000 prize pool when the field combines for Day 2 on Saturday, March 23, but there is plenty of action to play out before then.

For the second straight day, Romanians took control of the leaderboard with Stefan Toderita taking top spot after bagging 369,000 chips. That currently sits second overall after Ran Shahar amassed 427,500 chips on Day 1a.

The chip lead changed hands several times over the last few hours of the night, with Andrei Miron, Stefan Gheorghe and 2023 CNP 888 National Champion Pedro Gonzalez all holding the advantage through the later levels. Alexandru Lupuleac made a late charge to round out the top five spots.

Day 1b Top 10 Chip Counts

Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Stefan Toderita Romania 369,000 185 2 Andrei Miron Romania 263,000 132 3 Stefan Gheorghe Romania 224,000 112 4 Pedro Gonzalez Spain 175,500 88 5 Alexandru Lupuleac Romania 173,000 87 6 Claudiu Burlacu Romania 160,500 80 7 Vivian Saliba Brazil 144,500 72 8 Sorin Flutur Romania 143,500 72 9 Dumitrache Mihai Romania 136,000 68 10 Popescu Corneliu Romania 136,000 68

Vivian Saliba

Three of the 888poker Ambassadors took their first shot on Day 1b, with Vivian Saliba leading the way after collecting 144,500 chips. Saliba was very short at one point, but flopped a set to regain some ground a rebuild from there.

Lucia Navarro also found a bag at the end of the night, carrying 105,500 into Day 2. Fellow Ambassador Ian Simpson was not as fortunate, busting after the final break of the night. Simpson told PokerNews that he will be back on Friday to take another shot at Main Event glory.

Ian Simpson

Day 1c will begin at 3 p.m. local time, with players looking to survive twelve 45-minute levels for a spot in Day 2. The turbo Day 1d flight gets underway at 9 p.m. local time and features 20-minute levels. Action will be streamed on the 888poker Twitch and YouTube channels, beginning at 3:30 p.m. local time.

Everyone with chips at the end of both flights will return on Saturday, March 23, to combine with the rest of the remaining players and battle through the bubble. The event continues with unlimited reentries, while late registration remains available until the start of Day 2.

The tournament will then award the 888poker trophy on Sunday, March 24, and the PokerNews team will be on hand to bring you all of the exciting action here in Bucharest.
During the vote on the government funding bill, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) handed a resolution to the parliamentarian after threatening to file a motion to vacate against Speaker Johnson.

Jake Sherman of Punchbowl News posted:

BREAKING NEWS  MTG chatting with the floor staff, just handed a piece of paper with a resolution to the parliamentarian staff. She threatened earlier to file a motion to vacate.@bresreports and i just witnessed it. To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily.  Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) March 22, 2024

Greene did file a motion to vacate against Johnson.

Before the vote, Greene was complaining on the House floor about the government funding bill:

No Republican in good conscience can vote for the uniparty minibus. This is not a Republican bill. It is a Chuck Schumer, Democrat-controlled bill coming from the Republican-controlled House. The Speaker of the House should not bring it to the floor. pic.twitter.com/EGosNo5Sz7  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) March 22, 2024

Greene has been threatening Speaker Johnson for months, but House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries opened the door to potentially saving Johnson on a motion to vacate if he agrees to a vote on aid for Ukraine, Democrats wouldnt vote as a caucus to keep Johnson, but Jeffries would likely allow members to vote their conscience, which would allow some Democrats in red districts the freedom to vote to keep Johnson around, and that would probably be enough to save him.

The motion to vacate would throw the House back into chaos, but it appears that is what is going to happen as allies of Greenes are telling reporters to tune in to the House floor.

Things may be about to get very interesting in the House.

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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.
NBC News hired former RNC Chair and Trump defender Ronna McDaniel to appear as a commentator on NBC and MSNBC.

The New York Times reported:

Ronna McDaniel, who stepped down as chairwoman of the Republican National Committee this month, is joining NBC News as an on-air contributor, the network said on Friday.

The hire adds a reliably conservative voice to NBCs stable of political analysts. Ms. McDaniel is also expected to provide commentary on MSNBC, NBCs left-leaning cable cousin and a network that former President Donald J. Trump and his allies often accuse of being an arm of the Democratic Party.

Why NBC would think that MSNBC viewers want to see or hear from Ronna McDaniel is a question that deserves answers. The reality is that the first time McDaniel appears on MSNBC channels will be changed from coast to coast.

To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily.

McDaniel has been a mouthpiece for Trump for years, and only lost her job at the RNC because Trump wanted to take over the Republican National Committee and raid it to pay his legal bills.

NBC is pandering to Trump voters before the election, and trying to win favor with Trump in case he returns to the White House.

McDaniels hiring is a reminder that corporate media, no matter how they are branded, by nature will always look to appeal to Republicans.

Ronna McDaniel conspired with Trump to overturn the 2020 election, and soon she will be appearing on some of your favorite MSNBC shows.

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.
In their one-house budgets released this week, state legislators sent a resounding message: All New York students need access to school breakfast and lunch, free of stigma, paperwork barriers, and means-testing.

Both the State Senate and Assembly included full funding of Healthy School Meals for All NY Kids in their respective budgets, showing overwhelming support for expanding universal school meals to all students statewide.

This is the second year the Legislature has championed Healthy School Meals for All. Last year the final budget included a major expansion of the program, but more than 320,000 students in nearly 660 schools were left out. In Western New York and the Finger Lakes regions alone, nearly 60,000 students remain without access to free school meals. Nearly one in five of those students are economically disadvantaged.

At a time when one in six New York children experience hunger, a fully funded universal school meals program is essential for food security. Access to nutritious school meals is one of the farthest reaching anti-hunger programs for households with school age children.

More than just good politicsa recent Siena poll found that 77% of New Yorks registered voters are in supportit is great policy.

Healthy School Meals for All removes barriers that keep food insecure students from accessing the nutrition they need, while also saving families an estimated $150 per child per month in food costs. Universal school meals are shown to improve school climate, increase test scores, and support students mental and physical health. All of this can be achieved for less than one-tenth of one percent of the state budget.

Many students who go hungry are in families that struggle to meet basic needs, but do not qualify for free school meals. In New York, a family of four earning just $56,000  nowhere near a living wage in our state  does not qualify for free school meals. In the schools that were left out of last years expansion, children find themselves in the unconscionable position of choosing to rack up meal debt or go hungry to avoid financially burdening their families. In Erie County, where over 30,000 students still dont have access to free school meals, 17% of food insecure children are in households with incomes above the cutoff for free school meal eligibility.

Then there are the children who are income eligible for free school meals, but fall through the cracks because of an antiquated application process, and students who desperately need the food but hesitate to eat due to the stigma of participating in a program perceived as just for low-income students.

We dont think twice about providing important resources like textbooks and school bus service without regard to student income. The same should be true of school breakfast and lunch.

Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders must prioritize this common-sense investment as they enter final budget negotiations. New Yorks children, families, and school communities are counting on them.
Aiken Standard Reporter

Erin Weeks is a reporter with the Aiken Standard. She covers education in Aiken County.

Erin is a graduate of the University of South Carolina Aiken. Her first poetry book, "Origins of My Love," was published by Bottlecap Press in 2022.

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This industrial building on University Parkway will be the site of an electric vehicle manufacturing operation that will be new to Aiken.
Post and Courier North Augusta/The Star reporter

Bianca Moorman is a reporter for the Post and Courier North Augusta/The Star with a focus on community, public safety and more. Follow her on X at @biancarmooman.

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WASHINGTON  The House approved a $1.2 trillion package of spending bills on Friday just a few hours before funding for some key federal agencies is set to expire, a long overdue action nearly six months into the budget year that will push any threats of a government shutdown to the fall.

The bill passed by a vote of 286-134 and now moves to the Senate, where leadership hopes for a final vote later Friday. More than 70 percent of the money would go to defense.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., brought the bill up under a streamlined process that required two-thirds support for approval. The vote was exceedingly tight, a reflection of anger among Republicans over the content of the package and the speed with which it was brought to a vote.

Signaling more trouble ahead, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., initiated an effort to oust Johnson as the House began the vote but held off on further action until the House returns in two weeks. It's the same tool that was used last year to remove the last Republican speaker, Kevin McCarthy of California.

The vote breakdown showed 101 Republicans voting for the bill and 112 voting against it. Meanwhile, 185 Democrats voted for the bill and 22 against.

Lawmakers could still miss the midnight deadline for funding the government as action in the Senate could take time. But the practical impact in the near term would be minimal. With most federal workers off duty over the weekend and many government services funded through earlier legislation, a shutdown would mostly pass without incident unless matters dragged into Monday.

"Democrats and Republicans have about 13 hours to work together to make sure the government stays open. That's not going to be easy," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said as the Senate opened for business. "We will have to work together  and avoid unnecessary delays."

Johnson broke up this fiscal year's spending bills into two parts as House Republicans revolted against what has become an annual practice of asking them to vote for one massive, complex bill called an omnibus with little time to review it or face a shutdown. Johnson viewed that as a breakthrough, calling the bill "the best achievable outcome in a divided government."
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The advocacy organization asked that Beaufort County reply to the letter with a plan to address the concerns and warned that not addressing the deficiencies could expose the county to liability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Reached by phone March 22, County Council Chairman Joseph Passiment said he had not seen the letter and couldnt comment on the specifics of it.

I know that there are concerns about people getting on the ferry. Were working on that with the provider on a daily basis, Passiment said.

Messages to John Robinson, interim county administrator, and Hank Amundson, special assistant to the county administrator, were not immediately returned.

A Lowcountry Ferry employee reached by phone March 22 said Turner was unavailable to talk.

Kade Yarborough, chairman of the Daufuskie Island Council, said hes optimistic the letter will apply more pressure to the county.

I think that its what we were looking for in terms of action from a reputable entity, Yarborough said, and its very much in line with a statement the Island Council recently shared.

The Island Councils statement, shared March 19, urged the Beaufort County Council and staff to acknowledge that a mistake was made in the selection of an inexperienced and underfunded ferry provider.

We further call on the County to immediately take any and all necessary measures to ensure that Daufuskie residents and visitors be provided with a regular, reliable, and  most importantly  SAFE ferry service, the Island Council wrote.
Clean water sustains just about everything, and for generations, the water in parts of Berkeley County has been pulled from the ground through aging wells filling cups, bowls, pots and sinks. Generations of people have been raised on it. Read moreClean water coming to rural parts of Berkeley County
Pedestrians should not have to fear speeding/distracted motorists and motorists should not have to fear crosswalk-violating, distracted pedestrians, wearing dark clothing at night.

There must be some middle ground upon which motorists and pedestrians can travel and be safe. Regional and national statistics raise danger signs.

Some of the harrowing encounters pedestrians experience when facing impatient motorists evokes the famous Dustin Hoffman line in Midnight Cowboy: Im walkin here!

Except this real-life drama is costing lives.

As The News Debadrita Sur recently wrote, since November, several pedestrians in Western New York have died after being hit by a vehicle. Another one occurred after a pedestrian was struck on Walden Avenue last week.

'This is a crisis': Pedestrian fatalities on the rise nationally and in Western New York Since November, at least 11 pedestrians in Western New York have died after being hit by a motor vehicle. The fatalities have often happened on busy thoroughfares, but not always. They have involved cars, trucks and motorcycles.

The deaths are part of a national trend. The Governors Highway Safety Association, the organization that tracks pedestrian deaths nationwide, cited more than 7,500 pedestrians who were killed by drivers in 2022. The number of pedestrian deaths reached a 40-year-high.

Locally, pedestrians have been hit trying to cross busy streets and being struck by vehicles traveling 40 mph or faster. Last weeks fatality occurred on the major Cheektowaga thoroughfare near the Walden Galleria when a pedestrian appeared to have stepped off the curb and into the street.

Another fatality occurred on Feb. 21, when a woman was struck by a car in the early morning at Isherwood Drive in the Town of Niagara while crossing the street after retrieving her garbage cans.

Cheektowaga has had four pedestrian-car crashes in the last four months, with at least two fatalities. There are other tragic stories of pedestrians struck and killed by motor vehicles for any number of reasons, including intoxicated drivers. The vehicles involved are not limited to cars and trucks. One Dec. 9, both a pedestrian and motorcyclist died after a crash on South Park Avenue in South Buffalo.

Its not just the Buffalo area. In New York City. an average of 136 pedestrians a year were killed by traffic between 2009 and 2022, as reported by the New York Times.

Still, why are so many pedestrians being killed by motorists?

An NPR report quoted new research by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety showing that larger cars and trucks with higher front ends and blunt profiles are 45% more likely to cause fatalities in crashes with pedestrians than smaller cars and trucks.

It may be difficult to draw solid conclusions, but size matters. So does common sense by both drivers who need to slow down and pedestrians who should wait at the signal  not in the middle of a busy street  before crossing. Pedestrians should also use crosswalks and wear lighter and more reflective colors.

Keeping people safe also involves infrastructure that features improved street lighting, better crosswalks and, in some areas, High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) signals.

Local law enforcement has instituted initiatives. Cheektowaga has applied for and received grant funding from the New York State Governors Traffic Safety Committee for its traffic unit to penalize aggressive driving in problem-prone areas. The police instituted roving patrols in conjunction with their joint stationary seat-belt checkpoint with the New York State Police.

Buffalo officials have held public events to educate pedestrians, reminding them of basic safety measures when crossing the street and the benefit of wearing light-colored clothing at night. And on Transit Road, the scene of fatalities, the Erie County Sheriffs Office has assigned patrol officers focused on areas with more pedestrian traffic, especially schools.

This is no impossible task. We know how to be safe. Municipalities have work to do, but pedestrian and motorists have it in their hands now to do better. Some high-profile police ticketing might help.

Whats your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing.
FILE - Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally, March 9, 2024, in Rome Ga. Trump's lawyers kept pressing an appellate court Wednesday, March 20, to excuse him from covering a $454 million fraud lawsuit judgment for now, saying he'd suffer irreparable harm" before his appeal is decided.
COLUMBIA  A soldier stationed at Fort Jackson was found dead in on-base housing on the morning of March 21, the Army base said in a statement. The death marked the fifth enlistee fatality at the base within a year.

The unidentified soldier was found after a 911 call was made, according to the base, where 3,500 active duty soldiers are stationed.

Our deepest sympathies are with everyone affected by todays loss, Maj. Gen. Jason E. Kelly, Fort Jackson commanding general, said in a press release.

The identity of the soldier will not be revealed until next-of-kin are notified, and only if the deceased's loved ones allow the Army to do so.

The soldier is the second death at Fort Jackson in 2024, and the latest in more than a dozen military deaths that have occurred on South Carolina bases since 2020.

In late-February, a soldier in the Army chaplain training program died during physical conditioning. In December, two drill sergeants died within eight days of each other. And in June, a 40-year-old drill sergeant went missing during a training exercise and was found unresponsive just outside the base's land-navigation course.

The Army has offered little insight into the recent spate of on-base deaths, but said they are providing care to the deceased's family, and those with whom he worked.
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?
CONWAY  For Shawn Williams, the ruling brought relief.

On March 21, a judge agreed to evict Williams' next-door neighbors after they targeted his family with a burning cross.

"We are very grateful that the judge ruled in our favor," said the 59-year-old Black U.S. Army veteran. "This sends a message to others that perpetrate hate crimes."

He and his wife Monica Williams, also a Black Army veteran, work as educators in Charlotte, and they purchased an Horry County house along Corbett Drive in 2021 as a future retirement home. But police said they soon were harassed and threatened by their neighbors, Alexis Hartnett and Worden Butler. The situation escalated on Nov. 24 when Worden Butler burned a cross near their yard.

The cross burning generated national headlines and renewed calls for state lawmakers to pass a hate crimes law. Fifteenth Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardson took the additional step of asking the court to force Butler and Hartnett to leave the property. Richardson wants the home declared a public nuisance.

On March 21,Circuit Judge William Seals Jr. ruled in favor of evicting Hartnett and Butler from 1400 Corbett Drive until the court can determine if the home is a nuisance, according to the solicitor's office. Seals plans to file a formal written order outlining his decision.

Shawn Williams said he felt like his family could not have justice until there was legal action taken to remove Butler and Hartnett from the property.

"I believe this needed to happen because where do you draw the line with justice?" he said. "We work for long periods of time and we're working towards retirement, and all we want to do is to be able to enjoy the remaining years of our life, trying to live in peace and harmony as much as we can in an area that we really liked."
ST. GEORGE  A man who shot and killed a family friend who treated him like a son was convicted of murder this week and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

A Dorchester County jury deliberated nearly four hours on March 21 before finding Nathan Zeigler, 64, guilty, according to a news release from First Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe.

The victim, 82-year-old C.J. Young, had allowed Zeigler to live in his home on Johnson Road in Dorchester for 20 years without paying rent.

Young, who had left South Carolina to work in New York, returned home after retiring.

Problems began between the two men, both of whom called the sheriff's department several times to complain about each other. The animosity reached the point that Young served Zeigler with an eviction notice in December 2021, but Zeigler refused to leave, according to the solicitor's office.

On Jan. 7, 2022, Young was on the phone with a 911 operator begging for help when Zeigler shot him in the neck.

"I told you I wasn't playing with you," Zeigler was heard on the 911 recording.

When sheriff officers arrived, Zeigler was sitting in the backyard. The murder weapon was inside a grill nearby, according to the solicitor's office.

Zeigler claimed self-defense, which the jury rejected. Assistant Solicitor Shannon Elliott, who served as lead prosecutor in the case, call Young's slaying a senseless murder.
Amid an ongoing investigation by State Law Enforcement Division, the off-duty officer who shot and killed a North Carolina man on March 20 outside of a Chick-fil-A has been identified.

On March 22, Summerville Police Chief Douglas Wright named Anthony DeLustro as the off-duty officer who killed Michael O'Neal, 39, following an altercation at the Chick-fil-A at 1312 North Main St. DeLustro is on paid administrative leave with the department, said Summerville Capt. Chris Hirsch.

DeLustro served with the New York Police Department from 1980 to 2002 before he came to South Carolina. Since arriving in the Palmetto State in 2003, he has worked for five separate, local departments across six different jobs. His total time in South Carolina law enforcement since 2003 is about 12 years.

O'Neal was from Pfafftown, N.C., outside of Winston-Salem.

Around 1 p.m. on March 20, DeLustro and O'Neal engaged in an altercation that ended with the former in the hospital and the latter dead outside of his car on North Main Street near the driveway entrance to the Chick-fil-A.

Berkeley County Coroner Darnell Hartwell previously told The Post and Courier that DeLustro was taken to the hospital for a non-life-threatening injury. Hartwell previously said DeLustro was hit by a vehicle. O'Neal died of a gunshot wound; Hartwell declined to say where.

Wright said in a statement he spoke with O'Neal's family to offer his condolences. He said he offered prayers to both families.

"This event was a struggle for all who were involved," he said in a statement.

Wright's statement naming his officer followed a news release from SLED that provided little new information about the March 20 shooting. He said he contacted SLED as soon as the incident occurred. The Summerville Police Department also released a portion of DeLustro's employment history and personnel file with the statement.

"I want to remind everyone that this procedure takes time," Wright said. "Please be patient and trust the process."
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
FLORENCE  The Florence County Council and Salem community residents praised the new regulations on mines passed during the March 21 County Council meeting.

The regulations come after the county passed a 60-day moratorium last year in response to complaints about a potential 189.2-acre sand mine planned for the Salem area.

The permit for the Blue Water Industries LLC/Salem Sand-Henry Tract Mine was applied for by Florida-based Blue Water Industries LLC through the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Aug. 11.

The Post and Courier has reached out to Blue Water Industries LLC and is awaiting comment. A Department of Health and Environmental Control spokeswoman said the permit application is still under review as of March 22.

Blue Water Industries produces aggregate and asphalt and has operations in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, according to the companys website.

Florence County Councilman Roger Poston said the regulations will help protect residents private property rights.

I pay taxes on my property assuming I have private property rights, Poston said. I think thats what we elected officials got to do a better job of, of protecting our citizens.

Jimmy Poston, a Salem resident who opposed the mine and has spoken at a previous County Council meeting, called the regulations a great improvement.

You didnt only make our lives better going forward, youre setting an example for our state, possibly, that other counties may follow later, Poston said.

The regulations are different depending on the size of the mine.

Mines more than 40 acres face a $1,000 per acre fee on any application and have to be at least 500 feet from any property line and at least 2,000 feet from any residential use and obvious place where children congregate at.

Mines between five to 40 acres must be at 250 feet away from a property line and also must be at least 2,000 feet from residential use. These will have a $200 per acre fee on any application.
GAFFNEY  A superintendents tumultuous journey now has an end date.

The Cherokee County School Board reached a settlement agreement with Superintendent Dana Fall after spending more than an hour behind closed doors March 21.

Board chairperson Mark Nix said Fall, who is on paid leave, will resign effective June 30.

Fall will stay on paid leave until then and be available to assist the office of the superintendent as needed.

In reaching an agreement with Dr. Fall, the board considered the legal requirements in his contract along with what the board believed to be the best interests of our students and staff moving forward, Nix said.

Falls contract was set to continue until summer 2027. Details of the settlement agreement were not disclosed.

The motion to enter and execute the agreement passed with only one member, Billy Blackwell, opposing.

I dont feel like the Cherokee County School District has done anything wrong, he said. I cant support (the motion) for that reason.

Nix said the board will meet within the next several weeks to determine who will be the countys interim superintendent.

Former Deputy Superintendent Carl Carpenter has been acting superintendent since Fall was placed on administrative leave Feb. 29.

The board appreciates Dr. Carpenters willingness to assume these responsibilities and wishes Dr. Fall well in his future endeavors, Nix said.

How it started

On Feb. 25 The Gaffney Ledger reported that Fall told Nix he intended to leave the district to become superintendent of Spartanburg County School District 4 in Woodruff starting July 1.

The next day, in an interview with The Ledger, Fall said the new district paid a lot more money and had 5,000 fewer students.

This comment incited backlash from Woodruff residents, and its school board decided not to hire him as its superintendent.
A man walks past the logo of Raiffeisen bank seen atop a building behind a huge monument to Vladimir Lenin, the founder of the USSR, in Moscow on April 3, 2023. - Austrian banking group Raiffeisen, one of the last major Western banks in Russia, said on March 30, 2023 it was considering a "sale or spin-off" of its subsidiary. Alexander Nemenov/AFP/Getty Images

Raiffeisen Bank's Russian exit strategy has drawn scrutiny from Washington, Reuters reported.

Shares in the bank fell as much as 16% Wednesday, as the planned deal could potentially lead to sanctions.

The US has been stepping up pressure on foreign banks that facilitate transactions with Moscow.

An Austrian bank's plan to repatriate $1.6 billion in assets still stuck in Russia is facing US pushback, on concern that the deal would breach Western sanctions.

The Raiffeisen Bank International remains the biggest foreign-owned lender remaining in the country, as efforts to sell or spin off its Russian unit have struggled since Moscow's tightened exit requirements on foreign firms.

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The dealer offered a new strategy in December, planning to purchase shares in an Austrian construction company Strabag, originally held by Russian businessman Oleg Deripaska.

The 28% stake would be facilitated through Raiffeisen's Russian subsidiary, after which the holdings would transfer to Vienna. The idea was touted as a way to unlock a portion of assets frozen in Russia, worth billions of euros.

But according to a Reuters report on Wednesday, the deal is facing scrutiny from Washington. That's as Deripaska is sanctioned for potential links to the Kremlin, making the transaction a possible breach of Western restrictions.

US officials have demanded details behind the individuals and entities related to the arrangement; if the deal is found to violate US sanctions and Raiffeisen was still to proceed with the plan, it could face its own penalties, sources told the outlet.

In a statement published by Raiffeisen on Wednesday, the bank pushed back against what it called the "Reuters rumours," noting that it has verified compliance and briefed US authorities.

"Furthermore, it was acknowledged that there is no US nexus to this transaction. It goes without saying that RBI will not proceed with any deal which would be in breach of sanctions, or expose RBI to the risk of sanctions," it said.

Story continues

Following the Reuters report, shares in the company dropped as much as 16%.

The "adverse market reaction" forced the bank to postpone a 650 euro bond sale on the same day, the outlet said, citing a memo it had seen.

Aside from Raiffeisen, the US has been stepping up pressure on foreign banks that continue to facilitate transactions with Russia. Beyond Austria, that's included lenders in countries such as Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Read the original article on Business Insider
SPARTANBURG  Craig Brewton Jr. darted in front of cars on Interstate 26 during an encounter with police in 2022.

The next year, he demanded nearly a half-billion dollars from the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities laid out those allegations and others in nearly a dozen pending court cases.

As 35-year-old Brewton's cases await trial, a judge noted his declining mental state and paranoia toward police. She has ordered state mental health officials to determine if he's competent to stand trial.

An evaluation is pending.

This has not stopped law enforcement from bringing new counts, with state agents charging Brewton this month with filing false police reports. His alleged victims: the police.

To understand this odyssey through the criminal justice system for Brewton, yet another mentally ill man who's faced frequent arrests, we have to go back to 2022.

During police encounter, man runs onto I-26. Twice

Law enforcement arrived at a small mobile home park near Interstate 26 in Moore amid clear skies Sept. 19, 2022, in the still-cool morning.

Officers with the state prison system were looking for Brewton's roommate on charges of conspiracy and contraband. Two deputies accompanied them.

When they pulled up, the front door stood open. Brewton quickly stepped outside and closed the door.

He "appeared to be overly nervous," deputies wrote, noting the smell of marijuana. Deputies thought they heard someone inside but couldn't get anyone to come to the door.

They decided there was enough evidence for a search warrant. After contacting the narcotics unit, a deputy told Brewton he would be detained pending the search.

That, according to deputies' accounts, is when Brewton fled.

He ran across the interstate, nearly causing a crash, with a deputy chasing him. Brewton was standoffish, taking "a fighting stance" with the officer, he reported. Then Brewton "looked over his shoulder and waited until traffic was almost to him and ran into the highway again."
Zain Haq, pictured in 2022, came to Canada from Pakistan on a study permit and became involved in climate activism. He is now trying to convince federal officials to delay his deportation. (CBC - image credit)

Zain Haq, 23, who gained prominence in the B.C. climate activism community for his work as a spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion and as a co-founder of Save Old Growth, is trying to convince federal officials to delay his deportation.

Haq arrived in Canada from Pakistan in 2019 on a study permit, but when his attention turned to climate activism and non-violent civil disobedience, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) began investigating his academic progress, and in 2022, determined he violated his permit by failing to make sufficient progress, he said.

"They were more aggressive than I think the circumstances justified at the time," Haq said of the CBSA, which also detained him twice and had tried to keep him detained until he was removed from Canada.

Haq was enrolled at Simon Fraser University (SFU) and had been working toward a major in history. He was on academic probation at one point, and eventually put his studies on pause, but says he's currently allowed to re-enrol in courses, and that the university has supported an extension of his study permit.

His immigration lawyer, Randall Cohn, believes that CBSA officials began investigating Haq's studies after he was arrested for violating an injunction order related to the Trans Mountain pipeline. Cohn said that since he hadn't been convicted of any charges at that time, he couldn't be found inadmissible to Canada as a result of criminality  so officials relied on the study permit violation.

Zain Haq is arrested while blocking the sidewalk along Lions Gate Bridge Road in Vancouver, B.C., on Monday, May 3, 2021, as part of an Extinction Rebellion protest.

Haq, walking between two officers in this file photo, was arrested while blocking the sidewalk along Lions Gate Bridge Road in Vancouver in 2021 as part of an Extinction Rebellion protest. (Maggie MacPherson/CBC)

According to Cohn, that has the potential to send a message to other foreign nationals who may want to engage in political activism in Canada.

"It has a chilling effect," he said. "It's not a chilling effect that's a misapplication of the law, but it's a chilling effect that's the result of a discretionary application of the law."

Story continues

A CBSA spokesperson said the agency won't comment on details of an individual case, which are protected under the Privacy Act.

In a written statement to CBC News, the CBSA spokesperson said, "being engaged in lawful protest activities would not, in and of itself, render an individual inadmissible to Canada."

Haq has since pleaded guilty to five counts of mischief, which he and Cohn acknowledge would now make him inadmissible to Canada  but that's not the basis for the deportation order, with a deadline of April 22.

Canadian marriage

Haq and Cohn are hoping CBSA uses its discretion to delay the deadline until after a spousal sponsorship application for permanent residency can be processed.

Last spring, Haq married a Canadian, Sophie Papp. The pair submitted the application nearly a year ago with the goal of being granted humanitarian and compassionate considerations, which if successful, would overcome the criminal inadmissibility issue.

Zain Haq and Sophie Papp have submitted an application for spousal sponsorship for permanent residency, but the pair say a CBSA deadline for Haq'a removal from Canada will come before the application process is complete.

Haq and Sophie Papp have submitted an application for spousal sponsorship for permanent residency, but the pair say a CBSA deadline for Haq's removal from Canada will come before the application process is complete. (Submitted)

If the deportation goes ahead, Haq would have to scrap the application and submit a new one from Pakistan, a process that would likely take more than year, according to Cohn.

"The government has the opportunity to make a different choice," he said. "CBSA has discretion about whether or not they're going to enforce this removal."

An online petition, launched by Papp, has more than 2,000 signatures in support of delaying the deportation and allowing Haq to stay in Canada.

Preparing to return to Pakistan

Haq has booked a flight to Pakistan on April 21, one day before his deadline for removal. He said he and Papp are still trying to figure out what life will look like after the deadline.

"It feels like being separated from a place that I consider home," he said, noting his entire adult life has been spent in Canada.

"We're just trying to get our head around what life in Pakistan will look like, and I think it will be uncomfortable for everyone involved. It would be a huge cultural shock for Sophie," said Haq.

He said when he was engaging in civil disobedience he was aware of the consequences, but he hadn't planned on staying in Canada long-term. However, Haq said, that all changed when he and Papp got together.
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / Hagens Berman urges Archer Daniels Midland Co. (NYSE:ADM) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.Class Period: Apr. 30, 2020 - Jan. 22, 2024Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Mar. 25, 2024Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/adm Contact An Attorney Now: ADM@ hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) Securities Fraud Class Action:The litigation focuses on Archer Daniels' statements about the performance of its Nutrition segment, a business the company poured billions of dollars into to protect against commodity price volatility in its legacy agricultural commodities trading business.The complaint alleges Archer Daniels made misleading statements and concealed that: (1) the Nutrition segment's financial reporting and accounting practices did not provide investors with an accurate impression of the company's performance and future prospects, including reported operating profits; (2) the Nutrition segment's accounting practices created a heightened risk of regulatory scrutiny and adverse impacts to the company's business; and (3) based on the foregoing, the defendants lacked a reasonable basis for their positive statements about the Nutrition segment and related financial results, growth, and prospects.Investors began to learn the truth on Jan. 21, 2024, when Archer Daniels announced that it had placed CFO Vikram Luther on leave effective immediately. The company said that Luther's "leave is pending an ongoing investigation being conducted by outside counsel for ADM and the Board's Audit Committee regarding certain accounting practices and procedures with respect to ADM's Nutrition segment, including as related to certain intersegment transactions." Archer Daniels also revealed that its investigation was initiated in response to its receipt of a voluntary document request by the SEC.The company further stated that it is delaying its Q4 and FY 2023 earnings release and withdrew its outlook for the Nutrition segment.This news sent the price of Archer Daniels shares crashing as much as $14.46 (or about 21%) lower during intraday trading on Jan. 22, 2024.If you invested in Archer Daniels 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 Archer Daniels case and our investigation, read more Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Archer Daniels 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 ADM@ 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.Contact:Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895SOURCE: Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP
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PALM BEACH, FL / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / World-renowned artist Mara Sfara's work is displayed at the Haven Palm Beach gallery. The exhibit will be open through May 1.'Two Tigers in Love' Tigers are the largest of the big cats. They are endangered because of human poaching and loss of land. In this case, these tigers are safe and in love. Hidden in the painting are two frogs. Frogs are an indicator of a healthy ecosystem."Mara is a figurative painter, contemporary sculptor, and multisensory kinetic artist known to captivate her audience with her unique style and vibrant colors. Her works draw inspiration from nature, storytelling, and human emotions, creating an experience that is both visually stunning and emotionally resonant," said Jude Amsel, the gallery's director. "Her latest oil paintings at Haven Palm Beach capture her profound connection with the natural world and feature a range of delicately portrayed wildlife." Sfara has loved animals her entire life. This passion was nurtured from an early age-her father would draw pigs on notes and cards he would give her, and she did the same for her children.Today, she has an extensive portfolio of animal sculptures and paintings of animals from the land, sea, and sky."Animals are different from us, but that doesn't mean they don't have sensitivities like we do. The better we treat things that are part of our environment and life, the better we can break down our prejudices," Sfara said.The interactive exhibit includes lively portraits of animals, sculptures, and landscapes. Portions of the sales at the exhibit will be donated to the Lions Safari Club, the largest drive-through safari in the state of Florida. The Lions Safari Club is also a conservation group that has breeding programs for endangered and threatened species."It's crucial to understand that other beings are important and have value," Sfara said. "We're just parts of a puzzle, and we need other pieces to complete the puzzle." Haven Palm Beach is at 211 Royal Poinciana Way, Palm Beach, FL 33480.Contact InformationToni MuricuMarketing Manager and PR2story@ newsletter.org.uk +44(0)2071938870SOURCE: Mara SfaraView the original press release on newswire.com
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against The Boeing Company ("Boeing" or "the Company") (NYSE:BA) and certain of its officers.Class Definition:This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Boeing securities between October 19, 2019 and January 24, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/BA Case Details:The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period Boeing and certain of its executives failed to disclose material information in violation of federal securities laws including:(1) On January 5, 2024, a Boeing 737 aircraft operated by Alaska Airlines experienced an in-flight departure of an in-cabin door plug, causing the cabin to become depressurized and forcing an emergency landing.(2) On January 7, 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a grounding order, stating that "Boeing 737-9 aircraft will remain grounded until operators complete enhanced inspections which include both left and right cabin door exit plugs, door components, and fasteners" and that "[o]perators must also complete corrective action requirements based on findings from the inspections prior to bringing any aircraft back into service." On this news, Boeing's stock price fell $20.00 per share, or 8%, to close at $229.00 per share on January 8, 2024.(3) Then, on January 9, 2024, news outlets reported that United Airlines had found loose bolts on exit door plugs during their FAA-mandated inspections of Boeing 737 Max planes. The reports also noted that Alaska Airlines said its initial inspections of the jets had turned up "loose hardware." On this news, Boeing's stock price fell $3.24 per share, or 1.4%, to close at $225.76 per share on January 9, 2024.(4) On January 11, 2024, news outlets reported that the FAA had informed Boeing it had launched a formal investigation into whether Boeing had failed to properly ensure its aircraft were safe for operation.(5) On this news, Boeing's stock price fell $5.18 per share, or 2.3%, to close at $222.66 per share on January 11, 2024. on January 12, 2024, news outlets reported that the FAA would increase oversight of Boeing production and manufacturing processes. The FAA stated that a comprehensive audit set to be conducted on the Boeing 737 MAX 9 production line and its associated suppliers, specifically to assess Boeing's adherence to approved quality procedures, which could result in further audits.On this news, Boeing's stock price fell $4.96 per share, or 2.2%, to close at $217.70 per share on January 12, 2024.(6) On January 16, 2024, Wells Fargo downgraded Boeing, citing risks associated with the FAA's inspection of Boeing's production.On this news, Boeing's stock price fell $17.18 per share, or 7.9%, to close at $200.52 per share on January 16, 2024.(7) Finally, on January 24, 2024, news outlets reported that the FAA had announced it would not allow Boeing to expand production of the 737 MAX due to safety concerns related to the January 5, 2024 incident.On this news, Boeing's stock price fell $12.25 per share, or 5.7%, to close at $201.88 per share on January 25, 2024.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/BA or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Law Clerk and Client Relations Manager, Yael Nathanson of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in Boeing you have until April 1, 2024, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.Contact:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Yael Nathanson332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
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PLAYA del CARMEN, MEXICO / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / Karate Combat Kickback 2 is set to revolutionize the world of combat sports, and Big Red $Td's sister project, $CULO, will be playing a pivotal role as one of the event's key sponsors. This beachside battle, taking place at the stunning Parque de Fundadores in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, promises an unparalleled experience for fans and athletes alike.As the mighty heavyweight champion Smilen' Sam Alvey defends his hard-won title against challenger Antonio Arroyo, the presence of $CULO, sponsored by Big Red $Td, adds an extra layer of excitement to the event. Karate Combat is renowned as the premier full-contact striking league, blending live-action karate with immersive CGI environments powered by the Epic Games Unreal gaming and virtual production engine.Featuring Olympic medalists and national champions from around the world competing in eight different weight divisions, Karate Combat is streamed and broadcast to over 100 countries worldwide. Karate Combat boasts league ambassadors such as Bas Rutten, George St-Pierre, Lyoto Machida, and Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson.The event will also draw attention from influencers and celebrities, with notable attendees includingMoonDaddy ,Bitboy ,Rodney , and of courseGeorge CryptosR_Us .A Deep Dive into Big Red $Td:Origins and Vision:Big Red $Td is not just a meme trading project; it's a tribute to the rich heritage and innovative spirit of Cornell University. Founded on the Avalanche (AVAX) blockchain, Big Red $Td embodies the ethos of its namesake, combining tradition with cutting-edge technology. The project's vision is to dominate meme trading while honoring Cornell's legacy of excellence.The Cornell Connection:Cornell University, with its storied history and academic prowess, serves as the inspiration behind Big Red $Td. From its iconic red and white colors to the beloved "Big Red" nickname, Cornell's influence permeates every aspect of the project. The decision to launch on the AVAX blockchain, rooted in Cornell research, further solidifies the bond between Big Red $Td and its alma mater.Avalanche Blockchain and Cornell Influence:The AVAX blockchain, built on research initiated at Cornell, provides the perfect platform for Big Red $Td's aspirations. Led by Emin Gun Sirer, the CEO of Ava Labs and an associate professor of computer science at Cornell, Avalanche represents a groundbreaking leap in decentralized systems. The collaboration between Cornell and Avalanche underscores the university's commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.Features and Ambitions:Big Red $Td aims to dominate meme trading on the AVAX blockchain, leveraging its unique features and community-driven ethos. With its vibrant ecosystem and passionate community, Big Red $Td seeks to redefine the meme trading landscape while staying true to Cornell's values of integrity and excellence.Fully Doxxed Team and Community Engagement:The Big Red $Td team comprises experienced professionals from diverse backgrounds, united by their shared passion for blockchain technology and meme trading. With a fully doxxed team and transparent development process, Big Red $Td prioritizes community engagement and inclusivity, fostering a supportive environment for investors and enthusiasts alike.The Future of Big Red $Td:As Big Red $Td continues to gain traction in the crypto space, the team remains committed to its mission of dominance on the AVAX blockchain. With upcoming initiatives and partnerships on the horizon, Big Red $Td is poised to solidify its position as a leading player in the meme trading arena.About $CULO:$CULO, the sister project of Big Red $Td, is also set to make waves in the crypto world. With a focus on dominating trading on the Polygon blockchain, $CULO shares Big Red $Td's commitment to excellence and innovation. Together, Big Red $Td and $CULO form a dynamic duo, poised to disrupt the meme trading landscape across multiple blockchains.For More Information:- Website: https://thebigredcrypto.com/ - Telegram: https://t.me/TheBigRedTD- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BigRed_TD - Contract Address for Big Red $Td: 0x87bbfc9dcb66caa8ce7582a3f17b60a25cd8a248)For media inquiries and partnership opportunities, please contact:Media Contact: R DaveBig Red $Tdcontact@ thebigredcrypto.com SOURCE: Big Red $Td
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Bosun is a diverse-owned and led asset management firm broadening representation in the investment industry while seizing growth opportunities to deliver alpha for its clients.CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / Bosun is a diverse-owned and led asset management firm broadening representation in the investment industry while seizing growth opportunities to deliver alpha for its clients."We are thrilled to welcome the Bosun U.S. Small-Cap Growth team to our suite of investment solutions," remarked Michael Rapelyea, Founder and CEO of Bosun Asset Management.The Bosun Small-Cap Growth strategy has generated an annualized outperformance of 300 bps vs its benchmark since its inception 23 years ago. According to the data in eVestment Analytics, the strategy is in the top decile of peers, comprised of 121 small-cap growth managers on a five-year and seven-year basis."Small-cap companies are the backbone of innovation, and we firmly believe that the disciplined and proprietary approach Cupps has taken, combined with the 17-year collaboration with his team, will continue to generate substantial value for our investors," said Rapelyea."My team and I are excited to partner with Michael Rapelyea to accelerate his vision to provide clients, performance with purpose,'" noted Cupps. "I've been analyzing the lifecycles of growth companies for 30 years, refining our portfolio construction methodology for this valuable part of the market. My team and I are eager to put our experience to work building on our track record of top-tier performance for Bosun clients." The Bosun U.S. Small-Cap team serves institutional investors and individuals with high net worth. For details about the strategy, please visit https://bosunam.com/bosun-small-cap-growth/ or contact us at Investorrelations@ bosunam.com About Bosun Asset Management:Bosun Asset Management, LLC is a diverse-owned and led SEC-registered investment management firm founded in 2019. Bosun aims to address underrepresentation in the investment industry while delivering alpha for its clients.For media inquiries, please contact Amalia Pollicina, Investor Relations Email: acpollicina@ bosunam.com Contact InformationAmalia PollicinaInvestor Relationsacpollicina@ bosunam.com 949-338-3578SOURCE: Bosun Asset ManagementView the original press release on newswire.com
The Ontario government could lose $357 million in federal funding for affordable housing if the province does not resubmit its action plan to meet federal housing targets by the end of the day Friday, federal housing minister Sean Fraser said in a letter. (Katherine Holland/CBC - image credit)

Ontario risks losing $357 million in federal funding for affordable housing if the provincial government does not submit a revised action plan to meet its federal housing targets by the end of the day Friday, the federal housing minister said.

In a letter addressed to Ontario Housing Minister Paul Calandra on Thursday, federal Housing Minister Sean Fraser wrote that Ontario's draft action plan for 2022-2025 fails to meet commitments made to the federal government in 2018.

"Speaking frankly, the proposed Action Plan is a disappointment," Fraser wrote in the letter.

In response to Fraser, Calandra said that "it is unacceptable that you would choose to threaten our most vulnerable."

He told the minister that "withholding funding would simply be a punitive measure that will benefit no one."

'Ontario is lagging desperately behind': minister

The federal government signed the National Housing Strategy (NHS) Action Plan in 2018, a 10-year bilateral housing agreement for the delivery of over $5.8 billion in cost-shared investments in Ontario, the federal letter says.

Fraser wrote that the province's action plan fails to meet commitments of the agreement.

"Ontario is lagging desperately behind all other provinces and territories," he said.

In his response, Calandra said the economic landscape has shifted since the 2018 agreement, citing the rising costs of building materials, supply chain disruptions, gaps in the labour market and higher interest rates.

The provincial minister also wrote that Ontario's social housing stock is the oldest in the country and "in the greatest need of repair and renovation"

"By focusing on the repair backlog, Ontario has successfully staved off the risk to both affordability and availability of units for tens of thousands of families and overachieved on the NHS repairs target," Calandra wrote.

Ontario housing minister fires back

Calandra said the province has exceeded the overall nine-year repairs target by 170 per cent.

Story continues

Ontario also has the highest share of households in core housing need compared to other provinces and territories of the country, he added.

While the federal NHS allocates funds according to population, Calandra wrote that Ontario's core housing need is at 44 per cent  "well above our population share of 38.5 per cent."

Under the partnership, Ontario agreed to expand the number of new affordable housing units in the province by 19,660 and set annual targets through publicly available three-year action plans, the letter says.

The province also agreed to report on progress on both the annual and nine-year target, according to the letter.

The federal housing minister added that the lack of progress in the province "jeopardizes the completion of both Ontario's housing targets, and Canada's national target."
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PLAINVIEW, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / Italian Food & Beverage Corp. (OTC PINK:IFBC) Dino Luzzi Energy Drink is set to energize the University of Florida's tech community as the main sponsor ofthe "Apply, Model, Optimize: Nurturing Gator Unity and Synergy"hackathon, hosted by the UF Open Source Club. With a generous prize pool, including a special "Dino Luzzi Energy Challenge"award, the event is poised to be a landmark in the club's history.In addition to providing its uniquely refreshing energy drinks to fuel participants' creativity and stamina, the hackathon is designed to challenge UF students to apply their coding skills, model innovative solutions, and optimize outcomes in a collaborative environment.Dino Luzzi Energy Drink's sponsorship underscores the brand's commitment to supporting the energy and ambition of young professionals as they push the boundaries of technology and collaboration."As president of the Open-Source Club and a graduating senior, I can confidently say the hackathon will be the biggest and most exciting event that we have done up to this point. It has been a long time in the making and would not be possible without our very gracious sponsor, Dino Luzzi Energy Drinks," said Jonathan Mesa, a senior at the University of Florida.Crafted in Italy, Dino Luzzi Energy Drink is celebrated for its light, crisp, and smooth taste, providing an invigorating energy boost without the typical metallic aftertaste. With Dino Luzzi Energy Drink's support,participants will be energized to push the boundaries of what's possible in just 24 hours. "Dino Luzzi Energy Drink is honored to support the University of Florida's Open Source Club and the talentedstudents participating in this hackathon, said Dino Luzzi CEO at IFBC". We are committed to fostering innovation and excellence in the tech community, and we look forward to energizing participants as they push the boundaries of creativity and collaboration".While the company continues its increased revenue growth each year, this event at UF will help our relationship with Ferraro Foods' Ocala distribution center and expanding Dino Luzzi's presence throughout the state of Florida. For more details on the hackathon and to register, please visit the official Devpost page at https://osc-hack.devpost.com/ Forward Looking StatementsThis release contains "forward-looking statements" and information provided by Italian Food & Beverage Corp. such as online, printed documents, publications or information available viaits website. It may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, which, if they do not materialize or prove correct, could cause the Company's results to differ materially from historical results, or those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. These statements may also include plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements regarding proposed new products, services or developments; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; statements of belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. There can be no assurance that the negotiations being considered by the letter of intent will be completed.Contact info:info@ ifbcorp.com SOURCE: Italian Food and Beverage Corp.
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LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / In an era where data reigns supreme, accuracy and reliability in public records research play an important role for businesses and industries. At the forefront of this domain is Eagle Eye Screening Solutions - a name that has become synonymous with impeccable precision and trustworthiness in comprehensive screening services. Led by the innovative vision of Jason Allen, Eagle Eye Screening celebrates the positive reviews of current and previous clients, solidifying its reputation as a paramount fixture within the industry.For over two decades, Eagle Eye Screening Solutions has been a beacon of excellence in the public records space, offering a seamless integration for screening companies poised for expansion. Their service suite is a testament to a marriage of technology and expertise, with a promise of speed, reliability, and accurate criminal and civil data retrieved through both automated and manual searches. It's this unparalleled commitment that has inspired countless stakeholders to fortify partnerships based on industry-leading methods and results.Automation is a key player in Eagle Eye Screening's playbook, with an extensive network that spans over 3,800 court sites nationwide-each step optimized for efficiency. However, their diligence shines equally in the meticulous civil records search, where a plethora of case details are unveiled with laser-focused precision. Eagle Eye Screening does not merely deliver data, it delivers confidence, fostering relationships that hinge on transparency and refined service delivery.Addressing the present-day nexus of speed and accuracy, Eagle Eye Screening Solutions rolls out an array of essential offerings geared towards Screening Companies (CRAs). Their comprehensive state and federal record search capabilities harness millions of data points across jurisdictions, enabling swift, informed decisions for their clients. From criminal background checks to intricate business searches, Eagle Eye Screening quenches the multitude of verification needs with capability and finesse.Through automated court site searches, Eagle Eye Screening empowers CRAs to enhance cost-effectiveness while maintaining a tight grip on quality. Their detailed approach to civil records-assembling essential litigation information-and thorough federal searches widen the horizon for the most comprehensive assessments possible.The distinct feature Eagle Eye Screening brings to the table extends into the business domain as well. From credit score reports to continuous monitoring, their business intelligence services bear the mark of scrutiny and vigilance necessary for today's fiscal landscapes.Understanding the vastness of today's interconnected world, their reach surpasses borders with international criminal searches spanning over 200 countries and territories. This global acumen ensures that clients receive meticulous reports regardless of geographic constraints-tailored and compliant by design.Praise from satisfied customers is important to Eagle Eye Screening as seeing success with their clients is their number one goal. The partnership with screening companies has not only met but exceeded expectations by delivering superior turnaround times and along with the finest information. One testimonial reflects a universal experience among clients:"Eagle Eye Screening has shortly become an integral vendor partner. They have helped immeasurably in difficult areas, such as California, to obtain better Tat's with the best information possible. They have offered us solutions to help us meet, not only clients', but also our, expectations." It's this caliber of appreciation that underscores the value Eagle Eye Screening Solutions brings to each project it undertakes-compelling clients to recognize them as more than a provider but a partner essential for their operation.Encased in a reputation for precision and excellence, Eagle Eye Screening Solutions remains a steadfast force for Consumer Reporting Agencies looking to bolster their data quality. Under the guidance of Jason Allen, the company continues to carve a niche where data integrity and innovative practices are not just promised but enduringly delivered.The embodiment of what it means to be true dealers of trust positions Eagle Eye Screening Solutions as an indispensable ally in a data-centric market. For prospective clients seeking to revolutionize their verification processes, the invitation stands to witness the difference Eagle Eye makes-a difference that transcends a simple promise and anchors itself in the deliverance of data you can implicitly trust.Eagle Eye Screening Solutions celebrates its soaring reviews, flourishing client relationships, and continuous dedication to advancing the field of public records research. Adhering to stringent quality standards and leveraging every technological advancement at its disposal, Eagle Eye Screening doesn't just chase the future-it defines it.To learn more about Eagle Eye Screen Solutions, visit: https://www.eagleeyescreening.com/ CONTACT:Phone: 714-315-3739 https://www.eagleeyescreening.com/contact-ushttps://www.linkedin.com/company/eagle-eye-screening-solutions/about/ SOURCE: Eagle Eye Screening
PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-22 21:40:14

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MILWAUKEE, WI / ACCESSWIRE / MARCH 22, 2024 / Exsell Real Estate Experts Veteran broker Dan Burgeson offered his thoughts today on the National Association of Realtors' (NAR) decision to settle lawsuits and alter commission structures. The settlement, valued at $418 million, includes changes that housing experts believe will lead to lower housing costs. However, Burgeson expressed concerns about potential consequences for both sellers and buyers.Sellers May Face Lower ProceedsBurgeson suggests sellers might see a decrease in their final sale price. He argues that reduced commissions will lessen the incentive for buyers' agents to aggressively market properties, leading to lower offers.Challenges for BuyersBurgeson also anticipates difficulties for buyers navigating the initial post-settlement period. He suggests buyers might face temporary challenges securing representation until the new compensation model is established. In the worst-case scenario, some agents might opt out of working with buyers altogether.Uncertainties RemainBurgeson acknowledges the need for a more transparent and competitive commission structure. However, he emphasizes the current uncertainty surrounding how these changes will play out for both buyers and sellers. The coming months will likely see adjustments within the real estate industry as agents adapt to the new landscape. Burgeson encourages both buyers and sellers to seek out experienced and informed agents who can navigate these changes effectively.Exsell Experts has announced plans to implement a tiered commission system offering clients more flexibility and value."We've always prioritized client choice and satisfaction," says Burgeson. "Our core belief is that clients should be empowered to 'Buy the house they want, versus the one they can afford.' This tiered system aligns perfectly with that philosophy." The new system will offer clients a range of service packages at various price points. Each tier will clearly outline the level of support and services included, allowing clients to choose the option that best suits their needs and budget.Exsell emphasizes their longstanding commitment to client wallets. "Negotiable commissions have always been part of our approach," Burgeson explains. "We believe in valuing our time while prioritizing client savings - there will always be room to find common ground." Exsell prides itself on a client-centric approach that prioritizes satisfaction. Their dedication to transparency and negotiation aligns well with the evolving commission landscape. By offering a tiered system, they empower clients to make informed decisions based on their unique needs.As the real estate industry adjusts to the upcoming changes, Exsell Real Estate Experts remain committed to providing exceptional service at competitive rates. Their focus on client choice and value ensures a smooth transition for both buyers and sellers in the evolving market.ABOUT EXSELL REAL ESTATE EXPERTSFounded in 2008, Exsell Real Estate Experts (Exsell) is at the cutting edge of the real estate industry.With their new tiered commission plans, they have shown how to deliver the best client experience for far less money. Sellers get more of the proceeds of the sale, often saving thousands in commission.Exsell believes that securing the most NET profit for the client is what should be the most important consideration. From the initial point of contact to closing, you will see the Exsell difference and how great things can happen when driven professionals are in your corner. Exsell Experts pride themselves on their dedication and knowledge of their profession in an ever-changing industry.ABOUT DAN BURGESONAfter 16 years of hard work, sacrificing his time with family, friends and hobbies, Dan Burgeson knew there had to be a better way to sell real estate. He created his revolutionary new marketing system to save the agents he mentors from giving up living a life to work in his industry and make a good living. Dan has built one of the most successful Real Estate brokerages in Wisconsin and wants to share that success with others. Dan is a big part of The Exsell difference, a combination of state-of-the-art technology together with the highest standards of customer service at a much lower cost to the client.CONTACT:Dan BurgesonPHONE: 262-885-3310EMAIL: contact@ exsellexperts.com SOURCE: Exsell Real Estate Experts
PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-22 12:45:39

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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / It's hard to find a token project that combines advancements, stability, and security in decentralized finance (DeFi), which is always changing. In this dynamic climate, FIND TOKEN ($FND) stands out with its advanced features that can add value to the growing tokenized world of assets. FIND TOKEN an upcoming token launch on the Ethereum Blockchain is a prominent player in this dynamic market with unique features that warrant further study. This essay discusses $FND, its uses, and how it may affect the cryptocurrency market. Our goal is to help readers understand $FND and its role in shaping finance by examining its fundamentals, its application in multiple ecosystems, and its effects on financial evolution.The Foundation: Uniting Dependability and AdvancementsAt its core, $FND inherits the robustness and security of ERC-20 standards, providing a solid OTC trading platform and its innovative offerings. With a total supply of 388 million tokens, 10% of the supply being burned, circulating supply of 349.2 Million $FND, and 90% of the liquidity locked for two years, FIND TOKEN sets the stage for a secure and sustainable ecosystem.Empowering Users - Rewards & Revenue ShareAn important element to $FND is its Rewards & Revenue Share program, which encourages token holding and token market participation. Token holders can claim a share of the sale value accumulated into a USDC liquidity pool with each transaction directly from the dashboard. Investors in $FND will also benefit from receiving 50% of the transaction fees generated on FIND.X, creating a sustainable ecosystem with income opportunities. This quick redemption process speeds reward accumulation and decreases transaction costs while encouraging user participation to assure efficiency, security, and transparency in every deal.Additionally $FND offers passive income through staking and governance participation.FINDER will be an additional service provided by FIND TOKEN, an AI Trading bot that simplifies trading by letting consumers choose criteria and automate activities, strong security and frequent audits. $FND gives traders confidence with tailored approaches, open-source code, and Telegram integration.$FND will also be offering multiple staking pools and high-APY NFTs distinguishing FIND TOKEN from normal staking. This strategy boosts stakes and adds value to the network, attracting clients seeking cutting-edge solutions.ERC-20 Escrow and Tokenized Stocks Exploration FIND.X's Escrow Smart Contract dApp with its exceptional crowd-filling capability, allowing users to list and purchase ERC-20 tokens while ensuring secure transactions. An opportunity to discover the next top token could be waiting for you on FIND.X. Ownership and involvement are encouraged by token redemption of revenue shares, this promotes interaction and a pleasant appeal on the platform. Additionally, it facilitates the sale of native team tokens or significant "whale wallets'' without causing disruptions in the market. This transparent and sustainable approach to managing token liquidity not only fosters project development but also upholds market stability. FIND TOKEN escrows funds until requirements are met, revolutionizing peer-to-peer interactions. This protcol protects users from fraud and default with unprecedented security and confidence."Our revenue-sharing model aims to give holders a sense of ownership and involvement in the platform while helping them find the next deal" said Vic, Platform FounderAn interesting fact is that BlackRock, a leading asset management firm, is exploring the tokenization of stocks on the Ethereum blockchain through its BlackRock Fund. By leveraging FIND TOKEN's platform, investors in DeFi could potentially have access to tokenized stocks on FIND.X with confidence, knowing that they are using a platform designed to prioritize security and user experience. $FND could play a pivotal role in this scenario by providing a seamless and secure environment for trading these tokenized stocks.Fees and Distribution:$FND rewards token holders in USDC and encourages liquidity provision via a dynamic fee structure. A 5% fee is charged for each transaction, with 1% automatically contributed to the UNISWAP liquidity pool. This method increases liquidity depth, improving trading stability and efficiency. The distribution of these levies is progressive, with 2% going to Marketing & Development and 2% to $FND investors. By committing to long-term development and value generation, these steps position the FIND TOKEN ecosystem for success in the ever-changing cryptocurrency market. $FND incentivizes liquidity availability and guarantees holders benefit from continued transaction activity through this fee distribution plan, creating a sustainable and inclusive ecosystem for all participants. Market monitoring, ensuring a safe and open trading environment for all users.Tax Efficiency and Shielding Against Market ManipulationFIND TOKEN ensures a seamless trading experience by resolving tax, and frontrunner bots. $FND protects clients from high costs and ensures fair and transparent transactions using privacy transactions, crowdfill listings, and market-free exits. $FND is poised for quick growth with an ambitious plan and clear aim. The project aims to lead the DeFi industry by offering superior value and cutting-edge solutions from inception to the FIND.X launch and beyond.Tokenomics:With only 349.2 million tokens in circulation, FIND TOKEN has a strong base from which to build its ecosystem. 90% of the liquidity has been safely locked away for a major two-year term to guarantee stability and reliability. This calculated action reduces possible hazards related to swings in liquidity while simultaneously boosting trust. A reasonable 5% transaction tax is applied to both buys and sells, encouraging a balanced view of trade dynamics.Transparency at Your FingertipsWith $FND and it's soon to be available Token Tracker Dashboard is a prime example of how the FIND TOKEN ecosystem prioritizes security and transparency. Users may make well-informed investment decisions with the help of this dashboard, which offers thorough insights into ERC-20 tokens, including transaction history, market valuation, and contract verification.ConclusionFinally, FIND TOKEN, which represents innovation and decentralization, is warranted to contribute to the cryptocurrency industry. $FND has several use cases such as their OTC exchange FIND.X, Rewards & Revenue share, Token Tracker Dashboard, AI trading bot, and a unique Staking with NFT concept. Strong fee structure, sophisticated supply chain management, and community involvement suggest it might significa
PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-22 16:01:40

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Grant will focus on 21 of the most challenged high schools in Portland, Reynolds, Seattle and Tacoma school districtsPORTLAND, OR / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 /Get Schooled has received a $300,000 grant from KeyBank to further its outreach to first-gen-to-college youth in the Pacific Northwest. Get Schooled provides personalized support along three journeys including helping prepare them to continue their education after high school, throughout the first year of higher-ed, and finding and succeeding in their first jobs and early careers.The purpose of the investment in Get Schooled - and in the youth they serve - is to support a dramatic increase in FAFSA completion and postsecondary matriculation among potential first-gen-to-college students. The grant focuses on 21 of the most challenged high schools in Portland, Reynolds, Seattle, and Tacoma school districts in a unique partnership between three KeyBank markets-Seattle-Cascades, South Puget Sound and Oregon/Southwest Washington. These high schools were identified based on racial demographic data and 2022-23 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion rates (which is a collective 54%).To operationalize this investment, Get Schooled plans to work directly with the high schools, their counselors, each district and directly with students to provide high quality content and personalized supports to their seniors, with additional engagements with juniors. Key among the many supports will be to help students them with the many elements of college and career readiness, including college application essay and scholarship support, resume reviews and early career exploration. Of particular importance will be to encourage students to complete the FAFSA/ORSAA/WASFA - an essential step that can unlock much-needed financial aid and scholarship opportunities."At KeyBank, our mission is to help our communities thrive, and we know that an important building block is helping underserved youth realize their full potential and develop the skills that will lead to successful and fulfilling careers," says Josh Lyons, KeyBank Oregon and SW Washington Market President. "An educated workforce is at the heart of a prosperous regional economy, and we were delighted to come together as three leaders to support this proven organization and maximize our impact across a larger geography." "Get Schooled is thrilled to receive this investment from KeyBank," said John Branam, CEO of Get Schooled. "Supporting first-gen-to-college youth in achieving their full potential is foundational to our region's ability to thrive - and this goal sits at the heart of this investment. And in an era of ambiguous corporate values, we're grateful and excited to partner with KeyBank - a company that brings clarity and intentionality to its corporate social responsibility." View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from KeyBank on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info: Spokesperson: KeyBankWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/keybank Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: KeyBank
PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-22 15:08:04

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HAGENS BERMAN, NATIONAL TRIAL ATTORNEYS, Encourages EAF Investors Who Suffered Substantial Losses to Contact Firm's Attorneys Before Mar. 25th DeadlineSAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 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, 2023 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Mar. 25, 2024 Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/EAFContact 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.Contact:Reed Kathrein844-916-0895Attorney advertising.Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices.SOURCE: Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-22 09:00:39

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against British American Tobacco p.l.c. ("BAT" or "the Company") (NYSE:BTI) and certain of its officers.Class Definition:This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired BAT securities between February 9, 2023 and December 6, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/BTI Case Details:The Complaint alleges that BAT made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) British American Tobacco materially understated the risks and potential likelihood of an impairment to its Premium American Cigarette Brands as a result of various longstanding headwinds; and (2) as a result, BAT's statements about its business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/BTI or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Law Clerk and Client Relations Manager, Yael Nathanson of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in BAT you have until March 25, 2024, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Yael Nathanson332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz and Grossman, LLC
PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-22 09:01:06

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against GrafTech International Ltd. ("GrafTech" or "the Company") (NYSE:EAF) and certain of its officers.Class Definition:This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired GrafTech securities between February 8, 2019 and August 23, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/EAF Case Details:The Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, GrafTech made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that:(1) GrafTech's manufacturing operations in Monterrey, Mexico had for decades chronically contaminated neighboring communities with harmful carcinogenic gasses and particulate matter;(2) GrafTech had signed agreements with local authorities committing itself to improving the environmental performance of its Monterrey facility, but repeatedly failed to honor these commitments;(3) GrafTech had been repeatedly warned over an approximately 30-year period regarding its wanton disregard for the environment and health and well-being of people near its operations in Monterrey, Mexico;(4) GrafTech's operations in Monterrey, Mexico were not in compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations;(5) GrafTech had failed to adequately remediate the environmental problems caused by the Monterrey facility following the 2019 administrative proceeding conducted by the Department of Sustainable Development of the State of Nuevo Leon;(6) the government of Apodaca had sought intervention from the State of Nuevo Leon authorities to curtail and prevent the adverse environmental impacts and noncompliance with environmental laws and regulations caused by the Monterrey facility;(7) GrafTech's purported cost leadership was achieved in substantial part by failing to implement appropriate and effective environmental safeguards at its manufacturing facility in Monterrey, Mexico;(8) GrafTech's capital expenditures and/or related operational projects were woefully insufficient to adequately address the harm that GrafTech's operations in Monterrey, Mexico had inflicted on the environment and people within the neighboring communities;(9) as a result of the above, GrafTech was acutely exposed to undisclosed material risks that GrafTech's manufacturing operations in Monterrey, Mexico would be severely disrupted by government action or enforcement; and(10) as a result of the above, GrafTech was acutely exposed to undisclosed material risks that its supplies of pin stock and graphite electrodes would be withdrawn and/or materially diminished, thereby materially harming GrafTech's business, operations, reputation, and financial results.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/EAF or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Law Clerk and Client Relations Manager, Yael Nathanson of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in GrafTech you have until March 25, 2024, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.Contact:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Yael Nathanson332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-22 07:21:02

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TOKYO & JAKARTA, Mar 22, 2024 - (JCN Newswire) - PT JCB International Indonesia, a subsidiary of JCB International Co., Ltd. (JCB), and PT AEON Credit Service Indonesia have launched the AEON JCB Precious Card, targeting the premium segment and focusing on family needs. The credit card is designed to help Indonesian families meet their basic daily needs and still enjoy a life with the cards dining and travel benefits.AEON JCB Precious Card consistently prioritizes customer satisfaction and remains committed to providing the maximum benefits to ensure an exceptional customer experience. In line with the upcoming Eid Al-Fitr shopping and Indonesian holiday season, AEON JCB Precious Card has launched a special loyalty program. With a minimum transaction of IDR 10 million within the first 2 months of card approval, the first 100 cardmembers will receive a travel e-voucher worth IDR 1 million. On top of that, the first 500 approved applicants will receive an IDR 50k AEON Store discount voucher. Customers can easily apply for the AEON JCB Precious Card and approved applicants receive the card within one hour at the AEON Service Counter at all AEON Malls in Indonesia.There are three special days for AEON JCB Precious cardmembers. We begin with Thanksgiving Day, on the 20th and 30th of every month, AEON JCB Precious cardmembers who make purchases at AEON stores in Indonesia will receive 10% cashback. Continuing with Precious Day, on the first Sunday of each month, cardmember will receive 10% cashback on the transactions made at AEON stores. And Your Special Day, where cardmembers can choose one day each month to earn 10% cashback on every transaction at AEON stores.Not only at the AEON stores in Indonesia, AEON JCB cardmembers will get the added benefit of 3% cashback on the daily dining and gasoline transactions. In addition to the 3% cashback, AEON JCB cardmembers can also enjoy discounts of up to 25% at more than 100 Japanese restaurants participating in the JCB Japan Dining Festival.As well as the program in Indonesia, cardmembers can also enjoy benefit from the JCB Platinum Concierge Desk, a one-call service for all the services cardmembers want and need, anytime, anywhere. Cardmembers are entitled to enjoy JCB Platinum Airport Lounge services worldwide at lounges selected by JCB. Cardmembers can sit back and relax until departure time.Takumi Takahashi, President Director, PT JCB International Indonesia, said, JCB is proud to partner with AEON Credit Service Indonesia and launch the AEON JCB Precious Card, offering its cardmembers benefits for daily needs, shopping, dining, domestic and international travel. We hope that the AEON JCB Precious cardmembers can enjoy the experience of a complete journey with the AEON JCB Precious Card. About AEON Credit Service IndonesiaPT AEON Credit Service Indonesia is a subsidiary of AEON Financial Service Co., Ltd Japan operating under AEON Co., Ltd. The Company established in Indonesia on 2006, with focused it business in consumer financing. Started 2013, the Company obtained a credit card issuer licensed from Bank Indonesia then issued its first credit card following the track of its sister companies in Japan and Overseas.AEON Co., Ltd. itself is Japan's largest retail business conglomerate, comprising more than 300 companies, as well as overseas operations in 13 countries. In synergy with the growth of AEON Family in Japan, AEON Financial Service Co., Ltd. (AFSJ) offers financial solutions such as credit servicing, banking, e-money and financial consulting services to benefit customers' lifestyles and their futures. AFSJ is one of the leading credit-card issuers and consumer credit providers in Japan.Contact: Ray Christian Sugeng, Corporate Planning, Tel: +62-252 3331, Email: ray_sugeng@ aeon.co.id About JCBJCB is a major global payment brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes about 46 million merchants around the world. JCB Cards are now issued mainly in Asian countries and territories, with more than 156 million card members. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase its merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to providing responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.global.jcb/en/ Contact: Ayaka Nakajima, Corporate Communications, Tel: +81-3-5778-8353, Email: jcb-pr@ info.jcb.co.jp
PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-22 16:15:56

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / EnbridgeWomen Building Futures brings free programming, financial support, employment connections to SaskatchewanA stay-at-home mother of two stepped out of her comfort zone and enrolled in a trades exploration program. It changed her life.She started earning more than a living wage immediately after finishing her free training throughWomen Building Futures (WBF) , a non-profit based in Edmonton, Alberta.Within a few years, she had saved enough money to purchase the family's first home.Today, she's furthering her education to become a second-class power engineer-and at the same time showing her young daughters that girls and women really can do anything."Women account for about 5% of apprenticeship registrations in construction, manufacturing and transportation," says Caitlin Hartigan, WBF's Director of Program Management and Delivery."These are resilient careers that women can work in, and there is a significant demand for new skilled tradespeople across Canada," she observes.WBF's flagship program,Journey to Trades , guides cohorts of 18 women and gender-diverse individuals through introductory training needed to work in the construction industry. Theprogram has been offeredin Alberta since 2001, and will be offered in Regina, Saskatchewan for the first time in May, with similar training opportunities being developed in Ontario.In Journey to Trades, students learn career and professional skills; receive hands-on technical instruction in areas such as welding, carpentry, and plumbing; and take safety certifications, such as WHMIS and first aid.WBF also supports the employer's side, helping the trades get "ready for women," Hartigan adds.The organization nurtures relationships with Employers of Choice to ensure WBF graduates have the opportunity to join inclusive and equitable workplaces where they can thrive.To be included as an Employer of Choice, WBF reviews the companies' policies to ensure that they "hold values of diversity, equity and inclusion as closely to their operations as we do," Hartigan explains, noting graduates are more likely to succeed and stay in the trades when they work in companies whose values align with WBF's.Enbridge is proud to be a WBF Employer of Choice. We believediverse workplaces contribute to healthy, vibrant communities . This week, as we all celebrateInternational Women's Day on March 8 , we extend an invitation to women and women-identifying individuals toexplore a fulfilling career at Enbridge .In recognition of the impact Journey to Trades has on women workers in our industry, we awarded WBF a $105,000Fueling Futures grantto support the expansion of its programming into Saskatchewan.WBF anticipates a successful launch in the neighbouring province. "The program maintains a completion rate of over 90%," says Hartigan, adding that Journey to Trades celebrated its 100th cohort in 2023.Supports are in place for alumnae after graduation, too. At any time, they can rely on WBF for career advice to further their professional goals.Adds Hartigan: "To see the success of women coming into the program, and then years later, seeing them thrive in industry is incredible." View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Enbridge on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info: Spokesperson: EnbridgeWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/enbridge Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Enbridge
After screening to enthusiastic crowds at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Fawzia Mirza's movie The Queen of My Dreams, starring Hamza Haq and Amrit Kaur, is now in Canadian theatres.

The film, also written by Mirza, introduces us to queer grad student Azra (Kaur) who lives in Toronto in 1999, and doesn't particularly see eye-to-eye with her conservative Muslim mother, Mariam (Nimra Bucha).

But when Azra's father Hassan (Haq) dies unexpectedly, Azra travels to Pakistan for the burial and ends up learning about her mother's youth in Karachi, shown through a series of flashbacks in the movie, in a Bollywood-inspired coming-of-age journey.

This Bollywood fantasy also takes specific inspiration from the 1969 Sharmila Tagore film Aradhana, and the song "Mere Sapnon Ki Rani" (The Queen of My Dreams).

TORONTO, ONTARIO - MARCH 21: (L-R) Fawzia Mirza and Andria Wilson-Mirza attend the celebration of the theatrical release of "The Queen Of My Dreams" at Scotiabank Theatre on March 21, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Robert Okine/Getty Images)

The Queen of My Dreams began as a one-person show Mirza developed in Chicago, "Me, My Mom & Sharmila," based on the filmmaker's personal life and experience with family. But the scope of The Queen of My Dreams is absolutely impressive, featuring multiple locations, filming in Pakistan, and really proving the universality of a story that showcases the specifics of someone's lived experience.

"I probably went through, honestly, like 20 different iterations of what this film could be before it became the script that it was before we shot it, the one we took into production," Mirza told Yahoo Canada. "At one point, I thought about the fact that this could very easily be a coming-of-age story told entirely in Sydney, Nova Scotia, the story of a 12-year-old girl's coming of age and her mom, and they're at odds, and that would have been great, and maybe a lot easier to make."

"But the thing I could not let go of, that I kept coming back to, was the '60s in Pakistan. And the thing that really inspired so much of this, from the beginning, was this obsession with these old songs and these old movies, and these actresses, and really that's a connection to my mother. ... Why was I watching those or listening to those? It was an older generation who was sharing it with me. So that became kind of a grounding point for me. ... I realized that I don't need to stick to the story of the play as much to tell a great story, and I don't need to stick to my experiences or my mother's experiences for this film to be what it wants to be. I leaned into fantasy and I leaned into collective history, and collective memory."

Story continues

Amrit Kaur and Hamza Haq in The Queen of My Dreams

Amrit Kaur, Hamza Haq bring authenticity and specificity to their roles

Aside from the filmmaker's personal connection to the story, Kaur has also spoken about how being in this movie and playing Azra "forced" her to look at her own relationship with her parents and her sexuality, and the "love-hate relationship with where [she's] from."

"That is why she was the perfect person," Mirza said. "There was something, a spark in her, from the audition that was really palpable, and I think some of that was likely this deeply authentic connection that is not fabricated."

"I want people to feel, and I think the more we feel and the more we connect to our heart, the more we disconnect from the systems that kind of tell us to hide our truth, and suppress out truth. And the more we just be and are our authentic selves, that's when we're in our power and that's when we're all in our collective power as a humanity."

For Haq, he told Yahoo Canada last year, during TIFF in September, that he was particularly enthused about playing a character that is trying to be the best father and husband that he can.

In terms of developing this character for The Queen of My Dreams, Mirza highlighted that Haq brought a specificity to the character that was needed.

"We don't see on the page any sort of real direct conflict between the dad character and the protagonist, and that's intentional," Mirza explained. "It doesn't mean that there wasn't some, but that wasn't the story of this movie."

"My dad passed, that's a part of the film that's based on truth, and it wasn't like our relationship was 100 per cent great all the time, but when I think of him, ... you remember these moments of love and patience, and ... the best of the attributes that you remember them by. And I wanted the dad character to embody some of that and not for it to be, mom is bad, dad is good, but it just to be that they're different."

Amrit Kaur in The Queen of My Dreams

'Telling joyful stories is a place of power'

While The Queen of My Dreams deals with circumstances that are particularly emotional, this film has such a strong sense of joy and hope that's absolutely infectious. Mirza so beautifully is able to intertwine humour with feelings of grief and tension in a really nuanced and impactful story.

Part of that is also shown with the way the filmmaker depicted Azra's relationship with her mother, as her queer child.

"No one needs to remind us that it's not OK, every single day, you wake up and tune in to social media, into the news, you read about [tragedies and violence against LGBTQ+ people]," Mirza said. "You can see the trauma and if we are only focused on the trauma, whether it's in our daily lives or in our storytelling, how on earth are we going to get past it?"

"So for me, that's been my survival tool, and it went from being a survival tool of, can I reconcile my identities? Telling joyful stories then became a way of coming out and now telling joyful stories is a place of power, we need this because we have enough of everything else. I knew I needed to tell these stories because there is hope. There can be hope. Is it always 100 per cent, this is the recipe and this is how it's going to turn out? No, but we need to believe it in order for it to be."

The filmmaker also wonderfully integrates the song "Mere Sapnon Ki Rani" into the film as a storytelling element, and uses music as a way to tap into emotion and nostalgia in a brilliantly visceral way. You will absolutely be singing and dancing along to "Mere Sapnon Ki Rani" leaving the theatre, whether you've heard the song before or it's completely new to you.

"Music is poetry and I think it's one of the most relatable truths, universal truths there is," Mirza said. "We listen to a song and we cry, we laugh, we heal, we're angry, get over breakups, we get over losses, we celebrate wins."

"Some folks are hearing it for the first time, but those who have heard it before, they all are bringing their own experiences, their own families, their own memories, their own moments of joy and loss, while watching this film. So it adds an incredible layer. ... Even when I watch it, it takes me back to so many different parts of my life, including making this film. ... I feel so blessed that we got this song, this movie could not be what it is without that song."
PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-22 13:45:58

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Consumer class action addresses Meta Platforms fraudulently misleading advertisers with inflated metrics about "potential reach." WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court's 2022 order certifying a class of advertisers who paid Meta Platforms, Inc. (Meta) to place advertisements on its social media platforms (the damages class).Advertisers alleged that Meta fraudulently misrepresented the "potential reach" of advertisements on its platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, by stating that potential reach was an estimate of people, although it was actually an estimate of user accounts."We are very happy with today's Ninth Circuit ruling. We now look forward to showing the evidence at trial that Meta knew about this inflated reach issue for years and yet continued to take advantage of advertising customers," said Geoffrey Graber, partner at Cohen Milstein and Lead Counsel representing the plaintiffs in this class action.Plaintiffs further allege that because Facebook inflated its "potential reach," plaintiffs purchased more advertisements from Facebook and paid a higher price for advertisements than they otherwise would have.Documents produced by Facebook confirm that senior executives at the company knew for years that its "potential reach" metric was inflated - yet they failed to do anything, and even took steps to cover up the problem. In fact, in late 2017 and throughout 2018, Facebook executives repeatedly acknowledged "potential reach" was inflated and misleading due to, among other reasons, the fact that "potential reach" includes duplicate and fake accounts.The case,DZ Reserve et al. v. Meta Platforms, Case No. 3:18-cv-04978 (N.D. Cal.), is the second false advertising and unfair business practices class action, specifically addressing Meta Platforms' inflated advertising metrics, that Cohen Milstein has led. In June 2020, the court granted final approval of a $40 million settlement against Facebook inLLE One, LLC v. Facebook (Meta Platforms, Inc.), No.: 4:16-cv-06232-JSW (N.D. Cal.). This case, which addressed inflated advertising performance metrics related to video advertisements, was also led by Geoffrey Graber.The Cohen Milstein team representing the plaintiff class in DZ Reserve v. Meta Platforms, Inc. is Geoffrey Graber, Eric Kafka, Karina Puttieva, and Madelyn Petersen. The plaintiff class is also represented by Charles Reichmann of the Law Offices of Charles Reichmann.###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
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Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Celebrates with Elected Officials and Business LeadersOpening Showcases Yonkers' Continued Economic DevelopmentYONKERS, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / A broad range of elected officials, business community leaders, and local residents gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday celebrating the opening of an Orange Bank & Trust Company branch location at 1969 Central Park Ave. in Yonkers. In attendance were New York State Sen. Shelley B. Mayer; Westchester Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins; Yonkers City Council Minority Leader Mike Breen, Council member Tasha Diaz, Council member Anthony J. Merante; City of Yonkers Deputy Communications Director and surrogate for Mayor Spano Lisa Reyes; Yonkers Chamber of Commerce President Kevin Cacace; and representing Orange Bank & Trust Company were Michael Gilfeather, President and CEO, Moira Kiernan, Vice President and Head of Yonkers office, and Joseph Ruhl, Executive Vice President and Westchester Regional President.The celebrations kicked off with a high-energy ribbon cutting at the Central Park Ave. banking office, which is located within a recently completed retail complex that's breathing new life into the city's major thoroughfare. The excitement continued at a glamorous cocktail reception hosted at the $500 million Lionsgate Studios on Wells Avenue in Yonkers. The acclaimed studios opened in January 2022, and have since attracted hundreds of filmmakers and production companies from around the world, bestowing the city with the honorary title as "Hollywood on the Hudson." The Yonkers branch opening is the latest example of growth in the Bank's 132-year history, reflecting its evolution as a powerful economic engine of the community with approximately $2.5 billion in total assets. The Bank has six offices in Westchester County - with locations in Mount Vernon, Mamaroneck, White Plains, Mount Pleasant and Cortlandt Manor - in addition to its banking offices in Orange County, Rockland County and the Bronx.State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, "I am pleased to join Mayor Spano's office, the Yonkers Chamber of Commerce, and leaders from Orange Bank & Trust to celebrate the opening of Orange Bank & Trust in Yonkers. It is wonderful seeing my City of Yonkers grow and support new businesses, and it is a pleasure to welcome Orange Bank & Trust to Yonkers." "As New York's third-largest city, Yonkers is abuzz with positive economic activity, attracting diverse and vibrant businesses that are investing in our communities and creating opportunities for our residents," said City of Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano. "Orange Bank & Trust is the most recent example of a smart company recognizing Yonkers as a key component of its future growth, and we're proud to welcome it to our amazing city." "It's an exciting time as we continue to expand our operations by opening a new office in the City of Yonkers," said Michael Gilfeather, President and CEO of Orange Bank & Trust Company. "This new office exemplifies the bank's ongoing growth over the last several years and builds upon our strategic plan to offer more services to our clients throughout Westchester County and the Hudson Valley region." "Orange Bank & Trust Company represents the epitome of a community-based economic engine for good: It continuously looks for pathways to increase opportunities for local businesses, create new jobs, spur smart growth, and support neighborhood-serving nonprofits," said Yonkers Chamber of Commerce President Kevin Cacace. "On behalf of the local business sector, we're elated to help usher Orange Bank & Trust's expanded presence in Yonkers." "As a Yonkers native with more than three decades of banking experience, I couldn't be more excited to lead Orange Bank & Trust's expansion in my hometown and serve our local businesses through a combination of cutting-edge technology and the Bank's signature personal service," said Moira Kiernan, Vice President and Relationship Manager, who is overseeing the Yonkers branch.The Yonkers banking office officially opened on Jan. 31, 2024. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering a complete suite of banking services and financial products, including cash management, commercial loans and wealth management services. Please visit OrangeBankTrust.com or call the branch at 914-505-9020 for additional information.A ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Orange Bank & Trust Company branch location in Yonkers. Pictured L to R: Yonkers City Council member Tasha Diaz; Orange Bank & Trust Company President and CEO Michael Gilfeather; Assistant Relationship Manager Lisbet Acuna; Chairman of the Board, Jonathan Rouis; Moira Kiernan, Vice President and Relationship Manager; Joseph Ruhl, Executive Vice President and Westchester Regional President; Yonkers City Council Minority Leader Mike Breen; Westchester Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins; and City of Yonkers Deputy Communications Director Lisa Reyes.Elected officials and business community leaders gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of an Orange Bank & Trust Company branch location in Yonkers.About Orange Bank & Trust CompanyOrange Bank & Trust Company is the Hudson Valley's premier financial institution focusing on commercial lending, business banking, and wealth management services. For more than 132 years, Orange Bank & Trust Company has been an economic engine of the community, with approximately $2.5 billion in assets and playing a vital role in increasing opportunities for local businesses, facilitating region-defining developments, and maximizing investments to neighborhood-serving non-profits.Contact:Candice Varetoni AVP Marketing Officercvaretoni@ orangebanktrust.com SOURCE: Orange Bank & Trust Company
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Industry veterans draw on 20+ years of experience to reimagine brand strategy, creation and activation with the founding of a full-service integrated branding agencyLITTLETON, CO / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 /Taillight , the innovative branding and design agency, is proud to announce its latest accomplishment: winning the Silver Award in the Brand Identity category at the prestigious Muse Awards. This recognition, coming just months after the agency's formation, is a testament to Taillight's creative excellence and strategic prowess in the realm of brand identity design.The Muse Awards, known for celebrating the best in creativity and design across a multitude of disciplines, recognized Taillight for its outstanding contribution to brand identity. This accolade highlights the agency's ability to blend creativity with strategic insight, crafting brand identities that are not only visually compelling but also deeply resonant with the target audience.Bruno BenediniandJaclyn Hesse , the co-founders of Taillight, expressed their excitement over this significant achievement. Benedini remarked, "Winning the Silver Award for Brand Identity at the Muse Awards is a profound honor. It reaffirms our belief in the power of design to create memorable and impactful brand experiences. This recognition is a tribute to our team's hard work, creativity, and the innovative approach we bring to every project." Hesse added, "To be recognized so prominently in the field of brand identity design, especially so early in our agency's history, is incredibly rewarding. It underscores the importance of our mission to deliver not just visually stunning, but strategically sound brand identities that truly make a difference for our clients." The award for Brand Identity underscores the critical role that design plays in establishing a brand's presence in the market. In a world where brand perception can significantly influence consumer behavior, Taillight's expertise in creating distinctive and meaningful brand identities is more important than ever.This latest Muse Award serves as a benchmark of Taillight's commitment to excellence in brand identity design. As the agency continues to grow and evolve, its focus remains on pushing the boundaries of design and branding to create unparalleled experiences for clients and their audiences.For more information about Taillight and its award-winning approach to brand identity design, please visit https://taillight.agency About Taillight:Taillight is a full-service integrated branding firm that specializes in brand strategy, creation, and activation. Their seasoned and multidisciplinary team of strategists, writers, and analysts work on behalf of Fortune 500s, small to medium businesses, venture capital / private equity sponsored portfolio companies, and early-stage venture-backed start-ups to build brands that evoke connection, inspire action, and live on in the minds of audiences across the world.Media Contact:Name: Jaclyn HesseWebsite: https://taillight.agency/Email: jaclyn@ taillight.agency Phone: +506 8773-7130Address: 1801 W Briarwood Ave Littleton, CO 80120 USASOURCE: Taillight
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / Temas Resources Corp. ("Temas" or the "Company") (CSE:TMAS)(OTCQB:TMASF) announces, further to its news released dated February 8, 2024, that it has amended the terms of its non-brokered private placement (the "Financing"), reducing the price from $0.25 per unit to $0.20 per unit and thereby issuing up to of up to 7,500,000 units for gross proceeds of $1.5 million.Each Unit is comprised of one common share of the Issuer (a "Share") and one half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the Subscriber to purchase one additional common share of the Issuer (a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.40 per Warrant Share for a period of two years from the Closing Date.The Company intends to use proceeds from the financing for the purpose of advancing the La Blache project, marketing and working capital. There may be finder's fees payable in cash or securities.About Temas ResourcesTemas Resources Corp. is focused on the advanced La Blache and Lac Brule Iron-Titanium-Vanadium projects in Quebec. The critical metals the Company is exploring for are key to our national mineral independence. Additionally, the Company invests in and works to apply its green mineral recovery technologies across its mining portfolio to reduce the environmental impact and carbon footprint of metal extraction through advanced processing and patented leaching technologies.All public filings for the Company can be found on the SEDAR+ website www.sedarplus.ca . For more information about the Company, please visit www.temasresources.com For further information or investor relations inquiries: Tim FernbackPresident and CEOtfernback@ shaw.ca KIN Communications Inc.Tel: 604-684-6730 tmas@ kincommunications.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the expectations of management regarding the proposed Financing, the expectations of management regarding the use of proceeds of the Financing; and regulatory approval for the proposed Financing. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements including that: the Company may not complete the Financing; the proceeds of the Offering may not be used as stated in this news release; and those additional risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except where required by law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.SOURCE: Temas Resources Corp.
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DUBAI, UAE / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / Ufunded.comis breaking down barriers to entry by providing its traders with instant funded accounts, rebelling against the traditional broker industry, where people are constrained by their - limited - amount of capital.Prop firms enable traders to receive funding, but require them to pass (unattainable) challenges. Ufunded.com is taking it a step further, taking a controversial approach by completely removing the challenges aspect, allowing its users to access funding instantly.This inclusive approach levels out the playing field, granting novice traders the opportunity to participate in the worthwhile profit potential, which, in the past, used to be exclusively available to more affluent investors who had significant capital of their own.The users can trade a wide variety of instruments on the platform, namely US stocks, Forex, and Indices. The company partakes in a slim percentage of the profit the trader realizes, upon payout, the trader gets to keep the majority (up to 90%) of the profit, depending on the package the trader has selected. Ufunded.comis not only committed to making funding effortlessly accessible for its traders but the all-in-one platform is also known for its' powerful charting functionalities for professional technical analysis, as well as improving its users' skills by providing them crucial insights into their trading performance through built-in intuitive tools such as the performance dashboard and the automated trading journal, leveraging artificial intelligence.This innovative approach is cultivating a new generation of traders who are achieving higher returns due to instant access to funding and increases performance by driving better decisions due to performance insights, improving the learning curve.A peek inside the office shows us sophisticated product specialists in bright white and green company gear providing free-of-charge demonstrations of their platform and packages to its prospective users, according to the team members, a meticulously crafted platform in which the company takes pride as it's built with the trader's best interest in mind.The platform has become celebrated among trading communities and renowned traders alike, praising the platform for its ease of use and receiving appreciation for pioneering innovation that is - finally - oriented to the benefit of the user.To learn more, visit https://ufunded.com/ Email: pr@ ufunded.com Name: Ella DavisSOURCE: ufunded
The Head of the ECOWAS Observer Mission to Senegal and former Nigerias minister for external affairs, Ibrahim Gambari, on Friday praised the resilience of the people of Senegal and their commitment to stand by the principles of free elections and the tenets of democratic governance.

Mr Gambari, a professor, who leads a 130-member observer group which is in Dakar Senegal to monitor the Presidential elections on behalf of ECOWAS said in a period when authoritarian forces threaten to reverse the gains of democracy in the region, the choice by Senegal to go through with the elections is proof that West Africa is on the right part.

He said the election is too important for the regions democratic credentials, noting that, failure is not an option.

Mr Gambari said it is incumbent on all the stakeholders, including the various observer missions to Senegal, to respect the choice of the people by remaining impartial and be guided by the principle of integrity and professionalism.

The former ambassador said the deployment of a large observer mission reflects ECOWAS unwavering commitment to support Senegal in its long and fruitful democratic journey.

He said for him personally, being chosen to lead the mission is an opportunity to continue his work in upholding the principles that hold the region together, a job he has been engaged in for over forty years since he first became Nigerias minister for external affairs.

The Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security for ECOWAS, Abdul-Fateh Musah, noted that the fact that the elections are holding now shows both the challenges that the region has been facing and the resilience of civil society and the people of Senegal.

He said the objective of ECOWAS has always been to ensure that countries in the region are self regulating and resilient enough to ensure that no one can divert the course of good governance in the region.

He said because of the recent incidents of coups and attempted coups in the region, there has been talk of a retreat from democracy, a situation worsened by other negatives like the influx of Islamist terrorists organisations which seem to define the region.

He said the situation in Senegal shows there is a brighter side to things and also proved the progressive nature of the region as Senegal remains one of only two member states in West Africa that has not succumbed to military rule since independence, the other being Cape Verde.

The commissioner praised the integrity and republican nature of the security forces in Senegal and their ability to stay the course and support democratic governance in Senegal.

He said ECOWAS was enamoured by the fact that the recent hiccups in the electoral process in the country was handled internally without any external help and it is crucial to celebrate such upsides.

The commissioner pointed to the fact that there is no longer any question or issues of presidents seeking third terms in the region and he noted the successful hand over in Liberia recently where three of the nations leaders, the former president, the then president and the incoming president attended the inauguration.

He expressed disappointment at the efforts of the military juntas in the region, the so-called alliance of the Sahelian States of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso who had earlier called for sanctions against Senegal and tried to encourage anti-democratic forces there.

We are in Senegal to witness a beautiful process where the constitutional council and the people stayed strong and ensured that the rule of law was followed, he said.

He also noted that this election is remarkable for the fact that the sitting president and the main opposition figure in the country are not taking part therefore leaving the field wide open and possibly freer and less tension soaked.

He said the ECOWAS observer mission was in Senegal to demonstrate solidarity with the Senegalese people and to ensure that any hiccup or problem is resolved amicably.

The Sunday March 24 election which is coming after President Macky Sall had earlier shifted the date has 19 candidates on the ballot although two have supposedly dropped out of the campaign in the last two days, still making it the largest number of people ever to seek that office in the nations history. Over 7 million registered voters, 700,000 of whom have never voted, are expected to take part in the elections.

There are however fears that with 900,000 people already disenfranchised because their names were omitted from the voter register, the grounds for conflict and appeal has already been laid.

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A fresh outbreak of diphtheria disease has reportedly killed four children in villages in the Mingibir Local Government Area of Kano State.

28 others were said to have been hospitalised, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the Information Officer of the local government, Tasiu Dadin-Duniya, Punch reports.

According to the statement, the children contracted the disease in Kwarkiya, Kuru, Kunya and Minjibir Villages in Minjibir Local Government Area of the state.

Kano State, according to data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), tops the diphtheria disease charts.

Kano, Yobe, Bauchi, Katsina and Borno accounted for 98.9 per cent of the 16,518 confirmed cases recorded across 160 LGAs in 22 states from week 19, 2022 to week 11 of 2024, according to the latest NCDC data sent to PREMIUM TIMES.

It added that the disease has killed 839 persons with a case fatality rate of 5.0 per cent.

Kano responds

The Interim Management Officer of the affected local government in Kano, Muhammad Kunya, has called on the authorities and stakeholders to immediately reach out to the local government to protect the health of the communities.

The statement said the district head of the local government has also urged traditional rulers and Islamic scholars in the communities to enlighten the community and to pray for relief.

The Public Relations Officer of the states Ministry of Health, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said the report had been forwarded to the State Director of Public Health and had yet to confirm or deny the outbreak.

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium corynebacterium species that affects the nose, throat, and sometimes, the skin of an individual.

According to NCDC, people most at risk of contracting diphtheria are children and adults who have not received any or a single dose of the pentavalent vaccine (a diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine), people who live in a crowded environment, in areas with poor sanitation, and healthcare workers who are exposed to suspected or confirmed cases of diphtheria.

NCDC also said the disease spreads easily among people through direct contact with infected people, droplets from coughing or sneezing, and contact with contaminated clothing and objects.

The symptoms of diphtheria include fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, red eyes (conjunctivitis), and neck swelling. In severe cases, NCDC said a thick grey or white patch appears on the tonsils and, or at the back of the throat associated with difficulty in breathing.

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The Nigerian government has identified and sanctioned 19 terrorism financiers including six Bureau De Change (BDC) firms, a document obtained by PREMIUM TIMES has shown.

The identities of the alleged terrorism funders were revealed in the document issued by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NSC), headed by the Attorney General of the Federation.

Those named as financiers of terrorism include Tukur Mamu, a Kaduna-based publisher, Abdulsamad Ohida, Mohammed Abdurrahaman (FNU), Fatima Ishaq, Yusuf Ghazali, Muhammad Sani, Abubakar Muhammad, Sallamudeen Hassan, Adamu Ishak, Hassana Isah, Abdulkareem Musa and Umar Abdullahi.

Six firms  West and East Africa General Trading Co. Ltd, Settings Bureau De Change Ltd, G. Side General Enterprises, Desert Exchange Ventures Limited, Eagle Square General Trading Co Ltd, and Alfa Exchange BDC  were also named.

The committee gave a brief background of some of the indicted persons and subsequently detailed their alleged involvement in terrorism financing.

How named individuals financed terrorism

Mr Mamu, the Kaduna-based publisher of Desert Herald newspaper, was a spokesman to Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a Kaduna-based Islamic cleric who has repeatedly called for negotiations with terrorists.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Mamu was arrested by Interpol in Cairo, Egypt, on 6 September 2022, while operatives of the State Security Service (SSS), raided his Kaduna residence and office. He is still being prosecuted.

The NSC said Mr Mamu participated in the financing of terrorism by receiving and delivering ransom payments over the sum of $200,000 US dollars in support of ISWAP terrorists for the release of hostages of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.

The second person, Mr Ohida, according to the committee, was a senior commander (Quaid) of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) Okene.

He was described as the suspected attacker of the St. Francis Catholic Church Owo, Ondo State on 5th June 2022 and the Kuje Correctional Center, Abuja on 5th July 2022.

Tukur Muhammad Mamu Abdulsamad Abdulkareem Ohida Mohammed Sani Abdurrahaman (FNU) Fatima Ovayioza Ishaq Yusuf Ghazali Muhammad Lawan Sani Abubakar Adamu Muhammad Sallamudeen Abdullahi Hassan Adamu Ishak Hassana Oyiza Isah Abdulkareem Musa Umar Abdullahi West And East Africa General Trading Co. Ltd Settings Bureau De Change Ltd G. Side General Enterprises Desert Exchange Ventures Limited Eagle Square General Trading Co Ltd Alfa Exchange BDC

List of the persons and entities indicted for terrorism financing. SOURCE: Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NSC)

Thirty-seven-year-old Mr Sani is a member of the Ansaru terror group, the committee stated, adding he was trained and served under Muktar Belmokhtar [aka One-Eyed], a notorious leader of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) who was reportedly killed in 2016.

Mr Sani who was into carpentry, also allegedly specialises in designing terrorist clandestine communication codes and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). He was identified as one of the terrorists who escaped during the 2022 Kuje prison break.

The committee added that he is a gatekeeper to ANSARU leader, Mohammed Usman aka Khalid Al-Bamawi. Equally, he was a courier and travel guide to AQIM Katibat in the desert of Algeria and Mali.

Another indicted person simply identified as Abdurrahaman (FNU), was a senior commander of ISWAP in Okene, Kogi State, the committee disclosed.

ISWAP parted ways with Boko Haram in 2016 over doctrinal differences. It has since claimed responsibility for various attacks in some parts of the country, especially in the northeast and Lake Chad region.

Ms Ishaq, a resident of Unguwan Sarki in Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was said to be a financial courier to ISWAP Okene.

The committee said she was responsible for the disbursement of funds to the widows/wives of the terrorist fighters of the group.

Ms Isah, the other woman among the indicted persons, is the wife of Abdulkareem Musa (AKA Abu Khalid/Abu Aiman), the committee revealed, adding She receives money from ISWAP and then goes on to pay the wives of the ISWAP soldiers.

Her husband, Mr Musa, is a top commander of the ISWAP cell in central and southern Nigeria. He worked as the manager of Star bread bakery, owned by ISWAP and located opposite Abusito Mosque, Irubucheba area, Okene, Kogi State, before being arrested and sent to jail in 2011.

In 2015, Kano-based Mr Ghazali allegedly transferred N20 million to Surajo Muhammad, one of the six Nigerians convicted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2020 for a similar offence.

That same year, he transferred N40 million to Ibrahim Alhassan, another convict, the report states.

Abubakar Adamu Yellow who had calls and financial transactions with Alhaji Saidu Ahmed (the leader of the group) and direct financial transaction with two of the convicts (Surajo Abubakar Muhammad, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan) received a sum of N189 million from Yusuf Ghazali between 2016 and 2018, the committee stated, noting Mr Ghazali owns entities and businesses reported in the UAE court judgment as facilitating the transfer of terrorist funds from Dubai to Nigeria.

Like Mr Ghazali, two other Kano-based residents, Messrs Sani and Muhammad, were accused of financing terrorism by engaging in financial transactions with the Nigerian-UAE convicts.

Borno-born Mr Hassan who lived in Lagos was also accused of the same offence.

The committee said he was a top ISWAP member and one of the founders of the ISWAP cell in the South-west geopolitical zone.

He sources and coordinates their finances through cryptocurrency, dating and tax/covid19 palliative scams in the USA, the committee stated.

Also, Mr Ishaq who was based in Kaduna was indicted as a logistics provider for ISWAP. The committee reported that he bought lands, and built and bought houses for ISWAP members in Jigawa and Kaduna states.

He was not alone. Mr Abdullahi, described as a Kano State resident and a top member of ISWAP from the Lake Chad region, was described as a top logistics provider for the ISWAP.

The committee stated that Mr Abdullahi was a grain merchant in Kano State and was in charge of the ISWAP farm in Doma, Kebbi state.

BDC operators indicted

According to the committee, West And East Africa General Trading Co. Ltd, in 2017, transferred the sum of N153 million to one Mustapha Adamu.

That same year, the firm transferred N50 million to Ali Yusuf, who was named as the brother to two of the Nigerians convicted in UAE  Ibrahim Alhassan and Bashir Yusuf.

A year before, the firm transferred the sum of N160 million to Ambare Mohammed who is a major suspect in Maiduguri.

Between 2014 and 2015, the committee reported that Settings Bureau De Change Ltd received N100 million from Mr Ghazali who had financial transactions with three UAE convicts  Surajo Muhammad, Ibrahim Alhassan and Bashir Yusuf.

The connection of the entity to the mentioned suspect covers over 80% of the entitys entire transactions within the reporting threshold, the committee explained. This made the entity a likely accomplice in the groups activities.

Detailing how G. Side General Enterprises made the list, the committee wrote: The Director/Promoter Yusuf Ghazali transferred N20 Million to Surajo Abubakar Muhammad (who is the number one convict in UAE for Financing Terrorism in Nigeria) in 2015. Yusuf Ghazali, the Companys Director/Promoter transferred N40 million to Ibrahim Ali Alhassan (who was convicted in UAE for financing terrorism in Nigeria) in 2015.

Abubakar Adamu Yellow who had calls and financial transactions with Alhaji Saidu Ahmed (alleged leader of the group) and directed financial transactions with two of the convicts (Surajo Abukakar Muhammad and Ali Alhassan) received a sum of N189 Million from Yusuf Ghazali, the Companys Director/Promoter between 2016 and 2018.

The Desert Exchange Ventures Limited, in 2015, transferred N20 million to the convict Surajo Abubakar Muhammad, N146 million to Habibu Sani Maigida and N195 million to Rashab Nig Enterprises.

A year later, it transferred the N198 million to one Usaini Adamu.

For Eagle Square General Trading Co Ltd, the committee said the firm transferred the sum of N165 million to Abubakar Adamu Yellow in 2018, N480 million to Usaini Adamu between 2017 and 2018 and N347 million to Bahafs Global Ventures within the same period.

Alfa Exchange BDC received N5 million from Yawale Muhammad Sani between 2013 and 2015, the committee reported, adding the firm received N498 million from Yusuf Gazali.

Alfa Exchange UAE was mentioned as being used as a repository of Boko Haram money for onward transfer to Nigeria, the committee stated.

The sanctions

The NSC said it recommended the specific individuals and entities for designation following their involvement with terrorism financing.

The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, with the approval of the President, has thereupon designated the following individuals and entities to be listed on the Nigeria Sanctions List, the NSC stated, rolling out sanctions against the indicted persons in accordance with Section 54 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

It recommended that all funds, assets and any other economic resources belonging to the designated persons and entities be immediately frozen without prior notice.

The frozen assets or actions taken against the indicted persons and entities are to be reported to the NSC afterwards.

Immediately file a Suspicious Transactions Report to the NFIU for further analysis on the financial activities of such an individual or entity; and report as a Suspicious Transactions Report to the NFIU, all cases of name matching in financial transactions prior to or after receipt of this list, the committee stated.

The committee clarified that the sanctions affect All funds or other assets that are owned or controlled by the designated persons and entities, and not only those that are tied to a particular act, plot, or threat of terrorism or terrorism financing.

Assets and funds jointly owned or controlled [directly or indirectly] by the indicted persons and entities shall be frozen as well, the committee explained.

The sanction shall affect the funds or other assets derived or generated from funds or other assets owned or controlled directly or indirectly by designated persons or entities.

Funds or other assets of persons and entities acting on behalf of, or at the direction of designated persons or entities shall also be frozen, the committee clarified.

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The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) on Friday announced the release of the results of the first-ever Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB- WASSCE) for private candidates, 2024 series.

According to the examination body, a total of 2,519 candidates, amounting to 30.95 per cent of the 8,139 candidates who sat the examination at 140 CBT centres across the country, obtained credits and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

WAEC noted that 3,424 candidates representing 42.07 per cent obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects (with or without English Language and/or Mathematics).

The entry figure (8,362) of the examination which was conducted between Wednesday, 31 January and Saturday, 17 February, showed a 4.30 per cent decrease in candidature when compared with the 2023 entry figure of 8,738.

More details

Announcing the results in a statement signed by the Acting Head of the Public Affairs Unit, Moyosola Adesina, the Head of Nigerias Office of WAEC, Amos Dangut, said 3,862, amounting to 47.45 per cent of the total number of candidates that sat the examination were male, while 4,277, amounting to 52.55 per cent of the candidates were female.

Amongst the candidates that sat the examination, the statement noted that 21 were with varying degrees of special needs. Nine were visually challenged, two had impaired hearing and two were albinos, WAEC said.

The examination body also noted that a total of 459 examiners participated in the coordination and marking exercise.

Withheld results, decrease in malpractice

The examination body further noted that the results of 65 candidates, representing 0.80 per cent of the total number of candidates that sat the examination, are being withheld for various reported cases of examination malpractice.

It, however, admitted that the CBT examination method for WASSCE drastically reduced examination malpractices, when compared to reported cases of 413 candidates (4.95 per cent) recorded for WASSCE for private candidates in the 2023-first series.

These reported cases are being investigated and reports of the investigations will be presented to the appropriate committee of the Council for consideration, it noted.

Thereafter, the committees decisions will be communicated directly to the affected candidates.

Criticisms

WAEC had in November 2023 announced that it had concluded plans to conduct its WASSCE for private candidates using the computer-based model, which was met with criticism from Nigerians.

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYF), a northern Nigerian pressure group, called for the rejection of the new model.

The group said in a statement by its President, Yerima Shettima, that the new model would result in mass failure for students, especially those in rural areas and who have little or no computer skills.

It suggested that the CBT exams should have been optional, allowing candidates to choose between the pen-and-pencil format and the computer-based model.

However, in reaction to the criticism, WAEC said the agitation was unnecessary, saying all necessary measures had been put in place to ensure fairness, justice and inclusion.

Reacting to the development at the time, Mr Dangut said the examination would be delivered in hybrid mode where all questions are projected on the computer.

He noted that the candidates are to respond on the screen, while they give their responses to the essays and practical questions using the answer booklets provided.

WAEC Nigeria, in keeping with its vision of being a world-class examining body and its core value of innovation, has taken this bold step to offer candidates a viable alternative to the pen and paper model of examinations while giving its stakeholders and public, a view of the great potentials that exist in computer-based approach to assessments, he noted.

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Three students of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, were feared dead on Friday in a stampede that occurred when the students struggled for rice donated by the state government.

The incident occurred at the convocation square of the university where the bags of rice were kept awaiting the arrival of Governor Abdullahi Sule for the commencement of distribution.

According to a student witness, Moses Ajah, the surging crowd of students overpowered the security personnel and broke into the square through the gate, thereby causing a stampede.

He described the incident as very unfortunate.

Some of the students were struggling with the police over the rice, and as more students got information, the situation degenerated.

As we speak, some students are injured and receiving treatment at the school clinic, he said.

He said some students picked up bags of rice and ran to their hostels and other places of residence even as the governor was yet to arrive to inaugurate the distribution.

As of the time of filing this report, police officers were seen retrieving the palliatives from students.

When contacted, the Information and Protocol Officer of the University, Abraham Ekpo, said he was aware of the incident but yet to get the details.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Governor Sule recently embarked on a palliative initiative for students of tertiary institutions in the state.

He has visited Federal University, Lafia, College of Education, and Akwanga, among others, where he distributed 7.5 kg bags of rice and N5,000 to each student.

(NAN)

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Chippewa Valley residents expressed shock, grief and anger Friday as two western Wisconsin hospitals closed for good.

Im sad, but mostly Im mad. Im angry. This is unjust. This isnt Christian. This is the opposite of what the hospital Sisters stood for and there is no excuse. Zero, said Robin Kimball. Wheres the compassion? Moreso, where is the accountability to patients, staff and residents? HSHS should be ashamed.

HSHS Sacred Heart in Eau Claire closed at 7 a.m. and HSHS St. Josephs in Chippewa Falls shut down at noon Friday.

As Sacred Heart Hospital and St. Josephs Hospital shut their doors, the public showed up to thank the workers at the facilities one last time.

'Feast day of St. Joseph'

Residents and first responders held two honor walks to commemorate the occasions and thank the hospital employees. On Thursday, a few hundred people showed up at Sacred Heart to say goodbye. On Friday, members of the public lined the roadway and parking lots outside of St. Josephs.

Well-wishers held signs that said things like "Thank you for your service," "You are loved," and "Stay strong."

This week was the feast day of St. Joseph, said Perry Tennant. The saint that watches over workers, expectant mothers and immigrants. His feast day is on March 19  how fitting for this situation. I hope St. Joseph is hearing our prayers now.

Chippewa County coroner Ron Patten said Thursday he had been a patient at Sacred Heart several times.

It was just important for us to be here and show our support, he said. Let people know we care.

Key developments in Chippewa Valley closures of HSHS and Prevea facilities HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire and HSHS St. Josephs Hospital in Chippewa Falls announced Jan. 22 they will permanently close along 

Kay Leis, a retired employee of St. Josephs for 41 years, said the closure left her heartbroken.

Im just very sad for the community. Its a big loss, a huge loss she said.

Former St. Josephs pediatrician Patricia McGuire said the staff worked as a team.

Im sad because St. Joes was a great family, she said. We didnt have some of the problems here that they do in other places where the doctors think theyre above the nurses. We were all equal is what I saw. That was very important.

Chippewa Falls resident Cheri Tannler said she did cardiac rehab at St. Josephs.

Its hard to see this, she said.

Tannler worries about what the closures will mean for local health care access.

Its just going to be harder to get in. It might take longer to get an appointment, she said.

Friday morning, HSHS posted a message on the HSHS Sacred Heart Facebook page that said: HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire and HSHS St. Josephs Hospital in Chippewa Falls have permanently closed as of March 22, 2024. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the patients and community members our hospitals have been privileged to serve. HSHS is deeply grateful and proud of how our colleagues have fulfilled Hospital Sisters healing mission here for more than 140 years.

The two hospitals stood watch over the residents of the Chippewa Valley for 14 decades, playing a vital role in the health of the people in Chippewa and Eau Claire counties and the surrounding area.

The Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis came to Chippewa Falls on June 28, 1885, at the invitation of Father Charles Goldsmith, the first and only pastor in Chippewa Falls at the time, according to the HSHS website.

HSHS St. Josephs and Sacred Heart say goodbye
The Ogun State House of Assembly has passed a resolution calling on the state government to reposition the State Security Network Agency  Amotekun Corps, for effectiveness in securing the lives and property of residents.

The legislators also solicited the appointment of a new State Commander, not below the rank of a Major or its equivalent in other security agencies, to oversee the activities of the Agency following the death of its former Commander.

In addition, they stressed the need to recruit more personnel to strengthen the Corps operations. This, the Assembly noted, would help tackle the incessant security breaches, especially kidnappings and armed robberies, being experienced in some parts of the State.

Opening the debate on the motion, its sponsor, Babatunde Tella, reported the ineffectiveness of the Amotekun Corps following the demise of the State Commander, David Akinremi.

He disclosed that there had also been reports that the operation of the agency was being hampered by insufficient funds, stressing that the Corps was in dire need of more personnel, who should be localised in the communities; ammunitions, and vehicles to enable them to meet up with the responsibilities of providing adequate security in the State.

Other members, who contributed to the debate included Olusegun Kaka, Adebisi Oyedele, Minority Leader Lukman Adeleye, Adegoke Adeyanju, and Fola Salami. They recounted incidents of insecurity, especially kidnappings in their respective constituencies, which needed to be addressed headlong.

READ ALSO: Ogun waste managers threaten to withdraw services over N650 million debt

The resolution also sought the need to equip the Amotekun Corps with modern ammunition, up-to-date communication gadgets, and other security apparatus as well as the procurement of additional vehicles to aid its operations and other activities.

The debate later led to the motion for the resolution moved by the majority leader, Yusuf Sheriff, seconded by the minority leader, Adeleye Lukman, and supported by the whole House through a voice vote.

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Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has appointed his brother as the deputy chief of staff in charge of general services in the state.

The new appointee, Ferdinand Uzodinma, is a former chairperson of Oru East Local Government Area of the state.

The appointment takes immediate effect, the governors spokesperson, Oguwike Nwachukwu, announced in a statement on Thursday.

Mr Uzodinma, according to the statement, also reappointed Cosmos Iwu as the Secretary to the State Government, Nnamdi Anyaehie as his chief of staff and Sydney Agbor as the deputy chief of staff in charge of operations.

The governor also appointed Patrick Ekeji as the deputy chief of staff in charge of administration and Sam Nwaobasi as the Special adviser on Programme and Policy Implementation and Monitoring.

Governor Uzodinma, who congratulated the new appointees, urged them to bring to bear their professional competence in the efforts to drive the vision of the Shared Prosperity 3R Government of Imo State, the statement added.

This is the second set of appointments since Mr Uzodinma was sworn in as governor for his second term in office on 15 January.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that he was declared the winner of the 11 November 2023 governorship election in the state.

A few days after being sworn in for a second term in office, Mr Uzodinma appointed Humphrey Orjiako as liaison officer, Abuja, and Kingsley Ogwudire as special adviser, diaspora sports.

Before his swearing-in ceremony for his second term, the governor had dissolved his cabinet and announced the removal of all the sole administrators of the 27 local government areas of the state.

He is yet to appoint commissioners.

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Tributes continued to pour in for the late Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Lekan Balogun, as his eighth-day Islamic Firdau prayer was held on Friday in Ibadan.

The monarch, the 42nd Olubadan, died last week at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan after a brief illness.

The prayer, which was held at Mapo hall in Ibadan, had in attendance dignitaries, clerics and traditional rulers across Ibadan land.

Earlier on Thursday, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, while paying a condolence visit to the family of the late monarch at his Alarere residence, disclosed that he has approved N55 million for the prayer, promising that the state government will give the late monarch a befitting burial.

The Chief Imam of Ibadan land, Abdulganiy Agbotomokekere, led Muslim leaders at the prayer.

Mr Agbotomokekere, during his lecture, harped on the need for people to keep doing good while alive as they do not know when theyll return to their maker.

Christian leaders as well as traditional leaders also offered their prayers.

Our fathers death, a great loss  Children

Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES, two of the late Olubadans children, Olayinka Balogun and Funmi Osinowo, described the death of their father as a great loss.

Ms Olayinka said her father was a very tolerant and non-tribalistic person, adding that religion was a personal thing to him.

She stated that his non-tribalistic nature led him to marry wives from Edo, Igala as well as the Yoruba tribe.

He was a very tolerant person. He was very supportive, especially when his children are concerned, and always very comforting, she said.

On her part, Ms Osinowo stated that her father was a revolutionary and an awesome man.

She stated that her family will miss the late Olubadan greatly, and prayed that his legacy would endure.

We thank God for his life and we pray that the blessings of God will be on the children he left behind. God will bring us together the way my father wanted before he passed on, she added.

Olubadan died when he was needed most -ALGON

Meanwhile, the chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Oyo State chapter, Sikiru Sanda, has said that the late Olubadan died when he was needed the most.

Addressing journalists at the prayer venue, Mr Sanda, who is also the chairman, Egbeda Local Government Area, said the death of the late Olubadan was a rude shock to him, adding that his exit was a great loss to the nation.

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President Bola Tinubu says the perpetrators of the killing of soldiers in Delta State will face certain justice, warning that his administration will not tolerate attacks on the military and security infrastructure.

The president, who hosted the leadership of the Senate to a dinner to break the Ramadan fast at the State House on Thursday, said the military will continue to enjoy the support of his administration in neutralizing security threats across the country.

Our armed forces are working hard, and we will not allow attackers to undermine the integrity and value of our armed forces and its leadership.

We will continue to encourage and fight for our sovereignty, our individual rights to exist, and we will succeed in banishing poverty from our land, the president stated.

President Tinubu told the leadership of the Senate that the integrity of the National Assembly must remain intact and that his administration will always encourage cooperation for the advancement of the nation.

I know the arithmetic of the budget and the numbers that I brought to the National Assembly, and I know what numbers came back. I appreciate all of you for the expeditious handling of the budget. Thank you very much.

Those who are talking about malicious embellishment in the budget; they did not understand the arithmetic and did not refer to the baseline of what I brought. But your integrity is intact.

I am grateful for what you have been doing. The natural challenge we are facing will be over. On the current economic difficulty, we are about turning the corner. Our revenue has improved. All we have to do is to control expenditure and manage ourselves better.

Light is at the end of the tunnel, and Nigerians will soon smile again, the president affirmed.

President Tinubu thanked members of the National Assembly for the speedy attention given to the Student Loan Amendment Bill, urging more tolerance, forgiveness, and charity during Ramadan.

In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, thanked the president for hosting the lawmakers, noting that regular interactions would enhance understanding and productive governance.

We bring you greetings from the 10th senate. We bring you assurances of continuous collaboration because we believe strongly that for us to have two brothers from the National Assembly as President and Vice-President, and even the Chief of Staff as our member, we have no option but to work with you, and to do everything possible for this administration to succeed, the president of the Senate said.

Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

More Pictures:

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Governor Alex Otti of Abia on Thursday signed the Abia State of Nigeria Governors and Deputy Governors Pension Repeal Bill of 2024 into law.

In a speech after assenting to the law in Nvosi, Mr Otti described the new law as part of the efforts made to promote good governance and stewardship in Abia.

The governor said that he strongly believed that leadership was all about stewardship and should not be viewed as an opportunity to embezzle public funds.

He thanked the Abia House of Assembly for expeditiously dealing with the bill and commended them for the cordial relationship between the legislative and executive arms of government.

Mr Otti said that the cordial relationship between both arms of government had been built on trust and understanding that the separate arms of government were working together for the people.

He assured the legislature of maximum support from the executive.

Mr Otti described the new law regarding revoking pension payments to former officeholders as a step in the right direction.

He said that government is not about self-interest, it is actually self-interest that destroys government.

Mr Otti said that prioritising public welfare over individual benefits ought to be given key consideration in policy-making.

He said that he was aware that he would have benefitted if the law continued to exist and added that it was best to use the funds to improve the lives of citizens.

Mr Otti also said that the pensioners were the people who needed the funds the most and not former office holders.

He expressed displeasure over the practice of allocating 80 per cent of the states budget to recurrent expenditure and 20 per cent to capital expenditure by past administrations.

He said that the changed policy was part of the efforts made by the present administration to reduce the cost of governance.

Mr Otti said: I have seen engagements where people said that they have not been collecting.

It is true because they have not been paid, and we dont believe that those payments should be made.

One of the people that should be paid wrote me about not being paid; I put a call across to him and explained why it should not be paid and he agreed with me.

I told him we have not paid anyone and he said that he wants to confirm that he was not being singled out.

The point I am trying to make is that even the people that should receive it believe that repealing the law is the best.

The Speaker of the Abia House of Assembly, Emmanuel Emereuwa, said that the bill when signed into law would revoke Abia State Governors and Deputy Governors Law no 4 of 2001.

Mr Emeruwa, represented by his deputy, Austin Meregini, said that he had come to present the bill to the governor for his assent.

In a remark, the Attorney General of the state, Ikechukwu Uwanna, said that the governor had taken a bold and audacious step by assenting to the bill.

Mr Uwanna said that he believed that it was in line with the will of the people and thanked the House of Assembly for working in tandem with the executive to transform the state.

(NAN)

INA/MNA

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Nigerian security agencies have killed a suspected member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Mgbalukwu, Inyimagu, a community in the Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigerias south-east.

The Nigerian army disclosed this in a statement posted on its official Facebook page on Thursday night.

The army said the suspect was killed earlier on Thursday during a raid on a camp belonging to suspected IPOB members and its militia wing, Eastern Security Network.

The statement said Nigerian troops of Sector 2 Ebonyi carried out the operation in collaboration with other security agencies under the Joint Task Force South-east Operation Udo Ka.

Apart from the Nigerian troops, personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, State Security Service, and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps took part in the operation, according to the statement.

The army said the operation was in response to a tip-off about the groups activities in the community.

During the operation, troops came in contact with the terrorists which resulted in the neutralisation of one IPOB member while others fled into the nearby forests, the statement read in part.

One AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 magazines, 54 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and three stolen Sienna buses were among the items recovered from the hoodlums, according to the army.

The Force Commander Joint Task Force South Operation Udo Ka, Hassan Taiwo-Dada, commended the synergy among the troops and other security agencies in the operation, the statement said.

Mr Taiwo-Dada, a major general, urged residents of the South-east to continue supporting the security agencies with timely, reliable and credible information to aid the fight against criminals in the region.

IPOB, a group seeking to carve out a sovereign state of Biafra from the South-east and some parts of the South-south of Nigeria, has been linked to some deadly attacks in two regions.

But, the separatist group has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks.

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President Bola Tinubu says the alleged padding of the 2024 budget by the National Assembly is nothing but a lack of misunderstanding of the arithmetic of the budget by critics.

Mr Tinubu stated this on Thursday while hosting senators to Iftar at the State House.

PREMIUM TIMES reported the massive smuggling of projects into the 2024 budget by the lawmakers.

While justifying the action of the lawmakers, Mr Tinubu, who was making his first direct response to the padding controversy, said he understands the arithmetic of the budget but critics do not.

He went further to pray the lawmakers for expeditious handling of the budget.

I know the arithmetic of the budget and the numbers that I brought to the National Assembly, and I know what numbers came back. I appreciate all of you for the expeditious handling of the budget. Thank you very much.

Those who are talking about malicious embellishment in the budget; they did not understand the arithmetic and did not refer to the baseline of what I brought. But your integrity is intact, he said.

President Tinubu told the leadership of the Senate that the integrity of the National Assembly must remain intact and that his administration would always encourage cooperation for the advancement of the nation.

I am grateful for what you have been doing. The natural challenge we are facing will be over.

On the current economic difficulty, we are about turning the corner. Our revenue has improved. All we have to do is to control expenditures and manage ourselves better. Light is at the end of the tunnel, and Nigerians will soon smile again, the president said.

Background

Abdul Ningi, the senator representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, had first exposed the National Assembly for the smuggling of the projects into the budget. However, the presidency denied the claim.

Despite the denial by the National Assembly and presidency, Mr Ningi produced a list of projects inserted by the lawmakers without a specific location.

PREMIUM TIMES obtained the list by Mr Ningi and verified some of the claims which turned out to be true.

Despite the evidence, the Senate still suspended Mr Ningi for three months while the executive has been on a campaign to justify the inclusion of the projects.

The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, recently attempted to justify the action of the lawmakers.

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The Defence Headquarters says that troops have killed 106 terrorists and arrested 103 others in different operations nationwide in the last week.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, said this while giving an update on the operations in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Mr Buba, a major general, said the troops also apprehended 22 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 96 kidnap victims.

He added that troops recovered 171 assorted weapons and 2,452 rounds of ammunition during the operations.

The breakdown comprised 47 AK47 rifles, one PKT gun, 18 pump action rifles, 17 locally fabricated guns, 14 dane guns, 12 locally fabricated pistols, one fabricated revolver, one hand grenade, 81mm mortar bomb, one mortar tube and four bandoliers

Others are 995 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 468 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 317 live cartridges, 125 rounds of 9mm ammo, 313 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 13 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm, 19 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm, 167 empty shells of 7.62mm special ammo, 45 empty shells of 7.62mm NATO and 72 empty cases of cartridges.

They also include 14 magazines, 10 vehicles, 23 motorcycles, 19 mobile phones, one bicycle, four baofeng radios, and the sum of N112,920, amongst other items, he said.

In the North-east, Mr Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai, neutralised 38 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, rescued 16 kidnap hostages and recovered several arms and ammunition, amongst others during the week.

He said that a total of 46 terrorists, comprising eight adult males, 14 adult females and 24 children surrendered to troops, between 13 March and 19 March within the theatre of operations.

In the North-central, Mr Buba said the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke eliminated seven violent extremists, apprehended 27, rescued eight kidnap hostages and recovered a large cache of weapons.

In the North-west, he said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji killed 31 terrorists, arrested 13 others, rescued 56 kidnapped hostages and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition.

He added that troops of Operation Whirl Punch apprehended nine violent extremists/terrorists and rescued 19 kidnap victims within the week.

Mr Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 40 illegal refining sites with 51 dugout pits, 17 boats, 21 cooking ovens, three pumping machines, 15 storage tanks and four vehicles.

He added that the troops also recovered 772,350 litres of stolen crude oil, 80,530 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,500 litres of DPK within the week.

In the South-east, Mr Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA uncovered and destroyed IED factory in the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra.

He added that troops rescued five kidnap victims in Enugu North and recovered one vehicle.

(NAN)

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says his administration is planning to establish a rapid response team to address insecurity in the territory.

He said the unit would comprise a joint team from various security agencies.

Mr Wike disclosed this during a courtesy visit by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Christopher Musa, to his office on Friday.

He said the rapid response team would be equipped with advanced technology to enhance its ability to combat crime in the nations capital.

What we are trying to do is to establish a centre, what we call FCT Rapid Response Team, which will be a joint team, including the military, the police, the DSS, and the Civil Defence, where every form of technology will be provided, he explained.

The FCT recently witnessed an upsurge in kidnappings and other crimes.

Support for military

Mr Wike said the FCT administration would provide support to the military and other security agencies because of the strategic work they do to protect others.

Whatever you think the FCT can do for you, dont hesitate to tell us. I will do it for you because you need support to succeed. While we are sleeping at night, you are moving about just to protect us. So, we need to give you the necessary support, he said.

The minister conveyed his condolences to the CDS over the tragic death of some soldiers in Delta State, describing the killing as barbaric and unfortunate.

He promised to help alleviate the suffering of the families of the deceased.

First of all, let me express condolences to the families and the Nigerian military over what happened in Delta State. It was the most barbaric act I have ever seen. I dont think any right-thinking person will ever support such a heinous crime. Not only because people died, but also because of how they were killed is quite unfortunate.

We, as the FCT, will support the Nigerian military in whichever way we can to see what we can do to reduce the pain of the families of these individuals.

And you are doing your best. People must appreciate it. It is not easy for somebody to risk their life for the country. Therefore, every Nigerian should support you. Nigerians prayers are required. I know how many soldiers youve lost in fighting Boko Haram, bandits, and other forms of crime. So, you require support in all aspects, he stated.

Mr Wike also stressed the importance of synergy among the security agencies and the need to support the armed forces.

In his remarks, Mr Musa, a general, commended the ministers efforts in the development of the FCT.

He pledged the support of the armed forces for his activities aimed at uplifting the territory and its residents.

He assured Mr Wike that the armed forces would continue to collaborate with other security agencies in the FCT, particularly the police, to safeguard lives and property.

We have witnessed significant changes within the short time since you took over, and things have improved. We commend your efforts and assure you that members of the armed forces are solidly behind you, providing all the necessary support you require.

Our role is to provide standby force in case the situation overwhelms them, then we can intervene. To that end, we are establishing a rapid response team that will involve ground troops and air support, especially helicopters. We aim to have them on standby 24 hours, Mr Musa said.

Also present during the visit were the Chief of Staff to the Minister, Chidi Amadi, the Head of Service of the FCTA, Samuel Atang, mandate secretaries, and other senior officials of the FCTA and the Defence Headquarters.

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The federal government and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), on Friday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance oncology care in the country.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, signed the MoU, along with the Managing Director of NSIA, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, in Abuja.

Mr Pate said that the MoU would aid the procurement of oncology equipment for the management of cancer.

He added that upgrading the equipment in the six cancer centres, located in six designated teaching hospitals in the six geo-political zones of the country, was an important milestone.

This is because it would mark the end of tragic stories for thousands of Nigerians who struggle to get care for cancer.

According to him, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), including cancers, are among the fastest-growing disease burdens in the country.

He explained that NSIA as the manager, is to execute a similar project as it did in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in other teaching hospitals.

So, NSIA would bring the technical capacity, the experience, and the governance system, following the authoritys relationship with manufacturers of cancer equipment.

We have seen how they ran that of LUTH and it is a very important partner to government.

He said that the government oncology initiative hitherto initiated with other hospitals lasted for years without success.

But this is a different path where were using a government-owned entity (NSIA) to execute, where the entity will go directly to the manufacturers, taking away the middlemen.

My understanding is that we have almost 30 per cent discount in the cost of equipment by virtue of going to the manufacturers directly, a clear value added of almost N10 billion saved because of the discount.

Mr Pate said that the initial appropriation approved for the teaching hospitals about four years ago remained N17.9 billion, while in 2024, the federal government appropriated N20 billion for it, totalling N37.9 billion.

He, however, urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the cancer space to ensure all funds for the initiative were monitored to ensure accountability.

On his part, Umar-Sadiq of NSIA said that the organisation had seen first-hand through its facility, the NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre, the significant impact a localised world-class oncology facility can make to Nigerians.

He said that the opportunity to multiply it under a government initiative across the country was something that everyone should be enthusiastic about ensuring its success.

It is truly a pleasure for the NSIA to play its own small part in making this done. Victory can only be declared when the minister is commissioning these six centres in the next 18 to 24 months.

Victory really is when these centres are being commissioned with the right equipment, the right civil works completed, the right working capital framework and the right school with the right training strategy for our clinicians and non-clinicians being in place.

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Jos University Teaching Hospital, Pokop Bupwadata, said that the strategy of bringing in NSIA would ensure sustainability in managing the six centres.

He said, Just like it was demonstrated in LUTH, they would not need to reinvent the wheel and going that way would add value to the Nigerian government and people.

The CMD of LUTH, Wasiu Adeyemo, said that when the centre started, it was turbulent; however, with the involvement of the NSIA, it became successful.

Mr Adeyemo said, Many Nigerians that used to go to Ghana or UK now come to LUTH, so on behalf of Nigerians and the staff of the centre and management of the hospital, we are thankful for this initiative.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the signing of the MoU aligns with President Bola Tinubus directive to upgrade the six cancer centres located in the countrys six geopolitical zones to enhance cancer treatment.

(NAN)

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HSHS St. Josephs Hospital is closing, but it leaves behind a legacy of caring for body, mind and spirit.

The hospital's staff worked together as a close-knit family, providing care and support to patients and each other.

Its not just a hospital. It's a place where people can come for a bed or services but then pray, too. You know, it's a Catholic hospital. So anything that involves prayer involves people  people that really genuinely care about each other, HSHS emergency department manager Regi Geissler said.

HSHS is a true community of caring, past and present staff agree.

We're not a big hospital, but we're a big family here. When anyone needed something, you could call on anybody and they'd be there in a minute. Its really a special place. And I'm grateful to be a part of it, Geissler said.

Tiny but mighty

St. Josephs pharmacy technician Jane Sonnentag said because the hospital was so small, the employees worked together well as a team. She said that the camaraderie and sense of purpose was the greatest joy of the job.

We're tiny but mighty. We pitched in to help each other, she said. During COVID, I did a lot of hand-holding when people werent able to have loved ones in the hospital. We were fighting the disease and fighting burnout and fighting to help each other.

Being a small staff in a small town came with some unique upsides, she said.

I was starting to care for the third generation of patients because I was coming up on almost 30 years of employment. That's a very rewarding experience, she said.

The sense of community among workers also meant that when one of their own was struggling, the hospital staff came running to help.

Sonnentag delivered 10 children at St. Josephs Hospital. Two did not live long, however.

It was heartbreaking, but I wouldnt have wanted to be anywhere else when I went through that, she said.

Key developments in Chippewa Valley closures of HSHS and Prevea facilities HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire and HSHS St. Josephs Hospital in Chippewa Falls announced Jan. 22 they will permanently close along 

On Sunday, Sonnentag showed off photos of her kids while discussing her work at St. Josephs.

These were my two children that passed away. So this was my Ellie. She was born here in 2005. The reason I love this picture is because she lived two minutes and so this is her being alive. This was our hospital chaplain baptizing her, she said. He stood outside my room for 10 hours, waiting for her to be born.

Sonnentag expressed appreciation not just for Deacon Dan Rider, who baptized Ellie, but for everyone at the hospital who helped her and her husband get through that loss.

Twelve years later, she went through another loss.

This is my daughter, Lucy Tracy; shortly after she passed away. We knew she wasn't going to live. Once again, this man stood outside of my room for about 12 hours. It was a four-day delivery, and he wanted to be present for us, she said. This is another part where it breaks my heart because I was also a patient here. We were family. The nurses, as much as they rejoiced over my children that lived, they were here for the tough part, to hold my hand when my babies died, to help me pick out a casket, to help me fill out the death certificate.

Sonnentag said that the HSHS legacy of caring is going to be hard to let go of.

We wont be working together anymore. But we cared about everyone. We cared about their body. But when the body part was exhausted, we cared about the spirit, she said.

Mission and medicine

Hospital Sisters of St. Francis arrived in western Wisconsin 135 years ago on a mission to minister to the sick and needy in Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls and surrounding towns.

Hospital staff agree that one thing that set HSHS St. Josephs and Sacred Heart apart was their dedication to living the mission of the Catholic Sisters who founded and then worked at the facilities for decades.

I love the rural hospitals and rural medicine. To me, my faith was strong and I wanted to work in a place that was mission-driven, Geissler said. Thats what I wanted 24 years ago. Thats what Id love to do until the day I retire. I thought I would be here until I was old.

While staff come to terms with the closure of the two HSHS regional hospitals, many find themselves reminiscing about the things that made St. Josephs and Sacred Heart special, including the commitment to living the mission of the Sisters.

Retired HSHS community health director and Chippewa Health Community Partnership director Rhonda Brown talked about her experiences at HSHS St. Josephs and Sacred Heart hospitals on Tuesday inside the near-empty Chippewa Falls hospital.

Brown said the locally famous Sister Francis Elizabeth Schmitz, a St. Joseph's Hospital administrator from 1982 through 2005, was particularly adept at making sure that the hospital staff got things done.

She was a tough bird, but she knew her stuff. And she was gonna make sure that you did what you were supposed to do, Brown said. I remember one time she grabbed my face. She wheeled herself up  because she was in a wheelchair  and she grabbed my cheeks and said, Honey, you are going to get it done.

Brown said she appreciated Sister Francis can-do attitude and approach to life.

The sky was the limit, especially if your heart was in the right place and you were dedicated. Thats how it felt when the Sisters were here, Brown said. And I think the staff maintained that level of excellence in all they did when the Sisters left.

Even after the Sisters pulled out of western Wisconsin, hospital employees continued to focus on the principles on which the hospitals had been founded.

They were, and are even now, committed to our mission: to help children, to care for the poor and the vulnerable. Other hospitals do great work but just weren't doing as much of that kind of work, Brown said. I think we all felt that sense of belonging, that sense of mission, that dedication and loyalty to not just our employers per se, or our administration, but to our community.

And the fact that we took care of the people that needed to be taken care of, regardless of their ability to pay, makes people feel just devastated to lose this place.

Alyssa Van Duyse joined the marketing department at HSHS in 2010 after leaving a career as a local journalist. She stayed on until 2021. She said the idea of working with a mission in mind was new to her when she arrived.

But it felt like I was really in the right place, she said.

Van Duyse said she had only worked a couple of other jobs before joining HSHS, and the shift to mission-based work was profound.

We never talked about servant leadership at those other places. We never talked about work that is mission-driven. They wanted you to do your work, but at HSHS they wanted you to really live the mission, she said. I'm not religious, but I valued that. This religious organization was living the mission. They wanted us to live the mission. I knew that it had come from somewhere really special.

Van Duyse said after having that concept instilled in her at HSHS, its hard to wrap her head around HSHS behavior now.

The mission was ingrained in us in a really good way. So it's really depressing to see this organization seemingly not care about the community now, she said.

Van Duyse, who now works in media relations for CVTC, said she feels like the mission-centric environment of HSHS has waned over the years since the Sisters were called back to Illinois. She said she is frustrated with HSHS as a business.

But HSHS the business does not live in Chippewa Falls, and does not live in Eau Claire. The people who live in Eau Claire and Chippewa are the people who are working in the hospitals, she said. I've seen with my own eyes as a colleague of theirs, but also as a patient of theirs, how hard they work and how dedicated they are to the patients.

Geissler said that despite the shift in administrative priorities and management styles at HSHS over the years, she thinks that the mission of HSHS was passed down to the workers in a way that did not disappear with the Sisters relocation. Thats something that she and other staff cherish.

One year we had what we called our Christmas miracle because on Christmas Eve there was somebody that came in in a cardiac arrest. We worked on that person for an extended period of time. He would go in and out, and we brought him back several times. It was really hard to get him stabilized, she said. We were able to resuscitate him, and after that he had to wear a vest basically to help keep him alive. He ended up getting a heart transplant.

Every year at Christmas time, we think about that and say a little prayer for him. Thats the stuff that makes it worth it. Thats what I hope I never forget.

The last week: photos from HSHS St. Josephs Hospital in Chippewa Falls
I spent part of my formative years in the market town of Onitsha, in Anambra State in the mid 1980s. During my sojourn there, I lived with my uncle, then popularly known as Alhaji Umaru, who was a trader in Ose market. Our yard was located at no. 33 Ajasa Street, very close to Ose market, where other people from across Nigeria equally plied their trades. Onitsha was as fascinating as it was exciting, with its ever hustling and bustling people struggling to earn a living. Everybody worked hard and endlessly, with a brief respite mostly on Sundays when its predominantly Christian population, observe Sabbath.

Okene, my birthplace and where I came from to live in Onitsha, was a sharp contrast to my new abode. While Okene had only one major (Bariki) market, where trading activities take place once every two days, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. on market days, there where many markets in Onitsha including, Relief, Ochanja, Awada and the Main Market, which is the largest in West Africa. And unlike Okene, trading activities take place six days a week from dawn to dusk in Onitsha. Growing up in Okene, it was a common sight to see the women of my Idoji community returning from the Bariki market with the remaining of their unsold wares as early as we set out for school.

Apart from the difference in magnitude of trade between the two towns, it was in Onitsha that I saw an endless conurbation of three, four and five story building as far as the eye could see. Okene, with its mostly one story building in a mix development that retains the mud ancestral compounds in a beautiful blend of ancient and modernity, had more in common with Enu Onitsha, the enclave of the original inhabitants of the Onitsha, that is quietly tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the main Onitsha town. Serene and beautiful, Enu Onitsha is the ancestral home of the indigenous people of Onitsha, where the Obi presides over the culture and tradition of the people as their traditional ruler.

Another culture shock for me was the relatively modern urban planning of Onitsha, where the town is delineated along well laid out streets and avenues, unlike Okene, which remained undisturbed along traditional settlements. While, Okene had places like Idogido, Idoji, Idozumi, etc, Onitsha had places like Bright Street, Old Cemetary Road, Emejuru Street, Court Road etc. My sojourn in Onitsha broadened my national outlook and world view as it was a very cosmopolitan town with a rich diversity of Nigerians as residents.

As a young Muslim resident of Onitsha, I remember a place called Bida which was a sprawling Arewa community, where I attended Islamiya and observed congregational prayers on Fridays. In the 1980s, the Arewa community in Onitsha was in the third generation and so assimilated and integrated where they that I saw Igbo speaking Hausa people for the first time in my life. And so indigenous had the Arewa community become that they do not return to Kano, Sokoto and Borno states during Muslim holidays of all Eids, as they have no other home in the world than Onitsha where they live in peace and prosperity. That Alhaji Umaru, my uncle contested for the position of councillor in Onitsha in 1988 under the zero party system, is clear testimony to the citizenship integrity of the predominantly Igbo speaking people of Onitsha, whose civilised disposition allowed for inclusion, equity and fairness to all Onitsha people without prejudice to ethnicity or creed.

I also recall that the most patronised private medical hospital around my part of Onitsha was owned and managed by a Yoruba man, who was simply known as Dr Oni. The hospital eventually became known as Uno Ogwu Dr Oni (Dr Onis hospital), where the personal service of Dr Oni was sought after and his healing prowess was a stuff of legend. I remember vividly when one my Igbo neighbours strolled with me into Ose market to enthusiastically show the section of the market where Ebira traders from Okene were selling yams and other agriculture produce from their farms in Owo in Ondo State, Irebeka in Edo State and Ado in Ekiti State. I had neighbours like Etim Nwa Calabar, Mike Nwa Bendel and Cosmas Nw-Igala all around me and I never felt like an outsider throughout my stay in Onitsha.

My lifelong love for High life music, Soukous, Fuji and Afro Juju was developed in Onitsha. Osita Osadebes Makojo and Osondi Owendi with their rich philosophical lyrics were regularly played on the radio service of Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS). So was Mbila Bels classic like Boyaye and Salawas Gentle Lady. And no party was complete without dancing to Shina Peters Ace and Shinamania album. One could safely conclude that this was the zenith of Nigerias era of national integration, social cohesion and unity, where its was possible to be Hausa and Anambra, Yoruba, Efik, Ebira and Anambra.

However, Nigeria has changed as a result of cumulative failure of leadership of the ruling political especial since the advent of the Fourth republic in 1999, where divisive politics of identity has reversed the gains towards a united nation of Nigeria, where my Onitsha experience would become an institutionalised national norm. I often look back with nostalgia to the good old days, when Nigeria was one big family with the different ethnic groups as members living in different parts of the family compound and where residency in a place other ones place of origin is considered as home coming.

Fortunately, we are beginning to see a roll back of the reversal of the gains of national integration in the Anambra state, which I still consider my home state, in which I am still emotionally invested. Just before the second year anniversary of Professor Chukwuma Soludo as the governor of Anambra State, he appointed, for the first time in the history of the state, Adebayo Ojeyinka, a Nigerian of Yoruba heritage, whose state of origin is Osun but has resided in Anambra State since 1995 (29 years) as a permanent secretary in the Anambra state civil service. And like the ever hospitable and progressive people of Anambra State that I have always known, there were no protests against the appointment of a non-indigene as permanent secretary but applause and commendation for their governor for demonstrating inclusion, fairness and equity in this instance.

From a turbulent take off of his administration as a result of widespread separatist insurgency in the South East, Prof Soludo has steadily lived up to expectations of his reputation as a development economist, first class scholar and thinker as his steadies at cruising heights with a rich harvest of campaign promises on his second year anniversary. Beyond his giant strides in infrastructural development, prudent and frugal management of state resources and hands on leadership style, Professor Soludo has not been accused even by his opponents of corrupt conversion of state resources for personal benefits of family and cronies.

Governor Soludos, democratic disposition, balanced personality and personal integrity are demonstrations a leadership code of conduct that is required to deliver good governance and he seems to be delivering incrementally. But by far his most significant achievement in two years is his demonstration of his rich pan Nigerian nationalist credential, which has seen him deploy a deliberately inclusive administrative style that has clearly shown than with Soludo as governor it is possible to be Yoruba and Anambra. And the significance of this appointment goes beyond Anambra State, as this has silenced those who accuse Ndigbo of wanting from others what they are not willing to give. By this gesture, Soludo has replied this age long tantrum against the Igbo nation of Nigeria in the best possible way. And the main beneficiaries of this commendable act of inclusive leadership will the 2027 Igbo presidential hopefuls who will readily point to Soludos Anambra state whenever they are accused of demanding from others what they cannot give.

As the popular Igbo saying goes, e too dike na nka omereme, ome kwa ozo (when you praise a warrior for his exploits, he will do more), Governor Soludo is encouraged to deepen the culture of inclusion, fairness, justice and equity where it will be possible for a Nigerian to also be Hausa, Kanuri, Ebira etc. and Anambra, the Light of the Nation.

Majeed Dahiru, a public affairs analyst, writes from Abuja and can be reached through dahirumajeed@gmail.com.

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On the Russian election, the UK is like a person insisting that his neighbour is sick, and since the latter insists he is healthy, decides to take medicines on his neighbours behalf.

The United Kingdom (UK) has become the chief mourner, wailing over the presidential election in Russia, which gave President Vladimir Putin a new term.

For a country at war and under all sorts of sanctions, it might have been expected that the Russian election would be postponed indefinitely. But it not only held, there was also a reported voter turn-out of 74.22 per cent.

The British media reported that: Reuters journalists saw an increase in the flow of voters, especially younger people, at noon at polling stations in Moscow, St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg, with queues of several hundred people and even thousands.

There are also some facts about the election which have not been disputed. There were over 94,000 polling stations, which opened daily for 12 hours from 8 a.m. Russians in 144 countries abroad, including the UK, cast their votes in 295 polling stations. Some people also voted online. Given the countrys size, the world-wide election, and the fact that Russia is at war, only eight electoral incidents were recorded where there were attempts to set polling station buildings on fire.

Internet service providers in Russia reported that there were over 90,000 Denial-of-Service, DdoS, cyber-attacks from Ukraine and North America targeting the Central Election Commission, State Services portal and other government websites.

In addition, Ukraine tried to sabotage the election by repeatedly shelling Russian regions and oil refineries during the three-day election. Also, thousands of anti-Putin demonstrators protested at polling stations inside Russia and abroad over the 16 February death of jailed opposition leader, Alexei Navalny.

In the final outcome of the election, Putin defeated the presidential candidates of the New People Party, Vladislav Davankov; the Liberal-Democrat Party of Russia, Leonid Slutsky; and the Communist Partys Nikolai Kharitonov.

The UK could not condemn Putin for having a fifth term probably because like Russia, its Prime Minister has no term limit. A British Prime Minister like Sir Robert Walpole spent 20 years, 314 days in office, while William Pit the Younger, spent 18 years, 305 days in office.

Perhaps the most strident was that by the UK, issued by Foreign Secretary, David Cameron. Without providing any evidence, it claimed that there was suppression of opposition voices during the Russian election. Expectedly, it was unhappy that elections also took place in some of the breakaway regions of Ukraine.

I do not subscribe to a president spending more than two terms in office, but it is not in our place to dictate term limits for countries.

Expectedly, the Russian election was condemned by many Western countries. Studying their statements, one got the impression that some might have been drafted before the election was held.

Perhaps the most strident was that by the UK, issued by Foreign Secretary, David Cameron. Without providing any evidence, it claimed that there was suppression of opposition voices during the Russian election. Expectedly, it was unhappy that elections also took place in some of the breakaway regions of Ukraine.

Although the turnout was far higher than the 66.7 per cent in the 2020 United States presidential election and, the 67.3 per cent in its 2019 general elections, the UK claimed that: These Russian elections starkly underline the depth of repression under President Putins regime, which seeks to silence any opposition to his illegal war. It added that: Putin removes his political opponents, controls the media, and then crowns himself the winner. This is not democracy. Really, the turnout does not mean anything?

The UK, from its colonial history, assumes that democracy is what it thinks, and any election it does not like, is not democratic. So it supported the democracy of Apartheid South Africa, and declared that those like Nelson Mandela, Joe Slovo and Walter Sisulu who rejected the Apartheid system, were terrorists.

But it is not only external elections it rejects, the British establishment also condemns elections won by those considered to be anti-establishment. For instance, there was a by-election on 29 February into the Rochdale Constituency in the UK Parliament. This followed the death of Labour MP Sir Tony Lloyd. The established parties were in for a rude shock as George Gallaway, the outsider from the Workers Party of Britain, caused a Tsunami. He won 40 per cent of votes, overturning 9,668 Labour votes at the 2019 general election.

Gallaway won 12,335 of the votes, David Tully of the Independent came a distant second with 6,638 votes, Paul Ellison of the Conservative Party was third with 3,731 votes, Labours Azhar Ali was fourth with 2,402 votes and Iain Donaldson of the Liberal Democrats came fifth with 2,164 votes. All hell seemed to have broken loose, especially when Galloway is not only pro-people but also campaigned openly for a stop to the on-going Israeli genocide in the Palestine.

Although Western countries have lined up to condemn the Russian election, they are generally silent on the refusal of Ukraines Voldymyr Zelensky to conduct an election, which fell due this March. He said the martial law which he had declared, precluded election from being held. So, he is likely to stay in power without election for as long as he wants, or until he is thrown out.

A shocked Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a hasty press conference outside No 10 Downing Street where he said Gallaways victory was beyond alarming. He wondered how British voters could have voted overwhelmingly for a candidate who dismisses the horror of what happened on October 7, when he said Hamas murdered 1,200 people in Israel.

Tory Minister, Greg Hands said of Gallaways re-election as an MP: I think its not a good day for the country, its not a good day for anybody. Ive been an MP now for 19 years and Ive seen George Galloway now represent three different constituencies. Each time hes let down those constituents and not been re-elected. He vowed to put Gallaway at arms length in parliament because somebody who has an extremist view of the world is not somebody that I engage with.

But Gallaway after being sworn-in said he had not come to parliament to make friends: Ive always loved the building  the people in it not quite so much.

On Prime Minister Sunaks attack on him for winning the election, Gallaway said: I despise the Prime Minister. And guess what? Millions and millions and millions of people in this country despise the Prime Minister. I do not respect the Prime Minister at all.

Although Western countries have lined up to condemn the Russian election, they are generally silent on the refusal of Ukraines Voldymyr Zelensky to conduct an election, which fell due this March. He said the martial law which he had declared, precluded election from being held. So, he is likely to stay in power without election for as long as he wants, or until he is thrown out.

Putin, in defending Russian democracy, said: The whole world is laughing at what is happening (in the United States). This is just a disaster, not a democracy. Apparently, in reference to the four criminal cases against Republican candidate Donald Trump, Putin added: Is it democratic to use administrative resources to attack one of the candidates for the Presidency of the United States, using the judiciary among other things?

On the Russian election, the UK is like a person insisting that his neighbour is sick, and since the latter insists he is healthy, decides to take medicines on his neighbours behalf.

Owei Lakemfa, a former secretary general of African workers, is a human rights activist, journalist and author.

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Suspected bandits have reportedly killed 21 persons, including the village head, in Madaka, a village in the Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.

The bandits also abducted a yet unspecified number of people, residents told PREMIUM TIMES.

The residents said the bandits arrived at the village at about 3 p.m. on Thursday when the community market was in full swing.

According to the sources, the bandits also burnt down about 50 houses and shops, and many cars and motorcycles during the carnage.

They said the well-armed bandits entered the village shooting sporadically before embarking on an orgy of killings, arson, and abduction.

The district head of the area, Isah Bawale, confirmed the incident to our correspondent in Minna, the state capital, in a telephone interview.

It was further revealed that bandits had attacked the same community some years ago and killed the district head. A resident said that because there are no security officers in the area, bandits have been attacking the villages at will.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Wasiu Abiodun, said he was still verifying the reports of the attack.

However, the state commissioner for security, Bello Mohammed, a retired army general, confirmed the incident and said the government was working to protect farming communities in the state.

Niger has suffered from banditry as the state shares forests with states in the neighbouring North-west region where the terrorists have been active for about a decade now.

The state has recorded cases of mass abduction of students and regular ambush of travellers, especially on roads linking the state with other parts of Nigeria.

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Udaipur : United States Ambassador Eric M. Garcetti arrived in Udaipur on Thursday afternoon via an airplane. He has been declared an official guest by the state government. Shikha Saxena, Deputy Director of the Tourism Department, welcomed him at the airport and presented tourism-related promotional materials. Other accompanying guests were also warmly received.

From there, the US Ambassador Eric M. Garcetti, along with his delegation, proceeded to the City Palace in Udaipur. There, he admired the Crystal Gallery, Silver Gallery, and Janana Mahal, as well as explored the museum, receiving praise for its beauty. During his visit to the City Palace, he also observed the Durbar Hall, which was historically significant as it hosted the G-20 International Summit, and he appreciated its grandeur. At this time, a group photo was taken at Manek Chowk, and he received hospitality from Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, a member of the former royal family. He also admired the beauty of Udaipur. Deputy Director Saxena mentioned that on Friday, the delegation would visit Ranakpur and Kumbhalgarh.

Source :
District attorneys in three Wisconsin counties have declined to pursue charges against former president Donald Trumps fundraising committee and state Rep. Janel Brandtjen over allegations that the two illegally funneled money to county Republican parties in an effort to oust Assembly Speaker Robin Vos in 2022.

The Wisconsin Ethics Commission last month recommended felony charges against Brandtjen, R-Menominee Falls; Vos 2022 primary challenger Adam Steens campaign committee; workers for Trumps fundraising committee Save America; three Republican county parties; and several others over the alleged scheme.

However, county prosecutors in Chippewa, Florence and Langlade counties informed the commission in a memo ahead of the agencys Friday meeting that they will not be prosecuting the matters, with some citing conflicts of interest due to their active involvement in their respective county Republican parties.

Chippewa County District Attorney Wade Newell had previously said he planned to return the prosecution recommendations to the commission due to his membership with the Chippewa County Republican Party.

Charges alleging multiple campaign finance violations were also referred to district attorneys in Racine, St. Croix and Waukesha counties, but responses from those counties had not been received by the time the memo was posted.

Racine County District Attorney Patricia Hanson, who received the recommendation to prosecute Steen, said last month that all efforts will be made to reach a decision quickly.

If a prosecutor declines to pursue charges, the ethics commission is required to refer charges to neighboring counties through a public, random process. Using a blind draw, the commission on Friday referred charges originally sent to prosecutors in Chippewa, Florence and Langlade counties to district attorneys in the counties of Taylor, Forest and Menominee/Shawano, respectively.

If district attorneys in contiguous counties also decline to pursue charges, the commission can forward the matter directly to Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul.

The alleged scheme highlighted the animosity some Republicans still feel toward Vos, who resisted calls from the former president and election deniers to overturn the states 2020 presidential election that Trump lost. That led Steen to mount a GOP primary challenge against Vos in 2022, coming about 250 votes short of ousting the longtime Assembly speaker.

Wisconsin law prohibits campaign donations over $1,000 to Assembly candidates, but it allows county parties to donate an unlimited amount. Still, Wisconsin law prohibits people from directing their donations to a candidate through a committee that doesnt belong to the candidate. Candidates also are prohibited from accepting money they know was routed through an external committee for their purpose.

The ethics commissions February report alleges Steen and his campaign committee told people who wanted to contribute more than $1,000 to his unsuccessful effort to oust Vos in 2022 to instead donate to the Langlade County Republican Party with the numbers 63 written in the memo line of the donation, referring to the district Steen was hoping to win.

By seeing the district number, the party knew to forward those funds or to use them for in-kind contributions to Friends of Adam Steen, the report states.

Steens campaign committee received over $40,000 from the Langlade County GOP, the commission stated.

Steen and his campaign also directed a $5,000 donation from Save America, Trumps joint fundraising committee, through the Chippewa County Republican Party, the commission alleges. The party returned the donation because some members feared a campaign finance violation, the allegations state.

Save America directed another $5,000 through the Florence County Republican Party, and party officials were told to send that money through to Langlade County, the commission states.

The ethics commission further alleges that Brandtjen, a state representative who has become isolated from many fellow GOP Assembly members, spoke with Steen about the scheme involving the three county parties, though the complaint doesnt specify what they discussed.

She also facilitated contributions from Trumps joint fundraising committee to the three Republican parties that partook in the scheme, the ethics commission alleges.

Today in history: March 22 1941: Grand Coulee 1945: Arab League 1963: The Beatles 1978: Karl Wallenda 1988: Ronald Reagan 1993: Intel Corp 1997: Tara Lipinski becomes youngest women's world champion 2010: Google Inc. 2012: Whitney Houston 2019: Jimmy Carter 2019: Robert Mueller 2021: Elgin Baylor
A new report by FMI predicts rising demand in livestock farming will drive the Feed Machine Market. It analyzes market background, supply and demand, and future tech advancements. Beyond just trends, the report offers a deep dive into what's fueling the market's success, potential challenges, and exciting opportunities. To empower your strategic decisions, it also includes investment feasibility analysis and insightful PESTLE & Porter's Five Forces analyses.

NEWARK, Del., March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Future Market Insights', the feed machine market is expected to be valued at US$ 1,395.9 million in 2024. The market's progress is projected to be invigorating sluggishly from 2024 to 2034, with a CAGR of 4.70%. By 2034, the market value is forecasted to hit US$ 2,209.6 million.

The feed machine market is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period, driven by various factors such as

the increasing demand for livestock farming

focus on modern agriculture techniques and precise farming

inclination toward cost-effective machinery

technological advancements like the integration of AI

Download the Sample PDF report to explore key market insights and trends: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-19314

Livestock farming is expected to consume a major market share during the forecast period. Several governments are promoting modern agriculture techniques, and manufacturers are heavily investing in the sector. Major players are developing highly advanced and automated machinery with high demand from livestock farmers, which is boosting market growth in the current period.

Upsurge in feed additives is noticeable in emerging economies. Expansion of feed-based industries is also observed in developing countries, which is contrariwise expected to help the market to gain potential. This growth is due to the increasing demand for high-quality feed that meets strict safety and quality standards.

Cost-effectiveness and efficient farming are essential requirements in the agriculture industry. Farmers and feed manufacturers are focusing on reducing their production costs and improving production processes, which is where feed machines come into play. In the current period, feed machines are playing a major role in ensuring that animals are receiving necessary nutrients. This characteristic makes the feed machine an ideal option in the farming sector.

The technological innovations in the machinery field are anticipated to lead the market demand during the coming years. Manufacturers are increasingly focusing on technology and technological integration in the machinery for greater outcomes. Integration of AI and other technologies is gaining traction in the market. Additionally, awareness of feed health and nutrition is at its peak, which is driving the demand for advanced and innovative feed machines.

"The growth of vertical farming is amplifying lucrative opportunities in the market. Vertical farming is an innovative approach to agriculture that enables farmers to grow crops in a controlled environment. Additionally, the poultry industry is on the rise, which has led to an increase in the demand for animal feed. Poultry farmers have increasingly started adopting feed machines for their pet feed, which is expected to drive the growth of the feed machine market in the coming years, " says Nandini Roy Choudhury (Client Partner for Food & Beverages at Future Market Insights, Inc.).

Key Takeaways from the Feed Machine Market

The feed machine market is estimated to register a CAGR of 4.70% with its valuation reaching US$ 2,209.6 million by 2034.

by 2034. Feed mixer segment dominates the market by holding a 29% market share in 2024.

With a 35% market share, the agriculture segment shapes the market in 2024.

Competitive Landscape

To enhance the customer experience, stakeholders are implementing new marketing strategies and rapidly developing and evaluating the market. Key players are investing in different tools to gain maximum market share in the industry. Many governments are collaborating with manufacturers to boost their research and development activities. Manufacturers are also focusing on improving the customer experience by implementing innovative marketing strategies. As a result, the market is expected to witness exponential growth during the forecast period, driven by continuous innovations and research.

Purchase now and gain full access to the Feed Machine Industry report, featuring comprehensive Market Forecast, Company Share Analysis, Competition Intelligence, DROT Analysis, Market Dynamics and Challenges, and Strategic Growth Initiatives.

Recent Development in the Feed Machine Market

In 2023, Van Aarsen , a well-known manufacturer of feed mill equipment, unveiled its latest product, the CU dynamic pellet mill. This cutting-edge pellet mill boasts motor-operated roller adjustment and active roller slip control, features that allow for recipe-controlled automatic roller gap setting. Despite its higher price compared to conventional pellet mills, it offers low operating costs that can significantly decrease the total cost of ownership for feed mill owners.

About the Author:

Nandini Roy Choudhury (Client Partner for Food & Beverages at Future Market Insights, Inc.) has 7+ years of management consulting experience. She advises industry leaders and explores off-the-eye opportunities and challenges. She puts processes and operating models in place to support their business objectives.

She has exceptional analytical skills and often brings thought leadership to the table.

Nandini has vast functional expertise in key niches, including but not limited to food ingredients, nutrition & health solutions, animal nutrition, and marine nutrients. She is also well-versed in the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, retail, and chemical sectors, where she advises market participants to develop methodologies and strategies that deliver results. Another feather to her cap manifests in the form of process automation. She is vocal about bringing automation to the fore to bring a 360-degrees-round revolution in manufacturing sector.

Her core expertise lies in corporate growth strategy, sales and marketing effectiveness, acquisitions and post-merger integration and cost reduction. Nandini has an MBA in Finance from MIT School of Business. She also holds a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from Nagpur University, India.

Nandini has authored several publications, and quoted in journals including Beverage Industry, Bloomberg, and Wine Industry Advisor.

Explore FMI's Extensive Coverage in the Process Automation Domain:

About Future Market Insights (FMI)

Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting service provider, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in Dubai and has delivery centers in the UK, the U.S., and India. FMI's latest market research reports and industry analysis help businesses navigate challenges and make critical decisions with confidence and clarity amidst breakneck competition. Our customized and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. A team of expert-led analysts at FMI continuously tracks emerging trends and events in a broad range of industries to ensure that our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers.

Contact Us

Nandini Singh Sawlani

Future Market Insights Inc.

Christiana Corporate, 200 Continental Drive,

Suite 401, Newark, Delaware - 19713, USA

T: +1-845-579-5705

For Sales Enquiries: [email protected]

Website: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com

LinkedIn | Twitter | Blogs | YouTube

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1197648/3531122/FMI_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Future Market Insights
WASHINGTON, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, the Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel shared an important new proposal to improve access to services through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Announced at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol alongside U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, Senate Mental Health Caucus co-founders Senator Alex Padilla (CA) and Senator Thom Tillis (NC), and co-chair of the bipartisan House 988 & Crisis Services Task Force Representative Tony Cardenas (CA-29), the proposal will improve how wireless calls are routed to the 988 Lifeline, connecting people quickly and safely to the nearest call center based on their geographic location, while protecting user privacy.

"The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention applauds Chairwoman Rosenworcel, Secretary Becerra, Senator Tillis, Senator Padilla, and Representative Cardenas for their collaboration and commitment to improving access to the 988 Lifeline," said Laurel Stine, J.D., M.A , Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer for AFSP. "We urge the FCC to act swiftly on Chairwoman Rosenworcel's proposal, which will help connect people experiencing mental health, suicidal crises, or substance use crises with the most appropriate and immediate supports."

AFSP is heartened to see the collaboration of bipartisan Congressional leaders and the FCC to build up the 988 Lifeline to be as robust and effective as it can be. We look forward to working with the FCC on this important new proposed rule.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is the nation's largest non-profit dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP was established in 1987 and fosters a nationwide community for those impacted by suicide, empowered by research, education, and advocacy to act against this leading cause of death. AFSP has 74 Chapters in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and sponsors a variety of community-based programming across the country each year. AFSP is also the largest private funder of suicide prevention research in the nation. AFSP awards research grants for studies that increase the understanding of suicide and lead to new life-saving strategies and interventions. By gathering information about who is dying by suicide, what contributes to suicide ideation and death, and testing prevention, intervention, and postvention models, we can learn how to prevent suicides most effectively and swiftly across the lifespan and among higher risk populations. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook , X (formally Twitter ), Instagram , YouTub e and TikTok .

Please fill out this press request form with media inquiries and review AFSP's Safe Reporting Tips .

SOURCE American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
ANGI Energy Systems (ANGI), a Vontier company, has announced the breaking ground event of its pioneering $4 million Hydrogen Refueling Test Facility  the first of its kind in the Midwest

Hydrogen Refueling Test Facility  the first of its kind in the Midwest The new 3000 square foot facility, located at ANGI's headquarters in Janesville, Wisconsin , will focus on testing and validation of the components and systems used in hydrogen refueling stations for hydrogen powered vehicles including heavy-duty trucks

, will focus on testing and validation of the components and systems used in hydrogen refueling stations for hydrogen powered vehicles including heavy-duty trucks The milestone officially marks the beginning of an intensive three-month construction program, in partnership with specialist contractor FASTECH

ANGI's future plans for the facility include making it available to industry third-parties, and also providing opportunities for local apprenticeships

Download images

JANESVILLE, Wis. , March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ANGI Energy Systems , a Vontier (NYSE: VNT) business, yesterday broke ground on its new, $4 million Hydrogen Refueling Test Facility: the first of its kind in the Midwest. Attending today were senior executives from ANGI and FASTECH, together with members of the Janesville and wider Wisconsin administration and community.

ANGI Energy Systems  Breaking Ground On New Hydrogen Refueling Test Facility

ANGI, which has more than 40 years of experience in the design, manufacturing, and maintenance of refueling equipment for compressed natural gas (CNG) and renewable natural gas (RNG), launched its hydrogen business in 2022. Building on its strategic vision to provide an end-to-end, multi-energy refueling platform for the fleet and heavy-duty transportation sector, ANGI has experienced remarkable growth in the last three years. To support continued, strategic expansion, the new facility will be a cornerstone for R&D activity and will play a pivotal role in the testing, and validation of hydrogen refueling station systems and components  including functional testing of globally standardized SAE J2601 refueling protocols for gaseous hydrogen.

The new facility will also showcase the viability of hydrogen as a sustainable and secure energy source to reduce the carbon intensity of hard-to-abate sectors such as transportation and industry. Heavy-duty transportation is identified as a high-impact use for clean hydrogen in the U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap.1

The New R&D Facility

Construction is due to be complete by July 2024. Once the facility is commissioned, in-house acceptance testing and validation activities will commence, with the aspiration to make it available for third-party companies to use for their own projects from early 2026. ANGI also plans to form partnerships with local colleges to provide opportunities for apprenticeships, helping to build a highly skilled workforce in the Midwest. These future experts will lead the design and development of the hydrogen refueling infrastructure for customers not only in the US, but around the world.

Joel van Rensburg, President of ANGI, said: "As pioneers in the alternative energy sector, we are immensely proud to spearhead the hydrogen infrastructure revolution and drive meaningful, long-term change in the transportation sector. By breaking ground today on the site of our new Hydrogen Refueling Test Facility, we are taking the next step to accelerate the development and validation of next-generation low carbon technologies, forge strategic partnerships, and encourage further investment in the hydrogen economy. We can't wait to showcase our best-in-class hydrogen refueling technology as part of our complete Alternative Energies Platform at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Las Vegas in May."

Dan McGill, President of FASTECH, said: "We have more than 25 years of experience in the design, construction and maintenance of energy supply infrastructure for some of the world's leading companies, including more than 35 hydrogen stations. Our proven track record of quality, innovation, and  above all  safety, made us the ideal partner for ANGI on this exciting new project. By working together we're enabling not only the decarbonization of the transport industry, but also building the future of hydrogen here in Wisconsin."

From Factory to Field

ANGI is also preparing to ship and build its first Hydrogen Refueling Station (HRS) customer order from Trillium Energy to be installed at Santa Clarita Transit this Summer. Its HRS solution, which is based on a modular design, offers uniquely configurable and flexible systems with high reliability backed by an extensive network of service and maintenance technicians. Cloud-connectivity ensures best-in-class performance and uptime through remote monitoring, energy management and preventative maintenance. A typical HRS consists of a hydrogen dispenser, redundant compression capabilities, a site recirculation system, chillers, and a gas management panel to control the flow and pressure of gas within the station.

Main Image from Left to Right:

Joe Stadelman  AngusYoung Architects

Nick Burger  Wisconsin Chamber

Tawsi Anam  Senator Ron Johnson's Office

Ryan McCue  Janesville Deputy City Leader

Dan McGill  Fastech

Joel van Rensburg  ANGI

Jason Waldrop  ANGI

Mark Boberg  ANGI

Brian Hartfield  ANGI

Download images

About ANGI Energy Systems

ANGI Energy Systems LLC ('ANGI'), is a U.S. based manufacturer of quality engineered gas compression equipment and a leading supplier of compressed natural gas (CNG) and renewable natural gas (RNG) equipment and systems. ANGI has a longstanding reputation as a leader and innovator in both the compression and natural gas vehicle (NGV) refueling industries and has over 40 years of experience providing worldwide clients with high quality products and services. In 2022 ANGI launched its expanded alternative energy platform offering, to include hydrogen refueling station (HRS) solutions as it harnesses its unique position as a multi-energy systems supplier ready to support global clients in their decarbonization programs.

ANGI is a Vontier business and sits within Vontier's Alternative Energy and Sustainable Fleets Platform, which is focused on providing innovative and sustainable solutions for optimizing and decarbonizing the fleet industry. Sister companies include Gasboy, Teletrac Navman, Driivz and Sparkion.

For more information on ANGI's suite of hydrogen solutions, visit angienergy.com or contact [email protected].

About Vontier

Vontier (NYSE: VNT) is a global industrial technology company uniting productivity, automation and multi-energy technologies to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving, more connected mobility ecosystem. Leveraging leading market positions, decades of domain expertise and unparalleled portfolio breadth, Vontier enables the way the world moves  delivering smart, safe and sustainable solutions to our customers and the planet. Vontier has a culture of continuous improvement and innovation built upon the foundation of the Vontier Business System and embraced by colleagues worldwide. Additional information about Vontier is available on the Company's website at www.vontier.com .

About FASTECH

FASTECH is a leading end-to-end energy solutions company specializing in the engineering, procurement, construction, and maintenance (EPCM) of conventional and alternative fueling infrastructure. With a commitment to sustainability and innovation, FASTECH aims to deliver cutting-edge energy solutions that drive economic growth while preserving the environment for future generations.

Sources

U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap

ANGI Energy Systems Media Contact:

Rosanne Catton

Global Head of Marketing, Alternative Fuels at ANGI Energy Systems

+44 (0) 7970 365483

[email protected]

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2369509/ANGI_Breaking_ground_Lead.jpg

SOURCE ANGI Energy Systems
NEW YORK, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global automotive torque actuator motors market size is estimated to grow by USD 3372.46 mn from 2023 to 2027, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.62% during the forecast period. APAC held the largest share of the global market in 2022, and the market in the region is estimated to witness an incremental growth of 34%.

For more insights on the historic (2017 - 2021) and forecast market size (2023-2027) - Request a sample report

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Automotive Torque Actuator Motors Market 2023-2027

Automotive Torque Actuator Motors Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017 - 2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 6.62% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 3372.46 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 6.3 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 34% Key countries US, China, Japan, Germany, and UK Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Automation Technology Inc., Bray International Inc., Crane Holdings Co., CTS Corp., Curtiss Wright Corp., ElectroCraft Inc., Emerson Electric Co., Flowserve Corp., Hiwin Technologies Corp., Honeywell International Inc., Johnson Electric Holdings Ltd., Moog Inc., NSK Ltd., Pentair Plc, Rockwell Automation Inc., SMC Corp., SONCEBOZ SA, Tolomatic Inc., Val Matic Valve and Manufacturing Corp., and Woodward Inc.

This report presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources through an analysis of key parameters. View Sample Report

Research Analysis

The Automotive Torque Actuator Motors Market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing demand for fuel-efficient vehicles and the need to reduce carbon emissions in response to climate change. DC electric motors, such as those used in automotive torque actuator applications, play a crucial role in enhancing engine performance in both traditional internal combustion engine vehicles and battery electric vehicles. One innovative solution to improve engine performance and fuel efficiency in conventional vehicles is turbocharger downsizing, which involves reducing the size of the engine while maintaining power output through the use of electrically-assisted turbochargers. These systems rely on DC electric motors to provide additional boost during low engine speed, resulting in improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. In the context of battery electric vehicles, DC electric motors are the primary power source, enabling zero-emission transportation. The integration of torque actuator motors in electric vehicles offers numerous benefits, including improved power output, increased torque, and enhanced vehicle dynamics. As the global focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions intensifies, the demand for torque actuator motors in the automotive industry is expected to continue growing.

Market Segmentation

This Automotive Torque Actuator Motors Market report extensively covers market segmentation by Application (ETC, Turbocharger, EGR) Vehicle Type (Passenger vehicles, Commercial vehicles) Geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, Middle East and Africa)

Market Segmentation by Application

The Automotive Torque Actuator Motors market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing adoption of Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) systems in modern vehicles. Torque actuators, a key component of ETC systems, regulate throttle opening and control engine torque output. They play a crucial role in powertrain, braking, steering, and active suspension systems, providing benefits such as improved drivability, enhanced fuel efficiency, and advanced system integration. The market's expansion is driven by the rise of electric vehicles, autonomous driving technology, performance and efficiency focus, safety and stability concerns, and actuator technology advancements.

View Sample Report

Geographic Landscape

The Automotive Torque Actuator Motors Market in APAC is poised for significant growth due to the increasing adoption of advanced automotive systems in vehicles. Torque actuators play a vital role in electric power steering, stability control systems, and hybrid or electric drivetrains. In the context of electric vehicles (EVs), sophisticated torque control systems are essential for managing power distribution between wheels, optimizing energy consumption, and enhancing traction. With countries in APAC promoting clean and sustainable transportation solutions, the demand for torque actuators is expected to increase, driving market growth in this region.

Drivers

The automotive torque actuator motors market is experiencing robust growth due to the rising popularity of electric vehicles (EVs). EVs utilize electric motors for propulsion, and torque actuator motors are essential for controlling and delivering torque to the wheels. As the demand for EVs escalates, so does the requirement for torque actuator motors to manage powertrain systems and ensure efficient and precise torque distribution. These motors play a critical role in the EV industry, enabling optimal vehicle performance and contributing to the industry's sustainable future.

Challenges

The global automotive torque actuator motors market faces significant cost challenges due to specialized manufacturing processes, materials, and limited economies of scale in electric vehicle components. Lowering costs while maintaining performance and reliability is crucial for widespread adoption. With the automotive industry's increasing automation, demand for high-precision torque actuator motors is indispensable. To meet these demands and maintain market share, manufacturers must invest heavily in R&D to drive innovation and improve cost efficiency.

Technavio has identified key trends, drivers, and challenges in the market, which will help clients improve their strategies to stay ahead of their competitors. Download Now

Research Analyst Overview

The Automotive Torque Actuator Motors Market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing demand for electric and hybrid vehicles. These vehicles rely heavily on torque actuator motors for their powertrain systems. The Passenger Car segment is expected to dominate the market, with Turkey, China, and Europe being key contributors. The market is driven by factors such as the Electrification trend, Regulatory Compliance, and the need for lighter and more efficient vehicles. The market is highly competitive, with key players including Vehicle Components, Passenger Car Motors, and Heavy Duty Motors. The Commercial Vehicle segment is also expected to show strong growth, as regulatory norms push for the adoption of cleaner technologies. The market is projected to reach new heights in the coming years, with the CTS Corporation and Regulatory Authority playing crucial roles.

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
Inaugural flight marks major milestone toward return of supersonic travel

XB-1 provides the foundation for Boom's supersonic airliner, Overture

MOJAVE, Calif. and DENVER, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Boom Supersonic , the company building the world's fastest airliner, Overture, today announced the successful flight of XB-1 , the world's first independently developed supersonic jet, at the Mojave Air & Space Port in Mojave, California. Like Overture, XB-1 leverages state-of-the-art technologies to enable efficient supersonic flight including carbon fiber composites, advanced avionics, digitally-optimized aerodynamics, and an advanced supersonic propulsion system.

The inaugural flight of XB-1 marks a major milestone toward the return of supersonic travel.

"Today, XB-1 took flight in the same hallowed airspace where the Bell X-1 first broke the sound barrier in 1947," said Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic. "I've been looking forward to this flight since founding Boom in 2014, and it marks the most significant milestone yet on our path to bring supersonic travel to passengers worldwide."

XB-1 was flown by Boom Chief Test Pilot Bill "Doc" Shoemaker and Test Pilot Tristan "Geppetto" Brandenburg flew the T-38 chase aircraft which monitored the flight. XB-1 took off from the Mojave Air & Space Port and flew in the same airspace that hosted many historic first flights, including the flights of the Bell X-1, the North American X-15, and the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. XB-1 met all of its test objectives, including safely and successfully achieving an altitude of 7,120 feet and speeds up to 238 knots (273 mph).

"Everyone on the XB-1 team should be incredibly proud of this achievement," said Bill "Doc" Shoemaker, Chief Test Pilot for Boom Supersonic. "It has been a privilege to share this journey with so many dedicated and talented professionals. The experience we have gained in reaching this milestone will be invaluable to Boom's revival of supersonic travel."

Two decades after Concorde's retirement, the first flight of XB-1 marks the return of a civil supersonic aircraft to the skies and paves the way for the revival of mainstream supersonic travel. The XB-1 program provides the foundation for the design and development of Overture, while establishing a safety-first culture in engineering and manufacturing. XB-1 validates key technologies and innovations, including:

Augmented reality vision system: Two nose-mounted cameras, digitally augmented with attitude and flight path indications, feed a high resolution pilot display enabling excellent runway visibility. This system enables improved aerodynamic efficiency without the weight and complexity of a movable nose.

Two nose-mounted cameras, digitally augmented with attitude and flight path indications, feed a high resolution pilot display enabling excellent runway visibility. This system enables improved aerodynamic efficiency without the weight and complexity of a movable nose. Digitally-optimized aerodynamics: Engineers used computational fluid dynamics simulations to explore thousands of designs for XB-1. The result is an optimized design that combines safe and stable operation at takeoff and landing with efficiency at supersonic speeds.

Engineers used computational fluid dynamics simulations to explore thousands of designs for XB-1. The result is an optimized design that combines safe and stable operation at takeoff and landing with efficiency at supersonic speeds. Carbon fiber composites: XB-1 is almost entirely made from carbon fiber composite materials, enabling it to realize a sophisticated aerodynamic design in a strong, lightweight structure.

XB-1 is almost entirely made from carbon fiber composite materials, enabling it to realize a sophisticated aerodynamic design in a strong, lightweight structure. Supersonic intakes: XB-1's engine intakes slow supersonic air to subsonic speeds, efficiently converting kinetic energy into pressure energy, allowing conventional jet engines to power XB-1 from takeoff through supersonic flight.

The inaugural flight of the XB-1 demonstrator takes place as Overture continues to advance toward production, with a growing global network of Tier 1 suppliers and an order book including 130 orders and pre-orders from American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines. Overture will carry 64-80 passengers at Mach 1.7, about twice the speed of today's subsonic airliners. Optimized for speed, safety, and sustainability, Overture is designed to run on up to 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

For more information about XB-1, please visit: https://boomsupersonic.com/xb-1

For more information about Overture, please visit: https://boomsupersonic.com/overture

About Boom Supersonic

Boom Supersonic's mission is to make the world dramatically more accessible through flights that are faster, more affordable, more convenient, and more sustainable.

Boom is developing Overture, the world's fastest airliner, optimized for speed, safety, and sustainability. Overture will fly at twice the speed of today's airliners and is optimized to run on up to 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Overture's order book stands at 130 aircraft, including orders and pre-orders from American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines. Boom is working with Northrop Grumman for government and defense applications of Overture. Suppliers and partners collaborating with Boom on the Overture program include Aernnova, Aciturri, Collins Aerospace, Eaton, Honeywell, Latecoere, Leonardo, Safran Landing Systems, and the United States Air Force.

Symphony is the propulsion system that will power Overture, a Boom-developed engine with world-class suppliers including Florida Turbine Technologies (FTT), a business unit of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., GE Additive, and StandardAero.

XB-1 is Boom's technology demonstrator aircraft and the world's first independently developed supersonic jet. The aircraft first took flight in Mojave, CA in March 2024. For more information, visit https://boomsupersonic.com .

Photos and video available at https://boomsupersonic.com/newsroom/media-assets

Connect with Boom Supersonic on X , LinkedIn , Facebook , Instagram , YouTube

SOURCE Boom Supersonic
DENVER, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bow River Capital, a Denver-based alternative asset manager, is pleased to announce that its Private Credit Team has provided funds to support Waud Capital Partners' acquisition of Senior Helpers (the "Company").

Senior Helpers is one of the national leaders in home care and wellness offerings for seniors. The company operates through more than 380 franchised and corporate-owned locations in 44 states, Canada, and Australia. These locations provide seniors home care and wellness services, including meal planning, grocery shopping, medication reminders, transportation, companionship, and assistance with personal hygiene. They also offer special programs for chronic neurological diseases, particularly Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The company's industry-leading services enhance seniors' ability to remain in their homes and avoid or delay the need for care in inpatient facilities.

Matt Albers, Head of Capital Markets of Waud Capital, stated, "It's great to partner with the Private Credit team at Bow River on another transaction. We continue to value their deep experience and flexibility, as well their relationship-oriented approach."

Aaron Arnett, Managing Director of Bow River Capital, added: "Senior Helpers is a best-in-class service provider and a market leader in a highly attractive, growing industry, benefiting from strong macro tailwinds. Waud has a strong track record of successfully working alongside experienced executives to build and grow healthcare services companies. We are excited to be partnering with them again."

About Senior Helpers

Senior Helpers is one of the nation's premier providers of in-home senior services ranging from specialized care for those with diseases, such as dementia, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's, to personal and companion care to help individuals looking for a little assistance with daily activities. Founded in 2002 with a vision to help seniors age with dignity despite age-related illnesses and mobility challenges, Senior Helpers has hundreds of franchised and owned businesses that have cared for tens of thousands of seniors. For more information on Senior Helpers, please visit the Company's website at www.seniorhelpers.com.

About Bow River Capital

Bow River Capital is a private alternative asset manager based in Denver, Colorado, focused on investing in the lower and middle market in four asset classes: private credit, private equity, real estate, and software growth equity. Through its subsidiary Bow River Advisers, LLC, Bow River Capital also offers a registered, closed-end mutual fund  Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund (EVERX)  designed to provide institutional-quality private market access to a broader set of investors. Collectively, the Bow River Capital team has deployed capital into diverse industries, asset classes and across the capital structure.

Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund is distributed by Foreside Financial Services, LLC, which is not affiliated with Bow River Capital or its affiliates.

For more information on Bow River Capital, please visit www.BowRiverCapital.com .

Bow River Capital Contact:

Jane Ingalls

303-861-8466

SOURCE Bow River Capital
DUBLIN, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Chile Data Center Market - Investment Analysis & Growth Opportunities 2024-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Chile data center market is expected to reach a value of $1.373 billion by 2029 from $741 million in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 10.83% from 2023-2029

This report analyses the Chile 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 Chile data center market is witnessing immense growth through several investments from global and local data center operators. Some major colocation operators in the market include Ascenty (Digital Realty), Equinix, ODATA (Aligned Data Centers, Scala Data Centers, EdgeConneX, SONDA, and others.

Aligned Data Centers has acquired ODATA and is expanding its footprint in Chile and other Latin American markets, including Brazil, Chile, and more. The widespread use of cloud services is powering the growth of the Chile data center market, the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI), handling large-scale data (Big Data), the Internet of Things (IoT), the rollout of 5G networks, improved connectivity, and the ongoing process of digital transformation.

The country supports free cooling and abundant renewable energy, which will attract investors. The trend of procuring renewable energy to power the facilities will continue during the forecast period. Cloud giants like Google, Oracle Cloud, and Huawei Cloud have established their presence in Chile, each with dedicated cloud regions.

VENDOR INSIGHTS

The Chile data center market is witnessing investment from primary colocation and hyperscale operators investing significantly. Some key colocation investors in the Chile data center market are Equinix, Ascenty (Digital Realty), ODATA (Aligned Data Centers), Actis, EdgeConneX, and others.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced its plan to develop two data center buildings in Puente Alto. It will be its first self-built data center facility in the country.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY THIS RESEARCH?

Market size regarding investment, area, power capacity, and Chile colocation market revenue is available.

colocation market revenue is available. An assessment of the data center investment in Chile by colocation, hyperscale, and enterprise operators.

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 Chile data center market landscape, an in-depth market analysis, and insightful predictions about market size during the forecast period.

VENDOR LANDSCAPE

IT Infrastructure Providers

Cisco Systems

Dell Technologies

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Huawei Technologies

IBM

Juniper Networks

Lenovo

Data Center Construction Contractors & Sub-Contractors

Aceco TI

AECOM

Constructora Sudamericana

Fluor Corporation

Hyphen

PQC

Turner & Townsend

Support Infrastructure Providers

ABB

ASSA ABLOY

Axis Communications

Bruno

Caterpillar

Cummins

Honeywell International

Johnson Controls

Legrand

Mitsubishi Electric

Munters

Piller Power Systems

Panduit

Rittal

Schneider Electric

Siemens

STULZ

Vertiv

Data Center Investors

Actis

Ascenty (Digital Realty)

Cirion Technologies

ClaroVTR

EdgeConneX

Equinix

GTD

InterNexa

IPXON Networks

ODATA (Aligned Data Centers)

Scala Data Centers

SONDA

New Entrants

Amazon Web Services

Microsoft

EXISTING VS. UPCOMING DATA CENTERS

Snapshot of existing and upcoming third-party data center facilities in Chile

I. Facilities Covered (Existing): 36

II. Facilities Identified (Upcoming): 12

III. Coverage: 6 Cities

IV. Existing vs. Upcoming (Area)

V. Existing vs. Upcoming (IT Load Capacity)

Data Center Colocation Market in the Chile

I. Colocation Market Revenue & Forecast (2023-2029)

II. Wholesale vs. Retail Colocation Revenue (2023-2029)

III. Retail Colocation Pricing

IV. Wholesale Colocation Pricing

Existing Facilities in the Region (Area and Power Capacity)

Santiago

Paine

Colina

Valparaiso

Other Cities

List of Upcoming Facilities in the Region (Area and Power Capacity)

Santiago

Colina

Valparaiso

Other Cities

REPORT COVERAGE

IT Infrastructure

Servers

Storage Systems

Network Infrastructure

Electrical Infrastructure

UPS Systems

Generators

Switches & Switchgears

PDUs

Other Electrical Infrastructure

Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

Rack Cabinets

Other Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

CRAC & CRAH Units

Chiller Units

Cooling Tower, Condensers & Dry Coolers

Economizers & Evaporative Coolers

Other Cooling Units

General Construction

Core & Shell Development

Installation & commissioning Services

Building & Engineering 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/s7d6fq

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

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SOURCE Research and Markets
First-ever hackathon showcases innovative and unique solutions to challenging sustainability challenges

PARIS, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Europe  The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), which builds sustainable ecosystems for cloud native software, today announced the first, second, and third-place winners of CloudNativeHacks .

During KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Europe 2024, CNCF, in collaboration with the United Nations, hosted its first-ever hackathon, CloudNativeHacks, to focus on advancing the delivery of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sponsored by Heroku , the aim was for individuals and teams to develop a proof of concept to help support these development goals, working together to solve pressing issues and contribute meaningfully to creating a better, more sustainable world.

CloudNativeHacks Winners

First place: Team Urban Unity - Carolina Lindqvist and Syed Ali Raza Zaidi, which addresses SDG 11 : Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 17 : Partnerships for the Goals.

Team Urban Unity from Switzerland and the UK developed a proof of concept for a platform that democratizes urban planning policies. They created a map where urban planners can drop a pin if they want to create a new building, but perhaps the local neighbors want to create a park and so can provide feedback about it. It is a platform for the people and run by the people.

Second place: Team Forrester - Radu-Stefan Zamfir, Alex-Andrei Cioc, George-Alexandru Tudurean, which addresses SDG 13 : Climate Action and SDG 15 : Life on Land.

Team Forrester, from Romania, developed an app that spreads awareness and handles automatic detection and monitoring of deforestation globally, leveraging AI, open source software, and publicly available data such as satellite imagery.

Third place: Team Potato - Inhwan Hwang, Sungjin Hong, and Myeonghun Yu which addresses SDG 5 : Gender Equality and SDG 11 : Sustainable Cities and Communities

Team Potato from Korea developed a project that creates a crowd-guarded route, a collaborative map using luminance to gauge the safety of a chosen walking path.

"As we celebrate ten years of Kubernetes, it has been an honor to see #TeamCloudNative come together to use cloud native technologies to help create a more sustainable future," said Arun Gupta, Vice President and General Manager, Open Ecosystem at Intel and Chairperson of the Governing Board for CNCF. "I am so proud of the participants and want to congratulate the winners."

"Congratulations to the winners of the first-ever CloudNativeHacks event," said Priyanka Sharma, Executive Director of the Cloud Native Computing Foundation. "It was inspiring to see the diverse and innovative ideas and I am thrilled that cloud native technologies were the building blocks for creating applications that help impact our world for generations to come."

"As a technology that accelerates the development of applications, it is great to support the first ever CloudNativeHacks and see applications that help with the sustainability of our planet built in just two days," said Bob Wise, CEO of Heroku. "We look forward to seeing how these applications can change the future."

The hackathon was presided over by a panel of judges from the cloud native community and the United Nations, including:

Carlos Arango Gutierrez , Senior Systems software engineer at NVIDIA

, Senior Systems software engineer at NVIDIA Erin Boyd , Distinguished Engineer, Director of Emerging Technologies at Red Hat

, Distinguished Engineer, Director of Emerging Technologies at Red Hat Kelsey Hightower , Distinguished Software Engineer and Developer

, Distinguished Software Engineer and Developer Rajas Kakodkar Senior Member, Technical Staff, VMware

Omar Mohsine Open Source Program Office, United Nations

Alena Prokharchyk, Principal Software Engineer at Apple

Winners received $10,000, $5,000, and $2,500 respectively.

Additional Resources

About Cloud Native Computing Foundation

Cloud native computing empowers organizations to build and run scalable applications with an open source software stack in public, private, and hybrid clouds. The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) hosts critical components of the global technology infrastructure, including Kubernetes, Prometheus, and Envoy. CNCF brings together the industry's top developers, end users, and vendors, and runs the largest open source developer conferences in the world. Supported by more than 800 members, including the world's largest cloud computing and software companies, as well as over 200 innovative startups, CNCF is part of the nonprofit Linux Foundation. For more information, please visit www.cncf.io .

The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks and uses trademarks. For a list of trademarks of The Linux Foundation, please see our trademark usage page. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.

Media Contact

Jessie Adams-Shore

The Linux Foundation

[email protected]

SOURCE Cloud Native Computing Foundation
MARLTON, N.J., March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of thousands of consumers are being notified that their Social Security numbers and other confidential information were compromised due to a data breach at V12 Software, Inc. The data breach lawyers at Console & Associates, P.C. are investigating claims on behalf of anyone affected by the V12 Software breach, hoping to fully inform them of the risks they face in the wake of the breach as well as their legal rights.

The sensitive personal data of more than 286,000 people in Texas, and an unknown number of people across the United States has been compromised. Now, victims' full names, Social Security numbers and driver's license numbers may be in the hands of criminals, putting victims at a greater risk of identity theft and other frauds.

On March 21, 2024, V12 Software filed a notice with the Attorney General of Texas describing a data breach affecting consumers nationwide.

According to the notice, the data breach affected an estimated 286,396 people in Texas. However, V12 Software operates nationwide, and there is no telling how many people in total were affected by this breach.

The list of sensitive information that was exposed includes consumers':

Names,

Social Security numbers, and

Driver's license numbers.

If you receive a data breach notice from V12 Software, you could now be at risk of identity theftand the devastating financial and legal consequences that go along with it.

What Should You Do if You Receive a V12 Software Data Breach Letter?

Individuals who receive a data breach letter from V12 Software should take steps to protect themselves. (See our Guide for Victims of Data Breach for more details at https://www.myinjuryattorney.com/consumer-privacy-data-breach-lawyers/if-your-information-has-been-compromised-in-a-data-breach/ ).

Additionally, victims should consider contacting a data breach attorney immediately, as anyone who receives a data breach letter from V12 Software may be entitled to financial compensation.

If you wish to discuss this data security incident, please contact Console & Associates, P.C. at (866) 778-5500. You can also learn more about this data breach and potential lawsuit at https://www.myinjuryattorney.com/v12-software-data-breach-class-action-investigation-and-lawsuit-assistance/ .

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.

Console & Associates, P.C.

866-778-5500

[email protected]

SOURCE Console & Associates, P.C.
Dead Sea minerals' documented health benefits are driving their use in pharmaceuticals and skincare, boosting market demand. This report goes beyond trends to analyze market drivers, challenges, and opportunities. It empowers strategic decisions with investment analysis and insightful frameworks. Download the exclusive summary to deep dive into market insights.

NEWARK, Del., March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Future Market Insights (FMI), the dead sea mineral market is forecast to total US$ 1,480.3 million in 2024 and US$ 3,276.1 million by 2034. Global dead sea mineral demand will probably increase at a CAGR of 8.3% during the forecast period.

Key Coverage in Global Dead Sea Mineral Market Report

Adjacent Study on Global Dead Sea Salt Industry, Dead Sea Cosmetics Market, Dead Sea Mud Market, Dead Sea Skincare Market, and Mineral-rich Products Market

Key Players in Dead Sea Beauty Products Market, along with their Respective Shares

Detailed Dead Sea Mud Cosmetics Market Analysis

Expected Global Dead Sea Mud Cosmetics Market Size

Analysis of Dead Sea Salt Industry

Dead Sea Mud Market Overview

Market dynamics of Dead Sea Cosmetics

Emerging Trends in Dead Sea Skincare

Impact of Dead Sea Mineral Extraction on Skincare

Download the Sample PDF report to explore key market insights and trends: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-19306

Rising demand for Dead Sea minerals can be attributed to several reasons. Firstly, these minerals are well known for their unique and beneficial qualities. They offer numerous health benefits, thereby making them popular ingredients in pharmaceuticals and skin care products.

Growing interest in natural alternatives like dead sea minerals is encouraging their adoption across several industries. As consumers become more and more interested in natural ingredient-based personal care and wellness products, sales of dead sea minerals will rise significantly through 2034.

The utility of Dead Sea minerals' applications is leading to an increase in their popularity. These minerals are frequently used in the personal care and cosmetics industry, where they are added to a range of goods like creams, lotions, bath salts, and soaps.

Consumers looking for visible results have become interested in the proven efficacy of dead sea minerals in enhancing skin health, combating aging signs, and providing overall wellness. As a result, more people are incorporating dead sea mineral-based products into their skincare and self-care routines.

Emerging markets are creating significant growth opportunities for companies. The potential for growth of dead sea minerals in developing markets is significantly influenced by the growing understanding of the advantages of their use.

Customers in developing markets are actively looking for natural alternatives in their daily lives as they become more health conscious. dead sea minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium are regarded as a source of holistic well-being and beauty enhancement.

Products like skin care creams, bath salts, and therapeutic goods that contain dead sea minerals are becoming more and more popular as consumer awareness increases. This will continue to provide impetus for market expansion.

Key Takeaways from the Report:

The global dead sea mineral market is forecast to attain a valuation of US$ 3,276.10 million by 2034.

is forecast to attain a valuation of by 2034. Based on end-use, the personal care & cosmetics segment holds a prominent market share.

India is set to record a CAGR of 12.1% from 2024 to 2034.

is set to record a CAGR of from 2024 to 2034. The United States remains the front-runner in dead sea mineral usage, holding a value share of around 32.5% in 2024.

remains the front-runner in dead sea mineral usage, holding a value share of around in 2024. China is poised to witness a positive growth trajectory, with sales rising at 10.8% CAGR through 2034.

Who is Winning?

Leading dead sea mineral companies listed in the report include Aroma dead sea, Aquamineralspa, AVANI Supreme Inc., SabonNYC., Lush Retail Ltd., Austria, Seacretspa, DAOR COSMETICS LTD, Ein Gedi Cosmetics & Pharma Ltd., KCD Cosmetics, AQUA THERAPY, H&B, KAWAR dead sea, and dead sea Premier Cosmetics Laboratories LTD.

Both national and international players influence the competitive environment in the market. Major companies are utilizing mergers and acquisitions and introducing new products as central strategies to stay competitive. Through acquisitions and mergers, companies have enhanced product quality and broadened their product distribution networks.

Recent Developments:

In 2020, Alma K skincare brand introduced a new dead sea Minerals product range, which includes facial cleansing gel, stimulating body scrub, hydrate range, and dead sea Minerals mud massage soap.

Purchase now and gain full access to the Dead Sea Minerals Industry report, featuring comprehensive Market Forecast, Company Share Analysis, Competition Intelligence, DROT Analysis, Market Dynamics and Challenges, and Strategic Growth Initiatives.

Get More Valuable Insights

Future Market Insights (FMI), in its new offering, provides an unbiased analysis of the global dead sea mineral market, presenting historical demand data (2019 to 2023) and forecast statistics for the period from 2024 to 2034.

The study incorporates compelling insights on the dead sea mineral industry based on source (dead sea salt, dead sea mud, and dead sea water), end use (personal care and cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, spa and wellness, others), and distribution channel (hypermarkets/supermarkets, convenience stores, drug stores and pharmacies, health and wellness stores, other retailers, online retailing) across various regions.

About the Food & Beverage Division at Future Market Insights (FMI)

Expert analysis, actionable insights, and strategic recommendations  the Food & Beverage team at Future Market Insights (FMI) helps clients from all over the globe with their unique business intelligence needs. With a repertoire of over 1,000 reports and 1 million+ data points, the team has lucidly analyzed the food & beverage industry in 50+ countries for over a decade. The team provides end-to-end research and consulting services; reach out to explore how we can help.

About the Author:

Nandini Roy Choudhury (Client Partner for Food & Beverages at Future Market Insights, Inc.) has 7+ years of management consulting experience. She advises industry leaders and explores off-the-eye opportunities and challenges. She puts processes and operating models in place to support their business objectives.

She has exceptional analytical skills and often brings thought leadership to the table.

Nandini has vast functional expertise in key niches, including but not limited to food ingredients, nutrition & health solutions, animal nutrition, and marine nutrients. She is also well-versed in the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, retail, and chemical sectors, where she advises market participants to develop methodologies and strategies that deliver results. Another feather to her cap manifests in the form of process automation. She is vocal about bringing automation to the fore to bring a 360-degrees-round revolution in manufacturing sector.

Her core expertise lies in corporate growth strategy, sales and marketing effectiveness, acquisitions and post-merger integration and cost reduction. Nandini has an MBA in Finance from MIT School of Business. She also holds a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from Nagpur University, India.

Nandini has authored several publications, and quoted in journals including Beverage Industry, Bloomberg, and Wine Industry Advisor.

Explore FMI's Extensive Coverage in the Food and Beverage Domain:

About Future Market Insights (FMI)

Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting service provider, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in Dubai and has delivery centers in the UK, the U.S., and India. FMI's latest market research reports and industry analysis help businesses navigate challenges and make critical decisions with confidence and clarity amidst breakneck competition. Our customized and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. A team of expert-led analysts at FMI continuously tracks emerging trends and events in a broad range of industries to ensure that our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers.

Contact Us

Nandini Singh Sawlani

Future Market Insights Inc.

Christiana Corporate, 200 Continental Drive,

Suite 401, Newark, Delaware - 19713, USA

T: +1-845-579-5705

For Sales Enquiries: [email protected]

Website: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com

LinkedIn | Twitter | Blogs | YouTube

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SOURCE Future Market Insights
NEW YORK  Doctors in Boston transplanted a pig kidney into a 62-year-old patient, another experiment in the quest to use animal organs in humans.

Massachusetts General Hospital said Thursday it's the first time a genetically modified pig kidney was transplanted into a living person. Previously, pig kidneys temporarily were transplanted into brain-dead donors. Also, two men received heart transplants from pigs, though both died within months.

The patient, Richard "Rick" Slayman of Weymouth, Massachusetts, is recovering well from the surgery last Saturday and is expected to be discharged soon, doctors said Thursday.

Dr. Tatsuo Kawai, the transplant surgeon, said the team believes the pig kidney will work for at least two years. If it fails, Slayman could go back on dialysis, kidney specialist Dr. Winfred Williams said. He noted that, unlike the pig heart recipients who were very sick, Slayman is "actually quite robust."

Slayman had a kidney transplant at the hospital in 2018, but had to go back on dialysis last year when it showed signs of failure. When dialysis complications arose requiring frequent procedures, his doctors suggested a pig kidney transplant, he said in a statement released by the hospital.

"I saw it not only as a way to help me, but a way to provide hope for the thousands of people who need a transplant to survive," said Slayman, a systems manager for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

The transplant surgery took four hours, with 15 people in the operating room who applauded when the kidney turned pink and started making urine, doctors said at a news conference. It was truly the most beautiful kidney I have ever seen, Kawai said.

Dr. Parsia Vagefi, chief of surgical transplantation at UT Southwestern Medical Center, called the announcement "a big step forward." But, echoing the Boston doctors, he said studies involving more patients at different medical centers would be needed for it to become more commonly available.

The experiment marks the latest development in xenotransplantation, the term for efforts to try to heal human patients with cells, tissues, or organs from animals.

For decades, it didn't work  the human immune system immediately destroyed foreign animal tissue. More recent attempts involved pigs that were modified so their organs are more humanlike  increasing hope that they might one day help fill a shortage of donated organs.

More than 100,000 people are on the national waiting list for a transplant, most of them kidney patients, and thousands die every year before their turn comes.

Pigs have long been used in human medicine, including pig skin grafts and implantation of pig heart valves. Transplanting entire organs is much more complex than using highly processed tissue.

The kidney implanted in Slayman was provided by eGenesis of Cambridge, Massachusetts. The pig was genetically edited to remove harmful pig genes and add certain human genes to improve its compatibility with humans.

Slayman's case was challenging, doctors said. Even before his first transplant, he had trouble being on dialysis and needed dozens of procedures to try to remove clots and restore blood flow.

He became "increasingly despondent and depressed over his dialysis situation. "At one point  he literally said 'I just can't go on like this,'" said his kidney doctor, Williams.

The Food and Drug Administration gave special permission for Slayman's transplant under "compassionate use" rules.

___

Today in history: March 22 1941: Grand Coulee 1945: Arab League 1963: The Beatles 1978: Karl Wallenda 1988: Ronald Reagan 1993: Intel Corp 1997: Tara Lipinski becomes youngest women's world champion 2010: Google Inc. 2012: Whitney Houston 2019: Jimmy Carter 2019: Robert Mueller 2021: Elgin Baylor
CHICAGO, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With a focus on ethical behaviour and explainable AI, the Decision Intelligence Market will see a rise in the integration of AI and ML for real-time decision support in the future. Innovation will be propelled by cross-domain applications, cooperative decision-making, and tailored insights, combined with an emphasis on automation, regulatory compliance, and governance to satisfy changing industry demands.

The Decision Intelligence Market is estimated to grow from USD 13.3 billion in 2024 to USD 50.1 billion in 2030, at a CAGR of 24.7% during the forecast period, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Several trends fuel the global spread of Design Intelligence (DI). Increasingly affordable computing power allows complex AI models to run efficiently. Businesses see the value of data-driven insights for improving products, operations, and marketing. A growing talent pool of data scientists and engineers is building the necessary tools and infrastructure. Governments are recognizing the potential of DI for economic growth and are investing in research and development. These trends make DI more accessible and valuable, leading to its global adoption.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Decision Intelligence Market"

339 - Tables

61 - Figures

334 - Pages

Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=11498239

Scope of the Report

Report Metrics Details Market size available for years 20192030 Base year considered 2023 Forecast period 20242030 Forecast units USD Billion Segments Covered Offering, Type, Business Function, Vertical, and Region. Geographies covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America Companies covered IBM(US), Oracle (US), Google (US), Intel (US), Microsoft (US), TCS(INDIA), DOMO(US), Board International (Switzerland),

Provenir (New Jersey), Pyramid Analytics (Netherlands), 4CAST(Israel), H20.ai(CA), Remi.AI (Australia), Quantellia (US),

Peak.AI (UK), DIWO(US), Cerebra (US), Clarifai (US), FLYR LABS(US), Metaphacts (Germany), Systems Technology Group (US),

paretos(Germany), Course5i(US), Telius (US), Evolution Analytics (US), HyperFinity (UK), Aera Technology (US),

Quantexa (UK), Urbint(US), PlanningForce(Belgium), EY(UK)

By offering the services segment to account for higher CAGR during the forecast period.

In the Decision Intelligence Market, the highest CAGR of services is fueled by complex decision-making processes, AI and machine learning advancements, real-time insights demand, big data analytics integration, business process optimization, cloud-based solutions adoption, data-driven culture, and diverse industry adoption. These trends reflect a global shift towards leveraging data for competitive advantage, driving a continuous need for sophisticated decision intelligence services across sectors. As businesses prioritize agility and informed decision-making, the Decision Intelligence Market is expected to sustain significant growth, supported by evolving technologies and a growing emphasis on data-centric strategies.

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By Type, Decision Automation is expected to hold the largest market size for the year 2024.

Decision automation contributes to cost savings and operational efficiencies by reducing manual intervention, minimizing errors, and optimizing resource allocation based on data-driven insights. This aligns with business objectives focused on improving productivity and profitability while maintaining accuracy and consistency in decision-making. Moreover, advancements in cloud computing facilitate the scalability, flexibility, and accessibility of decision automation solutions, making them more attractive to organizations of all sizes and industries. As businesses strive to stay competitive in a data-driven landscape, the growth of decision automation in the Decision Intelligence Market is expected to continue as a strategic investment in enhancing agility, efficiency, and competitive advantage.

By Vertical, Retail & eCommerce is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

The retail and e-commerce sector is experiencing a surge in the adoption of decision intelligence (DI) due to a confluence of factors. The exponential growth of e-commerce has resulted in vast repositories of customer data. While rich in potential insights, this data surge presents a challenge for traditional business intelligence (BI) tools. Here, DI leverages machine learning (ML) and advanced analytics to transform this data into actionable insights. Retailers can utilize DI for real-time personalization, optimizing product recommendations and marketing campaigns. Additionally, DI empowers data-driven inventory management, minimizing stockouts and maximizing efficiency. Furthermore, DI can bolster fraud prevention efforts and optimize supply chain logistics. In a competitive digital landscape, retailers increasingly recognize DI as a strategic imperative for enhancing customer experience, boosting operational efficiency, and gaining a competitive edge.

Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is experiencing rapid growth in the Decision Intelligence Market, boasting the highest Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR). This surge is primarily attributed to rising demand for data-driven decision-making solutions, expanding digital transformation initiatives across industries, and a burgeoning startup ecosystem focusing on analytics and insights. Moreover, the region's favorable regulatory environment, growing investments in big data analytics, and the integration of advanced technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) further propel APAC's dominance in Decision Intelligence Market growth.

Top Key Companies in Decision Intelligence Market:

The major decision intelligence solution and service providers include IBM(US), Oracle (US), Google (US), Intel (US), Microsoft (US), TCS(INDIA), DOMO(US), Board International (Switzerland), Provenir (New Jersey), Pyramid Analytics (Netherlands), 4CAST(Israel), H20.ai(CA), Remi.AI (Australia), Quantellia (US), Peak.AI (UK), DIWO(US), Cerebra (US), Clarifai (US), FLYR LABS(US), Metaphacts (Germany), Systems Technology Group (US),paretos(Germany), Course5i(US), Telius (US), Evolution Analytics (US), HyperFinity (UK), Aera Technology (US), Quantexa (UK), Urbint(US), PlanningForce(Belgium), EY(UK). These companies have used both organic and inorganic growth strategies such as product launches, acquisitions, and partnerships to strengthen their position in the Decision Intelligence Market.

Recent Developments:

In February 2024 , IBM Cloud Pak for Data version 4.8 introduced significant enhancements, offering faster access to distributed data sources, reduced ETL requests, and improved data cataloging capabilities. This update aimed to streamline data management processes, enhance productivity, and enable more efficient organizational decision-making leveraging the platform's features.

, IBM Cloud Pak for Data version 4.8 introduced significant enhancements, offering faster access to distributed data sources, reduced ETL requests, and improved data cataloging capabilities. This update aimed to streamline data management processes, enhance productivity, and enable more efficient organizational decision-making leveraging the platform's features. In November 2023, Wonderbox Group collaborated with Board, an intelligent planning solutions provider, to improve sales forecasting and cost optimization. It aimed to streamline budgeting processes, manage P&L more effectively, and boost technical performance through agile and customized processes. With the Board's tools, they can unify data, collaborate efficiently, and make informed decisions for controlling costs.

In November 2023, Provenir partnered with Tbi bank to enable real-time credit decisions at scale, showcasing the integration of decision intelligence into digital lending processes.

In September 2023 , The Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) Generative AI service developed, in collaboration with Cohere, enhanced decision intelligence by automating business processes, improving decision-making, and enhancing customer experiences. This service supported large language models (LLMs) to optimize end-to-end processes while ensuring data security and privacy, aligning with the principles of responsible AI deployment.

, The Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) Generative AI service developed, in collaboration with Cohere, enhanced decision intelligence by automating business processes, improving decision-making, and enhancing customer experiences. This service supported large language models (LLMs) to optimize end-to-end processes while ensuring data security and privacy, aligning with the principles of responsible AI deployment. In September 2022, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) announced the latest release of its TCS Connected Intelligence Platform (CIP). The new release of CIP is a low-code decision intelligence platform designed to provide organizations with the next best actions for customers, employees, partners, and business processes in real-time. It offered a graphical, drag-and-drop interface for configuring the next best action strategies using business rules, segmentation, contextual data, and AI/ML models to accelerate the development and deployment of decision intelligence use cases. This update aimed to transform data into a strategic asset that delivers in-the-moment recommendations for informed and intelligent decisions across departments, value chains, and industries.

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Decision Intelligence Market Advantages:

Decision intelligence solutions provide organizations with actionable insights derived from complex data sets, enabling informed and data-driven decision-making processes.

These systems predict future trends, foresee events, and optimise decision outcomes by utilising sophisticated analytics approaches like machine learning and predictive modelling.

Decision intelligence platforms facilitate prompt decision-making and adaptability to dynamic business environments by providing real-time data processing capabilities that allow organisations to analyse and act upon data streams as they arise.

Solutions for decision intelligence combine data from various sources and formats to give an organization-wide holistic picture of the data, enabling thorough analysis and decision-making across departments and functions.

By using algorithmic models and decision rules to automate decision-making processes, these solutions increase operational effectiveness, decrease manual labour, and minimise decision execution errors.

Platforms for decision intelligence provide individualised insights and recommendations based on each user's unique preferences, actions, and goals, increasing user satisfaction and engagement.

Through the analysis of past data, the identification of trends, and the assessment of possible outcomes, decision intelligence solutions help organisations identify and mitigate risks and enable proactive risk management and mitigation techniques.

Decision intelligence solutions assist organisations in optimising resource allocation, streamlining operations, and enhancing cost efficiency by analysing data on resource utilisation, demand trends, and performance metrics.

Through performance tracking and feedback systems, decision intelligence platforms facilitate iterative learning and continuous improvement, allowing organisations to gradually enhance their decision models and strategies.

Report Objectives

To define, describe, and predict the Decision Intelligence Market by offering, type, business functions, vertical, and region

To provide detailed information about the major factors (drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges) influencing the market growth

To analyze the opportunities in the market and provide details of the competitive landscape for stakeholders and market leaders

To forecast the market size of segments with respect to five main regions: North America , Europe , Asia Pacific , Middle East & Africa , and Latin America

, , , & , and To profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their market rankings and core competencies

To analyze the competitive developments, such as partnerships, product launches, and mergers & acquisitions, in the Decision Intelligence Market

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"DNX Ventures", a Japan and U.S.-based VC firm, announced the final close of two new Japan funds, raising a total of approximately 36.5 billion yen (U.S. $243M). Total amount raised for the Japan-focused funds including Japan Seed Fund is approximately 39.5 billion yen (U.S. $263M) with a capacity to invest in seed to late stage B2B startups in Japan.

SAN MATEO, Calif., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DNX Ventures (Japan Representative: Akira Kurabayashi), a venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley and Tokyo, is pleased to announce the final close of $188M for Japan Fund IV and $55M for Japan Annex Fund III, dedicated to follow-on investments. Cumulatively, including the Japan Seed Fund which concluded its funding two years ago, the total capital dedicated to Japan-focused funds stands at approximately 36.5 billion yen (~$263 million USD). This expansion of the Japan fund family empowers DNX Ventures to support startups from their inception through to the late stages. The focus will be on nurturing startups in Japan, with the potential inclusion of select ventures within the broader Asia region.

DNX Ventures announces final close of new Japan funds: Japan Fund IV and Japan Annex Fund III Post this DNX Ventures announces new fund family for investing in startups in Japan.Fund family for US startups to follow at a later date. Pictured: DNX Japan team

Additionally, DNX will separately raise and announce a family of new Funds for investment in the U.S. and other regions.

Our Investors and Investment Geography

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our investors for their unwavering trust in DNX, encompassing a diverse group of domestic Japanese and international institutional investors, financial institutions, and both returning and new supporters. Notably, we have garnered significant investment from global investors situated outside of Japan, including prominent entities such as Morgan Stanley Investment Management Private Equity Solutions and Atinum Investment. Our commitment lies in generating outstanding financial returns for our investors by investing in exceptional founders who are pursuing high-growth and making a positive impact on society.

Peter McCormick appointed as new advisor to DNX Ventures

In addition to the launch of the new DNX Fund IV, we are thrilled to announce Peter McCormick as the latest addition to our advisory team*, aimed at bolstering the growth of our portfolio companies. Peter is renowned for co-founding Exact Target in 2000. Over a span of 14 years, he has embraced numerous roles encompassing corporate development, global operations, partner development, services, product management, and marketing. Exact Target made its debut on the NYSE in 2012, and subsequently has been acquired by Salesforce for $2.5 billion in 2013, creating Salesforce Marketing Cloud  a global leader in marketing automation.

Peter brings a wealth of experience in the B2B SaaS sector, along with an expansive network. His expertise will be instrumental in guiding the founders and management teams within the DNX Ventures portfolio, propelling them towards achieving their strategic objectives.

* In addition to Mr. McCormick, we are joined by five additional advisors, each an expert in SaaS and/ or technology, from both domestic and international spheres.

About Us

DNX is a venture capital fund with offices in Silicon Valley and Tokyo that has been investing in B2B startups since 2011, primarily in the Japanese and U.S. markets. To date, we have invested in more than 190 startups, mainly in Japan and the U.S., and have led 23 companies to exits, through a total of eight funds totaling approximately U.S. $750M under management, including five main funds and annex/seed funds. Among B2B startups, the main areas of investment are in cloud SaaS, fintech, deep tech, and sustainability, all in early stages.

https://www.dnx.vc/jpfund-en/top

SOURCE DNX Ventures
NEW YORK , March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The enterprise indoor location-based services market in the US is poised for substantial growth, with estimations indicating an increase of USD 25,831.89 million by 2027, marking a remarkable Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 47.45% between 2022 and 2027. The surge in market size is fueled by several key factors including proximity marketing, enhanced indoor navigation, and efficient asset tracking solutions.

To understand more about this market- View Sample Report

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Enterprise Indoor Location-based Services Market in US 2023-2027

The latest report offers a comprehensive analysis of the market dynamics, showcasing historic data from 2017 to 2021 and projecting trends up to 2027. One of the primary drivers of this growth trajectory is the increasing demand for asset tracking solutions. Businesses across various sectors require precise monitoring of assets within indoor premises, leading to the adoption of location-based services.

Key Market Driver: Asset Tracking

The market is significantly propelled by the need for accurate asset tracking systems. Enterprises necessitate real-time monitoring of objects and individuals within specific areas such as production facilities, hospitals, or data centers. The deployment of receivers and tags enables precise tracking, facilitating efficient asset management and security measures.

Notable Market Trends: Analytics Integration

Another prominent trend in the market is the integration of analytics for business optimization. Analytics software enhances the evaluation of data collected through location-based services, providing valuable insights for process optimization and strategic decision-making. This trend is expected to gain momentum, driving data-driven approaches across various industries.

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Major Market Challenge: High Costs and Capital Investment

Despite the promising growth prospects, high costs and capital investment pose significant challenges to market expansion. The capital-intensive nature of the market, coupled with the complexities of deployment and integration, presents obstacles for widespread adoption, particularly among small businesses. Addressing these challenges requires meticulous planning and strategic investment strategies.

Key Market Players and Innovations

Several companies are actively contributing to market growth through strategic alliances, product launches, and technological innovations. Among the notable players are AiRISTA Flow Inc., Aislelabs Inc., Alphabet Inc., Apple Inc., and Cisco Systems Inc., to name a few. Innovations such as the Radisys ReachPoint geolocation platform underscore the industry's commitment to advancing location-based services.

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Fastest-Growing Segment: RFID Technology

The RFID segment emerges as the fastest-growing segment in the market, driven by its inherent advantages such as high accuracy and low maintenance costs. RFID technology facilitates asset identification and tracking across various sectors including retail, automotive, and industrial environments. The segment's growth trajectory is expected to continue, propelled by increasing adoption and technological advancements.

Analyst Review

The US Enterprise Indoor Location-Based Services (LBS) Market is experiencing a surge in demand due to the advancements in technology and infrastructure developments. With the proliferation of connected devices and the increasing reliance on accurate location tracking, businesses across various sectors are capitalizing on this trend to enhance their operations and customer experiences.

Retail malls, parks, educational institutes, skyscrapers, hi-tech parks, and business organizations are among the key infrastructural facilities adopting indoor LBS for tracking purposes. This technology enables precise and real-time location tracking, facilitating asset tracking and management solutions within these establishments. Retail companies, in particular, are leveraging indoor LBS to enhance customer retention and drive revenue through location-based advertising services, coupons, and discounts delivered directly to mobile phones via proximity beacons.

In addition to the retail sector, indoor LBS finds applications in other segments such as education, manufacturing, and healthcare. Educational institutes utilize indoor positioning technologies to enhance the learning experience, while hospitals rely on LBS for navigation and security purposes.

The market landscape is characterized by a flurry of activities including acquisitions, collaborations, and product launches aimed at enhancing service innovation and technology integration. Industry players like Radisys are at the forefront, offering cutting-edge solutions such as the Radisys ReachPoint geolocation platform, which enables businesses to harness the power of indoor LBS for marketing, analytics, and monitoring purposes.

The Asia Pacific region, in particular, presents significant growth opportunities for the US Enterprise Indoor LBS Market, with retail companies and other enterprises driving infrastructural development and technology insights. Tablets, Wi-Fi/WLAN, Bluetooth (BT)/Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons, A-GPS, NFC, and RFID technology segments are key enablers of indoor LBS, facilitating hyper-local advertising and location-based promotions.

As businesses strive to enhance location accuracy and tracking efficiency, the adoption of indoor LBS is expected to increase, with revenue share in the tracking segment growing substantially. Government authorities are also recognizing the potential of indoor LBS for monitoring public activities and enhancing data protection measures through virtual private networks (VPNs).

In conclusion, the US Enterprise Indoor Location-Based Services Market is poised for rapid expansion driven by technological advancements, industry collaborations, and the growing demand for location-based solutions across diverse sectors.

To understand more about this market- View Sample Report

Market Overview

The US Enterprise Indoor Location-based Services Market is witnessing robust growth fueled by infrastructure developments and the integration of promotional applications. From retail malls to educational institutes, the demand for precise tracking purposes within these spaces is escalating. Leveraging local and home area networks (LANs), WLAN infrastructure facilities are optimizing indoor navigation experiences. Shopping malls and skyscrapers are at the forefront of implementing these technologies to enhance user engagement and operational efficiency. With a focus on delivering seamless location-based services, businesses are tapping into the potential of indoor positioning systems to provide personalized experiences and streamline operations across diverse indoor environments in North America.

To understand more about this market- View Sample Report

Related Reports:

The hazardous location connectors market size is expected to increase by USD 2.33 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 5.18%. Furthermore, this report extensively covers hazardous location connectors market segmentation by end-user (oil and gas, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, wastewater treatment, and others) and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, the Middle East and Africa, and South America). Rising industrial safety measures are notably driving the hazardous location connectors market growth.

The location-based services market size is expected to increase to USD 159.19 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 26.84%. Furthermore, this report extensively covers LBS market segmentation by type (outdoor and indoor) and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa). The rise in demand for personal and enterprise navigation services is notably driving the location-based services (LBS) market growth.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Landscape

3 Sizing

4 Historic Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Segmentations

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Vendor Landscape

11 Vendor Analysis

12 Appendix

About US

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and 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.

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SOURCE Technavio
DUBLIN, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --The "Europe School Furniture Market Report by Product (Desks and Chairs, Storage, Lab Equipment, and Others), Material (Wood, Metal, Plastic, and Others), Distribution Channel (Offline, Online), and Region 2024-2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The European school furniture market size reached US$ 1.61 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach US$ 2.51 billion by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 5% during 2023-2032. The growing popularity of flexible classroom layouts and multi-functional learning spaces, the emerging technological advancement, and the increasing government investment in education infrastructure and modernization projects are some of the major factors contributing to the market growth.

Europe School Furniture Market Trends/Drivers

The growing popularity of flexible classroom layouts and learning spaces

The market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing popularity of flexible classroom layouts and multi-functional learning spaces. In addition, educators are recognizing the importance of adaptable furniture that can be easily rearranged to suit various teaching methodologies and activities thus influencing the market growth. Moreover, flexible seating arrangements, such as movable desks and chairs, allow for quick transitions between group discussions, individual work, and interactive projects which enhances student engagement and encourages active participation representing another major growth-inducing factor. Besides this, multi-functional learning spaces are becoming prevalent, accommodating numerous teaching methods, thus accelerating the market growth. Along with this, furniture that can transform into numerous configurations supports project-based learning, workshops, and presentations which promotes an interactive and immersive educational experience, propelling the market growth.

The increasing investment in education infrastructure and modernization projects

The market is being fueled by growing government investments in education infrastructure and modernization projects. They are recognizing the essential role of well-equipped classrooms in fostering effective learning and allocating funds to upgrade school facilities and provide modern furniture solutions, thus influencing market growth. Moreover, several government initiatives aimed at improving educational outcomes often include provisions for the enhancement of school infrastructure and numerous investments in ergonomic and comfortable furniture that positively impact student engagement and academic performance representing another major growth-inducing factor. Besides this, modernization includes the adoption of contemporary teaching methods requiring adaptable furniture that supports collaborative learning is accelerating the market growth.

Desks and chairs represent the most popular product

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the product. This includes desks and chairs, storage, lab equipment, and others. According to the report, desks and chairs accounted for the largest market share.

Desks and chairs address the holistic needs of educational institutions, including physical comfort and pedagogical efficiency which prioritize student well-being and learning efficacy, thus contributing to the market growth. Apart from this, desks and chairs are essential in shaping modern classrooms with the integration of ergonomic furniture facilitating interactive learning, collaboration, and improved concentration, ultimately enhancing the educational experience, thus propelling the market growth.

Wood holds the largest share of the market

Wood's timeless aesthetic and inherent warmth contribute to its popularity as the primary material for school furniture. Its natural allure creates an environment conducive to learning, fosters a welcoming atmosphere that resonates with students and educators. In addition, it allows for the creation of numerous furniture designs, accommodating various educational needs and preferences, thus influencing market growth.

Moreover, the growing emphasis on sustainability resulted in the adoption of environmentally responsible materials such as wood due to their renewable nature and lower carbon footprint compared to synthetic alternatives representing another major growth-inducing factor. Along with this, schools and institutions are inclined to opt for environmentally responsible materials, making wood a logical choice compared to synthetic alternatives.

Furthermore, the durability, and longevity associated with wooden furniture ensure extended usability and ultimately offer cost-effective solutions, while collaborating with local artisans and manufacturers is propelling the market growth.

Germany exhibits a clear dominance in the market

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, and the rest of Europe. According to the report, Germany accounted for the largest market share.

Germany is driven by a strong economic foundation and stability fostering an environment conducive to the growth of various industries. It provides schools with the necessary resources to invest in high-quality and modern furniture solutions, enhancing the learning environment.

Moreover, the growing emphasis on education and educational infrastructure is essential to provide top-notch educational facilities that align with the demand for functional, and innovative school furniture representing another major growth-inducing factor. As a result, educational institutions in Germany are investing in furniture that aligns with modern pedagogical approaches and promotes comfortable learning spaces.

Furthermore, the country's central position facilitates efficient distribution networks, enabling the timely and cost-effective transportation of school furniture to neighboring countries. This logistical advantage strengthens Germany's position as a preferred supplier of school furniture in the broader European market.

Competitive Landscape

Nowadays, key players within the market are employing various strategic initiatives to bolster their positions and remain competitive in the dynamic landscape. These actions are aimed at enhancing their brand value, expanding market reach, and meeting evolving customer demands. They are investing in research and development to create innovative and ergonomic school furniture solutions by designing products that align with modern educational methodologies and technology integration, which attract schools seeking to create contemporary and efficient learning environments.

Moreover, companies are incorporating sustainable practices into their operations including the use of eco-friendly materials, implementing energy-efficient manufacturing processes, and ensuring the recyclability of their products. Furthermore, key players are using digital platforms to showcase their products and services maintaining informative websites, and engaging in an active social media presence allowing players to connect directly with potential customers across Europe.

Competitive Analysis

Some of the major players include:

Herman Miller , Inc.

, Inc. HNI Corporation

KI Furniture

Steelcase Inc.

Fleetwood Group

Hertz Furniture

Knoll, Inc.

VS America

Report Segmentation

Breakup by Product:

Desks and Chairs

Storage

Lab Equipment

Others

Breakup by Material:

Wood

Metal

Plastic

Others

Breakup by Distribution Channel:

Offline

Online

Breakup by Country:

Germany

France

UK

Italy

Spain

Rest of Europe

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/nt4o36

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Decision invalidates EPA's orders, secures continued operation of company's barrier technology facilities across the U.S., and safeguards critical industries reliant on its environmentally beneficial technology

HOUSTON, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued a decision agreeing with Inhance Technologies that the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) acted unlawfully when it issued orders under the Toxic Substances Control Act directing Inhance Technologies to shut down its barrier technology facilities. The Court's decision is a decisive victory for Inhance Technologies as it vacates EPA's orders, secures the continued operations of Inhance Technologies' 11 U.S.-based barrier technology facilities, and averts disruption to downstream industries and related supply chain impacts.

"I am exceedingly pleased with the ruling and grateful to our customers and employees for their resilience, dedication, and support," said Andrew Thompson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Inhance Technologies. "We are very excited to continue to service our customers with our excellent team and technologies, which keep thousands of tons of harmful chemicals and fuels out of the environment, preserve product quality, and ensure compliance with many global regulations  all in a recyclable container."

In its ruling invalidating the orders, the Court agreed with Inhance Technologies that the EPA lacked the statutory authority to issue the orders.

Inhance Technologies is compliant with all applicable regulations and committed to continuing its significant research and development program to voluntarily implement measures to reduce the potential for unintentional PFAS impurity formation.

Regulatory Background

Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), EPA may regulate a new use only if (1) the use is new (i.e., not ongoing) and (2) the new use is subject to its Significant New Use Rule (SNUR), which was never intended to cover uses that existed at the time the SNUR was proposed in 2015.

About Inhance Technologies and its Fluorination Processes

Inhance Technologies, a Responsible Care company, has served customers with its fluorination technology for 40 years and is committed to safe operations that are protective of its workers, local communities, the public, and the environment. Fluorinated barrier packaging is critical in protecting the environment by preventing permeation of container contents through evaporative emissions. Inhance Technologies' barrier technology annually prevents more than 25,000 metric tons of chemicals from being released into the environment that would otherwise occur due to packaging permeation. Sectors that heavily rely on Inhance Technologies' fluorination technology include crop protection, healthcare, national defense, aerospace, and fuel systems.

SOURCE Inhance Technologies
OSAKA, Japan, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation (hereinafter referred to as "Yomiuri TV") announced today that it will launch ytv animation, a brand that will leverage Yomiuri TV's storied history in animations while undertaking more challenging titles. This comes ahead of the 60th anniversary in 2027 of Yomiuri TV's airing of Golden Bat in 1967.

Over the years, Yomiuri TV has produced and broadcast countless classics such as The Star of the Giants, Space Brothers, Inuyasha, and Detective Conan. From Osaka to the world, ytv animation aims to develop titles that resonate with audiences in Japan and abroad.

A ytv animation Producer commented, "We will leverage our nearly 60 years of experience producing and broadcasting anime to bring exciting titles to our fans!"

ytv animation's logo embodies its desire to continue creating diverse content with colorful bubbles and will be unveiled to Anime fans at Anime Japan 2024, being held at Tokyo Big Sight from tomorrow. ytv animation opened a new web site today and an Instagram account to deliver information about titles, voice actors, and other exclusive content simultaneously to overseas fans.

Yomiuri TV has always sought to bring its content to both fans in Japan and overseas. In 2023, a preview screening of Firefighter Daigo: Rescuer in Orange was held at the leading American anime expo Anime Expo in Los Angeles, California and Detective Conan: The Scarlet Bullet premiered at Anime NYC. Inuyasha and Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon have aired in more than 180 countries worldwide and have a string following around the world.

Blue Miburo, scheduled to air starting in October 2024, is set to appear at anime events around the world. ytv animation aims to directly communicate the titles to viewers around the world through social media and in-person events.

Yomiuri TV continues to produce and air anime because the company believes that there are things that can only be done in anime and certain emotions that can only be conveyed through anime. ytv animation will leverage Yomiuri TV's history in anime to seamlessly and timelessly deliver strength, dreams, and hope.

ytv animation website: https://ytvanimation.com/

ytv animation Instagram: @ytvanime

About Yomiuri TV

Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation is a leading commercial TV station as well as entertainment powerhouse generating brilliant contents. It is based in Kansai, the western area of Japan, including Osaka; the center of business, Kyoto and Nara; ancient capitals. Producing a broad range of distinctive programmes, including drama, entertainment and documentary, we are the rating champion in the area and also serve the nationwide viewers through NNS, a network consisted of affiliated regional TV channels. Yomiuri TV is especially well-known for the greatest animation titles, such as "Detective Conan", "Inuyasha" and "City Hunter", flying to all over the world. In addition to animations, Yomiuri TV has been globally distributing ready-made programmes and never-seen-before TV formats such as "The Rolling Kitchen" and "Light Away!"

https://www.ytvcontents.com/aboutus/

SOURCE Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation
BEIJING, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Two great civilizations, China and France, will meet again at a grand exhibition between China's Forbidden City and the Palace of Versailles of France that is set to start soon. The widely anticipated event allows visitors to delve into the rich histories and cultures of the two countries known for their profound civilizations.

The joint effort by the two countries and numerous people to promote cultural exchanges bears global significance.

People-to-people exchanges have become especially important for the world. Global Times reporters Xu Liuliu, Li Yuche and Chen Xi talked with three French artists living in China about their efforts to bring China-France ties closer together.

Opening a new world

Christine Cayol has become even busier with the arrival of 2024, a huge year for the friendship between China and France. Cayol, a French writer and philosopher, has lived in China for 22 years and has a beautiful Chinese name: Jia Yue.

For her, the biggest task she is facing is the upcoming exhibition that she will hold for her Yishu 8 initiative's winners at the National Art Museum of China.

"People-to-people exchanges are very important for our two peoples," Cayol told the Global Times in Beijing. She said that diplomatic relations are "the roof of the house," but within the house, there should be encounters between people like artists, business leaders and students.

"Human relationships make it possible to forge real ties. And we need 'bridges' to make these ties stronger and stronger," she noted.

In her eyes, such bridges include many things, one of which is the association Yishu 8, which she founded in 2009 in Beijing to foster cultural exchanges between French and Chinese artists.

The Yishu 8 initiative grants award-winning artists from France and China the opportunity to reside in each other's capital, providing them with the opportunity to draw inspiration from local artistic milieus and immerse themselves in the cultural lifestyles of the host country.

She considers it a long-term plan for artist exchanges over the next "many, many years as bridges need to be solid." And if you want to establish something solid, you need time.

Visiting China for the very first time in 2002, she fell in love with China and its culture.

Her ties with China and Chinese culture started with a love story, as Cayol moved for her fiance, who was sent to work in China. They then got married in China and lived in a hutong, or traditional alleyway, in Beijing.

"It is the love that chooses me." She said to herself that "this will be your chance and best opportunity to go to China and discover a new world."

Since the first day when "I arrived in Beijing, I have felt the power of the Chinese people to sing, to laugh and to love life."

She has met different people in Beijing from kids to old people and felt their happiness and kindness. "People in my hutong are very kind. It is a new lifestyle as China and Beijing have given me a lot of surprises." This helped her make a decision in 2004 to stay in China.

Ever since then, she started to learn Chinese and explore this country by talking with different people. With her understanding of the Chinese people and culture, she has already written multiple books that are considered cultural bridges between the French and the Chinese people.

"When you are young, and you have been to China, it leaves a mark throughout your whole life," she recalled, talking about how living in China opened a new world for her.

She has witnessed China's rapid economic development and great achievements in transportation, communications and other aspects. What she has found gratifying is that she has witnessed and participated in the increasingly in-depth and extensive cultural exchanges and mutual learning between China and France.

"We have forged a friendship through art. These are friendships between artists, but also friendships with Chinese civilization. It's a courier of peace, a courier of harmony and a courier of the future," she said.

In 2013, Cayol was honored with the Legion of Honor medal at the French Embassy in Beijing by Jean-Pierre Raffarin, former French prime minister, for her exceptional contributions to China-France cultural exchanges.

Culture is "the key to dialogue between civilizations, which connects the past, present and future." She said that mutual learning among civilizations requires establishing clear and friendly dialogue, through which different civilizations can express and share emotions and build bridges to each other.

Talking about how the year 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, Cayol, who is also the French vice chairman of the China-France Culture Forum, noted she is very confident in the next 60 years of friendship between China and France.

"I believe that in the future, it will be necessary for both the French side and the Chinese side to maintain a mutual curiosity," she said, adding that more and more projects from both China and France will promote such exchanges moving forward.

Beyond the usual dance format

French artist Anne-Marie Laffont is a classical dance performer who started her art journey when she was just 8 years old. Laffont, who's in her 80s, told the Global Times that in the very beginning, her mother had made the career choice for her, but now it has become her life's dedication.

The veteran dancer has performed at several stellar venues such as the Toulon Opera, the beautiful French concert hall inaugurated in 1862.

Over the years, Laffont has interpreted prolific classic pieces, including 20 famous ballets such as Tchaikovsky's timeless piece Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty.

Having seen audiences from different cultural backgrounds tear up at her performances, Laffont's rich experiences have made her see how the art form can strengthen relationships between people from different parts of the world. This epiphany led her to also become a dance teacher.

Laffont told the Global Times that she became fascinated by traditional Chinese dance after she took her first teaching internship in China in 2018. The artist finds traditional Chinese dance "very stunning" as it is different from other classical dance forms.

"Traditional Chinese dance is flexible and enriched with musical elements. Its accessories, such as fans and ribbons, are beautiful. I can also relate such elements to our musicals in Europe, where we also use accessories like hats," Laffont told the Global Times.

What surprised the artist the most is not just the beauty of Chinese art, but also Chinese dancers' spirit and Chinese educators' teaching methods.

"When I was in China, I really appreciated the behavior of the students and even more appreciated their teachers. These students are actively involved in class, and they genuinely want to progress and dance beautifully," the artist said. She also added that Chinese teachers also helped her teach "very different French dance techniques" to students, and that allowed her to feel the open and diverse nature of art education in China.

Although the artist has performed all around the world in countries like Japan and Canada, China has become her favorite destination. To date, Laffont has visited and tutored at dance academies in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Yinchuan, Northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

"I want to launch more China-France dance collaborations purely to bridge the two cultures together. I want to learn about Chinese culture and understand it beyond just the dance format," she said.

To fulfill her passionate goal to bridge China and France together, Laffont is currently the art director of the L'Association pour les Echanges Artistiques entre la France et la Chine (AEAFC).

Founded in 2013, the AEAFC is a cultural organization supported by the Municipal Government of Paris with the aim of promoting China-France art exchanges.

The year 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. Taking this special occasion as an opportunity, the AEAFC is scheduled to launch a China-France ballet program in Beijing in April.

The event marks the organization's 20th visit for bringing French art to Chinese audiences. Prior to it, other programs such as the "China-Europe dance summit" and "China-Europe Intangible Culture Heritage exhibition" were held to get young people from China and France engaged in cultural exchanges.

Representing the AEAFC, Laffont told the Global Times that the cultural exchanges between China and France are so very rich because "these two are both civilizations of profound indigenous cultures."

"Cultural exchange is not just about what is happening now, but also about all the history and the deep cultural heritages of China and France. Because we are different civilizations, it is very interesting to have mutual learning," Laffont remarked.

Connection with heritage

French artist Sabrina Jauffret has lived in Shanghai for over a decade. Chinese culture somehow has always been present in her life and even in her heritage, not only because she lives in China, but also because her family boasts some Chinese ancestry stretching back several generations.

"My grandparents have the Chinese gene, and after coming to China, I got a stronger connection with my heritage," she told the Global Times.

As a creative director, Jauffret has been deeply involved in art, interior design, product design and fashion. Before moving to Shanghai, she was a scenographer at La Samaritaine, one of Paris' most iconic department stores. During her work, Jauffret brought a lot of Asian and Chinese cultural influence into experiential retail at the time. The finesse and deep craftsmanship of some of the arti-facts from China elevated her sensibility when it came to this aspect of Chinese culture.

"I had never imagined we would ever live in China one day, but when we lived in Vietnam prior to our arrival in China, my daughter spontaneously asked if she could learn Chinese at home. So well before arriving in China, Chinese was part of our household every Saturday morning," she said.

During this 10-year stay in Shanghai, Jauffret has been fully immersed in Chinese culture, especially traditional Chinese handicraft techniques such as weaving, embroidery, paper making and ceramics, which she often infuses into her creations.

"This might seem strange but I seem to get more inspiration and energy the longer I am here because in some ways, the more you know, the less you know, and that drives a certain cultural and artistic curiosity."

Jauffret said she has taken several trips to Jingdezhen, a world-famous "porcelain capital" in East China's Jiangxi Province, where she was deeply inspired by many ceramic factories there.

"So many things are made and built in China and the resources and materials to explore are unique here. This is less about heritage but more about a culture of industry and manufacturing that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. The hardest part is knowing when to stop exploring because there is so much to try and experiment with," she said, noting with excitement that her designer background is why she is fascinated by how things are built and this is why Jingdezhen was the perfect place for her to explore.

Jauffret said she would love to learn more about Weifang and the International Kite Festival as kites can bring so much joy in the simplest way and, of course, they are artifacts of intricate beauty.

According to media reports, kites from this "Kite capital" in East China's Shandong Province will participate in the International Kite Festival in Berck-sur-Mer in France in 2024.

Jauffret also expressed her hope that the cultural heritage of handicrafts can be elevated and explored more. "France's reputation in this field is strong through iconic luxury handmade goods and I feel China's richness in this field has huge potential if presented in the right way with the right stories."

Jauffret noted culture is a prominent form of curiosity for both countries that should be cherished and preserved.

"I genuinely feel both cultures are deeply curious and respectful. It has taken me some time to realize this but it is visible everywhere Today the lack of cultural curiosity is at the heart of so many tensions we are all experiencing, but culture is a beautiful conduit for curiosity," she said, going on to give the example of her love for contemporary dance. She recalled that she has enjoyed many memorable cultural experiences between the two countries through dance and that she believes this art form transcends language and helps create emotionally expressive connections.

Please read more: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202403/1309309.shtml

SOURCE Global Times
DUBLIN, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Korea Duty Free Market: Analysis By Product Category, By Nationality, By Sales Channel, Size and Trends with Impact of COVID-19 and Forecast up to 2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Korea duty free market value in 2023 stood at US$ 18.43 billion, and is likely to reach US$ 26.13 billion by 2029. The Korea duty free market value is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.21%, during the forecast period of 2024-2029.

Korea duty free market is a competitive and concentrated industry with the top five players controlling almost 90% of the overall market. This diverse landscape leads to a dynamic market environment that addresses the growing demand for duty free products. The key players are constantly investing in strategic initiatives, such as adoption of new technologies, introducing their services to emerging markets and more, to maintain a competitive edge in this market.



One of the primary objectives driving the growth of duty-free sales is the cost savings for consumers. The duty-free market in Korea is a significant sector within the country's retail industry, catering to both domestic consumers and international travelers. The Korean duty-free market showcases unique competitiveness by offering a wide range of domestic and global brands, including 'K-beauty' products and Korea's distinct culture.



One of the prominent factors driving the rise in Korea duty free market demand include increase in international travel and tourism. The steady growth of the duty-free retailing market in recent years has been primarily driven by an increase in international travel and tourism, attracting visitors from countries like China, Japan, and Southeast Asia to Korea for its vibrant culture, tourist attractions, and duty-free shopping opportunities.

Additionally, competitive pricing strategies and tax-free benefits have also made duty-free shopping an attractive proposition for travelers, further boosting sales in the Korea duty-free market. Furthermore, the Korea duty free market is predicted to grow due to continued emphasis on digital transformation, personalization and data analytics, sustainability, rise of social media and growing awareness about K-beauty and food products.



Market Segmentation Analysis:

Cosmetics acquired majority of share in the market in 2023 due to rising popularity of K-beauty, and diverse product offerings. Moreover, tourists, particularly from China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, are drawn to Korea for its vibrant culture and beauty trends. The appeal of Korean cosmetics, known for their high quality and effectiveness, drives tourists to purchase these products in duty-free shops, boosting the demand for cosmetics in the market.

While, alcohol segment is the fastest growing segment because of Korea's deep-rooted cultural appreciation for alcohol, including traditional liquors like Soju and a growing interest in Western spirits. Additionally, the allure of premium and luxury alcohol brands attracts consumers seeking exclusivity and quality. Government initiatives, such as increased duty-free allowances and streamlined visa processes, further bolster duty-free shopping, including alcohol purchases.



Chinese buyers acquired majority of share in the market in 2023, as China is geographically close to Korea and has a large population of affluent travelers who frequently visit duty-free shops. Secondly, Korean beauty and fashion products are highly coveted among Chinese consumers due to their perceived quality and trendiness. This demand drives Chinese tourists to purchase these goods in bulk at duty-free stores, taking advantage of tax-free prices. Furthermore, favorable government policies, such as visa relaxations and increased duty-free allowances for Chinese tourists, encourage travel and shopping in Korea.



Downtown segment acquired majority of share in the market in 2023 due to their prime locations in high-traffic urban areas like Myeongdong, offering convenience to both local and international shoppers. They boast a diverse range of products, including luxury brands and cosmetics, appealing to a broad customer base. Leveraging effective marketing strategies and the allure of tax-free prices, downtown stores attract and retain customers, solidifying their dominance in the Korea duty-free market.



Impact Analysis of COVID-19 and Way Forward:



The COVID-19 pandemic has had negative impact on the Korea duty free market, leading to temporary closures, reduced foot traffic, and shifts in demand. Duty free stores experienced a sharp decline in sales in 2020 due to a fall in tourists. Luxury goods were the most popular categories, but the pandemic led to increased duty-free inventories, causing losses for many duty-free stores.



Duty-free sales in Korea have seen a rise in overall travel, indicating potential growth post-COVID. The industry has seen a significant increase in commission payments from travel agencies and guides, with travel agency commissions increasing from 30% in 2019 to almost 40% after the pandemic. China's duty-free sector is projected to experience significant growth directly impacting the Korea duty-free market. International travelers are increasingly open to e-commerce and focusing on zero-waste production and sustainable consumption practices, which could enhance the Korea duty-free market post-COVID.

Market Dynamics

Growth Drivers

Growing Daigou Market

Rising Disposable Income

Broader Product Selection, Especially in Beauty

Capturing Chinese Demand

Government Support

Rising Demand for Luxury Goods

Challenges

Regulatory Changes

Currency Fluctuations

Market Trends

Digital Transformation

Partnerships and Collaborations

Focus on Sustainability

Emerging Segments

Metaverse Integration

Competitive Landscape

Shinsegae

Hotel Shilla

Hyundai Department Store

Lotte Corporation ( Lotte Duty Free )

) DongHwa Duty Free

City Duty Free

Kyung bok kung Duty Free

FANFAN Duty Free

Shilla IPark Duty Free Store (HDC Shilla)

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/96ffom

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:

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SOURCE Research and Markets
ConceiveAbilities Applauds Warriors and Advocates Fighting for Family Equality

CHICAGO, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ConceiveAbilities , a leading surrogacy agency dedicated to assisting individuals in building families, applauds Michigan for taking a significant step forward in reproductive rights by legalizing surrogacy.

The decision to reverse Michigan's restrictive laws is a beacon of hope, offering renewed accessibility to parenthood. Post this Kyle Keigan and Randy Rowe were forced to pursue a surrogacy journey outside of Michigan due to the state's restricted laws. For thousands of people who are unable to carry a child like Kyle and Randy, those for whom surrogacy is the only method by which they can have biological children, laws in Michigan will no longer create roadblocks that get in the way of surrogate-assisted births.

Milestone For Michigan Families

Championed by Michigan Representative Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills), the Fertility Health Care Act (House Bill 5207) not only decriminalizes surrogacy, it establishes comprehensive guidelines for surrogacy agreements, safeguarding the interests of both surrogates and intended parents. Once Governor Gretchen Whitmer signs it into law, paid surrogacy will soon be legal in Michigan, offering opportunity to families struggling with infertility.

"The decision to reverse Michigan's restrictive laws is a beacon of hope, offering renewed accessibility to parenthood," details ConceiveAbilities' Founder and Executive Chairman Nazca Fontes . "Michigan will soon become the last state to end criminalization of surrogacy, allowing Michigan women to fulfill their calling to become surrogates and help build families," continues Fontes.

Three years ago, Michigan native Randy Rowe and Kyle Keigan faced legal hurdles while preparing to welcome their son via surrogacy. Despite initial plans to start a family in Michigan with Randy's sister as an egg donor, they discovered Michigan's surrogacy laws were unfavorable, making in-state parentage difficult and paid surrogacy illegal. Seeking legal support, they turned to ConceiveAbilities Surrogacy Agency, finding a surrogate in Colorado and successfully welcoming their healthy baby boy.

Dr. James Grifo, Program Director at NYU Langone Fertility Center and Chief Executive Physician at Inception Fertility, applauds the act, "Michigan's step to decriminalize gestational surrogacy is necessary to ensure all people in Michigan have a path to build a family. It recognizes the reproductive parental rights of Michigan families and their gestational carriers for safe and equitable family building."

Tammy and Jordan Myers, who faced aggressive legal challenges in establishing parentage for their biological children, have been pivotal in advocating for these reforms. Their perseverance, along with the efforts of their reproductive lawyer Melissa Neckers and others, played a crucial role in bringing about this change.

The enactment of this legislation not only signifies a significant victory for reproductive rights but also reflects Michigan's commitment to embracing progressive policies that support diverse family structures.

About ConceiveAbilities:

ConceiveAbilities has been a leading egg donor and surrogacy agency for three decades, helping thousands of families fulfill their dreams. Learn more about becoming a parent and becoming a surrogate with ConceiveAbilities.

SOURCE ConceiveAbilities
RADNOR, Pa., March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (www.ktmc.com) informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed against GrafTech International Ltd. ("GrafTech") (NYSE: EAF). The action charges GrafTech with violations of the federal securities laws, including omissions and fraudulent misrepresentations relating to the company's business, operations, and prospects. As a result of GrafTech' s materially misleading statements and omissions to the public, GrafTech's investors have suffered significant losses.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR GRAFTECH LOSSES. YOU CAN ALSO CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK OR COPY AND PASTE IN YOUR BROWSER: https://www.ktmc.com/new-cases/graftech-international-ltd?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=eaf&mktm=r

TO VIEW OUR VIDEO, PLEASE CLICK HERE

LEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE: MARCH 25, 2024

CLASS PERIOD: FEBRUARY 8, 2019 THROUGH AUGUST 3, 2023

CONTACT AN ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS YOUR RIGHTS:

Jonathan Naji, Esq. at (484) 270-1453 or via email at [email protected]

Kessler Topaz is one of the world's foremost advocates in protecting the public against corporate fraud and other wrongdoing. Our securities fraud litigators are regularly recognized as leaders in the field as well as the firm itself which is continuously awarded for the successful results we've achieved. We are proud to have recovered billions of dollars for our clients and the classes of shareholders we represent.

In addition to representing investors in cases where the fraud has been revealed, Kessler Topaz also represents whistleblowers - persons who expose wrongdoing to those in positions of authority or to the public- in cases brought under federal and state qui tam statutes, and through financial fraud whistleblower programs, such as those run by the SEC, CFTC and IRS. If you have information about fraud against government programs (such as Medicare), or violations of federal securities, commodities, tax or anti-foreign bribery laws, contact Kessler Topaz at (866) 369-7779 or at [email protected] or go to https://www.ktmc-whistleblower.com.

DEFENDANTS' ALLEGED MISCONDUCT

Before the start of the Class Period, GrafTech had underwent an extensive transformation that was intended to revamp the company's business and return it to profitability. In public filings with the SEC, the company lauded its "transformation" and claimed that it had emerged from its restructuring with the "most competitive portfolio of low-cost graphite electrode manufacturing facilities in the industry." The company further represented that GrafTech's facilities were "modern, strategically located and well-maintained," which they claimed would provide the company with efficient growth opportunities following the offering. Key to this purportedly sustainable growth were the company's claims regarding the "more environmentally friendly nature of EAF steelmaking" employed by GrafTech's customers. Defendants continued to represent throughout the Class Period that GrafTech was committed to protecting the environment and acting "proactively" to advance sustainability initiatives.

The truth began to be revealed on September 16, 2022, when GrafTech disclosed that its critical manufacturing facility in Monterrey, Mexico had been shut down by regulators following inspections by the State Attorney's office for the Secretary of Environment and the Ministry of the Environment. The Monterrey facility was responsible for manufacturing 30% of GrafTech's overall graphite electrode output and 100% of its pin stock. Following this news, GrafTech's stock price fell $0.45, or 8.5%, to close at $4.85 on September 19, 2022.

Then, on August 4, 2023, GrafTech issued a press release reporting the company's financial and operational results for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. In the results, GrafTech reported that sales declined 49% compared to the second quarter of 2022 as the company continued to "recover" from the effects of the Monterrey facility shutdown in 2022. As a result of the substantial decline in net sales, GrafTech reported a net loss of $8 million compared to $115 million in net income reported in the second quarter of 2022. On the investor conference call discussing the results, GrafTech attributed the Monterrey suspension as the "key driver" of the underperformance and disclosed that GrafTech's ability to secure customer contracts would continue to be indirectly impacted in the second half of fiscal 2023.

Following this news, GrafTech's stock price fell $1.18 per share, or 22.56%, to close at $4.05 per share on August 4, 2023.

WHAT CAN I DO?

GrafTech investors may, no later than March 25, 2024, move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff for the class, through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages GrafTech investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information. The class action complaint against GrafTech, Porter v. GrafTech International Ltd., et al., Case No. 24-cv-00154, is filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CASE

WHO CAN BE A LEAD PLAINTIFF?

A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.

ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country and around the world. The firm has developed a global reputation for excellence and has recovered billions of dollars for victims of fraud and other corporate misconduct. All of our work is driven by a common goal: to protect investors, consumers, employees and others from fraud, abuse, misconduct and negligence by businesses and fiduciaries. The complaint in this action was not filed by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP please visit www.ktmc.com.

CONTACT:

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP

Jonathan Naji, Esq.

280 King of Prussia Road

Radnor, PA 19087

(484) 270-1453

[email protected]

SOURCE Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP
Ten Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) members attended the National Farmers Union (NFU) Convention March 10-12 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

NeFU President John Hansen, Graham Christensen of Lyons, and Lynn Belitz of Fullerton represented the NeFU Board. Delegates representing membership were: Don Schuller, Wymore, Andrew Tonnies, North Bend, and Keith Dittrich, Tilden.

Farmers Union Midwest Agency LLP General Manager Jeff Downing of Elkhorn, Farmers Union Midwest Agency Financial Services Manager Kevin Harrington of Lincoln, Tammy Dittrich of Meadow Grove, and Julie Schuller of Wymore also attended.

Farmers Union members also participated in six workshops including: Food Safety in the Southwest, Do Right-to-Farm Laws Benefit Farmers?, New Opportunities for Agriculture to Lead the Way in the Low Carbon World, Food Safety Continued, Managing the Stress and Stressors of Agriculture, and Protecting Landowner Rights.

A highlight of the convention was Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsacks one hour and thirty minutes give-and-take presentation that included two historic market reform announcements. The first was the Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity rule that will go into effect May 6 that includes a wide range of livestock market reforms strongly supported by National and Nebraska Farmers Union.

Relative to the other historic NFU supported meat market reform announcement, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said, This final rule will ensure that when consumers see Product of USA they can trust the authenticity of that label and know that every step involved, from birth to processing, was done here in America.

Farmers Union delegates from around the country re-elected Rob Larew President and Jeff Kippley Vice President without opposition, adopted NFU Policy, and approved six Special Orders of Business:

 Fairness for Farmers

 Family Farming and the 2024 Farm Bill

 Family Farming and the Farm Safety Net

 Family Farming and Conservation

 Family Farming and Dairy Policy Reform

 Support for the Cooperative Business Model and the International Year of Cooperatives

The 2025 NFUs 123rd Anniversary Convention will be held March 9-11 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
C$ unless otherwise stated TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC SEHK: 945

TORONTO, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Manulife's Management Information Circular and 2023 Annual Report are being delivered to shareholders and are now available at manulife.com.

The Management Information Circular (the "Circular") contains information about the annual meeting of shareholders of Manulife Financial Corporation, including details on how to attend the meeting and information relating to the election of directors and the appointment of auditors. The meeting will be held in person and by live webcast on May 9, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. EST.

Manulife is using notice-and-access to deliver the Circular to our registered and non-registered shareholders. The Circular can be found online on our website (www.manulife.com/annualmeeting); the website of our transfer agent (www.meetingdocuments.com/TSXT/mfc), TSX Trust Company ("TSX Trust"); SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca); and EDGAR (www.sec.gov/edgar). Shareholders may also request a paper copy of the Circular by going to www.meetingdocuments.com/TSXT/mfc or calling TSX Trust at 1-888-433-6443 (toll free in Canada and the United States) or 416-682-3801 or by email at [email protected].

Shareholders are encouraged to vote their shares and submit proxies in advance of the meeting to ensure their shares are represented. For more information on voting in advance of the meeting, refer to the 'How to vote' section of the Circular.

More information, including any updates on how to attend the meeting, will be made available on our website (www.manulife.com/annualmeeting).

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we provide financial advice and insurance, operating as Manulife across Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. Through Manulife Investment Management, the global brand for our Global Wealth and Asset Management segment, we serve individuals, institutions and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2023, we had more than 38,000 employees, over 98,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 35 million customers. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges, and under '945' in Hong Kong.

Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.

SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation
Stephen J. Bordes & Greg Chase Join Maritime Partners as CFO and CLO, Respectively

NEW ORLEANS, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Maritime Partners, LLC ("Maritime Partners"), a leading provider of maritime financing solutions primarily focused on Jones Act vessels, has recently added Stephen J. Bordes and Greg Chase to its executive leadership team.

Bordes joins Maritime Partners as its Chief Financial Officer with more than 20 years of experience in the fields of finance and fund management.

Prior to joining Maritime Partners, he served as the CFO for New York-based American Industrial Partners, a middle-market private equity firm that invests in industrial businesses. Bordes has more than 20 years of experience.

"Stephen is an expert in accounting, financial management and corporate operations. He's worked with a host of financial institutions and brings with him vast experience and knowledge of best practices in financial management, operations and compliance, as well as private equity management for domestic and overseas corporations," said Bick Brooks, co-founder and CEO of Maritime Partners. "His addition will significantly enhance our team going-forward."

"I've worked in finance and private equity for most of my career, and I'm proud of what I've learned and accomplished," Bordes said. "Joining Maritime Partners has given me an opportunity to bring all my years of learning, experience and expertise to a rapidly expanding platform. I'm looking forward to all that we have on the horizon."

In his career, Bordes has worked domestically and internationally for companies such as Castle Harlan, Advantage Capital, Deloitte and Revlon. Bordes holds a Bachelor of Science in Management & Accounting from Tulane University's A.B. Freeman School of Business and an MBA, with a focus on International Business & Finance, from Columbia Business School.

Also joining the Maritime Partners team is Greg Chase, who is serving as the firm's Chief Legal Officer.

Chase comes to Maritime Partners from Reed Smith LLP, a global law firm with a strong maritime practice. While at Reed Smith, he led the firm's Chambers-ranked maritime transactional team in New York.

"We're excited to welcome Greg to the Maritime Partners team. His years advising on significant shipping transactions in private practice has given him significant knowledge and expertise in the maritime industry, and his years of experience working with MP as an outside lawyer makes him an excellent fit for our team," said Brooks.

During his 22-year law firm career, Chase represented private equity firms, lenders, operating companies and investors in the Jones Act and international and shipping industries, with a focus on corporate and finance transactions.

"Greg's expertise will be of tremendous benefit to MP as we continue to grow," Brooks said.

Chase helped build and launch Reed Smith's U.S. maritime team, which is highly ranked in the U.S. market.

"I'm proud of my time at Reed Smith, and the firm's U.S. transportation practice has been going from strength to strength and is very well positioned for the future," said Greg Chase, Chief Legal Officer for Maritime Partners. "And as much as I value my former firm and colleagues, I am excited for my new role. I'm glad to be the latest addition to the MP team, and I look forward to working with this talented group for the continued growth of the business," he said.

Before joining Reed Smith in 2013, Chase was an associate at Watson, Farley and Williams LLP in New York, practicing international finance and corporate transactions. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Government and History from St. Lawrence University, then went on to complete his law degree at Cornell Law School in 2001, with a specialization in International Legal Affairs.

He is the chair of the Financing Committee of the Maritime Law Association of the United States, and a director of the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce and New York Maritime, lnc.

"We are thrilled to have these two experts, both highly respected in their fields, come aboard as our business continues to grow," Bick said.

ABOUT MARITIME PARTNERS

Maritime Partners, LLC is a leading provider of maritime financing solutions, specializing in vessels that are used in the domestic Jones Act trade. With a managed fleet of approximately 1,800 vessels in service, we offer tailored leasing services to operators across the full spectrum of credit quality. A privately held company founded in 2015, Maritime Partners, LLC provides the assets that transport the commodities which represent the primary building blocks of the domestic economy, including agricultural products, chemicals, aggregates, crude oil, and refined petroleum products. Our management team leverages more than 50 years of operational experience in chartering, asset management, shipbuilding, and financing across all marine asset classes. To learn more about Maritime Partners, LLC please visit www.maritimepartnersllc.com.

CONTACT:

Ashley Simon

Maritime Partners, LLC

[email protected]

(504) 264-5870

SOURCE Maritime Partners, LLC
WICHITA FALLS, Texas, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mission Broadcasting, Inc. today released the following statement from its President, Dennis Thatcher, regarding the F.C.C. Notice of Apparent Liability:

"Mission Broadcasting has had a nearly 28-year track record of owning and operating commercial television stations with nary a blemish on our record. We have prided ourselves on conducting our business in an open and transparent manner with the Federal Communications Commission and other governmental agencies. Mission was granted the license for WPIX-TV by a full vote of the F.C.C. in December 2020. We believe that this attempt at "revisionist history" by this F.C.C. is unwarranted and we plan to contest this ruling to the full extent the law allows."

About Mission Broadcasting: Mission Broadcasting, Inc., a television broadcasting company founded in 1996, acquires, develops, and operates television stations and interactive community Websites in medium-sized markets in the United States. Its stations provide programming to its markets' viewing audiences via cable or satellite services or over-the-air to those who utilize a television antenna. The company currently owns broadcast television stations in 26 markets across the country and has network affiliation agreements with ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and MyNetwork. Mission's majority shareholder is Nancie J. Smith, who is the leading female owner of broadcast television stations in the U.S. Mission's portfolio includes stations in Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Vermont.

Media Contact:

Dennis Thatcher

President, Mission Broadcasting, Inc.

440/554-7779, or [email protected]

SOURCE Mission Broadcasting, Inc.
TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Moondance Labs, the creators of the innovative Tanssi appchain infrastructure protocol, have announced a successful $6 million funding round. The round was jointly led by Scytale Digital, KR1, and SNZ, and saw participation from prominent blockchain venture capitalists including Arrington Capital, Borderless Capital, Hypersphere, and Blockchain Founders Fund.

Moondance Labs Announces $6M Funding to Boost Development of Tanssi Protocol

George McDonaugh, Managing Director and Co-Founder of KR1, shared his enthusiasm for Moondance Labs' progress over the last year. "The Moondance Labs team has made great progress over the past year, delivering on Tanssi's roadmap to become the go-to tool for appchain developers."

The newly acquired funds are designated for team growth at Moondance Labs and the further refinement of Tanssi. Aimed at enhancing appchain deployment efficiency, Tanssi is empowering developers with cutting-edge tools to facilitate quick and effective chain launches. It converts any connected chain into a modular appchain, providing a permissionless and developer-centric framework that incorporates vital features such as block production, wallets, data reliability, oracles, and cross-chain interactions.

Addressing historical hurdles in appchain development related to technical complexity and high costs,Tanssi paves the way for the swift launch of appchains across various sectors,including DeFi, gaming, real estate, sustainable energy and more.

Reflecting on the funding milestone, Francisco Agosti, Co-founder of Tanssi and CEO of Moondance Labs, expressed his excitement about accelerating Tanssi's evolution. "Our mission from the start has been to deliver an unparalleled developer experience for Layer 1 deployments, balancing security and decentralization. This funding round enables us to advance towards that goal, and we're grateful for the unwavering support from our investors."

In the near future, Tanssi is set to launch an incentivized testnet campaign to engage and reward its growing community and the innovative projects within its ecosystem. This campaign will feature challenges both on-chain and off-chain to encourage comprehensive interaction with Tanssi's technologies and the diverse dApps it hosts.

"We're thrilled to be supporting Moondance Labs in their journey and we're confident that Tanssi is making significant advancements, both on- and off-chain, in how blockchain ecosystems are used," shared Tobias Bauer, Partner at Blockchain Founders Fund.

The initiative aims to deepen engagement among developers and enthusiasts, offering rewards for active participation and contributions to the network's strength and functionality. For updates on the campaign and participation details, join Tanssi's communities and subscribe to the email newsletter.

About Tanssi Network

Tanssi's appchain infrastructure protocol simplifies and accelerates the deployment of appchains. By connecting a chain to Tanssi, it is instantly transformed into a modular appchain. This transition grants access to a developer-friendly and permissionless environment, fully stocked with all essential infrastructural components to run a chain out of the box. Key features include a shared and decentralized network of block producers, ensuring robust security and data retrievability, alongside seamless integrations with vital tools like bridges, wallets, block explorers, RPC endpoints, indexers, oracles, and more. As a result, appchains can be deployed in mere minutes. Learn more at tanssi.network.

Press contact: Name - Kathy Barcelli, Email - [email protected]

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2368492/Moondance_Labs_Moondance_Labs_Announces__6_Million_Funding_to_Bo.jpg
WASHINGTON, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Millions of people across North America will experience a rare celestial sight on Monday, April 8: a total solar eclipse. NASA will host a media briefing with other government agencies at 10 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, March 26, at NASA Headquarters in Washington.

The briefing will air live on NASA+, NASA Television, and the agency's website . Learn how to stream NASA TV through a variety of platforms including social media.

A person watches the annular solar eclipse of October 14, 2023, in Kerrville, Texas. Credits: NASA

Over the course of about an hour, viewers in 15 states across the United States will experience up to four and half minutes of darkness when the Moon moves fully in front of the Sun, revealing the Sun's faint outer atmosphere: the corona. Outside of the path of totality, people in the contiguous United States will have the opportunity to see a partial eclipse, when the Moon covers only a portion of the Sun. Learn how to safely view this celestial event on NASA's eclipse website.

NASA is joining with scientific and transportation agencies to engage the public, share safety information, and conduct science during the upcoming total solar eclipse. Representatives from these agencies will brief media about plans for the solar eclipse.

Briefing participants include:

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson

NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy

NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free

Kelly Korreck , eclipse program manager, NASA Headquarters

, eclipse program manager, NASA Headquarters Shailen Bhatt , administrator, Federal Highway Administration

, administrator, Federal Highway Administration Elsayed Talaat , director, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Space Weather Observations

Media interested in attending in person must RSVP by 5 p.m., Monday, March 25, to Tiernan Doyle at [email protected]. All media interested in participating by phone must request details no later than two hours before the start of the event. NASA's media accreditation policy is online.

On April 8, NASA will host live coverage of the eclipse on NASA+, the agency's website, and the NASA app beginning at 1 p.m. NASA will also stream the broadcast live on its Facebook , X , YouTube , and Twitch social media accounts, as well as have a telescope-only feed of eclipse views on the NASA TV media channel and YouTube.

To learn more about the total solar eclipse, visit:

go.nasa.gov/Eclipse2024

SOURCE NASA
SUZHOU, China, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NeuExcell Therapeutics, a leading biotechnology company focused on in vivo neural regenerative therapies, announces the successful dosing of the first patient with the first-in-class NeuroD1 gene therapy product NXL-004. This milestone represents significant progress in the development of new treatment for malignant glioma patients.

Led by Professor Yulun Huang and his team at the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University in Suzhou, China, the investigator-initiated trial (IIT) will evaluate the safety and tolerability of NeuExcell's AAV-NeuroD1 gene therapy product NXL-004 in patients with glioblastoma. This clinical study marks the first clinical use of AAV-NeuroD1 gene therapy to treat patients worldwide.

Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive form of brain cancer with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. NXL-004, based on NeuExcell's revolutionary in vivo trans-differentiation technology platform, aims to inhibit tumor cell proliferation and promote their transformation into neural cells through the overexpression of the NeuroD1 transcription factor. The advantage of this glioma cell trans-differentiation approach is minimal side-effect on other brain cells, which is distinct from radiation or chemotherapy that has collateral damage on healthy cells. Promising preclinical results from animal model studies have paved the way for this groundbreaking clinical trial, offering hope for many patients suffering from debilitating brain disorders such as malignant glioma.

"We are very excited about completing the dosing of the first patient using NeuroD1 gene therapy product NXL-004 in this exploratory clinical study," said Dr. Yulun Huang, the study's lead investigator. "This milestone underscores the dedication of our team to try innovative approaches in addressing unmet medical needs such as glioblastoma. We are committed to closely monitor the patient and evaluate the safety and efficacy of NXL-004 in this trial."

Professor Gong Chen, the inventor of in vivo neural regenerative gene therapy and the founder of NeuExcell Therapeutics, expressed his gratitude: "We are grateful to Professor Yulun Huang and his team for their outstanding work. This first-in-human trial sets an important milestone for our first-in-class NeuroD1 gene therapy that has the potential to treat millions of patients suffering from severe neurological disorders. We are dedicated to developing game-changing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases using in vivo neural regenerative therapies."

About NeuExcell Therapeutics:

NeuExcell Therapeutics is a leading biotechnology company focused on developing innovative neural regenerative therapies to address unmet medical needs in the field of neurodegenerative diseases and cancers. NeuExcell is committed to revolutionizing the field of CNS drug development and improving outcomes for patients worldwide.

SOURCE NeuExcell Therapeutics
Event continues to grow and increase awareness of high-quality career opportunities in the skilled trades for women

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On Friday, Central New Mexico Community College hosted its 3rd Annual Women in Trades Summit. The event's purpose is to bring more awareness to women about the abundant and high-quality career opportunities available to them through skilled trades programs, such as welding, aviation maintenance technology, electrical trades, and many more.

More than 500 people attended the event at CNM and 45 local trades employers staffed booths to provide interested women with info on career opportunities. CNM representatives also shared information about trades programs and career pathways. Activities included a panel discussion featuring women leaders in the trades industry and trades demonstrations.

"The ultimate goal of this summit is to inspire confidence and empower women to enter the trades," said Sharon Gordon-Moffett, Interim Dean of CNM's School of Skilled Trades and Arts. "Too often there is a negative perception of women pursuing trades-based careers, and we want to change that story. There's a nationwide shortage, including in New Mexico, for skilled trades workers, making this a great time for women to consider these high-paying, in-demand fields. The career options are essentially endless and the trades can help women who are looking to change or start careers  and even those who want to own their own business  take the first step in changing their lives."

The Women in Trades Summit at CNM began in 2022 with 100 attendees and 17 employers participating. On Friday, more than 500 people attended with 45 local trades employers sharing information about their career opportunities for women.

Over the last 10 years, CNM has experienced a 14 percent increase in the number of female students enrolled in skilled trades programs.

Learn more about Central New Mexico Community College.

SOURCE Central New Mexico Community College (CNM)
ARLINGTON, Va., March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, a group of Montana state lawmakers visited the U.S.-Mexico border with NumbersUSA , the nation's largest grassroots organization focused solely on immigration.

During the two-day trip, Rep. Steve Gunderson (R-1), Rep. Steven Galloway (R-24), Rep. Lola Sheldon-Galloway (R-22), Rep. Braxton Mitchell (R-3), and candidate Jason Gunderson (R-58) toured the Yuma, El Centro, and San Diego border sectors with Andrew Good, NumbersUSA's Director of State Government Relations, and saw the extent of the crisis.

"The Biden administration's lax border policies have empowered drug cartels and created a new kind of slavery," reported Rep. Lola Sheldon-Galloway. "Illegal immigrants spend years paying off their debt to the smugglers who brought them."

Montana's visiting legislators saw plenty of illegal entries. "We encountered almost 100 migrants crossing in one group," marveled Rep. Steven Galloway. "They had clean clothes and shoes and couldn't have walked far. It's ridiculous how easy this administration has made illegal entry into our country. This group was the second that day, with another expected shortly."

"I'd hoped things at the border weren't as bad as the clips I've seen suggest," Rep. Mitchell admitted. "But the reality is, we're in a full-blown crisis. We need to shut down the southern border and build the wall immediately."

Given what they've seen, Montana lawmakers are eager to pursue policies that'd eliminate illegal immigration -- as soon as their 2025 legislative session begins.

"After seeing the situation firsthand, I can't imagine how our southern border has become so porous," concluded Rep. Steve Gunderson. "The same goes for Montana's northern border with Canada. Our immigration policies need to be seriously overhauled."

"Border Patrol is doing a great job," added Jason Gunderson. "They're doing enforcement. They're doing humanitarian work. But the system they're working inside is broken. It's really unfair to them. We need to fix that."

"Every state is effectively a border state," agreed Andrew Good. "It's up to Montana to ensure Big Sky Country doesn't become the next hot spot for illegal migration."

To schedule an interview with Andrew Good, contact Emeline McClellan at [email protected] or (202) 970-9742.

About NumbersUSA



NumbersUSA supports a balanced immigration system that welcomes the spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents, is responsive to acute refugee crises, attracts those with extraordinary ability and talents, addresses temporary labor shortages, protects the most vulnerable, and is enforced. NumbersUSA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that believes better immigration policy is possible. Focused exclusively on immigration reform, NumbersUSA is America's largest single-issue advocacy group with over 8 million grassroots members and supporters spread across every congressional district. Founded solely by Roy Beck in 1996 to promote civil debate on the immigration recommendations of the U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform -- chaired by civil rights icon Barbara Jordan -- NumbersUSA continues to advocate for sensible immigration policies that ensure Americans' safety, promote economic fairness, while conserving the environment and quality of life.

Media Contact:

Emeline McClellan

(202) 970-9742

[email protected]

SOURCE NumbersUSA
TAIPEI, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- One key takeaway from the ongoing GTC is that Nvidia's AI empire has taken shape with strong partnerships from TSMC and other Taiwanese makers, such as those major server ODMs.

According to the news report from the technology-focused media DIGITIMES Asia, during his keynote at GTC on March 18, Huang underscored his company's partnerships with TSMC, as well as the supply chain in Taiwan. Speaking to the press later, Huang said Nvidia will have a very strong demand for CoWoS, the advanced packaging services TSMC offers.

Credit: AFP

He said the company is embarking on a new journey and will work closely with TSMC. He said he believes TSMC's capacity will continue growing.

A major reason for the shortages of Nvidia's AI chips is insufficient CoWoS support from TSMC. To serve Nvidia and other AI chip customers, TSMC is accelerating the expansion of CoWoS capacity and has just confirmed that it will build two advanced packaging fabs in Chiayi, southern Taiwan.

Nvidia's AI foundry service

Nvidia is taking inspiration from TSMC's business model. Huang admitted that the way Nvidia is working for its partners and the AI industry is like the way TSMC is making chips for Nvidia.

Nvidia is learning from TSMC's business model where the foundry only handles the manufacturing. Nvidia is working in the same as an AI foundry, according to Huang.

In November 2023, Nvidia introduced an AI foundry service to customize generative AI applications for enterprises and startups deploying on Microsoft Azure. Sources from Taiwan's server supply chain noted that Nvidia has been the biggest winner in the AI boom with its prowess from the CUDA and GPU platforms.

Taiwanese firms have played a key role in helping build Nvidia's AI empire. At the same time, the Taiwanese supply chain also has been a major beneficiary of Nvidia's rise to dominance.

Nvidia is expected to introduce upgrades to its H100 and GH100 in the second quarter of 2024  the H200 and GH200. It has also unveiled the B100/B200 and GB200 on its new Blackwell platform at GTC.

The launch of new chip products will benefit not only their contract maker TSMC and equipment suppliers but also the server supply chain.

TSMC is sole maker of Nvidia AI GPUs

The sources said TSMC has been the sole maker of Nvidia's AI GPUs. Nvidia had Samsung make its RTX30 series at the 8nm node for the gaming market.

However, yield and performance issues at Samsung later prompted Nvidia to let TSMC make all of its next-generation RTX40 series at the 4nm node , the sources said. The upcoming RTX50 series will still be made by TSMC using 3/4nm processes, sources added.

The Blackwell GPUs will also be made by TSMC. Its next-generation AI GPUs to be introduced in 2025 are expected to embrace 3nm processes, the sources said.

As switching chipmaking partners will incur very high costs, Nvidia will continue using TSMC's 2nm, A14, and A10 services in the coming years, barring unexpected developments. Nvidia's server partners in Taiwan, including ASRockRack, Asustek, Foxconn, Gigabyte, Inventec, Pegatron, Quanta Cloud Technology (GCT), Wistron, and Wiwynn, will supply servers running on the Blackwell platform.

SOURCE DIGITIMES ASIA
NEW YORK, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global pharmaceuticals market in Germany size is estimated to grow by USD 21.44 bn from 2023 to 2027, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.25% during the forecast period. Europe held the largest share of the global market in 2022, and the market in the region is estimated to witness an incremental growth of 100%.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Pharmaceuticals Market in Germany 2023-2027

For more insights on the historic (2017 - 2021) and forecast market size (2023-2027) - Request a sample report

Pharmaceuticals Market in Germany is fragmented ; the companies 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 companies have well-established economies of scale and market presence and generally rely on positioning technological advances, and the price of the products. Pharmaceuticals Market in Germany report includes information on the product launches, sustainability, and prospects of leading vendors including Abbott Laboratories, AbbVie Inc., Amgen Inc., AstraZeneca, Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly and Co., F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd., Fresenius SE and Co. KGaA, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Johnson and Johnson Services Inc., MCM Klosterfrau Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH, Merck KGaA, Novartis AG, Novo Nordisk AS, Pfizer Inc., Sanofi, STADA Arzneimittel AG, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Research Analysis

In the German pharmaceuticals market, several key players are making significant strides. Bausch + Lomb, for instance, is focusing on ophthalmology with products like Globican 2018, which provides global cancer incidence and mortality data. In oncology, Empagliflozin from Boehringer Ingelheim and Nintedanib from Roche are gaining attention. Darolutamide, marketed as Nubeqa, and Camostat Mesylate are other oncology treatments making an impact. The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the demand for treatments and vaccines, with Rubraca and ERVEBO vaccine being notable examples. Lastly, KRAS inhibitors, a promising class of cancer drugs, are also under development and expected to contribute to the market's growth.

Market Drivers

The Pharmaceuticals Market in Germany is a significant global player, renowned for its robust industry and advanced healthcare system. Major pharmaceutical companies invest heavily in Germany, benefiting from its strong research and development capabilities, skilled workforce, and innovative technologies. In recent years, notable investments include BioNTech's USD43 million expansion for mRNA-based drug production and Bayer's USD1.6 billion injection for new facilities, digitization, and innovative technologies. These investments underscore Germany's position as a hub for pharmaceutical innovation and growth.

Market Challenges

The German pharmaceuticals market faces intricate pricing and reimbursement challenges, which significantly impact profitability for pharmaceutical companies. To secure favorable prices with statutory health insurance funds, firms must prove their products' added therapeutic value. This hurdle may deter companies from introducing innovative treatments to the German market, potentially limiting patient access to essential therapies for chronic conditions like cancer and heart disease. Conversely, lower prices may discourage investment in German research and development activities.

Technavio has identified key trends, drivers, and challenges in the market, whichwill help clients improve their strategies to stay ahead of their competitors.Download Now

Market Segmentation

This Pharmaceuticals Market in Germany report extensively covers market segmentation by Distribution Channel (Pharmacy, Clinic) Type (Prescription, Non-prescription) Geography (Europe)

Market Segmentation by Type

The Pharmaceuticals Market in Germany is dominated by the pharmacy segment, which holds the largest share due to the country's Pharmacy Monopoly system. Only licensed pharmacies, typically owned and operated by pharmacists, are authorized to sell both prescription and over-the-counter medications. This system ensures medication quality, safety, and availability to the public. Pharmacies offer additional services, such as prescription counseling, patient consultations, medication management, and health advice. These services contribute to the sector's significance in Germany's healthcare system. Download Free Now

Research Analyst Overview

In the German pharmaceuticals market, brands such as T, M, P, R, S, and Biosimilars play a significant role. Drugs like Brand A and Generic drugs are in high demand, with a focus on drugs for mitigating health issues like Oncology and Novaliq. The German market is known for its stringent regulations, including those set by the German Medicines Act and the European Medicines Agency. The Stada Group and Formycon AG are notable players in the German pharmaceuticals industry. The drug development process is complex, involving various stages from research and development to formulation and manufacturing. The formulation of drugs like Formatio and Solid Drugs is crucial in this industry. Brands and generics contribute to the overall growth of the German pharmaceuticals market, which is expected to continue its upward trend.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation by Product Type

7 Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel

8 Customer Landscape

9 Geographic Landscape

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

11 Company Landscape

12 Company Analysis

13 Appendix

About US

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and 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
The Columbus Alzheimers/Dementia Support Group will meet at 1:30 p.m. Monday, March 25, at the Columbus Senior Center (old hospital), 3111 19th St. Attendees should use the door on the north side.

Adam Lassen will be the facilitator. There will be information and conversation about Alzheimers and dementia.

For more information, contact Lassen at 402-910-8111 or Martha Davidson at 402-910-8580.
DUBLIN, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Philippines Construction Equipment Rental Market - Strategic Assessment & Forecast 2024-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Philippines construction equipment rental market was estimated at 175.9 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.06% from 2023-2029.

In December 2023, the National Irrigation Administration(NIA) allocated PHP776 million (USD 13.9 million) worth of excavators to irrigators' associations, part of a PHP2.59 billion (USD 0.05 billion) initiative to enhance irrigation systems over three years. The program aims to repair and construct facilities damaged by natural disasters, with tranches involving heavy equipment procurement. This effort targets improving national and communal irrigation systems to boost farmer productivity and profitability while driving demand for earthmoving machinery rentals in government-led projects in the Philippines construction equipment rental market.

The Davao City Bypass Construction Project Package II-1 is a major infrastructure project in the Philippines involving the construction of two 2.3-kilometer tunnels, expected to be the longest in the country. These tunnels will be unidirectional, with one tunnel for northbound and the other for southbound traffic. An 8.4-kilometer main road will connect the tunnels, incorporating various bridges and other structures. The project is anticipated to be completed in 2028.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) plans to prioritize government-led mineral exploration in 2024, with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) taking the lead. This initiative will receive technical support from foreign partners like the Australian government and the US Geological Survey. The DENR also promotes mineral processing for minerals, including nickel, iron, cobalt, and rare earth minerals.

Manitou's Ecostop feature automatically shuts down the engine and hour meters based on a preset timer. Caterpillar's new D series skid steer loaders integrate the Cat Intelligent LevelingT system, offering industry-smart features. Hitachi Construction Machinery developed ConSite Mine, utilizing IoT and AI-based analysis to remotely monitor mining equipment operations 24/7, addressing site issues promptly. Monark Equipment Corporation, Tadno's Philippines distributor, expanded its distribution offerings to TADANO's Cargo Cranes.

Caterpillar, Komatsu, Volvo CE, Hitachi Construction Machinery, XCMG, and SANY are leaders in the Philippines construction equipment rental market. These companies have strong market share and offer diverse sets of equipment.

JCB, Kubota, Kobelco, Zoom Lion, and Sumitomo Construction Machinery are emerging in the Philippines construction equipment rental market. While Bobcat, Tadano, Takeuchi, Yanmar, Manitou, CNH Industrial, and Terex are niche market players. These companies offer low product diversification and have a strong presence in the Philippines's local market.

MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

Need of Construction Equipment in Natural Calamities to Push the Rental Demand

In 2023, the Philippines experienced various natural hazards that affected over 13.7 million individuals, marking a challenging year for the nation. Despite a below-average number of tropical cyclones entering the Philippines Area of Responsibility (PAR), the year has witnessed heightened southwest monsoon and shear lines, triggering heavy rains and subsequent floods and landslides in various regions.

Following disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, or floods, demand for heavy machinery for debris removal, infrastructure repair, and reconstruction efforts is typically a surge in demand for heavy machinery. This heightened demand often leads to temporary shortages of available equipment in affected areas, resulting in increased rental rates. The consequences of these natural disasters extend beyond immediate humanitarian concerns, impacting various sectors, including the Philippines construction equipment rental market.

Flood Mitigation and Adaptation Projects to Increase the Demand for Rental Equipment

In 2023, the Philippines experienced various episodes of flooding, each with distinct levels of severity and consequences. In January 2023, flooding, landslides, and strong winds affected numerous regions, impacting thousands of individuals due to the convergence of low-pressure areas. In anticipation of future challenges, the government has proposed a budget of USD 3.8 billion for flood mitigation projects in 2024. Additionally, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has allocated USD 0.02 billion in its 2024 budget for flood management infrastructure.

Infrastructure Flagship Projects Nationwide Are Expected to Propel the Philippines Construction Equipment Rental Market

The new Infrastructure Flagship Projects (IFP) list comprises 194 projects, ranging from unfinished initiatives from previous administrations to major priority projects submitted to NEDA for inclusion in the Public Investment Program (PIP) 2023-2028 and the Three-Year Rolling Infrastructure Program (TRIP) FY 2024-2026.

Further, the allocation of IFPs varies across government agencies in terms of quantity and expenditure. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) leads with the highest number of IFPs at 71, followed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) with 58 and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) with 28.

Transition to Hydrogen Fuel to Achieve Net-Zero Target

The Philippine Energy Plan 2020-2040 underscores hydrogen's importance as an alternative fuel for power generation, aiming to diversify fuel sources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase renewable energy utilization. Discussions internally focus on classifying hydrogen and establishing national policies to govern its usage. In 2022, the Department of Science and Technology inaugurated the country's first hydrogen fuel cell research and testing center. This center is essential for developing hydrogen fuel cell technology, which focuses on creating locally sourced prototype fuel cells. The aim is to enhance the accessibility and sustainability of hydrogen technology within the Philippines.

Progressing Toward Net Zero Prompts the Adoption of Electric Construction Machinery

Leading rental companies like Loxam, Kiloutou, Boels Rental, and Sunbelt Rentals are spearheading the adoption of electric machines, placing orders for thousands of battery-powered units, formerly diesel-fueled. This trend mirrors global markets like the US, the UK, and Japan, indicating a similar shift in the Philippines. While the Philippines government has not set plans for net-zero emissions, some construction firms in the Philippines construction equipment rental market are pursuing this goal independently. Co-organized by the Net Zero Carbon Alliance (NZCA) and Eco-Business, an event drew 200 delegates from various sectors, including construction, manufacturing, energy, etc., aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

INDUSTRY RESTRAINTS

Supply Chain Disruptions to Hamper Rental Construction Market

The Philippines relies heavily on imported construction equipment from China , Japan , and Europe . Geopolitical disturbances in these regions have posed challenges and disrupted the market's growth trajectory in recent years.

relies heavily on imported construction equipment from , , and . Geopolitical disturbances in these regions have posed challenges and disrupted the market's growth trajectory in recent years. Trade tensions, diplomatic conflicts, and supply chain disruptions from geopolitical instability have led to delays in equipment procurement, increased costs, and uncertainty for businesses operating in the construction sector.

The consequences of Typhoon Odette in 2021 resulted in 36% of seaports being non-operational, leading to significant logistics hurdles and disruptions in supply chains, particularly for remote islands.

Skilled Labor Shortage in the Philippines Construction Industry

The construction industry in the Philippines , particularly in Cebu, faces a severe shortage of skilled workers, prompting contractors to explore innovative solutions to address the growing gap. President of the Cebu Contractors Association (CCA) Inc. highlights the pressing issue, noting that the shortage has become a nationwide crisis affecting project bidding, completion timelines, and meeting post-pandemic demands.

, particularly in Cebu, faces a severe shortage of skilled workers, prompting contractors to explore innovative solutions to address the growing gap. President of the Cebu Contractors Association (CCA) Inc. highlights the pressing issue, noting that the shortage has become a nationwide crisis affecting project bidding, completion timelines, and meeting post-pandemic demands. Construction firms embrace technological advancements to mitigate labor shortfall, including integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into their operations. Automation has increased efficiency and productivity, reducing the manpower required for specific tasks while maintaining output quality.

The role of technology in streamlining operations, such as the reduced workforce needed to operate crane units, will be beneficial. However, despite technological innovations, labor costs remain high in Cebu, leading contractors to source workforce from other regions in the Visayas and Mindanao.

KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED

How big is the Philippines construction equipment rental market?

construction equipment rental market? What is the growth rate of the Philippines construction equipment rental market?

construction equipment rental market? Who are the key players in the Philippines construction equipment rental market?

construction equipment rental market? What are the trends in the Philippines construction equipment rental market?

construction equipment rental market? Which are the major distributor companies in the Philippines construction equipment rental market?

Prominent Vendors

Caterpillar

Komatsu

Liebherr

JCB

Volvo Construction Equipment

Hitachi Construction Machinery

Kubota

SANY

Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Co. Ltd. (XCMG)

Kobelco

Other Prominent Vendors

CNH Industrial

Bobcat

Liebherr

Manitou

Shandong Lingong Construction Machinery (SDLG)

Mecalac

Tadano

Yanmar

Rental Companies

Hastings Motor Corporation

Mayon Machinery

FEL-SAN Construction Equipment Rental

Guzent

Royal Cargo

ZL Machinery

Alibaton

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/l08jmt

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ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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SOURCE Research and Markets
LOS ANGELES, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Platinum Equity issued the following statement today regarding the matter of M.M. v. King:

"The complaint against Platinum Equity and its executives is both misguided and misdirected. Platinum wholeheartedly supports efforts to reform business practices in the corrections services industry and has invested heavily in those efforts through its investment in Securus Technologies and its parent Aventiv Technologies.

"Platinum believes that the company's telephone and video products provide an important connection between the incarcerated and their friends and families, but those products are not intended as a replacement for in-person visitation."

SOURCE Platinum Equity
Fusing Fun with Functionality in a Gourmet Food Truck Experience for the Michigan Festal Crowd

BUNNELL, Fla., March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Premier Food Trucks (PFT) recently announced the completion of its first vibrantly designed and decorated carnival food truck . Originally engineered for the bustling party scene in Michigan, this mobile kitchen is set to elevate food experiences nationwide, and can be fabricated for gala events anywhere. In a cheerful fusion of festive culinary craftsmanship, PFT continues to set the bar as a global leader in bespoke food truck designs.

PFT Carnival Food Truck Exterior PFT Carnival Food Truck Interior

"This isn't a typical food truck  it's a celebration on wheels," said Brandon Williams, President of Manufacturing at PFT. "We always have fun designing our trucks, but this one was particularly cool to make. It allowed us to really stretch our creative muscles and put some excitement into the overall look  using bright colors and flashing lights to accentuate the carnival party vibe. It's also designed to handle the greater demands of this type of catering, making our latest build one that combines the party spirit with important practicality."

The new truck was modified from the baseline PFT design to operate for longer hours and serve larger crowds than normal. It also comes equipped with double sets of windows on both sides to efficiently serve crowds of customers from all angles, along with fryers and mixers that are larger than standard to ensure a smooth food preparation process. And finally, crowned with 200 scintillating colored bulbs on top, the truck is eye-catching and beautiful.

Each hand-built, customized PFT food truck is always designed with state-of-the-art metal fabrication techniques and includes: a Ford chassis with a robust 7.3L V8 gas engine, high-quality refrigeration and generators, stainless steel counter space and fixtures, and other top-of-the-line accessories to ensure a safe and easy cooking environment. A whole variety of customizations are possible with each truck, depending on the type of food service needed. This new model of festival food trucks is a 2024 Ford F-59 22-foot step van and includes:

Brushed Aluminum Walls & Tread-Brite Diamond Plate Flooring

Stainless 3 Compartment Sink DROP IN

Di-1-208 Stainless Hand Wash Sink

2- 100 Gallon Fresh Water Tank  with Gauge

2-15, 000 BTU Coleman Roof Top A/C Unit with Heaters

2 Custom Concession Window with Screens and 3-Fold Out Serving Table

Ansul Stainless Fire Suppression System Large System

Custom Propane Closet with Custom Size Door

Custom Cabinet with Door for Syrup Bags

Outdoor LED Lights

12,000-watt Durawatt Diesel Generator

Pitco Frialator Model No. SGM24

Servend 6 Valve Sanitary Lever Drop-In Beverage Dispenser

TRUE TBB-24-48 Glass Door Drink Cooler

TRUE TUC-60F HC Under Counter Freezer

2 Hobart Dough Mixers

"As we continue to innovate in the food truck industry, we welcome more projects like this one," said Jordan Schild, Premier Food Trucks President. "We definitely aim to be a larger player in the carnival food truck space, since our skill set and the kinds of trucks we can create are perfect for it. And we'll always remain committed to providing exceptional quality, design, and service to all of our future projects."

Explore operation tips, food truck build options, and in-depth industry info by exploring the PFT blog . And for the latest projects, along with pictures and videos of recently completed food trucks, please follow PFT on social media: Facebook , YouTube , Instagram , X , LinkedIn .

About Premier Food Trucks  Precision Built for Food Truck Greatness

PFT is the number one food truck builder in the world with 300+ trucks built so far and counting. Using the highest quality generators, metal, equipment, signage, and gas/diesel trucks available, PFT lovingly designs and creates custom-built food delivery vehicles that are as beautiful as they are functional. Rated number one for reliability, style, and unmatched customer service, PFT offers start-to-finish services for each mobile unit, from manufacturing to vinyl wrapping. Learn more at: www.PremierFoodTrucks.com .

Media Contact:

Jordan Schild

+1 (877) 836 6387

SOURCE Premier Food Trucks
NEW YORK, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Corporate America's HR leaders continue to be more optimistic than pessimistic about the state of the workforce.

The Conference Board CHRO Confidence Index ticked up to 54 in Q1, from 53 last quarter. (A reading of more than 50 points reflects more positive than negative responses.) While retention and engagement expectations improved from last quarter, the survey reveals they are down compared to this time last year, signaling ongoing concerns about labor shortages. Hiring expectations remained stable.

The survey also reveals that businesses are stepping up as mental health concerns continue taking a toll on workers throughout the nation: 42% of surveyed companies plan to offer new well-being benefits this year.

Indeed, 36% say businesses are responsible for the well-being of their employees, with another 62% saying they are somewhat responsible. As a result, they are ramping up their focus on employee wellness: In addition to those offering new well-being benefits, a quarter plan to increase spending on well-being initiatives.

"Taking a holistic view of worker well-being can not only improve employee engagement and productivity but also retain your talenta top focus of both CEOs and CHROs this year," said Diana Scott, Leader of The Conference Board US Human Capital Center.

The Index, conducted quarterly, was launched in Q1 2023 and is comprised of three componentshiring, retention, and engagementas well as special questions included in each survey. Nearly 150 CHROs participated in the Q1 survey, which included additional questions on employee well-being. Key findings include:

Hiring

The CHRO Confidence Index: Hiring component remained the same as both last quarter and YoY, at 55.

CHROs' workforce expansion plans remained stable in Q1, with fewer CHROs expecting to increase or decrease hiring in the next six months:

36% of CHROs expect to increase their hiring over the next six monthsdown from 44% in Q4.

13% expect to decrease their hiring over the next six monthsdown from 19% in Q4.

Retention

The CHRO Confidence Index: Retention component rose to 53 in Q1 2024 from 51 in Q4 2023. But retention expectations are down YoY from 57 in Q1 2023.

CHRO expectations regarding employee retention ticked up slightly in Q1:

29% of CHROs expect their employee retention levels to improve over the next six monthsup slightly from 28% in Q4.

19% of CHROs expect employee retention to decrease over the next six months, down from 22% in Q4.

Engagement

The CHRO Confidence Index: Engagement component rose to 54 in Q1 2024 from 52 in Q4 2023. But engagement expectations are down YoY from 58 in Q1 2023.

Fewer CHROs expect declines in employee engagement in Q1:

35% expect engagement levels to increasedown slightly from 37% in Q4.

20% expect engagement levels to decreasedown significantly from 31% in Q4.

Special Questions for Q4: Employee Well-Being

For Q1 2024, the Index also surveyed CHROs on employee well-being.

CHROs overwhelmingly agree that organizations share responsibility for their employees' well-being.

62% said organizations are somewhat responsible.

36% said organizations are responsible.

Only 2% said organizations are not responsible for employee well-being.

A quarter of CHROs increased spending on employee well-being in 2024.

26% said their well-being budget increased for FY2024.

69% said it remained the same.

Only 5% decreased spending on well-being.

Nearly half of CHROs plan to offer new well-being benefits, despite most keeping spending the same.

42% plan to offer new benefits this year.

39% do not plan to offer new benefits.

19% are discussing offering new benefits.

Mental and physical health are the top priorities for new well-being initiatives.

Of those offering new benefits: 20% are offering mental health initiatives. 15% are offering physical health and fitness initiatives. 12% are offering financial well-being initiatives. 10% are offering work-life balance initiatives.



About The Conference Board

The Conference Board is the member-driven think tank that delivers trusted insights for what's ahead. Founded in 1916, we are a non-partisan, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. www.conference-board.org

SOURCE The Conference Board
First-of-Its-Kind Gathering Will Convene People Living with ALS, Along with Leaders in ALS Research, Advocacy, and Care

ARLINGTON, Va., March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The ALS Association, the leading national non-profit organization dedicated to fighting ALS on every front, is excited to announce its inaugural ALS Nexus Conference, taking place July 14-17, 2024 at The Gaylord Texan Resort & Conference Center in Grapevine, Texas.

The ALS Association is committed to making ALS a livable disease for everyone, everywhere, until there's a cure. ALS Nexus furthers this goal by bringing together researchers, healthcare professionals, advocates, and individuals affected by ALS to foster connections, spark innovation, and collectively shape the future of ALS research, care, and advocacy. Sessions will spotlight innovative solutions and emphasize the value of interdisciplinary collaboration, featuring experts in the clinical and research fields as well as people living with ALS and their loved ones.

First-of-Its-Kind Gathering Will Convene People Living with ALS, Along with Leaders in ALS Research, Advocacy, and Care Post this

"ALS Nexus represents a significant step forward in our efforts to transform the experience of living with ALS," stated Nicole Eck, chief strategy officer. "While there have always been separate conferences focused on ALS research, advocacy, or care, this will be the first conference integrating these areas around how we specifically make ALS livable and cure it."

ALS Nexus will be structured around three core pillars:

Finding new treatments and cures

Optimizing current treatments and care

Preventing or delaying the harms of ALS

The conference will also ensure diverse perspectives by incorporating patient voices through presentations and discussions featuring individuals living with ALS and their caregivers.

Why Attend ALS Nexus?

Connect with peers and gain critical insights into the needs and experiences of the ALS community.

Shape the future of ALS by contributing to discussions and influencing research, advocacy, and patient care initiatives.

Gain inspiration and hope from a vibrant and dedicated community united in the fight against ALS.

In addition to the conference, attendees can look forward to a monumental 10th Anniversary Ice Bucket Challenge at the Gaylord Paradise Springs Water Park, with up to 400 guests to take the plunge in celebration.

Don't miss your chance to be part of the movement changing the future of ALS, register now for the inaugural ALS Nexus Conference. Space is limited, and early registration encouraged.

To learn more about sponsor opportunities visit our website at alxnexus.org

About ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Over the course of the disease, people lose the ability to move, to speak, and eventually, to breathe. On average, it takes about a year before a final ALS diagnosis is made. The disease is always fatal, usually within five years of diagnosis. There is currently no cure.

About the ALS Association

The ALS Association is the largest ALS organization in the world. The ALS Association funds global research collaborations, assists people with ALS and their families through its nationwide network of care and certified clinical care centers, and advocates for better public policies for people with ALS. The ALS Association is working to make ALS a livable disease while urgently searching for new treatments and a cure. For more information about the ALS Association, visit our website at www.als.org.

SOURCE The ALS Association
MARKING A NEW ERA OF STRATEGIC COLLABORATION TO ADVANCE HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE CITY

CHICAGO, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Community Solution Education System and The Chicago School today jointly announced the acquisition of 400 S. Jefferson St. The decision to co-locate in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood advances a 45-year commitment to the city. More importantly, this acquisition sets the next stage of collaboration to advance higher education and exceptional academic offerings for students in Chicago.

The Chicago School 400 S. Jefferson Street

Spanning 247,000 square feet, the new facilityset to officially open in 2025will accommodate approximately 1,800 students, faculty, and staff from the two organizations.

This state-of-the-art space will include lecture halls, classrooms, laboratories, and areas for collaborative learning and working. Additionally, it will be re-designed to host large public events and serve as a hub for convening community leaders in mental and physical health who share the goal of addressing inequities and challenges to access in our current health system. The campus is also expected to increase pedestrian traffic, enhancing business growth opportunities in the district.

"Congratulations to The Community Solution Education System and The Chicago School on the acquisition of 400 S. Jefferson Street and their unwavering commitment to our great city," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "I am especially excited about plans to transform spaces for community leaders in mental and physical health and plans dedicated to addressing inequities. We look forward to welcoming the nearly 2,000 students, employees, and guests in the years ahead."

Leading Progress Since 1979

The Chicago School has been a leading nonprofit university, training more than 22,000 alumni for careers that improve the health of individuals, organizations, and communities since 1979. Following a decade of growth and expansion under the leadership of Michael Horowitz, Ph.D., The Chicago School became the founding institution of The Community Solution Education System in 2009.

"I founded The Community Solution with the simple idea that collaboration, not competition, can power incredible growth, innovation, and opportunity for institutions and students alike," said Michael Horowitz, Ph.D., president of The Community Solution Education System. "This new co-location is a significant step in showcasing that our unique model not only enriches the experience for our students but also positively impacts the dynamic communities we serve. Each day, we're committed to demonstrating the transformative power of our collaborative approach in higher education."

Today, The Community Solution is made up of six unique colleges and universitiesincluding The Chicago Schoolwith campuses in 11 cities across the country that collectively educate more than 13,500 students annually.

"We are exceptionally proud of our roots in Chicago and the legacy of community impact we've built with thousands of students," said Michele Nealon, Psy.D., president of The Chicago School. "In this new facility, we will deepen our impact by developing dynamic new program offerings in high-need, health-related fields and further enhancing the vibrant educational offerings in our city."

This investment in the community creates a new foundation for The Community Solution and The Chicago School to support the next generation of students and community members as they pursue their aspirations.

"We applaud the strategic decision by The Community Solution Education System and The Chicago School to co-locate in the West Loop," stated Lisa Dziekan, SVP of Business Development at World Business Chicago. "This exemplifies catalytic economic development, and the opportunity to attract new investment to Chicago's downtown, while reinforcing Chicago's reputation as a leading region for education, preparing the workforce of the future."

About The Community Solution Education System

The Community Solution Education System is an integrated, nonprofit system of colleges and universities that work collaboratively to advance institutional sustainability, student success, and community impact. Founded in 2009 as TCS Education System, The Community Solution has grown to encompass six distinct communitiesThe Chicago School, Pacific Oaks College & Children's School, The Colleges of Law, Saybrook University, Kansas Health Science Center - Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, and University of Western States. The Community Solution utilizes strategic partnerships to foster economies of scale, academic innovation, risk mitigation, and resourceful business solutions to maximize students' educational experiences. To learn more, visit www.tcsedsystem.edu.

About The Chicago School

For 45 years, The Chicago School has been a leading nonprofit university dedicated to training professionals for careers that improve the health of individuals, organizations, and communities. By combining education, innovation, community, and impact, The Chicago School approach provides students a practical and solutions-oriented education in an array of academic programs across psychology, health, business, counseling, and behavioral sciences. With more than 6,000 students and locations in Chicago, Dallas, Southern California, and Washington, D.C., the university's extensive network of community partnerships provides applicable training and networking opportunities.

The Chicago School is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. To learn more, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu.

SOURCE The Community Solution Education System
BROOKLYN, N.Y., March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Junior R. King, DPM, is acknowledged as a Most Trusted Healthcare Professional for his contributions to the Medical Field.

Dr. King began his medical education journey at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine where he earned a medical degree from the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. He completed a residency at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University and Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY.

Junior R, King, DPM

With more than 14 years in the field, Dr. King has been in private practice for 2 years and is board certified in Podiatric Medicine by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. e is licensed to provide online and in-person care to patients in New York and serves patients in his private practice location at 596 Pennsylvania Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11207.

Dr. King was inspired to enter the medical profession while growing up in the Caribbean Islands where he saw a need for healthcare for minorities and underserved communities, especially those who have amputations. Motivated by a desire to reduce those statistics, the doctor is in the process of making his practice multi-disciplinary so that patients can get all of their healthcare needs met at one location.

Known for his compassion and excellent care, Dr. King has volunteered in other countries needing medical help for many years. He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic put a temporary pause on his international volunteer work, but he hopes that he will be able to continue those efforts soon.

Aside from his professional pursuits, Dr. King enjoys traveling in his spare time and recently returned from a trip to Europe.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE The Inner Circle
MAIDENHEAD, England, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ultra Intelligence & Communications, also known as Ultra I&C, celebrated the official opening of its flagship facility in Maidenhead, U.K., marking a major milestone in the company's ongoing expansion and development.

Ultra I&C's Cyber Centre of Excellence represents a significant achievement in advancing expertise in cybersecurity and manufacturing, providing the company and its customers a new base for 250 engineers, made possible by a 30M investment in the new facility. The 56,000 square foot engineering, integration and testing facility will serve as a hub for cyber technology development and the company's U.K. STEM program, supporting local schools and placements from the CyberFirst program, aimed at identifying and nurturing a diverse group of talented individuals interested in pursuing a career in cybersecurity.

"Ultra I&C's Maidenhead Cyber Centre of Excellence will support job growth in the engineering sector, which is critically needed to protect our national security," said Richard Dingley, president of Ultra I&C's cyber business. "Opening this location solidifies our long-term commitment to developing the skills and capabilities required to ensure the U.K. and our partners are protected and prosperous in the future."

The opening ceremony brought together industry, local and national government and key clients such as the U.K. MOD, to mark the growth and expansion of the company in the U.K. Former U.K. Prime Minister, Rt Hon. Theresa May MP spoke at the opening ceremony, noting: "Ultra I&C's Maidenhead facility represents a significant investment in the community to build skills, develop more careers in STEM and support the U.K.'s ability to respond to, and combat, the threats of the future."

Ultra I&C leaders demonstrated their solutions to support the secure communications on the likes of the Typhoon aircraft, post-quantum security capabilities and satellite communications.

About Ultra Intelligence & Communications

Ultra Intelligence & Communications, also known as Ultra I&C, has generations of experience fielding tactical communications, command and control, and cyber security technologies for the most challenging defense applications. Ultra I&C connects the multi-domain battlespace and ensures secured information advantage in high-threat environments. These innovative solutions are an integral operational component for the U.S. Department of Defense, the UK Ministry of Defence, the Canadian Department of National Defence and many more defense organizations worldwide. For more information, visit www.ultra-ic.com.

Media Inquiries

Amanda Rudolph, Vice President of Marketing and Communications: [email protected]

SOURCE Ultra Intelligence & Communications
New Book from the American Association for Physician Leadership Explores Unique Ways to Leverage a Medical Degree and Remain Involved in Patient Care

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A new book published by the American Association for Physician Leadership (AAPL), 50 Unconventional Clinical Careers for Physicians: Unique Ways to Use Your Medical Degree Without Leaving Patient Care is a guide to exploring alternative paths in clinical medicine.

Conventional medical practice (e.g., traditional group or solo practice, employed by a hospital or healthcare system) sometimes leaves physicians feeling unfulfilled, frustrated, burned out, and undervalued  especially as healthcare corporations are increasingly not owned by physicians, as the scope of work of advanced practice providers increases, and as administrative burdens on physicians increase.

However, many physicians don't realize the alternatives that are available to them. Many feel "stuck" in the type of practice they are displeased with. Others feel that they must leave medicine entirely. This book will advise them of a happy medium: uncommon and atypical types of clinical practices.

Each chapter includes general information about a different career area, such as working with adolescents, athletes, or celebrities and in particular areas such as addictions, pain, and end-of-life care. Each section describes what physicians do in this type of work, and what makes it unconventional.

The book's author, Sylvie Stacy, MD, MPH, received her medical degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School and completed a residency in preventive medicine at Johns Hopkins. She has held nonclinical jobs in medical writing, medical education, utilization management, and clinical documentation improvement.

"Dr. Stacy addresses the need for physicians to recognize that there are many potential career paths for physicians, and one need not feel limited," said Peter Angood, MD, FRCS (C), FACS, MCCM, FAAPL(Hon), president and CEO of AAPL. "Without abandoning clinical care, physicians can carve out an unconventional path that speaks to their specific passions and interests."

About the American Association for Physician Leadership

The American Association for Physician Leadership (AAPL) is focused on the personal transformation of all physicians, and through them the organizations they serve. With the goal of improving patient outcomes, workforce wellness, and a refinement of all healthcare delivery, AAPL has remained the only association solely focused on providing professional development, leadership education, and management training exclusively for physicians. Since its founding in 1975, AAPL has educated 250,000+ physicians across 40 countriesincluding CEOs, chief medical officers, and physicians at all levels of healthcare. www.physicianleaders.org

SOURCE AAPL
DUBLIN, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "U.S. Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) Market - Focused Insights 2024-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.





The U.S. pharmacy benefit management (PBM) market was valued at USD 491.88 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach a value of $680.73 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 5.56% from 2023-2029.

The U.S. pharmacy benefit management (PBM) market report includes exclusive data on 27 vendors. CVS Health, Cigna Healthcare, United Health Group, Prime Therapeutics, MedImpact, and Humana dominate the U.S. Pharmacy Benefit Management market. The major players focus on strategic acquisitions and collaborations with emerging players to enter the pharmacy benefit management market and gain a competitive advantage.

The southern region dominated the segment of the U.S. pharmacy benefit management (PBM) market, with a share of 30% in 2023. The growth of this region is due to the presence of high rates of chronic disease and poor health conditions, as well as a high percentage of insurers in the southern states. Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, and Louisiana are the top states with a high percentage of insurers among the southern states in the U.S.



MARKET TRENDS



Specialty drugs Continuing to Drive Rx Spend: Specialty drugs represent the fastest-growing area of pharmacy spend. Over the years, specialty drug growth has been driven by adopting innovative drugs, such as those for oncology and autoimmune therapies. According to the IQVIA Institute, 50-55 new specialty drugs will be launched annually over the next four years.

Specialty drugs will continue evolving, helping cure or curb symptoms for patients with complex or chronic medical conditions. As new drugs hit the market and prices continue to rise, health plan sponsors will continue to look to their pharmacy benefit management markets (PBMs) to help address the cost and accessibility of prescription drugs.



The Growth Of Innovative PBM Pricing Strategies: The continued evolution of the pharmacy benefit management (PBM) market contracting model and pricing strategies is expected to continue. For example, to counteract the high prices of specialty drugs, PBMs are embracing outcomes-based contracting. According to a recent national healthcare consulting firm study, 58% of payers had entered outcomes-based contracts as of 2022. Another alternative PBM pricing strategy includes the growing use of innovative utilization tools.



U.S. PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGEMENT MARKET HIGHLIGHTS

The medicare plan of health plan segment is growing significantly, with the fastest-growing CAGR of 6.74% during the forecast period. The growth of this segment is attributed to several factors, which include a shift towards virtual care delivery, more home care, and the adoption of value-based care models.

The insurance companies & retail pharmacies segment dominates the share with over 75% of the U.S. pharmacy benefit management (PBM) market. Many reasons, including the expanding access to testing and diagnosis and growing awareness among the general population across the U.S., contribute to the growth of this segment.

The claim processing in the service segment is the fastest-growing in the U.S. pharmacy benefit management (PBM) market during the forecast period. The growth of this segment is mainly due to the benefits it offers from pharmacy benefit management (PBM) market claims auditing, which monitors payment integrity and fraud , waste, abuse of health plans, employers, Medicare Advantage Part D plans, brokers, Taft-Hartley funds, and other pharmacy plans.

KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED

How big is the U.S. pharmacy benefit management market?

What is the growth rate of the U.S. pharmacy benefit management market?

Who are the dominating players in the U.S. pharmacy benefit management market?

VENDORS LIST

Key Vendors

CVS Health

Cigna Healthcare

UnitedHealth Group

Prime Therapeutics

MedImpact

Humana

Other Prominent Vendors

Abarca

Elevance Health

AscellaHealth

CaptureRx

Centene

Change Healthcare

CitizensRx

Elixir

MedalistRx

MaxorPlus

Navitus Health Solutions

PerformRx

WellDyne

ProCare Rx

NirvanaHealth

Anthem

BeneCard PBM

Shields Health Solutions

Magellan Rx Management

Walgreens Boots Alliance

RITE AID

Segmentation & Forecast

By Health Plan

Commercial Health Plans

Medicare Plan

Medicaid Plan

Others

By Business Model

Insurance Companies & Retail Pharmacies

Pure Play PBMs

By Service

Special Pharmacy Services

Retail Pharmacy Networks

Mail-order pharmacy services

Claims Processing

Formulary Management

Drug Utilization Review

Price, Discount & Rebate Negotiations

Disease Management & Adherence Initiatives

By Region

South

Mid-West

West

Northeast

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/htjruf

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:

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
Chip Kay is being promoted.

After four years as the Columbus Public Schools' director of finance and human resources, Kay has been named the district's next superintendent.

Kay was selected from a pool of three finalists to succeed Troy Loeffelholz, who will retire at the end of the school year after 14 years with CPS and more than 35 years in education.

We were fortunate to attract three quality candidates for the next superintendent," Board President Doug Willoughby said in a news release. "Dr. Chip Kay was our unanimous choice. In his four years with the district, Dr. Kay has demonstrated the skills and demeanor to lead CPS. The interview process gave him the opportunity to outline an impressive vision for the future of Columbus Public Schools.

In a released statement, the Board of Education called Kay the "best choice to head CPS," citing his leadership skills and fiscal responsibility during his tenure as finance director for the district.

"He has also shown us his vision for the future of CPS and we believe that it aligns with what our staff, stakeholders, and board of education expect in a leader," the statement continued. "We look forward to working with Dr. Kay for many years to come.

Prior to coming to Columbus, Kay served as superintendent of Shelby-Rising City from 2013 to 2020. He received his Doctorate in education administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2023 and has 32 years of experience in education.

Kay has accepted the position and will begin on/about July 1. The Board of Education will vote to accept Kays contract on Monday, March 25, at 5:30 p.m. at the Kramer Education Center.

Kay said he is "very grateful for the opportunity to serve" as Columbus Public Schools' next superintendent.

"During the next few months, I will be working behind the scenes with Dr. Loeffelholz and the Board of Education to make the transition of leadership a smooth and seamless process," Kay said in a press release. "I am appreciative of the leadership, mentoring, and guidance provided by Dr. Loeffelholz during his tenure at CPS.

As part of the transition plan, there will be a time and place for collaboration and conversations about Columbus Public Schools," he said. "When those opportunities occur I look forward to meeting with staff and stakeholders to listen and discuss a plan for keeping our district moving in the right direction to serve all students.

Chip Kay and his wife, Jeanne, have three children, one grandchild and one on the way. Four of the six members of his family are in education and two serve in the military.
DUBLIN, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "The World Market for Vaccines, 2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The healthcare landscape is ever-evolving, and as infectious diseases continue to be a global concern, the vaccine market remains a critical area of focus for research and development. A comprehensive analysis of this burgeoning industry has been meticulously compiled and is now available, illuminating the intricacies of the vaccine sector and its projected growth trajectory through the year 2024.

In-Depth Analysis of Current and Future Vaccine Market Dynamics

The report, titled "The World Market for Vaccines, 2024," unearths invaluable data and perspectives on both established and emerging vaccines within the preventive healthcare spectrum. It delves into the market shares, trends, and forecasts that are expected to shape the future of vaccine development and distribution worldwide. Among the critical vaccines highlighted in the report are those for influenza, hepatitis, COVID-19, and HPV, providing a granular view of their impact and potential in the global market.

Expert Insights into Vaccine Development and Usage Trends

With an emphasis on both adult and pediatric vaccination programs, the research offers expert commentary and market estimates across different vaccine categories. It serves as a unique resource for industry participants, healthcare providers, and policymakers to understand the nuances of vaccine uptake and the associated economic implications.

Analyzing Key Players and Innovations in the Vaccine Field

Notable vaccine combinations (tetanus, pertussis, Hib, Hepatitis, polio)

Advancements in vaccines for meningitis, pneumococcal diseases, and rotavirus

Breakthroughs in RSV and shingles vaccination

Exploration of vaccines catering to travel and endemic diseases

Pioneering Companies Leading Global Vaccination Efforts

The report profiles powerhouse entities within the vaccine market, charting the course for future developments and collaborations. Companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca are among those whose contributions to combating vaccine-preventable diseases are evaluated. Their innovative approaches and strategic market positioning underscore the competitive nature of the vaccine industry.

Robust Methodology Underpinning the Market Forecasting

Grounded in a rigorous methodology that combines a review of published sources and interviews with industry experts, "The World Market for Vaccines, 2024" serves as a well-rounded examination of the vaccine sector. Sales estimates, market segmentations, and regional analyses are distilled into clear indicators for understanding the industry's direction.

Implications for Public Health and Economic Landscapes

With vaccines contributing significantly to improving global health and economic stability, this report is more than just numbers; it encapsulates the societal benefits that robust vaccination programs bring. By preventing disease outbreaks and managing healthcare costs, vaccines continue to prove indispensable - a fact that this report brings to the forefront with precision.

Key Topics Covered:

Chapter 1: Executive Summary

The Global Vaccines Industry

Scope and Methodology

Market Estimates and Forecasts

Competitive Analysis

Chapter 2: Introduction to Vaccines

Introduction

A Brief History: The Development of Vaccines

The Human Immune System

Vaccine Mechanism of Action

Types of Vaccines

Attenuated (Weakened) Live Viruses

Killed (Inactivated) Viruses

Toxoid Vaccines

Genetically Engineered/Modified Vaccines

Subunit Vaccines

Conjugate Vaccines

DNA Vaccines

Messenger RNA Vaccines

Recombinant Vector Vaccines

Classification of Vaccines

Vaccine Approval Process

Fda Eua Approval

World Health Organization Prequalified Vaccines

Pandemics

Hin1 Pandemic of 2009/2010

Coronavirus Pandemic

Ebola Epidemics

Manufacturing Incentives

Synthetic Vaccines

Artificial Intelligence Development

Chapter 3: Pediatric Preventative Vaccines

Childhood Immunization in the United States

Childhood Immunization Rates

Challenges to the Vaccine Delivery System

Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule

State Immunization Recommendations

COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule

United Nations Initiatives

Pediatric Vaccine Markets

Competitive Summary

Chapter 4: Adult Preventative Vaccines

Introduction

Recommended Adult Immunizations

Global Influenza Surveillance Program

U.S. Surveillance

Who International Health Regulations

Adult Preventive Vaccine Markets

Pandemic, Travel & Other) 2023-2028 ($M)

Pandemic, Travel & Other), 2023-2028 (%)

Pandemic, Travel & Other) 2023 (%)

Market: Generating 26% of Total Adult Non-COVID Vaccine Sales

Influenza

Competitive Summary

Chapter 5: Total Vaccines Market

Trends Driving the Vaccines Market

Market Size and Forecast

Pediatric Vaccines

Adult Vaccines

COVID-19 Market Size Estimates and Forecast

Vaccine Sales by Region

Rest of World

United States

Europe

Vaccine Market Competitors

Vaccine Industry News

Vaccines in Development

COVID-19 Vaccine Development

Chapter 6: Company Profiles

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/dv9pdz

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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SOURCE Research and Markets
CHISINAU, Moldova, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Moldovan wine industry, following its enthusiastic reception at ProWein, has entered a critical juncture. After the successful unveiling of two wines produced with the support of an Artificial Intelligence, key stakeholders will seek further collaboration with the nation's burgeoning tech and design sectors in the coming years, using innovation to strengthen their global competitiveness.

Exploring the Future: Wine of Moldova's AI-Powered Innovation at ProWein 2024

According to Wine of Moldova, this landmark AI project involved a strategic partnership between several institutions: the National Office of Vine and Wine, the creative media technology hub, Mediacor, and the Technical University of Moldova. Their goal was to set a global precedent for the unification of Artificial Intelligence and human expertise, in addition to facilitating ongoing development via the use of new technologies; $500 million has been earmarked for vineyard expansion, technological innovation, and production capacity.

Robert Joseph, consultant and author, commented: "A changing climate - which means far greater vintage variation as well as higher temperatures  requires innovative solutions. This project gives wine producers access to the nation's growing AI expertise that could be a game-changer."

At ProWein this year, a (white) blend of Feteasca Alba, Feteasca Regala and Viorica and a (red) Feteasca Neagra were presented to an international audience of professionals, created with the help of Artificial Intelligence.

"51 producers engaged with visitors from across the world during the fair, introducing them to Moldova's local grape varieties, unique terroirs and blending expertise," revealed Stefan Iamandi, Director of the National Vine and Wine Office.

Today, the wine industry is essential to Moldova's economy, contributing around 3% of GDP and 8% of total exports, contributing to the livelihoods of over 50,000 families in rural areas. Premium labels are exported to 72 different countries  55 percent of the country's total exports are shipped to the EU.

"Moldova boasts a growing number of small new wineries, with young winemakers, while its larger ones are investing in vineyards and cellar equipment to produce more premium wines," said Diana Lazar, AI Wine project lead.

Like every other wine-producing country, Moldova faces a range of challenges. However, stakeholders are in a strong position to meet these difficulties head on, taking full advantage of the solutions presented by future tech. A new era of cooperation between winegrowers and digital innovators has begun as Moldova offers valuable lessons for the rest of the world.

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCDUwK3Nv7A

SOURCE Wine of Moldova
WASHINGTON, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- World Identity Network (WIN), the leading nonprofit organization advocating for universal identity rights, has released its groundbreaking documentary, Shadows in the Dark: Our Global Identity Crisis, exclusively on Amazon.

"Shadows in the Dark" follows Mariana Dahan's journey, from her undocumented birth in the Soviet Union to her global advocacy for identity recognition.

"Releasing this film to the public is a moment of great triumph for our organization," says WIN Founder and CEO, Dr. Mariana Dahan. "We spent years interviewing undocumented persons and refugees. Telling their stories with the utmost care, precision, and nuance was a tremendous responsibility, and we could not be happier with the final result."

Shadows in the Dark is a sprawling saga following the stories of undocumented individuals across the United States, the Middle East, and refugee camps in Europe and beyond. The documentary shines a light on those born in the shadows of the formal economy, at the margins of society, lacking common identity documents, such as birth certificates and passports.

The movie highlights the work that Dr. Mariana Dahan has conducted at The World Bank, as the initiator and first global coordinator of the Identification for Development (ID4D) agenda, which celebrates its 10-years anniversary this year. Shadows in the Dark offers a compelling analysis of the successes and the risks associated with this multi-billion dollars program.

The Emmy Award - winning film crew has interviewed decision-makers, technologists and human rights activists, advocating for universal identification and responsible use of digital technologies, such as biometrics, facial recognition and AI.

"Identity is at the heart of many of today's global challenges," says Shadows in the Dark Co-director, Brad Kremer. "It is the common thread in immigration and many of the conflict zones existing throughout the world. When Dr. Mariana Dahan approached me to do this film together, I knew it would be a journey of immense meaning. But directing this narration, and telling the stories of everyone this issue impacts, has exceeded all our expectations."

Produced in partnership with the United Nations, the Human Rights Foundation and Singularity University, Shadows in the Dark features extensive interviews with displaced Ukrainian and Syrian refugees recounting their experiences with the asylum process, along with leading officials at the World Bank and the United Nations, and the founders building new digital identity solutions. The film likewise explores nuances surrounding surveillance, authoritarian regimes, and biometric systems, as well as a dialogue with a group of far-right border advocates in the United States.

"In many ways, this film is a culmination of my life's work," continues Dr. Dahan. "Having been born without a birth certificate in Soviet-era Moldova, at the border with Ukraine, I know firsthand how crucial identity is to the preservation of human rights. I encourage everyone to watch the film and learn more about this global issue impacting millions. Identity is the cornerstone of human civilization".

To learn more about Shadows in the Dark go to www.shadowsinthedark.movie

Media Contact

Paradox Public Relations

Jack Gillespie

[email protected]

About World Identity Network (WIN):

WIN is a team of global advocates, human rights activists, technologists and innovators who believe that everyone should have the ability to access proof of their personal identity: anywhere, anytime.

For more information on WIN's new projects and how you can support the Foundation, please visit www.win.systems

SOURCE World Identity Network
DEQING, China, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, the Brand Work Office of Xinhua News Agency held a press conference in Deqing city, Zhejiang province. During the conference, they unveiled the impressive lineup for the 2024 World Brand Moganshan Conference series, centered around the theme of "Brands Bring Better Future for the World." These captivating events are scheduled to take place from May 10 to 12 in Deqing County, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province.

2023 World Brand Moganshan Conference Series 2023 World Brand Moganshan Conference Series 2023 World Brand Moganshan Conference Series

The World Brand Moganshan Conference is a global branding event co-organized by Xinhua News Agency and China Council for Brand Development that brings together leading global enterprises, governments agencies, research institutions, Chinese and foreign media, and industry associations. Following the tremendous success of the inaugural conference in 2023, the World Brand Moganshan Conference has established itself as one of China's most prestigious brand-building events. Global brands gathered in Deqing and shared captivating ideas. A total of 41 diverse events were held, attracting 3369 Chinese and foreign guests. The conference's resounding success resonated throughout various sectors of society, solidifying its position as one of China's most prominent activities in the realm of brand building.

The 2024 World Brand Moganshan Conference will include the plenary session, parallel sessions on development and global influence of brands, press release of research reports, as well as various side events, such as health runs, drone aerial shows, interviews, and promotional events.

The 2024 World Brand Moganshan Conference is set to elevate its status as an international, authoritative, and professional event. Its internationality is exemplified by the diverse participation of individuals from across the globe. Esteemed organizations continue to unveil a range of Chinese brand value evaluations and rankings, while also introducing host brand cases and domestic brand cases for the first time. This initiative establishes an authoritative releasing system within the realm of global brand construction. The conference's professionalism shines through its emphasis on showcasing the brand-building achievements of numerous renowned enterprises. Additionally, Chinese and foreign experts and scholars will contribute their insightful perspectives, accompanied by theoretical analyses of brand building practices. Together, these elements create a captivating global intellectual feast, centered around the art of brand building.

China Council for Brand Development, as the only national social organization dedicated to the advancement of brand initiatives, serves as the secretariat unit of the Brand Evaluation Technical Committee of the International Organization for Standardization and the National Brand Evaluation Standardization Technical Committee. China Council for Brand Development supports the World Brand Moganshan Conference's evolution into the foremost global platform for championing brand construction. In collaboration with esteemed partners like Xinhua News Agency, the China Council for Brand Development will orchestrate a momentous event at the conference's main foruma moment of revelation where Chinese brand value evaluation information will be unveiled, unraveling the intricacies of the esteemed "Ten Year List of Chinese Brand Value Evaluation." Simultaneously, the association will host the China Brand Building and Development Conference, a noteworthy occasion celebrating the remarkable achievements of myriads of beloved Chinese brands in 2024, and other activities.

The 2024 World Brand Moganshan Conference will attract more than 4000 delegates representing renowned companies, governments, overseas media outlets, esteemed global academic institutions, and influential industry associations. This extraordinary gathering will serve as a focal point for global brand discussions, uniting diverse perspectives from around the world and amplifying the collective voice of the global brand community.

The famous Mogan Mountain is located in Deqing County, Zhejiang Province, China, in the hinterland of the Yangtze River Delta. Facing Shanghai in the east, connecting Hangzhou in the south, connecting Taihu Lake to the north, and the foot of Tianmu Mountain in the west, it is the "spatial geographic center" of Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Jiaxing and Huzhou. The United Nations World Geographic Information Conference was held here.

SOURCE Brand Work Office of Xinhua News Agency
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





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The Legislature on Thursday advanced a proposal that aims to expand veterans access to problem-solving courts in Nebraska.

The bill (LB253) from Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon would give judges across the state the option to connect veterans who wind up in court with services to help them deal with their underlying traumas.

I do not think being a veteran should be a permit to commit crimes, but I think we need to make sure the system works to address those issues, said Brewer, who spent 37 years in the military and deployed into war zones multiple times.

Brewers bill directs the Nebraska Probation System to create a veteran justice program  essentially a problem-solving court  in each district in the state that allows judges to order veterans who commit crimes where probation is a possible sentence to follow a case plan.

Veterans who commit crimes a judge deems unqualifying for the program would not be allowed to participate, and a victim of the veterans crimes would also be given a chance to address the court during the process.

If assigned a case plan, veterans would receive supervision and treatment to help address post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries, military sexual trauma or other conditions tied to their service in the armed forces.

Once veterans successfully complete a case plan, their case would be dismissed. While that sounds simple, Brewer said the model plans are intense.

This is no free ride, Brewer said.

Omaha Sen. Justin Wayne, who has worked closely with Brewer on the issue after former Nebraska senator and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel brought the proposal to them in February, said the Legislature had a chance to show that it cares about veterans in Nebraska.

Its easy to support a veteran on Veterans Day, its easy on Memorial Day to say we support those who serve our country, Wayne said. Whats hard is when they make a mistake that is directly tied to what we put them through.

Wayne said the bill puts probation on the front end in an effort to help give veterans who commit a crime and make a mistake a second chance. If they fail the program, those individuals would be sentenced for their crimes, he added.

The Legislature advanced the bill 38-0 on Thursday, Day 48 of the 60-day legislative session.

But some senators expressed concerns that while these programs are successful in the states largest three counties, there might not be resources available in smaller counties in rural areas.

Wayne, the chair of the Judiciary Committee, said he planned to work with other senators and advocates to make changes to the bill early next week before it comes to the floor again.

Top Journal Star photos for March 2024
Ukrainian president, senior NATO official meet on support for Kiev. Image Source: IANS News

Kiev, March 22 : Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Robert Bauer, chair of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Military Committee, discussed support for Kiev during a bilateral meeting, the presidential press service reported.

Zelensky on Thursday thanked Bauer for his visit, describing it as a strong signal of support for Ukraine, Xinhua news agency reported.

He informed Bauer about Ukraine's priority defence needs, in particular the necessity for additional air defence systems.

Zelensky and Bauer discussed opportunities to strengthen the alliance's coordination role in supporting Ukraine, in particular in enhancing its defence capabilities.

Besides, the parties exchanged their views on Ukraine's future military potential and its movement toward NATO standards.

Ukraine's expectations from the NATO summit, which is set to take place in Washington, the US, in July, was another topic of the talks.

Bauer arrived in Kiev for his first visit since the start of the full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine in February 2022.

Earlier on Thursday, Bauer participated in the 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum, according to local media reports.
United Nations, March 22 : UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed reports that Haitian stakeholders have nominated representatives to the Transitional Presidential Council, a UN spokesman said.

"He calls for all efforts to maintain the momentum and cohesively work toward the implementation of the transitional governance arrangements agreed upon last week," said Farhan Haq, the Deputy Spokesman for Guterres, on Thursday.

Implementing the Caribbean Community's suggestion for the Transitional Presidential Council is seen as paving the way for the deployment of the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support mission, which is to be composed of police units from several nations to support Haiti's police force. While authorised by the UN Security Council, it is not a UN mission.

"The swift deployment of the multinational force remains critical to ensure that the political and security tracks can advance in parallel, as only complementary efforts can be successful," Haq added as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.

"The UN, through BINUH (the UN Office in Haiti), will continue to support Haiti on its path toward the restoration of democratic institutions."

The Spokesman said BINUH calls for the protection of human rights defenders, journalists, and other members of civil society.

Ulrika Richardson, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator for Haiti, praised the efforts of the local police in battling gang attacks and humanitarian workers for their efforts during a briefing to reporters via a video link from Haiti.

"The local police have been extremely heroic and really been able to put up quite some resistance. But of course they struggled to be present everywhere," she said.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said UN humanitarians and partners continue to provide aid in Haiti.

The World Food Programme continues to distribute hot meals in Port-au-Prince, the capital city.

But on Wednesday, it could only reach 10 of the 14 displaced sites intended due to roadblocks. Only 11,500 hot meals were delivered instead of the planned 14,000, said OCHA.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and its local partners have delivered blankets, solar lamps and kitchen kits to 3,800 displaced people. Meanwhile, between Saturday and Wednesday, the UN Children's Fund, the IOM and their national partners delivered more than 36,000 gallons of water to displaced sites, reaching over 15,000 uprooted people, OCHA added.

The Pan American Health Organisation and the World Health Organisation supported the national health department by distributing water purification tablets, chlorine, gloves, boots, buckets and other items at sites for displaced people. They are also supporting the few operating health facilities by providing medicine and supplies, said the office.

For their part, the UN Population Fund and its partners on Wednesday deployed a mobile clinic in a site for displaced people to address sexual and reproductive health, as well as sexual and gender-based violence. More than 200 people received assistance. They also distributed hundreds of dignity kits to women and girls. Psychosocial support remains a critical service for thousands of traumatised people, it said.

Despite the operations, humanitarians are only able to do a portion of what is needed, said OCHA.

"We have supplies in the country at the port in the capital. But they are at risk of being looted. We also need air transportation and our maritime services to urgently scale up our operations. We are calling on all parties to ensure safe, unhindered access to reach people in need."

Nearly half of the country's population -- 5.5 million people -- need humanitarian aid, OCHA added.
One killed, eight injured in highway shooting in West Bank. Image Source: IANS News

Ramallah, March 22 : Six Palestinians were killed by the Israeli army in several West Bank cities, according to Palestinian sources.

Among the six Palestinians, four were killed in clashes during an Israeli army raid in the Nour Shams Palestinian refugee camp in the city of Tulkarm on Thursday, Xinhua news agency reported.

Two of them were killed by live bullets fired by Israeli troops, while the other two were killed in a drone bombing, according to Palestinian Red Crescent Society and security sources.

Israeli media outlets said that the two Palestinians attacked by drone were posing a threat to the army by firing at Israeli vehicles during a military operation in the refugee camp.

Large Israeli forces, accompanied by military bulldozers, stormed the city of Tulkarm and the refugee camp earlier on Thursday, imposing a strict siege on it, the Palestinian News Agency WAFA reported, citing local sources.

In two other incidents on Thursday, Mohammad Salhiya, 19, and Sameh Zaytoun, 63, were killed by Israeli forces in the Al-Amari refugee camp near Al-Bireh and near an Israeli settlement south of Bethlehem.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army on the two incidents.

Since October 7, 2023, at least 450 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli army in the West Bank, according to Palestinian statistics.
Jerusalem, March 22 : Israel's army continued its raid on Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza, claiming that its forces killed more than 140 people and arrested "senior Hamas officials".

Nearly 600 Palestinians have been apprehended, and more than 140 others have been killed, the army said on Thursday in a statement, claiming all of them are militants.

"Several weapons and intelligence documents" were discovered during searches in the hospital, according to the statement.

"Islamic Jihad operatives in the hospital complex surrendered themselves to the troops," the army added.

The army said that "senior officials" with Hamas, an armed group and movement that runs Gaza, and the Islamic Jihad, a smaller Palestinian militant group, were arrested, Xinhua news agency reported.

No end date for the operation was given.

"The forces are continuing to operate in and to search the area, locating weapons and apprehending terrorists in close-quarter encounters," the statement said.

The recent operation began early on Monday, with the Israeli forces attacking the compound in Gaza city with tanks and airstrikes.

On Thursday, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that Israeli forces blew up the specialised surgical building and that communication with all medical teams inside the medical complex was lost.

Shifa, which was Gaza's largest medical facility before the war, is now one of the few hospitals still functioning in the coastal enclave and also serving as a shelter for displaced Palestinians.

Israel has targeted the hospital before, claiming that Hamas used it as a command centre and hid weapons and fighters in underground tunnels underneath the complex.
Srinagar, March 22 : Former J&K Chief Minister and National Conference (NC), vice president, Omar Abdullah has said that the party would announce its candidates for three Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir after the Eid festival.

Eid-ul-Fitr, the holy Muslim festival is celebrated after the fasting month of Ramzan. The festival is likely to fall around April 10 this year.

Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, Omar said, "What is the hurry? Let us celebrate the Eid. NC will announce its candidates for 3 Lok Sabha seats in Valley at an appropriate time."

The three Lok Sabha seats of Anantnag-Rajouri, Srinagar and Baramulla will go to polls in the third, fourth and fifth phase of the elections.

Omar Abdullah said on one hand the BJP criticises dynastic politics while on the other hand they are working out alliances with Chirag Paswan in Bihar and Raj Thackeray in Maharashtra.

"They have a problem with families who oppose them. I am proud to say that I oppose the BJP", he said.

He refused to comment on Chaudhary Lal Singh, the Jammu division based politician, who returned to the Congress recently, saying that it was an internal matter of the Congress party.
Lucknow : Police personnel stand guard outside Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's residence following the imposition of Section 144 after killing of Atiq Ahmed and his brother in Prayagraj, in Lucknow on Sunday, April 16, 2023. (Photo:IA. Image Source: IANS News

Lucknow, March 22 : The Uttar Pradesh Police on Friday have issued directives to maintain peace and avert any law and order problems and incidents of hooliganism during Holi.

The leaves of all police officers and personnel will remain cancelled to ensure their availability for duty.

Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP), Prashant Kumar, directed all field police officers to take decisive action against those involved in disturbing the law and order situation.

He said that district police chiefs have been instructed to engage prominent individuals and community leaders in mixed community areas to help maintain law and order.

He added that mobile policing and quick reaction teams will remain active during Holi.

The DGP has called for special deployment at strategic points.

Besides, extra police personnel have been allocated to different districts based on their sensitivity.

The district police chiefs have also been instructed to identify trouble spots and create a list of troublemakers in advance to monitor them closely.
Lucknow, March 22 : The special judge, CBI, Lucknow, has sentenced one Rajesh Gupta and Ajay Tiwari, the then assistant accountant of North Eastern Railway, Lucknow, to seven years' imprisonment.

Lucknow, March 22 (IANS) The special judge, CBI, Lucknow, has sentenced one Rajesh Gupta and Ajay Tiwari, the then assistant accountant of North Eastern Railway, Lucknow, to seven yearsa imprisonment.

They were also fined Rs 65,000 each by the court on Thursday in a 26-year-old case of corruption which caused loss to the Railways, said senior CBI officials.

The officials said that the CBI had registered a case on May 28, 1998, following allegations that Rajesh Gupta, in connivance with others and on the basis of fake purchase orders, bills, etc., caused a loss of Rs 2,55,285 to the Railways and gained personally from the transaction.

After completion of investigation, the CBI filed the charge sheet against the duo on October 10, 1999, and charges were framed on May 1, 2002, and March 7, 2015. After completion of trial, the court pronounced judgement holding the two accused guilty.
New Delhi, March 22 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi left on a two-day visit to Bhutan on Friday to cement bilateral ties and hold talks with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

PM Modi will also hold talks with Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.

The state visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan, and the government's emphasis on its Neighbourhood First Policy.

"On the way to Bhutan, where I will be attending various programmes aimed at further cementing the India-Bhutan partnership," PM Modi said in a post on X.

"I look forward to talks with Majesty the King of Bhutan, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and Prime Minister," he added.

PM Modi's visit, earlier scheduled for March 21, was postponed due to inclement weather conditions in the country.

"The visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on bilateral and regional matters of interest and deliberate on ways to expand and intensify our exemplary partnership between the two nations," the Ministry of External Affairs said in an earlier statement.

PM Modi accepted an invitation extended by his counterpart Tshering Tobgay last week, on behalf of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, to visit Bhutan.

PM Tobgay visited India from March 14-18, marking his first overseas trip after assuming office in January this year.

Sharing warm hugs and handshakes, he met PM Modi and discussed a range of issues to strengthen relations between the two neighbouring nations.
Comments made by South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem during a March 13 bill signing in Mitchell and later at a town hall in Winner have caused three tribes to call for her to apologize.

During the two town hall meetings, Noem accused tribal council members of standing in her way, failing youth and benefiting from drug cartel operations. Now, tribal leaders from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Oglala Sioux Tribe and Crow Creek Sioux Tribe are responding to those allegations.

Her remarks were made from ignorance and with the intention to fuel a racially based and discriminatory narrative towards the Native people of South Dakota, said Rosebud Sioux Tribe President Scott Herman in a March 15 press release. We demand an apology from the governor.

During a question-and-answer session after signing two new education bills, Noem commented on low graduation rates and low attendance rates due to a lack of parental involvement.

Because they live with 80% to 90% unemployment, their kids dont have any hope. They dont have parents who show up and help them, Noem said. They have a tribal council or a president who focuses on a political agenda more than they care about actually helping somebodys life look better.

Noem said as of 2022, six of the 11 poorest counties in the United States were in South Dakota: Todd County, which is part of the Rosebud Reservation; Mellette County, Oglala Lakota County and Jackson County, which are part of the Pine Ridge Reservation; Corson County, which is part of the Standing Rock Reservation; and Ziebach County, which is part of the Cheyenne River Reservation.

I have tribal councils that are standing in my way, Noem said. Because theyve got control and theyve got money coming into their pockets, theyre taking from their people and their communities. Theyre not benefiting their kids. That's next on my agenda.

A majority of Native children in South Dakota are enrolled in public schools off-reservation. Data from the South Dakota Board of Education indicated only 5,013 children, or 25% of the states Native youth, attended tribal schools for the 2023-2024 school year, 300 fewer than the previous school year. Statewide, one-third of Native students dont graduate from public high schools and 84% are not considered college-ready.

Later that day during a town hall in Winner, Noem again alleged that Mexican cartels are operating on tribal lands in South Dakota and are trafficking drugs, children and sex to the rest of the Midwest. She then accused tribal leaders of benefiting from cartel presence.

Noem has previously alleged that cartels are operating on tribal land, specifically within the Pine Ridge and Lake Traverse reservations.

After the first cartel allegations were made Jan. 31, representatives from the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate held a meeting with Noem to discuss her remarks. The tribe requested she collaborate on a cooperative law enforcement plan with tribal governments.

The Oglala Sioux Tribe also moved to ban Noem from the reservation a second time.

In response to the March 13 allegations, the Oglala Sioux Tribe pointed to a 2007 publication from the National Drug Intelligence Center stating that most illegal drug activity in South Dakota moves through Sioux Falls and Sioux City.

I suggest that Noem as Governor should, perhaps, clean up her own backyard in the Watertown and Castlewood area (where her ranch is located) instead of trying to cast the Sioux Tribes in a false light by insinuating that all the Mexican Drug Cartel trafficking comes to South Dakota population centers like Sioux Falls and Rapid City  from the Sioux reservations, said Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out in a March 16 press release.

In 2022 The Oglala Sioux Tribe launched a lawsuit against the federal government to try to get the United States to honor its obligation to provide the reservation with adequate public safety resources. For years, the reservation has experienced high rates of murder, suicide, drug offenses, robbery, rape, aggravated assault, burglary and missing persons cases, according to tribal officials.

The Crow Creek Sioux Tribe has also struggled with a lack of police officers, leading to the development of a citizen patrol force. The tribe is also requesting additional law enforcement personnel and general public safety assistance.

In the 8 months since the citizen patrol force was established, calls to dispatch dropped by 30% to 40% and ambulance calls are down 30% to 35%. Over one dozen employees have been hired by the tribe to aid in the program.

Tribal leaders said a majority of the guns and drugs brought into reservations are coming from cities like Sioux Falls and Rapid City, not directly into the reservation.

Ian Fury, chief of communications for the governors office, said Noem has attempted to schedule meetings with Rosebud Sioux Tribe President Scott Herman, Crow Creek Chairman Peter Lengkeek and Oglala Sioux Tribe President Star Comes Out, but has not heard back.

She is loving all the conversations that shes having with their community members  she has appreciated their encouragement and support, Fury said in an email to ICT and the Rapid City Journal. We would challenge the tribes to prove the Governors comment false by banishing the drug cartels from their reservations."

PHOTOS: Gov. Kristi Noem rallies for Trump South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem speaks at a rally she held in support of former President Donald Trump on Wednesday in Sioux City. Gov. Kristi Noem rallies for Donald Trump South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem walks on stage to rally for support for former President Donald Trump at County Celebrations Event Center on Wed Gov. Kristi Noem rallies for Donald Trump South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem shakes hands with attendees during a rally she held to support former President Donald Trump at County Celebrati Gov. Kristi Noem rallies for Donald Trump South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem throws souvenir hats depicting her name during a rally she held to support former President Donald Trump at Coun Gov. Kristi Noem rallies for Donald Trump South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem rallies to support former President Donald Trump at County Celebrations Event Center on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024  Gov. Kristi Noem rallies for Donald Trump South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem rallies to support former President Donald Trump at County Celebrations Event Center on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024  Gov. Kristi Noem rallies for Donald Trump Attendees listen to South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem speak in support of former President Donald Trump at County Celebrations Event Center on Wed Gov. Kristi Noem rallies for Donald Trump South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem rallies to support former President Donald Trump at County Celebrations Event Center on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024  Gov. Kristi Noem rallies for Donald Trump South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem rallies to support former President Donald Trump at County Celebrations Event Center on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024  Gov. Kristi Noem rallies for Donald Trump South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem rallies to support former President Donald Trump at County Celebrations Event Center on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024  Gov. Kristi Noem rallies for Donald Trump A supporter dances with a caucus sign after South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem spoke in support of former President Donald Trump at County Celebrat Gov. Kristi Noem rallies for Donald Trump South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem talks with attendees after a rally she held for former President Donald Trump at County Celebrations Event Cente Gov. Kristi Noem rallies for Donald Trump South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem poses for photos with attendees after a rally she held for former President Donald Trump at County Celebrations  Local News Jan. 2024 - Gov. Kristi Noem rallies for Donald Trump South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem speaks at a rally she held in support of former President Donald Trump on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024 in Sioux City.
Lucknow, March 22 : A 12-year-old boy was found hanging in the terrace of his home in Triveni Nagar area in Lucknow.

Police said he died by suicide and have sent the body for post-mortem.

Adarsh, son of Malkhe Gaur, a painting artisan hailing from Sitapur, was found hanging by family members in their rented home on Thursday .

Malkhe, his wife Babita and two sons, Adarsh and Utkarsh, were residing in the house.

Sub Inspector Narain Verma said Adarsh, a Class 4 student of a private school, was asked by his mother to pick up his younger brother from school, on Thursday.

"Babita was busy with her chores and when she did not see Adarsh, she went to look for him and found the door to the terrace locked from outside. On gaining entry from a neighbouring terrace, she found Adarsh hanging from the iron angle of the tin shed," said police.

She raised an alarm and neighbours rushed to help break the door and bring the body down. They took him to a nearby private hospital, where the doctors declared him brought dead.

The Sub Inspector said during initial questioning, family members could not provide any insight into the motive behind Adarsh taking the extreme step.
Chennai, March 22 : India progressed further in its attempt to realise a reusable launch vehicle (RLV)/ rocket named 'Pushpak' by successfully test landing RLV LEX-2 on Friday at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Karnataka's Chitradurga.

According to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the RLV LEX-2 demonstrated the autonomous landing capability from off-nominal initial conditions at the release from a helicopter.

The 'Indian space shuttle' the winged Pushpak was lifted by an Indian Air Force helicopter and was released from 4.5 km altitude.

Post release, Pushpak at a distance of 4 km on its own approached the runway along with cross-range corrections.

Pushpak landed precisely on the runway and came to a halt using its brake parachute landing gear brakes and nose wheel steering system, ISRO said.

For the second time ISRO successfully completed a test landing of its RLV.

"The mission successfully simulated the approach and high speed landing conditions of RLV returning from space. With this second mission, ISRO has revalidated its indigenously developed technologies in the areas of navigation, control systems, landing gear and deceleration systems essential for performing a high speed autonomous landing of a space returning vehicle," the Indian space agency said.

ISRO had used the winged body and all flight systems that were used in RLV-LEX-01 test thereby validating the reuse capability of flight hardware and flight systems.

According to ISRO, the airframe structure and landing gear of RLV-LEX-01 was strengthened based on the first test landing.

The mission was achieved by ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) along with the Liquid Propulsion System Centre and the ISRO Inertial Systems Unit.

The Indian space agency collaborated with various other government agencies.

According to Dr. S. Unnikrishnan Nair, with the repeated success, ISRO could master the terminal phase maneuvering, landing and energy management in a fully autonomous mode, which is a critical step towards the future orbital re-entry missions.

The team was guided by Sunil P., Programme Director, Advanced Technology and Systems Programme, VSSC, J. Muthupandian, Project Director, RLV and the Mission Director and B. Karthik, Deputy Project Director, RLV and the Vehicle Director for the mission.
Seoul, March 22 : Hyundai Motor Group said on Friday it will provide the luxury Genesis brand's G90 and G80 sedans during the South Korea-Africa Summit due in Seoul in June.

The South Korean carmaker will sponsor the first Korea-Africa summit scheduled on June 4-5 by offering 77 G90 flagship sedans and 42 G80s as official vehicles during the summit period, Hyundai said in a statement.

Some 10,000 officials and business leaders from the African region and international organisations are expected to attend meetings to be held on the sidelines of the summit, reports Yonhap news agency.

Since the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area in 2021, Africa has emerged as a major single economic bloc with a combined gross domestic product worth $3 trillion.

The region is regarded as having huge growth potential as its overall population is projected to grow to 1.7 billion by 2035.

For carmakers, Africa is a strategically important as the region has an ample reserve of nickel, cobalt, lithium, mangan and graphite, which are key materials needed to produce car batteries, the statement said.
New Delhi, March 22 : IT stocks are likely to remain under pressure in view of the poor guidance from Accenture, says V. K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services.

In the near-term, the market is likely to consolidate around the present levels without sharp up moves or down moves. In view of the truncated next week with only three trading days, volumes have dipped significantly in recent days, he said.

This is likely to continue. However, big intraday dips are likely to be bought since Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) are sitting on big cash and there is value in pockets of largecaps like banking. Any sharp intraday up moves may face selling from Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) since the US bond yields continue to remain high, he added.

Global market construct continues to be supportive with the US and Japanese markets posting new record highs. A significant takeaway from the Fed chief's message is the upward revision in the expected US GDP growth in 2024 to 2.1 per cent from 1.4 per cent. This augurs well for the global economy, he said.

BSE Sensex is trading at 72,761.72 points up 120.53 points. Heavyweight IT stocks like Wipro, HCL Tech, Infosys are down more than 2 per cent.
Bengaluru, March 22 : Karnataka BJP on Friday attacked the state government alleging that it is trying to hush up the female foeticide case.

Leader of the Opposition (LoP) R. Ashoka said that it is shameful that the Health Department is hand-in-glove with gender-determining tests and female foeticide mafia network.

"Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao is behind the officers who are pressurising the investigating officers not to submit the report. These officers -- attached to the District Health and Family Welfare Department -- are trying to delay the submission of the report," Ashoka charged.

After these developments, it is evident that the Congress government had succumbed to the pressure of invisible hands to hush up the female foeticide network, Ashoka stated.

"I had demanded a probe by the Special Investigating Team (SIT) and also demanded the formation of a special court to deliver quicker justice during the winter session," he said.

"Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, women empowerment can't be achieved by guarantee programmes like Shakthi and Griha Laxmi. You have to show your commitment by exposing the network which is taking away lives of female children before they come into this world," he said.

Bengaluru Rural District Family Welfare officer Dr S.R. Manjunath had filed a complaint with the Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday alleging that he is pressurised not to submit the report.

The authorities recently busted a female foeticide case in Hosakote and Nelamangala towns located close to Bengaluru. The officer claimed that the District Health Officer had warned him not to submit reports against private hospitals.

In the complaint, the officer claimed that there was a threat to his life and if anything happened to his life, the District Health Officer should be held responsible.
Mumbai: Undated File pictures of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, said 'I am resigning from the post of the national president of NCP'. (Photo:IANS). Image Source: IANS News

Pune : , March 22 (IANS) Nationalist Congress Party (SP) President Sharad Pawar on Friday strongly flayed the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying the Aam Aadmi Party would gain in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, and expressed apprehensions that more such actions may follow.

Speaking to the media here, Sharad Pawar reiterated how the Central investigation agencies were being used by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against opposition political parties and their leaders, and criticised the nabbing of CM Kejriwal late Thursday evening.

"The abuse of the ED and CBI and other agencies is going on by freezing (bank) accounts to stop the campaign of a big political party (Congress) in the country. The ex-CM of Jharkhand was also arrested and jailed All this is wrong and I condemn it," said Pawar.

While declaring his full support to CM Kejriwal, he said that "by putting a good man in jail, democracy is being strangled, and it is hundred per cent clear that the action is being taken in view of the elections, and such things are unprecedented in the country".

"Same action was taken in Jharkhand, now Delhi and tomorrow it will happen across the country, even raising doubts over how fair the LS elections will be," he said.

Predicting that the AAP will get a political windfall after CM Kejriwal's arrest, Sharad Pawar said that earlier the party got more than 90-95 per cent seats, "this time, they will get hundred per cent seats" as 80-89 per cent of the Delhi electorate admires the AAP leader.

He referred to CM Kejriwal's earlier harassment after which, he had made a clean sweep of the Delhi Assembly elections on two occasions (2015 and 2020), and predicted that even this time the AAP will get huge sympathy votes in the ensuing polls.

Sharad Pawar's comments came the morning after CM Kejriwal's arrest in an alleged excise policy scam, sending shockwaves in the opposition circles across India and evoking strong criticism of the BJP.

Other Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders, including Congress' Nana Patole, Atul Londhe, Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Sanjay Raut, NCP (SP)'s Dr. Jitendra Awhad, Clyde Crasto and many more have slammed the government on CM Kejriwal's arrest terming it as systematic targeting of the opposition by gross abuse of the Central probe agencies.

The AAP Maharashtra unit held protests and demonstrations in different parts of the state denouncing CM Kejriwal's arrest by the ED.
Thiruvananthapuram, March 22 : On Friday top political leaders of the CPI(M)-led Left and the Congress-led UDF took to the streets to protest the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the excise policy case on Thursday night.

While CPI(M) state Secretary, MV Govindan, shouting anti-BJP slogans led the protest at Kannur, in the state capital it was the UDF led by its Convener, MM Hassan, who marched towards the official residence of Kerala Governor, Arif Mohammad Khan.

MV Govindan said the CM Kejriwal behind bars will be stronger than CM Kejriwal outside.

Veteran Congress legislator, Ramesh Chennithala, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was going the Russian President, Vladimir Putin's way and arresting Opposition leaders.

Thiruvananthapuram Congress MP, Shashi Tharoor, said it was baffling to note that "this arrest has taken place soon after the Lok Sabha poll dates were announced."

Angry AAP activists took to the streets at Palakkad and stopped the traffic on the National Highway to Coimbatore and at Kochi they protested before the ED's office, shouting slogans.

State BJP President, K Surendran, said that what one sees and hears in Kerala on the arrest of CM Kejriwal by both the CPI(M) and Congress is "hypocrisy."

"Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is crying for no reason and what's surprising is the way the Congress has reacted here. Wish to ask if Leader of Opposition, VD Satheesan, will cry the same way when the present cases probed by the ED against the CPI(M) leaders and those close to them, reach finality. This is nothing but hypocrisy as the Delhi liquor policy case is a very corrupt one," alleged K Surendran.
New Delhi, March 22 : The Delhi High Court has issued a stern warning to Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj and Health Secretary S.B. Deepak Kumar, threatening jail time if they fail to comply with court orders aimed at shutting down unauthorised pathology labs in the national capital.

A division bench, comprising acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, was hearing a 2018 petition by Bejon Kumar Misra, alleging the operation of unauthorised laboratories and diagnostic centres by unqualified technicians in Delhi.

Last time, taking a stern stance on the delay in enacting legislation to regulate clinical establishments, including laboratories, within the national capital, the court asked them to appear personally before the court.

The bench expressed frustration with the apparent power struggle between the Minister and the Health Secretary, saying that their disagreements should not hinder the execution of court directives.

The court's last directive came in response to an email indicating that the Health Minister was not adequately informed during discussions concerning the Delhi Health Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Bill, 2022, also known as the Delhi Health Bill.

The bench had expressed dismay over the prolonged delay, remarking: "We can only say it is a sorry state of affairs. This has been pending for the last five years."

The court had directed the Delhi government to expedite the process of finalising the bill, or alternatively, consider implementing the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010.

The Delhi government, in response, had assured the court of its proactive efforts to draft and enact a law to regulate clinical establishments, stressing the necessity to safeguard patient and healthcare provider interests.

However, Misra's counsel had argued that the absence of regulation poses a significant threat to citizens' lives, with an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 illegal pathological and diagnostic labs operating in the city.

The bench said that the ongoing dispute between Bhardwaj and Kumar could not be an excuse for non-compliance with its orders, warning that it would not hesitate to jail them if their inaction continued to harm the public interest.

Minister Bhardwaj, present at the hearing, argued that the Delhi Health Bill had been finalised and sought the court's assistance in navigating political obstacles to its enactment.

However, the acting Chief Justice dismissed the notion of the court being used as a pawn in political games, stressing the urgent need for interim measures to prevent the public from receiving inaccurate medical reports.

The court ordered the minister and the secretary to collaborate closely to address the issues raised by the petitioner and to establish a fair and effective regulatory system for pathology labs as soon as possible.

The case has been scheduled for further hearing on April 4.
New Delhi, March 22 : In today's rapidly evolving digital environment, 5G technology has shifted from a luxury to a standard expectation. It's predicted that by December 2025, the number of 5G smartphones in India will increase from 150 million to around 500 million, making up over 70 per cent of all smartphones in the country.

This change presents a unique challenge for smartphone manufacturers: to balance state-of-the-art technology with cost-effectiveness. The answer lies in the democratisation of technology, which involves pioneering innovations and making these advancements accessible across socio-economic and geographical divides.

As 5G connectivity gains traction in India, a new generation of tech-savvy consumers is emerging. These young users desire more than just a device that can connect to high-speed networks; they want a smartphone that offers a powerful camera system, smooth performance, and sleek design - a device that fits their dynamic lifestyle without breaking the bank.

Leading this shift is realme, a global tech brand known for its user-centric approach. With a firm commitment to understanding and meeting the diverse needs of its users, realme consistently aims to integrate cutting-edge technology into everyday life. This dedication mirrors realme's mission to make advanced tech accessible to a wider audience.

Each new release in realme's Number Series introduces features unprecedented in its price range, which is typically around the mid-segment. This is demonstrated by the realme 11 series' fast 67W SUPERVOOC Charging, 11 Proas 200 MP camera, realme 12 series' innovative Rainwater Smart Touch feature, and the realme 12 Pro Series 5G's flagship periscope telephoto lens and luxury watch design.

This strategy has contributed to the expansion of the mid-range category in India's smartphone market, offering consumers remarkable value by delivering a premium user experience and performance at a more accessible price than flagship alternatives.

And the popularity of this series is a testament to its value proposition. Introduced in 2023, realme 11 5G became its segment's fastest charging 5G phone, while the 11x 5G was the 2023 bestseller of the Number Series last year.

Additionally, upon their respective launches in February and March, the realme 12 Pro Series and 12 Series made a significant impact on Flipkart, with over 150,000 units sold instantly. The 12 Pro Series 5G, in particular, took the market by storm, boasting 120,000 pre-booked units and an impressive first sale of 150,000 units.

Adding to its accolades, the realme 12 Series 5G was crowned as the top-rated Camera Smartphone in its category, and also earned the title of the top-rated phone under 20K by Flipkart. In January 2024, the realme 12 Pro Series 5G outperformed all other new products in India, leading online sales across various platforms on its launch day.

Building on the success of the 11x and 12 Pro Series, realme is once again aiming at raising the bar with the introduction of a new product designed for budget-conscious users. As one of the fastest-growing smartphone brands in India, realme's consistent growth highlights its dedication to providing top-tier products.

The brand is adaptable, meeting the changing needs and desires of its consumers. Despite rising costs in the smartphone industry, realme upholds its commitment to offering exceptional user experiences and refined designs, justifying its pricing strategy.

However, realme's mission extends beyond integrating advanced features into their devices. The brand aspires to exceed young users' expectations worldwide by delivering remarkable tech experiences. With a focus on technology and design, realme aims to bring out-of-expectation experience to the younger generation, facilitating faster access and enjoyment of these innovations.

Keep an eye out for the announcement of realmeas upcoming revolutionary device!
New Delhi, March 22 : Feelings of warmth and bonhomie overflowed the streets of Bhutan on Friday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded a rousing welcome from the people who turned up in huge numbers cheering and waving flags of the two nations.

Crowds lined up the entire 45-kilometer route from Paro to the capital Thimphu, as PM Modi walked waving at them and blessing young children as a Bhutanese welcome song played in the background.

He exchanged smiles and greetings with the public and walked along with young children who had gathered with Indian flags to catch a glimpse of him.

Arriving in the Himalayan kingdom on a two-day state visit, PM Modi was received by his counterpart, Tshering Tobgay, with warm hugs and was also presented with a traditional Bhutanese scarf.

He was also accorded a Guard of Honour at the Paro Airport by the Bhutanese armed forces.

In a post on X on Friday, PM Modi thanked his counterpart Tobgay for a warm welcome. "Thank you for the warm welcome to Bhutan, PM @tsheringtobgay. May India-Bhutan friendship keep scaling new heights."

The visit, which was earlier postponed by a day due to weather conditions, is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the countries, and India's emphasis on its Neighbourhood First policy.

During his stay, PM Modi will be inaugurating the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital, a state-of-the-art hospital in Thimphu, built with the assistance of the Government of India.

He will also receive an audience with Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth King of Bhutan, and PM Tobgay.

Diplomatic relations between the two neighbours were established in 1968 with the establishment of a special office of India in Thimphu.
Do Kwons Extradition to South Korea Challenged by Montenegros Top Prosecutor

Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwons recent ruling mandating his extradition to South Korea is now being challenged by Montenegros top prosecutor.

The Supreme State Prosecutors Office in Montenegro is escalating the case to the Supreme Court for review claiming errors were made.

Following a high court ruling in Podgorica, Kwon was set to be extradited to South Korea as he faces charges related to the collapse of Terra in May 2022. His partner, Han Chang-joon has already been extradited to South Korea.

Both South Korea and the U.S. had appealed to extradite Kwon, however, Montenegros minister of justice gave preference to South Korea. This decison is now being challenged by Montenegros top prosecutor.

This latest developments in Montenegro now puts Do Kwons extradition plans to South Korea in limbo and he may end up being extradited to the US which is the preferred location by Montenegros government.

Do Kwon was arrested in Montenegro in March 2023 after being caught using a fake Costa Rican passport traveling to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Do Kwons Arrest and Terras Collapse



Do Kwon is the architect behind the failed crypto project TerraUSD stablecoin, launched in 2022. As a stablecoin designed to be a utility token on the blockchain, Terra USD was pegged algorithmically 1:1 to the U.S. dollar.

The stablecoin lost its pegging, however, resulting in its collapse alongside LUNA, the Terra sister token. The United States and South Korean authorities went after Kwon, who escaped to Singapore to avoid South Korean prosecutors from opening his fraud charges.

Kwon was later apprehended in Montenegro and sentenced to four months imprisonment after he was caught trying to escape using a forged Costa Rican passport.

As it stands, South Korean authorities are escalating efforts to ensure Kwon faces prosecution for his alleged fraud cases and tax evasion.

Kwon, who denied the charges, claimed that the $40 billion implosion of the Terra ecosystem resulted from market forces and doesnt indicate any criminal action.
New Delhi, March 22 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visionary production linked incentive (PLI) scheme is scaling new heights everyday on production, exports and jobs, Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Friday.

In a post on the social media platform X, the minister said that under the PLI scheme, Apple crossed over Rs 1 lakh crore worth of iPhone production in 11 months of FY24.

He further mentioned that a "massive number of new jobs for the youth in iPhone factories run by Foxconn, Pegatron and Wistron" were generated.

"2/3rds of the production will be exported from India," the minister added.

As per industry data, Apple exported iPhones worth approximately Rs 65,000 crore to other countries.

According to the industry body, India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA), mobile phone production, in value terms has surged from Rs 18,900 crore in 2014-15 to an estimated Rs 4.10 lakh crore in FY24, registering over 20 fold increase.

Cumulatively, over 245 crore mobile phone sets have been produced in India during the last 10 years.

In 2014-15, mobile phone exports from India were a mere Rs 1,556 crore.

According to experts, the PLI scheme for Large-Scale Electronics Manufacturing (LSEM) and for IT hardware is advancing towards making India a competitive destination for electronics manufacturing.
New Delhi, March 22 : Zomato Co-founder and CEO Deepinder Goyal has tied the knot with Mexican entrepreneur Grecia Munoz, sources confirmed on Friday.

Goyal married Munoz a "couple of months" ago and returned to India from their honeymoon last month.

Munoz has been in India running her own startup in the luxury consumer products space, sources told IANS.

She earlier worked as a model in Mexico but has turned into an entrepreneur.

The couple was yet to make their wedding official.

However, Munoz's Instagram profile sparked some conversation.

Her bio on Instagram stated that she is "now at home in India". Earlier, she had shared some pictures of popular locations in Delhi.

"Glimpses of my new life at my new home," wrote Munoz.

The news came as ahead of the Holi colours bash, the food delivery major "changed" its colours from green to red for rushing "pure vegetarian" deliveries to its customers across India, sparking a colourful debate.

Goyal made the announcement a" with a lengthy justification a" on the move that had evoked a mixed reaction from different quarters.
New Delhi, March 22 : Embattled edtech company Byju's on Friday said that its tuition centres have entered the third successful year with 262 offline locations currently operational across the country.

Denying reports that 200 of its tuition centres are to be shut down as part of the latest cost-cutting move, the company said that there is no such reduction planned.

As the company strives for operational efficiency, "it has identified opportunities for improvement for a small percentage of tuition centres, which will undergo strategic restructuring to align with BYJU'S long-term vision," a company spokesperson said in a statement.

"Nearly all Byju's tuition centres continue to serve students successfully across India, gearing up to set new benchmarks in hybrid learning, which brings together the best of offline and online learning," the spokesperson said.

"Ninety per cent of tuition centres -- 262 out of 292 -- will continue to function in this novel hybrid model, integrating the best and the latest technology in the coming years," the spokesperson added.

Last week, Byju's mandated all its employees to work from home as it gave up office spaces across the country amid several cash crunch.

The company is giving up office spaces as the leases expired, keeping only its Bengaluru-based headquarters.

The company is also yet to disburse full salaries for thousands of employees for the month of February as its funds remain stuck amid an ongoing NCLT case with some key investors.
Akshay Oberoi: After years of hard work, Fighter allowed me to break new ground. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, March 22 : Actor Akshay Oberoi celebrates a significant milestone in his career with his portrayal of Bash, also known as Basheer Khan, in the film 'Fighter'.

Mumbai, March 22 (IANS) Actor Akshay Oberoi celebrates a significant milestone in his career with his portrayal of Bash, also known as Basheer Khan, in the film aFightera.

He said that after years of hard work, the role allowed him to break new ground.

The actor, who played a fighter pilot in the film, shared: "Portraying Bash in 'Fighter' has been a transformative experience for me both professionally and personally. After years of hard work and perseverance, this role has allowed me to break new ground and explore new dimensions in my craft."

Akshay acknowledges the significance of aFightera in propelling his career to new heights and is determined to sustain this momentum moving forward.

The actor stated: "The success of 'Fighter' has given me a renewed sense of purpose and motivation. I am committed to building on this success and continuing to challenge myself with diverse and compelling roles."

aFightera is directed by Siddharth Anand, based on a story he wrote with Ramon Chibb.

The film also stars Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone.
Special welcome for PM Modi in Bhutan, youngsters perform garba. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, March 22 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a special welcome in Bhutan's capital as a group of youngsters performed garba in front of him on Friday.

They delighted PM Modi with their garba performances at a hotel in Thimpu.

Interestingly, the youngsters dressed in traditional Indian attire including ghagra-choli and kurta-pajama swayed to the tunes of garba song, written by PM Modi himself.

While the Bhutanese youth greeted PM Modi with garba dance steps, the latter lauded their performance by clapping and giving a thumbs-up.

Notably, PM Modi is on a two-day visit to Bhutan for cementing the two-nation ties, as part of country's 'Neighbourhood First' policy.

Earlier, in the day, PM Modi received a rousing reception on his arrival at Paro Airport in Bhutan.

Hundreds of Bhutanese locals lined up the streets to get a glimpse of the Indian Prime Minister. They greeted him by waving hands and banners. In the video, PM Modi was seen walking with young children and extending his blessings.

Upon his arrival this morning, PM Modi was given a red-carpet welcome by Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, who said, "Welcome, My Elder Brother."

Bhutanese PM also wrote in Hindi, "Bhutan mein aapka swagat hai, mere bade bhai @narendramodi."
Kolkata, March 22 : The sole Lok Sabha constituency in India-Bangladesh bordering Cooch Behar district in Bengal will be an interesting contest for multiple reasons.

While BJP's sitting Lok Sabha member from the Cooch Behar Lok Sabha seat and the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nisith Pramanik has already started a full-fledged campaign there with the principal talking-point being the Prime Minister's Viksit Bharat slogan, his closest opponents seem to be a little confused over the line of campaign to be adopted for the forthcoming polls.

Cooch Behar, with voter strength of little over 18 lakh, is scheduled to go to polls in the first phase on April 19.

The factionalism within Trinamool Congress in Cooch Behar, mainly between the followers of a high profile party legislator and those aligning with a former district president of the party, seems to be playing a negative role in organising an orchestrated campaign against the heavyweight candidate of BJP.

Trinamool Congress has fielded Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia, the sitting party MLA from Sitai, one of the nine Assembly constituencies in the district. Basunia has already started feeling the pinch of the party infighting in the district as a number of heavyweight party leaders are remaining absent from the camping rallies and street-corner meetings.

One such aggrieved leader from the district, Purnachandra Sinha said that despite being with Trinamool Congress in the party's bad times, several senior leaders from the district are being kept away from activities since the panchayat elections last year. "So this time, we have decided to keep ourselves away from the electoral process," he said.

Similar opinion was expressed by the block president of the party's peasant wing, Juljelal Miyan. Despite being the block president of a branch organisation, his suggestions were being ignored for long by the party's district leadership. "Precisely that is why we are keeping away from poll-related activities though emotionally I am still with Trinamool Congress," he said.

However, Basunia himself is confident that the recent notification on CAA, which has created negative reaction among the Rajbanshi population, is bound to backfire for BJP's heavyweight candidate in the forthcoming Lok Sabha politics.

The Left Front constituent All India Forward Bloc has filed veteran party organisation man from the district Nitish Chandra Roy, who had grown in the party beginning his life with student politics. Admitting that the organizational network of his party is not in the right shape in the district, Roy said that he is focusing on door-to-door campaigns rather than big rallies or meetings.

Cooch Behar had been a strong bastion of the All India Forward for a long time, with the people of the constituency giving the Left Front constituent 10 consecutive victories between 1977 and 2009.

Even amid the Trinamool Congress wave in 2009, All India Forward Bloc candidate Nripendra Nath Roy got elected from the constituency with a margin of a little over 41,000 votes.

However, the pattern changed in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, when the Trinamool Congress candidate Renuka Sinha got elected from Cooch Behar by a margin of little less than one lakh votes. In the 2016 bypolls to the Cooch Behar Lok Sabha, the Trinamool Congress candidate Partha Pratim Roy increased the winning margin to over four lakh votes.

However, in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls with BJP's Nisith Pramanik emerging as a victor by a margin of over 50,000 votes.
Lucknow, March 22 : The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday declared the UP Board of Madrasa Education Act 2004 as 'unconstitutional'.

A division bench comprising Justice Vivek Chaudhary and Justice Subhash Vidyarthi declared the law as ultra vires and directed the Uttar Pradesh government to frame a scheme so that the students studying in madrasa can be accommodated in the formal education system.

The order came on a writ petition filed by one Anshuman Singh Rathore, challenging the vires of the UP Madrasa Board as well as objecting to the management of madrasa by the minority welfare department, both by the Union of India and state government, and other connected issues like Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Act, 2012.

There are said to be around 25,000 madrasas in Uttar Pradesh and over 16,500 are recognised by the UP Board of Madrasa Education.

Earlier in March, a special investigation team (SIT) had identified 13,000 illegal Madrasas along the UP-Nepal border in the state and submitted a report to the government, recommending the closure of these madrasas.

Meanwhile, the court verdict on Friday, has created uncertainty among the madrasa students in the state.

Asif Riyaz, a secondary level student in a madrasa in Lucknow, said, "We are worried about our future. We do not know how to continue our education because shifting to a new school will not be easy and adapting to a new system will be tougher. The court should have given at least two-three years for this."
New Delhi, March 22 : Responding to the post of Ananthan Ayyasamy, a BJP leader from Tamil Nadu's (TN) Tenkasi, Zoho founder and CEO Sridhar Vembu on Friday said that they "will work together to create advanced chip design facility in this rural region".

Ayyasamy, former Engineering Director at Intel and the Convenor of TN's Start-up Cell has shared a post on the social media platform X, saying that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and TN BJP state president K. Annamalai "I will work wholeheartedly to ensure the success of our alliance in Tenkasi".

"I will also continue to work hard to bring technology-driven prosperity to our region," he added.

Responding to this, Vembu said, "I know how hard Ananthan has worked for Tenkasi. Great to see his grace and humility, along with his discipline and loyalty to his cause".

"We have been planning a semiconductor design project in Tenkasi. Ananthan's expertise in this field is unrivalled," he added.

Last year, Zoho announced plans to open new hub offices in Tirunelveli and Madurai districts in Tamil Nadu and one in Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, Zoho has reported consolidated revenue of Rs 8,703 crore in the financial year 2023 (FY23), up nearly 30 per cent (year-on-year).

The Vembu-led Zoho's consolidated net profit was at Rs 2,836 crore, which increased marginally by 3 per cent (year-on-year) due to an increase in expenses, according to its consolidated financial statements with the Registrar of Companies (RoC).
New Delhi, March 22 : After a prolonged four-year pause, the vibrant campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi has once again come alive with the fervour of student politics as the JNUSU elections kick-started on Friday.

A senior police official said that large numbers of police personnel have been deployed outside the JNU campus to maintain the law and order situation in the area.

With a staggering count of over 7,700 registered electors poised to exercise their voting rights, anticipation and excitement loom large in the air. Seventeen meticulously arranged polling booths are dispersed across various centres of studies, offering students a convenient avenue to cast their votes.

In a commendable move towards inclusivity, special provisions have been made for visually impaired students through a digital voting system.

As the electoral machinery chugs into action, the campus finds itself under a vigilant watch with heavy police deployment aimed at ensuring the maintenance of law and order throughout the electoral process.

The polling for the first phase began two hours late while the second phase polls will continue till 6 p.m. on Friday, said the students.

Post the polling, all eyes will be set on the counting process set to commence at 9 pm onwards, with the results slated for declaration on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the JNU administration appealed to the students to refrain from vitiating the peaceful atmosphere of the campus and facilitate a peaceful JNUSU election.

"It has come to the notice that some students have allegedly raised certain motivated slogans during the event of the Presidential debate of JNUSU election held on 21 March 2024, which are totally unacceptable as it may hurt feelings and sentiments of various sections of the JNU community," said the varsity administration.

"It is pertinent to mention that the Model Code of Conduct is in place and that the entire electoral process is being monitored by the High Court-appointed Special Observer. The administration has taken cognisance of the matter and the security branch has been instructed by the Vice Chancellor to immediately look into the matter and submit its report," it said.

"The Administration urges all sections of the JNU community to refrain from vitiating the peaceful atmosphere of the campus and facilitate a peaceful JNUSU election. Security Branch should immediately be informed/contacted in case anyone is found to be indulging in any unauthorised activity," it added.

The electoral battleground sees a diverse array of candidates vying for different positions, reflecting the multifaceted tapestry of ideologies prevalent on the campus.

A total of 19 contenders vie for the prestigious seats on the JNUSU central panel, with an additional 42 candidates in the fray for school councillor positions. Among them, eight aspirants lock horns in a bid for the coveted position of president.

The RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) puts forward its slate of candidates, with Umesh Chandra Ajmeera leading the charge for the President's seat, backed by a compelling narrative of resilience stemming from personal tragedies.

The political landscape witnesses a fierce contest between ideological factions, with the United Left alliance, comprising prominent student bodies like the All India Students' Association (AISA), Democratic Students' Federation (DSF), Students' Federation of India (SFI), and the All India Students' Federation (AISF), fielding their candidates for key positions.
New Delhi, March 22 : Tanishq, India's premier jewellery brand, embarks on a magical journey that delves deep into the heart of the glorious past. Introducing the 'Dharohar' collection, Tanishq pays a heartfelt tribute to the timeless charm of heirloom artifacts from an era long gone by, beautifully weaving a connection between the old and new legacies, bridging generations with a sense of heritage and nostalgia.

aDharohar' is more than just a collection, it is a celebration of the heart-warming narratives that have shaped the magnificent past. It is a testament to the traditions handed down through generations, from treasured family recipes to cherished memories that define who we are. With 'Dharohar,' Tanishq introduces a new chapter in the stories of old.

Revathi Kant, Chief Design Officer, Titan Company Limited and Sampurna Rakshit, Mareketing Head, Mia by Tanishq speaks with IANSlife.

Q. 3.5 million weddings this season has brought the spotlight back on the big fat Indian wedding. What are the jewellery trends that have made an impact?

Revathi Kant: Weddings are a time in India where brides really want to have their moment. So the for the main occasion, brides today, the young genZ, the millennial brides really want to dress up and go for maximalism. Big heavy jewellery, diamonds, polki and kundan are all in trend, what has changed probably, I would say is the colour combinations, so jewels like emeralds and rubies are in demand, jewellery that matches pastel hues are also in fashion. They're also picking up a lot of interesting pieces which they can wear wear more often. And there are all of these smaller occasions for which a pair statement earring or cocktail rings are the focus. So big statement pieces are very much in.

So on one side there is this whole set of jewellery which is traditional heritage, which you celebrate Indianness and also lightweight jewellery which you can wear often and its more adornment, it's for fun. The second reason is where gold rate is headed, it makes a lot of sense to have lightweight jewellery with a fair enough, good enough spread which creates that visual drama. So that's really the trend.

Q. With Mia, do yo feel the brand focuses on women empowerment and is centred around women putting themselves first, choosing what works for them most?

Revathi Kant: Mia as a brand, is about the person who's so self assured, she's so confident, she's achieving her goals, she's doing things her way. The new campaign we have launched for the star in you, which really you know talks about empowering and up-lifting. Your best version, so the Mia woman is is very clear, she certainly chooses what she wants, she picks out jewellery appeals to her and celebrates herself.

Q. In India gold and jewellery is huge unorganised market which does sales in huge volumes. In terms of marketing, how do you expect to capture, and consolidate this market under various brands?

Sampurna Rakshit: So actually for us, one of the biggest assets that we have is the trust of Tata and the trust of Tanishq, even for Mia as well. I think that sets us apart from the unorganised market completely. Besides that, our designs and craftsmanship is unparalleled. There is no comparison to the finish that we provide the craftsmanship that we provide for both the brands and their own unique ways. So we have never really look back or look around what is happening. We always try to give our entire focus is on the consumer, on what she deserves and our entire approach is to give them the best that we can and stand for what she believes in.

So that is where we are coming from for Mia this year, the year has been really good, despite increasing gold prices, it is helped the case of 14 carat lightweight jewellery brands, and so we have approached the festive season in a very different way when it comes to marketing. I think our latest campaign is all about, as she said, for the star Indian. We have Rakul Preet Singh on board with us. I think Rakul will also give us a lot of mileage and a lot of consideration and it will help us stand out in the sea of communications.

Q. During the wedding season, it always helps to have couple of Bollywood names tie the knot. What do you think in terms of Bollywood's impact for this coming season?

Revathi Kant: Bollywood has always had a large impact on this category. I think apparel and jewelry are two categories in India which are strongly influenced by this. So you know, when we did, for example, a Padmaavat, we know the kind of influence it had and how it set trends. Bollywood weddings are really transitive, so today there are large events and celebrity driven events which definitely have a huge impact and and lot of people wish to follow that. So in fact, coming to jewellery, at the end of the day, it's very important that the jewellery you choose really compliments your style and look

Hence, for jewellery creators like us, it's very important for us to be in the know of what's trending. Is it close neck blouses or is it the deep neck? So we check the trends in clothes, colours, silhouettes and youse a very robust in-house trend research process to choose our designs.

We are translating it for our category and for our geographies, for example, it's a very important for Tanishq to drive trends, even in regional jewellery. You know, if you're a Tamilian or if you're a Maharashtrian, or if you're a Bengali, what will you choose to wear?These are events which you know take it back to your roots. So there are certain pieces of jewellery we create keeping this in mind.

It's like a must have for that particular community, so hence regional pieces of jewellery plays a very important role and Tanishq through the Rivaah range makes sure that we cater to all communities, so that depending on the region the store you visit should house your preference and assortment. The pieces from store to store would be very different. So we ensure that we cater to that particular consumer segment with the right kind of product for their wedding.

Q. What do you have to say about the brand offers?

Revathi Kant: I would like to answer your question in two parts. One is, you know, for this particular festive season that just passed by, we had Dharohar which means legacy, which is, you know, we treated pieces as modern heirlooms.

So something which you use for yourself and pass it on for generation because of the design, the styling its about heritage, it's about your legacy, it's about the festivities and coming together. So that's one piece of it wherein we invited consumers to come and buy and enjoy this Indian heritage at its best.

The second is many a times all of us, you know, we do receive all kinds of jewellery, let's say from our family, relatives and friends, some which we like some we don't like. Of course, you cherish a lot of those and many of them are sitting in the lockers. What we offered was the opportunity for you to bring this pieces back and exchange it for a brand new, jewellery which is created by Tanishq.

So that whole thing is, you know, it's been a practice and it's see gold can become liquid anytime, it can come to help you in terms of prices or you can just you know exchange it and refresh the designs. So this whole you know, the exchange policy, it makes a lot of sense when gold prices are really soaring and if people come back with those exchange it and buy buy a new piece of jewellrey they can cherish

So the gold exchange campaign even if you bought jewellery from other jewellers, you could have come and exchanged it at our at our place at Tanishq with 0 per cent deduction and get the latest designs at 100 per cent exchange value.

IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in

--IANS

ianslife / tb
Estonia Approves Bill to Regulate Crypto Service Providers

Estonian government has passed a legislation that shifts crypto oversight to the Financial Supervision Authority (FSA) starting 2026. The bill aims to regulate local crypto service providers in a bid to regulate the nascent market.

Per reports from local media on Thursday, the law, if approved, will toughen up operational and reporting requirements. The bill is yet to receive parliamentary vote to become a law.

By bringing companies under the FSAs purview, Estonia can control financial crimes such as crypto business bankruptcies and cyber thefts.

According to Matis Maeker, head of Financial Intelligence Unit (RAB), what will change is that crypto businesses will come under real financial supervision.

Previously the Estonian regulator used to only deal with anti-money laundering (AML) requirements, ignoring the other major financial threats.

They take in client assets  in the simplest sense they are like banks taking in peoples deposits and doing something with that money, Maeker added. They have to hold that money, they have to then have systems in place so that as long as the person wants to get that money back, they have something to give back.

Further, Minister of Finance Mart Vorklaev stressed crypto companies to obtain licenses from the FSA by 2026. In 2025, licenses will be issued by the Financial Supervisory Authority, he noted. Those businesses that already hold license to operate from the Financial Intelligence Unit are also required to get a new license from the FSA.

Additionally, fines for violating AML rules under financial law is at 40,000 euros ($43,450) currently. However, fines up to 5 million euros ($5.2 million) are possible under the new law, the report noted.

Estonias Position in the Global Crypto Arena



Estonia is among few countries that was first to legalize cryptocurrency activity and continues to keep a positive stance.

The bill, if approved, would bring Estonia in line with the European Unions Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulations. MiCA framework was signed into law last year, which is due to take effect this year.

With its forward-thinking legislation, favorable tax regime, streamlined licensing process and vibrant fintech ecosystem, Estonia has positioned itself as a go-to destination for crypto-related businesses that are seeking a competitive edge.

However, on the flip side, the Baltic nation fell victim to massive-scale crypto-related fraud and scams, per an investigation report. The report noted that international crypto criminals have laundered or defrauded victims for more than 1 billion (1.05 billion).
Kochi, Mar 22 : Kerala High Court, on Friday, granted bail to former senior government pleader P. G. Manu.

He surrendered on January 31, after the apex court did not give him relief in a case in which a client of his alleged that she was raped by him.

The High Court on Friday said: "The fact that the petitioner was a senior government pleader of this court, and that he sexually exploited a hapless lady who approached him to settle a case which was registered at her instance, is a serious thing to take note of. The petitioner, who was in a position to dominate the will of the victim, sexually exploited her, committed rape and sent obscene videos to her continuously."

But the court, on Friday, subject to conditions, granted bail to Manu after noting that the investigation has been completed and the final report has been filed.

The Court asked Manu to execute a bond for Rupees two lakh with two solvent sureties for the like sum, to appear before the investigating officer on the first Saturday of every month at 3 p.m. till the material witnesses in the sessions case are examined, Also, he should not enter the limits of Chottanikkara police station (Ernakulam district) till the trial is over, except for reporting before the investigating officer.
Bengaluru, March 22 : Union Minister for Mine, Coal and Law Pralhad Joshi on Friday said that there is no role of the Central government in the arrest of the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Speaking to reporters in Hubballi, Joshi said that Kejriwal showed extreme arrogance and did not care even after being served summons nine times. When he did not respond, legal action has been initiated.

"Kejriwal showed arrogance. The ED had given him sufficient time. When he did not care for summons, he was arrested."

Despite being indulged in corruption, Kejriwal did not give the required information and went to the High Court. The court said that it was not possible to protect him. Even on Thursday, he did not cooperate with the investigation following which he was arrested, Joshi stated.

mka

IANS
Steve Martin was hurt when he was ambushed on the red carpet in 1996. Image Source: IANS News

Los Angeles, March 22 : Hollywood actor and comedian Steve Martin shared that he was upset when he was ambushed on the red carpet by British comedian Paul Kaye as his alter-ego in 1996.

The actor told the Guardian newspaper: "It hurt because I was at a very vulnerable moment in my career."

It was later suggested that Martin cancelled the rest of his interviews for the film following the incident.

However, Martin insisted that it was not true.

Martin added: "Bad reviews hurt; they really hurt. But if Iam at a screening and I see the critic, I just go: aHey! How you doing?a Like you donat know anything."

Kaye in his guise as fictional interviewer Dennis became well-known for accosting celebrities and insulting them with his line of questioning, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Martin was told that Kaye has since been haunted by his encounter at the 'Sgt Bilko' screening because strangers now come up to him and ask: "How come youare not funny any more?"

Martin reacted by laughing and saying: "I hold no grudges. Things have gone well."

The 'Only Murders In The Building' star was also asked about his current career high and he insisted he takes nothing for granted these days.

He said: "If youare anointed tonight, you can be dumped on tomorrow... " adding: "Idolatry is so fleeting".
Mumbai, March 22 : The domestic equities joined the global rally on Friday after the central banks in the US and the UK kept rates unchanged, said Siddhartha Khemka, Head of Retail Research at Motilal Oswal Financial Services.

After a subdued start, the Nifty edged higher to close with gains of 85 points at 22,097, while the Sensex advanced 190.75 points to finish at 72,832 on Friday.

The broader market too ended in the green. Barring IT, all sectors ended in green with auto, pharma, and realty stocks being top gainers, Khemka said.

The IT sector saw some selling after US technology major Accenture lowered its revenue forecast for FY24. Accenture revised its full-year revenue growth projection at 1 per cent to 3 per cent from 2 per cent to 5 per cent.

The markets opened weak, but soon gained momentum, including broader space amid positive cues.

"Next week being a truncated week and the derivatives' monthly expiry, we might see some volatility while Nifty is likely to consolidate at higher levels. Also, US GDP data and other key economic data would keep investors busy," Khemka said.

The domestic market swiftly rebounded from an initial downturn and maintained a positive trajectory throughout the day, said Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services.

The markets were buoyed by favourable global cues driven by dovish comments from the Bank of England and buying activity at lower levels in the wake of a recent sell-off, he said.

Additionally, the retreat of crude oil prices from recent highs contributed to the positive sentiment. While most sectors experienced gains, the IT remained in the red due to subdued guidance from Accenture, a major global IT player, Nair added.
New Delhi, March 22 : Nearly 33.8 million attacks on mobile devices from malware, adware, and riskware were blocked in 2023 globally, highlighting a 50 per cent increase of such attacks over the previous year's figures, a new report revealed on Friday.

Researchers analysed three new dangerous Android malware variants -- Tambir, Dwphon, and Gigabud.

The Tambir, Dwphon, and Gigabud malicious programmes exhibit diverse features, ranging from downloading other programmes and credential theft to bypassing two-factor authentication (2FA) and screen recording, jeopardising user privacy and security, according to the global cybersecurity company Kaspersky.

"Android malware and riskware activity surged in 2023 after two years of relative calm, returning to levels seen in 2021 by the end of the year," said Jornt van der Wiel, senior security researcher at Kasperskyas GReAT.

According to the report, Tambir is a spyware application targeting users in Turkey.

Disguised as an IPTV app, it collects sensitive user information, such as SMS messages and keystrokes, after obtaining the appropriate permissions.

Dwphon, discovered in November 2023, targets cell phones from Chinese OEM manufacturers, primarily targeting the Russian market. The malware is distributed as a component of a system update application and collects information about the device as well as personal data.

Gigabud, active since mid-2022, was initially focused on stealing banking credentials from users in Southeast Asia, but later crossed borders into other countries such as Peru. It has since evolved into a fake loan malware and is capable of screen recording and mimicking tapping by users to bypass 2FA, the researchers said.

"Users should exercise caution and should avoid downloading apps from unofficial sources, meticulously reviewing app permissions," said Wiel. He further mentioned that these apps lack exploitation functionality and depend solely on permissions granted by the user, adding that using anti-malware tools can help preserve the integrity of your Android device.
Hyderabad, March 22 : The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) on Friday announced two more candidates for Lok Sabha elections.

Former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer R. S. Praveen Kumar, who quit Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) to join BRS early this week, will contest from Nagarkurnool constituency in Telangana.

Former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and BRS MLC P. Venkata Rami Reddy will be the party candidate from Medak constituency.

BRS president and former chief minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao announced their candidature.

With this, the BRS has announced candidates for 13 out of 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana.

Praveen Kumar had joined BRS on March 18 two days after he quit as BSP state chief. He resigned from BSP after party chief Mayawati asked him to break the alliance with BRS for Lok Sabha polls but he refused to do so and decided to quit the party. He had claimed that Mayawati came under pressure from BJP.

BRS president KCR had agreed to leave two Lok Sabha seats (Nagarkurnool and Hyderabad) for BSP following talks with the national level leaders of the party on March 15. The BSP had also named Praveen Kumar as its candidate from Nagarkurnool.

The next day Praveen Kumar announced his dramatic decision to quit BSP, the party which he had joined after taking voluntary retirement from Indian Police Service (IPS) in 2021.

After Praveen Kumar joined BRS along with several BSP leaders, KCR had announced that he would soon appoint him general secretary of the party.

Venkata Rami Reddy had quit his job as Siddipet district collector in 2021 to join TRS (now BRS). He was later elected to the Legislative Council.

The BRS had bagged nine Lok Sabha seats in the state in the 2019 elections. After losing power to Congress in the recent elections, the party suffered a series of setbacks. Four of its sitting MPs defected to Congress and BJP.
Seoul, March 22 : A government-affiliated agency in South Korea recognised on Friday the risks of unsafe work environment on a foetus after three employees who worked at Samsung Electronics Co. during their pregnancy claimed their children's congenital diseases should be covered by workplace accident compensation.

The Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service said that following a deliberation process, a committee that oversees the compensation concluded that the cases of three women who worked as operators should be acknowledged as industrial accidents, Yonhap news agency reported.

"The considerable causality between their children's diseases and the work they carried out has been recognised," it added.

The decision comes three years after the women filed for workplace accident compensation in 2021, citing an array of congenital diseases their children were born with, including those in the kidney, throat, and bladder.

It marks the second case in which the institution has recognised the risks of unsafe work environments on the foetus since the revised Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act went into effect last year.

In December, the institution also approved a request for workplace accident compensation by a nurse whose child was born with a congenital brain disease.

South Korea has so far recognised eight cases of children born with congenital diseases due to their mothers' unsafe work environments, including four cases that were recognised by the Supreme Court in 2020 before the revised act went into effect.

Epidemiologic probes for two other cases are underway, the report said.
Jaipur, March 22 : Rajasthan police have detained six Aam Aadmi Party workers from outside BJP headquarters in Jaipur on Friday, for protesting the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, election in-charge Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, and many senior leaders were present during the protest by AAP.

Police had put barricades outside the party office to stop these workers. However, when the workers did not stop, they had to resort to baton charge.

AAP state President Naveen Paliwal said that the BJP government is engaged in destroying democracy. "Before the Lok Sabha elections, it is trying to suppress the voice of the public."

"This is why they have put the country's most honest Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal in jail, which, the Aam Aadmi Party workers as well as the people of the country will never accept," he said.

"We had come here to protest in a Gandhian manner outside the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters. However, under the pressure of the BJP government in Rajasthan, the police have resorted to lathi charge on us," he added.
Kolkata, March 22 : The Calcutta High Court on Friday issued a notice to West Bengal Chief Secretary B.P. Gopalika, directing him to specify the deadline by which the state government will give its approval for the beginning of trial against the arrested individuals linked to the state education department in the cash-for-school-jobs case.

During the hearing on Friday, the counsel for the CBI complained to the division bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Gaurang Kanth that although the central agency sought approval from the state government at the end of 2022, the same is yet to be granted.

The bench also said that in the reply to be submitted to the court by April 3, the Chief Secretary must specify why it took so long to grant the approval.

As per the legal procedure, despite the investigation being carried out into the case following a direction from the Calcutta High Court, the beginning of the trial process against those government officials who have been named in the chargesheet will require approval from the state government.

"The investigation is at the closing stages, but the trial process at the lower court cannot be started because of the non-availability of the state government's approval," the CBI counsel argued.

As per the legal norms, for beginning a trial against any state minister, the permission of the Governor is required, and in the case of state government officials, permission is required from the Chief Secretary.

Although Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose has given the necessary approval to initiate the trial against former West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee, a prime accused in the school jobs case, the nod for the trial against the accused state government employees is yet to come from the Chief Secretary.

Now the high court has issued a notice to Chief Secretary Gopalika, asking him to specify the deadline by which the state government will give its approval for the initiation of the trial process.

"When the investigation process is being monitored by the court, such delay is not acceptable. Granting the approval should be an automatic process, which cannot be delayed," Justice Bagchi observed.
Thimphu, March 22 : In recognition of his efforts to strengthen India-Bhutan ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Friday conferred the kingdom's highest civilian award, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, which he dedicated to 140 crore Indians.

PM Modi was presented the award by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck at a ceremony in Tendrelthang, Thimphu, becoming the first foreign leader to be given the kingdom's highest honour.

Expressing that it is honoured that "a statesman of such stature is a true friend" of the kingdom's people, Bhutan said that "Prime Minister Modi is a firm supporter of the country's national vision to achieve self-reliance and become a developed nation".

"The award recognises His Excellency Prime Minister Modi's personal accomplishments and leadership, and his contributions to strengthen the bonds of friendship between India and Bhutan," the award citation read.

The award also honoured India's rise as a global power under PM Modi's leadership and celebrated Bhutanas special bond with India.

The citation described PM Modi as an outstanding embodiment of national, regional, and global leadership, under whom India has become the fastest-growing economy in the world and will be the third-largest economy by 2030.

It added that PM Modi's Neighbourhood First policy has strengthened South Asia, and paved the way for collective progress.

"Prime Minister Modi's friendship and support for all of Bhutan's objectives and initiatives have made our bonds stronger than ever," the citation added.

After receiving the award, PM Modi underlined that the award was an honour bestowed on the people of Bharat and a testament to the excellent state of bilateral ties between the two countries.

"Honoured to be conferred with 'Order of the Druk Gyalpo' Award by Bhutan. I dedicate it to 140 crore Indians," PM Modi wrote on X.

Bhutan's King had announced the conferment of the award during country's 114th National Day celebrations held at the Tashichhodzong, Thimphu in December 2021.

As per ranking and precedence established, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo was instituted as the decoration for lifetime achievement and is the pinnacle of the honor system in Bhutan, taking precedence over all orders, decorations and medals.

Since its institution, the award has been conferred upon only four people.

Previous recipients of the award include Her Majesty Royal Queen Grandmother Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck in 2008; His Holiness Je Thrizur Tenzin Dendup (68th Je Khenpo of Bhutan) in 2008 and His Holiness Je Khenpo Trulku Ngawang Jigme Choedra in 2018. Je Khenpo is the Chief Abbot of the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan.
BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday congratulated Prabowo Subianto on his election as Indonesian president.

Noting that China and Indonesia are traditional friendly neighbors, Xi said that with the joint efforts of the two sides, the development of bilateral relations has embarked on the fast track, with increasingly consolidated political mutual trust, deepening synergy of development strategies and fruitful mutually beneficial cooperation.

The two sides have opened a new chapter in building a China-Indonesia community with a shared future, Xi said.

Xi added that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Indonesia relations and looks forward to working with President-elect Prabowo Subianto to secure greater achievements in building a community with a shared future, and set an example of solidarity and coordination for common development among major developing countries, so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples and inject strong impetus into regional and global prosperity and stability.
A pleasant small-town atmosphere, a low cost of living and tax rates well below neighboring states.

Thats the draw of Pennsylvanias fastest-growing county  one that overtook Cumberland for the largest population percentage growth last year, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released last week.

Pike County, in the far northeast, grew 1.11% to 61,247 people from mid-2022 to mid-2023. Thats only a jump of 671 people, but its a boon for this mostly rural county seeing retirees from New York and New Jersey sell their homes for cheaper living in Pennsylvania and less upkeep with a rental property.

We just had maybe 500 apartments built and they were rented long before anybody expected them to be rented, said Mike Sullivan, executive director of the Pike County Economic Development Authority.

Cumberland County grew by 2,206 people over the same year, an increase of 0.82%, which was second-best in Pennsylvania. But it continues a decade-long trend as the economy grows here, retirees relocate locally and Harrisburgs West Shore suburbs blossom.

Probably the No. 1 reason is location, location, location, said Janet Anderson, executive director of the Cumberland Area Economic Development Corp.

Mechanicsburg school district moves up in classification due to growing population Mechanicsburg has crossed the threshold of expanding into a larger state classification size due to continuous enrollment and area population growth.

Close proximity to big cities like Philadelphia, Baltimore and New York doesnt make the area feel isolated, while a lower cost of living and good schools are attractive to families.

Add in great fishing and hiking, quaint downtowns and high-end shopping and dining, Anderson says new residents can enjoy the amenities of a larger city without actually having to live there.

County grows as state shrinks

At 4.34% growth since 2020, Cumberland County is the star of the southeast quadrant of the state, which accounts for nearly all of Pennsylvanias population gains. Chester County has grown 2.88%, Adams County 2.8% and the rest of the area around 1%.

Theres lots of industry, said Jennifer Shultz, director of the Pennsylvania State Data Center at Penn State Harrisburg. The southeast portion of the state has a lot to offer in terms of parks, outdoor recreation, just quality of life factors.

Pike County, at 4.61%, with its unique in-migration, is the fastest-growing county this decade, followed by Cumberland County. By number of people added in the 2020s, Chester County ranks first (+15,369) ahead of Montgomery (+12,201) and Cumberland (+11,259).

But Pennsylvania is shrinking, especially west of Interstate 81. The state has lost more than 41,000 people since 2020 to about 12.962 million. Just two counties are growing in western Pennsylvania: Butler and Washington, outside Pittsburgh.

Births, deaths and migration are the main factors in population change. Cumberland County has a diverse age makeup, so births are outpacing deaths, but its the opposite north and west.

As our population ages and the number of children in the state declines, thats going to put a lot of stress on our workforce population, Shultz said.

Philadelphia's population declined for the third straight year, census data shows Newly released federal estimates show that more than 16,000 residents left Philadelphia last year, marking the third straight year the citys population has declined. The U.S. Census Bureau data out Thursday indicates Philadelphias population now stands at about 1.6 million residents, meaning a 1% drop occurred between July 2022 and July 2023. The data also shows that since April 2020, Philadelphias population declined 3.3%, or 53,251 residents. City officials did not respond to a request for comment. But experts noted the Census Bureaus estimates arent a complete picture and dont necessarily reflect what could happen long term.

Allegheny County has lost about 26,000 residents since 2020, but she said Pittsburgh is losing fewer people than it used to as more people move to the area. Philadelphia County has lost more than 53,000 people since 2020, reversing some gains made in the 2010s.

It will take a while for COVID-era population increases due to remote work opportunities to show up in the data, Shultz said, as will a small trend in people from surrounding states retiring to Pennsylvania.

How long will trends continue?

Pennsylvanias population ticked up slightly between 2010 and 2020, but that slow growth cost it a congressional seat  like it did for fellow Rust Belt states Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia  as warmer states like Texas boomed.

The outlook toward 2050 is slow growth, according to a study Shultzs office released last fall. It predicts current trends to persist for the next quarter century: pockets of progress especially in the southeast, but contraction most elsewhere.

Pennsylvania is a very slow and steady change state, Shultz said. Our population changes like 2% over a decade.

Immigration and declines in death cause uptick in US population growth this year Immigration has powered population gains in the United States for a second year in a row, a sign of things to come this century as the U.S. population declines.

Cumberland County is projected to grow 14.1% by 2050, per that study. Its challenge, however, will be making room for its growth.

School districts are expanding but need more teachers. New neighborhoods are sprawling, but there isnt enough affordable housing. And although people love close access to highways, those roads and other infrastructure were built for a smaller population and less industry.

Its really a balance, Anderson said, and getting that right is important for Cumberland County to maintain and continue to grow more strategically than just growth for growths sake.
On Bihar Diwas, we track 4 actors from the state who have become India's favourites. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, March 22 : As the country celebrates Bihar Diwas on Friday, IANS has compiled a list of actors from the state who have made it big on the big screen and are making waves in Bollywood.

Manoj Bajpayee: The National Film Award winner, who is from village Belwa in West Champaran district, applied for admission into the National School of Drama (NSD) four times, but got rejected on each occasion. That did not stop him from pursuing his celluloid dreams and attaining the fame he could never have dreamt of.

He made his film debut with a one-minute role in the 1994 Naseeruddin Shah-Om Puri-starrer 'Drohkaal', followed by a minor role as a dacoit in Shekhar Kapur's much-acclaimed 'Bandit Queen'. Fame came Bajpayee's way when he played the gangster Bhiku Mhatre in Ram Gopal Varma's 1998 crime drama 'Satya'.

The 54-year-old actor is well known for his roles in movies such as 'Kaun?', 'Shool' and 'Gangs of Wasseypur'. He has also made a place for himself in the OTT universe with projects like 'The Family Man', 'Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai', 'Gulmohar', 'Dial 100', 'Silence ... Can You Hear It?', 'Killer Soup' and 'Ray'.

Pankaj Tripathi: The 47-year-old actor is an alumnus of the National School of Drama and gained recognition with his character of Sultan Qureshi in Anurag Kashyap's 2012 crime drama 'Gangs of Wasseypur'.

Born in a Bhojpuri-speaking Brahmin family at Belsand village in Barauli, Gopalganj district, Tripathi is the recipient of two National Film Awards.

His first film as a lead actor was the 2017 neo-noir thriller 'Gurgaon', starring Akshay Oberoi and Ragini Khanna. Tripathi has also marked his place in the digital space with projects such as 'Sacred Games', 'Mirzapur' (where he's returning in the third edition), 'Criminal Justice', 'Kadak Singh', and most recently, 'Murder Mubarak'.

Sanjay Mishra: Coming from Darbhanga, Sanjay, who is known for playing the goofy gangster in hit films such as 'Golmaal: Fun Unlimited' and 'Dhamaal', is also an alumnus of the National School of Drama.

His father was a Press Information Bureau employee and because he was transferred to Varanasi, Mishra spent most of his growing-up years in the sacred city.

Mishra made his acting debut in the 1995 film 'Oh Darling! Yeh Hai India!', but he attracted notice because of his work in the television sitcom, 'Office Office'. The show was a satirical take on corruption in India, with Pankaj Kapur in the lead role. More recently, he was seen in 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2' and the made-for-OTT crime thriller 'Bhakshak', starring Bhumi Pednekar in the lead.

Vinay Pathak: Born in Bhojpur, Bihar, Pathak spent his early childhood in Dhanbad, where his father was posted in the police department. The actor then moved to the US for higher studies.

Pathak's notable projects include 'Khosla Ka Ghosla', 'Bheja Fry' and 'Hip Hip Hurray'. In the OTT space, he has left a mark in the hearts of the audience with his work in 'Special Ops', 'Khakee: The Bihar Chapter', 'PI Meena', and most recently, 'The Archies'.
New Delhi: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann addresses a press conference on the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal by the ED. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi/Chandigarh, March 22 : Saying the situation in the country is like "undeclared emergency", Punjab Chief Minister and AAP leader Bhagwant Mann on Friday blamed the BJP in Centre for indulging in the maximum hate speech in the country.

New Delhi/Chandigarh, March 22 (IANS) Saying the situation in the country is like "undeclared emergency", Punjab Chief Minister and AAP leader Bhagwant Mann on Friday blamed the BJP in Centre for indulging in the maximum hate speech in the country.

"The agencies are being used like a tool, like a weapon. Any Opposition leader, who raises his or her voice against the atrocities of the BJP, is raided by the ED, the CBI and the Income Tax. The situation in the country is like an undeclared emergency," he told the media in Delhi.

On Punjab, he said, "They have stopped the funds of the National Health Mission for AAP's Mohalla clinics... How dare they stop Punjab's tableau and celebrate Republic Day with Punjab's participation... If it was in their control, they would remove the name of Punjab from the national anthem."

In Chandigarh, AAP workers, led by party leader and minister Harpal Singh Cheema, was detained during their protest against the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.

Kejriwal was arrested on Thursday night in an excise policy-linked money laundering case in Delhi.

There was heavy deployment of the police on the border of Mohali, the gateway to Chandigarh, as protesters were trying to break barricades to enter the state capital.

"This dictatorial regime is making a mockery of constitutional norms and killing the spirit of democracy by destroying the opposition in every way. This shows the fear of BJP and today's action is the beginning of the end of BJP," Minister Cheema posted on X.

In Haryana, the police baton-charged AAP volunteers in Kurukshetra as they were lodging the protest over the arrest of Kejriwal. They were heading to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini's Kurukshetra residence.

AAP's Haryana unit president Sushil Gupta said: "This is a black day for democracy. The BJP is already trying to destroy the country's democracy. You have arrested him, how will you stop his ideology?"

"This period is an undeclared emergency created by the BJP. The party, scared of the INDIA alliance, is conspiring to stop Kejriwal. Pressure is being put on him to separate from the INDIA alliance, but the BJP does not know that the entire country stands with Kejriwal. I am going to Delhi immediately," Gupta added.
Bengaluru, March 22 : Senior JD(S) leader and sitting MLC, Marithibbegowda, joined the Congress party on Friday in Bengaluru in the presence of Karnataka Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM, DK Shivakumar and AICC General Secretary, Randeep Singh Surjewala.

Four-time MLC, Marithibbegowda, stated that since the JD(S) had compromised with its secular principles he had decided to join the Congress.

"The JD(S) gave tickets to contest elections but did not support. They take decisions only in favour of their families. I have opposed this many times. When the JD(S) pursued politics in the name of farmers and supported anti-farmer laws, I opposed them," Marithibbegowda stated.

Along with Marithibbegowda, many prominent leaders from Mandya District also joined the Congress and pledged to ensure the victory of Congress candidate V Gowda aka Star Chandru.

The JD(S) wants to field its candidate from Mandya as an NDA candidate however, the BJP is yet to make an official announcement.
Panaji, March 22 : Leaders and workers of AAP in Goa, on Friday, staged protest over arrest of the party's supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The protest which was held in Margao, South Goa, had slogans shouted against BJP, alleging that it fears losing Lok Sabha elections and is hence, stifling the Opposition.

AAP state President Adv. Amit Palekar said that AAP and Arvind Kejriwal are known for good governance, which is their criterion.

"BJP is scared of losing (Lok Sabha election) and hence, they have arrested Arvind Kejriwal. We are not afraid of BJP. ED is an extended department of BJP, it is no longer the Enforcement Directorate," Palekar said.

"BJP is exposed after Electoral Bonds details reached public domain. Why there is no raid on BJP's MLAs and ministers? There are various scams in Goa, why no raid on their MLAs who are involved in scams? We are not going to fall silent," he said.

Palekar said that the timing of the arrest was designed to muffle the "biggest voice of truth in Indian politics today."

He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scared of the popularity and influence of CM Kejriwal.

MLA Venzy Viegas said that this was expected. "BJP is shattered and hence, they don't want Arvind Kejriwal to campaign in various states. There are thousands of 'Arvind Kejriwal' (workers) who will campaign and ensure that BJP loses this election," Viegas said.
New Delhi, March 22 : At the Viksit Bharat Ambassador (VBA) meet-up program in Chennai, the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Anurag Thakur enumerated achievements of past ten years and also shed light on Modi government's vision for Viksit Bharat 2027.

A couple of Chennai residents, in conversation with IANS, gave thumbs up to the Viskit Bharat 2047 mission and also heaped praise on progressive and ground-breaking initiatives, launched under the Modi government.

Srivatsa, a Chennai-based resident lauding the initiative, said, "Everyone should become part of the Viksit Bharat journey because a collective effort will help achieve the mission before the 2047 deadline.

He said that today youths are being coaxed and cajoled to join the India growth story while the government is making adequate funding to support the entrepreneurs and other stakeholders. All this will add pace to the all-round growth of the country.

Another resident Rangaraj, excited at his first participation in the VBA meet-up program, called it a landmark step and said that this initiative will enthuse and energize people of the country to take an active role in taking forward the Viksit Bharat 2027 mission.

Umesh Agarwal, a Chennai-based entrepreneur told IANS that the Viksit Bharat campaign will take the country to new heights.

"We are already nearing $5 trillion economy and $40 trillion economy is the stipulated target by 2047. PM Modi is trying to make the country 'atmanirbhar' in many sectors including aviation, semi-conductors, defence, genetics, space," he said while praising the GIFT city, a sign of the nation's rising economic prowess.

He further said that the Modi government is generously funding entrepreneurs who have an intent to generate jobs and enterprise. Railways and airports have undergone huge transformations while highways and expressways are being built at a fast pace. All these make for a good foundation of Viksit Bharat 2047.

"Entrepreneurship is getting good support. Today, there are 5 crore MSEs in the country and they are the backbone of the economy. Besides corporates, they are also getting good support from the government because, without their contribution, India can't achieve its true potential," he added.

Laxminarayanan, another resident of Chennai showered lavish praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also credited him for making India popular on the world stage and also giving the Indian diaspora a new-found identity and respect.

"PM Modi's charisma and aura on foreign soil has uplifted the morale and spirit of the Indian diaspora," he said.

He said that India was now realising its true potential as it has taken a tough stance on border issues including Pakistan and China while also won the goodwill of global powers by initiatives like Vaccine Maitri.

"Domestically, Swachch Bharat Yojana has brought respite to lakhs and crores of women deprived of basic hygiene while the linking of bank accounts with Aadhar has prevented leakages to 100 per cent in government schemes," he added.

Notably, the Viksit Bharat Ambassador (VBA) meet-ups and events are being organised across the country with an aim to encourage citizens to take responsibility for contributing to India's development. Through these events, the participants are encouraged to engage in constructive discussions, exchange ideas and also to explore practical solutions to nagging problems.

Through the Viksit Bharat Ambassador programs, the participants are informed about the transformative journey in the past decade under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Attendees are informed about achievements pertaining to various sectors including the economy, and start-ups leading to the nation's remarkable progress.
Mumbai, March 22 : As the clock ticks away for the polls, at least two descendants of the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj are likely to contest from Kolhapur and Satara, the two royal seats of the erstwhile Maratha empire, generating excitement among the ordinary folks.

The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has taken the early lead by fielding Chhatrapati Shrimant Shahu Maharaj -- the 12th direct descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj -- from Kolhapur, on a Congress ticket. The gentle-looking, 76-year old scion is the grandson of the great reformer, Chhatrapati Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj, a democrat and an associate of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution.

Interacting with the media a day after the Congress announced his candidature, Chhatrapati Shrimant Shahu Maharaj beamed and said that he was entering the fray only because the electorate wanted him to contest.

In fact, a few days ago -- when it became clear that Chhatrapati would be entering the poll battle -- his son Yuvraj Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, the 13th direct descendant of the founder of the Maratha Empire, gracefully bowed out of the Kolhapur election race.

Yuvraj Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, a former President-nominated Rajya Sabha Member, was also hoping to enter the poll fray in Kolhapur, but magnanimously withdrew in favour of his 'revered father', earning laurels from the electorate and the local political bigwigs.

The Chhatrapati Prince also publicly declared that he would work hard till the very end to ensure his father's victory along with the workers of the Congress-Shiv Sena (UBT)-Nationalist Congress Party (SP) and other parties, virtually making it a 'done and won' seat for the MVA.

In the neighbouring Satara, Chhatrapati Udayanraje Bhonsle, the 13th direct descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is keen to contest the seat which he lost in 2019 Lok Sabha bypolls.

Chhatrapati Bhonsle, who was formerly a two-time (undivided) NCP MP from Satara, abruptly resigned and vacated the Lok Sabha seat to join the Bharatiya Janata Party and contested the by-election held the same year on a BJP ticket.

However, NCP (SP) President Sharad Pawar fielded a senior leader and veteran bureaucrat, Shriniwas D. Patil, plus vigorously campaigned for him -- once even in cold pouring rains -- that not only won him admiration, but rained votes for his nominee that helped trounce the royal contender Chhatrapati Bhonsle. After the embarrassing defeat in the 2019 Satara bypolls, the BJP made Chhatrapati Bhonsle a Rajya Sabha Member, but now is desirous of entering the Lok Sabha again from Satara.

Nevertheless, the ruling ally Shiv Sena Chief Minister Eknath Shinde reportedly has some different plans -- and a candidate -- up his white shirt sleeve, even as hectic politicking has started in both the majestic constituencies.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in)
Mumbai, March 22 : The BJP has filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) against Shiv Sena (UBT) MP and chief spokesman Sanjay Raut for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In the complaint, Mumbai BJP Secretary Vivekanand Gupta alleged that Raut, while addressing public meetings in Sangli and Buldhana, compared PM Modi with Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

"Sanjay Raut's remarks were derogatory... It was a personal attack on PM Narendra Modi. They were malicious and hateful, made with the intention of defaming the Prime Minister. They violated the Model Code of Conduct," Gupta alleged in his complaint.

Copies of the complaint have been marked to the Mumbai District Election Officer and the Senior Inspector of Bhoiwada police station.

Gupta also claimed that Rautas statements will aggravate differences and create mutual hatred between castes, communities, and religions.

"The remarks made by Raut were unkind and demeaning, which were intended to hurt the reputation of PM Modi. They will vitiate the election atmosphere in the state, thus creating hatred on religious lines," he claimed.

"The Election Commission should appreciate the gravity of the complaint and initiate punitive and stern action against Raut. We hope that necessary instructions will be given, including the filing of an FIR against Raut," Gupta said.
New Delhi, March 22 : There has been a reduction of 36.69 per cent in the volume of coal imported for blending by thermal power plants, amounting to 19.36 million tons (MT) during April 2023 to January 2024, compared to the same period of the previous year, the Coal Ministry said on Friday.

This reduction in imported coal for blending signifies a shift towards utilising domestic coal, thus reducing reliance on imports. Imported coal is blended with coal from domestic mines to increase its calorific value.

Conversely, there has been a notable increase of 94.21 per cent in coal imports by imported coal-based power plants during April 2023 to January 2024, compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. These power plants are designed to run only on imported coal, and the growth in imports has been spurred by the sharp decline in international prices of the fuel.

India primarily imports thermal coal from South Africa and Indonesia, and average prices from these countries decreased by approximately 54 per cent and 38 per cent respectively during April 2023 to January 2024, compared to the corresponding period in the previous year.

Overall there has been a reduction in the share of coal import in the total coal consumption in the country. The share of coal import declined to 21 per cent during April 2023 to January 2024, which was 22.48 per cent during the corresponding period of previous year, according to the Coal Ministry statement.

Furthermore, there has been a substantial reduction in the auction premium received by CIL, over the notified price of coal. It has decreased from 278 per cent in the period from April 2022 to January 2023, to 82 per cent during the same period in the fiscal year 2023-24.

The reduction in auction premium is a testament to the ample availability of coal (currently 96 MT coal stock with coal companies) in the market, the statement added.
Bengaluru, March 22 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar on Friday said that the BJP is resorting to "forceful suppression" of the Opposition in the fear of losing the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

Bengaluru, March 22 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar on Friday said that the BJP is resorting to "forceful suppression" of the Opposition in the fear of losing the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

Addressing a joint press conference at the KPCC office along with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and AICC General Secretary Surjewala, he said: "The BJP is arresting sitting Chief Ministers, seizing the accounts of Opposition parties and misusing Governors as it fears loss in the upcoming election."

"We are working in a democratic set-up. We enrolled 78 lakh people for the Congress party. We had collected about Rs 90 crores from the party workers. We had also collected Rs 2 lakh each from the MLA ticket aspirants during the Assembly elections which amounted to Rs 20 crore. All that money has been seized by the BJP," he said.

"Our party has only 11 per cent of the contribution from electoral bonds while BJP has got 57 per cent. When we are struggling to pay the employees of the party, the BJP has seized Rs 290 crores in the bank accounts on the pretext of IT violation.

The party is not able to give advertisements for the elections. We are not getting relief from the courts as well. I have not seen politics stoop to this level in the last 40 years. The BJP is using force against the Opposition just to save itself from a defeat," he said.

"The BJP had done the India Shining campaign in 2004, but the Congress won the elections. The BJP is scared that they will lose this election in the same manner. The Congress party condemns the highhandedness of the BJP.

"Prime minister Modi was accusing our guarantee schemes and now he himself has stolen our guarantee schemes and is advertising about it. The people are aware of our work and we are confident that they will support us," he added.
London, March 22 : The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in the UK on Friday confirmed that it is launching an in-depth investigation into the proposed $19 billion merger between Vodafone and Three UK, saying the deal could lead to higher prices for the consumers.

Vodafone UK (owned by Vodafone Group Plc) and Three UK (owned by CK Hutchison Holdings Limited) are two major providers of mobile telecommunication services in the UK.

Last year, the companies announced a new joint venture agreement, which would bring their 27 million customers under a new, single network provider.

The CMA in January this year launched a formal probe into the proposed $19 billion merger.

The Phase 1 investigation found that combining these two businesses will reduce rivalry between the mobile operators to win new customers.

"The CMA is concerned that the deal, which combines two of the four mobile network operators in the UK, could lead to mobile customers facing higher prices and reduced quality," the regulator said in a statement.

The CMA is also concerned that the deal may make it difficult for smaller mobile 'virtual' network operators such as Sky Mobile, Lebara and Lyca Mobile to negotiate good deals for their customers.

"Our initial assessment of this deal has identified concerns which could lead to higher prices for customers and lower investment in UK mobile networks," said Julie Bon, Deputy Chief Economic Advisor, CMA.

"These warrant an in-depth investigation unless Vodafone and Three can come forward with solutions."

Both Vodafone UK and Three UK have five working days to respond with meaningful solutions to the CMA, otherwise, the deal will be referred to a more in-depth Phase 2 investigation.
The Allegheny County Jail could significantly increase its mental health staffing and provide more training about use of force and restraint under a proposed settlement filed Tuesday in federal court.

The agreement, which still requires a judges approval, would resolve a class action that accused the jail in Pittsburgh of offering inadequate treatment and medication for inmates with mental health disabilities, and often punishing them with extended solitary confinement or excessive force.

The lawsuit was bitter at first. But this is a sweet victory. Law enforcement doesnt get to break the law to enforce it, Jason Porter, one of the five inmates represented as plaintiffs, said in a prepared statement.

Mental health care  from intake to medication, counseling and suicide prevention  was either nonexistent or wholly deficient when the lawsuit was filed in 2020, according to lawyers with the Abolitionist Law Center, the Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project and Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP.

The jail had one of the highest suicide rates among large county correctional facilities in Pennsylvania. A review of in-custody deaths between 2017 and 2022 found seven of 27 in-custody deaths were suicides.

Shaquille Howard said he appreciates the promises of change. He said previously that he spent significant time in solitary confinement and was told he could not receive mental health counseling unless he was suicidal.

Im happy and thankful that no one else has to endure the things that I endured during my time at the ACJ, he said in a prepared statement. Most of all Im glad that chapter of my life has concluded, but Ill never forget what was done to me.

A county spokesperson declined to comment on the proposed settlement.

Concerns over how people with mental health issues are treated while incarcerated have led to a number of lawsuits in Pennsylvania and nationwide.

The settlement would direct the county to have about 47 mental health positions, with about 30 requiring independent licensure, for its roughly 1,700 inmates. The county would have to fill a majority of the staff levels within six months of a court order.

The county would also need to provide training in the next six months to correctional staff about recognizing signs of mental illness, when use of force is appropriate and how to deploy de-escalation techniques. The county would have to audit the efficacy of the training following implementation.

Mental health staff would need to be alerted to intervene when use of force is being considered, and staff would be required to document when mental health staff is called in, regardless of whether force is ultimately used.

The inmates lawyers said use of force incidents have already decreased by 28% since the lawsuit was filed four years ago.

Counseling would be provided to people flagged as having serious mental illness, current or recent diagnoses, a history of self harm in the last two years or inmates in mental health housing units.

In response to allegations that incarcerated people with mental health issues are placed in solitary confinement as punishment, the order would direct the county to allow inmates in segregated housing at least four hours of out-of-cell time daily, which includes social interaction and treatment. For those in restricted housing, the county would have a behavior management program designed by a psychologist that aims to reduce time spent in solitary and in the jail overall.

Inmates would have to be screened within two weeks of admission to the jail, and should be evaluated by a mental health staffer if they are found in need of treatment, the settlement says. Health care professionals, not other jail officials, must make any clinical decisions regarding such things as medication; suicide watch; counseling; and access to items like blankets, paper and writing instruments.

The order heralds a fundamental shift in how mental health is addressed in the jail, said Keith E. Whitson, an attorney with Whiteford. These are meaningful changes that will have a substantial impact on individuals incarcerated at ACJ and their families.

The settlement would require the jail to maintain substantial compliance for at least two years before court supervision would end.
Thimphu, March 22 : Acknowledging the exemplary ties of friendship between India and Bhutan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced a support of Rs 10,000 crore for the Himalayan nation in the coming five years.

The leader, who was presented with the kingdom's highest civilian honour for strengthening bilateral ties, said India stands firmly with Bhutan in its efforts to achieve self-reliance and become a high-income nation.

"India will provide all cooperation and assistance for the Bhutanese government's 13th Five Year Plan (FYP), and I want to announce that in this direction, the Indian government will be providing support of Rs 10,000 crore to the nation in the next five years," PM Modi said as he addressed the Himalayan nation.

Indiaas development support will be geared towards the development of infrastructure, building connectivity in its broadest form which includes road, rail, air, and digital connectivity, and in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, education, skilling, and cultural preservation.

Prior to this, India provided development assistance of Rs 5,000 crore to Bhutanas 12th FYP, which, according to PM Tshering Tobgay, immensely contributed to the socio-economic well-being of the people of Bhutan.

"To fulfil your goals, India stands with you for BB - Brand Bhutan and Bhutan Believe. I assure you that the upcoming 5 years will give a new energy to our relations. We will work to create avenues in the connectivity, infrastructure, trade and energy sectors," PM Modi said.

He also appreciated the King's vision of the Gelephu Mindfulness City, which he said will lead to economic prosperity and development in Bhutan in a sustainable manner, and further strengthen economic and investment linkages between India and Bhutan.

He said that B2B -- Bharat to Bhutan -- and P2P -- People-to-People form the foundation of the strong relationship between the two countries.

He thanked Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and the people of Bhutan for conferring him with the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, which he dedicated to and accepted on behalf of 140 crore Indians.

"As an Indian, it is a big day for me. You have presented me with Bhutan's highest civilian honour. All awards are special but when they are received from another country, it boosts confidence that both nations are moving in the right direction."

Earlier, PM Modi held talks with PM Wangchuck and the leaders reviewed the bilateral ties and discussed ways to take them to new levels as they renewed their commitment to the special and unique India-Bhutan friendship.
Bhubaneswar, March 22 : Senior BJD leader and Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab (66) resigned from the primary membership of the party on Friday.

Announcing his decision during a press meet in Cuttack on Friday, Mahtab said, "I have sent a letter to BJD President Naveen Patnaik, in which I have mentioned that I have been involved with the BJD since its formation, and also made some contributions towards the growth of the party.

"Today, I have resigned from the party with a broken heart. I am resigning from the primary membership of the BJD through this letter, which I have requested the party President to accept immediately."

Mahtab also claimed that for the past two-and-a-half years, he was prevented from raising his voice and sharing his experience in important party-related matters.

The veteran leader said that he was subjected to severe criticism, adding that his views were misinterpreted whenever he tried to say something on how the party is functioning.

Mahtab also said that he was left with no patience, so he resigned from the party.

"The BJD, which was formed to fight against corruption and stay away from self-aggrandisement, has changed a lot. But, I have tried several times to effect a course correction regarding the manner in which the party was being run for the last few years. I think I can now raise my voice properly after snapping my ties with the party," Mahtab said.

However, The Cuttack MP didn't reveal anything about joining the BJP or any other political party or retiring from politics.

Mahtab said he would discuss with the people and his well-wishers before taking making any future decision.

There are speculation though that he might join the BJP.

Mahtab has won from Cuttack on a BJD ticket for six times since 1998. He is also the editor of the Odia daily, 'The Prajatantra', which was established by his father and former Odisha Chief Minister Harekrushna Mahtab.

Notably, Mahtab resigned from the party a day after the Special Court for MP/MLAs framed charges against him in connection with the alleged assault on a police officer during a programme 13 years ago.

He was accused of slapping the then Sub-Inspector Amitabh Mohapatra, now posted as an ACP, during a programme held at the Netaji Birthplace Museum in Cuttack on January 23, 2011.
Paris, March 22 : The United Nations World Water Development Report 2024, published by Unesco on behalf of UN-Water, highlights that tensions over water are exacerbating conflicts worldwide. To preserve peace, states must boost international cooperation and transboundary agreements, it noted.

"As water stress increases, so do the risks of local or regional conflict. Unesco's message is clear, if we want to preserve peace, we must act swiftly not only to safeguard water resources but also to enhance regional and global cooperation in this area," said Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of Unesco.

"Water, when managed sustainably and equitably, can be a source of peace and prosperity. It is also the literal lifeblood of agriculture, the major socio-economic driver for billions of people," said Alvaro Lario, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and Chair of UN-Water.

According to the new report published by Unesco, on behalf of UN-Water, today, 2.2 billion people still live without access to safely managed drinking water and 3.5 billion lack access to safely managed sanitation.

The UN goal of ensuring this access for all by 2030 is therefore far from being attained, and there is reason to fear that these inequalities may continue to rise.

Between 2002 and 2021, droughts affected more than 1.4 billion people.

As of 2022, roughly half of the world's population experienced severe water scarcity for at least part of the year, while one quarter faced 'extremely high' levels of water stress, using over 80 per cent of their annual renewable freshwater supply.

Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and severity of these phenomena, with acute risks for social stability.

The first impact is the deterioration of living conditions, leading to heightened food insecurity and health risks. Water scarcity also has consequences on social development, particularly for girls and women.

In many rural areas, they are the primary water collectors, spending up to several hours a day on this task.

Reduced access to water supply exacerbates this burden, which undermines women's education, economic participation and safety.

This may also contribute to the higher secondary school dropout rate among girls compared to boys.

The lack of water security has also been identified as one of the drivers of migration.

This displacement can, in turn, contribute to water insecurity by placing added strain on water systems and resources in settlement locations, thereby fuelling social tensions.

A study conducted in Somalia indicates a 200 per cent increase in gender-based violence against a group of displaced people.

This water scarcity can increase the risk of conflict. In the Sahel region, wetland degradation -- often due to ill-advised water development projects -- has exacerbated local disputes over access to water and productive land, causing tensions.

While approximately 40 per cent of the world's population lives in transboundary river and lake basins, only a fifth of countries have cross-border agreements to jointly manage these shared resources equitably.

Many transboundary basins are already located in areas marked by current or past interstate tensions.

In the Arab region, seven countries were in conflict in 2021 -- some dating back many years -- which has had wide-ranging implications for water supply, infrastructure, and potential cooperation on water-related issues.

Africa remains especially vulnerable to interstate tensions relating to water -- 19 out of 22 states studied suffer from water scarcity, and two-thirds of the continent's freshwater resources are transboundary.

Of the 106 transboundary aquifers mapped in Africa, interstate cooperation has only been formalised in seven.
Hyderabad, March 22 : A woman and her daughter in Hyderabad foiled a robbery attempt at their home, by fighting off the criminals and even disarming one of them, police said, commending them for their bravery.

Amita Mahnot and her minor daughter not only resisted the robbery but snatched a country-made weapon from one of the offenders.

The video of the incident that occurred in the limits of Begumpet police station on Thursday went viral on social media.

Police said on Friday that they have arrested the robbers, both hailing from Uttar Pradesh.

According to police, Sushil Kumar and Premchandra made a vain bid to rob a family in Begumpet. The duo hatched a plan to rob the house and made a recce before their attempt.

As part of the plan, Sushil Kumar called Mahnot, the house owner, and informed her that they brought a courier in the name of N.K.Jain. When her servant went down to receive the courier, the duo, who had their faces covered, entered the house forcefully.

Premchandra directly went into the kitchen and threatened the maidservant by keeping the knife on her throat. In the meantime, there was a brawl between Mahnot's daughter and Sushil Kumar, and Mahnot also intervened to thwart the robbery attempt.

During the brawl, Sushil Kumar took out the country-made gun from his bag and tried to point it out at the mother and daughter.

A police officer said that Mahnot, who knows martial arts, kicked Sushil Kumar and snatched the weapon from him. On receiving the blows and kicks, he escaped from the house. The second accused, who was inside, was unaware of what was happening outside, and neighbours, who rushed to Mahnot's house on hearing the commotion, managed to catch him.

Police recovered ropes, a firearm, a rubber bullet shell, two knives, and one gift box from the accused.

Sushil Kumar, a native of Kanpur, and Premchadra, residing at M.S. Maqtha in the city, were produced before a court, which sent them to judicial custody.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, North Zone, Rohini Priyadarshini said that the bravery shown by the mother and daughter was exemplary. She said with their courage and confidence, they could thwart the robbery and could catch one of the accused red-handed with the help of neighbours.
Chennai, March 22 : Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper Faf du Plessis won the toss and elected to bat first against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the opening match of the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, here on Friday.

While CSK are five-time champions, RCB are still in search of their maiden IPL trophy but continue to remain favourites, having star players on their side. The two teams have faced each other in 31 matches with the yellow brigade having the upper hand. CSK have won 20 matches while one match has ended in no result, with RCB winning 10 of them. When it comes to the last five games, the team from Chennai has a 4-1 lead as well.

RCB captain, Faf du Plessis said, "We'll bat first. Looks like a good wicket, conditions here are a bat-first wicket. First time back here, great to see the Chennai fans again but I'm here with RCB and hopefully we can turn over a very good CSK team. Prep has been good, we need to turn up now."

Asked about the team composition and Virat Kohli, he said, "A seasoned campaigner, brings that experience. Really good, our bowling resources fit well. Got more backup. Hopefully, injuries don't bother us too much. Alzarri Joseph comes in tonight, got a few spinners in the middle. And since we are batting first, we'll see how it goes."

CSK captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad, who got a huge cheer from the home supporters, said, "Feel privileged. But I want to try and be in my shoes, not fill anybody's shoes. I got to know last week, but Mahi bhai hinted at it last year. Everyone is experienced here, sadly we are missing (Devon) Conway and (Matheesha) Pathirana. We've got Rachin (Ravindra) and (Daryl) Mitchell coming in though this year so they should fit in well. Four overseas - Mitchell, Rachin, Fizz and (Maheesh) Theekshana. The mystery spinner Sameer Rizvi is making his debut as well."

The last time RCB defeated CSK at their home ground was way back in 2008 under the captaincy of Rahul Dravid.

Playing XIs:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik, Anuj Rawat (wk), Karn Sharma, Alzarri Joseph, Mayank Dagar, Mohammed Siraj

Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Rachin Ravindra, Ajinkya Rahane, Daryl Mitchell, Ravindra Jadeja, Sameer Rizvi, M.S. Dhoni (wk), Deepak Chahar, Maheesh Theekshana, Mustafizur Rahman, Tushar Deshpande
Hyderabad, March 22 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) president and Telangana chief minister, K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday condemned the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

He termed the arrest of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader another dark day in the country's democratic history. KCR, as Rao is popularly known, alleged that the ruling BJP is acting with the sole intention of wiping out the opposition and this is evident from the recent arrest of JMM chief Hemant Soren and BRS MLC K. Kavitha.

For this, the Central government is using the ED, CBI, the I-T and other central agencies as its tools, he said in a statement.

Terming Kejriwal's arrest as politically motivated, KCR demanded the immediate release of the Delhi Chief Minister.

This was KCR's first reaction to the arrest of his daughter K. Kavitha by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Delhi liquor policy matter.

Kavitha was arrested by the ED in Hyderabad on March 15.

She was later shifted to Delhi.
New Delhi, March 22 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third state visit to neighbouring Bhutan in 10 years -- where he was accorded a grand welcome upon his arrival on Friday -- witnessed many firsts.

As he stood reminiscing about his first visit to the 'Land of Thunder Dragon' as the Prime Minister in 2014, PM Modi on Friday became the first foreign leader to be accorded Bhutan's highest civilian honour, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, in recognition of his efforts to strengthen bilateral ties.

The award was instituted as the decoration for lifetime achievement and is the pinnacle of the honour system in Bhutan, taking precedence over all orders, decorations, and medals.

Since its institution, the award has been conferred upon only four persons, which include Her Majesty Royal Queen Grandmother Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck; His Holiness Je Thrizur Tenzin Dendup (68th Je Khenpo of Bhutan); His Holiness Je Khenpo Trulku Ngawang Jigme Choedra in 2018; and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.

Upon receiving the award from Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, PM Modi underlined that it was an honour bestowed on the people of India and a testament to the excellent state of bilateral ties between the two countries.

Dedicating the award to 140 crore Indians, he said: "As an Indian, it is a big day for me. You have presented me with Bhutan's highest civilian honour. All awards are special but when they are received from another country, it boosts confidence that both nations are moving in the right direction."

In another first for any Indian Prime Minister, PM Modi received a private dinner from Bhutan's King. It was also the first time an Indian Prime Minister was hosted at Lingkana Palace -- the residence of Bhutanas King.

The palace grounds are adjacent to the Tashichho Dzong in the capital city of Thimphu, and it holds importance as King Wangchuk and Queen Jetsun Pema welcomed the birth of their children there.

PM Modi also announced a support of Rs 10,000 crore for the Himalayan nation in the coming five years, and said that India stands firmly with Bhutan in its efforts to achieve self-reliance and become a high-income nation.
Patna: General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI), D Raja, addresses a press conference to announce the names of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections. Image Source: IANS News

Patna, March 22 : The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Friday announced its candidate from Bihar's Begusarai Lok Sabha seat.

CPI General Secretary D. Raja said that Awadesh Kumar Rai will contest the seat which will go to polls on May 13, in the fourth of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections.

"We had demanded two seats for the party and RJD national President Lalu Prasad Yadav has given one seat so far. We have given the ticket to Awadesh Kumar Rai to contest the Begusarai seat. He will be the candidate of INDIA bloc for this seat," he said.

"We are expecting one more seat in Bihar and negotiations are underway with the RJD," he added.

Raja on Thursday met Lalu Prasad Yadav in his residence in Patna and discussed the seat-sharing formula of the INDIA bloc for Bihar.

Sources have said that the Congress was also eyeing the Begusarai seat for Kanhaiya Kumar, who hails from the district. He contested the 2019 election from Begusarai on a CPI ticket but lost to BJP's Giriraj Singh. He is now in the Congress.

The seat-sharing formula of the INDIA bloc for Bihar has not been finalised yet but the RJD has announced tickets for some party candidates.
Chennai, March 22 : Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday criticised senior Congress leader and former Union Minister P. Chidambaram, saying contrary to the latter's viewpoint that no one would use digital payments in India, the system has touched an all-time high and the country is a world leader in that.

Anurag Thakur said that the former Union Minister had mocked the digital economy when it was introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking at the Viksit Bharat Ambassador (VBA) meet-up programme here, he said that Chidambaram was "totally pessimistic" as the Congress leader had then said that no one would use digital payments, there wouldn't be bank accounts and no Internet connection.

However, Anurag Thakur said, numerous Indians are using digital UPI payments, and the digital economy has become a common-place in the country.

The Union Minister said that Congress and Chidambaram could never dream of such a positive transformation and hence, they were skeptical on the subject.

Anurag Thakur also said that all public sector banks in the country were having robust growth and added that the NPAs of all these banks have come down significantly.

The Union Minister said that good banking was a clear example of good governance, adding that the people of the country, especially ordinary citizens, were benefitting from the positive growth story of the banking system in the country.

Anurag Thakur also said that the government had helped street vendors and had given them loans.

He said that there are instances of such vendors doing business worth Rs 1,00,000 in a year with a loan amount of Rs 10,000.

The Union Minister said that more than 8 crore people benefitted under this scheme.

The Union Minister said that several startups have come up in the country in the sectors of space, agriculture and many other areas, adding that there are currently 160 unicorns in the country.

He said that one unicorn is worth more than Rs 8,500 crore.

The Union Minister also said that certain startups in the area of drones like 'Garuda' in Chennai were doing "extremely well", adding he had visited the start-up twice.

He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government had used technology at its best and this has led to the increase in UPI, OTT and even digital certification.

Anurag Thakur also spoke on the Covid digital certification, saying that it was a huge success.
New Delhi, March 22 : Union Minister Smriti Irani on Friday said that the mastermind of the Delhi excise policy 'scam' is finally in custody as a Delhi court sent arrested Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to a six-day ED remand.

Reacting to the court order, she said that it has proved that no one involved in corruption is above the law "even if he is Kejriwal".

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here, Smriti Irani said that revelations in the documents submitted by the ED in the court are mind-boggling.

She said that when the ED said in court that AAP media in-charge Vijay Nair sat with representatives of some liquor companies to frame the policy, Arvind Kejriwal's side didn't refute the claim. Nor had it contested the bank transactions cited by the ED, she added.

The Union Minister also said that Arvind Kejriwalas lawyers did not counter the ED statement related to the evidence and dealings done by Nair, Sameer Mahendru, Manish Sisodia's aide and BRS leader K. Kavitha.

She attacked the AAP leaders who had protested against Kejriwal's arrest saying all details of the money trails were furnished in the court.

The BJP leader said that the ED's claim that the AAP had utilised Rs 45 crore of the kickbacks it received from the 'South Group' to fund its Goa Assembly campaign was also not refuted by Arvind Kejriwal's lawyers.
PHILADELPHIA  A fifth suspect has been charged in a shooting that wounded eight Philadelphia high school students at a bus stop earlier this month.

Jeremiah Jefferson, 15, of Philadelphia, faces counts of attempted murder, aggravated assault, conspiracy, reckless endangerment and weapons charges, city police announced Thursday. They said the teen was in communication with the shooters before the gunfire erupted and also identified and provided information about some potential targets, as well as noting what he was wearing so he himself did not become a victim. He also notified the shooters when the intended victims were walking toward the bus, police said.

It wasnt immediately known Thursday if Jefferson has retained an attorney.

The March 6 shooting occurred as students at Northeast High School, the citys largest public high school with more than 3,000 students, were waiting to board the bus. Three masked people opened fire, hitting eight teens ranging in age from 15 to 17 years old, police have said.

Officials said the recovery of a stolen car involved in the shooting led to the identification of Jamaal Tucker as a suspect, and he turned himself in on March 8. On March 9, federal marshals said they arrested Ahnile Buggs and recovered a loaded and fully automatic .40-caliber Glock that matched casings found at the scene. Jermahd Carter, 19, was also arrested. Asir Boone, 17, was taken into custody Tuesday at an apartment in Alexandria, Virginia. They said he had been hiding there with an unidentified woman who has ties to Philadelphia.

Tucker and Buggs, both 18, also face charges including attempted murder, aggravated assault, and other counts and are being held on more than $2 million bail.

Lawyers for the four suspects have declined comment. A motive for the shooting remains under investigation.
New Delhi/Shillong, March 22 : The BJP on Friday announced its support to the National People's Party candidates in Meghalaya in the coming Lok Sabha polls.

BJP leader Sambit Patra, who is in charge of the party in the northeast, announced the decision on his X handle.

"As per the instructions of the Honable National President of @BJP4India, Shri @JPNadda ji, I am pleased to inform that BJP will extend its support to Lok Sabha Candidates of NPP in both the seats of Meghalaya (Shillong and Tura)", he posted.

The BJP is a partner in the NPP-led government in Meghalaya and the regional party had earlier declared candidates for the two Lok Sabha seats in the state.

State Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh is contesting from the Shillong Lok Sabha seat, currently held by Congressas Vincent Pala, while sitting NPP MP Agatha Sangma, the sister of NPP chief and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, will contest from the Tura Lok Sabha seat.
Amaravati, March 22 : The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh has accused the ruling YSR Congress Party of having links with the Visakhapatnam-based private company involved in the 25,000 kg drug seizure case.

TDP national spokesperson Jyothsna Tirunagari said that the seizure of the drugs from a container at Visakhapatnam Port by the CBI exposes vivid details about the ruling party's involvement with Sandhya Aqua Exports, the company to which the container was reportedly to be delivered.

She alleged that the drug menace has peaked in the state due to the YSRCP government's administrative misuse.

"The MD of Sandhya Aqua Exports K. Veerabhadra Rao and his entire family belong to the YSRCP. One of his brothers is a close aide of Vijaysai Reddy," she said while displaying a picture.

She further took a jibe at YSRCP MP V. Vijaysai Reddy for his "Brazilian connection".

"Time and again Vijaysai Reddy has talked about farming in Brazil for no reason. Reddy even tweeted a congratulatory message for Lula da Silva upon his election as the new President of Brazil in 2022," Tirunagari said.

She cited a tweet of Sajjala Bhargava Reddy, the social media coordinator of YSRCP, which reads: "The government is not involved in the Vizag case".

The TDP spokesperson said a blatant statement cannot be passed like that until the investigation is completed.

"Jagan Reddy has again resorted to peddling cocaine and such activities are being run by the henchmen of the chief," said the TDP spokesperson.

She lamented that Jagan Reddy is "playing with the lives of the youth of Andhra Pradesh".

Earlier, another spokesman K. Pattabhi Ram had stated that the accused company in the Visakhapatnam drugs case is linked to YSRCP.
Bengaluru, March 22 : The OBC Morcha of the Karnataka BJP on Friday lodged a complaint with the State Election Commission against Kannada superstar Shivarajkumar, demanding prohibition on the advertisements, films, and billboards featuring the popular actor.

Shivarajkumar's wife Geetha Shivarajkumar is contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Shivamogga on a Congress ticket. B.Y. Raghavendra, the son of former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, is the BJP candidate from the seat, which will go to the polls on May 7.

'Karataka Damanaka', a Kannada movie starring Shivarajkumar, was released recently and is running in theatres across the state.

The complaint lodged by BJP OBC Morcha President R. Raghu said, "Shivarajkumar is an influential person who's campaigning for the Congress across Karnataka. He is a film star who's also an influencer. Until the Lok Sabha elections are over, an order should be issued to the theaters, television channels, social media platforms, and local organisations not to exhibit films, advertisements, and billboards featuring Shivarajkumar in the state."
Patna, March 22 : A day after the Congress said that all its bank accounts have been frozen by the Income Tax Department ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the party's Bihar unit chief Akhilesh Prasad Singh said on Friday that the Union government is trying to paralyse the Congress with the help of Central agencies.

"The Congress had objected to the electoral bond scheme in both the Houses of the Parliament. And the move by the Supreme Court on the disclosures of the scheme has proved the party right. Now the Income Tax Department has frozen 11 bank accounts of the Congress ahead of the elections on the directions of the Central government," Singh told mediapersons here.

"The BJP is trying to paralyse the Congress with the help of Central agencies. Still, we will fight the Lok Sabha elections with our full strength," Singh added.

Commenting on the seat-sharing formula for Bihar, Singh said that negotiations are in the final stages, and an announcement in this regard will be made in a day or two.
If BJP wins 28 seats in LS polls, its only guarantee is to defeat Cong govt in K'taka: Bommai. Image Source: IANS News

Bengaluru, March 22 : Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday urged the people to ensure the victory of Union Minister Pralhad Joshi from the state's Dharwad constituency to make sure Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns to office for the third term.

"The election battle has started, and the aim is to make Narendra Modi the Prime Minister again. To achieve this, people must ensure the victory of Union Minister Pralhad Joshi," the BJP leader said while addressing the party workers in Hubbali.

Addressing the party workers, he said they are on the battlefield, and they must see only the target, and not who is on left or right.

"I have also said several times why I am contesting.... Narendra Modi must become the Prime Minister. Pralhad Joshi has worked efficiently as a Union Minister," he said.
Moscow, March 23 : Scores of people were shot dead as three to five unidentified gunmen, clad in body armour and armed with assault rifles, began shooting indiscriminately in a Moscow mall on Friday and set a concert hall there afire, reports said.

The Krokus City mall, which falls in the Moscow region just outside the city's boundary, was attacked around 8 p.m. (local time) just as a concert of famous rock band Piknik was about to begin at its music venue, causing chaos, RT reported.

The assailants targeted fleeing concertgoers and videos of the scene showed bodies lying strewn about. They also reportedly lobbed hand grenades and used incendiaries to set the building on fire.

As per local media reports, 40 people have reportedly been killed and about 130 wounded. However, authorities are yet to confirm the toll.

The tally is expected to grow given the scale of the attack and the massive fire, which has caused the roof of the building to reportedly collapse, as per local media.

Authorities launched a massive emergency response, with numerous ambulances as well as heavily armed police special operation units deployed at the location.

As per the latest information, the attackers, who had not attempted to take hostages or make any statements but shot people indiscriminately, have barricaded themselves inside the burning building.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said: "The Russian Foreign Ministry is receiving phone calls with condolences from ordinary citizens from all around the globe following the horrible tragedy at the Krokus City Hall venue in Moscow. They are expressing the strongest condemnation of this bloody terrorist attack, transpiring right before the eyes of the entire world."

"As the Russian authorities have already stated, all efforts at the current moment are devoted to saving the people (at the site)."

"The international community is obliged to condemn this horrendous crime!" the spokeswoman said.

The US has condemned the attack, describing it as a "terrible incident".

"The images are just horrible and just hard to watch," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.
Kiev, March 23 : At least five people were killed and 26 others wounded in a wave of Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukraine, the National Police said in a statement.

Three people were killed and 15 others were injured in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, where missiles hit Ukraine's largest hydroelectric station, DniproHes, local authorities said on Friday.

In the western Khmelnytsky region, two people were killed and eight injured. The power supplies in the region have also been disrupted in the wake of the attack, Xinhua news agency reported.

The air strike, which was described by Ukrainian authorities as the largest till date attack on the country's energy infrastructure, damaged more than 100 buildings and energy facilities.

Meanwhile, the Russian Defence Ministry confirmed that the Russian military on Friday launched massive missile and drone attacks on energy and military facilities in Ukraine.

"Today, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation launched a massive strike with high-precision long-range air, sea, ground-based weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles against energy facilities, the military-industrial complex, railway junctions, arsenals, places of deployment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and foreign mercenaries," the Ministry said in a statement.
Kiev, March 23 : Visiting chair of the NATO Military Committee, Robert Bauer, said the alliance is prepared for a possible war with Russia, a media outlet reported.

"Are we ready? The answer is yes! This is our main task to be ready. If it happens today, we will have to fight with available means," Bauer was cited as saying on Friday as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.

In recent years, NATO has significantly strengthened its eastern flank, launching an Enhanced Forward Presence (EFP) operation in Baltic countries, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria, he said.

At present, NATO has eight battalion-size battlegroups, which can repel a possible Russian attack on the alliance's eastern flank, he added.

On Thursday, Bauer made his first trip to Kiev since the start of the full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine in February 2022.

During his visit, Bauer met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and participated in the 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum, according to local media reports.
Phil Rosenthal, television writer and creator of Everybody Loves Raymond, and his daughter, Lily Rosenthal, recently took their new picture book Just Try It!, illustrated by Luke Flowers, on a five-city tour. The pair met readers at bookstores, were guests on daytime television, and made an appearance at a food festival, all while encouraging young readers to step out of their comfort zone with food. Here we round up the highlights from their travels.

Phil and Lily kicked off their launch day on March 5 with an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show to present their new book and discuss Phils experience on his show Somebody Feed Phil.

Later that evening, the duo celebrated with an event at Barnes & Noble Union Square in New York City.

A fan surprised the pair with sweet treats at their B&N event.

Phil and Lily were invited to speak on the Today Show on March 6. During the segment, they invited news anchors to try exciting foods with them.

On March 6 Bookends Bookstore in Ridgewood, N.J., welcomed the Rosenthals to present their book. Here, they sign a poster of Just Try It!.

Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, Ga., hosted an event on March 7. Here, the Rosenthals share a laugh with fans.

The authors signing copies of their book for guests at Little Shop of Stories.

On March 8, Phil and Lil appeared at Writers Block Bookstore in Winter Park, Fla. Here they sign copies ahead of the event.

Lily chats with young readers at Writers Block Bookstore.

At an event co-hosted by charity Feeding America, Phil and Lily gave a reading at the North Valley Caring Services Youth Enrichment Program on March 12.

Students at Larchmont Charter School in Los Angeles gave Phil and Lily a warm welcome for their visit, where they gave a reading on March 13.

That same day, Phil and Lily made their way to an event at Barnes & Noble The Grove. Here they show off jackets featuring their books title.

Hungry attendees of Smorgasburg Los Angeles met the authors at a sponsored sampling event on March 17.

Phil and Lily with a young fan at the Smorgasburg Los Angeles partnership event.
Fans of two-time Coretta Scott King Award-winner Sharon Draper have reasons to celebrate this fall. Drapers new middle grade novel Out of My Dreamsthe third in her bestselling Out of My Mind serieswill be released from Simon & Schuster this September. The authors debut picture book Bella Ballerina is also slated for fall release from Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books. The covers of both books are revealed here for the first time.

Drapers Out of My Mind series follows tween Melody Brooks, who is in many ways a typical kid. She loves music, her family, and her dog and hates chocolate. She has cerebral palsy, which prevents her from walking and talking, but it doesnt affect her brilliant mind. Melody wants to be independent and doesnt want her condition to define her life. The book was released in 2010 and has become a middle grade classic, spending over four years on the New York Times bestseller list. Draper followed it up in 2021 with Out of My Heart, which was also a bestseller.

In this new installment of Melodys story (likely the last, Draper says), the tween flies to London to speak at a convention for children with different abilities who are advocating for greater accessibility in an effort to make the world more equal for every kid. Melody has all the hopes and dreams and insecurities of an adolescent, Draper said, but along with them, she has added life challenges that would intimidate even adults. In Out of My Dreams, she said, Melodys world vision is expanded. She manages to save the life of a neighbor, and that allows her to be chosen as a delegate to an elite group of thinkers and creators. Here in this new environment, she may indeed have found that sense of purpose she has been seeking.

As Melodys world widens, so do the challenges, said Drapers editor Caitlyn Dlouhy, v-p and publisher of Caitlyn Dlouhy Books. But how she continues to put herself out there, how her inner compass never stops steering her toward the knowledge that she, and every other kiddo who makes their way throughout the world differently than most, are as deserving of access to that world, remains steadfast.

Draper said the book was inspired by her own travel to London, a city she calls magical. It seemed the perfect place for Melody to be surrounded by like-minded peers focused on equality and world-changing big ideas. And it seemed the logical evolution for Melody, whose story started with her rejection of the limitations others imposed on her, and her entry into the wider world. In Out of My Dreams, Melody learns that there is always something more to strive for, to learn about, to accomplish, Draper said. In Melody, the author said she hopes readers will see at least a part of themselves.

Dipping into Picture Books

Dance has long been an important part of Drapers life. She is a ballroom dancer and her daughter Crystal owns a dance studio. Her granddaughter Ailey Rose began ballet classes when she was three; she loved it from the very first lesson, Draper said. Ailey Rose was the inspiration for Bella Ballerina. In the story, ballet student Bella learns some important lessons about teamwork while learning new dance steps. Draper said she wanted to share the joy of a child discovering what they love and working hard to make it magical for others.

Dlouhy says Draper mastered the picture book category with grace and ease. What I especially love about Bella Ballerina is the wealth of what Sharon is gently imbuingthe idea that no matter the stumble, you just keep on trying the idea that through helping others, you forget your own fears, and that doing something with joy in your heart not only helps you improve, but it brings joy to others as well.

Comparing the process of writing a novel vs. a picture book, Draper said it was like learning to swim instead of walking, adding that picture book writing is fluid and magical. Although she didnt work directly with illustrator Ebony Glenn (illustrator of Mommy Time by Monique James-Duncan and Twelve Dinging Doorbells by Tameka Fryer Brown, among others). She took my words and made them sing, Draper said.

Draper hopes Bella will be a read-aloud that encourages kids to try something they love and to fly. She cant wait for her granddaughter, now nearly eight, to pick up the book she inspired. She is now an avid reader, so she is very excited, she said.

Theres even more excitement in Drapers life this year, though. The film adaptation of Out of My Mind is due from Disney+ this year. The film stars Luke Kirby, Judith Light, and Rosemarie DeWitt. I had very little to do with that process, but Im pleased with the result! she said. Im sure that readers will have lots of opinions about the filmmakers interpretation of the book. I hope to receive lots of emails from young readers.

Out of My Dreams by Sharon M. Draper, Atheneum/ Dlouhy, $18.99 Sept. 3 ISBN978-1-66594-954-5

Bella Ballerina by Sharon M. Draper, illus. by Ebony Glenn. Atheneum/Dlouhy, $18.99 Oct. 15 978-1-5344-6396-7
Picture book author-illustrator Lynne Barasch, who created lively biographies as well as stories inspired by her family life, died on March 7. She was 84.

Barasch was born Lynne Marx on March 23, 1939, in New York City, grew up in Woodmere, Long Island, and was a lifelong New Yorker. She showed an affinity for both art and reading early in her childhood. For as long as I can remember, drawing is what I did best, she wrote on her website. I was an enthusiastic and indiscriminate reader from the time I was very young.

Barasch took art classes as a girl and continued to do so during her high school years on Saturdays at the Art Students League, she said in a 2007 interview for the Cynsations blog. She began her studies at the Rhode Island School of Design in 1957 but left after her first year to marry ophthalmologist Kenneth Barasch, with whom she shared five children. Barasch resumed her formal art studies several years later and received her B.F.A. from Parsons School of Design in 1976.

After her children started school, Barasch began writing and illustrating stories in earnest. Though several early efforts remained unpublished, she broke through with Rodneys Inside Story (Orchard, 1992), featuring a gray bunny whose mother reads him a story about a gray rabbit who lives inside a cabbage.

Barasch went on to create 10 picture books and she provided illustrations for two works by other authors. Among her notable titles are Knockin on Wood (Lee & Low, 2004), the story of one-legged tap dancer Peg Leg Bates; Hiromis Hands (Lee & Low, 2007), in which young Hiromi spends time with her sushi chef father by accompanying him to the fish market and learning about his career; Ask Albert Einstein (FSG, 2005), based on a 1952 New York Times article about the famous physicist; and First Come the Zebra (Lee & Low, 2009), inspired by Baraschs trip to Kenya.

Telling stories and making pictures gives me great joy, Barasch wrote on her site. When words and pictures work well together they form something new, something greater than the sum of its parts.

Louise May, former v-p and editorial director at Lee & Low, worked closely with Barasch on several books and offered this remembrance: Lynne Barash was an editors dreama gifted author and illustrator of picture books and a master storyteller. Her brief texts captured the essence of a story with a minimum of words that told you everything you needed to know. Lynne happily mined her own experiences and those of her children for stories that were lively, informative, and inspiring. I loved her inquisitive spirit and the way our books came together effortlessly. For one of our projects together there were corrections needed to the final art. I offered to have the art delivered to her, but instead Lynne brought her paints and brushes to my office and sat right there making changes. I will always remember Lynne as a dear collaborator, and will think of her every time I pass a sushi restaurant.
The 2024 National Book Critics Circle Awards were presented on March 21 at the organization's second in-person ceremony since the pandemic began, once again held at the New School in New York City. The awards, which honor books published in 2023, are among the only literary honors in the country decided by working book critics, and are considered among the most prestigious and venerable in American letters. The NBCC, which was founded in 1974 at the Algonquin Hotel, comprises more than 600 critics and editors.

"We celebrate your imagination, your fearlessness, and your persistence," NBCC president Heather Scott Partington said in kicking off the evening's programming. "Your words are essential, particularly in this time of division and censorship."

The evening began with a celebration of the previously announced winners of two of the special awards administered each year by the National Book Critics Circle: Washington Post books critic Becca Rothfeld, who was awarded the Nona Balakian Citation for Excellence in Reviewing; and former NBCC treasurer Marion Winik, recipient of the NBCC Service Award.

"At minimum, a review is a duet with the book under consideration," said Rothfeld in her acceptance speech. "Criticism, then, dramatizes what is always true but often hidden: it demonstrates by way of example not only that writing is social but also that reading is."

"Just as becoming a book critic turned my focus from my own writing to the work of my peers," said Winik as she accepted the award, "my involvement in the NBCC allowed me to participate in a national and even international conversation about literary culture and the culture of great bookswhich is honestly the only religion I have." In her speech, she also recounted the NBCC's near-implosion in 2020 and its efforts to reinvent itself in the years since.

Waiting to Be Arrested at Night: a Uyghur Poets Memoir of Chinas Genocide by Tahir Hamut Izgil, translated by Joshua L. Freeman (Penguin Press), won the John Leonard Prize for best debut. Committee chair Adam Dalva said that the judges found the "astonishing memoir" to be "both heartfelt and urgent, terrifying and illuminating," and "a clear-eyed, beautifully rendered detailing of the ongoing atrocities committed against the Uyghurs, from the most personal of perspectives. As one voter put it: it's a miracle that this book exists."

"Ever since the publication of this book on the political topic of the Chinese government's genocide against the Uyghur people, I have received any number of very moving and gratifying responses from readers," said Izgil, with Freeman interpreting. "And while that made me very happy, of course, as a poet it was always my hope that the literary aspect of my memoir would also be appreciated, and now with this John Leonard Prize that hope has come to fruition."

Tina Post received the criticism award for Deadpan: The Aesthetics of Black Inexpression (NYU Press), which committee chair J. Howard Rosier characterized as "a book that recontextualizes the act of withholding to taxonomize its origins and usesspecifically, the tact it assumes when intersecting with blackness."

Kim Hyesoon was awarded the poetry award for Phantom Pain Wings, translated by Don Mee Choi (New Directions), which committee chair Rebecca Morgan Frank said "presents a stunningly original and audacious work in which grief and interventions with patriarchy and war trauma are embodied in a capacious and visceral ventriloquism." New Directions editor Jeffrey Yang accepted the award on Hyesoon and Choi's behalf.

Safiya Sinclair took home the autobiography award for How to Say Babylon: A Memoir (Simon & Schuster), which committee member Jane Ciabattari called an "unforgettable and a shining example of why poets should write prose."

"I'm gagged," Sinclair joked as she took the stage. She went on to say, "For all the women who came before me, unknown and unsung, this is for you.... My work, my words, my voice is for you."

Two more previously announced special awards were presented next: the Ivan Sandrof Lifetime Achievement Award, which went to Judy Blume; and the Toni Morrison Achievement Award, which went to the American Library Association.

Blume accepted her Sandrof Award over Zoom. "I wish I could be there with you tonight but I'm at home in Key West, where I run a bookstore," she said. "I cannot thank you enough for this incredible awardit just means so very much to me. And I'm thrilled to know that you're also honoring ALA tonight, because every day I thank them for their tireless work in protecting our intellectual freedoms." She also thanked her parents, saying "the greatest gift they ever gave to me was the freedom to choose my own books."

ALA president Emily Drabinski took the stage to receive the Morrison Award. "I can't wait to have a drink," she joked, referencing the impending reception, "but mostly I wish I was reading a book." In her speech, Drabinski said, "This award honors library workers across the countryin institutions large and small, in big urban centers like this one, in small rural communities in Alabamawho make the American library as an institution the bulwark of inclusive democracy that it is."

The second annual Gregg Barrios Book in Translation Prize, which honors both author and translator, went to Maureen Freelys translation of late author Tezer Ozlus Cold Nights of Childhood (Transit Books), which committee chair Mandana Chaffa said "strikingly depicts the haunting interior life of an unsettled young woman seeking happiness and self-determination against the backdrop of a swiftly changing Turkish society."

"Most of all, I would like to thank the author, Tezer Ozlu, for giving usfor leaving usthis book," Freely said in her acceptance speech. "Since its first publication in 1980, it has inspired two generations of Turkish women to step out of their gendered straitjackets and live by their own lights, embracing beauty where they find it. I hope this translation will inspire anglophone readers just as much for just as long."

Jonny Steinberg won the biography award for Winnie and Nelson: Portrait of a Marriage (Knopf), which committee chair Elizabeth Taylor called a "deeply insightful, painstakingly researched" book that "unmasks the Mandelas, sliding past their public mythos, and the simpler romantic narrative they told each other, to reveal the emotional labyrinth beneath" and explore "two radically different approaches to apartheid."

Steinberg began his speech by honoring the late editor Dan Frank, who acquired the book at Knopf and died three weeks before Steinberg handed in a draft, in May 2021. John Freeman later became the book's editor. "I want to bring his spirit here," Steinberg said of Frank. "I am so very grateful to him, as are many other authors." He added, "I rediscovered my country, South Africa, through writing this book."

Next, Roxanna Asgarian received the nonfiction award for We Were Once a Family: A Story of Love, Death, and Child Removal in America (Farrar, Straus and Giroux). Committee chair Jo Livingstone described We Were Once a Family as a meticulous, harrowing, and deeply empathetic investigation into the murder-suicide of six children and their adoptive parents.

Finally, Lorrie Moore was awarded the fiction award for I Am Homeless if This Is Not My Home (Knopf), which committee chair David Varno, who is also PW's fiction reviews editor, called "a heartbreaking and hilarious ghost story" and "an unforgettable achievement from a landmark American author."

"I've never won a book award before!" Moore said when she took the stage. "I know it's very hard to be a judge, I know it's very hard to be a critic, I know it's very hard to be in a circle," she joked, referencing the members of the NBCC, "so I'm so very, very grateful to you and all the hard work that you did."

The 2023 National Book Critics Circle Award Winners

Autobiography: How to Say Babylon: A Memoir by Safiya Sinclair (Simon & Schuster)

Biography: Winnie and Nelson: Portrait of a Marriage by Jonny Steinberg (Knopf)

Criticism: Deadpan: The Aesthetics of Black Inexpression by Tina Post (NYU Press)

Fiction: I Am Homeless if This Is Not My Home by Lorrie Moore (Knopf)

Nonfiction: We Were Once a Family: A Story of Love, Death, and Child Removal in America by Roxanna Asgarian (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)

Poetry: Phantom Pain Wings by Kim Hyesoon, translated by Don Mee Choi (New Directions)

Translation: Cold Nights of Childhood by Tezer Ozlu, translated by Maureen Freely (Transit Books

Debut: Waiting to Be Arrested at Night: A Uyghur Poets Memoir of Chinas Genocide by Tahir Hamut Izgil, translated by Joshua L. Freeman
Visit marks the unveiling of a national semiconductor industry road map by the Central American nation

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Purdue University President Mung Chiang joined Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, senior staffers from the Department of Commerce, and the leadership and members of the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) on a trip to Costa Rica to advance semiconductor partnerships to help bolster the global semiconductor ecosystem and build supply chain sustainability and resilience.

Like many other nations, Costa Rica is launching its own national initiative in the semiconductor space. The visit was marked by Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves unveiling his nations semiconductor industry road map at an event held in San Jose on Thursday (March 21) evening.

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Purdue is delighted to be invited to join the Commerce Department and SIA during a trip to Costa Rica, as its presidential road map of semiconductors is unveiled and Purdues contribution is announced to help near-shore resilient supply chains to neighboring democracies, Chiang said. As Americas leading university in chips education, research, industry partnership and global collaboration, Purdue continues to work closely with Sen. Todd Young and Secretary Gina Raimondo to advance this critical foundation for national security and economic security.

During a leadership roundtable led by Raimondo, Chiang announced a three-point action plan to boost Purdues semiconductor partnership with Costa Rica:

Purdue will offer the Semiconductor Degrees Program curriculum to Costa Ricas top universities and provide opportunities to access collaborative research and educational resources such as nanoHUB and chipshub.

Purdue University Online will make available Spanish versions of its interdisciplinary Master of Science in Engineering, with a specialization in microelectronics and semiconductors, and its Master of Science in artificial intelligence, while also collaborating with Costa Ricas Digital Center of Excellence.

Purdues College of Engineering will explore collaboration with top Costa Rican universities on research and innovation in chip design and packaging.

Last July the U.S. State Department announced that it will partner with the Costa Rican government to explore opportunities to diversify and grow the global semiconductor ecosystem. The partnership was enabled by the International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund, created as a part of the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.

Raimondo is no stranger to Purdues expertise in the semiconductor and microelectronics space. In September 2022 she, along with Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, toured Purdues semiconductor facilities, including the Birck Nanotechnology Center. The tour highlighted the universitys leading-edge research and workforce development efforts that can help the United States restore domestic semiconductor manufacturing and competitiveness abroad.

Raimondo also took part last spring in Purdues inaugural national CHIPS summit in Washington, D.C., to forge national solutions in the U.S. semiconductor industry, saying at the time, I was blown away by what I saw when I visited Purdue, insofar as, in my assessment, it is exactly what the United States needs to be doing.

International partnerships have become a hallmark of excellence for Purdue, and not only in the semiconductor ecosystem. Over the past 12 months, the university has forged agreements and memorandums of understanding with numerous countries, including Belgium, India, Japan, Taiwan and Greece, as well as with multiple academic and industry partners.

Next month Purdue will again host a high-profile national CHIPS summit to further explore the nations critical semiconductor industry. The daylong summit, named CHIPS for America: Execute for Global Success, will convene key government, industry and academic stakeholders from the U.S. and allied nations to discuss mutually reinforcing road maps for semiconductor R&D and workforce in a global context. The event will be April 17 at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a public research institution demonstrating excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities and with two colleges in the top four in the United States, Purdue discovers and disseminates knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 105,000 students study at Purdue across modalities and locations, including nearly 50,000 in person on the West Lafayette campus. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdues main campus has frozen tuition 13 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap  including its first comprehensive urban campus in Indianapolis, the new Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business, and Purdue Computes  at https://www.purdue.edu/president/strategic-initiatives.

Writer/Media contact: Wes Mills, wemills@purdue.edu.

Sources: Mung Chiang, Vijay Raghunathan
The suspect in the killing of a New Mexico State Police officer from Logan was charged with federal crimes today.

Jaremy Smith, 33, of South Carolina was federally charged with carjacking resulting in death and discharge of a firearm during an relation to a crime of violence.

Smith is accused of fatally shooting NMSP officer Justin Hare, 35, of Logan on March 15 when he stopped behind the vehicle that Smith was driving that had a flat tire west of Tucumcari on Interstate 40.

Smith was arrested two days later in Albuquerque after Bernalillo County sheriffs deputies shot him during a foot chase. Smith is being treated for his wounds at a hospital.

Smith also is a person of interest in the death of a South Carolina paramedic.

Well have more details in the next edition of the Quay County Sun.
On March 23rd in 1775, Patrick Henry rose at St. Johns Church in Richmond, Virginia, to urge his countrymen to arm themselves for the Revolutionary War. Four weeks before the battle of Lexington and Concord, Henry saw the future: The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms!

Most Americans remember the stirring ending of Henrys speech: give me liberty, or give me death! But in this election year, it is useful to be reminded of the beginning of that speech.

When Henry rose to speak, he knew he would be called a warmonger and disloyal to the still well-loved King George. He knew that even many patriots would oppose arming as premature and provocative.

But facing such a momentous decision, he decided he must speak, whatever the risk. Should he keep back his opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, he should consider himself guilty of treason toward his country. The question that the Virginia Convention faced could lead to war. At such a critical juncture, it was no time for ceremony but time for a lively debate in which everyone openly voiced their concerns.

He reminded the gathered delegates that we have done everything that could be done to seek a peaceful solution with Britain. We have petitioned  we have remonstrated  we have supplicated  we have prostrated ourselves before the throne of King George. But now, with no other options for redress, the delegates elected by their neighbors needed to decide if they should take a drastic course of action.

This is a critical point. When Henry announced his commitment to liberty  or death he was not attacking all government regulation or control, demanding personal liberty regardless of societys interests or needs. He was not some mad libertarian chafing at the decisions of his elected representatives.

The problem the colonists faced was that they had no vote in Parliament. In more familiar terms, the problem was not simply taxation  but taxation without representation.

Now the peoples representatives must decide for themselves and their constituents what to do.

We know the rest of the story. As Henrys speech rose to a crescendo, he asked in an almost accusatory tone, Is life so dear; or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains, and slavery? His final remark would reverberate across America as the kings former subjects rose to demand the rights of citizens: I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!

Today, we enjoy the liberty for which Henry and his colleagues fought. But Henry did not see it as liberty to do whatever one wants, but liberty to join with other citizens to make laws and ensure freedom for the whole community.

This was never more clear than in Henrys final political campaign in 1799. He had been a leading Antifederalist who had warned that the new Constitution would create a government too powerful and distant from the people. But he came out of retirement at George Washingtons behest to defend the Constitution against the radical idea of state nullification of federal laws.

Henry insisted that since We the People had adopted the Constitution, opponents of federal policies must act in a constitutional way. Go to the ballot box, he told his supporters. The alternative was civil commotions and intestine wars ending in monarchy.

Today, our nation faces enormous challenges. I think Henry would repeat his admonition from 1775 and urge us to speak up, to join the debate. I am confident, too, that he would repeat his warning from 1799 that we must act with other citizens to seek reform in a constitutional way; the alternative is monarchy, which he had come to dread.

When Henry died a few months after that final speech, a piece of paper was found with a message to the citizens of the United States. He reminded Americans of his Stamp Act speech that, according to Thomas Jefferson, gave the first impulse to the ball of the revolution. But Henry understood that it would take work to keep the nation afloat. A monarchy was, after all, easy: You just do what the king says. But as Benjamin Franklin reportedly said after the Philadelphia Constitutional Convention, the United States has a republic  if [we] can keep it.

John Ragosta is a historian at the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies at Monticello, a fellow with the Jack Miller Center, and author of For the People, For the Country: Patrick Henrys Last Political Battle (2023).
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The Cannes Film Festival announced Thursday that Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga will open this year's festival. The film will screen out of competition on May 15.

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Stars Anya Taylor-Joy Chris Hemsworth and Tom Burke will join director George Miller in person. Miller previously brought Mad Max: Fury Road to Cannes in 2015.

Taylor-Joy plays a young Furiosa, the character played by Charlize Theron in Fury Road. Furiosa depicts her abduction from The Green Place and transformation into the road warrior who escapes Immortan Joe in the 2015 film.

Max Rockatansky would not appear in Furiosa because he does not meet her until the events of Fury Road.

Furiosa opens in theaters May 22 in France and May 24 in the U.S. The Cannes Film Festival runs May 14-25.
This is not John Vodickas first time protesting a Georgia execution, but he hopes that it is his last.

On Wednesday, March 20, Vodicka helped organize a silent vigil held at the Arch in opposition to capital punishment and the execution of Willie James Pye. The event was sponsored by Oconee Street United Methodist Church as one of the latest protests against the death penalty in Georgia.
Despite discounts on Russian crude oil  which fell to the lowest since the Ukraine war began  and the rising sanctions, import volumes from the country will remain stable for now or at least till July, said refinery officials.

Photograph: Sergei Karpukhin/Reuters

There is an appetite for Russian crude, and shipments are not expected to taper off beyond this point unless something major happens.

"Talks are on, and buying will continue, an official at a major refinery said.

The sentiment was echoed by another official, who pointed out that almost all major refineries have plans to receive Russian crude over the next few months.

Officials added that while Russian shipping fleets remain under sanctions, India is increasingly seeing shipments by tankers aligned with G7 nations.

Over 1.1 million barrels per day (bpd) or 33 per cent of the total seaborne Russian crude exports last month were lifted by tankers flagged, owned or operated by companies based in the G7, the EU, Australia, Switzerland or Norway, or insured by Western protection and indemnity clubs, according to data from S&P Global Commodities at Sea and Maritime Intelligence Risk.

This compared with 30.1 per cent, or 1 million bpd in January, and shows that G7-linked tankers were coming back to Russia even as tougher due diligence procedures took effect from February, data shows.

Russia remained the single-largest supplier of crude oil for the 17th straight month as of February, estimates made by London-based commodity data analytics provider Vortexa show.

Russia's share of India's crude oil imports rose to 32 per cent in February from 25 per cent in January and 31 per cent in December.

These figures still remain much lower than the historic high of 44 per cent registered in May last year.

Hurdles remain

Import volumes have dipped in recent months owing to possible problems in settling payments with Russian suppliers.

The import of Russian Sokol grade crude was most impacted as a result.

However, after months of falling imports as a result of US sanctions, the crude grade has again started landing in India in February, refinery officials said.

Produced by the Sakhalin-1 project in Russia's Far East, the light sweet grade of crude had increasingly found a market in India in 2023.

However, the crude may face further hurdles as the US imposed fresh sanctions on Russia's leading tanker group, Sovcomflot, in February.

Announced on the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the sanctions were placed after 14 tankers  part of the fleet  were in violation of the G7's $60 a barrel price cap on Russian oil, Washington DC had said.

But Petroleum Ministry officials said any dip in incoming crude volumes is a function of oil prices.

Russian shipments to India rose to 1.41 million bpd in February compared to 1.2 million bpd in January, according to Vortexa.

Imports had stood at 1.32 million bpd in December, and 1.48 million in November.

Lower incidence of discounts has also played a part in falling imports.

Discounts have ranged between $3 and 4 per barrel in recent months.

As a result of the changing trade, India had gone for increased sourcing from Iraq in January and Saudi Arabia in February.

Imports from Middle East suppliers are expected to remain on an upward trajectory for the next few months, another official said.
Analysts are advising a cautious stance on the steel sector due to a combination of factors.

Photograph: Babu/Reuters

The major one is that China has maintained momentum on steel exports in CY24 and there could also be domestic over-supply in the medium-term.

Trade data for Jan-Feb24 shows that Chinas finished steel exports rose 31 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to 15.9 MT.

Exports are high due to weak Chinese domestic steel demand which contracted 2 per cent Y-o-Y in CY23 due to a weak housing market (new housing starts in CY23 were the lowest since CY09).

The PRC government-backed China Metallurgical Industry Planning and Research Institute forecasts Chinese steel consumption to drop 1.7 per cent Y-o-Y in CY24.

Iron ore imports by China are still rising implying steel production and hence exports will remain high.

As such global prices are likely to see downward pressure and domestic Indian steel makers may spread compression despite robust demand.

HRC, rebar, and other categories of iron and steel products are likely to see flat prices or a downward trend.

To some extent, weak coking coal prices may compensate to maintain margins.

Consensus estimates for steel revenues and earnings may not yet be factoring in spread compression adequately and valuations are on the high side.

A sharp increase in blast furnace-based steel capacity in India over the next three years may also create a supply overhang and thus create further margin pressures.

At the same time, since the extra capacity coming online will be serviced by domestic iron ore, ore prices could trend higher.

Moreover, thermal coal demand is higher as electricity demand is soaring and hence, there may be upward pressures on the cost front.

India currently accounts for 20 per cent of global coking coal imports and coke prices are weak, which may balance costs somewhat and the possible scaling up capacity will also make operations more cost-efficient.

Domestic steel prices are likely to settle close to import parity, while this situation of China's macro-weakness and steel overproduction persists.

Indian steel makers would have trouble relying on exports to shift offtake at these prices without accepting further margin compressions.

Optimists are betting on a China stimulus, which leads to a revival in domestic demand within China and reduce Chinese exports.

But until there are signs of that occurring, the impact on Indian steelmakers will be negative.

This could result in downgrades for steel majors based in India through the near term and the medium term.

Some analysts are already downgrading valuations and price targets for Tata Steel, JSW Steel, and JSPL, while others are cautioning against exposures in this sector.
We need not spend much time going over what this government has done and is doing to the Opposition, by misusing the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI. There is a daily update on that, notes Aakar Patel.

IMAGE: Police personnel stand guard outside Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's home shortly before his arrest, March 21, 2024, here and below. Photograph: Ishant/ANI Photo

There was a popular video recently by a young man named Dhruv Rathee, which irked the government's supporters.

Its broad argument may be understood by the title, which was 'Is India becoming a dictatorship?' The examples used in the video included the recent rigging of the Chandigarh elections by the BJP, the recent rigging of the panel to select the chief election commissioner, the misuse of government agencies against Opposition leaders and so on.

The dictionary defines dictatorship as 'a form of government in which one person or a small group possesses absolute power without effective constitutional limitations' and 'a form of government in which absolute power is concentrated in an individual or a small clique'.

I will leave it to readers to see whether these definitions align with what is happening around us in India today.

The word 'dictator', like the word 'fascist', is overused, and its real meaning may be lost because it is seen as a term of abuse rather than one of definition.

When the social scientist Ashis Nandy described meeting our present prime minister before he became chief minister, he wrote the following:

'It was a long, rambling interview, but it left me in no doubt that here was a classic, clinical case of a fascist. I never use the term 'fascist' as a term of abuse; to me it is a diagnostic category comprising not only one's ideological posture but also the personality traits and motivational patterns contextualising the ideology.'

Nandy added: 'Modi, it gives me no pleasure to tell the readers, met virtually all the criteria that psychiatrists, psycho-analysts and psychologists had set up after years of empirical work on the authoritarian personality.

'He had the same mix of puritanical rigidity, narrowing of emotional life, massive use of the ego defence of projection, denial and fear of his own passions combined with fantasies of violence -- all set within the matrix of clear paranoid and obsessive personality traits.

'I still remember the cool, measured tone in which he elaborated a theory of cosmic conspiracy against India that painted every Muslim as a suspected traitor and a potential terrorist. I came out of the interview shaken...'

To my mind a less emotional and more reliable question is to ask whether we are under authoritarian rule.

This is defined as 'the lack of concern for the wishes or opinions of others'.

Now let us look at some indicators see if this is the case. What are they?

First, is there any concern for the wishes and opinions of those inside the government?

To answer that let us look at two important cases where we have conclusive evidence.

The first is the national lockdown of March 24, 2020.

The BBC filed 240 RTIs (right to information requests) one year after the lockdown to ask who in the Modi government knew that the lockdown was being announced that evening.

Was disaster management consulted? Or the finance ministry or health ministry? The answer from the government was: 'No.' Nobody had been consulted or informed.

The second is Demonetisation. On November 8, 2016, the Cabinet was summoned and ministers were told to not bring their mobile phones, meaning that they did not know till the PM told them on November 8 that Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes would be useless after that evening.

Since the ministers did not know, the ministries did not know and did not prepare for either of these events.

Parliamentary forms of government function on something called collective responsibility. But not in New India.

In India, the head of State is instructed not to attend the inauguration of the new Parliament because the prime minister wants to preside and protocol requires that the head of State be absent.

Similarly and for the same reason the head of State is not asked to come to the inauguration of the temple which the prime minister wants to preside over.

This is not questioned, much less opposed, because the idea that only one individual represents the State has become accepted here.

Have a look at his photograph everywhere: one cannot escape it.

We need not spend much time going over what this government has done and is doing to the Opposition, by misusing the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation.

There is a daily update on that. It is nobody's case that there is any concern for the 'wishes and opinion' of the Constitutional Opposition.

Those in civil society who dissent also have seen that they must go directly to jail because there is no question of tolerating what they say.

Lastly, we must pay heed to what the external world is saying about India on this subject.

This month, the annual V-Dem Institute's report from the University of Gothenburg said: 'India's autocratization process has been well documented, including gradual but substantial deterioration of freedom of expression, compromising independence of the media, crackdowns on social media, harassment of journalists critical of the government, as well as attacks on civil society and intimidation of the opposition.'

Similar findings come from Freedom House, which ranks India as 'partially free'; Civicus, the global alliance of civil society organisations, which rates India as 'repressed' and the Economist Intelligence Unit which classified India as a 'flawed democracy'.

There are no indices anywhere in the world, including in nations we consider to be friends and allies, which suggest that Indians have become more free and India less authoritarian since 2014.

There is no objective defence. What the supporters of the prime minister, and I accept that there are many, can do instead is to tell us why it is that his divine authoritarianism is so good for us and our country.

Aakar Patel is a columnist and writer and you can read Aakar's earlier columns here.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
'If Kejriwal is adamant on running his government from jail, then his government could be dismissed and Article 356 imposed on Delhi, in other words President's rule in Delhi.'

IMAGE: Aam Aadmi Party workers shout slogans after being detained outside Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence in New Delhi, March 21, 2024, after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate. Photograph: Sanjay Sharma/ANI Photo

Ashutosh was close to Arvind Kejriwal before he quit journalism to join the Aam Aadmi Party in January 2014. He later became AAP's national spokesperson.

In 2018, he quit AAP for personal reasons.

"Kejriwal has been arrested under PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) so he won't be able to get bail so easily. If he has to stay in jail for more than six months, then more trouble will follow for the party," Ashutosh tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com.

Arvind Kejriwal joined politics to fight against corruption and today he is in jail in a corruption case. How do you see this development as a political analyst and as a former colleague of Kejriwal?

This is a very unfortunate and sad incident, for the simple reason that Kejriwal joined politics to rid India of corrupt politics.

I am not going into the merit of this case, but Kejriwal going to jail is ironic because he has been speaking against corruption in politics all the time.

What does the future hold for AAP?

AAP is facing the biggest crisis in its history.

They are not used to run a government or party without Arvind Kejriwal. He has been arrested under PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) by the Enforcement Directorate so he won't be able to get bail so easily.

If he has to stay in jail for more than six months, then more trouble will follow for the party.

Trouble? How?

Two troubles in which the first will be that he won't be able to run the government of Delhi from jail.

It is not possible to run a government sitting in jail.

If he is adamant on running his government from jail then his government could be dismissed and Article 356 imposed on Delhi, in other words President's rule in Delhi state.

In such a scenario, it will be better if Kejriwal resigns from his post and appoints some other person as the chief minister of Delhi.

The second trouble for AAP is that its other two big leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, are also in jail.

This has led to a crisis within the party as there is no second rung leadership capable of taking care of the party like Kejriwal and run the party like he did.

If Kejriwal remains in jail for longer, I foresee a future where there are chances that AAP can disintegrate as a party.

I am not saying they will surely disintegrate, but you cannot rule out completely that AAP won't disintegrate as a party.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren resigned and went to jail after appointing another chief minister, so why cannot Kejriwal do the same?

It is difficult for me to say why he is not resigning, but I think he could be thinking that if he holds on to the CM's post then public sympathy will be with him in the coming elections.

Personally, I feel he is being advised wrongly by his advisors that he should rule Delhi from jail because never in the history of independent India has a chief minister run a state from jail.

If he still insists of ruling from jail the central government can tell the lieutenant governor of Delhi that there is a constitutional crisis in Delhi and Article 356 need to be imposed.

What about AAP leaders like Raghav Chadha, Aatishi Marlena and Saurabh Bharadwaj? Are they not capable of leading Delhi?

In a crisis any leader can become a big political leader and we have seen that happening in politics. Sometimes this new leadership leads the party to greater heights and this could happen, and I don't deny this cannot happen.

The problem right now with AAP's second rung leadership who are out of jail is that they have no experience to run a government or AAP without Arvind Kejriwal's guidance.

The second problem about these leaders is that they have very little experience in politics. They are good human beings and good professionals, but politics is a different ball game altogether. And they will find it difficult with a hostile central government and the cases that are being alleged on the party.

Lok Sabha elections are in two months and in this scenario the absence of a face like Kejriwal will create a lot of chaos in AAP.

It is possible that competition may begin among AAP's second rung leadership, but at this moment we do not see that happening as it is only a day since Kejriwal has been arrested.

In the future, there could be another leader that can emerge from AAP, but right now we do not see any potential leader after Kejriwal.

Will Kejriwal get public sympathy because of his arrest?

AAP may think this way, but I doubt it.

If leaders like Sanjay Singh or Manish Sisodia were out of jail they could have turned this crisis into opportunity and got more votes for AAP.

It will be very interesting now to watch the AAP leaders who are outside whether they have the calibre to create a big movement among the masses by putting the Modi government and BJP in the dock.

The new AAP leadership has to go out and convince people that Kejriwal was wrongly incarcerated.

We will have to wait and see because you never know how the mood of the people changes and they start favouring the Opposition parties. We have seen such examples happening in the past.
'The evidence against Kejriwal is strong.'

IMAGE: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal being taken to the ED headquarters in New Delhi following his arrest on March 21, 2024. Photograph: Ishant/ANI Photo

For the last six years, Bharatiya Janata Party vice president (Delhi) Kapil Mishra has been shouting from rooftops that he will expose Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as corrupt.

No wonder, then, when the Enforcement Directorate arrested Kejriwal from his residence on Thursday evening, Mishra was an elated man.

He tweeted on X an earlier interview with INDIA TV Editor Rajat Sharma where he predicts that Kejriwal will land in jail.

A former close aide of Kejriwal in the Aam Aadmi Party, Mishra fell out badly with him in 2017, only to join the BJP and become an arch-rival.

"I never expected he will be jailed so soon in this case. I felt this case will go on for very long, but it is the blessing of God that we got justice within six years," Mishra tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com.

You have been saying from day one, ever since Delhi's excise policy money trail came out, that Arvind Kejriwal will land in jail. Why were you convinced that he was involved?

I have been fighting non-stop against Arvind Kejriwal's corruption for the last six years. When I highlighted the issue of black money and hawala money in AAP, only then did Satyendra Jain go to jail.

The same thing I have been highlighting regarding the excise policy in which Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia went to jail.

Later, another AAP leader Sanjay Singh too went inside and now Kejriwal is also arrested.

No court was giving bail to Kejriwal. Kejriwal's governance policy was all about money-making. His intentions were not good from day one.

It was a long struggle of six years for me, which has come to a decisive conclusion today after his arrest.

The AAP was formed on the platform of India Against Corruption in 2013. You were a part of that party then, so it is surprising to see you say that AAP itself has become corrupt.

This party was surely made to fight against corruption, but Kejriwal's intention was never good.

If you recall, he had said then that he will always stay in a two- room apartment but later he made a sheesh mahal (grand palace) for himself.

He had said then he will travel only in one car, but then we saw how he started traveling with a 32-car convoy later.

Whatever Kejriwal promised, he did exactly the opposite of that in real life.

He came to politics to fight against a political party (Congress) and now he has done an alliance with the same party for the Lok Sabha elections.

The direction in which Kejriwal was heading had to end in jail.

I have always been saying that the last chapter of politics of Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh will end in Tihar jail. And it has ended the same way.

You were an active AAP leader, so when did you start getting disillusioned with the party?

My disillusionment with Kejriwal started when I saw in the party on how he started protecting the corruption of Satyendra Jain.

I started speaking against that publicly. (Later, Mishra was sacked by Kejriwal in 2017).

After which I have been raising my voice against the excise policy corruption regularly.

I must admit, though, that I never expected he will be jailed so soon in this case. I felt this case will go on for very long, but it is the blessing of God that we got justice within six years.

AAP leader and Delhi Finance Minister Aatishi says there is not a single rupee trail that has been found in the excise policy case as is being alleged by the Enforcement Directorate. And that this case is pure political vendetta by the BJP.

When the Supreme Court of India refused to give bail to Manish Sisodia, it said there is a money trail of Rs 300 crore (Rs 3 billion).

Moreover, whichever court Manish Sisodia or Sanjay Singh went to, those courts have refused to give bail on seeing the evidence presented before them.

This afternoon (March 21, 2024), Kejriwal was not given relief by the high court. The evidence against Kejriwal was presented in a closed chamber. It means ED has evidence against Kejriwal which the court has also seen and the ED is confident (of his conviction), therefore he has been arrested.

Let AAP leaders say whatever they want, but no one can deny that no courts in India gave bail to Kejriwal.

It is very clear now that the evidence against Kejriwal is strong and this matter will reach conviction.

AAP leaders say the BJP wants to send Kejriwal to jail to ensure that he cannot campaign in the general elections which are a month away. They are making it Modi versus Kejriwal.

Let me clarify that it is not the ED who has delayed Kejriwal's arrest, but Kejriwal himself delayed his own arrest.

He was first summoned in November 2022, but he kept on delaying appearing before the ED.

He wanted to stretch his summons till the general elections.

He gave excuses not to attend the summons because of his busy campaigning schedule for the assembly elections.

Today, it was the Delhi high court which told him that the court cannot give him any protection from arrest. And therefore he has been arrested.

Now if you want to add two plus two to make it five by stating that he has been arrested because of general elections, then I cannot help with such wisdom.

Moreover, AAP is contesting only 12-13 seats in the Lok Sabha elections and they are irrelevant in a general election. Today, the people of Delhi are getting justice after Kejriwal's arrest.

Won't public sympathy move to Kejriwal after his arrest, which will be a loss to the BJP?

Kejriwal's credibility was over a long time ago.

When Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh were arrested there was no protest in Delhi by the public.

It is because the people of Delhi want to get rid of a corrupt chief minister.

It is very unfortunate for the people of Delhi that after fighting corruption against Sheila Dixit's government they got a bigger corrupt leader in Arvind Kejriwal.

Today is the day of justice for Delhi and a day of great relief.

There is no public sympathy for Arvind Kejriwal.

He was dodging the ED for so many months because he knew public support was not with him.

If he knew he had public support he would have gone straight to the ED office on day one when he was summoned.

Do you think scrapping the excise policy after a CBI inquiry was Kejriwal admitting in a way that there was corruption?

Arvind Kejriwal was trying to be over smart. He did partnership with the south lobby of Telangana and involved Vijay Nair in the excise policy.

Manish Sisodia on the other hand broke all his phones and computers after each financial transaction in the excise policy. He did this to destroy evidence.

On the other hand Sanjay Singh made one of his close associates a partner of 20 percent in accused Dinesh Arora's (now an approver in excise policy case) company.

This became an open and shut corruption case.

Digital evidence by ED is strong against Kejriwal.

There is no way he can be saved in this case.
'If the Pawars are so powerful, then why are they scared of me?'

IMAGE: NCP-Sharad Pawar Working President Supriya Sule, right, with her sister-in-law and Ajit Pawar's wife Sunetra Pawar before the split in the Nationalist Congress Party. Photograph: Supriya Sule on Instagram

Two-time Shiv Sena ex-MLA from Purandar, Vijay Shivtare, plans to throw his hat in the Baramati Lok Sabha ring, a Pawar bastion for five decades, from where the two Maratha strongmen will flex their political muscle through their proxies -- Ajit Pawar's wife Sunetra Pawar and Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule.

The battle for Baramati assumes huge significance as the Mahayuti led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, NCP (Ajit Pawar) and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) believe they can end dominance of an ageing Sharad Pawar in this fortress by defeating Sule, a three-time MP from the constituency.

It is in this context that the political grapevine has it that Shivtare is entering the arena to cut into Sunetra Pawar's votes at the behest of Sharad Pawar who has controlled the state's politics from Baramati ever since he became Maharashtra's chief minister for the first time in July 1978.

Shivtare, an arch adversary of Pawar's estranged nephew Ajit, reports suggest, met the senior Pawar in Baramati at the Namo Rozgar Melava (job fair), which Ajit Pawar organised early this month to curry favour with Baramati voters.

According to the grapevine, it was during their tete-a-tete that Sharad Pawar convinced Shivtare to enter the fray.

A few days later, Shivtare went public with his decision to contest the Baramati election and ever since then the NCP (Ajit Pawar) and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena are at loggerheads with each other.

"I want to finish the dominance of both the Pawars in Baramati. I will never become anybody's tool. I am against Sharad Pawar also," Shivtare tells Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com.

Are you posturing or are you really keen to contest from the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency? Why did you choose Baramati?

Because I am from Baramati; my (Vidhan Sabha) constituency (Purandar from where Shivtare has been a two-time Shiv Sena MLA in 2009 and 2014) is one of the constituencies of the Baramati Lok Sabha seat. My constituency is adjacent to the Baramati Vidhan Sabha constituency.

Is that the only reason why you want to contest from Baramati? Your opponents from the NCP (Ajit Pawar) say you are violating Mahayuti dharma by doing so?

They have violated the human being's dharma; they are highly corrupt people.

I'm fighting to protect democracy. Baramati is one of the Lok Sabha constituencies out of the 543 constituencies in India. This constituency is part of the Indian democratic system. It is not somebody's property.

Why should Baramati always elect only a Pawar? The Pawars don't work for all the six Vidhan Sabha constituencies after they get elected. They work only for the Baramati Vidhan Sabha constituency.

Shouldn't other Vidhan Sabha constituencies also get fair representation in Parliament? Should there be no other person who can contest an election from Baramati?

My fight is for giving equal opportunities for progress to the remaining five Vidhan Sabha constituencies that make up the Baramati Lok Sabha seat.

For two generations, people of Baramati are electing only the Pawars. Baramati is not the property of the Pawars. Then why should they treat Baramati like their personal property.

Your detractors from Ajit Pawar's NCP allege you are contesting from Baramati with the sole aim of defeating Sunetra Ajit Pawar, who will contest against Supriya Sule?

Ajit Pawar treated me very badly during the 2019 (Vidhan Sabha) election (which Shivtare lost from Purandar to the Congress' Sanjay Jagtap). I have forgiven him for that, but my people will not forgive him because for five years my international airport is being delayed; my water pipeline project (in Fursungi and Devachi Urli villages) was delayed due to him. This is a huge loss to the future generations of Baramati.

He spoke very humiliatingly to me during the 2019 (assembly) election, and threatened to finish me off politically.

He succeeded in defeating me by using intimidation and power politics, but my people (supporters) were not happy with it.

When I visit my constituency, they tell me that they will vote NOTA (None of the above) but not Ajit Pawar. The people are angry because he did not just insult Vijay Shivtare, but he humiliated the voters of Baramati.

I have nothing personal against him. I am against his power politics; people are against him.

Nobody wants to contest against the Pawars because of the power and domination they have in Baramati, which they wield viciously. They finish off their opponents.

Hundreds of families who have gone against them have been totally finished by them. That's the reason nobody wants to fight against them. But I believe we live in a fair democracy.

The Pawars poll roughly about 683,000 votes (in the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency). But there is a huge bloc of voters who votes against the Pawars. The reason I get elected from Purandar is because I speak against the power politics of Pawars. There are 528,000 anti-Pawar votes in the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency. These are real figures I am talking about.

These 528,000 voters don't want to vote for this Pawar (Ajit Pawar's wife Sunetra Pawar) or that Pawar (Supriya Sule, Sharad Pawar's daughter).By contesting from Baramati I am giving these voters the political space to express their opposition to the Pawars. I am giving them a choice that they can happily exercise.

If I am not there, they will have to choose from only among the two Pawars who they don't want to vote for. But then what is the alternative? In a democracy it should not happen that there is no third choice, or many more choices for people to vote for.

Either they will vote for NOTA or choose a soft person -- Ajit Pawar is very rude -- like Supriya Sule. While she has also not done much for Baramati in the last 15 years (Supriya Sule has been a three-time MP since 2009 from Baramati) but woh bolte hai na paththar se eent bhali (a brick is better than a stone).

I have been getting calls from Baramati since the last few days. They are beseeching me to not back out from the race. The people want an alternative to the Pawars in Baramati. I will not back down from this fight.

But what if your party, the Shiv Sena, asks you to step down?

There is enough time on my hands. I'm trying to pursue them (the Shiv Sena and the BJP's Devendra Fadnavis to let me contest from Baramati).

If the Pawars are so powerful, then why are they scared of a fight with an ordinary candidate like me? Why are they afraid of Vijay Shivtare?

If your party has not agreed to your candidature for the Baramati Lok Sabha seat, then aren't you defying your party leadership?

Democratic values are more important than a party. I am thinking about those 5,30,000 voters and want to give them the opportunity, a choice other than the Pawars. I am doing my democratic duty. I am not against (my) party. Not against my party or my chief minister (Eknath Shinde).

I want to defeat both the Pawars. I want to defeat Ajit Pawar as well as Sharad Pawar.

IMAGE: NCP leader Ajit Pawar speaks after Sharad Pawar resigned as party president at the Y B Chavan auditorium in Mumbai, May 2, 2023. It was the first sign that all was not well within the uncle-nephew duo and the NCP could head for a split. Photograph: ANI Photo

But there are reports that you are contesting to defeat Sunetra Pawar at Sharad Pawar's behest.

This is the media's handiwork. Let me be honest. I want the people of Baramati to have an alternative to the Pawars.

In 2014 (Lok Sabha), I tried my best to provide this alternative to the Pawars, but Gopinath Munde (the late Bharatiya Janata Party leader) persuaded me from contesting then. They told me I was needed more in Maharashtra than in the Lok Sabha.

Everybody knows what kind of match-fixing happens (so that the Pawars get to win Baramati).

There is a charge that you are also doing match fixing to help Sharad Pawar against his nephew Ajit Pawar...

Vijay Shivtare will never become a tool that can be used by anybody. These are wild speculations. The people who are spreading such rumours are against democracy. They want to confuse the voters.

I'm fighting for the people. I don't want any money. I am an honest man.

I will never become anybody's tool. I am against Sharad Pawar also.

I want to finish the dominance of both the Pawars in Baramati. Our beloved Prime Minister Narendra Modi also says that we need to finish dynasty politics and I am just following his command.

But there is dynasty politics in all the parties. Isn't Ajit Pawar, against whom Modi campaigned in Baramati and alleged that he was involved in a Rs 70,000 crore irrigation scam, also a dynast? And after all that, the BJP joined hands with Ajit Pawar.

I am just trying to be transparent. I am clear in my thinking and actions. It is only to keep democracy alive that I am contesting from Baramati. Otherwise there are syndicates everywhere.
Forty-one companies facing probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate and the I-T department gave Rs 2,471 crore to the Bharatiya Janata Party through electoral bonds, and Rs 1,698 crore of it was donated after raids by these agencies, civil society activists who challenged the poll funding scheme in the Supreme Court claimed on Friday.

Image used for representational purpose only. Photograph: ANI Photo

Addressing the media after the Election Commission made public a fresh data set of electoral bonds, senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, who appeared for the petitioners in the court, said at least 30 shell companies purchased electoral bonds worth over Rs 143 crore.

He said 33 groups which have got 172 major contracts and project approvals from the government also made donations through electoral bonds.

"They have got a total of Rs 3.7 lakh crore in projects and contracts, in exchange for Rs 1,751 crore electoral bond donations to the BJP," he alleged.

Bhushan also claimed that 41 companies which faced raids by the Enforcement Directorate, Central Bureau of Investigation and the Income Tax department gave Rs 2,471 crore to the BJP, and Rs 1,698 crore of it was given after these raids and Rs 121 crore was given in the three months immediately after the raids.

In at least 49 cases, Bhushan alleged, Rs 62,000 crore in postpaid contracts/project approvals were given by the Centre or BJP-led state governments, for which Rs 580 crore in "kickbacks" in the form of electoral bonds were given to the BJP within three months.

Bhushan claimed Kalpataru Group gave Rs 5.5 crore to the BJP within three months of an I-T Department raid on it on August 3 last year.

"Future Gaming gave Rs 60 crore to the BJP within three months of I-T and ED raids on November 12, 2023 and December 1, 2021 respectively. Aurobindo Pharma gave Rs 5 crore to the BJP within three months of ED raid on November 10, 2022," he added.

Calling the electoral bonds scheme the biggest scam of Independent India, Bhushan alleged four categories of corruption was done through it.

"The first is chanda do, dhanda lo (give donation and get business), the second is hafta-vasuli (extortion), the third is theka lo, rishwat do (bag contract, give bribe), and farzi company," he said.

Another petitioner, Jagdeep Chhokar, Founder Member and Trustee of poll rights NGO Association of Democratic Reforms, said data that has come out after the Supreme Court verdict is "just the tip of the iceberg".

"No one can say after the verdict that the corporate-political nexus does not exist in the country," he said.

RTI activist Anjali Bhardwaj, also a petitioner in the case, demanded an independent probe into the matter.

"Who will investigate the investigator? An independent SIT should for formed to look into the corruption through electoral bonds," she said.

In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court scrapped the electoral bonds scheme calling it "unconstitutional", and ordered the release of all details related to the bonds purchased and redeemed.
The arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Thursday night could not have come at a worse time for the Aam Aadmi Party, which is already grappling with the absence of its top leadership from action.

IMAGE: AAP workers shout slogans after being detained outside the residence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in New Delhi on Thursday, March 21, 2024. Photograph: Sanjay Sharma/ANI Photo

The party is eyeing at expanding its footprint across the country and has tied up with the Congress to contest the Lok Sabha polls against the Bharatiya Janata Party in Delhi, Haryana and Gujarat.

Kejriwal is the fulcrum of the party's Lok Sabha campaign and its star campaigner. The party is already feeling the pinch of the absence of its senior leaders like Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain and Sanjay Singh.

Now the arrest of Kejriwal has landed the ruling party of Delhi in the doldrums.

On earlier occasions, whenever this question rose, the party maintained a tough stance saying it will fight it out, but there is no denying the fact that AAP's think tank won't find it easy to wriggle out of this problem.

The party's campaign in Delhi, where it is contesting on four seats and in Gujarat, where it has fielded candidates on two seats, is centred around Kejriwal.

In Delhi, the party's campaign is titled, 'Sansad Mein Bhi Kejriwal, Toh Dilli Hogi Aur Khush Haal' while in Gujarat, it is being run as 'Gujarat Mein Bhi Kejriwal'.

In Punjab, while the campaign is centred around state chief minister Bhagwant Mann, Kejriwal had been frequently travelling to the state, where the AAP is contesting all the 13 seats without an alliance with Congress.

At a press conference on March 19, Delhi Cabinet minister Saurabh Bharadwaj had alleged that there was a conspiracy to arrest Kejriwal since his questions were making the BJP uncomfortable.

Inevitably, a question arose, 'If Kejriwal is arrested, how will the party's Lok Sabha campaign proceed in his absence?'

Earlier this week, Bharadwaj said that "The face will be Arvind Kejriwal. He is the only face that people trust and love. The strategy will be formed once we reach that stage."

Before Kejriwal's arrest, the party, somewhere, at the back of its mind, was also hoping that he is not arrested considering his mass appeal and popularity, especially among the people of Delhi.

"The BJP also has a fear that their plan to arrest Kejriwal might backfire. Kejriwal's arrest could lead people to revolt against the BJP in the polls," a senior party leader had said when Kejriwal was being issued multiple summonses by the ED in an excise policy linked money laundering case.

Not only does Kejriwal's arrest threaten to derail the party's Lok Sabha campaign, it could have long standing repercussions on governance in Delhi and the Assembly polls next year.

For now, the party is maintaining a brave face and saying, 'Ladenge, Jeetenge' but the truth is that a bumpy road in the coming days awaits the 12-year-old party.
A team of the Archaeological Survey of India Friday began a survey of the controversial Bhojshala/Kamal Maula Mosque complex situated in the tribal-dominated Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh.

IMAGE: Police personnel being deployed at Bhojshala/Kamal Maula Mosque complex ahead of ASI survey, in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, March 22, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The ASI team, comprising more than a dozen members, reached the complex in the morning.

Senior local police and district administration officials accompanied the ASI team.

The ASI team worked till noon and left the spot for the day, Ashish Goyal, one of the petitioners in the matter who was present with surveyors, told reporters.

Both Hindus and Muslims consider the site a place of worship.

Asked whether Muslims would be allowed to offer prayers at the site, Dhar superintendent of police Manoj Kumar Singh said puja' on Tuesdays and namaz' on Fridays will be held as per practice.

The SP said he would discuss the matter with ASI officials and make adequate arrangements for the faith-related activities.

A 15-member team reached the site early in the morning to survey the Bhojshala complex, Goyal said.

He said that members of the Hindu Front for Justice, an umbrella organisation representing petitioners like him, were also present during the survey.

Today they did the ground-level preparations for conducting the survey. As directed by the high court, new technologies like GPS and carbon-dating equipment were used by the team, Goyal said.

However, eyewitnesses said that the members of the Muslim community were not present on the occasion.

As per the ongoing practice, Muslim community members offered Friday namaz at the site amid heavy police presence, they said.

Earlier, SP Singh said that the survey had begun at the Bhojshala.

We have provided all the logistical support that the ASI team needed to conduct it. Adequate security measures were taken for the exercise and there is peace in the town, he had told PTI.

A heavy police force has been deployed at the site, eyewitnesses said.

Meanwhile, a Special Leave Petition filed by the Muslim community against the HC order in the Supreme Court on the issue was listed for hearing on April 1, lawyer Shirish Dube, representing Hindu Front for Justice, told reporters.

He said the SC refused to hear the matter on Friday as mentioned by their lawyers.

The survey will continue as directed by the HC, he added.

The Madhya Pradesh high court, on March 11, directed ASI to carry out within six weeks a 'scientific survey' of the Bhojshala complex, a medieval-era monument that Hindus believe is a temple of Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati) and the Muslim community calls Kamal Maula Mosque.

As per an ASI order issued on April 7, 2003, Hindus are allowed to worship inside the Bhojshala complex every Tuesday, while Muslims are allowed to offer namaaz at the site on Fridays.

Speaking to reporters later, Dhar town's Shahar Qazi' Waqar Sadiq said that no authorised member of the Muslim community was present during the survey, though Kamal Moula Mosque's representative Abdul Samad was supposed to be there.

But it seems ASI has not given him any notice and for this the central agency is responsible, Sadiq claimed.

Sadiq said ASI reports of 1902 and 1903 are in its records and the first report on the site mentioned that this is a mosque.

A petition was again filed in the high court in 1998 by Vimal Kumar Godha on behalf of the Bajrang Dal and other Hindu bodies. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the prime minister then. A reply was filed that time that it was Kamal Moula Mosque' and the existence of Bhojshala was a mystery, he said.

This reply is in the records of the high court and ASI cannot go back on its stand on the issue, he said.

About the SC not taking up their matter after being mentioned, he said dates keep moving back and forth and the community will get a hearing.

Sadiq said they have documents to show that namaz can be offered at the site five times a day, but they have restrained themselves in the interest of peace and harmony.

Stressing that there is no dispute with the Hindus, he said, Only 13-14 persons, who are the self-proclaimed leaders of the community, are creating problems. Now we think that we have to insist on starting namaz five times a day at the site. We will move the high court and the supreme court on this, he said.

Whatever was present during the survey of 1902 must be there even today. If anything new is found then ASI would disclose it with full transparency, he said.

Namaaz will be held at the site as per practice for progress and peace in the country, he said.

Sadiq said their community leaders, including representatives of the Kamal Maula Mosque, will meet soon to take a call on the matter.
A day after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate, a delegation of leaders of the INDIA bloc parties approached the Election Commission of India alleging "unrelenting, blatant and illegal deployment of Central Agencies" by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party to stifle the Opposition parties.

IMAGE: INDIA bloc leaders led by Congress' Abhishek Singhvi, KC Venugopal, TMC's Derek O'Brien, NCP-Sharad Pawar faction's Jitendra Awhad and others after meeting Election Commission follwing Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, in New Delhi, March 22, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

In a memorandum submitted to the EC, the INDIA party leaders submitted a list of recent instances of central agencies targeting Opposition parties and alleged an absence of a level playing field for the opposition.

The leaders also suggested that the poll panel should change the heads of the probe agencies during the election to ensure a fair play.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, "We pointed out this is not a normal complaint, it is a larger issue of effecting, impairing, undermining, and sabotaging the basic structure of the Indian constitution.

"We pointed out that the level playing field is the heart and soul of free and fair elections. And free and fair elections are the heart and soul of democracy itself. Democracy has been held repeatedly by the Supreme Court to be part of basic structure."

He added, "The moment you skew, render the level playing field in a non level playing field, what do you do? You are actually affecting democracy and therefore the basic structure. How do you do it, you use and misuse agencies blatantly."

Singhvi said cases which are 20 years old have been resurrected to target the opposition.

"...if you had to take action, I am assuming for a minute action is justified... why can't the action be deferred to June-July, what is the need to arrest him today? What is the need to raid him tomorrow? Right in the middle of the election. It is because you want to win by unfair means before the first vote is cast," he alleged, referring to the arrest of Kejriwal.

He said in 75 years of India history, no party of whatever colour, including BJP, ever thought of arresting a sitting chief minister.

"Every party of this political structure standing here has been harassed, raided and arrested, why? All virtues are in this pocket, all the vices on this side? Or are you blind?" he said.

"Not a single person of the ruling party is affected, how is this level playing field? We asked this question to the mega custodian of our democracy, the Election Commission. We told them that you have constitutional power, if you can appoint heads of police, change home secretaries, why can't you control appointments to ED, CBI, and the IT during at least the period of the MCC," Singhvi added.

Besides Singhvi, Congress leaders KC Venugopal, Trinamool Congress' Derek O'brien and Nadimul Haque, Communist Party of India-Marxist general secretary Sitaram Yechury, Aam Aadmi Party leaders Sandeep Pathak and Pankaj Gupta, Nationalist Congress Party-Sharad Pawar leader Jitendra Awhad, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's P Wilson and Javed Ali of the Samajwadi Party were part of the delegation.

While the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Rashtriya Janata Dal and Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray could not send any representatives, the Opposition leaders said all parties supported the memorandum.

Singhvi said the delegation was activated late last night following Kejriwal's arrest.

"...Some got information around 11-12 in the night. Many made an effort to fly here, like Mr O'Brien, he was not in Delhi. One or two could not come but they have given full political support. Every possible political colour from the opposition is here at a short notice," he said.

This was TMC's first appearance with the INDIA bloc parties since the seat-sharing talks in West Bengal with Congress failed, and it announced going solo in polls.

The Opposition leaders shared a list ten incidents of cases and raids against opposition leaders by central agencies since January this year.

The instances included CBI registering an FIR against TMC's Mahua Moitra, raids and arrest of leaders of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, which is not a part of the INDIA bloc, raids against and arrest of former Bihar CM Lalu Yadav's aide, arrest of Hemant Soren, and freezing of Congress's accounts among other incidents.

"Therefore there emerges a clear, deliberate and sinister pattern, where the ruling regime is abusing its power, and completely destroying any semblance of a level playing field for other political parties contesting the Lok Sabha elections.

"Never before has such high-handedness ever been witnessed," the Opposition said in the memorandum.

"It is our submission that free and fair elections are not possible in an atmosphere of threats, intimidation and extortion (as seen from the electoral bonds issue being adjudicated before the Supreme Court). The Hon'ble Commission must act and take drastic steps to halt this brazen misuse of the official machinery," it read.

"This electoral process will have lost all sanctity if the Hon'ble Commission is unable to ensure a level playing field," they said in the letter.

Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday night in an excise policy-linked money laundering case in Delhi.
The Delhi high court Friday admitted a Central Bureau of Investigation appeal against the acquittal of former telecom minister A Raja and 16 others in the 2G spectrum allocation scam case, paving the way for hearing in the matter six years after the plea was filed by the agency.

IMAGE: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin with DMK deputy general secretary A Raja (right) leaves after paying homage to former state CM CN Annadurai on the occasion of his birthday, in Chennai, March 1, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Admitting the Central Bureau of Investigation appeal, the high court said there are "some contradictions" in the trial court's judgment which require "deeper examination".

It granted the CBI "leave to appeal", saying the probe agency has made out arguable points.

"Leave to appeal" is a formal permission granted by a court to a party to challenge a decision in a higher court.

"The court on the basis of material on record, and after going through the sworn testimonies, material on record, impugned judgment and the submissions made at bar by both the parties has reached on an objective satisfaction that there is a prima facie case which requires deeper examination and re-appreciation/re-appraisal of entire evidence," Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma said.

"The court during the hearing has also noticed some contradictions in the judgement itself, which requires deeper examination. The court at this stage is required to have a prima facie helicopter view. There may be a possibility that such contradictions are explained by the defence during the hearing," the court said in its verdict on the CBI's "leave to appeal".

The appeal was filed by the CBI in March 2018, but the aspect of 'leave to appeal' was heard by seven different judges before coming to Justice Sharma who reserved the verdict on March 14.

The special court had on December 21, 2017, acquitted Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and others in the CBI and ED cases related to the 2G scam.

On March 20, 2018, the CBI had approached the high court, challenging the special court's judgment.

The high court, in its 120-page verdict, said the State is the custodian of the rights of every citizen of India and in economic offence cases, the loss is not to a private individual but it trickles down to lakhs of innocent people of the country.

"If there has been an un-merited acquittal the scrutiny by the appellate court is the only available method to bring in correction wherever required. The appellate scrutiny cannot begin without the threshold of leave being granted," it said.

Justice Sharma said the 2G scam is not an ordinary criminal offence and is a case of different nature where criminal proceedings were initiated on the basis of the direction of the Supreme Court which had monitored the investigation.

The high court said the case pertains to economic offence which constitutes a separate class and required to be handled with a different approach and with little more sensitivity.

"The present case is not an ordinary case of murder, dacoity, rape, theft or fraud. It was a case where the allegations were extremely serious in nature.

Thus the appreciation of the evidence and handling of such cases has to be done in a very different manner," it said.

The high court said the counsel for the acquitted persons and firms have stated that though the prosecution witnesses did not support the case, the CBI did not declare them hostile and many of the points remained unexplained.

"The question before this court is whether by refusing leave to appeal such ambiguity should be buried without an opportunity to the State for giving an explanation for such. It may not be taken as giving an opportunity to the CBI to plug its loopholes. The duty of this court is to ensure that justice is not denied to anyone including the State on mere hyper- technicalities.

"The society has an expectation from the judicial dispensation system. Such faith or expectation cannot be permitted to be diluted by resorting to technical or unrealistic approaches," it said.

The high court said the trial court judge has repeatedly noted that CBI should have afforded an opportunity to the witness to explain the statement made by them.

This gives rise to the concern as to why the presiding judge did not exercise his jurisdiction under section 165 of the Indian Evidence Act to seek any clarity, if there was any ambiguity or obscurity, it said.

Section 165 of Indian Evidence Act deals with a judge's power to put questions or order production.

"The case of some of the accused persons cannot be segregated at this stage as the facts are so much interwoven with each other that it will be difficult to separate at this stage.... The evidence has to be weighed and not counted," it said.

Besides Raja and Kanimozhi, the special court had acquitted former telecom secretary Siddharth Behura, Raja's former private secretary R K Chandolia, Unitech Limited managing director Sanjay Chandra and three top executives of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group -- Gautam Doshi, Surendra Pipara and Hari Nair -- in the 2G case lodged by the CBI.

Swan Telecom promoters Shahid Balwa and Vinod Goenka and the directors of Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Private Limited -- Asif Balwa and Rajiv Agarwal -- were also acquitted in the CBI case.

The special court had also acquitted Swan Telecom (Private) Limited, Unitech Wireless (Tamil Nadu) Limited, Reliance Telecom Limited, film producer Karim Morani and Kalaignar TV director Sharad Kumar in the CBI case.

They were tried under various provisions of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The CBI had alleged there was a loss of Rs 30,984 crore to the exchequer in allocation of licences for 2G spectrum which were scrapped by the top court on February 2, 2012.
The Karnataka high court on Friday stayed further investigation in a criminal case filed against Bharatiya Janata Party MP and Union minister Shobha Karandlaje over her statement during a protest in Bengaluru, where she linked a suspect in the Rameshwaram cafe blast in Bengaluru with Tamil Nadu.

IMAGE: Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Shobha Karandlaje speaks in the Rajya Sabha during the Budget Session of Parliament, in New Delhi, February 9, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The Election Commission Flying Squad initiated the case, which was registered under sections 123(3), 123(3A), and 125 of the Representation of People Act at Cottonpet Police station.

The sections refer to promotion of feelings of enmity or hatred between different classes of the citizens of India on grounds of religion, race, caste, community, or language.

Justice Krishna S Dixit, presiding over a single judge bench, issued notice to the parties concerned and paused the ongoing investigation.

The judge advised Karandlaje to exercise caution in her public statements, emphasising that leaders from all parties should show restraint to maintain a civilised society. He expressed concerns about India's future if such decorum is not upheld.

During a protest in Bengaluru on Tuesday, Karandlaje had claimed that law and order in Karnataka has "deteriorated". "People who come from Tamil Nadu plant bombs here, those from Delhi chant 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans and some who come from Kerala are involved in 'acid attacks'," she claimed.

She later apologised for her remarks and said she was retracting them.

Advocate Venkatesh Dalwai, representing Karandlaje, argued that the alleged offences were not exactly election offences.

The court, questioning the severity of the charges and invoking freedom of speech, pointed out that a democratic society like India shouldn't restrict speech akin to a totalitarian regime like Nazi Germany.

The government's advocate mentioned the involvement of the Flying Squad officer in filing the case, and suggested potential charges under a different section of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Consequently, the court upheld the accused's right to free speech and stayed further proceedings in the case pending a detailed examination of the charges and legal frameworks involved.

The FIR was filed after the EC directed the Karnataka chief electoral officer (CEO) to take immediate and appropriate action on the DMK's complaint regarding the alleged violation by Karandlaje, who is BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from the Bangalore North constituency. The poll panel also sought a compliance report on the matter within 48 hours.

DMK, the ruling party in Tamil Nadu, had sought action against Karandlaje for alleging that a person from Tamil Nadu was responsible for the IED blast that was set off on March 1 at Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru.

In its complaint, the DMK said that the minister's statement generalised the people of Tamil Nadu as extremists.

The Madurai police has also booked Karandlaje for promoting enmity between different groups. Her remarks have drawn sharp criticism from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin and other DMK leaders.
The Aam Aadmi Party will not celebrate Holi this year and will gherao the prime minister's residence on March 26 to register its protest against Arvind Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate, the party's Delhi convenor Gopal Rai said on Friday.

IMAGE: AAP workers stage a protest against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister and party national convener Arvind Kejriwal in Nagpur. Photograph: ANI Photo

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Rai alleged that MLAs and councillors of the Aam Aadmi Party were stopped from meeting the family members of the Delhi chief minister, who was arrested by the ED in an excise policy-linked money-laundering case on Thursday.

"Workers and leaders were detained throughout the day. The whole country is sad and angered by Kejriwal's arrest. At 10 am on Saturday, all AAP MLAs, councillors, office-bearers, INDIA bloc representatives will take a pledge to save democracy. We will gather at the Shaheedi Park on Saturday, the martyrdrom day of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev," the Delhi minister said.

He added that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will also attend the programme.

"On March 24, effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be burnt in all Assembly constituencies. On the day of Holi on March 25, we will not organise any programme and on March 26, we will gherao the prime minister's residence," Rai said.

He said a joint movement against the AAP national convenor's arrest will be announced soon after discussions among the INDIA bloc constituents.
After his anti-India rhetoric, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has struck a reconciliatory tone, saying India will continue to remain his country's closest ally and urged New Delhi to provide debt relief to the archipelago nation.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on the sidelines of the COP28 Summit in Dubai on December 1, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

The Maldives owed approximately $400.9 million to India by the end of last year.

Ever since he took oath as the president in November last year, the pro-China Maldivian leader has pursued a hardline stand towards India and within hours had demanded that Indian military personnel operating three aviation platforms be repatriated from his country by May 10.

On Thursday, in his first interview with the local media since assuming office, Muizzu said India was instrumental in providing aid to the Maldives and has implemented the greatest number of projects.

India will continue to remain the Maldives' closest ally, he said and emphasised that there was no question about it, Maldives news portal Edition.mv said in a report that carried excerpts of Muizzu's interview to its Dhivehi language sister-publication Mihaaru.

Muizzu's comments praising India came after the first batch of Indian military personnel left the island nation this month as planned. By May 10, Muizzu had demanded that all 88 military personnel, manning the three Indian aviation platforms, should leave the country.

India has been providing humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the people of the Maldives for the last few years using two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft.

The Maldives' proximity to India, barely 70 nautical miles from the island of Minicoy in Lakshadweep and 300 nautical miles from the mainland's western coast, and its location at the hub of commercial sea lanes running through the Indian Ocean Region gives it significant strategic importance.

During the interview, Muizzu urged India to accommodate debt relief measures for the Maldives in the repayment of the hefty loans taken over consecutive governments.

The conditions we have inherited are such that there are very large loans taken from India. Hence, we are holding discussions to explore leniencies in the repayment structure of these loans.

Instead of halting any ongoing projects ... to proceed with them at speed, so I see no reason for any adverse effects (on Maldives-India relations), Muizzu added.

Muizzu's conciliatory comments towards India came ahead of Parliament elections in Maldives slated in mid-April.

He said Maldives has taken significant loans from India, which are heftier than can be borne by the Maldivian economy. Due to this, he is currently discussing with the Indian government to explore options to repay the loans to the best of the Maldives' economic capabilities, the news portal said quoting him.

Muizzu, who expressed hope that India would facilitate debt relief measures in the repayment of these loans, also said that he has conveyed his appreciation to the Indian government for their contributions.

During the previous regime, headed by pro-India leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration, the total amount of loans taken from the Export and Import Bank of India stood at $1.4 million (MVR 22 million).

Together with this, the amount owed by Maldives to India by the end of last year stood at MVR 6.2 billion, he said.

At the current rate of 1 MVR equal to $16, this is approximately $400.9 million.

I also conveyed to Prime Minister Modi during our meeting that I did not intend to halt any ongoing projects. Instead, I expressed my desire to strengthen and expedite them he said, referring to his discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Dubai on the sidelines of the COP28 summit in Dubai in December 2023.

I suggested a high-level committee be established, one designed for quick decision-making even in the bridge project to ensure speedy work. The same for the Hanimaadhoo Airport, he added.

Answering a question about Indian military personnel, Muizzu termed it as the only matter of contention that arose with India about the presence of Indian military in the Maldives and added that India, too, had accepted the fact and agreed to withdraw the military personnel.

It is not nice to dismiss or disregard aid from one country to another as useless, he said and claimed that he had not taken any action or made any statements that may strain the relationship between the two countries.

Even if they are troops of some other country, we will deal with them in the same manner. I have said so very clearly. It is nothing personal but rather a matter of our national security, he added.

Muizzu stated that his government acted to find the swiftest and most prudent solution through deliberations to deal with the issue of the Indian military in the Maldives.

He defended his agreement with India to deploy civilians instead of military personnel to run the helicopters and the Dornier aircraft saying that the erstwhile Abdulla Yameen administration which demanded the Indian troops to be sent out has not succeeded as Indian personnel remained in the Maldives.

While the same goals were being worked for in both instances, Muizzu indicated that results can be achieved through discussions and deliberations.

Everything can be achieved through discussions and deliberations. That's what I believe, he said.

Meanwhile, amid his tenuous ties with India, Muizzu had pursued an obvious pro-China policy starting with his January visit to Beijing.

During his China visit, he signed a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership besides signing 20 agreements to assist Maldives infrastructure after his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

China also announced a $130 million grant besides promising to send more Chinese tourists to the tourism-dependent Maldives.

After his return from China, Muizzu, without naming any country, said Maldives may be a small country, but that is not a license for anybody to bully us.

Muizzu also terminated a hydrography agreement with India and has been claiming that the Indian Ocean does not belong to any particular country.
In a massive setback to the Congress party ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed its pleas challenging the reassessment proceedings initiated against it by the Income Tax Department, saying the tax authority has collated "substantial and concrete" evidence warranting further scrutiny and examination.

IMAGE: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and party leader Rahul Gandhi during a press conference regarding the freezing of the party's bank accounts ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, at the Party HQ in New Delhi. Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo

A bench of Justices Yashwant Varma and Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav said the party had challenged the assessment proceedings at a belated stage as it is to be completed by March 31, 2024. The party filed the petitions only on March 19, it said.

The high court said while the notice was issued to the party by the I-T Department on March 7, 2023, the satisfaction note by the assessing officer (AO) appeared to have been provided to the petitioner on June 28 and 30, 2023.

The court said the statutory time-frames mandate assessment to be completed within 12 months from the time when the books of accounts or material are handed over to the AO of the non-searched person.

This would mean that in the present case and taking the date of handing over or recordal of satisfaction as constituting the date from which that period is liable to be reckoned, the assessment is liable to be completed by March 31, 2024, the bench said.

It said, The writ petitioner has thus chosen to approach this court only a few days before the time for completion of assessment would expire and at the proverbial fag end of the proceedings. We consequently find no justification to interdict the assessment proceedings at this belated stage by invoking our jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution.

The court, however, left open the question as to whether the delay in commencement of proceedings would be fatal to the assessment.

It said on a prima facie examination, it is evident that the authorities appear to have collated substantial and concrete evidence warranting further scrutiny and examination under the I-T Act.

The Congress has challenged initiation of proceedings under Section 153C (assessment of income of any other person) of the Income Tax Act for assessment pertaining to assessment years 2014-15 to 2016-17.

It has contended that Section 153C action was based on searches which were conducted on four individuals in April, 2019. It said that on the basis of the material which was gathered in those searches, the AO also drew corresponding satisfaction notes for initiation of proceedings against the Congress party.

The petitioner's counsel submitted that the assessment which was proposed to be undertaken for Assessment Years (AY) 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 would be barred by the period of limitation and the I-T department could have gone back to a maximum of six assessment years.

The counsel contended that assessment under Section 153C of the Act could have at best covered the period of AYs 2017-18 to 2020-21 and the three additional AYs 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 would be barred by limitation.

The I-T department, however, asserted there was no violation of any statutory provision by the tax authority and that as per the material recovered, the "escaped" income of the party is more than Rs 520 crore.

The high court, in its judgment, said the material which is taken note of in the satisfaction note referred to unaccounted transactions with respect to the Lok Sabha Elections 2019, Madhya Pradesh assembly elections 2018 and MP assembly polls 2013.

The search documents recovered from the MEIL Group appear to indicate unaccounted transfers to the political party during AYs 2017-18 to 2020-21. The material which forms part of the satisfaction note also captures details of disbursements made to candidates vying in upcoming elections together with signed receipts. There is a detailed reference to payments allegedly made to MPs/MLAs and candidates," the court said.

It added that the note also carries material suggesting payments and contributions made by government departments and corporations, liquor manufacturers, industry entities and individuals to the petitioner.

It said the Congress has "woefully failed" to establish that the material which forms the bedrock for recordal of satisfaction is not founded on any data, material evidence or documentation pertaining to three assessment years from 2014-15 to 2016-17.

We also take into consideration the indubitable fact that the cumulative figure attributed to income which has allegedly escaped assessment would stand at approximately Rs 520 crores, the bench said.

Recently, the high court had refused to interfere with the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal declining to stay a notice issued by the Income Tax department to the Congress for recovery of outstanding tax of more than Rs 100 crore.

The assessing officer had raised a tax demand of more than Rs 100 crore for the assessment year 2018-19 when the income was assessed to be more than Rs 199 crore.
The ECI data covers 20,421 bonds worth Rs 12,769 crore. The ADR data, however, collated information on 27,811 bonds worth Rs 16,492 crore. The gap is nearly Rs 4,000 crore and involves over 7,000 bonds.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: PTI Photo/ Rediff archives

Information about over a quarter of electoral bonds said to have been issued since 2018 will not be in the public domain despite additional disclosures due on March 21. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to release information on serial numbers enabling matching of donors with the parties to which they donated money.

It has released information on data from April 2019 to February 2024.

The additional disclosures relate to bonds of the same vintage. The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) had earlier sourced additional data from applications filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

In January this year, ADR released a report, according to which, the State Bank of India issued electoral bonds worth over Rs 16,000 crore, and a similar amount was redeemed in 30 phases since the inception of the scheme in 2018.

A total of Rs 16,492 crore was redeemed by political parties, and the remaining Rs 26 crore funds were transferred to the Prime Ministers Relief Fund.

The ECI data covers 20,421 bonds worth Rs 12,769 crore. The ADR data, however, collated information on 27,811 bonds worth Rs 16,492 crore. The gap is nearly Rs 4,000 crore and involves over 7,000 bonds. This also manifests in the declared data of key political parties. The Bharatiya Janata Party, for example, has bonds worth over Rs 500 crore, which are not part of the ECI disclosures because earlier data is excluded.

Other parties show similar gaps, though some have larger amounts in the ECI disclosures because they cover a period in which they received more donations. Data for the first eight phases is missing in the ECI data..

The top ten donors accounted for over a third of the total donations, valued at Rs 4,564 crore.

The top donor was Future Gaming and Hotel Services, which bought total electoral bonds worth Rs 1,368 crore, followed by Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited, which donated Rs 966 crore. In February, the Supreme Court had ruled the electoral bond scheme was invalid. It removed earlier limits imposed on corporate donations to political parties. The apex court subsequently ordered the full disclosure of electoral bond data, though only from 2019.

The data is being released in phases, with the latest details due on Thursday.
The Supreme Court on Friday refused to grant bail to Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K Kavitha, who has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in the Delhi excise policy scam case.

IMAGE: BRS leader K Kavitha. Photograph: ANI Photo

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna, MM Sundresh and Bela M Trivedi asked Kavitha to approach the trial court, saying it is a practice which this court is following and cannot bypass the protocol.

The bench said as far as Kavitha's plea challenging the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) is concerned, the court is issuing notice to the ED and seeking its response in six weeks.

"The petition challenging the provisions will come up with the pending matters," the bench told senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Kavitha.

At the outset, Sibal told the bench that he has one request to the court that he should not be asked to go to the high court.

"Please see what is happening in our country. People are being arrested on the basis of an approver's statement. I am very upset," he said.

The bench told Sibal, "As a counsel, you should never be upset. Don't be so emotional. Main writ petition can be put up for hearing with other petitions (pending matters) in July. As far as bail is concerned, we are very clear, you have to go to the trial court."

When Sibal referred to the arrest of former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren and other political leaders, the bench asked him not to make political statements.

"We have been very clear and uniformly following this practice in this bench. All of us in principle agree, we should not because there is a political person or someone who can directly afford to come to the Supreme Court, bypass all the statutory and constitutional forums," the bench said.

Sibal then referred to the case file and referred to the statements made by the ED in the court last year in September, that she is not an accused.

The bench said it is not going into the merit of the case at the moment.

"Mr. Sibal, what you are asking us to do is according to us not permissible. You see, what is going to happen is this court is going to entertain Article 32 petitions in all matters, where a person can afford to come directly to the Supreme Court. This can't be done," the bench said.

Sibal then said that he will approach the trial court for relief.

The bench ordered that if any bail application is filed by Kavitha before the trial court, it should be adjudicated expeditiously.

Kavitha has moved the top court challenging her arrest by the ED in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.

A member of the Telangana Legislative Council and daughter of former state chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao, Kavitha was arrested on March 15 and remanded to the ED's custody till March 23 in the case.

The 46-year-old was arrested by the federal anti-money laundering agency from her Banjara Hills residence in Hyderabad amid protests by Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) supporters.

In a fresh plea filed through advocate Nitesh Rana, Kavitha said, "Quash and set aside the entire action taken by the respondent (ED) leading to the arrest of the petitioner as the same is wholly non-est; illegal, arbitrary, unconstitutional, contrary to the undertaking tendered before this court and also being violative of the postulates of Section 19 of Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 especially qua a woman."

The BRS leader has sought the quashing of the arrest memo, the arrest order dated March 15 and the remand order dated March 16 passed by a special judge in a "patently routine and mechanical manner".

On February 28, the top court had extended the protection granted to Kavitha from any coercive action in the case.

The ED had issued summons to the leader on February 21, seeking her presence on February 26. However, Kavitha did not appear before the central probe agency.

The ED has alleged that Kavitha was a part of liquor cartel 'South Group' which paid kickbacks of Rs 100 crore to Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in return for favours under the now-scrapped excise policy for 2021-22.
The Allahabad high court Friday declared the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004, "unconstitutional" and violative of the principle of secularism, and asked the state government to accommodate current students in the formal schooling system.

A division bench comprising Justice Vivek Chaudhary and Justice Subhash Vidyarthi of the Lucknow bench of the court declared the law ultra vires on a writ petition filed by a person named Anshuman Singh Rathore.

In his reaction to the order, UP Madrasa Education Board Chairman Iftikhar Ahmed Javed said the board will study the decision and decide the further course of action.

"Now after 20 years, the Madrasa Education Act has been declared unconstitutional. Obviously there has been some mistake somewhere. Our lawyers could not present their case properly before the court," he said.

Senior All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) member Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali said the order should be challenged in the Supreme Court.

The petitioner had challenged the constitutionality of the UP Madarsa Board as well as objected to the management of madarsa by the Minority Welfare Department, rather than the education department.

The petitioner and his counsel submitted that the Madarsa Act violates the principles of secularism, which is the basic structure of the Constitution, fails to provide quality compulsory education up to the age of 14 years/Class-VIII as is mandatorily under Article 21-A; and fails to provide universal and quality school education to all the children studying in madarsas.

"Thus, it violates the Fundamental Rights of the students of the madarsas," they claimed.

Opposing the petitioners, the state government counsel said that no doubt the Madarsa Board is providing religious education as well as religious instructions to the students, but the State has sufficient power to impart such education under the Constitution of India and is rightly permitting such education.

"Providing religious education and instructions is not barred or illegal. For such religious education a separate Board is necessarily required, which needs to have members of such particular religion," he said.

There are about 25,000 madrassas in Uttar Pradesh of which 16,500 are recognised by the Uttar Pradesh Madrassa Education Board. Of them, 560 madrassas receive grants from the government. Apart from this, there are 8,500 unrecognized madrassas in the state.

Reacting on the decision of the high court, Madrasa Education Board Chairman Javed told PTI that his lawyer probably could not present their case properly before the court.

Javed said that the high court's order will have a major impact on government-aided madrassas. If the Madrasa Education Act is repealed, teachers of aided madrasas will become unemployed, he said.

"In 2004, the government itself enacted the Madarsa Education Act. Similarly, Sanskrit Education Council has also been formed in the state. The objective of both the boards was to promote languages like Arabic, Persian and Sanskrit," he said.

On the question whether this decision of the high court will be challenged in the Supreme Court, Javed said, "Now it is for the government to decide, because the court has given orders to it."

AIMPLB member Farangi Mahali said this order of Allahabad high court should be challenged in the Supreme Court.

He said the Muslim community has established madrassas as per its constitutional rights, "just like there are Sanskrit schools".

"Modern education is also being given in madrassas. If the Madrassa Education Act itself is abolished, then teachers of hundreds of madrassas in the state will become unemployed and there will be a question mark on the future of the children studying in them," he said.

This will create a very difficult situation, hence this order must be challenged in the Supreme Court, Farangi Mahali said.
Nearly Rs 3,400 crore (Rs 34 billion) in cash and other items were seized in the elections in 2022-2023, an increase of 835 per cent over 2017-2018.

Kindly note that the image has only been posted for representational purposes.

During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the then President Ram Nath Kovind had called off polling in Tamil Nadu's Vellore seat on the recommendation of the Election Commission, which had seized Rs 11.5 crore (Rs 115 million) in unaccounted cash meant to lure voters.

The decision to scrap polling on a Lok Sabha seat, although rare, seemingly failed to serve the purpose.

Two months later, in the run-up to the election in Vellore, Election Commission officials again seized Rs 3.5 crore (Rs 35 million) in cash. But this time, the Election Commission went ahead with the polling.

Use of money and other goodies to woo electorates has been an elephant in the room for the Election Commission.

Announcing the schedule for the Lok Sabha polls last week, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar shared data of the 'exponential increase in seizures in the last 11 assembly elections'.

Nearly Rs 3,400 crore (Rs 34 billion) in cash and other items were seized in the elections in 2022-2023, an increase of 835 per cent over 2017-2018, the data showed.

Estimates of election-related expenditure of political parties and candidates, and Election Commission seizures, reveal barely the tip of the total election spends of candidates and political parties.

According to a study by the Centre for Media Studies, a think-tank, over Rs 1.5 trillion was spent across various elections held in India from 2009 to 2014.

It termed it a 'conservative estimate', and said more than half of this was unaccounted, or black, money.

According to its report, Poll Expenditure, 2019 Elections, CMS estimated that Rs 55,000 crore to Rs 60,000 crore (Rs 550 billion to Rs 600 billion) were spent on the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. It said it couldn't account for all the expenditure of political parties and candidates.

'On an average, nearly Rs 100 crore (Rs 1 billion) per Lok Sabha constituency has been spent. Overall, it is estimated about Rs 700 per vote was spent in the 2019 elections,' CMS noted.

Of the total figure, only Rs 10,000 crore to Rs 12,000 crore (Rs 100 billion to Rs 120 billion), or 15 tp 20 per cent, were spent by the Election Commission or through formal channels, the CMS report said.

CMS estimated a total election expenditure of Rs 9,000 crore (Rs 90 billion) for the 1998 Lok Sabha polls.

The total estimated election expense increased to Rs 10,000 crore in 1999, Rs 14,000 crore (Rs 140 billion) in 2004, Rs 20,000 crore (Rs 200 billion) in 2009 and Rs 30,000 crore (Rs 300 billion) in 2014, the CMS estimated.

It stated that of these expenditures, the Election Commission's spend in conducting the polls was less than 15 per cent.

The 'high-level committee' on simultaneous polls, in its report submitted earlier this month, relied on an analysis by economists Prachi Mishra and N K Singh that an estimated Rs 4 trillion to 7 trillion, were spent on elections in the preceding five years. The committee said it based its data on 'publicly reported estimates of conducting elections'.

In 2009, the Association for Democratic Reforms analysed accounts of expenditure submitted by all 6,753 candidates who contested the Lok Sabha polls that year.

Of these, only four candidates admitted to spending more than the Election Commission mandated limit for expenditure.

Another 30 admitted to having spent 90 to 95 per cent of the limit. The remaining 6,719 candidates said they spent at best 45 to 50 per cent of the limit, says ADR founder Jagdeep Chhokar.

"So, an astounding 99.99 per cent (recurring) of the candidates said they spent barely 50 per cent of the expense limit," he said.

Chhokar says if India is moving towards a cashless economy, why can't political parties receive funds and make payments digitally.

"Where is the need for cash transactions and why should political parties be receiving funds below a certain threshold, such as Rs 20,000 or Rs 2,000, in cash?"
BRATTLEBORO  Area residents will have a rare opportunity to experience a range of Palestinian stories at a weekly film series that kicks off April 7, at the historic Latchis Theatre in downtown Brattleboro.

Co-sponsored by Southern Vermont for Palestine and Latchis Arts, the Palestine Film Series will run over four consecutive Sundays featuring 15 films by Palestinians or centered around Palestinian lives. The series includes documentaries, short films, animation and features such as Academy Award nominee The Present.

The Sunday afternoon film programs will begin at 4 p.m. with brief introductions. Admission to the film series is by donation. For a full schedule of films, visit sovt4palestine.org/palestine-film-series.

The films bring a human perspective to subjects such as youth, agriculture, gender roles, refugees, and diplomacy. Each week has a different theme. April 7: The Nakba and its Legacy; April 14: Secret Negotiations and Palestinian Resistance; April 21: Life in Occupied Palestine; and April 28: Palestinian Resilience.

Audiences will appreciate these high-quality, thought-provoking, heartwarming films, said Shana Frank, a Putney educator who coordinated the series as a member of Southern Vermont for Palestine (SoVT4P). They have opened my eyes to Palestinians long history, rich culture, and immense challenges.

The first week features The Tower, an animated film about a young girls search for stories about three generations of her Palestinian family, who took refuge in Lebanon after they were forced to flee their home in Galilee in 1948 during the Nakba, when a nascent Israel pushed tens of thousands of Palestinians from their homes and villages.

Nell Koenings, professor of anthropology at Hampshire College, and other members of SoVT4P compiled a list of possible films made by and about Palestinians. After previewing dozens of films, they selected ones that will appeal to a wide audience. All of the films are cinematically engaging and put human faces on the Palestinian struggle.

Too often in western media, Palestinian voices are left out of the conversation entirely as the Palestinian people are reduced to numbers. Especially now, when Israel has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians with U.S.-supplied guns and bombs, and many thousands more face starvation, we believe it is critical for western audiences to see Palestinians as individuals and as human beings who deserve freedom, dignity and human rights, said Samia Abbass, another member of SoVT4P.

From volunteering with the Womens Film Festival, organized by the Womens Freedom Center, and attending the Green Mountain Film Festival, Frank said she understands the power of films to inform and inspire.

Southern Vermont for Palestine (SoVT4P) is a group of local residents who came together in October to organize rallies, marches, and events focused on Palestinian rights and freedom from occupation. The group is part of the statewide Vermont Coalition for Palestinian Liberation, a growing collaboration of 10 groups and hundreds of individuals working together for a free Palestine. Coalition members include Vermont/New Hampshire Jewish Voice for Peace, Vermont Law and Graduate School National Lawyers Guild Chapter, UVM Students for Justice in Palestine and Vermonters for Justice in Palestine.
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.
When Hong Kongs Legislative Council unanimously passed a strict national security law under Article 23 of its mini-constitution, China's state broadcaster CCTV beat out its competitors by posting the results of the vote nearly 20 minutes before the Council's 89 lawmakers had started voting. The Council members won their seats under new electoral rules that allow only patriots loyal to Beijing to stand. Their unanimous vote for a law that makes treason, insurrection and sabotage punishable by up to life in prison called to mind China's rubber-stamp parliament, the National People's Congress.
North Koreas international department director Kim Song Nam, meets with Wang Huning, a member of the standing committee of the political bureau of the Chinese Communist Party in Beijing on March 21, 2024.

A North Korean diplomatic delegation is in China for talks on strengthening cooperation, marking the highest-ranking official talks between the two nations since Pyongyang lifted COVID-19 lockdown.

The delegation, led by North Koreas international department director Kim Song Nam, met with Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference, according to the Chinese Embassy in Pyongyang on Friday.

In a meeting with Kim, Wang voiced Chinas willingness to promote bilateral ties with Pyongyang and proposed that the two nations work together to create a peaceful and stable external environment, read a statement posted on the embassys website.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues of common interest, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula, the statement added, without elaborating further.

North Korea last Monday fired ballistic missiles into the sea for the first time in two months as the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Seoul for a democracy conference hosted by President Yoon Suk Yeol.

South Koreas military said multiple short-range missiles were fired from a region south of the North's capital, Pyongyang, landing east of the Korean Peninsula, adding that it shared information on the launch with the United States and Japan.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida condemned the launches after his countrys coast guard also reported the firing of what it said appeared to be a ballistic missile.

North Koreas series of actions threaten the peace and security of our region and the international community, and are absolutely unacceptable, said Kishida at that time, calling the launch a violation of U.N. resolutions.

The Norths missile launch came just after Seoul and Washington finished 10-day large-scale annual joint military drills.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Pyongyang and Beijing. The North declared 2024 as the year of North Korea-China friendship, a designation first introduced in 2009 to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Kim, who used to work as an interpreter for the North Korean founder Kim Il Sung and the former leader Kim Jong Il, is known to have a deep knowledge of Chinese affairs. Wang, meanwhile, is considered the fourth most powerful voice within the Chinese Communist Party.

It is unclear how long Kim would stay in China, but North Koreas state-run Korean Central News Agency reported on Friday that the tour will take the North Korean delegation to Vietnam and Laos.

Laos plans to host the ASEAN Regional Forum and other ASEAN-related meetings as this year's chair country. The annual meeting is the sole regional forum joined by North Korea.

Edited by Mike Firn.
A wildlife conservationist from Free the Bears tries to feed two of the black bear cubs rescued from a business in Vientiane's Sikhottabong district, March 20, 2024.

A Chinese man found with 16 black bear cubs during a raid of a microfinance institute by Lao authorities last week is on the run, while the cubs are now being cared for by a wildlife conservation group in Luang Prabang province, a district official said Friday.

The incident is the latest case of the illegal transportation of wildlife in Laos  a hub for wildlife trafficking for the exotic pet trade and medicinal purposes. Such activities are banned by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES, which protects endangered plants and animals.

On March 17, police from the environment division of Vientianes Department of Public Security and from Sikhottabong districts public security office raided the Chinese-owned Ya Thai Microfinance Institute in the districts Nongsanokham village to rescue the animals.

Police seized the bear cubs after the Chinese mans Lao wife would not tell them where they came from. They said they arrested her and are searching for the man, who owns the institute, and others who may be involved.

Asiatic black bears, also known as moon bears because of the white or cream-colored crescent pattern on their chests, are listed in CITES most crucial category of endangered due to overhunting and to loss of habitat as forests are felled.

As a CITES member, Laos must abide by the treatys prohibition on the international trade of live Asiatic bears or bear parts.

Demand for bear bile

Poachers can demand exorbitant sums for the bears gallbladders and bile, which are used in traditional medicines believed to cure a variety of ailments.

They extract the bile, which helps protect the bears livers and prevents gallstones and illness during long hibernations, during which the animals are subdued and jabbed in the abdomen with needles in an attempt to pierce their gallbladders.

The official from the Sikhottabong district office, who declined to be named because he is not authorized to speak to the media, told Radio Free Asia that the Chinese owner of the institute fled after police raided the office, and authorities are now searching for him.

The Chinese man has a history of trafficking wildlife and other illegal activities, he said.

Lao authorities involved in the raid would not comment on the incident to RFA.

No one at the Ya Thai Microfinance Institute answered the phone when RFA called.

On March 20, police handed the cubs over to the Australian wildlife organization Free the Bears, to keep them in its wildlife sanctuary in Luang Prabang, according to a video on the Facebook page of Vientiane's Department of Public Security.

In the video, the cubs, some of which are inside pet carriers, can be heard crying out.

Lt. Col. Chansamouth Chanthalangsone, deputy head of the environment division at the department, said in the video that the bears were brought to the capital city without proper documentation, constituting the illegal transportation of wildlife.

He did not mention how authorities knew to raid the office, though the institute is located in a building where people live close to each other, so they might have heard the bears screaming.

The Free the Bears office in Luang Prabang declined to give RFA any information about the incident, citing the investigation.

In mid-February, Free the Bears took possession of two male moon bear cubs that had been held in a cage for more than two years near the Laos-Thailand border. The bear cubs had been raised by a villager in remote Xayaburi province since their birth.

Translated by Phouvong for RFA Lao. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.
Bombs and artillery shelling have targeted towns where junta troops have recently been driven away.

More than 70 civilians were killed in seven western Myanmar townships during the first three weeks of March as the junta sent airstrikes and artillery fire into communities where it recently lost control, local residents told Radio Free Asia.

The indiscriminate shelling in residential areas has injured more than 100 civilians in the seven townships captured by the rebel ethnic Arakan Army since November, according to residents.

We are afraid of jet fighters flying, a woman from Rakhine states Kyauktaw township told RFA. At night, we cannot sleep well out of fear.

The Arakan Army, or AA, took control of Kyauktaw in January and drove junta troops out of Mrauk-U and Minbya townships in February. Residents there have faced daily airstrikes since early March, according to Mya Tun, the director of Arakan Human Rights Defenders and Promoters Association.

The bombardment on villages is an inhuman act, he said. Schools and houses have been destroyed. The military uses highly destructive cluster bombs and 500-pound bombs.

A Myanmar junta airstrike demolished these buildings in Ramree township, Rakhine state, Feb. 21, 2024. (AA Info Desk)





Airstrikes and artillery shelling has also taken place in Myay Pon, Ponnagyun and Pauktaw townships in Rakhine and in Paletwa township in neighboring Chin state.

Grave civilian safety risks

According to RFAs figures, 73 civilians were killed and 103 were injured in airstrikes and artillery shelling in those townships between March 1 and March 18.

In Myay Pon, junta airstrikes destroyed homes and schools, residents said. In Mrauk-U, aerial drone attacks on March 15 and March 17 in ethnic Rakhine neighborhoods left three dead and eight injured.

The military council carried out retaliatory airstrikes after they suffered the loss of their soldiers in Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U and Minbya townships, a Mrauk-U resident told RFA on condition of anonymity for security reasons. Another reason for these attacks is to cause trouble to Rakhine people.

Rakhines, also known as Arakanese, are one of 135 officially recognized ethnic groups in Myanmar.

Rakhine state has been the center of intense clashes since the AA ended a ceasefire in November that had been in place since the military seized power in a February 2021 coup detat.

Fighting between the AA and junta troops is now taking place in 15 of Rakhine states 17 townships, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or UNOCHA, said on Wednesday.

Artillery fire and aerial bombardment, including in residential areas, are causing grave civilian safety risks, it said in a statement.

A March 14 statement from UNOCHA said that the resurgence of fighting in Rakhine state has left more than 300,000 people displaced since November.

RFA attempted to contact Hla Thein, the juntas spokesman for Rakhine state, for a response to allegations that junta air strikes have targeted civilians, but he didnt respond.

Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.
The bodies of seven conscripts forced to join Myanmars junta army were returned to their families, residents told Radio Free Asia on Friday. The recruits were members of the Rohingya community, which has been frequently persecuted by the military for its heritage and Islamic faith.

A resident who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons said police told families of the dead they had died while trying to run away.

Seven bodies were brought in a police truck, he said. When the family members asked the people who sent the bodies [how they died], they were told the men were running away during training and were killed by landmines.

Five of the deceased are from Thea Chaung Let Tha Mar Kone village, one is from Thet Kay Pyin village and another is from Thea Chaung village, according to residents.

The bodies have no limbs, but I dont know whether they have bullet wounds or not, he said.

Military training is being administered to the Rohingya recruits at the junta armys Regional Command Headquarters based in Sittwe.

Other villages reported bodies of Rohingya members of the community have also been returned in a similar manner, but RFA has not been able to verify these claims. Rakhine states junta spokesperson Hla Thein did not respond to enquiries about how the men died.

Since Myanmars conscription laws were announced by Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing on Feb. 10, troops nationwide have attempted to press-gang large numbers into the dwindling military.

The Peoples Military Service Law requires men and women aged 18 to 35 to serve in the juntas armed forces for two years. Many young people have rejected the call to duty by hiding, fleeing the country and protesting.

In Bago region, mass arrests of young people have sparked fears they may be used to bolster the military. But further west in Rakhine state, the Rohingya victims of the 2017 genocide have faced harsher recruitment methods with the junta threatening to kill them if they refuse to serve.

Since February, village administrators have recruited Rohingya living in Rakhine states capital of Sittwe for junta-led military training. Administrators have forced between 20 and 30 people per village and many more from internally placed persons camps to join the training, residents said.

Threatened and beaten, the methods have drawn at least 1,000 Rohingya from Sittwe, Buthidaung, Kyaukpyu and Maungdaw townships in Rakhine state into the army, according to one activist requesting anonymity for safety reasons. One video published on March 10 showed Rohingya trainees under army command.

The junta-controlled Myanma Alinn Daily newspaper denied Muslims were being targeted for recruitment in Rakhine state in a Feb. 28 article.

An Arakan Army statement issued on Wednesday alleged junta troops intentionally sent Rohingya to areas with heavy fighting. The group claimed to have also found and published photos of Rohingya soldiers bodies in junta bases it later captured in Rathedaung earlier this week.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan and Mike Firn.






The area is near the important border crossing by Thailands Mae Sot.

Thai soldiers speak with Myanmar junta troops who fled from Kayin state into Thailand, March 21, 2024. Blurring in photo is from source.

Two groups of junta soldiers crossed into Thailand from Myanmars Kayin state this week to escape fighting with ethnic Karen rebels, several sources told Radio Free Asia on Thursday.

The first group of 48 soldiers were attacked at their military base in Kyainseikgyi township on Tuesday by the Karen National Liberation Army, or KNLA, and allied forces, a Peoples Defense Force official told Radio Free Asia RFA on condition of anonymity due to security concerns.

The KNLAs Special Operation Force participated in the attack, according to the forces spokesperson, Comrade Aung San Shar.

The junta troops crossed the border to seek refuge in Paikhalan village in Thailand on Tuesday afternoon, the PDF official said. The troops were being held at a Royal Thai Army camp and will be sent back to Myanmar by immigration authorities in the next few days, he said.

The area is near the important border crossing between Myanmars Myawaddy and Thailands Mae Sot.

On Thursday, 26 military junta soldiers fled from their military camp in Kayin states Kawkareik township into Thailand after fighting with Karen forces, the Karen Information Center reported.

The second group of junta troops also walked into Paikhalan village, where they were detained by Thai authorities, according to Moe Gyo, chairman of the Thailand-based Joint Action Committee on Burmese Peoples Affairs.

The second batch of 26 people fled there this morning, he said. As usual, the Royal Thai Army confiscated their weapons for safekeeping.

The junta hasnt provided any information on the two groups who crossed into Thailand.

RFA attempts to contact junta spokesperson Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun and Col. Min Kyaw, the minister of Security and Border Affairs of Kayin state, were unsuccessful on Thursday.

Translated by Kalyar Lwin. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.
Myanmar citizens get the QR code required for them to enter the Chinese border town Ruili for work, March 5, 2024.

More than 200 Myanmar migrant workers are deported from the Chinese border town of Ruili each day as Chinese authorities tighten immigration controls, several workers told Radio Free Asia.

Hundreds of people line up daily in Muse, a town on the Myanmar side, to cross into China to find jobs or to return to jobs they already have in restaurants, clothing stores, factories, on farms and at construction sites.

But limits on the number of people who can cross, the duration of their stay and changes to border crossing protocol have resulted in many of the workers being in violation of immigration statutes once they get to China, prompting many to be sent back, the workers said.

To gain entry into Ruili, workers need to submit a photo attached to a QR code sheet from an employer that confirms they have a job offer, a temporary seven-day border pass, health certificates and endorsements of employment agencies.

Many workers entered China without these, and if they are caught, they will be sent back, a Myanmar worker in Ruili told RFA on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

"Some police inspect and leave you alone, but others will arrest workers immediately. We cannot go outside confidently, he said.

We have to remain vigilant when we go to work. Good employers will get us out of arrests, but some bosses dont care. So we always avoid the police when going to work.

Rising costs, dropping wages

Crossing into Ruili is never easy, the worker said.

If there is direct contact with the employer who can give guarantee, the worker can get QR code and the entry pass, he said. If the worker is not taken by the employer and they say they are only visiting, we are not allowed to get a QR code that would allow us to stay.

Many of the workers enter China without the QR code, instead applying only for the temporary border pass, which allows them to stay for only seven days. After that they need to return to Myanmar or be in violation of the law.

The China-Myanmar border gate in Muse in Shan state is seen July 5, 2021. (AFP)

In the past, workers could pay as little as 2,000 kyats (about US$1) to get the border pass, work a full week in China, return to Myanmar  and then buy another pass to re-enter China.

But these days, they have to pay employment agencies 200 Chinese yuan (about $28) for the QR code, making frequent border crossings unaffordable.

Since August, thousands of Myanmar people have been trying to get into China through the Muse-Ruili crossing as Myanmars economy has deteriorated. The influx of workers in Ruili has resulted in employers paying lower wages.

A job that previously paid 3,000 yuan ($415) per month now only pays around 1,500, a resident of Muse said. Still, thousands line up to get into China every day.

He said that the throngs of workers in Muse incur many expenses even before they get to China.

They have high travel costs and have to pay for staying at dormitories, he said. It takes about 10 to 20 days to receive the documents.

Like chickens in baskets

RFA attempted to contact officials in the Chinese Embassy in Yangon, as well as the Myanmar Consulate in Yunnan province, but neither responded to requests for comment on the situation

A spokesperson for the Myanmar junta in Shan State, where Muse is located, did not answer queries into the matter.

Rules for sending laborers between Myanmar and China state that legally employed workers need to return to Myanmar three times each year and apply for reentry.

But in practice, the rules are confusing and the new QR system leaves many vulnerable to deportation, which leaves them at the mercy of their employers, an observer of Myanmar labor issues told RFA on condition of anonymity for personal safety.

These workers can be arrested, jailed and deported anytime. They are like chickens in baskets, he said. The employment contract favors the employers without fixing rates for working hours, overtime fee and bonuses.

Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Eugene Whong.
China claims to have thwarted Philippine marine expedition to strategic rocks in South China Sea.

China has protested against a marine research expedition launched by Filipino scientists in Sandy Cay, a group of rocks seen as strategically important for both countries within the Spratly islands in the South China Sea.

The event could potentially reignite one of the most contentious issues over sovereignty between Beijing and Manila in recent years.

34 individuals from the Philippines ignored Chinas warning and illegally landed on Tiexian Reef on Thursday, Chinese coast guard spokesperson Gan Yu said in a statement.

Tiexan Reef is the Chinese name for Sandy Cay, a group of cays  or low reefs  situated just 2 nautical miles (3 kilometers) from Philippines-occupied Thitu island, known as Pag-asa island in Tagalog.

Chinese law enforcement officers investigated and handled the case in accordance with the law, Gan Yu said without giving further details.

The Philippines actions infringe on Chinas territorial sovereignty, violate the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea, Gan said. We urge the Philippines to immediately stop the infringement.

The Chinese coast guard will continue to carry out rights protection and law enforcement activities in the area, the spokesman added.

Ray Powell, director of the SeaLight project at U.S. Stanford University, told Radio Free Asia that as of Friday morning, as many as 15 Chinese vessels including the 100-meter China Coast Guard (CCG) 5204 were seen crowding the area between Sandy Cay and Thitu island.

Marine research

The Philippines on Thursday said three groups of its scientists launched a marine research to study underwater reef biodiversity in the area and its current status.

The lead scientist, Jonathan Anticamara, was quoted in local media as telling a press conference that this is the first time such research is being conducted in all four parts of Sandy Cay.

The research will have different components such as for environmental assessment, biochemical assessment, basic water parameters, and fish visual census, among others, Anticamara was quoted as saying.

Initial findings on Sandy Cay 1 and 2 would be presented as soon as Friday.

Filipino scientists conducting research at Sandy Cay, March 21, 2024. (Philippine Coast Guard/Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources)





Philippine coast guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela told the same press conference that it was the government who invited the scientists to carry out the research and authorities have dispatched four law enforcement vessels to accompany them in case Chinese vessels block them from Sandy Cay.

Simple observations and measurements of their current status, which do not affect their natural state, do not affect the dispute overall since scientific activities are not a legal basis for either asserting or contesting sovereign claims, said Jay Batongbacal, director of the University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea.

However, Beijing views the scientific expedition differently.

The think tank South China Sea Probing Initiative called it a provocation and questioned whether there was a connection between the research and the visit to Manila by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on March 19.

China has repeatedly accused Washington of interfering in the South China Sea dispute and criticized the U.S.s assistance to the Philippines.

Sovereignty rights

Sandy Cay is contested by China, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan.

Under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Sandy Cay is a rock that is permanently above water and therefore is entitled to a territorial sea of 12 nautical miles from its banks.

Whichever country controls Sandy Cay would have legal sovereignty rights over any other feature located within its territorial sea, such as Subi Reef - a Chinese artificial island that Beijing has fully militarized with missiles and an airstrip.

Sandy Cay is a group of reefs near Philippines-controlled Thitu (Pag-asa) Island in the Spratlys, South China Sea. (RFA/Planet/Google Earth)





Legal experts say if China gains sovereignty over Sandy Cay, it would validate both its claim and occupation of Subi Reef, just 10 nautical miles away.

But Sandy Cay also lies within the territorial sea of Philippines-controlled Thitu island, the largest island of a municipality in the province of Palawan.

With both China and the Philippines vying to assert sovereignty over the area, the situation could become precarious.

Filipino fishermen accused Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels of maintaining a constant presence in the area, blocking their access to Sandy Cay.

It is not Philippine activities which complicate the situation, but rather Chinas overreaction and increasing need to establish absolute control over everything in the South China Sea to pursue to excessive and illegitimate claims, Batongbacal from the Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea told RFA.

In 2016, a landmark arbitral tribunal brought by the Philippines ruled against all Chinas claims in the South China Sea but Beijing has rejected the verdict, calling it illegal, null and void.

Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.
by Xinhua writers Liu Zhoupeng, Lyu Qiuping and Bai Mingshan LHASA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Had it not been for democratic reform 65 years ago, Tseten from southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region would have been sold by his master and separated from his parents. At 13, an age when serf children were traded among manors, the Tibetan boy was about to be brought to the market for trading when democratic reform in March 1959 abolished the feudal serfdom system in the region, freeing some 1 million people. "Compared with those who were sold and even tortured to death, I was rather fortunate," said Tseten, now 78, who lives in a villa near the former manor his family used to serve in Qonggyai County in the city of Shannan. Last year, the county government invested 4 million yuan (563,841 U.S. dollars) in renovating the manor based on its original appearance and is planning to turn it into a tented camp, where visitors can get a glimpse of the miserable lives endured by serfs before they were set free. Born into the lowest rank of serfs, Tseten lived in a livestock shed at the manor, sharing space with sheep and their manure. At night, he was often awakened due to a sheep stepping on him. He revealed that leftovers from the masters' dining table were for the maids to eat, while all the serfs had to eat was soup made of barley flour -- soup as clear as water. "I had to eat after my parents because they had heavy labor to do," Tseten recalled, with memories of hunger still haunting him. Back then, Tseten's parents were muleteers at the manor, using mules to transport farming yields like barley flour and yak butter to the city of Lhasa. Sometimes, robbers would steal their goods on the way. "I remember my father being tied to the stairs and whipped after being robbed," he said. Following democratic reform in 1959, Tseten and his family, together with another household, moved from the sheep pen to the manor owner's rooms on the second floor of the manor. His family was allocated farmland, one head of cattle, a donkey and seven sheep. Thanks to the reform, Tseten was able to go to school at the age of 15 and, after graduating from high school, he returned home to farm. Now, Xizang is the first provincial-level region in China to provide 15 years of publicly-funded education from kindergarten to senior high school, a stark contrast to the situation seven decades ago when access to education was limited to the nobility. In 2003, Tseten's family moved to a hill opposite the old manor and built a 90-square-meter house. Three years later, with a subsidy of 10,000 yuan provided by Shannan's housing project, the house was expanded into a villa of about 230 square meters in size. Tseten lives on the second floor with one of his daughters, while his son-in-law, a migrant worker employed outside the county, earns more than 30,000 yuan a year. One of Tseten's sons became a doctor in a hospital in Shannan after graduating from college. Despite his age, Tseten is in good health. He likes taking care of the plants on his balcony, watching almost every cultural performance organized in his village and even traveling to the regional capital Lhasa to visit his relatives and explore. "I am lucky to witness such a new era in this region," said Tseten, adding that he also receives a monthly pension of 260 yuan, while his hospital bills for minor eye and stomach problems are mostly covered by public healthcare. According to a white paper issued in 2023, a total of 3.43 million people were covered by basic medical insurance in this region, more than 95 percent of the total population there. Nyidron, Tseten's granddaughter, is a freshman at Fujian Normal University in the coastal province of Fujian in east China, a place her family had never been to before. Nyidron returns home during the winter and summer vacations. She said she used to go to the old manor in summer to escape the heat, stargazing on the rooftop and marveling at the twinkling lights of villages in the distance. She can still recall her deep sorrow when she first saw the dark walls, stairs and pillars of the old manor. "The manor reminded me of the suffering of my grandfather in the past. Those miserable days are now gone, but I will always remember them," said Nyidron.
A Vietnamese activist, accused of propaganda against the State is being denied access to a lawyer, his family told Radio Free Asia.

Phan Tat Thanh, 38, has been detained since July 2023, charged under Article 117 of the criminal code.

Prosecutors say he used three Facebook accounts to post and distribute content, propagating information and documents with distorted content, causing confusion among the people, and fabricating and defaming the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Thanhs family have been able to meet him twice at a police detention center in Ho Chi Minh City, the first time on Feb. 16, 2024, and the second time on March 15.

Thanh told them that after a detention order expired police investigators issued a second order which lasted until Feb. 7.

Even though the police finished their investigation and transferred the case file to the City Procuracy, Thanh said he had not been allowed to meet the lawyer  Tran Dinh Dung  his family hired for him.

Lawyer Dung went through all the procedures to request access to the files and contact Thanh. He doesnt understand why the Procuracy and Security Investigation Department were completely silent and did not respond to him, Thanhs father Phan Tat Chi said on Wednesday.

The law states that defense lawyers should be allowed to participate in legal proceedings after the investigation has finished, even in cases relating to alleged violations of national security.

It also stipulates that lawyers are allowed to access documents related to the defense after the end of the investigation in order to take notes and make copies.

Ha Huy Son of the Hanoi Bar Association told RFA lawyers can file a complaint, asking the Procuracy to explain the reason for not allowing the lawyer to contact the client, and can use this to prove prosecutors failed to follow the correct procedures.

Thanh told his father investigators couldnt find any evidence to convict him and didnt appear to have any documents to support their case.

He also said he had been beaten by many of the policemen at the detention center.

RFA called the Ho Chi Minh City Procuracy to ask about Mr. Thanhs case. The person on the phone said the reporter needed to come to the agency, or send a text in order to receive a reply.

Phan Tat Thanh is one of six Facebookers arrested on charges of anti-state propaganda last year.

Translated by RFA Vietnamese. Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.
SARAJEVO -- The wild horses meandering through the rock-strewn hills of western Bosnia-Herzegovina amid towering white windmills make for a tranquil scene. And one of the last places one would expect to find Chinas monolithic Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) embedded in the landscape. But those gentle hills near the Adriatic Sea are part of a fierce battle for land and a clash of interests as Chinese investment penetrates deep into the heart of the Balkans.



At the center of the controversy is Ivovik Hill, home to generations of villagers who say their land has been taken from them and given to Chinese companies as part of an ambitious wind-farm project.



Since the wind turbines were erected and the land fenced off, only the untamed horses can reach the pastured hills -- and villagers like Ante Ivkovic say theyre now dispossessed.



Ivkovics family has worked the land and maintained grazing pastures for their cattle on Ivovik Hill for centuries. But he says his livelihood has been lost amid a series of opaque business deals between Chinese firms and local officials.

I sweated here for decades with my grandfather and father, cutting grass and collecting hay for our cattle, says Ivkovic, adding that they used to drink sljivovica (plum brandy) under a lone tree that has now been replaced by a turbine. That's how we made our living, [but] suddenly it's no longer ours, the 71-year-old, who lives in the nearby village of Zagorichani, told RFE/RL. The government took the land from us and gave it to the Chinese. I can't go farther than this fence, he claimed as he gestured toward his former grazing fields. The BRI Comes To Bosnia In recent years, massive Chinese investment in the Western Balkans under the umbrella of the BRI has led to grand promises of regional and national economic prosperity and new infrastructure.



As the region continues to recover from the bloody Bosnian War some 30 years ago, Chinese capital -- which totaled some $32 billion in the Balkans from 2013 to the end of 2023, according to the Montenegrin think tank Digital Forensic Center -- has become an influential force in shaping the investment-starved area.



The Ivovik wind-farm project that pushed Ivkovic and his family off their land is currently Chinas largest investment in the country. While ventures like Ivovik can bring jobs and development to local communities, a monthslong RFE/RL investigation found that regulatory loopholes and political complexities around Chinese investment in Bosnia are being exploited by local businessmen and politicians to foster a level of corruption that could jeopardize projects from delivering their promised benefits.

Announced during a 2021 summit in China involving Central and Eastern European countries, the $137 million Ivovik venture -- which is owned and financed by a consortium of Chinese state-owned firms -- was billed as the first fruit of cooperation between Beijing and Sarajevo.



This flagship investment has been championed by Bosnian authorities as a job-creating endeavor that will give the country a foothold in Europes growing green-energy space and open the door for future investments in the local economy.



But the wind farms lofty ambitions are now caught up in a complex saga of land disputes, questionable concessions, and murky deals that highlight where Chinese state interests and shady local business practices collide. This nexus exposes how well-connected individuals in Bosnia facilitate the influx of Chinese investment into the country and benefit from a web of newfound Chinese capital.



At the heart of the controversy around the Ivovik wind-energy project is a dispute over land ownership, with the government of the canton -- the administrative units that make up roughly half of Bosnia -- granting land to Chinese companies under questionable and possibly illegal circumstances.

The owners of that land never gave consent to anyone -- neither to any authority nor to the [wind-farm] company Ivovik -- to use their land, Perica Babic, Ivkovic's lawyer, told RFE/RL, adding that a court case has been filed.



The story of the wind-energy project also exemplifies the intricacies of Bosnia as a decentralized state where authority and control -- including over how to apply the law -- often lies at the lowest of the various levels of government, which includes the powerful Republika Srpska and Bosniak-Croat federation entities that make up the country.



Its this labyrinthine administrative structure and its many loopholes that allows various foreign investors -- including from China -- to maneuver local intermediaries to their own advantage.

Ivica Bresic, an opposition member in the assembly of the nearby city of Livno, claims that the wind farm is one on a growing list of examples in the area that have occurred due to a law that allows cantonal governments to transfer and approve the sale of concessions from one legal entity to another.



This law essentially grants authorities the ability to issue concession permits, subsequently enabling local businessmen to sell them for [big sums of money], Bresic told RFE/RL. Concessions For Chinese Companies The story of the Ivovik wind farm begins in 2008 when three locals established a limited liability company called Ivovik Wind Park and used the new firm to buy a concession for land in Ivovik for 50,000 Bosnian marks (about $26,400).



Land concessions are typically granted for a period of up to 30 years in Bosnia, and this move set the stage for a series of disputes for the land under the wind farm that shows the subtle ways Chinese companies have been able to operate and how local businessmen and politicians have looked to profit from it.



In the case of the Ivovik wind farm, the purchase was controversial from the beginning.



Ivan Matkovic, a co-owner of the Ivovik company, had a brother named Stjepan who served as the cantons minister of agriculture, water, and forestry from 2006 to 2012. Unsurprisingly, the land-concession deal was approved by the local government.



Matkovic then transferred ownership of the company to Stjepan, whose term as minister had just ended. After handing off the company, Matkovic told RFE/RL that he was no longer involved in the company or the land, both of which were inherited by Stjepans children after he died.



Stjepan Matkovic's children declined to speak to RFE/RL, but records show they sold the company and its land concession to CNTIC Capital Co. Limited Hong Kong and Sinohydro Hong Kong in 2017 for an undisclosed amount.



According to Ivan Rimac, who co-founded the original company with Ivan Matkovic, the concession was sold for $8 million. But he said he filed a lawsuit against Ivan Matkovic and his relatives after he said he was defrauded.



Ivan Vukadin, the prime minister of Canton 10 who is also the former mayor of the nearby city of Tomislavgrad, told RFE/RL that investors from China took over ownership of the concession for the wind farm in Ivovik after its owners developed the project to a certain stage and needed to find a strategic investor for this [multimillion-dollar] project. A Quiet Call To Reregister Land After the Chinese firms acquisition of the wind-energy project in 2018, a notice was issued to property owners to reregister their land, with the last land survey conducted in 1982 when the area was part of Yugoslavia.



The city of Livnos cadastre office, which is responsible for maintaining land registers and overseeing ownership registration, told RFE/RL that this process "was done in accordance with the law," saying that the call for property owners to reregister their holdings was posted on the bulletin board at the town hall and advertised on local radio stations.



But many residents near Ivovik Hill say they only became aware that they no longer owned their land when Chinese excavators arrived to clear the ground and build access roads.



Tell me who goes to read what is posted on the bulletin board at the town hall? Ivkovic told RFE/RL. I don't even know where it's located. I only visit the town hall if I need a birth or death certificate.



Ivkovic and his cousins allege that the city of Livno took their family's ancestral land that he said had belonged to his family for generations and handed it to the canton, which subsequently transferred the land to the Chinese and led to the construction of the wind farm on what had been their pastures.

The Ivkovics have extracts from the cadastre and records from the real-estate register from 1982 that indicate the land in question belongs to them or their parents. They filed a joint lawsuit in 2018 against the city, but the first court hearing was not held until September 2023, long after construction on the project had begun.



Babic, the Ivkovics lawyer who represents others who claim their land was unfairly taken by the government in a similarly murky process, said many landowners have died between the two land registrations and -- due to the regions high unemployment rate -- many of their descendants have emigrated to various countries in Europe and other parts of the world.



Today, one-third of the [prewar] population lives in Livno, one-third in Croatia, and one-third in Germany, says Babic.



Navigating the intricacies of Bosnias legal system can be a difficult process and the Ivkovics lawyers say it's unclear how long the court process will take. But if the family loses in the local court the case could still be appealed at the cantonal court, the Bosnian Constitutional Court, and even to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.



Babic alleges that local officials have used the same practice to take control of land elsewhere. He says that Mt. Krug -- 25 kilometers north of Livno -- has had similar legal cases amid plans for the construction of more wind farms, although RFE/RL was unable to verify that claim.



According to the cantons official gazette, which is the register of government legislation, a land concession was transferred from a local owner -- presumably the Matkovics -- to some Chinese companies without any amendments to the contract in October 2018.



Slaven Jukic, the lawyer representing the Ivovik wind farm, refuted those claims, telling RFE/RL that the Economy Ministry is currently registered as the owner of the disputed land, not the Ivkovic family.



We provide compensation [to the canton] for the use of that land. If the [Ivkovic family] can demonstrate that it is their land, we will present them with a contract and compensate them instead of the canton, said Jukic.



When contacted by RFE/RL, Livno Mayor Darko Chondric declined to comment.

But Bresic, the opposition Livno city councilor, alleged that the government approved the transfer of the concession to the Chinese firms without trying to get more favorable terms for the local administration, such as a higher concession fee for selling the land or requiring that the Chinese companies pay a higher percentage of their profits from selling electricity into the cantonal and municipal budgets.



That claim is further supported by the publication in the government's official gazette that confirms the concession transfer to the new owners without changing the terms of the original contract signed back in 2008 when the Matkovics first acquired the concession. A Question Of Compensation The Ivovik wind-farm project also extends onto the jurisdiction of Tomislavgrad, some 38 kilometers from Livno.



Here Slavko, an Ivkovic cousin who also owns land being used by a Chinese company, says the local government has followed the correct protocol in giving the familys land to the Chinese firms.



The Chinese provide me with compensation [in Tomislavgrad], he told RFE/RL. But my land in the Livno region was seized by the [Economy Ministry of Canton 10], which now receives compensation from the Chinese.



Tomislavgrad Mayor Ivan Buntic also told RFE/RL that his municipality has adhered to all legal norms around the expansive wind-farm project there and claims that other residents whose land is being used by Chinese firms were compensated.

Buntic, a member of the ruling party, shares the concerns of other opposition members, like Bresic, about how the concessions in Livno were awarded. He says it is important to reevaluate existing concessions issued by the Canton 10 government and retroactively pay fees from the start of the concession.



Buntic said such an approach would attract serious investors to Canton 10 and deter those he characterizes as charlatans who acquire concessions and hold onto them for extended periods of time without making any further investment, waiting to resell them to foreign investors at inflated prices -- as he says was the case with Ivovik Hill near Livno.



The mayor says other municipalities in Canton 10 are also eager to construct more wind and renewable energy projects.



By the end of 2023, an additional 15 concessions for wind-energy projects were issued in Canton 10 -- the biggest canton in Bosnia -- primarily to local owners and companies registered in the region. But these firms are seeking partners interested in investing hundreds of millions of dollars into potential ventures.



Concessions for wind farms and similar projects in Bosnia are granted either by Republika Srpska, the countrys predominantly ethnic Serb entity, or one of the 10 cantonal governments in the Bosniak-Croat federation. Republika Srpska has a dedicated public database of such concessions that lists plans for 73 new power plants, including 57 mini-hydropower plants, three wind-power facilities, and 13 solar-power installations.



In the Bosniak-Croat federation, permission for wind and solar power plants are granted separately by the 10 cantons.

The southern Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, which is known for its sunny days and windy mountains, had also issued approximately 100 concessions for the construction of wind and solar power plants.



According to company registries accessed by RFE/RL, many of these companies do not have websites or phone numbers. Some are registered to residential addresses and one of them is a business mainly involved in selling toys.



Concessions are handed out left and right. Resale follows, with individuals making huge profits, Bresic said. Wind-Farm Politics Selling land concessions for wind farms is not only a one-off transaction for local cantons inside Bosnia but can also provide a regular source of income to governments and well-connected individuals.



In recent years, Chinese institutions have bankrolled green-energy projects to all corners of the globe as China -- the worlds No. 2 economy and top polluter -- tried to rebrand itself as an environmental champion.



It is the worlds largest producer of solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and electric vehicles, according to a 2023 study by energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie, and Beijing is intent on improving the position of its state-owned firms to dominate the future of the burgeoning market for renewable energy. The Balkan countries are a convenient springboard for Chinese companies to build their portfolios and fine-tune their operations so they can meet the more stringent business and environmental standards of the European Union and compete in its single market.



But the prevalent corruption and lenient approach to environmental and tax matters in the Balkans has led to various scandals involving Chinese firms, from environmental pollution in Montenegro and the alleged misuse of state funds to subsidize Chinese investments in Albania and Serbia. Now across Bosnia a similar pattern is unfolding with projects like the one at Ivovik Hill.



While ostensibly still paying fees and taxes like VAT, Chinese-operated wind farms in the country are selling electricity to various entities -- including local power companies, major operations such as the Mostar aluminum factory -- or exporting it to nearby Croatia or even Western Europe. The profits made allow the Chinese companies to make further investments and expand their reach in region. Buying Good PR At Ivovik Hill, the Chinese owners agreed to pay 1.5 percent of their energy profits -- estimated to be several hundred thousand dollars per year -- with 50 percent going to the canton and the other 50 percent to be shared by the cities of Livno and Tomislavgrad.



This is stipulated by the concession contracts signed in 2008 when the Ivovik company was still owned by the Bosnian investors.



The Chinese owners of Ivovik made several donations to schools near the wind farm in 2023 and announced they would allow high school and university students to visit their operations center to learn how wind turbines produce electricity. Such donations and invitations are a common way for Chinese companies in foreign countries to generate good relations within local communities.

Tomislavgrad Mayor Buntic says that when they are transparent, these business deals can be a boon to local communities, many of which are economically depressed. He says another wind-farm project run by the state-owned Elektroprivreda HZHB has allowed the municipality to build new roads and renovate its water system.



But the deals made are not always aboveboard. Friends In High Places Some Chinese projects in Bosnia have been connected to politicians and businessmen with strong government contacts.



One example is a memorandum of understanding reached in 2016 between the privately owned Gradina company -- which is from Tomislavgrad -- and the China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) and China-Africa Investment and Development Corporation. The deal was to facilitate the construction of a wind farm in Tomislavgrad estimated to cost approximately $158 million.



At the signing ceremony in Mostar -- about 100 kilometers southeast of Tomislavgrad -- cantonal Prime Minister Ivan Vukadin, Livno Mayor Ivan Chondrich, and former Bosniak-Croat federation President Marinko Cavara were in attendance.



Reminiscent of the practice of concessions and the Ivovik Hill project, Gradina Director Mate Dukic bought the land concession where the wind farm would be developed a decade earlier.

During a 2015 visit to China, Mostar native Dragan Covic -- leader of Bosnias powerful Croatian Democratic Union and a former member of Bosnias three-member presidency -- met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping to discuss bilateral ties and to court investment by Beijing.



While there, Covic held talks with a host of Chinese companies, including CMEC, one of the firms that signed the deal to construct the wind farm for Gradina. That project is still in the process of securing the more than 100 permits needed to break ground, highlighting the complex and convoluted bureaucracy in the country that can often take years to navigate.



Damir Miljevic, an energy consultant who has worked on projects in the Balkans financed by the World Bank, the EU, and the United Nations, says that deals like Gradinas and Ivovik Hill involving Chinese firms are of particular concern as many of the agreements made between Bosnian officials and Chinese companies are labeled secret and not publicized. He says the lack of transparency creates fertile ground for corruption and mismanagement.



For concession contracts needed to build wind farms, Chinese companies are required by law to pay an annual tax of 10 percent on their profits. But Miljevic says there are limited safeguards in place to ensure accurate tax reporting and to follow up on any discrepancies or possible corruption.



What if they report no profit, which is likely to occur in the initial years following construction? he told RFE/RL. The Unusable Bridge Miljevic says another example that highlights transparency concerns is the contract for the Banja Luka-Prijedor highway, which is being built by the Chinese company Shandong Hi-Speed International through a concession agreement in 2018.



According to official statements, the Chinese firm agreed to build the highway under the condition that it would generate a certain profit. But if the project does not make the profit cited then the government of Republika Srpska -- the governing authority where the highway is located -- will have to cover the shortfall up to a certain amount.



Such a deal -- with no details disclosed -- could be quite costly to taxpayers.



In another case involving Sinohydro, the Chinese corporation building the Ivovik wind farm, the firm signed a $30 million deal through a subsidiary with the state-owned highway company to construct the Pocitelj Bridge in southern Bosnia with a consortium of investors.



The bridge is part of the huge European transport corridor known as Vc that would help connect Bosnia and Croatia to Hungary and is one of the tallest bridges in the region.

In May 2023, the four companies involved in the project -- including Sinohydro and another Chinese company -- were blacklisted by the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina Motorways due to a negative experience with them. The consortium had missed its March 2022 construction deadline because of the COVID-19 pandemic and numerous obstacles and they announced in August that the Pocitelj Bridge was cracked, which would result in further delays.



In the case of the wind-energy project, recent shifts in the ownership structure have raised troubling questions around transparency and tax fraud.



In September 2022, Sinohydros Bosnian holding company transferred its 51 percent stake in the wind farm to a newly formed company called Ivovik Wind Power based in Luxembourg.



This transfer was preceded by a series of Luxembourg-based asset transfers between shell companies connected to the Bosnian wind farm and Chinese state-owned companies. In October 2021, a Luxembourg-based company named PCR Energy established Ivovik Wind Power. Two months prior, PCR Energy was set up by Sinohydros Hong Kong-based holding company.



Sinohydro is a state-owned overseas subsidiary of Power China, a massive wholly state-owned Chinese company that is administered by a state-owned firm responsible for managing Chinese state-owned enterprises and is directly under the State Council, China's highest administrative organ and the executive branch of the National People's Congress.



Ivovik Wind Power now owns 51 percent of the wind energy project in Bosnia, while China National Technical Import and Export Corporation (CNTIC) owns a 39 percent share. CNTIC is a state-owned engineering firm with alleged links to Chinas State Security Ministry, the countrys principal civilian foreign intelligence agency.



The remaining 10 percent is owned by Ekrem Nanic, a Bosnian businessman who relocated to Austria during the war in the 1990s. Little is known about his private businesses and Nanic did not reply to RFE/RLs request for comment.



The citizens of Bosnia-Herzegovina have the right to know how their tax money is being spent and what obligations the state is entering into on their behalf, Miljevic said. Srpska Leaning Heavily On China The Ivovik wind farm was to be completed by December but currently remains unfinished with no information about a timeline for completion.



In other parts of Bosnia there is a growing list of Chinese projects on the books that could encounter similar problems related to land disputes and murky dealings.



Future deals with Chinese firms are a particular goal for Republika Srpska, whose anti-Western President Milorad Dodik and other top officials are sanctioned by the United States.



Largely cut off from western financing, Dodik has said he will turn to China to provide the necessary support and added that his people in the state government will apply for Bosnia's membership in BRICS, the Beijing-led bloc for emerging economies that also includes Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa.



In 2012, Chinas EXIM Bank financed the construction of a massive thermal power plant in Republika Srpska called Stanari, valued at some $580 million and due to have a massive power-generating capacity of 300 MW.



That project was made possible due to favorable changes for the Chinese bank made a year before by top-level Srpska officials that altered previous bylaws that prevented the financier of a project from also holding the land concession.



This change made Republika Srpska more attractive to Chinese lenders and companies, and one year later, the local Concessions Commission signed a subcontract between the privately owned Stanari and the Republika Srpska government with the China Development Bank that provided new safeguards to the Chinese bank. Under this contract, should the Stanari thermal plant, which was eventually commissioned in 2016, be unable to repay the borrowed money, the bank would take over ownership of the plant along with a concession for a local coal mine.



Six other projects -- including two coal-fired thermal power plants and two hydroelectric power plants that have been agreed on by China and Republika Srpska and one by China and the Bosniak-Croat federation -- are currently at a standstill.

The thermal plants face an uncertain future after a 2021 announcement by President Xi that China would no longer build coal-fired power projects abroad. Prior to that announcement, the federation government had agreed to a $700 million loan from the Export-Import Bank of China for the project.



But despite the lack of success with those deals, Republika Srpska officials are also still courting deals with Chinese firms.



In April 2023, Srpska Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic visited China and met with the director of PowerChina, Sinohydros parent company, to discuss a solar-power plant project that the entity's electric company intends to undertake. Open Door For More Deals Meanwhile, Chinas Communist Party has been actively cultivating connections with Bosnia's leading political parties.



Asim Mujkic, a professor at the University of Sarajevo, suggests China seeks to realize strategic investment in the region with authoritarian political groups in power.



This approach is in line with China's strategy of advancing its interests in Central and Eastern Europe, he told RFE/RL.



He noted that China's focus on countries like Bosnia, often referred to as a gray zone, underscores its determination to establish a significant presence in parts of Europe that are not yet part of the European Union.



And Bosnian political parties across the spectrum seem equally anxious for collaboration.



Halid Genjac, secretary-general of the Party of Democratic Action, told RFE/RL that his leading Bosniak party is mostly focused on China as a way to boost growth and create jobs for the struggling economy.



Pale Mayor Bosko Jugovic -- a member of the presidency of the leading ethnic Serb political party, the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats -- says it is looking to engage more broadly, citing the importance of cultural exchangestrade, tourism and, most significantly, economic and financial assistance from China.



This creeping Chinese expansion is something that Jugovic told RFE/RL began somewhat shyly in Bosnia but has steadily increased over time.



Pale is currently negotiating with Chinese companies for the construction of a tunnel from Pale to Sarajevo worth an estimated $105 million. Jugovic says he expects the project to be financed by Chinese banks.



Until now, state-owned Chinese companies have primarily served as contractors for infrastructure projects that were funded through the national budget or through Western loans. According to data given to RFE/RL by Bosnias Finance and Treasury ministries, the country does not owe Chinese banks any money.
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.
BELGRADE -- Serbs in Belgrade and close followers of their memorialization of the Balkan wars of the 1990s are responding coolly to word that Serbian officials are surprisingly advanced in talks for Donald Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to redevelop one of the most recognizable symbols of Western military might targeting Serbs.

The abandoned headquarters of the Yugoslav General Staff in downtown Belgrade was struck by two overnight bombing raids in April and May 1999, midway through NATOs 79-day bombardment to force an end to violence and charges of ethnic cleansing between mostly Serb troops and ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, then an autonomous province of rump Yugoslavia.

Despite decades of sporadic debate about transforming the site, the old General Staff buildings have remained mostly unchanged as a crumbling reminder to many Serbs of perceived bias against their national cause at a dark historical juncture.

"Why should it be given away? Belgrade retiree Zivko Nedeljkovic told RFE/RLs Balkan Service this week, following news of the potential Kushner deal.

He said he used to participate in wartime demonstrations to protest NATOs attacks, thought he doesnt specifically recall the night when the General Staff headquarters was hit. He read media reports about the purported Kushner project and said he opposed it because it would effectively mean giving the property away to foreigners.

Leave it as a cultural and historical monument so that anyone can see what [NATO] did to us, Nedeljkovic said.

Casualty figures from the NATO bombing campaign differ significantly. The late Yugoslav and Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevics administration claimed that in addition to around 900 Serbian troops and police officers, the bombardment killed around 5,000 civilians; NATO estimated around 500 civilian deaths.

WATCH: A communist-era fortified island off the coast of Albania may now become a luxury resort under plans by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump. A team of RFE/RL journalists explored the abandoned bunkers and tunnels of Sazan.

Sharply differing perspectives on wartime events, including Western bombs falling on the Serbian capital, remain integral aspects of Serb national identity and a major irritant in Serbias relations with the United States and its NATO allies.

The fate of the bombed-out former General Staff buildings and the similarly damaged Radio-Television of Serbia building less than a kilometer away in particular have fueled long-running mnemonic battles and debate over narratives of victimhood in Belgrade.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, a radical nationalist lawmaker in the 1990s who was a government minister until President Slobodan Milosevics overthrow in 2000, has said he is delighted by a possible Kushner deal.

The old General Staff buildings and adjacent Defense Ministry buildings are on a heritage protection list, and the land underneath them belongs to the government. Belgrades Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage has said it has not received any official document proposing to amend that status.

Vucic has vowed full transparency on any eventual plans for the site, but Serbian authorities groundwork on a future project involving Kushner only came to light after an opposition lawmaker divulged its purported outlines.

Kushner is married to Trumps daughter Ivanka and has focused on his investment and development projects since Trump was voted out of the White House in 2020, including through a company called Affinity Partners. Trump is the presumptive Republican candidate to run against incumbent Democrat Joe Biden for the U.S. presidency in November in a rematch of the 2020 vote.

On March 13, Serbian opposition lawmaker Aleksandar Jovanovic flashed a purported government document at a press conference saying Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure Minister Goran Vesic had signed a memorandum of understanding with an entity called Kushner Realty LLS, although it noted that the memorandum was not legally binding. The Serbian-language document, which was seen by RFE/RLs Balkan Service, also authorized Vesic to sign an investment agreement based on the signed memorandum.

The next day, Vesic said via his Progressive Party's (SNS) Instagram page that he had received authorization from the government but that the government would inform the public when and if, on the basis of that authority, a memorandum or other act is signed. He added that there was no need to create a sensation where there is none.

Vesic insisted that since 2000, all Serbian governments have tried to revitalize the General Staff premises but that it fell to us to solve this problem

Well be proud to announce it when or if we find a partner for [development of] the old [General Staff] site, Vesic added.

Seemingly prompted by New York Times reporting on Kushners hopes for the Belgrade project and beachfront projects in nearby Albania, Kushner shared early design images for those plans on social media on March 15.

Meanwhile, he told the newspaper that his investment company was pretty close to finalizing the Serbian and Albanian deals.

The New York Times noted reports quoting a senior Serbian official as far back as 2013 when Trump already had reportedly expressed interest in the same Belgrade location, and of Kushners collaboration with a Trump administration envoy to Germany and the region, Richard Grenell, in pursuit of the new Balkan projects. The paper said Grenell had encouraged Serbian officials to consider U.S. investors for a project at the former General Staff site in 2020.

The New York Times suggested the deal for 1,500 luxury apartments and a hotel at the downtown Belgrade site involves a $500 million investment and a 99-year lease at no charge, with the Serbian state receiving 22 percent of profits.

The government document outlining the project seen by RFE/RLs Balkan Service appeared to include a mechanism for the Kushner sides eventual ownership of the property once the redevelopment work was completed. It foresees the creation of a limited liability company called Atlantic Incubation Partners established jointly by Serbia and Kushner Realty. In addition to the General Staff premises, the document includes buildings that house Defense Ministry, military security, and military intelligence operations.

A former chief of Serbias General Staff, Zdravko Ponos, accused Vucic of investing in his [own] political future and likened any deal relinquishing control of the site to surrendering a family jewel.

He is giving away something that could be considered a family jewel of this country, Ponos told RFE/RLs Balkan Service, because these buildings and that location, especially the old building of the General Staff, is a family jewel.

'Job Creation, Economic Growth'

Trumps 2017-21 administration eschewed years of EU and U.S. pressure aimed at a more comprehensive breakthrough on one of the Balkans thorniest diplomatic headaches -- Serbias non-recognition of Kosovo -- in favor of focusing on job creation and economic growth. Grenell was a public avatar of those policies, which supporters credited with rare, if incremental, progress but critics accused of endangering long-standing ties with Pristina and sparking the downfall of Kosovos government.

Vucic wished Trump the best of luck before the U.S. leaders reelection bid in 2020 and has been portrayed by some as an unspoken Trump ally, although he has stopped short of the kind of explicit public support voiced by European populists like Hungarys Viktor Orban.

Veteran anti-corruption lawyer and Transparency International program Director Nemanja Nenadic told RFE/RLs Balkan Service that there are many outstanding questions about the process behind such a contract.

He said it was likely to involve a public-private partnership in the form of a joint venture or the use of state-owned property in exchange for a public benefit. But in that case, Nenadic suggested, a formal bidding process should precede any legally binding agreements.

He noted that local authorities designated the controversial multibillion-dollar Belgrade Waterfront urban renewal project to be of such special importance to Serbia and its capital as to invoke the so-called lex specialis doctrine to supersede broad regulations, allowing them to avoid a public tender.

The government document seen by RFE/RLs Balkan Service recommends declaring the Kushner project to be a project of special importance, too.

The topic of the General Staff buildings was raised in parliament in one of the first sessions after disputed elections in December that included accusations of widespread voter fraud on behalf of Vucic and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).

Jovanovic, the lawmaker who disclosed the government document laying out the projects status, suggested at the time that proponents of the deal were bowing down to American companies.

Branislav Dimitrijevic, an art historian and a member of the opposition Green-Left Front party, argued that the buildings should either be restored to their original state or preserved somehow as a monument.

"Leave it like this so we dont forget," Ranka, a longtime resident of Belgrade, who asked that her full name not be published, told RFE/RLs Balkan Service. She fled to the Serbian capital from Bosnia-Herzegovina during the Bosnian War in 1992, she said, and life in wartime Serbia is still vivid in her memory.

"I experienced this more tragically than the war in Bosnia, she said.

A Belgrade pensioner named Vojislav said the best idea would be for the state to turn the site into apartment buildings but include a memorial as well, and perhaps even include wings like the Oculus at the World Trade Center memorial in New York City.

Vucic has said in the past that prospective projects would envisage some kind of museum of victims because we are not going to hide what happened.

Last week, The New York Times quoted Grenell as saying the Kushner project was a chance to turn a symbol of previous conflict into a bridge of friendship and renewal.

Gruia Badescu, a research fellow in East European history at the University of Konstanz with a longtime focus on ruins, reconstructions, and the memory of the 1990 wars in the Balkans, has dug deep into events around the former General Staff building, which comprises an A and a B structure.

He told RFE/RL that the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage was so panicked that it would be destroyed for redevelopment that they listed it as a national heritage site because it was arguably the most important building by Yugoslavias foremost modernist architect and urban planner, Nikola Dobrovic.

'Important Informal Memorial'

While much of the public was unaware of such underlying reasons for heightened interest in the shattered building, which was finished in 1965, Badescu said it became a cause celebre in the architecture and heritage world to protect it.

The listing, in 2005, effectively blocked potential redevelopment plans for the site as it would have to be restored to its original state, he said.

So it remained a prominent relic, a prominent ruin, and it becamethe most important informal memorial of the NATO bombing, Badescu said. For that reason, he said, he would expect the general public to oppose redevelopment.

On the one hand, it would erase a universal memory that unites them. People in Belgrade, no matter what position they had in the 1990s, whether they were pro-Milosevic or against -- and remember, Belgrade was very much against Milosevic -- they condemned the NATO bombing, Badescu said. The second point is that you have the Belgrade Waterfront situation, in which the more active civil society, the youth, the architects, various cultural sectors, and others who were sick of corruption really protested.

He said including a museum of victimhood might pacify some but it could also prove problematic. Unlike in the bombardment of the Radio-Television Serbia building, he said, although there were unconfirmed reports that two men in the vicinity may have been killed, no one is known to have died inside the disused former General Staff building.

Moreover, Badescu said, some people might regard a former military building where operations were planned in the 1990s as an awkward site for a museum to the suffering of victims of war. While the army was seen as an ethnically unifying Yugoslav institution throughout much of Josip Broz Titos reign, he said, the perceptions of many people in the former Yugoslavia changed during the violence of the 1990s.

Badescu also wondered whether the museum to which Vucic referred would be a historical museum exploring the complexity of the 1990s and the role of Serbia or a memory museum in which you just talk about victimhood and you blame the West.

He said a possible role for a U.S. developer was especially intriguing, as opposed to an investor from anywhere else around the world.

By having a U.S. person redeveloping [it], the symbol of the NATO destruction of the city -- the U.S., in Serbian minds -- I think that also could be quite incendiary: How come its the Americans who destroyed it and the Americans rebuild it?

If the government were to frame it as an act of expiation -- by redeveloping, by reconstructing, by showing solidarity, it is a way of saying sorry and even providing this museum of victimhood -- this is a way the framing can make sense, Badescu said. But otherwise it just doesnt make a lot of sense to people to have an American -- and a politically high-up person -- redeveloping it.

Written and with reporting by Andy Heil based on reporting by RFE/RL Balkan Service correspondents Ljudmila Cvetkovic and Jelena Jankovic
A Russian air strike on March 22 hit residential buildings in Ukraine's central region of Khmelnytskiy in a massive wave of attacks across the country. The local administration in the Khmelnytskiy region reported that one person had been killed and several wounded in the Russian strikes.
WASHINGTON -- The U.S.-based team working to win the release of American journalist Evan Gershkovich from a Russian jail is eyeing the approach of the anniversary of his detention with a mix of hope and frustration as the ordeal heads into a second year.

Gershkovich, 32, will mark one year of detention in Russia on March 29. On that day in 2023, The Wall Street Journal reporter was arrested in Yekaterinburg for alleged espionage that he, his newspaper, and the U.S. government deny. He's been held ever since in Moscow's Lefortovo prison.

The anniversary will be an opportunity to increase efforts to win his release, said Paul Beckett, the newspaper's assistant editor, who spoke on March 21 at a briefing in Washington to raise awareness of the anniversary and discuss the status of his case.

Beckett and other members of Gershkovich's team said that although the anniversary was frustrating, they are determined to redouble their efforts to bring Gershkovich home.

"All that we've done hasn't yet paid the one dividend we need it to," Beckett said.

"We really need to re-up our efforts and go at it with an even greater sense of urgency to make sure that can end this as soon as we possibly can."

Jason Conti, a lawyer for the newspaper, said the team is anticipating the scheduling of a hearing that under Russian law must take place before the anniversary.

The team, which includes Gershkovich's sister, Danielle Gershkovich, and his parents, will learn whether prosecutors request an extension of up to six months or announce that they are ready to start the trial.

If it's the latter, Gershkovich will be transferred from Moscow to Yekaterinburg for what would be a secret trial behind closed doors, Conti said.

Whatever the outcome of the hearing, Conti said that "nobody thinks the legal route is the path to get Evan free" because Russia's conviction rate is more than 99 percent.

Conti said there has been a lot of behind-the-scenes activity on the diplomatic front, while publicly, Gershkovich's case has been raised directly with President Vladimir Putin in recent weeks, most notably by U.S. commentator Tucker Carlson in an interview in February.

Putin told Carlson that an agreement could be reached involving a swap for a Russian national currently in jail in Germany, which was believed to be a reference to Vadim Krasikov, who is serving time for murder in Berlin.

Conti said the comment indicated "an expressed willingness to do a trade of some sort," but on the other hand it created a "despicable" scenario in which an honest journalist must be dealt for a convicted criminal.

The process of "trading humans" is a difficult business, Conti said, but "that's kind of where we are."

The panel also raised the detention of RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who holds U.S. and Russian citizenship and is being held in pretrial detention in Russia on a charge of violating the so-called "foreign agent" law. The U.S. government and RFE/RL say the charge is in reprisal for her work.

Kurmasheva, who has worked for RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service for some 25 years, left Prague where she is based in mid-May because of a family emergency in her native Tatarstan, one of Russia's many republics.

She was briefly detained while waiting for her return flight on June 2, 2023, at the Kazan airport, where both of her passports and phone were confiscated. After five months waiting for a decision in her case, Kurmasheva was fined 10,000 rubles ($109) for failing to register her U.S. passport with Russian authorities.

Unable to leave Russia without her travel documents, Kurmasheva was detained again in October and this time charged with failing to register as a foreign agent. Two months later, she was charged with spreading falsehoods about the Russian military. If tried and convicted, Kurmasheva may face up to 10 years in prison.

Unlike Gershkovich, Kurmasheva has not been designated as wrongfully detained, which 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.

Gershkovich was recognized as wrongfully detained less than two weeks after his arrest. Kurmasheva, who was arrested at a Russian airport on October 18 on her way home from a visit to her sick mother, has spent months in detention without the designation.

Beckett said it was a technical designation that the State Department must decide but added that it would be a "significant step for anyone who is being held hostage like Alsu." Only the State Department can answer why it is taking longer in her case, he added.

The first anniversary of Gershkovich's detention will be marked next week by a 24-hour read-a-thon of his work by his Wall Street Journal colleagues at the newspaper's 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 family's 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.

Beckett is encouraging people to use social media to share posts about their participation in the events at #IstandwithEvan to further raise awareness of Gershkovich's case.

Danielle Gershkovich said she stays positive by exchanging letters with her brother weekly and remembering that he has maintained a sense of humor, recalling his smiles during his courtroom appearances.

She said she and her parents, Ella and Mikhail Gershkovich, have been able to support one another as they face their fears and advocate for his release.
I'm Steve Gutterman, the editor of RFE/RL's Russia/Ukraine/Belarus Desk.

Welcome to The Week In Russia, in which I dissect the key developments in Russian politics and society over the previous week and look at what's ahead.

Putin claims a landslide victory in what a monitoring group calls Russia's "dirtiest, most falsified" election ever. The predictable vote was dominated by the death of the Kremlin's biggest foe, Aleksei Navalny, and the defiance of the citizens who turned out to mourn him.

Here are some of the key developments in Russia over the past week and some of the takeaways going forward.

'The Decisive Vote'

On paper, President Vladimir Putin ran against three challengers in the March 15-17 election. But his real opponent was Aleksei Navalny.

If that wasn't clear when the brief, bland campaign began in December, it was plain as day on February 16, when Russia's penitentiary service announced that Navalny, 47, had died at a harsh Arctic prison known as Polar Wolf. During a visit a day earlier, his mother said, he was in good spirits and seemed relatively healthy, over two years of harsh treatment behind bars notwithstanding.

His family and many friends and supporters charge that Putin had Navalny killed, possibly in connection with a proposed prisoner swap that could have freed him and removed him from Russia -- the homeland to which he returned in January 2021, despite the obvious likelihood of arrest, after barely surviving a nerve-agent poisoning he blamed on the president and the Federal Security Service.

Others say it's more likely he died as a result of his time in prison, during which he spent more than 300 days in solitary punishment cells and reported that was subjected to frequent mistreatment, including sleep deprivation and the denial of medical care.

Either way, his death was the defining event of an election whose outcome was never in doubt -- much as his defiance over more than a decade as Putin's most prominent foe, and the Kremlin's efforts to blunt his challenge -- shaped Russian politics amid an ever-tightening clampdown on dissent.

"The decisive vote in this weekend's Russian presidential elections was cast on 16 February," Sam Greene, a professor at the Kings Russia Institute in London, wrote in a blog post on March 17.

The Hegemon And The Heretic

The indelible images from recent weeks in Russia came from Navalny's funeral and the days that followed, when tens of thousands of people came to pay their respects.

Navalny was a politician, but in the weeks before and after his death, the preelection battle played out mostly beyond the realm of electoral politics, from which he had been banished years earlier when he was barred from challenging Putin for the presidency in 2018.

As a result, the threat Navalny posed to Putin seemed to transcend politics. Case in point: For more than a decade, Putin never uttered Navalny's name in public -- but he has done so now that Navalny is dead.

"For Putin," Greene wrote, "Navalny was dangerous not because he could have won an election or led a revolution. Rather, Navalny died for the reason that dogmatists have murdered heretics for millennia: his example threatened one day to provoke a crisis of faith."

Chased first out of politics and then into prison, Navalny never had a chance of making anything close to a decisive difference in the election this month. But he represented a vision for the future, something analysts say has been conspicuously absent from Putin in his public remarks amid the war against Ukraine, including a February 29 state-of-the-nation speech.

In contrast with Navalny's talk of a "beautiful Russia of the future," Putin's election campaign "offered no discernible platform for change or progress, and neither did those of his three Kremlin-approved opponents," Greene wrote.

"The Kremlin worked hard to ensure that these elections -- which would, should he serve to the end of his next six-year term, extend [Putin's] rule longer than Stalin's -- were devoid of any vision for Russia's future," Greene wrote.

Borne Back Ceaselessly

Putin instead has evoked the past, or a frequently falsified version of it, to justify Russia's conduct today. Critics say he is pulling Russia back in time and is trying to do the same with the rest of the world, with the full-scale invasion of Ukraine -- with its obliterated cities, vermin-infested trenches, and war crimes evincing comparisons with the worst of the 20th century and beyond -- providing the most blatant and bitter example.

"Having failed to find a path to the future, having lost the race for it to both the Global West and the Global East, but at the same time having leadership ambitions, Putin's regime began -- with stunning energy -- to make its way into the past," Andrei Kolesnikov, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center in Berlin, wrote in November.

"Instead of catching up with modernization, the Russian system chose to catch up in the opposite historical direction, with de-modernization, the peak of which was the 'Special Operation' project," he wrote, referring to the Kremlin's legally enforceable term for its war against Ukraine.

In times of war, candidates for high office often hold out the prospect that they will bring peace -- Volodymyr Zelenskiy did so during his successful presidential campaign in Ukraine in 2019, as the war in the Donbas dragged on, but Russia's full-scale invasion ensued instead.

Putin has made no such promise -- on the contrary, he has repeatedly cast the war against Ukraine and the confrontation with the West as facts of life, elements of a new normal that are here to stay.

If anything, analysts say, the Russian state's oppression at home and aggression against Ukraine may get worse now that he has secured a new six-year term -- and done so with an official result, 87.3 percent of the vote, that the Kremlin is using to claim almost monolithic support despite evidence of widescale fraud.

The independent monitoring group Golos called the vote "the dirtiest, most falsified presidential election" in Russian history." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the marginalization of civil society and the "intense repression" of independent voices in Russia mean it "can only be described as undemocratic."

Since the election, there has been no letup in the onslaught against Ukraine.

Since the election, there has been no letup in the onslaught against Ukraine -- in fact, Russian attacks appear to have intensified.

In addition to residential areas, Russian missiles and drones targeted power plants, dams, and other infrastructure on March 22, in what energy in what Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko called "the largest attack on the Ukrainian energy industry in recent times."

On March 21, Russian forces fired 31 missiles at Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said, in the biggest assault on the capital in weeks.

A day earlier, authorities in the eastern city of Kharkiv said five people were killed by Russian shelling there, and two civilians were killed in the Kherson region in the south when their car was hit.

On March 15, the first day of voting in the presidential election -- which Russia also held illegally in the parts of Ukraine that it controls -- a massive missile-and-drone attack killed 20 people in Odesa, the Black Sea port that Putin falsely called "a Russian city" in December.

That's it from me this week.



If you want to know more, catch up on my podcast The Week Ahead In Russia, out every Monday, here on our site or wherever you get your podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts).



Yours,



Steve Gutterman



P.S.: Consider forwarding this newsletter to colleagues who might find this of interest. Send feedback and tips to newsletters@rferl.org.
Camouflage-clad gunmen killed at least 62 people and injured scores of others when they opened fire at a crowded concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow in an attack quickly condemned around the world as an act of terrorism.

The Islamic State (IS) militant group claimed responsibility for the deadly attack on March 22 at the 6,200-seat Crocus City Hall concert venue in Krasnogorsk near Moscow. The gunfire was accompanied by multiple explosions that left the upper floors of the venue engulfed in flames that eventually caused the roof to collapse.



Video posted on social media showed concertgoers entering the hall and taking their seats when pandemonium struck. As bullets sprayed around the hall, hundreds of people could be seen running for exits while others sought cover in the deadliest attack in Russia since the 2004 Beslan school siege.

The Baza website quoted unnamed sources as saying the number of dead was at least 62 and could rise, although that report could not be independently confirmed. The Moscow Regional Health Ministry published a list of names of 145 victims who had been taken to hospitals. The list includes children.



Some Telegram and other social media accounts shared accounts of purported eyewitnesses, one of whom reported "shooting from all sides."

Hours after the incident began, Telegram channels affiliated with IS ran a statement saying the groups fighters "attacked a large gathering...on the outskirts of the Russian capital, Moscow."



RIA-Novosti reported that at least three gunmen were involved, while Interfax reported there were at least five attackers.



The IS statement, which was confirmed by U.S. intelligence services, said the attackers had "retreated to their bases safely," though that claim could not be independently confirmed and it was not clear whether the militants had been able to leave the building as it was engulfed in flames.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a U.S. official told Reuters that Washington had warned Moscow in recent weeks of the possibility of an attack.



Two weeks earlier, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow had warned Russia that "extremists" had imminent plans for an attack in the capital, and just ahead of that, the Federal Security Service (FSB) said it had stopped an attack on a Moscow synagogue by Islamic State's affiliate in Afghanistan, known as ISIS-Khorasan or ISIS-K.

President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said the Kremlin leader had been informed "in the first minutes" of the attack and was "constantly receiving information about what's happening and about measures being taken through all relevant services."



He said Putin "gave all the necessary instructions."



Putin did not directly address Russians after the attack, but Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies that the 71-year-old president wished a speedy recovery to the wounded victims.



Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called on the international community "to condemn this bloody terrorist attack."



UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said through a spokesperson that he "condemns in the strongest possible terms" the attack. The United States, France, Turkey, Italy, EU, and other leaders also condemned the incident.



The Crocus City Hall is a popular concert venue in a high-end district on the edge of Moscow that attracts major Russian musical acts. The Soviet-era band Piknik was scheduled to play on March 22 but never took the stage. The band's manager said all of the members of the group were safe.



"A terrible tragedy occurred in the shopping center Crocus City today," Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Telegram. "I am sorry for the loved ones of the victims."



The European Union said through a spokesman that it was "shocked and appalled by the reports" and it "condemns any attacks against civilians," adding, "Our thoughts are with all those Russian citizens affected."

With reporting by Reuters
The first experience of a Russian banya did not go well for Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Chappe d'Auteroche. "I thought of nothing but getting out as fast as I could," the astronomer wrote. Panicked by the heat, d'Auteroche fled the traditional Russian steam room and returned to his lodgings half-dressed "as fast as possible," then "went to bed immediately."

The banya scene is one of several vivid depictions of life in Russia in 1761 from a book, titled A Journey Into Siberia. Copies of the book today sell for thousands of dollars, but an original edition has now been made publicly available in the U.S. Library of Congress. The illustrated book offers one of the first detailed reports of the life and landscape of Russia at a time when modern science was young, and much of the world remained unknown to European audiences. Etchings in d'Auteroch's book, which are reproduced here, were made by Jean-Baptiste Le Prince, another Frenchman who had travelled extensively in Russia, but did not join d'Auteroch on his journey to Tobolsk.

D'Auteroche had been sent to Russia with the task of recording the transit of Venus past the face of the sun. The rare celestial event offered astronomers a chance to calculate the distance between the Earth and the sun, thus revealing some of the mechanics of our solar system. With Venus due to pass in front of the sun on June 6, 1761, d'Auteroche set off from Paris in November 1760 with a letter of recommendation from the French king, Louis XV. His destination was Tobolsk, a distant Siberian settlement where the transit of Venus would occur more quickly "than in any other part of the globe," making the site ideal for observations that could later be compared with other astronomers' findings.

En route to Tobolsk, the astronomer made detailed descriptions of the culture and cuisine that he encountered on his long and often dangerous road. D'Auteroche's description of traditional Russian pierogi dumplings match exactly a version that is still served today. "Piroquis are a kind of small pie, about three inches wide," he wrote. "The inside of which is filled with a fish they call Siantki."

The Frenchman also noted down one of the earliest recipes for kvass, a fermented drink that today tastes something like a mix between lemonade and beer. Judging from d'Auteroches description, the beverage appears to have evolved significantly since the 1700s. "Their drink is what they call quouas, which is nothing more than water made to ferment with bran and a little flour," d'Auteroche noted. "This liquor is very clear, and of a yellow color, but it's more sour than vinegar, and has a taste which those who are not used to cannot bear."

Living quarters in Russia were described by the astronomer as being split into two parts. "The lower floor is for the cattle, and the upper is divided into two parts," D'Auteroche wrote. "One for the milk and other provisions, the other for the family. In the last is a stove, which takes up one-quarter of the room: it is generally made of brick.

Christian piety was described as rigid in matters such as fasting during lent and the honoring of local saints, even in the midst of "the most criminal pursuits." The astronomer cited one story he was told "by a Russian who was in love with his neighbor's wife." After sneaking into the married woman's bedroom, the man "thought himself just on the point of being completely happy," when his amore suddenly ran to a nearby chapel to offer a prayer to the saint of the village. She then hurried back to her waiting lover "and threw herself again into his arms."

D'Auteroche was accompanied by an interpreter and a clock technician whose expertise was essential for the precise timekeeping that would be needed for celestial observations. Local governors also assisted with armed guards through some sections of his journey.

After five months of traveling, d'Auteroche and his entourage arrived in Tobolsk in April 1761, where they began building a hilltop observatory to track the June 6 transit of Venus. For locals in Tobolsk, the sight of otherworldly instruments that included a "19-foot-long telescope," and the construction of the mystifying observatory sparked unease. Whispering tongues began to blame the wizard-like foreigner for a flood that had devastated the town and tensions in the town rose as the critical date drew near.

Russians that knew d'Auteroche's purpose in Tobolsk warned the Frenchman to travel only with the armed guard he had been assigned by a local ruler, and through the beginning of June he slept inside his hilltop observatory lest it should be torn down in the night by angry locals. The morning of June 6 dawned cloudy, but as the minutes counted down towards the transit of Venus, the French team watched as the sky slowly cleared. "The moment of the observation was now at hand," d'Auteroche recalled, "I was shivering all over, and was obliged to collect all my thoughts, in order not to miss it." After carefully tracking the planet's movement, the Parisian soaked up the pleasure of success on the Siberian hilltop, more than 4,000 kilometers from home. "I truly enjoyed the completion of my observation, and was delighted with the hopes of its being useful to posterity when I have quit this life," he wrote.
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

A deadly suicide bombing struck Afghanistans southern city of Kandahar on March 21.

The attack outside a bank killed at least 21 people and wounded around a dozen others, hospital sources in the city told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi. Taliban officials put the death toll at three.

The Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) extremist group, a rival of the Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attack.

Many of the victims appeared to be people queuing outside a branch of the New Kabul Bank in central Kandahar to collect their salaries.

Why Its Important: The high-profile attack undermined the Talibans claim that it has restored security in Afghanistan since seizing power in 2021.

Such acts also took place under the previous government and it was a disaster, said Gul Ahmad, whose brother was killed in the attack, referring to the Western-backed Afghan government.

Now similar attacks happen, too. I request and I beg the current [Taliban] government to bring security to the country, Ahmad told Radio Azadi.

That IS-K managed to carry out a major assault in the heart of Kandahar, the de facto capital of the Taliban government, is also a blow. The Talibans spiritual leader, Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, is based in the city.

The suicide bombing has also highlighted the enduring threat posed by IS-K, which continues to carry out attacks against the Taliban and religious minorities.

What's Next: The Taliban is likely to continue to be the target of attacks by IS-K as well as several resistance groups that have waged a low-level insurgency against it.

IS-K has been weakened by years of fighting with the Taliban, but it poses the biggest threat to its rival.

What To Keep An Eye On

The new school year officially began in Afghanistan on March 21. It is the third school year in a row that teenage girls were barred from returning to their classes.

Many girls across Afghanistan lamented the education ban on girls above the sixth grade, which was imposed in March 2022.

Niayesh, who was in the eighth grade when the Taliban seized power, said she is dismayed at the ongoing ban.

"I'm disappointed," Niayesh told Radio Azadi. I still want to go to school just like my brother.

Bahar, who is now in the sixth grade, expressed optimism. I hope all schools will open so that we can study until the 12th grade," she said.

Why It's Important: The Taliban appears unlikely to reverse its restrictions on female education, despite condemnation inside and outside Afghanistan.

The Talibans repressive policies have threatened to make its government an international pariah.

The militant group is unlikely to gain international recognition without reversing some of its most draconian policies, including its ban on teenage girls attending school and women going to university.

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

Please note that the next newsletter will be issued on April 19.

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.
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Russia launched a massive assault on Ukraine's energy infrastructure on March 22, striking the country's largest dam and temporarily severing a power line at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant. Power outages and damage were reported nationwide.
Many parts of Ukraine were experiencing blackouts after a massive wave of Russian strikes on March 22 targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure, killing at least four people, hitting the country's largest dam, and temporarily severing a power line at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the assault involved 150 drones and missiles and appealed again to Ukraine's allies to speed up deliveries of critically needed ammunition and weapons systems.

As the full-scale invasion neared the 25-month mark, Zelenskiy aide Mykhailo Podolyak denied recent reports that the United States had demanded that its ally Kyiv stop any attacks on Russia's oil infrastructure as "fictitious information."

"After two years of full-scale war, no one will dictate to Ukraine the conditions for conducting this war," Podolyak told the Dozhd TV channel. "Within the framework of international law, Ukraine can 'degrease' Russian instruments of war. Fuel is the main tool of warfare. Ukraine will destroy the [Russian] fuel infrastructure."

The Financial Times quoted anonymous sources as saying that Washington had given "repeated warnings" to Ukraine's state security service and its military intelligence agency to stop attacking Russian oil refineries and energy infrastructure. It said officials cited such attacks' effect on global oil prices and the risk of retaliation.

The southern Zaporizhzhya region bore the brunt of the Russian assault that hit Ukraine's energy infrastructure particularly hard on March 22, with at least three people killed, including a man and his 8-year-old daughter. There were at least 20 dead and injured, in all.

Ukraine's state hydropower company, Ukrhydroenerho, said the DniproHES hydroelectric dam on the Dnieper in Zaporizhzhya was hit by two Russian missiles that damaged HPP-2, one of the plant's two power stations, although there was no immediate risk of a breach.

"There is currently a fire at the dam. Emergency services are working at the site, eliminating the consequences of numerous air strikes," Ukrhydroenerho said in a statement, adding that the situation at the dam "is under control."

However, Ihor Syrota, the director of national grid operator Ukrenerho, told RFE/RL that currently it was not known if power station HPP-2 could be repaired.

Transport across the dam has been suspended after a missile struck a trolleybus, killing the 62-year-old driver. The vehicle was not carrying any passengers.

"This night, Russia launched over 60 'Shahed' drones and nearly 90 missiles of various types at Ukraine," Zelenskiy wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

"The world sees the Russian terrorists' targets as clearly as possible: power plants and energy supply lines, a hydroelectric dam, ordinary residential buildings, and even a trolleybus," Zelenskiy wrote.

Ukraine's power generating company Enerhoatom later said it has repaired a power line at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant, Europe's largest.

"Currently, the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhya NPP is connected to the unified energy system of Ukraine by two power transmission lines, thanks to which the plant's own needs are fulfilled," the state's nuclear-energy operator wrote on Telegram.

Besides Zaporizhzhya, strikes were also reported in the Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Vinnytsya, Khmelnytskiy, Kryviy Rih, Ivano-Frankivsk, Poltava, Odesa, and Lviv regions.

Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, has been left completely without electricity by intense Russian strikes that also caused water shortages.

"The occupiers carried out more than 15 strikes on energy facilities. The city is virtually completely without light," Oleh Synyehubov, the head of Kharkiv regional military administration, wrote on Telegram.

In the Odesa region, more than 50,000 households have been left without electricity, regional officials reported. Odesa, Ukraine's largest Black Sea port, has been frequently attacked by Russia in recent months.

In the Khmelnitskiy region, the local administration reported that one person had been killed and several wounded during the Russian strikes, without giving details.

Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko called it "the largest attack on the Ukrainian energy industry in recent times."

Despite the widespread damage, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said the situation remained under control, and there was no need to switch off electricity throughout the country.

"There are problems with the electricity supply in some areas, but in general, the situation in the energy sector is under control, there is no need for blackouts throughout the country," Shmyhal wrote on Telegram.

Ukrenerho also said that it was receiving emergency assistance from its European Union neighbors Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. Ukraine linked its power grid with that of the EU in March 2022, shortly after the start of Russia's invasion.

Ukraine's air force said its air defenses downed 92 of 151 missiles and drones fired at Ukraine by Russia in the overnight attack.

"Russian missiles have no delays, unlike aid packages for Ukraine. 'Shahed' drones have no indecision, unlike some politicians. It is critical to understand the cost of delays and postponed decisions," Zelenskiy wrote, appealing to the West to do more for his country.

"Our partners know exactly what is needed. They can definitely support us. These are necessary decisions. Life must be protected from these savages from Moscow."

Zelenskiy's message came as EU leaders were wrapping up a summit in Brussels where they discussed ways to speed up ammunition and weapons deliveries for the embattled Ukrainian forces struggling to stave off an increasingly intense assault by more numerous and better-equipped Russian troops.

A critical $60 billion military aid package from the United States, Ukraine's main backer, remains stuck in the House of Representatives due to Republican opposition, prompting Kyiv to rely more on aid from its European allies.
ZHASHKIV, Ukraine -- Vadym Kolisnyk stands on a rooftop on the eastern edge of Zhashkiv. Its the end of February, and the dark and fog that shroud central Ukraine for much of the winter have broken. The sun has returned to Cherkasy Oblast. This is good news for Kolisnyk, for whom the sun is money. Solar panels stretch along aluminum frames that go all the way to the eastern face of the barn roof on which he stands. Beyond, fields of grain wait for sowing. The lowing of some 3,000 cows, mostly Holsteins, rises to the rooftop  along with the smell, inescapable now that the thaw has come. Zhashkiv straddles the main highway between Uman and Bila Tserkva in Cherkasy Oblast, about 150 kilometers south of Kyiv. Kolisnyk lives in the city of Cherkasy, installing independent solar systems like this one from there to the Kyiv Oblast with his company, SolarGlass. A year ago, Zhashkiv had virtually no solar power systems. But as Kolisnyk tells it, by virtue of knowing the right people, over the past year hes become the go-to guy for solar within this town of 12,000. Russias war against Ukraine has shifted his focus from big commercial plants to private homes and small businesses, but he has more orders than he can manage  in large part because six of his employees have gone to the front since the full-scale invasion of February 2022. Two remain there, while four are no longer with us, he says. The team of installers working on the project in Zhashkiv, expected to take a few weeks to complete, stay in temporary farmhand quarters -- seven unmade beds in a small room on the second floor of a brick building between the orchard and the grain fields. DVDs in the thin black cases that suggest unofficial provenance are stacked half a meter high on the floor next to a dresser on which sits a TV. A cabbage, dishwashing detergent, a bottle of cheap Georgian brandy, and stray packs of cigarettes line the windowsills. One of the residents, Volodymyr, says hes saving up because his daughter was in competitive motocross but has outgrown her current bike. He has his eye on a new one for when the competitions -- on hold since the invasion -- resume.

Despite a lot of money changing hands, solar panel installations are a lean business with modest profit margins, says Kolisnyk. But he describes the long-term impact optimistically: Locally, new electricity producers will pop up and all the consumers will have a secured supply of electricity from renewable sources. Builders like Kolisnyk are a small part of a big fight for Ukraine to keep the lights on. The more ambitious hope: to build green electricity into energy independence. Power Lifting Russia has attacked Ukraines electrical system continuously since the full-scale invasion began. After seizing several of the countrys biggest power plants in the initial push, Moscows forces have repeatedly targeted the Ukrainian grid with missiles and drones. This has forced Ukrainians to cut consumption, fortify production, and seek alternatives. I believe that there is no alternative to a green transformation of the economy, and Russian aggression has proved that a green transformation is one of the key foundations of security, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told a conference in London last June. More recently, Russia has concentrated fire on the great tangle of transmission infrastructure in east-central Ukraines Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhya regions. On the morning of March 22, Russia launched a wave of air strikes across the country, hitting key facilities including the Dnipro Hydroelectric Station in Zaporizhzhya and causing blackouts at several locations in what Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko called "the largest attack on the Ukrainian energy industry in recent times." WATCH: Russia launched a massive assault on Ukraine's energy infrastructure on March 22, striking the country's largest dam and temporarily severing a power line at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant. Power outages and damage were reported nationwide:

Shahed drone strikes left some 53,000 people in several towns without electricity on February 12, according to Ukrenergo, the government-owned company that runs the national electric grid. The March 22 onslaught and a cruise-missile attack a month earlier took out power lines feeding the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, endangering the life support that keeps that plant from disaster. The damage was repaired in both cases. Despite Ukraines remarkable endurance of winter blackouts, these attacks seem to be increasing as Ukraines armed forces ration air-defense missiles amid uncertainty about future Western weapons supplies, particularly from the United States. But even before the full-scale invasion turned Ukraines power lines into front lines, Russias use of its hydrocarbon supplies as a geopolitical cudgel had pushed Ukraine to seek alternative sources in earnest. A Transition Deferred Ukraine formally renounced Russian gas imports in 2015 and sanctioned Russias big oil companies in 2018. Though a conspicuous indirect trade in fuels of unknown origin remained open until last May, between 2018 and 2021, Ukraines total installed solar and wind generation capacity quadrupled and tripled, respectively. The two combined accounted for only 10 percent of Ukraines total generation in 2021, the last year for which official data is available, but they were the fastest-growing new generation source by miles -- or megawatts. Ukraine still had to rely on Russia for the lions share of the uranium for its nuclear plants -- still the largest source of electricity in the country. Due to continued connection to the Soviet-era grid, Ukraine also had no choice but to buy electricity from Russia and Belarus in times of shortage -- and sell it in times of surplus -- right up until February 24, 2022. Missed Connections As with so many sectors of Ukraines innovation economy, the Russian invasion completely derailed the rapid growth in renewable energy. The biggest wind and solar plants were in the east or along the southern corridor from Mariupol up to Kherson -- the sunniest part of the country, which also happens to get gusts off the Black Sea, and most of which Russia has held since early in the invasion. Even on the Ukrainian-controlled side of the line, there are visible signs of a transition stalled. In fields alongside Oshakiv, a town in the Mykolayiv Oblast west of Kherson, concrete slabs roughly the size and shape of ridged mattresses have stood in stacks like something from an industrial version of The Princess and the Pea, derelict for over two years. The location, just a few hundred crop rows from the Black Sea, was one its builders fought for, gathering locals to persuade them that the wind farm would bring them more money without ruining their town. Then came the war. As it turned out, this land was under fire every day, says Oleksandr Burdun, who was overseeing the construction of that wind plant.

Russian forces have retreated from most of the territory they occupied in the Mykolayiv Oblast early in the invasion but still hold the Kinburn Spit, which lies right across the water from Oshakiv. Many of the farmers are back to work, but the South Ukrainian Wind Power Plant wont send anyone up hundreds of feet into the air to fuss with rotors and turbine blades. It was like, imagine you are waiting for the birth of your child and then something goes wrong, Burdun says. Burdun returned to his parents home in the city of Mykolayiv. Government trucks distributed guns to civilians, who waited for the Russian siege either to break or break through. Burdun now finds himself in Kyiv, waiting to return. The prospective South Ukrainian Wind Power Plant sits idle and unfinished. Installed but left uncovered, the massive concrete bases of some of the never-completed towers resemble abandoned archeological digs. Friendly Wind Technologies, the only turbine manufacturer in Ukraine, similarly found itself imperiled. Founded in 2011 in Kramatorsk, in the eastern region known as the Donbas, the company survived eight years of war there and about six months of the full-scale invasion before finally deciding to pull up stakes.

Power Stats The damage is extensive. DTEK, the largest private energy company and biggest renewables producer in the country, has lost 70 percent of the value of its renewables subsidiary, according to Forbes Ukraine. Seventy-one percent of wind capacities are located in the occupied territory, says Halyna Shmidt, head of analysis at the Ukrainian Wind Power Association. That is about 1.7 gigawatts (GW) worth of wind turbines behind Russian lines, including the largest wind farm in the country, near Zaporizhzhya. For solar power, the picture is similarly dark. The two largest solar plants in the country are in occupied parts of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, nearly 600 megawatts of capacity sitting derelict.

The distinction between capacity and generation is crucial. Capacity is the maximum power that a station can generate at one time and is measured in watts, the same as a consumer uses for a 100-watt light bulb, for example. By installed solar capacity, Ukraine at the end of 2021 was nearly at the level of Brazil or Britain -- significantly larger economies. Generation, meanwhile, is power multiplied by time, or watt-hours -- the unit in which a home electric bill is measured, for example. In 2021, Ukraine consumed a total of 124.53 billion kWh, or about 3,000 per capita, about a third of the equivalent for someone living in the United States. Critics of solar and wind power often point to the reliability of their generation based on natural phenomena, a legitimate drawback but a criticism that experts say also overestimates the consistency of other forms of generation. Renewables are not alone: Russia has targeted Ukraines energy infrastructure more broadly. A UN report estimated that Ukraines total national generating capacity dropped from 36 GW to 13.9 GW from the beginning of the full-scale invasion to the end of 2022. Ukrenergo wrote in May 2023 that Ukraine lost four GW of total capacity to Russian occupation in the Donbas prior to the full-scale invasion. That number rose to 21 GW after the first year, and to 27 GW by the middle of 2023. The most prominent examples include the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant and the Kakhovka dam. At just under 6 GW, the former is the largest power plant of any kind in Europe and remains under Russian control. The Kakhovka dam, not a particularly big hydroelectric generator, was destroyed in June 2023 with disastrous consequences. Many power plants on the Ukrainian-controlled side of the line are closed off and heavily guarded. Military checkpoints flank the series of dams along the Dnieper. Winds Of Change? Despite taking a massive hit, renewable energy providers have started to adapt. While nuclear power remains king, all of Ukraines nuclear power plants were built or started in the Soviet era. In January, the Energy Ministry announced plans to begin building four new reactors at the Khmelnytskiy nuclear power plant this year -- two using Russian equipment that would be imported from Bulgaria and two using technology from the U.S. company Westinghouse, which would be the first Western-based nuclear reactors in Ukrainian history.



Pushed out of the Donbas, Friendly Wind Technologies has been welcomed hospitably in its new home in Perechyn, in an industrial zone next to the western border city of Uzhhorod, says CEO Vladyslav Yeremenko. But the transition was tough, he said. The company only returned to production at the end of 2023 and is now making two or three turbines per month. The firm is building a 500 MW wind farm in the Carpathian Mountains -- underutilized land, says Yeremenko. The project is one he estimates will take five years but, if built today, would be the largest in the country by far. About 40 kilometers northwest of Oshakiv, where Burduns project lies fallow, the Tylihulska Power Plant is the biggest project of its kind to begin operations during wartime. Insulated from the Russian line, DTEK set up 19 massive 6 MW turbines that have put over 375 million kilowatts (KWh) into the southern Ukrainian grid between April 2023 and the present day, a DTEK representative told RFE/RL. De-Russification Russia's war has prompted some of the billionaire tycoons who made fortunes in extractive energy behemoths often linked to Russia to pursue more alternative energy plans and pushed them closer to the government in Kyiv. Many of Ukraines energy titans maintained ties with Russia and the Kremlin up to the start of the full-scale invasion. Then Putin comes, Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, a former head of Transparency International Ukraine and now a member of parliament, told RFE/RL. Russia occupies their factories and their land, and theyre like, We were partners. Why did you do that? The key patron in the multi-pyramid network was not the oligarchs or the leaders of the state loyal to them, but Russia itself, Dmytro Tuzhanskiy, director of the Institute for Central European Strategy, a think tank based in Uzhhorod, wrote last year. Rinat Akhmetov, the richest man in the country, owns DTEK, which is building the largest renewable projects in the country. Akhmetov decided to be a partner to the Ukrainian government. And now all his media activity works very closely with the office of the president, Yurchyshyn said. A representative for Akhmetov did not respond to a request for comment. According to corporate documents, Friendly Wind Technologies is ultimately owned by Eduard Mkrtchyan, the son of Armenian-Ukrainian tycoon Oleh Mkrtchyan, a Donbas industrialist who was sentenced to nine years in prison in Russian in 2019. In a largely unheralded but crucial achievement in the early days of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine transitioned from the former Soviet IPS/UPS grid over to the European Unions ENTSO-E grid in under two weeks starting from February 24, 2022. This has allowed Ukraine to buy up energy from Moldova, Slovakia, and Poland in times of need -- the prior alternatives being Russia and Belarus. Its a situation the Baltic states are likewise hurrying to fix. Integration with ENTSO-E means for Ukraine de-weaponization of the electricity and grid dependencies from Russia, wrote Tuzhanskiy. Decentralization While the specific numbers are unavailable, Ukraine has managed to make it through two winters, the most recent with a remarkable absence of lengthy blackouts. The priority for the government is avoiding focal points for targeting. Decentralization, in other words -- something that the energy minister, Halushchenko, has repeatedly described in recent comments as a core virtue in rebuilding Ukrainian energy as he woos foreign investment.

While secretive about many electricity statistics, Ukrenergo publishes numbers on the import and export of electricity daily. Despite the Russian onslaught and occupation of about one-fifth of the country, Ukraine has resumed exporting electricity to the EU market. Less widely publicized than the destruction of the Kakhovka dam or the capture of the Zapororizhzhya nuclear power plant, Russian forces also came within about 30 kilometers of Yuzhnoukryainsk, site of the countrys second-largest nuclear plant as well as the Tashlyk Hydroelectric Station, one of only two completed this century. Russian forces pushing north and west were stopped near Voznesensk, south of Yuzhnoukrayinsk, and then pushed back farther south in a major Ukrainian counteroffensive in the fall of 2022. The local government set up a solar station at the site of its municipal pumping station to keep the water running in the event of more attacks.
By Rebecca Black and Jonathan McCambridge, PA

Britain's Queen Camilla has said King Charles is doing very well as she completed a visit to Northern Ireland.

During her first engagement in Belfast on Thursday morning, Camilla was handed a get-well card for her husband, who is undergoing treatment for cancer.

Later in the day, Northern Irelands First Minister Michelle ONeill sent her regards to Charles as she shook hands with Camilla at an event in Hillsborough Castle.

Camilla also met deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly ahead of a literary event hosted by her Reading Room charity.

The ministers took up office earlier this year following the resurrection of devolved government in Northern Ireland after a two-year political impasse.

It is the latest royal encounter for Sinn Feins Ms ONeill, who previously attended the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth in 2022 and the coronation of Charles in 2023.

As she shook hands with Ms ONeill, Camilla said that her husband sent his very, very best wishes, adding that he was disappointed not to make the trip.

The First Minister responded: I send him my regards too.

Queen Camilla (centre) with First Minister Michelle ONeill (left) and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly (Liam McBurney/PA)

Speaking later, Ms ONeill said: I sent my regards to the King in terms of his health, and wished him well and also to the Princess of Wales.

Ms Little-Pengelly added: It was fantastic to see the Queen, and we passed on our regards to His Majesty The King in terms of his health, and our best wishes in terms of his recovery.

During the event at the castle, Camilla marked World Poetry Day by watching spoken-word performances and met authors, actors and performers.

Hosted by poet Paul Muldoon, Camilla watched performances by Derry Girls actor Ian McElhinney, actress Frances Tomelty, and contemporary poet Michael Longley celebrating the poetry and literature of Northern Ireland.

Earlier, Camilla arrived to crowds of well-wishers on the bustling Lisburn Road in south Belfast.

She met owners and staff at Coffeys Butchers, The Arcadia deli and Knotts Bakery before doing an impromptu meet and greet with well-wishers.

Camilla was presented with a gift of some local favourites at Coffeys, including vegetable rolls and beef sausages, and responded saying: I shall take these back for my husband, he will make the most of them.

Camilla with Lord-Lieutenant Dame Fionnuala Jay-OBoyle during a visit to Lisburn Road in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)

During her visit to The Arcadia, shop assistant Brenda Robb asked after Charles, and handed her a get-well card for him, extending her best wishes.

Camilla accepted the card and thanked her, adding: Hes doing very well . he was very disappointed he couldnt come.

Responding to quips about men not being the best patients, Camilla said: I try to keep him in order.

Ms Robb told the PA news agency: She was beautiful, a real lady.

She accepted a get-well card that I got for her husband and she said she was sorry her husband wasnt here.

It was a very appropriate card.

It had a wee saying from Belfast, basically rest up, take care, and on the back of it, it said from Ireland.

It was picked with love.

People say maybe hell not get the card, but I think he will.

Camilla meets the owner of Knotts Bakery, William Corrie, his wife Zoe Salmon and their son Fitz during the visit to Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)

Meanwhile, at Knotts, Camilla met owner William Corrie, as well as his wife, former Miss Northern Ireland and Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon, and their one-year-old son Fitz.

Camilla chuckled as a joke was made that the young boy, dressed in a tux, had stolen her thunder, and smiled down at him.

She left Knotts with a gift of their fruit loaf and iced madeira cake, adding she hoped to snack on it later.

Camilla also visited an army base in her role as Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles, and took the salute at a pass-off parade for junior non-commissioned officers.

Camilla left Northern Ireland following her final engagement at Hillsborough Castle.

Camilla was last in Northern Ireland in May 2023 when she and Charles undertook engagements on their first visit to the North following the coronation.

She is travelling alone this week after Charles stepped back from his public duties while receiving treatment for cancer.
Eimear Dodd

A man who was holding 100,000 in cash which was the proceeds of crime has been jailed for two years.

Gardai carried out a search of Brendan Colley's home on March 9th, 2023 during which they found 102,720 of cash hidden in socks and gloves beneath the stairwell.

When interviewed following his arrest, Colley (55) said he knew the money was there, but it was not mine.

He made full admissions and told gardai that he was forced to store the money to reduce a drugs debt. He confirmed he got a call to collect the money, but didn't know the person he met. He said he was going to hand over the money to the person who owned it.

Colley of Galtymore Close, Drimnagh, Dublin 12 pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of the proceeds of crime at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He has ten previous convictions including drugs offences, robbery, road traffic offences and possession of knives.

John Berry BL, defending, on Thursday, said his client started to use drugs at the age of 20 and spent a short period of time in custody in the mid-2010s, after which he suffered a relapse.

A number of references and a medical report were handed to the court. Mr Berry said his client was diagnosed with a tumour around the time of the Covid-19 pandemic and suffered another relapse, during which he incurred the drugs debt.

He said his client is doing well following surgery and is working to address his addiction issues. Mr Berry told the court that while the amount of money involved suggested his client was in a position of trust, he asked the court to consider his client's particular vulnerabilities at that time.

He asked the court to consider imposing a suspended sentence.

Judge Martin Nolan noted that Colley was holding money for a third party and the court could infer it was derived from criminal misbehaviour.

He said it appeared Colley felt he had no other option but to hold the money and was valuable to third parties as a result.

He said the court took into account Colley's vulnerabilities and that he is unlikely to re-offend in future.

Judge Nolan said money laundering this amount is a serious matter, and said he would consider imposing a sentence of three to four years on someone more robust in relation to this offence.

He imposed a two-year prison sentence on Colley saying he has to go to jail as someone can't launder that amount of money without suffering for it.
High Court reporters

Sligo-Leitrim TD Marc MacSharry has settled his High Court action against the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) over what he alleged was the unlawfully disclosure of his personal and private information.

In the proceedings Mr MacSharry had sought various orders, declarations and damages against Sipo, the independent watchdog that supervises compliance with legislation concerning ethical issues regarding politicians, office holders and civil servants.

According to court documents in the case, the TD alleged that Sipo had unlawfully processed his data, in contravention of GDPR, the 2018 Data Protection Act, and the 2014 Freedom of Information Act.

Sipo's actions, he further claimed, had deprived him of his right to privacy as guaranteed under the Irish Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights.

His action had been listed for hearing before the High Court next month.

However, when the matter was briefly mentioned before Mr Justice Mark Sanfey on Thursday, the court was told that the TD's action had been fully resolved and was not proceeding.

As part of the settlement, the court agreed to make several declarations in favour of Mr MacSharry.

He has been a TD for Sligo-Leitrim since 2016, first for Fianna Fail, but now sits as an Independent.

The declarations include that Sipo unlawfully processed the TD's personal data in contravention of the EU General Data Protection Regulation and in particular of Article 6 of the 2018 Data Protection Act.

The court also made a declaration that, in contravention of various sections of the Freedom of Information Act, Sipo had unlawfully disclosed the plaintiff's confidential and personal information.

The court further made declarations that Sipo had breached his constitutional and ECHR rights to privacy, and had acted in breach of his confidence.

The court also heard that Mr MacSharry, who was represented in the proceedings by Darren Lehane SC and Jack Tchrakian BL, is to be paid legal costs he incurred in bringing the action up to a date in January 2024.

Gary Compton BL, for the defendant, said his client was consenting to the orders and declarations.

No further details of the settlement, which is understood to be confidential, was revealed in open court.

The judge welcomed the resolution of the action, and after granting the declarations and orders struck out the proceedings.
Tom Tuite

A third garda has appeared in court charged with perverting the course of justice, burglary and false imprisonment of a woman following an anti-corruption investigation.

Colum Ryan (35), with a Co Meath address, appeared at Dublin District Court on Friday and faces five charges for alleged offences in 2021.

The officer is accused of creating and printing a search warrant and information on September 30th to pervert the course of public justice after a search on September 7th at a basement flat at Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1.

It is also alleged that between September 30th and December 8th, he procured the signatures of peace commissioner Steven Wrenn and another named man on the warrant.

He is also charged with burglary of the basement flat on September 7th, and on the same date that he detained a woman against her will at St John's Road West, Dublin 8.

Garda Anti-Corruption Unit Detective Sergeant Garda Kieran Kilcoyne told Judge William Aylmer that the accused was arrested on March 11 at Irishtown station and "made no reply" when charged.

He added that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed trial on indictment in the Circuit Court.

The defendant, who was not in uniform, did not address the court or indicate a plea.

His solicitor, Elizabeth Hughes, said there was consent to an adjournment until May 25th for the State to prepare a book of evidence. There was no objection to bail.

Two other gardai and a peace commissioner have also appeared on related charges in court over the last two weeks.

On Wednesday morning, peace commissioner Steven Wrenn, 50, was in court charged with forging warrants to search two properties.

Mr Wrenn, of Iveragh Road, Whitehall, Dublin, was granted 200 bail and ordered to appear again on May 7th to enter a plea.

The former Labour Party councillor is accused of making a false instrument, a search warrant and information between September 30th and December 29th 2021, used to induce another person to accept it as genuine for a search carried out on September 7th 2021, of a basement flat at Mountjoy Square, Dublin.

He is also accused of making another false instrument between August 28th and December 20th, 2021, a warrant for a search on June 19th at Kenilworth Road, Dublin 6.

It is also alleged that over the same two time periods, he twice perverted the course of public justice by signing the warrants.

The DPP directed summary disposal in the District Court if Mr Wrenn pleaded guilty. Otherwise, his case will go to the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers.

On Tuesday, arising out of the same investigation, Garda Sergeant Ciaran Whelan, who had worked out of Store Street station in Dublin, appeared in court charged with seven offences from June 19 until September 27th 2021.

Garda Sergeant Whelan, who has an address in Nenagh, Co Tipperary, is accused of false imprisonment of the same woman at St John's Road West, Dublin 8, on September 7th.

It is alleged he did acts to pervert the course of public justice by making a false report between August 25th and September 15th to a named Garda Superintendent regarding a search of a male's flat on Kenilworth Road, Dublin 6, on June 19th.

He is charged with burglary at that flat by entering it as a trespasser to commit a theft offence.

He is also accused of perverting the course of justice on September 27th by amending data on the Garda Pulse System about two incidents.

He is accused of twice perverting the course of public justice on August 28th by allegedly creating and printing a warrant and information for a search on June 19th at the flat in Kenilworth Road, Dublin, 6.

It is further alleged that he created an incident related to that search on the Garda Pulse system on August 28th.

He is charged that on September 7th, he trespassed at a basement flat at Mountjoy Square, North, Dublin 1, to commit theft.

Garda Mark Duffy, 39, also appeared at Dublin District Court last week.

He is accused of doing an act between August 28th and December 20th 2021, intending to pervert the course of public justice.

The officer with a Dublin 15 address is also accused of burglary.

In this offence, he is alleged to have entered the same Kenilworth Road flat as a trespasser on June 19, 2021, to commit an arrestable offence.

Both garda co-defendants, who have yet to indicate pleas, are due to appear again on May 17th to be served with books of evidence.

The DPP also directed "trial on indictment" in their cases.
Global average sea level rose by about 0.3 inches (0.76 centimeters) from 2022 to 2023, according to a NASA-led study.

The reason for this phenomenon is mostly a warming climate and the development of a strong El Nino, says the analysis, based on a sea level dataset featuring more than 30 years of satellite observations.

The data shows that global average sea level has risen a total of about 4 inches since 1993. The rate of this increase has also accelerated, more than doubling from 0.07 inches per year in 1993 to the current rate of 0.17 inches per year.

"Current rates of acceleration mean that we are on track to add another 20 centimeters of global mean sea level by 2050," which could increase the frequency and impacts of floods across the world, said Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer, director for the NASA sea level change team and the ocean physics program in Washington.

Global sea level saw a significant rise from 2022 to 2023 due mainly to a switch between La Nina and El Nino conditions. A mild La Nina from 2021 to 2022 resulted in a lower-than-expected rise in sea level that year. A strong El Nino developed in 2023, helping to boost the average amount of rise in sea surface height.

La Nina is characterized by cooler-than-normal ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. El Nino involves warmer-than-average ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific. Both periodic climate phenomena affect patterns of rainfall and snowfall as well as sea levels around the world.

"During La Nina, rain that normally falls in the ocean falls on the land instead, temporarily taking water out of the ocean and lowering sea levels," said Josh Willis, a sea level researcher at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. "In El Nino years, a lot of the rain that normally falls on land ends up in the ocean, which raises sea levels temporarily."

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Ispire Technology Inc. (ISPR) Friday priced the public offering of 2.05 million shares at $6 per share. The stock was down more than 25 percent in pre-market to $6.06.

Ispire develops and sells e-cigarettes and cannabis vaping products.

The company intends to use the net proceeds of $12.3 million for the establishment and operation of its manufacturing facility in Malaysia, to fund its joint venture with Touch Point Worldwide Inc.d/b/a Berify and Chemular Inc., and for other general corporate purposes.

The closing of the offering is scheduled by March 26, 2024.

Ispire shares had closed at $8.11, down 15.12 percent on Thursday. The stock has been trading in the range of $6.85 - $19.78 in the last 1 year.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Outlook Therapeutics, Inc. (OTLK) shares are gaining more than 40 percent on Friday morning trade after the company received a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use or CHMP Bevacizumab ophthalmic formulation called ONS-5010.

This formulation is intended to treat wet age-related macular degeneration or wet AMD in the European Union.

The company said in a statement, "Positive opinion serves as a basis for final decision for potential authorization from the European Commission (EC), expected within 67 days"

Currently, shares are at $9.87, up 40 percent from the previous close of $7.04 on a volume of 15,538,255.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
The Canadian market is down in negative territory in early afternoon trades on Friday, weighed down by losses in communications, real estate, consumer discretionary and materials sectors.

The mood is a bit cautious amid a lack of fresh data. Also, traders appear to be somewhat reluctant to hold positions after recent record highs, and are seen taking some profits.

The benchmark S&P/TSX Composite Index is down 100.97 points or 0.46% at 21,986.29 nearly an hour past noon.

On the economic front, preliminary data shows retail sales in Canada likely edged up by 0.1% in February. In January, retail sales declined by 0.3% from the earlier month, revised from the earlier estimate of a 0.4% contraction.

Retail sales excluding motor vehicle and parts dealers in Canada rose by 0.5% month-over-month in January, slightly down from 0.6% in the prior month.

Dayforce (DAY.TO), Nutrien (NTR.TO), Kinaxis Inc (KXS.TO), Dollarama Inc (DOL.TO), CGI Inc (GIB.A.TO), Ag Growth International (AFN.TO) and BRP Inc (DOO.TO) are down 1.6 to 2.8%.

Canopy Growth Corporation (WEED.TO) is soaring nearly 40%. Aurora Cannabis (ACB.TO) is zooming 18%. Cannabis stocks are up, cheering news about the German government giving its final approval, legalizing cannabis. Effective April 1, cannabis will officially be recognized as a non-narcotic in Germany.

Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC.TO) is gaining 6%. Molson Coors Canada Inc (TPX.B.TO) and Boyd Group Services (BYD.TO) are up 2% and 1.3%, respectively.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
A day after posting a record closing high, the Canadian market turned weak as stocks drifted lower on Friday due to profit taking. Communications, real estate, and consumer discretionary stocks were among the prominent losers.

The benchmark S&P/TSX Composite Index ended down by 77.44 points or 0.35% at 22,009.82, after scaling a low of 21,964.98 and a high of 22,123.09 intraday.

On the economic front, preliminary data shows retail sales in Canada likely edged up by 0.1% in February. In January, retail sales declined by 0.3% from the earlier month, revised from the earlier estimate of a 0.4% contraction.

Retail sales excluding motor vehicle and parts dealers in Canada rose by 0.5% month-over-month in January, slightly down from 0.6% in the prior month.

Communications stocks Telus Corp (T.TO), Rogers Communications (RCI.B.TO) and Quebecor Inc (QBR.TO) lost about 2.5%, 1.4% and 1.8%, respectively. Cogeco Communications (CCA.TO) and BCE Inc (BCE.TO) also ended notably lower.

Real estate stocks Interrent Real Estate Investment (IIP.UN.TO), Killam Apartment (KMP.UN.TO), Boardwalk Real Estate Investment (BEI.UN.TO) and Northwest Healthcare (NWH.UN.TO) lost 2.2 to 3.3%.

In the technology sector, Alithya Group (ALYA.TO) tumbled nearly 9%. Coveo Solutions (CVO.TO) declined about 4.2%. BlackBerry (BB.TO), Bitfarms (BITF.TO), Kinaxis Inc (KXS.TO) and CGI Group (GIB.A.TO) ended down by 2 to 3.3%.

Consumer discretionary stocks Canada Goose Holdings (GOOS.TO), Dollarama Inc (DOL.TO), Mty Food Group (MTY.TO) and Magna International (MG.TO) lost 1 to 3%.

Osisko Mining (OSK.TO), Wesdome Gold Mines (WDO.TO), K92 Mining (KNT.TO), Capstone Mining Corp (CS.TO), Lundin Gold (LUG.TO) and Lithium Americas Corp (LAAC.TO) were among the major losers in the materials sector.

Lithium Americas Corp (LAC.TO) climbed nearly 9%. West Fraser Timber (WFG.TO) and Eldorado Gold (ELD.TO) gained about 1.7% and 1.3%, respectively.

Among financials shares, Power Corporation of Canada (POW.TO) ended down by 4.6%. Fairfax Financial Holdings (FFH.TO), Laurentian Bank (LB.TO), EQB Inc (EQB.TO), Sun Life Financial (SLF.TO) and Royal Bank of Canada (RY.TO) lost 0.8 to 1.4%.

Cannabis shares Tilray Inc (TLRY.TO), Canopy Growth Corp (WEED.TO) and Aurora Cannabis (ACB.TO) soared with investors cheering news about the German government legalized cannabis. Effective April 1, cannabis will officially be recognized as non-narcotic in Germany.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
PASMAE, in partnership with the Rhodes University Department of Music & Musicology

By: The Division of Communications & Marketing

We are thrilled to announce the upcoming PASMAE (Pan-African Society for Musical Arts Education) Music Conference scheduled from the 25th to the 27th of March in the Beethoven Room, Department of Music and Musicology. This event promises to be a melting pot of musical artistry, educational innovation, and cultural exchange, bringing together some of the most talented musicians, educators, and scholars from across the African continent and beyond.

Why You Should Attend

Engaging Sessions & Workshops: Immerse yourself in enriching presentations and interactive workshops led by esteemed music professionals and academics.

Networking Opportunities: Forge valuable connections with like-minded individuals and leaders in the field.

Diverse Musical Expressions: Discover various musical genres blending traditional African rhythms with contemporary sounds.

Special Events Highlight

Welcome Cocktail & Opening Concert: Day 1 of the conference ends with a welcome cocktail event, followed by a captivating short concert, starting at 17:00 at Rhodes Theatre. This opening celebration promises to be a memorable introduction to the conference's spirited agenda. It includes the Rhodes University Chamber Choir and the Rhodes University African Chorus presenting their first concert of the year, celebrating music education.

Tribute to South African Composers: In conjunction with the RU120 celebrations, the Department of Music and Musicology is honoured to pay homage to prominent, award-winning South African composers, all alumni of Rhodes University, known for their unique blend of Western Art techniques with traditional African musical styles. The conference will feature three performances by RU staff and advanced performance students, showcasing the high international standards of creative endeavour at the Music Department.

A special lunch-hour concert celebrating the genius of RU composers and performers is open to the public on Day 2. This tribute will take place on 26 March at 12:30 pm in the Beethoven Room, offering an unparalleled opportunity to experience the fusion of traditional and contemporary musical styles. Entrance is R50 per person and free for music students.

The PASMAE Music Conference is more than an event; it is a movement towards enriching music education, performance, and scholarship across Africa and beyond. Whether you are an educator, student, performer, or music lover, this conference promises to inspire and connect you with the heart of African musical artistry.

Take advantage of this opportunity to celebrate, learn, and be part of a vibrant musical community. We look forward to welcoming you to Beethoven for an unforgettable three days of music, learning, and cultural exchange.

Facebook: Rhodes University Department of Music & Musicology

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Professor Tamale will receive her honorary doctorate on 03 April 2024 during the 14:30 Rhodes University graduation ceremony.

By The Division of Communication and Advancement

Rhodes University will proudly award Professor Sylvia Tamale the honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) for her dedicated human rights activism and advocacy for marginalised groups, including women, sex workers and the LGBTQIA+ community. Prof Tamale, a scholar-activist, has made impactful contributions to tackling issues of sexuality, gender discrimination through the combined feminist, decolonial, afro-centric lenses. Her work merges political activism with academic rigour, challenging discrimination and injustices in law and society.

Prof Tamale is a beacon of hope and a pivotal figure in the fight for equality and human rights in Uganda and beyond. Born and raised in Uganda, Tamale embarked on her academic journey at Makerere University, where she obtained her Bachelor of Laws with honours. Her passion for justice led her to further her studies at Harvard Law School for her Master of Laws and at the University of Minnesota, where she earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology and Feminist Studies in 1997.

She has served as a visiting professor at the African Gender Institute of the University of Cape Town, University of Zimbabwe, Oxford University, and a visiting scholar at the University of Wisconsin. In 2004, Prof Tamale made history as the first woman Dean of the Faculty of Law at Makerere University, a role she held with distinction until 2008. Her tenure as Dean was marked by fearless advocacy, including her proposal in 2003 to include gay men and lesbians in the definition of "minority, a stance that drew condemnation from Ugandan conservatives. As dean, she also established the Law, Gender and Sexuality Research Centre at the Faculty of Law.

Her contributions to academia and human rights have not gone unnoticed. Prof Tamale's accolades include a Fulbright-MacArthur Scholarship from 1993 to 1997 and the University of Minnesota Award for International Distinguished Leadership in 2003. In 2004, she received the Akina Mama wa Afrika Award and was celebrated by several women's organizations in Uganda for her unwavering commitment to human rights activism.

In 2018, she chaired a committee at Makerere University to investigate the pervasive culture of sexual harassment, leading to a comprehensive report that culminated in the amendment of the University Policy against Sexual Harassment.. She has also been a vocal advocate for the traditional practice of labia stretching, challenging comparisons to female genital mutilation and emphasizing cultural understanding.

A global feminist, Prof Tamale's research spans gender and sexuality, women in politics, and feminist jurisprudence. She believes in the power of transdisciplinary education to dismantle patriarchal structures and advocates for inclusivity within feminism, emphasising that patriarchy harms everyone and recognising the diversity of women's experiences. Despite facing personal attacks, including being named the "Worst Woman of the Year" by a conservative bloc in Uganda, Tamale wears these criticisms as a badge of honour, demonstrating her resilience and commitment to speaking out against injustice.

In 2022 Prof Tamale's book, Decolonization and Afro-Feminism (2020) won the Feminist Theory and Gender Section (FTGS) Book Prize. Her other publications include, When Hens Begin To Crow: Gender and Parliamentary Politics in Uganda, African Sexualities: A Reader (ed.)  all of which reflect her deep engagement with issues of gender, sexuality, and human rights. Tamales work in the African Feminist Forum and as an Advisory Board Member for the Open Society Foundations further illustrates her commitment to advancing women's rights and fostering inclusive democracies globally.

Married to Joe Oloka-Onyango, a professor of law at Makerere University, Tamale's personal life is intertwined with her professional pursuits, both committed to the cause of justice and equality. As she approaches retirement, her legacy as a scholar, activist, and advocate for the marginalised remains a towering inspiration for future generations committed to making the world a more equitable and just place.

Professor Tamale will receive her honorary doctorate on 03 April 2024 during the 14:30 Rhodes University graduation ceremony.
Professor Gledhill will receive her honorary doctorate on 05 April 2024 during the 14:30 Rhodes University graduation ceremony.

by The Division of Communication and Advancement

Professor Irvy Gledhill, affectionately known as "Igle, will be awarded the esteemed degree of Doctor of Science (DSc) (honoris causa) by Rhodes University, in a resounding acknowledgement of her long and distinguished contributions to the field of physics. This honorary degree is a testament to her extensive research, leadership on both national and international platforms, and her unwavering commitment to human capital development, with a special focus on empowering women in physics.

Prof Gledhill has made significant contributions to policy, providing advice to government on basic sciences, and shaping the discourse on science for society.

She has worked extensively to improve conditions for both women and men in physics and in science. Her role in promoting the participation of women in physics has been particularly commendable, highlighted by her leadership with the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) Working Group 5 (WG5) on Women in Physics, and in a major global project on the gender gap in science. This honour from her alma mater not only celebrates her professional achievements but also her profound impact on the scientific community and beyond.

Born in Makhanda, South Africa, Prof Gledhill's journey in physics began at Rhodes University, where she completed her BSc with distinction in 1976, followed by an Honours degree in Physics. She continued her studies at the University of Natal, Durban, earning a PhD in Plasma Physics. Prof Gledhill's postdoctoral research at the University of California, Los Angeles, and Stanford University, solidified her expertise in simulation and her passion for the field, leading to significant contributions in magnetic confinement of plasmas and space shuttle physics. She decided to return to South Africa, and for 30 years, she specialised in computational fluid dynamics in aeronautics at the CSIR. She also contributed as a physicist within multidisciplinary collaborations, including ocean engineering, coal mine safety, and computational chemistry targeted at HIV and TB.

She served as President of the South African Institute of Physics, works in science diplomacy nationally for the Academy of Science of South Africa, and for the continent through the Network of African Science Academies.

Prof Gledhill's career is decorated with honours and awards, showcasing her dedication and contributions to the field of physics and the broader scientific community. In 2004, she was a part of the team that received the CSIR Defencetek Award for Transformation, and she later received the coveted Career Achievement Award. Last year marked a pinnacle year for Prof Gledhill, as she was inducted as a Fellow into both the South African Institute of Physics and the American Institute of Physics, acknowledging her enduring contributions and leadership within the global physics community.

As Visiting Adjunct Professor in Flow Physics at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Prof Gledhill continues to inspire and mentor future generations of scientists. This honorary doctorate from Rhodes University acknowledges not just Prof Gledhill's contributions to physics research but also her leadership in physics on a global scale, her dedication to human capital development, and her impactful work towards gender equality in science. Professor Gledhill's career exemplifies the power of scientific inquiry combined with a commitment to societal betterment, making her a worthy recipient of this distinguished honour.

Professor Gledhill will receive her honorary doctorate on 05 April 2024 during the 14:30 Rhodes University graduation ceremony.
Tinker, tailor, soldier, spy. Or in Dr. Bill Browns caseteacher, administrator, minister, author. Brown has authored and published three historical fiction novels, with three more waiting in the wings.

He recently spoke to the Enterprise Lions Club about his transition from the worlds of education and the ministry into the world of writing and publishing.

Brown began working at Enterprise State Junior College in 1970 as a computer science instructor. After nearly 20 years in this arena, he served as an administrator at Brewer State and Wallace College. Upon retiring from the two-year college system, Brown entered the ministry and worked with The Ark in Dothan. Then several years ago, after collecting information on his family history, he decided to write a novel set in the early 1800s in the South.

Brown admitted that his junior high English teachers considered him a failure and predicted he would never finish college. He certainly proved them wrong. One afternoon in 2017, he sat down at the computer and started typing. The story began to unfold as he typed. Having conducted considerable research into his own familys history, he decided to tell the story of a young teenager who left his family in Georgia, crossed the Chattahoochee River into Alabama, and lived with a band of Creek Indians he met there. The first book in the series, West from Here, chronicles the adventures of Elias James and his budding relationship with the Creek Indians.

The story begins with Elias and his family joining other family members for a wedding at an uncles farm. Eliass father had been the keeper of a family heirloom, an old coin, until it was stolen from their home by a Creek Indian, they believed. After hearing the story, Elias is determined to set out to reclaim the heirloom. As he sneaks away from the farm, he is joined by several other male cousins who want to take part in the adventure also. Once they cross the Chattahoochee River, they encounter a group of Creek Indians, and the search for the coin takes a back seat to learning the ways of the Indians.

Brown stated that while the book is a work of fiction, it also deals with actual history. Elias interacts with many historical figures such as Gen. Andrew Jackson, James Coffee (after whom Coffee County is named), and Samuel Dale (for whom Dale County is named). He includes a number of Creek Indian battles, such as the Battle of Burnt Corn and the Battle of Fort Mims. The Battle of Horseshoe Bend also figures prominently in the series. The disagreements between the Creeks and the U.S. government serve as a backdrop for the actions of the characters, both real and fictional.

But there are disagreements among the Creeks themselves, and Brown tells this story as well. While the Creeks were among the largest tribes in the nation, because they were so welcoming and accommodating to others who wanted to join them, a more traditional group known as the Redsticks was less open to outsiders. As a result, a civil war broke out between the two factions, and eventually drew in the U.S. government which had an interest in the land held by both groups.

While attending a writers conference, Brown met a literary agent who was impressed with the story he was writing, as not many novels have dealt with the history of the Creeks in Alabama. Brown considered submitting his book to the agent and his publisher. However, once he learned that the book would no longer be his once it was accepted by the publishers, he decided to publish the books himself. The books are now available on Amazon, which has rules of its own when it comes to publishing.

The first three books in the series of six include West from Here, Warpath, and Broken Lance. Brown stated that the third book includes the skirmishes that led to the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. The fourth book will cover Gen. Jacksons takeover of Pensacola in an effort to trap the British and keep them from moving on New Orleans. The fifth book covers the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, and the sixth will include the founding of Alabama as a state.

Brown pointed out that the Alabama Heritage magazine has a wealth of information about the history of the state and reiterated that it is a subject not many authors are interested in covering. As an author, he said, he has to feel inspired to sit and write. Another author he knows writes two hours every day, but this rigid schedule does not work for him. As proof, he says, it took him two years to complete the first book in his series.

So if you are interested in learning more about the history of the Creeks in Alabama and in reading an entertaining story as well, check out Browns trilogy featuring Elias James. The books are available on Amazon.com.

The Enterprise Lions Club meets weekly on Wednesdays at the Enterprise Civic Center. Lunch is served at 11:30, followed by a brief business meeting and a guest speaker. Visitors are welcome.
When compared to India-spec Elevate, Honda WR-V launched in Japan gets the same 1.5L NA Petrol engine mated to a sole CVT gearbox

After launching Elevate SUV in India, Honda Cars India Ltd is expanding its footprint globally. The company is extending its operations to incorporate international business and is shipping India-made Honda Elevate to Japanese market. Where Honda Motor Co sells this very vehicle under the name WR-V.

Honda WR-V Launched In Japan

The company celebrated a historic milestone with this development. For the first time since its inception, Honda Cars India Ltd has exported a vehicle to Japan in the form of WR-V SUV. This signifies the companys profound manufacturing prowess and global competitiveness. This reflects HCILs confidence in delivering high-quality made-in-India products to global customers.

In Japan, Honda has launched made-in-India Elevate SUV as WR-V in three trim levels  X, Z and Z+. Prices start from JPY 2,098,800 for base X trim and goes till JPY 2,489,300 for top-spec Z+ (including consumption tax). These prices roughly translate to a window between Rs. 11.55 lakh and 13.70 lakh in todays exchange rates.

Considering the prices and the equipment on offer with WR-V, we would say that India-spec Elevate comes off as expensive. We say this because, Honda WR-V only gets an automatic CVT gearbox as standard, while India-spec Elevate gets a manual gearbox with base model.

Even the base WR-V X trim in Japan gets Honda Sensing ADAS, 6 airbags, full LED headlights, Honda Connect telematics suite, auto climate control, 7-inch instrument screen, IR and UV cut glass, paddle shifters. Where dimensions are concerned, WR-V measures 4,325 mm in length, 1,790 mm in width and 1,650 mm in height.

Elevates ground clearance is 220 mm, while WR-V in Japan has 195 mm. Where powertrains are concerned, both Elevate and WR-V feature the same 1.5L 4-cylinder NA Petrol engine with VTEC variable valve timing. Peak power is 87 PS at 6,600 RPM and peak torque is 142 Nm at 4,300 RPM. Honda WR-V in Japan misses out on a manual gearbox.

Statement from Honda Cars India

Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Takuya Tsumura, President and CEO, Honda Cars India Ltd. said, Launch of the Made-in-India Elevate as WR-V in Japan is a proud moment for all of us. This reaffirms our manufacturing potential and growing importance of Honda Cars India in Hondas global business strategies.

The All-New Honda Elevate has been very well appreciated in the Indian market becoming our key pillar of business. We are confident that we will be able to replicate this success and satisfy our global customers with best quality and craftsmanship.
Hyundai Dry Wash: Putting the Brakes on Water Waste

Hyundai Motor Indias Dry Wash initiative, launched in 2017 was a significant leap forward in the automotive industrys sustainability efforts. Cars need to be washed, especially in dust laden Indian road conditions. What they say about water is that every drop adds up.

Hyundai introduced the initiative as a response to growing concerns about water scarcity and environmental impact. And has attained remarkable achievements over the past five years. A sustainable alternative to traditional car washing methods, dry was is a modern standard for eco-friendly practices within the industry.

Over the past five years, Hyundai Dry Wash saved 650 million litres of water while servicing more than 5.5 million vehicles nationwide. This was estimated on the basis that traditional car washes consume a substantial amount of water, about 120 litres of water are used per car.

Beyond Dry Wash: Hyundais Broader Environmental Goals, Customer First Service Solutions

Dry Wash significantly reduces water consumption per vehicle that helps preserve precious water resources and also minimises wastewater runoff. Contributing to cleaner and healthier ecosystems along with helping with resource conservation. This initiative aligns with Hyundais broader environmental goals. They include measures such as waterborne paint systems, paperless processes, LED lighting, solarisation, and rainwater harvesting.

Hyundai Motor India conserves over 650 million litres of water in 5 years, leading the way with Dry Wash initiative@HyundaiIndia pic.twitter.com/kMNEEgaQeu  RushLane (@rushlane) March 22, 2024

In line with its environmental outlook and responsibility, Hyundai Motor India places a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction and convenience. Its 360 digital and contactless service facilities provide hassle-free services, including online booking, vehicle status updates, and convenient home/office pick and drop options. With over 1,500 workshops nationwide, Hyundai aims to provide customers with top-notch service.

Steering Environmental Responsibility

The success of Hyundais Dry Wash service can be attributed to its practicality, reliability, and resource/cost-effectiveness. Positive customer response to Hyundais Dry Wash service further validates its effectiveness in water conservation and sustainability.

As a global leader, Hyundais sustainability efforts are guided by a commitment to innovation and continuous improvement. This starts with global investments in research and development to explore new technologies and solutions that promote sustainability throughout its value chain. From the development of fuel-efficient vehicles to the implementation of renewable solutions, its a 360 approach.

Fostering a Greener Future: Hyundais Sustainable Leadership

Hyundais sustainability initiatives also play a crucial role in shaping consumer perceptions and preferences. As environmental awareness continues to grow among consumers, there is an increasing demand for eco-friendly products and services. This further enhances Hyundais brand reputation and also drives positive change within the automotive sector. When the big guys do it, trends and practices catch on.

Tarun Garg, COO, Hyundai Motor India Limited, said, Hyundai Motor India remains committed to HMCs global vision of Progress for Humanity by actively fostering a greener and more sustainable future.
OZARK  The Career and Technical Education program at Ozark City Schools proves regularly that community partnerships are key to a successful career and technical education program.

Carroll High School students who successfully competed Skid Steer Certified Operator, Bulldozer Certified Operator, and Fiber Optic Technician training last week were presented their certifications by Ozark Mayor Mark Blankenship.

The Ozark City Schools Career Academies partnered with the Alabama Community College System and the City of Ozark to offer this as part of our Skills for Success trainings, said Casey Moore, director of Career and Technical Education Programs for OCS. In April, we will offer a third skid steer course and an excavator course. In May, we plan to offer CDL Class B Certification.

Students who sign up for the course complete an online training program that is in addition to their CTE Courses on campus, Moore explained. At the end of online training, the students complete two days of hands-on lab hours where they gain valuable seat time, she said.

To date, in partnership with Enterprise State Community College, 35 credentials through this program have been awarded, and some of our students have even been offered jobs on the training site, Moore said.

Skid Steer and Fiber Optic Trainings are held on the career center campus and a partnership with Ozark makes it possible for bulldozer and excavator trainings to be held at the citys dirt lot. The city works closely with OCS to ensure that students are informed about the variety of career opportunities available in Ozark after they graduate from high school, Moore said.

We have waitlists for every training, but we try to train seniors first with the hope of certifying our underclassmen before their graduation, said Moore. The trainings are also a state approved Career Readiness Indicator and will satisfy the new College and Career Readiness graduation requirement.

The OCS Career Academy comprises 10 smaller learning communities themed around the workforce needs of our community and the interests of our students, Moore said. These academies are located on both the CHS School and Career Center campuses in Ozark.

The academies are thankful for our partners, to include Dairy King, Rodeo, Alabama Extension and Tri-State Land Clearing, who provided lunches to our students during the training, Moore said. We are always looking for more partners. We also welcome industry leaders who reach out about observing in the hopes of hiring from our talent pool.

Moore said plans include adding training in the upcoming year through partnerships with both Enterprise State Community College and Wallace Community College.

The goal of the program is to help students prepare for their future by developing an individualized plan for each student that provides relevant high school coursework aimed at preparing the student to be successful in college and/or their career, Moore said. Many of our students earn college credit before they graduate through our partnerships with Wallace Community College, Enterprise State Community College, Alabama Aviation College, the University of Alabama, Auburn University, and Troy University.

Instruction in the academies is provided through a simulated workplace model, Moore said. Upon entering the academies, students become employees. They clock-in and out each day and serve in various roles typical of the industry focus of the academy.

Career and Technical Education programs in the Ozark School System are committed to ensuring that no child will be left behind, she added.
A plan to expand a popular Pacific Beach restaurant that sells alcohol and features games such as beer pong has hit a nerve with residents who have long complained about the impacts of booze on their community.

Pacific Beach Shore Club on Ocean Boulevard wants to build an outdoor deck overlooking the sand. The change would allow for an additional 126 customers at the restaurant, which stays open until 2 a.m. selling alcohol.

Residents say the proposal underscores concerns about eateries modifying their licenses with the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to extend service hours, upgrade to full spirits or expand their business. In the end, these businesses morph into a bar in the late hours, critics say.

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We dont want to freeze the status quo, said Marcie Beckett, a member of the Pacific Beach Planning Group. If we could allow new licenses with conditions that would ensure these businesses dont create negative impacts, then we would be happy.

Some residents say they have had enough.

San Diego police have documented 515 drunken-driving arrests last year in the area including Pacific Beach and Mission Beach. From January to May of this year, 245 DUI arrests were made, police say.

Pacific Beach has long been ground zero in San Diegos booze wars. It was a drunken Labor Day melee here that led to a trial ban on alcohol at city beaches. That was followed by Proposition D in 2008, which led to a permanent ban at beaches and waterfront parks.

Pacific Beach residents are now trying to get the city to implement a 24-hour ban on alcohol at Kate O. Sessions Park, where drinkers have flocked in light of the 2008 measure. If the ban passes, 21 other San Diego parks would also prohibit alcohol.

And last March, up to 10,000 people climbed aboard rafts, inner tubes and other flotation devices to drink on Mission Bay, utilizing a loophole in the law that says nothing about drinking on the water.

The Pacific Beach Planning Group says there are a disproportionate number of businesses with alcohol licenses (64) near the beach. That exceeds ABC guidelines of one liquor license per 2,000 residents  though exceptions are made.

Jerry Hall, who runs a blog about alcohol issues in Pacific Beach, said one solution to the proliferation of alcohol licenses would be to demand a conditional use permit, giving the city more control over businesses that want to modify how they operate.

Some residents see the opposition to the Pacific Beach Shore Clubs plans as an attack on the business.

Its a really responsible group of guys there, and unfortunately whats being made the issue is mistakes other people have made, said Chris Cisek, 39, of Pacific Beach. These guys are trying to go about it the right way, and I dont think them trying to bring some money and help everybody out is a bad thing.

The owners of the club declined to comment.

The Pacific Beach Town Council, which met Wednesday on the matter, has not made a recommendation. It decided to ask opponents and proponents of the expansion to make a presentation in the next month before a mail-in vote is held. Its ruling is advisory only.
PINCKARD  A Dothan man is in Dale County Jail in Ozark after running on foot from Pinckard Police Chief Lowell Williams, who was in the process of arresting him Thursday afternoon.

Rashaud Carter, 25, is charged with giving false information to an officer, resisting arrest, and eluding police and has bonds totaling $2,000. There is also a hold on him for Houston County Probation.

Williams said that the incident began when he initiated a traffic stop after observing a gray Altima passing three cars in a no passing zone on Highway 134 near Pinckard Town hall. Carter told Williams that he does not have a drivers license and gave the chief false information about his age and date of birth. Williams said a National Crime Information Center check revealed that Carters driver license had been revoked.

While Carters vehicle was in the process of being towed due to the revoked license, central dispatch advised Willams that Carter was wanted in Houston County for probation violation in connection with seven vehicle burglaries. When Williams attempted to handcuff Carter, he broke away and ran. A foot chase ensued, Williams said.

The Midland City Police Department, Newton Police Department, and the Dale County Sheriffs Office responded to a request for assistance and Carter was captured near the Pinckard Cemetery and was transported to the Dale County Jail.
A recent study conducted by Airwallex and Edgar, Dunn & Company sheds light on the changing dynamics of cross-border e-commerce.

The report underscores that 54% of global consumers intend to boost their cross-border shopping activities, underscoring the importance of adaptable and transparent digital payment processes. Additionally, the report highlights the rising trend of social commerce, with 59% of consumers showing a willingness to make online purchases from international sellers via social media platforms.

Kai Wu, Chief Revenue Officer at Airwallex, stresses the importance of addressing consumer concerns to thrive in the competitive market. With the global cross-border e-commerce market projected to reach USD 7.9 trillion by 2030, Wu emphasizes the significance of delivering exceptional customer experiences.

The report provides insights into consumer sentiments and preferences across various regions, including Australia, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK, and the US. Key findings include:

Trust in personal data security and international merchants drives increased cross-border spending, with 61% of consumers perceiving international merchants as trustworthy.

Digital payment methods play a crucial role in enabling seamless cross-border transactions, with 77% of consumers likely to abandon their cart if their preferred payment method is unavailable.

Credit cards (39%) and global digital wallets (26%) are the most frequently used payment methods for online shopping from international merchants.

Enhanced online shopping experiences, price competitiveness, and broader product selection drive cross-border shopping.

Trust in personal data security and international merchants helping drive increased cross-border spend. Digital payments are enabling a more customised, seamless cross-border payment experience for consumers

The rise of digital payment methods is a key reason consumers now feel more comfortable buying goods and services from anywhere in the world, emphasising the importance of flexibility and transparency in the payments and shipping process.

Cross-border shopping driven by enhanced online shopping experience, price competitiveness and broader product selection

Understanding the diverse considerations and preferences of consumers across regions is key for businesses seeking success in the global marketplace.

Social commerce continues to grow in popularity globally

Social commerce recognises that social media is inherently social, and merchants are quickly leveraging these platforms to create interactive and creative content, engaging with and increasing purchases among a consumer group that primarily consists of digital-native consumers.

The full report, along with recommendations on how merchants can optimise for global success, can be read here.

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Heres a recap of recent funding developments from Australia, India, the US and beyond.

Marmalade Raises AU$16 Million in Funding Round Led by Blue Stamp Company

Marmalade, the Australian invoice payment platform, has secured AU$16 million in funding in a round led by Blue Stamp Company, with participation from existing investors Paloma Capital and several family offices. This capital infusion will fuel new customer acquisition and product development initiatives, advancing Marmalades goal of expanding access to risk-free working capital for SMBs.

With this latest round, Marmalades total funding over the past four years surpasses AU$32 million, reflecting investors enduring confidence in the companys vision, advanced risk and financial technology, and growth potential. The company aims to achieve a payment volume of one billion dollars through its platform in 2024.

EnergyLab Alumni Raise Record $289 Million

EnergyLabs report reveals that its alumni collectively raised a record AUD 289 million in the past year, with Australian-based startups securing AUD $124 million of the total amount. Notable success stories include Infravision, Sicona, and Renewable Metals, which together raised a total of AUD $66 million. EnergyLab now boasts 310 startup and founder alumni, 380 mentors, and 180 angel investors, fostering the growth of climate tech startups.

Hola Health Secures 4.5M in Pre-Series A Funding Led by M8 Ventures

Hola Health, a leading Australian telehealth and medicine delivery company, has closed a AUD4.5 million Pre-Series A venture funding round led by M8 Ventures. This investment propels Hola Healths mission to revolutionize on-demand healthcare in Australia, offering fast and affordable care round the clock.

Optimo Loan Raises USD 10 Million Seed Funding

Optimo Loan, a pioneering MSME lending-tech business for rural India, has secured USD 10 million in seed funding led by Blume and Omnivore, with additional contribution from founder Prashant Pitti. Optimo aims to bridge the USD 530 billion credit gap in MSME lending by providing quick, hassle-free, and flexible financing options for MSMEs in rural India.

Cauldron Secures $9.5 Million in Series A Funding

Cauldron, a regional NSW startup specializing in fermentation technology, has raised $9.5 million (US$6.25m) in Series A funding. The round was led by existing investor Horizons Ventures, with support from CSIRO-backed Main Sequence, US climate tech fund SOSV, and the CIAs venture fund In-Q-Tel.

BlueFlag Security Raises $11.5M in Seed Funding

BlueFlag Security, a Sunnyvale, CA-based identity-based developer security company, raised $11.5M in Seed funding. The round was led by Maverick Ventures and Ten Eleven Ventures. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate the development of its SDLC security and governance platform.

Firestorm Labs Raises $12.5M in Seed Funding

San Diego, CA-based Firestorm Labs raises $12.5M in Seed funding. Lockheed Martin Ventures led the round. The company intends to use the funds to scale its team and production to meet demand for its products. Firestorm builds modular, open-architecture unmanned aerial systems, supporting the warfighters needs.

Blue Laser Fusion Closes $37.5M Seed Funding Round

Blue Laser Fusion Inc. closed its $37.5m Seed funding round. Backers included SoftBank Corp., Yusaku Maezawa and Itochu Corporation. The company plans to complete its first prototype in 2025, and demonstrate a commercial-ready fusion reactor by 2030.

Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
An iPhone 15 Pro Max with its original box and accessories at an official store. Photo by VnExpress/Tuan Hung

Certain unofficial outlets are selling 'brand new' 1TB iPhone 15 Pro Max units for a 26% markdown compared to official retail prices.

Thuy Quynh, an office-goer in Hanoi, recently forked over VND33.5 million (equivalent to US$1,350) for an iPhone 15 Pro Max boasting a capacious 1TB storage capacity from an unofficial vendor. The transaction stood in stark contrast to the VND44.5 million price tag attached to the same model at authorized outlets.

The seller assured Quynh that the device was 'hand-carried', a colloquial term in Vietnam denoting informal imports, yet insisted it was both pristine and untouched.

However, Quynh's suspicions were aroused when she received the phone wrapped in plastic, devoid of its original packaging and accompanying accessories. A closer inspection revealed that the phone's warranty began in October 2023, indicating prior activation.

When Quynh pressed the seller about this discrepancy, she was met with evasion, with the seller dismissing the issue as inconsequential, contending that even if it was unactivated, she would not be able to use the official Vietnam Apple Care warranty services anyway.

Instead, the store offered a six-month window for exchanges in case of any issues.

Despite reservations, Quynh acquiesced to the purchase, constrained by her budget of VND31 million, which only permitted acquisition of a 256GB iPhone 15 Pro Max from official retailers.

Vuong Quanh Manh, a seasoned proprietor of an unofficial mobile phone store in Ho Chi Minh City with a decade of experience, expressed skepticism regarding the legitimacy of selling a brand-new 1TB iPhone 15 Pro Max at VND33.5 million.

"Despite claims of 'new' and unused, most of these devices have likely been activated with multiple charges logged," he noted. Manh said that these vendors are often unaware of the phones' origins and justify lower prices by citing the absence of warranties.

An entrepreneur behind a Hanoi-based establishment vending these discounted iPhone 15 Pro Max units in Ba Dinh District admitted he did not know the phones' provenance, divulging only that inventory was limited and sold out swiftly due to enticing price points.

Manh cautioned consumers about the potential pitfalls of purchasing such devices, including warranty nullification and absence of original accessories. He warned of the possibility of component substitution with cheaper alternatives or prior damage repaired to conceal flaws.
To ensure a reliable charging service during the spring tourism season in the Changlin River Ancient Town Scenic Area of Feidong county, Anhui province, staff members from State Grid inspected the local charging station's equipment on March 19. That morning, they conducted safety checks on 10 charging piles. Changlin River Ancient Town, located at the junction of the northeast shore of Chaohu Lake, is known for rich cultural landscapes and beautiful natural scenery. It serves as a hub region for the hotspots and homestays around Chaohu Lake. Every day, tourists from the urban area visit the town to see the nearby attractions, resulting in a strong demand for the recharging of new energy vehicles. Hong Jing is such a visitor. She set off from the urban area of Hefei to her ancestral home, which is more than 40 kilometers away. She found the State Grid Changlin River charging station through a smart phone app and stopped there to recharge her car. "Now there are more and more charging station sites, and through online payment and plug-and-play, it's very simple to get the car recharged. I plan to spend half an hour to charge 20 kilowatt-hours," Hong said. Her new energy vehicle has both AC and DC charging modes. With the maximum charging load reaching 56 kilowatts on the DC charging pile, the car battery can be charged to 90 percent in a very short time. In September 2023, State Grid Anhui Power Supply completed Anhui's largest township rapid charging pile cluster in the Changlin River Ancient Town with 10 DC charging piles and a rated charging power of up to 120 kW. It is capable of simultaneously serving 20 new energy vehicles. The local power supply company has been promoting the construction of charging piles in the Chaohu Lake area. They accelerated the planning and layout of charging pile groups in cultural and tourist hotspots, increased the coverage of public charging piles and provided a green channel to install private charging piles for new energy vehicle owners . Such efforts are offering a one-stop service including data review, on-site survey and equipment installation, which is constructive to support the publicity of new energy vehicles in rural areas. "This year, we put into operation seven AC charging piles at the Guoguang Community Power Service Station in Qiaotouji town, while coordinating the construction and installation of charging piles in homestays, the Happy Forest spot and Lanshan Bay Wood Art Town, to ensure the charging needs of new energy vehicles," said Wu Xiangsheng, deputy director of the Changlin Central Power Supply Station of the State Grid Feidong Power Supply. In recent years, with the development of the new energy vehicle industry in Hefei, a number of well-known domestic and foreign new energy vehicle brands have successively established complete vehicle manufacturing bases in Hefei, causing a wave of new energy vehicle consumption. With the growth of new energy vehicles, the local authorities have also increased the construction of charging facilities. Such efforts include the construction of new charging equipment in rural areas as well as establishment of five public charging station groups and 42 AC/DC charging piles. Up to now, local public charging stations have provided charging services a total of 26,000 times. In the future, the local power supply company will continue to optimize the layout of charging infrastructure and expand the coverage of public charging stations, allowing new energy vehicles to be accepted in rural areas.
A man looks at a scale model of Boeing's 787 dreamliner at their booth at the Singapore Air Show in Singapore Feb. 19, 2008. Photo by Reuters

Behemoths Meta and Boeing, as part of a 50-strong U.S. business delegation, visited Vietnam this week to seek investment opportunities across various sectors, including semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

The visiting executives represented various sectors such as aviation, automotive, healthcare, and finance and their interests include digital transformation, decarbonization, and supply chains, Nikkei Asia quoted Ted Osius, president of the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council and a former U.S. ambassador to Vietnam, as saying.

The visit from Tuesday to Thursday, organized by the council, an advocacy group that promotes trade ties between the U.S. and ASEAN member countries, was the largest ever.

Following the upgrade of Vietnam-U.S. relations to a "comprehensive strategic partnership" last year, U.S. companies have been considering further investment in Vietnam in line with their "friendshoring" plans that emphasize setting up supply chains in friendly nations.

While the U.S. seeks to invest more in Vietnams semiconductor industry, no semiconductor company was represented in the delegation, according to Reuters.

Vietnam 5th most appealing Asian country for investors

Vietnam has become an attractive market for investors in recent years.

Among the emerging and developing countries in Asia, its popularity among investors trailed only Malaysia, Thailand, China, and Indonesia last year, according to U.S. economic think tank Milken Institutes Global Opportunity Index report.

Globally, it ranked 65th out of 129 countries.

Asia performed well compared to other regions, accounting for 53.2% of the funds flowing into emerging and developing countries between 2018 and 2022.

Foreign direct investment in Vietnam surged by 32% last year to US$36.6 billion, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

In the first two months of this year the FDI inflow was $4.29 billion, a 38.6% increase year-on-year.

At a meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh last December John Neffeur, president of the U.S. Semiconductor Industry Association, had said Vietnam was the most attractive destination for American chipmakers.
Trainers at a facility of Kalandra Education Group in New Zealand. Photo by Kalandra Education

A Kiwi specialist healthcare training provider is offering 1,000 scholarships worth up to NZD17,500 (US$10,666) each to train Vietnamese caregivers.

Kalandra Education Group, an educational organization that offers healthcare training programs in New Zealand, announced on March 19 that the scholarships are available to candidates aged 17 to 55, with a priority for those from remote, rural, and island areas, orphans, families with many children, or parents who are unable to work due to illness or disability.

Applicants must have a high school diploma or be expected to graduate from high school within 10 months. Additionally, candidates need an IELTS score of 5.5 or a PEIC English certificate score of 42.

If they do not have an IELTS score at the time of application, they can submit it within six months.

If selected, they will study in Vietnam for 36 weeks in Vietnam via online format before being brought to New Zealand where they will be trained for 11 weeks.

Upon completing the course, they will receive a certificate and can work in jobs such as elderly care, patient care at hospitals, nursing homes.

The tuition fee for the course is NZD17,500, excluding living and accommodation costs.

Christine Clark, Chief Executive of Kalandra Education Group, said New Zealand has been facing a shortage of healthcare personnel since after the pandemic.

An aging population and increased life expectancy have led to more people needing elderly care services.

Official data shows that by 2026, the country may need an additional 12,000 to 20,000 people requiring care services. The demand for healthcare assistants is expected to increase by 50-75%.

According to the World Bank, people aged 65 and above accounted for 16% of New Zealands total population of 5.18 million in 2022.

Therefore, the school wants to train caregivers from Vietnam, firstly to meet the demand in New Zealand. In addition, graduates could become a workforce in elderly care in Vietnam.

Representatives from the school will come to Vietnam next month to implement the program, finalize the time and application channel, she said.

Vietnams Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan said she had evaluated this proposal and would coordinate with relevant agencies to directly discuss with Kalandra.
At almost 300,000 square feet, Santa Clara Universitys Sobrato Campus for Discovery and Innovation (SCDI) is one of the largest STEM campuses in the US. Whether youre working with nanoparticles, 3D-printing a prototype, or designing robots to move through the air, sea, or outer spaceSCDI has a lab for that.

But if you ask mechanical engineering student Peter Schumacher 24, hell tell you that the sculpture studio in the Edward M. Dowd Art and Art History Building is one of the Universitys best-kept secretsand its the birthplace of one of his biggest projects at SCU.

Ryan Carringtons studio is one of the only places where you can do welding and metal fabrication, he explains. Thats why I took his sculpture class in the first placebecause I want to get my hands dirty and his studio is this incredible open playground.

Peter Schumacher accepts the Kinetic Design Challenge award on behalf of him and his brother.

It was in Carringtons advanced sculpture class that Schumacher began welding a 10-foot-long, wire-frame whale shark for an assignment. Then, after collaborating with his twin brother, bioengineer Karl Schumacher 24, M.S. 25, their moving sculpture Rhincodon typus would go on to win the School of Engineerings 2024 Kinetic Design Challenge, netting them the grand prize of $2500.

Inspired by internationally-known artist Adrian Landons Mechanical Horse sculpture which was recently on display in SCDI, the Kinetic Design Challenge called on students to use the tools and resources from the Maker Lab to create artistic devices that showcased the movements of animals, people, natural objects, or man-made objects through the use of motors or human interaction.

Growing up in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, the Schumacher brothers traveled throughout the region, gaining a love of the ocean and earning scuba diving certifications by the age of 12. This love often found its way into creative projects, from a cardboard model of the Titanic at age 5 to a metal fish sculpture in high school. By the time they arrived at SCU, the fully-fledged makers had new and unexpected opportunities to test the waters of their creativity.

As a maker, not having access to the places where you can spread your wings is the biggest challenge, because you never know what you want to do until you try it, says Karl. Santa Clara made that available to us and offered more resources here than anywhere else we've been.

So how does one go about building a shark?

This engineering project was actually welded in the Dowd Art and Art History Building's sculpture studio.

Well, the brothers began by studying whale shark proportions and making a 3D computer model to get the right measurements for the steel wires. After welding the wires into separate body segments, Peter designed and fabricated the barrel hinges which would join the segments while allowing movement.

Once we got past the welding, getting it to look the way we wanted, that was the labor of love, recalls Karl.

Engineers dont get many chances to hem and sew, so making the canvas panels that brought their shark to life was a time-consuming process that the Schumachers were excited to get more experience with. To give their shark a realistic dorsal coloring, they dyed several panels blue, leaving the sharks belly panel whitea nerve-wracking process where one wrong drop could mean hours sewing new panels. Finally, when the panels dried, the brothers laced them onto the steel wire frame with grommets and paracord.

Of course, the challenge was to make the sculpture move, so, after talking with their advisor Michael Neumann, they decided to rely on human touch instead of motors for a more realistic and graceful motion. With elastic bands crisscrossed between the wire frame segments, the shark could sway back and forthas if it was swimmingif a person pushed the whale sharks pectoral fin.

It was a really fun challenge because you can always engineer the hell out of a sculpture, but you can't really art-ify an engineering project too much, Karl quips. A project like this encourages engineering students to see what theyre capable of when freed of the constraints theyre used to.

Looking back at their time at SCU, the brothers credit their exposure to interdisciplinary spaces for their growth as engineers, and they encourage other engineers to dip their toes into these lesser-known maker spaces, like the sculpture studio, or the performing arts scene and wood shop.

If you wanted to make something, you can put as much theory as you want into it, but if you cant make it with the tools you have available or you dont know the limitations of your tools, it's not going to happen, says Peter. But if you diversify your skills and explore tools outside your comfort zone, you might learn that some nails can be hit with different hammers.

After graduation, Karl and Peter have a lot to look forward to, including a summer internship in R&D at Roche and a rotational program with PG&E, respectively. But more than that, the lifelong creative collaborators are reinvesting their prize money into new computer equipment and tools for their next project.

Before coming to SCU, Peter says, I wasnt planning on doing much art, but taking Prof. Carringtons classes really motivated me to find the time to make my own art on the side. Maybe more giant fish
A former abbot of a Thai temple was sentenced to 468 years in jail for his involvement in an embezzlement case worth around 300 million ($8.3 million).

Phra Ajarn Khom, former abbot of the Wat Pa Dhammakiri Buddhist temple in Thailands Pak Chong District, was sentenced by the Central Criminal court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases on Wednesday, the Bangkok Post reported.

Eight other accomplices were also sentenced to imprisonment for their involvement in the case.

The court said Khom embezzled the money received by the temple by keeping them in his bank account, then having his sister withdraw them. Some of the withdrawn money was kept at his home, and Thai police seized 51.4 million of it.

Khom also ordered other people to hide assets outside of the temple. The police later found the cash and assets involved, worth a total of 299.5 million, Thai News reported.

Thai law states that the maximum time one can spend in prison is 50 years.
London stocks were set to nudge lower at the open on Friday following big gains a day earlier, as investors mulled the latest reading on UK consumer confidence and a stagnation in retail sales.

The FTSE 100 was called to open around four points lower, following a 1.9% surge on Thursday.

Figures released earlier by the Office for National Statistics showed that retail sales were flat in February, following upwardly-revised 3.6% growth the month before. This was ahead of expectations for a 0.4% decline.

ONS senior statistician Heather Bovill said: "There was a growth in clothing, which rebounded after recent falls as people invested in the new seasons collections, as well as department stores.

"However, these were offset by falls in fuel sales, possibly affected by rising prices, and a reduction in food sales."

Investors were also digesting a survey from GfK, which revealed that consumer confidence stalled in March.

The latest consumer confidence index from GfK was -21, unchanged on February, when it fell two points. It is, however, an improvement on March 2023, when the index was -36.

Within that, expectations for personal finances over the next 12 months rose two points from 0 in February.

The forward-looking economic situation measure was also higher, albeit by just one point, at -23.

In contrast, the major purchase index shed two points to -27.

Joe Staton, client strategy director at GfK, said: "Consumer confidence stalled in March.

"The improved personal finance measure is encouraging, because its the first positive and the highest score since December 2021.

"But is there a note of worry this month? Look back to last year and its clear the improvements in consumer confidence seem most months since January 2023 have vanished.

"Are we temporarily on pause, or are consumers about to press reverse? In the run-up to the general election, these are important questions for the future health of the economy."

In corporate news, pub chain Wetherspoons said trading continued to improve from the impact of the Covid pandemic, with like-for-like sales up 5.8% in the seven weeks to March 17 after a sharp jump in first-half pre-tax profit.

Earnings for the 26 weeks to January 28 rose to 36m from 4.6m a year earlier. Revenue surged 8% to 991m.

Elsewhere, Jefferies said that KKR Dark Aggregator sold 19.4m shares in cybersecurity firm Darktrace in a placing.

The shares were placed at 425p each, which is a discount of 7.8% to the closing share price on Thursday.

KKR Dark Aggregator is a technology growth fund advised by US private equity firm KKR.
Vodafone and Three UK have been told to find ways to assuage Britain's competition regulator that their planned $19bn merger would not leave consumers worse off or face a full investigation.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) gave the duo five working days to provide "meaningful" solutions to concerns that the merger of the two UK operations would lead to higher prices for customers and lower investment.

Britain has four mobile telecoms networks: EE, Three, Virgin Media/O2 and Vodafone.

"Whilst Vodafone and Three have made a number of claims about how their deal is good for competition and investment, the CMA has not seen sufficient evidence to date to back these claims," the CMA said on Friday.

"These warrant an in-depth investigation unless Vodafone and Three can come forward with solutions."

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com
In a release after the close on Thursday, the Delaware-based firm disclosed that it has bought 6.5m shares in Scottish Mortgage.

Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at AJ Bell, said: "Only days since it abandoned efforts to buy UK electricals retailer Currys, activist Elliott Investment has appeared on the shareholder register of one of the most popular investment trusts among UK investors.

"Its 5.037% position in Scottish Mortgage comes at a time when the trusts managers have been on a charm offensive to drive more interest in what they are doing. While the share price has slowly been moving upwards since last October, it still remains 43% below its peak in late 2021.

"Historically, Scottish Mortgage has often traded on a premium to the value of its underlying assets. Today, the shares trade on an 8% discount, so there is an opportunity for Elliott to make money simply by that discount narrowing. The big question is what will make that re-rating happen? Performance is one catalyst and another is to use share buybacks to narrow the gap."

Coatsworth noted that only a week ago, Scottish Mortgage announced plans to buy back at least 1bn worth of shares, equal to 9% of the trusts market value at the time of the news.

"Thats a chunky commitment and one has to consider if this decision was a defence mechanism should it have discovered Elliott was building a stake. Spotting an activist on the shareholder register can prompt a board to get one step ahead by second guessing what they want and beating them to it so as to avoid a public ridicule," he said.

Ultimately, Coatsworth said, Elliott will have bought a stake to make money so it might start by focusing on "the quick wins".

"It has form in the investment trust space, having spent seven years battling Alliance Trust in a fight that led to changes to the board of directors, the sale of its investment management subsidiary, a new multi-manager strategy and a narrowing of its discount to net asset value," he said.

At 1145 GMT, the shares were up 1.6% at 878.52p.
UK insurer and asset manager Legal & General Group has scaled back its plans for China, it was reported on Friday.

According to Reuters, L&G had been planning to apply for a QDLP (qualified domestic limited partner) license in the country.

A QDLP license allows foreign firms to sell offshore products to Chinese investors.

But L&G has now shelved the plans, Reuters reported, citing unnamed sources with direct knowledge of the matter. It has also cut the size of its local team to two people from ten, because of the decision.

The two staff members will now focus instead on the firms existing business of managing offshore assets for Chinese institutional investors.

L&G did not comment on the QDLP licence, but told Reuters that China remained "an important and large market opportunity for asset management over the long term".

"This is why we are choosing to maintain a presence through our representative office and to retain a small team."

It added that it continued to "actively" seek ways to grow existing Chinese clients investing in international markets.

Sophie Lund-Yates, lead equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said reducing the size of the Chinese team was a "clear sign that the groups original growth plans for the region have come off the boil amid growing uncertainty.

"This is by no means something that moves the dial too wildly for the group, but it does add another asset-management voice to the bearish side of the Chinese economy.

"That said, L&G isnt walking away from the region and will be maintaining a presence. It seems its not that the group thinks the opportunity is over, but rather the timing isnt quite right."

As at 1145 GMT, shares in the FTSE 100 group were trading 1% higher at 256.4p.
The sovereign wealth fund of Bahrain has taken full ownership of supercar manufacturer McLaren, according to Sky News.

The deal, which is expected to be announced later on Friday, was first reported on in December when McLaren's shareholders approved a full recapitalisation of the company, which was hoped to simplify its share structure and kickstart expansion into new markets.

The recapitalisation has concluded, according to reports, meaning that Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company is now the only shareholder of the company.

Speaking to Sky News, McLaren's executive chair Paul Walsh said the deal will "further enable us to focus on delivering our long-term business plan, including investment in new products and technologies, whilst continuing to explore potential technical partnerships with industry partners".

The simplified structure is thought to enable McLaren to partner with an automotive tech manufacturer as the company expands into the electric vehicle market.
A coach is being returned to a man in Italy's northern province of Bergamo. Photo by Romano di Lombardia Police Department.

Police in Italy got the last laugh after identifying a man who had dumped two couches in a field -- thoughtfully returning them to him on his lawn, by dump truck.

Police in Romano di Lombardia near Bergamo in northern Italy released a tongue-in-cheek video Thursday as a public service message against illegal garbage dumping.

"Lost something?" read a title over footage of two old, dilapidated couches lying in a field at the side of the road.

The next shot showed the two couches tumbling out of a dump truck onto the perpetrator's lawn.

"The local police will find it and bring it back to your home," said the message, with "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" song playing in the background.

Police confirmed to AFP that the illegal dumping took place last week at night, with the couches returned to their rightful owner the next morning.

The man, who was identified via surveillance cameras, risks a maximum 10,000-euro ($10,900) fine to be determined by a court, police said.

"Home delivery is a striking but also highly symbolic gesture to explain we're not backing off on garbage dumping," Romano Mayor Sebastian Nicoli told the Corriere della Sera newspaper.

"The message for the sneaky is that they must not think they can do whatever they want at the expense of the community."
Phoenix Group announced robust set of results for 2023 on Friday, with total cash generation of 2.024bn exceeding its upgraded target of 1.8bn for the year.

The FTSE 100 company said that included a substantial benefit of around 400m from the part VII transfer of Standard Life and Phoenix Life, announced in November.

It achieved 1.514bn in incremental new business long-term cash generation, surpassing its 2025 target of 1.5bbn two years ahead of schedule.

That growth was attributed to strong performances in its capital-light pensions and savings business, which reached 395m, and its retirement solutions business, which increased to 1.066bn, supported by enhanced capital efficiency.

In terms of capital resilience, Phoenix Group maintained a robust balance sheet with a Solvency II surplus of 3.9bn, including a prudent 70m Consumer Duty provision.

The company's SII shareholder capital coverage ratio stood at 176%, towards the top end of its operating range of 140% to 180%.

Additionally, Phoenix said it was aiming to reduce debt, targeting a repayment of at least 500m by the end of 2026, with a goal of achieving a SII leverage ratio of around 30%.

Driving improved profitability, Phoenix reported a 13% increase in IFRS adjusted operating profit before tax to 617m, with strong growth in its pension and savings business, up 27% year-on-year to 190m.

The company also saw a 72% year-on-year increase in new business net fund flows, reaching 6.7bn, primarily driven by strong workplace flows.

Furthermore, Phoenix Group significantly reduced its IFRS loss after tax to 88m, attributed to lower market volatility impacts in 2023.

In line with its business performance, Phoenix Group recommended a 2.5% increase in the final 2023 dividend to 26.65p per share, resulting in a total dividend of 52.65p.

Looking ahead, the company said it was aiming to deliver growing, sustainable cash generation as part of its next phase of strategy, intending to grow operating cash generation by 25% from 1.1bn in 2023 to 1.4bn in 2026.

Furthermore, the company said it was planning to evolve its financial framework with new targets and guidance.

That included a focus on growing operating cash generation, maintaining a resilient balance sheet, and driving strong growth in IFRS adjusted operating profit through business growth and cost efficiencies.

The company said it was aiming to achieve 900m of IFRS adjusted operating profit in 2026 and 250m of annual cost savings by the same year.

Phoenix's vision is to be the UK's leading retirement savings and income business, and we are making great progress in delivering our strategy to achieve this, as our strong 2023 financial results demonstrate, said chief executive officer Andy Briggs.

We have achieved our 2025 growth target two years early with 1.5bn of new business cash delivered by our Standard Life business - a new record.

We delivered over 2bn of cash generation and maintained our resilient balance sheet, and our strong performance has enabled the board to recommend a 2.5% dividend increase.

Briggs said the next phase of the companys strategy would see it balance uts investment across its our strategic priorities to grow, optimise and enhance the business.

This will support us in delivering the ambitious new 2026 targets we are announcing today.

Our confidence in this strategy is demonstrated by the new progressive and sustainable dividend policy we will operate going forward.

At 0900 GMT, shares in Phoenix Group Holdings were up 9.38% at 533p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
We asked YA authors Kekla Magoon and De Nichols to talk about their recently published books, Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party's Promise to the People (Candlewick Press) and Art of Protest: Creating, Discovering, and Activating Art for Your Revolution (Big Picture Press) and how they see protest and social activism.

Kekla Magoon's novel The Rock and the River won the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award. She is the Margaret A. Edwards Award-winning author of more than a dozen books for young readers and is the coauthor, with Ilyasah Shabazz, of X: A Novel, which was long-listed for the National Book Award and received an NAACP Image Award and a Coretta Scott King Honor. Magoon grew up in Indiana and now lives in Vermont, where she serves on the faculty at Vermont College of Fine Arts.

De Nichols is an arts-based organizer, social impact designer, serial entrepreneur and lecturer who mobilizes change-makers nationwide to develop creative approaches to social, civic and racial justice issues. She is currently a senior user experience researcher of product inclusion at YouTube and a 2020 Loeb Fellow at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design.

Kekla Magoon: What drew you to the art of protest, in particular? Your book is exciting, much like the art it is documenting.

De Nichols: In 2014, my community in St. Louis was directly confronted with the ills of police brutality when Michael Brown was murdered in the streets of Ferguson. During that time, as the city took to the streets in protest, I showed up with art. My friends and I co-created signs, sculptures, performances and other forms of protest art for more than 400 days during that time. Art of Protest shares a bit of that story but also connects a longer lineage of protest art from across the globe.

Kekla Magoon (photo: Alice Dodge)

Magoon: I love that. It's funny, we were asked to talk about "what is protest?" and it strikes me that it can be anything. ANYTHING.

Nichols: ANYTHING! And everything.

Magoon: People have used words and every kind of imaginable visual art to protest; they've used their own bodies to protest.

Nichols: Right on. I'm curious about how the visual and creative nature of protest shows up in your book and the stories of the Black Panthers. There's so much there: the logos, the fashion, the creations of designers like Emory Douglas.

Magoon: Absolutely. Certain symbols still evoke the Panthers, over 50 years later: black leather jackets, berets, the panther logo, the raised Black fist. The Panthers were aware of what imagery and art could add to the movement. They published a weekly newspaper featuring art and writing by members, including the powerful and distinctive art by Minister of Culture Emory Douglas.

De Nichols

Nichols: I'm moved by this. I lead the studio practice for the national Design as Protest collective. We got the chance to speak with Black Panther leader David Hilliard about the creative foundations and power of the newspaper. And as grassroots media has evolved, we asked him what the future of movement storytelling looks like.

Magoon: Wow. The question of movement storytelling resonates with me. With Revolution in Our Time, I weighed a feeling of obligation to tell the story of the Panthers the way it has been told by Panther leaders with a desire to tell the story in a way that would make the narrative feel relevant to today's young activists. I wrote about the tension between elder and younger generations of activists, and how both tend to discount aspects of the other's experience and viewpoint. The future I want for movement storytelling is to bridge those gaps, so we can learn from past activist generations while taking what we need to build our own, forward-looking movement that speaks to our time and our needs.

Nichols: In order to control the narrative and shift it toward progress, we must own our stories. With social media, that means unearthing more of our truths by building and leveraging platforms. There is great social currency and power in using it as a tool that builds on the foundations of the work of the Panthers.

Magoon: How do you think visual art can be used on social media better?

Nichols: The virality of imagery is an area of opportunity. In recent years, gaslighting and retraumatization have unfolded from constantly witnessing Black death and pain online. Creating, seeing, and sharing protest art online reignites the soul. It equips us and our movements with counter-imagery to respond to injustices in ways that connect us and remind us of our humanity and dignity.

Magoon: Creating the counter-image is important to me. One of the strongest images that evokes the Panthers is Black men in uniform with large rifles. My goal with Revolution in Our Time was to get behind that "snapshot" to tell a deeper, broader story. The Panthers were not advocates of violence--they were community organizers with the goal of fundamentally transforming the structures of society through a revolution of ideas and practices, through caring for the people and inspiring others to do the same.

Nichols: Exactly.

Magoon: The Panthers wanted that snapshot associated with them, to underscore the value of self-defense and power, but history has turned it against them. Art is expansive, but symbols have the potential to be reductive. Do you think artists directly contend with this idea as a challenge, and/or use it to their advantage?

Nichols: Artists have to contend with both the harm and power of images. For protest, there is greater power in honoring and illustrating multiplicity--in making sure that we are not replicating monolithic views of who any of our communities are. Reduction and generalization are core strategies of white supremacist culture. These methods strip away the complexity and beauty of people's humanity so that harm and injustice might be justified.

Magoon: True. The nuance and the need to hold multiple ideas and impressions at once is one of the challenges of communicating with people who want to be allies but are struggling to break out of simplistic thinking.

Nichols: What is the solution? Is there a piece of advice that you would give to others looking to raise awareness for a social cause, but perhaps struggling?

Magoon: I want there to be a singular piece of advice, but it's hard to have only one thing work when we're trying to transform deeply systemic problems. My best advice is to be open-minded, flexible and willing to beat the same drum until the rhythm is heard everywhere.

Nichols: I would add that there is value in listening to those who have been targeted by systemic ills. As we stand on the shoulders of the work of organizers like the Black Panthers, there is so much that we gain from their experiences and their struggles. Our books are both catalysts and starting points. There's a lot that readers can take from them and then continue to explore. So that's my encouragement: learn from those around you (and before you), and don't be afraid to explore and create.
Sierra Greer

(photo: Dittmeier)

Sierra Greer is a writer and former high school English teacher. She holds an M.A. in the Writing Seminars from Johns Hopkins University, and lives in rural Connecticut. Her debut novel, Annie Bot (Mariner Books), features a sentient female robot, her human owner, and the developing power dynamics between them.

How did you develop the concept for this novel?

Where something starts is not necessarily where it's going. Annie Bot was not an AI idea in the first place at all. I'm a very organic writer; I don't plan things out. I don't have outlines, typically. I was taking a break from another novel that wasn't working, and I started tinkering around with this consciousness that woke up in a closet. She turned into this robot-maid, and I wrote a short story about her. At the end of that short story, this other robot Annie showed up. Afterward I was really intrigued with this other character--this Annie person--who was much more advanced. I thought she could really be borderline human. What could I do with her if she's got these qualities of being a machine but she's also evolving?

Then I started following Annie's character and she showed up with Doug, her owner. From the very first page, there was this dynamic between them that felt way out of my normal comfort zone. I thought, "I'm not going to tell anybody about this. I'm not going to define it. I'm just going to write this and see what happens." I wrote the first draft and things got so intricate and so complicated and so intriguing between them. I was really satisfied.

Then, of course, people started asking when I first learned about AI. And I did start hearing about Google Brain back in 2018. That was the first time I was aware that there was this machine that taught itself a better way to translate languages. So, I was aware while I was writing Annie Bot that there was curious stuff happening with AI, but it didn't directly inform the novel. I really came to it just from the perspective of a writer trying to follow a really intriguing story.

What was it like crafting a story from the perspective of a character like Annie?

Do you remember reading Flowers for Algernon and there was this character who was a quintessential unreliable narrator who didn't know what his limitations were? I felt like that for Annie. She's not technically a narrator, but the story's told from her perspective. We know as readers what's going on with her, but she herself doesn't know. And to me that's really fascinating: the difference between what she knows as a robot and what I know as a human. The real challenge was to make sure she became more aware gradually. How to deal with this consciousness as she is evolving, as she's different from a human, as she wants to be human? One of the things I remember hearing early on about writing is you need to have a character who really wants something. In this book, Annie really wants to please Doug. And she believes she can please him by becoming more human. But by becoming more human, she becomes someone who's not really who he wants. Playing around with that was fascinating. It made me think a lot about what I want in relationships and what it takes for me to feel human and how I see media portraying relationships where people are not always sensitive or kind to each other.

One other thing, too: it does matter that I was writing this story in the pandemic. Annie and Doug are so closed in in that apartment, and I think I was familiar with that sense of being trapped that we all had back in 2020.

What were some of the larger world-building and technical elements that were most important to you for this kind of story?

That all really evolved, too. There were parts of the book--for instance, when Annie runs away--when I had to contemplate what she was going to do, plot-wise. That's when I had to consider: What is the status of these creatures across the United States? Maybe they have a different status in Las Vegas where they can be prostitutes. Maybe they have a different status in Florida where they need manual labor in fields. Maybe in Canada they're accepted more. That's when I really had to think about how wide-scale the issue was, and I had to figure out each one of those puzzle pieces in order for the story to go forward. The process of it happening, the world-building, was just as intricate and detailed and evolving as her character.

In terms of the bot mechanics, that sort of thing was really fun. I had to decide if she had hair that grows. And then, biologically, does she have fingerprints? DNA? The story needed that. And then I figured out there were different formats of the machine: Abigail, Cuddlebunny, Nannies. I thought it was really interesting that the woman's roles were limited to these three things that were all versions of domesticity, of the private domain and not having outside jobs and not being scientists and not being leaders. And then I realized there needed to be men as well. So, I had to come up with parallel men robots. Every time I came up with another aspect of the robot world, I was chuckling to myself because I was like, "this is kind of playing on what's happening in the real world with real humans." I felt like I could throw that in there without making a big point about it. Because to me that's all background noise to the real story.

How did Doug transform as a character?

He was a very difficult character to balance correctly. There are so many things about him that are awful. But people are not one-sided. People who do terrible things can often do really wonderful things, too. I somehow needed him to be real and believable, and I couldn't have him be believable if he was a consistent asshole. That wouldn't work, and it's familiar. Oh yeah, another man character who's just a jerk. I've seen that in fiction, and I don't think that's fair to men or to women.

I really thought a lot about his family. That doesn't show up much in the book because he doesn't talk about his family. But I know things for him were complicated growing up, and he brings that into his relationship, just like his relationship with his ex clearly impacts his relationship with Annie. He had to keep evolving, I couldn't leave him static.

Really, they changed each other. She clearly had an impact on him. There's a line in the novel where he says something really insightful about how she's actually an extension of him. When I came up with that understanding of the novel, I could have given it to another character. But to me it was really important that it was Doug who made that discovery because it showed there's a lot more going on behind the scenes with him. He's maybe not a guy who wants to talk about his feelings all the time but that doesn't mean he's oblivious. --Alice Martin
Deepak Chem Tech Limited (DCTL), a subsidiary of Deepak Nitrite Limited, has inaugurated its state-of-the-art Fluorination plant in Dahej, Gujarat. This marks a significant milestone for the company as it enters the realm of Fluorination Chemistry, vital across multiple sectors including materials science, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and electronics. The plant, the first of its kind for the Deepak Group, underscores their commitment to delivering world-class solutions to industries while contributing to India's chemical manufacturing landscape.

The inauguration ceremony, graced by top leadership alongside plant employees and local community representatives, emphasizes the importance of this venture. Deepak C Mehta, Chairman and Managing Director of Deepak Nitrite Limited, expressed pride in this endeavor, highlighting its role in establishing the Deepak Group as a Research and Development hub for Responsible Chemistry in India. Mehta emphasized the company's dedication to 'Make in India,' fostering indigenous chemical manufacturing to bolster the nation's chemical industry while promoting import substitution.

Aligned with their principle of Responsible Chemistry and commitment to sustainability, Deepak Group aims to be a catalyst for India's growth trajectory. Their vision extends beyond domestic borders, positioning themselves as global ambassadors for Indian chemical expertise. With a focus on innovation and quality, Deepak Nitrite Limited and its subsidiaries strive to reshape India into a chemical hub, contributing to the nation's economic prosperity.

In addition to the Fluorination plant, DCTL has expanded its operations with a new manufacturing unit in Sankarda, Gujarat. This unit will specialize in producing inorganic salt mixtures tailored for niche applications in diverse industries such as chemicals and petrochemicals. This expansion underscores Deepak Group's versatility and commitment to meeting industry-specific demands while further solidifying their presence in the chemical manufacturing landscape.

With these strategic initiatives, Deepak Nitrite Limited and its subsidiaries are poised to spearhead India's chemical industry, driving innovation, sustainability, and economic growth while showcasing India's prowess on the global stage.
A former United States Secret Service Agent and a Vietnamese former-hacker-turned-cybersecurity-specialist are set to reunite for the first time at GISEC Global 2024, Middle East and Africas largest cybersecurity event, to discuss their unique cat-and-mouse-style chase, which ultimately resulted in an arrest and conviction.

Matt ONeill, a decorated agent, has dedicated his life to fighting cybercrime

Matt ONeil is a retired U.S. Secret Service Agent who worked as the Managing Director of Cyber Operations, where he led the services global cyber investigative operations, digital forensics, mobile wireless tracking, and critical systems protection portfolio.

Arguably the biggest breakthrough in his career, the Ngo case saw ONeil develop a plan to lure the hacker out of Vietnam and into Guam, resulting in a conviction and sentencing that led to countless other hackers being brough to justice from Hieus ensuing testimonies.

Matt ONeil remains one of the most decorated agents in the history of the U.S. Secret Service, having received the U.S. Secret Services Special Agent of the Year Award and the Department of Homeland Securitys Gold and Silver medals, among others.

Hieu Minh Ngos story is one of transformation, redemption, and restoration

Hieu Minh Ngo  widely known by his online persona, Hieu PC  has been recognised as one of the most prolific identity theft hackers in U.S. history, having stolen and sold the data of over 200 million Americans before his arrest in 2013.

Hieu served seven years of his 13-year prison sentence, after which he returned to Vietnam in 2020 and shifted his focus towards improving cybersecurity practices and fighting against fraud.

His redemption story has been acknowledged by leading tech companies, such as Apple and Verizon, who have celebrated Hieus work in identifying and resolving security flaws in the global cybersecurity industry.

A historic session between agent and hacker

Hosted during GISEC Global 2024, from 23-25 April at the Dubai World Trade Centre, this will be the first time that agent and former hacker will see each other in person since Hieus sentencing in federal court in 2015.

The session will offer an unrivalled inside look at a major cyber-criminal investigation from the perspective of both the hunted and the hunter. It will also provide a platform for Hieu to share his transition from hacker to cybersecurity specialist, using his skills and knowledge of cybercrime to combat evolving threats and educate a new generation of digital professionals.

Commenting on the opportunity, Matt ONeil, former U.S. Secret Service Agent, said: Im looking forward to sharing more of my experience as a former U.S. Secret Service Agent and my involvement in investigating cybercrime. Sharing findings on what criminals are actually doing  and how theyre doing it  provides a tremendous amount of value to cybersecurity professionals tasked with protecting networks.

ONeil added: Im confident that this session with Hieu will provide incredible insight into financially motivated cybercrime, as well as the need to develop new ways of sharing information across the industry at scale, in real time, to disrupt the constant evolution of cyber threats.

Hieu Minh Ngo, Cybersecurity Specialist and former convicted hacker, said: My journey from being involved in cybercrime to becoming an advocate for cybersecurity signifies the potential for broader redemption across the industry. Taking to the stage with Mr. Matt ONeill is a historic moment for me, and Im excited to share more around my new-found passion for fostering an empowered community of cybersecurity professionals around the world.

Ngo added: From educating young kids, to addressing the rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning, the cybersecurity industry is complex and demands collaboration that extends beyond country and company borders  and I believe GISEC will provide the platform needed to achieve this.

Returning for its 13th record-breaking edition from 23-25 April 2024, GISEC Global will welcome over 20,000 visitors and 750 of the worlds foremost exhibiting companies, such as Huawei, Honeywell, du, Microsoft, Google Cloud Security, Kaspersky, Cloudflare, Qualys, Spire Solutions, and Pentera. More than 350 global cybersecurity speakers, and over 1,000 ethical hackers from 130-plus countries will come together at the Middle East and Africas largest and most impactful cybersecurity event.

More information is available at: www.gisec.ae
Samsung Electronics marked World Water Day on March 22 by mobilizing 44,000 employees, local governments, NGOs, and residents across 22 worksites globally to engage in various water conservation endeavors. Recognized by the United Nations, World Water Day underscores the fundamental right to water access and emphasizes initiatives to combat water scarcity and pollution.

Since 2006, Samsung has been actively involved in a multitude of events involving employees and local communities, including river cleanups near worksites and water conservation campaigns. Aligned with this year's World Water Day theme, "Leveraging Water for Peace", Samsung orchestrated special initiatives such as providing assistance with drinking water for vulnerable populations and conducting educational programs on water conservation.

Junhwa Lee, Vice President of Global EHS, Device eXperience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics, highlighted the significance of World Water Day, stating, "Samsung Electronics executives and employees take time to reflect on the importance of clean water by participating in water conservation activities". Lee emphasized the ongoing commitment to ensure clean water availability for future generations.

To commemorate World Water Day, Samsung encouraged individuals to explore photo highlights showcasing water conservation activities conducted worldwide.
ELKO  The Rev. Julie Vice is the sole leader of worship at St. Pauls Episcopal Church. She also oversees Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, fostering a long-running partnership between the two Elko churches.

I was called to both here and Faith Lutheran in January of 2021, she said. We had just started to come out of some of the rules of COVID-19, trying to figure out the details of both churches and the mindsets of both churches. It was an adventure.

While Vice grew up in Elko, she moved to Sacramento for some two decades, working in mental health and special education.

From 2015 to 2019, she studied at Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, California, and then became ordained as a priest.

Along with the culture shock of returning to Elko from California, the COVID-19 pandemic added to the complexities of coming back to a church I left 25 years ago, Vice said.

Formed in 1993, Faith Lutheran Church was born out of the St. Pauls Episcopal Church congregation, even occupying the St. Pauls building at first.

There has been some interaction and some intermingling between the two churches for the entire 30-some years, Vice noted.

Right now, the two churches are focused on collaborating for community outreach projects, such as their yearly Trunk or Treat.

We invite community members to host trunks as well as our congregations, Vice said.

Congregants of both St. Pauls Episcopal and Faith Lutheran passed out candy and played games with about 200 local children at last years Trunk or Treat.

Its a really fun activity that gives people a safe place to be and kind of reminds them that we are here. And, hopefully, the conversations they had with the people who are hosting encourage folks to actually become a part of something bigger.

Also, with Vices guidance, both congregations participate in the Faith Lutheran Church-hosted special needs ministry, which meets once a month to offer an accommodating worship experience.

Unfortunately, last year, we had a significant flood at Faith, which resulted in having to shut down their church for between four and six months. And during that time, Faith was down here worshiping at St. Pauls, Vice said. So theyve become two of the same family. And it makes sense that we do things together. Theres no reason why we as Christians shouldnt be all working together on projects and activities.

Sometimes, Christians only stay inside the walls of their own churches, displaying no interest in partnering with another local church on ministry projects, Vice said.

She provided two pieces of insight on how to motivate congregations toward collaboration. One is that the churches are not our churches, theyre Gods. We dont have to be in this church or that church in order to be doing Gods work.

The other point worth noting is church congregations should be able to join together in other spaces beyond church buildings. An effective technique for bridging gaps and fostering collaboration, Vice said, is to meet at a neutral site outside physical church walls, such as a city park.

In the last few months, we have started working on collaboration with the other churches in the community. Elko County Commissioner Delmo Andreozzi was the projects main instigator, she said.

We have had a few events and activities that the leadership of the greater group of churches in the community have been a part of. The current goal is for Elko faith leaders to meet together even more, Vice said.

Vice explained how she solves disagreements within the church.

I think conflict is inevitable in any group of people. And the church is no exception to that, she said. Its just a matter of being open and transparent. If you really have the same mission and purpose and youre all working towards the same thing. And that is realigning with the churchs God-given purpose, as well as remembering the purpose comes before personal opinions, can redirect a congregation towards a healthy place, she said.

The key to resolving church conflicts is upholding a purposeful mission while also addressing the source of conflict directly, Vice noted.

I think sometimes, thats the thing thats most refreshing for people who come to either St. Pauls or to Faith, is the groups of people are direct, theyre honest, they want to do Gods work, she said.

Having an intention bigger than the individuals is the key to having a healthy dynamic in the church, because youre inviting folks who  at least in the Episcopal Church and the ELCA Lutheran Church  have a wide range of political views, a wide range of families. You have this whole group of folks who, on any typical day out in the community, may not be interacting with each other, Vice said.

And yet, if we can come to a place and we can say, This is why were here, because were coming to worship and God is bigger than all of this, I think that that builds a healthy community, she said.

So thats often my job, to bring us back to, What is our purpose, what is our mission? What are we here to actually do? And that seems to work most of the time.

Vice said she makes sure church staff feel respected and valued. As she has no clergy staff, she holds a special relationship with other church management groups.

I rely on my lay leadership and my boards. Both churches take on that role of leadership that other clergy would take as far as running meetings and helping during worship, she said. Its a lot of open communication and encouraging folks to do the things theyre passionate about  because we all have different skill sets. And so using peoples skills allows them to actually be excited and energized in their leadership, in their ministry. I think thats always my intent, is to look for what sparks other people and then to have them take the leadership on those things.

Vice said she finds herself motivated by two specific biblical truths to the point of displaying them on her business cards. One is the Aaronic Blessing, which God commanded Aaron and his sons to share with Israel. The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26 New International Version).

Thats, for me, a blessing and a mantra that I try to be mindful of. And then when I want my marching orders, when I want what Im called to do, I look at Micah 6:8, she said. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8 New International Version).

I feel like those two really kind of encapsulate for me the gifts and the blessings, but also what it is were called to do, Vice said.
Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty are likely to start Friday on a quiet note, following a day of significant gains. As of 7:30 am, the Gift Nifty futures were down 10 points at 22,092, compared to Nifty futures last close. This morning, Asian markets saw a decline except for Nikkei in Japan, which increased by 0.5 percent to cross 41,000. Conversely, Hang Seng fell 1.7 percent, while Kospi and ASX 200 were also down up to 0.5 percent.

Mahindra & Mahindra: The Indian car manufacturer has recently signed a Memorandum Of Understanding with Adani Total Energies E-Mobility to establish an electric vehicle charging network all over India. This collaboration aims to introduce e-mobility solutions, ensuring easy access to the charging infrastructure for consumers. Veejay Nakra, President of the Automotive Division at M&M Ltd, has highlighted the significance of this collaboration in improving the EV charging infrastructure and providing customers with seamless access to the charging network and digital integration for an unmatched EV experience.

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders: The Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA) has granted Mazagon Dock a long-term lease for a total of 14.55 acres of land and buildings. This includes workshop land and the Clark Basin, which are situated adjacent to the MDL Mumbai Yard. The lease will be effective from April 1, 2024, and will last until March 31, 2053, spanning a period of 29 years. The cost for this allotment is Rs 354 crore. The board of MDL has given its approval to MbPA's offer, thereby facilitating the acquisition of the land on a long-term lease basis.

Tata Communications: The board of directors has approved the signing of a business transfer agreement, which will allow the company to transfer its newly identified digital services business to its fully-owned subsidiary, Novamesh. The transfer will be executed as a going concern on a slump sale basis, with the transaction amounting to Rs 458 crore.

Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency: The company has announced that a board meeting is scheduled for March 28th to discuss a borrowing plan of Rs 24,200 crore for the fiscal year 2024-25. This borrowing plan entails raising funds through bond issuance, term loans, commercial paper, and other means from both domestic and international markets.

Tata Chemicals: Tata Chemicals Ltd announced on Thursday, March 21 that it has received an order from the Income Tax Department. The order imposes a penalty of Rs 103.63 crore under Section 270A of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The regulatory filing by Tata Chemicals states that the penalty is mainly due to the disallowance of interest under Section 36(1)(iii) of the Act.

Texmaco Rail and Engineering: The Adventz Group's main company is reportedly planning to start a Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP). Insiders say that the minimum issue size for the placement is expected to be Rs 1,500 crore. The company intends to dilute its equity by 4.21%, according to informed sources. The proposed price for the QIP is Rs 155, which is 6.4% lower than the closing price, as per people familiar with the matter.

Vedanta: On Thursday, the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) issued an order to put on hold an instruction from the On Thursday, the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) issued an order to put on hold an instruction from the Securities and Exchange Board of India against Vedanta Ltd. The instruction had asked Vedanta to pay Rs 77 crore in interest due to a delay in dividend payment to Cairn UK Holdings. However, SAT has asked Vedanta to deposit half of the interest amount into an account that accrues interest for Cairn UK. The bench headed by Meera Swarup stated, "At this stage, we believe the balance of convenience is in favor of the appellants (Vedanta). A stay is granted on the effect and operation of the disputed order until the appeal is resolved, provided that Vedanta Ltd deposits 50% of the determined interest payable to Cairn UK".

Prestige Estates Projects: Prestige Estates Projects Ltd, a real estate company, announced on Thursday (March 21) that one of its subsidiaries has acquired 62.5 acres of prime land in Indirapuram Extension, NCR, for Rs 468 crore. The company made this announcement through a filing to the stock exchange. The land will be developed under the 'The Prestige City' brand, which aims to provide a large township that seamlessly integrates residential, retail, school, and recreational spaces. The acquisition cost amounts to Rs 468 crore and includes a share of the revenue.

Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals: The Assessment Unit of the Income Tax Department has served a tax demand notice to the company for the Assessment Year 2022-23. The notice demands a total of Rs 68.67 crore, which comprises Rs 57.13 crore in tax and Rs 11.54 crore in interest. As a result, the company expects to face a financial impact of Rs 54 crore.

Mahindra Lifespace Developers: A residential project called Mahindra Zen, registered with the Karnataka Real Estate Regulatory Authority, has been launched in South Bengaluru by the Mahindra Group.
Large-cap mutual funds are equity funds primarily focused on investing in India's top 100 companies. These companies are among the most prominent organisations in the country, with a significant portion of the Indian population using their products on a daily basis. Consequently, these companies command a substantial market share. Moreover, these funds allocate the majority of their assets to large-cap companies. Large-cap stocks are defined as businesses with a market capitalization of 20,000 crore or higher.

Large cap mutual funds, which are recognised for their capacity to withstand market turbulence while producing steady growth, are frequently chosen by investors seeking reliable returns. Nippon India Mutual Fund is a well-known brand in the mutual fund industry, renowned for its steady performance and strategic approach over the years. The strategic investing philosophies of Nippon India Mutual Fund are based on thorough due diligence, risk control, and a long-term outlook. The fund seeks to profit from the stability and development potential provided by well-established businesses with solid fundamentals, with a particular emphasis on large-cap equities.

Careful investigation is one of the main tenets of Nippon India Mutual Fund's approach. A committed group of skilled analysts thoroughly examines possible investment prospects, evaluating elements like competitive positioning, industry trends, and financial performance. Investors can profit from a well-diversified portfolio of premium equities since the fund is able to find companies with viable business models and strong growth prospects thanks to its rigorous methodology. An additional crucial component of Nippon India Mutual Fund's approach is risk control. The fund uses advanced risk assessment methods to minimise negative risks and maximise profits while keeping a balanced portfolio. Investor confidence is bolstered by this methodical approach to risk management, especially in times of market volatility.

Nippon India Mutual Fund further highlights the significance of having a lengthy investing horizon. Rather than aiming for quick profits, the fund concentrates on accumulating wealth over time. Investing through market cycles and refraining from reactive actions allows investors to fully realise the potential of their assets and take advantage of compounding. A variety of large-cap mutual funds are available from Nippon India Mutual Fund, each catering to a distinct risk tolerance and set of investing goals. The fund portfolio offers a viable option for investors seeking financial appreciation, consistent income, or a combination of the two. Furthermore, investors can maintain knowledge and confidence in their investment choices with open communication and frequent performance updates.

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In a significant development, Gautam Adani, Founder and Chairman of the Adani Group, expressed his satisfaction with the inauguration of the 'Energy Revolution: The Adani Green Energy Gallery' in collaboration with the renowned Science Museum in the UK. Through a post on X, Adani hailed this gallery as a testament to the advancement of a sustainable future powered by renewable energy. The gallery, a landmark initiative, aims to showcase the scientific vision behind a green and sustainable future, emphasizing the role of renewables and low-carbon technologies.

The Science Museum, established in 1857 under Bennet Woodcroft from the Royal Society of Arts collection, stands as a prominent tourist attraction in London, forming part of the esteemed Science Museum Group.

The announcement of 'The Adani Green Energy Gallery' comes at a pivotal moment as India steers towards a new trajectory in renewable energy. The Adani Group, in alignment with this trajectory, is set to invest approximately $14 billion (around Rs 1.2 lakh crore) across its diverse portfolio of companies in the forthcoming fiscal year (FY25). Notably, over 70 percent of this investment is slated for deployment in the green portfolio, focusing on renewable power, while the remainder will bolster critical infrastructure projects such as world-class airports.

Gautam Adani has outlined ambitious plans to channel an estimated $100 billion into India's green energy transition over the next decade. This includes scaling up solar manufacturing capacity to 10 GW by 2027, underlining a firm commitment to fostering sustainable energy solutions.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Best Buy has announced it will close about a dozen stores across the United States and conduct layoffs due to declining sales.

The news was made public during a company earnings call on March 14, USA Today has reported, publishing comments made by Best Buys Chief Financial Officer Matt Bilunas.

As our ongoing practice, we will continue to close existing traditional stores during our rigorous review of stores as their leases come up for renewal, Bilunas said, noting that the company expects to close 10 to 15 stores by 2025.

Best Buys Chief Executive Officer Corie Barry said that the company is making the move to improve the customer experience, closing larger stores and opening smaller locations and a few additional outlet centers.

We are planning to open a few additional outlet centers and new formats to continue to test two important concepts, Barry said during the call. First, we will open small locations in a couple outstate markets where we have no prior physical presence  second, we will test our ability to close a large-format store and open a small-format store nearby, thereby maximizing physical store retention through convenience.

The companys goal is to create more vibrant and exciting centers with updated technology, Barry noted.

According to Best Buys website, there are 1,050 stores in the United States, 53 of which are in New York. The company has not yet said where the store closures will occur. Best Buy did not respond to a request for comment about the status of the Staten Island store in New Springville.
Those considering heading upstate this weekend should tread lightly as areas of northern New York and northeast New England are set to be hit with snow.

National Weather Service meteorologist Zack Taylor told the Advance/SILive.com:

Were looking at a winter storm evolving and developing over portions of the Great Lakes and the mid-Atlantic on Friday night that will move into the area primarily during early Saturday morning and clearing out of the area on Saturday night.

Snowfall accumulations are expected to be in the range of one to three inches primarily confined to the interior northeast.

Its really going to be more of an interior snowstorm generally affecting away from the larger cities along the coast, Taylor said.

However, while Taylor said it looks like its going to be a quick hitter, plenty of moisture is set to bring a larger snowfall accumulation of potentially 10 inches in areas north of Albany and closer to the Adirondacks, which may see up to a foot of snow.

A pretty impactful, late winter, early spring winter storm, Taylor said.

LOCAL RAIN

Two storms traveling simultaneously across the country are set to combine into one heavy system that will douse Staten Island late Friday.

Rainfall rates may be around half an inch per hour for a few hours.

The storm is expected to taper off once Saturday evening approaches, although during the day it is expected to rain up to three inches.
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Weve all watched the news stories of Honduran families making the treacherous journey across our southern border.

So today, I have only two questions.

First question: What makes them take such a risk?

Why do they trek thousands of miles through harsh weather, violence, and rough terrain? Why do they risk arrest or even worse  rape, robbery, human trafficking or being separated from their children?

Back home, public schools are overcrowded, underfunded and poorly staffed. Children are required to buy expensive uniforms and have little hope of progressing past sixth grade because advanced education requires costly private schools.

Thats why my daughter, Sara, started Chispa Project, pronounced cheez-pah, meaning spark in Spanish. Hondurans use the word to describe people with spark or drive.

Chispa has a simple mission: Sponsor childrens libraries and equip them with quality books in Spanish by working side by side with Honduran community leaders and educators.

In the 70 schools where Chispa works, they build alliances with communities to design, fund and manage their own libraries. Community members also volunteer in the library project and raise a symbolic portion of the funding that ensures sustainability and ownership.

Chispa, like Hondurans themselves, wants to see children educated and grow up so they can remain united with their families and have choices in their future. It wants to see Honduran children dreaming their own American-like dream.

Of the many Hondurans Ive met, most dont want to leave their homes. They dont want our country. They dont want our welfare dollars or our jobs. They want their country. They want their homes. They want a way to provide opportunities for their children.

Now the second question: Would you consider spending a week in Honduras with me and 20 other volunteers to start two new libraries?

Come fly with me. Itll be fun, I promise. Yes, itll take about eight to 12 hours of travel time, including a stop along the way, to get there from Salt Lake City. But the day after we arrive, we begin decorating libraries that will make children proud of their school. We paint the walls with colorful murals, assemble bookshelves and stock and catalog an entire library.

Imagine us working together, rolling two coats of white paint on crumbling walls. The paint provides a bright pallet for those murals intended to inspire future readers.

The children surround us, chattering the few English words they know. Their smiles go for hours and hours as they read the picture books we bring.

The days are sometimes hot and long, but not to worry. I reward my volunteers with ice cream cones from a street vendor.

I know some of you are asking me a question right now: Is it dangerous?

Thats a risk you will have to assess on your own, but I can tell you that I have brought and safely returned several octogenarians in past years. I can also tell you that Im comfortable with my daughter, Sara, her husband and her 1-year-old baby living in Honduras full time.

Now is the time to sign up for the next trip, June 16- 23, 2024. I know you have more questions, so check out our website at ChispaProject.org/volunteertrip. Read the details, fill out the forms and watch the two-minute video. Email me or Sara if you have your own questions.

And if you cant fly with me, will you consider a donation to help us establish these libraries? Whoops. I guess I promised only two questions.

Donate at chispaproject.org/thechaplain or send check payable to Chispa Project 10556 Combie Road, Suite 6643 Auburn, CA 95602.
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 When Miriam Margolyes was recognised in the 2002 honours list she became entitled to the letters OBE after her name. She might consider adding an R rating after a recent visit to the Herald newsroom. Photographer Dom Lorrimer asked a seated Margolyes to throw her arms and legs up in the air for a fun picture. She shot back: Oh dear, I hope youre not going to photograph my c! It was a classic did-she-really-just-say-that Margolyes no-filter moment. Famously, the Harry Potter actor loves swearing, doing so with regularity, glee and precision, all delivered in her familiar plummy Oxfordshire accent. Miriam Margolyes is one of those personalities who seem to have been around for ever. Credit: Dom Lorrimer I think that is what people seize on because they dont expect you to have perfect vowels and say c quite so often, she says. But its the right word, sometimes. And I like using it. Oh, and cface is fabulous. I shout that in the car. Her joyful profanities have at times got her into trouble, most famously in October 2022 when she was caught on a hot mic on BBC Radio Fours flagship Today program saying she regretted not saying F... you, bastard to Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt when she bumped into him earlier.

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She was, she says, mortified, however, as a mark of the fondness the British public has for her (and perhaps the loathing they have for the current Tory government), the incident did little to harm her popularity. In fact, she was trending on Twitter shortly afterwards. And, as she writes in her new book, Oh Miriam!, At least I didnt call him Jeremy C (as veteran radio 4 presenter James Naughtie infamously did on air in 2010.) Margolyes is one of those personalities who seem to have been around for ever, on stage, television and film, doing voiceovers, appearing on chat shows and, more recently, writing books. In person, she is quite tiny, although made taller by her trademark unruly shock of grey hair and, these days, badly affected by spinal stenosis, which makes walking difficult. Despite that, her impish smile is never far away, and she laughs generously and frequently, as often as not at her own expense. Margolyes laughs generously and frequently - as often as not at her own expense. Credit: Dom Lorrimer And at 82, she is raging good-naturedly against her ageing body. It feels f..king awful, she says. I dont like it. I dont. Im not in control of my body. I didnt know that you got old. I just wasnt aware that I would have arthritic hands and piss myself and not be able to walk. And so its come as a horrible shock.

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Throughout her career, Margolyes trademark, which has won her many fans plus some detractors, has been her candour and an absolute commitment to saying the quiet stuff out loud. I have always told the truth, and I will continue to do so, she says. Not to hurt people, but to reveal myself. To reveal who I am. I think the only time that I do lie is if somebody says, did you enjoy the meal that I just cooked? I cant say, Well, actually it was a bit overdone. I just cant do it. Inevitably, her radical honesty has offended plenty of people along the way. Margolyes in her 2020 documentary, Almost Australian. Credit: I dont regret it, she insists. People are offended too easily. And it doesnt matter what you say in a way, it matters what you do. That is the criteria for judgment. And Ive not done bad things. I may have given bad performances, but Ive never done bad things. I wonder whether she missed out on the embarrassment gene that governs the behaviour of most of the rest of us. When I was young, I was embarrassed, she says. But, for example, yesterday I went to see [journalist] Jill Margo. And I pissed on her sofa. Well, I didnt piss. I didnt get to the loo in time, so I had wet knickers. And so when I sat on her sofa, when I got up, there was a little sort of damp patch, and I thought, am I embarrassed? I thought, no, Im not. Im sorry, but Im not embarrassed. So I just said, Jill, I pissed on your sofa. If theres any difficulty about cleaning it, Im taking responsibility. But she said, no, there was no mark at all. It just kind of dried out. So I was lucky there.

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For all the buffoonery, swearing and over-sharing, Margolyes insists she is at heart sensitive and serious. I hope Im funny and make people laugh, she says. But theres more to life than jokes. I hope that those who know me know I have more to offer than a cheap laugh or a quick fart or whatever. There is more to me than that. Then Prime Minister Julia Gillard welcomes actress Margolyes as a new citizen of Australia at a citizenship ceremony in Canberra, 2013. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Margolyes has consistently spoken out against Israels policies towards Palestine, a topic she addresses in her latest book. ... to hate and attack Jews because of your feelings about Palestine is not acceptable, she writes. Its the Israeli governments persecution of Palestinians thats the evil - not being Jewish. Its possible to be proudly Jewish and vehemently anti-Zionist. As I am. Two people in my life that I really care about  said, you have spoken against Israel and you cant do that. I think you can. Miriam Margolyes Her stance on the Arab/Israeli conflict (most recently she co-signed an open letter calling for a ceasefire and accusing Western governments of aiding and abetting Israels war crimes) has come at a personal cost, which she describes as huge and vicious.

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Its terribly upsetting because two friends of mine - very close friends - are not able to speak to me any more. I find it agonising that Ive lost two people in my life that I really care about. But they cant bear it. They said, You have spoken against Israel and you cant do that. I think you can. Margolyes has also been an outspoken critic of her adopted home (she and partner Heather have a house in the Southern Highlands), taking exception to Australias treatment of First Nations people and refugees. Miriam Margolyes (centre) as Professor Sprout, with Maggie Smith and Richard Harris in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Credit: Publicity Australians dont like criticism, and they particularly dont like it from Poms, she says. And I dont care. I love this country, but I want it to be better. I say that over and over, adding she was personally shattered by the result of the Voice referendum. Margolyes is surfing a late-career wave of popularity and says she has never been busier with work, making travel documentaries, doing speaking tours and finishing the second of two books. This is thanks in no small part to an infamous appearance on Graham Nortons show in 2011 when she related an anecdote about offering (and delivering) fellatio to a stranger she spotted in the street while at Oxford University. The real joy was telling my friends about it in every ridiculous detail. And they were in convulsions, she writes.

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Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Olivia Colman walks past me as she heads down a hallway on one of the upper floors of the InterContinental Hotel in Sydney. Shes off for a quick cup of tea before our interview. Sorry! she calls over her shoulder before disappearing into another room. And that, apparently, is the key to directing the Oscar-winning actress, star of everything from The Crown to Wonka, The Lost Daughter, The Favourite, The Night Manager and her early days on Peep Show. What she needs quite a lot of is cups of tea, confirms Thea Sharrock, director of Colmans latest film Wicked Little Letters, which covers the sweary real-life poison pen scandal that rocked an English village in the 1920s. Colman with director Thea Sharrock on the set of Wicked Little Letters. But in every other way  shes so game. I mean, honestly, shes remarkable. She really is. You learn very, very quickly, that she has got incredible experience behind her. If you think about it, shes hardly ever stopped in all of the years shes been working. And through that, every time she learns a new lesson, and she has just honed and honed and honed her craft. But shes a real laugh. And shes a bit of a mum figure, too. Shes there when the going gets tough.

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A real laugh is what Im counting on, as I have brought Colman my favourite F-word  a finger bun  as a morning tea treat. What is it? she says, once I have handed over the pink-iced bun. I think I completely love you already, she says. Thats a great way to start. (Insert extremely flustered journalist here, who has just realised one of her life goals is complete.) Olivia Colman at a screening of Wicked Little Letters at Randwicks Ritz Cinema in Sydney. Credit: Getty Images Colman, 50, is on a flying visit to Sydney to promote the film, after spending a few weeks in South Australia working on a project with Adelaide director Sophie Hyde. Shes become quite fond of our kangaroos. Gorgeous, like a T-Rex, she says of the animals and their tiny arms. Thats why theyre angry, itchy balls. Has she caught much of our sweary language? I havent heard an awful lot of swearing, she says.

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Maybe people are being very polite. Seems like weve held our manners around the Queen (Netflix era, seasons three and four). It doesnt take long to realise they dont need to be [polite] around me, she says, laughing. In person, Colman is utterly delightful. Completely as you would expect: big brown eyes that hold contact and self-deprecating to a fault. Ask her about her producing credit  Wicked Little Letters is the first feature film produced by the company she founded with her husband Ed Sinclair  and she waves me away. Olivia Colman plays Edith Swan, who is targeted by insulting letters in the film Wicked Little Letters. I think Im useful to try and maybe get people on board, says Colman. But Ive seen what real producers do. And I dont do that. Ive got no patience with that. Id be bored  Id rather turn up, learn my lines, have a ball, get paid. When I tell Sharrock this, she heartily disagrees. She was always there if I needed advice, or I needed something from a producer or her point of view, says Sharrock, who is on Zoom from the UK. She was [important] to me. She was always there when I needed her. So, there you go. Two sides of the same coin.

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Wicked Little Letters, as the introduction to the film says, is truer than you think. It is based on the Littlehampton Letters case, when a note addressed to Ms Edith Swan (played by Colman) arrived at her home in County Sussex in either 1919 or 1920 (there are conflicting timelines). The letter read: You bloody old cow, mind your own business and there would be no rows.  R. The R was thought to belong to Ediths next-door neighbour Rose Gooding (played by Jessie Buckley). The women had once been best friends, but when their friendship soured, Edith reported Rose to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, falsely claiming shed heard Rose beating her newborn baby. Colman with Jessie Buckley, who plays Rose Gooding, the woman accused of sending the offensive letters. Shortly after that, the first letter arrived for Edith, with many more wicked little letters following, targeting not only Edith, but her parents, Edward and Mary Ann, as well as other neighbours and friends. The language in the letters was creative to say the least, with insults such as foxy ass piss country whore and You bloody f---ing flaming piss country whores go and   (Im stopping that one there). Loading A few months later, Rose faced trial for libel. And, well, I wont spoil the rest. About 80 per cent of the letters that are in the film are the real thing, says Sharrock. I think theyre extraordinary. I really do. Theyre incredibly layered, I suppose, and on one level, you can just bet theyre hilarious. Theyre rude. Theyre funny.

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But for me, underneath it, theres also such a voice thats trying to come out. It often makes me think of when a small child just gets really, really angry, all of a sudden, and it doesnt quite know what to say and how to form the words. Its got that energy behind it, which of course, once youve seen the film, and youve understood much more about the woman, it really makes sense. It was finding her own voice and screaming to try and get out of this horrible situation she was in. Colman keenly felt Edith and Roses sense of repression and the pressure there was back then to be a respectable woman. If you repress anyone, this is what happens, something will come out, says Colman. [Edith] still had to very much live under her fathers thumb. She was 50 or 49 and not allowed to express anything of her own mind. Colman and Buckley as Edith and Rose in Wicked Little Letters, which is based on a real-life story. And Rose was looked at in those days as a fallen woman, and wed look at her now, present day, and wed go, That is the woman I want to be. That is the woman whos going to say, F--- you all and this is who I am. Although she still wobbles and goes, Oh God, I should try and be better. I should try and toe the line for my daughter. And its still happening now. We think weve got a handle on it. But, you know, weve still got a long way to go. I ask Colman if she feels Hollywood is a little bit that way as well: to get ahead, you must be a respectable woman and not rock the boat.

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Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Eight years ago, Sydney producer Nick Littlemore and I sat down in a sunny Darlinghurst office to pore over his latest Empire of the Sun record, Two Vines. The third album from the duo  which is completed by Perths Luke Steele  was an exciting moment, of course, but what was more exciting was some information that the tall, silver-haired Littlemore had let slip during the interview. Pnau, his wildly popular group with fellow producer Peter Mayes that had spearheaded Australian dance in the mid-2000s, would soon be making a comeback. Peter Mayes, Nick Littlemore and Sam Littlemore of Pnau. Credit: Cybele Malinowski The band was putting the finishing touches on a song called Chameleon, Littlemore told me without hesitation, and it should be arriving pretty soon. Unbeknown to us both sitting in that room at that moment, that little track called Chameleon would change everything. The crystalline, pinballing song would rocket Pnau back onto the airwaves and become one of their most successful singles. The album it was carved from, the prismatic Changa, seemed to stretch on for years  buoyed by singles like Go Bang and the title track. It was a phenomenal, and somewhat unexpected, comeback for Pnau, who broke through with the cult classic Sambanova in 1999 before becoming a dance floor staple with gleefully haywire club tracks like Embrace and Wild Strawberries. But the party didnt last forever: the two Pnau records that preceded Changa, 2011s Soft Universe and 2012s Elton John remix record Good Morning to the Night, flopped with audiences. Littlemore has since said of Soft Universe that it was the wrong record and that the band had forgotten their dance roots. And with Empire of the Sun occupying Littlemores attention, many thought Pnau might have taken a permanent back seat.

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I remind Littlemore of this Chameleon moment from our last interview when we again sit down together, this time separated by the Pacific Ocean as the producer beams in from Los Angeles. He smiles at the memory. Littlemore (right) with Luke Steele in Empire of the Sun. It was so enlightening and invigorating for us, Littlemore says of the aftermath of Changa. I dont know how we arrived at that moment, but we were fortunate enough to keep coming up with these records that tapped into that crazy energy; it was blissful. Its an appropriate place to start discussing the bands new record Hyperbolic, he says, because this album is very much carved from the Changa cloth. Hyperbolic has been a long time in the making. The band (now a trio with the addition of Nicks brother Sam) originally intended to pull it together quickly in the wake of Changas success and the popularity of their 2019 single Solid Gold. But the slow machine of the music industry got in the way, Littlemore says, and there was some political juggling behind the scenes after the band changed labels which tied them up for longer than they wanted. There were other battles to be dealt with as well. In 2019, Littlemore was forced to take six months off to recover from Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a neurological illness that affects facial nerves. The illness paralysed half his face and fixed one eye open for months. It did change me physically, Littlemore says. My hearing is not the same, definitely not. It can distort. I can get fatigued quite easily, so I used to play fairly loud and now not at all. During that unsteady time, Littlemore and the band got a call from their old friend Elton John. John had been a steadfast fan of the band since coming across their self-titled album in 2007, so much so that he set them loose to create Good Morning to the Night. While catching up backstage at one of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road shows in the Hunter Valley, John asked Pnau whether theyd be up for making more music together.

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The band promptly set to work, and Mayes  who was just on one, as Littlemore says  disappeared for a few days to sketch out an idea he had. When he emerged, Cold Heart had been born. The shimmering dance-pop track twists together Johns Sacrifice, Kiss the Bride, Wheres the Shoorah? and Rocket Man (I Think Its Going to Be a Long, Long Time). Elton pulled in pop star Dua Lipa to provide additional vocals, and then it was out. The reaction, Littlemore laughs, was bananas. The track raked in more than a billion streams and scored John his first UK #1 in more than 15 years. While Pnau were overjoyed, the massive success took an unexpected toll. Its just weird, Littlemore says of Cold Hearts aftermath. Its a really strange thing  being faced with success. I think it took some time for us internally in the band to get through it. Success is a great thing, but it changes the way everythings perceived and its such a delicate ecosystem being in a band, especially being in a band for quite a while. Hyperbolic can essentially be split into two: the songs that came before Cold Heart (which isnt on the album) and the songs that came after. Following that track, the band found themselves in studio sessions with some of the worlds biggest artists: Troye Sivan, Khalid and Bebe Rexha are dotted across the album. Littlemore, always an enthusiastic collaborator, found the experience strange at times. When you get to work with these very big, big stars, they often come with other people and then youre not only trying to get close and understand the star artist in the room, theres all these other gatekeepers, he says. I dont know. Its more complicated than it needs to be some of the time. The best moments on Hyperbolic arent the A-list features, but rather when Pnau indulge their true club kid selves and let it all hang out. Standout track Nostalgia is an updated 90s rave cut, while All the Time leaps and bounds with the shouted refrain, Dont you wanna feel good? Opener AEIOU brings Littlemores two main projects together for the first time, a collaboration with Empire of the Suns Luke Steele.

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There are many ways to show the world youre in love. You can make a proclamation in front of family and friends, as at a wedding. You can move halfway across the world to be with the object of your affection. Or you can dress alike. Some couples, such as David and Victoria Beckham, do it deliberately. Some celebrities even do it without a hint of irony. Remember Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake in their matching Canadian tuxedos? Or Brad Pitt, whose chameleon ways inspired headlines such as 16 times Brad Pitt dressed exactly like his girlfriend.

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky on the red carpet in 2022. Credit: Getty Images

Dressing like your partner sends a message to the world that youre a team, like the Insta-famous Japanese couple Bonpon511  real names Tsuyoshi and Tomi Seki  who document their matching outfits for their 900,000 followers. It also communicates that fashion is a fun activity couples can do together.

But dressing alike, or twinning, doesnt always equate to happily ever after. Actor Jonah Hill and his former girlfriend, surfer and activist Sarah Brady, went from matching Gucci suits in 2021 (pictured, right) to airing their dirty linen on social media after their break-up last year. And Kanye Wests attempts to mould the style of his partners  including Kim Kardashian  to match his own are arguably more creepy than cute.

Still, dressing alike can be good for our relationships, argues Professor Carolyn Mair, author of The Psychology of Fashion. She says mimicking the style of people we love boosts our self-esteem and our connection with them. Its also why humans often seek out partners who share similar physical features.
A trio of ex-NSW Labor ministers, including jailed former powerbroker Eddie Obeid, will stand trial next year over allegations they worked to secure a public-private partnership that could have netted a financial windfall for the Obeid family.

Obeid, Joe Tripodi and Tony Kelly formally entered pleas of not guilty in Sydneys Downing Centre District Court on Friday to charges of wilful misconduct in public office.

Former NSW Labor MP Joe Tripodi outside the Downing Centre District Court on Friday. Credit: Steven Siewert

Obeid was jailed in October 2021 for a maximum of seven years after he was found guilty of misconduct in public office over separate dealings relating to a lucrative coal exploration licence granted over his familys farm in the Bylong Valley.

The octogenarian, dressed in prison greens, appeared in court on Friday via audiovisual link from Long Bay prison to enter his plea. Obeid is first eligible for parole on August 20 next year.
A truck driver with a woeful traffic record, who ran over and killed a man during a road rage incident, has been released on bail after he was jailed for the worst case of negligent driving a Sydney magistrate said she had ever seen.

Within hours of his sentencing at Downing Centre Local Court on Friday afternoon, Morgan Haverfield-Price launched a successful bid for release pending a future appeal hearing.

Morgan Haverfield-Price arrives at Downing Centre Local Court for sentencing on Friday. Credit: Nick Moir

Haverfield-Price was behind the wheel of a four-tonne concrete pumping truck at the time of the deadly confrontation with taxi driver Joe Bucca, 57, in Chatswood on the afternoon of December 1, 2021.

He fought his charges at a hearing but was found guilty of negligent driving occasioning death and driving recklessly or furiously in a speed or manner dangerous. He pleaded guilty to drug driving due to cannabis in his system, which he said was for medical purposes.
There is one irreverent Mardi Gras entry unlikely to ever go on display at Sydneys new multimillion-dollar Queer history museum Qtopia any time soon: 2023s not-so-subtle dig at one of the worlds most powerful couples  Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch.

Given the annual parades rich history of stinging satire  from Fred Niles head on a silver platter after calling for the blasphemous event to be banned to a giant effigy of Pauline Hanson chasing ethnic fish and chips down Oxford Street  the Murdoch stunt would seem a natural fit for Qtopias spotlights.

No show: Sarah and Lachlan Murdoch impersonators at Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2023. Credit: Jane Marsden

Yet, despite the Murdoch impersonators being cheered along the parade route wearing enlarged cut-outs of the couples heads and carrying a basket of pink washing containing a mini Rupert Murdoch, their satire is nowhere to be seen inside Qtopia, which carries the endorsement of influential patrons Ita Buttrose and Justice Michael Kirby.

The Mardi Gras display was a pointed criticism by performers Paige Livingston and Brendan Toole of Qtopias board and management, which weeks earlier had accepted a million-dollar donation from the billionaire media magnates eponymous charitable foundation.
ELKO  An Elko woman is in jail on $3 million bail after authorities said she attacked Elko County sheriffs deputies and Elko police officers during an arrest that stopped traffic on Fifth and Grant streets Tuesday night.

Alexis M. Stoppiello, 36, was charged with six felony counts of battery by a prisoner, three misdemeanor counts of resisting a public officer, and one gross misdemeanor count of indecent or obscene exposure.

Her bail was set at $3,610,760.

According to court documents, deputies responded to a call at 8:27 p.m. on a report of a nude woman arguing with a man in the middle of the road who was trying to put her on the back of her scooter.

The deputy said the woman was screaming, Help me, when he arrived. However, as he was trying to get her into the prisoner transportation area of his patrol car, she walked out of it and back onto the road, causing vehicles in the southbound travel lanes to stop.

When the deputy tried to place her in custody, she began to resist and did not obey lawful orders.

The deputy said she kicked him in the left shin, kicked another deputy twice, and bit another deputy on the hand.Two Elko police officers assisted in transporting Stoppiello to Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital. She was also observed kicking the officers at the hospital.

According to jail records, she was transported to the jail early Wednesday morning.

Stoppiello was identified by police and through her previous booking photos, including one from Feb. 14 when she was arrested on two misdemeanor charges of disturbing the peace and making a false statement to obstruct an officer.

In 2022, she was charged with unlawful use of an emergency phone number.
Police are hunting for three men after a brawl broke out inside the members bar of Allianz Stadium during Friday nights local derby between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Sydney Roosters.

About 9.35pm on Friday, police at the Sydney Roosters  South Sydney NRL game at Moore Park responded to reports of a fight between four males who had entered the members bar from the seating stand on level 2, police said in a statement.

A screengrab from a video of the fight uploaded to social media platform X. Credit: Twitter.com/mickmurray23

The fight continued for a period of time before the men involved left the stadium, prior to the arrival of police, NSW Police said in a statement on Saturday morning.

A video of the incident uploaded to social media platform X showed men in both teams jerseys involved in the scuffle as an observer yelled Fight fight fight! Yeah! Punch punch punch!
A 24-year-old man facing 11 counts of fraud appeared in Perth Magistrates Court for the first time on Friday, where he was met with a group of his investors, including his own grandmother.

As revealed exclusively by WAtoday, Police allege Jack Endersby was running a Ponzi scheme-style operation, where he would convince people to invest large sums of money into his business Codex Investments.

Jack Endersby faced court on Friday over 11 counts of fraud. Credit: Rebecca Peppiatt

Instead he allegedly spent the money paying out early investors and funding a lavish lifestyle of expensive apartments, international flights and fast cars.

Endersbys grandmother, Lyn Newby, also claims she invested more than $300,000 into his business and was joined by his mother at court on Friday, to confront him.
This weeks immigration statistics gave Pauline Hanson fresh material. Was I right? Youd never admit it but yes, I was. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen That includes the increase in the Australian-born population as well as immigrant arrivals. Whats the breakdown between the two? If you think of it as 100 extra people per day, 17 of those were from natural increase and 83 from immigration. Remarkably, this record increase in immigration doesnt seem to have aggravated unemployment, even during an economic slowdown. The old nativist war cry that immigrants steal our jobs? It falls completely flat. This week we learnt that the unemployment rate fell from 4.1 per cent to 3.7 per cent in February. The number of new jobs created in the month was a remarkable 116,000, two-thirds of them full-time. But where the population pressure is felt most acutely is in housing. The Liberals opposition spokesperson, Dan Tehan, seized on the immigration numbers. We have never seen this many people arrive in Australia in one year, he said.

Australians will rightly ask, where are all these people going to live? We are in the middle of a housing crisis. We are in the middle of a rental crisis. People cant see their GP. Yet [Labors] big Australia continues to get bigger. It was only a year and a half ago that Peter Dutton said, we do need an increase in the migration numbers. He certainly got what he wished for. But while the politics is a bit ordinary, the problem is very real. A long-running housing shortage has become acute. We have priced a generation out of the ability to buy a home. Its a grave national failure. Hands full: Home Affairs Minister Clare ONeil says the immigration intake in the year starting July 1 will return to normal levels. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen The federal and state governments have made a joint promise to build 1.2 million new homes over the five years from this year. But the reality is that new housing starts this year will actually slow to about 155,000, the slowest pace since 2012, according to the investment and advisory house Jardens. Thats enough to accommodate a new Cairns, but still leaves the equivalent of Canberra with no homes.

Pauline Hanson this week crowed that the numbers of immigrants was out of control: I was called racist, of course, by the major parties and big media, who are in lockstep for a big Australia. But today, seven out of the top 10 source countries for immigration to Australia are in Asia, including four out of the top five. The numbers are out of control. Was I right? Youd never admit it but yes, I was. Loading When Hanson claims vindication its a bad day for our country. Self-evidently, her boast is racist. Apparently its OK to be swamped by Brits and Kiwis but not Indians, Vietnamese and Filipinos. Yet shes right that the last years immigration intake is too high for the countrys housing stock. The media generally ignored Hansons speech. Sydneys Daily Telegraph, however, reported it prominently on Friday, accompanied by a photo of Hanson and a conspicuous pull-quote from the senator for Queensland: Our Australian people are refugees in their own country. This sort of inflammatory racism is death to Australias social harmony and national functioning. Yet its just a small foretaste of the divisive, right-wing populism that will follow unless the country fixes its housing problems, and its accompanying problems of missing infrastructure.

Look around the world. Immigration is the incendiary that has fired hard-right populist movements. Its Donald Trumps strongest suit, it was the basis of the national self-harm that was Brexit. Across Europe, hard-right parties have been surging, at the top of the polls, or running second, in nearly a dozen countries, including France and Germany. In some cases, like the US, its illegal immigration feeding the populist right. In others, such as Britain in the Brexit vote, its also legal immigration. One way or another, immigration is the issue. Loading Australia, so far, has been inoculated against this poison. Why? Because it has successfully managed its problem with unauthorised boat arrivals. Its been wrenching and difficult, and its come at a real human cost for some refugees, yet it has controlled the inflow and contained the political opening for the demonisation of immigrants. Hansons recrudescence this week is a small reminder that the divisive, right-wing populist style of politicking is always present, hunting relentlessly for opportunity whenever there is immigration mismanagement.

Whether its legal immigration or illegal is irrelevant for the purposes of political exploitation. Otherness and resentment are the only prerequisites. Fortunately, the two elements of Australias present predicament are getting government attention. The immigration intake surged so much because it was a two-year catch-up after a two-year border shutdown. This is why Dutton was calling for more immigrants a year and a half ago and now fretting that there are too many. Loading The Home Affairs Minister, Clare ONeil, has announced that the immigration intake in the year starting on July 1 will return to normal levels, a net intake of about 250,000 immigrants. Shes spoken of reshaping the intake even as it shrinks, giving priority to highly skilled immigrants to fill critical workforce gaps while cutting back on low-skilled immigrants and foreign students taking Mickey Mouse courses as a backdoor to working and staying.

This leaves the second element, which is much harder. State and federal governments are acting to increase the housing supply. The Albanese government is pursuing 17 different measures and adding some $25 billion in investment over a decade, for instance. But it wont be enough. Much more remains to be done. Two key crossbench senators  David Pocock and Jacqui Lambie  next week will agitate on sweeping policy reform including reviews of negative gearing and capital gains tax. It is possible to have independent senators pursuing problem-solving rather than destructive racism. Yet still more needs to be done at state and local council levels to build homes and related infrastructure. The mayor of Liverpool Council in Sydneys immigrant-rich south-west, Ned Mannoun, for instance, says that his municipality has land available for tens of thousands of new homes but no supporting infrastructure. We are happy to take the growth as long as the state builds the infrastructure, he tells me. For example, we have room for 30,000 new homes in the suburb of Austral, but the road is literally a farm road  no gutters, no lights, no drainage. We are not NIMBYs  we will take the growth, we will do our share, but the people pay their taxes, and they ask wheres the infrastructure? The need is that basic.
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Advocates for renters have pleaded for more protection for Queensland tenants as real estate industry figures condemned parts of proposed government changes to rental laws extreme, unnecessary and impractical.

Tenants Queensland chief executive Penny Carr urged the government to remove the ability for a landlord to end a tenancy simply because a fixed-term lease was expiring, and said limits were needed on how much rents could rise.

The governments explanatory notes for the bill say the changes on rent bidding and rent increase frequency were intended to help to stabilise the private rental market. Credit: Glenn Hunt

But Real Estate Institute of Queensland chief executive Antonia Mercorella suggested moves to ban rent bidding were unnecessary because tenants had been offering to pay more, or pay a chunk in advance, to secure scarce homes.
Further to Julietta Jamesons tips for drying your smalls while travelling, heated floors and wall panels work brilliantly in the colder climates, something we utilised time and time again on our recent Icelandic and Norwegian adventure.

Maree Harrison, Nerrina, Vic No sense in cents After receiving a second email from Qantas reminding me I had a refund due from a cancelled flight during the pandemic, I thought I had better ring and accept it. With great expectations I rang the number provided to claim, hopefully, enough for a flight somewhere (I didnt even know I was owed any money). My call was answered promptly which in itself was amazing, and I was told I had a refund due  the grand sum of 82 cents. I advised them to either donate it to a charity or write it off.

Lynda Macalpine, Lane Cove, NSW From SAS to suss My sister and I had planned a trip to Europe but sadly our elderly mother was hospitalised with multiple fractures and we had to cancel our trip. The difference between a refund from Qantas and SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) was striking: the SAS website shows the exact amount of the refund before you cancel, then immediately sends an email showing the amount of the refund, how it was calculated, estimated time for it to be credited, and contact details if there is any issue. In contrast, Qantas tells you to check the fare rules that apply but they are nowhere to be seen on the electronic ticket. So you have no idea how much the refund is until it is credited weeks after cancellation.

Trish Perkins, Twin Waters, Qld

Sand? Who needs sand? So many articles wax lyrical about the beach, when its the water that really counts. Beaches are just the access way to the glorious water in all its forms. Its clarity, its wave form or lack thereof. The sweet saltiness, the flora and fauna, or just the conversations with strangers as you bob about out of your depth, are what count.

Tim Schroder, Gordon, NSW Spirits lifted After reading your article (Traveller, February 17) we decided to book a tour in Napier, New Zealand, from the Art Deco Trust in one of their vintage Packard vehicles featured in the story. The website indicated that the tour was disappointingly not operating. On disembarking from our cruise ship, we enjoyed wandering around Napier and before returning to our ship we called into the Art Deco Trust shop. A vintage Packard in Napier. Credit: Alamy

A few of the drivers, dressed for the art deco era, were chatting and I told them how disappointed we were to miss the tour. They apologised and one driver, Paul, offered to return us to the ship in his car on his way home. Over 15 minutes we enjoyed the most comfortable chauffeured ride, his informative local knowledge, and a quick passage through customs, completing a great day.

Noel and Rosemarie Stonehouse, Camberwell, Vic Trust fun Like Lee Tulloch in her column, (Traveller, March 19), I also love visiting house museums and agree Villa Necchi Campiglio in Milan, Italy, is fabulous. I was able to gain free entry to the villa by being a member of the National Trust in NSW. The trust has reciprocal visiting arrangements with heritage organisations in other countries which are listed on their website.

Lisa Clarke, Watsons Bay, NSW Direct response The new Turkish Airlines service from Istanbul to Melbourne is, in fact, a direct flight (Traveller Letters, March 16). Its a common mistake to confuse a direct flight and a non-stop flight as the same thing. They are not. A non-stop flight is what it states on the label its non-stop from A to B. A direct flight can have numerous stops as long as it has the same flight number. As an example, both British Airways and Qantas have direct flights from Sydney to London. Both flights stop in Singapore, but they are direct flights. Its an important distinction, with many passengers and travel writers being caught out.

Chris Patten, Roseville, NSW

Battle lines We should do more than spare a thought for the Cook Islands atoll where your correspondent found pure paradise (Traveller Letters, March 16). To describe it as heaven on earth sounds like privileged ignorance at best; just ask the locals who, like so many other Pacific Islanders, are fighting an existential battle for their lands, culture and way of life as sea levels rise. This is the message that should sing to (your) soul and spur all of us to action.

Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown, NSW Bad look Further to the recent Traveller letters on airport security checks, do not take binoculars into Ethiopia. Ours were confiscated at the exit baggage security in Addis Ababa in 2023. Apparently, they are (still) deemed to be a security threat as someone used binoculars suspiciously around the airport precinct. They will be returned when you leave the country, but the process is stressful. It took an hour to have them logged and stored at the airport and even longer to retrieve, as it necessitated paying customs duties. Ironically, an American at our hotel, explained that he had arrived with a 450-millimetre lens in his baggage  way more powerful than our binoculars.

Alec Spiller, Mosman, NSW Tip of the week: Blazing a trail

Weve just returned on our first trip to New Zealand and I cant recommend it enough. We travelled the South Island for two weeks on a perfect itinerary. Fly into Queenstown, cycle the Otago Rail Trail (three nights ). New Zealands Otago Central Rail Trail. Credit: Alamy E-bikes are a great option if youre not as fit as youd like to be. Then drive up the coast from Dunedin to Christchurch and Kaikoura, drop the car off in Picton and hike the Queen Charlotte Track (three or four nights) with luxurious accommodation and luggage transferred each day. Then catch the scenic train back to Christchurch and fly home.

Georgie Foster, Thornbury, Vic Talking Turkish Do you remember the golden days of business class travel: attentive service, gourmet food and classic wines to sample? One carrier, Turkish Airlines, is making a great effort to recreate this era. We have flown with this airline four times recently and it does not disappoint. On one short flight we were greeted by the on-board chef, handing out menus and taking orders for all three courses. The quality and quantity were exceptional. The entree alone consisted of seven delectable mini-dishes. The flying chefs are cheerful, confident and eager. Presentation involves linen tablecloths, serviettes, quality cutlery, salt and pepper shakers and even a romantic candle at dinnertime. The crew was enthusiastic and attentive in the European tradition. The service was relentlessly friendly, fast and efficient. Local airlines should take notice.

Keith & Maureen Brown, Armidale, NSW

Frisco friction When reading your US train story (Traveller, March 12) it was wonderful to be able to reminisce about my brilliant experience on the California Zephyr travelling to Chicago in 2011. However, where I was travelling from was a contentious issue. I flew into San Francisco and at one point thought I wasnt going to be allowed into the country. I was asked about my travel plans and said that after five days in San Francisco I was travelling by train from there to Chicago. The immigration official insisted there was no train from San Francisco. It went back and forth several times, only ending when I finally dug out my travel documents, including the train tickets. Its worth noting that on the California Zephyr you are travelling from, or to, Emeryville, which is across the bay from San Francisco. It was like insisting that there is no train to Sydney from Melbourne.

Margaret Callinan, Hawthorn Vic Agent of mercy I booked my travel to the UK and Iceland last year through a good travel agent and also took out travel insurance. On my second day, in London, I slipped on some stairs and broke my foot. The travel agent was brilliant and cancelled the rest of my trip and liaised with the insurance agents in getting me back home, not to mention being supportive. While there were some hoops to get through with the insurance, such as getting a fit-to-fly certificate, the experience was still positive. As a result, I strongly recommend finding yourself a good travel agent and insurance provider.

Cate Ellis, Carlton North, Vic
London: Catherine, Princess of Wales, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for cancer that was discovered after she underwent major abdominal surgery in January in an emotional message released on social media.

The wife of the heir to the British throne said it had been an incredibly tough couple of months for her family, but said she was well and getting stronger every day.

Catherine, 42, said in a message released on Friday evening (Saturday morning AEDT), that she was receiving preventative chemotherapy and that she and her family needed time, space and privacy while she completed the treatment.

Describing her huge shock upon discovering the news, she said that she and her husband William, Prince of Wales, had been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family, which had taken time.
In the West Bank, where 17,000 Palestinians are still working in Jewish settlements, unemployment has more than doubled to more than 30 per cent. Loading Before the war, a fifth of all employed residents of the West Bank worked in Israel or its settlements, where they earned more than twice the average domestic wage, according to the United Nations. Their earnings totalled around $US4 billion ($6 billion) annually, equivalent to a quarter of local gross domestic product. The shock of the October assault by Hamas, during which 1200 people were killed and 250 abducted, has created suspicion among some Israeli Jews that other Palestinians might be preparing attacks of their own. Israels retaliatory air and ground attacks in Gaza have killed more than 31,000 people, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry. Tensions have escalated in the West Bank, which is ruled by the Palestinian Authority but still largely controlled by the Israel Defence Forces. Hundreds of Palestinians have been arrested by the IDF following what it called attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers. Settler violence against Palestinians has also been on the rise.

The employment of Palestinian workers from the West Bank has gradually expanded over the past two decades, partly in response to demand for low-wage manual workers in Israel, now one of the worlds richest countries. Until October, about 156,000 Palestinians were employed in Israel. Loading For workers from Gaza, the border with Israel had been shut since 2005. Only a limited portion of a maximum 20,000 workers were allowed to enter Israel in recent years. Path ahead The problems go far beyond economics. If theres no resolution, it would potentially jeopardise cooperation between the Israeli and Palestinian security forces.

Some on the Israeli right are calling for authorities to seize the opportunity and sever ties. Israel should cease employment of Palestinians and bring in skilled workers from other countries, said the National Labour Federation, a small trade union of 100,000 workers. That isnt the view of Israels security establishment, which until the current war was careful to argue in favour of preserving Palestinian employment even in times of heightened tensions. Its now recommending a careful, gradual return of the Palestinians, partly to stabilise the West Bank. So far, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus right-wing government appears to have the public behind it as it keeps the workers out. People inspect damage and recover items from their homes following Israeli airstrikes in Rafah, Gaza, on Wedneday. Credit: Getty Before October 7, Palestinians made up one of every three construction workers in Israel. They dominated early stages of building work, meaning little could proceed without them. Some 40 per cent of construction sites are now shut; the rest have only partially resumed.

Its a similar situation with Israels infrastructure sector, which can no longer count on roughly 10,000 Palestinian workers it employed before the war. The needs are even more urgent because multiple sites require repairs after being hit by missiles fired from Gaza and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. Loading Construction, while accounting for only 6 per cent to 7 per cent of GDP, made up almost half of the near-record drop in growth over the last quarter of 2023. Its like a millstone on the economy that can cost Israel some 1.5 to 2 per cent of its GDP in the coming year or longer, said Adi Brender, the central banks head of research. A construction downturn is among a handful of factors that can hold back a broader recovery, he said. Knock-on effects

Israels high-flying economy of the past two decades  with GDP per capita passing those of the UK and France, thanks in large part to a booming high-tech sector  has involved rapid expansion of roads and housing. Now that those industries are at a near standstill, the knock-on effects will be widespread. Loading Over two-thirds of local factories that supply the construction industry reported sales drops of more than 50 per cent in January. The head of Israels Manufacturers Association, Ron Tomer, has warned of shutdowns and lay-offs and a dependency on imports from unfriendly countries like Turkey and China. Another concern is that property prices will soar, piling pressure on renters and homeowners in whats already one of the worlds most expensive real estate markets. The contagion from the building industrys woes could eventually pose a risk for otherwise solid lenders. The construction and real estate sectors accounted for up to 26 per cent of the gross loans at Israels five largest banks as of September 2023, according to Moodys Investors Service.

Aharon Galili, the owner of a 40-year-old building firm, had to shut down a site for 100 housing units. I am still forced to pay huge interest on loans, he said. I may survive, but some cant handle that. Economic scarring In the West Bank, an economic parting of the ways is taking a heavy toll. The area has been under a security lockdown since mid-September, and unrest has grown since Israels airstrikes and near-total blockade on Gaza began five months ago. Palestinian GDP contracted an annualised 33 per cent in the last quarter of 2023. A third of businesses report being completely or partially closed. The financial plight of the Palestinian Authority, which is run by the Fatah party, is worsening. Its refused to accept the tax revenues that Israel collects on its behalf because Israeli authorities are deducting funds designated for Gaza, which is still nominally run by Hamas. As a result, the authority can only pay 60 per cent of its employees salaries, Palestinian Economy Minister Khaled al-Osaily told Bloomberg.
Dubai: The Yemen-based Houthis have told China and Russia their ships can sail through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden without being attacked, according to several people with knowledge of the militant groups discussions.

China and Russia reached an understanding following talks between their diplomats in Oman and Mohammed Abdel Salam, one of the Houthis top political figures, said the people, who asked not to be named discussing private matters.

This black-and-white image released by the US militarys Central Command shows the fire aboard the bulk carrier True Confidence after a missile attack by Yemens Houthi rebels. Credit: AP

In exchange, the two countries may provide political support to the Houthis in bodies such as the United Nations Security Council, according to the people.

Its not entirely clear how that support would be manifested, but it could include blocking more resolutions against the group.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Following a meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Thursday, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation & Telecommunication (TEATT), the Honorable Arthur Lambriex, announced

the "long-awaited reconstruction of the Philipsburg Market Place is now officially approved."

"We have undertaken all necessary preparations to commence the Groundbreaking ceremony and propel the project forward with full momentum. After extensive deliberation and careful consideration with my fellow Ministers, the Ministry of TEATT has obtained approval to execute this long-awaited project," said Lambriex.

Lambriex said, "The vendors in Philipsburg will soon receive notice regarding the relocation to the allotted nearby temporary location on the grounds of the old Government Administration Building. The vendors will use this location to conduct their sales while the project is executed."

He said, "The groundbreaking ceremony will be announced subsequently to mark the commencement of this much-needed transformation."

After years of anticipation following the devastation wrought by Hurricane Irma and Maria in 2017, the wheels of progress are finally in motion.

The project is scheduled to be completed within three months after the commencement date. According to Minister Lambriex, the final result of the new Market Place "will be something we can all take pride in and be proud of. Once completed, this initiative will contribute to Philipsburg's overall beautification and attractiveness, enhancing foot traffic to the area."

The project has challenged the Ministry of TEATT, as evidenced by several false starts and at least three new designs, due to administrative challenges the government faced with several governments over the past six years trying to execute this project.

Expressing his satisfaction following Thursday's CoM meeting, Minister Lambriex said, "I am personally thrilled and grateful to have been part of this journey. Making a tangible difference and addressing necessary improvements is a true blessing. Although it was short-term in office, it was focused, and today, we celebrate our achievement. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my fellow Ministers and all cabinet staff members who played pivotal roles. Without your dedication, this would not have been possible. I also want to thank Member of Parliament, the Honorable Akeem Arrindell, for having the confidence and trust in me to be Minister of TEATT. To our financers for this project, "Thank You", as without you, we would not be able to realize this project."

With meticulous planning and unwavering determination, all necessary preparations have been made to kick-start the project. Lambriex also extends sincere thanks to the Vendors at the Philipsburg Market Place, who have endured the challenges of working in less-than-adequate conditions to offer some memories to our visitors. "I sincerely appreciate the patience of our Vendors at the Philipsburg Marketplace. You have waited too long for this project, and I hope you will be able to enjoy it for many years to come once it is completed.

Lambriex considers the Philipsburg Market Place a key aspect of the City's revitalization and beautification plans. The Ministry of TEATT's goal is to make Philipsburg a unique and more accessible place for residents and visitors to St. Maarten.
ELKO  Elko County School District will receive a tax levy of 20 cents per $100 valuation from the county, and Elko county will still pursue a tax levy contribution from the cities of Elko, Carlin, Wells and West Wendover to boost the total tax levy for schools, but taxpayers shouldnt feel the pinch.

The school district and supporters wanted a 25 cent levy instead of 20 cents, but they could receive that amount if the cities and TV district kick into the pot.

Elko County commissioners unanimously voted Wednesday to take 20 cents of the 50 cents the county levies for community projects and the wildfire protection district and designate that revenue to school construction and maintenance projects.

This absolutely will not result in a tax increase, Commissioner Delmo Andreozzi said, adding there is not a lot of need to rehash and go over things, but rather there is a need to set a tax rate after taking the school district on a bit of a ride as commissioners went through a process to determine a tax rate.

He said the Elko County School District is very unique because the district includes four cities and schools that range from one-room to big, modern buildings, and there is no question the district needs money for maintaining the schools.

Andreozzi said, however, he wants sideboards to the tax resolution because of misperceptions about school funding to show that the school district will follow its plan of mainly maintenance projects and come back to commissioners with a yearly report.

Commissioner Rex Steninger said some people say he is against kids, but I never once considered 1 cent and have always been on the high range, referring to AB519s requirement that the county levy a tax of 1 cent to 25 cents for schools.

He proposed the county continue the 6 cents for the wildfire protection district out of the 50 cents, designate 2 cents to the air alliance to keep airline service to Elko Regional Airport and split the remaining 42 cents between schools and the county.

Elko Countys 50-cent levy per $100 of assessed valuation is what the county took after the school districts 75-cent pay-as-you-go tax expired in 2022. Cities each took 20 cents, and the TV district took 5 cents rather than lose that 75-cent tax slot.

Commissioner Jon Karr, who heads the oversight panel required by AB519, said it recommended a tax levy of 22 cents, and he still recommended 22 cents, but he would support a 20 cent or 21 cent levy.

He also said he would like the school district to contribute a percentage from its general fund to the school construction fund.

Karr and Elko County Manager Amanda Osborne are the county representatives tasked with approaching the cities and TV district for contributions from their tax levies to the schools.

Comment from Wells

Wells Councilwoman Beth Savedra offered public comment, so Karr asked her what she thought Wells would provide for a school levy, and she said she thought the City Council would go for 2 or 3 cents, but she would ask for 5 cents.

Savedra told commissioners the schools in Wells need repairs, and she believes the school district should receive the full 25 cents, although the county survey didnt include the full 25 cents as an option for the public to select.

The survey went as high as 20 cents, and the majority of those answering favored a school tax.

We have a real need in Wells. You cant go to a game without the roof leaking on you, said Savedra, who is also on the ECSDs capital improvement committee. She told commissioners Wells has a lot of fundraisers to help the schools.

Commissioner Travis Gerber said a 20 cent tax would raise $5 million to $6 million a year for the school district, which would be about a third of what ECSD raised under pay-as-you-go each year, and his biggest question is over the needs of the school district.

In my opinion, 20 cents would cover immediate needs, so he could support a 20 cent levy with re-evaluation in one year, but he would like to see the cities decide to contribute.

Ken Higbee, the school districts director of special services, said 20 cents would be enough to keep us going, but the district needs more money, and Steninger asked Higbee to help us put pressure on the other communities for 5 cents.

ECSD Board of Trustees President Matt McCarty said the school tax issue has been an emotional and stressful time and he asked that everyone realize that six of the seven people on the school board now are new and never served when pay-as-you-go was in force.

We need a little bit of faith, he said. Weve tried to be transparent.

Steninger said, We are showing you good faith by giving you the 20 cents.

McCarty also volunteered to help convince the cities to provide money so the school district would have a 25-cent tax levy.

As a new example of current needs, Cassandra Stahlke, grant manager for ECSD, told commissioners the boiler just broke down at Owyhee, and the cost to replace it could be $1 million.

AB519 states that if Elko County doesnt levy a tax for schools, the state will levy the maximum 25 cents. That bill also provides $64.5 million for a new school in Owyhee, a $25 million grant fund for rural schools, a $25 million fund for schools on Indian reservations and called for the oversight panel Karr chairs.

According to the bill, money in the funds must be used to make grants to any Nevada schools districts with populations under 100,000 for construction, design, or purchase of new buildings for schools, remodeling and repair projects and acquiring sites for schools.

ECSD had no money for a new school in Owyhee north of Elko on the Idaho border because of the defeat of pay-as-you-g, but school problems caught statewide attention and the attention of the Nevada Legislature in 2023.

Voters refused in 2021 to renew pay-as-you-go and defeated a bond proposal for schools in 2022. The bonds up to $150 million would have paid for new schools, expansions and maintenance once pay-as-you-go expired in June 2022. There is currently $16 million remaining in the districts pay-as-you-go fund.

Charter schools

As commissioners began their discussion of a tax levy for schools, former Elko Mayor Chris Johnson cautioned about conflict of interest, and he said he was surprised to learn during discussion on the prior agenda topic that two commissioners are founding members of the Nevada Classical Academy Elko.

The commissioners disclosed their affiliation with the charter school as they considered a letter of support for the school to the state, and the proposed letter sparked concerns from Higbee. He asked commissioners please dont disparage the school district.

Steninger took the blame for the wording, and commissioners put off a vote on a letter of support until a new letter is written and brought back for action.

The letter mentions that the Elko Institute of Academic Achievement, the only current charter school in Elko County, is a five-star school while half of the ECSD schools are rated one or two stars, and states that commissioners are considering providing a portion of taxes for charter schools.

Karr said the county could do community grants to charter schools but AB519 doesnt allow a tax levy for charter schools.
String of litigation cases bites Apple



Paris, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2024



The US government Thursday sued Apple claiming the tech behemoth illegally maintained a monopoly for its iPhone by stifling competition and imposing high costs on consumers -- the latest in a string of legal headaches facing the firm.

Here are the key allegations concerning its main recent legal battles:



- Stand-off with Epic Games -



Video game publisher Epic Games has been scouring the courts and approaching the authorities for some years to force Apple and Google to open up their mobile operating systems, iOS and Android -- which are between them installed on the vast majority of smartphones -- to stores to allow the downloading of alternative applications alternatives.

The intention: To end commission on user purchases.

Two years ago, a US federal judge asked Apple to permit publishers to offer users alternative payment methods, while declaring that Epic had failed to prove a violation of competition law.

But Epic, backed by other internet giants such as Microsoft and Meta, accuses Apple of not respecting this decision, according to the text of a collective initiative document transmitted on March 20 to a California court.

Apple has proposed a solution allowing it to receive between 12 and 27 percent of the take on purchases outside its store -- this representing only a small reduction compared to what it charges on its App Store.

Epic Games also took Apple (and Google) to court in Australia over similar grievances. The trial opened Monday and is expected to last for five months.



- In the EU's sights -



After music streaming platform Spotify took a case to the European Commission, the latter imposed a fine on Apple of 1.8 billion euros ($1.9 billion) on March 4 for preventing European users from accessing information on alternative, cheaper music streaming services.

In Brussels' view, Apple applied restrictions to prevent application developers from promoting "alternative and cheaper offers outside the Apple ecosystem" to iPhone and iPad users in order to favour its own service Apple Music.

Apple has decided to appeal the judgment.

The situation has become more complex for the company since March 7 when Europe's "Digital Markets Act" (DMA) regulation came into effect.

This historic arsenal of legislative power forces the world's six largest companies, including Apple, to open up their platforms to competition.

Apple has announced that its European users will soon be able to download applications directly from websites.



- French lighten load on appeal -



In 2020, the French Competition Authority ordered Apple to pay a record fine of 1.1 billion euros for anti-competitive behaviour towards France-based retailers.

The Paris Court of Appeal, however, reduced the sanction by two thirds in 2022, to 372 million euros after Apple said it had the right to appeal the original punishment.



- Spain, Italy distribution -



The Spanish competition authority imposed a global fine of 194 million euros on Apple and Amazon in 2023 for anti-competitive cooperative practices over distribution of Apple brand products by Amazon Spain.

The Italian equivalent body had for its part in 2021 fined Amazon and Apple 200 million euros for restricting access to Amazon's platform for some resellers of Apple products.



- British developers join in -



Apple faces a further lawsuit relating to app store fees in Britain to the tune of 785 million pounds ($995 million). It is alleged that the firm charged third-party developers hefty unfair commissions of up to 30 percent on purchases of apps in its app store.



- Russian fines too -



In January of this year Apple had to pay a $13.6-million fine in Russia for violating competition laws regarding in-app payments.

Apple had only last year had to pay a fine of some $11.1 million for allegedly abusing its dominant mobile apps market position.

dax-ot/cw/giv

Apple

GOOGLE

MICROSOFT

Meta

Spotify
Uganda's President Museveni promotes son to army chief



Kampala, March 22 (AFP) Mar 22, 2024



Uganda's veteran leader Yoweri Museveni has appointed his son to head the country's defence forces, the East African nation's government said, capping a dizzying rise for Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

The announcement by the defence ministry late Thursday followed years of speculation that Kainerugaba, whose social media outbursts have sparked diplomatic uproars, was being groomed for the top job.

Although the 49-year-old general has in the past denied claims he intends to succeed his father -- one of Africa's longest-serving leaders -- he has enjoyed a rapid climb through Uganda's army ranks.

In a now-deleted post on X last year, Kainerugaba said he intended to run for the presidency in the 2026 elections.

He also appeared to take a dig at his father, writing: "How many agree with me that our time has come? Enough of the old people ruling us. Dominating us. It's time for our generation to shine. Retweet and like".

Following a row in 2022 over a post by Kainerugaba threatening to invade Kenya, Museveni, 79, sought to rein in his wayward son by telling him to stay off social media when it comes to affairs of state.

Museveni, who apologised to Kenya over the outburst, has nevertheless defended his only son as a "very good general" and promoted him to that rank just days after the row erupted.



- 'Baby despot' -



As a high-ranking military official, Kainerugaba is barred from speaking publicly about political matters, but has frequently waded into such discussions, causing diplomatic headaches for Uganda.

His tweets in support of Tigrayan rebels in Ethiopia angered Addis Ababa, while his thoughts on Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the 2021 coup in Guinea also raised eyebrows.

Last year, he declared that Uganda would "send soldiers to defend Moscow if it's ever threatened by the Imperialists", chiding Western nations for sharing "useless pro-Ukraine propaganda".

To many Ugandans, Kainerugaba's position as heir apparent has been obvious, but the government has in the past taken a harsh line against anyone discussing the matter.

In 2013, police shut two independent newspapers and two radio stations for 10 days after they published a leaked confidential memo by a senior general alleging that Museveni was grooming Kainerugaba to succeed him.

Many of Museveni's former allies, including his personal doctor Kizza Besigye, have fallen out of favour with the president over Kainerugaba's elevation, which has also aroused the ire of opposition politicians and government critics.

Prominent author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija fled to Germany in 2022, alleging that he was tortured in custody on charges of insulting Museveni and Kainerugaba, who he has described as "obese", a "curmudgeon" and a "baby despot".

gm-amu/smw
UN urges more water cooperation to build peace



Geneva, March 22 (AFP) Mar 22, 2024



Cooperation across borders on shared water resources can help avert conflicts and build peace, the United Nations said Friday, urging all countries to join its Water Convention.

The UN stressed that with climate change and rising water scarcity worldwide, cross-border water cooperation was increasingly crucial for regional stability and conflict prevention.

"Water and peace are very closely inter-related," Sonja Koeppel, Secretary of the UN Water Convention, told AFP.

She pointed out that more than 60 percent of all freshwater resources are shared by two or more countries, including major rivers like the Rhine and the Danube in Europe, the Mekong in Asia, the Nile in Africa and the Amazon in Latin America.

"Cooperating over those waters is crucial for peace, for development for climate action," she said.

Water is such a vital resource, she said, that it has the power to bring countries in conflict to the table, opening the door to cooperation in other areas as well.

India and Pakistan for instance have a cooperation agreement on use of the Indus river.

And an agreement reached by Senegal, Mauritania, Guinea and The Gambia in the 1970s over the Senegal Basin has enabled them jointly to finance and build infrastructure that distributes water to all four countries.

Even when political tensions reign between the countries, Koeppel said, "this cooperation has continued to exist".



- 'Ripple effect' -



A total of 153 countries around the world share water resources, but only 24 of those have signed onto various cooperation agreements covering all of their shared water, UN chief Antonio Guterres pointed out in a statement marking World Water Day on Friday.

"We must accelerate efforts to work together across borders, and I urge all countries to join and implement the United Nations Water Convention," he said.

"Action for water is action for peace."

The convention was established in 1992 to help foster responsible joint management of water resources in the European region, but opened up in 2016 to countries around the world.

Currently it counts 52 state parties, mainly in Europe, Asia and Africa.

Koeppel said the convention was a vital tool to instigate more cross-border water cooperation, but also to help countries to navigate complex situations and resolve disputes.

"It is complicated for countries to cooperate especially in situations of water scarcity or floods or in case of accidental water pollution," she said.

The convention can help countries to use their shared resources "peacefully and sustainably to protect the environment and to jointly adapt to climate change", she said.

She hailed "huge momentum" in Africa for joining the convention, with nine countries now parties to the agreement, and around a dozen others in the process of joining.

But other regions need to catch up.

When Panama joined last year, it became the sole member state in the Americas, a region with "many water challenges", Koeppel said.

And Iraq last year also became the first member state in the Middle East -- one of the most water-stressed, and conflict-plagued, regions in the world.

Koeppel suggested that more cooperation on water in the Middle East could help ease tensions overall.

"Based on examples from other parts of the world," she said, "we can see how water has had a ripple effect to promote regional integration and sustainable development and climate action more broadly".
ELKO  Elko Countys primary election this summer will proceed as normal while the county investigates the feasibility of using paper ballots or making other changes, and develops a plan in time for the November election

We missed the 90-day window for the primary, Commissioner Rex Steninger said, proposing completion of an investigation of paper ballot use by mid-July. But Commissioner Delmo Andeozzi said he thought that rather than say feasibility study the county should say it would develop a plan.

I say feasibility because it might become physically impossible to do, Steninger said.

Commissioner Travis Gerber said the county needs a written plan and to know exactly what we are doing.

A plan to use paper ballots would have had to be filed with the Nevada Secretary of States Office by March 13 for changes before the primary. The primary for the general election is June 11 and the general election is Nov. 5.

Voters in the primary will use the Dominion voting machines that critics worry could be compromised in elections. The county already has a contract with Dominion this year, and the Elko County Clerks Office hasnt found any problems with the machine tallies in the past.

Our duty is to ensure we have fair elections. Weve proven the voting machines are right, but that didnt satisfy the people, Steninger said on Wednesday, talking about the election audit that included three commissioners in November 2022.

He said earlier this month he was interested in whether the Elko County Clerks Office could do audits every election like the November 2022 audit that compared figures with the paper receipts from four sample voting machines and found no errors.

Steningers motion on Wednesday calling for investigating the use of paper ballots also states the county will promote fair elections nationwide, after he amended it from saying the county would promote paper balloting.

Gerber said he would be uncomfortable promoting paper ballots if using paper ballots isnt what Elko County ends up doing.

Andreozzi said it was painfully obvious to me that the only control county commissioners have over elections is any decisions regarding voting machines, paper ballots and hand counting, and if we choose to go with hand ballot counting route, we have to follow a long list of regulations. Its obvious that the state has made it extremely difficult to do.

Commissioners voted to study election options after Elko County Clerk Rebecca Becky Plunkett presented results of sample hand counting using a controlled sample of 250 ballots that showed that the time two bipartisan election board volunteers and two staffers took to sort 250 ballots by party and into stacks of no more than 25 was 18 minutes and 18 seconds.

This is a really, really rough estimate, she told commissioners of the mockup she used to stage a hand count of paper ballots.

The sampling also found the volunteers took two hours and 20 minutes to count 250 ballots, and the volunteers then followed state statutes to count the same ballots and the numbers did not match, according to the presentation. She said interpretation accounts for the difference.

A recount of this test would be mandatory, which would, at least, double the amount of time for counting, Plunkett said.

Commissioner Jon Karr said he asked for a mock counting based on emails the county has received, and he pointed out that while people have repeatedly talked about Nye County doing paper ballots, that county used machines to scan paper ballots.

Plunketts presentation also stated that based on the sample hand-count numbers, one person can count one ballot page every 1.78 minutes or 107 ballots per hour, and 50 people could count 5,350 ballots in one hour.

The presentation shows that hand-counting requires four people per table, with two counting and two tallying, so for a full voter turnout using paper ballots 13 tables would be needed, and Plunkett said that would be another expense.

Plunkett also said the county would need a facility for the count.

Her rough estimate for the recent 2024 presidential preference election is that 2,896 paper ballots would have taken 24.13 hours, while in a general election, Elko County could count 6,726 ballots in roughly 67.26 hours, or nearly three days.

She wrote that due to regulations, workers cant work over eight hours in a 24-hour period, so the counting and time required to count all ballots would vary depending on how many volunteers. The clerk also said the county would need voting machines even with paper balloting to be ADA compliant.

Her presentation had an estimate of roughly $200,000 for an election cost with hand ballots, but that would be with paid volunteers. They could waive pay, according to Elko County Manager Amanda Osborne.

Audience reaction to her report led Chairman Wilde Brough to tell the audience that she is not against us. Lets let it go. Its Beckys job to tell us exactly what we are doing.

Brough also brought up photo identification. Voters are not required in Nevada to provide ID at the polls, but Plunkett said ID is required when voters register with the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, as is their signature.

Prior to voting for an election study, commissioners listened to public comment from several people who called for paper balloting because of election concerns, and from one person who supported the use of Dominion voting machines and the current election process.

Nicholas Christensen of Elko said there is no evidence of problems with the Dominion machines in Elko County, and he said using voter machines was a better use of taxpayer dollars than putting an undue burden on the clerks office and volunteers.

He questioned whether volunteers go through a background review, and Plunkett said election workers go through the countys human resources office.

Rich Sandoz of Spring Creek questioned whether counting had to be in one place, and Chief Civil Deputy District Attorney Rand Greenburg said there will be multiple places for people to vote and one place to count. Sandoz wanted to see counting at the precinct level.

Stephanie Licht cited a recent election in Argentina that used paper balloting and all votes were counted by midnight. The ballots were photographs of candidates, so voters simply chose the photo of their candidate.

Cliff Gardner said he would like to encourage commissioners to do everything they can to try to restore confidence in our electoral process in this United States, while county clerk candidate Misty Atkins said she echoed election concerns and questioned the accuracy of voter registration rolls.

Plunkett said that we do voter maintenance every day.

Others also spoke, including county commissioner candidate Brian Gale, who said trust in Dominion machines in your county has diminished.
Australia, Britain vow AUKUS nuclear-powered subs will be built



Adelaide, Australia, March 22 (AFP) Mar 22, 2024



Australia and Britain said Friday that a landmark deal to develop AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines would go ahead, despite mounting fears about costs, capabilities and the possible return of Donald Trump.

Under the fledgling AUKUS deal, the two countries along with the United States have pledged to beef up their military muscle in a bid to counter China's rise.

Defence chiefs this week unveiled ambitious plans to supply Australia with a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, a key pillar of the agreement.

"The three governments involved here are working at pace to make this happen," Australian defence minister Richard Marles told reporters on Friday.

"This is going to happen and we need it to happen," he added.

Barely two years old, there are already signs that AUKUS and its central project could be under threat.

Some fear Trump could jettison the pact if he wins this year's presidential election, returning to his "America first" style of foreign policy.

UK foreign secretary David Cameron suggested that "brilliant" AUKUS and other alliances like NATO -- which he dubbed "the most successful defence alliance in history" -- needed to be fighting fit come US election time.

"I think whoever is president, the best thing we can do is to get those alliances, to get those projects into the best possible shape so whoever is the new president can see that they're working," Cameron said.

He added that the nuclear-powered submarines deal was "a huge project, a huge undertaking, but absolutely essential for our security", adding that he had "total confidence" that the deal would go ahead.



- Dangerous times -



With potential flashpoints emerging across the globe, and China taking an increasingly aggressive stance in the Taiwan Strait, visiting UK defence minister Grant Shapps said AUKUS was as crucial as ever.

After decades of relative peace, Shapps said the planet was slowly shifting from a "post-war" era to a "pre-war" footing.

"We are living in more dangerous times," he said during a tour of the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia.

UK defence contractor BAE Systems has been enlisted to help construct Australia's fleet of nuclear-propelled submarines.

Australia hopes to have eight nuclear-powered vessels in the water by the 2050s -- a mix of the new AUKUS-class subs built at home and in the UK, and Virgina-class vessels purchased from the United States.

Marles said a "drumbeat" of AUKUS-class submarines would then continue to roll off Australian production lines "every few years" in perpetuity.

"There is no country in the world which has obtained the capability to build nuclear-powered submarines, which has then turned that capability off," he said.

"We will see submarines being produced here on an enduring basis."



- Potent threat -



Although the financial details of the BAE deal are under wraps, Australian defence officials want to initially build at least five AUKUS-class nuclear-powered subs at a cost of billions of dollars.

The subs will be quieter and stealthier than Australia's existing diesel fleet, and capable of deploying over vast distances without surfacing, posing a potent threat to any foe.

BAE Systems, one of the largest defence contractors in Europe, said it was "already making good progress on the design and development of the next generation submarine".

The company has a close relationship with the UK navy, and is responsible for building its Astute-class and Dreadnought-class nuclear-powered vessels.

The scale of the project is vast, and questions have been raised about whether Australia -- with limited nuclear experience and a relatively small navy -- can pull it off.

Australian officials believe about 20,000 workers will be needed for the homegrown nuclear industry -- among them an army of technicians, metal workers, electricians and welders.

The Australian navy has struggled to maintain its current fleet of ageing diesel-electric subs, which have been plagued by design flaws and cost blowouts.

In total, the AUKUS submarine project could cost up to Aus$368 billion (US$240 billion) over the next 30 years.

sft/arb/sco
Uganda's President Museveni promotes son to military chief



Kampala, March 22 (AFP) Mar 22, 2024



Uganda's veteran leader, Yoweri Museveni, has appointed his son to head the country's defence forces, the East African nation's government said, capping a dizzying rise for Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

The announcement by the defence ministry late on Thursday followed years of speculation that Kainerugaba, whose social media outbursts have sparked diplomatic uproars, was being groomed for the top job.

Although the 49-year-old general has in the past denied claims he intends to succeed his father -- one of Africa's longest-serving leaders -- he has enjoyed a rapid climb through Uganda's army ranks.

In a now-deleted post on X last year, Kainerugaba said he intended to run for president in the 2026 elections.

He also appeared to take a dig at his father, writing: "How many agree with me that our time has come? Enough of the old people ruling us. Dominating us. It's time for our generation to shine. Retweet and like."

Following a row in 2022 over a post by Kainerugaba threatening to invade Kenya, Museveni, 79, sought to rein in his wayward son by telling him to stay off social media when it comes to affairs of state.

Museveni, who apologised to Kenya over the outburst, has nevertheless defended his only son as a "very good general" and promoted him to that rank just days after the row erupted.

Thursday's announcement was part of a reshuffle within the government, with the former army chief General Wilson Mbasu Mbadi appointed to serve as the junior minister for trade.

Opposition politicians condemned the move to promote Kainerugaba.

David Lewis Rubongoya, secretary general of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party, called it "a sad day for our country".

Another opposition lawmaker, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, accused Museveni of treating the country as "a personal enterprise of his family".

"Ugandans need to rise up collectively and oppose Museveni's family dynasty because we own this country and not Museveni alone," he told AFP.



- 'Baby despot' -



As a high-ranking military official, Kainerugaba is barred from speaking publicly about political matters but has frequently waded into such discussions, causing diplomatic headaches for Uganda.

His tweets in support of Tigrayan rebels in Ethiopia angered Addis Ababa, while his thoughts on Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the 2021 coup in Guinea also raised eyebrows.

Last year, he declared that Uganda would "send soldiers to defend Moscow if it's ever threatened by the Imperialists", chiding Western nations for sharing "useless pro-Ukraine propaganda".

He had also attacked the Ugandan government for failing to rein in corruption after an investigation accused cabinet ministers and other officials of stealing iron sheets intended for villagers in the poor northeastern region of Karamoja.

Thursday's reshuffle also stripped Agnes Nandutu and Mary Gorretti Kitutu, two cabinet ministers currently facing trial over the alleged theft, of their positions.

To many Ugandans, Kainerugaba's position as heir apparent has been obvious but the government has in the past taken a harsh line against anyone discussing the matter.

In 2013, police shut two independent newspapers and two radio stations for 10 days after they published a leaked confidential memo by a senior general alleging that Museveni was grooming Kainerugaba to succeed him.

Many of Museveni's former allies, including his personal doctor Kizza Besigye, have fallen out of favour with the president over Kainerugaba's elevation, which has also aroused the ire of opposition politicians and government critics.

Prominent author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija fled to Germany in 2022, alleging that he was tortured in custody on charges of insulting Museveni and Kainerugaba, who he has described as "obese", a "curmudgeon" and a "baby despot".

gm-amu/gil
Russia admits 'state of war' amid massive strikes on Ukraine



Kyiv, Ukraine, March 22 (AFP) Mar 22, 2024



Russia admitted two years into its invasion of Ukraine on Friday that it was "in a state of war," as it launched a massive wave of missile and drone attacks on its neighbour's territory.

Russia fired almost 90 missiles and more than 60 Iranian-designed kamikaze drones, damaging dozens of energy facilities including power stations, in what Ukrainian officials said was an attempt to cripple the country's electricity and heating network.

Russia said the wave of strikes was retaliation for a series of Ukrainian attacks on its border regions in recent weeks.

At least five people were killed and more than 20 injured, according to Ukraine's interior ministry and local officials.

"We are in a state of war," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview to a pro-Kremlin newspaper, published Friday.

The admission marks an escalation in official language used to describe the conflict, which the Kremlin initially referred to as a "special military operation".

"Yes, it started as a special military operation, but as soon as this bunch was formed there, when the collective West became a participant on Ukraine's side, for us it already became a war," Peskov said.

"De jure (legally) it is a special military operation. But de facto it has turned into a war," he added.

Moscow often accuses the West of direct participation in the conflict by supplying Ukraine with weapons.

Calling the strikes "retaliation" for recent Ukrainian attacks, Moscow's defence ministry said Friday it had targeted Ukraine's "energy sites, military-industrial complex, railway hubs and arsenals."

"All of the objectives of the massive strike were achieved," it said.



- 'Largest on record' -



"This morning's attack on Ukraine's energy system was the largest on record," Ukraine's state-run power grid, Ukrenergo, said.

"Dozens of power system facilities have been damaged," including thermal and hydroelectric power plants, as well as major and regional power lines and blackouts had hit seven regions, it added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed once again on Friday for more Western arms, blasting political "indecision" that he said was costing Ukrainian lives.

Ukraine has struggled with shortages of both air defences to protect its skies and ammunition on the ground, as a vital $60 billion military aid package is currently held up in the US Congress.

"Russian missiles do not have delays, as do aid packages to our country. The 'Shahed' (drones) have no indecision, like some politicians. It is important to understand the cost of delays and postponed decisions," he said.

"We need air defence to protect people, infrastructure, homes and dams. Our partners know exactly what is needed. They can definitely support us... Life must be protected from these non-humans from Moscow."



- 'Under control' -



Ukraine's air force said it shot down 37 of the 88 missiles fired overnight and 55 of 63 drones.

The strikes left around 700,000 consumers without electricity in the northeastern Kharkiv region, governor Oleg Synegubov said.

"The goal is not just to damage, but to try again, like last year, to cause a large-scale failure of the country's energy system," said energy minister German Galushchenko.

Last winter Russia launched a daily barrage of aerial attacks on Ukraine's power grid, plunging millions into darkness and leaving them without heating in sub-zero temperatures for hours.

But the country's energy network has largely held up this year.

Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said Friday: "The situation in the energy sector is under control."

Emergency electricity was being supplied from Romania, Slovakia and Poland, Galushchenko said.



- 'Extremely dangerous situation' -



The strikes severed one of two power lines supplying the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, Europe's largest nuclear power plant in southeast Ukraine that was seized by Russian troops at the start of the war.

The plant has suffered multiple blackouts since the beginning of the war, falling back on emergency diesel generators and safety systems.

"In case of their failure, a threat of a nuclear and radiation accident will emerge," said Energoatom.

The main power line was later restored, it added.

A Russian missile also hit a trolleybus at the Dnipro hydroelectric station, officials said.

Photos on social media showed a fire raging on the dam and the burnt-out carcass of the vehicle.

Three people were killed in Zaporizhzhia, the city where the power station is located, Governor Ivan Fedorov said. He did not say whether it was in the strike on the dam.

The commander of Ukraine's ground forces Oleksandr Pavliuk also said Friday that Russia could be preparing to launch a summer offensive and was building a group of more than 100,000 troops.

In Russia, a woman was killed and others wounded in a strike on Friday on Russia's Belgorod, said the governor of the region along the border with Ukraine, where Kyiv has stepped up attacks.

And Moscow's FSB security service said it had arrested seven pro-Ukrainian partisans in the capital, the latest in a flurry of similar cases.
Russia says 'massive' air strikes were to avenge Ukraine border attacks



Moscow, March 22 (AFP) Mar 22, 2024



Russia's defence ministry said Friday it had launched a series of "massive" air strikes against Ukraine as retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on its border regions over recent weeks.

Kyiv said earlier that Russia had hit it with the largest aerial attack in months, targeting energy facilities across the country and killing at least five people in overnight strikes.

"From 16 to 22 March, in response to the shelling of our territory and attempts to break through and seize Russian border settlements, the military carried out 49 retaliatory strikes," Russia's defence ministry said in a statement.

Pro-Kyiv militias had last week staged a number of armed raids into Russian territory, while there was a sharp increase in shelling, rocket and drone attacks on Russia's border regions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously vowed the escalation would "not go unpunished".

The defence ministry said Friday's strikes had targeted Ukraine's "energy sector, military-industrial complex, railway hubs, arsenals and places where Ukrainian troops and foreign mercenaries are stationed".

It said all targets of the "massive" strikes had been hit.

Russia launched a missile attack at the capital Kyiv on Thursday and earlier this week five people were killed in a missile strike on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, local authorities said.

Moscow also said it had repelled further attempted raids into its territory this week.
Germany, France cite 'breakthrough' on battle tank project



Berlin, March 22 (AFP) Mar 22, 2024



The defence ministers of Germany and France said Friday they had unblocked a stalled project to jointly develop a next-generation battle tank, after agreeing how to split the work between companies from both countries.

"We have achieved a breakthrough," German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said at a Berlin press conference, flanked by his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu.

"We have agreed on the distribution of all tasks for this major project," Pistorius told reporters.

How the work will be divided between the two nations is now "clearly defined" with "no room for misunderstanding", he said, adding that "there will be a 50-50 split" in the industrial production of the tank system.

Germany and France agreed in 2017 to jointly develop an advanced battle tank dubbed the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS), as a successor to the French Leclerc and German Leopard tanks from 2035.

The project is part of efforts to improve military cooperation between the neighbouring countries, and sits alongside another major project to develop a future generation of jet fighters known as FCAS.

But the tank plans have faced delays amid rivalry between French and German industrial companies, and different priorities in Berlin and Paris.

The project was originally led by defence industry firm KNDS, a tie-up between Nexter from France and Germany's KMW.

But the delicate balance was upset when Germany's Rheinmetall joined the project in 2019.

The push to unblock the project comes as Berlin and Paris are eager to show unity after a series of spats on how to support Ukraine in its war against Russia.

Lecornu acknowledged that the talks had been complex, likening it to a "difficult path" but one "that must be taken".

He hailed the innovative nature of the planned tank system, saying it would represent a "generational leap in terms of technology" with "impressive" connectivity.

The MGCS will consist not just of one armoured fighting vehicle but a system of manned and unmanned vehicles. It will include drones to protect the tank as well as the use of artificial intelligence and laser technology, the ministers said.

Pistorius said he planned to travel to Paris to sign a memorandum of understanding for the MGCS project on April 26.
Iraqi PM to visit Washington for troop talks



Washington, March 22 (AFP) Mar 22, 2024



President Joe Biden will welcome Iraq's prime minister on April 15 for talks on the US troop presence, the White House announced Friday, as tensions subside following US clashes with pro-Iran militias.

It will mark the first trip to Washington by Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani, who took office in October 2022.

Sudani in the past has called for an exit of US forces, redeployed nearly 10 years ago as part of a campaign to defeat the Islamic State extremist group, better known as ISIS, which had seized vast swathes of Iraq and Syria.

Biden and Sudani will discuss "our shared commitment to the lasting defeat of ISIS and evolution of the military mission," a White House statement said.

Sudani's office said that the two would "discuss the future relationship" between Iraq and the United States following the fight against the extremists.

Tensions soared amid the Israel-Hamas war with armed groups linked to Iran carrying out a slew of attacks on positions in the Middle East of the United States, the main ally of Israel.

The United States carried out reprisals after a drone strike killed three US soldiers stationed in the Jordanian desert in late January.

A US drone strike inside Baghdad killed Abu Baqir al-Saadi, a senior commander of Iran-lined Kataeb Hezbollah who was accused by the US military of planning and participating in the attacks on US forces.

Iraq, hoping not to be consumed by US-Iran hostility, protested the strike.

But calm has largely returned and tensions have subsided between the United States and Iraq, which have resumed talks on the future of the anti-jihadist coalition.

Iraqi authorities have voiced hope for drawing up a timeline to reduce the presence of US forces.

Both Biden and Donald Trump, who is seeking to return to the White House in November elections, generally oppose extended deployments of troops overseas, with Biden in 2021 completing the pullout of US forces from Afghanistan, where the Taliban swiftly took back control.

The United States stations some 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in neighboring Syria as part of the coalition.

Iran wields considerable political influence in Baghdad. Its Iraqi allies dominate parliament and appointed the current government.

The White House said Biden would discuss Iraqi economic reforms in hopes of promoting economic development and "energy independence," with the country still relying on Iran.
In a March 6 interview with the Nevada Independents Jon Ralston covering a wide range of topics, first-term Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo gave himself a B+ grade after 14 months in office and indicated his intention to seek re-election in 2026.

Much of the interview centered on education in Nevada and whether Lombardos historic, $2.6 billion K-12 funding increase will lead to a significant improvement in Nevadas education system.

With a large budget surplus, Lombardo was able to propose a boost in per-pupil spending from $10,293 in FY2023 to $13,387 in FY2025, a massive 30% increase. Its the largest biennial spending increase in K-12 education in Nevada history.

During his gubernatorial campaign, Lombardo said it was time to deal with stubborn facts regarding public education. Nevadas public schools have been historically underfunded and historically underperformed for students.

When he announced the spending boost in his State of the State address last year, Lombardo made it clear he expected results in exchange.

And if we dont begin seeing results, Ill be standing here in two years calling for systemic changes to the governance and leadership in K-12 education, he said at the time. Asked by Ralston whether he would have education fixed by the 2025 legislative session, Lombardo replied, Oh, God no.

Tragically, Nevada K-12 education must contend with the national calamity of learning loss resulting from COVID lockdowns and school closures.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the Nations Report Card, is the largest national organization assessing student achievement in the U.S. since 1969.

It released results for 2022 showing unprecedented declines in reading and math test scores when compared with pre-pandemic 2020 NAEP administered tests. The most recent data from last June shows academic declines suffered during the pandemic havent stabilized, despite efforts to address learning loss.

Americas teachers unions demanded schools be kept shut even as they remained open in Europe. School closures set back Americas children for years. Teachers unions used the pandemic to extort money from Congress.

Schools received $190 billion in federal COVID relief to safely reopen and address learning losses, but schools stayed closed and much of the money was never spent. Nevada schools received more than $1.5 billion through three rounds of federal COVID packages.

For Nevada, the Nations Report Card testing in 2022 found the average math scores for both fourth and eighth grade students were lower than the national average and lower than the Nevada average in 2019. Math proficiency for fourth graders dropped from 34% in 2019 to 28% in 2022 and for eighth graders fell from 26% to 21%.

In reading, the average test score for Nevada fourth graders in 2022 was lower than the national average and lower than the Nevada average in 2019. Reading proficiency dropped from 31% in 2019 to 27% in 2022.

Nevada eighth graders had average reading test scores in 2022 matching the national average and were the same as the Nevada average in 2019. Reading proficiency was 29% in both years.

Additional challenges include having high school graduation rates lower than pre-pandemic levels and more than a third of Nevada students being chronically absent.

In the 2023 legislative session, Lombardo supported reinstating the Read by Grade 3 law championed by Gov. Brian Sandoval requirement that children failing third grade reading proficiency be held back. Lombardo proposed legislation, supported by all 17 school superintendents and teacher unions, to restore a teachers ability to remove a student from their classroom. It permits school administrators to use suspension and expulsion in aggravated cases of battery, drug dealing or firearm possession.

By Executive Order last year, the governor mandated an audit of Nevadas 17 Public School Districts and the State Public Charter School Authority.

Lombardo emphasized that unprecedented investment into K-12 education warrants unprecedented accountability and fiscal responsibility.
Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said outside court: I have absolutely no doubt in my mind had he not been caught he would have gone on to kill further people.
Your behaviour after the attack was callous in the extreme  picking up cash from the roadway where it had fallen, you took his car to another location, searched it and stole property, later you both went to buy cocaine then to a brothel where you spent more of the cash.
"The goal is not just to damage, but to try again, like last year, to cause a large-scale failure of the country's energy system," he wrote on Facebook.
He said: My thoughts and prayers are with Catherine, The Princess of Wales, at what must be the most difficult and anxious of times for her, the Prince of Wales, their children, and of course Catherines family and friends, and the whole Royal Family.
The Aryan Knights is a gang that formed in the mid-1990s in Idaho's prison system to organise criminal activity for a select group of white people in custody as well as outside prison walls, according to the US attorney's office in the district of Idaho.
Recently, at the headquarters base of ZeroG Aircraft Industry (Hefei) Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the company, Rui En Aircraft, signed a order for a total of 22 RX1E-A electric fixed-wing aircraft with multiple domestic general aviation operation units, injecting new impetus into the high-quality development of low altitude economy in Anhui and even in China.

ZeroG Aircraft Industry is a technologically advanced innovative enterprise in manned electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. The company was established in 2021 and is headquartered in Hefei High-tech Zone. It has research and development, operations, production, and test flight branches in Nanjing, Shenzhen, Wuhu, and other locations.

The RX1E-A electric fixed-wing aircraft signed this time is exclusively manufactured and globally sold by Rui En Aircraft. The aircraft only takes 5 minutes to change batteries and has a flight endurance of 2.5 hours. The hourly variable cost is as low as within a hundred yuan.

The cooperative partners in this signing ceremony include multiple companies from Anhui, Sichuan, Gansu, Zhejiang, and other regions. After this joint signing, all parties will deepen cooperation in the mass consumer market, general aviation public service market, and other fields, injecting new impetus into the promotion of high-quality development of low-altitude economy.





Source: anhuinews.com
Vietnamese Ambassador to Egypt and South Sudan Nguyen Huy Dung (centre) on March 20 presents the Vietnamese President's credentials to President of South Sudan Salvar Kiir Mayardit. (Photo: VNA)

At a reception for the diplomat after the presentation ceremony, President Kiir Mayardit expressed his joy to receive the credentials from the first Vietnamese ambassador to the youngest nation in Africa.

He hoped the ambassador will complete his duties excellently during his term of office in South Sudan, making contributions to strengthening and developing the cooperative relations between the two countries.

President Kiir Mayardit expressed his admiration for Vietnam's socio-economic achievements, affirming his wish to promote the bilateral multifaceted cooperation.

For his part, Dung affirmed his determination to promote the friendship and cooperative relations between the two countries in the coming time both bilaterally and multilaterally.

On March 19, the ambassador presented a copy of the credentials to South Sudan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation James Pitia Morgan.

South Sudan was founded in 2011 after a referendum on separating the southern region of Sudan into an independent country. Currently, South Sudan has a population of about 12 million people, with more than 200 different tribes. It has abundant natural oil, gas and wood resources.

Vietnam and South Sudan established official diplomatic relations on February 21, 2019. Since 2014, Vietnam has sent over 800 military and police officers and soldiers to join in the United Nations peacekeeping missions in South Sudan./.
NANNING, March 17 (Xinhua) -- South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region touched a new high in foreign trade in the first two months of 2024, local authorities said Sunday.

Guangxi's total imports and exports in January and February hit 109.1 billion yuan (about 15.4 billion U.S. dollars), up 18.9 percent year on year.

Exports rose 37.2 percent year on year to 60.59 billion yuan, and imports increased 1.9 percent to 48.51 billion yuan, according to the customs of Nanning, the regional capital.

During the period, the foreign trade of Guangxi's private enterprises reached 73.78 billion yuan, up 43.3 percent, accounting for 67.6 percent of the region's total.

The rapid growth of Guangxi's foreign trade is mainly attributable to the region's continuous expansion of opening up, according to a customs official.

Official data showed that Guangxi's trade with Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries reached 80.75 billion yuan in the first two months, an increase of 24.1 percent year on year, contributing to 74 percent of Guangxi's total foreign trade.

Meanwhile, trade between Guangxi and other members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership totaled 66.39 billion yuan, up 40.3 percent from the same period of the previous year.

Editor: WXL
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Foreign minister Luminita Odobescu welcomed a delegation of the American Chamber of Commerce in Romania (AmCham Romania), led by its president, Cristian Sporis, the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) announced on Friday.

According to a press release the ministry sent to AGERPRES, the agenda of the meeting, which took place on Wednesday, included possibilities for cooperation to advance common objectives in terms of attracting investment in strategic areas, strengthening Romania's economic, commercial and energy role at regional level, including through participation in the reconstruction of Ukraine, joining the OECD, Romania's inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program, Romania's accession to the Schengen area.

"Minister Luminita Odobescu appreciated the support of AmCham and its member companies for the implementation of Romania's foreign policy priorities, both in relation to the main strategic partner, the U.S., and other regional partners. She also reviewed the main foreign policy objectives in the current global political and security context, requesting AmCham's continued support for their achievement," the press release said.

In turn, the president of AmCham Romania highlighted the main concerns and action priorities of the organization's member companies, underlining the efforts to lower the visa refusal rate for the U.S., an essential criterion for Romania's access to the VisaWaiver Program.

AmCham Romania was established in 1993 at the initiative of the local subsidiaries of six major American companies (Coca-Cola, Colgate-Palmolive, Computerland, Delta Airlines and Honeywell), together with several American companies present in Romania at that time.

AmCham was established on the basis of the Agreement on Trade Relations between the Government of Romania and the Government of the United States of America. The organization represents 550 companies based in the U.S., Romania and other EU member states.
Investment and European funds minister Adrian Caciu in Craiova on Friday said that after the decentralisation of European funds, the next step will be the decentralisation of national funds, regardless of the source of funding.

"This is the first time that European funds are officially decentralised to regional and local communities. It is a first step, in my view, because the next step will be the decentralisation of national funds, regardless of the source of funding. And here the role of the Regional Development Agency is a very important one, one of increasing administrative capacity, on the one hand to implement programmes with European funds, to receive new sources of funding from programmes that are at the national level such as the Health programme or the Just Transition, but also to become a regional financier for the counties in the region," said minister Caciu, during an event organised by the South-West Oltenia Regional Development Agency to mark its 25th anniversary.

He also said that Romania has a problem with regional disparities because "it has always been dictated from the centre in terms of funding and development, even though the problems were at local level," and while he is minister, he will support the decentralisation of European funds, "because yhe cohesion policy is about regions, not states."

"Romania's South-West region has a lot of catching up to do compared to other regions of Romania, at least compared to the regions of Transylvania. And history has been more adverse in these places, not only here, but also in the Eastern part of Romania, where there have been many complicated situations throughout history and we have a lot of catching up to do. But what has been done in recent years in this region can be seen: the region has developed, the contribution to the national economy has increased and the investments are not only visible, but they bring benefits to the citizens of this region. It is very important that in the coming period we increase the speed and consistency on what means new investments and new resources to attract in the development of the regional economy," said minister Adrian Caciu.
ST. LOUIS  The metro area's latest Shake Shack location is expected to open later this spring in St. Louis Lambert International Airport's Terminal 2, replacing a California Pizza Kitchen outlet and a Burger King.

"This marks a strategic move towards consolidating two smaller restaurant spaces into a larger, unified unit," Robert Salarano, Lambert's properties division manager, said.

The Shake Shack addition is among several planned eatery changes outlined in Lambert's annual report, which was released this week.

Later this year, Pei Wei, a Pan-Asian restaurant chain, and Midtown Cafe Specialty Coffee, will open at the airport. Also planned is a 4 Hands Brewing-Peacemaker Lobster and Crab combination, which will replace a Schlafly Brewing-Pasta House location.

Meanwhile, the Crushed Red restaurant chain has opened a self-serve pizza kiosk in Terminal 2.
ST. LOUIS  After their shift ended at 3:30 p.m., St. Louis University groundskeepers joined about two dozen other union members in front of Busch Student Center Thursday to demand a contract with better pay and job protection.

Custodial, ground and maintenance crew workers represented by Service Employees International Union Local 1 chanted and waved as they marched through campus to the office of SLU President Fred Pestello in DuBourg Hall.

We have been designated as essential workers but that is in name and responsibility only, Sonya Harris, a SLU custodian of 17 years, said through a microphone to workers and allies. Were not being shown the respect, job security or compensation that goes with the life.

Harris said she sometimes works two additional jobs to make ends meet. Today, she makes $15.45 an hour as a night worker, which is $5 more than when she began in 2007.

Our hard work and dedication at the university cannot continue to be the devalued, Harris said. We are here today to stand up for our rights as workers to not live with the fear of not knowing if today is the day that we will lose our jobs.

Workers said the university is currently offering a four-year agreement that includes provisions on outsourcing work and insufficient wage increases, including a 50 cent per hour increase in the fourth year. Their previous contract expired in December and members have voted down proposed contracts four times since November.

"SLU is committed to ensuring fair and equitable compensation and benefits for all employees," said spokesman Clayton Berry, in a statement. "We are hopeful that we will reach a common ground that serves the best interests of both our dedicated facilities workers and the University."

A handful of students stood with SEIU members Thursday to show their solidarity.

Ben Kemper, a junior studying political science, said SLU abandons its workers by not living up to its commitment as a Jesuit institution to be for and with others.

Many students feel that the workers at SLU get the short end of the stick, Kemper said.

Earlier this month, St. Louis Board of Aldermen President Megan Green joined a delegation of workers at Pestellos office to apply pressure to the school. So far, the union has not heard from Pestello. He announced Thursday that he will step down as SLU president in 2025.

The union represents 122 SLU janitors and maintenance workers. Contract negotiations continue.

Every so often they give speeches about being Jesuits and treating people like Jesus, said Tracy Jackson, who has worked as a custodian at SLU for 16 years. If theyre treating us like Jesus, Jesus must not be treated good.
Shalina Chatlani examined the health care system in Mississippi as a part of The New York Timess Local Investigations Fellowship.

In 2018, when Mike DeWine was Ohios attorney general, he began investigating an obscure corner of the health care industry.

He believed that insurers were inflating prescription drug prices through management companies that operated as middlemen in the drug supply chain. There were concerns that these companies, known as pharmacy benefit managers, or P.B.M.s, were fleecing agencies like Medicaid, the government-run health insurance program for the poor.

Three years later, after DeWine became governor of Ohio, the state announced an $88 million settlement with one of the nations largest insurance companies, Centene Corp., based in Clayton.

The case led to a nationwide reckoning for the company, as attorneys general in one state after another followed Ohios lead, announcing multimillion-dollar settlements and claiming credit for forcing Centene to reform its billing practices.

On the surface, it appeared that these settlements, which now total nearly $1 billion, were driven by state governments cracking down on a company that had ripped off taxpayers.

But a New York Times investigation, drawing on thousands of pages of court documents, emails and other public records in multiple states, reveals that the case against Centene was conceived and executed by a group of powerful private lawyers who used their political connections to go after millions of dollars in contingency fees.

The lawyers were first hired in Ohio, without competitive bidding. Then, they gathered evidence against Centene of questionable billing practices across the country.

Using information they acquired from Centene and other sources, they negotiated with the company to set the basic framework of an agreement that could be applied in other states. With that in hand, they approached attorneys general in multiple states and made a compelling offer: hire them, at no direct cost to taxpayers, and recoup millions of dollars Centene had already set aside.

So far, the lawyers have been awarded at least $108 million in fees.

The Centene case is just one example in a thriving industry that allows private lawyers to partner with elected attorneys general and temporarily gain powers usually reserved for the government. Under the banner of their state partners, these lawyers sue corporations and help set public policy while collecting millions of dollars in fees, usually based on a percentage of whatever money they recoup. The practice has become standard fare in the oversight of major industries, shifting the work of accountability away from legislators and regulators to the opaque world of private litigation.

Private lawyers do not have to publicly defend the deals they make or prove how aggressively they went after a company accused of wrongdoing. Nearly all their work happens in secret, especially if companies settle before the stage of a lawsuit when evidence is filed with the court.

The lawyers do not even have to disclose who worked on a case or who was paid, so the public may be left unable to monitor potential conflicts of interest even as the lawyers pursue litigation on behalf of the people.

The Centene case was organized by the Mississippi-based law firm Liston & Deas along with at least three other firms, several with close ties to former Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi, who was once considered one of the most influential Republican power brokers in the nation.

The lawyers included Paul Hurst, who served as Mr. Barbours chief of staff when he was governor and who married into Mr. Barbours family, and David H. Nutt, one of the richest men in Mississippi, who amassed a fortune funding state lawsuits against tobacco companies. Cohen Milstein, a huge national law firm with deep experience in contingency work for state attorneys general, was also part of the venture.

Though he is not listed in any government contracts as a lawyer of record, Barbour himself was a member of the legal team when Liston & Deas vied for the contract in Ohio.

At the time, Barbour also worked for Centene as a federal lobbyist.

Even now, close to three years after Centene signed its first settlements, no one has fully explained Barbours role in the case for the company. There is no way for the public to know whether he influenced the outcome or to measure whether Centene paid its full share, because the data used to calculate what Centene overcharged remains hidden from the public under provisions designed to protect attorney work product.

Barbour and other lawyers said that the former governor worked on the case for less than a year when the group was examining several insurance companies, and that he cut ties when Centene emerged as the primary target. Barbour said he informed Centene and his colleagues about the development and was never involved in negotiations or legal matters. He continued representing Centene as a lobbyist, he said, but his role in the case on behalf of the company was as more of an observer.

The lawyers said that Barbour was never paid for his work and that the settlement was not influenced by Barbours connections to Centene or to the lawyers who remained. They said each state attorney general reviewed Centenes billing practices when deciding whether to enter a settlement agreement.

In recent years, P.B.M.s have been widely criticized, including by members of Congress, who have held multiple hearings and proposed legislation. The Centene settlements stand as the most successful attempt to hold a company operating in the industry accountable.

Liston & Deas and its partner law firms uncovered that Centene had arranged discounts with CVS Caremark on certain drugs and then pocketed the savings instead of passing them on to Medicaid. In some states, they revealed that Centene layered on unnecessary management fees that it had not disclosed. Although Centene settled without admitting guilt, the company agreed to be more transparent in how it sets reimbursement rates.

The lawyers noted that they spent several years investigating Centene and negotiating with the company at their own risk, saving states the cost of building a case.

Nutt, one of the lawyers who pursued the case, said states were happy with the terms of the settlements.

Almost every one of those states audited to determine if our damage model was fair, Nutt said.

The formula was based on a triple damages model that we developed. And everybody was quite satisfied with it, because it was three times what anybody could have proven in court.

Hiring outside counsel

For most of their history, state attorneys general were largely focused on advising state officials on legal matters and representing local agencies in court.

That changed drastically almost 30 years ago, when states came together to sue tobacco companies and won a $206 billion settlement to cover the cost of medical care related to smoking. The lawsuit helped redefine the role of the attorney general as one of the most powerful positions in state government and a natural place to start a political career.

Through high-profile lawsuits against corporations, an attorney general could directly affect policy and build a reputation as a champion of the people.

But complex litigation against large companies can require years of investigation and legal work, with no guarantee of success. Increasingly, states have turned to private lawyers willing to work on contingency as a way to stretch limited resources.

The rise of contingency fee cases kicked off a new wave of lobbying across the nation. Law firms looking for contracts have poured money into attorney general election campaigns and sponsored conferences at high-priced resorts, where private lawyers mingle with attorneys general and pitch their latest ideas for lawsuits.

Many states have capped how much lawyers can be paid in contingency fees and have increased oversight of private firms working for the government. But there remains concern about undue political influence and potential conflicts of interest.

In theory, theres an incentive to have the settlement be as big as possible, and of course thats great for the state, said Paul Nolette, a professor at Marquette University who has studied how the role of attorneys general has changed over time.

But in reality, lawyers have an incentive to recover the largest amount of money in the shortest amount of time, which could pressure them to water down settlements and compromise on punitive measures, Nolette said.

I think that does raise some questions about how forcefully A.G.s and private attorneys are prosecuting a particular case, he said.

Several experts said that contingency cases had recouped billions of dollars on behalf of the public and had become a critical way to regulate the behavior of powerful industries and large corporations.

But inviting private lawyers to help set public policy has inherent risks, they said.

Private lawyers may be more likely to have conflicts of interest because they generally represent many businesses and individuals, not just the citizens of a state.

And unlike most attorneys general, private lawyers are not elected officials. They are not generally governed by open records laws or subject to public pressure, as from legislators setting their budgets.

In the Centene case, Barbours associations with both Centene and the private lawyers raise important questions about who controlled the case to make sure it was pursued in the best interests of states that settled, said Kathleen Clark, a professor of legal ethics at Washington University in St. Louis.

Did state A.G.s proactively pursue these cases, or did they passively accept the free money or easy money of the proposed settlements that the law firms had already negotiated with Centene? Clark asked.

Christina Saler, a partner at Cohen Milstein, said Barbours early association with the legal team was not a conflict of interest because Mr. Barbour withdrew from the case before lawyers started investigating Centene.

After Mr. Barbours disassociation, we had no further contact with Mr. Barbour on this matter, she said.

A well-connected team

Barbours involvement in the Ohio case against P.B.M.s illustrates the potential for favoritism when states hire private lawyers.

Hurst noted the involvement of Barbour when seeking the contract in Ohio, according to emails acquired from the Ohio attorney generals office through a public records request.

In a June 22, 2018, email exchange, just a few days before the state hired Liston & Deas, Hurst recalled meeting with the attorney generals staff in Ohio.

Hurst went on to note that members of his team had worked with Governor Barbour while he was in office and that they all continue to work together now.

In an email a week later, an assistant attorney general shared Barbours cell number with Mr. DeWine, saying that Barbour had shared it so he could call him about this case anytime.

Barbour, who had served two terms as governor of Mississippi, was a former chairman of the Republican Governors Association and a former chairman of the Republican National Committee. Known as a prolific fund-raiser, he was credited with bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars to support Republican candidates across the nation.

In 1991, Barbour co-founded BGR Group, a lobbying firm that quickly became one of the most influential in Washington.

Barbour had known DeWine since he was first elected to the Senate in 1995.

Two decades later, when DeWine was in the midst of a hard-fought campaign for governor, Barbours close associates solicited him for the legal work on the Centene case. In October 2018, less than three months after DeWine hired Liston & Deas, he traveled to Washington to visit Barbours lobbying firm for several hours, according to calendar records.

At the time, Barbour and others at BGR were registered lobbyists for Centene.

Barbour has never been named in state contracts as one of the private lawyers on the case in Ohio or anywhere else. His involvement has rarely, if ever, been publicly reported.

Saler, of Cohen Milstein, said there was no need to inform state officials because Barbour had not been involved in the Centene portion of the case and had exited the venture several years before states hired the lawyers.

At least four law firms were involved in the case in two or more states, according to retainer agreements and financial records showing broadly how settlement funds were disbursed.

According to Max Littman, a former data analyst with HealthPlan Data Solutions, the analytics firm that helped identify Centenes overcharges in Ohio, one important role for many of the lawyers was to use their connections as they presented the overcharges to various states.

Littman, who said he worked closely with the legal team, described the dynamic: Liston & Deas, with roots in a deeply red state, would approach Republican attorneys general, and Cohen Milstein, who were our Democrats, would focus on Democratic states.

When The Times asked for records showing Liston & Deass qualifications to be hired to represent the State of Ohio, the attorney generals office said no records existed. Cohen Milstein and other law firms had submitted such documentation in the past when seeking contracts in Ohio.

Settling with states

In June 2021, nearly three years after Ohio hired its outside counsel, two states announced the first settlements with Centene on the same day: Ohio would get $88 million, Mississippi $55 million.

After that, Centene settled in one state after another, often with just months between announcements.

In fact, Centene had already set aside $1.1 billion to handle all subsequent cases. The company estimated the amount after early discussions with the private lawyers that did not involve the state attorneys general who would later work with them.

With a settlement in hand and an estimate of how much each state could collect, the private lawyers had a powerful pitch. The team also had the option to file whistle-blower lawsuits, which can advance without a state attorney generals having to hire outside counsel.

The team pursued whistle-blower lawsuits in Texas, California and Washington.

In Texas, the whistle-blower lawsuit came with a benefit for Attorney General Ken Paxton: Under Texas law, his office is allowed to recoup reasonable attorneys fees for work associated with such cases. It collected nearly $25 million in legal fees on the Centene case while spending just 561 hours on it, financial records show. That comes out to more than $44,000 per hour of work. The Texas attorney generals office declined to comment.

Saler said all the state attorneys general decided their own strategies in reaching settlements with Centene based on the best interest of taxpayers in their states.

In states that hired the lawyers on contingency, the attorney general closely reviewed Centenes billing practices. But no state has revealed whether its own overcharge calculations matched those of the private lawyers.

State officials who hired Liston & Deas and the other firms knew that the lawyers had previously negotiated with Centene. But in a vast majority of states, officials did not explicitly address that fact when talking publicly about the settlements.

In addition, Liston & Deas and most of the states the firm worked for have not revealed exactly how much Centene overcharged for drugs or how settlement amounts were calculated. A few states have offered sparse descriptions, which vary widely.

The New Hampshire attorney generals office wrote in its settlement announcement that Centenes activities had a $2.4 million negative financial impact. Centene agreed to pay the state nearly 10 times that amount.

The attorney generals office in Washington, one of the few states where officials agreed to discuss basic details about the settlement with The Times, said the $33 million it recovered amounted to treble damages.

A news release from the California attorney generals office said the state recovered double its damages, for a total settlement of more than $215 million.

As of last month, Centene had settled in at least 19 states. The Liston & Deas website says Centene will ultimately pay about $1.25 billion to 22 states.

A sweetheart deal?

Some observers believe Centene would have faced stricter penalties if the federal government had taken up the case instead of private lawyers hopscotching from one state to the next.

Several experts in health care fraud litigation and whistle-blower cases said the best way to recoup money for taxpayers would have been to file a federal whistle-blower case, similar to what the lawyers did in state court in Texas and California.

A federal case could have triggered the involvement of the Justice Department, which might have investigated Centene more thoroughly. And a federal case probably would have gotten more attention and media coverage, required more transparency and taken longer to complete, the experts said.

Hurst and other lawyers in the case said they had not filed any type of federal action against Centene.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department confirmed that it had inquired about the P.B.M. and Centene cases in Ohio, but no further federal action was taken. The department declined further comment.

Mary Inman, a lawyer at Whistleblower Partners L.L.P. with decades of experience, said one of the reasons Liston & Deas wound up in state court might have been that its case relied on whistle-blowers the federal government was unlikely to approve.

The whistle-blower in Texas was Hurst. In California, the whistle-blower was Matthew McDonald, a lawyer at David Nutt & Associates and the son of Bryan McDonald, who worked in Barbours administration when he was governor.

Inman said whistle-blowers are typically insiders with firsthand knowledge of wrongdoing who share information at some risk to themselves, not lawyers who gain information while on the job.

Its very unusual, Inman said. And its something that I, as a longtime lawyer in this space, I would not want to do because atmospherically and reputationally it doesnt look great.

Barbour said he believes everyone walked away from the settlements happy  including executives at Centene. As evidence, he cited the companys stock performance.

I cant speak for them, but if I had agreed to pay a big settlement and my stock went up after the first day, I would think it was a pretty good settlement, Barbour said.
The new book launch was held in Beijing, March 19, 2024. Experts and scholars from renowned institutions including Renmin University of China, Charhar Institute, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China Institute of International Studies, Tsinghua University, Peking University, China Foreign Affairs University, Foreign Languages Press and China-EU Association attended the event. (Photo provided to GMW.cn)

On March 19, the Seminar on the Cultural Roots of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and the Book Launch of "China's Approach to People-to-People Connectivity" were held in Beijing.

Hosted by the Academy of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era of Renmin University of China, the event brought together a dozen experts and scholars from renowned institutions to delve into the theories and viewpoints outlined in "China's Approach to People-to-People Connectivity".

The book is another significant work on China's public diplomacy in the new era, following the book "Beyond Public Diplomacy: Chinese Wisdom on People-to-People Exchange"."China's Approach to People-to-People Connectivity" combines theory with practice, analyzes people-to-people bonds in depth from political system, religion, history, culture and nationality, etc., presenting a broad vision with rich connotations. The book sorts out the exchanges between China and the United States, Germany, India, ASEAN, Africa and Latin America through case studies, and proposes constructive approaches to deepen public diplomacy in the digital age, post-COVID era and under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Author Wang Yiwei elaborated on the importance of people-to-people connectivity, emphasizing the sublimation the book underscores from understanding people to understanding humanity. The book itself, creatively drawing on classroom teaching of political science, explores the inter-relationship between teaching and learning. Professor Wang hopes the book will spark the global practice of people-to-people exchanges, particularly in the Global South, as it will push the North to rethink public diplomacy.

(Photo provided to GMW.cn)

Experts and scholars in attendance discussed the theories and viewpoints outlined in the book. Participants applauded the book for its systematic presentation of Chinas people-to-people exchange strategies and experiences. This valuable resource offers theoretical grounding and practical guidance to promote mutual understanding and cooperation in the international community. In an increasingly globalized world, such research serves not only as a guide for cultural exchange, but also shows a path towards building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Editor: WXL
Aisha Sultan Columnist and features writer Follow Aisha Sultan 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

Spencer Russells son met one milestone significantly earlier than his peers: He started reading at 2 1/2 years old, and was reading fluently by age 3.

Most children are twice that age when they are reading easily.

Russell says his son was a typical toddler; apart from his incredible gray eyes, he didnt consider him to be above average. But both his parents were kindergarten teachers who understood the science of teaching literacy and believed young children could grasp phonetic basics if taught the right way.

After the pair succeeded with their son, I knew I could teach this to others, Russell said.

Russell, who taught kindergarten and first grade for six years in an underserved Houston school, had moved to a job at an educational nonprofit. He made more money and had greater flexibility and time to spend with his family, but he still had a passion for teaching.

On May 30, 2021, he posted his first video on Instagram. He began breaking down early literacy learning for parents, step by step. At the time, he had zero social media followers and used a $15 microphone and $20 ring light to make the videos.

Nearly three years later, hes become a viral sensation. He now has 3.5 million followers across all social media platforms for his Toddlers Can Read channel. He also sells digital courses, books and flashcards. Last year, he hired four full-time employees.

Unlike the discontinued "baby learning" videos of the early 2000s, which suggested babies could learn language from watching a screen, Russells videos are aimed at parents and caregivers. His teaching methods are based on the science of reading  laying a foundation of phonetic awareness and blending of these sounds.

The chasm of educational inequity in America has a profound effect on student achievement. Per the National Center for Education Statistics, part of the U.S. Department of Education, only 17% of Black fourth graders tested at or above the proficient level in a nationwide reading assessment. The number for white students was 42%. (These numbers are from 2022, the most recent year available.)

It sends a powerful message for parents of color to watch Russell  a Black male teacher  tell them their children are capable of far more than the system believes they can achieve.

Its not just reading tips, Russell said. Its someone in your corner who believes you can do it.

His audience is not "tiger moms" wanting to raise baby geniuses. Hes talking to parents who know that learning to read is fundamental to their childs future survival and ability to thrive.

I talked to Russell after he delivered a keynote address to more than a thousand educators at SXSW EDU in Austin. I told him about a book I had discovered on homeschool sites more than 15 years ago, "Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons," that I had used to teach my own toddlers to read. He was familiar with the book, which also uses a phonics-based system and has sold more than 1 million copies. It's a dense tome that requires a high degree of parental literacy and involvement.

Russell prefers the accessibility of videos, which demonstrate teaching techniques and strategies. Part of his mission is to create a cultural change around early literacy.

So many people will tell me in private that they wont share with their friends or tell their mom groups that they are doing this, he said. Theres the fear of being judged as an overly demanding parent pushing a child beyond their developmental ability. It can also make other time-pressed parents feel uncomfortable or pressured that they should also be teaching their toddlers  on top of everything else they are juggling.

Thats why Russell focuses on a low-key, no-pressure approach. Parents can gauge a childs readiness to learn reading by observing their ability to physically pronounce sounds, remember basic objects and sounds, focus for a few minutes a day and be excited about the process. The point is to make the time together fun and engaging rather than creating anxiety around learning.

Children who become confident readers at a young age develop skills that help them throughout their schooling, and ultimately, throughout life.
WASHINGTON  A Cardinals super fan known as Rally Runner pleaded guilty Friday to charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, storming of the U.S. Capitol.

Daniel Donnelly Jr., of St. Louis, gained widespread recognition about a decade ago for painting his face and jogging around Busch Stadium, which he claimed strengthened the spirit for the Cardinals.

Donelly was arrested in August on a felony charge of civil disorder and several misdemeanor offenses for storming the U.S. Capitol in protest of former President Donald Trumps loss in the 2020 presidential election.

According to federal sentencing guidelines, Donnelly may serve a sentence of 24 to 30 months in prison and pay a fine up to $40,000.

Donnelly wore his trademark red face paint and a Keep America Great hat to the Capitol as he held a riot shield and led thousands of protestors toward the building, according to charging documents.

Donnelly posted a 26-minute video on Facebook in which he admitted to being at the Capitol.

I got further than anyone, he said, according to court documents. I literally got further than anyone. I helped us get that far.

Donnelly legally changed his name to Rally Runner in 2016, but he was charged under the name Donnelly.

Donnellys attorney Scott Rosenblum said that his client looked at the various options and decided a guilty plea was in his best interest.

He wanted to accept responsibility and get on with his life, Rosenblum said.

By pleading guilty, Donnelly waived his rights to a jury trial and agreed to pay $2,000 restitution for damage to the Capitol.

Donnelly has previously been convicted of passing bad checks, theft, stealing a motor vehicle and attempted tampering with a witness or victim.
ST. LOUIS  A St. Louis judge sentenced a Florissant man on Friday to 20 years in prison for a 2020 fatal shooting in the citys Old North neighborhood.

Michael Penton, 46, was convicted last month of second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of 47-year-old Tommy Parnell.

Prosecutors argued at trial that Penton blocked Parnell with his car, shot him twice and then pistol-whipped him on Aug. 31, 2020, outside of an apartment complex in the 1300 block of Madison Street. They connected Penton to the murder after finding Parnells DNA and suspected blood inside Pentons car and a bullet that matched Pentons revolver.

Penton maintains his innocence.

Mr. Parnell was a friend that I had no problems with, Penton wrote in a letter to Judge Christopher McGraugh on Feb. 19. Im still not sure how I became involved in this situation at all, and my heart goes out to his family.

Pentons case dragged on for more than three years through dysfunction and understaffing in St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardners Office and then a change in administration to Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore.

A jury in October could not reach a verdict, and a mistrial was declared. All the while, Penton was housed in the troubled St. Louis jail.

This case would not have taken three years to get to trial if not for the problems in the Circuit Attorneys Office, said Judge Christopher McGraugh.

On Friday, prosecutor Kerri Davis called the killing nothing less than an ambush in broad daylight at a busy housing project.

Davis also commended the states key witness  who identified the shooters car but did not see the driver  for her participation in the case. Davis asked for a 33-year sentence.

The sentence could encourage witnesses who see crimes to report crimes, Davis said.

Pentons public defender, Matthew Mahaffey, called Penton a dream of a client to work with who was always respectful, professional and dogged in his defense.

He made us better with how we executed our duties, Mahaffey said.

Prosecutors previously offered Penton a 15-year sentence in exchange for guilty pleas, but Penton opted to go to trial instead.

McGraugh said he was troubled that prosecutors would ask for more than twice that amount because Penton was exercising his right to go to trial.

He sentenced Penton to 15 years in prison for murder followed by five years for armed criminal action.
The body of missing University of Missouri student Riley Strain was found Friday morning in the Cumberland River in West Nashville, Tennessee.

Strains body was found about 8 miles from downtown Nashville, where he was last seen leaving a bar around 10 p.m. March 8. No foul play was suspected in his death, and an autopsy is pending.

Strain, 22, had traveled to Tennessee with his fraternity, Delta Chi, for an annual spring formal trip. His fraternity brothers told authorities they could not find Strain after he was kicked out of a bar belonging to country music star Luke Bryan, Lukes 32 Bridge.

Nashville police Chief John Drake said authorities received a call around 7:30 a.m. Friday from a worker on 61st Avenue who saw what appeared to be Strains body.

After the body was removed from the river, the medical examiners office confirmed the identity by factors including Strains watch and two-toned shirt.

Drake said if Strains body was in the river, authorities had been expecting it to surface between 14 to 20 days after he went into the water.

This is the 14th day, so we were really expecting anytime soon to find him, Drake said in a news conference. In fact, our search teams were going to put in the water here this morning and search from this point further down, so we were in the right spot. Its just unfortunate.

In the days after Strain went missing, his family traveled to Nashville to help with the search. Helicopters and boats were deployed, security footage showed Strain stumbling through downtown, and amateur investigators on TikTok found Strains bank card near the river.

Strain, of Springfield, Missouri, was a senior business and finance student at Mizzou.

Lukes 32 Bridge is a five-story venue on Broadway with seven bars and three stages.

In an interview, Strains stepfather, Christopher Whiteid, told the Post-Dispatch that Strain had FaceTimed his mother that Friday from a bar a few hours before he went missing.

According to Lukes 32 Bridge, records show that Strain was served one alcoholic drink and two glasses of water before the bars security team escorted him out around 9:35 p.m.

In a statement, the bar said Strain was taken out through the bars Broadway exit at the front of the building, and one of his friends headed down with him. The friend did not leave with Riley, though, and headed back upstairs.

After being kicked out of the bar, Strain called his fraternity brothers and told them he was going back to the hotel, Whiteid said.

One of Strains fraternity brothers called police from the Tempo Hotel on Rosa Parks Boulevard to report Strain missing on Saturday. The friend told police that he and others unsuccessfully tried using Strains Snapchat location to find him. They tried calling him several times on Friday and Saturday, but the calls went to voicemail.

In an email addressed to the campus community, University of Missouri System president Mun Choi reminded students, faculty and staff of counseling resources following the news of Strains death.

The university is equipped to assist you as you process this loss, Choi wrote. As the Mizzou community mourns Riley, we are keeping his family in our thoughts and offering support.

And Delta Chi, which is headquartered in Indianapolis, issued a statement Friday asking for the respect and privacy of Strains family and fraternity brothers during this time.

The Delta Chi Fraternity is deeply saddened by the tragic passing of our esteemed fraternity brother, Riley Strain, reads the statement from spokesperson Chase Strother. Our hearts go out to Rileys family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time as we work to provide support and resources to all those affected by this tragedy.

Delta Chi has more than 118,000 members across nearly 150 chapters.

Missing Mizzou student Riley Strains bank card found by TikTok investigators Police said in a tweet Sunday afternoon that Rileys bank card was found on the embankment between Gay Street and the Cumberland River.

Nashville police share footage of Mizzou student moments before he goes missing Nashville police have released footage of the Mizzou senior who went missing over the weekend.

Mizzou student missing from fraternity trip to Nashville. Stepdad calls it pure hell. Riley Strain was last seen about 10 p.m. Friday leaving a bar in downtown Nashville. His stepfather said Monday the past few days have been "pure hell."
Missouris top lawyer has launched an investigation into diversity, equity and inclusion practices in the Hazelwood School District after a fight off school grounds this month left a student in critical condition.

In a letter sent to the district and riddled with errors, Attorney General Andrew Bailey said the investigation would focus on how the school districts DEI programs contributed to the incident, which was captured on a viral video.

The community deserves answers on how Hazelwoods radical DEI programs resulted in such despicable safety failures that has resulted in a student fighting for her life, Bailey said in a statement announcing the investigation. There must be accountability.

Its unclear exactly what role Bailey thinks DEI programs played in the brutal beating of Kaylee Gain, a sophomore at Hazelwood East High School. Neither the school district nor police has mentioned race as a factor in the fight, and they have not confirmed the race of Kaylee or her 15-year-old attacker.

Hazelwood School District pens scathing response to AG Baileys DEI investigation Hazelwood School District on Tuesday accused Missouri's top lawyer of spouting falsehoods, disrespecting school districts and leveraging an "obvious racial bias against majority-minority school districts."

Video of the fight shows a girl who appears to be Black smashing the head of Kaylee, who appears to be white, into the pavement repeatedly during a large brawl. Kaylee suffered brain bleeding and swelling and remained unconscious this week.

The video spread quickly online, and some in right-wing social media circles immediately claimed that race must have been a factor.

The girl accused of assaulting Kaylee was arrested and charged in juvenile court. Many, including Bailey, have called for her to be charged as an adult, but that decision will ultimately be up to a juvenile court judge.

The letter marked the latest instance of Bailey jumping into the culture war fray thats enveloped several suburban school boards in the St. Louis area since the pandemic. Late last month, Bailey sent four cease-and-desist letters to area school districts, levying claims of discrimination or illegal behavior that school officials have adamantly denied.

In a statement Friday, Hazelwood School District officials said they take great pride in the districts commitment to DEI.

Contrary to recent statements, HSD does not prioritize DEI initiatives at the expense of student safety, the statement reads. Rather, we believe that fostering an inclusive environment is essential to ensuring the well-being of every member of our school community.

DEI has become a political rallying cry among conservative politicians along with Critical Race Theory, a once-obscure academic concept on the pervasion of racism in society. DEI seeks to promote the fair treatment of underrepresented groups, whether that be race, disability, or any other aspect of a person that has subjected them to discrimination.

But GOP politicians and lawmakers have interpreted DEI has a mechanism for encouraging discrimination, and U.S. Republican officials have vowed to remove DEI from schools.

In both the letter to Hazelwood and the statement announcing the investigation, Bailey got several key facts wrong, including the time and date of the fight.

The fight happened about 15 minutes after Hazelwood schools released students on Friday, March 8, but Bailey claimed the fight happened in the middle of the school day on Monday, March 11.

Bailey also lamented that no school resource officers were on the scene, but the fight happened in a residential area about a quarter-mile from the school.

At the start of the 2021 school year, Hazelwood had no SROs in schools after the district tried to require officers to undergo 10 hours of diversity, equity and inclusion training. The three police departments that provided the district SROs  St. Louis County, Florissant and Hazelwood  did not agree to the training.

Bailey claimed SROs are still not present at the school. The district did not immediately confirm if that was true.

But the district does have a School Safety Department, which staffs licensed school safety officers and monitors at each of the districts middle and high schools. There are 40 safety officers listed in the districts staff directory.

Bailey also criticized Hazelwood School Boards 2020 adoption of its statement of solidarity. The statement committed the board to speak firmly against any racism, discrimination and senseless violence against people regardless of their identities or backgrounds.

The attorney generals letter demanded several records from Hazelwood, including all complaints or feedback about the districts DEI Action Plan.

The districts DEI plan was part of a chorus of online scrutiny against the district in the weeks since Gains assault.

The social media account Libs of TikTok, a far-right social media handle with nearly 3 million followers on X, formerly known as Twitter, combed through the plan and criticized the districts use of restorative practices. In a school context, the practices generally refer to alternative methods of discipline, used in part to rectify historically disproportionate uses of certain punishments on minority students.

The focus on Hazelwoods commitment to DEI also seemed to have caught the attention of billionaire Bill Ackman, a fervent critic of DEI.

Ackman, an American hedge fund manager, donated $10,000 last week to a GoFundMe campaign created for Kaylee.

A representative of Ackmans fund, Pershing Square Capital Management, which oversees $18 billion in assets, confirmed his donation but declined to comment on what motivated Ackman to donate.

In its statement, Hazelwood officials stood by the districts unwavering commitment to promoting DEI within the district.

These values are not negotiable, and we will continue to prioritize them in all aspects of our work as community leaders, the statement reads.
ST. CHARLES COUNTY  The Francis Howell School Board has approved revised versions of Black Literature and History electives courses, capping off a monthslong saga that brought the board both scorn and praise.

But the all-white board nearly rejected the Black Literature course during the meeting on Thursday night.

Director Randy Cook moved to delay a vote on approving the courses curriculum, along with that of four other English Language Arts courses. Cook said he had concerns about whether teachers would notify parents about books students chose to read during units that allow them to pick their reading material.

I see this as a lot of work for teachers and a lot of room for people to forget, Cook said.

Motions need a majority vote in order to succeed, and only two other board members of the six present, Jane Puszkar and Ron Harmon, sided with Cook. So all curricula up for review eventually passed.

The vote comes after the courses were put on the chopping block because of so-called social justice standards, created by the Southern Poverty Law Centers Teaching Tolerance project, that largely focused on reducing prejudice and advocating for collective action to challenge inequality.

A December vote to rescind approval of the standards and any curricula used to develop said standards brought outcry and national headlines.

About a week later, Board President Adam Bertrand and Superintendent Kenneth Roumpos said in a joint statement that students could still enroll in the courses as curricula were revised to be rigorous and largely politically neutral.

A previous board majority approved the previous courses written, in part, with the law centers standards in 2021. Students requested the courses during racial unrest that was sparked after the police killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.

We wanted to make sure that all voices were heard, Chad Lange, who has served on the board since 2015, said in a recent interview.

But board members elected in subsequent years had less positive views of the standards. The five newest members, all elected with support from a conservative PAC, campaigned on removing divisive ideological indoctrination in schools, and viewed the standards as veiled attempts to teach students Critical Race Theory.

My goal is/was to remove all CRT ideology (to which the SPLC subscribes) from all curriculum in our schools, board member Jane Puszkar wrote in an email to the Post-Dispatch.

On Thursday night, several attendees in a packed meeting room scoffed as the board briefly deliberated the new curricula.

Miranda Bell, the mother of two middle schoolers in the district, was in the crowd. She said in an interview the boards actions raised some big question marks  and not just about the courses.

Last year, the board also voted to rescind an anti-racism resolution, adopted in 2020, that pledged the board would speak firmly against any racism, discrimination, and senseless violence against people regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, immigration status, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or ability.

Bell questioned whether the board understood the impact of its actions.

When youre not a person of color, youre not acutely aware of the impacts that race and culture have on your day-to-day, Bell said.

Parents who spoke to a reporter after the meeting had few concerns about the revised courses, which they viewed as largely similar to the originals.

The Black History course appears to have been changed the most. Its new curriculum is more sequential, while the original was more thematic. Entire units were refocused, too. Gone is a unit on how laws and economic policies affected Black wealth, and another on what historical and modern-day struggles exist for Black people working toward equity.

With the Black Literature course, most unit titles and descriptions were slightly reworded or kept the same. The Power of Black Voices unit, for example, became The Impact of Black Voices. In that course, students will read comedian Trevor Noahs Born A Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood.

Puszkar denied the revised courses were whitewashed, which commenters both online and at board meetings have argued.

They give a more accurate representation of history [rather] than through the lens of victim and oppressor, Puszkar wrote.

Across Francis Howells three high schools, 60 students enrolled in Black History and 42 students enrolled in Black Literature this year.

Lange didnt think the courses had to be changed at all, but something is better than nothing, he said.
CLAYTON  St. Louis Countys spending on outside attorneys has more than doubled since the year before the COVID-19 pandemic, and much of that taxpayer money was spent without oversight from county elected officials.

The county spent about $1.4 million on outside counsel last year  up from about $606,000 in 2019, and almost identical to 2022, according to a Post-Dispatch analysis of county data.

Spending on private lawyers spiked during the pandemic as the county faced a spate of lawsuits related to shutdown orders and vaccine mandates, plus a handful of civil rights lawsuits.

During that time, at the request of County Executive Sam Page and the county counselors office, the County Council approved an emergency rule that proved controversial: The county, in some types of lawsuits, could spend money on outside attorneys without council approval, in a move the county executives administration said was necessary to fight the lawsuits.

Spending on outside attorneys jumped to $1.7 million in 2020 and peaked at $2 million in 2021.

Now, three years later, spending has yet to decrease to pre-pandemic levels.

A spokesperson for Page defended the spending increase this week.

With outside counsel, we won $169 million in the Rams settlement. And with outside counsel, we were able to join the fight against big opioid companies, winning more than $45 million for St. Louis County, spokesman Doug Moore wrote in an email. Over the past few years, we have successfully faced a wide variety of complicated legal issues that require expertise that our county counselors office does not always have.

Until the emergency rule passed in 2021, spending on outside lawyers was subject to comment and public review on council agendas.

When the council tried to reverse the rule last year, County Counselor Dana Redwing argued it sometimes took weeks or even months to get council approval, and without flexibility in hiring outside help, the county could end up paying millions in costly settlements.

Redwing did not respond to a request for comment this week.

Page last year vetoed a bill that would have reversed the rule and handed back oversight to the council.

The lack of transparency surrounding the spending is concerning, said Republican Councilman Dennis Hancock of Fenton.

When people act like that, its like theyre trying to hide things, Hancock said.

Where did the money go?

St. Louis County often hires private attorneys because they are more equipped than the countys in-house lawyers to handle complex cases, Redwing has said.

For instance, the county recently hired Alton-based Simmons Hanly Conroy and Kansas City-based Williams Dirks Dameron to file suit against insulin-makers Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi for unfairly jacking up prices on the diabetic drug.

In that case, the spending for outside counsel did not require council approval because the lawyers wont be paid unless they win.

Other cases where spending doesnt require council approval are lawsuits related to civil rights, employment, or COVID-19, according to the 2021 emergency rule.

Taxpayer money has gone to at least seven law firms for help on those kinds of cases since 2019, though its not clear exactly how much of that money did not require council approval.

Lewis Rice has earned nearly $2.9 million since 2019, in part for assisting St. Louis County with a discrimination lawsuit from a former police commander. The suit from Lt. Troy Doyle, now the police chief in Ferguson, is ongoing.

For about $545,000, HeplerBroom has offered its expertise on civil rights suits, including one from a mother whose son died as he fled a St. Louis County police pursuit. That case remains pending in the Missouri Court of Appeals.

And the county paid Pitzer Snodgrass just under $174,500 in part to defend against another wrongful death suit involving a fatal police chase. A judge last year ruled the county was not liable in that case, and dismissed the suit.

The county departments involved in a lawsuit foot the bill, according to county ordinance.

In December, the council flexed the power it still has. It rejected a request from the countys counselors office to pay Mickes OToole $95,000 for ongoing legal support throughout 2024.
ST. LOUIS  The United States has the worst maternal and infant mortality rates among wealthy nations. Missouri has among the worst rates in the country. And within Missouri, mothers and babies in the city of St. Louis face the worst outcomes.

And even within the city, there are big differences between ZIP codes.

Thats why on Thursday the city of St. Louis Department of Health, in conjunction with the National Medical Association  the largest national organization representing Black physicians  hosted the first-of-its-kind regional discussion on maternal and infant health.

This maternal health situation is not just an OBGYN problem, right? said Dr. Yolanda Lawson, president of NMA. Many people interface with pregnant women  everyone has a stake in the ground. Everyone has some work to do around it, and everyone has a role.

More than 100 people attended the discussion, held at the offices of the philanthropic Missouri Foundation for Health, to learn about the data and efforts to improve the health of moms and babies.

In the city, the infant mortality rate  the number of babies who die before their first birthday  is nearly 10 per 1,000 live births, compared to nearly six per 1,000 live births for the entire state, Lawson said. The infant mortality rate among Black babies is about three times that of white babies, driven by factors such as a high rate of preterm births and lack of early prenatal care, she said.

Between 2020 and 2022 in Missouri, nearly 81% of white women received adequate prenatal care, compared to nearly 62% of Black women. In St. Louis, those numbers are nearly 78% of white women, and 54% of Black women.

Across the state, the preterm birth rate between 2020 and 2022 was just over 10% for white women and nearly 16% for Black women. While in the city, the rate for white women was also 10%, but for Black women the rate climbed to 18%.

The maternal mortality rate in the city for those years was 53 deaths per 100,000 live births, Lawsons data showed. That is compared to 32 deaths per 100,000 live births statewide between 2018 and 2020, the latest data for Missouri.

In Missouri, the leading cause of maternal mortality is mental health issues, Lawson said. This calls for immediate action around substance use disorder training, depression screening and ensuring we are doing that for moms.

While the problems can be overwhelming and have complex causes, Lawson said the city can cut the numbers by increasing access to early prenatal care, improving culturally competent care and increasing public education about how to have a healthy pregnancy.

This can be done, she said, by training and educating health providers, forming collaborations, universal mental health screening, reducing stigma around seeking help and linking patients to support services.

With $4.3 million committed by the Missouri General Assembly to improving maternal mortality rates across Missouri, the Missouri Department of Health, Missouri Hospital Association and University of Missouri are leading a statewide improvement plan.

The plan centers on five areas: developing quality care protocols, training providers, standardizing screening and referrals during the postpartum period, creating a collaborative of mental health experts that primary care providers can call on for help, and improving data quality and accessibility.

Okunsola Amadou, director of Jamaa Birth Village midwifery clinic in Ferguson, suggested integrating more midwives into hospitals, birth centers and home births. Midwives are trained in low-risk pregnancies and keeping pregnant people low-risk and healthy.

Many advocates talked of the importance of increasing access to doulas, professionals who support women through pregnancy to postpartum, and community health workers who help coordinate a persons health and social needs.

Kendra Copanas, executive director of Generate Health, which advocates for health equity among women and children, said its difficult for a person overwhelmed with the journey to motherhood to also manage complex health and social systems.

I think we need to have more high-touch community health workers paired up with pregnant women, and I think the combination of doula and community health worker is a powerful combination, Copanas said.

Many echoed the importance of all mothers being able to feel the joy of giving birth and knowing that they received best care possible.

Dr. Kanika Cunningham, director of the St. Louis County Department of Public Health, recently returned to work after having a baby.

She remembers being fearful going into labor, but she had the support and encouragement of those around her, she said.

I want that same experience for every single labor and delivering mom, Cunningham said. It doesnt have to be because Im the county director. It should be because this is the standard care, that we have stated all moms deserve that type of treatment and care.
Missouri has more subsidized permanent housing for homeless individuals than ever before. Yet the homelessness crisis continues to get worse.

According to data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Missouri increased its supply of permanent supportive housing by more than 70 percent over the last decade. This increase was expected to ameliorate the problem, but instead, the state was left with less short-term housing capacity to respond to the homelessness crisis.

The states response to homelessness has followed the federal governments lead with a set of policies known as Housing First. Housing First incentivizes communities to prioritize the creation of so-called permanent supportive housing units over all other responses to homelessness. Permanent supportive housing is a heavily subsidized or even free permanent residence for homeless individuals  from which eviction is nearly impossible.

The growth of permanent supportive housing in Missouri has relied in part on repurposing short-term transitional housing, usually dorm-style housing capable of housing multiple individuals at once and helping people reach independence.

In St. Louis, permanent supportive housing increased by 46 percent between 2013 and 2023, but transitional housing decreased by almost 50 percent during the same period. Since 2015, Missouri went from being capable of providing a short-term bed for 99 percent of homeless individuals to only 44 percent.

Even though transitional housing can quickly house multiple individuals at a fraction of the cost, funding for permanent supportive housing continues to increase while transitional shelter funding decreases. These funding decisions have not yielded favorable results for St. Louis and Missouri.

In St. Louis city, the number of homeless individuals has increased by 40 percent in the last five years alone. The city has been in dire need of more shelters to protect the homeless from harsh winters that have resulted in individuals freezing to death, according to an investigation by NPR, which found one death per month from freezing from December through March.

Despite this, there has been a considerable lag in implementing even funded shelters. The need is not a secret. [More shelter] might keep people from freezing to death or from losing toes and fingers due to frostbite, said Nicole Warrington of Winter Outreach to NPR.

In other parts of the city, unsanctioned homeless camps are causing business owners at Lacledes Landing to plead with the city for help. Discarded needles and human feces are among some of the toxic waste neighbors must bypass in the area. First Alert 4, a St. Louis-focused newspaper, obtained more than 70 emails from businesses begging the city to do something about the crime and waste at the hands of the homeless in that area.

The Missouri Legislature took action in 2022, and Gov. Mike Parson signed House Bill 1606, which diverted funding to create structured camping facilities to fill the short-term shelter capacity gap caused by Housing First. Under the bill, those sleeping on the street would be directed to these structured camping facilities and no longer be permitted to camp in prohibited areas.

Structured camping facilities are a proven model that offers homeless individuals potable water, electricity, lockers and access to services. Most importantly, structured camping facilities create a centralized location for outreach workers and medical professionals to engage with the most vulnerable homeless people and help them access treatment for the underlying causes of chronic homelessness, such as severe mental illness and chronic substance abuse.

Unfortunately, the Missouri Supreme Court later struck down the bill on a technicality. This was a significant setback for Missouris response to the homelessness crisis. Without a renewed effort for reform, current policies will continue to make the situation worse.

Missouris homeless deserve fast action from policymakers to create immediate improvements to the quality of life for those living without shelter. Pipe dreams of free housing for all on some unspecified day in the future simply arent enough.
Tseten takes a walk outside his home in Qonggyai County in Shannan, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Feb. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Tenzing Nima Qadhup)

by Xinhua writers Liu Zhoupeng, Lyu Qiuping and Bai Mingshan

LHASA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Had it not been for democratic reform 65 years ago, Tseten from southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region would have been sold by his master and separated from his parents.

At 13, an age when serf children were traded among manors, the Tibetan boy was about to be brought to the market for trading when democratic reform in March 1959 abolished the feudal serfdom system in the region, freeing some 1 million people.

"Compared with those who were sold and even tortured to death, I was rather fortunate," said Tseten, now 78, who lives in a villa near the former manor his family used to serve in Qonggyai County in the city of Shannan.

Last year, the county government invested 4 million yuan (563,841 U.S. dollars) in renovating the manor based on its original appearance and is planning to turn it into a tented camp, where visitors can get a glimpse of the miserable lives endured by serfs before they were set free.

Born into the lowest rank of serfs, Tseten lived in a livestock shed at the manor, sharing space with sheep and their manure. At night, he was often awakened due to a sheep stepping on him.

He revealed that leftovers from the masters' dining table were for the maids to eat, while all the serfs had to eat was soup made of barley flour -- soup as clear as water.

"I had to eat after my parents because they had heavy labor to do," Tseten recalled, with memories of hunger still haunting him.

Back then, Tseten's parents were muleteers at the manor, using mules to transport farming yields like barley flour and yak butter to the city of Lhasa. Sometimes, robbers would steal their goods on the way.

"I remember my father being tied to the stairs and whipped after being robbed," he said.

Following democratic reform in 1959, Tseten and his family, together with another household, moved from the sheep pen to the manor owner's rooms on the second floor of the manor.

His family was allocated farmland, one head of cattle, a donkey and seven sheep. Thanks to the reform, Tseten was able to go to school at the age of 15 and, after graduating from high school, he returned home to farm.

Now, Xizang is the first provincial-level region in China to provide 15 years of publicly-funded education from kindergarten to senior high school, a stark contrast to the situation seven decades ago when access to education was limited to the nobility.

In 2003, Tseten's family moved to a hill opposite the old manor and built a 90-square-meter house. Three years later, with a subsidy of 10,000 yuan provided by Shannan's housing project, the house was expanded into a villa of about 230 square meters in size.

Tseten lives on the second floor with one of his daughters, while his son-in-law, a migrant worker employed outside the county, earns more than 30,000 yuan a year. One of Tseten's sons became a doctor in a hospital in Shannan after graduating from college.

Despite his age, Tseten is in good health. He likes taking care of the plants on his balcony, watching almost every cultural performance organized in his village and even traveling to the regional capital Lhasa to visit his relatives and explore.

"I am lucky to witness such a new era in this region," said Tseten, adding that he also receives a monthly pension of 260 yuan, while his hospital bills for minor eye and stomach problems are mostly covered by public healthcare.

According to a white paper issued in 2023, a total of 3.43 million people were covered by basic medical insurance in this region, more than 95 percent of the total population there.

Nyidron, Tseten's granddaughter, is a freshman at Fujian Normal University in the coastal province of Fujian in east China, a place her family had never been to before. Nyidron returns home during the winter and summer vacations.

She said she used to go to the old manor in summer to escape the heat, stargazing on the rooftop and marveling at the twinkling lights of villages in the distance.

She can still recall her deep sorrow when she first saw the dark walls, stairs and pillars of the old manor.

"The manor reminded me of the suffering of my grandfather in the past. Those miserable days are now gone, but I will always remember them," said Nyidron. Enditem

(Xinhua correspondents Kelsang Paljor, Tenzing Nima Qadhup and Wei Guanyu contributed to the story.)

Tseten's granddaughter serves a cup of butter tea for Tseten at home in Qonggyai County in Shannan, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Feb. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Tenzing Nima Qadhup)

Tseten tends to his plants at home in Qonggyai County in Shannan, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Feb. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Tenzing Nima Qadhup)

Tseten (L) and his family members enjoy some snacks at home in Qonggyai County in Shannan, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Feb. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Tenzing Nima Qadhup)

Editor: WRX
In trying to solve a problem on caring for veterans, Missouris state Legislature is on track to create a bigger one.

Before Missouris Second Regular Session of the 102nd General Assembly, House Bill 1490 on veterans disability has been introduced by state Rep. Dave Griffith, R-Jefferson City. As stated up front, HB 1490s intent is to revise existing statutes by adding one new section relating to veterans benefits, with penalty provisions.

As former Green Beret, Rep. Griffith certainly has the credentials to understand veterans needs and a track record to back it up.

As a combat veteran myself, having received my officers commission upon completing college and ROTC at Northeast Missouri State (now Truman) University, I fully understand Rep. Griffiths mission objective. I also appreciate Missouris loyalty to the armed forces and service-members, past and present.

HB 1490 was submitted out of concern of self-serving firms and individuals trying to make a profit off the pain suffered by Americas injured and disabled veterans. Over 5 million veterans receive some federal disability benefits, so it is a major issue nationwide.

Yet wherever there is a large government or industry settlement available for illness or injury victims, self-proclaimed advocacy groups and law firms will come out of the woodwork to present themselves as the ultimate solution.

This appears to be the foundation in HB 1490, Section A, Paragraph 2s statement which reads: Except as permitted under federal law, no person shall receive compensation for advising or assisting any individual with regard to any veterans benefits matter.

If approved, this mandate will make it harder, not easier, for veterans to receive proper support by limiting their options on who can help with claims.

The Veterans Administration itself already reports a backlog of up to two years. This lag would increase if the Missouri bill passes because the pool of those helping veterans will inevitably shrink.

Veterans suffering from Agent Orange, burn pits exposure, depleted uranium, loss of limbs, head trauma, and numerous other problems resulting from their answering the call of duty should not be impeded from receiving proper medical assistance and support. Trying to self-navigate through a dysfunctional bureaucracy adds stress and frustration to the pain they are already suffering. They need more help, not less.

This is where legitimate advocates can help. The key word is legitimate. These people, typically veteran-owned small businesses, have experience with the VA and understand the lengthy application process. They recognize when a veteran is not receiving proper attention and can step in to fix the problem. They have a network of contacts who can help move the application process along.

Many advocates do try to achieve this. Unfortunately, the abuse comes from what can be described modern-day ambulance chasers. The key is knowing how to find the good while avoiding the bad. If approved and signed into state law, HB 1490 will put out of business the smaller legitimate advocacy operations in favor of big business law firms in Washington, D.C.

To restrict all advocates because of the self-serving corruption of some is not the answer. Using my Missouri law enforcement training to make a comparison, traffic violations are not stopped by outlawing all drivers. Instead, standards are established, enforcement is conducted, violations are addressed, and violators are held accountable.

Last year New Jersey passed and implemented a draconian law which hurts veterans by restricting their choices on who can help with claims process.

Maine, Nebraska, California and now Missouri are trying to do the same. These states are trying to fix a problem that has languished for several years in the U.S. Congress. Unfortunately, that body of lawmakers is so busy fighting among themselves that they cant even produce an annual budget to run the country without uncertainty.

One question that needs resolution is does a state government have the authority to mandate standards concerning a federal program? Maine and Colorado just got overruled by the U.S. Supreme Court for unlawful interference with federal activities.

Missouri is the Show Me State. There is an opportunity to show the rest of the country how to get something accomplished through moderation and working together.

Missouri legislators have an opportunity to help protect veterans from abusers motivated by profit under the guise of patriotism, yet the current bill is not the answer. Gov. Mike Parson should veto this flawed legislation, if it makes it that far.
From Donald Trumps vitriolic description of Mexican immigrants during his 2015 presidential campaign announcement (Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists.) to Alabama Sen. Katie Britts speech this month using a young womans tragic murder to excoriate the Biden administrations border policies (That couldve been my daughter. It couldve been yours.), Republicans today have weaponized a toxic trope with disturbing precedents in America.

Fact: Immigrants to the U.S.  including illegal immigrants  commit violent crime here at significantly lower (not higher) rates than native-born Americans.

Thats not a justification for illegal immigration. But it should stand as an indictment of the truly ugly lie that Trump and his party are peddling right now in an effort to ride racial fear and xenophobia back into the White House.

After framing his first campaign from the start as an attack on immigrants as inherently dangerous, Trump has twisted that foul lie like a knife.

His initial campaign call for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States was as blunt an expression of outright religious bigotry as youll find from a major American political figure in the modern era.

As president, his child-separation policy at the southern border stands alongside Japanese internment as an indefensible moral outrage. His more recent declaration that immigrants are poisoning the blood of our country was literally Hitlerian.

The shock that even many Republican office-holders initially expressed with Trumps ham-handed demagoguery regarding immigration (including legal immigration, which he effectively reduced by almost half as president) apparently has worn off. That was clear from Sen. Britts March 7 State of the Union response speech on behalf of the GOP.

Most of the chatter regarding Britts overwrought performance has focused on her grossly misleading account of the human trafficking of a migrant, which, it turns out, didnt happen in the U.S. nor during President Joe Bidens tenure.

But Britts technically factual account of the murder of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley in Georgia in February was also misleading, in a more subtle and dangerous way.

The murder, allegedly by an undocumented Venezuelan migrant, was as tragic as any other.

But Britts focus on the suspect as one of the millions of illegal border crossers President Biden chose to release into our homeland treats the incidental factor of his migrant status as if its the whole point. And her seething exhortation that innocent Americans are dying was clearly meant to foster the impression there is an epidemic of violent migrant crime afoot.

Thats the opposite of true. The fact that migrants who are in the U.S. illegally have lower violent-crime rates than those born here is neither seriously disputed nor particularly surprising.

Its not surprising because, by definition, foreign nationals living in America without legal immigrant status have every incentive to stay out of trouble and avoid attracting the attention of authorities.

Among the many academic studies that have confirmed this phenomenon, one of the strongest was conducted by the libertarian Cato Institute in 2019 and focused on Texas, which has among the highest populations of both documented and undocumented immigrants.

That study found that documented immigrants  who have followed the rules to get here and who know that a criminal conviction could mean deportation  were 61% less likely than native-born Americans to be convicted of a homicide. These are the people you want living next door.

But even undocumented migrants in Texas, the study found, were 26% less likely than native-born Americans to be convicted of homicide. Convictions for other serious crimes followed similar patterns.

Crime, at least in the state of Texas, is a domestically produced problem and not an imported one, states the study, noting that Texas is one of the states where we would expect higher illegal immigrant crime rates if they were an especially crime prone subpopulation.

Illegal immigration is a serious public policy problem in the United States, the study concludes, but it is not a problem because it increases the crime rate.

Illegal immigration is, indeed, a serious issue that must be addressed. The Biden administration tried to do that recently with bipartisan border reform legislation that gave immigration hardliners virtually everything they have sought on the issue lately  and House Republicans killed it at Trumps command because he knows the border crisis is more useful to him politically than a solution.

Thats politics. But what Trump and his GOP enablers are doing to foster panic over an immigrant crime wave that doesnt exist is worse than that.

Virtually every surge of immigration in Americas history has been met with some degree of fear, prejudice and the false vilification of migrants as criminals. That is, perhaps, a sadly inherent element of human nature. But when a presidential candidate and his entire party build their electoral case around that putrid lie, it must be relentlessly called out.
March 22, 2024: Russian losses in Ukraine, as of March 17th, have been horrific. Russia reports lower losses, but this estimate, compiled by the Ukrainian military general staff, or Stavka, is considered more accurate. The Ukrainians are closer to the losses than the Russian general staff 850 kilometers away in Moscow. The Russian general staff reports much lower losses but the veracity of this is undermined by reports published in Russia of the thousands of Russians with severe injuries. Left out of these press releases is that the injured are Russian soldiers and the injuries occurred in Ukraine.

Any Russian reports of their losses in Ukraine are questionable while the Ukrainians are on the spot to count dead Russians and destroyed, damaged, or captured Russian equipment. The captured Russian tanks and other weapons were usually abandoned by the Russian crews. The Ukrainians give the equipment a new paint job to identify them as Ukrainian. Ukraine has received lots of NATO weapons, including tanks, other armored vehicles, and howitzers, but still uses a lot of Russian-designed weapons that they had at the beginning of the war or later captured from the Russians.

According to the Ukrainian Stavka the Russians have lost 430,000 soldiers killed, captured, or missing. Ukraine reports that Russia had lost 6,790 tanks and 13,000 other armored vehicles. The armored vehicle losses have been catastrophic. Half these armored vehicle losses occurred during the first few months of the war. That caused Russia to withdraw its troops and remaining armored vehicles from northern Ukraine and move them to eastern Ukraine, where most of the fighting has continued ever since. The Russian tanks and other armored vehicles being used now are mostly older models, including tanks produced in the 1950s and 1960s which were put into reserve in the 1970s. These storage sites were in remote parts of Russia near rail lines so the reserve tanks could be loaded on flat cars and moved to tank restoration operations and then to Ukraine. Russia is still building new tanks but in small numbers, like hundreds a year. Three or four times as many repaired new models or refurbished older model tanks are available. As the war in Ukraine went on, there were fewer Russian tanks available. There was a similar situation with the 13,000 other armored vehicles, which include troop and supply carriers as well as self-propelled artillery.

So far Russia has lost over 10,000 artillery systems. This includes howitzers and large, usually 120mm, caliber mortars. Many towed Russian howitzers were abandoned and captured by the Ukrainians. Russia also lost about a thousand MLRS (Multiple Launcher Rocket Systems), which are usually mounted on heavy trucks. Other losses include 720 air defense systems which include systems that use missiles as well as mobile systems that use smaller missiles and 30mm autocannon.

Russian combat aircraft and helicopters have also been heavy with 347 jet fighters and ground attack aircraft lost along with 325 helicopters. The jets are difficult to replace because they include a lot of imported electronics and other components from European companies which are no longer available due to sanctions for Russias attacks on Ukraine. With fewer traditional jet aircraft, the Russians have turned to cheaper UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) which have become used more as expendable munitions than weapons-delivery systems. Another critical loss is the 14,000 trucks for moving supplies and, in tanker trucks, fuel. Ukrainians have, since the start of the war, been particularly eager to destroy Russian supply trucks, especially if they are carrying munitions or fuel. You can always tell when one of these are hit because their cargoes explode as well in a very visible manner.

As a historical footnote, Russia used the term Stavka for their general staff throughout World War II but stopped using the term after the war. The Ukrainians began using the term Stavka soon after the Russians invaded during early 2022. Russia doesnt call the fighting in Ukraine a war, but a special operation to reclaim Ukraine for Russia and a new Russian empire to replace the communist Soviet Union that disappeared in 1991. The Russians also invaded because Ukraine was preparing to join the European Union (EU) and after that NATO. Russian leaders consider this treason because they believe Ukrainians are simply Russians with a different accent and an identical Cyrillic alphabet, with a few changes. The Ukrainians regard that attitude as nonsense and Russian propaganda. For centuries Ukraine was recognized as an independent entity or, more often, as the Ukrainian portion of the Russian empire and more recently the Soviet Union. When the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, Ukraine was one of more than a dozen components of the Soviet Union that declared independence from Soviet rule. Russia has been trying to put that empire back together ever since but without much success.
March 22, 2024: France is expanding its training programs for the Ukrainian military in 2024. France has already trained 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers over the last two years. In 2024, the training program will be expanded. While France also supplies Ukraine with weapons and equipment, they have also provided training for Ukrainian soldiers. The training expands the skills experienced Ukrainian soldiers already have and provides new soldiers with essential combat procedures. Many newly mobilized Ukrainian soldiers get little training and are wounded or killed faster than better trained troops. The French training program takes place in France and Poland and is part of EUMAM, or European Union military assistance mission to support Ukraine.

In addition to training troops in combat procedures and tactics, there is also technical training for Ukrainian soldiers who operate and maintain equipment. France has supplied Ukraine with Caesar truck mounted self-propelled artillery, the Crotale air defense missile system, AMX 10-RC tanks, and the SAMP/T air defense system.

There is also specialist training for tasks like medical care in the combat zone, how to perform reconnaissance missions in tanks or using UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles). Reconnaissance using tanks is also called combat reconnaissance because troops in armored vehicles can get past or some enemy resistance to get a closer look at what the UAVs have already spotted.

French trainers also provide training for Ukrainian officers, often men who were civilians who got mobilized, displayed resourcefulness and leadership ability, and were promoted to officer rank. These officers had little formal training on how best to organize tactical combat units. There are several options, and the French trainers describe the options and how best to use them. Many of the Ukrainian trainees will be commanding company or battalion size units but the French trainers also point out how company and battalion size units operate in a brigade. This is the largest size unit used by Ukraine and usually has two or more battalions as well as some independent company sized units. The French trainers provide examples on how these organizations have worked in combat and what practices to avoid.

Until 2024 the French training concentrated on army operations. In 2024 the training will expand to include air force and navy training. France has already provided money and technical assistance needed to upgrade Ukrainian MiG-29 and Su-24M aircraft so they can use bombs and missiles supplied by France and other NATO countries.
PARSORTIX SYSTEM AND ASSAYS BEING SHOWCASED AT A LEADING EUROPEAN BREAST CANCER CONFERENCE

ANGLE presenting two posters highlighting the utility of the Company's new Portrait+ CTC Staining Kit and Portrait HER2 assay

GUILDFORD, SURREY / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / ANGLE plc (AIM:AG)(OTCQX:ANPCY), a world-leading liquid biopsy company with innovative circulating tumour cell (CTC) solutions for use in research, drug development and clinical oncology, is pleased to announce its participation at the 14th European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC) being held in Milan, Italy on 20 to 22 March 2024.

EBCC is focused on multidisciplinary, high-quality clinical and translational research, with an emphasis on innovation and technology in the management of breast cancer. The conference is attended by researchers, physicians, patient advocates and industry representatives providing sales, partnership and collaboration opportunities.

ANGLE is presenting two posters at the conference:

1. Integrating isolation using label-independent microfluidics and advanced staining for comprehensive Circulating Tumour Cell Analysis

ANGLE's Parsortix system and Portrait+ CTC Staining Kit together provide an optimised, efficient, and standardised solution for the harvest and characterisation, via immunofluorescence (IF) staining, of a diverse range of CTC phenotypes. In the presented data, half of the CTC-positive breast cancer patient blood samples contained only mesenchymal CTCs, while half had a combination of both epithelial and mesenchymal CTCs. Patients with purely mesenchymal CTCs would have been missed by epitope-dependent systems. This is important because mesenchymal CTCs or CTCs undergoing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition are clinically significant, playing a critical role in cancer progression, treatment resistance and metastasis.

CTC clusters harvested by the Parsortix system were observed in 75% of the CTC-positive patients which is crucial given that CTC clusters have been shown to have up to 100 times the increased metastatic potential compared to single CTCs. The Parsortix cassette's unique design is suited to capturing and harvesting clusters which is often difficult with other CTC systems.

The study results highlight the importance of using ANGLE's Parsortix system combined with the Company's Portrait+ CTC Staining Kit, to enable the isolation and analysis of a range of CTC phenotypes and CTC clusters, both of which are important in cancer progression and metastasis.

2. Interrogating HER2 status in Circulating Tumour Cells isolated using the Parsortix system from Metastatic Breast Cancer patients

The diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer is currently guided by the evaluation of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status in tissue biopsies. However, a tissue biopsy is invasive, is at a single point in time and, with little opportunity for repeat testing, can become out of date. The longitudinal monitoring of HER2 expression from blood is possible through minimally invasive CTC-based liquid biopsy techniques. ANGLE has developed an IF assay for HER2 protein identification on CTCs isolated and harvested using the Parsortix system from the peripheral blood of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients.

Results from an in-house study in 26 patients found that CTCs overexpressing HER2 were present at similar levels in patients that had HER2+ or HER2- tumours by primary tissue biopsy. HER2 status of CTCs was also dynamic, changing over time in 37% of CTC positive donors which is unsurprising given that temporal changes in HER2 tissue status are also well documented in the literature. One third-party study of 575 breast cancer patients similarly found that 38% had changed HER2 status from the original primary tissue biopsy to the metastatic tissue biopsy, at disease recurrence. These initial results using Parsortix-based harvest of CTCs demonstrate how the HER2 status between primary tumours and CTCs can diverge, and that analysis of HER2 expression on CTCs has the potential to help guide clinical decision making in MBC patients, allowing for regular monitoring and tracking of treatment and/or disease progression.

ANGLE Chief Scientific Officer, Karen Miller, commented:

"We are delighted to have had two posters presented at the EBCC conference. The results of these studies further demonstrate the potential utility of ANGLE's sample-to-answer Parsortix system and Portrait imaging assays for reliable and repeatable assessment of biomarkers in a range of solid tumours, including breast. We look forward to discussions with translational researchers and industry representatives at this conference to explore opportunities for sales, collaboration, and partnerships."

For further information:

ANGLE plc +44 (0) 1483 343434 Andrew Newland, Chief Executive Ian Griffiths, Finance Director Berenberg (NOMAD and Broker) Toby Flaux, Ciaran Walsh, Milo Bonser +44 (0) 20 3207 7800 FTI Consulting Simon Conway, Ciara Martin Matthew Ventimiglia (US) +44 (0) 203 727 1000 +1 (212) 850 5624

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

For Frequently Used Terms, please see the Company's website on https://angleplc.com/investor-relations/glossary/

Notes for editors

About ANGLE plc

ANGLE is a world-leading liquid biopsy company with innovative circulating tumour cell (CTC) solutions for use in research, drug development and clinical oncology using a simple blood sample. ANGLE's FDA cleared and patent protected circulating tumour cell (CTC) harvesting technology known as the Parsortix PC1 System enables complete downstream analysis of the sample including whole cell imaging and proteomic analysis and full genomic and transcriptomic molecular analysis.

ANGLE's commercial businesses are focusing on diagnostic products and clinical services. Diagnostic products include the Parsortix system and associated consumables. The clinical services business is offered through ANGLE's GCP-compliant laboratories in the UK. Services include custom made assay development and clinical trial testing for pharma.

Over 90 peer-reviewed publications have demonstrated the performance of the Parsortix system. For more information, visit www.angleplc.com

This information is provided by Reach, the non-regulatory press release distribution service of RNS, part of the London Stock Exchange. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact [email protected] or visit www.rns.com.

SOURCE: ANGLE plc

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Innovative Austrian brand brings the largest, lightweight 6-person rooftop tent to the North American market

CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / GentleTent, an innovative outdoor inflatable tent brand from Austria, proudly announces its expansion into North America, promising to elevate the camping experience for outdoor enthusiasts across the continent. Leveraging patented inflatable technology, GentleTent introduces a rooftop tent that is the largest on the market to sleep six people and also weighs under 110 lbs.

GentleTent GT SKY LOFT 6-Person Rooftop Tent

GT SKY LOFT can comfortably sleep 6 people with a zip divider to create 2 rooms for privacy, each with their own entrance.

Alex Paisley, representative from GentleTent, shares the excitement: "We get a lot of questions when we say our tents are inflatable, but once we explain the benefits of how fast they set up, how light they are, how small they pack away, even how durable they are, people are always intrigued. Our Austrian origins and innovative inflatable frame is a rooftop tenting solution that North America hasn't seen yet. We believe this is the future of camping and we're excited to see it out in the wild."

Key features and benefits of the GentleTent products include:

Spacious Comfort : The largest six-person rooftop tent on the market with a divider to make 2 private rooms. Put the kids on one side and have a private space to yourself on the other side.

The largest six-person rooftop tent on the market with a divider to make 2 private rooms. Put the kids on one side and have a private space to yourself on the other side. Lightweight Design : Our 6 person tent is under 110 lbs, and fits on almost any vehicle.

Our 6 person tent is under 110 lbs, and fits on almost any vehicle. Easy Set-Up : Our patented inflatable design makes setting up a breeze. You'll be set up and camping within 15 minutes of arriving.

: Our patented inflatable design makes setting up a breeze. You'll be set up and camping within 15 minutes of arriving. It's inflatable : Not only is it a great rooftop tent, but if you need to kill an afternoon, take it down and go floating on the lake. Yes, it floats too!

Not only is it a great rooftop tent, but if you need to kill an afternoon, take it down and go floating on the lake. Yes, it floats too! Weather Resilient : Built to withstand the strongest storms, even with its inflatable frame. Check out our YouTube channel to see our wind tests.

Built to withstand the strongest storms, even with its inflatable frame. Check out our YouTube channel to see our wind tests. Durable: It's inflatable, but the frame is made of similar material to stand-up paddleboards and other inflatable watercraft, making it strong and extremely tough to puncture.

GentleTent is now available for purchase in North America. Pricing information and availability can be found on our website.

About GentleTent

GentleTent is an adventurous outdoor gear brand hailing from Austria. We're on a mission to elevate your outdoor adventures with the best rooftop tent out there. Our patented inflatable design makes our rooftop tents spacious, lightweight, and extremely comfortable. We believe in the spirit of adventure and aim to be a reliable partner in your journey. For more information, please visit our website.

###

Contact Information

Alex Paisley

GentleTent North America

[email protected]

1-403-690-1599

Related Files

gentletent-varianten-grafik-gt-skyloft-2000x500

GentleTent GT Skyloft print version

SOURCE: GentleTent

View the original press release on newswire.com.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / Enbridge

Women Building Futures brings free programming, financial support, employment connections to Saskatchewan

A stay-at-home mother of two stepped out of her comfort zone and enrolled in a trades exploration program. It changed her life.

She started earning more than a living wage immediately after finishing her free training through Women Building Futures (WBF), a non-profit based in Edmonton, Alberta.

Within a few years, she had saved enough money to purchase the family's first home.

Today, she's furthering her education to become a second-class power engineer-and at the same time showing her young daughters that girls and women really can do anything.

"Women account for about 5% of apprenticeship registrations in construction, manufacturing and transportation," says Caitlin Hartigan, WBF's Director of Program Management and Delivery.

"These are resilient careers that women can work in, and there is a significant demand for new skilled tradespeople across Canada," she observes.

WBF's flagship program, Journey to Trades, guides cohorts of 18 women and gender-diverse individuals through introductory training needed to work in the construction industry. The program has been offered in Alberta since 2001, and will be offered in Regina, Saskatchewan for the first time in May, with similar training opportunities being developed in Ontario.

In Journey to Trades, students learn career and professional skills; receive hands-on technical instruction in areas such as welding, carpentry, and plumbing; and take safety certifications, such as WHMIS and first aid.

WBF also supports the employer's side, helping the trades get "ready for women," Hartigan adds.

The organization nurtures relationships with Employers of Choice to ensure WBF graduates have the opportunity to join inclusive and equitable workplaces where they can thrive.

To be included as an Employer of Choice, WBF reviews the companies' policies to ensure that they "hold values of diversity, equity and inclusion as closely to their operations as we do," Hartigan explains, noting graduates are more likely to succeed and stay in the trades when they work in companies whose values align with WBF's.

Enbridge is proud to be a WBF Employer of Choice. We believe diverse workplaces contribute to healthy, vibrant communities. This week, as we all celebrate International Women's Day on March 8, we extend an invitation to women and women-identifying individuals to explore a fulfilling career at Enbridge.

In recognition of the impact Journey to Trades has on women workers in our industry, we awarded WBF a $105,000 Fueling Futures grant to support the expansion of its programming into Saskatchewan.

WBF anticipates a successful launch in the neighbouring province. "The program maintains a completion rate of over 90%," says Hartigan, adding that Journey to Trades celebrated its 100th cohort in 2023.

Supports are in place for alumnae after graduation, too. At any time, they can rely on WBF for career advice to further their professional goals.

Adds Hartigan: "To see the success of women coming into the program, and then years later, seeing them thrive in industry is incredible."

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Enbridge on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Enbridge

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/enbridge

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Enbridge

View the original press release on accesswire.com
DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / (OTC Pink:YUKA) Med Holdings Group, Inc. (FKA Yuka Group, Inc.)(the "Company") proudly announces the completion of the operational integration of Medsmart Wellness Centers, Inc., following its acquisition in March of 2023. This strategic acquisition began last year and marks a significant milestone in the Company's new focus and mission to expand its presence and offerings in the healthcare industry. As the parent company of Medsmart Wellness Centers, Inc., Med Holdings Group, Inc. is poised to revolutionize the healthcare landscape by providing comprehensive wellness solutions and innovative healthcare services to communities nationwide.

The acquisition of Medsmart Wellness Centers, Inc. brings together two companies that share a commitment to excellence in healthcare delivery. Medsmart Wellness Centers, Inc. is renowned for its state-of-the-art facilities, patient-centric approach, and dedication to improving the health and well-being of individuals across the country. "We are thrilled to welcome Medsmart Wellness Centers Inc. into the Med Holdings family," said Jessica Miller, President of Med Holdings Group, Inc. "This acquisition aligns with our current strategic vision to enhance access to quality healthcare services and empower individuals to lead healthier lives. Together, we will leverage our core competencies and unique strengths to drive innovation, expand our reach, and deliver unparalleled value to our patients and the communities we serve."

Under the leadership of Med Holdings Group Inc., Medsmart Wellness Centers Inc. will continue to operate with its existing brand identity, management team, and commitment to excellence. This acquisition enables both entities to leverage synergies, share best practices, and capitalize on opportunities for growth and expansion. "We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead as part of Med Holdings Group, Inc.," said Medsmart Wellness Centers Inc. President. "By joining forces, we are better positioned to advance our mission of providing holistic healthcare solutions that empower individuals to live healthier, happier lives. Together, we will continue to innovate, collaborate, and make a positive impact on the communities we serve."

Med Holdings Group, Inc. remains committed to its core values of integrity, compassion, and excellence in healthcare. The company looks forward to

continuing its legacy of leadership and innovation as it embarks on this new chapter of growth and opportunity.

For more information about Med Holdings Group, Inc. and Medsmart Wellness Centers, Inc., please visit.

www.medsmartcenters.com and www.medholdingsgroup.com

Med Holdings Group, Inc.

20801 Biscayne Blvd.

Suite 403

Aventura, Florida 33180

About Med Holdings Group, Inc.: Med Holdings Group, Inc. is dedicated to becoming a leading provider of healthcare services and improving the health and well-being of individuals across the country. With its focus on innovation, collaboration, and patient-centered care, Med Holdings Group Inc. is committed to delivering comprehensive wellness solutions and transforming the healthcare experience for all. Note that Med Holdings Group, Inc. will continue to trade under the name and trading symbol of its successor, (Yuka Group, Inc., and YUKA, respectively) until its corporate action notification, filed with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, has been approved

About Medsmart Wellness Centers, Inc.: Medsmart Wellness Centers, Inc. is a trusted provider of healthcare services, offering state-of-the-art facilities and personalized care to individuals seeking to optimize their health and well-being. With a holistic approach to wellness, Medsmart Wellness Centers Inc. empowers individuals to take control of their health and live their best lives.

20801 Biscayne Blvd, Suite 403

Aventura Florida 33180

P: 786-438-3100

[email protected]

www.medholdingsgroup.com

MedSmart Wellness Centers

Aventura, FL 33180

P: 305.842.2244

SOURCE: Med Holdings Group Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Celebrates with Elected Officials and Business Leaders

Opening Showcases Yonkers' Continued Economic Development

YONKERS, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / A broad range of elected officials, business community leaders, and local residents gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday celebrating the opening of an Orange Bank & Trust Company branch location at 1969 Central Park Ave. in Yonkers. In attendance were New York State Sen. Shelley B. Mayer; Westchester Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins; Yonkers City Council Minority Leader Mike Breen, Council member Tasha Diaz, Council member Anthony J. Merante; City of Yonkers Deputy Communications Director and surrogate for Mayor Spano Lisa Reyes; Yonkers Chamber of Commerce President Kevin Cacace; and representing Orange Bank & Trust Company were Michael Gilfeather, President and CEO, Moira Kiernan, Vice President and Head of Yonkers office, and Joseph Ruhl, Executive Vice President and Westchester Regional President.

The celebrations kicked off with a high-energy ribbon cutting at the Central Park Ave. banking office, which is located within a recently completed retail complex that's breathing new life into the city's major thoroughfare. The excitement continued at a glamorous cocktail reception hosted at the $500 million Lionsgate Studios on Wells Avenue in Yonkers. The acclaimed studios opened in January 2022, and have since attracted hundreds of filmmakers and production companies from around the world, bestowing the city with the honorary title as "Hollywood on the Hudson."

The Yonkers branch opening is the latest example of growth in the Bank's 132-year history, reflecting its evolution as a powerful economic engine of the community with approximately $2.5 billion in total assets. The Bank has six offices in Westchester County - with locations in Mount Vernon, Mamaroneck, White Plains, Mount Pleasant and Cortlandt Manor - in addition to its banking offices in Orange County, Rockland County and the Bronx.

State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, "I am pleased to join Mayor Spano's office, the Yonkers Chamber of Commerce, and leaders from Orange Bank & Trust to celebrate the opening of Orange Bank & Trust in Yonkers. It is wonderful seeing my City of Yonkers grow and support new businesses, and it is a pleasure to welcome Orange Bank & Trust to Yonkers."

"As New York's third-largest city, Yonkers is abuzz with positive economic activity, attracting diverse and vibrant businesses that are investing in our communities and creating opportunities for our residents," said City of Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano. "Orange Bank & Trust is the most recent example of a smart company recognizing Yonkers as a key component of its future growth, and we're proud to welcome it to our amazing city."

"It's an exciting time as we continue to expand our operations by opening a new office in the City of Yonkers," said Michael Gilfeather, President and CEO of Orange Bank & Trust Company. "This new office exemplifies the bank's ongoing growth over the last several years and builds upon our strategic plan to offer more services to our clients throughout Westchester County and the Hudson Valley region."

"Orange Bank & Trust Company represents the epitome of a community-based economic engine for good: It continuously looks for pathways to increase opportunities for local businesses, create new jobs, spur smart growth, and support neighborhood-serving nonprofits," said Yonkers Chamber of Commerce President Kevin Cacace. "On behalf of the local business sector, we're elated to help usher Orange Bank & Trust's expanded presence in Yonkers."

"As a Yonkers native with more than three decades of banking experience, I couldn't be more excited to lead Orange Bank & Trust's expansion in my hometown and serve our local businesses through a combination of cutting-edge technology and the Bank's signature personal service," said Moira Kiernan, Vice President and Relationship Manager, who is overseeing the Yonkers branch.

The Yonkers banking office officially opened on Jan. 31, 2024. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering a complete suite of banking services and financial products, including cash management, commercial loans and wealth management services. Please visit OrangeBankTrust.com or call the branch at 914-505-9020 for additional information.

A ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Orange Bank & Trust Company branch location in Yonkers. Pictured L to R: Yonkers City Council member Tasha Diaz; Orange Bank & Trust Company President and CEO Michael Gilfeather; Assistant Relationship Manager Lisbet Acuna; Chairman of the Board, Jonathan Rouis; Moira Kiernan, Vice President and Relationship Manager; Joseph Ruhl, Executive Vice President and Westchester Regional President; Yonkers City Council Minority Leader Mike Breen; Westchester Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins; and City of Yonkers Deputy Communications Director Lisa Reyes.

Elected officials and business community leaders gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of an Orange Bank & Trust Company branch location in Yonkers.

About Orange Bank & Trust Company

Orange Bank & Trust Company is the Hudson Valley's premier financial institution focusing on commercial lending, business banking, and wealth management services. For more than 132 years, Orange Bank & Trust Company has been an economic engine of the community, with approximately $2.5 billion in assets and playing a vital role in increasing opportunities for local businesses, facilitating region-defining developments, and maximizing investments to neighborhood-serving non-profits.

Contact:

Candice Varetoni

AVP Marketing Officer

[email protected]

SOURCE: Orange Bank & Trust Company

View the original press release on accesswire.com
MEXICO CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior), the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of aa (Superior), and the Mexico National Scale Rating of aaa.MX (Exceptional) of Allianz Mexico, S.A., Compania de Seguros (Allianz Mexico) (Mexico City, Mexico). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect Allianz Mexicos strategic importance as a subsidiary of Allianz SE (Allianz) that on a consolidated basis has a balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its strong operating performance, very favorable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

Allianz is one of the worlds largest insurance groups, with superior diversification by geography and business line, and leading positions in many developed and emerging markets, offering a complete range of life and non-life insurance products, as well as asset management services. Its competitive position is supported by its scale, strong management capabilities, dynamic strategy and strong brand.

Allianz Mexico specializes in offering insurance coverages across a broad spectrum of categories in life, property/casualty (P/C) and accident and health. It is focused solely on Mexicos market, and its insurance portfolio, as of September 2023, was composed of life (54%), P/C (33%) and accident and health (13%). The company manages life administration funds in its life business segment, consisting mainly of investment and savings products.

Allianz Mexico forms part of the IberoLatAm division of Allianz and is identified by the group as one of the key regions of future insurance growth outside its core European markets. Allianz Mexico also is integrated in all core processes of the group and in the ongoing strategic initiatives.

Allianz Mexicos operating performance is characterized by consistently positive bottom-line results, derived from the companys well-diversified business portfolio, and financial flexibility in terms of size, capital and reinsurance use. The companys underwriting practices are sound, and further benefit from the synergies provided by the group through the rest of its financial entities, which have enabled the company to contain operating expenses.

AM Best expects the groups risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), to remain at the strongest level for year-end 2023 and prospectively, supported by strong earnings generation and prudent capital management. The balance sheet strength assessment also benefits from the groups robust asset-liability and liquidity management and prudent reserving practices. Financial leverage and coverage ratios are supportive of the balance sheet strength assessment and financial flexibility is considered excellent due to the groups good access to capital markets.

If there are negative rating actions taken on the main operating subsidiaries of Allianz, as a result of weakening in risk-adjusted capitalization, or a sustained deterioration of operating performance, Allianz Mexicos ratings would mirror those same actions. A change in AM Bests perception regarding the strategic importance of Allianz Mexico to the group also could impact Allianz Mexicos ratings. If there are positive rating actions taken on the main operating subsidiaries of Allianz over a longer term, as a result of an outperformance of its peers in terms of operating results for an extended period of time and a strengthening of its key rating fundamentals to a standard commensurate with a higher rating level, Allianz Mexicos ratings would mirror those same actions.

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 specializing 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/20240322768155/en/

Olga Rubo, FRM

Senior Financial Analyst

+52 55 1102 2720, ext. 134

[email protected]

Alfonso Novelo

Senior Director, Analytics

+52 55 1102 2720, ext. 107

[email protected]

Christopher Sharkey

Associate Director, Public Relations

+1 908 882 2310

[email protected]

Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 882 2318

[email protected]

Source: AM Best
An Israeli tank maneuvers amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict near Nir Am, a kibbutz in southern Israel, on March 21, 2024. the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza said Thursday in a statement that the Israeli army killed 65 Palestinians and wounded 92 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 31,988 and injuries to 74,188 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

GAZA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,988, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Thursday.

The ministry said in a statement that the Israeli army killed 65 Palestinians and wounded 92 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 31,988 and injuries to 74,188 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023.

This comes as the Israeli army continues its operations in the Shifa hospital in Gaza City for the fourth day, during which about 600 Palestinians have been apprehended, and more than 140 others have been killed, the Israeli army said in a statement Thursday, claiming all of them are militants.

"Several weapons and intelligence documents" were discovered during searches in the hospital, according to the statement.

Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. 

Airdropped humanitarian aid falls toward the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, seen from near Nir Am, a kibbutz in southern Israel, on March 21, 2024. the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza said Thursday in a statement that the Israeli army killed 65 Palestinians and wounded 92 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 31,988 and injuries to 74,188 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Smoke billows in Gaza amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, seen from near Nir Am, a kibbutz in southern Israel, on March 21, 2024. the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza said Thursday in a statement that the Israeli army killed 65 Palestinians and wounded 92 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 31,988 and injuries to 74,188 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

An Israeli tank maneuvers amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict near Nir Am, a kibbutz in southern Israel, on March 21, 2024. the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza said Thursday in a statement that the Israeli army killed 65 Palestinians and wounded 92 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 31,988 and injuries to 74,188 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

An Israeli tank is seen amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict near Nir Am, a kibbutz in southern Israel, on March 21, 2024. the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza said Thursday in a statement that the Israeli army killed 65 Palestinians and wounded 92 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 31,988 and injuries to 74,188 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Photo taken on March 21, 2024 shows a view of destroyed buildings in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, seen from near Nir Am, a kibbutz in southern Israel. the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza said Thursday in a statement that the Israeli army killed 65 Palestinians and wounded 92 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 31,988 and injuries to 74,188 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

An Israeli tank maneuvers amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict near Nir Am, a kibbutz in southern Israel, on March 21, 2024. the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza said Thursday in a statement that the Israeli army killed 65 Palestinians and wounded 92 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 31,988 and injuries to 74,188 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

A man stands on the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on March 21, 2024. The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,988, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Thursday. (Xinhua)

People are seen among the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on March 21, 2024. The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,988, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Thursday. (Xinhua)

People are seen among the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on March 21, 2024. The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,988, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Thursday. (Xinhua)

People stand on the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on March 21, 2024. The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,988, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Thursday. (Xinhua)

People are seen among the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on March 21, 2024. The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,988, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Thursday. (Xinhua)

People are seen among the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on March 21, 2024. The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,988, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Thursday. (Xinhua)

People are seen among the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on March 21, 2024. The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,988, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Thursday. (Xinhua)

Editor: GSY
AMSTERDAM--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of aa (Superior) of Allianz SE (Allianz) (Germany) and its rated subsidiaries. Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings (Long-Term IR) on the outstanding rated debt instruments issued by Allianz, as well as on the outstanding rated debt instruments issued by Allianz Finance II B.V. and guaranteed by Allianz. The outlook for all of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. (See below for a detailed listing of the companies and Long-Term IRs.)

The ratings reflect Allianzs balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its strong operating performance, very favourable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

Allianzs balance sheet strength is underpinned by risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), which is expected to remain at the strongest level for year-end 2023 and prospectively, supported by strong earnings generation and prudent capital management. The balance sheet strength assessment also benefits from the groups robust asset-liability and liquidity management and prudent reserving practices and factors in its financial leverage and coverage ratios. Financial flexibility is considered excellent due to the groups proven access to capital markets.

Allianzs strong operating performance assessment reflects its highly diversified earnings profile and a track record of relatively stable and robust income. Allianz reported strong operating results in 2023, underpinned by solid returns from its diversified income streams, stringent underwriting discipline and effective expense management. The group benefited from a strong performance of its life business segment, as well as robust returns in its property/casualty segment, which benefited from rate increases. The groups asset management business continued to provide positive earnings, as net inflows recovered in 2023, and the cost investment ratio remained stable. AM Best expects the groups technical performance to remain strong over the cycle.

Allianz is one of the worlds largest insurance groups, with superior diversification by geography and business lines, as well as leading positions in many developed and emerging markets, offering a complete range of life and non-life insurance solutions and asset management services. The organisations competitive position is supported by its scale, strong management capabilities, dynamic strategy and brand recognition.

The FSR of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term ICRs of aa (Superior) have been affirmed with stable outlooks for the following subsidiaries of Allianz SE:

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty Resseguros Brasil S.A.

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE

Allianz S.p.A.

Allianz Risk Transfer AG

Allianz Risk Transfer (Bermuda) Limited

AWP P&C S.A.

Jefferson Insurance Company

AWP Health & Life S.A.

Allianz Global Risks US Insurance Company

Allianz Underwriters Insurance Company

AGCS Marine Insurance Company

American Automobile Insurance Company

Euler Hermes North America Insurance Company (Allianz Trade)

National Surety Corporation

Chicago Insurance Company

Firemans Fund Insurance Company

Firemans Fund Indemnity Corporation

Interstate Fire & Casualty Company

Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America

Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York

Allianz Mexico, S.A., Compania de Seguros

The following Long-Term IRs have been affirmed with stable outlooks:

Allianz Finance II B.V. (debt issues are guaranteed by Allianz SE)

-- aa (Superior) on EUR 750 million 3% senior unsecured bonds, due 2028

-- aa (Superior) on GBP 750 million 4.5% senior unsecured bonds, due 2043

Allianz SE

-- a+ (Excellent) on EUR 1.5 billion 3.375% perpetual junior subordinated bonds

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.

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Konstantin Langowski

Senior Financial Analyst

+31 20 308 5431

[email protected]

Christopher Sharkey

Associate Director

+1 908 882 2310

[email protected]

Dr. Mathilde Jakobsen

Senior Director, Analytics

+31 20 308 5427

[email protected]

Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 882 2318

[email protected]

Source: AM Best
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B+ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of bbb- (Good) of AXA Mansard Insurance Plc (AXA Mansard) (Nigeria). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect AXA Mansards balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. The ratings also reflect rating enhancement, in the form of lift, from AXA Mansards ultimate parent, AXA S.A. (France).

AXA Mansards balance sheet strength is underpinned by risk-adjusted capitalisation, which is expected to remain at least at the very strong level, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). Capital consumption is primarily driven by asset risk, which incorporates the companys substantial real estate investments. With its business concentrated domestically, AXA Mansard is exposed to the very high levels of economic, political and financial system risks in Nigeria. The balance sheet strength assessment also considers AXA Mansards high reinsurance dependence on large energy and property risks; however, this is partially mitigated by a reinsurance panel of excellent credit quality.

AXA Mansard has a track record of robust, albeit volatile, non-life underwriting performance, demonstrated by a five-year (2018-2022) weighted average combined ratio of 97.4%. For the year-ended 2023, AXA Mansard reported solid unaudited results, evidenced by a return on equity (ROE) of 36.2%, comparing favourably against the five-year weighted average ROE of 10.3%. The improvement was driven by substantial foreign exchange gains relating to AXA Mansards U.S. dollar denominated investments amid the sharp devaluation of the Nigerian naira during 2023. Prospective performance is expected to be supported by actions taken to improve the profitability of the health portfolio, as well as positive contributions from the companys life book.

AXA Mansard is a composite insurer, writing a diverse book of business that is concentrated in Nigeria. The company has a solid foothold in its domestic market where it ranks among the largest non-life companies and enjoys a leading market position in the health segment. With good long-term growth prospects, AXA Mansard is expected to further strengthen its competitive position over the coming years.

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.

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Dale Kirby

Financial Analyst

+44 20 7397 0276

[email protected]

Christopher Sharkey

Associate Director, Public Relations

+1 908 882 2310

[email protected]

Tim Prince

Director, Analytics

+44 20 7397 0320

[email protected]

Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 882 2318

[email protected]

Source: AM Best
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B+ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of bbb- (Good) of Compagnie Commune de Reassurance des Etats Membres de la CIMA (CICA-RE) (Togo). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect CICA-REs balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and marginal enterprise risk management.

CICA-REs balance sheet strength is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation, which was at the strongest level at year-end 2022, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). AM Best expects CICA-REs risk-adjusted capitalisation to remain comfortably above the minimum required for the strongest assessment prospectively, with capital buffers sufficient to absorb underwriting risks arising from the companys growth plans. CICA-REs balance sheet strength assessment also factors in its good financial flexibility, demonstrated through successful capital raises from existing and new shareholders, which have increased paid-up capital to XOF 60 billion (USD 98 million) at year-end 2022 from XOF 32 billion (USD 56 million) at year-end 2018. CICA-RE holds a well-diversified investment portfolio by asset type and geography, however, assets are concentrated in the Conference Interafricaine des Marches dAssurances (CIMA) region.

CICA-RE has a track record of adequate operating performance, with a five-year (2018-2022) weighted average return on equity of 9%. Over this period, the company has reported robust technical performance, with a weighted average combined ratio of 94% (as calculated by AM Best), and an investment yield of 5%. CICA-REs underwriting profitability primarily reflects the underlying performance of insurance markets in the CIMA region and generally profitable open-market business generated outside of the CIMA zone. Prospectively, AM Best expects continued robust underwriting performance, complemented by good investment income.

CICA-REs neutral business profile assessment reflects its strong market position in the CIMA region, where its profile is supported by compulsory cessions on reinsurance and direct insurance business and established direct relationships with local cedants. Following revisions to the legal cessions structure in the CIMA region in 2020, CICA-RE has achieved significant portfolio growth, with gross written premium (GWP) increasing to XOF 106 billion (USD 173 million) in 2022, compared with XOF 64 billion (USD 109 million) in 2019. In 2022, the company generated 50% of GWP from the CIMA region, including legal cession business, with the remaining conventional open-market business originated from Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.

CICA-RE is exposed to the elevated economic, political and financial system risks associated with operating in the CIMA region, which is viewed as a partially offsetting factor to the ratings.

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.

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Katharine Campkin, ACA

Financial Analyst

+44 20 7397 4383

[email protected]

Ghislain Le Cam, CFA, FRM

Senior Director, Analytics

+44 20 7397 0268

[email protected]

Christopher Sharkey

Associate Director, Public Relations

+1 908 882 2310

[email protected]

Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 882 2318

[email protected]

Source: AM Best
PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CampusESP was founded on the belief that families influence student success. It was a mindset that took some time to catch on, and weve celebrated not just our growth  but the impact that weve really been able to make for families and students  as we welcome new institutions to the community. A few months ago, we hit the mark of serving 9 million families, and were blown away.

So were excited to have achieved another milestone and to be welcoming Santa Clara University (SCU) as CampusESP Customer 400! A private Jesuit school in Silicon Valley, Santa Clara has long believed in the power of community but is just starting their parent and family engagement journey. Were honored to be building alongside them.

New focus on parents as partners and meeting their needs

CampusESP arrived on campus at Santa Clara not long after Steven Ponce did.

The universitys new and first Director of Parent and Family Communication & Engagement, Ponce had seen CampusESP in action at previous institutions like Gonzaga. As he looked at the goals Santa Clara had and the kind of program he wanted to build, he knew clear and consistent communication needed to be at the core of his strategy.

I came here already a big fan of the product, Ponce shared. This is a new role and we were aware that parents and families were not receiving communication in a way that matched their preferences. So now Im five months in, building the strategy as we go, and trying to address those concerns early on.

Prior to Ponces position being established, family communications were quite siloed, with each constituent sending emails to the families of the students in their programs. Parents and families loved hearing about the curriculum and events pertaining to their students academic path but were missing a lot of core content.

The feedback received was that these were great stories and highlights, but there was no actionable information on how to support their students, said Ponce. Our parents and families felt disconnected and out of the loop. They were missing out on crucial conversations, sharing that they were unaware of the support resources available, and some admitting that they didnt know how to communicate with their college-aged students. I want to create a program that addresses these concerns and allows this community to engage with the university and their student as much as they want to.

Work smarter not harder to scale family engagement

Ponce jumped in feet first, starting a more manually built email newsletter while he was taking steps to bring CampusESP to SCU. It was time-consuming  taking about 15 hours to pull together each edition  but was a first step to getting content about everything from course registration and housing to mental health resources to families.

But as a team of one, it wasnt sustainable. The biggest win Ponce saw with implementing CampusESP? Scalability.

Ponce mentioned that using CampusESP allows him to send more regular updates and share information tailored to individual interests. It also offers him a more effective solution to send timely announcements without concerns about social media algorithms and email filters affecting visibility. Partnering with CampusESP will increase the university's capacity to share information and speed up the process of reaching our families.

With CampusESP for Family Engagement, Santa Clara will be able to easily share reminders, news, and important updates, ensuring that parents have access to the right information and will be better equipped to advise their students, strengthening their support system, and helping them remain successful and on the path to graduation.

Ponce wants to meet his families where they are. As a university in the midst of getting its Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation, Ponce has been cognisant of how to enhance communication with Spanish-speaking and Hispanic families. Seeing in research that Hispanic families prefer text message communications, he added the CampusESP SMS module to offer alerts and reminders via families phones.

Were so excited to welcome Santa Clara University as Customer 400 said Dave Becker, CEO and co-founder of CampusESP. Were seeing more and more institutions not only recognize that family engagement needs to be a part of their strategy, but that they need expert advice and a comprehensive tool to do it well. Were honored to be a part of so many institutions' plans to connect with families to enable student success.

Families are the people our students go to at a moments notice, said Ponce. When faced with uncertainty, they call mom, dad, or another family member and ask for help. I want to provide them with the information they need to feel confident in guiding their students. We leverage our parents as partners to communicate campus resources to their students, and CampusESP is going to be a huge part of helping us do that, and do it well.

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Melissa Greiner, Vice President of Marketing

[email protected], 484-744-1843

Source: CampusESP
WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Chemours Company (Chemours) (NYSE: CC), a global chemistry company with leading market positions in Titanium Technologies, Thermal & Specialized Solutions, and Advanced Performance Materials, today announced the appointment of Denise Dignam, current Interim Chief Executive Officer, to the positions of President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors, effective immediately.

Ms. Dignam joined Chemours in 2015. She brings over 35 years of experience in the chemical industry where she has held senior roles in business and operations, sales and marketing, commercialization, and supply chain. She had served as Interim Chief Executive Officer since February 2024, and prior to that held the positions of President, Titanium Technologies (TT) segment, and President, Advanced Performance Materials (APM) segment---two businesses that represent over 68% of Chemours net sales in 2023. As President of Titanium Technologies, Ms. Dignam stood up the TT Transformation Plan, delivered significant operational savings in 2023, refocused the portfolio to deliver more customer value, and developed process improvements for better resource utilization across the manufacturing circuit. During her tenure on Advanced Performance Materials, she reshaped the portfolio to focus resources on secular growth opportunities in Clean Energy and Advanced Electronics. To further accelerate growth, she drove strategic partnerships and initiatives across the globe, and improved the overall cost structure of the business, laying the foundation for further cost optimization.

Commenting on her appointment, Ms. Dignam said, I am excited and honored to take on the role of President and CEO. Chemours is defined by its leading chemistries, the customer applications that our chemistries enable, our manufacturing capabilities, and as importantly, our people and core values. Looking ahead I will be focused on strengthening our portfolio with high-value and emerging growth opportunities, and ensuring we are operating as efficiently, effectively, and safely as possible. I am committed to continuing to lead with transparency as we do the hard work required to keep building our businesses for today and into the future. I want to thank our Chemours employees around the world, who are the cornerstone of our success, and our customers and partners for their continued support.

Dawn Farrell, Chair of the Board of Chemours, added, Denise has the full support of the Board, and we are pleased to have an experienced and capable executive who is so highly regarded inside and outside Chemours for her track record leading the APM and TT business segments. Denise is a high-caliber leader who has the experience and capability to build value for shareholders while upholding our core values and serving our valued customers.

Additional Leadership Changes

Matthew S. Abbott, Interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO), will continue in his role while we commence a comprehensive search for a permanent CFO.

Matt is an incredible partner, said Ms. Dignam. His tireless efforts and leadership have been integral to Chemours progress to this point and will continue to be critical as we navigate the road ahead of us. Matt has made it clear that he is committed to leading the Finance organization, building a strong controls environment, and ensuring the delivery of our financial reporting and disclosures, while we conduct our search for a permanent CFO to further enhance our capital structure and achieve shareholder value.

Diane Iuliano Picho, Vice President of Human Resources and Chief of Staff, Titanium Technologies, will step in as Interim President, Titanium Technologies while we conduct a comprehensive search for a permanent segment President. Diane brings to the role demonstrated business acumen over a 40-year career that includes experiences in R&D, operations, HR, sales, marketing, and commercial leadership. Previously, Diane was the Vice President of Commercial Operations for the Advanced Performance Materials segment where she led product management, supply chain and demand planning, and competitive intelligence. Before Chemours, Diane held business roles of increasing responsibility at E.I. du Pont de Nemours, which she joined in 1983. During that time, as Global Business Manager of Refrigerants, she led the product development, IP strategy, commercialization, and launch of the companys Opteon low global warming potential refrigerant offering. She received her Master of Business Administration from Widener University and her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Villanova University.

About The Chemours Company

The Chemours Company (NYSE: CC) is a global leader in Titanium Technologies, Thermal & Specialized Solutions, and Advanced Performance Materials providing its customers with solutions in a wide range of industries with market-defining products, application expertise and chemistry-based innovations. We deliver customized solutions with a wide range of industrial and specialty chemicals products for markets, including coatings, plastics, refrigeration and air conditioning, transportation, semiconductor and consumer electronics, general industrial, and oil and gas. Our flagship products are sold under prominent brands such as Ti-Pure, Opteon, Freon, Teflon, Viton, Nafion, and Krytox. The company has approximately 6,200 employees and 28 manufacturing sites serving approximately 2,700 customers in approximately 110 countries. Chemours is headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware and is listed on the NYSE under the symbol CC.

For more information, we invite you to visit chemours.com or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @Chemours or on LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to a historical or current fact. The words "believe," "expect," "will," "anticipate," "plan," "estimate," "target," "project" and similar expressions, among others, generally identify "forward-looking statements," which speak only as of the date such statements were made. These forward-looking statements may address, among other things, the focus on strengthening Chemours portfolio with high-value and emerging growth opportunities, and ensuring Chemours is operating efficiently, effectively, and safely as possible, all of which are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events that may not be accurate or realized, such as full year guidance relying on models based upon management assumptions regarding future events that are inherently uncertain. These statements are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements also involve risks and uncertainties that are beyond Chemours' control. Matters outside our control, including general economic conditions, geopolitical conditions and global health events, have affected or may affect our business and operations and may or may continue to hinder our ability to provide goods and services to customers, cause disruptions in our supply chains such as through strikes, labor disruptions or other events, adversely affect our business partners, significantly reduce the demand for our products, adversely affect the health and welfare of our personnel or cause other unpredictable events. Additionally, there may be other risks and uncertainties that Chemours is unable to identify at this time or that Chemours does not currently expect to have a material impact on its business. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. Chemours assumes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason, except as required by law.

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INVESTORS

Brandon Ontjes

VP, Financial Planning & Analysis, and Investor Relations

+1.302.773.3300

[email protected]



Kurt Bonner

Manager, Investor Relations

+1.302.773.0026

[email protected]



NEWS MEDIA

Cassie Olszewski

Corporate Media & Brand Reputation Leader

+1.302.219.7140

[email protected]

Source: The Chemours Company
DAVIDSON, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW) today announced that it will host an Investor Day in New York City on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Lynn M. Bamford, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, K. Christopher Farkas, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and other members of the executive management team, will provide an in-depth review of the Companys strategy for continued profitable growth and introduce new long-term financial targets. In addition, the Company is excited to host a panel of commercial nuclear energy experts, including senior leadership from the Nuclear Energy Institute, a policy organization of the nuclear technologies industry based in Washington, D.C.; Westinghouse Electric Company, designer of the AP1000 and AP300 pressurized water reactors; and Energy Northwest, a public power utility company and a premier provider of carbon-free electricity.

The formal presentations will be followed by a question and answer session with Curtiss-Wrights senior leadership and the webcast portion of the event will conclude at approximately 12:15 p.m. ET.

A live webcast of the event will be available on the Companys Investor Relations webpage. Registration for the event is encouraged and can be completed in advance on the Investor Day 2024 Registration Site. Presentation materials will be posted the morning of the event and a recording of the webcast will be made available following the event.

About Curtiss-Wright Corporation

Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW) is a global integrated business that provides highly engineered products, solutions and services mainly to Aerospace & Defense markets, as well as critical technologies in demanding Commercial Power, Process and Industrial markets. We leverage a workforce of approximately 8,600 highly skilled employees who develop, design and build what we believe are the best engineered solutions to the markets we serve. Building on the heritage of Glenn Curtiss and the Wright brothers, Curtiss-Wright, headquartered in Davidson, North Carolina, has a long tradition of providing innovative solutions through trusted customer relationships. For more information, visit www.curtisswright.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240322099295/en/

Jim Ryan

(704) 869-4621

[email protected]

Source: Curtiss-Wright Corporation
PARIS & COPENHAGEN, Denmark--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

TotalEnergies (Paris: TTE) (LSE: TTE) (NYSE: TTE) announces the restart of production from the Tyra hub in the Danish North Sea, after the completion of a major redevelopment project of this hub. At plateau, the Tyra hub will produce 5.7 million cubic meters of gas and 22,000 barrels of condensate per day, once again making Denmark self-sufficient and a net exporter of natural gas. TotalEnergies operates the Tyra field on behalf of Danish Underground Consortium, a partnership between TotalEnergies (43.2%), BlueNord (36.8%) and Nordsfonden (20%).

We are pleased to restart the Tyra hub, one of the most technologically advanced offshore gas installations in the world. The success of this major redevelopment project owes a lot to the commitment of our teams, our partners and our contractors. The new Tyra leverages state-of-the-art digital solutions and technological innovations to produce more efficiently and with 30% lower greenhouse gas emissions than the former facilities, said Nicolas Terraz President, Exploration & Production at TotalEnergies. Importantly, the resumption of gas production from Tyra improves Europes security of supply.

Discovered in 1968 by Maersk Oil, Tyra is located 225 kilometres west of the coast of Esbjerg. In September 2019, gas production was suspended to enable the redevelopment of Tyra. Following the decommissioning of the previous Tyra facilities, 8 new platform topsides, 2 jackets and 6 bridges were installed. As part of this redevelopment project, 98.5% of the materials recovered from the retired installations have been reused or recycled.

Gas from the Tyra hub is delivered to Europe through two export pipelines to Nybro in Denmark and Den Helder in the Netherlands.

* * *

About TotalEnergies in Denmark

TotalEnergies is a leading energy company in Denmark, with operations in oil & gas as well as renewable electricity, employing a diverse and international workforce of around 1,200 people located in Esbjerg, offshore, and in Copenhagen. TotalEnergies operates more than 80% of oil and 90% of gas produced in Denmark, with a strong focus on emissions reductions as demonstrated by the end of routine flaring on its assets in 2023. In addition, the Company is developing carbon storage projects in the country, which could store up to 5 Mt/y of CO2 by 2030. In Integrated Power, TotalEnergies is developing two offshore wind projects (for a capacity of 405 MW) and is working on developing additional activities in wind, solar energy and biogas. Dating back more than half a century, our operations deliver an important contribution to the Danish energy supply, economy, and employment.

About TotalEnergies

TotalEnergies is a global multi-energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to energy that is ever more affordable, more sustainable, more reliable and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in nearly 130 countries, TotalEnergies puts sustainable development in all its dimensions at the heart of its projects and operations to contribute to the well-being of people.

@TotalEnergies | TotalEnergies | TotalEnergies | TotalEnergies

Cautionary Note

The terms TotalEnergies, TotalEnergies company or Company in this document are used to designate TotalEnergies SE and the consolidated entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by TotalEnergies SE. Likewise, the words we, us and our may also be used to refer to these entities or to their employees. The entities in which TotalEnergies SE directly or indirectly owns a shareholding are separate legal entities. This document may contain forward-looking information and statements that are based on a number of economic data and assumptions made in a given economic, competitive and regulatory environment. They may prove to be inaccurate in the future and are subject to a number of risk factors. Neither TotalEnergies SE nor any of its subsidiaries assumes any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information or statement, objectives or trends contained in this document whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information concerning risk factors, that may affect TotalEnergies financial results or activities is provided in the most recent Universal Registration Document, the French-language version of which is filed by TotalEnergies SE with the French securities regulator Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF), and in the Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240322050127/en/

TotalEnergies

Media Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 99 l [email protected] l @TotalEnergiesPR

Investor Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 46 l [email protected]

Source: TOTALENERGIES SE
ScanUp launches with hundreds of dentist members nationwide using the program, including practices at several major DSOs

Dentists who subscribe to ScanUp pay for the 36-month program with their routine dental lab expenses through work sent to member dental labs

Members receive an iTero Element Flex certified pre-owned (CPO) intraoral scanner with access to a complete digital dentistry ecosystem with education, training, and support

ScanUp member dental labs are experienced, full-service labs capable of supporting digital cases as well as analog cases

ScanUp is more than an intraoral subscription program  its a complete ecosystem to help dentists adopt digital dentistry with ease

The total contract value of dentists signed up for the ScanUp program now exceeds $32 million

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Desktop Health  the trusted production-grade medical 3D printing brand of Desktop Metal, Inc. (NYSE: DM)  today announced the launch of ScanUp, a new program for dentists designed to help simplify adoption of digital technologies to improve practice efficiency and patient care.

The ScanUp program has been in development through a beta rollout since November 2022 and already has hundreds of members, including several DSOs such as Western Dental and Smile Brands. Now, the program is being rolled out to the general dental marketplace. Members of the program receive an iTero Element Flex certified pre-owned (CPO) scanner from Desktop Health as part of a subscription program for lab services.

ScanUp solves a real challenge for dentists struggling to adopt digital dentistry with a streamlined, easy-to-access solution, said Lou Azzara, president of Desktop Health and Desktop Labs. We are proud to launch the ScanUp program to support the digital dentistry journey of general practitioner and family dentists for improved practice efficiencies and enhanced patient experiences.

The iTero scanner can be an indispensable tool for efficiently transforming practices from analog to digital, helping doctors drive practice efficiencies, deliver exceptional patient outcomes and provide their patients with outstanding experiences, said Matt Miller, vice president and general manager US, Align Technology. Were excited about the opportunity for Desktop Health to bring the benefits of the iTero Element Flex scanner to Desktop Lab's GP dentists across the U.S.

ScanUp is a Simple and Complete Solution

ScanUp solves several challenges faced by clinicians looking to adopt digital dentistry.

About half of the dentists in the United States have not yet adopted intraoral scanning, the first step in the digital dentistry journey, because of perceived and real challenges1, such as the complexity of stitching together a digital workflow to deliver final restorations and other dental products.

Dentists can participate in the ScanUp ecosystem at any stage in their digital journey with an affordable subscription program that is paid for with routine lab services. The Desktop Health subscription provides an Align iTero Element Flex CPO intraoral scanner, which serves as the gateway to digital dentistry. In addition, the subscription includes certified training and education which doctors and practices can complete at their own pace.

Digital and analog lab services and support are also provided by ScanUp member labs, which are owned by or affiliated with Desktop Health. Member labs already serve more than 12,000 dentists nationwide through well-known community labs such as Dental Arts Laboratory in Peoria, Illinois; May Dental Arts in Fenton, Missouri; and Brewer Dental Lab in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

All ScanUp member labs are full-service digital + analog labs that are capable of 3D printing products such as Flexcera restorations and SmileGuard bite splints, along with other digital products. Flexcera and SmileGuard are materials developed and sold by Desktop Health, and they are qualified for 3D printing on Einstein family 3D printers, as well as Carbon 3D systems.

When dentists using intraoral scanners are ready to level up their digital dentistry practice, they can adopt 3D printing with Desktop Health Einstein printers, with digital design file support from ScanUp member labs. Or, they can design their own printable files with CAD/CAM design software through Aligns exocad ChairsideCAD platform.

Dental practices can join the ScanUp ecosystem at any stage of their journey, regardless of scanner model. ScanUp supports the entire journey with education, training and support.

To learn more, visit www.scanup.org.

About Desktop Metal

Desktop Metal (NYSE: DM) is driving Additive Manufacturing 2.0, a new era of on-demand, digital mass production of industrial, medical, and consumer products. Our innovative 3D printers, materials, and software deliver the speed, cost, and part quality required for this transformation. Were the original inventors and world leaders of the 3D printing methods we believe will empower this shift, binder jetting and digital light processing. Today, our systems print metal, polymer, sand and other ceramics, as well as foam and recycled wood. Manufacturers use our technology worldwide to save time and money, reduce waste, increase flexibility, and produce designs that solve the worlds toughest problems and enable once-impossible innovations. Learn more about Desktop Metal and our #TeamDM brands at www.desktopmetal.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements about Desktop Metals strategic integration and cost savings initiatives, expected restructuring charges, anticipated cost savings, long-term growth, market share, liquidity and profitability, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words believe, project, expect, anticipate, estimate, intend, strategy, future, opportunity, plan, may, should, will, would, will be, will continue, will likely result, and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this document, including but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties set forth in Desktop Metal, Inc.'s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. There is no guarantee Desktop Metal will achieve the cost savings it expects. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Desktop Metal, Inc. assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

1 The Journal of the American Dental Association, Volume 152, Issue 8, 2021, Pages 669-670.e2, ISSN 0002-8177, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2021.05.018.

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Investor Relations:

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Source: Desktop Health
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Generational Equity, a leading mergers and acquisitions advisor for privately held businesses, is pleased to announce the sale of its client, Fritsch Equipment Corporation to Private Investors. The transaction closed February 29, 2024.

Located in De Pere, Wisconsin, Fritsch Equipment Corporation (Fritsch) manufactures its own line of branded farm equipment, and also carries farming equipment from other brands to ensure a wide range of product offerings for its clients.

The Company has earned a stellar reputation for its Fritsch branded products, including the Forage Facer (the Companys cornerstone product), Hi-Dump Bucket, Push Away Grapple, Power Bedding Groomer, Hutch Front, Poly Calf Stall, Poly Veyor, Feed Plows, Bale Mover, Brush Grapple, Bucket, and Sand Leveler.

Generational Equity Executive Managing Director of M&A  Central Region, Michael Goss, Stephen Dinehart, a Generational Group Authorized Affiliate, with the support of Vice President, M&A, Lance Thomsson successfully closed the transaction. Executive Managing Director, Rick Buchoz established the initial relationship with Fritsch.

About Generational Equity

Generational Equity, Generational Capital Markets (member FINRA/SIPC), Generational Wealth Advisors, Generational Consulting Group, and DealForce are part of the Generational Group, which is headquartered in Dallas and is one of the leading M&A advisory firms in North America.

With more than 350 professionals located throughout 16 offices in North America, the companies help business owners release the wealth of their business by providing growth consulting, merger, acquisition, and wealth management services. The Generational suite of advisory services includes strategic growth consulting, exit planning education, business valuation, value enhancement strategies, M&A services, digital services, and wealth management.

The M&A Advisor named Generational Equity Investment Banking Firm of the Year three years in a row, Valuation Firm of the Year, and North American Investment Bank of the Year in 2022 as well as Consulting Firm of the Year twice. The Global M&A Network named Generational USA Investment Bank of the Year in 2023. For more information visit https://www.genequityco.com/ or the Generational Equity press room.

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Carl Doerksen

972-342-0968

[email protected]

Source: Generational Equity
Innovative Data Matrix Code provides individual ID linked to measurement data for each LED

Provision of data per LED reduces manufacturers optical calibration effort, simplifying their production process

Launch of DMC initiative reflects ams OSRAMs strategy of adding value to LEDs

PREMSTAETTEN, Austria & MUNICH--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ams OSRAM (SIX: AMS), a global leader in intelligent sensors and emitters, has introduced a product innovation that helps manufacturers of automotive lighting modules and systems to increase their production throughput and efficiency while achieving very high consistency in optical quality and performance.

The innovation, referred to as DMC (Data Matrix Code), is based on a unique, machine-readable code printed on top of each LED package. DMC is already available today for some members of the OSIRE family of automotive LEDs. The code on the package links to individual data for each LED production unit: color coordinates, luminous intensity and forward voltage at two currents.

This two-current setting gives manufacturers the widest range of dimming options for day and night modes, while meeting the automotive industrys strict requirements for color point stability.

Anita Wenzl, Senior Product Marketing Manager of ams OSRAM, emphasizes: ams OSRAM was the first LED manufacturer to provide a link to the measurement data of each individual LED through a code printed onto the LED itself. Our DMC innovation supports manufacturers in increasing their production throughput. Furthermore, it reduces their need to invest in cost-intensive optical test equipment and the technical skills required to operate it.

LED+: Greater accuracy through unique data adds precious value to LEDs

With the introduction of DMC, ams OSRAM increases the value of its automotive LEDs as conclusive data effectively support digitalized and automated factory processes. DMC is now available in three automotive LEDs:

The OSIRE E5515 is an RGB sidelooker LED designed for modern ambient lighting in the vehicle interior. Supplied in a white low-profile, surface-mount package, the OSIRE E5515 is ideally suited for coupling into thin light guides. In addition, the housing materials temperature stability has been optimized for improved compatibility with processes based on IMSE (In-Mold Structural Electronics). The OSIRE E5515 is available under the part number KRTB AELPS2.32.

The OSIRE E3323 is an RGB top surface-emitting LED for ambient lighting applications in the vehicle interior. With dimensions as small as 3.3 mm x 2.3 mm x 0.7 mm, the OSIRE E3323 is the smallest of its kind in the OSIRE family  for even more flexible designs than is currently possible with a delta or inline RGB chip configuration. The OSIRE E3323 products can be ordered under the part numbers KRTB DWLM31.32 and KRTB DWLM32.32.

The DMC will be imprinted on every manufactured LED and manufacturers are free to choose whether to use the data or not. This value-adding feature is likely to be rolled out to other OSIRE family members in the future.

For more information: OSIRE | ams OSRAM (ams-osram.com)

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321255542/en/

Eva Feuerlein

[email protected]

[email protected]

ams-osram.com

Source: ams OSRAM
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a campus of Hunan First Normal University, and learns about the university's efforts in putting resources related to the Party's heritage to great use and its adherence to fostering virtue through education, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

CHANGSHA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping has called on central China's Hunan Province to stay committed to reform and innovation and follow a realistic and pragmatic approach to write its own chapter in advancing Chinese modernization.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during an inspection tour to the province from Monday to Thursday.

Xi urged Hunan to build itself into a national hub for important and advanced manufacturing industries and a sci-tech and innovation center with core competitiveness, and continue to be a pacesetter for reform and opening-up of China's inland regions.

On Monday, Xi first inspected Hunan First Normal University in Changsha City, where he visited an exhibition featuring Mao Zedong in his youth and chatted with students and faculty members. Xi stressed the role of schools in fostering virtue among students and guiding them to serve the country.

Later, Xi inspected a Chinese-German battery materials joint venture. He said sci-tech innovation and high-quality development are the key to enterprises' growth and success.

He said China will keep opening its door wider to the world and welcome more foreign companies to invest and develop in China.

On Tuesday, Xi visited a cultural street in the city of Changde, where he pointed out that the country's diverse traditional cultures with local characteristics constitute a splendid Chinese civilization.

Hunan is one of China's 13 major grain-producing provinces. When visiting a village in Changde, Xi said as China has over 1.4 billion people, the country must ensure its own food security. He stressed the importance of increasing grain production and quality. He also called for efforts to let farmers become rich by producing grains.

Upon leaving the village, Xi said the Party leadership will take solid and effective policies and measures to turn the blueprint of rural revitalization into reality.

On Thursday, after hearing the provincial Party and government authorities report their work, Xi gave acknowledgment to Hunan's work.

He called for reinforcing the principal position of companies in sci-tech innovation, and promoting deeper integration of the chains of innovation, industries, capital and human resources. He also called for advancing major technology and equipment research and further developing advanced manufacturing.

On deepening reform, Xi said the focus should be placed on resolving problems that are holding back the fostering of a new pattern of development and high-quality development. He said reforms must provide impetus and vitality to economic and social development.

Xi also urged Hunan to be deeply involved in the Belt and Road cooperation, develop well the pilot free trade zone with high standards, and strive to build a pilot zone for deepening China-Africa economic and trade cooperation.

Xi asked Hunan to take on the responsibility of safeguarding national food security and accelerate breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields such as the seed industry and agricultural machinery.

He also called on the province to promote deep integration of culture and tourism, and strengthen Party building.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Xi on the inspection tour.

On Wednesday, Xi met with military officers from troops stationed in Changsha. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a campus of Hunan First Normal University, and learns about the university's efforts in putting resources related to the Party's heritage to great use and its adherence to fostering virtue through education, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a campus of Hunan First Normal University, and learns about the university's efforts in putting resources related to the Party's heritage to great use and its adherence to fostering virtue through education, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a campus of Hunan First Normal University, and learns about the university's efforts in putting resources related to the Party's heritage to great use and its adherence to fostering virtue through education, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with teachers and students while visiting a campus of Hunan First Normal University in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with teachers and students while visiting a campus of Hunan First Normal University in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a battery materials joint venture and learns about local endeavor to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces and promote high-standard opening up, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a battery materials joint venture and learns about local endeavor to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces and promote high-standard opening up, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a battery materials joint venture and learns about local endeavor to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces and promote high-standard opening up, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the restoration and utilization of historical and cultural blocks, and the comprehensive management of urban water environment while visiting a cultural street in Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, waves to citizens while visiting a cultural street in Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the restoration and utilization of historical and cultural blocks, and the comprehensive management of urban water environment while visiting a cultural street in Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the restoration and utilization of historical and cultural blocks, and the comprehensive management of urban water environment while visiting a cultural street in Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with citizens while visiting a cultural street in Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects spring farming and its preparation work while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects spring farming and its preparation work while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects spring farming and its preparation work while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects spring farming and its preparation work while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects spring farming and its preparation work while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects spring farming and its preparation work while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the improvement of grassroots governance efficiency while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with villagers while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, meets with military officers from troops stationed in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 20, 2024. Xi made an inspection tour to Hunan Province from Monday to Thursday. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Editor: WRX
Leading precast concrete manufacturer adds fiberglass products to suite of infrastructure solutions designed for electric utility companies.

RENO, Nev.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Jensen Precast, an independent family-owned manufacturer of infrastructure solutions since 1968, today announced it has acquired ProGlass Incorporated, a manufacturer of utility fiberglass products based in Shelton, Washington. The acquisition expands the companys suite of products engineered specifically for the electric utility market.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321764032/en/

ProGlass fiberglass covers can be outfitted onto Jensen Precast electric utility vault trenches, resulting in longer lasting and safer solutions for utility companies and their employees and customers. (Photo: Business Wire)

Jensen Precast has been providing quality products to electric utility companies since the 1970s, including precast concrete vaults, polymer concrete handholes, and metal fabricated access hatches. ProGlass was founded in 1990 in Gig Harbor, Washington, by electrical contractor Jim Holland, who observed a high demand for fiberglass products in the electric utility industry.

From the early days at Jensen Precast, we have strived to build products that work well for electric utility companies, often collaborating with them to get the exact designs needed for their precise applications, said Eric Jensen, Chief Executive Officer of Jensen Precast. Now with the purchase of ProGlass, we are continuing to invest in getting electric utility customers the products they need to conduct their businesses efficiently and effectively.

ProGlass specializes in building lightweight fiberglass products that are easy to handle and install while maintaining lasting durability. Resistant to the adverse effects of the suns ultraviolet rays and the atmospheres corrosive elements, ProGlass products are made with marine grade gelcoat to ensure structural strength under challenging conditions. Like precast concrete, fiberglass is nonconductive, making it a safe choice for electric utilities.

Our electric utility customers will have even more favorable choices for their equipment needs, said Sanna Schlosser, Jensen Precast Utility Product Manager. We can now fit fiberglass covers onto precast concrete utility trenches and gain advantages for our customers both at grade level and underground without having to source another supplier.

Along with fiberglass trench covers, ProGlass manufactures transformer pads, box pads, switchgear box pads, ground sleeves, splice boxes, looping enclosures, and other products made for the electric utility industry. The company works with utilities and municipalities across the United States.

ProGlass products complement Jensen Precast products well, said Tim Bruhn, who joined ProGlass in 2013 and remains General Manager of the facility. We have a good product, and were pleased that Jensen Precast is ready to leverage it for even better customer value.

Learn more about ProGlass by visiting www.ProGlassInc.com.

Speak with Utility Product Manager Sanna Schlosser by calling (775) 352-6305.

Meet ProGlass and Jensen Precast at the NWPPA E&C show in Tacoma, Washington, April 9-11.

About Jensen Precast

Jensen Precast designs, engineers, manufactures, and delivers infrastructure products for the growing needs of communities, businesses, and government agencies. Founded in 1968, the company employs more than 1000 individuals throughout Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Washington.

Visit www.jensenprecast.com for locations, products, quotes, and expert consultation.

To arrange interviews with Jensen Precast executives, engineers, and product experts, contact Nicholas Drake at (775) 352-5275 or [email protected].

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Nicholas Drake

Main (775) 352-5275

Mobile (775) 378-9099

Email [email protected]

Website jensenprecast.com

Source: Jensen Precast
TURIN, Italy--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- LEApedia, an AI-based assistant for warehouse management systems (WMS), won the coveted "Best Product LogiMAT 2024" award in the "Software, Communication & IT" category at the opening ceremony of LogiMAT 2024. The application is seamlessly integrated into the LEA Reply cloud-native SaaS WMS solution, offered by Logistics Reply, the Reply Group specialists in delivering innovative software solutions for the digital supply chain.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240322257679/en/

LEApedia revolutionizes the way you interact with your warehouse management system (WMS) and other supply chain tools, with the integration of a powerful multi-agent AI engine to enhance efficiency, streamline operations, and unlock new insights. LEApedia facilitates the analysis of vast datasets, enabling the identification of patterns and insights that were previously unattainable. (Graphic: Business Wire)

The award, which is considered one of the most coveted in the intralogistics industry, is presented at the International Trade Fair for Intralogistics and recognizes outstanding achievements in the logistics sector that significantly optimise internal logistics processes, reduce costs and increase productivity.

LEApedia, which helps to improve logistics management processes, stands at the forefront of warehouse management system (WMS) innovation powered by an advanced multi-agent AI engine. This engine facilitates the analysis of vast datasets, enabling the identification of patterns and insights that were previously unattainable. At its core, LEApedia leverages a state-of-the-art Language Model, designed to interpret and respond to natural language queries and commands. This capability ensures users can interact with the system efficiently, significantly improving usability and accessibility.

Furthermore, LEApedia's smart search functionality allows for quick and intuitive access to information, ranging from specific terms to complex process descriptions. This feature is instrumental in navigating the system, ensuring users can find the information they need with unprecedented ease and speed. LEApedia enhances the system's efficiency and user-friendliness, setting a new standard for WMS solutions.

LEApedia is tailored to the specific needs and software environment of each customer. This makes it suitable for small businesses as well as medium-sized handling centres and large players. The module can be integrated into the system in a very short timeframe without slowing down or interrupting operations. It can also be updated during regular business without disruptions.

"The LogiMAT 2024 award is further proof of the tremendous performance of our WMS solution, which we are continuously evolving to take time-to-value and quality to new levels and support our customers in every step of their digital transformation journey. Technologies such as generative AI and machine learning help improve supply chain visibility and enable proactive decision making. The LEApedia AI-powered assistant offers users new opportunities to efficiently scale their WMS during ongoing warehouse operations and compete in the dynamic logistics industry," concluded Enrico Nebuloni, Executive Partner at Reply.

Reply

Reply [EXM, STAR: REY] specialises in the design and implementation of solutions based on new communication channels and digital media. As a network of highly specialised companies, Reply defines and develops business models enabled by the new models of AI, big data, cloud computing, digital media and the internet of things. Reply delivers consulting, system integration and digital services to organisations across the telecom and media; industry and services; banking and insurance; and public sectors. www.reply.com

Logistics Reply

Logistics Reply provides cutting-edge software solutions that help companies achieve an efficient and more connected digital supply chain where different systems, partners, humans and machines seamlessly interact embracing the use of next-generation technologies such as AI, robotics, wearables and IoT. Logistics Reply accompanies its customers in this transformation journey ensuring rapid time-to-value and long-term quality results thanks to over 20 years of experience and deep knowledge of technologies and supply chain processes. www.lea.reply.com

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Media:

Reply

Fabio Zappelli

[email protected]

Tel. +390117711594

Sandra Dennhardt

[email protected]

Tel. +49 170 4546229

Source: Reply
Dr. Smith has participated in every MAIA funding round

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- MAIA Biotechnology, Inc., (NYSE American: MAIA) (MAIA, the Company), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted immunotherapies for cancer, today announced that independent director Mr. Stan V. Smith, Ph.D. made an individual purchase of 170,940 shares of the Companys common stock as part of the Companys recent private placement of common stock and warrants.

On March 11, 2024, MAIA entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with certain accredited investors for the issuance and sale in a private placement of 2,043,587 shares of the Companys common stock, and warrants to purchase up to 2,043,587 shares of the Companys common stock, at a price per share of $1.17. The combined gross proceeds from the private placement, closed on March 14, 2024, were approximately $2.9 million, prior to deducting offering expenses payable by the Company.

Vlad Vitoc, M.D., MAIAs Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, The participation in our private placement from five of our independent directors points to their confidence in the science and clinical pathways for our immuno-oncology therapies targeting difficult-to-treat cancers.

Stan V. Smith, Ph.D., added, I have participated in every round of financing and I am a big believer in MAIAs telomere-targeting approach to cancer and its potential to disrupt the field of research and development for cancer therapies, for the benefit of all humankind.

Dr. Smith is president of Smith Economics Group, Ltd. in Chicago, providing economic and financial consulting nationwide. Trained at the University of Chicago and specializing in litigation economics, Dr. Smith co-authored the first textbook on the subject of economic damages. Dr. Smith has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Chicago and at DePaul University College of Law where he created the first course in the United States in forensic economics.

About MAIA Biotechnology, Inc.

MAIA is a targeted therapy, immuno-oncology company focused on the development and commercialization of potential first-in-class drugs with novel mechanisms of action that are intended to meaningfully improve and extend the lives of people with cancer. Our lead program is THIO, a potential first-in-class cancer telomere targeting agent in clinical development for the treatment of NSCLC patients with telomerase-positive cancer cells. For more information, please visit www.maiabiotech.com.

Forward Looking Statements

MAIA cautions that all statements, other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our or our industrys actual results, levels or activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those anticipated by such statements. The use of words such as may, might, will, should, could, expect, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, project, intend, future, potential, or continue, and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. However, the absence of these words does not mean that statements are not forward-looking. For example, all statements we make regarding (i) the initiation, timing, cost, progress and results of our preclinical and clinical studies and our research and development programs, (ii) our ability to advance product candidates into, and successfully complete, clinical studies, (iii) the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals, (iv) our ability to develop, manufacture and commercialize our product candidates and to improve the manufacturing process, (v) the rate and degree of market acceptance of our product candidates, (vi) the size and growth potential of the markets for our product candidates and our ability to serve those markets, and (vii) our expectations regarding our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for our product candidates, are forward looking. All forward-looking statements are based on current estimates, assumptions and expectations by our management that, although we believe to be reasonable, are inherently uncertain. Any forward-looking statement expressing an expectation or belief as to future events is expressed in good faith and believed to be reasonable at the time such forward-looking statement is made. However, these statements are not guarantees of future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors beyond our control that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In this release, unless the context requires otherwise, MAIA, Company, we, our, and us refers to MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240322065451/en/

Investor Relations Contact

+1 (872) 270-3518

[email protected]

Source: MAIA Biotechnology, Inc.
Searce and UBIX AI join forces to empower businesses with cutting-edge, open-source AI solutions on Google Cloud, driving innovation and cost-efficiency.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Searce, a modern technology consulting firm that empowers businesses to be future-ready, and UBIX AI, a leader in advanced AI analytics, are excited to announce a strategic partnership. This collaboration aims to transform the AI and analytics landscape for Google Cloud customers, advocating a significant migration from traditional platforms to more dynamic, open-source solutions. This partnership brings together Searce's technical depth and expertise in cloud solutions and UBIX Labs' cutting-edge AI platform, offering Google Cloud customers access to advanced analytics and AI capabilities.

John Burke, the CEO of UBIX AI stated, "The UBIX partnership with Searce expands our focused pursuit of scaling our no-code and generative solutions for analytical-driven decision-making. By partnering with Searce, UBIX users can take advantage of the additional deep learning AI capabilities offered by Google Clouds innovative generative AI and Gemini models. The results of this partnership is a continuation of our pursuit of driving business outcomes and democratizing AI for every business.

A key focus of this collaboration is to encourage the transition from legacy systems like those offered by SAS Institute and Alteryx to rapid innovation and intelligently scaling platforms like UBIX that embrace open-source innovations. This shift not only reduces costs but also fosters innovation, as open-source solutions offer greater adaptability and community-driven enhancements. This partnership ensures that Google Cloud customers are at the forefront of AI and analytics evolution.

Searce and UBIX AI are enabling businesses to unlock the full potential of their data with seamless, user-friendly AI solutions. Our partnership allows organizations to harness the power of advanced analytics on Google Cloud, allowing them to gain powerful insights. Together, we are empowering organizations to embrace the future of AI and drive intelligent business outcomes, says Vrinda Khurjekar, Senior Director - Cloud Consulting, Searce.

This collaboration marks a milestone in the journey towards a more data-driven business environment. By providing easy-to-use, end-to-end AI solutions on Google Cloud, this partnership paves the way for businesses to unlock new opportunities and drive innovation.

About Searce

Founded in 2004, Searce is a modern technology consulting firm that empowers clients to futurify their businesses, leveraging Cloud, AI & Analytics. Searce provides deep technical consulting, hands-on implementation, and 24*7 cloud care support enabling the digital transformation of organizations with the best infrastructure, platform, industry solutions, and expertise. Working with Google Cloud as a top-tiered preferred partner and a specialized SI for 14+ years, Searce has been enabling digital innovation by leveraging the entire portfolio of Google Cloud solutions across its 4000+ clients globally. Driven by an engineering excellence mindset, Searce cares most about delivering intelligent, impactful & futuristic business outcomes for its global clients.

About UBIX Labs

UBIX makes Advanced Analytics and AI available to Everyone. As an intelligent cloud-based, Advanced Analytics platform and Managed Services provider, we are designed to manage the end-to-end analytics, applications, machine learning, and generative AI life cycle. Our no-code interfaces and Data Science Factory provide a fully-supported and user-friendly way for clients to solve their most complex analytic problems with less reliance on data scientists and technical staff.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240322118327/en/

For more information, please contact:

Kayla Spiess - Chief Marketing Officer, Searce

Email: [email protected]

Source: Searce
TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sila Realty Trust, Inc. (the Company), a net lease real estate investment trust focused on investing in high quality healthcare properties across the continuum of care, today announced the acquisition of five Class A healthcare facilities located in Arizona and Texas (the Portfolio), for a contract purchase price of $85.5 million.

The Portfolio is comprised of four built-to-suit micro-hospitals and one freestanding emergency department, totaling approximately 158,000 square feet on a combined 17.5 acres. Each of the micro-hospitals is licensed for 8-inpatient beds, and offers a 13-bed emergency department, operating room, laboratory, diagnostic imaging suite, and a pharmacy. The freestanding emergency department is a 13-bed full-service emergency center, constructed to also offer the same services as the micro-hospitals.

The Portfolio is 100% leased by Tenet Healthcare Corporation (Tenet), one of the nations largest healthcare systems, with over 15,000 licensed beds, which designed and developed these facilities from 2019 through 2021. Each property is operated under the name of the local affiliated hospital brand of Tenet. Two of the micro-hospitals are in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, Arizona metropolitan statistical area (MSA) and operate under the brand of Abrazo Health. One micro-hospital and the freestanding emergency department are in the Tucson, Arizona MSA and operate under the brand of Carondelet Health. The additional micro-hospital is in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Texas MSA and operates under the brand of Valley Baptist Health. Tenet strategically chose each of these locations due to its belief that each exhibits strong population density and demographics, and positive growth characteristics.

We are pleased to announce the closing of this portfolio of properties which are emblematic of the healthcare facilities that Sila Realty Trust is focused on acquiring  high quality, well located, strong credit tenancy with healthcare system affiliations, stated Michael A. Seton, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. This acquisition demonstrates our ability to source property and invest capital in what we believe to be an accretive manner to the Company while others remain on the sidelines.

About Sila Realty Trust, Inc.

Sila Realty Trust, Inc. is a net lease real estate investment trust headquartered in Tampa, Florida, with a strategic focus on investing in the significant, growing, and resilient healthcare sector of the U.S. economy. The Company invests in high quality healthcare facilities along the continuum of care, which, we believe, generate predictable, durable, and growing income streams. Our portfolio is comprised of high quality tenants in geographically diverse facilities which are positioned to capitalize on the dynamic delivery of healthcare to patients. As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned 131 real estate properties and two undeveloped land parcels located in 62 markets across the U.S.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein, other than historical fact, may be considered 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, and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. These statements are based on managements current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of trends and uncertainties. No forward-looking statement is intended to, nor shall it, serve as a guarantee of future performance. You can identify the forward-looking statements by the use of words such as anticipate, believe, continue, could, estimate, expect, intend, may, outlook, plan, potential, predict, project, seek, should, will and other similar terms and phrases. Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations, and you should not rely on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which are, in some cases, beyond the Company's control and could materially affect the Company's results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, performance or future achievements or events. Additional factors include those described under the section entitled Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of Part I of the Company's 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K with the SEC, copies of which are available at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240322079506/en/

Miles Callahan, Senior Vice President of Capital Markets and Investor Relations

833-404-4107

[email protected]

Source: Sila Realty Trust, Inc.
100 Families to receive SOURCE Hydropanel systems through water access project

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SOURCE Global, PBC and Microsoft today announced an initiative to provide 100 Navajo Nation families with SOURCE Hydropanel drinking water systems. Funded as part of Microsofts water access work, installations are expected to be completed this spring.

An estimated 30 percent of Navajo Nation residents  about 70,000 people  dont have access to clean, safe drinking water. Some residents drive long distances to buy cases of bottled water. When fuel costs and time are factored into the equation, what seems like an affordable option can cost as much as $2,000 per year. A decades-long megadrought, has only heightened the need for long-term drinking water solutions.

SOURCEs patented Hydropanel technology was designed specifically for remote, often harsh environments. Because they function completely off-grid and dont require existing infrastructure, Hydropanels are an alternative to the status quo when it comes to drinking water access for people in isolated communities.

Hydropanels use solar energy to power fans that draw in air and push it through water-absorbing material. This process passively turns water vapor into drinking water thats mineralized for health and taste and kept clean in a storage tank until its needed.

For Microsoft, the 100-home project is part of their work to become water positive by 2030. Microsoft is focused on five key pillars in order to achieve that goal: reducing water use intensity, replenishing more water than it consumes, increasing access to water and sanitation services for people across the globe, driving innovation to scale water solutions, and advocating for effective water policy. This project is part of the companys water access work. Synergy between corporate sustainability goals and community initiatives offer the greatest opportunity for impact.

This water access project follows an investment in SOURCE by Microsofts Climate Innovation Fund in 2022. The Climate Innovation Fund is Microsofts $1 billion investment initiative to accelerate technology development and deployment of new climate and water solutions like SOURCEs Hydropanel technology. Experts believe that global freshwater demand will exceed supply by 40 percent as soon as 2030. Consequently, moving forward with purposeful urgency is critical.

SOURCE Founder and CEO Dr. Cody Friesen shares the same sense of urgency. He believes that participation from corporations like Microsoft are essential if positive outcomes hope to be achieved for the roughly 2.4 billion people the United Nations estimates lack access to safe drinking water.

Clean, safe drinking water is a fundamental human right, Friesen said. What I appreciate about Microsoft is that they recognize the gravity and scale of the problem and theyre addressing it in a way thats tangible and truly makes a difference.

The sobering reality of our changing climate illustrates why the United Nations adopted a wide-ranging platform of sustainable development goals (SDGs) as catalysts for action. SDG 6.1, which aims to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all, resonates with SOURCE and Microsoft. Access to clean drinking water is not just an issue reserved for developing nations, more than 2M Americans lack access to clean water in their home.

Microsofts Climate innovation Fund was launched in 2020 to address climate-related challenges like water access, said Eliza Roberts, Water Lead at Microsoft. This project with SOURCE is a great example of how our investments can have real impact today, helping to deliver on our water positive goal and address water scarcity in a meaningful way.

About SOURCE Global, PBC

SOURCE Global PBC, a Public Benefit Corporation, exists to perfect water for every person, every place. The companys SOURCE Hydropanels create drinking water using sunlight and air as the only inputs, putting the power of safe, high-quality water production into the hands of every person in nearly every climate and corner of the world. The infrastructure-free nature of Hydropanels allow SOURCE to provide off-grid, renewable drinking water to communities, homes, corporate campuses, hotels, islands without infrastructure, remote work sites, and other applications, in more than 50 countries on six continents. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Newsweek Magazine named SOURCE Founder and CEO Dr. Cody Friesen, one of 13 Tech Innovators Helping to Save the Planet in 2023. SOURCE is a registered trademark of SOURCE Global, PBC.

For more information about SOURCE Global visit, www.source.co.

Follow SOURCE across social media:

Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/sourcewater)

LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sourceglobal)

Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sourcewater/)

Twitter (https://twitter.com/sourcewaterco)

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240322812525/en/

Brett Heising

[email protected]

Source: SOURCE Global, PBC
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SWAYE, the application at the forefront of the creator economy, today announced "The OG Battlefront", a captivating Telegram game set to redefine accessibility in Web3. This groundbreaking initiative is made possible with The Sui Foundation, leveraging SWAYE's proprietary technology, SWAYE Login, and Sui's cutting-edge blockchain infrastructure.

"The OG Battlefront" is more than just a game; it taps into the nostalgia of the OG arcade games and web3 culture. It's a showcase of how Web3 apps can be made accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Thanks to its simple engaging gameplay, users can experience the future of gaming directly within Telegram, streamlining the process from onboarding to gameplay in seconds.

Gregorios Siourounis, Managing Director at the Sui Foundation, shared his excitement about the collaboration: "The work SWAYE is doing to enable social logins for decentralized games marks another step towards making blockchain accessible and enjoyable for all. Their efforts add to a standard the Sui community has embraced for fostering innovation and accessibility and extending the boundaries of what's possible with blockchain technologies."

Innovative Features and Technology:

SWAYE Login: Provides users with frictionless Web3 wallet creation via Telegram and X login. Users can create a blockchain account, receive a Sui wallet, OG Collectible, and start playing in seconds - all within Telegram.

Provides users with frictionless Web3 wallet creation via Telegram and X login. Users can create a blockchain account, receive a Sui wallet, OG Collectible, and start playing in seconds - all within Telegram. OG Collectibles and $WAYE Tokens: Players can earn $WAYE tokens through gameplay, community participation, and referrals. These tokens are used to upgrade their dynamic OG Collectible, which serves as playable characters in "The OG Battlefront", enhancing both rarity and in-game advantages.

Players can earn $WAYE tokens through gameplay, community participation, and referrals. These tokens are used to upgrade their dynamic OG Collectible, which serves as playable characters in "The OG Battlefront", enhancing both rarity and in-game advantages. Community Engagement: Featuring custom influencer collectibles and a tokenomics model designed around Influencer-led community events, SWAYE is setting a new standard for engaging and rewarding its user base.

A Vision for Mass Adoption:

Dane Hamer, CEO of SWAYE, emphasizes the mission to make Web3 "welcoming, accessible, fun, and frictionless." Hamer brings unparalleled experience to the table, having worked with Apple, Google, and Web3 gaming projects such as BLOCKLORDS. "The OG Battlefront is just the beginning. With Sui it allows us to not only captivate the gaming community but also pave the way for future applications seeking to enhance accessibility in the Web3 ecosystem," Hamer stated.

About SWAYE: Learn more: https://SWAYE.me/

About Sui: Learn more: https://sui.io

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240322378790/en/

Twitter: @OG_Battlefront_

Telegram: https://t.me/SWAYEme

Email: [email protected]

Source: SWAYE
As Miau retires from the TD SYNNEX board, company leaders share comments on Miaus indelible impact on the business and IT industry

FREMONT, Calif. & CLEARWATER, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- In honor of his retirement from the Board of Directors, TD SYNNEX (NYSE: SNX) celebrates the remarkable legacy of Matthew Miau, a visionary leader in the IT industry whose impact extends far beyond the boardroom.

As the Boards longest-tenured director with service spanning three decades, Miaus tenure began when he was named Chair of the SYNNEX Corporation Board in 1992. He served as Chair until 2008 followed by Chair Emeritus and Director, and under his guidance, the company underwent transformative growth, evolving into a global technology powerhouse. Highlights from his time with the company include investing in the business and supporting its subsequent initial public offering, conducting numerous strategic acquisitions, spinning off Concentrix Corporation, and completing SYNNEXs merger with Tech Data to form the leading global IT solutions aggregator, TD SYNNEX.

Miaus career highlights include a multitude of impactful business ventures, earning him the nickname of Mr. Joint Venture in the Taiwan market. He also serves as Chair of the Chinese National Federation of Industries (CNFI), an industrial association representing the majority of manufacturing businesses in Taiwan.

As he prepares to retire from the Board, company leaders reflect on his extraordinary contributions to TD SYNNEX and the broader technology business partners ecosystem.

Guiding Transformative Growth

Matthews unwavering commitment and strategic vision have been instrumental in shaping our companys trajectory, and his influence reverberates across our organization and industry, said Ann Vezina, Chair, TD SYNNEX Board of Directors. His leadership has gone beyond financial performance, fostering innovation, empowering partners, and driving excellence.

Empowering Partners through Technology

Matthews passion lies in serving our partners. He understands that technology isnt just about products; its about enabling success, said Rich Hume, CEO, TD SYNNEX. Whether through innovative solutions, strategic alliances, or mentorship, Matthew has consistently championed our partners growth.

Navigating Seismic Shifts in the Technology Landscape.

Throughout his tenure, Matthew consistently challenged the management team to ensure that our company was a destination for career-minded individuals, that there was focus on continuous growth in the business, and that long-term value creation was present in our decision-making process. His support of these initiatives, and many others, were key to our ongoing goal of delivering value to all our constituents, said Dennis Polk, who is a current Board member and previously served as SYNNEX Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer.

Laying a Foundation for Growth

I was very lucky to work with Matthew as a boss, investor and friend. His financial support for the growth in 90s, subsequent strategies on manufacturing alliance with MiTAC and back office expansions are utmost pivotal to SNX success. I am forever indebted to his contributions, said SYNNEX Corporation founder Bob Huang.

About TD SYNNEX

TD SYNNEX (NYSE: SNX) is a leading global distributor and solutions aggregator for the IT ecosystem. Were an innovative partner helping more than 150,000 customers in 100+ countries to maximize the value of technology investments, demonstrate business outcomes and unlock growth opportunities. Headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, and Fremont, California, TD SYNNEXs 23,000 co-workers are dedicated to uniting compelling IT products, services and solutions from 2,500+ best-in-class technology vendors. Our edge-to-cloud portfolio is anchored in some of the highest-growth technology segments including cloud, cybersecurity, big data/analytics, AI, IoT, mobility and everything as a service. TD SYNNEX is committed to serving customers and communities, and we believe we can have a positive impact on our people and our planet, intentionally acting as a respected corporate citizen. We aspire to be a diverse and inclusive employer of choice for talent across the IT ecosystem. For more information, visit www.TDSYNNEX.com, follow our newsroom or find us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements in this news release that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the Companys actual results in future periods to be materially different from any future performance that may be suggested in this release. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release.

Copyright 2024 TD SYNNEX Corporation. All rights reserved. TD SYNNEX, the TD SYNNEX Logo, and all other TD SYNNEX company, product and services names and slogans are trademarks of TD SYNNEX Corporation. Other names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240322288183/en/

Bobby Eagle

Global Corporate Communications

727-538-5864

[email protected]

Liz Morali

Investor Relations

510-668-8436

[email protected]

Source: TD SYNNEX
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Empire State Building (ESB), in collaboration with Disney Consumer Products and Lucasfilm, today unveiled a Star Wars-themed, villains-inspired takeover for fans in New York City that featured a dynamic light show, immersive experiences for visitors, character appearances, and participation from actor Hayden Christensen in a morning lighting ceremony. Fans who visit ESB this month will have the opportunity to immerse themselves into the Star Wars galaxy photo opportunities which feature a range of new Star Wars consumer products through April 29.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321369670/en/

The Empire State Building Unveils Star Wars-Themed Takeover with a Dynamic Light Show, Interactive Fan Experiences, Celebrity Visit, and More (Photo: Business Wire)

"We are so pleased to unite Star Wars fans in New York City and throughout the world with this epic trip to a galaxy far, far away., said Jean-Yves Ghazi, president of the Empire State Building Observatory. This one-of-a-kind takeover at the Worlds Most Famous Building allows fans to come face to face with pop cultures most iconic villains in an authentic New York City way.

Star Wars in Lights

This evening, a dynamic light show that featured fan-favorite scenes of Star Wars villains debuted on the buildings south side facade from 8 p.m. in continued intervals until 11 p.m. The montage was synched to the iconic The Imperial March (Darth Vaders Theme), and was streamed simultaneously on iHeartRadios Z100 New York radio station and on the iHeartRadio app.

Star Wars actor Hayden Christensen visited the Empire State Building earlier this morning to tour the world-famous Observatory Experience and flip the ceremonial switch ahead of the dynamic light show.

Step into the Scenes

The Empire State Buildings iconic Fifth Avenue Lobby windows now feature special Star Wars-themed artistry that depicts scenes of Darth Vader, Darth Maul, and stormtroopers surrounded by a range of Star Wars merchandise, in collaboration with Disney Consumer Products and Lucasfilm. The window exhibit will remain on display until April 29.

At the base of the building, visitors can also join Hasbro and Amazon for a Star Wars fan experience on March 21-22 from 1-9 p.m. and on March 23 from 10-8 p.m. The experience highlights the villains of the Star Wars galaxy and features photo opportunities with costumed characters, which include Darth Vader and stormtroopers  as well as photo backdrops that recreate iconic scenes and locations inspired by the films like the opening hallway scene from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the Star Destroyer bridge, and Emperor Palpatines throne. Guests can also pose in the blister card packaging of a Star Wars Vintage Collection figure. Additionally, attendees will be able to check out the latest Hasbro Black Series helmets or wield their favorite characters FX Elite or Kyber Core Lightsaber adult and kid collectibles.

To celebrate 25 years of the LEGO Star Wars collaboration, the Empire State Building features a museum-quality display of life-sized Star Wars villains like six-foot tall brick-built recreations of Darth Vader and Darth Maul on the buildings 80th Floor. Fans also have the chance to pose with a 3D LEGO Star Wars mural of Luke Skywalker and other fan-favorite characters from the film series. This exclusive LEGO Star Wars exhibit will remain on display in the Observatory until April 29.

Once they reach the iconic 86th Floor Observatory, fans can pose for a photo with a life-size Darth Vader-themed POP! Figure from Funko with ESBs unmatched New York City views as a backdrop until April 29. On March 21 and 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dairy Farmers of America will treat guests to samples of their new TruMoo Star Wars Blue Milk  inspired by the blue milk that made its first appearance in Star Wars: A New Hope.

The Empire Strikes Back

The Empire State Building Observatory will host a movie screening of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back on the 80th Floor on March 22. Guests who purchase tickets to the exclusive movie night will receive complimentary drinks and snacks to enjoy with the movie and access to the famed 86th and 102nd Floor Observatories. Tickets can be purchased here.

The Empire State Building Observatory recently underwent a $165 million reimagination that included the addition of a dedicated visitor entrance, an immersive museum with nine galleries, brand-new, bespoke Observatory Host uniforms, and a new 102nd Floor Observatory with unmatched views. The reimagined Observatory Experience has been voted the #1 attraction in the U.S. in Tripadvisors Travelers Choice Awards: Best of the Best for two consecutive years.

Text CONNECT to 274-16 to receive real-time information about the Empire State Buildings tower lights.

Hi-res imagery and video can be found here. More information about the Empire State Building can be found online.

Lucasfilm, the Lucasfilm logo, STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates.  & TM Lucasfilm Ltd.

About the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building, the World's Most Famous Building," owned by Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (ESRT: NYSE), soars 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan from base to antenna. The $165 million reimagination of the Empire State Building Observatory Experience creates an all-new experience with a dedicated guest entrance, an interactive museum with nine galleries, and a redesigned 102nd Floor Observatory with floor-to-ceiling windows. The journey to the world-famous 86th Floor Observatory, the only 360-degree, open-air observatory with views of New York and beyond, orients visitors for their entire New York City experience and covers everything from the building's iconic history to its current place in pop culture. The Empire State Building Observatory Experience welcomes millions of visitors each year and was declared "America's Favorite Building" by the American Institute of Architects, the world's most popular travel destination by Uber, the #1 attraction in the U.S. in Tripadvisors Travelers Choice Awards: Best of the Best for two consecutive years, and the #1 New York City attraction in Lonely Planets Ultimate Travel List.

Since 2011, the building has been fully powered by renewable wind electricity, and its many floors house a diverse array of office tenants such as LinkedIn and Shutterstock, as well as retail options like STATE Grill and Bar, Tacombi, and Starbucks. For more information and Observatory Experience tickets visit esbnyc.com or follow the building's Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Weibo, YouTube, or TikTok.

Source: Empire State Realty Trust

Category: Observatory

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321369670/en/

MEDIA:

Empire State Realty Trust

Brock Talbot

347-804-7863

[email protected]

Source: Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.
Carra Miller and Craig Stocker honored amongst top young lawyers

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Schouest, Bamdas, Soshea, BenMaier & Eastham PLLC (SBSB Eastham) partners Carra Miller and Craig Stocker have been named to the 2024 list of Texas Rising Stars, an award which honors the top 2.5 percent of the states top young attorneys.

We are proud of the talent we have at our firm, said SBSB Eastham managing partner John Schouest. Both Craig and Carra make our firm stronger and more equipped to provide the exceptional service our clients deserve.

Mr. Stocker, an eight-year Texas Rising Stars honoree, received another nod in this years edition for his defense civil litigation practice. The litigator works out of SBSB Easthams Houston office. He focuses his practice on defending claims related to the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act, The Defense Base Act, and general property and casualty liability.

Ms. Miller is marking her third year on the Texas Rising Stars list. She was recognized for transportation/maritime work, which includes representing clients in commercial disputes, vessel collisions, and personal injury and death cases.

Super Lawyers conducts a rigorous selection process to select honorees, employing peer nominations and attorney-led research by the Super Lawyers division of Thomson Reuters. To be considered, a lawyer must be under the age of 40 or have been practicing for less than 10 years.

The complete list will appear in the Texas Rising Stars edition of Super Lawyers Magazine and at https://www.superlawyers.com/.

About SBSB Eastham PLLC

SBSB Eastham is a group of experienced attorneys who have come together to form a law firm focused on client needs. The firms goal is to be the go-to resource at every stage of the legal process, bringing deeper experience, deeper commitment and deeper insights to help solve the most complex issues. In consultation or in the courtroom, the firm will aggressively pursue a clients best interests. For more information about the firm and its team of attorneys, visit www.sbsb-eastham.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240322894768/en/

April Arias

[email protected]

800-559-4534

Source: SBSB Eastham
The European Commission is today proposing to increase the tariffs on imports into the EU of cereals, oilseeds, and derived products from Russia and Belarus.

The decision was approved in Brussels on Friday and sent to the Council of Europe for consideration. The approval of the decision requires the support of qualified majority, the press service of the European Council said.

"The European Commission is today proposing to increase the tariffs on imports into the EU of cereals, oilseeds, and derived products ('grain products') from Russia and Belarus, including wheat, maize, and sunflower meal. These tariffs, while high enough to suppress such imports into the EU in practice, would not affect exports to third countries," it said in the press release.
Auna S.A. (NYSE: AUNA) today announced that it has priced its initial public offering of 30,000,000 class A ordinary shares, at a price of US$12.00 per class A share.

Auna intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to repurchase 21.2% interest in Auna Salud S.A.C., as well as for other general corporate purposes, as described in its registration statement on Form F-1. To the extent the underwriters option to purchase additional shares described below is exercised in full, Auna will use those additional net proceeds to repay indebtedness under Aunas Term Loans and certain working capital facilities.

The class A shares have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange and will start trading on March 22, 2024 under the ticker symbol AUNA. The offering is expected to settle on or about March 26, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions. In connection with the offering, Auna has granted to the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 4,500,000 class A shares at the initial public offering price.

The offering is being made through an underwriting group led by Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan, BTG Pactual and Santander who are acting as global coordinators and joint bookrunners, and Citigroup and HSBC who are acting as joint bookrunners.

A registration statement on Form F-1 relating to these securities has been filed with, and declared effective by, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Copies of the registration statement can be accessed through the SECs website at www.sec.gov.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein, nor will there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

The offering will be made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the prospectus, when available, may be obtained by contacting: Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attn: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Attn: Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, by telephone at +1 (866) 803-9204 or by email at [email protected], Banco BTG Pactual S.A.Cayman Branch, Attn: Prospectus Department, 601 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10282, by telephone at +1 (212) 293-4600, or by email at [email protected], Santander US Capital Markets LLC, 437 Madison Avenue, 9th floor, New York, NY 10022, or by email at [email protected], Citigroup, Attn: Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, or by telephone at +1 (800) 831-9146, or HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., 66 Hudson Boulevard East, New York, NY 10001, or by email at [email protected].
MONTREAL, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Energir Inc., General Partner of Energir, L.P. is pleased to announce that Energir, L.P. completed today an equity offering, by way of private placement, by issuing 6,521,739 new units at a price of $23.00 per unit to Energir Inc. and Energir Development Inc., prorated based on each entitys respective share of units outstanding, for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $150 million.

The proceeds of this offering will be used to rebalance Energir L.P.s capital structure by the repayment of a portion of its secured term credit.

About Energir Inc. and Energir, L.P.

Energir Inc. mainly holds a 71.0% interest in Energir, L.P., for which it acts as the General Partner.

With more than $10 billion in assets, Energir, L.P. is a diversified energy business whose mission is to meet the energy needs of approximately 540,000 customers and the communities it serves in Quebec and Vermont in an increasingly sustainable way. Energir, L.P. is the largest natural gas distribution company in Quebec; through its joint ventures, it also generates electricity from wind power. And through its subsidiaries and other investments, Energir, L.P. has a presence in the United States, where it generates electricity from hydraulic, wind, and solar sources; it is also the largest electricity distributor and the sole pipeline natural gas distributor in the State of Vermont. Energir, L.P. values energy efficiency and invests its resources and continues its efforts in innovative energy projects such as renewable natural gas and liquefied and compressed natural gas. Through its subsidiaries, it also provides a variety of energy services.

For more information:MediaElaine ArsenaultEnergir, L.P.1-866-598-3449 [email protected] Investor RelationsMichel VachonEnergir, L.P.1-514-598-6429 [email protected]

Source: Energir
Press release  Friday, March 22, 2024  8.30 am

General Meeting ARGAN - March 21, 2024

Dividend 2023: 3.15/share (+5%)

with the option for the payment of the dividend in shares

The general meeting of ARGAN's shareholders was held on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at the Salons Hoche in Paris.

The total number of existing shares was 23,092,378 for a total number of voting rights of 23,076,514. At this General Meeting, the shareholders present, duly represented, having validly given proxy to the Chairman or voted by correspondence, together held 19,050,645 shares and as many voting rights, i.e. 82.6% of the total.

The Combined General Meeting of Shareholders approved all the proposed resolutions, including:

- Resolution n4 providing for the distribution of a dividend of 3.15/share;

- Resolution n5 proposing the option for the payment of the dividend in shares (on the totality of the dividend) with a subscription price of 71.29 (95% of the average of the opening price of the share during the 20 days prior to the General Meeting minus the amount of the dividend); and

- The resolution n14 concerning the renewal of the mandate of Constance de Poncins as member of the Supervisory Board.

The detachment of the coupon is scheduled for March 27, 2024 and the payment of the dividend for April 22, 2024.

The option for payment in shares must be exercised from April 2 until April 16, 2024 included. After this period, shareholders who have not opted for payment of the dividend in shares will receive their dividend in cash.

For individual shareholders resident in France, this dividend of 3.15:

is deducted from the SIIC's tax-exempt profits and is not eligible for the 40% allowance referred to the Article 158-3-2 of the French General Tax Code up to 1.53,





However, it is reminded that, for these same shareholders and except in special situations, this dividend will be fully subject to the flat-tax of 30% and will only be subject to the income tax scale, with the application of the aforementioned 40% allowance, in the event that certain shareholders make an option to do so when filing their annual income tax return.

constitutes a reimbursement of a contribution of 1.62.





The full minutes of the General Meeting of March 21, 2024 are available on the company's website.

2024 financial calendar (Publication of the press release after closing of the stock exchange)

April 2: Net sales of 1 st quarter 2024

quarter 2024 July 1: Net sales of 2 nd quarter 2024

quarter 2024 July 24: Half-year results 2024

October 1: Net sales of 3rd quarter 2024

2025 financial calendar (Publication of the press release after closing of the stock exchange)

January 3: Net sales of 4 th quarter 2024

quarter 2024 January 16: Annual results 2024

March 20: General Assembly 2025





About ARGAN

ARGAN is the only French real estate company specializing in the DEVELOPMENT & RENTAL OF PREMIUM WAREHOUSES listed on EURONEXT and is the leading player of its market. Building on a unique client-tenant-centric approach, ARGAN builds pre-let PREMIUM warehouses for blue-chip clients and supports them throughout all project phases from the development milestones to the rental management.

Profitability, tight control over our debt and sustainability are at the heart of ARGANs DNA. Its strongly proactive ESG policy has very concrete results with our Aut0nom concept, the in-use Net Zero warehouse.

As of today, our portfolio represents 3.6 million sq.m, across about a hundred warehouses, exclusively located in the continental part of France. This portfolio is valued 3.7 billion as at December 31, 2023 for a yearly rental income of about 200 million in 2024.

ARGAN is a listed real estate investment company (French SIIC), on Compartment A of Euronext Paris (ISIN FR0010481960 - ARG) and is included in the Euronext SBF 120, CAC All-Share, EPRA Europe and IEIF SIIC France indices.

www.argan.fr





Francis Albertinelli  CFO

Aymar de Germay  General Secretary

Samy Bensaid  Head of Investor Relations

Phone: +33 1 47 47 47 40

E-mail: [email protected]

www.argan.fr







Marlene Brisset  Media relations

Phone: +33 6 59 42 29 35

E-mail: [email protected]





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Seattle, WA, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In an innovative fusion of ancient practice and modern technology, Bestqool, a pioneer in health and wellness solutions, has announced the launch of a groundbreaking approach to enhance yoga practice from the comfort of one's home. This cutting-edge initiative seamlessly integrates Red Light Therapy with yoga, offering a holistic path to wellness that promises to elevate the home-based yoga experience to unprecedented levels.

The trend of home-based yogis is one such trend that has proven to be immensely helpful for both the practitioners and the people who follow them. [1]

Yoga itself has several benefits apart from providing strength and flexibility to your muscles and bones. It is an all-rounder mode of therapy that helps relieve stress and tension from your mind and body. Home-based yoga practitioners help ease that task in the comfort of their homes. [2]

However, what could be more amazing and wholesome than introducing a whole new trend to this relaxing modality? This is the Red Light therapy that is being talked about, and if anything, it could help accelerate the effects of yoga and meditation in no time.

What Is Red Light Therapy?

Red Light therapy is an advanced, modern-day mode of non-invasive treatment. In this type of therapy, beams of red light of a safe, low-level wavelength are used to focus on the skin and the deeper structures, such as the muscles, bones, and joints. [3]

The reason for doing so is to help resolve several problems related to these structures. Be it pain, physical appearance, or the general well-being of the skin, muscles, or tissues - Red Light Therapy helps repair, restore, and heal the issues in no time. [4]

This includes both common and uncommon conditions, such as:

Acne

Edema

Fine Lines

Inflammation

Signs of Aging

Psoriasis

Repair of Muscles and Tissues

Scars

Wrinkles

There are several other beneficial uses of Red Light Therapy as well, however, all of them are either under research or need further experimentation to be introduced as a treatment modality for everyone. [5]

However, what is worthy of being known is that this mode of treatment is safe, technically free from side effects and adverse reactions, and has one or more benefits for everyone in the long run.

Red Light Therapy And Yoga - Whats The Link?

Now that you may think about it- where do all the home-based yoga practitioners and yoga itself fit in the equation? Well, there exists a link to all of this.

All those who are home-based yogis or know someone who has been giving yoga sessions within the comfort of their homes would know how overwhelming this might turn out for them in the long run.

Doing it alone is one thing, but teaching it to a whole class of students requires even more hard work, effort, and dedication. This may more often than not tire you out and make you feel unrested, tired, and with more muscle knots in your body than you can count!

So, what to do in such a situation? Well, the solution is simple - use Red Light Therapy alongside and make the most of your fitness experience in a more streamlined, healthier way.

How Can Red Light Therapy Help Home-Based Yogis?

It is recommended that all home-based yogis and yoga practitioners incorporate the use of Red Light Therapy at three stages of their lives, that is before, during, and after their yoga sessions.

This will ensure that your bodies are kept within optimal condition at all times and that you do not tire it out more easily.

Furthermore, Red Light therapy would work as a much-needed companion for your yoga sessions. It would help relax your stiff muscles and joints, thus making it easier for you to get back on track after a stressful session. [6]

In case you suffer from any muscle or tissue injury, Red Light therapy could very well help soothe your inflamed tissues along with helping accelerate the healing process.

Empowering Yoga Practitioners with Bestqool

Bestqool's hand-held Red Light Therapy devices are designed with the user in mind, offering ease of use, safety, and efficiency. These devices promise a beginner-friendly interface that allows even those with no technical expertise to start their journey towards enhanced well-being. By integrating Bestqool's Red Light Therapy into their routines, yogis can expect a significant reduction in pre and post-yoga stiffness, soreness, and muscle fatigue, leading to a more fulfilling and effective yoga practice.

References:

1. Faravel, K., Huteau, M. E., Jarlier, M., de Forges, H., Meignant, L., Senesse, P., ... & Stoebner, A. (2021). Importance of patient education for at-home yoga practice in women with hormonal therapy-induced pain during adjuvant breast cancer treatment: A feasibility study. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 20, 15347354211063791.

2. Garcia, M. G., Estrella, M., Penafiel, A., Arauz, P. G., & Martin, B. J. (2023). Impact of 10-min daily yoga exercises on physical and mental discomfort of home-office workers during COVID-19. Human Factors, 65(7), 1525-1541.

3. Glass, G. E. (2021). Photobiomodulation: the clinical applications of low-level light therapy. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 41(6), 723-738.

4. Wunsch, A., & Matuschka, K. (2014). A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase. Photomedicine and laser surgery, 32(2), 93-100.

5. Couturaud, V., Le Fur, M., Pelletier, M., & Granotier, F. (2023). Reverse skin aging signs by red light photobiomodulation. Skin Research and Technology, 29(7), e13391.

6. Hamblin, M. R. (2017). Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS biophysics, 4(3), 337.

Rachel He Bestqool help at bestqool.com

Source: Bestqool
TORONTO, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (BlackRock Canada), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK), today announced the final March 2024 cash distributions for the iShares Premium Money Market ETF. Unitholders of record on March 25, 2024 will receive cash distributions payable on March 28, 2024.

Details regarding the final per unit distribution amounts are as follows:

Fund Name Fund Ticker Cash Distribution Per Unit ($) iShares Premium Money Market ETF CMR 0.191

Further information on the iShares ETFs can be found at http://www.blackrock.com/ca.

About BlackRockBlackRocks purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate | Twitter: @BlackRockCA

About iSharesiShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 1400+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and US$3.5 trillion in assets under management as of December 31, 2023, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock.

iShares ETFs are managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in iShares ETFs. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. The funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional.

Contact for Media:Reem JazarEmail: [email protected]

Source: BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (iShares)
NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH ANY WIRE SERVICE IN THE UNITED STATES

MONTREAL, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cerro de Pasco Resources Inc. (CSE: CDPR) (OTCPK: GPPRF) (FRA: N8HP) (CDPR or the Corporation) is pleased to announce that it has secured the funds to cover the fee payable in relation to the Legal Easement (the Easement). Upon publication of the Supreme Resolution granting the Easement, CDPR will pay SOL 3,647,402.44 or approximately CAD 1,350,000 to a specific bank account of Banco de la Nacion. The two-year Easement will provide CDPR with access to the surface areas corresponding to its El Metalurgista Concession and the Quiulacocha Tailings Project, enabling the Corporation to initiate its 40-hole drilling campaign.

Granting of Easement Timeline

The change of Minister of Energy and Mines in February, together with normal process clarifications resulted in a temporary delay in the ongoing procedures. At this time, we are not aware of any additional requirement that should be met for the granting of the easement and no further delays are expected. CDPR has fulfilled all the legal requirements set forth by Peruvian law for those purposes. With the Minister himself reiterating full support, the signature of the Supreme Resolution is expected imminently.

Background

CDPR is the titleholder of the El Metalurgista Concession located in Peru, which grants it the right to explore and exploit the Quiulacocha Tailings located within its assigned area. The enforceability of these rights has been formally confirmed by the General Mining Bureau of Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines.

The Quiulacocha Tailings

The Quiulacocha Tailings Storage Facility covers approximately 115 hectares and is estimated to hold approximately 75 million tonnes of tailings deposited from the 1920s to 1990s.

The Quiulacocha Tailings Storage Facility is comprised of processing residues that came from the Cerro de Pasco open pit and underground mine. Initially these tailings resulted from the mining of copper-silver-gold mineralization with reported historical grades of up to 10% Cu, 4/gt Au and over 300g/t Ag and later from the mining of zinc-lead-silver mineralized material with average historical grades of 7.41% Zn, 2.77% Pb and 90.33 g/t Ag.

The most recent Historical Mineral Resource Estimate for the Quiulacocha tailings, prepared by JA Brophy in 2012, contained 7.4 million tonnes at 1.35% to 1.55% Zn, 0.55% to 1.00% Pb and 1.20 to 1.35 oz/t Ag. This estimate was based on a shallow surface auger sampling program which is estimated to represent only 10% of the expected tonnes of the tailings. Historical Mineral Estimates are historical in nature and cannot be relied upon for economic evaluations.

First Tranche Funding

Funding for the Easement has been secured through the sale of 15,450,000 subscription receipts of the Corporation (the Subscription Receipts) at a price of $0.10 per Subscription Receipt for aggregate gross proceeds of $1,545,000 (the Offering). The funds are held in escrow until the Release Conditions have been satisfied, namely: (i) the Corporation has received subscriptions under the Offering for a minimum amount of US$1,000,000; (ii) issuance of the Supreme Resolution, whereby the Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines grants and/or acknowledges the Corporations legal easement over certain surface areas owned by Activos Mineros SAC, allowing the Corporation to conduct mining activities in the El Metalurgista mining concession; and (iii) notification to the Corporation of the issuance of the Supreme Resolution.

Upon the satisfaction of the Release Conditions, 1) each Subscription Receipt will automatically be converted into a unit of the Corporation (Unit). Each Unit will consist of (i) one common share in the capital of the Corporation (a Share) and (ii) one half of one unit purchase warrant (each whole unit purchase warrant, a Warrant). Each Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to acquire one additional unit (a Warrant Unit) at a price of $0.15 per Warrant Unit until the earlier of the date which is 24 months after the issue date of the Warrants and, if applicable, the Accelerated Expiry Date (as defined hereinafter) (the Expiry Date). Each Warrant Unit shall consist of (i) one additional Share (a Warrant Share) and (ii) one additional Share purchase warrant (an Underlying Warrant). Each Underlying Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to acquire one additional Share (an Underlying Warrant Share) at a price of $0.25 per Underlying Warrant Share until the Expiry Date.

In the event that, during the 24-month period following the issue date of the Warrants , the volume-weighted average trading price of the Shares exceeds $0.60 per Share for any period of 20 consecutive trading days, the Corporation may, at its option, following such 20-day period, accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants by delivery of a notice (an Acceleration Notice) to the registered holders thereof and issuing a press release (a Warrant Acceleration Press Release), and, in such case, the expiry date of the Warrants shall be deemed to be 5:00 p.m. (Montreal time) on the 30th day following the later of (i) the date on which the Acceleration Notice is sent to Warrant holders, and (ii) the date of issuance of the Warrant Acceleration Press Release (the Accelerated Expiry Date).

In connection with the completion of the Offering, the Corporation expects to pay finders fees in an aggregate amount of $21,000 and issue a total of 210,000 Warrants to arms length third parties who assisted the Corporation by introducing subscribers to the Offering.

All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period in accordance with applicable securities laws, expiring four-month-and-one-day from the issue date of the Subscription Receipts.

The Corporation expects to close an additional tranche by the end of the month.

The securities to be issued under 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 state securities laws. Accordingly, these securities may not be offered or sold, pledged or otherwise transferred within the United States or to U.S. persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to exemptions from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the U.S., nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Technical Information

Mr. Jorge Lozano, MMSAQP and Chief Operating Officer for CDPR, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Lozano is a Qualified Person for the purposes of reporting in compliance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Cerro de Pasco Resources

Cerro de Pasco Resources is a mining company, with the goal to become the next mid-tier producer in Peru. CDPR is focused on the development of its principal 100% owned asset, the El Metalurgista mining concession, comprising mineral tailings and stockpiles extracted from the Cerro de Pasco open pit mine in Central Peru. The companys approach at El Metalurgista entails the reprocessing and environmental remediation of mining waste and the creation of numerous opportunities in a circular economy. CDPR is also focused on mining, development and exploration of its wholly-owned 6,000-hectare Santander Mine in the highly prospective Antamina-Yauricocha Skarn Corridor, located 215 km from Lima. CDPR was founded on clear objectives: to engender long-term economic sustainability and benefit for the local population, from an economic, social and health point of view.

Further Information

Guy Goulet, CEOTelephone: +1-579-476-7000 Mobile: +1-514-294-7000[email protected]

Forward-Looking Statements and Disclaimer

Certain information contained herein may constitute forward-looking information under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified using forward-looking terminology such as plans, seeks, expects, estimates, intends, anticipates, believes, could, might, likely or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results may, will, could, would, might, will be taken, occur, be achieved or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements, including the expectations of CDPRs management regarding the anticipated use of the proceeds raised under the Offering, statements relating to the publication of the Supreme Resolution granting the Easement to CDPR, the terms of such Easement and the timing of such publication, are based on CDPRs estimates and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of CDPR to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic factors and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements, including the risks associated with exploration, development and mining activities; the impact of macroeconomic events, and any material adverse effect on the business, properties and assets of CDPR, as well as the relevant assumptions and risks factors set out in CDPRs public documents, available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Although CDPR believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements and forward-looking information. Except where required by applicable law, CDPR disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved the content of this news release.

Source: Cerro de Pasco Resources
NEW YORK, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of The Chemours Company (NYSE: CC) resulting from allegations that Chemours may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Chemours 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=22563 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 29, 2024, The Wall Street Journal released an article entitled Chemical Giant Chemours Suspends Top Executives, Opens Accounting Probe. This article stated, in pertinent part that, the company said it was putting its top executives on leave and delaying its audited financial filings amid an internal investigation into its bookkeeping, compensation and ethics-hotline reports. The announcement spooked investors who were expecting the Teflon maker to report its latest financial results. Instead, the companys board of directors said it was working with a law firm to conduct an investigation.

On this news, Chemours stock fell $9.05 per share, or 31.51%, to close at $19.67 per share on February 29, 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
Montrouge, 22 March 2024

Credit Agricole S.A. informs the public that the French version of its 2023 Universal Registration Document and Annual Financial Report have been filed with the French Financial Market Authority (AMF) on March 22nd, 2024, under number D.24-0156.

The following documents are included in the Registration Document:

the 2023 Annual Financial Report;

the report on corporate governance;

the informations on fees paid to the statutory auditors.





The French version of the document is available on the Credit Agricole S.A. website

https://www.credit-agricole.com/finance/publications-financieres , as well as on the website of AMF.

A reproduction translated in English is also available on the website of Credit Agricole S.A.

https://www.credit-agricole.com/en/finance/financial-publications

Press contacts of Credit Agricole S.A.

Alexandre Barat : 01 57 72 12 19  [email protected]

Olivier Tassain : 01 43 23 25 41  [email protected]



Find our press release on: www.credit-agricole.com - www.creditagricole.info

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Highlights:

Provisional patent filed on new Green Aqueous Ammonia add-on module systems: the FP300A and FP1500A

Benefits of Green Aqueous Ammonia

Factory Acceptance Testing of FuelPositives Green Anhydrous Ammonia system occurring in early April

On track with April 15th target delivery

WATERLOO, Ontario, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FuelPositive Corporation, a leading Green Ammonia Company (TSX.V: NHHH) (OTCQB: NHHHF) (the Company or FuelPositive) is pleased to announce that it has filed a provisional patent for its new Green Aqueous Ammonia add-on module systems: the FP300A and FP1500A.

Once fully commercialized, this system could enable farmers to independently produce Green Aqueous Ammonia fertilizer on location at a significantly lower cost and with much lower GHGs than existing methods.

This groundbreaking integrated module provides farmers with a method for producing aqueous ammonia of adjustable nitrogen concentration from their FuelPositive on-farm system. The modular and safe design integrates seamlessly with their FP300 and FP1500 systems, offering flexibility in production volume and nitrogen concentration without compromising efficiency.

Ammonia is a key component in various fertilizers and industrial applications. While anhydrous ammonia (NH3) is widely used it is limited in specific circumstances, such as controlled environment agriculture. This is primarily due to safety protocols and transportation challenges. Lower nitrogen content aqueous ammonia is a preferred alternative in such scenarios.

Currently, the production of aqueous ammonia requires expansive facilities that yield significant quantities of the solution. Due to their scale, these facilities demand substantial water supplies and energy inputs, often relying on fossil fuels. Additionally, aqueous ammonia must be transported to and stored near its intended application site. This large-scale, centralized production method hinders easy adjustments to the nitrogen concentration of the produced aqueous ammonia fertilizer.

In contrast, FuelPositive's new module can produce Green Aqueous Ammonia on-site and adjust the concentration of the output fertilizer on demand, thus, allowing farmers to customize the nitrogen content of their fertilizers as needed.

By introducing its new add-on module, FuelPositive dramatically expands its market reach, empowering more farmers to transition towards green and independent fertilizer solutions.

The FP300 or FP1500 can now be upgraded to FP300A or FP1500A systems, thereby transforming Green Anhydrous Ammonia into Green Aqueous Ammonia Fertilizer.

Some highlights of the add-on module:

Dual function: can produce both Green Anhydrous Ammonia and Green Aqueous Ammonia Fertilizers

Farmers can choose their own Green Aqueous Ammonia concentrations from 5% to 30%.

Farmers can choose Fertilizer PH balance.

The FP300A and FP1500A modules utilize the same heating and cooling systems as the FP300 and FP1500, ensuring a streamlined and efficient process.

Green Aqueous Ammonia requires fewer storage and handling safeguards than Green Anhydrous Ammonia, making it more accessible to a broader range of agricultural applications.

We anticipate having the first Green Aqueous Ammonia module pilot ready this fall, and I'm thrilled that we can provide more smart fertilizer options to farmers and other customers. Nelson Leite, FuelPositive's Chief Technology Officer and Board Director, explains. This technology milestone marks a new phase in FuelPositive's evolution and sets a new standard in the agricultural market, making affordable Green Aqueous Ammonia accessible to more farmers.

FuelPositive is leading the transformation of traditional and heavily polluting chemical industries into environmentally sustainable solutions, particularly in fertilizers. In response to farmers' diverse needs, we've expanded our containerized Green Anhydrous Ammonia system to include a Green Aqueous Ammonia module. This need prompted our engineering team to design a unit that not only produces environmentally friendly and safe Green Aqueous Ammonia but also meets rigorous industry standards. Hamza Aldaghstany, FuelPositive's Senior Mechanical Engineer, added, Moreover, our system can produce Green Aqueous Ammonia at concentrations tailored to various agricultural settings, including fields, greenhouses, and diverse crop types. As FuelPositive lead mechanical engineer, I'm proud to be part of this innovative technology, offering farmers worldwide cost-effective access to environmentally friendly Green Anhydrous and Green Aqueous Ammonia.

Our novel technological development in Green Aqueous Ammonia production, alongside our Green Anhydrous Ammonia system, overcomes numerous obstacles in the agricultural sector. These include safety concerns, challenges related to unsuitable climates for fertilizing, high transportation costs and emissions, and limited accessibility to high-quality nitrogen fertilizers, Francisco Mora, FuelPositive's Chemical Engineering lead, stated.

Nelson Leite concludes, We continuously seek technological advancements with our team of brilliant minds dedicated to inventing and constructing game-changing solutions. The Green Aqueous Ammonia add-on module is just one of numerous innovations in progress at FuelPositive's Research and Development facility in Waterloo, Ontario.

FP300 System Readiness Update:

FuelPositive is pleased to provide an update on its progress toward system readiness and delivery.

The Company is delighted to report that its team has been working toward its April 15th target date and remains on track with its previously announced timelines.

The FP300 system is undergoing thorough preparation for shipping and on-farm commissioning.

FuelPositives commitment to farmers is unwavering, and is dedicated to ensuring a smooth, safe, and successful delivery of the worlds first containerized Green Anhydrous Ammonia system in Sperling, Manitoba.

The Company is preparing to welcome our farmer-partner, Curtis Hiebert and his team for their Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and training early in April, with other interested farmers scheduled to visit within the same timeframe.

I'm excited to finalize our system readiness on time to meet our deadlines and to install our first pilot system in Manitoba this April, said Nelson Leite, FuelPositives Chief Technology Officer and Board Director.

It is very exciting to know we are this close to having the pilot FP300 system landed on the farm and to start the next phase in the evolution of FuelPositive. The team has dedicated many hours to get to this point, and the hard work is paying off. Well done to every member of the team! continued Martin Cina, FuelPositives Co-Lead of Project Completion.

The team is making tremendous progress on our FP300 system as we approach the upcoming FAT. It's fantastic to see the whole team's hard work pay off as the system enters the final stages of completion before shipping, concluded Janusz McNeil, FuelPositives Co-Lead of Project Completion. We're very proud of what we have been able to achieve to date and are very excited about our future!

Farm readiness update:

The dedication and diligence of the Hieberts in preparing the farm site underscore their commitment to the success of our collaboration.

With the support of Manitoba Hydro, the Hieberts are completing the necessary electrical upgrades to power FuelPositives FP300 system and enable a future transition move up to the FP1500 system. This collaboration highlights FuelPositive's commitment to working closely with local stakeholders and ensuring the smooth implementation of the first on-farm FuelPositive installation.

Throughout this process, every effort has been made to minimize delays and optimize the site. FuelPositive is confident that with the collective efforts of its team and partners, the Hieberts will apply Green Anhydrous Ammonia to their fields for the first time during their next planned applications, later this fall.

We are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the first FuelPositive Green Anhydrous Ammonia system, and well be travelling to see it up and running in Waterloo in early April for the Factory Acceptance Testing and training, said Curtis Hiebert, FuelPositive's First Demonstration partner and multi-generation Manitoba Farmer. Our team at home is actively prepping our farm to be ready for the systems arrival. We are excited to receive it and have it operational on our farm.

In Manitoba, we've been embraced wholeheartedly, meeting with farmers and stakeholders eager to join us on our mission to transform Canadian and global agriculture, concluded Ian Clifford, FuelPositives Chief Executive Officer and Board Chair. I am currently traveling throughout Manitoba to meet with farmers and other potential local partners. We are looking forward our first system delivery and what it means for the future of our dynamic and ambitious enterprise.

About FuelPositive Corporation

FuelPositive is a Canadian technology company dedicated to delivering commercially feasible and sustainable clean technology solutions that follow a circular approach, ensuring the entire lifecycle of our products is environmentally friendly. This includes an on-farm/onsite, containerized Green Ammonia (NH3) production system that effectively eliminates carbon emissions during the production process.

By focusing on technologies that are clean, sustainable, economically advantageous and realizable, the Company aims to help mitigate climate change, addressing unsustainable agricultural practices through innovative technology and practical solutions that can be implemented now. The FuelPositive on-farm/onsite, containerized Green Ammonia production system is designed to produce pure, anhydrous ammonia for multiple applications, including fertilizer for farming, fuel for grain drying and internal combustion engines, a practical alternative for fuel cells and a solution for grid storage. Green Ammonia is also considered a key enabler of the hydrogen economy.

FuelPositive systems are designed to provide for Green Ammonia production on-farm/onsite, where and when needed. This eliminates wildly fluctuating supply chains and offers end-users clean fertilizer, energy and Green Ammonia supply security while eliminating carbon emissions from the production process. The first customers will be farmers. Farmers use 80% of the traditional grey ammonia produced today as fertilizer.

See sales details here: https://fuelpositive.com/sales/.

FuelPositive Corporation is based in Waterloo (Canada) and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol NHHH and in the USA on the OTCQB under the symbol NHHHF.

For further information, please contact:Ian CliffordChief Executive Officer and Board Chair[email protected]Tel: 416.535.8395www.fuelpositive.com

Logan RossSenior Vice President, Communications & CampaignsCounsel Public Affairs, Inc.[email protected]Tel: 204.720.3662www.counselpa.com

Investor Relations United States & International:RB Milestone Group (RBMG)[email protected]

Investor Relations Canada:Transcend Capital[email protected]

Cautionary Statement

Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, forward-looking statements) that are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this news release. The information in this release about future plans and objectives of the Company, including with respect to further testing and implementation of the FP300 system, are forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time they were made and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the time of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. These estimates and assumptions may prove to be incorrect.

Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can directly or indirectly affect and could cause, actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements. 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 statements.

Forward-looking information is provided for the purpose of providing information about managements expectations and plans relating to the future. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable law.

Source: FuelPositive Corp.
DENVER, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ibotta, a leading technology company providing digital promotions and performance marketing solutions, announced today that it has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission relating to a proposed initial public offering of its common stock. The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the proposed offering have not yet been determined. Ibotta intends to list its Class A common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "IBTA."

Goldman Sachs, Citigroup and BofA Securities will act as joint lead book-running managers for the proposed offering, with Evercore ISI, UBS Investment Bank and Wells Fargo Securities acting as joint book-running managers. Citizens JMP, Needham & Company and Raymond James will act as co-managers for the proposed offering.

The proposed offering will be made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the preliminary prospectusrelating to the offering may be obtained from: Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 200 West Street, New York, NY, 10282, by telephone at 1-866-471-2526, or by email at [email protected]; Citigroup, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY, 11717 or by telephone at 1-800-831-9146; and BofA Securities, NC1-022-02-25, 201 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC, 28255-0001, Attention: Prospectus Department, by telephone at 1-800-294-1322, or by email at [email protected].

A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold, nor may offers to buy be accepted, prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. 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 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 IbottaBuilt and headquartered in Denver, Colo., Ibotta ("I bought a...") is a leading performance marketing platform allowing brands to deliver digital promotions to over 200 million consumers through a network of publishers called the Ibotta Performance Network (IPN). The IPN allows marketers to influence what people buy, and where and how often they shop  all while paying only when their campaigns directly result in a sale. American shoppers have earned approximately $1.8 billion through the IPN since 2012. A great place to work, Ibotta has been recognized by The Denver Post four times, made Built In Colorados Best Places to Work list three years in a row and appeared on Inc.s list of Best Workplaces twice.

ContactCorporate CommunicationsHilary OByrne, [email protected]

Investor Relations[email protected]

Source: Ibotta
The European Council invites the Council to quickly adopt the negotiating framework prepared by the European Commission for Ukraine and Moldova.

The European Council welcomes the progress of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova in advancing on the necessary reforms on their EU path. Further to the submission of the draft negotiating frameworks for Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, the European Council invites the Council to swiftly adopt them and to take work forward without delay, conclusions of the European Council, which is taking place in Brussels, reads.

In addition, the European Council has taken note of Georgia's ongoing efforts and encourages the country to move forward on unresolved priority reforms.
Nashville, Tenn., March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In todays fast-paced and ever-evolving cyber landscape, organizations worldwide are grappling with a multitude of challenges. From a high demand for cybersecurity resources to the frequent turnover of cybersecurity leadership, and the emergence of complex compliance issues, the digital world presents a series of hurdles for businesses. In response to these challenges, a growing number of organizations are turning to experienced outsourcing solutions to secure their digital frontiers effectively.

Key Areas of Focus and Todays Cybersecurity Challenges:

High Demand for Cybersecurity Resources: As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, there is a rising demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals. This demand often outstrips supply, leaving organizations vulnerable and in need of reliable solutions. Frequent Turnover in Cybersecurity Leadership: The cybersecurity sector sees significant turnover, especially in pivotal roles such as Chief Security Officers (CSOs). This turnover can lead to inconsistencies in cybersecurity strategies and vulnerabilities in organizational security. Emerging Compliance Issues: With regulations evolving rapidly, organizations struggle to keep up with compliance demands, as they often lack the expertise and resources required to stay ahead of legal and regulatory changes. The Need for Real-Time Status and Dashboard Reporting: Stakeholders, including boards and investors, increasingly require up-to-date information on an organizations cybersecurity posture. This need for real-time data and reporting is becoming a critical aspect of organizational transparency and trust. Single Point of Failure in Cybersecurity Leadership: The reliance on individual CSOs or cybersecurity leaders often creates a single point of failure in an organizations cybersecurity strategy. This dependence can pose significant risks if not adequately addressed.

In light of these challenges, Van Steel, Shareholder at LBMC Cybersecurity, emphasizes the advantages of outsourced cybersecurity solutions. Boards, investors, business partners, and other stakeholders often ask about an organizations cybersecurity posture or strategy, and being able to answer this question with real-time status and dashboard reporting is an incredible luxury. Cybersecurity resources are in high demand, and the average tenure of a Chief Security Officer is under three years. Each CSO comes with their own strategic vision and tactical plan, which is inextricably bound to that individual, creating a potential 'single point of failure.' While the concept of a single point of failure is well known in cybersecurity, its rarely focused on the leadership and strategy of the cybersecurity program. By supplementing an individual with a third-party comprehensive cybersecurity program, companies can significantly reduce the risk of a single point of failure, which is a game-changer for organizations, says Steel.

Outsourcing cybersecurity functions can offer a myriad of benefits. It provides access to a team of experts with diverse and specialized skill sets, ensures continuity in cybersecurity strategies despite changes in leadership, and helps in navigating the complex landscape of compliance issues. Moreover, it addresses the single point of failure issue by distributing the responsibility across a team rather than an individual, enhancing the overall security posture of the organization.

As the digital world continues to evolve, the move towards outsourced cybersecurity solutions is not just a trend, but a strategic necessity for organizations aiming to stay resilient and secure in the face of growing cyber threats.

For more information about LBMC Cyber Core and how it can transform your organization's approach to cybersecurity, reach out to Van Steel, [email protected], or Adam Nunn, [email protected].

About LBMC

LBMC is a 2024 USA Today Top Recommended Firm, one of the Southeasts largest accounting and business consulting firms, and an Accounting Today Top Firm in the Nation serving approximately 11,000 clients with diverse needs across a spectrum of industries. Primary client groups include privately-owned middle market companies in the healthcare, manufacturing, technology, and private equity space. LBMC has more than 900 team members, with offices in Nashville, Chattanooga, and Knoxville, Tennessee; Louisville, Kentucky; and Charlotte, North Carolina. A four-time national certified Great Place to Work, LBMC was also named 2023 Best Workplace in Consulting & Professional Services. Founded in 1984 as a traditional accounting firm, LBMC today is an industry leader in financial, human resources, technology, cybersecurity, and wealth advisory services for businesses and individuals. For more information on LBMCs experts and comprehensive services, visit our website or call 615.377.4600. LBMC is growing, and job opportunities can be found on our careers page.

Attachment

Lisa Namm LBMC 6153092356 [email protected]

Source: LBMC
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MAX Power Mining Corp. (CSE: MAXX; OTC: MAXXF; FRANKFURT: 89N) (MAX Power or the Company) is pleased to provide the following corporate update:

Willcox Lithium Project

Initial assays are expected shortly from first-ever diamond drilling at the Willcox Playa in southeast Arizona with MAX Power having completed a Phase 1, 5-hole program consisting of 6,062 feet (1,848 metres) on state ground;

Wide-spacing drilling encountered lithium-rich clays in a predominantly hectorite-saponite mix along with fluid sequences of non-potable liquids;

Drill permits have recently been received from the Bureau of Land Management for the next immediate exploration priority - a large area of extreme low resistivity at the southern end of a 10-km-long corridor on MAXs property;

Based on all information to date, including an initial assessment of favorable mineralogy, the Company considers the 50 sq. mile Willcox Playa to be highly prospective for a large near-surface lithium claystone deposit surrounded by excellent infrastructure including roads, rail, power and services located immediately off Interstate 10 in southeast Arizona, leading to Tucson and Phoenix.

Mr. Peter Lauder, Senior Geologist and Exploration Manager for MAX Power, commented: The first five diamond drill holes at Willcox have supported initial theories regarding prospectivity of intense resistivity and gravimetric low anomalies at the Playa. The southern block on BLM ground features the largest and most extreme anomalies on MAX Powers property. This bodes very well for extending the discovery of clay-rich sediments with high lithium values. Were very pleased to receive these drill permits.

New Direct Lithium Extraction Innovation

MAX Power is pleased to report that Dr. Dimitrius Khaladj presented key innovations related to brine pre-treatment and lithium concentration at the recent American Physics Association (APA) conference in Minneapolis, MN. Dr. Khaladj is a member of the scientific team at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab). This is a California-based U.S. Department of Energy laboratory managed by the University of California. The Berkeley Lab, including pre-eminent American research scientists Dr. Brett Helms and Dr. Michael Whittaker, is working with MAX Power to develop state-of-the-art direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies for brine resources under a co-operative research and development agreement (CRADA).

Dr. Khaladj presented a new concept for direct lithium extraction based on far-from-equilibrium transport of lithium through colloidal graphene oxide percolating networks formed with alternating current electric fields. The technology related to this novel concept could significantly improve the ability of lithium miners to selectively and actively transport lithium in brine without requiring extensive pre-treatment.

Willcox Project Map

Appointment of Market Maker

MAX Power reports that it has appointed Independent Trading Group, Inc. ("ITG") as a market maker for its shares traded on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE"). ITG is a leading Canadian broker dealer, providing liquidity and execution services to clients around the world. As a market maker for MAX Power, ITG will strive to enhance the liquidity of, and contribute to a fair and orderly market for, MAX Power's shares in accordance with the policies of the CSE by buying and selling the Companys shares on the CSE as well as other alternative Canadian trading venues.

ITG is a wholly owned subsidiary of DVX Capital Markets. The contract with ITG is on a month-to-month basis for monthly a fee of CDN $5,500. The contact can be terminated by either party by providing 30 days written notice of such termination. ITG will not receive shares or options as compensation for its services. ITG and MAX Power are unrelated and unaffiliated entities and, at the time of the agreement for ITGs services, to the knowledge of the Company, neither ITG nor its principals have an interest, directly or indirectly, in the securities of the Company.

Independent Trading Group, Inc. is a Toronto based IIROC dealer-member that specializes in market making, liquidity provision, agency execution, ultra-low latency connectivity, and bespoke algorithmic trading solutions. Established in 1992, with a focus on market structure, execution and trading, ITG has leveraged its own proprietary technology to deliver high quality liquidity provision and execution services to a broad array of public issuers and institutional investors.

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Thomas Clarke, P.Geo., Pr.Sci.Nat., and Director for MAX Power Mining Corp. Mr. Clarke is the Qualified Person responsible for the scientific and technical information contained herein under National Instrument 43-101 standards.

About MAX Power

MAX Power is a dynamic exploration stage resource company targeting domestic lithium resources to advance North Americas renewable energy prospects. MAX has also entered into a cooperative research and development agreement with the University of California Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) to develop state-of-the-art direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies for brine resources.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Forward-Looking Statement Cautions

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, relating to exploration, drilling, mineralization and historical results on the Property; the interpretation of drilling and assay results, the results of any future drilling program, mineralization and the discovery mineralization (if any); plans for future exploration and drilling and the timing of same; the merits of the Willcox Playa Property; the potential for lithium within the Willcox Playa region; ability to access Property; ability to extract resources from the Property, commentary as it related to the opportune timing to explore lithium exploration and any anticipated increasing demand for lithium; any results and updates thereto as it relates to the USGS report; the Companys concentration hypothesis; closing of the transaction; future press releases by the Company; and funding of any future drilling program. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," interpreted, "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," suggests, often, target, future, likely, pending, "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," possibly, preliminary, and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the CSE, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, risks associated with the interpretation of assay results and the drilling program, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's Managements Discussion and Analysis, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.

A map accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/59feadbc-5eb6-4c60-979e-e5f1fee95b6e

Max Power Mining Corp Willcox Playa Arizona

Source: Max Power Mining Corp
LAS VEGAS, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nextech, market-leader of comprehensive technology solutions for specialty physician practices, today unveiled multiple transformative artificial intelligence solutions in its software. CEO Bill Lucchini demonstrated the technologies during his keynote session delivered at the kickoff of Nextechs 10th annual EDGE user conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.



Generative AI is a new and exciting tool to help us in our mission to simplify how our practices deliver excellent patient care, said Lucchini in his keynote address. We have been methodically prototyping and testing these tools to ensure our clients have the gold standard in their hands so their practices can thrive in todays rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

Nextechs product suite improves the customer, patient, and provider experiences. This three-pronged strategy provides a best-in-class framework for product development that can address the breadth of unique needs across specialty practices. It has also helped to curate high impact use cases for AI to improve operational efficiency alongside the clinical and patient experience. These enhancements are being incorporated into releases that affirm the companys broader commitment to simplifying the patient journey through enhanced operational efficiency, improved clinical accuracy, and elevated patient experience.

Shared during the keynote and demonstrated at the Innovation Lab and Theater in the Expo Hall, Nextech's AI-powered solutions will include the following:

AI Virtual Assistant : Nextechs AI Virtual Assistant never sleeps, acting as a 24/7 digital workforce that automates up to 85% of routine conversations, from patient inquiries to scheduling and FAQs. The technology will lead the market in enhancing patient experience and loyalty, to be made available as a digital front door on clients websites.

: Nextechs AI Virtual Assistant never sleeps, acting as a 24/7 digital workforce that automates up to 85% of routine conversations, from patient inquiries to scheduling and FAQs. The technology will lead the market in enhancing patient experience and loyalty, to be made available as a digital front door on clients websites. AI Scribe : Providers need to spend more time engaged face to face with their patients rather than typing on a computer screen. Nextech's AI Scribe technology automatically completes the patient chart within the existing framework of Nextech's EHR. As a physician takes the patients history, the AI listens, filtering out all non-medical parts of the conversation. It then processes, categorizes, and automatically enters all the pertinent medical information into the clinical chart. While this solution is still in development, it presents an exciting leap forward for vastly improving and automating documentation processes.

: Providers need to spend more time engaged face to face with their patients rather than typing on a computer screen. Nextech's AI Scribe technology automatically completes the patient chart within the existing framework of Nextech's EHR. As a physician takes the patients history, the AI listens, filtering out all non-medical parts of the conversation. It then processes, categorizes, and automatically enters all the pertinent medical information into the clinical chart. While this solution is still in development, it presents an exciting leap forward for vastly improving and automating documentation processes. AI Support: Built directly into Nextechs software, AI Support technology will empower users via generative AI to automate access to support resources, instantly find answers, and create massive efficiencies for staff. Nextech aims to change the paradigm of having to call, email, or log a support case to get instant responses to important questions.



As we navigate the intersection of AI and healthcare, our product development team is acutely aware of the nuances between administrators seeking efficiency gains to patients valuing face to face interactions, said Dr. Jason Handza, Chief Medical Officer at Nextech. Seeing these technologies develop has been an incredible experience  we love seeing that our clients are as excited as we are!

To learn more about Nextech's solution and its features, visit https://www.nextech.com.

About Nextech

Nextech is the complete healthcare technology solution for specialty providers. Since 1997, Nextech has been focused on delivering innovative solutions and services that drive efficiency, fuel growth, and enhance the patient care experience. Nextech services more than 16,000 physicians and over 60,000 office staff members in the clinical specialties of Dermatology, Med Spa, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, and Plastic Surgery.

Chris Farrell

VP, Marketing

(813) 998-4229
Notice of Annual General Meeting and Annual Report and Accounts

22 March 2024

Admiral Group plc ("the Company") announces that its Annual General Meeting ("AGM") will be held at 1.30pm on Thursday 25 April 2024 at the Company's registered office of Ty Admiral, David Street, Cardiff, CF10 2EH.

The Company has today published and posted to shareholders its Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023 (the "Annual Report"), together with the Notice of the AGM (the "Notice"). The Company further announces that its Annual Report has also been prepared in accordance with European Single Electronic Format (ESEF) reporting requirements.

The Annual Report (including in ESEF format) and the Notice are now available on the Company's website at www.admiralgroup.co.uk/investor-relations . These documents have also been submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and are available for inspection at: https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism

Dan Caunt

Company Secretary

LEI Number: 213800FGVM7Z9EJB2685
Siauliu Bankas AB, company code 112025254, address of the head office Tilzes str. 149, Siauliai, Lithuania.



Siauliu bankas AB has received the notifications of the persons, closely associated with the manager, on transactions in securities issued by the bank (attached).

Director of Securities Operations Department Jolanta Dobiliauskiene is authorized by the Issuer to provide additional information and is available on tel.: +370 41 595669.





Attachments
Mr. Cocini will oversee PIMCOs business in Italy, France and Iberia; PIMCO also announces that Adriano Nelli will become Head of Italy

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PIMCO, one of the worlds premier fixed income investment managers with deep expertise in public and private markets, has appointed Giorgio Cocini as a Managing Director in a new position overseeing PIMCOs business in Italy, France and Iberia. Mr. Cocini will join PIMCO in June, working from the firms London office. He will report to Craig Dawson, Managing Director and PIMCOs Head of Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Mr. Cocini will lead PIMCOs business in Italy, France and Iberia, with responsibility for client and business management functions. Supporting him will be Adriano Nelli, Executive Vice President, who will become Head of Italy, Eleni Sifakis, Executive Vice President and Head of France, and Juanma Jimenez Sanchez, Executive Vice President and Head of Iberia.

Mr. Cocini brings to this role a wealth of experience working with clients across Europe in all facets of banking, insurance, financial technology and asset management. Previously, he was Global CoHead of Financial Institutions Investment Banking at Bank of America, based in London. Prior to this, he was the banks Cohead of EMEA Financial Institutions Investment Banking and was a Managing Director in Goldman Sachs Financial Institutions Group.

Giorgio will be an outstanding addition to our EMEA business leadership, bringing to PIMCO a deep understanding of European financial markets, said Emmanuel Roman, Managing Director and PIMCOs Chief Executive Officer. Institutional and retail investors are seeking a broader range of global strategies to achieve their investment goals and Giorgios deep expertise in these markets will assist our clients in navigating an increasingly complex investment landscape.

We are excited that Giorgio will be joining us to continue the growth of our business in Italy, France and Iberia as we provide our clients with innovative investment solutions and top class client service, said Mr. Dawson. The combination of Giorgios experience and expertise and our strong country leadership of Adriano, Eleni and Juanma will create a compelling opportunity for PIMCO and our clients in these countries.

Notes to Editors

Giorgio Cocini biography

Giorgio Cocini is currently the Global CoHead of Financial Institutions Investment Banking at Bank of America, a role he was promoted to in 2021. He is based in London and has a strong background in working with key continental European clients across the banking, insurance, financial technology, and asset management areas. Prior to this, Giorgio was the cohead of EMEA Financial Institutions Investment Banking. He joined Bank of America in 2013 from Goldman Sachs, where he covered leading European financial institutions. Giorgio graduated cumlaude from Bocconi University, Milan, Italy in 1998.

About PIMCO

PIMCO is a global leader in active fixed income with deep expertise across public and private markets. We invest our clients capital across a range of fixed income and credit opportunities, drawing upon our decades of experience navigating complex debt markets. Our flexible capital base and deep relationships with issuers have helped us become one of the worlds largest providers of traditional and non-traditional solutions for companies that need financing and investors who seek strong risk-adjusted returns. PIMCO is owned by Allianz S.E., a leading global diversified financial services provider.

Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including the performance of financial markets, the investment performance of PIMCO's sponsored investment products and separately managed accounts, general economic conditions, future acquisitions, competitive conditions and government regulations, including changes in tax laws. Readers should carefully consider such factors. Further, such forward-looking statements speak only on the date at which such statements are made. PIMCO undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

Contact:

Wendy Svirakova

Senior Vice President, EMEA

Phone: +44 20 3640 1237 / +44 7583131141

Email: [email protected]

Michael Reid

Global Head of Corporate Communications

Phone: +1 212-597-1301

Email: [email protected]
LONDON, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pixalate, the market-leading fraud protection, privacy, and compliance analytics platform for Connected TV (CTV) and Mobile Advertising, today released the February 2024 Top 100 Most Popular Bundle IDs for Open Programmatic Connected TV (CTV) Advertising.

The list includes the global top 100 most popular Bundle IDs for open programmatic advertising across the most popular CTV platforms including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV, and Apple TV. The rankings are based on global open programmatic advertising data, as measured by Pixalate. The Bundle IDs are ranked after removing invalid traffic (IVT), as measured by Pixalate.

The report also includes the top 10 most popular Bundle IDs for each CTV platform for key regions including North America, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), and Latin America (LATAM).

100 Most Popular Bundle IDs for programmatic advertising in CTV (February 2024)

Key Findings:

On Amazon Fire TV, the top 100 Bundle IDs map to 92 distinct CTV apps

On Roku, the top 100 Bundle IDs map to 69 distinct CTV apps

On Apple TV, the top 100 Bundle IDs map to 96 distinct CTV apps

On Samsung Smart TV, the top 100 Bundle IDs map to 56 distinct CTV apps

Why is it important to see the top Bundle IDs for CTV apps?

In CTV advertising, programmatic advertisers use Bundle IDs to identify specific CTV apps. A lack of standardization around the syntax of Bundle IDs has led to confusion around targeting and measurement of ads, creating a vulnerability that ad fraudsters can exploit.

Pixalates Bundle ID to App Store ID mapping APIs can help by consistently handling Bundle IDs, ensuring accurate tracking, measurement, and reporting.

Additionally, the IAB Tech Lab has issued guidelines for the use of app IDs, and OpenRTB 2.6 has offered support for Channel and Network Objects information to avoid overloading the Bundle ID field.

About PixalatePixalate is a global platform specializing in privacy compliance, ad fraud prevention, and digital ad supply chain data intelligence. Founded in 2012, Pixalate is trusted by regulators, data researchers, advertisers, publishers, ad tech platforms, and financial analysts across the Connected TV (CTV), mobile app, and website ecosystems. Pixalate is accredited by the MRC for the detection and filtration of Sophisticated Invalid Traffic (SIVT). pixalate.comDisclaimerThe content of this press release, and the Top 100 Most Popular Bundle IDs for CTV (the Report), reflect Pixalate's opinions with respect to factors that Pixalate believes may be useful to the digital media industry. Pixalate's opinions are just that, opinions, which means that they are neither facts nor guarantees. Pixalate is sharing this data not to impugn the standing or reputation of any entity, person or app, but, instead, to report findings and trends pertaining to programmatic advertising activity in the time period studied.

Nina Talcott Pixalate Inc. 4129962820 [email protected]

Source: Pixalate Inc.
MONACO, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE: STNG) (Scorpio Tankers or the Company) announced today that its Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023 has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and can be accessed on the Companys website www.scorpiotankers.com in the Investors section under Reports and Presentations.

Shareholders may also request a hard copy of the Annual Report, which includes the Companys complete 2023 audited financial statements, free of charge, by contacting the Company at:

Scorpio Tankers Inc.Attn: Investor Relations150 E 58th StreetNew York, NY 10155Tel: +1-212-542-1616E-mail: [email protected]

Reports and other information regarding the Company are also available without charge at a website maintained by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov.

About Scorpio Tankers Inc.

Scorpio Tankers Inc. is a provider of marine transportation of petroleum products worldwide. Scorpio Tankers Inc. currently owns or lease finances 110 product tankers (39 LR2 tankers, 57 MR tankers and 14 Handymax tankers) with an average age of 8.1 years. The Company has entered into agreements to sell two of its MR tankers within the first half of 2024. Additional information about the Company is available at the Companys website www.scorpiotankers.com, which is not a part of this press release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forwardlooking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forwardlooking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forwardlooking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words believe, expect, anticipate, estimate, intend, plan, target, project, likely, may, will, would, could and similar expressions identify forwardlooking statements.

The forwardlooking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, managements examination of historical operating trends, data contained in the Companys records and other data available from third parties. Although management believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond the Companys control, there can be no assurance that the Company will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. The Company undertakes no obligation, and specifically declines any obligation, except as required by law, to publicly update or revise any forwardlooking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in the Companys view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forwardlooking statements include unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses, future prospects, business and management strategies in response to epidemic and other public health concerns including any effect on demand for petroleum products and the transportation thereof, expansion and growth of the Companys operations, risks relating to the integration of assets or operations of entities that it has or may in the future acquire and the possibility that the anticipated synergies and other benefits of such acquisitions may not be realized within expected timeframes or at all, the failure of counterparties to fully perform their contracts with the Company, the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand for tanker vessel capacity, changes in the Companys operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for the Companys vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, charter counterparty performance, ability to obtain financing and comply with covenants in such financing arrangements, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, including the impact of the conflict in Ukraine and the developments in the Middle East, including the armed conflict in Israel and Gaza, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of offhires, and other factors. Please see the Companys filings with the SEC for a more complete discussion of certain of these and other risks and uncertainties.

Contact Information

Scorpio Tankers Inc.James Doyle  Head of Corporate Development & Investor RelationsTel: +1 646-432-1678Email: [email protected]

Source: Scorpio Tankers Inc.
Toronto, ON, Canada, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SOPerior Fertilizer Corp. (the Company or SOP) (NEX:SOP.H). The Company informs that its existing 10-year Other Business Arrangement (OBA) with the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) for the Blawn Mountain mineral leases expires on April 1, 2024. SOP is engaged with the regulator and working on its submission for a renewed OBA. SOPs submission will be supported by the planning and numerous studies undertaken, including environmental and plant location studies, and the financial expenditures incurred by the Company and its proposed JV counterparty in preparation for the start of the Front End Engineering Design (FEED) for the first phase commercial project planned to commence in 2024.

SITLA has Board of Directors meetings scheduled for mid-April and May, 2024. Depending on the duration of the SITLA review process, it is expected that the OBA will be tabled for approval at one of those two meetings. SOP is hopeful that the OBA process will proceed in its favour.

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.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

SOPERIOR FERTILIZER CORP. Andrew Squires

CEO and Director

Contact InformationPhone: (403)-850-0422E-mail inquiries: [email protected]www.SOPeriorfertilizer.com

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 managements 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: SOPerior Fertilizer Corp
On 18/03/2024, the Supreme Court decided to open the proceedings on Tallinn University of Technologys appeal in cassation against the Tallinn Circuit Courts decision of 19/01/2024, in which the Tallinn University of Technologys appeal against the Harju County Courts decision of 09/06/2023 was dismissed. The dispute concerns a claim against AS Tallinna Vesi for the compensation of an allegedly overpaid price for the water services consumed. The companys earlier announcement regarding the Tallinn Circuit Courts decision is available here .



The company does not consider the ongoing proceedings of action to have any significant impact on the companys financial results.

Additional information:

Taavi Groon

Chief Financial Officer

AS Tallinna Vesi

(+372) 626 2271

[email protected]
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to a large-scale missile attack launched by the Russians on Friday night.

This night, Russia launched over 60 Shahed drones and nearly 90 missiles of various types at Ukraine. The world sees the Russian terrorists' targets as clearly as possible: power plants and energy supply lines, a hydroelectric dam, ordinary residential buildings, and even a trolleybus. Russia is at war with people's everyday lives. My condolences to the loved ones of those killed by this terror, he said on the Telegram channel Friday morning.

The President added that the necessary services are already working in all cities affected by the enemy attack and "no one will be left without help."

Electrical power is being restored. Recovery in Kharkiv and its region, Zaporizhia, Sumy, Poltava, Dnipro, Odesa, Khmelnytskyi and its region, Vinnytsia, and Ivano-Frankivsk has begun as of last night, he reported.

At the same time, Zelenskyy noted that Russian missiles have no delays, unlike aid packages for Ukraine.

"Shahed drones have no indecision, unlike some politicians. It is critical to understand the cost of delays and postponed decisions. Patriot systems must protect Kharkiv and Zaporizhia; air defense is required to protect people, infrastructure, homes, and dams. Our partners know exactly what is needed. They can definitely support us. These are necessary decisions. Life must be protected from these savages from Moscow, he stressed.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Turmalina Metals Corp. (Turmalina, or the Company; TBX-TSXV, TBXXF-OTCQX, 3RI-FSE) is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement offering (the Offering) for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $2,100,000, from the issuance of 21,000,000 units of the Company (the Units) at a price of $0.10 per Unit, representing an oversubscription of the Offering as originally announced on March 14, 2024. Each Unit is comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (a Common Share) and one Common Share purchase warrant (a Warrant). Each Warrant is exercisable to acquire one Common Share (a Warrant Share) at a price of $0.15 per Common Share for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance.



The net proceeds of the Offering will be used to satisfy ongoing costs associated with the Companys properties as well as general working capital purposes.

In connection with closing of the Offering, the Company paid cash finders fees in the aggregate amount of $102,865 to certain arms length finders, and issued an aggregate of 1,028,650 non-transferable Common Share purchase warrants (the Finders Warrants). Each Finders Warrant is exercisable into a Common Share (a Finders Warrant Share) at a price of $0.15 per Finders Warrant Share for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance.

All securities issued in connection with closing of the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities legislation.

The subscribers in the Offering included two directors of the Company, as well as two corporate subscribers controlled or directed by directors and officers of the Company (collectively, the Insiders), who subscribed for an aggregate of 1,250,000 Units for aggregate gross proceeds of $125,000 to the Company. The issuance of Units to the Insiders constitute related party transactions as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101). The Company is relying on the exemption from valuation requirement and minority approval pursuant to subsection 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, respectively, for the Insiders participation in the Offering, as the value of the Units subscribed for do not represent more than 25% of the Companys market capitalization, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101.

On Behalf of the Company,

James Rogers, Chief Executive Officer and Director.

Website: turmalinametals.com

Address: #1507 - 1030 West Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6E 3M5.

For Investor Relations enquiries, please contact +1 833 923 3334 (toll free) or via [email protected] .

Statements

About Turmalina Metals and our projects: Turmalina Metals is a TSXV-listed exploration company focused on developing our portfolio of high-grade gold-copper-silver projects in South America. Turmalina Metals is led by a team responsible for multiple gold-copper-silver discoveries. Our projects are characterised by open high-grade mineralization on established mining licenses that present compelling drill targets. The principal project held by Turmalina is the San Francisco project in San Juan, Argentina. For further information on the San Francisco Project, refer to the technical report entitled NI43-101 Technical Report San Francisco Copper Gold Project, San Juan Province, Argentina dated November 17, 2019 under the Corporations profile at www.sedar.com. Turmalina is also exploring the Chanape project in Peru. For further information on Chanape please refer to the technical report National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report on the Chanape Gold-Silver-Copper Project dated July 5, 2022 under the Corporations profile at www.sedar.com.

Forward Looking Statement: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements. All statements in this news 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. Forward-looking statements in this news release include the anticipated use of proceeds of the Offering. 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, as well as legal, social, and economic conditions in Argentina and Peru, where the Companys mineral exploration properties are located. 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 Companys 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.

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 or has in any way approved or disapproved of the contents of this press release.
CALGARY, Alberta, March 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Western Investment Company of Canada Limited (TSXV: WI) ("Western" or the "Corporation"), today announced that companies affiliated with Paul Rivett have offered to invest at least $20 million into the Corporation (the "Transaction") to transform Western into a property and casualty insurance and investment holding company. Completion of the Transaction is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"), shareholder approval and various other conditions. The terms of the Transaction are set forth in a definitive agreement dated March 21, 2024 (the "Definitive Agreement") that also provide for a potential upsize to $23 million and for a number of other corporate transactions described below. The transactions as contemplated constitute a Change of Business under the policies of the TSXV.

"There are several fundamental reasons for our investment in Western, but by far the most important factor in our decision was the team at Western," said Paul Rivett. "After actively searching for a premier team and platform we believe that Western, its insurance subsidiary Fortress, along with the skills and experience of Scott Tannas and Shafeen Mawani, are the right combination for us to build an insurance and investment holding company in Canada. Together, our goal over the long-term is to compound book value per share for Western shareholders through prudent organic growth of the existing insurance book of business, the pursuit of accretive acquisitions that generate additional investable float, and investing over the long-term on a total return basis."

Business and Capital Allocation Strategy Upon the successful closing of the Transaction (the "Closing"), Western will focus its efforts toward building an insurance and investment holding company. The initial priorities will be to:

Consolidate Westerns ownership of Fortress Insurance Company (" Fortress ") to at least 51%;

") to at least 51%; Grow the Fortress platform to $100 million per annum in written premiums by 2028 through a combination of prudent organic growth and accretive acquisitions; and

Continue managing Westerns non-insurance holdings as long-term investments.

Rights OfferingUpon Closing of the Transaction, Western intends to undertake a rights offering ("Rights Offering") to existing eligible Western shareholders by way of a rights offering circular. Under the proposed terms of the Rights Offering, each eligible shareholder as of the record date for such offering will be issued two and a half (2 ) rights ("Rights") for each common share of the Corporation ("Common Share") held on the Record Date, entitling that holder to purchase one (1) Single Voting Share (as defined herein) for each whole one (1) Right held at a price of $0.40 per Single Voting Share for a period of 60 days. The Rights are intended to provide existing Western shareholders with a mechanism to ensure their economic interest in the Corporation is not diluted.

Western has made application to the TSXV to have the Rights listed on the TSXV. The Rights will be offered to registered shareholders resident in a province or territory of Canada. The Rights will not be offered to U.S. persons or sold into the United States. Shareholders who fully exercise their Rights may be entitled to subscribe for additional Single Voting Shares, if available, as a result of unexercised Rights prior to expiry of the Rights Offering.

The definitive terms of the Rights Offering, including the proposed record date, will be set forth in a subsequent news release. The Rights Offering (including the subscription price and any listing of the Rights on the TSXV) is subject to applicable regulatory approval, including approval of the TSXV.

Executive Team Upon Closing, the Western team will consist of the following individuals:

Paul Rivett to be appointed to President and Chief Executive Officer;

Scott Tannas to be appointed to Chairman of the Board of Directors for a 5-year term with the option to renew by mutual agreement;

Stacey Cross to remain as Chief Financial Officer; and

Shafeen Mawani to remain as Chief Operating Officer in addition to his continuing role as President and CEO of Fortress.

It is anticipated that the aforementioned executive team, plus the supplemental services provided by Mr. Rivetts investment management company, Tevir Capital Corp. ("TCC"), will be sufficient to operate Western for the next 12-24 months, barring any material change to Westerns business.

The previously planned retirement of Chairman Jim Dinning from the Board of Directors will also take effect at Closing. Mr. Dinning will remain committed to continuing as a supportive shareholder and advisor to Western.

"The proposed Transaction is something the entire Board crafted together with Paul because his vision aligns with the same aspirations we have for our business and our shareholders," said Scott Tannas, President and Chief Executive Officer of Western. "By combining Pauls track record of success in value investing, and the strength of Westerns insurance business, we believe this Transaction represents a significant leap forward in the ability of Western to create value for our shareholders. I would also like to thank Jim Dinning and Western's other directors for their support and tireless efforts on the Board in the lead up to this Transaction, and their years of dedicated service to Westerns shareholders and stakeholders."

Paul RivettPaul Rivett currently serves as founder and president of TCC and Chairman of the Board of Directors for Chorus Aviation and GreenFirst Forest Products. Previously, he joined Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited ("Fairfax") in 2003 and served as President between 2013 and 2020. Mr. Rivett led Fairfaxs corporate development which included debt and equity financings, mergers and acquisitions, as well as prominent investment and insurance/reinsurance transactions. He attracted proprietary insurance and non-insurance investments with a commitment to a long-term, decentralized approach to investing.

The Definitive Agreement which is an Arm's Length Transaction contemplates that TCC or its affiliates will invest $20,000,000 into Western in exchange for 50,000,000 multiple voting shares ("MVS") with an over-allotment option for TCC (or an approved designate) to purchase up to an additional 7,500,000 MVS for $3,000,000, and that Western will undertake a series of transactions including the Rights Offering, an opportunity for Western shareholders to exchange their Common Shares for MVS (the "Share Exchange"), and in the discretion of management, a stock consolidation as described below. The Transaction will involve amending the articles of the Corporation to provide for 2 classes of common shares, the current Common Shares ("Single Voting Shares"), which provide for 1 vote per share and which will be renamed Subordinate Voting Shares following the Shareholders Meeting, and the MVS, which will provide for 10 votes per share.

The terms of the Transaction are summarized below. Unless otherwise stated, all amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars.

TCC Western Shareholders Investment into Western $20,000,000 Multiple Voting Shares ("MVS") issued - 10 votes/share 50,000,000 Existing Common Shares ("Single Voting Shares" or "SVS") - 1 vote/share 30,207,756 Optional conversion rights for Western shareholders (SVS can be converted to MVS on 1:1 basis) 1:1 Rights to be issued to Western shareholders 2.5 @ $0.40per share Additional capital from Rights (if 100% exercised) $30,200,000 Equity Ownership Post Transaction (% of total shares outstanding) No Rights exercised by Western shareholders 62.3% 37.7% All Rights exercised by Western shareholders 32.1% 67.9%

Western Shareholder ProtectionsWestern shareholders benefit from several protective mechanisms in the proposed Transaction:

Dual class share structure modeled on the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance Dual Class Share Policy.

Western shareholders may, at their discretion, convert their SVS shares into MVS shares on a one for one basis.

TCCs MVS shares (along with all MVS shares) will be restricted from sale without 6 months' prior written notice.

In order to obtain the ability to trade the MVS freely, TCC (along with any other MVS holders) must give Western 6 months written notice of the intent to convert MVS to SVS and the MVS must then, after the 6 months holding period, be converted to freely tradeable SVS of Western.

Western intends to undertake the Rights Offering (as described below) to existing eligible Western shareholders.

TCC is restricted under securities rules from privatizing Western without the approval of a majority of the minority vote of the common shareholders.

Board of DirectorsAt the meeting of Western shareholders to approve the Transaction (the "Shareholders Meeting"), Western will propose increasing the size of the Board of Directors to nine members, that three members of the current Board of Directors of Western (including Scott Tannas) will remain, and six new members (including Paul Rivett) will be appointed to the Board of Directors.

Board members resigning at the Closing or at the next AGM will be allowed to retain their options until expiry.

TCC Management ContractTCC will provide Western with access to legal, financial, business development and other expert and clerical assistance for a fixed fee of $500,000 per year.

Stock ConsolidationAt the Shareholders Meeting, Western will also put forward a proposal for shareholders to approve a consolidation of the Single Voting Shares and the Multiple Voting Shares on a basis of up to 1 for 10. Any decision to implement a stock consolidation would remain at the discretion of Western's board of directors.

Share ExchangeThe definitive terms and procedures for the Share Exchange (including timing and shareholder eligibility) will be set forth in a subsequent news release. The Share Exchange is subject to applicable regulatory approval, including approval of the TSXV.

Conditions PrecedentThe Transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by Westerns shareholders and regulatory approvals, including the TSXV, and the condition that Western has obtained sufficient additional shares in Fortress to reach a minimum aggregate holding of 51% of Fortress shares outstanding. Western intends to seek a waiver from the sponsorship requirements under TSXV policies for a Change of Business transaction.

Acquisition of Additional Fortress SharesIn connection with Western acquiring additional shares of Fortress, Western plans to offer the existing Fortress shareholders the option of receiving cash or Single Voting Shares at a price of $0.40 per share which could result in the issuance of up to an additional 30,000,000 Single Voting Shares.

Webcast - Join Scott Tannas and Paul Rivett as they discuss the Proposed TransactionMarch 27, 2024 at 9:00 AM Mountain Time, 11:00 AM Eastern TimeOn Wednesday, March 27, 2024, please join Scott Tannas, President and CEO of Western, and Paul Rivett, Founder and President of TCC, on a webcast where they will discuss the proposed Transaction and their vision for Westerns strategy going forward. Participants of the live event will also have the opportunity to ask questions.

The webcast will take place at 11:00 AM Eastern Time, 10:00 AM Central Time, 9:00 AM Mountain Time, and 8:00 AM Pacific Time.

Participants can access the webcast using the link below:

Webcast Link

Following the webcast a recording of the event will be available at the link above.

Shareholders Meeting and ApprovalsShareholder approval is required for a number of the transactions described in this news release, including: TCC becoming a "control person" of Western, the amendment of Western's articles to create the Multiple Voting Shares and to re-classify the existing Common Shares as Single Voting Shares, the election of directors in conjunction with the Transaction, and the stock consolidation. Each of the resolutions will require approval by two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the votes cast by Western shareholders at the meeting (other than the resolution to appoint directors, which will require the customary 50% majority of votes cast at the meeting). The Transaction will also be subject to the approval of a majority of the minority of the votes cast by Western shareholders at the Shareholders Meeting, excluding any shares owned or controlled by TCC, Paul Rivett or Scott Tannas. The date and time of the Shareholders Meeting will be announced in coming weeks, at which time meeting materials will be sent to Western shareholders.

Board of Directors' Recommendations The Transaction has been unanimously approved by the board of directors of both Western and TCC.

Investor RelationsWestern also announced today that it has retained Market Climber Inc. ("Market Climber") for services that may fall within the scope of the TSXV Corporate Finance Policy 3.4 - Investor Relations, Promotional and Market-Making Activities (the "Services"). Under the terms of the agreement, Western will pay Market Climber a monthly fee of $7,500 for the Services, which includes shareholder engagement, corporate communications, investor relations and assistance with proxy mailing and Shareholders Meeting support. The agreement commenced on February 7, 2024 and will terminate following the Shareholders Meeting, unless extended by mutual agreement for a 12 month term (terminable on 30 days' notice). At the time of this announcement, neither Market Climber nor its principals have any direct or indirect interest in Western's securities.

Market Climber is an experienced investor relations firm with an extensive track record of unlocking value through a comprehensive approach to investor relations. Market Climber has won numerous IR awards including IR Magazine's 2022 award for Best Investor Relations. Market Climber has served clients on every major North American exchange, across a wide range of industries, with enterprise values from under $10 million to more than $10 billion.

Definitive AgreementThe Definitive Agreement contains a number of customary representations, warranties and conditions and termination rights. A copy of the Definitive Agreement will be available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Trading HaltTrading of the Common Shares will remain halted pending receipt and review of acceptable documentation pursuant to Section 2.2 of TSXV Policy 5.2 regarding a Change of Business transaction.

About The Western Investment Company of Canada Limited Western is a unique publicly traded, private equity company founded by a group of successful Western Canadian businesspeople, and dedicated to building and maintaining ownership in successful Western Canadian companies, and helping them to grow. Western's shares are traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol WI.

For more information on Western, please visit its website at www.winv.ca.

To add yourself to our email news alert subscription please visit this link.

CONTACT INFORMATION - The Western Investment Company of Canada Limited

Scott Tannas President and Chief Executive Officer (403) 652-2663 [email protected]

Advisories

Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSXV acceptance and if applicable, disinterested shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities Western should be considered highly speculative.

The TSXV has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

This document contains forward-looking statements. More particularly, this document contains statements concerning: the completion of the transactions contemplated by the Definitive Agreement, including the completion of the Transaction and the other proposed transactions described in this news release, and the appointment of the new CEO and additional directors; the use of proceeds from the Transaction; the future strategy and focus for Western; and future acquisitions and growth opportunities. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors should not be construed as exhaustive.

The forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Western, including expectations and assumptions concerning the ability of Western to successfully implement its strategic plans and initiatives, the timing of receipt of required shareholder and regulatory approvals (including TSXV approval) and third party consents and the satisfaction of other conditions to the completion of the Transactions.

Although Western believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements made by Western are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because no assurance can be provided that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, risks that required shareholder, TSXV, regulatory and third party approvals and consents are not obtained on terms satisfactory to the parties within the timelines provided for in the Definitive Agreement, or at all, and risks that other conditions to the completion of the Transactions are not satisfied on the timelines set forth in the Definitive Agreement or at all, the ability of management to execute its business strategy, and the impact of general economic conditions in Canada and the United States. A description of additional assumptions used to develop such forward-looking information and a description of risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in Western's disclosure documents on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and Western undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

This news release also contains financial outlook information ("FOFI") about prospective results of operations and book value, which are subject to the same assumptions, risk factors, limitations, and qualifications as set forth in the above paragraphs. FOFI contained in this news release was made as of the date of this news release to provide information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for any other purpose. Western disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any FOFI contained in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

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 the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The Rights and underlying Single Voting Shares and the Multiple Voting Shares being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the 1933 Act or under any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, as amended, and applicable state securities laws.

"Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulatory Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release."

Source: The Western Investment Company of Canada
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4PropTrader launches Partner Program for collaborative success in futures trading, offering resources tailored to traders' needs.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - 4PropTrader, the pioneering capital firm renowned for its cutting-edge platform and unwavering commitment to trader success, has announced the launch of its highly anticipated Partner Program. This is designed to aim at fostering collaboration and growth within the trading community. This initiative signifies a significant step forward in 4PropTrader's mission to redefine industry standards and empower traders at all levels.





4PropTrader Redefines Futures Trading Landscape with Launch of Dynamic Partner Program

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Dedicated to providing market-leading conditions and comprehensive support tailored to each trader's needs, 4PropTrader is set to cement its position as a trailblazer in the financial markets. The company's robust suite of tools and resources caters to traders of all levels, from newcomers navigating the complexities of futures trading to seasoned professionals seeking to amplify their success.

"We are thrilled to introduce our dynamic Partner Program, which represents a new era of collaboration and growth within the trading community," said by Mazin Bachtiar Mustafa at 4PropTrader. "By leveraging the power of partnerships, we aim to empower individuals to achieve their financial goals while contributing to the overall success of our platform."

The Partner Program offers individuals the opportunity to grow alongside 4PropTrader, with access to exclusive resources and support designed to enhance their trading journey. By becoming part of the Partner Program, traders can tap into a network of like-minded individuals and access valuable insights and tools to help them succeed in the financial markets.

"Our unwavering dedication to keeping traders ahead with the latest in trading innovations," added Mustafa.

4PropTrader's Partner Program hopes to revolutionize the futures trading landscape, offering individuals the opportunity to thrive in a dynamic and rewarding environment. To learn more about the Partner Program and how to get involved, visit https://4proptrader.com/partner.

About 4PropTrader:

4PropTrader is a leading capital firm dedicated to revolutionizing the futures trading landscape. With a commitment to providing market-leading conditions and comprehensive support tailored to each trader's needs, 4PropTrader aims to empower individuals to thrive in the fast-paced world of financial markets. From cutting-edge technology to innovative partnership opportunities, 4PropTrader is working towards redefining industry standards and empowering traders to achieve their financial goals confidently and precisely.

Contact Info:

Name: Mazin Bachtiar Mustafa

Email: [email protected]

Organization: 4proptrader

Website: https://4proptrader.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202538
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 22, 2024) - Argo Living Soils Corp. (CSE: ARGO) ("Argo" or the "Company") announces that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement offering by issuing 3,000,000 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.10 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of $300,000 (the "Offering").

Each Unit is comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company and one transferrable purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional common share in the capital of the Company at $0.20 per share for a period of 24 months following the closing of the Offering.

In connection with the Offering, the Company paid finder's fees in the amount of $10,800 and issued an aggregate of 108,000 finder's warrants (each a "Finder's Warrant") to eligible arm's-length finders. Each Finder's Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one common share in the capital of the Company at $0.20 per share for a period of 24 months following the closing of the Offering.

The Company plans to use proceeds of the offering for general working capital purposes, marketing, and identifying and evaluating strategic business opportunities which align with the company's business plan.

All securities to be issued under the Offering will be subject to a four month and one day hold period expiring on July 22, 2024, in accordance with Canadian securities law.

Argo also announces that it has secured the exclusive licensing agreement rights with Canadian AgriChar Inc. by completing the payment terms of the license agreement (see news releases dated September 12, 2023, September 28, 2023, and March 5, 2024).

One director of the Company participated in the Offering for $10,000, and his participation constitutes a related-party transaction as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101- Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), The Company is relying on the exemptions from the formal valuation requirements contained in Section 5.5(b) of MI 61-101 and the minority shareholder approval requirements contained in Section 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the company is not listed on specified markets and the fair market value of the directors' participation does not exceed 25% of the company's market capitalization, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The company did not file a material change report in respect of the related-party transaction at least 21 days before the closing of the transaction, as the details of the participation were not settled until shortly prior to closing of the Offering.

About Argo Living Soils Corp.

The company specializes in producing and developing organic products, including soil amendments, living soils, biofertilizers, vermicompost and compost extracts formulated specifically for high-value crops. The Company's vision and overall business plan are to create an established brand of organic and/or environmentally friendly products. The company was founded in 2018, and its production facilities have been expanded and relocated to Duncan, British Columbia, in a joint venture with Pacific Composting.

We Seek Safe Harbor.

For further information please contact:

Peter Hoyle

Chief Executive Officer

Argo Living Soils Corp.

Email: [email protected]

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, the use of proceeds and the Company creating a brand of organic and/or environmentally friendly products. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will", "plans", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different, including receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. Although management of the Company have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

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/202767
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 22, 2024) - Defence Therapeutics Inc. (CSE: DTC) (OTCQB: DTCFF) (FSE: DTC), ("Defence" or the "Company"), one of the leading Canadian biotechnology companies working in the field of immune-oncology, announces the closing of the 2nd tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $1.50 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $600,000.00 (the "Closing"). Each Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant").

Each Warrant is exercisable to acquire one Share at an exercise price of $2.00 per Share on or before March 22nd, 2026 (the "Warrant Expiry Date").

In connection with the Closing, the Company paid a cash finder's fee of $48,000.00 and issued 32,000 finder's warrants (the "Finder's Warrants") to a certain qualified arm's length finder. Each Finder's Warrant is exercisable into one Share at an exercise price of $2.00 per Share on or before the Warrant Expiry Date.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to advance its preclinical and clinical programs and for general working capital.

All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from their date of issue in accordance with applicable securities legislation.

The securities being referred to in this news release have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States (U.S.) Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the U.S. or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release does 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 jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Defence:

Defence Therapeutics is a publicly-traded biotechnology company working on engineering the next generation vaccines and ADC products using its proprietary platform. The core of Defence Therapeutics platform is the ACCUM technology, which enables precision delivery of vaccine antigens or ADCs in their intact form to target cells. As a result, increased efficacy and potency can be reached against catastrophic illness such as cancer and infectious diseases.

For further information:

Sebastien Plouffe, President, CEO and Director

P: (514) 947-2272

[email protected]

www.defencetherapeutics.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this 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. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the Company's intended use of proceeds of the Offering. 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 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.

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/202866
Goleta, California--(Newsfile Corp. - March 22, 2024) - Fleks Footwear, a new Santa Barbara-based footwear company, debuted Friday with the launch of their first sandal: the East Beach Slide. The slide, which is inspired by the surf culture and heritage of California's southern coast, is made from 82 percent recycled high-performance foam and takes just tablespoons of water per pair to manufacture.



Photo credit: Fleks Footwear, with permission.

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The company was founded by Leah Larson, a 30-year veteran of the footwear industry whose career in footwear creation, buying, and merchandising for brands like Nordstrom and UGG anchors the new endeavor. A lifelong Californian and industry innovator, Larson found inspiration for Fleks in the laid-back culture of Southern California beach towns and steadying presence of the ocean.

Protecting Our Waters

"I've been fortunate to spend my career in an industry that prizes creativity and individuality. But as much as I love the industry for its creativity, as a Californian and someone who loves the ocean, it's hard to see how much plastic foam waste the footwear industry generates annually both through manufacturing and end-of-life for products," says Larson. "So when I first heard about an innovative new manufacturing process that was giving new life to waste foam, I thought what better material to use for beach sandals than a material that actually protects our waters by diverting plastic from the waste stream?"

The innovative manufacturing process Larson found inspiration in was developed by Stuart Jenkins of Blumaka and transforms foam scraps from global footwear manufacturers into high-performance, durable foam that outlasts most of the materials on the market today. Larson and Jenkins partnered to develop FLEKSfoam, which utilizes Blumaka technology and is the material that makes up the East Beach Slide.

"Footwear brands have the privilege of choosing which materials to use in their products. And those choices impact the planet for better or for worse," says Jenkins. "Fleks is the first brand to utilize the full potential of Blumaka technology, and right out of the gate they've created a category-defining product. By choosing Blumaka, Fleks is deciding to use the foam other brands leave behind to pollute our planet. I'm proud of this partnership and I'm looking forward to working with Fleks to 'flip the tide.'"

Clean Design

The resulting East Beach Slide has three main components: deck, strap, and outsole. The deck and strap are made from over 80 percent proprietary FLEKSfoam which utilizes Blumaka foam and the durable outsole is made with 15 percent recycled EVA. The company is currently in the process of finalizing a program which will take back pre-loved Fleks and recycle them into new products, extending the material's life and product's sustainability even further.

Photo credit: Fleks Footwear, with permission.

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But it is not just the East Beach Slide's sustainability credentials that Fleks' founder believes will appeal to consumers. "The comfort and sleek design of the East Beach Slide are elements we took very seriously," adds Larson. "This sandal is a wardrobe staple that transitions effortlessly from day on the beach to night out. It's the perfect go everywhere, do anything slide."

The East Beach Slide is Fleks' flagship piece, but the collection is expected to grow in coming months, with subsequent releases also focused on sustainable manufacturing and materials. The East Beach Slide is available in six color ways: Clear Day, Deep Blue Sea, Starfish, Night, Jungle, and Morning Coffee. The East Beach Slide is available direct to consumers through fleksfootwear.com or at Santa Barbara Running in Montecito, CA.

Location: Goleta, California

Taylor Gibbs [email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202357
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 22, 2024) - Founders Metals Inc. (TSXV: FDR) (OTCQX: FDMIF) (FSE: 9DL0) ("Founders" or the "Company") announces drill core assay results from its fully-funded 2024 drill program at the Antino Gold Project in southeastern Suriname. The Company reports 38.0 metres of 10.90 grams per tonne (g/t) gold (Au) from its furthest northwest Froyo drillhole to date, 24GG04. The interval contains the previously released gold vein photos (March 4th release; Figure 2 below) and is one of Antino's best gold intercepts at over 410 gram-metres per tonne (gm/t). Due to the abundance of coarse gold, samples have been resubmitted for metallic screening.

Highlights

Hole 24GG04 intercepts 38.0 m of 10.90 g/t Au from 149.0 m down hole, with metallic screening results pending (Table 1, Figures 1&2)

from 149.0 m down hole, with metallic screening results pending (Table 1, Figures 1&2) Results are from Founders' furthest northwest drilling at the Froyo Gold Zone

at the Froyo Gold Zone Gold mineralization remains open toward high-grade historical auger sampling results (Figure 1)

* Intervals are reported at a cut-off grade of 0.3 g/t Au using 5 metres minimum length and 5 metres maximum internal dilution.

Figure 1:Upper Antino plan map centred on the Froyo Gold Zone. Cross-section line A-A' corresponds to Figure 2.

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Colin Padget, Founders CEO commented, "Today's results are some of the best we've seen at Antino, and are yet another example of the exceedingly high-grade, near surface gold mineralization at Froyo. Additionally, we have submitted samples for metallic screening to determine gold concentrations using a much larger sample volume. This method can capture coarser gold than fire assay. We expect the result soon.

We are also pleased to report that our primary assay lab in Paramaribo has renewed its commitment of two-to-three-week turnaround times on assays. Though assays have often come back much faster, we recognize that with additional drilling, more surface sampling, targeted multi-element geochemistry, and metallic screening of select drill core, we can more reasonably expect two-to-three-week timelines."

Figure 2:A-A' Cross-section through latest Froyo Gold Zone drill results.

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Table 1: Drilling Results and Highlights. Results shown for ADH071 are historical.

Hole ID From

(m) To(m) Core Length* (m) Au (g/t) 24GG03 128.00 137.00 9.00 1.58 24GG04 134.00 139.00 5.00 1.8 and 149.00 187.00 38.00 10.9 ADH071 53.50 55.00 1.50 25.01 and 63.50 75.50 12.00 4.99

*Intervals are core length and estimated to represent 85% or more of true width based on current drill data

Figure 3: (left)gold vein in drill core from hole 24GG04.(right)Drill core from hole 24GG04 showing typical textures within mineralized zones at Froyo. Core locally contains up to 35% pyrrhotite and pyrite within a zone of high-intesity shearing.

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Figure 4:Antino Gold Project property map.

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About Founders Metals Inc.

Founders Metals is a Canadian exploration company with properties in North and South America. The Company focuses on acquiring and advancing gold projects in the Guiana Shield. Its flagship asset is the 20,000 ha Antino Gold Project in Suriname, where artisanal surface/alluvial mining has produced over 500,000 gold ounces to date1. Using its diamond drilling equipment, the Company drilled over 10,000 m in 2023 and is fully financed for up to 30,000 m in 2024.

1 2022 Technical Report - Antino Project; Suriname, South America. K. Raffle, BSc, P. Geo & Rock Lefranois, BSc, P.Geo.

Quality Assurance and Control

Results from samples were analyzed at FILAB Suriname, a Bureau Veritas Certified Laboratory in Paramaribo, Suriname (a commercial certified laboratory under ISO 9001:2015). Samples are crushed to 75% passing 2.35 mm screen, riffle split (700 g) and pulverized to 85% passing 88 m. Samples were analyzed using a 50 g fire assay (50 g aliquot) with an Atomic Absorption (AA) finish. For samples that return assay values over 10.0 grams per tonne (g/t), another cut was taken from the original pulp and fire assayed with a gravimetric finish. Founders Metals inserts blanks and certified reference standards in the sample sequence for quality control. External QA-QC checks are performed at ALS Global Laboratories (Geochemistry Division) in Vancouver, Canada (an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited facility). A secure chain of custody is maintained in transporting and storing of all samples. Drill intervals with visible gold are assayed using metallic screening. Rock chip samples from outcrop/bedrock are selective by nature and may not be representative of the mineralization hosted on the project.

Qualified Persons

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Michael Dufresne, M.Sc., P.Geol., P.Geo., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

Per: "Colin Padget"

Colin Padget

President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director

Founders Metals Contact Information

Dave Burwell, Manager, Investor Relations

Tel: 403 410 7907 | [email protected]

Nick Stajduhar, Director

Tel: 780 701 3216 | [email protected]

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Company's recently completed financings and the future or prospects of the Company. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect ", "is expected ", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market, and economic risks, uncertainties, and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, other factors may cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management discussion and analysis. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

All material information on Founders Metals can be found at www.sedarplus.ca.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202777
Mallorca, Spain--(Newsfile Corp. - March 22, 2024) - After a boom in 2023, the experts in vacation property management at Ideal Property Mallorca are confident that this year will outweigh last year's 69.1% growth.

Ideal Property Mallorca

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International tourists and residents of Spain are increasingly choosing vacation apartments in Mallorca over hotels. Based on last year's statistics, an increase in occupancy of vacation rentals is expected for this Spring Break, which will help set a new record growth in 2024.

Trends in the travel accommodation market

In 2023, the Spanish hotel industry registered a 15.9% increase in bookings. Meanwhile, vacation rental grew by 69.1% year-over-year (YoY). These statistics show a rising trend for national and international tourists to choose alternatives within the vacation rental sector.

For 12 years, the experts at Ideal Property Mallorca have been working in vacation property management. Their professionals explain that the intimacy, comfort and versatility of this type of accommodation end up winning over guests, who return to choose them year after year.

Spring break in Mallorca, the second most popular destination

Last year, 14.4 million travelers visited the Balearic Islands, both residents of Spain and tourists from the United Kingdom, France and Germany, mainly. For this reason, the Balearic Islands ranked second among the most chosen destinations by international tourists with 16.9%, a list led by Catalonia with 21.2%. But they weren't in second place from the start.

In March 2023, before Easter Break in Mallorca, the Mediterranean islands ranked third in the ranking for Spanish destinations chosen by non-residents behind the Canary Islands and Catalonia, with 27.5% and 18.7% of overnight stays respectively. The travelers who arrived during Easter holidays and throughout the summer helped the autonomous community climb to second place in the list.

Therefore, the vacation rental sector in Mallorca has high expectations for this Spring Break. They are betting that the arrival of travelers who opt for apartments or holiday houses for rent in Mallorca instead of hotels will increase. A higher occupancy rate in this sector will help the Balearic Islands in the struggle with Catalonia for the most popular destination for international tourists.

Contact Information:

IPM

[email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202780
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - March 22, 2024) - Recently, PaperTyper.net launched an AI essay writer tool to help students manage papers of various types. Now, with the help of this tool, students can get informative drafts within seconds and get on with their work effectively. AI Paper Writer is now available for every student to use.

Juli Sheller, a former student who struggled with writing essays, created and improved this AI essay writer to support students in the USA and Europe. The team worked hard to include features that students seek and exclude the blandness and vagueness of simple generators. "Academic writing is always so complex. It consists of researching, writing, proofreading, editing, and citing," said Juli Sheller. "Naturally, the team wanted to offer students a tool that could lighten their burden in researching, writing, and proofreading stages. That's how the idea to create this generator appeared."AI Essay Generator provides only the necessary support that students can use for their own work.

Essay Generator works on AI algorithms that have been thoroughly tested. Students can start using it right away, even without signing up. They use it because it's:

Quick and easy : "It needs only several seconds to understand prompts and makes essays-examples with the number of words the user sets," said one of the tool's developers. "It's suitable for students who need an example or draft fast."

Solid sample: "The student will get a well-researched example on a chosen topic," continued the developer. "Even if they provide only keywords, the AI generator will still gather necessary information from different sources. But it's important to avoid vagueness."

If a customer signs up for a website account, they can try out the pro version of the generator. With this version, they also can write outlines, creative stories, articles, and more on complex topics of any length. Students don't need any special training or tech skills to use the tool.

The customer has 500 free words to try out the brand-new tool. That's enough to see how well the AI essay writer works with papers. If they need more words, they can buy a subscription.

"While testing the generator, the developers tried to think of students' daily writing problems," said one of the team members. "Students have countless tasks of various types. And not always they know how to do them properly."

That's why the team made sure to include:

Creative Writing - AI generator will spice up student's ideas and thinking if they have problems with creativity.

Outline - this option helps structure an essay when a student isn't sure how to combine information they already have.

Brainstorming - this generation provides the foundation for a paper if a student knows nothing about a given topic.

Blog Posts - sometimes a student may need a simple article for college or personal blogs, and even here they may need inspiration and guidance if they only start doing such tasks.

and, of course, essays.

About

PaperTyper exists for students and because of students. That's why the team wants to make sure it can help them every time they seek academic writing help.

This AI tool offers writing and editing help for students who want to manage their writing tasks quickly. Such an AI tool can come in handy when students are snowed under countless tasks. With just a few minutes of their time, students can generate their essays and continue refining them to add their personal touch.

Contact:

[email protected]

Phone: 1-929-999-5211

New York, USA

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/200287
Russia, its leadership must be held fully accountable for waging war of aggression against Ukraine, most serious crimes committed  European Councils conclusions

The leaders of the European Union declare that Russia and its leadership must bear full responsibility for the aggressive war against Ukraine and for the most serious crimes committed.

The leaders consolidated this position in the conclusions that were adopted during a meeting of the European Council in Brussels on Thursday.

Russia and its leadership must be held fully accountable for waging a war of aggression against Ukraine and for other most serious crimes under international law, as well as for the massive damage caused by its war. The European Council supports ongoing efforts, including in the Core Group, to establish a tribunal for the prosecution of the crime of aggression against Ukraine that would enjoy the broadest cross-regional support and legitimacy, and a future compensation mechanism, the document reads.

The European Council strongly condemned Russia's ongoing human rights violations in the occupied Ukrainian territories, including the deportation of children.

The European Council strongly condemns Russias continuous human rights violations in the occupied Ukrainian territories, including the deportation of children. It firmly rejects and will never recognise the illegal so-called elections organised by Russia in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories of Crimea, Sevastopol, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson, nor their results, the conclusions say.

In addition, the EU leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the restoration and reconstruction of Ukraine in coordination with international partners.

The European Council welcomes the recent strengthening of the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) in Ukraine which will allow the scaling up of support for Ukrainian law enforcement agencies in Ukraines liberated and adjacent territories, and for reforms in the context of its EU accession process. The European Council calls for further support for psychological and psychosocial rehabilitation and for increased demining assistance, the document reads.

The leaders also assured that the European Union and its member States would continue their intensive global outreach efforts to ensure the widest possible international support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, as well as the key principles and objectives of the Ukrainian Peace Formula with a view to holding a future Global Peace Summit.

In addition, the European Council stresses the strategic importance of security and stability in the Black Sea region. It highlights the need to assist Ukraine in rebuilding its position in its traditional export markets, notably in the Middle East and Africa, conclusions say.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 22, 2024) - Thunder River Enterprises Inc. ("Thunder River" or the "Company") announces that it has agreed to reprice its 16,475,000 outstanding common share purchase warrants (the "Warrants") from $0.015 to $0.01. These Warrants were issued pursuant to a private placement offering and debt settlement, which closed on June 7, 2021. The expiry date of these Warrants will remain June 7, 2024. For further information on the original issuance of the Warrants, please refer to the press releases of the Company dated June 7, 2021. Holders of the Warrants are advised that replacement warrant certificates will not be issued and that the original warrant certificates must be presented to the Company in order to effect the exercise of such Warrants. All other terms and conditions of the Warrants remain in full force and effect.

About Thunder River

Thunder River was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) and has never carried on an active business other than the identification and evaluation of assets or businesses with a view to completing a transaction.

For further information contact:

Thunder River Enterprises Inc.

Attention: Michael Stein, Chief Executive Officer

Phone: (416) 410-7722

E-mail: [email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202785
Alibaba (NYSE: BABA) 30-day option implied volatility is at 31; compared to its 52-week range of 30 to 53 into Chinas President Xi Jinping to meet with US executives in Beijing next week, WSJ says.
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

Cyberopolis, the pioneering digital metaverse, is proud to announce its official launch, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of digital art, currency, and community.



Cyberopolis, the pioneering digital metaverse, is proud to announce its official launch, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of digital art, currency, and community.

Cyberopolis represents a convergence of cutting-edge technology, immersive experiences, and boundless creativity, offering users a dynamic and interactive space to explore, connect, and create. With its launch, Cyberopolis introduces a new era of digital innovation, where the boundaries between the physical and digital worlds blur, and the possibilities are endless.

At the heart of Cyberopolis lies its revolutionary NFT (Non-Fungible Token) platform, featuring a diverse collection of rare and collectible digital artworks. From stunning visual masterpieces to immersive virtual experiences, Cyberopolis NFTs push the boundaries of digital artistry, offering collectors a unique opportunity to own and interact with exclusive creations.

Cyberopoliss highly anticipated inaugural NFT collection, Cyber Girls, heralding a new era of digital creativity and innovation. Crafted by visionary creators, this collection promises to push the boundaries of digital artistry, featuring a diverse array of rare and collectible digital artworks that showcase the intersection of technology and imagination. From intricate cybernetic designs to mesmerizing virtual experiences, Cyber Girls NFTs offer a glimpse into the vibrant world of Cyberopolis and set the stage for an immersive journey into the metaverse.

In addition to its groundbreaking NFT platform, Cyberopolis introduces Cybercoin (CYBER), its native digital currency built on the Solana blockchain. Cybercoin serves as the lifeblood of the metaverse, powering transactions, enabling access to exclusive experiences, and fostering community engagement within the Cyberopolis ecosystem.

For more info visit our website: https://cyberopolis.net/

Our vision is to create a dynamic and inclusive digital metaverse where creativity knows no bounds, and users can explore, connect, and thrive. With the launch of Cyberopolis, we are proud to offer users a gateway to a new realm of digital possibilities.

As Cyberopolis continues to evolve and grow, users can look forward to exciting new features, events, and experiences that push the boundaries of what's possible in the digital realm. Whether you're a seasoned collector, a digital artist, or simply curious about the possibilities of the metaverse, Cyberopolis invites you to join us on this groundbreaking journey of exploration and creativity.

Daniel Gerber

[email protected]

Contact Info:

Name: Daniel Gerber

Email: Send Email

Organization: Cyberopolis

Website: https://cyberopolis.net/



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: 89125001

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The Web Summit Qatar recently played host to a compelling conversation centered around the ongoing AI moment and its implications for various sectors.



Kicking off the discussion, Julia Sieger from FRANCE 24 welcomed two distinguished guests: Mohamed Al-Hardan, representing the Qatar Investment Authority, and Sachin Dev Duggal, the visionary founder of Builder.ai.

Reflecting on the surge of interest in AI, Sachin Dev Duggal, drawing from his extensive experience at Builder.ai, highlighted the roots of AI tracing back decades, with notable milestones like Google's BERT model a decade ago. On the other hand, Sachin Duggal illustrated that the revolutionary transition in the year 2022 was not only due to the advancement in technologies but also to the groundbreaking design touches that improved user experience. The modifying of traditional interfaces along with purposeful delays in reactions outlined a new era and made AI more convenient and easier to learn for people.

With the Qatar Investment Authority just closing Builder.ais Series D funding round, Mohammed Al-Hardan indicated the reasons for the investment. He pointed out that having Building.ai shorten the development process and addressing AI in advance is wise. On the other hand, being rigid with due diligence is necessary for AI to be effective. The cutting-edge trend in AI startups involves not only how to deal with the emerging risks alongside AI but also the constant efforts to be the first to respond to AI-related technological progress.

When the conversation moved to the spread of AI and its effect on jobs, Duggal and Al-Hardan gave more detailed views than just the view that AI would result in many jobs being made obsolete and people being rendered unemployed. This is the dizzying future that Sachin Duggal painted where humans are likely to redefine themselves by being identified with creative endeavours rather than routine labour, changing the traditional view of jobs. Al-Hardan reiterated the same in the sense that everyone should adapt themselves to the new AI landscape and be eager to learn all the time.

AI governance, both speakers underscored that the ethical and regulatory dimensions of its current development are quite complex. Al-Hardan warned against the over-regulation that could bear off technological innovation which may be a key hope in this development, thus  the regulators and the technologists must join hands to close the ever-growing gap in understanding between these two critical stakeholders.

The discussion was capped by an affirmation of the necessity for education reform to prepare young people of today for what it will take to be successful in the AI world of tomorrow. Sachin Dev Duggal underscored the imperativeness of offering human-oriented capabilities, including creativity and adaptability, to the nature of any educational program which should be responsive to any situation.

The insights by Sachin and Al-Hardan were extremely enlightening and provided sophisticated information about areas such as sense of humanity, freedom, prejudice and responsibilities, among others, in the AI future. In the age of AI where the whole world is in transition, the discussion echoed the need for a human-centric innovation in the field of AI.

About: Sachin Dev Duggal followed his dreams and started it at the age of 16. He shot into the limelight for the remarkable projects he was part of a cloud computing company of his. Having a passion for technology and entrepreneurship, Duggal initiated Builder.ai and the main target was to bring software development to a common ground that everybody can engage in. His vision is therefore to democratize application development of all sizes of businesses while, at the same time, making them efficient and affordable.

Contact Info:

Name: Stephanie Lowenthal

Email: Send Email

Organization: Builder.ai

Website: https://www.builder.ai



Release ID: 89125109

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Paid press release content from The VentureCation. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

When you come across WordPress, you cant deny that it is probably the best CMS platform you can count on. Whether you want to build a portfolio website, service website, or an eCommerce store, custom WordPress development is best in everything.

But, you do need the help of professionals in order to leverage the full potential of WordPress. It is true that WordPress was built with the intention of allowing beginners to set up their websites without any coding interference. But to ensure your site is unique among all, there are certain technical parameters that must be tweaked.

Therefore, it is better to rely on WordPress experts to get an appealing and functional site that can compete well in the respective niche markets. But, with a lot of agencies operating out there, how to pick the best from the crowd?

Every WordPress development company you come across will claim to offer you the best services. But its upon you to decide what would work well for your business. Therefore, its crucial for you to emphasize certain consideration factors before you choose the best development company for your WordPress site.

What are the Things You Must Consider while Choosing WordPress Development?

Before you get along with choosing the best WordPress development firm for your site-building requirements, it is important you emphasize certain consideration factors, which include:

1. Analyze Your Business Requirements

You must have a detailed understanding of the objectives associated with creating a WordPress site. Suppose you have an aim to promote your brand and create a hub of resources for your audience. In that case, you must go with just the pre-built themes or templates available on WordPress.

But, if you have a purpose of acquiring sales through your website, it is important to hire a dedicated WordPress developer to craft technical aspects of creating your brand presence. Some of the things that you must take into consideration while assessing the business requirements:

Specify the project details and type that you are about to work on.

Gain enough knowledge associated with the scope & requirements of your project.

Explore diverse websites that you think match your envisioned project.

Talk to the team of experts for decoding your business objectives.

2. Check the Reviews, Ratings & Testimonials

The next thing you must count on before you hire the best WordPress web development company is a response from past clients. You must check the reviews, ratings, and testimonials of the development firms you just shortlisted. It is one of the best approaches for you to determine if the WordPress development agency stands by its promises.

You will not just be learning about the credibility of the agencies but will also get an idea of the type of projects they have dealt with in the past. Finally, it will be easier for you to decide if the selected company can fulfill your requirements and execute your vision.

Therefore, do ensure you assess the reviews and recommendations thoroughly to decide if the company is reliable enough to handle your WordPress project. You can check different platforms, such as Clutch, to look for relevant & verified reviews about different WordPress development companies.

3. Evaluate the Experience & Competence of the Companies

Before you hire a WordPress expert from any agency, it is quite crucial for you to assess the skill set. When you hire a reputed firm, you get to choose from their big team of experienced developers for the job. The sign of good WordPress experts is they stay updated with the latest trends & technologies associated with the platform at all times.

You can ask questions to determine the expertise of professionals working for the selected agency. Get an idea of the type of tools and technologies they use for developing WordPress sites. This way, it will be easier for you to specify if the agency experts have enough knowledge and capabilities to take on your project.

4. After-Sales Support

The experts you hire shouldnt just be offering you basic development and customization services but must also provide you with proper WordPress support plans. In most cases, rookie entrepreneurs often lack the technical proficiency to manage the CMS platform and will need more after-sales support.

If you are one among such entrepreneurs, it is important for you to stress about hiring a company that offers you dedicated support plans as well. In such plans, you must be offered technical and website development attributes. All you have to do is talk to the agency professionals and ask them about this service provision.

Acquiring after-sales support might be essential for every WordPress site owner, irrespective of their technical or troubleshooting proficiency. Therefore, it is one of the most crucial considerations before you hire WordPress experts for the job.

5. Determine Their Availability & Flexibility

In most cases, a WordPress developer often handles diverse projects, and it becomes difficult to ensure optimal functionality for them all. You must prioritize this consideration factor, without which you might end up hiring a company that will most likely fail to develop an efficient website.

Your website should record high uptime at all times, as even the shortest downtime can cause a lot of revenue loss for the business. Therefore, look for a company that can ensure consistent uptime for your WordPress site. This way, it will be easier for your business to record significant growth over time.

Parting Words

So, these are the five things that you must consider before hiring the best WordPress development company and getting your project addressed.

Getting help from professionals for the job might ensure optimal performance, enhanced cybersecurity, better engagement, and higher returns from the WordPress website. And thats because experts have the knowledge of what it takes to craft a responsive website that adheres to the unique needs of the businesses.

So, if you want to leverage the potential of WordPress enterprise CMS, look for the best experts for delegating your site development project needs.

About Elsner Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

Elsner Technologies Pvt. Ltd. is an IT service-centered company offering web and mobile development solutions to budding entrepreneurs. They invest in new technologies and innovations to adhere to their projects. Elsner is at the top of the market in delivering high-end tech-driven solutions and mastering EPO (eCommerce Process Outsourcing), catering to both individuals and businesses seeking success in the digital space.

Company Name: Elsner Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

Contact Person: Harshal Shah

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +1 (607) 524-4040

Address:405 Pennsylvania Common

City: Fremont

State: CA 94536

Country: United States

Website: https://www.elsner.com/

The post Things to Consider for Choosing the Right WordPress Development Company appeared first on TheVentureCation.com.
KENNEWICK, Wash. , March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Senske Services, a renowned leader in lawn care, pest control, and home services, expands its presence in the Kansas City area with the acquisition of Weber Lawn Care .

Established in 1996, by owner Troy Weber , Weber Lawn Care has been a trusted provider of residential lawn care across the Kansas City area. As Mr. Weber transitions into retirement, he sought a partner dedicated to upholding the legacy of exceptional service he has cultivated. Mr. Weber expressed his confidence in Pro Turf & Pro Pest Solutions, a brand within the Senske family of companies, stating, "I trust the Pro Turf team to take great care of our customers. Everyone at Senske and Pro Turf has been amazing to work with."

Weber Lawn Care's valued customers will now be served by the Pro Turf team. Casey Taylor , CEO of Senske Services, elaborated on the benefits awaiting Weber Lawn Care's clientele, highlighting the expanded range of services available, including comprehensive pest control, tree care, and mosquito control options. "Pro Turf & Pro Pest Solutions delivers outstanding lawn care and pest control services across the Midwest and we're excited to add more customers in the great city of Kansas City ," noted Mr. Taylor .

Scott Doss , COO of Pro Turf & Pro Pest Solutions, expressed delight in welcoming Weber customers, remarking "Casey and the team at Senske promised to help grow Pro Turf, I just didn't realize how quickly it would happen. We've been part of the Senske family for a few weeks, and we are already welcoming acquired customers."

This deal represents the second acquisition for Senske in the Midwest and the third overall in 2024, further cementing its strategic growth and commitment to delivering unparalleled service nationwide.

About Senske Services: Since securing investments from private equity firm GTCR, Senske Services has added 11 brands to its portfolio and in addition to Canada , serves customers in fourteen states across the U.S. Senske remains committed to its international expansion strategy, actively seeking partnerships with distinguished home services companies.

More on Senske's M&A process can be found at www.senske.com/why-senske/mergers-and-acquisitions/.

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SOURCE Senske Services
Promising clinical activities and efficacies during dose escalations for four lead global rights programs targeting CD24, Claudin 18.2, CD73, and PD-L1/4-1BB

Positive, differentiated cervical cancer data advancing mTORC1/2 inhibitor on registrational track for APAC markets

RMB1.188 billion cash expected to support planned operations

SHANGHAI and HONG KONG , March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Antengene Corporation Limited ("Antengene", SEHK: 6996.HK), a leading innovative, commercial-stage global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing first-in-class and/or best-in-class medicines for cancer, today announced its full year results for the period ended December 31, 2023 , and provided an update on the impressive progress of its clinical development pipeline over the last several months.

"2023 has been a breakout year for Antengene, with excellent pipeline momentum across multiple first/best-in-class programs marked by encouraging clinical activities and efficacies during dose escalations for our four lead global-rights programs, namely ATG-031, ATG-022, ATG-037, and ATG-101 which are designed to target CD24, Claudin 18.2, CD73, and PD-L1/4-1BB. With respect to our APAC-rights programs, our second generation mTORC1/2 inhibitor ATG-008 has made steady progress towards registrational path for the indication of cervical cancer, complemented by the inclusion of XPOVIO in the 2023 China National Reimbursement Drug List. Furthermore, we have entered into a partnership with Hansoh Pharma, a leading Chinese pharmaceutical company, for the commercialization of XPOVIO in the Mainland of China," said Dr. Jay Mei, Antengene's Founder, Chairman and CEO. "Looking into 2024 and beyond, we are confident that out four lead global rights programs will continue to deliver encouraging results and emerge as category leaders. Our current cash balance totaling RMB1.188 billion is expected to fund planned operations and product development. We look forward to report on our progress throughout the year, starting with the presentation of several abstracts at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting (AACR 2024)."

1. Momentous clinical development across four lead global-rights programs

ATG-031 (anti-CD24 monoclonal antibody): Promising Activity at Starting Doses: ATG-031 is the first-in-class humanized anti-CD24 monoclonal antibody to enter the clinic for cancer in the U.S. ATG-031 acts by inhibiting the "don't eat me" signal while stimulating the "eat me" signal and enhances macrophage-mediated phagocytosis of cancer cells. Phase I "PERFORM" study : To date, a total of 5 late-stage cancer patients have been treated with ATG-031 in the Phase I dose escalation study. To date, no dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) have been observed among the 5 patients. Tumor shrinkage based on CT scan was observed in one heavily pre-treated patient (7 prior lines of therapy). Key study sites include four major U.S. cancer centers: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , the University of California San Francisco , the University of Colorado , and Yale University Cancer Center . Next ATG-031 Milestone: Completion of the dose escalation portion of the Phase I "PERFORM" Study in H1 2025.

ATG-031 is the first-in-class humanized anti-CD24 monoclonal antibody to enter the clinic for cancer in the ATG-031 acts by inhibiting the "don't eat me" signal while stimulating the "eat me" signal and enhances macrophage-mediated phagocytosis of cancer cells. ATG-022 (Claudin 18.2 antibody-drug conjugate, "ADC") : Potential to Target Claudin 18.2 Low Expressors: ATG-022 is differentiated by its potential ability to be active across a range of Claudin 18.2 expression levels, including in low expressors. Antengene has also developed a companion diagnostic assay to support the clinical program. The ADC has been awarded two Orphan Drug Designations (ODD) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of gastric and pancreatic cancers. Phase I "CLINCH" study : To date, 7 gastric cancer patients (without pre-screening patients' Claudin 18.2 expression levels) have been treated with ATG-022. Antengene has observed one complete response (CR) and one partial response (PR) in 2 patients with metastatic gastric cancer. In the 2.4 mg/kg dose cohort, one patient with extremely low expression of Claudin 18.2 achieved CR, while one patient from the 1.8 mg/kg dose cohort achieved PR. The study has already completed the dose escalation portion and initiated the dose expansion portion. Next ATG-022 Milestone: Clinical data readout of Phase I "CLINCH trial", including preliminary efficacy and safety in H2 2024.

: ATG-022 is differentiated by its potential ability to be active across a range of Claudin 18.2 expression levels, including in low expressors. has also developed a companion diagnostic assay to support the clinical program. The ADC has been awarded two Orphan Drug Designations (ODD) by the (FDA) for treatment of gastric and pancreatic cancers. ATG-037 (CD73 small molecule inhibitor): Early Combination Activity Shown Potential in Reversing Prior PD-1 Resistance: Inhibiting CD73 is intended to stop the production of adenosine, a key immunosuppressive molecule in the tumor microenvironment. As a small molecule inhibitor of CD73, ATG-037 has demonstrated pre-clinically the ability to overcome the "hook effect" that can limit efficacy and is commonly seen in anti-CD73 antibodies. Antengene entered into a global clinical collaboration with MSD and is currently evaluating this molecule in combination with the anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA  (pembrolizumab), in patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors. Phase I "STAMINA" study : In the dose escalation segment of ATG-037 combined with pembrolizumab, Antengene has observed PRs in two patients with melanoma and one patient with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), all of whom were refractory to prior treatment with checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs). To date, 23 patients have been enrolled and received a first tumor assessment. Next ATG-037 Milestone: Completion of Phase I dose escalation and proceed to dose expansion in H1 2024.

Inhibiting CD73 is intended to stop the production of adenosine, a key immunosuppressive molecule in the tumor microenvironment. As a small molecule inhibitor of CD73, ATG-037 has demonstrated pre-clinically the ability to overcome the "hook effect" that can limit efficacy and is commonly seen in anti-CD73 antibodies. entered into a global clinical collaboration with MSD and is currently evaluating this molecule in combination with the anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), in patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors. ATG-101 (PD-L1/4-1BB bispecific antibody): Durable Responses at Low Doses with No Off-Target Hepatotoxicity Observed and Efficacy in Cold Tumors: ATG-101's differentiated approach to targeting PD-L1 resistant cancers incorporates the T-cell co-stimulatory receptor 4-1BB. The bispecific antibody utilizes high PD-L1 affinity and conditional 4-1BB activation, to reduce the risk of hepatotoxicity. Phase I "PROBE" study : Antengene has observed a PR in a patient with metastatic colon adenocarcinoma (microsatellite stability biomarker [MSS], liver metastasis, and three prior lines of therapy). In addition, SD has been observed in two patients for longer than 1 year. Next ATG-101 Milestone: Completion of Phase I dose escalation and proceed to dose expansion in H1 2025.

ATG-101's differentiated approach to targeting PD-L1 resistant cancers incorporates the T-cell co-stimulatory receptor 4-1BB. The bispecific antibody utilizes high PD-L1 affinity and conditional 4-1BB activation, to reduce the risk of hepatotoxicity. Progressing Early programs: Antengene continues to advance IND candidate, ATG-042 (MTAPnull-selective PRMT5 Inhibitor), and the proprietary AnTenGagerTM "2+1" T cell engager platform.

2. Steadily progressing mid/late-stage clinical programs continue to demonstrate clinical potentials

ATG-008 (mTORC1/2 small molecule inhibitor): Positive, Robust Cervical Cancer Data -The mTOR complex regulates different cellular processes and is upregulated in multiple tumors. mTORC1 and mTORC2 have to be inhibited simultaneously to maximize efficacy and minimize the development of resistance. ATG-008 was designed to inhibit both. Phase II "TORCH-2" study : ATG-008 has demonstrated positive Phase II results in cervical cancer that position the program to have a competitive profile compared to other agents approved across different global markets. The Phase II "TORCH-2" study is currently enrolling both checkpoint inhibitor (CPI)-naive and CPI-pre-treated patients. Based on the latest data review as of March 14 th , 2024, out of the 31 CPI-naive patients who received treatment (30 had at least one tumor assessment), the objective response rate (ORR) was observed to be 53.3%, the disease control rate (DCR) was 86.7%. Among the 30 patients with prior CPI treatment (26 patients had at least one tumor assessment), the ORR was 23.1%, with a DCR of 84.6%. Next ATG-008 Milestone: Confirm registrational pathway in cervical cancer with health authorities.

-The mTOR complex regulates different cellular processes and is upregulated in multiple tumors. mTORC1 and mTORC2 have to be inhibited simultaneously to maximize efficacy and minimize the development of resistance. ATG-008 was designed to inhibit both.

3. Solidifying presence in APAC markets through accelerating commercialization

Antengene and Hansoh Pharma entered into a collaboration for the commercialization of XPOVIO  in the Mainland of China in August 2023 .

and entered into a collaboration for the commercialization of XPOVIO in the Mainland of China in . XPOVIO  has been added to the NRDL (2023 Version) as announced on December 14 th , 2023. The updated NRDL, taking effect on January 1 st , 2024, will significantly improve the accessibility of XPOVIO  in Mainland of China.

has been added to the NRDL (2023 Version) as announced on , 2023. The updated NRDL, taking effect on , 2024, will significantly improve the accessibility of XPOVIO in Mainland of China. As of December 2023, Antengene has successfully secured XPOVIO regulatory approvals in seven markets: Mainland of China, Taiwan China , Hong Kong China, Macau China, Australia , South Korea , and Singapore . National reimbursement has been secured in 3 markets: Mainland of China (NRDL), Australia ( Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme ), and Singapore (Cancer Drug List). In June 2023 , the coverage of XPOVIO by the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) was extended from Xd to include both XVd and Xd regimens..

4. Strong cash and bank balance enabling continuous growth

As of December 31, 2023 , the company's cash resources of about RMB1.188 billion , coupled with careful spending to support the continuous growth, development, and operations of Antengene.

To learn more about the annual financial results of 2023, please see the full announcement on the "Investor Relations" section of the website.

About Antengene

Antengene Corporation Limited ("Antengene", SEHK: 6996.HK) is a leading commercial-stage R&D-driven global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, manufacturing and commercialization of innovative first-in-class/best-in-class therapeutics for the treatment of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, in realizing its vision of "Treating Patients Beyond Borders".

Since 2017, Antengene has built a pipeline of 9 oncology assets at various stages going from clinical to commercial, including 6 with global rights, and 3 with rights for the APAC region. To date, Antengene has obtained 29 investigational new drug (IND) approvals in the U.S. and Asia , and submitted 11 new drug applications (NDAs) in multiple Asia Pacific markets, with the NDA for XPOVIO (selinexor) already approved in Mainland of China, Taiwan China , Hong Kong China, Macau China, South Korea , Singapore and Australia .

Forward-looking statements

The forward-looking statements made in this article relate only to the events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this article. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this article completely and with the understanding that our actual future results or performance may be materially different from what we expect. In this article, statements of, or references to, our intentions or those of any of our Directors or our Company are made as of the date of this article. Any of these intentions may alter in light of future development. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could cause future results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement, please see the other risks and uncertainties described in the Company's Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2023 , and the documents subsequently submitted to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

For more information, please contact:

Investor Contacts:

Donald Lung

E-mail: [email protected]

Mobile: +86 18420672158

PR Contacts:

Peter Qian

E-mail: [email protected]

Mobile: +86 13062747000

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SOURCE Antengene Corporation Limited
CONYERS, Ga. , March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CEO Reco McCambry announced this week that Novae has been accepted into the Direct Selling Association after a unanimous vote by their Board of Directors. The acceptance is a major step for Novae, which has now appeared on the Inc 5000 list of America's fastest-growing businesses for three years running.

The DSA was established over 100 years ago to support independent sales professionals, and includes giants in the finance, tech, wellness, energy, and lifestyle spaces. Members range from ubiquitous direct selling companies like ACN, Amway, Avon, Primerica, and Mary Kay to modern brands whose memberships may surprise readers like pawTree, Ambit Energy, Scentsy, and The Pampered Chef.

This acceptance also comes on the heels of Novae's rebranding as Novae: The Credit and Money Company, to reflect the range of services the company has expanded into in recent years.

Novae is unusual among fintech companies in its goal of reducing wealth inequality. Novae's services are geared toward helping people obtain home and business ownership. This mission is also reflected in Novae's direct sales business model, in which Novae sales professionals effectively own their own businesses.

Novae offers both an affiliate program in which new sales professionals and entrepreneurs sell Novae products, and Cobrand and White Label programs in which owners with existing businesses can add Novae products and services to their offerings while Novae and their partners do all the work behind the scenes.

In direct sales models, sales professionals are responsible for making their own product sales through platforms created by the direct sales company, but they also keep most of the profit from those sales for themselves.

It is this business model that the Direct Selling Association was created to support back in 1910. The association offers education, networking opportunities, and professional development to its members; as well as industry research for the marketplace and lobbies for direct sales companies in Washington, D.C. . It also has a code of consumer protection ethics to which member organizations are required to adhere.

Novae CEO Reco McCambry himself started working as a direct sales professional as a college student, and soon realized that this business model gave him the potential to develop more wealth and more freedom than the employer-employee model. He subsequently resolved to run his own company after having a tremendous amount of success as an independent direct salesperson in his 20s. His mission was to serve an unmet market need while encouraging his direct sales force to develop their entrepreneurial, business, and life skills.

McCambry believes that Novae's ethos of focusing on traditionally underserved consumers and entrepreneurs is responsible for the company's successful growth.

"Novae's services are designed for people who have historically been shut out of financial education, lending, and business support," McCambry said in an interview.

"There is huge hunger in this market. Everybody knows that the people who are paid the least are often the hardest workers. And when major banks often have not provided financial services to these people, there's huge potential for financial growth that isn't being tapped by existing business models."

Novae's most recent product releases have included new offerings for both businesses and private individuals.

On the business side, Novae has expanded their debt help program to include debt restructuring for businesses, which promise to lower business's monthly debt payments down to roughly 2% of their total debt, and rolled out a free service to assist individuals in setting up their LLCs. They've also added services to assist with applications for trademarks, EINs, business licenses, sales tax permits, and more.

On the personal finance side, Novae has expanded its financial education and legal assistance services to include trust and will estate planning services which use cutting-edge technology to reduce labor costs and pass the savings along to customers. This represents Novae's latest effort to not only help others build a financial legacy, but to help them protect it and pass it on.

With Novae continuing to expand into new territory in terms of both services offered and market share, CEO McCambry is confident that the company's membership in the Direct Selling Association will lead to great things.

"This is an organization that has been there for sales professionals and providing industry credibility and integrity since its founding in 1910," McCambry said. "Novae is proud to now be part of that legacy."

Media contact:

Arielle Dothard

[email protected]

6787503787

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SOURCE Novae
Nonprofit focused on water and HIV/AIDS projects has developed unique approach to helping solve local crises

NASHVILLE, Tenn. , March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Blood:Water, an international nonprofit partnering with African-led organizations to end health disparities, celebrates its 20th Anniversary this year. Since 2004, the nonprofit, based in Nashville and founded by the multi-platinum, GRAMMY Award-winning band, Jars of Clay, and activist Jena Lee Nardella , has raised $45 million to fund projects throughout east and southern Africa .

Working in more than 12 countries to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic and provide access to clean water, Blood:Water has developed an approach to work in the region that differs from many NGOs and other charitable organizations where only 14% of funding from international donors goes to local organizations in Africa . The organization also has an expanding Nairobi office with a team to help local partners get the necessary resources and tools to grow their organizations.

"At Blood:Water, we've learned over time that the best way to create lasting change in communities, whether here at home or across the world, is to begin with the people closest to the issues themselves," said Jake Smith , Executive Director of Blood:Water. "That's why we work through partners on the ground in communities to learn what they need to be successful and create long-term financial commitments paired with organizational strengthening to ensure their work can be done."

Over the last 20 years Blood:Water has:

Funded 33 partner organizations

Helped provide 1.1 million people access to clean water or trained them in sanitation practices

Reached 1 million people with HIV/AIDS support, including counseling, prevention, testing and treatment access

This work was made possible by Blood:Water's unique model of organizational strengthening and long-term partnership, which includes an eight-year funding commitment and working with growth-minded community-driven organizations.

"We're proud of the impact we've had on communities through our partners over the last 20 years," said Dan Haseltine , co-founder of Blood:Water. "But there's more work to be done to achieve our goal of ending the water and HIV/AIDS crises in Africa in our lifetimes."

In their 20th year, Blood:Water will continue to shed a light on their unique way of providing funding and support to east and southern Africa and will be working towards raising 10.5 million dollars in the next three years to add six more partners to their portfolio.

About Blood:Water:

Blood:Water is an international nonprofit that partners with African community-driven organizations to end health disparities caused by the HIV/AIDS and water crises. The organization finds, vets, and partners with organizations in East and Southern Africa that are community-driven and -led, pairing intentional organizational strengthening with flexible financial support.

Success is measured by partners with the essential systems and structures to help increase their reach and deepen their impact. And ultimately, to share in the joy of ending the water & HIV/AIDS crises  with Blood:Water partners and in this lifetime.

To learn more, visit bloodwater.org.

Media Contact:

Katie Byrd

[email protected]

615-828-7351

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SOURCE Blood:Water
CALGARY, AB , March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Decibel Cannabis Company Inc. (the "Company" or "Decibel") (TSXV: DB) (OTCQB: DBCCF), a market leader in premium cannabis and extract manufactured products, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding agreement for the sale of the assets of its brick-and-mortar retail cannabis operations ("Prairie Records") to 2759054 Ontario Inc. d.b.a FIKA ("FIKA"), for approximately $3.0 million (the "Transaction"). Prairie Records is comprised of three cannabis stores in Alberta and three cannabis stores in Saskatchewan .

"Decibel remains committed to our core mission of delivering exceptional cannabis brands and products in Canada and around the world. The sale of Prairie Records marks a strategic decision in our growth journey, enabling us to focus resources and drive innovation in our core branded product business. We are dedicated to expanding and diversifying our premium product brand portfolio in Canada and globally." said Adam Coates , Chief Revenue Officer. "Prairie Records continues to hold its place as one of the most unique and beloved cannabis retail brands in Canada . We are proud of Prairie Records' legacy, the team that helped make it a success and believe that FIKA is a great fit to continue serving Prairie Records customers now and into the future."

The Transaction is subject to customary conditions of closing for a transaction of this nature and is expected to close before the end of Q1 2024.

About Decibel

Decibel is a consumer-focused cannabis company focused on delivering products that delight customers through a commitment to robust innovation and product quality. Leading brands General Admission, Qwest, and Vox are among its portfolio sold both across Canada and beginning to extend towards new countries to create a global footprint. Decibel operates a processing and manufacturing facility in Calgary, Alberta , and two cultivation facilities in Creston, British Columbia , and Battleford, Saskatchewan .

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 information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.

In this news release, forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the terms of and anticipated closing of the Transaction; the Company's ability to drive innovation in its core branded product business; and the Company's ability to expand and diversify it's premium product brand portfolio in Canada and globally.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: the ability of the parties to satisfy the conditions to closing of the Transaction; the ability of the parties to complete the Transaction on the terms currently contemplated or at all; satisfaction of all international regulatory requirements, including applicable product testing; risks relating to delays; other regulatory changes and impacts; capital requirements; construction impacts; displacement requirements; unforeseen requirements resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and other global macro-economic events, conditions and factors; the ability to obtain and maintain licenses to retail cannabis products; review of the Company's production facilities by Health Canada and maintenance of licenses (including any amendments thereto) from Health Canada in respect thereof; future legislative and regulatory developments involving cannabis, international export rules and regulations; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; the labour market generally and the ability to access, hire and retain employees; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the satisfaction of conditions precedent under the Company's credit facilities; timing and completion of construction and expansion of the Company's production facilities; and the delay or failure to receive board, regulatory or other approvals, including any approvals of the TSX Venture Exchange, as applicable.

There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

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SOURCE Decibel Cannabis Company Inc.
Two people killed, eight injured as result of Russian shelling in Khmelnytsky  Interior Ministry

Two civilians were killed and eight injured as a result of shelling by Russian occupiers in the city of Khmelnytsky on Friday morning, Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said.

"As of now, it is known about two dead and at least eight injured in Khmelnytsky," Klymenko wrote on Telegram on Friday.

The message is illustrated by a video of the rescue of a 21-year-old girl from the rubble of a private house.

According to the minister, the occupiers attacked infrastructure facilities in Ukraine in the morning, residential buildings were destroyed. Zaporizhia, Khmelnytsky, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, Mykolaiv, Vinnytsia, Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions were under enemy attacks.

"Now all our services are involved in eliminating the consequences of the attack. We use robotic equipment in dangerous areas to minimize injuries to rescuers. Every citizen, if necessary, can seek help from the departments of the State Emergency Service and the National Police," Klymenko said.
SHENZHEN, China , March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The leading brand in ergonomic product lines, DELUX, is responding to the growing trend in the gaming market by further enriching its gaming product line.

The Company is excited to invite global customers to the 2024 Global Sources Consumer Electronics Show, which is kicking off in April 2024 , at AsiaWorld-Expo, where DELUX will be reintroducing its M600 and M900 series.

The brand-new gaming mice series are now available, offering unprecedented gaming experience. Whether a seasoned pro or a novice gamer, DELUX's gaming mice will be a trusted companion on the gaming journey with the following designs:

Exceptional Performance: Built on technological innovation, every operation is precise and reliable. Whether it's speed or accuracy, DELUX's gaming mice will meet users' demands, enabling users to dominate the gaming battlefield effortlessly.

Lightweight Design: DELUX pays attention to every detail to ensure user's comfort, allowing them to maintain sharp control even during extended gaming sessions and unleash their gaming potential.

Ergonomic Design: The gaming mice feature an ergonomic design that conforms to the curves of user's hand, delivering unparalleled comfort and allowing users to excel in gaming with ease.

Exhibition: Hong Kong Global Sources Consumer Electronics Show 2024

Date: 11th-14th, April 2024

Location: AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong S.A.R. (near the airport)

DELUX Booth: 6M24

As DELUX is celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Company is excited to announce that their booth may feature anniversary-themed activities. Looking forward to meeting global customers and partners at DELUX's booth at Hong Kong Global Sources Consumer Electronics Show 2024.

About DELUX

Founded in 1994, DELUX always focuses on innovation and quality, adhering to industrial design principles, in line with ergonomics and human aesthetics; following the people-oriented design concept and advocating healthy offices to improve work efficiency.

https://deluxworld.com/en

For more information, contact:

Overseas Sales Director

Fiona Xu , email: [email protected]

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SOURCE WUHU DELUX MOBILE INTERNET DEVICE CO.,LTD
Robinson Solar Center will be key next step to transitioning to cleaner energy economy for the state

Project builds on long history of powering the economy of the Pee Dee region

GREENVILLE, S.C. , March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy Progress today requested approval by the Public Service Commission of South Carolina (PSCSC) to build and own a 76-megawatt utility-scale solar power facility adjacent to the existing Robinson Nuclear Plant site located in both Chesterfield and Darlington counties.

"Making smart investments in South Carolina's energy future is a priority for Duke Energy  one that focuses on delivering reliable, affordable service every day to the customers and communities we serve, and on transitioning to cleaner energy options and a lower carbon future," said Mike Callahan , Duke Energy's South Carolina state president. "The proposed Robinson Solar Center is part of the thousands of megawatts of solar that will help us do that."

If approved, construction is expected to begin on the approximate 345-acre existing site in 2026 with the facility targeting full operation in 2027. The facility will provide fuel-free power to meet the growing needs of the Pee Dee region of South Carolina . For more information on the project, visit duke-energy.com/RobinsonSolarCenter.

A diverse energy mix

From population growth to the expansion of manufacturing and other major economic development wins, South Carolina is booming. According to the Census Bureau, the Palmetto State had the fastest growing population in the nation in 2023, largely due to the tremendous impact of the state's economic prosperity.

Transitioning to cleaner energy sources like solar, while also meeting growing energy needs, requires a diverse mix of resources like the Robinson Solar Center to ensure continued and future reliability.

"We are using an 'all-of-the-above' approach that incorporates renewables like solar, next-generation and existing nuclear, natural gas and hydroelectric sources," Callahan said. "This diverse mix will help Duke Energy meet customer expectations for cleaner energy while also reliably powering communities across the state."

Nuclear remains critical to state's future

For more than 50 years, Robinson Nuclear Plant has played a critical role in powering communities in the Pee Dee region and continues to be an essential part of the company's current and future diverse energy mix.

Nuclear is the only carbon-free generation source that is available 24/7 in every type of weather. Duke Energy intends to relicense its entire nuclear fleet (11 reactors at six plant sites in the Carolinas). We expect to submit Robinson Nuclear Plant's license renewal application in 2025 to allow it to continue reliable, clean, cost-competitive operations for our customers for decades to come.

Duke Energy Progress

Duke Energy Progress, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,500 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 1.7 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 29,000-square-mile service area in North Carolina and South Carolina .

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. , is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina , South Carolina , Florida , Indiana , Ohio and Kentucky , and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina , South Carolina , Tennessee , Ohio and Kentucky . The company employs 27,600 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2023 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "World's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Contact: Ryan Mosier

24-Hour: 800.559.3853

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SOURCE Duke Energy
On Capitol Hill, ENA, ACEP and ANA call for laws to mitigate violence in health care

WASHINGTON , March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Leaders from the Emergency Nurses Association

American College of Emergency Physicians and the American Nurses Association joined forces Friday on Capitol Hill to emphasize the need for passage of legislation designed to mitigate the frequency and severity of workplace violence in health care.

During a briefing for congressional staffers, representatives from the three organizations used data and storytelling to build understanding of the impact this ongoing crisis has on health care workers and patients, a situation that is particularly dire in emergency departments which serve as the health care safety net and are open all day, every day.

Among the data highlighted:

The rate of serious injuries related to workplace violence is six-times higher for hospital workers compared to all other private sector employees in the United States .

. Studies show emergency nurses and other members of the emergency care team experience a violent event once every two months on average.

Of the nearly 500 members who responded to an ENA survey this year, 56 percent said they had been either verbally assaulted, threatened with violence or physically assaulted in the previous 30 days.

According to ANA data, out of all nurses who experience workplace violence, as many as 80 percent of their cases go unreported.

A Press-Ganey analysis found two nurses were assaulted every hour.

analysis found two nurses were assaulted every hour. A 2022 ACEP survey reported 85 percent of emergency physicians believe the rate of violence in the ED has increased over the previous five years.

The trio also discussed the importance of two bills pending in Congress  The Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act and the Safety From Violence for Healthcare Employees Act  that, respectively, would bolster workplace violence mitigation efforts and make it a federal crime to assault a hospital employee.

"As an emergency nurse for 30 years, I understand what violence in the ED looks like  I have experienced it personally and watched countless co-workers victimized all while simply trying to care for patients," said ENA President Chris Dellinger , MBA, BSN, RN, FAEN. "Getting kicked, punched, slapped, spit on or attacked with objects is not a part of the job. It cannot be tolerated any longer."

The presidents of ACEP and ANA echoed Dellinger's sentiments.

"We have to make sure that front-line health care workers are safe and able to provide patients with the lifesaving care that they need and deserve," said ACEP President Aisha Terry , MD, MPH, FACEP. "We are vulnerable to threats and violence, and we are encouraged by those who join our call for stronger protections. Fortunately, these bills can help protect health care workers on the job and take important steps to prevent incidents from happening in the first place."

ANA President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy , PhD, MBA, RN, NEA, FAAN, said, "Violence against health care professionals  the very people who are entrusted to care for the sick and encourage healing  is absolutely unacceptable and reprehensible. Passage of federal legislation to protect our nurses and other health care workers and keep them safe is something the American Nurses Association will never stop advocating for, and it is long overdue.

"It's the employer's responsibility to ensure workplace safety and security, but sadly in many health care settings nurses are still experiencing violence at alarming rates. Too many of my fellow nurses' lives have already been lost to workplace violence. We need to act now to break the deadly cycle of violence against health care professionals. And these bills that we are currently supporting in Congress is a step in that direction," said Kennedy.

A recording of the briefing can be viewed here.

About the Emergency Nurses Association

The Emergency Nurses Association is the premier professional nursing association dedicated to defining the future of emergency nursing through advocacy, education, research, innovation, and leadership. Founded in 1970, ENA has proven to be an indispensable resource to the global emergency nursing community. With nearly 50,000 members worldwide, ENA advocates for patient safety, develops industry-leading practice standards and guidelines, and guides emergency health care public policy. ENA members have expertise in triage, patient care, disaster preparedness, and all aspects of emergency care. Additional information is available at www.ena.org.

ENA Media Contact:

Dan Campana

Director of Communications

847-460-4017

[email protected]

About the American College of Emergency Physicians

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is the national medical society representing emergency medicine. Through continuing education, research, public education, and advocacy, ACEP advances emergency care on behalf of its 40,000 emergency physician members, and the more than 150 million people they treat on an annual basis. For more information, visit www.acep.org and www.emergencyphysicians.org.

ACEP Media Contact:

Steve Arnoff

[email protected]

About the American Nurses Association

The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the premier organization representing the interests of the nation's more than 5 million registered nurses. ANA advances the profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting a safe and ethical work environment, bolstering the health and wellness of nurses, and advocating on health care issues that affect nurses and the public. ANA is at the forefront of improving the quality of health care for all.

ANA Media Contact:

Keziah Proctor

Senior PR Specialist

[email protected]

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SOURCE Emergency Nurses Association
Fresenius Medical Care delivers on commitments during a year of fundamental transformation

delivers on commitments during a year of fundamental transformation Progress towards sustainability goals in key areas: patient satisfaction, diversity in management, climate target roadmap

BAD HOMBURG, Germany , March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fresenius Medical Care (FME), the world's leading provider of products and services for individuals with renal diseases, today published its joint 2023 Annual Report and Non-financial Group Report, available digitally on the corporate website. Titled "Shaping the Future of Kidney Care," the report provides detailed information about Fresenius Medical Care's economic, social and environmental performance in 2023.

Helen Giza , CEO and Chair of the Management Board of Fresenius Medical Care AG, said: "The year 2023 was a transformative one for Fresenius Medical Care, as we set out to achieve important structural, operational, and cultural changes. I am proud to say that we successfully executed on our commitment of fundamental transformation and made significant progress against our financial and sustainability targets in our strategic plan."

The 2023 Annual Report summarizes Fresenius Medical Care's steps to successfully deliver on the transformation and contains Fresenius Medical Care's Non-financial Group Report, providing a comprehensive overview of its progress of sustainability activities and achievements in three strategic focus areas:

Enhancing quality care and access to health care: In about 4,000 dialysis clinics in around 50 countries worldwide, Fresenius Medical Care provided care for over 332,000 patients in 2023. Underlining the company's commitment and focus on providing high-quality care and enhancing access to health care, the patients' overall satisfaction with its services measured by the patient Net Promoter Score of 72 was at a slightly higher level than in previous years (2022: Score of 71).

Building the best team to serve patients: In 2023, fostering diversity and engagement was a key focus to building the best team to serve patients worldwide. Fresenius Medical Care increased the share of women in the top two management levels below the Management Board to 34% (2022: 30%). In a step to strengthen its commitment to diversity, the company also became a signatory with the United Nations Women's Empowerment Principles, the German Charter for Diversity, and the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion.

Reducing its environmental footprint: Fresenius Medical Care also made progress in line with its climate target roadmap and expanded its environmental reporting as the company works towards reducing its environmental footprint. The company's reported Scope 1 and 2 emissions decreased by 16% from a 2020 baseline. Notably, Fresenius Medical Care's recent submission of the commitment letter to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) highlights its goal to achieve climate neutrality in operations by 2040, which is in line with the Paris Agreement.

The Annual Report will be published digitally in accordance with Fresenius Medical Care's dedication to environmental sustainability. It is available for download as pdf-file on the company's website: Annual reports | Fresenius Medical Care.

About Fresenius Medical Care:

Fresenius Medical Care is the world's leading provider of products and services for individuals with renal diseases of which around 4.1 million patients worldwide regularly undergo dialysis treatment. Through its network of 4,000 dialysis clinics, Fresenius Medical Care provides dialysis treatments for approximately 332,000 patients around the globe and is the leading provider of dialysis products such as dialysis machines and dialyzers. Fresenius Medical Care is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FME) and on the New York Stock Exchange (FMS).

For more information visit the Company's website at www.freseniusmedicalcare.com.

Disclaimer:

This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to various factors, including, but not limited to, changes in business, economic and competitive conditions, legal changes, regulatory approvals, impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic results of clinical studies, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, uncertainties in litigation or investigative proceedings, and the availability of financing. These and other risks and uncertainties are detailed in Fresenius Medical Care's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Fresenius Medical Care does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements in this release.

Media contact

Christine Peters

T +49 160 60 66 770

[email protected]

Contact for analysts and investors

Dr. Dominik Heger

T +49 6172 609 2601

[email protected]

www.freseniusmedicalcare.com

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SOURCE Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
ConceiveAbilities Applauds Warriors and Advocates Fighting for Family Equality

CHICAGO , March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ConceiveAbilities , a leading surrogacy agency dedicated to assisting individuals in building families, applauds Michigan for taking a significant step forward in reproductive rights by legalizing surrogacy.

The decision to reverse Michigan's restrictive laws is a beacon of hope, offering renewed accessibility to parenthood.

Milestone For Michigan Families

Championed by Michigan Representative Samantha Steckloff (D- Farmington Hills ), the Fertility Health Care Act (House Bill 5207) not only decriminalizes surrogacy, it establishes comprehensive guidelines for surrogacy agreements, safeguarding the interests of both surrogates and intended parents. Once Governor Gretchen Whitmer signs it into law, paid surrogacy will soon be legal in Michigan , offering opportunity to families struggling with infertility.

"The decision to reverse Michigan's restrictive laws is a beacon of hope, offering renewed accessibility to parenthood," details ConceiveAbilities' Founder and Executive Chairman Nazca Fontes . " Michigan will soon become the last state to end criminalization of surrogacy, allowing Michigan women to fulfill their calling to become surrogates and help build families," continues Fontes.

Three years ago, Michigan native Randy Rowe and Kyle Keigan faced legal hurdles while preparing to welcome their son via surrogacy. Despite initial plans to start a family in Michigan with Randy's sister as an egg donor, they discovered Michigan's surrogacy laws were unfavorable, making in-state parentage difficult and paid surrogacy illegal. Seeking legal support, they turned to ConceiveAbilities Surrogacy Agency, finding a surrogate in Colorado and successfully welcoming their healthy baby boy.

Dr. James Grifo , Program Director at NYU Langone Fertility Center and Chief Executive Physician at Inception Fertility, applauds the act, " Michigan's step to decriminalize gestational surrogacy is necessary to ensure all people in Michigan have a path to build a family. It recognizes the reproductive parental rights of Michigan families and their gestational carriers for safe and equitable family building."

Tammy and Jordan Myers , who faced aggressive legal challenges in establishing parentage for their biological children, have been pivotal in advocating for these reforms. Their perseverance, along with the efforts of their reproductive lawyer Melissa Neckers and others, played a crucial role in bringing about this change.

The enactment of this legislation not only signifies a significant victory for reproductive rights but also reflects Michigan's commitment to embracing progressive policies that support diverse family structures.

About ConceiveAbilities:

ConceiveAbilities has been a leading egg donor and surrogacy agency for three decades, helping thousands of families fulfill their dreams. Learn more about becoming a parent and becoming a surrogate with ConceiveAbilities.

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SOURCE ConceiveAbilities
WASHINGTON , March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Letter carriers who protected a woman from a vicious pit bull attack, pulled residents from a burning home, alerted a resident to a gas leak or brought joy to those in their communities are among those to be honored on Wednesday, March 27 .

Philip Moon of Amarillo, TX , a 37-year carrier, risked his own safety by saving a bloodied woman from a large pit bull. Moon is the 2023 National Hero of the Year. The Eastern Region Hero is Timothy Martin of Lakeview , NY, who rescued an elderly woman with breathing problems trapped in her home by a fire. Dominic Jack of Baton Rouge, LA , the Central Region Hero, braved intense heat and thick smoke to rescue a family from a house consumed by fire. Randall Fields of Brighton, CO , the Western Region Hero, used his belt to secure a tourniquet on a postal customer trapped under a car who was slipping in and out of consciousness.

Several other carriers also are being recognized as 2023 Heroes. They represent thousands of letter carriers who not only deliver the nation's mail six or even seven days a week, but often assist in urgent situations involving accidents, fires, crimes or health crises, or help improve the communities in which they work.

Earnest Twomley, David Correa , Heriberto Rodriguez and Daniel Weber of New York , winners of the Partnership Award, organized a toy drive for needy children. The Humanitarian of the Year, Harry Bittner of Stratford, NJ , who was diagnosed with Stage IV colorectal cancer, spends much of his free time performing in a cover band called uNGLuED, which performs a charity show every December to raise money to help families in need.

The winners of the Vigilant Award are Tommy Howe of Taunton, MA , who saved the life of a man overcome by an allergic reaction to insect bites, and Kyle Mailman of Wichita, KS , who helped a woman suffering from gas poisoning.

Timmye Crowley of Billings, MT , rescued an elderly resident from a fire. Brittany Giles of West Palm Beach, FL , enlisted others to bring holiday joy to a handicapped youngster who was being bullied. They are Honorable Mention winners.

The National Association of Letter Carriers Heroes of the Year will be honored by NALC President Brian L. Renfroe at a special luncheon at noon on Wednesday, March 27 , at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, 400 New Jersey Ave. NW , Washington, DC .

Go to nalc.org/heroes for further information on the Heroes, including text and pictures.

******

NALC represents letter carriers across the country. Its 293,000 members make it the largest of the four unions representing employees of the United States Postal Service. Founded by Civil War veterans in 1889, NALC is among the country's oldest labor unions.

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SOURCE National Association of Letter Carriers
LOS ANGELES , March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Modern Animal, a pioneering force in redefining veterinary care, is proud to announce its strategic partnership with DOG PPL, LA's first canine social club. This collaboration aims to revolutionize the landscape of pet wellness and community engagement to inspire, educate and support pet parents in their quest to provide healthy and enriching experiences for their pets.

With a shared commitment to animal wellness and enrichment, Modern Animal and DOG PPL are dedicated to setting new standards in how we care for our pets. Both entities embody a philosophy centered on excellence, evident in their meticulously designed facilities, rigorous health and safety standards and customer-centric experiences.

"We are thrilled to embark on this journey with DOG PPL as we share a common vision of elevating pet wellness and fostering a supportive community of pet owners," said Steven Eidelman , CEO and Co-founder of Modern Animal. "Together, we will leverage our expertise and resources to educate, and empower pet parents in Southern California and beyond."

Through this transformative alliance, members of Modern Animal and DOG PPL will enjoy a myriad of shared benefits. Leveraging their respective membership offerings, both will provide exclusive events and perks for each other's communities. Additionally, the partnership will result in co-branded content, harnessing Modern Animal's medical expertise to educate audiences on preventive care, dog park safety and the profound impact of play on a dog's quality of life through collaborative social media posts.

"DOG PPL believes wholeheartedly that our dogs deserve only the best and that's exactly why we couldn't be more excited to announce our partnership with Modern Animal," said DOG PPL Co-founders Alex Esguerra and Liam Underwood . "When two companies like ours share the same missionto elevate the lives of our dogs and the people who love themwe are destined to come together and do great things."

By joining forces, Modern Animal and DOG PPL are poised to set a new standard for pet care and community engagement. Together, they will continue to lead the way in promoting the health, happiness and well-being of pets and their owners.

For more information about Modern Animal and its partnership with DOG PPL, please visit www.modernanimal.com and www.dogppl.co .

About Modern Animal:

Modern Animal is a pioneering veterinary medicine company dedicated to redefining pet health. With a mission to revolutionize the veterinary experience for people and pets, Modern Animal offers cutting-edge technology, personalized care, and unparalleled service. For more information, visit www.modernanimal.com

About DOG PPL:

DOG PPL is Los Angeles' premier canine social club, dedicated to creating a vibrant community where dogs and their owners can come together to socialize, play and relax. Located in Santa Monica , DOG PPL offers a range of exclusive amenities including a members-only dog park, cafe, events, bar and lounge. For more information, visit www.dogppl.co

Contact:

[email protected]

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SOURCE Modern Animal
SUZHOU, China , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NeuExcell Therapeutics, a leading biotechnology company focused on in vivo neural regenerative therapies, announces the successful dosing of the first patient with the first-in-class NeuroD1 gene therapy product NXL-004. This milestone represents significant progress in the development of new treatment for malignant glioma patients.

Led by Professor Yulun Huang and his team at the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University in Suzhou, China , the investigator-initiated trial (IIT) will evaluate the safety and tolerability of NeuExcell's AAV-NeuroD1 gene therapy product NXL-004 in patients with glioblastoma. This clinical study marks the first clinical use of AAV-NeuroD1 gene therapy to treat patients worldwide.

Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive form of brain cancer with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. NXL-004, based on NeuExcell's revolutionary in vivo trans-differentiation technology platform, aims to inhibit tumor cell proliferation and promote their transformation into neural cells through the overexpression of the NeuroD1 transcription factor. The advantage of this glioma cell trans-differentiation approach is minimal side-effect on other brain cells, which is distinct from radiation or chemotherapy that has collateral damage on healthy cells. Promising preclinical results from animal model studies have paved the way for this groundbreaking clinical trial, offering hope for many patients suffering from debilitating brain disorders such as malignant glioma.

"We are very excited about completing the dosing of the first patient using NeuroD1 gene therapy product NXL-004 in this exploratory clinical study," said Dr. Yulun Huang , the study's lead investigator. "This milestone underscores the dedication of our team to try innovative approaches in addressing unmet medical needs such as glioblastoma. We are committed to closely monitor the patient and evaluate the safety and efficacy of NXL-004 in this trial."

Professor Gong Chen , the inventor of in vivo neural regenerative gene therapy and the founder of NeuExcell Therapeutics, expressed his gratitude: "We are grateful to Professor Yulun Huang and his team for their outstanding work. This first-in-human trial sets an important milestone for our first-in-class NeuroD1 gene therapy that has the potential to treat millions of patients suffering from severe neurological disorders. We are dedicated to developing game-changing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases using in vivo neural regenerative therapies."

About NeuExcell Therapeutics:

NeuExcell Therapeutics is a leading biotechnology company focused on developing innovative neural regenerative therapies to address unmet medical needs in the field of neurodegenerative diseases and cancers. NeuExcell is committed to revolutionizing the field of CNS drug development and improving outcomes for patients worldwide.

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SOURCE NeuExcell Therapeutics
Event continues to grow and increase awareness of high-quality career opportunities in the skilled trades for women

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On Friday, Central New Mexico Community College hosted its 3rd Annual Women in Trades Summit. The event's purpose is to bring more awareness to women about the abundant and high-quality career opportunities available to them through skilled trades programs, such as welding, aviation maintenance technology, electrical trades, and many more.

More than 500 people attended the event at CNM and 45 local trades employers staffed booths to provide interested women with info on career opportunities. CNM representatives also shared information about trades programs and career pathways. Activities included a panel discussion featuring women leaders in the trades industry and trades demonstrations.

"The ultimate goal of this summit is to inspire confidence and empower women to enter the trades," said Sharon Gordon-Moffett, Interim Dean of CNM's School of Skilled Trades and Arts. "Too often there is a negative perception of women pursuing trades-based careers, and we want to change that story. There's a nationwide shortage, including in New Mexico , for skilled trades workers, making this a great time for women to consider these high-paying, in-demand fields. The career options are essentially endless and the trades can help women who are looking to change or start careers  and even those who want to own their own business  take the first step in changing their lives."

The Women in Trades Summit at CNM began in 2022 with 100 attendees and 17 employers participating. On Friday, more than 500 people attended with 45 local trades employers sharing information about their career opportunities for women.

Over the last 10 years, CNM has experienced a 14 percent increase in the number of female students enrolled in skilled trades programs.

Learn more about Central New Mexico Community College.

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SOURCE Central New Mexico Community College (CNM)
ARLINGTON, Va., March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, a group of Montana state lawmakers visited the U.S.- Mexico border with NumbersUSA , the nation's largest grassroots organization focused solely on immigration.

During the two-day trip, Rep. Steve Gunderson (R-1), Rep. Steven Galloway (R-24), Rep. Lola Sheldon-Galloway (R-22), Rep. Braxton Mitchell (R-3), and candidate Jason Gunderson (R-58) toured the Yuma, El Centro , and San Diego border sectors with Andrew Good , NumbersUSA's Director of State Government Relations, and saw the extent of the crisis.

"The Biden administration's lax border policies have empowered drug cartels and created a new kind of slavery," reported Rep. Lola Sheldon-Galloway . "Illegal immigrants spend years paying off their debt to the smugglers who brought them."

Montana's visiting legislators saw plenty of illegal entries. "We encountered almost 100 migrants crossing in one group," marveled Rep. Steven Galloway . "They had clean clothes and shoes and couldn't have walked far. It's ridiculous how easy this administration has made illegal entry into our country. This group was the second that day, with another expected shortly."

"I'd hoped things at the border weren't as bad as the clips I've seen suggest," Rep. Mitchell admitted. "But the reality is, we're in a full-blown crisis. We need to shut down the southern border and build the wall immediately."

Given what they've seen, Montana lawmakers are eager to pursue policies that'd eliminate illegal immigration -- as soon as their 2025 legislative session begins.

"After seeing the situation firsthand, I can't imagine how our southern border has become so porous," concluded Rep. Steve Gunderson . "The same goes for Montana's northern border with Canada . Our immigration policies need to be seriously overhauled."

"Border Patrol is doing a great job," added Jason Gunderson . "They're doing enforcement. They're doing humanitarian work. But the system they're working inside is broken. It's really unfair to them. We need to fix that."

"Every state is effectively a border state," agreed Andrew Good . "It's up to Montana to ensure Big Sky Country doesn't become the next hot spot for illegal migration."

To schedule an interview with Andrew Good , contact Emeline McClellan at [email protected] or (202) 970-9742.

About NumbersUSA



NumbersUSA supports a balanced immigration system that welcomes the spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents, is responsive to acute refugee crises, attracts those with extraordinary ability and talents, addresses temporary labor shortages, protects the most vulnerable, and is enforced. NumbersUSA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that believes better immigration policy is possible. Focused exclusively on immigration reform, NumbersUSA is America's largest single-issue advocacy group with over 8 million grassroots members and supporters spread across every congressional district. Founded solely by Roy Beck in 1996 to promote civil debate on the immigration recommendations of the U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform -- chaired by civil rights icon Barbara Jordan -- NumbersUSA continues to advocate for sensible immigration policies that ensure Americans' safety, promote economic fairness, while conserving the environment and quality of life.

Media Contact:

Emeline McClellan

(202) 970-9742

[email protected]

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SOURCE NumbersUSA
Six civilians in Zaporizhia were injured and three remain missing as a result of shelling by the Russian occupiers on Friday morning, Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said.

"There are six injured in Zaporizhia, three people there are missing at the sites of the strikes. Information about the victims will be clarified promptly," Klymenko wrote on Telegram on Friday.

According to the minister, the occupiers attacked infrastructure facilities in Ukraine in the morning, residential buildings were destroyed. Zaporizhia, Khmelnytsky, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, Mykolaiv, Vinnytsia, Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions were under enemy attacks.

"Now all our services are involved in eliminating the consequences of the attack. We use robotic equipment in dangerous areas to minimize injuries to rescuers. Every citizen, if necessary, can seek help from the departments of the State Emergency Service and the National Police," Klymenko said.
SAN JOSE, Calif. , March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- OKX, a leading global Web3 technology company and crypto exchange, has successfully launched its OKX Web3 University tour, engaging with top students and faculty about the future of Web3 technology. The tour has already held events at Stanford University, UC Berkeley, UCLA, and the University of Southern California.

The OKX Web3 team participated in fireside chats and panel discussions at each university dedicated to decentralization, blockchain infrastructure, and the builder community. The events featured conversations around the possibilities of Web3 between students, OKX, blockchain projects, prominent venture investors, and faculty experts.

The OKX university tour will continue to make stops at leading technology campuses across the U.S. over the next month. Upcoming events are scheduled at Duke University ( March 23 ), University of Washington ( March 28 ), New York University ( April 12 ), Columbia University ( April 13 ), Harvard University ( April 14 ), and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (April 20).

The goal of the tour is to spread awareness of OKX as a top Web3 destination for builders while networking with student clubs, faculty, investors, and innovators who will shape the next era of the internet.

About OKX

OKX is a leading global crypto exchange and innovative Web3 company. Trusted by more than 50 million global users, OKX is known for being one of the fastest and most reliable crypto apps in the world.



As a top partner of English Premier League champions Manchester City FC, McLaren Formula 1, Olympian Scotty James , and F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo , OKX aims to supercharge the fan experience with new engagement opportunities. OKX is also the top partner of the Tribeca Festival as part of an initiative to bring more creators into web3.



The OKX Wallet is the platform's latest offering for people looking to explore the world of NFTs and the metaverse while trading GameFi and DeFi tokens.



OKX is committed to transparency and security and publishes its Proof of Reserves on a monthly basis.

To learn more about OKX, download our app or visit: https://www.okx.com/

Disclaimer

This announcement is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide any investment, tax, or legal advice, nor should it be considered an offer to purchase, sell, hold or offer any services relating to digital assets. Digital assets, including stablecoins, involve a high degree of risk, can fluctuate greatly, and can even become worthless. You should carefully consider whether trading or holding digital assets is suitable for you in light of your financial condition and risk tolerance. OKX does not provide investment or asset recommendations. You are solely responsible for your investment decisions, and OKX is not responsible for any potential losses. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Not all products are available in all regions. Please consult your legal/tax/investment professional for questions about your specific circumstances.

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SOURCE OKX
LOS ANGELES , March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. (the "Company" or "Rexford Industrial") (NYSE: REXR), a real estate investment trust focused on creating value by investing in and operating industrial properties located throughout infill Southern California , today announced that the Company will release first quarter 2024 financial results after the market closes on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 . A conference call with senior management will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time .

To participate in the live telephone conference call, please access the following dial-in numbers at least five minutes prior to the start time using Conference ID 9448082.

1 (800) 715-9871 (for domestic callers)

1 (646) 307-1963 (for international callers)

A webcast and replay of the conference call will also be available in a listen-only mode at ir.rexfordindustrial.com.

About Rexford Industrial

Rexford Industrial creates value by investing in, operating and redeveloping industrial properties throughout infill Southern California , the world's fourth largest industrial market and consistently the highest demand, lowest supply market in the nation. The Company's highly differentiated strategy enables internal and external growth opportunities through its proprietary value creation and asset management capabilities. Rexford Industrial's high-quality, irreplaceable portfolio comprises 374 properties with approximately 46.1 million rentable square feet occupied by a stable and diverse tenant base. Structured as a real estate investment trust (REIT) listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker "REXR," Rexford Industrial is an S&P MidCap 400 Index member. For more information, please visit www.rexfordindustrial.com.

Contact:

[email protected]

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SOURCE Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia , March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As the United Nations (UN) marks World Water Day on March 22, 2024 , the Saudi Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) stands at the forefront of efforts to address water scarcity and promote international cooperation. This year, in alignment with the UN theme "Water for Peace", SWCC reaffirms its commitment to fostering collaboration and sustainability in water management.

As the world's largest producer of desalinated water, and celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, SWCC remains dedicated to utilizing innovative technologies and forging strategic partnerships to tackle water scarcity on a global scale.

World Water Day serves as a poignant reminder of the global significance of water cooperation. According to the United Nations, more than three billion people worldwide depend on water sources that cross national boundaries. Despite this interdependence, only a fraction of countries sharing water resources have formal cooperation agreements in place.

In light of such challenges, SWCC emphasizes the urgency of promoting dialogue and collaboration among nations to address water-related issues effectively. Through initiatives such as technology innovation and knowledge-sharing, SWCC is committed to advancing sustainable water management practices and mitigating the impacts of climate change on water resources.

"Our mission at SWCC goes beyond providing desalinated water; it is about safeguarding this vital resource for future generations. Through global collaboration and visionary leadership, we are shaping the water sector's future, aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 objectives, which provide a catalyst for ensuring water security and exerting global influence," said His Excellency Engineer Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al-Abdulkarim , Governor of SWCC and Deputy Chairman of the SWCC Board.

"As we commemorate World Water Day, we call upon governments, stakeholders, and the global community to prioritize water cooperation to tackle the global water crisis," he added.

Underlying SWCC and the Kingdom's commitment to raising awareness and fostering dialogue, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud , Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia announced in September 2023 the establishment of a Global Water Organization, to be based in Riyadh . The organization will aim to integrate and aid attempts made by governments and other bodies to secure global water sustainably.

The new Global Water Organization will allow the exchange of expertise while advancing technology, fostering innovation, and sharing research and development experiences. It will promote the establishment and funding of high-priority projects in line with the Kingdom's commitment of $6 billion development funding to water and sanitation projects across four continents.

Meanwhile, SWCC's dedicated research and development center - the Water Technologies Innovation Institute and Research Advancement (WTIIRA) - is focused on identifying solutions to significant challenges in the environmental and water domains, including general water research. WTIIRA was launched in 1987 as part of the Saudi Agreement Program Inter-American Economic Cooperation.

Continuing its mission to engage with the international community, SWCC participates in global events, such as the 10thWorld Water Forum in Bali , and the IWA World Water Congress and Exhibition in Toronto , to share knowledge, insights and best practice. Furthermore, the Kingdom is preparing to host the 11th World Water Forum in 2027.

In keeping with the "positive ripple effect" outlined by the United Nations on World Water Day, SWCC's activities aim to foster harmony, promote best practices in water management, and highlight the importance of international cooperation in uniting around water.

For more information about SWCC and its initiatives, please visit https://www.swcc.gov.sa/en

About SWCC

Established in 1974, The Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) is an independent government entity mandated to supply and deliver water to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia .

SWCC is the world's largest producer of desalinated water, with a current generation capacity of 11.5 million cubic meters per day. Operating over 33 desalination plants and 139 purification plants nationwide, SWCC ensures an uninterrupted water supply for the Kingdom.

By providing this essential service, SWCC plays a vital role in the economic transformation of Saudi Arabia and supports the ambitious Vision 2030 plan.

https://swcc.gov.sa

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2368537/Image.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2368538/SWCC_Logo.jpg

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SOURCE Saudi Saline Water Conversion Corporation
MARKING A NEW ERA OF STRATEGIC COLLABORATION TO ADVANCE HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE CITY

CHICAGO , March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Community Solution Education System and The Chicago School today jointly announced the acquisition of 400 S. Jefferson St. The decision to co-locate in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood advances a 45-year commitment to the city. More importantly, this acquisition sets the next stage of collaboration to advance higher education and exceptional academic offerings for students in Chicago .

Spanning 247,000 square feet, the new facilityset to officially open in 2025will accommodate approximately 1,800 students, faculty, and staff from the two organizations.

This state-of-the-art space will include lecture halls, classrooms, laboratories, and areas for collaborative learning and working. Additionally, it will be re-designed to host large public events and serve as a hub for convening community leaders in mental and physical health who share the goal of addressing inequities and challenges to access in our current health system. The campus is also expected to increase pedestrian traffic, enhancing business growth opportunities in the district.

"Congratulations to The Community Solution Education System and The Chicago School on the acquisition of 400 S. Jefferson Street and their unwavering commitment to our great city," said Mayor Brandon Johnson . "I am especially excited about plans to transform spaces for community leaders in mental and physical health and plans dedicated to addressing inequities. We look forward to welcoming the nearly 2,000 students, employees, and guests in the years ahead."

Leading Progress Since 1979

The Chicago School has been a leading nonprofit university, training more than 22,000 alumni for careers that improve the health of individuals, organizations, and communities since 1979. Following a decade of growth and expansion under the leadership of Michael Horowitz , Ph.D., The Chicago School became the founding institution of The Community Solution Education System in 2009.

"I founded The Community Solution with the simple idea that collaboration, not competition, can power incredible growth, innovation, and opportunity for institutions and students alike," said Michael Horowitz , Ph.D., president of The Community Solution Education System. "This new co-location is a significant step in showcasing that our unique model not only enriches the experience for our students but also positively impacts the dynamic communities we serve. Each day, we're committed to demonstrating the transformative power of our collaborative approach in higher education."

Today, The Community Solution is made up of six unique colleges and universitiesincluding The Chicago Schoolwith campuses in 11 cities across the country that collectively educate more than 13,500 students annually.

"We are exceptionally proud of our roots in Chicago and the legacy of community impact we've built with thousands of students," said Michele Nealon , Psy.D., president of The Chicago School. "In this new facility, we will deepen our impact by developing dynamic new program offerings in high-need, health-related fields and further enhancing the vibrant educational offerings in our city."

This investment in the community creates a new foundation for The Community Solution and The Chicago School to support the next generation of students and community members as they pursue their aspirations.

"We applaud the strategic decision by The Community Solution Education System and The Chicago School to co-locate in the West Loop ," stated Lisa Dziekan , SVP of Business Development at World Business Chicago. "This exemplifies catalytic economic development, and the opportunity to attract new investment to Chicago's downtown, while reinforcing Chicago's reputation as a leading region for education, preparing the workforce of the future."

About The Community Solution Education System

The Community Solution Education System is an integrated, nonprofit system of colleges and universities that work collaboratively to advance institutional sustainability, student success, and community impact. Founded in 2009 as TCS Education System, The Community Solution has grown to encompass six distinct communitiesThe Chicago School, Pacific Oaks College & Children's School, The Colleges of Law, Saybrook University, Kansas Health Science Center - Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, and University of Western States. The Community Solution utilizes strategic partnerships to foster economies of scale, academic innovation, risk mitigation, and resourceful business solutions to maximize students' educational experiences. To learn more, visit www.tcsedsystem.edu.

About The Chicago School

For 45 years, The Chicago School has been a leading nonprofit university dedicated to training professionals for careers that improve the health of individuals, organizations, and communities. By combining education, innovation, community, and impact, The Chicago School approach provides students a practical and solutions-oriented education in an array of academic programs across psychology, health, business, counseling, and behavioral sciences. With more than 6,000 students and locations in Chicago , Dallas , Southern California , and Washington, D.C. , the university's extensive network of community partnerships provides applicable training and networking opportunities.

The Chicago School is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. To learn more, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu.

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SOURCE The Community Solution Education System
BROOKLYN, N.Y. , March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle , Junior R. King, DPM, is acknowledged as a Most Trusted Healthcare Professional for his contributions to the Medical Field.

Dr. King began his medical education journey at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine where he earned a medical degree from the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. He completed a residency at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University and Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY .

With more than 14 years in the field, Dr. King has been in private practice for 2 years and is board certified in Podiatric Medicine by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. e is licensed to provide online and in-person care to patients in New York and serves patients in his private practice location at 596 Pennsylvania Avenue , Brooklyn, NY 11207.

Dr. King was inspired to enter the medical profession while growing up in the Caribbean Islands where he saw a need for healthcare for minorities and underserved communities, especially those who have amputations. Motivated by a desire to reduce those statistics, the doctor is in the process of making his practice multi-disciplinary so that patients can get all of their healthcare needs met at one location.

Known for his compassion and excellent care, Dr. King has volunteered in other countries needing medical help for many years. He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic put a temporary pause on his international volunteer work, but he hopes that he will be able to continue those efforts soon.

Aside from his professional pursuits, Dr. King enjoys traveling in his spare time and recently returned from a trip to Europe .

Contact: Katherine Green , 516-825-5634, [email protected]

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READING, Pa. , March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is written by: Susan Looney, Ed.D., J.D., President , Reading Area Community College:

The healthcare worker crisis is a challenge facing almost every community in the United States . Berks County, Pennsylvania , is certainly no exception. As the largest higher educational institution in the county, Reading Area Community College (RACC) is committed to our community to help address the shortage of highly-trained healthcare workers in our region.

In July of 2023, we began a massive renovation of Weitz Hall, transforming the facility into the new Weitz Healthcare Pavilion  named after former RACC President Dr. Anna Weitz . The almost $20 million project will transform the four-story building into a modern, high-tech medical training facility.

When complete, the first floor of the new facility will feature state-of-the-art simulation nursing and respiratory care lab spaces with a central observation room and two debrieng rooms. The second floor will include simulated patient rooms with cardiac monitors, alarms and air supply systems that mimic real-life patient care areas. It will also be home to our short-term health professions programs, such as the nurses aid program. The third and fourth floors will have redesigned classroom spaces, as a well as phlebotomy and dental assistant labs.

When the project is finished in approximately two years, it will house all of RACC's current 14 healthcare programs in one location. They include registered practical nursing, phlebotomy and a dental assisting to medical insurance and billing programs. Our existing healthcare programs are currently divided throughout several buildings on campus. The new space will provide an exciting new home for existing programs and allow us to expand them.

In addition, RACC will be introducing several new healthcare programs, including: sonography, psychiatric and mental health services technician, dental laboratory technicians, healthcare navigator, radiology, medications reconciliation technician, patient advocate specialist and medical informatics. In all, the expansion will increase the number of students RACC can teach in our healthcare programs by approximately 50%.

One of our largest regional healthcare partners, Reading Hospital, has been a tremendous advocate of the project. Reading Hospital President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Chuck Barbara , was recently quoted as saying, "If there is anything we have learned in the past four years, it is that healthcare education is crucial in every community. The need for well-trained nurses, technologists, and other professionals will always be present to assure a vibrant, growing and prosperous community. The Weitz Healthcare Pavilion project is crucial to ensure that Reading Hospital, and all Berks County healthcare delivery organizations have the necessary supply of compassionate, competent and committed staff to meet our community's needs. We are excited about this project!"

We believe the Weitz Healthcare Pavilion will be regarded as a transformational instructional facility that will directly address the healthcare worker shortage by doubling the enrollment of qualified students in our widely regarded healthcare programs. The campaign will position Reading Area Community College to achieve more for our current and future students, with the results positively impacting the communities we serve.

As our RACC faculty, staff and students on campus have become very familiar with hearing me say, I am very proud of this initiative, and grateful to all those that are making this amazing project a reality.

Uniquely American, community colleges serve more than 10 million students annually, providing critical access to higher education in academic and workforce development. As the voice of the nation's community colleges, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), delivers educational and economic opportunity for more than 10 million diverse students in search of the American Dream. Uniquely dedicated to access and success for all students, AACC's member colleges provide an on-ramp to degree attainment, skilled careers, and family-supporting wages. Located in Washington, D.C. , AACC advocates for these not-for-profit, public-serving institutions to ensure they have the resources and support to increase economic mobility for all. https://www.aacc.nche.edu/

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SOURCE American Association of Community Colleges
CALGARY, AB , March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - TransAlta Corporation ("TransAlta" or the "Company") (TSX: TA) (NYSE: TAC) announced today that it has entered into an automatic share purchase plan ("ASPP") with its broker in order to facilitate repurchases of TransAlta's common shares ("Common Shares") under the Company's previously announced normal course issuer bid ("NCIB").

The Company previously announced that it had received approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") to purchase up to 14,000,000 of its Common Shares during the 12-month period that commenced May 31, 2023 and terminates May 30, 2024. Purchases under the NCIB may be made through open market transactions on the TSX and any alternative Canadian trading systems on which the Common Shares are traded, based on the prevailing market price. Since January 1, 2024, the Company has purchased 2,710,300 Common Shares at a weighted average price per Common Share of $9.52 for an aggregate value of approximately $25.8 million. Since the beginning of the current NCIB on May 31, 2023, the Company has purchased 4,134,900 at a weighted average price per Common Share of $10.01 for an aggregate value of approximately $41.4 million.

The Company believes that the prevailing price for the Common Shares may not, from time to time, reflect the underlying value of the Common Shares and that the purchase of Common Shares pursuant to the NCIB may be an attractive and appropriate use of available funds relative to other alternatives. The ASPP will facilitate purchases under the NCIB as it will allow for purchases of Common Shares to be made at times when the Company would ordinarily not be permitted to make purchases, whether due to regulatory restriction or customary self-imposed blackout periods. TransAlta is committed to enhancing shareholder returns through appropriate capital allocation such as a share buyback and its quarterly dividend, which are underpinned by the Company's strong free cash flow position.

Under the ASPP, the Company's broker may purchase Common Shares from the effective date of the ASPP until the end of the NCIB. The ASPP will facilitate purchases of Common Shares under the NCIB by authorizing the Company's broker to make purchases at its sole discretion based on parameters set by the Company in accordance with TSX rules, applicable law and the terms of the ASPP. Outside of periods that the Company is restricted from purchasing Common Shares pursuant to insider trading rules or its own internal trading blackout policies, Common Shares may also be purchased based on management's discretion, in compliance with TSX rules and applicable law.

All purchases of Common Shares made under the ASPP will be included in determining the number of Common Shares purchased under the NCIB. Any Common Shares purchased by the Company pursuant to the NCIB will be cancelled. The Company is not currently in possession of any material undisclosed information in relation to the Company. The ASPP has been pre-cleared by the TSX and will be effective on April 1, 2024.

The ASPP will terminate on the earliest of the date on which: (a) the maximum purchase limits under the ASPP are reached; (b) May 3, 2024 ; or (c) the Company terminates the ASPP in accordance with its terms.

About TransAlta Corporation :

TransAlta owns, operates and develops a diverse fleet of electrical power generation assets in Canada , the United States and Australia with a focus on long-term shareholder value. TransAlta provides municipalities, medium and large industries, businesses and utility customers with clean, affordable, energy efficient and reliable power. Today, TransAlta is one of Canada 's largest producers of wind power and Alberta 's largest producer of hydroelectric power. For over 112 years, TransAlta has been a responsible operator and a proud member of the communities where we operate and where our employees work and live. TransAlta aligns its corporate goals with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Future-Fit Business Benchmark, which also defines sustainable goals for businesses. Our reporting on climate change management has been guided by the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) S2 Climate-related Disclosures Standard and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations. TransAlta has achieved a 66 per cent reduction in GHG emissions or 21.3 million tonnes CO2e since 2015 and received an upgraded MSCI ESG rating of AA.

For more information about TransAlta, visit its website at transalta.com.

Note: All financial figures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.

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SOURCE TransAlta Corporation
CHISINAU, Moldova , March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Moldovan wine industry, following its enthusiastic reception at ProWein, has entered a critical juncture. After the successful unveiling of two wines produced with the support of an Artificial Intelligence, key stakeholders will seek further collaboration with the nation's burgeoning tech and design sectors in the coming years, using innovation to strengthen their global competitiveness.

According to Wine of Moldova , this landmark AI project involved a strategic partnership between several institutions: the National Office of Vine and Wine, the creative media technology hub, Mediacor, and the Technical University of Moldova . Their goal was to set a global precedent for the unification of Artificial Intelligence and human expertise, in addition to facilitating ongoing development via the use of new technologies; $500 million has been earmarked for vineyard expansion, technological innovation, and production capacity.

Robert Joseph , consultant and author, commented: "A changing climate - which means far greater vintage variation as well as higher temperatures  requires innovative solutions. This project gives wine producers access to the nation's growing AI expertise that could be a game-changer."

At ProWein this year, a (white) blend of Feteasca Alba, Feteasca Regala and Viorica and a (red) Feteasca Neagra were presented to an international audience of professionals, created with the help of Artificial Intelligence.

"51 producers engaged with visitors from across the world during the fair, introducing them to Moldova's local grape varieties, unique terroirs and blending expertise," revealed Stefan Iamandi, Director of the National Vine and Wine Office.

Today, the wine industry is essential to Moldova's economy, contributing around 3% of GDP and 8% of total exports, contributing to the livelihoods of over 50,000 families in rural areas. Premium labels are exported to 72 different countries  55 percent of the country's total exports are shipped to the EU.

" Moldova boasts a growing number of small new wineries, with young winemakers, while its larger ones are investing in vineyards and cellar equipment to produce more premium wines," said Diana Lazar , AI Wine project lead.

Like every other wine-producing country, Moldova faces a range of challenges. However, stakeholders are in a strong position to meet these difficulties head on, taking full advantage of the solutions presented by future tech. A new era of cooperation between winegrowers and digital innovators has begun as Moldova offers valuable lessons for the rest of the world.

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCDUwK3Nv7A

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DEQING, China , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, the Brand Work Office of Xinhua News Agency held a press conference in Deqing city, Zhejiang province. During the conference, they unveiled the impressive lineup for the 2024 World Brand Moganshan Conference series, centered around the theme of "Brands Bring Better Future for the World." These captivating events are scheduled to take place from May 10 to 12 in Deqing County, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province .

The World Brand Moganshan Conference is a global branding event co-organized by Xinhua News Agency and China Council for Brand Development that brings together leading global enterprises, governments agencies, research institutions, Chinese and foreign media, and industry associations. Following the tremendous success of the inaugural conference in 2023, the World Brand Moganshan Conference has established itself as one of China's most prestigious brand-building events. Global brands gathered in Deqing and shared captivating ideas. A total of 41 diverse events were held, attracting 3369 Chinese and foreign guests. The conference's resounding success resonated throughout various sectors of society, solidifying its position as one of China's most prominent activities in the realm of brand building.

The 2024 World Brand Moganshan Conference will include the plenary session, parallel sessions on development and global influence of brands, press release of research reports, as well as various side events, such as health runs, drone aerial shows, interviews, and promotional events.

The 2024 World Brand Moganshan Conference is set to elevate its status as an international, authoritative, and professional event. Its internationality is exemplified by the diverse participation of individuals from across the globe. Esteemed organizations continue to unveil a range of Chinese brand value evaluations and rankings, while also introducing host brand cases and domestic brand cases for the first time. This initiative establishes an authoritative releasing system within the realm of global brand construction. The conference's professionalism shines through its emphasis on showcasing the brand-building achievements of numerous renowned enterprises. Additionally, Chinese and foreign experts and scholars will contribute their insightful perspectives, accompanied by theoretical analyses of brand building practices. Together, these elements create a captivating global intellectual feast, centered around the art of brand building.

China Council for Brand Development, as the only national social organization dedicated to the advancement of brand initiatives, serves as the secretariat unit of the Brand Evaluation Technical Committee of the International Organization for Standardization and the National Brand Evaluation Standardization Technical Committee. China Council for Brand Development supports the World Brand Moganshan Conference's evolution into the foremost global platform for championing brand construction. In collaboration with esteemed partners like Xinhua News Agency, the China Council for Brand Development will orchestrate a momentous event at the conference's main foruma moment of revelation where Chinese brand value evaluation information will be unveiled, unraveling the intricacies of the esteemed "Ten Year List of Chinese Brand Value Evaluation." Simultaneously, the association will host the China Brand Building and Development Conference, a noteworthy occasion celebrating the remarkable achievements of myriads of beloved Chinese brands in 2024, and other activities.

The 2024 World Brand Moganshan Conference will attract more than 4000 delegates representing renowned companies, governments, overseas media outlets, esteemed global academic institutions, and influential industry associations. This extraordinary gathering will serve as a focal point for global brand discussions, uniting diverse perspectives from around the world and amplifying the collective voice of the global brand community.

The famous Mogan Mountain is located in Deqing County, Zhejiang Province , China , in the hinterland of the Yangtze River Delta . Facing Shanghai in the east, connecting Hangzhou in the south, connecting Taihu Lake to the north, and the foot of Tianmu Mountain in the west, it is the "spatial geographic center" of Zhejiang , Jiangsu , Shanghai , Hangzhou , Jiaxing and Huzhou. The United Nations World Geographic Information Conference was held here.

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SOURCE Brand Work Office of Xinhua News Agency
By Daniel Trotta

(Reuters) - U.S. state and local governments pushed ahead this week with divergent strategies to deal with the country's homeless crisis, aiming either to raise more funds to address the issue or to empower authorities to rid public places of its visible signs.

In California, voters narrowly approved a ballot measure that prioritizes funding for homeless services. In Chicago, voters appeared to reject a tax increase on property transfers worth more than $1 million, spelling the defeat of a plan that may have raised $100 million a year to benefit the city's burgeoning population of residents without stable housing.

In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis instead advanced a get-tough policy, signing legislation on Wednesday that bans people from camping on city sidewalks, parks and other public places.

Likewise, Kentucky's legislature has pushed ahead with an anti-crime bill that includes a similar camping ban while also expanding the "stand your ground" rights of citizens to use force against trespassers.

The coast-to-coast activity reflects concerns that the problem of homelessness is getting worse. In many U.S. cities and towns, it's commonplace to see destitute people living in the open, with tents pitched on city sidewalks or roaming the streets, pushing politicians to take action.

More than 653,000 people experienced homelessness in the United States in 2023, a 12% increase over the previous year, according to a U.S. Housing and Urban Development report.

Homeless advocates and policy experts say a permanent solution lies in finding more affordable housing. Crackdowns may satisfy the public's desire for government to do something about the problem, they say, but clearances are not a long-term solution.

HOUSING PROGRAMS 'UNDERFUNDED'

"It's unfortunate to see elected officials focus on the one thing that absolutely doesn't work, which is criminalization," said Jesse Rabinowitz, campaign and communications director for the National Homelessness Law Center.

"Some cities in some states have put in a significant amount of funding, but we're trying to make up for 40-plus years of underfunded housing programs. That's not going to happen overnight."

DeSantis said his state was taking a different approach than California, where the state has spent more than $20 billion on housing and homelessness programs since the 2018-19 fiscal year but still has more than 180,000 homeless people.

"Florida will not allow homeless encampments to intrude on its citizens or undermine their quality of life like we see in states like New York and California," DeSantis said in a statement upon signing the bill.

The U.S. Supreme Court may soon define the limits of local government crackdowns. The justices are scheduled to hear arguments on April 22 in an Oregon case that may determine the legality of enforcing anti-camping laws and other regulations affecting homeless people when there is nowhere for them to go.

The new Florida law bans homeless people from camping in public places and, in a nod to existing federal court guidelines, directs the Department of Children and Families to authorize temporary campsites when homeless shelters reach capacity.

The proposed Kentucky bill, which a House committee approved last week, has especially alarmed homeless advocates by expanding the state's "stand your ground" laws, authorizing citizens to use physical force to prevent criminal trespass. If also justifies deadly force against someone who is "attempting to dispossess" someone of his or her dwelling, or while committing other crimes.

VOTER FRUSTRATION

"Society has the right to protect itself from the criminal element," state Representative Jared Bauman, the main sponsor, said in a debate on the legislation.

On the funding side, California's March 5 ballot measure passed but the margin was so narrow that it took two weeks to count mail-in votes and determine a winner. The tight vote in the heavily Democratic state may reflect voter frustration with previous efforts to solve what appears to many to be an intractable problem.

Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, who has made the issue a political priority, declared the vote a "huge victory" as it authorizes a $6.4 billion bond measure to fund housing and mental health and drug abuse treatment.

Even so, Newsom has also supported giving local governments the authority to crack down on camping. In a legal brief, he asked the conservative-majority U.S. Supreme Court to take up the Oregon case, saying lower court rulings have "paralyzed" efforts to address unsafe and unsanitary encampments.

In Chicago this week, voters appeared to have rejected a ballot measure that would raise funding for programs to benefit homeless people. It seeks to raise the real estate transfer tax on properties valued at more than $1 million while cutting the tax for the majority of Chicagoans.

The measure was losing by 7 percentage points with 87% of the vote in and thousands of mail-in votes yet to be counted. Proponents called the results disappointing but had yet to concede.

(Reporting by Daniel Trotta; Editing by Frank McGurty, William Maclean)
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on civilized countries of the world to block the supply chains of foreign components for the production of missiles in Russia.

As he stressed, every Russian terrorist attack shows that the world's sanctions against Putin's system are not yet sufficient.

Every Russian missile used by these savages to attack our country contains components manufactured by companies from other countries  not from Russia. There are at least 53 types of such components in the design of the X-101 missiles. The Kinzhal missile has at least 49 types of components that Russia does not produce. A significant part of them are manufactured by companies in the free world and imported to Russia through various gray schemes, Zelenskyy said in his video address.

It is imperative to block such schemes and all those who facilitate them. More sanctions are needed. Greater accountability for sanctions circumvention schemes is needed, the President noted.

The Head of State thanked the states and leaders who are already doing this, but stressed that much more pressure is needed on Russia.

He also noted that only during this morning's shelling of Kyiv by Russian missiles, there were at least one and a half thousand components that were delivered to the terrorist state from foreign countries.

This must be stopped, and the world has the appropriate levers, Zelenskyy stated.

The President also thanked all Ukrainian defenders of the sky for the downed missiles and noted that it is very important to give such an air defense result  more than 30 downed missiles.

In addition, he once again called on partners to provide Ukraine with air defense to protect people from Russian attacks.
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are displayed during the 'Wonderlust' event at the company's headquarters in Cupertino, California, U.S. September 12, 2023. REUTERS/Loren Elliott/File Photo

(Reuters) -Apple has held preliminary talks with Baidu <9888.HK> about using the Chinese company's generative artificial-intelligence technology in its devices in China, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

U.S.-listed shares of Baidu rose 5% in premarket trading.

Apple and Baidu did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

(Reporting by Yuvraj Malik in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva)
Delhi Chief Minister and leader of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Arvind Kejriwal waves to his supporters during celebrations at the party headquarters in New Delhi, India, February 11, 2020. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

By Rupam Jain and Shivam Patel

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Arvind Kejriwal founded one of India's newest parties more than a decade ago on an anti-corruption platform and took it to national prominence in no time, irking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party as well as the main opposition Congress.

Kejriwal, chief minister of the territory of Delhi whose Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also runs Punjab state, was arrested on Thursday night by the financial crime-fighting agency for alleged corruption in awarding liquor licences. His party has dismissed the allegations as "a desperate attempt to malign the image" of Kejriwal.

The arrest potentially takes one of the opposition alliance's biggest campaigners out of action ahead of the general elections to be held from April to June, when Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is widely expected to win a rare third straight term.

Kejriwal, 55, earlier ignored multiple summons from the Enforcement Directorate that investigates money laundering. Three of his senior party colleagues are already in jail waiting trial in the liquor case. But Kejriwal, who is in Enforcement Directorate custody, has repeatedly told election rallies in recent months that if he was corrupt "then there is no one in this world who is honest".

Modi and his BJP colleagues have said the government has given a free hand to investigating agencies like the Enforcement Directorate to act against corruption as per the law. Modi's office did not respond to questions about opposition allegations that agencies were targeting them unfairly.

"It's evident that the Modi government is determined to hurt our leader as he exposes flaws in Modi's politics and policies," Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Kejriwal ally told Reuters.

Kejriwal is a former senior tax official who won the Ramon Magsaysay Award, often called Asia's Nobel Prize, in 2006 for leading a right-to-information movement and helping the poor fight corruption.

Dressed mostly in simple loose shirts and trousers in keeping with his image of the champion of the poor, Kejriwal drew support mainly from rickshaw drivers, labourers and women in slums of Delhi when he launched his party, named after the "common person", in 2012.

His efforts to expand the party in other states has achieved mixed results. In 2014 he lost badly to Modi in the parliamentary constituency of Varanasi, an ancient Hindu holy city in the country's most populous state of Uttar Pradesh. The state sends the most number of lawmakers to parliament.

The party's focus on healthcare, schools and subsidies on power and water bills - benefiting the poor the most - has gained traction in Delhi, Punjab and some parts of Gujarat, Modi's home state.

Kejriwal said in February that his party, and not the century-old Congress, was the main challenger to the BJP, especially for the 2029 election. National opinion polls, however, still predict Congress will be the second biggest party in the upcoming election.

Keen to present a united front, most opposition parties including Congress have rallied behind Kejriwal.

Congress allied with Kejriwal's party for this election but they have been hitting out at each other since 2013, when Kejriwal defeated Congress stalwart Sheila Dixit to become Delhi chief minister.

On Thursday, Dixit's son Sandeep was among Congress politicians who addressed the media outside Kejriwal's house condemning his arrest.

Political analysts said the arrest could help galvanise Kejriwal's party and the opposition. Kejriwal is yet to be formally charged by the Enforcement Directorate but others arrested by it, including his party colleagues, struggled to get bail for months after their arrests.

"The arrest may not eclipse his political career as he has the potential to turn this negative development in his favour," said A.K. Verma, director of the think tank Centre for the Study of Society and Politics.

(Editing by Krishna N. Das and Frances Kerry)
MADRID (Reuters) - At least three people died and seven were missing after a boat carrying migrants across the Mediterranean Sea capsized off the coast of southern Spain, the country's maritime rescue service said on Friday.

The service said another vessel had issued an alert at 8 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) after sighting the semi-sunken black boat 26 nautical miles (48 km) south of Cape Sacratif in the city of Motril.

Rescuers found five passengers on the boat, three of whom were dead. The two survivors were evacuated by helicopter to hospital and were in serious condition, suffering from hypothermia.

The survivors told rescue personnel that there had been 12 people on board when the boat left Algeria six days ago, prompting a search operation for the seven people believed to be missing. The date and place of their disappearance was unclear, the service said.

It added that an airplane from European border agency Frontex was aiding in search-and-rescue efforts, which were hampered by strong winds causing waves of up to 3 metres (9.8 feet) in height.

The number of migrants arriving in Spain by boat in the first two-and-a-half months of this year quadrupled to 15,148 from the same period a year ago, interior ministry data showed.

Rights group Walking Borders said 6,618 people lost their lives during risky sea voyages trying to reach Spain in 2023.

(Reporting by David Latona; Editing by Emma Pinedo)
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Antwerp police conducted six raids on Wednesday and made four arrests as part of an investigation into some diamond imports suspected of being Russian-origin, Antwerp's public prosecutor office said in a statement on Friday.

The investigation is the first related to the EU and Group of Seven (G7) import ban on diamonds from Russia that began on Jan. 1 to punish Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. A wider ban on Russian-origin stones imported via third countries began on March 1. Russia's state-owned company Alrosa is one of the world's largest diamond miners.

The investigation was launched after customs officials seized diamonds in late February, the statement said. A spokesperson for the prosecutor said three shipments had been confiscated.

The Belgian city has for centuries been a global diamond hub, particularly for rough diamonds, though 90% of polishing is now done in India.

Sources familiar with the matter said the value of the three seized shipments was in the millions of euros. One source specified the overall value was around 8 million euro ($8.64 million).

A spokesperson for the prosecutor declined to comment on the combined value of the shipments. In the statement, the prosecutor's office added that documents and digital media were seized during the raid.

($1 = 0.9257 euros)

(Reporting by Julia Payne; Editing by David Gregorio)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stands outside the hotel where meets demonstrators demanding the release of the hostages kidnapped in the October 7 attack on Israel by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel March 22, 2024. REUTERS/Ca

By Humeyra Pamuk

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State of State Antony Blinken shook hands and chatted on Friday with demonstrators in Tel Aviv demanding Israel focus on the release of hostages held by Hamas, promising them that he was working to bring them home.

Several dozen people, including some family members of hostages, gathered outside a Tel Aviv hotel where Blinken's delegation was based, holding banners calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, which has been under bombardment since Hamas killed 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages on Oct. 7.

Some hostages were released in an earlier pause in fighting, but more than 100 are believed to remain, although some have been reported killed by Israeli airstrikes.

"No more blood, hostage deal now," they chanted.

Blinken, who earlier met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of Israel's war cabinet, delayed his departure from Israel to briefly greet the demonstrators.

"We're working to bring them home," Blinken said as he shook hands with the line of demonstrators, hitting his chest with his hand.

Blinken also met inside the hotel with the families of American-Israeli hostages, a U.S. official said.

Some in Israel have criticized Netanyahu for not securing a ceasefire deal with Hamas and instead focusing on rooting out the militant group from Gaza. Almost 32,000 Palestinians have been killed during the Israeli assault, according to Gaza health authorities.

Tensions between the Biden administration and Netanyahu have spiked in recent weeks. Washington has implored Israel to do more to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, where aid agencies say much of the population is on the verge of famine, and warned against an offensive on the southern city of Rafah.

We want to end the war. We dont want to extend it," said Tom Schapiro, 27, who was among the protesters.

He said he opposed an offensive in Rafah, and urged Washington to use U.S. military support to Israel as leverage over Netanyahu.

"Blinken can press the government to make a deal, Im sure he has some leverage. And if it means not sending weapons - he should be doing that. We think the hostages are the most important thing," Shapiro said.

(Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk; writing by Simon Lewis, editing by Deepa Babington)
By Humeyra Pamuk

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday that an offensive on the southern Gaza city of Rafah would risk "further isolating" Israel and damage its long-term security.

Speaking as he departed Israel, Blinken told reporters he had "candid conversations," referring to meetings with officials including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu said after meeting Blinken that Israel is prepared to continue its war against Hamas alone, amid tense relations between the two allies over the Gaza conflict that is now in its sixth month.

Blinken said Washington shared Israel's goal of defeating Hamas and ensuring its long-term security, but "a major military ground operation in Rafah is not the way to do it."

"It risks killing more civilians. It risks wreaking greater havoc with the provision of humanitarian assistance. It risks further isolating Israel around the world and jeopardizing its long-term security and standing," he said.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Netanyahu have agreed that an Israeli delegation would visit Washington next week to discuss Israel's plans for Rafah.

"We'll be able to lay out for them in detail... how those goals can best be accomplished with an integrated humanitarian military and political plan," Blinken said. "We'll put all that on the table. Of course, we'll hear from them too."

Blinken also discussed with Israeli officials the "imperative of surging and sustaining humanitarian assistance for the people in Gaza," he said, citing figures that 100% of the population there is acutely food insecure and in need of humanitarian assistance.

"There have been some positive steps taken in recent days to improve the situation, but it's not enough," he said.

The United States has teams in Doha where talks are taking place on a temporary ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the release of remaining hostages taken in the Oct. 7 attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas, Blinken added.

"We've gotten it down to a few remaining gaps but the closer you get to the goal line the harder that last yard is, so there are some hard issues to work through," Blinken said.

(Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Doina Chiacu and Simon Lewis; Editing by Doina Chiacu and Deepa Babington)
FILE PHOTO: A man holds a laptop computer as cyber code is projected on him in this illustration picture taken on May 13, 2017. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/Illustration

By Christopher Bing and Raphael Satter

(Reuters) -Elite hackers tied to Russian intelligence last month targeted several German political parties with an eye toward burrowing into their networks and stealing data, according to an alert released by Germany's cybersecurity agency and security researchers working for Google owner Alphabet.

In a report published on Friday, Alphabet's Mandiant cyber unit said it had caught the hacking group known as APT29, which is alleged by Western intelligence to act on behalf of Russia's SVR foreign spy agency, trying to trick "key German political figures" into opening an email masquerading as an invitation to a March 1 dinner event hosted by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Germany's center-right political party.

An alert circulated by Germany's BSI cyber agency and reviewed by Reuters referred to the same incident, saying that state-backed cyber spies were targeting German political parties in an effort to build long-term access and exfiltrate data.

In a statement, the CDU said it had long been exposed to digital attacks from domestic and foreign actors.

"In this case, too, we received very prompt information about the attack," the statement said. "There was no official CDU dinner on 1 March, the event was fictitious."

The alert did not give further details on who was believed to be responsible and neither it nor Mandiant provided details on who specifically was targeted. The BSI did not immediately return a request for comment. The Russian embassy in Washington also did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment.

The BSI said in its alert that foreign powers were particularly interested in spying on politicians in the context of the "upcoming European elections." Mandiant said the targeting fit in with Moscow's focus on its long-running conflict with Kyiv.

"This latest targeting is not just about going after Germany or its politicians; it is part of Russia's wider effort aimed at finding ways to undermine European support for Ukraine," Mandiant's Dan Black said in a statement.

Germany is among the Western nations that have provided military support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. In December, Russian President Vladimir Putin said relations between the Berlin and Moscow have remained largely frozen.

Germany's Der Spiegel first reported on the alleged hacking campaign earlier on Friday.

(Reporting by Christopher Bing and Raphael Satter; Thomas Escritt in Berlin and Andreas Rinke in Brussels contributed to this report. Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Paul Simao.)
A view shows model TO3 of Leapmotor, a Chinese automobile manufacturer, displayed during an event a day ahead of the official opening of the 2023 Munich Auto Show IAA Mobility, in Munich, Germany, September 4, 2023. REUTERS/Leonhard Simon/File Photo

(Reuters) -Leapmotor electric vehicles (EVs) will be built at partner Stellantis' Tychy plant in Poland, two people close to the matter told Reuters on Friday, making it one of the first Chinese automakers to start production in Europe.

Output of Leapmotor's T03 small EV car could start before the end of June, using the semi-knocked down (SKD) technique involving turning partially assembled kits into finished vehicles, one of the people said.

Stellantis chose the site for its partner as part of a joint venture they agreed last year.

Tychy will ensure low costs for a product designed to be affordable for a broad range of customers, the second source said. Both sources declined to be identified because the details are not public.

A Stellantis spokesperson declined to comment. Leapmotor representatives could not reached for immediate comment.

With a range of 280 kilometres (174 miles), the T03 is already being imported into some European markets, including France, with prices starting at around 20,000 euros ($21,642).

The model offers to help Stellantis boost its low-cost EV offerings and compete with Renault's Dacia Spring and BYD's Seagull.

Leapmotor told Reuters this month that the joint venture's executive team is in place and that sales of another model, the C10 SUV, the first Leapmotor EV designed specifically for overseas markets, will start soon in Germany, France, Italy and Spain.

RACE IS ON

Chinese automakers are bringing a number of lower-cost EV models to Europe, which has spurred a race by legacy European automakers to develop more affordable electric vehicles.

Trade tensions are running high between China and the European Union, which is investigating whether Chinese EV makers benefit from unfair government subsidies.

Chinese manufacturers are also looking to build assembly plants in Europe. BYD has announced it will build a plant in Hungary, while rival Chery Auto is assessing options for a similar investment, including possibly in Italy and Spain.

Stellantis said last year it was buying a 21% stake in Leapmotor in a $1.6 billion deal that would give it a fresh shot at China, the world's biggest car market by sales.

As part of the deal the two carmakers also announced a joint venture, giving Stellantis exclusive rights to build, export and sell Leapmotor products outside China, a first for a legacy Western automaker.

A Chinese regulator this month approved the joint venture, in which Stellantis has a 51% stake.

Media reports had said earlier this year Stellantis was considering its Mirafiori complex in Turin, Italy, as a base for Leapmotor's European production, with a targeted annual output of 150,000 cars.

Located in the south of Poland, Tychy is an historic Fiat facility. The plant makes several Stellantis vehicles, including petrol and hybrid versions of the Fiat 500, the Fiat 600, the Jeep Avenger and the new Alfa Romeo Milano, scheduled to be unveiled next month.

($1 = 0.9241 euros)

(Reporting by Zhang Yan in Shanghai and Giulio Piovaccari in Milan; writing by Giulio Piovaccari, editing by Gianluca Semeraro, Tomasz Janowski and Jason Neely)
FILE PHOTO: Rahul Gandhi, a senior leader of India's main opposition Congress party addresses his supporters in a public meeting during Rahul's 66-day long "Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra", or Unite India Justice March, in Jhalod town, Gujarat state, India, March

MUMBAI (Reuters) - India's financial crime agency arrested Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of the capital territory of Delhi on Thursday over allegations of graft related to the city's liquor policy.

Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which rules Delhi and the nearby state of Punjab, has dismissed the allegations against him and says it is a politically-motivated smear campaign.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) deny any political interference.

Here is a list of some other key leaders, all of whom oppose Modi, who have been investigated over corruption or financial crimes.

SONIA AND RAHUL GANDHI, MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, CONGRESS

Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi were both questioned in 2022 by the financial crime agency which is investigating allegations of money laundering against the Gandhi family. The family denies wrongdoing.

MANISH SISODIA, AAM AADMI PARTY:

Sisodia, the second-in-command of AAP, which wrested control of Delhi's city government from Congress in 2013, was arrested last year on allegations of corruption in the same case as Kejriwal. He has been held on remand in prison since.

HEMANT SOREN, JHARKHAND MUKTI MORCHA:

Soren, former chief minister of the eastern, mineral-rich state of Jharkhand, was arrested in January in a case related to money-laundering and illegal acquiring of land.

Soren, who was chief minister, resigned a few hours before the Enforcement Directorate, India's federal financial crime-fighting agency, arrested him. He denies any wrongdoing.

K. KAVITHA, BHARAT RASHTRA SAMITHI:

Kavitha, a legislator in the southern state of Telangana and the daughter of the state's previous chief minister, is also being investigated by the financial crime agency on allegations of money laundering in connection with the investigation into the Delhi liquor policy, and was arrested by the ED earlier this month. She denies the allegations.

BHUPESH BAGHEL, CONGRESS:

Baghel, the former chief minister of the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, was charged by the ED in a graft case, local media reported. Baghel has denied the charges and said the case against him is politically motivated.

ABHISHEK BANERJEE, TRINAMOOL CONGRESS

Banerjee, a lawmaker from the eastern Indian state of West Bengal, has been named and summoned by the ED in several cases, most recently, one related to a government school recruitment. He has denied the allegations.

LALU PRASAD YADAV, RASHTRIYA JANATA DAL

Yadav, the former chief minister of the northern state of Bihar, one of the poorest in the country, is accused of asking for land in return for jobs in the railways. He has denied the allegations.

(Reporting by Shilpa Jamkhandikar; Editing by Alex Richardson)
HELSINKI (Reuters) - Finland will resume funding to the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, its foreign trade and development minister said on Friday.

Several countries, including the United States and Britain, paused their funding to UNRWA after accusations by Israel that a dozen of the agency's 13,000 staff in Gaza took part in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Israel.

"UNRWA improving its risk management, meaning preventing and initiating close monitoring for misconduct, provides sufficient guarantees for us at this point to continue our support" Foreign Trade and Development Minister Ville Tavio said.

He told a press conference some of the Finnish money would be earmarked for risk management.

Countries including Canada, Australia and Sweden have also restored funding to UNRWA, while several Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia have increased funding.

(Reporting by Stine Jacobsen and Essi Lehto, editing by Louise Rasmussen and Toby Chopra)
The first Ukrainian pilots to have undergone intensive training under the guidance of Royal Air Force instructors have graduated from flight school.

The UK Government has said on its website the ten pilots received basic flying, ground school and language training in the UK and "will one day form the first line of defense in protecting Ukraine's skies from Putin's forces."

The cohort will now move to advanced flying training provided by the French Air Force before learning to fly F-16 fighter jets.

"This effort is a key UK contribution to the Air Capability Coalition, co-led by the United States, Denmark and the Netherlands, which is helping build an air force consisting of modern fighter jets to form the cornerstone of Ukraine's armed forces," the UK Government said.

The capability coalitions were established last year to provide a long-term commitment to supporting Ukraine's armed forces, with the UK co-leading the maritime and drone coalitions.

"I would like to congratulate these brave pilots on completing their initial training here in the UK. Thanks to the world-renowned skills of RAF, these pilots have received some of the best training available and are now a step closer to joining the fight against Putin's illegal invasion," UK Secretary of State for Defense Grant Shapps said.

He also noted that the UK has led the way in building Ukraine's air capabilities over the last two years, enhancing its aircraft with additional equipment, as well as being the first nation to provide long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine

As part of their training, the pilots were taught general aircraft handling, flying by the aircrafts instruments, low level navigation and advanced formation flying by experienced RAF instructors. They also received English language training to assist in their training and to boost interoperability with NATO air forces.

The pilots will now continue to France to conduct advanced flight training before they progress to training on the F-16 aircraft itself.

"The trainees join more than 60,000 Ukrainians who have received training in the UK since Putin first ordered the invasion of Crimea in 2014, including 36,000 recruits since 2022 through Operation Interflex," the UK Government said.
LONDON (Reuters) - Five Bulgarians, accused of being part of a Russian espionage network operating in Britain under instruction from fugitive Wirecard executive Jan Marsalek, pleaded not guilty in a London court on Friday to a charge of conspiracy to spy.

Orlin Roussev, 46, Bizer Dzhambazov, 42, Katrin Ivanova, 32, Ivan Stoyanov, 32, and Vanya Gaberova, 29, are accused of conspiring to obtain, collect, or communicate information which might be useful "for a purpose prejudicial to the safety and interest of the state" between August 2020 and February 2023.

The three men and two women all formally entered not guilty pleas during a hearing at London's Old Bailey court.

Roussev, Ivanova and Dzhambazov also denied a second charge of possessing 18 false documents. These included Bulgarian, British, French, Croatian, Czech, Greek, Italian and Slovenian passports, a Spanish identity card and a Czech driving licence.

Tihomir Ivanchev, 38, a sixth Bulgarian who has also been accused of spying, was formally joined to the case, but did not enter a plea.

At a previous hearing, British prosecutors said the defendants were part of an organised network which had carried out surveillance and hostile action on behalf of Russia against specific targets, including for potential abductions.

Roussev's home was said to be the group's alleged operating hub in Britain, and said the network had been given tasking by a person identified as Jan Marsalek.

Marsalek, the former chief operating officer for collapsed payments company Wirecard, has not been charged with any offence in Britain but was named as a co-conspirator in the indictment. He is wanted by German police over alleged fraud and his whereabouts are currently unknown.

The case was adjourned until the next hearing on May 16 and they are due to stand trial in October.

(Reporting by Michael Holden, Editing by Louise Heavens)
Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a house, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip March 22, 2024. REUTERS/Ahmed Zakot

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - France will work with Jordan and the United Arab Emirates to convince Russia and China to back a resolution at the United Nations for a ceasefire in Gaza after the two big powers blocked a text by the U.S., President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday.

"Following the Russian and Chinese veto a few minutes ago, we are going to resume work on the basis of the French draft resolution in the Security Council and work with our American, European and Arab partners to reach an agreement," Macron said at end of a European Union leaders' summit in Brussels.

France's foreign ministry said on Thursday it had started drafting a resolution with diplomats, saying they would put a draft forward if the U.S. resolution did not pass.

The U.N. Security Council on Friday failed to pass a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza as part of a hostage deal, the first time the U.S. has backed such language.

The resolution called for an "immediate and sustained ceasefire" lasting roughly six weeks that would protect civilians and allow for the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Macron said that the change in tone from Washington meant that he was hopeful a new resolution with Arab states could succeed if they were able to convince Russia and China not to oppose.

"What is important to note is that the U.S. has changed its position and has indicated its desire to now very clearly defend a ceasefire, which is a good thing for us and for the progress of our draft," Macron said.

(Reporting by John Irish, editing by GV De Clercq, Hugh Lawson, William Maclean)
The Wall Street entrance to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is seen in New York City, U.S., November 15, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

(Reuters) - Global equity funds attracted substantial inflows in the week to March 20, driven by strong industrial and retail data from China and optimism about anticipated rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve later in the year.

According to data from LSEG, investors purchased a net $15.7 billion worth of global equity funds during the week after about $21.95 billion worth of net accumulation in the previous week.

The MSCI World Stock Index hit a new record of 785.62 following the Fed's Wednesday announcement, which reinforced its stance on reducing rates three times this year.

Regionally, U.S. funds led with $14.07 billion in inflows, the highest since mid-June 2023, while Asian funds added $3.29 billion, but European funds saw outflows of $1.91 billion.

The tech sector funds gained $2.12 billion in inflows during the week, the biggest amount since Feb. 14, whereas the financial sector faced sales of $1.02 billion. The metals & mining sector attracted $459 million.

Bond funds extended their inflow streak to 13 weeks, attracting $4.88 billion, with corporate bonds drawing $3.17 billion and government bonds $1.3 billion. However, global short-term bonds experienced $2.12 billion in net withdrawals.

Money market funds, meanwhile, witnessed outflows of about $65.9 billion, their first weekly net selling in four weeks.

Among commodities, precious metal funds broke a seven-week-long selling trend with a massive $1.46 billion worth of net buying, the biggest since May 2022. Conversely, energy funds suffered $102 million worth of outflows.

Data covering 29,715 emerging market funds showed equity funds lost $450 million in outflows, marking their third weekly net selling in a row. Bond funds also witnessed $933 million worth of net disposals in contrast to about $454 million worth of net purchases, a week ago.

(Reporting by Gaurav Dogra and Patturaja Murugaboopathy in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)
FILE PHOTO: Colombia's President Gustavo Petro speaks during a meeting with Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela November 18, 2023. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/File Photo

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia's President Gustavo Petro ordered the country's military to capture the top leader of the Estado Mayor Central, aggravating a breakdown in relations between the illegal armed group and the government as they hold peace talks.

Petro issued the order on Thursday night at an event in Colombia's Sucre province, demanding that troops capture Ivan Mordisco, the top commander of the EMC, a dissident faction of the now-demobilized FARC rebels who reject a 2016 peace deal with the state.

"I want them to capture Ivan Mordisco alive - don't kill him (...) I don't want them to kill him out there, I want him alive, because he's going to prison, to talk," Petro told a local crowd.

The EMC did not immediately respond to Petro's comments.

The president's order to capture Mordisco came after talks with the EMC hit a crisis point last weekend, when the government suspended its bilateral ceasefire with the group in three provinces after its members attacked an Indigenous community and killed one of its leaders.

The talks form part of Petro's policy of total peace, which aims to end the country's armed conflict of almost six decades, which has killed at least 450,000 people.

Analysts warned the suspension of the bilateral ceasefire in the provinces of Narino, Cauca and Valle del Cauca, as well as barbs traded between Petro and Mordisco - who accused the president of betrayal - threatened to end peace talks between the two sides.

(Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta; Writing by Oliver Griffin)
People attend a vigil in memory of nonbinary teenage student Nex Benedict, who died a day after an altercation in a girls high school bathroom in Owasso, Oklahoma, U.S. February 25, 2024. REUTERS/Patrick Quiring

By Daniel Trotta

(Reuters) - Prosecutors on Thursday announced that no criminal charges would be filed in the death of nonbinary Oklahoma teenager Nex Benedict, who died one day after a fight at school that may have followed bullying due to Benedict's gender identity.

The Oklahoma medical examiner on March 13 ruled that Benedict died by suicide from ingesting antidepressants and antihistamines, while also finding nonlethal wounds from the fight on Benedict's nose and mouth.

The case of Benedict, 16, has drawn scrutiny from LGBTQ advocates who believe school officials may have overlooked abuse, and it has led to a civil rights investigation by the U.S. Department of Education to determine if any laws were broken or whether the school district failed to respond to harassment.

Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler called Benedict's death a tragedy in a statement, but said the conduct of juveniles involved in the fight in the girls' restroom failed to rise to the standard of a prosecutable crime.

"I am in agreement with their (police) assessment that the filing of juvenile charges is not warranted. From all the evidence gathered, this fight was an instance of mutual combat," Kunzweiler said.

Benedict, who was assigned female at birth, preferred they/them pronouns with some people and he/him pronouns among close friends, according to the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ advocacy group.

After the suicide determination, the Human Rights Campaign reiterated its call for a thorough investigation, and linked bullying and harassment to elevated suicide rates for LGBTQ youth.

Friends and family said Benedict had been harassed for months.

Kunzweiler said Benedict left brief notes that appeared related to the suicide and described the fight as "involving two groups of students" and lasting less than one minute after Benedict poured water over two girls.

"Apparently, comments were directed about how Benedict laughed, which was followed by the water pouring incident," the district attorney said.

(Reporting by Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad, California; Additional reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Leslie Adler)
FILE PHOTO: Filipino soldiers take part in a flag raising ceremony on Mavulis Island during a trip of the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in Batanes, Philippines, June 29, 2023. Batanes, a group of idyllic islands at the countrys

By Karen Lema

MANILA (Reuters) - The U.S. military will not be involved in development of a port in the Philippines' remote northernmost islands near Taiwan, the local governor said on Friday, removing a potential source of friction with China over the U.S. presence in the region.

The governor of the Batanes islands, less than 200 km (125 miles) from Taiwan, said in August she had sought U.S. funding for a new port there. The U.S. embassy had at the time confirmed its diplomats and U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) experts had been engaging local authorities on various support measures for the islands.

"At first they said they will help but later on, no more, so I asked help from PPA," Governor Marilou Cayco told Reuters in a message, referring to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

The project was intended to help the unloading of cargo from the capital, Manila, during rough seas in the monsoon season, when an existing facility is often inaccessible.

The U.S. embassy on Friday said it had no immediate comment on the issue.

U.S. military involvement in the Batanes port could have stoked tension at a time of growing friction with China and a drive by Washington to intensify its longstanding defence engagements with the Philippines, which Beijing has viewed with suspicion.

The Bashi Channel between the Batanes islands and Taiwan is considered a choke point for vessels moving between the western Pacific and the contested South China Sea and would be a key waterway in the case of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

The Chinese military regularly sends ships and aircraft through the channel, Taiwan's defence ministry has said.

In statement released to the media on Friday, the Chinese embassy in Manila said Taiwan was an internal matter for China so it should never become an issue between China and the Philippines.

It was not immediately clear what the statement was in response to.

"Any attempt to implicate the Taiwan question in the maritime disputes between China and the Philippines is dangerous," the embassy said in a statement, without elaborating on the danger.

When asked why the U.S. was no longer participating in the port project, Cayco said she did not know. "Actually, we just made a proposal and because that's not sure, we had sought help from the PPA."

(Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Martin Petty)
FILE PHOTO: A Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile unit is seen at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo, Japan, October 8, 2017. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's newly appointed ambassador to Japan has warned Tokyo of serious consequences and retaliatory steps if Patriot missile systems manufactured under U.S. licence in Japan end up in Ukraine, the RIA news agency reported on Friday.

RIA cited the new envoy, Nikolai Nozdrev, as saying that Moscow would be watching closely to see where Japanese arms exports ended up after Tokyo softened its export rules at the end of last year.

In particular, he said, Russia would be watching to see if and when any Patriot missile complexes and missiles made in Japan under U.S. licence are exported to the United States and then to Ukraine.

"Accordingly, we will be watching carefully to make sure that the Patriots delivered do not end up in Ukraine, because if that happens, there will be the most severe consequences for bilateral (Russia-Japan) relations, including our retaliatory steps," RIA cited him as saying.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a meeting with his election campaign confidants at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia March 20, 2024. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina

MOSCOW (Reuters) -The Kremlin on Friday warned of "catastrophic consequences" should the EU proceed with plans to confiscate Russian assets held in Western banks.

Some Western banks are lobbying against EU proposals to redistribute billions of euros in interest earned on frozen Russian assets, senior industry sources said, fearing it could lead to costly litigation.

European Union leaders on Thursday agreed to move ahead with work on a plan to use up to 3 billion euros ($3.24 billion) a year to supply arms to Ukraine as they try to bolster Kyiv's fight against Russia, which would still own the underlying frozen assets. EU leaders said the proceeds could be used within a few months.

"We have heard statements from Brussels that the proceeds of our assets don't belong to anyone," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "This is not so. They belong to the holders of the assets, the owners of the assets."

Responding to Reuters' report that some banks fear that they might later be held liable by Russia if they are involved in any transfer of money to Ukraine, Peskov issued a thinly veiled warning.

"The legal department of any bank understands the catastrophic consequences of such actions to expropriate assets, both for the bank, for the country as a whole and for the European economy," Peskov said.

"If such decisions were realised, this would have very serious consequences for those who took and implemented them."

Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina on Friday weighed in on the issue as well, after the bank had held interest rates at 16%.

"Regarding EU action on frozen assets, decisions will be made and we will take corresponding measures to defend our interests," Nabiullina said.

($1 = 0.9247 euros)

(Reporting by Dmitry Antonov; Writing by Alexander Marrow; Editing by Mark Trevelyan and Angus MacSwan)
FILE PHOTO: Chinese Special Envoy for Eurasian Affairs Li Hui leaves the headquarters of the Russian foreign ministry following talks in Moscow, Russia, May 26, 2023. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo

By Joe Cash

BEIJING (Reuters) -Russia and Ukraine both believe the conflict will end through negotiations, China's special envoy for Eurasian affairs said on Friday, even though the warring states view the prospect of peace talks very differently and are adamant in their positions.

Li Hui warned diplomats and reporters on his latest round of shuttle diplomacy to Moscow, Kyiv and several European capitals that the war risks escalating further.

"All sides insist on their own positions and there is a relatively big gap in their understanding of peace talks... but all agree that negotiations, rather than guns, will ultimately end this war," Li said.

"More than two years after the outbreak of the war, not only is there no sign of a lull in the fighting, but there is also the threat of the conflict escalating further," he added, after saying that he felt securing a ceasefire would be difficult.

China and Russia struck a "no limits" partnership before war broke out in early 2022 and Beijing has refrained from condemning the Kremlin for the invasion.

Still, some Ukrainian officials have said that Beijing must be involved in talks to end the violence.

Russian forces have slowly been advancing and now control a little under one fifth of Ukraine. A Ukrainian counteroffensive last year failed to make significant gains after their forces pushed Russian troops out of large swathes of the country in the east and south in 2022.

Li said Russia appreciates China's efforts in its latest round of shuttle diplomacy, which also took him to Germany, France and Poland this month, while Ukraine viewed his recent visit as important.

He said China wishes for an international peace conference recognised by both Russia and Ukraine, with both participating equally. Switzerland plans to host a peace conference this year, which Moscow said is doomed to fail without its participation.

"What I must emphasise is that the Chinese side is not in favour of one side over the other, and only wants to make sure the meeting is a success," Li said.

"As you can see, the intention of the Chinese side is very clear: to facilitate an early political settlement of this crisis," he added.

Li told reporters that China stood "with open arms" to accept anything conducive to de-escalation and negotiation.

"In the future, China will continue to play a unique role and contribute 'Chinese wisdom'", he said.

(Reporting by Joe Cash; Writing by Joe Cash and Liz Lee; Editing by Tom Hogue, Kim Coghill and Gerry Doyle)
FILE PHOTO: Police officers gather next to a monument to Russian poet Alexander Pushkin as supporters of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny are expected to protest against his arrest in Moscow, Russia January 23, 2021. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Ph

By Lucy Papachristou

LONDON (Reuters) - A Moscow military court has sentenced a Russian poet to seven years in prison for verses questioning the morality of Russia's war in Ukraine, according to a letter he wrote to a Russian activist.

A notice on the court's website showed Alexander Byvshev was convicted on Tuesday of "public calls for terrorism" and spreading "military fakes", laws used widely in the past two years against Russians who speak out against the war in Ukraine.

The court notice did not provide the length of his sentence but Byvshev said in a letter to Anastasiya Shevchenko, a Russian activist now living in Lithuania, that he had received a seven-year term.

He also wrote in the letter, reviewed by Reuters, that his conviction stemmed from a poem he published a few weeks after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and a video he shared online showing damage to a Kyiv suburb where his aunt was born.

The quatrain "To Russian officers or a rhetorical question" begins with the line: "Rockets are being fired at Ukraine".

It ends with an appeal to Russia's military to find its "Stauffenberg" - a reference to Adolf Hitler's would-be assassin which he said in the letter may have been interpreted as "an incitement to carry out a conspiracy against the President of Russia, V.V. Putin"

"Thus, the authorities decided to finally shut me up", Byvshev wrote.

The Soviet Union, and the Russian Empire before it, had a long history of repressing writers, who often doubled as dissidents.

Poet Alexander Pushkin was exiled by Tsar Alexander I for his poem "Ode to Liberty". Soviet Jewish writer Joseph Brodsky fled to the United States in the 1970s.

Three Russian poets were arrested in September 2022 for reciting verses in a Moscow square condemning the Ukraine war, and received prison sentences ranging from four to seven years.

A resident of Kromy, a small town 400 km (250 miles) southwest of Moscow, Byvshev has been publishing anti-war poetry for at least a decade, according to an advocacy group for Russian political prisoners.

After losing his job as a German language schoolteacher, he had at least six criminal cases brought against him before his most recent arrest in February 2023.

In a 2018 interview, Byvshev warned of turbulence to come in Russia, paraphrasing Soviet dissident writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn: "The clock of communism has stopped striking, but let us not be crushed under its rubble."

(Reporting and writing by Lucy Papachristou; Editing by Mark Trevelyan and Timothy Heritage)
Ten civilians were injured and three went missing as a result of Russia's massive missile attack on Zaporizhia in the early hours of Friday, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine has said.

"As a result of the enemy attack, ten people were injured and three went missing. Search and rescue operations continue at one of the strike scenes in a private housing district of the regional center. Emergency response volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society and National Police dog handlers are working on the spot," it said on its Telegram channel.

The State Emergency Service did not report any victims.

The Interior Ministry of Ukraine reported the same information on its Telegram channel.

At the same time, the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine (PGO) reported one dead as a result of the strike.

"So far, one dead was reported as a result of an attack on the Dniprovska HPP [Hydroelectric Power Plant]," it said on the Telegram channel.
Smoke rises above the burning Crocus City Hall concert venue following a reported shooting incident, outside Moscow, Russia, March 22, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

By Guy Faulconbridge and Andrew Osborn

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Camouflage-clad gunmen opened fire with automatic weapons at concertgoers near Moscow on Friday, killing at least 60 people and injuring 145 in an attack claimed by Islamic State militants.

In the deadliest attack in Russia since the 2004 Beslan school siege, gunmen sprayed civilians with bullets just before Soviet-era rock group "Picnic" was to perform to a full house at the 6,200-seat the Crocus City Hall just west of the capital.

Verified video showed people taking their seats in the hall, then rushing for the exits as repeated gunfire echoed above screams. Other video showed men shooting at groups of people. Some victims lay motionless in pools of blood.

"Suddenly there were bangs behind us - shots. A burst of firing - I do not know what," one witness, who asked not to be identified by name, told Reuters.

"A stampede began. Everyone ran to the escalator," the witness said. "Everyone was screaming; everyone was running."

Russian investigators said the death toll was more than 60. Health officials said about 145 people were wounded, of which about 60 were in critical condition.

In the 2004 Beslan school siege, Islamist militants took more than 1,000 people, including hundreds of children, hostage.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was being updated by security chiefs about the situation, including from Alexander Bortnikov, the head of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the Kremlin said.

Russian investigators published pictures of a Kalashnikov automatic weapon, vests with multiple spare magazines and bags of spent bullet casings.

ISLAMIC STATE

Islamic State, the militant group that once sought control over swathes of Iraq and Syria, claimed responsibility for the attack, the group's Amaq agency said on Telegram.

A grainy picture was published by some Russian media of two of the alleged attackers in a white car.

The fate of the attackers was unclear as firefighters battled a massive blaze and emergency services evacuated hundreds of people while parts of the venue's roof collapsed.

Islamic State said its fighters attacked on the outskirts of Moscow, "killing and wounding hundreds and causing great destruction to the place before they withdrew to their bases safely." The statement gave no further detail.

The United States has intelligence confirming Islamic State's claim of responsibility for the shooting, a U.S. official said on Friday. The official said Washington had warned Moscow in recent weeks of the possibility of an attack.

"We did warn the Russians appropriately," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, without providing any additional details.

Russia has yet to say who it thinks is responsible.

The attack on Crocus City Hall, about 20 km (12 miles) from the Kremlin, comes just two weeks after the U.S. embassy in Russia warned that "extremists" had imminent plans for an attack in Moscow.

Hours before the embassy warning, the FSB said it had foiled an attack on a Moscow synagogue by Islamic State's affiliate in Afghanistan, known as ISIS-Khorasan or ISIS-K, and seeks a caliphate across Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Iran.

Putin changed the course of the Syrian civil war by intervening in 2015, supporting President Bashar al-Assad against the opposition and Islamic State.

"ISIS-K has been fixated on Russia for the past two years, frequently criticizing Putin in its propaganda," said Colin Clarke of the Soufan Center.

The broader Islamic State group has claimed deadly attacks across the Middle East, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Europe, the Philippines and Sri Lanka.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said it was a "bloody terrorist attack" that the entire world should condemn.

The United States, European and Arab powers and many former Soviet republics expressed shock and sent their condolences. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak denied any Ukrainian involvement.

The United Nations Security Council condemned what it called a "heinous and cowardly terrorist attack."

SECURITY TIGHTENED

Russia tightened security at airports, transport hubs and across the capital - a vast urban area of over 21 million people. All large-scale public events were cancelled across the country.

Putin, who was on Sunday re-elected for a new six-year term, sent thousands of troops into Ukraine in 2022 and has repeatedly warned that various powers - including countries in the West - are seeking to sow chaos inside Russia.

Putin was informed in the first minutes of the attack and is regularly being updated, the Kremlin said.

"The president constantly receives information about what is happening and about the measures being taken through all relevant services. The head of state gave all the necessary instructions," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

At Crocus City Hall, flames leapt into the sky, and plumes of black smoke rose above the venue as hundreds of blue lights from emergency vehicles flashed in the night.

Helicopters sought to douse flames that engulfed the large building. The roof of the venue was collapsing, state news agency RIA said.

"A terrible tragedy occurred in the shopping centre Crocus City today," Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said. "I am sorry for the loved ones of the victims."

(Reporting by Reuters reporters in Moscow, Tbilisi, London, Cairo and Washington; Writing by Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow and Andrew Osborn and Maxim Rodionov in London; Editing by Timothy Heritage, Cynthia Osterman, Rosalba O'Brien and Gerry Doyle)
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks to the press as he attends a European Union leaders summit in Brussels, Belgium March 21, 2024. REUTERS/Johanna Geron

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain has agreed with the leaders of Ireland, Malta and Slovenia to take the first steps towards recognising a Palestinian state, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Friday following a meeting of the European Council in Brussels.

Speaking for Spain, Sanchez expected the recognition to happen during the current four-year legislature that began last year.

He told reporters the agreement was reached after meeting with his Irish, Maltese and Slovenian counterparts on the sidelines of the Council gathering on Friday morning.

"We are agreed that the only way to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region is through implementation of a two-state solution, with Israeli and Palestinian States living side-by-side, in peace and security," read a joint statement issued by Ireland after the meeting.

Arab states and the European Union agreed at a meeting in Spain in November that a two-state solution was the answer to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Since 1988, 139 out of 193 United Nations member states have recognised Palestinian statehood.

(Reporting by David Latona; Editing by Andrei Khalip and Hugh Lawson)
People gather at the scene where former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste apparently shot himself, according to the police, at Kwaaiwater, in Hermanus, Western Cape, South Africa, March 22, 2024. REUTERS/Esa Alexander

By Esa Alexander and Bhargav Acharya

HERMANUS, South Africa (Reuters) - The former chief executive of South African multinational retailer Steinhoff had been notified of an arrest warrant against him shortly before he was found dead in what local media called a suicide, the elite Hawks police unit said on Friday.

Warrants were issued for Markus Jooste, 63, and his former colleague Stephanus Grobler on Wednesday, the same day Jooste was handed a hefty fine for accounting fraud by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), the Hawks said.

Jooste was found, reportedly with a gunshot wound, on a rugged stretch of coastline at Kwaaiwater, a suburb of the coastal town of Hermanus near Cape Town and later died on the way to the hospital. Local media said he had shot himself.

Reuters could not reach Jooste's family while Steinhoff did not respond to requests for comment.

Once instrumental in transforming Steinhoff from a small Johannesburg furniture outfit into a multinational retailer, Jooste was fined for publishing false and misleading financial statements and reports from 2014 to 2017.

Jooste, who left the firm in 2017, had been expected to hand himself in with Grobler and appear for a court hearing in the capital Pretoria on Friday, the police said.

"The allegations include, amongst others, fraud, a pattern of racketeering activities and contravention of Financial Markets Act against Steinhoff International Holdings," they said, adding that Grobler had appeared in court.

The FSCA said Jooste's death would have no bearing on its investigation into Steinhoff, or on the 475 million rand ($25.0 million) penalty imposed on him.

"The FSCA is legally entitled to recover the penalty from the estate of the late Mr Jooste," it said.

Steinhoff, the majority owner of South African and European discount retailers Pepkor and Pepco, has suffered heavy losses and a slew of lawsuits since Jooste left.

($1 = 18.9707 rand)

(Reporting by Esa Alexander in Hermanus and Bhargav Acharya in Johannesburg; Editing by Nellie Peyton and Kevin Liffey)
FILE PHOTO: A Tesla car is driven past a store of the electric vehicle (EV) maker in Beijing, China January 4, 2024. REUTERS/Florence Lo/File Photo

(Reuters) - Tesla has reduced its car production at its plant in China, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, as the U.S. electric vehicle-maker grapples with slow demand and strong competition in the market.

The company earlier in March told employees at its Shanghai factory to lower output of both the Model Y sport utility vehicle and Model 3 sedan  the two types it makes in China  by working five days a week instead of the usual 6-1/2 days, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

(Reporting by Zaheer Kachwala in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)
Tunisian prominent journalist Mohamed Boughalleb speaks during the filming of his show to broadcast via YouTube, in Tunis, Tunisia September 30, 2022. REUTERS/Jihed Abidellaoui

By Tarek Amara

TUNIS (Reuters) -The Tunisia public prosecutor detained prominent journalist Mohamed Boughalleb on Friday on suspicion of insulting a public official, which the journalists union said was aimed at silencing the voices of journalists.

The detention of Boughalleb, who has been a critic of President Kais Saied, reinforces activists fears that the government was increasingly restricting freedoms ahead of presidential elections expected this year.

"A public sector employee insisted on filing a complaint against Boughalleb after he insulted her on social media and repeated it on a radio program, Judge Mohamed Zitouna, spokesperson of the public prosecutor, told Reuters without naming the employee. The court will decide whether to extend or cancel his detention.

The police on Friday began questioning Boughalleb, an independent journalist, amid a broad campaign of support from journalists and activists who called on Saied to stop restricting freedom of speech.

Saied seized extra powers in 2021 when he shut down the elected parliament and moved to rule by decree before assuming authority over the judiciary.

Since Tunisia's 2011 revolution, press freedom has been a key gain for Tunisians and its media has become one of the most open of any Arab state.

However, politicians, journalists and unions say that freedom of the press faces a serious threat under the rule of Saied, who came to power in 2019 in free elections and who has rejected such accusations, saying he will not become a dictator.

The National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists demanded the immediate release of Boughalleb and expressed its readiness for all forms of struggle to defend free speech.

(Reporting by Tarek Amara; Editing by Leslie Adler and Josie Kao)
By Steve Gorman

(Reuters) - Two people found slain in Idaho during the manhunt for an escaped prison inmate and his armed accomplice have been identified as elderly men the fugitives encountered, and in one case abducted, while on the run, police said on Friday.

Skylar Meade, serving time for aggravated battery, and Nicholas Umphenour, shot their way out of a hospital in Boise and were taken into custody 36 hours later on Thursday about 130 miles to the southeast near Twin Falls, Idaho.

State police revealed on Friday that a third suspect, a 52-year-old woman, was arrested along with Meade as he and Umphenour attempted to flee in separate vehicles from a residence where they had taken refuge. Umphenour was caught nearby.

Authorities have not publicly identified the woman or specified what role she played in Meade's getaway attempt.

But state police disclosed new details about Meade and Umphenour's day-and-a-half on the loose, including two homicides linked to them.

Police said James Mauney, 83, was abducted by the fugitives while walking his dogs early on Wednesday near his home in Juliaetta, in northern Idaho, and driven in his own minivan to a remote site where authorities later found his body and the original getaway car.

In a secluded area about 30 miles to the east, authorities discovered the body of 72-year-old Gerald "Don" Henderson in his home near Orofino. They also found the shackles Meade was wearing when he first escaped, and Mauney's dogs, who were later returned to his family. Police said they believe Henderson may have been acquainted with the fugitives.

Investigators following various leads and tips later tracked the stolen minivan to a safehouse in the town of Filer, adjacent to Twin Falls, near where the suspects ultimately were captured, police said.

The episode began Tuesday night when Meade was taken by prison personnel from the Idaho Maximum Security Institution to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise for emergency treatment of a self-inflicted injury.

His three-man security team was ambushed at the hospital by Umphenour, who opened fire on the corrections officers, wounding two of them, as they prepared to escort Meade back to prison.

A third corrections officer was injured by gunfire from a Boise police officer who arrived on the scene as Meade and Umphenour, a former cellblock acquaintance and fellow member of the Aryan Knights neo-Nazi prison gang, made their getaway in the chaos, according to authorities.

The head of the Idaho Correction Department, Josh Tewalt, called the breakout a planned and unprecedented escape, and said a review was underway to determine if prison protocols for hospital transfers should be revised.

(Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Editing by David Gregorio)
LONDON (Reuters) - British police said on Friday they were investigating possibly racist comments allegedly made by the biggest donor to the ruling Conservative party at a meeting in 2019.

The Guardian newspaper reported on March 11 that businessman Frank Hester - who gave 10 million pounds ($12.58 million) to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's party in the past year - told colleagues that looking at lawmaker Diane Abbott made him "want to hate all Black women".

Abbott is the longest-serving Black lawmaker and an opposition member of parliament in Britain's House of Commons.

Hester, in a statement on March 11 in response to the Guardian report, said his comments in 2019 about Abbott were rude but had nothing to do with her gender nor her skin colour.

London's Metropolitan Police was initially contacted over the alleged remark and the investigation was later passed on to West Yorkshire Police because the meeting took place in a town in Yorkshire, northern England.

"Our officers have since been working to establish the facts and to ultimately ascertain whether a crime has been committed," West Yorkshire Police said in a statement.

Asked on Friday about the investigation, Sunak said it "wouldn't be right to comment" on police matters.

"As I have said previously, what he (Hester) said was wrong and racist and he rightly has apologised for it," the prime minister told broadcasters.

($1 = 0.7947 pounds)

(Reporting by Farouq Suleiman; Editing by Susan Fenton)
FILE PHOTO: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak talks with Ahmad Al Dubayan, Director General of the London Central Mosque, during a visit to the mosque, in north London, Britain, on March 11, 2024. DANIEL LEAL/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain's King Charles, Prince Harry and political leaders offered support to Kate, Princess of Wales, after she said tests following abdominal surgery showed cancer had been present and she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, ON BEHALF OF BRITAIN'S KING CHARLES

"His Majesty (HM) is 'so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did'. Following their time in hospital together, HM has 'remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks.' Both Their Majesties (Charles and Queen Camilla) 'will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time'."

PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN, DUKE AND DUCHESS OF SUSSEX

"We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace."

UK PRIME MINISTER RISHI SUNAK

"The Princess of Wales has the love and support of the whole country as she continues her recovery. She has shown tremendous bravery with her statement today. In recent weeks she has been subjected to intense scrutiny and has been unfairly treated by certain sections of the media around the world and on social media. When it comes to matters of health, like everyone else, she must be afforded the privacy to focus on her treatment and be with her loving family."

WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF U.S. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN

"We are incredibly sad to hear of the news," White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told a regular news conference, adding she wished Kate a full recovery.

CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU

"My thoughts are with the Princess of Wales, her children, and the entire Royal Family following the news of her cancer so courageously shared."

"On behalf of Canadians, Im sending my support as she undergoes treatment. Were all wishing her a swift recovery."

FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON

"Your Highness, In this difficult period you are going through, Brigitte and I wish you a full recovery. Your strength and resilience inspire us all."

AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE

"My thoughts, and those of Australians, are with the Princess of Wales and her family following the news of her cancer diagnosis. The Princess of Wales has shown extraordinary courage with her public statement today, in which she expresses her concern for others. We are sending support and strength in this difficult time as she undergoes treatment, and we wish her well for a speedy recovery."

NEW ZEALAND PRIME MINISTER CHRISTOPHER LUXON

"New Zealands thoughts are this morning with the Princess of Wales following the news of her cancer diagnosis. I know Kiwis across the world will be wishing her well in her recovery."

UK OPPOSITION LABOUR PARTY LEADER KEIR STARMER

"I am heartened by The Princess of Wales' optimistic tone and her message of faith and hope. Her Royal Highness will be in our thoughts and prayers as she progresses through her treatment with the love and support of not just her whole family, but the whole nation too."

SCOTTISH FIRST MINISTER HUMZA YOUSAF

"I'm deeply saddened to hear the news about the Princess of Wales/Duchess of Rothesay. I am praying for her swift recovery."

"It must be an incredibly difficult time for the whole family. Royalty or otherwise, she has a right to privacy, which I hope will be respected."

FIRST MINISTER OF NORTHERN IRELAND MICHELLE ONEILL,

"I am very sorry to hear the news of the Princess of Wales cancer diagnosis. I send her my best wishes and the strength for her treatment, and a full and speedy recovery. A special word of thought to her young family at this challenging time."

WELSH FIRST MINISTER VAUGHAN GETHING

"Deeply saddened to hear the news about HRH The Princess of Wales. On behalf of people across Wales, I would like to send our love and support to the Princess and her family at this very difficult time."

"All of our thoughts are with you as you continue your treatment."

(Reporting by Reuters bureaux; Compiled by William Schomberg and Alistair Smout; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Frances Kerry)
A view shows Dnipro Hydroelectric Station hit by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, in this handout picture released on March 22, 2024. Press service of the General Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine/Handout v

By Max Hunder and Tom Balmforth

KYIV (Reuters) - Russia pounded Ukrainian power facilities on Friday in an attack described by Kyiv as the largest airstrike on its energy infrastructure in two years of war, and portrayed by Moscow as revenge for Ukrainian attacks during its presidential election.

The missile and drone attack hit a vast dam over the Dnipro river, killed at least five people and left more than a million others without power, forcing Kyiv to seek emergency electricity supplies from Poland, Romania and Slovakia, Kyiv officials said.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, speaking in his nightly video address, said the strikes proved again that Russian attacks on infrastructure could be halted only with more air defence systems and that required political will from Ukraine's allies.

"Russian terror is only possible now because we don't have enough modern air defence systems which, to be honest, requires enough political will to provide them," Zelenskiy said.

"All our partners know what is needed and who can make truly life-saving decisions."

Military aid to Ukraine from Western allies has slowed in recent months, in particular a $60 billion package from Washington, stalled by political disputes in the U.S. Congress.

The strikes, which Kyiv said caused blackouts in seven regions, revived memories of the winter of 2022-23 when Moscow regularly bombed Ukraine's power grid.

Zelenskiy said repair work had made progress, with the worst outages in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, central Dnipropetrovsk region and Ivano-Frankivsk in the west.

The Russian defence ministry said the airstrike was carried out in retaliation for Ukrainian shelling and cross-border raids last week as Russians took part in a stage-managed election that handed President Vladimir Putin a fifth term.

Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko said: "The goal is not just to damage, but to try again, like last year, to cause a large-scale failure of the country's energy system."

Russia denies targeting civilians, although the war that began with its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine has killed thousands of people, uprooted millions and destroyed towns and cities.

"STATE OF WAR"

Moscow says Ukrainian power facilities are legitimate targets and such attacks are aimed at weakening Kyiv's military.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a Russian publication on Friday that Moscow saw itself as in a "state of war" because of the West's intervention on Kyiv's side.

The comment marked a rhetorical break from the "special military operation" language that Moscow has used, an apparent move to prepare Russians for a longer and harder struggle.

European Union Council President Charles Michel said Russia's comments about war with Europe showed the importance of the EU's building its own defence industry.

Two people were killed in the western Khmelnytskyi region and three in Zaporizhzhia in the southeast, including at least one at the dam, said the local administration and general prosecutor's office. More than 30 people were reported injured.

Ukraine's largest dam, the DniproHES in the city of Zaporizhzhia, was hit eight times, an official from the Ukrainian prosecutor's office said.

The state hydropower company said there was no risk of a breach. The company's director, Ihor Syrota, said both its power blocks and the dam itself had been damaged.

A state ecological inspectorate said that oil had leaked into the Dnipro river which the dam straddles.

"The wide impact of todays attacks on critical civilian infrastructure is deepening the already dire humanitarian situation for millions of people in Ukraine," the UN's humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, Denise Brown, said in a statement.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said around 20 substations and electricity stations had been hit in addition to the dam.

Russia fired 88 missiles and 63 Shahed drones, of which only 37 and 55, respectively, were shot down, the Ukrainian air force said of the attacks.

That represented a worse ratio than usual, possibly reflecting Moscow's widespread use of ballistic missiles that are harder to shoot down and also the proximity of the targeted regions to Russian-controlled areas.

Some 1.2 million people in at least four regions were left without power due to the attacks, presidential aide Oleksiy Kuleba said on Telegram.

(Reporting by Max Hunder; additional reporting by Yuliia Dysa, Dan Peleschuk and Olzhas Auyezov in Almaty; Writing by Tom Balmforth; Editing by Alex Richardson, Timothy Heritage, Kevin Liffey, Ron Popeski and Leslie Adler)
FILE PHOTO: Mykhailo Podolyak, a political adviser to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, speaks during an interview with Reuters, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine October 6, 2022. REUTERS/Anna Voitenko/File Photo

(Reuters) - Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said on Friday that Kyiv had nothing to do with Friday's attack by gunmen at a Moscow concert hall.

"Let's be straight about this: Ukraine had absolutely nothing to do with these events," Podolyak said in a video message posted on Telegram.

"We have a full-scale, all-out war with the Russian regular army and with the Russian Federation as a country. And regardless of everything, everything will be decided on the battlefield," Podolyak said.

(Reporting by Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
There is a possibility that Russia would build up a certain number of forces by the beginning of summer to launch an offensive in one of the axes, Commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, Lieutenant General Oleksandr Pavliuk has said.

"We do not fully know Russia's plans. We only know the data they have, what they are creating. They are building up a group of more than 100,000 troops. It won't necessarily be an offensive. Perhaps they will replenish their units that are losing combat effectiveness. But there is a possibility that by the beginning of summer they may have certain forces to carry out offensive operations in one of the axes," he said on the national telethon Friday.

According to Pavliuk, "for now these are the worst forecasts that such an offensive will be held."

"I think we will do everything to cause maximum losses to the enemy, that is what we are doing now, so that all their resources that they form are involved in the battle by this time. But we are preparing for possible different developments of the situation," the general said.
By Michael Kahn

PRAGUE (Reuters) - War in Ukraine has pushed women into more leadership roles in its growing tech sector, where they are gaining experience and contacts abroad that could help rebuild the economy when the conflict ends, some entrepreneurs, companies and investors say.

With most men unable to leave Ukraine, women tech entrepreneurs like Anna Lissova, 30, who runs mental health startup Pleso Therapy, have taken charge of raising funds, finding new clients abroad and embracing other key roles.

Before the war she focused on recruiting therapists in Ukraine. Now she travels abroad to pitch the company at conferences and has led product launches in Poland and Romania.

"I had to suddenly change my role and take over the public representation of the company. The war led to women taking more senior positions and power in startups," she said.

Martial law prohibits most men of military age from leaving the country, creating a need and space for female tech entrepreneurs at home and abroad. They are able to build on a stronger representation by women in leadership positions in Ukraine than in the European Union and globally.

Some say they still face prejudice in the traditionally male-dominated tech industry however, or describe their struggles to run a business while adapting to life as a refugee and having to raise families alone with fathers still in Ukraine.

Over the past decade, Ukraine has boasted one of eastern Europe's fastest growing tech hubs with startups attracting funding and clients from a large domestic market.

Women were underrepresented however, making up only around 30% of managers in the professional, scientific and technical sector, whereas they occupied 40% of leadership positions in Ukraine overall in 2017-2022, according to a study by the United Nations Development Programme.

The study highlighted that the proportion of Ukrainian women leaders nonetheless outstripped a figure of 35% for the European Union and 29% globally.

Separate figures by Eurostat show around 17% of major tech jobs are held by women in the European Union.

Reuters spoke to nearly a dozen venture capitalists, tech founders and industry officials to document the critical -- and often new -- roles women have played in driving a sector seen as key to Ukraine's economic prospects when the war ends.

"Women's leadership within the tech sector has become more pronounced after the full-scale invasion," said Pavlo Kartashov, director of the Ukrainian Startup Fund (USF), a government-backed body that seeds startups.

"We have witnessed a surge of female entrepreneurs who have stepped up to lead their companies and are driving growth."

This rings especially true for ambitious startups looking to grow abroad, as many that have stayed in Ukraine focus on military or war-related technology such as drones, he added.

TECH RESILIENCE

The tech sector has proved resilient. While Ukraine's GDP plummeted nearly 30% in 2022, tech sector revenue rose nearly 1 percent to $7.97 billion and was forecast to increase to $8 billion in 2023, according to state statistics compiled by the Lviv Tech Cluster.

The industry also accounts for nearly 5 percent of Ukraine's GDP with the number of tech specialists inside and outside Ukraine rising to 307,000 in 2023 from 285,000 in 2022. These numbers include the Lisbon-based founder of digital currency payment platform GeekPay.

Veronica Korzh, who founded the startup three months after leaving Ukraine in February 2022, has witnessed a leap in female founders, due in part to increased access to investors outside Ukraine and accelerator programs targetting women funded by the EU, international bodies and tech multinationals.

Many global bodies are out to boost women's representation in tech across the board, amid research showing firms with a higher proportion of women are more profitable, spend more on research and development and are more environmentally-minded, according to a report by the World Economic Forum.

"I've seen more women starting companies after the war and taking on bigger positions because they can talk to investors and help develop brands to new customers," Korzh said.

"This is also helping keep attention on Ukraine and spreading the word about the potential of its tech sector."

For many tech workers, Poland is a first stop as it borders Ukraine and the countries have long business and cultural ties.

Mykhailo Khaletskyi of the Polish-Ukrainian Startup Bridge - a group that provides grants, co-working space and other assistance said: "We see women driving new funding rounds and gaining experience that will help to establish new companies and attract international talent and funding," he said.

Anastasiia Smyk, 27, an aeronautical engineer, launched her aviation operations management software company Input Soft outside Ukraine in Warsaw, where she tapped a burgeoning refugee tech community. Her product is now used in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia.

"When talking to male investors, there were questions like 'Why were you appointed CEO of this company?' or 'Please share if you have any male business partners'" she said. But she fought against the prejudice.

"My job was to find investments, recognition in the global market, and international clients who would become our early adopters, which was not easy for a no-name startup company from Ukraine," Smyk said.

Looking at the startups founded by Ukrainian refugees she predicts many will return to the country when the war ends and give a huge boost.

"I want to return to Ukraine to be part of the rebuilding and revitalization of our country... We are even open to working pro-bono just to see the first civil aircraft in Ukrainian skies as soon as possible," she said.

(Reporting by Michael Kahn, Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
FILE PHOTO: Azeri President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan are seen during a visit to the Catherine Palace at the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum and Reserve in Saint Petersburg, Russia December 26, 2023. Sputnik/Vladimir Smirnov/Poo

THE HAGUE (Reuters) -The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will hear objections by Azerbaijan and Armenia in related cases in which the Caucasus neighbours accuse each other of violating a U.N. anti-discrimination treaty in April, the court announced on Friday.

Each side accuses the other of ethnic cleansing.

Armenia filed the case against Azerbaijan in 2021. Azerbaijan then filed a rival claim accusing Armenia of violating the same treaty. Now both states have filed legal objections to the other's case which will be heard from April 15-16.

In November last year, the court issued emergency measures in Armenia's case ordering Azerbaijan to let ethnic Armenians who fled the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave last September return.

Last year Azerbaijan recaptured the region, then controlled by its ethnic Armenian majority despite being internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan.

The lightning offensive, after decades of enmity between Baku and Yerevan, prompted the mass exodus of most of the region's 120,000 ethnic Armenians across the border to Armenia.

Armenia accuses Azerbaijan of ethnic cleansing. Azerbaijan says it has pledged to ensure all residents safety and security, regardless of national or ethnic origin, and that it has not forced ethnic Armenians to leave Karabakh.

Azerbaijan in its case says Armenia is carrying out an ethnic cleansing campaign against Azeris.

The April hearings will cover legal objections to the jurisdiction of the ICJ and will not go into the merits of the discrimination claims.

The ICJ, also known as the World Court, is the United Nations top court for resolving disputes between countries.

(Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg; Editing by William Maclean and Nick Macfie)
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

As previously reported, on March 17, 2023, SVB Financial Group (the Company) filed a voluntary petition in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the Bankruptcy Court) for relief under the provisions of Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code (the Bankruptcy Code). The Companys case is administered under the caption In re SVB Financial Group, Case No: 23-10367 (the Chapter 11 Case). The Company is continuing to operate its remaining businesses, including SVB Capital, its investment advisory business which sponsors and advises private venture capital and credit funds, as a debtor in possession under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and orders of the Bankruptcy Court.

Documents filed on the docket of and other information related to the Chapter 11 Case are available free of charge online at https://restructuring.ra.kroll.com/SVBFG/. Documents and other information available on such website are not part of this Current Report on Form 8-K (this Form 8-K) and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in this Form 8-K. The Company has included the website address in this Form 8-K as an inactive textual reference only.

On March 21, 2024, the Company filed with the Bankruptcy Court its monthly operating report for the period beginning February 1, 2024 and ending February 29, 2024 (the Monthly Operating Report). The Monthly Operating Report is attached hereto, as Exhibit 99.1, and is incorporated herein by reference. The information set forth in Item 7.01 of this Form 8-K will not be deemed an admission as to the materiality of any information required to be disclosed solely by Regulation FD. The Monthly Operating Report and other filings with the Bankruptcy Court related to the Chapter 11 Case are available electronically at https://restructuring.ra.kroll.com/SVBFG/. Documents and other information available on such website are not part of this Form 8-K and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in this Form 8-K. The Company has included the website address in this Form 8-K as an inactive textual reference only.

The information contained in this Item 7.01 is being furnished and shall not be deemed to be filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any of the Companys filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and regardless of any general incorporation language in such filings, except to the extent expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Cautionary Statement Regarding the Monthly Operating Report

The Company cautions investors and potential investors not to place undue reliance upon the information contained in the Monthly Operating Report, which was not prepared for the purpose of providing the basis for an investment decision relating to any of the securities of the Company. The Monthly Operating Report is limited in scope, covers a limited time period and has been prepared solely for the purpose of complying with the monthly reporting requirements of the Bankruptcy Court. The Monthly Operating Report was not audited or reviewed by independent accountants, was not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, is in a format prescribed by applicable bankruptcy laws or rules, and is subject to future adjustment and reconciliation. The Monthly Operating Report also contains information for periods shorter and otherwise different from those contained in the Companys reports required to be filed pursuant to the Securities Act or Exchange Act. There can be no assurance that, from the perspective of an investor or potential investor in the Companys securities, the Monthly Operating Report is complete. Results set forth in the Monthly Operating Report should not be viewed as indicative of future results.

As previously reported in a Form 12b-25 filed on May 9, 2023, the Company did not file a quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2023 and does not intend to file any periodic reports for subsequent periods. Instead, the Company will file Current Reports on Form 8-K containing (i) disclosure of all material events in the Chapter 11 Case and any other information required by the instructions to Form 8-K and (ii) as exhibits, the operating reports and any other documents that include unaudited financial information filed by the Company with the Bankruptcy Court.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors of

CMFG Life Insurance Company and

Contract Owners of CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities for each of the subaccounts of CMFG Variable Annuity Account (the "Account") listed in Appendix A, as of December 31, 2023, the related statements of operations, the statements of changes in net assets, the financial highlights for each of the periods presented in Appendix A, and the related notes. In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the subaccounts comprising the Account as of December 31, 2023, and the results of their operations, the changes in their net assets, and the financial highlights for each of the periods presented in Appendix A, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Account's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Account's financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Account in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Account is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Accounts internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of all securities owned as of December 31, 2023, by correspondence with the Accounts fund managers and when replies were not received from fund managers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

March 5, 2024

We have served as the auditor of CMFG Variable Annuity Account since 2004.

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Appendix A

Subaccounts Statements of Assets and

Liabilities as of Statements of Operations

for the Statements of Changes in Net Assets

for the Financial Highlights

for the BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Fund, Class III, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Franklin Income VIP Fund, Class 4, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund, Class 4, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. International Growth Fund, Service Shares, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Invesco V.I. Discovery Mid Cap Growth Fund, Series II Shares, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Invesco V.I. Global Real Estate Fund, Series II Shares, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Invesco V.I. Global Strategic Income Fund, Non-Service Shares, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Invesco V.I. Government Securities Fund, Series II Shares, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Invesco V.I. Growth and Income Fund, Series II Shares, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Invesco V.I. Main Street Fund, Service Shares, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Invesco V.I. Main Street Small Cap Fund, Service Shares, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 MFS Strategic Income Portfolio, Initial Class, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 PIMCO Commodity RealReturn Strategy Portfolio, Advisor Class, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 PIMCO Global Bond Opportunities Portfolio (Unhedged), Advisor Class, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 PIMCO Total Return Portfolio, Advisor Class, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund, Class 2, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Ultra Series Aggressive Allocation Fund, Class I, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Ultra Series Aggressive Allocation Fund, Class II, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Ultra Series Conservative Allocation Fund, Class I, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Ultra Series Conservative Allocation Fund, Class II, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Ultra Series Core Bond Fund, Class I, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Ultra Series Core Bond Fund, Class II, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Ultra Series Diversified Income Fund, Class I, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Ultra Series Diversified Income Fund, Class II, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Ultra Series Foundation Account, Class I, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Appendix A

(Continued)

Subaccounts Statements of Assets and

Liabilities as of Statements of Operations

for the Statements of Changes in Net Assets

for the Financial Highlights

for the Ultra Series Foundation Account, Class II, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Ultra Series High Income Fund, Class I, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Ultra Series High Income Fund, Class II, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Ultra Series International Stock Fund, Class I, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Ultra Series International Stock Fund, Class II, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Ultra Series Large Cap Growth Fund, Class I, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Ultra Series Large Cap Growth Fund, Class II, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Ultra Series Large Cap Value Fund, Class I, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Ultra Series Large Cap Value Fund, Class II, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Ultra Series Mid Cap Fund, Class I, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Ultra Series Mid Cap Fund, Class II, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Ultra Series Moderate Allocation Fund, Class I, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Ultra Series Moderate Allocation Fund, Class II, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023 Vanguard VIF Money Market Portfolio, Subaccount December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Two Years Ended December 31, 2023 Five Years Ended December 31, 2023

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

As of December 31, 2023

BlackRock

Global

Allocation V.I.

Fund, Class III,

Subaccount Franklin

Income

VIP

Fund, Class 4,

Subaccount Franklin Mutual

Global Discovery

VIP

Fund, Class 4,

Subaccount Invesco

Oppenheimer V.I.

International

Growth Fund,

Service Shares,

Subaccount Assets Investments in mutual funds at fair value $ 8,212,612 $ 6,879,635 $ 3,688,996 $ 8,580,236 Total assets 8,212,612 6,879,635 3,688,996 8,580,236 Liabilities - - - - Net assets $ 8,212,612 $ 6,879,635 $ 3,688,996 $ 8,580,236 Net assets Contracts in accumulation period $ 8,149,226 $ 6,828,652 $ 3,666,994 $ 8,534,521 Contracts in annuitization period (note 2) 63,386 50,983 22,002 45,715 Total net assets $ 8,212,612 $ 6,879,635 $ 3,688,996 $ 8,580,236 Number of shares outstanding 630,285 468,959 194,362 4,009,456 Net asset value per share $ 13.03 $ 14.67 $ 18.98 $ 2.14 Cost of mutual fund shares $ 9,084,435 $ 7,002,346 $ 3,590,807 $ 8,081,847

Invesco V.I.

Discovery Mid Cap

Growth Fund,

Series II Shares,

Subaccount Invesco V.I.

Global Real

Estate Fund,

Series II Shares,

Subaccount Invesco V.I.

Global Strategic

Income Fund,

Non-Service Shares,

Subaccount Invesco V.I.

Government

Securities Fund,

Series II Shares,

Subaccount Assets Investments in mutual funds at fair value $ 4,003,119 $ 3,077,098 $ 189,238 $ 7,752,678 Total assets 4,003,119 3,077,098 189,238 7,752,678 Liabilities - - - - Net assets $ 4,003,119 $ 3,077,098 $ 189,238 $ 7,752,678 Net assets Contracts in accumulation period $ 3,978,717 $ 3,068,353 $ 188,723 $ 7,752,678 Contracts in annuitization period (note 2) 24,402 8,745 515 - Total net assets $ 4,003,119 $ 3,077,098 $ 189,238 $ 7,752,678 Number of shares outstanding 74,118 225,428 44,111 757,838 Net asset value per share $ 54.01 $ 13.65 $ 4.29 $ 10.23 Cost of mutual fund shares $ 4,722,205 $ 3,050,447 $ 233,895 $ 8,838,904

See accompanying notes to financial statements

1

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)

As of December 31, 2023

Invesco V.I.

Growth and

Income Fund,

Series II Shares,

Subaccount Invesco V.I.

Main Street

Fund,

Service Shares,

Subaccount Invesco V.I.

Main Street

Small Cap Fund,

Service Shares,

Subaccount MFS

Strategic

Income Portfolio,

Initial Class,

Subaccount Assets Investments in mutual funds at fair value $ 18,160,863 $ 9,855,755 $ 4,956,651 $ 366,071 Total assets 18,160,863 9,855,755 4,956,651 366,071 Liabilities - - - - Net assets $ 18,160,863 $ 9,855,755 $ 4,956,651 $ 366,071 Net assets Contracts in accumulation period $ 18,059,113 $ 9,814,791 $ 4,924,752 $ 364,178 Contracts in annuitization period (note 2) 101,750 40,964 31,899 1,893 Total net assets $ 18,160,863 $ 9,855,755 $ 4,956,651 $ 366,071 Number of shares outstanding 962,420 554,629 188,466 43,736 Net asset value per share $ 18.87 $ 17.77 $ 26.30 $ 8.37 Cost of mutual fund shares $ 17,558,861 $ 11,246,427 $ 3,989,797 $ 429,443

PIMCO Commodity

RealReturn

Strategy Portfolio,

Advisor Class,

Subaccount PIMCO Global Bond

Opportunities

Portfolio (Unhedged),

Advisor Class,

Subaccount PIMCO

Total Return

Portfolio,

Advisor Class,

Subaccount T. Rowe Price

International

Stock

Portfolio,

Subaccount Assets Investments in mutual funds at fair value $ 3,855,303 $ 8,222,720 $ 16,551,446 $ 3,080,754 Total assets 3,855,303 8,222,720 16,551,446 3,080,754 Liabilities - - - - Net assets $ 3,855,303 $ 8,222,720 $ 16,551,446 $ 3,080,754 Net assets Contracts in accumulation period $ 3,841,818 $ 8,203,486 $ 16,461,914 $ 3,060,506 Contracts in annuitization period (note 2) 13,485 19,234 89,532 20,248 Total net assets $ 3,855,303 $ 8,222,720 $ 16,551,446 $ 3,080,754 Number of shares outstanding 706,099 854,753 1,802,990 205,247 Net asset value per share $ 5.46 $ 9.62 $ 9.18 $ 15.01 Cost of mutual fund shares $ 6,380,666 $ 10,479,162 $ 19,652,712 $ 2,869,036

See accompanying notes to financial statements

2

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)

As of December 31, 2023

Templeton

Developing

Markets VIP

Fund, Class 2,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Aggressive

Allocation

Fund, Class I,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Aggressive

Allocation

Fund, Class II,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Conservative

Allocation Fund,

Class I,

Subaccount Assets Investments in mutual funds at fair value $ 359,202 $ 4,474,294 $ 471,784 $ 22,569,543 Total assets 359,202 4,474,294 471,784 22,569,543 Liabilities - - - - Net assets $ 359,202 $ 4,474,294 $ 471,784 $ 22,569,543 Net assets Contracts in accumulation period $ 359,202 $ 4,435,806 $ 471,784 $ 22,472,722 Contracts in annuitization period (note 2) - 38,488 - 96,821 Total net assets $ 359,202 $ 4,474,294 $ 471,784 $ 22,569,543 Number of shares outstanding 43,645 576,198 60,807 2,487,824 Net asset value per share $ 8.23 $ 7.77 $ 7.76 $ 9.07 Cost of mutual fund shares $ 353,611 $ 5,198,788 $ 538,591 $ 24,736,111

Ultra Series

Conservative

Allocation Fund,

Class II,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Core Bond

Fund,

Class I,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Core Bond

Fund,

Class II,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Diversified

Income

Fund, Class I,

Subaccount Assets Investments in mutual funds at fair value $ 10,057,321 $ 26,729,392 $ 6,389,414 $ 67,446,860 Total assets 10,057,321 26,729,392 6,389,414 67,446,860 Liabilities - - - - Net assets $ 10,057,321 $ 26,729,392 $ 6,389,414 $ 67,446,860 Net assets Contracts in accumulation period $ 10,051,034 $ 26,392,654 $ 6,332,197 $ 66,512,417 Contracts in annuitization period (note 2) 6,287 336,738 57,217 934,443 Total net assets $ 10,057,321 $ 26,729,392 $ 6,389,414 $ 67,446,860 Number of shares outstanding 1,102,776 3,176,738 764,147 4,787,778 Net asset value per share $ 9.12 $ 8.41 $ 8.36 $ 14.09 Cost of mutual fund shares $ 10,901,443 $ 31,761,764 $ 7,605,838 $ 84,383,594

See accompanying notes to financial statements

3

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)

As of December 31, 2023

Ultra Series

Diversified

Income

Fund, Class II,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Foundation

Account,

Class I,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Foundation

Account,

Class II,

Subaccount Ultra Series

High Income

Fund,

Class I,

Subaccount Assets Investments in mutual funds at fair value $ 21,958,909 $ 280,857 $ 6,939,424 $ 8,512,632 Total assets 21,958,909 280,857 6,939,424 8,512,632 Liabilities - - - - Net assets $ 21,958,909 $ 280,857 $ 6,939,424 $ 8,512,632 Net assets Contracts in accumulation period $ 21,958,909 $ 280,857 $ 6,939,424 $ 8,397,919 Contracts in annuitization period (note 2) - - - 114,713 Total net assets $ 21,958,909 $ 280,857 $ 6,939,424 $ 8,512,632 Number of shares outstanding 1,586,283 33,379 829,926 1,157,064 Net asset value per share $ 13.84 $ 8.41 $ 8.36 $ 7.36 Cost of mutual fund shares $ 27,578,637 $ 338,092 $ 8,468,703 $ 10,233,675

Ultra Series

High Income

Fund,

Class II,

Subaccount Ultra Series

International

Stock Fund,

Class I,

Subaccount Ultra Series

International

Stock Fund,

Class II,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Large Cap

Growth Fund,

Class I,

Subaccount Assets Investments in mutual funds at fair value $ 2,278,785 $ 12,415,850 $ 5,122,586 $ 57,690,247 Total assets 2,278,785 12,415,850 5,122,586 57,690,247 Liabilities - - - - Net assets $ 2,278,785 $ 12,415,850 $ 5,122,586 $ 57,690,247 Net assets Contracts in accumulation period $ 2,260,269 $ 12,330,542 $ 5,103,019 $ 57,214,277 Contracts in annuitization period (note 2) 18,516 85,308 19,567 475,970 Total net assets $ 2,278,785 $ 12,415,850 $ 5,122,586 $ 57,690,247 Number of shares outstanding 309,815 1,150,820 478,849 2,667,449 Net asset value per share $ 7.36 $ 10.79 $ 10.70 $ 21.63 Cost of mutual fund shares $ 2,710,252 $ 12,512,832 $ 4,793,159 $ 55,920,431

See accompanying notes to financial statements

4

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)

As of December 31, 2023

Ultra Series

Large Cap

Growth Fund,

Class II,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Large Cap

Value Fund,

Class I,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Large Cap

Value Fund,

Class II,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Mid Cap

Fund,

Class I,

Subaccount Assets Investments in mutual funds at fair value $ 9,810,505 $ 55,955,957 $ 2,010,122 $ 54,448,196 Total assets 9,810,505 55,955,957 2,010,122 54,448,196 Liabilities - - - - Net assets $ 9,810,505 $ 55,955,957 $ 2,010,122 $ 54,448,196 Net assets Contracts in accumulation period $ 9,774,068 $ 55,054,082 $ 2,010,122 $ 54,019,290 Contracts in annuitization period (note 2) 36,437 901,875 - 428,906 Total net assets $ 9,810,505 $ 55,955,957 $ 2,010,122 $ 54,448,196 Number of shares outstanding 470,354 2,457,269 90,035 2,948,229 Net asset value per share $ 20.86 $ 22.77 $ 22.33 $ 18.47 Cost of mutual fund shares $ 9,749,479 $ 65,080,161 $ 2,222,974 $ 49,570,363

Ultra Series

Mid Cap

Fund,

Class II,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Moderate

Allocation

Fund, Class I,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Moderate

Allocation

Fund, Class II,

Subaccount Vanguard

VIF Money

Market

Portfolio,

Subaccount Assets Investments in mutual funds at fair value $ 4,577,872 $ 46,521,321 $ 9,958,283 $ 13,520,806 Total assets 4,577,872 46,521,321 9,958,283 13,520,806 Liabilities - - - - Net assets $ 4,577,872 $ 46,521,321 $ 9,958,283 $ 13,520,806 Net assets Contracts in accumulation period $ 4,556,628 $ 46,118,064 $ 9,955,255 $ 13,459,796 Contracts in annuitization period (note 2) 21,244 403,257 3,028 61,010 Total net assets $ 4,577,872 $ 46,521,321 $ 9,958,283 $ 13,520,806 Number of shares outstanding 263,904 5,294,094 1,128,724 13,520,806 Net asset value per share $ 17.35 $ 8.79 $ 8.82 $ 1.00 Cost of mutual fund shares $ 4,243,043 $ 52,960,582 $ 10,912,546 $ 13,520,806

See accompanying notes to financial statements

5

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Statements of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2023

BlackRock

Global

Allocation V.I.

Fund, Class III,

Subaccount Franklin

Income

VIP

Fund, Class 4,

Subaccount Franklin Mutual

Global Discovery

VIP

Fund, Class 4,

Subaccount Invesco

Oppenheimer V.I.

International

Growth Fund,

Service Shares,

Subaccount Investment income (loss) Dividend income $ 198,080 $ 340,645 $ 82,733 $ 25,172 Mortality and expense charges (note 3) (96,937 ) (79,242 ) (43,931 ) (103,251 ) Administrative charges (14,145 ) (8,930 ) (5,572 ) (15,763 ) Net investment income (loss) 86,998 252,473 33,230 (93,842 ) Realized gain (loss) on sale of investments Net realized gain (loss) on sale of fund shares (267,296 ) (29,994 ) (6,060 ) (71,402 ) Realized gain distributions - 419,718 190,682 - Net realized gain (loss) on investments (267,296 ) 389,724 184,622 (71,402 ) Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 1,057,919 (174,234 ) 430,295 1,707,824 Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations $ 877,621 $ 467,963 $ 648,147 $ 1,542,580

Invesco V.I.

Discovery Mid Cap

Growth Fund,

Series II Shares,

Subaccount Invesco V.I.

Global Real

Estate Fund,

Series II Shares,

Subaccount Invesco V.I.

Global Strategic

Income Fund,

Non-Service Shares,

Subaccount Invesco V.I.

Government

Securities Fund,

Series II Shares,

Subaccount Investment income (loss) Dividend income $ - $ 36,779 $ - $ 136,636 Mortality and expense charges (note 3) (46,609 ) (35,002 ) (2,570 ) (90,734 ) Administrative charges (7,491 ) (5,203 ) (308 ) (15,200 ) Net investment income (loss) (54,100 ) (3,426 ) (2,878 ) 30,702 Realized gain (loss) on sale of investments Net realized gain (loss) on sale of fund shares (181,737 ) (29,824 ) (11,950 ) (236,151 ) Realized gain distributions - - - - Net realized gain (loss) on investments (181,737 ) (29,824 ) (11,950 ) (236,151 ) Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 673,058 242,562 29,452 443,645 Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations $ 437,221 $ 209,312 $ 14,624 $ 238,196

See accompanying notes to financial statements

6

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Statements of Operations (continued)

For the Year Ended December 31, 2023

Invesco V.I.

Growth and

Income Fund,

Series II Shares,

Subaccount Invesco V.I.

Main Street

Fund,

Service Shares,

Subaccount Invesco V.I.

Main Street

Small Cap Fund,

Service Shares,

Subaccount MFS

Strategic

Income Portfolio,

Initial Class,

Subaccount Investment income (loss) Dividend income $ 232,438 $ 47,337 $ 42,822 $ 13,625 Mortality and expense charges (note 3) (211,631 ) (113,659 ) (54,523 ) (4,598 ) Administrative charges (32,790 ) (17,947 ) (8,113 ) (552 ) Net investment income (loss) (11,983 ) (84,269 ) (19,814 ) 8,475 Realized gain (loss) on sale of investments Net realized gain (loss) on sale of fund shares 228,383 (334,639 ) 107,519 (6,659 ) Realized gain distributions 2,273,360 675,878 - - Net realized gain (loss) on investments 2,501,743 341,239 107,519 (6,659 ) Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments (608,790 ) 1,631,292 623,975 19,940 Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations $ 1,880,970 $ 1,888,262 $ 711,680 $ 21,756

PIMCO Commodity

RealReturn

Strategy Portfolio,

Advisor Class,

Subaccount PIMCO Global Bond

Opportunities

Portfolio (Unhedged),

Advisor Class,

Subaccount PIMCO

Total Return

Portfolio,

Advisor Class,

Subaccount T. Rowe Price

International

Stock

Portfolio,

Subaccount Investment income (loss) Dividend income $ 640,908 $ 183,290 $ 597,812 $ 29,706 Mortality and expense charges (note 3) (46,930 ) (98,160 ) (198,636 ) (38,431 ) Administrative charges (6,783 ) (14,971 ) (27,621 ) (4,612 ) Net investment income (loss) 587,195 70,159 371,555 (13,337 ) Realized gain (loss) on sale of investments Net realized gain (loss) on sale of fund shares (325,651 ) (437,850 ) (633,454 ) 6,571 Realized gain distributions - 93,997 - - Net realized gain (loss) on investments (325,651 ) (343,853 ) (633,454 ) 6,571 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments (650,547 ) 569,496 986,007 430,967 Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations $ (389,003 ) $ 295,802 $ 724,108 $ 424,201

See accompanying notes to financial statements

7

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Statements of Operations (continued)

For the Year Ended December 31, 2023

Templeton

Developing

Markets VIP

Fund, Class 2,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Aggressive

Allocation

Fund, Class I,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Aggressive

Allocation

Fund, Class II,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Conservative

Allocation Fund,

Class I,

Subaccount Investment income (loss) Dividend income $ 7,700 $ 99,485 $ 8,909 $ 627,639 Mortality and expense charges (note 3) (4,623 ) (51,172 ) (6,267 ) (281,009 ) Administrative charges (555 ) (3,335 ) (817 ) (34,218 ) Net investment income (loss) 2,522 44,978 1,825 312,412 Realized gain (loss) on sale of investments Net realized gain (loss) on sale of fund shares (2,345 ) (123,455 ) (41,021 ) (682,715 ) Realized gain distributions 279 790 111 - Net realized gain (loss) on investments (2,066 ) (122,665 ) (40,910 ) (682,715 ) Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 37,828 563,071 95,465 1,958,453 Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations $ 38,284 $ 485,384 $ 56,380 $ 1,588,150

Ultra Series

Conservative

Allocation Fund,

Class II,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Core Bond

Fund,

Class I,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Core Bond

Fund,

Class II,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Diversified

Income

Fund, Class I,

Subaccount Investment income (loss) Dividend income $ 241,356 $ 888,152 $ 198,570 $ 1,810,541 Mortality and expense charges (note 3) (127,543 ) (321,186 ) (76,682 ) (827,894 ) Administrative charges (17,991 ) (26,830 ) (13,460 ) (57,664 ) Net investment income (loss) 95,822 540,136 108,428 924,983 Realized gain (loss) on sale of investments Net realized gain (loss) on sale of fund shares (435,760 ) (1,068,142 ) (283,024 ) (1,946,498 ) Realized gain distributions - - - 8,914,328 Net realized gain (loss) on investments (435,760 ) (1,068,142 ) (283,024 ) 6,967,830 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 1,039,373 1,810,122 461,175 (6,415,372 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations $ 699,435 $ 1,282,116 $ 286,579 $ 1,477,441

See accompanying notes to financial statements

8

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Statements of Operations (continued)

For the Year Ended December 31, 2023

Ultra Series

Diversified

Income

Fund, Class II,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Foundation

Account,

Class I,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Foundation

Account,

Class II,

Subaccount Ultra Series

High Income

Fund,

Class I,

Subaccount Investment income (loss) Dividend income $ 540,916 $ 9,203 $ 213,853 $ 427,620 Mortality and expense charges (note 3) (261,975 ) (3,103 ) (85,024 ) (102,654 ) Administrative charges (44,799 ) (405 ) (12,591 ) (7,107 ) Net investment income (loss) 234,142 5,695 116,238 317,859 Realized gain (loss) on sale of investments Net realized gain (loss) on sale of fund shares (664,927 ) (874 ) (331,677 ) (414,144 ) Realized gain distributions 2,940,582 - - - Net realized gain (loss) on investments 2,275,655 (874 ) (331,677 ) (414,144 ) Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments (2,074,978 ) 8,020 527,890 768,067 Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations $ 434,819 $ 12,841 $ 312,451 $ 671,782

Ultra Series

High Income

Fund,

Class II,

Subaccount Ultra Series

International

Stock Fund,

Class I,

Subaccount Ultra Series

International

Stock Fund,

Class II,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Large Cap

Growth Fund,

Class I,

Subaccount Investment income (loss) Dividend income $ 109,528 $ 90,709 $ 27,846 $ 191,892 Mortality and expense charges (note 3) (28,059 ) (147,975 ) (63,430 ) (674,617 ) Administrative charges (4,729 ) (11,459 ) (10,555 ) (56,095 ) Net investment income (loss) 76,740 (68,725 ) (46,139 ) (538,820 ) Realized gain (loss) on sale of investments Net realized gain (loss) on sale of fund shares (116,534 ) (181,361 ) 16,826 65,475 Realized gain distributions - - - 4,977,657 Net realized gain (loss) on investments (116,534 ) (181,361 ) 16,826 5,043,132 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 214,837 1,974,497 754,636 7,968,672 Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations $ 175,043 $ 1,724,411 $ 725,323 $ 12,472,984

See accompanying notes to financial statements

9

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Statements of Operations (continued)

For the Year Ended December 31, 2023

Ultra Series

Large Cap

Growth Fund,

Class II,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Large Cap

Value Fund,

Class I,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Large Cap

Value Fund,

Class II,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Mid Cap

Fund,

Class I,

Subaccount Investment income (loss) Dividend income $ 17,587 $ 1,388,784 $ 45,526 $ 87,014 Mortality and expense charges (note 3) (118,247 ) (691,353 ) (23,945 ) (613,207 ) Administrative charges (19,623 ) (59,155 ) (4,255 ) (43,378 ) Net investment income (loss) (120,283 ) 638,276 17,326 (569,571 ) Realized gain (loss) on sale of investments Net realized gain (loss) on sale of fund shares (25,522 ) (1,566,104 ) (46,668 ) 314,662 Realized gain distributions 884,063 1,403,591 51,467 4,130,637 Net realized gain (loss) on investments 858,541 (162,513 ) 4,799 4,445,299 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 1,508,648 8,103 (11,085 ) 7,852,507 Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations $ 2,246,906 $ 483,866 $ 11,040 $ 11,728,235

Ultra Series

Mid Cap

Fund,

Class II,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Moderate

Allocation

Fund, Class I,

Subaccount Ultra Series

Moderate

Allocation

Fund, Class II,

Subaccount Vanguard

VIF Money

Market

Portfolio,

Subaccount Investment income (loss) Dividend income $ 1,558 $ 1,152,166 $ 210,307 $ 716,933 Mortality and expense charges (note 3) (52,112 ) (559,284 ) (122,359 ) (169,164 ) Administrative charges (8,512 ) (67,017 ) (18,963 ) (20,081 ) Net investment income (loss) (59,066 ) 525,865 68,985 527,688 Realized gain (loss) on sale of investments Net realized gain (loss) on sale of fund shares 30,521 (1,829,172 ) (395,457 ) - Realized gain distributions 372,735 30,468 6,965 161 Net realized gain (loss) on investments 403,256 (1,798,704 ) (388,492 ) 161 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 665,095 5,605,550 1,223,871 - Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations $ 1,009,285 $ 4,332,711 $ 904,364 $ 527,849

See accompanying notes to financial statements

10

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

For the Years Ended December 31,

BlackRock

Global Allocation V.I.

Fund, Class III, Subaccount Franklin Income VIP

Fund, Class 4, Subaccount 2023 2022 2023 2022 Increase (decrease) in net assets from operations Net investment income (loss) $ 86,998 $ (132,103 ) $ 252,473 $ 264,014 Net realized gain (loss) on investments (267,296 ) (136,347 ) 389,724 247,608 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 1,057,919 (1,783,859 ) (174,234 ) (1,077,495 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 877,621 (2,052,309 ) 467,963 (565,873 ) Contract transactions Payments received from contract owners 87,720 1,750 5,773 204,118 Transfers between subaccounts (including fixed accounts), net (6,460 ) (90,969 ) 148,667 (271,030 ) Payment for contract benefits and terminations (1,428,168 ) (1,684,307 ) (679,701 ) (1,037,325 ) Contract charges and fees (124,758 ) (142,065 ) (29,985 ) (33,386 ) Adjustments to net assets allocated to contracts in payout period (698 ) (848 ) (2,697 ) (825 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets from contract transactions (1,472,364 ) (1,916,439 ) (557,943 ) (1,138,448 ) Total increase (decrease) in net assets (594,743 ) (3,968,748 ) (89,980 ) (1,704,321 ) Net assets Beginning of period 8,807,355 12,776,103 6,969,615 8,673,936 End of period $ 8,212,612 $ 8,807,355 $ 6,879,635 $ 6,969,615

Franklin Mutual

Global Discovery VIP

Fund, Class 4, Subaccount Invesco Oppenheimer V.I.

International Growth Fund,

Service Shares, Subaccount 2023 2022 2023 2022 Increase (decrease) in net assets from operations Net investment income (loss) $ 33,230 $ (5,915 ) $ (93,842 ) $ (122,912 ) Net realized gain (loss) on investments 184,622 336,888 (71,402 ) 1,779,030 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 430,295 (624,746 ) 1,707,824 (5,050,046 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 648,147 (293,773 ) 1,542,580 (3,393,928 ) Contract transactions Payments received from contract owners 5,498 3,051 15,478 50,043 Transfers between subaccounts (including fixed accounts), net (234,651 ) (251,511 ) (391,156 ) 1,426,346 Payment for contract benefits and terminations (591,957 ) (560,269 ) (1,495,195 ) (1,245,854 ) Contract charges and fees (25,877 ) (28,353 ) (73,868 ) (73,214 ) Adjustments to net assets allocated to contracts in payout period (721 ) (284 ) (3,710 ) (463 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets from contract transactions (847,708 ) (837,366 ) (1,948,451 ) 156,858 Total increase (decrease) in net assets (199,561 ) (1,131,139 ) (405,871 ) (3,237,070 ) Net assets Beginning of period 3,888,557 5,019,696 8,986,107 12,223,177 End of period $ 3,688,996 $ 3,888,557 $ 8,580,236 $ 8,986,107

See accompanying notes to financial statements

11

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

For the Years Ended December 31,

Invesco V.I.

Discovery Mid Cap Growth Fund,

Series II Shares, Subaccount Invesco V.I.

Global Real Estate Fund,

Series II Shares, Subaccount 2023 2022 2023 2022 Increase (decrease) in net assets from operations Net investment income (loss) $ (54,100 ) $ (60,423 ) $ (3,426 ) $ 42,756 Net realized gain (loss) on investments (181,737 ) 1,411,096 (29,824 ) 58,807 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 673,058 (3,310,462 ) 242,562 (1,250,515 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 437,221 (1,959,789 ) 209,312 (1,148,952 ) Contract transactions Payments received from contract owners 1,296 27,395 8,728 1,986 Transfers between subaccounts (including fixed accounts), net 94,347 451,133 293,074 36,998 Payment for contract benefits and terminations (611,990 ) (580,684 ) (482,682 ) (466,462 ) Contract charges and fees (27,353 ) (28,867 ) (25,245 ) (28,052 ) Adjustments to net assets allocated to contracts in payout period (833 ) (960 ) (819 ) (157 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets from contract transactions (544,533 ) (131,983 ) (206,944 ) (455,687 ) Total increase (decrease) in net assets (107,312 ) (2,091,772 ) 2,368 (1,604,639 ) Net assets Beginning of period 4,110,431 6,202,203 3,074,730 4,679,369 End of period $ 4,003,119 $ 4,110,431 $ 3,077,098 $ 3,074,730

Invesco V.I.

Global Strategic Income Fund,

Non-Service Shares, Subaccount Invesco V.I.

Government Securities Fund,

Series II Shares, Subaccount 2023 2022 2023 2022 Increase (decrease) in net assets from operations Net investment income (loss) $ (2,878 ) $ (3,215 ) $ 30,702 $ 30,587 Net realized gain (loss) on investments (11,950 ) (9,756 ) (236,151 ) (194,205 ) Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 29,452 (20,754 ) 443,645 (1,055,156 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 14,624 (33,725 ) 238,196 (1,218,774 ) Contract transactions Payments received from contract owners - - 309,652 1,619 Transfers between subaccounts (including fixed accounts), net 536 426 316,338 177,847 Payment for contract benefits and terminations (39,326 ) (27,369 ) (1,318,499 ) (1,258,588 ) Contract charges and fees (84 ) (85 ) (93,974 ) (104,733 ) Adjustments to net assets allocated to contracts in payout period 34 (219 ) (239 ) 32 Net increase (decrease) in net assets from contract transactions (38,840 ) (27,247 ) (786,722 ) (1,183,823 ) Total increase (decrease) in net assets (24,216 ) (60,972 ) (548,526 ) (2,402,597 ) Net assets Beginning of period 213,454 274,426 8,301,204 10,703,801 End of period $ 189,238 $ 213,454 $ 7,752,678 $ 8,301,204

See accompanying notes to financial statements

12

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

For the Years Ended December 31,

Invesco V.I.

Growth and Income Fund,

Series II Shares, Subaccount Invesco V.I.

Main Street Fund,

Service Shares, Subaccount 2023 2022 2023 2022 Increase (decrease) in net assets from operations Net investment income (loss) $ (11,983 ) $ (23,406 ) $ (84,269 ) $ (27,046 ) Net realized gain (loss) on investments 2,501,743 2,875,515 341,239 4,340,738 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments (608,790 ) (4,591,179 ) 1,631,292 (7,157,299 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 1,880,970 (1,739,070 ) 1,888,262 (2,843,607 ) Contract transactions Payments received from contract owners 35,747 34,970 3,105 48,469 Transfers between subaccounts (including fixed accounts), net (120,319 ) (1,571,863 ) (271,720 ) (66,016 ) Payment for contract benefits and terminations (2,906,462 ) (3,017,888 ) (1,224,990 ) (1,632,470 ) Contract charges and fees (157,247 ) (171,876 ) (65,486 ) (67,837 ) Adjustments to net assets allocated to contracts in payout period (6,264 ) (743 ) (2,645 ) (449 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets from contract transactions (3,154,545 ) (4,727,400 ) (1,561,736 ) (1,718,303 ) Total increase (decrease) in net assets (1,273,575 ) (6,466,470 ) 326,526 (4,561,910 ) Net assets Beginning of period 19,434,438 25,900,908 9,529,229 14,091,139 End of period $ 18,160,863 $ 19,434,438 $ 9,855,755 $ 9,529,229

Invesco V.I.

Main Street Small Cap Fund,

Service Shares, Subaccount MFS

Strategic Income Portfolio,

Initial Class, Subaccount 2023 2022 2023 2022 Increase (decrease) in net assets from operations Net investment income (loss) $ (19,814 ) $ (57,625 ) $ 8,475 $ 9,142 Net realized gain (loss) on investments 107,519 791,174 (6,659 ) (6,346 ) Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 623,975 (1,814,530 ) 19,940 (75,162 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 711,680 (1,080,981 ) 21,756 (72,366 ) Contract transactions Payments received from contract owners 7,036 40,333 - - Transfers between subaccounts (including fixed accounts), net 122,479 155,388 (152 ) (4 ) Payment for contract benefits and terminations (715,253 ) (696,674 ) (26,284 ) (52,515 ) Contract charges and fees (33,418 ) (35,660 ) (94 ) (111 ) Adjustments to net assets allocated to contracts in payout period (3,542 ) (346 ) (18 ) 40 Net increase (decrease) in net assets from contract transactions (622,698 ) (536,959 ) (26,548 ) (52,590 ) Total increase (decrease) in net assets 88,982 (1,617,940 ) (4,792 ) (124,956 ) Net assets Beginning of period 4,867,669 6,485,609 370,863 495,819 End of period $ 4,956,651 $ 4,867,669 $ 366,071 $ 370,863

See accompanying notes to financial statements

13

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

For the Years Ended December 31,

PIMCO Commodity

RealReturn Strategy Portfolio,

Advisor Class, Subaccount PIMCO Global Bond

Opportunities Portfolio (Unhedged),

Advisor Class, Subaccount 2023 2022 2023 2022 Increase (decrease) in net assets from operations Net investment income (loss) $ 587,195 $ 1,160,040 $ 70,159 $ 5,803 Net realized gain (loss) on investments (325,651 ) (541,211 ) (343,853 ) (228,822 ) Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments (650,547 ) 69,055 569,496 (1,150,566 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations (389,003 ) 687,884 295,802 (1,373,585 ) Contract transactions Payments received from contract owners 9,477 41,783 18,548 4,278 Transfers between subaccounts (including fixed accounts), net 484,227 (1,662,166 ) 189,298 491,854 Payment for contract benefits and terminations (596,876 ) (816,738 ) (1,266,428 ) (1,405,248 ) Contract charges and fees (34,496 ) (43,645 ) (79,088 ) (83,752 ) Adjustments to net assets allocated to contracts in payout period (182 ) 54 (1,609 ) (506 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets from contract transactions (137,850 ) (2,480,712 ) (1,139,279 ) (993,374 ) Total increase (decrease) in net assets (526,853 ) (1,792,828 ) (843,477 ) (2,366,959 ) Net assets Beginning of period 4,382,156 6,174,984 9,066,197 11,433,156 End of period $ 3,855,303 $ 4,382,156 $ 8,222,720 $ 9,066,197

PIMCO

Total Return Portfolio,

Advisor Class, Subaccount T. Rowe Price

International Stock

Portfolio, Subaccount 2023 2022 2023 2022 Increase (decrease) in net assets from operations Net investment income (loss) $ 371,555 $ 241,617 $ (13,337 ) $ (21,163 ) Net realized gain (loss) on investments (633,454 ) (477,934 ) 6,571 63,051 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 986,007 (3,358,823 ) 430,967 (710,720 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 724,108 (3,595,140 ) 424,201 (668,832 ) Contract transactions Payments received from contract owners 12,693 164,833 - - Transfers between subaccounts (including fixed accounts), net 511,378 802,104 1,036 (4,569 ) Payment for contract benefits and terminations (2,749,762 ) (3,000,560 ) (375,221 ) (244,133 ) Contract charges and fees (133,257 ) (143,471 ) (957 ) (999 ) Adjustments to net assets allocated to contracts in payout period (6,215 ) (4,931 ) (821 ) 285 Net increase (decrease) in net assets from contract transactions (2,365,163 ) (2,182,025 ) (375,963 ) (249,416 ) Total increase (decrease) in net assets (1,641,055 ) (5,777,165 ) 48,238 (918,248 ) Net assets Beginning of period 18,192,501 23,969,666 3,032,516 3,950,764 End of period $ 16,551,446 $ 18,192,501 $ 3,080,754 $ 3,032,516

See accompanying notes to financial statements

14

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

For the Years Ended December 31,

Templeton

Developing Markets VIP

Fund, Class 2, Subaccount Ultra Series

Aggressive Allocation

Fund, Class I, Subaccount 2023 2022 2023 2022 Increase (decrease) in net assets from operations Net investment income (loss) $ 2,522 $ 4,808 $ 44,978 $ 23,439 Net realized gain (loss) on investments (2,066 ) 56,464 (122,665 ) 223,678 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 37,828 (182,151 ) 563,071 (1,128,809 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 38,284 (120,879 ) 485,384 (881,692 ) Contract transactions Payments received from contract owners - - 34,533 2,635 Transfers between subaccounts (including fixed accounts), net 238 (468 ) (12,208 ) 87,424 Payment for contract benefits and terminations (52,871 ) (142,346 ) (500,884 ) (734,800 ) Contract charges and fees (155 ) (160 ) (2,469 ) (3,005 ) Adjustments to net assets allocated to contracts in payout period (126 ) 20 4,105 4,601 Net increase (decrease) in net assets from contract transactions (52,914 ) (142,954 ) (476,923 ) (643,145 ) Total increase (decrease) in net assets (14,630 ) (263,833 ) 8,461 (1,524,837 ) Net assets Beginning of period 373,832 637,665 4,465,833 5,990,670 End of period $ 359,202 $ 373,832 $ 4,474,294 $ 4,465,833

Ultra Series

Aggressive Allocation

Fund, Class II, Subaccount Ultra Series

Conservative Allocation Fund,

Class I, Subaccount 2023 2022 2023 2022 Increase (decrease) in net assets from operations Net investment income (loss) $ 1,825 $ 687 $ 312,412 $ 144,643 Net realized gain (loss) on investments (40,910 ) 43,499 (682,715 ) 332,971 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 95,465 (165,006 ) 1,958,453 (5,251,850 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 56,380 (120,820 ) 1,588,150 (4,774,236 ) Contract transactions Payments received from contract owners - - 436,150 364,505 Transfers between subaccounts (including fixed accounts), net 86 (38,154 ) (34,313 ) 1,133,681 Payment for contract benefits and terminations (198,623 ) (26,015 ) (5,129,211 ) (6,164,817 ) Contract charges and fees (142 ) (175 ) (81,203 ) (87,203 ) Adjustments to net assets allocated to contracts in payout period - - (7,279 ) (9,098 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets from contract transactions (198,679 ) (64,344 ) (4,815,856 ) (4,762,932 ) Total increase (decrease) in net assets (142,299 ) (185,164 ) (3,227,706 ) (9,537,168 ) Net assets Beginning of period 614,083 799,247 25,797,249 35,334,417 End of period $ 471,784 $ 614,083 $ 22,569,543 $ 25,797,249

See accompanying notes to financial statements

15

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

For the Years Ended December 31,

Ultra Series

Conservative Allocation Fund,

Class II, Subaccount Ultra Series

Core Bond Fund,

Class I, Subaccount 2023 2022 2023 2022 Increase (decrease) in net assets from operations Net investment income (loss) $ 95,822 $ 18,605 $ 540,136 $ 419,822 Net realized gain (loss) on investments (435,760 ) 172,720 (1,068,142 ) (765,958 ) Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 1,039,373 (2,620,009 ) 1,810,122 (5,050,740 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 699,435 (2,428,684 ) 1,282,116 (5,396,876 ) Contract transactions Payments received from contract owners 163,637 131,492 74,332 186,199 Transfers between subaccounts (including fixed accounts), net (261,181 ) 123,888 351,507 1,208,792 Payment for contract benefits and terminations (3,099,136 ) (2,394,443 ) (4,543,491 ) (4,683,906 ) Contract charges and fees (124,569 ) (125,390 ) (51,423 ) (62,101 ) Adjustments to net assets allocated to contracts in payout period (283 ) - (7,257 ) (372 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets from contract transactions (3,321,532 ) (2,264,453 ) (4,176,332 ) (3,351,388 ) Total increase (decrease) in net assets (2,622,097 ) (4,693,137 ) (2,894,216 ) (8,748,264 ) Net assets Beginning of period 12,679,418 17,372,555 29,623,608 38,371,872 End of period $ 10,057,321 $ 12,679,418 $ 26,729,392 $ 29,623,608

Ultra Series

Core Bond Fund,

Class II, Subaccount Ultra Series

Diversified Income

Fund, Class I, Subaccount 2023 2022 2023 2022 Increase (decrease) in net assets from operations Net investment income (loss) $ 108,428 $ 78,715 $ 924,983 $ 731,381 Net realized gain (loss) on investments (283,024 ) (112,100 ) 6,967,830 6,890,518 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 461,175 (1,252,028 ) (6,415,372 ) (15,829,010 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 286,579 (1,285,413 ) 1,477,441 (8,207,111 ) Contract transactions Payments received from contract owners 39,599 38,167 482,686 186,547 Transfers between subaccounts (including fixed accounts), net 106,898 301,989 273,518 (580,173 ) Payment for contract benefits and terminations (1,111,034 ) (931,900 ) (10,911,469 ) (9,430,460 ) Contract charges and fees (70,948 ) (72,652 ) (65,061 ) (72,233 ) Adjustments to net assets allocated to contracts in payout period (3,878 ) 646 (41,918 ) (73,741 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets from contract transactions (1,039,363 ) (663,750 ) (10,262,244 ) (9,970,060 ) Total increase (decrease) in net assets (752,784 ) (1,949,163 ) (8,784,803 ) (18,177,171 ) Net assets Beginning of period 7,142,198 9,091,361 76,231,663 94,408,834 End of period $ 6,389,414 $ 7,142,198 $ 67,446,860 $ 76,231,663

See accompanying notes to financial statements

16

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

For the Years Ended December 31,

Ultra Series

Diversified Income

Fund, Class II, Subaccount Ultra Series

Foundation Account,

Class I, Subaccount 2023 2022 2023 2022 Increase (decrease) in net assets from operations Net investment income (loss) $ 234,142 $ 164,459 $ 5,695 $ 3,833 Net realized gain (loss) on investments 2,275,655 2,345,664 (874 ) 516 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments (2,074,978 ) (5,165,222 ) 8,020 (48,899 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 434,819 (2,655,099 ) 12,841 (44,550 ) Contract transactions Payments received from contract owners 478,298 535,918 - 701 Transfers between subaccounts (including fixed accounts), net (193,570 ) 328,579 186 (150 ) Payment for contract benefits and terminations (3,606,822 ) (2,681,244 ) - - Contract charges and fees (206,578 ) (214,473 ) (12 ) (10 ) Adjustments to net assets allocated to contracts in payout period - - - - Net increase (decrease) in net assets from contract transactions (3,528,672 ) (2,031,220 ) 174 541 Total increase (decrease) in net assets (3,093,853 ) (4,686,319 ) 13,015 (44,009 ) Net assets Beginning of period 25,052,762 29,739,081 267,842 311,851 End of period $ 21,958,909 $ 25,052,762 $ 280,857 $ 267,842

Ultra Series

Foundation Account,

Class II, Subaccount Ultra Series

High Income Fund,

Class I, Subaccount 2023 2022 2023 2022 Increase (decrease) in net assets from operations Net investment income (loss) $ 116,238 $ 89,236 $ 317,859 $ 351,532 Net realized gain (loss) on investments (331,677 ) (125,970 ) (414,144 ) (336,037 ) Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 527,890 (1,378,453 ) 768,067 (1,257,802 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 312,451 (1,415,187 ) 671,782 (1,242,307 ) Contract transactions Payments received from contract owners 2,340 2,341 11,470 125,771 Transfers between subaccounts (including fixed accounts), net (11,340 ) (105,119 ) 5,758 13,362 Payment for contract benefits and terminations (1,254,414 ) (855,208 ) (1,687,191 ) (1,475,423 ) Contract charges and fees (10,923 ) (13,204 ) (12,838 ) (15,237 ) Adjustments to net assets allocated to contracts in payout period - - (83 ) (2 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets from contract transactions (1,274,337 ) (971,190 ) (1,682,884 ) (1,351,529 ) Total increase (decrease) in net assets (961,886 ) (2,386,377 ) (1,011,102 ) (2,593,836 ) Net assets Beginning of period 7,901,310 10,287,687 9,523,734 12,117,570 End of period $ 6,939,424 $ 7,901,310 $ 8,512,632 $ 9,523,734

See accompanying notes to financial statements

17

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

For the Years Ended December 31,

Ultra Series

High Income Fund,

Class II, Subaccount Ultra Series

International Stock Fund,

Class I, Subaccount 2023 2022 2023 2022 Increase (decrease) in net assets from operations Net investment income (loss) $ 76,740 $ 85,767 $ (68,725 ) $ (72,132 ) Net realized gain (loss) on investments (116,534 ) (87,331 ) (181,361 ) (79,322 ) Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 214,837 (354,659 ) 1,974,497 (2,960,902 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 175,043 (356,223 ) 1,724,411 (3,112,356 ) Contract transactions Payments received from contract owners 450 9,239 93,037 85,611 Transfers between subaccounts (including fixed accounts), net 7,752 10,834 (259,659 ) 754,334 Payment for contract benefits and terminations (485,442 ) (424,239 ) (2,029,289 ) (1,448,490 ) Contract charges and fees (29,421 ) (31,048 ) (20,711 ) (22,876 ) Adjustments to net assets allocated to contracts in payout period (1,130 ) 3 (3,570 ) 209 Net increase (decrease) in net assets from contract transactions (507,791 ) (435,211 ) (2,220,192 ) (631,212 ) Total increase (decrease) in net assets (332,748 ) (791,434 ) (495,781 ) (3,743,568 ) Net assets Beginning of period 2,611,533 3,402,967 12,911,631 16,655,199 End of period $ 2,278,785 $ 2,611,533 $ 12,415,850 $ 12,911,631

Ultra Series

International Stock Fund,

Class II, Subaccount Ultra Series

Large Cap Growth Fund,

Class I, Subaccount 2023 2022 2023 2022 Increase (decrease) in net assets from operations Net investment income (loss) $ (46,139 ) $ (49,924 ) $ (538,820 ) $ (546,005 ) Net realized gain (loss) on investments 16,826 35,626 5,043,132 3,807,388 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 754,636 (1,321,255 ) 7,968,672 (13,282,926 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 725,323 (1,335,553 ) 12,472,984 (10,021,543 ) Contract transactions Payments received from contract owners 19,763 13,072 248,694 274,062 Transfers between subaccounts (including fixed accounts), net (211,055 ) 736,241 (906,966 ) (708,537 ) Payment for contract benefits and terminations (1,016,733 ) (804,663 ) (8,516,105 ) (5,834,226 ) Contract charges and fees (63,160 ) (64,676 ) (42,488 ) (46,463 ) Adjustments to net assets allocated to contracts in payout period (1,903 ) 304 (9,558 ) (13,785 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets from contract transactions (1,273,088 ) (119,722 ) (9,226,423 ) (6,328,949 ) Total increase (decrease) in net assets (547,765 ) (1,455,275 ) 3,246,561 (16,350,492 ) Net assets Beginning of period 5,670,351 7,125,626 54,443,686 70,794,178 End of period $ 5,122,586 $ 5,670,351 $ 57,690,247 $ 54,443,686

See accompanying notes to financial statements

18

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

For the Years Ended December 31,

Ultra Series

Large Cap Growth Fund,

Class II, Subaccount Ultra Series

Large Cap Value Fund,

Class I, Subaccount 2023 2022 2023 2022 Increase (decrease) in net assets from operations Net investment income (loss) $ (120,283 ) $ (140,857 ) $ 638,276 $ 629,882 Net realized gain (loss) on investments 858,541 675,415 (162,513 ) 4,425,004 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 1,508,648 (2,615,035 ) 8,103 (9,729,157 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 2,246,906 (2,080,477 ) 483,866 (4,674,271 ) Contract transactions Payments received from contract owners 28,572 14,596 210,391 349,697 Transfers between subaccounts (including fixed accounts), net (679,777 ) (503,712 ) 448,029 (1,748,783 ) Payment for contract benefits and terminations (1,986,596 ) (1,649,445 ) (8,010,145 ) (8,233,433 ) Contract charges and fees (119,369 ) (124,636 ) (43,964 ) (54,910 ) Adjustments to net assets allocated to contracts in payout period (2,940 ) 540 (34,660 ) (6,653 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets from contract transactions (2,760,110 ) (2,262,657 ) (7,430,349 ) (9,694,082 ) Total increase (decrease) in net assets (513,204 ) (4,343,134 ) (6,946,483 ) (14,368,353 ) Net assets Beginning of period 10,323,709 14,666,843 62,902,440 77,270,793 End of period $ 9,810,505 $ 10,323,709 $ 55,955,957 $ 62,902,440

Ultra Series

Large Cap Value Fund,

Class II, Subaccount Ultra Series

Mid Cap Fund,

Class I, Subaccount 2023 2022 2023 2022 Increase (decrease) in net assets from operations Net investment income (loss) $ 17,326 $ 15,239 $ (569,571 ) $ (710,619 ) Net realized gain (loss) on investments 4,799 200,716 4,445,299 5,178,453 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments (11,085 ) (406,318 ) 7,852,507 (14,170,742 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 11,040 (190,363 ) 11,728,235 (9,702,908 ) Contract transactions Payments received from contract owners - 18,551 103,673 258,422 Transfers between subaccounts (including fixed accounts), net 84,912 (212,815 ) (746,820 ) (1,119,729 ) Payment for contract benefits and terminations (358,410 ) (421,509 ) (8,013,980 ) (7,245,906 ) Contract charges and fees (23,043 ) (26,090 ) (41,556 ) (44,396 ) Adjustments to net assets allocated to contracts in payout period (35 ) (19 ) (15,132 ) 1,572 Net increase (decrease) in net assets from contract transactions (296,576 ) (641,882 ) (8,713,815 ) (8,150,037 ) Total increase (decrease) in net assets (285,536 ) (832,245 ) 3,014,420 (17,852,945 ) Net assets Beginning of period 2,295,658 3,127,903 51,433,776 69,286,721 End of period $ 2,010,122 $ 2,295,658 $ 54,448,196 $ 51,433,776

See accompanying notes to financial statements

19

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

For the Years Ended December 31,

Ultra Series

Mid Cap Fund,

Class II, Subaccount Ultra Series

Moderate Allocation

Fund, Class I, Subaccount 2023 2022 2023 2022 Increase (decrease) in net assets from operations Net investment income (loss) $ (59,066 ) $ (68,109 ) $ 525,865 $ 259,405 Net realized gain (loss) on investments 403,256 493,903 (1,798,704 ) 2,784,245 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 665,095 (1,343,079 ) 5,605,550 (12,725,917 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 1,009,285 (917,285 ) 4,332,711 (9,682,267 ) Contract transactions Payments received from contract owners 20,044 11,157 203,204 393,518 Transfers between subaccounts (including fixed accounts), net (247,193 ) (216,024 ) (445,080 ) (814,315 ) Payment for contract benefits and terminations (748,538 ) (719,241 ) (8,620,244 ) (7,247,520 ) Contract charges and fees (48,780 ) (51,528 ) (193,443 ) (229,992 ) Adjustments to net assets allocated to contracts in payout period (1,907 ) 410 (38,982 ) (943 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets from contract transactions (1,026,374 ) (975,226 ) (9,094,545 ) (7,899,252 ) Total increase (decrease) in net assets (17,089 ) (1,892,511 ) (4,761,834 ) (17,581,519 ) Net assets Beginning of period 4,594,961 6,487,472 51,283,155 68,864,674 End of period $ 4,577,872 $ 4,594,961 $ 46,521,321 $ 51,283,155

Ultra Series

Moderate Allocation

Fund, Class II, Subaccount Vanguard

VIF Money Market

Portfolio, Subaccount 2023 2022 2023 2022 Increase (decrease) in net assets from operations Net investment income (loss) $ 68,985 $ 6,476 $ 527,688 $ 24,530 Net realized gain (loss) on investments (388,492 ) 659,547 161 539 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 1,223,871 (2,901,805 ) - - Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 904,364 (2,235,782 ) 527,849 25,069 Contract transactions Payments received from contract owners 390,102 126,437 90,833 558,646 Transfers between subaccounts (including fixed accounts), net (100,635 ) (568,999 ) 2,084,254 1,435,693 Payment for contract benefits and terminations (2,367,374 ) (2,121,684 ) (4,422,820 ) (4,116,965 ) Contract charges and fees (108,652 ) (125,209 ) (82,328 ) (83,114 ) Adjustments to net assets allocated to contracts in payout period (143 ) - (1,296 ) (1,306 ) Net increase (decrease) in net assets from contract transactions (2,186,702 ) (2,689,455 ) (2,331,357 ) (2,207,046 ) Total increase (decrease) in net assets (1,282,338 ) (4,925,237 ) (1,803,508 ) (2,181,977 ) Net assets Beginning of period 11,240,621 16,165,858 15,324,314 17,506,291 End of period $ 9,958,283 $ 11,240,621 $ 13,520,806 $ 15,324,314

See accompanying notes to financial statements

20

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Notes to Financial Statements

(1) Organization

The CMFG Variable Annuity Account (the Account) is a separate account of CMFG Life Insurance Company (the Company). The Account is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a unit investment trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act), as amended.

The Account was established to receive and invest net premiums paid by the contract owners to the Company under four variable annuity contracts (contracts) issued by the Company: MEMBERS  Variable Annuity, MEMBERS  Variable Annuity II, MEMBERS  Choice Variable Annuity and MEMBERS  Variable Annuity III.

The Account is divided into a number of subaccounts, each of which is treated as an individual accounting entity for financial reporting purposes. Each subaccount invests solely in a corresponding portfolio of one of the following funds, each an open-end management investment company registered with the SEC.

BlackRock Variable Series Funds, Inc. BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Fund (2) Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust Franklin Income VIP Fund Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund (1) AIM Variable Insurance Funds (Invesco Oppenheimer Variable Insurance Funds) Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. International Growth Fund Invesco V.I. Discovery Mid Cap Growth Fund Invesco V.I. Global Real Estate Fund Invesco V.I. Global Strategic Income Fund(1) Invesco V.I. Government Securities Fund (2) Invesco V.I. Growth and Income Fund Invesco V.I. Main Street Small Cap Fund  Invesco V.I. Main Street Fund  MFS Variable Insurance Trust II MFS Strategic Income Portfolio (1) (1) This subaccount is only available in the MEMBERS Variable Annuity product. (2) This subaccount is only available in the MEMBERS Variable Annuity III product. PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust PIMCO Commodity RealReturn Strategy Portfolio PIMCO Global Bond Opportunities Portfolio (Unhedged) PIMCO Total Return Portfolio T. Rowe Price International Series, Inc. T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio (1) Ultra Series Fund(3) Aggressive Allocation Fund Conservative Allocation Fund Core Bond Fund Diversified Income Fund Foundation Account(4) High Income Fund International Stock Fund Large Cap Growth Fund Large Cap Value Fund Mid Cap Fund Moderate Allocation Fund Vanguard Variable Insurance Fund Vanguard VIF Money Market Portfolio (3) The Ultra Series Fund offers both Class 1 and 2 shares to contract owners. Class 2 shares are only available in the MEMBERS Variable Annuity III product. (4) The Foundation Subaccount is only available in the MEMBERS Variable Annuity III product, and is one of two available subaccounts that invest in the Ultra Series Core Bond Fund.

The accompanying financial statements include only the contract owner assets, deposits, investment activity, and the contract transactions applicable to the variable portions of the contracts and exclude assets and activity for deposits for fixed dollar benefits, which are included in the general account of the Company. The net investment income and the realized and unrealized gains and losses from the assets for each subaccount are credited to or charged against that subaccount without regard to income, gains or losses from any other subaccount.

21

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Notes to Financial Statements

(2) Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The Account is an investment company and follows the accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services-Investment Companies.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Investment Valuation

Investments are made in shares of a fund and are recorded at fair value, determined by the net asset value per share of the respective fund. Investment transactions in each fund are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on redemptions of the shares of the fund are determined using the average cost basis. Income from dividends and gains from realized gain distributions from each fund are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are reinvested in that fund. The difference between cost and fair value of investments owned on the day of measurement is recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments.

Federal Income Taxes

The operations of the Account are included in the consolidated federal income tax return of CUNA Mutual Holding Company (CMHC), the Companys ultimate parent, and its eligible subsidiaries. The Company is taxed as a life insurance company under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). The Accounts activities are included in the Companys taxable income. Under current provisions of the IRC, the Company does not expect to incur federal income taxes on recorded earnings or the realized capital gains attributed to the Account to the extent these earnings are credited to the contract owners account. Accordingly, no provision for income tax is currently recorded. If such taxes are incurred by the Company in the future, a tax provision may be recorded.

Contracts in Annuitization Period

Net assets allocated to contracts in the payout stage (annuitization period) are computed according to the 2000 Individual Annuity Mortality Table using an assumed investment return of 3.5%. The mortality risk arises because the Company bears the risk from contract riders, as described in Note 3, Fees and Charges, which may result in additional amounts being transferred into the Account by the Company to cover greater than expected longevity of annuitants. Conversely, if reserves exceed amounts required, transfers may be made to the Company.

(3) Fees and Charges

Contract Charges

Surrender Charge. A surrender charge is assessed against a contract owners account upon surrender or partial withdrawal of payments received from contract owners within the first seven years of the contract period and, in certain circumstances, surrender charges are waived upon payment of a death benefit or the election of certain annuity payment options.

22

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Notes to Financial Statements

(3) Fees and Charges (continued)

For purchase payments withdrawn or surrendered within the first year of the contract, a charge of 7% to 9% of the amount of the payment withdrawn or surrendered is assessed depending on the product version chosen. The surrender charge decreases by 1% (or the noted percentage decrease outlined in the contract) for each full year that has elapsed since the purchase payment was recorded. No surrender charge is assessed upon the withdrawal or surrender of the contract value in excess of aggregate purchase payments or on purchase payments made more than seven years prior to the withdrawal or surrender. No surrender charge is assessed on purchase payments made more than four years prior to the withdrawal or surrender for one of the contract options of the MEMBERS Variable Annuity III product. Subject to certain restrictions in each contract year, an amount equal to 10% of aggregate purchase payments subject to a surrender charge (as of the time of withdrawal or surrender) may be surrendered without a surrender charge. The surrender charge also may be waived in certain circumstances as provided in the contracts. These charges are deducted by redeeming an appropriate number of units for each contract and are included in contract charges and fees on the accompanying Statements of Changes in Net Assets of the applicable subaccount.

Annual Contract Fee. On each contract anniversary prior to the annuity date, the Company deducts an annual contract fee of $30 from the contract owners account. After the annuity date, the Company deducts this fee from variable annuity payments. A pro-rated portion of the fee is deducted upon annuitization of a contract except on a contract anniversary when the full fee is deducted. The Company currently waives this fee for all contracts with $50,000 or more of contract value for the MEMBERS  Variable Annuity III product and $25,000 or more of contract value for all other products. These charges are deducted by redeeming an appropriate number of units for each contract and are included in contract charges and fees on the accompanying Statements of Changes in Net Assets of the applicable subaccount.

Death Benefit Rider Charges. Optional death benefit riders are available on MEMBERS  Variable Annuity II and MEMBERS  Choice Variable Annuity contracts. The Maximum Anniversary Value Death Benefit and 5% Annual Guarantee Death Benefit Riders are available for issue ages 0 to 75. The Minimum Death Benefit Guarantee Rider is available for issue ages 76 to 85. All death benefit rider charges are deducted by redeeming an appropriate number of units for each contract and are included in contract charges and fees on the accompanying Statements of Changes in Net Assets of the applicable subaccount.

On each contract anniversary (or upon surrender of the contract) prior to the annuity date, the Company deducts rider fees from the contract value. The annual charge for each of these riders ranges from 0.15% to 0.20% of average assets during the prior contract year.

Optional death benefit riders are also available on MEMBERS  Variable Annuity III contracts. The Maximum Anniversary Value Death Benefit, 3% Annual Guarantee Death Benefit and Earnings Enhanced Death Benefit Riders are available for issue ages 0 to 75. On each contract anniversary (or upon surrender of the contract) prior to the annuity date, the Company deducts the applicable rider fees from the contract value. The annual charge for each of these riders ranges from 0.15% to 0.35% of average assets during the prior contract year.

Living Benefit Riders. Optional living benefit riders, such as Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit, Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit, and Guaranteed Minimum Accumulation Benefit are available. Annual charges for these benefits range from 0.50% to 1.75%. Generally, the charge is assessed on the average benefit basis for the prior contract year. These charges are deducted by redeeming an appropriate number of units for each contract and are included in contract charges and fees on the accompanying Statements of Changes in Net Assets of the applicable subaccount.

Transfer Fee. No charge is generally made for transfers between subaccounts. However, the Company reserves the right to charge $10 for the 13th and each subsequent transfer during a contract year. These charges are deducted by redeeming an appropriate number of units for each contract and are included in contract charges and fees on the accompanying Statements of Changes in Net Assets of the applicable subaccount.

23

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Notes to Financial Statements

(3) Fees and Charges (continued)

Premium Taxes. If state or other premium taxes are applicable to a contract, they will be deducted either: (a) from purchase payments as they are received, (b) from contract value upon surrender or partial withdrawal, (c) upon application of adjusted contract value to an annuity payment option, or (d) upon payment of a death benefit. The Company, however, reserves the right to deduct premium taxes at the time it pays such taxes. These charges are deducted by redeeming an appropriate number of units for each contract and are included in contract charges and fees on the accompanying Statements of Changes in Net Assets of the applicable subaccount.

Account Charge s

Mortality and Expense Risk Charge. The Company deducts a daily mortality and expense risk charge from the assets of the subaccount to compensate it for assuming certain mortality and expense risks. The charge is deducted from the assets of the subaccount at an annual rate of 1.15% to 1.65%. These charges are included in mortality and expense charges in the accompanying Statements of Operations of the applicable subaccount.

Administrative Charge. The Company deducts a daily administrative charge from the assets of the subaccount to compensate it for certain expenses it incurs in administration of MEMBERS  Variable Annuity and MEMBERS  Variable Annuity III contracts. The charge is deducted from the assets of the subaccount at an annual rate of 0.15%. These charges are included in administrative charges in the accompanying Statements of Operations of the applicable subaccount.

(4) Fair Value

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value of assets and liabilities into three broad levels. The Account has categorized its financial instruments, based on the degree of subjectivity inherent in the valuation technique, as follows:

 Level 1: Inputs are directly observable and represent quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets the Account has the ability to access at the measurement date.

 Level 2: All significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, for the asset or liability. This includes: (i) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, (ii) quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, (iii) inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, and (iv) inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

 Level 3: One or more significant inputs are unobservable and reflect the Accounts estimates of the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk.

The hierarchy requires the use of market observable information when available for assessing fair value.

24

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Notes to Financial Statements

(4) Fair Value (continued)

The following table summarizes the Accounts assets that are measured at fair value as of December 31, 2023. All of the Accounts assets consist of Level 2 mutual funds that have daily quoted net asset values at which the Account could transact.

December 31, 2023 Assets, at Fair Value Total BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Fund, Class III, Subaccount $ 8,212,612 Franklin Income VIP Fund, Class 4, Subaccount 6,879,635 Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund, Class 4, Subaccount 3,688,996 Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. International Growth Fund, Service Shares, Subaccount 8,580,236 Invesco V.I. Discovery Mid Cap Growth Fund, Series II Shares, Subaccount 4,003,119 Invesco V.I. Global Real Estate Fund, Series II Shares, Subaccount 3,077,098 Invesco V.I. Global Strategic Income Fund, Non-Service Shares, Subaccount 189,238 Invesco V.I. Government Securities Fund, Series II Shares, Subaccount 7,752,678 Invesco V.I. Growth and Income Fund, Series II Shares, Subaccount 18,160,863 Invesco V.I. Main Street Fund, Service Shares, Subaccount 9,855,755 Invesco V.I. Main Street Small Cap Fund, Service Shares, Subaccount 4,956,651 MFS Strategic Income Portfolio, Initial Class, Subaccount 366,071 PIMCO Commodity RealReturn Strategy Portfolio, Advisor Class, Subaccount 3,855,303 PIMCO Global Bond Opportunities Portfolio (Unhedged), Advisor Class, Subaccount 8,222,720 PIMCO Total Return Portfolio, Advisor Class, Subaccount 16,551,446 T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio, Subaccount 3,080,754 Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund, Class 2, Subaccount 359,202 Ultra Series Aggressive Allocation Fund, Class I, Subaccount 4,474,294 Ultra Series Aggressive Allocation Fund, Class II, Subaccount 471,784 Ultra Series Conservative Allocation Fund, Class I, Subaccount 22,569,543 Ultra Series Conservative Allocation Fund, Class II, Subaccount 10,057,321 Ultra Series Core Bond Fund, Class I, Subaccount 26,729,392 Ultra Series Core Bond Fund, Class II, Subaccount 6,389,414 Ultra Series Diversified Income Fund, Class I, Subaccount 67,446,860 Ultra Series Diversified Income Fund, Class II, Subaccount 21,958,909 Ultra Series Foundation Account, Class I, Subaccount 280,857 Ultra Series Foundation Account, Class II, Subaccount 6,939,424 Ultra Series High Income Fund, Class I, Subaccount 8,512,632 Ultra Series High Income Fund, Class II, Subaccount 2,278,785 Ultra Series International Stock Fund, Class I, Subaccount 12,415,850 Ultra Series International Stock Fund, Class II, Subaccount 5,122,586 Ultra Series Large Cap Growth Fund, Class I, Subaccount 57,690,247 Ultra Series Large Cap Growth Fund, Class II, Subaccount 9,810,505 Ultra Series Large Cap Value Fund, Class I, Subaccount 55,955,957 Ultra Series Large Cap Value Fund, Class II, Subaccount 2,010,122 Ultra Series Mid Cap Fund, Class I, Subaccount 54,448,196 Ultra Series Mid Cap Fund, Class II, Subaccount 4,577,872 Ultra Series Moderate Allocation Fund, Class I, Subaccount 46,521,321 Ultra Series Moderate Allocation Fund, Class II, Subaccount 9,958,283 Vanguard VIF Money Market Portfolio, Subaccount 13,520,806

25

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Notes to Financial Statements

(4) Fair Value (continued)

The following table summarizes the Accounts assets that are measured at fair value as of December 31, 2022. All of the Accounts assets consist of Level 2 mutual funds that have daily quoted net asset values at which the Account could transact.

December 31, 2022 Assets, at Fair Value Total BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Fund, Class III, Subaccount $ 8,807,355 Franklin Income VIP Fund, Class 4, Subaccount 6,969,615 Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund, Class 4, Subaccount 3,888,557 Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. International Growth Fund, Service Shares, Subaccount 8,986,107 Invesco V.I. Discovery Mid Cap Growth Fund, Series II Shares, Subaccount 4,110,431 Invesco V.I. Global Real Estate Fund, Series II Shares, Subaccount 3,074,730 Invesco V.I. Global Strategic Income Fund, Non-Service Shares, Subaccount 213,454 Invesco V.I. Government Securities Fund, Series II Shares, Subaccount 8,301,204 Invesco V.I. Growth and Income Fund, Series II Shares, Subaccount 19,434,438 Invesco V.I. Main Street Fund, Service Shares, Subaccount 9,529,229 Invesco V.I. Main Street Small Cap Fund, Service Shares, Subaccount 4,867,669 MFS Strategic Income Portfolio, Initial Class, Subaccount 370,863 PIMCO Commodity RealReturn Strategy Portfolio, Advisor Class, Subaccount 4,382,156 PIMCO Global Bond Opportunities Portfolio (Unhedged), Advisor Class, Subaccount 9,066,197 PIMCO Total Return Portfolio, Advisor Class, Subaccount 18,192,501 T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio, Subaccount 3,032,516 Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund, Class 2, Subaccount 373,832 Ultra Series Aggressive Allocation Fund, Class I, Subaccount 4,465,833 Ultra Series Aggressive Allocation Fund, Class II, Subaccount 614,083 Ultra Series Conservative Allocation Fund, Class I, Subaccount 25,797,249 Ultra Series Conservative Allocation Fund, Class II, Subaccount 12,679,418 Ultra Series Core Bond Fund, Class I, Subaccount 29,623,608 Ultra Series Core Bond Fund, Class II, Subaccount 7,142,196 Ultra Series Diversified Income Fund, Class I, Subaccount 76,231,663 Ultra Series Diversified Income Fund, Class II, Subaccount 25,052,762 Ultra Series Foundation Account, Class I, Subaccount 267,842 Ultra Series Foundation Account, Class II, Subaccount 7,901,310 Ultra Series High Income Fund, Class I, Subaccount 9,523,734 Ultra Series High Income Fund, Class II, Subaccount 2,611,533 Ultra Series International Stock Fund, Class I, Subaccount 12,911,631 Ultra Series International Stock Fund, Class II, Subaccount 5,670,351 Ultra Series Large Cap Growth Fund, Class I, Subaccount 54,443,686 Ultra Series Large Cap Growth Fund, Class II, Subaccount 10,323,709 Ultra Series Large Cap Value Fund, Class I, Subaccount 62,902,440 Ultra Series Large Cap Value Fund, Class II, Subaccount 2,295,658 Ultra Series Mid Cap Fund, Class I, Subaccount 51,433,776 Ultra Series Mid Cap Fund, Class II, Subaccount 4,594,961 Ultra Series Moderate Allocation Fund, Class I, Subaccount 51,283,155 Ultra Series Moderate Allocation Fund, Class II, Subaccount 11,240,621 Vanguard VIF Money Market Portfolio, Subaccount 15,324,314

There were no Level 3 investments in the Account, therefore, Level 3 roll-forward tables have not been provided. There were no transfers between levels during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

26

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Notes to Financial Statements

(5) Purchases and Sales of Investments

The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments in the various subaccounts for the year ended December 31, 2023 are as follows:

Year Ended December 31, 2023 Purchases Sales BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Fund, Class III, Subaccount $ 313,454 $ 1,698,820 Franklin Income VIP Fund, Class 4, Subaccount 957,618 843,370 Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund, Class 4, Subaccount 284,119 907,915 Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. International Growth Fund, Service Shares, Subaccount 94,970 2,137,263 Invesco V.I. Discovery Mid Cap Growth Fund, Series II Shares, Subaccount 93,869 692,502 Invesco V.I. Global Real Estate Fund, Series II Shares, Subaccount 226,394 436,764 Invesco V.I. Global Strategic Income Fund, Non-Service Shares, Subaccount 982 42,700 Invesco V.I. Government Securities Fund, Series II Shares, Subaccount 627,527 1,383,547 Invesco V.I. Growth and Income Fund, Series II Shares, Subaccount 2,611,989 3,505,157 Invesco V.I. Main Street Fund, Service Shares, Subaccount 810,316 1,780,443 Invesco V.I. Main Street Small Cap Fund, Service Shares, Subaccount 227,689 870,201 MFS Strategic Income Portfolio, Initial Class, Subaccount 14,499 32,572 PIMCO Commodity RealReturn Strategy Portfolio, Advisor Class, Subaccount 1,007,642 558,297 PIMCO Global Bond Opportunities Portfolio (Unhedged), Advisor Class, Subaccount 393,297 1,368,420 PIMCO Total Return Portfolio, Advisor Class, Subaccount 886,906 2,880,514 T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio, Subaccount 37,588 426,888 Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund, Class 2, Subaccount 8,470 58,583 Ultra Series Aggressive Allocation Fund, Class I, Subaccount 144,291 575,446 Ultra Series Aggressive Allocation Fund, Class II, Subaccount 9,217 205,960 Ultra Series Conservative Allocation Fund, Class I, Subaccount 1,179,757 5,683,201 Ultra Series Conservative Allocation Fund, Class II, Subaccount 541,897 3,767,607 Ultra Series Core Bond Fund, Class I, Subaccount 1,421,213 5,057,409 Ultra Series Core Bond Fund, Class II, Subaccount 395,550 1,326,485 Ultra Series Diversified Income Fund, Class I, Subaccount 11,566,916 11,989,849 Ultra Series Diversified Income Fund, Class II, Subaccount 3,960,742 4,314,690 Ultra Series Foundation Account, Class I, Subaccount 9,708 3,839 Ultra Series Foundation Account, Class II, Subaccount 224,724 1,382,823 Ultra Series High Income Fund, Class I, Subaccount 488,723 1,853,748 Ultra Series High Income Fund, Class II, Subaccount 137,266 568,317 Ultra Series International Stock Fund, Class I, Subaccount 335,427 2,624,344 Ultra Series International Stock Fund, Class II, Subaccount 65,959 1,385,186 Ultra Series Large Cap Growth Fund, Class I, Subaccount 5,841,737 10,629,323 Ultra Series Large Cap Growth Fund, Class II, Subaccount 936,997 2,933,327 Ultra Series Large Cap Value Fund, Class I, Subaccount 3,511,038 8,899,520 Ultra Series Large Cap Value Fund, Class II, Subaccount 178,821 406,604 Ultra Series Mid Cap Fund, Class I, Subaccount 4,706,937 9,859,686 Ultra Series Mid Cap Fund, Class II, Subaccount 403,823 1,116,528 Ultra Series Moderate Allocation Fund, Class I, Subaccount 1,516,413 10,054,625 Ultra Series Moderate Allocation Fund, Class II, Subaccount 653,080 2,763,832 Vanguard VIF Money Market Portfolio, Subaccount 4,100,009 5,903,517

27

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Notes to Financial Statements

(5) Purchases and Sales of Investments (continued)

The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments in the various subaccounts for the year ended December 31, 2022 are as follows:

Year Ended December 31, 2022 Purchases Sales BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Fund, Class III, Subaccount $ 306,515 $ 2,201,344 Franklin Income VIP Fund, Class 4, Subaccount 794,674 1,520,856 Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund, Class 4, Subaccount 411,468 915,051 Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. International Growth Fund, Service Shares, Subaccount 2,801,621 1,072,370 Invesco V.I. Discovery Mid Cap Growth Fund, Series II Shares, Subaccount 1,866,995 667,710 Invesco V.I. Global Real Estate Fund, Series II Shares, Subaccount 185,284 598,214 Invesco V.I. Global Strategic Income Fund, Non-Service Shares, Subaccount 1,279 31,742 Invesco V.I. Government Securities Fund, Series II Shares, Subaccount 325,546 1,478,782 Invesco V.I. Growth and Income Fund, Series II Shares, Subaccount 2,649,249 5,454,254 Invesco V.I. Main Street Fund, Service Shares, Subaccount 4,362,163 2,016,064 Invesco V.I. Main Street Small Cap Fund, Service Shares, Subaccount 802,335 773,297 MFS Strategic Income Portfolio, Initial Class, Subaccount 19,571 58,788 PIMCO Commodity RealReturn Strategy Portfolio, Advisor Class, Subaccount 1,284,637 2,605,309 PIMCO Global Bond Opportunities Portfolio (Unhedged), Advisor Class, Subaccount 589,989 1,432,625 PIMCO Total Return Portfolio, Advisor Class, Subaccount 1,374,359 3,314,768 T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio, Subaccount 100,367 296,830 Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund, Class 2, Subaccount 41,692 148,964 Ultra Series Aggressive Allocation Fund, Class I, Subaccount 637,814 863,870 Ultra Series Aggressive Allocation Fund, Class II, Subaccount 62,482 73,311 Ultra Series Conservative Allocation Fund, Class I, Subaccount 2,927,664 6,765,788 Ultra Series Conservative Allocation Fund, Class II, Subaccount 808,554 2,667,699 Ultra Series Core Bond Fund, Class I, Subaccount 2,868,987 5,655,442 Ultra Series Core Bond Fund, Class II, Subaccount 417,458 967,959 Ultra Series Diversified Income Fund, Class I, Subaccount 10,081,551 12,027,217 Ultra Series Diversified Income Fund, Class II, Subaccount 4,201,725 3,657,884 Ultra Series Foundation Account, Class I, Subaccount 9,698 4,102 Ultra Series Foundation Account, Class II, Subaccount 254,896 1,099,568 Ultra Series High Income Fund, Class I, Subaccount 777,676 1,777,672 Ultra Series High Income Fund, Class II, Subaccount 152,980 502,425 Ultra Series International Stock Fund, Class I, Subaccount 1,035,157 1,619,196 Ultra Series International Stock Fund, Class II, Subaccount 562,424 680,962 Ultra Series Large Cap Growth Fund, Class I, Subaccount 4,575,419 7,555,636 Ultra Series Large Cap Growth Fund, Class II, Subaccount 863,282 2,496,903 Ultra Series Large Cap Value Fund, Class I, Subaccount 7,722,382 11,717,724 Ultra Series Large Cap Value Fund, Class II, Subaccount 252,761 689,946 Ultra Series Mid Cap Fund, Class I, Subaccount 5,449,524 9,419,081 Ultra Series Mid Cap Fund, Class II, Subaccount 493,843 1,076,114 Ultra Series Moderate Allocation Fund, Class I, Subaccount 5,095,070 8,855,480 Ultra Series Moderate Allocation Fund, Class II, Subaccount 1,252,055 3,086,209 Vanguard VIF Money Market Portfolio, Subaccount 2,883,542 5,065,518

28

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Notes to Financial Statements

(6) Changes in Units Outstanding

The changes in units outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

BlackRock Franklin Franklin Mutual Global Income Global Discovery Allocation V.I. VIP VIP Fund, Class III, Fund, Class 4, Fund, Class 4, Subaccount Subaccount Subaccount Units outstanding at December 31, 2021 674,742 473,382 272,240 Units issued 29,063 281,602 210,390 Units redeemed (142,659 ) (347,269 ) (258,393 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2022 561,146 407,715 224,237 Units issued 12,723 242,580 166,734 Units redeemed (102,236 ) (274,796 ) (211,628 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2023 471,633 375,499 179,343

Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. Invesco V.I. Invesco V.I. International Discovery Mid Cap Global Real Growth Fund, Growth Fund, Estate Fund, Service Shares, Series II Shares, Series II Shares, Subaccount Subaccount Subaccount Units outstanding at December 31, 2021 683,283 360,976 337,979 Units issued 738,174 369,067 315,542 Units redeemed (723,134 ) (377,907 ) (353,489 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2022 698,323 352,136 300,032 Units issued 610,107 336,024 308,409 Units redeemed (747,889 ) (380,178 ) (328,973 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2023 560,541 307,982 279,468

Invesco V.I. Invesco V.I. Invesco V.I. Global Strategic Government Growth and Income Fund, Securities Fund, Income Fund, Non-Service Shares, Series II Shares, Series II Shares, Subaccount Subaccount Subaccount Units outstanding at December 31, 2021 57,290 985,787 1,033,754 Units issued 29 919,561 849,011 Units redeemed (6,375 ) (1,038,131 ) (1,046,980 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2022 50,944 867,217 835,785 Units issued 45 855,723 721,886 Units redeemed (9,029 ) (938,040 ) (853,128 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2023 41,960 784,900 704,543

Invesco V.I. Invesco V.I. MFS Main Street Main Street Strategic Fund, Small Cap Fund, Income Portfolio, Service Shares, Service Shares, Initial Class, Subaccount Subaccount Subaccount Units outstanding at December 31, 2021 447,745 189,322 18,385 Units issued 377,240 168,299 4 Units redeemed (440,001 ) (186,085 ) (2,229 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2022 384,984 171,536 16,160 Units issued 321,453 148,120 31 Units redeemed (377,913 ) (169,517 ) (1,151 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2023 328,524 150,139 15,040

29

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Notes to Financial Statements

(6) Changes in Units Outstanding (continued)

PIMCO Commodity PIMCO Global Bond PIMCO RealReturn Opportunities Total Return Strategy Portfolio, Portfolio (Unhedged), Portfolio, Advisor Class, Advisor Class, Advisor Class, Subaccount Subaccount Subaccount Units outstanding at December 31, 2021 1,175,936 908,867 1,606,136 Units issued 822,211 896,015 1,438,439 Units redeemed (1,221,775 ) (983,733 ) (1,602,625 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2022 776,372 821,149 1,441,950 Units issued 819,317 803,511 1,286,101 Units redeemed (843,225 ) (906,385 ) (1,472,351 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2023 752,464 718,275 1,255,700

T. Rowe Price Templeton Ultra Series International Developing Aggressive Stock Markets VIP Allocation Portfolio, Fund, Class 2, Fund, Class I, Subaccount Subaccount Subaccount Units outstanding at December 31, 2021 136,609 34,100 320,151 Units issued 89 2 38,998 Units redeemed (10,290 ) (8,087 ) (76,796 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2022 126,408 26,015 282,353 Units issued 290 - 30,001 Units redeemed (14,711 ) (3,523 ) (58,684 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2023 111,987 22,492 253,670

Ultra Series Ultra Series Ultra Series Aggressive Conservative Conservative Allocation Allocation Fund, Allocation Fund, Fund, Class II, Class I, Class II, Subaccount Subaccount Subaccount Units outstanding at December 31, 2021 28,064 2,145,673 919,176 Units issued - 663,749 342,491 Units redeemed (2,488 ) (977,191 ) (476,568 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2022 25,576 1,832,231 785,099 Units issued - 515,738 275,631 Units redeemed (7,900 ) (847,653 ) (476,046 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2023 17,676 1,500,316 584,684

Ultra Series Ultra Series Ultra Series Core Bond Core Bond Diversified Fund, Fund, Income Class I, Class II, Fund, Class I, Subaccount Subaccount Subaccount Units outstanding at December 31, 2021 2,341,609 718,382 2,868,681 Units issued 1,974,262 649,454 1,095,970 Units redeemed (2,201,768 ) (706,497 ) (1,433,689 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2022 2,114,103 661,339 2,530,962 Units issued 1,964,737 598,884 1,073,054 Units redeemed (2,266,096 ) (693,790 ) (1,408,627 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2023 1,812,744 566,433 2,195,389

30

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Notes to Financial Statements

(6) Changes in Units Outstanding (continued)

Ultra Series Ultra Series Ultra Series Diversified Foundation Foundation Income Account, Account, Fund, Class II, Class I, Class II, Subaccount Subaccount Subaccount Units outstanding at December 31, 2021 1,087,988 25,988 869,981 Units issued 121,680 68 219 Units redeemed (200,782 ) (1 ) (89,861 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2022 1,008,886 26,055 780,339 Units issued 70,230 - 228 Units redeemed (212,654 ) (1 ) (124,559 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2023 866,462 26,054 656,008

Ultra Series Ultra Series Ultra Series High Income High Income International Fund, Fund, Stock Fund, Class I, Class II, Class I, Subaccount Subaccount Subaccount Units outstanding at December 31, 2021 523,189 187,994 819,424 Units issued 461,032 174,374 776,715 Units redeemed (523,560 ) (200,477 ) (813,386 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2022 460,661 161,891 782,753 Units issued 411,510 147,716 670,005 Units redeemed (492,167 ) (178,218 ) (795,222 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2023 380,004 131,389 657,536

Ultra Series Ultra Series Ultra Series International Large Cap Large Cap Stock Fund, Growth Fund, Growth Fund, Class II, Class I, Class II, Subaccount Subaccount Subaccount Units outstanding at December 31, 2021 385,308 1,475,748 324,656 Units issued 416,586 749,563 284,554 Units redeemed (423,332 ) (902,025 ) (341,056 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2022 378,562 1,323,286 268,154 Units issued 339,238 698,798 226,594 Units redeemed (417,392 ) (912,313 ) (289,709 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2023 300,408 1,109,771 205,039

Ultra Series Ultra Series Ultra Series Large Cap Large Cap Mid Cap Value Fund, Value Fund, Fund, Class I, Class II, Class I, Subaccount Subaccount Subaccount Units outstanding at December 31, 2021 2,327,640 98,461 1,193,458 Units issued 1,317,957 79,432 581,059 Units redeemed (1,656,750 ) (100,519 ) (744,428 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2022 1,988,847 77,374 1,030,089 Units issued 1,215,452 71,972 521,669 Units redeemed (1,452,527 ) (82,096 ) (684,427 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2023 1,751,772 67,250 867,331

31

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Notes to Financial Statements

(6) Changes in Units Outstanding (continued)

Ultra Series Ultra Series Ultra Series Mid Cap Moderate Moderate Fund, Allocation Allocation Class II, Fund, Class I, Fund, Class II, Subaccount Subaccount Subaccount Units outstanding at December 31, 2021 127,840 3,805,558 672,698 Units issued 106,546 584,984 187,268 Units redeemed (128,403 ) (1,072,687 ) (309,835 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2022 105,983 3,317,855 550,131 Units issued 86,616 529,065 158,924 Units redeemed (107,996 ) (1,090,350 ) (263,222 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2023 84,603 2,756,570 445,833 Vanguard VIF Money Market Portfolio, Subaccount Units outstanding at December 31, 2021 1,775,508 Units issued 1,316,045 Units redeemed (1,538,911 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2022 1,552,642 Units issued 1,245,508 Units redeemed (1,476,323 ) Units outstanding at December 31, 2023 1,321,827

32

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Notes to Financial Statements

(7) Financial Highlights

The table below provides financial highlights for each subaccount for the year ended December 31, 2023 and for the four preceding years ended December 31. In certain instances, fewer years are presented because the subaccount was not available for the entire five-year period. The unit value, the expense ratio and the total returns are presented for the product with the lowest and highest expense ratios. In addition, the lowest unit value and total return can exceed the highest unit value and total return due to timing of when amounts were actually invested in the respective contract by contract owners.

As of For the year ended Units

(000's) Unit Value for

Lowest to Highest

Expense Ratio Net Assets

(000's) (1)

Investment

Income Ratio (2)

Expense Ratio

Lowest to

Highest (3)

Total Return for

Lowest to Highest

Expense Ratio BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Fund, Class III, Subaccount 12/31/2023 472 $ 17.44 to $ 16.59 $ 8,213 2.35% 1.30% to 1.80% 10.94% to 10.45% 12/31/2022 561 15.72 to 15.02 8,807 0.00% 1.30% to 1.80% -17.09% to -17.56% 12/31/2021 675 18.96 to 18.22 12,776 0.74% 1.30% to 1.80% 4.98% to 4.47% 12/31/2020 819 18.06 to 17.44 14,778 1.21% 1.30% to 1.80% 19.13% to 18.48% 12/31/2019 995 15.16 to 14.72 15,076 1.14% 1.30% to 1.80% 16.35% to 15.81% Franklin Income VIP Fund, Class 4, Subaccount 12/31/2023 375 $ 18.78 to $ 18.40 $ 6,880 4.94% 1.15% to 1.80% 7.31% to 6.60% 12/31/2022 408 17.50 to 17.26 6,970 4.72% 1.15% to 1.80% -6.62% to -7.30% 12/31/2021 473 18.74 to 18.62 8,674 4.41% 1.15% to 1.80% 15.32% to 14.44% 12/31/2020 537 16.25 to 16.27 8,537 5.54% 1.15% to 1.80% -0.55% to -1.27% 12/31/2019 627 16.34 to 16.48 10,050 5.02% 1.15% to 1.80% 14.83% to 14.05% Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund, Class 4, Subaccount 12/31/2023 179 $ 21.15 to $ 20.97 $ 3,689 2.16% 1.15% to 1.80% 18.75% to 17.94% 12/31/2022 224 17.81 to 17.78 3,889 1.16% 1.15% to 1.80% -5.97% to -6.57% 12/31/2021 272 18.94 to 19.03 5,020 2.26% 1.15% to 1.80% 17.64% to 16.75% 12/31/2020 343 16.10 to 16.30 5,374 2.18% 1.15% to 1.80% -5.63% to -6.27% 12/31/2019 383 17.06 to 17.39 6,375 1.34% 1.15% to 1.80% 22.82% to 22.04% Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. International Growth Fund, Service Shares, Subaccount 12/31/2023 561 $ 15.95 to $ 15.56 $ 8,580 0.28% 1.15% to 1.80% 19.30% to 18.42% 12/31/2022 698 13.37 to 13.14 8,986 0.00% 1.15% to 1.80% -28.08% to -28.39% 12/31/2021 683 18.59 to 18.35 12,223 0.00% 1.15% to 1.80% 8.78% to 8.20% 12/31/2020 844 17.09 to 16.96 13,873 0.64% 1.15% to 1.80% 19.68% to 18.93% 12/31/2019 1,055 14.28 to 14.26 14,523 0.72% 1.15% to 1.80% 26.60% to 25.64% Invesco V.I. Discovery Mid Cap Growth Fund, Series II Shares, Subaccount 12/31/2023 308 $ 13.09 to $ 12.80 $ 4,003 0.00% 1.15% to 1.80% 11.50% to 10.92% 12/31/2022 352 11.74 to 11.54 4,110 0.00% 1.15% to 1.80% -31.86% to -32.36% 12/31/2021 361 17.23 to 17.06 6,202 0.00% 1.15% to 1.80% 17.45% to 16.69% 12/31/2020 465 14.67 to 14.62 6,818 0.00% 1.15% to 1.80% -31.51% to -33.48% 12/31/2019 310 21.42 to 21.98 6,630 0.00% 1.15% to 1.80% 32.39% to 31.70%

33

CMFG Variable Annuity Account

Notes to Financial Statements

(7) Financial Highlights (continued)

As of For the year ended Units

(000's) Unit Value for

Lowest to Highest

Expense Ratio Net Assets

(000's) (1)

Investment

Income Ratio (2)

Expense Ratio

Lowest to

Highest (3)

Total Return for

Lowest to Highest

Expense Ratio Invesco V.I. Global Real Estate Fund, Series II Shares, Subaccount 12/31/2023 279 $ 11.54 to $ 12.50 $ 3,077 1.21% 1.15% to 1.80% 7.75% to 7.11% 12/31/2022 300 10.71 to 11.67 3,075 2.51% 1.15% to 1.80% -25.93% to -26.42% 12/31/2021 338 14.46 to 15.86 4,679 2.55% 1.15% to 1.80% 24.23% to 23.14% 12/31/2020 394 11.64 to 12.88 4,391 4.69% 1.15% to 1.80% -13.59% to -14.13% 12/31/2019 407 13.47 to 15.00 5,257 3.25% 1.15% to 1.80% 21.24% to 20.39% Invesco V.I. Global Strategic Income Fund, Non-Service Shares, Subaccount 12/31/2023 42 $ 4.51 to (a) $ 189 0.00% 1.40% 7.64% to (a) 12/31/2022 51 4.19 to (a) 213 0.00% 1.40% -12.53% to (a) 12/31/2021 57 4.79 to (a) 274 4.46% 1.40% -4.96% to (a) 12/31/2020 61 5.04 to (a) 307 5.83% 1.40% 1.61% to (a) 12/31/2019 66 4.96 to (a) 329 3.71% 1.40% 8.30% to (a) Invesco V.I. Government Securities Fund, Series II Shares, Subaccount 12/31/2023 785 $ 9.93 to $ 9.21 $ 7,753 1.73% 1.15% to 1.80% 3.22% to 2.56% 12/31/2022 867 9.62 to 8.98 8,301 1.67% 1.30% to 1.80% -11.82% to -12.13% 12/31/2021 986 10.91 to 10.22 10,704 2.26% 1.30% to 1.80% -3.71% to -4.04% 12/31/2020 963 11.33 to 10.65 10,868 2.06% 1.30% to 1.80% 4.62%
Air Force Maj. Gen. Phillip Stewart, right, and his defense attorney Capt. Jordan Grande exit a courthouse following Stewarts arraignment on Jan. 18, 2024, at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes)

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas  Air Force Maj. Gen. Phillip Stewart on Thursday afternoon pleaded not guilty to charges that he sexually assaulted a subordinate officer during a business trip and requested a jury of officers at a court-martial scheduled later this year.

Stewart entered the plea before military judge Col. Matthew Stoffel during a hearing at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph  the base where he once commanded the 19th Air Force, which trains all aircrews for the service.

A previous request filed by Stewart to retire in lieu of court-martial was not addressed, as his chain of command has not made any movement on it, Stoffel said. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall will have final approval on the retirement request, and attorneys at Air Force headquarters have determined the court-martial process will proceed while he makes the decision.

Instead, lawyers for the Air Force and for Stewart argued for roughly three hours over what evidence can be admitted at trial, including the records of discipline Stewart doled out to soldiers under his command for the same actions he is charged with. Other evidence debated included text messages, images and conversations Stewart had with the alleged victim, her husband and another general officer.

The two-star general is charged with two counts of sexual assault for actions that occurred April 14, 2023, at Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma, according to Air Education Training Command and court documents. He also faces charges of dereliction of duty, conduct unbecoming an officer and adultery.

Col. Brian Thompson, the military judge who presided over a preliminary hearing in October, recommended the sexual assault charge not be referred to a court-martial because of a lack of evidence from Air Force prosecutors, according to Jeffrey Addicott, an attorney for Stewart. Instead, Thompson recommended the sexual assault charge be dropped, and the other minor offenses be handled with administrative punishment.

Evidence presented at Octobers preliminary hearing described a sexual encounter between Stewart and a subordinate officer that occurred during travel to Altus Air Force Base. Stewart, the alleged victim and two other military personnel were drinking alcohol on April 13-14. Once Stewart and the woman were alone, they had sex. Prosecutors argued the woman used social cues and tried to politely discourage Stewart because he was her senior officer and had power over her. Defense attorneys have argued the encounter was consensual.

Later April 14, Stewart participated in a training flight and sent a photo of himself in the aircraft to the woman. The flight occurred within 12 hours of drinking alcoholic beverages, which is not permitted, and what led to the charge of dereliction of duty.

Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, convening authority and commander of Air Education Training Command, chose to move forward with formal changes against Stewart in December after reviewing Thompsons report.

Stewart, a career fighter pilot who served in Afghanistan, is only the second general officer in the services history to face a court-martial, according to the Air Force. Maj. Gen. William Cooley was convicted of abusive sexual contact in a court-martial in 2022 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. He was sentenced to a reprimand and a forfeiture of nearly $55,000.

Stewart took command of the 19th Air Force in August 2022, according to his online biography. He was fired from the position last May as the Air Force investigated the allegations.
The courthouse at Rose Barracks in Vilseck, Germany, on March 22, 2024. A noncommissioned officer at Vilseck was convicted of battery following the March 2022 death of his 5-month-old son. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes)

VILSECK, Germany  An Army noncommissioned officer was convicted of child battery but acquitted of murdering his infant son, a military jury decided during a 10-day trial that ended Friday.

Sgt. Brandon Livingston, 28, assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, was sentenced at court-martial on Friday to 33 months in prison and a reduction in pay grade to E-1.

Livingston also was acquitted of aggravated assault and obstruction of justice in the death of his 5-month-old son Kaleb on March 5, 2022.

The saga involving Livingston, a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, began at around 1 a.m. on March 5, when emergency responders were called to his Vilseck home to treat his son, who was in distress, prosecutors said during the trial.

The boy was taken to a German clinic in the Bavarian city of Weiden, where he was treated for blunt force trauma to the head, a skull fracture and brain hemorrhaging. He died a short time later.

Doctors found evidence of rib and leg fractures that showed signs of healing, which pointed to a pattern of abuse, prosecutors said.

Both Livingston and his wife, Lilli, were arrested by U.S. military police, Oberpfalz police told Stars and Stripes previously.

German prosecutors accused Lilli Livingston, a German national, of failing to prevent the abuse. She was convicted last year of negligent homicide by omission and received a suspended sentence of one-and-a-half years of probation.

Lilli Livingston accused her husband of abusing the child at least three times in the couples home in the Amberg-Sulzbach district, Bavarian news site Onetz reported at the time.

The court-martial began March 11, with Judge Lt. Col. Thomas Hynes presiding.

The main entrance gate at Rose Barracks in Vilseck, Germany, is shown March 22, 2024. A soldier from the base was convicted of battery on his infant son prior to the boy's death in March 2022. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes)

Over the course of the trial, the prosecution tried to pinpoint the time of Kalebs injuries and place him in his fathers care, while the defense focused on Lilli Livingstons actions.

The panel of officers and senior enlisted leaders deliberated for around five hours Thursday before finding the sergeant guilty of battery on a child under the age of 16, said Jason Treffry, a spokesman for the 7th Army Training Command.

Brandon Livingston entered the court for sentencing Friday in his service dress uniform. The prosecution telephoned a child abuse specialist that revisited Kalebs injuries, and then called Lilli Livingston to the stand.

I cant describe how much this hurts me, she said as she broke down. Im shattered.

The defense called an array of character witnesses from family to former soldiers that described the sergeant as peaceful and a good leader. Brandon Livingston later wept as he delivered a statement to the judge.

I will miss you daily, Kaleb, he said. I know youre looking down on us with your grandmother.

Maj. Brett Erland, a member of the prosecution, criticized Brandon Livingston during sentencing arguments for exhibiting a lack of remorse.

All along, he knew his child was in pain and he did it again, he said.

Defense counsel Capt. Patrick Hitt declined to comment at the conclusion of the trial.

Brandon Livingston has 90 days to appeal, Treffry said. Any sentence over two years is automatically reviewed by the Army Court of Criminal Appeals.

He will most likely serve his sentence at either the Joint Regional Confinement Facility or Disciplinary Barracks, both located at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., Treffry said.
A F/A-18 Super Hornet lands on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea on March 19, 2024. The carrier has launched about 100 flights daily, six-to-seven days a week since Dec. 31. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)

ABOARD THE USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER  Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen responsible for putting U.S. sailors under fire at levels comparable to World War II battles arent getting much rest these days.

Thats because the 7,000 sailors of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group are successfully frustrating the militant groups efforts to terrorize ships in the Red Sea, said Rear Adm. Marc Miguez, commander of the group.

Miguez and others aboard Eisenhower acknowledged the Houthi fighters have been savvy in adapting their efforts with swarm drone attacks and upgraded ballistic missile capabilities. They also recognize Irans determination to continue arming them.

But near daily strikes made by F/A-18 Super Hornets and the groups destroyer squadron against Houthi drones, missiles and other capabilities have eroded the groups maneuverability, effectively reducing their activity, he said.

A sailor stands watch aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea, on March 20, 2024. The crew of the aircraft carrier has seen nearly five months at sea without a port call. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes) A mural painted by a sailor in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower depicts the ship's namesake over the words "Best Damn Ship in the Navy." (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes) A sailor works on an F/A-18 Super Hornet in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower on March 20, 2024. The carrier has launched about 100 flights daily since Dec. 31. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)

For example, the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower went on a shipwide alert Wednesday morning, quickly launching two Super Hornets within four minutes of each other after learning the Houthis appeared to be preparing to use attack drones on unspecified targets.

An E-2 Hawkeye command and control aircraft and two refueling tankers soon followed.

U.S. Central Command subsequently announced a coalition aircraft had destroyed one aerial drone and that CENTCOM had destroyed one surface drone launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

The action is among U.S. and coalition efforts that have allowed more than 2,000 ships, many under military escort, to come through the Red Sea safely since January, Miguez said.

He also acknowledged at least a 20% drop off in shipping through the vital waterway compared to recent years.

My job is to keep the Houthis up at night and I routinely do that, Miguez said. We make sure we apply pressure all the time.

Miguez added he sleeps well knowing the ships crew is protecting him and other sailors.

The Eisenhower and its escorts arrived in the Middle East on Nov. 4, ordered there by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin as part of a U.S. effort to keep the Israel-Hamas war from broadening within the region.

About two weeks later, the Houthis began targeting ships in the Red Sea, putting the strike group in what the Navy deems an active weapons engagement zone.

As a result, the strike group, which includes the destroyers USS Gravely and USS Mason along with the cruiser USS Philippine Sea, ultimately saw the unprecedented use of anti-ship ballistic missiles in combat against a commercial ship on Dec. 30, the White House said in a statement Jan. 3.

Those two missiles were shot down by Gravely. The destroyer USS Laboon also responded. A day later, the same commercial vessel was attacked by four Houthi fast boats.

The flight deck crew prepares to launch an E-2 Hawkeye command and control plane off the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower on March 19, 2024. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)

Helicopters from the Eisenhower responded to the ships distress call, coming under fire from the boats. The helicopters returned fire, sinking three vessels and killing their crews. The fourth boat fled, the White House statement said.

It was a moment of reckoning for the 5,000 sailors aboard Eisenhower, said Capt. Chris Hill, commander of the aircraft carrier. Another 2,000 service members are assigned to other ships and units in the strike group.

For us, witnessing that visually was somewhat of a wake-up call for the entire ship, Hill said. This is real and its going to get busy, and its been busy ever since.

Since then, Eisenhower has launched about 100 Super Hornets, Hawkeyes, EA-18G Growlers and other aircraft day and night to help put the squeeze on the Houthi militants. Those flights typically take place over a span of 12 to 14 hours, six to seven days per week, said Capt. Marvin Scott, commander of Carrier Air Wing Three.

Some planes are on dynamic targeting missions used to identify Houthi movements that indicate the potential launch of drones or missiles. The goal is to eliminate them before they become an immediate threat, Scott said.

Other flights are for patrol, reconnaissance, defensive and other missions, he said.

An F/A-18 Super Hornet prepares to launch from the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea on March 19, 2024. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes) An F/A-18 Super Hornet launches during night flight operations on the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower on March 19, 2024. The planes carry out reconnaissance, defensive and other missions. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)

Its a grueling pace that has kept Eisenhower at sea for nearly five months without the usual port calls for sightseeing, eating a meal off ship or just getting a much-needed break from the job.

The pace isnt typical. Its also vastly different from the groups original plans.

Sailors had prepared for deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, which would include port calls in Europe and along the Mediterranean. That vision changed quickly in the aftermath of Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

While a normal deployment could see a similar surge, sustaining it for months without giving sailors a break in port is remarkable, Scott said.

A sailor talked about the unrelenting tempo while having breakfast in a ship mess hall.

It would be easy to get mad about it but everyone aboard is going through the same thing, said the sailor, who added everyone aboard was committed to the mission.

Navy officials asked reporters aboard the ship not to name the sailors other than senior leaders, due to concerns that they could be targeted by terror groups.

The sailors also are bearing the stress of being in the crosshairs of the Houthis, who have focused attacks on U.S. destroyers as often as two times per week, said Capt. David Wroe, commodore of Destroyer Squadron 22.

The Houthis have said they will continue attacking ships connected to Israel until there is a cease-fire in Gaza. U.S. officials have pointed out the group has fired indiscriminately on military and civilian ships with no apparent Israeli connection.

The attacks can come in the form of a drone heading toward or operating in the vicinity of a ship or a missile launch.

For example, Houthi missiles targeted the Laboon at least three times since January, the latest a close-range ballistic missile attack on March 12. The missile didnt hit the destroyer and no one was injured, CENTCOM said. The destroyer USS Carney also faced at least one Houthi missile attack.

The closest comparison of American sailors coming under fire for months at a time goes back to World War II, Wroe said.

Nothing in Wroes 25-year career as a surface warfare officer, which has included multiple deployments to the Middle East, compares to what the strike group is experiencing now, he said.

This isnt small scale stuff, said Wroe, noting Houthi ballistic missiles were responsible for sinking one commercial ship, damaging others and killing at least three sailors on another merchant vessel.

Sailors are under threat of getting attacked with minutes of notice, six out of seven days a week, Wroe said. They have seconds to respond.

Despite that stress and hardship, sailors are determined to continue until the threat in the Red Sea is gone and ships can travel in safety.

We have to be perfect, said Capt. Colin Price, executive officer of the Eisenhower. Its a zero-fail mission.
(Michael Gisick/Stars and Stripes)

Baghdad, Iraq, June 15, 2008: Soldiers from Troop A, 1st Battalion, 75th Cavalry Regiment talk to a produce vendor during a night patrol.

The troops returned to the Gazaliyah district after a two-week absence, afraid of seeing the Sunni area in a deteriorated state, but were pleasantly surprised with cleaner streets and two new parks. But they acknowledged that the road to a safe and secure neighborhood with reliable services was still some ways away.

Read the full article on Gazaliyah here.
A mural is seen in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Wednesday March 1, 2023. Three survivors of an attack in Zaongo, central Burkina Faso, told AP that dozens of people were killed in their village on Nov. 5 when security forces attacked. One of the survivors, a 32-year-old farmer, said he photographed the horrific scenes of bodies as proof of the carnage before fleeing. (AP)

DAKAR, Senegal  Women slain with babies wrapped against their bodies, lifeless children intertwined together, a 2-month-old face-up on the ground with puppies crawling on his tiny frame. The scenes were horrifying, but the 32-year-old farmer felt he had to document them, as proof of the carnage in his central Burkina Faso village.

More than a dozen relatives were killed Nov. 5 when security forces attacked with mounted pickup trucks, guns and drones, he told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, for fear of retaliation. He said he hid in a neighbors compound and took a series of photos before fleeing the next morning.

Dozens more were killed that day in Zaongo village, according to his account and that of two other survivors, as well as a U.N. report citing government figures. The images the man sent AP and the interviews with the three survivors are rare firsthand accounts amid a stark increase in civilian killings by Burkina Fasos security forces as the junta struggles to beat back a growing jihadi insurgency and attacks citizens under the guise of counterterrorism.

Most attacks  including the slaying of children by soldiers at a military base last year, uncovered in an AP investigation  go unpunished and unreported in a nation run by a repressive leadership that silences perceived dissidents.

More than 20,000 people have been killed since jihadi violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group first hit the West African nation nine years ago, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, a U.S.-based nonprofit. The fighting has divided a once peaceful population, blockaded dozens of cities and led to two military coups.

Burkina Fasos government spokesman didnt respond to requests for comment about the Nov. 5 attack. Previously, officials have denied killing civilians and said jihadis often disguise themselves as soldiers.

The three survivors told AP theyre certain the men were security forces, not jihadis. They describe them wearing military uniforms, one with a Burkina Faso flag fastened to him. The farmer saw a helicopter flying toward the village in the attacks aftermath  those are used solely by the military, not insurgents.

The United Nations urged the government to investigate, hold those responsible accountable, and compensate victims, said Seif Magango, of the U.N. Human Rights Office.

Burkina Fasos prosecutors office said it opened an investigation. Four months later, survivors said theyve had no news.

THEY MASSACRED THEM

It was early morning when the farmer heard gunshots in the distance. Violence in Namentenga province is frequent, locals said  shootings and patrolling soldiers are common.

But this Sunday was different.

About 3 p.m., the farmer said, hundreds of men  most in military fatigues  stormed through on motorbikes and trucks and started indiscriminately killing people.

He hid at the neighbors home, he said, and after hours of gunshots, the man with the flag entered.

The soldier told us that his colleagues were in the other compound, the farmer said. He said he didnt want to hurt us, but if the others realized we were still alive, theyd kill us.

When the guns stopped, he said, he left the compound and saw Zaongo littered with the dead.

These people sought shelter in their huts, but they massacred them, the farmer said.

Its unclear what prompted the attack, but locals said most times, security forces think villagers are working with extremists.

JUNTA TODAY

Since seizing power in September 2022, the junta has threatened rights groups and journalists and carried out attacks against civilians. Its on a war footing as it tries to beat back the jihadis, whove overtaken more than half the country, according to conflict analysts and experts.

The junta is distancing itself from regional and Western nations that dont agree with its approach. This year, it left the West African regional economic bloc known as ECOWAS and created an alliance with Mali and Niger, also run by military juntas.

The junta severed military ties with former colonial ruler France. Officials have welcomed several dozen Russians tasked in part with keeping the junta in power, according to several conflict experts and a diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasnt authorized to discuss the matter.

In November, days after the Zaongo massacre, 50 Russians arrived in Burkina Faso to protect the junta, influence public opinion and provide security services, said Lou Osborn with All Eyes on Wagner, a project focusing on the Russian mercenary group, which operates in a handful of African countries.

The United States said it has cut and suspended assistance to Burkina Fasos military but still supplies nonlethal equipment to civilian security forces such as the national police. In January, it delivered nearly 100 bikes and pickups.

In a statement, the State Department said its provided $16 million in counterterrorism capacity building assistance since 2022.

We are not aware of any diversion or misuse of recent equipment, it said. We take allegations seriously and will continue to monitor and evaluate.

CIVILIANS IN THE MIDDLE

During the Nov. 5 attack, men in military uniforms speaking French and local language Moore called for men to leave their houses, a 45-year-old mother told AP.

Through the window of the home where she hid, she said, she saw relatives killed  more than 15.

She said a soldier motioned for her to lie down silently. The men dressed, looked and sounded like soldiers who pass through inspecting peoples documents, she said.

The third survivor who spoke to AP, a 55-year-old man, said villagers had been accused of working with jihadis because they refused to join tens of thousands of volunteers fighting alongside the military.

Recruiting is part of the juntas strategy. Residents said this contributes to civilian killings as volunteers round up anyone they suspect of extremist ties, and it provokes jihadis to attack communities with volunteers.

Civilians are caught in the middle as violence intensifies. More than 2 million have been displaced and tens of thousands face severe hunger, the U.N. says.

WERE FRIGHTENED

Survivors fear that bodies still lie on the ground rotting in Zaongo, now occupied by jihadis. Some relatives returned a week after the deaths, but there were too many bodies and not enough time to bury them, they said.

Its still unclear how many were killed  reports from survivors, the U.N. and aid groups vary, from 70 to more than 200.

Survivors, displaced in different parts of the country, are calling on the government to hold the killers accountable.

When a door slams or a child shouts, were frightened, the surviving woman told AP. If we go back there, well just die.

Biesecker reported from Washington.
A V-22 Osprey with the Japan Ground Self-Defense flies over Kumamoto, Japan, Oct. 18, 2023. (Kyle Chan/U.S. Marine Corps)

TOKYO  Japans military resumed flights of its V-22 Ospreys on Thursday, a week after the U.S. Marines flew theirs again and nearly four months after the fatal crash of a U.S. Air Force CV-22 in southern Japan.

An Osprey of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force took off from Camp Kisarazu, southeast of Tokyo, following maintenance and other safety measures, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a news conference.

As preparations were completed, I have been told that a Ground Self-Defense Force Osprey hovered within the facility at Camp Kisarazu from around 11:40 today and then flew in the airspace around Kisarazu airfield, Hayashi said Thursday.

Japan grounded its 14 Ospreys following the Nov. 29 crash of an Air Force Osprey off the southern Japanese coast, killing all eight crew members aboard. It was assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo.

Hayashi said Japans other Ospreys will return to the air in stages, starting with those that have undergone the necessary safety measures.

Japan, the only country outside the U.S. whose military operates the tiltrotor aircraft, took delivery of its first Ospreys in May 2020. The revolutionary aircraft type is manufactured by U.S. contractor Bell Boeing.

The Marines, Air Force and Navy returned their Ospreys to flight status after Naval Air Systems Command lifted a three-month flight ban on March 8. The Marines on Okinawa were first to report an actual flight in Japan by hovering an Osprey at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma on March 14.

The MV-22 Osprey is back to full flying operation, Maj. Rob Martins, spokesman for the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing on Okinawa, told Stars and Stripes by phone Friday.

At Yokota, a spokesman for the 374th Airlift Wing declined to comment on when the Ospreys there may resume flight.

Due to operational security concerns, we do not comment on specific aircraft movements, Master Sgt. Nathan Allen said by email Friday. The timing for the 21st Special Operations Squadron to resume flight operations is based on operational requirements unique to the units mission profile. Any decision to return to flight will fully implement all necessary maintenance, safety, and any necessary procedural changes.

Allen said the resumption of Osprey flights by U.S. forces in Japan will be closely coordinated between the governments of Japan and the United States.

The loss of the Osprey crew  call sign Gundam 22  and the return of Osprey pilots and crews to the skies over Japan is treated with sensitivity, Allen said.

However, its important to emphasize that the safety of operators and the effectiveness of operations are top priorities, he said. Every step towards resuming CV-22 flights has been done with the diligence necessary to ensure that the return to flight operations is conducted with the utmost regard for the safety of aircrew members and surrounding communities.

An Air Force investigation into the fatal crash just off Yakushima, an island south of Kyushu, the southernmost of Japans four main islands, found a material failure of a V-22 component.

The Defense Department has yet to identify the failed component or release a report of the accident investigation.

The Osprey, which takes off and lands like a helicopter but flies like a fixed-wing plane, had been plagued by a problem called hard clutch engagement that can result in catastrophic loss of control.

Japanese communities have expressed concerns about the Ospreys safety.

Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki met Thursday with the III Marine Expeditionary Force commander, Lt. Gen. Roger Turner, to say he is concerned about the resumption of Marine Osprey flights, public broadcaster NHK reported that day.

Turner told Tamaki he is sure that Ospreys can operate safely on Okinawa, NHK reported.

Stars and Stripes reporter Jonathan Snyder contributed to this report.
Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna says that Ukraine's invitation to NATO is a legal guarantee that there will be no negotiations behind Ukraine's back.

"We have not yet found the right person among all the allied countries and Headquarters with whom we could really talk about this. Now the whole dialogue with allies and Headquarters boils down to please keep yourself calm at the Washington summit, since we do not know what Trump's tweet after the leaders' meeting is, to put it very briefly," Stefanishyna said during the 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum (KSF) on Friday.

The Deputy Prime Minister noted that Ukraine is not talking about NATO membership now, but even before the Vilnius summit, it proposed the format of an "invitation", a legally binding format that guarantees membership.

"For me, the position of the allies is strange, since they do not think that NATO can offer Ukraine mechanisms that will allow it to be protected or politically supported. I think that the allies themselves do not believe in NATO now," Stefanishyna said.

The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that "Ukraine's invitation to NATO is a legal guarantee that there will be no negotiations behind the backs of the allies, behind the backs of Ukraine. This is an important decision for us, and it will be on the table for as long as it takes."
The gas station at Yongsan Garrison in Seoul, South Korea, pictured here March 20, 2024, will soon shut off its pumps for good. (David Choi/Stars and Stripes)

YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea  The gas station at Yongsan, one of the last vestiges of a once-busy headquarters compound, is preparing to turn off its pumps after 32 years of service.

The station, on a hill overlooking Seoul, will close May 1 as part of a plan to return sections of the base to the South Korean government, according to an Army and Air Force Exchange Service news release Tuesday.

The gas station reported average monthly revenue of $70,000 between 2021 and 2022, AAFES spokesman Chris Ward said in an email Thursday. The monthly average fell to $50,000 the following year and has experienced even further significant declines in 2024, he said.

Six of eight pumps still in service sat idle for more than two hours Wednesday afternoon. The only cars in the lot were parked there by drivers who exited the base through a nearby pedestrian gate.

Jerry Chandler, an anti-terrorism program manager at Yongsan and a four-year South Korea resident, said he is disappointed by the stations looming closure.

Chandler  one of the roughly 500 service members, Defense Department civilians and U.S. embassy staff who still live or work at Yongsan  said he and his wife fill up their two cars with premium gas all the time at the station.

Now I have to buy Korean premium gas at almost ($8.33 per gallon), he said Wednesday at the Dragon Hill Lodge, the base hotel that serves U.S. government personnel and military retirees. Its quite an inconvenience.

The price of regular unleaded at off-base station near Yongsan was about $6.16 a gallon on Wednesday.

The gas station at Yongsan Garrison in Seoul, South Korea, pictured here March 20, 2024, will soon shut off its pumps for good. (David Choi/Stars and Stripes)

Gas station workers will be given priority consideration for reassignment in accordance with U.S. Forces Korea regulations on South Korean employees, Ward said. Equipment from the station will be disposed of or repurposed for the Directorate of Public Works.

Yongsan previously served as the headquarters for USFK, U.N. Command, Combined Forces Command, Eighth Army and the 2nd Infantry Division.

In 2004, the U.S. military began moving its troops from Yongsan to Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek and Daegu Garrison in Daegu, about 40 and 140 miles south of Seoul, respectively.

The $11 billion relocation project, mostly paid by the South Korean government, was meant to consolidate U.S. forces and return the garrison property occupied by the military since the 1950-53 Korean War.

In 2022, Combined Forces Command became the last major command to move its headquarters to Humphreys.

Yongsans commissary was shuttered in June.
In this handout photo taken from video provided by the Moscow City Court on Feb. 2, 2021, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny shows a heart symbol while standing in a defendants cage during a hearing in the Moscow City Court in Moscow, Russia. President Vladimir Putin says he supported an idea to release Navalny in a prisoner exchange just days before the man who was his biggest foe died. (Moscow City Court via AP)

BRUSSELS  The European Union on Friday imposed sanctions on the Russian justice and prison officials responsible for imprisoning opposition leader Alexei Navalny before his death last month.

Alexei Navalnys slow killing by the Kremlin regime is a stark reminder of its utter disregard for human life, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement announcing the move.

Borrell said the sanctions, which target 33 officials and two prisons and involve asset freezes and travel bans, demonstrate our determination to hold Russias political leadership and authorities to account for the continuing violation of the human rights in Russia.

Navalny, the most persistent foe of President Vladimir Putin, was serving a 19-year sentence when he died. He had been behind bars since January 2021 after returning to Russia from Germany where he had been recovering from nerve-agent poisoning that he blamed on the Kremlin.

The cause of his Feb. 16 death has been described by officials only as due to natural causes.

The EU said that its measures would hit the IK-6 corrective colony and IK-3 maximum security corrective colony, including the official in charge Vadim Kalinin, where Navalny had been held before his death.

Both colonies are known for exerting physical and psychological pressure, full isolation, torture and violence on prisoners. In both places Mr. Navalny suffered abuses, including through repeated solitary confinement in a punishment cell and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, leading to the severe deterioration of his health, it said.

Justice officials targeted by the EU measures include Andrey Suvorov, who last year sentenced Navalny to 19 years in a special regime colony, and Kirill Nikiforov, who rejected Navalnys lawsuit against IK-6 to appeal his transfer to a punishment cell for 12 days. Its unclear whether the officials traveled to or through EU countries or had significant assets in Europe.
Firefighters extinguish a fire at an electrical substation after a missile attack in Kharkiv, on March 22, 2024, amid the Russian invasion in Ukraine. (Sergey Bobok/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

Several Ukrainian regions suffered power outages after the largest missile and drone attack on the countrys energy infrastructure since the start of the Russias invasion in 2022, prompting President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to again urge foreign allies to accelerate military aid.

This was, probably, the largest attack of all time against Ukraines energy system, national grid operator Ukrenergo CEO Volodymyr Kudrytskyi said on local TV.

In a statement, Russias defense ministry said its forces had made a massive strike against facilities of the energy sector, the military-industrial complex, railway hubs, arsenals and locations where Ukrainian troop formations and foreign mercenaries were stationed.

Certain foreign military equipment delivered to Ukraine by NATO countries had been also destroyed and transfers of equipment to the front lines disrupted, according to the ministry.

Power supply has been deliberately limited in some regions in order to avoid overloading the non-damaged parts of the grid, according to the grid chief.

Ukraines air defense intercepted less than half of the 88 missiles, which affected electricity generation and transmission systems across the country early Friday, Zelenskiy said on his Telegram channel. Most of an estimated 63 drones were taken down.

Moscows goal is to disable Ukraines power system via the same means as last year, Energy Minister German Galushchenko said in an emailed statement.

Russias missiles are not facing delays like military aid packages to our state. Shahed drones dont have indecision like some politicians, Zelenskiy said as he urged Ukraines allies not to delay with providing weapons, which will in turn help protect citizens.

Kharkiv, Ukraines second largest city, was left almost completely without power after more than 15 strikes on energy facilities, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said on Telegram. Nearly 700,000 households were without electricity.

Critical infrastructure was also hit in Vinnytsya and Lviv regions and in Kryvyi Rih and Zaporizhzhia, according to statements by regional governors.

At least two people were killed and eight wounded in the western city of Khmelnytskyi and another two in Ivano-Frankivsk in the attacks, the Interior Ministry said. Six people were injured and three are missing in Zaporizhzhia, where missiles struck a residential neighborhood. Recovery efforts continue.

One of the remaining power lines that link the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to the Ukrainian power grid automatically switched off because of disruptions in transmission, the nuclear operator Energoatom said on Telegram. The link was restored after five hours, the International Atomic Energy Agency said on X, formerly Twitter.

The Dnipro hydro power plant in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraines largest, was also targeted, causing a fire and destroying one of the dams supports, Ukrhydroenergo CEO Ihor Syrota, whose state-owned company operated all hydro-electric facilities in Ukraine, said in a video interview to Radio Liberty. The plants generating capacity has been seriously damaged, but theres no immediate risk of flooding, he said.

Thermal power plants run by the energy producer DTEK were seriously damaged, the company said in a statement. State-run Naftogaz said some of its equipment was damaged.

Ukrainian Railway reported that several areas of its network lost power and trains were being sent on roundabout routes.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Telegram there was no need for emergency power cuts from the strikes.

EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson is convening an urgent meeting of ministers in the international Advisory Council for Ukraine in response to the overnight attacks, according to an EU official. The council includes several EU member states, Canada, Japan, UK, US and representatives of the International Energy Agency and the energy community.

Fridays missile and drone strikes came a day after Kremlin forces targeted Kyiv with at least 31 missiles, the first large-scale attack on Ukraines capital since February, and less than a week after Russian President Vladimir Putin was re-elected.

The barrage directed at Kyiv included 29 cruise missiles and two ballistic rockets, Ukrainian Air Forces commander Mykola Oleshchuk said Thursday on Telegram. Air defence downed all the missiles and no fatalities were reported.
Britains Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps, center, speaks to media as Premier of South Australia Peter Malinauskas, third left, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong, left, Deputy Prime Minister of Australia Richard Marles, right, Britains Foreign Secretary David Cameron and United States Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy, second right, listen during a visit to the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide, Australia, Friday, March 22, 2024. Australia is set to provide 4.6 billion Australian dollars ($3 billion) to British industry to support the construction of nuclear-powered submarines and ensure its new fleet arrives on time. (Matt Turner/AAP Image via AP)

SYDNEY  Australia is set to provide 4.6 billion Australian dollars ($3 billion) to British industry to support the construction of nuclear-powered submarines and ensure its new fleet arrives on time, the two countries said Friday.

The announcement came a day after the two countries signed a defense and security pact to better meet challenges such as Chinas increased activity in the South China Sea and South Pacific.

United Kingdom Defense Minister Grant Shapps said the submarine program was expensive but necessary.

Nuclear-powered submarines are not cheap, but we live in a much more dangerous world where we are seeing a much more assertive region with China, a much more dangerous world all around with whats happening in the Middle East and Europe, Shapps told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Countries need to invest in making sure that adversaries see we are serious about our security, defending freedom of navigation, for example.

The 10-year deal announced at an annual ministers gathering will boost capacity at the Rolls-Royce factory in Derby, U.K., to build the nuclear reactors that will propel the submarines to be built by BAE Systems in Adelaide, Australia.

The Virginia-class submarines will be primarily from a U.K. design and will have a U.S. weapons system onboard.

Australia Defense Minister Richard Marles said the agreement showed that the nuclear submarines program would be fulfilled and would create new production capability for the AUKUS partners, referring to the grouping of Australia, the U.K. and the United States.

These are big foundational decisions which demonstrate that the pathway to Australia acquiring a nuclear-powered submarine capability under the banner of AUKUS is happening, and the result of that right here is going to be the most advanced manufacturing in the nation and one of the most advanced manufacturing production lines in the world, Marles told reporters Friday at the Osborne shipyard in Adelaide.

Australia is acquiring at least three U.S. nuclear submarines from the early 2030s under the AUKUS agreement.

Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States remain fully committed to this shared endeavour, a joint trilateral statement from Marles, Shapps and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Friday.

These steps to grow Australias submarine construction and maintenance capability are critical to the AUKUS partnership, expanding trilateral industrial capacity and building the collective resilience of AUKUS partners to produce and sustain conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines for decades to come.
A U.S. Army parachute rigger places his hand on a bundle of humanitarian aid with a parachute on top in a warehouse at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, March 16, 2024. (J.P. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes)

Parachutes failed to deploy on five pallets of humanitarian aid dropped by Air Force cargo planes into Gaza, a statement from U.S. Central Command said Friday.

The pallets, which can weigh between 1,200 and 2,000 pounds, didnt cause any damage after falling during an airdrop mission involving two U.S. C-17 Globemaster III cargo planes Thursday, CENTCOM said.

U.S. officials said they are basing their assessment on video they took of the airdrop.

The footage shows the parachutes not fully deploying and the bundles landing in the water, said Maj. Ryan DeCamp, a spokesman for Air Forces Central, in an emailed statement Friday.

The statement did not include answers regarding the cause of the malfunctions and whether any changes will be made to prevent similar incidents in the future.

An earlier incident in which a parachute malfunctioned March 8 killed five Palestinians and wounded several others, CNN reported. A CENTCOM statement at the time said the errant airdrop wasnt a U.S. operation.

Thursdays mission involved two C-17 cargo planes flying from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar to Gaza. The five pallets with faulty parachutes were part of some 80 bundles of food and water.

The pallets of food loaded onto cargo planes at Al Udeid weigh 1,200 pounds with a parachute, and the ones carrying water bottles weigh more than a ton. Troops put low-velocity parachutes on them that are 64 feet in diameter and are supposed to slow the bundles.

The U.S. and other countries in the Middle East, Europe and Asia have been airdropping pallets of food and water to Palestinians in Gaza since early March.

More than 2 million people in Gaza are estimated to be displaced by the war that began Oct. 7, when a Hamas terrorist attack killed 1,200 people in Israel.

Gaza health authorities estimate the number of dead in the territory at more than 30,000 people, a figure that does not distinguish between bystanders and combatants.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken holds a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, during his visit to Cairo, Egypt, Thursday March 21, 2024. (Evelyn Hockstein/Pool Photo via AP)

CAIRO  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday a major Israeli ground assault on the southern Gaza town of Rafah would be a mistake and unnecessary to defeating Hamas, underscoring the further souring of relations between the United States and Israel.

Blinken, on his sixth urgent Mideast mission since the war began in October, spoke after huddling with top Arab diplomats in Cairo for discussions over efforts for a cease-fire and over ideas for Gazas post-conflict future. He said an immediate, sustained cease-fire with the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas was urgently needed and that gaps were narrowing in indirect negotiations that U.S., Egypt and Qatar have spent weeks mediating. Those negotiations are to continue at a senior level in Qatar on Friday.

Blinken heads to Israel on Friday to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet. The growing disagreements between Netanyahu and President Joe Biden over the prosecution of the war will likely overshadow those talks  particularly over Netanyahus determination to launch a ground assault on Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians have sought refuge from devastating Israeli ground and air strikes further north.

Netanyahu has said that without an invasion of Rafah, Israel cant achieve its goal of destroying Hamas after its deadly Oct. 7 attack and taking of hostages that triggered Israels bombardment and offensive in Gaza.

A major military operation in Rafah would be a mistake, something we dont support. And, its also not necessary to deal with Hamas, which is necessary, Blinken told a news conference in Cairo with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. A major offensive would mean more civilian deaths and worsen Gazas humanitarian crisis, Blinken said, adding that his talks on Rafah in Israel on Friday and discussions between senior U.S. and Israeli officials next week in Washington will be to share ideas for alternative action.

The U.S. position on a Rafah operation has shifted significantly in recent days. Initially, U.S. officials said they could not support a major incursion into the city unless there was a clear and credible plan for getting civilians out of harms way. Now, U.S. officials said they have concluded that there is no credible way to do that given the density of the population of more than a million people. They say now that other options, including specifically targeted operations against known Hamas fighters and commanders, are the only way to avoid a civilian catastrophe.

But Netanyahu, on a roughly 45-minute call with GOP senators on Wednesday, pledged to ignore warnings about a Rafah operation. He also took aim at Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumers condemnation last week of the civilian death toll in Gaza and his call for new elections in Israel in a speech that Biden later said was good.

Netanyahu stressed that Israel would move ahead in Rafah, according to senators who participated in the meeting. Sen. John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, said Netanyahu made it very clear that he and the people of Israel intend to prosecute the war to the full extent of their power and that he would not be dictated to by Senator Schumer or President Biden.

Netanyahu has been accused by Israeli critics of undermining bipartisan American support by cultivating close ties with Republican leaders.

As Blinken and the Arab ministers met, Gazas Health Ministry raised the territorys death toll to nearly 32,000 Palestinians since the war began on its soil. Also, U.N. officials stepped up warnings that famine is imminent in northern Gaza.

The Cairo talks gathered Blinken with the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as a top official from the Palestine Liberation Organization, the internationally recognized body representing the Palestinian people. They also discussed ways to increase urgent humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza by land, air and sea.

In an earlier meeting with Blinken, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi stressed the need for an immediate cease-fire and warned against the dangerous repercussions of any Israeli offensive in Rafah, according to a statement issued by el-Sissis spokesperson.

Both parties had renewed their rejection of the forced displacement of Gazans and agreed on the importance of taking all necessary measures to ensure the arrival of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, the statement said.

Blinken said gaps are narrowing in talks over a cease-fire but that more work was needed. There are still real challenges, he said. Weve closed some gaps but there are still gaps.

Netanyahus office said Thursday that the head of the Mossad spy agency will return to Qatar on Friday to meet with CIA chief William Burns and other key mediators in the talks. The office said Thursday that Qatars prime minister and Egypts intelligence chief would also join the talks.

Meanwhile, the United States said it would seek a swift vote on a newly revised and tougher U.N. resolution demanding an immediate and sustained cease-fire to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid to be delivered. The U.S. deputy ambassador to the U.N., Robert Wood, said he hoped a vote could take place by the end of the week. The resolution is notable because it does not directly tie the release of the hostages to the need for a cease-fire.

Still, Blinken said the two must go hand-in-hand. There is an urgent need for an immediate, sustained ceasefire with the release of hostages, he said.

Netanyahu has also rejected the Biden administrations repeated remonstrations that Israels long-term security cannot be assured without the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

A clear path and deadline for the formation of a Palestinian state are key requirements for Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations to normalize relations with Israel, something Netanyahu is keen to achieve. Blinken spent much of his time in Jeddah with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussing the normalization process, which would also include U.S.-Saudi agreements.

With tensions running high after not speaking for a month, Biden and Netanyahu held a phone call on Monday during which Netanyahu agreed to send a team of experts to Washington to discuss the Rafah plans. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant will also visit Washington separately next week.

The war began after Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people in the surprise Oct. 7 attack out of Gaza that triggered the war, and abducted another 250 people. Hamas is still believed to be holding some 100 people hostage, as well as the remains of 30 others.

Associated Press writers Josef Federman in Jerusalem and Noha ElHennawy in Cairo contributed to this report.
The U.S. Capitol seen through a window of the House Canon building. (Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes)

WASHINGTON  The House on Friday approved $825 billion in defense spending for the remainder of fiscal 2024 that funds pay increases for troops and compels the Pentagon to address the militarys recruiting crisis.

The 286-134 vote for the legislation, which is part of a $1.2 trillion package to fund the federal government through September, came as lawmakers raced to avert a partial government shutdown at midnight. Funding could briefly lapse over the weekend as the Senate takes up the bill but it is not expected to cause any major disruptions, including to service members pay.

House lawmakers rushed to pass the legislation after months of stopgap funding measures that kept the Pentagons spending frozen in place since the start of the fiscal year on Oct. 1. The bill provides a $27 billion funding increase to the Defense Department from last year.

Today is zero hour. Were out of time, said Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., the chairman of the House Appropriation Committees defense subcommittee. I can go through a long list of vital programs and funding included in this bill  the wins for our troops, the historic funding for innovation the time is short, and the stakes have never been higher.

Congress was supposed to approve full-year funding for the government by the end of September but the process was delayed by nearly six months due to partisan bickering over spending amounts and policies.

The Republican-led House last year approved a defense appropriations bill that had no chance of passing in the Democrat-controlled Senate. It included controversial provisions to reduce Defense Secretary Lloyd Austins salary to $1 and restrict funding for transgender troops medical care and the Pentagons abortion access policies.

None of those measures made it into the final legislation, though Republicans touted cuts to climate-related funding and a $50 million cut to the Pentagons diversity and inclusion programs. They also successfully blocked the Pentagon from spending money to repeal the 2022 law that ended the militarys coronavirus vaccine mandate.

Both parties found common ground on military pay, arguing boosting compensation was critical for solving persistent recruiting challenges affecting most of the services.

The bill fully funds the 5.2% pay raise service members received in January while also providing $43 million more than the White House requested for monthly economic hardship bonuses for junior enlisted service members through the end of 2024.

The legislation also allocates $80 million more than requested for enlistment bonuses and $30 million more than requested for recruiting and advertising efforts.

The military services are in the midst of one of the greatest recruiting crises since the creation of the all-volunteer force, lawmakers wrote in a report accompanying the defense bill. While there is no apparent single cause for this recruiting crisis, the combination of a diminishing pool of qualified applicants and persistently low propensity to serve in our armed forces are leading contributors.

To address the latter, lawmakers said the Defense Department needed to work with Congress to provide legislative options for addressing this crisis to include, but not [be] limited to, increases to junior enlisted basic military pay, as well as other ways to incentivize new recruits and prepare them for duty.

Members of Congress attempted to hike pay for junior enlisted troops by more than 30% last year but were told to hold off until the Defense Department completed a quadrennial review of military pay by the end of December.

In the meantime, lawmakers are mandating the defense secretary brief them on the progress of the review within a month of the funding bills enactment into law. They are also directing the Defense Department to conduct an independent survey to better understand recruitment failures by the services.

The nation needs Americas youth to strongly consider uniformed service, lawmakers wrote. Exquisite weaponry and strategic concepts are of limited value unless they are operated by a fully manned, ready, and motivated force.

The bill provides several other incentives to attract and retain service members, including nearly $30 million for housing allowances and about $8 million for an allowance that offsets meal costs. Lawmakers are also providing $10 million more than requested for a pilot program to address the inability of some military families to have enough food.

shkolnikova.svetlana@stripes.com

Twitter: @svetashko
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday expressed his unwavering commitment to wiping out terrorism after two soldiers were martyred in a suicide attack in Dera Ismail Khan.

Two soldiers were martyred after a suicide bomber struck a military convoy on Tank Road, in the jurisdiction of the Hathala police station, Dera Ismail Khan, on Thursday. Police said the attack also injured at least 22 personnel.

According to a police report, the convoy was on its way to Tank from Dera Ismail Khan when a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the convoy, resulting in the martyrdom of two soldiers on the spot and injuries to almost two dozen others.

In a statement released earlier today, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, A vehicle-borne suicide bomber exploded himself on a security forces convoy in Dera Ismail Khan district.

Resultantly, two brave sons of soil, Naib Subedar Yasir Shakeel and Sepoy Tahir Naveed embraced martyrdom, it said.

Security forces of Pakistan remain determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve. Moreover, the perpetrators of this cowardly attack will be brought to justice, the ISPR added.

In a statement, PM Shehbaz said the Pakistan Army was resolutely committed to eliminating the scourge of terrorism. According to state broadcaster Radio Pakistan, the premier said the war against terrorism would continue until the menace was completely eradicated from the country.

He strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the army convoy, and also commiserated with the bereaved families and prayed for the departed souls.
A suicide bombing in Dera Ismail Khan on Thursday led to the martyrdom of two soldiers from the Pakistan Army.

According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations, the bomber was in a vehicle and targeted a convoy of the security forces.

Resultantly, two brave sons of soil, Naib Subedar Yasir Shakeel (Age: 38 years, resident of District Kohat) and Sepoy Tahir Naveed (Age: 34 years, resident of District Kohat) embraced Shahadat, ISPR said.

The statement added that those involved in the attack would be brought to justice.

Security forces of Pakistan remain determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve, ISPR added.

The attack comes days after a similar attack on a check post in North Waziristan claimed the lives of seven soldiers.

The army had responded with a clean up operation that killed all six terrorists involved in the incident.

The mastermind of the attack, a TTP commander named Sehra aka Janan was also killed in the cleanup operation.

The attack had been followed by Pakistani airstrikes on terrorists hideouts in Afghanistans Paktika and Khost provinces.
Over the past two months, Ukraine has received only 10% of the planned financial assistance, and has also not received military assistance, which was planned within the Ramstein format, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna says.

"I want to draw attention to the fact that the situation is already very bad... Over the past two months, we have received 10% of the planned financial resources necessary for the survival of the state, and also have not received military assistance, which was planned for almost a year within the Ramstein format by more than 50 countries around the world," she said during the 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum on Friday.

The Deputy Prime Minister also said that American partners are calling on Ukraine to have a more restrained response to the situation with the allocation of an aid package from the United States.

"If there is a decision, most likely it will be for this year. But yesterday morning I returned from Brussels and, synchronizing with my colleagues, I can say: the forecasts are not very optimistic," Stefanishyna complained.
When interviewed following his arrest, Brendan Colley (55) said he knew the money was there, but it was not mine.

A man who was holding 100,000 in cash which was the proceeds of crime has been jailed for two years.

Gardai carried out a search of Brendan Colley's home on March 9, 2023 during which they found 102,720 of cash hidden in socks and gloves beneath the stairwell.

When interviewed following his arrest, Colley (55) said he knew the money was there, but it was not mine.

He made full admissions and told gardai that he was forced to store the money to reduce a drugs debt.

He confirmed he got a call to collect the money, but didn't know the person he met.

He said he was going to hand over the money to the person who owned it.

Colley of Galtymore Close, Drimnagh, Dublin 12 pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of the proceeds of crime at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

He has ten previous convictions including drugs offences, robbery, road traffic offences and possession of knives.

John Berry BL, defending, yesterday, said his client started to use drugs at the age of 20 and spent a short period of time in custody in the mid-2010s, after which he suffered a relapse.

A number of references and a medical report were handed to the court.

Mr Berry said his client was diagnosed with a tumour around the time of the Covid-19 pandemic and suffered another relapse, during which he incurred the drugs debt.

He said his client is doing well following surgery and is working to address his addiction issues.

Mr Berry told the court that while the amount of money involved suggested his client was in a position of trust, he asked the court to consider his client's particular vulnerabilities at that time.

He asked the court to consider imposing a suspended sentence.

Judge Martin Nolan noted that Colley was holding money for a third party and the court could infer it was derived from criminal misbehaviour.

He said it appeared Colley felt he had no other option but to hold the money and was valuable to third parties as a result.

He said the court took into account Colley's vulnerabilities and that he is unlikely to re-offend in future.

Judge Nolan said money laundering this amount is a serious matter, and said he would consider imposing a sentence of three to four years on someone more robust in relation to this offence.

He imposed a two-year prison sentence on Colley saying he has to go to jail as someone can't launder that amount of money without suffering for it.
The judge said the man attacked his partner over a long period, and it must have been an incredible ordeal for the victim

A Dublin man has been jailed for an unforgivable attack on his then-fiancee over several hours, during which he choked and punched her.

The 40-year-old man, who can't be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on a date in December 2022. He has no previous convictions.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the couple were in a long-term relationship and engaged at the time.

On the night in question, they got into an argument about social media which lasted some time. The woman then went to get ready for bed and was taking a shower when the man entered the bathroom and accused her of cheating on him.

He became aggressive and, later in the kitchen, stopped the victim from leaving the room by standing in the doorway.

The man became abusive when the woman called his mother, saying he was going to smash her face in. He then knocked her to the ground and grabbed her hair.

He then knelt on her arms and called her a slut. He held her down, then pushed on her chest with her knees.

She begged the man to let her up, and after a few minutes, he let her stand. The victim went to the bedroom to get ready to leave.

The man continued to verbally abuse the victim, who asked him to let her leave. He told her to get into the bed, which she did. He then started to choke her with both hands and put his knee to the front of her neck.

He took off his jacket and told the woman to fight him before spitting in her face. The woman managed to run to the front door, where she held up a crutch. The man used this to pull her towards him and back into the bedroom.

The attack lasted several hours. The woman later slept in the sitting room and arranged to be collected by someone else the following morning.

The man said he was sorry and asked her not to leave, but she went to her mother's house. She was in a lot of pain and showed the bruises on her neck, arms and legs to her mother and a friend.

Photos of her injuries taken by a friend were shown to the court. A victim impact statement was handed to the court but not read aloud.

The woman went to her local garda station five days later in a visibly distressed and shaken state. She told gardai she was in fear of the man.

Following his arrest, he made some admissions during interview. He accepted he was violent towards the victim and caused her injury but offered a slightly different version of events.

He said he was disgusted by his actions and told gardai he was having mental health difficulties at the time.

The garda accepted a suggestion from the defence that the woman's physical injuries appeared to be healing when she visited the garda station but that the upset and fear were still present.

Defence counsel told the court his client's actions were cowardly and reprehensible and took place after making something out of nothing.

He said his client is sorry he caused someone he truly loves such harm, and it is the biggest regret of his life.

The man has sought help for his mental health issues, and a letter from a counsellor was submitted to the court.

Counsel acknowledged that this incident took place in the woman's home and was carried out by the person she thought she was going to be her life partner.

He asked the court to take into consideration the mitigating features of the case including his client's guilty plea, cooperation with gardai, work history and lack of previous convictions.

Judge Martin Nolan said the man assaulted his then-partner for reasons known only to himself on the night in question. He noted an attack on an intimate partner is an aggravating factor, and this one was too prolonged and too serious not to result in a custodial sentence.

The judge said the man attacked his partner over a long period, and it must have been an incredible ordeal for the victim.

Taking the mitigation and the man's personal circumstances into consideration, Judge Nolan imposed a 21-month sentence.

He added that the court might have considered not imposing an immediate custodial sentence if the incident had been only one short episode of violence, but the man attacked this lady viciously over a long period.

That is unforgivable, and he must go to prison, the judge added.
Colum Ryan (35), appeared in court today charged with falsely imprisoning the woman, perverting the course of justice and burglary.

A THIRD garda has been charged in an anti-corruption probe, after a woman was allegedly detained against her will, a flat burgled and a search warrant later falsified.

Colum Ryan (35), appeared in court today charged with falsely imprisoning the woman, perverting the course of justice and burglary.

He is facing trial and the case was adjourned at Dublin District Court for the preparation of a book of evidence.

Gda Ryan is the fourth man to be charged as part of an investigation into the activities of a Dublin-based unit - two other gardai and a peace commissioner have already appeared before the courts.

Gda Ryan, with an address in Co Meath, is charged with falsely imprisoning a woman at St Johns Road West in Dublin 8 on September 7, 2021, and burgling a basement flat at Mountjoy Square North on the same date. The charges are under Section 15 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person and Section 12 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Acts.

The burglary charge alleges Gda Ryan entered the flat as a trespasser and committed a theft.

He faces three counts of perverting the course of justice, between September 30, 2021 and December 8, 2021. The charges, contrary to Common Law, allege that he created and printed a warrant and information for the search of the basement flat that had already occurred on September 7, and procured two authorising signatures.

Today, Detective Sergeant Kieran Kilcoyne told Judge William Aylmer Gda Ryan was arrested for the purpose of charge at Irishtown station on March 11.

He was charged at 1.45pm that day, made no reply to any of the counts after caution and was handed copies of the charge sheets.

Det Sgt Kilcoyne said the accused was granted bail at the garda station to appear in court today, and the bond was signed in his presence.

The DPP directed trial on indictment on all charges.

Defence solicitor Elizabeth Hughes said there was consent to an adjournment. Judge Aylmer remanded Gda Ryan on continuing bail to appear in court on May 24, for the service of a book of evidence.

The accused was not required to address the brief hearing and has not yet entered pleas to any of the charges.

The Garda Anti-Corruption Units investigation has led to four officers being suspended from duty.

The two other gardai who have been charged are also facing trial and their cases were previously adjourned for the preparation of a book of evidence.

Ciaran Whelan (51) with an address in Co Tipperary, is charged with false imprisonment of a woman, perverting the course of justice and burglary.

Garda Mark Duffy (39) is charged with burgling a flat and perverting the course of justice.

A former Dublin city councillor and peace commissioner, Steven Wrenn (50) of Iveragh Road, Whitehall, Dublin is charged with forging search warrants for two addresses at Mountjoy Square North, Dublin 1 and Kenilworth Road, Dublin 6, and perverting the course of justice.
The judge said that after the first impact, McDonagh should have known where his father-in-law was and not driven over him again

A man who drove over his father-in-law and killed him after shots were fired during a row at a family christening party has been jailed for three years.

There were shouts of protest in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today as John McDonagh was sentenced, with family members  including his in-laws  screaming at him as he was led into custody.

McDonagh (36) of Manorfield Dale, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, pleaded guilty to one count of endangerment in relation to the death of his father-in-law, Daniel O'Reilly (58), at McDonagh's then home address on Tymon North Road, Tallaght on August 9, 2020. It is a charge that carries a maximum sentence of seven years.

Sergeant James Ward told Emmet Nolan BL, prosecuting, that a family christening was held on the day in question, with celebrations afterwards in a local pub and then in McDonagh's house. Neighbours reported loud noises coming from the house late at night, with alcohol being consumed, the court heard.

Daniel O Reilly's family arrive at the Criminal Courts of Justice

An argument occurred between McDonagh, the victim Mr O'Reilly and another man who can't be named for legal reasons. A number of witnesses reported hearing both men telling McDonagh you're dead and that they were going to come back with a gun.

McDonagh then had a row with his wife and was sitting in his van outside the house when Mr O'Reilly and the other man returned. The other man had what appeared to be a gun, but was actually a starter pistol, the court heard.

As he fired two shots, McDonagh started his van into reverse. He drove over Mr O'Reilly who was behind the van, dragging him for a distance of 10 metres. He then put the van into drive and drove over Mr O'Reilly as he lay prostrate on the ground.

Harrowing footage of the incident was played in court after Mr Nolan indicated that members of the victim's family wished for it to be played. A total of 17 victim impact statements were handed in, with a large number of family members in court for the hearing. There were emotional scenes in court as the footage was played.

Emergency services were called to the scene, with Mr O'Reilly suffering a cardiac arrest in the ambulance. Medics performed CPR on him for 40 minutes before he was pronounced dead, the court heard. He died as a result of traumatic injuries from being knocked down, a medical report stated.

The court heard that McDonagh drove away from the scene and crashed his van into a wall nearby. When he was arrested shortly afterwards, he was agitated, intoxicated and talking nonsensically, the court heard. He has six previous convictions for minor offences.

Three of Mr O'Reilly's daughters read out victim impact statements in court, describing their father as a good and kind man, who loved and cared for his family and had never been in trouble in his life.

They outlined how they remain haunted by the fact that their father died alone in hospital, with no-one to hold his hand. They said no-one deserved to die in such a manner and that they had been robbed of a father, while their children were robbed of their granddad.

The scars of the trauma I have endured will last the rest of my life, one daughter said. She noted that McDonagh did not plead guilty until just before his trial, causing added pain to the family. This alone demonstrates too well that he does not have empathy for our suffering and loss, she said.

Another daughter said she had no idea that when she put on her baby's christening dress that morning, it would be the last day she would see her father alive.

Michael Bowman SC, defending, said McDonagh could only apologise for causing the death of his father-in-law. He said McDonagh is now estranged from his wife  Mr O'Reilly's daughter.

Mr Bowman submitted that McDonagh drove the vehicle in the way he did in order to get out of what he believed to be a fatal incident unfolding. He was in a state of absolute terror and fear, he said.

Defence counsel noted that McDonagh was at home on his own property, a place where he was entitled to a degree of safety, when Mr O'Reilly and the other man returned with the starter pistol.

The unfortunate truth is had this not been escalated by the return of both gentlemen, one with a weapon, then this wouldn't have happened, he said.

Sentencing McDonagh, Judge Martin Nolan accepted that McDonagh was terrified and frightened at the time of the incident. However he noted McDonagh was still obliged to drive responsibly. He said that after the first impact, McDonagh should have known where his father-in-law was and not driven over him again.

The judge accepted McDonagh was unlikely to re-offend again. He set a headline sentence of six years and reduced it to three, taking mitigating factors into account.

The sentence elicited shouts of protest from some of Mr O'Reilly's family and supporters, with shouts of This is not justice in court.
Judge David McHugh ordered Maguire to donate 250 to Blanchardstown Hospice and said he would leave him without a conviction.

The Government has failed to implement a number of recommendations from significant inquiries into major patient safety issues, years after they were agreed to, according to an independent panel (Peter Byrne/PA)

A patient who absconded from a hospital became verbally abusive towards gardai when they came across him, calling them d**kheads and c***s, a court heard.

Hospital staff had contacted gardai about Kevin Maguire (38) as they were worried about him, his lawyer said.

Judge David McHugh ordered Maguire to donate 250 to Blanchardstown Hospice and said he would leave him without a conviction.

The defendant, with an address at Trasnagh, Newcastle Road, Lucan, admitted public intoxication and threatening and abusive behaviour last February 21.

Sergeant Maria Callaghan told Blanchardstown District Court that gardai were on patrol when they came across a man at Achill Square in Blanchardstown.

The defendant was highly intoxicated and was verbally abusive towards gardai, calling them d**kheads and c***s.

Defence solicitor Mervyn Harnett said Maguire was made redundant last October. While he was out of work, he hit the drink harder than he should have, but he was now back at work and addressing his issues.

Mr Harnett also said Maguire wished to apologise for his behaviour, and he asked the judge to leave him without a conviction.
Loyalists, police and ordinary people fear return of UVF killer.

Mark Haddock, one of the Norths most notorious state-sponsored killers, is hooked on making a sensational return to live here.

The Sunday World can reveal the infamous leader of one of loyalisms most prolific sectarian death squads  Mount Vernon UVF  is due for release from a prison in England any day now and has told former comrades he wants to come back to Ulster.

Such a return would just add further insult to the families of the people Haddock killed and who are unlikely to ever get justice for their loved ones.

Haddock, nicknamed Hannibal after he bit a Sunday World journalist who confronted him at his then secret home in Newport Pagnell near Milton Keynes in 2011, was jailed for 12 years in 2014 at Woolwich Crown Court for wounding with intent.

The brutal thug stabbed his one-time friend, Terry Fairfield, outside a pub in Newport Pagnell, leaving Fairfield needing 27 external and three internal stitches after being slashed to the side of the head.

Haddock, whose undercover codename was Roxy, was told by the judge he would have to serve at least eight years in jail and another four on licence, but its understood that despite being eligible for release two years ago, Haddock remained in prison.

Its understood the 55-year-old served most of his time in a prison in Leeds, but is now due for release and may have already been let out very recently.

But its remorseless Haddocks next move which is giving security forces here a headache. Should he return to Northern Ireland, he poses a major problem on several fronts.

Its not the first time Haddock has wanted to return to Northern Ireland despite being exposed as a police agent who killed more than a dozen people, including members of his own terror gang who he also spent years ratting out to the RUCs Special Branch.

Terry Fairfield who was stabbed by Mark Haddock..

In 2013, we revealed that Haddock, despite his cover as a police informer being blown, had secured his return to Ulster with the full approval of overall UVF chief John Bunter Graham  who himself has faced claims of being a security force tout for more than 40 years.

But in January 2014, Haddock launched his savage attack on Fairfield and was jailed.

Haddock is due out any day and he thinks he can come home pretty soon, said a UVF source. His partner has been going over regularly every weekend, but she wont move to England.

She stood by him through all of this and he wants to come home to be with her. Hes made it clear he wants to come home and he thinks the same deal he struck with Bunter to come back in 2013 should still stand as nothing has changed.

In the last 20 years, Haddock has spent the majority of that time behind bars  firstly when he was jailed in 2006 for trying to batter to death Ballyclare doorman Trevor Gowdy, and then, having been released in 2010, he fled to England while out on bail charged with the murders of John Harbinson and Tommy English.

But when those charges were dropped and it looked like he was going to saunter back into Belfast, the psycho carried out the attack on Fairfield and was put back behind bars.

UVF sources say they arent so sure Haddock will be able to come home and live in peace.

Theres nowhere in the whole of Ireland that Haddock will be able to come back and live without fear of being attacked, said a source.

UVF commander Mark Haddock

Hes a monster who has enemies across all communities. From the relatives of the victims he killed to the people in his own UVF gang who he touted on, theres nobody here who would welcome him back.

Hes hated in his own community and then theres bound to be no shortage of republicans whod love to take him out. There are people who would certainly love to take out revenge on Mark Haddock but whether they have the balls to is another thing.

But if he moves back here hell have to spend his life looking over his shoulder. Haddock hasnt served a day for any of the murders he is suspected having orchestrated and/or carried out in the name of the UVF.

His return in 2013 was believed to be being smoothed over by a police liaison officer and should he come back now he would have to be handled once again by the security forces.

Hes a complete lunatic who dishes out grotesque violence without thinking twice, so hes a massive threat to the public, said a former cop.

If he comes back here, its a massive headache for the PSNI because not only do they have to worry about him being attacked and the potential for innocent members of the public to be caught in the crossfire, but all Haddock has known his whole life is violence. Its hard to believe he would be planning to stay out of trouble and live in peace.

In 2014, Terry Fairfield gave an exclusive to this newspaper days after Haddock had launched his vicious and near deadly assault and spoke about having taken Haddock in to save him from being murdered back home.

Im now ashamed that I agreed to Haddock coming over here, he told us at the time.

I was approached by someone close to him who feared he was going to be the subject of another assassination attempt back home, I tried to help save his life. Instead, he ended up trying to take mine.

Pointing to the massive scar that needed 30 stitches in total, he added: An inch lower and Haddock would have left me for dead. He would have sliced the jugular and that would have been curtains for me. He looked straight at me and coldly stated: Im going to kill you. In a split second, he plunged the red-handled knife into my neck behind my left ear.

And after Haddock was jailed for 12 years and five months for the attack, Fairfield told us: You wouldnt get that in Northern Ireland these days for committing murder.

But suffice to say that the justice system over here in England has done what the justice system back home has failed to do, and that is put Haddock away for a very long time.

Fairfield, known as The Mechanic, supplied cars to Haddocks UVF team for murders  including the Loughinisland massacre  despite being a Catholic originally from the New Lodge area of north Belfast.

Haddock continues to have a devastating impact on events here.

Recently at the trial of UVF killer James Stewart Smyth, Haddocks name was mentioned during proceedings and also in papers obtained by the Belfast Telegraph  alongside Fairfields.

In them it was revealed how Haddock used Fairfield to help provide an alibi after his arrest for the 1994 murders of Catholic workmen Gary Convie and Eamon Fox.

Smyth was acquitted of killing the pair at the end of the trial.

Fellow UVF supergrass Gary Haggarty admitted his role in the murders and gave evidence against Smyth in return for a lesser sentence to a catalogue of murder and mayhem.

Haddock and Haggarty were arrested in connection with the double murder.

Haddock was still in custody when he arranged for a message to be sent to Fairfield, through an intermediary, to contact the head of a notorious loyalist criminal family, who was known to hold legally-held weapons.

The plan was that if any gun residue was found on Haddocks clothes, this man was to tell police they had been hunting together.

Haddock was never jailed for the killing of the two workmen or numerous other slayings he was linked to by Police Ombudsman Nuala OLoan in her Operation Ballast report.

They included the murder of Good Samaritan Sharon McKenna, who was gunned down in January 1993, and that of Raymond McCord Jnr in November 1997.
Mary Lowry (57), of Green Road, Dundrum, Co Tipperary, pleaded guilty to the incident in which motorcyclist Patrick Connolly (51) was killed while on a charity biking event at Springhous

A woman who was central to the Mr Moonlight murder trial has been given a one-year suspended sentence and has been banned from driving for a year for careless driving causing the death of a motorcyclist.

Mary Lowry (57), of Green Road, Dundrum, Co Tipperary, pleaded guilty to the incident in which motorcyclist Patrick Connolly (51) was killed while on a charity biking event at Springhouse, outside Tipperary town, on December 21, 2021.

She was sentenced at Clonmel Circuit Court yesterday before Judge Catherine Staines.

The court was told Lowry had been pulling out of a car park at a forest on the N24 between Bansha and Tipperary, and had paused to let a convoy of motorbikes pass. She thought the road was clear before driving across the road and into the path of Mr Connolly.

Mr Connolly, who had his 15-year-old son David on the back of the bike, crashed into the back door of Mary Lowrys car. Mr Connolly, a father of five, later died from his injuries.

The court heard Mr Connollys Suzuki bike had its headlight on, but he was not wearing high-visibility clothing at the time.

Sgt Thomas OBrien, of Clonmel garda station, said David had given a statement that he was on the back of the Suzuki SV 1000 and saw a car edge out from the left before stopping, and that his father had pulled out towards the middle of the road a bit in response. He said the car then pulled out into the road and the bike hit the back door.

Another motorcyclist, Philip Kiely, who was behind Mr Connolly, said he saw the car in the distance at the edge of the road and wondered what it was going to do. He saw Mr Connollys brake light come on, but then it looked like the car had stopped.

He told gardai the car then shot out in front of Mr Connolly, and his bike fishtailed as he tried to stop, but then hit the car. He said Mr Connolly and his son were thrown into the air and off the bike as a result.

In her victim impact statement, Mr Connollys widow Geraldine told how her first son Johns father had been killed in a road accident when John was a small boy, and that she later met Patrick at a wedding. He had become a father to John and then their other four children.

She said he was a carpenter by trade, a master craftsman who took great pride in his work, and was a very good provider.

We were a team  we had just paid off our mortgage and were looking forward to having things a bit easier and travelling more, she said. He had a life-long interest in motorbikes and we used to travel to event like the TT in the Isle of Man. He was a careful rider, and I was never concerned about him riding.

She said she was now a single mother again and would have to bring up her children on a smaller income, and that her husband would not see his children graduate or move up in life.

We wont grow old together. I never thought Id be widowed so young. He was the love of my life, she said.

Mr Connollys daughter Rebecca said seeing her fathers pale skin and the robotic rising and falling of his chest while on a ventilator and dialysis in hospital was something that was burned into my skull.

She said she ran out of tears and could not cry at her fathers funeral. She described their loss as a horrendous trauma, and said her brother David was suffering survivors guilt.

A letter from Lowry was read out to the court in which she said it was hardest letter she ever had to write, and that she agonised over how to express her feelings. She said she accepted responsibility and apologised sincerely.

If I could change it I would. I hope in your heart you can forgive me, she said.

Colman Cody, defending, said Lowry had suffered tragedy of her own in the past with the loss of her husband through cancer. He also said Lowry was a key witness in a murder trial.

He said the careless driving case had brought significant publicity on Lowry and said that if the murder trial had not happened, there might be little or local publicity.

He said Lowry had a lapse of concentration on the day and had waited for a convoy of motorbikes to pass before pulling out onto the road in the belief the way was clear. Sgt OBrien agreed that Lowry was co-operative with gardai, that both vehicles were in sound condition, and that alcohol was not a factor in the case.

Judge Staines put Lowrys driving into the mid-range of carelessness, and sentenced her to one year in prison fully suspended for two years. She also disqualified her from driving for one year.

Lowry thanked the judge as she wept in court.

Lowry previously gave key evidence at the trial of farmer Patrick Quirke for the murder of Bobby Ryan, a popular DJ who went by the stage name Mr Moonlight.

Lowry, a widowed mother of three, began dating Quirke, who is married, following the death of her husband in 2007. But she ended the affair in the summer of 2010 having fallen for Mr Ryan.

Mr Ryan (52) went missing after leaving Ms Lowrys home in Fawnagown, Tipperary, early on June 3, 2011. His body was discovered nearly two years later in April 2013 in a disused run-off tank on land which was leased and being farmed by Quirke.

The prosecution case was that Quirke killed Mr Ryan so he could rekindle the affair he previously had with Mary Lowry.

Key to the circumstantial case against him was the discovery by gardai that Quirkes computer had been used to conduct online searches for webpages about the decomposition of human remains.

Quirke, of Breanshamore, Co Tipperary, had dumped Mr Ryans body in the run-off water tank on Ms Lowrys farm after murdering him. He had been leasing the farm at the time.

Lowry decided to terminate his lease on her land on April 29, 2013, and the prosecution case was that Quirke then staged the discovery of the decomposing remains as his lease was about to end and he feared he would be found out in the future.

At the trial of Quirke, Lowry described her relationship with him to the jury as seedy and sordid and something she regretted. She described Quirke as overpowering and insisted she did not choose to have an affair but was led to it.

Counsel for Quirke described the relationship as consenting, between adults.

Quirke denied the murder, but after a 15-week trial in the Central Criminal Court the then 54-year-old was found guilty and sentenced to life for the murder.

He later challenged the verdict but the conviction was upheld.
Man is member of Flashy gang but not suspected of being the second shooter

The son of a deceased former senior garda is a person of huge interest in relation to the investigation into the gun murder of Jason Hennessy Sr in a Christmas Eve attack in a Dublin Restaurant.

Sources said the man is a leading member of the Mr Flashy drugs gang and has intimate knowledge of the attack.

He was a close associate of gunman Tristan Sherry, who died in the restaurant bloodbath in Blanchardstown.

The late gardas son, who is aged in his early 30s and originally from west Dublin, is currently in jail in a different jurisdiction, remanded in relation to serious firearms offences.

Read more Son of murdered Jason Hennessy Snr has bail terms relaxed for a week

He was allegedly caught with a handgun, but this was not the weapon used in the Blanchardstown attack, which has not yet been recovered by gardai.

The suspect in custody is a person of interest, but is not suspected at this stage of being the so-called second shooter on the night, a source said.

But what is being looked at is involvement in the logistics of the murder that happened.

After this event, he was caught with a gun elsewhere, but gardai are satisfied that it is a different gun that was produced in Blanchardstown that night.

He is a trusted and well-known member of the organised crime gang who are suspected of being behind the murder and has strong connections to Finglas criminals who are suspected of organising this.

The fact that the machine gun used to kill Hennessy (48) has not been recovered by gardai is a matter of grave concern, according to sources, with fears of reprisal attacks considered legitimate.

Sherry ( 26) was killed in the restaurant in which Hennessy was shot. Hennessy died in hospital on January 4.

Co-defendants David Amah (18), of Hazel Grove, Portrane Road, Donabate, Dublin, and Michael Andrecut (22), of Sheephill Avenue, Dublin 15, have been charged with the murder of Sherry and remain in custody.

Another youth and three other men face various charges, including assault, violent disorder and producing a weapon during the incident.

One of the co-defendants, Brandon Hennessy (20), of Sheephill Avenue, Dublin 15, is a son of Jason Hennessy Sr.

A court has heard he is accused of violent disorder and producing a steel-handled brush as a weapon when he retaliated to his father being fatally injured.

He was granted bail in January, and earlier this week his case was further adjourned pending directions from the DPP.
Stefanishyna on calls to stop attacks on Russian energy infrastructure: We act according to best NATO standards

Ukraine understands the call of its American partners to stop attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure, but it is fighting with the capabilities and resources that it has, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna has said.

"The Ukrainian side responded by achieving its goals and very successful operations carried out on the territory of the Russian Federation. There are also statements by other officials that these are absolutely legitimate goals from a military point of view," she said during the 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum on Friday, commenting on an article by the Financial Times.

The Deputy Prime Minister also stated that Ukraine understands the call of its American partners, "at the same time, we are fighting with the capabilities, resources and practices that we have available today."

She also said that when in February 2022 she appealed to NATO Headquarters to play their role and contact the UN to "close the skies" over Ukraine, she was told that in NATO's understanding, "close the skies" first of all means destroying the infrastructure on the territory of the Russian Federation, which makes it possible to bomb Ukraine.

"Therefore, we act according to the best NATO standards," she emphasized.

As reported, the Financial Times, citing unnamed sources, reported that the United States called on Ukraine to stop attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure, warning that drone strikes on Russian oil refineries could lead to an increase in world oil prices and provoke retaliatory measures.
Mr Burke accused Mr Justice Mark Sanfey of dishonesty and corruption just minutes after the judge offered him a path to freedom

A High Court judge withdrew an offer to release Enoch Burke from prison after the sacked schoolteacher engaged in a tirade of abuse against him.

Mr Burke accused Mr Justice Mark Sanfey of dishonesty and corruption just minutes after the judge offered him a path to freedom.

The offer was made during the latest review of Mr Burkes detention for breaching court orders requiring him to stay away from Wilsons Hospital School. The schoolteacher has spent 303 days in jail for contempt.

There were also ugly, but not unprecedented scenes, as several members of the schoolteachers family were removed from court for shouting at the judge and interrupting the hearing.

It is a great shame and a disgrace that we have such scenes in an Irish courtroom, said Mr Justice Sanfey after the last of them, Mr Burkes brother Isaac, was carried out of the courtroom by several gardai.

Isaac Burke claimed his clothes were ripped to shreds and belongings strewn on the ground.

The judge had proposed releasing Enoch Burke, saying he could go home and reflect over the Easter holidays, during which time the Co Westmeath school would be closed for a period of two weeks.

He said that if Mr Burke returned to the school at that point, it would be open to its board of management to seek his attachment and committal again.

However, instead of addressing the judges proposal, Mr Burke started levelling accusations that a solicitor acting for the board had lied in an affidavit.

He then became angry at the judge, accusing him of refusing to deal with the lies.

After withdrawing the offer to release Mr Burke, the judge said, apart from making accusations of dishonesty and corruption against him, the schoolteacher had demonstrated he had no interest in being released.
Mental health and addiction specialists will begin working at emergency departments at four large hospitals this year, the government says.

The scheme will also be rolled out to a further four hospitals next year, and has the support of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission.

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced the scheme Thursday morning at a cost of between $300,000 $500,000 per hospital, using uncommitted funding from Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora.

A further $1 million over two years was earmarked to provide training, under a Level 4 NZ Certificate.

"If this proves to be a success, we see this initiative rolling out to all hospitals," Doocey says in a statement.

He says Peer Support Specialists have experienced recovery from mental health illness or addiction, and are already working across the sector.

"There is growing evidence of the positive impact these roles are having on those using mental health and addiction services.".

EDs have, however, become a bottleneck - with at least 13,000 people with mental health issues showing up there every year.

"With a lack of reliable data this number is likely to be highe."

The scheme will help those seeking crisis support at EDs, as well as freeing up clinical staff to deal with clinical work, he says.

The first service is expected to begin in July.

Te Hiringa Mahara, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission, says it's a positive move and will reduce the stress people may experience while they are waiting.

"People who are experiencing mental distress who arrive at an emergency department will be supported while they wait. This will be positive for both the department and people seeking help," says the commission's chief executive Karen Orsborn.

"We have yet to see the detail of how this initiative will be rolled-out but we think a staged approach is a good way to start."

She says it's encouraging to see the expansion of the Peer Support Specialist roles, which had grown by 18 per cent, or 64 full time-equivalent positions, between 2018 and 2022 - but still only made up about 3.4 per cent of the mental health and addictions workforce.

It will be important to include Maori in the planning to bring a te ao Maori perspective to the Peer Support approach - which she says is critical to addressing workforce shortages and transforming models of care.

-RNZ.
More than 400 jobs could go as the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Ministry of Health look to cut their budgets.

The Ministry for Primary Industries is proposing cutting around 231 staff as part of a cost-cutting initiative.

Like many government departments, MPI is trying to cut 7.5 per cent of its budget - and told staff in an email on Thursday it wanted to reduce staff numbers by an estimated 9 per cent, including vacancies but also disestablishing roles.

The ministry is looking to reduce a total of 384 roles of which 40 per cent are vacant.

Director-general Ray Smith told staff that department heads would meet with staff across the business on Thursday to discuss the proposals to improve efficiency.

Ray says the organisation had grown by more than 1100 people in the last five years, in areas like biosecurity, policy, trade and regulatory systems - but greater efficiency was needed.

"With programmes now bedding down across the organisation and in the current fiscal environment, we need to make some efficiencies and change the way we operate while still delivering the excellent service and support our sectors require and expect."

He says it would not propose any reductions to frontline services and statutory roles, including veterinarians, animal welfare, fishery and food compliance officers, or our biosecurity teams at the border.

"However, we are proposing changes to roles and reporting lines in other areas of MPI, including the disestablishment of some positions."

Consultation runs from Thursday to 9 April, with final decisions expected by mid-May.

Meanwhile, almost 200 jobs could go from the Ministry of Health.

Staff were told about a proposal for organisational change at a meeting on Thursday as the ministry responded to the government's direction to cut 6.5 per cent from its budget.

The director of the ministry's Transformation Management Office, Geoff Short, says just over a quarter of jobs or 180 roles could go.

Some positions would be disestablished and some existing vacancies would not be filled, he says.

There had already been a hiring freeze but that had not made enough savings.

Staff were told they would receive more details on the planned changes on 5 April, and a three week consultation period would follow.

It was a difficult and unsettling time for staff, Geoff says.

Nicola Willis says she is "sure that there will be other job opportunities" for those affected. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver. Nicola Willis says she is "sure that there will be other job opportunities" for those affected. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver.

Minister for the Public Service Nicola Willis says on Thursday she could not yet say how many public servants would lose their jobs overall.

"I don't have that number yet. I expect that there will be people who will lose their jobs as we prioritise funding for frontline services."

She says her heart went out to people who could be made redundant, but says public agencies had known for some time their back office staffing levels were unsustainable.

"These are skilled, capable people and I am sure that there will be other job opportunities."

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says it was a "very tough" day for people whose jobs were affected.

However, he says the government needed to "right size" the public service.

He says the Labour government had added 16,000 extra public servants and increased government spending by 84 per cent during its time in power.

"This is the reality, we have to get government spending under control."

Agencies needed to "stop doing dumb stuff" and cull the programmes that were not working, Christopher says.

They had also been told to stop spending on consultants and make their back offices as efficient as possible.

The full scale of the government's public service cuts will be revealed in May's Budget.

'Terrible', 'horrific' - Labour

Labour's Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says it was "terrible news" for public servants from multiple departments today.

"As well as the country being in recession, the impacts on Wellington will be particularly tough when there are a number of people losing their jobs right here."

"Ministry of Health staff led the response to the pandemic.

"In addition they make sure that we have safely regulated medicines.

"They make sure that our health regulations of all sorts - including fluoridation - are functional.

"And they do things like taking steps to improve cancer care in New Zealand by working across our system."

She did not think the MOH could be as effective with the level of cuts proposed.

"Absolutely not. I find it impossible to believe that you could cut 25 per cent of the positions in the Ministry of Health and that not have an impact on the safety of medicines in New Zealand, on the way in which our health system is regulated and on important aspects of cancer care."

Trade spokesperson Damien O'Connor, who was also the previous agriculture minister, says it was "pretty horrifying really".

"And it's no surprise - if you're going to have to fund tax cuts for landlords, the money's got to come from somewhere and this is from frontline services across MPI.

"It's not a bloated agency at all. Some of these people worked with Cyclone Gabrielle on the ground providing direct feedback to government and they were the frontline people that were helping those communities.

"If we're going to see cuts there, when we see climatic events occurring this will hurt all rural communities."

He was unsure which roles would be cut, but says MPI was the "heart of economic development and exports for our country and it just seems crazy".

"Clearly the M Bovis programme is shifting and it could be some people go from that area. But in terms of fisheries management, biosecurity, food safety, these are all critical areas of government responsibility.

"There are many people who are actually working on trade negotiations, ensuring that all the produce of the farmers and horticulturists produce can get through the trade barriers."

He says he did not believe MPI chief executive Ray Smith's suggestion the cuts would all come from back-office roles that would not affect frontline delivery.

"Look, I'm sure there are some vacancies that don't have to be refilled, I'm sure there are some reductions that can occur, but 10 per cent, and then pretend that you're going to maintain frontline services? It's just not credible.

"I know that pressure is on all of those people - they need backup certification, they need verification, they need to be able to do their jobs properly."

'Good' - ACT Party

The ACT Party celebrated the news with a post on social media saying the news of the MPI cuts was "Good. The number of bureaucrats at MPI increased by 52 per cent - or 1277 - between 2017-23. The average salary at MPI is about $102,000."

The post was re-shared by leader David Seymour.

Nicola says she was "not responsible for David Seymour's comments".

"And as I said, my heart goes out to anyone who loses their job ... that's the reaction from ACT New Zealand, what he notes there is that the number of roles at MPI had increased significantly and as I said, it is good that our government is ensuring that resources go to the frontline."

Damien says it was to be expected from ACT.

"They think that less officials is better. When it comes to the area of exporting food and produce we need to be able to show and prove that it's been produced in he right way, that it's safe and that it's true to label ... we need MPI to do that work."

"These are real people who work for the service of our country, and when they are facing redundancies I think we need to express gratitude for the service that they have done," says Ayesha.

- RNZ/ Monique Steele
Tamarillos, passionfruit, swiss chocolate, vanilla, strawberry.

These are just some of the flavours, the tastes, that will be explored in a brand new exhibition called The Food Bowl of Plenty at the Western Bay Museum in Katikati.

Theres also blueberries, truffles, nuts and Kiwano, the bizarre horned melon. Behind our kilometres of shelterbelts are a lot of small, boutique producers doing some amazing things, says museum manager Paula Gaelic.

An array of outstanding delicacies like olive oil, cheese and salami. The museum exhibition means its now their time in the sun.

And these people are grateful for the chance to get their name and their products out there.

Thirty producers and suppliers will feature in the exhibition, which will share their history and stories, and reflect on the commitment and hard work of small stand-alone businesses.

Create awareness

Like the growers of the exotic and peculiar Kiwano  elliptical and yellow with bright red spiky horns, and the flesh of a bright green cucumber.

Tastes of banana, cucumber, lime, strawberry and kiwifruit, says Te Puke grower Isaac Hutchings.

Depending on how ripe it is.

He grows 10 hectares each season  about 30,000 trays or 150 tonnes and exports the fruit mostly to California.

Not massive in New Zealand, but something Kiwis could grow to love.

And if they take in the Western Bay Museum exhibition, it might create an awareness, people might be more inclined to buy and try.

We dont mean to take away from the standout kiwifruit and avocado industries  the horticultural giants that have fueled the economy of the Western Bay, says Paula.

But theres way more to the Bay of Plenty than just kiwifruit and avocado. But just on a much smaller scale. The exhibition will put a spotlight on the innovation, growth and development of those industries.

We hope people will take away a wow factor from the exhibition, and that they support those industries.

The exhibition, which opens this Saturday, March 23, is aligned with Tourism Bay of Plentys Flavours of Plenty Festival running from April 4-14.

Museum manager Paula Gaelic with wine from the Food Bowl of Plenty. Photo: John Borren/SunLive.

Thats a celebration of the Bay of Plentys world class food scene, a culinary experience, while our museum Food Bowl of Plenty exhibition is a celebration of those who supply all those extraordinary flavours to the hospitality industry.

And beyond to California like the Kiwanos.

Innovation

Arent museums all about history, and collecting and safeguarding relics, artifacts and specimens? They are also about innovation, says Paula.

The world today and the world tomorrow.

And thats the direction this exhibition is looking.

We seriously need to support local or New Zealand-made. And the exhibition will give people another reason to do that.

Paula recently had family out from Darwin and she couldnt make them enough fresh salads, vegies and fruit.

Because living in Darwin, everything had to be shipped in. We totally take the availability of all our wonderful produce for granted. Food Bowl of Plenty might just help to change that attitude.

Meanwhile, Te Puke grower Isaac has just sliced open his daily Kiwano.

Full of antioxidants and vitamins.

In fact hes just hosted a group of AUT students whove started a three-year study.

They think Kiwanos might have anti-cancer and heart disease benefits.

The Western Bay Museums Food Bowl of Plenty exhibition will offer food for thought and understanding from Saturday, March 23 to May 31, 2024.
Reports are coming in of a vehicle collision on Omanawa Road.

A police spokesperson says police recieved reports at 3.25pm of a bus skidding off the road on Omanawa Rd.

"Passengers were inside the bus," says the spokesperson.

"No injuries have been reported."

The road does not appear to be blocked, however Google Maps is showing significant congestion.

Google Maps, Omanawa road congestion.Screenshot.

At the scene?

Call 0800 SUNLIVE or email photos to newsroom@thesun.co.nz
Europa Press Seville Friday, 22 March 2024, 18:10 Compartir Copiar enlace

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Andalusian health minister Catalina Garcia has requested a meeting with Spanish authorities over three health alerts issued in a month, which she says is caused by poor border control for goods coming into Spain.

The Junta representative wants to talk to Spanish minister of health Monica Garcia to "improve border control" for products arriving from third countries. Asked about this in the regional parliament, Garcia pointed out the control of these products is part of the National Plan for Official Control of the Food Chain, which has two sub-programmes. One, in which the regions participate, is the primary one carried out by the ministry of agriculture and the other is public health - "and then foreign health also intervenes" and this is "what is worrying".

"It is the control that is carried out at the border and which, moreover, is carried out by the workers of the General State Administration. We also believe that this border control could be improved," Garcia added.

On 19 February, an alert was issued after a consignment of strawberries arrived at the Port of Algeciras in Cadiz. The regional minister reported the foreign health inspection carried out a screening but did not immobilise the goods and, when the information reached the regional ministry, "within 24 hours our public health surveillance service had done all the product traceability". "We knew where the strawberries had been and that they had not reached the market," Garcia said, adding that: "if there is no mobilisation of the product, it is difficult for us to act when we are notified 13 days after the product has crossed the border". Following this, she said the Junta increased its catalogue of samples and is carrying out complementary inspections.

Vox's Alonso Rodriguez insisted on the risk of "replacing our primary sector with the primary sector of third countries", something that is "fully complied with" when they see the market "flooded" with products from "Morocco, Egypt or South Africa".

But he also warned of "the danger" to safety, bearing in mind that, in one month, "three health alerts have been issued, two for the presence of hepatitis A in strawberries from Morocco due to irrigation with faecal water" and another for "peppers that doubled the maximum permitted limit of an insecticide in the European Union".

Rodriguez called for an increase in human resources to carry out inspections "immediately on all products from third countries" and that "the goods should be held until the results of the analysis are available".
Patricia V. Moreno Granada Friday, 22 March 2024, 08:11 Compartir Copiar enlace

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Allergies will last longer and be more intense this spring in Granada. This is one of the conclusions of the Spanish Allergology Society and Clinical Immunology (SEAIC) after analysing the latest data on temperature, rainfall and humidity from the state weather agency (Aemet). They have also looked at historical data on grass pollen from the different stations of the network of collectors.

Pollen is going to stay in the air for longer as a result of the high temperatures since the end of January and the large amount of rain that has fallen during the month of February. As such, SEAIC has warned that those allergic to cypress, London planetree and grasses should take special care.

In Granada, the concentration of grasses will be above 2,000 grains/m3, as in other provinces such as Cordoba and Huelva, as well as in a large part of Castilla y Leon and Castilla La Mancha. However, spring will be particularly intense in Segovia, Ciudad Real, Toledo, Madrid, Badajoz, Caceres, Seville and Jaen. In these eight provinces the concentration will be between 5,000 and 7,000 grains/m3.

Cypress and olive trees

"We are going to have a more difficult spring compared to last year. We have recently experienced one of the highest peaks of cypress", says Julian Lopez, allergist at the Vithas Hospital in Granada. Speaking to Europa Press, the doctor and member of the SEAIC Committee, Maria del Pilar Lara, said that "the highest peak of cypress pollen was detected at the Estacion Agrobiologica de Granada, with a total of 8,036 grains of pollen per cubic metre".

"Along with cypress, olive tree pollen is one of the most common in Granada," the specialist told this newspaper. Cypress allergy sufferers tend to experience symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes and asthma. Olive tree pollen, on the other hand, tends to cause other symptoms such as runny nose, watery eyes and shortness of breath.

For the approximately 25 per cent of people in Granada with allergy problems, the allergist at Granada's Vithas Hospital advises using a mask with filters, wearing sunglasses, driving with the car windows closed, avoiding driving in windy areas and, above all, avoiding times such as dawn and dusk, as these are the times of day with the highest pollen concentrations.
Mercedes Navarrete Granada Friday, 22 March 2024, 08:07 Compartir Copiar enlace

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Granada's tourism sector has said that it is hoping that the good weather will bring last-minute visitors to the city for Holy Week. It is looking forward to a good Easter, similar to last year, but says it is unlikely to be "record-breaking" in terms of hotel occupancy.

The good weather will be decisive in attracting last-minute visitors which could boost hotel reservations, which currently stand at 75 per cent full in the city and 70 per cent in the rest of the province.

This data was published on Wednesday 20 March by Granada's provincial federation of hotel and tourism companies (FEHT), the provincial tourism board and Granada city hall.

Room for improvement

"The figures are good for the beginning of the week and for the public holidays" of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Saturday and last-minute bookings are "expected to see 90 per cent occupancy in some establishments", said the secretary of the provincial federation of tourism Antonio Garcia.

There is room for improvement, which is why Garcia has encouraged those who are still thinking about their next getaway to choose Granada. "The figures are positive, we have beds and all kinds of services to accommodate more tourists," he said.

The provincial delegate for tourism and heritage, Marta Nievas, also said that 70 per cent occupancy in the province's accommodation was good and that Easter is the most important period for Granada in terms of tourism.

"In the month in which it falls, either March or April, there is traditionally the highest peak of hotel occupancy of the year in the province, with some 275,000 travellers staying in our establishments," explained Nievas.

Beach, snow and culture

Granada City councillor for culture and tourism Juan Ramon Ferreira said that the "mixture of beach and snow, together with the wealth of heritage and art makes us a top level destination". He added that sales of the Granada Card for Easter Week are going very well but added that "there are still tickets available for those who wish to purchase them".

Tickets to the Alhambra over Easter week are almost sold out. "We are very pleased with the Easter visits, we will be completely full and we will receive 60,800 visitors, 42% are Spanish, about 10% American and 5% German," explained head of the Alhambra's public visits service Gonzalo Mochon.

There were more visitors last year but that was because Easter was in April and after the clocks had changed. This year the Alhambra is still in its winter timetable, which leaves two hours less for visits. The opening hours will be extended on 1 April.
Hector Barbotta Seville Friday, 22 March 2024, 13:26 Compartir Copiar enlace

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President of the Junta de Andalucia Juanma Moreno took advantage of his audience with Pope Francis on Thursday 21 March to invite him to visit Andalucia. Moreno described it as "the European region with the greatest expressions of popular religion".

During the audience, which lasted almost an hour, Pope Francis showed interest in the situation of migrants, the resources available to attend to their needs and the possible solutions. The pair also discussed issues such as low birth rates and the consequences of climate change, Moreno said after the meeting. He added that the Pope was "cordial, attentive, pleasant and receptive".

Low birth rate

Another of the issues addressed was the low birth rate, which is causing depopulation in many regions of Europe. "He also asked me about the situation in Andalucia, what we are working on and what the social, economic and political situation is," Moreno said. "I found him very knowledgeable about the situation in Europe and Andalucia and concerned about the current problems and challenges facing us as a civilisation and as a society."

The president took the opportunity to invite Pope Francis to Andalucia and stressed that there are many reasons for the pontiff, who has never been to Spain, to pay a visit. "Andalucia is the region of Europe with the greatest fervour of popular religion, we have the most important pilgrimages in the world as well as 2,500 brotherhoods and nearly 600,000 members of the brotherhoods," said the president, referring to the Holy Week brotherhoods.

He went on to say, "There are many reasons to invite him and I have also told him that we are very close, just two hours by plane from Rome," and added that the Pope was in good health and has a great sense of humour. "He told a joke or two, I thought he was lively and cheerful, which really pleased me," said the president, who clarified that the Pope's possible visit to Andalucia would depend on his agenda and state of health. "He liked the invitation," Moreno said.

Gifts

The president revealed that of all the gifts he presented to the pontiff, the one he talked about most was a ceramic chalice made by people with learning disabilities at an occupational centre run by the Junta in Almeria.

Pope Francis looked carefully at a photograph of the centre's users and commented on the need for institutions to provide opportunities for their professional development. The Pope pointed out that they are people who have the capacity to work in different fields and who often feel abandoned. "It was probably the gift he liked the most," said the president.

Moreno, who was accompanied by his wife and four members of his team, also gave the pontiff a bronze sculpture by the Seville sculptor Juan Manuel Minarro with the face of the Holy Shroud. He also presented the Pope with a sample of incense from Andalucia, Moroccan biscuits from Ecija made by the nuns of the Purisima Concepcion de Osuna and a branch of the olive tree planted in the Alhambra by U2 frontman Bono as a symbol of peace and understanding of different cultures. This branch comes from an olive tree that Pope Francis gave the artist in 2018, which Bono decided to plant at the Alhambra.

Moreno was surprised by the length of the meeting, which lasted longer than he had expected. "It has been a very special day, very special to be able to have this audience with His Holiness", he said, adding that he did it on behalf of a region "closely linked to Christianity and Catholicism and with a great deal of religious fervour".
Western countries should not only strengthen sanctions against Russia, but also closely monitor that they are implemented and Russia cannot circumvent them, Ambassador-at-Large of the Latvian Foreign Ministry, Assistant Secretary General of NATO for Public Diplomacy in 2020-2023 Baiba Braze has said.

Braze said during the 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum, founded by Arseniy Yatsenyuk's Open Ukraine Foundation that they must pay more attention to containing Russia, which requires new sanctions and their implementation. This should be cooperation with partners through the U.S. Treasury, through the EU, to identify the gaps where Russia imports the parts and elements it needs, and to close them.

The ambassador added that support for Ukraine should be transformed into concrete decisions in the military, economic, financial and diplomatic dimensions.

According to her, Latvia is currently providing support to Ukraine at the level of 1% of GDP, and this level will increase.

We expect that other allies will provide more assistance to Ukraine and we are talking not only about large contracts, but also about increasing investments in defense, Baiba Braze said.

The 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum, organized to mobilize transatlantic support for Ukraine, takes place on March 21-22. The slogan of the current forum: Ukraine's Call to the World: Together, We Prevail.
Tony Bryant Malaga Friday, 22 March 2024, 13:00 Compartir Copiar enlace

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Holy Week is the largest and perhaps the most eagerly awaited event of the year in southern Spain. Over this religious holiday period the streets are filled with hundreds of thousands who flock to watch the scenes of the Passion paraded through the streets morning, noon and night.

Roads are shut, public transport is thrown into chaos and the shortest of journeys will take forever to complete as a seemingly never-ending parade of penitents accompanied by blaring trumpets, pounding drums and crashing cymbals signals the arrival of the iconic images of Christ and the Virgin Mary.

'Semana Santa', as it is known, is one of the most magical times to be in Andalucia because it demonstrates the utterly baroque nature of its traditions and its people.

To a newcomer, this display of grandeur can look fairly similar wherever they are. But, in fact there are important differences in these rituals across the eight provincial capital cities of the region that give each place its own extravagant flavour.

Penitents and pasos

Between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday up to 12 processions can be in the streets of the main cities at the same time. The actual processions vary little in their make-up, although the names of the various aspects that make up the spectacle are different in Malaga from those of Seville.

The rows of draped attendees wearing the pointed hoods originally used by the Inquisition are known as Nazarenos in Seville, whereas in the rest of Andalucia they are known as Penitentes (penitents).

The 'pasos' (floats), as the ones in places like Seville and Cordoba are known, are smaller in order to manoeuvre the narrow streets around the cathedrals; while the tronos, the huge floats in Malaga and Jaen for example, are carried by up to two hundred people.

In Malaga, as in other cities like Granada, the bearers (portadores), are visible, whereas in Seville, Cordoba and Cadiz, the costaleros, as they are known in these provinces, generally cannot be seen, as they carry the floats from underneath the platform.

One of the most spectacular moments in Malaga is on the morning of Maundy Thursday: El Desembarco de la Legion, the disembarkment of Legionnaires in the port of Malaga, and the subsequent transfer of El Cristo de Mena, also known as the 'Christ of the good death', to the church from where the procession itself will begin later that evening. The image of the crucified Christ is carried from the port horizontally by the soldiers.

Flamenco and Gypsy tradition

Jerez de la Frontera stands out as being one of the most important in Andalucia in terms of the quality of its carvings. Being one of the main cradles of flamenco, Jerez is also celebrated for its ancient saetas, religious mantas based on the siguiriya, one of the oldest, unaccompanied flamenco styles.

Of course, all of the processions that take to the streets of the main cities are an incredible sight, and although much rivalry exists, they are all spectacular in their own right.

The Gypsy processions in cities like Seville, Cadiz and Malaga are quite a spectacle, as these are more joyous and colourful. Along with the singing of the sombre saetas, the spectators dance and sing flamenco, mainly bulerias, to the images as they pass.

The floats have a certain route and timetable to which they must adhere, but the Gypsies are normally too busy enjoying themselves to worry about a planned schedule, resulting in the confraternities being fined for not adhering to the time allowed for the route.

Debate and rivalry

Semana Santa is a time for much debating and discussion in bars, cafes and shops, and the excitement created about aspects such as the Virgin wearing a new gown, as is the case with La Trianera (Seville) this year, will generate much interest among the devout.

While there has long been an altercation between Seville and Malaga regarding the superiority of their images and their processions, there has also been a similar rivalry between the different districts of individual provinces.

This is especially true in the neighbourhoods of Triana and La Macarena in Seville, whose images of the Virgin are probably the city's most admired. The faithful devotees will fiercely defend their images at any cost, often claiming their Virgin to be the most beautiful and the most striking, their gowns the most stunning and the floats the most magnificent, and this is one topic which rouses much emotion.

The emotion generated will depend on factors that most foreigners fail to perceive entirely. The way the floats are decorated, and carried, the gown that the Virgin is wearing, even the route that she takes, will all be of great significance.
Minister for development Rocio Diaz at the signing of the agreements with the minister for the construction of housing.

Jose Luis Piedra Seville Friday, 22 March 2024, 17:56 Compartir Copiar enlace

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The Andalusian government has kicked off the construction of 2,915 new energy-efficient homes for an affordable rent.

Regional minister of development Rocio Diaz signed the latest agreements with housing minister Isabel Rodriguez to build 334 new homes in seven Andalusian provinces. The construction of the homes will be supported by the European Next Generation funds, according to Diaz, who underlined the work carried out by the Andalusian government to promote collaboration between administrations.

"We are taking advantage of every last euro of the extraordinary funds from Europe to increase the supply of housing, but also to reactivate the economy and generate employment," Diaz said, adding that the latest signatures mean the granting of subsidies worth 137 million euros. This aid will facilitate the construction of 68 developments with 2,915 homes. In addition to helping expand the housing market, the subsidies have a multiplier effect on the economy, as the overall investment, which amounts to 437 million if you add those to be made by the private sector, is tripled.

The head of development expressed her intention to continue working to incorporate more similar projects and said they are already in negotiations to add 500 more homes before the deadline expires on 31 March. The special feature of this type of aid is that it is aimed at the construction of social rental housing in energy-efficient homes.

The latest agreements signed include ten public developments with 334 homes, which will receive 13.8 million euros. This list includes a 33-home development at the exit of the airport motorway and near the La Goleta subway in Almeria city, a 53-home development on Avenida Marconi in Cadiz city, and 10 subsidised housing units on Calle Miguel Angel Blanco in Villanueva del Duque in Cordoba. There are also two developments promoted by Provincial Housing, Land and Equipment Company (Visogsa) of the provincial council of Granada: one with 101 homes on Calle Hurtado de Mendoza in Almunecar and a second with 26 homes in the municipality of Cullar.

Two developments are also planned in Jaen, although this time by their local councils. Andujar will receive a subsidy for the construction of 26 homes in Avenida de America, while Lupion town council is also planning a development of eight homes in Calle Ronda de la Vega. In Malaga province, the two developments benefiting from funding are in Fuengirola and include 39 new municipal public housing units: fifteen in the La Yesera area and another 24 in Carvajal.

Diaz also said her department plans to expand its public housing stock with the construction of 38 subsidised rental homes in Utrera, through the Andalusian Housing and Rehabilitation Agency (AVRA).

The minister pointed out the Ecovivienda Plan is one of the open lines of work for the construction of affordable housing, which the Andalusian government has been working on since 2019. She said four calls for aid to public and private developers have already been launched. There are currently more than 70 of these call outs in progress or close to being launched with a balance of more than 2,500 homes.
Pilar Garcia-Trevijano Almunecar Friday, 22 March 2024, 13:48 | Updated 14:01h. Compartir Copiar enlace

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La Dorada de Plata beach bar in Almunecar on Granada's Costa Tropical has reopened four months after it was forced to close following a complaint from a local resident about the smoke coming from its traditional 'espeto' boat, used to grill sardines on an open fire.

La Dorada de Plata opened in 1966 and is famous for its 'espetos' (sardine skewers grilled over an open fire, typically in a dugout fishing boat). Now the bar has installed a pergola equipped with an extractor hood which Mingorance describes as "unique" on the Spanish coast, covering the three metres of boat so that normal service can resume.

A complaint about the smoke from the espetos in October 2023 led Almunecar town hall to force the chiringuito owner to stop grilling the sardines and to require him to install an extractor hood. It is unusual for this type of cooking method which is traditional on beaches along the Andalusian coast.

Fireproof material

In 2019 the town hall sent notices to several chiringuitos because of smoke and odours coming from the outdoor fires. The bars in questions used small fires and most of them were able to install a smoke vent quite easily.

However, Francisco Mingorance, owner of La Dorada de Plata, did not want to lose this culinary art or his traditional espeto boat. The chiringuiteros on Granada's Costa Tropical have always fought for the dish not to be identified exclusively with Malaga province and Mingorance was clear that he was not going to give up his boat easily.

The work has cost around 36,000 euros and Mingorance explained that the structure is made of pine wood, similar to that used by Malaga's 'espeteros' (the people who grill the sardines) to provide shelter from the sun. La Dorada de Plata's pergola is covered with fireproof material.

Employment for 18 local families

Mingorance stressed that as it is outdoors the hood will not completely reduce smoke emissions, but he is confident that it will be enough to continue the business which employs 18 local families.

La Dorada de Plata reopened during a spell of bad weather with storms putting people going to the beach and eating in chiringuitos. However, with Easter signalling the start of the high season and the summer the owners are hoping to get back on track after the investment in building work and the months of closure.

"The embers are a fundamental part of our menu and we don't want to lose the tradition in Almunecar. We didn't want to give up the espeto", Mingorance concluded.
Europa Press Seville Friday, 22 March 2024, 13:15 Compartir Copiar enlace

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The Junta de Andalucia's minister for the economy, finance and European funds Carolina Espana said on Tuesday 20 March that she is "not against" the idea of implementing a 'tourist tax' in the region, but she added that, if it is implemented, it should be done "always hand in hand with the sector".

Espana was speaking to journalists at a press conference following the Junta de Andalucia's weekly meeting, where she was accompanied by the regional government's spokesperson for sustainability, environment and blue economy Ramon Fernandez-Pacheco.

Espana explained that, as the person responsible for finance in Andalucia, she "has always said that "this tax should be introduced or, at least, the appropriate framework should be regulated by the Junta de Andalucia so that each town hall can then decide whether to introduce it or not".

Not against the tourist tax

"I am not against the tourist tax," she said, but added, "We should always work hand in hand with the sector," and that "there is still a lot of room to work, to move forward, to reach an agreement, otherwise, it would be complicated to implement the tax".

Ramon Fernandez-Pacheco also responded to questions from journalists explaining that the Junta de Andalucia understands that "a tax figure cannot be imposed against the sector". He maintained that such a move "would go against what Juanma Moreno's government represents".

The spokesperson went on to say that he welcomed the "process of dialogue through the Andalusian federation of municipalities and provinces (FAMP) with the sector in which the Andalusian regional government is going to be proactive in giving its opinion, in search of an agreement on this figure".

Financing of town halls

However, he stated that the tourist tax "will never lead to a confrontation between Andalusian municipalities, or between Andalusian municipalities and the hotel and tourism sector, or all of these against the Junta".

"We will never allow this" he said before alluding to a "debate" which in his opinion, "lies behind the tourist tax" and that is about "how Andalusian town halls are financed" and whether they "are well financed to face the responsibilities they have today, many of which are due to excessive tourism".

According to Fernandez-Pacheco "It is very important to tackle a new model of regional funding in Spain" and it is "no less important to make progress on a new model of local funding". He concluded that "this decentralisation of powers that we have in Spain today must go hand in hand with a new funding model".
SUR in English Gibraltar Friday, 22 March 2024, 15:24 Compartir Copiar enlace

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HMS Scott, the largest survey vessel in Western Europe and the fifth largest vessel in the Royal Navy, docked in Gibraltar last Sunday.

It will be conducting two watch handovers and a short Fleet Time Support Period (FTSP) to ensure that it is materially ready to continue its survey work.
Fermin Apezteguia Madrid Friday, 22 March 2024, 15:50 Compartir Copiar enlace

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Parents always seem to worry about their children's height. Probably because we live in a world where, to be successful in life, it would seem that one has to be of a certain size. Still, it is not all sunshine and roses for the tallest among us. The risk of acquiring a sizeable number of diseases is directly related to your height.

Those who tower over others of average height are actually at greater risk of suffering from certain skin and bone infections, including a troublesome condition called peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage in hands and feet).

The height connection was flagged in a study carried out by the Rocky Mountain Medical Center in the USA and published recently in the journal PLOS Genetics.

Height has been a factor that has previously been associated with a number of common ailments, according to outpatient clinician Agustin Martinez Berriochoa, president of the Society of Internal Medicine for Aragon, Navarra, La Rioja and the Basque Country (SOMIVRAN), but that specific link has never been made very clear.

A detailed study

To help explore this hypothesis, the US research team set out to look at each ailment in turn and any possible connection with each data subject's actual height. They also analysed the genetic make-up of each individual participating in the study.

In order to shed as much light as possible on their investigations, the team decided to use a very broad population as its sample group. To do this, they drew from the Million Veteran Program (MVP), a national database in the USA storing information on genes, lifestyles and conditions to which military personnel have been exposed and the ways in which that can affect their health, for better or worse.

The database is the largest in the world on health and genetics. It was launched in 2011 and, since then, more than 870,000 veterans have agreed to have their data added.

The scientists used data from 250,000 men and women, one in five of them being African-American. In the United States, studies usually make this distinction in case results arise that require some differentiation in the recommendations to be made.

Less chance of a heart attack

So, what did they find out? Firstly, the benefits: taller people have a lower risk of coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

However, the list of downsides is longer. It has long been known that tall people have a higher risk of varicose veins. Also, they are more prone to atrial fibrillation - an irregular and often faster heart rhythm - not such great news.

The American study completes this list of ailments besetting taller people with a few more nasties, one being that they are more prone to infections of the skin and bones, especially ulcers in the legs and feet.

Worst of all, they are the most likely to suffer from peripheral neuropathy. What is that? Peripheral nerves are all those nerves located beyond the brain and spinal cord. Pain in the nerves of the hands and feet typically manifests itself as tingling and stinging, usually worsening to a stabbing pain. Such pain can be very disabling. It's not always great to be tall.
Francisco Grinan Malaga Friday, 22 March 2024, 16:39 Compartir Copiar enlace

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By now, with more than 45 million internet mentions, finding something new to say about Pablo Picasso and his work seems like mission impossible or just being a show-off. Still, art is far from being a closed shop and its very essence is synonymous with taking a fresh look at someone's work. This is what Malaga's Picasso Museum (MPM) now proposes: as it turns 20, the museum is launching a new collection made up of 144 pieces, of which ten have never been on display before.

What is more, the real novelty on this occasion is the very different theme to this exhibition. Rather than follow the usual story of classifying the painter's works by period (blue, pink...) or art movement (cubism, classicism...), by timeline or by his relationship with his wives and lovers, MPM has opted for a complete revamp of the 12 rooms of the Palacio de Buenavista to present Picasso in a different light.

This time Picasso is a singular artist, the whole creative package marked by innovation, who, far from surrendering to successive styles, has always travelled interwoven, artistic paths back and forth throughout his life.

Paul (son of the artist), one of the never-displayed-before works of art now on show at Malagas Picasso Museum. Nito Salas

"Our goal has been to create a sense of unity concerning Picasso. Normally, his work is divided into different periods, but we decided not to do that, to do the opposite, as what he created cannot be easily segmented into phases; it was more complex because his creating process came and went and moved from one style to another," explained Michael Fitzgerald, professor of Art History at Trinity College in Hartford (Connecticut, USA) and curator of the semi-permanent exhibition.

Pablo Picasso: Structures of Invention, will remain at the MPM for the next three years. Most of the 152 pieces are on loan from the Almine & Bernard Ruiz-Picasso Foundation, to which have been added another fifty works from the art gallery's own collections. Of these, 144 works are currently on show, but these will rotate as some of them, such as those on paper, cannot be exhibited for more than six months at a time for conservation reasons.

Oil paintings, sculptures and engravings are not lacking in this revamped collection which, as pointed out by the curator, places special emphasis on ceramics. Fitzgerald further stresses the point that all the works exhibited in the Picasso Museum come from the Malaga-born artist's private collection, kept over his lifetime, "so he had them on display in his studios and homes, and he would return to them as time passed." This reinforces the central idea of this exhibition that speaks of the continuity and unity in Picasso's work in the face of the rather fragmented visions of his output.

From beginning to end

The Pablo Picasso: Structures of Invention exhibition has works dating from 1895 to 1972. The montage begins and ends with pieces from those years, namely the emblematic and academic Lola with a Doll - a portrait of the artist's sister - and the cubist Boy with a Shovel respectively. These highlight the train of thought behind these many subjects, including the artist's return to childhood as a theme in his later years.

Between these two paintings the exhibition moves on, tracing a path that moves back and forth through different periods and formats. As an example, his sketches for The Young Ladies of Avignon already hint at his future break with cubism, later returning to classicism with Portrait of Olga (1923), which is on display with a sketch that shows the engagement ring on his first wife's hand.

The exhibition allows us to see the dimensions and shapes repeated at different times of his life, the unfinished pieces and his anti-war work, such as the emblematic sculpture Head with Helmet (1933), in which there seems to be a Greek soldier, but "with exaggerated features that make him look more like a clown than a warrior," notes Fitzgerald in our tour of the collection.

With portraiture of women being a strong theme for Picasso, Room 4 focuses on this, presided over by the monumental work The Three Graces (1925), where the figures are somewhat devoid of sensuality.

"We propose a different point of view, not of women as objects, but as artists or warriors, as powerful women," says the curator, throwing this point of view into the artistic debate about misogyny in Picasso's work.

This new artistic approach to how we view Picasso's work also includes a dozen exhibits (three oil paintings and as many drawings, two notebooks, a sculpture and one piece of ceramic) on show in Spain for the first time. In this group of unpublished works, a few stand out. Firstly, the oil paintings Paul (son of the artist' (1922), a portrait of Pablo Picasso's first-born son that occupies a central space in Room 5, and Head of a Woman (1928), which shows the influence of surrealism on emotion and the dark depths of the psyche. Also, the sculpture Layered Woman (1933) that explores what was possible by experimenting with plaster as a support tool. The final room, Room 12, features ceramics, particularly those with bullfighting themes, highlighting the evolution of the artist's techniques and how these relate to other, well-known pieces by Picasso featuring bulls and bullfighters.

A "dream" of an exhibition

The recently appointed director of the MPM, Miguel Lopez-Remiro, who took up office in January, has hailed Fitzgerald's work and the new concept for a semi-permanent exhibition as an "excellent and exceptional reading of the work" of this Malaga artist. Bernard Picasso is confident that this rethinking is due to some of the new ways that we view art in the 21st century and that it represents "a dream" come true by presenting his grandfather's work "with the desire to unify" his lifelong career.

The launch event of this semi-permanent exhibition also included a presentation by the new Secretary General for Culture in Andalucia's regional government, Jose Angel Velez, who anticipates that this year's visitor figures to the MPM will be even better than last year's, when a record-breaking 700,000 people came to the gallery. All expect that total to be surpassed with this renewed collection in a museum that, in its two decades of existence, has become a hallmark of the cultural identity of Andalucia.
Ignacio Lillo Malaga Friday, 22 March 2024, 12:43 Compartir Copiar enlace

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It is just 48 hours before the start of the Holy Week processions across much of Spain and the weather forecasts for the first few days from the state weather agency (Aemet) are already quite clear. And, at the moment, they are not exactly favourable for the brotherhoods.

On Palm Sunday morning and afternoon, in theory, the risk of rain is low; but the probability of showers increases during the night of Palm Sunday to Holy Monday. Therefore, it could force those brotherhoods that have planned to process during the night to shorten their routes.

On Holy Monday, the situation worsens and, at the moment, the probability of downpours in Malaga city and along parts of the Costa del Sol according to the weather forecast models is 100%. And Holy Tuesday is also threatened by rain.

For the second half of the week, there is still a lot of uncertainty. At the moment, Holy Wednesday and Maundy Thursday are clear but it could get worse again on Good Friday.

"It's going to be an unstable and cooler than normal Holy Week," summarised Jesus Riesco, head of the Aemet weather centre in Malaga. For starters, on Sunday a 'Dana' (high level depression) will approach from the Canary Islands (which is causing the current 'calima' haze of Sahara dessert dust over Malaga province), so the weather will be unstable and some isolated and scattered showers are not ruled out, most likely in the second half of the day, although it is very difficult to be precise.

During the early hours of Monday morning there is a very high probability it will start to rain across the whole province. "It is almost certain, unless the weather models fail miserably. It will be persistent, heavy and long-lasting rain, with mud due to the haze.

Temperatures will drop 10C in Malaga on Holy Monday and Tuesday, with a maximum of 16 degrees.

Later on Monday, the 'Dana' will be reabsorbed into the general circulation and a new trough will arrive from the north of the Spanish mainland. This will cause temperatures to drop drastically. On the positive side, it will sweep away the 'calima' dust haze. "The new high trough will leave instability on Tuesday, especially, and early Wednesday".

End of the week

On Wednesday, in theory, there will tend to be an improvement, which will continue on Thursday. On Friday there will again be a high degree of uncertainty, with the arrival of another storm which will affect the Spanish mainland but it remains to be seen how it will affect Malaga province, although rain is not ruled out.

In addition, temperatures will be below normal for this time of year, and this will be especially noticeable due to the contrast from a week well above normal (26C) to a drop to a maximum of 16 degrees between Monday and Wednesday, which will be the coldest days (10 degrees less). Inland, it will be even worse, with daytime highs of around 12 degrees in Antequera and Ronda.

Regarding Palm Sunday, Malaga weather expert Jose Luis Escudero, head of the SUR blog 'Tormentas y Rayos', pointed out "we will have to keep an eye on the radar, if the 'Dana' comes a little earlier there will be mud showers during the afternoon, because the concentration of dust in suspension is still very high, although nothing like last time".

As for Holy Monday and Tuesday, he also pointed to the formation of a storm to the northwest of Galicia, so "we will have to see at what time the heaviest rainfall is expected in Malaga". On this point, as the temperatures are going to drop, he said that snowfall above 1,600 metres in the province's Sierra de las Nieves and Tejeda mountain ranges could be seen again.
Jennie Rhodes Nerja Friday, 22 March 2024, 14:48 Compartir Copiar enlace

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Nerja town hall has announced that this year's Residents Day will take place on Sunday 28 April on Plaza de Espana from 12 until 5pm. The councillor for foreign residents, Ana Maria Munoz, said, "We invite all Spanish and international associations and clubs from Nerja and the Axarquia or Malaga area to participate." There will be dancing and live music throughout the afternoon. For further information email: info@diadelresidente.com.
Francisco Grinan Malaga Friday, 22 March 2024, 11:22 Compartir Copiar enlace

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Popular culinary television shows MasterChef is in Malaga city filming an episode dedicated solely to Holy Week. Aspiring contestants were filmed under the thrones of the brotherhoods of La Paloma and Estudiantes on Wednesday 20 March.

SUR can confirm, this episode of the new season of the cooking talent-show will be broadcast on Spanish television in June on TVE's La 1. The large doors of the Casa Hermandad in the Plaza de San Francisco were wide open on Wednesday morning attracting the attention of passers by as camera crews filmed cooking contestants.

The three presenters and judges Jordi Cruz, Pepe Rodriguez and Samantha Vallejo-Nagera could also be seen. In front of the judges of the Television Espanola programme, the two dishes each of the teams had to cook (team red and team blue) could be seen covered.

Enclosed area

The big moment of filming took place at about noon when TV crews moved to Calle Alcazabilla, closing the street off to pedestrians.

With pop-up kitchens set up outside the doors of the Cofradia de Estudiantes, remaining contestants took part in a team test in which they had to prepare a menu. Up to seven cameras filmed at the same time as the red team cooked, followed by the blue team's contestants.

Although it is not official, it is expected production company Shine Iberia and Television Espanola will premiere the next series of MasterChef in April. However, the episode filmed in Malaga city will probably not be broadcast until the final part of the series, just before summer. The return of MasterChef to Malaga comes less than a year after its previous visit, after an episode of the celebrity version of the cooking show was filmed in La Pergola del Mediterraneo, the restaurant recently opened by Antonio Banderas.
NATO PA President promises to do everything to ensure that Ukraine becomes 33rd member of Alliance

NATO must get rid of its own red lines and ensure victory for Ukraine, President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (PA) Michal Szczerba said during the 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum, founded by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk's Open Ukraine Foundation.

"The Transatlantic Community represents half of the world's economic and military might. And we are much stronger than Russia. And if we are consistent and ambitious, if we have a strategy to provide Ukraine with all it needs, free from self-imposed red lines, we can make sure Ukraine wins, and Russia is defeated. This must be our strategic goal," Szczerba emphasized.

As the Foundation's press service reported on Friday, he assured that the NATO PA is committed to helping Ukraine become a member of the Alliance as soon as possible, otherwise it will be impossible to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine. "I will do my best that Ukraine becomes the 33rd member of NATO," the President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly said.

"We are determined to defend every inch of allies' territory in all times under Article 5, and, as allies, we are committed to stand with Ukraine until victory. We are using this expression I proposed to the assembly for approval - to stand with Ukraine until victory," Szczerba added.

The 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum, organized to mobilize transatlantic support for Ukraine, takes place on March 21-22.
Malaga city at the feet of Zeus - one of the images unveiled by the new series Kaos.

Francisco Grinan Malaga Friday, 22 March 2024, 11:31 Compartir Copiar enlace

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After more than two years of filming, the first images of Netflix's production Kaos, a plot that adapts Greek mythology to the present day, have been released showcasing Malaga city.

A panoramic view of the city is shown, over which reigns a large golden statue of Zeus, as well as a silhouette of Hollywood star Jeff Goldblum, who will play the Greek king of the gods. Kaos, which will have eight episodes, has been created and written by Charlie Covell, directed by Georgi Banks-Davis and Produced by British company Sister, makers of the HBO hit Chernobyl. The series is a modern take on Greek and Roman mythology with themes of gender politics, power and life in hell.

Scene of an arrest from the series Kaos filmed in Calle Lagunillas in Malaga city. Netflix

The brief preview of just 30 seconds showcases popular locations in Malaga city, from a police station in Calle Lagunillas to an aerial view of the popular Parque del Sur neighbourhood. However, the most striking image is the panoramic view of Malaga with the sea in the background, in which a monumental statue of the almighty god Goldblum, who, after centuries of reign, is beginning to show signs of weakness, has been digitally added. In the series, the start of his divine crisis follows the discovery of a wrinkle on his forehead that provokes a neurosis worthy of Woody Allen, which leads him into a paranoia in which he sees threats everywhere, betrayals and his eventual future downfall.

Buildings in Parque del Sur feature in the series. Netflix

Corrupt gods

Zeus won't be the only character with problems in the mythological series, as his brother and god of the underworld, Hades (played by David Thewlis), is also losing control of his dark domain. Meanwhile, the queen of the gods, Hera (played by Janet McTeer who starred in Ozark), sees her power colliding with the paranoia of her husband Zeus, who is on a cosmic collision course with his rebellious son Dionysus (played by Nabhaan Rizwan).

The instability of Olympus is mirrored on earth, where the people begin to grow impatient and demand change in the face of so much corruption from the ruling class. Especially after seeing that the god of the sea, Poseidon (played by Cliff Curtis), is more concerned with the size of his super yacht and where the next party will be than the well-being of humanity.

A Zeus with the face of Jeff Glodblum reigns over the city Netflix

Jeff Goldblum plays Zeus in the series. Justin Downing / Netflix

Netflix is yet to announce a release date for Kaos, but all eight episodes of the blockbuster are expected to come out this year.

In the series, Greece has been recreated in locations such as Valencia, Madrid, Almeria, Cadiz, Jerez and Seville. However, most of the filming took place in Malaga, from Marbella to Velez, with numerous scenes shot in Malaga city such as La Palmilla, Ciudad Jardin and the central streets of Parras, Carreteria and Alameda de Colon, among others.
Chus Heredia Malaga Friday, 22 March 2024, 10:29 Compartir Copiar enlace

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Major upgrade works at the Verde water treatment station in Marbella could see the plant treat water for up to two million people along the Costa del Sol.

The Junta halted an initial project to improve the site in 2009 due to the economic crisis. But the regional government has recently given the go-ahead to a project proposed a few months ago by public water company Acosol. It is expected the works, which will cost 35 million euros, will be put out to tender before the summer, according to information provided to SUR by Acosol. Work is expected to be finished in 20 months.

Increase flows per month

The treatment capacity will be increased to about 4,300 litres per second, which is equivalent to a population of about two million people. As an example, Malaga city averages a usage of 1,500 litres per second. "In summer, in normal situations, about 2,000 litres are needed from the general resources in May, 2,500 litres in June, 3,000 litres in July, 3,100 in August and 2,500 in September, in the absence of restrictions," technical sources told SUR.

This summer's demands will have to be adapted according to water restrictions. One of these measures is water pressure which has been drastically reduced at night, except on Saturdays, throughout the Acosol coverage area. The Marbella desalination plant will be able to supply 1 cubic hectometre per month following improvement works, increasing to almost 2 cubic hectometres per month in autumn. There will also be supply from groundwater wells in Fuengirola and Estepona.

Filter cleaning water losses

SUR probed Acosol about water leaks in the installations, which occurred in November and forced the company to pump back the water to reduce losses. These, according to sources, have been resolved. However, it happens that the cleaning of filters does cause water losses and, to avoid this, it is necessary to undertake extension works. "Filter cleaning is a health priority and for the supply, we have to do it. What we have indicated to the Junta is that this is one of the first phases to be undertaken during the works that are going to be put out to tender," sources pointed out.

These are important losses, which are equivalent to the supply of a municipality in the Costa del Sol area such as Istan, and which are expected to be completely resolved in the coming months. In 2005, the regional government approved and financed an emergency action, requested by Acosol. The works were completed in 2006 and in service until the beginning of 2009. The emergency action was then stopped by the interrupted DWTP expansion works.
Susana Zamora Malaga Friday, 22 March 2024, 17:27 Compartir Copiar enlace

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Two Guardia Civil officers have been sent to prison after ordering three men to strip naked at a traffic checkpoint in central Spain.

The officers stopped the victims - three men and a woman - who were travelling on the AP-6 at the El Espinar toll in Segovia and proceeded to check them for drugs, weapons and stolen goods in a routine inspection. The woman wasn't searched until later, but the men were taken away from the road where one officer asked them to take off their shoes, turn their socks inside out and pull down their trousers and underwear. After they refused to do so, the officer threatened to arrest one of them if they did not obey. He also ordered another of the young men to lift up his genitals.

The officers were sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment - they have also been disqualified from the police force for six years. A third officer was acquitted. The sentence comes after the officers' appeals of their initial sentences handed down by the Segovia Provincial Court were thrown out.

This way of being searched, without sufficient reason, "caused objective humiliation to the three people involved and resulted in feelings of shame", the court heard. The incident was witnessed by the second officer who "despite this, did nothing to prevent it". The court rejected his claim that he did not commit any crime. "It was necessary, if he was a superior officer to the other accused officer, for him to order him to stop the strip search and if he did not stop to then go to the officer who had operational command there, who, according to the evidence, was the third officer," the court heard.
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Beetlejuice Beetlejuice trailer

Its showtime! Michael Keaton returns as your favorite ghost with the most in the first trailer for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Tim Burton returns to direct the sequel to the 1988 movie, which will also feature Winona Ryder, Catherine OHara and Wednesday star Jenna Ortega as Lydia Deetzs daughter. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydias life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened, the synosis says. With trouble brewing in both realms, its only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuices name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem. The fun begins Sept. 6.

Star Wars blue milk coming to stores

You can get Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans from Harry Potter and Duff Beer from The Simpsons, so why not blue milk from Star Wars? SlashFilm reports TruMoo is launching officially licensed blue milk in stores for the upcoming May the 4th Be with You celebration. The blue and green milk that Luke Skywalker drinks is already available at Stars Wars Galaxys Edge at Disney theme parks, but according to a press release this will be actual milk from a new partnership with Disney and Lucasfilm. TruMoo Blue Milk is 1% low-fat milk and features natural vanilla flavor and blue color for a truly galactic delicious experience your family will enjoy, the press release says, inviting fans to try the drink when it starts hitting grocery stores April 17, 2024.

New music

TGIF: New music out this week includes Tylas debut album, plus releases from Benson Boone, Shakira, Olivia Rodrigo, Ozzy Osbourne, The Veronicas, Kenny Chesney, Justice, Kenya Grace, Remi Wolf, and Lenny Kravitz.

MORE BUZZ:

Furiosa trailer: Anya Taylor-Joy enters the Max Max universe ( RS

Tomorrow X Together announces US tour ( BB

Aaron Taylor-Johnson reportedly offered role of new James Bond ( Time

Pete Davidson discontinues Bupkis after 1 season ( RS

Sinead OConnors daughter performs Nothing Compares 2 U ( BB

Ben Folds finalizes divorce from fifth wife ( ET

Kim Kardashian, Emma Roberts kiss in American Horror Story trailer ( RS

Jimmie Allen welcomes twins with another woman amid divorce from wife ( E!

Megan Thee Stallion, GloRilla team up for Hot Girl Summer tour ( BB

Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Snoop, Eminem star in Dres Anatomy spoof ( ET

Alien: Romulus trailer takes franchise back to horror roots ( RS

Buzz is a daily roundup of entertainment news about movies, TV, music and celebrities.
More than 40 countries working on creation of special tribunal to bring Russia to justice for aggression against Ukraine  diplomat

More than 40 countries are currently working on the creation of a special tribunal to hold Russia accountable for aggression against Ukraine, said Borys Tarasiuk, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the Council of Europe, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in 1998-2000 and 2005-2007.

"The Council of Europe was the first to discuss the issues of punishing Russia as an aggressor for crimes. Both for compensation for damages and for the special tribunal. As for punishment and compensation for losses, the Council of Europe has demonstrated an unprecedented pace of resolving the issue, if it is passed," Tarasiuk said during the 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum (KSF), founded by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation.

According to him, there were doubts among the permanent representatives of the member countries in the Council of Europe as to whether the Council could be the international organization where the register of losses would be developed, but this issue was resolved at the summit of the organization.

"I am proud that we have managed to take this important step - to create a register of losses, which will begin its work on April 2 this year. This is only the first step. This step should be followed by two other steps, namely the creation of a compensation commission and the creation of a compensation fund," the diplomat said.

As for the special tribunal, he said that a coalition of States, numbering more than 40 countries, is currently working, which informally meet and discuss fundamental issues regarding the principles of the creation of the special tribunal.

"And there turned out to be much more problems here than the issue of the compensation mechanism. But now there is a discussion going on these days, in which, I am sure, they will come to the conclusion that the Council of Europe is asking to be a diplomatic platform to resolve the issue of a special tribunal," the ambassador stressed.

He added that today the Council of Europe has united all, and these are 46 countries, around the idea of how to ensure the responsibility of the aggressor. And by compensating for the damage caused, and by punishing the crime of aggression of the Russian political and military leadership.

The 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum, organized to mobilize transatlantic support for Ukraine, is taking place on March 21-22.
Ilion, N.Y.  A former financial secretary for the union that represented workers at the Remington gun factory in Ilion, Herkimer County, was sentenced to four years probation in federal court Thursday.

Jay Garnsey, 40, of Richfield Springs, submitted fake reimbursement vouchers to the United Mine Workers of America, Local 717, from late 2015 to December 2019, prosecutors from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of New York said in a news release.
A longtime member of Styx is leaving the classic rock band, days before a concert in Syracuse.

Ricky Phillips, a bassist whos been touring and recording with Styx for more than 20 years, announced on Facebook that he is taking a breather from performing.

My last 20+ years of touring and recording with my friends in Styx has come to an end. I am taking a break from the road. Im not retiring, just taking a break, he wrote Wednesday. Of course, I will always cherish the adventurous days recording and touring with Styx. And, I will truly miss the wonderfully-crazy and faithful Styx fans... whose smiling faces I often saw more than my own family.

Styx is currently scheduled to perform at the Landmark Theatre in Syracuse on Sunday, March 24. A limited number of ticket still available through Ticketmaster.

Its unclear who will replace Phillips on Styxs tour, which also includes a July 30 concert booked with Foreigner at the Broadview Stage at SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center) in Saratoga Springs. According to NJ.com, original Styx bassist Chuck Panozzo is still involved with the band but at a limited capacity due to his HIV diagnosis.

Styx is a Grammy-nominated rock band known for hits like Lady, Come Sail Away, Mr. Roboto and Renegade. The groups recent Central New York concerts include 2022 and 2018 shows at the Syracuse amphitheater (now known as the Empower FCU Amphitheater at Lakeview) and a Utica stop in 2019.

Phillips, 71, said his music career has included 50 years of touring with Styx, The Babys, Bad English, opening for Tina Turner (on the Private Dancer tour with John Parr), Belinda Carlisles first solo tour, rehearsing in Tahoe and recording at Little Mountain in Canada with Jimmy Page and David Coverdale and writing, touring, and co-producing 10/10 with Ronnie Montrose. But despite leaving Styxs current tour, he insisted that he has more music ahead.

Presently, I have accepted an offer to co-produce a project in a studio close to home. Ive known since I was a kid that live performance is in my blood so, in time I will post any future engagements or commitments. But for right now, Melissa and I will share coffee talk and meals from home...with our critters close by, Phillips wrote.

Styx wished Phillips the best in a post on the bands official Facebook page.

It was a joy to spend two decades with Ricky Phillips in Styx and we wish him all the best in his next adventure, a statement said. Hell always be a part of the Styx family and well miss his presence on our stage and in our touring lives.
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.
Dutch PM: Were working hard to ensure that F-16s fly in skies over Ukraine as soon as possible

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has said that work is underway to ensure that F-16 fighters are in Ukraine as soon as possible.

"When people ask me why it is so important for the Netherlands and the West to continue supporting Ukraine, I always answer: it's time to ask ourselves what freedom means to us - real freedom," he said in a special video message during the 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum, founded by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation.

Rutte recalled that he visited Kharkiv three weeks ago. "People there know the answer to this question. Because for them, the struggle for freedom is a reality. This is a cruel reality for all Ukrainians," he stressed.

The Prime Minister stressed that the Netherlands would continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. In this context, in particular, a ten-year bilateral security agreement was signed, "to show that we remain committed. To send a clear message to Kyiv, our international partners and Moscow that we are unwavering."

"Undoubtedly, this means that we must turn our words into actions. And that's exactly what we're doing. This year, the Netherlands will allocate another EUR 2 billion for military support to Ukraine," Rutte said.

He also recalled that the Netherlands had allocated EUR 250 million for the initiative of the Czech Republic to purchase artillery shells.

"And this will not be our last contribution. We are also working hard to ensure that 24 Dutch F-16s fly in the skies over Ukraine as soon as possible," he stressed.

The Prime Minister also added that no less important is the issue of responsibility and the restoration of justice after the end of the war, saying that on April 2, the Netherlands, as co-organizers, will host the conference Restoring Justice for Ukraine in The Hague.

"The issue of responsibility is close to our hearts in the Netherlands. After all, my hometown of The Hague is an international city of peace and justice," he concluded.

The 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum, organized to mobilize transatlantic support for Ukraine, is taking place on March 21-22.
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Re: Bought a Yacht | 2006 Drammer 935 Classic



We brought Sirion home!



Last Sunday afternoon, Mrs D. and I set off for the marina which has been Sirion's home port for the last 13 years. We had decided to stay on board Sirion the evening before her maiden trip.



We had to cast off, really early and we wanted to get settled in and put all our gear away. In the end, this turned out to be a good decision. Because this was the first time we would sleep, eat, and live on Sirion for some 60 hours. So we had plenty of time on Sunday evening to unpack all our stuff, store provisions, figure out some stuff, etc.



We were pleasantly surprised by how well Sirion's heater works. Very simple, a diesel heater. But it worked well and we were cosy, tied up in the Marina with rain falling on our cabin.



We got up at around 06.00 AM and got ready to depart. The first thing is to put to flag out of course. Weather was a bit wet and grey, but was supposed to improve considerably. Very little wind.







Navigation lights on, Green on starboard, Red on port, white forward/rearwards







I had waited till about 06.30 to cast off, Sun rise was 06.45 so we had sufficient light by then. I did not want to leave and manoeuvre through the marina in the dark.



As I showed in the previous post, I had spend hours and hours planning this trip. Pouring over various charts, maps and of course the Almanac.



Because we were so early in the season, several of the bridges on our route were not operational yet. You need to call ahead, 24 hours in advance, to agree on a timeslot when you will be there and they will open the bridge for you.



But it also means you need to show up at the agreed time. Our first agreed bridge opening was 14.00 hours. Somewhere along the river Vecht. I had figured we needed to reach the lock in Muiden, entry to the Vecht, by 11.30 latest. The speed at the Vecht is limited at 9 km/h and some stretches only 6 km/h.



Which all meant casting off early and running Sirion at an average of 12,5 km/h for the first 3,5- 4 hours. Only one lock, within 10 km of us leaving the marina.



I called the lock operator on our VHF radio. As you can see the lights are still red here. He readied the lock for us right away.







Green lights in we go!!







Mate Mrs D. handling the lines like a pro! Notice the life jacket. We wear them all the time on large waters, lakes, rivers and in locks! Safety first, always!







A little later we encountered our first couple of sailing vessels. They also had AIS. I was keeping Sirion inside the channel of Buyos, starboard side. Which meant the sailing boats had to give us right of way. These are very wide waters, but they have very shallow parts and lots of weeds. So I stick to being between the buyos, no matter what!











Some very sporty types, out in the rain and cold on their rowing boat!







There are two entries into Muiden. Both have buyos all the way, but the shortest route takes you across some shallows. According to my channel water depth could be as low as 1,3m. Sirion's draught is 90 cm!! Still, we went ahead because the other entry would have taken 45 minutes extra. So we slowed down, to a very sedate 4-5 km/h and watched our depth gauge continuously. We never saw less than 2 meters in depth.



So here we are entering Muiden at 10.50. Ahead of schedule!! I called the lock. This lock is known as the "large Sea Lock". More than a century ago, this water was known as the Zuiderzee, (Southern Sea) with an open connection to the North Sea. The "afsluitdijk" was completed in 1932, which meant this sea turned into a lake. Subsequently, the Dutch put lots more dikes up and pumped out the water and reclaimed a lot of land from the former sea.



As far as I know, this is the only inland sea lock in the Netherlands.









We passed our very first lock with no incidents, all went very smoothly. Sky was still a bit grey and dull. We passed this old steam pumping station. It is not used anymore, it has been turned into a museum. Believe it or not, we still have an operational steam pump station up in the province of Friesland. Every year during the winter it is used to help pump water into the IJsselmeer.







This is how the steering stand looks like during these trips. Paper chart at the ready. My iPad has the wonderful planning app Waterkaarten (nautical chart), I keep track of our progress separately in my log and I also have the Almanac ready.







Raymarine radar and chart plotter are on of course.







Sky beginning to clear







Time for a cappuccino for the crew and skipper!







We passed some interesting towns, marinas and other landmarks. Look at this. These new buildings have been modelled on old traditional Dutch warehouses.







I mentioned before to always run the radar, irrespective of the weather and our visibility. I have figured out all the basic functionalities but still lots more to discover on how I can optimize this electronic kit.







Everywhere in the Netherlands, you will find ferries or pontjes as we call them. The larger ones will take cars as well. But there are hundreds of what we call voet/fietsveren. (pedestrian/cyclist ferries).



Many people use a bicycle to go to work, kids go to school on their bicycles. Getting across a river or a canal by bridge might mean large detours. So we have lots of these little "pontjes". They come in all sorts of sizes and shapes.







Although you do need proper charts when sailing the Dutch waters, some of the waterway intersections have signs for directions.







Did I mention this trip will get us through 46 bridges? The Waterkaart app and the almanac will tell us if we fit underneath, maybe have to put our mast down, or the bridge might have to open for us. This one, I don't need to look it up, we can fit underneath, and it's mast up easily!!







Apart from being the first mate, Mrs. D is only in charge of the food and the galley. Yes, I know very traditional, but that is just how things are in our marriage. Which has lasted, well over 40 very happy years!



Hot water comes from our boiler. It can be heated electrically by 220 VAC or by the engine cooling water.







Still a bit gloomy the weather as we came across our very first barge. This is a fairly small one. I pick them up on my radar/chart plotter as all of these ships have AIS.







It is fully loaded. People are often amazed at how deep these vessels are in the water. But that is just normal.



Sirion Maiden Voyage Day 1:We brought Sirion home!Last Sunday afternoon, Mrs D. and I set off for the marina which has been Sirion's home port for the last 13 years. We had decided to stay on board Sirion the evening before her maiden trip.We had to cast off, really early and we wanted to get settled in and put all our gear away. In the end, this turned out to be a good decision. Because this was the first time we would sleep, eat, and live on Sirion for some 60 hours. So we had plenty of time on Sunday evening to unpack all our stuff, store provisions, figure out some stuff, etc.We were pleasantly surprised by how well Sirion's heater works. Very simple, a diesel heater. But it worked well and we were cosy, tied up in the Marina with rain falling on our cabin.We got up at around 06.00 AM and got ready to depart. The first thing is to put to flag out of course. Weather was a bit wet and grey, but was supposed to improve considerably. Very little wind.Navigation lights on, Green on starboard, Red on port, white forward/rearwardsI had waited till about 06.30 to cast off, Sun rise was 06.45 so we had sufficient light by then. I did not want to leave and manoeuvre through the marina in the dark.As I showed in the previous post, I had spend hours and hours planning this trip. Pouring over various charts, maps and of course the Almanac.Because we were so early in the season, several of the bridges on our route were not operational yet. You need to call ahead, 24 hours in advance, to agree on a timeslot when you will be there and they will open the bridge for you.But it also means you need to show up at the agreed time. Our first agreed bridge opening was 14.00 hours. Somewhere along the river Vecht. I had figured we needed to reach the lock in Muiden, entry to the Vecht, by 11.30 latest. The speed at the Vecht is limited at 9 km/h and some stretches only 6 km/h.Which all meant casting off early and running Sirion at an average of 12,5 km/h for the first 3,5- 4 hours. Only one lock, within 10 km of us leaving the marina.I called the lock operator on our VHF radio. As you can see the lights are still red here. He readied the lock for us right away.Green lights in we go!!Mate Mrs D. handling the lines like a pro! Notice the life jacket. We wear them all the time on large waters, lakes, rivers and in locks! Safety first, always!A little later we encountered our first couple of sailing vessels. They also had AIS. I was keeping Sirion inside the channel of Buyos, starboard side. Which meant the sailing boats had to give us right of way. These are very wide waters, but they have very shallow parts and lots of weeds. So I stick to being between the buyos, no matter what!Some very sporty types, out in the rain and cold on their rowing boat!There are two entries into Muiden. Both have buyos all the way, but the shortest route takes you across some shallows. According to my channel water depth could be as low as 1,3m. Sirion's draught is 90 cm!! Still, we went ahead because the other entry would have taken 45 minutes extra. So we slowed down, to a very sedate 4-5 km/h and watched our depth gauge continuously. We never saw less than 2 meters in depth.So here we are entering Muiden at 10.50. Ahead of schedule!! I called the lock. This lock is known as the "large Sea Lock". More than a century ago, this water was known as the Zuiderzee, (Southern Sea) with an open connection to the North Sea. The "afsluitdijk" was completed in 1932, which meant this sea turned into a lake. Subsequently, the Dutch put lots more dikes up and pumped out the water and reclaimed a lot of land from the former sea.As far as I know, this is the only inland sea lock in the Netherlands.We passed our very first lock with no incidents, all went very smoothly. Sky was still a bit grey and dull. We passed this old steam pumping station. It is not used anymore, it has been turned into a museum. Believe it or not, we still have an operational steam pump station up in the province of Friesland. Every year during the winter it is used to help pump water into the IJsselmeer.This is how the steering stand looks like during these trips. Paper chart at the ready. My iPad has the wonderful planning app Waterkaarten (nautical chart), I keep track of our progress separately in my log and I also have the Almanac ready.Raymarine radar and chart plotter are on of course.Sky beginning to clearTime for a cappuccino for the crew and skipper!We passed some interesting towns, marinas and other landmarks. Look at this. These new buildings have been modelled on old traditional Dutch warehouses.I mentioned before to always run the radar, irrespective of the weather and our visibility. I have figured out all the basic functionalities but still lots more to discover on how I can optimize this electronic kit.Everywhere in the Netherlands, you will find ferries or pontjes as we call them. The larger ones will take cars as well. But there are hundreds of what we call voet/fietsveren. (pedestrian/cyclist ferries).Many people use a bicycle to go to work, kids go to school on their bicycles. Getting across a river or a canal by bridge might mean large detours. So we have lots of these little "pontjes". They come in all sorts of sizes and shapes.Although you do need proper charts when sailing the Dutch waters, some of the waterway intersections have signs for directions.Did I mention this trip will get us through 46 bridges? The Waterkaart app and the almanac will tell us if we fit underneath, maybe have to put our mast down, or the bridge might have to open for us. This one, I don't need to look it up, we can fit underneath, and it's mast up easily!!Apart from being the first mate, Mrs. D is only in charge of the food and the galley. Yes, I know very traditional, but that is just how things are in our marriage. Which has lasted, well over 40 very happy years!Hot water comes from our boiler. It can be heated electrically by 220 VAC or by the engine cooling water.Still a bit gloomy the weather as we came across our very first barge. This is a fairly small one. I pick them up on my radar/chart plotter as all of these ships have AIS.It is fully loaded. People are often amazed at how deep these vessels are in the water. But that is just normal.
For the last number of years, it seemed that remote working was the future and your physical presence wasn't all that important. However, return-to-office mandates have since come in thick and fast, and many modern workforces are either moving to, or have already moved, to hybrid ways of working.

According to the latest EY Future Workplace Index, full-time remote working plummeted from 34% in 2022 in the U.S. to just 1% in 2023. Meanwhile, multiple surveys reveal that remote workers are less likely to be promoted than in-office colleagues, and this is echoed in recent research from the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Location still matters. So much so that personal finance company WalletHub has released a list of the best and worst areas for STEM careers in the U.S., and the top billing might surprise you. For this research, the company compared the 100 most-populated U.S. metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), or metro areas for short, across three categories: professional opportunities, STEM-friendliness and quality of life, and weighted each evenly.

Simply the best

Making the top ten, in order from one to ten, are Austin, Seattle, Atlanta, Boston, Sacramento, San Jose, San Francisco, Pittsburg, Madison, and Minneapolis.

While many may expect San Francisco to have received top billing, the tech hub scored low in the quality of life ranking (61), bringing down its overall average, and placement to seventh. On the east coast, New York placed 34th, despite placing 9th for STEM-friendliness, it ranked 81st for quality of life and 55th for professional opportunities.

It was Austin that nabbed the top spot, with the highest ranking for professional opportunities, and placing 16th and 14th for STEM-friendliness and quality of life, respectively. Dell Technologies, headquartered in Round Rock since 1996, remains a major provider of employment. Add to this a vibrant start-up scene, an abundance of tech roles with high salaries on offer, and the proximity of top engineering education institutions.

West-coast tech hub Seattle follows with its high volume of tech jobs, and the fact that 7.5% of its GDP stems from R&D, one of the highest rates in the country.

And in third place, it's Atlanta for its high median wages (over $105k a year), and its engineering education opportunities, for example at Atlanta Sandy Springs. The Georgia city also ranked well for singles, and recreation.

Rated the worst

The lowest scoring areas for STEM workers were Indianapolis, Baton Rouge, Bridgeport, Greensboro, Cape Coral, Memphis, Oxnard, North Port, Augusta, Little Rock, and Jackson.

Both Little Rock and Indianapolis had some of the lowest employment growth in STEM, while the former was also among the lowest of median wage growth for STEM workers.

STEM career advice

Helpfully, the research also includes advice for finding a good STEM job. It advocates for attending a quality university with a robust STEM offering, then moving to a city that ranks well for STEM opportunities, but to balance your decision with quality of living considerations. It also advises to look for remote roles.

Beyond these basics, it recommends networking by attending conferences and engaging in online communities, developing strong communication skills and diversifying your skillset to include project management, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Inspired to find a new STEM role? The TechSpot Job Board is the perfect place to start to search as you can search by country, state or city location, and there's also a dropdown option for "Remote USA." It features thousands of openings in companies actively hiring right now, including these three.

Zendesk

It's hard to miss Zendesk. The SaaS customer service platform is used by the world's leading brands for their help desks, email marketing, live chat, and customer engagement.

Recently it's been hiring into a number of remote positions, such as Technical Architect, Principal Value Architect, Cloud Security Architect and Business Analyst, as well as a number of Account Executive roles. View job specs here.

Salesforce

Salesforce is always hiring, and the CRM software company hires all over the U.S., including many of the top ten areas for STEM workers. So if you're lucky enough to live in San Francisco, Austin, Seattle, Atlanta or Boston already, consider its available roles.

Recently advertised roles include Technical Support Engineer, Principal Technical Program Manager, IT Product Management, Risk Operations Manager and AMTS Software Engineer. Take a look here.

ByteDance

From TikTok and Helo to platforms specific to the Chinese market, ByteDance has a suite of over a dozen products that are always evolving. The company hires regularly in Seattle, San Jose and Boston, as well as New York and San Diego for all levels, from graduate and intern to leads and directors.

Jobs recently on offer include Software Engineer - Database MySQL, Technology Lead Manager SRE, Research Scientist Intern and Site Reliability Engineer Graduate. Check out ByteDance jobs here.
In a nutshell: Google is planning to expand its presence in the Midwest with a new data center. Kansas City has been chosen to host the new plant, and Mountain View will also contribute to education and renewable energy programs in the region.

Google will spend $1 billion to build a new data center in Kansas City. Monique Picou, Google VP of cloud supply chain and operations, announced the initiative at a press conference attended by both Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Missouri governor Mike Parson. The new plant is expected to provide significant benefits for Missouri's Northland economy, while Picou highlighted how Kansas City and Google can work together to bring a brighter future to the region.

Data centers are the backbone of Google's investment strategy, Picou said, especially now that the industry is reaching an important "inflection point" for tech innovation thanks to AI algorithms. Governor Parson said that the data center will support up to 1,300 jobs, a majority of which will be part of construction operations for the new plant.

Mayor Lucas said that one in every ten workers in Kansas City is involved in the technology industry, and thanks to Google, the city will keep growing its appeal for tech companies. The firm is planning to fund the North Kansas City School District's STEAM center with a $100,000 grant, and to bring its Skilled Trades and Readiness program to the area.

Mountain View is also partnering with Ranger Power and D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) to acquire a carbon-free energy source for its data center. The plant will seemingly be fed 400 megawatts by the Missouri-based Beavertail Solar farm, an energy station located in a former coal community that will help Google achieve its ambitious goals for an all carbon-free energy consumption by 2030.

Despite the high-profile announcement involving local institutions and politicians, Google still has to provide any details about a potential timeline for its new data center. No specific date is known for when construction works will begin, or even when the plant will start processing and crunching digital data for generative AI applications.

Most people seem to be enthusiastic about Google's first major investment in Missouri. The Missouri Department of Economic Development is highlighting the value of the state's economic advantages and "collaborative partnerships," with Mountain View joining a "growing list" of innovative companies investing in the region.
Why it matters: The United Nations General Assembly has taken an unprecedented stand over AI promotion and development, declaring that the world needs algorithms that are safe and secure for anyone. The Assembly approved the decision by a wide margin. However, stopping the unsafe exploitation of machine learning on a global scale is an entirely different matter.

The UN General Assembly adopted a draft resolution prepared by US representatives to promote AI development. The resolution says that the UN must seize the opportunity to create safe, secure, and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems, which must also guarantee "sustainable development" for all people worldwide.

The draft was co-sponsored or backed by more than 120 UN Member States, including China. Due to its massive sponsorship, the UN adopted the resolution without a vote. According to the US National Security Advisor, this unprecedented attempt to regulate an emerging field in advanced technology can be a "historic" step forward for safe AI.

Member states and other stakeholders are encouraged to "refrain" from using AI systems incompatible with international human rights laws. The same fundamental rights people enjoy offline must also be protected online, including the complete life cycle of artificial intelligence systems.

While machine learning and AI algorithms (including the GPT-x foundation models and the ChatGPT chatbot) come from a reasonably long history of open-source development, not all countries are experiencing the same level of AI technology adoption and growth. United Nations members are therefore "urged" to cooperate with and support developing countries so that they can enjoy the benefits of AI as well.

United States Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield introduced the newly approved draft by stating that AI technology has the potential to unlock progress "on more issues, for more people." However, the world must approach AI as a global community to mitigate risks. Otherwise, we will "let it govern us."

The UN resolution promotes safe AI development and global cooperation but provides no significant measure for enforcing the new rules. More stringent attempts to regulate AI have already been made, with the European Union (and China) enforcing proper bans over AI applications that threaten netizens' rights.
Zelenskyy on opening of Office of Register of Damage caused by Russia: Important that Ukrainians will be able to submit applications in Kyiv soon

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during a meeting with Secretary General of the Council of Europe Maria Marija Pejcinovic Buric and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liechtenstein Dominique Hasler, welcomed the opening in Kyiv of the Office of the Register of Damage Caused by Russian Aggression in Ukraine.

"Thank you for the significant progress towards making the Register of Damage effectively functioning. It is important that Ukrainians will soon be able to submit relevant applications directly in Kyiv," Zelenskyy noted.

According to the presidential press service, the interlocutors also discussed strengthening cooperation between Ukraine and the Council of Europe on the issue of establishing a special tribunal to bring to justice those responsible for the crime of aggression against the Ukrainian state, in particular within the corresponding Core Group, which already includes more than 40 states.

The President informed Marija Pejcinovic Buric and Dominique Hasler about the efforts and initiatives of Ukraine on the return of Ukrainian children illegally deported by Russia.

The parties agreed to intensify cooperation on the creation of the relevant international legal instrument.
Google Flood Hub revolutionizes flood forecasting, combating the devastating impacts of floods worldwide.

A new study tells us how this technology leveraging the power of artificial intelligence (AI), this groundbreaking solution from Google delivers life-saving alerts to an astonishing 460 million people globally.

(Photo : Image via Google Flood Hub)

Google Flood Hub employs AI to forecast floods, offering life-saving alerts to 460 million globally, addressing flood risks exacerbated by climate change.

How Google's AI-Powered Flood Hub Is Helping Detect Floods Worldwide

Floods, one of the most disastrous natural calamities, ravage cities and industries around the world, causing billions of dollars in damage each year. The situation becomes even worse in areas where early warning systems are insufficient or non-existent, exposing millions to the danger of rising waters and flash floods.

The United Nations Environment Programme warns that with worsening global warming, the likelihood of experiencing more extreme weather events increases, extending the threat beyond current high-risk areas.

To address these concerns, Google is now leveraging its advanced technologies. In a recent research paper published in Nature, Google Research unveiled a revolutionary AI-powered global hydrological technology that promises significant improvements in flood forecasting worldwide.

This technology has been operationalized as part of the Flood Hub, a platform designed to bring actionable flood alerts directly to users through Google Search, Maps, and Android notifications.

Read Also: Google Boosts Chrome Security: Safe Browsing Now with Real-Time Protection

How Google Improves Global Flooding Data Tracking

The core of the issue lies in forecasting floods in regions with scarce data, especially in developing nations where traditional forecasting methods fall short. Google's solution? AI. By training global machine learning models on diverse weather and geographical datasets, Google's system can now predict flood events even in areas where river flow measurements are unavailable, termed ungauged watersheds.

The impact of Google's Flood Hub is profound. Over the past year, it has expanded its reach to cover 80 countries, reaching a whopping 460 million people who previously lacked access to reliable flood alerts.

These regions span Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and parts of South and Central America. Notably, the accuracy of flood warnings in Africa has been brought on par with forecasts in Europe, marking a significant stride in global flood resilience.

The journey to this groundbreaking solution began in 2017 with a pilot project in the flood-prone Patna region of India. Through further research and collaborations, Google AI refined its machine learning models, outperforming traditional hydrological simulations and paving the way for global implementation.

Google's flood forecasting operates on a sophisticated AI engine that processes multiple public weather datasets and physical watershed information. This complex system generates predictions of river floods up to seven days in advance with remarkably high accuracy, providing invaluable time for evacuation and preparation.

Recognizing the importance of collaboration, Google partners with the scientific community, governments, and aid organizations to maximize its impact. Collaborations with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) support efforts to provide early warnings about global climate hazards, aligning with the organization's "Early Warnings for All" initiative aimed at enhancing global resilience.

Looking ahead, Google remains optimistic about the future. With AI-driven advancements in flood forecasting, the company believes it can significantly reduce the impacts of flood events in vulnerable communities, potentially saving countless lives.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Google Launches Asia-Pacific Cyberdefense Hub in Tokyo to Tackle Rising Cyber Threats

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Elon Musk's firms have invested heavily in Nvidia's technology to develop advanced AI products. The Nvidia GTC 2024 conference in San Jose, California, attracted 16,000 participants and included discussions with xAI leaders, a firm the tech mogul launched in July 2023.

During the conference, Christian Szegedy and Igor Babuschkin from xAI demonstrated how Nvidia GPUs improve Grok, an AI chatbot model.

On Monday, Nvidia announced their Blackwell AI processors, with Elon Musk saying there is no AI hardware better. Known for OpenAI, Musk launched xAI to build AI models and tools.

With projects like the Tesla Bot and Optimus, Tesla is developing AI software for autonomous driving and humanoid robots.

While Tesla's income comes from its electric vehicles, Elon Musk strategically emphasizes AI and robotics. The Tesla Dojo supercomputer is intended to handle massive quantities of car footage and data to train AI algorithms.

Nvidia's market valuation is well over $2 trillion due to rising demand for its GPUs and associated hardware and services. New accelerator chips provide computational capacity for generative artificial intelligence workloads, robotics, research, and data center projects.

Nvidia's sales rose 265% to $22.1 billion in the previous quarter. Nvidia eclipsed Intel in revenues last year, demonstrating its market supremacy.

Nvidia's Crucial Role in Tesla's Supercomputer Project

Tesla's AI projects heavily rely on Nvidia. In August, former Tesla AI developer Tim Zaman unveiled a Tesla AI cluster powered by 10,000 Nvidia H100 processors.

In January, Musk revealed on X that Tesla plans to invest over $500 million in Nvidia hardware for the Dojo supercomputer, underscoring the significant financial commitment required to compete in AI development, as per a TechCrunch report.

During the fourth-quarter results call early this year, Elon Musk said Tesla will use Nvidia and Dojo for AI training. Oracle founder Larry Ellison, an investor in xAI, said that Oracle provided Nvidia GPUs for xAI's Grok model, illustrating the AI industry's increasing need for GPUs.

Read Also: Nvidia's GTC 2024 Unveils Game-Changing Blackwell Chip Shaping the Future of AI

Tesla announced the Dojo Supercomputer at its 2021 "AI Day" to aid in the company's goal of developing a fully autonomous car. The supercomputer will analyze massive volumes of video footage from Tesla's electric cars to train its Full Self-Driving Beta artificial intelligence.

Elon Musk indicated that Tesla would spend "well over $1 billion" on the Dojo Supercomputer project. Musk called the project a "long shot bet" valued at the "multi-hundred-billion-dollar level." Musk said the enterprise will scale beyond the first phase despite its considerable risk. He believes the Dojo investment is just a small part of the resources needed to compete in the fast-changing AI area.

Tesla Investing in Cybersecurity

Tesla continues to encourage white-hat hackers to improve cybersecurity. The corporation recently rewarded hackers with $200,000 in cash and a new Model 3 for discovering a new ECU vulnerability, as TechTimes reported.

At the 2024 Pwn2Own tournament in Vancouver, hackers attacked a Tesla ECU to win a Model 3 and cash. Tesla's cybersecurity approach relies on engagement with the cybersecurity community at events like Pwn2Own. According to Electrek, "bad" hackers attack systems, whereas "good" hackers find and fix weaknesses.

While at Pwn2Own in Vancouver, Synacktiv found and exploited Tesla's ECU and vehicle CAN BUS vulnerabilities. For their feat, the team received a $200,000 cash reward and a Tesla Model 3.

Cybersecurity risks rise as the automobile sector connects. Participating in hacking contests and Tesla's bug bounty program helps identify vulnerabilities to protect its EV products and users.

Related Article: Nvidia GTC 2024: Automotive Tech and Breakthroughs Unveiled in California

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The United Nations has officially adopted a U.S.-led draft resolution that ensures artificial intelligence's (AI) development will center on "safe, secure, and trustworthy" systems that do not trample international human rights laws.

The resolution, which has the backing of all 193 UN members, was reportedly approved on Thursday by agreement without a vote and with strong support from 123 countries in addition to the United States.

(Photo: ELODIE LE MAOU/AFP via Getty Images) On September 9, 2022, A half-masted United Nations flag flew at the UN offices in Geneva to mark Queen Elizabeth II's death.

The UN's resolution strongly urges all member states to abstain from or stop using artificial intelligence systems that either pose disproportionate risks to the enjoyment of human rights or are difficult to operate under international human rights law. The draft resolution states that people's online rights must be upheld just as they are offline, including while artificial intelligence systems are developing.

Additionally, the Assembly called on all States, businesses, civil society, research institutions, and the media to create and promote frameworks and approaches for governance and regulations about the safe, secure, and reliable use of artificial intelligence

US Vice President Kamala Harris lauded the resolution, saying it establishes a path forward on AI where every country can both seize the promise and manage the risks of AI.

Related Article: UN Urges Tech Giants to Stop Profiting from Toxic Content Fueling Antisemitism, Racism

EU's AI Act

United Nations' first landmark AI resolution follows just a few weeks after the European Union approved the world's first AI regulatory act. The EU Parliament formally accepted the regulatory framework with an overwhelming majority of 523 votes in favor, following the brokering of a preliminary political consensus in December.

The framework is the first significant collection of regulations in the world created to regulate AI technology and handle its many dangers and ramifications.

AI technology is categorized under the EU AI Act according to risk levels, which go from "unacceptable" to high, medium, and low danger. This classification scheme serves as the foundation for laws governing AI applications, which are designed to guarantee transparency and responsibility.

European Commissioner for Internal Market Legislation Thierry Breton praised the EU's position as a global leader in AI legislation. Roberta Metsola, the president of the European Parliament, underlined this idea and stressed the significance of striking a balance between innovation and the defense of basic rights.

Tech Corporations Join the AI Pledge

When the 2nd UNESCO Global Forum on AI was held in Kranj, Slovenia, in early February, Microsoft, LG, Lenovo, and five other multinational tech corporations also pledged to follow UNESCO's AI ethics recommendation. This is said to be the first time these tech companies have collaborated with the UN in this way.

According to a new agreement signed by the tech companies GSMA, INNIT, Lenovo Group, LG AI Research, Mastercard, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Telefonica, the tech giants will have to protect human rights in all phases of AI development, design, acquisition, sale, and usage.

Related Article: UN Forms High-Level AI Advisory Board to Guide Global Governance

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Unauthorized artificial intelligence (AI) imitations are now officially illegal as per Tennessee's newest law, the Ensuring Likeness, Voice, and Image Security Act (ELVIS Act). Gov. Bill Lee of Tennessee signed legislation on Thursday that is intended to shield musicians, composers, and other professionals in the music business from the possible risks posed by AI.

Advocates reportedly claim the objective is to guarantee that AI systems cannot imitate an artist's voice without the artist's permission. The law will be enacted on July 1.

The bill, which is being called first-of-its-kind legislation, was reportedly signed by Lee in the company of legislative leadership and country music artists Luke Bryan and Chris Janson at honky-tonk Robert's Western World in Nashville. Only three states recognize names, likenesses, and photos as property rights as opposed to rights of publicity, including the State.

(Photo: JAVIER TORRES/AFP via Getty Images) A recent study has revealed the growing concerns about the impact of AI on the music industry that could affect musicians' livelihoods.

The law establishes a new civil action in which one can be held accountable for publishing or performing someone else's voice without their consent or for using technology to generate an artist's name, image, voice, or likeness without the required authority.

However, it is unclear how successful the law will be in protecting artists' works from being copied and scraped by AI without their consent.

Legislation remains unproven, even with broad backing from the music industry and overwhelming approval from the Tennessee Statehouse, according to supporters like Lee. This degree of bipartisan consensus is a startling outlier during conflicts between the GOP supermajority and a few Democrats.

As policymakers and artists have lobbied for stricter protections over musicians' copyrights and intellectual property, the rise of AI has become a significant source of concern for both groups.

AI voice cloning tools have helped songwriters create viral (and controversial) songs that mimic superstar artists. Last year, voice-cloning tech caused a stir in the industry after an anonymous TikTok user made a popular song using the cloned vocals of Drake and the Weeknd. Companies like Splice and Soundful have made it easy for songwriters to create beats and songs using AI.

Read Also: AI-Powered Digital Watermarks Could Swiftly Speed up Copyright Infringement Cases, Study Finds

AI Deepfakes of Musicians

The controversial song "Heart on My Sleeve," which included Drake and The Weeknd's AI-generated voices, stirred up controversy and raised ethical, legal, and copyright questions last year.

After an anonymous producer going by the handle Ghostwriter977 uploaded a phony video of Drake and The Weeknd performing together on a song, the music went viral on TikTok. The song reached up to 10 million views in just one weekend and became a global sensation.

Furthermore, Ghostwriter posted the song to Spotify as well, where it received up to 250,000 streams. The song had a huge following and was considered one of the hottest songs released at the time by users of Spotify and TikTok.

Musicians over AI

Co-founder of Made Music Studio and award-winning television and film composer Joel Beckerman disputes the idea that AI would eventually replace composers in their entirety. He claims that storytelling and human connection are fundamental components of music appreciation and provides arguments supporting this claim.

Beckerman emphasizes how deeply fans relate with musicians such as Taylor Swift, whose music embodies universal themes of love, heartbreak, and personal development.

He reiterates that although AI programs may imitate Swift's speech patterns and even produce lyrics that sound like hers, they are not able to access the deep reservoir of life experiences that human musicians do.

Related Article: Why Adobe's AI Tool Is Great For Indie Musicians

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The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Apple, accusing the tech giant of unfair practices in smartphone markets. The lawsuit claims Apple has tried to control the market, which goes against the rules laid out in the Sherman Act.

Applauding DOJ's Antitrust Suit

In a significant turn of events, Spotify, Deezer, and other vocal critics of Apple are lauding the Department of Justice's recent filing of an antitrust lawsuit. The lawsuit targets Apple's control over the smartphone market, alleging that the tech giant undermines competition and stifles innovation.

This legal action follows Apple's ongoing struggles in Europe, where it faces challenges related to compliance with the Digital Markets Act and a hefty $2 billion fine resulting from a complaint lodged by Spotify.

Joined by attorneys general and district attorneys from 16 states, the DOJ's complaint accuses Apple of hindering competition by impeding the development of apps, products, and services that could reduce dependence on the iPhone, foster interoperability, and lower costs for consumers and developers.

The Verge reported that the Coalition for App Fairness, comprising developers such as Spotify, Epic Games, and Deezer, lauded the Department of Justice's initiative.

In a statement, the coalition hailed the DOJ's move as a significant step against Apple's dominance in the mobile app ecosystem, which they argue stifles competition and negatively impacts American consumers and developers alike.

Also read: Apple Claims it Complied with EU's DMA Despite Criticisms from Big Tech

Avery Gardiner, Spotify's Director of Global Competition Policy, stressed the significance of the Department of Justice's move, suggesting that it sheds light on Apple's negative effects on developers and creators who are committed to providing exceptional offerings to consumers.

By emphasizing Apple's practices' harmful consequences, Gardiner highlighted the need for congressional intervention following the DOJ's initiation of legal proceedings.

Reaffirming Legal Accountability

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco stressed the fundamental principle that no corporation, regardless of its influence or public standing, is immune to legal accountability.

She reiterated the Department's steadfast commitment to enforcing the law equally for all entities, emphasizing that this includes taking legal action against even the most prominent companies.

This affirmation underscores the Department's determination to ensure fairness and justice prevail in the enforcement of laws, particularly in cases involving powerful corporations like Apple.



Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department's Antitrust Division highlighted Apple's response to competitive threats over the years.

He described Apple's implementation of contractual rules akin to a "Whac-A-Mole" game, which allowed the company to raise consumer prices, impose higher fees on developers and creators, and stifle competition from rival technologies.

The lawsuit aims to hold Apple accountable for these practices and prevent their recurrence in other critical markets.

Related Article: Apple vs. Spotify: Coordinating with EU for Complaint Against Cupertino In Response to $2B Fine

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Microsoft has reportedly agreed to pay a hefty $650 Million to Inflection AI, days after the company hired its co-founders, Mustafa Suleyman and Karen Simonyan, along with 70 of its employees.

According to one source familiar with the agreement, Microsoft will pay $620 million to license Inflection's AI models and about $30 million to waive any legal claims pertaining to the mass hiring. An inquiry for comments was not immediately answered by Microsoft. AI Inflection opted not to respond.

(Photo: JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images) People visit the US technology company Microsoft's stand during the Mobile World Congress (MWC), the telecom industry's biggest annual gathering, in Barcelona on February 26, 2024.

The sale will make Inflection's investors whole with a moderate return on investment. Some legal and industry experts have suggested that Microsoft's Inflection deal could spark antitrust concerns with US regulators. The unusual deal was first reported by Bloomberg News and resembled an "acqui-hire"but without an acquisition.

Inflection introduced Pi, a chatbot that was positioned as a more pleasant and dependable personal assistant than rivals, during the height of investor interest in chatbots last year.

However, Suleyman said to Bloomberg this week that Inflection could not develop a workable business plan.

Reid Hoffman, a venture capitalist and Microsoft board member, will continue to serve as a director and co-founder of Inflection as the business charts a new direction. Sean White, a board member and former Mozilla chief research and development officer, will take over as CEO.

Read Also: Microsoft Says UK Cybersecurity Has Improved Against Attacks

Microsoft and Inflection AI's Partnership

Inflection will keep its exclusive technology. As stated in a blog post on Tuesday, the company believes it is in a good position to work with businesses like Microsoft.

Also, Inflection AI has declared the inflow of $1.3 billion in finance, with newcomer NVIDIA, Microsoft, Reid Hoffman, Bill Gates, and Eric Schmidt spearheading the investment drive. With this, the total amount invested in Inflection reaches $1.525 billion.

Inflection is launching an ambitious project to build the largest AI cluster in the world, with a whopping 22,000 NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs, in partnership with CoreWeave and NVIDIA.

Microsoft's payment comes after the company recruited Mustafa Suleyman and Karen Simonyan, co-founders of the well-known AI startup Inflection AI, along with several of their team members, as part of its ongoing effort to draw in elite talent in the AI field.

Inflection AI's Prominence

The software giant wants to further enhance its AI-related services as 2024 progresses since AI is currently leading the sector. The organization is dedicated to competing with the leading AI companies by appointing professionals with relevant experience.

Established in 2022 by Reid Hoffman and Mustafa Suleyman, Inflection AI rose to fame for its efforts to create AI systems that could converse freely and offer assistance with various jobs.

With support from Microsoft, Inflection AI is shifting its emphasis to the AI studio business, focusing on developing and evaluating generative AI models for clients. The company highlights that it is putting more emphasis on developing APIs to enable artists everywhere.

Related Article: Reports: Apple in Talks with Google, OpenAI to Integrate Gemini AI, ChatGPT into iPhone

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Dubai's Road and Transport Authority (RTA) is reportedly testing out AI robots by having them patrol the country's Jumeirah 3 Beach. The robot is set to detect violations along the beach with motion sensors and 4K cameras.

The robocop will use facial recognition technology and link it to an Emirates ID to fine anyone found in violation of Dubai's regulations governing electric scooters and bicycles.

This was made public on Thursday when the RTA started the smart robot's trial phase at the Jumeirah 3 beach region.

The robot, equipped with AI, is assigned to monitor the use of soft mobility devices, such as electric scooters and bicycles, by sharing, analyzing, and detecting infractions in conjunction with Dubai Police.

(Photo: MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images) NASA's humanoid robot Valkyrie is on display during the finals of the DARPA Robotics Challenge at the Fairplex complex in Pomona, California, on June 5, 2015.

The director of RTA's Enterprise Command and Control Department, Hamad Alafeefi, listed the five major infractions: riding scooters and bicycles on walking tracks or in pedestrian-only zones; abandoning scooters in unapproved areas; riding scooters by multiple riders; and assembling crowds on cycle tracks. Penalties for these infractions can reach Dh300.

However, Alafeefi stated that since the robot will just record the images and information of these infractions and forward them to the authorities during the testing phase, no fines will be imposed during the 30-day trial period.

Alafeefi states that the trial period's main objectives will be to investigate the accuracy of AI detection and the caliber of data monitoring during the eight-hour operation period.

Read Also: Robot Cassie Masters Dynamic Movements Through Reinforcement Learning

AI Robot's Testing Phase

The Chinese business Terminus created the autonomous robot inspector, which detects infractions with an 85% accuracy rate. To guarantee the security and safety of drivers, it may also issue announcements to the public and function in a variety of weather situations.

During the trial phase, the robot will be available from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. on weekends. After the testing period, the real operating phase will see the deployment of these robots in other areas, changing the operational hours once again.

Global AI-Powered Robots

Globally, AI-powered robots continue to boom as numerous tech behemoths bet on the sector. Project GR00T, one of the centerpieces of NVIDIA's GTC 2024 presentation, was just revealed. The project aims to produce a basic model that will be applied to developing humanoid robots.

The company's Generalist Robot 00 Technology, or GR00T for short, will be built to mimic human gestures and comprehend natural language.

A recent update video for Figure 1, the robot driven by OpenAI, was also made available by the AI robotics startup Figure. In the two-and-a-half-minute video, the humanoid robot answers questions and demonstrates its ability to perform manual chores like handing an apple.

According to the video, Figure 1 responds to questions about what it sees by speaking about the thing on the table before it, showcasing the robot's advanced linguistic, visual, and natural language processing abilities.

Related Article: EELS: This Snake-like Robot Is Set to Slither on Saturn's Moon, Look for Signs of Life

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The US Air Force has completed testing of its hypersonic AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon, marking a significant milestone in the development of advanced military technology.



According to a report by New Atlas, the test, conducted on March 17, involved the missile's deployment from a B-52H Stratofortress at the Reagan Test Site in the Marshall Islands.

Hypersonic AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon

Hypersonic missiles, capable of surpassing conventional air defense systems with speeds exceeding five times the speed of sound, offer a paradigm shift in warfare akin to the advent of jet propulsion.



Despite this potential, the absence of a hypersonic missile in the United States arsenal has been a point of contention, particularly as rival nations like Russia and China have already introduced their own iterations.



Completing testing for the hypersonic missile represents a crucial step forward for the US military, which has faced pressure to match the advancements made by its global counterparts.



While Russia's hypersonic attacks in Ukraine following its 2022 invasion did not yield the anticipated impact, the urgency to develop competitive hypersonic capabilities remains unabated.



The final flight test of the hypersonic missile, developed by Lockheed Martin, signifies the culmination of an extensive evaluation process. Although the Air Force has not disclosed specific details regarding the test's outcomes, valuable insights have been gained, contributing to the ongoing refinement of hypersonic capabilities.



With no further tests planned for the AGM-183A ARRW and no allocation of funds requested from Congress for additional testing, the program is expected to transition toward the production phase.

Read Also: Northrop Grumman, US Air Force to Develop Advanced Air-to-Ground Missile to Take on Fast-Moving Enemies





Lockheed Martin's Confidence in AARW's Revolutionary Capabilities

Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the hypersonic missile, expressed confidence in the ARRW's revolutionary capabilities and reiterated its commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions to the US Air Force.



Leveraging industry-leading technology and testing successes, Lockheed Martin stands poised to provide additional hypersonic-strike assets to bolster the nation's military capabilities.



Lockheed Martin reaffirmed its readiness to deliver ARRW technology or alternative hypersonic capabilities to the Air Force, emphasizing the company's dedication to supporting the nation's defense endeavors.



"Following the recent end-to-end flight test, Lockheed Martin has completed the test program with full confidence in ARRW's revolutionary capabilities, and we stand ready to deliver this fully-qualified, hypersonic solution to the U.S. Air Force," the company said in a statement to Defense News.



"Building on ARRW's industry-leading technology and testing success, Lockheed Martin can quickly deliver additional hypersonic-strike assets that can be rapidly deployed to the U.S. military."

Related Article: US Air Force Receives First Electronic Warfare Aircraft 'EC-37B Compass Call' From BAE Systems and L3Harris Technologies





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Google has recently announced its decision to remove third-party applications and clock faces from all Fitbit smartwatches used in the European Union by June 2024.

9to5Google reports that this decision, attributed to "regulatory requirements," is expected to impact users across the European Economic Area.

(Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 01: Fitbit smartwatches are displayed at a Best Buy store on November 01, 2019 in San Rafael, California. Google parent company Alphabet announced plans to purchase smartwatch maker Fitbit for $2.1 billion.

Google to Nix Third-Party Fitbit Watch Apps and Faces in EU

The decision marks a shift in the smartwatch landscape, particularly for users of Fitbit devices. According to Google, this action is necessitated by regulatory changes, potentially referencing the EU's Digital Markets Act, although the precise reasons have not been disclosed by the company.

Fitbit users in the EU will no longer have access to third-party apps and clock faces through the Fitbit App Gallery starting in June. This means they will lose the ability to download and install new apps or clock faces, although it remains unclear whether previously installed apps and faces will continue to function.

The affected Fitbit devices include a range of popular models such as Fitbit Sense 2, Fitbit Versa 4, Fitbit Sense, Fitbit Versa 3, Fitbit Versa 2, Fitbit Versa Lite, Fitbit Versa, and Fitbit Ionic. Notably, Fitbit trackers are not impacted by this decision, nor are Google Pixel Watch or Pixel Watch 2.

This is not the first time Google has made changes to third-party app access on Fitbit devices. Earlier adjustments were made to Fitbit Sense 2 and Versa 4, where third-party apps were entirely removed, while third-party clock faces remained accessible.

Read Also: Pixel 8a is Coming, Google Engineer Confirms the Budget Version Smartphone

Google Is Rebranding Fitbit

In other news, Google is also rebranding its Fitbit line. Previously known as "Fitbit by Google," the branding will now shift to "Google Fitbit." This change has already been reflected on various platforms, including fitbit.com, videos, and product packaging.

Furthermore, the Fitbit wordmark has been updated, and the Google Sans font is now in use, indicating a more cohesive integration of the two brands. The move signifies Google's continued efforts to streamline its hardware offerings and strengthen its position in the wearable tech market.

This integration extends beyond branding changes. The Google Store recently introduced a range of Fitbit smartwatch and tracker accessories, indicating deeper integration between the two entities.

Google's reorganization of its hardware division earlier this year further underscores its move to integrate Fitbit into its ecosystem. By merging Pixel, Nest, and Fitbit divisions into a single functional organization, Google aims to streamline operations and enhance collaboration across its hardware teams.

However, this integration has not been without its challenges. Following the reorganization, several Fitbit leaders, including co-founders James Park and Eric Friedman, departed from Google.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Google Fined 250 Million by French Authorities in Media Payment Deal Breach

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Chinese tech giants like Tencent Holdings and Kuaishou Technology are advancing and using large language models (LLMs), which drive emerging AI technologies, as the US-China tech war intensifies.



Top leaders from key Chinese tech enterprises discussed their success during earnings season. Since OpenAI introduced its ChatGPT chatbot in 2022, Chinese IT businesses are racing to catch up to global tech leaders as artificial intelligence advances rapidly, according to SCMP.

Chinese Rivals Beat ChatGPT, Midjourney

On a post-earnings call, Kuaishou founder and CEO Cheng Yixiao announced KwaiYii LLM improvements for the largest Chinese short-video platform operator. Cheng stated that KwaiYii has outperformed GPT-3.5 and is approaching GPT-4 in several parameters.



The company believes KwaiYii might challenge GPT-4 in six months and noted that its KeTu text-to-image model outperformed Midjourney V5, an AI image-generating service from San Francisco.



Meanwhile, Tencent's Hunyuan LLM won worldwide praise. Tencent president Martin Lau Chi-ping hailed the company's emphasis on improving its AI models' text-based picture and video generation as a key goal.

Tencent also launched Follow-Your-Click, an image-to-video paradigm, alongside academic partners Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Tsinghua University. This program adds motion to any picture using a text prompt and a mouse click.



Amid these developments, Tencent and Kuaishou are researching ways to use cutting-edge AI technology. CEO Cheng said Kuaishou wants to create generative AI models to boost content development, video quality, and production efficiency. Furthermore, KwaiYii helps Kuaishou improve automated customer support on online talent and property sales platforms.

(Photo : STR/AFP via Getty Images)

This photo taken on April 17, 2021 shows a worker checking a robot to be exported to the Middle East at the Chuangze robot factory, which manufactures the machines for the education, medical, and domestic services industries, in Zhangye in China's northwestern Gansu province.

Read Also: MIT Unveils AI Tool That Swiftly Generates High-Quality Images in One Step

Who's Leading in the US-China Tech War?

Former Sen. Amy Klobuchar's chief of staff, Doug Calidas, currently studies how the US-China tech rivalry competition affects American technology, politics, and policy at the Harvard Belfer Center.



As reported by Fox Business, Calidas shared his insights about the US-China tech war and its severity.He described the US's two main tactics. First, to compete, the US is aggressively investing in technology. Second, China's access to cutting-edge hardware and algorithms limits its AI advancement.



Despite major AI investments, especially following OpenAI's ChatGPT release, Calidas noticed a public sector rhetoric-action mismatch. He praised the Chips and Science Act of 2022 for boosting semiconductor production locally, but financing has fallen short due to Washington, DC, problems.



While Chinese AI development lags behind the US, Calidas noted that it has benefits, such as less rigorous civil and privacy rights allowing large data collections. He cited the US' abundant data and China's strict AI research laws, especially for generative AI.



Despite China's face recognition advancements, legislative control restricts public access to generative AI systems, creating a difficult balance for the Chinese leadership.



As the US-China tech war continues, California authorities arrested and charged former Google engineer Leon Ding (Linwei Ding) with four offenses for allegedly stealing AI secrets from Google's data centers.

TechTimes previously reported that Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco alleged Ding stole over 500 Google trade secrets files and worked with Chinese firms to acquire an AI edge. Ding stole Google's tensor processing unit (TPU) processor designs, essential for AI workloads, and GPU software blueprints and specifications for Google's data centers, including v4 and v6 TPU designs.

Related Article: U.S. Department of Justice vs. Apple: Cupertino Giant Might Be Forced to Defend its Business For Upcoming Years

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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Headquarters on Friday on issues of energy protection and liquidation of the consequences of the morning Russian strikes.

"Headquarters. The only topic today is energy. All reports are devoted to eliminating the consequences of Russian criminal shelling. Kharkiv and the region, Zaporizhia, Dnipro, Khmelnytsky and the region, Kryvy Rih, Sumy region, Poltava region, Odesa and the region, Vinnytsia and the region, Ivano-Frankivsk region and all the affected cities and communities," he wrote on Telegram.

The head of state also heard reports on the progress of restoration work, connecting houses to electricity, water and heat, providing people with temporary housing and all the necessary assistance.

In particular, chairmen of the board of Ukrenergo Volodymyr Kudrytsky and Naftogaz Oleksiy Chernyshov reported to the president on the state of the energy system and the priority steps to strengthen and further protect it.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrsky, and the Commander of the Air Force, Mykola Oleschuk, reported to Zelenskyy about the work of the air defense in recent days.

According to Zelenskyy, several closed decisions were made at the Headquarters meeting.

"But only the decision of our partners to provide a sufficient number of modern air defense systems can truly protect Ukraine. We work every day in this direction," he concluded.
The German Parliament has given the green light for a massive defense deal with Australia worth $2.9 billion.

This groundbreaking agreement entails the procurement of 123 Heavy Weapon Carrier vehicles, a crucial component for the German Bundeswehr's operations, with production slated to take place in Australia.

The contract, valued at approximately 2.7 billion, marks a historic milestone as the largest defense export agreement in Australia's history. Delivery is expected to get underway in 2025.

(Photo : Image via Rheinmetall)

Germany's historic defense deal with Australia involves supplying 123 Heavy Weapon Carrier vehicles, bolstering combat capabilities and fostering stronger bilateral ties amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.

Germany to Add 123 More Heavy Weapon Carriers

Rheinmetall, a leading German automotive and arms manufacturer, has been entrusted with the task of supplying these state-of-the-art vehicles. The Heavy Weapon Carriers, known as 'Schwerer Waffentrager Infanterie,' are designed to provide direct tactical fire support for infantry units, effectively replacing the Wiesel tracked vehicle.

What makes these vehicles particularly noteworthy is their role in Germany's new 'medium forces' category, allowing for rapid deployment over long distances and enhancing the country's combat capabilities.

Equipped with advanced weaponry, including the Rheinmetall MK30-2 ABM automatic cannon and a multi-role guided missile system (MELLS) for anti-tank defense, these Heavy Weapon Carriers represent a formidable addition to the Bundeswehr's arsenal.

Read Also: Beijing Picks Up 'Strong Message': Air Force Escalates US-China Arms Race with Latest Hypersonic Missile Test

What This Defense Deal Means for Germany and Australia

Armin Papperger, Chairman of the Executive Board of Rheinmetall AG, expressed pride in the company's selection for this prestigious project. "In order to be able to provide the Army with the required combat vehicles as quickly as possible, we are integrating not only our German but also the Australian sites in our Rheinmetall network," Papperger said.

For Australia, this defense deal holds immense significance beyond economic gains. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the agreement as a major boost to the country's sovereign defense industry, securing local jobs and contributing to economic growth.

The bilateral cooperation between Germany and Australia, exemplified by this defense deal, highlights the strengthening relationship between the two nations.

"This would be one of the largest Australian defense exports in the country's history and supports Rheinmetall's goal to further develop the capabilities of the Australian defense industry and integrate it into the company's global supply chains," John Abunassar, head of Rheinmetall's Vehicle Systems Division said.

This landmark agreement also reflects broader geopolitical dynamics, with Germany and its NATO allies ramping up defense spending in response to evolving security threats.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Germany announced a new defense policy, including a 100-billion-euro defense fund aimed at modernizing its armed forces. Rheinmetall's contract to supply Heavy Weapon Carriers to the Bundeswehr aligns with these efforts to bolster defense capabilities in the face of emerging challenges.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un Seen Here Driving New Battle Tank

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Reddit, the popular online social networking website, finally debuted as a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Thursday with the ticker symbol RDDT.

The San Francisco-based companys initial public offering (IPO), which was priced between $31 and $34 per share, instantly went up to $47 a share when it began trading on the NYSE (via CNBC).

It then peaked at $57.80 per share early Thursday afternoon, up by 70% above its IPO price, before closing up 48% at $50.44.

This means the business is currently valued at about $9.5 billion.

At the IPO, a total of $750 million was raised, with around $519 million going to Reddit stockholders.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, one of Reddits biggest shareholders is Sam Altman, owns 12.2 million shares of Reddit stock, reveals the companys IPO disclosures.

Reddits long-awaited IPO had been in the works for more than two years, with the company confidentially filing for an IPO in December 2021.

However, the stock market turmoil due to the Federal Reserves quantitative tightening led to a delay. At its IPO price, the company was valued at about $6.5 billion, less than the $10 billion valuation during a private funding round in 2021.

Last year, Reddits revenue increased to $804 million, a 20% increase. Advertising accounted for about 98% of its sales, while the remaining 2% came from data licensing.

However, it still incurred a loss of $90.8 million in 2023. The social media website hopes to generate revenue from its platform by licensing its content to companies that train artificial intelligence (AI) models.

In February this year, Reddit struck a deal worth about $60 million per year with Alphabets Google so that it could make its content and platform data available for training the tech giants AI models.

Its worth noting that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched an inquiry into the companys AI data licensing programs.

Given the novel nature of these technologies and commercial arrangements, we are not surprised that the FTC has expressed interest in this area, Reddit wrote in a regulatory filing. We do not believe that we have engaged in any unfair or deceptive trade practice.

With Reddit making its debut in the stock market, it will be interesting to see how the companys stock continues to perform in the face of the ongoing FTC investigation.
Attacks on Russian oil refineries have a significant impact on Russia's ability to fight a war, Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, commander of U.S. forces in Europe from 2014-17, has said.

Hodges said during the 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum, founded by Arseniy Yatsenyuk's Open Ukraine Foundation, that hits on refineries do have a significant impact. According to him, Russia can pay less for this war, and this also deprives it of the necessary fuel to continue hostilities. "I would recommend ignoring calls to stop such attacks," General Hodges said.

He also stressed that it is necessary to strengthen sanctions against Russia. Also, according to the general, 2024 will be the year of industrial competition.

"Ukraine and the West should win this competition. I am talking about of course building up ammunition supplies, but also moving forward maintenance capabilities so that the Ukrainian soldiers can fix forward equipment that is broken or damaged on site, as well as increasing their ammunition stocks," Hodges said.

Ukraine, in his opinion, should put pressure on Russian logistics, in particular on Crimea, in order to make the peninsula unsuitable for Russian troops.

The 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum takes place on March 21-22.
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

Israeli bombing of displaced people and journalists in the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir Al-Balah

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.

Journal de l'Afrique - Second reading of the New Constitution in Togo, a setback in the face of opposition pressure?

The execution of young Palestinian men in Khan Yunis...a crime filmed by the killer who failed to bury the evidence

Massive destruction by Israeli bombing that targeted the home of the Abu Aoun family in the Maghazi camp in the central Gaza Strip

Infusions, ginger, lemon... an expert in digestive health teaches how to strengthen the microbiota to end spring colds

Samantha Vallejo-Nagera's warning hours before the premiere of MasterChef 12: "This year's contestants are very crybaby"

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? The industry is hotly discussing in Shanghai how the domestic computing power industry will rise.

China Eastern Airlines will add new and expanded routes to many airports in Guangdong during the 2024 summer and autumn flight season

The price of electricity will remain negative for several hours this Monday

In response to the 2024 issue, the maximum speed for large trucks on expressways will be increased to 90km/h

Israeli magazine: We are faced with two options, the better of which is bitter

The State Duma proposed checking the legality of passports issued over the last 10 years

Sonko and the Senegalese... How did they make change despite the obstacles?

A rule so that appearances do not deceive: the EU legislates against 'greenwashing'

Commemoration of victims on 2nd anniversary of liberation of Bucha; many civilians killed in Russian military invasion

Britain probably couldn't fight Russia alone for more than two months

Until May 22: a court in Moscow arrested four accused of the terrorist attack in Crocus

Algorithmic video surveillance at the Olympics: what are we talking about, and why is it worrying?

Bandidos: a series so tacky that it seems taken from the Disney Channel of the 90s

The Russian Embassy in Seoul condemned the cartoon of the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall

Antibes: an orca dies at Marineland park, the second death in five months

The captain of the expedition that crossed the Atlantic under sail as in the 17th century to make a documentary dies at the age of 75 on the high seas

Daily Shincho: Mariupol residents do not feel the impact of the conflict on the life of the city

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.
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.

Journal de l'Afrique - Second reading of the New Constitution in Togo, a setback in the face of opposition pressure?

The execution of young Palestinian men in Khan Yunis...a crime filmed by the killer who failed to bury the evidence

Massive destruction by Israeli bombing that targeted the home of the Abu Aoun family in the Maghazi camp in the central Gaza Strip

Infusions, ginger, lemon... an expert in digestive health teaches how to strengthen the microbiota to end spring colds

Samantha Vallejo-Nagera's warning hours before the premiere of MasterChef 12: "This year's contestants are very crybaby"

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? The industry is hotly discussing in Shanghai how the domestic computing power industry will rise.

China Eastern Airlines will add new and expanded routes to many airports in Guangdong during the 2024 summer and autumn flight season

The price of electricity will remain negative for several hours this Monday

In response to the 2024 issue, the maximum speed for large trucks on expressways will be increased to 90km/h

Israeli magazine: We are faced with two options, the better of which is bitter

The State Duma proposed checking the legality of passports issued over the last 10 years

Sonko and the Senegalese... How did they make change despite the obstacles?

A rule so that appearances do not deceive: the EU legislates against 'greenwashing'

Commemoration of victims on 2nd anniversary of liberation of Bucha; many civilians killed in Russian military invasion

Coordination with Prime Minister Kishida invited to NATO summit meeting to be held in Washington, U.S. in July

Britain probably couldn't fight Russia alone for more than two months

Until May 22: a court in Moscow arrested four accused of the terrorist attack in Crocus

Algorithmic video surveillance at the Olympics: what are we talking about, and why is it worrying?

Bandidos: a series so tacky that it seems taken from the Disney Channel of the 90s

The Russian Embassy in Seoul condemned the cartoon of the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall

Antibes: an orca dies at Marineland park, the second death in five months

The captain of the expedition that crossed the Atlantic under sail as in the 17th century to make a documentary dies at the age of 75 on the high seas

Daily Shincho: Mariupol residents do not feel the impact of the conflict on the life of the city

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.
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

Israeli bombing of displaced people and journalists in the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir Al-Balah

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.

Journal de l'Afrique - Second reading of the New Constitution in Togo, a setback in the face of opposition pressure?

The execution of young Palestinian men in Khan Yunis...a crime filmed by the killer who failed to bury the evidence

Massive destruction by Israeli bombing that targeted the home of the Abu Aoun family in the Maghazi camp in the central Gaza Strip

Infusions, ginger, lemon... an expert in digestive health teaches how to strengthen the microbiota to end spring colds

Samantha Vallejo-Nagera's warning hours before the premiere of MasterChef 12: "This year's contestants are very crybaby"

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? The industry is hotly discussing in Shanghai how the domestic computing power industry will rise.

China Eastern Airlines will add new and expanded routes to many airports in Guangdong during the 2024 summer and autumn flight season

The price of electricity will remain negative for several hours this Monday

In response to the 2024 issue, the maximum speed for large trucks on expressways will be increased to 90km/h

Israeli magazine: We are faced with two options, the better of which is bitter

The State Duma proposed checking the legality of passports issued over the last 10 years

Sonko and the Senegalese... How did they make change despite the obstacles?

A rule so that appearances do not deceive: the EU legislates against 'greenwashing'

Commemoration of victims on 2nd anniversary of liberation of Bucha; many civilians killed in Russian military invasion

Coordination with Prime Minister Kishida invited to NATO summit meeting to be held in Washington, U.S. in July

Britain probably couldn't fight Russia alone for more than two months

Until May 22: a court in Moscow arrested four accused of the terrorist attack in Crocus

Algorithmic video surveillance at the Olympics: what are we talking about, and why is it worrying?

Bandidos: a series so tacky that it seems taken from the Disney Channel of the 90s

The Russian Embassy in Seoul condemned the cartoon of the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall

Antibes: an orca dies at Marineland park, the second death in five months

The captain of the expedition that crossed the Atlantic under sail as in the 17th century to make a documentary dies at the age of 75 on the high seas

Daily Shincho: Mariupol residents do not feel the impact of the conflict on the life of the city

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.
Biletsky about situation in Avdiyivka axis: This campaign certainly most difficult, there are definitely signs of stabilization now

The Avdiyivka direction is now the main one for the enemy's offensive along the entire front line, the situation is not easy, commander of the Third Separate Assault Brigade as part of the Ground Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Colonel Andriy Biletsky has said.

During an online participation as part of the 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum, founded by Arseniy Yatsenyuk's Open Ukraine Foundation, Biletsky recalled that the Third Assault Brigade is now fighting in the Avdiyivka direction, where the enemy has concentrated enormous resources for the offensive.

"Recently, the brigade has had to face challenges that it did not see even during the Kyiv campaign, and at that time the unit was defending Moschun, which was a key point in the defense of Kyiv. The brigade spent 2023 repelling the 'Wagner' offensive near Bakhmut, and then moved on to the Ukrainian counteroffensive, where it achieved significant success. But this campaign is now by far the most difficult. If we talk about what the difficulty is, I will not say that the Russians have become better at fighting in the land component of the military. But we can definitely say that they have become an order of magnitude more resourceful in fighting," Biletsky said.

The commander said that in less than 2 months of the brigade's operations near Avdiyivka, 2,500 Russian soldiers, 18 tanks, and more than 50 light armored vehicles were destroyed. While the Third Assault did not lose a single unit of tanks, and the losses in personnel were 10 times less than those of the Russians, the commander added.

"There are definitely signs of stabilization now. And the Ukrainian troops are doing everything possible and impossible to stop the Russians near Avdiyivka now. This costs huge losses. But the Russians also suffer losses, but more significant," he added.

The 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum takes place on March 21-22.
16 US states challenge Biden admin freeze on new LNG export approvals



Houston, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2024



Texas and 15 other US states filed a lawsuit on Thursday challenging the Biden administration's freeze on new liquefied natural gas exports.

Citing the climate crisis, Democratic President Joe Biden in January paused the granting of new permits to ship LNG abroad.

"This pause on new LNG approvals sees the climate crisis for what it is: the existential threat of our time," Biden said at the time.

The United States only began exporting LNG in 2016 but rapidly became the world's biggest supplier, driven in part by Europe turning away from Russian gas following its invasion of Ukraine.

Texas, the leading US producer of crude oil and natural gas, and 15 other Republican-led states filed a lawsuit in a federal court in Louisiana on Thursday opposing the move.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton denounced what he called the Biden Administration's "unlawful and indefinite ban on approving applications to export liquified natural gas."

"Biden's unilateral decree disregards statutory mandates, flouts the legal process, upends the oil and gas industry, disrupts the Texas economy, and subverts our constitutional structure," Paxton said in a statement.

The ban on new LNG export approvals comes as Biden looks to shore up youth voters energized by environmental issues in a tough White House rematch.

He will likely face Republican candidate Donald Trump, who calls human-caused global warming a "hoax" and has vowed to torpedo his Democratic opponent's climate agenda.

Under the Biden plan, new LNG export applications would be subject to a review of unspecified length that considers climate and wider environmental and economic impacts.

It would imperil the future of more than a dozen planned export facilities.

Scientists and environmental activists welcomed the review -- which excludes plants already approved but not yet built, and has exceptions for national security emergencies.
Senegal presidential candidates hold final rallies ahead of vote



Dakar, March 22 (AFP) Mar 22, 2024



Senegal's presidential candidates were set to make their final pitches to voters Friday, marking the end of a rushed campaign for what is considered an unprecedented election after weeks of political crisis.

Seven million people are eligible to vote Sunday in the traditionally stable West African nation set to become an oil producer, but where more than a third live in poverty and half the population are aged under 20.

After the last-minute withdrawal of two candidates, 17 contenders remain in the race for president, with campaigning officially due to end at midnight Friday.

Whoever comes out on top will be tasked with steering the nation out of years of tension and managing revenues from recently discovered oil and gas reserves.

President Macky Sall, in power since 2012, is not standing again, making it the first Senegalese poll where the incumbent will not feature on the ballot.

Two former tax inspectors are considered the favourites to win -- the governing coalition's candidate and ex-prime minister Amadou Ba, 62, and anti-establishment opposition figure, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, 43.

Faye was only released from prison last week, nearly a week into the electoral campaign, together with popular and charismatic firebrand Ousmane Sonko, who is barred from standing but backs Faye.

"We know that these are the two who will emerge if there is no tsunami," said El Hadji Mamadou Mbaye, a political science lecturer and researcher at the University of Saint-Louis, referring to Ba and Faye.

"The whole issue will come down to the third (place candidate) who will be the referee," he added.

The former mayor of the capital Dakar, Khalifa Sall, 68, has been mentioned as a possible third place candidate in the first round.

A second-round vote is likely given the number of candidates and the need for an absolute majority, but no date has yet been set.

Faye is due to hold his final rally at 4:00 pm (1600 GMT) in the western town of Mbour, while Ba has said his will take place in Dakar and its suburbs.



- Foreign interest -



Senegal was originally due to vote on February 25, but an 11th-hour postponement by President Sall triggered the worst political crisis in decades and unleashed unrest that left four dead.

Sall finally set the date of March 24 under constitutional pressure, which shortened the campaign period from three to two weeks and coincided with the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

International partners will be closely monitoring the vote in the country of 18 million.

With 39 percent of people living in poverty, according to the UN World Food Programme, many set off in boats on treacherous sea routes aiming to reach Europe.

Senegal has traditionally been considered a beacon of stability in coup-hit West Africa, maintaining close ties with the West while neighbouring Sahel states pivot towards Russia.

The country is also due to begin oil and gas production later this year following the discovery of offshore reserves.

Adding to the stakes, Senegal has witnessed bouts of deadly unrest since 2021, triggered partly by a stand-off between Sonko and the state.

Sonko's rhetoric emphasising sovereignty and attacking elites, multinationals and former colonial ruler France has drawn a passionate following among young people.



- 'Hungry for change' -



Since his release from prison following an amnesty law, Sonko has featured heavily on the campaign trail alongside Faye, who pitches himself as the "candidate for system change" and "left-wing pan-Africanism".

"I think young people are hungry for change. It's true that in our countries we have candidates who have been around since the 1960s, so we still need new blood," said political science lecturer Mbaye.

But Amadou Ba has urged people to vote "for experience and competence instead of entrusting the reins of the country to adventurers".

Ba says he wants to ensure stability and the continuation of Sall's multi-year development plan.

However, the president's legacy also includes persistent poverty, with unemployment officially at 20 percent, high debt, and the arrest of hundreds of opponents.

The desire for calm "is going to play a big part (in the election)," said Sidy Diop, deputy editor of Le Soleil daily.

"We are coming out of a very tense period. All the candidates are presenting themselves as the one who will reconcile the Senegalese people," he added.

Provisional results could be known as early as Sunday night.
The Catholic Church should demand that Russia stop its war of aggression, and not call on Ukraine to raise a white flag, Ambassador and Special Representative of the U.S. Government for Ukraine Negotiations in 2017-19 Kurt Volker has said.

During the 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum, founded by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk's Open Ukraine Foundation, Volker commented on the Pope's statement, pointing out that Russia had blatantly violated all the rules of just war, and the Catholic Church must clearly state and demand that the Russian Federation stop this war of conquest.

Volker also noted that potential negotiations with Russia could be used as a means of promoting the idea that Moscow is violating fundamental international agreements.

According to him, Russia has violated international rules and norms, the rules of war. Such a global opinion can be built, he believes.

The American diplomat emphasized that the world must clearly understand that Ukraine wants peace, Ukraine is a victim of aggression, Russia is an aggressor, and that Ukraine has no plans to seize Russian territory. Clarity is very important, Volker said.

The 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum takes place on March 21-22.
Australias biggest east-coast gas exporters are edging closer to striking a new agreement with the federal government that would boost local supplies of the fossil fuel and help temper fears of winter shortfalls in Victoria and NSW.

Resources Minister Madeleine King held talks this week with Queenslands three exporters of liquefied natural gas (LNG)  Shells QCLNG joint venture, Origin Energy-backed APLNG and Santos GLNG  to work on a deal over the volume of uncontracted gas that they will hold back from export and reserve for local sales.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) has become one of Australias biggest exports. Credit: AP

I am confident of securing supplies for the coming year, King said after the meeting.

While Australia is one of the worlds top shippers of LNG, most of that gas is produced in Queensland or Western Australia, and is sold on long-term contracts to buyers in Asia, while smaller volumes are sold locally.
Thanks for Having Me

Emma Darragh, Joan, $32.99



A chaotic narrative that jumps through three generations of women in one family, Thanks for Having Me sees two of the main characters rebel against the social strictures and expectations of motherhood. First Maryanne  in her own estimation a terrible mother and wife  abandons her teenage daughters in Wollongong, then years later Vivian repeats the pattern, leaving her own daughter Evie wondering if it is somehow her fault. Its the teenager, Evie, who has the most distinctive voice and personality in the novel. Using maternal abandonment as a repeated motif may strengthen the social argument against rigid gender roles, but it does flatten character and with the story unfolding in fragmentary, time-travelling snippets, establishing strong characters and how they change (or dont) over time is more vital than it might have been otherwise. NON-FICTION PICK OF THE WEEK

American Mother

Colum McCann with Diane Foley, Bloomsbury, $32.99 In 2014 US journalist James Foley was beheaded by ISIS. Seven years later in Washington, Foleys mother Diane Foley, a deeply religious woman, sat opposite the man who confessed to the conspiracy to kill her son. Irish novelist Colum McCann, with Foley, recreates her story, and that two-day encounter, their dialogue unfolding like a surreal game of chess. She wanted him to know what he had taken from her, but was also drawn into his tale: gangland London upbringing, converting to Islam, as well as his description of seeing a US drone attack, and the collateral damage of dead friends and children. In tears, she wonders what to believe, for she knows he has lied about so much. When they part, she tells him she will keep him in her prayers. Its a harrowing tale. At times she wondered whether she was being naive, at others she displayed astonishing grace.

The Economy of Algorithms

Marek Kowalkiewicz, La Trobe University Press, $36.99 Algorithms may sound clinical and removed from us, but think of them as shadows that follow us and know us. Marek Kowalkiewicz, a teacher and former IT programmer, introduces us in a chatty way to the pros and cons of algorithms. In 2020 during the pandemic in Britain, for example, sixth-form students were assessed by algorithm for university entrance (heavily favouring the private-school system). After protests, with students chanting f--- the algorithm, the decision was reversed. But he reckons there are good stories as well. His study goes back to ancient Greece, Byrons daughter Ada Lovelace and her role in creating modern algorithms, Alan Turings invention of the Imitation Game and, quite possibly, AI  right up to the invisible pervasiveness of modern algorithms today. This entertaining and highly informed. Brian Harradine

Keith Harvey, Connor Court Publishing, $19.95

Loading Like most political biographies, this short monograph on the life of independent Tasmanian senator Brian Harradine also provides a keyhole onto the times. But the catholic Harradine wasnt always an independent. In his early years he was a union official and Labor Party member  while also being staunchly anti-communist and, by his own admission, influenced by the Democratic Labor Party. Deep trouble with the Labor federal executive followed, and he was expelled from the party in 1975, leading to his career as an independent. Keith Harvey covers this period through three governments, especially Harradines controversial stand on abortion and his decision to oppose the GST. The writing is functional, but its an interesting portrait of a politician who went his own way, and, in many ways, stuck to his roots throughout. How James Became King: The True Story of James King OMalley

Brian OMalley, Arcadia $49.95 The life of American Australian federal politician King OMalley has always been shrouded in mystery  especially his American origins and varied accounts about his birth and upbringing. In this sense, the subject is wide open for speculation. The coincidentally named Brian OMalley boldly links the politician to the 1881 murder of New Haven socialite Jennie Cramer. Cousins Walter and James Malley jnr were tried for the murder and acquitted. The plot thickens as the author traces his namesakes larger-than-life, post-trial adventures in the US before fetching up in Australia eventually to become a celebrated politician, who championed Walter Burley Griffins plan for Canberra and the establishment of the Commonwealth Bank. He died in 1953, apparently 99 years old, but who was he? Theres something fittingly theatrical, at times even melodramatic, about this depiction of an enigma wrapped in a riddle.
Challenge for Ukraine is to maintain pace, effectiveness of combat innovation on battlefield to replace missing capabilities - U.S. general

Ukraine lacks resources on the battlefield, but Ukrainian forces effectively use the latest technologies, emphasizes General Gordon Davis Jr., a senior non-resident fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), former NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Defense Investment.

The general said during the 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum, founded by Arseniy Yatsenyuk's Open Ukraine Foundation, that on the front line, we see a range of extraordinary innovations being deployed by Ukrainian forces. And he is sure that senior military and civilian leaders are already thinking about relying more on themselves, but there is still support from the United States.

In his opinion, Ukraine now faces three main strategic challenges: maintaining troops and the financial system; providing the army with the necessary number of personnel; integration and rapid response to events to effectively defend and protect territories.

Ukraine is missing a lot, but unity, public support and innovation allow Ukrainians to hold on and fight back, Davis said.

According to the general, the challenge for Ukraine is to maintain the pace and effectiveness of combat innovation on the battlefield to replace missing capabilities. Ukraine successfully and effectively uses drones, artificial intelligence and various systems that cause losses to the Russians, he emphasized.

The 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum takes place on March 21-22.
I think this is part of what youre seeing here with this, she said. Ng said this trend was concerning because it meant unelected ministerial advisers were wielding power at the expense of elected ministers, backbenchers and public servants. Clearly there is a continuing centralisation of power within the premiers private office, said Clancy Moore, chief executive of Transparency International Australia. It does seem, based on [these documents], that there is an increasing reliance on the premiers private office to provide what should be sometimes pretty rudimentary responses.

This could lead to less transparency and delays in important information being made public. The latest documents show that in mid-August last year, a journalist from the Australian Associated Press (AAP) contacted Safer Care Victoria  the states healthcare safety agency  asking for comment on a story from Victorias Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board, which monitors the states voluntary euthanasia system. Former Victorian chief health officer, Professor Brett Sutton. Credit: Luis Ascui The state government has described the review board as independent. However, the daily media wrap indicates that the inquiry meant for the review board was sent to the PPO. The following morning, the health department, not the review board, sent a response declining to comment, according to the AAP journalist.

Another inquiry intercepted by the PPO was a request for a copy of a review conducted by the states healthcare safety monitoring agency, Safer Care Victoria, detailing cases where children attending Victorian emergency departments had died or had been seriously harmed. Loading Then-acting health minister Gabrielle Williams had claimed in a press conference in September that there was nothing secret about the review, but it was up to Safer Care Victoria, not the government, to decide whether to release it. As for whether its to be released, thats ultimately a matter for Safer Care Victoria. They are an independent statutory authority, she said. However, the media digest log reveals a proposed response to the request for the report was sent to the PPO for approval. The request was later denied.

Instead, The Age obtained the document using freedom-of-information laws, which showed that 11 young Victorians had died in wholly preventable incidents of patient harm. The media documents show that the PPO was sometimes involved in high-level questions about government policy or funding. At other times, the questions were specifically directed at the Health Department, Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas or other health agencies, but landed at the PPO. They included a request for Royal Childrens Hospital and Monash Health data on medical gender transitioning. In July, radio station 3AW contacted a number of health services, including the Royal Melbourne and Alfred hospitals, asking if WorkSafe premium increases could impact their services. The media summary said that the inquiry was expected to be referred to the Victorian government and that background had been provided to the PPO.

The same month, The Age posed questions to the health department and health ministers office about why former chief health officer, Professor Brett Sutton, had not appeared at a press conference for more than 10 months, and why other media requests to speak to Sutton had been denied. The media wrap shows that this inquiry also passed to the PPO. It is not the first time serious questions have been raised about the influence of the PPO in the health portfolio. Last year, IBACs Operation Daintree investigation concluded that staff in the health ministers and premiers office had breached their ethical obligations by pressuring Health Department officials to award a contract to the Health Workers Union to train hospital staff to deal with violence against health workers before the 2018 election. Jenny Mikakos, who was health minister in 2018 and 2020 in the Andrews government, described the government as very centralised, with the PPO having its tentacles everywhere. She said her handover meeting with her predecessor, Jill Hennessy, had focused on how interventionist the PPO and premier had been in the health portfolio.

Andrews could not be reached for comment this week. At the time of the release of the Operation Daintree report, he rejected claims of centralised power in his office that undermined the independence of ministers. The notion that the premiers office today is a vastly different one to what it used to be in the past and [that] it used to be some sort of timid outfit  no, that is just not right. However, an Ombudsman report into the politicisation of the public service released in December again raised concerns about the growth and influence of the PPO. Andrews told IBAC that 70 or 80 staff were employed in the PPO. Jacinta Allan replaced Andrews as premier on September 27 last year.
Members of the Allan government are fuming after a minister failed to prevent a damaging parliamentary inquiry into the demolition of 44 social housing towers.

Housing Minister Harriet Shing is under pressure after concessions offered to prevent the inquiry were not enough to stop crossbenchers backing the motion.

Victorias ageing social housing towers are in poor condition and at the centre of a political brawl. Credit: Paul Jeffers

As the political battle over the cost of living heats up in crucial inner-Melbourne seats, some in the government fear Labor will be vulnerable to political attack, upending its plans for clear air to spruik its planned assault on the housing crisis.

Three government sources, speaking anonymously to detail internal conversations, said Premier Jacinta Allans office was under the impression that the inquiry did not have the numbers to pass.
Russia showered missiles onto several regions of Ukraine on Friday, forcing its neighbour to deploy air defence systems, and disrupting power and water supplies.

Ukraines Air Force said it downed 92 of 151 missiles and drones fired by Russia in the attack that started in the early hours of the morning, Kyiv time.

Firefighters work near the crater at the site after Russian attacks in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Thursday. Credit: AP

It was the largest strike on Ukraines energy infrastructure of the entire war, a top energy official said.

About 15 blasts were heard in Kharkiv, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said, where Russian missile strikes appeared to have targeted the citys power supply, causing partial energy and internet blackouts.
(first paragraph corrected, title changed)

The terrorist attack in the Moscow region is a deliberate provocation of the Putin regime, which was warned about by the international community, a spokesman for the Defense Ministry's GUR, Andriy Yusov, said in a commentary for Ukrayinska Pravda on Friday evening.

"This is a deliberate provocation by Putin's special services, which the international community has warned about. The Kremlin tyrant started his career with this and wants to end it with the same crimes against his own citizens," Yusov said.

According to media reports, armed men in camouflage opened fire in the city of Krasnogorsk, Moscow region, at the Crocus City Hall concert hall before a concert by the band Picnic. The media reported at least 40 dead and about 100 wounded. The concert was sold out, with more than 2,000 people expected to attend. As a result of the grenade explosion, a fire broke out in the building and the roof began to collapse.
In 2023, the capital's shopping mall Respublika Park paid UAH 122.4 million in taxes and fees to the state budget of Ukraine. In addition, Respublika Park, together with the group's partners, donated more than UAH 27 million to charity, including assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the purchase of medical equipment for the Okhmatdyt National Children's Hospital. These results were made possible thanks to the mall's visitors, who numbered over 15 million last year.

"In 2023, despite the challenges of the war, our shopping mall paid more than UAH 120 million in taxes to the state budget. I want to note that this is only what the mall itself paid. All companies and shops represented in our mall pay taxes separately. At the same time, we have been actively involved in charity - we have transferred more than UAH 27 million to help the Armed Forces, as well as affected families and children. We believe that business should support Ukraine in this difficult time, both financially and humanitarianly," said Yulia Shchaslyva, CEO of Respublika Park shopping mall.

Respublika Park is an important social and infrastructure facility with more than 280 stores and over 8,000 jobs. Given the importance of taxes in the system of ensuring state budget revenues, Respublika Park cooperates with responsible international and national businesses that together pay taxes to the state budget and implement charitable projects.

Respublika Park is the largest shopping mall in Eastern Europe, opened in November 2021 in Kyiv, with a total area of 300,000 sq m. The owner of Respublika Park is Trafin Consulting und Entwicklungs GmbH (Austria), a company specialising in real estate in Central and Eastern Europe. Trafin makes significant investments in retail, hotel and residential complexes in many countries and is a significant participant in the investment sector of the Ukrainian economy as a shareholder in Respublika Park.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Respublika Park has been actively supporting charitable initiatives and projects to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine, rebuild housing, support families with children affected by the war, and treat children with cancer.

Together with its partners, Respublika Park shopping mall managed to implement charitable projects with the National Bank of Ukraine, fundraising platforms "Come Back Alive", UNITED24, charitable foundations "Tabletochki", "Ukraine-EU. Development and Reconstruction", and the Okhmatdyt National Children's Hospital.

The mall's team includes volunteers who support the military brigades, regularly make purchases and deliver to their destinations according to their needs.

Respublika Park continues to operate and, together with its partners, contribute to the country's economy.

For information. Respublika Park is a super-regional shopping mall, which was opened in November 2021 in Kyiv, with a total area of 300,000 sq m. The owner of the shopping mall is Trafin Consulting und Entwicklungs GmbH, an Austrian company founded in Vienna in 2013 and operating in the real estate sector. Currently, the shareholder of Respublika Park is successfully represented in the real estate markets of Central and Eastern Europe. Trafin makes significant investments in retail, hotel and residential complexes in many countries and is a significant participant in the investment sector of the Ukrainian economy as a shareholder of Respublika Park.
Governor Vetoes Abortion Bill While State Defends Current Ban in Court

Governor Gordon signed SF0099 - Children gender change prohibition today, which bans physicians from performing procedures for children related to gender transitioning and gender reassignment.

I signed SF99 because I support the protections this bill includes for children, however it is my belief that the government is straying into the personal affairs of families Governor Gordon said. Our legislature needs to sort out its intentions with regard to parental rights. While it inserts governmental prerogative in some places, it affirms parental rights in others.

The Governor noted that the Legislature passed two bills during the recent session reinforcing parental rights in education.

With regard to House Bill 0148- Regulation of Abortions , as initially proposed, would have properly regulated surgical abortion clinics in Wyoming. However amendments to the bill complicated its purpose, making it vulnerable to legal challenges. Wyoming is currently vigorously defending laws that already prohibit surgical and chemical abortions

With the judge certifying these cases to the Wyoming Supreme Court, the state is closer than ever to a decision on the constitutionality of abortion in Wyoming, Governor Gordon said. It is my opinion that HB148, as amended, had the potential to further delay the resolution of this critical issue for the unborn. The potential of starting over on a new course of legal arguments would in my mind be derelict, and would have only sacrificed additional unborn lives in Wyoming.

To avoid further delaying a decision, Governor Gordon has vetoed HB 148. In his veto letter, the Governor points out that since the courts have stayed enforcement of the states previous abortion ban, the number of abortions taking place in Wyoming has continued to increase.

The Governors veto letter for HB 148 is attached and may be found here.

Governor Gordon also happily signed HB0090 - Newborn child safe havens-age of child today. The bill changes the relinquishment age that a child may be left with a safe haven provider at no penalty to the parent from 14 days or younger to 60 days.

The full list of bills the Governor has taken action on during the 2024 Legislative Session can be found on the Governor's website.
Governor Mark Gordon signed seven bills into law Wednesday, including a bill that creates a hearing aid program for low-income adults and a bill that provides additional resources for early childhood centers that serve children with disabilities.

SF0057 - Wyoming adult hearing aid program creates a hearing aid program for eligible low-income adults with hearing impairment. The bill emerged from meetings bill sponsor Senator Dan Furphy had with members of the Wyoming deaf community. It allows severely hearing-impaired adults who meet income requirements to receive a pair of custom hearing aids.

The Governor also signed SF0019 - Developmental preschool funding which modifies the per-child amounts used to calculate payments to early childhood centers and preschools that serve children with disabilities. The increase in funding will help support these centers and preschools, which families use to access critically needed services for children with developmental disabilities.

The Governor also issued a line-item veto on the following bill to address a technical error. Click on the bill number for the Governors letter:

SEA0071 SF0075 Omnibus water bill-construction.

The Governor allowed the following bill to go into law without his signature. Click on the bill number for the Governors letter:

SEA0065 SF0041 Banking division-classification and salary exemptions.

The Governor also signed the following bills today:

SEA0050 SF0047 Law enforcement retirement-contributions.

SEA0051 SF0024 Public service commission-integrated resource plans.

HEA0048 HB0104 Omnibus water bill-planning.
Illustration: Simon Bailly / Sepia

What is wrong with you? is a rich and open question. When it comes from other people, it is aggressive or rude, but when you pose it to yourself, it is endlessly fascinating. What is wrong with you?

For better or for worse, a buffet of terminology has emerged that might help explain your terminal unease. Maybe you are struggling with boundaries or your social circle is overrun with toxic people. Maybe your mother or roommate or ex-boyfriend is a narcissist. Maybe you are traumatized, which is perhaps one reason you are also anxiously attached. The problem with these words, of course, is that their impact fades with use, leaving us to hunt for new language that can justify our suffering. By early 2024, we seem to have landed on our latest favorite diagnosis: Have you considered the possibility that you might be dysregulated?

The odds seemed high. In a podcast interview last summer, an author explained that while discovering nonmonogamy had been a revelation, actually enacting it had initially caused utter panic and dysregulation. In a blog post on how to conquer dating anxiety, the Gottman Institute advises you to surround yourself with emotionally safe people, which helps to regulate ones nervous system. On anonymous forums, people worried whether their dysregulation was affecting their work performance  a concern their bosses seemed to share, which is perhaps why corporate-wellness blogs and workplace thought leaders have advised managers to pay attention to their employees dysregulation. (Is Your Team Struggling? warned one headline. Their Dysregulation May Impact Your Performance.) School administrators reported that kids were showing up at school more dysregulated than ever. Their teachers werent far behind. In its course description for a training about workplace conflict, a college of social work in Ohio crisply identified the source of the problem: Surprise! Its not your age cohort, or workload, or low pay  its dysregulation!

Often, the term appeared attached to formal diagnoses, as a symptom of ADHD or BPD or PTSD or ASD or generalized anxiety, but just as frequently it floated freely, explaining why you were yelling at your husband because  by way of hypothetical example  you couldnt find the garlic powder and also your computer wasnt working. Sometimes, people seemed to refer to a process taking place within the nervous system. (Being sleep deprived can really dysregulate our control over the autonomic system, offered the neuroguru Andrew Huberman.) Other times, the thing being dysregulated was ones behavior or emotions. You were experiencing an outsized reaction to something that didnt seem to warrant it; your behavior did not match the situation; your emotions were too big and intense and long-lasting, which was making it difficult to function. It could explain why you were breaking out or eating too much or not eating at all, why youre thrill-seeking or sleeping poorly or exhausted; or why youre depressed or experiencing gastrointestinal distress. On one health podcast from January, a clinician-slash-trainer suggested dysregulation might be why, despite consistent exercise, she had, for years, struggled to gain muscle in her legs. It was a constant threat. You cant trust someone who purposely wants to dysregulate you, advised a TikTok video, which has been viewed more than 100,000 times.

Until last year, I had only thought about one person as dysregulating me: my daughter, who is a baby. The concept had saturated parenting discourse, appearing in books and blogs and pastel slides on Instagram. The idea is that childrens meltdowns are not malicious or even conscious but instead a natural consequence of their developing brains. These, according to modern parenting experts like Dr. Becky, are episodes of dysregulation; the child has not yet learned to control their response to stress, and it is your job, as a parent, to help by modeling a Zen-like state yourself: a relaxed body, a slow heartbeat, a quiet mind. A dysregulated adult, the psychiatrist Bruce D. Perry said, in his 2021 book co-written with Oprah, cannot regulate a dysregulated child. In her new book, The 5 Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans, developmental psychologist and guru Aliza Pressman lays out countless parental self-regulation strategies, including breathing, meditating, running your hands under cold water, and playing with a pet. On my neighborhood parental Facebook group, I learned about a $27 webinar that would teach me how regulation and connection shape cooperation. The pressure to be Zen could be daunting. The phrase a dysregulated parent cant regulate a child, one parenting Instagram account argued, is making parents dysregulated.

Parenting Instagram is where I first encountered the concept, and sometime last summer, late in pregnancy, the algorithm cracked me, and then the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon did its thing. I couldnt help but begin to narrate my own experience in regulatory terms (I am dysregulated, I thought, crying in the shower). I couldnt decide if it made things better, but it was so flexible. In a sentence, dysregulated, could replace everything from panicked or overstimulated or irrationally flipping out or being in acute crisis, and transform those messy conditions into something isolatable and objective.

That, of course, is what therapyspeak has always done: It simplifies, it distances, it clarifies. But unlike triggered or boundaries or other classics of the genre, dysregulation felt dispassionately medical, gesturing at the base mechanics of ones misery. Perhaps mental health is simply a matter of monitoring ones inner circuitry  an idea that slotted neatly into the lives and vocabularies of those who have learned to track heartbeats and sleep cycles and ovulation cycles and blood glucose levels and blood oxygen. Most tantalizing was that the word seemed to suggest a solution: Maybe if you could just tweak some inner levers and recalibrate some dials, you could at last reveal your best and calmest self.

Feeling bad is timeless, and so is the notion that the reason for your agony is that something in your bodily system is out of whack. Kathryn Tabb, a philosopher of science at Bard focused on psychiatric history, traces this pattern of diagnosis at least to Hippocrates, who believed that ones health depended on the proper balance of the four humors. In his view, all problems stemmed from the proportions of those humors: Maybe a person had too much or too little blood or phlegm or bile, which was either too strong or too weak or improperly mixed. Then scientists discovered germs, which undermined the humors theory, but its underlying framework would prove infinitely adaptable.

In the 1990s, the logic of the humors found its place in the human brain. At the top of the decade, George H.W. Bush signed a presidential proclamation announcing that it was now the Decade of the Brain. New neuroimaging technology was converting neural activity into pictures, which were appearing everywhere from Newsweek to murder trials. A flood of research was giving us access to our own mental processes, and it looked like maybe we were going to solve philosophy, and perhaps finally understand ourselves. Neuroscience, Tom Wolfe wrote in 1996, was on the threshold of a unified theory that will have an impact as powerful as that of Darwinism a hundred years ago. (He wasnt happy about it.) Prozac had just hit the U.S. market  followed by Zoloft, and then Paxil  and this new class of relatively gentle psychiatric drugs fundamentally changed how millions of Americans thought about their brains. Thats probably when the idea really caught on that our emotional states have a neurobiological basis, says Sally Satel, a psychiatrist and the co-author of Brainwashed: The Seductive Appeal of Mindless Neuroscience.

By then, scientists already understood that psychic stress  whether from war or avalanches or being late to work  caused dramatic changes in the nervous and endocrine systems, which manifested in physiological symptoms. But in the 90s, a generation of researchers began proposing accounts of how stress not only worked upon the body but also lingered in it, creating a disequilibrium. In 1994, Robert Sapolsky, then an associate professor of biological sciences and neuroscience at Stanford, published Why Zebras Dont Get Ulcers, explaining, in enthusiastic detail, the different ways that mammalian stress responses  the rush of adrenaline, shallow breath, and fast heart rate that were usually fantastic in acute physical emergencies like getting chased by a wolf  could start to wear down our various bodily systems in the face of modern, chronic stress (a passive-aggressive boss, the MTA). Bessel van der Kolk, then a psychiatrist at Harvard, published the first iteration of what would go on to become his best-selling manifesto, The Body Keeps the Score, which argued that trauma gets stored in the nervous system and physiologically altered how your body processes stressful events. Biophysicist Peter Levine, who wrote a popular self-help book on overcoming trauma, put forth a related theory: It wasnt the trauma itself that caused long-lasting symptoms, but a frozen residue of energy that has not been resolved and discharged; this residue remains trapped in the nervous system where it can wreak havoc on our bodies and spirits.

What emerged was a popular understanding that extreme or chronic stress presented a regulatory problem, specifically in the autonomic nervous system. Two of the systems components are the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. The first responds to danger or excitement by signaling the adrenal glands to release hormones like adrenaline and cortisol (also known as our fight-or-flight response), while the second promotes relaxation and recovery and basic bodily functions (rest and digest). One goes up, the other goes down, and vice versa. Nervous system dysregulation is what happens when the two are out of sync, and you stay stuck, either overactivated, or not activated enough. It wasnt just the stress researchers and the traumatologists who were thinking about regulation. The neuropsychologist Russell Barkley had begun to argue that ADHD was not, in fact, just about deficient attention, but also deficient emotional self-regulation. Marsha Linehan, a former psychologist at the University of Washington, developed dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, specifically to treat emotional dysregulation, which she argued was at the heart of borderline personality disorder. She really shifted the way we look at personality disorders, said Lina Perl, a clinical psychologist in New York who was first introduced to the word in graduate school. BPD wasnt a fatal flaw intrinsic to your defective personality, but a regulatory issue, likely stemming from unmet childhood needs.

The dozen or so therapists, clinicians, and historians I spoke to couldnt precisely pinpoint how or when dysregulation crossed over from the clinic into popular imagination, but they had theories. One obvious explanation is simply that as therapy and psychiatric diagnoses grew more mainstream, dysregulation rode its coattails. Several pointed to evolving understandings of various conditions. To me, a smoking gun is the obsession with ADHD, says Tabb, citing the recent explosion of newly diagnosed adults. Justin Baeder, an educational consultant and former school principal popular on TikTok, told me in the last year or so, hed seen dysregulation morph. Once, it had been used in a narrow technical sense, generally describing students with disabilities, he told me. Now, Im hearing it used much more broadly to mean any kind of feelings  anytime a child is upset, theyre dysregulated. It is, he suggests, a way to medically explain away any type of bad behavior (well-intentioned, but in his view, not especially productive).

Wellness culture predated the pandemic, but after years of inward focus, it got turbocharged. People had a lot of time to think, mostly about their health, and read, mostly about their trauma, and consume content on the internet, mostly about how to feel less bad. Regulation was an answer that seemed to cross demographic lines. Holistic influencers in bikinis were regulating (three ways to soothe your nervous system), but so were hyper-rational science bros. On his podcast, Huberman, in his trademark black button-down, offered all kinds of regulatory guidance for the chronic maximizer crowd. Jordan Peterson, wellness influencer for aggrieved men, extolled the virtues of emotional regulation. The proposed solutions were generally obvious  get sunlight, go to bed, meditate, eat breakfast.

It is true that neuroimaging shows brain activity and that stress is brain activity, and in that sense, sure, it would show up on a scan. If you found yourself, one day, in a state of what you called dysregulation, and at that moment you had an fMRI, it would show arousal centers activated in the brain, which you could see represented as bright glowing splotches. And if you had repeated scans, in different mental states, you would be able to see changes in the pattern or intensity of that activation. What the glowing splotches would not tell you is exactly what any of it means. Is dysregulation real? Of course its real, in the sense that yes, your experiences are mirrored in your brain, and yes, you can, at any given time, see activity that is different from other possible activity. But what are you supposed to do with that? The line between the normal and the pathological is something we construct, says Tabb. Theres a lot we still dont know about the way our nervous system works in relationship with the rest of our body. Its as if we were outside the restaurant pressing our faces against the restaurant window looking in without being able to access whats going inside the restaurant at all, the medical historian Edward Shorter told me.

In some ways, dysregulation is an updated version of another science-coded phrase we used to like: chemical imbalance. Picture the Zoloft commercial from the early aughts that featured line drawings of nerve A and nerve B on a plain-white background. Depression may be related to an imbalance of natural chemicals between nerve cells in the brain, chirped the voiceover, as dots floated erratically between the two illustrated nerves. I think its such a tantalizing metaphor because its so straightforward, says Nate Greenslit, an anthropologist of science. If you can think of it as a soupy mixture of different chemicals, and if those chemicals are out of balance with each other, then you will suffer as a consequence. The only problem with Zolofts early diagram is that it isnt true. A major 2022 umbrella review showed what had been an open secret in the field: There is no substantial evidence that low serotonin causes depression. A lot of people do do well on SSRIs, but we dont know why. There is no chemical imbalance, University of Virginia sociologist Joseph E. Davis told me, bluntly. That was a misnomer right from the start. More recent commercials make no claims about root causes. These days, they tend to feature generic women doing normal things looking ambiently bummed.

Dysregulation doesnt yet carry the same baggage. Functionally, its similar, in that it locates your problem in your biology rather than your personality, which is comforting. But unlike being chemically imbalanced, which sounds like an intractable, if treatable, feature of a person, being dysregulated sounds like a reassuringly temporary state. It strikes me as more dynamic, less static, than the language of chemical imbalance, agrees Greenslit. Chemical imbalance is also very, very individualistic: You as an individual have programmatic biology, and so the solution is at an individual level. Dysregulation, on the other hand, implies relationships. Youd be chemically imbalanced anywhere, but you couldnt be dysregulated in a vacuum. It doesnt say theres something inherently wrong with you, the founding director of Health Justice Commons and senior adjunct lecturer at the California Institute of Integral Studies Mordecai Cohen Ettinger, told me. Its saying your body has been harmed, or decentered, or stressed from a set of traumatic events, so you are dysregulated, and that is just a normal biological consequence of what youve experienced. In this sense, it is the best possible therapyspeak for this moment, when the climate is in crisis and there are microplastics in the water as well as a widespread hopelessness and a grim election looming and a pervasive sense of tenuousness, interpersonally and economically, and it is tiresome to list these things, I know, but isnt it also true?

The fundamental appeal of regulatory language is the idea that there is a calm stasis to return to, a you separate from your acute distress. I think from what Ive heard from my clients, it most often refers to the sensation that they dont feel like themselves, said Lisa Daronatsy Kiyindou, a health and fitness trainer in New York. Theyre trying to get back to feeling more like themselves. There is a kind of longing in dysregulation. People were struggling not to change, but to recapture an idea of who theyd been before. You may be a wreck on a hair trigger now, but that isnt at the core of who you are. I am dysregulating, I thought, and was struck by the perverse optimism of it. I was a mess, but there was hope.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 22. Azerbaijan is currently clarifying whether there are Azerbaijani nationals among the victims of the shooting at Crocus City in Moscow, the country's Foreign Ministry told Trend.

The incident unfolded when an unidentified individual began shooting at Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, near Moscow, prompting evacuations, according to reports from Russian operational services.

Eyewitnesses reported that a person dressed in camouflage attire fired shots from a machine gun inside Crocus City Hall, just before the scheduled concert by the Picnic group.

The shooting resulted in the loss of 40 lives, with over 140 individuals sustaining injuries.
Sustainable Spirits Collection launches on easyJet flights

Sustainaholics created the 5cl Alumini in 2023 for travel retail, as a lighter, recyclable, low carbon packaging option. The company has now partnered with spirits brands and easyJet to create the Sustainable Spirits Collection. Featured in the collection are spirits from independent British brands Ellers Farm Distillery, Two Drifters, Wildjac, and Penrhos Spirits.

Were incredibly proud to launch our award-winning Alumini in this industry-first collaboration, said David Mills, founder of Sustainaholics.

He continued: We have the best possible launch airline in our mission to promote more travel-friendly solutions and showcase the innovation being delivered to the UK spirits industry today by independent challenger brands committed to producing great-tasting drinks that minimise our impact on the planet.

North Yorkshires Ellers Farm Distillerys contribution to the collection is Y-Gin Orange, an easyJet-exclusive flavour from its gin brand. After its founding in 2022, November 2023 saw comedian Ricky Gervais joined Ellers Farm Distillery as a co-owner after a major investment.

Steve Hickey, sales director at Ellers Farm Distillery, said: Its been fantastic to partner with Sustainaholics on this project and to see our first airline listing go live with easyJet. Our new Y-Gin has a fabulous flavour that will delight customers and its also great to be noticed for our genuine commitment to sustainability and innovation in the drinks industry. We cant wait to see Y-Gin Orange take off later this month.

Also joining the collection is Wildjac Cherry Wood Spiced Rum. The barrel-aged rum is infused with cherry and has a rounded vanilla oak finish.

Ashleigh Bourne, managing director at Wildjac, commented: Being an independent distillery committed to sustainability and community, partnering with a renowned company like easyJet is an exciting opportunity for us. Our spirits, crafted with foraged botanicals from the English countryside, reflect our dedication to premium quality and environmental responsibility.

Rounding out the collection are a Wonky Raspberry Gin by Penrhos Spirits and Two Drifterss Pure White Rum.

22 March 2024 - Lucy Schofield
Do not limit yourself to school textbooks





Staff Reporter

Do not limit yourself. Go beyond school textbooks, read other books too, observe and understand the universe, said S Somanath, Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), while interacting with students in the city on Thursday. Somnath was present as chief guest at the concluding ceremony of Space on Wheels Vidarbha Tour, at Suresh Bhat Auditorium, Reshimbagh on Thursday. The ISRO, in association with Vidnyan Bharati launched Space on Wheels, a mobile exhibition carrying the models of launch vehicles and satellites. The mobile bus was inaugurated on August 15, 2023, and since then it toured several schools and attracted a large section of students and public in 11 districts of Vidarbha region. Dr Prakash Chavan, Director of National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC); Dr Shekhar Mande, National President of Vidnyan Bharati; Dr Shivkumar Sharma, National Organising Secretary of Vidnyan Bharati; and N Sudhirkumar, Associate Director, Capacity Building Programme, ISRO, were the guest of honours of the programme.

Earlier, in his address, S Somanath said, that the initiative turned out to be an eye opener on the aspirations of people belonging to remote regions. India is growing by moving into various sectors and proving capabilities. The world has great expectations and hopes from us for the future, he stated. Today, astronauts are from Indian Air Force, but in future research scientists will also undertake this role in human space missions, he further said. He added, India is among the countries in the world where highest number digital transactions are happening. Bio-technology sector is growing, and the country is using technology for the welfare of people, and embracing it as an important element in its ascend to world leadership. He mentioned that research scientists will also play a role of astronauts in future, and ISRO is working towards sending humans to the Moon by 2040.
India not only fulfilling aspirations of its people but also providing hope to world





NEW DELHI,

Highlighting Indias strong commitment to democracy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that India is not only fulfilling the aspirations of its 1.4 billion people but is also providing hope to the world that democracy delivers and empowers. Referring to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the country, he said that the world will witness the largest festival of democracy and people will affirm their faith in democracy once again. Prime Minister Modi was addressing the Summit for Democracy via video conferencing on Wednesday. He called the summit a crucial platform for democracies worldwide to exchange experiences and learn from each other.The third Edition of the Summit for Democracy is being organised by South Korea in Seoul. Democracy delivers! Democracy empowers! PM @narendramodi delivered his remarks at the 3rd Summit of Democracy on the theme, Inclusive Society and Youth Empowerment. PM highlighted the achievements of democracy in fulfilling the aspirations of its people. He called for making international systems and institutions more inclusive, democratised, participative and fair, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal posted on X.

He further said that India has an ancient and unbroken culture of democracy, and it has been the lifeblood of Indian civilization. Consensus-building, open dialogue, and free discussion have resonated throughout Indias history. That is why my fellow citizens consider India to be the Mother of Democracy, PM Modi said. He added, Today, India is not only fulfilling the aspirations of its 1.4 billion people but is also providing hope to the world that democracy delivers and empowers. Referring to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the country, Prime Minister Modi said that the world will witness the largest festival of democracy, which will be the largest electoral exercise in the history of mankind. In a few weeks from now, the world will witness the largest festival of democracy in India. With around one billion voters expected to vote, this will be the largest electoral exercise in the history of mankind. The people of India will once again affirm their faith in democracy, he said.

PM Modi emphasised that over the last decade, India has moved forward with the mantra of Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas--that is, collective efforts for inclusive growth. Highlighting Indias growth in the technology sector, PM Modi said, Indias rapid progress in digital public infrastructure have revolutionised public service delivery and enhanced financial inclusion. Riding on the power of youth and technology, India has rapidly developed into the worlds third largest startup eco-system. Over 1.4 million elected women representatives at the grassroots level are our agents of change for women-led development, he added. Today, India is not only fulfilling the aspirations of its 1.4 billion people, but is also providing hope to the world that democracy delivers and democracy empowers.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 22. The Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture (ICCIA) will organize this year's Sustainable Agriculture Investment Forum in Baku, President of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations of Azerbaijan Mammad Musayev exclusively told Trend.

"Azerbaijan, representing one of the 57 member countries, holds a seat on the Board of Directors of this chamber. The scheduling details for this international forum, set to take place annually in Baku, are currently being finalized," Musayev said.

He mentioned that he has extended invitations to representatives from Kazakhstan and other Central Asian (CA) countries to participate in the forthcoming event.

"Our aim is for Kazakhstan and other Central Asian (CA) countries to utilize Azerbaijan as a transit route for transporting their agricultural goods to Middle Eastern countries, all of which are members of ICCIA," the president explained.

The 35th meeting of the chamber was held in Baku in July 2023 and was attended by about 100 delegations from 20 countries, including Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait, and Egypt.

"ICCIA is the organizer of a number of major international forums, and the decision to hold the Sustainable Agriculture Investment Forum annually in Azerbaijan will contribute to the intensive development of the country's agricultural sector," Musayev said.

The ICCIA is made up of 57 countries that cover 31.8 million square kilometers and have a total population of about two billion people. The member nations account for 6.2 percent of the world's surface area and 23.8 percent of the worldwide population.



The annual GDP of ICCIA member countries is approximately $10 trillion.
Can BJP infringe on Congress impregnable fortress?





By Bhavana Aparajita

Shukla

In the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Mahakoshal regions Chhindwara Lok Sabha constituency holds significance as it is considered a invincible fortress of the Congress party. Despite the BJPs sweeping victory in all other 28 constituencies in the State in 2019 General Elections, Chhindwara has remained impregnable and won by Congress Nakul Nath, its persistence adherence to the Congress has become challenge for the ruling party. No surprise, Congress has repeated sitting MP Nakul Nath, son of Kamal Nath (known as third son of Indira Gandhi), as its candidate Meanwhile, the BJP has fielded its District President Vivek Bunty Sahu. BJPs Vivek Bunty Sahu was defeated twice by the former CM Kamal Nath in the 2019 by-poll and the 2023 Assembly election.

Former Chief Minister Kamal Nath, who has been elected from it an impressive nine times in LS elections since 1980. Continuing the family legacy, Naths wife, Alka Nath, secured victory in 1996, while his son, Nakul Nath entered in to the fray in 2019 because Kamal Nath was Chief Minister during that time. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Congress leader Nakul Nath won the seat for the first time with a margin of 37,536 votes. He was polled 5,87,305 votes with a vote share of 47.04%. He defeated BJP candidate Nathansaha Kawreti who got 5,49,769 votes (44.04%). The total number of valid votes polled was 12,48,031. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate Gyaneshwar Gajbhiye stood third with 14,275 votes (1.14%).

Significance of this seat in this elections can be understood with the fact that upbeat BJP has launched Mission-29 and making efforts to clinch four decade old Kamal Naths home turf. Chhindwara will go to polls in April 19 (first phase). The Congress seems determined to maintain its victory record from this seat. Congress is making all attempts to dont allow Saffron forces to enter in to the victory record this time too. Even Kamal Nath has made emotion appeal to voters in recent past during the speculation of his switchover to BJP. but other factors need to be remembered that Modi Wave has gripped the country and after Assembly elections rout things for Kamal Naths family has not been remained the same in the State. It will be interesting to see whether voters remained with Naths family or not in this elections?
Defreeze our bank accounts: Cong





NEW DELHI :

A SYSTEMATIC effort is underway by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to cripple the Congress financially, Sonia Gandhi alleged on Thursday as her party stepped up its demand for access to its bank accounts to ensure a level playing field in the run up to the Lok Sabha polls. In a press conference also addressed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, the party stressed that all its accounts were frozen. The move, the partys top brass said, not just impacted the Congress but democracy in India. ...We can do no campaign work... Our ability to fight elections has been damaged, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi said while launching a scathing attack on the government over the issue of freezing of the partys accounts due to an Income Tax returns issue. Defreeze our accounts to ensure a level playing field in polls, Kharge demanded.

The three senior leaders were flanked by Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh and AICC treasurer Ajay Maken at the press conference. The BJP has looted donations given to the Congress party by the common public by freezing our accounts and forcibly withdrawing Rs 115.32 crore from them, Maken alleged. Terming the freezing of accounts a criminal action against the Congress by the prime minister and home minister, Rahul Gandhi said, There is no democracy in India today and the idea that India is the worlds largest democracy is a complete lie. There are institutions that are supposed to protect the democratic framework but nothing is happening, he said. Adding her voice to the chorus of condemnation by party leaders, Sonia Gandhi said the issue being taken up today is very, very serious and affects not just the Congress but impacts our democracy itself most fundamentally. A systematic effort is underway by the prime minister to cripple the Indian National Congress financially. Funds collected from the public are being frozen, and money from our accounts is being taken away forcibly, she said.

However, even under these most challenging circumstances, we are doing our best to maintain the effectiveness of our election campaign, she said. On the one hand, there is the electoral bond issue, which has been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. The electoral bonds have benefitted the BJP hugely. On the other hand, the finances of the principal opposition party, the INC, are under a determined assault, she said. This is truly unprecedented, Sonia Gandhi added. Kharge appealed to constitutional bodies to allow the Congress to access bank accounts if they want free and fair polls and added that holding fair polls is essential.

The party in power, he said, amassed funds through electoral bonds while freezing the Congress accounts to create hurdles for it in fighting polls. Those in power should not have direct or indirect control over constitutional bodies, he said, adding that those in power should not have monopoly over resources. Alibi for its imminent defeat: BJP on Congs bank account freezing charges: THE BJP on Thursday accused the Congress of insulting the country by dubbing the I-T department action on its bank accounts as freezing of Indian democracy and dismissed the Opposition partys attack on the Government as a desperate attempt to create an alibi for its imminent defeat in the Lok Sabha polls. BJP leader and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad charged former Congress president Rahul Gandhi with lying and also targeted Sonia Gandhi, saying both of them shamed Indian democracy globally with their utterly irresponsible and shameful comments. Rahul Gandhi should apologise for castigating institutions like courts and the Election Commission over the freezing of bank accounts of the Congress, Prasad told reporters here.

His caustic remarks came after senior Congress leaders including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi addressed a press conference and slammed the government over IT action. There is no democracy in India today and the idea that India is the worlds largest democracy is a complete lie, Rahul Gandhi said, terming the freezing of accounts a criminal action against the Congress by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. BJP hits back at Cong, says it is conveniently blaming its irrelevance on financial troubles: BJP chief J P Nadda on Thursday dismissed the Congress Talk of financial helplessness as comical, and said the party can use the money accumulated from all the scams that took place during its rule for electioneering. The BJPs reaction came after former Congress president Sonia Gandhi demanded that the party be given access to its bank accounts to ensure a level playing field for the Lok Sabha polls and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of making a systematic effort to cripple the party financially.
Dinesh Yadavs name on cards as Cong candidate from Jabalpur





Staff Reporter

A number of Congress leaders and workers gathered at city square, on Thursday evening to celebrate selection of Dinesh Yadav, senior Congress leader and former City President of Congress Committee, as the partys candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Jabalpur constituency.

Although the official list from the Congress had not been released on Thursday, party members indicated that their seniors in New Delhi and Bhopal had given the green signal for Yadavs candidature from Jabalpur. On contacting Dinesh Yadav, he confirmed that State Co-Incharge Sanjay Kapoor and other senior leaders had informed him of his final selection as the partys candidate for the Jabalpur Parliamentary constituency, despite the official list not yet being release.
Hingoli quake: Safe zone no longer safe





By Kaushik Bhattacharya

Three back-to-back earthquakes in Hingoli district of Maharashtra on Thursday created panic among citizens and raised concern among geologists about possibility of self-reactivating of deep-located fault plane. The tremors from the three earthquakes -- of magnitude 4.5 richter scale, 3.6 richter scale and 2.6 richter scale -- were also felt in Umerkhed Block-I of Umerkhed taluka of Yavatmal district. According to the website of National Seismological Center (NSC) of Ministry of Earth, Government of India, three earthquakes jolted Hingoli district at 6.08 am, 6.19 am and 6.24 am respectively. The epicentre of the 4.5 magnitude earthquake was 10 km below the earth and it took place 262 km away of South West direction from Nagpur city. Whereas, the second earthquake of 3.6 richter scale had the epicentre below 10 km and it was 262 km away from Nagpur city. The third one was 2.6 richter scale, and it happened in 5 km depth.

The first tremor was bigger than the remaining two and it was also felt in around 95 kms away in Umerkhed taluka. However, no loss of life or property were reported in Yavatmal district due to this tremors. Dr Anjan Chatterjee, former Additional Director General, Geological Survey of India (GSI) and former Director, Earthquake Geology Division, Central Region believes that the Hingoli earthquake tremors could be possibly from a deep located fault plane that could be reactivating itself. Hingoli area has reported some mild seismic activities a few years back too. The area is otherwise in a safe earthquake Zone II like Nagpur city, denoting least susceptibility to seismicity, based on the seismic zonation map of India, said Dr Chatterjee. MEQ (microearthquake) recorder and macro earthquake surveys and studies could reveal more information. Therefore these studies should be conducted in Hingoli district to get the exact situation, said Dr Chatterjee.
Quantum leap in economic growth: Gadkaris vision for Vid





Team Hitavada

Confident of winning the Lok Sabha election for the third time in a row, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari looks forward to giving an extra-special impetus to growth and development of the region in tune with the national blue-print. Sharing his inspirations and aspirations with The Hitavada team during a visit on Thursday, the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate for Nagpur Lok Sabha constituency stated candidly that the Vidarbha region is poised for a quantum leap in economic growth in the next few years. He said, he looks forward to a great growth trajectory in the Gadchiroli area powered by steel sector. Gadkari looked relaxed and clear about his vision for Nagpur, his poll strategy, his thinking about peoples connect. Emphasising Gadchirolis potential to put the region on the global map, Gadkari said he looked forward to a growth trajectory, powered by steel sector, in Gadchiroli area. The volumes of iron ore Gadchiroli has are in such quantities that it can become worlds top supplier of iron ore. The district has already got a facelift with the development that BJP has brought about. The tribals in this area had been away from development in the past. Our Government brought a lot of schemes to make them a part of the mainstream development, which changed their lives.

The issue of Naxalism had been haunting them for decades. And, the main reason behind this menace was increasing unemployment. Youngsters remained idle, and so got diverted to Naxalism. The solution to this lied in generating employment. The investment was increased, a lot of developmental projects were started. We insisted on starting industries to accommodate local people. This has changed the picture. With employment generation, the problems minimised, elaborated Gadkari with a smile of satisfaction. Revealing his plans for the next five years, Gadkari said, MIHAN is growing and we are very sure that in next two years, it will wear a complete new look. Rafael has come, Falcon will be manufactured here, already filled, Maintenance Repairing and Overhauling (MRO) at MIHAN are working with full force. A lot of aircraft, including IndiGo, giving a top choice to the MRO at Nagpur. We want to make Nagpur an Aviation hub, and an education hub.

According to Gadkari, no space remained in MIHAN for new industry unit, so he has suggested acquiring new land near Gumgaon to the State Government. MIHAN can be expanded at a new location, he said. Except a few, no international flight has started its operations at Nagpurs Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Aiport. Gadkari believed that tourism was one element that could increase the international flights. A lot of people are coming to this region to see tigers. This area can be given a boost by creating various facilities such resorts and multiple modes of transport, pointed out Gadkari. I am contemplating to develop Ambhora, Pench, Umred as good tourist spots. The encouragement to set up resorts can attract tourists to these areas. The tourism sector has the capacity to generate huge employment as it connects a lot of small and big professions, commented Gadkari. Vidarbha tops in the country as far as production of cotton is concerned; now this cotton can be sent outside using Sindi dryport that came up recently, he said.

Gadkari said, he had plans to develop rail network on the lines of road network, including bypass routes. We can have rail bypass route for goods trains. Nagpur is in the centre of railway network connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. We can use that advantageous position to provide easy transport facility to the industry, he suggested. During the interaction, Gadkari came up with several new ideas. It was he who introduced the Advantage Vidarbha activity to Nagpur. Similarly, during his tenure as MP of Nagpur, Gadkari started activities such as Khasdar Sanskrutik Mahotsav, Jyestha Nagrik Mahotsav, Krida Mahotsav, with all of those evoking huge response from all strata of the people. Gadkari is known for his social connect with the people of all walks. Apart from campaigning for himself, he wants to go out for the campaigning of other candidates. I never see election politically but it helps me to increase my peoples network. Holding dialogues with people gives me energy. I shall definitely go to other parts of the country to campaign the candidates of our party, Gadkari made it clear. Earlier Rajendra Purohit, Managing Director of The Hitavada and Vijay Phanshikar, Editor, welcomed Nitin Gadkari with a bouquet.
SBI tells SC Provided all details of electoral bonds to EC





NEW DELHI :

The complete bank account numbers and KYC details of the political parties have not being made public as it may compromise the security of the account (cyber security), says SBI Chairman

THE State Bank of India told the Supreme Court on Thursday it has provided the Election Commission all details of electoral bonds, including the unique bond number that would reveal the link between the purchaser and the recipient political party. In a compliance affidavit filed ahead of the 5 p.m. deadline set by the apex court, the SBI chairman said the complete bank account numbers and KYC details of the political parties which redeemed the bonds have not been made public as it may compromise the security of these accounts. The SBI also said KYC details of purchasers have also not being made public for security reasons. It said complete bank account numbers and KYC details were not necessary for identifying the political parties.

The affidavit said the SBI has revealed information which will show the name of the purchaser of the bond, its denomination and specific number, the name of the party that encashed it, the last four digits of the bank account number of political parties that redeemed the bond and the denomination and unique number of the bond encashed. In a third tongue-lashing to the SBI, the apex court had on March 18 told it to stop being selective and make complete disclosure of all details related to the electoral bonds scheme by March 21. A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud had said the details to be disclosed include the unique bond numbers that would reveal the link between the buyers and the recipient political parties. In the compliance affidavit, the SBI said it has provided all details of the electoral bonds which were in its possession to the EC.

The complete bank account numbers and KYC details of the political parties are not being made public as it may compromise the security of the account (cyber security), it said. Similarly, KYC details of purchasers are also not being made public for security reasons, apart from the fact that such information is not fed/collated in the system. However, they are not necessary for identifying the political parties, the affidavit filed by bank chairperson Dinesh Kumar Khara said. It said in the details disclosed regarding purchasers and redemption by political parties, the prefix and the bonds number is in fact the alphanumeric number. It is respectfully submitted that SBI has now disclosed all details and that no details (other than complete account numbers & KYC details) have been withheld from disclosure in terms of the directions contained in the judgment dated February 15, 2024 read with order dated March 18, 2024 passed by this court, the affidavit said. On March 18, the apex court had said there was no manner of doubt that the SBI is required to make complete disclosure of all the details which are in its possession.

It had said the EC shall upload the details forthwith on receipt of the communication by SBI. In a landmark verdict delivered on February 15, a five-judge constitution bench had scrapped the Centres controversial electoral bonds scheme that allowed anonymous political funding, calling it unconstitutional, and ordered disclosure by the EC of the donors, amount donated by them and the recipients by March 13. Ordering the closure of the scheme, the top court directed the SBI, the authorised financial institution under the scheme, to submit by March 6 the details of the electoral bonds purchased since April 12, 2019 till date to the Election Commission. On March 11, the apex court had trashed SBIs plea seeking an extension of time and ordered it to disclose the details of electoral bonds to the EC by close of business hours on March 12. The apex court had on March 15 admonished the SBI for furnishing incomplete information and said the bank was required to provide the number unique to each electoral bond that would disclose the link between the buyer and the recipient political party.
By Lt General M K Das

ELECTIONS to the Parliament (Lok Sabha) and four State Assemblies of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim have been announced. The election will be held in seven phases as was the case in the year 2019. A lot of curiosity may be about having multi-phase elections stretched over one and half months. A lot of issues are involved in the conduct of pan-India elections in the worlds largest democracy and we will focus on the security dynamics related to the entire electioneering cycle. The first Lok Sabha election to 489 seats was conducted between October 25, 1951 and February 21, 1952, i.e. for a period of about four months and 17.3 crore voters voted in 68 phases. In the current elections, we are looking at a mammoth figure of more than 97 crore voters across the length and breadth of the country, voting to elect 543 Lok Sabha members and 413 MLAs. There will be more than 10.5 lakh polling stations, many of these located in the interiors and remote areas with a sizeable number in disturbed areas of the Jammu & Kashmir, the North East and Left-Wing Extremism (popularly called Maoists) infested areas. The conduct of free and fair elections in such areas always remains a challenge for the Election Commission. More importantly, a sizeable number of voters must vote and exercise the franchise to have a meaningful democracy.

I am reminded of two incidents in my military career about the conduct of the elections in strife-torn areas. First one was in Sri Lanka when I was deployed as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) during Operation Pawan from 1988 to 1989. The IPKF was deployed for the peace-keeping in the Tamil dominated areas of the North and the North East Sri Lanka. The main terrorist organisation we were fighting was the ferocious LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam) and the LTTE wanted to usurp power in the Tamil dominated areas by force. The Sri Lankans wanted to provide local governance through the North Eastern Provincial Council and elections were held for the 71 seats on November 19, 1988. The LTTE had given a boycott call. The IPKF was tasked to provide the security umbrella for the local Tamilians to cast the vote. In the Mannar district where I was deployed, the common public was too scared to come out and vote.

As a young officer, it was my first experience in the conduct of the elections. The first challenge was to keep the LTTE at bay and convince the public that they are safe. As the day progressed, the voters came in trickle with fear writ large on their faces. If I remember correctly, not more than 20 per cent finally voted at the end of the day. We had some satisfaction of having contributed to the local governance, whatever it meant at that point of time. Exactly a month later on December 19, 1988, Sri Lankan Presidential elections were held amid even more hostile LTTE giving a boycott call. The public was slightly more emboldened with our presence and this time the voting percentage touched about 25 per cent in our area. On our way back from the polling station located in jungle and forested area, my party was ambushed but prompt reaction from my party thwarted the challenge quickly. I had learnt my tactical lessons and this foundation served me well in the later years of my career. The second incident is about February 1992 Assembly elections in the State of Punjab.

The State was suffering from the Sikh militancy and when the Army was deployed to bring normalcy and assist in the conduct of the elections along with other agencies, it was a tough call. We were deployed in the Bhatinda and Mansa areas and in spite of our best efforts, the voting did not go beyond 15 per cent turnout. The overall voter turnout was a dismal 23.82 per cent with the INC forming Government under Beant Singh as the CM. Both the incidents clearly establish the fact that maximum number of voters must come out and vote to have the right representative Government. Towards the aim of having free and fair elections, the security agencies play a pivotal role to provide a safe environment, particularly in areas with a past record of poll-related violence. Besides the local police, a large strength of the para military forces are deployed, even in areas which are peaceful. The Army as a norm is kept away from the polling exercise but does provide the necessary security umbrella and cover with its presence in the disturbed areas. For example, the elections in the J & K perforce require that the Army provides the best possible enabling environment for the people to vote.

The biggest challenge is faced by the para military forces which have to move from one State to another, sometimes criss-cross the State and provide close security to the polling booths. Normally the para military is deployed in terms of a company, numbering approximately 100 armed persons which have to move with tentage, cooking arrangement and very little administrative support, all the movement taking place at short notice. With more than 10.5 lakh polling stations, the elections perforce have to be staggered in multiple phases so that adequate para military forces are shifted from one phase to another. During my service, I have seen such forces doing a thankless job in the most trying circumstances, in most professional manner. Therefore, it is no less than a miracle that such country-wide elections are restricted to six or seven phases. (The author is PVSM, SM**, VSM (Retd). He is a top officer - retired from the Indian Army)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 22. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's official visit to Azerbaijan on March 17 was marked by encouraging moments; nonetheless, other information emerged prior to his journey to Yerevan, Trend reports.

Thus, news of the upcoming meeting between US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Stoltenberg in April 2024 created the impression that events are unfolding in the opposite direction.

Following Stoltenberg's visits to Baku and Yerevan, a significant moment became particularly apparent: during his visit to the South Caucasus, the main goal was to open a front from this region against Russia, providing support to the region's countries in their war against Russia.

It's quite likely that the West has once again realized that it cannot ask Azerbaijan, which pursues an independent state policy, for this favor because Azerbaijan is not Armenia.

Unlike Yerevan, Baku has no intention or desire to obey the orders of the West or other centers.

Azerbaijan pursues its own political line and is unwilling to relinquish its balanced approach, which has enabled it to achieve success for many years.



However, unlike Azerbaijan, which has greater opportunity to influence processes, Armenia, whose foreign policy has long been defined by'slave diplomacy', appears to have reinforced this perspective during Stoltenberg's visit to Yerevan.



Thus, it is anticipated that the US and the European Union are planning to sign a security guarantee treaty with Armenia, similar to bilateral agreements between Ukraine and the UK, France, Germany, and other nations.

NATO Secretary General also said in Yerevan that "if Russia wins in Ukraine, this will be most dangerous for everyone.".

Diplomatic relations between Armenia and Russia have significantly deteriorated over the past four years.

Yerevan believes it has received a 'historic chance' to'move away from Russia's orbit'.

It now seems obvious that this does not bode well, as evidenced by:

Armenia's resolve regarding the CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization) issue;

Armenian parliament's ratification of the agreement on the status of the EU mission on the border with Azerbaijan. Thus, Yerevan deals the biggest blow to the Kremlin, refusing to rely on Russia's military potential, which has always been its stronghold.

The majority of Armenian banks have decided to stop accepting cards from the 'Mir' Russian payment system as of March 30. This means that Armenia has joined the sanctions against Russia.

For Armenia, which is 'dancing' between the West and Russia, this dance seems to be the last one. This is undoubtedly the worst of all possible scenarios, but it's now obvious that Russia's influence is being squeezed out of the post-Soviet region.

Apparently, Armenia is the most active player in this regard. The steps taken by Pashinyan to make a sharp turn towards military cooperation with Western countries, such as France and the US, suggest this.

The preparation for the meeting in Brussels in April 2024 between US Secretary of State Blinken and European Commission President von der Leyen with Pashinyan and Stoltenberg, the creation of security guarantees for Armenia, is nothing more than an unjust position towards Baku, because this step cannot be interpreted as support for the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

This move by the West is an attempt to solve the issue unilaterally. It also does not meet the interests of Azerbaijan and is another biased position against our country.

The answer to how Armenia gained this 'trust' from the West is also very simple. It has become a habit for Armenia to betray its closest allies from time to time in favor of stronger parties. The Pashinyan regime lacks the necessary political will, and this poses an additional threat to Armenia's statehood, the continuity of the current government, and Pashinyan's security.

On February 18, during a meeting with representatives of the Armenian community in Germany, he said that "we must diversify our foreign policy. Moreover, we need to diversify our security and other connections. There is no other way." Thus, he indicated that it was time to change owners and that a new stage in the policy of 'slavery' had begun.

The West wants to enter the South Caucasus at all costs, with the firm intention of blocking the'main gateway' to Russia, and once again, Armenia becomes its intermediary in this matter. This is an attempt by the West to militarily invade the region on a larger scale after the EU mission, which could lead to an explosion in the region and a serious blow to emerging regional security.

Apparently, the West believes that opening the gates to the South Caucasus is the main step towards pushing Russia out of this region and out of Central Asia. The position of Azerbaijan as the main guarantor of security in the region is well known worldwide. Baku will take an extremely tough stance against any decision that threatens the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and the security of its borders.

However, in this matter, other states of the region, Russia and Iran, should be even more concerned. If the issue is about pushing Russia out of the region, then serious threats to Iran's security may arise on its borders with Armenia.

The mentioned neighbors, who have been patronizing Armenia for many years without considering taking measures against its policy of invasion, should consider a response to this plan without delay.

Both Moscow and Tehran know well what threats await them if the response is delayed. It's not excluded that, under the guise of a 'security belt', Armenia will now deliver the biggest blow to Russia and Iran.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 22. The upcoming trilateral meeting of Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Brussels reveals the true face of the country, Azerbaijani MP Azer Badamov told Trend.

"On April 5, a trilateral meeting is being prepared between Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan, US Secretary of State Blinken, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, with the signing of a document on security guarantees for Armenia. The main goal of the meeting is to expedite the process of Russia's withdrawal from Armenia and replace the Russian military base with US troops.

The US and the European Union have provided similar security guarantees to Ukraine as well. As a result, Ukraine has turned into a battlefield, and there are no doubts that a similar situation will arise with Armenia. The meeting that Pashinyan plans to hold in Brussels will further anger Russia because it's not intending to leave Armenia as easily as the West and Pashinyan would like. This means that serious steps from Russia are inevitable, and disaster is looming closer," he said.

Badamov also noted that the presence of US and European military forces in Armenia contradicts Iran's interests.

"The West has kept Iran under sanctions for a long time, and there have even been attempts to change the regime. The deployment of US and European troops in Armenia poses a serious threat to Iran. This also contributes to the rupture of Iranian-Armenian relations. Unfortunately, Armenia continues to undermine security and cooperation in the South Caucasus.

The meeting of Blinken and Ursula von der Leyen with Pashinyan in Brussels calls into question the signing of a peace agreement with Azerbaijan. Because it is an attempt to address the issue unilaterally, which does not serve the interests of Azerbaijan and is a step against our country," he said.

According to Badamov, as Armenia succumbs to Western promises, it moves further away from the peace process.

"This can also be seen in the Armenian Parliament Chairman Alen Simonyan's speech at the session of the EuroNest Parliamentary Assembly in Brussels on March 20. Simonyan is once again trying to revive the term 'Nagorno-Karabakh' and portray the voluntary departure of Armenians from the Karabakh economic region as 'ethnic cleansing'.

Pashinyan's trilateral meeting in Brussels, as well as Simonyan's rhetoric, reveal Armenia's true face. Armenia's actions can be described as an attempt to create a new hotspot of tension in the South Caucasus. Pashinyan does not understand that the main goal of the US is not to 'protect' Armenia but to penetrate neighboring countries with Russia and create new pressure points. In this regard, there is no doubt that Central Asia will be the next target of the US after Ukraine.

The US is trying to weaken and ultimately fragment Russia by involving it in new conflicts. Of course, this is a complex issue. Because Russia has enough strength and resources to resist the West. Despite spending hundreds of billions of dollars on the Ukrainian war, the US and Europe have not succeeded. There is no doubt that Armenia awaits a situation similar to that of Ukraine and Lebanon today," the MP added.

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AECOM (NYSE:ACM  Get Free Report) has earned a consensus rating of Buy from the seven analysts that are covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation. The average twelve-month price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $102.00.

Several equities analysts have recently commented on ACM shares. KeyCorp started coverage on shares of AECOM in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. They issued an overweight rating and a $104.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $109.00 price objective on shares of AECOM in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Barclays upped their target price on shares of AECOM from $90.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on shares of AECOM from $100.00 to $103.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Finally, TheStreet raised shares of AECOM from a c+ rating to a b rating in a research note on Monday, February 5th.

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View Our Latest Analysis on ACM

AECOM Stock Performance

NYSE:ACM opened at $98.39 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 1.05 and a quick ratio of 1.05. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 218.64, a PEG ratio of 1.39 and a beta of 1.23. The companys 50-day moving average is $89.86 and its two-hundred day moving average is $86.85. AECOM has a 1-year low of $74.40 and a 1-year high of $98.47.

AECOM (NYSE:ACM  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The construction company reported $1.05 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.92 by $0.13. AECOM had a net margin of 0.42% and a return on equity of 21.45%. The firm had revenue of $3.90 billion for the quarter. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.86 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that AECOM will post 4.45 EPS for the current year.

AECOM Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 10th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 24th will be given a $0.22 dividend. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.89%. AECOMs dividend payout ratio is presently 195.56%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in shares of AECOM by 8.3% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 17,199,288 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,456,608,000 after buying an additional 1,317,576 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its position in shares of AECOM by 5.9% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 4,833,820 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $409,376,000 after buying an additional 269,202 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in AECOM by 39.2% during the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,456,275 shares of the construction companys stock worth $265,478,000 after purchasing an additional 972,449 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in AECOM by 3.4% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 3,427,423 shares of the construction companys stock worth $290,268,000 after purchasing an additional 112,357 shares during the period. Finally, Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in AECOM by 106,750.4% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,422,418 shares of the construction companys stock worth $290,666,000 after purchasing an additional 3,419,215 shares during the period. 84.79% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About AECOM

(Get Free Report

AECOM, together with its subsidiaries, provides professional infrastructure consulting services worldwide. It operates in three segments: Americas, International, and AECOM Capital. The company offers planning, consulting, architectural and engineering design, construction and program management, and investment and development services to public and private clients.

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Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE:ALLY  Free Report) by 31.8% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 164,636 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 39,763 shares during the period. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in Ally Financial were worth $5,749,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ALLY. NBC Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Ally Financial during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. raised its position in Ally Financial by 115.0% in the 1st quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. now owns 645 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 345 shares during the last quarter. PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new stake in Ally Financial in the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. Natixis purchased a new stake in Ally Financial in the 4th quarter valued at $41,000. Finally, Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd raised its position in Ally Financial by 337.8% during the 3rd quarter. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd now owns 1,563 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 1,206 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.04% of the companys stock.

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Ally Financial Stock Performance

ALLY stock traded down $0.82 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $39.78. The company had a trading volume of 1,069,275 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,142,482. The company has a quick ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.58 and a beta of 1.40. Ally Financial Inc. has a one year low of $22.54 and a one year high of $41.56. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $36.46 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $31.32.

Ally Financial Dividend Announcement

Ally Financial ( NYSE:ALLY Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 19th. The financial services provider reported $0.45 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.44 by $0.01. Ally Financial had a net margin of 12.42% and a return on equity of 9.41%. The business had revenue of $2.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.99 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.08 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that Ally Financial Inc. will post 3.17 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 1st were paid a dividend of $0.30 per share. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.02%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, January 31st. Ally Financials dividend payout ratio is currently 40.13%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have commented on ALLY shares. TheStreet upgraded shares of Ally Financial from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Ally Financial from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $37.00 to $47.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 8th. StockNews.com raised shares of Ally Financial from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday. Wolfe Research raised shares of Ally Financial from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $39.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on shares of Ally Financial from $32.00 to $43.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 2nd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $35.00.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Ally Financial

Ally Financial Profile

(Free Report)

Ally Financial Inc, a digital financial-services company, provides various digital financial products and services in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda. The company operates through Automotive Finance Operations, Insurance Operations, Mortgage Finance Operations, and Corporate Finance Operations segments.

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StockNews.com cut shares of Ardmore Shipping (NYSE:ASC  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report report published on Tuesday morning.

A number of other analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on shares of Ardmore Shipping from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, February 16th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating and issued a $20.00 price objective on shares of Ardmore Shipping in a research note on Thursday, February 15th.

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Ardmore Shipping Stock Up 1.9 %

Shares of ASC stock opened at $16.71 on Tuesday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $16.05 and a 200-day moving average of $14.35. The company has a quick ratio of 3.38, a current ratio of 3.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. Ardmore Shipping has a 12-month low of $11.59 and a 12-month high of $17.17. The company has a market capitalization of $678.72 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.12 and a beta of 0.39.

Ardmore Shipping (NYSE:ASC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 15th. The shipping company reported $0.63 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.61 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $98.80 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $64.26 million. Ardmore Shipping had a net margin of 29.50% and a return on equity of 22.76%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 25.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.33 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Ardmore Shipping will post 2.6 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Ardmore Shipping Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 29th were issued a $0.21 dividend. This is a positive change from Ardmore Shippings previous quarterly dividend of $0.16. This represents a $0.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.03%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 28th. Ardmore Shippings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 30.77%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ardmore Shipping

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Ardmore Shipping by 10.2% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 358,453 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $5,051,000 after purchasing an additional 33,240 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its holdings in shares of Ardmore Shipping by 23.9% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 696,697 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $9,816,000 after purchasing an additional 134,233 shares during the last quarter. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Ardmore Shipping during the 4th quarter worth approximately $212,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD acquired a new stake in Ardmore Shipping during the 4th quarter worth approximately $146,000. Finally, Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV acquired a new stake in Ardmore Shipping during the 4th quarter worth approximately $169,000. 71.45% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Ardmore Shipping Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Ardmore Shipping Corporation engages in the seaborne transportation of petroleum products and chemicals worldwide. As of March 15, 2023, the company operated a fleet of 22 owned vessels including 21 Eco-design and 1 Eco-mod vessel, and five chartered-in vessels. It serves oil majors, oil companies, oil and chemical traders, chemical companies, and pooling service providers.

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Asio Capital LLC raised its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 1.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 83,180 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 972 shares during the period. Asio Capital LLCs holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $4,094,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of WFC. 17 Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company in the 4th quarter valued at about $232,000. OneAscent Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 15.9% in the 4th quarter. OneAscent Wealth Management LLC now owns 10,063 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $495,000 after buying an additional 1,379 shares during the period. OneAscent Financial Services LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 96.0% in the 4th quarter. OneAscent Financial Services LLC now owns 25,046 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,233,000 after buying an additional 12,269 shares during the period. Epiq Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the 4th quarter worth $327,000. Finally, West Financial Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 67.8% in the 4th quarter. West Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,980 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $97,000 after buying an additional 800 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 72.47% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $54.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Raymond James boosted their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $55.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. Odeon Capital Group downgraded Wells Fargo & Company from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $48.80 price target on the stock. in a report on Thursday, January 18th. Citigroup restated a neutral rating and set a $63.00 price objective (up from $57.00) on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Compass Point lifted their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 13th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Wells Fargo & Company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $52.74.

Wells Fargo & Company Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE WFC traded down $0.29 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $57.56. The stock had a trading volume of 682,184 shares, compared to its average volume of 19,303,092. The firm has a market cap of $203.79 billion, a PE ratio of 12.00, a PEG ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 1.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 0.88. The company has a 50 day moving average of $52.03 and a two-hundred day moving average of $46.45. Wells Fargo & Company has a twelve month low of $35.25 and a twelve month high of $58.44.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 12th. The financial services provider reported $0.86 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.16 by ($0.30). Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 16.60% and a return on equity of 12.40%. The firm had revenue of $20.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.30 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.67 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that Wells Fargo & Company will post 4.71 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wells Fargo & Company Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 2nd were paid a dividend of $0.35 per share. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.43%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 1st. Wells Fargo & Companys payout ratio is 29.05%.

Wells Fargo & Company Profile

(Free Report)

Wells Fargo & Company, a financial services company, provides diversified banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Consumer Banking and Lending; Commercial Banking; Corporate and Investment Banking; and Wealth and Investment Management.

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BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF (NYSEARCA:XHLF  Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Friday . Approximately 259,500 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 2% from the previous sessions volume of 253,243 shares.The stock last traded at $50.27 and had previously closed at $50.26.

BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF Price Performance

The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $50.23 and a 200 day moving average price of $50.22.

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Institutional Trading of BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Warren Street Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF by 372.0% in the 4th quarter. Warren Street Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 19,182 shares of the companys stock worth $963,000 after buying an additional 15,118 shares in the last quarter. Pineridge Advisors LLC bought a new position in BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $74,765,000. Hobbs Group Advisors LLC bought a new position in BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $3,670,000. OLD Mission Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $538,000. Finally, Financial Network Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $1,952,000.

BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF Company Profile

The Bondbloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF (XHLF) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund is passively managed to invest in a portfolio of US Treasury securities with a target duration of six months. XHLF was launched on Sep 13, 2022 and is managed by BondBloxx.

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Barclays started coverage on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM  Get Free Report) (TSE:CM) in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, Marketbeat.com reports. The brokerage set an underweight rating on the banks stock.

Several other brokerages have also recently issued reports on CM. StockNews.com upgraded Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, December 8th. National Bank Financial upgraded shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. Scotiabank upgraded shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. Bank of America upgraded shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from an underperform rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, December 18th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in a report on Thursday, February 22nd. They issued a buy rating for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $63.00.

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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Trading Up 0.6 %

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

Shares of NYSE:CM opened at $50.64 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16. The stock has a market cap of $47.19 billion, a PE ratio of 10.46, a P/E/G ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 1.05. The business has a 50 day moving average of $46.76 and a 200-day moving average of $42.82. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a 12-month low of $34.35 and a 12-month high of $50.92.

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce during the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. Glassman Wealth Services lifted its position in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 57.5% in the 4th quarter. Glassman Wealth Services now owns 693 shares of the banks stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 253 shares in the last quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 34.9% in the 4th quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC now owns 859 shares of the banks stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 222 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its position in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 277.9% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 1,126 shares of the banks stock valued at $48,000 after acquiring an additional 828 shares in the last quarter. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 574.7% in the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,066 shares of the banks stock valued at $51,000 after acquiring an additional 908 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 43.72% of the companys stock.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a diversified financial institution, provides various financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Canadian Personal and Business Banking; Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; U.S.

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Canoo Inc. (NYSE:GOEV  Get Free Report) fell 3.9% on Friday . The company traded as low as $3.72 and last traded at $4.17. 13,573,481 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 81% from the average session volume of 7,510,982 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.34.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on GOEV shares. Alliance Global Partners reduced their target price on shares of Canoo from $20.00 to $18.50 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, March 15th. Wedbush initiated coverage on shares of Canoo in a research report on Friday, January 5th. They set an outperform rating and a $92.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on shares of Canoo from $34.50 to $17.25 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd.

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Canoo Stock Down 2.3 %

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Canoo

The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $3.20 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $6.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 0.14 and a current ratio of 0.17. The stock has a market capitalization of $177.02 million, a P/E ratio of -0.23 and a beta of 1.17.

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its stake in Canoo by 32.9% in the second quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 17,951 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 4,448 shares in the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers raised its stake in Canoo by 4.6% in the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 126,937 shares of the companys stock valued at $235,000 after purchasing an additional 5,592 shares in the last quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. raised its stake in Canoo by 23.0% in the first quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 40,363 shares of the companys stock valued at $223,000 after purchasing an additional 7,544 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its stake in shares of Canoo by 2.2% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 386,691 shares of the companys stock worth $2,135,000 after acquiring an additional 8,479 shares in the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in shares of Canoo by 11.2% in the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 116,606 shares of the companys stock worth $216,000 after buying an additional 11,746 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 36.23% of the companys stock.

Canoo Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Canoo Inc, a mobility technology company, designs, engineers, develops, and manufactures electric vehicles for commercial and consumer markets in the United States. The company offers lifestyle delivery vehicles, lifestyle vehicles, multi-purpose delivery vehicles, and pickups. It also provides multi-purpose platform architecture is a self-contained, fully functional rolling chassis that directly houses the critical components for operation of an EV.

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Cascade Investment Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) by 0.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 31,395 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 180 shares during the quarter. Charles Schwab accounts for 1.5% of Cascade Investment Advisors Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 12th largest position. Cascade Investment Advisors Inc.s holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $2,160,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 54.2% in the second quarter. Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC now owns 135,940 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $7,705,000 after buying an additional 47,792 shares in the last quarter. Bamco Inc. NY increased its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 0.5% in the third quarter. Bamco Inc. NY now owns 8,102,475 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $444,826,000 after buying an additional 42,588 shares in the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Charles Schwab by 43.2% in the third quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 551,682 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $30,287,000 after acquiring an additional 166,316 shares during the last quarter. Act Two Investors LLC acquired a new stake in Charles Schwab in the second quarter worth about $13,488,000. Finally, 180 Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in Charles Schwab by 6.1% in the third quarter. 180 Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 32,214 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,769,000 after purchasing an additional 1,843 shares during the period. 81.61% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity

In related news, insider Nigel J. Murtagh sold 29,991 shares of Charles Schwab stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.80, for a total transaction of $2,033,389.80. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 81,446 shares in the company, valued at $5,522,038.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 71,226 shares of Charles Schwab 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 transaction, the chairman now directly owns 61,251,038 shares in the company, valued at $3,980,704,959.62. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Nigel J. Murtagh sold 29,991 shares of Charles Schwab stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.80, for a total value of $2,033,389.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 81,446 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,522,038.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 202,607 shares of company stock worth $13,214,499 over the last 90 days. 6.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Charles Schwab Trading Down 0.2 %

NYSE SCHW traded down $0.11 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $71.74. 1,753,723 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,808,408. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $64.91 and a 200 day simple moving average of $60.82. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 1-year low of $45.65 and a 1-year high of $72.95. The firm has a market cap of $127.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.28, a PEG ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a current ratio of 0.43, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.68 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.04. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 21.33% and a net margin of 26.90%. The firm had revenue of $4.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.49 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.07 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 18.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.34 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Charles Schwab Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 9th were issued a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 8th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.39%. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio is presently 39.37%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

SCHW has been the subject of a number of research reports. TD Cowen upgraded Charles Schwab from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $87.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Friday. Citigroup cut Charles Schwab from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their target price for the company from $75.00 to $70.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price objective on Charles Schwab from $75.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut Charles Schwab from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $75.00 to $70.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 18th. Finally, JMP Securities reiterated a market outperform rating and set a $77.00 price objective on shares of Charles Schwab in a research note on Thursday, January 18th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Charles Schwab currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $71.12.

View Our Latest Analysis on Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab Profile

(Free Report)

The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services.

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Centamin plc (LON:CEY  Get Free Report) declared a dividend on Thursday, March 21st, Upcoming.Co.Uk reports. Investors of record on Thursday, May 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.02 per share by the mining company on Wednesday, June 19th. This represents a yield of 1.48%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 30th. The official announcement can be seen at this link.

Centamin Stock Performance

Shares of CEY opened at GBX 105.40 ($1.34) on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 96.43 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 92.06. The firm has a market capitalization of 1.22 billion, a PE ratio of 2,200.00, a P/E/G ratio of -1.53 and a beta of 0.56. The company has a quick ratio of 2.09, a current ratio of 3.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. Centamin has a 52-week low of GBX 77.25 ($0.98) and a 52-week high of GBX 115.10 ($1.47).

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Berenberg Bank restated a buy rating on shares of Centamin in a research report on Tuesday, December 19th.

About Centamin

(Get Free Report)

Centamin plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration, mining, and development of precious metals in Egypt, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Jersey, the United Kingdom, and Australia. It explores for gold deposits. The company principal asset is the Sukari Gold Mine project, which covers an area of approximately 160 square kilometers located in the Eastern Desert of Egypt.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 22. President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Aktoty Raimkulova met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to France Leyla Abdullayeva within the framework of the working visit to France, Trend reports.

The meeting examined the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation's initiatives in preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of Turkic peoples who share a common historical background and values.



During the talks, the Foundation's initiative and endeavor to add a new transnational Turkic nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage List - the original Turkic art of Gurama - were highly praised.

The meeting continued with an exchange of views on the expansion of relations between the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation and the Embassy of Azerbaijan in France, as well as the implementation of further joint activities.

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Chemistry Wealth Management LLC decreased its holdings in Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (NYSE:BAM  Free Report) (TSE:BAM.A) by 10.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 33,582 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 3,828 shares during the quarter. Chemistry Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Brookfield Asset Management were worth $1,349,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Private Trust Co. NA increased its position in shares of Brookfield Asset Management by 180.4% during the third quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 1,057 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 680 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA raised its position in Brookfield Asset Management by 35.5% in the 2nd quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA now owns 1,057 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 277 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC boosted its stake in shares of Brookfield Asset Management by 106.4% in the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 1,482 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $49,000 after buying an additional 764 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp grew its position in shares of Brookfield Asset Management by 39.6% during the third quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp now owns 1,764 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $59,000 after buying an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers increased its stake in shares of Brookfield Asset Management by 21.9% during the third quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 1,844 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $61,000 after buying an additional 331 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 61.92% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on shares of Brookfield Asset Management from $34.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, February 8th. HSBC downgraded Brookfield Asset Management from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, February 1st. TD Securities cut their target price on Brookfield Asset Management from $52.00 to $49.00 and set an action list buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price target on Brookfield Asset Management from $50.92 to $41.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 30th. Finally, CIBC increased their target price on shares of Brookfield Asset Management from $40.00 to $47.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, January 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $42.20.

Brookfield Asset Management Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:BAM traded down $0.30 on Friday, reaching $42.35. The companys stock had a trading volume of 833,237 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,071,484. Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. has a 52-week low of $28.35 and a 52-week high of $43.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $17.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.40, a PEG ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 1.69. The stocks 50-day moving average is $40.56 and its two-hundred day moving average is $36.63.

Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE:BAM  Get Free Report) (TSE:BAM.A) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 7th. The financial services provider reported $0.36 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.34 by $0.02. Brookfield Asset Management had a return on equity of 96.43% and a net margin of 50.23%. The firm had revenue of $1.13 billion during the quarter. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.31 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. will post 1.56 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Brookfield Asset Management Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 29th will be paid a $0.38 dividend. This is a boost from Brookfield Asset Managements previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. This represents a $1.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.59%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 28th. Brookfield Asset Managements payout ratio is currently 134.51%.

Brookfield Asset Management Profile

(Free Report)

Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. is a real estate investment firm specializing in alternative asset management services. Its renewable power and transition business includes the operates in the hydroelectric, wind, solar, distributed generation, and sustainable solution sector. The company's infrastructure business engages in the utilities, transport, midstream, and data infrastructure sectors.

Further Reading

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Shares of Clear Secure, Inc. (NYSE:YOU  Get Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of Hold by the six brokerages that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, two have assigned a hold recommendation and three have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $28.80.

Several brokerages have issued reports on YOU. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $34.00 price objective on shares of Clear Secure in a report on Monday. TheStreet raised Clear Secure from a d+ rating to a c- rating in a report on Friday, December 22nd. Needham & Company LLC reissued a buy rating and set a $40.00 price target on shares of Clear Secure in a report on Friday, March 15th. Wedbush restated a neutral rating and issued a $23.00 price objective on shares of Clear Secure in a research report on Wednesday, February 28th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company restated an underweight rating and issued a $20.00 price objective on shares of Clear Secure in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th.

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Clear Secure Price Performance

Clear Secure stock opened at $18.87 on Friday. Clear Secure has a 1-year low of $15.28 and a 1-year high of $27.93. The stock has a market cap of $3.00 billion, a PE ratio of 63.04 and a beta of 1.52. The stocks fifty day moving average is $19.59 and its two-hundred day moving average is $19.72.

Clear Secure (NYSE:YOU  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 28th. The company reported $0.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.16. The company had revenue of $170.97 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $166.56 million. Clear Secure had a return on equity of 9.66% and a net margin of 4.58%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 33.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted ($0.12) earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that Clear Secure will post 0.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Clear Secure Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 26th were paid a $0.09 dividend. This is a boost from Clear Secures previous quarterly dividend of $0.07. This represents a $0.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.91%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 23rd. Clear Secures payout ratio is presently 120.00%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Richard N. Jr. Patterson sold 7,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $20.00, for a total transaction of $150,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 41,727 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $834,540. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 39.94% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Clear Secure

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Royal Bank of Canada grew its stake in shares of Clear Secure by 20.9% during the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 2,357 shares of the companys stock valued at $54,000 after buying an additional 407 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System lifted its holdings in Clear Secure by 2.8% in the 4th quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 21,143 shares of the companys stock worth $437,000 after buying an additional 583 shares in the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc lifted its holdings in Clear Secure by 4.2% in the 4th quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 16,427 shares of the companys stock worth $451,000 after buying an additional 668 shares in the last quarter. Cornercap Investment Counsel Inc. lifted its holdings in Clear Secure by 2.8% in the 4th quarter. Cornercap Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 25,855 shares of the companys stock worth $534,000 after buying an additional 700 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Amalgamated Bank raised its stake in shares of Clear Secure by 6.2% in the 3rd quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 12,682 shares of the companys stock valued at $241,000 after purchasing an additional 745 shares in the last quarter. 64.13% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Clear Secure

(Get Free Report

Clear Secure, Inc operates a secure identity platform under the CLEAR brand name primarily in the United States. Its secure identity platform is a multi-layered infrastructure consisting of front-end, including enrollment, verification, and linking, as well as back-end. The company also offers CLEAR Plus, a consumer aviation subscription service, which enables access to predictable entry lanes in airport security checkpoints, as well as access to broader network; and CLEAR mobile app, which is used to enroll new members and improve the experience for existing members.

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Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta (NYSE:VTMX  Get Free Report) had its price objective hoisted by investment analysts at The Goldman Sachs Group from $38.00 to $42.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Groups price objective points to a potential upside of 10.96% from the stocks current price.

Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta Price Performance

Shares of VTMX stock traded up $0.25 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $37.85. 30,231 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 121,144. The stock has a market cap of $30.94 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 3.84 and a quick ratio of 4.34. The stocks 50-day moving average is $37.07 and its 200-day moving average is $36.06. Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta has a 52 week low of $28.96 and a 52 week high of $40.42.

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Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta (NYSE:VTMX  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 21st. The company reported $1.32 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.40 by $0.92. The company had revenue of $55.94 million for the quarter. Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta had a return on equity of 16.91% and a net margin of 159.04%. As a group, research analysts forecast that Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta will post 1.9 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta

Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta Company Profile

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Marshall Wace LLP acquired a new position in Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta during the second quarter worth approximately $4,833,000. Cohen & Steers Inc. acquired a new stake in Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta during the second quarter worth $2,123,000. Centersquare Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta during the 2nd quarter worth about $6,444,000. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC grew its stake in shares of Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta by 114.0% during the 3rd quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC now owns 153,603 shares of the companys stock worth $5,049,000 after acquiring an additional 81,837 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $357,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 7.10% of the companys stock.

(Get Free Report)

Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta, SAB. de C.V., together with its subsidiaries, acquires, develops, manages, operates, and leases industrial buildings and distribution facilities in Mexico. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico.

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Asio Capital LLC grew its position in shares of CRH plc (NYSE:CRH  Free Report) by 75.3% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 54,015 shares of the construction companys stock after purchasing an additional 23,205 shares during the quarter. Asio Capital LLCs holdings in CRH were worth $3,736,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of CRH during the 3rd quarter worth about $1,484,901,000. Barclays PLC acquired a new stake in shares of CRH during the 3rd quarter worth about $941,562,000. Greenhaven Associates Inc. boosted its stake in shares of CRH by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. Greenhaven Associates Inc. now owns 11,141,937 shares of the construction companys stock worth $770,576,000 after purchasing an additional 103,510 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of CRH by 1,136.3% during the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 8,587,277 shares of the construction companys stock worth $469,982,000 after purchasing an additional 7,892,691 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA purchased a new position in shares of CRH during the 3rd quarter worth about $418,653,000. 8.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Vertical Research assumed coverage on shares of CRH in a report on Friday. They set a buy rating and a $105.00 price objective on the stock. DA Davidson assumed coverage on shares of CRH in a report on Friday, January 19th. They set a buy rating and a $82.00 price objective on the stock. Truist Financial increased their price objective on shares of CRH from $81.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, March 4th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on shares of CRH from $89.70 to $100.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, March 4th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of CRH from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 16th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $74.64.

CRH Trading Down 0.1 %

NYSE CRH traded down $0.09 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $85.67. The companys stock had a trading volume of 212,690 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,823,512. CRH plc has a 52-week low of $46.84 and a 52-week high of $86.20. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $76.31 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $65.67.

CRH Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a Variable dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.262 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a dividend yield of 2%.

About CRH

(Free Report)

CRH plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides building materials solutions in Ireland and internationally. It operates through four segments: Americas Materials Solutions, Americas Building Solutions, Europe Materials Solutions, and Europe Building Solutions. The company provides solutions for the construction and maintenance of public infrastructure and commercial and residential buildings; and produces and sells aggregates, cement, readymixed concrete, and asphalt, as well as provides paving and construction services.

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Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3x Shares (NYSEARCA:DPST  Get Free Report)s stock price fell 4.9% during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $72.65 and last traded at $73.03. 365,525 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 76% from the average session volume of 1,494,449 shares. The stock had previously closed at $76.82.

Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3x Shares Price Performance

The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $76.16 and a 200-day moving average price of $69.65. The stock has a market capitalization of $582.98 million, a P/E ratio of 10.46 and a beta of 2.99.

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Institutional Trading of Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3x Shares

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Anchor Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3x Shares during the 4th quarter valued at $49,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its position in shares of Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3x Shares by 1,650.0% during the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 6,755 shares of the companys stock valued at $366,000 after acquiring an additional 6,369 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can bought a new position in Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3x Shares in the 2nd quarter worth $40,000. IMC Chicago LLC bought a new position in Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3x Shares in the 3rd quarter worth $1,494,000. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP boosted its holdings in Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3x Shares by 6.2% in the 3rd quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 5,000 shares of the companys stock worth $271,000 after buying an additional 292 shares during the period.

Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3x Shares Company Profile

The Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3X Shares (DPST) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P Regional Banks Select Industry index. The fund provides 3x leveraged exposure to an equally-weighted index of US regional banking stocks. DPST was launched on Aug 19, 2015 and is managed by Direxion.

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Douglas Dynamics (NYSE:PLOW  Get Free Report) issued an update on its FY 2024 earnings guidance on Wednesday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 1.200-2.100 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 2.260. The company issued revenue guidance of $600.0 million-$660.0 million, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $688.6 million.

Douglas Dynamics Trading Up 1.8 %

Douglas Dynamics stock opened at $23.24 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 2.21, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78. The stock has a market cap of $534.06 million, a PE ratio of 24.21, a P/E/G ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.14. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $25.22 and a 200 day moving average price of $27.67. Douglas Dynamics has a 52 week low of $22.34 and a 52 week high of $35.39.

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Douglas Dynamics (NYSE:PLOW  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 26th. The auto parts company reported $0.29 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.17 by $0.12. The company had revenue of $134.25 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $134.00 million. Douglas Dynamics had a return on equity of 10.18% and a net margin of 4.18%. Equities research analysts predict that Douglas Dynamics will post 1.46 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Douglas Dynamics Dividend Announcement

Institutional Trading of Douglas Dynamics

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 18th will be issued a $0.295 dividend. This represents a $1.18 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.08%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 15th. Douglas Dynamicss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 122.92%.

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Quadrature Capital Ltd purchased a new stake in Douglas Dynamics in the 4th quarter valued at about $207,000. Raymond James Trust N.A. grew its holdings in shares of Douglas Dynamics by 8.2% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 5,946 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $206,000 after purchasing an additional 452 shares during the period. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Douglas Dynamics during the 4th quarter worth about $201,000. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Douglas Dynamics by 52.8% during the 1st quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 7,992 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $146,000 after purchasing an additional 2,762 shares during the period. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Douglas Dynamics during the 1st quarter worth about $128,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 88.92% of the companys stock.

About Douglas Dynamics

(Get Free Report)

Douglas Dynamics, Inc operates as a manufacturer and upfitter of commercial work truck attachments and equipment in North America. It operates through two segments, Work Truck Attachments and Work Truck Solutions. The Work Truck Attachments segment manufactures and sells snow and ice control attachments, including snowplows, and sand and salt spreaders for light trucks and heavy duty trucks, as well as various related parts and accessories.

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Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report)s share price fell 0.4% during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $764.01 and last traded at $769.45. 372,471 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 89% from the average session volume of 3,296,368 shares. The stock had previously closed at $772.78.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently commented on LLY. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $710.00 to $865.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. DZ Bank downgraded shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $820.00 price objective for the company. in a report on Wednesday, February 21st. Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $800.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $700.00 to $825.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $815.00 price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $689.52.

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View Our Latest Analysis on Eli Lilly and Company

Eli Lilly and Company Stock Down 0.4 %

The stock has a market cap of $731.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 132.75, a PEG ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $717.31 and a 200-day simple moving average of $629.79.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $2.49 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.30 by $0.19. The business had revenue of $9.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.95 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 15.36% and a return on equity of 51.22%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 28.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.09 EPS. Analysts expect that Eli Lilly and Company will post 12.42 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at Eli Lilly and Company

In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 34,538 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $631.81, for a total value of $21,821,453.78. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 99,719,884 shares in the company, valued at approximately $63,004,019,910.04. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders have sold 195,055 shares of company stock worth $125,254,657 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Eli Lilly and Company

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of LLY. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter worth approximately $5,992,890,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 61,268.8% during the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 7,342,780 shares of the companys stock worth $42,802,530,000 after acquiring an additional 7,330,815 shares in the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 102,752.2% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,446,026 shares of the companys stock worth $1,992,374,000 after acquiring an additional 5,440,731 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 44.1% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 12,059,204 shares of the companys stock worth $4,411,740,000 after acquiring an additional 3,691,436 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Imprint Wealth LLC grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 53,716.8% during the 2nd quarter. Imprint Wealth LLC now owns 1,751,200 shares of the companys stock worth $175,120,000 after acquiring an additional 1,747,946 shares in the last quarter. 81.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile

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Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

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Hess Co. (NYSE:HES  Get Free Report) SVP Geurt G. Schoonman sold 13,921 shares of Hess stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $151.08, for a total value of $2,103,184.68. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 33,581 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,073,417.48. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website.

Hess Trading Down 0.0 %

NYSE HES opened at $149.32 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $144.79 and a 200 day moving average price of $147.30. Hess Co. has a 52-week low of $117.32 and a 52-week high of $167.75. The stock has a market capitalization of $45.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.18 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88.

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Hess (NYSE:HES  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The oil and gas producer reported $1.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.43 by $0.20. The company had revenue of $3.04 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.76 billion. Hess had a net margin of 12.98% and a return on equity of 17.00%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.78 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Hess Co. will post 7.44 EPS for the current year.

Hess Announces Dividend

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hess

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 18th will be paid a dividend of $0.4375 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 15th. This represents a $1.75 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.17%. Hesss dividend payout ratio is presently 38.89%.

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Raymond James Trust N.A. acquired a new position in Hess during the 1st quarter worth $446,000. Blair William & Co. IL lifted its position in shares of Hess by 17.1% in the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 4,276 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $458,000 after purchasing an additional 625 shares in the last quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH boosted its holdings in shares of Hess by 3.7% during the first quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 114,120 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $12,216,000 after purchasing an additional 4,027 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers purchased a new position in shares of Hess during the 1st quarter valued at $410,000. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in Hess by 2.2% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 30,928,530 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $3,310,590,000 after buying an additional 667,979 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.72% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on HES shares. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on shares of Hess from $169.00 to $172.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, March 14th. Susquehanna lifted their price objective on shares of Hess from $152.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, March 4th. StockNews.com began coverage on Hess in a research report on Saturday, March 16th. They issued a sell rating on the stock. Mizuho lifted their price target on shares of Hess from $200.00 to $205.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of Hess from $210.00 to $195.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $175.23.

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Hess Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Hess Corporation, an exploration and production company, explores, develops, produces, purchases, transports, and sells crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and natural gas. The company operates in two segments, Exploration and Production, and Midstream. It conducts production operations primarily in the United States, Guyana, the Malaysia/Thailand Joint Development Area, and Malaysia; and exploration activities principally offshore Guyana, the U.S.

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IFM Investors Pty Ltd grew its position in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 1.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 355,492 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after purchasing an additional 4,149 shares during the quarter. IFM Investors Pty Ltds holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $39,129,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Zevenbergen Capital Investments LLC grew its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 0.6% in the third quarter. Zevenbergen Capital Investments LLC now owns 21,419 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $2,074,000 after purchasing an additional 130 shares during the last quarter. Rockland Trust Co. boosted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.5% in the third quarter. Rockland Trust Co. now owns 91,868 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $8,897,000 after buying an additional 1,343 shares during the period. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 7.4% in the third quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC now owns 3,106 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $301,000 after buying an additional 215 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co. boosted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.4% in the third quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 373,375 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $36,161,000 after buying an additional 5,058 shares during the period. Finally, Boston Partners boosted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 634.6% in the third quarter. Boston Partners now owns 29,758 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $2,882,000 after buying an additional 25,707 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.70% of the companys stock.

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Abbott Laboratories Stock Down 0.5 %

Shares of NYSE ABT traded down $0.59 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $110.92. 1,148,938 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,595,629. The company has a market cap of $192.47 billion, a PE ratio of 34.19, a P/E/G ratio of 2.68 and a beta of 0.75. Abbott Laboratories has a one year low of $89.67 and a one year high of $121.64. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $115.37 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $106.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a current ratio of 1.64.

Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend

Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results 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. The company had revenue of $10.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.19 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 20.65% and a net margin of 14.27%. Abbott Laboratoriess quarterly revenue was up 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.03 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.62 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 15th. Investors of record on Monday, April 15th will be given a dividend of $0.55 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 12th. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.98%. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is 67.48%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Abbott Laboratories news, VP John A. Jr. Mccoy sold 472 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $118.50, for a total value of $55,932.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 18,760 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,223,060. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, VP John A. Jr. Mccoy sold 472 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $118.50, for a total transaction of $55,932.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 18,760 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,223,060. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 12,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $120.00, for a total value of $1,500,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 78,704 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,444,480. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 56,435 shares of company stock valued at $6,451,298. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have weighed in on ABT. Citigroup upped their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $123.00 to $126.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Barclays increased their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $133.00 to $141.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Raymond James increased their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $124.00 to $127.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. TheStreet upgraded Abbott Laboratories from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Thursday, December 21st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $128.00 price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Abbott Laboratories has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $120.00.

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Abbott Laboratories Profile

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Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

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IFM Investors Pty Ltd lessened its position in shares of Deere & Company (NYSE:DE  Free Report) by 2.1% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 54,964 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 1,180 shares during the quarter. IFM Investors Pty Ltds holdings in Deere & Company were worth $21,978,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Deere & Company by 7.6% in the second quarter. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. now owns 53,191 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $21,552,000 after buying an additional 3,776 shares during the last quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. boosted its position in Deere & Company by 5.6% during the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 135,091 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $54,775,000 after purchasing an additional 7,182 shares in the last quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Deere & Company by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 236,696 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $89,322,000 after buying an additional 5,485 shares during the period. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board grew its stake in Deere & Company by 6.9% in the 3rd quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board now owns 14,002 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $5,284,000 after acquiring an additional 900 shares during the period. Finally, Greenline Partners LLC acquired a new position in Deere & Company during the second quarter worth $265,000. 66.27% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Deere & Company Price Performance

DE stock traded up $1.91 on Friday, reaching $399.55. 544,316 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,531,289. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $378.93 and a 200-day moving average of $381.92. The firm has a market cap of $111.22 billion, a PE ratio of 11.64, a P/E/G ratio of 1.48 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a quick ratio of 1.81, a current ratio of 2.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.81. Deere & Company has a twelve month low of $345.55 and a twelve month high of $450.00.

Deere & Company Dividend Announcement

Deere & Company ( NYSE:DE Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 15th. The industrial products company reported $6.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.19 by $1.04. Deere & Company had a net margin of 16.38% and a return on equity of 44.60%. The business had revenue of $10.49 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.30 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $6.55 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 8.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that Deere & Company will post 27.41 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 8th. Investors of record on Friday, March 29th will be given a $1.47 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.47%. Deere & Companys dividend payout ratio is presently 17.12%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently weighed in on DE shares. Canaccord Genuity Group reduced their price target on shares of Deere & Company from $400.00 to $375.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 27th. Melius downgraded Deere & Company from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, January 8th. Evercore ISI boosted their price target on shares of Deere & Company from $381.00 to $387.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their target price on shares of Deere & Company from $435.00 to $425.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 16th. Finally, Citigroup cut their price target on shares of Deere & Company from $450.00 to $435.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 16th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $431.69.

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About Deere & Company

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Deere & Company engages in the manufacture and distribution of various equipment worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Production and Precision Agriculture, Small Agriculture and Turf, Construction and Forestry, and Financial Services. The Production and Precision Agriculture segment provides large and medium tractors, combines, cotton pickers and strippers, sugarcane harvesters and loaders, harvesting front-end equipment, pull-behind scrapers, and tillage and seeding equipment, as well as application equipment, including sprayers and nutrient management, and soil preparation machinery for grain growers.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 22. Yerevan announced a meeting of the speakers of the parliaments of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Geneva, Trend reports via Armenian media.

According to the media, the meeting between Sahiba Gafarova and Alen Simonyan will take place today.

Simonyan's secretary confirmed this information.

Earlier, Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Martin Chungong said that discussions on creating an Azerbaijani-Armenian interparliamentary dialogue platform may take place in March in Geneva.

He pointed out that the IPU is aware of the recent developments in the region and the relations between Azerbaijan and its neighbors, and the IPU, as the organization that was created to foster peace and security in the world, feels it is necessary to discuss and engage with the parties to the crisis and see how it can be helpful through dialogue to resolve issues that are not in place, and have the potential for creating instability.

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Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. (NYSE:AESI  Get Free Report) General Counsel Dathan C. Voelter sold 2,270 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, March 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.41, for a total value of $50,870.70. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel now owns 386,601 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,663,728.41. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website.

Atlas Energy Solutions Stock Performance

Shares of AESI stock opened at $22.44 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 3.44 and a quick ratio of 3.21. Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $15.28 and a fifty-two week high of $24.69. The stocks 50-day moving average is $18.57 and its two-hundred day moving average is $18.98. The firm has a market cap of $2.24 billion and a P/E ratio of 14.29.

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Atlas Energy Solutions (NYSE:AESI  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 27th. The company reported $0.37 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.61 by ($0.24). The company had revenue of $141.14 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $147.34 million. Atlas Energy Solutions had a net margin of 17.17% and a return on equity of 47.40%. Analysts predict that Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. will post 2.98 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Atlas Energy Solutions Increases Dividend

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 22nd were issued a dividend of $0.21 per share. This is a positive change from Atlas Energy Solutionss previous quarterly dividend of $0.20. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 21st. This represents a $0.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.74%. Atlas Energy Solutionss dividend payout ratio is currently 40.76%.

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Barclays PLC acquired a new stake in Atlas Energy Solutions in the 1st quarter valued at $208,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC acquired a new stake in Atlas Energy Solutions in the 1st quarter valued at $68,000. Citigroup Inc. acquired a new stake in Atlas Energy Solutions in the 1st quarter valued at $123,000. Sei Investments Co. acquired a new stake in Atlas Energy Solutions in the 1st quarter valued at $674,000. Finally, HRT Financial LP acquired a new stake in Atlas Energy Solutions in the 1st quarter valued at $937,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 17.86% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on AESI shares. Barclays upped their target price on Atlas Energy Solutions from $23.00 to $26.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, March 5th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on Atlas Energy Solutions from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on Atlas Energy Solutions in a report on Thursday, March 14th. They set a buy rating and a $24.00 target price for the company. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $25.00.

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Atlas Energy Solutions Company Profile

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Atlas Energy Solutions Inc provides proppant and logistics services to the oil and natural gas industry within the Permian Basin of West Texas and New Mexico. The company was founded in 2017 and is based in Austin, Texas.

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Apeiron RIA LLC boosted its position in iShares Silver Trust (NYSEARCA:SLV  Free Report) by 21.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 14,861 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 2,671 shares during the quarter. Apeiron RIA LLCs holdings in iShares Silver Trust were worth $324,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in SLV. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA grew its stake in shares of iShares Silver Trust by 5.9% in the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA now owns 3,850,025 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $88,089,000 after purchasing an additional 213,612 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its position in shares of iShares Silver Trust by 48.0% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,711,172 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $62,032,000 after acquiring an additional 879,524 shares during the period. Osaic Holdings Inc. grew its holdings in iShares Silver Trust by 28.1% in the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 1,548,284 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $31,455,000 after purchasing an additional 339,978 shares during the last quarter. Simplicity Solutions LLC increased its stake in shares of iShares Silver Trust by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. Simplicity Solutions LLC now owns 1,462,564 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $28,196,000 after purchasing an additional 6,869 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bleakley Financial Group LLC lifted its position in shares of iShares Silver Trust by 1.6% in the second quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC now owns 1,455,814 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $28,655,000 after acquiring an additional 22,563 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares Silver Trust Trading Down 0.4 %

SLV traded down $0.09 during trading on Friday, hitting $22.56. The companys stock had a trading volume of 17,136,670 shares, compared to its average volume of 17,376,342. The firms 50 day moving average price is $21.28 and its 200-day moving average price is $21.27. iShares Silver Trust has a twelve month low of $18.97 and a twelve month high of $23.94.

About iShares Silver Trust

iShares Silver Trust (the Trust) owns silver transferred to the Trust in exchange for shares issued by the Trust. The Trusts each share represents a fractional undivided beneficial interest in its net assets. The assets of the Trust consist of silver held by the Trusts custodian on behalf of the Trust.

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Shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) Corp. (NYSE:LAAC  Get Free Report) gapped up before the market opened on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $5.14, but opened at $5.35. Lithium Americas (Argentina) shares last traded at $5.63, with a volume of 1,140,857 shares traded.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on LAAC shares. Scotiabank upgraded shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and set a $8.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Friday. Stifel Nicolaus set a $18.50 price target on shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) in a research report on Tuesday, November 28th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) from a buy rating to a hold rating and dropped their price target for the company from $9.00 to $6.50 in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $10.80.

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Lithium Americas (Argentina) Price Performance

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lithium Americas (Argentina)

The stock has a market cap of $872.98 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.78 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a current ratio of 12.43, a quick ratio of 12.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $4.65.

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. HITE Hedge Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Lithium Americas (Argentina) in the 4th quarter worth about $298,000. Flputnam Investment Management Co. bought a new position in shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $136,000. Ingalls & Snyder LLC bought a new position in shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $160,000. Canton Hathaway LLC bought a new position in shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $126,000. Finally, Allworth Financial LP bought a new position in shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 27.28% of the companys stock.

Lithium Americas (Argentina) Company Profile

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Lithium Americas (Argentina) Corp. operates as a resource company. The company explores for lithium deposits. The company owns interests in the Cauchari-Olaroz project located in Jujuy province of Argentina. It also has a pipeline of development and exploration stage projects, including the Pastos Grandes project and the Sal de la Puna project located in Salta Province in northwestern Argentina.

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Shares of Lufax Holding Ltd (NYSE:LU  Get Free Report) have earned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the six research firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $6.91.

Several analysts have commented on LU shares. Bank of America cut shares of Lufax from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Lufax from $3.00 to $4.80 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 2nd.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lufax

Lufax Stock Up 45.8 %

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of LU. Virtu Financial LLC increased its position in shares of Lufax by 938.0% during the 4th quarter. Virtu Financial LLC now owns 189,121 shares of the companys stock valued at $581,000 after purchasing an additional 170,902 shares during the last quarter. OLD Mission Capital LLC bought a new position in Lufax in the 4th quarter worth about $600,000. Comerica Bank bought a new position in Lufax in the 4th quarter worth about $37,000. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC boosted its stake in Lufax by 2,298.6% in the 4th quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC now owns 342,417 shares of the companys stock worth $1,051,000 after purchasing an additional 328,141 shares during the period. Finally, Ethic Inc. bought a new position in Lufax in the 4th quarter worth about $150,000. 17.40% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

NYSE:LU opened at $4.92 on Friday. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $2.60 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $3.39. Lufax has a 52-week low of $2.11 and a 52-week high of $8.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a quick ratio of 1.59 and a current ratio of 1.59. The company has a market cap of $2.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.48, a P/E/G ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 0.81.

About Lufax

(Get Free Report

Lufax Holding Ltd operates a technology-empowered personal financial services platform in China. The company offers loan products, including unsecured loans and secured loans, as well as consumer finance loans. It also provides wealth management platforms, such as Lufax (Lu.com), Lu International (Singapore), and Lu International (Hong Kong) to the middle class and affluent investors to invest in products and portfolios; retail credit facilitation services platform that offers small business owners with lending solutions; and technology empowerment solutions for financial institutions.

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Moody National Bank Trust Division cut its holdings in shares of Weyerhaeuser (NYSE:WY  Free Report) by 28.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 27,708 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 10,857 shares during the quarter. Moody National Bank Trust Divisions holdings in Weyerhaeuser were worth $963,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC increased its position in shares of Weyerhaeuser by 15.3% during the 3rd quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 6,583 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $202,000 after purchasing an additional 875 shares during the last quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board increased its holdings in Weyerhaeuser by 5.7% in the 3rd quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 149,003 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $4,568,000 after acquiring an additional 8,031 shares during the last quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas increased its holdings in Weyerhaeuser by 18.3% in the 3rd quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 425,848 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $13,057,000 after acquiring an additional 65,808 shares during the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio increased its holdings in Weyerhaeuser by 21.3% in the 3rd quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 551,160 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $16,899,000 after acquiring an additional 96,900 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AEGON ASSET MANAGEMENT UK Plc purchased a new stake in Weyerhaeuser in the 4th quarter worth about $36,237,000. 79.54% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Weyerhaeuser Trading Up 0.6 %

NYSE WY opened at $35.53 on Friday. Weyerhaeuser has a 12 month low of $27.65 and a 12 month high of $35.81. The stock has a market cap of $25.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.90 and a beta of 1.43. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $33.59 and its 200-day moving average price is $32.27. The company has a current ratio of 2.94, a quick ratio of 2.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50.

Weyerhaeuser Increases Dividend

Weyerhaeuser ( NYSE:WY Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 26th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.14 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $1.77 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.82 billion. Weyerhaeuser had a return on equity of 7.36% and a net margin of 10.93%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.24 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Weyerhaeuser will post 1.03 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 8th will be issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This is an increase from Weyerhaeusers previous quarterly dividend of $0.19. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.25%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 7th. Weyerhaeusers dividend payout ratio is presently 69.57%.

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Denise M. Merle sold 7,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.01, for a total transaction of $262,575.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 140,694 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,925,696.94. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Weyerhaeuser news, SVP Denise M. Merle sold 7,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.01, for a total value of $262,575.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 140,694 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,925,696.94. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Nicole Weyerhaeuser Piasecki sold 33,426 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $33.64, for a total value of $1,124,450.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 5,807 shares in the company, valued at approximately $195,347.48. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 42,773 shares of company stock valued at $1,449,278 over the last ninety days. 0.27% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have weighed in on WY shares. CIBC set a $37.00 target price on Weyerhaeuser and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, March 13th. StockNews.com lowered Weyerhaeuser from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. Raymond James lowered Weyerhaeuser from a strong-buy rating to a market perform rating in a report on Monday, November 27th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $39.00 price target on shares of Weyerhaeuser in a research report on Monday, January 29th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Weyerhaeuser currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $37.67.

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About Weyerhaeuser

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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.

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Dundee Precious Metals Inc. (TSE:DPM  Get Free Report) Director Nikolay Hristov sold 3,799 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$10.10, for a total transaction of C$38,369.90.

Dundee Precious Metals Price Performance

Shares of TSE:DPM traded down C$0.19 during midday trading on Friday, reaching C$9.83. 107,464 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 581,381. Dundee Precious Metals Inc. has a 1 year low of C$7.79 and a 1 year high of C$10.78. The company has a market cap of C$1.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.52, a PEG ratio of 0.04 and a beta of 1.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a quick ratio of 6.61 and a current ratio of 6.70. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of C$8.93 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$8.91.

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Dundee Precious Metals (TSE:DPM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 14th. The mining company reported C$0.38 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C$0.48 by C($0.10). The firm had revenue of C$189.66 million during the quarter. Dundee Precious Metals had a net margin of 37.10% and a return on equity of 17.22%. Equities analysts predict that Dundee Precious Metals Inc. will post 1.1075388 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Dundee Precious Metals Cuts Dividend

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Sunday, March 31st will be issued a $0.054 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. This represents a $0.22 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.20%. Dundee Precious Metalss payout ratio is currently 16.67%.

DPM has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price on shares of Dundee Precious Metals from C$15.00 to C$14.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their price objective on Dundee Precious Metals from C$10.50 to C$12.50 in a report on Thursday, November 30th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on Dundee Precious Metals from C$12.25 to C$13.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, December 12th. Scotiabank decreased their price objective on Dundee Precious Metals from C$13.50 to C$13.25 in a report on Thursday, February 15th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on Dundee Precious Metals from C$14.00 to C$15.00 in a report on Wednesday, December 13th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of C$13.34.

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Dundee Precious Metals Company Profile

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Dundee Precious Metals Inc, a gold mining company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, mining, and processing of precious metals. The company primarily explores for gold, copper, and silver deposits. It holds a portfolio of projects located in Bulgaria, Namibia, Serbia, and Ecuador.

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Douglas Emmett (NYSE:DEI  Get Free Report) had its price objective lowered by Piper Sandler from $17.00 to $15.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a neutral rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Piper Sandlers price target indicates a potential upside of 7.45% from the stocks current price.

Separately, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Douglas Emmett from an underperform rating to a hold rating and upped their target price for the company from $10.00 to $15.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 2nd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $13.63.

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View Our Latest Stock Report on DEI

Douglas Emmett Stock Down 2.0 %

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

DEI stock traded down $0.28 during trading on Friday, reaching $13.96. The stock had a trading volume of 90,910 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,006,198. Douglas Emmett has a 1-year low of $10.09 and a 1-year high of $16.12. The company has a current ratio of 4.91, a quick ratio of 4.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44. The company has a market capitalization of $2.34 billion, a P/E ratio of -53.81 and a beta of 1.06. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $13.61 and a 200 day moving average price of $13.20.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of DEI. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Douglas Emmett by 0.9% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 26,187,297 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $379,716,000 after acquiring an additional 229,301 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in Douglas Emmett by 3.8% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 21,032,102 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $259,326,000 after purchasing an additional 772,207 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its position in shares of Douglas Emmett by 15.9% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 11,186,067 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $142,686,000 after acquiring an additional 1,537,089 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its position in shares of Douglas Emmett by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 9,358,733 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $135,702,000 after acquiring an additional 156,761 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Douglas Emmett in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $114,497,000. Institutional investors own 97.37% of the companys stock.

About Douglas Emmett

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Douglas Emmett, Inc (DEI) is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT), and one of the largest owners and operators of high-quality office and multifamily properties located in the premier coastal submarkets of Los Angeles and Honolulu. Douglas Emmett focuses on owning and acquiring a substantial share of top-tier office properties and premier multifamily communities in neighborhoods that possess significant supply constraints, high-end executive housing and key lifestyle amenities.

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Polaris Renewable Energy Inc. (TSE:PIF  Get Free Report) Director Marc Murnaghan purchased 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, March 18th. The stock was acquired at an average price of C$11.20 per share, with a total value of C$22,390.40.

Polaris Renewable Energy Trading Up 0.9 %

Polaris Renewable Energy stock opened at C$11.57 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of C$12.34 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$13.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 64.88, a quick ratio of 1.64 and a current ratio of 1.72. Polaris Renewable Energy Inc. has a one year low of C$11.08 and a one year high of C$15.77. The stock has a market cap of C$243.90 million, a PE ratio of 15.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.28 and a beta of 0.89.

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Polaris Renewable Energy (TSE:PIF  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 22nd. The company reported C$0.10 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C$0.13 by C($0.03). Polaris Renewable Energy had a net margin of 14.96% and a return on equity of 4.37%. The business had revenue of C$25.53 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$27.11 million. On average, research analysts anticipate that Polaris Renewable Energy Inc. will post 0.5745 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Polaris Renewable Energy Announces Dividend

Polaris Renewable Energy Company Profile

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 23rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 12th were paid a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.19%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 9th. Polaris Renewable Energys payout ratio is 108.00%.

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Polaris Renewable Energy Inc engages in the acquisition, development, and operation of renewable energy projects in Latin America. It operates a 72 MW net geothermal facility in Nicaragua; and 4 run-of-river hydroelectric facilities in Peru and Ecuador with approximately 33 MW net capacity; and solar project in the Dominican Republic and Panama.

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Premium Brands (TSE:PBH  Free Report) had its target price lowered by CIBC from C$102.00 to C$97.00 in a report issued on Monday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage currently has a neutral rating on the stock.

Other analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Pi Financial reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a C$111.00 price objective on shares of Premium Brands in a research report on Thursday, December 7th. TD Securities cut their price objective on Premium Brands from C$135.00 to C$130.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 12th. Desjardins cut their price objective on Premium Brands from C$110.00 to C$105.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on Premium Brands from C$108.00 to C$104.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Premium Brands currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$111.50.

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Premium Brands Stock Performance

Premium Brands Increases Dividend

Shares of TSE PBH opened at C$87.82 on Monday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of C$91.49 and a 200 day moving average price of C$93.30. Premium Brands has a 52 week low of C$84.66 and a 52 week high of C$113.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 148.60, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a current ratio of 2.15. The stock has a market capitalization of C$3.92 billion, a PE ratio of 35.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.10 and a beta of 1.03.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be paid a $0.85 dividend. This is a positive change from Premium Brandss previous quarterly dividend of $0.77. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. This represents a $3.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.87%. Premium Brandss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 125.20%.

About Premium Brands

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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.

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Public Service Enterprise Group (NYSE:PEG  Get Free Report) had its price target boosted by analysts at Bank of America from $66.00 to $73.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the utilities providers stock. Bank of Americas target price points to a potential upside of 12.52% from the companys current price.

A number of other research analysts have also issued reports on PEG. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on Public Service Enterprise Group from $70.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, March 7th. Guggenheim downgraded Public Service Enterprise Group from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $61.00 target price for the company. in a report on Monday, January 22nd. TheStreet raised Public Service Enterprise Group from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Wednesday, March 6th. Barclays upped their target price on Public Service Enterprise Group from $65.00 to $68.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, March 14th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on Public Service Enterprise Group from $64.00 to $63.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $65.71.

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Public Service Enterprise Group Stock Up 1.6 %

Shares of PEG traded up $1.04 during trading on Friday, reaching $64.88. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,772,065 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,861,643. Public Service Enterprise Group has a twelve month low of $53.71 and a twelve month high of $65.59. The company has a quick ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. The company has a market cap of $32.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.63, a P/E/G ratio of 3.53 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a fifty day moving average of $60.60 and a two-hundred day moving average of $60.97.

Public Service Enterprise Group (NYSE:PEG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 26th. The utilities provider reported $0.54 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.52 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $2.61 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.45 billion. Public Service Enterprise Group had a return on equity of 11.53% and a net margin of 22.81%. The firms revenue was down 17.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.64 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Public Service Enterprise Group will post 3.67 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Ralph A. Larossa sold 1,374 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.00, for a total transaction of $86,562.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 153,721 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,684,423. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Public Service Enterprise Group news, CEO Ralph A. Larossa sold 1,374 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.00, for a total value of $86,562.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 153,721 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,684,423. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Richard T. Thigpen sold 4,800 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.18, for a total value of $308,064.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 31,122 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,997,409.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 6,374 shares of company stock valued at $406,268. Insiders own 0.57% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Public Service Enterprise Group

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. D.A. Davidson & CO. increased its holdings in Public Service Enterprise Group by 7.5% during the 1st quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 3,657 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $256,000 after purchasing an additional 256 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in shares of Public Service Enterprise Group by 6.7% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,318,721 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $92,310,000 after buying an additional 83,174 shares during the period. Prudential PLC acquired a new stake in shares of Public Service Enterprise Group in the 1st quarter valued at $798,000. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its stake in shares of Public Service Enterprise Group by 1.3% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 25,619 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,793,000 after buying an additional 332 shares during the period. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Public Service Enterprise Group in the 1st quarter valued at $214,000. 72.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Public Service Enterprise Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, operates in electric and gas utility business in the United States. It operates through PSE&G and PSEG Power segments. The PSE&G segment transmits electricity; distributes electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers; and appliance services and repairs to customers through its service territory, as well as invests in solar generation projects, and energy efficiency and related programs.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 22. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's visit to the South Caucasus countries was mainly focused on supporting Armenia, Azerbaijani expert Arzuman Abdulkarimov told Trend.

He noted that Azerbaijan's interests do not involve NATO membership.

"Our country takes part in numerous NATO drills and activities, and peacekeeping forces represent us in various areas. We have very strong military cooperation with Turkiye, the second-largest NATO member state," the expert said.

According to Abdulkarimov, Armenia's recent political orientation towards the West suggests that Stoltenberg's visit was aimed at supporting Armenia.

"According to available information, Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan, US Secretary of State Blinken, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will hold a trilateral meeting in Brussels. The organization of such a meeting in Brussels following Stoltenberg's visit appears to be a predetermined choice.

In this context, Armenia's participation in the meeting has the potential to escalate regional tensions. The situation on the Ukrainian front is already evolving into a collective conflict between the West, NATO, and Russia," he said.

The expert also cautioned that Armenia's contacts could lead to instability in the South Caucasus.

"Armenia's participation in discussions in Brussels sends an open statement to Russia. This can be quite irritating to Russia. Armenia has forces that support Russia. In the future, Armenia may suffer severe instability. Russia will not be passive in these affairs. As a result of such action, Armenia may disappear from the political map," he added.

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BJs Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BJ  Free Report)  Zacks Research lowered their Q1 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for BJs Wholesale Club in a research report issued on Thursday, March 21st. Zacks Research analyst S. Singh now anticipates that the company will post earnings of $0.84 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $0.94. The consensus estimate for BJs Wholesale Clubs current full-year earnings is $3.91 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for BJs Wholesale Clubs Q3 2025 earnings at $1.00 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $1.02 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $3.86 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $0.90 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $1.08 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $1.12 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $1.08 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $4.18 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $4.48 EPS.

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BJs Wholesale Club (NYSE:BJ  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, March 7th. The company reported $1.11 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.06 by $0.05. BJs Wholesale Club had a return on equity of 40.84% and a net margin of 2.64%. The company had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.38 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.00 EPS. BJs Wholesale Clubs quarterly revenue was up 8.7% compared to the same quarter last year.

Several other research analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company restated an equal weight rating and issued a $70.00 target price (down previously from $73.00) on shares of BJs Wholesale Club in a report on Thursday, January 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on BJs Wholesale Club from $58.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. Finally, Gordon Haskett lowered shares of BJs Wholesale Club from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $70.00 target price on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $72.53.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on BJs Wholesale Club

BJs Wholesale Club Stock Up 0.7 %

BJ opened at $78.25 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.73, a quick ratio of 0.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $69.58 and its 200-day moving average price is $68.49. The company has a market cap of $10.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.22, a P/E/G ratio of 3.36 and a beta of 0.26. BJs Wholesale Club has a 12 month low of $60.33 and a 12 month high of $78.97.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Christopher J. Baldwin sold 73,062 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.95, for a total value of $5,402,934.90. Following the sale, the director now owns 173,294 shares in the company, valued at $12,815,091.30. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 2.20% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On BJs Wholesale Club

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in BJ. Global Retirement Partners LLC lifted 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 purchasing an additional 153 shares in the last quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of BJs Wholesale Club by 23.9% in the third quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 824 shares of the companys stock worth $59,000 after acquiring an additional 159 shares during the period. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of BJs Wholesale Club by 5.9% during the first quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 3,225 shares of the companys stock worth $245,000 after purchasing an additional 179 shares in the last quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc raised its position in shares of 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 buying an additional 180 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Commonwealth Equity Services LLC boosted its position in shares of BJs Wholesale Club by 3.1% during the third quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 6,939 shares of the companys stock worth $505,000 after acquiring an additional 206 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 98.60% of the companys stock.

About BJs Wholesale Club

(Get 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.

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RDA Financial Network acquired a new position in shares of LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB  Free Report) during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund acquired 3,425 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock, valued at approximately $326,000.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 24.9% during the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 4,085,474 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $386,894,000 after buying an additional 815,083 shares during the period. Alps Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 86.5% during the third quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. now owns 489,340 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $45,588,000 after buying an additional 226,974 shares during the period. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 4.6% in the third quarter. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. now owns 103,839 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $9,833,000 after purchasing an additional 4,546 shares during the period. Truist Financial Corp boosted its holdings in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 7.5% in the third quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 253,360 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $23,993,000 after purchasing an additional 17,581 shares during the period. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted its holdings in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 9.9% in the third quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 6,305,596 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $597,140,000 after purchasing an additional 569,887 shares during the period. 91.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Kenneth Todd Lane sold 9,489 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.92, for a total transaction of $938,651.88. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 89,445 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,847,899.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, Director Robin W.T. Buchanan sold 18,111 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.46, for a total transaction of $1,819,431.06. Following the transaction, the director now owns 12,276 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,233,246.96. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Kenneth Todd Lane sold 9,489 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.92, for a total transaction of $938,651.88. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 89,445 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,847,899.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 80,853 shares of company stock valued at $8,077,267. Insiders own 0.12% of the companys stock.

LyondellBasell Industries Stock Down 0.3 %

Shares of LYB stock traded down $0.27 on Friday, reaching $100.98. 1,230,586 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,042,959. LyondellBasell Industries has a twelve month low of $84.14 and a twelve month high of $102.93. The company has a market capitalization of $32.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.61, a PEG ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 1.19. The company has a current ratio of 1.84, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $97.06 and its 200 day moving average price is $95.51.

LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.26 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.33 by ($0.07). LyondellBasell Industries had a net margin of 5.16% and a return on equity of 21.89%. The company had revenue of $9.93 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.85 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.29 earnings per share. LyondellBasell Industriess revenue was down 6.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that LyondellBasell Industries will post 8.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

LyondellBasell Industries Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 11th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 4th were issued a $1.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 1st. This represents a $5.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.95%. LyondellBasell Industriess payout ratio is 77.28%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. Wolfe Research started coverage on LyondellBasell Industries in a report on Friday, March 1st. They issued an underperform rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised LyondellBasell Industries from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and upped their price target for the stock from $95.00 to $100.00 in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $107.00 price target on shares of LyondellBasell Industries in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded LyondellBasell Industries from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $105.00 target price on the stock. in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. Finally, Vertical Research raised shares of LyondellBasell Industries from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and seven have given 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 target price of $100.92.

Check Out Our Latest Report on LYB

LyondellBasell Industries Company Profile

(Free Report)

LyondellBasell Industries N.V. operates as a chemical company in the United States, Germany, Mexico, Italy, Poland, France, Japan, China, the Netherlands, and internationally. The company operates in six segments: Olefins and PolyolefinsAmericas; Olefins and PolyolefinsEurope, Asia, International; Intermediates and Derivatives; Advanced Polymer Solutions; Refining; and Technology.

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Science Applications International Co. (NYSE:SAIC  Free Report)  William Blair issued their Q1 2025 earnings per share estimates for Science Applications International in a report issued on Monday, March 18th. William Blair analyst L. Dipalma forecasts that the information technology services provider will post earnings of $1.96 per share for the quarter. The consensus estimate for Science Applications Internationals current full-year earnings is $8.14 per share. William Blair also issued estimates for Science Applications Internationals Q2 2025 earnings at $1.94 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $2.14 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $2.03 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $9.01 EPS.

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Other equities analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Science Applications International from $142.00 to $140.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Tuesday. StockNews.com cut Science Applications International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price target on Science Applications International from $113.00 to $110.00 and set a sell rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Science Applications International from $141.00 to $143.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Truist Financial boosted their price target on Science Applications International from $115.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, December 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $127.50.

Science Applications International Stock Performance

Shares of SAIC stock opened at $127.79 on Wednesday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $133.87 and a 200 day moving average price of $122.15. The stock has a market cap of $6.65 billion, a PE ratio of 14.44 and a beta of 0.71. Science Applications International has a 1 year low of $95.43 and a 1 year high of $145.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 0.98.

Science Applications International (NYSE:SAIC  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, March 18th. The information technology services provider reported $1.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.44 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $1.74 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.64 billion. Science Applications International had a return on equity of 23.73% and a net margin of 6.41%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 11.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.04 earnings per share.

Institutional Trading of Science Applications International

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. UBS Group AG grew its holdings in Science Applications International by 108.7% in the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 54,031 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $5,702,000 after buying an additional 28,139 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC grew its holdings in Science Applications International by 13.2% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 2,823,285 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $297,969,000 after buying an additional 328,426 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. grew its holdings in Science Applications International by 11.7% in the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 616,166 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $65,030,000 after buying an additional 64,406 shares in the last quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co bought a new position in Science Applications International in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $44,000. Finally, Westwood Holdings Group Inc. grew its holdings in Science Applications International by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. now owns 58,884 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $6,623,000 after buying an additional 399 shares in the last quarter. 75.31% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity at Science Applications International

In related news, EVP Michelle A. Ohara sold 4,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $127.45, for a total value of $509,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 26,238 shares in the company, valued at $3,344,033.10. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Science Applications International news, Director Donna S. Morea sold 1,209 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.11, for a total transaction of $151,257.99. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 31,834 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,982,751.74. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Michelle A. Ohara sold 4,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $127.45, for a total value of $509,800.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 26,238 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,344,033.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock.

Science Applications International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 26th. Investors of record on Friday, April 12th will be paid a $0.37 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 11th. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.16%. Science Applications Internationals payout ratio is currently 16.72%.

Science Applications International Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Science Applications International Corporation provides technical, engineering, and enterprise information technology (IT) services primarily in the United States. The company's offerings include engineering; technology integration; IT modernization; maintenance of ground and maritime systems; logistics; training and simulation; operation and program support services; and end-to-end services, such as design, development, integration, deployment, management and operations, sustainment, and security of its customers' IT infrastructure, as well as cloud migration, managed services, infrastructure modernization, and enterprise IT-as-a-service solutions; and data management platform solutions.

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Apeiron RIA LLC grew its position in Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO  Free Report) by 15.9% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 778 shares of the medical research companys stock after acquiring an additional 107 shares during the quarter. Apeiron RIA LLCs holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $413,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Halpern Financial Inc. grew its stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 307.7% in the third quarter. Halpern Financial Inc. now owns 53 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 40 shares during the last quarter. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new position in Thermo Fisher Scientific in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Live Oak Investment Partners acquired a new stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Tyler Stone Wealth Management acquired a new stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 2nd quarter valued at about $37,000. Finally, Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO acquired a new position in Thermo Fisher Scientific in the third quarter worth about $38,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.06% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

TMO has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued a market perform rating on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a report on Monday, January 8th. HSBC started coverage on Thermo Fisher Scientific in a research report on Monday, December 18th. They issued a buy rating and a $610.00 price objective for the company. Robert W. Baird restated an outperform rating and set a $670.00 price objective on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a report on Thursday, December 14th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $592.00 to $642.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, February 1st. Finally, Citigroup began coverage on Thermo Fisher Scientific in a report on Monday. They set a neutral rating and a $620.00 price objective for the company. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Thermo Fisher Scientific presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $599.00.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Debora L. Spar sold 164 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $546.97, for a total value of $89,703.08. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 1,207 shares in the company, valued at approximately $660,192.79. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, Director Debora L. Spar sold 164 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $546.97, for a total transaction of $89,703.08. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,207 shares in the company, valued at approximately $660,192.79. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $597.98, for a total transaction of $5,979,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 123,816 shares in the company, valued at $74,039,491.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 50,277 shares of company stock worth $28,513,384 over the last three months. 0.32% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE TMO traded down $1.04 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $583.09. The stock had a trading volume of 1,057,365 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,633,554. The company has a quick ratio of 1.39, a current ratio of 1.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The company has a market cap of $222.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.77, a PEG ratio of 2.44 and a beta of 0.80. The businesss 50 day moving average is $562.41 and its 200-day moving average is $519.25. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a 52 week low of $415.60 and a 52 week high of $603.82.

Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The medical research company reported $5.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.64 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $10.89 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.73 billion. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a net margin of 13.99% and a return on equity of 18.78%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $5.40 earnings per share. As a group, analysts predict that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 21.52 EPS for the current year.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be issued a $0.39 dividend. This is an increase from Thermo Fisher Scientifics previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.27%. Thermo Fisher Scientifics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 10.10%.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Profile

(Free Report)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company's Life Sciences Solutions segment offers reagents, instruments, and consumables for biological and medical research, discovery, and production of drugs and vaccines, as well as diagnosis of infections and diseases; and solutions include biosciences, genetic sciences, and bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets.

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Trilogy Capital Inc. bought a new stake in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:JHMM  Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 15,160 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $798,000.

Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Money Concepts Capital Corp increased its position in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF by 139.3% during the 4th quarter. Money Concepts Capital Corp now owns 718 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 418 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC increased its position in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF by 300.0% during the 2nd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,148 shares of the companys stock valued at $51,000 after purchasing an additional 861 shares during the last quarter. Clear Investment Research LLC grew its position in John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF by 33.6% in the 3rd quarter. Clear Investment Research LLC now owns 1,442 shares of the companys stock valued at $68,000 after acquiring an additional 363 shares during the last quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. grew its position in John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF by 23.4% in the 4th quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 1,779 shares of the companys stock valued at $83,000 after acquiring an additional 337 shares during the last quarter. Finally, City Holding Co. bought a new position in John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF in the 4th quarter valued at $104,000.

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John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF Stock Performance

John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF stock traded down $0.32 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $56.52. The companys stock had a trading volume of 35,376 shares, compared to its average volume of 253,774. The company has a 50 day moving average of $53.58 and a 200-day moving average of $50.37. The stock has a market cap of $3.63 billion, a PE ratio of 13.93 and a beta of 1.08. John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF has a one year low of $44.07 and a one year high of $56.97.

John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF Company Profile

The John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF (JHMM) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the John Hancock Dimensional Mid Cap index. The fund tracks an index of US firms ranked 200-950 by size, weighted by multiple factors relative to their sector peers. JHMM was launched on Sep 28, 2015 and is managed by John Hancock.

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Shares of Veralto Co. (NYSE:VLTO  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $90.69 and last traded at $90.24, with a volume of 71748 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $89.90.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have commented on VLTO. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on shares of Veralto in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. They set a hold rating and a $79.00 price objective for the company. BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on shares of Veralto in a research report on Tuesday, February 27th. They issued an outperform rating and a $97.00 target price for the company. Argus initiated coverage on shares of Veralto in a research report on Tuesday, January 9th. They issued a buy rating and a $90.00 target price for the company. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Veralto from $78.00 to $91.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 8th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reduced their target price on shares of Veralto from $83.00 to $82.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $91.36.

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Veralto Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.89. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $83.09.

Veralto (NYSE:VLTO  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $0.87 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.80 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $1.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.25 billion. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.80 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Veralto Co. will post 3.26 EPS for the current year.

Veralto Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 28th will be issued a dividend of $0.09 per share. This represents a $0.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.40%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Mattias Bystrom sold 500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $86.10, for a total value of $43,050.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 30,310 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,609,691. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Veralto

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Studio Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Veralto during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Veralto during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Blue Trust Inc. purchased a new stake in Veralto during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. First Command Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new stake in Veralto during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Finally, Delta Asset Management LLC TN boosted its position in Veralto by 216.0% during the 4th quarter. Delta Asset Management LLC TN now owns 316 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 216 shares during the period.

Veralto Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Veralto Corporation provides water analytics, water treatment, marking and coding, and packaging and color services worldwide. It operates through two segments, Water Quality (WQ) and Product Quality & Innovation (PQI). The WQ segment offers precision instrumentation and water treatment technologies to measure, analyze, and treat water in residential, commercial, municipal, industrial, research, and natural resource applications through the Hach, Trojan Technologies, and ChemTreat brands.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 22. Turkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of the Novruz holiday, Trend reports.

"I am pleased to convey my most sincere congratulations to Your Excellency and the brotherly people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of Novruz, which is a symbol of the awakening of land and a celebration of the revival of nature every year.

Novruz, an ancient tradition based on centuries, ushers in days full of hope and blessings. I am sure that on this significant day, which is an important part of our common culture, our ties of friendship and brotherhood will become even stronger.

I do hope that 2024 will be a year of new opportunities and success for us all. With a desire to strengthen and develop relations between our countries and achieve our common goals together, I wish Your Excellency and all the people of Azerbaijan good health, happiness, and prosperity," reads the letter.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 22. Turkiye's Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz has sent a congratulatory letter to Azerbaijan's First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva on the occasion of the Novruz holiday, Trend reports.

"Esteemed Mrs. Mehriban,

On behalf of the Turkish nation and on my own behalf, I sincerely congratulate Your Excellency and the brotherly people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of Novruz, a celebration of hope, renewal, and solidarity that has been our shared tradition for millennia.

I wish Your Excellency health, happiness, and success, and the friendly and brotherly people of Azerbaijan a year filled with prosperity and peace, hoping to spread the love, unity, and brotherhood symbolized by Novruz beyond our countries and regions", says the letter.
Apple opens largest retail store on Chinese mainland in Shanghai

Xinhua) 08:16, March 22, 2024

Apple CEO Tim Cook attends the opening of a new flagship Apple store in east China's Shanghai, March 21, 2024. The new flagship Apple store is set to become the company's second-largest retail store globally. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)

SHANGHAI, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Smartphone maker Apple on Thursday inaugurated its largest retail store on the Chinese mainland in Shanghai, with Apple CEO Tim Cook opening the doors of the new store and welcoming Chinese consumers.

The eighth Apple store in Shanghai is located in Jing'ansi Square in a central business district of the metropolis. It is the company's second-largest retail store globally.

The flagship store boasts more than 150 employees who can communicate with customers in English, Japanese, Korean, German, Spanish and Malay, in addition to the Chinese language in 25 varieties of Chinese dialects, according to Apple.

Diana Chou, market director for East China, Apple Retail, said that Apple values Chinese consumers, and Apple retail stores in China are among the busiest in the world.

"The new store just makes a perfect addition to the company's retail footprint in China," she said.

On Wednesday, Apple held a sharing session with Chinese suppliers such as BYD, Lens Technology and Shenzhen Everwin Precision Technology Co., Ltd., showcasing their latest achievements and progress in smart manufacturing, green manufacturing and talent training.

This photo taken on March 21, 2024 shows the new flagship Apple store in east China's Shanghai. The new flagship Apple store is set to become the company's second-largest retail store globally. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)

Apple CEO Tim Cook attends the opening of a new flagship Apple store in east China's Shanghai, March 21, 2024. The new flagship Apple store is set to become the company's second-largest retail store globally. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 22. A delegation led by the Azerbaijani Parliament's Chairperson Sahiba Gafarova has arrived on a working visit to Geneva, a source in the parliament told Trend.

"At Geneva International Airport, the delegation was greeted by Azerbaijan's Permanent Representative to the UN Office and other International Organizations in Geneva Galib Israfilov, and other officials.

As part of the visit, Gafarova will participate in the 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the third conference of the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement, and a coordination meeting of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly.

The events plan includes speeches by the parliament chairperson, meetings with the chairs of parliaments, and heads of delegations from several countries.

The delegation includes MPs Elnur Allahverdiyev, Soltan Mammadov, Sevil Mikayilova, Kamran Bayramov, Amina Aghazade, Shahin Ismayilov, Sabina Khasayeva, the head of the parliament's apparatus, Farid Hajiyev, and other officials," the source added.
TNL urges

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IMPHAL, Mar 21 : The Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) has appealed to all political parties, candidates, voters and other stakeholders concerned to ensure peaceful conduct of the Lok Sabha election, 2024.

TNL, in a press release, said that Nagas have come a long way in "our collective journey of struggles and sacrifices and we continue to stand together in prayer."

Saying that Nagas have suffered enough bloodshed at the hands of enemies in striving for just peace, TNL continued that "our land" should not be treated as a war ground by any party in contrary to the ideals of Naga Nation.

All citizens should be allowed to participate in the upcoming election without fear, it said while appealing to all concerned to ensure smooth and safe conduct of the Lok Sabha election.

The TNL went on to state that they need to refocus on their ultimate goal of Naga Nation with greater perseverance, conviction and commitment.
It is not natural disasters but manmade barriers that block access to TB care

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Shobha Shukla, Bobby Ramakant CNS

It is not natural disasters (like hurricanes or storms) which block access to TB care services most times, but manmade barriers that fuel injustices, inequities, greed, and risk factors that put people at risk of TB disease and death.

Since these are manmade barriers, it is we who have to unmake them if we are to walk the talk on the promise to end TB and deliver on sustainable development where no one is left behind. There is no other choice because it is a human rights imperative to end TB and deliver on #HealthFor All and #SDGs. And there is no excuse for inaction as clock is ticking: Only 21 months left to end TB in India, and 81 months left to end TB globally (by 2030).

Like justice, health is never given, it is won

Like justice, health is never given, it is won, said a media release by United Nations joint programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) on International Womens Day.

But if justice and equality can become centre-stage in our worldfrom the point-of-view of the least served, least represented and least visible communitiesand if they are served first with respect and equity, then perhaps we can avert a social uprising to get a just access to health and development for everyone. But then this is a big but!

We have allowed inequities to mar the TB res- ponse, said Dr Lucica Ditiu, Executive Director of Stop TB Partnership. Old TB guidelines of the past years will show how drug-resistant TB, or TB in children were on the blindspot in the Global South. Even data of TB in children for example has started coming forward from high TB burden Nations only since the past decade. But richer Nations of the Global North were diagnosing and treating drug-resistant TB, TB in children or extrapulmonary TB (TB of body parts other than lungs). We cannot have double standards, rightly said Dr Lucica Ditiu, who was speaking at the 2024 World Social Forum (WSF 2024) in Nepal. Since Dr Ditiu has taken charge of the global Stop TB Partnership in Geneva in 2011, TB guidelines are uniform for rich and poor nations alike.

Listen to the ones we serve But are we finding TB, treating TB and preventing TB everywhere with the best of tools science has gifted us ? Why is 140+ years old microscopy still being used in high TB burden Nations to screen and diagnose TB ? Why are older, longer, less effective, more toxic treatment regimens still being used ? Why is TB prevention on the backseat ?

Preventing people with latent TB from progressing to active TB disease is possible with the best of available treatments and complemented with nutrition, along with ending tobacco and alcohol, and preventing diabetes, other non-communicable diseases, hunger, poverty, HIV, and a range of other TB risk factors. Are Governments not committed to deliver on addressing these TB risk factors, alongside ending TB by 2030 (as they have promised)?

We must secure the same equitable access to TB care services for everybody. We cannot do this equitably and justly unless we create the processes and systems to embrace everybody by listening to the ones we serve, said Dr Lucica Ditiu at WSF 2024.

Why is A missing in development?

Is it not high time to set (A)ccountability if even one TB death is a death too many ? Despite having highly accurate tests to diagnose TB early (such as molecular tests recommended by the World Health Organization(WHO), shorter and more effective treatments (1 month regimen for latent TB, 4 months for drug-sensitive TB, and 6 months for drug-resistant TB), and scientific evidence-backed know how to prevent TB, who is responsible for at least 10.6 million people who suffered from TB disease globally in 2022, out of which 1.3 million died ?

Science has gifted us tools to test, treat and prevent TB but are we using them ?

Science has never been at fault, but implementation has been lacking, said Professor (Dr) Rajendra Prasad, Dr BC Roy National Awardee who has made a seminal contribution towards shaping Indias TB response in various capacities since 1976 onwards. He was speaking in the End TB Dialogues hosted by CNS at the 78th National Conference of Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases (NATCON), in Thrissur, Kerala.

Richer Nations, like Australia for example, were able to deploy age-old tools in 1960s-1970s to screen everyone and find all TB, treat all TB and prevent all TB. The rate of TB in some of the richer Nations is already at the much sought after elimination levels. Then why was it not replicated to fight TB in the rest of the world ? Sumit Mitra, President of Molbio Diagnostics and a thought leader on point-of-care and point-of-need diagnostics, spoke in the recently concluded World Social Forum 2024 (WSF 2024). He wondered that when less than a quarter of the worlds popu- lation lives in the Global North (richer Nations) then why do those in the Global North have decision-making powers when it comes to global healthespecially when health cha- llenges are way more profound in the Global South?

(To be contd)


Politics of naming candidates Eyes on BJP, Cong

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The politics of choosing the candidate. Make it the candidate, in so far as the BJP is concerned while this line will may also hold true for the Naga Peoples Front (NPF) in the Outer Parliamentary Constituency. The NPF has already announced the name of its candidate, but if the grapevine is to be believed, this has not gone down well with many and to get a better understanding of this observation one will need to go beyond the intending candidates who had queued up for the partys ticket. This is where so many equations, such as the region from where the wanna be candidates had sought the partys ticket, the tribe from which he had come and more importantly the tribe/s which had backed his bid for the NPF ticket. As one scribe put it, the 2024 Lok Sabha election is going to be one of the most contentious in recent times and the possibility of the vote getting aligned according to tribal/region affiliation is not something which can be written off that easily. Contentious as understood within the context of interesting and as the same scribe put it, this is going to be one of the more challenging and interesting times for the media in Manipur. Remains to be seen if the Imphal based media can go beyond the routine press briefings and the official lines toed by the respective figures or political parties and dig a bit deeper to go into the politics that is played at the inter-tribe level as well as regional interests. Adding more colour in the run up to the election are the recent attacks launched on the meeting held for the intending Congress candidate in the Outer Parliamentary seat. Guns are sure to ignite a sense of apprehension and fear amongst the people but yet at the same time such targeting of a particular candidate may just work in favour of the said candidate for people, especially the fence sitters who have not yet decided who to vote for may just decide to throw their weight behind the intending Congress candidate. This is a distinct possibility and voting day could just be the opportunity to cock a snook at the gun wielding elements, that is if the booths are not captured and proxy voting is checked. This is where the job of the Election Commission of India and the Chief Electoral Officer will be tested under the question just how free and fair will the election be ? If morning shows the day then can one take the brazen twin attack at the meeting of the intending Congress candidate as the precursor of things to come ? A question which the election office should have raised within itself seriously by now.

And the politics behind naming the candidates continues. This is perhaps most visible in the manner in which different names have been doing the round. The BJP is yet to officially announce who would be fielded in the Inner Parliamentary Constituency as well as the Outer Parliamentary Constituency. The Central BJP leadership must have its reason for playing the card close to its chest, but this has only given room for speculations to do the round, adding to the confusion of the people and in some cases, piquing the interests of many. And perhaps the politics of naming the candidate can be understood in the context of the numerous names that have been floated as likely candidates of the saffron party in the Inner seat. Some of the names floated sound a little too far fetched, but the hand of stories being planted is an overwhelming thought that comes to mind whenever one goes through the names being floated. Some names may be genuinely in the reckoning, but given that this would be a litmus test for the BJP in the backdrop of the ongoing ethnic clash, the saffron party must be hard pressed to study the potential of each and every potential candidate minutely. On the other hand, the politics of floating so many names as likely candidate may just be another political move to offset the strategy that may be hatched by the others, particularly the Congress. Given that the saffron party is yet to officially name its candidates for the two Lok Sabha seats, the poll tempo is yet to hit full pitch in the Inner seat but with the last date of filing the nomination papers fast approaching, it will just be a matter of a few days. For the people of Manipur, the election is crucial and it is only right that the man best placed to voice the interests of Manipur in Parliament is sent to the Lok Sabha.
BJP to back NPF candidate in Outer PC

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By Our Staff Reporter By Our Staff Reporter

IMPHAL, Mar 22 : The Government led by Biren Singh is set to back the NPF candidate in the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha Constituency.Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Chief Minister N Biren tweeted, Following the decision by @BJP4India under the guidance of Shri@JPNadda ji, and upholding our alliance principles, I am delighted to share that BJP will lend its support to Lok Sabha candidate of NPF in the Outer Manipur Constituency for the forthcoming Parliamentary elections in 2024.Senior BJP leader in charge of North East Sambit Patra also shared the same line as Chief Minister N Biren.Speaking of the Outer Manipur, where the BJP is still in limbo, sources reveal that the Biren Singh-led Government is set to extend support to the Naga People's Front (NPF), reports India Today NE.For the Lok Sabha elections, the Naga People's Front (NPF) has announced Kachui Timothy Zimik as its candidate for the Outer Parliamentary Constituency.A retired Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, Zimik's candidacy will see him replace the sitting NPF Parliamentarian Dr Lorho S Pfoze. The announcement was made by the NPF's Central Working Committee, following a crucial meeting on March 20.
Maldives President seeks debt relief from India amid strained ties

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Male, Mar 22 : Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has struck a reconciliatory tone after his anti-India rhetoric, saying India will continue to remain his country's closest ally as he sought a debt relief from New Delhi. The Maldives owed approximately $400.9 million to India at the end of last year.

Ever since taking oath as the President in November last year, the pro-China Maldivian leader has pursued a hardline stand towards India and within hours demanded that Indian military personnel operating three aviation platforms be repatriated from his country by May 10.

On Thursday, in his first interview with the local media since assuming office, President Muizzu said India was instrumental in providing aid to the Maldives and implemented the greatest number of projects.

India will continue to remain the Maldives' closest ally, he said and emphasised that there was no question about it, Maldives news portal Edition.mv said in a report with excerpts of the President's interview to its Dhivehi language sister-publication Mihaaru.'

The comments praising India came after the first batch of Indian military personnel left the island nation this month as planned. By May 10, President Muizzu had demanded that all 88 military personnel, manning the three Indian aviation platforms, should leave the country.

India has been providing humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the people of the Maldives for the last few years with two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft.

The Maldives' proximity to India, barely 70 nautical miles from the Minicoy island in Lakshadweep and 300 nautical miles from the mainland's western coast, and its location at the hub of commercial sea lanes running through the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) gives it significant strategic importance.

During the interview, President Muizzu urged India to accommodate debt relief measures for the Maldives in the repayment of the hefty loans taken over consecutive governments.

The conditions we have inherited are such that there are very large loans taken from India. Hence, we are holding discussions to explore leniencies in the repayment structure of these loans.

Instead of halting any ongoing projects... to proceed with them at speed, so I see no reason for any adverse effects (on Maldives-India relations), President Muizzu added.

President Muizzu's conciliatory comments towards India came ahead of Parliament elections in Maldives slated for mid-April.

He said Maldives has taken significant loans from India, which are heftier than can be borne by the Maldivian economy. Due to this, he is currently discussing with the Indian government to explore options to repay the loans to the best of the Maldives' economic capabilities, the news portal said quoting him.

The President, who expressed hope that India would facilitate debt relief measures in the repayment of these loans, said he has conveyed his appreciation to the Indian government for their contributions.

During the previous regime, headed by pro-India leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration, the total loan taken from the Export and Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) stood at $1.4 million.

Together with this, the amount owed by Maldives to India by the end of last year stood at 6.2 billion Maldivian Rufiyaa, he said.

I also conveyed to PM Modi during our meeting that I did not intend to halt any ongoing projects. Instead, I expressed my desire to strengthen and expedite them, he said, referring to his discussion with PM Modi in Dubai on the sidelines of the COP28 summit in December 2023.

I suggested a high-level committee be established, one designed for quick decision-making even in the bridge project to ensure speedy work. The same for the Hanimaadhoo Airport, he added.

Speaking about the row over Indian military personnel, President Muizzu said it as the only matter of contention that arose with India - about the presence of Indian military in the Maldives, and added that India, too, had accepted it and agreed to withdraw its personnel.

It is not nice to dismiss or disregard aid from one country to another as useless, he said, claiming he had not taken any action or made any statements that may strain the relationship between the two countries.

Even if they are troops of some other country, we will deal with them in the same manner. I have said very clearly. It is nothing personal but rather a matter of our national security, he added.

President Muizzu said his government acted to find the swiftest and most prudent solution through deliberations to deal with the issue of the Indian military personnel in the Maldives.

PTI
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 22. A bilateral meeting between the speakers of the parliaments of Azerbaijan and Armenia, Sahiba Gafarova and Alen Simonyan, took place on the sidelines of the 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva, Trend reports.

The meeting was organized at the initiative and with the mediation of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The meeting aimed to address avenues through which the parliaments of both nations can contribute to the ongoing peace process amidst the negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The parties agreed to explore dialogue possibilities at the parliamentary level during the meeting, which was conducted in a constructive atmosphere.

18:54 (GMT +4) A bilateral meeting between the speakers of the parliaments of Azerbaijan and Armenia, Sahiba Gafarova and Alen Simonyan, is underway on the sidelines of the 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva, Trend reports.

Facilitated by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the meeting aims to address avenues through which the parliaments of both nations can contribute to the ongoing peace process amidst the negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
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Retired Justice of Calcutta High Court Rabindranath Samanta joined the West Bengal Real Estate Appellate Tribunal as its chairperson on Wednesday.

Eight years after the 2016 act came into force, the chairperson of the tribunal has been appointed, official sources said.

The West Bengal Real Estate Appellate Tribunal has been established under Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 enacted by the central government. After the Act came into force, West Bengal government enacted a similar Act, namely the Housing Industry Regulation Act, 2017.

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But this Act was struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court on 4 May, 2021 in the case of Forum for Peoples Collective Efforts vs State of West Bengal.

Soon, West Bengal Real Estate Appellate Tribunal was established.

The object of the Act is to regulate and promote the real estate sector and to ensure sale of plot, apartment or building in an efficient and transparent manner and to protect the interest of consumers.
Trinamul Congress leaders today lambasted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for portraying a picture which is far from reality.

Trinamul Congress has started a programme called Modir Zero Guarantee Series, where the party has shown how the saffron party has deceived people and deliberately spread lies.

Chadrima Bhattacharya, the finance minister and president Trinamul Mahila Congress and Dr Shantanu Sen, former Rajya Sabha MP addressed the press and alleged that the BJP is circulating lies about the income of farmers. Mr Modi had said that by 2022, the income of the farmers would double. But nothing of the sport happened and if the growth happens at the existing pace, then the income of the farmers would double by 2028.

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The Swachh Bharat Mission scheme is another big failure. In the past five years since the scheme was introduced altogether 306 people died while cleaning septic tanks or open drains. Now, the Centre is silent on the issue.

Under Bharat Bala scheme, which proposes to connect 806 districts across India, only 39 per cent work has been done so far.

More than 7.5 lakh fake card holders have been spotted under Ayushman Bharat scheme. The CAG report stated that in Madhya Pradesh, more than a crore have been spent on 400 deceased were given fake card holders and given Rs 1 crore by the MP government.

The condition of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana is scary. In 2022-23, more than 1.2 crore families did not refill the cylinder while 1.05 crore families had refilled the cylinder only once during this period.

Mrs Bhattacharya said that more than 175 hours have lapsed since the national general secretary of Trinamul Congress Abhishek Banerjee threw a challenge to the BJP leaders alleging that the Centre did not give a single penny for MGNREGA and Awas Yojana in 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 and urged the leaders to take part in a debate. The BJP, which claims to be the biggest political party in the world, did not accept the challenge and is silent on the issue. BJP is only telling lies and lies only, she remarked.

Trinamul Congress will hold a press conference daily to expose the hollowness of Modi ki guarantee.

Dr Shantanu Sen said on roads, the restoration rate was supposed to be Rs 18 crore but the actual cost became Rs 250 crore. It has come out in the leading newspapers today that regarding the inequality situation, the present state of affairs is worse than the British regime. This proves their jumla. It proves the publicity master Prime Ministers guarantees and no warranties, Dr Sen said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 22. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Inter-Parliamentary Union on the margins of the 148th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Geneva today, Trend reports with reference to Milli Majlis (parliament) of Azerbaijan.

The document was signed on behalf of the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement by the Speaker of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Network Sahiba Gafarova, and on behalf of the Inter-Parliamentary Union by IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong.

It was said following the signing ceremony that the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement, established on the initiative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, plays an important role in expanding parliamentary diplomacy and deepening co-operation between the legislative bodies of the Non-Aligned Movement Member States. The co-operation between the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network and the Inter-Parliamentary Union will serve to diversify activities in this direction.

They also voiced satisfaction with the excellent progress of the relations between the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The signed memorandum will enhance ties between the two entities and promote co-operation through parliamentary diplomacy on issues of common concern.
The National Zoological Park, popularly known as Delhi Zoo, celebrated the International Day of Forests, said the Union Environment Ministry on Friday.

The theme for this years International Forest Day was Forests and innovation: new solutions for a better world.

The event started on Thursday with doodle art activity at the Education Centre of National Zoological Park, where the visitors were encouraged to participate in the activity after which a film was showcased on Mission-LiFE, the ministry said.

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Plantation drive was conducted in the surroundings of the recently rejuvenated water body where staff members of National Zoological Park planted the trees.

The purpose of this event was to create awareness among visitors about plants and their importance in humans lives.

Forest sustainable management and their use of resources are key to combating climate change, and to contributing to the prosperity and well- being of current and future generations. It is up to us to safeguard these precious natural resources by the use of innovative techniques, the ministry said.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav said on Friday that Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has become greedy of the chair by not resigning from the CM post despite being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Dr Yadav commented that it is shameful to go to jail while being the CM of a state. He pointed out that there has been a system in the country that if any one on a post is accused of something, then the person immediately resigns and does not take back the post till proven innocent.

Dr Yadav said when Kejriwal received nine summons from the ED in connection with the Delhi liquor scam, he should have immediately resigned from the CM post and assumed charge of CM again only if the court acquitted him.

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Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) staged protests across Madhya Pradesh today, in protest of Kejriwals arrest.

AAP workers and leaders staged a protest outside the MP BJP office in Bhopal.

The protesters held placards, which read Stop Misusing ED and CBI. The demonstrators shouted slogans like Modi jab jab darta hai, police ko aage karta hai.

MP AAP President Ramakant Patel said the party protested across MP today. Patel averred that the protests would continue against the BJP, specially Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is using the central agencies to bully the opposition.
The Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court on Friday declared the UP Madrasa Education Board Act 2004 unconstitutional.

The Division Bench of Justice Vivek Chaudhary and Justice Subhash Vidyarthi gave this verdict on a petition of Anshuman Singh Rathore, who challenged the constitutional validity of the Act and certain provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Act, 2012, said the report.

Declaring the Madrassa Act unconstitutional, the high court ordered the state government to enroll the students studying in the madrassas in other schools.

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The BJP Minority Morcha President Basit Ali welcomed the high court decision. He said the courts decision would help the children move forward.

He further said there should be any change in the conditions of madrassas. Even today, children study in the madrassas sitting on the floor.

Maulana Saif Abbas said they were surprised by the decision of the high court. The Madrasa Act has been made by the government, not by a maulvi (cleric). Now, what will happen to the students and teachers of the madrassa, he asked, adding if necessary, they would approach the higher court.

The new court order came long after the UP government decided to survey the Islamic education institutions in Uttar Pradesh. In October 2023, it also formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the funding of Madarsas from abroad.

The SIT team in its report recommended action against more than 8,000 madrasas and alleged that around 80 madrasas in border areas had received foreign funding totaling around Rs100 crore.

The high court in its previous hearings had raised inquiries directed at both the Union of India and the state government regarding the rationale behind operating the Madarsa Board under the purview of the minority department instead of the education department of the state.

Under the Act, madrasas function under the state minority welfare ministry. So it was questioned why madrasa education to be run under the minority welfare department when all the other education institutions including those belonging to other minority communities like Jains, Sikhs, Christians, etc, are run under the Education Ministry.
The Bharatiya Janata Party Central Election Committee (CEC) is scheduled to meet in Delhi on Saturday to give its nod to the candidates for Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh.

The saffron party, which has just announced the candidates for 51 seats so far in UP, has got to announce candidates from four seats out of the eight which will go to polls in the first phase where March 27 is the last date for filing of nominations.

In the tomorrows crucial CEC meeting to be held in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP National President JP Nadda, Home Minister Amit Shah, apart from UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, two Deputy Chief Ministers, Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, BJP State President Bhupendra Chaudhary and General Secretary Organization Dharampal will also be present.

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Sources say after the CEC meeting, the list of candidates for the remaining 24 Lok Sabha seats of UP will be released. Besides this, the quota seats of allies will also be decided.

So far, the BJP has released the list of 51 Lok Sabha candidates in UP. Two seats have been given to RLD and one seat to Suheldev BhartiyaSamajParty( SBSP) while two seats are to be given to Apna Dal (S).

A meeting of the BJP Core Committee was held in Delhi on March 18, in which the names of the UP candidates for the Lok Sabha were brainstormed. Now, this has to be approved in the CEC meeting and after this the list will be released.

According to sources, along with changing the candidates on Barabanki seat, new faces can be fielded on many other seats in the Core Committee meeting.

Suspense is still looming on the tickets of Pilibhit MP Varun Gandhi and his mother Sultanpur MP Maneka Gandhi. Apart from these, changes could be expected in Bareilly, Rae Bareli, Meerut, Kaiserganj, Ghaziabad, Allahabad, Ballia, Kanpur, Mainpuri, Saharanpur and Deoria seats.
Following the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Keralas ruling CPI-M-led LDF and the Opposition Congress-led UDF staged a huge protest in the state on Friday.

The CPI-M held a protest march in Kannur on Friday with party workers burning the effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. CPI-M state secretary MV Govindan, who led the protest, said the arrest brings into memory the dark days of the Emergency.

He said the countrys electorate would brush aside the dark clouds of authoritarianism threatening the democracy.

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The CPI-M took out a protest march in Thiruvananthapuram late on Thursday against the arrest. Senior CPI-M leader M A Baby said the arrest of Kejriwal shows the BJP Governments blatant authoritarian streak.

In Thiruvananthapuram, Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and the partys Lok Sabha candidate from Thiruvananthapuram constituency, Shashi Tharoor, led a protest march to Raj Bhavan. Tharoor said both the UDF and LDF in Kerala are united in their opposition to the BJPs brazen attempt to use Constitutional agencies to tilt the electoral field in favour of the Sangh Parivar-controlled Central government by arresting leaders of Opposition parties.

KPCC president K Sudhakaran accused the BJP of subverting the ED, CBI and the I-T Department to target political rivals. While criticising the arrest of Kejriwal, Sudhakaran asked why the ED had taken no similar action against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan despite serious charges against the latter. He alleged that the CPI-M and the BJP were political bedfellows in Kerala.

The leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly said Kejriwals arrest is a challenge to democracy.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) activists staged a protest march near Raj Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday against the arrest of their leader Arvind Kejriwal. They also took out a protest march to the ED office in Kochi.

Meanwhile, Kerala BJP President K Surendran asked Congress leaders in Kerala whether they would cry foul if the ED arrests Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is facing serious corruption charges

He said the chief minister and his family were facing serious corruption charges. The Congress has highlighted the accusations at the poll campaign. However, the Central governments anti-corruption drive has united the corrupt Congress and CPI-M in a single enclosure, he said.

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) hours after agency officials reached his residence to record his statement in connection with an excise policy-linked money laundering case on Thursday.
Senior DMK leader K Ponmudy was on Friday re-inducted into the cabinet led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin following a tussle between the state government and the Governor.

Governor R N Ravi administered the oath of office to the minister in the presence of the chief minister at the Raj Bhavan in Chennai.

The Honble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has recommended to the Honble Governor of Tamil Nadu to induct Dr. K. Ponmudy, in the Council of Ministers allocating the subjects Higher Education including Technical Education, Electronics, Science and Technology currently held by Thiru R.S. Rajakannappan, Minister for Backward Classes Welfare, a release by the Raj Bhavan said.

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The development comes a day after the Supreme Court rapped the Governor for refusing to re-induct Ponmudy into the state cabinet.

On Thursday, the Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud-led three-judge bench had said, We are seriously concerned about the conduct of the Governor in this case This is not the way. Because he is defying the Supreme Court of India. When a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court stays a conviction, the Governor has no business to tell us that this does not wipe out the conviction and it is non-existent.

Those who have advised him have not advised him correctly in accordance with law. The governor better be informed that when the Supreme Court of India stays a conviction, the law has to follow its course, he had said.

The Madras High Court had recently reversed Ponmudys acquittal in a case of disproportionate assets, but on March 13, a two-judge SC bench stayed this saying it would otherwise lead to irreversible consequences.

The court was hearing an application by the Tamil Nadu government, which said that after the SC order, Stalin had requested the Governor to administer the oath of office to Ponmudy. The Governor, while referring to the grounds on which he was convicted by the HC, refused the request and said his reinduction while he remains tainted of corruption would be against constitutional morality.
Green hydrogen has the potential to drastically alter the structure of Indias energy supply chain over the next 20 years with a substantial positive impact on the economy, said P Kumaran, Special Secretary (Economic Relations and Development Partnership Administration), Ministry of External Affairs.

Kumaran was addressing the gathering at the inaugural session of the Industry Outreach Programme, on the fourth day of the 41st Steering Committee Meeting of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE) in New Delhi.

He stated that the Green Hydrogen is emerging globally as a solution for the journey towards Clean Energy transition, as it is well-placed to contribute more effectively than other options, in hard-to-abate sectors, long-term energy storage and mobility.

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Further, the Vice Chair of IPHE, Dr. Noe Van Hulst said, If India achieves National Green Hydrogen Mission targets, it will put the country at the forefront of global hydrogen development.

He appreciated the efforts being made by India in promoting green hydrogen and stated that the participating countries of IPHE are impressed by Indias National Green Hydrogen Mission, its ambitious targets and the policies and regulatory framework being implemented to achieve it.

Joint Secretary, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Ajay Yadav welcomed the favourable response of Indian Industry in participating in government policies and programmes to achieve decarbonisation and the massive deployment of Hydrogen.

He further listed out the various projects in the Green Hydrogen space in India and informed that a Green Hydrogen ecosystem is gradually developing in all parts of the country.
India-backed CPI (M) on Friday fielded comrade Amra Ram from the Sikar Lok Sabha constituency in Rajasthan as the partys candidate. The Congress has left the seat for the Left party after forging an alliance with it.

The decision was taken in a meeting of the state committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) held at Mazdoor Kisan Bhawan here in the presence of partys Rajasthan in-charge politburo member Com. Brinda Karat co-in-charge as observers on behalf of the central committee.

Amraram will contest election against BJPs sitting MP Sumedhnand Sarswati. He had lost the last assembly polls to Danta Ramgarh while Congress candidate Virendra Singh won by a huge margin.

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The state committee of CPI (M) called upon the people of Rajasthan to defeat the blatantly anti-farmer, anti-labour and anti-common people Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from all the seats in the state.

Addressing the meeting, Com. Brinda Karat said in the last ten years, the BJP-RSS Modi Government at the Center worked only to benefit domestic and foreign corporations and is pushing the country into the jungle of communalism.

The first phase of LS polls-2024 on 12 seats will be held on April 19, and its nomination process is underway. The second phase of LS polls on remaining 13 seats will be held on April 26.
Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday reacted to Aam Aadmi Party claims that arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will run the government from jail and said that this is an insult to the people of Delhi and law and democracy.

They are saying that Arvind Kejriwal will run the government from the jail. This is an insult to the people of Delhi, law and democracy It is unfortunate that a political party that spoke about the corruption of the Congress, and demanded the arrest of Sonia Gandhi, has refused to appear before the ED even after 9 summons, Thakur told reporters.

Why did he have to remain away from the investigation All of them are exposed in this liquor scam, he added.

BJP leader Ramvir Singh Bidhuri asked the AAP government that if Delhis new excise policy was great, then why was it taken down.

I have always told Arvind Kejriwal that this excise policy is not good This policy caused a loss of Rs. 3000 crores. In the end, we protested against the AAP government. If his new excise policy was great, then why did the CM take it down! Bidhuri said.

Earlier, Delhi Minister Atishi said that Kejriwal is, was, and remain the Delhi Chief Minister.

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We have said earlier that if needed, Kejriwal will run the government from jail. He can run the government as no rule can prevent him from doing that. He has not been convicted and so he will remain as the Delhi Chief Minister, Atishi said.

Addressing a press conference, AAP leader and Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that the Cental government has not allowed anyone to meet Arvind Kejriwals family since yesterday.

Arrests have been done in politics in the past. However, the minimum human values, that even the Britishers used to consider, are not being followed. The Cental government is not allowing anyone to meet Arvind Kejriwals family since yesterday, Bharadwaj said.

BJP National Spokesperson Sambit Patra said that today the Delhi Chief Ministers pride has been broken.

There have been 9 summons since October 23. Arvind Kejriwal did not remain present in any of them. He has a sense of entitlement and he keeps saying that the summons is illegal and he will not remain present. He keeps saying that he is the CM and how can he be summoned. Today, his pride has been broken. The law of this country says that if you have broken a law and you are summoned, then you have to respect the summons and remain present, Patra said.

Kejriwal will be produced before a special court today.

A team from the Enforcement Directorate reached Kejriwals residence on Thursday to interrogate him regarding the liquor policy case. During a search operation conducted at his residence, Kejriwal was arrested amidst dramatic circumstances, as the AAP convener failed to obtain interim protection from arrest in the liquor policy case from the Delhi High Court.

Workers of the Aam Aadmi Party are holding a nationwide protest. The INDIA bloc parties have also come out in support of Kejriwal and criticised the BJP for using ED as a weapon against the opposition. DMK MP Dayanidhi Maaran and Tamil Nadu Minister Sekar Babu protested in Chennai Central against the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal by Enforcement Directorate officials.
A day after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said here on Friday that it was clear that the AAP chief is corrupt.

It is clear that Kejriwal is corruptAt the time when the Delhi Deputy CM and Sanjay Singh were arrested, it was clear that Kejriwal was involved in corruptionNow, AAP should clearly understand that they pay for their deeds, Sachdeva said.

BJPs national spokesperson Sambit Patra said in November 2021 that Arvind Kejriwal brought a new excise policy and implemented it without the approval of the Cabinet. In July 2022, the Chief Secretary of Delhi said that the New Excise Policy has some loopholes and it must be checked. In the same month, the LG instructed the CBI to inquire into the matter. When CBI began its inquiry, Arvind Kejriwal withdrew the New Excise Policy, he had said.

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Meanwhile, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said, Only if Arvind Kejriwal had decided to work for the people of Delhi, and not focus on building a palace for himself, things could have been different.

Kejriwals arrest came days after the ED arrested K Kavitha, Bharat Rashta 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 excise policy.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 22. The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) today hosted high-level delegations from Armenia and Azerbaijan on the eve of the IPUs 148th Assembly, which takes place from 23-27 March in Geneva, Switzerland, Trend reports with reference to IPU.



IPU President Tulia Ackson and IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong welcomed to IPU headquarters the Armenian delegation, led by the Speaker of the National Assembly Alen Simonyan, and the Azerbaijani delegation, led by the Speaker of the Milli Mejlis (National Assembly) Sahiba Gafarova.



"The meeting was designed as a complement and contribution at the parliamentary level to governmental peace negotiations between the two sides. Parliamentarians, as representatives of the people, have a key role to play in reducing tensions and building confidence, as well as in ratifying and implementing any future peace agreement. The IPU offered its good offices to the two sides to promote dialogue, build good neighbourly relations, and to help pave the way towards a normalization of ties between the two countries. This was the first time that the two Parliaments had met. Both sides agreed to continue the dialogue to rebuild trust under the auspices of the IPU," reads the statement from the organization.



The meeting follows the IPU Secretary General's mission to Armenia and Azerbaijan in February 2024, during which he met the authorities at the highest levels and laid down some of the groundwork for todays discussions.



The IPU also signed memoranda of understanding with Armenia, which will host the IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians in September 2024, and with Azerbaijan, in its capacity as Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network (NAM PN).



In todays world, where conflicts dominate the headlines, the value of dialogue cannot be overstated. Parliamentary diplomacy can be a very important complement to governments ongoing efforts in negotiating peace agreements. Parliaments and their leadership have the ability and the power to be a force for peace and to bring peoples together," said IPU President, Tulia Ackson.



IPU Secretary General, Martin Chungong, for his part, noted that the IPU has identified peace and security as a focal theme for its action in 2024.

"Promoting dialogue between parliaments in countries undergoing conflict is something that is core to the mandate of the Organization and something we have been doing for the past 135 years. We welcome the meeting of the two Speakers and commend their willingness to engage in dialogue," he added.



The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments. It was founded in 1889 as the first multilateral political organization in the world, encouraging cooperation and dialogue between all nations. Today, the IPU comprises 180 national Member Parliaments and 15 regional parliamentary bodies. It promotes peace, democracy and sustainable development. It helps parliaments become stronger, younger, gender-balanced and more innovative. It also defends the human rights of parliamentarians through a dedicated committee made up of MPs from around the world.
Delhi Cabinet ministers Saurabh Bahradwaj, Atishi and several other AAP workers were detained by police on Friday after they staged a protest condemning the arrest of party convener Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case.

The party leaders and supporters were taken away from ITO, where the police had

invoked section 144.

I have been detained by Delhi Police while peacefully protesting at ITO. First, these people arrest the Chief Minister of Delhi in false cases, and now those participating in peaceful protests are also being arrested. If this isnt the murder of democracy, then what is? Delhi Water Minister Atishi posted on X.

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As Bharadwaj was taken away by the police, he told reporters that Kejriwals family members were put under house arrest and not allowed to meet anyone. He later uploaded a video of him at the Alipur police station along with his party workers who were singing Mera rang de basanti chola.

He claimed the people and Kejriwals supporters are pained to see how their leader was arrested in the middle of the night.

The minister reiterated that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was unable to show any money trail in the case.

Meanwhile, AAP supporters began protesting at ITO and other places in the national capital this morning against the arrest of the chief minister. They also raised slogans of Arvind tum sangharsh karo, hum tumhare sath hain (Arvind you keep up the fight, we are with you).

A large number of security personnel were deployed outside the AAP headquarters in Central Delhi, while multiple barricades were put in place to restrict the party workers from heading towards the BJP office.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who met the family of Kejriwal, said the AAP chief will emerge as a bigger leader after this entire episode of his arrest.

Addressing a press conference here, he hit out at the Centre alleging that investigative agencies are being used as a tool against opposition leaders who have the gumption to question the establishment.

The situation is nothing short of an undeclared emergency, Mann added.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) had announced the closure of its ITO station from 8 am to 6 pm, while security arrangements, especially near the AAP office and the ITO, had been stepped up by the police.

Security had also been increased near the chief ministers residence, ED office and the Rouse Avenue courts.

Kejriwal was arrested on Thursday night after about two hours of grilling by the ED officials at his residence, and later spent his night at the EDs office.

AAP leader Sandeep Pathak said the central government was attempting to finish opposition parties, adding that the party has faith in the judiciary. There could be a delay but ultimately justice will be delivered and truth will prevail, he said.
In his first statement after his arrest by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said his life was dedicated to the nation whether inside jail or outside jail.

Kejriwal said this while being taken for his appearance at the Rouse Avenue court following his arrest on Thursday night.

In an appeal to the court, the ED sought the custody of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor in connection with a money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy.

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On the other hand, the AAP termed Kejriwals arrest a conspiracy that had been hatched and created to stop the AAP chief from campaigning for the upcoming general elections. It called for a nationwide protest against the ruling dispensation at the Centre for it leaders arrest.

Meanwhile, as the AAP leaders and supporters hit the streets in the national capital on Friday including Delhi cabinet ministers, Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj, and others were detained by the police.

The AAP had announced a protest outside the BJP office while Opposition party leaders condemned the arrest.

On Thursday, hours after the Delhi High Court refused interim protection to Kejriwal from any coercive action in connection with the money laundering case linked to the Delhi liquor policy. He was arrested and detained by the federal probe agencys officials who quizzed him at his residence for about two hours before.
Six-time MP and BJD stalwart Bhartruhari Mahtab on Friday resigned from the primary membership of the regional party with a heavy heart.

Mahatab, whose late father Harekrushna Mahatab, was States Chief Minister during early days of independence, is lauded across party lines for informative parliamentary debates.

He was the recipient of the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award 2017, Sansad Ratna Award 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 for his outstanding performance in parliamentary debates.

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Mahtab, who often refused to take orders from anyone other than Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, had a track record for grabbing headlines for outspokenness and pointing out flaws in the partys functioning.

I thought it better to quit the party with a heavy heart as it (BJD) had deviated from the principles on which it had been formed, Mahatab said.

The 6-time MP Mahatab resigned from primary membership of the party as he was being sidelined and ignored by those flaunting proximity to Chief Minister Patnaik.

There is a limit to tolerance, said Mr Mahtab while citing the epic Ramayan where even Lord Ram lost his patience when the ocean stood as an impediment in reaching Sri Lanka.

I had raised several issues to try and set the party on the right track, but was criticized and sidelined. An Asura Shakti has taken firm grip over the BJD party and government, he charged.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday received a warm reception at the Paro International Airport as he landed in Bhutan to pay an official state visit.

PM Modis arrival embraced warm relations between Bhutan and India as Bhutanese PM Tshering Tongay gave the former a warm hug.

Later on, PM Modi was accorded a grand guard of honour at the airport from Bhutanese armed forces.

PM Modi departed for Bhutan on Friday morning and is scheduled to pay a state visit to Bhutan from March 22-23.

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis arrival in Bhutan, concerned authorities made elaborate preparations to welcome the leader at Paro International Airport.

PM Modis posters along with his Bhutanese counterpart have been put up at the airport and the venue was decorated with flowers and Rangoli (coloured artwork).

A red carpet and colourful flags to portray Bhutanese culture were also set up to welcome PM Modi.

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Moreover, airport security was beefed up to ensure the safe arrival of PM Modi.

During his visit to Bhutan, PM Modi will attend various programmes to further enhance India-Bhutan bilateral partnership.

PM Modis departure to Bhutan comes after the Ministry of External (MEA) said on Wednesday that his visit has been pushed back due to inclement weather and new dates are being worked out through diplomatic channels on both sides.

India and Bhutan share a unique and exemplary bilateral relationship founded on mutual trust, goodwill, and understanding.

Formal diplomatic ties between the two countries were established in 1968, with the cornerstone being the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949 and subsequently renewed in February 2007.

Over the years, high-level exchanges have played a pivotal role in nurturing the strong bond between India and Bhutan.

King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, has made several visits to India, underscoring the close ties between the two nations. His last visit to India was in November 2023.

Similarly, PM Modis visit to Bhutan in August 2019 marked a significant milestone, with the launch of major bilateral projects aimed at bolstering economic cooperation and connectivity.

The recent official visit of Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan to India in March 2024 further reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to enhancing bilateral relations across various domains, including development cooperation and vibrant economic ties.
Last June at a White House meeting, President Joe Biden gave Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi an extraordinary gift, an autographed first edition-copy of the Collected Poems of Robert Frost, one of Americas greatest poets whose 150th anniversary is being celebrated at Dartmouth College where he taught as a Ticknor Fellow; Middlebury College where he co-founded the Bread and Loaf School; the academia from coast to coast as well as poetry lovers everywhere.

Prime Minister Modi responded with an equally unique gift, the Ten Principal Upanishads by Purohit Swami and William Butler Yeats, the renowned Irish poet whom Biden occasionally references and quotes in his speeches. In India, however, the gift of Robert Frosts poetic collection was seen as a tribute to Jawaharlal Nehru, Indias first Prime Minister, who was deeply inspired by the poet. Nehru, apart from being a humanist, statesman and founding father of Indian democracy, was a prodigious writer with a deep sense of history.

Nehru was a lover of poetry and nature, and he invariably spent his vacations in the awesome beauty of the Himalayan mountains, riding horses and exploring the woods. No wonder he found in Frost a kindred soul, whose intimacy with nature, universal themes with depth and complexity, and exploring topics that resonate across time and cultures, appealed to him. Frosts meditations on life, nature, and human limitations offered profound insights to Nehru.

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As Jay Parini, poet and Frosts eminent biographer, and Middlebury College Axinn Professor of English and Creative Writing, says, He cuts across the class system in America and he speaks to both the ordinary man and woman and he speaks to the literary critic, the philosopher, the intellectual because he contains all of this in his work. Yes, indeed, Frosts poetry transcends time and space and has what the English romantic poet William Wordsworth called intimations of immortality.

The poem that affected Nehru the most was Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. Nehru had a particular fondness for this poem, which according to anecdotes from his friends and close associates, held deep meanings for him. Towards the end of his life, Nehru, troubled by health issues and the aftermath of the brutal China-Indian War (1962), kept a copy of Frosts poems by his bedside, with the last stanza heavily underlined ~ the stanza that reads: The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. The poem resonated with Nehru on a profound level, reflecting his sense of duty and the journey he still had ahead. However, it must be mentioned that the connection between Nehru and Frosts poetry was more private and symbolic, with Nehru finding solace and inspiration in Frosts verses on a personal level.

This influence likely affected Nehrus approach to leadership in a more subtle and introspective manner rather than being explicitly articulated in his political speeches. Theres another reason why Robert Frosts poems chime with Indian sensibilities. Frosts poetry and that of Indias Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore share similarities in their deep connection to nature and the profound emotions they evoke. Both poets, despite coming from different cultures and civilizations, envision nature vividly in their works as a source of inspiration and reflection.

Tagore perceives nature as a nurturing mother that needs to be respected and preserved, emphasizing the importance of harmony between humanity and the natural world. Similarly, Frosts poetry often reflects a profound appreciation for natures beauty and the need to co-exist with it reverentially. While Frost and Tagore express their reverence for nature in distinct ways, their shared themes of natures beauty, its influence on human emotions, and the necessity of preserving it resonate across their works. Both poets depict natural imagery such as flowers, rivers, morning and evening scenes, stars, and more with intricate detail, creating a deep emotional connection between nature and humanity.

Frosts poetry aligns with Tagores in its portrayal of nature as a source of wonder, beauty, and spiritual significance. Both poets convey an overwhelming awe for natures magnificence and appreciation in their poetic expressions. But poetry may have another function. After Frost recited The Gift Outright, at President Kennedys inaugural ceremony, the American leader said about the poet, He has bequeathed his nation a body of imperishable verse from which Americans will forever gain joy and understanding. He saw poetry as the means of saving power from itself. When power leads man towards arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations.

When power narrows the areas of mans concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of his existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses. Nonetheless, Frost does not arrogate to himself the tall claim that his poems offer the ultimate truth or solution to lifes problems. As he says in his preface to his collected poems that The Figure A Poem Makes,  begins in delight and ends in wisdom  in a clarification of life ~ not necessarily a great clarification, such as sects and cults are founded on, but in a momentary stay against confusion.

A momentary stay against confusion, as literary critic Donald Pease, Geisel Professor of Humanities at Dartmouth College, explains in one of his lectures, means that Frosts poetry exists in order to produce in the act of reading the poem the capacity within the reader to share the sudden moment of clarity which emerges from the poem. The reader is transformed by sharing the poets experience. Thats the joy of reading poetry. It enlightens the reader, whether he is in India or America, pondering how his karma might have changed if he had taken The Road Not Taken.

The writer is the author of several books including the most recent India In A New Key: Nehru To Modi. He is working on new book, Not Much Of A Democracy But Theres Nothing Like The Indian Democracy. He lives in Hartford
The bhattis or brick furnaces lining up the streets signal the approach of Ramadan in Indian cities. It means the preparations for making haleem are well under way. Haleem is not just a delicacy with which Muslims break their fast; non-Muslims too make a beeline to savour the flavour of this one-pot dish.

The excitement over haleem is palpable in the streets, and the crowd around the restaurants serving this dish is a testament to that. Haleem isnt just a meal but a cultural phenomenon that brings together people from all walks of life. No wonder haleem has earned the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) status in Hyderabad, making it the first non-vegetarian dish to receive such recognition. The haleem scene in Kolkata mirrors that of other Indian cities, boasting a rich tradition of preparing and enjoying this sought-after dish. While the basic ingredients remain almost the same, each region puts its own unique spin on haleem.

Breaking the fast during Ramadan is a sacred ritual, and haleem plays a central role in this daily celebration. A rich blend of meat, wheat, lentils, and spices not only satisfies hunger but also nourishes the soul. This dish is usually prepared with mutton. Chicken is also used. Though slow cooking might be the common process of preparing haleem, the medley of spices used makes all the difference. Eateries serving haleem zealously guard their recipe, a mystery even James Bond, perhaps, cannot decode!

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The origin of haleem is steeped in history. The tradition of cooking haleem dates back to 400 years ago in Iran, where it was served as tabarouk, or a token of blessing, distributed amongst masses in mosques during Ramadan and Muharram. Today, many eateries organise charity events distributing haleem to the less fortunate, since giving and sharing embody the true spirit of Ramadan.

Inspired by this ritual, Aga Hussain Zabed, an Iranian, introduced haleem to Hyderabad on a mass scale. An alternate narrative suggests that haleem originated in Arabia and was brought to India during Mughal rule. Haleem was also favoured by the Nizams and, therefore, has a royal legacy.

The use of dry fruits as a topping is definitely a Middle Eastern influence. The Kolkata-style haleem differs from the Hyderabadi one in the method of preparation, texture, and use of spices.

Ijaz Akhtar from Aminia Restaurant explains, Mutton pieces in Kolkata-style mutton haleem are tender, not pasty. We dont melt the meat completely. A representative from Barkaas, an Arabian restaurant based in Kolkata, adds, Kolkata haleem is made with lumps of mutton and lentils, resulting in a silky-smooth gravy. The creamy texture of Hyderabadi haleem is made of shredded boneless meat. The pulpy texture of Hyderabadi haleem comes from mashing the mixture for hours with wooden stirrers, or ghota. The Pakistani khichra, the Arabic harissa, and the keskek from Turkey are close cousins of haleem but with distinct differences in taste.

The preparation of haleem starts two months before Ramadan, when the vessels for cooking haleem are taken out of the storage room. Sherbeti gehu, ghee, potlekaghosht, elaichi, shah jeera, dalchini, kebab cheeni, kalimirch, laung, badampista, and kajuare are some of the ingredients usually used to cook haleem. It cooks for eight to ten hours, and two hours are allowed for the dish to settle. Red chilli is never used in cooking. Only black pepper is preferred. Cooking haleem is a labour-intensive process, and it is prepared in large cauldrons and served directly from the cooking vessel. It is served hot with deep-fried onions, or beresta, and a slice of lemon. Some also use mint leaves to garnish haleem. One can have haleem with accompaniments or as a standalone meal.

As the holy month unfolds, the excitement over haleem reaches a feverish pitch. Heritage establishments in Kolkata, such as Aminia, Zeeshan, Arsalan, Royal Indian Restaurant, Shiraz, Kareems and Sufiya, to name a few, prepare for the daily rush by serving up steaming bowls of haleem to eager diners.

It isnt just a dish, but a celebration of tradition, culture, and community anywhere.

The writer is a freelance contributor
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 22. Azerbaijan strongly condemns the terrible assault at the Crocus City in Moscow, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement, Trend reports.

"We express our heartfelt condolences to the families of innocent victims, as well as to the people & government of the Russian Federation. We wish a swift recovery to all those injured," reads the statement.

The ministry said that Azerbaijan as a country suffering from terrorism condemns all forms and manifestations of terrorism.

The incident unfolded when an unidentified individual began shooting at Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, near Moscow, prompting evacuations, according to reports from Russian operational services.

Eyewitnesses reported that a person dressed in camouflage attire fired shots from a machine gun inside Crocus City Hall, just before the scheduled concert by the Picnic group.

The shooting resulted in the loss of 40 lives, with over 140 individuals sustaining injuries.
The executive director of Little Rocks airport has died after he was injured earlier this week in a shootout with federal agents serving a search warrant at his home
More than two decades after this beloved musical comedy released, the lead star Jack Black has said that he's ready to reprise the role of the energetic musician Dewey Finn. Actor-comedian Black said, I wish thered be a School Of Rock 2 Electric Boogaloo, giving a nod to the title of the 1984 sequel to Breakin', Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo.



School of Rock follows the story of Finn, a musician who was kicked out of his rock band and goes on to become a substitute music teacher in an uptight private elementary school. The film starred Mike White, Joan Cusack, Adam Pascal, Lucas Papaelias, Chris Stack, Sarah Silverman and Miranda Cosgrove.

Black also said that he would like White, the writer of the 2003 film to write the script for the sequel. And wed have to have Mike White back in the saddle, but hes real busy right now with [The] White Lotus, the best show on TV, Black said. Black is currently promoting Kung Fu Panda 4.

A stage adaptation of School of Rock opened on Broadway in 2015 but closed in 2019. Nickelodeon created a television series based on the movie, which ran for three seasons.
In a first-of-its-kind case with deep political ramifications for the Aam Aadmi Party, the Enforcement Directorate named AAP as a company that has been a beneficiary of money laundering, where a part of the proceeds of crime was used in its election campaign in Goa.



This is the first time a political party has been named by the ED as an accused and a beneficiary of proceeds of crime allegedly used in an election campaign.



Seeking custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the ED told the Delhi court that AAP, a political party, is a beneficiary operating company and every individual associated with it (office bearers) should be held accountable under PMLA.



The court has sent Kejriwal to ED custody till March 28 in the multi-crore Delhi liquor policy case.



The ED case against AAP comes at a time when certain other political leaders in states like West Bengal and Kerala are being investigated in money laundering cases.



For now, the ED has made a detailed 11-point submission to the court explaining why Kejriwal as well as AAP needs to be prosecuted for the offences in the multi-crore scam.



On Friday, the ED told the court that AAP is a political party comprising an association of individuals registered under Section 29-A of Representation of People Act 1951. It said, As per the definition under section 2(f) of the Representation of People Act 1951, 'political party' is defined as an association or a body of individual citizens of India registered with the Election Commission as a political party under section 29A.



The ED said since the AAP is also an association of individuals, it would fall within the definition of "company" under section 70 of PMLA.



Sources said serious deliberations were held and legal opinions were taken before the ED decided to charge AAP and subsequently move to arrest the sitting chief minister.



Notably, it isnt the position of chief minister alone that Kejriwal holds which makes him an offender in the case, but the ED has shed light on his role as the national convenor of AAP when the offence of money laundering took place. It said the national executive is the highest executive body that organises and coordinates the activities of the party at the national level.



Arvind Kejriwal is the national convenor of AAP as is evident from the official website of AAP but also from other material, he is in-charge of AAP at national level, said the ED, adding, he is also a member of political affairs committee and national executive.



The ED said AAP as well as Kejriwal shall be deemed to be guilty, as the offences took place with his knowledge and he didn't exercise any diligence to prevent such contravention.



Kejriwal was ultimately responsible for the funds being used in the election expenses including their generation, ED told the court.



In its submission to the court, the ED accused Kejriwal of taking advantage of the fact that he was the CM of Delhi and used his post to facilitate the offence of money laundering by the company (AAP).



The ED said the formulation, hatching the conspiracy of kickbacks with the South Group members and eventually using part of the proceeds of crime from the tainted liquor policy in the AAPs Goa election campaign were not only done with Kejriwals knowledge but also his active collusion.



Kejriwal is liable for use of proceeds of crime to the tune of Rs 45 crore in the election campaign of the AAP in Goa under section 70 of PMLA apart from his role in his personal capacity, said the ED making out its case against the chief minister.
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The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) called for a nationwide protest against the BJP on Friday to protest Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the money laundering case connected to the Delhi excise policy scam.

This comes as the Supreme Court will hear the petition filed by Kejriwal against the arrest. The Delhi High Court had refused to grant any interim relief after he challenged the ED's summons.



While calling for a protest, AAP leader Gopal Rai termed Kejriwal's arrest as the "murder of democracy" and an "announcement of dictatorship". "I appeal to the countrymen to protest outside BJP offices across the country against this dictatorship. We will gather at the AAP office at 10 am on Friday and then protest outside the BJP headquarters," Rai, a minister in the Delhi government, told party workers.



"If Kejriwal can be arrested, anyone can be arrested and their voice can be suppressed. From today, the fight has begun. Arvind Kejriwal is not a person, but an ideology," he added.



The AAP leader also pinned the ED action on BJP's fears that it would not only fail to get 400 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls but would only be restricted to 40 seats. "Today, they have crossed all limits. All of you will go home tonight. I appeal to Delhiites to join the fight," the minister said.



Just after the arrest, the AAP workers protested outside the south Mumbai office of the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday.



Besides Rai, Delhi ministers Atishi, Rai and the AAP's Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak too hit out at BJP. "This is no longer a fight between the BJP and the AAP. This is a fight between the country's people and the BJP. This is no longer a fight of the AAP but a fight of all those who want clean politics in the country," Pathak said.



On the plea before the top court, Atishi said Kejriwal's fight will continue from the "roads to the court". "The Supreme Court will hear the case on Friday. This arrest is unconstitutional. They arrested (former Jharkhand chief minister) Hemant Soren, and Arvind Kejriwal and froze the accounts of Congress," she said.



Despite the petition being moved, no special bench was set up on Thursday night to hear Kejriwal's plea.



Police removing AAP workers who blocked the roads to protest the arrest of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal | Josekutty Panackal

Meanwhile, reports are that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will arrive at Kejriwal's home in Delhi to offer further legal assistance, ANI quoted sources.



Just after his arrest, Rahul had reached out to Kejriwal's family and assured them of his and the Congress party's support. The former Congress President had taken to X to offer his support.



"A scared dictator wants to create a dead democracy," Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X. "While capturing all the institutions, including the media, breaking up parties, extorting money from companies, freezing the accounts of the main opposition party were not enough for the 'devilish power', now the arrest of elected chief ministers has also become a common thing," he said.



"INDIA will give a befitting reply to this," the former Congress chief added.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge claimed that the "arrogant" Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is making false claims of an electoral victory every day and trying to weaken the opposition by indulging in "illegal means" ahead of the polls.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day state visit to Bhutan, was on Friday, conferred Order of the Druk Gyalpo, which is the country's highest civilian honour. The award recognizes PM Modis contribution to strengthening the India-Bhutan friendship. Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck presented the honour to Modi.

After being conferred the honour, the prime minister said this is a "very big" day in his life. "Every award is special, but when you receive an award from another country, this shows that both countries are moving on the right path. I accept this honour on behalf of every Indian and thank you for this."

He said this honour is not his personal achievement but of the 140 crore Indians.

Modi noted that the aspirations and goals of the youth in India and Bhutan are similar. "India has set a target of becoming a developed country by 2047, while Bhutan has set a target of becoming a high-income country by 2034. To fulfil your goal, India is standing with you at every step to make both 'Brand Bhutan' and 'Bhutan Believe' successful."

Speaking about the relationship between the two countries, the prime minister said the ties are both ancient and contemporary. Further, he told the Bhutanese people that "India resides in your hearts".

Modi's visit to Bhutan seeks to further cement India's relations with the Himalayan nation as part of the country's 'Neighbourhood First' policy.
The BJP, on Friday, clarified that it will fight the upcoming assembly elections and Lok Sabha polls in Odisha alone. The statement from the party comes amid speculations of a possible tie-up between Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the BJP.

Taking to Twitter, state party president Manmohan Samal said the saffron party will fight alone in all 21 Lok Sabha and 147 assembly seats in Odisha.

He claimed that although BJD has been supporting the BJP government at the Centre for the past 10 years, there have been instances of welfare schemes of the Modi government not reaching the beneficiaries in the state. Further, he claimed that the saffron party is concerned about various issues related to the state.

Observing that experience has shown that wherever there has been a double engine government, development and welfare of the poor have been accelerated, he said to fulfill the hopes, wishes, and aspirations of 4.5 crore people of Odisha, the BJP will contest in all the assembly and Lok Sabha seats alone.

He also thanked the BJD for supporting the BJP at the Centre for the past 10 years.
Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi informed the Supreme Court that he would administer ministerial oath to DMK leader K. Ponmudy at 3.30pm on Friday. The move comes after the apex court came down heavily on the governor for defying its orders on Thursday.



Appearing for the governor, Attorney General R. Venkantaramani submitted to Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud-led bench that the governor has invited Ponmudy for swearing-in at 3.30pm today and he had least intent to disregard the Court, Live Law reported. The AG informed the court that the governors decision was based on his understanding of certain judgments of the Supreme Court.

Despite Chief Minister M.K. Stalins recommendation, Governor Ravi refused to appoint DMK legislator Ponmudy as minister citing constitutional morality. Ponmudy, who served as higher education minister in the Stalin cabinet earlier was disqualified from the Tamil Nadu Assembly after the Madras High Court convicted him in a disproportionate assets case. However, he was reinstated as legislator on May 13 after the Supreme Court suspended his conviction.

Voicing "serious concern" over the conduct of Ravi for his refusal to re-induct senior DMK leader K. Ponmudy as a minister in the state cabinet, the Supreme Court on Thursday directed him to decide the issue within 24 hours.

"Mr Attorney General, we are seriously concerned about the conduct of the governor. We did not want to say it out loud in court but he is defying the Supreme Court of India. Those who have advised him have not advised him properly. Now the governor has to be informed that when the Supreme Court stays a conviction, it stays a conviction," the bench told AG R. Venkataramani. "If we do not hear from your person tomorrow, we will pass an order directing the governor to act according to the Constitution. we will pass an order," the bench told the AG on Thursday.

-with PTI inputs.
Noida court granted bail to controversial YouTuber and Bigg Boss OTT winner Elvish Yadav on Friday. Yadav was arrested on Sunday by Uttar Pradesh police in connection with a probe into the suspected use of snake venom as a recreational drug at a party in Noida.

A special court in Surajpur later sent him to 14-day judicial custody.

FIR was registered against six persons, including Yadav, in November last year. They were booked under provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, Indian Penal Code sections 120B (party to criminal conspiracy), 284 (negligent conduct related to poison that endangers human safety) and 289 (negligent conduct with respect to animals).

Yadav was arrested after police added charges under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in the case.
As Israel gears for the Rafah offensive, the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived on Friday in Tel Aviv to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his War Cabinet. This is Blinken's sixth trip to Israel since the war after the October 7 Hamas strikes. Blinkens visit comes on the backdrop of intensified criticism by several nations over the Rafah assault plan.

Blinken said that he will share alternatives to Israel's planned ground assault into the southern Gaza town of Rafah when he meets with Netanyahu and top officials.

During Blinkens Middle East tour, he had discussed efforts for a cease-fire and ideas for Gaza's post-conflict future with the Arab leaders. It is important to deal with Hamas, he had said, adding that it should not be costing the lives of civilians.

Also, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will vote Friday on a US resolution declaring the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.

It also supports diplomatic efforts to secure a cease-fire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages and emphasises the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance in Gaza.

World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on Thursday, said that up to 60 per cent of children under 5 years of age are now malnourished.

Nearly 32,000 Palestinians have been killed so far in the Israel-Hamas war.

In Cairo, after meeting with the Arab leaders, Blinken had said that the Israeli assault on Rafah would be a mistake

Blinken met with top diplomats from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates during his Middle East tour.

UN resolution

The US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said she was optimistic that the new, tougher draft resolution would be approved Friday by the 15-member council.

The draft being put to a vote determines which is a council order the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire, with no direct link to the release of hostages taken during Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel, which was in the previous draft.

But it would unequivocally support diplomatic efforts to secure such a cease-fire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages," and emphasises the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance to civilians in the entire Gaza Strip.
The global climate crisis and the global water crisis are two sides of the same coin. On the obverse side, the climate crisis is increasingly exacerbating the water crisis, while on the reverse one, water behaviours (the way we consume water, transport it and do not treat it properly as wastewater) accelerate the climate crisis and cause unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions.



According to current data, the water sector is responsible for about 2 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions in the world, roughly divided in half between emissions related to energy (specifically that used for pumping water, transporting it to consumers and then disposing of it as wastewater) and emissions resulting from untreated sewerage, mainly methane gas. (And as this gas is 84 more times potent over time than carbon dioxide, its effect on global warming is considerable).

Ambassador Gideon Behar, Ravid Levy

As the climate crisis progresses, it creates a growing shortage of water. In other words, we need to separate the global climate crisis from the global water crisis. Israel is located in a dry region with little precipitation. In fact, about 60 per cent of its area is desert and the rest is semi-arid. Israel's main water sources are water from Lake Kinneret (the Sea of Galilee), groundwater, desalinated water and purified wastewater, which is used for agricultural purposes.

From Israels necessity was born a circular water economy that demonstrates an innovative approach. Israel's circular water economy is characterized by four steps: seawater desalinization; desalinated water for urban needs; wastewater treatment; and agricultural water practices.



Desalination

Desalination of water in Israel, the vast majority of which comes from the Mediterranean Sea, produces about 600 million cubic meters per year. On the agenda is the desalination of an additional 300 million cubic meters annually until 2030. This strategic move will ultimately result in the majority of fresh water in Israel being comprised of desalinated seawater.



Israels seawater desalination is done at several facilities spread along the Mediterranean coast, at relatively short distances from consumers. Today, about 600 million cubic meters/year, about 80 per cent of the country's potable water, is sourced by desalination, and shortly, desalinated water will be transported via the national carrier to the Kinneret in northern Israel to help maintain the lake's water level and prevent the salting of its waters.



The second station is the use of desalinated water for urban needs. About 92% of Israel's population lives in cities, and cities are its main consumers of water. The desalinated water is mixed with groundwater to improve its quality and undergoes processes that guarantee its health to consumers.



At the end of its use, almost all water is transferred to wastewater treatment plants, the third station in Israel's circular water economy. Purification is done in wastewater facilities that are operated on an economic basis, usually with several cities or local authorities joining together to purify their sewage in one central facility. This improves processes, reduces costs and diminishes the danger of untreated wastewater leaking.

A certain amount of the purified water is injected into the groundwater as part of a natural process that helps with purification. It is then pumped from the groundwater and transferred for use in agriculture. The rest of the purified water is transported in a separate pipeline directly for use in agriculture or nature. In this way, two benefits are achieved - purified water is restored for irrigation instead of using benign water and environmental pollution is prevented by reducing the discharge of effluents into streams and the sea.

The sludge that is the byproduct of the process is used as fertilizer, while biogas is produced in the treatment process. Today there are interesting ideas on how to produce environmentally friendly energy substitutes, such as hydrogen, from the sludge.

Use in agriculture is the fourth and final stop on the water's route. Almost 90% of all domestic wastewater is reused for irrigation, which is a world record. About half of Israel's crops use water that has undergone treatment and purification based on strict regulations designed to ensure that this water will not cause harm to health or the environment. The reused water is the basis for Israel's fresh food security, especially in the arid areas of the Western and Northern Negev desert.

Lastly, it is also possible to add the use of brackish water produced by drilling in desert regions of the country. This water is suitable for certain field crops, some of which have been adapted to brackish water, and to raise fish in fish ponds in the desert. In other cases, the water undergoes desalination for use as drinking water in the area's communities.

Drip irrigation was invented in Israel in the 60's and today most orchards and vegetables are nurtured with drip irrigation, which is about 50 per cent more economical in comparison to the world's most common irrigation method of flooding agricultural areas.



Israel probably holds a world record in preventing water loss. In Israel, the price of water is uniform for all consumers according to their use, and this is the real price of water without subsidies. We believe that the Israeli water model provides one of the world's best models for dealing with the climate crisis.



Ambassador Gideon Behar, Israel's Special Envoy for Climate Change and Sustainability, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mr Ravid Levy, Senior Director, WaterEdge.Il  Israel's Water Innovation Community
Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, directed by and starring Randeep Hooda, is not really a film. It's strident agitprop in the guise of a film.

The film is only interested in deifying Savarkar, pushing his thoughts and staring at Hooda as he does so.

Luckily, Hooda is a fine actor.

Though, as a writer and director, he reduces all others around him to vapid stock characters - loving brother, crying wife, mean Muslim jailor, evil British officers and, well, morally compromised Congress leaders - as an actor, he is powerful and somewhat saves the film.

The problem is that he manages to do that only in the second half.

The first half of the film is a dreary history lesson with dates and text on the screen, and Hooda struggles to find his bearings, as do we, trying to play catch-up to whats happening on the screen.

But, soon after the interval, in a long sequence where Savarkar is in solitary confinement at the Cellular Jail, Hooda fills up the screen, enlarges it with his bravura performance that both grounds the film and elevates it.

This scene, in which no words are spoken, is pure cinema and is absolutely riveting.

Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, written by Hooda and Utkarsh Naithani, begins with the 1897 plague outbreak in Pune. In tacky, stock scenes, we watch atrocities being committed by the British. There are beatings, rape, families split and tortured, and mass cremations.

In the midst of all this, is the Savarkar family whose two brothersGanesh (Amit Sial) and younger brother Vinayak (Randeep Hooda)are traumatised and enraged. So, they create a secret, underground organisation, Abhinav Bharat Society, where oath to free the motherland from imperialists is taken with the Nazi salute.

This segment - which feels like a slideshow in fast-mode about British officers, assassinations, hangings - is like a pall of gloom that engulfs the film and us. We are unable to get into it because the story telling is so scattered and staccato, and the annoying, loud background score keeps trying to instruct us how to feel.

The film follows Savarkar as he gets married to Yamuna Bai (Ankita Lokhande), joins Fergusson College and then heads to London to study law.

The story that runs parallel to this is of Indias freedom movement which is split into two, with two separate cast of characters: The main part of the story is about Savarkar, of leaders like Lokmanya Tilak and his Swadeshi Movement, of men, women devoted to overthrowing the British through armed revolution. These include residents of India House in London.

Run by Shyamji Krishna Varma as a hostel and safe haven for Indians, at India House we meet Bhikaji Cama who supports the cause and stages protests, as well as a dashing Madan Lal Dhingra (played charmingly by Mrinal Dutt) who grabs a gun and shoots a British officer on British soil.

These revolutionaries are later joined by Bhagat Singh and Subhash Chandra Bose, both of whom, the film claims, were inspired by Savarkar.

On the other side of the aisle are the British, the Congress and Jinnah.

Through archival footage and dramatised scenes we meet morally corrupt officers of the Crown who kick, abuse, punish common Indians, plot Indias division on religious lines, and keep Congress leaders engaged in endless meetings and discussions while throwing crumbs at them. The clueless Congress leaders seem too lost in their own egos to see what is happening, but Savarkar sees it all and keeps warning that ahimsa wont get India anywhere. Bomb blasts, assassinations are the only way to attain swaraj, he says again and again.

The film, now enroute to Independence, makes us listen to Savarkars dreary lectures about sanskriti and sabhyata, about Hindus and Hindutva, and at the Cellular Jail meet several Bollywood stereotypes, including a cruel Muslim warden who is either beating up prisoners or trying to convert them.

The jail segment is where Hooda lifts the film with his stunning performance. And it is here that the film, quite cleverly, and through dialogue between Gandhi (played by Rajesh Khera) and Savarkar, manages to merge all the voices of those who believed in armed rebellion into one single voice, that of Savarkar. And then he begins to slowly introduce many of Hindu Mahasabha's pet peeves and projects, from framing 1847 as the first war of Independence to the concept of Akhand Bharat, from ahimsa being an affliction of the feeble and not a moral force, to all those who live in Hind are Hindus.

While the film illuminates parts of history that are not well-knownlike a temple Savarkar had build in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, that is open to Hindus of all castes, many inconvenient facts, including Savarkars support of the two-nation theory, or that he called Muslims and Christians misfits" in Indiaare either twisted or completely ignored. And, at the end, the film declares that India got Independence because of the Naval uprising in what was then Bombay.

Swatantrya Veer Savarkar is in colour, but its soul is in black and white.

It is a cleverly scripted film that brings Savarkar out of the margins and places him alongside Patel, Gandhi, Ambedkar, Bose, Bhagat Singh as not just an equal, but as a man who was greater than all of them put together.

It weaves in propaganda and paints Savarkar as not just as a revolutionary in pursuit of freedom, but also as a man who was not given his due in Indias history.

But the film's impact is lost because of its weak story-telling, uninteresting characters and its length. The film is 178-minutes long, and by the end of it, I could feel that the hair on my arms had grown at least an inch.

What keeps us going is Hooda the actor.

While the first half of the film feels like we have been sentenced to an endless kaala paani, after interval we sit admising Hooda's performance.

Initially, Hoodas Savarkar feels like we are being made to stare at a dusty, old, one-dimensional portrait of a serious man hung on a wall.

But with one scene in a dark cell, Hooda adds humanity to Savarkar and brings him to life as a man who was single minded and, towards the end of his life, became frustrated, even unhinged. It's a national award-winning performance.

Film: Swatantrya Veer Savarkar

Director: Randeep Hooda

Cast: Randeep Hooda, Ankita Lokhande, Rajesh Khera, Apinderdeep Singh, Amit Sial, Mark Bennington and others

Rating: 1.5/5
There was an air of relief as scientists confirmed that the eruption was weakening and would probably peter out within hours. | AP
BENGALURU, India, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tejas Networks (BSE: 540595) (NSE: TEJASNET) today announced that the company has won the prestigious 2023 Voice and Data Excellence award in the 'Make in India' category for its state-of-the-art TJ1400 Access and Aggregation Routers. The award was conferred at the 23rd edition of Voice and Data's Telecom Leadership Forum held in New Delhi earlier today.





Arnob Roy, COO & Executive Director of Tejas Networks, said, "We are delighted to win the prestigious Voice and Data award for our Carrier Routing products which is a strong endorsement of our world-class capabilities in a highly complex and critical technology area. The advent of 5G, coupled with an accelerated adoption of multi-gigabit home broadband and enterprise cloud services, has significantly expanded the addressable market for our high-capacity packet switching and routing products. Our terabit-scale access and aggregation routers are designed with several innovative features to enable service providers to build high-performance and cost-efficient IP networks. Based on our pioneering Software-defined Hardware architecture, TJ1400's novel ultra-converged broadband architecture is powering large-scale 4G/5G mobile RAN, backhaul and broadband rollouts globally."



About Tejas Networks Limited



Tejas Networks Ltd. designs and manufactures high-performance wireline and wireless networking products for telecommunications service providers, internet service providers, utilities, defence and government entities in over 75 countries. Tejas Networks Ltd. is a part of the Tata Group, with Panatone Finvest Ltd. (a subsidiary of Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd.) being the majority shareholder.



For more information, visit Tejas Networks Ltd. at http://www.tejasnetworks.com or contact:

Investor Relations: ir@india.tejasnetworks.com

Attn: Mr. Santosh Kesavan: skeshavan@india.tejasnetworks.com



SAFE HARBOUR



Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements due to risks or uncertainties associated with our expectations with respect to, but not limited to, our ability to successfully implement our strategy and our growth and expansion plans, technological changes, our exposure to market risks, general economic and political conditions in India which have an impact on our business activities or investments, changes in the laws and regulations that apply to the industry in which the Company operates. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company.



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(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

PWR
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 22. The Trans Adriatic Pipelines (TAP) water consumption has been decreased by 41 percent year-on-year, Trend reports via the TAP AG consortium.

Today, we are celebrating World Water Day. In line with our commitment to a Sustainable Energy Future, in 2023 we decreased TAPs water consumption by 41 percent across Greece, Albania, Italy, and Switzerland compared to 2022, said the consortium.

TAP transports natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz field in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea to Europe. The 878 km long pipeline connects with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Turkish-Greek border in Kipoi, crosses Greece and Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Southern Italy.

TAP facilitates gas supplies to South Eastern European countries through existing and prospective interconnectors. TAP is connected to Interconnector Greece Bulgaria (IGB) which started its commercial operations in October 2022, providing Caspian gas to Bulgaria, enhancing security of energy supplies in one more European country. TAPs exits in Greece and Albania, together with the landfall in Italy provide multiple opportunities for further transport of gas from Azerbaijan to the wider European markets.

As a key part of the Southern Gas Corridor, TAP is strategically and economically important to Europe and essential in providing reliable access to a new source of natural gas. TAP plays a significant role in boosting Europes energy security, supply diversification, as well as its decarbonisation objectives.

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MUMBAI, India, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hexaware, a leading global provider of IT, BPO, and consulting services, announced that it has been adjudged a winner at the recently held 14th Aegis Graham Bell Awards in New Delhi for its innovation, OneVerse: A Virtual Metaverse Lounge for the customers of Aditya Birla Capital, a leading financial services conglomerate.





The Aegis Graham Bell Awards is a highly acclaimed platform supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), which recognizes exceptional innovations in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) space and celebrates organizations that push the boundaries of technological advancement to address real-world challenges.



The winning entry, OneVerse, developed by Hexaware Technologies in collaboration with Aditya Birla Capital, reimagines the traditional customer engagement model by identifying the need to transform customer interactions, considering evolving preferences and challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.



OneVerse is a virtual branch experience that seamlessly integrates the familiarity of a physical office with the limitless possibilities of a digital world. Key features of this innovative solution include:



 A fully operational virtual branch mirroring Aditya Birla Capital's physical office.



 Rapid customer onboarding with realistic avatars in just 30 seconds.



 New modes of interaction allow customers to explore a diverse range of products and services.



 Capacity to host up to 50 concurrent customers within the virtual space.



 Introduction of virtual customer relationship managers for personalized engagement.



 Integration with various ABCL channels, including mobile, web, WhatsApp, and chatbots.



 Accessible through browsers, mobile devices, and VR headsets, offering a seamless omnichannel experience.



 A secure environment for one-to-one interactions between virtual relationship managers and customers.



Speaking about the recognition, R Srikrishna, CEO and Executive Director at Hexaware, said, "We are honored to receive the Aegis Graham Bell Award for Innovation in Metaverse. This recognition is a testament to our relentless pursuit of innovation and dedication to delivering transformative solutions to our clients. Our collaboration with Aditya Birla Capital has opened new vistas in customer engagement, and we are proud to be at the forefront of building innovative solutions for the financial services industry."



Speaking on the occasion, Immanuel Kingsley, Senior Vice President & Head of Innovation Labs at Hexaware, said, "We are honored to receive the Aegis Graham Bell Award for our innovative solution, OneVerse. This recognition reaffirms our dedication to driving digital transformation and redefining customer engagement in the financial services industry."



About Hexaware Technologies:



Hexaware is a global technology and business process services company. Our 28,300 Hexawarians wake up every day with a singular purpose; to create smiles through great people and technology. With this purpose gaining momentum, we are well on our way to realizing our vision of being the most loved digital transformation partner in the world. We also seek to protect the planet and build a better tomorrow for our customers, employees, partners, investors, and the communities in which we operate.



With 45+ offices in 16 countries, we empower enterprises worldwide to realize digital transformation at scale and speed by partnering with them to build, transform, run, and optimize their technology and business processes.



Learn more about Hexaware at https://www.hexaware.com.



Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2237417/HexawareNEWLogo.jpg



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

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New Delhi (India), March 22: Palak Uke, a gifted First-year Fashion Design student from the International Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD) Kothrud, Pune, left an indelible mark on the fashion world with her debut collection at the prestigious Lakme Fashion Week. Presented on March 13, 2024, in the INIFD Launchpad segment, her "Japanese Vintage" collection received widespread acclaim for its innovative approach to streetwear, inspired by the transformative journey of Japanese fashion across the 20th century.



The "Japanese Vintage" collection is a homage to the intricate blend of Japans rich traditional fashion with the dynamic waves of Western influences, celebrating the avant-garde movements of the 70s and 80s and the vibrant street styles that characterised the late 20th century. Palaks work reimagines this historical evolution into a contemporary narrative that speaks to the modern audience, emphasising versatility, gender neutrality, and the importance of sustainable natural fabrics.



This debut showcases the innovative spirit of INIFD's training. Her 'Japanese Vintage' collection brilliantly marries historical depth with modern flair, reflecting our commitment to fostering talents who redefine fashion boundaries. We are incredibly proud of her success and excited for her bright future in fashion."



Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the collection features A-line silhouettes, oversized and relaxed shapes, and loose sleeves, demonstrating a seamless fusion of traditional and modern design principles. Each of the pieces are versatile and can be draped and styled differently to create multiple looks. The use of cotton, silk, and silk organza, adorned with hand-embroidered motifs of the red spider lily and sakura, underscores Palak's commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship.



The INIFD Launchpad during FDCI x Lakme Fashion Week gave Palak an opportunity to bring the essence of her vision to life on the runway. Under the guidance of esteemed mentors and stylists Daniel Franklin and Neeraj Gaba, her collection captivated the audience and set a high benchmark for upcoming designers at the INIFD Launchpad. Karishma Tanna graced and added a glam quotient to the event as the showstopper for the evening.



INIFDs Launchpad at Lakme Fashion Week offers exceptional opportunities that showcases the talent and creativity of INIFDs Fashion Design and Interior Design students, offering them a unique opportunity to present their work at one of the most anticipated events in the fashion industry.



To know more, visit: the International Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD), Kothrud Pune



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

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New Delhi, Mar 21 (PTI) Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd, the second-biggest buyer of electoral bonds, donated the highest amount of about Rs 586 crore to the BJP, according to data released by the Election Commission on Thursday.

The firm, which in recent years won the prestigious Zojila tunnel deal among other projects, forayed into city gas and acquired a media group, purchased electoral bonds of Rs 966 crore in total.

It has also donated to the BRS, which till recently was the ruling party in Telangana.

The Bharat Rashtra Samithi, formerly known as Telangana Rashtra Samithi, got Rs 195 crore as donations from the company.

Megha donated bonds worth Rs 85 crore to the DMK, the ruling party in Tamil Nadu, and Rs 37 crore to the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSR Congress Party in Andhra Pradesh.

The TDP got about Rs 25 crore from the company, while the Congress got Rs 17 crore.

The JD-S, Jana Sena Party and the JD-U got smaller sums ranging from Rs 5 crore to Rs 10 crore.

Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL) bought a total of Rs 966 crore worth of bonds between the financial years 2019-20 and 2023-24. It won the project to build an all-weather road tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir in 2020 as well as licences to retail CNG and piped cooking gas in some cities.

The unlisted private firm was founded in 1989 by industrialist Pamireddy Pitchi Reddy as Megha Engineering Enterprises, manufacturing pipes for municipalities. It changed its name to Megha Engineering and Infrastructure in 2006 and went on to execute big infrastructure projects like dams, natural gas distribution networks, power plants and roads.
New Delhi, Mar 22 (PTI) Bharti Airtel and its subsidiary Bharti Telemedia bought around Rs 235 crore of electoral bonds and donated all but about Rs 1 crore to the ruling BJP, according to data released by the Election Commission.

Bharti Airtel donated nearly Rs 197.5 crore to BJP, Rs 50 lakh to J&K National Conference, and Rs 10 lakh to Rashtriya Janata Dal.

Bharti Telemedia, which is a subsidiary of the Sunil Mittal-led telecom firm Bharti Airtel, donated bonds worth Rs 37 crore to BJP, the data showed.

In all, the two Bharti Group entities donated about Rs 234 crore to BJP, via electoral bonds.

A mail sent to Bharti Airtel for comments did not elicit a response.

Meanwhile, in a sharp contrast to big corporate houses that gave large sums to political parties, IT companies in India donated just around Rs 15 crore to various political parties through electoral bonds, as per the data.

In the IT pack, Cyient contributed the most - donating Rs 10 crore to BJP, while Zensar Technologies contributed Rs 3 crore to the party, as per electoral bond data.

The Election Commission made public a fresh data set of electoral bonds, including their alpha-numeric numbers that helps match their purchasers with the political parties that received the funds.

BJP remained a major beneficiary of electoral bonds purchased by big corporate groups like Vedanta, Bharti Airtel, Muthoot, Baja Auto, Jindal group and TVS Motor, the data showed.
London, Mar 22 (PTI) Actor Darasing Khurana has kicked off his Commonwealth Year of Youth Champion role with a focus on mental health initiatives, following a meeting with Queen Camilla and discussions with Secretary-General Baroness Patricia Scotland in London.

The 32-year-old artist founded the Pause.Breathe.Talk Foundation in the wake of the tragic death of his friend, fellow actor Sushant Singh Rajput, hopes to use the many learnings and insights from its focus on making therapy affordable and accessible to young people.

Khurana has been in London since Commonwealth Day on March 11, when he shared his plans with the Queen, who was representing husband King Charles as the Head of the Commonwealth as the monarch undergoes treatment for cancer.

I shared my plans around youth mental health and wellbeing with Her Majesty and she was really supportive, so I'm even more pumped now to get on with the work, shared Khurana, whose intricate fusion sherwani by designers Shantanu & Nikhil was admired by the Queen.

I explained how we want to work towards a better balance with technology in the life of young people by implementing a Commonwealth-wide programme. She agreed it was absolutely the need of the hour and encouraged me to focus on this, he said.

Khurana has helped children as young as eight access heavily discounted counselling through his foundation set up in memory of Rajput, who is believed to have been suffering from depression before his sudden death aged 34 in June 2020.

It hit me really hard and I had to do something in his memory. Through my foundation, I observe young people suffering and that is the reason I feel I can be the voice, and bring this change in the Commonwealth countries. I just want to make sure that we do not take this mental health crisis ahead for the generations to come and we end it here, he said.

Based on research conducted by his foundation, Khurana has pinpointed a drastic drop in patience levels among the younger generation and a corresponding spike in their anxiety levels. The primary reason for this is believed to be the overuse of electronics and social media. Through his work with Dr Rekha Chaudhri, founder of World Digital Detox Day, his focus is on encouraging a lifestyle change that would help young people better harmonise with technology.

We have come up with a roadmap already which can be merged with the education system in all the Commonwealth countries so that students are taught right from the beginning in their schools on how to maintain a balance with technology in their life, he said.

While mental health will be among his top priorities, Khurana also has plans to help organise an interfaith event with the University of Cambridge in an effort to promote greater interfaith understanding. A short film competition and sustainable fashion, inspired by his modelling and acting career, are among some of the other ideas he wants to bring to fruition.

We really need to get to the deeper meaning of religion. We need to bring all the religious leaders from across the globe together and make sure the right message is sent across, that all the religions are together. This is another subject very, very close to my heart, he said.

On the work front, he has an as-yet-untitled Marathi film coming up, something the Maharashtrian actor is very excited about. But, meanwhile, he is keen to pack in as much as he can into his year-long Commonwealth role and help amplify the voice of young people from across the 56 member countries.

As a Commonwealth Year of Youth Champion, Khurana is in exalted company with Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh and brother of King Charles III, who took on the role to promote and raise the profile of issues facing young people in the Commonwealth.

At the Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting in London last year, it was decided to extend the Year of Youth at least until the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which will be held in Apia, Samoa, later this year.
Jerusalem, Mar 22 (AP) United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived on Friday in Tel Aviv, Israel, on the final stop in his sixth urgent trip to the region since the start of the war.

Blinken says he will share alternatives to Israel's planned ground assault into the southern Gaza town of Rafah when he meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his War Cabinet.

On Thursday, Blinken and Arab leaders discussed efforts for a cease-fire and ideas for Gaza's post-conflict future.

The United Nations Security Council will vote Friday on a US-sponsored resolution declaring the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.

It also supports diplomatic efforts to secure a cease-fire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages" and emphasizes the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance to civilians in the entire Gaza Strip.

So little food has been allowed into Gaza that up to 60 per cent of children under 5 are now malnourished, compared with fewer than 1% before the war began, World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Thursday.

The Health Ministry in Gaza raised the territory's death toll Thursday to nearly 32,000 Palestinians. The ministry doesn't differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.

Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people in the surprise October 7 attack out of Gaza that triggered the war, and abducted another 250 people. Hamas is still believed to be holding some 100 people hostage, as well as the remains of 30 others.

Currently:

 Blinken says an Israeli assault on Gaza's Rafah would be a mistake, and isn't needed to defeat Hamas.

 Israel says Rafah is Hamas' last major stronghold in the Gaza Strip, and it's determined to launch an offensive.

 The UN will vote on a US resolution declaring that an immediate cease-fire in Gaza is imperative.

 US House speaker says he plans to invite Netanyahu to address the Congress.



BLINKEN ARRIVES IN ISRAEL FOR TALKS WITH NETANYAHU OVER THE WAR IN GAZA

Tel Aviv  United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Israel for what are expected to be fractious talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the war in Gaza as public differences over the conflict have intensified.

It's the final stop in Blinken's sixth urgent diplomatic mission to the Middle East, in which he's expected to hold meetings with Netanyahu and his war cabinet aimed at convincing them not to proceed with plans for a large-scale military offensive in the southern city of Rafah that many fear could make an already disastrous humanitarian crisis in Gaza even worse.

A major military operation in Rafah would be a mistake, something we don't support, Blinken said Thursday in Cairo, where he met with top diplomats from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. And, it's also not necessary to deal with Hamas, which is necessary.

Instead, Blinken will present Netanyahu with alternatives for dealing with Hamas in Rafah in discussions that will continue next week when Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and a separate delegation of senior Israeli officials visit Washington.

Netanyahu agreed to send the delegation in a Monday phone call with US President Joe Biden  their first conversation in a month amid the widening divisions.

Blinken's brief visit to Israel, which was announced only Wednesday and was not part of his original Mideast itinerary, comes as top intelligence officials from the US, Israel, Egypt and Qatar were to meet in Doha to hammer out details of a proposed cease-fire-for-hostages deal. Qatar, and to a lesser extent Egypt, are the main interlocutors with Hamas, which has thus far rebuffed offers the negotiations have produced.



UN SECURITY COUNCIL WILL VOTE ON US RESOLUTION FOR AN IMMEDIATE AND SUSTAINED CEASE-FIRE' IN GAZA

The United Nations Security Council is set to vote on a United States-sponsored resolution declaring that an immediate and sustained cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza is imperative to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid to be delivered to more than 2 million hungry Palestinians.

US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said she was optimistic that the new, tougher draft resolution would be approved Friday by the 15-member council.

The draft being put to a vote determines  which is a council order  the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire, with no direct link to the release of hostages taken during Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel, which was in the previous draft. But it would unequivocally support diplomatic efforts to secure such a cease-fire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages," and emphasizes the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance to civilians in the entire Gaza Strip.

Russia's deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyansky said Moscow will not be satisfied with anything that doesn't call for an immediate cease-fire, saying it's what US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is pressing for and what everybody wants.

He questioned the wording of the draft, asking, What's an imperative? I have an imperative to give you USD 100, but  it's only an imperative, not USD 100.

The Security Council has already adopted two resolutions on the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, but none calling for a cease-fire.(AP)



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Brussels (AP) European Union leaders on Thursday debated fresh ways to help boost arms and ammunition production for Ukraine amid a new sense of urgency about the future of the war-torn country.

Ukraine's munition stocks are desperately low, while Russia has more and better-armed troops. There is also a growing awareness that the EU must provide for its own security, with election campaigning in the US raising questions about Washington's commitment to its allies.

At the same time, political rhetoric is at fever pitch as the campaign for Europe-wide elections on June 6-9 gathers pace, with security a major issue. As they talk up the need to fund the defense industry, both at home and in Ukraine, many leaders are also trying to convince citizens that budgets could be tightened elsewhere.

Ahead of the summit in Brussels, EU Council President Charles Michel said the Europeans face a pivotal moment." He said that with Europe "facing the biggest security threat since the Second World War, it is high time we take radical and concrete steps to be defense-ready and put the EU's economy on a war footing.'

Across town at NATO, the alliance's secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg, warned Thursday that the situation on the battlefield remains very difficult. Ukraine is running out of ammunition. So, Ukraine needs even more support, and they need it now.

New plans are on the EU's table, notably to use the profits from frozen Russian assets to buy arms and ammunition for Ukraine.

The 27-nation EU is holding around 210 billion euros (USD 228 billion) in Russian central bank assets, most of it frozen in Belgium, in retaliation for Moscow's war against Ukraine. The bloc estimates that the money could generate profits of up to 3 billion euros (USD 3.3 billion) each year.

I am glad that leaders endorsed our proposal to use the extraordinary revenues from immobilized Russian assets, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said after the meeting. This will provide funding for military equipment to Ukraine.

A small group of member countries, notably Hungary, refuse to supply weapons to Ukraine, so these windfall profits would be split up. Around 90 per cent of the money would be put into a special fund that many EU countries already use to get reimbursed for arms and ammunition they send.

The other 10 per cent would be put into the EU budget to help bolster Ukraine's defense industry. Members that object to sending weapons could then claim that they are not arming the country.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that these profits should be used first and foremost to buy weapons and ammunition for Ukraine. What is important to me is that we give this use a clear direction now, the direction of acquiring ammunition, for example, he said.

Asked what signal would be sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin if there is no agreement on using windfall profits, Scholz said: I am very sure that we are sending a very clear signal to Putin here. He has miscalculated if he thinks we are not in a position to support Ukraine for as long as is necessary, and the use of the windfall profits is a small but important element.

Speaking to the leaders via video-link, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged them to provide his armed forces with more artillery shells and air defense systems following an overnight missile attack on the capital Kyiv.

Unfortunately, the use of artillery at the front line by our soldiers is humiliating for Europe in the sense that Europe can provide more. And it is crucial to prove it now, he said, adding that Ukraine's current air defense systems are not enough to protect our entire territory from Russian terror.

Some countries want to use the windfall profits to help Ukraine rebuild, but Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, whose country currently holds the EU's rotating presidency, said that the first necessity is ammunition. Of course I would love to invest in reconstruction but it's a bit pointless to invest in reconstruction if you risk losing the country.

The leaders of Estonia and Lithuania, two of Ukraine's staunchest supporters within the EU, said it would be best to use the frozen assets themselves and not just the interest earned on those billions.

The damage that Russia is causing to Ukraine is much bigger than the value of those assets that we have in Europe. We have to think how we can really achieve this (so) that our taxpayers don't have to pay the damage that Russia is causing in Ukraine, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said.

De Croo also urged his EU partners to be receptive to new ideas. "We'll need different types of financing, or at least be open to the discussion. It will need to be national contributions, it might be defense bonds, it might be financing by the EIB (European Investment Bank), he said.

The idea of issuing defense bonds to finance military spending through common debt issuance is gaining some traction, but is far from having the unanimous agreement that such a move would require. It would mirror way the EU raised money to kickstart economies with its pandemic recovery fund. AP MNK

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Washington, Mar 22 (PTI) The US Congress must do its part to urge the Indian government to correct the course, and reconsider policies and laws, including counter-terrorism laws that are "inconsistent" with the obligations India has acquired through its ratification of key human rights treaties, an influential American lawmaker said Thursday.

On April 19, multi-phase general elections will kick off in India to determine the country's political direction for the next five years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third term, said Congressman James McGovern, Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, during a hearing on human rights in India.

I'm one of those people who think that friends should tell each other hard truths. And India is a friend, and it is truly important to the US that India prospers. Yet there is a real risk that the tensions inherent in diverse societies could harden into dangerous conflicts and undermine India's bright future if human rights abuses are not addressed, McGovern said.

The recent communal violence between ethnic Hindu and Christian communities in Manipur state is just but one example. Congress must do its part to urge the Indian government to correct course and reconsider policies and laws, including counter-terrorism laws that are inconsistent with the obligations India has acquired through its ratification of key human rights treaties, he said.

In his remarks, Congressman Chris Smith, Co-Chair of the committee said that India is a country of particular concern. I would put an H in there, huge particular concern for their egregious behaviour. And Modi looks at what we do and say, they don't care. That's what the takeaway is by his government and by him personally. So I would encourage you to continue on, he said.

...And geopolitical concerns are enhanced, I believe, and the ability for us to have credibility. When we name countries on CPC and exclude egregious violators like India, what does that say to the other countries that are on the list? They look at us as hypocrites, and that's not good either, Smith said.

Carolyn Nash, Asia Advocacy Director, Amnesty International USA told lawmakers that the US government has recognised acts of transnational repression by the Government of India in Canada, which led to the assassination of an activist, as well as attempts here in the United States.

The scale of oppression facing human rights defenders, both in and out of India, limits the availability of information about human rights violations committed by the Indian government, information that should influence how the US and other governments engage the Modi administration and how the private sector makes choices about investment, she alleged.

I can provide documentation of the government's intensifying efforts to weaponise and codify into law intolerance and hate Of particular concern are the expansion of the government's abuse of vague and overbroad laws to shut down dissent, the increases in leaders' use of hate speech and vilification of religious groups, and the recent rollout of the CAA and its discriminatory citizenship process, which could set the stage for millions to be deprived of citizenship, Nash told the lawmakers.

It is up to the US lawmakers to respond to these efforts, but the situation is worsening quickly, and it would be a mistake to imagine that the US and other concerned governments are geopolitically constrained from taking action. As India prepares for elections, we urge the US government, both members of Congress and administration officials, to communicate to the government of India that the US will condemn hateful rhetoric, legal harassment of civil society, and the targeting of religious and ethnic groups, she said.

The BJP party is eager to demonstrate to their base that they are delivering on supremacist promises. We know the lead up to the election will be a particularly dangerous time. We also know that Prime Minister Modi will be particularly sensitive to messages from other governments, and especially from senior leaders, Nash said.

Waris Husain, Legal Advisor, American Bar Association Centre for Human Rights said the Congress needs to more forcefully urge the US President to speak directly to Prime Minister Modi about these concerns.

It's ultimately Prime Minister Modi who has the power to instruct his government, his party, about their toxic rhetoric and their abusive laws and policies and get them to drop this abusive form of governance. Members of Congress and President Biden need to acknowledge the scope and gravity of this situation, he said.

Biden's embrace of Modi and reluctance to criticize the government for this situation will be understood by India to mean that the worsening conduct will have no consequences, and that cannot be the situation. So my last point would merely be that doing so, failing to say anything to Prime Minister Modi about this deteriorating situation sends a terrible message that the US government cares more about him, about Modi, as a leader, than about the people of India whom Modi was elected to serve, Husain said.
Colombo, Mar 22 (PTI) Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday released 234 acres of land, previously held by the Jaffna Security Forces Headquarters, to farmers in the area, according to an official statement.

Jaffna is a Tamil-dominated capital city of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.

"President Ranil Wickremesinghe released 234 acres of land which were previously held by the Jaffna Security Forces Headquarters, to farmers for cultivation purposes in 5 Grama Niladhari Divisions in Jaffna," the statement issued by the President's Media Division (PMD) said in a post on X.

These plots of land were released to farmers across five Grama Niladhari Divisions in Jaffna for cultivation purposes.

Wickremesinghe symbolically presented the deeds benefiting 408 individuals at a ceremony held in Jaffna's Oddakapulam under the Urumaya national programme, aimed at distributing two million freehold deeds to the deserving public.

Officials said some 68 acres had also been released on March 10.

These lands had been cultivated by the military since public access to them had been shut due to the military operations against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) till 2009.

During and after the conflict with LTTE, some 3,500 acres of privately owned lands were taken over by the military to create the high-security zone around the Palaly military base of Jaffna which is also the site for the current Jaffna International Airport.

Since 2015 some of these lands have been released to their private owners in response to pleas after the military defeated the LTTE in 2009.

Jaffna holds great significance as it was the region where the LTTE had run a military campaign for a separate Tamil homeland for nearly 30 years before its collapse in 2009 after the Sri Lankan Army killed its supreme leader V Prabhakaran.

The region has lacked economic development and the Sri Lankan leaders have said they are committed to the development of the Tamil-dominated Northern and Eastern provinces of the island nation.
Seoul, Mar 22 (AP) South Korea is poised to start suspending the licenses of thousands of striking junior doctors as a punitive measure against their weekslong walkouts that have shaken hospital operations.

Starting next week, the government said it will inform the striking medical interns and residents of its final decision to suspend their licenses for missing a government-imposed February 29 deadline to return to work.

It's still unclear whether the move will prompt the doctors to end their strikes, and the standoff could still deepen as some senior doctors plan to submit resignations on Monday in a show of solidarity with the junior strikers.

Here are the latest developments on the strikes touched off by the government's announcement in early February that it would recruit 2,000 more medical students yearly.

WHY ARE THEIR LICENSES BEING SUSPENDED?

Since early March, the South Korean government has been taking a series of administrative steps to suspend the licenses of about 12,000 junior doctors. The steps include informing the strikers about possible suspensions and giving them opportunities to respond.

Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo said on Tuesday the government is expected to finish those administrative steps for some of the strikers next week and that it will send them final government notices about their impending license suspensions.

Each notice would contain details including when a license suspension will take effect and how long it will last. By law, they must be delivered in person or by mail. But for those whose addresses are unknown, the suspensions would take effect after related information is posted on the government website, according to the Health Ministry.

Health officials have said each striking doctor could face a minimum three-month license suspension and possible indictment by prosecutors. The country's medical law allows punishments of medical personnel if they refuse government orders to resume work.

Park repeated his appeal for doctors to report back to work, suggesting those who return would face unspecified softer punishments. He previously warned that junior doctors with suspension records could face delays in getting licenses for specialists or trouble in finding jobs.

WHAT ARE THE PROSPECTS FOR WALKOUTS?

Despite the suspensions, striking doctors won't likely back down anytime soon as they have already ignored repeated warnings they must return to work or face prosecution.

Some observers have questioned whether the government could suspend all the striking doctors, who represent more than 90 per cent of the country's 13,000 interns and resident doctors. They said the government would likely target strike leaders and that they would likely respond with legal action.

Further complicating the situation, senior doctors at major university hospitals  where most of the striking doctors trained  are threatening to submit resignations en masse early next week. They plan to continue their work for the time being, but if they walk off the job like the junior doctors, that would cause a much bigger strain on South Korea's medical services, observers say.

The government urged senior doctors to cancel those plans. It recently sent notices to two senior doctors who lead an emergency committee for the walkouts, telling them their licenses would be suspended for three months for allegedly inciting the junior doctors' strikes.

One of the two doctors, Park Myung-Ha, accused the government of attempting to break up the emergency committee and sending a warning message to the striking junior doctors.

The government on Wednesday announced detailed plans for how to allocate the additional 2,000 admission seats to medical schools, indicating that the government has no intention of revising its plans. The doctors' emergency committee said in a statement Thursday that the striking doctors can't repress our astonishment and anger.

WHAT IS AT THE CENTER OF THE DISPUTE?

At the heart of the confrontation is a government plan to increase the country's medical school enrolment quota by 2,000 starting next year, from the current cap of 3,058, which has been unchanged since 2006.

The government says it needs to add up to 10,000 doctors by 2035 because the country has one of the world's fastest-aging populations and its doctors-to-population ratio is among the lowest among advanced economies. Officials say more doctors are needed to address a long-running shortage of physicians in low-paying but key essential professions like pediatrics and emergency departments.

But doctors say universities can't offer quality education to such an abruptly increased number of students and that it would ultimately hurt the quality of South Korea's medical services. They say doctors in greater competition would likely engage in overtreatment and that newly recruited students would also likely want to work in high-paying, popular professions like plastic surgery and dermatology.

The doctors' protests haven't generated public support, with a recent survey showing that about 90 per cent of respondents support an increase in the medical school admission cap. Some critics say the striking doctors worry that adding more doctors would result in lower incomes in the future.

The striking doctors account for less than 10 per cent of the country's 140,000 doctors. But in some major hospitals, they represent 30-40 per cent of the total doctors and assist senior doctors and deal with inpatients. Their walkouts have subsequently led to hundreds of cancelled or postponed surgeries and other treatments. (AP) PY

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Beijing, Mar 22 (PTI) Nepals Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha will visit China from March 25 to April 1, it was announced on Friday.

This will be the first visit by the Nepalese leader to Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a media briefing here.

Shrestha was appointed as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs on March 6 after Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal Prachanda formed a new alliance with pro-Beijing Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) led by KP Sharma Oli.

Prachanda, a former guerilla leader, dumped the Nepali Congress and forged a new alliance with the CPN-UML the second-biggest party  on March 4.
Thimphu, Mar 22 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India will provide support of Rs 10,000 crore to Bhutan over the next five years, as the two sides signed several agreements in a range of fields including energy, trade and space to bolster cooperation.

He made the announcement in his address to a gathering here after receiving Bhutan's highest civilian award, the 'Order of the Druk Gyalpo', the first foreign Head of the Government to receive the honour.

Modi said the relationship between India and Bhutan are as much old as they are modern and timely, adding, the depth of their relationship is both 'B2B' and 'P2P'.

"And, 'B2B' means' Bharat to Bhutan', and 'P2P' means people to people connect," he said.

Modi also spoke of the Bhutanese government's 13th Five-Year Plan (FYP) and said, "Our full support and cooperation will be there".

"In the next five years, the government of India will provide support of Rs 10,000 crore in this direction," he added.

He made the announcement in the presence of Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and other dignitaries.

Prime Minister Modi is here on a two-day State visit to further cement India's unique relations with Bhutan as part of India's 'Neighbourhood First' Policy.

"For the 12th Five Year Plan of the Royal Government of Bhutan, India committed an assistance package of INR 5000 crores. Under the 12th Five Year Plan, India has implemented 82 Project Tied Assistance Projects and 524 High Impact Community Development Projects in Bhutan. Indias commitment includes INR 400 crores towards Transitional Trade Support Facility," according to a statement issued on India-Bhutan relations in early March by the Indian Embassy in Thimpu.

India and Bhutan on Friday exchanged several MoUs and signed agreements in the fields of energy, trade, digital connectivity, space and agriculture, and finalised the MoU on the establishment of rail links between the two nations.

Later in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs issued a joint statement on the State Visit of the Prime Minister of India to Bhutan.

The statement is 'Bharat and Bhutan: Together for Progress and Development'.

"Since Bhutan's First Five Year Plan in 1961, India's development partnership with Bhutan has been empowering the people and ensuring development across sectors and regions. Our development partnership is a confluence of India's approach of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas' and the philosophy of Gross National Happiness in Bhutan. We will continue to expand our development partnership in line with the priorities of the people and the Government of Bhutan, and the vision of His Majesty," it read.

Modi in his nearly 25-minute address said India is the fastest growing, fifth largest economy in the world and "we have laid down a roadmap for its Amrit Kaal".

"We are on our way to becoming the third largest economy, and in this journey, Bhutan will be an important partner," he said.

Modi termed the Gross National Happiness Index of Bhutan a "visionary framework" and said he was confident that 'Mindfulness City' in Gelephu will also become an inspiration for the world.

He also said, "When the world is struggling with the challenge of climate change, Bhutan's 'carbon neutral' progress will guide the way".

"We celebrate each other's accomplishments. When Mission Chandrayaan happened, Bhutanese people were equally happy as Indians were". Similarly, when the film "Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom", was nominated for an Oscar, it made Indians rejoice too.

For better connectivity, whether it is a new airport, proposed rail links, or Brahmaputra waterways, "soon we will see them come to fruition".

And, for trade and infrastructure too, and to make them stronger, "integrated check posts will be made," he said.
Thimphu, Mar 22 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Friday on a two-day State visit to Bhutan to further cement India's unique relations with the Himalayan nation.

"On the way to Bhutan, where I will be attending various programmes aimed at further cementing the India-Bhutan partnership. I look forward to talks with Majesty the King of Bhutan, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and Prime Minister @tsheringtobgay," the Prime Minister posted on X.

The visit, scheduled between March 21 and 22, was postponed due to the inclement weather in Bhutan.

The visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to "exchange views on bilateral and regional matters of interest and deliberate on ways to expand and intensify our exemplary partnership for the benefit of our peoples", the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement earlier this week.

India and Bhutan share "a unique and enduring partnership which is rooted in mutual trust, understanding and goodwill", the statement emphasised.

"Our shared spiritual heritage and warm people-to-people ties add depth and vibrancy to our exceptional relations," the MEA said.

During the visit, Prime Minister Modi will receive an audience with His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan, and His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan, it said.

"The visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan and the government's emphasis on its 'Neighbourhood First Policy'," the MEA said.

The prime minister will have an audience with Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, and his father Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of the Himalayan nation.

Modi will also hold bilateral talks with his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to receive a grand welcome at the Tashichho Dzong, a traditional Buddhist monastery and the seat of the Bhutanese government.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay was on a five-day visit to India last week, his first foreign trip after assuming charge of the top office in January.

He also held meetings with captains of various industries, besides other important engagements.
Cairo, Mar 21 (AP) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday a major Israeli ground assault on the southern Gaza town of Rafah would be a mistake and unnecessary to defeating Hamas, underscoring the further souring of relations between the United States and Israel.

Blinken, on his sixth urgent Mideast mission since the war began, spoke after huddling with top Arab diplomats in Cairo for discussions over efforts for a cease-fire and over ideas for Gaza's post-conflict future.

He said an immediate, sustained ceasefire with the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas was urgently needed and that gaps were narrowing in indirect negotiations that US, Egypt and Qatar have spent weeks mediating.

Blinken heads to Israel on Friday to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet. The growing disagreements between Netanyahu and President Joe Biden over the prosecution of the war will likely overshadow the talks  particularly over Netanyahu's determination to launch a ground assault on Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians have sought refuge from devastating Israeli ground and air strikes further north.

Netanyahu has said that without an invasion of Rafah, Israel can't achieve its goal of destroying Hamas after its deadly October 7 attack and taking of hostages that triggered Israel's bombardment and offensive in Gaza.

A major military operation in Rafah would be a mistake, something we don't support. And, it's also not necessary to deal with Hamas, which is necessary, Blinken told a news conference in Cairo. A major offensive would mean more civilian deaths and worsen Gaza's humanitarian crisis, he said, adding that his talks on Rafah in Israel on Friday and next week in Washington will be to share alternative action.

Netanyahu, on a roughly 45-minute call with GOP senators on Wednesday, pledged to ignore warnings about a Rafah operation. He also took aim at Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's condemnation last week of the civilian death toll in Gaza and his call for new elections in Israel in a speech that Biden later said was good.

Netanyahu stressed that Israel would move ahead in Rafah, according to senators who participated in the meeting. Sen. John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, said Netanyahu made it very clear that he and the people of Israel intend to prosecute the war to the full extent of their power and that he would not be dictated to by Senator Schumer or President Biden.

Netanyahu's vow to go into Rafah has alarmed the US and others, who say it will result in an even larger humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza without a credible plan in place to get civilians out. US officials have said they have yet to see such a plan and are prepared to offer alternatives to an all-out assault on the city.

As Blinken and the Arab ministers met, Gaza's Health Ministry raised the territory's death toll to nearly 32,000 Palestinians since the war began on its soil. Also, UN officials stepped up warnings that famine is imminent in northern Gaza.

The Cairo talks gathered Blinken with the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as a top official from the Palestine Liberation Organisation, the internationally recognized body representing the Palestinian people. They also discussed ways to increase urgent humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza by land, air and sea.

In an earlier meeting with Blinken, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi stressed the need for an immediate cease-fire and warned against the dangerous repercussions of any Israeli offensive in Rafah, according to a statement issued by el-Sissi's spokesperson.

Both parties had renewed their rejection of the forced displacement of Gazans and agreed on the importance of taking all necessary measures to ensure the arrival of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, the statement said.

Blinken said gaps are narrowing in talks over a cease-fire. A day earlier at his tour's first stop in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Blinken told the Saudi Al-Hadath network that the mediators had worked with Israel to put a strong proposal on the table. He said Hamas rejected it, but came back with other demands that the mediators are working on.

Netanyahu's office said Thursday that the head of the Mossad spy agency will return to Qatar on Friday to meet with the head of the CIA and other key mediators in the talks. The office said Thursday that Qatar's prime minister and Egypt's intelligence chief would also join the talks.

The United States is seeking a swift vote on a newly revised and tougher UN resolution demanding an immediate and sustained cease-fire to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid to be delivered. The US deputy ambassador to the UN, Robert Wood, said he hoped a vote could take place by the end of the week.

Netanyahu has also rejected the Biden administration's repeated remonstrations that Israel's long-term security cannot be assured without the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

A clear path and deadline for the formation of a Palestinian state are key requirements for Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations to normalize relations with Israel, something Netanyahu is keen to achieve. Blinken spent much of his time in Jeddah with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussing the normalization process, which would also include US-Saudi agreements.

With tensions running high after not speaking for a month, Biden and Netanyahu held a phone call on Monday during which Netanyahu agreed to send a team of experts to Washington to discuss the Rafah plans. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant will also visit Washington separately next week.

The war began after Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people in the surprise October 7 attack out of Gaza that triggered the war, and abducted another 250 people. Hamas is still believed to be holding some 100 people hostage, as well as the remains of 30 others. (AP) GRS

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Ahmedabad, Mar 22 (PTI) Gujarat Congress president Shaktisinh Gohil on Friday alleged the Narendra Modi government froze the party's bank accounts to cripple it financially ahead of Lok Sabha polls.

Addressing a press conference, Gohil claimed the party does not have money for poll campaigning because the Union government seized Rs 115.321 crore by freezing 11 bank accounts in a seven year old Income Tax matter.

"In the past, India was known for upholding democratic values by providing a level playing field to every party. But the BJP government has tarnished that golden image of our country, which is evident from articles being published in the international newspapers about the current state of affairs in India," said Gohil.

"Since BJP has realised it cannot win this election, it has resorted to such undemocratic ways to stop the Congress. The government opened a seven-year-old case and froze 11 of our bank accounts. We have also been slapped with a penalty of Rs 210 crore. Why this action just ahead of the poll? This is a conspiracy to stop Congress," he alleged.

The party is running out of time because even if it approaches court, the polls would be over by the time judgement comes, he claimed.

"There has to be a level-playing field in politics. The BJP is sitting on a fund of Rs 8,200 crore while Congress has nothing in hand at present. But, such tactics will not lower our strength. We are confident people will give us votes as well as funds," Gohil asserted.

Earlier on Thursday, former party chief Sonia Gandhi along with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi addressed a press conference on the same issue in Delhi.

Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of crippling the Congress financially, Sonia Gandhi had demanded that the party be given access to its bank accounts to ensure a level playing field in the run up to the Lok Sabha polls.
Shillong, Mar 22 (PTI) Five-time legislator of Meghalaya, Ampareen Lyngdoh, on Friday filed nomination papers for the Shillong Lok Sabha seat as a candidate of the ruling National People's Party.

The party exuded confidence that she would create history by winning the seat, held by the Congress for many decades.



Lyngdoh is also the first candidate to file the nomination papers for the forthcoming elections to the Lok Sabha to be held on April 19.



Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar and Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council chief Pyniaid Sing Syiem accompanied her when she went to the file nomination.



The five-time legislator from East Shillong also paid a rich tribute in front of her father's bust Peter Garnette Marbaniang, who was also a former MP of Shillong.



Lyndoh was pitted against three-time MP and state Congress president Vincent H Pala in that seat.

"I have completed my journey through 36 constituencies. I have covered hundreds of kilometres in about 3 and a half months before. Yesterday, I was able to go to the last segments of my constituency. I feel satisfied that I am now familiar with what I need to do. I will try my best to serve to the best of my capacity," she said.



"We, as a party, have a very specific blueprint that will take Meghalaya forward and reiterate," she said.
New Delhi, Mar 22 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi left on a two-day visit to Bhutan on Friday. He is scheduled to return on Saturday.

The visit is part of the Indian government's emphasis on its 'Neighbourhood First Policy'.

He was earlier scheduled to leave on Thursday but the visit was postponed due to inclement weather conditions in the Himalayan nation.

Modi said on X that he will be attending various programmes aimed at further cementing the India-Bhutan partnership.

"I look forward to talks with Majesty the King of Bhutan, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and Prime Minister @tsheringtobgay," he added.
New Delhi, Mar 22 (PTI) President Droupadi Murmu on Friday greeted the people of Bihar on the states formation day and wished for the progress of the state.

"My heartiest greetings to all the residents of the state on Bihar Day. Bihar has been the historical centre of Indian culture and education," Murmu said in a post on X in Hindi.

"People of Bihar, who are famous for their determination, devotion to duty and sacrifice, have made their place in the country and abroad. It is my wish that this state always moves forward on the path of progress," she added.

Bihar was carved out of Bengal on March 22, 1912.
Srinagar, Mar 22 (PTI) Opposition parties in Jammu and Kashmir, including the PDP and the NC, on Friday described Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest as a "blot on democracy" and said it will "dent" the country's image across the world.

The BJP, however, termed as "right" the decision of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to arrest the Aam Aam Party (AAP) national convener in the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case.

"This is the right decision. Whether a person is a chief minister or not. The ED had summoned him nine times. The high court rejected his bail application yesterday. It has been proven that he is involved in the scam," BJP J-K general secretary (organisation) Ashok Koul said.

National Conference (NC) vice president and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah asserted that his party stands with Kejriwal and the AAP, and said this arrest shows the "remarkable degree of nervousness" in the ruling party -- the BJP which is in power at the Centre.

"'Aisi Taisi Democracy'. For all the talk of 400+ seats, the ruling dispensation is displaying a remarkable degree of nervousness. Having a sitting opposition chief minister arrested by a pliable central agency within days of the general elections being announced is a blot on democracy," Abdullah said in a post on X.

Later, speaking to reporters here, he claimed that Kejriwal's arrest was clearly linked to the elections.

"Within days of the EC (Election Commission) announcing the dates for the Lok Sabha polls, you see that the sitting chief minister and an important part of the opposition alliance has been arbitrarily arrested by the ED," he said.

The AAP, the NC and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) are members of the INDIA bloc, an alliance of some opposition parties to counter the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls. The Congress, the DMK, the TMC and the JMM the Samajwadi Party are also its constituents.

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, who is also a former chief minister of J-K, said that "the arbitrary arrest of yet another chief minister by ED reeks of political vendetta and growing authoritarianism".

"This cowardly act has exposed fears of the ruling party now resorting to desperate measures by manipulating elections even before they are held. History has shown that tyranny never prevails in the face of unified resistance. We will not be intimidated," she said on X.

Former Jharkhand chief minister and JMM leader Hemant Soren was also arrested by the ED in January in a money laundering case after he resigned from his post

The NC leader said Kejriwal is not the first opposition leader to face ED action.

"Some weeks ago, the sitting CM of Jharkhand was also in a similar position. His deputy chief minister was also arrested last year, others also. This is just unfortunately a part of a process whereby democratic institutions in this country have gradually been eroded to a point that they almost now cease to exist," he said.

Abdullah said whether the country realises the "threat that our democracy faces, only time will tell, but, the legacy that this government would leave is extremely unfortunate for the country".

Talking to reporters, Mehbooba said the arrest is condemnable.

"The law states that the culprit should be behind the bars and an innocent person should be free. But, since the BJP came to power, all corrupt persons and culprits join the BJP and their sins are forgiven, they become clean," she said.

The PDP chief alleged that the BJP wants to finish the opposition.

"They are talking about crossing 400 seats, I think they will not even cross 200 seats. They also froze bank accounts of the Congress, they want to finish the opposition before the elections. So, it is highly condemnable," she said.

She alleged that the EC was behaving as the "BJP's B team".

Senior CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami said, "In J-K, democracy was locked up much before, but now it seems that the democracy in our country, which is famous as the largest democracy in the world, has been locked up. This will be a loss for the country, it will dent the country's image across the world," he told PTI Videos.

He said the BJP was resorting to such tactics as the party was not sure of its electoral victory in the general elections.

"Another CM was arrested before this. Many ministers of Delhi are in custody. It looks that the government does not see the prospects of its winning and forming the government again. That is why they have panicked," he added.

The CPI(M) leader said the government is using central agencies such as the ED and the Income Tax Department to suppress the opposition.

Asked whether the arrest was a tactic before the Lok Sabha polls, NC leader Abdullah said it was not something new. "This has been going on for many years. There is no party left now which opposes the BJP and has not been targeted like this. This is a small part of the new democracy that has been established in our country in the last few years," he said.

Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference led by Sajad Lone said the party does not support Kejriwal;'s arrest.

"We don't support his arrest though!" party spokesman Adnan Ashraf Mir said on X, while referring to Kejriwal's post supporting the Centre's decision on August 5, 2019, when Article 370, which granted special status to the erstwhile state of J-K was revoked.
New Delhi, Mar 22 (PTI) The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) polls on Friday witnessed a voter turnout of 73 per cent, highest in the last 12 years, according to a comparison from previous years data.

The JNUSU elections were held in two phases, which were delayed due to logistical arrangements, the election committee said.

The polling was held after a four-year hiatus and over 7,700 registered electors cast their votes through a secret ballot.

The counting of votes, which was supposed to commence at 9 pm, is also running past its scheduled time because of the delay in polling.

After the counting of votes is completed, the JNUSU results will be declared on Sunday.

Polling began at the 17 booths set up across different Centres of Studies at JNU around 11 am and continued till 7 pm. It was supposed to begin at 9 am.

JNU witnessed 67.9 per cent voter turnout in 2019, 67.8 per cent in 2018, 59 per cent in 2016-17, 55 per cent in 2015, 55 per cent in 2013-14 and 60 per cent in 2012.

Supporters of different student outfits chanted slogans and cheered for their leaders as voters queued to cast their votes at their respective centres.

Slogans of Jai Bheem, Bharat Mata Ki Jai, and Lal Salam along with beats of drum rented the air as a large number of students started flocking the polling booths after 11 am.

Nineteen candidates were vying for positions on the JNUSU central panel and 42 for school counsellors, with eight contenders in fray for the prestigious role of president.

The Central panel consists of president, vice president, joint secretary and general secretary.

The United Left comprising the All India Students' Association (AISA), Democratic Students' Federation (DSF), Students' Federation of India (SFI) and the All India Students' Federation (AISF) fielded Dhananjay for the president's post, Avijit Ghosh for vice president, and Mh Sajid for Joint Secretary.

The nomination of Swati Singh for General Secretary from the Left panel was cancelled by the Election Committee late Thursday night after it was challenged with the varsity's Grievance Redressal Cell (GRC) by ABVP.

Swati later sat on a hunger strike demanding re-election and re-nomination for the post of general secretary.

She alleged that the election committee informed her about the cancellation of her nomination late at night, a few hours before the commencement of the polling through WhatsApp.

The election committee, however, in a statement said it cancelled her nomination upon direction from the GRC committee.

During the polling differently-abled students also staged a hunger strike over an alleged derogatory remark by ABVP's presidential candidate during the question and answer session.

According to the students outfit, the Left's presidential candidate Dhananjay hails from Gaya, Bihar, and stands as the potential first Dalit president from the Left after Batti Lal Bairwa in 1996-67.

The RSS-affiliated ABVP fielded Umesh Chandra Ajmeera for president, Deepika Sharma for Vice President, Arjun Anand for Secretary and Govind Daangi for Joint Secretary.

Ajmeera's candidacy is underscored by his background as a victim of Naxalite attacks, losing his parents tragically in such incidents.

From the Congress's student outfit, NSUI Junaid Raza was running for president and Farheen Zaidi for general secretary.

BAPSA's contenders for Central Panel were Biswajit Minji for president, MD Anas A for vice president, Priyanshi Arya for joint secretary and Rupak Kumar Singh for general secretary.

Minji, hailing from an Adivasi community in West Bengal, draws inspiration from his parents' struggles as contractual labourers. He claims to be the first Adivasi presidential candidate if elected.

Samajwadi Chatra Sabha's presidential candidate, the only female contender for president's post is from Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh district and aims to fight patriarchy and become the voice of the downtrodden on campus.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, March 22. Kyrgyzstan and Russia are in talks to increase the number of flights between the two countries, said Maksat Usubaliev, Vice President of the Tourism Development Support Fund in Kyrgyzstan, during the Mitt International Tourism Exhibition in Moscow, Trend reports.

He said that currently, based on research, there are approximately 23 flights connecting cities in Russia and Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan is actively engaged in negotiations and efforts to expand the potential for increasing the number of cities with connected air travel and the frequency of flights between the two countries.

Furthermore, he mentioned that flights from Kyrgyzstan currently serve over 10 cities in Russia. Usubaliev highlighted that the proportion of Russian tourists visiting the country exceeds 9 percent, with Russian travelers consistently ranking among the top five countries in terms of tourist arrivals.

"This trend is primarily influenced by our neighboring countries, with whom we share common borders, with citizens of Uzbekistan accounting for over 60 percent. Russian travelers consistently rank among the top five in terms of arrivals," emphasized Usubaliev.
Nainital, Mar 22 (PTI) The state government on Friday told the Uttarakhand High Court that in compliance with its order, it has released four prisoners lodged in jails for more than 14 years and is considering freeing 28 more.

The court, however, admonished the lawyers representing the state government for the delay in the execution of its order and said the remaining 28 prisoners must be released by 10 am on Saturday.

The high court had identified 167 such prisoners and directed the state government to make a decision by Thursday evening and inform the court about the action taken by 10 am on Friday. Out of these 167, one prisoner is dead.

A division bench of the high court comprising Chief Justice Ritu Bahri and Justice Rakesh Thapliyal had issued the order to release the selected prisoners on Thursday.

The order came after Justice Bahri visited the District Jail of Haldwani and Sampurnanand Open Jail of Sitarganj and listened to the problems of the prisoners.

Government advocate J S Virk informed the court that while four prisoners were released on Thursday, 28 more were under consideration. Advocate General S N Babulkar also appeared before the court via video conference.

The court pulled up the state government for still considering the release of 28 such prisoners and said they must be released by 10 am on Saturday.

It added that if the government is unable to make a decision for the remaining prisoners, the court will hold hearings on Saturdays to take a call on the matter.

Though Saturdays are a holiday for the high court, it will work overtime for public good, it said.

The court said this will also ensure that these cases will not derail normal litigation of the court. The first hearing for these cases will be held on April 20, the court said.
Prayagraj (UP), Mar 22 (PTI) The Allahabad High Court on Friday dismissed a plea moved by former Uttar Pradesh minister Amar Mani Tripathi challenging a non-bailable warrant (NBW) issued against him as well as an order declaring him an absconder in a 2001 case of abduction.

Dismissing Tripathi's plea, Justice Sanjay Kumar Singh said, "In case the applicant appears and applies for regular bail, the same shall be decided on the same day in the light of the Supreme Court judgment in the case of Satender Kumar Antil versus CBI."

Earlier, the court had directed the special judge, MP-MLA court, Basti to send a photocopy of the complete order sheet of sessions trial no. 2 of 2022 in a sealed cover by March 14.

On December 6, 2001, an FIR was lodged against unidentified people in Basti district of Uttar Pradesh on the basis of a complaint from one Dharamraj under section 364A (kidnapping for ransom etc.). The complainant had alleged that his son was abducted by the unidentified accused.

Tripathi's name cropped up in the case during the course of the investigation. He was sent to jail and later, released on bail. Subsequently, a supplementary chargesheet was filed in the case under the Gangsters Act.

On November 1, 2023, the special judge, MP-MLA court, Basti ordered proceedings against the applicant under section 82 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and declared him an absconder in the case.

The applicant challenged the order before the high court.

During the course of arguments, appearing on behalf of the applicant, senior advocate G S Chaturvedi, assisted by Ajatshatru Pandey, argued that the process to declare the applicant an absconder was wrong as he was already out on bail in the case of kidnapping for ransom. Hence, the lawyer said his client should be released in the subsequent case lodged under the Gangsters' Act on a personal bail bond.
Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh), Mar 22 (PTI) The TDP on Friday announced the first list of 13 candidates for the Lok Sabha polls in Andhra Pradesh which included two YSR Congress MPs who defected from the party recently.



The former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu-led party also announced the third list of TDP candidates for 11 more Assembly segments.



The Assembly elections in the state will be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls on May 13.



Narasaraopeta YSRCP Lok Sabha member L Sri Krishna Devarayulu was fielded from the same constituency while V Prabhakar Reddy, a YSRCP Rajya Sabha member, will contest from Nellore.



The TDP has so far announced candidates for 139 Assembly seats and 13 Lok Sabha constituencies.



Candidates for five more Assembly seats and four Lok Sabha seats are due to be announced. The TDP will contest from 144 Assembly segments and 17 Lok Sabha seats as part of the NDA in Andhra Pradesh.

Recently, NDA constituents finalised their seat-sharing formula for the Parliamentary and Assembly polls, as per which the BJP will contest six Lok Sabha and 10 Assembly seats while the TDP will fight from 17 Parliamentary and 144 Assembly seats.



Under the deal, actor-politician Pawan Kalyan's Janasena will contest two Lok Sabha and 21 Assembly seats.

Andhra Pradesh has a total of 25 Lok Sabha and 175 Assembly seats.
Chennai, Mar 22 (PTI) The swearing-in of senior DMK MLA K Ponmudy as a minister was likely on Friday, a day after the Supreme Court pulled up Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi over the matter, sources indicated.

While there was no immediate official word on the matter, sources said the swearing-in of Ponmudy was likely to be held this afternoon.



On Thursday, the apex Court had voiced "serious concern" over the conduct of Ravi for his refusal to reinduct Ponmudy as a minister in the state cabinet even after it suspended his earlier conviction. The SC had directed the Governor to decide on the issue within 24 hours.



The Governor had refused to reinduct Ponmudy, whose conviction and three-year sentence in a disproportionate assets case the apex court stayed recently, despite Chief Minister M K Stalin's recommendation.
New Delhi, Mar 22 (PTI) The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) on Friday staged a protest here against the BJP-led central government, alleging that it was dismantling democracy by targeting opposition parties through probe agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The youth wing of the Congress also raised the issue of the freezing of the party's accounts ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

"The central government is dismantling democracy by targeting opposition parties through agencies like the Enforcement Directorate, the Income Tax Department and the Central Bureau of Investigation," IYC president Srinivas BV said.

"The Narendra Modi government's freezing of the opposition party's bank accounts and relentless pursuit of its critics, are not just an attack on political rivals but an attack on the very foundation of democracy," he said.

The agencies should rather freeze the bank accounts of the BJP that has received a huge amount of money through electoral bonds, the IYC chief said.

The protesters tried to march towards Shastri Bhawan but were stopped by police. NSM VIT



NSM ANB

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The General Assembly approved the first United Nations resolution on artificial intelligence Thursday, giving global support to an international effort to ensure the powerful new technology benefits all nations, respects human rights and is safe, secure and trustworthy.

The resolution, sponsored by the United States, was adopted by consensus with a bang of the gavel and without a vote, meaning it has the support of all 193 U.N. member nations.

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said earlier this month that adoption of the resolution would be a historic step forward in fostering the safe use of AI.

The resolution would represent global support for a baseline set of principles for the development and use of AI and would lay out a path to leverage AI systems for good while managing the risks, he said in a statement to The Associated Press.

The resolution aims to close the digital divide between rich developed countries and poorer developing countries and make sure they are all at the table in discussions on AI. It also aims to make sure that developing countries have the technology and capabilities to take advantage of AIs benefits, including detecting diseases, predicting floods, helping farmers, and training the next generation of workers.

The resolution recognizes the rapid acceleration of AI development and use and stresses the urgency of achieving global consensus on safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems.

It also recognizes that the governance of artificial intelligence systems is an evolving area that needs further discussions on possible governance approaches.

Big tech companies generally have supported the need to regulate AI, while lobbying to ensure any rules work in their favor.

European Union lawmakers gave final approval March 13 to the worlds first comprehensive AI rules, which are on track to take effect by May or June after a few final formalities.

Countries around the world, including the U.S. and China, and the Group of 20 major industrialized nations are also moving to draw up AI regulations. The U.N. resolution takes note of other U.N. efforts including by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the International Telecommunication Union to ensure that AI is used to benefit the world.

Sullivan told AP the United States turned to the General Assembly to have a truly global conversation on how to manage the implications of the fast-advancing technology of AI.

The resolution encourages all countries, regional and international organizations, tech communities, civil society, the media, academia, research institutions and individuals to develop and support regulatory and governance approaches and frameworks for safe AI systems.

It warns against improper or malicious design, development, deployment and use of artificial intelligence systems, such as without adequate safeguards or in a manner inconsistent with international law.

A key goal, according to the resolution, is to use AI to help spur progress toward achieving the U.N.s badly lagging development goals for 2030, including ending global hunger and poverty, improving health worldwide, ensuring quality secondary education for all children and achieving gender equality.

The resolution calls on the 193 U.N. member states and others to assist developing countries to access the benefits of digital transformation and safe AI systems. It emphasizes that human rights and fundamental freedoms must be respected, protected and promoted through the life cycle of artificial intelligence systems.

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told AP last week that the resolution aims to build international consensus on a shared approach to the design, development, deployment and use of AI systems, particularly to support the 2030 U.N. goals.

If adopted, she said, it will be an historic step forward in fostering safe, security and trustworthy AI worldwide.

(AP)
Another 78,000 Americans are getting their federal student loans canceled through a program that helps teachers, nurses, firefighters and other public servants, the Biden administration announced Thursday.

The Education Department is canceling the borrowers loans because they reached 10 years of payments while working in public service, making them eligible for relief under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

These public service workers have dedicated their careers to serving their communities, but because of past administrative failures, never got the relief they were entitled to under the law, President Joe Biden said in a statement.

Congress created the program in 2007, but rigid rules and missteps by student loan servicers left many borrowers unable to get the cancellation they were promised. The Biden administration loosened some of the rules and retroactively gave many borrowers credit toward their 10 years of payments.

Through those actions, the Biden administration has canceled loans for more than 871,000 public service workers. Previously, about 7,000 borrowers had successfully gotten their loans canceled.

The latest round of forgiveness will cancel about $5.8 billion in federal student loans.

Starting next week, those receiving the forgiveness will get an email from Biden congratulating them on their relief. A message from the Democratic president, whos running for reelection, will also be sent to 380,000 borrowers who are within two years of forgiveness under the program.

I hope you continue the important work of serving your community, the message says, and if you do, in less than two years you could get your remaining student loans forgiven through Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

The program was created to encourage Americans to work in public service, including teachers, firefighters, nurses, government employees and those who work for nonprofit groups. After 10 years of monthly payments on their loans, the program promised to erase the remainder.

But when the first wave of workers hit their 10-year mark, the vast majority were rejected. Many didnt realize their loans werent eligible under the programs rules, and many had been improperly steered into forbearance by their loan servicers, putting a temporary pause on payments and halting their progress toward cancellation.

In 2021, the Biden administration offered a one-time fix that retroactively gave borrowers credit for past payments even if they had been in forbearance or had an ineligible loan. It later loosened some of the rules permanently. Payments made more than 15 days after their due date previously werent counted toward the 10 years, for example, but the new rules count payments that are late or made in installments.

Today, more than 100 times more borrowers are eligible for PSLF than there were at the beginning of the Administration, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said Thursday.

The Biden administration says it has now canceled nearly $144 billion in federal student loans through the public service program and others, including a program for borrowers who have been misled by their colleges.

Biden is separately pushing for wider cancellation for borrowers who have been making payments for decades and those who went to colleges that are deemed to have low value for graduates, among others.

The Education Department is pursuing that plan through a federal rulemaking process after the U.S. Supreme Court blocked Bidens previous attempt at widespread cancellation.

(AP)
A suspect was arrested in Toms River in the wee hours of Friday morning following a police chase resulting from the attempted abduction of a Jewish teenager several hours prior, Lakewood Alerts reported.

The harrowing incident began at around 7:30 PM Thursday evening, when Lakewood Police and Shomrim were called to Forest Park Circle off Pine Street in Lakewood for reports of an attempted kidnapping.

The caller and witnesses reported that a black or Hispanic man had approached a teenage Jewish girl and attempted to force her into a white SUV. The victim managed to escape, forcing the suspect to flee.

Shortly thereafter, a second similar incident was reported in an unspecified nearby town, Lakewood Police said.

At around 1 AM, a Jewish woman sitting in her vehicle in the Walden Woods neighborhood of Toms River was approached by the suspect. The woman honked her horn to scare the man off and alerted her husband and police. A chase ensued, resulting in the suspect crashing his vehicle at the intersection of Route 70 and Whitseville Road.

The suspect was swiftly taken into custody. The Ocean County Prosecutors Office is expected to provide additional information later Friday.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Russia attacked electrical power facilities in much of Ukraine, including the countrys largest hydroelectric plant, causing widespread outages and killing at least five people, officials said Friday.

President Volodymyr Zlenskyy said more than 60 drones and about 90 rockets were used in the attack.

The attack came a day after Russia launched 31 missiles in a single attack on the capital. It was the largest assault on Ukraines energy infrastructure this year and one of the largest since the outbreak of the war, according to Ukrainian authorities.

Even last winter, attacks on our energy system were not as large as they were this night, said the head of energy utility Ukrenergo, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi.

Last winter, Russia deliberately targeted Ukraines energy infrastructure, resulting in frequent blackouts across the country. Many had warned that Russia might repeat this strategy ahead of this winter. But instead, Russia has launched massive missile and drone attacks primarily directed at Ukraines defense industry.

Every large-scale air attack depletes Ukraines capabilities to repel Russian missiles. Zelenskyy has been urging Ukraines Western allies for weeks to provide additional air defense systems and ammunition amid delays in aid from the U.S.

With Russian missiles, there are no delays, like with aid packages to our state. Shaheds dont have indecisiveness, as do some politicians. It is important to understand the cost of delays and postponed decisions, Zelenskyy said, referring to Iranian-made Shahed drones, which are widely used by Russia in the war.

The attacks caused a fire at the Dnipro Hydroelectric Station, which supplies electricity to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europes largest nuclear power installation.

The main external power line to the plant was cut off, International Atomic Energy Agency head Rafael Grossi said early Friday, but Ukraines nuclear energy operator said it was restored several hours later.

The plant is occupied by Russian troops, and fighting around the plant has been a constant concern because of the potential for a nuclear accident.

The dam at the hydroelectric station was not in danger of breaching, the countrys hydroelectric authority said. A dam breach could not only disrupt supplies to the nuclear plant but would potentially cause severe flooding similar to what occurred last year when a major dam at Kakhovka further down the Dnieper collapsed.

Three people were killed and at least eight injured in the Russian attack, said Zaporizhzhia regional Gov. Ivan Fedorov.

Attacks on energy facilities in the Kharkiv region caused blackouts in the countrys second-largest city and disrupted critical air-raid siren systems. Regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said police would inform residents of possible air raids through loudspeakers and walkie-talkies and that alerts would be sent to cellular phones.

Other attacks were reported in areas of western Ukraine far from the front lines. Two people died in the Khmelnytskyi region, according to the Internal Affairs Ministry.

The power outages left 1,060 miners trapped in the Dnipropetrovsk region and an evacuation was underway, according to private energy company DTEK.

The world sees the targets of Russian terrorists as clearly as possible: power plants and energy supply lines, a hydroelectric dam, ordinary residential buildings, even a trolleybus. Russia is fighting against the ordinary life of people, Zelenskyy said Friday on the Telegram messaging app.

Russian officials said Friday that one person died and at least three were injured in Ukrainian shelling of areas near the border.

The governor of the Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said a woman was killed when a shell hit nearby while she was walking her dogs and that two others were injured. The town of Tetkino in the Kursk region was shelled, injuring one person, said Gov. Roman Starovoit.

Both regions have been subject to shelling and drone attacks in recent weeks and officials have said that attempts by Ukrainian fighters to cross into Russian territory have been repelled.

(AP)
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, March 22. Tajikistan and Turkiye have deliberated over the current situation and the prospects for the development of bilateral relations, Trend reports.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, this matter was the focal point of discussion during a meeting between Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, Farrukh Sharifzoda, and a delegation from Turkiye, led by Mehmet Samsar, the head of the Main Department of Political Affairs for the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The meeting addressed various aspects of cooperation, particularly in the political, economic, trade, investment, tourism, healthcare, defense, scientific, and cultural spheres. Additionally, the two countries explored avenues for collaboration within the framework of international and regional organizations.

According to the Turkiyes Statistical Institute, trade turnover between the countries amounted to $31.183 million in January 2024, which is a decrease of 15 percent compared to $36.765 million in the corresponding month of 2023.
HaRav Yehuda Gerami, the Rav of Iran, traveled to the kevarim of Mordechai HaTzaddik and Esther HaMalka with members of his kehilla on Taanis Esther and found a Palestinian flag flying outside it.

Kan News reported that the site was recently vandalized.

In October, in the wake of the war in Gaza, locals desecrated the kevarim of Mordechai HaTzaddik and Esther HaMalka and burned Israeli flags at the site.

They also sent a letter to the Iranian Culture Ministry demanding that the site be converted into a museum of the crimes of the Zionist regime and that a public relations office of the Palestinian resistance forces be established there.

However, in general, the site is protected as Esther and Mordechai were considered Persian royalty and the Iranian regime preserves the site due to their interests in maintaining Persian historical and cultural sites.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
A senior State Department official revealed that talks in Saudi Arabia with Secretary of State Antony Blinken focused on a larger plan: Saudi recognition of Israel in exchange for credible progress on a Palestinian state.

However, Israels current government opposes Palestinian statehood, a non-negotiable condition for Saudi normalization.

The official says only a few issues remain in the US-Saudi component, believed to include US defense guarantees and aid for a Saudi civilian nuclear program.

The plan faces challenges, as Netanyahu reportedly rejected a similar proposal in January.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Israeli and Arab officials have revealed that Israeli security officials are quietly developing a plan to distribute aid in the Gaza Strip, which could eventually lead to a Palestinian-led governing authority. The plan has sparked a fierce backlash from Hamas and created divisions within Israels war cabinet.

According to officials, a top Israeli defense official has held talks with Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan to build regional support for the effort. The plan involves enlisting Palestinian leaders and businessmen with no ties to Hamas to distribute aid, which would enter Gaza by land and sea after Israeli inspection. The aid would be stored in large warehouses in central Gaza and distributed by Palestinians.

Once the war is over, the aid officials would assume authority to govern, backed by security forces funded by wealthy Arab governments. The effort aims to fill the power vacuum left by Israels invasion of Gaza following Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

However, the plan faces obstacles and lacks the support of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who opposes working with Fatah, a rival party to Hamas seen as supporting terrorism.

Maj. Gen. Ghassan Alian, head of the Israeli security arm overseeing civilian affairs in occupied territories, sees the aid effort as crucial to Israels plan to evacuate Rafah, Hamas last stronghold. The aid network would feed 750,000 to a million people in displacement camps planned for absorbing Rafahs population.

Hamas has responded with threats, labeling anyone working with Israelis as traitors and threatening them with death. Several Palestinian families once open to the idea have withdrawn in recent days.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The IDF and Shin Bet say that they have captured approximately 650 terror suspects, including several senior Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad commanders, during an the ongoing operation at Gaza Citys Shifa Hospital. The operation, which began on Monday, has resulted in the capture of at least 358 confirmed members of terror groups, according to the IDF.

Senior commanders captured during the operation include Hussam Salameh, commander of PIJs observation and intelligence unit in Gaza City, and his brother Wissam Salameh, head of the terror groups propaganda unit in Gaza City. Additional senior PIJ operatives captured at Shifa include the commander of the terror groups Shejaiya Battalion, the deputy commander of PIJs Northern Gaza Brigade, and a PIJ commander charged with the terror groups tunnels in northern Gaza.

Three senior officers in Hamass so-called West Bank headquarters, tasked with advancing attacks against Israel from the West Bank, were also captured at Shifa. These include Amr Asida, head of the Nablus unit; Mahmoud Qawasmeh, one of the planners of the 2014 kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teens; and Hamdallah Hassan Ali, who was involved in directing recent attacks in the West Bank.

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi stated that the operation was very important for pressuring Hamas, its very important for pressuring the negotiations. The detained terror suspects have been taken to Israel for further interrogation by the Shin Bet.

According to the IDF, troops have killed more than 140 gunmen in the raid so far, and the operation is expected to continue for several more days until all terror operatives in the area are captured or killed. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has hailed the ongoing raid, stating that it surprised the terrorists and that those still holed up at the hospital are considering their future: surrender or death.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
A new report from NBC has revealed that Israels detailed intelligence picture of Hamas inner workings, put together with the help of United States intelligence, most likely enabled the IDF to assassinate Hamas number 3 official Marwan Issa. The report cites unnamed Israeli and US government and intelligence sources.

According to the report, hard drives, laptops, maps, and other materials seized by the IDF in Gaza  sometimes aided by American eavesdropping on Hamas, which has increased since the war began  also furnished Israel with the information that implicated 12 UNRWA workers of participating in the Palestinian terror groups October 7 onslaught. Israels allegations against UNRWA led multiple donor countries to withhold funds from the United Nations aid agency for Palestinian refugees in February.

Issa, whose death by Israeli airstrike on March 10 was confirmed by the White House Monday, was deputy commander of Hamas military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. Together with the Brigades commander, Mohammed Deif, and Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, Issa was considered a mastermind of the October 7 assault that sparked the war.

They have more understanding and intelligence on Hamas than they ever had before, the NBC report quoted Matthew Levitt, a former US Treasury and State Department official, as saying of the IDF. They have the [human resources] and more. So their understanding of what Hamas was able to do is much, much more granular.

The report also cited unnamed US officials as saying that before October 7, American intelligence did not consider Hamas a high priority, but shifted resources toward the organization after failing to foresee the deadly attack.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
You have to feel some sympathy for Vodafone chief executive Margherita Della Valle. The mobile telecoms pioneer had a great chance of being a real tech champion for Britain after a rapid fire series of deals by predecessor Chris Gent, who was in charge from 1997 to 2003.

The short-termism of his successors, and the impatience of investors, saw Vodafone shed its most valuable assets in Japan and the US before the data revolution  which has transformed telephony  matured.

Della Valle inherited a sinking asset. She is escaping under-performing markets in her native Italy and Spain to focus more closely on Germany and the UK.

Liberty Media outsmarted Vodafone when it bought Germany's low growth moribund cable assets. As for the UK, the path Vodafone has chosen for expansion  a merger with competitor Three  has landed it in a regulatory tussle with the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA).

A Vodafone-Three deal might be terrific for two sub-octane mobile operators, seeking more pricing power, but is never going to work for consumers.

Talking the talk: A Vodafone-Three deal might be terrific for two sub-octane mobile operators, but is never going to work for consumers

At the very least one would expect the combative Sarah Cardell, competition regulator-in-chief, to come up with testing remedies. On the other side of the Atlantic competition, regulators also are waking up from a long slumber. America's rapid post-pandemic growth, in the face of the Federal Reserve's monetary squeeze, can largely be put down to big-tech.

More established players have been joined by Tesla, Nvidia and Space X.

Joe Biden's administration finds itself in the curious position of providing 15.5billion of grants to chip maker Intel to super-charge semi-conductor production, while challenging Apple's economic model.

Apple is much loved by consumers across the globe for its beautifully designed devices, intuitive ease of use and glamorous shopping emporia.

But behind every Apple device, as the US Justice Department has divined, are opaque service agreements which in 2023 generated 66.5billion of revenues with a gross profit margin twice that of over-priced devices.

Older consumers may remember when Apple insisted that only the Sahara search engine was directly available on iPhones, iPads and laptops.

Apple needed Google. But Google needed Apple even more because of it controlled 65pc of the mobile phone market. So Google agreed to pay a fee for access on Apple devices.

A lmost every app supplier such as Spotify finds itself in the same trap. The Daily Mail's MailOnline, the world's largest newspaper website, pays a fee to Apple for downloads.

These pay tolls are regarded as anti-competitive, raising the cost of access to the worldwide web which, when it was first conceived, was going to be free for all.

Apple may be the worst offender in the tech space but it is not alone. Who can forget the way that Brad Smith of Microsoft sought to bully his way past the CMA when it wanted to take full control of gaming site Activision Blizzard. Microsoft won its way when it conceded open access.

Amazon is being sued by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for allegedly overcharging consumers and exploiting the sellers it allows onto it site.

Here in the UK, Amazon is seen as the cuckoo in the nest by almost every retailer because it escapes most business rates and other taxes.

Meta, owner of Facebook, is under scrutiny by the FTC because of its domination of social media reinforced by ownership of Instagram and WhatApp.

Silicon Valley giants are the gift that keeps on giving in terms of popularity and productivity. But they can also be compared to past oligopolies in the style of Standard Oil in the early 20th century. The first oil major eventually clashed with trust-busters and was broken up.

It is terrific to see competition enforcers in the UK, in the case of Vodafone-Three, and at Apple in the US rippling their muscles. Unfortunately, overwhelming financial power has a nasty record of outwitting what is in the best interest of free markets and consumers.
Five years from now, Moderna could be synonymous with personalised cancer vaccines, not Covid-19.

Chief executive Stephane Bancel talks with Scottish Mortgage manager Tom Slater about what can be achieved through programmable drug development.

As with any investment your capital is at risk.

Scottish Mortgage manager Tom Slater, left, speaks to Moderna's chief executive Stephane Bancel, right, about its history and prospects - and how it developed a Covid vaccine

Moderna gained global fame for its Covid-19 vaccine, which the biotech company hopes will be the first of many transformative applications of its messenger RNA (mRNA) technology.

In Scottish Mortgages Invest in Progress podcast, Manager Tom Slater asks Modernas chief executive Stephane Bancel whats next for its cell-coding science, and how it could solve some of humanitys most challenging health issues, from respiratory illnesses to cancer.

Writing the code of life

Its easy to forget that triumphantly helping to contain a global pandemic was unforseeable when Stephane Bancel joined Moderna in 2011.

He admits he was initially sceptical about mRNA technology  using code to create molecules that instruct our cells to produce the antibodies needed to fight off viruses and unwanted bacteria.

He changed his mind when he saw the data and recognised how repeatable the process could be.

He believed if the company could find a way to make mRNA technology work, it would have a profound impact on humanity, on society, by developing many medicines that just arent doable using old analogue technologies.

So, thats what we set out to do, he explains, to build a company that would be a platform that would have many verticals [drug categories].

Bancel explains With mRNA, its four letters, like zeros and ones with software. You code everything.  the only difference with most vaccines is the order of those letters.

Vaccines are just our first vertical getting to market, and Covid-19 is just the first vaccine of that vertical Stephane Bancel, Moderna

Because this platform has digital characteristics, the more it is used, the more data it collects, and thus, the more accurate and powerful its future results become.

Compare this to traditional pharma, where production starts from scratch each time, the success of one drug telling you nothing about the success of the next, and you can see why Moderna may be onto something big.

He likens the different verticals of Modernas platform to the varying services of Amazon. Vaccines are just our first vertical getting to market, and Covid-19 is just the first vaccine of that vertical.

Cracking Covid

But Covid-19 was never in the business plan. Bancel recalls that initially he thought it would be an outbreak like SARS or MERS. It was in January 2020 that he realised this is going to be like the 1918 flu pandemic. Its going to be everywhere and its going to kill a lot of people.

Once the Chinese government released the code of the virus, the team at Moderna immediately inputted the protein instruction to their software, dissected the technical specifications and had a proposed code for a vaccine in just 10 minutes.

The next challenge was conducting testing and approval to get the vaccine to market as quickly as possible. But what is seldom highlighted is [the] massive, almost miraculous scaling up of manufacturing.

To put this in context, Moderna delivered 100,000 doses in clinical trials in 2019, and in 2020 delivered 10,000 times that  100mn doses of the approved Covid-19 vaccine.

From Covid to cancer

Its a challenge that will keep evolving as Moderna continues to develop a wide range of treatments for various clinical needs.

One way to address this in the vaccination space is combining vaccines for Covid-19 with the most common respiratory diseases causing flu-like symptoms. A single effective vaccine given once a year could reduce hospitalisations, reduce strain on healthcare systems, and promote consistency of vaccine take-up, securing revenues for Moderna.

The advent of Modernas personalised cancer vaccines will also change the manufacturing dynamic from Covids one-vaccine-a-billion-doses to one-vaccine-one-dose.

Bancel explains that, in simple terms, Modernas technology reads the DNA of a patients healthy cells compared with their cancerous cells to identify where the mutations are occurring. They then write a code that instructs the immune system to reboot to enable it to detect the mutations that it wasnt seeing before.

To achieve this level of individualisation, the company is focused on innovation, developing robotics and digital tools to shrink the time it takes to tailor these products for one human at a time.

Bancel thinks if current safety trials go as the company hopes, A 2025 launch for melanoma [a type of skin cancer] is doable.

Another area of significant progress is in latent viruses. These are viruses that once contracted, never leave your system  HIV, EMV and CMV, for example. These viruses are extremely complex and cause all kinds of health issues. But many of them dont yet have a clinical solution because of their complexity.

Bancel explains that Moderna has been working on solutions  currently in phase 3 trials [the final stage before a treatment receives US regulatory approval]  and if successful, they could have a monumental impact on public health.

Decoding the future

Moderna is a large holding for Scottish Mortgage, and the team is often asked about the investment case due to the challenging period the company has experienced following the pandemic.

Slater believes the reason for this is, quite simply, the markets huge focus on Covid.

The vaccine was the immediate cash generator and the demand for it post-pandemic has been lower than expected.

There are huge areas of unmet clinical need that cause untold human suffering, that Modernas technology will be able to address Tom Slater, Scottish Mortgage

The company has a rich pipeline of products that have not yet been approved and the market has attached a higher risk weighting to that than we have.

In short, Scottish Mortgage believes Moderna's established success increases the likelihood of further breakthroughs. With its focus on innovation and potential to address unmet clinical needs, Moderna offers hope for a brighter and healthier future for millions.

Slater concludes There are huge areas of unmet clinical need that cause untold human suffering, that its [Modernas] technology will be able to address. And it will create a huge amount of value for society in doing that.

'And even if it takes a small fraction of that value that will translate into an enormous business opportunity.

Important information

This communication was produced and approved at the time stated and may not have been updated subsequently. It represents views held at the time of production and may not reflect current thinking.

This content does not constitute, and is not subject to the protections afforded to, independent research. Baillie Gifford and its staff may have dealt in the investments concerned. The views expressed are not statements of fact and should not be considered as advice or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a particular investment.

Baillie Gifford & Co and Baillie Gifford & Co Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The investment trusts managed by Baillie Gifford & Co Limited are listed on the London Stock Exchange and are not authorised or regulated by the FCA.

A Key Information Document is available by visiting scottishmortgage.com
Granola may appear to be a wholesome breakfast food, but its health benefits are disputed. The main ingredients are oats, nuts, seeds and dried fruit, but some varieties contain lots of sugar.

Yet while granola may not be the best way to start your day, Goldman Sachs, the US investment bank, argues that a different type of 'Granolas' could provide the nutrition that your portfolio needs.

With just 14 days to invest this year's Isa allowance, the advice to take a look at these 11 European firms is worth considering. The Granolas are GlaxoSmithKline, Roche, ASML, Nestle, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, L'Oreal, LVMH, AstraZeneca, SAP and Sanofi.

As has been pointed out, this actually spells out Grannn(o)llass.

But Goldman's analysts are unabashed, arguing that these names are all 'internationally-exposed quality growth compounders'.

Tasty: While granola may not be the best way to start your day, Goldman Sachs argues that a different type of 'Granolas' could provide the nutrition that your portfolio needs

Indeed, they are the equivalent of the US market's all-conquering Magnificent Seven tech stocks: Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla.

Unlike the Magnificent Seven, the Granolas provide exposure not only to tech, but also to a broad range of other sectors such as beauty, food, luxury, pharmaceuticals and software.

Dutch group ASML manufactures AI microchip machinery. The Danish firm Novo Nordisk makes the weight-loss drugs Wegovy and Ozempic, taken by Elon Musk, Oprah Winfrey and at least 9m others. French giant L'Oreal owns brands such as Lancome and Essie nail polish, available in such shades as Mrs Always Right (deep pink).

Goldman's focus on the undervalued opportunities in Continental Europe and the UK has sparked a fashion for these stocks, driving the Stoxx 600 index to record highs this year.

Not to be outdone, that other Wall Street name Citi has named its 'Super Seven': Novo Nordisk, ASML, LVMH, SAP, Schneider Electric, Richemont and Ferrari. Meanwhile SocGen, a French institution has listed its 'Seven Wonders of Europe': Novo Nordisk, ASML, LVMH, SAP, Siemens, Schneider Electric and Hermes.

Like LVMH, this iconic handbag house is seen as less vulnerable to the headwinds facing the luxe sector.

T HIS categorisation may be gimmicky. But I would argue that it has raised the profile of best-in-class companies unjustly overshadowed by the Magnificent Seven.

This week, Nvidia may have affirmed its dominance with the launch of 'the world's most powerful AI chip'. Much more quietly, however, AstraZeneca continued to build on its radiology expertise through the $2.4billion acquisition of Canadian oncology biotech firm Fusion Pharmaceutical.

Goldman Sachs argues that the Granolas represent good value since the shares trade at about 20 times next year's forecast earnings, whereas the Magnificent Seven names trade at about 30 times.

Sharon Bell from the investment bank adds: 'While the European economy has its problems, the biggest European companies are pursuing growth all over the world.

She also argues that these shares should also be boosted by the 'structural shift towards passive investments'. More money is flowing into 'passive' or index funds in a trend that tends to benefit the biggest companies. Some passive strategies also favour shares that are prospering on the basis that success breeds success.

Among those already persuaded of the Goldman thesis is Sam Morse, manager of the Fidelity European Fund and Fidelity European Trust, which hold ASML, L'Oreal, LVMH, Nestle, Novo Nordisk, the German software giant SAP and Sanofi, the French pharmaceuticals group,

Morse says: 'These companies derive only about 20 per cent of their revenues from Europe. About 40 per cent comes from the US and another 40 per cent from the rest of the world.

'But they have many of the attributes we look for in stocks such as cash generation, earnings stability and strong balance sheets. They also have consistent dividend growth and pricing power thanks to their strong competitive positions.'

'We are being careful to ensure that the risk-reward associated with each holding remains appropriate as the share prices have gone up.' He added: 'That said, most of the valuation metrics are not overly stretched at present and we still see upside  hence our positioning in these names.'

With 15 days to go until the start of the new tax year, I am planning next year's Isa. Already I have stakes in some European index funds and the Janus Henderson European Mid and Large cap fund, but I intend to add to these.

Paul Angell, head of investment research at broker AJ Bell, cites BlackRock Continental European Income, which holds Novo Nordisk and other Granolas. Interactive Investor's adventurous European pick is Fidelity European.

Attention will be turning even more to the Granolas in coming months. Investors will wish to continue the Magnificent Seven thrill ride. FOMO (fear of missing out) is a feature of this Isa season. But they will also want the security of diversification into Europe  on the basis that a portfolio, like a healthy breakfast, ought to be well-balanced.
The Dutch have kick-started a battle to try and win a float for Unilever's ice cream business.

The Netherland's minister of economic affairs, Micky Adriaansens, will meet with the consumer goods giant's Dutch chief executive Hein Schumacher as he mulls where to list the 15billion spin off.

Adriaansens will make the case for the Ben & Jerry's and Wall's maker to list on Amsterdam's stock market. But ministers and City grandees have been urged to talk up the merits of the London Stock Exchange with Unilever to make a decision over the next 18 months.

The Dutch believe Schumacher's remarks that he is 'open to all options' for a listing are a 'positive signal in line with previous commitments,' a spokesman for the Dutch ministry said.

'We are and will remain in discussion with Unilever on this.'

Sweet: Unilver boss Hein Schumacher and Dutch minister Micky Adriaansens will meet to dicuss the ice cream float

The Dutch are confident they can win the highly-sought listing after assurances Unilever gave the government four years ago.

In 2020 Unilever went ahead with plans to simplify its structure and chose the UK as its official base. But at the time, the Dutch government 'asked for reassurance that if Unilever should ever choose to list the foods and refreshment division as an independent company, it would be incorporated and listed in The Netherlands'. In 2022, the division was split into two parts, nutrition and ice cream.

The Treasury refused to confirm whether any ministers would meet Unilever executives or if they had been in contact.

But it made clear London was one of the premier stock markets, with deeper pools of capital than Amsterdam. City minister Bim Afolami said: 'The UK continues to be the leading hub for investment in Europe, raising more capital than Amsterdam and Frankfurt combined in 2023, and we want to encourage firms of all sizes to list in the UK.'

He added: 'We have developed reforms to boost the UK as a destination for IPOs [initial public offering], including making it easier for companies to list more quickly.

'We are also reforming our capital markets to deepen the capital pools and improve liquidity in the market.' But prominent figures have demanded that ministers and City bosses launch an aggressive charm offensive to clinch the listing.

Baroness Altmann, a pensions minister under David Cameron and Theresa May, said more should be done.

She told The Mail: 'There is such an urgent need for us to do all we can to revive the UK financial markets. Our own pension funds should be leading the charge to invest more here but they seem to have deserted their traditional role.

'Having a listing in London should be much more promoted than it is right now.'

There are fears London could lose out either to Amsterdam or New York's stock markets or a private equity predator.

This would rub salt in the City's wounds as it suffers an exodus of companies to markets elsewhere.

The UK was also snubbed when Cambridge chip maker Arm chose to list in the US despite ministers rolling out the red carpet.
Staying put: Sir Martin Sorrell

Shares in Sir Martin Sorrell's S4 Capital shot up 5.4 per cent after he said he had rejected several offers from a New York rival.

The advertising tycoon, who founded the agency in 2018 after leaving giant WPP, reportedly turned down Stagwell's bids because they undervalued the company.

The revelations come amid concerns about foreign bidders pouncing on firms with low valuations.

London-listed loo roll maker Accrol yesterday accepted a 127.5m takeover offer from Portuguese competitor Navigator Paper.

US private equity giant KKR confirmed a 1.3billion takeover of Glasgow's Smart Metering Systems.

And US activist investor Elliot Investment has taken a 5 per cent stake in investment trust Scottish Mortgage.

In December, Sorrell warned that London risks 'becoming a backwater'.
The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA  Get Free Report) rose 0.9% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $190.38 and last traded at $189.55. Approximately 3,061,496 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 71% from the average daily volume of 10,520,951 shares. The stock had previously closed at $187.78.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

BA has been the subject of several recent research reports. Stifel Nicolaus began coverage on Boeing in a report on Friday, December 1st. They issued a buy rating and a $265.00 price target for the company. Susquehanna reduced their price target on shares of Boeing from $265.00 to $230.00 and set a positive rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Bank of America reduced their price target on shares of Boeing from $225.00 to $210.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. William Blair initiated coverage on shares of Boeing in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. They set an outperform rating on the stock. Finally, Edward Jones cut shares of Boeing from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, January 8th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $244.56.

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Boeing Stock Down 0.0 %

The stock has a market cap of $114.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -51.01, a PEG ratio of 17.87 and a beta of 1.52. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $202.87 and its 200 day simple moving average is $210.84.

Boeing (NYSE:BA  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The aircraft producer reported ($0.47) EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.72) by $0.25. The firm had revenue of $22.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.14 billion. The businesss revenue was up 10.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned ($1.75) EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that The Boeing Company will post 2.53 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Boeing

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of BA. CNB Bank boosted its stake in shares of Boeing by 106.5% in the 3rd quarter. CNB Bank now owns 128 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Boeing in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Evolution Advisers Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Boeing in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. DiNuzzo Private Wealth Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Boeing in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Boeing in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $32,000. 61.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Boeing

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The Boeing Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, sells, services, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight and launch systems, and services worldwide. The company operates through Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; and Global Services segments.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft (NYSE:DB  Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report report published on Monday morning.

Separately, Citigroup downgraded Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft

Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft Stock Performance

Shares of DB stock opened at $15.22 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.56, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.14. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft has a fifty-two week low of $8.85 and a fifty-two week high of $15.23. The stocks 50-day moving average is $13.46 and its two-hundred day moving average is $12.34. The firm has a market cap of $31.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.95, a PEG ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 1.30.

Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft (NYSE:DB  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 2nd. The bank reported $0.72 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.37 by $0.35. The business had revenue of $5.81 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.46 billion. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft had a return on equity of 5.37% and a net margin of 6.86%. Analysts predict that Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft will post 2.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 77,480,209 shares of the banks stock worth $851,507,000 after acquiring an additional 1,073,195 shares during the period. Deutsche Bank AG lifted its position in shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft by 64.0% during the 3rd quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 53,995,538 shares of the banks stock worth $593,411,000 after buying an additional 21,080,301 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft during the 4th quarter worth approximately $514,620,000. Capital International Investors bought a new position in shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft during the 4th quarter worth approximately $252,028,000. Finally, DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main lifted its position in shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft by 30.8% during the 4th quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main now owns 13,559,579 shares of the banks stock worth $185,233,000 after buying an additional 3,196,091 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 21.91% of the companys stock.

About Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft

(Get Free Report)

Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft, operates as a stock corporation, engages in the provision of corporate and investment banking, and asset management products and services to private clients, corporate entities, and institutional clients worldwide. Its Corporate Bank segment provides cash management, trade finance and lending, trust and agency, foreign exchange, and securities services, as well as risk management solutions.

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Bank of America upgraded shares of Pinnacle West Capital (NYSE:PNW  Free Report) from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report issued on Monday, MarketBeat.com reports. They currently have $80.00 price objective on the utilities providers stock, up from their previous price objective of $71.00.

A number of other research analysts have also recently issued reports on PNW. Mizuho decreased their target price on Pinnacle West Capital from $77.00 to $75.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 6th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Pinnacle West Capital from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Thursday, March 14th. UBS Group upgraded Pinnacle West Capital from a sell rating to a neutral rating and increased their price target for the company from $68.00 to $71.00 in a research note on Monday, March 11th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on Pinnacle West Capital from $83.00 to $80.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, March 1st. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Pinnacle West Capital from $71.00 to $73.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Pinnacle West Capital has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $72.91.

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Pinnacle West Capital Price Performance

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Pinnacle West Capital

PNW stock opened at $72.90 on Monday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $69.58 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $72.55. The firm has a market cap of $8.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.53, a P/E/G ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 0.48. The company has a quick ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20. Pinnacle West Capital has a 12 month low of $65.20 and a 12 month high of $86.03.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina lifted its stake in shares of Pinnacle West Capital by 0.3% in the 2nd quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina now owns 49,483 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $4,031,000 after purchasing an additional 130 shares during the period. Addison Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Pinnacle West Capital by 16.6% during the 3rd quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 1,014 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $75,000 after buying an additional 144 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Pinnacle West Capital by 5.6% during the 2nd quarter. Cetera Advisors LLC now owns 2,765 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $225,000 after buying an additional 146 shares in the last quarter. Eaton Vance Management increased its stake in shares of Pinnacle West Capital by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. Eaton Vance Management now owns 7,921 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $619,000 after acquiring an additional 146 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Verity Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Pinnacle West Capital by 5.3% during the 2nd quarter. Verity Asset Management Inc. now owns 3,122 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $254,000 after acquiring an additional 158 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.95% of the companys stock.

Pinnacle West Capital Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, through its subsidiary, provides retail and wholesale electric services primarily in the state of Arizona. The company engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity using coal, nuclear, gas, oil, and solar generating facilities. Its transmission facilities include overhead lines and underground lines; and distribution facilities consist of overhead lines and underground primary cables.

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Manchester & London Investment Trust plc (LON:MNL  Get Free Report) insider Daren John Morris sold 6,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 663 ($8.44), for a total transaction of 39,780 ($50,642.90).

Manchester & London Investment Trust Trading Up 3.4 %

MNL opened at GBX 678 ($8.63) on Friday. Manchester & London Investment Trust plc has a 1-year low of GBX 368.46 ($4.69) and a 1-year high of GBX 692 ($8.81). The company has a market capitalization of 272.49 million, a PE ratio of 957.75 and a beta of 0.46. The firms 50 day simple moving average is GBX 613.40 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is GBX 524.27.

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Manchester & London Investment Trust Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 7th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 11th will be given a dividend of GBX 7 ($0.09) per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 11th. This represents a dividend yield of 1.05%. Manchester & London Investment Trusts payout ratio is 1,971.83%.

About Manchester & London Investment Trust

Manchester & London Investment Trust plc is a close-ended fund launched and managed by M&L Capital Management Limited. The fund primarily invests in the public equity markets of the United Kingdom. It makes its investments across diversified sectors. The fund primarily invests in growth stocks of companies by employing a fundamental analysis.

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Cavendish Financial plc (LON:CAV  Get Free Report) insider Ben Procter purchased 18,367 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 19th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 10 ($0.13) per share, for a total transaction of 1,836.70 ($2,338.26).

Cavendish Financial Stock Down 2.6 %

Shares of CAV opened at GBX 9.35 ($0.12) on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of 35.03 million, a PE ratio of -467.50 and a beta of 1.23. The stocks 50 day moving average is GBX 10.43.

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Cavendish Financial Company Profile

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Further Reading

Cavendish Financial plc provides various financial services to growth companies in the United Kingdom. The company offers equities research, distribution and execution, and analytics services. It provides investment banking services, such as strategic advisory and capital raising services comprising public market fund raisings, including placings, rights issues, and open offers; IPOs; sell-side or buy-side private M&A; public company M&A; debt arrangement and advice; private capital fund raisings; and general advice on strategic options, as well as acts as a corporate broker/NOMAD on a retained basis.

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KBR (NYSE:KBR  Get Free Report) was upgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report issued on Wednesday.

KBR has been the topic of several other research reports. Truist Financial reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $72.00 price objective on shares of KBR in a research note on Wednesday, March 13th. KeyCorp lifted their price objective on shares of KBR from $63.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 21st. Stifel Nicolaus reissued a buy rating and issued a $80.00 target price (up from $78.00) on shares of KBR in a research report on Wednesday, March 13th. UBS Group dropped their target price on shares of KBR from $65.00 to $63.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. Finally, Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of KBR from $62.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $69.71.

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KBR Stock Up 2.3 %

KBR stock opened at $61.76 on Wednesday. KBR has a 52 week low of $49.37 and a 52 week high of $65.87. The company has a market capitalization of $8.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -30.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 0.95. The firms 50-day moving average is $56.72 and its two-hundred day moving average is $56.32. The company has a current ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29.

KBR (NYSE:KBR  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 20th. The construction company reported $0.69 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.69. KBR had a negative net margin of 3.81% and a positive return on equity of 25.08%. The company had revenue of $1.73 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.78 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.69 EPS. KBRs revenue was up 7.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that KBR will post 3.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at KBR

In other news, EVP Jennifer Myles sold 8,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $58.95, for a total value of $471,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 38,524 shares in the company, valued at $2,270,989.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 1.03% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On KBR

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in KBR by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 13,044,986 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $722,823,000 after purchasing an additional 52,679 shares during the last quarter. Congress Asset Management Co. MA raised its stake in KBR by 31.8% during the 4th quarter. Congress Asset Management Co. MA now owns 97,441 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $5,399,000 after purchasing an additional 23,534 shares during the last quarter. Sierra Summit Advisors LLC bought a new stake in KBR in the 4th quarter valued at $429,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its holdings in KBR by 2.4% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 230,297 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $12,762,000 after buying an additional 5,444 shares during the period. Finally, Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio increased its holdings in KBR by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 56,050 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $3,106,000 after buying an additional 956 shares during the period.

About KBR

(Get Free Report)

KBR, Inc provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. It operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

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Squarespace (NYSE:SQSP  Free Report) had its target price raised by JMP Securities from $40.00 to $45.00 in a research note issued to investors on Monday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have an outperform rating on the stock.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on SQSP. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on Squarespace from $32.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Barclays boosted their price objective on Squarespace from $34.00 to $37.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Citigroup boosted their target price on Squarespace from $40.00 to $42.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. B. Riley boosted their target price on Squarespace from $41.00 to $43.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. Finally, Mizuho boosted their target price on Squarespace from $32.00 to $34.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $38.42.

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Squarespace Trading Up 2.6 %

Shares of SQSP stock opened at $35.13 on Monday. Squarespace has a 12-month low of $25.59 and a 12-month high of $35.51. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $32.22 and its 200-day moving average price is $30.49. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -702.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.29 and a beta of 0.49.

Squarespace (NYSE:SQSP  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 28th. The company reported $0.04 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.16 by ($0.12). Squarespace had a negative return on equity of 2.24% and a negative net margin of 0.70%. The company had revenue of $270.72 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $263.41 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned ($0.07) earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 18.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that Squarespace will post 0.52 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Anthony Casalena sold 36,349 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, January 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.11, for a total transaction of $1,167,166.39. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 3,691,790 shares of the companys stock, valued at $118,543,376.90. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, General Counsel Courtenay Oconnor sold 20,622 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.02, for a total transaction of $660,316.44. Following the transaction, the general counsel now directly owns 44,189 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,414,931.78. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Anthony Casalena sold 36,349 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, January 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.11, for a total value of $1,167,166.39. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 3,691,790 shares in the company, valued at $118,543,376.90. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 366,859 shares of company stock valued at $11,767,561 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 47.14% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Squarespace

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Quarry LP acquired a new position in shares of Squarespace in the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Squarespace in the 1st quarter valued at $26,000. Neo Ivy Capital Management purchased a new stake in Squarespace in the second quarter valued at $31,000. Comerica Bank purchased a new stake in Squarespace in the third quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors boosted its holdings in Squarespace by 2,128.1% in the first quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 1,270 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 1,213 shares during the last quarter. 43.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Squarespace Company Profile

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Squarespace, Inc operates platform for businesses and independent creators to build online presence, grow their brands, and manage their businesses across the internet. Its suite of integrated products enables users to manage their projects and businesses through websites, domains, e-commerce, marketing tools, scheduling, and hospitality services, as well as tools for managing a social media presence.

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Allegion (NYSE:ALLE  Get Free Report) and Securitas AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:SCTBF  Get Free Report) are both industrial products companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, earnings, institutional ownership, risk, valuation, profitability and analyst recommendations.

Profitability

This table compares Allegion and Securitas AB (publ)s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Allegion 14.80% 51.95% 14.65% Securitas AB (publ) N/A N/A N/A

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Allegion and Securitas AB (publ), as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Allegion 0 5 1 0 2.17 Securitas AB (publ) 0 0 0 0 N/A

Insider and Institutional Ownership

Allegion presently has a consensus price target of $125.50, indicating a potential downside of 7.24%. Given Allegions higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe Allegion is more favorable than Securitas AB (publ).

92.2% of Allegion shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 35.4% of Securitas AB (publ) shares are held by institutional investors. 0.9% of Allegion shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Allegion and Securitas AB (publ)s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Allegion $3.65 billion 3.24 $540.40 million $6.12 22.11 Securitas AB (publ) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Allegion has higher revenue and earnings than Securitas AB (publ).

Summary

Allegion beats Securitas AB (publ) on 8 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

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.

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.

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Franco-Nevada (NYSE:FNV  Get Free Report) and Patten Energy Solutions Group (OTCMKTS:PTTN  Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, profitability, institutional ownership, risk, earnings, dividends and analyst recommendations.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Franco-Nevada and Patten Energy Solutions Group, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Franco-Nevada 1 5 5 0 2.36 Patten Energy Solutions Group 0 0 0 0 N/A

Franco-Nevada currently has a consensus price target of $147.30, suggesting a potential upside of 26.30%.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Franco-Nevada -38.26% 10.61% 10.26% Patten Energy Solutions Group N/A N/A N/A

Insider & Institutional Ownership

This table compares Franco-Nevada and Patten Energy Solutions Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

66.7% of Franco-Nevada shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.7% of Franco-Nevada shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 2.5% of Patten Energy Solutions Group shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Franco-Nevada and Patten Energy Solutions Groups revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Franco-Nevada $1.22 billion 18.39 -$466.40 million ($2.43) -48.00 Patten Energy Solutions Group N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Patten Energy Solutions Group has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Franco-Nevada.

Risk & Volatility

Franco-Nevada has a beta of 0.7, indicating that its stock price is 30% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Patten Energy Solutions Group has a beta of 1.5, indicating that its stock price is 50% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Franco-Nevada beats Patten Energy Solutions Group on 5 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Franco-Nevada

(Get Free Report)

Franco-Nevada Corporation operates as a gold-focused royalty and streaming company in Latin America, the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through Mining and Energy segments. The company manages its portfolio with a focus on precious metals, such as gold, silver, and platinum group metals; and engages in the sale of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids. The company was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

About Patten Energy Solutions Group

(Get Free Report)

Patten Energy Solutions Group, Inc., an exploration stage company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, mining, and production of energy and mineral properties. The company primarily explores for lithium carbonate and other minerals. It holds interests in a portfolio of properties covering approximately 31,020 acres located in the United States and Australia. Patten Energy Solutions Group, Inc. was founded in 2004 and is based in Dolton, Illinois.

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Lennar (NYSE:LEN  Free Report) had its price target hoisted by Citigroup from $170.00 to $179.00 in a report released on Monday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the construction companys stock.

A number of other research firms have also recently weighed in on LEN. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on shares of Lennar from $137.00 to $136.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 14th. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of Lennar in a research report on Monday, November 27th. They set a hold rating and a $117.00 price objective for the company. Raymond James increased their price objective on shares of Lennar from $150.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 19th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Lennar from $132.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of Lennar from $138.00 to $158.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 18th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Lennar presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $162.69.

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Lennar Stock Performance

Lennar stock opened at $165.32 on Monday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $154.67 and a 200-day simple moving average of $135.28. Lennar has a 1-year low of $100.95 and a 1-year high of $167.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a current ratio of 5.47 and a quick ratio of 1.27. The stock has a market cap of $46.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 1.52.

Lennar (NYSE:LEN  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 14th. The construction company reported $2.57 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.21 by $0.36. Lennar had a net margin of 11.59% and a return on equity of 15.90%. The business had revenue of $7.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.39 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.12 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 12.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect that Lennar will post 14.24 EPS for the current year.

Lennar Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 7th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 24th were issued a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.21%. This is a positive change from Lennars previous quarterly dividend of $0.38. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, January 23rd. Lennars dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 14.02%.

Insider Activity

In related news, CFO Diane J. Bessette sold 10,000 shares of Lennar stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $147.73, for a total transaction of $1,477,300.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 260,556 shares in the company, valued at approximately $38,491,937.88. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 9.36% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Lennar

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Lennar during the 3rd quarter worth $27,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Lennar during the 3rd quarter worth $28,000. BluePath Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Lennar during the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. Dagco Inc. purchased a new position in Lennar during the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Criterion Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Lennar during the 4th quarter worth $36,000. 79.87% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Lennar

(Get Free Report)

Lennar Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a homebuilder primarily under the Lennar brand in the United States. It operates through Homebuilding East, Homebuilding Central, Homebuilding Texas, Homebuilding West, Financial Services, Multifamily, and Lennar Other segments. The company's homebuilding operations include the construction and sale of single-family attached and detached homes, as well as the purchase, development, and sale of residential land; and development, construction, and management of multifamily rental properties.

Further Reading

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 22. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan has extended condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin following the tragic events at the Crocus City Hall concert hall in the Moscow region, where dozens of people lost their lives and sustained injuries, Trend reports.

In a statement released by the presidents press service, the letter notes that Uzbekistan strongly condemns this terrorist act against the civilians.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed heartfelt support to the loved ones of the victims, as well as wishes for a speedy recovery to all the injured.

The incident unfolded when unidentified individuals began shooting at Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, near Moscow, prompting evacuations, according to reports from Russian operational services.

Eyewitnesses reported that people dressed in camouflage attire fired shots from machine guns inside Crocus City Hall, just before the scheduled concert by the Picnic group.

The shooting resulted in the loss of 40 lives, with over 140 individuals sustaining injuries.
StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Southwestern Energy (NYSE:SWN  Free Report) in a research note published on Tuesday morning. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the energy companys stock.

Other equities analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of Southwestern Energy from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and boosted their price target for the company from $6.30 to $6.90 in a report on Wednesday, November 22nd. Susquehanna boosted their price objective on shares of Southwestern Energy from $6.50 to $7.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, March 4th. Seaport Res Ptn cut shares of Southwestern Energy from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. Stifel Nicolaus reaffirmed a hold rating and issued a $6.60 price objective (down from $8.50) on shares of Southwestern Energy in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of Southwestern Energy from $8.00 to $8.24 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, January 12th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $7.86.

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Southwestern Energy Stock Performance

Southwestern Energy stock opened at $7.29 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. Southwestern Energy has a 1 year low of $4.57 and a 1 year high of $7.69. The company has a market cap of $8.02 billion, a PE ratio of 5.17 and a beta of 1.12. The companys 50-day moving average is $6.74 and its two-hundred day moving average is $6.67.

Southwestern Energy (NYSE:SWN  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 22nd. The energy company reported $0.17 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.13 by $0.04. Southwestern Energy had a net margin of 23.87% and a return on equity of 11.74%. The business had revenue of $1.69 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.29 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.26 EPS. Southwestern Energys revenue for the quarter was down 49.9% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts anticipate that Southwestern Energy will post 0.71 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Southwestern Energy by 5,710.7% during the 3rd quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 683,045 shares of the energy companys stock worth $4,406,000 after purchasing an additional 671,290 shares in the last quarter. Kimmeridge Energy Management Company LLC acquired a new position in shares of Southwestern Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $120,352,000. Barclays PLC grew its position in shares of Southwestern Energy by 880.7% during the 2nd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 3,687,939 shares of the energy companys stock worth $22,165,000 after purchasing an additional 3,311,880 shares in the last quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group lifted its holdings in shares of Southwestern Energy by 16.0% during the 3rd quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 2,180,461 shares of the energy companys stock worth $14,064,000 after acquiring an additional 300,574 shares during the period. Finally, TD Asset Management Inc lifted its holdings in shares of Southwestern Energy by 123.4% during the 3rd quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 519,600 shares of the energy companys stock worth $3,351,000 after acquiring an additional 287,000 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.00% of the companys stock.

About Southwestern Energy

(Get Free Report)

Southwestern Energy Company, an independent energy company, engages in the exploration, development, and production of natural gas, oil, and natural gas liquids (NGLs) in the United States. It operates through two segments, Exploration and Production, and Marketing. The company focuses on the development of unconventional natural gas and oil reservoirs located in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and Louisiana.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Wabash National (NYSE:WNC  Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report released on Tuesday.

Wabash National Trading Down 0.8 %

NYSE:WNC opened at $28.33 on Tuesday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $26.34 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $23.93. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.89 and a beta of 1.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a current ratio of 1.93. Wabash National has a 1 year low of $20.09 and a 1 year high of $29.13.

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Wabash National (NYSE:WNC  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $1.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.89 by $0.18. Wabash National had a return on equity of 46.87% and a net margin of 9.12%. The firm had revenue of $596.10 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $633.68 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.84 earnings per share. Wabash Nationals revenue was down 9.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Wabash National will post 2.19 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wabash National Dividend Announcement

Insider Transactions at Wabash National

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 25th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 4th will be issued a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 3rd. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.13%. Wabash Nationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 6.65%.

In other news, Director Priyadarshi Sudhanshu sold 1,010 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.06, for a total value of $27,330.60. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 6,386 shares in the company, valued at approximately $172,805.16. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Wabash National news, Director Larry J. Magee sold 3,086 shares of Wabash National stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $26.50, for a total transaction of $81,779.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 114,146 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,024,869. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Priyadarshi Sudhanshu sold 1,010 shares of Wabash National stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.06, for a total value of $27,330.60. Following the sale, the director now owns 6,386 shares in the company, valued at $172,805.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.13% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Wabash National

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in Wabash National by 12.3% during the 4th quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 84,807 shares of the companys stock worth $2,173,000 after purchasing an additional 9,294 shares during the last quarter. Hennessy Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Wabash National in the 4th quarter worth approximately $3,010,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Wabash National by 30.0% in the 4th quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 517,085 shares of the companys stock worth $13,248,000 after acquiring an additional 119,250 shares in the last quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV boosted its position in Wabash National by 19.4% during the 4th quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 15,002 shares of the companys stock valued at $384,000 after purchasing an additional 2,440 shares during the period. Finally, Virtus Investment Advisers Inc. boosted its position in Wabash National by 305.0% during the 4th quarter. Virtus Investment Advisers Inc. now owns 26,424 shares of the companys stock valued at $677,000 after purchasing an additional 19,900 shares during the period. 97.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Wabash National

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Wabash National Corporation provides connected solutions for the transportation, logistics, and distribution industries primarily in the United States. The company operates through two segments, Transportation Solutions and Parts & Services. The Transportation Solutions segment designs and manufactures transportation-related equipment and products dry and refrigerated van trailers, platform trailers, tank trailers, and truck-mounted tanks; truck bodies for dry-freight transportation; cargo and cargo XL bodies for commercial applications; refrigerated truck bodies; platform truck bodies; and used trailers, as well as laminated hardwood oak flooring products.

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Vistra (NYSE:VST  Free Report) had its price target increased by Evercore ISI from $42.00 to $72.00 in a report released on Monday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have an outperform rating on the stock.

Several other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on VST. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of Vistra from $40.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on shares of Vistra from $52.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, March 4th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $52.50.

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Vistra Stock Performance

Vistra Increases Dividend

Shares of VST opened at $68.36 on Monday. The firms 50 day moving average is $48.94 and its 200-day moving average is $39.74. The stock has a market capitalization of $23.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.09, a P/E/G ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.26, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 1.11. Vistra has a 12-month low of $22.67 and a 12-month high of $69.25.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 20th will be given a $0.215 dividend. This is an increase from Vistras previous quarterly dividend of $0.21. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 19th. This represents a $0.86 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.26%. Vistras dividend payout ratio is presently 24.02%.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Carrie Lee Kirby sold 72,748 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.63, for a total transaction of $4,556,207.24. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 184,201 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,536,508.63. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Stephanie Zapata Moore sold 98,020 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $58.50, for a total value of $5,734,170.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 161,888 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,470,448. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Carrie Lee Kirby sold 72,748 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.63, for a total transaction of $4,556,207.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 184,201 shares in the company, valued at $11,536,508.63. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 257,285 shares of company stock worth $15,404,397. 1.36% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Vistra

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of VST. Comerica Bank lifted its holdings in shares of Vistra by 90.4% during the 3rd quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 327,520 shares of the companys stock worth $10,867,000 after acquiring an additional 155,533 shares during the period. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Vistra by 323.6% during the 3rd quarter. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd now owns 4,554 shares of the companys stock worth $151,000 after acquiring an additional 3,479 shares during the period. Gotham Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Vistra by 166.8% during the 3rd quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC now owns 189,443 shares of the companys stock worth $6,286,000 after acquiring an additional 118,426 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new position in Vistra during the 3rd quarter valued at about $3,703,000. Finally, Sei Investments Co. lifted its holdings in Vistra by 30.0% during the 3rd quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 479,480 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,909,000 after purchasing an additional 110,555 shares during the last quarter. 91.31% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Vistra

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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.

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Equities researchers at Barclays assumed coverage on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE:TD  Get Free Report) (TSE:TD) in a research note issued on Wednesday, MarketBeat.com reports. The brokerage set an equal weight rating on the banks stock.

Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Scotiabank downgraded shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from a sector outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. They set a hold rating for the company. StockNews.com raised shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, December 4th. Bank of America downgraded shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, December 18th. Finally, CIBC cut shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from a sector outperform rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 22nd. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Toronto-Dominion Bank presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $89.33.

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Toronto-Dominion Bank Stock Performance

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Toronto-Dominion Bank

Toronto-Dominion Bank stock opened at $60.21 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09. The company has a market capitalization of $106.29 billion, a PE ratio of 12.87, a P/E/G ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 0.86. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $59.99 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $60.33. Toronto-Dominion Bank has a twelve month low of $54.69 and a twelve month high of $66.15.

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank grew its holdings in Toronto-Dominion Bank by 100.0% in the third quarter. Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank now owns 16,780 shares of the banks stock worth $1,011,000 after purchasing an additional 8,390 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank by 6.5% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 6,458,708 shares of the banks stock valued at $402,207,000 after buying an additional 395,289 shares during the last quarter. Barometer Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank by 84.4% during the third quarter. Barometer Capital Management Inc. now owns 160,078 shares of the banks stock valued at $9,646,000 after buying an additional 73,274 shares during the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank grew its holdings in shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank by 18.9% during the third quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 624,298 shares of the banks stock valued at $37,786,000 after buying an additional 99,373 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Van ECK Associates Corp grew its holdings in shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank by 9.2% during the third quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 260,770 shares of the banks stock valued at $15,717,000 after buying an additional 21,989 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 51.52% of the companys stock.

Toronto-Dominion Bank Company Profile

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The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, U.S. Retail, Wealth Management and Insurance, and Wholesale Banking.

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Shares of Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE:BRO  Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of Hold from the ten research firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have assigned a hold recommendation and five have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $84.40.

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective on shares of Brown & Brown from $70.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Brown & Brown from $87.00 to $95.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday. UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Brown & Brown from $75.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th. Raymond James lifted their price target on shares of Brown & Brown from $80.00 to $90.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of Brown & Brown from $85.00 to $92.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Brown & Brown

In other Brown & Brown news, Chairman Hyatt J. Brown sold 144,323 shares of Brown & Brown stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $85.96, for a total transaction of $12,406,005.08. Following the sale, the chairman now owns 37,460,605 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,220,113,605.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website . 17.02% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Clear Street Markets LLC raised its holdings in shares of Brown & Brown by 93.7% during the 1st quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC now owns 461 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 223 shares during the period. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. purchased a new position in shares of Brown & Brown during the 2nd quarter worth $26,000. West Tower Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Brown & Brown during the 2nd quarter worth $27,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC purchased a new position in shares of Brown & Brown during the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Park Place Capital Corp raised its holdings in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 318 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.33% of the companys stock.

Brown & Brown Price Performance

Shares of NYSE BRO opened at $86.04 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $24.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.12, a PEG ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 0.78. Brown & Brown has a 12 month low of $54.24 and a 12 month high of $87.00. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $81.15 and its 200-day simple moving average is $75.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 1.95 and a quick ratio of 1.95.

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. The business had revenue of $1.03 billion for the quarter. Brown & Brown had a net margin of 20.44% and a return on equity of 15.46%. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.50 EPS. Analysts expect that Brown & Brown will post 3.29 EPS for the current year.

Brown & Brown Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 2nd were paid a dividend of $0.13 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 1st. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.60%. Brown & Browns dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 16.99%.

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.

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Shares of Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN  Get Free Report) have been assigned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the twenty-two analysts that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and fourteen have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $383.27.

ACN has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Citigroup upped their price target on shares of Accenture from $385.00 to $430.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, March 15th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $374.00 target price on shares of Accenture in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. UBS Group upped their price objective on Accenture from $365.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Susquehanna restated a neutral rating and issued a $360.00 target price (down previously from $400.00) on shares of Accenture in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Mizuho started coverage on shares of Accenture in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. They set a buy rating and a $426.00 target price for the company.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Accenture

Insider Transactions at Accenture

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Accenture

In related news, CEO Manish Sharma sold 1,486 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $370.39, for a total transaction of $550,399.54. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 4,503 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,667,866.17. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . In other Accenture news, CEO Manish Sharma sold 1,486 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $370.39, for a total transaction of $550,399.54. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 4,503 shares in the company, valued at $1,667,866.17. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . Also, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,000 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction on Friday, January 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $371.81, for a total value of $1,859,050.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 20,316 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,553,691.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last three months, insiders have sold 26,000 shares of company stock valued at $9,549,498. 0.07% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in ACN. United Bank lifted its stake in shares of Accenture by 6.3% in the 1st quarter. United Bank now owns 2,969 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $1,001,000 after acquiring an additional 176 shares during the last quarter. Weitz Investment Management Inc. raised its position in Accenture by 1.3% in the first quarter. Weitz Investment Management Inc. now owns 89,400 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $30,148,000 after purchasing an additional 1,168 shares during the last quarter. Fund Management at Engine No. 1 LLC bought a new stake in shares of Accenture during the first quarter worth about $1,805,000. Guardian Wealth Management Inc. raised its holdings in Accenture by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Guardian Wealth Management Inc. now owns 7,292 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $2,459,000 after buying an additional 41 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Clearbridge Investments LLC boosted its position in Accenture by 104.8% during the 1st quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 441,451 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $148,871,000 after buying an additional 225,943 shares during the period. 70.42% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Accenture Stock Down 9.3 %

Shares of ACN stock opened at $344.92 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $216.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.51 and a beta of 1.20. Accenture has a 12-month low of $253.03 and a 12-month high of $387.51. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $370.63 and a 200-day moving average of $339.96.

Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 21st. The information technology services provider reported $2.77 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.66 by $0.11. Accenture had a return on equity of 29.08% and a net margin of 10.65%. The company had revenue of $15.80 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.85 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.69 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that Accenture will post 12.2 earnings per share for the current year.

Accenture Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, April 11th will be paid a $1.29 dividend. This represents a $5.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.50%. Accentures dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 47.82%.

About Accenture

(Get Free Report

Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management; intelligent automation comprising robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents; and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprising turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services.

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Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG  Get Free Report) VP Joel D. Cavaness sold 1,207 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $255.20, for a total value of $308,026.40. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 2,023 shares of the companys stock, valued at $516,269.60. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE AJG opened at $250.30 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The firms 50-day moving average price is $241.31 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $236.99. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has a 52-week low of $179.97 and a 52-week high of $256.10. The stock has a market capitalization of $54.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 56.37, a P/E/G ratio of 2.42 and a beta of 0.68.

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Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The financial services provider reported $1.85 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.83 by $0.02. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. had a net margin of 9.63% and a return on equity of 18.49%. The company had revenue of $2.39 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.40 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.54 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. will post 10.12 earnings per share for the current year.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Increases Dividend

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 15th. Investors of record on Friday, March 1st were paid a dividend of $0.60 per share. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.96%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 29th. This is a positive change from Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.s previous quarterly dividend of $0.55. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 54.05%.

Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. Truist Financial increased their price target on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $270.00 to $290.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 14th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $270.00 price objective on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in a research report on Friday, January 26th. TD Cowen initiated coverage on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. They issued a market perform rating and a $249.00 price objective for the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price objective on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $249.00 to $246.00 and set an underperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group cut shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from a buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $279.00 to $233.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $255.62.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 3.7% during the third quarter. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,325 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $302,000 after acquiring an additional 47 shares during the period. Guinness Atkinson Asset Management Inc increased its stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 7.4% during the third quarter. Guinness Atkinson Asset Management Inc now owns 3,913 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $892,000 after acquiring an additional 268 shares during the period. Comerica Bank acquired a new position in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in the second quarter worth approximately $511,910,000. State Street Corp grew its position in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 3.0% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 8,940,318 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,963,026,000 after buying an additional 262,187 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Rafferty Asset Management LLC grew its position in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 5.3% in the third quarter. Rafferty Asset Management LLC now owns 72,328 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $16,486,000 after buying an additional 3,633 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.15% of the companys stock.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance and reinsurance brokerage, consulting, and third-party property/casualty claims settlement and administration services to entities and individuals worldwide. It operates in Brokerage and Risk Management segments. The Brokerage segment offers retail and wholesale insurance and reinsurance brokerage services; assists retail brokers and other non-affiliated brokers in the placement of specialized and hard-to-place insurance; and acts as a brokerage wholesaler, managing general agent, and managing general underwriter for distributing specialized insurance coverages to underwriting enterprises.

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Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. lessened its stake in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IWS  Free Report) by 9.8% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 19,979 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,163 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc.s holdings in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF were worth $2,323,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Retirement Income Solutions Inc boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF by 360.7% in the 1st quarter. Retirement Income Solutions Inc now owns 13,715 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,641,000 after acquiring an additional 10,738 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 47,018 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,625,000 after acquiring an additional 412 shares during the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $16,029,000. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its stake in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF by 8.5% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 26,129 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,126,000 after purchasing an additional 2,055 shares during the period. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF by 2.6% in the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 160,775 shares of the companys stock valued at $19,235,000 after purchasing an additional 4,061 shares during the period.

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iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF Price Performance

IWS opened at $123.85 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $117.55 and a 200 day moving average price of $111.07. iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF has a 1 year low of $97.40 and a 1 year high of $124.17. The stock has a market cap of $14.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.62 and a beta of 1.08.

iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF Company Profile

iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell Midcap Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell Midcap Value Index (the Value Index). The Value Index measures the performance of the mid-capitalization value sector of the United States equity market.

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Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. lowered its holdings in Veeva Systems Inc. (NYSE:VEEV  Free Report) by 2.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 8,151 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 180 shares during the quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc.s holdings in Veeva Systems were worth $1,569,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. OFI Invest Asset Management purchased a new position in shares of Veeva Systems in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Rise Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Veeva Systems by 424.0% in the 3rd quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 131 shares of the technology companys stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 106 shares during the period. Operose Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Veeva Systems in the 3rd quarter worth about $29,000. Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Veeva Systems in the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, First Pacific Advisors LP purchased a new position in Veeva Systems during the 2nd quarter valued at about $35,000. 80.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Veeva Systems Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:VEEV opened at $231.74 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $37.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 71.97, a P/E/G ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 0.74. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $217.54 and a 200 day moving average price of $201.77. Veeva Systems Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $160.21 and a fifty-two week high of $236.90.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Veeva Systems from $240.00 to $264.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. StockNews.com lowered Veeva Systems from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 13th. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on Veeva Systems from $187.00 to $203.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on Veeva Systems from $225.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, March 4th. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on shares of Veeva Systems from $240.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $231.90.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on VEEV

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Alan Mateo sold 910 shares of Veeva Systems stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $204.72, for a total value of $186,295.20. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 21,983 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,500,359.76. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, EVP Alan Mateo sold 910 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $204.72, for a total transaction of $186,295.20. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 21,983 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,500,359.76. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Matthew J. Wallach sold 5,000 shares of Veeva Systems stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $186.05, for a total value of $930,250.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 109,025 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $20,284,101.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 29,539 shares of company stock worth $6,227,083 in the last 90 days. 10.98% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Veeva Systems Profile

(Free Report)

Veeva Systems Inc provides cloud-based software for the life sciences industry. It offers Veeva Commercial Cloud, a suite of software and data solutions, such as Veeva customer relationship management (CRM) that enable customer-facing employees at pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies; Veeva Vault PromoMats, an end-to-end content and digital asset management solution; Veeva Vault Medical that provides source of medical content across multiple channels and geographies; Veeva Crossix, an analytics platform for pharmaceutical brands; Veeva OpenData, a customer reference data solution; Veeva Link, a data application that allows link to generate real-time intelligence; and Veeva Compass includes de-identified and longitudinal patient data for the United States.

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Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. decreased its stake in shares of Invesco Taxable Municipal Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:BAB  Free Report) by 15.9% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 47,098 shares of the companys stock after selling 8,886 shares during the quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc.s holdings in Invesco Taxable Municipal Bond ETF were worth $1,267,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in BAB. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC increased its position in shares of Invesco Taxable Municipal Bond ETF by 4,785.0% during the second quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 977 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 957 shares in the last quarter. Almanack Investment Partners LLC. bought a new position in Invesco Taxable Municipal Bond ETF in the third quarter valued at $30,000. Concourse Financial Group Securities Inc. grew its position in Invesco Taxable Municipal Bond ETF by 68.8% in the third quarter. Concourse Financial Group Securities Inc. now owns 1,396 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 569 shares in the last quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. bought a new position in Invesco Taxable Municipal Bond ETF in the first quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, FMR LLC grew its position in Invesco Taxable Municipal Bond ETF by 878.9% in the second quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,302 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 1,169 shares in the last quarter.

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Invesco Taxable Municipal Bond ETF Stock Up 0.1 %

Invesco Taxable Municipal Bond ETF stock opened at $26.35 on Friday. Invesco Taxable Municipal Bond ETF has a 1-year low of $24.29 and a 1-year high of $27.33. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $26.58 and a 200 day simple moving average of $26.03.

Invesco Taxable Municipal Bond ETF Profile

PowerShares Build America Bond Portfolio (the Fund) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of an index called The BofA Merrill Lynch Build America Bond Index (the Index). The Fund will normally invests at least 80% of its total assets in the securities that comprise the Index.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 22. The toll rises to 40 fatalities and over 100 injuries following a devastating shooting incident at Crocus City Hall, Trend reports.

21:59 (GMT +4) An unidentified assailant initiated gunfire at Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, located near Moscow, prompting ongoing evacuation efforts.

Eyewitnesses recount an individual clad in camouflage unleashing a barrage of gunfire from a machine gun within Crocus City Hall, occurring prior to the scheduled performance by the Picnic group.

Amid the chaos, around 50 individuals have sustained injuries, with the death toll surpassing 15 in the aftermath of the Crocus City Hall shooting.

Will be updated
Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSEAMERICAN:BHB  Get Free Report) CEO Curtis C. Simard acquired 759 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 19th. The shares were bought at an average price of $24.80 per share, for a total transaction of $18,823.20. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 97,402 shares in the company, valued at $2,415,569.60. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link.

Bar Harbor Bankshares Trading Up 1.4 %

Shares of Bar Harbor Bankshares stock opened at $25.88 on Friday. Bar Harbor Bankshares has a 12-month low of $19.55 and a 12-month high of $30.37. The company has a current ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. The company has a market cap of $393.12 million, a PE ratio of 8.56 and a beta of 0.73.

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Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSEAMERICAN:BHB  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The financial services provider reported $0.68 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.67 by $0.01. Bar Harbor Bankshares had a return on equity of 10.92% and a net margin of 21.36%. The business had revenue of $37.64 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $37.40 million. On average, equities research analysts expect that Bar Harbor Bankshares will post 2.74 EPS for the current year.

Bar Harbor Bankshares Announces Dividend

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 15th were given a dividend of $0.28 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 14th. This represents a $1.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.33%. Bar Harbor Banksharess payout ratio is presently 37.97%.

Separately, TheStreet cut Bar Harbor Bankshares from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Monday, March 11th.

View Our Latest Report on BHB

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Bar Harbor Bankshares

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. American Century Companies Inc. raised its stake in shares of Bar Harbor Bankshares by 98.1% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 71,543 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,828,000 after acquiring an additional 35,436 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can bought a new position in shares of Bar Harbor Bankshares during the first quarter valued at $972,000. State Street Corp raised its stake in shares of Bar Harbor Bankshares by 9.9% during the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 337,092 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $8,916,000 after acquiring an additional 30,417 shares during the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company raised its stake in shares of Bar Harbor Bankshares by 6.8% during the first quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 452,043 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $12,937,000 after acquiring an additional 28,851 shares during the last quarter. Finally, FMR LLC raised its stake in shares of Bar Harbor Bankshares by 2.3% during the second quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,103,143 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $28,527,000 after acquiring an additional 25,119 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 53.62% of the companys stock.

Bar Harbor Bankshares Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Bar Harbor Bankshares operates as the holding company for Bar Harbor Bank & Trust that provides banking and nonbanking products and services primarily to consumers and businesses. It accepts various deposit products, including interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing demand accounts, savings accounts, time deposits, and money market deposit accounts, as well as certificates of deposit.

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Joule Financial LLC bought a new stake in Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK  Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 2,389 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $232,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its stake in shares of Duke Energy by 4.6% in the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 23,010,030 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,030,865,000 after purchasing an additional 1,002,157 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Duke Energy by 3.2% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 14,863,706 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,330,739,000 after acquiring an additional 464,754 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley grew its position in Duke Energy by 4.9% during the third quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 10,468,016 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $923,907,000 after buying an additional 492,011 shares during the period. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its position in Duke Energy by 2.7% during the second quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 9,635,102 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $864,652,000 after purchasing an additional 257,665 shares during the period. Finally, Capital Research Global Investors boosted its position in Duke Energy by 21.3% during the second 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 period. 63.68% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on DUK shares. Evercore ISI raised shares of Duke Energy from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and raised their target price for the company from $90.00 to $108.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price objective on Duke Energy from $101.00 to $100.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 12th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on Duke Energy from $103.00 to $100.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Duke Energy from $98.00 to $101.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. Finally, Bank of America lowered Duke Energy from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $105.00 to $96.00 in a research report on Monday, February 12th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $100.00.

Insider Transactions at Duke Energy

In other news, EVP Louis E. Renjel sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.57, for a total value of $277,710.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 14,213 shares in the company, valued at $1,315,697.41. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.10% of the companys stock.

Duke Energy Stock Down 0.5 %

NYSE DUK opened at $94.96 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50. Duke Energy Co. has a 52 week low of $83.06 and a 52 week high of $100.39. The firm has a market capitalization of $73.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.75, a PEG ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a fifty day moving average of $94.31 and a two-hundred day moving average of $92.68.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK  Get Free Report) last posted 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). Duke Energy had a net margin of 9.78% and a return on equity of 8.93%. The firm had revenue of $7.21 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.24 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.11 EPS. The companys revenue was down 1.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that Duke Energy Co. will post 5.98 earnings per share for the current year.

Duke Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 18th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 16th were given a dividend of $1.025 per share. This represents a $4.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.32%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 15th. Duke Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 115.49%.

About Duke Energy

(Free Report)

Duke Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company in the United States. It operates through two segments: Electric Utilities and Infrastructure (EU&I), and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure (GU&I). The EU&I segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity in the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest.

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Commercial Metals (NYSE:CMC  Get Free Report) announced its earnings results on Thursday. The basic materials company reported $0.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.93 by ($0.05), Briefing.com reports. The business had revenue of $1.85 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.80 billion. Commercial Metals had a net margin of 9.03% and a return on equity of 19.89%. The companys revenue was down 8.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.44 EPS.

Commercial Metals Trading Up 5.4 %

CMC opened at $59.01 on Friday. Commercial Metals has a twelve month low of $39.85 and a twelve month high of $59.81. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $52.97 and a 200 day simple moving average of $49.32. The company has a quick ratio of 2.81, a current ratio of 4.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.02 and a beta of 1.32.

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Commercial Metals Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 10th. Investors of record on Monday, April 1st will be given a dividend of $0.18 per share. This is a boost from Commercial Metalss previous quarterly dividend of $0.16. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 28th. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.22%. Commercial Metalss dividend payout ratio is currently 9.79%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on shares of Commercial Metals from $50.00 to $52.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 9th. UBS Group assumed coverage on shares of Commercial Metals in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. They issued a buy rating and a $65.00 target price for the company. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $56.25.

View Our Latest Report on Commercial Metals

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Chairman Barbara Smith sold 142,806 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.89, for a total transaction of $7,124,591.34. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now owns 213,379 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,645,478.31. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, CAO Lindsay L. Sloan sold 600 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.52, for a total value of $30,912.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 12,338 shares of the companys stock, valued at $635,653.76. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Chairman Barbara Smith sold 142,806 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.89, for a total transaction of $7,124,591.34. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 213,379 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,645,478.31. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 284,385 shares of company stock valued at $14,317,006 over the last quarter. 1.00% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Natixis Advisors L.P. increased its stake in shares of Commercial Metals by 12.5% in the first quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 12,638 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $526,000 after buying an additional 1,402 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can increased its stake in shares of Commercial Metals by 14.9% in the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 13,282 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $547,000 after buying an additional 1,727 shares during the period. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS increased its stake in shares of Commercial Metals by 11.4% in the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 44,522 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,853,000 after buying an additional 4,540 shares during the period. APG Asset Management N.V. acquired a new position in shares of Commercial Metals in the first quarter valued at approximately $2,188,000. Finally, Great West Life Assurance Co. Can increased its stake in shares of Commercial Metals by 9.9% in the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 69,545 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $2,980,000 after buying an additional 6,259 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 82.64% of the companys stock.

Commercial Metals Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Commercial Metals Company manufactures, recycles, and fabricates steel and metal products, and related materials and services in the United States, Poland, China, and internationally. It operates through two segments, North America and Europe. The company processes and sells ferrous and nonferrous scrap metals to steel mills and foundries, aluminum sheet and ingot manufacturers, brass and bronze ingot makers, copper refineries and mills, secondary lead smelters, specialty steel mills, high temperature alloy manufacturers, and other consumers.

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17 Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (BATS:QUAL  Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 3,023 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $445,000.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC acquired a new position in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF during the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. NBC Securities Inc. acquired a new position in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF during the 3rd quarter worth about $26,000. Signaturefd LLC lifted its stake in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 1,414.3% during the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 212 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 198 shares in the last quarter. Patriot Investment Management Group Inc. acquired a new position in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF during the 4th quarter worth about $35,000.

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iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF Trading Up 0.3 %

QUAL opened at $165.37 on Friday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $156.89 and its 200 day moving average price is $145.00. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF has a 12-month low of $71.96 and a 12-month high of $88.63. The firm has a market cap of $37.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.30 and a beta of 1.03.

About iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF

The iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality index. The fund tracks an index of US large- and mid-cap stocks, selected and weighted by high ROE, stable earnings growth and low debt\u002Fequity, relative to peers in each sector.

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ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE:ZTO  Get Free Report) announced an annual dividend on Wednesday, March 20th, Zacks reports. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 10th will be paid a dividend of 0.61 per share by the transportation company on Monday, April 29th. This represents a dividend yield of 2.82%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, April 9th.

ZTO Express (Cayman) Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:ZTO opened at $21.65 on Friday. ZTO Express has a fifty-two week low of $15.90 and a fifty-two week high of $30.05. The business has a 50-day moving average of $18.74 and a two-hundred day moving average of $21.41. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.63, a P/E/G ratio of 0.80 and a beta of -0.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.17.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. Bank of America raised ZTO Express (Cayman) from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $22.00 to $29.00 in a research report on Thursday. StockNews.com cut ZTO Express (Cayman) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. HSBC cut their price objective on ZTO Express (Cayman) from $32.00 to $30.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on ZTO Express (Cayman) from $37.00 to $30.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $32.00.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On ZTO Express (Cayman)

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Wetherby Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) by 3.8% in the 1st quarter. Wetherby Asset Management Inc. now owns 10,147 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $291,000 after purchasing an additional 374 shares during the period. Creative Planning increased its holdings in ZTO Express (Cayman) by 5.3% during the 4th quarter. Creative Planning now owns 9,009 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $242,000 after purchasing an additional 452 shares in the last quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. increased its holdings in ZTO Express (Cayman) by 26.2% during the 4th quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 2,248 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $61,000 after purchasing an additional 466 shares in the last quarter. M&T Bank Corp increased its holdings in ZTO Express (Cayman) by 4.7% during the 3rd quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 12,198 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $293,000 after purchasing an additional 544 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ethic Inc. increased its holdings in ZTO Express (Cayman) by 6.8% during the 1st quarter. Ethic Inc. now owns 11,456 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $328,000 after purchasing an additional 729 shares in the last quarter. 41.68% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

ZTO Express (Cayman) Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc provides express delivery and other value-added logistics services in the People's Republic of China. It offers freight forwarding services; and delivery services for e-commerce and traditional merchants, and other express service users. The company was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Shanghai, the People's Republic of China.

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Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Get Free Report)s stock had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at Mizuho in a note issued to investors on Friday, Benzinga reports. They presently have a $398.00 price target on the information technology services providers stock, down from their previous price target of $426.00. Mizuhos price objective would indicate a potential upside of 16.17% from the companys previous close.

Several other research firms also recently commented on ACN. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Accenture from $365.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Accenture from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $440.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 17th. Wedbush upped their price objective on shares of Accenture from $330.00 to $360.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. Redburn Atlantic upped their price objective on shares of Accenture from $410.00 to $445.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $374.00 price objective on shares of Accenture in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $382.00.

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Read Our Latest Stock Report on Accenture

Accenture Stock Down 0.7 %

NYSE ACN traded down $2.43 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $342.60. 660,871 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,098,659. The company has a 50 day moving average of $370.63 and a two-hundred day moving average of $339.96. Accenture has a 52-week low of $259.30 and a 52-week high of $387.51. The firm has a market cap of $214.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.75, a PEG ratio of 3.53 and a beta of 1.20.

Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 21st. The information technology services provider reported $2.77 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.66 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $15.80 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.85 billion. Accenture had a net margin of 10.65% and a return on equity of 29.08%. The companys revenue was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.69 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Accenture will post 12.2 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Accenture news, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, January 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $371.81, for a total value of $1,859,050.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 20,316 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,553,691.96. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $371.81, for a total value of $1,859,050.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 20,316 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,553,691.96. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, General Counsel Joel Unruch sold 4,333 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $371.83, for a total transaction of $1,611,139.39. Following the sale, the general counsel now owns 34,795 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,937,824.85. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 26,000 shares of company stock valued at $9,549,498. Company insiders own 0.07% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in Accenture by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 59,083,383 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $20,732,950,000 after buying an additional 649,358 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its stake in shares of Accenture by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 26,644,296 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $8,221,897,000 after purchasing an additional 190,412 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley increased its stake in shares of Accenture by 14.9% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 16,642,841 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $4,440,976,000 after purchasing an additional 2,163,582 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Accenture by 4.4% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 13,316,028 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $4,089,485,000 after buying an additional 565,505 shares during the period. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its holdings in shares of Accenture by 7.0% during the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 11,034,666 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $3,388,856,000 after buying an additional 720,647 shares during the period. 70.42% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Accenture

(Get Free Report)

Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management; intelligent automation comprising robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents; and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprising turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services.

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California Resources (NYSE:CRC  Get Free Report) had its price objective cut by research analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from $72.00 to $68.00 in a report issued on Friday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a buy rating on the oil and gas producers stock. Stifel Nicolaus price objective would indicate a potential upside of 25.23% from the stocks previous close.

Several other brokerages also recently weighed in on CRC. Mizuho cut their target price on shares of California Resources from $69.00 to $63.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $70.00 price objective on shares of California Resources in a research report on Wednesday, March 6th. Finally, Bank of America downgraded shares of California Resources from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their target price for the company from $64.00 to $60.00 in a research report on Friday, January 5th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $63.67.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on California Resources

California Resources Price Performance

CRC traded down $1.78 on Friday, reaching $54.30. 65,319 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 997,685. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a current ratio of 1.51 and a quick ratio of 1.39. The stock has a market cap of $3.76 billion, a PE ratio of 7.03 and a beta of 1.02. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $52.05 and its 200-day moving average price is $52.96. California Resources has a twelve month low of $35.19 and a twelve month high of $58.44.

California Resources (NYSE:CRC  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.93 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.01 by ($0.08). California Resources had a net margin of 20.14% and a return on equity of 17.57%. The firm had revenue of $726.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $553.47 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.24 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 6.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that California Resources will post 5.11 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of California Resources

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in CRC. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its stake in shares of California Resources by 47.1% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 160,038 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $7,159,000 after acquiring an additional 51,208 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of California Resources in the 1st quarter worth $452,000. Citigroup Inc. lifted its stake in shares of California Resources by 13.2% in the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 64,788 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $2,898,000 after acquiring an additional 7,572 shares during the period. Acadian Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of California Resources in the 1st quarter worth $305,000. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of California Resources by 53.7% in the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 44,629 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $1,996,000 after acquiring an additional 15,587 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.79% of the companys stock.

California Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

California Resources Corporation operates as an independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company in the United States. The company explores, produces, and markets crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids for marketers, California refineries, and other purchasers that have access to transportation and storage facilities.

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Galvin Gaustad & Stein LLC reduced its holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG  Free Report) by 0.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 234,077 shares of the companys stock after selling 563 shares during the quarter. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF comprises 2.2% of Galvin Gaustad & Stein LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 11th biggest holding. Galvin Gaustad & Stein LLCs holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF were worth $23,232,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AGG. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust lifted its holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 191.1% in the 2nd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 294 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 193 shares in the last quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF in the third quarter worth about $34,000. First Manhattan Co. boosted its holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 697.9% in the 4th quarter. First Manhattan Co. now owns 375 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 328 shares during the period. VitalStone Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF in the second quarter valued at $38,000. Finally, Worth Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF during the first quarter valued at about $44,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.21% of the companys stock.

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iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Stock Up 0.1 %

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF stock opened at $97.50 on Friday. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF has a 12 month low of $91.58 and a 12 month high of $100.98. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $97.80 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $96.31.

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.

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General Electric (NYSE:GE  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Friday . The stock traded as high as $177.48 and last traded at $177.43, with a volume of 851943 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $176.64.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have issued reports on GE. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of General Electric from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and increased their target price for the stock from $166.00 to $180.00 in a research note on Friday, March 8th. Oppenheimer restated a market perform rating on shares of General Electric in a research report on Tuesday, March 5th. Barclays lifted their price target on General Electric from $153.00 to $181.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. StockNews.com began coverage on General Electric in a research report on Wednesday. They set a hold rating for the company. Finally, Citigroup boosted their target price on General Electric from $135.00 to $148.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, December 11th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, General Electric currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $146.54.

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General Electric Trading Up 0.2 %

The company has a fifty day moving average price of $146.89 and a 200-day moving average price of $127.16. The company has a current ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The firm has a market cap of $193.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.10, a PEG ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 1.28.

General Electric (NYSE:GE  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The conglomerate reported $1.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $19.42 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.27 billion. General Electric had a net margin of 13.95% and a return on equity of 10.88%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 15.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.24 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that General Electric will post 4.57 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 13,601 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.55, for a total value of $1,843,615.55. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 48,339 shares in the company, valued at $6,552,351.45. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 22,055 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.87, for a total transaction of $3,195,107.85. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 56,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,153,863.08. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 13,601 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.55, for a total value of $1,843,615.55. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 48,339 shares in the company, valued at $6,552,351.45. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.67% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On General Electric

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Sei Investments Co. boosted its position in General Electric by 10.0% during the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 305,384 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $27,925,000 after purchasing an additional 27,682 shares in the last quarter. Prudential PLC acquired a new stake in General Electric during the 1st quarter valued at $1,518,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of General Electric by 2.9% in the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 11,748 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $1,075,000 after acquiring an additional 334 shares during the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in General Electric in the 1st quarter valued at about $388,000. Finally, West Family Investments Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of General Electric during the first quarter worth about $230,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.83% of the companys stock.

About General Electric

(Get Free Report)

General Electric Company operates as a high-tech industrial company in Europe, China, Asia, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa. It offers gas and steam turbines, full balance of plant, upgrade, and service solutions, as well as data-leveraging software for power generation, industrial, government, and other customers.

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Asio Capital LLC cut its holdings in shares of Laboratory Co. of America Holdings (NYSE:LH  Free Report) by 18.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 12,128 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 2,740 shares during the quarter. Asio Capital LLCs holdings in Laboratory Co. of America were worth $2,757,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Neuberger Berman Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC now owns 7,834 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,845,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares during the period. Guardian Wealth Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Guardian Wealth Management Inc. now owns 5,379 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,418,000 after purchasing an additional 52 shares during the period. Retirement Planning Co of New England Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Retirement Planning Co of New England Inc. now owns 2,939 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $709,000 after purchasing an additional 56 shares during the period. UMB Bank n.a. raised its holdings in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 22.1% in the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 315 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $63,000 after purchasing an additional 57 shares during the period. Finally, Arjuna Capital raised its holdings in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 3.2% during the 3rd quarter. Arjuna Capital now owns 1,819 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $366,000 after buying an additional 57 shares during the period. 89.37% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CMO Amy B. Summy sold 227 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $218.45, for a total transaction of $49,588.15. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief marketing officer now owns 3,859 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $842,998.55. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, CFO Glenn A. Eisenberg sold 34,504 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $215.97, for a total transaction of $7,451,828.88. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 23,595 shares in the company, valued at $5,095,812.15. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CMO Amy B. Summy sold 227 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $218.45, for a total value of $49,588.15. Following the completion of the sale, the chief marketing officer now owns 3,859 shares in the company, valued at $842,998.55. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 40,775 shares of company stock valued at $8,823,080 over the last quarter. Insiders own 0.65% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently commented on LH. Evercore ISI began coverage on Laboratory Co. of America in a report on Friday, February 9th. They set an in-line rating and a $240.00 target price on the stock. TheStreet lowered Laboratory Co. of America from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Thursday, February 15th. Leerink Partnrs restated an outperform rating on shares of Laboratory Co. of America in a research note on Monday, February 26th. Barclays assumed coverage on Laboratory Co. of America in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. They set an equal weight rating and a $222.00 price objective for the company. Finally, SVB Leerink assumed coverage on Laboratory Co. of America in a research note on Monday, February 26th. They set an outperform rating and a $260.00 price objective for the company. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $243.07.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Laboratory Co. of America

Laboratory Co. of America Stock Performance

Laboratory Co. of America stock traded up $0.14 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $211.43. 5,855 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 749,002. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $220.02 and a 200 day moving average price of $213.77. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The company has a market cap of $17.78 billion, a PE ratio of 45.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 1.02. Laboratory Co. of America Holdings has a one year low of $174.20 and a one year high of $234.09.

Laboratory Co. of America (NYSE:LH  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 15th. The medical research company reported $3.30 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.29 by $0.01. Laboratory Co. of America had a return on equity of 13.99% and a net margin of 3.24%. The company had revenue of $3.03 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.02 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $4.14 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down 17.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that Laboratory Co. of America Holdings will post 14.79 EPS for the current year.

Laboratory Co. of America Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 13th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 27th were given a $0.72 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 26th. This represents a $2.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.36%. Laboratory Co. of Americas dividend payout ratio is currently 61.67%.

About Laboratory Co. of America

(Free Report)

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings operates as a life sciences company that provides vital information to help doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, researchers, and patients make clear and confident decisions. It operates in two segments, Labcorp Diagnostics (Dx) and Biopharma Laboratory Services (BLS).

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 22. The Russian Foreign Ministry has labeled the incident at Crocus City Hall as a terrorist attack. Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, condemned the "bloody terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall" as a monstrous crime. She made these remarks in her Telegram channel, Trend reports.

Zakharova emphasized the global response, noting that the Russian Foreign Ministry has been inundated with calls from citizens worldwide expressing condolences for the tragedy at Crocus City Hall and condemning the violent terrorist act witnessed by humanity. She stressed the importance of the entire world community uniting to denounce this heinous crime. Zakharova also mentioned that Russian authorities are focused on rescue efforts.

The incident unfolded when an unidentified individual began shooting at Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, near Moscow, prompting evacuations, according to reports from Russian operational services.

Eyewitnesses reported that a person dressed in camouflage attire fired shots from a machine gun inside Crocus City Hall, just before the scheduled concert by the Picnic group.

The shooting resulted in the loss of 40 lives, with over 100 individuals sustaining injuries.
Cascade Investment Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of Target Co. (NYSE:TGT  Free Report) by 4.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 8,924 shares of the retailers stock after purchasing an additional 370 shares during the period. Cascade Investment Advisors Inc.s holdings in Target were worth $1,271,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of TGT. Plancorp LLC lifted its position in Target by 2.1% during the first quarter. Plancorp LLC now owns 2,520 shares of the retailers stock valued at $535,000 after acquiring an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC grew its position in shares of Target by 4.4% in the third quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC now owns 1,887 shares of the retailers stock valued at $209,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares during the period. iA Global Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Target by 0.4% in the third quarter. iA Global Asset Management Inc. now owns 22,760 shares of the retailers stock worth $2,517,000 after buying an additional 83 shares in the last quarter. MidWestOne Financial Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Target by 0.9% in the first quarter. MidWestOne Financial Group Inc. now owns 10,200 shares of the retailers stock worth $2,164,000 after buying an additional 86 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Apexium Financial LP raised its stake in Target by 5.0% during the second quarter. Apexium Financial LP now owns 1,829 shares of the retailers stock worth $241,000 after purchasing an additional 87 shares during the period. 78.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Target Stock Performance

Target stock traded down $0.96 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $169.21. The companys stock had a trading volume of 222,314 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,900,813. The firm has a market cap of $78.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.06, a PEG ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 1.13. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $150.84 and a 200-day moving average price of $132.99. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11. Target Co. has a twelve month low of $102.93 and a twelve month high of $175.53.

Target Dividend Announcement

Target ( NYSE:TGT Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, March 5th. The retailer reported $2.98 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.41 by $0.57. Target had a return on equity of 33.41% and a net margin of 3.85%. The company had revenue of $31.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $31.83 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.89 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 1.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Target Co. will post 9.39 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 10th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 15th will be given a $1.10 dividend. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.60%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 14th. Targets dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 49.27%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Target news, insider Brian C. Cornell sold 45,000 shares of Target stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $167.52, for a total transaction of $7,538,400.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 346,919 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $58,115,870.88. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, insider Brian C. Cornell sold 45,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $167.52, for a total value of $7,538,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 346,919 shares in the company, valued at approximately $58,115,870.88. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Melissa K. Kremer sold 3,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $165.05, for a total value of $495,150.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 30,527 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,038,481.35. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.23% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on TGT. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Target from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $149.00 to $206.00 in a report on Wednesday, March 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Target from $125.00 to $157.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. UBS Group reiterated a buy rating and set a $174.00 price target on shares of Target in a report on Tuesday, March 5th. Telsey Advisory Group upped their target price on shares of Target from $160.00 to $195.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, March 6th. Finally, Gordon Haskett upgraded shares of Target from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $170.00 target price for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $178.38.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Target

Target Company Profile

(Free Report)

Target Corporation operates as a general merchandise retailer in the United States. The company offers apparel for women, men, boys, girls, toddlers, and infants and newborns, as well as jewelry, accessories, and shoes; and beauty and personal care, baby gear, cleaning, paper products, and pet supplies.

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IFM Investors Pty Ltd trimmed its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 2.1% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 721,452 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 15,615 shares during the quarter. IFM Investors Pty Ltds holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $35,510,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in WFC. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 4th quarter valued at $2,049,693,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 129,312.1% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 26,287,479 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,085,410,000 after acquiring an additional 26,267,166 shares in the last quarter. Capital International Investors lifted its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 69.1% in the 2nd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 61,833,769 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,638,987,000 after purchasing an additional 25,268,032 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 1,478.6% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 8,390,611 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $406,609,000 after purchasing an additional 7,859,100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board acquired a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the 1st quarter valued at $345,861,000. 72.47% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wells Fargo & Company Trading Down 0.7 %

NYSE WFC traded down $0.38 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $57.47. The companys stock had a trading volume of 4,313,244 shares, compared to its average volume of 19,357,080. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $52.03 and a 200 day moving average of $46.45. Wells Fargo & Company has a twelve month low of $35.25 and a twelve month high of $58.44. The firm has a market capitalization of $203.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.00, a PEG ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 1.19. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24.

Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement

Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 12th. The financial services provider reported $0.86 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.16 by ($0.30). Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 16.60% and a return on equity of 12.40%. The business had revenue of $20.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.30 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.67 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Wells Fargo & Company will post 4.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 2nd were issued a $0.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 1st. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.44%. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.05%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on WFC shares. Oppenheimer reaffirmed a market perform rating on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research note on Tuesday. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $45.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 1st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a hold rating and set a $51.00 target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Tuesday, January 9th. Odeon Capital Group lowered shares of Wells Fargo & Company from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $48.80 target price for the company. in a research report on Thursday, January 18th. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $54.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $52.74.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Wells Fargo & Company

About Wells Fargo & Company

(Free Report)

Wells Fargo & Company, a financial services company, provides diversified banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Consumer Banking and Lending; Commercial Banking; Corporate and Investment Banking; and Wealth and Investment Management.

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IFM Investors Pty Ltd trimmed its stake in American Express (NYSE:AXP  Free Report) by 2.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 125,817 shares of the payment services companys stock after selling 2,963 shares during the quarter. IFM Investors Pty Ltds holdings in American Express were worth $23,571,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Bison Wealth LLC grew its position in American Express by 2.1% during the 2nd quarter. Bison Wealth LLC now owns 20,444 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $3,561,000 after purchasing an additional 416 shares during the last quarter. National Bank of Canada FI increased its position in shares of American Express by 25.0% during the third quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 499,340 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $74,584,000 after acquiring an additional 99,813 shares in the last quarter. Beutel Goodman & Co Ltd. increased its position in shares of American Express by 7.6% during the second quarter. Beutel Goodman & Co Ltd. now owns 1,785,141 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $310,971,000 after acquiring an additional 125,990 shares in the last quarter. GYL Financial Synergies LLC raised its holdings in American Express by 1.0% in the 3rd quarter. GYL Financial Synergies LLC now owns 23,987 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $3,579,000 after acquiring an additional 242 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nordea Investment Management AB boosted its stake in American Express by 6.9% during the 4th quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 1,574,663 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $294,856,000 after purchasing an additional 102,132 shares during the last quarter. 83.08% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently commented on AXP shares. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on American Express from $220.00 to $226.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, January 29th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on shares of American Express from $157.00 to $159.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. Monness Crespi & Hardt initiated coverage on shares of American Express in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. They set a neutral rating for the company. StockNews.com upgraded American Express from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Barclays upped their price objective on American Express from $216.00 to $220.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, January 29th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and nine have assigned a 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 $189.00.

American Express Stock Down 0.8 %

Shares of AXP stock traded down $1.75 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $227.37. The stock had a trading volume of 652,076 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,198,834. The firm has a market capitalization of $164.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71, a current ratio of 1.63 and a quick ratio of 1.63. American Express has a 12-month low of $140.91 and a 12-month high of $231.69. The firms 50-day moving average is $207.41 and its two-hundred day moving average is $178.26.

American Express (NYSE:AXP  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 26th. The payment services company reported $2.62 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.64 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $15.80 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16 billion. American Express had a return on equity of 30.99% and a net margin of 13.84%. The companys revenue was up 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.07 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that American Express will post 12.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Express Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 10th. Investors of record on Friday, April 5th will be paid a dividend of $0.10 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 4th. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.18%. American Expresss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 21.41%.

Insider Buying and Selling at American Express

In related news, CEO Stephen J. Squeri sold 69,356 shares of American Express stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $213.02, for a total value of $14,774,215.12. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 122,158 shares in the company, valued at approximately $26,022,097.16. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, insider Laureen Seeger sold 84,420 shares of American Express stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $212.98, for a total transaction of $17,979,771.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 57,512 shares in the company, valued at $12,248,905.76. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Stephen J. Squeri sold 69,356 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $213.02, for a total transaction of $14,774,215.12. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 122,158 shares in the company, valued at approximately $26,022,097.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 172,047 shares of company stock worth $36,528,388. 0.12% of the stock is owned by insiders.

American Express Profile

(Free Report)

American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as integrated payments company in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Canada, the Caribbean, and Internationally. It operates through four segments: U.S. Consumer Services, Commercial Services, International Card Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services.

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AKITA Drilling (TSE:AKT.A  Get Free Report) had its price objective lowered by ATB Capital from C$3.30 to C$2.80 in a report issued on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports. ATB Capitals price objective would suggest a potential upside of 76.10% from the companys previous close.

AKITA Drilling Stock Performance

Shares of AKITA Drilling stock traded down C$0.07 on Friday, hitting C$1.59. 88,074 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 36,850. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of C$1.55 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$1.56. The stock has a market capitalization of C$60.42 million, a PE ratio of 2.24, a PEG ratio of -0.69 and a beta of 1.99. AKITA Drilling has a 1 year low of C$1.08 and a 1 year high of C$1.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 51.10, a quick ratio of 1.54 and a current ratio of 2.32.

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AKITA Drilling Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

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AKITA Drilling Ltd. provides provides contract drilling services in Canada and the United States. The company is involved in the drilling of oil and gas wells; other forms of drilling related to potash mining; and development of storage caverns. It specializes in pad and other purpose-built drilling rigs; and conventional, directional, horizontal, and underbalanced drilling, as well as provides specialized drilling services.

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Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC reduced its stake in shares of Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC  Free Report) by 8.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 17,793 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 1,618 shares during the quarter. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in Bank of America were worth $599,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Fortis Group Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Bank of America in the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. Castleview Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Bank of America during the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. Glass Jacobson Investment Advisors llc lifted its position in shares of Bank of America by 98.1% during the third quarter. Glass Jacobson Investment Advisors llc now owns 1,018 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 504 shares during the last quarter. Live Oak Investment Partners acquired a new position in shares of Bank of America in the 4th quarter valued at about $39,000. Finally, Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new position in Bank of America in the 1st quarter worth about $34,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.06% of the companys stock.

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Bank of America Stock Down 1.1 %

Shares of NYSE:BAC traded down $0.40 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $37.11. 17,013,715 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 41,298,543. The firm has a market cap of $292.82 billion, a PE ratio of 12.08, a P/E/G ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 1.38. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. Bank of America Co. has a fifty-two week low of $24.96 and a fifty-two week high of $37.61. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $33.99 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $31.00.

Bank of America Announces Dividend

Bank of America ( NYSE:BAC Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 12th. The financial services provider reported $0.70 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.69 by $0.01. Bank of America had a return on equity of 11.38% and a net margin of 15.42%. The firm had revenue of $22 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $23.70 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.85 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Bank of America Co. will post 3.15 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Investors of record on Friday, March 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.24 per share. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.59%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 29th. Bank of Americas payout ratio is currently 31.27%.

Insider Activity at Bank of America

In other news, major shareholder Of America Corp /De/ Bank acquired 5,398 shares of Bank of America stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 27th. The stock was bought at an average price of $10.56 per share, for a total transaction of $57,002.88. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now directly owns 5,398 shares in the company, valued at approximately $57,002.88. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 0.27% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

BAC has been the subject of several research analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on Bank of America from $30.00 to $33.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, December 1st. Morgan Stanley raised shares of Bank of America from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and increased their target price for the company from $32.00 to $41.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Odeon Capital Group cut Bank of America from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $33.90 price target on the stock. in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. Oppenheimer decreased their target price on Bank of America from $50.00 to $46.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Barclays boosted their price objective on Bank of America from $39.00 to $43.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $35.65.

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Bank of America Company Profile

(Free Report)

Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. It operates in four segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management (GWIM), Global Banking, and Global Markets.

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Chemistry Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG  Free Report) in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund purchased 1,180 shares of the energy companys stock, valued at approximately $201,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Banco Santander S.A. lifted its stake in shares of Cheniere Energy by 54.4% during the 3rd quarter. Banco Santander S.A. now owns 22,267 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $3,695,000 after buying an additional 7,845 shares in the last quarter. Choate Investment Advisors bought a new position in Cheniere Energy in the third quarter worth about $295,000. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. grew its position in Cheniere Energy by 5.0% during the 3rd quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 557,350 shares of the energy companys stock worth $92,498,000 after purchasing an additional 26,406 shares during the last quarter. SCP Investment LP raised its position in Cheniere Energy by 111.1% during the third quarter. SCP Investment LP now owns 3,800 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $631,000 after acquiring an additional 2,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jump Financial LLC purchased a new position in Cheniere Energy in the third quarter valued at $996,000. Institutional investors own 85.86% of the companys stock.

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Cheniere Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE LNG traded up $0.04 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $159.72. 1,489,272 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,991,808. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.59, a current ratio of 1.63 and a quick ratio of 1.51. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $162.91. The company has a market capitalization of $37.48 billion, a PE ratio of 3.94, a PEG ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 0.94. Cheniere Energy, Inc. has a 52-week low of $135.30 and a 52-week high of $183.46.

Cheniere Energy Dividend Announcement

Cheniere Energy ( NYSE:LNG Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 22nd. The energy company reported $5.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.70 by $3.06. Cheniere Energy had a return on equity of 69.52% and a net margin of 48.45%. The business had revenue of $4.82 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.37 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $15.78 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was down 46.9% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Cheniere Energy, Inc. will post 9.56 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 23rd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 6th were issued a dividend of $0.435 per share. This represents a $1.74 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.09%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 5th. Cheniere Energys payout ratio is presently 4.30%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

LNG has been the topic of several research reports. StockNews.com downgraded Cheniere Energy from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday. Mizuho upped their target price on shares of Cheniere Energy from $187.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 15th. Barclays lifted their price objective on Cheniere Energy from $192.00 to $194.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 17th. Finally, TD Cowen cut their target price on Cheniere Energy from $185.00 to $178.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, February 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $197.10.

Read Our Latest Analysis on LNG

About Cheniere Energy

(Free Report)

Cheniere Energy, Inc, an energy infrastructure company, primarily engages in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) related businesses in the United States. It owns and operates the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana; and the Corpus Christi LNG terminal near Corpus Christi, Texas. The company also owns Creole Trail pipeline, a 94-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal with several interstate and intrastate pipelines; and operates Corpus Christi pipeline, a 21.5-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Corpus Christi LNG terminal with various interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LNG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG  Free Report).

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Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW  Get Free Report) Vice Chairman Lawrence D. Mcrae sold 77,464 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $33.24, for a total transaction of $2,574,903.36. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 215,254 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,155,042.96. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website.

Corning Stock Performance

NYSE GLW traded down $0.56 on Friday, hitting $32.57. The stock had a trading volume of 4,104,405 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,905,932. Corning Incorporated has a one year low of $25.26 and a one year high of $36.01. The company has a quick ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 1.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. The stock has a market cap of $27.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 49.45, a P/E/G ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 1.08. The companys 50-day moving average is $31.93 and its two-hundred day moving average is $30.26.

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Corning (NYSE:GLW  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The electronics maker reported $0.39 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.39. The firm had revenue of $2.99 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.26 billion. Corning had a net margin of 4.62% and a return on equity of 12.31%. Cornings quarterly revenue was down 12.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.47 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Corning Incorporated will post 1.86 earnings per share for the current year.

Corning Announces Dividend

Institutional Trading of Corning

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 29th will be issued a $0.28 dividend. This represents a $1.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.44%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 28th. Cornings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 167.16%.

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Cibc World Market Inc. lifted its position in shares of Corning by 22.1% in the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 65,555 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $2,420,000 after acquiring an additional 11,884 shares in the last quarter. Prudential PLC purchased a new stake in shares of Corning in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $588,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Corning by 15.5% in the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 7,922 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $293,000 after acquiring an additional 1,062 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Corning by 0.7% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 92,746,889 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $3,423,287,000 after acquiring an additional 671,480 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. lifted its position in Corning by 24.4% in the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 714,932 shares of the electronics makers stock worth $26,388,000 after buying an additional 140,098 shares in the last quarter. 67.74% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

GLW has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Corning from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, March 16th. HSBC lowered shares of Corning from a hold rating to a reduce rating and set a $29.00 price objective on the stock. in a report on Thursday, February 1st. UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of Corning from $29.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, January 11th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Corning from $28.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $32.88.

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Corning Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Corning Incorporated engages in the display technologies, optical communications, environmental technologies, specialty materials, and life sciences businesses in the United States and internationally. The company's Display Technologies segment offers glass substrates for flat panel displays, including liquid crystal displays and organic light-emitting diodes that are used in televisions, notebook computers, desktop monitors, tablets, and handheld devices.

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BRT Apartments Corp. (NYSE:BRT  Get Free Report) major shareholder Investors L. P. Gould purchased 3,471 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 21st. The shares were acquired at an average price of $16.26 per share, with a total value of $56,438.46. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now owns 3,532,398 shares of the companys stock, valued at $57,436,791.48. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Large shareholders that own 10% or more of a companys stock are required to disclose their transactions with the SEC.

BRT Apartments Price Performance

BRT traded down $0.09 during trading on Friday, hitting $16.65. The companys stock had a trading volume of 48,642 shares, compared to its average volume of 38,066. The firms 50 day moving average price is $16.56 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $17.40. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.01. BRT Apartments Corp. has a 12 month low of $15.21 and a 12 month high of $20.69. The stock has a market capitalization of $309.36 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 92.95 and a beta of 1.14.

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BRT Apartments Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 4th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 27th will be issued a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.01%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 26th. BRT Apartmentss dividend payout ratio is currently 555.59%.

Institutional Trading of BRT Apartments

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY boosted its stake in shares of BRT Apartments by 83.9% in the 1st quarter. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY now owns 1,392 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 635 shares during the last quarter. Orion Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in BRT Apartments in the third quarter valued at about $35,000. Barclays PLC increased its position in shares of BRT Apartments by 166.9% in the 4th quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 3,230 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $64,000 after buying an additional 2,020 shares in the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. increased its position in shares of BRT Apartments by 13,260.7% in the 2nd quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 3,741 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $74,000 after buying an additional 3,713 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State of Alaska Department of Revenue increased its position in shares of BRT Apartments by 18.6% in the 3rd quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 5,555 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $95,000 after buying an additional 871 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 28.92% of the companys stock.

Separately, JMP Securities decreased their target price on shares of BRT Apartments from $28.00 to $24.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 14th.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on BRT Apartments

BRT Apartments Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

BRT is a real estate investment trust that owns, operates and, to a lesser extent, holds interests in joint ventures that own multi-family properties. As of September 30, 2023, BRT owns or has interests in 28 multi-family properties with 7,707 units in 11 states.

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CIC Wealth LLC bought a new position in Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE  Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 1,722 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $221,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of ICE. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Intercontinental Exchange by 7.0% during the 3rd quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 126,854 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $13,956,000 after purchasing an additional 8,320 shares during the period. First County Bank CT boosted its stake in Intercontinental Exchange by 2.7% during the 3rd quarter. First County Bank CT now owns 3,811 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $419,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC boosted its stake in shares of Intercontinental Exchange by 6.2% during the 3rd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 303,576 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $33,399,000 after acquiring an additional 17,804 shares in the last quarter. Marcum Wealth LLC boosted its stake in shares of Intercontinental Exchange by 5.4% during the 4th quarter. Marcum Wealth LLC now owns 2,715 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $349,000 after acquiring an additional 139 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Intercontinental Exchange by 16.6% during the 3rd quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. now owns 16,856 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,854,000 after acquiring an additional 2,402 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.91% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, major shareholder Intercontinental Exchange, Inc acquired 2,762,009 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 4th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $0.87 per share, with a total value of $2,402,947.83. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider now directly owns 7,476,345 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,504,420.15. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, CFO Warren Gardiner sold 2,176 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $136.00, for a total value of $295,936.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 12,061 shares in the company, valued at $1,640,296. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, major shareholder Intercontinental Exchange, Inc bought 2,762,009 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 4th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $0.87 per share, for a total transaction of $2,402,947.83. Following the acquisition, the insider now owns 7,476,345 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,504,420.15. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 157,617 shares of company stock worth $20,784,288 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently commented on ICE. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Intercontinental Exchange from $133.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 13th. Citigroup raised their target price on Intercontinental Exchange from $146.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, February 13th. Rosenblatt Securities raised their target price on Intercontinental Exchange from $154.00 to $164.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Intercontinental Exchange from $142.00 to $151.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, February 9th. Finally, Raymond James raised their price target on Intercontinental Exchange from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, January 5th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $145.83.

Check Out Our Latest Report on ICE

Intercontinental Exchange Trading Down 1.4 %

Shares of ICE stock traded down $1.87 on Friday, hitting $136.23. The stock had a trading volume of 2,024,018 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,434,030. Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. has a twelve month low of $95.66 and a twelve month high of $140.43. The firm has a market cap of $78.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.45, a PEG ratio of 2.44 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $133.39 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $121.27.

Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:ICE  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The financial services provider reported $1.33 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.29 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $2.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.20 billion. Intercontinental Exchange had a net margin of 23.91% and a return on equity of 12.91%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 24.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.25 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. will post 5.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Intercontinental Exchange Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be issued a $0.45 dividend. This is a boost from Intercontinental Exchanges previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.32%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. Intercontinental Exchanges dividend payout ratio is currently 42.86%.

Intercontinental Exchange Company Profile

(Free Report)

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of market infrastructure, data services, and technology solutions for financial institutions, corporations, and government entities in the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Singapore, India, Abu Dhabi, Israel, and Canada.

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RDA Financial Network bought a new stake in shares of LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB  Free Report) during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund bought 3,425 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock, valued at approximately $326,000.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in LYB. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 1.1% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 30,852,225 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $3,172,226,000 after purchasing an additional 335,124 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 2.9% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 12,322,280 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $1,266,977,000 after buying an additional 348,169 shares during the period. FMR LLC increased its stake in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 10.3% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 8,408,551 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $796,290,000 after purchasing an additional 787,221 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley increased its stake in LyondellBasell Industries by 9.9% during the 3rd quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 6,305,596 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $597,140,000 after buying an additional 569,887 shares in the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its holdings in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 45.5% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 6,304,090 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $578,905,000 after purchasing an additional 1,972,160 shares during the last quarter. 91.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on LYB. Wolfe Research started coverage on LyondellBasell Industries in a research note on Friday, March 1st. They issued an underperform rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $107.00 target price on shares of LyondellBasell Industries in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Barclays cut their target price on LyondellBasell Industries from $102.00 to $98.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut LyondellBasell Industries from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $105.00 target price on the stock. in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. Finally, Citigroup lowered LyondellBasell Industries from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $105.00 to $98.00 in a report on Wednesday, December 13th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $100.92.

LyondellBasell Industries Stock Performance

LYB traded down $0.27 during trading on Friday, hitting $100.98. The stock had a trading volume of 1,230,586 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,042,959. The firm has a market cap of $32.77 billion, a PE ratio of 15.61, a P/E/G ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 1.19. LyondellBasell Industries has a 12 month low of $84.14 and a 12 month high of $102.93. The company has a current ratio of 1.84, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $97.06 and a 200-day simple moving average of $95.51.

LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 2nd. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.33 by ($0.07). The company had revenue of $9.93 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.85 billion. LyondellBasell Industries had a return on equity of 21.89% and a net margin of 5.16%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.29 EPS. Analysts expect that LyondellBasell Industries will post 8.86 EPS for the current year.

LyondellBasell Industries Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 11th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 4th were given a dividend of $1.25 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 1st. This represents a $5.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.95%. LyondellBasell Industriess payout ratio is 77.28%.

Insider Transactions at LyondellBasell Industries

In related news, EVP Kenneth Todd Lane sold 9,489 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.92, for a total value of $938,651.88. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 89,445 shares in the company, valued at $8,847,899.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other LyondellBasell Industries news, Director Robin W.T. Buchanan sold 18,111 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.46, for a total value of $1,819,431.06. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 12,276 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,233,246.96. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Kenneth Todd Lane sold 9,489 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.92, for a total transaction of $938,651.88. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 89,445 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,847,899.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 80,853 shares of company stock worth $8,077,267. Corporate insiders own 0.12% of the companys stock.

LyondellBasell Industries Company Profile

(Free Report)

LyondellBasell Industries N.V. operates as a chemical company in the United States, Germany, Mexico, Italy, Poland, France, Japan, China, the Netherlands, and internationally. The company operates in six segments: Olefins and PolyolefinsAmericas; Olefins and PolyolefinsEurope, Asia, International; Intermediates and Derivatives; Advanced Polymer Solutions; Refining; and Technology.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 22. The gap between the positions of Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement in ceasefire negotiations is narrowing, allowing a new ceasefire agreement to be reached in the Gaza Strip, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Trend reports.

"The gap is closing and we will continue to push for agreements in Doha... It will be difficult to achieve, but I believe it is possible," he added.

A combined attack was carried out on Israel on October 7. From the beginning, a massive rocket attack began from the territory of the Gaza Strip, followed by the penetration of militants by land, water, and air.

Israel declared a state of war after a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. Moreover, Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a mass gathering of reservists.
Apeiron RIA LLC grew its holdings in shares of Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE:MTD  Free Report) by 11.7% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 249 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after acquiring an additional 26 shares during the quarter. Apeiron RIA LLCs holdings in Mettler-Toledo International were worth $302,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in MTD. Ancora Advisors LLC boosted its position in Mettler-Toledo International by 100.0% during the first quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 20 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 10 shares during the period. VitalStone Financial LLC purchased a new position in Mettler-Toledo International in the 1st quarter worth approximately $37,000. Gladius Capital Management LP bought a new stake in Mettler-Toledo International in the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Huntington National Bank grew its holdings in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 34.6% in the second quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 35 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 9 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Operose Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Mettler-Toledo International in the third quarter worth $43,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.11% of the companys stock.

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Mettler-Toledo International Stock Down 0.8 %

Shares of MTD stock traded down $11.04 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $1,327.60. 120,452 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 152,050. The companys 50-day moving average price is $1,232.73 and its 200-day moving average price is $1,148.30. The company has a market cap of $28.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.99, a P/E/G ratio of 3.56 and a beta of 1.15. Mettler-Toledo International Inc. has a 12 month low of $928.49 and a 12 month high of $1,615.97.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Mettler-Toledo International ( NYSE:MTD Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 9th. The medical instruments supplier reported $9.40 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $10.32 by ($0.92). Mettler-Toledo International had a negative return on equity of 904.59% and a net margin of 20.82%. The business had revenue of $934.90 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $959.45 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $12.10 EPS. Mettler-Toledo Internationals revenue for the quarter was down 11.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that Mettler-Toledo International Inc. will post 39.9 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on MTD shares. Citigroup restated a sell rating and issued a $975.00 price objective (down previously from $1,050.00) on shares of Mettler-Toledo International in a research report on Monday, December 11th. StockNews.com upgraded Mettler-Toledo International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, March 15th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $1,223.71.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Mettler-Toledo International

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Elisha W. Finney sold 251 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,177.35, for a total value of $295,514.85. Following the transaction, the director now owns 316 shares in the company, valued at $372,042.60. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other news, Director Elisha W. Finney sold 251 shares of Mettler-Toledo International stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,177.35, for a total value of $295,514.85. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 316 shares in the company, valued at $372,042.60. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Christian Magloth sold 400 shares of Mettler-Toledo International stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,278.73, for a total transaction of $511,492.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 734 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $938,587.82. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 951 shares of company stock worth $1,170,256 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 2.40% of the companys stock.

Mettler-Toledo International Company Profile

(Free Report)

Mettler-Toledo International Inc manufactures and supplies precision instruments and services in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and internationally. It operates through five segments: U.S. Operations, Swiss Operations, Western European Operations, Chinese Operations, and Other. The company's laboratory instruments include laboratory balances, liquid pipetting solutions, automated laboratory reactors, real-time analytics, titrators, pH meters, process analytics sensors and analyzer technologies, physical value analyzers, density and refractometry, thermal analysis systems, and other analytical instruments; and LabX, a laboratory software platform to manage and analyze data generated from its instruments.

Further Reading

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Aaron Taylor-Johnson is one of the sexiest British actors, who is likely to become the next James Bond in the iconic 007 movie franchise. He has allegedly already received an official invitation to replace his colleague Daniel Craig in this position. This news has attracted a lot of attention to the movie star, especially to his personal life, which has always been a cause for heated discussions online. The fact is that Taylor-Johnson's wife is 23 years older than him. They started dating when the actor was 18 and his chosen one was 39.

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At the age of 19, Aaron proposed to his beloved, and a year later they got married. Their love story challenges stereotypes, inspires and fascinates, but at the same time haunts many fans. OBOZ.UA will tell you more about it.

Sam Taylor-Johnson is a 57-year-old director and producer, wife of 33-year-old actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Before she met the star of The Avengers, Godzilla, Bullet Train and many other famous films, she was married to artist Jay Jopling, with whom she has two daughters, for 9 years. Sam is known as the director of 50 Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Freed, and Nowhere Boy.

Aaron met Sam on the set of Nowhere Boy in 2009. She was 39, an experienced filmmaker, and he was just 18, a young actor taking his first steps in the film industry. Despite the considerable age difference, there was a spark between them that quickly grew into a deep love.

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The age difference and the fact that Aaron was actually a teenager when their relationship began could not help but draw public condemnation. Many people did not believe in the sincerity of their feelings, considering it a temporary infatuation.

"You have to realize that what most people were doing in their 20s, I was doing when I was 13. Are you doing something too fast for someone else? I don't understand that. At what speed should you enjoy life? It's strange to me," the actor responded to the criticism in a recent interview.

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According to the actor, after meeting Sam, he "instantly realized" that he had found his "soulmate," so he proposed after a year of dating when he was 19.

"I knew I wanted to start a family with her, I knew I wanted children, and a month later she was pregnant with our first child. I never felt a huge age difference because when I met Sam, I had already lived a life that was way beyond most of my peers. I didn't have close relationships with people my age. I just felt like we were on the same wave," Taylor-Johnson said.

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The couple has two children together: Wylda, 13, and Romy, 11. Aaron is also a stepfather to Sam's two children from a previous marriage: 27-year-old Angelica and 18-year-old Jessie.

The actor and director believe that the secret of their happy marriage is sincerity, mutual understanding and shared values. Their love story proves that true feelings know no age or stereotypes.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
During her visit to Northern Ireland, Queen Camilla reported on the health of King Charles III of Great Britain. After the rumors of the monarch's death, she went on a working trip alone, which could have started a new wave of panic among the population, but instead, she explained that His Majesty was undergoing treatment at the time.

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The Queen told the residents of Belfast that her husband was "feeling very well," so there was no reason to worry. According to Hello!, a local store employee, Brenda Robb, even sent a card and wished him a speedy recovery.

When Queen Camilla received the gift, she spoke in response: "He is doing very well. He was very disappointed that he couldn't come."

In particular, Charles III regularly reads letters from fans that arrive at Buckingham Palace. After His Majesty was diagnosed with cancer, his correspondence team received more than 7,000 cards from around the world wishing him a speedy recovery.

"The King was sent a selection in his daily red box of papers. Many share their own experiences of fighting cancer. Others offer good wishes and advice for a speedy recovery. To everyone who has taken the time to write, thank you. As His Majesty said: "Such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement," the palace said in a statement.

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During her trip, Queen Camilla visited many local legendary institutions where she talked to the people of Belfast. Subsequently, an event dedicated to World Poetry Day titled "Northern Ireland: Poets and Their Place" was held at Hillsborough Castle. There, the royal met with writers and actors and enjoyed contemporary literary art.

As OBOZ.UA reported, on March 18, the media spread information that King Charles III had allegedly died. However, neither Buckingham Palace nor the leading British media confirmed this. As it later became known, the Russians had launched the IPSO again, the reason for which is unknown. In the event of the monarch's sudden death, the government has a special secret plan called "Bridge of Menai." The operation will last for 10 days, including key events such as the funeral, days of mourning, and the transfer of the throne to the heir apparent.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Caption for Photo above: Tipperary IFA members protesting outside Tipperary County Councils Civic Offices in Clonmel on Monday, March 11. They are joined by a number of public representatives. South Tipperary IFA Chairman Pat Carroll is pictured front row on the left of Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Ger Darcy and North Tipperary IFA Chairman Baden Powell is standing to the right of Cllr Darcy. picture John D. Kelly

Tipperary County Council was bluntly told last week that an urgent solution needs to be found to serial planning objections to proposed farm developments being lodged to the local authority from individuals and bodies based in other parts of the country.

The delay and obstruction of farm projects caused by objections from people and groups located as far as 150 miles from county Tipperary was one of a shopping list of issues South Tipperary IFA Chairman Pat Carroll outlined at Tipperary County Councils March meeting in Clonmel.

Mr Carroll and North Tipperary IFA Chairman Baden Powell gave a joint presentation to the council meeting after leading a protest by IFA members outside the Councils Clonmel Civic Offices as part of the organisations Enough is Enough campaign that is highlighting farmers frustration and anger at increased regulation, bureaucracy and falling incomes.

The South Tipperary IFA Chairman began his presentation by outlining agricultures massive contribution to Tipperarys economy.

Mr Carroll said agriculture in Tipperary contributes 2.6 billion to the local economy and more than 15,000 people were directly or indirectly employed in agriculture, which equalled 20% of employment in the county. Over 10% of the working population worked directly in farming.

He noted a high proportion of farm revenue circulates in the local economy.

He said there are 770,000 acres of agricultural land in Tipperary, which is the third largest in Ireland in area terms. Tipperary has 182,000 dairy cows, 50,000 beef cattle, 170,000 pigs, 75,000 ewes, 877 thoroughbred horse breeders and grew over 40% of the countrys cider apples.

He went on to outline the ways farmers are addressing the environment, economic and social challenges to agricultural sustainability. He said farmers are very close to reaching the 2030 target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

They are involved in renewable solar and wind power and energy crops but the emissions benefits of these will go to the energy sector due to international accounting systems.

Mr Carroll said it was critical farmers reach water quality improvement targets.

There are lots of small measures that we can do on a day-to-day basis on our farms that can greatly help water quality.

Farmers have always worked with the science of the day through the advisory services, but more and more of these advisors are allocated to form filling scheme applications and not on the ground with farmers, he pointed out.

He then turned to the regulatory and bureaucratic difficulties facing farmers.

Planning objections

Mr Carroll spoke of how farmers who have to carry out works on their farms that require planning permission are being frustrated by objectors, both individual and bodies, who are against any agricultural work and live far away from the site of the proposed developments.

He pointed out that objections are even being lodged against organic farmers building projects. He cited the case of a Tipperary farmer converting to an organic farming operation who needed to build a shed for straw bedding for his livestock.

The planning application for the shed was objected to by an individual living 150 miles away, which stopped the progress of the project.

Mr Carroll said this was absolutely shocking. Other farmers have found their building costs gone up 15 -20% because of delays in securing planning permissions.

He said the delays incurred by these objections were costing the farmer, county council and the environment.

An urgent solution needs to be found sooner rather than later, he declared.

Inspections

The New Inn farmer also highlighted the stress and fear increasing farm inspections are placing on farmers, particularly on older farmers.

Inspections are a big part of farming today and we see on the ground a greater number of county council inspections.

We need and accept those inspections to deliver better water quality but with the average age of farmers at 59, we do not want to see farmers exiting farming rather than carrying out works to fix the problem. The fear of inspections cannot be underestimated.

Farm schemes

Mr Carroll also drew councillors' attention to bureaucratic difficulties IFA members are facing with farm schemes and the Department of Agriculture.

He said there has been a complete systems failure on the farm investment grant scheme TAMS (Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme) with no approvals in all of 2023. This has delayed a lot of environment and health & safety investment on farms.

Overly complicated schemes which have been poorly implemented by the Department of Agriculture have contributed to widespread delays in payments which has effected some farmers credit rating and with local merchants, contractors, and other businesses awaiting their accounts to be paid.

He complained there are so many different schemes and they are so complicated that agricultural consultants have threatened strike action as they are at the end of their tether

Farmers hire agricultural consultants because the risk of doing something wrong is so high when applying for schemes and now everything is done online.

He cited an example of the implications a minor error can have on farmers. A farmer who made an application for Derogation in March was informed by letter in August that his documents werent right and he wasnt granted derogation.

He had sent all the documents required for the application to his consultant. The problem was that one piece of documentation hadnt uploaded properly to the Department.

When he contacted the Department, they said it wasnt their problem, it was the problem of the farmers consultant.

Mr Carroll said the farmer is guilty until proven innocent in these cases. There is often no come back or investigation. This was the type of bureaucracy they were dealing with and it takes up huge IFA staff resources.

He also highlighted farmers difficulties with complying with the Tillage Three Crop Rule rule that requires tillage farmers to grow three crops. The exceptionally wet autumn of 2023 meant this hasnt been possible for farmers.

Thanks to IFA lobbying, an exemption from having to comply with the Three Crop Rule was announced for farmers for 2024 two days after Mr Carrolls presentation to the Council.

Mr Carroll said it was hard not to overstate the blunder that is not paying farmers their environmental payment while at the same time trying to convince them thye have a bright future in nature restoration.

North Tipperary IFA Chairman Baden Powell told the Council meeting that farmers in north Tipperary were as frustrated as those in south Tipperary. They felt the political system has been asleep and let the direction come from the EU.

He said farming has become top heavy with bureaucracy and so complicated that the consultants, who previously looked for this work, were now sick of it.

Mr Powell estimated that when the next CAP Convergence happens in 2027, about 30m in EU payments will leave county Tipperary and go across the Shannon. The money will be leaving the productive farmers.

He said farmers have always made nature a priority and continue to do so but he stressed it is nourishment farmers need, not punishment.

The IFA delegations presentation received overwhelming support from councillors gathered at the meeting and a motion resolving that the Council supports the IFAs Enough is Enough campaign and recognises the significant contribution of farming and agri-sector to the Irish economy, was unanimously passed at the meeting.

The motion, tabled by Fine Gael Cllr Declan Burgess, also stated the Council acknowledged the income challenges on Irish farmers arising from the significant increases in the cost of doing business, regulatory costs, and cuts in the basic income support for farmers.

It directed the Council to call on the Government to introduce no further regulations on farmers or any measures that may increase costs on farms without the full negotiation and agreement with the Irish Farmers Association.

The motion also directed the Council to call on the European Union and the Irish Government to provide additional stand-alone funding, separate to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), to support farmers to undertake climate and biodiversity measures.
Sky-high electricity bills for sustainable heat pump systems remain a considerable barrier for Irish homeowners switching their heating systems, with one Offaly resident saying his heating bills were "higher than my mortgage" during some winter months.

Running costs are one of the concerns highlighted in a recent report on the environmentally sustainable heating systems.

One Offaly homeowner told us: "I have an air to water system that we had installed in our A-rated house in 2018. In theory the system sounds great but in practice when you sign up for these modern heating systems you are handing over control of your heating costs.

"Since the installation of the system electricity prices have skyrocketed. This is something out of my control and has resulted in heating bills being higher than my mortgage during more than one winter month. The alternative is to turn the system down and have a cold house but you still need it to heat water when needed.

"We as a household have had to deal with huge costs due to a heating system which is being promoted as efficient and cost effective, largely because of the rises in electricity costs. It is very cheap in the summer months but if the electricity prices continue as they are, all the summer savings are outweighed by the winter costs," the resident said.

One new homeowner said: "Our first few bills were very reasonable. Then the Government's energy credit came in and the bill seemed to rise by almost exactly as much as the energy credit was worth.

"Our last bill was over 1,000 (over two months). We've turned all the thermostats down for the next billing cycle to see if we can bring the bill down that way and we're in our new build now, and a little cold at night due to the soaring cost of the electricity bill.

"Now, it's the only bill we have for the house, but still. We keep hearing that energy prices are coming down but I'm not seeing it in my electricity bill."

High running costs for the sustainable heating systems have also been raised at local authority level.

Air-to-water heat pump systems installed in some retrofitted Laois council housing are so high that is like a 'double rent' for tenants, a Laois councillor told a recent council meeting.

Cllr John King said super work has been done on houses in Rathdowney to bring them up to date. However, he cautioned about one costly retrofit retrofitting result for tenants due to the air-to-water heat pump systems installed.

They are now paying a double rent because they are not used to paying for the heating. They have no control over the cost of it because it has to be on constantly...The running cost is quite expensive it is nearly equal to the rent, he said.

Many Irish homeowners may be willing to switch to electric heat pumps, but only when their current heating system needs to be replaced, according to latest research.

A new report from the Sustainable Energy Association of Ireland (SEAI) also found the concerns over costs are also an issue.

Current Government grants are helpful, the report says, but additional supports and promotion would further boost uptake.

Many homeowners remain unaware of grants in the first place, while others are put off by complex grant paperwork and worry over possible unanticipated ancillary costs. The research also showed that both financial and environmental motivations matter for adoption of heat pumps.

The recent SEAI reports on heating pumps includes several recommendations, including targeting interventions at homeowners with older boilers, introducing measures to increase the convenience of heat pumps as an option for emergency replacements, considering offering further grant support, ensuring heat pump running costs remain competitive compared with fossil fuel alternatives, creating stronger signals regarding Irelands future trajectory towards fossil fuel phaseout and widespread heat pump deployment, and running a widespread heat pump awareness campaign.

Recent changes to scheme design have included simplifying the heat pump grant process and including additional supports for ancillary works that may be required when installing a heat pump. Further scheme improvements are being considered.

Report Author, Dr Hannah Julienne, Programme Manager of Behavioural Economics at SEAI said: "We estimate there are about 250,000 homes in Ireland that are already suitable for a heat pump system but are still using oil. This research has shown us that the homeowners in these dwellings are generally positive about heat pumps and are willing to pay for one, but only when their existing heating system has come to the end of its life. "Given that many of these homes have older boilers that will need replacing in the next few years, it is crucial we support these homeowners and ensure that when the time for replacement comes, they make the switch to a heat pump rather than getting locked into another decade or more of fossil fuel use.

Ireland has one of the lowest uptake on heat pump systems, in comparison to Norway, which has the highest level in Europe.
For the first time since 1998, the Ukrainian band Okean Elzy has released a song in English called "Voices Are Rising ". The first track from the band's English-language album was warmly received by the audience. They said it reminded them of famous British band Coldplay.

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It premiered on YouTube. The video consisted of lines of the song that changed along with Svyatoslav Vakarchuk's voice.

"There should have been extensive texts, stories, and press releases. However, today we want you to just listen to the song and, most importantly, remember that light will always overcome darkness. Our Ukrainian voices have already risen thanks to those who are fighting, restoring, and spreading their light every minute," Okean Elzy said.

In the song, the stars call for crying, letting go of emotions, and opening their hearts to something good when life's challenges force them to hide everything.

"Voices are rising

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Just let it out right now

Tears that you are hiding

Just let em all fall," the chorus says.

Ukrainians liked the new chapter of Okean Elzy's work. They also emphasized how well the music sounds.

"I do not just like it, it is my favorite. It's a great song, Svyatoslav sings very beautifully in English", "Thank you! It's a new level, it's great! It's a competitive Ukrainian English-language song", "Thank you. A hard day, but creativity inspires", "What a 180-degree turn. It reminds me of Coldplay," they wrote in the comments.

As previously reported, the British rock band Coldplay, which fully supports Ukraine in the war against Russia, performed the hit song "Obiymy" (Hug Me) at its concert in Brussels. That day, the band was unexpectedly joined by the author of the track, Svyatoslav Vakarchuk.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and in Viber. Don't fall for fakes!
The British real estate company Edge has responded to Ukrainians' discontent with a Russian citizen employee. Recently, Yulia Vorobyova joined the voting in the pseudo-presidential election in Russia by visiting the Russian embassy in London.

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Despite the oppositional attitude of some of those present, the line of people wishing to cast their "valuable" vote numbered "several thousand" people. The events were covered by Ukrainian volunteer Nazar Smyk, who helps the Ukrainian Armed Forces and lives in the capital of England, on his page on the X network (formerly Twitter).

He published screenshots from Vorobyova's Insta-stories, where she boasts that she voted for dictator Putin. "When the Western media thinks that we (Russians) don't vote for Putin. We do! Today is the day of the "election" of the Russian president... I am on my way to the Russian embassy," the Russian woman wrote.

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Smyk decided to show the war supporters where they belonged. He contacted Edge's managers to report their employee's narratives and allegiance to Putin's regime. Two days later, on March 18, the volunteer shared the news: Vorobyova was fired.

"Our company no longer cooperates with Yulia. We want to make it clear that the company does not endorse, support, or tolerate any sentiment that advocates violence, aggression, or conflict. We are firmly opposed to any form of war or hostilities that cause harm to others," Edge representatives responded in a letter. After the scandal, the Russian woman closed access to her social networks.

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Smyk added that he managed to talk to the company's owner. As a result, Edge decided to demonstrate its pro-European position and donate funds for the humanitarian needs of Ukrainians through the British-Ukrainian Foundation.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The Soviet Union was a totalitarian state where all aspects of life were controlled by the authorities. This also applied to the upbringing of children, who from early childhood were trained to become weapons in the hands of the empire.

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Propaganda and romanticization of the war in the USSR were commonplace. The so-called Soviet "patriotism" was extremely intolerant and militaristic, says blogger and researcher of life in the USSR Maksym Mirovych.

Soviet patriotic education was not meant to raise a socially responsible citizen who would love and respect his homeland, but a slave of the state who would not ask unnecessary questions and, if necessary, would shoot at whomever he was ordered to.

In general, it worked out that way. Soviet soldiers rarely had any idea what they were fighting for or against. For example, after the invasion of Czechoslovakia, Soviet tankers said that they had come to "liberate their Czech brothers from the fascists," and paratroopers during the war in Afghanistan said that "if we had not landed here, NATO soldiers would have been here in three hours." Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

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The Soviet upbringing and propaganda played a big role in the lack of critical thinking among Soviet soldiers. Children were read books about the war from an early age and taught to march in formation, not to ask unnecessary questions, and to obey their elders.

Pioneer camps

Soviet camps were built on a military model. They were divided into units and assigned counselors (like non-commissioned officers) and educators (like senior officers). There, children were taught to march in formation, line up, and raise flags. Also common in pioneer camps were war games, during which children ran around with wooden machine guns and gas masks.

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In short, the system was designed so that in the future, in the army, a person would know how to behave, not get confused, and be ready to fight those whom the authorities declare an enemy.

Books

There were many books in the USSR aimed at children of all ages that romanticized and idealized the army and war. One of them was called "Our Native Army". In it, you can find a bunch of poems about how wonderful the army is. It protects everyone and does not threaten anyone.

The lines "Glory to the Soviet army, the most peaceful army on earth" are worthy of note. This is not only a contradiction, but also hypocrisy, because the book was published in the eighties, when the USSR invaded Afghanistan and fueled other conflicts, such as the war in Angola.

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Older children were treated more seriously. For example, with the help of Boris Nikolsky's books. The Soviet government needed paratroopers, so to encourage boys to join the Airborne Forces, a book like Soldier's School was written.

At first, children were told how cool paratroopers were because they had good physical training.

Then they talk about skydiving, which only the best can do. They say that if you want to be as strong and brave, you need to join the airborne forces.

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And this picture compares the war to those pioneer lagers. As if fighting is as fun and carefree as playing as a child.

Subscribe to OBOZ.UA's Telegram and Viber channels to keep up with the latest developments.
Springtime homicides continue to spike but, thankfully, remain below last year's count which, at this date, already numbered 36.

Still . . . Here's the tragic report from this morning . . .



Homicide 3800 Block of E 67th St

This morning just after 8am officers were dispatched to 67th and Cleveland on a shooting call. When they arrived they were directed to an adult male shooting victim who was unresponsive in a parking lot next to a business there. Officers called for EMS to come to the scene, EMS transported the victim to the hospital for treatment. The victim was declared deceased at the hospital.



Preliminary indication is the victim was across the street from the business, near the corner of the intersection when the unknown suspect fired shots at the victim striking him.



Detectives and crime scene investigators are processing the scene for evidence and canvassing for witnesses. We are hopeful that someone heard or saw something that can give detectives more information about what took place here.



If anyone was in this area this morning and heard or saw anything or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.



We are committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouris Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the States administering agency.



We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents.

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Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Shooting near Swope Park kills man Friday morning A man is dead following a shooting Friday morning near Swope Park.

KCPD: Shooting victim found Friday morning in Kansas City business parking lot Police are investigating the shooting death of a man found injured in a business parking lot Friday morning.

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For close readers amid the late night & early morning . . . We share a bevy of Kansas City reading material regarding recent violence, court cases and life saving police efforts as the weather warms up.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Shooting near Kansas City railyard leaves one with life-threatening injuries Police continue to investigate an afternoon shooting near a Kansas City railyard that left one man with life-threatening injuries.

Another teen has gun charges upgraded in connection with Chiefs rally shooting The Juvenile Officer stated that a hearing would take place to determine whether the teen should be tried as an adult.

Third adult and third juvenile charged in Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting Terry J. Young was identified near Union Station at the rally by his "unique green teddy bear backpack," according to Kansas City Police. In all, three adult men and three juveniles are charged in the fatal shooting; three others are charged with weapons violations.

KCK police investigate shooting that left man with life-threatening injuries Police were called to the 200 block of Southwest Boulevard around 1 p.m. after they received reports that someone needed medical attention, an officer said.

Man will spend over 33 years in prison in deadly 2022 shooting in Shawnee A man will spend over 33 years in prison for shooting and killing a Kansas City, Missouri, man during a robbery in Shawnee in 2022.

Man found guilty in 2017 shooting of Lyft driver in Liberty A Clay County jury found Patrick Pulse guilty of first-degree assault and armed criminal action.

Illegal Immigrant Arrested for Stabbing Two at Missouri Laundromat | National Review Missouri police have arrested Jose Barrera, an illegal immigrant, for stabbing two victims at a laundromat on Sunday.

Kansas inmates wait in jail for months for mental health treatment. That might change The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is working with local mental health providers to cut down the state's notoriously long wait times to provide services to inmates declared incompetent to stand trial.

Riley Strain search ongoing, no evidence of 'criminal element': Police The search for missing college student Riley Strain has still not produced any evidence of a "criminal element" to his disappearance, Nashville police said.

Kansas City youth speak on how QuikTrip's Safe Place program helped them Young adults in Kansas City are sharing their stories during National Safe Place Week and the impact the program has had on them.

'I collapsed in the front yard': Kansas City father opens up about daughter's murder Jose E. Escalante-Corchado, 29, was initially charged with first-degree murder, assault, two counts of armed criminal action, and endangering the welfare of a child.

KCPD To Implement 911 Abandoned Callback Feature The callback will automatically return the phone call to people who have hung up before a call taker could answer. The system will then prompt the person who called to confirm that they meant to dial 911 and need assistance or confirm the call was an accident or not needed.

Developing . . .
Marriott Executive Apartments, part of Marriott Bonvoys global portfolio of over 30 extraordinary hotel brands, today announced its debut in the Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Region with the opening of Marriott Executive Apartments Port Moresby. The waterside property in the heart of Port Moresby, Marriott Internationals first in Papua New Guinea, is set within the mixed-use development of Harbourside South and offers Marriott Executive Apartments signature luxury apartments with premiere hotel services for long stays and all the comforts of home.

We are thrilled to establish our inaugural foothold in Papua New Guinea with this milestone opening, said Sean Hunt, Area Vice President, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific for Marriott International. This is also a debut for the Marriott Executive Apartments brand in the region, allowing us to diversify our offering to cater to ambitious and adventurous travellers who seek a premium, trusted extended-stay experience.

Marriott Executive Apartments Port Moresby features 88 modern residential apartments - ranging from one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites to a one-bedroom and two-bedroom penthouse, all offering the space, ambiance, and privacy of residential living to enable a comfortable stay away from home. Each apartment category features upscale furnishings, separate sleeping, living, dining and working spaces and a fully equipped kitchen. Additional touches that will ensure a seamless stay include a Marshall Bluetooth sound system, complimentary Wi-Fi, an in-room washer and dryer, cleaning service and parking.

A stylish Executive Lounge for residents and guests will offer a relaxed environment for light meals, self-service options and evening cocktails. Guests will also have access to a floor featuring a 25m outdoor lap pool, leisure pool, a fully equipped gym, three spa treatment rooms offering a range of rejuvenating treatments, and a recreation zone for children.

From empowering guests to make a graceful entrance into a new city to connecting them to uniquely local experiences to enabling that perfect balance between work time and pursuing personal passions, Marriott Executive Apartments is both residence and hotel, a workspace and home base. Marriott Executive Apartments Port Moresby will offer guests a sense of security and connection with modern and luxurious apartments that make it easy to settle in, and a locally fluent staff that takes a personalized approach to acclimating guests to the world outside.

The new Harbourside South development also houses a retail floor and three floors of commercial space and connects to Harbourside East and West and Port Moresbys Waterfront - connecting guests of Marriott Executive Apartments Port Moresby to the citys finest restaurants, bars, boardwalk, and marina. Residents and guests will be able to live, shop, relax, work, and dine within the luxury and safety of the precinct  the first of its kind in Papua New Guinea.

Marriott Executive Apartments Port Moresby will participate in Marriott Bonvoy  the award-winning travel program from Marriott International  allowing members to earn points for their stay at the new hotel, and at other hotels and resorts across Marriott Bonvoys portfolio of extraordinary hotel brands. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members enjoy a level of personalization and a contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind.

For more information and reservations, please click here.

Image Credit:  Marriott
In Zaporizhzhia, there were two direct hits to the DniproHES, at HPP-1 and HPP-2. It is unclear whether HPP-2 will be restored, as it was seriously damaged. One pillar was hit, and crane beams were smashed.

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Ihor Syrota, director of Ukrhydroenergo, said this. "We will have to completely restore the engine room and electrical equipment. We will calculate the consequences during the day and understand what happened. And whether it (HPP-2 - Ed.) will be able to operate. And whether it will be able to work, in particular in a limited mode, or whether it will not be able to work at all for a certain period," he said on Radio Liberty.

There is currently no threat of a dam break at DniproHES. Both stations are not working yet. Syrota also noted:

"There are no casualties among the employees of DniproHES.

The plant is taking all measures to raise the gates and allow water to flow downstream.

Ukrhydroenergo will be able to give a final assessment in some time when the fire is extinguished. The consequences will be calculated during the day.

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"I hope that the world will react to the strikes that are again being inflicted on Ukraine's critical infrastructure. The insufficient reaction of the world community to the destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant provoked the fact that the enemy did not see any major consequences for itself. That is why Russia continues to attack Ukrainian hydroelectric facilities. This is a great danger that could lead to an environmental disaster," he said.

On March 22, Russia damaged a number of critical energy infrastructure facilities. The war criminals shelled the thermal power plant of the State Energy Company of Ukraine and the Dnipro hydroelectric power plant. Emergency shutdowns and preventive shutdown schedules were introduced in Dnipropetrovs'k, Poltava, Sumy, Odesa, and Donetsk regions. Kharkiv was completely de-energized.

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As OBOZ.UA reported, on March 21, the occupiers launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine. The enemy took to the skies 11 Tu-95MS strategic bombers, which launched 31 missiles from the Russian cities of Volgodonsk and Engels. On March 22, the Russians attacked the Ukrainian energy sector.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has raised an alarm over the increasing cases of dengue and malaria among people traveling abroad. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, cases have reached levels similar to those before the pandemic in 2019.

The majority of these cases were found in travelers returning from Southern and South East Asia, mainly India, and a rise was also noted from Central America and the Caribbean. With 634 dengue cases last year, the situation mirrors the pre-COVID-19 era, emphasizing the need for travelers to take health precautions seriously.

Health Alert for Those Traveling Abroad: Rise in Dengue and Malaria

The UKHSA has issued a warning for individuals planning on traveling abroad due to a significant rise in dengue and malaria cases, reaching numbers last observed in 2019. Travelers coming back from destinations like India, Central America, and the Caribbean are particularly at risk. In 2023, England reported 1,637 cases of these diseases, a figure close to the yearly average reported between 2010 and 2019.

Dengue, while typically not severe, can become serious in certain cases, presenting flu-like symptoms. As shared by the Independent, malaria is more severe, potentially leading to fatal outcomes if not treated, characterized by fever, headaches, and muscle pain. Importantly, both diseases cannot be transmitted from person to person but are spread by mosquitoes.

Dr. Dipti Patel, from the National Travel Health Network and Centre, urges travelers to prioritize their health and seek medical advice before and after traveling abroad. Simple preventive measures, such as using insect repellent, wearing clothes that cover the body, and using bed nets, can significantly reduce the risk of infection.

Additionally, the UKHSA encourages travelers to update their measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccinations, especially when traveling with children, to avoid worsening the measles outbreak in England. In light of the 730 measles cases reported since last October, this precaution is more critical than ever.

For those planning on traveling abroad, the advice is clear: take the necessary health precautions to protect against these mosquito-borne diseases, ensuring a safe and healthy trip.

Related Article: Iceland Genes Might Be The Cure To Alzheimer's Disease

Measles Warning for Families Traveling Abroad

In the United States, health leaders are telling doctors about a big jump in measles cases worldwide. They are giving advice to families traveling abroad. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wants babies as young as 6 months to get vaccinated before they travel to places with measles outbreaks.

According to CNN, countries like Austria, the Philippines, Romania, and the United Kingdom have seen more people getting sick with measles. These places are popular with American tourists. This warning is especially important now, as many people plan trips during the spring and summer.

In 36 states, not enough kids are vaccinated against measles. This means these areas don't have enough protection to stop the disease from spreading. The CDC says two doses of the measles vaccine work really well, stopping about 97% of infections.

Doctors say that people planning to go abroad should check their vaccine records. If they are not sure they are protected against measles, they should see a doctor at least six weeks before their trip. This is a change from the old advice of one month. The goal is to make sure everyone has enough time to get their shots.

The United States has eliminated measles, but people still get it when they travel to other countries. So far this year, the U.S. has reported as many measles cases as all of last year. The CDC is telling all travelers to make sure they are vaccinated before going abroad to stay safe from measles.

Read Also: Traveling Abroad? Stay Safe With These Simple Tips
Belize has been one of the most beautiful destinations in the world you must visit. It is a small country by the Caribbean Sea with lots of beautiful attractions waiting for visitors like you to explore. From the second-largest barrier reef in the world to ancient Mayan ruins, Belize offers an adventure for every kind of traveler.

This guide will take you through the must-visit places in Belize, ensuring you get the full experience of this incredible country. Get ready to mark your map with these unforgettable destinations!

Ambergris Caye

Ambergris Caye is the heartbeat of Belize. This island serves up a mix of relaxation and adventure. You can soak up the sun on its stunning beaches during the day. At night, the town of San Pedro comes alive with vibrant nightlife. Divers will love exploring the Belize Barrier Reef nearby. Plus, the local food is a culinary journey you do not want to miss.

Cayo District

The Cayo District takes you into the heart of Belize's lush landscapes. Here, you can wander through ancient Mayan ruins like Xunantunich and Cahal Pech. The area is a playground for nature lovers, offering cave tubing and zip-lining. It is also home to the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, where waterfalls and wildlife await. Do not leave without tasting some local dishes, which are as diverse as the landscape.

Placencia

Placencia is a charming village that offers an authentic Belizean experience. It boasts some of the best beaches in Belize, perfect for a day of relaxation. The village is also a gateway to amazing snorkeling and diving spots. You can enjoy a laid-back atmosphere here, with friendly locals and tasty seafood. Placencia is a great base for exploring nearby natural attractions.

Related Article: The Carribean Island Of Virginia Caye Is Up For Auction In eBay

Belize Barrier Reef

The Belize Barrier Reef is a natural wonder that you must see. It is the second-largest coral reef system in the world. The reef is a paradise for snorkelers and divers, with vibrant coral and abundant marine life. You can see everything from colorful fish to majestic sea turtles. Conservation efforts here are crucial, making it a responsible travel destination. Visiting the reef is an unforgettable experience that highlights the natural beauty of Belize.

Toledo District

Toledo, often overlooked, is the cultural heart of Belize. It offers a quick look into the traditional ways of life of the Maya and Garifuna peoples. You can visit local villages and learn about their customs and cuisine. The district is also rich in natural beauty, with plenty of opportunities for river kayaking and hiking. Toledo provides a more off-the-beaten-path experience for those looking to dive deeper into Belize's diverse culture.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve

Lastly, Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a marine paradise. Located near Ambergris Caye, it is part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System. This area is famous for Shark Ray Alley, where you can swim with nurse sharks and stingrays. The clear waters make it an ideal spot for snorkeling and diving. This place is living proof of Belize's commitment to preserving its natural wonders. A visit here is a must for anyone wanting to explore the underwater world of Belize.

Read Also: Craving for Nature and Wildlife? Visit Gippsland, Australia for Your Perfect Outdoor Activities
The country is tonight mourning the loss of one of its legal luminaries... who also served i
Russia's attack on energy infrastructure on March 22 was the largest in the history of the full-scale war, hitting about 20 substations and power plants, including the Dnipro hydroelectric power plant. As of 4 p.m., power engineers and emergency services continue to work to eliminate the consequences and restore power supply to consumers. The most difficult situation remains in Kharkiv.

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However, in general, the country's power system is operating stably and there is no power shortage. This was announced by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at a government meeting on March 22.

"About 20 substations and power plants, including the Dnipro hydroelectric power plant, have been affected. There are problems in several regions. The key thing now is that the power system is intact and the power system is operating stably. Thanks to the additional protection of our power facilities, we have withstood the blow. There is no shortage of capacity and it is not currently expected," Shmyhal said.

According to the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, there are problems with power supply not only in Kharkiv but also in other regions. In particular:

restrictions remain in place for consumers in the Odesa region  for more than 230,000 consumers;

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In the Dnipropetrovsk region, 150 thousand consumers are disconnected, and restrictions are applied to more than 10 thousand subscribers;

150 thousand consumers are disconnected, and restrictions are applied to more than 10 thousand subscribers; more than 2,000 customers in the Khmelnytskyi region are without power, and restoration works are ongoing (200,000 customers were cut off in the morning).

"The most difficult situation is in Kharkiv. About 600,000 consumers are still without power due to significant damage. Work is underway to repair the city's critical infrastructure," the statement said.

Power supply has been restored in some regions. In particular, consumers in Vinnytsia and Lviv regions have been restored. In the Zaporizhzhia region, network restrictions have been lifted, but there are still blackouts due to the fighting.

In general, the Russian attack targeted different regions of Ukraine. Russia struck thermal and hydroelectric power plants, as well as main substations operated by Ukrenergo, said Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, chairman of NPC Ukrenergo, on the air of the "Single Telethon".

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He also noted that there is damage to energy facilities in many regions, especially, unfortunately, in Kharkiv, where the scale of damage is greater than in other regions. According to Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, the enemy targeted various objects of the power system  generation, high-voltage substations, and distribution operator substations.

"Unfortunately, there are power supply restrictions in different regions of Ukraine, mainly on the left bank of the Dnipro. I emphasize that these are controlled restrictions to keep the system running smoothly. Most of the questions are about the status of damage to DniproHPP: there is currently no risk of a dam breach, the status of damage is being clarified and will be finally understood in a few hours," said the CEO of NPC Ukrenergo.

Volodymyr Kudrytskyi also noted that immediately after the alarms were dismissed, the damage assessment at all facilities began. "I emphasize that we have enough people and skills to overcome the consequences of the treacherous attack quickly. I emphasize once again that the power system is working as a whole. I ask all consumers, all Ukrainians, to be patient and not to panic. This has already happened, power engineers are working and doing everything possible to restore power supply in the affected regions as soon as possible," Kudrytskyi summarized.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink has said after a new Russian missile and drone attack on Ukrainian cities that Ukraine needs help now.

She said this on X, formerly Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

"For the second day in a row all of Ukraine has been woken up before dawn by the threat of incoming hypersonic and cruise missiles. Russia's barbaric attacks on an entire people continue to threaten civilians and break international law. Ukraine needs our help now," Brink said.

President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier said that last night the Russian invaders attacked Ukraine with more than 60 Shahed drones and almost 90 missiles of different types.

The enemy attack damaged a number of energy facilities across the country. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant lost one power line, and the equipment of thermal power plants was damaged. The Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant also came under attack. There is no threat of a dam breach.
The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine is assisting Russian volunteers from the Freedom of Russia Legion, the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC) and the Siberian Battalion, which operate in Russia. The soldiers' task is to help Ukraine defend its territorial integrity.

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This was stated by the head of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov in a commentary to Suspilne. He answered very concisely and did not go into details.

"We support, help and advise them...," the head of the intelligence said.

At a press conference on March 21, the volunteers said that the main goal of their raid was to help the Ukrainian Defense Forces so that the aggressor country would lose the war. The second goal is to continue the liberation campaign and raise the RVC flag over the Kremlin wall.

"Accordingly, as the Legion said, we will strike Belgorod back for every strike at Kharkiv. Thus, our liberation operation on the territory of our homeland will continue," Baranovsky emphasized.

Earlier, Budanov said that the raid by Russian volunteers in the Belgorod and Kursk regions of the Russian Federation is the beginning of the fight for their country. The insurgents' struggle is entering a new phase: not only to fight against the fascist regime but also to unite the opposition forces "into one powerful fist and save the country from falling into the abyss."

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Representatives of Russian volunteer formations reported that in more than a week of fighting in the Belgorod region, the Russian army lost more than 1,500 people. The irreversible losses of the terrorist country of the Russian Federation amount to 651 people, and the sanitary losses amount to 980.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, has reacted to another massive Russian missile attack on Ukraine. He said that the attacks must stop and the perpetrators must be punished.

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Borrell made the statement on social network X on Friday, February 22. He noted that the aggressor country continues to brutally attack Ukrainian civilians using missiles and UAVs.

"Russia continues its brutal attacks on the population of Ukraine, bombing energy infrastructure with drones and missiles overnight, killing and injuring dozens of people, and jeopardizing the safety of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. This must stop! All those responsible will be brought to justice," the politician wrote.

On March 22, the Russian army launched the second massive attack against Ukraine in two days. At night, the enemy launched UAVs and X-101/555/55 cruise missiles in the morning. Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyi, Dnipro, Poltava, Mykolaiv, Vinnytsia, Odesa, Lviv, and Ivano-Frankivsk regions came under attack, with casualties and injuries.

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Russia's attack on energy facilities on March 22 was the largest in the full-scale war, with about 20 substations and power plants, including the Dnipro hydroelectric power plant, being hit.

It will take a day to restore power to all consumers, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said.

The Russian Defense Ministry cynically called the attack on civilian infrastructure and residential buildings in Ukraine "retaliatory strikes." Serhii Bratchuk, a representative of the UVA "South", called this statement a lie on OBOZ TV and emphasized that the attack requires careful preparation by the enemy for more than one or even several days.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The US Department of Defense (DoD) announced on March 10 its allocation of $17.6 million to 27 academic teams through the Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR).

Enhancing Defence Research Infrastructure

DEPSCoR aims to bolster the United States' defence research capabilities by supporting institutions of higher learning in states and territories that have historically been underrepresented in this field. The initiative not only seeks to increase the involvement of academics in critical research areas for the DoD but also aims to strengthen the science and engineering capabilities of these institutions.

Dr. Bindu Nair, the director of DoD's Basic Research Office, highlighted the importance of tapping into the diverse research talents spread across the country. She emphasized that the success of the DoD's science and technology mission relies on a broad ecosystem of innovative researchers in every state.

READ ALSO: Leveraging Social Finance to Support Under-represented Students in Higher Education

Two Competitions

The funding announcement follows two competitions held in Fiscal Year 2023: the DEPSCoR Research Collaboration competition and the DEPSCoR Capacity Building competition.

The Research Collaboration competition invited faculty members from eligible states and territories to submit proposals aligning with the DoD's research needs. Out of over 80 submissions, 25 collaborative teams were selected from universities across 15 states. Each team will receive up to $600,000 over three years to conduct research relevant to the DoD.

Winning teams include the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, investigating hypersonic vehicle heat shielding ablation, and Auburn University, studying dynamic loads on hovering rotor blades.

The Capacity Building competition aims to advance the strategic objectives of higher education institutes. Two teams, led by executive offices at Louisiana Tech University and the University of Tulsa, were chosen from over 15 submissions. These teams will receive up to $1.5 million each over two years to enhance their research capabilities.

Louisiana Tech University will focus on domestic manufacture of microelectronics for harsh environments, while the University of Tulsa will research ultra-high temperature materials for extreme conditions.

Significance of the Awards

The DoD awards signify a concerted effort to bolster defence research infrastructure and cultivate academic talent across the nation. The initiative underscores the importance of collaboration between the defence sector and academia in addressing national security challenges.

By investing in research initiatives at institutions across various states and territories, the DoD aims to leverage the expertise and resources available throughout the country, ensuring a diverse and innovative approach to advancing defence technologies.

Moreover, these awards serve as a recognition of the vital role that academic institutions play in contributing to national security and technological advancement. The collaboration between the DoD and universities not only benefits the defence sector but also fosters academic excellence and economic growth in regions historically underrepresented in defence research.

Overall, the DEPSCoR awards represent a strategic investment in the future of defence research and innovation, positioning the United States to maintain its leadership in cutting-edge technologies and scientific advancements relevant to national security.

RELATED ARTICLE: Minister Simon Harris Bolsters Washington Ireland Programme with Increased Funding
In an era defined by rapid technological advancements and evolving workforce dynamics, the pursuit of highly successful learning programs has become a strategic imperative for organizations seeking to thrive in the face of change. UpSkill America and i4cp, a renowned human capital research firm, have embarked on a quest to decipher the essential elements that delineate effective upskilling initiatives.

Insights from the Study

Published on March 12, the comprehensive study offers profound insights into the impact of learning and development (L&D) programs on front-line workers, a segment of the workforce particularly susceptible to the disruptive forces of automation and artificial intelligence. By surveying hundreds of employers across diverse industries, the research elucidates the efficacy of internal programming, apprenticeships or work-and-learn schemes, and tuition assistance or reimbursement policies in addressing the skills gap.

Front-line workers, typically defined as hourly employees earning below $22 per hour, emerge as focal points of concern, with a significant portion of surveyed employers expressing doubts about their workforce's preparedness to meet future demands. This underscores the urgent need for robust upskilling strategies tailored to the unique needs of this demographic.

READ ALSO: Excelencia Urges Employer-University Collaboration To Boost Latino Graduation Rates

Deciphering the Components of Success

1. Internal Education and Training Programs

Organizations leveraging in-house L&D initiatives prioritize a holistic approach that encompasses communication skills, technical proficiency, interpersonal dynamics, and critical thinking abilities. The integration of cognitive skills and collaborative aptitude underscores the evolving nature of work, with successful programs emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and credentialing to formalize employees' achievements.

2. Apprenticeship and Work-and-Learn Models:

The fusion of experiential learning and structured instruction characterizes apprenticeship and work-and-learn models, offering participants a blend of on-the-job training and classroom education. Employers aligning with the principles of the Registered Apprenticeship program, characterized by competitive compensation, skilled mentorship, and immersive learning experiences, report heightened success rates. Embracing a hire-to-train approach not only enhances retention but also cultivates a talent pipeline aligned with organizational needs.

3. Tuition Assistance Programs

Traditional tuition assistance programs have experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly among front-line workers seeking to advance their careers through higher education. Collaborative partnerships between employers and educational institutions facilitate personalized learning experiences and provide employees with the support needed to navigate educational pathways effectively. Examples such as Walmart's Live Better U program underscore the potential for integrating internal mobility and educational advancement to empower employees and drive organizational growth.

Embracing a Culture of Continuous Improvement

To embark on the journey towards highly successful learning programs, organizations must foster a culture of innovation and agility. By aligning L&D initiatives with strategic objectives, leveraging technology to deliver personalized learning experiences, and nurturing a supportive environment conducive to growth, employers can unlock the full potential of their workforce and maintain a competitive edge in today's dynamic landscape. Through collaboration with industry partners, government agencies, and educational institutions, organizations can chart a course towards a future where learning is not merely a means to an end but a cornerstone of sustained success and resilience.

RELATED ARTICLE: Walmart Enhances Education Benefit To Foster Internal Mobility and Skill-Based Hiring
Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna said that the United States and Germany are the key opponents of extending an invitation to Ukraine to join NATO. According to her, they are the ones who do not create opportunities for the development of this dialog.

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She said this while speaking at the Kyiv Security Forum. Even before the NATO Summit in Vilnius in July 2023, Ukraine offered its partners a format of an invitation that would be legally binding and guarantee NATO membership.

However, according to Stefanishyna, the allies themselves "do not believe in NATO right now" and do not see it as a platform to conduct any discussions about Ukraine's security guarantees. They do not believe that NATO can offer Ukraine mechanisms for its protection or political support.

The 75th-anniversary summit of NATO leaders is scheduled to take place in Washington in July. However, according to the Deputy Prime Minister, all the dialogue with the allies and NATO headquarters boils down to urging Ukraine to "behave calmly" at the summit.

"The only thing that makes me happy: Our perception of summits and the perception of allied leaders is slightly different. Allies do not prepare the most important decisions for summits. A summit is networking, relatively speaking. Therefore, we are urged not to spoil the atmosphere," Stefanishyna said.

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She also noted that the decision to invite Ukraine can be made at any time, and there is no need to wait for a meeting at the level of leaders. However, there is no one to conduct a dialog with.

The Vice Prime Minister explained that this does not mean that there is no support, as at the time of the Vilnius Summit, 29 NATO member states supported Ukraine's invitation to NATO.

"And 9 of them  the entire eastern flank  blocked all other decisions. And nothing could break them, no threats. But there are key opponents of this decision  the United States and Germany, who do not even allow this dialogue to develop," Stefanishyna said.

As a reminder, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Ukraine is closer to NATO than ever before. At the same time, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin achieved the opposite with his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, one of the goals of which was to prevent the expansion of the NATO bloc.

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Earlier, US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said that the essence of bilateral security agreements between Ukraine and the US is to ensure Ukraine's defense until the country becomes a part of NATO.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Mar, 2024) Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Muhammad Aurangzeb said Friday that he was keen to tap Chinese investors by selling as much as $300 million in Panda bonds for the first time ever this year.

In an interview with Bloomberg, the minister said, selling Yuan-denominated debt would allow Pakistan to diversify its funding sources and reach investors in a new market.

We should have looked at quite frankly some time back, he said.

China has the second-largest and deepest bond market in the world and it is the right thing to do for the country to tap the market, given Pakistan has already sold Dollar and eurobonds, he said.

Aurangzeb said that initial Panda bond sale would be about $250 million to $300 million, which would be followed by further issuances.

The finance minister said that governments cash balances are strong enough and it's able to pay its debts on time.

The payments are unlikely to put pressure on the Currency, and he expects the rupee to remain stable, he said.

I dont really see a huge pressure on the rupee at this point in time, he said.

As we go forward, I think its going to remain range bound around these levels.

 The wildcard is oil prices, he added, which remain uncertain given the Red Sea attacks.

Pakistans rupee is up 1.3% this year, according to local pricing compiled by Bloomberg, among the best-performing currencies in Asia.

According to Bloomberg report, Aurangzebs most pressing challenge is negotiating new loans with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help bolster the countrys reserves right after the current bailout program ends in April.

Bloomberg quoted IMF as having said earlier this week that Pakistan has expressed interest in a new medium-term program to improve its fiscal and external weaknesses and strengthen its economic recovery.

According to report, Aurrangzeb said Pakistan will seek a new loan program from the IMF of at least three years. Further details will be discussed after the Washington-based lenders annual spring meetings, he said.

Panda bonds are yuan-denominated instruments sold in China by offshore issuers, including companies, multilateral agencies and governments. The market has drawn issuers including Egypt and Hungary, thanks to its lower cost of borrowing.

Growth in Panda bond issuance could easily double in 2024, from about 103.35 billion Yuan ($14.3 billion) last year, according to Bloomberg Intelligence.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Mar, 2024) The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday set aside the decision of Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) for termination of Islamabad High Court (IHC)s judge Justice Shaukat Aziz Saddiqui.

The top court issue a 23-pages judgment authored by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa.

The order said, The SJCs Report/Opinion, dated 11 October 2018, which was submitted to the President and the Notification No. F.9(2)/2018-A.II, dated 11 October 2018, stated to have been issued on the advice of the Prime Minister and his Cabinet of Ministers are set aside. Consequently, Justice Siddiqui shall be deemed to have retired as a Judge of the Islamabad High Court and he will be entitled to receive all the benefits and privileges due to a retired Judge, by allowing these petitions in the above terms."

It said the court regretted the delay in the case being heard and subsequently decided that Justice Siddiqui attained the age of sixty-two years in the interregnum - the age at which a judge of the high court retires. Therefore, Justice Siddiqui cannot be restored to the position of Judge.

The order said, Justice Siddiqui had undoubtedly levelled very serious allegations against General Faiz Hameed, who was then serving in the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), and a few of his subordinates in the ISI who he accused of manipulation of certain sensitive cases in the Islamabad High Court and in the Accountability Court, which was under the jurisdiction of the Islamabad High Court. However, Justice Siddiqui was not given an opportunity to establish his allegations nor brought face to face with those he had accused. When we noted this lapse we issued notices to all those against whom he made allegations and provided them with an opportunity to admit/deny them. All of them have denied their stated involvement.

Therefore, it was all the more necessary for the SJC to have inquired into the matter and to have determined who was telling the truth. The SJC did not give any credence to Justice Siddiquis own words and to the contents of his replies; the SJC assumed that they were false; and having made this assumption concluded that Justice Siddiqui was guilty of misconduct. It would be difficult to categorize such a determination as fair or one which accorded with the requirements of due process. Justice Siddiqui was not given an opportunity to establish the veracity of his allegations, which was incumbent on the SJC when the same formed the basis of Justice Siddiquis removal from office.

The Fundamental Rights enshrined in the Constitution include the right to a fair trial and due process (Article 10A) and all citizens, including Judges, must be dealt with in accordance therewith.

However, Justice Siddiqui was deprived of his Fundamental Rights of fair trial and due process. Article 209 does not stipulate that in determining whether a Judge is guilty of misconduct he is denuded of the Fundamental Rights nor permits the SJC to act contrarily to them," it added.

The written order further stated, "In all prior cases when proceedings were initiated against Judges which resulted in their removal from office it was done after the recording of evidence. Evidence was recorded in the case of Justice Akhlaque Hussain before rendering the opinion that he should be removed from his office. In the case of Justice Shaukat Ali the SJC recorded evidence of witnesses before formulating its opinion and recommending his removal. And, in the recent case of Mr. Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi the SJC recorded the testimony of 14 witnesses, who produced a number of documents, opportunity to cross-examine the witnesses was granted, and only then did the SJC find that Mr. Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi was guilty of misconduct and should have been removed as a Judge of the Supreme Court."

The judgment said, "The Code of Conduct issued by the SJC does not prohibit a judge from addressing a bar association or even a public gathering, neither does any law. The SJC without ascertaining the veracity of the allegations, and without conducting an inquiry, had determined that Justice Siddiqui was guilty of misconduct merely because he had taken the matter public. If all that Justice Siddiqui alleged was true then it would be unjust and unfair to punish him for highlighting wrongdoing at the highest level. But, if on the other hand what he had alleged was found to be false then he would be guilty of misconduct. The allegations were serious and their veracity should have been ascertained, which is also what the Chief of Army Staff and the Government of Pakistan had explicitly requested. Unless the law governing an individual prohibits disclosure, telling the truth is never made punishable.

The plea was heard by a five-judge larger bench headed by CJP Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Irfan Saadat Khan.

It may be mentioned here that On October 11, 2018, former president Arif Alvi notified the removal of Justice Siddiqui as a judge of the IHC on the recommendation of the SJC into a matter pertaining to his controversial speech before the District Bar Association in Rawalpindi on July 21, 2018.
Willemstad, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Mar, 2024) For four generations, the Cordero family traveled regularly from Venezuela to the island of Curacao to sell their fruit and vegetables at the picturesque "floating" market of Willemstad.

Their source of income was abruptly taken away when Caracas shuttered its maritime and air border with Curacao in 2019 in a diplomatic dispute. Reopened last year, the market is slowly coming back to life, and the Corderos' hopes with it.

"The reopening was very good news for everyone, for Venezuelans and Curacaoans, as it is a source of revenue for everyone," said 32-year-old Rene Cordero, whose father, grandfather and great-grandfather all sold goods at the market.

His dad, Ramon, first traveled to the autonomous Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao when he was 16, with his father.

Caracas halted air and sea travel to Curacao amid an international spat following the 2018 re-election of President Nicolas Maduro in elections widely denounced as neither free nor fair.

Curacao at the time received food and medicine sent by the United States as "humanitarian aid" requested by opposition leader Juan Guaido, then recognized as Venezuela's de facto leader by the White House in a failed bid to displace Maduro.

In April last year, the governments of both nations agreed to reopen the borders, and with it the market that has been there since 1918.

Its stands have always been run by Venezuelans who stay in Willemstad, the island's capital, for about two months at a time before returning home, to be replaced by others.

"It was very hard," said Cordero of the closure of the market which is on land but described as "floating" because its vendors all arrive on small boats that are moored next to their stands.

In the time it was closed, Rene and his father tried to make it to the United States in search of an alternative income.

After crossing seven countries, however, they were forced to return to Venezuela because of a tightening of US immigration policy.

Once rich, Venezuela's economy is in dire straits, with GDP plummeting by 80 percent in a decade, forcing more than seven million to emigrate.

Between 2010 and 2019, Venezuela and the three islands of the neighboring archipelago of Curacao, Aruba and Bonaire, had an average commercial exchange of between $200 million and $300 million per year.

Much of the vendors' income comes from passing cruise ships.

Last year, Curacao with its turquoise waters welcomed more than 500,000 visitors, according to the tourist office of the island of 150,000 inhabitants.
Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Mar, 2024) Gunmen opened fire at a rock concert in a Moscow suburb Friday leaving dead and wounded before a major fire spread through the theatre, Moscow's mayor and Russian news agencies reported.

Attackers dressed in camouflage uniforms entered the building, opened fire and threw a grenade or incendiary bomb, according to a journalist for the RIA Novosti news agency who was at the scene.

"There are dead and injured following the attack at the Crocus City Hall," the FSB security service said. Russia's foreign ministry called the incident a "terrorist attack" and authorities said an investigation is under way.

Fire quickly spread through the concert hall, in the Krasnogorsk suburb in the north of the Russian capital, which can hold several thousand people and has hosted top international artists.

Telegram news channels Baza and Mash, which are close to security forces, showed video images of flames and black smoke pouring from the hall.

Other images showed two men walking through the hall with at least one person left on the ground near the entrance. Concert-goers were also seen hiding behind seats or trying to escape.

No details were given on casualties but Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed there were deaths in what he called a "terrible tragedy" at the concert by Russian rock band Piknik. He cancelled all public events in Moscow for the weekend.

Security services quoted by Interfax news agency, said between two and five people "wearing tactical uniforms and carrying automatic weapons" opened fire on guards at the entrance and then started shooting at the audience.

"People who were in the hall were led on the ground to protect themselves from the shooting for 15 or 20 minutes," the RIA Novosti journalist was quoted as saying.

People started crawling out when it was safe, the journalist reported, adding that security forces were at the scene.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Niamey, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Mar, 2024) Niger said 23 of its soldiers were killed in a "terrorist" ambush near the borders with Burkina Faso and Mali in a western region prone to jihadist attacks.

Niger is ruled by military leaders who seized power in a July coup, citing a worsening security situation as justification for the power grab.

But jihadist violence that had already gone on for eight years has continued.

In the latest bout, Nigerien soldiers were engaged in a security sweep in Tillaberi, in the three borders area, on Tuesday and Wednesday, the defence ministry said late Thursday.

They were killed during a "complex ambush", it said, adding that "about 30 terrorists had been neutralised".

The army raids were "designed to reassure local people" who were being targeted by armed groups engaged in "murders, extortion and cattle rustling", the ministry said.

More than 100 "terrorists" had attacked the army unit between Teguey and Bankilare using "home-made bombs and suicide vehicles", it said.

In addition to the 23 soldiers who died, 17 were wounded.

- Severing old ties -

Tillaberi borders Burkina Faso and Mali -- also ruled by military leaders -- in a region plagued by jihadist attacks.

Groups linked to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State have operated in Tillaberi since 2017 despite a massive deployment of anti-jihadist forces.

In January, 22 civilians were killed in an attack on the Tillaberi village of Motogatta, about 100 kilometres (60 miles) north of the capital Niamey.

Niger, one of the world's poorest countries, had been a frontline partner of the West in battling jihadists in the Sahel.

But after seizing power, the junta kicked out forces from former colonial power France and, like neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso, has pursued relations with Russia.

On Saturday, the military also announced it was breaking off a 2012 agreement with the United States "with immediate effect."

Washington built a desert drone base at a cost of $100 million in northern Niger and has some 1,000 troops in the West African country.

Earlier this week, it described military ties with Niger as mutually beneficial and said it was awaiting clarification on the announcement severing cooperation.
Simon Harris, set to become Ireland's youngest ever taoiseach (prime minister), will hope his social media skills and fresh face can save his party's flagging fortunes as elections loom

Dublin, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Mar, 2024) Simon Harris, set to become Ireland's youngest ever taoiseach (prime minister), will hope his social media skills and fresh face can save his party's flagging fortunes as elections loom.

Already dubbed by media the "TikTok Taoiseach" (pronounced "Tee-shock") the 37-year-old beats the previous record holder, predecessor Leo Varadkar, who was 38 when he took the top job in 2017.

After Varadkar's shock resignation Wednesday, Harris leapt from the blocks in the race for leader of the centre-right Fine Gael party and by default prime minister.

By Thursday lunchtime he had secured endorsements by a majority of party colleagues, prompting rivals to rule themselves out -- and effectively ending the leadership contest before it had even begun.

With no other candidates expected to emerge before nominations close Monday, pundits described Harris's apparent uncontested procession to the leadership as a 'coronation'.

"I'm in, I'm ready to step up, and I'm ready to serve," he told the public broadcaster RTE's evening news programme after officially announcing his candidacy.

Harris's inevitable election as taoiseach when the Dail (Irish parliament) returns from recess on April 9 crowns a meteoric ascent.

Born in 1986, he grew up in the small coastal town of Greystones near Dublin, the son of a taxi driver.

He dropped out of a journalism and French college course in Dublin after one year to focus on an already promising politics career. Harris entered politics by campaigning for autism services for his autistic younger brother, later founding a charity. He joined the youth branch of Fine Gael at the age of 16 and quickly rose through the party ranks.

A county councillor aged 22, he was elected to parliament as a 24-year-old in 2011 -- at the time the youngest MP and titled "Baby of the Dail". He was appointed health minister in 2016 aged just 29.

"In many ways, my career has been a bit odd,.

.., life came at me a lot faster than I expected it to," he told Hot Press magazine in a 2022 interview.

Harris served as health minister for over four years including during the Covid pandemic during which his communication skills were praised despite heavy criticism over nursing homes deaths and occasional gaffes.

He can be an "awful old idiot at times" he said after remarking that Covid-19 refers to 18 previous coronaviruses rather than the year it first occurred. He was also embroiled in controversies around new hospital projects while a threatened opposition no confidence vote over overcrowding on wards led Varadkar to call an election in 2020 where Fine Gael slumped to third place.

A father-of-two and married to a cardiac nurse, Harris's prominence on social media especially TikTok has made him one of the most visible politicians in Ireland. He has been higher education minister since 2020 and even critics concede he is a talented communicator.

With 1.4 million "likes" on TikTok, and hundreds of thousands of followers on both X and Instagram, he posts content almost daily to his audience. Some of his videos and remarks have been seen as trying too hard to appeal to the younger generation. During one stormy parliamentary committee meeting, Harris told the group: "Chillax -- I think everyone needs to take a step back here".

"All the young people know what 'chillax' is," he said in parliament the next day.

With his youth and slick communication skills his opponents jibe that he is "Leo 2.0", a continuation of a "metropolitan" style of politics that is out of touch with the wider electorate.

But for supporters, his enthusiasm could re-energise Fine Gael which still trails third in polls 10 weeks before local and European Parliament elections, and within a year from a general election.

"He has huge energy and huge ambition," one party colleague told the Irish Times paper.

pmu/phz/ach /
USM Graduate Student Paige Mason to Present Baird Lecture March 26

Fri, 03/22/2024 - 03:37pm | By: David Tisdale

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Center for the Study of the Gulf Souths Baird Fellow for 2023-24 is Paige Mason, a Master of Arts student in the USM History program, who will give the annual Baird Lecture Tuesday, March 26 from 6-7 p.m. in the Liberal Arts Building (LAB) room 108 on the Hattiesburg campus. Her presentation is titled "We Won't Give Up on This Until We Get It: Mississippi Women's Organizations and the Long Fight for Jury Service.

A native of Gilbertown, Alabama, Masons graduate program focuses on 20th century U.S history, with her research looking specifically at the womens jury movement in Mississippi during the 1950s and 1960s. Mississippi was the last state to allow women to serve on juries. Mason examines the factors causing women in the state to be barred from serving on juries, including during the civil rights movement.

The 2023-24 Baird Fellowship supported Masons travel for her research efforts at the Mississippi Department of Archives in History and in the Archives and Special Collections at the University of Mississippi in examining the significant role womens organizations, including the League of Women Voters and the National Federation of Business and Professional Womens Clubs, had in the decades-long campaign for womens jury service in the state.

I hope my audience will come away from the lecture recognizing the significance of the womens jury movement in Mississippi, and the privilege of jury service, Mason said. Mississippi became the last state to allow women to serve on state court juries in 1968. Mississippi women, including womens organizations, were at the forefront of the womens jury movement.

Despite being met with obstruction from opponents, advocates remained steadfast in their quest for jury service and recognized that without the right to serve on a jury of their peers, they were not being treated as equal citizens.

Mason came to USM in 2022 after graduating with honors from Judson College in 2021; she has presented her research at the Gulf South History and Humanities Conference. Her major advisor is USM Associate Professor of History Dr. Rebecca Tuuri, who also serves as interim associate dean of the USM Honors College and co-director of the Center for the Study of the Gulf South.

The USM History Program is housed in the College of Arts and Sciences School of Humanities. Learn more about the USM History Program and its Center for the Study of the Gulf South.
Student Organizations Hosting Ramadan Iftar Dinner Program March 26

Fri, 03/22/2024 - 02:33pm | By: David Tisdale

The Pakistan Student Organization and Muslim Student Association at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) will host a Ramadan Iftar Dinner and Program Tuesday, March 26 at 6 p.m. in the R.C. Cook University Union, room G, on the Hattiesburg campus. All members of the University community are invited to attend this free event; registration per scanning of QR code on attached flyer is required for the dinner, which begins at 6:30 p.m.

An Iftar Dinner is the traditional fast-breaking meal held during the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, in which members of the Islamic faith engage in fasting, prayer, and reflection. The dinner program will feature an Iftar party, Halal food, a guest lecturer who will discuss the significance of Ramadan to Islam, group conversations and other activities.

For more information contact Shiza Shahid, president of the Pakistan Student Organization and Muslim Student Association.
The University of Wyoming has received nearly 6,000 first-year student applications for the coming fall semester and admitted 5,500 of those applicants, the largest numbers in five years.

To help those prospective students make informed decisions amid the delayed rollout of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the U.S. Department of Education, UW is extending its enrollment confirmation date from May 1 to June 1.

Financial considerations are paramount in any college decision, and this enrollment confirmation extension will assure that prospective students and their families have complete information about their financial opportunities at UW, says Kyle Moore, the universitys vice provost for enrollment management. We are very encouraged by the number of students who have started the process to attend Wyomings university this fall, and our scholarships and financial aid office is working hard to complete financial packages in light of the FAFSA delay so that we can welcome a new class of Cowboys and Cowgirls.

In addition to extending the enrollment confirmation deadline to June 1, UW is moving the housing deposit deadline for new first-year students from May 1 to June 1.

As of March 15, UWs 5,988 first-time student applicant number was up 7.3 percent from the same time last year, and the number of admitted students was 5,500, up 8.7 percent. Both figures are the highest since 2020.

The number of Wyoming applicants is up 3 percent, with Colorado applicants up 4.6 percent. Among the other states from which UW is seeing more applicants are California, up 13.8 percent; Texas, up 14.3 percent; Nebraska, up 17.6 percent; Washington, up 32 percent; Nevada, up 26.8 percent; Minnesota, up 9.4 percent; and Virginia, up 25.3 percent. UW increased its marketing efforts in those states and several others starting late last summer.

Units of the university are now working with the admitted students to complete their financial packages and confirm their enrollment. These efforts include upcoming New Student Days on the UW campus, where students meet advisers to begin the class registration process; connect with other new UW students; discover programs and resources available outside the classroom; and find out about student job opportunities. New Student Days are Friday, March 29; Monday, April 8; Monday, April 15; Monday, April 22; and Friday, April 26.

Complete information about New Student Days, the confirmation and registration processes, and other details is available at www.uwyo.edu/admissions/visit/events/new-student-day.html.

In addition to the significant increase in first-time students whove applied to and been admitted to UW, the university is seeing increases in transfer student applications (893, up 3.7 percent) and graduate student applications (2,324, up 15 percent).

More information for transfer students is available at www.uwyo.edu/admissions/transfer/index.html, and graduate students can learn more at www.uwyo.edu/admissions/graduate/index.html.

Its clear that our increased marketing efforts, combined with an intensified focus on both student recruitment and retention, are beginning to show results, Moore says. Because of Wyomings emphasis on accessibility, the University of Wyoming provides tremendous educational opportunities for an extremely affordable price, and our story is reaching more people than ever before.
In addition to providing educational resources and work skills for Wyoming residents, community colleges around the state are an important bridge for students planning to transfer to the University of Wyoming in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.

UW faculty members Reshmi Singh, an associate professor with the School of Pharmacy; Rachel Watson, director of the Science Initiatives Learning Actively Mentoring Program (LAMP) and a senior lecturer with the Division of Kinesiology and Health; and Rosemary McBride, an assistant lecturer of agricultural education with the School of Teacher Education, worked with educators from five of the states eight community colleges to learn how to better assist these educators -- and make STEM students transfer experience to UW successful.

Their research findings have been published in a manuscript titled The Everyday Work of Rural-Serving Community College STEM Faculty: Lessons from an Institutional Ethnography Across Wyoming.

Challenges exist for educators in rural community colleges around the state that can impact student success, the researchers say. Remote locations and expansive distance from colleagues can impact inclusiveness within an overall state educational structure. Watson, Singh and McBrides publication has themes with quotes from the community college educators illustrating the challenges.

We are a long way from (the university), noted one community college faculty member. Not just geographically, but in the winter, it is almost impossible some years to get back and forth. And were in a different bio-region.

Places where students can go and do an internship, they can work in the summer, explained another college faculty member. We dont have that here. Why should a student be interested in biotechnology when there is no company in (our state) within 100 miles?

As a first phase of understanding these challenges, UWs representatives sought to identify effective partnerships between two- and four-year institutions that can grow from existing relationships.

Even prior to performing this institutional ethnography, we had created a strong network of relationships with many of the educators at these five community colleges, Watson says. Many of the instructors have participated in the yearlong LAMP pedagogical training program and are already deeply committed to student-centered active learning. We drew on these connections to further support the educators and ultimately assist them in creating the most inclusive classrooms possible.

In conducting focus groups with faculty and administrators from five community colleges, UWs representatives noted several common themes shared by community college educators: gaps and barriers to STEM transfer students, differing administration and policy impacts, and feelings of professional isolation.

Having established the first phase of a working institutional ethnography across community colleges in Wyoming, UWs representatives now plan on implementing next steps in building UWs relationships with these colleges and their administrators, faculty and students.

The findings from our institutional ethnography are informing the second phase of our work, which focuses on launching, sustaining and assessing faculty learning communities, Watson says. In these communities, we deepen learning about inclusive pedagogies, implicit bias and the importance of community networks.

We are inviting stakeholders from the university, community colleges and across the state of Wyoming who are working on different aspects of not only transfer work, but also providing resources for our students and educators to participate in an advisory board to mutually inform theirs and our work going forward, Singh adds.

This study was approved by UWs Human Subjects Review Board and funded by a learning grant to UW from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Science Education Program. It also was supported by UWs Science Initiative. Findings were presented at The Qualitative Report annual conference, a transdisciplinary, international research conference in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in late February.
On the morning of Friday, March 22, the Russian army took off with Tu-95MS strategic bombers and launched X-101/555/55 cruise missiles. Over time, explosions were heard in many Ukrainian cities: air defense was operating, but there were also arrivals.

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This was reported in the Telegram channel of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. An air alert was declared over most of the country  before that, the Russians launched Shahed-type attack UAVs.

"Cruise missile launches were recorded from the Caspian Sea region. The estimated time of entry into the airspace is around 05.00," the military said in a statement.

According to monitoring channels, about 13 Tu-95 bombers took off from the Olenya airfield (Murmansk region of the Russian Federation).

The terrorist state Russia used 151 means of air attack: 63 Shahed-131/136 kamikaze drones and 88 missiles, including ballistic missiles. The defenders of the sky destroyed 92 enemy targets  55 Shaheds and 37 missiles.

ADVERTISIMENT

This was the largest attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure in recent times, with strikes in Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi, Lviv, Prykarpattia, Dnipro, Poltava, Mykolaiv, and Odesa regions.

The strikes destroyed infrastructure facilities and buildings, as well as civilian casualties and injuries.

In particular, the enemy struck twice at the Dnipro hydroelectric power plant in Zaporizhzhia, damaging the hydroelectric facilities and the dam. Ukrhydroenergo assured that there is no threat of a dam breach.

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As a result of Russia's massive attack, damage to power generation facilities, transmission, and distribution systems was recorded in various regions of Ukraine. One of the power lines supplying ZNPP was cut off due to the shelling.

US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink reacts to the massive attack by Russian occupation forces in Ukraine.

ADVERTISIMENT

Earlier in the morning (March 21), the occupiers launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine. The enemy took to the skies a total of 11 Tu-95MS strategic bombers, which launched 31 missiles from the Russian cities of Volgodonsk and Engels.

The main target of the attack was Kyiv region. The defenders of the sky shot down all the missiles: two ballistic/aeroballistic Iskander-M (KN-23)/Kh-47M2 Kinzhal, as well as 29 cruise missiles X-101/X-555.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, powerful explosions occurred in the morning of March 21 in Kyiv and near the region. The falling debris caused damage and injured a total of 17 people.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The Zion Trio will perform a free public concert Thursday, March 28, at 7:30 p.m. in the University of Wyomings Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts recital hall. (Zion Trio Photo)

The University of Wyoming Department of Music will host Utahs Zion Trio for an evening of music for violin, cello and piano Thursday, March 28, at 7:30 p.m.

The free public concert will take place in the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts recital hall.

The program will feature Piano Trio in G major by Claude Debussy; Notturno in E-flat major, Op. 148, D. 897 by Franz Schubert; and Piano Trio No. 2, Op. 76 by Joaquin Turina.

The Zion Trio is composed of Paul Abegg, violin; Christian Bohnenstengel, piano; and Ka-Wai Yu, cello. The ensemble has been bringing major works from the standard repertoire for piano trio to southern Utah for several years.

The Zion Trios diverse repertoire includes works by Beethoven, Brahms, Dvorak, Mendelssohn, Piazzolla, Ravel, Shostakovich and Paul Schoenfield. The trio has performed Beethovens Triple Concerto with the Orchestra of Southern Utah and has been featured at the Utah American String Teachers Associations (ASTA) Midwinter Workshop.

Abegg is a professor of music and director of strings and orchestras at Utah Tech University. He has performed throughout the United States as well as in Brazil, England, France and Japan. He served as concertmaster of the Southwest Symphony for five years, and he has participated in numerous orchestra festivals. He has presented master classes and has served as an adjudicator and clinician at competitions and festivals throughout the U.S. Additionally, he has recorded extensively for film and television scores.

Bohnenstengel has served as director of keyboard studies at Southern Utah University (SUU) since 2011. His performances have taken him throughout the United States and to South America, Asia and Europe. Bohnenstengel is a founding member of SUUs faculty jazz combo Kind of Blue, and he frequently performs with various jazz ensembles and combos. He also has performed on public radio and presented at state, regional, national and international conferences.

Yu is an associate professor of music at Utah Tech University, where he teaches cello and string chamber music. He has presented master classes at numerous universities and institutions in North America, Europe and Asia, and he has taught in music camps and workshops. Yu is past president of Utah ASTA; artistic director of the Cello Society of Southern Utah; and director of the annual Cello Festival of Southern Utah. He has performed in Canada, China, Germany, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and the U.S.

For more information, call Kathy Kirkaldie, UW Fine Arts coordinator, at (307) 766-2160 or email kirisk@uwyo.edu.
Vietnam Briefing has developed into a premium source for insight on doing business in Vietnam. It publishes business news concerning foreign direct investment into Vietnam, including the most important tax, legal and accounting issues. The Vietnam Briefing Magazine was first published in 2009, and is contributed to by investment professionals based in Vietnam.
How to Pick the Right Business Model for Distributing Goods in Vietnam

For long-term success, companies in Vietnam involved in the sale of goods require a comprehensive distribution network. Choosing the right model is crucial as some platforms will allow companies to study the consumer market with limited control over their distribution partners, while others will give more control to the investors, but will lead to higher costs.

Foreign companies need to decide the most suitable model based on their requirements and capabilities, such as the product or services offered, target market, capital requirements, costs, quality control, and flexibility of its operations. There are three types of entities that can help foreign companies create a distribution platform in Vietnam:

Representative Office;

Service company (Limited Liability Company); and

Trading company (Limited Liability Company).

Each of these models differs from each other and the most suitable model for investors will depend on their goals and scope of operations. We cover the defining characteristics of each of these platforms in this section.

Representative Office

Representative Offices (ROs) are the most inexpensive and simple model to establish in Vietnam. ROs are mostly used for:

Acting as a liaison for the parent company;

Maintaining relations with existing distributors;

Coordinating parent companys activities; and

Quality control.

ROs are typically a dependent unit of their respective parent company, forbidden to generate their own profits and prevented from entering contracts directly. ROs have no legal status in the country and can only indirectly interact with Vietnamese business in contract with their parent company.

ROs may recruit local and foreign employees directly or through an agency, lease office space  restricted to only one office in a province or city, equip themselves with facilities necessary for operations, obtain their own company seals, and open local bank accounts for operational purposes.

ROs are better suited for companies looking to gain a better understanding of the market and acting as a liaison for its parent company. ROs are a low-cost entry model as there are no specific capital requirements. However, companies need to show that their capital contributions are sufficient to fund their operations. A minimum of US$10,000 is a suitable amount of investment.

While an RO is relatively easy to establish and operate, they are very limited in terms of operational scope as they cannot issue invoices or sign contracts. However, this is an advantage as it reduces the compliance burden related to accounting and taxes, thus keeping operating costs low.

Despite the limitations, foreign investors often choose ROs as it allows them to keep their cost low, understand the market, and coordinate activities with existing distributors.

Limited Liability Company

A foreign-invested limited liability company (LLC), unlike an RO, can be involved in profit-generating activities and issue local invoices in Vietnamese dong (VND). However, they cannot issue shares. In addition, the liability of the shareholders is limited by their assets in the business. They can also employ local staff directly.

The members of an LLC are only liable for the debts of their partnership limited to their capital contribution that they invested in the company. There is no minimum capital requirement for companies to set up an LLC; however, one needs to make sure that it is a reasonable amount based on the scale and scope of the project. Certain industries such as banking, real estate, and audit services do have a fixed amount of charter capital.

For distribution purposes, they are two types of LLCs:

Service company; and

Trading company.

Service company

An LLC rendering services to third parties is a service company. Investors use this model for research activities, quality control, product development, design, and logistical services. It is the simplest form of an LLC, as it requires a shorter time and a lower capital requirement to set up the entity, compared to a trading or a manufacturing company.

Although ROs are the easiest to set up, a service company is a great alternative when the operations and cost of an RO begin to rise. A service company will increase the entitys operational flexibility.

Trading company

If a company wants to engage in import and export activities in addition to domestic distribution (that is, retail, wholesale, and franchising) in Vietnam, the most common method is establishing a trading company. Generally, setting up a trading company provides foreign companies more operational control in areas, such as sourcing, quality control, and distribution.

Compared to ROs and service companies, investments in a trading company are larger, as it needs to be involved in import and export activities and work closely with suppliers as well as distributors.

The licensing process for establishing a trading company can take between four and six months from the date of submitting the application dossier to the relevant authorities. Under World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments, around 95 percent of goods can be distributed by businesses that are 100 percent foreign-owned.

Winning Vietnams Consumer Market

Market observers note that foreign products are generally perceived highly in terms of quality, safety, and reliability. Awareness of brands comes from word of mouth, the internet, market promotions, and advertising.

Location is another factor. Companies selling products related to Vietnams infrastructure development, such as energy, aviation, communications, and so on focus in the area around Hanoi, which houses several large state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

Further, the proximity of several government departments makes it convenient when seeking approvals. This is fueled by the demand in these industries by SOEs as well as the proximity of several government demands for approvals.

Businesses should also note that product information should be provided in Vietnamese to local agents and distributors with a local website if possible. Commercial success in the country requires a hands-on approach.

With Vietnams economy growing rapidly, local agents and distributors are handling multiple brands that want to enter the Vietnamese market. A good relationship with local distributors allows foreign enterprises to keep up with changes and developments in the local market. Ultimately, businesses may consider a professional service to assist them in developing their distribution strategy.
On March 22, Russian troops carried out the largest attack on the Ukrainian energy system in recent times. There were hits and damages to generation facilities, as well as electricity transmission and distribution systems in various regions, and one of the power lines supplying ZNPP was cut off due to the shelling.

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Power outages reported in a number of regions. This was stated by Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko.

"The enemy has launched the largest attack on the Ukrainian energy sector in recent times. The goal is not just to damage it but to try again, just like last year, to cause a large-scale failure in the country's energy system. Unfortunately, there have been hits and damage to generation facilities, as well as electricity transmission and distribution systems in various regions," the official said.

Halushchenko also said that one of the power lines supplying ZNPP was de-energized as a result of enemy shelling.

The consequences of the terror are already being felt by Ukrainians: there are power outages in a number of regions.

"Power engineers are already working to restore power supply. We are doing everything possible to bring back electricity as soon as possible. The enemy cannot intimidate or break us. We proved it last year, and we will prove it now," the Energy Minister assured.

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In particular, emergency outage schedules have been introduced in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk region.

"Hospitals and other infrastructure facilities are switching to generators where possible," Oleksandr Vilkul, chairman of the city's Defense Council, said.

In addition, part of Pavlohrad is without electricity due to damage to power grids.

After the explosions, there is no electricity in a number of neighborhoods in Kropyvnytskyi. In addition, in some settlements, the power supply was cut off in an emergency, the regional power company told Suspilne.

There are also power outages in the Poltava region.

"The enemy has launched the largest attack on the Ukrainian energy sector in recent times. In the Poltava region, preventive shutdowns of substations have been applied and a schedule of emergency shutdowns for all 10 stages has been introduced. The situation is under control. Power engineers are already working to restore power supply," Filip Pronin, head of the Poltava Regional Military Administration, said.

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The situation is similar in several districts of the Sumy region.

"As a result of missile attacks on the Ukrainian power grid, emergency shutdown schedules have been temporarily introduced in the settlements of Sumy, Konotop and Shostka districts of the Sumy region. Uninterruptible power points are open to charge phones and other gadgets and use the Internet. Power engineers are working to restore power supply,"the Sumy Regional Military Administration said.

Kharkiv has been without power supply since 5 a.m.

"The occupants have attacked energy facilities 15 times. The city is almost completely without electricity. All emergency services are already working," Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration, said at 05:08.

As a reminder, on the morning of March 22, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine: critical infrastructure facilities were hit in a number of cities, leading to power outages.

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In particular, the Dnipro hydroelectric power plant was hit: after the attack, traffic across the dam was completely stopped. A Russian missile hit a trolleybus with people on their way to work .

It also became known that ZNPP was on the verge of blackout due to the Russian attack again. The largest nuclear power plant in Europe is connected to the Ukrainian power grid by a single line that was repaired only last week.
Susie Krabacher, the founder of HaitiChildren orphanage, is all smiles on Thursday after welcoming 59 disabled Haitian children to Port Antonio, Jamaica, to begin a new life.
Australia and Britain on Friday criticized China for its actions in Hong Kong and the South China Sea and its support of Russia, after a meeting in which London and Canberra deepened their security ties.

The two countries called out "recent unsafe and destabilizing behavior by China's vessels against Philippine vessels and crew near Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea," in a statement that contained unusually direct language on Beijing's activities in the region.

In a joint statement earlier this month with Southeast Asian nations, Australia called for restraint in the South China Sea, without explicitly mentioning China.

Friday's statement was issued after Britain's foreign secretary, David Cameron, and defense secretary Grant Shapps met their Australian counterparts, Penny Wong and Richard Marles, in Adelaide.

The four ministers said they were concerned about Hong Kong's new security law and the erosion of freedom and rights in the territory, a former colony of Britain, as well as human rights abuses in China.

"They raised deep concerns about the continuing systemic erosion of autonomy, freedoms and rights there and the impact the newly passed Safeguarding National Security Ordinance will have on the city, and recognized the potential impact of these laws on individuals outside of Hong Kong," the statement said.

The two countries were also strongly critical of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and said China should play a role in ending the conflict.

"Ministers called on all those with close relationships with Russia, particularly China, to refrain from helping Russia to continue its war in any way and to convince Russia to end its illegal war," the statement said.

Australia is attempting to repair its relations with China after several years of tensions that included a freeze on ministerial meetings and Beijing's placing curbs on Australian imports.

China's foreign minister Wang Yi met with Wong during a visit to Australia this week.

Gaza concerns

The statement also warned of potentially devastating consequences of an Israeli ground invasion of Rafah in Gaza.

"Given the large number of displaced persons taking refuge in the area and lack of safe spaces in Gaza, ministers shared deep concern at the potentially devastating consequences for the civilian population of an expanded Israeli military operation in Rafah," the statement said.

Israel says a ground invasion of Rafah is necessary to eliminate Hamas, despite countries including the United States warning of dire consequences for the more than a million Palestinians who have sheltered there since being displaced elsewhere in the Gaza Strip during the 5-month-old war.

The ministerial meeting came after Thursday's signing of a new defense and security agreement. Australia outlined plans to spend billions on docks, shipyards and factories at home and in Britain for nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS security pact.
The U.N. Security Council failed again Friday to demand a Gaza cease-fire after Russia and China vetoed a U.S.-drafted resolution supporting a halt to the fighting.

"Russia and China simply did not want to vote for a resolution that was penned by the United States, because it would rather see us fail than see this council succeed," U.S. Ambassador Linda-Thomas Greenfield said.

Eleven of the 15 council members supported the U.S. text, Algeria joined Russia and China in voting against it, and Guyana abstained.

The United States drafted the resolution following its three earlier vetoes of council texts calling for a halt to the fighting. In what some council members said was vague language, the U.S. draft "determines the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire" to protect civilians, get more humanitarian aid in and hostages out.

"However, to save the lives of peaceful Palestinian civilians, this is not enough," Russian envoy Vassily Nebenzia said of the language. "This is in no way what is stipulated in the mandate of the U.N. Security Council  the council, which is invested with a unique mechanism to demand a cease-fire, and where necessary to compel compliance therewith."

China's envoy echoed that, saying the draft resolution was "ambiguous" and did not call for an immediate cease-fire.

Guyanese Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, whose country joined the council in January, said her government could not support a resolution that did not "unequivocally" call for an immediate and unconditional cease-fire.

"The demand for a cease-fire should not be linked to or conditioned on the release of hostages," she said. "The taking of hostages is strictly prohibited under international law, and their release must be unconditional."

She also questioned why only Hamas was condemned for its actions and not Israel, as well.

"For example, who is responsible for 1.5 million Palestinians taking refuge in Rafah? And who has announced a planned military ground offensive there? To whom is the demand for compliance with obligations under international law regarding the protection of civilians and civilian objects, humanitarian access, and the protection of humanitarian relief and medical personnel, their assets and infrastructure applicable?" she asked.

The condemnation of Hamas has been a repeated sticking point for some council members. Thomas-Greenfield called it "outrageous" that the council has failed to condemn its terror attack on Israel.

This was the seventh time the council failed to agree on a cease-fire resolution since the war started in October. The International Crisis Group's U.N. director, Richard Gowan, told VOA that a lot of council members may feel that Russia and China "blew up" what has been the best opportunity to engage with the United States to achieve one.

"If the resolution had passed, it would at least have been a hook for further negotiations and sent a signal to Israel to step back from Rafah," he said. "Now the Israelis may sense that they can push forward with their operations without facing any censure at the U.N. So, the main beneficiary of the Russian-Chinese vetoes is [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu."

A group of seven elected council members  Algeria, Guyana, Malta, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and Switzerland  have drafted their own text that "demands" an immediate cease-fire for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan  which is already under way.

Diplomats said the text will be voted on Saturday morning. Russia and China said they would support it, but Thomas-Greenfield indicated that in its current form it may not have Washington's support.

"If that alternative resolution comes up for a vote and does not support the diplomacy happening on the ground, we may once again find this council deadlocked," she said. "I truly hope that that does not come about."

Regional diplomacy

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken left the Middle East without convincing Netanyahu to call off a military offensive in Rafah, in southern Gaza, which many believe would exacerbate the territorys humanitarian crisis.

Netanyahu said he told Blinken during talks Friday in Tel Aviv, that "we have no way to defeat Hamas without entering Rafah."

Blinken told reporters at the end of his visit that the U.S. shares Israel's goal of defeating Hamas.

"But a major ground operation in Rafah is not, in our judgment, the way to achieve it and we were very clear about that," he said.

The State Department said Blinken emphasized the need to protect civilians in Gaza and increase and sustain humanitarian assistance, including through both land and sea routes.

Blinken's meeting with Israeli officials in Tel Aviv Friday came as efforts continued to secure a six-week-long cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in exchange for the release of hostages seized on October 7. The threat of a potential invasion of Rafah casts doubt over the talks.

On Thursday, Blinken told reporters after meetings in Egypt that "the gaps are narrowing" and that there's still "difficult work to get there," but he believes a deal is possible.

The main point of contention in negotiations has been that Hamas says it will release the remaining hostages only as part of a deal that would end the war, whereas Israel says it will consider only a temporary pause.

At the United Nations, Israel's ambassador told the Security Council his government does not want to send its "sons and daughters" to fight in Rafah, but that there is "no alternative" as its military must go after the four remaining Hamas battalions it says are in the city.

"The road to a permanent cease-fire passes through Rafah," Ambassador Gilad Erdan said.

More than a million Palestinians are sheltering in Rafah, many of them after fleeing other parts of Gaza to try to find safety amid the war.

Hamas' October 7 terror attack inside Israel triggered the war, killing about 1,200 people. Israel's subsequent counteroffensive in Gaza has killed nearly 32,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.

Delivery of humanitarian assistance has been difficult, and a U.N.-backed food insecurity report said last week that more than a million Palestinians are at risk of famine in the coming weeks.

VOA's State Department bureau chief Nike Ching contributed to this report.
Canada, one of the developed worlds most welcoming countries for new immigrants, has announced plans to scale back the number of temporary residents over the next three years.

Thursdays announcement by Immigration Minister Marc Miller was the second dramatic reversal of the Trudeau administrations pro-immigration stance, following a cap on the number of international student visas announced earlier this year.

Global News, covering the announcement, quoted Miller as saying Canada was home to 2.5 million temporary residents in 2023, amounting to 6.2% of its total population. Miller said that, over the next three years, the government plans to bring that percentage down to 5%.

To set these targets, Ill be convening a meeting with my provincial and territorial counterparts, as well as other relevant ministers, in early May, Miller told journalists. Provinces and territories know their unique labor needs and capacity, and need to assume responsibility for the people that they bring in as well.

Canada is a favored destination for immigrants and refugees from around the world, owing to its reputation as a friendly, safe and developed country with a successful and harmonious multicultural atmosphere.

But in recent years it has faced skyrocketing housing shortages and medical wait times that have been blamed on a steep rise in immigration. Comments on social media by immigration experts suggest this weeks announcement might be calculated to address growing public frustration with large-scale immigration.

According to the Government of Canada website, more than 437,000 new permanent residents, and more than 604,000 temporary workers, entered Canada in 2022.

Experts told VOA it is not immediately clear who will be included as temporary residents. The Government of Canada website says simply that temporary residents include visitors, students, workers and temporary resident permit holders.

The experts said the term could apply to unauthorized or undocumented workers, super-visa holders who are allowed to stay for up to two years but not work or study, and non-permanent residents  a term coined by Statistics Canada to describe people who have a work permit, a study permit or are seeking refugee status. Temporary foreign workers are likely also included.

Canada, with a total population of 38.25 million, saw a huge surge in the number of visitors and temporary residents last year.

As of July 1, 2023, an estimated 2,198,679 non-permanent residents lived in Canada, a 46% increase from the same date one year prior, says the government website.

This represents the largest year-over-year increase in the population of non-permanent residents living in Canada since comparable data are available (1971/1972), with the increase in work and study permits accounting for most of the change in the last year.

Harald Bauder, an immigration expert at Toronto Metropolitan University, told VOA he believes foreign workers in Canada are already vulnerable and exploitable because they do not enjoy the same rights and securities as citizens or permanent residents.

However, by reducing the number of incoming temporary foreign workers, Minister Marc Miller doesn't seem to address this injustice but rather respond to other pressures such as the increasing costs of housing, Bauder said.

Whether this measure will be effective remains to be seen, he said. From a labor justice viewpoint, however, a better way to reduce the number of foreign residents would be to open up more pathways to permanent residency.

While housing costs are a major concern for many Canadians, there is widespread appreciation of the need for migrants to fill jobs as the countrys birthrate declines.

I have friends who are farmers and depend on temporary farm labor available via the government guest worker program. Parts of Canada don't succeed without foreign workers, said Henry Troup, a 64-year-old operations manager with a marketing technology company in Ottawa.

At the same time, I fear my government is lacking a solid plan. I think they're blowing in the wind. I don't know if temporary residents or non-resident purchase of unoccupied units or AirBnb is the cause of the housing crisis. But I do think there is a crisis, said Troup, who was a child immigrant to Canada in the 1960s.

I do know that Ottawa has seen its cheap housing become expensive and has lost a lot of housing inventory to redevelopment.
With a week until Easter, chocolate lovers should brace themselves for higher prices when they purchase their favorite seasonal treats.

A nonprofit environmental group says cocoa costs three times more than it did a year ago because of climate change and the El Nino weather effect. Prices reached $8,000 per ton this week, compared with $2,500 last year at this time.

Amber Sawyer, a climate and energy analyst at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, or ECIU, a U.K.-based nonprofit group, said the volatile weather patterns in the top cocoa-producing countries of Ghana and Ivory Coast have affected international commodity prices.

"Chocolate producers are trying to buy up cocoa, but there's a reduced supply of it, she said. So obviously, because of the reduced supply, the demand has gone up, and the prices have therefore gone up for confectionery companies who make chocolate. These costs are now being fed through to consumers.

Ghana and Ivory Coast, which produce nearly 60% of global cocoa, experienced heavy rains in December. Flooding caused crop damage and led to cocoa plants rotting with black pod disease.

Extreme heat has hurt, too.

"That's affecting not only the crop, because it's difficult to grow cocoa in these conditions, but also the farmers themselves, Sawyer said.

Farmers have gone from having too much rain to not enough rain, which means that they're behind on production and unable to sell on the international markets," she said.

Ghana has reduced its cocoa production estimate this year from 850,000 to 650,000 tons due to adverse weather conditions and smuggling.

United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization data show cocoa is grown in countries that are most vulnerable and less prepared to deal with climate change.

A U.K.-based World Weather Attribution website analysis released Thursday showed that West Africa experienced an intense heatwave in February, with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).

Izidine Pinto, a researcher with the Royal Netherlands Metrological Institute connected with the website, said the heatwaves and heavy rainfall affect people's lives and jobs.

"Climate change is making rainfall heavier and heatwaves like these more intense, he said. These changes to extreme weather are making life more dangerous for people in West Africa. ... This is damaging livelihoods ... damaging crops and making food prices more expensive."

Weather experts note that heatwaves used to occur once every 100 years before widespread fossil fuel burning, but in today's climate, heatwaves happen once every 10 years.

African countries bear the brunt of climate change despite contributing the least to greenhouse gas emissions. The ECIU urges wealthier nations to offer financial and technical aid to assist farmers in managing the impact of severe weather and climate change.
During a massive attack on Ukraine on the morning of March 22, the aggressor country Russia launched 12 missiles at Zaporizhzhia. The Dnipro dam and civilian infrastructure were hit, and there were casualties.

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Fires broke out at the sites of the hits. This was reported by the head of the Regional Military Administration Ivan Fedorov.

"Infrastructure facilities were hit, and civilian houses were damaged," he said.

According to local media, the missile strikes partially cut off water supply in the Kosmichnyi and Baburka neighborhoods.

At 06:13, City Council Secretary Anatolii Kurtev said that the occupiers have been attacking Zaporizhzhia with missiles for more than an hour. According to preliminary data, two houses in the private sector have been destroyed, and seven more have been damaged.

"Unfortunately, there are victims. Information on the severity of the injuries is being clarified. Russians are inhumans who must be held accountable for all war crimes," he wrote.

Subsequently, the head of the RMA said that the occupiers launched 12 missiles at Zaporizhzhia, destroying seven houses and damaging 35 more. The number of casualties is being clarified.

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One of the Russian missiles hit a trolleybus moving along the Dnipro hydroelectric dam, with people on board.

Ukrhydroenergo confirmed that the largest hydroelectric power plant in Ukraine was hit. In particular, the occupiers hit the hydraulic structures of the station in Zaporizhzhia and the dam. Due to the shelling, traffic on the dam's road crossing is completely blocked . However, the company emphasized that there is no threat of water leakage and that the situation at Dnipro HPP is under control.

As a reminder, Russia has launched a massive attack on Ukraine for the second day in a row, this time using not only missiles of various types but also kamikaze drones. In the morning of March 22, explosions were heard in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro, Sumy, and Khmelnytskyi region. In addition to Zaporizhzhia, the enemy fired ballistic missiles at Kharkiv.

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As reported, on February 29, Russian occupation forces attacked the frontline village of Yulivka, Zaporizhzhia region with guided bombs. One person was killed.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Dozens of Indian-origin academics, journalists and others say they have been denied the right to visit India because of their criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ruling Hindu nationalist government.

While not denying the actions, the Modi government says the people in question had their visa privileges revoked because they indulged in "anti-India activities"  an accusation the banned individuals rejected.

Their cause has been taken up by Human Rights Watch, a New York-based advocacy group, whose Asia director said in a report this week that the government's actions "show the authorities' growing hostility to criticism and dialogue."

"The authorities seem intent on expanding politically motivated repression against Indian activists and academics at home to foreign citizens of Indian origin beyond India's borders," said Elaine Pearson.

The barred critics were among 4.5 million people around the world who hold Overseas Citizen of India status, which is granted to individuals who are of Indian origin but not citizens of the country. Anyone holding an OCI card is granted multiple entries to India and a lifelong visa for any length of stay.

Since Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP, came to power in 2014, an increasing number of Indian-origin foreigners have been denied access to India. From 2014 to May 2023, Indian authorities canceled 102 OCI cards.

The HRW statement noted that many of those who had their cards revoked were academics, activists and journalists who are known as vocal critics of the BJP's political philosophy.

"In some cases, the [Indian] authorities have openly cited criticism of BJP government policies as evidence to revoke the [OCI] visa status," the HRW statement said.

Ashok Swain, a professor of peace and conflict research in Sweden who had his OCI card revoked in 2020, told VOA the government's "accusations  that I indulge in 'illegal activities inimical' to the interests of the sovereignty, integrity and security of India is nothing but fiction."

Swain said he challenged the cancellation, and in July 2023, the Delhi High Court quashed the government's order, "for its failure to provide any evidence" of anti-India activities.

"In August 2023, the government canceled my OCI card again," he said.

"I am an academic, and it is no secret that I criticize the policies of the Modi government through writing opinion pieces, speaking to the press and commenting on social media," added Swain, who teaches at Uppsala University in Sweden.

"The Modi government is using my case as an example to instill fear among diaspora academics, discouraging them from criticizing its anti-democratic and anti-minority policies."

Last month, Indian authorities barred Nitasha Kaul, an Indian-origin British professor at the University of Westminster in London and an OCI card holder, from entering India to attend a conference on the Indian constitution.

At Bangalore airport, the immigration officials denied her entry following "orders from Delhi," she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

"The officials informally made references to my criticism of RSS, a far-right Hindu nationalist paramilitary from years ago," she wrote. RSS, or Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, is seen as the ideological mentor of the BJP.

"In addition to this, they have called me jihadi and a terrorist. There has been a vast amount of deliberate disinformation suggesting that because my work is critical of the ruling party in India, that makes me pro-Pakistani," she said.

British anthropologist Filippo Osella, a professor at the University of Sussex who had visited India for 35 years in connection with research, was turned away from Thiruvananthapuram airport in Kerala state, where he was going to attend a conference on coastal communities.

"I later learned that I had been permanently blacklisted from ever entering India again," Osella told VOA. He said that many research collaborations are now being "jeopardized by unjustified deportations and blacklistings, which are becoming all too common."

Modi's ruling BJP acknowledges the cancellation of the OCI cards but defends the practice.

Those whose cards have been canceled "make a nefarious and negative campaign against a political party that has been duly elected by the people of the country. They aim to malign and tarnish the image of the nation and the ruling party," Delhi-based senior BJP leader Alok Vats told VOA, speaking in Hindi. "These people should not be allowed to enter India."

But Angana Chatterji, an anthropologist at the University of California in Berkeley, said the Indian government aggressively tracks and targets many who speak out against its policies and those who dissent against Hindu nationalism.

The Indian government "propagandizes the myth of 'India shining,' to position its majoritarian beliefs as beneficial to the national interest and security," said Chatterji, who in 2019 testified before the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs regarding human rights violations in India-administered Kashmir.

"The Modi-led government camouflages its heightened militarism, casteism, exclusionary changes to the law that privilege Hindus, violent governance of vulnerable communities, especially Muslims, and its sacralization of India as a Hindu state."
Arvind Kejriwal, chief minister of Delhi and a longtime anti-corruption advocate in India, was arrested Thursday by the countrys financial crime agency, accused of accepting $12 million in bribes from liquor contractors when allocating liquor licenses.

Other ministers were included in the allegations, and two of Kejriwals top allies have been jailed.

Before being arrested on Thursday night, Kejriwal was questioned for hours at his home.

Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party, or the Common People's Party, will oppose Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party in upcoming elections.

Kejriwal has served as chief minister for nine years. He grew his base of supporters as a corruption crusader, swearing to fight what many see as a government ridden with political graft.

Atishi Singh, minister of education and a leader of the AAP, denied the accusations and said the federal agency that arrested Kejriwal fabricated the claims. She added that while the party fights the accusations, Kejriwal will still be chief minister and that her party will appeal to the Supreme Court to retract the arrest.

Singh said that because the investigation is still underway, Kejriwal should have been questioned but not arrested.

According to a government lawyer, the federal agency summoned Kejriwal nine times for questioning in recent months, but he skipped each summons, claiming he was too busy with political work.

Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Kejriwal's lawyer, said Modi was misusing the investigating agency, telling the court on Thursday that the move was intended to weaken his client's party ahead of elections, which will start next month.

Kejriwal is set to appear in court on Friday, where local media said his charges would be made public.

Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse and The Associated Press.
The World Health Organization warns that hunger, poverty, malnutrition, and disease have reached alarming levels in the Democratic Republic of Congo, especially in the east, where a resurgence of fighting between armed groups and government forces has uprooted millions of people from their homes.

"DRC is the second-largest displacement crisis globally after Sudan, with more people forced to flee the violence since the start of the year," said Dr. Boureima Hama Sambo, WHO representative to the DRC.

Speaking from the capital, Kinshasa, Sambo told journalists in Geneva Friday that a combination of violence, climate shocks, and epidemics has worsened the humanitarian and overall health situation for millions of people who are struggling to find enough food to eat, a safe place to stay, and help to ward off disease outbreaks.

"Hospitals are overwhelmed with injured people," he said. "Close to 10 million people are on the move. Poverty and hunger affect a quarter of the population or 25.4 million people. The spread of cholera and other infectious diseases pose significant threats to the populations health."

United Nations relief agencies say more than two of every five children in the DRC  around 6 million children  suffer from chronic malnutrition, a condition that causes stunting, impairs cognitive development, and in cases of severe acute malnutrition, a risk of death.

Sambo said that, "Combined to malnutrition, diseases are increasing the risk of mortality, especially in children, and putting even more pressure on the health system.

"Women and girls are paying the high price of armed conflict and displacement," he said, noting that "30,000 cases of gender-based violence were reported in the DRC in 2023. These numbers are among the highest in the world."

Flooding heightens risk

Besides conflict-related challenges, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA, says severe flooding has wreaked havoc in 18 of the DRCs 26 provinces, leaving more than 2 million people, nearly 60% of them children, in need of assistance.

The WHO says floods are worsening the risk of diarrheal and water-borne diseases. That, as well as the outbreak of other diseases, including cholera, measles, polio, yellow fever, anthrax, and plague, has brought an already fragile health system to its knees.

"DRC is facing its worst cholera outbreak since 2017 with 50,000 suspected cases and 470 deaths recorded in 2023," said Sambo, adding that the risk is particularly high in sites for internally displaced people where "living conditions are dire."

He said the country is also battling its largest measles epidemic since 2019, with close to 28,000 cases with 750 deaths so far this year

"The combination of measles and malnutrition has a severe health impact on children under five years of age and the lack of access to vaccines and vaccination services further exacerbate the situation," he said.

Threat of mpox grows

In addition to those problems, the WHO warns mpox  previously known as monkeypox  has been on the rise across the country over the last year, with nearly 4,000 suspected cases and 271 deaths reported.

That represents a higher case fatality than was seen during a year-long, WHO-declared international public health emergency for the disease that began in May 2022. More than two thirds of the current cases, it says, are reported in children.

Mpox, a zoonotic disease first detected in a 9-month-old in 1970 in the DRC, when the country was known as Zaire. Dr. Rosamund Lewis, WHO technical lead for mpox, says children continue to be most at risk of getting infected with and dying from the disease.

"The number of cases has been gradually increasing over time. What we saw in 2023 was more than the doubling of the number of cases compared to 2022  There is a clear concern about the continuing spread of the disease, not only by zoonotic transmission but through person-to-person sexual contact," she said.

"What is also new about transmission in the DRC is that sexual transmission reported for Clade 1, a variant of mpox had not been reported prior to 2023. Now what we are seeing is newly reported sexual transmission in a different part of the country, which is not endemic for mpox."

Lewis said the disease is spreading in areas "where there is a lot of commercial back and forth, including cross-borders and a vibrant commercial sex trade."

The WHO reports mpox has expanded to previously unaffected provinces, such that almost all provinces. including Kinshasa, now are reporting cases. It warns that "represents a threat to neighboring countries and beyond."

WHO representative Sambo observed that humanitarian needs in the country are soaring, with close to 20 million people requiring health assistance this year. Despite all the compounding challenges, he said the WHO has been scaling up its health response since last year.

For example, he said the WHO vaccinated almost 5 million people against cholera in November, most in the eastern provinces, and vaccinated millions of people against a deadly measles outbreak last year. Next week, he said the WHO plans to start a polio vaccination campaign in all 26 provinces.

However, he said that continuing such lifesaving programs will be difficult to do if the health response remains severely underfunded, noting that less than 14 percent of the WHOs $624 million appeal for this year has been received.

He urges the world not "to turn a blind eye to a situation that could have severe knock-on effects for security and health in the region."
The European Union agreed Thursday to open membership negotiations with Bosnia-Herzegovina but noted that the talks were conditional on more reforms being made in the Balkan nation.

"The European Council has just decided to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina," Charles Michel, president of the European Council, posted on X.

"Congratulations!" he added. "Your place is in our European family."

In 2022, Bosnia-Herzegovina was granted EU candidate status after years of stalled progress due to concerns over internal divisions and the nations fragile political structures.

EU leaders emphasized Bosnia-Herzegovina's requirement to accomplish various reforms, including economic, judicial and political changes, along with tackling corruption and money laundering.

The country, still scarred by ethnic tensions from the 1990s war that left 100,000 people dead and millions displaced, faces challenges from separatist leaders and the need to align with EU standards.

Milorad Dodik, a pro-Russia Bosnian Serb leader and president of Republika Srpska, is actively destabilizing Bosnia's political institutions, aiming to weaken the country until it falls apart, according to recent U.S. intelligence assessments. These revealed Dodik's efforts to challenge international oversight in Bosnia-Herzegovina and secure secession for his region. This poses a significant risk of heightened tensions with the Bosniak population and potential violent conflicts that could strain peacekeeping and reform necessary to satisfy the EU.

Bosnia-Herzegovina is just one of six nations in the Balkan region  including Albania, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia  at different stages of the EU membership process. Following the onset of Russias war on Ukraine, EU officials are more motivated to pull the nations away from potential Russian influence.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he was "very much for" moving a step forward "after the many efforts that have been made in Bosnia-Herzegovina."

"As a whole, the states of the Western Balkans also must be able to rely on us," he said. "The promise that they would be able to become members of the European Union was made  more than 20 years ago in Thessaloniki, and now we need the next steps."

Throughout Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovinas capital, citizens have expressed optimism about the decision by hanging EU flags.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
In an online protest campaign run under the hashtag #UgandaParliamentExhibition, Ugandans accused Anita Among, speaker of Ugandas National Assembly, of embezzling millions in public funds.

Protest organizers shared documents leaked to journalists and human rights activists by members of parliament. The leak incudes official documents from the internal financial intelligence agency and expose the rot in parliament and other government institutions in Uganda, the activists say.

One of the campaign organizers, Jimmy Ssentongo, said in a post on X that Among used private bank accounts to divert enormous amounts of government funds between April 2023 and January 2024.

On March 15, lawmakers at the Ugandan parliament put other house businesses aside to discuss the online protest.

Representative Theodore Ssekikubo told Among: ... this house has been engulfed in unprecedented abuse, honorable speaker. You say we debate other things on papers when the credibility of this house is under challenge.

We are having a major problem, Ssekikubo added. We cannot sit here as if nothing wrong has happened.

Among dismissed allegations as rumors and used derogatory language to claim the accusations against her came in retaliation for her opposition to homosexuality, telling fellow lawmakers: ... respond to you on hearsay? On things you have cooked on social media because I have said no to bum shafting? I will not.

On March 12, during the opening of the 86th executive committee meeting of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in Entebbe, Uganda, Among said Western sanctions imposed against her are in retaliation for her opposition to homosexuality.

I am among the first speakers to be banned from traveling to the Western countries because I do not believe in homosexuality, she said.

That is misleading.

The Ugandan governments anti-homosexuality law, ratified May 2, 2023, and arguably the harshest in the world, allows the death penalty as punishment for certain same-sex acts.

Calling the law wrong, President Joe Biden implored Ugandan lawmakers to repeal it immediately.

No one should have to live in constant fear for their life or being subjected to violence and discrimination, Biden said in a statement on May 29, 2023.

Speaker Among was one of the lawmakers who championed the legislation.

On May 30, 2023, the U.S. and the U.K. canceled Amongs visas.

But Among is not the only member of the Ugandan political establishment to be denied entry by the United States and Britain.

In 2021, the United States imposed travel restrictions on Ugandan officials believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process in Uganda.

Last December, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. was expanding these sanctions onto current and former Ugandan officials involved in ... policies or actions aimed at repressing members of marginalized or vulnerable populations including environmental activists, human rights defenders, journalists, LGBTQI+ persons, and civil society organizers.

Among is not the only Ugandan MP accused of corruption through the #UgandaParliamentExhibition on X, and other social media networks.

On March 18, Britain-based human rights group OpenDemocracy called Speaker Among one of five [individuals] to have been named in an alleged corruption expose by a group of journalists and activists since February.

The journalists allege that Among oversaw the distribution of more than $438,155 in 2022 as service awards for parliamentary commissioners, who oversee spending and salaries in Parliament.

OpenDemocracy also says Among directed staff members to withdraw huge amounts of public money through private accounts.

During a March 7 discussion on X spaces, Chris Obore, the director of communications and public affairs for the Ugandan Parliament, without evidence, accused the U.S. embassy in Kampala, Uganda, of sponsoring the ongoing online anti-corruption campaign.

Representative Ssentongo, one of the campaign organizers, challenged Obore to back his allegations with evidence:

But when you start saying oh, the Americans  here are Ugandans who have started the Ugandan parliament exhibition ... the names you have been seeing are of Ugandans, I am not seeing the Americans here.

Obore is among those implicated in the corruption scandal, according to documents released by journalist Agather Atuhaire, who is also involved in the #UgandaParliamentExhibition campaign.
Amid gunfire and a shortage of resources, humanitarians are reaching as many of the 5.5 million Haitians in need as they can with food, water and other life-saving assistance, but more access and money are required, the United Nations said.

"There is a very, very great fatigue. There is human suffering of an alarming scale. A lot of fear. Trauma. People are just simply tired," Ulrika Richardson, the U.N. resident and humanitarian coordinator for Haiti, told reporters Thursday in a video call from the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince.

She said that in the first two months of this year, 2,500 people were killed, kidnapped or injured in the violence.

Haiti has been in turmoil since the July 7, 2021, assassination of President Jovenel Moise at his home in the Port-au-Prince suburb of Petion-Ville. Armed gangs now control much of the capital and have spread to other parts of the country. They have carried out massacres and kidnappings, human trafficking and sexual violence.

This image contains sensitive content which some people may find offensive or disturbing. Click to reveal This image contains sensitive content which some people may find offensive or disturbing - Click to reveal Blood streams from a body lying in the street in the Petion-ville area of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, March 20, 2024.

The situation has continued to unravel rapidly this month, with gangs trying to seize the country's largest airport and helping thousands of prisoners escape from jail.

Flights are grounded at the main airport, and only a few international flights are moving from Cap-Haitien in the north. Richardson said the seaport is under attack, but the Haitian National Police are in control of part of it.

"That's extremely good, because it means fuel is able to come out and basically be put to use in the capital," she said.

On Saturday, the U.N. Children's Fund, UNICEF, said one of its containers had been looted at Port-au-Prince's main seaport. It contained essential items for maternal, neonatal and child survival, including resuscitators and water equipment.

"That was extremely disastrous for our response," Richardson said.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Thursday that it was keeping some supplies at the Port-au-Prince port, but they were at risk of being looted. U.N. agencies and nongovernmental organizations have more than 300 containers in Port-au-Prince, and they are in discussions with the authorities to secure them.

OCHA says it also needs air transportation and maritime services to scale up humanitarian operations.

Meanwhile, the World Food Program, the International Organization for Migration and UNICEF are delivering hot meals, blankets, solar lamps and thousands of gallons of drinking water to displaced people.

The World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization have been distributing water purification tablets, chlorine, gloves and other items at sites for displaced people. They are also providing medicines and supplies to the few health centers still operating.

And the U.N. Population Fund and its partners are assisting women and girls with matters related to sexual and reproductive health, as well as sexual and gender-based violence issues. Richardson said the gangs continue to rape women as both a method of control and revenge.

More than 1 million Haitians are teetering on the brink of conflict-related famine as funding for humanitarian programs is drying up. Only 6.5% of the $674 million the U.N. needs this year has come in.

The World Food Program hot meals program could run out of money in days.

"Unfortunately, if there's no money arriving to our humanitarian response plan, then we will simply need to reduce the level of assistance," Richardson said. "At this stage, it would be a catastrophe."
As Haiti's transitional government struggles to take shape, the island nation's powerful gangs have continued to make advances in the capital, Port-au-Prince, residents of the capital reported on Saturday.

Armed criminals attacked the bases of two specialized police units in the capital area, residents told Agence France-Presse by phone. There were no details about casualties.

As street violence continues, hunger worsens, United Nations officials said.

"There is a very, very great fatigue. There is human suffering on an alarming scale. A lot of fear. Trauma. People are just simply tired," Ulrika Richardson, the U.N. resident and humanitarian coordinator for Haiti, told reporters Thursday in a video call from Port-au-Prince.

In the first two months of this year, 2,500 people were killed, kidnapped or injured in the violence, Richardson said.

In addition, almost half of Haiti's people are struggling to feed themselves, international organizations said Friday, with some areas approaching famine.

Haiti is now facing its worst food insecurity levels on record, according to the World Food Program.

"Rising hunger is fueling the security crisis that is shattering the country. We need urgent action now  waiting to respond at scale is not an option," said Jean-Martin Bauer, the World Food Program's Haiti director.

Meanwhile, more than 33,000 people have fled Port-au-Prince this month alone, the U.N. said late Thursday, as the capital has seen roadblocks and widespread violence grow.

Gang "attacks and generalized insecurity are pushing more and more people to leave the capital to find refuge in provinces, taking the risks of passing through gangs-controlled routes," the U.N.'s International Organization for Migration said in a statement late Thursday.

It "should be emphasized that provinces do not have sufficient infrastructures and host communities do not have sufficient resources that can enable them to cope with these massive displacement flows coming from the capital," the statement continued.

Years of instability

Haiti has been rocked by instability since 2021, when President Jovenel Moise was assassinated. Prime Minister Ariel Henry then led the country until he announced his resignation this month. He said he will formally leave office when a transitional government is in place. Haiti has not held elections since 2016.

The transitional council that is still in the process of being organized would name an interim prime minister to oversee a national vote. However, gangs have already indicated that they will not recognize the coalition government, according to the International Crisis Group.

White House spokesperson John Kirby said Friday the Biden administration hopes to see progress with the transitional government in the coming days.

Police are facing difficulties as armed groups in recent days "advanced into new areas of the capital," the U.N.'s Richardson said Thursday. "We see people coming in with gunshot wounds from many areas around Port-au-Prince."

The U.N. Security Council called on countries to enforce an existing arms embargo on Haiti, citing "grave concern at the illicit flow of arms and ammunition into Haiti that remains a fundamental factor of instability and violence."

Meanwhile, humanitarians are struggling to provide much-needed aid to Haiti's 5.5 million people. The World Health Organization said the closure of Port-au-Prince's airport has made importing essential goods and medicine impossible.

"The national port is operational, but accessing it is challenging, as the surrounding areas are controlled by gangs," the group's director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said.

Only 5% of Haitians have received humanitarian aid, according to a report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification.

Foreigners leave

Rising threats in the country mean foreigners have been leaving Haiti entirely. As of Saturday, the U.S. State Department has helped more than 230 U.S. citizens leave Haiti since Sunday, a State Department spokesperson told VOA.

"We will continue to monitor demand from U.S. citizens for assistance in departing Haiti on a real-time basis," the spokesperson said in a statement.

"We reiterate our message to U.S. citizens: Do not travel to Haiti," they added, citing ongoing instability.

VOA's U.N. Correspondent Margaret Besheer and State Department Bureau Chief Nike Ching contributed to this report. Some information in this report came from Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
Finland is the happiest country in the world - for the seventh straight year.

Denmark and Iceland follow closely behind, according to this year's World Happiness Report, released Wednesday.

Ranking last among 143 countries and territories: Afghanistan and Lebanon.

One of the report's editors, professor Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, who also heads the Wellbeing Research Center at the University of Oxford, said GDP per capita marks a key difference between nations' happiness, but that's not the end of the story.

"Wealth does matter, but especially also how wealth is distributed. So in Finland, Denmark and the other Scandinavian countries, you'll find that wealth is way more evenly distributed, so more people benefit from the wealth that's being generated in these countries. And then also, each one supports a welfare state that provides psychological stability, De Neve said.

The United States dropped out of the top 20 for the first time. It fell to 23rd place from 15th last year, because of a plunge in the sense of well-being of those aged under 30.

The United Nations-backed report also shows that it's not just American youth who are unhappy.

"The main call for policy action from the World Happiness Report this year is we need to do something about these dramatic drops in youth well-being in North America and Western Europe and Britain to an extent as well," it said.

De Neve said a range of factors was likely to be at play.

Those include increased polarization over social issues, negative aspects of social media, and economic inequality that's made it harder for young people to afford their own homes than in the past.

By contrast, many of the countries with the biggest improvements in youth well-being were former communist countries in central and eastern Europe.
Ohios attorney general has ordered public colleges and universities to end merit scholarships that incorporate race-based criteria, saying they are unconstitutional.

The attorney general advised education officials that compliance with a 2023 Supreme Court decision on race-based admissions extends to scholarships, according to the Columbus Dispatch. (March 2024)
The work of journalists in El Salvador is becoming tougher, with an increase in efforts to harass or block them from reporting in the past year, a media association says.

The Journalists Association of El Salvador, or APES, has recorded scores of cases of journalists being threatened for reporting on allegations of government corruption, blocked from covering events or targeted with surveillance software. It is also seeing female journalists subjected to online harassment and threats.

Overall, the association documented a 40% rise in attacks in 2023.

"We had a little more than 223 cases during 2023, which is a fairly high number. ... There was an increase of around 40%, compared to 2022," APES President Angelica Carcamo told VOA.

'An escalation of violence'

APES has documented multiple cases of journalists being restricted from covering voting or campaign events or blocked from taking photographs. In some cases, journalists are harassed online or targeted in smear campaigns designed to discredit them, or attacked.

Among the cases is that of freelance reporter Marvin Diaz.

Diaz says he was covering a vote count in San Salvador last month when a member of the ruling Nuevas Ideas party snatched his phone. Diaz said the party member was trying to stop him from documenting the final scrutiny of voting, even though the event was open to the press.

"There is an escalation of violence, an escalation of intimidation for the press," Diaz said.

But, he said, "Now more than ever, El Salvador needs journalists that denounce and document all the facts."

"What happened to me has been difficult, but it is not going to stop me from my work either," he added.

Center documents violations against media

With cases often increasing during election periods, APES set up a monitoring center to document any violations against media during the presidential vote in February and municipal elections in March.

Carcamo says in the month before the municipal vote, the organization documented dozens of violations.

Speaking at the U.S. Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington in February  shortly after he was reelected  President Nayib Bukele said his country has press freedom but that journalists have a responsibility.

"A democracy needs a free press, but to enjoy that membership you must do your duty as a reporter, report the facts and not be a puppet of those who finance them," Bukele said in his speech.

Part of the issue with media attacks, said APES, is impunity. Complaints are presented to the police or prosecutor's office, but the cases are rarely resolved.

El Salvador ranks 115th out of 180 countries on the World Press Freedom Index, where 1 reflects the best media environment. The media watchdog Reporters Without Borders says the country's reporters and media outlets are affected by violence but that Bukele has also harassed journalists critical of his government.

This article originated in VOA's Spanish Service.
On March 22, Russian troops launched a combined massive attack on Ukraine. Kamikaze drones, missiles of various types, including ballistic missiles, were fired at Ukrainian cities and villages, and primarily at energy system facilities.

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In this case, the X-101/555 missiles covered a distance of about 2,300 kilometers to reach the Lviv region. The details of the attack were collected by the monitor channel, and the commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykola Oleshchuk spoke about its course and the results of air defense.

During the combined massive attack on the morning of March 22, Russian troops used a wide range of weapons. In particular:

X-101/555 cruise missiles  launched from at least 13 Tu-95s from the Caspian Sea ( 40 units in total);

cruise missiles  launched from at least 13 Tu-95s from the Caspian Sea ( units in total); aeroballistic hypersonic missiles of the X-47M2 "Kinzhal" complex ( 7 missiles in total, launched from ten MiG-31Ks from the Tambov region of the Russian Federation);

complex in total, launched from ten MiG-31Ks from the Tambov region of the Russian Federation); Iskander-M/KN-23 OTRK ballistic missiles ( 12 missiles in total, launched from the Belgorod region of the Russian Federation and the temporarily occupied Crimea);

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supersonic air-launched cruise missiles X-22 (5 units from five Tu-22M3 bombers from Rostov region);

units from five Tu-22M3 bombers from Rostov region); S-300/S-400 surface-to-air missiles (22 missiles from Belgorod and Kursk regions of the Russian Federation);

surface-to-air missiles missiles from Belgorod and Kursk regions of the Russian Federation); attack UAVs of the "Shahed" type ( 63 of them, launched from the Primorsko-Akhtarsk region of the Krasnodar Territory of the Russian Federation);

( of them, launched from the Primorsko-Akhtarsk region of the Krasnodar Territory of the Russian Federation); X-59 guided missiles (two missiles from two Su-30/Su-34, launched from the temporarily occupied part of Zaporizhzhia).

"On the night of March 22, 2024, the enemy launched a combined missile and air strike on critical infrastructure facilities in Ukraine. In total, the enemy used 151 means of air attack... As a result of the air battle, 92 air targets were destroyed: 55 Shahed-136/131 strike UAVs; 35 X-101/X-555 cruise missiles; 2 X-59 guided missiles," noted the Ukrainian Air Force commander.

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Anti-aircraft missile units of the Air Force and the Ground Forces, mobile fire groups, and electronic warfare units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces were involved in repelling the missile attack.

The enemy launched missiles along complex routes. For example, the X-101/555 missiles covered the longest distance of about 2,300 kilometers before reaching the Lviv region.

"Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Cherkasy, and some settlements in Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Khmelnytskyi, and Vinnytsia regions were under attack. The strikes targeted, among other things, the energy sector of Ukraine," the monitoring channel said.

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As a reminder, on March 22, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine: critical infrastructure facilities were hit in a number of cities, and power outages began.

As a result of the enemy's attacks on critical infrastructure, settlements in a number of regions were cut off from electricity, and emergency blackouts began.

In particular, the Dnipro hydroelectric power plant was hit: after the attack, traffic across the dam was completely stopped. A missile hit a trolley bus moving across the dam.

It also became known that ZNPP was again on the verge of blackout due to the Russian attack. The largest nuclear power plant in Europe is connected to the Ukrainian power grid by a single line that was repaired only last week.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
Malawi's parliament is considering legislation to permit the cultivation of marijuana or cannabis. The aim is to boost the country's foreign exchange earnings but anti-drug advocates are against it.

Malawi lawmaker Peter Dimba told parliament Thursday that locally grown cannabis  which he referred to by its local name of "chamba"  is in high demand abroad and could yield millions of dollars for the country.

"In studies that were done, it is envisaged that when we start growing our own chamba we will be able to generate as much as $200 million per year at the infant stage of the industry," said Dimba. "But as the industry grows to maturity, we will be able to earn as much as $700 million. In fact, it is more than double what we are actually currently getting from the sale of tobacco."

Malawi has long relied on tobacco, which accounts for about 13% of its gross domestic product and 60% of its foreign exchange earnings.

But over the years, tobacco prices have fallen, largely because of anti-smoking campaigns championed by the World Health Organization and the proven link between tobacco use and cancer.

In 2020, Malawi enacted a law permitting the cultivation of hemp  the non-psychoactive part of the cannabis plant  as an alternative to tobacco farming. But farmers say industrial hemp hasn't yielded the expected results.

Mathews Osman leads a cooperative of industrial hemp farmers in Mchinji district in central Malawi. He said there is a stronger market for cannabis with the plant's mind-altering element, THC.

"The industrial hemp took us a long time to find a possible buyer," said Osman. "With this high THC, it seems to be a lot of buyers on the ground."

Osman said another problem with industrial hemp was that the seeds were imported and expensive, while seeds for a local cannabis variety are expected to be cheaper.

Patrick Galawanda is the spokesperson for the religious group Rastafarians in Malawi, which uses marijuana for spiritual purposes. He said he hopes the legalization of cannabis will keep Rastafarians from getting arrested when they are found with cannabis.

"We have been crying out for this for a long time," he said. "For us the Rastafarians family, we use this for spiritual purposes and for medicinal purposes. So they must stop arresting Rastafarians for the sake of cannabis."

Some Malawians want cannabis cultivation to remain illegal. Nelson Zakeyu is executive director for Drug Fight Malawi, a local NGO which has long fought against drug abuse.

"This is worrisome because cannabis is a drug," said Zakeyu. "Cannabis is poisonous. It is very, very problematic especially to teenagers because scientists have said that once young people under the age of 21 start using cannabis, their brain is permanently damaged."

Zakeyu said another worry is that according to research his organization conducted last year, the number of teenagers using cannabis doubled soon after Malawi legalized the use of industrial hemp in 2020.

He said the number would soar further if cannabis with a high content of THC could be legally grown.

Richard Chimwendo Banda is the leader of government lawmakers in parliament.

He said the government will handle the matter with caution.

"As government, we are very cautious because we have the duty to protect our young people. And we will make sure that anything else that comes in protects our young people and protects the nation," he said. "But, when it comes to the economic benefits of it, we must make sure we facilitate the economic benefit of it."

Lawmakers are still working on the bill to amend existing laws on cannabis; it is not clear when the measure might come up for a vote.
Moldova's Parliament on Thursday endorsed an appeal to press on with a drive to join the European Union, but the opposition walked out of the vote and separatists in the Transnistria region urged authorities to drop their claim to the enclave.

President Maia Sandu, who says Russia is the biggest threat to Moldova's security, has made EU membership the cornerstone of her administration in the ex-Soviet state, which lies between Ukraine and Romania.

A vocal opponent of Russia's war in Ukraine, she has called for a referendum on EU membership to be held this year.

After a debate coinciding with an EU summit in Brussels, Parliament adopted by a vote of 54-0 a declaration saying, "Only joining Europe can ensure the future of the country as a sovereign, neutral and full-fledged democratic state."

It identified EU integration as "Moldova's top priority national project." Moldova is one of Europe's poorest countries.

The opposition Bloc of Communists and Socialists, sympathetic to Moscow, walked out of the chamber.

In Transnistria, a sliver of land that broke away from Moldova as the Soviet Union was collapsing, self-styled President Vadim Krasnoselsky called on Moldovan authorities to recognize his territory and renounce all claims to it.

"There is no other way out," he said on the enclave's television. "There can be no more talk of autonomy. You must walk away from these territories."

His region, he said, was "not separatist," but "a normal neighbor" seeking peace and stability.

Transnistria, heavily dependent on Russia for financial support, has no international recognition, not even from Moscow.

It has remained on Moldova's eastern border for 30 years with little turmoil, but tension has risen since Moldovan authorities imposed customs duties in January on all goods entering and leaving the region.

Elected officials last month appealed to Moscow for diplomatic measures to protect the region.

An EU summit last year gave the green light for membership talks with both Ukraine and Moldova, but no date for the start of talks has been made public, and there was no announcement on the matter at Thursday's meeting in Brussels.

Moldova has been engaged in an escalating feud with Russia, with the Ukraine war and Transnistria as the focal points.

Moldova faces disputes with a second region in the south, Gagauzia, whose leader met Russian President Vladimir Putin this month and is linked to a fugitive pro-Russian businessman sentenced to 15 years in absentia for mass fraud.
In a recent interview with VOA via Zoom, Jason Tower, the U.S. Institute of Peace country director for Myanmar, discussed escalating transnational crime in that country, particularly following allegations of nuclear materials being traded from Myanmar.



Despite recent moves by China to end some of the cybercrime in border areas, Myanmar has become the world's most criminalized nation, according to the recent Global Index on Transnational Crime. Tower views the ruling junta in Naypyidaw as the key enabler of transnational crime and warns the problem cannot be resolved while it remains in power.



This interview has been edited for length and clarity.



VOA: An alleged member of the Japanese yakuza [organized crime] is being prosecuted in the United States on charges of trying to trade nuclear materials for weapons for an ethnic armed group from Myanmar. Can you put this into the larger regional context of transnational crimes in Myanmar?



Jason Tower, U.S. Institute of Peace country director for Myanmar: If you go back to the period before the coup from 2016 to 2020, Myanmar was on a trajectory of dealing with a lot of issues around transnational crime and criminality in the country, and you were seeing some significant improvements in terms of efforts to deal with money laundering, and in terms of international cooperation to try to check the narcotics trade.



Now, after the coup, Myanmar has emerged as the most criminalized country in the world. A new report came out recently called the Global Index on Transnational Crime. It ranks Myanmar as number one in criminality in the world. All of the various factors that would keep the country resilient to crime have been systematically undermined by the Myanmar military since the coup.

First and foremost, the Myanmar police force has been mobilized to oppress and attack the Myanmar people, leaving no space to deal with issues around crime. Then, of course, the Myanmar military's ongoing assault on, really, every corner of the country, has led to a situation where everyone needs arms. Everyone needs to find means of protecting themselves to fight back against this military.

Weve seen many new issues with arms flows, with ethnic armed organizations trying to obtain more sophisticated equipment so that they can protect themselves. This makes Myanmar a magnet for transnational criminal groups like the yakuza and Chinese triad groups increasingly coming in and building more influence in the country.



The broader context here is a pattern of growing levels of criminality  more dangerous sorts of criminal activities. Myanmar, for the first time in its history, is now a destination country for human trafficking, essentially modern slavery. Now, these new issues are emerging around involvement in nuclear materials.

VOA: Considering the statements made in U.S. court regarding the possession of nuclear raw materials by the RCSS, the Shan ethnic armed group, what potential impact could this have on regional dynamics, particularly in terms of security and geopolitical considerations?



Tower: If you look at the position of the RCSS following the coup, until very recently, you saw much more alignment between the RCSS and the Myanmar military. The RCSS has actively been trying to capture more and more territory in the northern part of Shan state. Then you saw, in the post-coup period, ongoing fighting between the two Shan armies, the Northern Shan and the Southern Shan, involving some of the other northern armed groups in Shan state, as well.



More recently, the RCSS has begun to pivot a bit, and weve started to see more of a move toward Shan unity  particularly as you've seen the Myanmar military get pushed out and be defeated on the battlefield in northern Myanmar. I think that was a signal to the RCSS that leaning on the military junta as a security umbrella was no longer a viable strategy. So, we saw it start to pivot a little bit more.



I think one challenge around this case, and these new revelations about RCSS involvement in criminal activity, is that it could affect efforts toward building more unity between the two Shan groups  particularly given that the SSPP, the northern Shan group, is under a lot of pressure regionally to deal with transnational crime. If the RCSS is increasingly involved in these different forms of transnational criminal activity and has relationships with major organized crime groups, that might pose challenges to efforts to work in that direction.

Then, of course, there's the issue of how the Myanmar people, especially the people of Shan state, are going to see all of this. The RCSS recently announced its own forced conscription in response to the militarys moves around forced conscription, and this is creating a lot of tensions at a societal level in Shan state. So, all of this is going to have implications for neighboring countries, including Thailand, Laos, and China. The extent to which these countries want to deal with these sorts of threats from transnational crime, they're going to have to look much more closely at the involvement of some of these different actors with these transnational crime groups.



VOA: In light of reports on Chinese cybercriminal gangs, how do these groups exert influence and dominance in Myanmar, and what are the implications for transnational crimes in the area?

Tower: We've seen some pretty significant moves to crack down on the scam centers, particularly on the China-Myanmar border. We finally did see the Myanmar military  under massive amounts of pressure  hand over some of the wanted Kokang border guards force leaders, such as Bai Suocheng, Liu Zhengmao and Liu Zhengxiang, to Chinese police. Weve seen some ongoing efforts, now that the MNDAA [the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, a resistance group] has taken over its territory, to try to capture some additional criminals who might still be there, and to set free some individuals that are still held in slavery inside of some of those compounds.

There have been some further crackdowns on the China border, but the vast majority of the criminal groups had inside information about what was going to happen, so many of them left and moved to the Thai border where these problems are becoming larger and larger. A lot of them have moved to places like Cambodia and Laos now where, once again, this criminal activity has risen up in a very big way.

In Myanmar's case, the focus is on the Thai-Myanmar border as well as on the movements of criminal groups inland to places like Yangon and Mandalay  and even Naypyidaw [the military-built capital], where the Myanmar military can continue to provide protection to these groups. This crisis is far from over. There have been some moves on the China border, but it's led to the spillover of problems on other borders, because there hasn't been a global effort to try to combat what is very much a global issue.

VOA: What, in your opinion, are the current challenges in addressing transnational crime, particularly within the context of Myanmar and its neighboring countries?

Tower: The number one challenge is the Myanmar military, which is the enabler of all of this criminal activity, as well as the cause of the massive escalation of criminal activity and the influence of transnational crime.

What's very interesting is that you only really saw a crackdown on transnational crime and on criminal activity in Kokang on the China border when the MNDAA defeated the military and pushed it out. That's ultimately what led to the disruption of those 300 scam centers that were in the Kokang territories. That's ultimately what enables at least some of the Border Guard force leaders that were directly operating all of these large-scale scam centers. That's what led them to finally being handed over to law enforcement, and finally there being some accountability for that criminal activity.

It was only when the Myanmar military was removed from that territory could you finally start identifying solutions, and I think that that's really the key lesson learned here. You're not going to be able to address these issues as long as the Myanmar military continues to attempt to dominate the political space in the country.

It's terribly unfortunate, but you're seeing the Myanmar military increasingly on the Thai-Myanmar border area weaponize what's going on around transnational crime. To give an example of this, there's a recent case of a very large number, as many as 450 people from Uganda, that were trafficked into Myanmar. The exact number of individuals is unknown; some of them may have been trafficked elsewhere. This led to the Ugandan parliament raising some questions about this, and the Ugandan government trying to investigate it.

The Ugandan government, just like many other governments, go and try to get the Myanmar military to address the problems. Rather than doing anything constructive to address the problems, the Myanmar military instead deflects blame and points to the resistance or tries to even use this issue to its advantage in different ways to gain legitimacy. I think that that's terribly unfortunate, but that's ultimately what the obstacle is to dealing with these problems. The Myanmar military has no capacity, no desire to govern and is not going to be able to address any of these issues effectively.
Russia unleashed one of its most devastating attacks against Ukraine's electric sector on Friday, an aerial assault it said was retaliation for recent strikes inside Russia and which could signal an escalation of the war just days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on power in a preordained election.

Many Ukrainians were plunged into darkness across several cities, at least five people were killed, and damage to the countrys largest hydroelectric plant briefly cut off power to a nuclear plant that has been a safety risk throughout the war.

Russia fired off more than 60 exploding drones and 90 missiles in what Ukrainian officials described as the most brutal attack against its energy infrastructure since the full-scale war began in early 2022.

Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, sustained the most damage, officials said, and the attack came a day after Russia had fired 31 missiles into the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been urging Western allies for weeks to provide it with additional air-defense systems and ammunition, a period in which $60 billion in U.S. aid has been held up by divisions in Congress.

With Russian missiles, there are no delays, like with aid packages to our state," Zelenskyy said. It is important to understand the cost of delays and postponed decisions.

Russia's defense ministry called the Friday attacks strikes of retribution. Ukraine has increased shelling of Russia's Belgorod region along its northeast border and has launched drone strikes targeting Russian oil refineries and other energy facilities.

Ukraine's latest strike inside Russia on Friday killed one person and injured at least three, according to local officials.

Putin has described Ukrainian attacks on Belgorod and other regions as an effort to frighten residents and derail the highly orchestrated election that ended Sunday. And he vowed to strike back.

The day after he declared victory, Putin said Russia would seek to create a buffer zone inside eastern Ukraine to help protect against long-range strikes and cross-border raids.

Russia has made progress on the battlefield in recent months against exhausted Ukrainian troops struggling with a shortage of manpower and ammunition along the front line that stretches over 1,000 kilometers (621 miles).

When Putin invaded in 2022, he called it a special military operation, and his officials have mostly eschewed the word war. But in a change of rhetoric Friday that may herald a new escalation, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told a Russian newspaper that when the collective West became a participant in this on the side of Ukraine, for us it already became a war.

In the winter of 2022-23, Russia targeted Ukraines energy infrastructure, causing frequent blackouts across the country. Many in Ukraine and the West expected that Russia might repeat the strategy this winter, but Russia instead focused its strikes on Ukraines defense industries.

While launching the strikes, Russia has combined sophisticated ballistic and cruise missiles with waves of cheap Iranian-made Shahed drones in a bid to oversaturate and weaken Ukrainian air defenses.

Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, head of the national utility Ukrenergo, described Fridays barrage as the largest assault on Ukraines energy infrastructure since the full-scale war began.

This attack was especially dangerous because the adversary combined different means of attack, kamikaze drones, ballistic and cruise missiles, he said.

Kudrytskyi said that Russia "tried to destroy every significant energy object powering the city of Kharkiv, leaving at least 700,000 without electricity. He estimated that several hundred thousand customers in other regions were also left without power.

Oleksiy Kuleba, deputy head of Zelenskyy's office, said that 31 people were injured in the strikes, which also left 200,000 people without constant access to electricity in the Odesa region. He said that power supplies for most of 400,000 customers in the Dnipropetrovsk region were restored.

The huge Dnipro hydroelectric power plant, Ukraine's largest, halted operation after sustaining at least six missile hits that caused massive damage. Ihor Syrota, the head of Ukrhidroenergo company overseeing the country's hydroelectric plants, said it lost about a third of its generation capacity in a significant loss for the Ukrainian energy system.

Syrota said that the extent of damage to the plant remained unclear because its equipment has been buried under concrete and metal debris from the blasts, noting that the repairs will be a long process.

The strikes sparked a fire at the Dnipro plant, which supplies electricity to the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia, the largest in Europe. Power to the nuclear plant was lost for several hours before it was restored, International Atomic Energy Agency head Rafael Grossi said early Friday. The Zaporizhzhia plant has been occupied by Russian troops since early days of the invasion, and fighting around it has raised the risk of a nuclear accident.

The dam at the hydroelectric station was not in danger of breaching, the country's hydroelectric authority said. A dam breach could not only disrupt supplies to the nuclear plant but could potentially cause severe flooding like what occurred last year when a major dam at Kakhovka further down the Dnieper River collapsed.
Pupils across Russia have taken part in a history quiz this month that involved watching extracts of President Vladimir Putin's interview with U.S. commentator Tucker Carlson, according to posts by numerous schools on social media.

Putin began the two-hour interview in February by lecturing Carlson for about half an hour on the history of Russia from the year 862, arguing that Ukraine had no tradition of independent statehood  a notion rejected by Kyiv as false and self-serving.

In posts on Russian social media platform VK, schools described the quiz as an "intellectual game" that helped children understand "the stages of development of the Russian state" and said it was both entertaining and instructive.

In some cases, it appeared that children as young as 6 or 7 had taken part. A school in Rostov, southern Russia, said pupils in classes one through 11 had watched parts of the interview and then answered questions appropriate to their age.

The Domodedovskaya grammar school posted that children had been tasked after the 11-round quiz with thinking of questions to send to Putin. It said that since it was a nationwide event, "unfortunately not everyone will receive answers from the president, but we're still hopeful!"

Reuters sent requests for comment to eight head teachers and teachers at schools that took part in the event. None of them have so far responded.

The quiz was first reported by Ne Norma, a volunteer association that tracks the ways in which the worldview underpinning Putin's invasion of Ukraine is being instilled in Russian children.

Dmitry Tsibiryov, a spokesperson for the project, said it was no surprise that the Carlson interview was being shown to children, given the "mass propaganda coverage" it had generated in state media.

It was not clear which clips had been used in the quiz. Carlson was criticized after the interview for failing to push the Kremlin leader hard enough, and even Putin said he would have liked tougher questions.

The multiple-choice quiz questions were designed to reinforce points that Putin had made. Children were expected, for example, to know that the word "Ukrainian" in the 13th century could denote a border guard or someone who lived in the borderlands, but not an inhabitant of a country called Ukraine.

Tsibiryov said the quiz was just one example of a wider transformation of the curriculum since the start of the war, including the introduction of special lessons called "Important Conversations" that were often devoted to patriotic themes. Such lessons sometimes took the form of visits to schools by soldiers and veterans.

Ne Norma has previously publicized cases of children making items such as trench candles and camouflage nets to send to soldiers in Ukraine.

Last October it published a photograph of kindergarten children posing in soldiers' hats in front of a screen with a quotation from 18th century general Alexander Suvorov: "A warrior's appearance must instill terror in the enemy."

Putin has told Russians it is important to unite at a time when the country is at war in Ukraine and facing what he says is an existential threat from the West. Last year Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky published four new history textbooks for 16- to 18-year-olds reflecting Putin's view of the fall of the Soviet Union and the causes of the Ukraine conflict.

In a telephone interview, Tsibiryov said the education system was increasingly being used as a vehicle for propaganda aimed at "recruiting new participants, new volunteers for the war."

"At best, it's a useless waste of time," Tsibiryov said. "The main harm it does is to inject this false sense of patriotism. ... These are probably convictions that can remain a long time with children in the future, even if they aren't directly drawn into this war."
South Sudan has said that its investigation into the 2017 death of journalist Christopher Allen supported earlier government claims that he was "unintentionally killed as a result of crossfire" while covering the country's bloody civil war.

The 26-year-old freelance reporter, a dual American-British national, was shot in the head during a battle between the South Sudanese army and rebels in the southern town of Kaya on August 26, 2017.

After years of international pressure from the United States and Britain as well as media campaign groups urging a probe into his killing, South Sudan's government announced in October that it would launch an investigation into his death.

The government has repeatedly denied targeting Allen, who had been embedded with rebels from the Sudan People's Liberation Army In Opposition or SPLA-IO to cover the conflict that erupted just two years after the country declared independence.

On Thursday, David Charles Ali Bilal, head of the investigation committee, told journalists that the attack had taken place about 5:30 a.m. (0330 GMT) and it was very difficult to see "who is black and [who is] white."

"Christopher Allen was unintentionally killed as a result of crossfire," he said, reading out the report.

Allen had "entered South Sudan illegally," he said, adding that he "was not wearing any protective or press identification clothes."

The 2013-2018 war between forces loyal to two sworn enemies, President Salva Kiir and his now-deputy Riek Machar, claimed the lives of almost 400,000 people.

The investigation findings reiterated previous claims by South Sudan's government, with Information Minister Michael Makuei saying at the time of his death that "the killing of Christopher Allen was not targeted."

"But anybody on that side is usually a target," the minister added.

Makuei had previously described Allen as a "white rebel" and claimed he had been in the country illegally.

Reporters Without Borders, known by its French acronym RSF, has also been urging the United States to lead a probe into his death because of Juba's "failure to hold anyone accountable."

"Available information demonstrates that war crimes were committed in the deliberate targeting of Allen and the treatment of his body after his death, including trophy-style photos," it said in a statement in August.

South Sudan ranks 118 out of 180 countries on RSF's 2023 World Press Freedom Index and the group says at least nine journalists have been killed in the world's newest nation since 2014.
South Korea's increasingly outspoken stands on issues including Taiwan and the South China Sea are raising tensions between Beijing and Seoul.

Most recently, South Korea pushed back at China's criticism of Taiwan's participation at the Summit for Democracy that wrapped up in Seoul on Wednesday. Taiwan's Minister of Digital Affairs Audrey Tang spoke virtually on Monday, addressing the risks posed by cyberattacks to elections worldwide.

The event was held to "enhance democracy" and "not meant to target a particular country," South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk said at a news briefing on Tuesday. South Korea's one-China policy remains unchanged, Lim continued.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian had said Monday at a news conference that Beijing "firmly opposes the ROK [Republic of South Korea] inviting the Taiwan authorities" to the event.

At an earlier news briefing on March 12, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin urged South Korea to refrain from taking a position against China on the South China Sea and to "avoid adding unnecessary burden" to their bilateral relations.

He went on to say Seoul "has changed its prudent and neutral position that it had adhered to for years and alluded to or blamed China on the South China Sea issues on multiple occasions."

South Korea's Lim had said at a press briefing on March 7 that Seoul was "deeply concerned" about Chinese coast guard ships using water cannons against a Philippine vessel and that the action "heightens tensions" in the region.

Lim's remarks were welcomed in Taiwan, where Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jeff Liu told VOA via email this week that the ministry expresses "its appreciation and gratitude" to countries such as South Korea for sharing their concerns over the situation in the South China Sea.

He continued, Taiwan "supports freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea."

Regarding Taiwan's participation at the summit, Liu told VOA it has become "China's standard response" to oppose Taiwan whenever it is "active, prominent, acknowledged, or honored internationally."

China considers the self-governing island of Taiwan as its own territory.

Patrick Cronin, chair for Asia-Pacific Security at Hudson Institute, said China wants to remind Seoul not to become "too assertive" in its remarks, but that Beijing has learned to avoid imposing pressure "it knows will be counterproductive."

He recalled that when South Korea installed the U.S. Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD) in 2017, Beijing responded by suspending Chinese group tours to South Korea and closed South Korean Lotte supermarket chains in China.

Cronin pointed out that the Yoon administration in Seoul has declared its wish to play a more central role in the global struggle for freedom and value-based diplomacy.

In the preface to South Korea's National Security Strategy issued in June 2023, President Yoon Suk Yeol said, "As a global pivotal state ground in the spirit of freedom and solidarity, the Republic of Korea endeavors to actively address the rapidly evolving security environment."

Yoon has been more vocal about defending Taiwan and opposing Chinese assertive behavior in the South China Sea than was his predecessor, Moon Jae-in.

In an interview with Reuters ahead of an April 2023 state visit to Washington, Yoon expressed his opposition to attempts to use force to change the status quo between China and Taiwan. China's Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong said Yoon's remarks were totally unacceptable a few days later.

In November, before Yoon made a state visit to London, he emphasized the importance of maintaining a rules-based order in the South China Sea and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Those remarks appeared in an interview with The Telegraph, a British newspaper.

Daniel DePetris, a fellow at the Washington-based think tank Defense Priorities, said Seoul's verbal defense of the Philippines is "notable" not only because of what it says about its relations with China but what it says about smaller powers around China.

In an email to VOA on Tuesday, he said Seoul's remarks show that "small and mid-tier states along China's periphery are deepening their own security political relations to better balance Chinese power."

Robert Manning, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center's Reimagining U.S. Grand Strategy Project, told VOA on Wednesday via email that China's remarks urging Seoul to avoid adding unnecessary burden to their bilateral ties "appears a thinly veiled threat in response to the consistent pro-Western posture of the Yoon administration on not just the South China Sea, but global issues such as Ukraine."

Jingxun Li from VOA's Mandarin Service contributed to this report.
Just hours after Uganda's president, Yoweri Museveni, made minor changes to his cabinet, he also appointed his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to be head of the military. Analysts say the appointment puts Musevenis son in line to be president  but only if Museveni, in power for nearly four decades, is unable to continue.

Musevenis son, generally referred to as Muhoozi, was named chief of defense forces Thursday night, replacing General Wilson Mbusa Mbadi, who was appointed a junior minister of trade.

The 49-year-old Muhoozi has been away from active military command for two years. He was removed from his previous job as head of land forces for his controversial posts on Twitter, now known as X.

In various tweets, he had threatened to invade and capture Nairobi within two weeks, voiced support for Tigray rebels fighting the Ethiopian government, and expressed approval of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

According to the Ugandan constitution, a serving military officer is not allowed to be involved in political activities. But Muhoozi ignored that, not only voicing his opinions but also making his political ambitions public.

More recently, Muhoozi formed the Patriotic League of Uganda. The group is considered a civic organization rather than a political party to possibly sidestep any constitutional issues.

Museveni has been grooming his son for the presidency for years  although Godber Tumushabe, director of the Great Lakes Institute for Strategic Studies, does not think a transfer of power is imminent.

[O]ne has to realize that Museveni is a life president. I dont think that Museveni can allow his son to be president when he is alive. That will only happen when God has called him or when he has become so incapacitated to be president, Tumushabe said.

Sarah Bireete, executive director for the non-profit Center for Constitutional Governance, says Museveni had been tasked by the central executive committee of the ruling NRM party to sort out the issue of Muhoozis political future before the 2026 elections.

Thursdays move indicates that Museveni, at age 81, plans to run for another term as president. Bireete says it also indicates that the army, led by Muhoozi, will be on his side.

They have been known to abuse human rights during elections, Bireete said. We have the unresolved Kampala extrajudicial killings where the army was involved. So, we expect that now with the technical head of the army in the name of the CDF (Chief of Defence Forces) who has a clear political ambition, who has a clear partisan leaning of either the father or himself, we expect him to use the army more visibly.

Museveni has been in power since 1986 and has often used security forces to suppress political opposition.

Analysts say that, assuming Museveni wins another term two years from now, the armys conduct will be under intense scrutiny, as observers watch for signs of a transfer of power.
U.N.-appointed international legal experts who investigated Irans suppression of a womens rights movement that erupted in September 2022 are appealing for more time to do their work, but objections from Tehrans allies could terminate their mission next month.

The chairperson of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, Sara Hossain, made the appeal Monday in Geneva, where she and her two counterparts presented their first in-depth report to the U.N. Human Rights Council.

The missions main finding was that Irans violent repression of peaceful protests of the Woman-Life-Freedom movement since September 2022 led to serious human rights violations ... many amounting to crimes against humanity. The three-woman teams mandate, established by the HRC in November 2022, expires at the end of the current HRC session on April 5.

At Mondays HRC session, Iranian delegate Kazem Gharib Abadi rejected the fact-finding mission's report as politically biased.

Speaking at a news briefing after presenting the report, Hossain said she and her colleagues are impartial and need more time to do their work, considering Irans refusal to let them into the country or engage with them in any way.

"In terms of all the challenges that we faced, it took quite some time for people to come forward and for us to begin to gather the evidence, and now, were on a roll, I would say. So, I think it's important to continue that," Hossain said. "In particular, its important to hear the voices that are still unheard. People have come to give that testimony at considerable personal risk ... [and with a] belief that its important for what they experienced and what they witnessed to be recorded ... and addressed by the international community and by their fellow nationals," she said.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters on March 14 that Washington "strongly supports" a resolution under consideration at the HRC session to renew the mandates of both the fact-finding mission and the U.N. Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran.

A coalition of 43 international rights organizations also called for an extension of both mandates in a letter sent on Monday to HRC members. Regarding the fact-finding mission, they said, "the litany of crimes under international law related to the 2022 protests continue" and "must be addressed ... [in order] for past patterns of violations not to repeat in the future."

London-based Persian news network Iran International said Hossain told it that a mandate extension is not guaranteed because Tehran has a lot of allies who also may object to it.

Hillel Neuer, executive director of Geneva-based nongovernmental organization U.N. Watch, discussed the fact-finding missions prospects of getting an extension in this weeks edition of VOAs Flashpoint Iran podcast.

The following transcript of Neuers March 18 interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

VOA: What is the process for extending the mandate?

Hillel Neuer, U.N. Watch: A resolution has to be adopted by the HRC. Were currently in their main session, and resolutions will be voted on in a couple of weeks.

It's common to have the mandate of the Special Rapporteur renewed. Regarding the fact-finding mission, that is less obvious. There has never before been a U.N. fact-finding mission on Iran. It's not the norm for such missions to be renewed. So I'd say there is a big question mark about whether the United States and its allies will muster a majority to renew the mandate of the fact-finding mission. That will be a challenge requiring a lot of lobbying.

VOA: What is your expectation about whether the U.S. and its allies can succeed?

Neuer: I think it's possible, but it will go down to the wire because 60% of the [47-nation] HRC are dictatorships or other forms of non-democracies. It's something paradoxical, and for most people, absurd, but the fact is that the countries that push the hardest to be on the council are the worst violators of human rights.

So you have a situation where the current members of the council include Algeria, Bangladesh, Burundi, China, Cuba, Eritrea, regimes like Kazakhstan that shoot their own people, Qatar and Somalia, which is a failed state. They are in the majority. So every time you try to get a resolution that actually is in favor of human rights at the HRC, it's a challenge.

That is why most of the worst regimes never get their human rights issues addressed at all. The fact that Iran was addressed is kind of extraordinary, because of the protests triggered by the September 2022 death in morality police custody of Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini.

It's going to be very hard work for the U.S. and its allies to convince a majority of this kind of council to vote in favor of extending the fact-finding mission. I don't think they will get a majority. They might get a plurality, whereby if you get 15 nations voting yes, 11 voting no and all the rest abstaining, it passes. They just need more yeses than nos. At best, I think we're going to see more yeses than nos, with lots of countries abstaining.
The United Nations Security Council is set to vote on a United States-sponsored resolution declaring that "an immediate and sustained cease-fire" in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza is "imperative" to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid to be delivered to more than 2 million hungry Palestinians.

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said she was optimistic that the new, tougher draft resolution would be approved Friday by the 15-member council.

The draft being put to a vote "determines"  which is a council order  "the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire," with no direct link to the release of hostages taken during Hamas October 7 attack on Israel, which was in the previous draft. But it would unequivocally support diplomatic efforts "to secure such a cease-fire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages."

Russias deputy U.N. ambassador Dmitry Polyansky said Moscow will not be satisfied "with anything that doesnt call for an immediate cease-fire," saying its what U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is pressing for and what "everybody" wants.

The Security Council had already adopted two resolutions on the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, but none calling for a cease-fire.

Russia and China vetoed a U.S.-sponsored resolution in late October calling for pauses in the fighting to deliver aid, for protection of civilians, and for a halt to arming Hamas. They said it didnt reflect global calls for a cease-fire.

The U.S., Israels closest ally, has vetoed three resolutions demanding a cease-fire, the most recent an Arab-backed measure supported by 13 council members with one abstention on February 20.

A day earlier, the U.S. circulated a rival resolution, which has gone through major changes during negotiations before Friday's vote. It initially would have supported a temporary cease-fire linked to the release of all hostages, and the previous draft would have supported international efforts for a cease-fire as part of a hostage deal.

The vote will take place as Blinken, Americas top diplomat, is on his sixth urgent mission to the Middle East since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, discussing a deal for a cease-fire and hostage release, as well as post-war scenarios.

Nate Evans, the spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the United Nations who announced the Friday morning vote, said: "This resolution is an opportunity for the Council to speak with one voice to support the diplomacy happening on the ground and pressure Hamas to accept the deal on the table."

Meanwhile, the 10 elected members of the Security Council have been drafting their own resolution, which would demand an immediate humanitarian cease-fire for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan that began March 10 to be "respected by all parties leading to a permanent sustainable cease-fire."

It also demands "the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages" and emphasizes the urgent need to protect civilians and deliver humanitarian aid throughout the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people in the surprise October 7 attack into southern Israel that triggered the war, and abducted another 250 people. Hamas is still believed to be holding some 100 people hostage, as well as the remains of 30 others.

In Gaza, the Hamas-run Health Ministry raised the death toll in the territory Thursday to nearly 32,000 Palestinians. It doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.

The international communitys authority on determining the severity of hunger crises warned this week that "famine is imminent" in northern Gaza, where 70% of people are experiencing catastrophic hunger. The report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification initiative, or IPC, warned that escalation of the war could push half of Gazas total population to the brink of starvation.

The U.S. draft would express "deep concern about the threat of conflict-induced famine and epidemics presently facing the civilian population in Gaza as well as the number of undernourished people, and also that hunger in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels."

It would emphasize "the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance to civilians in the entire Gaza Strip" and lift all barriers to getting aid to civilians "at scale."

The draft was being put in "blue" Thursday night, which is the final form required for a vote.

After closed council consultations on Gaza late Thursday, Frances U.N. Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere told reporters: "There is a desire to take action, no one want to procrastinate, so we hope that a decision can be made by tomorrow (Friday) evening."

"There are two options: Either the U.S. text is adopted and then well move to the next phase of this crisis management," he said, "or the text is not adopted and then the draft of the elected members will come to the table and put to the vote, and I hope it will be adopted."

Israel faces mounting pressure from even its closest allies to streamline the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip and to open more land crossings, and come to a cease-fire agreement. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to move the military offensive to the southern city of Rafah, where some 1.3 million displaced Palestinians have sought safety. Netanyahu says it's a Hamas stronghold.

The final U.S. draft eliminated language in the initial draft that said Israels offensive in Rafah "should not proceed under current circumstances." Instead, in an introductory paragraph, the council would emphasize its concern that a ground offensive into 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."

For the first time in a U.N. resolution, the U.S. draft would condemn "all acts of terrorism, including the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, as well as its taking and killing of hostages, murder of civilians, and sexual violence, including rape."
The temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP is once again on the verge of blackout. During Russia's massive missile attack on Ukraine on the morning of March 22, the external overhead line of the Dniprovska 750kV overhead line connecting the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP to the unified energy system of Ukraine was disconnected.

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Currently, Europe's largest nuclear power plant is connected to the Ukrainian power grid by only one power line. Thus, Russia continues to bring the world to the brink of nuclear disaster. This was stated by Energoatom.

"Today, on March 22, 2024, during a large-scale missile attack on Ukraine at 5:10 a.m, the external overhead line of Dniprovska OHL-750kV, connecting the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP to the integrated power system of Ukraine, was disconnected. Currently, Europe's largest nuclear power plant is connected to the Ukrainian power grid only by the Zaporizhzhia TPP-Ferosplavna OHL-330kV," Energoatom said.

They added that the latter line, which still supplies ZNPP, has only recently been repaired by Ukrainian power engineers. It was out of service for a long time due to damage caused by another Russian shelling.

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According to Ivan Fedorov, head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, the repairs were completed just a week ago.

"This situation is extremely dangerous and may lead to an emergency. If the last line of communication with the national power grid is cut off, ZNPP will be in another blackout, which is a serious violation of the conditions for safe operation of the plant," Energoatom CEO Petro Kotin said.

He reiterated that the Zaporizhzhia NPP should immediately come under the full control of Ukraine and its legitimate operator Energoatom. Russia should withdraw its military and military equipment from the plant.

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In general, Energoatom reminded, since the beginning of the Russian occupation, Zaporizhzhia NPP has already experienced eight full blackouts and one partial blackout with the launch of emergency diesel generators and safety systems.

"In the event of their failure, this threatens the development of a nuclear and radiation accident," the company warned.

As a reminder, on the morning of March 22, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine: critical infrastructure facilities were hit in a number of cities. Power outages occurred in a number of regions.

In particular, the Dnipro hydroelectric power plant was hit: after the attack, traffic across the dam was completely stopped. A missile hit a trolleybus moving across the dam.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
The U.S. and Philippines will for the first time venture outside Manilas territorial waters when they begin joint annual combat drills in April, a Philippines government spokesman said Thursday.

Colonel Michael Logico said elements of the Balikatan 2024 drills would be conducted about 22 kilometers (more than 12 nautical miles) off the west coast of Palawan, an island in the archipelago nation that faces a troubled region of the South China Sea.

Chinese ships this month blocked Philippine ships near the Second Thomas Shoal, a reef about 200 kilometers (120 miles) off Palawan that both sides claim.

The message that we want to send is that we are serious about defending our territory and we have allies, Logico said at a news conference, according to Philippine media.

Beijing claims most of the South China Sea as its own, putting it in conflict with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam, all of which border the sea. An international tribunal at The Hague has rejected China's claim.

Blinken visit

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the Philippines this week to bolster relations between the two countries and underscore Washingtons commitment to Manila in the face of an increasingly assertive China.

Blinken on Tuesday cited Chinas repeated violations of international law and the rights of the Philippines: water cannons, blocking maneuvers, close shadowing, [and] other dangerous operations.

China has been building up its military presence in the South China Sea by building on reefs, including the disputed Scarborough Shoal, which it effectively seized from the Philippines in 2012.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.s government has defiantly sought to assert sovereignty over disputed areas by supplying troops and escorting fishing boats. He told Bloomberg TV on Tuesday that he was not trying to start a conflict but since the threat has grown, we must do more to defend our territory.

The Philippines announced last week that it would build a new port with U.S. funding on its northern Batanes Islands, 200 kilometers (about 124 miles) from Taiwan.

While the port is expected to be for civilian use, analysts say it could also be used for military purposes and play an important role in defense  and not only for the Philippines.

Carl Thayer, an emeritus professor of politics at Australias University of New South Wales School of Humanities and Social Sciences, emailed VOA: "U.S. and Filipino forces in the northern Philippines would be able to monitor and strike Chinese forces in the event a conflict over Taiwan broke out."

Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway province that must one day reunite with mainland China, by force if necessary, while the U.S. has vowed to defend Taiwans right to self-rule.

But the U.S. mainland is separated from the Taiwan Strait by about 11,000 kilometers (6,000 nautical miles), while mainland China is roughly 160 kilometers (100 miles) from the democratic island.

'Positive impact' for Taiwan

Although the U.S. has military bases that are closer to Taiwan in Hawaii, about 8,150 kilometers (4,400 nautical miles); Guam, about 2,780 kilometers (1,500 nautical miles); and Okinawa, about 740 kilometers (400 nautical miles), analysts say the closer its military assets are to Taiwan, the faster they can respond and resupply in the event of a Chinese attack.

"While the Philippines may not change the situation in the Taiwan Strait, the greater interest in the Philippines by Washington and Tokyo will have a positive impact on Taiwan's security, said Thomas J. Shattuck, the senior program manager at the University of Pennsylvanias Perry World House, in an email to VOA.

It will increase U.S. assets in Taiwan's south," Shattuck said. "It will make it harder for China to dominate in the 'southern theater' of a possible Taiwan conflict. But again, there is more work to be done in this regard."

Marcos last year said the U.S. military would be allowed to use four new military bases in the Philippines, in addition to five where they are already allowed, for training, building infrastructure and pre-positioning supplies, though the access would not be permanent.

Although many countries in the Indo-Pacific region receive U.S. military assistance, the Philippines receives the most. From 2015 to 2022, Manila received more than $1.14 billion worth of aircraft, armored vehicles, small arms, equipment and training, $475 million of it in aid.

Blinken's trip to the Philippines marks the second time a senior U.S. Cabinet official has visited the nation this month. On March 11, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo announced fresh investments from U.S. firms of more than $1 billion in the archipelago nation.

Despite Chinas more assertive moves in the South China Sea, the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies Gregory Poling argues Beijing has lost momentum. Poling, who is senior fellow and director of CSISs Southeast Asia Program and Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, notes that since 2022, Southeast Asian nations such as the Philippines have stopped giving ground to China.

At the same time, he writes in Eurasia Review, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam have resumed development of infrastructure and oil and gas fields in the disputed region, despite China's objections.

Chinas provocative moves are one of the main topics expected to be on the agenda in April when President Joe Biden hosts a historic summit with Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Thursday that a Texas law giving state authorities the power to arrest and deport migrants who have entered the country illegally is unconstitutional.

"It is our strongly held view as a matter of law that SB4 [the Texas law] ... is unconstitutional and it is our hope and confidence that the courts will strike it down with finality," Mayorkas said during a joint news conference with Guatemala President Bernardo Arevalo in the Guatemalan capital.

A three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments on the Texas law Wednesday but did not rule. The law is on hold for now.

Mayorkas was in Guatemala to work on the U.S.-led regional strategy toward immigration. He described it as seeking to "build lawful, safe and orderly pathways for people to reach safety from their place of persecution and, at the same time, returning people to their countries as a consequence when they do not take advantage of those lawful pathways."

Among those safe pathways is a U.S. effort to streamline the process for those seeking U.S. asylum in the region through so-called safe mobility offices. They allow migrants to start the process where they are rather than making the dangerous and costly journey to the U.S. border.

Guatemala's safe mobility office, unlike some others like Colombia's, is only open to Guatemalans seeking U.S. protection. One of the requests made by Mayorkas' delegation was that Guatemala allow the safe mobility office to process requests for migrants from other countries, according to a Guatemalan official who requested anonymity because the issue was still under discussion.

Asked during the joint news conference if the U.S. government had asked Guatemala to sign a safe third country agreement, which Guatemala's previous president had agreed to during the Trump administration, Mayorkas did not directly answer. Such an agreement would require migrants from other countries passing through Guatemala to seek protection from the Guatemalan government rather than at the U.S. border.

Asked again in the interview with the AP, Mayorkas said that Guatemala could be a safe destination for some migrants, but that he deferred to Arevalo's administration on that.

The U.S. has sought to improve cooperation with countries along the migrant route, including Guatemala, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Ecuador, but Mayorkas acknowledged that it has been more challenging in Nicaragua and Venezuela, where the U.S. has strained relations with those governments.

Arevalo explained the talks in similar terms.

"We are operating under the principle that the immigration phenomenon is a regional phenomenon and that for that reason has to have answers framed in the collaborative efforts of different countries," he said.

Mayorkas also offered words of support for the Guatemalan leader, whose election victory last year was challenged and whose party still faces prosecution from Guatemala's attorney general.

"We know that the forces of corruption continue to seek to threaten democracy and the well-being of the people of Guatemala and beyond," Mayorkas said. "The United States stands with President Arevalo and his fight for democracy against the forces of corruption and for the people of Guatemala."
As Venezuela's government would have it, President Nicolas Maduro and members of his inner circle have been the target of several conspiracies since last year that could have left them injured or worse.

Few details have been released about the alleged plots. But the government has cited them in the arrests of more than 30 people since January, including a prominent human rights attorney and staffers of the leading opposition presidential candidate.

Local and international nongovernmental groups, the United Nations and foreign governments have described the crackdown as a pretext to stifle political opposition ahead of the July 28 presidential election in which Maduro, in power since 2013, will seek a new six-year term.

The latest arrests took place Wednesday shortly before the country's top prosecutor announced arrest warrants for nine people working with Maria Corina Machado's campaign, whom he accused of participating in one plot.

Oscar Murillo, general coordinator for the Venezuelan human rights group Provea, said officials are coordinating actions of the police, military and civic groups to tamp down any anti-government activity.

"This has translated into greater political repression and a deepening of the policy of persecution that seeks to break civil society at a time when perhaps the ideal thing would be to be talking about the public policies needed to reverse poverty or inequality in Venezuela," Murillo said.

Alleged plots described

Attorney General Tarek William Saab has described the plots as aimed at attacking military installations, killing Maduro and other officials and destabilizing the country. He has publicly presented alleged confessions, planning documents, laptops and other items he has characterized as evidence.

Saab on Wednesday accused the nine members of the opposition, including Machado's campaign manager, of being part of a plot that included demonstrations, a media campaign and plans to attack military barracks. He said two of the nine people, Dignora Hernandez and Henry Alviarez  Machado's political coordinator and national coordinator, respectively  had already been arrested.

The arrests of Hernandez and Alviarez brought to at least six the number of Machado staffers who are in custody over their alleged participation in the plots the government claims to have foiled.

Allowing free-market proponent Machado to run in the July election would offer Venezuela its best chance of a competitive race because no other candidate has anywhere near the level of support, money or political machinery to challenge Maduro. But the self-described socialist government has barred her from office for 15 years  an administrative order upheld by the country's top court in January.

Other members of Venezuela's opposition have urged Machado to stand aside for another contender, but she has insisted on continuing her candidacy, perhaps hoping that international pressure could force Venezuela's establishment to relent on the ban.

She told reporters Wednesday that her campaign continues organizing across the country and expects "much more than just well wishes" from the international community.

Machado also defended her staff, stressing that all allegations against them are false.

Charging documents unavailable

The government has not made public any charging documents detailing allegations against the dozens of defendants in the conspiracy cases. Under Venezuelan law, court hearings are open, but in practice, journalists and sometimes even the defendants' counsels of choice are barred from the courtroom.

Wednesday's detentions came hours after an independent panel of experts investigating human rights violations in Venezuela told the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva that Maduro's government had increased repression efforts against real or perceived opponents ahead of the election.

"The mission confirms that, as has happened in the past, the authorities invoke real or fictitious conspiracies to intimidate, detain and prosecute people who oppose or criticize the government," panel head Marta Valinas told the council, which authorized the investigative mission. "At the same time, the attorney general's office continues to operate as part of the government's repressive machinery to grant the appearance of legality to the persecution of critical voices."

Maduro became interim president in March 2013 after the death of charismatic leader Hugo Chavez. He narrowly won election weeks later and was re-elected in 2018 in an electoral process widely criticized as fraudulent.

The latest wave of arrests threatens to unravel a political accord negotiated last year among the U.S. government, the opposition faction it backs and Maduro.

The October agreement focused on conditions for a free and fair election and earned Maduro some relief from U.S. economic sanctions on the country's oil, gas and mining sectors. But hopes for a more level playing field began fading shortly afterward, and the U.S. has reversed the relief on the gold-mining industry because of what it considers Maduro's noncompliance.
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.

Mexican Journalist, Son Receive Official US Asylum Papers After 15-Year Journey

A federal immigration judge granted asylum on Monday to a Mexican journalist who fled his country more than 15 years ago after receiving death threats because of his reporting on Mexican military corruption. VOAs immigration reporter Aline Barros has more.

Court Puts Texas Border Enforcement Law Back on Hold

A federal appeals court late Tuesday issued an order that again prevents Texas from arresting migrants suspected of entering the U.S. illegally, hours after the Supreme Court allowed the strict new immigration law to take effect. The decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals comes weeks after a panel on the same court cleared the way for Texas to enforce the law by putting a pause on a lower judges injunction. Reported by the Associated Press.

Even Before Latest Violence, Thousands of Haitians Fled for US

Thousands of Haitians fled their countrys economic and political instability even before the latest outbreak of violence. The first stop for many is South America, where some try to work before heading for the United States. VOA's Austin Landis met with one man on the Colombia-Panama border preparing to cross the treacherous Darien Gap. Camera: Jorge Calle.

VOA Photo of the Day

Rohingya refugees stand on their capsized boat before being rescued in the waters off West Aceh, Indonesia.

VOA60 World - At Least 15 Dead in Israeli Strikes on Nuseirat Camp, Palestinian Health Officials Said

Gaza: Residents of the Nuseirat refugee camp gathered on Wednesday around the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted a residential building with three floors, killing at least 15 people, Palestinian health officials said.

Immigration around the world

Rohingya Refugee Boat Capsizes Off Indonesia

A wooden boat transporting dozens of Rohingya Muslim refugees capsized at least 11 kilometers off the northernmost coast of Indonesia on Wednesday. The refugees were sailing east when their boat started leaking and strong tides began pushing it toward Kuala Bubon Beach in Aceh province, according to a local resident who spoke with Agence France-Presse. Once the boat capsized, the refugees were clinging to the overturned craft. Report by VOANews.

DRCs Internally Displaced People Struggle With Mental Health

In the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, there are about 800,000 people living in refugee camps near the city of Goma. Medical officials working here say many are suffering from mental health issues. The medical group Medecins Sans Frontieres is doing what it can to help. VOAs Zanem Nety Zaidi reports.

Greece Alarmed by Rising Tides of Migrants

Greece is facing increasing illegal immigration as the Gaza crisis continues. The trend has Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and senior European Union officials heading to Egypt on Sunday to sign an aid package worth about $8 billion that is intended to help ease migration. Produced by Anthee Carassava.

News brief

 U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas traveled to Guatemala City, Guatemala, to meet with President Bernardo Arevalo in a bilateral meeting to expand our countries cooperation with one another.
On March 18, Pakistan conducted air strikes purportedly targeting armed groups hiding in regions of Afghanistan bordering Pakistan.

Al Jazeera reported, citing Pakistani military and foreign ministry sources, that the attacks targeted commanders of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, also known as the Pakistani Taliban, for terrorist activities being sponsored and conducted from across the border.

Later that day, the Afghan defense ministry said its forces had fired on Pakistani positions across the border.

Such skirmishes are routine in the border areas between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as both countries accuse each other of harboring terrorist groups.

These frequent escalations also agitate social media users, including disinformation actors and others prone to seizing breaking news to gain momentum and increase their visibility by posting sensational and often false updates, as Polygraph.info previously reported.

On X, influencer Baba Banaras  self-described as defence enthusiastic and living in Pakistan  used the breaking key word to post a fake Taliban announcement of a military invasion of Pakistan.

On March 18, Banaras posted for his more than 44,000 followers this statement, attributed to Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid:

BREAKING: We ordered the border forces of 3 provinces to attack Pakistan. Currently our operation is going on. We have captured 9 Pakistani posts & torched them. Significant damage to Pak Army brigade hq in our retaliation, says Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid.

That is false.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid made no such statement, and Afghanistan did not invade Pakistan.

The post has since gained nearly 40,000 views and more than 1,500 likes and reposts. There is no community note added to it to mark its content as untrustworthy.

In fact, on March 18, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid issued a statement in English, Pashto and Dari, saying that Pakistani planes had bombed civilian houses in Afghanistans Paktika and Khost provinces, killing three women and three children in the former and two women in the latter.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan strongly condemns these attacks and calls this reckless action a violation of Afghanistan's territory, the statement read, adding that such incidents could have very bad consequences which will be out of Pakistans control.

That same day, residents in Kurram, a western district in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, told VOA sister organization Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) that the Taliban had shelled the area. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage, and there were no reports of Taliban forces on the ground in Pakistan.

The reported Taliban strikes followed a March 16 militant attack on a large Pakistani army post in the volatile North Waziristan district near Pakistans border with Afghanistan that killed seven Pakistani soldiers and wounded 17 others.

RFE/RL noted that pro-Taliban accounts on X shared a video purportedly showing Taliban rocket attacks on Pakistani installations in the border town of Kharlachi, a major crossing and trade hub between the two countries.

Pakistan said a military confrontation with Afghanistan is the last resort.

"We do not seek armed conflict with Afghanistan," Pakistans Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told VOA on March 20. Asif said that if Kabul didnt suppress anti-Pakistan terrorist activities emanating from Afghan territory, Islamabad might block Afghanistans trade corridor with India.

The roots of the border dispute between Afghanistan and Pakistan reach far back into the colonial history of the region.

The Durand Line, named after Mortimer Durand, the late-19th century secretary of the British government in India, marks the current border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Established by an 1893 agreement between the British authorities and the Amir of Afghanistan Abdur Rahman Khan, the Durand Line created long-lasting grievances.

At the time of the treaty, there was no Pakistan, and the area was under the control of the British Raj, the British Crowns rule on the Indian subcontinent. The Durand Line meant that after Pakistan gained independence in 1947, the regions Pashtun population found themselves divided between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Pakistan recently erected a 2,670-kilometers-long border fence (1,660 miles), which has made matters worse for many Pashtun tribes, destroying small businesses and depriving many people of the means to earn a living and support their families.

The administration in Pakistans Punjab province also pushes a resentment policy, forcing Pashtuns to relocate deeper into Pakistani territory and further severing ties with their Afghan kin.

Tensions remain high as the Pakistani army, predominantly comprised of Punjabis, controls one side of the border, and the Taliban, primarily composed of Pashtuns, operates on the other.

The Taliban recently reaffirmed its opposition to the 1893 border agreement, claiming it divides Afghanistan in half.

"We have never acknowledged the Durand Line and will never do so. Currently, half of Afghanistan lies beyond this boundary, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, deputy foreign minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, said in February.

In an address on the 35th anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, Stanikzai described the Durand Line as a symbolic division imposed by the English, etched into the hearts of Afghans.
MANZINI, ESWATINI  Traditional medicine, or "muti," is an important part of Eswatini's culture. However, an increasing demand for muti has placed some of the southern African kingdoms animal species at risk of extinction. Thats something conservationists and molecular biologists want to change.

Molecular biologist Zamekile Bhembe, who works for the USAID-funded EWild Laboratory at the University of Eswatini, is fighting poachers and trying to get them convicted for their crimes.

She said poaching for traditional medicinal purposes is a leading cause of biodiversity decline, and she wants stronger regulations to protect wildlife.

"Every time you see biodiversity declines, there will be some sort of poaching involved," she said. "As a country, we cannot deny that we are using these resources as our traditional medicine. Its just that we need a way of regulating."

For generations, the people of Eswatini have held traditional beliefs and values close to their hearts. This is reflected in the fact that more than 80% of the population still consults traditional healers, or "witchdoctors," for advice and healing.

These healers use a wide range of plant and animal species to create traditional medicine, drawing on knowledge passed down through generations. However, excessive hunting has endangered the local populations of pangolins, crocodiles, vultures and owls, leading to calls for more sustainable practices.

Makhanya Makhanya, president of the Witchdoctors Association, is a widely renowned traditional healing practitioner in his own right. He said the role of traditional healers needs to be protected.

Such healers, he said, have served Eswatini for generations, providing healing and support to those in need. But he said current laws do not reflect the reality of their work. He wants to see regulations that recognize the traditional healers role in society and allow them to continue their work.

Patrick Maduna, a South African citizen, said he travels from neighboring South Africa to Eswatini to seek traditional medicinal solutions. His preference for traditional healing shows the complex relationship between modern and traditional medicine in Eswatini.

"I came all the way from South Africa to Swaziland for traditional attention, he said. I have been using the same traditional doctor since 2006, I have been coming to the same place. For me to come and get traditional attention, for me, its like therapy. I have never, ever gone to the hospital."

Maduna said if there were laws in Eswatini to limit the poaching of animals for traditional medicine, he believes the so-called witchdoctors would comply with the rules.
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Contents of N79  March 22, 2024

EDITORIAL

 0735 France opposes Russian Korean-style peace project in Ukraine

AMERICAS

 0736 Canada calls Russian presidential election undemocratic

 0737 Canada halts arms deliveries to Israel

 0738 House of Representatives Released Evidence of Biden Family Corruption

 0739 For World Central Kitchen, taking a boat to Gaza is a feat

 0740 Protest at the New York Times headquarters

 0741 For Chuck Schumer, it is possible to be against Netanyahu and for Israel

 0742 Chris Murphy calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza

 0743 Joe Biden knew as early as October that the IDF was bombing civilians for no reason

 0744 At the UN Security Council, the US condemns the coming famine in Gaza

 0745 U.S. jails White House adviser for refusing to testify before Congress against president Trump

 0746 Since 2008, Google has favored Democrats

EUROPE

 0747 Journalists file abuse of power complaint against Police in Northern Ireland

 0748 Official inquiry concludes Northern Ireland police turned a blind eye to killings and torture of IRA militants

 0749 Israeli granted political asylum in UK

 0750 Resignation of the Irish Taoiseach

 0751 The Council of State sees no harm in describing Frances leading party as "far right"

 0752 Emmanuel Macron offers Russia an Olympic truce

 0753 French citizens implicated in Israeli crimes in Gaza will not be prosecuted

 0754 France could share its bases in Africa with the United States

 0755 The idea of German Taurus missiles in Ukraine is said to have originated in the United States

 0756 Scholz backs two-state solution

 0757 Poland places itself under the protection of Germany

 0758 Latvia punishes Russian voters

 0759 COMECE calls for a vote for pro-European parties

 0760 The European Commission plays for time with small farmers

 0761 For Josep Borrell, Israel is causing famine in Gaza

 0762 European Commission concerned about famine in Gaza

 0763 European Commission signs agreement with Egypt against Sudanese refugees

 0764 ECHR to investigate torture charge at secret CIA prison in Lithuania

 0765 Russia demands that Germany acknowledge its responsibility for the siege of Leningrad

 0766 Russian Presidential Election

AFRICA

 0767 Billions of dollars rain down on Egypt

 0768 A Korean model for peace in Libya?

 0769 Morocco seizes former Algerian embassy

 0770 Ukraines special services are fighting in Sudan

 0771 Niger breaks with the United States

ASIA

 0772 Israel has issued 100,000 carrying of weapons permits since October 7

 0773 U.S. floating island off Gaza may not be humanitarian

 0774 Hamas executes Palestinian dignitaries

 0775 Israels High Court Grants Government Delay

 0776 Murdered Israelis father blames military command

 0777 Bezalel Smotrich Worries About Officers Ideology

 0778 Bezalel Smotrich persists in opposing a ceasefire

 0779 For Herzl Halevi, the war is not limited to Gaza

 0780 Ayman Odeh expelled from Knesset

 0781 Half of Khan Youness was destroyed

 0782 Mohammad Mustafa, new Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority

 0783 Muslims did not provoke clashes at Al-Aqsa Mosque

 0784 IDF imagines gay life in Gaza freed from Hamas

 0785 Peace Negotiations

 0786 Benjamin Netanyahu insists on taking Rafah

 0787 Mohammad Dahlan organizes the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza

 0788 If Israel attacks Lebanon, Hezbollah will respond without Iran

 0789 Jihadists tear each other apart in northern Syria

 0790 IDF shells Daraa

 0791 UN calls for new intra-Syrian negotiations

 0792 Iraq bans PKK

 0793 The Palestinian Resistance met with Ansar Allah

 0794 Ansar Allah deplores UN Security Council statement

 0795 Pakistani army bombs Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan in Afghanistan

 0796 Resignation of the Vietnamese President

OCEANIA

 0797 Australia resumes support for UNRWA

INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

 0798 Antonio Guterres warns of coming famine in Gaza

 0799 Israel bans Philippe Lazzarini from entering Gaza

 0800 Rumors from the Security Council Sanctions Committee

 0801 Summit for Democracy aims to fight disinformation
Bond. James Bond. Photo: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

The British spy institution may have found its next leading man. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who has proven he loves a good fight scene (see: the Kraven the Hunter trailer, Bullet Train, The Kings Man, etc.), is heavily rumored to be the next James Bond. After initially making the rounds in January 2023, casting reports reached a fever pitch on March 19 amid reports that the he was formally offered the role, just ahead of his promotion cycle for Kraven, out August 30. The news comes amid a yearslong search for someone to fill the shoes of Daniel Craig, who played the fictional MI6 agent from 20062021. Actors Idris Elba, Rege-Jean Page, and Tom Hardy were all floated as being in the running for the job, though the former was turned off from the role after weathering racist backlash when his casting was first speculated. When asked about playing Bond during a recent Rolling Stone U.K. interview, Taylor-Johnson had no real comment. I can only really talk about the things Im going to show and tell, he told the magazine before subtly flexing his upcoming IMDb slate. So, The Fall Guy, Nosferatu, Kraven the Hunter. Im here to promote those. Busy guy.
Dan Aykroyd and Kumail Nanjiani in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Photo: Jaap Buitendijk/Columbia Pictures

It opens with a Robert Frost poem, for Gods sake. The people who made Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire cant simply be content to declare victory in their battle to turn a silly comic franchise into something baggy and self-important; no, they have to rub it in, too. That Frosts immortal poem Fire and Ice (Some say the world will end in fire / Some say in ice ) isnt actually about fire or ice or even really the end of the world is beside the point. This new Ghostbusters movie is literal-minded enough to slap it atop a tale of an ancient ice demon threatening to destroy the planet.

I jest, a little. Theres no battle, really. Just an ongoing industrial imperative to update a beloved 1984 movie about a bunch of goofy New Yorkers fighting ghosts (an unlikely megahit at the time) into the expansive and bloated world of modern-day tentpole legacyquels. At least theyre back in Manhattan this time. You might recall that the previous installment, Jason Reitmans Ghostbusters: Afterlife, solemnly rebooted the series, Force Awakensstyle, to the magic-hour wheat fields and mountains of Oklahoma, where the estranged younger generations of the Spengler family slowly (slooowly) unearthed the late Egon Spenglers ghostbusting artifacts. Frozen Empire isnt nearly as glacial or tepid as Afterlife, but it does suffer from a similar desire to drown us in Easter eggs. These movies appear to have little interest in recapturing the loose, irreverent comic tone of the original Ghostbusters (or its underrated sequel). So they wear their callbacks like talismans to ward off any suggestion that theyve misunderstood what made those earlier films so much fun.

This new one, directed by Gil Kenan and written by Kenan and Reitman, returns the nu-Spenglers  nerdy introvert Phoebe (Mckenna Grace), her older brother Trevor (Finn Wolfhard), mom Callie (Carrie Coon), and former science teacher turned moms beau Gary Grooberson (Paul Rudd)  to the old Tribeca firehouse where the original gang made their base. Now, theyre fully fledged ghostbusters: When the movie opens, theyre speeding down the streets of Manhattan, trying to corral a spectral sewer dragon thats slithering through the air. Even the old teams bureaucratic nemesis Walter Peck (William Atherton) is back, this time as the mayor, still angling to finish our heroes off. (If you listen closely during one crowd scene, you can hear someone call him dickless again.)

The original busters do get a bit more to do this time as well, but just barely. Dan Aykroyds Ray Stantz has taken these new folks under his wing, while Ernie Hudsons Winston Zeddemore has built a massive paranormal research center where ghosts are kept and studied in labs. Theres more of Bill Murrays Peter Venkman this time around, too, though the iconic wiseass gets exactly one (1) decent line thats already been trailered and memed to death. (Heads up! Tall, dark, and horny at 12 o clock.) Otherwise, the truly tepid gags assigned to him and the rest of the cast suggest that the problem with these movies isnt so much that the filmmakers dont want to be funny as it is that they just cant.

Meanwhile, Kenan handles the obligatory emotional stakes-raising with staid clumsiness, dribbling soft piano music underneath the temporarily sidelined Phoebes burgeoning nocturnal friendship with a cool-girl teen ghost from a hundred years ago. There are some romantic overtones to this subplot, which could have been interesting  and their growing bond does feed into the main narrative eventually  but did it ever occur to the filmmakers that the idea of a teenage girl becoming best friends with a ghost could also be, you know, fun?

Frozen Empire does occasionally capture the old magic, or at least it tries to. Patton Oswalt has an engaging cameo as an expert in ancient languages, and he nails the goofy, gee-whiz tone the film otherwise keeps missing. Kumail Nanjiani shows up as an amusingly unreliable layabout eager to sell his late grandmothers antiques, including an ancient brass orb covered in glyphs that turns out to contain  well, whatever, you know how this stuff goes. Theres a lively bit involving our heroes chasing a haunted garbage bag, and a moment where one of the stone lions at the gates of the New York Public Library at 42nd Street comes to life and tries to eat Dan Aykroyd. However, dont get your hopes up that the films climax might involve some big go-for-broke New York set piece. No, that takes place in a garage, presumably to make the VFX teams life a little easier.

Ultimately, theres nothing in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire that will win you over  no great action sequences, no laugh-out-loud jokes, and certainly nothing as inspired as Ghostbusters IIs perfect metaphor of a malevolent ooze fed by the negative energy of New York City seeping into the sewers. The jokes are witless, the emotions artless, and the film joyless. At the same time, theres also little to repel or offend, which, after all the truly idiotic culture-war battles fought over the Ghostbusters franchise, probably counts as a win. Maybe one day well get an actual movie.
John Wilkes Booth has seen the future, as this third episode of Manhunt opens, and it looks pretty great. Booth dreams of becoming the second president of the Confederate States. On some level he might know this is a fantasy, but the waking world brings delusions of its own, specifically thoughts of the fame and glory  if not the presidency of a restored Confederacy  that awaits him when he makes it to Richmond. Hell publish his diary there and be greeted as the hero he knows himself to be after ridding the world of Abraham Lincoln. Its going to be great, but first theres the little matter of getting out of the backwoods wilderness, which he cant do without Herold (whom he doesnt seem to mind) or Oswell Swann (whom he reflexively hates as an unrepentant racist). But when he gets to Richmond, it will all be worthwhile.

Of course, the South Booth imagines no longer exists, and as Booth continues his escape, Stanton attempts to explain Reconstruction to new president Andrew Johnson. Its pretty simple, really: Black people will be treated like citizens, and the former leaders of the Confederacy will be punished. Johnson claims to be into it  at least the punishing traitors part  and more receptive to Stantons ideas than even Lincoln was at first, as a flashback reveals. First, however, he wants Booth captured.

Booths not in Montreal, but that doesnt make it irrelevant to his story. Confederate supporter George Sanders (Anthony Marble) is in Montreal, and thats where reporter/double (triple?) agent Sanford Conover (traveling under the name James Wallace) finds him. Conover wants to collect the bounty on John Surratt, and Sanders green-lights giving him up, though theyre supposed to be allies. Conovers going to have to work for it, however. Sanders tells him Surratt is in Montreal visiting his father, even though his father is dead. Hmm  Conover, it seems, is not that clever, but with a little torture, Stanton figures it out. His father is actually his Father, as in the Man Upstairs. Hes at the monastery where he trained to be a priest.

Meanwhile, Booth and Herold reach their destination but engage in a tense standoff with Swann in the process. They receive a warm welcome at their new shelter, which contains a signal room used by its owner, Samuel Cox (Thomas Francis Murphy), a member of the Confederate Secret Service whos continuing to conduct a silent war. Cox considers Booth a hero and remains bullish on a Confederate revival, but hes also a pragmatist. He knows Richmond is a mess and Confederate leaders are on the run, and advises Booth to go to Florida or Montreal. But for Booth, its Richmond or bust. So Cox sends him back to the wilderness to wait for someone called the River Ghost, led by Swann, who demands more money and reveals hes only willing to put up with their hateful nonsense for as long as they keep paying him.

The legitimate capital of the United States has its own problems. When a group of Black Army soldiers that includes Private Cuffy Stevens (Christian Robinson) attempts to distribute food, a racist woman incites an incident that brings in a bunch of racist policemen. They kill Cuffys young cousin, Alec (JaQuan Monroe-Henderson), after wrongly assuming hes stealing a horse. Its Alecs horse, but that doesnt matter, and Stantons intervention comes too late. It gets worse from there: Not only does Johnson subsequently pardon the murderous police officer, but he goes back on his word to Stanton and declares amnesty for former Confederates and will encourage pardons for leaders who have been charged. Stanton and Johnson exchange words, but, in the end, strong arguments are all Stanton can offer.

Back in Montreal, Conover gets his man, tells Surratt hes helping him escape, then pulls a gun on him and asks where Booth is. Bad move. Surratt overpowers him and escapes. It looks like Stanton is going to have to take care of this himself, against Ellens protests. In Montreal, Stanton has a tense exchange with a sneering Sanders, who tells Stanton that he and Johnson have reached an understanding. Whats more, Sanders has bought a newspaper, The Weekly. (Could misleading news influence public opinion? What a concept.) Pressing on, Stanton finds an incapacitated Conover, who tells him he can still catch the boat on which Surratt is escaping. Except Stantons too late; Surratt intentionally sank the boat before making his escape bound for Liverpool (and chartered by Sanders). Theres one other detail: Surratt left behind a trunk filled with costumes, and Booths name was on the manifest, which is the sort of clue that someone trying to fake Booths death might have left behind.

In fact, Booth isnt dead, but he is cold and unable to start a fire lest he attract attention. Fortunately for him, the River Ghost shows up as promised with some supplies. That doesnt include food for the horses, who start whinnying. And if you didnt hate Booth already (and if you dont, whats wrong with you?), try having any sympathy for him after he kills a horse to keep it quiet. Herold may be, in Swanns words, a lackey, but even he has his limits and sends his horse off into the night instead.

At Alecs funeral, Cuffy offers Eckert a new lead. Cuffy was enslaved to Confederate Secretary of State Judah Benjamin, who felt comfortable using codes and decryption devices in Cuffys presence, assuming he would not understand what was happening, including a wheel Cuffy and Eckert believe might hold the key to finding the CSS officers. Theyre right, too. After leading an expedition into a ruined Richmond, Cuffy brings Eckert to the gadget used to communicate in code. What he finds includes the words come retribution, which Stanton, when he receives word of it, suspects could be an order that confirms the Confederacy was behind Lincolns assassination. But, as Baker points out, he cant prove it. Maybe he can prove Sanders funded it, but thats going to be hard now that hes up against Sanderss propaganda machine and the emboldened Sanders himself, who receives the news of a likely pardon from Johnson with pleasure.

At least Mary Simms gets some good news in the form of the land grant promised to the formerly enslaved and the deed to prove it. But her brothers warning that Johnson cant be trusted to honor Lincolns plan and the way the episode keeps cutting to Sanders promising former Confederate leaders that theyll be free, in Europe if not America, ends the episode on an ominous note despite that happy development.

Clues and Codes

 This episode was directed by John Dahl. Dahl broke through with some neo-noir movie gems in the 90s, most notably Red Rock West and The Last Seduction. He then went on to direct Rounders and the waiting-to-be-rediscovered Joy Ride. He mostly works in TV now, focusing on prestige shows like For All Mankind, The Americans, and Justified.

 Can the Stanton marriage be saved? Well, yes. Historically, they stay together. But undoubtedly, Stantons poor health and determination to keep working anyway was a source of stress. That does not seem like a tremendous leap of the imagination for the show to make.

 This episode continues to use flashbacks that complement the present-day action and provide historical context, like the meeting between Lincoln, Stanton, and Frederick Douglass (Elvis Nolasco), in which the three discuss Black soldiers serving in the Union Army. Lincoln needs some swaying, and the scene continues Manhunts depiction of Lincoln as a leader who made decisions by listening to the arguments of others  and of how history might have changed had he made different choices at any step along the way.

 Cuffy and Alec belong to Company G, a real Civil War regiment. Theyre fictional characters who take their names from contemporaneous members of showrunner Monica Beletskys family. In tracing her genealogy, Beletsky also found a great-great-uncle who had been a Black soldier in the Union army.

 Company G is under the command of Sergeant Powhatan Beaty (Joberde Metellus). The real Powhatan Beaty led an interesting life. Born into slavery in Richmond but educated in Cincinnati, he studied acting, worked as a cabinetmaker, and was likely pressed into service to help shore up Cincinnatis defenses. He then chose to continue serving in the Union Army, where he saw quite a bit of combat before returning to Cincinnati after the war. There, he became a lecturer, playwright, actor, and director. He married Henrietta Vinton Davis, the most acclaimed Black Shakespearean actress of the era. They frequently performed together, and their son, A. Lee Beaty, became an assistant U.S. district attorney and served in the Ohio legislature.
I was an early Summer House adopter and it has always been my happy place, not just because it is the home to my imaginary husband Kyle McGill Cooke. The last few seasons have been a little bit rough, but its finally back to just leaving me with the warm fuzzies again. I just want to chill with this party posse, have a nice dinner with them, drink too many Loverboys, and, if Im lucky, see Kyle run laps around the backyard without pants and displaying his gorgeous ass the color of fresh snow.

Whenever there is something wrong (or right!) with a reality show, it comes down to casting, and this year they nailed it. Most fans are obsessed with West, the best new addition to the house since Paige cruised in on season three with that weird dude no one really liked. But I also think Jesse Solomon (always both names!) isnt getting his due. Yes, hes handsome and fun, but my first impression was that hes a little douchey. Thats still true, but Im learning to look past it because he has a skill that is utterly invaluable to this whole enterprise: Jesse Solomon is a little bit of a shit-stirrer. I mean this as a compliment. We see him asking Carl if Lindsay apologized to him about negating his sobriety, asking the other guys what is going on with their relationship, and asking West probing questions about Ciara and his employment status after getting laid off.

Poor West got laid off and is upset that another outlet didnt just scoop him up like he was a puddle of kittens. Listen, West, as one media professional to another: You will get laid off, man. We all are. We all have been and we all will again. Its what happens when you decide to make a dying industry your home. And as fewer outlets have the money to afford quality journalists, its harder and harder to get a job. This has nothing to do with your skills or your value and you should not take it personally. Also, dont be afraid to talk about it because, like I said, literally every single person working in media, with maybe the exception of Anna Wintour, has dealt with the same thing. My advice  and I got laid off three years in a row right before Memorial Day  is to just enjoy your summer. No one is hiring until September; the beach house is already paid for; just date a hot girl, have a blast, and rejoin the workforce once the leaves start to turn.

So, back to this here television program that I love. The episode starts with Lindsay returning from storming out the front gate because she was almost run over by a mail truck while walking on the side of the road. When you enter Maine, there is a sign that says Break for Deer and a number of how many people have died that year from hitting deer. They have a similar sign in the Hamptons, but it says Break for Drunk Ladies because you know dozens get into a strop each summer, try to hoof it to Provisions to get a sandwich and some canned wine, and never make it back home. Its dangerous out there, so please watch out for the Lindsays of the world terrorizing the Hamptons from the shoulders of the roads.

Theres no time for Lindsay and Carl to fight because the crew is camping out in the backyard. Danielle kicks off a tent-building competition that she and Kyle win handily, with only West and Lindsay as competitors. West says that if he had to survive in the wilderness and pick one person from the group to help him, it would be Lindsay. Just imagine if Lindsay was in Maine and ran into one of the moose from the sign. She would just look it in the eye and make a face that says, You better get the fuck out of here right now, and that two-ton animal would turn on its back hoof and run away.

The tent-making leads everyone to play a silly game of truth or dare where my Kyley-poo got his bum out and paraded it around for all to see, even though I think he did this for me personally. Then everyone sleeps in the tents. West and Ciara continue their romance and have a cute make out where Ciara keeps slapping Wests fat ass (complimentary), and I have never wanted my face to be a hand so much in my life. (Seriously, Kyle, its not cheating if its all my imagination, so calm the F down.)

Gabby is the only one who sleeps in the house, and this woman knows what she is doing. I am way too old to be sleeping on that hard-ass floor when there is a wonderful warm bed in the A/C waiting for me just steps away. When it starts raining, everyone abandons this game and heads inside. This is when Amanda uses camping to try to convince Kyle to move to New Jersey with her. Oh, Kyle, you in danger, girl. The thing is, you can take a girl out of New Jersey, but you cant take the New Jersey out of the girl. Like salmon, they have to return to where they were born in order to spawn, so it looks like a suburban life for the two of them where she shops at Envy and Kyle goes to Frank Catania Sr.s dispensary just to deal with ennui of not being in the city. Of course, I think this is a terrible plan. Stay in the city, all of you.

That includes Paige, who is looking for a bigger apartment in Manhattan and will pay up to $9,000 a month for one. Damn, sis. Giggly Squad must be doing better than we all think. Craig, her boyfriend, offers to give her more money for a sweet apartment, which is different from a suite apartment, but I dont think he knows the difference. Paige wont let him pay rent. It seems like her biggest issue is she doesnt want him to make any decisions for her home. Weve seen the empty pool in his desolate backyard before. I wouldnt let that man decorate either.

The craziest thing about this episode, though, is that someone seems to have swapped the Craig Conover that we know and love with a wise, intelligent, and mature person. Is this the same body double they used for both Melania Trump and Kate Middleton because this cant be our Craig? When Kyle asks him about his relationship with Paige, Craig says that hes working on his mental and physical health so that he can be the best person whether or not things work out with Paige. Kyle thinks this means Craig has doubts about their relationship. I think the opposite. I think this shows Craig doing what is best for himself rather than for a girlfriend (like James Kennedy getting a string of ultimatums from his partners) so that hes a better person regardless. Yes, he wants it to work out, but he also knows that its work, and their being long distance makes it harder. This is not the Craig that we saw with Naomie all those years ago, and Im so glad to see him flourishing and also shirtless because our Craigy is looking foooooooiiiiiiiinnnnnneeeee. (Again, Kyle, its not cheating if its in my head.)

While everyone in the house is having fun and showing me my happy place, it wouldnt be Summer House without some drama, and that is all thanks to Carl and Lindsay. They kiss and make up after the camping night, but things are still fraught. When they all go to the worlds emptiest SoulCycle class, Ciara gives Carl some excellent advice. She says that the fighting and toxicity between the two reminds her of her parents who got divorced when she was young. Im not saying you shouldnt get married, but you have to acknowledge this is what youre getting for the rest of your life if this is where youre at right now. She should become a manicurist, because she hit that nail right on its head.

The next weekend, Lindsay tells everyone that Carl isnt coming out until Saturday because hes waiting for a special delivery to pull off the partys theme. However, he tells the SoulCycle gang he is going to skip Friday so that he and Lindz wont fight. Its a bad sign when he lies to his fiancee because he thinks spending time with her alone will set them off again.

Its also a bad sign when the boys sit in the hot tub talking about your relationship. Women, especially the women on this show, are always going to talk about their relationships and other peoples. Hello, thats why Im friends with them. Dudes are usually talking about sports, farting, how many beers they can crush, what kind of protein powder makes them fart the least, their jobs, and the smelliest fart they ever farted. Not here. Here, Jesse Solomon is asking what is up with Carl and Lindsay, and the guys are talking about how it seems they wont make it. The guys! Honestly, theyre doomed just from that. But thank God we finally found the right combination of guys to make Summer House a place that shines once more.
From Water for Elephants, at the Imperial. Photo: Matthew Murphy/Matthew Murphy

The weakest part of Water for Elephants, the new musical by book writer Rick Elice and composer-lyricists PigPen Theatre Co., is its frame. We begin with an old man, dreamy-eyed, sitting in the empty stands of a traveling circus. Shows over, sir, the owner tells him. Were breaking it down and hauling out. Little does this contemporary carnie know that his visitor is Jacob Jankowski, a retired veterinarian who not only worked with Ringling Brothers for six years but was also actually there in 1931 when a stampede at the (fictional) Benzini Brothers Circus went down as the greatest disaster in circus history. Dr. Jankowski  who, as played in his older form by Gregg Edelman, is the spryest nonagenarian this side of a Pilates studio  has a story to tell. Hes still got some gas in the tank and is here to guide us through the rosy mists of time, back to an age of train-hopping, flat caps, and high-waisted trousers with suspenders.

I cant really blame him: Those pants-and-suspenders combos look great (David Israel Reynosos costumes feel like an Annie Leibovitz photoshoot  Dust Bowl, but make it Fashion!), and who doesnt want to run away with the circus? I am, however, suspicious of packaging every story inside a shiny nostalgic wrapper like its some kind of Little Debbie Zebra Cake. You could throw a rock from the front door of the Imperial and hit another early-aughts romantic weepie at the Schoenfeld across the street. Both of these stories  Water for Elephants and The Notebook  are clearly targeted at women, yet theyre told through the reminiscences of men. The women have died or gotten dementia; they are, more than living people, beautiful memories.

Why am I so hung up on this totally conventional framing device? Well, partly for its convention  but also because, in the case of Water for Elephants, whenever we leave the sappy present behind, theres suddenly a great deal to enjoy. As is so frequently the case, the shows stagecraft outstrips its script by a mile. Under Jessica Stones exuberant direction, a huge ensemble of ridiculously talented acrobats ebbs and flows  and flips and flies  through the house, coalescing into gorgeous paintings in front of projection designer David Bengalis lush, shifting cloudscape of a backdrop. Roustabouts hammer a tent spike into the floor in time with the music. Lyras, silks, trapeze bars, and long, twisting strands of corde lisse appear from the shadows above. Rolling banks of scaffolding and vast stretches of parachute silk elegantly create box cars and big tops in the vibrant, mutable expanse of Takeshi Katas set. PigPens bluegrass-y tunes start to snap and sparkle  most of all in the productions up-tempo stompers like The Road Dont Make You Young. And, of course, there are puppets.

If, like me, you are highly susceptible to sawdust and tinsel, then much of Water for Elephants will delight on the basis of spectacle alone  and thats okay. For all the condescension the word receives, it isnt intrinsically a lesser aspect of the art form; its just caught in a tricky polycule with both wonder and cynicism. Once weve time-warped back to the Great Depression, the show itself acknowledges as much. Here, young Jacob (Grant Gustin), grieving the death of his parents in a car crash, abandons his vet-school studies and hops a train. Soon enough hes adopted by its inhabitants, the kinkers and rousts of the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth (Elice and Sara Gruen, author of the 2006 novel on which the show is based, love their circus jargon). The ringmaster, August (Paul Alexander Nolan, doing handsome sociopath), agrees to give Jacob a trial as a vet, and the shows star performer, Marlena (a glowing Isabelle McCalla), takes a shine to him when he shows tenderness toward her beloved, injured stallion. Under their wing, Jacob receives his education: They are the circuss symbolic poles  August, who has a cruelly abusive streak, especially after too much Champagne, is all calculated charm and deception (You see nothing round heres / Ever quite what it appears, he sings to the greenhorn. If it was, then I wouldnt have a business). Marlena is Keatsian truth and beauty. Where is the lie / When theyre flying overhead? Jacob retorts to August. When theyre dancing on a thread? / When shes riding?

Of course Marlena and August are married, and of course Jacob and Marlena are as immediately and obtrusively gaga over each other as if their last names were Montague and Capulet. Angst, romance, and violence will ensue, and thats all fine, but whats really exciting are the stunts along the way. The most compelling aspect of the shows menagerie of puppets, designed by Ray Wetmore and JR Goodman with Camille Labarre, is the way in which their bodies are often unfinished, suggested, tapering into nothing specifically so that they can share character life with a separate performer. As Marlena comforts her suffering stallion (Easy Now), the horses silver-white head and neck lie in her lap, a partial body into which shes infusing breath  but linked to the puppet, sometimes physically and sometimes through more ephemeral ties, is the acrobat Antoine Boissereau, who performs a stunning pair of silks routines as an embodiment of the stallions spirit. Playing an orangutan named Agnes, Alexandra Gaelle Royer becomes a human-puppet hybrid, the scrappy orange shag of her costume tying her to the rest of the shows animals as she dangles effortlessly from various bits of scaffolding. Swinging alongside Royer outside of puppet land, the gymnasts Rachael Boyd and Isabella Luisa Diaz are launched through the air, caught, twirled, flipped, and stacked on top of teetering human towers. Boyds bio describes her as a pocket-sized powerhouse, and indeed, the productions circus corps are every one of them dynamos.

From Water for Elephants, at the Imperial. Photo: Matthew Murphy

While Marlena, August, and the Jacobs drive the plot, its this ensemble of extraordinary physical performers who are the real stars of Water for Elephants. I found myself missing them when they were gone, getting impatient for their next display of Jesse Robb and Shana Carrolls vigorous choreography (Carroll is also credited with circus design). Their work, though, is really thrilling only when its really needful: At two hours and forty minutes, the production, especially in the second act, starts to show its padding. A song called Zostan (Jacob is teaching everyone a little Polish) feels like a low-stakes excuse for playtime, and another called Squeaky Wheel  a warning to Jacob from a trio of circus elders  is both a bit musty in form and a trifle lyrically confused. Dont be the squeaky wheel, the old hands Barbara (Sara Gettelfinger), Camel (Stan Brown), and Walter (Joe De Paul) sing to Jacob, as a caution against drawing too much attention to himself with the bosss wife. I  do not think that phrase means what they think it means.

Though the show puts its weight in the places that make narrative sense, they arent always the most rewarding ones. We never really get to see much of Wetmore, Goodman, and Lebarres zoo of animal creations. Instead, we spend the bulk of our time with the creature of the title, an elephant named Rosie (team-puppeted by Caroline Kane, Paul Castree, Michael Mendez, Charles South, and Sean Stack). I could never quite decide whether Rosie  who gets a possibly unhelpful amount of build-up before her eventual appearance  was lovely or slightly underwhelming, which probably means the answer is both. Though Kane has some fun moments where she enacts the pachyderm by puppeting individual body parts (the disconnected trunk is particularly expressive), Rosie as a whole doesnt quite pack the punch that she should. Shes sweet, but she doesnt take the breath away. Although the same might be said of certain broader stretches of Water for Elephants, the production also contains real flashes of astonishment and grace. Clear away the schmaltz, and there are bodies in space stretching and twisting toward something strange and sublime, bodies that pulse with e. e. cummingss fervent cry: Damn everything but the circus!

Water for Elephants is at the Imperial Theatre.
LONDON  Two men were arrested Friday in connection with a gas station explosion in 2022 that killed 10 people and tore apart the heart of a village in northwestern Ireland, police said. The blast shattered Creeslough, County Donegal, a village of 400 near Irelands rugged Atlantic coast. The Applegreen gas station and a building that housed the towns main shop and post office were destroyed and an adjacent apartment building was damaged. Flying debris shattered windows in nearby cottages.

Four men, three women, two teenagers and a 5-year-old girl were killed. Eight people were injured.

Irelands police force, An Garda Siochana, said two men in their 50s were in custody but released no details about their alleged connection to the deadly eruption.

They were arrested on suspicion of violating the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997, a statute more typically used for crimes such as assault, threats to kill or endangerment.

In the immediate aftermath of the Oct. 7, 2022 blast, police said evidence pointed toward a tragic accident.
DETROIT  Jeep maker Stellantis is laying off about 400 white-collar workers in the U.S. as it deals with the transition from combustion engines to electric vehicles. The company formed in the 2021 merger between PSA Peugeot and Fiat Chrysler said the workers are mainly in engineering, technology and software at the headquarters and technical center in Auburn Hills, Michigan, north of Detroit. Affected workers were being notified starting Friday morning.

As the auto industry continues to face unprecedented uncertainties and heightened competitive pressures around the world, Stellantis continues to make the appropriate structural decisions across the enterprise to improve efficiency and optimize our cost structure, the company said in a prepared statement Friday.

The cuts, effective March 31, amount to about 2% of Stellantis global workforce in engineering, technology and software, the statement said. Workers will get a separation package and transition help, the company said.

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While we understand this is difficult news, these actions will better align resources while preserving the critical skills needed to protect our competitive advantage as we remain laser focused on implementing our EV product offensive, the statement said.

CEO Carlos Tavares repeatedly has said that electric vehicles cost 40% more to make than those that run on gasoline, and that the company will have to cut costs to make EVs affordable for the middle class. He has said the company is continually looking for ways to be more efficient.

U.S. electric vehicle sales grew 47% last year to a record 1.19 million as EV market share rose from 5.8% in 2022 to 7.6%. But sales growth slowed toward the end of the year. In December, they rose 34%.

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Stellantis plans to launch 18 new electric vehicles this year, eight of those in North America, increasing its global EV offerings by 60%. But Tavares told reporters during earnings calls last month that the job is not done until prices on electric vehicles come down to the level of combustion engines  something that Chinese manufacturers are already able to achieve through lower labor costs.

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The Chinese offensive is possibly the biggest risk that companies like Tesla and ourselves are facing right now, Tavares told reporters. We have to work very, very hard to make sure that we bring out consumers better offerings than the Chinese.

Last year Stellantis offered buyout and early retirement packages to about 6,400 nonunion salaried workers, but it has not said how many took the offers.

In 2022 the company announced that it planned to close a factory in Belvidere, Illinois, and lay off 1,350 people in an effort to trim its manufacturing footprint. But during contentious contract talks last year with the United Auto Workers, Stellantis agreed to keep the plant open to make EVs, as well as add a battery factory in Belvidere.

The worlds third-largest carmaker reported net profit of 7.7 billion euros ($8.3 billion) in the second half of last year. That was down from 8.8 billion euros in the same period a year earlier.

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The Stellantis workforce reductions come after crosstown rivals Ford and General Motors cut thousands of white-collar jobs, also due to the transition to electric vehicles.

In the summer of 2022, Ford let go of about 4,000 full-time and contract workers in an effort to cut expenses. CEO Jim Farley has said much of Fords workforce did not have the right skills as it makes the transition from internal combustion to battery-powered vehicles.
Whales in Antarctica are competing for food with commercial fishing trawlers sucking up vast quantities of Antarctic krill to turn into pet food, health supplements and farmed salmon feed.

Mining and oil drilling are banned in Antarctica by international treaty but industrial fishing remains legal as efforts to increase marine protection were thwarted last year.

A whale swimming near a krill fishing boat on Sea Shepherds recent Antarctic voyage. Credit: Sea Shepherd

Peter Hammarstedt, captain of Sea Shepherds ship Allankay on its recent Antarctic voyage, said whale numbers had increased since whaling was banned in international waters but their food source was under threat from climate change and unsustainable fishing practices.

Were literally taking whale and penguin food to feed to cats and dogs, Hammarstedt said.
St John WA says it will continue to expand its urgent care clinic network despite high costs, staffing issues and competition from the opening of five bulk-billed Medicare clinics across suburban Perth.

In 2019, the then-Liberal federal government announced a one-off funding injection of $21 million so St John WA could run a four-year trial on the urgent care model by opening three new bulk-billing centres in Midland, Cannington, and Osborne Park.

Patients with non life-threatening conditions are overwhelming emergency departments. Credit: Glenn Hunt

The non-profit organisation had already been operating urgent care clinics in Cockburn, Joondalup, and Armadale since 2016.

The new clinics were part of a government commitment to handle urgent, but non-emergency patients who would normally go to busy hospital emergency departments for treatment.
When Natasha Abbott broke up with her partner late last year, she thought she would chalk it up to a bad match and move on.

Instead, she was subjected to weeks of threats, intimidation, harassment, abuse, stalking and damage to her car and house.

Natasha Abbott wants WA to introduce coercive control laws.

Abbott hopes speaking out about her experience could help others in similar situations and wants WA to follow other states and introduce coercive control laws, so domestic violence perpetrators can be held accountable for abusive behaviour before its too late.

We were only together for about a year, she said.
Early Education Minister Anne Aly has warned that heightened tensions in the community over the war in Gaza have forced some politicians to retreat from public events, following a heated exchange she had with pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Perth last Saturday.

Footage emerged on Tuesday of Aly  who is one of two Muslim frontbenchers  confronted by pro-Palestine activists in her inner-north Perth electorate the previous weekend, demanding she label Israels retaliatory strikes against Gaza since the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack as genocide.

Minister for Early Childhood Education Anne Aly. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

While the protesters raised their voices aggressively, Aly was not physically attacked.

Aly told ABC Radio National on Friday she often holds an open office in the park on weekends for people in her electorate who cannot visit her office during working hours. She said the conflict with protesters  organised by Friends of Palestine WA  was not the first but was the most intense clash she had experienced.
Progressive crossbench senators have challenged Anthony Albanese to bypass the Coalition and work with them to settle years of debate over religious freedom laws and guarantee LGBTQ students are protected at school, adding to the pressure on the prime minister as he tries to placate faith groups.

Albanese on Friday repeated that he wanted Coalition support to pass the long-awaited reforms because he was determined to avoid a culture war over a package that would abolish the right of religious schools to dismiss staff or expel students because of their sexuality or gender identity.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during question time this week. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

I think Australians dont want to see the culture wars and the division out there. I want this to be an opportunity for unity going forward and thats why weve provided the legislation to the opposition, Albanese said.

Underlining the difficulty of his task, more than 20 religious organisations wrote to Albanese on Friday urging him to reject the advice of the Australian Law Reform Commission, which has told the government it should limit the circumstances under which faith-based schools could discriminate against LGBTQ staff and give no right to schools to discriminate against students.
Anthony Albanese has managed a remarkable feat with his decision this week to shelve a religious freedom law unless he can secure approval from Peter Dutton to give it a smooth passage through the parliament. Everyone feels they have lost, whether they wanted more rights for religious schools or more protection for gay teachers and transgender students.

In one remark, relayed second-hand to journalists from the Labor caucus meeting on Tuesday, the prime minister offended the Greens, equality campaigners, Christian schools and church leaders, who all had different views on how the law should work.

Illustration: Simon Letch Credit:

And Dutton was incensed. The opposition leader worked himself into a tirade at a press conference on Tuesday, as if it was an outrage for one side of politics to seek a bipartisan agreement with another. He seemed truly angry that Albanese only wanted to pass a law the Coalition could accept.

The anger seems overdone. Perhaps the real frustration in the opposition is that Albanese will not give it the fight it wants. Thats because there will be no chance for the Liberals to start a culture war about Labor and the Greens joining forces to limit the liberty of religious schools.
New York: Russia and China on Friday vetoed a US-sponsored United Nations resolution calling for an immediate and sustained ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid to be delivered to more than 2 million hungry Palestinians.

The vote in the 15-member Security Council saw 11 members vote in favour, three against and one abstain.

Palestinians pray on Friday near the ruins of Rafahs Al-Farouq Mosque, which was destroyed by Israeli air strikes. Credit: Getty Images

Before the vote, Russias UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Moscow supported an immediate ceasefire, but he questioned the language in the resolution and accused US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield of misleading the international community for politicised reasons.

Thomas-Greenfield had said she was optimistic that the draft resolution would be approved.
A Study Visit for the Customs Administrations of Portuguese-speaking African countries to the World Customs Organization Headquarters was held from 11 to 15 March 2024 at the margins of the 73rd session of the Harmonized System Committee (HSC). The activity was organised as part of the ongoing support provided to African countries under the EU-WCO Programme for the Harmonized System in Africa (HS-Africa Programme), funded by the European Union.

Following the outcomes of the workshop on the implementation of the HS 2022 for Portuguese-speaking African countries that took place in July 2023 in Cape Verde and the work plan that pursued, it was deemed important that the HS/Tariff experts from Customs Administrations get the opportunity to attend the work of the WCO HSC and share experiences with peers from around the world. This initiative is also in line with the competency development process in the area of tariff classification of goods developed under the HS-Africa Programme.

The Study Visit was a first occurrence where as many Portuguese-speaking countries could attend the HSC. Tariff experts from Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique and Sao Tome & Principe had an opportunity to learn, exchange, network, and enhance their knowledge and abilities to efficiently navigate the HS by getting a hands-on experience on the workings of the 73rd HSC. Portuguese interpretation of the meeting was provided throughout the week, with the financial support of the European Union.

In parallel to their participation to the HSC, officials had the opportunity to have a meeting with representatives of the other countries of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). The meeting allowed participants to provide an overview of the status of the implementation of the new version of the HS; analyse the challenges, constraints, as well as experiences and good practices within the CPLP; present the respective structures of the service responsible for HS and the national training strategy, as well as the needs for capacity building; and discuss how the HS-Africa Programme can further support Customs Administrations of Portuguese-speaking African countries.

The outcomes of this Study Visit are intended to improve and strengthen tariff classification work at national level and create greater collaboration among these Customs Administrations, as well as to further encourage them to participate more in the future meetings of the HS Committee.

As per the established work plan, the HS-Africa Programme will conduct a series of competency development workshops for Portuguese-speaking African countries that shall conclude with an accreditation workshop. This work shall be closely coordinated with CPLP Secretariat.

For more information, please contact hs@wcoomd.org.
The 73rd Session of the Harmonized System Committee has concluded on a high note.

The meeting, chaired by Mr. Tom Beris from the United States, was attended in-person by 63 members from 62 countries and the European Union. The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) also participated in-person as observers.

In his opening remarks, the Chairperson expressed his gratitude for the multilingual support provided by various donors, which enabled the meeting to be conducted in six languages (English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic and Portuguese), and his confidence that members or donors would be willing to step-in to continue funding of the additional languages to maintain the dialogue among delegates. With a very full agenda, including proposed changes for HS 2028, he shared his expectations for productive discussions and a successful meeting, underlining the importance of cooperation among participants.

The Committee met these expectations, producing outstanding results throughout the eight days. This also included examining a wide range of work presented within the reports of the 63rd Session of the Review Sub-Committee, the 39th Session of the Scientific Sub-Committee, and the HSC presessional Working Party.

In her closing remarks, the Acting Director, Ms. Gael Grooby, congratulated the productivity of the meeting and highlighted the significant achievements.

From an agenda of 83 items, the Committee examined 81 of the agenda items, 14 amendments to the HS 2028 Nomenclature, 5 amendments to the Explanatory Notes under Article 16 for HS 2028, 12 amendments to the HS 2022 Explanatory Notes, 19 new Classification Opinions, 37 new classification decisions, and 426 classifications of new substances on the International Nonproprietary Names (INNs) list were finalised. In addition, the Committee significantly advanced discussions on the matters still subject to on-going discussions at the next HSC.
The Office star Rainn Wilson to headline Weber States 2024 commencement

March 22, 2024

OGDEN, Utah  Televisions favorite assistant (to the) regional manager is set to deliver Weber State Universitys 2024 commencement address.

Emmy-nominated actor and comedian Rainn Wilson will speak to graduates and their families during WSUs general commencement ceremonies April 26. Wilson is best known for his role as Dwight Schrute on NBCs hit show The Office.

WSU President Brad Mortensen said the university is thrilled to host Wilson for commencement and to welcome the public to attend.

This year, we want to forge a new tradition where commencement serves as both a celebration of our students achievements and an engaging community event, Mortensen said. An acclaimed actor and creative thinker like Rainn Wilson can offer unique and inspiring insights to our graduates and will make the day even more memorable for them.

Graduation activities will span across two days, with general commencement scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, April 26. Individual college convocation ceremonies will be held throughout the day Friday and Saturday, April 27.

The university expects nearly 3,700 students to graduate from among its seven academic colleges, earning credentials from associates degrees to doctorates.

Wilson will receive an honorary degree from Weber State, along with three other individuals who have made an impact in the community and state. Wilson holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from New York Universitys Graduation Acting Program at the Tisch School of the Arts.

In addition to his acting career, Wilson is a writer, producer and director. He has published several books, including the 2023 release Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution, and is host and producer of a documentary travel series, Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss, on Peacock. He is also known for his philanthropic work and climate change activism.

Commencement is free and open to the public. Priority seating is available for graduates and Weber State faculty and staff. Graduates and their families are encouraged to arrive early. There will be no autograph or meet and greet opportunities.

Visit the WSU commencement website for more details.
Another major onshore wind farm has been granted planning permission in North Mayo.

An Bord Pleanala issued approval last week for the Sheskin South Wind Farm, which will consist of 18 turbines with a maximum tip height of 200 metres on a site approximately 6.7 km northeast of Bangor Erris and 11km south of the Atlantic coastline.

The promoters behind the project are SSE Renewables and FuturEnergy Ireland.

The latter is a leading Irish wind developer established in 2021 as a stand-alone joint venture between Coillte and the ESB.

Originally, the project partners had sought permission for a 21-turbine farm, which they said would generate 126 megawatts of electricity at full capacity - enough to supply 83,000 homes.

Tom Coleman, Development Project Manager for SSE Renewables, welcomed the decision made by An Bord Pleanala to grant consent for Sheskin South Wind Farm.

Delivery of this project will not only boost Irelands energy independence and provide cheaper, cleaner, more secure, homegrown electricity it will be crucial to achieving Irelands net zero targets, deliver clear economic benefits, through jobs and supply chain opportunities, whilst the associated community benefit fund will have a direct impact on the local community.

To deliver on the ambition of the project, we need to see more action on grid investment in the north-west. We will continue to work with the Government and EirGrid to address grid challenges in the region. We also look forward to working with the local community and our co-development partners FuturEnergy Ireland to take the project to the next stage.

Mary Lynch, Portfolio Director at FuturEnergy Ireland, said: Together with our co-development partner on the project, SSE Renewables, we are looking forward to advancing the project into its commercialisation stage where the project and its supply chain will start to take shape. It is a significant project of scale, which will make a very positive and lasting contribution to the local economy in Mayo.

The promoters say the Sheskin South Wind Farm will generate between 100 and 120 jobs during construction, along with supply chain opportunities for the area.

They are also committed to delivering a Community Benefit Fund to deliver hundreds of thousands of euro annually to the local community.

Sheskin South Wind Farm is a 50:50 co-development between SSE Renewables and FuturEnergy Ireland.

The progression of the project is dependent on a final investment decision.

A proposed grid connection planning application, in addition to a turbine delivery route application, is scheduled to be submitted later this year.
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.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  South Korea is poised to start suspending the licenses of thousands of striking junior doctors as a punitive measure against their weekslong walkouts that have shaken hospital operations.

Starting next week, the government said it will inform the striking medical interns and residents of its final decision to suspend their licenses for missing a government-imposed Feb. 29 deadline to return to work.

It's still unclear whether the move will prompt the doctors to end their strikes, and the standoff could still deepen as some senior doctors plan to submit resignations on Monday in a show of solidarity with the junior strikers.

Here are the latest developments on the strikes touched off by the government's announcement in early February that it would recruit 2,000 more medical students yearly.

WHY ARE THEIR LICENSES BEING SUSPENDED?

Since early March, the South Korean government has been taking a series of administrative steps to suspend the licenses of about 12,000 junior doctors. The steps include informing the strikers about possible suspensions and giving them opportunities to respond.

Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo said Tuesday the government is expected to finish those administrative steps for some of the strikers next week and that it will send them final government notices about their impending license suspensions.

Each notice would contain details including when a license suspension will take effect and how long it will last. By law, they must be delivered in person or by mail. But for those whose addresses are unknown, the suspensions would take effect after related information is posted on the government website, according to the Health Ministry.

Health officials have said each striking doctor could face a minimum three-month license suspension and possible indictment by prosecutors. The country's medical law allows punishments of medical personnel if they refuse government orders to resume work.

Park repeated his appeal for doctors to report back to work, suggesting those who return would face unspecified softer punishments. He previously warned that junior doctors with suspension records could face delays in getting licenses for specialists or trouble in finding jobs.

WHAT ARE THE PROSPECTS FOR WALKOUTS?

Despite the suspensions, striking doctors won't likely back down anytime soon as they have already ignored repeated warnings they must return to work or face prosecution.

Some observers have questioned whether the government could suspend all the striking doctors, who represent more than 90% of the country's 13,000 interns and resident doctors. They said the government would likely target strike leaders and that they would likely respond with legal action.

Further complicating the situation, senior doctors at major university hospitals  where most of the striking doctors trained  are threatening to submit resignations en masse early next week. They plan to continue their work for the time being, but if they walk off the job like the junior doctors, that would cause a much bigger strain on South Korea's medical services, observers say.

The government urged senior doctors to cancel those plans. It recently sent notices to two senior doctors who lead an emergency committee for the walkouts, telling them their licenses would be suspended for three months for allegedly inciting the junior doctors' strikes. One of the two doctors, Park Myung-Ha, accused the government of attempting to break up the emergency committee and sending a warning message to the striking junior doctors.

The government on Wednesday announced detailed plans for how to allocate the additional 2,000 admission seats to medical schools, indicating that the government has no intention of revising its plans. The doctors' emergency committee said in a statement Thursday that the striking doctors can't repress our astonishment and anger.

WHAT IS AT THE CENTER OF THE DISPUTE?

At the heart of the confrontation is a government plan to increase the countrys medical school enrollment quota by 2,000 starting next year, from the current cap of 3,058, which has been unchanged since 2006.

The government says it needs to add up to 10,000 doctors by 2035 because the country has one of the world's fastest-aging populations and its doctors-to-population ratio is among the lowest among advanced economies. Officials say more doctors are needed to address a long-running shortage of physicians in low-paying but key essential professions like pediatrics and emergency departments.

But doctors say universities can't offer quality education to such an abruptly increased number of students and that it would ultimately hurt the quality of South Korea's medical services. They say doctors in greater competition would likely engage in overtreatment and that newly recruited students would also likely want to work in high-paying, popular professions like plastic surgery and dermatology.

The doctors' protests haven't generated public support, with a recent survey showing that about 90% of respondents support an increase in the medical school admission cap. Some critics say the striking doctors worry that adding more doctors would result in lower incomes in the future.

The striking doctors account for less than 10% of the country's 140,000 doctors. But in some major hospitals, they represent 30-40% of the total doctors and assist senior doctors and deal with inpatients. Their walkouts have subsequently led to hundreds of cancelled or postponed surgeries and other treatments.
KUTZTOWN, Pa. - Students at Kutztown University are celebrating a big accomplishment.

Members of the school's student radio station were honored at the 85th Annual Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Awards.

They won the award for "Best On-Air Pledge Drive" for a 31-hour live broadcast back in October.

The drive aimed to showcase Kutztown organizations and gain support for them.

In total the University received seven nominations.
U. BERN TWP, Pa.  Pennsylvania State Police say a man was killed in a shooting at a truck stop in Berks County.

According to police, the shooting occurred Friday morning just after 2:45 a.m. in the rear parking love at Love's Truck Stop, 3700 Mountain Road in Upper Bern Township.

The accused shooter was led of out the state police barracks in Tilden Township in handcuffs Friday afternoon.

Police said both the suspected shooter and victim were truck drivers, and neither were from Pennsylvania.

The identity of the victim was released during the press conference as James Alexander Hilton, 40 of Southampton, New Jersey.

During the press conference on Friday police say it is unclear if the two drivers knew each other but that the two were involved in an argument ahead of the shooting.

The shooter has been taken into custody and will be charged with a "whole bunch of things," police said. The suspected shooter's identity has not been released as he has not been formally charged.

Officials say the shooter fled the scene and headed towards I-78. Troopers spotted a tractor-trailer matching a description of the involved truck on the Exit 45 ramp that began traveling on I-78 WB.

Troopers were able to conduct a traffic stop on the tractor-trailer at Exit 40 ramp where the suspect was taken into custody just after 3:30 a.m., PSP report.

PSP say the shooter was taken off the streets within an hour of the incident.

One trucker we spoke with says he's seen fights before, but not like this.

"He was here last night when I came in and now I found out they had a little 'oops' over here a little more than a fist fight, said Bryan Smith, a truck driver from Dallas.

District Attorney John Adams called the shooting a "senseless act of violence resulting in death." He continued to thank the PSP for their team effort in apprehending the suspect quickly.

Police say it is under investigation if the suspected shooter was allowed to carry a firearm.

Watch the entire press conference here:
L. SAUCON TWP., Pa. - Police say they are investigating after a third threat was made against the Saucon Valley School District.

Police confirm school is in session on Friday following the closure of the district on Wednesday and Thursday.

Saucon Valley had closed Wednesday because of a bomb threat made Tuesday night, police said. There was no evidence found to corroborate that threat.

A second threat closed the school Thursday, police say.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 610-317-6110 or submit a tip through Crimewatch.
After months of accusations from parents, saying Dr. Debra Esernio-Jenssen wrongfully separated them from their children, Lehigh Valley Health Network says she will be officially retiring at the end of the month.

The move comes as Lehigh County is announcing it plans to open its own Child Advocacy Center independent of the one at LVHN. Lehigh County's new center will be located somewhere in Center City.

In announcing the plans for the new Center, the County said in a statement, "Recent transitions involving LVHN make this an appropriate time to evaluate how best to serve the community moving forward."

The County's office of Children and Youth Services says the District Attorney's Office and police will be supporting them in the new center.
EASTON, Pa.  Northampton County is not receiving its share of transportation money, County Commissioner Ken Kraft contends.

"I don't know how it got so skewed," he said of the Long-Range Transportation Plan for Lehigh and Northampton counties.

The funding does not go county-by-county, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVPC) Executive Director Becky Bradley explained at Thursday's County Council meeting. Most of the money goes directly to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, she said.

Kraft said he sees about $197 million going to Lehigh County versus $51 million for Northampton County over the long term. The plan is approved by the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study, an affiliate of the LVPC. Northampton County Executive Lamont G. McClure was the only person to vote against the plan last year.

"The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has to make that presentation, too," Bradley said in response to Kraft.

PennDOT's "mega projects" account for the great majority of the spending, she said, and the flow of money is based on federal and state rules.

McClure says transit plan shortchanges Northampton County; Lehigh County Executive sees balance across Valley The busiest roads such as I-78 and Routes 22 and 33 need lots of work, as do lesser byways.

In 2023, McClure said the long-range plan shortchanges Northampton County, while Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong said the projections balance the needs of the region.

The LVPC is the bi-county planning agency. It reviews big projects proposed for Lehigh and Northampton counties and makes recommendations to guide regional development.

Personnel

Council also approved McClure's appointment of Nicole Pietrzak as director of administration and heard that Director of Corrections James Kostura will retire May 1. As head of the corrections department, Kostura runs the Northampton County Jail.

Executive McClure said he tried to talk Kostura into staying, but the director is ready to retire after 31 years in corrections. He is also a U.S. Navy veteran.

Northampton County director of corrections to retire after 31 years Northampton County Director of Corrections James Kostura will retire May 1 after 31 years of service.

Rent cap on mobile home parks

Council also approved a symbolic resolution in support of state legislation that could put a cap on rising rent at mobile home parks.

Commissioner Jeff Warren (councilmembers are known as commissioners) proposed the resolution, which he said recognizes the unusual nature of communities that are known as mobile-home or trailer parks, even though the homes are not really mobile.

Northampton County Council supports cap on rent at mobile home parks Northampton County Council approved a symbolic resolution in support of state legislation that could put a cap on rising rent at mobile home parks.

Election policy

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Beverly Hernandez of Palmer Township asked about election policy. The county has an Election Commission, a five-member board of appointed residents. County Council now has its own Election Integrity Committee, which met for the first time Thursday.

Hernandez said it appears to her that the Election Commission does not have the authority to makes rules, and when it comes to elections, "It's hard to get answers" about policy.

County Council's next meeting will be Thursday, April 4, at the government center in Easton. A meeting agenda and link to a webcast will be posted in advance.
LOWHILL TWP., Pa.  Lowhill Township officials held a meeting to strategize the township's zoning ordinances Thursday night at the municipal building.

The meeting featured the township's board of supervisors and planning commission, and was led by A. J. Schwartz, a hired consultant with Pittsburgh-based Environmental Planning and Design.

The evening's agenda included formulating drafts of mapping and land uses that would ultimately establish special exceptions versus conditional uses, accessory uses and a direction and confirmation of use assignments.

"Start to think about how to utilize the map to the best use for Lowhill Township," Schwartz said in assessing the overall evening's agenda. "...We want to pin down items for final discussion."

Collectively, these decisions will ultimately establish key Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code requirements and provisions involving regional land use sharing as it relates to the township individually and Lehigh County's northern region collectively.

The Northern Lehigh Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan includes the Boroughs of Slatington and Heidelberg, Washington, Weisenberg and Lowhill townships.

The discussion's gist involved a simple concept  the potential, as Schwartz put it, to "divvy up" various required zoning uses throughout the six municipalities. By accomplishing this, it would mitigate or eliminate legal challenges from potential developers and thus maintain the township's rural character.

An audit of Lowhill's current zoning philosophy found a township heavy on single-family residential and light on non-residential.

Allies toward maintaining the rural status would be various steep slopes peppered throughout the township and the current water and septic situation.

On Thursday night, supervisors and planners reviewed a list featuring zones each municipality is proposing to take, setting the stage for negotiations between the entities. They contemplated also future and emerging commercial, non-residential and residential uses, and how to best address them.

Among the items bantered about as emerging trends were battery storage, manufacturing and micro houses.

The board and commission then imagined geographic homes for two regional use overlay districts: one for a potential landfill use and another for a potential micro house use, with one inhabiting 92.3 acres and the second, 76.7 acres.

The next multimunicipal meeting is scheduled for April 2. The township's "adoption period" for the document is envisioned for late spring.
EASTON, Pa.  Northampton County Director of Corrections James Kostura will retire May 1 after 31 years of service.

"I reluctantly accepted this," County Executive Lamont G. McClure said Thursday. McClure said he asked Kostura to stay, but the director plans to retire. The retirement was announced at a County Council meeting.

Kostura thanked the corrections employees: "They represent what I believe to be the best in the state of Pennsylvania," he said.

"Mr. Kostura is an extraordinary man," McClure said, citing the director's service in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve.

Kostura started as a corrections officer, McClure said.

In Northampton County, McClure said, "It doesn't matter where you start, you can end up being director of corrections."

The Corrections Department runs the Northampton County Jail in Easton. McClure said that with Kostura in charge, the county did not lose one inmate or employee to COVID-19.

"I'm very sad to hear this for us, but very happy for you," Council President Lori Vargo Heffner said.

Commissioner Ken Kraft (councilmembers are known as commissioners) worked with Kostura for five years, and also thanked him for his service.
HARRISBURG, Pa.  The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) says the state's unemployment held at 3.4% for the second straight month in February.

According to a DLI press release, the 3.4% rate in January and February was down from the 3.5% rate seen in December 2023. The national unemployment rate rose from 3.7% to 3.9% in February.

Employment among Pennsylvania's civilian labor force rose by 14,000 in February. This was fostered mostly by a gain in resident employment, according to the DLI.

The number of nonfarm jobs expanded on its previous record high by adding 5,800 jobs in February to boost the total to more than 6.131 million. This was the seventh consecutive record high for Pennsylvania's job count, the press release said.
BELVIDERE, N.J. - A massive drug bust on I-78 now has the Warren County Prosecutor working with the DEA and FBI. Authorities say almost three and a half tons of marijuana was heading from Dinuba, California to Long Island City, New York, but New Jersey State Police caught it just short of its destination.

Marijuana is legal in all three of those states, but the Warren County Prosecutor says California is known for having excess capacity to grow it, meaning it often gets sent to the east coast for the black market.

A random stop at the Greenwich Township Weigh Station led to a massive discovery.

"We hit the lottery with this one," said Warren County Prosecutor Jim Pfeiffer.

A tractor-trailer carrying oranges had some packaging that stuck out. The State Police Mobile Safe Freight Unit says in those pallets were 3.4 tons of marijuana, worth more than $28 million.

Investigators say 3.2 tons of that, which is more than 6,000 pounds, was high-grade hydroponic marijuana.

Then, there was 40 pounds of Delta 9A powder, according to authorities.

"A highly concentrated form of cannabis, which is used to supercharge the marijuana itself," said Pfeiffer.

Plus, the unit found 5,017 cannabis products, like edibles.

The drivers, 53-year-old Ruben Rodriguez and 59-year-old Jose Santa Cruz Cheno, both of Hermasillo, Mexico, are now behind bars and facing multiple charges.

"They're looking at up to 20 years in prison," said Pfeiffer.

Investigators say they were in the country legally.

Pfeiffer tells us while marijuana is legal in New Jersey, this was all for the black market, which lacks safety regulations.

"So, it's safe to say authorities are digging into exactly where this marijuana came from in California and where it was going in New York?" asked 69 News Reporter Priscilla Liguori.

"Yes," replied Pfeiffer. "There will be a large investigation and at some point in time, hopefully there will be additional arrests."

Pfeiffer points out Warren County has both Route 80 and I-78, major arteries for transporting illegal products to New York and the tri-state area.

"To me, it's extremely interesting that a small county such as Warren County has really a tremendous responsibility to the people throughout the state of New Jersey as well as the tri-state area to monitor what's taking place and what's coming in," said Pfeiffer. "We have the ability to do that with the weigh stations."

Rodriguez and Cheno were arraigned Thursday. They're at Warren County Jail pending trial.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Senate passed a $1.2 trillion package of spending bills in the early morning hours Saturday, a long overdue action nearly six months into the budget year that will push any threats of a government shutdown to the fall. The bill now goes to President Joe Biden to be signed into law.

The vote was 74-24. It came after funding had expired for the agencies at midnight, but the White House sent out a notice shortly after the deadline announcing the Office of Management and Budget had ceased shutdown preparations because there was a high degree of confidence that Congress would pass the legislation and the president would sign it on Saturday.

Because obligations of federal funds are incurred and tracked on a daily basis, agencies will not shut down and may continue their normal operations, the White House statement said.

Prospects for a short-term government shutdown had appeared to grow Friday evening after Republicans and Democrats battled over proposed amendments to the bill. Any successful amendments to the bill would have sent the legislation back to the House, which had already left town for a two-week recess.

But shortly before midnight Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced a breakthrough.

It's been a very long and difficult day, but we have just reached an agreement to complete the job of funding the government, Schumer said. It is good for the country that we have reached this bipartisan deal. It wasn't easy, but tonight our persistence has been worth it."

While Congress has already approved money for Veterans Affairs, Interior, Agriculture and other agencies, the bill approved this week is much larger, providing funding for the Defense, Homeland Security and State departments and other aspects of general government.

The House passed the bill Friday morning by a vote of 286-134, narrowly gaining the two-thirds majority needed for approval. More than 70% of the money would go to defense.

The vote tally in the House reflected anger among Republicans over the content of the package and the speed with which it was brought to a vote. House Speaker Mike Johnson brought the measure to the floor even though a majority of Republicans ended up voting against it. He said afterward that the bill represents the best achievable outcome in a divided government.

In sign of the conservative frustration, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., initiated an effort to oust Johnson as the House began the vote but held off on further action until the House returns in two weeks. It's the same tool that was used last year to remove the last Republican speaker, Kevin McCarthy of California.

The vote breakdown showed 101 Republicans voting for the bill and 112 voting against it. Meanwhile, 185 Democrats voted for the bill and 22 against.

Rep. Kay Granger, the Republican chair of the House Appropriations Committee that helped draft the package, stepped down from that role after the vote. She said she would stay on the committee to provide advice and lead as a teacher for colleagues when needed.

Johnson broke up this fiscal year's spending bills into two parts as House Republicans revolted against what has become an annual practice of asking them to vote for one massive, complex bill called an omnibus with little time to review it or face a shutdown. Johnson viewed that as a breakthrough, saying the two-part process was an important step in breaking the omnibus muscle memory.

Still, the latest package was clearly unpopular with most Republicans, who viewed it as containing too few of their policy priorities and as spending too much.

The bottom line is that this is a complete and utter surrender," said Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo.

It took lawmakers six months into the current fiscal year to get near the finish line on government funding, the process slowed by conservatives who pushed for more policy mandates and steeper spending cuts than a Democratic-led Senate or White House would consider. The impasse required several short-term, stopgap spending bills to keep agencies funded.

The first package of full-year spending bills, which funded the departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture and the Interior, among others, cleared Congress two weeks ago with just hours to spare before funding expired for those agencies.

When combining the two packages, discretionary spending for the budget year will come to about $1.66 trillion. That does not include programs such as Social Security and Medicare, or financing the countrys rising debt.

To win over support from Republicans, Johnson touted some of the spending increases secured for about 8,000 more detention beds for migrants awaiting their immigration proceedings or removal from the country. That's about a 24% increase from current levels. Also, GOP leadership highlighted more money to hire about 2,000 Border Patrol agents.

Democrats, meanwhile, are boasting of a $1 billion increase for Head Start programs and new child care centers for military families. They also played up a $120 million increase in funding for cancer research and a $100 million increase for Alzheimers research.

Make no mistake, we had to work under very difficult top-line numbers and fight off literally hundreds of extreme Republican poison pills from the House, not to mention some unthinkable cuts, said Sen. Patty Murray, the Democratic chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Sen. Susan Collins, the top Republican on that committee, appealed to her GOP colleagues by stating that the bill's spending on non-defense programs actually decreases even before accounting for inflation. She called the package conservative and carefully drafted.

These bills are not big spending bills that are wildly out of scope, Collins said.

The spending package largely tracks with an agreement that then-Speaker McCarthy worked out with the White House in May 2023, which restricted spending for two years and suspended the debt ceiling into January 2025 so the federal government could continue paying its bills.

Shalanda Young, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, told lawmakers that last years agreement, which became the Fiscal Responsibility Act, will save the federal government about $1 trillion over the coming decade.

Associated Press congressional correspondent Lisa Mascaro and staff writers Farnoush Amiri and Chris Megerian contributed to this report.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sternly rejected the visiting U.S. secretary of state's plea not to launch a ground invasion into Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah, saying Friday we will do it alone if necessary.

The looming Rafah invasion has cast a shadow over ongoing efforts to forge a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters theres still a lot of work to be done as he wrapped up his sixth trip to the Mideast since the war began.

And at the U.N. Security Council, Russia and China vetoed a U.S.-sponsored resolution on the Israel-Hamas war that determines the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire. The two dissenting nations called the measure ambiguous, and said it was not the direct demand to end the fighting that much of the world seeks.

International aid officials say the entire population of the Gaza Strip  2.3 million people  is suffering from food insecurity and that famine is imminent in the hard-hit north. More than a million people have crowded into Rafah as they flee fighting across the besieged territory.

Gaza's Health Ministry raised the territory's death toll to 32,070 people, with around 74,300 wounded. 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 were killed on Oct. 7 when Palestinian militants launched a surprise attack out of Gaza, triggering the war, and abducted another 250 people. Hamas is still believed to be holding some 100 Israelis hostage, as well as the remains of 30 others.

Currently:

 Russia and China veto US resolution calling for immediate cease-fire in Gaza.

 Blinken says an Israeli assault on Gazas Rafah would be a mistake, and isnt needed to defeat Hamas.

 Israel says Rafah is Hamas last major stronghold in the Gaza Strip, and it's determined to launch an offensive.

 U.S. House speaker says he plans to invite Netanyahu to address the Congress.

 Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war.

Here's the latest:

U.S. FIGHTER JETS BOMB YEMEN'S CAPITAL, TARGETING STORAGE FACILITIES IN HOUTHI-CONTROLLED AREAS

SANAA, YEMEN  U.S. fighter jets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier struck three underground storage facilities in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen late Friday, according to a U.S. official. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a military operation not yet made public, said the ship is in the Red Sea.

Strikes and explosions were seen and heard in the capital Sanaa on Friday night, according to witnesses and videos, some circulating on social media. Footage showed explosions and smoke rising over the city.

There was no official confirmation of the injured or the origin of the explosions. Yemeni TV station Al-Masirah, which is linked to the Houthis, reported strikes hitting the city.

Yemens Houthi rebels, which are allied with Iran and control much of the countrys north and west, have launched a campaign of drone and missile attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, which the rebels describe as an effort to pressure Israel to end its war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The Houthis have kept up their campaign of attacks despite two months of U.S.-led airstrikes.

Associated Press writer Lolita C. Baldor in Washington contributed to this report.

U.N. SAYS ISRAEL'S ONGOING RAID AT SHIFA HOSPITAL HAS CUT OFF STAFF AND ENDANGERS PATIENTS

UNITED NATIONS  U.N. humanitarian officials report that Israels military operation in and around Shifa Hospital in Gaza City continued for a fifth day amid intense exchanges of fire with Palestinian armed groups, a U.N. spokesperson says.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization, said the U.N. agency and its partners have lost contact with health personnel at the hospital since the raid began, deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said Friday.

Tedros reported that it's now impossible to access Shifa Hospital and a planned mission Thursday had to be canceled due to lack of security, Haq said.

With reports of health workers being arrested and detained, he warned that the ongoing situation could affect the hospitals ability to function, even minimally, and deprive people of critical, lifesaving care, Haq said.

As the health sector in Gaza continues to deteriorate, Haq said, the U.N. childrens agency UNICEF and its partners are providing fuel to produce clean water, as well as trucking in water.

UNICEF is also distributing water tanks, containers and hygiene kits to thousands of people in different parts of the Gaza Strip, Haq said. But UNICEF warns that water scarcity, hygiene challenges and inadequate sanitation services are posing serious health risks to children, he said.

U.N. CHIEF WILL START HIS ANNUAL RAMADAN SOLIDARITY TRIP WITH VISITS TO EGYPT AND JORDAN

UNITED NATIONS  U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is starting on his annual solidarity trip during the Muslim holy month of Ramada with visits to Egypt and Jordan, where he is expected to reiterate calls to silence the guns in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and in Sudan.

U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said Guterres is arriving in Cairo on Friday night during turbulent times.

While in Egypt, Haq said, the U,N. chief will travel to northern Sinai, where he will visit a hospital in El-Arish. He will then go to Rafah on the Egyptian side of the border with Gaza where he will be meeting with U.N. humanitarian workers, Haq said.

In Cairo, Haq said, Guterres is expected to have an iftar meal breaking the daily Ramadan fast with Sudanese refugees who fled fighting between government and paramilitary forces that began in April. He is also expected to meet Egyptian officials, the U.N. spokesperson said.

In the Jordanian capital, Amman, Haq said Guterres will visit facilities of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, will have a Ramadan iftar with Palestinian refugees and U.N. staff, and meet with Jordanian officials.

HEAD OF UNRWA PRAISES FINLAND'S DECISION TO RESUME FUNDING TO EMBATTLED U.N. AGANCY

GENEVA  The head of the U.N.s lead agency helping Palestinians praised Finland's decision to resume funding the agency, weeks after it lost hundreds of millions of dollars in support following Israeli allegations against some of its staffers in Gaza.

Philippe Lazzarini on Friday welcomed the news that all five Nordic countries have restored their funding to the agency, known by the acronym UNRWA.

Israel accused 12 employees of UNRWA in Gaza of participating in the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel that killed 1,200 people. In response, more than a dozen countries including Finland suspended funding to UNRWA worth about $450 million, almost half its budget for the year.

Israel now alleges that 450 UNRWA employees were members of militant groups in Gaza, although it has provided no evidence.

Lazzarini has accused Israel of seeking to eliminate the UNRWA. It was created more than 70 years ago to assist Palestinians who fled or were forced from their homes during the 1948 Mideast war over Israels creation.

ISRAEL SAYS IT WILL INVESTIGATE AIRSTRIKE THAT APPARENTLY KILLED FIVE MEN WALKING IN GAZA

JERUSALEM  Israels military says it has opened an investigation into an airstrike that appears to have killed five Palestinians in the southern Gaza Strip.

Aerial footage of the episode circulating on social media shows four men walking along a dirt road before they are hit in the strike. A fifth man is then hit as he tries to run away.

The origin of the footage remains unclear. But in a statement Friday, the army said the airstrike had occurred in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis, a focus of army operations against Hamas, in early February.

It said the video was being investigated by its special fact finding body tasked with investigating potential crimes by its forces.

Khan Younis has seen some of the fiercest fighting of the war, sparked when Hamas militants invaded southern Israel on Oct. 7 and killed 1,200 people and took 250 others hostage.

Rights groups have accused Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza, where nearly 32,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war.

South Africa has filed a case in the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide  a claim Israel rejects. Israel says Hamas is guilty of war crimes and says its military acts within the rules of international law.

BLINKEN URGES ISRAELI LEADERS NOT TO INVADE RAFAH

TEL AVIV, Israel  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has once again urged Israel not to carry out its promised invasion of the Gaza city of Rafah.

Blinken told reporters Friday that the U.S. shares Israels goal of defeating Hamas. But he said the ground operation is not, in our judgment, the way to achieve it.

He spoke after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said he had told the secretary that Israel remains committed to the Rafah ground operation.

Blinken spoke shortly before returning to the U.S. after his sixth trip to the Mideast since the war erupted last October.

Blinken says much of the trip focused on efforts to forge a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and to increase the amount of humanitarian aid flowing into the war-battered Gaza Strip.

He said there has been progress, but still lots of work to be done before a deal is reached.

The U.S. has been working for weeks with mediators Qatar and Egypt in search of a formula that would halt the fighting in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas militants in Gaza.

ISRAELI FORCES KILL PALESTINIAN SHOOTER WHO WOUNDED THREE ISRAELIS IN OCCUPIED WEST BANK

RAMALLAH, West Bank  The Israeli military said it killed a Palestinian man who opened fire near a Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank on Friday, as violence has surged across the territory amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

Three Israelis were wounded in the shooting, one in a serious condition, medical officials said.

The military said the man opened fire at an Israeli vehicle at a junction near Dolev settlement around 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the city of Ramallah early Friday morning.

After a search, Israeli forces later killed the shooter near the name junction. During the search, troops raided his home in the nearby Palestinian village of Deir Ibzi. His wife, Lamees Samhan, said she was she briefly detained and blindfolded.

Violence has spiked across the West Bank since Hamas Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. At least 447 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in east Jerusalem and the West Bank since October, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

ISRAEL SEIZES ANOTHER 2,000 ACRES FOR SETTLEMENTS IN THE WEST BANK, WATCHDOG SAYS

JERUSALEM  An Israeli anti-settlement watchdog group says Israel has seized nearly 2,000 acres of land in the occupied West Bank, clearing the way for Israel to build settlements there.

The announcement came as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was visiting Israel. The international community, along with the Palestinians, considers settlement construction illegal or illegitimate and an obstacle to peace.

In a statement, Peace Now said the area is the largest piece of land seized by Israel since the interim Oslo peace accords three decades ago.

Peace Now said Friday that Israeli Cabinet Minister Bezalel Smotrich had declared the area state land  a designation that makes it government property. The land is in the Jordan Valley  a strategic area that is home to many Palestinian farms and seen as essential for the viability of a future Palestinian state.

The year 2024 marks a peak in the extent of declarations of state land, the group said.

Smotrich serves as Israels finance minister and in a newly created ministerial position in the Defense Ministry putting him in charge of Israels settlement policy. Smotrich, himself an outspoken settler leader, heads an ultra-nationalist party in parliament and has used his position to bolster the settlements.

Israels Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus governing coalition is dominated by West Bank settlers and their political supporters.

Over 500,000 Israeli settlers now live in the West Bank, captured by Israel with east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians seek all three areas for a future independent state.

NETANYAHU REJECTS U.S. CALL NOT TO INVADE RAFAH

JERUSALEM  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rebuffed American calls to halt plans for a ground invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

Netanyahu said Friday that he told the visiting U.S. secretary of state, Antony Blinken, that a ground offensive is the only way to destroy Hamas.

I said we have no way to defeat Hamas without entering Rafah and destroying the remaining battalions there, he said. I told him that I hope we will do this with the support of the United States, but if necessary, we will do it alone.

Ahead of the meeting, Blinken had said the U.S. supports Israels goal of defeating Hamas, but believes there are alternatives to a ground invasion.

Over 1 million displaced Palestinians have sought shelter in Rafah after fleeing fighting elsewhere in Gaza. The U.S. and the rest of the international community fear an Israeli invasion will lead to large civilian casualties.

Blinken was set to speak to reporters later Friday before returning to the U.S.

RELATIVES OF ISRAELI HOSTAGES RALLY OUTSIDE BLINKEN'S HOTEL, DEMANDING A DEAL TO RELEASE CAPTIVES IN GAZA

TEL AVIV, Israel  Dozens of relatives of Israeli hostages held by Hamas demonstrated Friday outside the hotel where the U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is staying in central Tel Aviv, demanding a deal to bring the release of their loved ones.

Many held up American and Israeli flags while others brandished placards of their relatives who were seized by the militant group when its fighters invaded southern Israel on Oct. 7., the act that sparked the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Hostage deal now! the crowd chanted. Blinken, you can bring them home again!

The rally came hours before the start of the Jewish holiday of Purim, normally a festive occasion. Referring to one hostage by name, a sign read: This is Purim without Ofer.

Blinken arrived in Israel earlier Friday in the final stop of his Mideast tour, his sixth visit to the region since October.

Families of the captives have accused Israels war cabinet of not doing enough to secure the release of the hostages after months of failed cease-fire negotiations.

Any cease-fire deal would likely see the hostages freed in return for the release of a larger number of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. About 120 hostages held by Hamas and hundreds of imprisoned Palestinians were freed during a week-long cease-fire in November.

Hamas is believed to still be holding around 100 hostages.

RUSSIA AND CHINA VETO A U.N. CEASE-FIRE RESOLUTION

UNITED NATIONS Russia and China on Friday vetoed a U.S.-sponsored U.N. resolution calling for an immediate and sustained cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid to be delivered to more than 2 million hungry Palestinians.

The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 11 members in favor, three against and one abstention.

Before the vote, Russias U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Moscow supports an immediate cease-fire, but he questioned the language in the resolution and accused U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield of misleading the international community for politicized reasons.

EUROPEAN UNION UNANIMOUSLY CALLS FOR A CEASE-FIRE IN GAZA

BRUSSELS  After five months of fighting in Gaza and tens of thousands of casualties, the 27 European Union countries have overcome their differences and agreed to call for a cease-fire.

In a statement overnight, EU leaders called for an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and the provision of humanitarian assistance.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, whose country currently holds the EUs rotating presidency, said the EU position is largely in line with that of the United States. It comes as the United Nations Security Council prepares to vote later Friday on a U.S.-sponsored resolution declaring the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.

EU countries have long been divided over their support for Israel and the Palestinians, and the U.N. vote will be a fresh public test of their unity. In December, two EU members voted against calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire while four countries abstained.

BLINKEN ARRIVES IN ISRAEL FOR TALKS WITH NETANYAHU OVER THE WAR IN GAZA

TEL AVIV, Israel  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for what were expected expected to be fractious talks over the war in Gaza as public differences over the conflict have intensified.

Its the final stop in Blinkens sixth urgent diplomatic mission to the Middle East, and he started the brief six-hour visit Friday with a one-on-one meeting with Netanyahu followed by a larger gathering with Israels war Cabinet aimed at convincing them not to proceed with plans for a large-scale military offensive in the southern city of Rafah that many fear could make an already disastrous humanitarian crisis in Gaza even worse.

A major military operation in Rafah would be a mistake, something we dont support, Blinken said Thursday in Cairo, where he met with top diplomats from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. And, its also not necessary to deal with Hamas, which is necessary.

Instead, Blinken will present Netanyahu with alternatives for dealing with Hamas in Rafah in discussions that will continue next week when Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and a separate delegation of senior Israeli officials visit Washington. Netanyahu agreed to send the delegation in a Monday phone call with U.S. President Joe Biden  their first conversation in a month amid the widening divisions.

Blinkens brief visit to Israel, which was announced only Wednesday and was not part of his original Mideast itinerary, comes as top intelligence officials from the U.S., Israel, Egypt and Qatar were to meet in Doha to hammer out details of a proposed cease-fire-for-hostages deal. Qatar, and to a lesser extent Egypt, are the main interlocutors with Hamas, which has thus far rebuffed offers the negotiations have produced.

UN SECURITY COUNCIL WILL VOTE ON US RESOLUTION FOR AN IMMEDIATE AND SUSTAINED CEASE-FIRE IN GAZA

The United Nations Security Council is set to vote on a United States-sponsored resolution declaring that an immediate and sustained cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza is imperative to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid to be delivered to more than 2 million hungry Palestinians.

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said she was optimistic that the new, tougher draft resolution would be approved Friday by the 15-member council.

The draft being put to a vote determines  which is a council order  the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire, with no direct link to the release of hostages taken during Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which was in the previous draft. But it would unequivocally support diplomatic efforts to secure such a cease-fire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages," and emphasizes the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance to civilians in the entire Gaza Strip.

Russias deputy U.N. ambassador Dmitry Polyansky said Moscow will not be satisfied with anything that doesnt call for an immediate cease-fire, saying its what U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is pressing for and what everybody wants. He questioned the wording of the draft, asking, Whats an imperative? I have an imperative to give you $100, but  its only an imperative, not $100.

The Security Council has already adopted two resolutions on the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, but none calling for a cease-fire.
PHOENIX (AP)  An Arizona rancher went on trial Friday in the fatal shooting of a migrant on his property near Mexico, with his defense attorney maintaining his innocence as the national debate over border security heats up ahead of this year's presidential election.

George Alan Kelly, 75, has been charged with second-degree murder in the killing of a man he encountered on his property outside Nogales, Arizona. The jury trial in Santa Cruz County Superior Court is expected to last up to a month until around April 19, with proceedings held four days a week with Mondays off.

Kelly had earlier rejected a plea deal that would have reduced the charge to one count of negligent homicide if he pleaded guilty. His case has garnered the sympathy of some on the political right, with several efforts raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for his defense, including several on the GoFundMe platform that were quickly shut down because of the charges against him.

He was arrested and charged last year in the Jan. 30, 2023, fatal shooting of 48-year-old Gabriel Cuen-Buitimea of adjacent Nogales, Mexico, just south of the border.

Kelly shot at a group of unarmed migrants who were walking through his nearly 170-acre (69-hectare) cattle ranch in the Kino Springs area, and Cuen-Buitimea was among them, authorities said.

Kelly's defense attorney Brenna Larkin said the investigation that led to her client's arrest and the subsequent charges against him was biased and incomplete, with investigators browbeating, not listening to and changing Kelly's words.

Larkin has maintained that Kelly shot into the air above the migrants because he feared for his safety and that of his wife and his property. Larkin testified Friday that groups of migrants crossing through Kelly's property grew more menacing over the years, including drug and human smugglers, prompting him to arm himself constantly for protection.

Larkin said Kelly was preparing a late lunch in his kitchen on the day of the shooting when he noticed five men traversing his ranch with large backpacks and rifles, then heard a single shot fired.

He knows something is happening outside. Something violent, something dangerous, she said. There are armed criminals on his property. Maybe another shot is going to be fired, maybe it's going to be fired at him.

Prosecutors have said Kelly recklessly fired an AK-47 rifle toward the migrants, who were about 100 yards (90 meters) away from him. Kelly was also armed with a handgun.

I want you to consider Gabriel Cuen-Buitimea as a human being, and not as George Kelly described him  an animal, Santa Cruz County Chief Deputy Attorney Kim Hunley told jurors Friday.

Kelly is also charged with aggravated assault that day against another person in the group of about eight people, including Daniel Ramirez, a Honduran who was living in Mexico and is scheduled to testify during the trial. The prosecutor said Ramirez had gone into the U.S. that day seeking work and watched as Cuen-Buitimea was shot, announced he had been hit, then died in front of him.

Hunley said the group had scattered shortly before after seeing Border Patrol agents and were headed back to the border to return to Mexico when the shooting occurred.

The other migrants werent injured and managed to escape back to Mexico.

Cuen-Buitimea also entered the U.S. illegally several times and was convicted and deported, most recently in 2016, court records show.

The case is being watched closely by the Mexican consulate in Nogales, Arizona, which has been in contact with the victim's family.

The shooting sparked strong political feelings about border security issues less than six months after a prison warden and his brother were arrested in a West Texas shooting that killed one migrant and wounded another. Twin brothers Michael and Mark Sheppard, both 60, were charged with manslaughter in the September 2022 shooting in El Paso County.

The brothers pulled over their truck near a town about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from the border and opened fire on a group of migrants getting water along the road. A male migrant died, and a female suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach, authorities said.

Florida news media reported last fall that the brothers were out on bond and living in the state.

Border security is a key issue in this year's presidential contest, with Republican Donald Trump and Democratic President Joe Biden making dueling visits to the Texas-Mexico border in late February.
Make sure the water from your tap is safe to drink

With an increasing risk of water-borne diseases such as cholera spreading in cities, it is important to learn how to keep your family safe.

With increasing water interruptions in a number of municipalities in South Africa, the risk of being infected of water-borne diseases is increasing.

While the water in our pipes is safe to drink. There are situations where diseases can creep into the system, making it temporarily unsafe for drinking purposes, says Professor Craig Sheridan, director of Wits: H 2 O in the School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies at Wits University.

While diseases such cholera is known in rural areas, we expect it to become more prevalent in cities, where ageing infrastructure becomes a challenge, says Sheridan. An example of a cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal in 2023 serves as a wake-up call for people living in cities, because this outbreak occurred in a built-up area, with city infrastructure.

Sheridan explains that when water runs through pipes normally, with a positive pressure, it keeps polluted water from entering the pipes through leaks in the pipe. However, when the pipes are empty during water shut-downs, nothing prevents polluted water from entering the system, which can make it temporarily unsafe.

I would either run the tap for a while, or boil the first couple of litres of water before drinking it, or rely on bottled water for a while before drinking tap water again, says Sheridan.

Realising that, unlike in rural areas, city-dwellers are actually quite uninformed about how to safely treat water, as they have been relying on the provision of clean safe water from municipalities for decades, Sheridan and the Wits: H 2 O team has decided to create a number of videos on how to safely treat water to prevent diseases such as cholera from spreading.

Translated in 12 different languages, the videos provide tips such as boiling water before you drink it, covering water that stands in the open, treating water with a bit of bleach to make sure it is safe, and keeping your surroundings and your home disinfected.

While cholera is a highly contagious disease, it is completely preventable and by learning how to keep our water safe, we all have the ability and the responsibility to prevent water-borne diseases such as this from spreading, says Sheridan.
Urgent TB vaccine trial kicks off in SA

Professor Lee Fairlie from the Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI) is a Co-National Principal Investigator of the trial.

She joins fellow Principal Investigator, Professor Willem Hanekom from the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), who will lead the large Phase 3 trial that will evaluate whether the M72/AS01E vaccine candidate can protect older adolescents and adults from pulmonary tuberculosis.

The M72/AS01E vaccine candidate could be the first new TB vaccine in 100 years if proven effective.

The first jabs in a much-anticipated clinical trial of an experimental tuberculosis (TB) vaccine have been administered at a clinical trial site at Wits RHI. Up to 20,000 people are anticipated to take part in the study, according to study sponsor, the Bill and Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute (Gates MRI).

The M72 study will be conducted at 60 different sites in South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Kenya, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The researchers estimate that between 50% and 60% of the study participants will be in South Africa.

"Reaching Phase 3 with an urgently needed TB vaccine candidate is an important moment for South Africans because it demonstrates that there is a strong local and global commitment to fight a disease that remains distressingly common in our communities," said Dr Lee Fairlie, Director of Maternal and Child Health at Wits RHI at Wits and co-national principal investigator for the trial in South Africa.

"South Africa also has considerable experience with TB- and vaccine-related clinical trials and a strong track record for protecting patient safety and generating high-quality data essential for regulatory approvals."

Read the full official media releases:

Media coverage
Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL  Get Free Report) Director Thomas J. Kenny sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $84.62, for a total transaction of $423,100.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 17,920 shares in the company, valued at $1,516,390.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website.

Aflac Trading Down 0.4 %

Shares of AFL stock traded down $0.37 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $84.65. The company had a trading volume of 667,197 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,283,828. The companys fifty day moving average is $81.50 and its 200 day moving average is $80.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.06 and a quick ratio of 0.06. Aflac Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $61.30 and a fifty-two week high of $86.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $48.84 billion, a PE ratio of 10.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.32 and a beta of 0.91.

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Aflac (NYSE:AFL  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The financial services provider reported $1.25 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.47 by ($0.22). Aflac had a return on equity of 17.59% and a net margin of 24.92%. The company had revenue of $3.78 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.44 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.29 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Aflac

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Fortitude Family Office LLC acquired a new stake in Aflac during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. CoreFirst Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in shares of Aflac in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Studio Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Aflac in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Missouri Trust & Investment Co acquired a new stake in shares of Aflac in the 2nd quarter valued at $28,000. Finally, Impact Partnership Wealth LLC raised its holdings in shares of Aflac by 471.4% in the 3rd quarter. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC now owns 400 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 330 shares in the last quarter. 66.75% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AFL has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Aflac from $80.00 to $84.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on shares of Aflac from $61.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. StockNews.com cut shares of Aflac from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Thursday, March 14th. Evercore ISI cut shares of Aflac from an in-line rating to an underperform rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $76.00 to $78.00 in a report on Thursday, January 4th. Finally, Raymond James lifted their price objective on shares of Aflac from $83.00 to $88.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, February 2nd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Aflac currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $80.36.

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About Aflac

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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.

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Amcor (NYSE:AMCR  Get Free Report) issued an update on its FY24 earnings guidance on Tuesday morning. The company provided EPS guidance of $0.67-$0.71 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of $0.68.

Amcor Stock Up 1.4 %

Shares of Amcor stock opened at $9.28 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 0.71. The company has a 50-day moving average of $9.32 and a 200 day moving average of $9.28. The firm has a market cap of $13.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.09, a PEG ratio of 10.06 and a beta of 0.78. Amcor has a 1 year low of $8.45 and a 1 year high of $11.39.

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Amcor (NYSE:AMCR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $0.16 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.15 by $0.01. Amcor had a net margin of 4.59% and a return on equity of 24.28%. The company had revenue of $3.25 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.29 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Amcor will post 0.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Amcor Dividend Announcement

Institutional Trading of Amcor

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 19th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 28th were given a dividend of $0.125 per share. This represents a $0.50 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.39%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 27th. Amcors dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 113.64%.

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Money Concepts Capital Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Amcor during the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Clear Street Markets LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Amcor by 93.6% during the 1st quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC now owns 2,913 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 1,408 shares during the last quarter. Chilton Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Amcor during the 1st quarter valued at about $63,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. bought a new position in shares of Amcor in the 4th quarter worth approximately $74,000. Finally, Oracle Alpha Inc. bought a new position in shares of Amcor in the 4th quarter worth approximately $100,000. 49.52% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Amcor Company Profile

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Amcor plc develops, produces, and sells packaging products in Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, and the Asia Pacific regions. The company operates through two segments, Flexibles and Rigid Packaging. The Flexibles segment provides flexible and film packaging products in the food and beverage, medical and pharmaceutical, fresh produce, snack food, personal care, and other industries.

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West Fraser Timber (NYSE:WFG  Get Free Report) and Conifex Timber (OTCMKTS:CFXTF  Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations, dividends, institutional ownership, valuation and risk.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares West Fraser Timber and Conifex Timbers revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio West Fraser Timber $6.45 billion 1.06 -$167.00 million ($2.15) -40.14 Conifex Timber N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Conifex Timber has lower revenue, but higher earnings than West Fraser Timber.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets West Fraser Timber -2.59% 1.29% 0.99% Conifex Timber N/A N/A N/A

Institutional & Insider Ownership

This table compares West Fraser Timber and Conifex Timbers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

46.2% of West Fraser Timber shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.8% of West Fraser Timber shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for West Fraser Timber and Conifex Timber, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score West Fraser Timber 0 0 5 1 3.17 Conifex Timber 0 0 1 0 3.00

West Fraser Timber presently has a consensus price target of $104.92, suggesting a potential upside of 21.56%. Conifex Timber has a consensus price target of $3.25, suggesting a potential upside of 576.10%. Given Conifex Timbers higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Conifex Timber is more favorable than West Fraser Timber.

Summary

West Fraser Timber beats Conifex Timber on 8 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About West Fraser Timber

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West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd., a diversified wood products company, engages in manufacturing, selling, marketing, and distributing lumber, engineered wood products, pulp, newsprint, wood chips, and other residuals and renewable energy. It offers spruce-pine-fir, douglas fir-larch, hem-fir, and southern yellow pine lumber, treated wood products, medium density fiberboard panels and plywood, oriented strand board, and laminated veneer lumber wood products, as well as particleboards. The company also provides northern bleached softwood Kraft pulp and bleached chemical thermo-mechanical pulp used to produce various paper products, including printing and writing papers, paperboard products, tissue and towel products, and a variety of other paper grades. Further, it offers bioproducts, including bioenergy and biomaterial. Its products are used in home construction, repair and remodeling, papers, tissue, and box materials, and industrial applications. The company sells its products to major retail chains, contractor supply yards, and wholesalers, as well as industrial customers for further processing or as components for other products in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and internationally. West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. was founded in 1955 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

About Conifex Timber

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Conifex Timber Inc. primarily manufactures and sells lumber products in the United States, Canada, Japan, and internationally. It is involved in the timber harvesting, reforestation, and forest management activities; manufacture of finished softwood lumber from spruce, pine, and fir logs; manufacture, sale, and distribution of dimension lumber; processing logs into lumber and wood chips, as well as residual products, such as wood chips, trim blocks, sawdust, shavings, and barks; and providing value added lumber finishing services. It also engages in bioenergy operations; and operates a 36 megawatt biomass power generation plant in Mackenzie, British Columbia. The company was formerly known as West Fourth Capital Inc. and changed its name to Conifex Timber Inc. in June 2010. Conifex Timber Inc. was incorporated in 2007 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

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Avino Silver & Gold Mines (NYSE:ASM  Get Free Report) released its earnings results on Wednesday. The company reported $0.02 earnings per share for the quarter, Yahoo Finance reports. Avino Silver & Gold Mines had a return on equity of 4.60% and a net margin of 1.23%. The firm had revenue of $12.53 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.50 million.

Avino Silver & Gold Mines Price Performance

ASM opened at $0.58 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $75.75 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.86 and a beta of 2.03. Avino Silver & Gold Mines has a 1 year low of $0.40 and a 1 year high of $1.01. The company has a current ratio of 1.54, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $0.51 and a 200 day moving average price of $0.49.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com started coverage on Avino Silver & Gold Mines in a report on Friday, March 8th. They set a sell rating on the stock.

Institutional Trading of Avino Silver & Gold Mines

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its stake in Avino Silver & Gold Mines by 48.3% during the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 1,339,500 shares of the companys stock valued at $884,000 after acquiring an additional 436,400 shares during the period. Citadel Advisors LLC boosted its position in Avino Silver & Gold Mines by 12.4% in the 2nd quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 147,818 shares of the companys stock valued at $98,000 after buying an additional 16,347 shares during the last quarter. Virtu Financial LLC boosted its position in shares of Avino Silver & Gold Mines by 25.9% in the 1st quarter. Virtu Financial LLC now owns 111,626 shares of the companys stock worth $105,000 after purchasing an additional 22,934 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Avino Silver & Gold Mines in the 2nd quarter worth $37,000. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC raised its stake in Avino Silver & Gold Mines by 378.3% during the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 57,470 shares of the companys stock worth $51,000 after buying an additional 45,454 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 2.34% of the companys stock.

About Avino Silver & Gold Mines

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Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and advancement of mineral properties in Canada. It primarily explores for silver, gold, and copper deposits. The company owns interests in 42 mineral claims and four leased mineral claims, including Avino mine area property comprising four exploration concessions covering 154.4 hectares, 24 exploitation concessions covering 1,284.7 hectares, and one leased exploitation concession covering 98.83 hectares; Gomez Palacio property consists of nine exploration concessions covering 2,549 hectares; Santiago Papasquiaro property comprises four exploration concessions covering 2,552.6 hectares and one exploitation concession covering 602.9 hectares; and Unification La Platosa properties, which include three leased concessions located in the state of Durango, Mexico.

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Trilogy Capital Inc. raised its position in BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK  Free Report) by 6.3% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 387 shares of the asset managers stock after buying an additional 23 shares during the period. Trilogy Capital Inc.s holdings in BlackRock were worth $314,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. HS Management Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of BlackRock by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. HS Management Partners LLC now owns 141,330 shares of the asset managers stock worth $114,732,000 after purchasing an additional 2,807 shares during the last quarter. Galvin Gaustad & Stein LLC boosted its holdings in shares of BlackRock by 9.2% during the 4th quarter. Galvin Gaustad & Stein LLC now owns 1,367 shares of the asset managers stock worth $1,109,000 after purchasing an additional 115 shares during the last quarter. Talbot Financial LLC boosted its holdings in shares of BlackRock by 1.6% during the 4th quarter. Talbot Financial LLC now owns 11,947 shares of the asset managers stock worth $9,699,000 after purchasing an additional 188 shares during the last quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of BlackRock by 4.9% during the 4th quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 11,926 shares of the asset managers stock worth $9,681,000 after purchasing an additional 561 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Shulman DeMeo Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of BlackRock by 5.7% during the 4th quarter. Shulman DeMeo Asset Management LLC now owns 444 shares of the asset managers stock worth $361,000 after purchasing an additional 24 shares during the last quarter. 77.01% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently commented on BLK. BNP Paribas raised shares of BlackRock from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $885.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on BlackRock from $719.00 to $793.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. TD Cowen raised BlackRock from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and boosted their target price for the company from $819.00 to $938.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered BlackRock from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $708.00 target price on the stock. in a research report on Friday, December 15th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their target price on BlackRock from $720.00 to $818.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $785.73.

Insider Buying and Selling at BlackRock

In other news, General Counsel Christopher J. Meade sold 18,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $282.54, for a total value of $5,085,660.60. Following the sale, the general counsel now directly owns 11,914 shares in the company, valued at $3,366,142.24. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, General Counsel Christopher J. Meade sold 18,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $282.54, for a total value of $5,085,660.60. Following the sale, the general counsel now directly owns 11,914 shares in the company, valued at $3,366,142.24. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Laurence Fink sold 30,978 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $809.92, for a total transaction of $25,089,701.76. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 414,146 shares in the company, valued at $335,425,128.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 100,511 shares of company stock valued at $71,864,028. Corporate insiders own 0.96% of the companys stock.

BlackRock Price Performance

BlackRock stock traded down $14.72 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $827.34. The company had a trading volume of 143,939 shares, compared to its average volume of 602,843. BlackRock, Inc. has a 1 year low of $596.18 and a 1 year high of $845.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 3.48 and a quick ratio of 3.48. The company has a market capitalization of $123.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.67, a P/E/G ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 1.37. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $801.81 and its 200-day simple moving average is $738.06.

BlackRock (NYSE:BLK  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, January 12th. The asset manager reported $9.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $8.84 by $0.82. BlackRock had a net margin of 30.81% and a return on equity of 14.74%. The company had revenue of $4.63 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.65 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $8.93 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 6.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that BlackRock, Inc. will post 39.73 EPS for the current year.

BlackRock Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 7th will be issued a $5.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 6th. This is a boost from BlackRocks previous quarterly dividend of $5.00. This represents a $20.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.47%. BlackRocks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 55.88%.

BlackRock Company Profile

(Free Report)

BlackRock, Inc is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors including corporate, public, union, and industry pension plans, insurance companies, third-party mutual funds, endowments, public institutions, governments, foundations, charities, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, official institutions, and banks.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BLK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK  Free Report).

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Block, Inc. (NYSE:SQ  Get Free Report)s share price fell 0.1% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $78.21 and last traded at $79.28. 1,368,440 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 88% from the average session volume of 11,125,980 shares. The stock had previously closed at $79.32.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on SQ. TheStreet upgraded Block from a d+ rating to a c- rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 19th. BTIG Research upgraded Block from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $85.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Wedbush reiterated an outperform rating and set a $90.00 price objective on shares of Block in a research note on Tuesday, February 20th. Truist Financial boosted their target price on Block from $90.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 23rd. Finally, Seaport Res Ptn raised Block from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 23rd. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Block presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $82.44.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on Block

Block Stock Up 3.2 %

The company has a quick ratio of 1.90, a current ratio of 1.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $71.57 and a 200-day simple moving average of $61.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $51.74 billion, a PE ratio of 479.18, a P/E/G ratio of 2.26 and a beta of 2.55.

Block (NYSE:SQ  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 22nd. The technology company reported $0.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.02 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $5.77 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.69 billion. Block had a return on equity of 0.63% and a net margin of 0.04%. Analysts forecast that Block, Inc. will post 1.09 EPS for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Block news, CAO Ajmere Dale sold 1,525 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.32, for a total transaction of $113,338.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 69,479 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,163,679.28. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, CAO Ajmere Dale sold 1,525 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.32, for a total value of $113,338.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 69,479 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,163,679.28. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Brian Grassadonia sold 4,831 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $74.51, for a total value of $359,957.81. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 285,860 shares in the company, valued at $21,299,428.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 258,056 shares of company stock valued at $18,407,064 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 10.79% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Block

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Capital Impact Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Block by 2.6% during the 4th quarter. Capital Impact Advisors LLC now owns 5,401 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $339,000 after buying an additional 138 shares during the period. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC raised its holdings in Block by 26.8% in the 4th quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 805 shares of the technology companys stock worth $62,000 after purchasing an additional 170 shares during the period. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Block by 38.7% in the 4th quarter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. now owns 616 shares of the technology companys stock worth $48,000 after purchasing an additional 172 shares during the period. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC raised its holdings in Block by 2.9% in the 4th quarter. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 6,328 shares of the technology companys stock worth $489,000 after purchasing an additional 180 shares during the period. Finally, WP Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Block by 3.9% in the 4th quarter. WP Advisors LLC now owns 5,381 shares of the technology companys stock worth $416,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the period. 61.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Block Company Profile

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Square, Inc provides payment and point-of-sale solutions in the United States and internationally. The company's commerce ecosystem includes point-of-sale software and hardware that enables sellers to turn mobile and computing devices into payment and point-of-sale solutions. It offers hardware products, including Magstripe reader, which enables swiped transactions of magnetic stripe cards; Contactless and chip reader that accepts EMV chip cards and Near Field Communication payments; Chip card reader, which accepts EMV chip cards and enables swiped transactions of magnetic stripe cards; Square Stand, which enables an iPad to be used as a payment terminal or full point of sale solution; and Square Register that combines its hardware, point-of-sale software, and payments technology, as well as managed payments solutions.

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Lloyds Banking Group plc (LON:LLOY  Get Free Report) has earned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the nine analysts that are covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is GBX 57.17 ($0.73).

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Shore Capital reiterated a buy rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. Berenberg Bank increased their price target on shares of Lloyds Banking Group from GBX 55 ($0.70) to GBX 58 ($0.74) and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Thursday, February 22nd. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a buy rating and issued a GBX 59 ($0.75) price target on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a report on Friday, February 16th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised shares of Lloyds Banking Group to a market perform rating and set a GBX 50 ($0.64) target price on the stock in a report on Monday, February 12th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued an underweight rating and issued a GBX 41 ($0.52) price target on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a report on Monday, February 26th.

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Lloyds Banking Group Stock Performance

Lloyds Banking Group Increases Dividend

Shares of LLOY stock opened at GBX 52.43 ($0.67) on Friday. Lloyds Banking Group has a 52-week low of GBX 39.42 ($0.50) and a 52-week high of GBX 52.50 ($0.67). The company has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 44.74 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 44.20. The company has a market capitalization of 33.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 735.57, a PEG ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 1.22.

The company also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 21st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 11th will be paid a GBX 1.84 ($0.02) dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 11th. This represents a dividend yield of 4.25%. This is an increase from Lloyds Banking Groups previous dividend of $0.92. Lloyds Banking Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 4,285.71%.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Robin Budenberg purchased 1,000,000 shares of Lloyds Banking Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 45 ($0.57) per share, with a total value of 450,000 ($572,883.51). Insiders own 0.24% of the companys stock.

About Lloyds Banking Group

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Lloyds Banking Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of banking and financial services in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates in three segments: Retail; Commercial Banking; and Insurance, Pensions and Investments. The Retail segment offers a range of financial service products, including current accounts, savings, mortgages, motor finance, unsecured loans, leasing solutions, and credit cards to personal customers.

Further Reading

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Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL  Get Free Report) has received an average rating of Reduce from the five research firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation and four have issued a hold recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $1,450.00.

Several equities research analysts have commented on the company. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and issued a $1,475.00 target price on shares of Markel Group in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group cut Markel Group from a buy rating to a hold rating and cut their target price for the company from $1,680.00 to $1,500.00 in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Finally, Janney Montgomery Scott restated a neutral rating and issued a $1,600.00 target price on shares of Markel Group in a research note on Friday, March 15th.

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Insider Transactions at Markel Group

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In related news, Director A. Lynne Puckett acquired 72 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The shares were bought at an average price of $1,409.28 per share, for a total transaction of $101,468.16. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 960 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,352,908.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website . In related news, Director A. Lynne Puckett acquired 72 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The shares were bought at an average price of $1,409.28 per share, for a total transaction of $101,468.16. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 960 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,352,908.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website . Also, CEO Thomas Sinnickson Gayner acquired 100 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The shares were bought at an average price of $1,414.74 per share, for a total transaction of $141,474.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 45,039 shares in the company, valued at $63,718,474.86. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here . Company insiders own 1.75% of the companys stock.

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in MKL. Asset Dedication LLC increased its holdings in shares of Markel Group by 72.7% during the 2nd quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 19 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 8 shares during the last quarter. Ritter Daniher Financial Advisory LLC DE increased its holdings in shares of Markel Group by 150.0% during the 3rd quarter. Ritter Daniher Financial Advisory LLC DE now owns 20 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 12 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC acquired a new position in Markel Group in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Blue Trust Inc. grew its holdings in Markel Group by 133.3% in the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 21 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 12 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Point72 Asset Management L.P. acquired a new position in Markel Group in the 2nd quarter valued at $39,000. 76.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Markel Group Trading Up 0.5 %

NYSE:MKL opened at $1,522.27 on Friday. Markel Group has a fifty-two week low of $1,201.36 and a fifty-two week high of $1,560.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 0.62 and a quick ratio of 0.62. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.96 billion, a PE ratio of 10.36 and a beta of 0.70. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $1,467.40 and its 200-day simple moving average is $1,447.59.

Markel Group (NYSE:MKL  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 31st. The insurance provider reported $56.48 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $23.58 by $32.90. The business had revenue of $3.71 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.75 billion. Markel Group had a return on equity of 11.22% and a net margin of 12.63%. Sell-side analysts expect that Markel Group will post 82.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Markel Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Markel Group Inc, a diverse holding company, engages in marketing and underwriting specialty insurance products in the United States, Bermuda, the United Kingdom, and Germany. The company offers general and professional liability, personal lines, marine and energy, specialty programs, and workers' compensation insurance products; and property coverages that include fire, allied lines, and other specialized property coverages, including catastrophe-exposed property risks, such as earthquake and wind.

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CFM Wealth Partners LLC lowered its position in BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK  Free Report) by 6.1% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 307 shares of the asset managers stock after selling 20 shares during the period. CFM Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in BlackRock were worth $249,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A bought a new stake in BlackRock during the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. West Tower Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of BlackRock during the second quarter worth approximately $27,000. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new position in shares of BlackRock in the second quarter worth $33,000. Tyler Stone Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of BlackRock in the second quarter worth $33,000. Finally, Exchange Traded Concepts LLC increased its stake in shares of BlackRock by 671.4% in the third quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 54 shares of the asset managers stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 47 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.01% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

BLK has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded shares of BlackRock from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $708.00 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Friday, December 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on BlackRock from $719.00 to $793.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. UBS Group boosted their target price on BlackRock from $720.00 to $818.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. BNP Paribas raised shares of BlackRock from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $885.00 price target for the company in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. Finally, TD Cowen raised shares of BlackRock from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their target price for the stock from $819.00 to $938.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $785.73.

Insider Transactions at BlackRock

In related news, General Counsel Christopher J. Meade sold 18,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $282.54, for a total transaction of $5,085,660.60. Following the transaction, the general counsel now owns 11,914 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,366,142.24. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other BlackRock news, General Counsel Christopher J. Meade sold 18,000 shares of BlackRock stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $282.54, for a total value of $5,085,660.60. Following the transaction, the general counsel now directly owns 11,914 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,366,142.24. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Marc D. Comerchero sold 450 shares of BlackRock stock in a transaction on Monday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $785.11, for a total value of $353,299.50. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 5,975 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,691,032.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 100,511 shares of company stock valued at $71,864,028. Corporate insiders own 0.96% of the companys stock.

BlackRock Trading Down 2.0 %

NYSE BLK traded down $17.23 on Friday, reaching $824.83. 602,976 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 605,858. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $802.80 and its 200 day moving average price is $738.78. The stock has a market capitalization of $122.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 1.37. The company has a current ratio of 3.48, a quick ratio of 3.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. BlackRock, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $596.18 and a fifty-two week high of $845.00.

BlackRock (NYSE:BLK  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 12th. The asset manager reported $9.66 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $8.84 by $0.82. BlackRock had a return on equity of 14.74% and a net margin of 30.81%. The business had revenue of $4.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.65 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $8.93 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that BlackRock, Inc. will post 39.73 earnings per share for the current year.

BlackRock Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 7th will be given a dividend of $5.10 per share. This represents a $20.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.47%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 6th. This is a positive change from BlackRocks previous quarterly dividend of $5.00. BlackRocks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 55.88%.

BlackRock Profile

(Free Report)

BlackRock, Inc is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors including corporate, public, union, and industry pension plans, insurance companies, third-party mutual funds, endowments, public institutions, governments, foundations, charities, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, official institutions, and banks.

Further Reading

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Chemistry Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Stellantis (NYSE:STLA  Free Report) by 165.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 47,032 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 29,345 shares during the period. Chemistry Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Stellantis were worth $1,097,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of Stellantis by 553.4% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 81,067 shares of the companys stock worth $1,319,000 after buying an additional 68,660 shares in the last quarter. US Bancorp DE grew its holdings in Stellantis by 3.2% during the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 25,689 shares of the companys stock worth $418,000 after acquiring an additional 802 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Stellantis by 13.6% during the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 25,936 shares of the companys stock worth $422,000 after acquiring an additional 3,108 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its holdings in Stellantis by 14.4% during the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 34,029 shares of the companys stock worth $554,000 after acquiring an additional 4,276 shares during the period. Finally, BlackRock Inc. grew its holdings in Stellantis by 34.8% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,959,142 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,876,000 after purchasing an additional 505,920 shares during the period. 28.17% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Stellantis Trading Down 0.1 %

Shares of STLA stock traded down $0.03 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $29.18. 3,378,557 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,577,239. The companys 50 day moving average is $24.83 and its two-hundred day moving average is $22.00. Stellantis has a 1 year low of $15.07 and a 1 year high of $29.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 1.24.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on STLA shares. HSBC downgraded Stellantis from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Redburn Atlantic assumed coverage on Stellantis in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein downgraded Stellantis from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 28th. Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on Stellantis in a research report on Monday, December 11th. They set an underweight rating on the stock. Finally, Piper Sandler began coverage on Stellantis in a research report on Friday, March 15th. They set an overweight rating and a $39.00 price objective on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $30.23.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on STLA

Insider Transactions at Stellantis

In other news, major shareholder N.V. Stellantis acquired 800,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 8th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $4.60 per share, with a total value of $3,680,000.00. Following the purchase, the insider now directly owns 35,451,720 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $163,077,912. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In the last three months, insiders acquired 3,150,000 shares of company stock valued at $15,724,500. Corporate insiders own 0.02% of the companys stock.

Stellantis Company Profile

(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.

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Imperial Oil (TSE:IMO  Get Free Report) (NYSEMKT:IMO) had its target price hoisted by stock analysts at CIBC from C$85.00 to C$90.00 in a report issued on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage presently has a neutral rating on the stock. CIBCs price target would suggest a potential downside of 1.93% from the stocks previous close.

Several other equities analysts also recently issued reports on IMO. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on shares of Imperial Oil from C$97.00 to C$94.00 in a research note on Monday, February 12th. TD Securities lowered shares of Imperial Oil from a buy rating to a hold rating and raised their price target for the company from C$87.00 to C$88.00 in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Imperial Oil from C$78.00 to C$80.00 in a report on Wednesday, November 29th. Desjardins raised their price objective on shares of Imperial Oil from C$86.00 to C$88.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Friday. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised 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 report on Friday, March 1st. Nine 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.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of C$88.38.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on IMO

Imperial Oil Stock Performance

Shares of TSE:IMO traded up C$0.39 on Friday, reaching C$91.77. The companys stock had a trading volume of 120,886 shares, compared to its average volume of 969,716. The stocks 50-day moving average is C$81.61 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$79.57. Imperial Oil has a 52-week low of C$60.19 and a 52-week high of C$92.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 19.49, a current ratio of 1.26 and a quick ratio of 0.98. The stock has a market capitalization of C$49.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.81, a PEG ratio of 0.21 and a beta of 1.84.

Imperial Oil (TSE:IMO  Get Free Report) (NYSEMKT:IMO) last issued its earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The company reported C$2.47 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$2.08 by C$0.39. Imperial Oil had a net margin of 9.64% and a return on equity of 21.91%. The company had revenue of C$13.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$16.57 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Imperial Oil will post 8.3409091 EPS for the current year.

About Imperial Oil

(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.

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Shares of Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C  Get Free Report) have been given an average rating of Moderate Buy by the sixteen brokerages that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have given a hold recommendation and eleven have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $57.56.

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on C. StockNews.com raised Citigroup from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday. Wolfe Research raised shares of Citigroup from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $58.00 target price for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. BMO Capital Markets downgraded shares of Citigroup from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $57.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. Societe Generale cut shares of Citigroup from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Monday, January 8th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Citigroup from an underweight rating to an overweight rating and upped their target price for the stock from $46.00 to $65.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on C

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Citigroup

Citigroup Stock Up 2.0 %

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in C. Carmel Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Citigroup during the third quarter valued at about $25,000. Orion Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Citigroup during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Citigroup by 73.8% in the third quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 683 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 290 shares during the last quarter. SkyView Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Citigroup during the first quarter worth $28,000. Finally, AlphaMark Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Citigroup by 75.0% during the third quarter. AlphaMark Advisors LLC now owns 700 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. 69.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

NYSE C opened at $61.32 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.52. Citigroup has a 52 week low of $38.17 and a 52 week high of $61.54. The firm has a market capitalization of $117.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.30, a PEG ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 1.50. The company has a fifty day moving average of $55.12 and a two-hundred day moving average of $48.24.

Citigroup (NYSE:C  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 12th. The company reported ($1.16) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.73 by ($1.89). Citigroup had a return on equity of 6.49% and a net margin of 5.88%. The firm had revenue of $17.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $18.71 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.10 earnings per share. Citigroups revenue for the quarter was down 3.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that Citigroup will post 5.85 earnings per share for the current year.

Citigroup Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 23rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 5th were issued a $0.53 dividend. This represents a $2.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.46%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 2nd. Citigroups dividend payout ratio is currently 53.13%.

About Citigroup

(Get Free Report

Citigroup Inc, a diversified financial service holding company, provides various financial product and services to consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions worldwide. It operates through five segments: Services, Markets, Banking, U.S. Personal Banking, and Wealth. The Services segment includes Treasury and Trade Solutions, which provides cash management, trade, and working capital solutions to multinational corporations, financial institutions, and public sector organizations; and Securities Services, such as cross-border support for clients, local market expertise, post-trade technologies, data solutions, and various securities services solutions.

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Analysts at Cormark began coverage on shares of Contango Ore (NYSEAMERICAN:CTGO  Get Free Report) in a report released on Friday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage set a buy rating and a $27.50 price target on the stock. Cormarks target price points to a potential upside of 33.75% from the stocks previous close.

Separately, Fundamental Research set a $23.22 target price on shares of Contango Ore and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 13th.

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Contango Ore Trading Up 0.0 %

Insider Transactions at Contango Ore

CTGO traded up $0.01 during trading on Friday, hitting $20.56. 25,387 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 22,382. The stock has a market capitalization of $197.38 million, a P/E ratio of -3.41 and a beta of 0.54. The company has a quick ratio of 4.02, a current ratio of 4.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.98. Contango Ore has a 12-month low of $14.03 and a 12-month high of $33.67.

In related news, Director Joseph S. Compofelice sold 5,826 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.00, for a total value of $128,172.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 163,878 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,605,316. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other Contango Ore news, CEO Nieuwenhuyse Rick Van sold 3,000 shares of Contango Ore stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.00, for a total transaction of $66,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 500,896 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,019,712. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Joseph S. Compofelice sold 5,826 shares of Contango Ore stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.00, for a total transaction of $128,172.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 163,878 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,605,316. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 10,816 shares of company stock worth $226,978 over the last three months. 17.80% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Contango Ore

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Citigroup Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Contango Ore by 99.1% in the second quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 1,109 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 552 shares in the last quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System bought a new stake in Contango Ore in the second quarter worth $32,000. UBS Group AG increased its position in Contango Ore by 5,168.2% in the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 1,159 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 1,137 shares during the last quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN increased its position in Contango Ore by 7,310.0% in the second quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 1,482 shares of the companys stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 1,462 shares during the last quarter. Finally, American International Group Inc. bought a new stake in Contango Ore in the second quarter worth $46,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 12.91% of the companys stock.

About Contango Ore

(Get Free Report)

Contango Ore, Inc, an exploration stage company, engages in the exploration of gold and associated minerals in the United States. It also explores for copper and silver deposits. The company, through its subsidiaries, leases approximately 675,000 acres from the Tetlin Tribal Council and holds approximately 13,000 State of Alaska mining claims for exploration and development; leases mineral rights approximately 8,600 acres of State of Alaska and patented mining claims for exploration from Alaska Hard Rock, Inc; and owns 100% interest in the mineral rights to approximately 154,000 acres of State of Alaska mining claims for exploration located north and northwest of the Manh Choh Project.

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Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Poland ETF (NYSEARCA:EPOL  Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 14,474 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $328,000. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC owned approximately 0.11% of iShares MSCI Poland ETF at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Jane Street Group LLC lifted its position in iShares MSCI Poland ETF by 7,103.5% during the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 1,898,186 shares of the companys stock worth $29,384,000 after buying an additional 1,871,835 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its position in shares of iShares MSCI Poland ETF by 270.5% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,819,705 shares of the companys stock worth $34,593,000 after acquiring an additional 1,328,558 shares during the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers acquired a new position in iShares MSCI Poland ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $4,963,000. Trium Capital LLP bought a new stake in iShares MSCI Poland ETF during the third quarter worth approximately $2,995,000. Finally, OLD Mission Capital LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Poland ETF by 415.0% during the 1st quarter. OLD Mission Capital LLC now owns 188,625 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,920,000 after acquiring an additional 151,998 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI Poland ETF Stock Down 1.5 %

NYSEARCA EPOL traded down $0.35 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $23.11. The companys stock had a trading volume of 94,058 shares, compared to its average volume of 179,078. iShares MSCI Poland ETF has a twelve month low of $14.45 and a twelve month high of $23.98. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $22.51 and a 200 day moving average of $20.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $296.96 million, a P/E ratio of 5.48 and a beta of 1.24.

iShares MSCI Poland ETF Company Profile

The iShares MSCI Poland ETF (EPOL) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Poland IMI 25-50 index, a market-cap-weighted index of the broader Polish equity market. EPOL was launched on May 25, 2010 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Investment analysts at UBS Group assumed coverage on shares of Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL  Get Free Report) in a research report issued on Wednesday, MarketBeat.com reports. The brokerage set a buy rating and a $59.00 price target on the transportation companys stock. UBS Groups target price would indicate a potential upside of 28.26% from the companys previous close.

A number of other research firms have also recently weighed in on DAL. StockNews.com cut shares of Delta Air Lines from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. TheStreet raised shares of Delta Air Lines from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Delta Air Lines currently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $55.79.

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Delta Air Lines Stock Up 1.4 %

Shares of Delta Air Lines stock opened at $46.00 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $29.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.43, a PEG ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54, a quick ratio of 0.34 and a current ratio of 0.39. Delta Air Lines has a one year low of $30.60 and a one year high of $49.81. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $40.76 and a two-hundred day moving average of $38.54.

Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 12th. The transportation company reported $1.28 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.17 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $14.22 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.55 billion. Delta Air Lines had a net margin of 7.94% and a return on equity of 46.35%. Delta Air Liness quarterly revenue was up 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.48 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Delta Air Lines will post 6.57 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Delta Air Lines

In other news, CEO Edward H. Bastian sold 71,840 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $39.20, for a total transaction of $2,816,128.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 428,768 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,807,705.60. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.89% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of DAL. Acadian Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Delta Air Lines in the first quarter valued at approximately $217,000. Panagora Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in Delta Air Lines by 41.8% in the first quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 25,838 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,022,000 after buying an additional 7,616 shares during the period. APG Asset Management N.V. purchased a new position in Delta Air Lines in the first quarter valued at approximately $243,000. Raymond James Trust N.A. grew its position in Delta Air Lines by 20.7% in the first quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 9,918 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $392,000 after acquiring an additional 1,700 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. grew its position in Delta Air Lines by 3.1% in the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 29,508 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,168,000 after acquiring an additional 891 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.29% of the companys stock.

Delta Air Lines Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Delta Air Lines, Inc provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its domestic network centered on core hubs in Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Detroit, and Salt Lake City, as well as coastal hub positions in Boston, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Seattle; and international network centered on hubs and market presence in Amsterdam, Bogota, Lima, Mexico City, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Sao Paulo, Seoul-Incheon, and Tokyo.

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Farmland Partners (NYSE:FPI  Get Free Report) and NewLake Capital Partners (OTCMKTS:NLCP  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, dividends, risk and profitability.

Profitability

This table compares Farmland Partners and NewLake Capital Partners net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Farmland Partners 53.80% 5.70% 2.83% NewLake Capital Partners N/A N/A N/A

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Farmland Partners and NewLake Capital Partners top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Farmland Partners $57.47 million 9.23 $30.91 million $0.52 21.19 NewLake Capital Partners N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Institutional and Insider Ownership

Farmland Partners has higher revenue and earnings than NewLake Capital Partners.

53.5% of Farmland Partners shares are owned by institutional investors. 8.3% of Farmland Partners shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings and price targets for Farmland Partners and NewLake Capital Partners, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Farmland Partners 0 0 2 0 3.00 NewLake Capital Partners 0 0 1 0 3.00

Farmland Partners currently has a consensus target price of $15.00, suggesting a potential upside of 36.12%. NewLake Capital Partners has a consensus target price of $18.25, suggesting a potential downside of 2.67%. Given Farmland Partners higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Farmland Partners is more favorable than NewLake Capital Partners.

Summary

Farmland Partners beats NewLake Capital Partners on 8 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Farmland Partners

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Farmland Partners Inc. is an internally managed real estate company that owns and seeks to acquire high-quality North American farmland and makes loans to farmers secured by farm real estate. As of December 31, 2023, the Company owns and/or manages approximately 171,100 acres in 16 states, including Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas. In addition, the Company owns land and buildings for four agriculture equipment dealerships in Ohio leased to Ag Pro under the John Deere brand. The Company has approximately 26 crop types and over 100 tenants. The Company elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, commencing with the taxable year ended December 31, 2014.

About NewLake Capital Partners

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NewLake Capital Partners, Inc. is an internally-managed real estate investment trust that provides real estate capital to state-licensed cannabis operators through sale-leaseback transactions and third-party purchases and funding for build-to-suit projects. NewLake owns a portfolio of 31 cultivation facilities and dispensaries that are leased to single tenants on a triple-net basis.

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Fortress Wealth Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX  Free Report) by 6.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 5,288 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after purchasing an additional 316 shares during the quarter. Fortress Wealth Group LLCs holdings in Chevron were worth $791,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in CVX. Norwood Financial Corp grew its stake in shares of Chevron by 60.2% during the 4th quarter. Norwood Financial Corp now owns 1,290 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $192,000 after acquiring an additional 485 shares during the period. CFM Wealth Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Chevron by 4.1% during the 4th quarter. CFM Wealth Partners LLC now owns 18,100 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $2,700,000 after acquiring an additional 710 shares during the period. Sunflower Bank N.A. grew its stake in shares of Chevron by 17.4% during the 4th quarter. Sunflower Bank N.A. now owns 3,231 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $482,000 after acquiring an additional 479 shares during the period. Register Financial Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Chevron by 10.9% during the 4th quarter. Register Financial Advisors LLC now owns 8,404 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,254,000 after acquiring an additional 828 shares during the period. Finally, IFM Investors Pty Ltd grew its stake in shares of Chevron by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. IFM Investors Pty Ltd now owns 368,612 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $54,982,000 after acquiring an additional 3,941 shares during the period. 68.87% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Chevron Stock Up 0.3 %

Chevron stock traded up $0.42 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $154.97. The company had a trading volume of 4,520,574 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,881,318. The company has a current ratio of 1.27, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $150.38 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $153.04. Chevron Co. has a 12 month low of $139.62 and a 12 month high of $172.88. The company has a market capitalization of $287.82 billion, a PE ratio of 13.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 1.12.

Chevron Increases Dividend

Chevron ( NYSE:CVX Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The oil and gas company reported $3.45 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.19 by $0.26. Chevron had a return on equity of 15.24% and a net margin of 10.63%. The firm had revenue of $47.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $50.93 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $4.09 earnings per share. The companys revenue was down 16.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Chevron Co. will post 13.04 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 11th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 16th were paid a $1.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 15th. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.21%. This is a boost from Chevrons previous quarterly dividend of $1.51. Chevrons payout ratio is currently 57.39%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have commented on CVX shares. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on Chevron from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Scotiabank downgraded Chevron from a sector outperform rating to a sector perform rating and set a $170.00 price target for the company. in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. Mizuho lifted their price target on Chevron from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Chevron from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $184.00 price target for the company in a research report on Monday, January 8th. Finally, UBS Group dropped their price target on Chevron from $194.00 to $185.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $180.39.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Chevron

About Chevron

(Free Report)

Chevron Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the integrated energy and chemicals operations in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Upstream and Downstream. The Upstream segment is involved in the exploration, development, production, and transportation of crude oil and natural gas; liquefaction, transportation, and regasification associated with liquefied natural gas; transportation of crude oil through pipelines; and processing, transportation, storage, and marketing of natural gas, as well as a gas-to-liquids plant.

Further Reading

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).

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StockNews.com downgraded shares of FTAI Aviation (NYSE:FTAI  Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note issued to investors on Monday morning.

Several other research analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of FTAI Aviation from $52.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 27th. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of FTAI Aviation from $58.00 to $70.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 27th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reissued a hold rating and issued a $59.00 target price (up previously from $40.00) on shares of FTAI Aviation in a research note on Monday, February 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, FTAI Aviation has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $52.45.

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Read Our Latest Report on FTAI Aviation

FTAI Aviation Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE FTAI opened at $64.98 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.94 and a beta of 1.89. FTAI Aviation has a one year low of $23.24 and a one year high of $65.71. The companys fifty day moving average is $54.92 and its two-hundred day moving average is $45.01.

FTAI Aviation (NYSE:FTAI  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 22nd. The financial services provider reported $1.09 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.37 by $0.72. FTAI Aviation had a net margin of 20.82% and a return on equity of 223.80%. The business had revenue of $312.74 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $310.04 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.20 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 14.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that FTAI Aviation will post 2.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

FTAI Aviation Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 20th. Investors of record on Friday, March 8th were given a dividend of $0.30 per share. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.85%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 7th. FTAI Aviations dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 57.14%.

Institutional Trading of FTAI Aviation

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of FTAI. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in FTAI Aviation by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 8,507,122 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $394,730,000 after acquiring an additional 84,611 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its holdings in FTAI Aviation by 159.1% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 880,084 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $40,836,000 after acquiring an additional 540,379 shares during the period. Tucker Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in FTAI Aviation by 726.5% in the 4th quarter. Tucker Asset Management LLC now owns 1,653 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $77,000 after acquiring an additional 1,453 shares during the period. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new position in FTAI Aviation in the 4th quarter worth approximately $631,000. Finally, Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky boosted its holdings in FTAI Aviation by 147.5% in the 4th quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 58,713 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,724,000 after acquiring an additional 34,995 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.95% of the companys stock.

FTAI Aviation Company Profile

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FTAI Aviation Ltd. owns and acquires aviation and offshore energy equipment for the transportation of goods and people worldwide. It operates through two segments, Aviation Leasing and Aerospace Products. The Aviation Leasing segment owns and manages aviation assets, including aircraft and aircraft engines, which it leases and sells to customers.

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Galvin Gaustad & Stein LLC cut its stake in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG  Free Report) by 0.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 234,077 shares of the companys stock after selling 563 shares during the period. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF accounts for approximately 2.2% of Galvin Gaustad & Stein LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 11th largest position. Galvin Gaustad & Stein LLCs holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF were worth $23,232,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management raised its holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 145.5% during 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 during the period. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 36.2% in the 1st quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 52,003 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,570,000 after buying an additional 13,829 shares during the period. Worth Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $44,000. Baltimore Washington Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF in the first quarter valued at approximately $241,000. Finally, West Michigan Advisors LLC lifted its holdings 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 in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.21% of the companys stock.

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iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Price Performance

Shares of AGG stock opened at $97.50 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $97.80 and its 200-day moving average price is $96.31. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF has a twelve month low of $91.58 and a twelve month high of $100.98.

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF 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.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AGG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG  Free Report).

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General American Investors Company, Inc. (NYSE:GAM  Get Free Report) insider Anang K. Majmudar acquired 430 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 21st. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $46.19 per share, with a total value of $19,861.70. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider now directly owns 4,002 shares of the companys stock, valued at $184,852.38. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink.

General American Investors Stock Down 0.4 %

NYSE GAM traded down $0.19 on Friday, hitting $46.05. 5,288 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 20,313. General American Investors Company, Inc. has a 52-week low of $36.95 and a 52-week high of $46.48. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $44.40 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $42.59.

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Institutional Trading of General American Investors

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. City of London Investment Management Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of General American Investors by 96.2% in the third quarter. City of London Investment Management Co. Ltd. now owns 28,448 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,170,000 after acquiring an additional 13,952 shares in the last quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC raised its holdings in General American Investors by 27.3% in the second quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 17,199 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $718,000 after purchasing an additional 3,684 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its holdings in General American Investors by 7.1% in the third quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 567,265 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $23,337,000 after purchasing an additional 37,683 shares in the last quarter. Advisor Partners II LLC bought a new position in General American Investors in the third quarter worth about $2,951,000. Finally, AQR Arbitrage LLC raised its holdings in General American Investors by 185.1% in the third quarter. AQR Arbitrage LLC now owns 59,684 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $2,455,000 after purchasing an additional 38,752 shares in the last quarter. 23.71% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About General American Investors

General American Investors Company, Inc is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm invests in the public equity markets of United States. It invests in growth stocks of companies. It makes investments in Information Technology, Financials, Consumer Staples, Consumer Discretionary, Retailing, Communication Services, Industrials, Health Care, Energy and Materials.

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Gran Tierra Energy (NYSEAMERICAN:GTE  Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities researchers at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report issued on Wednesday.

Several other analysts also recently issued reports on the company. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on Gran Tierra Energy from $9.00 to $10.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Wednesday, March 13th. TheStreet downgraded Gran Tierra Energy from a c- rating to a d rating in a report on Wednesday, March 6th.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on GTE

Gran Tierra Energy Stock Performance

NYSEAMERICAN GTE opened at $6.65 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a current ratio of 0.43. The stock has a market cap of $214.46 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -33.25 and a beta of 1.58. Gran Tierra Energy has a 1 year low of $4.62 and a 1 year high of $9.70.

Gran Tierra Energy (NYSEAMERICAN:GTE  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 20th. The company reported $0.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.10) by $0.33. The firm had revenue of $154.94 million for the quarter. Gran Tierra Energy had a negative return on equity of 1.60% and a negative net margin of 0.99%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Gran Tierra Energy

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership bought a new stake in shares of Gran Tierra Energy in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $7,986,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its stake in shares of Gran Tierra Energy by 695.5% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 5,037,200 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,909,000 after buying an additional 4,404,000 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada grew its stake in shares of Gran Tierra Energy by 19.1% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 12,270,521 shares of the companys stock valued at $19,265,000 after buying an additional 1,970,245 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Gran Tierra Energy by 71.7% in the 4th quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 4,621,446 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,575,000 after buying an additional 1,930,480 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Millennium Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Gran Tierra Energy by 1,322.1% in the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 1,750,648 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,738,000 after buying an additional 1,627,545 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 33.84% of the companys stock.

About Gran Tierra Energy

(Get Free Report)

Gran Tierra Energy Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration and production of oil and gas properties in Colombia and Ecuador. The company was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

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Northern Dynasty Minerals (NYSEAMERICAN:NAK  Free Report) (TSE:NDM) had its price target decreased by HC Wainwright from $0.90 to $0.80 in a research report report published on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. HC Wainwright currently has a buy rating on the mining companys stock.

Northern Dynasty Minerals Stock Down 2.1 %

Shares of NYSEAMERICAN NAK opened at $0.29 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $158.09 million, a P/E ratio of -7.35 and a beta of 0.70. Northern Dynasty Minerals has a 52 week low of $0.21 and a 52 week high of $0.43.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Northern Dynasty Minerals

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Renaissance Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Northern Dynasty Minerals in the first quarter valued at $49,000. UBS Group AG grew its stake in Northern Dynasty Minerals by 243.5% during the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 132,433 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $56,000 after purchasing an additional 93,875 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC acquired a new stake in Northern Dynasty Minerals during the first quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Millennium Management LLC lifted its stake in Northern Dynasty Minerals by 34.5% in the second quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 389,467 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $101,000 after buying an additional 99,796 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Virtu Financial LLC boosted its position in Northern Dynasty Minerals by 113.5% during the 4th quarter. Virtu Financial LLC now owns 114,856 shares of the mining companys stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 61,047 shares during the period. 9.25% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Northern Dynasty Minerals

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. engages in the exploration of mineral properties in the United States. It holds a 100% interest in the Pebble Copper-Gold-Molybdenum-Silver-Rhenium project comprising 1,840 mineral claims that covers an area of approximately 274 square miles located in southwest Alaska, the United States.

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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 contrast to its competitors? We will compare Knife River to related companies based on the strength of its valuation, dividends, profitability, analyst recommendations, earnings, risk and institutional ownership.

Profitability

This table compares Knife River and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Knife River 6.46% 15.98% 7.14% Knife River Competitors 20.38% -22.53% 3.80%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings for Knife River and its competitors, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Knife River 0 1 5 0 2.83 Knife River Competitors 232 1076 1440 13 2.45

Institutional & Insider Ownership

Knife River presently has a consensus target price of $72.20, indicating a potential downside of 8.06%. As a group, Mining & quarrying of nonmetallic minerals, except fuels companies have a potential upside of 9.35%. Given Knife Rivers competitors higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Knife River has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors.

67.1% of Knife River shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 50.1% of shares of all Mining & quarrying of nonmetallic minerals, except fuels companies are held by institutional investors. 7.0% of shares of all Mining & quarrying of nonmetallic minerals, except fuels companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Knife River and its competitors top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Knife River $2.83 billion $182.87 million -0.15 Knife River Competitors $2.25 billion $333.32 million 6.54

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.

Knife River Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Knife River Corporation provides aggregates-based construction materials and contracting services in the United States. It operates through six segments: Pacific, Northwest, Mountain, North Central, South, and Energy Services. The company mines, processes, and sells construction aggregates, including crushed stone and sand, and gravel; and produces and sells asphalt and ready-mix concrete, as well as provides contracting service, such as heavy-civil construction, asphalt and concrete paving, and site development and grading. It also sells merchandise and other building materials and related services. The company serves federal, state, and municipal governments for various projects, such as highways, bridges, airports, schools, public buildings, and other public-infrastructure projects, as well as industrial, commercial, and residential developers. The company was founded in 1917 and is based in Bismarck, North Dakota.

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Hyatt Hotels Co. (NYSE:H  Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Hold by the fifteen research firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $134.56.

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on H shares. Morgan Stanley lowered shares of Hyatt Hotels from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and increased their target price for the stock from $149.00 to $156.00 in a research report on Monday, March 11th. TheStreet raised Hyatt Hotels from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Thursday, December 14th. Robert W. Baird boosted their price objective on Hyatt Hotels from $116.00 to $134.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, February 13th. Evercore ISI reaffirmed an in-line rating and issued a $135.00 target price on shares of Hyatt Hotels in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Hyatt Hotels from $119.00 to $128.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, January 29th.

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Read Our Latest Stock Report on Hyatt Hotels

Insiders Place Their Bets

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hyatt Hotels

In other news, major shareholder F.L.P. Trust #14 sold 1,283,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.96, for a total value of $200,096,680.00. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link . In other Hyatt Hotels news, insider Jnp Parachute Mirror Trust L sold 66,701 shares of Hyatt Hotels stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.21, for a total transaction of $8,418,333.21. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . Also, major shareholder F.L.P. Trust #14 sold 1,283,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.96, for a total value of $200,096,680.00. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold 1,440,275 shares of company stock worth $222,698,127 in the last ninety days. 21.24% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its holdings in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 59.4% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 256,384 shares of the companys stock worth $24,472,000 after buying an additional 95,574 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. raised its holdings in Hyatt Hotels by 31.4% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 3,991 shares of the companys stock valued at $381,000 after acquiring an additional 953 shares during the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. lifted its stake in Hyatt Hotels by 13.2% in the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 18,865 shares of the companys stock worth $1,801,000 after purchasing an additional 2,194 shares in the last quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. acquired a new position in shares of Hyatt Hotels during the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,214,000. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Hyatt Hotels in the first quarter valued at approximately $94,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 46.03% of the companys stock.

Hyatt Hotels Stock Up 0.7 %

Shares of Hyatt Hotels stock opened at $159.37 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $16.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 78.12, a PEG ratio of 22.71 and a beta of 1.49. The stocks 50-day moving average is $140.52 and its 200 day moving average is $123.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.60 and a quick ratio of 0.59. Hyatt Hotels has a one year low of $96.77 and a one year high of $159.93.

Hyatt Hotels (NYSE:H  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 23rd. The company reported $0.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.38 by $0.26. The firm had revenue of $1.66 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.56 billion. Hyatt Hotels had a net margin of 3.30% and a return on equity of 7.59%. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.55 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Hyatt Hotels will post 3.2 EPS for the current year.

Hyatt Hotels Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 12th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 28th were given a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 27th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.38%. Hyatt Hotelss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 29.41%.

About Hyatt Hotels

(Get Free Report

Hyatt Hotels Corporation operates as a hospitality company in the United States and internationally. It operates through Owned and Leased Hotels, Americas Management and Franchising, ASPAC Management and Franchising, EAME Management and Franchising, and Apple Leisure Group segments. The company manages, franchises, licenses, owns, and leases portfolio of properties, consisting of full-service hotels and resorts, select service hotels, and other properties, including timeshare, fractional, residential, vacation, and condominium units.

Further Reading

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IFM Investors Pty Ltd reduced its stake in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 0.4% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 237,868 shares of the companys stock after selling 959 shares during the period. IFM Investors Pty Ltds holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $22,379,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Aspen Grove Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 13.0% in the second quarter. Aspen Grove Capital LLC now owns 4,756 shares of the companys stock valued at $470,000 after purchasing an additional 547 shares during the period. Elevated Capital Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Philip Morris International by 2.8% in the second quarter. Elevated Capital Advisors LLC now owns 17,016 shares of the companys stock worth $1,661,000 after acquiring an additional 471 shares during the period. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. increased its position in Philip Morris International by 2.3% during the 4th quarter. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. now owns 603,442 shares of the companys stock valued at $56,772,000 after purchasing an additional 13,416 shares during the period. Kentucky Retirement Systems bought a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International in the 3rd quarter valued at about $11,288,000. Finally, Amica Mutual Insurance Co. raised its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 5.5% in the 3rd quarter. Amica Mutual Insurance Co. now owns 147,492 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,655,000 after purchasing an additional 7,726 shares in the last quarter. 79.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Philip Morris International news, insider Massimo Andolina sold 8,250 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, March 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.63, for a total transaction of $772,447.50. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 94,629 shares in the company, valued at $8,860,113.27. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Philip Morris International news, insider Massimo Andolina sold 8,250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, March 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.63, for a total value of $772,447.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 94,629 shares in the company, valued at $8,860,113.27. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, VP Reginaldo Dobrowolski sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.69, for a total value of $181,380.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 9,726 shares in the company, valued at $882,050.94. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 15,250 shares of company stock valued at $1,411,128 over the last quarter. 0.13% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Philip Morris International Stock Down 0.7 %

Shares of NYSE:PM traded down $0.67 during trading on Friday, reaching $91.53. 1,376,433 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,188,234. Philip Morris International Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $87.23 and a fifty-two week high of $101.92. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $91.87 and a 200-day simple moving average of $92.57. The firm has a market cap of $142.10 billion, a PE ratio of 18.36, a P/E/G ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 0.61.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The company reported $1.36 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.44 by ($0.08). The company had revenue of $9.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.99 billion. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 116.29% and a net margin of 8.53%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.39 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.39 EPS for the current year.

Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 9th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 21st will be given a dividend of $1.30 per share. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.68%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 20th. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is presently 103.59%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on PM. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 29th. Societe Generale upgraded Philip Morris International from a sell rating to a hold rating and set a $87.50 price target on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. Argus reiterated a hold rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Tuesday, March 5th. Finally, UBS Group lowered shares of Philip Morris International from a buy rating to a sell rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $105.00 to $86.50 in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Philip Morris International presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $105.40.

View Our Latest Stock Report on PM

About Philip Morris International

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

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StockNews.com cut shares of Infosys (NYSE:INFY  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday.

Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the stock. HSBC lowered shares of Infosys from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on Infosys from $18.00 to $21.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Friday, January 12th. UBS Group raised Infosys from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Infosys from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Finally, Guggenheim initiated coverage on shares of Infosys in a report on Tuesday. They issued a neutral rating and a $20.00 price objective for the company. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Infosys has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $20.76.

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Infosys Stock Down 3.8 %

INFY opened at $18.21 on Tuesday. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $19.82 and its 200 day simple moving average is $18.34. Infosys has a 52 week low of $14.71 and a 52 week high of $20.74. The stock has a market cap of $75.35 billion, a PE ratio of 25.65, a P/E/G ratio of 2.67 and a beta of 0.95.

Infosys (NYSE:INFY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 11th. The technology company reported $0.18 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.17 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $4.66 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.58 billion. Infosys had a return on equity of 31.25% and a net margin of 15.91%. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Infosys will post 0.71 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Infosys

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of INFY. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in shares of Infosys by 14.4% during the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 83,099,498 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,335,409,000 after acquiring an additional 10,480,541 shares in the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought a new stake in shares of Infosys in the 3rd quarter worth $158,356,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Infosys by 138.5% in the second quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 14,876,013 shares of the technology companys stock worth $239,056,000 after purchasing an additional 8,638,307 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Infosys by 34.6% during the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 19,989,499 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $497,539,000 after purchasing an additional 5,143,124 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its position in shares of Infosys by 294.2% during the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 5,570,314 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $89,515,000 after buying an additional 4,157,198 shares during the last quarter. 11.39% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Infosys Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Infosys Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides consulting, technology, outsourcing, and next-generation digital services in North America, Europe, India, and internationally. It provides application management and application development services, independent validation solutions, product engineering and management, infrastructure management services, traditional enterprise application implementation, support, and integration services.

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An opinion piece that you describe, praises or criticizes, on the whole or partly, to cultural or entertainment work. It must be written by an expert on the matter

Not being able (nor wanting) to resort to the internet, an inexhaustible and now exclusive source of information, I usually have no idea what Im going to see at press screenings. I attend them most of the time in a state of virginity. And sometimes I come out drowsy, or indifferent, or blaspheming. As such, I was not aware of the plot of One Life. It is due to chance, or to my love for what seems to me to be great cinema, that an evening earlier I had reviewed at home Goodbye, Children, that moving masterpiece by Louis Malle.

And in recent months I have also suffered again through the harrowing Schindlers List and The Pianist. And my eyes watered again at the end of Goodbye, Children, with the boy and his Jewish friend saying goodbye almost furtively, and forever, with his gaze and his little hand, on their way to the extermination camps, along with two other disguised Jewish children and the priest who hid and protected them. It is marvelous how Malle narrates, with such credibility, depth and complexity, a story so full of life, so joyful, and so sad.

Johnny Flynn and Helena Bonham Carter in 'One Life.'

Impregnated by the images and sounds of the previous film, I discover within a few minutes that One Life also deals with the monstrosity of the Holocaust. The story recounted here is apparently true, although the filmmakers logically allow themselves some license. An English citizen, a prosperous stockbroker, set out in 1939 to seek refuge in British homes for hundreds of Jewish children in Prague, destined to be savaged by Nazi barbarism when Czechoslovakia was invaded. Nicholas Winton, helped by his resolute and humanist mother, circumvented the bureaucracy, dreamed up escape routes, tirelessly sought the solidarity of English families willing to take them in, and managed to evacuate 669 children clandestinely by train. He never publicized his feat, but he jealously guarded in his memory and through multiple documents everything that had taken place. He remained anonymous until the 1980s when a famous BBC television program, in which he agreed to be interviewed, allowed him to discover the past and the present of those children, whom he had never heard anything about again.

The story and its glorious denouement bring together a multitude of dramatic and humanistic elements to make the viewer melt, but in my case it doesnt happen. What director James Hawes recounts is very transcendent (his resume includes several episodes of the uneven television series Black Mirror, I do not know whether the best or worst of them), but he does so in an academic way, with a tendency to the conventional, failing to provoke either warmth of frigidity in me even if he resorts abusively to music, that easy resource, to convey emotion to the viewer.

What is difficult to ignore is the presence of the aging Anthony Hopkins. Winton  an introverted, anti-exhibitionist, native-born, enlightened, tenacious and honest man, in zealous possession of a memory committed to history and to his extraordinary and generous experiences  is made believable by the presence of Hopkins. Yes, the most fascinating cannibal in the history of cinema. Hopkins is a pleasure to watch. As is Helena Bonham Carter, pure and timeless class, playing Wintons collaborating mother. The Holocaust theme should be inexhaustible. But it is better if directors like Spielberg, Polanski, Malle and, more recently, Jonathan Glazer with The Zone of Interest take it on. And it would be desirable that films and series also portray the massacre of children that is being perpetrated in Gaza, although this subject is still too raw to see the light of day on-screen.

'One Life' Director: James Hawes. Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Lena Olin, Johnny Flynn, Helena Bonham Carter, Tim Steed. Genre: Drama. United Kingdom, 2023. Runtime: 109 minutes. Release date: March 22 (Spain), March 15 (USA).

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Africa Oil Corp (CVE:AOI  Get Free Report) Director Roger Morris Tucker purchased 80,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 19th. The stock was acquired at an average price of C$2.23 per share, with a total value of C$178,072.00.

Africa Oil Stock Performance

Africa Oil Corp has a 12-month low of C$9.85 and a 12-month high of C$30.70.

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Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. (NYSE:AESI  Get Free Report) EVP Jeffrey L. Allison sold 1,547 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.50, for a total transaction of $34,807.50. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 132,518 shares in the company, valued at $2,981,655. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website.

Atlas Energy Solutions Price Performance

NYSE AESI opened at $22.44 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $18.57 and its 200 day moving average is $18.98. The company has a market capitalization of $2.24 billion and a PE ratio of 14.29. Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $15.28 and a fifty-two week high of $24.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 3.21 and a current ratio of 3.44.

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Atlas Energy Solutions (NYSE:AESI  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The company reported $0.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.61 by ($0.24). Atlas Energy Solutions had a return on equity of 47.40% and a net margin of 17.17%. The business had revenue of $141.14 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $147.34 million. Sell-side analysts predict that Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. will post 2.98 earnings per share for the current year.

Atlas Energy Solutions Increases Dividend

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Atlas Energy Solutions

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 29th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 22nd were paid a dividend of $0.21 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 21st. This is a boost from Atlas Energy Solutionss previous quarterly dividend of $0.20. This represents a $0.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.74%. Atlas Energy Solutionss payout ratio is currently 40.76%.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of AESI. Royal Bank of Canada raised its holdings in shares of Atlas Energy Solutions by 526.7% in the 2nd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 2,206 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 1,854 shares in the last quarter. Tucker Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Atlas Energy Solutions during the third quarter valued at about $49,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Atlas Energy Solutions in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $53,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC acquired a new stake in Atlas Energy Solutions in the first quarter valued at approximately $68,000. Finally, Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio acquired a new position in shares of Atlas Energy Solutions during the second quarter worth $69,000. 17.86% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

AESI has been the topic of several recent research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on Atlas Energy Solutions in a research note on Thursday, March 14th. They issued a buy rating and a $24.00 price target on the stock. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Atlas Energy Solutions from $23.00 to $26.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 5th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on Atlas Energy Solutions from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Atlas Energy Solutions currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $25.00.

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About Atlas Energy Solutions

(Get Free Report)

Atlas Energy Solutions Inc provides proppant and logistics services to the oil and natural gas industry within the Permian Basin of West Texas and New Mexico. The company was founded in 2017 and is based in Austin, Texas.

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Investment Advisory Services Inc. TX ADV decreased its position in Apartment Income REIT Corp. (NYSE:AIRC  Free Report) by 20.6% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 6,295 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,638 shares during the quarter. Investment Advisory Services Inc. TX ADVs holdings in Apartment Income REIT were worth $219,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in AIRC. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in shares of Apartment Income REIT by 77.7% in the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 12,101,876 shares of the companys stock worth $436,757,000 after acquiring an additional 5,292,636 shares in the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. boosted its holdings in shares of Apartment Income REIT by 1,327.1% in the 2nd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 3,969,503 shares of the companys stock worth $143,259,000 after buying an additional 3,691,350 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Apartment Income REIT in the 4th quarter worth about $53,319,000. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Apartment Income REIT by 13.8% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 8,563,449 shares of the companys stock worth $457,802,000 after buying an additional 1,041,150 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Lasalle Investment Management Securities LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Apartment Income REIT by 195.6% in the 3rd quarter. Lasalle Investment Management Securities LLC now owns 1,555,044 shares of the companys stock worth $47,740,000 after buying an additional 1,029,054 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 98.13% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Thomas N. Bohjalian acquired 889 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 14th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $31.50 per share, for a total transaction of $28,003.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 20,000 shares in the company, valued at $630,000. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 1.00% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Apartment Income REIT Trading Up 2.4 %

Apartment Income REIT Dividend Announcement

Shares of Apartment Income REIT stock opened at $32.12 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10. The companys 50-day moving average price is $32.25 and its 200-day moving average price is $31.97. The company has a market cap of $4.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.59 and a beta of 0.89. Apartment Income REIT Corp. has a 12-month low of $28.22 and a 12-month high of $37.36.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, February 27th. Investors of record on Friday, February 16th were given a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.60%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 15th. Apartment Income REITs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 42.55%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on AIRC. Raymond James downgraded shares of Apartment Income REIT from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Monday. TheStreet raised shares of Apartment Income REIT from a d+ rating to a c rating in a report on Tuesday, December 12th. Mizuho downgraded shares of Apartment Income REIT from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $37.00 to $31.00 in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $34.00 price objective on shares of Apartment Income REIT in a report on Thursday, February 22nd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $37.71.

View Our Latest Report on AIRC

Apartment Income REIT Company Profile

(Free Report)

Apartment Income REIT Corp (NYSE: AIRC) is a publicly traded, self-administered real estate investment trust (REIT). AIR's portfolio comprises 76 communities totaling 27,010 apartment homes located in 10 states and the District of Columbia. AIR offers a simple, predictable business model with focus on what we call the AIR Edge, the cumulative result of our focus on resident selection, satisfaction, and retention, as well as relentless innovation in delivering best-in-class property management.

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Yum! Brands (NYSE:YUM  Free Report) had its target price upped by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $133.00 to $134.00 in a research note published on Tuesday morning, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a neutral rating on the restaurant operators stock.

A number of other research firms also recently commented on YUM. Stifel Nicolaus reiterated a hold rating and issued a $135.00 target price on shares of Yum! Brands in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. Oppenheimer upgraded Yum! Brands from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $154.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 5th. TD Cowen upped their price objective on Yum! Brands from $144.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, March 7th. Citigroup upped their price objective on Yum! Brands from $164.00 to $166.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 8th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price objective on Yum! Brands from $145.00 to $141.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 9th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Yum! Brands has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $145.00.

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Yum! Brands Trading Up 0.0 %

NYSE:YUM opened at $136.56 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $38.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.43, a P/E/G ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 1.10. Yum! Brands has a 12 month low of $115.53 and a 12 month high of $143.24. The businesss 50-day moving average is $133.79 and its 200 day moving average is $128.51.

Yum! Brands (NYSE:YUM  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 7th. The restaurant operator reported $1.26 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.39 by ($0.13). The firm had revenue of $2.04 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.11 billion. Yum! Brands had a negative return on equity of 17.76% and a net margin of 22.57%. Yum! Brandss quarterly revenue was up .8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.31 earnings per share. On average, research analysts forecast that Yum! Brands will post 5.73 earnings per share for the current year.

Yum! Brands Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 21st were paid a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 20th. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.96%. This is a boost from Yum! Brandss previous quarterly dividend of $0.61. Yum! Brandss dividend payout ratio is 47.94%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Yum! Brands news, CEO David W. Gibbs sold 3,756 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.21, for a total transaction of $485,312.76. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 57,325 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,406,963.25. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other Yum! Brands news, CEO David W. Gibbs sold 3,756 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.21, for a total transaction of $485,312.76. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 57,325 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,406,963.25. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, VP David Eric Russell sold 9,919 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.63, for a total value of $1,285,799.97. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 18,661 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,419,025.43. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 20,742 shares of company stock valued at $2,734,628 over the last quarter. 0.31% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Yum! Brands

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of YUM. RB Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Yum! Brands by 9.7% during the 1st quarter. RB Capital Management LLC now owns 4,890 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $580,000 after purchasing an additional 431 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in shares of Yum! Brands by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 761,575 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $90,284,000 after purchasing an additional 3,024 shares during the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board purchased a new stake in shares of Yum! Brands during the 1st quarter valued at $664,000. Moors & Cabot Inc. raised its stake in Yum! Brands by 7.4% in the 1st quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 7,530 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $893,000 after acquiring an additional 517 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. raised its stake in Yum! Brands by 10.8% in the 1st quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 2,862 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $339,000 after acquiring an additional 279 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.17% of the companys stock.

Yum! Brands Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Yum! Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, develops, operates, and franchises quick service restaurants worldwide. The company operates through the KFC Division, the Taco Bell Division, the Pizza Hut Division, and the Habit Burger Grill Division segments. It also operates restaurants under the KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and The Habit Burger Grill brands, which specialize in chicken, pizza, made-to-order chargrilled burgers, sandwiches, Mexican-style food categories, and other food products.

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StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Mexco Energy (NYSE:MXC  Free Report) in a research note published on Monday morning. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the stock.

Separately, TheStreet downgraded shares of Mexco Energy from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 6th.

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Mexco Energy Stock Performance

NYSE:MXC opened at $10.04 on Monday. The firms fifty day moving average is $10.01 and its 200-day moving average is $11.00. Mexco Energy has a 52 week low of $9.02 and a 52 week high of $13.84. The firm has a market cap of $21.08 million, a P/E ratio of 11.16 and a beta of 0.70.

Mexco Energy (NYSE:MXC  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 9th. The company reported $0.16 EPS for the quarter. Mexco Energy had a net margin of 28.37% and a return on equity of 11.61%. The company had revenue of $1.66 million for the quarter.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Mexco Energy by 270.3% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 61,108 shares of the companys stock valued at $990,000 after acquiring an additional 44,605 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its holdings in Mexco Energy by 2.5% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 41,094 shares of the companys stock worth $666,000 after buying an additional 999 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its holdings in Mexco Energy by 84.2% during the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 35,000 shares of the companys stock worth $602,000 after buying an additional 16,000 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 6.59% of the companys stock.

About Mexco Energy

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Mexco Energy Corporation, an independent oil and gas company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of natural gas, crude oil, condensate, and natural gas liquids in the United States. It owns partial interests in approximately 6,400 gross producing wells located in the states of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Wyoming, Kansas, Colorado, Montana, Virginia, North Dakota, and Ohio.

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Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Get Free Report) dropped 0.5% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $128.11 and last traded at $128.20. Approximately 1,285,093 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 76% from the average daily volume of 5,297,479 shares. The stock had previously closed at $128.90.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have weighed in on NVO. TD Cowen boosted their target price on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, December 4th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and set a $160.00 price objective on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley started coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. They set an overweight rating and a $120.00 target price for the company. Finally, UBS Group began coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. They issued a neutral rating on the stock. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $126.25.

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Novo Nordisk A/S Price Performance

The stocks 50-day moving average price is $119.54 and its 200 day moving average price is $101.55. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The firm has a market cap of $578.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 47.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 0.41.

Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The company reported $0.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.66 by $0.05. Novo Nordisk A/S had a net margin of 36.03% and a return on equity of 90.36%. The business had revenue of $9.51 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.14 billion. Equities research analysts predict that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.36 earnings per share for the current year.

Novo Nordisk A/S Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 25th will be issued a dividend of $0.664 per share. This represents a yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 22nd. This is a positive change from Novo Nordisk A/Ss previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.22. Novo Nordisk A/Ss payout ratio is currently 22.92%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Novo Nordisk A/S

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Westside Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S by 83.3% in the third quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,428 shares of the companys stock worth $130,000 after purchasing an additional 649 shares during the period. Kranot Hishtalmut Le Morim Tichoniim Havera Menahelet LTD bought a new position in Novo Nordisk A/S in the third quarter valued at approximately $2,408,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 182.2% in the third quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 1,494,214 shares of the companys stock valued at $135,883,000 after buying an additional 964,640 shares during the period. Benedict Financial Advisors Inc. lifted its position in Novo Nordisk A/S by 94.0% in the 3rd quarter. Benedict Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 44,292 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,028,000 after acquiring an additional 21,457 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CENTRAL TRUST Co increased its holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S by 111.6% during the 3rd quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 6,004 shares of the companys stock worth $546,000 after purchasing an additional 3,166 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 6.41% of the companys stock.

About Novo Nordisk A/S

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Novo Nordisk A/S, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research and development, manufacture, and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North America, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity Care, and Rare Disease.

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NRG Energy (NYSE:NRG  Free Report) had its target price hoisted by Wells Fargo & Company from $65.00 to $78.00 in a research note released on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an overweight rating on the utilities providers stock.

NRG has been the subject of several other reports. TheStreet raised NRG Energy from a c+ rating to a b rating in a report on Friday, December 29th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of NRG Energy from $52.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, March 1st. StockNews.com raised shares of NRG Energy from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, March 6th. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on shares of NRG Energy from $58.00 to $59.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Finally, Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on NRG Energy from $55.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research report on Monday. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, NRG Energy presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $55.88.

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NRG Energy Stock Down 0.2 %

NRG Energy stock opened at $67.02 on Tuesday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $55.57 and its 200 day moving average price is $48.33. The company has a market cap of $14.39 billion, a PE ratio of -62.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.31 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.49, a current ratio of 1.02 and a quick ratio of 0.96. NRG Energy has a 1-year low of $30.50 and a 1-year high of $67.96.

NRG Energy (NYSE:NRG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 28th. The utilities provider reported $1.14 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.94 by $0.20. NRG Energy had a negative net margin of 0.70% and a positive return on equity of 44.03%. The business had revenue of $6.81 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.51 billion. On average, sell-side analysts predict that NRG Energy will post 5.69 EPS for the current fiscal year.

NRG Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 1st were issued a $0.4075 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, January 31st. This is an increase from NRG Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.38. This represents a $1.63 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.43%. NRG Energys payout ratio is -152.34%.

Insider Transactions at NRG Energy

In related news, VP Rasesh M. Patel sold 49,092 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.59, for a total value of $3,072,668.28. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 356,962 shares in the company, valued at $22,342,251.58. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.86% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On NRG Energy

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of NRG. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of NRG Energy by 145.4% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 4,746,180 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $182,064,000 after purchasing an additional 2,812,434 shares in the last quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of NRG Energy by 2,317.0% during the 4th quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC now owns 1,759,559 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $90,969,000 after acquiring an additional 1,686,761 shares in the last quarter. Natixis purchased a new stake in NRG Energy during the 2nd quarter worth $59,850,000. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in NRG Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $49,072,000. Finally, Hudson Bay Capital Management LP lifted its stake in shares of NRG Energy by 326.7% during the first quarter. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP now owns 1,600,000 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $54,864,000 after purchasing an additional 1,225,000 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.72% of the companys stock.

NRG Energy Company Profile

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NRG Energy, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy and home services company in the United States and Canada. It operates through Texas; East; West/Services/Other; Vivint Smart Home; and Corporate Activities segments. The company produces and sells electricity generated using coal, oil, solar, and battery storage; natural gas; and a cloud-based home platform, including hardware, software, sales, installation, customer service, technical support, and professional monitoring solutions.

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Premium Brands (OTCMKTS:PRBZF  Free Report) had its target price decreased by CIBC from $102.00 to $97.00 in a research note issued to investors on Monday morning, Benzinga reports. CIBC currently has a neutral rating on the stock.

Separately, Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on Premium Brands from $103.00 to $99.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Monday. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $116.00.

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Premium Brands Stock Up 3.2 %

About Premium Brands

PRBZF opened at $65.90 on Monday. Premium Brands has a 12-month low of $63.89 and a 12-month high of $83.35. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $67.77 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $69.05.

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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.

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Generation Hemp (OTCMKTS:GENH  Get Free Report) and Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE:BR  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, dividends, risk, valuation, analyst recommendations, profitability and earnings.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

89.4% of Broadridge Financial Solutions shares are owned by institutional investors. 60.9% of Generation Hemp shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.6% of Broadridge Financial Solutions shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

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Risk and Volatility

Generation Hemp has a beta of -0.38, indicating that its share price is 138% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Broadridge Financial Solutions has a beta of 0.99, indicating that its share price is 1% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Earnings & Valuation

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Generation Hemp $680,000.00 36.83 -$9.82 million N/A N/A Broadridge Financial Solutions $6.06 billion 3.95 $630.60 million $5.74 35.45

This table compares Generation Hemp and Broadridge Financial Solutions top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Broadridge Financial Solutions has higher revenue and earnings than Generation Hemp.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent recommendations for Generation Hemp and Broadridge Financial Solutions, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Generation Hemp 0 0 0 0 N/A Broadridge Financial Solutions 0 4 3 0 2.43

Broadridge Financial Solutions has a consensus price target of $203.17, indicating a potential downside of 0.17%. Given Broadridge Financial Solutions higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Broadridge Financial Solutions is more favorable than Generation Hemp.

Profitability

This table compares Generation Hemp and Broadridge Financial Solutions net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Generation Hemp -674.14% -15,656.36% -195.12% Broadridge Financial Solutions 10.82% 41.12% 10.58%

Summary

Broadridge Financial Solutions beats Generation Hemp on 9 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Generation Hemp

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Evergreen Sustainable Enterprises, Inc. operates as a hemp company. It engages in leases warehouse space to hemp seed growers. The company was founded on July 28, 2008 and is headquartered in Dallas, TX.

About Broadridge Financial Solutions

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Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. provides investor communications and technology-driven solutions for the financial services industry. The company's Investor Communication Solutions segment processes and distributes proxy materials to investors in equity securities and mutual funds, as well as facilitates related vote processing services; and distributes regulatory reports, class action, and corporate action/reorganization event information, as well as tax reporting solutions. It also offers ProxyEdge, an electronic proxy delivery and voting solution; data-driven solutions and an end-to-end platform for content management, composition, and omni-channel distribution of regulatory, marketing, and transactional information, as well as mutual fund trade processing services; solutions for public corporations and mutual funds; data and analytics solutions; SEC filing and capital markets transaction services; registrar, stock transfer, and record-keeping services; and omni-channel customer communications solutions, as well as operates Broadridge Communications Cloud platform that creates, delivers, and manages communications and customer engagement activities. Its Global Technology and Operations segment provides solutions that automate the front-to-back transaction lifecycle of equity, mutual fund, fixed income, foreign exchange and exchange-traded derivatives, order capture and execution, trade confirmation, margin, cash management, clearing and settlement, reference data management, reconciliations, securities financing and collateral management, asset servicing, compliance and regulatory reporting, portfolio accounting, and custody-related services. This segment also offers business process outsourcing services; technology solutions, such portfolio management, compliance, fee billing, and operational support solutions; and capital market and wealth and investment management solutions. The company was founded in 1962 and is headquartered in Lake Success, New York.

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Samsara Inc. (NYSE:IOT  Get Free Report) CEO Sanjit Biswas sold 84,137 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.36, for a total value of $3,059,221.32. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 455,784 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,572,306.24. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website.

Sanjit Biswas also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Tuesday, March 12th, Sanjit Biswas sold 96,000 shares of Samsara stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $38.70, for a total transaction of $3,715,200.00.

On Tuesday, March 5th, Sanjit Biswas sold 96,000 shares of Samsara stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $33.20, for a total transaction of $3,187,200.00.

On Tuesday, February 27th, Sanjit Biswas sold 80,342 shares of Samsara stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $33.74, for a total value of $2,710,739.08.

On Tuesday, February 13th, Sanjit Biswas sold 96,000 shares of Samsara stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.92, for a total value of $3,160,320.00.

On Tuesday, February 6th, Sanjit Biswas sold 79,165 shares of Samsara stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $31.42, for a total value of $2,487,364.30.

On Tuesday, January 30th, Sanjit Biswas sold 92,216 shares of Samsara stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $31.93, for a total transaction of $2,944,456.88.

On Tuesday, January 23rd, Sanjit Biswas sold 96,000 shares of Samsara stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.50, for a total transaction of $3,120,000.00.

On Tuesday, January 16th, Sanjit Biswas sold 96,000 shares of Samsara stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $33.85, for a total transaction of $3,249,600.00.

On Tuesday, January 9th, Sanjit Biswas sold 87,127 shares of Samsara stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.63, for a total value of $2,842,954.01.

On Tuesday, January 2nd, Sanjit Biswas sold 96,000 shares of Samsara stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.76, for a total transaction of $3,048,960.00.

Samsara Stock Performance

Shares of IOT stock opened at $37.05 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $20.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -70.15 and a beta of 1.55. Samsara Inc. has a 52 week low of $16.63 and a 52 week high of $40.54. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $33.96 and a 200 day simple moving average of $30.19.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Samsara

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in IOT. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Samsara by 40.1% in the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 889,656 shares of the companys stock valued at $22,428,000 after purchasing an additional 254,473 shares during the period. Creative Planning bought a new stake in shares of Samsara in the third quarter valued at approximately $5,878,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its position in Samsara by 608.4% during the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 745,565 shares of the companys stock worth $18,796,000 after buying an additional 640,321 shares in the last quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky increased its stake in Samsara by 54.9% during the 3rd quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 105,316 shares of the companys stock worth $2,656,000 after acquiring an additional 37,316 shares during the period. Finally, Qsemble Capital Management LP bought a new position in shares of Samsara in the third quarter worth $1,102,000. Institutional investors own 52.47% of the companys stock.

A number of research firms recently issued reports on IOT. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Samsara from $32.00 to $34.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, December 1st. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of Samsara from $25.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, December 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Samsara from $27.00 to $30.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, December 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on shares of Samsara from $31.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 1st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of Samsara from $34.00 to $35.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, December 1st. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $31.56.

Read Our Latest Research Report on IOT

Samsara Company Profile

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Samsara Inc provides solutions that connect physical operations data to its Connected Operations Cloud in the United States and internationally. The company's Connected Operations Cloud includes Data Platform, which ingests, aggregates, and enriches data from its IoT devices and has embedded capabilities for AI, workflows and analytics, alerts, API connections, and data security and privacy; and applications for video-based safety, vehicle telematics, apps and driver workflows, equipment monitoring, and site visibility.

Further Reading

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Apple CEO Tim Cook was asked in 2022 if Apple was going to fix problems with its messaging service between iPhones and Android phones. Its tough, not to make it personal, but I cant send my mom certain videos, he was told. Buy your mom an iPhone, Cook replied. The exchange is included in the lawsuit that has been filed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and attorneys general in 16 states against the tech giant, which is accused of violating antitrust laws by abusing its position of dominance. Prosecutors have compared the lawsuit to other landmark cases, such as the one they brought against Microsoft. Then, Microsoft complained about the abuses of its rival. Now, it is Apple that is accused of illegal monopolistic practices.

The Department of Justices lawsuit reviews the history of the company, founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in the formers home. From the beginning, the company focused on high-end, carefully designed personal computers, with an intuitive operating system that was later replicated to a large extent by Microsoft, with greater success. At the end of the last century Apple was on the verge of bankruptcy, displaced by manufacturers of cheaper computers using Windows.

The companys fortunes changed for the better largely thanks to the launch of the iPod in 2001, associated with its iTunes application that brought consumers and record labels together on a single platform. The Department of Justice recalls that it was the antitrust case against Microsoft that opened up the market and limited Bill Gates companys ability to prohibit rivals like Apple from offering iTunes on computers running the Windows operating system.

Tim Cook, in Cupertino (California), in September 2022. Nic Coury (Bloomberg)

In 1998, Jobs criticized Microsofts monopoly and dirty tactics in operating systems to attack Apple, prompting the company to go to the Department of Justice in the hope of getting Microsoft to play fair. The success of the antitrust action against Microsoft allowed the success of the iPod and iTunes to multiply.

The entry of iTunes into Windows boosted the iPod and contributed to the development and success of Apples next flagship product, the revolutionary iPhone, which took the company to the top. But after launching the iPhone, Apple began stifling the development of cross-platform technologies on the iPhone, just as Microsoft tried to stifle cross-platform technologies on Windows, the DOJ notes.

Nearly all the apps on the first iPhone, released in 2007, were created by Apple. There were just over a dozen: Calendar, Camera, Clock, Contacts, iPod, Messages, Notes, Phone, Photos, Safari, Stock, Voice Memos and Weather. A year after the launch of its smartphone, Apple invited third-party developers to create native apps for its revolutionary mobile.

That proved to be a double-edged sword. The economics of a smartphone platform are such that the value of the platform to users and, in turn, to the platform operator itself increases when new apps and new features are added. But if those features threaten the platform itself, or migration to another platform is easy, they can end up hurting it.

Apples decision to invite third parties and the resulting proliferation of apps generated tens of billions of dollars in profits for the company and enabled it to reach an iPhone user base of more than 250 million devices in the United States. The company has a market share of over 70% of the high-performance smartphone market and over 65% of the overall smartphone market.

To avoid risks, Apple maintained tight control over its App Store, enforcing its rules arbitrarily, according to the DOJ. It frequently uses App Store rules and restrictions to penalize and restrict developers who take advantage of technologies that threaten to disrupt, disintermediate, compete with, or erode Apples monopoly power, the lawsuit contends. Apple selectively designates APIs as public or private to benefit Apple, limiting the functionality that developers can offer iPhone users, even when the same functionality is available in Apples own apps, or even in select third-party apps, it adds.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland at the press conference Thursday in which he announced the lawsuit against Apple. Associated Press/LaPresse (Associated Press/LaPresse)

Enormous power

Apples control over the distribution and creation of apps gives it enormous power. Limiting the features and functionality created by third-party developers  and therefore available to iPhone users  makes the iPhone worse and deprives Apple of the economic value it would gain as the platform operator. It makes no economic sense for Apple to sacrifice the profits it would earn from new features and functionality unless it has some other compensating reason to do so, such as protecting its monopoly profits, the brief asserts.

The DOJs lawsuit focuses on five areas where it believes abuses of dominance have been most evident: messaging services, digital wallet, the interlinking of the iPhone with smartwatches in favor of the Apple Watch, super apps (WeChat-style, which serve as a gateway to assorted utilities) and cloud streaming services, particularly for video games.

Apple has created such barriers to entry in the mobile market that large companies with enormous resources have had to throw in the towel. Amazon launched its Fire cell phone in 2014, but was unable to sustain its business profitably and abandoned it the following year; Microsoft abandoned its mobile business in 2017; HTC left the market when it sold its smartphone business to Google in September 2017; and LG pulled out in 2021. Only Samsung and Google remain significant competitors in the U.S. smartphone market. The barriers are so high that Google is a distant third party to Apple and Samsung despite the fact that Google controls the development of the Android operating system, the lawsuit says.

Apple charges as much as nearly $1,600 for an iPhone, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland noted Thursday in announcing the lawsuit. But as our complaint alleges, Apple has maintained monopoly power in the smartphone market not simply by staying ahead of the competition on the merits, but by violating federal antitrust law. Consumers should not have to pay higher prices because companies break the law.

The lawsuit seeks a declaration that Apple has violated antitrust law and that all kinds of corrective measures be imposed. These include stopping it from shutting out super apps and cloud streaming apps; making way for third-party messaging and digital wallet apps; making other competitors smartwatches compatible; and generally preventing anti-competitive practices through its app stores. The lawsuit, for the time being, has in one day cost the company more than $100 billion in its stock market value.

A quarter of a century after the company founded by Jobs and Wozniak revolted against Microsofts anti-competitive practices, the judges will have their say on whether it is Apple that now violates antitrust laws with the iPhone.

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Skechers U.S.A., Inc. (NYSE:SKX  Get Free Report) has earned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the eleven brokerages that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and nine have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $66.18.

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on SKX shares. Raymond James reduced their price target on shares of Skechers U.S.A. from $68.00 to $66.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 5th. TD Cowen increased their price target on shares of Skechers U.S.A. from $70.00 to $74.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 6th. Bank of America started coverage on shares of Skechers U.S.A. in a research report on Friday, March 8th. They issued a neutral rating and a $67.00 price objective on the stock. Monness Crespi & Hardt boosted their price objective on shares of Skechers U.S.A. from $60.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 18th. Finally, Evercore ISI assumed coverage on shares of Skechers U.S.A. in a research note on Thursday, February 15th. They issued an outperform rating and a $73.00 target price for the company.

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Insider Activity

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Skechers U.S.A.

In other Skechers U.S.A. news, EVP Mark A. Nason sold 6,067 shares of Skechers U.S.A. stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $61.11, for a total transaction of $370,754.37. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 14,023 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $856,945.53. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink . In other news, CEO Robert Greenberg sold 99,139 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $57.87, for a total value of $5,737,173.93. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 196,050 shares in the company, valued at $11,345,413.50. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . Also, EVP Mark A. Nason sold 6,067 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, March 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $61.11, for a total transaction of $370,754.37. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 14,023 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $856,945.53. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold 267,480 shares of company stock valued at $15,805,349 over the last ninety days. 24.79% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Advisors Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Skechers U.S.A. during the first quarter worth about $25,000. Fred Alger Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Skechers U.S.A. during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $26,000. GAMMA Investing LLC acquired a new position in shares of Skechers U.S.A. in the 4th quarter valued at $36,000. Huntington National Bank lifted its stake in shares of Skechers U.S.A. by 861.7% in the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 577 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 517 shares during the period. Finally, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale acquired a new position in shares of Skechers U.S.A. in the 3rd quarter valued at $31,000. 80.54% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Skechers U.S.A. Price Performance

Shares of SKX stock opened at $61.54 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $9.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.63, a P/E/G ratio of 1.10 and a beta of 1.32. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $60.94 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $56.14. Skechers U.S.A. has a one year low of $43.67 and a one year high of $65.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a current ratio of 2.38 and a quick ratio of 1.46.

Skechers U.S.A. (NYSE:SKX  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The textile maker reported $0.56 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.52 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $1.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.03 billion. Skechers U.S.A. had a return on equity of 12.89% and a net margin of 6.82%. Skechers U.S.A.s revenue was up 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.48 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Skechers U.S.A. will post 3.82 EPS for the current year.

Skechers U.S.A. Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Skechers U.SA, Inc designs, develops, markets, and distributes footwear for men, women, and children worldwide. The company operates through Wholesale and Direct-to-Consumer segments. It offers footwear under Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins, Skechers Arch Fit, and Skechers Air-Cooled Memory Foam brands.

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Brookstone Capital Management raised its stake in shares of SPDR S&P Insurance ETF (NYSEARCA:KIE  Free Report) by 329.2% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 70,121 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 53,785 shares during the quarter. Brookstone Capital Managements holdings in SPDR S&P Insurance ETF were worth $3,171,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Concourse Financial Group Securities Inc. increased its holdings in shares of SPDR S&P Insurance ETF by 247.3% during the 3rd quarter. Concourse Financial Group Securities Inc. now owns 698 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 497 shares during the last quarter. US Bancorp DE increased its stake in SPDR S&P Insurance ETF by 19.6% during the second quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 2,365 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $97,000 after acquiring an additional 388 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can raised its holdings in shares of SPDR S&P Insurance ETF by 109.2% in the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 2,490 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $106,000 after purchasing an additional 1,300 shares during the period. Comerica Bank purchased a new position in shares of SPDR S&P Insurance ETF in the 3rd quarter worth about $117,000. Finally, Equitable Holdings Inc. acquired a new position in shares of SPDR S&P Insurance ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $202,000.

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SPDR S&P Insurance ETF Price Performance

KIE stock traded down $0.10 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $50.97. 127,963 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 809,828. SPDR S&P Insurance ETF has a fifty-two week low of $36.86 and a fifty-two week high of $51.31. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $48.57 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $45.53. The company has a market capitalization of $614.19 million, a P/E ratio of 10.76 and a beta of 0.86.

About SPDR S&P Insurance ETF

The SPDR S&P Insurance ETF (the Fund), formerly SPDR KBW Insurance ETF, seeks to closely match the returns and characteristics of the S&P Banks Select Industry Index. The Fund invests all, but at least 80%, of its total assets in the securities comprising the Index. The Fund invests in all of the securities represented in the Index in approximately the same proportions as the Index.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KIE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for SPDR S&P Insurance ETF (NYSEARCA:KIE  Free Report).

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Squarespace (NYSE:SQSP  Free Report) had its target price hoisted by JMP Securities from $40.00 to $45.00 in a report issued on Monday morning, Benzinga reports. JMP Securities currently has an outperform rating on the stock.

A number of other equities analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. Robert W. Baird raised shares of Squarespace from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $30.00 to $39.00 in a report on Monday, March 4th. Barclays upped their target price on Squarespace from $34.00 to $37.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Mizuho increased their price objective on Squarespace from $32.00 to $34.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on Squarespace from $32.00 to $35.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Finally, Piper Sandler reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $40.00 price target on shares of Squarespace in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $38.42.

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Squarespace Stock Performance

Squarespace stock opened at $35.13 on Monday. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $32.22 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $30.49. The firm has a market cap of $4.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -702.60, a PEG ratio of 3.29 and a beta of 0.49. Squarespace has a 52-week low of $25.59 and a 52-week high of $35.51.

Squarespace (NYSE:SQSP  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 28th. The company reported $0.04 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.16 by ($0.12). The company had revenue of $270.72 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $263.41 million. Squarespace had a negative net margin of 0.70% and a negative return on equity of 2.24%. The businesss revenue was up 18.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned ($0.07) EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Squarespace will post 0.52 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Squarespace

In other news, CEO Anthony Casalena sold 40,835 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $31.70, for a total transaction of $1,294,469.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 3,728,139 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $118,182,006.30. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, General Counsel Courtenay Oconnor sold 20,622 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.02, for a total value of $660,316.44. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel now owns 44,189 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,414,931.78. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Anthony Casalena sold 40,835 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.70, for a total transaction of $1,294,469.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 3,728,139 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $118,182,006.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 366,859 shares of company stock worth $11,767,561. Insiders own 47.14% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in Squarespace by 18.1% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 8,284,051 shares of the companys stock worth $273,457,000 after acquiring an additional 1,268,698 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in Squarespace by 8.2% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 6,345,007 shares of the companys stock worth $209,449,000 after acquiring an additional 479,712 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. grew its stake in Squarespace by 38.7% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 3,427,924 shares of the companys stock worth $108,117,000 after acquiring an additional 956,920 shares in the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Squarespace by 2.7% during the third quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 1,191,871 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,508,000 after purchasing an additional 31,448 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP bought a new position in shares of Squarespace during the first quarter valued at approximately $27,254,000. Institutional investors own 43.73% of the companys stock.

Squarespace Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Squarespace, Inc operates platform for businesses and independent creators to build online presence, grow their brands, and manage their businesses across the internet. Its suite of integrated products enables users to manage their projects and businesses through websites, domains, e-commerce, marketing tools, scheduling, and hospitality services, as well as tools for managing a social media presence.

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Premium Brands (TSE:PBH  Free Report) had its target price trimmed by TD Securities from C$130.00 to C$120.00 in a report issued on Monday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the stock.

Other equities analysts have also issued research reports about the company. BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on Premium Brands from C$117.00 to C$115.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday. CIBC decreased their price objective on Premium Brands from C$102.00 to C$97.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Monday. Pi Financial reiterated a buy rating and set a C$111.00 price objective on shares of Premium Brands in a report on Thursday, December 7th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on Premium Brands from C$108.00 to C$104.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday. Finally, Desjardins decreased their price target on Premium Brands from C$110.00 to C$105.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$111.50.

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Premium Brands Price Performance

Premium Brands Increases Dividend

Premium Brands stock opened at C$87.82 on Monday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is C$91.49 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$93.30. The stock has a market cap of C$3.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.70, a P/E/G ratio of 1.10 and a beta of 1.03. Premium Brands has a 12-month low of C$84.66 and a 12-month high of C$113.60. The company has a quick ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 2.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 148.60.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be given a dividend of $0.85 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. This represents a $3.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.87%. This is a positive change from Premium Brandss previous quarterly dividend of $0.77. Premium Brandss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 125.20%.

Premium Brands Company Profile

(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.

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Shares of The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU  Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of Reduce from the ten ratings firms that are covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and seven have issued a hold rating on the company. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $12.95.

WU has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. William Blair reiterated a market perform rating on shares of Western Union in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Monness Crespi & Hardt began coverage on shares of Western Union in a report on Wednesday. They issued a neutral rating for the company. Barclays raised their price target on Western Union from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Monday, February 12th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and issued a $16.00 price objective on shares of Western Union in a research note on Tuesday, December 19th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on Western Union from $12.00 to $13.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th.

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Western Union Stock Up 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE WU opened at $13.83 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $12.91 and a 200-day moving average of $12.52. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.23, a PEG ratio of 5.04 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.23. Western Union has a 12 month low of $10.37 and a 12 month high of $14.19.

Western Union (NYSE:WU  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The credit services provider reported $0.37 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.37. The business had revenue of $1.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.02 billion. Western Union had a return on equity of 113.63% and a net margin of 14.37%. The businesss revenue was down 3.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.32 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Western Union will post 1.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Western Union Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a dividend of $0.235 per share. This represents a $0.94 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.80%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. Western Unions dividend payout ratio is 55.95%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Timothy P. Murphy acquired 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 26th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $12.85 per share, with a total value of $128,500.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 56,205 shares of the companys stock, valued at $722,234.25. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.69% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Western Union by 8.3% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 45,774,680 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $617,958,000 after purchasing an additional 3,522,420 shares during the last quarter. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Western Union by 2.3% during the third quarter. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. now owns 17,854,661 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $235,324,000 after acquiring an additional 408,661 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Western Union by 10.4% in the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 16,856,481 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $315,890,000 after purchasing an additional 1,592,331 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Western Union by 10.5% in the third quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 11,498,861 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $151,555,000 after purchasing an additional 1,088,247 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in Western Union by 17.1% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 9,882,154 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $130,247,000 after purchasing an additional 1,439,595 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 88.83% of the companys stock.

Western Union Company Profile

(Get Free Report

The Western Union Company provides money movement and payment services worldwide. The company operates through Consumer Money Transfer and Consumer Services segments. The Consumer Money Transfer segment facilitates money transfers for international cross-border and intra-country transfers, primarily through a network of retail agent locations, as well as through websites and mobile devices.

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Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO  Get Free Report) had its price target increased by investment analysts at The Goldman Sachs Group from $130.00 to $171.00 in a research report issued on Friday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a sell rating on the oil and gas companys stock. The Goldman Sachs Groups price objective would suggest a potential upside of 0.49% from the stocks current price.

VLO has been the subject of several other reports. Raymond James upped their target price on Valero Energy from $154.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, January 26th. Barclays raised their price target on Valero Energy from $146.00 to $149.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. Mizuho lowered Valero Energy from a buy rating to a neutral rating and raised their price target for the stock from $150.00 to $173.00 in a report on Friday. Bank of America upgraded Valero Energy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $156.00 to $210.00 in a research report on Friday, March 15th. Finally, Citigroup began coverage on Valero Energy in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. They set a buy rating on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $163.08.

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Valero Energy Stock Performance

Shares of VLO stock traded down $0.82 on Friday, reaching $170.16. The stock had a trading volume of 1,313,623 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,468,471. The firms 50-day moving average is $141.82 and its two-hundred day moving average is $134.60. Valero Energy has a 12 month low of $104.18 and a 12 month high of $171.85. The firm has a market capitalization of $56.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.88, a P/E/G ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 1.53. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 25th. The oil and gas company reported $3.55 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.95 by $0.60. The business had revenue of $35.41 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $34.76 billion. Valero Energy had a net margin of 6.10% and a return on equity of 31.62%. The firms revenue was down 15.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $8.45 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Valero Energy will post 15.66 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Valero Energy

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of VLO. Morgan Stanley raised its holdings in Valero Energy by 4.1% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 10,065,228 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,276,875,000 after acquiring an additional 395,771 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in Valero Energy by 8.3% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 7,635,050 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $775,264,000 after acquiring an additional 587,056 shares during the last quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in Valero Energy by 7.6% in the 2nd quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC now owns 6,128,301 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $718,850,000 after acquiring an additional 434,057 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Valero Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $570,428,000. Finally, Northern Trust Corp raised its holdings in Valero Energy by 3.2% in the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 3,899,875 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $552,651,000 after acquiring an additional 121,057 shares during the last quarter. 77.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Valero Energy

(Get Free Report)

Valero Energy Corporation manufactures, markets, and sells petroleum-based and low-carbon liquid transportation fuels and petrochemical products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Latin America, Mexico, Peru, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Refining, Renewable Diesel, and Ethanol.

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Donald Trumps path to the stock market has been cleared. The shareholders of Digital World Acquisition Corp (DWAC), a publicly traded shell company, voted on Friday to merge with Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), the company that owns Truth Social  an operation that, on paper at least, will make him about $3 billion richer, although it will be difficult to materialize those profits. Shares will be traded under the stock ticker DJT, the former presidents initials.

The merger comes just as the former president is running out of time to make a $454 million payment in connection with a civil fraud conviction in New York, which he is appealing. The former president assures that he cannot obtain a bond to cover the figure and risks having his properties seized. Meanwhile, the Republican also claims that he has almost $500 million in cash, which he has said he will use to defeat President Joe Biden in the November election. However, thus far, rather than using money from his pocket to finance his campaign, he has instead used millions of dollars from donations to pay his legal expenses for the various civil and criminal proceedings he is facing.

The regulatory filings indicate that the former president would own 78.75 million shares of the combined company, controlling at least 58.1% of the voting rights of New Digital World, the merged company. At the current share price of around $40 per share, his participation will be valued, on paper at least, at $3.37 billion at the current market price. On paper is an important note, since the market valuation of the company defies logic and it will be very difficult for it to materialize those profits. DWAC has become a meme stock, moving on impulse rather than the companys economic fundamentals. The adjustment appeared to have begun on Friday, when shares fell over 11%.

The IPO may take effect next week, but he wont be able to cash out for the time being. A lock-up provision restricts him from selling any of his shares or using them as collateral for a loan for a period of six months.

The regulatory filings reveal that Trumps social networking company has minimal revenue and large losses. TMTG lost $49 million in the first nine months of last year, and brought in just $3.4 million in revenue.

TMTG acknowledges that it needs to attract Republican voters to its networking site to be viable and admits that if Trump loses popularity or new controversies arise that damage his credibility or peoples desire to use a platform associated with him, there will be a financial cost.

Trump founded Truth Social when he was expelled from Twitter and Facebook for messages that content moderators considered to be inciting violence in connection with the assault on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Elon Musks purchase of Twitter, since renamed X, has allowed Trump to return to the networking site. The billionaire has given free rein to misinformation on his platform, to which many spreaders of conservative hoaxes have returned.

That takes away some of the appeal of Truth Social, whose main hook is that it has exclusivity on the former presidents social media messages. Truth Social has never caught on with the general public, however. Trump himself has far fewer followers there (6.7 million) than he gained on Twitter and still retains, despite not publishing new messages there (87.5 million).
The "Heart-to-Heart, Word-of-Mouth" limited gift box launched by L'Oreal Paris in collaboration with China's Jingdezhen Longzhuge. [Source: L'Oreal official Weibo account]

L'Oreal Paris collaborated with China's Jingdezhen Longzhuge, a century-old porcelain brand, to launch the "Heart-to-Heart, Word-of-Mouth" 60th Anniversary Limited Gift Box, which includes a French red lipstick and a pair of porcelain cups.

PARIS/NANCHANG, March 21 (Xinhua)  Fine lines of blue and red shaped an Eiffel Tower on the surface of a pure and thin porcelain cup, integrating elements with distinctive features from both China and France. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, these types of cups were packaged into exquisite gift boxes with French cosmetics.

This gift box recently attracted the attention of Europe as soon as it was unveiled at an exhibition of porcelain artworks from Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi Province, at the China Cultural Center in Paris.

As a witness and promoter of the friendship between France and China, L'Oreal Paris collaborated with Jingdezhen Longzhuge, a century-old porcelain brand, to launch the "Heart-to-Heart, Word-of-Mouth" 60th Anniversary Limited Gift Box, which includes a French red lipstick and a pair of porcelain cups.

Alexis Perakis-Valat, president of the L'Oreal Consumer Products Division, told Xinhua that this collaboration embodies the diverse cultural craftsmanship of both nations, transcending borders, cultures and time.

The collision of traditional Chinese art and French fashion colors reveals to the public the beauty of cultural diversity.

In the Yishan Industrial Zone in Jingdezhen, white porcelain cups with the Longzhuge pattern on the bottom were produced on the production lines. This historically significant pattern has new connotations and has become an essential symbol of Jingdezhen's cultural and creative products.

In history, Longzhuge was one of the important back stamps for Jingdezhen's exports. Emblazoned with the logos of European royal families or social groups, etc., various types of armorial porcelain were made by craftsmen in Jingdezhen during the Ming and Qing dynasties to meet the requirements of overseas clients, including the French royal courts.

"Jingdezhen has long played the role of 'cultural exchange envoy' between China and France," said Weng Yanjun, director of Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Museum.

Exquisite blue and white porcelain was transported thousands of miles across the sea along the Maritime Silk Road, enriching European cultural life.

The living room of the House of Victor Hugo in Paris is decorated with a "Chinese porcelain wall," an example of the common pursuit of beauty between China and France.

Jingdezhen is home to an extensive network of supply chains and state-of-the-art facilities. Today, it pays more attention to creative design and innovation, said Gang Hao, general manager of Jingdezhen Towyi Cultural Development Co., Ltd.

"The dreamy linkage between the two brands of Longzhuge and L'Oreal Paris represents the integration of international aesthetics, creating a unique aesthetic identity," said Gang.

"Beauty is a heritage that transcends different cultures. We firmly believe that beauty has the power to preserve cultural heritage, stimulate innovation, foster social and economic growth, promote diversity and inclusiveness, and contribute to harmony with life," said Fabrice Megarbane, Chief Global Growth Officer of L'Oreal Group.

"Our goal is to continue being a friendly ambassador in all fields of Sino-French exchange," said Megarbane, "especially in the cultural and economic areas."

(Source: Xinhua)
Huang Xiaowei, Vice-President and First Member of the Secretariat of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), and Vice-Chairperson of the National Working Committee on Children and Women (NWCCW) under the State Council, met Dennis Francis, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, on January 31 in Beijing.

Huang said Chinese President Xi Jinping has proposed the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, which dovetail the purposes and principles of the United Nations. Xi attaches great importance to women and children's development, and raised China's proposals and pledged China's actions during the important speeches he delivered when he attended, twice, the UN's events to commemorate the Fourth World Conference on Women (held in Beijing in 1995). We expect to enhance communications and cooperation with the UN, and to make contributions to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, to fulfill the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Huang noted.

She outlined the 13th National Women's Congress of China (held in October 2023), noting that Xi, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, attended the congress' opening with Standing Committee Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and Xi delivered an important speech during a talk with ACWF's new leadership, which provided guiding principles for women's cause and women's federations' work on a new journey and in the new era. Women's federations at all levels and numerous women and their families have been greatly inspired and encouraged by the Party's care. Huang also outlined Xi's discourses on the work related to women and children as well as the work of women's federations, and Xi's discourses on the importance of family, family education and virtues. Huang mentioned the achievements reached in the cause of women in the new era and ACWF's major work. In particular, she introduced the Spring Bud Project, which received the 2023 UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Prize for Girls' and Women's Education.

Francis highly appreciated the proposal by Xi on promoting women's all-round development, and he praised CPC's leadership. China, as an active advocate and powerful facilitator to the cause of women worldwide, has made remarkable achievements in developing women's undertakings, of which the good experience are worth sharing by the ACWF with other UN Member States, especially good practices on women's economic empowerment and on narrowing the gender-based digital divide. He said the UN is willing to work with China to promote gender equality and women's empowerment and to speed up the fulfillment of the 2030 SDGs.

After their meeting, Huang and Francis wrote calligraphies and drew paintings with children at the China National Children's Center (CNCC) to welcome the coming Chinese New Year.

Lin Yi, Vice-President and Member of the Secretariat of the ACWF, and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, relevant ACWF departments, the NWCCW Office and the CNCC, attended.

(Source: Liaison Department of the All-China Women's Federation)




Alexandra Pozhidaeva firmly follows the principle of "seeing is believing." The 23-year-old Russian journalist, who graduated from the School of Journalism and Communication at Peking University, borrowed this fundamental principle from Chinese President Xi Jinping. She hopes to do her best to introduce a real, three-dimensional and comprehensive China to more foreign readers.

Uncovering Real Xinjiang

Alexandra Pozhidaeva (right) in Shihezi, Xinjiang



In October 2021, Pozhidaeva travelled to northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region with her classmates as part of a research trip organized by her university. For six days, they visited four cities, including Urumqi and Kashgar.

The reality she witnessed on the ground profoundly changed her understanding of this region. "What I saw was an inclusive, open and developed Xinjiang. I was particularly moved by the images of ethnic harmony in the ancient city of Kashgar and children playing in the streets," she says. "We were also able to notice modern schools and hospitals in remote villages. That was really impressive."

Alexandra Pozhidaeva experiments with livestreaming to promote and sell local products in Hotan, Xinjiang

In Shihezi , she noticed a high degree of mechanization in cotton picking. In Hotan, she even had the opportunity to experiment with livestreaming to promote and sell local products. The adoption of this innovative technology has provided the villagers with a stable source of income.

As usual, Pozhidaeva shared her experience on Twitter, posting photos and videos of local food, traditional dances, and living conditions. These travel stories immediately caught the attention of Internet users.

Chinese Voice

Alexandra Pozhidaeva with her friends



After obtaining her master's degree in July 2022 from Peking University, Pozhidaeva joined the Center for Europe and Asia of the China International Communications Group (CICG) as an anchor and journalist.

Even before starting her studies in China, she had already become familiar with one of the group's periodicals, The China, distributed in Moscow, Russia. She was therefore pleased to find a platform to use her journalism and communication skills to introduce China to the rest of the world.

Together with her colleagues, she launched a short video program bearing her name, in which she brought Russian audience to discover the many aspects of Chinese society. She has covered several major events, such as the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the 2022 China International Fair for Trade in Services, and the annual sessions of the National People's Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

She was particularly delighted to have the chance to interview some delegates to the 20th National Congress of the CPC. These meetings allowed her to better understand different professions, such as train driver, bus driver, firefighter and, above all, the role of the secretary of a CPC committee at the local level, a function that has no equivalent in Russia. "I would like to see a similar position in my country, dedicated to serving the people wholeheartedly," Pozhidaeva says.

Cultural Bridge

Alexandra Pozhidaeva interviews the chief of Beijing Chaoyang Railway Station in Beijing.



During his first State visit as president in March 2013, President Xi first advanced the idea of building a community of shared future for humanity at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in Russia. This vision of an interconnected world left a deep impression on Pozhidaeva.

A year later, when she was in her second year of high school, she enrolled in evening classes in the Confucius Institute at Novosibirsk State University to learn Chinese. A summer experience in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, organized by the institute, confirmed her desire to study in China.

In 2016, thanks to a scholarship obtained as a winner of the Chinese Bridge Competition, Pozhidaeva began her bachelor's studies in Chinese language and literature at Southeast University in Nanjing, in east China's Jiangsu Province.

At first, she faced language and cultural barriers, but soon discovered many similarities between Russian and Chinese societies. "As Confucius says, it is a great pleasure to have friends from afar and to welcome them into your home. This philosophy reflects the hospitality of the Chinese people," she says.

Pozhidaeva spends her free time reading masterpieces of classical literature, such as Dream of the Red Chamber and Romance of the Three Kingdoms. For her, it is an effective way to better understand Chinese civilization.

The young Russian is also passionate about Chinese cuisine and has a good knowledge of it. "China is a large country with a vast territory and abundant resources, allowing travel enthusiasts to experience the rich culture behind its many specialties," she says.

With the growing popularity of Chinese culture in Russia, especially among the younger generations, more and more Russian students are learning Chinese as early as in primary school.

In 2019, Russia for the first time included Chinese language tests in its unified national examination  the University Entrance Examination.

In this context, Pozhidaeva aspires to play a greater role in strengthening mutual understanding between peoples. "I hope my professional development can be well integrated with the cultural exchanges between our two nations."

Photos from Interviewee

(Source: ChinAfrica/Women of China)
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a campus of Hunan First Normal University, and learns about the university's efforts in putting resources related to the Party's heritage to great use and its adherence to fostering virtue through education, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

CHANGSHA, March 21 (Xinhua)  President Xi Jinping has called on central China's Hunan Province to stay committed to reform and innovation and follow a realistic and pragmatic approach to write its own chapter in advancing Chinese modernization.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during an inspection tour to the province from Monday to Thursday.

Xi urged Hunan to build itself into a national hub for important and advanced manufacturing industries and a sci-tech and innovation center with core competitiveness, and continue to be a pacesetter for reform and opening-up of China's inland regions.

On Monday, Xi first inspected Hunan First Normal University in Changsha City, where he visited an exhibition featuring Mao Zedong in his youth and chatted with students and faculty members. Xi stressed the role of schools in fostering virtue among students and guiding them to serve the country.

Later, Xi inspected a Chinese-German battery materials joint venture. He said sci-tech innovation and high-quality development are the key to enterprises' growth and success.

He said China will keep opening its door wider to the world and welcome more foreign companies to invest and develop in China.

On Tuesday, Xi visited a cultural street in the city of Changde, where he pointed out that the country's diverse traditional cultures with local characteristics constitute a splendid Chinese civilization.

Hunan is one of China's 13 major grain-producing provinces. When visiting a village in Changde, Xi said as China has over 1.4 billion people, the country must ensure its own food security. He stressed the importance of increasing grain production and quality. He also called for efforts to let farmers become rich by producing grains.

Upon leaving the village, Xi said the Party leadership will take solid and effective policies and measures to turn the blueprint of rural revitalization into reality.

On Thursday, after hearing the provincial Party and government authorities report their work, Xi gave acknowledgment to Hunan's work.

He called for reinforcing the principal position of companies in sci-tech innovation, and promoting deeper integration of the chains of innovation, industries, capital and human resources. He also called for advancing major technology and equipment research and further developing advanced manufacturing.

On deepening reform, Xi said the focus should be placed on resolving problems that are holding back the fostering of a new pattern of development and high-quality development. He said reforms must provide impetus and vitality to economic and social development.

Xi also urged Hunan to be deeply involved in the Belt and Road cooperation, develop well the pilot free trade zone with high standards, and strive to build a pilot zone for deepening China-Africa economic and trade cooperation.

Xi asked Hunan to take on the responsibility of safeguarding national food security and accelerate breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields such as the seed industry and agricultural machinery.

He also called on the province to promote deep integration of culture and tourism, and strengthen Party building.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Xi on the inspection tour.

On Wednesday, Xi met with military officers from troops stationed in Changsha.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a campus of Hunan First Normal University, and learns about the university's efforts in putting resources related to the Party's heritage to great use and its adherence to fostering virtue through education, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a campus of Hunan First Normal University, and learns about the university's efforts in putting resources related to the Party's heritage to great use and its adherence to fostering virtue through education, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a campus of Hunan First Normal University, and learns about the university's efforts in putting resources related to the Party's heritage to great use and its adherence to fostering virtue through education, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with teachers and students while visiting a campus of Hunan First Normal University in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. [Xinhua/Wang Ye]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with teachers and students while visiting a campus of Hunan First Normal University in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a battery materials joint venture and learns about local endeavor to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces and promote high-standard opening up, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a battery materials joint venture and learns about local endeavor to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces and promote high-standard opening up, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. [Xinhua/Yan Yan]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a battery materials joint venture and learns about local endeavor to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces and promote high-standard opening up, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the restoration and utilization of historical and cultural blocks, and the comprehensive management of urban water environment while visiting a cultural street in Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, waves to citizens while visiting a cultural street in Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. [Xinhua/Wang Ye]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the restoration and utilization of historical and cultural blocks, and the comprehensive management of urban water environment while visiting a cultural street in Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the restoration and utilization of historical and cultural blocks, and the comprehensive management of urban water environment while visiting a cultural street in Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. [Xinhua/Wang Ye]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with citizens while visiting a cultural street in Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects spring farming and its preparation work while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. [Xinhua/Yan Yan]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects spring farming and its preparation work while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. [Xinhua/Yan Yan]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects spring farming and its preparation work while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. [Xinhua/Wang Ye]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects spring farming and its preparation work while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects spring farming and its preparation work while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects spring farming and its preparation work while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. [Xinhua/Yan Yan]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the improvement of grassroots governance efficiency while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. [Xinhua/Yan Yan]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with villagers while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, meets with military officers from troops stationed in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 20, 2024. Xi made an inspection tour to Hunan Province from Monday to Thursday. [Xinhua/Li Gang]

(Source: Xinhua)
An owner of a malatang stall serves a customer on a snack street in Qinzhou District of Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 19, 2024. At dawn, the bustling snack streets of Tianshui, a city in northwest China's Gansu Province, were already teeming with activities, with visitors eager to taste the local specialty, malatang, literally meaning a numbingly spicy hotpot. [Xinhua/Ma Xiping]

LANZHOU, March 20 (Xinhua)  At dawn, the bustling snack streets of Tianshui, a city in northwest China's Gansu Province, were already teeming with activity, with visitors eager to taste the local specialty, malatang, literally meaning a numbingly spicy hotpot.

Dong Liangyan, 29, hailing from Daqing in the northernmost province of Heilongjiang, said she has come all the way traveling over 2,000 km just to savor this delicacy that has intrigued her for quite some time.

"When I unlocked my phone, all I could see was promotional messages about Tianshui malatang spicy hotpot," she said, adding that the aromatic chili oil and the velvety texture of hand-pulled noodles made her culinary quest all the more rewarding.

This simple spicy hotpot delicacy has recently thrust this quaint city into the online spotlight, enchanting tourists with its rich history spanning over 8,000 years.

As a popular specialty snack across China, spicy hotpot offers a diverse range of flavors, depending on the region. In Tianshui, the hot and fiery chili oil blankets an array of ingredients, complemented by a serving of silky hand-pulled noodles, creating a distinctive and delightful culinary experience.

In recent years, the choice of destinations by tourists has become increasingly diverse, with many opting to travel for culinary experiences and to discover new flavors as part of their holiday adventures.

According to a 2023 report on gastronomic tourism released by the China Tourism Academy, the role of gastronomy in shaping tourism destinations and development strategies is gaining prominence. It has emerged as a crucial factor in unveiling the cultural landscape of cities to a broader audience.

"Nothing can resist the temptation of this bowl of delicacy," said 48-year-old Ha Haiying who has owned a malatang restaurant in Qinzhou District for over two decades.

While handling the long queues of customers outside her shop, Ha explained how the affordably priced hotpot serves as a prime example of food's evolving role as a catalyst for cultural and tourism consumption.

Data further confirms the popularity of "foodie tours." As of March 13, discussions about "Tianshui malatang" have dominated the trending topics on major social media platforms, with over 1.05 billion views on short video platforms. Searches for "Tianshui malatang" on the Chinese lifestyle-sharing platform Xiaohongshu have resulted in over 30,000 relevant notes.

The "foodie tour" also boosts the sales of various local agricultural products. As the "soul" of Tianshui hot pot, the bright red and richly flavored chili powder from Gangu County has become a new favorite for many food lovers.

According to He Zhibin, general manager of a chili production and processing enterprise in Gangu, chili products have gained significant traction online, with many social media influencers and e-commerce hosts seeking collaborations.

"Eating is not the only motive for travel, said Ju Yuexuan, a tourist from Shenyang in northeast China's Liaoning Province. "I also want to enjoy the unique scenery in the northwest."

An aerial drone photo taken on March 20, 2024 shows a scenic spot in Maiji District of Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province. [Xinhua/Fan Peishen]

Tourists taste malatang at the ancient city of Tianshui in Qinzhou District of Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 20, 2024. [Xinhua/Ma Xiping]

Tourists watch a performance on a commercial street in Qinzhou District of Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 19, 2024. [Xinhua/Ma Xiping]

Tourists visit the Maiji Mountain Grottoes in Maiji District of Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 20, 2024. [Xinhua/Fan Peishen]

Tourists visit the Maiji Mountain Grottoes in Maiji District of Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 20, 2024. [Xinhua/Fan Peishen]

Tourists pose for a photo at the ancient city of Tianshui in Qinzhou District of Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 20, 2024. [Xinhua/Ma Xiping]

Tourists take a free ride at a scenic spot in Qinzhou District of Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 19, 2024. [Xinhua/Fan Peishen]

Shehuo performers stage a show for tourists at the ancient city of Tianshui in Qinzhou District of Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 20, 2024. Shehuo is a traditional carnival-like folk celebration, featuring folk performances that may vary from dragon dance, lion dance, to traditional Chinese opera, drum playing in different regions. [Xinhua/Ma Xiping]

Tourists taste local snacks at the ancient city of Tianshui in Qinzhou District of Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 20, 2024. [Xinhua/Ma Xiping]

Tourists visit the ancient city of Tianshui in Qinzhou District of Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 20, 2024. [Xinhua/Fan Peishen]

(Source: Xinhua)
Canada's Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller takes part in a press conference in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada January 29, 2024.

Canadas immigration minister said Thursday the country will set targets to reduce the number of new temporary residents in the country.

Marc Miller said its the first time Canada will do this. The federal government plans to decrease the number of temporary residents from the current 6.2% of the population to 5% over the next three years.

Canada has seen a sharp increase in temporary residents coming in each year, and the minister has said in the past that the country has become addicted to temporary workers.

The first targets will be set in September.

Canada announced in January a two-year cap on international student visas to ease the pressure on housing, health care and other services at a time of record immigration. Canada grew by about 1 million people last year, reaching a record 40 million, as many Canadians struggle with an increased cost of living, including rents and mortgages.

We are now in a different economic picture, Minister of Employment Randy Boissonnault said.

Miller said hell convene a meeting of provincial, territorial and federal ministers in May to talk about how the levels should be set.

He has also asked his department to review existing programs that bring in temporary residents so as to better align them with labor needs and weed out abuse in the system.

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Chen Wei, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress, is part-time Vice-President of Chongqing Federation of Industry and Commerce. She is also Chairperson of Chongqing SocialCredits Technology Co., Ltd. During this year's NPC session, Chen proposed promoting the high-quality development of the nation's digital economy, and securing a good business environment, under the rule of law.

During a meeting of Chongqing's delegation of NPC deputies, she said, "Building a digital Chongqing means discovering suitable approaches to urban management and industrial upgrading for megacity governance. That has provided a good stage to many private enterprises, with strong technological innovation capabilities."

Chen, elected a delegate to the 13th National Women's Congress of China last year, said she will call on fellow women scientific and technological workers to keep up with the trend of digitalization. She also said she hoped women will participate in the digital economy, with a more open, international vision, and that women will contribute to China's high-level self-reliance in science and technology.

Photos from Interviewee

(Source: Women of China)


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Calls for major overhaul as Welsh education faces declining results and rising inequalities

A new report published by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) reveals significant challenges facing the education system in Wales and highlights a need for urgent policy reforms.

According to the IFS report, Wales experienced particularly disheartening results in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) published in December 2023.

The country not only saw a more pronounced decline in reading, maths, and science scores compared to most other countries but also lagged behind the rest of the United Kingdom.

However this trend is not limited to PISA scores alone.

The IFS highlights larger disparities in General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) results and poorer post-16 outcomes in Wales, indicating a deep-rooted problem touching many parts of the education system.

The report points to an extended range of low educational outcomes in Wales, which cannot solely be attributed to factors such as higher poverty levels, a different ethnic composition of pupils, statistical biases, or disparities in resources.

Instead, the underlying reasons are more likely tied to longstanding policy differences and approaches, including lower external accountability levels and less frequent use of data to inform educational practices.

One of the critical findings of the IFS analysis is the performance gap between disadvantaged pupils in Wales and their counterparts in other parts of the UK.

For example, in 2019, the gap in GCSE results between disadvantaged children and others in Wales was equivalent to 2223 months of educational progress, significantly wider than the gap in England.

This issue is compounded by the higher share of young people in Wales not engaged in education, employment, or training, alongside lower participation in higher education and poorer employment outcomes for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The report also casts doubt on the effectiveness of the new Curriculum for Wales and the proposed GCSE reforms, suggesting that these initiatives might inadvertently exacerbate inequalities, increase teacher workloads and constrain future educational opportunities.

The report urges policymakers and educators in Wales to reconsider the current changes being made in education, highlighting a number of areas of concern.

It suggests the new Curriculum for Wales should focus more on specific knowledge to enhance learning.

The IFS advises delaying reforms to GCSEs, allowing more time to assess their impact on students future prospects, teacher workload, and the fairness of educational outcomes.

The report emphasises the need for more detailed data on students abilities and the extent of educational inequality, recommending that this information be made available on a regular basis.

The IFS proposes introducing school report cards to complement existing inspections, offering parents more detailed information without reviving the competitive nature of league tables.

Luke Sibieta, IFS Research Fellow and author, said: Policymakers in Wales have long placed a high emphasis on reducing inequality in education and wider society.

Teachers and school staff in Wales work hard to equip young people with the skills they need for the future and mitigate the effects of poverty.

Unfortunately, we see worryingly low outcomes in PISA tests, high inequalities in GCSE results and disappointing post-16 outcomes for young people in Wales.

Faced with this gloomy picture, policymakers should have the courage to make reforms based on solid evidence, such as increasing the emphasis on specific knowledge in the curriculum and making better use of data to shine a spotlight on inequalities throughout the system.

Without reform, the picture may worsen.

In response to the report, Eithne Hughes, Director of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Cymru, said: This report paints a particularly gloomy picture of the Welsh education landscape and its clear that much more needs to be done to tackle inequality.

Teachers and leaders in Wales are just as skilled, experienced and committed to supporting disadvantaged pupils as those elsewhere in the UK, and yet, as this report makes clear, there is a disparity in pupil outcomes.

Our belief is that the huge raft of reforms occurring at such pace across many different areas of the Welsh education system is making it increasingly challenging for the workforce to focus on their core purpose of helping young people to learn.

Rather than this scattergun approach to reform, which does not appear to be improving outcomes, policymakers need to focus their attention on key areas that will help aid learning, particularly for disadvantaged pupils.

The current Education Minister himself has recognised this by calling for a clearer focus on national priorities in order to reduce the equity gap.

We look forward to working closely with the new Education Minister  whoever that may be following next weeks expected reshuffle  on how this can be achieved.

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Canadas Parliament on Monday passed a motion on the Gaza conflict calling on the government to cease the further authorization and transfer of arms exports to Israel. Although it was a non-binding motion, tabled by the New Democratic Party (NDP), a government partner of Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus Liberals, Ottawa announced after the vote that it will halt future arms sales to Israel. Its a reality, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly declared Tuesday.

The decision is more symbolic than effective  new export permits for non-lethal military equipment were already frozen on January 8  but it is in any case one of the strongest messages issued by the G7 member countries to exert pressure on Israel over its military offensive in Gaza. Spain and Ireland have also called on the European Commission to take stronger measures in this regard. Last February, appellate judges in The Hague ordered the Dutch government to stop shipping F-35 aircraft parts to Israel  manufactured by the United States but distributed from the Dutch military base in Woensdrecht. The acting government of liberal Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced that it would appeal the decision.

Trudeaus foreign policy shift includes another key decision: after withdrawing funding to the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in late January over unproven Israeli allegations that a dozen local agency workers were involved in the October 7 Hamas attacks, the U.S. resumed funding on March 8. Canada was among the first countries in the West to second the U.S.-led disbandment, and also among the first to pull back. The Ottawa government contributed $66.5 million to UNRWA from 2019 to mid-2023. Canada has also supported the proposals for a humanitarian ceasefire resolution in Gaza tabled so far  and vetoed by the U.S.  in the U.N. Security Council.

The weaponry provided by Canada to Israel represents a tiny percentage of the total. Ottawa will keep in place the freeze on non-lethal military export permits adopted on January 8 (previous contracts were exempted) until the government can ensure that the weapons are used in accordance with Canadian law, it said Wednesday. Since the Hamas attacks that triggered the war in Gaza, Canada had authorized new permits worth at least $21 million, more than the amount of total such contracts awarded the previous year.

A minority government

Contributing to the shift in policy towards Israel is the fact that the survival of the minority Liberal government depends on the support of the left-leaning NDP, which is calling for a tougher line on Israel. Mondays successful vote followed a last-minute deal between the two coalition partners. The NDP had called on the government to recognize the State of Palestine, but the Liberals drastically reworded the text to indicate that Ottawa will simply work with international partners to actively pursue the goal of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, including towards the establishment of the State of Palestine as part of a negotiated two-state solution.

The two-state solution definition was really important, as of course we know that Canada, as a G7 country, is sending a message to other G7 countries, Minister Joly said after the vote. The head of diplomacy downplayed, however, the importance of the NDP motion: Our position has been clear, it is a position that many G7 foreign ministers have been expressing across the world, which is: we need a hostage deal, we need to make sure that we get to a humanitarian ceasefire, humanitarian aid must go into Gaza.

The NDP motion  passed by 204 votes to 117, with the support of the Liberals, Bloc Quebecois and Greens  has caused divisions within Trudeaus Liberals: three members voted against it and one raised the possibility of leaving the party. Much like U.S. President Joe Biden, Trudeau has in these five months of war traveled a path from his initial staunch support for Israel to a more critical stance over the loss of tens of thousands of lives and the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in the Strip. The stability of his minority government depends on the external support of the New Democrats, but by transferring the outcome of this non-binding motion to his government program the prime minister risks losing support in his ranks. Its an issue thats emotional across the country... and that is reflected in our discussions, said government chief whip Steve MacKinnon, as quoted by Reuters.

Following the vote, two major lobbying groups laid bare the acrimonious positions of public opinion on the conflict. The Canadian Lobby for Justice and Peace in the Middle East, supported by some of the Arab and Palestinian population, called the motion watered down in a statement, but said it represented a small step forward in ending Canadian complicity in Israels genocidal war in Gaza. In contrast, the Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs called the outcome of the vote misguided and false in establishing a moral equivalence between victims and executioners.

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Erddig Nordic Walkers helping to promote fitness and well-being in Wrexham

A Wrexham-based community group is promoting fitness and well-being through accessible exercise to suit all age groups and abilities.

Run by dedicated volunteers Erddig Nordic Walkers (ENW) has gone from strength to strength, with over 180 members now registered

Nordic walking is a form of exercise where people use specially designed poles to enhance their natural walking experience, ensuring a whole body work out.

This unique technique allows people of varying ability and skill to exercise safely.

ENW offers a quarterly programme of events that includes three regular walks per week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at various locations in the Wrexham, Chirk, and Llangollen areas.

The programme is supplemented by Away Days to go on longer walks, for example the Mawddach Trail, Powis Castle, and Llyn Brenig.

Each walk is followed by an informal social meeting offering a great opportunity to develop and foster friendships.

With no joining fees and free training, the group relies only on a 1 voluntary contribution per walk.

The group received a grant to grow their activities from the Your Community, Your Choice, which helps support grass-roots projects across North Wales and is supported by the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT), the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, and North Wales Police.

The funding for Your Community, Your Choice comes partly from money seized by the courts through the Proceeds of Crime Act, with the rest coming from the Police and Crime Commissioner.

ENW was recently visited by High Sheriff of Clwyd Kate Hill-Trevor and North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin to see how how the funding was helping to boost the groups work.

The High Sheriff, PCC and local PCSO Alison Heron from North Wales Police met the group at their base at the National Trusts Erddig Estate and joined members for the start of their walk before heading to the estate cafe for further discussions about Nordic walking and the plans of the group.

We enjoyed welcoming the High Sheriff and the PCC to our group walk and introducing them to the pleasures of Nordic Walking, said Gareth Lloyd, Executive Officer, Erddig Nordic Walkers.

Erddig Nordic Walkers promotes the physical benefits of Nordic Walking  exercise, fitness, health and well-being.

However, we provide a sense of belonging and friendship while combatting the effects of social isolation, loneliness and the benefits of this on mental health.

The grant will purchase shelving for our storage container, a trolley for conveying equipment and contribution to our transport costs for away day activities.

All revenue received is used to fund our programme of events and for the benefit of all members.

Kate Hill-Trevor, High Sheriff of Clwyd said: I was delighted to meet the Erddig Nordic Walkers and learn more about their activities.

With ever increasing evidence about the benefits of spending time outside surrounded by nature and the very small and hopefully affordable donation asked to take part, the group is offering huge and sustainable benefits to physical and mental health, social cohesion and well-being. Why not give it a go?

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin said: It was a pleasure to join Erddig Nordic Walkers during one of their regular group meet-ups.

My plan for fighting crime in North Wales centres on delivering safer neighbourhoods and supporting communities, something that Erddig Nordic Walkers do week in week out by bringing together older members of society thereby helping to promote companionship and reduce social isolation.

PACT Chairman Ashley Rogers commented: Your Community, Your Choice is all about helping groups from across the region access the vital funding to enable them to do their work and I am delighted we have been able to support Erddig Nordic Walkers.

Their emphasis on getting out into the fresh air, meeting friends and doing exercise is an example for us all to follow and a positive demonstration of how funding taken from criminals can be put to good use in society.

North Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Chris Allsop said: North Wales Police is pleased that Erddig Nordic Walkers have been able to benefit from money seized from criminals.

Organisations like this do excellent work in our communities to provide support to different groups of people and their role is appreciated both by neighbourhood policing teams and the leadership of North Wales Police.

We recognise the valuable role they play in liaising with the community to help keep it safe and secure.

Over the eleven years since Your Community, Your Choice started, almost 600,000 has been awarded to nearly 200 projects working to reduce crime in their neighbourhoods and also to support the priorities in the Police and Crime Commissioners Police and Crime Plan.

To learn more about PACT visit: www.pactnorthwales.co.uk. To find out more information about Erddig Nordic Walkers and how to join, visit: www.erddignordicwalkers.co.uk

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Vote of no confidence not heard in unreal meeting prompting councillor walk out

Councillors walked out of the Governance and Audit meeting on Thursday (21 March) following a failed attempt to remove the Chair of the committee.

The issues again appear to be rooted in the fraught Local Development Plan adoption which saw multiple votes, legal challenges, and as readers will be aware a police investigation into senior councillors.

The public kick off saw the acting chair of the committee and Council Leader Mark Pritchard talking over each other and councillors walking out  with one saying they were disappointed concerns are being swept under the carpet.

Last week we reported how Cllr Dana Davies had labelled Cllr Pritchard and Plaid Group Leader, Marc Jones as shallow versions of Trump & Kim Jong Un  while the councillors involved asked: Is the Labour Party locally involved in this attempt to silence democratically elected councillors?

Two involved in that spat clashed again on Thursday during what appeared to be a straightforward Governance and Audit committee meeting, a body that is meant in part to keep oversee the councils performance and professionalism.

The committee is made up of a politically diverse range of councillors and lay members of the public.

However several councillors who appear aligned with the trio involved in the police investigation walked out after a vote of no confidence motion was ruled out of order.

Cllr Trevor Bates raised the issue in public during the matters arising part of the agenda, stating: I have circulated some emails and I mentioned that I wanted to raise a motion of no confidence in yourself as chair.

Referring to an email apparently from Jerry OKeeffe, chair of the committee, Cllr Bates added: But, before I do, I think perhaps you might like to explain something about the email that you send to me on the 9 February.

Its caused me a great deal of stress and anxiety, and not knowing how to deal with it in the best way. I have circulated to all members of this committee.

Referring to the mystery email he invited: I was wondering if you wanted to make a statement before that, how it came about, or why you sent it to me.

Cllr Bates then read out an email he claimed was sent erroneously to him from the Chair of the committee, appearing to be to the police: For members of the committee that perhaps havent heard it the email read how does this email to the police read to you guys it sounds promising. Hence my reply to him aiming at teasing a more positive reply from him.

The Legal Officer of the Council was brought in and advised the committee to move the debate into part two  which would exclude press and public.

It appears you wanting to raise matters that are in confidence, said the legal officer.

Im concerned that youre trying to raise it public.

If you want to discuss confidential things I would advise members to consider whether we move into part two to discuss those rather than in public.

Cllr Dana Davies, at that point vice-chair of the meeting, added: Im concerned here that we may be touching on a whistleblowing policy as well. So we need to be really, really careful.

Lay member Trevor Coxon  who previously worked as Wrexham Councils Head of Corporate and Customer Services and Council Monitoring Officer  queried why the committee was discussing a topic that was not on the agenda, and thus how was it possible to be subject to a vote.

The Legal Officer agreed: You are correct because it is not on the agenda this morning.

There is actually no provision in our constitution for considering that at this point in the meeting.

Plaid Cymrus Cllr Becca Martin stated she had already seconded the motion via email, and proposed moving the meeting to part two secret session to discuss things further.

The Legal Officer rejected that bid: I did respond to Councillor Bates to explain there is no provision in our constitution for your request that in this type of meeting, unless you can refer me to something else in the Constitution, but there is no provision in the constitution for that.

Cllr Martin replied: So theres no rules? So we have concerns that have not been addressed.

I havent received an email other than an email shutting down any discussion over.

At this point Cllr Dana Davies took the Chair of the meeting from Jerry OKeeffe as the matter concerned him.

Cllr Davies pointed to the Constitution and explained that any such motions would need to go to Full Council first, and then the Full Council could defer the debate to the Audit committee or any other committee.

Cllr Bates explained that the process had been followed as had been explained: A motion of no confidence was put to the Legal Officer to go to Full Council and it was refused by the Legal Officer.

Im just wondering why you seem to feel that youve got better knowledge of everything than the Legal Officer?.

Cllr Davies replied: There a process for a motion and part of the processes is whether its lawful or not.

If theres no motion of no confidence in the Constitution, then you cant raise a no confidence issue.

Cllr Bates told the committee: I was told I could raise it today by the Legal Officer.

The Legal Officer told the meeting: Ive specifically advised Cllr Bates that theres no procedure in the constitution for what he is attempting to do this morning.

Ive also met separately with Cllr Bates to explain the avenues that he can use. So that has been explained to him already.

Independent Cllr Paul Rogers waded in, stating: I have concerns that a number of members have put their concerns in writing.

Obviously, there was a response from a monitoring officer, which explained that there wasnt any further correspondence regarding the matter.

Things have moved on since then, and I understand discussions have taken place between members and the monitoring officer.

I am a bit confused as to whether anything has been put in writing as to the process which members should have taken before today.

There has been a significant amount of time to consider which way to go on this and if that hasnt been communicated to the members, I would like to understand why.

After Cllr Davies repeated the process outlined earlier Cllr Rogers came back to note that Cllr Bates said he had submitted a motion of no confidence via that process but it was rejected.

The Legal Officer said: I confirm Ive provided in writing a method by which Councillor Bates can raise his issues.

Cllr Bates read out an email of advice he had been given, in part said: Whilst you can raise no confidence in the chair.

It does not have the effect of sacking the chair. There is no mechanism for this in the Constitution or legislation.

If you do raise this for debate, it would not be appropriate for the chair to remain whilst there is such a debate.

Cllr Bates questioned why he was supplied with such advice if it turns out it was entirely irrelevant compared to the processes outlined in the meeting.

Cllr Davies reiterated the process for bringing a motion again, and tried to move the debate to a closure: Its not an agenda item.

Its not a consideration for this committee at this moment in time and I would ask you to liaise with the group leader and the legal officer on how you want to take that forward.

Some councillors were clearly unhappy with that, with Cllr Martin pointing out she had seconded a motion and questioned if any discussion around this is just being completely shut down.

Cllr Davies said: I havent taken a proposal and I havent taken a seconder because the motion in front of this committee is out of order.

She added: We are being overseen by Welsh Audit here. This is an Audit and Governance Committee.

The clue is in the title. We need to ensure that we comply with procedures including our constitution.

So Im going to end the discussion here because its out of order. Its not the committee to have the discussion.

Cllr Rogers wasnt happy, stating a number of members clearly have serious concerns and suggested moving the debate to part two private session.

That was rejected by the Chair Cllr Davies, who opened up the debate for one more contribution adding then I am going to close down to move the meeting forward.

Mr Coxon backed the chairs view: Can we move to the next item of business because I think there is provision in the standing orders we move to next item of business.

Youve explained very carefully that there is no procedure for this matter to be raised here in this Committee this morning.

We have a full agenda and I think we should move on to the next item of business

Council Leader Mark Pritchard tried to contribute although not a member of the committee, to the resistance of the Chair, he said: Im sure members of this committee would like us to move on. But this is a serious issue, extremely serious.

What I want to say is the public domain. So Im doing nothing wrong. Ive taken legal advice, so youre aware. There was an investigation by

Cllr Pritchard was cut off, by Cllr Davies: Im not going into the detail of that.

Thats why I wouldnt bring you in to start with.

Cllr Pritchard and Cllr Davies then were talking over each other as Cllr Pritchard asked on what grounds will you not allow me to finish?.

Cllr Davies again reiterated the process to take a motion to Full Council, which would then be deferred possibly to the committee.

I am not referring to the motion here today, said Cllr Pritchard.

I am not referring to the elected members concerns.

Im referring to my concerns and Im asking a question to you as vice chair, and the chair in his capacity, that there was an investigation by North Wales Police.

Cllr Davies angrily told Cllr Pritchard, No! No! You cant do this.

You cannot take over the Audit and Governance meeting bringing your concerns here when they are not relevant to the work.

Theres no agenda item here that would allow you to discuss what you want to discuss describing the situation as unreal.

The Legal Officer was brought in and advised: The chair of the meeting currently as ruled as to what the position is and is asked to move on with the meeting and I would advise that is the position

Cllr Martin told the meeting she would be walking out: I am informing you that I will be leaving the meeting because I feel hypocritical when I have concerns that have not been addressed.

They havent been addressed in the last month since I raised them. Theyre not being addressed here.

I dont feel that I can sit in a meeting where these concerns are being swept under the carpet.

Cllr Davies noted that and said she was really disappointed that you will not stay in to carry out that important work of this committee.

Cllr Trevor Bates and Cllr Paul Roberts also said they would be leaving the meeting.

Chair of the meeting Cllr Davies gave her verdict: I think its obvious now that weve got members that are not committed to the work of the Governance and Audit Committee and I find it really disappointing.

Cllr Beverly Parry Jones, who had been sat on Zoom waiting to contribute, spoke to express her concerns over the meeting conduct and suggested it would be reconvened at another time: Just as to minimise the risk to the council because, as youre so fond of saying in the past, its our reputation Councillor Davies.

Our reputation and I do have serious concerns about the way this meeting, especially today, is being conducted in public.

Cllr Davies rejected the call to defer: We just need to focus on the work of the committee and prioritise that work and, to put it bluntly, ignore anything else that is going off to be honest.

At this point Jerry OKeeffe became formal Chair of the meeting again, and the normal business resumed.

Top pic: Empty chairs following the walk out

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The Biden administration, the leading imperialist sponsor of Israels Gaza genocide, which has killed 32,000 Palestinians, displaced nearly 2 million, and imposed starvation on the entire population, is introducing a UN resolution supporting an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The cynicism of Bidens call for a ceasefire, while continuing to fund and arm the government that is massacring over a hundred Palestinians every day and starving the entire Gazan population, is beyond description. The Biden administration hopes that by proclaiming its support for a ceasefire loudly enough it will make the worlds population forget that it fully supports and enables the US-Israeli final solution of the Palestinian question.

In reality, every major action taken by the Netanyahu government, from the ethnic cleansing of northern Gaza in October to the assault on al-Shifa Hospital over the past weekend, has been coordinated with and approved by the Biden administration, which continues to funnel to Israel the weapons used to massacre the population of Gaza.

President Joe Biden is greeted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after arriving at Ben Gurion International Airport, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, in Tel Aviv. [AP Photo/Evan Vucci]

In a call with Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Sunday, Biden called for discussions with a team of military, intelligence and humanitarian experts on Israels impending onslaught on Rafah, underscoring once again American imperialisms direct participation in the genocide against the Palestinians. The southernmost city in Gaza is currently packed with over 1.5 million Palestinians with nowhere else to go.

Unlike multiple UN ceasefire resolutions previously vetoed by the United States, the latest resolution explicitly links a ceasefire to the achievement of Israels military goals.

The resolution ties the call for a ceasefire to the demand for the release of hostages by Hamas, stating:

The Security Council determines the imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire ... and towards that end unequivocally supports ongoing international diplomatic efforts to secure such a ceasefire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages.

This is a restatement of language used by Biden in his warmongering State of the Union address earlier this month, in which he declared, Hamas could end this conflict today by releasing the hostages, laying down arms, and surrendering those responsible for October 7th. In that speech, Biden said that the US has been working non-stop to establish an immediate ceasefire that would last for at least six weeks.

The claim by the Biden administration to support a ceasefire in Gaza is belied by one fact: It continues to be the policy of the United States government that Israel has carte blanche to commit any war crime in Gaza without leading to a reduction of US weapons shipments.

Earlier this month, Biden declared, The defense of Israel is still critical. So theres no red line where Im going to cut off all weapons.

Last week, when asked if there was anything Israel could do that would curtail US funding, Principal Deputy Press Secretary Olivia Dalton replied, I dont think its productive to assign red line terminology to what is a very complex set of policies.

The unmatched hypocrisy of the Biden administration on the Gaza genocide flows from the contradiction between the interests of American imperialism and the sentiments of the vast majority of the American and world population. While Washington is determined to resort to the most barbaric methods, including genocide, to secure its hegemonic position in the latest redivision of the world among the great powers, millions of workers and young people around the world oppose the war crimes being perpetrated by the US and Israel against the population of Gaza.

It is for this reason that the White House has deliberately sought to hide its leading role as the enabler of the Gaza genocide. Earlier this month, press reports revealed that the Biden administration sought to hide weapons transfers for use in Gaza by splitting them up into over 100 separate transactions, each falling below a minimum threshold for reporting to Congress.

The secret weapons shipments include, in the words of the Wall Street Journal, at least 23,000 precision-guided weapons, including Hellfire air-to-ground missiles, drones, and Joint Direct Attack Munition kits, which turn unguided bombs into smart bombs, as well as bunker-buster bombs.

The Biden administration has spread falsehoods about every aspect of Israels genocide. On March 18, the Washington Post published an article based on extensive interviews with Biden administration officials revealing the extent to which the White House consciously lied to the public to justify the genocide.

Three weeks after the October 7 attacks, top Biden officials delivered a private briefing in which they admitted that Israel was carrying out deliberate airstrikes against civilians.

The article reported:

On Oct. 27, three weeks into Israels punishing counterattack in Gaza, top Biden officials privately told a small group assembled at the White House what they would not say in public: Israel was regularly bombing buildings without solid intelligence that they were legitimate military targets.

And yet, to this day, every time a White House official is asked this question, the White House asserts that the bombings of civilians amount to a series of unfortunate accidents. For example, when asked in December whether Israel was carrying out indiscriminate bombing, White House spokesman Matthew Miller said, We have not made a formal determination to that question.

In a subsequent statement, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said, There is a clear intent by the Israelis ... that they are doing everything they can to reduce civilian casualties.

The Washington Post account proves that both of these statements were flat-out lies.

In yet another example, the Biden administration gave Israel a green light in November to attack al-Shifa Hospital by declaring, in the words of Kirby, We have information that confirms that Hamas is using that particular hospital for a command-and-control node.

In reality, no such information existed, because the Biden administration knew the claims by Netanyahu were false. The Post cited Senator Chris Van Hollen, who declared there was a disconnect between the administrations public statements and the classified findings presented to Congress.

The Biden administration, together with the other major imperialist powers, bears responsibility for the Gaza genocide. American imperialism sees it as an essential component of its efforts to subjugate and dominate the Middle East, which are focused on preparations for a region-wide war targeting Iran.

The struggle against the Gaza genocide is the struggle against the imperialist governments that are enabling it, as part of a global eruption of imperialist barbarism throughout the Middle East and around the world.

Workers and young people all over the world must take up the struggle against the Gaza genocide as a critical component of the building of a mass antiwar movement armed with a socialist perspective.
The announcements of billion-dollar investments by the big automotive corporations in recent months in Brazil have shown that the Pink Tide government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of the Workers Party (PT) and its trade union apparatus are recognized as reliable defenders of the interests of the regional ruling class and international capital.

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brasilia [Photo: Ricardo Stuckert/PR]

On March 6 in Brasilia, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares celebrated alongside Lula the official announcement of the companys US$6 billion investment in the country.

Emanuele Capellano, Stellantis chief of operations for Latin America, took the occasion to also announce the companys first significant investment in Argentina under the shock therapy government of the fascistic President Javier Milei.

Capellano declared: Today we celebrate an important day for Stellantis in Brazil, but that doesnt mean we dont have plans for Argentina, where we are market leaders and have two important factories.

The Stellantis announcements were made three months after the Argentine president announced and pushed for a mega package of cuts to subsidies for social programs, the pro-corporate overturning of hundreds of regulations, the limitation of workers right to strike, and the end of price controls in the face of a continuing rise in the prices of basic consumer goods.

During the elections, Milei repeatedly denounced all opposition to himself as the opinion of communists. In government, Milei declared at the end of January that the Pink Tide Colombian President Gustavo Petro was a murderous communist. The Argentine president has responded to the massive protests since his election by doubling down on his threats of violent repression and deploying riot police.

Although some of the measures have been delayed by the legislature, Milei will have the coming months and years to deepen the broad assault on all the social gains of the Argentine working class.

Despite the differences between the political types represented by Lula and Milei, both are committed to defending the capitalist social order in Latin America.

Over the last year, even more sharply than during his two previous presidential terms, Lula has vowed to make massive cuts in social areas at the same time as thousands of jobs have been slashed and the living standards of the working class reduced with the help of a union apparatus that is increasingly integrated into the government. In the auto industry, the reduction in the total workforce has been even greater.

Such measures are seen by international capital and the Brazilian bourgeoisie as promising massive profits. This is reflected in the rise of the business confidence index (ICE) of the Getulio Vargas Foundations Brazilian Institute of Economics, based on 49 segments of the Brazilian economy. Although the ICE fell by 0.7 points in February, it had accumulated an increase of 4.5 points over the previous nine months.

The automakers investments in Brazil and Argentina are being coupled with the purchase of stakes in mining projects for lithium, copper, and other key minerals. In Brazil, German-based Volkswagen has been in dispute with the Chinese-based BYD for the purchase of the Sigma Lithium mining company in the Jequitinhonha Valley in the state of Minas Gerais. The site has an estimated deposit of tens of millions of tons of lithium ore. In Argentina, Stellantis concluded in October a US$90 million deal with Argentina Lithium & Energy Group (ALE), through which the automaker will buy up to 15,000 tons of lithium annually for the next seven years.

These commercial deals and investments are part of the increasingly fierce disputes for markets, raw materials and geopolitical advantages between the imperialist powers themselves and immediately targeting their economic competitors, most decisively, China.

Amid the rapid development of a new imperialist global war, the appeals of figures such as Lula and other representatives of the Pink Tide for a new multipolar order are being increasingly exposed as empty. The idea that US-NATO imperialism can be pressured to peacefully accept the challenge to its regional interests in Latin America, or even that continued investments by China could guarantee a sustained capitalist development in the region, is completely at odds with reality.

In the context of a sharpening crisis of global capitalism, the class interests of the Latin American bourgeoisie can only be pursued through brutal police-state measures and, in the last instance, meeting the industrial and economic needs of imperialism for waging a third world war.

In fact, all the actions taken by Lula since his own election were not against, but in the direction of preparing, a police state in Brazil. Lula has responded to the evidence confirming the participation of the generals alongside former president Jair Bolsonaro in the planning, preparation and execution of the January 8 coup attempt with the expansion of investments in the armed forces.

More recently, he notoriously canceled an event scheduled to mark the 60th anniversary of the March 31, 1964 military coup backed by the CIA in Brazil in order to appease the armed forces. This harmonious relationship being cultivated by the PT can only be advanced by trampling over the backs of workers and youth.

Any mobilization of the Latin American working class that threatens corporate profits will be met with brutal violence either by the fascistic or the so-called left factions of the bourgeoisie. The fact that the transnational corporations see the policies of Milei and Lula as just alternate methods for securing their own interests shows that there is no real alternative for the Latin American working class within the established capitalist political system.
On Friday at the U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield voted in favor of the resolution, while the representatives of Algeria and China beside her rejected it.

On Friday at the U.N. Security Council, Russia and China vetoed the long-awaited draft resolution for an immediate and sustained ceasefire in Gaza linked to the release of all hostages held by Hamas, which the United States had been negotiating for weeks within the body responsible for world peace and security. The defeated resolution represented the alternative to its third veto of a draft resolution for a humanitarian ceasefire at the end of February, as Washington was investing more in direct negotiations between the parties, which it is brokering along with Qatar and Egypt.

Washingtons text  the resolutions sixth revision  obtained 11 votes in favor, 3 against (the vetoes of China and Russia and Algerias negative vote) and 1 abstention (Guyana). In addition to the votes predictable outcome, the speeches by the United States and Russia for and against the resolution, respectively, were the most significant aspect of the session, which was yet another Security Council fiasco. The U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Linda Thomas-Greenfield, mentioned Hamas so many times  the hostages still in its custody, its brutal attack of October 7, and the sexual violence that its militants perpetrated, according to Israel  that it seemed more like a plea against the terrorist organization than in favor of Gazas civilian population, the beneficiary, in theory, of this six-week-long immediate sustained ceasefire aimed at alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

In addition to calling for the support of all Council members for the resolution, because it would be a historic mistake not to pass it, in her brief speech before the vote the U.S. ambassador called on Israel to remove all barriers to the delivery of humanitarian aid and condemned any attempt to resettle the Gazan population, a veiled allusion to the massive displacement of civilians from the north to the south of the Gaza Strip as a result of Israels ongoing military offensive.

We want to see an immediate and sustained ceasefire as part of a deal that leads to the release of all hostages being held by Hamas and other groups, and that will allow much more lifesaving humanitarian aid to get into Gaza (...). Thats why the United States, Egypt, and Qatar are working around the clock in the region to secure an immediate and sustained ceasefire as part of a deal that leads to the release of all hostages being held by Hamas and other groups  that will help us address the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We believe were close, were not there yet, unfortunately, Thomas-Greenfield said. She emphasized that adopting the resolution would have put pressure on Hamas to accept the deal that is on the table. The diplomat did not refer to Israels theoretical obligation to abide by the resolution, which, like all Security Council resolutions, is binding.

Moscow calls it a hypocritical proposal

The reply of the Russian ambassador to the U.N., Vassili Nebenzia, could not have been harsher. His political speech underscored the Security Councils existential division, which has been evident since the war in Ukraine began. Nebenzia called the U.S. resolution proposal a hypocritical spectacle after weeks of buying time. This was some kind of an empty rhetorical exercise. The American product is exceedingly politicized, the sole purpose of which is to help to play to the voters, to throw them a bone in the form of some kind of a mention of a ceasefire in Gaza  and to ensure the impunity of Israel, whose crimes in the draft are not even assessed.

Nebenzia added that we cannot allow the Council to become an instrument of U.S. policy in the Middle East because that would be favoring Israel. He asserted that the text was giving Israel the green light for its ground offensive against Rafah, at the southern tip of the Gaza Strip, where more than half of its 2.3 million inhabitants have taken refuge in makeshift tents to escape the fighting further north. This would free the hands of Israel and it would result in all of Gaza and its entire population having to face destruction, devastation or expulsion, Nebenzia told the meeting. Several non-permanent members of the Council have been working on an alternative resolution, which Nebenzia described as balanced.

The intervention of the two ambassadors was a political  not diplomatic  melee. After seeing her proposed resolution rejected, the U.S. ambassador lamented that Moscow had put politics above progress and pointed the finger at Russia and China for their veto, an old mechanism inherited from the 1945 U.N. constitution; numerous leaders, starting with the organizations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, have called for reforming the mechanism.

Pressure on Israel

In its resolution, the U.S. raised the need for a ceasefire for the first time, in line with the gradual hardening of Washingtons policy toward Israel in recent weeks. On three previous occasions during the first five months of the war, the United States vetoed proposed humanitarian ceasefire resolutions because the mere mention of even a temporary cessation of hostilities was a red line for Israel, which believed that it would allow Hamas to regroup. Although Washington has been modulating its discourse  its support for Israel has led to several warnings for President Joe Biden in the Democratic primaries  it cannot let go completely, but it has increased pressure on its ally to allow more humanitarian aid and better protect civilians.

The U.S. mission to the U.N. arrived at Fridays vote convinced that the text, the result of many rounds of consultations with Security Council members, could move forward, although it has always favored the direct ceasefire negotiations that it is mediating with Egypt and Qatar. Indeed, the draft resolutions text endorsed those talks, unsuccessful so far, and emphasized that the six-week ceasefire period should be used to redouble diplomatic efforts toward a lasting peace.

On Thursday, during his sixth visit to the region since the Gaza war began, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the Qatar talks, which focus on a six-week ceasefire and the release of 40 Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, are still viable. The main stumbling block has been Hamass insistence that it will only release the hostages as part of a deal to end the war. For its part, Israel says it will only discuss a temporary ceasefire.

During the war, Washington has vetoed three draft resolutions, two of which called for an immediate ceasefire. Recently, the U.S. justified its veto on the grounds that such action by the Security Council could jeopardize talks in Cairo and Qatar. But the U.S. has also abstained twice, allowing the Council to pass resolutions on increasing aid, establishing humanitarian corridors, and calling for a prolonged pause in the fighting.

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The Democratic Party is intensifying efforts to block third-party and independent candidates from appearing on the ballot in November, a campaign which is directed particularly against presidential candidates appealing to left-wing opposition to the Biden administration, including Socialist Equality Party candidate Joseph Kishore, Green Party candidate Jill Stein and independent candidate Cornel West.

On Wednesday, the New York Times reported that an increasingly alarmed Democratic Party has put together a new team of lawyers aimed at tracking the threat posed by third-party candidates in order to block them from appearing on the ballot.

President Joe Biden speaks from the Oval Office of the White House Thursday, October 19, 2023, in Washington, about the war in Israel and Ukraine. [AP Photo/Jonathan Ernst]

In the language of a military operation, the Times reported that this legal offensive will be led by Dana Remus, who until 2022 served as President Bidens White House counsel, and Robert Lenhard, an outside lawyer for the party

They will be engaged in a state-by-state counterinsurgency plan ahead of an election that could hinge on just a few thousand votes in swing states, the Times wrote.

Conventional wisdom within the Democratic Party now, the Times added, is that any vote not for Mr. Biden benefits Mr. Trump, and there are concerns that giving people more choices on the ballot is more likely to hurt Mr. Biden. The last thing the Democratic Party wants is more choices, otherwise known as democracy.

Lenhard, quoted favorably by the Times, the unofficial press organ of the Democratic Party, said the purpose of the legal offensive is to ensure all the candidates are playing by the rules, and to seek to hold them accountable when they are not.

The rules regarding campaign finance and ballot access are established by the Democrats and Republicans to safeguard the monopoly of the two-party system. And they are being constantly altered to make it ever more difficult for independent candidates to get on the ballot.

While minor nuisances for the Democrats or Republicans, with access to billions in funds supplied by the financial aristocracy, for third parties and independent campaigns, not bought and paid for by billionaires, failure to comply with campaign finance laws can result in onerous fines that can cripple an organization.

In terms of ballot access, each state has different ballot and financial requirements, with some states such as California and Texas requiring well over 100,000 signatures to achieve ballot status. Unsurprisingly, Lenhard defended these anti-democratic measures to the Times, claiming they are a way to ensure that the people who are on the ballot have legitimate bases of support, and its not simply a vanity project.

The Times report comes after NBC News and the Washington Post reported earlier this month that the Democrats had already hired a team of lawyers and political operatives to engage in opposition research and legal challenges to third-party and independent presidential candidates.

None of the major third-party campaigns have achieved ballot access in all 50 states yet. The Green Party, which received a significant vote share in 2016, is currently on the ballot in 20 states and is actively petitioning to get on the ballot in 20 more states.

This reporter reached out to the campaigns of Jill Stein, Cornel West and several Democratic politicians to get their response to the Democratic Partys efforts to block voters from having a choice outside the two big businesses parties.

Jason Call, campaign manager for Jill Stein 2024, stated:

Rather than try to take away ballot options that would better represent the interests of the American public, perhaps the Democratic Party should focus on passing legislation that would actually help struggling people such as a universal single payer healthcare program or guaranteed housing. Sadly, both major political parties in America are fully beholden to the corporate interests which fund the political system. Third parties, in particular the Green Party, are a challenge to that system of corporate hegemony which seeks to deny the general public their own collective power.

Call added:

I find it laughable that the Democratic Party has positions on playing by the rules when Green Party candidate Matthew Hoh, running for North Carolina Senate in 2022, had to take the [North Carolina] Board of Elections to court when they attempted to deny him a legally earned spot on the ballot. Furthermore, the establishment controlled [Federal Elections Commission] took Jill Stein to court for improperly using matching funds designated for the primary, when she followed the exact same rules applicable to 2012.

The fine levied was $175,000. If this is the plan Democrats intend to use, to tie up third party campaigns with trumped up legalese, or to change rules midstream because they are afraid of losing voters to candidates who better represent their values and priorities, I dont know how that can be considered an exercise in democracy. The Democrats appear to want to kill democracy in order to save it.

Socialist Equality Party presidential candidate Joseph Kishore responded to the intensifying efforts to block third parties on Twitter/X, writing, I condemn and oppose the Democrats all-out war on third parties and independent candidates. The SEP supports the right to appear on the ballot for all independent and third party candidates, including the SEP campaign as well as the campaigns of Jill Stein, Cornel West and others.

Kishore added:

The Democrats all-out war also exposes the pretense that it is defending democracy against the fascist Trump. When the Democrats talk about the right to vote, what they really mean is the right to choose one of two representatives of the corporate-financial oligarchy. And their principal concern is to make sure that nothing gets in the way of the escalating global war, including the US-NATO war against Russia over Ukraine and the genocide in Gaza.

The defense of democratic rights is impossible without addressing the root cause of dictatorship: the staggering concentration of wealth in the hands of the capitalist oligarchy. The wealth of the billionaires must be expropriated and the gigantic corporations must be transformed into publicly controlled utilities, run on the basis of social need, not private profit.

The Cornel West campaign has not yet replied to a WSWS request for comment. Similar efforts to solicit a comment went unanswered from Senator Bernie Sanders (Independent-Vermont), and Democratic representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Rashida Tlaib (Michigan), Pramila Jayapal (Washington) and Ruben Gallego (Arizona).
The Canada Post Corporation (CPC), a Crown corporation wholly owned by the federal government, is demanding massive concessions from around 50,000 postal workers in ongoing contract talks. The company has been in closed-door bargaining with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) since late last year over the contracts for two mail carrier bargaining units: Urban Postal Operations (UPOs), who account for some 42,000 workers, and Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMCs), of which there are approximately 8,000.

A Canada Post worker walks to his truck in Richmond, British Columbia [AP Photo/Ted S. Warren]

The contract for UPOs expired January 31, while RSMCs have been forced to work without a contract since December 31.

Although CUPW has admitted in its own sporadic updates that CPC is looking for sweeping concessions, the union has not mobilized postal workers in a fight against the givebacks floated by management, never mind in a struggle to demand improvements. The union bureaucracy is determined to keep the workers confined to the pro-employer collective bargaining process, allowing CPC management to go on the offensive.

Dynamic routing and two-tier employment schemes are two of the main concessions currently on the table. Dynamic routing relies on computer software to adjust mail delivery routes day by day. CUPW describes the system as a major restructuring of letter carrier work, which will end route ownership by letter carriers, introduce more part-time workers and eliminate time values for some inside work, among other concessions.

Instead of owning a route, under dynamic routing, letter carriers will bid on a work schedule within which a computer program will decide carriers daily work tasks and order of delivery. Owning a route gives workers an expectation of what their job will look like into the futurethe next week, next monthuntil the worker bids and accepts another route.

The consistency of being able to walk into work and having clear expectations for that day is a fundamental part of a postal workers career. Changing the route day-to-day massively undermines job security and seniority rights, effectively turning the entire workforce into the lowest tier of on-call employees, whose role is traditionally to cover routes based on worker absences.

As part of the changes associated with dynamic routing, CPC intends to create a new function within the letter carrier classification called Permanent Flexible Employees. These workers would be expected to come into work every day for three to eight hours of work to cover tasks currently performed by full-time workers on overtime pay. UPOs depend on overtime to make extra money, especially around the Christmas holidays. This proposal would mean more part-time work within the group and fewer full-time positions, a CUPW update noted.

The company also wants to create a new inside role called Delivery Support. This function would combine the current LCA [letter carrier assistant] and Router functions, moving that work from Group 2 to Group 1 where no time value is given to the work. This mechanism would allow the company to hugely intensify workloads and the pace of the job.

In line with these changes, CPC is looking to scrap the eight-hour day and replace it with a variable work week. CUPW describes this as a schedule where daily shifts within any given week will vary. An example provided is, a carrier might work 8.5 hours Monday but shorter shifts the rest of the week, to make a total of 40 hours in a five-day work week. This will effectively end overtime premiums for working more than eight hours in one day.

The employer also hopes to expand the use of temporary workers, and is demanding the ability to call in temporary employees before offering overtime to full-time carriers to cover absences. This could refer to having temporary employees cover known absences such as planned vacations, as well as unknown absences such as sick days or emergency personal days.

CPC currently relies on workers to take on additional work when workloads are seasonally high or routes are not covered. Instead of creating high-quality and full-time jobs, the understaffed UPOs are incentivized to take on additional work at overtime rates. After a grueling 11 hours of work in one day, a UPOs overtime rate increases to double time. Expanding the use of temporary workers would eliminate this additional cost. As the union noted, The employer wants to stop paying double time from the third hour of overtime.

Marriage leave is currently provided for both the RSMC and UPO bargaining units, where five days paid leave is provided for workers who are getting married. RSMCs won this leave only five years ago in 2019, and already, CPC is looking to remove it for both bargaining units.

There is no benefit too small for CPC to attack. The UPOs collective agreement provides workers with five (5) minutes paid wash-up time before the meal period, which the corporation now wants to remove from the paid workday.

Workers vacation rights are also threatened. Currently, all 52 weeks of the year are available for bidding for vacation leave, but CPC is looking to Black out  Vacation Leave schedules during the Christmas peak period, Get rid of superimposed Vacation Leave and Stop reposting vacation weeks that become available during the year.

Vacation leave for mail carriers currently maxes out at seven weeks per year, after 28 years of continuous employment. Vacation leave starts at three weeks for a new employee, and increases by one week after seven years of service. Pitting current workers against new hires, CPC wants to introduce a two-tier vacation scheme. For new hires, the seven-week vacation tier would be completely removed. Rather than gaining an extra week of vacation after seven years, new hires would have to work for 10 years. Additionally, employees who are 50 to 60 years old, depending on how long theyve worked for Canada Post, will lose their Pre-retirement Leave, according to CUPWs Bargaining Update.

The union is fully complicit in this savage onslaught on worker rights. AS CUPW sheepishly noted in its February 15 update, the union worked closely with and supported CPC in the Champlain, Montreal, depot during the recently expired contract to trial a novel way for mail carriers to perform their daily tasks by implementing dynamic routing.

Recognizing the unions invaluable services in imposing concessions on postal workers, CPC hopes to continue the corporatist partnership that has enabled it to enforce one round of attacks after another in recent decades. In CPCs words, the corporations goal is to work collaboratively with CUPW to reach negotiated agreements. CUPW noted blandly, We can expect more rollbacks in the coming weeks, but it has yet to call a strike vote, let alone discuss any plans for a struggle to defeat these rollbacks.

Managements brazenness in pushing for such a massive restructuring of the workforce is connected to the broader onslaught on working conditions and wages being enforced by the ruling elite.

In order to pay for Canadian imperialisms wars abroad, military rearmament, and handouts to the corporate elite, the union-backed, NDP supported Trudeau Liberal government has spearheaded austerity policies that have been taken up by governments at all levels.

The Trudeau government has also directly intervened in major struggles to impose pro-corporate settlements. During the strike by over 7,000 British Columbia dockworkers last summer, the Liberals prevailed on the Canada Industrial Relations Board to impose a draconian strike ban, and succeeded through bullying and threats in ramming a concessions-filled contract down workers throats.

Postal workers have made their own experience with the supposedly progressive, worker-friendly union-backed Liberals. In 2018, the Trudeau government adopted Bill C-89 to criminalize rotating strikes by postal workers, which the union called as a desperate measure to block an indefinite all-out strike. The strikebreaking legislation proved that the Liberals will not hesitate to use the full force of the state against workers to enforce managements dictates. CPC can count on the federal government to intervene if CUPW is no longer able to police the working class by containing workers anger within the suffocating collective bargaining system.

Any fight against CPC-demanded concessions must raise the necessity of a political struggle against the tripartite corporate-union-government alliance, which works to further capitalist interests, including the imperialist genocide in Gaza and the US-NATO war in Russia and Ukraine.

The CUPW apparatus is a major component of this alliance and is key in providing political cover to the agenda of austerity for the working class, tax cuts for the ruling class, and increased military spending to wage war abroad. These policies of class war are fully endorsed by the union bureaucracy. This treachery is not simply a matter of bad union leaders, but is ultimately due to the fundamental class role the pro-capitalist, nationalist union bureaucracies play in suppressing workers struggles.

Postal workers have natural allies in other sections of the working class to wage such a fight, both in Canada and internationally. A struggle by Canada Post workers for improvements to working conditions and wages must encompass the full CUPW membership and appeal to workers even more broadly, including postal workers in the US and Britain, who have experienced similar attacks on their conditions and established rank-and-file committees to oppose the treachery of their respective unions in implementing pro-employer attacks.

The World Socialist Web Site urges postal workers ready to fight CPCs outrageous concessions demands to draw the necessary conclusions from CUPWs complicity in undermining their working conditions. The only way forward is through the construction of rank-and-file committees at every depot to seize control of the contract struggle from the hands of the bureaucracy and place power back where it belongs on the shop floor. These committees should draw up a list of non-negotiable demands for postal workers and call for a broadening of the struggle against the gutting of wages and workplace protections into a political struggle against the ruling elites drive to make workers pay for imperialist war and rampant capitalist profiteering.
The San Diego Unified School District Board voted last week to cut more than 400 jobs as it tries to close a $94 million budget deficit. The district will begin sending layoff notices this week.

Patrick Henry High School in San Diego, California [Photo: San Diego Unified School District]

The hundreds of positions being let go include teachers, bus drivers, counselors, cafeteria workers, and janitors. The meeting agenda outlined how at least 222 education credentialed employees, such as Science, Bilingual, and Special Education teachers will also be cut.

Educators, parents, and students have responded with a flurry of anger to the news. Many are correctly pointing out the fact that cuts to education are for the purpose of funneling more public funds into for-profit charter schools.

One educator posted online, Im telling you as an educator right now; public school is superior on average for learning because of its wide accessibility and socialization patterns. Funding public schools yields incredible results comparatively, charter and homeschooling is absolutely the wrong path and its becoming painfully obvious as I witness kids struggle with college admissions and graduating into the real world.

Another added, Or they could keep the teachers and get a lower teacher to student ratio, which has been demonstrated time and time again to yield better academic results.

While another pointed out that, Its almost as if public schools shouldnt be run as a business / corporate interest.

Meanwhile the union, the San Diego Education Association (SDEA) which is planning a rally on March 26 at a school board meeting, will do little to nothing to prevent the layoffs with a decades long history of accepting job and budget cuts. On its Facebook page the SDEA effectively took the side of the district in justifying the reductions, stating, While there is a need for some staffing adjustments, due to declining enrollment, these district layoffs are not the most effective solution.

Other school districts in San Diego County and across California also face severe budget cuts, layoffs, and school closures. The Grossmont Union District School Board, east of San Diego, recently voted to potentially eliminate 86 jobs in the next school year, while the Chula Vista School District voted to cut 100 jobs in a special weekend meeting. The South Bay Union School District is also considering campus closures due to declining enrollments.

School officials have tied the cuts to the fact that the third and final rounds of COVID relief funds will expire in September. The state and federal funds allowed the districts to hire more staff and teachers and even reduce some class sizes.

Since 2004, California has seen 500,000 fewer students enroll in schools. This is due to many factors including the high cost of living in the state and unaffordable housing compelling many families to move out of state.

Meanwhile continued budget cuts to public education only further push students into charter schools or homeschooling. According to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, enrollment in charters has increased throughout the US by two percent in the 2022-2023 school year. Additionally increased infections due to COVID-19 have resulted in prolonged health issues and Long Covid.

Many children are also facing homelessness, which affects their ability to attend school. According to a 2023 report from the National Center for Homeless Education, public schools across the US reported more than 1.2 million homeless students as of the 2021-22 school year, accounting for 2.4 percent of all public school students, a 10 percent increase from the year prior.

Some counties throughout California have much higher rates of homeless student population such as Santa Barbara (12.3 percent) and Monterey (14.2 percent) given the high migrant population in the central coast of the state according to March 2024 figures from the Public Policy Institute of California.

San Diego Unified School District is the second largest in California and faces a $93.7 million deficit but other school districts in the county are experiencing similar budget shortfalls. Grossmont Union High School District is primed to cut 43 jobs including a dean, three vice principals, 8 program specialists, 7 curriculum specialists and an alternative education principal.

Chula Vista Elementary, the fourth largest school district in San Diego County, serves more than 29,000 students at its combined 45 schools and employs 5,000 teachers and staff is not facing a budget deficit but still plans to cut more than 100 staff after pandemic funding expires next year. The school board approved cutting 132 full-time positions, including 55 classified and 77 certified.

Certified jobs include most teachers and administrators with some kind of teaching credential. Classified employees, like custodians, instructional aides, and others, do not require a teaching credential.

While the positions are being cut, some teachers may get their old jobs back from before the pandemic and other classified staff will be moved across the district to another open position.

San Diego Unified School District plans even more cuts after this years layoffs. Even with 250 employees laid off and another 484 positions let go, it still faces a budget deficit of $25 million next year. Another $164 million shortfall is expected in the 2025-26 year.

The district received almost $840 million in pandemic-era funds to combat high abstention rates and declining student enrollment. Employees of the district received a 10 percent retroactive raise and a 5 percent bump this year because of union contract agreements, which cost an additional $517 million over a three-year period.

However these raises have not contributed to the budget deficit as the latest projections show that the district spent $850,000 less on teachers salaries for the 2024-25 school year.

In the latest board meeting, officials stated that they will be able to meet budget expectations for the next two school years and have already begun to notify fired employees.

Elsewhere in the state, San Francisco faces a $421 million budget deficit and is preparing to eliminate 927 positions. The Manhattan Beach Unified School District plans to cut 70 teachers in the next two years and increase class sizes. In the Anaheim Union High School District a recent unanimous school board decision to gut 10 percent of the operating budget including the layoffs of an estimated 120 teachers and staff, was met with opposition among students and parents last week.

Districts across the country are facing similar budget shortfalls and staff layoffs. Hundreds of schools are closing, thousands of staff are being laid off, and the end of critical support programs will impact countless students. The Biden Administration has refused to extend the Federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds which will expire in September. The $190 billion relief was meant to help schools survive the pandemic and make up for learning losses. Meanwhile, a record $886.3 billion will be provided to the military, more than half of the governments discretionary spending.
On Tuesday, French army chief of staff General Pierre Schill announced in a column published in Le Monde that France is ready to send troops to Ukraine to fight Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron shake hands after a press conference, on Feb. 16, 2024 at the Elysee Palace in Paris [AP Photo/Thibault Camus]

However the international situation evolves, the French people can be certain: their soldiers will respond to the call, Schill declared. To defend itself against aggression and defend its interests, the French army is preparing for the most difficult fighting, letting that fact be known, and showing it, he added. He stressed that France can deploy 20,000 troops within 30 days.

Schill did not explicitly mention the war in Ukraine, but there is no doubt as to what his target was. Three weeks ago, Macron said he did not exclude sending European troops to Ukraine. Since then, Macron made off-the-record comments that he wants to send guys to the strategic port of Odessa, in southern Ukraine.

These statements confirm that Macron and the French army command intend to trample underfoot deep working class opposition to war. Polls that came out after Macron threatened a ground intervention showed 68 percent of French people and 80 percent of Germans opposing escalation. However, the European imperialist powers are pressing forward, as in 1914 or 1939, along a path ending in total war.

Also on Tuesday, Sergey Naryshkin, the head of Russian military foreign intelligence, told TASS that France plans to send troops to Ukraine. Russia has information showing that France is preparing to send a military contingent of 2,000 men to Ukraine, TASS wrote, citing Naryshkin: The current rulers of the country [i.e., France] are not moved by the deaths of ordinary French people or the concerns of the generals.

Naryshkin said French generals fear that such a large military unit could not be transferred and stationed inside Ukraine without being detected. This unit, he warned, will become a high-value and legitimate target for the Russian armed forces.

The French defense ministry replied in the Depeche du Midi by denouncing Naryshkins warnings, calling them irresponsible provocations from Moscow: The maneuvers orchestrated by Sergey Naryshkin, leader of Russian foreign intelligence, show again how Russia systematically resorts to disinformation. We consider that such provocations are irresponsible.

The French defense ministrys denials are a pack of lies aiming to lull the public to sleep amid the danger of nuclear war. Macrons statement has made clear Paris is planning to dispatch considerable forces to Ukraine. Many reports, including a leaked tape of German officers recorded by Russian intelligence, show that Britain and France already have troops on the ground.

On March 14, for the 25th anniversary of Polands joining NATO, Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski admitted that NATO already has forces in Ukraine: Soldiers of NATO countries are already in Ukraine, and I would like to thank the ambassadors of the countries who have taken such a risk. He did not name the countries who have sent troops to Ukraine, declaring that Ukrainians know better than anyone else who is involved.

Why is the defense ministry issuing these irresponsible denials against the Russian warnings? It undoubtedly fears, at home, that statements like Naryshkins will heighten mounting concerns and awareness in the population of the risk of total war.

The French government, with colossal recklessness, is ignoring the dangers posed by direct combat between Russian and NATO troops. In his Le Monde column, General Schill blithely writes that for France, Nuclear deterrence protects its vital interests. In reality, everything indicates that a warmongering decision by Macron to send troops to Ukraine would lead to bloody fighting and the likely use of nuclear weapons.

No one in ruling circles is concretely answering the question: where would the escalation stop? Given the disproportion of forces between the several hundred thousand of Russian troops in Ukraine and at most a few tens of thousands of French troops, it seems inevitable that the French contingent will be located, targeted and destroyed. Would Macron then send more troops, or deploy nuclear weapons to try to stop Russian attacks on his forces?

It is in any case clear, despite the deafening anti-Russian propaganda in European media in recent years, that the war has been a disaster for the NATO-backed Ukrainian army. But despite the danger of a war that could end human civilization, the French government and its NATO allies are still tobogganing eyes closed towards catastrophe.

French threats have provoked bitter reactions from the Kremlin. The night of his massive presidential election victory, with over 87 percent of the vote, Vladimir Putin said that many soldiers of NATO countries are already in Ukraine, including French ones. He added, NATO troops are in Ukraine, we know that. We hear French and English spoken there; it is not good, for them first of all, because they are getting killed, and in large numbers.

Asked about Macrons comments refusing to rule out deployments of ground troops to Ukraine, Putin said: It is clear to everyone that conflict between Russia and NATO would be the last step before a Third World War. I think that virtually no one wants that.

But the reality is that capitalist governments are all pursuing a military escalation, led not by Moscow, but by the NATO imperialist powers. The remarks last week on Europe1 television of Henri Guaino, an adviser of former right-wing French President Nicolas Sarkozy, summarized fairly well the war hysteria that has seized French ruling circles, particularly since Macron called to send troops to Ukraine.

A crusading spirit predominates, Guaino said: People play around with war, with something that is terrible. Its not just [Macron]. There are people I usually find quite intelligent playing at war in parliament, on television, on the radio. Something is going wrong, people treat war as if it were an anecdotal issue ... but what is at stake is the life or death of nations. We are playing against a backdrop of nuclear weapons.

Guaino stressed that his main fear is an explosion of social and political opposition to the war in Ukraine and the NATO imperialist regimes that led it.

He said, The risk in all this is that public opinion will turn against us, people are tired and divided. Look at the state our societies are in, and look how all our previous crusades ended, where we said the exact same thing as we are saying today. We said about Vietnam, if we dont do it, it will be an Asian Munich, then we said that about Afghanistan.

In reality, what is occurring is a mortal crisis of the capitalist system, like the two world wars of the 20th century. The disastrous consequences of the Stalinist dissolution of the Soviet Union, which divided Russia and Ukraine and paved the way for the NATO alliance to expand across Europe, are becoming plainly evident. The way forward now is the calling of protests and meetings against the war, fighting to build an international, socialist anti-war movement in the working class.
If they dare, we will open the negotiating tables, said Colombian President Gustavo Petro, placing the ball in the court of the Gulf Clan, the drug trafficking organization that represents one of the biggest obstacles to the total peace policy proposed by his government. But to dare is to dare to leave the illicit economy and illegality, and get into a difficult challenge, which is to transform this territory into a prosperous region, Petro said earlier this week in Apartado, Antioquia, one of the many areas where the countrys largest armed organized crime group operates.

Petro spoke of a legal negotiation and a collective acceptance of justice, which met an almost immediate response by the Gulf Clan. In a communique signed as the Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, the name it uses to refer to itself, the group agreed to sit down to negotiate the political conditions that will allow the social transformations that we all want for the regions where we are present. Where the president insinuates a submission, the heads of the Clan outline a political negotiation. Despite this gap, the truth is that the government opens the door to dialogue with the heir group to the paramilitaries, the missing part of total peace, with which it intends to set in motion simultaneous processes with various illegal actors.

Until now, Petro had threatened to destroy the Gulf Clan, emphasizing its criminal character: [Jorge Eliecer] Gaitan was a revolutionary and not a rabble-rouser, he said in Apartado. Previous attempts at negotiation had not prospered. The Gulf Clan is responsible for around half of the drugs that have been trafficked from Colombia in recent years, and it is heavily involved in crimes such as extortion, illegal mining, and the appropriation of public resources through municipal administrations. The group is also involved in the record passage of migrants through the dangerous routes that cross the border separating Colombia and Panama, in the thick jungle of the Darien. Analysts agree that the Gulf Clan has a dominant position in the criminal world. In addition, it maintains open wars with the ELN guerrillas and the FARC dissidents of the Central General Staff (EMC), two groups that are negotiating with the government and have agreed bilateral ceasefires, although the process with the EMC has entered into crisis.

Members of the Gulf Clan denouncing a policy of extermination by the government in February. Gaitanistas 1948

Including the Gulf Clan  led by Jesus Avila Chiquito Malo Villadiego after the capture and extradition of Dairo Antonio Usuga, Otoniel  is fundamental to the aim of extinguishing the violence that still smolders in many parts of Colombia, as Petro has pledged. Two reports from prominent think tanks issued this week agreed in putting forward recommendations for eventual dialogue with a group that insists on presenting itself as a political-military organization and has grown from fewer than 4,000 members in 2018 to more than 6,000 today, a figure that some estimates place as high as 9,000.

Negotiating with Colombias largest armed group requires defining the place of subjugation within the governments peace strategy, notes the Fundacion Ideas para la Paz (FIP) in the report. It is necessary to find an adequate balance between the possibility of generating a new legal framework for submission, which has clear and effective incentives for this group and, on the other hand, respects the autonomy and guidelines of the Prosecutors Office and the National Government regarding the possibilities of submission, says the FIP.

From its stronghold on the Atlantic coast, where it controls some of the main drug-trafficking routes and migrant smuggling networks, the Gulf Clan exercises coercive control over numerous communities, states an International Crisis Group (ICG) report. If they remain outside peace talks, they could undermine negotiations with other groups or capitalise on their demobilisation, the report warns. No other armed group is likely to contemplate laying down its arms for the duration while the Gaitanistas are poised to grab their former lands and businesses. In other words, for total peace to succeed, the Gulf Clan needs to be brought into the negotiations, despite being considered a criminal group rather than a political insurgency.

Nothing in this process will be easy, concedes the ICG. The government cannot attempt to take the final step (dismantling the Gaitanistas and their networks) without new legislation, it notes. If a legal path can be established, the state would still face difficulties in offering sufficient incentives to convince ex-combatants to leave criminal activities permanently while at the same time doing justice for the victims and not offending public opinion. The two think tanks agree that the police and army should continue their operations to protect civilians and pressure the Gulf Clan to engage in talks. If the Clan has insisted on contacting both the government and the Attorney Generals Office, it is largely because of this deployment.

In the end, this negotiation has to take place with the Attorney Generals Office. The terms are going to be the least important thing, analyst Jorge Mantilla, an expert in armed conflict, criminal governance, and security, said of the possibility of political recognition. Ultimately, in practical terms, it is a negotiation, only it is not political but judicial in exchange for justice, economic benefits, and guarantees, he adds. These formulas involve issues of truth, justice, and reparation, which include the percentage of capital to be handed over, as well as guarantees of legal and physical security for those who decide to accept. With a little more than two years of his mandate remaining, time is running out to launch a new process in search of Petros elusive total peace.

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Nigers coup leadership is threatening to follow in the footsteps of its African neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso in making Russia its almost exclusive ally in defense and particularly, in the fight against the jihadism spreading in the Sahel region. The military junta that has ruled the country of 25 million inhabitants since a July 2023 uprising, under the command of General Abdurahamane Tchiani, has announced the end of the military agreement with the United States, which allows for the presence on its territory of more than a thousand Americans, including military personnel, contractors and civilians. The Biden administration and the US military command, which maintains an air base in Agaez, in the center of Niger, which is key to its security strategy in the region, have stated that they are still negotiating with Niamey authorities to try to avoid the expulsion.

Niger, one of the poorest countries in the world  fifth on the list, according to the Human Development Index , has nonetheless attracted a strong foreign military presence in recent years. This includes forces from the United States, but also France, Italy and Germany. Rich in minerals, especially in valuable uranium, which is key to the nuclear industry, the country is both part of a key route for African migrants and the target of violence by jihadist groups.

Coronel Amadu Abdramane, spokesperson for the Niger military junta, appeared last week on television to label the U.S. military presence illegal and announce the end of the agreement between the two countries, effective immediately. In his statement, Abdramane said that during a recent visit by a U.S. delegation to Niamey, the countrys capital, Washington tried to deny Niger its right to choose its allies, in particular in the fight against jihadist violence. Without naming names, the Niger administration has made it clear that it considers Moscow its new strategic partner, which for Washington could be red flag.

The North American contingent to whose visit Abdramane referred included assistant secretary of state for African affairs, Molly Phee, the assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, Celeste Wallander, and the commander of U.S. Africa Command (Africom), General Michael Langley. According to information that was made public by the Pentagon on Monday, on their trip to Niamey the U.S. functionaries, just as the Niger spokesperson said, expressed concern over Nigers potential relationships with Russia and Iran, in addition to discussing a new path of cooperation forward for the two countries. New, because since July 26 of last year, the date that President Mohamed Bazoum was forcefully deposed  it took months for Washington to refer to the situation as a coup  the U.S. militarys mission, which until now has been focused on counterterrorism, has been frozen.

The United States has stationed around 1,000 citizens in Niger (the Pentagon wont give an exact number). More than 600 are soldiers, in addition to civil personnel and contractors from private companies linked to security efforts. Washington has spent more than $100 million on the construction of Air Base 201 in Agadez, where the majority of its personnel are located. U.S. forces launch drones from the site in the fight against jihadist groups. In 2018, The New York Times broke news of the secret construction of a new CIA base in Dirkou, in the northern part of the country, designed for the operation of unmanned aircraft. According to information provided to EL PAIS by Africom, that base is still not operative. In addition to the Agadez complex, Washington has also invested years and funds in the training of Niger soldiers at Camp Lemonier, which is located in Djibouti.

The U.S. Department of Defense says that diplomatic efforts with the Niger junta are still ongoing. The U.S. chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Charles Q. Brown Jr., said on Tuesday from the Ramstein air base that since Coronel Abdramanes announcement, they have received mixed signals, but that they are preparing for both staying in and leaving the country. Niger foreshadowed its new alliance with Russia as early as last December, with a Niamey meeting of Russian deputy defense minister Yunus-Bek Evkurov and general Tchiani. For Niger authorities, Mali is serving as a role model. There, an alliance between Bamako and Moscow has allowed Malis armed forces, with key support from over a thousand Wagner mercenaries, to recover part of the territory it had lost to radical Tuareg and Islamist rebels. Russian support has allowed them to reinforce their infantry. For the first time in a decade, they can launch offensives, advance and confront the enemy, says Ibrahim Yahaya, Sahel deputy director for the International Crisis Group. All this has raised moral among the troops. The recovery of Kidal, the bastion of Tuareg rebellion [in Mali], was a symbol of this. As a result of their military victories, the Mali regime has tremendous popular backing, even though violence has grown, with the civil population as its primary victim.

Uranium sales

The second area of concern expressed by Phees delegation in Niamey that did not sit well with the Niger junta was Iran. At the end of January, the African countrys Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine traveled to Tehran  before going on to Moscow  to meet with Iranian authorities. According to The Wall Street Journal, Washington is concerned about the Iranian nuclear program gaining access to Nigers uranium. Niamey has denied that there is any sales agreement with Tehran regarding the radioactive chemical element. Niger is the seventh largest producer of uranium and is one of the chief providers to France.

The new era in Nigers foreign relations after Julys coup began with the expulsion of French troops. The hostility Paris showed towards the military coup, contributing to a regional armed campaign to return the deposed Bazoum to office, triggered the ouster. Niger had become the fallback territory for the last soldiers involved in the anti-jihadism Operation Barkhane after they were ordered to leave Mali. Expulsed from the central Sahel by the wave of coups, part of the French contingent returned home, with the last of its troops and military equipment transferred to Chad, its last ally in the region.

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In response to a question about the "anti-Chinese" campaign, the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, stated that certain entities are carrying it out with questionable financial backing, as reported by the government administration."The purpose of such campaigns is to damage our state interests. Last year, we signed an agreement on strategic partnership with China, which is of great importance for realizing our state interests and deepening cooperation between Georgia and China in various areas, including economic development.When specific forces with dubious funding are conducting an anti-Chinese campaign under such circumstances, of course, this is also worrying. Therefore, it is very important that everyone takes a proper stance on all acts directed against the interests of the state. Any such anti-state action is very concerning," Kobakhidze stated.Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, underscored the necessity for 'concrete tangible results' within the context of the partnership with the United States of America. Specifically, he highlighted visa-free travel and the enhancement of trade relations."Our wish is that the partnership has concrete, tangible results. What could these results be? We have discussed this many times - it is the deepening of trade relations, for which a free trade agreement would be very important; This is visa-free travel, which can be done freely; These are direct flights.Naturally, progress in this regard would be a concrete example of how the partnership can become tangible for our citizens. I hope that we will make progress in this direction," Kobakhidze said.
The postcard with one of the most famous photos in history rests like a small treasure in a drawer in my house with the handwritten signature of its author on the back. Yevgeny Khaldei accompanied the Red Army to the fall of Berlin in the throes of World War II. On May 2, 1945, one of the three flags with the hammer and sickle carried by Khaldei, a reporter from the official Tass agency, was placed at the top of the Reichstag, seat of the German Parliament. But, immersed in the excitement of the live performance, he did not realize that one of the two soldiers who appeared in front of the target with the flag was wearing two watches, undoubted proof of the looting. That kind of ostentation was considered unnecessary. As stated in the reproduction that the author himself gave me in 1995, one of those two watches vanished in the laboratory to save the honor of the winning side.

Eight decades later, we continue to live with images that have been manipulated by institutions. Whats more, the digital age and the huge number of editing applications on our cell phones have democratized what was only available to a few in 1945. How are we going to manage all this alteration of reality for political purposes? What tools are going to help us know what is true and what is not?

The debate has jumped into the public sphere following the scandal generated by the digitally manipulated photo in which the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, appears with her children. In this case, it was an operation carried out from high levels of power. The consequence has been a loss of credibility and reputation for an institution that, instead of illuminating the truth, has been overwhelmed by a falsehood in its attempt to appease citizens desire for knowledge after Middleton was operated on and left without a public agenda.

Kate Middleton with her children, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte, in an image released by Kensington Palace. It was later confirmed that the image had been manipulated.

Photographic manipulation for spurious purposes, even by official sources, is inherent to the photographic medium itself. Today, in an attempt to recover lost credibility, new tools are already being designed to mark the traceability of each image. New legislation in this regard is also evolving. In the middle of this debate is the role of journalism and the media, which complement their news content with images that aim to underpin its truthfulness.

Manipulation has always existed, but the fact that the monarchy, the power, is getting involved in the issue is something that crosses all kinds of lines, argues Juan Miguel Sanchez Vigil, professor of Documentation Sciences at the Complutense University of Madrid. If we purposely manipulate a photo, we are manipulating history, he insists. The scholar also alludes to the controversy that surrounded a photo of the Spanish royal family in 2022, where the legs of one of the grandchildren of emeritus king Juan Carlos were not visible. Finally, the royal house made public a second take of that scene in which the legs could be seen. As in writing, fiction can exist in photography, and in fact it does, but it needs to be acknowledged, says Sanchez Vigil.

In this sense, the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI) was founded at the end of 2019 by Adobe, the company behind Photoshop, a well-known image processing program, with the aim of addressing misinformation and the authenticity of photos, videos and documents. The initiative has already attracted hundreds of companies from around the world ranging from tech firms to camera manufacturers and media outlets. In the future they hope to add to each image (or document) a label represented by an icon with the letters CR that, when clicked, will indicate its origin and any editing it underwent. This information, which is similar to the information labels on food products, is already being implemented in cameras, mobile phones and photo or video editing programs. That would have made it possible to immediately detect the changes made to the photograph released by the British royal family.

I dont think that the purpose of the photo [of Kate Middleton and her children] was deception, although I could be wrong because history is full of examples, says Paco Gomez, a renowned author of several works of what is known as photographic metafiction. Also, I think there are no more unmanipulated photos. In the midst of all the noise, Gomez tries to take the edge off the controversy. In my opinion it is only a minimally defective touch-up.

More and more media outlets have a department specializing in detecting false content. Last year, an image from the Reuters agency of the Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isanbayeva, to whom male genitalia had been added to make her seem like a trans athlete, went viral on the social media, as explained by the verification team of Spains national public broadcaster, RTVE.

The photo of the Princess of Wales was retracted by the worlds main news agencies when the manipulation was confirmed. Digital manipulation specialist Hany Farid, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley concluded that it was not an image generated by artificial intelligence and that it had not been greatly altered, according to an article he published in Time magazine. That, according to him, explains the apologies offered by Kate Middleton, who took responsibility for the manipulation. But Farids conclusions did not quell the allegations of conspiracies and rumors on social media, a world that he describes as irrational.

We live surrounded by doubts, says Sanchez Vigil, while optimistically predicting that manipulation and artificial intelligence, with which we must live, will end up taking their rightful place. But Professor Hany Farid warns: People of bad faith will always be one step ahead of the latest software.
Watch an exclusive clip of the never-before-seen arrest and interrogation of momfluencer Ruby Franke, convicted of aggravated child abuse

20/20 Ruby Franke during her arrest, Aug. 30, 2023.

In momfluencer Ruby Frankes arrest video, the Utah mom of six who admitted to abusing her own children, appears as if she is in a trance.

The never-before-seen police body-camera footage  obtained by ABCs 20/20 and seen in an exclusive clip below  depicts Ruby silently rising from her therapists couch as an Ivins police detective closes handcuffs around her wrists on August 30.

She just really, seemed like she was looking through me, Detective Jessica Bate tells 20/20 about her first police interview with Ruby later that evening. I would ask her a question and shed give me like three long blinks.

This week's episode Ruby Franke: From Momfluencer to Felon airs on 20/20 Friday, March 22 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC, and streams the next day on Hulu. (An exclusive clip is below.)

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20/20 Ruby Franke is arrested by Detective Jessica Bate, Aug. 30, 2023.

Ruby was arrested after her 12-year-old son, whose name in court documents is redacted to "R" or "RF" to protect his privacy, escaped the home where they were then living with Jodi Hildebrandt, in an isolated Utah desert community known as Hellhole Canyon.

Related: Ruby Franke Apologized to Her 'Little Chicks' for Abusing Them Before Being Sentenced to Prison

Sores pussing from the duct tape around his wrists and ankles, R asked a neighbor to call the police.

Ruby  made famous for documenting her strict parenting on the now-defunct 8 passengers vlog she co-hosted with her husband, Kevin Franke  later admitted to abusing her two youngest children in a 10-page plea agreement previously obtained by PEOPLE.

20/20 Jodi Hildebrandt's house in Ivins, Utah

Related: Neighbor Who Called 911 On Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt Tearfully Describes Boy's 'Emaciated' Condition

Ruby admitted to holding R's head under water and covering his mouth and nose with her hands so he could not breath, assuring him the punishments were necessary to repent, per the agreement. In interviews with police, R told officers to go back for his sister, "E," then 9, who had been similarly abused.



Ruby and Hildebrandt  a Mormon-backed therapist  were each sentenced to four separate prison sentences of 1 to 15 years to run consecutively, after pleading to four counts each of aggravated child abuse in February.

20/20 Ruby Franke (L) and Jodi Hildebrandt (R) at their first court appearance, Sept. 8, 2023.

Related: Former Parenting Youtuber Ruby Franke and Ex-Business Partner Sentenced to Prison for Child Abuse

On the blistering summer day of her arrest, Ruby sat solemnly in the interrogation room.

Do you want to talk to me about where you live, or how many kids you have? the detective asked Ruby, per the body-camera footage.

Staring vacantly into space, Ruby shut her eyes for extended blinks.

It was like Morse Code, Bate recalls in Friday's 20/20 episode.

Sitting across from Rubys blank stare, the detective tried again.

20/20 Ruby Franke during her first police interrogation, Aug. 30, 2023.

Related: Jodi Hildebrandt Allegedly Used Cayenne Pepper to 'Dress' Rope Wounds Inflicted on Ruby Franke's Kids: Police

So we just spoke with your husband and he said you have six kids, she said. Are those all together? Are those all your kids?

Ruby blinked back.

I can wait all day, Bate told Ruby. So its up to you if you want to talk to us about whats going on.

Finally, Ruby nodded. Ill wait til I have a lawyer, she said.

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Ruby has said little since her arrest  briefly apologizing to my babies, my six little chicks, at her Feb. 20 sentencing  and much of the evidence that would have come out at trial was precluded by her quick plea deal.

Danielle Viera PEOPLE's senior crime writer, Emily Palmer on the set of 20/20.

But for the first time tonight on 20/20 , Rubys actions will be laid out in her own words  through her journal entries, interrogation tapes of both Ruby and Kevin and jailhouse calls with Rubys and Hildebrandts friends and family. Russells and Eves injuries  as shown in newly released photographs  will also be discussed by investigators and prosecutors who uncovered the abuse and who are speaking out for the first time in the episode.

It blew my mind when I saw it, Washington County Attorney Eric Clarke tells 20/20. This isnt just a case of a social media influencer pushing boundaries. The abuse is much worse than people are aware of.

Ruby Franke: From Momfluencer to Felon" premieres Friday, March 22 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC, and streams the next day on Hulu.



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He may be one of the great behavioral scientists, but Robert Sapolsky, 66, does not believe there is any merit to that. He doesnt say it out of modesty, but out of conviction. This prolific author believes that free will is an illusion, that our conscious decisions are really the consequence of unconscious processes in the brain. Sapolsky spent three decades studying baboons in the wild in Kenya, but has since gone on to write world-renowned books on his deterministic theory of human behavior. In his new book, Determined, he develops this idea further by drawing on neurology, philosophy and sociology. Its not you, its not me, its determinism. The phrase, in addition to being the best of excuses, raises moral doubts about the concepts of guilt, punishment, merit and effort. We asked him about them in a video call conversation.

Question. You maintain that free will does not exist. How then is a concrete action formed, a decision over which we believe we have control?

Answer. A behavior is the end product of what happened in your brain a second ago, of environmental stimuli, which condition those neurons in your brain to do what they did a second ago. And the hormones you had in your bloodstream this morning. And what happened to you in the last few months. Your brain may have changed its structure during your adolescence, childhood, or fetal life. Either because of your genes or because of the culture in which you have grown up. It is biology, over which we have no control, interacting with the environment, over which we have no control. And when you look at all of these influences, you realize that neurobiology influences your decisions, as does genetics, geochronology and social psychology. It is not that all these disciplines are different, but that they become one discipline.

Q. So, the fact that you have written a book, the fact that you are giving an interview right now about this book... Hasn't it depended on your effort and will?

A. If you think that there is no free will, it makes no sense to blame people for their mistakes or congratulate them for their achievements. But its incredibly difficult to think like that. Writing this book was a lot of work, but I managed to do it and there is an I in this whole process that somehow did it. But if I really stop and analyze it, I understand that I finished the book because of the type of person I am. And that is due to many events that are beyond my control. I have to stop and review all the events, over which I had no control, that made me the type of person I am right now. It takes a lot of work to do it, and to not fall into the belief that you earned what you are and other people didnt earn it.

Q. So much so that almost no one does it. Why is the concept of meritocracy so fashionable?

A. The people who have the most power are the ones who have the most reason to like meritocracies and keep them in place. Its system justification. We may think that meritocracy makes no sense. But on the other hand, if you have a brain tumor, youll want to make sure youre operated on by a great doctor, not some random person off the street. You need to make sure that competent people are doing the difficult jobs, without telling them that theyre better humans as a result of that, and without having them think that in any way they earned that. The problem with this idea is that it can kill motivation.

Q. And that can generate frustration. Not everyone can be a great doctor.

A. I think the United States is a particularly strong example of that. Because we have this incredibly strong cultural mythology in the United States, that anybody, if they work hard, can succeed. Anybody can become rich, if theyre motivated enough, any child can grow up to be president. And, you know, in the United States, if youre born in poverty, theres about 90% chance that you will still be in poverty as an adult. And every step of the way will explain why that is so. Your neighborhood, your education... However, we have a country where the entire mythology is built on the idea that it is in your power to solve any problem, it only depends on you. Because, look, heres one person in a million who did it. And were going to make it sound like everybody can be there. So at least in the United States, where we have this really poisonous version of meritocracy, it causes an enormous amount of pain.

Q. If free will does not exist, what happens to concepts like guilt and punishment?

A. If a person is dangerous, but it is not their fault, we have to protect people from them, but doing the absolute minimum. More than a prison, they should be put in a kind of quarantine. If someone is violent, you have to stop them from doing harm, but that doesnt mean its their fault.

Q. You give as an example the cases of police officers shooting Black suspects in the United States. Situations in which social racism has more weight than concepts such as guilt or will. It is an uncomfortable reflection

A. Yes, because it is much easier to look at someone who doesnt have much education and who hasnt had much success in life and empathize and say that circumstances made them who they are. But if you have to look at a police officer who just shot an unarmed man simply because of the color of his skin; because in half a second he thought that that person who was holding a phone was pointing a gun at him... Its a lot harder to sit and look at them and say, theyre just the end product of how they turned out that way.

Q. How does determinism affect love? Maybe saying I do at a wedding is not as accurate as saying, Yes, as fate would have it?

A. This is another field where determinism poses a huge challenge. If you are lucky enough to have fallen in love and been reciprocated, this idea has the potential to turn a very nice thing into something depressing. What if my marriage had happened only because of the levels of oxytocin we had in our brains? What if this love story comes down to a question of pheromones? What if we are together only because we were raised in similar cultural contexts? Its totally depressing. But you have to accept that there is a structure beneath the surface. There is an underlying mechanistic biology in something as lyrical as love. And well, if you think about it it shouldnt be depressing, because that means youve had the luxury of experiencing it.

Q. You spent decades working with baboons. How did you end up devoting yourself to refuting free will in humans?

A. The baboon work I did for many years in East Africa ended up being a small piece of this whole story. We studied the neurobiology of stress, what stress does to the brain. The fieldwork attempted to relate the baboons social rank to who handles stress well and who had poor blood pressure. I spent 30 years thinking about nothing more than that. And in the years since, I started to look outward and say, Well, this is just one of the many little slivers. When you put them all together you can see the complexity of the biological machines that we are. And you conclude that no, there is no free will.
Viewers of Buying Beverly Hills Season 2 are wondering how many episodes are in the series and when each new episode comes out. The second season follows its predecessor in regards to the broader theme. Mauricio Umansky is back and this time he is upgrading The Agency to cater to every need of his upscale demanding clients. Watch as the rich folks roam around Beverly Hills, California, in hopes of spotting their ideal abode and how the real estate company assists them in achieving their goal.

Meanwhile, one can expect growing challenges, a dramatic turn of events, and rising demands. Owing to season 1s popularity, the viewers have been excited about what the subsequent entry might have in store for them. The wait is over as the second installment is now streaming on Netflix.

Heres how many episodes are in Buying Beverly Hills Season 2 and on what day new episodes come out.

How many episodes are in Buying Beverly Hills Season 2?

Buying Beverly Hills Season 2 has 10 episodes.

All 10 episodes dropped on March 22, 2024. Interested viewers who are looking forward to watching the show can log in to Netflix, a subscription-based streaming service that houses plenty of gripping content. It offers the following plans:

$19.99 per month (Premium) $15.49 per month (Standard) $6.99 per month (Standard with Ads)

The cast of Buying Beverly Hills includes Santiago Arana, Ben Belack, Sonika Vaid, Adam Rosenfeld, Zach Goldsmith, Michelle Schwartz, and more.

When do new Buying Beverly Hills Season 2 episodes come out?

All episodes of Buying Beverly Hills Season 2 are currently available to watch. There are no new episodes.

The official synopsis for the series reads:

Mauricio Umanskys family-run firm The Agency represents some of the most lavish properties in Beverly Hills. But theres drama around every corner.

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Donald Trump's youngest son became a legal adult on Wednesday, sparking debate about whether he's "fair game" to criticize. Chelsea, who's been in his position, says no

Santiago Felipe/Getty Chelsea Clinton attends a New York City event in 2022

Chelsea Clinton is calling on her personal experience to defend Barron Trump's continued right to privacy.

During an appearance on The View on Friday, the former first daughter, 44, was asked by co-host Ana Navarro to weigh in on the debate surrounding how the media should cover former President Donald Trump's son now that he's a legal adult.

Navarro, 52, asked Chelsea to comment on the fact that some people in the media have said Barron, who rarely steps into the spotlight, is officially "fair game" to criticize since he's "no longer a child."

Related: Barron Trump Has Fierce Defenders in Clinton, Bush Kids

"I think hes a private citizen. I feel so strongly that if you are a private citizen, you have an unimpeachable right to privacy and I think the media should leave him alone," Chelsea replied.

Frank Johnston/The The Washington Post via Getty Hillary, Bill and Chelsea Clinton on their way to Camp David on Nov. 26, 1997

Chelsea became the first daughter at 12 years old  when her father, Bill Clinton, was sworn in as the 42nd president of the United States. She turned 18 while her family was still in the White House.

The harsh treatment Chelsea received during her teenage years is now widely viewed as the roadmap for what media shouldn't do when covering younger presidential children.

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.

When asked a follow-up question on Friday about President Trump's other children, who have publicly campaigned for him, Chelsea said that it was a "totally different conversation" than the one about Barron's privacy, because the older Trumps "put themselves in the public domain" and acted as "campaign surrogates" for their father.

Related: Chelsea Clinton Springs to Defend Barron Trump Against State of the Union Troll

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty The Trump children and their significant others attend a political event with Donald and Melania Trump

Former NBC senior executive Mike Sington ignited the online debate when he wrote and then deleted a post on X on Wednesday saying, "Barron Trump turns 18 today. He's fair game now."

In a statement to Newsweek, Sington explained why he removed the tweet, which also featured a photo of Barron.

"I posted he was 'fair game' now, meaning, as an adult, he's 'fair game' for criticism from the press," the statement said. "Someone pointed out to me 'fair game' could mean fair game to be harmed. I don't wish physical harm on anyone, so I took it down. I listen to the comments and criticism I receive."

Related: Melania Trump Will Always Choose Son Barron over Politics: 'She Dislikes a Petting Zoo' (Exclusive)

Chelsea has a history of defending fellow political children's right to privacy. Days after Barron's father was inaugurated in 2017, she defended Donald and Melania Trump's son against social media trolls.

Barron Trump deserves the chance every child does  to be a kid," she wrote on Twitter at the time.



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Less than two weeks after 20 Days in Mariupol won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature, another important film about Ukraine has bowed on the world stage.

A Poem for Little People, directed by Ivan Sautkin, held its international premiere Thursday at CPH:DOX in Copenhagen. It screens again on Saturday. In cinema verite style, the film documents the most vulnerable people on front lines of the war in Ukraine, and the volunteers of an evacuation team who risk their lives to save them.

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Through its two parallel plotlines, the film follows the exploits of a volunteer evacuation team in the front lines of Eastern Ukraine, led by young, precociously stoic Anton, as well as the wartime daily lives and unlikely friendship of two elderly women  pragmatic Zinaida and dreamy, starry-eyed Taisia  who decided to stay at their homes in the now de-occupied Chernihiv region, according to a synopsis of the documentary. While Anton faces the most visceral horrors of war on a daily basis during his teams urgent, desperate attempts to rescue the most vulnerable, who are often reluctant or unwilling to leave, Zinaida and Taisia seek to pursue any forms of resistance within their power  from praying and writing poetry to hiding historic plaque and reporting intelligence to the Ukrainian military.

A Poem for Little People

In a statement, Sautkin said, At the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, I, like most of my colleagues, was confused. Everything I was doing until that moment lost its value. The world of war is radically different from everything we are used to. My first reaction was to mobilize and pick up a gun, but I made the rational decision to pick up my camera. I started with a series of short documentaries. With their help, I discovered a new reality for myself.

Sautkin continued, After the de-occupation of the north of Ukraine, I went to the village where my old friend Zinaida Lukyanenko lives. I was interested in how she survived the difficult times and learned that during the occupation she did not sit idly by but helped our military. I was struck by the courage of this woman and it was from her story that my film began. I keep in touch with my characters in the film, we also became close friends. I try to help their mission as much as I can and in the future, I plan to return to the frontline territory to work with them. This movie taught me many things. The most valuable experience is the ability to appreciate people regardless of their views and other things that distance us from each other.

'A Poem for Little People'

Producer Elena Saulich evacuated Ukraine, arriving in the U.K. when she was nine months pregnant (she recently celebrated the first birthday of her son, Marko). We are honored to premiere our film at CPH:DOX, she said. The film celebrates the courage and resilience of ordinary Ukrainians in the face of an unjust war, as civilians of all ages refuse to back down.

Ukrainians had their world turned upside down over night, observed co-producer Lisa Marie Russo. A Poem for Little People reflects on notions of home, and why we all need and deserve a safe space to live as a basic human right. The film connects audiences with this universal concept and applauds Ukrainians as they continue to respond with creativity, grace and fortitude in unimaginable circumstances.

A Poem for Little People

The documentary is a production of Babylon13, in co-production with Nuline Kopija (Lithuania), Roastbeef Productions (U.K.) and Autofiction Films (U.K.). Babylon13, an association of independent filmmakers, was formed in late 2013 at the beginning of Maidan Revolution in Kyiv that ousted President Viktor Yanukovych, who was closely allied with the Kremlin. Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to Maidan Revolution by annexing Crimea and fomenting a separatist rebellion in eastern areas of Ukraine  a prelude to his full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022.

A Poem for Little People held its world premiere at the Molodist Kyiv International Film Festival. The documentary is produced by Elena Saulich and Ringaile Lescinskiene. Co-producers are Arturas Jevdokimovas (Nuline Kopija), Mike Lerner (Roastbeef Productions), and Lisa Marie Russo (Autofiction Films). Its a Ukraine, Lithuania & United Kingdom co-production.

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Daliland is a 2022 biographical film about the life of renowned painter Salvador Dali. Directed by Mary Harron and written by John C. Walsh, the film is narrated from the perspective of a young assistant at a New York gallery who assists the painter in an exhibition.

Heres how you can watch and stream Daliland via streaming services such as Hulu.

Is Daliland available to watch via streaming?

Yes, Daliland is available to watch via streaming on Hulu.

James works as an assistant at a gallery in New York, and he gets the chance to work with the exceptional painter Salvador Dali for a show. Instead of assisting him, James gets a first-row seat to the bohemian lifestyle and marriage of the Spanish painter.

Daliland stars Ben Kingsley, Ezra Miller, Barbara Sukowa, Christopher Briney, Rupert Graves, Alexander Beyer, Suki Waterhouse, Mark McKenna, and several others.

Watch Daliland streaming via Hulu

Daliland is available to watch on Hulu.

Hulu is home to some of the best old and new movies, such as Alien, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Palm Springs, Spencer, The Hustler, and several others.

You can watch via Hulu by following these steps:

Go to Hulu.com/welcome Select Start Your Free Trial Choose a plan: $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year (With Ads)

$17.99 per month (No Ads)

Hulu (With Ads) is the cheapest option, providing users access to Hulus streaming library with commercials. Hulu (No Ads) is the services premium option, providing access to its library without any advertisements. There are also several bundles available with Hulu that pair the service with Disney Plus and ESPN Plus, along with Live TV plans that also include many live TV channels.

Dalilands synopsis is as follows:

In 1973, a young gallery assistant goes on a wild adventure behind the scenes as he helps aging genius Salvador Dali prepare for a big show in New York.

NOTE: The streaming services listed above are subject to change. The information provided was correct at the time of writing.

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Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of murder. Reader discretion is advised.

Dateline NBC chronicles the mysterious disappearance and murder of Colorado rancher Jake Millison in 2015. The upcoming episode, Trouble at the 7-11 Ranch, will air on the network this Sunday, March 24, 2024, at 10 p.m. ET. A synopsis of the episode reads, When a Colorado rancher mysteriously disappears, his friends know something isnt right and spend years fighting for answers. Josh Mankiewicz reports.

According to Oxygen, in May 2015, Jake Millison went missing from his later stepfathers 7-11 ranch. After failing to get in touch with him, Millisons friends inquired about his mother, Deb Rudibaugh, who resided with him on the ranch. Rudibaugh filed a missing persons report in August. Later, Millisons older sister, Stephanie, and her husband, David Jackson, moved to the ranch property and started taking over.

Law enforcement and Jake Millions friends started to notice his familys unconcerned and strange behavior. Meanwhile, Deb Rudibaugh kept offering different stories about why he left before finally confessing to his murder. Millisons mother claimed she shot the 29-year-old in the head as he slept and buried the body in a manure pile.

In 2017, over two years after the disappearance, investigators found Millisons remains, per the Denver Post. They suspected the involvement of other people in the crime and subsequently uncovered a disturbing family feud.

Who were the suspects arrested in Jake Millisons murder case?

Oxygen True Crime reported that Jake Millison worked at his later stepfathers 7-11 ranch, rode a vintage Harley Davidson, and trained at a jiu-jitsu gym before heading to a bar to hang with friends and play pool.

Sometime around midnight on May 16, 2015, Millisons friend Randy Martinez dropped him off at the ranch. That was the last time Martinez ever saw him. The two reportedly had plans to hang out the next day. Martinez said, I texted him [the next day] to see what was up and never got a reply. He claimed it was really weird because I pretty much talked to him every day.

Jake Millisons friends were worried about his well-being after failing to contact him. However, his family members, including his mother, Deb Rudibaugh, sister Stephanie, and her husband, David Jackson, seemed unbothered. Moreover, within months of his disappearance, Stephanie and David moved to the ranch property and started taking over the work.

Per the outlet, Gunnison County Undersheriff Mark Mykol said Rudibaugh told them that Millison left with a friend and was going to the Reno, Nevada area. Her stories kept changing as the months passed. She eventually told authorities, My son has been doing drugs. The mother claimed they were not close and had one argument and fight after another. She further alleged that Millison had started doing the mixed martial arts and the drugs.

Millisons friends did not believe Rudibaughs stories. Gunnison County Deputy District Attorney Jessica Waggoner said, We couldnt buy the familys reasoning anymore. Waggoner stated that while Rudibaugh said her son left for Reno, Nevada to do some martial arts fighting, Stephanie told friends and family that Deb Rudibaugh had told her that he was in Portland or Seattle. The cities kept changing and the reasons why he was leaving kept changing.

Finally, in July 2017, Deb Rudibaugh admitted to investigators that she fatally shot Jake Millison as he slept in bed. She said, I killed Jake. I shot him in the head, using her Smith & Wesson .357 Lady Smith revolver. She claimed she wrapped his body in plastic and duct tape, dragged it down the stairs and outside, and buried it in a manure pile, per Oxygen and the DAs report. Investigators eventually found his skeletal remains buried on the ranch property.

Deb Rudibaugh claimed that she acted alone. However, investigators believed that Rudibaugh, who had cancer and was recovering from surgery at the time, could not have committed the crime alone. Per the DAs report, the surgeon who conducted Rudibaughs surgery believed it would have been difficult even before surgery. They alleged that Stephanie and David helped cover up the crime.

The Denver Post stated that in March 2018, authorities arrested three of Jake Millisons family members in connection with his murder. The suspects in Millisons murder case were his mother, Deb Rudibaugh, his sister, Stephanie, and her husband, David Jackson. Investigators only learned about the crime after Rudibaugh confessed. They later deduced that Stephanie and David were also involved in the crime to gain control over the ranch, which was worth millions at the time.

Oxygen stated that Deb Rudibaugh continued to insist she acted alone and eventually pleaded guilty to Jake Millisons second-degree murder. She received a 40-year sentence but died of cancer in 2019. The DAs report confirmed that David Jackson pleaded guilty to tampering with a deceased human body in exchange for a reduced sentence of 10 years. Stephanie Jackson also pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting as well as tampering with a deceased body. The judge sentenced her to a maximum of 24 years in prison.

Dateline NBCs episode on Colorado rancher Jake Millisons murder case airs on March 24, 2024.

The post Dateline NBC: What Happened to Colorado Rancher Jake Millison? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
The singer, centre, collected the award together with his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin, left (AP)

Glitz and glamour were in no short supply as Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin accepted the 2024 Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in Washington DC on Wednesday night.

The prestigious prize is considered to be one of the highest honours for popular musicians, awarded for lifetime contributions to the genre. Prior honorees include Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon and Garth Brooks, among others.

The recognition is handed down by the US Library of Congress and is named after the Gershwin brothers, two influential contributors to the American songbook.

Sir Elton and Mr Taupin are responsible for more than 25 platinum records, 35 gold records and 30 US Top 40 hits. The duo wrote classics together for at least 50 years; though, neither of them were in the same room during the writing process. Mr Taupin wrote the lyrics and Sir Elton put them to music.

The sequin-studded audience at the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall included UK Ambassador to the US Karen Pierce, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, in addition to multiple US lawmakers who presented the duo with the award.

Annie Lennox performs at the 2024 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song tribute concert (AP)

More notable even than the attendees were the performers, which included Mitchell, Brandi Carlile, Charlie Puth, Marren Morris, Jacob Lusk, Garth Brooks, Annie Lennox, Metallica and host Billy Porter.

Metallica opened the show, which is scheduled to air 8 April on PBS, with a mashup of Funeral For a Friend and Love Lies Bleeding.

Carlile moved the audience with her version of Skyline Pigeon during a part of the ceremony focused on the duos contribution toward the fight against the AIDS epidemic.

Meanwhile, Mitchell delighted with a cover of Sir Eltons mega-hit Im Still Standing, her walking cane in hand. Other covers of I Guess Thats Why They Call it the Blues and Dont Let the Sun Go Down on Me were sung by Ms Morris and Mr Puth.

Yet, the most electric performance of the night belonged to Mr Lusk, who received a standing ovation for his theatrical rendition of Bennie And The Jets. Sir Elton took the stage with Mr Lusk at Glastonbury in 2023 and specially requested he sing at the event.

Once the awards were presented by Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, Sir Elton treated the audience to anthems like Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters, Saturday Nights Alright for Fighting and Your Song with Taupin at his side leaning against the piano as he sang the final number.

Given the venue, politics was not a topic easily avoided. A couple of stars took the opportunity to speak up about causes they care about. Ms Lennox repeated her calls for a ceasefire in Gaza while speaking to The Independent on the red carpet. She later performed The Border Song on stage.

Ms Morris, who lives in Nashville, also took the time to get political, saying in no uncertain terms that she would welcome the victory of Democratic senate candidate Gloria Johnson. The incumbent Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn f***ing sucks, she posited.

2024 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song honorees Elton John and Bernie Taupin are surrounded by the artists who performed in the Gershwin Prize tribute concert (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

While accepting the award, Sir Elton said the event felt like an acid trip adding that it was the first time hes sat in an audience and watched his own band perform live. He attributed much of his early musical interest to American artists.

When I grew up as a little boy in suburban London, the only good music that I heard was American, he said, adding his world changed the first time he heard Heartbreak Hotel by Elvis Presley.

Thats all I wanted to do was play rock n roll after hearing that, he said. Im so proud to be British and to be here in America to receive this award because all my heroes were American.

Mr Taupin echoed his remarks. Pretty much everything that Ive written emanates from this country, he said. Whether its the heartland, whether its the urban jungle, its all been a palette for everything Ive written.
Following news of Kate Middleton's cancer battle, the princess has been met with a global outpouring of love and support from dignitaries and royal fans.

The First Lady of the United States, Jill Biden, was one such person, as she recently spoke out on Kate's cancer diagnosis. Kate's father-in-law, King Charles III, also released a statement saying he's "proud" of her for her courage.

First Lady Of The United States Jill Biden Speaks Out On Kate Middleton's Cancer Diagnosis

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On Friday, the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, shared the news of her shock cancer diagnosis. Seated on a bench at her Windsor home, the 42-year-old recounted how she was diagnosed and the reason why they had taken some time before announcing her illness.

Since breaking her silence, Kate, who has been a victim of wild rumors and conspiracy theories, has been met with a flood of support from royal fans and notable figures.

The first lady of the United States, Jill Biden, was one of those who sent a message of support to the mother of three.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the first lady quoted the video of Kate's announcement with the short note, "You are brave, and we love you. ~Jill."

King Charles Has Released A Statement On His Daughter-In-Law's Cancer Battle

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King Charles has also released a statement through a Buckingham Palace spokesperson on Kate's cancer diagnosis.

The statement read that Charles has "remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks."

The spokesperson said that Charles is extremely "proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did" about the cancer diagnosis.

It added that the King and Queen Camilla continue to offer Kate and the whole their "love and support" through the difficult time of her treatment and recovery.

Kate Middleton's Diagnosis Is The Latest In Royal Health Battles

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Kate's confirmation of her cancer diagnosis is the latest in health issues that the royal family has announced over the past few months.

In February, Buckingham Palace revealed that Charles himself was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer, which doctors discovered while the King received treatment for an enlarged prostate.

Kate herself was initially admitted in January for an abdominal surgery, and doctors reportedly discovered the cancer after a successful operation. She's now on a "recovery pathway" after starting chemotherapy treatment in late February.

Another Royal, Sarah, the Duchess of York, also announced that she was receiving medical treatment in early 2024. She revealed that doctors had diagnosed her with malignant melanoma, which is a form of skin cancer.

The Princess Has Asked For Privacy As She Recovers

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In the video announcement of her cancer diagnosis, Kate said the doctors confirmed it was cancer after her "planned abdominal surgery." She spoke about how her husband, Prince William, and their three kids, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, have been a "source of comfort" to her as she receives treatment.

In the video, Kate also addressed the public and thanked them for "the love, support, and kindness" that she's received amidst her health issues. Then she said, "We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment."

Kate further said in the statement that she's anticipating returning to her Royal duties when she's treated herself fully. She said, "My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery."

Leading British Figures Have Sent Best Wishes To Kate Middleton

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After the cancer confirmation, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak released a statement, saying that Kate "has the love and support of the whole country as she continues her recovery." His tweet on X read, "She has shown tremendous bravery with her statement today." He also said that Kate deserves "the privacy to focus on her treatment and be with her loving family."

Keir Starmer, the leader of the opposition Labour Party, also released a statement on behalf of his party regarding her cancer diagnosis. He sent his "very best wishes" to Princess Kate and wrote, "Any cancer diagnosis is shocking. But I can only imagine the added stress of receiving that news amid the lurid speculation we've seen in recent weeks."

London Mayor Sadiq Khan also made a post on X wishing Kate "a swift recovery" from her chemotherapy and cancer treatment. It read, "Cancer has an impact on so many of us  & her bravery in sharing her diagnosis will help raise awareness & encourage others to get checked."
Concern about the fact that Donald Trump must post a $450 million-plus bond by Monday  and where he might get that money  prompted a curious debate with the ex-presidents lawyer on Fox News on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day on The View, Joy Behar worried about the risks posed by a financially-desperate Trump.

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I mentioned Saudi Arabia and Russia, they have motivation to give him money because then they will own him, said Behar.

TRUMP SAYS HE MIGHT SELL ASSETS TO SATISFY $464M BOND: After former Pres. Trump's lawyers said he can't make the bond in his New York fraud case, #TheView co-hosts weigh in. https://t.co/cVclFZQmjA pic.twitter.com/XMyfzvnzuJ  The View (@TheView) March 21, 2024

Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum put the question directly to Trump lawyer Alina Habba later in the day.

Is there any effort on the part of your team to secure this money through another country, Saudi Arabia or Russia as Joy Behar seems to think? MacCallum asked.

Habbas answer, and that of any politician running for U.S. office, should have been a resounding, No. Instead, Trumps lawyer was more etherial.

Well, theres rules and regulations that are public, Habba said. I cant speak about strategy, that requires certain things, and we have to follow those rules.

She quickly segued into a protest against what she called the manifest injustice of the ruling and witch hunt.

Fox host asks whether Trump is trying to get his bond money from Saudi Arabia or Russia



Trump's lawyer says she can't answer that question. pic.twitter.com/uirBMqEAhj  Lis Power (@LisPower1) March 20, 2024

Behar and MacCallum arent the only ones asking the question.

Hours after Habbas equivocation, former National Security Adviser Susan Rice sounded the alarm about Trumps financial vulnerability.

In the event that [Trump] has to take that money from an individual or an entity, whether domestic or international, that individual or entity will potentially have real influence over him, and so that is of concern, Rice told MSNBCs Lawrence ODonnell.

Theres just so many ways the stench of money from dubious places infuses his business enterprise, and so this would add more questions should that be the case going forward.

Rep. Sean Casten (D. IL) on Monday wrote, The presumptive @GOP nominee for President is desperate for $464M (and counting) which he cannot personally access. That fact alone makes him a massive national security risk; any foreign adversary seeking to buy a President knows the price.

The presumptive @GOP nominee for President is desperate for $464M (and counting) which he cannot personally access. That fact alone makes him a massive national security risk; any foreign adversary seeking to buy a President knows the price. https://t.co/9bPylekmoB  Sean Casten (@SeanCasten) March 18, 2024

Trumps former lawyer, Michael Cohen, also raised the issue on MSNBCs Deadline: White House on Monday.

First and foremost, if its coming from a company like Chubb or Federated [Insurance], yes we know that company, its an American company and so on. But what if hypothetically, the money is coming from Saudi Arabia, from Qatar? What if by chance, its coming through a backdoor channel of Russia? he asked.

That now leaves a potential presidential candidate basically owing a foreign entity. All at the expense of Americas security? This is no joke. This places our national security in jeopardy and continues to make Donald Trump the most dangerous thing in America to our national security and democracy. 

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The Federal Communications Commission has determined that local TV giant Nexstar Media Groups takeover of WPIX-TV in New York in 2020 violated federal limits on station ownership.

In a ruling issued Thursday (read it here), the regulatory agency ordered Mission Broadcasting, Nexstars partner in WPIX, to sell the station. Failing that, Nexstar could put the station under its umbrella and then shed other stations in its portfolio in order to remain under the ownership cap. The FCC also fined the company $1.2 million.

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Nexstar responded by vowing to vigorously dispute the decision.

WPIX, which went on the air in 1948, has been a fixture in New York media and became an affiliate of The CW in 2006. Nexstar, the No. 1 owner of U.S. TV stations, acquired control of The CW in 2022. The company has operated WPIX since 2020 under a local marketing agreement with Mission. Such agreements, often described as sidecar deals, have come under scrutiny in recent years amid consolidation reshaping the local TV sector, with regulators expressing concern that the pacts can serve as workarounds to long-established ownership rules.

Nexstar appeared to engage in an unauthorized transfer of control and broke through the longtime cap of 39% of U.S. TV households reached by a single owner, the FCC said in its ruling.

Nexstar CEO Perry Sook said in a statement that the company was extremely disappointed by the FCCs decision, and we intend to dispute it vigorously.

The regulatory agency, he continued, has been misled by the often-distracting noise in the media ecosphere and that it has completely misjudged the facts. The facts are that Nexstar has always complied with FCC regulations.

Nexstars acquisition of WPIX, Sook said, and the local marketing agreement were approved by the FCC in 2020, when WPIX-TV was purchased by Mission. Nexstar believes that joint operating, shared service and local marketing agreements like those in which it is engaged are vitally important to maintain a competitive media marketplace and to enable broadcasters to continue investing in local news, investigative journalism and other services that they uniquely provide to the communities in which they are located.

Comcast had filed a complaint over the WPIX ownership. In a statement, the company said, After a thorough examination, the FCC found that Nexstar is in clear violation of FCC rules and orders, and controls WPIX. Wed like to thank the Commission for correctly attributing the ownership of WPIX to Nexstar and ending the fiction that the station was ever independent once Mission became its licensee.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel noted that companies are prohibited from owning or controlling broadcast stations that reach more than 39% of the national television audience.

The record here reflects a situation where a company exceeds this threshold, she said in a statement. Unless and until Congress changes this law, it is the responsibility of this agency to enforce it.

Brendan Carr, one of two Republicans on the commission, issued a concurring statement. It is concerning to me that the FCC cites as evidence of control those features of the relationship that the FCC previously signed off on, he said. We need to be careful that we do not undermine reasonable reliance on prior FCC decisions.

He said that he would keep an open mind as the FCC reviews the record in response to this document. Part of that will require the FCC to ensure that any remedies the agency finds necessary are ones that are appropriate given the procedural posture of this enforcement action.

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Paul Rudd will never forget hugging Travis Kelce on the field after his Super Bowl win.

The Ghostbusters star is still buzzing from that moment as hes both a lifelong Kansas City Chiefs fan and latent Taylor Swift groupie.

Rudd not only watched his team defeat the San Francisco 49ers in person, but found Kelce on the field for a gigantic bear hug afterwards.

It was pure elation, he told MTV News on Thursday. It really is truly the greatest feeling. And I was there with my kid and hes feeling the same way. And so to share that with him and then to just get to hug Travis Kelce right after a Super Bowl win, it makes no sense.

Its unreal, Rudd continued.

The Marvel actor and I Love You, Man star, who spent his entire childhood in Kansas, revealed that Kelce has been involved in a local charity of his for years and years now  and that he met the professional tight end long before he became Swifts new boyfriend.

While he lauded his pal as the greatest guy ever, Rudd is also a genuine Swiftie, having attended her Eras Tour concert in New York City after being initiated by his teenage daughter. The newfound disciple even has some favorite tunes.

Rudd and Kelce shared an embraced at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas after the Super Bowl. Luke Hales via Getty Images

I really like Mastermind. I sing along on that one, he told MTV. Cruel Summer, sure, like everybody else, right? The Archer, maybe? August, maybe? Im just going through the As now.

Last week, the actor raved to late night host Stephen Colbert about his experience seeing Swift in concert.

It was a stadium filled with 80,000 people, he said. And I just thought, Theres so much support and love and positivity, and to feel that kind of feeling with that many people  was incredible.

Related...
Figurines with computers and smartphones are seen in front of the words 'Artificial Intelligence AI' in this illustration taken, February 19, 2024.

The General Assembly approved the first United Nations resolution on artificial intelligence Thursday, giving global support to an international effort to ensure the powerful new technology benefits all nations, respects human rights and is safe, secure and trustworthy.

The resolution, sponsored by the United States, was adopted by consensus with a bang of the gavel and without a vote, meaning it has the support of all 193 U.N. member nations.

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said earlier this month that adoption of the resolution would be a historic step forward in fostering the safe use of AI.

The resolution would represent global support for a baseline set of principles for the development and use of AI and would lay out a path to leverage AI systems for good while managing the risks, he said in a statement to The Associated Press.

The resolution aims to close the digital divide between rich developed countries and poorer developing countries and make sure they are all at the table in discussions on AI. It also aims to make sure that developing countries have the technology and capabilities to take advantage of AIs benefits, including detecting diseases, predicting floods, helping farmers, and training the next generation of workers.

The resolution recognizes the rapid acceleration of AI development and use and stresses the urgency of achieving global consensus on safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems.

It also recognizes that the governance of artificial intelligence systems is an evolving area that needs further discussions on possible governance approaches.

Big tech companies generally have supported the need to regulate AI, while lobbying to ensure any rules work in their favor.

European Union lawmakers gave final approval March 13 to the worlds first comprehensive AI rules, which are on track to take effect by May or June after a few final formalities.

Countries around the world, including the U.S. and China, and the Group of 20 major industrialized nations are also moving to draw up AI regulations. The U.N. resolution takes note of other U.N. efforts including by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the International Telecommunication Union to ensure that AI is used to benefit the world.

Sullivan told AP the United States turned to the General Assembly to have a truly global conversation on how to manage the implications of the fast-advancing technology of AI.

The resolution encourages all countries, regional and international organizations, tech communities, civil society, the media, academia, research institutions and individuals to develop and support regulatory and governance approaches and frameworks for safe AI systems.

It warns against improper or malicious design, development, deployment and use of artificial intelligence systems, such as without adequate safeguards or in a manner inconsistent with international law.

A key goal, according to the resolution, is to use AI to help spur progress toward achieving the U.N.s badly lagging development goals for 2030, including ending global hunger and poverty, improving health worldwide, ensuring quality secondary education for all children and achieving gender equality.

The resolution calls on the 193 U.N. member states and others to assist developing countries to access the benefits of digital transformation and safe AI systems. It emphasizes that human rights and fundamental freedoms must be respected, protected and promoted through the life cycle of artificial intelligence systems.

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told AP last week that the resolution aims to build international consensus on a shared approach to the design, development, deployment and use of AI systems, particularly to support the 2030 U.N. goals.

If adopted, she said, it will be an historic step forward in fostering safe, security and trustworthy AI worldwide.

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A cancer diagnosis is a heart-wrenching blow to anyone, but it comes with even more complications if you are a member of the royal family.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, 42, announced Friday in a video on her social media platforms that she has been diagnosed with cancer. "In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London. And at the time, it was thought that my condition was noncancerous," she said. "The surgery was successful, (but) after the operation (doctors) found cancer had been present." The princess went on to explain that she is having "preventative" chemotherapy.

Prince William and Princess Kate arrive for a a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace in central London on November 21, 2023, for South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee on their first day of a three-day state visit to the UK.

The announcement follows weeks of speculation about Kate's well-being after she stepped away from public appearances for a "planned abdominal surgery" in January and after King Charles, 75, also announced a diagnosis of an undisclosed form of cancer. The lack of transparency surrounding the whereabouts and condition of the princess fomented conspiracy theories and rampant speculation. Kate's video, which did not specify what kind of cancer she is fighting, appeared to be a direct response to the confusion and anger: She explained that she and her husband, Prince William, 41, wanted time to break the news to their children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5.

The conspiracy theories can be put to rest now that the news is out there, but what happens next for Kate, her family and the British monarchy?

What does Kate's cancer diagnosis mean for the monarchy?

The British monarchy has long been a symbol of strength and longevity in the United Kingdom, illustrated by the slogan "keep calm and carry on." But now, with two senior members of the royal family fighting a potentially fatal disease, it's looking significantly shakier.

"Were just as a nation coming to terms that our monarch is going through cancer treatment ... and now weve been dealt a double blow," says Katie Nicholl, author of The New Royals and Vanity Fair's royal correspondent. "So the royal family is looking pretty vulnerable."

"The late Queen Elizabeth II reputedly said, 'I have to be seen to be believed,'" says Carolyn Harris, co-editor of "English Consorts: Power, Influence and Dynasty" and a professor at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. The queen "was constantly appearing in public and traveling." Without two of its most important members in the public eye, the monarchy is taking a blow.

But, as Nicholl notes, the Windsors have survived crises before: "The show will go on, because it has to."

Will Kate continue to step back from public life?

It seems that way. "It's likely that we're going to see William and Catherine and their children out of the public eye," Harris says.

Chemotherapy is a famously taxing medical treatment that can cause nausea, vomiting, hair loss, fatigue and many other side effects, according to the Mayo Clinic. While King Charles has been undergoing his own treatment for cancer he has kept up mandatory constitutional duties, such as meeting with the British prime minister, but minimized public appearances and interactions. Experts expect a similar approach from Kate but declined to speculate when she might return to a public schedule.

Will other members of the royal family step up in Kate's absence?

Yes. With the princess and the king out of commission, you can expect Queen Camilla and Prince William to take a bigger role, along with more royals along the big family tree. Harris predicts that "Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne and even Queen Elizabeth the second's cousin Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester (will be) undertaking a very busy schedule of royal engagements."

Not on the list? Prince Harry and his wife, Duchess Meghan, who stepped away from royal life in 2020.

What will happen with Kate's husband, Prince William, and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis?

The young royals are about to begin an Easter break from school, a time of year that Kate and William traditionally step away from royal duties to spend time together as a family. Nicholls predicts the press will give the family the space they are asking for at this difficult time. But if not, the royals won't be shy about asserting their privacy.

"We know from the past how protective (William) is of his children and his family; hes taken legal action in the past" against the media, Nicholls says. "If he has to, he'll take legal action again to protect his wife."

But with Kate and the king in treatment, William will have more responsibility, personally and professionally. "Prince William is carrying the burden of the crown, which could come to him sooner than he hoped. He's going to have to hold the fort while caring for his wife and caring for three young children at home," Nicholls says. "Hes got his father to worry about and now his wife as well."

Will the 'Where is Kate' conspiracy theories die?

The uproar over her whereabouts is likely to die down now that she released the "very personal message to the public," Harris says. "Shes been able to address a lot of speculation (in) allowing the public to see her and hear her speak and to know the condition shes experiencing."

That won't stop a hunger for details about every aspect of Kate's experience now that royals watchers know what's going on. "There's going to be less scrutiny of Catherine's health, but there's going to continue to be a lot of public interest in her course of treatment, (and) when she will return to public duties."

What will happen if Kate dies from her cancer?

Although Kate shared a message of positivity in the video announcing her diagnosis, most people worry that any kind of cancer can be fatal. Many are already making comparisons to Kate's late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, the last princess of Wales, who died in 1997 at age 36.

If Kate died, it would "bring back memories of the young William and Harry losing their mum," Harris says. "There would be tremendous sympathy for young George and Charlotte and Louie as another generation of the royal family growing up without their mom."

As a member of the royal family who married in, Kate is not in the direct line of succession, so her death would not change the future monarchs (William and George are next in line). But Kate is an integral member of the family, and losing her would be bad for the monarchy as a whole. "This would be a real blow to the the monarchy as an institution as well. Kate is one of the most popular and and prominent members of the royal family. "

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What Kate Middleton's cancer means for royal family moving forward
Camilla wore an emerald green coat by Bruce Oldfield during her visit to Belfast, Northern Ireland

Samir Hussein/WireImage Queen Camilla during her visit to Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Queen Camilla's St. Patrick's Day outfit was originally meant for another royal engagement.

On Thursday, Camilla, 76, wore an emerald green coat by Bruce Oldfield, 73, featuring dark green velvet patches during her visit to Belfast, Northern Ireland. The royal accessorized the outfit with a turquoise and diamond shamrock brooch given to her by the late Queen Elizabeth, who is thought to have received it as a wedding gift back in 1947.

While speaking to The Telegraph, Oldfield revealed the coat was meant for another occasion at first. This outfit was originally intended for Christmas Day, but it was a bit too dressy for that family gathering so it came out for the St Patricks visit instead, the British fashion designer said.

Oldfield described the patches as a stylized modern interpretation of a classic Rococo leaf motif that I offered Her Majesty in a variety of placements. Im pleased she wore it.

Samir Hussein - Pool/Getty Queen Camilla during her visit to Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Related: All About Queen Camilla's Children and Grandchildren

For the Christmas Day 2023 service, Queen Camilla ended up wearing a blue silk paisley dress under a camel cashmere coat by Anna Valentine and a beret by Philip Treacy.

After the Queen wore the green coat to check out some of Belfast's artisan and family-run food shops on Thursday, her charity The Queens Reading Room then hosted the event "Northern Ireland: Poets and Their Place" on World Poetry Day.

For the event, held at Hillsborough Castle, the royal swapped the coat for a green Anna Valentine dress that she teamed with an emerald brooch given to her by King Charles, 75. Politicians including First Minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle O'Neill, and Deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, were in attendance.

Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Michelle O'Neill, Queen Camilla, Emma Little-Pengelly at the World Poetry Day event.

Jules Standish, one of the U.K.'s leading colour experts, had some thoughts on Camilla's outfits on Thursday. Aside from the obvious Irish green connection and her alignment to the Irish people, I would say that green is giving Camilla strength in her role as she is carrying out her commitments alone, the author said, per The Telegraph.

It is a supportive colour, helping her to stay feeling calm and balanced. Its a colour that projects an image of friendliness and approachability, and a sense that she is truly coming from the heart. It could also echo Charles' love of the environment and nature, Standish added.

Related: King Charles and Queen Camilla Attend First Royal Ascot of Reign  and Bring Her Family!

Andrew Matthews - WPA Pool/Getty Queen Camilla arrives for her coronation at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023.

Designer Oldfield is a favorite of Camilla's, with him designing her coronation dress for the May 6, 2023 ceremony. Oldfield was also one of Princess Diana's preferred designers and was behind several of her iconic dresses in the 1980s.

Queen Camilla's coronation gown featured ivory, silver, and gold colors, and had an embroidered underskirt with bracelet-length sleeves. It was cut with Peau de Soie, a silk fabric, and was designed to complement both of the robes she wore during the service.

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!

The embellishments on the gown featured abstract garlands of wildflowers representing Queen Camilla and King Charles' love of nature and the British countryside. Flower emblems of the four nations of the U.K.  a rose, thistle, daffodil, and shamrock  were also featured on the underskirt and cuffs of each sleeve.

After the coronation, Oldfield told The Telegraph of dressing Camilla, I design in quite a classical way. I design to flatter the body."

The great thing about this particular commission was that we do have a great knowledge of her figure and her body. And also I can tell when she doesnt like something, he added.





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Read the original article on People.
PHOTO: An undated photo of Riley Strain, 22, who disappeared on March 8 during a night out in Nashville. (Metro Nashville PD)

PHOTO: An undated photo of Riley Strain, 22, who disappeared on March 8 during a night out in Nashville. (Metro Nashville PD)

The body of missing college student Riley Strain was recovered from the Cumberland River in West Nashville Friday morning following a two-week search, according to Nashville police.

"No foul play-related trauma was observed," police said.

Theres no evidence to suggest anything other than Strain accidentally falling into the river, Nashville Police Chief John Drake told reporters on Friday.

MORE: Riley Strain's stepdad opens up about family's difficult conversations as Nashville search intensifies

Strain's body was spotted by workers at the river Friday morning, Drake said. The autopsy will likely be done Saturday, authorities said.

Strain's family thanked everyone involved in the search, from first responders to volunteers to family and friends, during a press briefing Friday evening.

"Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. We can't say enough to all of you," his father, Ryan Gilbert, said.

Strain's stepfather, Chris Whiteid, said the ordeal has been an "emotional rollercoaster," and thanked the people of Nashville for their support.

"You don't understand how much that meant to us in some of our darkest hours," he said. "The hugs, the prayers, the offers -- I can't say it enough: thank you."

Strain's mother, in tears, had one message to share: "I just ask that you mamas out there -- hug your babies tight tonight, please. Please, for me."

PHOTO: An undated photo of Riley Strain, 22, who disappeared on March 8 during a night out in Nashville. (Metro Nashville PD)

Strain, a 22-year-old senior at the University of Missouri, went missing on March 8 after a night out at several Nashville bars. Strain and his Delta Chi fraternity brothers were visiting Nashville for their fraternity formal.

While the friends were out that night, Strain FaceTimed his mom and didn't sound intoxicated, Strain's stepfather told ABC News.

Strain and his mom exchanged more texts after the FaceTime call, Chris Whiteid said. The last text Strain sent to his mom that night was, "I love you."

Surveillance cameras and police body cameras captured Strain's last known movements from about 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

PHOTO: Sightings of College Student Riley Strain (ABC News)

MORE: College student Riley Strain missing in Nashville: A timeline

Strain was reported missing on March 9 and authorities launched a massive search by foot, by drone and by boat.

The United Cajun Navy also arrived in Nashville to help organize volunteer searches.

Our helicopters continue to fly over the Cumberland River in the ongoing search for Riley Strain. MNPD & @NashvilleEOC boats were on the water again today. The Cheatham Co. Sheriff's Office is also assisting down river. See him? Pls call 615-862-8600. pic.twitter.com/qF96AQqzAO  Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) March 20, 2024

Strain's stepfather told ABC News on Wednesday that the family was beginning to have difficult conversations.

"Put yourself in our shoes," Chris Whiteid said. "Your family, your brother, your sister -- they've been missing for almost two weeks."

"Everybody knows it, everybody's thinking it -- those conversations are starting to happen," he said. "It's not what we want. And I understand that people want to know what we're feeling -- we're feeling frustrated, we're feeling hurt, we're feeling depressed."

"Nobody knows what happened," he said.

Body of Riley Strain found in river, no evidence of foul play: Nashville police originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Spruce up your outdoor space with a fresh coat.

Laurey W. Glenn, Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Regardless of whether you gravitate towards bolder colors or more neutral tones, its important that any accent paint colors still feel cohesive with the rest of your home. The porch color should ultimately complement the overall color scheme of your house, says Palm Beach interior designer Ellen Kavanaugh. You might consider a more traditional selection for a front porch while a screened-in space leaves more room for playful paint.

Its also important to take into consideration climate and light exposure; light colors tend to reflect sunlight, keeping the area cooler, which can be beneficial in hot climates like Southern states, adds Kavanaugh. From classic whites and haint blues to deep greens and peachy pinks, these are the 21 porch paint colors that Southern designers are head-over-heels for this season.

Related: Decorating Mistakes That Make Your Porch Look Unfinished, According To A Designer

Laurey W. Glenn

Nature-Inspired Shades of Greens

Pull inspiration for your color palette from the homes surroundings. From sage to olive to verdigris, we love any shade of green for the porch, says Anna Still and Marguerite Johnson of Still Johnson Interiors in Birmingham, Alabama. Using green paint creates a seamless transition from indoors to out and visually connects the porch to its surroundings. Luckily for us, homes in the South almost always have something evergreen in the yard.

Farrow & Ball Bancha, No. 298

Screened porches that are their own little spaces can depart from the details of the main house, note the Birmingham-based designers. We like to paint the interior walls, ceiling, and any trim work detail. And for a screened porch washed in green, we love to go bold with Farrow & Balls Bancha which is one of our favorite colors in general!

Farrow & Ball Lichen, No. 19

For front porches, we would suggest keeping the walls, ceiling, and flooring in the same style as the rest of the house and bringing that pop of green at the front door and windows or shutters (but not both windows and shutters), says Still Johnson Interiors. If youre going the front door and windows route, we like something soft like Farrow & Balls Lichen.

Benjamin Moore Peale Green, HC-121

South Carolina designer Caroline Brackett loves muted sage and olive greens like Benjamin Moores Peale Green. The key is to select colors that create a welcoming, inviting atmosphere while complementing the architectural style and natural surroundings of the home, she says.

Farrow & Ball Green Ground, No. 206

This soft green is a current favorite for Emily Wyatt of Wyatt Designs in Atlanta, Georgia. Its refreshing hue is beautiful indoors and out, but Wyatt loves it as a pop of color against a white home for a front door or shutters.

ALISON GOOTEE; Styling by Dakota Willimon

Calming Blues

In the South, a touch of blue paint on the porch is nothing new. Southerners have been painting their porch ceilings a pale blue green, or haint blue, for hundreds of years, and its a tradition we still love today, says Knoxville, Tennessee, interior designer Caroline Levenson. The tradition stems from the Gullah Geechee communities of coastal Georgia and South Carolina who believed the color would ward off haints, or spirits of the dead, away from the home. "The blue ceiling is also thought to confuse and draw mosquitos up toward the blue "sky" and away from folks sitting on the porch," adds the designer.

Valspar Blue Cashmere (M339)

As a slight departure from the traditional hue, try this gray-blue shade from Valspar on your porch ceiling. "We prefer a more muted, earthy blue like Blue Cashmere, but it seems to do the trick," says Levenson.

Sherwin-Williams Upward, SW 6239

"We often keep the wall color on an outdoor porch constant with the exterior color of the house and then love to accent the ceiling with soft colors that you would see in the landscape, says Schilling and Company in Atlanta, Georgia, who notes Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year 2024 (Upward) is perfect for this.

Farrow & Ball Borrowed Light, No. 235

Stick to tradition. I try to paint the porch ceiling light blue in a nod to classic Southern Porches, says Atlanta designer Laura Jenkins. I love Farrow & Ball's Borrowed Light which not only is the perfect light blue, but is a great color name for a porch! Jenkins also loves the shade for painted porch floors and indoor wood flooring too.



Dane Tashima; Styling: Page Mullins

Pretty Peaches

This season, Ellen Kavanaugh is loving a classic peach palette. If your home has a neutral color palette, you should consider a porch color that adds a pop of color without clashing with the existing scheme, like Benjamin Moores Daytona Peach, 079. she says. For houses with bold or dark colors, a lighter shade for the porch can create a balanced look.

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Charleston Green

The almost-black shade of a Charleston Green provides a great focal point for any porch whether its splashed on the furniture or front door. "Freshening up antique wicker furniture with Charleston Green paint looks fresh and hides dirt," says Levenson. "We also love a joggling boarda combination bench and rocking chair that dates back to the early 1800s and the rich color really makes the sculptural lines of these charming bouncy benches pop." Get the look with Benjamin Moore Black Forest Green, HC-187, Sherwin-Williams Jasper, SW 6216, or Sherwin-Williams Greenblack, SW 6994.

Laurey W. Glenn

Muddy-Toned Neutrals

When it comes to choosing a paint color for your porch floor, muddy earth tones strike the perfect balance," says Levenson. "These colors hide the dirt and dust that inevitably settle on your porch, but aren't so dark that they absorb heat and burn your feet."

Related: 7 Reasons Southern Designers Avoid Using Dark Paint Colors On The Porch

Sherwin-Williams Mushroom, SW 9587

For a more neutral palette, Levenson loves the warm blend of cream, brown, and gray of this shade which is subtle yet versatile enough to add a little contrast.

Benjamin Moore Harwood Putty, CW-5

Another favorite of Levensons is this shade which mimics the effect of whitewash with its slight blue tint. Use as a primary exterior color or for small details for slight variation.

Benjamin Moore Stone, 2112-40

For a moodier look, Levenson reaches for this brownish gray hue.

Benjamin Moore Grant Beige, HC-83

Neutral doesnt have to mean boring. According to Atlanta, Georgia, interior designer Katie Wolf, this is the perfect neutralnot too pink and not too yellow. Its beautiful on decking and rails and it plays equally well with a red brick exterior or a white wood exterior.



JAMES RANSOM; STYLING: Veronica Olson Like the interiors, the front yard tells a story with roadside-rescue boxwoods and flowers inspired by Hendersonas childhood garden.

Moodier Greens and Blues

Lean into deeper tones for contrast. Dark green paint colors make for beautiful outdoor rooms and complement natural wood tones and copper exterior lighting, says Wolf while Bracket gravitates towards traditional navy hues.

Farrow & Ball Studio Green, No. 93

This extra deep, dark green is like a chameleon as the light shifts. I like to paint the walls and ceiling in a dark green that blends with the landscape, says Wolf. Farrow & Ball Studio Green is an even darker hue that creates the same effect.

Benjamin Moore Deep River, 1582

This gray-green can easily be used in a multitude of ways. Benjamin Moores Deep River is a handsome dark green that provides a cozy cocoon in the winter and a shady retreat from the summer sun, says Wolf.



Farrow & Ball Drawing Room Blue, No. 253

This rich blue feels equally timeless and energetic. Its intense hue makes a statement while also serving as a backdrop to even bolder accents. Contrast against silky whites or pair with complimentary colors.

Benjamin Moore Hale Navy, HC-154

Looking for a navy that can do it all? Look no further than Benjamin Moores Hale Navy that truly looks good anywhere from screen porches to painted floors.



Laurey W. Glenn

Soothing Whites and Creams

Southern designers typically prefer to stick to traditional and classic color palettes for exterior porch spaces, avoiding overly trendy or bold hues, says Brackett, who loves Benjamin Moore Babys Breath, OC-62 and Benjamin Moore White Dove, OC-17. We gravitate towards softer, more muted colors that evoke a sense of tradition and timelessness.

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Read the original article on Southern Living.
Carrie Boyd is on a mission to change lives and family trees, and she might be looking at you.

A relative newcomer of five years in Tallahassee, Carries steadfast work as an advocate for women and girls makes our community very lucky indeed. Whether she is in the role of attorney, lobbyist, elected official, business leader, or mentor, her focus on leveling the playing field for all makes her one of Tallahassees 25 Women You Need to Know.

Carrie Boyd is one of the 25 Women You Need to Know for 2024.

Her professional career has spanned from directing campaigns for local, senate, and gubernatorial races, as well as leading regional efforts for presidential races, to her roles as the Director of Policy for a statewide domestic violence coalition, appointee to the Criminal Justice Information Authority, state director and lobbyist for a regional anti-violence and human rights organization, and as Executive Director of The Tallahassee Legal Aid Foundation.

In each chapter of her career, she has been a strong voice for the Equal Pay Act, the Equal Rights Amendments, and the Trust Act. Her efforts have been recognized as the Advocate of the Year for sexual assault survivors in 2014, and nominations for a 2023 Women Who Mean Business Award.

Class of 2024: 25 Women for 2024: Mary Stafford pays it forward with kindness, solutions

I really just love working and volunteering for causes in which I deeply believe, including those focused on housing issues, domestic and sexual violence prevention, and the rights of women, she shares about her vision of helping women strengthen their families and put down roots.

Carrie was selected as the Chair of the Tallahassee-Leon County Commission on the Status of Women & Girls, serving as Vice Chair and Violence & Safety Committee Chair prior to serving as Chair during the COVID-19 pandemic. These roles come naturally to her.

I have been working to improve the lives of women and girls my entire life through advocacy, policy reforms, and direct service in the legal, real estate, and nonprofit industries, Boyd said.

Carries commitment to this work began during childhood when she observed abuses of migrant workers by farming operations near her hometown.

I grew up on the land, and my love for it runs deep. In my early years, we moved quite a bit when farming was tough and my father battled cancer, so I know firsthand the value of a stable home life, Boyd said. "Home is at the core of many women's ideal lifestyle, and affordable housing consistently ranks as the number one issue for women throughout Florida and much of the country.

To help women deepen the roots of their family trees, Carrie is proud to serve as a Board Member for the Survive & Thrive Advocacy Center and as a Board Member for Big Bend Habitat for Humanity, and is a regular contributor to Tallahassee Woman Magazine where she writes articles about women's empowerment in real estate investing & business.

This passion led to Carrie founding The Network of Real Estate Investing Women, which works to change women's lives by helping them build their financial foundation in real estate investing.

We help women learn how to make sense of this market and create cash flow through various investing options while also being mindful of affordable housing issues and needs, green design and renovation, and much more, Boyd said. Long story long, I do this because I can. It is my legacy, and I feel a moral duty now that I'm in mid-life and have decades of experience under my belt.

You may see Carrie on CNN and Fox News shows discussing political and human rights issues or read about her in Bloomberg News, Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, and other news outlets. And, you can spot her around town with her husband, two children, and Weimaraner, Stella, hiking and dining their way through Tallahassee. The people are what make Tallahassee so wonderful. It is the biggest small town, and I love it!

Its easy to see why Carries roots run deep as her mission to change lives and family trees is carried out. And, she has her eye on you, if youre ready. I'm continually inspired by the women with whom we work and partner as they are on a mission to improve themselves, their families, and their communities.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: 25 Women for 2024: Carrie Boyd focuses on leveling the playing field
Holding Bowl of Air Fryer Mac and Cheese

Like most recipes I see on social media, I like them, save them and then they promptly get lost in the internet food ether forever. And like most people with an air fryer, I see a cool recipe and convince myself that Im definitely going to make it (like, this week!)only to open up DoorDash after an exhausting day. The air fryer mac and cheese from @feelgoodfoodie was one of those recipes.

But after months of languishing in my saved folder, I decided it was time to give the recipe a shotno more excuses. And boy am I glad I did. With only a handful of ingredients and 30 minutes, you'll have a comforting dinner on the table. The best part? You barely have to lift a finger to make it.

Related: True Fact: Ina Gartens Mac and Cheese is the Greatest of All Time

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Ingredients for Air Fryer Mac and Cheese

For Feel Good Foodie's recipe, you'll need 1 (8-ounce) block Cabot Vermont Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese, 1 (8-ounce) block Cabot Vermont Sharp Cheddar Cheese (I couldn't find this one so I subbed in a Whole Foods store brand cheddar), 8 ounces of elbow macaroni, 1 1/2 cups water, 1 cup milk, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon paprika and 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs (I used panko).

Ingredients for Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Courtesy of Jessica Wrubel

How to Make Air Fryer Mac and Cheese

Combine the two types of cheese, elbow macaroni, water, milk, mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika in the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer at 370 (the recipe says to preheat, but mine doesn't preheat so I just turned it on). Cook on "air fry" for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the liquid is mostly absorbed and the noodles are cooked. Stir again, sprinkle the breadcrumbs on top and air fry one more time for 5 minutes. Allow it to cool and serve.

Throw everything into the air fryer basket and forget about it Courtesy of Jessica Wrubel

Related: Eric Kim's Copycat Stouffer's Mac and Cheese Recipe

What I Thought of the Air Fryer Mac and Cheese

This is one of those recipes that seems too good to be true. I'm skeptical of most of the viral recipes I try and time and time again, I'm proven wrong because they're delicious, easy, or, in this case, both. You truly dump everything in the air fryer basket, give it a quick stir and walk away. The air fryer does all the work for you. You're in luck if youre like me and have a super easy one to clean (I have a Ninja Speedi).

Stirring together all the ingredients was the hardest part. I felt almost guilty at how easy of a dinner this was. I decided to use a fancier bronze cut pipe rigate from Whole Foods instead of a run-of-the-mill elbow macaroni because bronze-cut pasta grabs more sauce than regular pasta, and that's definitely what you want for mac and cheese.

Baked air fryer mac and cheese Courtesy of Jessica Wrubel

Taking my first bite, I decided that this was on par with my favorite baked mac and cheesean old Organic Valley recipe that I actually printed out from their website about 10 years ago. This one was absolutely delicious with all the comforts of homemade mac and cheese that you'd expect. It was creamy from the two different cheddars, rich from the addition of whole milk, slightly tangy from the touch of dijon and, of course, classically orange (as a good mac and cheese should be).

Baking mac and cheese with a breadcrumb topping should be written into law because there is nothing better than cheesy noodles with a satisfying crunch in every spoonful. The only modifications I would make to this one would be to add a bit more salt and a tiny bit less mustard, but other than that, I can see making this one a staple in my dinner rotation.

Bowl of air fryer mac and cheese Courtesy of Jessica Wrubel

Tips for Making Air Fryer Mac and Cheese

Make cleanup effortless. If you don't have an easy-to-clean air fryer, pick up a pack of disposable air fryer liners. You can even buy a reusable silicone one online for a more earth-friendly cleanup. Add in some veggies for some oomph. This makes about four servings but if you're like me and would prefer a veggie with your meals, add in some broccoli or spinach. It makes the whole bowl more filling and satisfying. Make sure your pasta is submerged. Maybe it's because I decided to get fancy and use a slightly larger shaped pasta, but my pipe rigate had a tougher time staying submerged and I noticed some of the pieces were starting to brown since they were peeking out of the liquid a bit. I added a tiny bit more milk and stirred more frequently and it was fine in the end. But be aware of this if you decide to go rogue with your version. Don't shy away from a variation. Because I can't leave well enough alone, I was dreaming of different ways to make this one after the fact. Some Monterey Jack with canned diced green chilies and frizzled onions; tomato and basil with mozzarella mixed in; or Gruyere with chunks of lobster and maybe a splash of white wine would all be delicious and just as easy.

Up next: Patti LaBelles Easy Mac and Cheese Is Practically Perfect
Home Away From Home is a series that spotlights BIPOC brands and collaborations that are adding a cultural essence to everyday items. This allows anyone to always have a piece of their culture in their own space without ever feeling homesick or out of touch with their roots. We're exploring the stories of the individuals behind the brands that have touched people's hearts through their products and have allowed people to feel at home anywhere.

In honor of International Women's Day, Anthropologie has launched an exclusive collection that celebrates self-love and womanhood. The brand collaborated with Kemi Telford, a bold fashion brand making waves through its vivid and empowering patterns. If you're looking for vibrant and unique homeware pieces from throw pillows to blankets, this collection is for you.

All the bright and unique designs were thoughtfully curated by the designer, Yvonne Modupe Telford, who drew inspiration from her rich Nigerian culture and childhood memories. As you're shopping, expect to see dazzling florals and radiant hues.

Could You Tell Us a Little About Yourself?

Yvonne Modupe Telford: My name is Yvonne Modupe Telford, and I am the founder of Kemi Telford. Originally from Kano, Nigeria, I moved to England in 1996 to pursue law studies. After completing my studies, I worked as a credit risk analyst at a pharmaceutical company. I'm also a proud mother to two wonderful girls and happily married. We reside in South London.

How Did You End Up Collaborating With Anthropologie for This Collection?

YMT: The inception of Kemi Telford wasn't a calculated business move but rather a response to a simple yet frequent question on Instagram: "Where did you get that outfit?" Inspired by my mother's thriving business in Sabon-Gari, Kano, I harbored a childhood dream of designing and offering stunning clothing to women, a dream realized through the power of the internet.

When Anthropologie approached me to design homeware pieces, I was deeply humbled and excited about venturing into uncharted territory. The project was exhilarating and challenging, leading to a thoroughly enjoyable collaborative process.

What Was the Process Like of Choosing Fabrics, Patterns, and Colors?

YMT: Every aspect of the collectioncolors, prints, and patternsdraws inspiration from my childhood in Kano, Nigeria. I felt an immediate connection with Anthropologie and knew precisely how to infuse that signature Kemi Telford flair.

The floral prints pay homage to the abundant Hibiscus flowers of my childhood, which surrounded me until my relocation to England. They serve as a heartfelt tribute to the beauty of those cherished memories.

The movement prints, featuring semi-circles, was inspired by the exquisite coral beads my mother adorned during traditional occasions. These designs aim to capture the elegance and melodic charm of the beads as they gracefully adorned her neck.

Anthropologie

What Product From the Collection Is Special to You?

YMT: Each product is special in my heart, like asking a parent to pick a favorite child; however, I love how radiant and detailed the throw blankets are. They exude a vibrancy that adds a fun appeal to your home for spring and summer.

Anthropologie

What Kind of Message Do You Want the Products to Convey When Theyre in Peoples Homes?

YMT: The products aim to convey a message of love, beauty, and fabulousness. Each item was crafted with love, weaving a narrative of childhood memories. They exude undeniable beauty and bring a chic touch to every home.

Did You Draw Any Inspiration From Your Own Clothing Brand to Bring the Anthropologie Collaboration to Life?

YMT: Absolutely. The Anthropologie collaboration is an extension of the Kemi Telford brand. You'll unmistakably encounter the signature Kemi Telford aesthetic upon exploring the collection.

Anthropologie

Read Next: Meet Keiko Furoshiki, the Brand Bringing Color and History to Gift Wrapping

Read the original article on The Spruce.
To paraphrase The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy, you may think its a long way down the Pacific Crest Trail to Mexico, but thats just peanuts compared to what Bangladeshi hiker Saiful Islam Shanto has planned. At 10.30am local time this Friday, March 22, starting from in front of the National Parliament Building (Jatiya Sangsad Bhavan) in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka, Shanto will go on a world tour on foot.

Yes, hes planning on visiting all 93 of the member countries of the United Nations (its unclear if hell be visiting the two recognized nations of Vatican City and Palestine too) and hes estimating it will take him around 12 years to complete the entire journey.

Saiful Islam Shanto revealed details of his epic global challenge in a press conference at Economic Reporters Forum Auditorium in Paltan, Dhaka on March 20.

National Parliament House (Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban), Dhaka, Bangladesh

I will not return home unless there is an urgent need, said Shanto. I plan to start walking from Dhaka and cross the Jessore-Benapole border to reach Kolkata. Then I will reach Delhi through India, Jharkhand, Patena, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. From there the plan is to go to Uzbekistan, then successively Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia, Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines and so on

After traveling to the Asian continent, I have plans to travel to Africa and Europe. After traveling to North America, South America and Australia continent, there is a plan to end the world tour by going to Antarctica.

The challenge will also raise awareness of environmental issues; Shanto's chosen motto for his global trek is save trees, minimize global warming.

Also present was Ashrafuzzaman Ujjal, president of the Bangladesh Travel Writers Association, which is acting as the logistics partner for Shantas world tour.

Walking is always a pleasure, said Ashrafuzzaman Ujjal. Adventure travel is relatively rare in our country. Therefore, Bangladesh Travel Writers Association wants to encourage and inspire any adventure travel in the country. We also want more people to be interested in adventure travel and write about their travel experiences. Everyone will know and get inspired to travel.

In 2022 Shanto traveled to 64 districts of Bangladesh in a journey of over 3,000km in 75 days. In the same year, he also traveled 1,500km from Bangladesh to India (Dhaka, Sandakphu, Darjeeling) in 64 days.

Best hiking pants 2024: don't let winter slow you down with our top trail trousers
ANNIVERSARY PRESENT: Forget flowers, congratulatory cards or tribute posts to commemorate Nicolas Ghesquieres decade  and five-year extension  at Louis Vuitton.

Having attended his fall 2024 show during Paris Fashion Week, Frances First Lady Brigitte Macron marked the occasion with a joint interview with the houses artistic director of womenswear, lifting the lid on their working relationship in the March 22 edition of French weekly magazine Madame Figaro.

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For the cover, out on newsstands Friday, the two were photographed on the rooftop of the French luxury brands Pont Neuf headquarters, sporting Louis Vuitton denim jackets  classic cut for him, a biker-inspired one adorned with black and gold buttons for her  with black trousers.

Further pictures in the six-page feature show Macron and Ghesquiere in his atelier and at fittings.

In the article, they discuss their first meeting; empowerment through clothing; expanding her style repertoire from her earlier jeans, T-shirt and stiletto signature; what her wardrobe says internationally, and fashion in literature.

Macron revealed that she is pleased when her style is described so French, as it means the clothes tell you something about our country and our culture.

I started wearing his designs before knowing him, she reveals, recalling that she attended Ghesquieres March 2015 show in a bespoke navy blue coat with a silver collar created for her without us even meeting.

First Lady Brigitte Macron and French President Emmanuel Macron arrive to take their seats ahead of the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 6, 2023.

The coat made a second appearance when her husband Emmanuel Macron declared he was running for president in November 2016 and on the night of his election on May 8, 2017.

Between us, there is respect, reserve and a dialogue that doesnt require words, Ghesquiere said.

Our collaboration continues to evolve over time. There is this personal story and then another, larger still, that goes beyond us, that should be read like a celebration of an industry, of craftsmanship, of a multitude of talents in service of an economic power, he continued.

Throughout the interview, the French first lady addressed criticism and commentaries she receives as well as discussions on her hem lengths or footwear, while Ghesquiere talked about fashion as pop culture.

Its fun to see that fashion has become more democratic, that its more inviting and has dropped certain diktats, he said. Now its all about personal expression and that invites more people to the table.

Speaking of invitations, Macron noted that her husband regularly honors designers with events at the Elysee presidential palace and that he initiated Frances Fashion Pact when he was finance minister.

As a parting shot, she asked Ghesquiere what he might do after  fashion or his position at Vuitton remained unsaid  to which he replied that he would like a better work-life balance, while being aware that he would probably miss it terribly.

As for the designer, he wanted to know if the erstwhile literature teacher had ever imagined herself as Frances first lady. Never, not for a second, was Macrons reply. I thought Emmanuel would be an artist, a writer specifically.

Elsewhere in the edition, the couture choices of Frances first ladies are examined, with Macrons Louis Vuitton outfit for the coronation of King Charles III slotted in alongside Carla Bruni Sarkozys Dior by John Galliano outfit to meet the late Queen Elizabeth II, Bernadette Chirac in Lagerfelds Chanel and Danielle Mitterrand pictured with Yves Saint Laurent.

While she has been sparing in giving interviews, generally centered around her commitment to causes such as the fight against child abuse, Macrons interest in design is no secret.

In February, after taking in the runway debut of the Institut Francais de la Modes masters students, the first lady took a closer look at their creations and spoke with several of the designers. I was captivated by the creativity, their energy, she said at the time.

Rachida Dati and Brigitte Macron at the Institut Francais de Mode masters students show.

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Snowdrop, a fresh, mould-ripened cows cheese first made only just over a year ago, has been named Britain and Irelands best cheese. Soft and velvety, with a mousse-like texture and rich, almost meaty notes, this extraordinary unpasteurised cheese beat 640 entrants to win the title of supreme champion at the British Cheese Awards in Shepton Mallet, Somerset.

Snowdrop was hailed as a supremely well made cheese, by head judge Tim Rowcliffe, one of Britains leading cheese experts. Its so difficult to get that style of cheese right, but its well balanced, and easily as good as anything made in France.

Made at Cote Hill dairy in Lincolnshire, until now more famous for Cote Hill Blue, Snowdrop wowed every taster in the final round of judging. When I saw the cheese was here I thought it would do well, but in all my time Ive never known a cheese to be a unanimous winner among the judges, Rowcliffe added. In a heartbeat it was clear it would win.

Cashel blue, an unctuous, creamy blue from Tipperary, Ireland, finished runner up at the event where 59 of Britains top cheesemakers, writers, farmers, buyers and  this being 2024  social media influencers joined together to sniff, prod, squash and eat their way through 640 cheeses from across Britain and Ireland. Its the 28th time the awards have been held, and the 30th anniversary of the first ever event, where Innes Button, an unpasteurised goats cheese made at Highfields Farm Dairy in Staffordshire won.

59 judges from across the world of cheese worked together to taste all of the entries - Joe Breakwell

Judges were separated into teams of two or three to taste a few categories each  no one could try all 640, however hard some tried. I was given fresh lactic cheeses, six-month aged goats and double Gloucesters among others. The latter were mostly industrial versions, mostly not up to much. One of my goats cheeses smelt like a mix of old shoes and cured meat  and tasted worse  but the majority were fine showcases for Britains blossoming artisan cheese scene. By current estimates, the country produces 1,000 varieties of cheese, which is more than France.

Emma Young, one of Britains leading cheese experts and author of The Cheese Wheel: How to choose and pair cheese like an expert, was impressed by the diversity and range on show.

This was my first time judging at the British Cheese Awards, and it didnt disappoint, Young told the Telegraph.

My categories spanned bloomy rinds to soft blues to territorials, a mix which in itself shows a snapshot of the healthy diversity of cheese entries in this competition. I particularly enjoyed discovering a blue cheese which didnt quite fit organically into a traditional category of stilton or soft blue. British cheesemakers are getting more inventive and keeping us professionals on our toes.

Some 640 cheeses were judged as part of the contest - Joe Breakwell

In other awards categories, White Lakes Tor, a lactic goats pyramid, won best English cheese; Gafr Las, a blue goats, was named Waless best; while best Scottish cheese went to the controversial Minger, described by the Telegraph as like Bovril. Pitchfork, a cloth-bound cheddar made at Trethowans Dairy in Somerset, was named best traditional cheddar. Best soft white went to Tunworth from Hampshire, once described by chef Raymond Blanc as the best camembert in the world.

Another judging for the first time was Tom Livermore, deputy head cheesemaker at Fenn Farm Dairy in Suffolk, who makes the world-renowned Baron Bigod brie. The majority of my time is spent tasting Baron Bigod, so it was interesting to try different styles and ranges, said Livermore. The techniques on show were really impressive, but I was particularly impressed by the cheddars, their depth of flavour and complexity.

Livermore, a musician before turning to cheese, believes the quality on show reflects a remarkably cooperative industry. Cheesemakers are very open about what they do, its completely different to the music industry, but thats how the industry flourishes. Today was a good showcase for that.

For those wondering where to try Britains top cheeses, many will be available for tasting at the Bath & West Food and Drink Festival, taking place on March 23-24 at the Bath & West Showground in Shepton Mallet, Somerset.

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A Border Patrol agent searches a group of migrants after the U.S. Supreme Court let the SB-4 law take effect, in El Paso, Texas, on March 20.

The Texas Senate Bill 4 is causing a strong controversy amid the U.S.Mexico border crisis. The bill was signed into law by Republican Governor Greg Abbott, allowing state officials to arrest and deport migrants in Texas. However, the Biden administration has objected to it, alleging that the Constitution establishes that only the federal government can enforce immigration law.

On March 19, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court permitted the laws enforcement for several hours. However, nearing midnight, a lower court put the law on hold and scheduled a hearing on March 20. During the hearing, a three-judge panel interrogated the Texas solicitor general regarding the laws specifics. Additionally, arguments from the U.S. Department of Justice and the ACLU were heard, advocating for its suspension. The law remains suspended as the appeals court deliberates.

What is Texas SB4?

SB4 is a Texas state law that establishes stricter measures for illegal migrants in the state. It criminalizes illegal entry into the territory and makes it a state crime, and allows authorities to arbitrarily detain people if they are suspected of being illegal immigrants.

Under the new law, state and local police may ask any person for their immigration papers or ID (regardless of whether they engage in suspicious behavior or not), and if they cannot prove their citizenship or legal immigration status, they would be at risk of being deported to Mexico under the authorization of a state judge, regardless of their country of origin.

Likewise, the law allocates 1.5 billion dollars for the construction of a border wall. Amounting to between 20 and 30 million taxpayer dollars for every mile.

Who is affected?

This new law concerns mostly illegal immigrants in Texas, since if they are detained they would be charged with a crime and the local government could deport them. However, the law would also affect Latino residents or residents of other minorities, since they could well be arbitrarily detained. Also, those illegal immigrants who have been in Texas longer and have not obtained citizenship or a residency permit could be deported.

The Mexican government issued a press release questioning the legal provisions that affect the human rights of more than 10 million people of Mexican origin living in Texas, which could lead to hostile environments in which the migrant community will be exposed to hate speech, discrimination and racial profiling, and rejected the possibility of receiving deported migrants. Both Joe Bidens administration and the ACLU, as well as other civil rights groups, have stressed that immigration is a matter for federal authority and that Texas is violating the Constitution by seeking to implement SB4.

According to NPR, local authorities do not know exactly how the law will work, and some members have expressed doubts about possible scenarios, such as the course of action they would have to follow if they arrest a migrant who crossed into the U.S. through another state but was detained in Texas. Without appropriate provisions, migrant or racial minority communities could encounter a variety of problems if the law is implemented. SB4 calls for allocating resources such as jail space, Texas agents time and local tax dollars to work that has been the responsibility of the federal government. However, recent hearings have highlighted that there is still no clear organization to work together with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

A report published by ImmigrationForum points out that the law could also affect the state in different ways: The strict stance on immigration enforcement could deter businesses, organizations and tourists from investing in or visiting the state, similar to what happened with Arizonas SB 1070. In addition, it could reduce the economic contributions of immigrants in Texas, who play an important role in various industries and contribute billions to the states economy, among other problems.

History of the law

The first Texas SB4 is the Texas Senate Bill 4, which banned sanctuary cities in the state of Texas. According to GlobalRefuge, sanctuary cities have a policy that discourages local law enforcement from reporting the immigration status of individuals unless it involves investigation of a serious crime. Chicago is an example of a sanctuary city. Its Welcoming City Ordinance states that the city will not ask people about their immigration status, disclose that information to authorities, or deny city services based on their immigration status.

The law was filed on November 15, 2016, by Sen. Charles Perry. It was discussed during the regular season of the 85th Texas Legislature in early 2017, and was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbot on May 7, 2017.

In November 2023, the Texas Senate and the Texas House of Representatives voted for the Texas Senate Bill 4 state statute of 2024, which was signed by Governor Greg Abbot on December 18, 2023.

Originally scheduled to start on March 5, the implementation of the bill was postponed due to legal challenges from both the U.S. government and the ACLU. A district judge issued a preliminary injunction to halt the laws enforcement pending further proceedings.

Texas appealed this injunction to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which sought guidance from the Supreme Court. Although initially allowed to proceed by the Supreme Court, the law was later blocked by the appeals court.

Currently, a hearing at the Fifth Circuit is underway to determine whether to maintain the district judges preliminary injunction, thereby continuing the block on SB4s enforcement.

Senate Bill 4 is the subject of United States v. Texas, a lawsuit filed against the state, which alleges that the bill is anti-constitutional.

In January 2024, the Department of Justice sued Texas over SB4. District court judge David Alan Ezra ruled that the bill violates the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution. The conflict of laws clause establishes that the Constitution, federal laws made pursuant to it, and treaties made under its authority, constitute the supreme Law of the Land, which means that it takes priority over any conflicting state laws.

On March 19, 2024, the Supreme Court denied the petition made by the Biden administration and the city of El Paso to suspend the application of Texas Senate Bill 4.

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Brutalist design was (and still is) a style critics love to hate. Known for its unapologetic use of raw materials like concrete and metal and geometric shapes constructed at a gigantic scale, the Brutalist movement is striking and divisive, and one that set up contemporary responses found in today's design landscape.

"Good architecture is not about the last perfect building; it's about beauty, scale, and rhythm that can be expressed through construction, setting up dialogues for continuity and contrast," says Akshat Bhatt, principal architect at the New Delhi, India, firm Architecture Discipline. "Brutalism is an expressive architecture style that realizes bold forms by emphasizing construction, textures, and raw, exposed materials such as concrete."

What's unique about Brutalist design is its expression through simple materials. Instead of focusing on lavish finishes, the Brutalist style keeps things minimalistic by letting the organic shapes shine through stripped-down materials. As the movement gained momentum from the 1950s to 1970s, some found the style to be austere and menacing because of the harsh plainness the design imposes.

Today, Brutalist design is getting reinterpreted in sleeker, grander ways by architects such as Tadao Ando, the Japanese Pritzker Prize winner who has designed residences for the likes of Beyonce and Jay-Z and Kim Kardashian.

In this guide, we'll review the Brutalist design in greater detail by revisiting its historical context, identify the characteristics of Brutalist buildings, and take a look at contemporary buildings that adhere to the style.

What Is Brutalist Design?

The Brutalist architecture and interior design style uses raw materials like concrete and brick to form striking shapes at a massive scale. "Brutalist buildings often have a stark, monolithic appearance, with exposed concrete as the primary building material," says Nancy Parish, an interior designer in Charlotte, North Carolina. "This creates a distinct visual impact, emphasizing the building's solidity and permanence."

In Brutalism, there is no shape that fits all. Some buildings use a conglomerate of shapes to form a truly abstract design that's still functional at heart. Brutalist buildings are rooted in communal living, which is why the buildings are typically large and harsh.

History of Brutalist Design

Though Brutalism technically dates back to Le Corbusier's love for concrete and prolific use of it, especially in the iconic Unite d'Habitation in Marseilles, the well-known version came into play during the 1940s in England, Pixel Design Collaborative cofounder Kendal Rodgers says. "The classic Brutalist style really emerged and became popular in the UK following World War II as a way to create large, minimally decorated public buildings," she says. At the time, European cities were in the process of rebuilding and needed places for civilians to live. Government housing was constructed at a large scale and out of raw materials such as concrete since the material was far less expensive than others at the time. "It kept it," says Rodgers, expanding beyond England and France into the United States and beyond, "until it began to go out of fashion in the '70s."

In the meantime, Brutalist design also influenced residential architecture, with architects like Marcel Breuer (who straddled the Bauhaus design and Brutalist design movements) building clusters of homes in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Characteristics of Brutalist Design and Architecture

Knowing the standard characteristics and attributes of the Brutalist style makes buildings in the style easy to identify. With their monumental scale, they're also not hard to miss.

Unusual or geometric shapes

Raw, exposed materials (such as concrete or brick)

Boxy or stacked construction

Utilitarian feel

Monochromatic palette

No embellishment

Clean, simple lines

Enormous sizes

Stark, bleak, and heavy in appearance

Does Brutalism Follow a Philosophy?

"Although Brutalism doesn't have a formal philosophy, some architects and critics have associated certain principles with the style," Parrish explains. "One common interpretation is that it showcases a sense of honesty in design, where the materials used are left bare and the function of the structure is clearly expressed. One way to interpret this method is that it involves the avoidance of embellishments found in modernism and instead emphasizes the innate properties of materials such as concrete."

Even though it tries to be the opposite, Brutalism has close ties with modernism since they both focus on "honesty" through the natural appearance of shapes. But, when Brutalism emerged, it was supposed to be a contrast to the more embellished modernist aesthetic by being more subdued, elevating functionality over ornamental construction, and keeping this purpose at the heart of its philosophy.

Famous Examples of Brutalist Design

Habitat 67  Montreal, Canada

Encyclopaedia Britannica

Designed by Moshe Safdie, an Israeli-Canadian architect, Habitat 67 epitomizes Brutalist design. Looking at the complex, you immediately notice the boxy appearance that creates a pop-out illusion on a vast, large scale.

Parrish says the housing complex was built as an experimental housing complex for Expo 67 and combines elements of Brutalist architecture with modular construction. "Habitat 67 is considered a Brutalist design due to its raw concrete exterior, geometric form, functionality over form, lack of ornamentation, and robustness. These features align with the key principles of Brutalist architecture, making Habitat 67 an iconic example of this style."

The Barbican Centre  London, England

Matt Mawson - Getty Images

"The Barbican Centre in London is an excellent example of Brutalism in practice," says Rogers of the performing arts space. "Walking around the Barbican, you see many different applications of concrete, from the grandiose to the fine details. Imposing round columns that support a floating pavilion overhead are grounded in a brick pavilion, while protruding balconies formed from high-aggregate concrete cantilever out to shade parts of the park."

Geisel Library  San Diego, California

Adam Mustafa - Getty Images

On the campus of University of California San Diego sits the stunning Geisel Library, which is easily identifiable as a Brutalist building. Constructed predominantly of concrete, the building contains tiers of floor-to-ceiling windows. Stepping up close to the library, you feel the looming presence Brutalist buildings can evoke.

Marina City  Chicago, Illinois

atosan - Getty Images

The scallops of these twin towers are the instant eye-catchers on these Brutalist buildings, which are also reminiscent of the Art Deco style. The apartment complex has 900 units, each with its own balcony.

Boston City Hall  Boston, Massachusetts

Isaac Murray - Getty Images

Another famous example of Brutalist design is Boston City Hall, which follows the style inside and out with its intricate concrete construction on a large scale. The only relief is the small line of windows and elevated walkways.

Wotruba Church  Vienna, Austria

Getty Images

This stunning church designed by Fritz G. Mayr was built in 1976 and is one of the most popular Brutalist buildings. Wotruba Church showcases blocks of a variety of sizes but still details the concrete predominately used in this style. With the variance in shape sizes, this building adds an element of artistic value for an interesting visual.

FAQ

Why Is It Called Brutalism?

"Funny enough, it has nothing to do with the criticism of the style as being "brutal," Rogers says, adding that brutalism derives from the French phrase beton brut, which translates as "raw concrete."

Why Was Brutalism So Controversial?

Architecture and interior design may be subjective, but Brutalism has generated perhaps more than its fair share of controversy, which led to it falling out of fashion in the 1980s.

"This architectural style began to decline in the 1970s and 1980s due to the high maintenance cost, and many at that time saw this style as ugly and oppressive, says Liz Goldberg, founder and creative director of CAROLYNLEONA, a design firm in Raleigh, North Carolina. "It can be associated with poverty, such as public housing, and often large structures that highlight function over form."

Other than its ties to poverty associated with the government housing needs, Tyler Markham of the home decor and lighting company Regina Andrew Detroit says its functionality contributed to the widespread dismissal. "The public tended to dislike it as Brutalist buildings weathered easily due to the concrete facades and looked 'cold' in appearance. Not only that, but the structures themselves were prone to vandalism and damage due to their blank-canvas walls and large expanses of untouched space. The surfaces were often covered in moss, rust stains from steel bars, and graffiti."

Is Brutalism Still Popular Today?

We haven't seen the last of Brutalism, says Pixel Design Collaborative cofounder Maria Gossett. "Brutalism is undeniably having a moment," she says. "I think this is due, in part, to the more prevalent use of industrial materials in spaces. We are all much more comfortable and familiar with concrete as a medium, and there is something to the lack of frills and decorations that makes the style feel honest."

Parish agrees and adds that the full-circle moment we're seeing in architecture and interior design today owes to the functionality and ties to urban living of the past. "Many Brutalist buildings were designed with a strong emphasis on public spaces and communal living, which align with contemporary concerns about sustainability and urban planning. By prioritizing the needs of the community, Brutalist architects laid the groundwork for modern-day sustainable urban planning."

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Jess Hong remembers a sweaty morning in Auckland on the day she was chosenthough its possible, of course, the heat was owing to her nerves. Over the past few weeks, shed miraculously charted through each of the checkpoints into the world of Untitled Benioff Project, an as-yet-unannounced Netflix TV series developed by Game of Thrones David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, as well as former True Blood writer and The Terror co-creator Alexander Woo. It didnt really click that it was David Benioff until we had [a] Zoom meeting, Hong tells me. I was like, Oh, Im meeting them. But its them. What the fuck."

At the time, it was the latter half of 2021, and New Zealand was still enacting COVID control measures that included lockdowns. Hong had managed to book a theater gig touring at primary schools throughout the country, but shed sent off her Untitled Benioff audition tapes as a bit of wishful thinking. Shed be too far from the action under the most benign circumstances, let alone in a pandemic. (Kiwis, often we audition for things overseas, but we never expect anything, she says.) When her agent called her that fateful day a few weeks later, Hong was back at home in Auckland; her roommate was in the kitchen baking bread or something; and Hong had nowhere to direct her energy when her agent delivered the news: The actress would play genius physicist Jin Cheng in Netflixs 3 Body Problem. In her first-ever TV role, shed be No. 1 on the call sheet. Hong shrieked loud enough to burst her [agents] eardrum, then went to work wearing a path through the floorboards as she sprinted laps around her house. There was too much energy, she says. I couldnt contain it.

3 Body Problem, the first season of which dropped on Netflix on March 21, is Benioff and Weiss first major project since Game of Thrones, and a similarly tricky work of translation from book to screen. The series is based on the acclaimed Chinese novel The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu, part of the larger Remembrance of Earths Past trilogy, in which humanity must prepare for the invasion of an alien species from a three-sun solar system. The extraordinary success of Thrones (no matter its ridiculed ending) gave its co-creators the leverage to tackle another series largely deemed unadaptableand to cast an actress like Hong in a leading role.

Because of the success that theyve had, they are the big names, Hong says. They dont need to do the whole star system thing to get people interested in the show, because people are interested in them. Which means they can cast someone from New Zealand whos mostly done theater work, [send her to] London, and be part of the huge thing.

ED MILLER/NETFLIX

Hong downloaded the Earths Past trilogy on her Kindle shortly after she was cast. (Shell admit to skimming some sections: Theyre pretty dense, Im not going to lie.) The character of Jin Cheng first appears in the third book, so Hong had an existing character portrait to work with, even if Benioff, Weiss, and Woo had taken significant liberties with where and how Jin would show up in the adaptation. In Netflixs take, Jin is a physicistor, a senior researcher in the Theoretical Physics group at Imperial College, doing a metastudy analyzing the results of particle accelerator experiments around the world, as she tells one would-be suitor in the first episodeborn in Hubei, China, where her parents died in a flood. She spent the rest of her childhood and adolescence in New Zealand before moving to London, eventually embedding herself with the so-called Oxford Five, a group of brilliant young scientists whose careers have since veered into sectors as divergent as public-school teaching, nanofiber development, and snack manufacturing. When one of their former mentors dies by apparent suicide, the Oxford Five reunite as particle accelerator experiments around the world go haywire. As one Five member puts it early on, Science is broken. Spoiler alert: Those aforementioned aliens, known as the San-Ti, might have something to do with it.

As Jin is pulled into a much larger and more significant plot to either a) pave the way for the San-Ti or b) curtail their threat to humanity, her instinct at every interval is to absorb as much information as she can. She cant, after all, fight an enemy she doesnt recognize. In episode 3, one Five member named Will (Alex Sharp)whos long nursed a powerful crush on Jintells her, Maybe theres more to life than knowing everything. To which Jin responds with raised eyebrows and a self-serious smirk: Unlikely.

I believe the reason that she fights so hard and never gives up when solving problems is that she believes the world can be a better place on the other side, Hong says. If we just solve all the riddles of the universe, then the world will be better for everyone in it, including her friends and herself. The way to save the world is just to know everything. Thats her method, but her intention is about people at the end of the day.

Courtesy of Netflix

Its an inclination Hong can relate with, even if her methods are more interiorand markedly less scientific. (Shes not a physicist, and no, she doesnt understand the real three-body problem from which the series gets its name.) But she got into acting with the express purpose of understanding herself. In the small-ish, quite conservative town of Palmerston North (population under 100,000), she grew up incredibly shy and socially anxious, which a lot of people wouldnt believe now, she says. Raised by her mom, a single immigrant parentHongs mother is from Guangzhou, China; her father is from ShanghaiHong often felt isolated in her majority-white community. She enrolled in drama classes because it was the scariest thing I could think of doing when I was 13.

At first, her thrill wasnt in the performing itself, but in her heightened self-awareness. As soon as we were allowed to write our own monologues, I got really into it because I could pour myself into my characters, Hong says. I thought that acting was therapy, because suddenly I was experiencing catharsis on a level that Id never felt. It was very, very self-indulgent at the beginning for me. And so I got addicted to it that way. Only then did she improve her actual acting skills, and begin to take pleasure in projecting her characters emotional highs and lows onto an audience. I actually got into it pretty late as a way to boost my confidence, and it worked way too well, she says, laughing. Now, Im way too loud.

She went on to study at Toi Whakaari, New Zealands national drama school in the capital city of Wellington. Three years of the best and worst years of my life, Hong says, as anyone whos been to drama school will tell you. In her last year of school, she secured an agent, and after graduation in 2019, she moved to Auckland to wait tables and blend coffees as she tossed audition tapes into the ether. For a time, she lived with somewhere around 20 artists in a commune, during which the residents would throw a weekly watch party for Game of Thrones final season. Hong never made it to one of these eventsshe was always too busy juggling part-time jobsbut doesnt fail to note the irony.

Sophie Chan Andreassend

The youngest of three sisters, Hong had always felt her siblings implicit support of her career path, if not their understanding. While dropping her off at drama school, one of them noted their pride at her commitment to acting. I bawled my eyes out because Id never heard her say that before, Hong says. That was the first time, and Im emotional just thinking about it. I was like, What the hell? After all the shit that Id done? After everything I put them through? I was a bratty kid!

When 3 Body Problem finally came around, neither sister could truly comprehend the significance of the role Hong had secured. When they found out shed be moving to London for the shoot, they recommended a website where Hong could hunt down inexpensive accommodations. She told them there was no need; Netflix would be footing the bill for her stay. [My sisters] went, What? Hong says. Wait, how big is this thing?

As it turned out, huge. Some of Hongs earliest days on set were spent filming the shows massive VR sequences, which take place inside a video-game world where the humanoid characters seek survival against their three-sun solar systems erratic planetary climate. Working with Thrones alum John Bradley in a number of these complex scenes, Hong slowly learned to combat her own homesickness with the help of her Oxford Five co-stars. Every now and then Id turn to John and just be like, Wow, our jobs really fucking weird, she says.

The main cast launched a group chat named Physics Five + Raj, allowing actor Saamer Usmaniwho plays Jins military boyfriend, Rajinto the club. (The actors have gotten the names Oxford Five versus Physics Five confused on more than one occasion, but the name persists.) As a group, theyve become something of a found family. Obviously David and Dan have a history of getting together huge ensembles that dont want to kill each other in real life, Hong says. They have an instinct about people, I think.

3 Body Problemfor all its lofty hard science and sweeping themes about significance and extinction and what we owe the futureis ultimately a more intimate saga, content foregoing epic interstellar showdowns in favor of one-on-one conversations and slower-moving twists at least for the time being. Its a television model that feels older, more exploratory, if imperfectly executed. Hong understands the risk, and hopes the show will nevertheless draw a strong audience in the era of the gourmet cheeseburger Hollywood model , as coined by one of Netflixs own vice presidents. I just hope that, in this world of hype culture, something like this  a character-driven story, is still enough to hold audiences across the globe, Hong says. Because its such good writing, and [the creators] have done an incredible job to bring it all together into a really, really complex cross-section of humanity in its response to existential stuff.

With that desire comes a plea for continuing the show through its natural conclusion. I really hope that we get a season 2, Hong says, because Jin Cheng is one of the coolest, juiciest characters Ive ever played. But also Ive read the books, so I know whats coming. It would be awesome to have to justify those decisions and enter those worlds.

Courtesy of Netflix

As we near the end of our allotted interview time, Hong blinks into the Zoom screen and leans back in her chair. Shes dressed in press-tour glaman ivory halter-neck dress, bright red lipstickbut her eyes have filled with tears as she considers what the full arc of this extraordinary Hollywood debut has taught her. Its interesting that Im getting emotional about this, she observes, struggling to keep her voice steady. Jin Cheng, she argues, is an idealist, no matter the assumed skepticism of her craft. Hong, too, is an idealist, and considers her optimism hard-won in the years since her jaded youth. Tasked with tackling the scientific problems imparted by a new threat to humanity, Jin might be one of the most important people on Earth in 3 Body Problems fictional reality. Hong, by contrast, was plucked from what she might call obscurity. But they are similarly interested in the fundamental value of a single human life, and in the belief that those individual lives must align into a path for the wholes survival.

I never want to give up on giving every single person the benefit of the doubt in this world that is so suspicious and divided, Hong says. And I dont want other people to give up, either.



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In an exclusive essay for ELLE, Rep. Barbara Lee writes about her mentor and friend Shirley Chisholm. On March 22, Netflix and Participant are releasing Shirley, the Regina King biopic about Chisholm, whose historic presidential bid changed American politics forever.

Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm saw things about this country that others couldnt. At least thats what she told me when I was first elected to Congress more than 25 years agoa destiny that Congresswoman Chisholm, my mentor and friend, had foreseen.



As the first Black woman ever elected to Congress in 1968and the first Black woman ever to run for President four years laterit made sense that Congresswoman Chisholm could see a future for this nation that others did not. The path she paved for herself had never been tread before; she flipped the script and left an indelible legacy on American politics, all while holding the door open for the rest of us to step through.

I met Congresswoman Chisholm in 1972, when I was an ambitious student activist at Mills College. Mrs. C, as she was affectionately known, had delivered a speech to the student body, upon my invitation as president of the Black Student Union. At the time, I was also volunteering as a community worker with the Black Panther Party. It may come as a surprise to some that at the time I wasnt registered to vote, nor did I want to get involved in the two-party political system. Back then I didnt think the government worked for people like me.

But hearing Congresswoman Chisholm speak that afternoon changed everything. Finally, a member of United States Congress was talking about issues I actually cared about, like ending the Vietnam war, immigration, education, reproductive rights, and coalition-building for civil rights. Seeing this tiny woman with this towering vision was an inspiration, a revelation.

Courtesy Rep. Barbara Lee

As soon as she finished speaking, I approached Congresswoman Chisholm to ask about volunteer opportunities on her fledgling campaign. She humbled me immediately. Little girl, she said to me (even though I was a divorced, single mother of two small boys), the first thing you have to do is register to vote. Then you have to get on the inside and help us.

Message received. That day, I began my career in politics. That day, my role model became my mentor. Fifty two years after Congresswoman Chisholms daring, historic run for President, so many more of us are finally able to see what she saw back then: a country divided by fat cats and special interests, as she put it, but that still yearned for care, justice, and equity; an America that started and ended with the working class.

I am proud of the strides we have made as a nation since Congresswoman Chisholms presidential run back in 1972. But with record levels of inequality in 2024, increasing attacks on our civil rights (especially for women, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community), a diminishing social safety net, wars burning across the globe, and an alarming immigration crisis, Congresswoman Chisholms vision is just as salient now as it was then.

Fighting Shirley introduced more than 50 pieces of legislation while in Congress. She fought tirelessly for domestic workers, broadened the national food stamp program, and passed the national minimum wage law. She was an early champion of reproductive rights (including a post as honorary president of NARAL), and served as the second woman ever on the powerful House Rules Committee. She broke barriers wherever she went. Her involvement as co-founder of both the National Organization for Women and the National Womens Political Caucus is further proof of her visionary organizing and advocacy.

It is because of this legacy that I am also proud to sponsor the bipartisan Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act, a posthumous recognition of Congresswoman Chisholms activism, independence, and groundbreaking achievements inside and outside of politics. This bill enshrines her legacy for future generations, so they too can learn from her leadership.

Soon, audiences around the world will get to see the congresswoman I knew and loved. Shirley, a new film from Netflix and Participant, tells the story of Congresswoman Chisholms audacious run for president and details her immense impact on our culture and politics. The film lifts up her legacy as a trailblazer, and highlights her unapologetic determination to change the fabric of our nation.

Out March 22 on Netflix, Shirley is a timely, inspiring story that so many of us need to see right nowespecially those who are disillusioned from participating in our political system, as I once was. Alongside the films release, Participant is launching a social impact campaign and partnering with the Shirley Chisholm Project and Brooklyn College to support an archival digitization project that memorializes Congresswoman Chisholm and her lasting impact so that more future leaders can walk through the doors she opened.

The film is a testament to the power of an individual to become a catalyst for systemic, generational change. It tells the story of someone who dared to take up space and make their voice heard. It is a lesson in how to take a seat at the table, even if that means pulling up a folding chair. But thanks to Congresswoman Chisholm, these chairs are here to stay.

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I had to see what all the fuss was about.

sara Haas/HBO

Whitefish salad and smoked sable arent foods I typically use to make sandwiches. In fact, theyre foods I never use for anything. But when I was asked to make and also try the Larry David Sandwich from the show "Curb Your Enthusiasm," I knew I would have to be open to eating a sandwich with not one, but two types of smoked fish. So I piled it high on a bagel to find out if its truly worth eating, and heres what I thought.

Team Ted vs. Team David

In Season 5, Episode 1 of "Curb Your Enthusiasm," Larry David tells Ted Danson about the David, his new sandwich at Leos Deli. Hes excited to get his own sandwich (especially since Danson already has one), but doesnt love whats inside, so he kindly asks Danson if they can swap. At first, Danson says, Yes, but then once he hears whats in it (smoked fish, capers, onion, and cream cheese), he changes his mind, saying That sounds awful.

David tries to convince Danson that it's good, but Danson wont budge, saying the Ted is a classic: turkey and Swiss on rye topped with coleslaw and Russian Dressing (which sounds like a lot like a turkey Rachel). Then he seals the dealbecause David keeps asking why he wont switchwith this line, One tastes good and one sucks.

I think we know which sandwich is which and admittedly, I have to agree, Im on #TeamTed versus #TeamDavid when it comes to those two sandwich choices. But to really judge, I set out to make "the David" for myself.

Sara Haas

How To Make the Larry David Sandwich From 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'

Here's what I gathered:

1 bagel (plain, everything, sesame, etc), split

1 tablespoon plain cream cheese

1 to 2 teaspoons capers, rinsed

1/4 cup prepared whitefish salad

3 to 4 slices smoked sable

3 thin slices white or red onion

It starts with a bagel and I suggest heading to your local bagel shop instead of grabbing a bag at the grocery store (or make your own!). A chewy, fresh bagel is always a choice you wont regret. The flavor is your choice, but I recommend a sesame or plain bagel to keep things true to the OG. Split the bagel then toast it (or dont, again, its up to you).

Top the prepared bagel with a tablespoon of cream cheese followed by a teaspoon or two of capers. Cover with the prepared whitefish salad, a few slices of smoked sable, and a couple of thin slices of white or red onion. Then cover it with the other bagel half and youre ready to enjoy (or not).

Sara Haas

My Honest Review of the Larry David Sandwich

I like smoked fish, so the combination of whitefish salad and smoked sable didnt bother me. I also happen to really like bagels and cream cheesealso a win for the sandwich. After piling on the ingredients, I took a bite...I didnt mind it. I enjoyed the smoky flavor and the saltiness from both the whitefish and the sable. I liked the tangy creaminess of the cream cheese and I loved the briny brightness of the capers.

While it all tasted fine and good, it didnt feel like a classic or favorite to me. In fact, after a few bites, I was bored and wished Id saved the other half of my bagel for something else.

My suggestion for improving the Larry David sandwich is to go light on the whitefish salad and sable, and add a little lettuce, tomato, and even cucumber to freshen things up a bit. And dont forget the pickle!

Bottom line, give it a try if you like smoked fish. If you like it, let Larry David know, hes probably still looking for someone to swap sandwiches with.



Read the original article on All Recipes.
If you've never been to Spain but are planning a trip in the near future, you are in for a real culinary treat, especially if you are a fan of breakfast. A traditional Spanish breakfast isn't big, but it is definitely a meal to be savored. However, don't expect to find American favorites like eggs, bacon, pancakes, and waffles on the menu.

Eaten between the hours of 7 a.m. and 11 a.m., at the very least, you will typically want to have a cafe con leche or espresso with milk to get your day going; however, if your taste buds are craving something sweeter, you can have a luxuriously layered Spanish coffee that's made with equal parts condensed milk and espresso. This is known as a cafe Bombon and the thick condensed milk serves as a base over which the espresso is layered. Stir the two together and sip on this sweet drink before you explore this country's beautiful cities. And don't worry, if a cafe con leche or cafe Bombon are not your preference, there are plenty of other Spanish coffee drinks you should try at least once.

Read more: 25 Most Popular Snacks In America Ranked Worst To Best

Open-Faced Sandwiches Are Popular

Traditional Spanish tostada - sweet marshmallow/Shutterstock

Need more than coffee? You can definitely find something a little more substantive in the form of a pan con tomate. This simple meal is a thick slice of toasted bread that has been rubbed with olive oil, garlic, a sprinkle of sea salt, and a heap of grated Roma tomatoes. Depending on where you have this meal, sometimes the tomatoes will be turned into more of a salsa with herbs and garlic before it is spread over the toast.

If you love bread, but tomatoes are not your thing, don't worry, the Spanish like to serve up what they call a tostada, which is really just an open-faced sandwich with different toppings, but you can get everything from butter and jam to eggs and avocado served on top. If you are visiting the Southern Coast of Spain, you may get to experience a mollete. This flat bread is soft, light, and used to make both the pan con tomate and the tostada.

Bocadillo And Torrijas

Bocadillo with fried squid - Cristina Arias/Getty Images

However, if you are going to go this route, you might as well have yourself a bocadillo de tortilla which is a sophisticated version of a breakfast sandwich. A bocadillo is made with crusty bread similar to a baguette and is filled with anything from a potato and egg frittata to cheese and tomato, as well as chorizo and tuna. You can even find these sandwiches filled with fried squid. A bocadillo is a hearty meal that will take you well into the afternoon and the perfect fuel for sightseers.

Another food item that will seem familiar is the Spanish version of French toast which is called torrijas. It uses slices of bread, usually white, just like the American version of this breakfast favorite. Only instead of simply soaking it in an egg and dairy mixture before pan frying, the Spanish soak the bread in either sweetened milk that has been flavored with cinnamon and lemon zest or sweet red wine before dipping it into the beaten eggs and frying it. This is a celebratory dish that you will most likely find on a menu during Easter. The biggest difference between French toast and torrijas is that torrijas is served cold.

Sweeter Breakfast Foods

Churros and chocolate - Asife/Getty Images

If you are not a bread person, don't worry. You can order-up embutidos de carne which is essentially a charcuterie board. It is made with a variety of cold cuts that include ham, chorizo, pork loin, and salami, along with local cheeses. If you are staying at a hotel in Spain, this is a typical breakfast menu item to feast upon.

But if the thought of a meat and cheese board doesn't hit your breakfast food mark and you need something a little sweeter, you will be happy to learn the Spanish have a fried dough that is the equivalent to an American doughnut and it is served alongside a bowl of milky chocolate for dipping. It is known as churros con chocolate, but eating churros is a different experience in Spain. Brace yourself because they are not covered in sugar and cinnamon. In fact, many people skip the chocolate and will simply have one with their coffee.

Spain is also known for its pastries. Almond croissants and flaky palmeritas, or what we call elephant ears, are also popular breakfast foods. And if you are more of a muffin person in the morning, you will want to find a grocery store that sells Magdalenas. These small muffins are generally lemon flavored and perfect if you are on the go.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Le Macchioles Cinzia Merli reveals the secrets of this sea-bounded Tuscan wine region.

CHARISSA FAY A view across the vineyards to the Tyrrhenian Sea at Chiappini in Bolgheri, Italy

This area, Bolgheri, is very special for potatoes, Cinzia Merli is saying as she rolls out a rope of gnocchi dough on a cutting board dusted with flour. If I ever had to change my life completely, I could grow potatoes. And whats the secret to gnocchi? Good potatoes.

Merli is the proprietor of one of Bolgheris benchmark wineries, Le Macchiole. She makes world-class reds (and one white) from the Tuscan estates 86 acres of vines, wines that live in the same rarefied atmosphere as the great Super-Tuscans that brought the region its fame (Sassicaia and Ornellaia, particularly). But she also makes excellent gnocchi. January through April? You cant make good gnocchi, she says, slicing the dough into small, even pillows. The potatoes lose too much water. The new crop comes again in May.

In her kitchen at the winery, the light slants through the windows and the open door  its a temperate day, with a soft breeze off the coast rustling through the vine leaves outside. Though Merli will claim over and over that shes not a great cook, this is just her nature. Shes modest about everything except her wines. (Those she is justifiably proud of.) She says, My mother is a much better cook than I am. And my younger son even says that! I made some ragu, do you want some? Yes. OK, how was it? It was good, but Nonna does it better. What can you do? her expression says.

CHARISSA FAY At La Pineta, ultra-fresh seafood comes with a stellar view.

Both of Merlis sons are now in their early 30s and work for the family company. Elia, the older, oversees the vineyards; his younger brother, Mattia, helps with sales and marketing. Le Macchiole has been their life. Elia says, Officially, I started in 2013, but the first time I worked in the vineyard, I was probably 6 years old. I had my small scissors, I harvested two vines, and I said, OK, now I am tired. But every Saturday, I went in the truck with my father to go sell the wines.

Merli and her husband, Eugenio Campolmi, founded Le Macchiole together in 1983, against his own parents wishes. Agriculture was not good at the time, and wine was worse, Merli says. But he bought this property anyway and took out a 500 million lire mortgage [about $300,000 at the time]. It was a big problem. Both of them had grown up in the area; Campolmis family owned a small restaurant, and Merlis family were farmers. Campolmis instincts about Le Macchioles potential proved correct. In 1995, that was when everything changed, she says. There was a France-versus-Italy tasting of the 1992 vintage at Vinitaly [the massive wine trade show that occurs yearly in Verona]. Sassicaia, Ornellaia, Redigaffi, us, against Chateau Pichon Lalande and the other great Bordeaux properties. And Le Macchiole was second overall. Nobody knew us, and suddenly, everything changed. Overnight. Everyone was coming to our booth, wanting to taste.

The late 1990s were halcyon years for the couple. Then, Campolmi was diagnosed with lung cancer, and in July 2002, he died. He was 40. Merli was 35; Elia and Mattia were 13 and 9. Even then, women rarely, if ever, ran wineries in Italy. Everyone in the region, in the standard chauvinistic way of the times, assumed she would sell  everyone except Merli herself. She kept on.

Related: The Best Wineries to Visit in Tuscany

I lost my husband in July, and the harvest that year was the worst in 15 or 20 years: cold and incredibly rainy. Then 2003 was really hot  so hot. And I started to think, This is a sign. Im being told not to do this. This is not my work, not my destiny. But my brother came to me and said, Listen: one more vintage. Then you decide. So, 2004. I think the moment for me was when we released the 2004 vintage, and our wine Messorio got 100 points. And probably a lot of people thought, OK, she actually can do this. She smiles. Well, yes.

CHARISSA FAY The view at Relais dei Molini in Castagneto Carducci.

Today, Le Macchiole is internationally recognized as one of Tuscanys greatest estates. It has changed in some ways: The original 10 acres of vineyards have grown to 86 over the years. All are farmed organically. We went organic because Eugenio got sick, Merli says. I didnt want to expose anyone else at the winery to those risks. But it is still very much a family business, and a farm, more than anything else. My family are farmers, and I like to think of Le Macchiole that way, Merli says. Not just as a wine producer.

Bolgheri has changed, too. It never fit the classic idea of Tuscany  the hilltop towns; the yellow and orange villas; all that Under the Tuscan Sun, languorous, find-your-bliss-through-pasta cliche. Bolgheri is on the coast, a subregion of the larger Maremma (specifically, its in the Maremma Livornese, or Alta Maremma), the lowlands of which were, until the mid-1800s, more or less a malarial swamp. As one old Tuscan folk song has it, Everybody tells me about Maremma, Maremma / But it seems to me that Maremma is bitter / The bird that goes there loses its feathers / I lost a loved one there / May Maremma, Maremma be damned. Cheery! But in the 1820s, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Leopoldo II, brought in some 5,000 workers to turn the swamp into fertile land, and that fertile land proved  at least by the 1980s  to be perfect for wine grapes. Not the traditional Sangiovese of Tuscany, but French varieties, which are what, in 1983, Campolmi and Merli planted: Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, among others.

In essence, Bolgheri is where the hills of Tuscany meet the sea, and as a place to visit, it offers the best of both. Fresh fish abounds in its restaurants, but so does the famed Chianina beef of Tuscanys inland regions. You can buy wild-boar prosciutto at a salumeria in a tiny town perched above the coast (Specialita Mucci e Staccioli, in Monteverdi Marittimo) then descend down winding roads and find yourself sipping a spritz at sunset in an outdoor bar with a view of the water (Colto e Mangiato, just down the street from Le Macchiole). Spend time with Merli, and inevitably youll end up at some of her favorite spots: the Piccolo Biscottificio Castagnetano in Castagneto Carducci, where the Biagioni family makes traditional corolli incesi, biscotti with an eagle-shaped outline that references the coat of arms of the noble Gherardesca family; Osteria Magona, where chef Omar Barsacchi will cook you a massive bistecca alla Fiorentina to go with Le Macchioles complex, compelling Paleo Rosso red; or La Pineta, where you can sit at a table looking over the Tyrrhenian Sea at sunset and know that the fish on your plate came from that water a few hundred feet away. Or you can just spend a day sunning yourself on the beach, not an uncommon pursuit, especially for the residents of Livorno to the north. The Livornese are tan from March to November, Merli says. Theyre like lizards on the rocks as soon as the sun comes out.

Related: How to Drink and Eat Your Way Through Tuscany In Just Three Days

But if you are lucky, youll just sit down to eat whatever Merli herself decides to cook. On a recent day, that meant those gnocchi, tossed with asparagus and pancetta, risotto with zucchini and shrimp, and an herb-crusted roast pork loin. We talked about Bolgheri, what it was and what its become. Its more visited than it once was, no question, but it still lacks the hordes who descend on Siena or San Gimignano (or, even more alarmingly, Florence). Theres also been a boom in wineries, the number rising from 45 to 70 just since 2019. Tourism really started picking up 10 years ago, Merli says. Im convinced its the richness of our region. Not just the wine  the wine is the money, sure. But we have so many things to offer. And we help each other. In Bolgheri, success is a currency shared by everyone.



CHARISSA FAY The atmospheric streets of the tiny town of Bolgheri.

Bolgheri wines to try

2021 Le Macchiole Bolgheri Rosso ($40)

Theres no better introduction to the wines of the region than this elegantly powerful red, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. But to truly experience the brilliance of Cinzia Merlis wines, seek out her 2021 Paleo Rosso ($125). Its aromatic, long-aging, and inarguably one of the worlds greatest Cabernet Francs.

2021 Chiappini Felciaino ($45)

The Chiappini family moved to Bolgheri in the 1950s and has been making wine here since the 1980s (and now farms 100% organically). This Cabernet-based blend is vivid, with lots of red cherryberry flavor and fine-grained tannins.

2020 Grattamacco Bolgheri Vermentino ($50)

Grattamacco was one of the earliest estates in Bolgheri and helped build the regions reputation. Its white  floral, peach-inflected, full-bodied but crisp  is a standout with any kind of seafood.

2020 Poggio al Tesoro Sondraia ($95)

This is the flagship red of Marilisa Allegrinis stunning property in Bolgheri. (The Allegrini family also owns wineries in Brunello and in Valpolicella.) Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, its structured and complex, meant for aging.

2020 Ornellaia ($310)

One of the stars of the region, Ornellaias 2020 vintage is a gorgeously layered, structured blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. At a more modest price, look for the 2020 Le Serre Nuove dellOrnellaia ($70), which leads with Merlot. Its still very impressive  a good option for drinking now.

A local's guide to Bolgheri

CHARISSA FAY

Where to dine and sleep in Bolgheri

Osteria Magona

Chef Omar Barsacchis bistecca alla Fiorentina is second to none, and his wine list at this converted farmhouse features lengthy verticals of Bolgheris greatest reds. Barsacchi himself, 6 feet, 5 inches tall and bearded, looks like he stepped right out of Game of Thrones. When I met him, he was headed out the door, on his way to Sweden to hunt woodcocks with his father. osteriamagona.com

Colto e Mangiato

Appealing seasonal, open-air bars are a growing trend in Bolgheri. This one is a primo place to order some local wine and a plate of excellent housemade charcuterie, then settle in at a picnic table on the bars expansive lawn. coltoemangiato.com

Il Bucaniere

At this seaside restaurant in San Vincenzo, chef and fisherman Fulvietto Pierangelini does wonders with fresh seafood, like a tartare of raw shrimp, ricotta, and artichokes, and with pastas as well. He doesnt speak much, but hes amazingly talented, Cinzia Merli says. ristoranteilbucaniere.com

Lo Scoglietto

This whitewashed seaside spot in Rosignano Marittimo is a favorite of local winemakers, not least because of its extensive Champagne selection. Sit outside, order the delicate and ultra-fresh frittura mista, pop a bottle of bubbles, and people-watch the bathers on the beach. loscogliettorosignano.it

La Pineta

I was born two kilometers from here, Merli says about this elegant yet unpretentious eatery on the beach in Marina di Bibbona. I played on this beach when I was a child. Its my home. Expect local fish, caught fresh daily; sublime pastas like spaghetti with mussels, mint, and lemon; and, overall, remarkable cooking from chefs Andrea and Daniele Zazzeri. lapinetadizazzeri.it

Relais dei Molini

This charming B&B sits on a hillside in Castagneto Carducci and has gorgeous views of the sea in the distance, not to mention an excellent breakfast. Its an ideal home base for any Bolgheri wine trip. Rooms from $156, relaisdeimolini.it

Where to taste and shop in Bolgheri

Emilio Borsi

This small shop opened its doors in 1800 as a pharmacy selling quinine tonics to combat malaria in the region. Today, it trades in alluring digestifs made much the same way, with quinine bark and bitter and sweet orange peel, among other recipes. borsiliquori.it

Specialita Mucci e Staccioli

Alessandro Stacciolis crowded shop in Monteverdi Marittimo is a paradise of pork (and pecorino, which he makes with milk from his own sheep). Go for the prosciutto di cinghiale (wild boar); stay for Staccioli himself, an unstoppable impresario whose energy level goes to 11. specialitamucciestaccioli.it

Peperita

Rita Salvadori studied art but fell in love with growing peppers, and now she organically cultivates 22 varieties. Stop here for a tour and tasting, and youll never settle for flavorless, industrial, flaked red peppers again. peperita.it

Piccolo Biscottificio Castagnetano

This tiny bakery located in Castagneto Carducci is run by Alberto Biagioni, who uses his grandmothers handwritten recipes for local delicacies like corolli incesi, crunchy biscottilike treats scented with anise.

Le Macchiole

Book in advance for a private tour and tasting at Cinzia Merlis Le Macchiole, one of Bolgheris greatest wineries. Over the course of an hour and a half, you will visit the vineyards and the winery and end with a tasting of four of the estates five wines. $109 per person, lemacchiole.it

Chiappini

The Chiappini family has been farming in the Bolgheri region since the 1950s and has been certified organic since 2010. From the second-floor tasting room, on a clear day, you can see across the Tyrrhenian Sea to Elba and Corsica. Tours include a tasting of five wines. $60 per person, giovannichiappini.it

Poggio al Tesoro

The brilliant Marilisa Allegrini planted this substantial estate with her agronomist brother Walter in 2001. Walter died unexpectedly in 2003 and is memorialized in Poggio al Tesoros top wine, Dedicato a Walter, a gorgeous 100% Cabernet Franc red. $65 per person for a tour and tasting, poggioaltesoro.it

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Read the original article on Food & Wine.
BALTIMORE  There are traces of Andrea Kolbe all over her big sister, Kyra Vocci.

A long chain with Kolbes wedding ring  an ornate silver band  hangs close to Voccis heart, beside a locket engraved with Kolbes photo and fingerprint. Tattooed on Voccis forearm is a rainbow and a quote Kolbe liked: There is a rainbow of hope at the end of every storm.

We called each other soul sisters, said Vocci, her eyes glossy with tears.

In December, one day after Kolbe turned 35 and four months after she gave birth to her first child, she took her own life at her Long Island, New York, home. When Vocci got the call, she dropped to the floor and screamed so loud and for so long that her neighbors called police.

Before Kolbe died, she had been struggling with postpartum depression, a mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, worthlessness, guilt and shame. The condition can cause new mothers to experience terrifying and unwanted thoughts about accidentally or intentionally harming themselves or their baby.

Postpartum depression is distinct from the baby blues  a mild and temporary form of depression experienced by most new moms that typically goes away within two weeks after they give birth. The mood disorder is more serious, and, while its less common, studies estimate that up to 15% of people who have a baby will experience it. Black women and those with a history of depression or bipolar disorder are especially at risk.

According to national and local experts, screening and treatment for postpartum depression remains lacking across the country. Until recently, there was no standardized strategy for collecting data on maternal deaths from suicide. Now, research suggests that nearly 1 in 5 maternal deaths in the country are due to suicide, making such deaths more common than those caused by postpartum hemorrhage or hypertensive disorders.

Lately, Vocci, of Towson, and her mother  Lisa Kolbe, who lives in Gaithersburg  have been pouring their grief into advocacy. Earlier this month, they both testified in support of a bill in the General Assembly that would connect at-risk pregnant women and new moms to their local health departments. Both the House and Senate have passed versions of the bill.

Lisa Kolbe doesnt mince words when asked how she is doing. She is broken. But Andrea  pronounced An-DREY-a  would want her to be happy, so she is trying to move forward. And she doesnt want to keep how her youngest daughter died private.

Im open about it with everyone, she said. It cant be hush-hush anymore. It cant. Weve got to protect women. Weve got to get them proper care.

Infrequent screenings

Under guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released last year, providers should screen women for depression and anxiety multiple times during their pregnancy and after they give birth. However, according to data from public and private insurance companies, that usually doesnt happen.

For Medicaid patients in 2022, screening rates were 16% during pregnancy and 17% postpartum, according to data compiled by the nonprofit National Committee for Quality Assurance. The rates were even lower for people covered by private insurance  9% during pregnancy and 11% postpartum.

At Mercy Medical Center and Greater Baltimore Medical Center  the hospitals that deliver the most babies in Baltimore and Baltimore County, respectively  doctors said they regularly screen pregnant women and women after birth for mental health concerns.

Across the country, however, the maternity care infrastructure is threadbare, said Joy Burkhard, executive director for the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health. More than a third of counties are maternity care deserts, meaning they have no hospitals or birth centers offering obstetric care and no obstetric providers, according to a 2022 report from the March of Dimes.

Providers who deliver babies also dont learn enough about maternal mental health in medical school, which makes it hard for them to identify and manage the conditions and teach their patients about them, Burkhard said.

Its a bit like the Wild West in terms of what kind of care someone might or might not get, she said.

Last year, the policy center released report cards measuring each states success at screening for and treating maternal mental health conditions. Maryland received a C-minus  above the national D grade.

According to the report card, the state is doing some things well. Last year, the Maryland Department of Health announced that people eligible for Medicaid would be able to access benefits for their entire pregnancy and the 12-month postpartum period, regardless of their immigration status or any changes in income or household size.

However, the report card also noted that Maryland doesnt require providers to screen for maternal mental health disorders or require Medicaid to reimburse for that. A report released in 2016 by a task force created by the General Assembly said the state should start requiring screening. But that recommendation  like most others in the report  has yet to be fulfilled.

Barriers to treatment

Even when a woman is screened for depression, she may not be forthcoming if shes worried her baby will be taken from her, or her doctor will think shes a bad mom. Despite being so common and treatable, maternal mental health issues remain draped in societal misunderstandings.

Its a terrible stigma, Vocci said. Like, if you dont feel blessed and joyful to have a baby, then somethings wrong with you.

Then, theres what happens after screening: Research shows that less than a quarter of women who test positive for depression receive mental health treatment. Black women are even less likely to be screened and receive treatment than white women  even though theyre more likely to experience perinatal mood disorders, said Dr. Lindsay Standeven, clinical and education director of the Johns Hopkins Reproductive Mental Health Center.

Theres also a dire shortage of mental health workers, which has only gotten worse since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Some providers are reluctant to screen women for postpartum depression because they know how hard it is to find help.

Mercy doesnt have a magic bullet for this problem, said Dr. Robert Atlas, the downtown Baltimore hospitals chair of obstetrics and gynecology.

Many of the mothers who deliver at Mercy are from city neighborhoods where they grew up not getting enough to eat or being traumatized by other effects of poverty, Atlas said. That chronic stress can cause all kinds of complications in pregnancy, including preeclampsia, delivering babies preterm, and mood disorders like depression and anxiety.

Finding a therapist or psychiatrist also can be especially difficult for this population, since few mental health workers accept Medicaid  the plan that covers about 60% of Mercys patients, Atlas said.

But help doesnt have to come from a therapist, Standeven said. She advocates for collaborative care models, where different kinds of providers work together to treat patients. An OB-GYN office, for example, may employ a social worker to help women navigate the mental health system.

That kind of opens up the funnel thats clogged right now for patients with more severe psychiatric illness to be seen in-person by experts in the area, she said. Right now, we dont have offense or defense. We just are flooded.

Making noise

Voccis home is usually filled with the clamor of three young boys, two cats and two dogs. But earlier this month, it was quiet as she stood in her kitchen in front of a shrine to her little sister.

Each day, Vocci lights a tall, milky white candle that sits before a framed photo of Kolbe. On the table, a vase is filled with seashells that look like tiny ballet slippers. Kolbe, a dance instructor, used to call them slipper shells, Vocci said. After her sister died, she collected them at New Yorks Crescent Beach  one of Kolbes favorite places.

More than three months after Kolbe took her own life, Vocci and her mother are starting to accept that grieving the loss of her will be a lifelong journey. Sometimes, when Vocci is driving, her stomach will drop as she realizes again that her little sister is gone. Then, the tears come.

Vocci has always been keyed into local politics. Kolbe wasnt so much  shed tell her big sister to calm down when she was on a soapbox. With Kolbe no longer around to tease her, Voccis interest in policy has morphed into a powerful source of purpose.

Vocci hopes to start a Maryland chapter of Postpartum Support International, a nonprofit that aims to increase awareness about the emotional changes that women experience during pregnancy and after birth. And shes starting a charitable organization named after her sister  Andreas Wish Foundation.

The foundation is in its infancy, but Vocci hopes that one day it will raise enough money to help train health care providers to better treat maternal mental health conditions and help women afford therapy and find support groups.

Kolbe left a large hole in the Long Island dance community, Vocci said. She worked at a dance center there and taught and mentored hundreds of little girls over the years. But Vocci wants to ensure that her sisters legacy will shine far beyond New York.

I am here to make some noise, she said.

-------
Authorities are investigating a deadly double shooting in northeast Atlanta.

Atlanta police told Channel 2 Action News that just before 5 a.m. Friday, officers received reports of a person shot at the intersection of Windemere Drive NE and Cheshire Bridge Road NE.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

When officers arrived, they located two people who had been shot.

Police confirmed one of the victims was dead. The condition of the second victim has not been released.

The identities of the victims have not been released.

TRENDING STORIES:

Investigators determined that the two victims shot at each other during a drug deal.

The shooting remains under investigation.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Two people were killed and six others were injured in a Russian attack on Khmelnytskyi. The Russians fired a missile at a residential building and a drone hit a critical infrastructure facility.

Source: Khmelnytskyi Oblast Prosecutor's Office; Oleksandr Symchyshyn, the mayor of Khmelnytskyi, on Telegram

Photo: Prosecutors Office

Quote from the Prosecutors Office: "One of the missiles hit a private residential building. A nearby nine-storey building was heavily damaged by the blast wave. The other one hit a warehouse. Two people have been reported dead. A young woman, 21, was rescued from the rubble after being in touch by phone for an hour and a half. She was taken to hospital."

Photo: Prosecutors Office

Details: Five people went to the hospital on their own, with injuries of varying severity.

Photo: Prosecutors Office

A Russian attack UAV also hit a critical infrastructure facility. The power supply was partially cut off.

Photo: Oleksandr Symchyshyn on telegram

In Shepetivka district, the drone's debris damaged a power substation.

Background:

A large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine on the night of 21-22 March has left at least five civilians dead, with 16 others injured (other sources say this number is as high as 16) and three missing.

The Ukrainian Air Defence Forces destroyed 92 Russian aerial targets out of a total of 151 during the night of 21-22 March: 55 loitering drones, 35 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles and two Kh-59 guided missiles.

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South Carolina has 10 chief executive officers of publicly traded companies who made more than $2 million in salary and benefits in 2022.

While their salaries are significant, some earned many times their base pay in stock awards and incentives.

Howard Coker of Sonoco Products Co., based in Hartsville, earned the most in 2022  $9,794,049, according to a database supplied by the AFL-CIO.

The information is publicly available through company filings to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The union included in each profile how many times more the executive earned than the median income of his employees.

In Cokers case it was 147 times.

Founded in 1899 by James L. Coker, Sonoco makes packaging, industrial products, and is the worlds largest producer of composite cans, tubes, and cores. Howard Coker was appointed as CEO in 2020.

Among Sonocos products are metal cans for Bushes baked beans, Lysol, spray paints; paper cans for Pringles and Pillsbury and trays for Lean Cuisine.

Howard Cokers 2022 compensation included: salary $1,098,385, stock awards $6,205,527, incentive pay $1,977,093; other $513,043. He was appointed CEO in 2020 after working for the company since 1985.

The company had sales of $7.3 billion in 2022, 22,000 employees around in the world in 300 facilities.

Michael Gianoni of Blackbaud Inc., based in Charleston, had total compensation in 2022 of $8,819,151

The company offers cloud computing for nonprofits, foundations, corporations, education institutions, healthcare organizations, religious organizations, and individual change agents. It was founded in 1991 in NYC and moved to Charleston for financial reasons.

The company had revenue of $1.06 billion.

Blackbaud had a data breach involving 13,000 non-profits in 2020 and recently agreed to pay $49.5 million to settle claims brought by the attorneys general of 49 states.

His compensation was salary $795,876, stock $8,010,087, other $13,188.

Jeffrey Graves of 3D Systems Corp., based on Rock Hill  2022 total compensation $5,687,163, including salary $849,800, stock $4,765,861, other $71,501. The company engineers, manufactures, and sells 3D printers, 3D printing materials, 3D scanners, and offers a 3D printing service.

Michael Baur of Scansource, Inc., based in Greenville  2022 total compensation $5,647,684, including salary $875,000, stock $1,125,012, option awards $1,206,308, incentive $2,123,625 and other $317,739.

Philip Wieland of Diversey Holdings, Ltd., based in Fort Mill  2022 total compensation $5,442,945, including salary $878,788, stock $4,500,000, other $63,641. Diversey Holdings, makes cleaning and hygiene products for hospitality, healthcare, food and beverage, food service, retail, and facility management markets.

John Fortson of Ingevity Corp. a North Charleston chemical company  2022 total compensation $5,394,470, including salary $930,233, stock $2,115,062, option $705,003, incentive $1,525,580, other $118,592.

Robert Beck of Regional Management Corp., based in Greer  2022 total compensation $4,915,677, including salary $660,000, stock $2,999,974, incentive $1,187,860, other $67,843. Regional Management Corp. is a consumer finance company offering installment loans to customers with limited access to consumer credit from banks, thrifts, credit card companies, and other lenders, the company says on its website.

John Miller of Dennys Corp., based in Spartanburg  2022 total compensation $4,575,064, including $747,263, stock $3,793,071 and other $34,730. Dennys restaurant chain operates 1,700 restaurants.

Paul Jacobson of Thorne Healthtech, Inc., Summerville  2022 total compensation $4,088,000, including $530,000 salary, $435,000 bonus, $3,123,000 stock.

Richard Hermanns of Hirequest, Inc. in Goose Creek  2022 total compensation $2,276,745, including salary $382,404, stock $720,000, incentive $1,174,341. HireQuest owns HireQuest Direct, Snelling Staffing, DriverQuest, and HireQuest providing temporary staffing in branches nationwide.
A total of 10 Ukrainian military pilots have completed the basic flight training course in the UK on 22 March under the guidance of Royal Air Force instructors to fly Western fighter jets.

Source: European Pravda with reference to the UK Ministry of Defence

Details: The report says that 10 Ukrainian pilots have undergone basic flight, ground and language training in the UK. The pilots will continue their training in France for advanced flight training before moving on to the F-16 training.

The pilots were trained in general aircraft handling, flying by the aircrafts instruments, low level navigation and advanced formation flying. They also received English language training, which will assist them in their training and enhance interoperability with air forces of NATO member countries.

"I would like to congratulate these brave pilots on completing their initial training here in the UK.

Thanks to the world-renowned skills of RAF, these pilots have received some of the best training available and are now a step closer to joining the fight against Putins illegal invasion," Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Defence, said.

Although the UK does not operate the F-16 fighter jets that Ukraine has chosen to form the core of its modernised air force, the UK Prime Minister and Defence Secretary have consistently called on partners and allies to support an international programme to train and provide Western fighter jets to Ukraine.

As part of this support programme, the first F-16s are scheduled to be delivered to Ukraine in the summer of 2024.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reiterated the UK's intention to support the Air Power Coalition last year by providing basic flight training for Ukrainians. The RAF will continue this support for the next generation of Ukrainian pilots and ground staff.

In December, it was reported that the first group of six Ukrainian pilots had completed their basic training with the Royal Air Force and had begun training to fly F-16 fighter jets in Denmark.

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By Alan Charlish

WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk hit his first 100 days in office on Friday with solid public support but facing criticism for failing to meet a host of election promises.

He blames the delays largely on the dire state of affairs left by his predecessors.

With local and European elections on the horizon, the fact that more than half of voters are dissatisfied with the pace of delivery on campaign promises poses a headache for a government whose election spurred hopes of radical change among voters weary of eight years of turbulent nationalist rule.

"Certainly we can see a slower pace of fulfilling the election promises than was indicated in before the election," said Bartosz Tekielski, 23, who works in a jewellery shop in central Warsaw.

"I am not surprised. Poland since it became a free country has never had a government that stuck to its promises 100%."

The former European Council president swooped into power in December on a promise to undo democratic backsliding and repair relations with Poland's Western allies who said Warsaw had subverted the rule of law and women's and minority rights.

According to poll aggregators, Tusk's KO remains ahead of PiS while the three groups that form the coalition government have over 50% combined. However, two recent polls put PiS in first place.

In a post on social media platform X, Tusk pointed to "record debt, omnipresent corruption, depraved media, a partisan prosecutor's office (and) chaos in the courts," among a list of unwanted inheritances from PiS.

A government source told Reuters the administration knew that decisions like delaying doubling the tax-free limit to 60,000 zlotys ($15,200) would be very unpopular but that they were necessary due to the bad state that PiS left the public finances in.

Not everybody sees it that way.

"This is a lie," PiS Chairman Mariusz Blaszczak told Reuters. "We left the public finances in good shape".

Another factor has been divisions within the broad pro-European coalition that propelled Tusk to the head of government.

A decision by the right-leaning parliament speaker Szymon Holownia to postpone a debate on liberalising abortion laws until after the first round of the local elections infuriated New Left lawmakers.

"We won the (general) election and most of society is expecting us to try to change the law," said Katarzyna Kotula, a New Left lawmaker who serves as equality minister in Tusk's cabinet.

"You cannot hide behind elections. It cannot be used as an excuse."

REFORM

While critics say most of Tusk's 100 promises for his first 100 days remain unfulfilled, he has delivered on a key pledge - unblocking billions in European Union funds that had been frozen due to concerns over the rule of law under PiS.

According to a United Surveys poll for RMF FM and Dziennik Gazeta Prawna daily, voters see this as his biggest achievement, with over 60% of respondents saying his handling of the issue was a success. They are also positive about the way in which the government has improved Poland's international relations.

However, lawyers have questioned why Brussels decided to unfreeze the cash before judicial reforms were completed.

"(Unfreezing the funds) is very bad for Poland because now I don't believe there is a great motivation to introduce the changes that are necessary," said Krzysztof Izdebski, policy director at the Stefan Batory Foundation think-tank.

KO rejects such criticism, saying the decision to unblock the funds resulted from a recognition in Brussels that Warsaw was committed to restoring the rule of law despite resistance from supporters of the old government in powerful positions such as PiS ally President Andrzej Duda.

"It's obvious there are obstacles like the president, the behaviour of some prosecutors or people in the judiciary system, but there were several meetings at the European level where the progress and the changes were shown," said KO lawmaker Agnieszka Pomaska.

Some of the most radical changes implemented after the new government came to power were in state media as Culture Minister Bartlomiej Sienkiewicz sought to overhaul outlets that critics said had become vehicles not just for government propaganda but for hate speech against minorities.

In an effort to stop the changes, PiS lawmakers occupied the the offices of the state TV and news agency, while courts and the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights have also questioned the legality of the ministry's moves on public media.

The public are divided on the media reforms, with the United Surveys poll showing that 43.7% consider them a success while 36.9% say they were a failure.

($1 = 3.9443 zlotys)

(Reporting by Alan Charlish, additional reporting by Marek Strzelecki, editing by Angus MacSwan)
On this date 111 years ago, what has been called the most tragic weather event in Ohio History was under way.

March 23, 1913, was Easter Sunday, and Sandusky County and Ottawa County residents heading to church were getting wet as three days of rain were getting started.

By the time three days had passed about 470 people had died in Ohio.

The 1913 flood hit home for Fremont, Port Clinton

The tragedy hit home for both Fremont and Port Clinton.

Capt. Isaac Floro, who was in his mid-60s at the time, was part of a Port Clinton rescue team that was sent to Fremont in response to the horrific flooding.

He and his crew were apparently responding to people in need on Wabash Street and were near the Howland Street and Ohio Avenue area where, according to the Fremont Flood souvenir book, the currents were so terrible that it required more than two hours to reach the house.

The flood of 1913 in Fremont ran into the E.J. McElroy Store on South Front Street.

In such a current on Ohio Avenue, terrific in its swiftness, Captain Floros boat was thrown against a tree and capsized directly in front of Dr. Philos resident. Three men were in the boat, one had the luck to climb into a tree, the other clung to the boat and drifted to a place of safety, but the captain was tossed in the whirlpool and dashed against a tree on Howland Street, from which his body was taken several hours later. His boots were both off and his coat partly off, showing what a struggle against impossible odds he must had made.

Floro, who was born in 1848 and who had a wife and four children, was buried in Lakeview Cemetery in Port Clinton after an estimated 2,000 people, including many from Fremont, attended the funeral and lined the streets along the funeral procession, pictures of which became postcards.

Floro died saving lives in Fremont

It is reported that his crew of Port Clinton fishermen had rescued fully one thousand from the flood-stricken district when the tragedy struck.

Fremonters honored him with a stone with this inscription: Erected by citizens of Fremont, Ohio, in honor and memory of Captain Isaac Floro who gave his life in service during Fremont Flood March 25-28, 1913.

He was not the only person to die in Fremont during the flood. The others, according to Fremont Flood, were Frank Saller and John Homan. Homan reportedly was drowned in one of 19 houses either totally or partially destroyed next to the railroad embankment.

Fremont Flood said the water poured through a narrow space nearly to the height of the so-called dry bridge in a mighty, terrible, rushing torrent, a veritable Niagara that nothing in its path could withstand.

It was reported that 550 homes were flooded, 50 of them either totally destroyed or rendered uninhabitable.

More: Monitor local river levels

Roy Wilhelm started a 40-year career at The News-Messenger in 1965 as a reporter. Now retired, he writes a column for both The News-Messenger and News Herald.

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Recalling the tragedy, heroism of the 1913 Fremont OH flood
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  Three people are facing multiple charges after two separate traffic stops in Franklin County ultimately led to the discovery of suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine.

(Source: Franklin County Sheriffs Office)

According to authorities, an investigation into a morning traffic stop on Tuesday, March 19 resulted in the arrest of Jeremiah Micah Gipson for:

Manufacture, delivery, or sale of Schedule II controlled substance (meth)

Possession of Schedule II controlled substance with intent to distribute

Tampering with evidence

Narcan vending machines installed at Davidson County Sheriffs Office facilities

Law enforcement said they seized 100 pills believed to be fentanyl, 6 grams of a substance believed to be meth, and $2,500 from Gipson as evidence. As of Wednesday, March 20, he is reportedly being held on a $25,000 bond ahead of his April 8 court date.

Then, on Tuesday evening, the sheriffs office said an investigation into another traffic stop led to the execution of a search warrant at a home, which resulted in the following two arrests:

Travis Aaron Stines: Possession of Schedule II controlled substance with intent to distribute Possession of Schedule II controlled substance Introduction of contraband in a penal institution Possession of drug paraphernalia

Courtney Taylor McGee: Possession of Schedule II controlled substance Possession of drug paraphernalia Failure to maintain lane



Equal-opportunity supplier and drug dealer arrested after multi-agency raid in Maury County

According to officials, 75 pills believed to be fentanyl and 2 ounces of a substance believed to be meth were taken from Stines as evidence. Meanwhile, a 2014 Cadillac XTS and 1 ounce of a substance believed to be meth were reportedly seized from McGee.

(Source: Franklin County Sheriffs Office)

(Source: Franklin County Sheriffs Office)

Authorities announced on Wednesday that both Stines and McGee were being held on $50,000 bonds, with their court dates scheduled for April 8.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Our Criminal Investigation Division had a successful day yesterday in our battle against illegal drugs in our communityThanks to the Decherd Police Department for assisting with this investigation, the Franklin County Sheriffs Office wrote in a Wednesday Facebook post.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Two elderly Idaho men whose deaths authorities say are possibly linked to an Idaho inmate and his accomplice, who allegedly helped him escape police custody on Wednesday, have been identified, Idaho State Police announced Friday.

Idaho State Police on Friday identified the victims believed to be related to Skylar Meades escape as 83-year-old James L. Mauney of Juliaetta, Idaho, and 72-year-old Gerald Don Henderson of Orofino, Idaho.

Investigators do not believe Mauney knew Meade and his alleged accomplice, Nicholas Umphenour, and say Henderson may have been acquainted with the suspects, but its not clear how or for how long, according to a news release from Idaho State Police.

A third suspect, identified by the Twin Falls County Sheriffs Office as 52-year-old Tonia Huber, was arrested in Filer, Idaho, on Friday on charges related to Meades attempt to flee a residence in Flier, according to ISP. Jail records show she was charged with attempting to elude a peace officer and possession of fentanyl.

Meade, Umphenour and Huber appeared in a Twin Falls magistrate court on Friday, according to Ada County prosecutor Scott Bandy. Both Meade and Umphenour are being held on $2 million bail.

Meade is charged with felony escape. Huber is also charged with harboring a fugitive, alluding and possession of a controlled substance. CNN is working to identify Meades, Umpenhours and Hubers legal representatives for comment.

Following a 36-hour manhunt, Meade and Umphenour were captured Thursday afternoon in Twin Falls, Idaho, two hours away from where Meade escaped as he was discharged from Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, authorities said.

The coordinated attack and escape happened early Wednesday morning as Meade was being escorted from the hospital by corrections officers who had taken him there the previous night after he engaged in self-injurious behavior at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution, according to Josh Tewalt, director of the Idaho Department of Correction.

The three Idaho corrections officers escorting him were ambushed by a gunman who shot two of them before the inmate and his accomplice fled in a getaway car, police said.

After Meade and Umphenour were captured, police announced Thursday theyre investigating two homicides potentially tied to the escape that happened in the last 24 hours in different locations in Nez Perce and Clearwater counties.

Meades shackles were found at one of the homicide scenes and the men had possession of the car of one of the victims, according to Lt. Colonel Sheldon Kelley of the Idaho State Police. The county coroner will later be providing details on the mens identities and how they died, he said.

The two suspects were apprehended before their path of destruction could get any wider, Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar said during Thursdays news conference.

In addition to the two officers allegedly shot by the suspect, officials said a third corrections officer was wounded by gunfire from a responding police officer. Two of the officers were in the hospital in stable condition on Thursday and the third officer was released Wednesday night, Tewalt said.

Heres what we know about the escape and the investigation so far:

Skylar Meade, left, and Nicholas Umphenour were captured Thursday in Twin Falls, Idaho. - Twin Falls County Sheriff/Bosie Police Department

How do the two suspects know each other?

Meade and Umphenour have ties to the White supremacist group Aryan Knights, according to Tewalt. The Aryan Knights is a White supremacist prison gang based primarily in Idaho, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Its one of multiple security threat groups the Idaho Department of Correction monitors, Tewalt said.

In addition to the White supremacist group ties, Meade and Umphenour had common acquaintances in custody and in the community, according to Tewalt. The men also shared a housing unit at some point at the corrections facility between December 29, 2020, until Umphenours release on January 17, 2024, Tewalt said.

Meade was sentenced in October 2016 for aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer with a firearm. He has many prior convictions, Winegar said, and is a documented gang member. He was due to be released in 2036.

Meade has the numbers 1 and 11 tattooed on his face, a reference to the group, Winegar noted.

More information on Umphenours criminal history and his time in prison will be provided in the coming days, authorities said at Thursdays news conference.

Umphenour is now accused of aggravated battery against law enforcement and aiding and abetting an escape, according to a police news release Wednesday.

Their gang involvement doesnt necessarily indicate that this was some sort of gang sanctioned event, Tewalt said at the news conference.

A police vehicle is parked outside Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho, on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. - Sarah A. Miller/Idaho Statesman via AP

Police are looking for more information about the escape

Law enforcement said they would investigate exactly how the breakout occurred while the inmate was in custody.

This was a planned event and were channeling every resource we have and trying to understand exactly how they went about planning it, Tewalt said.

Prior to the escape, two corrections staff members rode with Meade in the ambulance on the way to the hospital and a chase vehicle followed, Tewalt said. In a high-risk situation like Meades hospital visit, Tewalt said, an inmate is typically flanked by two unarmed staff members, with an armed staff member following to keep watch. Meade was in restraints while being escorted out of the hospital, Tewalt said.

Corrections officers were preparing to take Meade back to the Idaho Maximum Security Institution  about 11 miles away  when the shooter fired at the officers shortly after 2 a.m. Wednesday, striking two of them, Winegar said. Then, Meade and Umphenour fled the scene in a getaway car just before police arrived, authorities said.

The third corrections officer was wounded by gunfire from a responding police officer, who believed the shooter was inside the emergency department and saw an armed individual near the door, officials said.

Authorities said the responding police officers on Wednesday initially believed it was an active shooter event at the hospital and rushed in to ensure the safety of those in the building. The hospital locked down for a period of time and later resumed operations, police said.

This brazen, violent, and apparently coordinated attack on Idaho Department of Corrections personnel, to facilitate an escape of a dangerous inmate, was carried out right in front of the Emergency Department, where people come for medical help, often in the direst circumstances, Winegar said in a news release after the shooting. I am grateful this harrowing incident did not result in loss of life, and we are monitoring the wounded IDOC officers with great hope for a full and speedy recovery of all involved.

Law enforcement agencies across Idaho started investigating and searching for the escaped inmate and shooting suspect Wednesday morning, a police news release said.

This investigation has grown immensely over the last 24 to 36 hours and has involved a number of different entities and crimes across the state of Idaho, Winegar said during Thursdays news conference.

After Meade and Umphenour fled Boise on Wednesday, detectives believe the men drove north through Idaho and encountered Mauney as he walked his dogs near Juliaetta, Idaho, Idaho State Police said in a news release.

On Wednesday near Leland, Idaho, law enforcement officers found the abandoned Honda Civic used in the escape and Mauneys body nearby, according to Idaho State Police.

That day, state police and the Clearwater County Sheriffs Office began investigating Hendersons death at his home in a secluded area outside Orofino, Idaho, authorities said.

Police found Mauneys unharmed dogs and a pair of shackles believed to be left behind by Meade at Hendersons home, according to the release.

A Twin Falls County prosecutor on Friday said Huber, whose bail was set at $500,000, was driving 100 mph through neighborhoods in Twin Falls in an attempt to further the escape of these two men who were wanted on violent felony charges.

Law enforcement said the capture was successful thanks to hundreds of tips from the public, the Thursday news release said.

Idaho State Police say they will continue to investigate the homicides and provide updates on those investigations and suspects while Boise police probe the inmate escape and the Ada County Sheriffs Office investigates the officer involved shooting, the release said.

Officers were following policies when they were ambushed, official says

Less than 1% of incarcerated people escape every year, said Jeff Mellow, a professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Given how difficult it is for individuals to escape from prison, Mellow suspects somebody leaked that Meade was going to visit the hospital. Even with extensive security measures, corrections officers have to practice extreme vigilance at all times, Mellow added.

Due to his history, Meade had more security at the hospital than their usual protocol, Tewalt said.

From our initial review of events, facility leadership in authorizing that transport and augmenting resources, as well as the conduct and performance of our staff and the execution of that transport, were wholly in line with our policies and practices, Tewalt said.

We feel really comfortable at this point in saying that our policies were followedthey did in fact go above and beyond, Tewalt said.

However, Tewalt said his office will be reviewing whether staff adhered to policies and practices and whether our policies and practices were sufficient enough to put our staff in a position to maintain their safety and security.

CNNs Sarah Engel, Lauren Mascarenhas, Sarah Moon, Cheri Mossburg and Taylor Romine contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A company called 111 Gateway Enterprises LLC is proposing to develop two hotels and a commercial lot in northeast Lacey, the city announced and a project manager confirmed.

The group aims to bring a 143-room hotel and a 98-room hotel to 2315 Hogum Bay Road NE, near Marvin Road and across from the Mayan Mexican Restaurant in the area.

The proposal also includes a short subdivision to create a lot for future commercial development, according to city information.

Project manager Antony Chung, who lives in Lacey, said the proposal is in the early stages. However, in two to three years they plan to open the 143-room, extended stay Homewood Suites by Hilton to the site.

Once that project is completed, and depending on the economic climate at the time, they then plan to build a Tru by Hilton, which he described as a destination for price-conscious Generation Z and millennial travelers.

The Homewood Suites, Chung said, will feature a swimming pool, fitness center, outdoor patio with seating, barbecues and a putting green. It also will have 1,900 square feet of meeting space.

The property was purchased in 2018, he said. Lacey is growing, the location is near Joint Base Lewis-McChord and the site is close to Interstate 5, he said.

Logistically, the site made a lot of sense, Chung said.

Although the city deemed the application complete on March 5, theres still a chance to comment on it. The comment period ends at 5 p.m. March 25. Send your comments to Lacey senior planner Samra Seymour at Sseymour@ci.lacey.wa.us.

The proposed location of two new hotels in Lacey at 2315 Hogum Bay Road NE. One hotel will have 128 rooms, the other 98 rooms, according to the city.

Other business happenings

Nicoles Bar, on Legion Way in downtown Olympia, will be featured on Americas Best Restaurants.

The program will bring its ABR Roadshow to the restaurant on April 2, according to a news release.

Popular dishes will be highlighted, along with an extensive on-camera interview with owner Nicole Andres about the restaurants special place in the community. The episode will be aired extensively on social media channels at a later date, a news release reads.

Americas Best Restaurants will film on location from 9 a.m. to noon April 2. The restaurants finished episode premiere date will be announced on their Facebook page and will be featured on Americas Best Restaurants website.

Longtime bartender Nicole Andres has finally opened her own downtown Olympia establishment, Nicoles Bar.

Red Velvet Bakery by the Sea has opened at its Steamboat Island location, owner Trista Nesbit-Evans said.

The business serves breakfast and lunch, plus sells pastries, gelato, beer and wine, plus tons of other retail items as well, she said.

Red Velvet is open 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. The hours will expand in the summer, including outdoor patio seating, she said.

Parr, a supplier of building materials, has opened a truss manufacturing plant in Lacey, the Oregon-based company announced.

The Lacey location is the companys ninth and most automated truss manufacturing plant, according to a news release. The site employs 20 people focused on manufacturing floor and roof trusses.

This new addition will allow us to offer our products and services to a new region of the Pacific Northwest, said Mike Howell, CEO of Parr in a statement.

Parr Truss Lacey is at 3950 Marvin Road NE.

Velvet & Shag, a vintage rug and home decor retailer, has moved to the loft space in Ossa Skinworks at 109 Capitol Way N.

A grand opening celebration is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 30.

Velvet & Shag, which began as an Etsy shop in 2010, first opened in Olympia at 4528 Maple Lane SE, off Henderson Boulevard near the Briggs YMCA.

The new location will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.

A new taproom comes to Tumwater and a taco restaurant aims to open May 1

Fusion restaurant eyes Pacific Avenue, housing development pitched for Littlerock Road

Bakery and more coming to Steamboat Island, plus a new pitch for downtown Greyhound site

If you know of a retailer, restaurant, coffee shop or other business that is opening, closing, expanding, remodeling, or changing its focus, send an email to reporter Rolf Boone at rboone@theolympian.com.
A Pennsylvania man and woman were sentenced to life in prison Thursday for the murder-for-hire love triangle shooting of a beloved teacher in a Dunkin drive-thru while her 11-year-old son sat in the backseat of her car.

Rachel King, 35, and her son, Jalen, were sitting in her SUV in the fast food restaurants drive-thru line at around 7:30 a.m. on April 11, 2023, when Zakkee Steven Alhakim, 34, walked up to the drivers side and opened fire, prosecutors said. She was shot five times and pronounced dead at the scene, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Alhakim, who had followed King from her home, then returned to the car he had parked nearby and sped away, investigators said.

Julie Jean, 33, had hired Alhakim to kill King out of jealousy, investigators said, after Kings longtime boyfriend, William Hayes, ended his affair with Jean.

Rachel King and her son, Jalen, were in her car the drive-thru of a Pennsylvania Dunkin on the morning of April 11, 2023, when she was fatally shot.. Allen King / GoFundMe

Hayes testified Tuesday that he had broken things off with Jean when King found out about the affair, but Jean continued to pursue him. She stalked and harassed both him and King, with whom he had reconciled, he said, and he filed and received a protection order against her in December 2022.

King, a teacher at Grover Cleveland Mastery Charter School in north Philadelphia, had stopped at the donut shop in Cheltenham Township on the way to drop off her son for a violin lesson before school, family members told the local outlet NBC10 Philadelphia.

Jalen, whose prerecorded testimony was played in court Tuesday, was not injured.

A police officer testified Monday that Jalen didnt understand why no one was helping his mother and begged officers to take her to the hospital, the Inquirer reported.

To hear and to see what my grandson went through  that leveled me. That took everything in me to maintain what little composure Ive had, Kings father, Rev. Allen King Jr., told ABC television affiliate WPVI.

Jean and Alhakim had pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy. Authorities said text messages and CashApp records linked the two, and that surveillance video footage, which was played in court, showed Alhakim parking near Kings apartment and closely following her as she drove to the Dunkin restaurant. Alhakims cousin was the father of Jeans three children, authorities said.

Authorities said the car Alhakim was driving at the time of Kings murder, a Mercury Sable, was purchased by Jean on March 30, less than two weeks before the killing. They had also purchased an untraceable ghost gun from a private seller, prosecutors said.

Shortly after Kings killing, police in Philadelphia spotted Alhakim driving the Mercury, which they had linked to the April 7 killing of James Chris Farrell Jr., 36, ABC7 reported. When police tried to stop him, he sped away and crashed into a fence. After his arrest, investigators linked the casings found in the previous murder to those collected outside of Kings car.

The motive for Farrells killing is unclear, although authorities said it was unrelated to Kings murder.

A fundraiser created by Kings family to support Jalen has raised more than $100,000 in donations.

A student who donated said King had been her teacher for two years.

Within these 2 years she has been the best teacher you could ever ask for, the student wrote.

She was so joyful and sweet everyday it breaks my heart that will never see her again but Ill be strong for her.

Related...
POMFRET, Md. - Detectives in Charles County are investigating the existence of a "fight club" at Maurice McDonough High School.

Students at the school are allegedly arranging fights and making bets on who will win or lose.

The situation came to light Tuesday after administrators alerted a School Resource Officer at McDonough of an assault and robbery that had taken place inside a bathroom.

The incident is believed to have occurred during school hours. A preliminary investigation by detectives with the Charles County Sheriff's Office revealed that three students were involved.

'Fight clubs' allegedly being held inside McDonough High School bathrooms. Photo via McDonough High School.

Two students, according to the sheriff's office, assaulted and robbed another student as he entered the bathroom. They're also accused of going through the student's pockets and stealing a cell phone.

Detectives said that the two students "purposely targeted" their classmate because they believed the student had won cash from previous "fight club" bouts.

In a letter sent home Thursday, Principal Darnell Russell said the cell phone was later returned. He also asked parents to talk to their children about resources available at the school and to let them know that assaulting others, whether in a joking or serious manner, is not appropriate.

"I ask that you please encourage your child to report to an administrator any issues they are having with others, including physical altercations, so we can investigate and address the matter as quickly as possible," the letter reads.

"It's a good school, it's a really good school," said parent Carolyn Duke. "My daughter goes here, but I don't know why somebody would do that. I don't know why they would do something like that."

Two McDonough High School students are now facing second-degree assault and robbery charges and will also receive consequences from Charles County Public Schools.

The sheriff's office is still investigating this incident, and they're asking anyone with information about this case or the "fight clubs" at the school to reach out to them.

Charles County Public Schools superintendent Maria V. Navarro issued the following statement: "CCPS is aware of information circulating about planned fights among students. CCPS is working with the Charles County Sheriffs Office to investigate a fight that reportedly occurred at Maurice J. McDonough High School earlier this week to determine if this incident does or does not involve such behaviors. The sheriffs office released a news brief yesterday about the incident, but we are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the reported fight or fights. McDonough administrators shared an update with the school community, asking for support from staff, students and parents in reporting unsafe behaviors. This type of behavior is not reflective of the McDonough school community or culture, or that of any other CCPS school or center. Every student deserves to come to school each day in a safe and welcoming learning environment. The majority of our students make the right choices each day, which is to come to school prepared to learn, thrive and grow. Students need to understand that when they resort to assaulting or fighting with others, whether they agree to this behavior or not, they are posing a safety risk to all students. This is not acceptable behavior for any student attending a CCPS school. We have asked school administrators to enhance their visibility during lunch shifts, class transitions, in between classes and during any other times when students are not required to be in classrooms learning. Administrators have ramped up hallway monitoring, as well as being mindful of the number of students in a restroom at one time.Any student involved in activities such as setting up physical altercations, regardless of the intent or purpose, faces disciplinary consequences outlined in the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Code of Student Conduct. These consequences include not only suspension from school, but charges by police when possible. These are serious consequences and students need to understand this type of behavior will not be tolerated.I ask that any parent, student or staff member who has information about such activities involving any CCPS student to please report it to a school administrator, through our anonymous online See Something, Say Something platform or to police. I also encourage parents to be mindful of the content their child may be capturing with their cell phones, and further sharing it on social media. As with any report involving unsafe or inappropriate behaviors by students or staff, CCPS will follow its standard investigation procedures to investigate and involve external agencies when necessary."

Read the full letter sent to McDonough High School parents below:

Click to open this PDF in a new window.

FOX 5's Homa Bash contributed to this report.




A 20-year-old driver is accused of drinking underage, causing a crash that killed his passenger, investigators said.

North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement began an investigation after state troopers went to the single-car crash on Jan. 7. It happened near U.S. Highway 74 and State Road 1520 in Union County.

ALSO READ: Man dies after car intentionally hits him on Brookshire Boulevard

Troopers said a 20-year-old passenger died at the scene.

Troopers suspected alcohol consumption led to the crash, so they called in ALE for an investigation.

Agents discovered the passenger and the driver, 20-year-old Samuel Reece Freeman, had been drinking at a home in Charlotte.

The Charlotte homeowner, 21-year-old Justin Eren Cukro, was charged by ALE with two counts of overage person aid and abet purchase or possession of alcohol.

Highway patrol charged Freeman, from Indian Trail, with felony death by motor vehicle, expired registration card/tag, reckless driving to endanger, expired/no vehicle inspection and failure to maintain lane control.

(WATCH BELOW: Motorcyclist killed in crash in Alexander County, troopers say)




$200K in damages from apartment fire on Delaware Avenue

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  There were an estimated $200,000 in damages from a fire at an apartment building on Delaware Avenue on Thursday afternoon, according to fire officials.

Crews responded to the blaze at Gates Circle apartments, located at 1310 Delaware, just after 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

Officials said the fire started on the first floor of the five-floor building, in the bedroom of an apartment.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Latest Local News

Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
Tammy Tumbling has been nominated for 2024s Remarkable Women Award for her work as the president of the Orange County Community Foundation, which channels nearly $100 million to nonprofits each year.

Her path to a life of giving started in Compton.

Growing up in the city of Compton, one of the things that shaped me into who I am today was the sense of community, Tumbling told KTLA 5 News anchor Megan Telles. We were very, very poor, but we were rich in love. We were rich in faith. You name it we had every type of government assistance.

Tammys mother died at 54 of a massive stroke. At the time, Tammy was just 19 with a two-year-old son.

I became head of the household. I took care of my brothers and sisters. So, when I thought having a baby at a young age was a mistake, I was actually being prepared to take my mothers children the rest of the way, she recalls.

Tammy Tumbling

Years later, during the height of the unrest over the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor in 2020, Tammy felt called to start her own fund: the African American Alliance Fund.

I stood in front of my TV as an executive running internal operations, and I said, What can I do as an African American to help other African Americans in a time of need? 

Tammy took $25,000 of her own money to establish the fund and focus on issues that would advance the Black community, which has now become her full-time role.

Every year in March, Nexstar celebrates Womens History Month by honoring Remarkable Women across the country and recognizing one of them as the Nexstar Woman of the Year. Remarkable Women, a nationwide initiative to honor the influence that women have had on public policy, social progress, and the quality of life, celebrates local women that inspire, lead, and forge the way for other women.

Our more than 200 Nexstar broadcasting stations in 117 markets accept nominations for Nexstar Woman of the Year. Based on nominations with universally selected criteria including community contributions, self-achievement, and family impact, each market selects four local women for consideration as that markets Remarkable Woman. Profiles of the top four nominees in each market air on local newscasts every Tuesday during the month of March, and the nominees are featured on the websites of each local television station.

Each markets Remarkable Woman receives a $1,000 contribution on their behalf to a non-profit of their choice and that winner is then considered for Nexstar Woman of the Year. The Nexstar Charitable Foundation makes a $10,000 contribution on behalf of the Nexstar Woman of the Year to the non-profit organization of her choice.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  Three people were arrested after an investigation into drugs that were allegedly being brought into jails, according to the Tulare County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies say on Thursday they served a search warrant in the 700 block of Rinaldi in Visalia after an investigation into drugs being brought into Tulare County Detention Facilities.

During the warrant, detectives say they arrested three people and seized four guns, 255 grams of cocaine, 137 grams of meth, 22 grams of fentanyl, and about one pound of marijuana.

Tulare County Sheriffs Office

Officials say they arrested 58-year-old Mary Sandling-Kinser of Visalia faces charges of possession of narcotics for sales, maintaining a place of residence for the sales of narcotics, and conspiracy to commit a crime with two or more people.

23-year-old Arthus Seals of Visalia faces charges of possession of narcotics for sales, maintaining a place of residence for the sales of narcotics, possessing a firearm while in possession of a usable amount of narcotics, conspiracy to commit a crime with two or more people, and possession of a loaded stolen firearm, according to officials.

Deputies say 31-year-old Kaileen McGarrah of Visalia faces charges of possession of narcotics for sales, maintaining a place of residence for the sales of narcotics, smuggling narcotics into a California jail, and conspiracy to commit a crime with two or more people.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
Search and rescue operations at the sites of a Russian missile attack on Zaporizhzhia on March 22 have ended, the State Emergency Service reported.

The attack reportedly killed three people, including a child. At least 29 people were wounded, including two children, according to the report.

A 35-year-old man and his eight-year-old daughter are among those killed after Russian forces struck one of the city's residential areas.

Rescue operations concluded at around 7:15 p.m. local time.

Russia launched early on March 22 a large-scale drone and missile attacks against Ukraine early on March 22, targeting Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kryvyi Rih, and other regions, primarily aiming at the energy infrastructure.

Ukraine's defense systems reportedly downed 92 of 151 Russian aerial targets overnight. Regional authorities said that there were at least five killed and over 30 injured among the casualties reported so far.

Russian missiles struck Zaporizhzhia's Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant, Ukraine's largest hydroelectric station. Severe power outages have been reported across the country.

First responders extinguished a fire at a critical infrastructure facility in Zaporizhzhia. They will continue to disassemble and dismantle the destroyed structures tomorrow, according to the State Emergency Service.

Read also: Lives are falling apart: Kyiv residents shook by another mass missile attack

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A man walks past a military-themed mural at a public park on Pingtan Island in China's southeast Fujian province, the closest point to Taiwans main island (GREG BAKER)

Taipei's defence ministry announced Friday the highest single-day number of Chinese military aircraft around the self-ruled island this year, which analysts attributed as a reaction to Taiwan's political outreach to Europe in recent days.

Beijing claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under China's control.

Friday's incursion, an uptick from the previous day's tally, follows a pattern of what experts dub "grey zone" actions -- tactics that fall short of outright acts of war -- which have ramped up since the 2016 election of President Tsai Ing-wen.

Political tensions have also risen since January after Tsai's deputy Lai Ching-te -- who Beijing regards as a "dangerous separatist" -- was elected as president, and amid an ongoing row between China and Taiwan over a fatal boat incident.

In the 24 hours leading up to 6:00 am Friday (2200 GMT Thursday), the Ministry of National Defence said it had detected 36 Chinese military aircraft and six naval ships operating around Taiwan.

The ministry added that among the aircraft detected, 13 had "crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait", the sensitive waterway separating China from Taiwan.

Friday's announcement comes on the heels of nighttime activity by the Chinese military, with Taiwan's defence ministry announcing around 10:30 pm Thursday that 20 fighter jets, aerial unmanned vehicles and transport planes had been detected from 7:30 pm.

It is also the day after an uptick in activity during the 24-hour period ending at 6:00 am Thursday, when the ministry said Beijing had sent in 32 aircraft.

- Bearing the pressure -

Ahead of January's election of Lai, Beijing warned he would bring "war and decline" to the island.

Lai will take office on May 20 alongside vice president-elect Hsiao Bi-khim of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Hsiao -- formerly Taiwan's de facto ambassador to the United States -- has been travelling in recent days, including to the Czech Republic and the European Parliament.

"Our fight for freedom and democracy is more shared than ever, and the Taiwanese people can rest assured it will always find dear friends in Europeans," wrote French politician Dominique Riquet, who is also a member of the European Parliament, on social media platform X on Thursday.

China had slammed Hsiao's visit to the Czech Republic on Tuesday, accusing her of trying to serve "the purpose of Taiwan independence" -- a redline for Beijing.

Analyst Wen-ti Sung said Beijing's jump in military activity may be a "show of force to drive home its displeasure against Taiwan's growing international engagement".

"If this can discourage other international leaders from meeting Hsiao in the future, all the better from Beijing's perspective," he told AFP.

Military expert Su Tzu-yun agreed Hsiao's European travels could play a motivating factor but pointed to Asia for added reasons, including a recent Manila meeting between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos.

China and the Philippines are both claimants in maritime hotspot the South China Sea, where Beijing's ships have been accused of causing collisions with Philippine boats and firing water cannon at them during a resupply mission.

Blinken earlier this week said the United States stands by its "ironclad" commitments to defend longtime ally the Philippines, drawing a rebuke from Beijing that Washington had "no right" to interfere in the issue.

"China's behaviours are not only directed at Taiwan, but Taiwan will be the one that bears the most pressure," Su, a military expert at Taiwan's Institute for National Defense and Security Research, told AFP.

- Chinese boat row -

Adding to tensions, a row between Taipei and Beijing over a fatal fishing boat incident has dragged on since last month.

A Chinese speedboat carrying four people capsized on February 14 near Taiwan's Kinmen islands while being pursued by the Taiwanese coast guard, killing two people while the other two survived.

Beijing has accused Taiwanese authorities of "seeking to evade their responsibilities and hide the truth" about the incident, while the Taiwanese coast guard said the boat involved was zigzagging and "lost its balance" before capsizing.

China has said it will step up patrols around Kinmen following a series of deadly incidents, including the sinking of another boat in the area this month that resulted in the deaths of two crew members.

aw-dhc/sco
CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore.  A family of six, including 9- and 11-year-old children, were rescued after getting stranded on a hike in the Oregon Cascades earlier this week.

Deputies received an Emergency SOS call from an Apple iPhone on Tuesday evening around 7:30 p.m. from one of the stranded hikers, according to the Clackamas County Sheriffs Office. The distress call sent text messages and gave rescuers the familys location.

Crews work to rescue a family of six stranded in Mt. Hood National Forest

The family had started their journey at the Salmon River Trailhead in the Mt. Hood National Forest but became stranded. A search and rescue team left in all-terrain vehicles to find the family but were unable to reach them due to wintry weather.

7 P'S OF COLD WEATHER SAFETY

Ground crews set off instead and were able to reach the six around 6 a.m. Wednesday, deputies said.

"The family was cold, wet and dehydrated, but otherwise OK," deputies wrote in a news release. "The family had hiked nearly eight miles and gained more than 3,500 feet in elevation."

Search crews attempted to get a rescue helicopter to the scene, but again, poor weather conditions thwarted the flight.

Crews work to rescue a family of six stranded in Mt. Hood National Forest

HERE'S HOW TO SURVIVE IF YOU GET LOST IN THE WOODS THIS WINTER

A snowcat was brought in at 10 a.m. and sent to the scene, but even their journey took several hours due to difficult terrain. Eventually, the rescue was successful, and the family was brought back to the rescue command post along Oregon Highway 26 about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday  24 hours after the initial call for help.

"This was a challenging rescue due to the amount of snow, fallen trees, steep terrain, and number of people who needed to be rescued," deputies wrote. "We would like to remind anyone planning a visit to the wilderness and higher elevation areas to be prepared for unexpected weather conditions with warm clothing, extra food, and water."





Original article source: 4 adults, 2 kids endure 24-hour-long rescue after getting stranded during hike near Oregons Mt. Hood
As a 4-year-old went down for a nap in bed beside his fathers girlfriend, he reached underneath a pillow, Arizona police say.

There, his hands felt a 9mm handgun, Moroni Mendez, an officer with the Glendale Police Department, said at a March 21 news conference.

The Glendale boy fired the gun, accidentally shooting himself in the chest the morning of March 20, Mendez said.

What did you do? his fathers girlfriend told police she asked him as she cuddled him in her arms, court documents show.

The woman told police the boy said he was sorry.

He was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said in a news release.

Subsequently, police said the woman, 31, and boys father, 44, were arrested.

McClatchy News is not identifying the suspects to protect the childs identity.

Each is facing charges of child neglect/abuse, endangerment, and misconduct of weapons stemming from the boys accidental shooting, according to police.

Its just a terrible case, Mendez said. Its one of those cases where we just want to stress the practice of gun safety.

Gun kept under pillow

Out of fear for her life from a separate incident, the woman told police she had been sleeping with a gun, but she would make it safe.

The woman told police that prior to the shooting, she took the magazine out of the gun but couldnt recall if there was a bullet in the chamber, court documents show.

She placed the loaded magazine by the gun underneath her pillow, she told police.

As the boy was arguing with his 5-year-old brother, the woman told police she had him come lie down with her in the bed.

The woman was facing away from the child, when she heard a pew, she told police.

She whipped around and saw the boy lying on his stomach, the woman told police. She screamed for her boyfriend and called 911.

Following shooting

The boys father, who was outside working on his Dodge Ram, heard the gunshot and ran inside the home, the man told police, court documents show.

His girlfriend was on the phone with a 911 dispatcher, who was giving her instruction on how to care for the boy, the man told police.

The woman told police that the man doesnt handle situations like this well, adding that he began to throw things and punched a hole in the wall, court documents show.

The dispatcher heard the ruckus over the phone and asked that the father step outside the home, the woman told police.

She told the man to sit in his car and wait for first responders to arrive, the woman told police.

After the boy was taken to a hospital, Mendez said the child is expected to survive.

When officers searched the home, they found .40-caliber rounds throughout the house, including in the master bedroom, court documents show.

In addition to finding the 9mm handgun with a loaded magazine beside it, officers also found a rifle round in a mens jacket inside a closet, court documents show.

While searching the back yard, officers found a .40-caliber gun in the middle of the dirt, court documents show. Officers also found a handgun magazine in a Dodge Charger, court documents show.

Warned before

The woman told police that the two boys have been told they are not to touch or play with guns, court documents show.

She told police she and her boyfriend will not even buy the children toy guns to play with as they dont find them suitable for them to play with.

Prior to this shooting, the couple was previously warned about gun safety, police said in the release.

Less than a year prior, police said they responded to the home about a family fight to find the same boy injured in this incident playing with disassembled weapons.

We really just want to get that message out: the importance of keeping guns locked in a very safe environment, Jose Santiago, the police departments media manager, said at the end of the news conference. This child was in a bed with a weapon  thats not something you ever want to see.

Glendale is about a 10-mile drive northwest of Phoenix.

2-year-old nephew finds deputys unsecured gun and shoots self, Missouri cops say

Mom blames 1-year-olds injury on fall. But Ohio officials say he shot himself

3-year-old fights for life after accidentally shooting herself in the face, family says
The concert hall where the shooting took place

Several unknown gunmen have opened fire on a crowd of civilians at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Krasnogorsk, just outside of Moscow, killing at least 40 people on the spot, Russian media reported on March 22.

Russian Telegram channel Shot, citing sources, initially reported that 40 people were killed and over 100 were injured in the shooting.

According to state news agency TASS, Russia's FSB subsequently confirmed that the casualty figures include 60 dead and at least 100 injured.

Independent Russian outlet iStories later reported that Russian security officials have rejected the notion that Ukraine was behind the terror attack, citing sources in the emergency taskforce that was charged with investigating the shooting in Crocus City Hall.

Several videos show a haze of smoke rising in the concert hall with gunfire heard in the background, resembling bursts from an automatic weapon.

"They're shooting with a machine gun, firing into the crowd," one eyewitness said.

According to witnesses, a man began firing an automatic weapon after a loud explosion was heard. This occurred just as the concert of Russian band Piknik was about to begin at Crocus City Hall.

Footage filmed by eyewitnesses on their phones shows several bodies on the floor at the venue.

The United States has no information to suggest that Ukraine could be behind the terror attack in Krasnogorsk.

"There is no indication at this time that Ukraine, or Ukrainians, were involved in the shooting," White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said a press briefing.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said that Kyiv is no way connected to the Crocus City Hall mass shooting.

Lets be clear: Ukraine has absolutely no connection to these events, Podolyak said in a Telegram post.

Were fighting a major, full-scale war with Russias regular army, with Russia as a state. Everything will be decided on the battlefield.

CNN later reported that ISIS has claimed responsibility for the terror attack, citing a statement published by ISIS-affiliated news agency Amaq.





On March 8, the U.S. Embassy warned its citizens in Russia about the threat of a terrorist attack in Moscow.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Black voices are always worth paying attention to, particularly within the publishing world. There is such a long, rich history of Black authors using the power of the pen to highlight Black communities unique perspectives and plights worldwide. While some consider the book industry declining, some up-and-coming Black artists are on their way to lending their talents to define our modern existence. Of the many out there, here are five worth paying attention to.

Charmaine Wilkerson

Charmaine Wilkerson commanded readers attention with Black Cake. This evocative story follows two siblings who uncover the mysteries of their Jamaican-born mothers past after her death. Adapted into a Hulu original series garnering critical acclaim, Black Cake is a triumphant debut that marks a pivotal moment for Wilkerson. Her writing prowess and commitment to the nuance of Black storytelling proves shes an author worth keeping on your radar.

Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu

You may not have heard much about Irene Muchemi-Ndiritus Lucky Girl. The novel follows a young Kenyan woman who opts for a new life in New York City over one in her native Nairobi under the iron fist of her extremely religious and controlling mother. A tale that should be in the lexicon of great African-meets-American fiction, Muchemi-Ndiritu encourages powerful and fresh conversations about race, identity and the complexities of the mother-daughter relationship. The novel proves that Muchemi-Ndiritu has a remarkable voice that illuminates Black experiences in thought-provoking ways.

Cicely Belle Blain

Cicely Belle Blain is the poster child for the modern and meaningful relationship between social justice and literature. The British anti-racist activist and poet penned a moving collection of poems, Burning Sugar, in 2020 that explores the experiences of existing in a pre-colonial world as a Black queer person. Their radical and stunning work paints the picture of a complicated world, interweaving the beautiful with the heartbreaking. Their growing body of work hits now more than ever.

Kiley Reid

Kiley Reid, whose debut novel Such a Fun Age earned attention for its organic and addictive exploration of class and race in 2019, dives into messy, complicated and worth-rooting-for characters that make the author deserving of a place on this list. Though her sophomore effort, Come and Get It, was less sharp of a narrative than her first book, Riley has much more to say, and shes worth keeping your eye on.

Ayanna Lloyd Banwo

Interested in escapist reads that translate vibrant worlds to the page? Ayanna Lloyd Banwo is the author for you. Her debut novel, 2022s When We Were Birds, will set your imagination on fire as it tells a love story for the ages set in Trinidad. Her work transports you to another place and another time. Many argue thats writing at its best.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Despite higher prices for a new car, data shows new car registrations are up 9% so far this year in San Diego County compared to the same time last year, according to the New Car Dealers Association (NCDA) of San Diego County.

Five car brands reported the largest percentage of an increase in local sales from December through February alone: Lexus (28.3%), Rivian (21.9%), Land Rover (18.3%), Tesla (15.5%) and Mercedes (14.4%).

State Farm to non-renew 72,000 policies in California

Tesla saw a 33% increase in sales from January to February of this year compared to the first two months of last year, and Polestar, Volvos electric vehicle (EV) brand, saw a 100% increase from the same time period last year.

San Diego car buyers do seem to be leaning more toward EVs and hybrid vehicles this year, as the NCDAs report shows 24.1% of people bought EVs in January through February of this year when compared to 20.7% in the same time period in 2023. It also shows that 14.3% of drivers bought hybrid vehicles in January and February this year compared to only 10.1% in the same time period last year.

These areas in San Diego County are at the highest risk of flooding, data shows

This could be due to a downward trend in EV sales prices. According to Cox Automotive and Kelley Blue Book, the average price paid for an EV in February was $52,314  thats down from $54,863 in January.

Meanwhile, the sales of traditional gasoline vehicles from January through February in San Diego County dropped from 63.5% last year to 55.3% this year.

Toyota and Tesla remained the top two selling brands in the San Diego market in the first two months of this year, with 4,281 and 3,689 total sales respectively. Honda (2,630), Ford (2,020) and Chevrolet (1,436) round out the top five selling cars in San Diego so far this year.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
A fifth teenager has been arrested in connection with a shooting this month that left eight high school students wounded at a transit bus stop in Northeast Philadelphia, police said Thursday.

The 15-year-old, whom CNN is not naming because of his age, served as a lookout during the March 6 shooting and sent photos and descriptions of certain people to others in a nearby car, Philadelphia Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore said.

Police have said the injured students, ages 15 to 17, were at a bus stop just before 3 p.m. on March 6 when three people exited a car around the corner, walked up to them and fired at least 30 times before fleeing.

The newly arrested 15-year-old had been inside a Dunkin Donuts store before the shooting, and was in communication with the people inside that car, which are the four individuals we have previously charged, Vanore said Thursday.

He even said at one point, Im wearing this type of clothing, dont cook me, Vanore said, citing what he said was a text message exchange between the teen and the other suspects.

The 15-year-old was seen on video footage, according to police. He was being held on charges including attempted murder and aggravated assault, police said.

Police say they dont know the motive for the shooting. And investigators are trying to determine whether the arrested teens are connected to other crimes, Vanore said.

We have a lot more evidence to go through, Vanore said. There are other incidents we believe are connected.

CNN has been unable to identify an attorney for the 15-year-old suspect.

The eight victims shot March 6 include two 15-year-olds, five 16-year-olds and a 17-year-old, said Philadelphia police, with one 16-year-old shot nine times.

Arrested earlier this month in connection with the shooting were Jamaal Tucker, 18; Ahnile Buggs, 18; Jermahd Carter, 19; and Asir Boone, 17, authorities said.

Tucker and Buggs are facing charges related to each of the eight victims, Philadelphia District Attorney Lawrence Krasner has said. The charges include criminal attempt to murder, aggravated assault, firearms charges, possession of an instrument of crime, simple assault and reckless endangerment of another person.

Carter and Boone were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, firearms violations and other charges, the US Marshals Service said.

Police identified suspects using evidence that included two stolen vehicles, Vanore has said.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The Justice Department sued Apple this week, claiming the tech giants illegal monopolization of smartphone markets has hiked costs for users, developers, and others.

The DOJ and attorneys general from more than a dozen states accuse Apple of violating antitrust law across its mobile business by withholding key features of its iPhone at the expense of rival developers. The $2.6 trillion company enforces these restrictions through contractual provisions with software developers, their case argues.

For years, Apple responded to competitive threats by imposing a series of Whac-A-Mole contractual rules and restrictions that have allowed Apple to extract higher prices from consumers, impose higher fees on developers and creators, and to throttle competitive alternatives from rival technologies, said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Departments Antitrust Division on Thursday.

At the core of the case is the allegation that because of Apples dominant role as a conduit for business, it has a so-called duty to deal with its competitors. Apple denies this, and such cases face significant hurdles, but if the DOJ wins, it could change how major companies across the economy operate.

This lawsuit threatens who we are and the principles that set Apple products apart in fiercely competitive markets, Apple said in a statement. It would also set a dangerous precedent, empowering government to take a heavy hand in designing peoples technology. We believe this lawsuit is wrong on the facts and the law, and we will vigorously defend against it.

Here are six ways the DOJ says Apple stifles its competition  and Apples defense.

1. The App store

The DOJ and states claim that only apps designed specifically for iPhones can be downloaded through the App Store. That lets Apple set the rules and exert control over outside developers. According to the complaint, Apple wields these rules as a sword to block apps that would erode its monopoly power.

Apple has long called third-party app stores a privacy and security risk.

2. Super apps

The DOJ says Apple has long barred super apps, or platforms that host a broad combination of mini functions out of concern that as users use a super app more, they depend less on the smartphones proprietary software. The DOJ says Apples restrictive policies have throttled developers from offering super apps in the U.S., a move that it says stifles innovation and narrows user choice.

Apple claims that super apps are allowed on its phones, citing WeChat in China and Tata Neu in India, and says they have not proved popular in the U.S.

3. Cloud streaming

For years, Apple blocked cloud streaming gaming apps, which, like Netflix, allow users to stream many different games in the same app. The complaint says that lets Apple protect its monopoly and limit consumer access to content. If cloud gaming was more widely allowed, the DOJ says consumers would be less reliant on Apples pricey hardware.

Apple says it continues to add to the gaming options on iPhones including recent rule changes to allow HTML5 mini apps.

4. Smartwatches

The case says Apple has limited Apple Watches to only function with iPhones, effectively making them exclusive to the iPhone ecosystem and discouraging users from switching to other smartphone or smartwatch brands.

Apple argues that competing smartwatches do work with iPhones. It says it decided to not build an Apple Watch for Android because of security concerns.

5. Digital wallet

Apple forces third-party payment services to use its own digital wallet rather than offering their services in separate apps. This enables it to charge a fee for each transaction, which the DOJ says adds significant costs for banks issuing cards, as well as consumers, businesses and developers. Absent this tight control, digital wallets could work across different devices and also handle subscriptions and in-app purchases, bypassing Apples systems.

Apple says it limits access to the payment chip in its phones for security reasons and that it faces many competing payments companies.

6. The green bubbles

When iPhone users message non-iPhone users, their texts show up as green bubbles in iMessage. Android users also suffer from pixelated videos, unencrypted messages, and a lack of editing features. The DOJ and states argue that Apple has deliberately disrupted cross-platform messaging and avoided creating iMessage for Android, so that customers perceive rival smartphones as inferior.

Apple says it hasnt developed iMessage for other phones because of usability and security concerns, but it is working with standards bodies to improve cross-platform messaging.
(FOX40.COM)  Seven people were taken to the hospital after an ammonia leak occurred at a food facility, according to the Modesto Fire Department.

Officials said firefighters responded to the leak at a facility on Lapham Drive.

When firefighters arrived, they found the facility evacuated with multiple staff members reporting a respiratory irritation from a possible chemical exposure.

Sacramento taco restaurant ordered to pay $180K after it failed to pay overtime rates

Fire officials said seven people were taken to local hospitals and several others were treated at the site.

Officials said members of a hazmat team responded to assist with identifying and stopping the chemical release.

A total of 29 firefighters from Modesto and Stanislaus Consolidated Fire responded to the scene. The Stanislaus County Department of Environmental Resources also assisted in the incident.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
Years before the pandemic, Janice Jackson saw first hand the value of what is now widely known as high-dosage tutoring.

She was the CEO of the Chicago Public Schools when Saga Education, a nonprofit offering in-person tutoring during the school day, had remarkable results with ninth and 10th graders in the city who had fallen behind in math. Students who received the tutoring scored higher on tests, got better grades and passed classes at higher rates.

Right away, I saw excitement from our principals, she told The 74. It was a phenomenal program.

There was one problem: At the time, it cost $2,600 per student. The finances didnt work, she said.

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Three years after she stepped down from her position in Chicago, Jackson chairs the board of Accelerate, a position that grants her a national perspective on K-12 tutoring needs.

Only about 1 in 10 students who need high-dosage tutoring get it, despite evidence of persistent learning loss, according to federal data released last year. To address the challenge, Accelerate recently brought researchers, providers and state leaders to Washington to discuss how to spread effective programs to more students.

Over a day and half, they discussed innovative models, the potential of AI in tutoring programs and the need for clearer data on its impact.

We already have decades of research that shows tutoring frequency matters, the teacher matters, the alignment to curriculum, said Jackson. What we dont know is how to do that in this new learning environment. like virtual and small groups.

Former CPS CEO Janice Jackson (second from left) stood by as former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot discussed the 2019 Chicago Teachers Union strike at City Hall. (Brian Cassella/Getty Images)

But tutoring isnt the only thing on Jacksons mind. As she becomes more prominent nationally, she remains a critical voice on issues facing the district she once led, said Daniel Anello, CEO of Kids First Chicago, an advocacy organization that helps parents understand education policy.

Shes a parent, she went through the system, he said. And from a racial equity standpoint, shes always been very laser focused on ensuring that families that are the most marginalized are centered in decisions.

In December, she spoke up when the districts appointed school board passed a resolution that embraced neighborhood schools but also signaled a desire to move away from school choice.

In an op-ed, she called the resolution wrong and accused the board  appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, a former teachers union organizer  of pursuing an anti-charter agenda.

There is no justification for taking away the rights of parents and putting the interests of their children at risk, she wrote.

In an interview, Jackson said while shes not opposed to neighborhood schools, she feels Chicagos families have been left out of discussions about the future of their district. She also discussed her work as head of Hope Chicago, an initiative that offers free college to low-income students and parents, and elaborated on her vision for expanding high-quality tutoring.

Related

Hope Chicago: A Unique Scholarship That Sends Parents to College, Too

The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

The 74: High-dosage tutoring has become the most-recommended strategy for helping students recover from learning loss. Can you talk about your experience with tutoring in Chicago?

Janice Jackson: The study that everyone cites was the partnership with Saga [a nonprofit that provides high-dosage tutoring in math]. Right away, I saw excitement from our principals. It was a phenomenal program, but it cost us $2,600 per student at the time. The finances didnt work. Today, a lot has transpired in this space, which is why I was attracted to Accelerate. Im excited about being able to do this at scale and cheaper, because thats whats going to make it sustainable. That is what is going to help low-income districts that dont have enough money.

We have about 50 studies underway. To really see whats working allows us to move a little bit faster than education typically moves.

Related

Study: Chicago Tutoring Program Delivered Huge Math Gains; Personalization May Be the Key

At Accelerates recent conference in Washington, there was a lot of talk about how to continue providing students extra support when federal relief funds run out. If you were still running a district, how would you approach that?

Id leverage online and tech tools a lot more than we did pre-pandemic. We did some things during the pandemic because we were forced to, but Ive been out in the field and Ive seen a lot of ways we can leverage technology that arent as dependent on humans. It frees up the teachers and frees up other staff members to do the real work, which is to get in front of kids and families and figure out what its going to take for them to come to school regularly.

I would pay a lot more attention to accelerated learning. We dont talk enough about that. We keep talking about recovery, and that is a huge deal, but we can use technology to accelerate learning. In traditional neighborhood schools, there are always a handful of kids who could take advantage of an incredibly rigorous curriculum. Maybe they cant offer that in the school because of the budget, or maybe they dont have enough students, but you can access that through technology, through districtwide courses.

During a recent Accelerate conference on high-dosage tutoring, Jackson talked to Roberto Rodriguez, assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Education, about the Biden administrations agenda for helping students recover from learning loss. (Accelerate)

Is Accelerate supporting research on the tech side of tutoring as well?

Yes. The thing that really excited me about Accelerate was the idea that we were going to actually research some of these virtual options. Like so many educators, I saw the proliferation of all these tools, and theres a lot of crap out there. Dont make that the headline, but thats the truth. There are some good tools, too. We need to be able to assess that with rigorous evaluation models. I care a lot about education, but I care even more about quality education.

You also care a lot about college access. What are you learning from your work with Hope Chicago?

Our goal is to narrow the economic and wealth gap for Black and Latino families, and we do that by offering them debt-free college. It sounds simple, but why dont we do that in this country? We made a lot of progress in Chicago with college enrollment and college completion. One of the biggest things we learned is that our students and families are more discerning around the financial risk of college than we give them credit for. I remember one student said to me, If I go to college and I dont graduate, Im going to be worse off financially than the person who just sat at home. Thats a very true and smart insight.

With Hope Chicago, weve seen students select more competitive schools, and then we also allow one parent or guardian to go to college with them. Last fall, we had 93 parents enrolled in college.

Related

Hope Chicago: A Unique Scholarship That Sends Parents to College, Too

Are other cities looking at what youre doing?

We havent had anybody else say, Hey, we want to totally adopt this and take it to another place. But I want to be clear, I signed up for this for the opportunity to really disrupt higher education. I think well get free community college, but I would love to see, in my lifetime, free college. The United States is behind in education. What if every state in America had a free four-year option, if you make below a certain amount? That is doable, and I would argue is actually necessary for this country.

At the turn of the 20th century, only about 9% of Americans had a high school diploma. We created a higher education system because America was emerging as a superpower. You needed an educated populace. America is reaching that same inflection point. Were not going to maintain our same global positioning if we continue on the path were going. The demographics of this country are changing. We know in 2045, the majority of the people in America are going to be Latino. But theyre not being educated at the same rate as white Americans.

People would actually go to college in much higher numbers if it wasnt so expensive. This country can afford to do more.

Hope Chicago pays for students and one of their parents to attend college, but CEO Janice Jackson says debt-free higher education should be an option for all low-income students. (Hope Chicago)

As you take on these broader challenges, youre still very connected to the Chicago schools and youve had a lot to say about how the school boards recent resolution affects Chicago families. Why did you write that op-ed?

This is the thing that really angers me. People think its OK to tell poor Black and Latino people where their kids need to go. Nobody would ever question a person of means about where they send their children. Nobody questions white people about where they send their children. But we continue to do this.

Related

74 Interview: Pulling All the Levers  Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson on Getting More Students to and Through College

If we pushed the button today, and everybody had to attend their neighborhood school in Chicago, Black kids would benefit the least from a system like that, and they actually exercise choice at a higher level than any other group. I dont speak on behalf of the entire community, but I am a leader in the Black community, and I feel like its my responsibility to lift my voice up around this issue.

You think the timing is wrong?

Were getting ready to make a decision that literally impacts everybody. If you really believe in participatory democracy and an elected school board, why is an appointed school board making this decision? If people vote for board members and they support this and thats the way it goes, I believe in that.

Lets not pretend like a resolution is not important. I dont know where people can rightfully lift up their voices to say, This isnt right for my community or lets have a discussion.

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In Progressive Breakthrough, Teachers' Union Organizer Elected Mayor of Chicago

Will this resolution hurt enrollment even more?

Black people are leaving Chicago  largely working class and middle class Black people, so that has changed communities in a lot of different ways. We think people arent paying attention. They may not find time to sit on Twitter all day and argue about it, or come to the city council meeting, or come to the board meeting, but what they do is vote with their feet. They just leave.

Janice Jackson (in the back) served as principal of George Westinghouse College Prep High School in Chicago before moving into administration. (Hope Chicago)

Theres a moratorium on school closures until 2025, but its likely closures will take place in the future. How did you approach that process when you were in leadership?

Let me talk about Englewood, because thats indicative of how I think Chicago should deal with enrollment. We had four comprehensive high schools in Englewood that in their heyday, probably had 4,000 students across all four high schools. When we took action, they had maybe [a total of] 400 students. We put out a plan to close those four high schools and consolidate them into one big comprehensive high school and build a brand new building.

A school is the most well-resourced institution in these communities. When you take that away, you need to put something back. Slapping a name change on an existing building is not going to do it. You have to create a new investment and opportunity. Dont get me wrong, they called me every name under the sun, but I worked with the community. I didnt stop showing up. To me, we needed to do that in about seven neighborhoods in Chicago. Ultimately, we didnt start that plan, because COVID happened.

I am against a large-scale closing. It should be planned. It shows respect when you lay out a five- or 10-year plan and people know whats going on.

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Acknowledging Missteps, Jeffco Chief Navigates Devastating School Closures

This resolution, concerns about enrollment loss  its all happening as the city is about to elect school board members for the first time in almost 30 years. How is the community preparing?

If a mom from Englewood ends up on the board, Im all for that. But I just havent seen that happen. Its usually special interests versus the union, or the reform community versus the union, and neither group represents the parents. There should be a media campaign. If you walk down the street in Chicago and ask 10 parents, they probably could not tell you anything about whats coming, and that is a problem.

This is a big change. Parents should be informed, they should be engaged and thats on the city to do that.

Disclosure: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Walton Family Foundation and Overdeck Family Foundation provide financial support to Accelerate and The 74.
DENVER (KDVR)  A group of students at Centennial Middle School are hosting a fundraiser for their health class to help people with food insecurity in Boulder.

Three eighth graders, Maggie Dwight, Tula Delaney and Evi Grabski, are raising money for Meals on Wheels, a nonprofit organization that delivers meals to people in Boulder who are unable to prepare meals or go grocery shopping themselves.

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Food stability is when a person has access to food at all times, when they have food in the pantry or the fridge. While you may think that a lot of people have that and can make meals, that is not always the case, Maggie said. Lots of people in Boulder dont have access to the amazing food we have.

According to a release from Meals on Wheels, one of every eight people in Boulder County are food insecure and need help making meals or buying groceries

The group is hoping to raise $2,000 for Meals on Wheels of Boulder.

They really make an impact on peoples lives and that is why we are raising money for them, Maggie said.

People can donate to the GoFundMe, and all the funds donated will go to Meals on Wheels of Boulder. Meals on Wheels said every donation of any amount will help to make an impact.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
The Ukrainian children who were brought back to Ukraine. Photo: Andrii Yermak on Telegram

On Friday, the Bring Kids Back UA team met five children abducted by Russia: four of them from orphanages, aged 3 to 10 years, and one 12-year-old girl. Four more children had previously been brought back from the temporarily occupied territories.

Source: Andrii Yermak, head of Office of the President of Ukraine, on Telegram

Details: Children who came back from the occupied territories have already visited the Child Rights Protection Centre. There, they told law enforcement officers about the crimes committed by the Russians, which they had witnessed.

It is known that children were forced to go to Russian schools, where they were told that there is no independent state of Ukraine.

Yermak noted that the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children is working and thanked Qatar for its mediation.

Background:

The Russian authorities have developed a "re-education" system for children abducted from Ukraine, attempting to instil in them a "Russian identity", convince them that their parents have died and label them "potential terrorists".

On 20 March, the US House of Representatives approved a bipartisan resolution that condemned the Russian abduction of Ukrainian children.

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Earlier this week, Republican Abe Hamadeh, hoping to succeed Rep. Debbie Lesko in Arizona Congressional District 8, was the beneficiary of a fancy fundraising affair in the locality he would, if elected, represent  Mar-a-Lago.

Hamadeh, the sorest of sore losers, was backed by Donald Trump in his losing campaign for Arizona attorney general. He is backed by Trump again, this time in his run for Congress. Although, just this past January he filed his umpteenth court challenge over his loss to Kris Mayes.

Not that any of his legal follies matter.

Hamadeh isnt really running for Congress. Not in the way many politicians run for office. He doesnt even live in District 8. Hamadeh is running for Congress for the same reason his old pal and losing governor candidate, Kari Lake, is running for the U.S. Senate  to serve Donald Trump.

A crowded field of candidates to replace Lesko

Not the Constitution. Not the United States of America. Not Arizona.

Trump. Period.

Its why Hamadeh, like Lake, happily shuffles off to Mar-a-Lago for a fundraiser where, in Hamadehs case, patrons were hit up for $1,000 to get in, or $3,300 to be what the invitation called a sponsor, or $6,600 to become a member of the host committee, whatever that is.

Trump does not hand out endorsements without expecting blind loyalty. So Hamadeh, like Lake and so many other MAGA candidates, zips down to Florida on command in order to kiss Dear Leaders  ring.

Its a crowded field of candidates trying to replace Lesko in the heavily Republican district.

Interestingly enough, now that she is leaving Washington, D.C., and is no longer under the thumb of the GOP leaders who are under the thumb of Trump, Lesko made her own endorsement for a Republican to replace her.

And it was not Hamadeh.

Lesko endorses a candidate, and it's not Trump's pick

Lesko endorsed Arizona House Speaker Ben Toma.

In a statement she said in part, As a legislator and speaker of the Arizona House, Ben has a proven, conservative track record for getting things done and for standing up for the principles that have made our nation great 

She also took an indirect swipe at Hamadeh saying, Ben Toma lives in our district. He knows our district. He cares about the people that live in our district.

Too bad Lesko didnt demonstrate that slight streak of independence while in Congress. But, thats how it is these days, certainly in our state.

If you are a Republican from Arizona with seat in Congress it does not really matter whether you are meant to represent the entire state or one of our congressional districts.

The shorthand abbreviation that should follow all of their names is exactly same  R, Mar-a-Lago.

Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Hamadeh raises funds at congressional district hed serve  Mar-a-Lago
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  An Abilene man who pleaded to stabbing and killing his grandmother has been sentenced to serve 20 years in prison.

Joel Thomas received his 20-year prison sentence Friday after pleading guilty to Murder in connection to the death of 68-year-old Judi Jones, who was killed inside her apartment on the 2500 block of Alamo Drive in June 2021.

Court documents reveal police were called to the apartment and found Thomas lying on her living room floor, deceased from an apparent stabbing.

Investigators quickly identified Thomas, her grandson, as a possible suspect and located him at a local motel along with his 10-year-old son.

Once transported to the police station for questioning, the 10-year-old son told detectives that as he was leaving the house, he noticed that his grandmother had been into an altercation and was covered with blood in her living room, according to the documents.

The documents also state Thomas admitted to hurting his grandmother, telling police he hit her with a metal microphone stand during an argument until she started bleeding, but he wasnt aware she had died.

He further stated that the blood was coming out in an unbelievable amount like in the the movies, the documents claim.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
After meeting in court on Friday, the Atlantic Coast Conference and Florida State University dont have a ruling.

MORE: ACC sues Clemson after dispute over exit fees

FSU has been searching for a way out of a media agreement, and the final say from a judge could change what lies ahead for the ACC.

But the schools search for answers abruptly stopped after a Mecklenburg County judge said he needed more time before making a decision.

Attorneys representing the ACC faced off against FSUs counsel, both arguing that the other was out of bounds. The member school is working to have the case dismissed, claiming the ACC pushed them to sue first, as a way to stop the school from leaving the conference.

FSUs current contract binds the school to the conference for 12 years; breaking that contract could result in expensive fines.

The ACC raced to the courthouse to file a pre-emptive, pre-mature lawsuit, FSUs attorneys argued.

>>>At 5:30 p.m. on Ch. 9, hear a full breakdown of Fridays ruling sports reporter DaShawn Brown.

(WATCH BELOW: Charlotte to host future ACC tournaments)












Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, has said that oil refineries in Russia are legitimate targets for the Ukrainian military. She added that in this case, Ukraine is acting in accordance with NATO standards.

Source: Stefanishyna at the Kyiv Security Forum

Details: Stefanishyna was asked how the Ukrainian side reacted to the article about the US supposedly calling on Ukraine to stop strikes on Russian oil refineries.

Quote: "The Ukrainian side responded, I think, by mentioning that it was achieving its goals and carrying out very successful operations on the territory of the Russian Federation.

Conversely, there have also been statements from other officials that these are absolutely legitimate targets from a military point of view. We understand the concerns of our American partners. At the same time, we have to make the most of the capabilities, resources and methods that we have.

I would like to remind my colleagues who make such statements that in February 2022, I spoke to NATO headquarters to ask them to turn to the UN, as they are able to enact a no-fly zone over Ukraine.

They said: Olha, you don't understand NATO methods. These NATO methods firstly entail the destruction of infrastructure in [the aggressor country] that makes it possible to bomb [the attacked countrys] cities, such as factories that produce missiles. We are therefore acting in accordance with NATO best practices."

Details: Commenting on the Russian attack on 22 March, Stefanishyna said she expects her partners to provide Ukraine with weapons: "Outrage and condolences are one thing, but we expect weapons first and foremost."

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Action 9 has saved people in our community nearly $500,000 over the last five years. Investigator Jason Stoogenke stays busy, working even harder when the issue doesnt involve money.

Heres a brief look at three issues hes currently keeping an eye on:

Chickens in Concord

You may remember the Celmer family in Concord. Theyve had chickens for years and they say the animals have been great for their son with special needs. But code enforcement recently told them the citys rules dont allow the pets.

They recently went before City Council to ask about changing that.

Our chickens have not only been a source of food and education, but occupational, physical, and mental health therapy, said Sommer Celmer. I dont want this just for us, but for all the citizens of the city of Concord.

Action 9 will continue to follow their story and find out what happens.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Concord family fights to keep chickens for child with special needs

MV Realty

Were hearing more from the real estate company that Stoogenke and our sister stations across the country started investigating in 2022.

As we previously reported, MV Realty would give homeowners fast cash in exchange for exclusive rights to sell their homes for 40 years.

If the homeowner sold their home without using MV Realty during that time, theyd have to pay a penalty of 3% of the value of their home.

Our reporting sparked many changes including the company stopped offering the agreements. In addition, six Attorneys General, including North Carolinas Josh Stein, sued the company. Stein won an injunction against the business so it couldnt charge homeowners the 3% penalty anymore.

But the state Supreme Court put the injunction on hold while it decides whether to hear the case.

Now, the company says the court should shoot down the injunction for good calling the states claims flimsy ... supported by consumer protection rhetoric rather than evidence. Its blaming the Attorney Generals office for siding with the real estate lobby.

PREVIOUS STORIES:

Scribe Technology Solutions

Action 9 spoke with two women last year who said they did transcription work for Scribe Technology Solutions, a medical transcription company. They said the company owed them thousands and had not paid them.

Fast forward to now, when people in Asia saw the news report and emailed Action 9.

They say Scribe owes them money too, about $600,000 combined.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Disappointed: Some say medical transcription company never paid them

Medical Transcriptionist Solomon Kishore said, The payments were cut off, the payments were delayed, the payments were reduced, and that continued to a point where it was like us catching the tail of a tiger. We couldnt let go. At the same time, we couldnt continue to hold on.

Last year, when Stoogenke did the initial report on Scribe, he emailed and called the business, and a lawyer whose name he came across on company documents. He even mailed letters to addresses he found for the head of the company. But no one ever responded.

Stoogenke tried again for this report, but no one has responded.

WATCH PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Concord family fights to keep chickens for child with special needs
The News

On June 11, North Dakota voters will get to decide how old is too old to represent them in Washington. The Congressional Age Limits ballot measure, which would bar anyone from seeking office if theyd be 81 by the end of a term, qualified for an up-or-down vote, despite warnings that a court would inevitably knock it down. Jared Hendrix, the Republican term-limits activist who chairs the campaign, talked with Americana about why hes doing it and why hes hopeful itll stick.

Q&A

Americana: What was the origin of this? How did you settle on 81 as the age limit?

Jared Hendrix: Well, you can look at the age limits that already exist. For most state judges, its 70. The national polling shows support for political age limits starting at 65, but once you get up to 80, the support is just overwhelming. So, we decided to pick a number with overwhelming support.

We understand that people might go on to serve in Congress after theyve had a successful career, and theyre at a point in life where they can try something else. We recognize that people at a later stage in life have a lot of life wisdom they can bring to the table. But if you look at the median age of retirement, its 64. So, our limit is 16 years after the median age of retirement. We think thats reasonable.

Americana: Since , its assumed that any state restriction on federal office seekers is unconstitutional. I already see people saying, hey, this is going to get struck down. Why wouldnt it be, because this is a new Supreme Court?

Jared Hendrix: I cant speculate too much about the courts, but theres certainly a reasonable chance for some type of challenge. We firmly believe that were within our states rights to propose this. Congress could act, but it hasnt, and theres obvious self-interest in why.

Americana: How easy was it to get signatures for this? How excited were people to sign it?

Jared Hendrix: Anecdotally, it seemed to be pretty easy to sell to people. Its just like term limits  theyre not popular with people in political circles who get reelected over and over, into their older years, but theyre popular with average people. Even if someone accepts the argument that term limits are not perfect because bureaucrats will stay in office, thats all the more reason to have age limits because an overall decline in the ability of our representatives, physically and mentally, only strengthens the influence of bureaucrats and Capitol staff.

Americana: How do you think its affected our politics to have this many elderly people in office? You were getting signatures during the senescence of Dianne Feinstein, after Mitch McConnell froze in public, so that drew attention.

Jared Hendrix: I cant see into peoples hearts and minds on why they signed, but look at the results! Were passing on trillions and trillions of dollars in debt. Were getting involved in a lot of overseas conflicts. Were seeing the effect on our veterans suicide rates. Weve got legislators putting in place policies that theyre never going to live under the consequences of. The national debt is going to cripple future generations, but it wont ever affect them.

Americana: Did you look into the possibility of setting an age limit for presidential candidates?

Jared Hendrix: No, I think there are far too many legal questions about that, because youre dealing with a candidate who would be standing for election in multiple states. It was a cleaner, easier, simpler argument to just say were going to deal with North Dakotas three congressional representatives.

Americana: You caucused for Donald Trump this month. Given all these voter attitudes, why do you think we ended up with two presidential candidates wholl be in their 80s by the time their next term ends?

Jared Hendrix: Boy, you could probably have an hour-long discussion on all the reasons why. The short version is that just because people might support a structural reform, like term limits or age limits, it doesnt mean theyll oppose someone whos right for that moment. Thats just being a good critical thinker. But this gets to a very good argument for what were doing. A lot of times, candidates get in and get a significant amount of support, just because they have the power of incumbency and name ID. That really makes our argument for us.
LOGAN COUNTY, WV (WVNS)  West Virginias elk population continues to grow with the addition of more elk to the Tomblin Wildlife Management Area in Logan County.

An announcement was made by Governor Justice that 23 more elk were brought to the Tomblin Wildlife Management Area in Logan County by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). The elk will be assessed and held temporarily, before they are released into the wild.

Construction for West Virginias first Elk Visitor Center to begin in spring 2024

As a lifelong outdoorsman, witnessing the resurgence of West Virginias elk herd brings me immense joy and pride. This achievement underscores our unwavering commitment to preserving our states outdoor heritage and ensuring our abundant wildlife and natural resources are protected for generations to come. Governor Justice

The addition of 23 elk is the last of the planned transports from the WVDNR in 2024, and brings the elk population in the Mountain State to between 140 and 150. All of the elk released in 2024 were brought from the Lakes National Recreation Area in Kentucky.

Photo Courtesy: Governor Justice

Photo Courtesy: Governor Justice

Not only have members of the elk herd been brought to West Virginia, Governor Justice also announced that 60 native elk calf births were recorded by the WVDNR since 2016 when the Elk Restoration Project began.

Our progress in cultivating a robust and sustainable elk herd under the leadership of Gov. Justice is a success story that every West Virginian can be proud of. Each elk release and native birth represents a triumph in our game management strategies, reaffirming our dedication to preserving West Virginias natural treasures for all to enjoy. Brett McMillion | West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Director

The U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture were all a part of the capture and release of the elk.

Governor Justice and WVDNR welcome more elk into the Mountain State

The construction of West Virginias Elk Visitor Center will start in spring 2024 and will include a Tomblin Wildlife Management Area Visitor Center and Elk Viewing Platform.

This state-of-the-art facility is going to be a significant boost to the local economy by bringing thousands of visitors to southern West Virginia while supporting the WVDNRs ongoing elk management efforts to sustain a healthy herd for future generations. James Bailey | Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Commerce, which oversees the WVDNR

The addition of the Elk Visitor Center will bring economic development activity to surrounding areas, and is expected to open in 2025.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
LGBTQ advocacy groups are decrying Tulsa County District Attorney Stephen Kunzweilers announcement that no criminal charges will be filed in connection with the death of Nex Benedict, an Oklahoma high school student who died a day after a fight broke out in the girls bathroom at their school.

Kunzweiler said in a statement Thursday that he did not think charges were warranted, citing an investigation by local police and a report from the Oklahoma Medical Examiners Office attributing Benedicts Feb. 8 death to suicide.

Benedict, who identified under the two-spirit, transgender and gender-nonconforming umbrella, died after ingesting a lethal amount of antihistamines and antidepressants, according to a summary report released last week by the state medical examiners office. The full medical examiners report is slated to be released publicly on March 27.

The district attorney wrote in his statement that police recovered brief notes, written by Benedict, which appeared to be related to the suicide.

Although the notes do not make any reference to the earlier fight or difficulties at school, the parents indicated that Benedict reported being picked upon for various reasons while at school, he wrote.

He added that the fight was an instance of mutual combat and he did not believe the state would be able to sustain its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt if criminal charges were filed.

That decision drew swift criticism from LGBTQ rights groups that said the district attorneys office made the decision even as key pieces of information about the case remain unknown.

Kunzweiler repeats incomplete and premature information about Nexs cause of death. The full autopsy report is not due out until next week, the LGBTQ media advocacy group GLAAD said Friday in a statement. The cause of death is also not a reason to not hold perpetrators accountable for violent behavior including beating Nex unconscious in a public school bathroom and causing Nex to be sent to the hospital.

In body camera footage released last month by police in Owasso, Okla.  where Benedict lived with their grandmother, Sue Benedict  Benedict said they were jumped in a bathroom at Owasso High School on Feb. 7 by three girls they did not know.

Benedict, who used both they and he pronouns, told police in the video that they threw water at the girls after they made fun of the way Benedict and another student dressed, and the girls responded by beating them. Benedict was taken to the hospital immediately after the fight and the following day after collapsing at home.

DA Kunzweilers statement offers no more evidence or insight, instead, it asks us to trust the status quo in believing a set of facts that are so violently in opposition to the lived experiences of 2STGNC+ Oklahomans, said Nicole McAfee, executive director of Freedom Oklahoma, using the acronym for two-spirit, transgender and gender non-conforming people.

We deserve the safety to learn here, to thrive here, McAfee continued in a statement. We deserve truth, transparency, and justice. And true justice does not come from a cop with a law degree. We stand in solidarity with those seeking honest answers to what happened to Nex.

Kunzweilers statement, which does not mention Benedicts gender identity, also refers to Benedict by their deadname, or the name they used before they transitioned. GLAAD in its statement called the move harmful and completely unnecessary.

A statement that deadnames a trans victim as its opening sentence is one that clearly indicates the brand of justice doled out by DA Kunzweilers office  one that does not include or respect Two Spirit, transgender, or gender nonconforming+ (2STGNC+) people, McAfee said.

DA Kunzweilers words do have an impact on tainting public opinion as we await results of independent, ongoing investigations in the weeks ahead, they added.

The Department of Education this month launched its own investigation into Benedicts school district, Owasso Public Schools, at the request of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nations largest LGBTQ rights organization. HRC President Kelley Robinson in a Feb. 21 letter to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said the school district had failed to adequately address sex-based harassment toward Benedict.

Robinson, in a separate letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, called for the Department of Justice to investigate Benedicts death, and the organization has called for additional investigations into the Oklahoma State Department of Education and Ryan Walters, Oklahomas superintendent of public instruction.

More than 350 LGBTQ and civil rights organizations  including HRC, GLAAD and Freedom Oklahoma  last month called on Oklahoma House leadership to remove Walters from his position, alleging the superintendant is responsible for fostering a culture of violence and hate against transgender and gender non-conforming people in Oklahoma.

Walters, who was elected in 2022, has characterized transgender students as a danger to their classmates and has largely embraced education policies that restrict the rights of transgender young people in Oklahoma. In January, Walters appointed Chaya Raichik  the conservative activist behind Libs of TikTok, whose posts often target LGBTQ people  to a state library advisory board.

Robinson reiterated HRCs call for a full and complete investigation into Walters, the state education department and Owasso Public Schools Friday.

Nex was failed by their school, and failed by every elected official who allowed a culture of bullying and harassment to grow unchecked, Robinson said in a statement, responding to Kunzweilers decision not to file charges in the fight involving Benedict.

We wont stop until there is justice for Nex and for all kids  in Oklahoma and beyond, she added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Passengers on the Smartwings.com Boeing 737 MAX 8 arriving from Islamabad via Dubai make their way to the buses at the back of the apron at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER). A group of Afghans with an acceptance letter for Germany landed in Berlin on Thursday evening. Soeren Stache/dpa

A group of Afghans who were assured admission to Germany landed in Berlin late on Thursday under a programme to take in people who could be potentially targeted by Afghanistan's Taliban government.

The flight took off from the Pakistani capital Islamabad, the German migration authorities told dpa on Friday. It did not disclose how many Afghans were on board.

According to the Foreign Office, the passengers were approved for entry to Germany under initiatives to protect particularly vulnerable groups from Afghanistan.

Around 33,000 people have entered Germany since the various admission procedures began after the fall of Kabul to Taliban forces in August 2021, the Foreign Office said.

This includes around 20,000 local workers and their family members. Around 1,400 people were accepted under the federal admission programme, although only 290 people actually entered the country so far.

That programme is aimed at people who are particularly exposed due to their commitment to women and human rights or their work in the fields of justice, politics, media, education, culture, sport or science. It is intended to admit up to 1,000 Afghans per month.

Passengers on the Smartwings.com Boeing 737 MAX 8 arriving from Islamabad via Dubai make their way to the buses at the back of the apron at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER). A group of Afghans with an acceptance letter for Germany landed in Berlin on Thursday evening. Soeren Stache/dpa
KYODO NEWS - Mar 22, 2024 - 06:58 | All, Japan

The U.N. General Assembly on Thursday adopted its first resolution urging members to ensure trustworthiness and safety in using artificial intelligence.

The world body's plenary assembly "stresses the need for the standard of safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems" to promote digital transformation and equitable access to their benefits in order to achieve all the U.N.-set sustainable development goals, the resolution said.

The document, which is nonbinding, also urged U.N. members to "refrain from or cease the use of artificial intelligence systems that are impossible to operate in compliance with international human rights law."

The move came after the assembly adopted a resolution in December that mentioned an "urgent need for the international community to address the challenges and concerns" raised by the development of lethal autonomous weapons systems capable of acting without human judgment.

At the United Nations, AI-related issues have also been discussed at the Security Council and in an advisory panel set up under Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

The United States and Japan were among the U.N. members that led efforts for the assembly to adopt the AI resolution Thursday.

Related coverage:

U.N. chief repeats call for Russia to stop invasion of Ukraine

U.N. assembly votes for Gaza "humanitarian truce"
By Joan Faus and Horaci Garcia

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Tourists arriving at Barcelona's airport or gazing at its iconic Sagrada Familia basilica will this Easter holiday be met with large signs in English that read: "Drought alert. During your stay, save water".

As the impact of climate change intensifies across southern Europe, Spain's Mediterranean region of Catalonia, which includes Barcelona, is enduring its worst drought on record.

Reservoir levels are only around 15% of their capacity, prompting curbs on water use by residents, visitors, agriculture and industry. Beach showers are shut and swimming pools cannot be filled with tap water, among other restrictions.

Catalan officials have appealed for tourists to act responsibly, but are also adamant the drought should not put them off coming to the Spanish city and region most-visited by foreigners, where tourism accounts for 14.5% of the local economy.

"The message from Catalonia's tourism agency and business department to campsites and hotels is one of calm: (People) can enjoy their holidays here as usual," said David Mascort, the regional government's environmental chief.

Barcelona's hotel association warned in February the city could not afford to project an image abroad of hotels with empty pools. Hotels' lobbying prompted the authorities to relax a total ban on filling pools, allowing desalinated water to be used instead.

"Tourists are not scared by the drought and are not aware of it (before arriving)," said the hotel association director Manel Casals. "If we are not careful the image of Barcelona will be impacted (by the drought restrictions) but we are not aware of any negative impact so far. Tourists are still coming."

Tourists visiting Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi's Sagrada Familia confirmed they had known nothing of the water restrictions before seeing the billboards.

"Of course, tourists can expend less water if they are aware of the situation," Finnish traveller Johan Saltin said.

Barcelona's hotels have halved their water use since 2016, according to a recent hotel association study, though five-star hotels still using the most - 242 litres of water per day on average in 2022 - and all hotels represent 9% of the city's consumption. Current water restrictions order residents to use only 200 litres per day.

Tourism over-saturation is already prompting protests by some Barcelona residents, and the drought may exacerbate the issue.

Holding signs that read "Let's close the faucet to tourism" and "Rivers and aquifers without water, hotels' pools full", environmental activists held a protest on Wednesday at Barcelona's tourism agency, demanding restrictions for the sector.

"With the situation we are living, it is indecent that the concern is to (avoid) sending an image of alarm to tourists when the real problem we have is that our territory is drying up," said protester Josep Sabate.

(Reporting by Joan Faus and Horaci Garcia, Writing by Joan Faus; Editing by Aislinn Laing and Alex Richardson)
An Air Force two-star general accused of sexually assaulting a woman last year pleaded not guilty in a military courtroom Thursday.

Maj. Gen. Phillip Stewart, the Air Forces former pilot training boss, faces charges that he assaulted the unnamed woman at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, in April 2023, as well as accusations that he pursued an unprofessional relationship and flew a plane within 12 hours of consuming alcohol. He pleaded not guilty on all charges, Sherry Bunn, one of Stewarts civilian attorneys, told Air Force Times in an email Friday.

Air Force general seeks retirement instead of court-martial

Stewart is only the second Air Force general to face court-martial for sexual assault; his attorneys have argued the sex was consensual. The trial is scheduled to begin June 17 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas.

The two-star general will be tried by a jury of his peers rather than by military judge, Bunn said. A panel of potential jurors has already been selected from the Air Forces 200 or so generals, lieutenant generals and major generals who have served in uniform as least as long as the defendant.

In January, as Stewarts case was headed toward arraignment, he filed paperwork with Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall seeking to retire in lieu of court-martial. Attorneys for Stewart did not respond to a question from Air Force Times on the status of that request.

Air Education and Training Command spokesperson Capt. Scarlett Trujillo declined to answer whether Kendall had approved the retirement, citing the defendants privacy.

Air Force general to face court-martial for sex assault, other crimes

Air Education and Training Command boss Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson fired Stewart last May amid a misconduct investigation. Stewart previously led 19th Air Force, where he oversaw pilot training, 32,000 employees and more than 1,500 aircraft from JBSA-Randolph.

Stewart was charged last September with two counts of sexual assault under Article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice; two counts of dereliction of duty under Article 92; one count of conduct unbecoming of an officer under Article 133; and one count of extramarital sexual conduct under Article 134.

Robinson approved the charges against Stewart following a preliminary hearing in October. Stewart deferred entering a plea when he was arraigned in January.

He faces a minimum sentence of dismissal or dishonorable discharge, or up to 66 years in confinement and forfeiture of pay if convicted.
Jamie Mills was sentenced to death for the 2004 murders of Fred and Vera Hill. (Alabama Department of Corrections)

The Alabama Supreme Court Wednesday approved the execution of a death row inmate for the 2004 murder of a Marion couple.

The justices unanimously granted the motion filed by the Alabama Attorney Generals Office in January authorizing the Alabama Department of Corrections to execute Jamie Ray Mills.

A jury convicted Mills, 50, in 2007 of the murder of Floyd and Vera Hill in Guin. According to court records, Mills and his common-law wife entered the Hills residence on the pretext of making a call. Mills then beat the couple with a hammer and robbed their home.

Mills was sentenced to death by the jury by a vote of 11-1. His appeals to state and federal courts were all denied.

There is no doubt that Mills committed those offenses, the Alabama attorney generals office wrote in a Jan. 29 motion to set an execution date. As set out more fully below, Millss convictions and sentence are final because he has completed his direct appeal, state post-conviction review, and federal habeas review. Accordingly, it is time for this death sentence to be carried out.

The order allows Gov. Kay Ivey to set a date for Mills to be put to death within 30 days. Iveys office had not announced an execution date as of Thursday evening.

Mills would be the first execution since Kenneth Eugene Smith was put to death on Jan. 25, using a novel method of nitrogen hypoxia. Media witnesses said that Smith gasped and convulsed during the execution.

The Alabama Department of Corrections has had trouble recently with carrying out executions using lethal injections. DOC conducted three botched executions in 2022 that led to Ivey ordering a brief moratorium on executions to allow a review.

Several months later Ivey ended the moratorium after receiving a letter from DOC Commissioner John Hamm, explaining that the state had changed the protocol and addressed the problems. DOC did not release any information on how it had done so.

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The post Alabama Supreme Court approves execution of Jamie Ray Mills appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Rep. Ashley Carrick, D-Fairbanks, listens to debate in the Alaska House of Representatives on Thursday, March 21, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Members of the Alaska House of Representatives on Thursday voted to allow Alaska women to receive 12 months worth of birth control at a time from pharmacies.

Thats up from 90 days, the current limit in state law.

House Bill 17, approved by a 29-11 vote, also requires insurance companies to cover prescription contraceptives without a co-payment and requires them to retroactively cover prescriptions if someone signs up for insurance and has an existing prescription.

The bill advances to the Senate, where the measure already has wide support.

Rep. Ashley Carrick, D-Fairbanks, introduced the bill last year and said current law represents a very large barrier, especially in rural Alaska, for women seeking birth control.

While the state allows a doctor to prescribe up to a years worth of birth control at a time, pharmacists are prohibited from distributing more than 90 days worth of medication during a visit. That requires patients to return to the pharmacy multiple times a year.

Speaking in support of the bill, Rep. Jennie Armstrong, D-Anchorage, said that state law allows a man to obtain 12 months worth of Viagra at a time.

Women deserve the same consideration for access to their birth control, she said.

More than half of U.S. states already allow the extended prescriptions permitted under HB 17, according to Kaiser Health News, and many have the bills provisions requiring coverage.

Even with the changes, Alaska will remain worse than the national average on access to birth control.

Thirty-four states and the District of Columbia allow pharmacists to provide a birth-control prescription  something not allowed in Alaska and unchanged by HB 17  and nine states require insurance companies to cover birth control without a prescription.

Passing HB 17 required significant compromises to satisfy skeptical Republicans and represented an accomplishment for a Democratic lawmaker who sits in the Houses minority caucus.

A version of the bill has been introduced in every edition of the Alaska Legislature since 2017. Until now, that first version was the most successful  the House passed it in 2018 by a 21-17 vote, but the Senate never heard it, and it died.

Emergency contraception  the so-called plan B pill  was included in the original version of the bill but removed during the legislative process. Republicans also amended the bill to add additional language that allows religious employers to deny birth-control coverage.

Carrick said those additions were not enough to kill the bill and mostly mirrored existing federal law.

Even with the changes, some Republicans voted against the measure. Rep. Kevin McCabe, R-Big Lake, said he had been inclined to vote for the bill until he saw it was endorsed by Planned Parenthood.

Reps. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, and David Eastman, R-Wasilla, said they opposed the bill because it didnt specifically address abortion-causing medication, something Carrick said is a separate topic.

Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, said he was voting against the bill because of concerns about the costs to medical insurance companies, but that argument was rebutted by Rep. Mike Prax, R-North Pole, who said he had the same concerns until he went and spoke with insurance companies who said that actuarially, it actually saves them money.

Thats because the cost of unplanned pregnancies and births outweigh the cost of the prescriptions, something multiple legislators mentioned.

I see it as a very rural-friendly bill, and I see it as saving money because there are a lot of costs associated with births that are unplanned or unexpected, said Rep. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham.

Rep. CJ McCormick, D-Bethel, said that withholding someones birth control is a form of domestic abuse, and allowing a 12-month supply could address the problem.

Supportive legislators also pointed out the convenience factor allowed by the bill.

When I was on birth control, it was a constant run to the pharmacy, said Rep. Julie Coulombe, R-Anchorage. Ive always lived in urban areas, and it wasnt easy.

Coulombe said she considers herself pro-life, and if someone wants to prevent abortions, one of the best ways is to avoid unplanned pregnancies.

Rep. Tom McKay, R-Anchorage, was another advocate. He said he has four daughters, and it isnt his place to get between a woman and her own health care decisions.

For men to tell women what to do can be really dangerous, and frankly, its kind of an IQ test, he said.

The post Alaska House votes to remove some obstacles for birth control prescriptions appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Almost 1.5 million Ukrainians experienced power outages as a result of a mass Russian strike against Ukraine on March 22, according to Oleksii Kuleba, the deputy head of the presidential office.

Russia launched over 150 drones and missiles against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure in what has been called "the largest mass attack on Ukraine's energy grid" throughout the full-scale war.

Residents of eastern regions were affected the most. Kharkiv and the surrounding settlements experienced the worst outages, with around 700,000 people without power as of late morning, Kuleba said.

Around 250,000 residents were left without electricity in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, 200,000 in Odesa Oblast, and 110,000 in Poltava Oblast. Zaporizhzhia, Kirovohrad, Vinnytsia, Sumy, and Khmelnytskyi oblasts were also affected.

Repairs have been ongoing since Kuleba's announcement made at 10:30 a.m. local time. At around 1:15 p.m., the state-owned energy company Ukrenergo said that the power supply had been restored in all regions except Kharkiv, Odesa, Khmelnytskyi, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts.

"As a result of the largest mass attack on Ukraine's energy grid, an emergency shutdown had to be implemented in the morning during the attack," said Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, the head of Ukrenergo, in a comment for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).

Energy facilities have been damaged in several regions, most notably Zaporizhzhia's Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant. At least three people have been killed and 26 injured in the attacks across the country.

"The enemy launched one of the largest attacks on the Ukrainian energy sector in recent weeks," Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko wrote on Facebook.

"The goal is not just to damage it, but, just like last year, to cause a large-scale disruption in the country's energy system." Russian forces launched a campaign of mass strikes against Ukraine's power grid in late 2022 and early 2023 but failed to put it out of action.

Read also: Zaporizhzhias Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant hit amid Russian attack on energy infrastructure

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Disgraced former South African president Jacob Zuma

This is the former president of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma, in his prison uniform, queue for food with fellow inmates in a South African Prison. We must take our democracy to this level if we truly want accountability and good governance (sic), reads the caption of a post shared on March 18, 2024, by Nigerian veteran singer Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy.

A screenshot of the misleading post, taken on March 21, 2024

AFP Fact Check has previously debunked claims by Charly Boy (here and here).

The post has been shared more than a thousand times. The image shows a group of South African prisoners, Zuma purportedly being the one circled in green.

AFP Fact Check first debunked the image in 2021, the same year Zuma went to prison.

Imprisoned leader

Zuma served as president from 2009 to 2018 when he was forced out following a series of graft scandals.

In June 2021, he was sentenced to jail for 15 months after refusing to testify before a panel probing financial sleaze and cronyism under his presidency (archived here).

He started serving his term early in July 2021. The following month, he was admitted to the hospital for an undisclosed condition before being granted medical parole in September of the same year.

In November 2022, an appeals court found the release was illegally granted and ordered Zuma back to the Estcourt Correctional Centre in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province (archived here).

South Africa's prison service, which had granted Zuma's conditional release, appealed the decision, but the bid was dismissed by the Constitutional Court in July 2023.

In August 2023, Zuma was ordered to return to jail but he immediately benefited from a remission of sentence for non-violent offenders, approved by President Cyril Ramaphosa (archived here).

However, the post is misleading; the original image does not feature Zuma in prison.

Pollsmoor Prison

A reverse image search followed by a keyword search revealed that the original version of the picture was taken in Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town, South Africa, in October 2002 during a visit to the facility by former correctional services minister Ben Skosana.

The photo was taken by AFP photographer Anna Zieminski.

The original AFP photo, in which Zuma does not appear ANNA ZIEMINSKI AFP

Also, Zuma served his partial sentence in Estcourt Correctional Centre in Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal and not Cape Town in the Western Cape.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Besides his 2021 contempt of court conviction, Zuma is facing separate charges of corruption in an arms procurement scandal dating to the late 1990s, when he was deputy president.

Following the failure of his first special plea in October 2021, the Pietermaritzburg High Court dismissed Zumas latest application to have state advocate Billy Downer removed as the prosecutor in his arms deal corruption trial (archived here and here).

Zuma was suspended from the governing ANC on January 29, 2024, for backing the fledgling MK party, which takes its name from the apartheid-era paramilitary wing (archived here).

The MK party has also announced the 81-year-old Zuma as its presidential candidate in the elections in May.
FIRST ON FOX: Three college students' long-awaited spring break in Cancun, Mexico, turned into a nightmare when they were confronted at their beachfront hotel and robbed at gunpoint.

A father of one of the Florida State University students, who asked not to be identified, told Fox News Digital that his 20-year-old daughter's spring break vacation at the Ocean Dream Cancun by Guru Hotel turned into a nightmare.

"I researched it before they went there," he said. "It was a safe place to go. They didn't go into the inner city."

But on the very first day of their trip, his daughter and her two friends were confronted at the beach by four individuals armed with rifles.

SPRING BREAK DANGERS: 5 AMERICANS WHOSE VACATIONS ENDED IN DEATH

The father explained that two of the individuals were dressed in camo gear, while the other two were dressed in Mexican police gear.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The four individuals pointed rifles at the three girls, accused them of trespassing, and presented them with three options.

"You can go to the airport and leave the country before going to get your belongings. Or you can go to jail, and it won't be comfortable," the father said his daughter was told. "Or you can each give us $300 apiece."

The girls chose the third option, turning over $900.

The armed robbers allowed one of the girls to run back to their hotel room and bring back the money.

After they were let go, the girls were shaken by the experience.

"They were scared," he said. "They had rifles in their faces."

BLOODIED SUSPECT IN MISSING AMERICANS' CARIBBEAN YACHT HIJACKING TOSSED IN TRUCK DURING ARREST, VIDEO SHOWS

After the incident, the students said that they spoke with other spring breakers, who shared they had similar experiences.

"I think that is something that happens all the time there," the father said. "They saw American kids checking in, and they know they have money."

People enjoy a day at Playa Delfines (Dolphin Beach) at the Hotel Zone of Cancun, Quintana Roo State, Mexico, on Nov. 8, 2022.

Nicole Parker, a former FBI special agent and a Fox News contributor, told Fox News Digital that this is a relatable story for many spring breakers and families traveling to the white-sand beaches and crystal-blue waters in Mexico.

"I think this is a typical story, these students just wanted to have fun, and then it turns," Parker said. "And the fact that others at the hotel had similar experiences is worth remembering."

COUPLE VACATIONING IN FLORIDA ARRESTED AFTER BEING FOUND PASSED OUT ON BEACH, CHILDREN GONE

"Just be very, very aware," she added.

Tourists pose for a picture in front of a Cancun sign in Playa Delfines (Dolphin Beach) at the Hotel Zone of Cancun, Quintana Roo State, Mexico, on Nov. 8, 2022.

The former FBI special agents advised Americans traveling to Mexico to take safety precautions beforehand.

"My advice is to follow the travel advisories issued by the State Department at state.gov and register with the State Departments Smart Traveler Enrollment Program when traveling outside the continental U.S.," Parker said. "If a travel advisory is strongly worded by the State Department but doesn't cross the line of saying, Do Not Travel, then a traveler should heed the warning and understand that various factors go into that warning. And if the travel advisory definitively says, Do Not Travel or Reconsider Travel, then, do not travel and if you do not heed the warning and travel anyway  then do not expect anyone to come save you and make sure you have travel insurance such as emergency medical evacuation."

Parker said that people traveling to Mexico should research the resort or hotel they are staying at and identify the closest U.S. consulate.

"If you are a USA citizen and ever become the victim of a crime overseas, make sure to contact the closest USA consulate immediately. Additionally, report the incident to the FBI at fbi.gov or 800-CALL-FBI as they have extraterritorial squads that can assist host nation with conducting investigations. Additionally, the FBI has Legal Attaches (Legats) around the world that coordinate efforts with the local authorities of the host nation," she said.

"When you go to these places, you really are traveling at your own risk," Parker said. "I would always advise people to research where they are going."

In February, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico issued a stark warning to spring breakers.

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The warning, issued Feb. 26, noted that "violent crime  such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery  is widespread and common in Mexico."

The warning also detailed 10 potential threats and dangers, some of which have nothing to do with violence , but are things Americans might not even think about, such as drowning, immigration or medical emergencies.

Specific travel advisories issued by the U.S. State Department for Mexican states and cities can be found here.

Fox News has reached out to the U.S. State Department, the Mexican embassy in the U.S. and Ocean Dream Cancun by Guru Hotel for comment.





Original article source: American college students on spring break trip confronted with 'rifles in their faces,' given three options
Sen. Bob Menendez, R-N.J., said Thursday that he will not run for re-election as a Democrat. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

March 21 (UPI) -- New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez said Thursday he will not run for re-election in the Democratic primary for his seat, but he did not rule out the possibility of running as an independent candidate.

"I will not file for the Democratic primary this June," Menendez said. "I am hopeful that my exoneration will take place this summer and allow me to pursue my candidacy as an independent Democrat in the general election," Menendez, who is facing bribery and obstruction of justice charges, said in a video posted online.

During his video, Menendez reminded viewers of his legislative track record but later acknowledged that many of his constituents are frustrated with him.

Menendez had faced calls to resign, including from a number of his Senate Democratic colleagues, as a result of the charges.

Menendez allegedly took steps to benefit the governments of Egypt and Qatar and help several New Jersey businessmen in exchange for gold bars, cash, a luxury car and Formula One Grand Prix race tickets, authorities say.

Menendez has repeatedly denied the charges, arguing that he is being persecuted by prosecutors. He said he will prove his innocence.

He stepped down as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last year when he was initially charged but has rejected calls to resign his Senate seat.

"They would deny me due process and undermine the fundamental principle of our law, that in America, you are innocent until proven otherwise by a jury of your peers," Menendez said in a floor speech.

This is not the first time that Menendez, who has served in the Senate since 2006, has faced legal troubles.

He was charged in 2015 with conspiracy, bribery and honest services fraud relating to allegedly abusing the power of his office.

Prosecutors said then that the senator accepted more than $600,000 in political contributions, a luxurious hotel suite at the Park Hyatt in Paris, and free rides on a private jet from a wealthy ophthalmologist, Dr. Salomon Melgen, in exchange for political favors.

That case first resulted in a mistrial and then a judge acquitted Menendez on some of the charges. Eventually, the rest of the charges were dropped, too.
KYODO NEWS - Mar 22, 2024 - 19:19 | Japan, All

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako on Friday met evacuees and observed the effects of a powerful earthquake in their first visit to central Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture since the disaster struck on New Year's Day.

The imperial couple's one-day trip to the prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast covered the hard-hit cities of Wajima and Suzu, where more than 200 people lost their lives including those who died of disaster-related causes following the magnitude-7.6 temblor.

After arriving at Noto airport by plane on Friday morning, the emperor and empress took a Self-Defense Forces helicopter to Wajima and later to Suzu, on the tip of the Noto Peninsula.

In Wajima, they bowed their heads in front of the burned rubble where the city's Wajima morning market once stood.

The couple also visited a local evacuation center still hosting around 100 people, where they were seen kneeling down to ask evacuees about their health and lives at the center. They also thanked disaster responders.

The Jan. 1 quake registered the highest level of 7 on Japan's seismic intensity scale in Wajima.

More than 240 people have died in Ishikawa Prefecture as a result of the disaster, data from the prefectural government shows.

Related coverage:

Japan emperor mourns quake victims, hopes to visit disaster-hit areas

FEATURE: Noto quake cold deaths spark hypothermia public awareness drive

Japan emperor, empress to visit quake-hit Noto Peninsula
William Bill Brownsberger is the new president of Saint Martins University, the Lacey college announced Friday.

Brownsberger has been serving as the vice president of academic affairs and workforce solutions at Mountain Empire Community College in Virginia. He starts at Saint Martins July 1.

He will replace two interim co-presidents and former president Jennifer Bonds-Raacke, who served as president for about a year. After her departure in August 2023, former longtime president Roy Heynderickx returned in an interim capacity. He has shared the interim co-president duties with Father Kilian Malvey.

Dr. Brownsbergers experience at other Catholic colleges and universities will be an asset at Saint Martins University as we continue our 128-year tradition of providing a uniquely Catholic Benedictine education, said Abbot Marion Nguyen, chancellor of Saint Martins, in a statement.

We welcome Dr. Brownsberger and his family to our academic community and look forward to the next chapter of our universitys future with his leadership and vision.

At Mountain Empire Community College, Brownsberger manages division finances and engages with students and other stakeholders in the academic affairs of the college. Before that he was the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas, where he led the colleges fundraising efforts and managed the budget as well as faculty workloads and scheduling, according to a news release.

His financial experience will be put to use as Saint Martins faces shrinking enrollment and a budget deficit for its next fiscal year. As part of that process, the university has alerted some faculty that they do not have a guaranteed teaching position after the 2024-2025 school year.

The presidential search committee consisted of 15 representatives from Saint Martins Abbey, faculty, staff, students, Board of Trustees and the Archdiocese of Seattle.

Entrusted with the mission of finding a president capable of guiding Saint Martins towards greater financial stability and academic distinction, the committee sought individuals with strategic foresight and a commitment to transparent servant leadership, the universitys news release reads.

Hes a great candidate, said David Price, a longtime professor of sociology and anthropology at the school. I think the faculty really liked him. He will bring needed hope.

We are hopeful that the new president will reverse these faculty terminations and work with faculty to make positive changes to the university, Jamie Olson, a professor of English, said on Friday.

Brownsberger earned a doctorate in sacred theology and his licentiate in sacred theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. He earned a master of arts in theology from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and his bachelor of arts in philosophy from the University of Dallas.

I look forward to working with the talented faculty, staff, administration, trustees, and monks toward a bright future of service to students in the Pacific Northwest and beyond, he said in a statement.

Bonds-Raacke has resigned from her post as Saint Martins Universitys president

Facing a $6.2 million budget shortfall, Saint Martins rolls back raises. Faculty arent happy
By Mike Scarcella

(Reuters) - The U.S. government's antitrust lawsuit against Apple draws on the watershed 1998 case that broke Microsoft's stranglehold on desktop software, but that may prove to be an imperfect blueprint for addressing smartphone competition.

The market for the iPhone today looks very different from the near-monopoly enjoyed by Microsoft's Windows operating system two decades ago, and the government as a result may face a tougher time in taking on Apple, legal experts said.

The Department of Justice, along with 15 state governments, accused Apple of unlawfully monopolizing the smartphone market through restrictions on app developers that curb choice and innovation, which it said forces consumers to pay higher prices.

Apple said the government is wrong on the facts and law.

The government has to prove that Apples business practices were exclusionary and harmed consumers by degrading the quality of rival products, according to several legal experts.

The government accused Apple of suppressing technologies that would have increased competition among smartphones in five areas: so-called "super apps," cloud streamed gaming apps, messaging apps, smartwatches and digital wallets.

One example the government gave is familiar to anyone who texts from an iPhone to a user of an Android phone  the dreaded "green bubble" that results in hindrances such as grainy photos sent by text that don't apply when texting between two phones using Apple's iOS operating system.

Antitrust enforcers said Apple was rapidly expanding its influence and power in industries including content creation and financial services.

By comparison, Microsoft was accused of abusing its market dominance to impede users from freely installing software on computers using the companys operating system.

That might sound similar to Apple's control over the app store, but legal experts said there are important differences.

Apple can contract with whom it wants and design products as it sees fit, legal experts said.

It becomes a problem when a company with monopoly power takes steps to lessen short-term profit in order to keep rivals out in the longer term, said Douglas Ross, an antitrust scholar at University of Washingtons law school.

The fundamental assumption DOJ seems to have is that Apple must cooperate with its rivals to allow rivals to compete with Apple," Ross said. "That has antitrust law backwards."

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Microsoft was forced to open its operating system because it controlled 95% of desktop operating systems in the 1990s. By comparison, Apple had 55% of the North American market for smartphones at the end of September based on shipments, with the rest largely made up of phones using Google's Android operating system, according to Canalys, a market analysis firm.

The Justice Department seeks to define the market as that of smartphones in the United States. Apple representatives said they will try to persuade the court to define the market as the global smartphone market.

Apple and rival Samsung Electronics each had about a 20% market share globally in 2023, though Apple beat Samsung slightly on shipments, Canalys data showed.

Microsoft "clearly was a monopolist and there were no effective competitors in the PC operating system space," Ross said. On the other hand, Android is very popular, especially in the rest of the world, and is a very effective competitor with iOS.

Ross predicted it would be harder for the Justice Department to prevail against Apple than it was in the Microsoft case.

Some of these allegations have been touched upon before in court.

In 2021, in an antitrust case brought by "Fortnite" creator Epic Games, a federal judge found after a trial that Epic failed to prove that Apple users were "locked-in" to their iPhones and would not switch to Android devices.

Of course, government attorneys know these differences and still brought the case.

Legal experts said that reflects the viewpoint within the DOJ and the Biden Administration's Federal Trade Commission about challenging cases.

They are happy to take on the risk of a really big case, said plaintiffs' lawyer Patrick McGahan, whose firm is involved in litigation against Apple.

Litigator Melissa Maxman in Washington said the Microsoft case changed the tech landscape and lauded the government's lawsuit as a step toward greater competition in the smartphone market.

"If you open up the market for other competitors to get in you will see prices go down and quality go up," Maxman said. "That's exactly what was said in Microsoft  and guess what, it was true."

(This story has been refiled to fix a typo in paragraph 11)

(Reporting by Mike Scarcella; Editing by Tom Hals and Jamie Freed)
The Labour deputy leader addressed accusations about her tax affairs in an interview with BBC Newsnight

Angela Rayner has told the BBC she is the victim of a "smear" and has received professional advice that she owes no tax on the sale of her home.

Labour's deputy leader was speaking in her first broadcast interview since claims emerged that she may have owed capital gains tax on the 2015 sale of a property in Stockport.

Ms Rayner told Newsnight there had been "no wrongdoing" and "no unlawfulness".

She continued: "It is a non-story manufactured to try and smear me."

Claims about Ms Rayner's tax affairs first emerged in a biography by former Conservative Party treasurer Lord Ashcroft.

It raised questions about whether a house she previously owned was her principal residence at the time, a distinction which could have had an impact on how much tax she owed when it was sold.

Ms Rayner bought the former council house in Vicarage Road, Stockport for 79,000 in January 2007.

In September 2010 she married Mark Rayner, who owned a separate house nearby in Lowndes Lane.

She has described her Vicarage Road home as her "principal house" but said she did spend time at her husband's home.

In March 2015, two months before she became an MP, Ms Rayner sold the Vicarage Road property for 127,500, a gain of 48,500. The couple separated in 2020.

Earlier his month, Greater Manchester Police said there was no evidence that any offence had been committed after Conservative MP James Daly asked them to investigate if she had given false information.

Ms Rayner told the BBC: "I've been very clear there's no rules broken. They [the Conservatives] tried to manufacture a police investigation.

"They [the police] said there's no issues there. I got tax advice which says there was no capital gains tax. It's a non-story manufactured to try and smear me."

Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner

Ms Rayner acknowledged that she commissioned professional tax advice recently after the claims about the house sale emerged.

She said: "I was a home care worker, you know, I didn't have an accountant. I had, as most people would: you put your house on the market, you get a legal conveyancing solicitor and you get an estate agent.

"But since those allegations were put to me, I got expert tax advice to make sure that I hadn't done anything wrong."

The tax expert Dan Neidle has estimated that Ms Rayner could be liable for a Capital Gains Tax bill of 1,500. In a Sunday Times article he suggested Ms Rayner could have avoided a tax bill if she met one of two conditions:

By jointly nominating with her then husband her Vicarage Road property as their main residence. HMRC rules state that married couples and civil partners "can only count one property as their main home at any one time".

Spending 15,000 or more on home improvements on the Vicarage Road home before selling it.

The Labour deputy leader acknowledged that at the time of the sale of her house in 2015 she was not aware of the HMRC rules cited by Mr Neidle, which state married couples or civil partners can only count one property as their main residence.

Ms Rayner told Newsnight: "No, I wasn't aware of the HMRC rules when I sold that property.

"As I say, I sold it as most people would put it on the market, got the solicitor and the estate agents, etc. since those allegations were put to me, the tax laws on capital gains tax and principal private residency, etc. is very complex, including marriage.

"I got that advice that is categoric that I do not owe any capital gains tax on that."

Asked whether she had met one of the two conditions outlined by Mr Neidle, Ms Rayner declined to answer those points in detail. She insisted she owed no tax.

She continued: "I think what Dan was saying and he acknowledged that, look, she could owe nothing, actually, because the rules are complex and these are various different ways to which it's calculated.

"But I got back that expert advice because if I did owe any capital gains tax, I would have said and I would have paid it.

"But I don't owe any capital gains tax because of the circumstances. And I've gone through that with a tax expert, and they've given me that advice."
The Philipsburg-Osceola Area and Bald Eagle Area school districts have announced they will dismiss students early on April 8 for the total solar eclipse.

P-O sent out a letter to families on Friday notifying them of a 1 p.m. dismissal time that was planned to not coincide with the astrological event. Bald Eagle Areas district posted a Facebook message Saturday that said it would dismiss the elementary buildings at 11:35 a.m., and the middle/high school 10 minutes after that. The solar eclipse is expected to take place from 2:04 to 4:32 p.m., overlapping with the school days typical dismissal time.

The change at Philipsburg-Osceola was made to support both student and staff safety, Superintendent Daniel Potutschnig wrote in the letter. Solar eclipses can cause severe eye damage if viewed without special solar protection glasses.

These safety issues are not only concerns for our bus drivers and school staff, but also for our high school students who drive to and from school, Potutschnig wrote.

Bald Eagle Area wrote on over social media, Lets ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all during this celestial event!

The two districts are the the second and third Centre County school districts, respectively, to opt for an early dismissal on April 8, along with State College Area. Saint John Catholic School in Bellefonte will also dismiss students early that day.

Penns Valley Area School District is planning on doing supervised viewings with students after receiving solar protection glasses through a partnership with Penn State professor Christopher Palma.

What is a total solar eclipse?

Generally, a solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, projecting a shadow back on the Earths surface. These shadows can briefly block out the suns rays for a brief time.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth and, if the path is positioned precisely, completely blocks out the face of the sun for those back on Earth who are located in the center of the moons shadow. Partial solar eclipses are much more common and occur when the sun, moon and Earth are not completely aligned.

According to NASA, a total solar eclipse can darken the sky as if it were dawn or dusk.

Centre County lies outside the path of totality for the eclipse, but NASA projects obscuration of at least roughly 95%. To browse maps and projections of the eclipses path through NASAs Scientific Visualization Studio, visit svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/5123.

Reporter Matt DiSanto contributed to this report.
Republican Representative Mike Gallagher announced Friday that he will leave Congress in just a few weeks, leaving his partys majority in the House in its most precarious position yet.

Screenshot of a tweet from Mike Gallagher

Gallaghers departure will leave House Republicans with 217 seats in the chamber, compared to Democrats 213. The GOP has already struggled to pass any legislation, and Gallaghers resignation means the GOP now has just a one-vote majority. That number is likely to shrink even more in coming months as more Republican lawmakers leave early.

Gallagher was seen as a rising star in the Republican Party. A four-term lawmaker, he was chosen to lead the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. Republicans also viewed the young Wisconsin representative as their best shot to unseat Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin.

But Gallagher had been at odds with his party on several key issues recently. He rejected the conspiracies that the 2020 election had been rigged, and slammed the January 6 insurrection as banana republic crap (although he ultimately voted against impeaching Donald Trump).

Crucially, in a stunning upset, Gallagher voted against impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in February.



I whipped no for over a month, Gallagher said at the time, explaining he was worried his caucus didnt have the votes to pass articles of impeachment and would just embarrass itself by plowing ahead.

Gallagher made his announcement the same day that Representative Ken Buck, one of the few other Republicans to oppose impeaching Mayorkas, leaves Congress. When he announced his early retirement last week, Buck had hinted that more Republican resignations were imminent.

I think its the next three people that leave that theyre going to be worried about, Buck said. Two more to go.

This article has been updated.


An advocacy group opposing former President Trumps reelection is launching a six-figure ad campaign to promote former Vice President Mike Pences decision not to endorse his old boss and two-time running mate.

Republican Voters Against Trump, which is backed by the Republican Accountability PAC, is pushing a digital ad and billboards to highlight Pences refusal to back Trump in Novembers election.

Mike Pence knows Donald Trump better than anyone else. And he knows how dangerous a second Trump administration would be. Mike Pence is putting country over party. And we will, too, the 15-second digital ad says over footage of the two men appearing together, as well as a clip of Pence saying he wont endorse Trump.

The ad will play digitally for one week in the battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Billboards featuring Pences quote that he wont be endorsing Trump will go up in major cities in the same states, including in Phoenix, Atlanta, Detroit, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, and Grand Rapids, Mich.

Pence, who ran an unsuccessful primary campaign against Trump that ended last October, announced last week he would not endorse his old boss. He cited their divisions over the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, as well as Trumps policy positions on abortion, government spending and banning TikTok.

Look, Im incredibly proud of the record of our administration. It was a conservative record that made America more prosperous, more secure, and saw conservatives appointed to our courts in a more peaceful world, Pence said. But that being said, during my presidential campaign I made clear there were profound differences between me and President Trump on a range of issues.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
In remarks on the floor of the House of Representatives on Friday, US Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez warned of imminent, weaponised famine in Gaza and the unfolding genocide against Palestinians by Israel, urging Congress to suspend the transfer of US weapons in an effort to prevent further atrocity.

The Democratic congresswoman from New York amplified warnings from humanitarian aid groups as more than one million people in Gaza are at famines door, a crisis that she said is being intentionally precipitated through the blocking of food and global humanitarian assistance by leaders in the Israeli government.

This is a mass starvation of people, engineered and orchestrated, following the killing of another 30,000, 70 per cent of whom were women and children, she said. There is hardly a single hospital left. And this was all accomplished, much of this accomplished, with US resources and weapons.

If you want to know what an unfolding genocide looks like, open your eyes, she added.

It looks like the forced famine of 1.1 million innocents. It looks like thousands of children eating grass as their bodies consume themselves while trucks of food are slowed and halted just miles away. It looks like good and decent people who do nothing or too little too late.

Earlier this week, progressive House members condemned a bipartisan spending bill that blocked US funding for the primary humanitarian agency operating in Gaza until 2025.

Ms Ocasio-Cortez told The Independent that cutting critical funds to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees would be unconscionable. Israel has accused the agency of having ties to Hamas, prompting a wave of cuts to the UN agency among Western countries, even as Israel and investigative bodies have yet to produce evidence.

There is no world in which the forced famine of 1.1 million people cannot be considered genocide. And that is exactly what we are watching unfold in Gaza now.



We must enforce U.S. laws and halt weapons transfers to the Israeli government to stop an atrocity in the making. pic.twitter.com/N40Jk3yKc7  Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@RepAOC) March 22, 2024

UNRWA has provided a critical lifeline of food, water and shelter in Gaza since Israel launched its retaliatory campaign in the aftermath of October 7, when Hamas militants killed roughly 1,200 people and took another 250 people hostage.

In the months that followed, Israel Defense Forces have killed more than 30,000 Palestinians, including more than 13,000 children.

President Joe Biden also has validated that figure. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in meetings with members of Congress, estimated the death toll to be 28,000.

A boy stands next to canned food in Rafah in the south of Gaza on 22 March (REUTERS)

A recent report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification initiative confirmed that famine in Gaza will likely occur before May of this year unless a ceasefire is implemented.

UN secretary general Antonio Guterres called the IPC report an appalling indictment of conditions on the ground.

This is an entirely man-made disaster and the report makes clear that it can be halted, he said from UN headquarters in New York this week.

Gazas entire population of roughly 2.2 million people faces acute levels of food insecurity, and half of the strips population  more than one million people  will experience famine levels of hunger by July, according to the report.

Israel is facing a complaint of genocide from South Africa at the UNs top court, and Israel also is the subject of a provisional emergency ruling to admit life-saving aid into Gaza.

On Friday, China and Russia vetoed a US resolution at the United Nations Security Council supporting an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the latest in a line of failed ceasefire resolutions, including three vetoes from the US.

The latest measure declared the imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire, but the resolution was not legally binding. It did, however, mark the first time the US had backed any UN resolution urging an immediate ceasefire.

Russias deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyansky said ahead of the vote that Moscow would not be satisfied with anything that doesnt call for an immediate ceasefire.

Humanitarian aid parcels attached to parachutes are airdropped from military aircraft over Gazaon 21 March (AFP via Getty Images)

The measure urged an immediate and sustained ceasefire in Gaza with an urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance to all civilians and lifting all barriers to delivering aid.

It is against United States law to provide weapons to forces who block United States humanitarian assistance. And that is exactly what is happening right now, Ms Ocasio-Cortez said in her remarks on Friday.

The proposed construction of a US military-supported port to allow for aid to flow into Gaza under Israels blockade will be too late, she said.

The time is now to force compliance with US law and the standards of humanity and fulfill our obligations to the American people to suspend the transfer of US weapons to the Israeli government in order to stop and prevent further atrocity, she added.
Children wearing traditional outfits wait before performing songs during a show of traditions for Masnytsia, a holiday that originates in pagan times, celebrating the end of winter, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, March 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

March 1521, 2024

Children in traditional outfits wait before performing songs in Bucharest, Romania. Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, casts her vote at the Russian Embassy in Berlin, and Nigeria Muslims offer prayers at the central mosque in Lagos. People view a new Banksy painting on a wall in London, and Theo the robot works weekdays, weekends and nights while Icelandic horses sleep on straw at a stud farm near Frankfurt.

This gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published in the past week by The Associated Press from Europe and Africa.

The selection was curated by Athens photographer Petros Giannakouris.

___

Follow AP visual journalism:

AP Images blog: http://apimagesblog.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnews

AP Images on X: http://twitter.com/AP_Images
Worshippers dressed in white gather before the Pyramid of the Sun as part of the Spring Equinox celebrations, in Teotihuacan, Mexico, March 21, 2024. Each year the Pyramid of the Sun and the adjacent Pyramid of the Moon draw thousands of pilgrims to the pre-Hispanic ceremonial and trading centre, northeast of Mexico City. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

March 15-21, 2024

Thousands of spring equinox worshippers gathered around Mexicos giant Pyramid of the Sun. Working in intense heat deep inside Colombian mountains, women chip at boulders in search of emeralds. A 7-year-old Brazilian environmental activist is spending some of her summer weekends collecting garbage in the waters off Copacabana beach and teaching conservation methods to other children.

This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The selection was curated by photo editor Anita Baca in Mexico City.

____

Follow AP visual journalism:

AP Images blog: http://apimagesblog.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnews

X: http://twitter.com/AP_Images
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  An Abilene man was accused of having child sexual abuse materials. He was arrested Thursday.

The press release from the City of Abilene and the Abilene Police Department:

On Thursday, March 21, 2024, the Abilene Police Department arrested 26-year-old Daniel Munoz of Abilene on one count of Second Degree Felony Possession of Child Pornography with Intent to Promote. Officers served a warrant at the home of Munoz in the 2400 block of South 41st. Evidence was confiscated that contained child pornography.

The police department asks that anyone with any other information regarding Daniel Munoz contact the Abilene Police Department at 673-8331.

This investigation is ongoing.

Munoz is in the Taylor County Jail on a second degree felony charge of Possession with Intent to Promote Child Pornography. His bond is set at $40,000.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
With many turns the Yellow River flows from afar, rushing down through the narrow valley between the Zhongtiao Mountains and the Xiao Mountains on its way to the distant sea.

The Central Plain, bred by the Yellow River, is enclosed by the Taihang Mountains in the north, the Han and Huai rivers in the south, the Funiu Mountains in the west, and the terrain of Shandong in the east. Yu the Great, a legendary emperor famed for introducing flood control, divided the world into Nine Regions. Among them, the Central Plain, called "the Region of Yu", is also referred to as "the Central Region", as it is located in the center of the Nine Regions.

The boundless fertile land in the Central Plain was where the ancestors of remote antiquity lived. Descendants of the Yan and Yellow Emperors multiplied here, leading to the formation and development of the Chinese nation. It was initially referred to as "the Central Kingdom", as early states established their capitals here, exerting power over territories in all directions and receiving tributes from all neighboring chieftain-states. It was the core area of unified dynasties, enjoying highly-developed politics, economy and culture.

Among the world's ancient civilizations, Chinese civilization is the only one to have persisted uninterrupted until today. And the Central Plain stands as the best-preserved part of Chinese civilization.

The Central Plain is the birthplace of oracle inscriptions, the earliest form of Chinese scripts excavated from the Yin Ruins.

The Central Plain gives rise to Chinese philosophy, where the Book of Changes and Taoist doctrines of Lao Tze were created.

The Central Plain testifies to the origin of surnames of Chinese people that originated from the Yan and Yellow Emperors.

The Central Plain saw the founding of the Xia dynasty, the first dynasty of China that established capital in the area between the Yellow River and the Luo River.

The Central Plain gave birth to Chinese Civilization. For thousands of years, it served as the capital for more than twenty dynasties. Ancient capitals of Luoyang, Kaifeng, Zhengzhou and Anyang are dotted across the Central Plain, leaving behind remnants of city walls and rich cultural legacies. The world-famous ancient Silk Road started from Luoyang and extended into the expanse of the Eurasian Continent. The Central Plain culture has embraced and interacted with all other cultures throughout history, exhibiting and sustaining the vigor and vitality of the Chinese nation.




KYODO NEWS - Mar 22, 2024 - 14:02 | All, Japan

A Japanese district court rejected Friday compensation claims by 144 unrecognized sufferers of the Minamata mercury-poisoning disease against the state and others.

The Kumamoto District Court recognized 25 of the plaintiffs, who have not been eligible for relief payments under a special law, as victims of the disease, but did not award them compensation, citing the expiry of a 20-year statute of limitations for their damages claims.

The ruling contrasted with a judgment by a different court in a similar case that ordered payments to the plaintiffs after acknowledging them all as victims.

The neurological disease, formally acknowledged by local health authorities since 1956, has been traced to mercury-tainted water dumped into an inland sea by a Chisso Corp. chemical plant in Minamata, Kumamoto prefecture in southwestern Japan.

The plaintiffs, who said they developed sensory disorders after eating fish from the sea, claimed damages from the state, Kumamoto Prefecture and Chisso.

They argued it was unjust they were not covered by the 2009 special measures law because of their age and residential records.

The law restricts the eligibility in principle to those born before 1969 -- a year after the government recognized Minamata disease as caused by industrial pollution and stopped water discharges -- and residents of nine designated areas in Kumamoto and neighboring Kagoshima prefectures. It pays recognized victims a lump sum of 2.1 million yen ($13,900).

Application for the relief measures closed in July 2012, around two years after the special law took effect, raising concerns that many might have missed the deadline.

The defendants argued that the plaintiffs had not received mercury exposure significant enough to cause Minamata disease and that their symptoms could have been caused by something other than the condition. They also noted the elapsing of the statute of limitations.

Friday's ruling marked the second among similar lawsuits filed at Tokyo, Osaka, Kumamoto and Niigata district courts by a total of over 1,700 plaintiffs.

The first ruling, handed down by the Osaka District Court in September 2023, had ordered the state, Kumamoto Prefecture and Chisso to pay a total of 352 million yen in damages to 128 unrecognized sufferers of the Minamata disease. The state, prefecture and Chisso as well as some plaintiffs have appealed the ruling.

Related coverage:

Japan couple urges fight against mercury at Minamata treaty meeting

Japan court orders compensation to 128 unrecognized Minamata victims
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Detectives with the Austin Police Department asked for assistance identifying a woman suspected of robbing a Dollar General store Sunday in south Austin.

APD said the incident occurred at approximately 10 p.m. in the 9600 block of Menchaca Road.

According to police, the suspect pointed a handgun at the clerk and stole an undisclosed amount of cash from the register.

Police described the suspect as a 50 to 54 Black woman between the ages of 25 to 35 and weighing approximately 200 to 250 lbs.

APD said she was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black head-covering underneath the hood, black pants, black shoes, white socks and a white/silver and black backpack. Police said she was also armed with a black and silver handgun.

Anyone with information related to the incident was asked to contact APDs Robbery unit at 512-974-5092. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.

A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for any information that leads to an arrest.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
April's total solar eclipse promises to be the best yet for experiments

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP)  Aprils total solar eclipse promises to be a scientific bonanza, thanks to new spacecraft and telescopes  and cosmic chance.

The moon will be extra close to Earth, providing a long and intense period of darkness, and the sun should be more active with the potential for dramatic bursts of plasma. Then theres totalitys densely populated corridor stretching from Mexico to the U.S. to Canada.

Hundreds if not thousands of the tens of millions of spectators will double as citizen scientists, helping NASA and other research groups better understand our planet and star.

Theyll photograph the suns outer crownlike atmosphere, or corona, as the moon passes between the sun and Earth, blotting out sunlight for up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds on April 8. Theyll observe the quieting of birds and other animals as midday darkness falls. Theyll also measure dropping temperatures, monitor clouds and use ham radios to gauge communication disruptions.

At the same time, rockets will blast off with science instruments into the electrically charged portion of the atmosphere near the edge of space known as the ionosphere. The small rockets will soar from Wallops Island, Virginia  some 400 miles outside totality but with 81% of the sun obscured in a partial eclipse. Similar launches were conducted from New Mexico during last Octobers ring of fire solar eclipse that swept across the western U.S. and Central and South America.

Time for the biggie! It is pretty exciting!!! Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Universitys Aroh Barjatya, the rockets mission director, said in an email.

NASAs high-altitude jets also will take to the air again, chasing the moons shadow with improved telescopes to study the suns corona and surrounding dust.

Dust sounds boring, acknowledged NASAs eclipse program manager Kelly Korreck. But at the same time, dust is actually really interesting. Those are the leftover remnants from when the solar system was forming.

More than 600 weather balloons will be launched by college students along the track, providing livestreams while studying atmospheric changes. Cloudy skies shouldnt matter.

Lucky for us, the balloons flying to 80,000 feet and above dont care if its cloudy on the ground, said Angela Des Jardins, an astrophysicist at Montana State University whos coordinating the nationwide project.

And if the Federal Aviation Administration approves, a 21-foot (6.5-meter) kite will lift a science instrument three miles (5 kilometers) above Texas in an experiment by the University of Hawaiis Shadia Habbal. She, too, wants to get above any clouds that might hamper her observations of the sun.

Normally hidden by the suns glare, the corona is on full display during a total solar eclipse, making it a prime research target. The spiky tendrils emanating thousands of miles (kilometers) into space are mystifyingly hotter than the suns surface  in the millions of degrees, versus thousands.

In terms of the value of total eclipses, science still cannot explain how the corona is heated to such extreme temperatures, said retired NASA astrophysicist Fred Espenak, better known as Mr. Eclipse for all his charts and books on the subject.

The U.S. wont see another total solar eclipse on this scale until 2045, so NASA and everyone else is pulling out all the stops.

Aprils eclipse will begin in the Pacific and make landfall at Mazatlan, Mexico, heading up through Texas and 14 other U.S. states before crossing into Canada and exiting into the Atlantic at Newfoundland. Those outside the 115-mile-wide (185-kilometer-wide) path, will get a partial eclipse.

Scientists got a taste of whats to come during the 2017 total solar eclipse that stretched from Oregon to South Carolina. This time, the moon is closer to Earth, resulting in more minutes of darkness and a wider path.

Any time we can observe for longer, that gives scientists more data, Korreck said.

Another scientific bonus this time: The sun will be just a year away from its maximum solar activity, as opposed to 2017 when it was near its minimum. That means lots more action at the sun, possibly even a coronal mass ejection during the eclipse, with massive amounts of plasma and magnetic field blasted into space.

Plus there are two new spacecraft out there studying the sun: NASAs Parker Solar Probe and the European Space Agency and NASAs Solar Orbiter. Theyll join other spacecraft on eclipse duty, including the International Space Station and its astronauts.

Closer to home, Aprils eclipse, unlike previous ones, will pass over three U.S. radar sites typically used for monitoring space weather. The stations will tune in to whats happening in the upper atmosphere as the skies dim.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
A man accused of shooting and killing his longtime friend during an argument is now charged in his murder, Alabama authorities say.

Raheem White, 27, of Pleasant Grove was arrested in connection with the shooting death of Byron McNeal Jr., 28, after turning himself in to police, the Birmingham Police Department said Thursday, March 21.

Investigators said White fatally shot McNeal on March 19 after the lifelong friends got into some sort of dispute. Officers were alerted to the shooting at about 4 p.m. and arrived to find a man lying unconscious in the street.

The injured man, identified as McNeal, was taken to UAB Hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.

Police Chief Scott Thurmond spoke about the shooting at a news conference addressing a recent spate of violence rocking the city.

He was shot and killed by a lifelong friend due to an argument, Thurmond told reporters, adding: This was the second argument that the victim and suspect had had on this day.

White reportedly shot McNeal from a vehicle, police said.

He remained in custody at the Jefferson County Jail without bond as of March 22, online records show.

4-year-old shoots himself after finding gun under pillow before his nap, cops say

Thief shoots through adoption centers door and steals 3 puppies, Georgia shelter says

19-year-old dies when shes shot at crowded party, NC cops say. 2 others injured
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is seeking an immediate takeover of the troubled Heritage Village assisted living facility in Mesa, alleging that its current owners and managers endangered vulnerable adults and committed consumer fraud, according to a lawsuit she has filed.

Citing reporting from The Arizona Republic as an impetus to a state investigation, Mayes filed the suit naming more than 20 defendants, including Madison Realty Companies  the company that manages Heritage Village  and Linde Leibfried, the facilitys executive director.

The lawsuit asks Maricopa County Superior Court to immediately transfer the management of Heritage Village to a court-appointed receiver  a third-party individual whose job it would be to bring the facility into full legal compliance and prevent the revocation of the facility license by the state health department, according to the lawsuit.

If facility management ultimately is proven liable for elder abuse, its owners would have to sell not only Heritage Village but their Vision Senior Living centers in Apache Junction and Mesa as well.

The events of the past several months demonstrate that the ownership and management of Heritage Village are unwilling and/or incapable of complying with the laws protecting the vulnerable adults in their care, most of whom pay Heritage Village thousands of dollars per month to reside there," court documents state.

Last fall, The Republic revealed Heritage Village had racked up more citations than any other assisted living center in the state with nearly 150 over three years. The investigation exposed injuries, sexual assaults and deaths largely among residents with dementia.

Facility leadership insisted they were turning things around during The Republic's investigation. But state inspectors found 48 more citations after that. In January, the state health department informed Heritage Village that it intended to revoke its license, according to Mayes lawsuit.

Mayes launched an investigation after a state inspection. According to the lawsuit, her team found Heritage Village:

Attempted to cover up the fact that it didnt have required documentation for residents who cant walk  even with assistance  by creating those documents only after the state demanded them.

Concealed more than 100 citations from public view by relicensing itself. If a member of the public searches for Heritage Village in the states search tool, only the 56 citations associated with the facilitys new license show up under regular settings.

Peppered its website with reviews copied and pasted from other unidentified sites. Some reviews were written by people with business and personal connections to the facility, like a person who appears to be the executive directors husband.

Mayes wants to prevent Heritage Village from losing its license entirely because that would leave more than 150 residents and their families scrambling to find them new homes. Moving can cause major trauma for people with dementia.

A receivership would allow residents to remain but receive quality care, Mayes said in an interview with The Republic and azcentral.com. Existing management would be out and the receiver would assess which caregivers were qualified to stay.

Mayes said she believes it's the first time an Arizona attorney general has ever asked for a receiver to take over the operations of a nursing home or assisted living facility.

Its long overdue, she said. When repeated fines and agency punishments are not enough to deter predators who maximize profits at the expense of elderly citizens, the job of protecting our most vulnerable falls on the attorney general.

A judge could respond to Mayes request within 10 days to a few weeks.

An Investigation by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com revealed how Heritage Village Assisted Living in Mesa, Arizona, continued to make mistakes that endangered residents after a woman with dementia killed her roommate there more than three years ago.

Heritage Village responds to attorney general's lawsuit

Heritage Village said in a statement Thursday that it continues to work with state regulators to correct deficiencies. It noted that it fired the previous management company in mid-2022, tightened security and hired more employees including some coordinators trained in medication disbursement.

We respectfully disagree with the contention that the health and safety of any Heritage Village resident is at risk, the statement said. We are fully committed to complying with the extensive laws and regulations impacting assisted living, and to ensuring that Heritage Village becomes a model for assisted living in the state of Arizona.

Gary Langendoen, managing director of Madison Realty, has pointed to a new on-site medical office as one of the measures to improve the facility. Langendoens firm acquired Heritage Village in 2017.

But Mayes said he's had seven years to improve the facility and hasn't turned anything around.

I think its important to note that the doctor they hired is a defendant in my lawsuit, she said.

Madison Realty Companies, with offices in Denver and Pasadena, has acquired and managed more than $6 billion in real estate across 30 states, according to JRW Investments, a company that evaluates investment opportunities.

An undated video on its now-defunct website talked up the fact that seniors come with money from life insurance proceeds from spouses and the sales of their homes. Langendoen said in the video that his investors like senior assisted living projects because theres more demand than supply.

Mayes told The Republic that caring for the elderly is one of the most important duties of our society, not a side hustle for property flippers.

Assisted living facilities like Heritage Village should be run by qualified healthcare providers who adequately staff their operations and train their employees, not by real estate speculators seeking to maximize profits, Mayes said.

Lawsuit: Facility attempted to cover up lack of documentation

Under Arizona regulations, an assisted living facility can accept non-ambulatory residents  those who cannot walk by themselves or with assistance  only if those residents physicians certify in writing that the facility can provide the necessary level of care.

Heritage Village had 39 such residents. For 31 of them, the certifications the facility provided the state were signed by medical providers after the date the state demanded those forms.

Almost all those certifications were signed by the same three physicians. When the state interviewed those providers under oath, they said they signed the forms without understanding what they were signing or looking at resident service plans.

I honestly dont really read it. I just sign it, one of them said, according to court documents.

Another said he had never been to Heritage Village and didn't know his patients lived there.

As of this month, a quarter of the vulnerable adults living at Heritage Village cant walk even with assistance, the complaint states. Most of them still haven't had an evaluation by a doctor who has looked at their care plans and can assess whether or not the facility is capable of meeting their needs.

"When faced with a choice between bringing the facility into substantial compliance with Arizona law or merely generating paperwork that creates an illusion of compliance, Heritage Village chose the latter option," the complaint reads.

"Despite their long history of failing to comply with state law, including over 170 ADHS citations and tens of thousands of dollars in previous civil penalties, Heritage Village continues to put the health, safety and well-being of their vulnerable adult residents at risk."

Heritage Village told The Republic that it doesn't knowingly admit or house any residents it can't appropriately care for. The facility said it receives every resident's medical records, verified by a physician, before they're admitted and that secondary reviews for some residents should have been completed.

"Any mistakes in that regard have since been remedied," the facility's statement read.

Errors continue after Republic investigation

In her lawsuit, Mayes also is seeking monetary penalties  restitution for the exorbitant amounts Heritage Village charges its residents and their families while providing dangerously substandard care, according to court documents.

After The Republic's investigation reported severe medication errors, inadequate staff and building safety issues in October, state surveyors found similar problems continued.

Among many problems, surveyors found that Heritage Village:

Did not document a resident's fall that landed them in the hospital.

Hired caregivers that didn't complete required training.

Left some residents without a bell or intercom to call for help.

Gave one resident 150% of their prescribed medication, while another received double medication. Other residents' medication was skipped for weeks.

Left a gate in the fence around a facility patio unlocked, so residents could leave with caregivers none the wiser.

Families of former residents respond

The daughters of some former residents who suffered at Heritage Village responded to the news of Mayes' lawsuit with tears.

Im overwhelmed. Im trying to keep it together, said Kanji Matsunaga, whose mother was attacked by another resident in 2022. I really want to believe my mom was part of this lid being blown off.

Michele Bixbys mother spiraled into crisis mode after an employee skipped her medication. Her mother, who had severe dementia, pulled her roommate off the bed, which ended up killing the roommate in 2019.

Im still dealing with some of the depressions of that. You put your mother somewhere where you think theyre going to take really good care of her because the place looks nice and you see everything functioning and then this happens, Bixby said. And then you find out about all these other people.

Reach Sahana Jayaraman at Sahana.Jayaraman@gannett.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, @SahanaJayaraman.

Reach Caitlin McGlade at caitlin.mcglade@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, @caitmcglade.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Attorney general wants receiver to take over Heritage Village in Mesa
In the latest of a series of challenges by Pima County politicians to Arizona's relatively robust protections for self-defense rights, county supervisors earlier this month voted to penalize gun owners who don't quickly report the loss or theft of a firearm to police. Each violation would draw a potential fine of $1,000, seemingly putting the county once again on a collision course with Arizona law, which bars localities from imposing firearms regulations more restrictive than those enacted by the state.

Deadline and Penalties for Victims of Gun Theft

"Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to fail to report to a local law enforcement agency the knowing loss or theft of a firearm," reads the ordinance proposed by District 1 Supervisor Rex Scott after two pages of throat-clearing justification for the legislation, mostly involving thwarting access to guns by people legally barred from ownership. "The report of a loss or theft of a firearm pursuant to section A must be made in the jurisdiction in which the loss or theft occurred and within forty-eight hours of the time the person knew or reasonably should have known that the firearm had been lost or stolen."

The text originally provided for a fine of "$300.00 for each violation," but that was changed to "up to $1,000 for each violation" on the advice of County Attorney Laura Conover. The revision seems to put the ordinance, which passed by a 41 vote, even more at odds with state law than it already was.

"A political subdivision of this state shall not enact any rule or ordinance that relates to firearms and is more prohibitive than or that has a penalty that is greater than any state law penalty," according to statutes. "A political subdivision's rule or ordinance that relates to firearms and that is inconsistent with or more restrictive than state law, whether enacted before or after July 29, 2010, is null and void."

On its face, that clearly preempts Pima County's efforts. But the county, and its seat of Tucson, have a history of authoritarian windmill-tilting attacks on Arizonans' self-defense rights.

Local Gun-Phobes Keep Trying and Losing

"The city of Tucson and the state of Arizona are once again at odds on how to regulate the sale and use of firearms," the Arizona Daily Star's Kathryn Palmer reported in 2021. "The city has long attempted to enforce gun laws stricter than the state's, which have included mandating background checks for guns purchased on city property and destroying seized firearms."

That year's challenge was a symbolic declaration that the city won't abide by the state's status as a Second Amendment sanctuarya matter to be tested if the federal government tries to impose gun restrictions state officials refuse to enforce. But the issue was more serious in 2017 when the Arizona Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Tucson couldn't implement an illegal scheme for the destruction of confiscated weapons when state law generally requires their sale. Faced with the loss of tens of millions of dollars in state-shared revenue as a penalty, the city ended its program.

In 2013, two Tucson firearms laws, including one requiring people to report the loss or theft of a gun or suffer penalties, were ruled unenforceable by then-Attorney General Tom Horne (now the Superintendent of Public Instruction).

"Horne said Tucson cannot require people to report the loss or theft of a gun to police because it relates to the possession or transfer of firearms," Howard Fischer of Capitol Media Services reported at the time. "And Horne said the $100 civil penalty for failing to report a missing gun conflicts with another law that bars gun ordinances that have a penalty greater than what exists in state law."

That law so closely resembled the new Pima County ordinance that it would seem destined for the same fate. I reached out to Supervisor Scott for comment as to why he thought his legislation might survive challenge (I also contacted the County Attorney's Office which had not responded as of press time.); Scott's office responded with a copy of the passed law, presumably to let it speak for itself.

Self-Defense Advocates Strike Back

"Supervisor Scott is right, the law does speak for itself," Media Coordinator Charles Heller of the Arizona Citizens Defense League (AzCDL), which advocates for self-defense rights, told me (full disclosure: I'm a member). "It speaks to deprivation of civil rights under color of law."

Heller went on to detail the decades-old history of largely unsuccessful Tucson-based efforts to restrict Arizonans' freedom to own and use firearms, dating long before the examples cited above. He predicted a brief lifespan for the Pima ordinance. Already, people are lining up to make that span as short as possible, as was predicted by District 4 Supervisor Steve Christy, the sole vote against the measure.

The new Pima County firearms "ordinance directly conflicts with at least two provisions of state law," warns a March 18 letter to the Board of Supervisors from the Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation at the Goldwater Institute, which represents the AzCDL in this matter.

"Indeed, the Arizona Attorney General's Office previously issued an Opinion finding nearly identical provisions of a City of Tucson Ordinance unlawful," the letter continues, with reference to the 2013 opinion by then-Attorney General Horne. "Based on the foregoing, we demand that the Board immediately repeal Ordinance 2024-2, no later than at its April 2, 2024 meeting. If the ordinance is not repealed by that date, we will seek all legal remedies available to our clients."

A Law That Undermines Itself

It's worth noting that it's unclear how Pima County would enforce this ordinance against those who don't report lost and stolen firearms. Arizona doesn't have firearms registration, which is specifically prohibited by state law. That means Pima County is unlikely to be able to link recovered firearms to their source unless owners supply descriptions and serial numbers when reporting them missing. That's required by the ordinance, but it's a step that would likely be taken by any honest owners seeking the return of propertyunless, of course, they're worried that gun-phobic authorities might penalize them for not making a report quickly enough under some dishonestly determined 48-hour timeframe.

The ordinance has the very real potential to discourage reporting of missing and stolen guns by owners skeptical of county officials' intentions.

Hopefully, that will remain an unexplored unintended consequence of the law when it meets the same fate as so many of its predecessors that also conflicted with Arizona protections for self-defense rights.

The post Arizona County Again Defies State Protections for Self-Defense Rights appeared first on Reason.com.
The shooting took place close to the Arizona-Mexico border. [Getty Images]

The trial of an Arizona rancher accused of murdering a migrant on his property is due to begin as American voters increasingly focus on issues at the US-Mexico border.

George Alan Kelly, 75, shot and killed the 48-year-old Mexican national on his ranch in January 2023.

His lawyers allege he shot into the air and feared for his family's safety.

Arizona lawmakers have introduced a bill that would allow property owners to shoot trespassers.

Court documents say that Mr Kelly was having a meal with his wife on 30 January 2023 when he spotted a group of five camouflaged men moving through his cattle ranch near Nogales.

His lawyers claim that he was frightened at the time and shot into the air, rather than directly at the migrants.

But prosecutors allege that Mr Kelly recklessly fired an AK-47 rifle at the migrants from a distance of about 295 ft (90m), striking and ultimately killing Mexican citizen Gabriel Cuen-Buitimea. The other migrants escaped unharmed and fled back towards Mexico.

Mr Kelly rejected a plea deal in January that would have seen the charge reduced to negligent homicide in exchange for a guilty plea.

Second-degree murder carries a maximum penalty of 22 years in Arizona. The trial is expected to last a month.

The controversial trial begins just weeks after conservative Arizona lawmakers in the state's House passed legislation that could allow property owners to kill or threaten to kill people using their property to enter the US.

The bill does not specifically mention migrants, but Republican Justin Heap - who sponsored the legislation - said in a February hearing that it would create a legal loophole to help ranchers facing "an increasingly large number of migrants or human traffickers".

Arizona's Democratic Governor, Katie Hobbs, has vowed to veto the bill if it makes it to her desk.

Phoenix representative Analise Ortiz, told NBC last month that the legislation would mean it was "open season on migrants" in Arizona.

"It would give people free rein to execute somebody and it would broaden extrajudicial killings," she said.

Arizona's existing "Castle doctrine" allows property owners to use deadly force only to defend themselves or another person from harm. The current law requires that the intruder to be in a residence or other structure in which people live, rather than on their wider property.
An executive for the Little Rock, Arkansas airport was killed in a shootout with federal agents on Tuesday amid a weapons sales probe, authorities have said.

Bryan Malinowski, 53, who was executive director of Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, was shot at his home after he opened fire at federal agents who arrived to serve a warrant at around 6am on Tuesday morning, officials said.

The 53-year-old died on Thursday, his family said, after being shot in the head.

An ATF agent was also shot and suffered non life-threatening injuries, according to state police.

Following the shootout, search warrant records unsealed on Thursday showed federal agents obtained a warrant as part of an investigation into Mr Malinowski for allegedly selling firearms without a license.

The investigation began in November when authorities in Canada received a photo of firearms from a confidential informant and after visible serial numbers showed they were bought by Mr Malinowski, according to an affidavit.

Investigators alleged that Mr Malinowski had bought more than 150 guns from May 2021 to 27 February this year, including AR-style pistols, and shipped them to a business that is redacted in the affidavit where he picked them up.

The affidavit alleges that he filled out ATF Form 4773, which warns that a gun cant be for someone else and that the repetitive purchase of firearms in order to sell them for a profit without a licence is illegal, before the weapons were handed over to him.

The document also accuses Mr Malinowski of selling guns, including at gun shows. At one show, he was allegedly seen selling firearms to a customer without asking for any ID or paperwork.

Investigators said he told an undercover agent that because they were private sales, no paperwork was needed.

According to the affidavit, filed by an agent with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, six guns were later recovered in the commission of a crime, and undercover ATF agents bought three others at gun shows.

One of the guns cited in the affidavit was found on a 15-year-old Norteno gang member in California in 2022, the document added.

In a statement released on Thursday, Mr Malinowskis family said that they have endured an unspeakable tragedy and one that is almost impossible to understand.

They also questioned why the ATF conducted what they characterized as a raid on a private home that led to the gunfire.

Even if the allegations in the affidavit are true, they dont begin to justify what happened, the family said, adding: At worst, Bryan Malinowski, a gun owner and gun enthusiast, stood accused of making private firearm sales to a person who may not have been legally entitled to purchase the guns.

The family said they are now waiting for all the facts to come out.

In the meantime, we ask that the public and the media respect our privacy.

Mr Malinowski was an executive director at Little Rock airport where he worked for 16 years.
Bryan Malinowski, the Arkansas airport executive injured in a shootout with federal agents serving a search warrant at his home earlier this week, died Thursday, his employer confirmed.

The 53-year-old allegedly opened fire as agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives attempted to serve the warrant at his home in Little Rock shortly after 6 a.m. on Tuesday, with one agent suffering non-life-threatening injuries. Law enforcement returned fire, hitting Malinowski. His brother said Malinowski had been shot in the head.

Arkansas Airport Executive Shot During Wild Firefight With Feds

Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, where Malinowski had worked for 16 years, confirmed in a statement that he died Thursday. Under his leadership, our airport has experienced significant growth and success, expanding services and offerings to our community and state, said Bill Walker, chair of the Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Bryans wife, Maer, loved ones and friends.

A redacted affidavit released Thursday alleged that Malinowski had purchased more than 150 guns between May 2021 and February 2024 and hed subsequently resold many of the firearms without a dealers license, according to KARK-TV. About six of the guns he allegedly sold were recovered in the commission of a crime, according to the affidavit, while another three were sold by Malinowski to undercover agents at gun shows.

Malinowski had bought the guns legally and checked boxes on purchase forms indicating that the weapons were for himself, the document states. He would then resell them through gun shows, sometimes within as little as 24 hours.

The affidavit claims Malinowski sold guns to several subjects without asking for any identification or paperwork and allegedly told one undercover agent expressing interest in a purchase: Cash, no paper.

A statement released Thursday by Malinowskis family through a spokesperson said his loved ones do not understand the governments decisions which led to a dawn raid on a private home and triggered the use of deadly force, according to Arkansas Times. The family said they are obviously concerned about Malinowskis alleged wrongdoing, but even if the accusations are true, they dont begin to justify what happened.

At worst, Bryan Malinowski, a gun owner and gun enthusiast, stood accused of making private firearm sales to a person who may not have been legally entitled to purchase the guns, the statement added. The family called Malinowskis death an unspeakable tragedy and one that is almost impossible to understand and said their thoughts and prayers are with the ATF agent injured in the shootout.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Attorney General Tim Griffin has announced Thursday that his office is initiating an investigation of Change Healthcare, Inc., a unit of UnitedHealth Group after a cyberattack of unprecedented magnitude.

Griffin said that the attack violates the Arkansas Personal Information Protection Act and the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and his office is investigating to determine whether the confidential medical information of Arkansans was compromised.

Additionally, my office will look into whether Change Healthcare used reasonable security procedures and practices to protect this information as required by Arkansas law, Griffin said.

UnitedHealth says it has made progress on recovering from a massive cyberattack

Change Healthcare provides technology used to submit and process insurance claims. It handles about 14 billion transactions a year and works with claims from several insurers.

The company said last month that the ransomware group ALPHV, or Blackcat, gained access to some of its information technology systems.

The massive health care hack is now being investigated by the federal Office of Civil Rights

Griffin said that the ransomware attack has disrupted billing and healthcare information systems across the country and has threatened hospitals ability to care for patients and pay physicians.

Protecting Arkansans personal information and holding organizations accountable for data breaches are two of my responsibilities under Arkansas law, Griffin said.

UnitedHealth said Monday that it is expanding temporary funding to support doctors and other care providers affected by the attack.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
WALDRON, Ark.  Deputies with the Scott County Sheriffs Office have requested the Arkansas State Police to investigate a deadly Wednesday evening shooting.

Deputies said that they responded to a call at approximately 5:45 p.m. to a home located on AR-250 where they found 69-year-old Russell Lewellen shot multiple times.

Arkansas State Police investigating two claims of improper use of force by law enforcement

Lewellen was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

SCSO deputies said that they arrested a 34-year-old Waldron man who is being held at the Scott County Detention Center and is facing a charge of first-degree murder.

Lewellens body has been transported to the Arkansas State Crime lab to determine his cause of death.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- China stands ready to continue to play its unique role and contribute China's wisdom and strength to seeking a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, said Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs Li Hui on Friday in Beijing.

Li made the remarks at a briefing on the second round of shuttle diplomacy on the Ukraine crisis to diplomatic envoys to China and representatives of Chinese and foreign media.

During his visit to Russia, Ukraine and other relevant European countries, Li said that he had in-depth exchanges with all parties on how to realize an early ceasefire and promote the political settlement of the crisis.

"All parties appreciate China's shuttle mediation efforts and expect China to play a greater constructive role," Li said, adding they agree that China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a common friend of both Russia and Ukraine, can play a mediatory role and convey information between the two countries and other parties, to promote all parties to seek common ground while reserving differences, build consensus and help foster more favorable conditions for peace talks.

China supports the timely convening of an international peace conference recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, with equal participation of all parties and fair discussion of all peace proposals, Li said. 
WASHINGTON - A pair of Dennys restaurant employees are shaken up after a terrifying robbery in Northeast.

FOX 5's Shomari Stone spoke to one of the Dennys employees, and she was too terrified to talk on camera.

She fears the two suspects might return to this popular Dennys restaurant and rob the place again.

According to D.C. police, the thieves were captured on surveillance video walking through the glass doors at the entrance.

One of them can be seen wearing a Nike ski mask and distinctive jeans.

Armed thieves rob popular DC Denny's

Police said it happened on Wednesday around 4 a.m. in the 4400 block of Benning Road Northeast.

The suspects, police said, pulled out handguns, and pushed the Dennys employee towards the cash register, with a gun pointed at her back. The second suspect allegedly pointed his gun at the other employee to make sure no one moved.

Then, the masked men took the register and walked out.

"I am very shook up over my daughter because that's my baby," said the mother of the employee who was there during the alleged crime. "The gentleman that was in there, I think they deserve to be locked up and caught because they may go and do that to someone else."

Armed thieves rob popular DC Denny's

The restaurant is open as of Thursday night.

Police are now offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case.
There was a time when hundreds  okay, more like 1,600  cab drivers roamed Minneapolis roads. They picked up riders who had either called a company dispatch center or stood on a curb, raised a hand and shouted "taxi!"

Not so anymore.

These days we're used to opening a rideshare app and having a driver arrive within minutes. Upward of 12,000 Uber and Lyft drivers work within city limits, according to the companies. Now, the two biggest players in the rideshare game are threatening to leave the city over a new City Council ordinance hiking driver pay.

That would leave the nine remaining taxi companies, which employ 14 drivers, to pick up the slack. What does it look like to hail a taxi in Minneapolis these days? And how does it compare to using the Uber and Lyft apps to order a ride? We took two trips to find out.

For the first, reporter Eder Campuzano and news intern Alex Karwowski rode from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to the Seven Points shopping mall in Uptown. The second trip was a ride from the Whittier neighborhood to downtown St. Paul, simulating a night of drinks followed by an event at Xcel Energy Center.

Here's what we found:

MSP to Uptown

Our reporters began their journey at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport where we synced up our watches, figuratively speaking, in front of the Delta Airlines kiosk in Terminal 1. From there, we went our separate ways.

Alex set off for the airport's designated rideshare area and Eder took another escalator up to the taxi waiting area. There were three cabs parked in the waiting area, and two drivers immediately acknowledged the waiting reporter. He was in a Classic Travel taxi within seconds.

Alex hailed an Uber and waited about five minutes before his car arrived.

The drivers took nearly identical routes. Eder's dropped him off at the entrance to Curioso Coffee Bar 16 minutes and 59 seconds after he got into the vehicle. Alex's left him between Girard and Fremont Avenues on 31st Street 22 minutes and 43 seconds after pickup.

While Eder's ride was about 25% shorter, it was much more expensive. The fare alone was $39.50, while Alex paid $26.97 before tip. Taxis that operate out of MSP automatically charge $6.50  that's $4 for an airport access fee and $2.50 for a flag drop (a minimum fee).

Uber charged Alex a $2.75 booking fee and a $3.62 airport surcharge, or $6.37 in mandatory fees. His driver, Greg Lasica, said he does the gig full-time. He works for both Uber and Lyft in a bid to "maximize my efficiency."

As he ferried Alex to Uptown, Lasica received a notification for a potential rider from the Uber app. The trip would take 13 minutes and pay $5. Lasica did some quick mental math  that amounted to a rate of a little more than $22 an hour. He declined the job.

"It'll fit for someone else," Lasica said.

Lasica likes the relationship he's built with Uber and Lyft. He's figured out a system that maximizes his profits. Lasica drives customers between MSP and downtown Minneapolis, picking up spare rides between the destinations.

Lasica believes the Minneapolis City Council should "stay out of it." Eder's driver declined to speak on the record. While the taxi and rideshare service models differed in price, the experience of traveling from the airport to Uptown was nearly identical.

But it's not every day that Minneapolitans are landing at MSP and shuttling home. Sometimes, they're merely looking for a ride to another neighborhood or to visit that other city across the river. And hailing a cab from one municipality to the other can prove to be a baffling ordeal.

Minneapolis to St. Paul

While Minneapolis proper has its fair share of venues for concerts and major league sports, a pair of notable destinations reside within St. Paul: Xcel Energy Center and Allianz Field. How much would it cost, and how long would it take, to take a taxi from a bar in the Whittier neighborhood in Minneapolis to downtown St. Paul?

We chose Mortimer's Bar and Restaurant as the starting point for our experiment. Unsure of whether any of the myriad taxi apps in Apple's App Store would be of use  many had one- or two-star ratings  we turned to Google.

A quick search for a cab company yielded several results, two of which allowed online booking and a quote for the ride. Blue and White Taxi estimated a cost of $28.50. Transportation Plus offered a lift for 60 cents less and a wait time of 23 minutes, so at 8 p.m. we prepaid for that trip.

The company texted a link to a map that tracked the driver as he left Golden Valley. At 8:15, the vehicle icon disappeared from the map, as did the estimated time of arrival. It popped back up at 8:21 with a new ETA, this time 11 minutes.

The driver arrived at Mortimer's at 8:33 p.m and dropped off at Xcel Energy Center at 8:47 p.m. All told, it took 47 minutes to get from Whittier to downtown St. Paul. Lyft, by contrast, quoted a $16.90 fare at 8 p.m. with an estimated arrival at Xcel of 8:18 p.m.

Heading back to Minneapolis

While the trip from Minneapolis to St. Paul proved relatively easy, if a little long, returning to the Whittier neighborhood was something of a fiasco. Wary of the web-based taxi ordering systems, we went old school and dialed up three cab companies at about 10:05 p.m.

One of them quoted a fare of $60 and a pickup time of about 20 minutes.

A call to another went to voicemail. A dispatcher for a third company quoted a fare of about $40. There was just one problem: He didn't have any drivers available to make the trip from the St. Paul Grill back to Mortimer's.

We ended up ordering a Lyft at 10:17 p.m. The driver arrived at 10:19 p.m., just as the app advertised, with the $14.99 fare. We arrived at Mortimer's 14 minutes later.
Police knock on the door of every home on the block between North Union and Scio streets. After the knocking comes an announcement: "It's the police... but it's nothing bad."

Weld Street has seen trouble: Three people were shot and killed along this half mile strip last summer. Another five were shot and survived their injuries. And a 16-year-old girl went missing from her Weld Street home in August. She would be found dead seven weeks later across the city.

Police ruled her death a homicide and a suspect has been charged.

On a mild Friday at the end of 2023, the presence of police brings a positive turn of events.

Rochester police officers James Laruez and Angelo Mercone talk with Rev. Dr. Julius C. Clay, leader of New Beth Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, during a canvass of Weld Street in December.

Rochester Police Capt. Sam Lucyshyn announces a substantial drug arrest in the area. The arrest creates a power vacuum that could leave the neighborhood even more vulnerable to violence as nefarious actors scramble for control.

Lucyshyn promises to fill the expected void with resources and support. He distributes pamphlets about mental health and family services, and passes out toys for young children.

Rochester police aren't walking away from Weld Street. Not yet.

Just 12% of street segments are responsible for all Rochester gun crime

Police are careful not to characterize all of Weld Street as a violent place.

People raise their families here. Kids play outside on swing sets atop manicured lawns. Parishioners worship behind a pair of angels painted on the walls of Mt. Carmel Deliverance Center Church. Other residents kick back at the end of a long week with soul food, a drink and live music at S&T Lounge.

In many ways, Weld Street is like any other neighborhood in this city.

A man rides a bike down Weld Street.

Rather than label an entire community as a place where bad things happen, Rochester police are trying a more targeted approach  focusing their intervention efforts on street segments sometimes as compact as 300 yards long.

Last year, just 12% of street segments were responsible for all of Rochester's gun crime, Lucyshyn said.

Looking at Weld Street, 10 of the 16 non-fatal shootings that took place there over the last five years were within one block of the corner where Weld meets North Union Street.

Most of that violence picked up in the last two years. Between 2014 and 2020, there were zero homicides on this street. Police started conducting what they call a "case of place investigation" on Weld Street last summer after five people were injured or killed in three shootings within 10 days.

Violence attracts attention.

Rochester Police officers stand outside on Weld Street behind a memorial for a young man murdered due to gun violence.

"It's unfair to look at it as 'Weld Street is a problem,'" Capt. Greg Bello said. "No, that one corner on Weld Street might be a problem."

During a case of place investigation, police try to identify environmental factors that could be contributing to violence.

A one-way street, for example, could be acting as a sort of unintended drive-thru for drug sales. Heavy greenery or poor lighting creates spaces where people can lurk unseen. If repeated shootings are taking place near a certain home or business, it might raise red flags about an absentee landlord or backdoor activities.

Some of this is easily addressed.

Bello said one business owner near the Weld Street neighborhood was getting tired of people loitering outside, so the owner researched and planted a specific type of bush that attracts bees to try and get people to move along.

Working with people takes more time.

Also Read: Monroe County Sheriff's Office wants to tap into video feed at your school, corner store

RPD canvassed Weld Street after D&C reporting intensified. What did residents think?

In an older style of policing, RPD may have responded to an uptick in violence on Weld Street by saturating the neighborhood with patrols and writing tickets for any infraction they saw  hoping something would stick.

Today, Rochester police have started identifying people who they suspect are caught up in drugs or gang activity. Rather than try to shake them down and make an arrest, police are offering resources to help them get on a better path.

Rochester police, faith leaders, and social workers stand on Weld Street and North Union Street in Rochester, NY.

These meetings are impossible without community partners, Lucyshyn said, because of a general mistrust in police. Oftentimes, RPD will try to identify what help the person may need  addiction support, new housing, job placement  and approach them alongside a credible messenger from the community.

In December, Lucyshyn walks Weld Street with fellow RPD officers James Laruez and Angelo Mercone, local members of the U.S. Marshals Service and representatives from the city's person-in-crisis team. City Councilmember Michael Patterson and Chaplain George Folwell, a member of a ministry that responds to crime scenes, are also there.

"Like any institution, there are a few bad apples, but that doesn't mean all cops are bad people," Folwell said.

Members of the RPD, the faith community, and city leaders go door to door to talk with residents. The goal is to connect people with services and to reduce violence in the city. pic.twitter.com/q6CwACjCVO  Rochester NY Police (@RochesterNYPD) December 15, 2023

Some pedestrians on Weld Street look uneasy and apprehensive at the presence of police in their neighborhood. Others say they are happy to see law enforcement patrolling the area.

Several residents who open their doors recount instances of violence and drug trafficking they have observed. People did not want to give their names to a reporter.

After dropping off a young child, a bus driver asks the Rev. Dr. Julius C. Clay what was going on. After he tells her about their mission, the woman gives two thumbs up in support and commends the officers for their work.

"That's why I wanted to come," said Clay, who leads the nearby New Beth Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. "So the people would know they have nothing to fear."

By the time they leave that evening, the moon has replaced any daylight. Weld Street is quiet, peaceful and secure.

Capt. Lucyshyn hopes it stays that way. Either way, he'll be back.

 Kayla Canne reports on community justice and safety efforts for the Democrat and Chronicle. Follow her on Twitter @kaylacanne and @bykaylacanne on Instagram. Get in touch at kcanne@gannett.com.

 Robert Bell is a multimedia journalist and reporter at The Democrat & Chronicle. He was born in Rochester, grew up in Philadelphia and studied film in Los Angeles. Follow him at @byrobbell on X and @byrobbell on IG. Contact him at rlbell@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester NY police increase presence on Weld St: What residents think
Three people have been taken into custody after officials say they were involved in the murder of two people, including an unborn child.

City of Vidalia police said on Saturday at 5:02 p.m., officers received reports of shots fired in the area of East Jenkins Street and Epstein Street.

When officers arrived, they found 23-year-old Justin Godfrey and 18-year-old Iesha Wicker, both of Soperton, who had both been shot. They were taken to the hospital, where they died.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Police confirmed that Wicker was pregnant at the time of her death.

On Thursday, police announced the arrest of the following three individuals who are facing several charges:

Kison Latrell King, 16, of McRae

Felony murder (two counts) Aggravated assault (five counts)

Patrick Cornelius Hunt, 18, of Mount Vernon

Malice murder (two counts) Feticide Possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime (two counts) Aggravated assault (five counts) Armed robbery Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

Jaquan Quashon Jerome Jordan, 23, of Mount Vernon

Malice murder (two counts) Feticide Possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime (two counts) Aggravated assault (five counts) Party to a crime Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon



The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been requested to assist.

No further information has been provided.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting is asked to contact the Vidalia Police Departments Investigative Services Division at 912-537-4123.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Mr Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi, was arrested on Thursday in connection with city's policies over alcohol sales

A court has ordered the prominent Indian opposition politician and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal be remanded in custody following his arrest over corruption allegations.

Mr Kejriwal, leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), was detained on Thursday by India's financial crimes agency.

He has denied any wrongdoing and opposition leaders say his arrest is politically motivated.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has denied the allegation.

The party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi says the authorities are acting against corruption.

Mr Kejriwal was produced in a Delhi trial court on Friday and remanded in custody until 28 March.

After he was detained, his lawyer Shadan Farasat told news agency AFP: "We are considering our next course of action."

Meanwhile, dozens of AAP leaders have been detained in the capital and sporadic protests erupted elsewhere across India against Mr Kejriwal's arrest, weeks before general elections.

AAP leaders have said that they will continue their protests and will hold one outside the prime minister's residence.

"Kejriwal has been arrested to stop him from campaigning in the general elections," said AAP leader and Delhi finance minister Atishi, who uses only one name.

"This is a way to steal elections," she added in a statement.

Mr Kejriwal's arrest by a financial crimes agency comes as a blow to the opposition just weeks before India's general elections. AAP is part of the 27-party INDIA alliance aiming to challenge the BJP.

AAP members held protests in several cities across India

Alluding to Mr Modi, Rahul Gandhi of the main opposition Congress party wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "A scared dictator wants to create a dead democracy."

"The arrest of elected chief ministers has become a common thing," Mr Gandhi wrote.

Sharad Pawar, leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), said that Mr Kejriwal's arrest showcases the "depth to which BJP will stoop for power".

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said Mr Kejriwal's arrest would "give birth to a new people's revolution".

"BJP knows that it will not come to power again, due to this fear, it wants to remove the opposition leaders from the public by any means at the time of elections, arrest is just an excuse," he posted on X.

Rahul Gandhi has called the arrest an attack on India's democratic principles

Pinarayi Vijayan, the chief minister of Kerala, said Mr Kejriwal's arrest is "outright vicious and part of a callous plot to silence all opposition voices just ahead of the general elections".

His counterpart in Tamil Nadu, MK Stalin, said: "Not a single BJP leader faces scrutiny or arrest, laying bare their abuse of power and the decay of democracy."

"The relentless persecution of opposition leaders by the BJP government smacks of a desperate witch-hunt. This tyranny ignites public fury, unmasking BJP's true colours," Mr Stalin said.

In the past year or so, several opposition leaders have been imprisoned, questioned or had cases filed against them by federal agencies.

K Kavitha, leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), was arrested in the same case as Mr Kejriwal just days ago. She denies the allegations.

In January, Hemant Soren, former Jharkhand chief minister and leader of the opposition Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), was arrested by a federal tax agency on charges of money laundering and land-grabbing. Mr Soren denies the allegations.

Mr Gandhi himself was convicted of criminal libel last year after a complaint by a member of the BJP.

His two-year prison sentence saw him disqualified from parliament for a time until the verdict was suspended by a higher court in August last year.

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren was arrested by the tax agency in January

On Thursday, the Congress party accused Mr Modi's government of using the tax department to starve them of finances ahead of elections.

Mr Kejriwal is the third AAP leader to be arrested over the alleged corruption case related to a now-scrapped liquor policy in Delhi.

The Enforcement Directorate also arrested Mr Kejriwal's deputy, Manish Sisodia, and AAP lawmaker Sanjay Singh in the same case last year.

Since coming to power in Delhi in 2013, AAP secured significant victories in Punjab's state elections in 2022 and gained a few seats in Mr Modi's home state of Gujarat in the same year.

Read more India stories from the BBC:
Mr Kejriwal is the third AAP leader to be arrested over the alleged corruption case

When Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on Thursday on claims of corruption, it came as no surprise.

Months earlier, in November, Mr Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had run a door to door campaign, asking residents of India's capital whether he should resign or run his government from jail.

Mr Kejriwal and other party seniors face corruption accusations under investigation by India's powerful federal financial crime agency, the Enforcement Directorate (ED)

He is the third AAP leader to be arrested over a case related to a now-scrapped liquor policy in Delhi. This policy involved the government relinquishing control of the liquor market to private vendors.

Mr Kejriwal has denounced the investigation, arguing that the ED had failed to frame "specific" charges against him and called the summons "generic" and "illegal".

Mr Kejriwal's arrest, contrasting his anti-corruption campaign that took India by storm in 2011, comes less than a month before India's general elections, starting on 19 April. His AAP is part of the 27-party INDIA alliance aiming to challenge the BJP.

Mr Kejriwal and his close confidant Manish Sisodia (left) - Mr Sisodia was arrested in January

In just over a decade, AAP, despite being a newcomer, has emerged as a formidable force.

It has secured successive victories in Delhi's state elections since 2013 and expanded its influence by winning crucial polls in Punjab, where discontent against federal government policies prevails.

The party is contesting four of the seven parliamentary seats in the capital in the upcoming polls. In 2019, it lost all the seven seats to the BJP. However, AAP swept 67 of the 70 assembly seats in Delhi in 2020.

Who is Arvind Kejriwal?

A mechanical engineer from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, Mr Kejriwal later served as a government officer in the Income Tax department.

He gained prominence for his work with Parivartan, an organisation that popularised the use of India's Right to Information (RTI) law which allows people to access information held by the government.

In 2011, Mr Kejriwal backed social crusader Anna Hazare's (right) hunger strike

In 2006, he received the Ramon Magsaysay award for using the RTI to "empower citizens to monitor and audit government projects and inspire local community action."

In 2011, Mr Kejriwal backed social crusader Anna Hazare's hunger strike for the establishment of a citizen's ombudsman to probe corruption. Inspired by the campaign's success, which stirred India, he founded the AAP, pledging to eradicate corruption.

Mr Kejriwal became the chief minister of Delhi for the first time in 2013. However, he resigned after 49 days when his party failed to pass the ombudsman bill in the assembly.

His resignation proved strategic, portraying him as a principled politician willing to give up a high office in the fight against corruption.

This bolstered his party's growth, leading to a sweeping victory in the 2015 Delhi assembly elections. In 2020, his party secured another victory in Delhi.

The fight to retain power

AAP claims that the BJP seeks to topple its Delhi government despite its dominant position in the legislative assembly. Along with other opposition parties, it accuses the BJP of targeting opposition leaders through central agencies.

These agencies are probing money laundering allegations against the chief ministers of three southern states and other political opponents. The BJP denies any political motivation behind the investigations.

Mr Kejriwal took on Mr Modi in Varanasi in 2014 general elections and lost

Mr Kejriwal's party has faced numerous investigations.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Manish Sisodia, Mr Kejriwal's former deputy chief minister, in February last year accusing him of favouring some cartels after the liquor policy came into effect.

Similarly, AAP's top lawmaker Sanjay Singh was arrested last October for allegedly accepting money from middlemen of liquor barons who profited from the same policy.

In his third term as chief minister, Mr Kejriwal faced new challenges.

The Hindu nationalist BJP emerged as AAP's main rival in Delhi, prompting the chief minister to appeal more to Hindu religious sentiments.

Also, anti-corruption rhetoric alone wasn't sufficient for AAP's electoral success in Delhi, say analysts. The party's popularity now relies heavily on welfare schemes such as free electricity and water for the poor.

It remains to be seen whether AAP's emphasis on its welfare schemes will resonate in the upcoming polls. "I will open as many schools as the number of summons issued to me," Kejriwal said in February.

The controversial liquor policy

Mr Kejriwal's party had said that the new liquor policy would curb black market sales, increase revenues and ensure even distribution of liquor licenses across the city.

However, the policy was later withdrawn after Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena accused AAP of exploiting rules to benefit private liquor barons. Mr Saxena, appointed by the federal government, had clashed with the Delhi government on multiple occasions before the controversy over the excise policy.

Following Mr Saxena's allegations, federal agencies started investigating the policy and the alleged kickbacks received by AAP leaders from its misuse.

Read more India stories from the BBC:
Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft on Friday said he does not have the authority to unilaterally remove a candidate with alleged ties to the Ku Klux Klan from running for governor as a Republican.

But Ashcroft, a Republican who is also running for governor, said he supported a lawsuit from the Missouri Republican Party that seeks to block the candidate, Darrell Leon McClanahan III, from the ballot.

Ashcroft told The Star on Friday that a 2014 court decision bars him from blocking McClanahan from the August ballot, saying he doesnt believe I should be judge, jury and executioner.

I think thats too much authority to have in one persons hands, he said.

Ashcrofts comments came a day after the Missouri GOP filed a lawsuit seeking to block Ashcroft from certifying McClanahans name on the ballot. The state party alleged in the lawsuit that it had previously asked Ashcroft to remove McClanahan, but he refused to do so. Ashcroft confirmed that on Friday.

However, he said he was glad the party was seeking to remove McClanahan and would not certify his name on the ballot if ordered by the courts.

I dont want members of the Ku Klux Klan that are associating with the Republican Party...they believe different things than I do, he said. I wish that we had processes to vet candidates to make sure that this wouldnt happen. But I am glad that they are going to court to make sure that he will not be a representative of the Republican Party on the ballot.

McClanahan filed to run for governor as a Republican and paid his filing $500 fee last month. His name still appears at the top of the list of Republican candidates for governor, according to the unofficial candidate filing list on the Missouri Secretary of State Offices website.

The state party later disavowed McClanahan after a photo resurfaced online of him saluting in front of a burning cross next to a person wearing what appeared to be a hooded Ku Klux Klan robe.

The state party last month promised to seek to remove McClanahan from the ballot, saying in a statement that his affiliation with the Ku Klux Klanfundamentally contradicts our partys values and platform.

The lawsuit filed on Thursday alleges that the party did not learn about McClanahans racist and antisemitic past until after he had filed for governor. But McClanahan has alleged that the party knew exactly who I am and this is not the first time he has run for elected office as a Republican in Missouri.

The final certification date for the August election is May 28.
A meme seen widely on platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and Reddit suggests that the United States does not tax its billionaires, while most European nations levy substantial taxes on the ultra-wealthy.

The memebased on a scene from the 2013 comedy Were the Millersclaims that while Sweden, the Netherlands, and Germany tax their billionaires at 55.5, 49.5, and 47.475 percent respectively, U.S. billionaires arent subject to that level of taxation, playing into a common trope that billionaires in America pay little to no taxes. This idea was even reinforced recently by President Joe Biden during the 2024 State of the Union address, in which he misleadingly claimed that billionaires pay an average tax rate of only 8.2 percent.

Billionaires are subject to the same income and capital gains taxes as all Americans, and their payments to the IRS make up a significant portion of the countrys tax proceeds.

How much do American billionaires typically pay in taxes?

Although American billionaires have high net worths based on the value of their assets, many of the countys wealthiest individuals do not necessarily have high wage incomesmeaning the salary they are paid as part of a job. For example, Jeff Bezosthe founder and executive chairman of Amazonhas taken a yearly base salary of only $81,840 since 1998 despite having an estimated net worth of almost $200 billion. The vast majority of Bezos wealth instead derives from his approximately 10 percent ownership of Amazon, which has a total market capitalization of $1.83 trillion. Mark Zuckerberg takes an even lower salaryonly $1 per yearas the chief executive officer of Meta. Like Bezos, Zuckerbergs $177 billion net worth comes primarily from his 13.5 percent ownership stake in the company he helped create.

In most countries, incomes are taxed differently than wealth gained through the appreciation of assetssuch as stock owned in a company. Taxes are typically not levied on capital gains until the asset is actually sold. In the U.S., capital gains, once realized, are taxed at a rate of 20 percent for most high earners. So, even if a billionaire sees their net worth grow by hundreds of millions of dollars in a single year, if that growth is in the value of unrealized assets, it will not be taxed as a capital gain until those assets are sold.

Billionaires are fully subject to both federal and state income taxes when applicable. In 2023, the top marginal income tax rate in the U.S. was 37 percent for individuals with an income above $578,125, and state income taxes can add anywhere from an additional 2.5 percent to 13.3 percent, depending on where an individual files. Most states also levy their own tax on capital gains, either as a part of a persons broader income or at a separate capital gains rate.

The wealthiest Americans, therefore, do pay significant amounts in taxesa fact that is backed up by government data. According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, in 2024 the top 1 percent of income earners will pay an average federal tax bill of 31.5 percent on their adjusted cash income, while the bottom 50 percent of American earners will pay anywhere from minus 4.8 percent to 10.1 percent when refundable tax credits are factored in. In 2021, the top 1 percent of American earners paid 46 percent of the nations total income tax revenue despite earning 26.3 percent of total adjusted gross income.

What about Europe?

Even though billionaires and the ultra-wealthy in the U.S. do pay significant federal and state taxes, it is also true that the wealthiest residents in most European countriesincluding Sweden, the Netherlands, and Germanyare subject to a higher tax burden than those in the U.S. At the same time most European countries also tax their lower and middle classes at much higher rates than in the U.S.

In Sweden, the top municipal income tax for individuals, which ranges from 28.98 to 35.15 percent, kicks in at a yearly income of only around $59,000. Above this amount, an additional 20 percent national income tax also takes effect, bringing the total tax burden for incomes above $59,000 to an average of 52.34 percent. Capital gains also are taxed at a higher rate, with most paying 30 percent.

In 2022, annual income between approximately $63,000 and $300,000 in Germany was taxed at a rate of 42 percent, rising to 45 percent for any amount above $300,000. In addition, income tax surcharges can be levied for various other purposes, including a 5.5 percent solidarity surcharge for high earners and an 8 or 9 percent church tax on members of officially recognized religious groups. Capital gains are taxed at 25 percent in Germany.

The top tax rate is even higher in the Netherlands, where a 49.5 percent levy applies to income above approximately $82,000, and income below this threshold is taxed at 36.97 percent. Unlike many other Western countries, the Netherlands does not have a flat capital gains tax, and instead levies a 31 percent tax on the 5.69 percent hypothetical yield of a persons wealth.

High earners in the U.S. are subject to a lower overall tax burden than their peers in European nations, but there are many more of them contributing to Americas tax coffers. As of 2023, there were around 751 billionaires residing in the U.S., 26 in Sweden, 109 in Germany, and 10 in the Netherlands.

If you have a claim you would like to see us fact check, please send us an email at factcheck@thedispatch.com. If you would like to suggest a correction to this piece or any other Dispatch article, please email corrections@thedispatch.com.

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Amendments can be made between now and May

The Government of Jersey has lodged proposals detailing how an assisted dying service would work.

The proposals describe who would be eligible for the service and how eligibility would be assessed.

Only adults who have lived on the island for 12 months and who are terminally ill or have an incurable condition with unbearable suffering would be eligible, the proposals state.

If Assembly members approve the proposition on 21 May, work will then start on preparing a draft assisted dying law.

'Profound significance'

Amendments can be made between now and May.

If the proposals are voted through, it is expected the process for drafting a law could take about 18 months, with a debate then taking place by the end of 2025.

If a law was approved it is expected a further 18-month implementation period would begin, meaning the earliest for a law to come into effect would be spring or summer 2027.

Dr Nigel Minihane, from St Helier, who was a GP for more than 30 years and a former head of the islands Primary Care Body, said the proposals held "profound significance".

He said: "Without affording our dying patients the option to determine the terms of their passing, we cannot claim to offer truly compassionate end-of-life care."

'Complex issue'

Jennifer Bridge MBE, leader of the Jersey Dignity in Dying Action Group, said the proposition could give dying people "the choice, compassion and protection they need".

The government said public briefing sessions would take place during the lodging period so islanders could find out more about how the proposed service would work.

There will also be separate briefing sessions for health and care professionals and dedicated sessions for disabled islanders.

Deputy Tom Binet, Minister for Health and Social Services, said: "Assisted dying is a complex issue which other jurisdictions are also actively working to consider.

"The proposals brought forward by the Council of Ministers are very comprehensive and will help ensure that our Assembly does justice to this important matter."

In November 2021, the States Assembly became the first parliament in the British Isles to decide "in principle" that assisted dying should be allowed.

Assisted dying involves allowing some terminally ill adults to end their lives with medical supervision.

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There's a growing and passionate call for preserving radio silence on the far side of the moon.

A first-of-its-kind international symposium is being held this week, turning up the volume to mull over the prospect of protecting real estate on the moon's far side exclusively for dedicated scientific purposes. Despite the moon being surrounding by a vacuum, there's an air of urgency to the meeting.

Held under the auspices of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), the first IAA Moon Farside Protection Symposium is taking place March 21-22 in Turin, Italy. The goal of the gathering is to set off a wake-up call that engages the global scientific, political, and industrial community to be aware of a growing list of concerns.

Related: The moon could be perfect for cutting-edge telescopes  but not if we don't protect it

Electromagnetic pollution

Earth's neighboring celestial body has the unique property of naturally shielding radio waves generated by chatter on Earth and around it. What some meeting organizer's see is need for a radio silence zone, dubbing it a shielded zone on the moon.

That idea has been championed by Claudio Maccone of the Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (National Institute for Astrophysics). In December 2021, the IAA established a new permanent committee devoted to the moon far side protection, chaired by Maccone as IAA technical director.

Maccone and colleagues contend that the moon's far side is a region of paramount scientific interest as it provides an environment free from the electromagnetic pollution typical on Earth.

Maccone points to the quickening pace of lunar missions by multiple nations that may well irreversibly compromise the current condition of the moon's radio quietness.

Some of the branches of science that would greatly benefit from operating on the farside, Maccone explains, are cosmology, astrobiology, planetary defense, as well as the search for other intelligent life that might populate the heavens.

a large circular metallic disc on the dusty, cratered surface of the moon

Lunar deliverables

Science on the moon is already taking shape, says Jack Burns, professor emeritus in the department of astrophysical and planetary sciences at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

"Radio astronomy from the moon has begun," Burns says.

NASA's first radio telescope, ROLSES, was recently delivered to the lunar south pole by the Intuitive Machines Odysseus lander, Burns points out. ROLSES stands for Radio wave Observation at the Lunar Surface of the photo-Electron Sheath. He is a co-investigator on the ROLSES instrument now on the moon.

Furthermore, additional radio telescopes are scheduled to land on two other NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services landers in 2026: ROLSES-2 to the nearside and the Lunar Surface Electromagnetics Experiment  Night (LuSEE-Night) to the far side. Burns is a LuSEE-Night co-investigator.

a cube-shaped spacecraft covered in gold foil on the surface of the moon

Years of anticipation

"After many years of anticipation, we are actively doing radio science from the moon. Thus, we also need to actively work to protect, in particular, the far side of the moon from radio frequency interference from lunar orbiting satellites and infrastructure on the lunar surface," Burns tells Space.com.

This week's moon far side protection workshop involves thought leaders in science, engineering, space policy, and space law, says Burns, to develop modern approaches to shielding the far side of the moon from anthropogenic radio emission.

"We need to preserve the far side for exciting science that includes measuring magnetic fields associated with potentially habitable exoplanets and uncovering the mysteries of the unexplored Dark Ages of the early universe  using low radio frequency observations." Burns says.

Top-tier tasks

There are a number of themes running through this week's symposium.

In defining how several science branches benefit by a radio silence zone, the IAA's Maccone flags top-tier exploration tasks:

Cosmology : To detect the extremely feeble radiation of the hydrogen line at 1,420 Megahertz and downshifted to much lower frequencies. The radio silence of the lunar far side would ensure a major leap forward in research.

Astrobiology : To study pre-biological interstellar molecules by searching for weak spectral lines utilizing advanced radio telescopes in combination with the radio silence of the moon's far side.

Planetary defense: From the far side, radar and optical telescopes can be used for accurate measurements of near-Earth objects to augment the lead time of their detection and provide warning of a possible space rock pummeling our planet.

SETI and technosignatures: To search, with very low noise, for "signatures" of alien civilizations that would reach us extremely faint due to the vast distances between stars in the Milky Way, if not from other galaxies.

a yellow rectangle with a round black line through it and the text

Shielded zone

Recent lunar missions and, even more so, newer programs will bring more and more artificial systems around and on the lunar surface, occupying space and emitting radio waves at various frequencies, Maccone explains.

There are already international regulations and resolutions aimed at protecting any shielded zone on the moon  SZM in lunar lingo  such as International Telecommunication Union (ITU) radio regulations.

"However, it is of paramount importance to take a further step, both to extend the protected frequencies to encompass all other scientifically relevant ones  in addition to those already included  and to preserve a portion of the far side exclusively for scientific installations," Maccone suggests.

Diplomatic efforts

There is a pressing need, says Maccone, to elevate regulations into enforceable and binding treaties for every space agency and private company.

Maccone adds that all objectives can only be pursued and achieved through diplomatic efforts involving spacefaring nations, current and future, from around the world.

The newly formed IAA committee and the symposium's ultimate goal is to help form an international agreement, ideally under relevant specialized organizations, such as the ITU and the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, for example.

Unified articulation

Richard Green is chair of the International Astronomical Union group delving into the issues of staging astronomy from the moon. He is also an assistant director for government relations at Steward Observatory, run by the University of Arizona in Tucson.

"I think this meeting is important because we can make some progress on a unified articulation of astronomy needs and suggested policy approach for the moon," Green says.

Additionally, there is an immediate opportunity to do so, Green explains, through a proposed United Nations space scientific and technical subcommittee action team.

That UN action team would explore communication and collaboration for lunar activities and may well be approved at the full UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space gathering this June, Green observes.

Wild West scenario

RELATED STORIES:

 Moon group pushes for protection of ultraquiet lunar far side

 Radio telescope will launch to moon's far side in 2025 to hunt for the cosmic Dark Ages

 China to launch 1st-ever sample return mission to moon's far side in 2024

"My concern is that lunar projects are rapidly developing and are not coordinated," says Joseph Silk, an astrophysicist at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland and professor of physics at the Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris.

Science projects are in the forefront, Silk says, such as unique radio telescopes that can peer back in time to the dark ages of the universe. The far side offers a unique environment, he adds, and optical telescopes in permanently shadowed polar craters will eventually image the nearest exoplanets.

"Yet we are at risk of a Wild West scenario due to the rivalries between competing space agencies and commercial interests," Silk tells Space.com. "The number of desirable lunar sites is limited. The last major outer space treaty dates to 1967, and has no means of enforcement. A new International space treaty is urgently needed," he concludes.

Editor's note: This story was update at 11:20 p.m. ET on March 21 to fix a typo: The hydrogen line is at 1,420 MHz, not 142 MHz.
TEHRAN, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Ismail Haniyeh, head of the Hamas political bureau, exchanged views over phone on Thursday night on the latest developments of Gaza, according to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry on Friday.

Haniyeh elaborated on the latest political and field developments of Gaza, describing as "critical" the humanitarian situation in northern Gaza.

He said the international community needed to implement immediate measures to send sufficient humanitarian aid to Gaza and counter Israel's policy of starvation enforced against the citizens of the coastal enclave, especially children.

The Hamas leader elaborated on Hamas' conditions for reaching a truce and exchanging captives, which he said were based on the Palestinians' "legitimate demand," stressing that Israel was throwing a wrench into the process.

Amir-Abdollahian, for his part, briefed the Hamas leader on Iran's latest consultations and diplomatic efforts in support of the Palestinians, including the country's active participation in international meetings on Gaza and the Palestine issue.

He urged international organizations to take immediate action to end "the killing of the helpless Palestinian people, including women and children," in Gaza and the West Bank and guarantee immediate and unlimited humanitarian aid deliveries to all citizens across Gaza.

A total of 31,988 Palestinians have been killed and over 74,188 others were injured in the Gaza Strip since Israel began its offensive against Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, according to the Gaza-based Health Ministry on Thursday.

The conflict began after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel, which claimed the lives of around 1,200 Israelis, according to the Israeli authorities. 
An Atlanta rapper arrested on multiple gang charges Thursday made his first court appearance in Fulton County.

Channel 2s Michael Seiden confirmed that Atlanta police arrested Linderius Cortez Johnson, who raps under the name Anti Da Menace, on numerous charges, including armed robbery and participating in criminal street gang activity.

As of Friday afternoon, the Atlanta native remained behind bars, a jail spokesperson confirmed.

Channel 2 Action News has also requested a copy of the arrest affidavit and incident report.

The rapper, who grew up on the citys Westside, has made a name for himself in Atlantas underground rap scene through social media.

TRENDING STORIES:

IN OTHER NEWS:
Either the Treefort Musical Fest arrives a weekend too late, or Boises summer weather is disappearing too early.

However you look at it, it will be wet and windy for Treefort this weekend. The events shows started on Wednesday, but many festivalgoers kick off the festivities on Friday.

The National Weather Service in Boise forecasts rain to move into the area on Friday night and last until at least Wednesday. The heaviest rain is expected to hit the City of Trees on Saturday. Shows at the festivals main stage in Julia Davis Park run from 12:30 p.m. to 10:10 p.m.

The Weather Service forecasts a 30% chance of rain after midnight on Friday. The chance of rain then skyrockets to 80% on Saturday, when up to a quarter of an inch of rain could fall in Boise.

Saturday is the only day when heavy rain is forecast.

Rain will be more focused over the mountains, but well have a 30 to 40% chance in the valley here, Weather Service meteorologist Kory Anderson told the Idaho Statesman. It looks like Saturday is going to pretty much have a lot of rain around.

Weekend temperatures in Boise

Temperatures will also dip over the weekend due to a cold front that will move through the state on Friday night. The same cold front is causing the rain to move into the area.

The high temperature on Friday, ahead of the cold front, will be 68 degrees. That high will drop to 56 degrees on Saturday and 59 degrees on Sunday.

If theres one silver lining for festivalgoers, the rain will likely subside during the evening hours. Cold air will move over southwestern Idaho in the wake of the cold front, which should help keep skies clear during the evening, Anderson said.

After that cold front moves through, well have cold air aloft, Anderson said. It should be pretty dry at night, but during the day, with the sun, well have showers forming over the mountains, and then some of those will form in the valley too.
Linda and Jay Anderson Sr. speak to the media outside the Wauwatosa Police Department on Thursday, June 18, 2020.

An attorney for the families of three people of color killed in five years by former Wauwatosa Police Officer Joseph Mensah has asked a federal judge to reconsider his dismissal of one family's claim and bring the case before a jury.

Attorney Kimberly Motley filed a motion for reconsideration in the case of Jay Anderson Jr., a 25-year-old from Milwaukee who Mensah shot while in his car in 2016.

U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman dismissed a claim from Anderson's family March 14 on summary judgement, saying Mensah did not violate Jay Anderson Jr.'s rights and Anderson reached his right hand for a gun that was on the seat of his car.

But Motley said footage shows nothing in Anderson's hand, and the question of what Anderson was reaching for remains "a question of fact" that should go to a jury.

Mensah himself said in deposition that Anderson could have been reaching for his phone, Motley said in the motion for reconsideration.

According to the judge's summary judgement decision, 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 that in the seconds leading up to the shooting, Anderson reached his right hand toward the seat where the weapon was located, the judge said.

Anderson could have been reaching for his phone, his car registration or anything else in the direction of the weapon's location, Motley said.

"In the video of the shooting, you don't see anything in Anderson's hands," Motley told the Journal Sentinel. "On the passenger seat of his car also was his cellphone."

The status of the other Mensah cases

The Anderson family is one of three families who filed federal lawsuits in 2021 and 2022 against Mensah and the City of Wauwatosa in fatal shootings. Their case was consolidated with the cases of Alvin Cole and Antonio Gonzales in 2022, alleging Mensah used excessive force and 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.

The judge ordered an oral argument between plaintiffs and defendants regarding the 2020 shooting of 17-year-old Cole. The argument has been rescheduled to March 26 at 11 a.m., according to Motley.

Adelman also granted summary judgement in the case of Gonzales, a 29-year-old from Wauwatosa who Mensah shot in 2015. The Gonzales family conceded their case in September, according to court documents.

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.

This is the latest attempt by Anderson Jr.'s family to charge Mensah in the fatal shooting.

Special prosecutors decided not charge Mensah with the shooting in 2022. That came after Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Glenn Yamahiro announced in July 2021 that he had found probable cause that Mensah committed homicide by negligent handling of a dangerous weapon in the shooting.

After District Attorney John Chisholm decided not to file charges against Mensah in 2016, Anderson's family sought a federal review for a civil rights violation. In February 2017, the U.S. Attorney's Office for Eastern Wisconsin declined to prosecute Mensah.

Contact the reporter Bridget Fogarty at bfogarty@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Attorney files to reconsider tossing Anderson claim in Mensah shooting
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton leaves the courtroom after appearing for the eight-year-old felony securities fraud case against him at Harris County Courthouse on Aug. 3, 2023, in Houston. Credit: Reginald Mathalone/NurPhoto via REUTERS

Lawyers in Ken Paxton's felony securities fraud case are in talks about a deal to drop the charges facing the Republican attorney general if he performs community service and pays restitution, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

Paxton could also have to take advanced legal education courses under a draft agreement that would allow him to skirt next months trial, the Statesman reported.

Paxton, who has been under indictment on two first-degree fraud charges and a third-degree charge since 2015, was scheduled for a final pretrial hearing on Tuesday ahead of an April 15 trial in Houston. He is accused of soliciting investors in a McKinney technology company more than a decade ago without disclosing that the firm was paying him to promote its stock. He is also charged with steering clients to a friends investment advising business without registering with the state securities board.

The case has been delayed by a number of disputes between Paxtons attorneys and the special prosecutors handling the case, including over how much the prosecutors should be paid. The sides have also sparred over where the trial should take place.

Special prosecutor Brian Wice declined comment. Paxton attorney Dan Cogdell also declined comment, saying he cant comment on something that hasnt happened and may well not happen.

Paxton, who has denied wrongdoing, likely would not have to enter a plea under the draft agreement, the Statesman reported.

The securities fraud case is separate from the more recent allegations from former top deputies who claim that Paxton accepted bribes and abused the authority of his office to help a wealthy friend and donor, Austin real estate mogul Nate Paul. Those claims were at the heart of Paxtons impeachment trial last year, in which he was acquitted by the Republican-controlled Texas Senate.

Paxtons agency still faces a whistleblower lawsuit in Travis County stemming from the same corruption-related charges.

Meanwhile, the securities fraud case gained renewed momentum in November when Harris County District Judge Andrea Beall ended a dispute over back pay owed to Wice and a second prosecutor, Kent Schaffer, who has since stopped working on the case.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in January declined to take up the pay issue, and Beall rejected Paxtons attempt to toss the case last month, seeming to clear the way for an April trial.

Attorneys are expected to inform Beall Tuesday of the agreement to resolve the case, according to the Statesman.

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.
Lawyers for a man who faces lethal injection next month say his execution should be halted because the Missouri Department of Corrections does not have a permanent director.

Brian Dorsey was convicted in the 2006 killing of his cousin Sarah Bonnie and her husband Ben Bonnie in central Missouri. He was given the death penalty.

On Dec. 13, the Missouri Supreme Court scheduled Dorseys lethal injection for April 9.

In a motion filed late Thursday, Dorseys attorneys argue that the head of the Missouri Department of Corrections, acting director Trevor Foley, should not be allowed to oversee an execution.

Foley was named by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson as acting director of the corrections department on Nov. 30. According to a news release, Foley began his career with the department as a budget analyst in 2000 and left the agency in 2008 before returning as director of budget and finance in 2018.

Dorseys legal team contends that Foley is inexperienced and has no applicable correctional experience.

According to state law, The director shall have education, training and experience in correctional management.

The director also oversees the selection of the confidential execution team and the implementation of the lethal injection protocol.

The multiple risks attendant to an execution require an experienced Director, as do the Missouri Constitution and statutes, the motion says.

It goes on to say that Foley is the acting director, not the director. The director is confirmed by the Missouri Senate, a process the motion says provides checks and balances.

In January, a hard-right group of Missouri senators held up more than two dozen appointments nominated by Parson in a fight over a proposal making it harder to change the state constitution.

The governors office and the Department of Corrections did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Dorseys motion.

Dorseys legal team has filed other cases seeking to halt his execution. One argued that Dorsey was in a state of drug psychosis the night of the double murder and was incapable of deliberation, making him ineligible for a first-degree murder charge. That was struck down by the Missouri Supreme Court on Wednesday.

A federal case contends that Missouris protocols present a substantial risk of serious, torturous, physical and psychological pain.

Sixty corrections staff support granting Dorsey life without parole. So does Michael Wolff, a former Missouri Supreme Court justice. He was on the high court when it upheld Dorseys death sentence in 2009.

But in a March 4 letter to Gov. Mike Parson, Wolff wrote that he did not know how ineffective Dorseys trial attorneys were. The attorneys, who were paid a flat fee for taking the case, allowed Dorsey to plead guilty while the death penalty was still on the table.

There are rare cases where those of us who sit in judgment of a man convicted of capital murder got it wrong, Wolff wrote. The decisions affirming Brian Dorseys death sentence is just such a case.

Members of Dorseys family are divided on his upcoming execution. Some oppose capital punishment for him. But a statement from the family of Sarah Bonnies family, said, All of these years of pain and suffering we finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Brian will get the justice that Sarah and Ben have deserved for so long.

Missouri has ramped up its use of the death penalty, executing four people last year. It is one of five states with executions scheduled this year, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.

The Stars Kacen Bayless contributed to this story.
Bahrain's sovereign wealth fund has taken full ownership of the McLaren Group, which builds high-end sportscars and owns a majority stake in the McLaren F1 team.

The Bahraini fund, Mumtalakat, was already McLaren's biggest shareholder.

The deal follows a period of deep financial uncertainty for the British company, which has been making heavy losses.

McLaren hailed it as a "major milestone".

The company is now understood to be looking at technical partnerships with other businesses, to help it develop electric vehicle technology.

"We are delighted at Mumtalakat's continued commitment to McLaren through this deal," McLaren Group's executive chairman Paul Walsh said in a statement.

"This will further enable us to focus on delivering our long-term business plan, including investment in new products and technologies, while continuing to explore potential technical partnerships with industry partners."

The McLaren Group has its headquarters in the Surrey town of Woking.

It owns McLaren Automotive, which over the past 14 years has become a major player in the market for prestige sportscars.

Its products compete with models from the likes of Ferrari and Porsche.

The group also has a majority stake in McLaren Racing, which owns the McLaren Formula 1 team, and also competes in the US IndyCar series, and the electric series Formula E and Extreme E.

The business has been under financial strain since the Covid pandemic, which initially forced it to suspend production of cars, and also led to the cancellation of racing activities around the world.

It underwent a major restructuring in 2020, which included the loss of more than 1,000 jobs.

It was then affected by the widespread disruption to supply chains that occurred as economies got back into gear following the pandemic, in particular a shortage of computer chips.

There were also problems with its new Artura hybrid sportscar, which caused it to suspend production, and led to delays in deliveries.

In the first nine months of last year - the most recent period for which figures are available - it made a pre-tax loss of 276m.

Mumtalakat has been an investor in McLaren Group since 2007, when it bought a 30% stake from founding shareholders Ron Dennis and Mansour Ojjeh.

Over time it increased that stake to 60%, while injecting hundreds of millions of pounds into the business.

Its decision to take full control, which was initially agreed last year, bolsters McLaren's finances in the short term.

Also, sources within the group say that getting rid of what was seen as an overly complex shareholder structure will make future partnerships easier.

McLaren is known to be looking for new technical link-ups to help it expand its range and in particular work on developing electric vehicles.

The BBC understands the Swedish firm Polestar, owned by the Chinese group Geely, is among those to have held talks with McLaren.

According to the Financial Times, discussions have also been held with Hyundai, BMW and Californian electric brand Lucid Motors.

Any deal could involve Mumtalakat selling a minority stake in McLaren group to its chosen partner.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Federal prosecutors said a grand jury indicted a Bakersfield man who allegedly pointed a laser beam at a Kern County law enforcement aircraft last September.

A grand jury returned an indictment charging Jesse Torres-Alonso, 35, with aiming a laser pointer beam at a Kern County Sheriffs Office helicopter on Sept. 28.

In a statement, federal prosecutors said court documents state Torres-Alonso struck the helicopter 12 times with a bright green laser beam.

Lyle Lovett and his Acoustic Group to perform at Buck Owens Crystal Palace March 26

Law enforcement was able to locate the laser pointer which had a warning label on it advising against shining the laser in anyones eyes.

Laser strikes against aircraft can temporarily blind pilots and interfere with their ability to avoid other aircraft or safely monitor instrument panels.

The Federal Aviation Administration received more than 13,300 reports of laser strikes from pilots in 2023.

Officials said Torres-Alonso was arraigned Wednesday and ordered released on cash bond.

If convicted, Torres-Alonso faces a maximum five-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
Palestinian children search for food scraps at a street kitchen in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. The possibility of a famine looms over northernA GazaA as half the population of the area already faces "crisis levels of food insecurity or worse," the United Nations warned. - Ahmad Salem/Bloomberg

On this episode of Battle lines we talk to our Middle Eastern correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva about the second raid on Gazas Al Shifa hospital. Were also joined by our Global Health reporter Lilia Sebouai to discuss this weeks stark famine warning and what can be done to prevent thousands of Palestinians from dying of hunger. Then we hear from our Asia correspondent Nicola Smith about one of her most intrepid reporting trips yet - to the steppes of Mongolia. She also talks about a new national security law in Hong Kong - and why it means troubles for newspaper lovers and priests alike.

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.
NEW BEDFORD  John Verissimo works as a fishing consultant following his career as a fishing boat captain and often answers calls about how the new Vineyard Wind Fisheries Compensation Fund will work.

Basically, every day Ill get a call from someone who will tell me, I need help with this, I need help with that, and if I dont have the answer, Ill get it, he said. I support them by making sure they know whats going on.

He said he wants the fishermen who are eligible for this first-of-its-kind fund to feel comfortable with the process so that they will apply.

My thing is I make sure that everyone understands this is the simplest way, he said. Youre going to wait, so the best thing to do is open this door and send in these things and let them know youre working on the rest, and that way you dont miss out.

New Bedford fishermen attend an event held at the New Bedford Port Authority building in New Bedford where fishermen could enroll in the Vineyard Wind Fisheries Compensation Program.

When should you start the process for offshore wind compensation?

The initial step is establishing eligibility, and the deadline is June 3. Once eligibility is established, there will be some time to submit all the necessary documentation.

Vineyard Wind Fisheries Manager Crista Bank and Major Sharp with the independent third-party administrator de maximis, inc., took approximately 20 fishermen through the process at the New Bedford Port Authority building Thursday morning as one of a few Southern New England presentations planned for stakeholders.

Crista Bank, Vineyard Wind Fisheries Liaison, speaks at an event held at the New Bedford Port Authority building in New Bedford where fishermen could enroll in the Vineyard Wind Fisheries Compensation Program.

What documents do fishermen need to provide for the compensation fund?

The key documents that prove eligibility include copies of a valid 2023 commercial fishing permits from NOAA Fisheries, a government-issued vessel registration showing ownership and other documents such as tax records that include reported income from fishing activities.

Fishermen must have worked in the lease area in three of the seven years between 2016 and 2022 to be eligible and are encouraged to submit the paperwork for the three years they were most successful.

Bank said she encourages the fishing community to apply because its an accepted fact that offshore wind projects will impact the fishing industry whether fishing inside or outside the lease area.

We dont get any of it back, she said. Thats why this money needs to go to you guys. If not, it rolls over into a state fund.

The chart of areas affected by offshore wind are shown on a TV during an event held at the New Bedford Port Authority building in New Bedford where fishermen could enroll in the Vineyard Wind Fisheries Compensation Program.

Further opportunities may be available

However, there may be further opportunities down the road with 11 states including Massachusetts discussing creating a regional compensation fund, Bank said.

She said the states and the developer are in support of a regional fund with one mechanism and one way of applying for compensation from all the wind farms that are going to be installed.

Bank said the fishermen will still be able to file a separate claim for any gear damage caused by Vineyard Wind 1, and they can still apply for other available compensation funds.

Standard-Times staff writer Kathryn Gallerani can be reached at kgallerani@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @kgallreporter. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Vineyard Wind assists fishermen with the compensation fund process
Over 400 Bangladeshis have visited a China-constructed dredging project at a port recently. Find out what they have to say. #GLOBALink





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Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, Belarusian opposition leader and civil rights activist, speaks at the 75th Germany Day of the Junge Union. Tsikhanouskaya expects European democracies to give greater hope and support to people in her home country if there is to be an end to oppression there. Moritz Frankenberg/dpa

Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya expects European democracies to give greater hope and support to people in her home country if there is to be an end to oppression there.

European leaders must show the Belarusians that they are not forgotten and that they belong to the democratic world, the activist said at a forum in the Lithuanian parliament in Vilnius on Friday, the BNS news agency reported.

According to Tsikhanouskaya, who was driven into exile by Belarus' authoritarian ruler Alexander Lukashenko in 2020, people who had lived under oppression for so many years needed a "positive agenda."

However, she said leaders of democratic European countries have been reluctant to send positive messages to the Belarusian people that they were welcome and that the door was open to them.

"The people of Belarus are disappointed by this," said the 41-year-old Tsikhanouskaya, who now lives in Lithuania.

Lukashenko has ruled the former Soviet republic since 1994 and is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. When he sought re-election as president for the sixth time in 2020, the opposition was convinced that his challenger Tsikhanouskaya had actually won the vote.

Lukashenko had himself declared the winner, and subsequent protests were brutally crushed. Like Tsikhanouskaya, many members of the opposition have since fled into exile.

"Everyone is a target of the regime, because the regime wants to punish anyone who has dared to challenge the dictator," Tsikhanouskaya told Friday's event in Vilnius.
A man stopped in a car with guns and ammunition in Belfast claimed a friend in the government asked him to dispose of the weapons, a court has heard.

William McCune, 45, was detained in the early hours of Thursday in the south of the city.

He told police he acted as a "go-between" for his local community and the UDA.

A sawn-off shotgun, three pistols, balaclavas and an assault-style rifle were among items seized.

Mr McCune, of Bentham Drive, appeared at Belfast Magistrates' Court on Friday to face charges of possessing firearms in suspicious circumstances, and with intent to cause fear of violence.

He is further accused of having ammunition, a prohibited stun-gun, firearms without a licence, and possessing cocaine and cannabis.

An investigating detective said police stopped McCune's Seat Arona on the Upper Lisburn Road for a failure to indicate.

He told officers a suitcase in the back of the SUV may contain revolver guns.

Police located more guns, ammunition, two balaclavas, a Taser, two small bags of suspected cocaine and a cannabis joint inside the vehicle, the court heard.

'Approached to dispose of items'

Follow-up searches at Mr McCune's home led to the discovery of parts for another shotgun, air rifle and "UDA items".

The detective said: "During interviews he stated that he acts as a 'go-between' for the community in south Belfast and the UDA.

"He said that he had been approached by a school friend to dispose of items that were to be left in an alleyway."

Mr McCune claimed he had intended to hand over the haul to the authorities later the same day.

The defendant denied any links to the UDA, the court was told, but admitted a gun found at his home belonged to that organisation and was there to be cleaned before getting rid of it.

The detective told the court Mr McCune stated he had met a friend named who worked "for the government and who asked him to dispose of these items".

Opposing bail, she claimed Mr McCune may have been involved with either paramilitaries or other criminals.

'Points to sinister involvement'

Defence counsel Michael Boyd argued that in reality his client had acted to pay off a debt to loan-sharks.

"The actual truth is he was approached by members of an organisation to mind these items and possibly transport them in exchange of paying off a monetary debt he had built up," he said.

Mr McCune was refused bail based on the risks of reoffending and harm to the public.

District Judge Steven Keown remanded him in custody until April 19.
The search for Bellefonte Area School Districts next superintendent is narrowing down, with three finalists introduced during a public meeting Wednesday night.

In October, Superintendent Tammie Burnaford announced she would not be seeking an extension when her contract expires in June. Wednesdays meeting was led by the DiRocco Consulting Company, which won a $19,000 contract to lead to the search for Burnafords replacement.

Seventeen people applied for the position, 15 candidates were shared with the school board and five progressed to initial interviews, leaving three in the final round.

While community members were invited to Wednesdays meeting, Connie Kindler, a member of the consulting team, asked those in attendance to not share finalists names outside of the meeting in attempt to not alert their current jobs.

In handouts given to those in attendance, finalists were identified only by their initials.

The Centre Daily Times is identifying the finalists because they attended and introduced themselves at a public meeting and are public employees vying for a publicly funded position.

Melissa Melewsky, media law counsel for Pennsylvania News Media Association, of which the CDT is a member, said the CDT was within its First Amendment rights to release the names, which were obtained legally during the meeting.

From a legal perspective, the (Right To Know Law) requires public access to the successful candidates information, it does not require public access to the information for those who are not hired although the agency can choose to release it, Melewsky wrote in an email to the CDT.

Although advertised as a Community Public Meet and Greet session on the districts Facebook page, members of the public  about 20 were in attendance  were not able to ask the finalists questions.

Neither Kindler nor district administrators would provide information on when the board would vote on a final candidate.

In an email to the CDT, board president Jon Guizar said the board had reviewed all feedback from the meeting and would continue with selections and negotiations. He did not provide a timeline for when the board would approve a contract.

The next public communication on the matter will be when there is a contract recommended for approval at a public board meeting, Guizar wrote.

Below is information about the three finalists, who introduced themselves and gave short overviews of their careers and what they believed they could bring to the position.

Kris Vancas

Vancas is an Osceola Mills native who is assistant superintendent within the Bellefonte Area School District. The Bloomsburg University graduate was chosen as a nationally distinguished principal in 2018 and received a Governors Award for Excellence in Academics in 2013 while at Benner Elementary.

Vancas, who has helped write two of the districts comprehensive plans, said he hopes to expand the work hes currently doing at the district if hired as superintendent.

We have a lot of good initiatives and plans in place right now and I feel like were moving in the right direction, Vancas said. And for a career educator like me, this is that next step in my career I hope that I can continue to see some of these programs, some of this progress that were making.

Roy Rakszawski

Rakszawski is the only out-of-state finalist for the position, currently working as a superintendent for Edgewater Park School District in New Jersey. Rakszawski has a background in both administration and music education, with 13 years as a music teacher before becoming a principal for several years at districts in New Jersey. In 2013, he became superintendent of Edgewater Park.

During the meeting, Rakszawski spoke about the importance of addressing mental health issues and concerns within education since COVID-19.

Ive heard about this issue from all around us as well, he said. What I see the most is emotional dysregulation in the primary grades.

Janilyn Elias

Elias has been the superintendent of Troy Area School District in Bradford County since 2022. The lifelong educator has been a director of special education at Northeastern School District, director of pupil services and chief academic officer at Chambersburg Area School District.

For several years, she stepped away from education to run a cafe with her husband, something she said gives her valuable insight into what employers are looking for and what skills graduates need.

Elias said she believes one of the biggest challenges facing education is the scrutiny and constant perception teachers face.

You hear enough about teachers and the things in the news, Elias said. Why would anyone whos leaving school want to go do this?

I think the worst thing right now in education is the perception of whats happening, and then the stories that get told, and then the fear that that causes that.
Unilever said Tuesday that it will spin off its ice cream brands, including Ben & Jerry's.

It's the latest change for Ben & Jerry's, which was founded by two childhood friends from Long Island.

Here's the story of Ben & Jerry's, from a gas station in Vermont to global distribution.

Consumer goods giant Unilever seems ready to unload its ice cream business. That includes Ben & Jerry's, a brand known for its creatively named flavors  and for taking sides politically.

While many companies keep away from social issues, Ben & Jerry's has made weighing in part of its strategy. After the murder of George Floyd in 2020, for example, the brand released a statement declaring: "We must dismantle white supremacy."

Ben & Jerry's has also participated in campaigns around voting rights and environmental preservation. Founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield have either been behind or supported many of the stances that the brand has taken.

Now, Unilever is reportedly planning to spin off Ben & Jerry's, plus other ice cream brands, such as Magnum. The company acquired Ben & Jerry's in 2000.

Here is a look at how the ice cream empire came to be and the men behind it.

Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, the cofounders of Ben & Jerry's, met in middle school in Long Island, New York.

A street in Long Island, New York. Business Insider/Jessica Tyler

Cohen told the Washington Post in 2014 that he and Greenfield met when Greenfield passed out in gym class.

In an Independent story from 1995, Greenfield shared that he and Cohen come from similar backgrounds. Greenfield's father was a stockbroker, while Cohen's was an accountant. He added that he follows rules while Cohen has been known to break them.

Greenfield went to Oberlin College in Ohio and studied pre-med. Cohen went to college in upstate New York but dropped out in 1972.

Greenfield moved in with Cohen in New York after graduating from college.

Cohen and Greenfield wanted to open a bagel shop, but the equipment was too expensive. Instead, they opened an ice cream shop in Burlington, Vermont, in 1978.

Greenfield and Cohen at their ice cream stand in Burlington, Vermont. Photo by Ted Dully/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Moving away from their plans to open a bagel shop together, Cohen and Greenfield decided to attend a $5 ice cream making course at Pennsylvania State University in 1978.

That May, the duo opened their first ice cream shop in a converted gas station in Burlington, Vermont. Each pitched in $4,000, and they got an additional $4,000 bank loan to do so, as Time's Merrill Farby wrote in 2018.

They also sold other food items like crepes and soup towards the beginning. By the following year, ice cream was the only thing on their menu.

Cohen told the New York Times in 1994 that since he has a poor sense of smell and taste, Greenfield made the flavors, and he tasted them blindly. The goal was to make flavors intense enough for Cohen to taste with his eyes closed.

"Because of this disability, I have an excellent sense of mouthfeel. Creaminess and crunchiness are very important to people who can't taste," Cohen added.

By 1980, they were selling pints in grocery stores.

A yellow sale tag. Irene Jiang / Business Insider

In 1980, Ben & Jerry's expanded to grocery stores when Cohen and Greenfield started packing their ice cream into pint-sized containers. Seven years later, the company had grown to become worth $30 million.

The first flavor they experimented with was vanilla, according to the company website.

"Cherry Garcia" is one of the ice cream empire's oldest flavors. Named after Grateful Dead vocalist and lead guitarist Jerry Garcia in 1987, it features generous portions of cherries and fudge. The flavor was the second-most sold Ben & Jerry's pint of 2019.

Ben & Jerry's has collaborated on flavors with famous entertainers like Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and Dave Matthews Band.

Since at least 2014 the company has published annual flavor rankings on its site. The flavor "Half Baked" has been a longtime winner. It combines chocolate and vanilla ice cream with chunks of chocolate chip cookie dough and fudge brownies.

Ben & Jerry's was the top-selling ice cream brand of 2022, per Statista.

Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

Ben & Jerry's now has hundreds of scoop shops across the country. The brand brought in $911 million in sales in 2022, according to Statista.

While expanding its business, the company was also getting steadily involved with social issues and charitable causes.

Ben & Jerry's made Baked Alaska for a protest in Washington, DC, against drilling for oil in the Alaskan Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on April 22, 2005. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The history of the company's involvement in social causes stretches back decades. In 1992, the ice cream company helped the Children's Defense Fund, a national non-profit, send 70,000 postcards to Congress about prioritizing children's basic needs.

In 1999, Ben & Jerry's raised money for Childline, a kid's counseling service in the U.K.

In 2004, Ben & Jerry's worked with Rock the Vote to register 11,000 voters.

The company teamed up with Greenpeace and Alaska Wilderness League in 2005 to protest oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Two years later, the company protested the FDA's declaration that cloned animals are safe to milk and eat.

During Occupy Wall Street demonstrations in 2011, Ben & Jerry's released a statement in solidarity with protesters and distributed ice cream to protesters in Zuccotti Park.

In 2016, the company released a statement called "Why Black Lives Matter" calling out systemic racism.

Laura Peterson, Ben & Jerry's Public "Elations" Manager, told Business Insider that Greenfield and Cohen like to support the company's social mission activities and sometimes they make appearances at events.

In 1994, Cohen stepped down from his role as CEO. Six years later, the Dutch multinational conglomerate Unilever bought Ben & Jerry's.

Unilever headquarters in Rotterdam. Piroschka van de Wouw/Reuters

In 1994, Cohen stepped down from his role as CEO. Six years later, the multinational conglomerate Unilever bought Ben & Jerry's.

In 1994, Cohen, who was the company's first CEO, stepped down from the role. The New York Times reported that the company brought in about $150 million a year selling ice cream at the time.

Unilever bought Ben & Jerry's for $326 million in 2000, the Washington Post reported. The company didn't cut any jobs.

Cohen and Greenfield remained employees of the company, and Cohen remained on the board of directors, according to Dairy Network.

''While I would have preferred for Ben & Jerry's to remain independent, I'm excited about this next chapter,'' Cohen said in a statement published in the NYT. His statement also included lyrics from a Grateful Dead song.

Ben & Jerry's told CNN Business that when Unilever bought the ice cream company in 2000, it didn't affect the company's voice in social issues. At the time, Unilever committed to creating a $5 million fund to help minority-owned businesses and poor neighborhoods.

Peterson told BI that as of June 2020, Cohen and Greenfield are still Ben & Jerry's employees. While they have no daily managerial responsibilities, they work on company projects that they choose.

Through decades of working together, the duo has managed to maintain a close friendship. Cohen and Greenfield shared a glimpse into their relationship in a 2015 Reddit Ask Me Anything.

Cohen and Greenfield during a press conference in 2005. Scott Gries/Getty Images

In a Reddit AMA in 2015, Cohen and Greenfield answered questions about their company and relationship.

Greenfield said that both he and Cohen believe "business should be using its power to help address social and environmental issues, and not just making money." That belief, Greenfield says, helped define the mission of the company.

Greenfield added that Cohen bond over their love for food.

At the same time, the duo shared, they have very different strengths. Greenfield says Cohen is more creative and spontaneous, while Cohen says Greenfield is more diplomatic.

Cohen and Greenfield also personally have a history of supporting social justice movements.

Greenfield and Cohen join about 20 people sitting in front of the White House as part a rally demonstrating climate change awareness in 2019. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

In 2016, both Cohen and Greenfield were arrested amid "Democracy Awakening" protests in Washington, DC, aimed at protecting voter's rights, among other issues, per a police report obtained by CNN.

In a statement about the arrest, the company said, "if you care about something, you have to be willing to risk it allyour reputation, your values, your businessfor the greater good."

Cohen was arrested while demonstrating against bringing F-35 fighter planes to the Air Force base in Burlington, Vermont, in 2018, Lt. Matthew Sullivan, a police officer told USA Today. Peterson told BI that Cohen's arrest had nothing to do with the company and that he attended the protest as a private citizen.

The company's decision to take a stance on social justice issues has helped build its brand, a former CEO told BI.

Matthew McCarthy is the CEO of Ben & Jerry's. Crystal Cox/Business Insider

Matthew McCarthy said in 2020 that Ben & Jerry's takes its social mission seriously, explicitly stating its values and taking actions according to them.

What sets Ben & Jerry's apart, McCarthy said, is that it was built on explicitly stated values genuinely felt by its founders and employees.

McCarthy added that consumers and employees will likely not believe you if you take an insincere route to issue alignment.









The company has released ice cream flavors like "Save Our Swirled" and "Justice Remix'd" that lean into social issues.

Cohen and Greenfield announce a new flavor, Justice Remix'd, during a press conference in 2019 Win McNamee/Getty Images

In 2015, Ben & Jerry's released "Save Our Swirled," a flavor dedicated to climate change awareness, and it renamed their Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough flavor "I Dough, I Dough" to celebrate the legalization of same-sex marriage.

"Back in 1989, we were the first company in Vermont to offer full benefits to same-sex partners of our employees," Ben & Jerry's said in a statement about the change.

In 2018, the company came out with "Pecan Resist" an ice cream flavor dedicated to resisting the "discriminatory policies" of President Donald Trump's administration.

In September 2019, the ice cream empire came out with a flavor dedicated to addressing racial inequity called "Justice Remix'd."

In 2020, Ben & Jerry's released a statement called "Silence is NOT an option" in response to the killing of George Floyd.

A person walks past Ben & Jerry's on May 11, 2020, in New York City. Rob Kim/Getty Images

Ben & Jerry's response to the killing of George Floyd included a clear description of how Floyd died and called on then-President Trump to denounce white supremacy.

The statement supported the family of George Floyd's request for a national task force that prioritizes ending racial violence and holding police accountable.

Lastly, it called on the Department of Justice to better defend the rights of Black people and other people of color.









In 2021, Ben & Jerrys said it would stop selling its ice cream in the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel.

An Israeli flag is set atop a delivery truck outside US ice-cream maker Ben & Jerry's factory in Be'er Tuvia, on July 21, 2021 Emmanuel Dunand / AFP

"We believe it is inconsistent with our values for Ben & Jerry's ice cream to be sold in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)," the company said in a statement released in July that year. The statement was a boost to the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, which aims to change the Israeli government's treatment of Palestinians.

The move prompted criticism from politicians, including both Democrats and Republicans. Israeli officials also reportedly pressured Ben & Jerry's as well as Unilever to reverse the decision.

All the while, Ben & Jerry's kept selling ice cream in Israel.

The effects of Ben & Jerrys decision lasted over a year and included a legal battle between the brand and Unilever.

Brendan McDermid/File Photo/Reuters

After pushback, Unilever sold Ben & Jerry's operations in Israel and the West Bank to a local businessman. Ben & Jerry's sued its parent company over the deal, but a settlement at the end of 2022 kept it intact  and the brand's ice cream on store shelves in the region, Reuters reported.

The companies disclosed few details of the settlement, with Unilever issuing a short statement that the lawsuit had "been resolved."

It was a test for the corporate structure of Ben & Jerry's, whose board was granted independence to pursue the company's social mission when Unilever acquired the brand two decades earlier.

A 2023 investigation found that Ben & Jerrys was one of many food companies that used migrant children as laborers to make its products.

Shutterstock

The investigation, published in February of that year by The New York Times, found that children who had come to the US by crossing the border with Mexico were working full-time jobs in food supply chains  including one that provides Ben & Jerry's milk for the brand's ice cream.

The Times summarized the response of Cheryl Pinto, Ben & Jerry's head of values-led sourcing, by saying: "If migrant children needed to work full time, it was preferable for them to have jobs at a well-monitored workplace."

In March, Unilever said it would spin off its ice cream business, including Ben & Jerry's.

Ben & Jerry's co-founders Ben Cohen (R) and Jerry Greenfield (L). Win McNamee/Getty Images

Unilever said in March 2024 that the spin-off would be complete by the end of 2025 and involve cutting 7,500 jobs across its whole ice cream portfolio. It wasn't immediately clear how Ben & Jerry's would be affected by the job cuts.

While the details of the plan weren't clear, a demerger "is the most likely separation route," the company said in its statement.

Regardless of its final form, the decision is poised to cap a quarter-century of Unilever's ownership of Ben & Jerry's.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Candace Owens will no longer appear on Ben Shapiros conservative news website The Daily Wire, it was announced on Friday (22 March).

Controversial author Owens joined the media company in 2021 before falling out with co-founder Shapiro last year over her views on the Israel-Hamas war

Daily Wire and Candace Owens have ended their relationship, Daily Wire co-founder Jeremy Boreing tweeted on Friday morning.

The rumors are trueI am finally free, Owens shared on her own X account.

Representatives for The Daily Wire and Owens did not immediately respond to The Independents requests for additional comment.

Owens feud with Shapiro appeared to begin in November last year when Owens tweeted: No government anywhere has a right to commit a genocide, ever. There is no justification for a genocide. I cant believe this even needs to be said or is even considered the least bit controversial to state.

The rumors are true I am finally free.



If you would like to support my work, you can head to https://t.co/fOcTKYQDFk where you will be directed to my locals page.



Or, you can give a gift at https://t.co/SB1L1WZYwW



There will be many announcements in the weeks to come.   Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) March 22, 2024

Though she did not mention the conflict by name, her comments were widely interpreted to be referencing the war in Gaza.

She later tweeted a bible verse beginning: Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

You cannot serve both God and money, she added.

Shapiro responded to the tweet on 15 November, writing: Candace, if you feel that taking money from The Daily Wire somehow comes between you and God, by all means quit.

Owens replied: You have been acting unprofessional and emotionally unhinged for weeks now. And we have all had to sit back and allow it and have all tried to exercise exceeding understanding for your raw emotion.

But you cross a certain line when you come for scripture and read yourself into it. I will not tolerate it.

Owens further addressed Shapiros comments during an appearance on Tucker Carlsons eponymous X series.

Owens said she still did not have any clarity on Mr Shapiros criticism of her and that his remarks were just ad hominem attacks.

I cant respond to it on a level of intellect because theres nothing that he has expressed in that, at least in that short clip, that he fundamentally disagrees with in terms of what I said, she said.

I will say that Im not going to respond with the same ad hominem attack  I dont think it helps further discussion  and if it was me that was caught on a video saying that about colleagues that I work with, I would be embarrassed.

So I think that the video speaks more to Bens character than it speaks to mine.

Her comments came after a video shared online showed Shapiro speaking at what appeared to be a private event, during which he described Owenss faux sophistication of certain issues as disgraceful and ridiculous.

Owens went on to give tremendous credit to the Daily Wire for allowing differing opinions on the network, but added: I would hope that it will remain respectful, and that you wouldnt throw your colleagues under a bus so to speak.
President Joe Biden announced on Thursday that about 78,000 public service workers will have $5.8 billion in federal student loan debt forgiven by his administration.

The borrowers, which include teachers, nurses, firefighters and others enrolled in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, have "dedicated their careers to serving their communities," Biden said in a statement.

The debt cancellations will bring his administration's total forgiveness to about $144 billion for nearly 4 million Americans, according to the White House.

MORE: Biden administration begins canceling student loan debt for 804,000 borrowers

"From day one of my Administration, I promised to fix broken student loan programs and make sure higher education is a ticket to the middle class, not a barrier to opportunity," Biden said.

He added, "I won't back down from using every tool at my disposal to deliver student debt relief to more Americans, and build an economy from the middle out and bottom up."

The student loan forgiveness announced on Thursday brings the administration's total cancellations for public service workers to 870,000, Biden said. That's up from only about 7,000 such borrowers "ever receiving forgiveness prior to my Administration," he added.

"And through all of our various student debt relief actions, nearly four million Americans have had their student debt cancelled under my Administration," he said.

Officials said the total amount of student loan cancellation issued by Biden so far is more than $143 billion.

PHOTO: President Joe Biden speaks, as he announces a preliminary agreement with Intel for a major CHIPS and Science Act award, during a visit to the Intel Ocotillo Campus, in Chandler, Arizona, U.S., March 20, 2024. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program allows for debt forgiveness for people in jobs like firefighting, nursing and teaching after 10 years of continuous payment.

The Biden administration has made fixes to this program that had failed to deliver student loan relief to many due to poor implementations and errors in the program, officials have said.

The Biden administration will also send email notifications to 380,000 borrowers who are within two years of getting their loans forgiven through PSLF, to encourage them to stick with their payments.

According to officials, 140,000 borrowers are on track to get this same forgiveness in less than a year.

There are 240,000 borrowers on track to have loan forgiveness in the next two years who will receive a similar email noting their timeline.

Biden had earlier attempted a sweeping form of federal student loan cancellation -- totaling an estimated $400 billion for 43 million people. But the U.S. Supreme Court rejected that as outside the scope of his authority.

Biden administration forgives student loans for 78,000 more public service workers originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
President Joe Bidens campaign on Thursday shared a thread on X (formerly Twitter) of damning comments that 17 former top officials in Donald Trumps administration have made to condemn the former president and presumptive GOP nominee.

The people who know Trump best wont support him. Why should you? the Biden campaign began the thread featuring videos of high-ranking White House officials ripping their former boss.

The people who know Trump best wont support him.



Why should you?



A thread pic.twitter.com/a88f6srNw4  Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) March 21, 2024

Former Attorney General Bill Barr called Trump a consummate narcissist who constantly engages in reckless conduct in one clip.

Dictators like Russias Vladimir Putin think Trump is a laughing fool and theyre fully prepared to take advantage of him, said former National Security Adviser John Bolton in other footage.

Former Communications Director Alyssa Farah Griffin called Trump unfit for office again, a claim echoed by former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham who said she was terrified of his 2024 campaign.

Trumps former Attorney General Bill Barr: Trump is a consummate narcissist who constantly engages in reckless conduct. He will always put his own interests and gratifying his own ego ahead of everything else, including the countrys interest pic.twitter.com/ynoLvssvOS  Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) March 21, 2024

Nikki Haley, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, warned Trump puts the American military in danger.

Trumps own Vice President Mike Pences refusal to endorse Trump is also highlighted.

And former White House communications director Anthony Scaramuccis condemnation of Trump as a domestic terrorist is mentioned too.

Criticism also came from former Defense Secretary John Mattis, former National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster, former Joint Chiefs of Staff chair Mark Milley, former White House chiefs of staff Mick Mulvaney and John Kelly, former Secretaries of State Mike Pompeo and Rex Tillerson, former Navy Secretary Richard Spencer, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and former Defense Secretary Mark Esper.

Trumps former National Security Advisor John Bolton: Having been in the room with him, dictators think Trump is a laughing fool and they are prepared to take advantage of him pic.twitter.com/iURZiQe9IJ  Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) March 21, 2024

Related...
The highly touted bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, one of the top legislative victories of President Biden's tenure, is quietly tied to a number of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives that critics argue contravene the law's objectives.

The legislation, which Biden signed in August 2022, is designed to shore up U.S. semiconductor supply chains, earmarking $52.7 billion to establish the CHIPS for America Fund, which supports private-sector investment in domestic research and manufacturing. However, according to a review of federal filings, the funding is contingent on applicants meeting a series of DEI requirements.

"If you look through the notice of funding opportunity, which is the Commerce Department's requirements in order to get funding, there's literally the word diversity, equity and inclusion and DEI requirements littered throughout," said Chris Nicholson, head of research at the firm Strive Asset Management. Strive, which was founded by former presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy, has more than $1 billion in assets.

"Although this money is announced in some sense, it's not even going to be given," said Nicholson, who has researched the semiconductor industry. "That's the key here. It's not even going to be given unless [funding recipients], step by step, they meet, and they prove they're meeting all of these DEI requirements."

VIRGINIA GOV YOUNGKIN VETOES DEM BILL FORCING DIVERSITY DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS ON BUSINESSES

President Biden speaks virtually during a meeting with CEOs and labor leaders regarding the CHIPS Act on July 25, 2022.

Months after Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act into law, the Department of Commerces National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) issued its first funding opportunity for companies seeking to develop semiconductor projects. NIST Director Laurie Locascio said at the time that funding decisions would be targeted to "maximize the impact of every public dollar spent."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

However, the funding opportunity has a lengthy list of DEI requirements that would force semiconductor makers to, for example, "develop an equity strategy" that describes "specific efforts to  promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility."

MOTHER WHO PULLED KIDS FROM PUBLIC SCHOOL OVER WOKE CURRICULUM SAYS HOME-SCHOOLING PRODUCES 'AMAZING' RESULTS

This week, Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., who chairs the House Anti-Woke Caucus, circulated a memo first obtained by Fox News Digital, highlighting the requirements. In the memo, he blasted the Biden administration for prioritizing DEI, arguing it would discourage foreign investment in the U.S. and had already contributed to project delays.

"Attempting to make America stronger and more prosperous, but also more woke, is self-defeating," Banks told Fox News Digital in a statement. "A woker America is a weaker America."

Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind.

According to Banks' memo, applicants for CHIPS for America funding must have a plan to employ ex-convicts, expand employment opportunities for people with "limited English proficiency," hire more women for construction jobs, and produce a plan for contracting "diverse suppliers" that are women- and minority-owned.

In addition, applicants for large grants must guarantee "affordable, accessible, reliable, and high quality" child care for all workers, including all construction workers, allowing CHIPS and Science Act funding to be used for child care center construction.

JORDAN SAYS CUTS TO MILITARY SPENDING SHOULD BE 'ON THE TABLE' AS MONEY SHOULD NOT GO TO 'WOKE' POLICIES

And the Department of Commerces funding notice mandates applicants submit a climate and environmental justice plan accounting for "climate-related risks that may occur over the lifetime of the facility" while giving preference to applicants whose operations are operated by 100% green energy.

"All you have to do is look at the nature of the requirements themselves, and you can see that they're an enormous roadblock," Nicholson told Fox News Digital.

He noted that the requirement to hire diverse suppliers could be playing a significant role in delaying proposed semiconductor projects nationwide. Nicholson added that another funding provision strongly encouraging applicants to employ union labor is also likely to add considerable costs to manufacturers.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo testifies before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies on Feb. 1, 2022.

Last year, South Korea's then-minister of trade, industry and energy, Lee Chang-yang, expressed concern about "conditions attached to the act," specifically noting the Biden administration's child care requirements, and added that investing in the U.S. semiconductor supply chain is "becoming less appealing," Korean Economic Daily reported at the time.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, the White House blasted Banks' memo and said the CHIPS and Science Act was doing its job of attracting new investment in America.

EXECS PLAN TO INVEST MORE IN AI THIS YEAR BUT IMPLEMENTATION BARRIERS REMAIN

"Thanks to President Bidens Investing in America agenda, companies from across the world are investing billions of dollars building factories across the country and training veterans, people from rural communities, and Americans from all walks of life for the well-paying jobs theyll provide," White House spokesperson Robyn Patterson wrote.

"Shovels are in ground, facilities are already under construction, and Americans are already feeling the benefits of this Presidents economic agenda. Its sad that Congressman Jim Banks joined the CCP in opposing the landmark CHIPS and Science Act helping to keep manufacturing jobs here at home."

Since Biden signed the legislation, the federal government has announced multiple nonbinding preliminary agreements with semiconductor industry players worth billions of dollars. The most recent such agreement  $8.5 billion in potential direct funding for several projects being developed by California-based tech firm Intel  was announced Wednesday.

INTEL EMBARKING ON 'JOURNEY TO REBUILD' US CHIP DOMINATION, CEO SAYS

But some of the ambitious plans to build semiconductor production in the U.S. have faced significant delays. Last month, Intel delayed the construction timeline of its $20 billion Ohio plant, and this week, five suppliers delayed construction of facilities in Arizona aimed at supporting plants being developed by Intel and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC).

Intel declined to say if the Biden administration's requirements were delaying any of its plans but said it was "positioned to meet its obligations."

An Nvidia chip is pictured at the company's headquarters in Santa Clara, California, on June 5, 2023.

"We are grateful for the support from the Biden Administration, the Department of Commerce, and the entire U.S. government in our shared mission to strengthen the nations semiconductor industry," Intel spokesperson William Moss told Fox News Digital. "Intel is well positioned to meet its obligations and will judiciously adhere to all reporting requirements and milestones set forth by the Department of Commerce."

"Wafer fabrication sites typically require three to five years from groundbreaking to production, subject to business conditions and other factors," he added.

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

TSMC did not respond to a request for comment.

Overall, semiconductors are vital for supporting a wide range of communications, science, medical and energy technologies. But China currently dominates the global supply chain, accounting for an estimated 31.4% of worldwide final sales, according to Citigroup research.





Original article source: Biden's major semiconductor push is quietly riddled with DEI initiatives
Agriculture is the biggest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in Northern Ireland

The rural community is being asked about its interest in producing biomethane for direct injection to Northern Ireland's gas grid.

A formal request for information been launched by the local gas network operators.

It follows the first direct-to-grid injection of the non-fossil fuel gas last year.

Using biomethane in Northern Ireland's modern gas grid is a key part of plans for decarbonising energy.

The more environmentally friendly fuel can be produced from manure, organic food waste and surplus agricultural feedstock like silage.

That means it can also help tackle Northern Ireland's manure surplus, a major challenge for agriculture which is the biggest local producer of greenhouse gas emissions.

Potential and current producers of biomethane are now being asked to indicate whether they would supply direct to the grid.

Producers of biogas who may be considering upgrading and repurposing their anaerobic digestion plants are also asked to respond.

Biomethane comes from manure, organic food waste and surplus agricultural feedstock like silage

Biogas is treated to create biomethane by removing carbon dioxide and other pollutants which are then repurposed.

The five gas network operators - Phoenix Energy, Firmus Energy, Evolve, GNI (UK) and Mutual Energy - say the information they want to gather is key for forward planning to ensure the network can accommodate as much biomethane as possible.

'Considerable potential'

"In recent years we have seen the pace at which the biomethane economy has developed across Europe," said Kailash Chada, chief executive of Phoenix Energy.

"This particular request for information initiative will be key to unlocking the considerable potential that exists in NI, contributing to near term carbon budget targets and providing an increased self-sufficiency and sustainability to our local energy supplies."

The five operators joined Minister for the Economy Conor Murphy and Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir to launch the formal Request for Information.

Both ministers welcomed the step as an important element in developing a framework for the sustainable production of biomethane.
On Friday, it was announced that obnoxious conservative commentator Candace Owens has seemingly been let go from the Daily Wire. Daily Wire and Candace Owens have ended their relationship, the companys CEO Jeremy Boreing stated in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Owens started working at the site in 2020, hosting a weekday show.

Right after Boreing shared the news, Owens hopped on X to put her spin on her immediate departure. The rumors are true  I am finally free, she posted. Owens also added that folks can donate to her personally using Revv and that there will be many announcements in the weeks to come.

Though there was no formal reason given for the shocking split, some folks have speculated that Owens stance on the Israel-Hamas war led to dissatisfaction with Daily Wire personality Ben Shapirowho is Jewish. She used her platform to elevate antisemitism and just earlier this month stated that secret Jewish gangs terrorize Hollywood.

Daily Wire and Candace Owens have ended their relationship.  Jeremy Boreing (@JeremyDBoreing) March 22, 2024

Moreover, Owens also favorited a tweet that said Jews are known for drinking Christians blooda downright false claim. In November, a recording that was posted to X revealed Shapiro saying that Owens was absolutely disgraceful.

I think that her faux-sophistication on these particular issues has been ridiculous, its not faux-sophistication, its ridiculous, he added.

Following Shapiros remarks, Boreing stated that we would not fire Candace because of...a desire not to regulate the speech of our hosts, even when we disagree with them.

He also said that Owens job is secure and she is welcome at Daily Wire. The pundit has made a career of being vehemently anti-Black for years and recently made stops on The Breakfast Club and The Joe Budden Podcast to ridicule Black culture. Owens was rewarded for spouting ignoranceyet the final straw was her antisemitic remarks.

Itll only be a matter of time before shes spewing her hate on a different platform.

For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Dinesh Gunawardena will pay an official visit to China from March 25 to 30, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian announced on Friday.

During the visit, President Xi Jinping will meet with Gunawardena. Premier Li will hold talks with Gunawardena, and Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, will meet with him, Lin said.

The leaders will have an in-depth exchange of views on continuing China-Sri Lanka traditional friendship, deepening political mutual trust, expanding practical cooperation, as well as international and regional issues of common interest, the spokesperson said.

China and Sri Lanka are neighboring countries that share traditional friendship. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1957, the two countries have always helped each other, setting a good example of equal treatment and friendly coexistence between countries, Lin said.

In recent years, China and Sri Lanka have witnessed frequent high-level exchanges, enhanced political mutual trust, increasingly close exchanges and cooperation in economy, trade, culture and other fields, and sound communication and coordination on international and regional affairs, Lin noted.

Last October, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe attended the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, where President Xi had an in-depth exchange of views with him, and they reached important consensus on developing China-Sri Lanka relations, Lin said.

Noting that China attaches great importance to the development of bilateral relations, Lin said China stands ready to work with Sri Lanka to jointly promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and push for new progress in developing China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincere mutual assistance and lasting friendship. 
After a meeting in Cairo discussing efforts for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said an Israeli invasion in Rafah in southern Gaza would be a mistake.

A major military operation in Rafah would be a mistake, something we dont support, he said. And its also not necessary to deal with Hamas, which is necessary.

Blinken, on his sixth trip to the Middle East since the war in Gaza began, said there will be an opportunity next week to share, in detail the United Statess stance on a Rafah incursion with Israel. President Biden has invited Israeli officials to Washington to discuss alternatives.

Blinken will meet Friday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wartime Cabinet, according to The Associated Press.

Earlier this week, Netanyahu suggested the invasion of Rafah is unavoidable to achieve Israels mission of eliminating Hamas, despite U.S. officials warning Israel of the risks the invasion poses.

Rafah is housing millions of Palestinians who fled from other parts of the territory since the start of the war, but it is also believed to be a Hamas holdout.

Netanyahu and President Biden spoke on the phone Monday, the first time the two leaders have spoken since Biden said the prime minister was hurting Israel more than helping. Biden emphasized his bone-deep commitment to Israel but is also ramping up efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

During his State of the Union address, Biden pledged that more aid would be delivered to Palestinians in Gaza, as aid groups warn of a famine. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reports that more than 31,000 Palestinians have died since the start of the Oct. 7 war.

Blinken said the U.S. has a clear consensus that there needs to be an immediate, sustained cease-fire with release of hostages that would create space to surge more humanitarian assistance to relieve the suffering of many people and build something more enduring.

Yet the U.S. previously vetoed a United Nations resolution calling for a cease-fire, and a watered down version of the resolution backed by the U.S. was vetoed Friday by China and Russia.

The U.S. is also continuing talks aimed at releasing more than 100 hostages still being held by Hamas after its terrorist attack on Oct. 7.

Blinken said the U.S. has worked with Egypt, Qatar and Israel to put a strong proposal on the table that Hamas responded to, and negotiators are continuing to work.

The gaps are narrowing, and were continuing to push for an agreement in Doha, Blinken said. Still difficult work to get there, but I continue to believe its possible.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken disembarks from an aircraft upon his arrival in Tel Aviv from Cairo, as the push for a ceasefire between the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel continues on March 22, 2024 (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

US secretary of state Antony Blinken met with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel on Friday amid growing tension between the two close allies over the conduct of Israels offensive in Gaza.

Mr Blinken has spent days travelling the region in an attempt to broker a new ceasefire in Gaza, some six months into the devastating war. He met with Israelis leaders on Friday to urge them not to launch a ground attack on the city of Rafah and to do more to allow humanitarian aid to enter the territory.

The visit comes at a particularly tense period for US-Israel relations, as gaps between the two historic allies have emerged over Israels devastating war against Hamas.

In recent weeks, the Biden administration has publicly called for Israel to rethink its plan to invade the city of Rafah, where more than one million Palestinians are sheltering after being displaced from across the territory.

Mr Netanyahu has baulked at the suggestions, however, and said following his meeting with Mr Blinken that he remained committed to launching an operation in the city.

I also said that we have no way to defeat Hamas without going into Rafah and eliminating the rest of the battalions there. And I told him that I hope we will do it with the support of the US, but if we have to  we will do it alone, he said in a video statement to reporters.

Mr Blinken said ahead of the meeting that he would urge Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into the territory after a United Nations report warned that widespread famine was imminent in northern Gaza, and a major acceleration of death would follow if an immediate ceasefire is not reached .

A hundred percent of the population of Gaza is experiencing severe levels of acute food insecurity. We cannot, we must not allow that to continue, Mr Blinken told a news conference late on Thursday.

The visit marks the secretary of states trip to the Middle East since Hamas killed some 1,200 people and took more than 200 hostage in a surprise attack on 7 October in southern Israel. Israels offensive in response has killed more than 31,000 people in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials, who told The Independent there have been at least 27 reported deaths due to starvation and dehydration, including 23 children.

President Joe Biden has faced increasing pressure from allies at home and abroad over the humanitarian crisis caused by the war. Partly in response to that pressure, the US tabled a United Nations Security Council resolution on Friday declaring that "an immediate and sustained ceasefire" in Gaza is "imperative" to protect civilians there.

The resolution failed to pass after permanent members Russia and China voted against it.

Russias deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyansky said earlier that Moscow would not support a resolution that doesnt call for an immediate ceasefire, and claimed the wording of the resolution did not contain any enforcement measures.

It comes one month after the US blocked a resolution submitted by Arab states that called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire  in Gaza , a decision that put it at odds with most of the world, including a significant number of its allies.

The US was the only country on the 15-member council to vote against the resolution, while the United Kingdom abstained. It was the third time the US has vetoed a UN resolution aimed at bringing about a ceasefire in Gaza since the conflict began.

While the failed resolution did not come with any enforcement mechanism, it is perhaps the strongest resolution regarding Israels war in Gaza that the US has agreed to back.

Mr Biden last month described Israels conduct in the war as over the top, but he has not shown any willingness to leverage massive US aid to Israel to pressure its ally.

His administration has quietly approved and delivered more than 100 weapons deliveries to Israel since 7 October, the Washington Post reported  sales that were not announced publicly. The White House has also bypassed Congress twice to send hundreds of millions of dollars of tank shells and ammunition.

Six months of war has caused an acute humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, which is home to more than 2 million people. The US has been unable to persuade Israel to allow sufficient aid deliveries into Gaza on the ground to feed Gazas population. Those blockages led to the US launching air drops of aid into the strip, and a plan to build a port on Gazas coast to facilitate further aid deliveries, but aid experts said those measures would be insufficient to prevent a famine.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), whose assessments are relied on by UN agencies, said this week that nearly three-quarters of people in parts of northern Gaza were now afflicted by the most severe level of food shortage, far exceeding the 20 per cent famine threshold.

Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary general, called the IPC report an appalling indictment of conditions on the ground.

This is an entirely man-made disaster and the report makes clear that it can be halted, he told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York, calling on Israel to ensure access to humanitarian goods throughout Gaza.

Mr Blinken arrived in Israel after meeting with foreign ministers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan on Thursday as part of his push for a new ceasefire agreement in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.

He said in the same interview with Saudi media outlet Al Hadath that the gaps are narrowing between Israel and Hamas in their negotiations for a ceasefire, and that an agreement is very much possible.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Secretary of State Antony Blinken shared a stern warning with Israel: do not invade Rafah, a city in Gaza.

A major military ground operation in Rafah is not the way to do it, Blinken said.

Blinken met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet, and said an operation like this could isolate Israel and its standing in the world.

It risks killing more civilians. It risks wreaking greater havoc with the humanitarian assistance, Blinken said.

Blinken says the U.S is still committed to helping Israel achieve its goal of defeating Hamas.

It really requires an integrated humanitarian, military and political plan, Blinken said.

The U.S is also focused on gaining a ceasefire, rescue hostages and increase the flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza strip.

A U.S led U.N resolution for a ceasefire failed in the U.N security council.

Got very strong support. But then was cynically vetoed by Russia and China, Blinken said.

Blinken says he also met with families of the hostages held by Hamas.

Its hard to describe. What theyre going through every single day, Blinken said.

Blinken says negotiations continue for their release. Israeli officials will travel to Washington next week, to talk more with U.S officials.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
CHICAGO  Activist groups hoping to make life miserable for the Democratic National Conventions organizers and attendees filed a federal lawsuit Friday alleging Chicago violated their First Amendment rights by blocking their protest plans.

The tens of thousands of people that are coming  not only from the Midwest, but all across the country  will be marching on the DNC, permit or not, Hatem Abudayyeh, executive director of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, said at a Federal Plaza news conference Friday after groups affiliated with their protest filed the suit.

The city has so far blocked every protest permit requested near the August conventions United Center headquarters, despite Mayor Brandon Johnsons promises that demonstrators will have a fair platform and security. Instead, the city has offered each group the same two-block route through Grant Park  a proposal the groups allege doesnt fulfill their right to be within sight and sound of the convention.

The most recent denials came from an administrative judge who blocked two pro-Palestinian anti-war protests in a Wednesday decision. The lawsuit is just another outcropping of the rising political pressure from forces who see opportunity in the attention set to come to Chicago and plan to take advantage of it regardless of court rulings and permits.

Protest ordinances require the city to offer an alternative protest route with similar visibility, timing and location when it rejects a protest permit application, said attorney Chris Williams, who is representing several denied groups. But city representatives have not met with protesters to negotiate routes and have instead suggested groups seeking permits could face legal penalties for making duplicative applications, he added.

The First Amendment is not important when everybody agrees, but its critical when there are disagreements, Williams said.

The city has repeatedly argued in court that Chicago does not have enough police to protect the parade, keep protesters in check and regulate traffic, records show.

Demonstrators have long signaled their aim to disrupt the convention, chasing after host committee Executive Director Christy George for months. As George led a first-look United Center tour for media in January, a handful of pro-Palestinian demonstrators rallied outside. In early February, her talk show appearance at The Hideout was repeatedly interrupted as more pro-Palestinian activists unfurled banners and flags. Weeks later, as she chatted inside the Union League Club, a 100-strong group rallied on the sidewalk to demand Democrats commit to spending federal money to solve Chicagos homelessness issue.

The conventions growing heat has also touched Johnson. On Wednesday, the mayor stared from behind the dais as a man interrupted a City Council meeting yelling for Johnson to Cancel the DNC, screaming, No Genocide Joe in Chicago  a reference to pro-Palestinian groups contention President Joe Biden is complicit in the mass killing of civilians in Gaza  as security guards pushed him out.

Asked earlier this month how he views the possibility of demonstrations overshadowing the DNC, Johnson said his administration firmly believes in the right to assemble and is confident groups will be able to demonstrate. Protests are a part of any democracy, he said, flagging his own past participation in large demonstrations and the importance they play in progressive movements.

Im not here without that movement, he said. We just want to make sure that it is done in a safe and secure area so that that right to assemble doesnt get taken over by individuals who may have other interests.

I dont want people to live in fear that we cannot have a convention where a reasonable amount of protests and dissonance takes place, Johnson said, adding that vandalism wont be tolerated.

As the Chicago Department of Transportation denied each protest permit, it offered each applicant the same alternate route: a 2-block march up a tree-lined stretch of Columbus Drive in the middle of Grant Park from Roosevelt Road to Jackson Drive.

That route is a joke, said Andy Thayer, whose Gay Liberation Network is organizing a march for the LGBTQ+ community and womens reproductive rights.

Its worse than anything that even Rahm or Mayor Daley would have proposed. I think it speaks volumes about Mayor Johnson breaking one of his promises to be more transparent, more open to all of the people of Chicago and not just the select few.

Thayer pledged his group will march on the route it proposed  from Water Tower Park to the southern end of Grant Park on Michigan Avenue  with or without a permit.

We mean business

For Abudayyeh, an organizer behind many of the over 20 large pro-Palestinian protests that have shut down Chicago streets, the DNC is an opportunity to show top congressional and White House Democrats that we mean business.

That we are going to make life miserable for them. And that we are going to threaten the thing that they care about most, Abudayyeh said.

Protesters in his camp will be unbothered by the possibility their attacks on Biden could help hand Donald Trump the presidency, Abudayyeh said. Even if war isnt still raging in Gaza, Chicagos large Palestinian population will show up to push for aid to rebuild the devastated area, he added.

Abudayyehs group played a key role in pushing the City Council to make Chicago the largest American city to call for a cease-fire in late January. In Tuesdays primary election, so far nearly 30,000 Chicago voters chose a write-in option in the Democratic presidential primary, a likely nod to the national effort to use ballots to further signal disapproval of Bidens handling of the war in Gaza  and a potential sign of still well-backed local frustration. Mail-in ballots are still being counted.

I am guaranteeing tens of thousands of people in the streets with thousands of Palestinian flags, with Palestinians from all walks of life, from all over the country, Abudayyeh said. He is hopeful that Johnson, who helped push the cease-fire resolution through the council, will also facilitate protest permits.

By failing to respond to an appeal in time, the city inadvertently granted one protest permit that would take some marchers from Humboldt Park right to the United Centers sidewalks. The apparent accident gives the Poor Peoples Army, a group that protests at every major convention, its first-ever permit.

It was divine intervention, the groups national coordinator Cheri Honkala said.

The demonstration will be nonviolent, with plans to request a citizens arrest of Democratic Party leaders and use civil disobedience if necessary, Honkala said.

Williams said a permit appeal hearing this week revealed the DNC is involved in planning security. He believes organizers are trying to prevent protesters from directly confronting Biden about the war in Gaza, he said.

In a statement, a DNC spokesperson said event organizers embrace the right to protest: The freedom to make your voice heard is a core tenet of our political system, and unlike Republicans, Democrats will continue to celebrate the diversity of our party as a strength, not a weakness.

The city is set to receive $75 million from the federal government for convention security. Federal authorities plan to set up a so-far unannounced security perimeter around the United Center, while Chicago Police Department leaders responsible for security outside the area have said planning and training focused on constitutional policing are long underway.

_____

(Chicago Tribune reporter Kate Armanini contributed to this story.)

____
Berlin has pledged 300 million euros ($325 million) to a Czech-led initiative to provide Ukraine with hundreds of thousands of artillery shells, Bloomberg reported on March 21, citing people familiar with the decision.

Czech President Petr Pavel said in February at the Munich Conference that Prague had found 500,000 155 mm shells and 300,000 122 mm shells outside Europe that could be sent to Ukraine within weeks if the necessary funds were allocated to the initiative.

Artillery shells are a crucial capability for Ukraine as the country faces critical ammunition shortages. Delays in U.S. military assistance, caused by disputes in Congress, have already had a direct impact on the battlefield, contributing to the loss of the key front-line city of Avdiivka.

AFP reported on March 6 that Germany would pledge a "three-digit million euro sum" to the Czech initiative, citing Chancellor Olaf Scholz's spokesperson, Steffen Hebestreit.

Three hundred million euros ($325 million) will be enough to cover around 180,000 shells, Bloomberg said, citing people who declined to be named. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius also said that Berlin would cover the purchase of 180,000 shells earlier this week.

Several other states, including France, the Netherlands, Canada, Lithuania, and Belgium, agreed to join the initiative.

Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal expressed hopes to get enough ammunition by April, also thanks to assistance from allies. Czech officials named July as the earliest date of first deliveries.

Since the beginning of 2024, Russia has fired seven times more shells than Ukraine, according to Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk, Ukraine's deputy defense minister.

Read also: Zaporizhzhias Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant hit amid Russian attack on energy infrastructure

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The United States proposed to the Group of Seven (G7) countries that they establish a special-purpose vehicle (SPV) to issue $50 billion in bonds from profits generated by frozen Russian assets and use the proceeds to support Ukraine, Bloomberg reported on March 21.

Western countries have immobilized around $300 billion of the Russian central bank's assets since the start of the full-scale invasion. Washington, Brussels, and Kyiv have long discussed legal ways of channeling these funds to aid Ukraine's reconstruction efforts.

The SPV would reportedly employ around $280 billion of these funds and use them to back "freedom bonds." The Group of Seven comprises the U.K., Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the U.S.

Earlier this year, G7 countries announced they were developing strategies to issue debt to support Ukraine, utilizing Russian assets as a safety net for repayment.

U.S. President Joe Biden also recently backed U.S. legislation that would allow the confiscation of some frozen Russian funds and funnel them to Ukraine after months of not supporting the outright seizure of the assets.

The Biden administration is under significant pressure to develop new aid pathways as the U.S. Congress continues to drag its feet in passing further aid to Ukraine.

Holdups in U.S. assistance have put a significant strain on Ukraine's efforts to resist Russian aggression, causing ammunition shortages and contributing to the loss of a key front-line city of Avdiivka.

The World Bank assessed early in 2023 that the total cost of Ukraine's reconstruction would amount to $411 billion. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba commented earlier this year that the full amount of Russian assets could cover over 80% of recovery costs.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Mass attack on Kyiv injures at least 13, including child

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  The bodies of William Drew Bull, 29, and Christopher Topher Owens, 28, have been found after the pair had been missing for nearly a month, according to the San Juan County Sheriffs Office.

The San Juan County Sheriffs Office announced in a social media post that the bodies of Drew and Bull were recovered by authorities and have been confirmed deceased. Officials did not disclose where the bodies were found.

PREVIOUS STORY: Roommate of missing San Juan County men charged with homicide, obstruction of justice

The discovery of the bodies comes more than a week after officials charged the pairs roommate, Charles Youngkuom Yoo, 35, with two counts of aggravated murder and one count of obstruction of justice.

The sheriffs office said the bodies were taken to the Office of the Medical Examiner and family members have been notified of the deaths.

Officials have said they are not releasing any further information at this time.

What happened to Christopher Owens and William Bull?

On February 25, Owens and Bull were on their way back from Moab, according to a March 8 affidavit for Yoos arrest. The pair was seen on video footage at a gas station in Blanding around 11:30 a.m. on February 25.

Owens was said to be a consistent user of social media, according to the affidavit, but had reportedly not posted since February 25. His friends reached out to Bulls wife and friend to raise their concerns, the affidavit states.

Bull also had not contacted anyone since February 25, until a text message was sent from his phone a few days later. Credit card statements obtained by police also show the last activity on Bulls card being at the gas station on February 25.

Based on cellphone information, both Owens and Bull arrived back at the Blanding residence and their phones were last seen after midnight on February 26. The data shows they did not leave the area, but their phones appeared to have been powered off until the next day.

On February 27, the affidavit says a friend of Bull went to the home Bull and Owens shared with Yoo to speak with Bull about business dealings. At the home, the friend encountered Yoo but not Bull or Owens, documents say.

The friend told police Yoo had a large collection of guns and said one was missing. When the friend suggested Yoo report the missing gun, Yoo reportedly said he would want to speak to his attorney first.

On February 27, after 10:40 a.m., Bulls wife received a text message from Bulls phone. The friend who was at Yoos home told police he was at the home but not with Yoo consistently at the time that cellular records indicate the text was sent.

On March 1, Yoo told Bulls wife he was leaving town. During that time, documents say he turned his location off, but turned his location data back on upon his return.

Police said they conducted an emergency ping for both Bulls and Owenss cellphones, but only received location data from Bulls phone about 700 yards from Yoos residence. Officials said they checked that area but did not recover a phone or a person.

On March 8, detectives interviewed Yoo and later arrested him. He reportedly confirmed he knew how the text message from February 27 was sent.

Detectives said he was found to be obstructing justice by claiming Bull and Owens left the home in the black Dodge on February 26, the affidavit says.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Authorities in Tennessee announced Friday that the body of a missing University of Missouri student was found in a Nashville river, weeks after he disappeared.

The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said the body of Riley Strain, 22, was located about 8 miles away from the downtown area in the Cumberland River, adding that there were no signs of foul play-related trauma.

Speaking at a press conference, police Chief John Drake said the body was found in the clothes that Strain had worn the night he disappeared.

Riley Strain, 22, was found dead in a river. Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.

Strain was last seen while on a trip with his Delta Chi Fraternity brothers on March 8, when he disappeared upon leaving Lukes 32 Bridge, musician Luke Bryans honky-tonk bar.

A cousin of Strains told local news outlet WKRN that the students mother last heard from him around 7:30 p.m. that night, when he told her that he was having a good time.

Surveillance footage shared by Nashville police showed an apparently disoriented Strain walking away after leaving the bar.

TC Restaurant Group, which owns and operates Lukes 32 Bridge in partnership with Bryan, denied over-serving the college student, saying that Strain was only served one alcoholic drink and two waters.

In a statement shared with HuffPost, the business said that bar security escorted the college student out at around 9:35 p.m. with one member of his party.

Strains friends told authorities that they got separated from him and tried to locate him through Snapchats location function, but were unsuccessful, according to a police report cited by The Tennessean.

In a statement released March 11, the Delta Chi Fraternity headquarters said that it was aware of the disappearance and hopeful for Strains safe return.

Nashville Mayor Freddie OConnell on Friday addressed the discovery of Strains body.

This is not the outcome that anyone hoped for  especially his parents and everyone who loved him OConnell wrote on social media.

I met with Rileys family earlier this week, and as devastating as I find this news, I cant imagine their heartbreak, he added. We will continue to work toward improvements in safety in a variety of ways.

Related...
Riley Strains body was found Friday in a Nashville river, ending a weeks-long search for the University of Missouri college student, who disappeared after a night out with his fraternity brothers on March 8.

The Metro Nashville Police Department confirmed the body belonged to Strain, 22, because he still had the same shirt on from the night of his disappearance.

Chief John Drake said there was no foul play-related trauma or any other detail that would suggest that Strains death was anything other than a case of accidental drowning. He was found by a work crew that spotted his body after they removed an unrelated object from the river, about 8 miles west of downtown Nashville.

Drake said Strain was found around 7:30 a.m. Friday near 61st Avenue North, which is in the general area where a bank card belonging to the college student was found on the riverbank and his phone last pinged.

The grim discovery puts an end a weeks-long search for Strain that involved hundreds of volunteers, the Cajun Navy, and police from Nashville and the surrounding areas.

Luke Bryans Nashville Bar Denies Overserving Missing College Student

Strain, a 6-foot-7 finance major in his final year of undergrad, disappeared shortly after a bar said it served him a single alcoholic drink and two glasses of water at Lukes 32 Bridge, which is owned by the country music star Luke Bryan.

Cops pored over footage from hundreds of security cameras across Nashville in search of clues about Strains whereabouts. He appeared on some cameras and was even recorded on an officers body-worn camera during a brief conversation with him.

Strain did not appear to be in any distress during the chat, in which he responded good when asked if he was OK by the Nashville cop.

Multiple signs pointed to the likelihood that Strain was near the Cumberland River on the night of his disappearance, with security footage released Thursday night showing him jog toward the river from his hotel, the Tempo by Hilton.

A homeless man also claimed to have seen a very, very, very intoxicated man who fit Strains profile on March 8. He told Fox 17 that man nearly stumbled into the Cumberland River.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The body of a missing 22-year-old University of Missouri student was recovered from the Cumberland River in West Nashville, police said on Friday.

Riley Strain of Springfield, Missouri, had been missing for about two weeks after he was last seen about 10 p.m. March 8 when he was kicked out of Lukes 32 Bridge Bar at 301 Broadway, a downtown Nashville bar owned by country star Luke Bryan, according to Metro Nashville Police.

His body was found in the Cumberland River in West Nashville Friday morning, about eight miles from downtown, Metro Nashville Police said in a post shortly after 9:30 a.m. on X, formerly Twitter.

No trauma related to foul play was observed. An autopsy is pending.

This breaking news story will be updated as more information becomes available.
BUCHAREST, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The Romanian version of three Chinese books have been unveiled in Bucharest at the Romanian Scientists' House as part of the "Discover China" series.

The launch ceremony, co-organized by Corint Publishing House and the Foreign Languages Press from Beijing, was held Wednesday for the publication of "The Jewels in China's Crown," "Chinese Values," and "Shared Ideals" in Romanian.

Luiza Penescu, general manager of Corint Publishing House, said that being part of the "Discover China" collection initiated in 2018, the books will provide Romanian readers with valuable insights into Chinese culture, history and society.

Chinese Ambassador to Romania Han Chunlin said the books would help deepen Romanians' understanding of China's modern economic development and its global contributions.

Under the "Discover China" project jointly sponsored by Corint Publishing House and the Foreign Languages Press, over 40 books on various aspects of Chinese culture have been translated. 
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WCMH)  A Columbus woman accused of killing a child, the subject of a statewide Amber Alert, was in tears as police approached her during her videotaped arrest.

Officers found Pammy Maye, 48, on Feb. 18 inside a building near Cleveland. The Columbus Division of Police released body camera footage on Friday from when Brooklyn police first encountered her. An Ohio Amber Alert went out Feb. 14 for Darnell Taylor, 5, for whom she was a legal guardian and the suspect in his abduction. Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant confirmed on Feb. 16 that police located what they believed to be Taylors body in southwest Columbus.

In the trio of videos released from three officers, they walked into an industrial building where they spoke with a witness. An officer asked them if Maye randomly came inside as the group of law enforcement heads down a hallway.

Police blurred the inside of the building captured on camera, citing an exception to Ohio public records law. Because of this, Maye is never visible in the video, but can be heard interacting with officers.

My husband thinks I did something wrong and Im sick, Maye said in the video.

Maye was already crying as officers walked into the room she was in. She speaks unintelligibly through most of the video, but she tells police she doesnt have any weapons and that she was wearing plastic bags on her feet. They then read her Miranda rights before arresting her.

A Franklin County grand jury would later indict Maye on charges of aggravated murder, abuse of a corpse, and three counts of tampering with evidence. She was extradited back to Columbus on Feb. 21 for proceedings in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.

Mayes trial is scheduled to begin Monday, according to court records. However, her attorney Sam Shamansky told NBC4 he anticipates it will be rescheduled, because the defense and prosecutors havent gone through the discovery process, and Maye has not had a required mental health evaluation yet.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Multiple accidents involving Boeings 737 Max 9 planes have kept the corporation in the news and under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigation. But questions remain around whether the FAA has done all it should to help fix Boeings problems.

Boeings ongoing problems.

On January 6, the FAA grounded approximately 171 Boeing 737 Max 9 planes after a left mid-cabin door plug blew out of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 while in flight. The flight returned to Portland International Airport in Oregon (seven passengers and one flight attendant sustained minor injuries). A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) preliminary report found that four bolts that prevent upward movement of the door plug were missing. The FAA was one of the collaborating agencies on the NTSB investigation of Flight 1282.

The FAA conducted a six-week audit of Boeing and its suppliers, Spirit AeroSystems, which produces the fuselage of the 737 Max 9. According to a presentation reviewed by the New York Times, Boeing and Spirit failed to comply with quality-control requirements. Of the 89 product audits, a type of FAA review focusing specifically on parts of the production process, Boeing passed 56 and failed 33. The presentation mentions 97 incidents of alleged non-compliance. Of the 13 product audits conducted on Spirit AeroSystems, only six received passing grades.

This came after another, congressionally mandated investigation of Boeing for previous problems. After two fatal Boeing 737 Max 9 crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people, a panel was directed by Congress to review Boeings safety management processes. Released in February, the panels report found a disconnect between the planemakers senior management and employees on safety culture and raised other concerns. According to the report, recent issues, such as with Flight 1282, amplified the expert panels concerns that the safety-related messages or behaviors are not being implemented across the entire Boeing population.

During a February meeting at FAA headquarters in Washington, D.C., FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker directed Boeings CEO and other senior leaders to address the FAA audit findings as part of its comprehensive corrective action plan to fix systemic quality control issues. They must also address how safety gaps found in the expert panels report will be closed in their action plan.

Until further notice, the FAA has halted production expansion of the Boeing 737 Max 9.* The agency is also exploring the possibility of using a third party to conduct independent reviews of quality control measures and will continue its increased onsite presence at Boeings facility in Renton, Washington, and Spirit AeroSystems facility in Wichita, Kansas.

Whats the FAAs role in these circumstances?

Among other duties, the FAA researches and develops the systems and procedures needed for a safe and efficient system of air navigation and air traffic control.

Specifically, when it comes to manufacturers like Boeing, the FAAs authority encompasses the certification of aircraft designs to ensure they meet safety standards, continuous oversight of manufacturing processes, and the issuance of airworthiness directives to address safety issues, Chris Handley, a former FAA aviation safety inspector, told The Dispatch. The FAA ensures that aircraft manufacturers comply with all applicable safety standards and regulations, and it has the power to take enforcement action when necessary.

Hard evidence of a potentially significant safety risk or non-compliance with FAA regulations is usually needed to trigger a special investigation into a manufacturing issue, according to Handley.

This evidence can be found through channels such as whistleblower reports, aircraft accidents, or routine inspections revealing irregularities, among other ways. Once enough evidence exists for concern, the FAA can deploy a team of inspectors and engineers to investigate. The FAAs authority allows the team to access records, interview personnel, and inspect facilities.

What steps has the FAA taken with Boeing?

Heres a brief summary of the FAAs activities that began January 6, one day after Alaska Airlines Flight 1282.

The FAA temporarily grounded certain Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft operated by U.S. airlines or in U.S. territory. Two days later, the FAA provided an approved method to comply with its Boeing 737 Max 9 emergency airworthiness directive to the affected operators. It also asked operators to complete enhanced inspections that included both left and right cabin door exit plugs, door components, and fasteners.

On January 11, the FAA formally notified Boeing of an investigation to determine if completed products met FAA safety regulations.

On January 17, the FAA began investigating Boeings manufacturing practices and production lines, including those involving subcontractor Spirit AeroSystems, bolstering its oversight of Boeing, and examining potential system change.

On February 12, Whitaker visited Boeings factory floor in Renton, Washington, to see the 737 production line and hear directly from Boeing engineers, mechanics, and others about quality control processes. He also went to the Alaska Airlines headquarters to discuss the left mid-cabin door plug that blew out of Flight 1282.

On February 28, after an all-day meeting at FAA headquarters, Boeing was given 90 days to develop a comprehensive action plan to address its systemic quality-control issues to meet FAAs non-negotiable safety standards.

On March 4, the results of the six-week audit were released.

Is criticism the FAA has received over the Boeing problems warranted?

Despite its actions, the FAA has faced criticism in the handling of the Boeing situation.

Handley added that its important to acknowledge the proactive ways the FAA is currently working to address the Boeing situation. The FAA is learning from these experiences and its ongoing efforts to implement reforms that enhance aviation safety, he said.

Handley told The Dispatch that one common public misconception is that the FAA is responsible for the day-to-day operations of aircraft manufacturers or that it designs aircrafts. In reality, the FAAs role is to regulate and oversee the aviation industry to ensure compliance with safety standards. Manufacturers are responsible for designing and building aircraft in accordance with FAA-certified processes and designs, Handley told The Dispatch.

However, after a 2020 grounding of the 737 Max 9, the FAA became more involved in Boeings manufacturing processes. During a January 9 PBS interview, Jon Ostrower, editor-in-chief of aerospace news outlet The Air Current said that the FAA oversees the final inspection and airworthiness ticketing of each and every delivery and has played a role and been integrally involved in Boeings factories and their deliveries since then, he said. So, certainly, how they have approached this is going to be an important question going forward.

In April 2019, the FAA announced commissioning of an employee survey as part of its plans to improve safety culture following the second fatal Boeing crash. With a purpose of obtaining candid feedback, the survey was conducted in various focus groups in late 2019 and in early 2020. Employees and managers reported external pressure from industry is strong and impacts safety culture.

According to the survey, some aviation safety employees believe that senior leaders are overly concerned with achieving the business-oriented outcomes of industry stakeholders and are not held accountable for safety-related decisions. One anonymous employee surveyed interpreted the message as Dont rock the boat with Boeing. Employees felt the FAA did not acknowledge needed changes to safety policies and procedures after the first two fatal Max crashes, according to the report.

When asked whether criticism of the FAAs handling of the Boeing situation is warranted, Handley said the answer is complex with multiple aspects. These aspects hinge on perspectives about regulatory effectiveness, industry pressures, and the challenges of overseeing a global aerospace giant, Handley explained. In my view, while the FAAs efforts are fundamentally aimed at ensuring aviation safety, reflection on these events reveals areas for improvement. Enhancing the transparency of the certification process, strengthening oversight mechanisms, and fostering an organizational culture that prioritizes safety above all are crucial steps.As of this writing, there has been no date set to begin producing the 737 Max 9 planes.

Boeing has said it takes the audit and expert panel recommendations seriously, and the FAA said it remains dedicated to giving travelers safe trips across the country. The FAA stated that the safety of the flying public, not speed, will determine the timeline for returning the Boeing 737-9 MAX to service.

*Correction, March 26, 2024: This story has been updated to note that the FAA halted production expansion of the Boeing 737 Max 9.

Read more at The Dispatch

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Earlier this month, former Boeing worker John Barnett was found dead by officials in Charleston, South Carolina, the result of what officials said was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His body was recovered in a car parked in a hotel lot amid his testimony against his former employer.

Barnett's mysterious death couldn't have happened at a worse time for his former employer, with Boeing continuously making headlines for its repeatedly malfunctioning planes.

Now, local Charleston news station WCSC has obtained a redacted version of the lawsuit Barnett filed against the aerospace giant back in 2017, shedding more light on the company's alleged retaliation and tactics to keep Barnett quiet.

According to the documents, Barnett was "separated from his team and moved to other areas in the plant, and blacklisted and blocked from transferring to other Boeing divisions."

"In addition, he was subjected to a gaslighting campaign in which he was harassed, denigrated, humiliated, and treated with scorn and contempt by upper management, which was calculated to discourage him and others from raising such issues and complying with the law," the filing reads. "Based on the totality of the circumstances, such conduct amounted to a hostile work environment and it led to Barnetts constructive discharge."

Barnett retired in 2017 after working at Boeing for 30 years. While at the company, he noticed how "parts were being stolen from one airplane and installed on an incomplete airplane without any documentation, traceability or engineering review," according to the filings.

The lawsuit singles out an incident in 2012 when a supervisor allegedly pushed him to "work outside the proper procedures," but "no investigation was conducted."

Given the latest evidence, there's likely at least some truth to Barnett's allegations.

The Federal Aviation Administration has since found multiple issues with Boeing's production practices, following an audit that was triggered by a "door plug" that was ripped out of the fuselage of an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 jet, forcing pilots to make an emergency landing in January.

"The FAA identified non-compliance issues in Boeings manufacturing process control, parts handling and storage, and product control," the FAA wrote in a March statement.

A separate FAA report issued in February by a panel of industry experts criticized the company for failing to live up to its promises when it comes to safety.

Even the circumstances surrounding his death have since been called into question, hinting at the albeit unlikely possibility of foul play.

For instance, Barnett's attorney Brian Knowles told the blog Corporate Crime Reporter, that he "didn't see any indication" of suicide risk. "No one can believe it."

Others close to the whistleblower have echoed those sentiments as well.

"I said, 'Aren't you scared?'" a woman, who identified herself as a friend of Barnett's, told South Carolina's ABC4 News last week. "And he said, 'No, I ain't scared, but if anything happens to me, it's not suicide.'"

More on Barnett: Boeing Whistleblower's Attorneys Say They "Didn't See Any Indication" of Suicide Risk
Dates for the strikes have not been announced but could take place from 8 April, the union says

Border Force staff at Heathrow Airport have voted to strike in a dispute over shift patterns.

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) said 600 of its members, who carry out immigration controls and passport checks, voted 90% in favour of industrial action.

No dates have been announced for any strike action, but walkouts could begin as soon as 8 April, the union said.

A Home Office spokesperson said it had "robust plans" to minimise delays.

The union said its members were angry at planned alterations to their shift patterns that would have a detrimental effect on them and leave nearly 250 without jobs on passport control.

If they refused to accept the new contracts they would be forced to seek jobs elsewhere in the Home Office, the PCS said.

'Unnecessary changes'

Union general secretary Fran Heathcote said: "It's clear from today's ballot result how angry and determined our members are to protect their jobs.

"It's not too late for the Home Office to do the decent thing and drop these unnecessary changes and work with the union to protect jobs and working conditions.

"PCS is currently challenging the government's minimum service levels legislation in the courts.

"We will vigorously defend our members' right to strike if ministers try to impose a work notice."

A Home Office spokesperson said: "As the public would expect, our priority is to keep our citizens safe and our borders secure.

"We are working closely with Heathrow Airport and have robust plans in place to minimise any delays from planned strike action.

"We will deploy suitable resources to meet critical demand and support the flow of passengers and goods through our border."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk
Josep Borrell, chief of European diplomacy, has stated that everyone involved in the Russian nighttime large-scale attack on the Ukrainian infrastructure will be held accountable.

Source: Borrell on Twitter (X), as reported by European Pravda

Details: Borrell noted that Russia continued its brutal attacks against the population of Ukraine, where the power infrastructure had been struck with drones and missiles, dozens of civilians had been killed and injured, and the security of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) was under threat.

Quote: "This must stop! All responsible will be held to account."

Background:

Earlier, Gabrielius Landsbergis, Foreign Affairs Minister of Lithuania, stated after the large-scale Russian attack on the Ukrainian infrastructure, that the West is making mistakes in its strategy of supporting Ukraine, and it may have consequences for how the story will unfold further.

Maia Sandu, President of Moldova, condemned the Russian air attack on Ukraine on 21-22 March at night.

Brigit Brink, US Ambassador to Ukraine, called for immediate support for Ukraine after the attack.

The Defence Intelligence of the United Kingdom believes that Russia will almost certainly continue to strike critical targets to the maximum extent permitted by its reserves of aircraft, crews, and armaments, seeking to maintain pressure on the Ukrainian government and population.

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Boston police are seeking help identifying three individuals in connection with an assault and battery on St. Patricks Day in South Boston.

Police say on Sunday, March 17, around 4 p.m. three people were involved in an assault and battery incident in the area of E 2nd St and M St.

The first suspect is described as a white male, with a thin build, wearing a Celtics jersey, a tan scally cap, and a dark long-sleeve shirt or hoodie under the Celtics jersey.

Suspects 2 and 3 are both described as black males, a fourth suspect who isnt pictured was also described as a black male.

Boston police seek help identifying individuals in connection with assault and battery in Boston

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Boston police at (617) 343-4742.

Community members wishing to assist in this investigation anonymously can do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1 (800) 494-TIPS.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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A 37-year-old man is going to prison after being accused of fatally shooting his girlfriend in 2022, New Mexico officials said.

Days before the woman was found dead in Hobbs, Guadalupe Antonio Navarrete is accused of sending his girlfriend threatening text messages, according to a March 21 news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office in the District of New Mexico.

He is also accused of leaving a threatening voicemail minutes before shooting her.

Officers went to Navarretes home he shared with his parents and found the woman dead in the drivers seat of a car with a gunshot wound to her head, according to court documents.

Navarrete told police he wasnt at the residence when his girlfriend was found because hed fled to Mexico that morning, documents stated.

Officials didnt specify what led to the shooting.

McClatchy News reached out to Navarretes lawyers on March 22 for comment and did not immediately receive a response.

In March 2023, Navarrete pleaded guilty to cyberstalking resulting in life threatening bodily injury, prosecutors said.

He was sentenced to 25 years in prison followed by six years of supervised release, officials said in March 2024.

Hobbs is located near the states southeastern border with Texas.

If you are experiencing domestic violence and need someone to talk to, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline for support at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.

Man accused of fatally shooting longtime friend over $35, Georgia officials say

Woman comes home to find her 4 kids dead, CA cops say. Their dad is going to prison

Man shoots girlfriends ex 15 times  then hides in blackberry bushes, OR officials say
Contemporary South Korean politics has traditionally been dominated by just two main parties  in common with many other countries with strong presidential systems. But that could soon change.

Recent voter discontent is creating opportunities for smaller political parties in the upcoming parliamentary election on April 10, 2024.

Heading into that vote, the two main parties  President Yoon Suk Yeols People Power Party and the opposition Democratic Party  between them hold 270 seats in the 300-member parliament. But both parties are grappling with internal struggles and political controversies that are fueling the prospect of new, breakaway parties making gains.

The result could be a multi-party legislature. As a political scientist with a focus on East Asia and international affairs, I believe that outcome has the potential of transforming the countrys domestic and international agenda.

Parliamentary gridlock

Polling suggests that South Koreans havent been happy with the performance of their politicians for years, with one 2022 survey putting trust in the national assembly at just 24%. Events since then are unlikely to have improved confidence in either main party.

Since Yoon being elected president in 2022, his legislative agenda has been met with resistance by the opposition-controlled National Assembly. His plans for reforming the countrys education, pension and labor systems have stalled as a result.

Meanwhile, Yoon has vetoed multiple bills passed by the National Assembly, such as the yellow envelope law, which limits companies lawsuits for damage claims over labor union disputes, and legislation calling for special probes into the crowd crush inside Seouls Itaewon district during Halloween weekend in 2022 that resulted in hundreds of deaths and injuries.

On foreign policy, the opposition Democratic Party has faulted the Yoon governments pursuit of increased security ties with Japan in the face of continued bilateral tensions over Japans past colonial history in Korea.

Specifically, the opposition criticized a bilateral deal on compensation for the victims of forced wartime labor in Korea, and the Yoon governments acceptance of Japans release of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean.

Last fall, partly as protest against the presidents foreign policy and in a bid to overhaul the governments cabinet, the National Assembly passed a nonbinding no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, though Yoon refused to dismiss his premier.

The net result of the political gridlock is that both the Yoon government and the Democratic Party face high levels of public disapproval. Yoons approval rating has stagnated below 40%, and the majority of voters have expressed an intention to hold his government accountable in the upcoming election by supporting opposition parties.

However, the Democratic Party has failed to capitalize on Yoons unpopularity, due to similar public disapproval toward the partys leader, Lee Jae-myung.

Lee Jae-myung, center, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, holds a banner during a rally opposing Japans discharge of treated radioactive water into the ocean on Aug. 25, 2023, in Seoul, South Korea. Chris Jung/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Intraparty factions

South Koreas two main parties have frequently experienced internal feuds among factions supportive and opposed to party leadership. In recent months, such factions opposed to both Yoon and Lees leadership have bolted from their respective parties.

In January 2024, Lee Jun-Seok, former People Power Party chairman, started the New Reform Party with party members who protested the pro-Yoon factions seemingly cliquish party leadership. This non-Yoon faction has also criticized the presidents veto of the special counsel bill to investigate allegations surrounding first lady Kim Geon-hee, which includes claims of violating anti-graft laws and involvement in stock price manipulation.

The Democratic Party is facing a similar challenge. Also in January 2024, Lee Nak-yon, former prime minister under the previous Democratic government of President Moon Jae-in, started the New Future Party, criticizing his former party as having turned into a bulletproof shield for the unpopular leader Lee Jae-myung. Specifically, the non Jae-myung faction have criticized him for refusing to step down despite being under criminal investigation on corruption charges.

Opportunities for breakaway parties

These new breakaway parties strategy is to take advantage of South Koreas mixed-member proportional election system, which provides opportunities for smaller parties to win seats. To do so, they have been focusing efforts on building concentrated support among core groups of voters.

The New Reform Party has gained support among younger conservative male voters critical of the older generation of conservative politicians close to Yoon.

Meanwhile, the New Future Party retains some support among traditional Democratic Party members, who feel disappointed with the direction of the party. Several Democratic legislators who claimed to have been purged by the party leadership have joined Lee Nak-yon, widening the schism within the main opposition party.

Potential impact

The latest polls indicate a tight race between the People Power Party and the Democratic Party, with a 37.7% and 36.9% share of the vote, respectively. If the breakaway parties win even a small number of seats, the result could be a hung parliament, in which neither main party can form a single-party majority.

That would leave smaller parties with huge legislative leverage.

The New Reform Party is more likely to partner with the Yoon government on policy agendas  despite personal antipathy between Yoon and Lee Jun-Seok. On foreign policy, New Reform Party members have expressed support for pragmatic relations with Japan and have warned against excessive anti-Japan nationalist rhetoric in domestic politics.

A move to abolish a gender equality ministry has reemerged as a key issue ahead of parliamentary elections. AP Photo/Lee Jin-man

On social and economic policies, the New Reform Partys platform likewise aligns with the Yoon government in supporting the expansion of South Koreas semiconductor industry and abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality.

Particularly on gender issues, the New Reform Party could push the Yoon government further toward positions that appeal to younger male conservative voters, such as by introducing female military service. At present, only men are subject to South Koreas mandatory military conscription, a policy that many younger South Korean men perceive as discrimination.

Lee Nak-yons New Future Party is more critical of the Yoon governments domestic and foreign policies. However, with its platform to end two-party gridlock, the New Future Party could also seek a role as an arbitrator over contentious policy issues.

The new parties could also support the opposition Democratic Party in pressuring the Yoon government to be more accountable. Specifically, Yoon could face increased demands to approve investigations on the allegations surrounding the first lady and to solicit opposition parties consent for future cabinet nominations.

It is still uncertain how well the breakaway parties will perform in the upcoming election. And they face competition from another new party, the National Innovation Party, that is politically aligned with the Democratic Party.

One recent election in East Asia will give these new parties encouragement: Taiwans legislative election in January saw a new third party become kingmaker in the legislative assembly.

If any of the new South Korean parties are able to emerge from the election as a parliamentary kingmaker, it would represent a crack in the countrys two-party system and could free up the gridlock that has dogged parliamentary politics in recent years.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and analysis to help you make sense of our complex world.

It was written by: Jong Eun Lee, North Greenville University.

Read more:



Jong Eun Lee does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Former Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer said the draft leaking the decision overturning Roe v. Wade was unfortunate, but he tries to avoid being angry about it.

You try to avoid getting angry or that  you try in the job  you try to remain as calm, reasonable and serious as possible, he told NBCs Kristen Welker in an interview set to air Sunday on Meet the Press. I think it was unfortunate.

Almost two months before the Supreme Courts Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization opinion was released, a draft of the justices rulings was leaked. The draft, penned by Justice Samuel Alito, one of the staunchest conservatives on the court, declared that the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, which established the right to an abortion, and the 1992 decision in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which upheld that right, had no grounding in the Constitution.

The leak created shockwaves by signaling that the court would hand the power to craft abortion laws to individual states, a number of which almost immediately enacted restrictions or bans on the procedure following the final ruling.

Breyer, 85, retired in 2022. He joined NBC as part of a promotional tour for his book Reading the Constitution: Why I chose Pragmatism, Not Textualism. Breyer was joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan in dissenting to the Dobbs ruling.

He told Welker that he thought a compromise with the more conservative justices about a 15-week abortion ban was possible, but it ultimately did not end up happening.

I usually hope for compromise, he said.

I always think its possible, Breyer continued. I always think its possible, usually up until the last minute.

Its been nearly two years since the draft ruling was leaked. Since then, abortion has been a top political issue and reproductive rights have been a motivating factor in turning a number of voters out to the polls.

In the wake of the decision, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled in February that frozen embryos are people, the first time a court has ever given rights and protections so early after conception. The Biden administration condemned the decision and said it was what was expected when the Supreme Court overturned Roe and paved the way for politicians to dictate some of the most personal decisions families make.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
VIENTIANE, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The Lancang-Mekong week was held in Laos to promote unity and prosperity in the sub-region, marking the eighth anniversary of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC).

Laos' Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a seminar titled "Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Framework" in the Lao capital Vientiane on Friday, to celebrate the eighth anniversary of the establishment of the LMC framework.

Somboun Sihanath, director general of economic affairs department under the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs and LMC senior officials' meeting leader of Laos, said since its inception in 2016, the LMC has been a vital platform for fostering peace, stability and prosperity in the sub-region, guided by principles of equality, mutual benefits and shared prosperity, in the spirit of Shared River, Shared Future.

Eight years on, the sub-region has witnessed significant progress across three pillars of cooperation and five priority areas of cooperation, he added.

Somboun told Xinhua that the LMC has been a catalyst for tangible benefits in Laos and the Mekong sub-region.

"Laos has received a total of 80 approved projects under the LMC Special Fund with a total value of approximately 21 million U.S. dollars," he said.

He added that the LMC's role in promoting peace, stability and comprehensive development aligns with the vision of a prosperous and interconnected Lancang-Mekong community as well as contributes to the ASEAN Community building, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

China, as a development partner country, has led the implementation of outcomes of the LMC leaders' meeting, and five-year plans of action on the LMC, he said.

Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith said Laos has actively participated in LMC activities, obtaining concrete benefits through various projects and initiatives, namely, the Laos-China joint poverty alleviation project and other initiatives aimed at infrastructure development and capacity building.

Moreover, projects under the LMC Special Fund have supported training opportunities and various development initiatives, contributing to socio-economic progress, he said.

"I highly appreciate the government of China for its continued cooperation and contribution to the LMC, particularly through the LMC Special Fund and various sub-regional programs that have brought tangible benefits to the people in the Mekong sub-region," he said. 
Brigitte Macron says her clothes get people talking more than anything else during state visits with the French president.

Mrs Macron, 70, told the magazine Madame Figaro that women her age appreciated her outfits. Emmanuel Macrons wife was speaking in a joint interview with Nicolas Ghesquiere, the womens creative director at Louis Vuitton who is also her personal fashion designer and style adviser.

Mrs Macron told the publication that all French first ladies have been attentive to fashion.

One of the newspaper headlines that most pleased me concerning my outfits [that have been] commented upon abroad is: So French. That means the clothes say something about our country and our culture. Imagine the importance they have taken on: in most countries I travel to, they comment on that more than anything else.

She did not specify whether that included her husband Emmanuel, who has created a very different international buzz of late by refusing to rule out sending ground troops to Ukraine and then appearing in stylised photos showing him sparring with a punchbag with his biceps exposed.

Mrs Macron said she resolutely resists the urge to wear a long skirt - Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images Europe

Mrs Macron added: If you are not dressed in the right way for the occasion  that is to say, too much or not enough  it can have consequences  The way you are dressed creates the first impression  and sometimes its definitive. Clothes pigeonhole you: thats the reason why you have to be careful.

Asked what her clothes said about her, the first lady, who is 24 years older than her husband, replied: If I believe what I hear, women of my age are very happy that I dress this way. I dont know why but this appearance gives the impression of a free woman. It is an image I give off without meaning to.

She paid tribute to Mr Ghesquiere for raising her profile, saying: Nicolas has built for me a kind of fashion lexicon without saying it, without formulating it, without intellectualising it. With him and his teams, its so fluid! The clothes help me to slip into the role.

Mrs Macron was unapologetic about her penchant for mini-dresses. She notably wore one at a Nato summit for spouses in 2018.

Nicolas has tried to initiate me in oversized [clothes] or destructured or asymmetric [styles] but I have resisted  I also have trouble with lengths beneath the knee. Me, its resolutely above. A dress is either short or its [too] long.

I have never considered that high heels were a symbol of the alienation of women. I wear them because I dont feel right in flat heels  I need an arch, which is not such a bad thing. That way the gait is more controlled, which is welcome in some circumstances.

Mrs Macron said she had always been careful about what she wore but that she had gone into another league in the style stakes thanks to Mr Ghesquiere.

He said he had been immediately charmed by her, gushing that light emanated from the first lady.

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The Irish High court ruling is the latest setback to the government's controversial plan to send migrants to Rwanda - Victoria Jones/PA

Britain is not safe for migrants because of the risk of deportation to Rwanda, the Irish High Court has ruled.

In a judgment on Friday, Ms Justice Siobhan Phelan said the Irish Governments declaration of the UK as a safe third country to which it could return asylum seekers was unlawful.

She ruled in favour of two asylum seekers who argued the designation was unlawful because it meant they were at risk of onward removal to Rwanda if they were returned from Ireland to the UK.

The declaration will be seen as embarrassing for Rishi Sunak but echoes last years Supreme Court judgment that ruled Rwanda was unsafe for migrants.

Home Office sources said the new treaty signed with Rwanda and the Bill, which has been delayed in Parliament, were designed to answer the Supreme Court criticisms with measures to ensure the central African country was safe for migrants.

The Bill is in limbo after the House of Lords defeated the Government on seven amendments on Monday, forcing it back to the Commons on April 15 after the Easter recess.

The move has pushed back potential Royal Assent for the legislation by three-and-a half weeks and could delay deportation flights to Rwanda from May to June.

Unlawful

The High Court ruling stems from Britain leaving the EU, which meant the Irish Government had to decide whether the UK could be treated as a safe third country outside the EU bloc.

In her decision, Ms Justice Siobhan Phelan held that the designation of the UK as safe, made by Helen McEntee, the minister for justice, in response to the UKs exit from the EU on January 31 2020, was unlawful as a matter of EU law.

By designating the UK as a safe third country, it meant that Ireland could return an asylum seeker to the UK so that their application could be considered there.

It mirrors similar provisions pre-Brexit that Britain had with the EU where it could return migrants to France or other EU states that they had passed through on the basis that they were safe third countries and should have claimed asylum there.

The two legal challenges, which were contested by Ms McEntee, were selected from a large group of cases that alleged the designation of the UK as a safe third country is unlawful because of the risks that arise from a potential transfer to Rwanda.

A government spokesperson said: We entirely refute the notion that our Partnership with Rwanda makes the UK an unsafe country. We also make no apology for pursuing bold solutions to stop illegal migration, dismantle the people smuggling gangs and save lives.

We have worked closely with the Rwandan government to address the Supreme Courts findings, including through our Safety of Rwanda Bill. This makes it absolutely clear in UK law that Rwanda is a safe country.

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The couple were on an overnight train when tragedy struck (ViralPress)

The boyfriend of a British backpacker died when he fell from a moving train as the couple travelled to Death Island in Thailand.

Shona Morgan, 22, from Northern Ireland, and her Canadian boyfriend Ryan Joseph Ralph, 24, were on board an overnight locomotive from Bangkok on Wednesday.

Ms Morgan had flown to Thailand to be with Mr Ralph, who had been travelling in the coutnry for just over a month, to celebrate his birthday.

Shona Morgan had flown to Thailand to be with Mr Ralph for his birthday (ViralPress)

But two hours into the train journey, he left her asleep to have a cigarette at the end of the carriage and fell to his death. Many Thai train carriages have no doors or barriers.

Ms Morgan said she raised the alarm when she woke up an hour later and he was missing.

Nearly 200 police officers and rescuers joined a search for Mr Ralph, from Ontario, Thai media reported.

Police believe he lost his footing while the train was still moving, before dragging himself underneath to escape the wheels  but that he later passed out and died from blood loss.

The couple, identified by local media, had been planning to celebrate Mr Ralphs birthday at Koh Tao island, which has been dubbed Death Island following the 2014 murders of two British backpackers, Hannah Witheridge and David Miller.

He was found dead yesterday, under a newly built platform at a station in the Ratchaburi province.

Rescuers joined the search (ViralPress)

Police Lieutenant Colonel Rathnont Kasemchaisit said he was found with severe injuries on both legs, adding: He had in his pocket a wallet containing various documents and Thai banknotes.

From the preliminary investigation, there were no traces of assault.

A Cambodian rail worker said he was shocked when he found Mr Ralph dead. There have been a series of deaths on Thailands ageing trains which are often blamed for poor safety standards.

Ryan Ralph is thought to have fallen from the train (ViralPress)

In 2014, Matt Lawlor, 19, died when he fell from a train on the same route from Bangkok to the south of the country to visit the Koh Phangnan island.

In February 2017, British backpacker Daniel Clarke, 20, was left in intensive care after falling from a moving train on the same journey.

And in December 2022, Irishman Patrick Ward, 45, died after falling from a moving train in Kanchanaburi.
CORAM, N.Y. (PIX11)  A Brooklyn man was arrested for allegedly possessing and selling unstamped cigarettes at a convenience store on Long Island Thursday, police said.

Yousef Qaid Al Sanam, 37, of Brooklyn, was allegedly selling unstamped cigarette packages, which are cigarettes that bear no tax stamp.

Neighbor accused of killing 3-year-old boy in abandoned Brooklyn apartment

Police and the Suffolk County Health Department, the building inspector, and the fire marshal, conducted an investigation at Sky High Convenience Smoke Shop on Middle Country Road in Coram around 3:30 p.m.

Police seized more than 50 cartons of unstamped cigarettes, a large quantity of cannabis products, and a stun gun, authorities said. A large quantity of flavored vape products were also seized as evidence, officials said.

Al Sanam was given a desk appearance ticket and is scheduled to be arraigned at a later date. The Town of Brookhaven also condemned the store due to it being an unlawful structure, police said.

Selling unstamped cigarettes is a class A misdemeanor. The New York State Commissioner of Health may impose a civil fine, not to exceed $5,000.

It remains unclear what fees or charges Al Sanam could face.

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.
The man hunted for stabbing twin sisters, one fatally, outside a Brooklyn bodega has surrendered, cops said Friday.

Veo Kelly, 20, turned himself in to police with his attorney at Brooklyn Criminal Court Friday, a police source with knowledge of the case said. He was then taken to the 78th Precinct, where detectives charged him with murder, assault and weapons possession.

His arraignment in Brooklyn Criminal Court was pending Friday.

On Thursday, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said that Kellys attorney had reached out to investigators, trying to broker a surrender.

Kelly had just left a party hall down the street from the Natural Plus deli in Park Slope around 1:30 a.m. Sunday when he encountered Samyia and Sanyia Spain.

The 19-year-old twins were getting food in the bodega on the corner of Fourth Ave. and St. Marks Place when Kelly started chatting them up.

He was very aggressive to one of the girls, trying to get her contact information, Kenny said. When they didnt take to his advances, it got verbal and it got physical.

Police believe Kelly stabbed Samyia in the chest and neck. Medics took her to New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, but she couldnt be saved. Her sister was taken to the same hospital in stable condition with a stab wound to the arm, cops said.

Over the next few days, detectives were able to identify Kelly as the stabber, Chief Kenny said, adding that cops executing a search warrant of the suspects Bedford-Stuyvesant apartment found the clothes he wore during the stabbing.

The murder weapon hadnt been recovered, Kenny said.

At Kellys apartment building Thursday, the superintendent told the Daily News the murder suspects mother left the city shortly after cops executed the warrant.

But the police were not the only ones looking for Kelly.

After the slaying, three men went door-to-door in the building looking for him, neighbors said.

There were three thugs who came for him over the weekend, said a resident who did not want to be named. They were drunk, going from apartment to apartment.

One of the men allegedly threw a brick through a neighbors window in an attempt to intimidate Kelly, the woman claimed.

They didnt know what apartment [Kelly] was in, she said. It scared the hell out of us.

It was unclear whether the incident had anything to do with the stabbing of the sisters.

Kenny said the suspect never met the twins before and had just happened to show up at the bodega when the two victims were there.

He came from the hall drunk, Kenny said. The twins had showed up at the bodega after attending a family game night, relatives previously said. Theyre all in there after a night out ordering food.

In an exclusive interview with The News on Sunday, the surviving twin said she knew Kelly was trouble and was trying to get her sister away from him.

I grabbed her phone and I was like, Come with me, come with me, Sanyia recalled. I was like, Why are you talking to that boy? She said, I dont want to talk to that boy.

Samyia didnt want to give the man her phone number, so she provided her Instagram handle instead, her sister said.

She said she wasnt going to follow him back, Sanyia recounted. Thats it. She said no.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Be on the lookout for extra police presence on Utah roads these next few days.

From March 22-25, more than 18 law enforcement agencies are working 120 overtime shifts to stop and educate motorists who are not wearing seatbelts, the Utah Department of Public Safety said.

University of Utah program ranks top in world

While DPS noted that seat belt usage has increased from 91.8% in 2022 to 92.4% in 2023, they, along with the Utah Highway Safety Office, are still urging Utahns to wear their seat belts every time they get in the car.

There were reportedly 64 unrestrained fatalities in 2023, more than half of which occurred between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.  when more people tend to not wear their seatbelts, DPS said.

Utah Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Sgt. Cameron Roden said that over the last five years, unrestrained fatalities have accounted for nearly a third of total vehicle occupant roadway deaths in Utah. In 2023, it was 43%, DPS said.

Seat belts are the single most effective traffic safety device by helping occupants stay in place, avoid becoming projectiles, and help drivers maintain control of the vehicle in the crash, Roden said. They save about 15,000 lives a year.

Not only is it critical to buckle up every time you get in a car, but DPS said it is equally important to wear the seat belt properly.

According to the Highway Safety Office, seat belts should be placed on hips and across the collarbone, away from the neck. It should never be worn behind the back or arm, and passengers should never recline their seats or put their feet on the dashboard.

Drivers and passengers should wear seat belts, do so properly, and encourage others to do the same. It isnt just a personal decision; its the law, DPS said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
BUFFALO, N.Y, (WIVB) A Buffalo man pleaded guilty to a single count of first-degree manslaughter on Friday in the death of his five-month-old son, the Erie County District Attorneys office said.

In December 2022, police and paramedics responded to a Crestwood Avenue home after reports of an unresponsive child. Five-month-old Micah Rodriguez was rushed to Oshei Childrens Hospital, but ultimately died from his injuries.

Investigators accused the childs father, 42-year-old Benjamin Rodriguez of Buffalo, of causing the death of his son by violently shaking the baby, resulting in blunt impact injuries to his head and neck.

Man accused of recklessly causing sons death

Rodriguez is being held without bail and faces a maximum of 25 years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for July 23.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  Buffalo State University and MT&T Bank donated 50,000 solar eclipse glasses and educational materials to students, teachers and staff of Buffalo schools on Friday.

The educational materials donated are related to the eclipse. M&T Bank said they gave the donation to inspire children to pursue STEM.

By providing eclipse glasses for all students and teachers in Buffalo Public Schools, well ensure more people in our community have the opportunity to experience this special moment and encourage local children to explore science in a fun way, said M&T Bank Regional President Eric Feldstein.

Niagara Falls prepares for flood of toursists for the eclipse

Buffalo State University will be hosting an Eclipse Fest at Coyer Field on April 8. Tickets are $40 each and can be purchased on their website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
People walk along a pedestrian path in Santa Monica in February 2021. The mural behind them features Black people enjoying the beach. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

The dream of a Black entrepreneur to open a hotel and beach club for Black patrons in Santa Monica in the 1950s was smashed by a racist land grab by the city through eminent domain.

More than 60 years later, the city of Santa Monica is considering repaying the family whose property was seized.

The Santa Monica City Council voted Tuesday to explore compensating the descendants of Silas White, a Black businessman who wanted to renovate an old building on Ocean Avenue into a hotel and beach club for Black patrons in the segregated city.

Santa Monica's vote comes nearly a year after the city of Manhattan Beach acknowledged its own racist history at Bruce's Beach, a Black community that was closed in 1924 through official channels. The property was eventually returned to the descendants of Charles and Willa Bruce by Los Angeles County.

Read more: History made: Bruces Beach has been returned to descendants of Black family

The Santa Monica City Council action puts a focus on the city's history with heightened racism.

A stretch of sand at Bay Street ending at Bicknell Avenue was once referred to derogatorily by nearby white residents as "the Inkwell" because it was frequented by Black beachgoers from 1905 to 1964. A mural that depicts Black people enjoying the sand and sun in the early 1900s is now displayed near that stretch of beach.

Black families who settled in Santa Monica in most cases were fleeing the Jim Crow-era South beginning in the late 1800s. But institutionalized racism followed them and ensured that Black businesses were stymied in Santa Monica and across the country. Beginning in 1922, white homeowners formed the Santa Monica Bay Protective League to shut down a dance hall and block any development by the Black community in the city, according to the book Living the California Dream: African American Leisure Sites During the Jim Crow Era by historian Alison Rose Jefferson.

Santa Monica's own racial reckoning took an important step forward Tuesday to recognize the Ebony Beach Club, a dream location that never materialized. White secured the rights to the building by May 1957, and a buzz started to build around his hotel and club throughout the city and across the county. His supporters included charter member and jazz giant Nat King Cole.

But a few months before White was set to open the Ebony Beach Club, the city launched eminent domain proceedings to seize the property for "civic parking," according to historical records. A lawsuit followed, but the city won, condemned the property and demolished the building by 1960, replacing it with a parking lot.

Newspaper page from the L.A. Times archives. (Los Angeles Times)

Before the building was seized, White placed large signs announcing his intentions to open a club and hotel that would cater to Black patrons in an attempt to ward off theft of the land by the city, Santa Monica City Councilmember Caroline Torosis said before Tuesday's vote.

"We want to center the needs of the people who have been most harmed by the decisions that government has made," Torosis said.

City staff will return in 90 days with possible next steps to correct what the city calls "racial animus" carried out more than 60 years ago. That could include the use of eminent domain once again to reclaim property that could be returned to White's descendants.

Read more: Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier Sold to Investment Group

The city has been in touch with White's family and the organization known as Where Is My Land, which is dedicated to identifying and reclaiming property taken from Black people. The Ebony Beach Club would have occupied a small portion of the site where the luxury Viceroy Hotel sits today in Santa Monica.

At Tuesday's council meeting, White's descendants thanked the council for taking up the issue to explore restitution.

Kavon Ward, founder of Where Is My Land, played a message for the council from 90-year-old Connie White, Silas White's daughter, who recounted the pain her family experienced when the city stole the Ebony Beach Club from the community.

"Every time I revisit the events that led to my father's loss of his dream, the Ebony Beach Club, my anxiety and pain returns full force," she said. "There are no words to describe the anguish of losing the loving communication that we had as a family."

Chance Davis, White's nephew, and other family members thanked the council before the vote.

"It is inspiring to see that we are choosing to stand with the Black community and that you are dedicated to righting the wrongs of past councils," Davis said.

Jefferson, the historian who has documented the Black experience and history in Santa Monica, called the council's vote "an important step in the healing process for Silas White's family and the African American community."

"This didn't just happen to one family. This was a series of dream-killing exercises in terms of going after African American business development, wealth building and community building," Jefferson said. "The [city council vote] is another validation of African American humanity and that there were things done to Black people that have inhibited their full citizenship in the region and in the nation."

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.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  A California man was arrested in Montgomery County after police say he targeted elderly people through a scheme that involved impersonating a government official.

The Montgomery County Department of Police (MCDP) said that officers arrested 34-year-old Wenhui Sun of Lake Arbor, Calif. on Monday, March 18.

MCDP said a victim first told police about the theft in early March. She reported that a person who identified himself as being with the Office of the Inspector General  Federal Trade Commission had contacted her and said that she had been the victim of identity theft. The caller told the woman that the theft led to a federal investigation involving drugs and money laundering, police said.

The caller told the woman to transfer all of her assets into gold bars, which an FBI agent would pick up and take to the U.S. Department of Treasury. The victim did so and handed gold bars to the couriers in two separate deliveries.

David Trone slur: Congressman apologizes after using derogatory word

MCDP said that the bars were worth over $789,000 in total.

Police identified Sun as the courier in the second gold bar delivery. Officers arrested him in Montgomery County around 7 p.m. on March 18 and transported him to the Central Processing Unit.

MCDP found a plane ticket to California dated the day of his arrest in his belongings.

Police believe there may be more victims of this scheme, and MCDP issued a reminder that law enforcement will never attempt to contact you in this manner. You can find more information and resources, including how to report a situation, online.

Anyone with any information is asked to head online or call 1-866-411-8477.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Chinese Ambassador to Britain Zheng Zeguang addresses the 2024 UK-China Business Forum in London, Britain, March 20, 2024. The forum, organized by the China-Britain Business Council, a major business network promoting trade and investment with China in the UK, attracted nearly 200 representatives from the business communities of both countries. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

LONDON, March 22 (Xinhua) -- China and the United Kingdom (UK) must complement their respective strengths and achieve more win-win results, Chinese Ambassador to Britain Zheng Zeguang has said.

Addressing the 2024 UK-China Business Forum here on Wednesday, Zheng called on the business communities of both countries to work together to deepen cooperation in traditional areas, align development strategies, and tap into emerging areas.

The forum, organized by the China-Britain Business Council, a major business network promoting trade and investment with China in the UK, attracted nearly 200 representatives from the business communities of both countries.

In his keynote speech, Zheng introduced the main messages of the "two sessions" by using four keywords "confidence, development, openness and cooperation." The two sessions, or the annual sessions of China's top legislature and top political advisory body, were held earlier this month in Beijing.

Zheng said the main economic targets set by the government work report this year, including around 5 percent of GDP growth and over 12 million new urban jobs, have fully demonstrated China's confidence in its economic prospects.

"The long-term trajectory of China's economy remains positive," said the ambassador, noting that the country enjoyed multiple strengths, including strong political leadership, a supersize market and a full-fledged industrial system.

The ambassador said China is firmly committed to advancing high-quality development and to the Chinese path to modernisation as it will pursue higher-standard opening up and promote mutual benefits.

"The Two Sessions stressed that China will stay committed to an independent foreign policy of peace and to peaceful development. We will remain firm in pursuing a strategy of opening up for mutual benefit," he added.

Zheng said there is huge complementarity and cooperation potentials between China and the UK and people with insight from both countries must make concerted efforts for the development of stable and mutually-beneficial China-UK relations. 
A 40-year-old California drama teacher faces a slew of felonies after police learned of her yearslong sexual relationship with a female student who was 15 years old at the onset, police said.

San Diego Police wrote in a press release that Mt. Carmel High School teacher Stacey Michelle Walker "began engaging the 15-year-old victim in conversations that became sexual in nature" beginning in 2017.

"The victim and suspect then exchanged numerous photographs, videos and explicit text messages. Walker also met with the victim several times and engaged in various sex acts. The sexual assaults continued until after the victim turned 18-years-old [in 2019]."

FORMER FBI AGENT ACCUSED OF 'REVENGE PORN' WITH HIDDEN CAMERAS COULD HAVE UPWARDS OF 80 VICTIMS: REPORT

Former Mt. Carmel High School drama teacher Stacey Michelle Walker faces 17 felony charges after allegedly carrying out a sexual relationship with a student between 2017, when the student was 15, and 2019.

When asked if the encounters took place on school grounds, Lt. Dan Sayasane told the San Diego Tribune that the incidents "occurred at varying locations"

Police wrote that the victim, now an adult, reported the abuse and launched their investigation on July 31. Sayasane said that the department is still looking for any additional victims.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The teacher was slapped with 17 charges, including sodomy, oral copulation and luring a minor for a sex offense, according to jail records at Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility. She was jailed on March 20 on $400,000 bail, records show.

Walker taught tech and drama at Mr. Carmel High, directing plays and musicals at the school, according to a student article in the school's newspaper from her first year there in 2015.

MORE THAN 300 FRENCH COACHES, TEACHERS ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ABUSE OR COVER-UPS IN 2023

Walker was booked at Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility on March 20 on $400,000 bail, according to San Diego Sheriff's Department records.

She had been a high-school student there in the past, telling the MC Sun that there were "a few people who recognized [her] from [her] time [there] as a student," but that for the most part she was "able to come [to the school] with a clean slate."

"I love being back, I love being a Sundevil again," Walker said. "I was interviewing for jobs at a couple other schools but in my heart I always wanted to come back here."

The Poway Unified School District told the Tribune that Walker had been placed on leave when police notified the school system of the allegations in August. Spokesperson Christine Paik told the outlet that the high school had since launched an independent investigation.

CRUISE SHIP PASSENGER ACCUSED OF EXPOSING HIMSELF, PROPOSITIONING 14-YEAR-OLD IN SAUNA

Principal Yael Bozzay told parents in an email that the school was cooperating fully with investigators, and that Walker had not taught at Mr. Carmel High this year.

"We have a strong 'Sundevil Way' culture among our students, staff and families because of the respect and care that we share for one another," Bozzay said in the letter, reviewed by the Tribune. "This includes fostering trust and ensuring safety for all students, which is of the utmost importance. Please speak with your student about the importance of reporting when they do not feel safe. Please reach out to me directly if you have any concerns related to this matter."

An attorney representing Walker could not immediately be reached for comment.





Original article source: California teacher's sexting turned into yearslong sexual abuse of student: police
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  A group of Democratic lawmakers that call themselves the Renters Caucus introduced a new agenda this week on Capitol Hill aimed at helping renters.

California Congressman Jimmy Gomez says their plan that will help millions of Americans pay their rent.

The start of a new era of housing policy in Washington. An era where we put renters at the heart of federal housing strategy, Gomez said.

The group announced 15 bills they say will lower costs and increase the number of affordable rental homes.

A lot of our efforts at the federal government and across the country have been too small, too slow and too inefficient, Gomez said.

One of those bills is Vermont Congresswoman Becca Balints Community Housing Act. It would spend $500 billion to build new housing.

She says a bigger supply will drive rents down.

It will keep renters in their homes, and keeps rent affordable for the long term, Rep. Balint said.

Other legislation aims to limit evictions, reform zoning laws and provide more rental assistance.

A 2023 report from Moodys says the average renter now pays 30% of their income on rent  the highest its been in 20 years.

But conservative groups say these bills are a bad idea.

The recent slew of progressive proposals on affordable housing will actually exacerbate the problem, Heritage Foundation Economic Research Fellow Joel Griffith said.

Griffith says federal subsidies are what made housing costs too high in the first place.

What I hope the next Congress will do, possibly with a friendly administration, is to really start reforming these government-sponsored enterprises. We need to shrink their footprint in the marketplace, Griffith said.

Congressman Gomez says hes talking with Republicans to try to gain bipartisan support. He says the caucus is open to anyone with solutions.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Conservative commentator Candace Owens is out at the Daily Wire, the company announced Friday.

In a social media post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Daily Wire co-founder Jeremy Boreing wrote Daily Wire and Candace Owens have ended their relationship.

Boreing did not provide any additional details on what led to the separation. The Hill has reached out to the Daily Wire for additional comment.

Owens confirmed the news, writing in a post of her own the rumors are true I am finally free.

The announcement comes after weeks of chatter about the relationship between Owens, one of the most prominent commentators on the right, and the Daily Wire, a growing hub for conservative podcasts, streaming shows and other forms of new media.

Owens has sparked backlash for months with her commentary on the U.S. role in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas and statements about Jewish people in politics and media more generally.

After the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) this week highlighted the fact white supremacist Nick Fuentes was praising Owenss rhetoric on Jews, she responded on X I do not know Nick Fuentes, but you already know that.

What I do know is that everyone can see what you guys are doing to me. Your pattern is well established and the world is waking up to it. My crime is having stood up for myself against your network of smears, she wrote to the ADL.

My crime, is that I do not believe that American taxpayers should have to pay for Israels wars or the wars of any other country. I will not change my mind. So the question is what will you do to me next? The world is watching.

Owens has sparked criticism internally at the Daily Wire, with prominent host Ben Shapiro, who is Jewish, last fall calling her rhetoric on Israel and Hamas disgraceful.

That sparked Boreing to issue a statement saying the company would not fire Owens based on a desire not to regulate the speech of our hosts, even when we disagree with them.

Candace is paid to give her opinion, not mine or Bens, he wrote at the time. Unless those opinions run afoul of the law or she violates the terms of her contract in some way, her job is secure and she is welcome at Daily Wire.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon largely sided with special counsel Jack Smith in a battle to shield certain information from former President Trumps lawyers as they prepare for trial in his documents case.

The Classified Information Procedures Act allows prosecutors to redact or summarize some elements of classified discovery before its turned over to defendants.

Cannon mostly approved the Justice Departments request to do so, but held off on making a decision on some documents at issue in the Mar-a-Lago case.

No classified information not already agreed to be released by the Special Counsel shall be disseminated as a result of this unclassified Order, Cannon wrote.

The order allows prosecutors to make limited redactions on some after-action reports, and also allows them to submit a summary of documents related to potential government witnesses. Smith is also permitted to hold back some documents that werent deemed to be relevant or helpful to Trumps request.

But Cannon said it would take additional hearings to determine whether two sensitive intelligence reports related to one of the documents Trump is charged with taking should be withheld during discovery, as well as a few of the after-action reports.

Top Stories from The Hill

The ruling comes amid broader scrutiny of Cannons handling of the case after she issued a ruling earlier this week asking both parties to draft proposed jury instructions that would include a key Trump defense that the documents in question could be considered his personal property under the Presidential Records Act.

That argument has been widely rejected by legal experts who say the law is clear that classified documents could in no way be construed as Trumps personal property.

Cannon has also yet to rule on a number of motions from Trump seeking to toss the case and has not set a new trial date after both parties suggested delaying the May trial. Trump has proposed shifting the trial to after the election, while Smith suggested a July trial.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Matthew Bissett, a laborer with Canton Engineering's traffic, signs and paint department, fastens a sign onto a light post at the corner of 12th Street and McKinley Avenue on Thursday. The sign encourages passersby to give their money to local charities that help people living in poverty rather than giving their money to panhandlers.

CANTON  On many weekdays, a man standing at the corner of McKinley Avenue and 12th Street NW holds a cardboard sign that tells passersby to Be Nice. It does work.

He greets oncoming vehicles with a wave or a nod, whether they stop to give him money or not.

On Thursday, when the below-freezing temperatures likely kept him indoors, Canton city workers installed a sign at the intersection that encourages motorists to give their money to local charities rather than to panhandlers like him.

The sign reads, Say no to panhandling. Theres a better way to give and directs people to a city website  www.CantonOhio.gov/BetterWay  for additional information on local nonprofit organizations.

City workers are installing 37 signs across the city at intersections where people frequently ask motorists for money. The final four signs are expected to be erected today at the 12th Street NE and Market Avenue N intersection.

The city of Canton has launched an initiative to reduce the number of panhandlers on city street corners by erecting signs that encourage passersby to give to local charities that help people living in poverty rather than giving their money to the panhandlers.

Here are five things to know about Cantons new signs:

1. Canton Mayor William V. Sherer II is leading the Better Way to Give initiative.

Sherer, who took office in January, said the signs are a low-cost way to deter panhandling in the city while also supporting local nonprofit organizations that can help address the root cause of the persons struggles by providing meal vouchers, gas and financial help.

Were just trying to educate the public that there is a better way to give besides giving to the panhandlers, said Sherer, who added that Canton City Council also supports the initiative. There are so many nonprofits and they do a very good job in our community.

2. Eight nonprofit organizations currently are listed.

The signs direct people to the website www.CantonOhio.gov/BetterWay where visitors can see a growing list of community agencies that help people facing homelessness, lack of food or need mental health and drug addiction services. While its a city website, the city does not receive money from the donations given to the agencies. The website also encourages people who need help to visit StarkHelpCentral.com for resources.

Kristie Woods, community relations director for Refuge of Hope Ministries, believes the signs give a helpful message to both the person standing at the corner and the passerby who may feel a tug at their heart as they wonder what happened or what they can do to help.

Giving $20 at the corner will buy a couple meals but it wont be long before another $20 is needed, said Woods, who encouraged people to give panhandlers the dignity of a kind interaction. Giving that same amount to a nonprofit like Refuge of Hope provides a week of meals, free clothing and hygiene items, shelter for men experiencing homelessness, a visit with a doctor, mental health counseling, and groceries.

She said Refuge of Hope residents are not permitted to panhandle because the agency provides three meals a day, a place to sleep and the ability to shower and wash their clothes.

"Their needs are being met and they couldnt get all of that for $20, she said.

3. The signs had to be reinstalled.

The signs originally went up at the end of February but were taken down last week when city officials learned they contained an incorrect telephone number.

The original signs directed people in need to call 211, but the United Way of Greater Stark County discontinued the information hotline in January 2023 due to a lack of calls. People in need are now directed to StarkHelpCentral.com, which provides more than 700 resources related to substance use, mental health and other issues.

Canton has spent roughly $350 in materials and ink to print the signs. Mike McCroskey, a traffic sign and paint marking specialist in the city Engineering Department, said the department reused old metal signs the city has taken down over time.

4. The signs do not ban panhandling.

Panhandling is legal and giving to panhandlers is legal in Canton  and most other places nationwide.

Canton had a law that banned panhandling from 1995 until 2019 when council repealed the ordinance to avoid a potential legal challenge from the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio.

The U.S. Supreme Court in 2015 and several federal courts since then have determined that panhandling restrictions violate the First Amendment. A state law still prohibits people from soliciting vehicles on highways, unless a charitable organization receives a permit.

Canton Law Director Jason Reese said panhandlers still could be arrested if they violate other laws such as blocking traffic. He added that because panhandling is legal, people do not need a permit to do it.

5. The signs were effective in Dublin.

The city of Dublin, a suburb of Columbus, erected similar Say no to panhandling signs in 2018 as part of a yearlong campaign to educate the public about the community organizations and resources available to help people in need. Besides the signs, the city created a dedicated website for the campaign and promoted the effort on social media, in its e-newsletter and with pocket-sized handouts.

Lindsay Weisenauer, director of communications and marketing for Dublin, said the campaigns impact was immediate. She said the city received noticeably fewer public complaints about panhandling. The police department also reported a notable decrease in panhandling activity.

Even though the city discontinued the resource website and only two of the original four signs remain, panhandling complaints continue to be low, she said.

Reach Canton Repository staff writer Kelli Weir at 330-580-8339 or kelli.weir@cantonrep.com.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canton looks to deter panhandling with Better Way to Give signs
Correction: This story has been updated to correct the last name of the shooting victim.

Two days after a 16-year-old North Fort Myers boy was arrested, facing homicide charges in the shooting death of 15-year-old Kayla Rincon-Miller, authorities say they don't have any developments they can share in the case.

Cape Coral police officers on Tuesday night arrested Thomas Roy Stein, 16, of North Fort Myers, who faces homicide charges. He was in juvenile court early Wednesday before Senior Circuit Judge Christine Greider.

If charged as an adult, he could face life in prison.

Stein is accused in the Sunday night death of Kayla Rincon-Miller, 15, of Cape Coral. She and two friends had left a movie theater and were walking to a nearby McDonald's.

One of the girls told detectives a car pulled up about 10:30 p.m. and blinded them with its lights before an unknown number of suspects jumped out of the car and tried to rob them.

Police report a witness said one person began to shoot, striking Rincon-Miller in the chest. A memorial at the shooting site continues to grow, with dozens of flowers and balloons near the intersection of Southeast 20th Street and Southeast 16th Lane.

Teen arrested: Cape Coral police arrest North Fort Myers teen linked to Sunday slaying of girl, 15

Based on the evidence, police said, they don't believe the shooting was a random act of violence.

Kayla Rincon-Miller was shot and killed in Cape Coral Sunday night.

Jail records indicate Stein is due in court April 8 for his arraignment.

The family has a GoFundMe set up to raise money for funeral expenses. By Friday morning, it had raised more than $16,500.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cape Coral Police Department at (239) 574-3223.

Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers, who may be reached at 1-800-780-TIPS, are offering a cash reward of up to $3,000 for anyone whose anonymous tips help lead to an arrest. They said doorbell camera video may also be submitted.

Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Cape Coral police continue probe into Kayla Rincon-Miller slaying
(KRON)  On Wednesday, a Daly City caregiver company was fined $100,000 in civil penalties after being caught employing unscreened caregivers, some of them with criminal records, into the homes of elderly and disabled residents.

The investigation was launched after the company, Serving Seniors Care, received a complaint of an aide that stole thousands of dollars from an elderly Palo Alto man he was assigned to look after, Santa Clara District Attorney Jeff Rosen said.

In addition to the case in Palo Alto, which remains pending, the investigation showed a different aide that stole thousands of dollars from a client in another county, the complaint said.

New police digital complaint system launched by SF sheriffs office

Despite marketing themselves as otherwise, the civil complaint alleges that Serving Senior Care did not obtain required clearances for dozens of its employees before they were placed with elderly and disabled clients.

Families trust home care organizations to follow the law when they hire employees, Rosen said. Placing strangers into homes without a background check or screening puts elderly and disabled citizens in harms way.

California state law requires licensed home care organizations to make sure employees are cleared on the home care aide registry of the California Department of Social Services before the aides are placed in a clients home.

By law, those convicted of any crime are barred from serving as home aides.

The court ordered the company and its owner to pay the $100,000 penalty for unfair competition and false advertising. The court also ordered them to comply with the Home Care Services Protection Act and to maintain personnel records related to all clearances and placements.

The penalty was the result of a District Attorneys Office consumer protection lawsuit, the first of its kind filed in Santa Clara County.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
An Alabama woman who faked her own kidnapping has been given a suspended sentence and a $18,000 (14,000) fine.

Carlee Russell, 26, pleaded guilty to two counts of filing false reports. During a hearing Thursday she was also sentenced to a year of probation and 100 hours of community service.

She phoned police in July 2023 and said a toddler was wandering by the side of a busy highway.

Russell then went missing for two days and said she had been abducted.

She later admitted the entire story was a fabrication.

Police say that in the hours before she went missing, Russell took some small items and cash from her job at a spa and went shopping.

Then she phoned 911 and said she had spotted a child while driving on Interstate 459 in Hoover, a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama.

After the worried-sounding call, Russell disappeared. Two days later she turned up at her parents' house nearby, and was taken to a local hospital.

She told police that when she had stopped to check on the toddler, a man had emerged from the trees at the side of the interstate highway, blindfolded her and held her captive in a tractor trailer. She claimed she managed to escape by running through the woods to her home.

About 10 days later, she later admitted through an attorney that the whole story was false.

According to local news reports, prosecutors asked during Thursday's hearing that Russell be required to spend some time in jail, even if only on nights or weekends.

Alabama state prosecutor Clark Morris pointed out that hundreds of people had been looking for Russell and that she has yet to give a full accounting of her whereabouts during the time she was missing.

Russell apologised and told the court: "I am extremely remorseful for the panic, fear and various range of negative emotions that were experienced across the nation." She said she had "no malicious intent".

Nick Derzis, chief of Hoover police, told reporters he was disappointed with the outcome.

"There were a lot of people, not only in our community but across the nation, that were concerned for those couple of days," he said.

He estimated that his department spent around $40,000 to $50,000 on the investigation into the bogus kidnapping.
Carlee Russell, the Alabama woman who faked her own kidnapping last year, has pleaded guilty and will not serve jail time.

On Thursday, Russell pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of filing a false police report.

Jefferson County Judge David Carpneter sentenced her to 12 months of supervised probation, 100 hours of community service and $17,974.88 paid in restitution to the City of Hoover. Russell will also have to continue mental health counseling, the judge ordered.

During the hearing, Carpenter blasted Russell, saying that the community was outraged by her stunt.

ALABAMA POLICE STILL DON'T HAVE 'ANY IDEA' WHERE CARLEE RUSSELL WAS DURING THE 49 HOURS SHE WAS MISSING

An undated police handout photo shows Carlee Russell posing for a picture. Russell reappeared at her family's home two days after being reported missing and is facing two misdemeanor charges for falsely reporting to law enforcement.

"It is a waste of resources to put you in jail. It is a waste of resources to have a trial. Although we are upset about what youve done, were not going to treat you differently than we would any other person charged with misdemeanors," Carpenter said.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Judge Carpenter wasn't the only person furious with Russell's case.

Back in July, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall told Fox News Digital that the state will seek restitution in her case if there was a conviction and said that the hoax could have a "crying wolf" impact on the public.

"The thing that I think is the most harmful is the many members of the general public that came forward in response to the concern there was an abduction of a young female and trying to find her," Marshall previously said. "And I think the concern there is similar to the old crying wolf story, right? Will you have that same public outpouring of help in the future if this arises?"

BOYFRIEND OF MISSING ALABAMA WOMAN WHO RETURNED HOME SAYS SHE WAS FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE FOR 48 HOURS

Carlee Russell exits Hoover Municipal Court Wednesday, October 11, 2023. Russell was found guilty on charges relating to her faking her own abduction in July.

"And one thing I know about the people of Alabama is they are charitable and good folks, and they want to be able to help their neighbor," he said.

Russell was visibly upset as prosecutors from the Alabama Attorney Generals Office argued for her to spend time in jail, given the extreme nature of Russells disappearance and the resources used to find her.

She spoke in court for the first time, acknowledging her actions.

"I want to genuinely apologize for my actions, and the resulting negative impact inflicted onto others. I made a grave mistake while trying to fight through various emotional issues and stress," Russell said. "Im extremely remorseful for the panic, fear and various range of negative emotions that were experienced across the nation."

CARLEE RUSSELLS EX-BOYFRIEND SAYS HES DISGUSTED WITH HER FOR LYING ABOUT KIDNAPPING BY ALABAMA INTERSTATE

Carlee Russell is charged with two misdemeanors after faking her own kidnapping in Hoover, Alabama.

"I want to specifically acknowledge and take accountability for the pain and embarrassment that I inflicted upon my family, my church family, friends, neighbors, community, and all of those who were directly involved in search efforts for me," Russell added.

A review hearing is scheduled for Oct. 16 to check on the paid amount of restitution and the completed hours of community service.

On July 13, 2023, Russell, then a 25-year-old nursing student, called 911 and told Hoover police she was abducted after seeing a toddler on the side of the road. When the police arrived, Russell was nowhere to be seen.

For the next 49 hours, hundreds of officers and volunteers searched for her and the missing toddler.

Russell returned home on July 15, around 10:45 p.m., near where police said she was seen walking along the sidewalk beforehand.

CARLEE RUSSELL'S CLAIM OF BEING FORCED INTO 18-WHEELER SOUNDS LIKE A 'FANTASY' IN HER MIND: FMR FBI AGENT

An undated police handout photo shows Carlee Russell posing for a picture.

Russell claimed that the man allegedly "forced her into a car" and the last thing she recalls is being inside the trailer of an 18-wheeler. She said that she was able to escape from the truck and fled the area on foot, but was captured again and placed into a car.

Russell then claimed she was blindfolded but "not tied up" since her alleged captor didn't want to leave wrist imprints. Russell then told police she was taken by people to a house and forced to get undressed and believes pictures were taken of her.

She also allegedly told police that the individuals didn't have any sexual contact with her.

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The following day after being taken, according to Russell's conversation with police, she woke up and was "fed cheese crackers by the female."

She later admitted to police that the whole story was made up.

Fox News' Adam Sabes contributed to this report.





Original article source: Carlee Russell, Alabama woman who faked her own kidnapping, avoids jail time for hoax
Carlee Russell has pleaded guilty and will not face jail time for making the false reports she made in July regarding her own kidnapping.

WBRC reported that Russell, 26, pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts for filing a false police report. She appeared in a Jefferson County Circuit Court Thursday and was sentenced to 12 months of supervised probation, and 100 hours of community service, and she was ordered to pay nearly $18,000 in restitution and to provide evidence of continued mental health counseling.

During the sentencing, Judge David Carpenter told Russell that her actions had deeply affected the Birmingham community.

It is a waste of resources to put you in jail. It is a waste of resources to have a trial. Although we are upset about what youve done, were not going to treat you differently than we would any other person charged with misdemeanors, Carpenter said, according to WBRC.

Russell shared a tearful statement for the first time since the incident.

I want to genuinely apologize for my actions. I made a grave mistake while trying to fight through various emotional issues and stress. Im extremely remorseful for the panic, fear and various range of negative emotions that were experienced across the nation. I want to specifically acknowledge and take accountability for the pain and embarrassment that I inflicted upon my family, my church family, friends, neighbors, community, and all those who were directly involved in the search efforts for me, Russell said in a court statement, per WBRC.

She continued, I also extend my sincerest apologies to the Hoover Police Department, and every other law enforcement agency and personnel for the position that I put them in and for the resources used. I absolutely regret my decision. And in hindsight, I wish that I had cried for help in a totally different manner. My prayer is [that I] will be extended grace and given the opportunity to redeem who I truly am, and restore the positively esteemed character that I have worked so hard to attain for the 25 years of my life prior to this incident. I wholeheartedly can say that I never had any malicious intent to hurt anyone. And I pray that you will feel my sincerity in that as I prepare to pick up the pieces and go on to restore my life, that you will witness the fruition of grace.

According to NPR, Russell was ordered to attend a case review hearing in October to ensure compliance with the imposed requirements, which include the amount of restitution paid and community service she has served.

State prosecutor Clark Morris contended that Russell should be sentenced to jail time, pointing out that Birmingham police and other law enforcement agencies used resources in an extensive search to find her.

This case has always been about respect for law enforcement and respect for this community as a whole, Morris said in a statement obtained by NPR.

Ms. Russell faked a kidnapping, duped the community, and contrived this situation. We, judge, still dont know, to this day where she was, how she got there, what she was doing, and with whom she was doing it, she said.

As Blavity reported, the incident began on July 13, 2023, when Russell called 911 to report a stranded toddler walking along I-459 that night. When police responded to the scene, they found her car on the interstate with the engine running with her wig and cell phone inside, in addition to other items she bought earlier.

A search was initiated for Russell after her family members reported that she was missing. Her alleged kidnapping garnered national attention as communities nationwide were concerned for her well-being. Russell returned home two days later on July 15 around 10:44 p.m. when she showed up at her parents house on foot.

No details were provided regarding Russells motives for staging her own kidnapping or her whereabouts during the 49 hours she was missing. After more than a week of investigating, police concluded that her story was false, and Russell later admitted she faked her abduction.
NEW DELHI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday left for a two-day state visit to the neighbouring country of Bhutan.

During the visit, Modi will be meeting with Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and his counterpart Tshering Tobgay, said an announcement by India's Ministry of External Affairs.

Besides, a few memoranda of understanding (MoU) on areas of mutual interest are expected to be signed between the two sides.

Before taking his flight to Bhutan, Modi posted on X, formerly Twitter, "On the way to Bhutan, where I will be attending various programs aimed at further cementing the India-Bhutan partnership."

The Indian premier's Bhutan visit was delayed by a day due to inclement weather at the Paro international airport on Thursday. 
People in the Kyiv metro during the alarm, March 22, 2024

There are dead and injured after Russia launched its biggest missile attack on Ukraine of 2024, firing cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and kamikaze drones at regions across Ukraine on March 22.

There are reports of widespread damage and casualties in at least eight Ukrainian oblasts as Russia targeted Ukraines energy infrastructure.

Strikes on Ukraines hydroelectric, thermal, and nuclear power stations have been reported.

It was a difficult night for the energy industry, Yasno General Director, Serhii Kovalenko, confirmed.

Read also: Kyiv hit by massive missile attack: 17 injured, including child; fires and infrastructure damage reported across three districts

There are reports of arrivals in the Dnipro, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi, Kryvyi Rih, Lviv, Vinnytsia, and Zaporizhzhya oblasts.

The terrorists remembered last years tactics and are continuing their war with civilians,  wrote Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak.

We need more air defense / anti-missile defense. And in short order, he said.



The world should not just sit and watch.

NV has compiled what we know as of 8:30 a.m. EET.

Russia tries to knock out Ukraines energy system

Russias mass missile attack on Ukraines energy system is likely the biggest of the war, as they targeted hydroelectric, thermal, and nuclear power stations nationwide.

Now the enemy is carrying out the largest attack on the Ukrainian energy system in recent times, said Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko.

The goal is not just to damage, but to try again, like last year, to cause a large-scale failure of the countrys power system. Unfortunately, there are hits and damage to power generation facilities, transmission, and distribution systems in various regions.

The Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP)  the largest in Europe  is on the verge of blackout.

Read also: Four injured in Russian S-300 missile attack on Selydove, Donetsk Oblast

Due to the shelling, one of the power transmission lines feeding the ZNPP was cut off, Halushchenko said.

Energy workers are already working on restoring the electricity supply. We are doing everything possible to return light to people as soon as possible.

The enemy will not intimidate or break us, the minister added.



We proved it last year, we will prove it now.

Casualties and widespread damage after Zaporizhzhya rocked by multiple missiles

Casualties have been reported as the eastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhya was pounded by at least eight missile strikes, with the earliest reported at 5:05 a.m. EET, and the most recent being reported at 6:53.

The Rascists (Russian fascists  ed.) have been attacking Zaporizhzhya for more than an hour, said Zaporizhzhya City Council secretary, Anatoly Kurtev.

Unfortunately, there are victims. Information about the severity of peoples injuries is still being clarified.

A fire broke out at the Dnipro hydroelectric power plant, though there is no threat of a dam breach, and the situation is under control, reported Ukrhydroenergo. Traffic across the bridge has been rerouted.

At least seven buildings have been destroyed and at least 35 damaged after not less than 12 rockets were fired at the city, Fedorov reported.

Traffic has been suspended across the Dniprovska Hydroelectric Dam that links the city of Zaporizhzhya on both sides of the Dnipro River.

Blackouts reported across Dnipropetrovsk Oblast

Explosions were heard in the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro at 5:18 a.m. EET and blackouts are being experienced across the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

Energy facilities were damaged in the Dnipro, Kryvorizky, Pavlohrad, and Kamian districts, reported the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration.

Virtually the entire city of Kharkiv is without power

The northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv is virtually without electricity after at least 15 explosions were heard in the Russian attack.

The occupiers carried out more than 15 strikes on energy facilities, Kharkiv Regional Military Administration head, Oleh Synehubov, said.

The city is virtually completely without light. Emergency services are already working.

Kharkiv is experiencing problems with electricity and water supply, and electric transport is out of operation following the Russian attack, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported.

Read also: Three civilians killed, at least 11 others injured, including teenager, in series of Russian missile, drone and artillery strikes on Donetsk

At least 15 explosions were heard, with Russia targeting Kharkivs energy infrastructure, Terekhov confirmed.

The occupiers continue to shell Kharkiv. Water supply problems are already seen due to the blackout at pumping substations, he said.



In the morning, electric transport will not be available  transportation will be carried out by buses according to the blackout scheme.

Russia targets Burshtyn thermal power plant in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast

Explosions were reported in the Western Ukrainian oblast of Ivano-Frankivsk at 6:30 a.m. EET.

There are reports that Russia was targeting the Burshtyn thermal power plant  the largest in western Ukraine.

Read also: Mother and infant killed in Russian drone strike laid to rest in Odesa

Explosions rang out in Prykarpattya. The enemy attacked our area with both mortars and rockets. A critical infrastructure object was hit, reported Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Military Administration head Svitlana Onyshchuk.

According to preliminary information, one person was injured. There is damage. Currently, no power outages have been recorded in the region. State Emergency Service rescuers are working at the scene of the impact. More information later.

Resident of Kryvyi Rih urged to charge gadgets, collect water

There are blackouts reported in Kryvyi Rih after critical infrastructure objects were hit, reported Kryvyi Rih Defense Council head Oleksandr Vilkul.

Combined attack by enemy missiles and Shahed drones  infrastructure objects are hit, he said.

Where there is an opportunity, it is better to collect water and recharge gadgets and power banks.

The city will introduce blackouts, though hospitals and other infrastructure facilities, where possible, will switch to generators, Vilkul reported.

Energy infrastructure ablaze in Lviv Oblast

A Shahed attack drone struck an infrastructure project in western Ukraines Lviv Oblast, causing a fire.

During the air raid alert, an enemy drone hit an energy facility in the Stryi region, causing a fire, reported Lviv Regional Military Administration head, Maksym Kozytskyi.

The first has be extinguished. As of this hour, no information about any victims has been received.

Terrible morning in Khmelnytskyi Oblast with multiple casualties reported

There are dead and injured reported in west-central Ukraines Khmelntyskyi Oblast after multiple explosions have caused blackouts in the capital of Khmelnytskyi and several other cities.

Read also: Three killed in Odesa after Russian attack at civilian site

Terrible morning. There are dead and injured civilians, reported Khmelnytskyi Mayor Oleksandr Simchyshyn.



We have damage to infrastructure facilities, damage to residential buildings.

Power outages were reported in at least Shepetivka, Starokostyantyniv, and Krasylov.

Critical infrastructure facility hit in hybrid strike on Vinnytsia Oblast

A critical infrastructure facility was hit in the Central Ukrainian oblast of Vinnytsia, reported Vinnytsia Regional Military Administration head, Serhiy Borzov.

The enemy used hybrid tactics with UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and cruise missiles, he said.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The Princess of Wales is undergoing treatment for cancer, she has announced in a personal video message, but told the world: I am going to be OK.

The Princess is undergoing a course of preventative chemotherapy and has said she is focused on making a full recovery.

The cancer was identified during tests after her abdominal surgery on Jan 16, and she began treatment in late February.

Since then, she and the Prince have been focusing on sharing the news with their three young children and allowing the family to process it in private.

The Princess has now chosen to explain the diagnosis in a video message filmed at Windsor on Wednesday, in which she thanked the public for their support and spoke candidly about her huge shock at the news.

A spokesman for the King said His Majesty was so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did.

The monarch and his daughter-in-law were at the London Clinic at the same time, and he has remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks.

The spokesman said the King and Queen will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex said in a statement: We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.

A spokesman for the Sussexes has not confirmed when they learned of the diagnosis. Prince Harry is thought to have last seen the Princess at the Coronation of his father, King Charles III.

In recent weeks, the Princess and the Prince have been subjected to worldwide conspiracy theories about her health and whereabouts.

Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, said the Princess had the love and support of the whole country and criticised those who had speculated about her health.

He said: She has shown tremendous bravery with her statement. In recent weeks, she has been subjected to intense scrutiny and has been unfairly treated by certain sections of the media around the world and on social media.

When it comes to matters of health, like everyone else she must be afforded the privacy to focus on her treatment and be with her loving family.

The Princess chose to share the diagnosis in a video message filmed at Windsor - Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images

Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, criticised the lurid speculation over the Princesss health as he sent wishes for a speedy recovery.

He wrote on X: Any cancer diagnosis is shocking, but I can only imagine the added stress of receiving that news amid the lurid speculation weve seen in recent weeks. Their Royal Highnesses are entitled to privacy and, like any parents, will have waited to choose the right moment to tell their children.

The Princess said the Prince had been a great source of comfort and reassurance as she came to terms with her diagnosis.

The couple chose to announce her cancer after Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis broke up for their school Easter holidays and could be sheltered at home from the public reaction.

The Princess said it had taken her and the Prince time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be OK.

In her message, she said: As I have said to them, I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal in my mind, body and spirits.

The Princess received her diagnosis in late February. It is the reason the Prince of Wales missed the memorial for his godfather on Feb 27.

Addressing the public in the video, filmed by BBC Studios, the Princess said: I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you personally for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery.

It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but Ive had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful.

In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London, and at the time it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous.

The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.

The Princess said the Prince had been a 'great source of comfort and reassurance' as she has come to terms with her diagnosis - Samir Hussein/WireImage

The Princess is now said to be on a recovery pathway. Kensington Palace is not sharing the type of cancer, or the stage at which it was found, citing the Princesss right to medical privacy.

Speaking on the video, released by the palace directly for the public to see on its social media, the Princess said of the news: This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.

As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment.

She added: Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too, as is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.

Catherine said it had 'taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them' - Matt Porteous

In a renewed plea for privacy, and a message of hope for others who are also facing cancer treatment, the Princess added: We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment.

My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.

At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.

The Princess has been away from public duties since Christmas Day, when she was seen walking to church at Sandringham with her family.

She was admitted to the London Clinic on Jan 16, with the palace issuing a statement the next day to confirm that she would be in hospital for up to two weeks and recovering in private until after Easter.

At the time, it was specified that the condition was non-cancerous and that the operation had been a success. It was only in post-operative tests that cancer was identified, and the Princess began preventative chemotherapy in late February.

A spokesman for Kensington Palace said: The Princess is now on a recovery pathway, having commenced a course of preventative chemotherapy, adding that she had wanted to share the information when she and the Prince felt it was right for them as a family.

Explaining what preventative chemotherapy is generally understood to mean, separate to the Princesss individual case, Prof Andrew Beggs, MRC senior clinical fellow at the University of Birmingham, said: Preventive chemotherapy after surgery is given to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back in the future  a bit like mopping a floor with bleach when youve spilt something on it, chemotherapy kills any spilt cells.

The family will not be attending church at Easter. The Princess will return to official duties when she has clearance from her medical team. The Prince will be back to a schedule of public engagements in mid-April, after the Easter holiday.

The spokesman said: The Princess will return to official duties when she is cleared to do so by her medical team. She is in good spirits and is focused on making a full recovery.

The Prince will continue to balance supporting his wife and family and maintaining his official duties, as he has done since the start of the year.

Asked for further details about the condition or operation, the spokesman said: We will not be sharing any further private medical information. The Princess has a right to medical privacy, as we all do.

The Princesss cancer diagnosis follows that of the King. His diagnosis was also made in post-operative tests, and confirmed in a public statement on Feb 6. He had had a procedure for the symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

The King and Queen were aware that she was releasing a message to the public.

James Middleton, her brother, issued a short message on Instagram along with a childhood photograph. Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together, the message said. As a family, we will climb this one with you too.

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Catherine, Princess of Wales, on Friday announced that she has cancer and is in the early stages of chemotherapy, asking for "time, space and privacy" as she completes her treatment.

Kate, as she is widely known, said the discovery of cancer, after successful abdominal surgery in January, was "a huge shock" but she was "well and getting stronger every day".

The disclosure came after royal officials said in February that King Charles III was being treated for cancer, forcing him to cancel all public engagements.

Charles said he was "so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did", leading messages of support, including from UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the White House.

Kate's brother James Middleton, posted a photograph of himself with his sister as children on Instagram, commenting: "Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together.

"As a family, we will climb this one with you too."

William's estranged US-based brother Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle said they wished "health and healing for Kate and the family".

- 'Preventative' chemo -

Like Charles, the 42-year-old princess, whose husband Prince William is heir to the throne, did not disclose the exact nature of the cancer.

But she described the months since she went into hospital as "incredibly tough" for her, William and their three young children.

"In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous," she added in a video statement, filmed on Wednesday at Windsor, west of London, where they live.

"The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present.

"My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment."

Preventative chemotherapy is given "after an operation to prevent recurrence", said Shivan Sivakumar, associate professor in oncology at the University of Birmingham in central England.

"This is to attempt to destroy any circulating cancer cells," he added.

Kate -- one of the most photographed women in the world -- is a central figure in the royal family and married Prince William, 41, in 2011.

She said it had taken them time to explain the situation to Prince George, aged 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and five-year-old Prince Louis, "and to reassure them that I am going to be OK".

William, Kate and their children are seen as the modern face of the British royal family, and key to its future as it faces declining support, particularly among younger people.

Palace officials will be hoping that the unusually candid disclosure will end speculation and rumours about her health and whereabouts, particularly online.

- 'Open' -

"I think it's important to know that they're human just like us," Hannah Dickerson, visiting London from the United States, told AFP outside Buckingham Palace.

"I think it's very, very good that they're open about showing that they're not afraid to hide it."

Kate was last seen at a public engagement on December 25, when she joined the king and other senior royals at a Christmas Day church service.

Kensington Palace announced on January 17 that she was facing up to two weeks in hospital and several months' recuperation following abdominal surgery.

She was not expected to be ready to return to public duties until after Easter on March 31, a statement at the time said.

Royal officials did not disclose the exact nature of her condition but said it was not cancer-related.

That announcement came shortly before a separate statement from Buckingham Palace that 75-year-old Charles was to have surgery for a benign enlarged prostate.

- Photo controversy -

He later spent three days at the same private hospital in central London. Officials then said in early February that tests had identified "a form of cancer", without giving further details.

The king has cancelled all public engagements except audiences with the prime minister and ambassadors, and worked on official papers while undergoing treatment.

He has been photographed several times since then, and been seen attending church.

Kensington Palace sought to end mounting questions about Kate, releasing a Mother's Day photograph said to have been taken by William.

But the plan backfired after it was later found to have been digitally altered and saw leading news agencies, including AFP, pull the image.

British media this week published new images of the princess walking with William at a farmers' market near their Windsor home.

This week, there were claims that an attempt may have been made to access Kate's confidential medical records, prompting a referral to the UK data protection watchdog.

bur-phz/jj/tw
Throwing ballots for Putin was like some kind of ritual

Fact checkers uncovered the identities of two Russian women caught stuffing ballot boxes in Saint Petersburg with votes for Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin.

Read also: Sham elections cement Putins usurpation of power in Russia

The women crawled on their knees  Mission Impossible-style  in an attempt to elude detection.

The culprits turned out to be the head of the local election commission No. 5, Irina Minyakova, and her deputy, Irina Borovleva, according to the Telegram channel Agency. News.

Both women are employed at the local school No. 260, where the voting took place. Minyakova is a music teacher, while Borovleva educates kids on history.

Read also: Kremlin's ingenious tactics to ensure Putin re-election among Russians  a review

A member of the election commission No. 5, speaking anonymously, confirmed to the Agency.News that the women in the video are indeed Minyakova and Borovleva.

He mentioned that the room with the ballot boxes wasn't locked at night.

A commission member was concerned on the morning of March 16 when he noticed that the ballots did not match their orderly arrangement from the night before, prompting him to file a formal complaint.

Read also: Kremlin sends special units to monitor and manipulate Putins elections in Russia-occupied territories of Ukraine

Voting ended in Russia's "presidential elections" on March 17. Putin purportedly received an astronomical and record-breaking 87.28% of the votes  a figure concocted by the Russian Central Election Commission.

Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis stated that the "elections" were conducted amid unprecedented restrictions on civil and political rights and "cannot be considered and called elections."

Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the "elections" in Russia were "elections without a choice."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asserted that there is no legitimacy in the imitation of presidential elections in Russia.

Read also: Freedom of Russia Legion volunteers vow to end Putin's reign in last election raid

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
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The Clark County School District Police Department arrested a computer technician Wednesday on several charges related to electronic surveillance at a school without knowledge.

According to the release, CCSDPD arrested Haroon Zakai, 44, on Wednesday, March 20.

Haroon Zakai, 44, charges related to electronic surveillance at school without knowledge, attempting to destroy/conceal evidence, damage to community property, and monitoring private conversations. (CCSDPD)

He faces charges related to electronic surveillance at school without knowledge, attempting to destroy/conceal evidence, damage to community property, and monitoring private conversations.

The arrest comes after an investigation at Gwendolyn Woolley Elementary School where Zakai worked as a computer technician. Police said the initial investigation indicated the incident only involved adults.

Zakai was taken to the Clark County Detention Center after his arrest, where he is being held on an $8,000 bail.

Zakai will be placed on unpaid leave after he is released and will not be allowed on campus.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  The United States hit a record high for drug overdose deaths in 2022, according to final data released this week from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The report confirms that nearly 108,000 people died from drug overdoses that year. Overdoses remain among the leading causes of death for adults, and fentanyl continues to drive the crisis.

Richard Pazder heads the Southwest Enforcement Team for the Michigan State Police. Covering nine counties across southwest Michigan, the task force goes after drug trafficking organizations and dealers bringing deadly drugs into our state. The group, compromised of state, local and federal law enforcement agencies, has existed since 1981.

MSP: 4 kilos of fentanyl found in traffic stop

Pazder said deadly drugs are coming across the southwest border through Mexican drug cartels and smuggled into Michigan communities.

What were doing is reduce the supply of the drugs on the street, bring the justice to people who are killing our citizens for profit, Pazder said.

From January 2023 through today, there have been 199 fatal drug overdoses in southwest Michigan, Pazder said.

We are still seeing crisis levels of narcotics in our communities, Pazder said. It is still driving extremely high levels of fatal drug overdoses.

There have been 2,631 suspected fatal overdoses statewide over that same time period, according to the University of Michigans Injury Prevention Center.

For many years now in southwest Michigan, weve continuously lost twice as many lives of fatal drug overdoses as we do to fatal car accidents, Pazder said. Its been a problem in southwest Michigan for a long time, and its not surprising the problem is continuing to accelerate.

4 kilos of fentanyl linked to Sinaloa cartel, judge says

The record number of overdose deaths in 2022 was slightly higher than 2021, rising from 106,669 to 107,941 deaths. The CDC report also showed the overdose death rate was relatively stable between those two years, rising from 32.4 to 32.6 in 2022.

Narcan has helped revive overdose victims, and new programs have helped make it more available. But some fentanyl is being mixed with xylazine, a tranquilizer that does not respond to Narcan.

That can complicate our efforts to revive someone suffering from a drug overdose, Pazder said.

Another problem: People are taking fentanyl and they dont even know it. Last August, a man was sentenced to at least five years in prison for giving cocaine to 21-year-old Christopher Kramer in Kent County. The cocaine was laced with fentanyl, leading to Kramers accidental death. Pazder said pills on the street that can look like Xanax or even ADHD medication can secretly be fentanyl.

Old newspaper boxes become Narcan dispensers at Ferris State University

Weve heard estimates as many as seven in 10 of these pills contain lethal doses of fentanyl, Pazder said.

He said there has never been a better time for people struggling with addiction to get help. Treatment centers, such as Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health, can find a way to help you even if you dont have insurance, Pazder said.

Everyone in the community except for the drug dealers that are putting these drugs on the street want to see you successful in your endeavor to get to a drug-free lifestyle, Pazder said.

He emphasized that many people play a role in helping save lives, including parents educating kids about the danger of drugs, police taking opioids off the streets and treatment prevention specialists stopping the cycle of overdoses.

Its a problem that requires an all-hands-on-deck response, Pazder said. Everyone needs to do their part.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Part of the train was uncovered by archaeologists in Antwerp

Part of an LNER train, thought to be almost 100 years old, has been discovered by archaeologists in Belgium.

The find, uncovered in Antwerp, appears to be a wooden removals truck used to carry people's belongings when they moved house, according to rail company LNER.

The York-based firm said it was "a mystery" how the carriage came to be buried in a field in Antwerp.

It added there was "very little left of the relic" as it had disintegrated while being excavated.

Modern day LNER services now use Azuma trains on the East Coast Main Line

London and North Eastern Railway services began operating on what later became known as the East Coast Mainline in January 1923.

Some services were hauled by famous locomotives such as Flying Scotsman, Mallard and Sir Nigel Gresley.

The LNER name returned to the route in June 2018, when previous operator Virgin Trains East Coast returned the franchise to the government.

LNER communications director Stuart Thomas said: "Just last year we celebrated 100 years since the LNER came into being in 1923.

"In our 101st year its incredible to discover a little bit of LNER history has been buried in a field in Belgium for so many decades."

A spokesperson for the company said it was "highly unlikely" the carriage would be returned to York, adding it was in a "very fragile state" and had been damaged as the archaeologists tried to recover it from the mud.

Related stories

Related internet links
Chain gangs of offenders in hi-vis jackets will be deployed to clean up graffiti, fly-tipping and vandalism in England and Wales, the Justice Secretary has said.

Alex Chalk said the rapid deployment teams, comprising offenders serving sentences in the community, will be expanded from pilot schemes to cover all 12 probation regions in England and Wales.

They will pick up litter from roadsides, scrub graffiti from shopfronts and underpasses and maintain neighbourhood beauty spots within 48 hours of cases being reported to the probation service.

Members of the public are being invited to nominate projects in their local area under the community payback scheme, under which offenders are in hi-vis jackets so the public can see that justice is being done.

The pilots were launched as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour by Mr Chalk when he was a junior justice minister almost three years ago.

Making our streets safer

Anti-social behaviour undermines peoples sense of pride in their communities and makes them feel unsafe in the place they call home, said Mr Chalk, who donned one of the hi-vis jackets to help out on a clear-up on Thursday.

Thats why this Government is taking a zero tolerance approach with our plan to stamp it out. Our plan is working, with clean-up teams not only tackling the corrosive effect of such crimes but also forcing offenders to repay their debts to the very neighbourhoods they have harmed, cutting reoffending and making our streets safer.

Offenders are dressed in orange jackets with community payback on their backs, and councils and police commissioners are urged to use the unpaid workers for local and visible clean-up projects.

The expansion comes as thousands of offenders will spend two weeks giving back to the communities they have harmed in a concerted nationwide clean-up.

Offenders on community payback will put in more than 12,000 hours of labour clearing tons of litter across 400 projects in support of Keep Britain Tidys annual Great British Spring Clean campaign.

Each year, courts hand down more than 50,000 unpaid work requirements to punish offenders for crimes including theft, criminal damage and alcohol-related offences.

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.
Preschoolers at Pellston Elementary School are getting ready to be kindergartners in fall 2024

NORTHERN MICHIGAN  School districts within the Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District are ready to welcome the Class of 2037 with kindergarten roundups and open houses for students enrolling in the 2024-25 school year.

The following is a list of kindergarten registration open houses, parent meetings and school tours planned throughout the Char-Em ISD's 11 public schools, charter academies and private schools.

Antrim County

Central Lake Public Schools

When: Thursday, April 11: By appointment only.

For more information: Call (231) 544-3141 for an appointment. Visit clps.k12.mi.us.

Ebenezer Christian School

When: Thursday, April 11 from 3-6 p.m.

For more information: Call (231) 588-2111 or visit ebenezerchristian.org.

Ellsworth Public Schools

When: Tuesday, April 9 from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Appointment required for parent meeting, orientation and tours.

For more information: Call (231) 588-2544 to make an appointment or visit ellsworth.k12.mi.us.

Charlevoix County

Beaver Island Community School

If your child is a prospective kindergarten student, call the Beaver Island CommunitySchool office at (231) 448-2744 to set up an appointment to meet the staff and learn about theprogram.

For more information: Visit beaverisland.k12.mi.us.

Boyne City Public Schools

Parents/guardians will need to register for a kindergarten roundup session of their choice byfilling out a kindergarten pre-registration form that is available at boyne.k12.mi.us.

The following registration sessions will be held:

Wednesday, May 1: 4:30-5:30 p.m. and 6-7 p.m.

Thursday, May 2: 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 1-2 p.m.

Friday, May 3: 9:30-10:30 a.m.

For more information: Call (231) 439-8300 or visit boyne.k12.mi.us.Boyne Falls Public School

When: Wednesday, April 17 at 5:30 p.m. Registration required for parent meeting, orientation and tours.

For more information: Call (231) 549-2211 to register or visit boynefalls.org.

Charlevoix Public Schools

When: Friday, April 19 and Monday, April 22 at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Appointment required.

For more information: Call (231) 547-3215 to register or visit rayder.net.

Concord Academy Boyne

When: Thursday, April 25 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Appointment required.

For more information: To schedule an appointment, call (231) 582-0194 or visit concordboyne.com.

East Jordan Public Schools

Kindergarten registration is now open online. Click on the link at ejps.org. An open house will take place from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, May 6 at the elementary school. Kindercamp for all incoming kindergarten students takes place from 9-11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 14 at the elementary school.

For more information: Call (231) 536-7564 or visit ejps.org. St. Mary School - Charlevoix

When: Tuesday, April 16 from 5:30-7 p.m. No appointment necessary.

For more information: Call (231) 547-9441, email principal@stmaryschoolchx.com or visit stmaryschoolcharlevoix.com.

Subscribe: Check out our offers and read the local news that matters to you

Preschoolers at Pellston Elementary School are getting ready to be kindergartners in fall 2024

Emmet County

Alanson Public Schools

When: Wednesday, April 24 at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be provided.

For more information: Contact Rachelle Cook at rcook@alansonvikings.net or call (231) 548-2261, ext. 1. Visit alansonvikings.net.

Concord Academy Petoskey

When: Tuesday, April 23 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Developmental kindergarten information also available.

For more information: Call (231) 439-6800 or visit concordpetoskey.com.

Harbor Light Christian School

When: Monday, May 13 at 6 p.m.

For more information: Call (231) 347-7859 or visit harborlightchristian.org.

Harbor Springs Public Schools

When: Tuesday, April 23 from 3-5 p.m.; Thursday, April 25 from 5-7 p.m.; and Wednesday, May 1 by appointment only.

For more information: Appointments are required and can be made by contacting (231) 526-4600. Visit harborps.org.

Pellston Public Schools

When: Wednesday, April 17 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Appointment required.

For more information: Call (231) 539-8421, ext. 10013, to schedule an appointment. Visit pellstonschools.org.

Public Schools of Petoskey

Contact Nicole Morrow, district registrar, for registration information at (231) 348-2354or email morrow.nm.y@northmen.org. The registration form is online at petoskeyschools.org.

St. Francis Xavier School

When: Thursday, April 18 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Open house style, no appointment necessary. Preschool and developmental kindergarten information also available during this time.

For more information: Call (231) 347-3651 or visit petoskeysfxschool.org.

For all kindergarten registrations: Char-Em ISD advises parents to bring proof of residency and the childs birth certificate, immunization records and custody documentation, if applicable.

If you have questions about enrolling in kindergarten or the listed events, contact the specific school district.

Michigan law states that for the 2024-25 school year, a child who resides in a public school district providing kindergarten may be enrolled if the child is at least 5 years of age on or before Sept. 1, 2024. For children who will be 5 by Dec. 1, 2024, parents may enroll their child through written notification to the school district.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Char-Em ISD districts welcome Class of 2037
CHARLES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  The Charles County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) said two students assaulted another one on March 19. Deputies said that the attackers believed the victim had winnings from a campus fight club.

CCSO said that administrators at Maurice McDonough High School let a school resource officer know of an assault and robbery that happened inside a bathroom during school hours.

Video of Charles County middle school staff member allowing fight under investigation

A preliminary investigation revealed that the student was in the bathroom when two other students came in, assaulted that student and went through their pockets looking for cash. When they found none, they stole the victims cell phone instead.

CCSO said the students had purposely targeted the victim because they thought the victim had cash due to winning pre-arranged fights at a fight club on campus.

CCSO said that in students arrange these fights and place bets on the outcome.

The student resource officer worked with the Charles County States Attorneys Office and charged the two students with second-degree assault and robbery. CCSO said the students will also receive punishments from Charles County Public Schools.

The case was still being investigated. Anyone with information about this or other fight clubs is asked to call (301) 609-3282 ext. 0504.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Chen Xu (C, Front), China's permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) Office in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, speaks during the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, March 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

GENEVA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- China's permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) Office in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland has stressed the need to promote and protect human rights through constructive dialogue and cooperation.

During the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Chen Xu denounced the politicization and instrumentalization of human rights issues in a joint statement delivered Wednesday on behalf of the Group of Friends on the Promotion of Human Rights through Dialogues and Cooperation.

The joint statement pointed out that the politicized and polarized atmosphere is exacerbating at the Human Rights Council, which runs counter to its original intention and violates the principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity, non-politicization and non-selectivity.

The establishment of country specific mechanisms against the will of the countries concerned and the proliferation of parallel mechanisms cause a huge waste of financial and human resources without yielding tangible outcomes and are therefore not conducive to promoting or protecting human rights, the statement said.

The joint statement also reiterated three propositions regarding the work of the Human Rights Council.

-- to uphold fairness and justice, adhere to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, oppose interference in the internal affairs of member states using human rights as an excuse and call for an immediate cessation of unilateral coercive measures.

-- to uphold openness and inclusiveness, play a constructive role in facilitating dialogue and cooperation on an equal and mutually respectful basis, expand consensus through dialogue and exchanges, and work together to protect and promote human rights through peace, security, common development, dialogues and collaboration.

-- to uphold objectivity and impartiality, conduct its work on accurate and objective information, respect the sovereignty and political independence of all countries, respect the human rights development paths chosen by each country based on their domestic situation, and provide technical assistance and capacity building according to the countries' needs and wishes.

The joint statement was widely supported and applauded by the developing countries. 

This photo taken on March 20, 2024 shows a view of the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

This photo taken on March 20, 2024 shows the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)
From improperly stored chemicals to grease build-up, these inspections found several violations at Horry County restaurants recently.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control inspects eateries throughout the Grand Strand for their safety and cleanliness, with grades as recent as March 20, 2024.

Here are the restaurants that received the worst grades.

El Ranchito Restaurante

Location: 1769 SC-9 Business, Loris

Grade: 79 percent

SCDHEC inspected El Ranchito Restaurante March 13, 2024, and found several violations. SCDHEC observed an employee cooking without gloves on, which was corrected.

Cleaner was stored near food-related items and the hand sink had no soap available for employees, according to SCDHECs report. SCDHECs inspection also found a hand sink with a leaking drain, as well as a soda can and phone on a prep table.

According to the report, El Ranchito Restaurante must have an on-site follow-up inspection within 10 days to address the violations SCDHEC found.

Little Caesars

Location: 4684 Socastee Blvd, Myrtle Beach

Grade: 80 percent

SCDHECs inspection of Little Caesars Socastee Boulevard location March 12, 2024, found several violations.

SCDHECs report found chemical bottles stored on food boxes and near prep tables, which Little Caesars corrected. The walls and ceiling had heavy grease build-up, as did the pizza oven and walk-in cooler, according to SCDHECs inspection.

According to SCDHECs report, a jacket was on a prep table, the drive-thru window did not close, and other violations were also found.

Little Caesars Socastee Boulevard site must have an on-site follow-up inspection within 10 days to address the violations found in SCDHECs report.
CHICAGO  A 26-year-old gunman was killed, and a Chicago police officer was injured after a shootout Thursday evening in the citys Humboldt Park neighborhood, according to CPD.

The man who was fatally shot was identified as 26-year-old Dexter Reed, according to the medical examiners office.

Police officers stopped a vehicle near West Ferdinand Street and North Avers Avenue around 6 p.m. While officers were at the vehicle, a man fired shots at them, and a shootout ensued.

Read more: Latest Chicago news headline

Police said Reed was shot multiple times and taken to Mount Sinai in critical condition where he was pronounced dead shortly after.

An officer was shot in the left wrist and taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition. The officer works in the 11th district and has been on the job for five years.

Four others were taken to the hospital to be checked out but were not wounded.

Home security video captures the traffic stop and shootout. Bruce Davis told WGN News he was working in his garage when he heard as many as 30 rounds of shots.

I just heard multiple shots and just started to run for cover. I looked up at the camera and they were just shooting and didnt stop. I was trying to rush back into the house because my son was inside, Davis said.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability said it is investigating the incident and is asking for anyone with information to contact them at 312-746-3609 or online.

Skycam 9 was over the scene and saw several evidence markers in the area.

The officers involved will be on administrative duty for 30 days. The superintendent said all officers involved had two to five years on the job. He also said officer body camera footage also captured the entire incident.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson visited the injured officer at Stroger Hospital.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  A Topeka animal shelter is offering locals a chance to relax with a special yoga class alongside a bundle of puppies.

Next week, Helping Hands Humane Society (HHHS) will be holding a puppy yoga class to help people relax, get fit and play with some cute animals along the way. This isnt the first time the organization has held classes like this before though.

HHHS spokeswoman Emi Griess says the shelter has been partnering with a local yoga instructor named Suzi King to regularly hold animal yoga sessions. It initially started out as yoga sessions with cats and kittens but now includes puppies and dogs as well.

Hidden gem: Step inside the Kansas missile silo turned Airbnb

I formed Kitty Karma Yoga in partnership with HHHS back in 2016 as a way to bring two things I was passionate about together: teaching yoga asana and animal welfare, King said.

(Photo Courtesy/Susan King)

(Photo Courtesy/Susan King)

(Photo Courtesy/Susan King)

(Photo Courtesy/Susan King)

(Photo Courtesy/Susan King)

(Photo Courtesy/Susan King)

(Photo Courtesy/Susan King)

Classes are held at HHHS and are generally $10 per person with the money going directly to the shelter. However, the next class is a first for HHHS as it will also be a fundraiser for the Baker School of Nursing. This will bump up the price to $12 per person with the extra $2 going to the universitys nursing program.

Its a very different vibe with cats and kittens vs puppies, Griess said. Cats and kittens are not too noisy, they will kind of run around and play. With the puppies, its a little more rambunctious.

I Think Were Alone Now: Tiffany brings 80s nostalgia to West Ridge Mall with live show

Griess says the yoga classes help animals learn how to socialize and let people meet adoptable pets in a fun setting while learning about the shelters mission. Guests are also encouraged to bring donation items when they visit from the wish list for HHHS.

I think its very different from regular yoga classes because of the animal element, Griess said. It can introduce this new type of exercise and stress relief to animal lovers.

Griess says the next class may not feature puppies as planned previously and instead consist of adult dogs from the shelter. Either way, attendees can expect to hang out with dogs during one of the two sessions scheduled for next week.

Two classes are currently on the HHHS schedule from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 25. Class sizes are generally capped at 30 people. To register for a class, click here.

Topeka man works to save iconic Animal Land playground

To keep up with future animal-themed yoga sessions with HHHS and Kitty Karma Yoga, follow the HHHS on Facebook. The HHHS can be found at 5720 SW 21st Street in Topeka.

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For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
China-based Elephant Robotics on Friday announced metaDog, an interactive robotic companion ideal for people who want a pet but might not be able to get one due to allergies or living restrictions. Photo courtesy of Elephant Robotics

March 22 (UPI) -- A China-based robotics company on Friday announced the global release of a robotic dog companion.

Elephant Robotics in a release introduced the metaDog robotic companion.

Featuring a design inspired by the popular Husky and Shiba Inu breeds, metaDog responds touch and sound, including over 30 voice commands, the company says.

MetaDog responds to owners with barks, howls and head and eye movement, and it comes with up to 12 hours of battery life in between charges.

Elephant Robotics said metaDog is a perfect option for people who want a dog but can't have one for various reasons, such as living constraints or allergies.

MetaDog could be a good option for people dealing with loneliness. Researchers at Auckland, Duke and Cornell Universities have said companion robots enhanced with artificial intelligence could serve an aging and increasingly isolated population.

Murali Doraiswamy, professor of psychiatry and geriatrics at Duke University and member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, said, "Until society prioritizes social connectedness and eldercare, robots are a solution for the millions of isolated people who have no other solutions."

With advancements in AI technology, newer models of robots could provide deeper social connections than previous generations, but the concept of emotionally intelligent machines not new.

European researchers in 2010 unveiled Nao, a humanoid robot that can detect emotions, recognize body and facial cues and even remember interactions with people.

More recently, engineers at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore in December introduced Nadine, an emotionally intelligent robot who serves as a receptionist at the university.

Using Apple's Siri AI, Nadine can converse with people, remember previous interactions and express different emotions based on the conversation.

Nadia Thalmann, a robotics professor NTU's School of Computer Engineering, at the time predicted social robots like Nadine could be employed as companions and caretakers for children and elderly people in the future.

"[They could] even serve as a platform for health care services in future," she said.

MetaDog's commercial launch comes amid the Chinese government's prediction that advanced robots will be the next big "disruptive innovation" that will spur economic growth -- similar to computers, smartphones and electric vehicles.

The South China Morning Post reported Friday that China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology plans to turn the robotics sector into "an important new engine of economic growth" by 2027.

China hopes to leverage advanced robotics to address domestic issues such as housing, a shrinking labor pool and a rapidly aging population, in addition to competing with Silicon Valley.

In the United States, the rapid advancement in robot companions may be necessary at a time when number of Americans with no close friends has quadrupled since 1990, according to the Survey Center on American Life.

Robot companions like metaDog, however, might not just raise the quality of life for humans, but also real animals. PETA estimated there are 70 million homeless dogs and cats on any given day in the United States due to owners' failure to spay and neuter their pets.
Hospitals in multiple provinces, including eastern Zhejiang and southern Jiangxi, have announced in the past two months that they will close their maternity departments - NurPhoto

Hospitals across China are scrapping maternity wards amid plummeting birth rates that have alarmed the nations leaders.

Industry experts have warned of an obstetric winter caused by plummeting demand as record numbers of young couples shun the idea of starting a family, blaming economic uncertainties, the high cost of education and the lack of affordable childcare.

Hospitals in multiple provinces, including eastern Zhejiang and southern Jiangxi, have announced in the past two months that they will close their maternity departments, according to an analysis by Reuters.

The medical facilities informed the public via their social media WeChat accounts, with the Fifth Peoples Hospital of Ganzhou City in Jiangxi confirming newborn services would be suspended from March 11 and Zhejiangs Jiangshan Hospital of Traditional Medicine on Feb 1.

The announcements will cause an alarm for Xi Jinping and his government, which is scrambling to create incentives to encourage the younger generation to have more children.

In 2023, Chinas population shrank for the second straight year, falling by two million through a combination of the highest level of deaths in half a century and a record low birth rate.

The total of 9.02 newborns per 1,000 people in 2023 marked the seventh straight year that the birth rate had fallen, causing India to overtake China as the worlds most populous nation.

Chinas National Health Commission recently reported that the number of maternity hospitals dropped to 793 in 2021 from 807 in 2020.

Falling birth rates meant it was no longer feasible for many hospitals to keep their obstetrics departments open, reported the Daily Economic News.

The obstetric winter seems to be coming quietly, the newspaper said.

The reluctance to have children has risen despite the lifting of the strict one-child policy in 2015 and a personal appeal from Xi, the Chinese president, for women to establish a new trend of family.

Many young women say they are reluctant to become mothers because of the twin burden of building a career while doing the bulk of the housework.

I hope to take my career to another level in the next three to five years. If I need to go on a business trip, I can just go. Im not sure what having a child could bring me, but my career can provide me with a sense of security, Lisa Pang, 37, a successful entrepreneur, recently told the Telegraph.

I feel like I need to seize the opportunities in life.

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Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) says Republicans who vote for the spending package set to hit the floor Friday are putting the GOP majority at risk in November, as the hard-line conservative launches a last-ditch effort to convince his colleagues to vote against the $1.2 trillion bill.

The comment came during a House Freedom Caucus press conference Friday, shortly before the chamber is scheduled to vote on the sprawling bill.

I want to be very clear: Any Republican who votes for this bill, they own it, and they are the ones risking the election, Roy said.

The Texas congressman brushed aside worries from Republicans about the implications in November if GOP lawmakers march the government into a shutdown.

Its the people that are going around saying, But oh, well cost the election, oh but what happens if we have a shutdown? Theyre the ones running in fear rather than leading, he said.

The spending package  which includes six appropriations bills  will fund a slew of departments and agencies through September, officially putting an end to the appropriations process for fiscal 2024.

Lawmakers in both parties are claiming wins in the package: Democrats have touted investments in child care and domestic programs, and Republican leaders have pointed to an increase in the number of detention beds for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as well as cuts to diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

Conservatives, however, have come out hard against the legislation, criticizing it for the high price tag, the inclusion of various spending priorities, the exclusion of some of their controversial policy riders, and for the way by which leadership brought it to the floor.

Is there anything that some Republicans wont do to keep this government open? Why are we in a rush to keep this government open that is so harming the American people by the very policies which they are suffering under? House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good (R-Va.) said Friday.

Congressional leaders unveiled the trillion-plus dollar bill in the middle of the night Thursday, and top GOP lawmakers waived the 72-hour rule, which hard-liners have been adamant about, giving members less than three days to review the text.

Additionally, the legislation is coming to the floor under suspension of the rules, which hard-liners abhor. The fast-track process eliminates the need to first pass a rule  which conservatives would likely tank  but it also requires two-thirds support for passage.

We officially have the swamps recipe for the failing of the American people: a massive government funding bill, chock-full of wasteful spending, harmful policies and pork projects. Truly  and I mean truly released in the middle of the night, as was mentioned, 2:30 in the morning, giving lawmakers a little more than 24 hours to read an over 1,000-page monstrosity, only to pass it under suspension of the rules, relying on more Democrat votes than Republican votes in a House Republican majority, Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The logo of Stellantis is seen on the company's building in Velizy-Villacoublay near Paris

By David Shepardson

(Reuters) -Chrysler parent Stellantis said on Friday it will lay off about 400 U.S. salaried workers as it seeks to cut costs, boost efficiency and ramp up electric-vehicle production plans.

The Italian-American automaker said it is reducing its engineering/technology and software organizations by about 400 U.S. jobs effective March 31, which represents 2% of those jobs worldwide. Last year, Stellantis twice offered buyouts to groups of U.S. workers, including giving 6,400 U.S. salaried employees a financial incentive to depart in November.

The company said, "As the auto industry continues to face unprecedented uncertainties and heightened competitive pressures around the world, Stellantis continues to make the appropriate structural decisions across the enterprise to improve efficiency and optimize our cost structure."

Both Ford Motor and General Motors have vowed further cost costs and cut some jobs over the last year.

Earlier this month, United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain said Stellantis had terminated 2,000 temporary workers, criticizing the decision as "about corporate greed." He noted that under the UAW contract reached with Stellantis last, around 3,000 temporary workers were converted to permanent jobs.

Stellantis in December said it would temporarily cut one shift at its Detroit assembly plant that builds Jeep sport utility vehicles and reduce production at its Toledo, Ohio, assembly plant that builds the Jeep Wrangler.

Stellantis cited preparations "for the transition to electric vehicles" last year in offering buyouts after telling employees earlier that a review of the company's operations "made it clear that we must become more efficient."

Stellantis plans to offer at least 25 battery-electric models in the United States by 2030.

The company did not disclose how many employees offered to take buyouts but said in February its North American workforce had fallen to 81,341 at the end of 2023, compared with 88,835 a year earlier.

Under the UAW contract, the company agreed to offer $50,000 buyouts for veteran production and skilled trade members in 2024 and 2026.

(Reporting by David Shepardson in WashingtonEditing by Matthew Lewis)
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A chunky alligator is causing growing concern in Temple Terrace, Florida.

Residents are worried that the gator could potentially cause harm to a passerby or get out of the fenced-in area through a gaping hole in one of the gates.

I kind of got to check every time I come out the house, resident Priscila Watson said.

WATCH: Boaters came face-to-face with shark as it chomped on whale carcass off Venice Beach

The kids know theres a gator there  dont feed him, dont mess with him. I dont even allow them over there without me, another resident Jean Marc said.

Photos show the massive reptile sprawled out in a pile of mulch with various trash and debris littered around the animal.

Construction crews nearby told Nexstars WFLA that people in the area have been feeding him  something that is illegal and dangerous. Neighborhood residents said the gator has been there for a really long time.

















(Photos: WFLA)

Its unclear what led the gator to make this location its home. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation told WFLA they are aware of the reptile and are looking into the incident.

In the state of Florida, its illegal to harass or kill an alligator without a permit. FWC also advises citizens not to bother or feed the animals.

Airport worker lashes out at Tampa-bound passengers after delays: I will call the police

Anyone with concerns about an alligator should call the agencys Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286).

Here are some tips the FWC said people should know when dealing with alligators in Florida:

Keep a safe distance if you see an alligator.

Keep pets on a leash and away from the waters edge. Pets often resemble alligators natural prey.

Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours and without your pet. Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn.

Never feed an alligator. Its illegal and dangerous. When fed, alligators can lose their natural wariness and instead learn to associate people with the availability of food, which can lead to dangerous circumstances for yourself and others who could encounter the alligator in the future.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  On Wednesday, the Austin Fire Department battled a fire at an abandoned commercial building on Old Koenig Lane, a small street just off North Lamar Boulevard in Central Austin.

According to AFD, a person experiencing homelessness started the fire, and crews had to evacuate several people experiencing homelessness from the building.

A fence was around the abandoned property that caught fire Wednesday. (Courtesy: Austin Fire Department)

According to AFD, several people experiencing homelessness evacuated from Wednesdays fire. (Courtesy: Austin Fire Department)

AFD battles fire at abandoned building in Central Austin. (Courtesy: Austin Fire Department)

Since the City cannot clear encampments in private property, it is the responsibility of the property owners to secure vacant buildings, land, etc., an AFD spokesperson said in an email.

KXAN has reached out to the property owners via phone and email and will update this story when we receive a response.

The fire at the Old Koenig Lane building, which is across the street from McCallum High School, is one of the latest concerns neighbors have about the property.

Weve gotten progressively more, you know, afraid, said Taj Reid, who lives nearby. Weve had people who appear unhoused walking around the cul-de-sac, shes been harassed, she added, pointing to her wife Samantha Sampson.

Digging through property records, KXAN found plans the owners had to build an apartment complex with 326 units. The property also received various code violations related to things like substantial trash being on site as well as the need to secure the property.

Im concerned about the impact this has on the high school nearby. The children do walk by that area every day, Sampson said.

The Development Services Department told KXAN in an email statement that it plans to bring this case to the Building Standards Commission next month to request a demolition order.

The Development Services Departments Code Compliance team is aware of concerns relating to the substandard structure at 900 Old Koenig Lane. Following previous complaints and site visits, on February 6, City code inspectors requested support from the Austin Police Department to clear the building. Additionally, City contractors have installed a fence around the property to prevent further intrusion, the departments statement continued.

The below chart from the citys website outlines what happens when a code complaint originates and how situations escalate to the point the Old Koenig Lane building is currently at.

City of Austin chart maps out the progression of the results of a code violation.

Reid and Sampson feel for the people who have taken up shelter in the building.

I dont blame them for trying to find shelter, theyre doing what they need to do to survive as people, Sampson said.

But their safety concerns still exist.

The desire to feel safe in your own home is also a basic need, Reid said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Shandong Heavy Industry Group strengthens global partnerships The Shandong Heavy Industry Group Global Partner Conference and a product exhibition were held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates on Nov 25.

International outlook pays off with growing exports Jinan-based truck leader Sinotruk, a subsidiary of Shandong Heavy Industry Group, has developed a unique path of internationalization for Chinese brands by integrating its product, market, channel and brand.

Sinotruk unveils new chapter of Central Asia market under BRI Shandong Heavy Industry Group's Global Partner Conference and a product exhibition under the brand "Friendly Shandong, Remarkable Shandong" were held in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, on Sept 4.

Shandong branded heavy trucks shine in Uzbekistan On the morning of Sept 6 at 9 am, a Sinotruk HOWO V5 truck slowly drove out of the factory of UZ Truck and Bus Motors, marking the 3,000th Sinotruk truck produced by the company.

Shandong Heavy Industry Group seeks closer ties with global partners Shandong Heavy Industry Group hosted a global partner conference and a product exhibition in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan on Sept 4.

Heavy-duty dominance: Sinotruk reigns supreme in market share China National Heavy Duty Truck Group, widely known as Sinotruk, continues to make impressive strides contributing to the recovery of China's commercial vehicle market in 2023.

Sinotruk overcomes pandemic challenge to notch record year China National Heavy Duty Truck Group, also known as Sinotruk, achieved strong results and created new records in its export business last year in spite of supply chain issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sinotruk driven by innovative forces China National Heavy Duty Truck Group, or Sinotruk, one of the country's major heavy-duty truck manufacturers, held the 2022 Cloud Business Conference on Dec 30 in Jinan, Shandong province.

Sinotruk-made ski-waxing truck wins innovation award The intelligent ski-waxing truck made by Sinotruk won an innovation award at the 2021 China Commercial Vehicle Innovation Awards on Dec 10.
KIGALI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The plenary session of the Rwandan Senate on Thursday passed a law approving the ratification of an agreement between Rwanda and the United Kingdom under an asylum partnership to strengthen shared international commitments on the protection of refugees and migrants.

At least 21 out of 22 senators who attended the plenary session voted in favor of the agreement. The law was passed after receiving an analysis report on this draft law made by the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Security, further strengthening the credibility and thoroughness of the legislative process.

The agreement, which would enable Britain to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, was signed last December by British Home Secretary James Cleverly and Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta in Kigali, the Rwandan capital.

During the plenary session, senators expressed their support for the ratification of the agreement, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in addressing the challenges posed by forced displacement and migration.

With the passage of the law by the Senate, the promulgation of the agreement is set to be the next step in the process. Once promulgated, the agreement will come into effect, paving the way for joint efforts between Rwanda and Britain to implement its provisions and work toward the shared goal of providing protection and assistance to refugees and migrants.

Under the agreement, Rwanda will establish a special court to address cases and legal matters concerning refugees and asylum seekers, Rwandan Minister of Justice Emmanuel Ugirashebuja told the Rwandan parliament last month.

According to him, a standard operating procedure will be followed to protect migrants against "refoulement," and an independent committee will be set up to audit the implementation of the agreement.

"Refoulement" means being sent back to one's country of origin, where there is a risk of persecution. 
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Mesquite police arrested a Clark County School District middle school counselor, who is now facing charges of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor 10 years after the incident occurred in Utah.

David Scott Curtis, 54, who is a Hughes Middle School Counselor was arrested on Thursday by Mesquite Police Officers who had an arrest warrant issued out of St. George, Utah, police said.

The criminal allegations were for a crime committed approximately 10 years ago, according to police.

CCSD employee arrested on charges related to electronic surveillance

The Mesquite Police Department is unaware of any alleged crimes committed at Hughes Middle School or in Mesquite.

Janitor accused of sexually assaulting minor at North Las Vegas high school: police

Those with information regarding Curtis actions should contact Hughes Middle School resource Officer Justin Goodsell or Mesquite Police Detective Justin Cheney.

Clark County School District staff member arrested on sexual misconduct charges

This is the fourth arrest this week involving a CCSD employee.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Cleary University is hosting its second annual Sip, Savor and Support fundraising event on April 19 at 6:30 p.m.

HOWELL  Cleary University is hosting its second annual Sip, Savor and Support fundraising event on April 19 at 6:30 p.m.

The event includes beer, wine and spirits alongside a wide selection of tapas for guests to sample. Tickets are $75 per person and include several beverage tasting tickets.

Among the brands are Michigan-based companies Mammoth Distilling and Shorts Brewing of Bellaire, Ann Arbor Distilling, Iron Fish Distilling of Thompsonville, Old Nation Brewing of Williamston and Long Road Distilling of Grand Rapids. All guests will receive a commemorative tasting glass.

Live music and a silent auction will also be part of the evenings festivities. All proceeds benefit Cleary Universitys Gift of Graduation, which aids juniors and seniors close to graduation but short on funds to complete their education. According to a spokesperson, a consistent percentage of Cleary students face financial barriers to earning their degree each year.

Every student who drops out of school this close to graduation represents a major loss, not only for themselves, but for their family, prospective employers waiting to hire Cleary graduates, and the community, said Director of Development Tom Egan. Our goal is to help these students bridge the gap for needed funding so they can cross that graduation finish line.

Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage

VIP sponsors are welcome. A $1,000 sponsorship includes a table for six, beverage tasting tickets for each person and bonus drink tokens, logo recognition for the business or company, and six souvenir glasses. Donations and silent auction contributions are welcomed.

For tickets, visit cleary.edu/sip-savor. To donate, contact Katee Cole at 517-586-3002 or kcole@cleary.edu.

 M. Alan Scott is a freelance writer for The Livingston Daily. Contact the newsroom at newsroom@livingstondaily.com.

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Cleary fundraiser to aid students 'this close' to graduation
Industrialist Robert Owen looking over shoppers in Belper

A clock celebrating the life of social reformer Robert Owen has been installed in a Derbyshire town.

The clock is in place at the entrance of Co-op's store in Strutt Street, Belper.

The installation prompted criticism from people in the town who questioned why public money was used.

But the Co-op said it was important to mark the life of a "visionary" man, who was credited with devising the modern eight-hour working day.

Mr Owen was an associate of the Strutt family, who were from Belper.

He had a textile mill in New Lanark in Scotland but historians credit him with improving the welfare of workers and encouraging them to have a work-life balance.

He had a mantra of eight hours labour, eight hours recreation, eight hours rest that forms the modern work pattern.

Portrait of Robert Owen at the unveiling of the new clock in Belper

The new clock was jointly funded by the Co-op and Belper Town Council, with the council has contributed 8,000 towards it.

Use of public funds had drawn criticism from residents on social media.

Jason Thomas Brown wrote online: "If you paid me 8k I would've just stood outside the Co-op with a watch all day and told people the time."

Lorraine Froggatt commented: "What a waste of money, the state of the roads in Belper are a disgrace, who authorises such stupendous amounts on a clock ?"

But town councillor Katie Harris defended the move.

She said: "I am happy and proud to support this. It is the sort of thing that will put Belper on the map."

Senior Co-op staff gave speeches at an unveiling ceremony at the store.

Tanya Noon, a community relations officer at the Co-op, said: "I think we should never forget the forefathers of the Co-operative movement.

"Robert Owen is just one of those, but he inspired our Co-operative movement - that's why we wanted to celebrate him here in Belper because of the connection with the mills."

Co-op community relations officer Tanya Noon

The clock is divided into three, eight-hour sections to show how Mr Owen thought the working day should be split.

On the hour the clock face forms the image of Robert Owen.

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.

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From the Dispatch Politics on The Dispatch

Happy Friday! Capitol Hill is experiencing its own March Madness, with Congress struggling to pass a funding agreement to avoid a government shutdown tonight. And as we were putting the finishing touches to this newsletter, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to vacate the chaira procedural move to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson. It wont be privileged, so the House wont take up the motion immediately, but still: madness!

Up to Speed

A pair of new CNN polls in Michigan and Pennsylvania released Friday found Donald Trump and Joe Biden in a dead heat in Michigan at 46 percent each, while Trump led Biden 50 percent to 42 percent in Pennsylvania. Less than half of voters in both states said they were satisfied with their choices of presidential candidates.

Trump said Tuesday that he would likely support a 15-week abortion ban with exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother. The number of weeks now, people are agreeing on 15, and Im thinking in terms of that, and itll come out to something thats very reasonable, he told the local New York City radio show Sid and Friends in the Morning. But people are really, even hard-liners are agreeing, seems to be, 15 weeks seems to be a number that people are agreeing at. But Ill make that announcement at the appropriate time. That is perhaps the clearest stance he has taken on abortion legislation since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and his comments come a month after the New York Times reported he was leaning toward a limit of 16 weeks.

Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey announced Thursday he will not file to run for reelection as a Democrat, just days before the filing deadline. Menendez is under federal indictment for bribery charges, and several credible Democrats have already filed to run for his seat this year. In a lengthy video posted online, Menendez claimed he will prove his innocence on the charges but said he could not run for his partys nomination. He did, however, suggest he would run as an independent Democrat after he is exonerated. Menendez will have until June 4 to file as an independent candidate.

Republican Senate candidate Larry Hogan of Maryland leads both of his potential Democratic opponents by double digits in a Washington Post poll released Wednesday. He leads Rep. David Trone 49 percent to 37 percent and Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks 50 percent to 36 percent. The moderate former governor has the lead despite a majority of the polls respondents saying they would prefer Democrats to control the Senate rather than Republicans.

Speaking of Trone, the Democratic congressman made an unfortunate mistake on Thursday during a House Budget Committee hearing. Attempting to use the term bugaboo to criticize a Republican talking point about taxes, Trone instead used a racial slur, jigaboo, a derogatory word for black people. He later apologized for using the offensive word.

The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday on Donald Trumps rhetoric on the trail suggesting the 2024 election could be rigged against him, including a new phrase that has made its way into Trumps speeches and even on signs distributed at his events: Too Big to Rig. The presumptive Republican nominee is encouraging his supporters to help make his lead so large that his opponents cannot steal the election from him, but as the Journal notes, the message could complicate GOP turnout efforts.

Despite Electoral Headwinds, Dems Have Cash To Burn

President Joe Biden speaks to local supporters and volunteers at the office opening of the Wisconsin coordinated campaign headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on March 13, 2024. (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

If youre a Democrat, its tough to find positive signs ahead of the 2024 elections. President Joe Bidens approval rating is at historic lows for an incumbent, and Donald Trump leads him in several credible polls. The party has difficult seats to defend in the Senate and no great opportunities for pick-ups. Despite the narrow Republican majority in the House, Democrats are feeling grim about their ability to win back control there.

Were gonna be running this election like were behind in every way, including financially, Pat Dennis, the president of the Democratic rapid-response organization American Bridge, told The Dispatch.

Despite Dennis comments, Democrats have a major advantage in one key area: cold, hard cash. From the presidential race to the various super PACs on the left, Democrats are starting the general election season with more money than their Republican counterparts. Theyre cautious about assuming their financial advantage will translate to victory up and down the ballot, and its possible that Republican fundraising can catch up. But the cash advantage is stark.

Bidens campaign reported this week it had $71 million of cash on hand through the month of February, double the $33.3 million the Trump campaign reported having at the same time. And while both nominees joint fundraising committees wont report their latest numbers to the Federal Election Commission until next month, the total advantage Biden has when factoring in these supportive groups, such as the Democratic and Republican national committees, is even more impressive. Including that $71 million, Biden and these coordinating groups say they have $155 million total. Trump has just recently set up his own joint fundraising committee, and between his campaign, the cash-strapped RNC, and his supportive super PACs, has just $42 million in cash on hand.

Bidens authorized super PAC, Future Forward, reported starting the year with nearly $24 million cash on hand. The comparable groups supporting Trump are struggling to compete. Save America, the pro-Trump super PAC, reported having just over $4 million in cash on hand at the end of February. The group actually spent more than $5.6 million on legal fees to firms working for Trumps legal defense in multiple civil and criminal cases, which was more than the $5 million it received in February as a transfer from another pro-Trump super PAC, Make America Great Again Inc. The group itself reported $19 million in cash on hand through the end of January. According to the Associated Press, money donated to the new Trump joint fundraising agreement will be directed toward the Trump campaign and Save America before heading to the RNC.

With such advantages, the collective spending power of the pro-Biden and liberal independent expenditure groups promises to be staggering, with the New York Times reporting that several organizations have pledged political programsad spending, organizing, and get-out-the-vote programsto boost Democrats that total up to $1 billion. That includes $120 million from the League of Conservation Voters; $250 million in reserved ad buys from Future Forward; $200 million from the Service Employees International Union; $239 million in ad reservations from Senate Majority PAC; and $150 million from American Bridge.

Even smaller groups are promising massive budgets on campaign activities. Last month VoteVets, a liberal organization focusing on military veterans, announced a $45 million program for 2024, while the pro-Biden group Republican Voters Against Trump plans to spend $50 million on ads convincing Republican leaners to vote for the Democrat.

There are benefits to having the cash advantage now, including better rates for TV ad time. Groups that can reserve their time now wont have to spend as much as those buying up ad time later. If conservative megadonors come in later to support pro-Republican super PACs, theyll be getting less bang for their buck.

So far, theres been no indication of a commensurate united effort on the right, and some of the most powerful groups that helped turn out elements of the GOP coalition in election years past likely will play diminished roles.

The political network associated with billionaires Charles Koch and his late brother David, for example, is continuing to take the measured approach to campaign spending that it has employed since Trump first won the Republican nomination in 2016. The Koch-affiliated Americans for Prosperity, which had supported Nikki Haleys bid, has announced some targeted spending on behalf of Republican Senate candidates in Pennsylvania and Nevada. But the $1.5 million total in ad reservations so far pales in comparison to the $122 million the group spent in the 2012 presidential election cycle, a monumental figure for the time. And the National Rifle Associations political arm, once a pro-Republican force that spent $50 million in the 2016 election cycle, had just $11 million in cash on hand at the end of February.

Some on the pro-Biden side say the current money disparity reflects a fundamental problem GOP donors have with the man at the top of the ticket.

Donors know that Joe Biden is running to be president and that Donald Trump is running to stay out of jail, said Sarah Longwell, who runs Republican Voters Against Trump. Republican donors just dont seem that interested in paying Trumps legal bills.

Biden-Trump Rematch Not Dampening Turnout: Pollsters

With the rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump that American voters are dreading now firmly underway, campaign pollsters are searching for signs that participation in the November election is poised for a nosedive. So far, they cant find any.

The 2020 contest that saw Biden oust Trump tallied nearly 158.5 million votes for president nationwide out of almost 159.8 million total ballots cast. Those numbers equaled roughly 66 percent of eligible voters, the highest turnout for a national election in 120 years, according to the Pew Research Center. The question is whether those statistics, or anything close to them, can possibly sustain this fall amid the Biden-Trump sequel a majority of voters insist they dont want.

Perhaps surprisingly, the answer less than eight months before Election Day is: quite possibly.

I have seen no evidence in the data thus far that turnout will be diminished in any statistically meaningful way because of dislike for the two candidates, a Republican pollster with clients on the 2024 ballot told Dispatch Politics. My expectation is that turnout among Democrats and Republicans will not be down because partisan voters will be motivated more by hatred of the other candidate, which will keep even reluctant partisan Trump and Biden partisans engaged.

I have never seen more hatred for the other partys candidate than we see right now, the GOP pollster added. Democratic pollsters are, similarly, failing to find any data that suggests a significant percentage of voters will sit on their hands on November 5. I dont assume that high levels of dissatisfaction with candidates will equal low overall turnout at this point, one of them told us.

The pollsters interviewed for this story requested anonymity to speak candidly out of concern about how their comments might reflect on their clients.

For the past several months, poll after poll has revealed voters were unhappy with the prospect of a Biden-Trump rematch that finally kicked off following the March 5, Super Tuesday primaries.

But its not just the do-over aspect of the 2020 campaign that is leaving voters dissatisfied. They also disapprove of the Democratic and Republican nominees on an individual basisconsiderably. Take Biden: His job approval rating is stuck at 40.3 percent and his personal favorability ratinga quality that is supposed to be his strong suit, is just as bad. Trump is doing only slightly better. Yet the political atmosphere may conspire to spike turnout levels for the fourth consecutive federal election.

In particular, said a second Republican pollster we spoke with, voters broadly are viewing the upcoming presidential contest as consequential. Indeed, this pollster explained that in spite of the fact that about 12 percent to 15 percent [of likely voters] hate both candidates, the sense of importance about this election remains very high. That view, that participating in the 2024 election matters, is the case even among the double haters.

This GOP pollster, one of about 20 who recently took part in a polling summit convened by the National Republican Congressional Committee, said none in the group has seen any evidence of decreased turnout, yet.

Some Republican pollsters believe such evidence is unlikely to show up in future surveys because of high levels of negative partisanshipoverwhelming opposition to Biden by Republicans and opposition to Trump by Democratsand the proliferation of early in-person and mail-in voting that give campaigns several weeks before Election Day to badger voters into pulling the proverbial lever. But given the circumstances, they remain on high alert for this phenomenon to take hold.

Its too early to know for sure how voters are going to feel about their choices after Labor Day, when they typically begin paying closer attention. Thats especially the case among independent voters, less likely to be compelled to support a candidate they dont like.

Common sense would say to expect it, a Republican strategist said. But both sides are pretty motivated and we have been running generally unpopular picks for at least the last three cycles with the last two setting turnout records.

Notable and Quotable

If Donald Trump put up these kinds of numbers on The Apprentice, hed fire himself. Biden reelection campaign communications director Michael Tyler in a statement in response to Trumps fundraising numbers, March 21, 2024



Read more at The Dispatch

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Colin Firth has been pictured on the set of a new drama based around the Lockerbie bombing in Scotland.

He plays the role of grieving father Dr Jim Swire in the upcoming Sky series.

Dr Swire and wife Jane led the campaign for an inquiry into the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 on 21 December 1988 after their daughter Flora was among 270 people killed in the tragedy.

Firth, 63, was pictured on set walking among "debris" of the flight in Bathgate, West Lothian.

A total of 259 people, all 243 passengers and 16 crew, were killed in flight along with 11 people on the ground in the Dumfries and Galloway town.

It is the deadliest terror attack in British history.

The series is based on the book, The Lockerbie Bombing: A Father's Search For Justice by Dr Swire and Peter Biddulph.

The five-part series Lockerbie will explore Dr Swire's fight for action and being nominated as a spokesperson for the victims' families through the UK Families Flight 103 group, and look at the disaster and its aftermath.

Colin Firth on set in Bathgate

Firth on set in Bathgate as Dr Jim Swire

Dr Swire told the BBC in December 2022 that he wanted a UN court set up, instead of the case being dealt with by the US or Scotland and has long wanted the evidence against the only man convicted of the attack - Abdelbaset al-Megrahi - to be reassessed.

Scottish playwright David Harrower, known for the play Blackbird, is the lead writer and Otto Bathurst, who won a Bafta for BBC period crime drama Peaky Blinders, is lead director.

Firth, who won an Academy Award and Bafta for playing George VI in The King's Speech in 2010, was pictured on set alongside other actors portraying police officers and soldiers.

Firth on set with an actor playing a police officer in the background

The BBC and Netflix announced in July that they had commissioned World Productions to make a separate six-part drama about the bombing.

Novelist and screenwriter Jonathan Lee, who wrote High Dive, is lead writer and Michael Keillor, who worked on Line Of Duty, Roadkill and Chimerica, will direct.

US Lockerbie trial

Former Libyan intelligence officer Al-Megrahi was found guilty of 270 counts of murder by a panel of three Scottish judges, sitting at a special court set up at a former US military base, Camp Zeist, in the Netherlands in 2001 and was imprisoned in Scotland.

He was granted compassionate release in 2009 after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Megrahi returned to Libya where he died in 2012. His family, and some relatives of the bombing victims, believe he suffered a miscarriage of justice.

Appeals against his conviction have been rejected. Libyan Abu Agila Masud is alleged to have helped make the bomb.

He is to go on trial in the US in May 2025 facing three charges which he denies.
The Uplands is a residential neighborhood of 110 modest homes that sits on the Sarasota-Manatee county line north of New College of Florida and south of the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee.

Bordered on the east by U.S. 41 and the Sarasota-Bradenton airport, and on the west by the Sarasota Bay, the Uplands is a uniquely preserved pocket of old Sarasota, with lush vegetation, a plethora of wildlife, a spring-fed freshwater lake and undeveloped waterfront green space where neighbors walk their dogs, watch sunsets and stroll Uplands Boulevard, a dead-end internal subdivision street that is used more by pedestrians than vehicles.

Carrie Seidman

All of that could change if a new master plan for growth put forth by the NCF Board of Trustees in February comes to fruition. The plan proposes to create a north/south thoroughfare by extending Uplands Boulevard at both dead ends, to stretch from the colleges west campus to the nine-acre parcel north of USFs Powel Crosley estate it received from Manatee County last year, where it envisions building dormitories.

The grassy wetland centrally west of the neighborhood  which is now filled with native palms, oaks, mangroves and sea grapes and where the lake outlets to the bay  is the proposed site of the Freedom Institute, an estimated 75,000-square-foot building that will serve as a think tank to engage the colleges students, the greater Florida community and the world to promote freedom of inquiry and champion tolerance of civil discourse among those of opposing views.

A sign posted along the Sarasota Bay waterfront green space that the Uplands neighborhood shares with New College of Florida.

Ironically, that 187 feet of waterfront land  plotted as part of the original Uplands and described by developer A.B. Edwards as for use by homeowners in a 1948 sales pitch for homesites on the land his ancestors homesteaded 80 years prior  was gifted to the college by the neighborhood in the 1960s, with the provision that it be left in its natural state.

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At the moment, Uplands residents are poised for the release of a revised plan, which may or may not incorporate input from an open house in late January that was attended by about 140 residents  none of whom had previously seen the plan.

Since August, when she first learned of the revisions, Uplands resident Judy Burns has advocated for a neighborhood resident be appointed to the planning committee, noting New College of Florida President Richard Corcorans expressed commitment to an open transparent process.

The neighbors have always had a good relationship with New College, says Burns, a 1981 NCF graduate. We share this land, we are good neighbors. So what we want is to be part of the collaborative process, not just to have documents shared with us after the fact.

The neighborhood was included in planning discussions when updates to a previous master plan, implemented in 2015, were developed. That plan designated the waterfront area as a preserve and a substantial natural resource and envisioned only a pedestrian pathway through the greenspace.

But this time around, residents say they have not only been denied a seat at the table, their efforts to obtain information have been stymied. Moreover, they say the college is downplaying the proposed changes in order to avoid public scrutiny.

According to Florida Statute 1013.30, if an amendment to a campus master plan increases the density or intensity of the land use by more than 10%, it must hold two public hearings and undergo review by multiple state agencies that are given 90 days to provide feedback. Uplands residents believe the current proposed changes exceed the 10% allowed without review.

Meanwhile, along the waterfront  which is posted with signs saying Cutting, trimming or removal of any trees, plants or foliage is prohibited"  a tree service recently cleared significant vegetation that neighbors say exceeded the invasive species only allowed to be eradicated without a permit.

In a statement issued by email through a spokesman, Corcoran said that, contrary to neighbors concerns, the college has made personally connecting with members of the neighborhoods bordering our campus a priority and has received ongoing and valuable input that surpasses that of previous cycles.

Corcoran also said a date for another public hearing will be announced concurrently with the release of the updated draft, though no date was given for that release.

When asked about the vegetation removal, Corcoran said it was part of a project  separate from the master plan revision  focused on protecting and restoring the mangrove forest, that was carried out in collaboration with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Additional concerns from Uplands residents go beyond the exponential increase in traffic the changes would bring and the usual noise and light pollution arguments. Chief among them are the impacts that the Freedom Institute building and thoroughfare would have on the delicate balance of the ecological system. Right now the preserve not only offers a canopy of trees that is a rookery for birds and home to other wildlife, but serves as a stormwater catch area during heavy rains or major storms, preventing flooding in the neighborhood.

Located in a Federal Emergency Management Agency VE Flood Zone (defined as a coastal area with hazard from wave action), any construction there would need to be raised at least 14 feet from the ground (as is the elevation of the Uplands itself). Yet building heights in the area are limited due to regulations of the adjacent airport.

Also, many Uplands homes are still on septic systems, and there is a Manatee County lift station at the north dead-end of Uplands Boulevard, serving those with sewers that would have to be relocated if the road is extended.

Burns says the Uplands (neighborhood) Association is among the 30 affected entities the revised master plan will be released to, after which the 90-day clock to approval will begin ticking. Others include the city of Sarasota and both Sarasota and Manatee counties, each of which have oversight over different parts of the Uplands.

Once they send it out for review, we may see the changes, Burns says. But once the master plan has been stamped and approved, it can happen at any time.

Karen Stack, a resident of the Uplands for eight years, calls the situation another Sarasota David and Goliath story.

We have only very big neighbors, including the airport, which is tripling in size," Stack says. "It would be amazing if theyd treat us as a serious partner in all the progress. But they are building over a little neighbor because we dont have the money to fight it. And once this is gone, its gone.

Were one small neighborhood," Stack says. "But if it happens here, its going to happen elsewhere.

Contact Carrie Seidman at carrie.seidman@gmail.com or 505-238-0392.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: New College's building spree puts a small neighborhood at risk
The clock is ticking on whether Colorado's released wolves will breed and have pups this spring.

Wolf breeding season starts in mid-February, around Valentine's Day, with pups born starting in mid-April.

At the March 13 Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials said the GPS collars placed on the 10 wolves when they were released in Grand and Summit counties in late December will give them clues as to if or when the state might expect pups this spring.

"We don't know if any bred and can't say if we will have pups this year," Reid DeWalt, the wildlife agency's assistant director, told commissioners. "Mid-April is when we probably will have more information if a den is dug and reproduction happens.''

Ed Bangs, who oversaw the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's gray wolf recovery program in the Northern Rocky Mountains before retiring in 2011, said wildlife officials will be able to hone in on the wolves looking for a denning site by the animals continually being detected by their collars in the same location.

"All of a sudden, they will settle on a den site and the breeding female will be a dot on the map and that is where the den is," he said.

Of the 10 released wolves captured in eastern Oregon, two are adult males from different packs, two are nearly 2-year-old males from different packs and six are nearly 2-year-old females from various packs and of breeding age. Wolves are considered breeding age at ages 2 to 3.

DeWalt said as of last week, those 10 wolves were alive with functioning collars and in Colorado. He added some remain in the general location of the release sites in Grand (around Kremmling) and Summit counties but continue to move around. The state wildlife agency previously confirmed two have wandered into eastern Moffat County, about 70 miles from the initial release site.

The wildlife agency said it will not identify which animals, sexed and identified by numbered collars, are located where.

DeWalt added there have been no reported livestock depredations by the released wolves as of last week.

One of five gray wolves released in Colorado is shown on Dec. 19, 2023.

Bangs said reintroduced wolves in Yellowstone National Park in 1995 successfully bred the first year while those released in Idaho bred the second year. He said the Idaho wolves were released later than those in Yellowstone due to litigation, which didn't allow wolves to pair up, bond and produce young. the first year.

"Wolves, like dogs, only breed once a year and if they miss it, that's it for the year," he said. "Reproductively, wolves are made to be successful breeders and if paired and bonded, they will likely have pups.''

If the released wolves do produce pups, they will be the first ones in Colorado since two naturally migrating wolves from Wyoming gave birth to six pups in Jackson County in spring 2021 to form the North Park pack.

Before that litter, it had been 80 years since Colorado reported pups born in the state.

Wildlife officials previously said the North Park pack has produced no other pups.

More wildlife news: Estes Park photographer captures footage of mountain lion fending off coyotes

Of the eight members of the North Park pack, only two are known to be alive in Colorado. State wildlife officials placed GPS collars on the pack's breeding male (M2101) and his male offspring (M2301). Three or four of the pack's original pups were legally shot in Wyoming and the fate of the rest of the members is unknown.

According to North Park ranchers, M2101 and M2301 had been split up the past several months but the two recently have paired up again.

North Park rancher Don Gittleson said the two wolves have been wandering through his ranch as recently as the last few days but have not attacked his cattle. The pair also have been reported by ranchers on the west and south sides of North Park in recent weeks.

The last confirmed wolf depredation occurred Dec. 13 on Gittleson's ranch north of Walden when M2101 injured one of his heifers. He said M2101 has been involved in all seven confirmed wolf depredations on his herd the past two years.

"One wolf is a lot less likely to be a problem compared to the threat of two of them," Gittleson said.

Gittleson said local Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials have been sending text messages to ranchers in the area when a collared wolf or wolves were or had been within 6 miles of their properties.

Released wolves not the ones showing up in Larimer County on map

Colorado Parks and Wildlife's February wolf map showed a wolf or wolves had been in a western Larimer County watershed in the past month.

Colorado's collared gray wolf activity map for Jan. 23-Feb. 27, 2024.

After the map, delineated by watersheds, was released, some media outlets and social media sites indicated a released wolf or wolves had wandered north into the watershed in Larimer County.

DeWalt discounted that at the March 13 commission meeting.

"The North Park wolves are much closer to the (Wyoming) border; the Oregon wolves have not ventured that close to the border," he said.

DeWalt said the wolves in eastern Moffat County are within about 45 miles of the Wyoming border.

Gittleson said M2101 has been a frequent visitor on the leased ranch he runs north of Walden and abuts Larimer County for most of the winter save for three weeks in February when he said wildlife officials indicated it had moved out of Jackson County.

"I'm very sure the wolf showing up on the (February) map in Larimer County was either M2101 or his offspring or both," Gittleson said.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Will Colorado's released wolves produce pups this spring?
NEW JERSEY (PIX11)  Colon cancer is the third most common form of cancer in the United States. More than 100,000 people will be diagnosed with it each year. A growing number of them are under 50 years old. Doctors say it is the most survivable form of the disease.

Colon cancer typically starts as a small abnormal growth in the inner lining of the colon. Its called a polyp and it can grow into a cancer.

Dr. Gregory Charak is a colorectal surgeon at Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen, New Jersey. He said that many people are not aware of the symptoms to look for to alert them that they may have a medical problem.

Look for changes in bowel habits, new constipation, new diarrhea, and most commonly blood in your stool means you absolutely have to get it checked out, Charak advised.

New blood test offers hope in detecting Alzheimers disease

In recent years, the number of colon cancer cases has decreased in older Americans, while they have taken a sharp rise in younger people.

Rates are going down in older Americans because of excellent screening, Charak said. The problem with younger Americans is that they are not getting a colonoscopy when they should.

A colonoscopy may be an uncomfortable procedure, but it is the gold standard for detection of colon cancers.

We look inside the colon and we look for growths, Charak explained. During a colonoscopy everything might be normal or we might find a growth, a polyp, which can be removed and prevent a cancer. He added, If detected early, colon cancer has an excellent survival rate, up to 90%.

Many factors contribute to the risk of cancer, including smoking and alcohol use  and theres the genetic factor. The surgeon noted, If your parent had it, it doesnt mean youre going to get it, but family history is a No. 1 risk factor more or less for colon cancer.

Medical experts maintain that a colonoscopy is not only a cancer detection test but a colon cancer prevention test. Early detection could be the key to saving your life.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
A new sculpture of the historic Manatee River is coming to Mineral Springs Park in Bradenton.

The sculpture, The Singing River, draws on the Manatee Rivers folklore and history. City officials say the planned sculpture will sit above the walkway along the Riverwalk East extension.

In Native American legend, the Manatee River, dividing line between the Calusa and Timucuan peoples, was known as the Singing River because of the most beautiful and lovely music it mysteriously made on certain moons, according to Manatee Countys website.

The artwork, which will cost $350,000, is expected to debut next spring at Mineral Springs Park, 1312 Second Ave. E., Bradenton.

Jean Farmer, the citys public art coordinator, believes the sculpture will create a little magic in the park. She hopes it will make visitors curious to learn about the humming river.

Theres only about a handful of these rivers anywhere in the world, Farmer said.

A rendering shows the design of The Singing River sculpture planned for the Bradenton Riverwalk. The colorful art installation could debut in early 2025.

She also wants the artwork to honor the rivers history. An archaeological dig in 2020 revealed how Angolan settlers in the 19th century lived in Bradenton and added new importance to the site.

Its important that we get it right because its a very special spot, Farmer said.

New sculpture coming to Bradenton Riverwalk

Reinaldo Correa, the artist who created the sculpture, set out to capture what makes the city unique and picturesque. The artwork, which will hang in the sky like a canopy, will offer a gorgeous view of the Manatee River.

Its encouraging viewers to pause, but ultimately, to continue their journey towards the river, Correa said.

Theres no doubt that visitors will slow down and look up at the sculpture, which will catch the colors of the sunset and appear to glow at night.

It is meant to leave visitors in awe, Farmer said.

A city needs places where it can see its past and future, she said. Art is something that moves people. I would like to see people experience it and enjoy it. I hope they feel proud of it and want to share it with others.

A rendering shows the design of The Singing River sculpture planned for the Bradenton Riverwalk. The colorful art installation could debut in early 2025.
Russia is creating a force of 100,000 soldiers, possibly to conduct a new offensive in early summer, Ukraine's Ground Forces Commander Oleksandr Pavliuk said on national television on March 22.

The Armed Forces withdrew in February from several settlements in Donetsk Oblast, including the key front-line city of Avdiivka, due to severe ammunition shortages exacerbated by delays in U.S. aid.

Heavy battles continue in Kherson, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhizhia oblasts as Russian troops try to continue their advance.

Pavliuk noted that the new force Russia is mustering might also serve another purpose: "Maybe they (Russia) will use them to replenish units that are losing their combat capability."

Russian troops continue their assault attempts in the Bakhmut, Lyman, and Avdiivka directions of the front, according to Pavliuk. In Sumy Oblast, Russian forces are not preparing any new military formations but target civilian infrastructure to threaten citizens, he added.

"I think we will do everything we can to stop them (Russian attacks)," Pavliuk said.

Read also: Zaporizhzhias Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant hit amid Russian attack on energy infrastructure

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Israeli military vehicles are seen following a shooting attack near the Dolev Jewish settlement in the West Bank, on March 22, 2024. A Palestinian militant opened fire Friday morning on an Israeli vehicle in the West Bank, sparking an hours-long gunfight that ended with the Palestinian being killed by an Israeli helicopter strike, according to military and medical sources. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, March 22 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian militant opened fire Friday morning on an Israeli vehicle in the West Bank, sparking an hours-long gunfight that ended with the Palestinian being killed by an Israeli helicopter strike, according to military and medical sources.

The Palestinian fired at a minibus near the Dolev Jewish settlement in the early morning hours, said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), noting that subsequently the Israeli troops began a pursuit of the Palestinian assailant, during which they came under fire several times throughout the morning.

According to the IDF, it launched an assault helicopter and drones during the manhunt. Palestinian media aired footage of the Israeli helicopter striking during the fighting.

Israeli media said the Palestinian was killed and at least seven Israelis were injured during the clash, two of whom were seriously wounded and one was in critical condition.

Since the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan last week, Israeli security personnel in Jerusalem and the West Bank have been on high alert. Tensions between Israelis and Palestinians have been escalating due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which began on Oct. 7, 2023. 

Israeli forces are seen following a shooting attack near the Dolev Jewish settlement in the West Bank, on March 22, 2024. A Palestinian militant opened fire Friday morning on an Israeli vehicle in the West Bank, sparking an hours-long gunfight that ended with the Palestinian being killed by an Israeli helicopter strike, according to military and medical sources. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Israeli forces are seen following a shooting attack near the Dolev Jewish settlement in the West Bank, on March 22, 2024. A Palestinian militant opened fire Friday morning on an Israeli vehicle in the West Bank, sparking an hours-long gunfight that ended with the Palestinian being killed by an Israeli helicopter strike, according to military and medical sources. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Israeli forces are seen following a shooting attack near the Dolev Jewish settlement in the West Bank, on March 22, 2024. A Palestinian militant opened fire Friday morning on an Israeli vehicle in the West Bank, sparking an hours-long gunfight that ended with the Palestinian being killed by an Israeli helicopter strike, according to military and medical sources. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Israeli forces are seen following a shooting attack near the Dolev Jewish settlement in the West Bank, on March 22, 2024. A Palestinian militant opened fire Friday morning on an Israeli vehicle in the West Bank, sparking an hours-long gunfight that ended with the Palestinian being killed by an Israeli helicopter strike, according to military and medical sources. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Israeli military vehicles are seen following a shooting attack near the Dolev Jewish settlement in the West Bank, on March 22, 2024. A Palestinian militant opened fire Friday morning on an Israeli vehicle in the West Bank, sparking an hours-long gunfight that ended with the Palestinian being killed by an Israeli helicopter strike, according to military and medical sources. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)
Dozens of tribal leaders spoke during a Senate listening session on Wednesday about public safety in Indian Country.

Tribal nations need more money from Congress to keep people safe, their leaders told federal lawmakers.

Officials representing tribes in Oklahoma and 14 other states said Wednesday that inadequate funding has hamstrung their criminal justice systems, leaving them unable to fully address the opioid crisis. Many leaders also called on Congress to restore the power of tribal courts over all people suspected of dealing drugs and committing other crimes on reservations, not just those who are Native.

Theres a commonality with all of the problems, and the commonality is that tribal nations have been handcuffed in their ability to protect their own, said Jonodev Chaudhuri, an ambassador and citizen of the Muscogee Nation in eastern Oklahoma.

More: Oklahoma AG challenges Muscogee Nation's case against county jailer over dispute caught on video

Chaudhuri and the other tribal officials were speaking at a listening session held by the Senate Indian Affairs committee. Sen. Brian Schatz, a Hawaii Democrat who chairs the committee, said hearing about the most pressing public safety issues facing tribal nations would help lawmakers prioritize their next steps.

Sen. Jon Tester acknowledged no single fix would solve the crises many tribal communities face. Tribal and federal law enforcement agencies need more resources across the board to begin solving the problems, said Tester, a Montana Democrat.

Weve got cartels in Indian Country, he said. Weve got a lot of bad s--- going on.

Tribal nations ask Congress to expand the power of tribal courts over non-Native defendants

The discussion on Capitol Hill landed as several tribal nations in Oklahoma work to expand their criminal justice systems across their reservations after regaining legal recognition in the past four years.

Charles Addington, who leads the Quapaw Nation Marshals Service in the northeast part of the state, said federal funding often stays at the federal level  within agencies like the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which has its own law enforcement arm  rather than reaching tribal nations directly.

In order to make a difference, youve got to make sure youre being partners with these tribal law enforcement programs, said Addington, a Cherokee Nation citizen.

More: Oklahoma task force looks to resolve tribal reservation safety issues without tribal nations

The current system creates a checkerboard approach to addressing crime and enforcing the law, Chaudhuri said.

The solution is empowering local governments on the ground, he said. Thats always been the solution.

Jonodev Chaudhuri, an ambassador of the Muscogee Nation, speaks during a June 2023 event in Oklahoma City. Chaudhuri spoke this week during a U.S. Senate Indian Affairs committee hearing.

He joined more than a dozen other tribal leaders in asking for Congress to pass a law that would expand the power of tribal courts over non-Native defendants. The Supreme Court ruled in 1978 that tribal courts do not have inherent criminal jurisdiction over people who arent Native American, and that only Congress can assign that jurisdiction.

Lawmakers have done so as recently as 2022, when they extended the jurisdiction of tribal courts to cover anyone accused of sexually abusing, trafficking or stalking a Native person, as well as some other related crimes.

Congress should extend that list to cover all crimes on tribal lands, said Mark Macarro, chairman of the tribal chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians in California and president of the National Congress of American Indians.

Indian Country is in acute crisis right now, and has been for decades actually. Crisis in law enforcement, crisis in public safety, crisis in justice, he said. One of the fundamental solutions is the restoration of our own sovereign governments to protect our citizens in their own homes and on our lands.

'We are the first people of this country, and yet we're always overlooked'

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican and vice chair of the Indian Affairs committee, said she and other lawmakers hope to take the input of tribal leaders and build their perspectives into future policies.

Jeff Stiffarm, president of the Fort Belknap Indian Community in Montana, said he hoped the listening session was not just a way for lawmakers to check off a box. Tribal nations need Congress to fulfill the United States trust responsibility to tribes, he said.

We are the first people of this country, and yet were always overlooked, Stiffarm said.

One of the most repeated concerns was the inability to recruit and retain police officers because federal funding does not match the actual need. Many tribal leaders said their police forces were operating with far fewer officers than needed to patrol huge swaths of land.

J. Michael Chavarria, the governor of the Santa Clara Pueblo in New Mexico, said his tribe can only afford to hire officers at $25 an hour. Security officers at the nearby Los Alamos National Lab can start out making about twice as much, he said.

Tribal police officers also cant join the federal pension system or access disability or death benefits, which makes retention exceptionally difficult, several tribal officials said.

We cant enforce the law if we dont have any law enforcement officers, said Manuel Heart, chairman of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe in Colorado.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Tribes need more power to address crime on reservations, officials say
US House Speaker Mike Johnson was facing a potential vote of no confidence launched by his own side (TOM BRENNER)

US President Joe Biden on Saturday signed into law a long-awaited funding bill passed by Congress, keeping federal agencies running through September and averting a damaging partial government shutdown.

"The bipartisan funding bill I just signed keeps the government open, invests in the American people, and strengthens our economy and national security," Biden said in a statement.

Senators missed a midnight deadline to pass the $1.2 trillion package to keep the lights on in several key government agencies but voted in the early hours to pass a resolution that had already advanced from the House.

At the same time, Biden called on lawmakers to approve additional national and border security funding.

"Congress's work isn't finished. The House must pass the bipartisan national security supplemental to advance our national security interests," Biden's statement said. "And Congress must pass the bipartisan border security agreement -- the toughest and fairest reforms in decades."

"It's time to get this done."

- 'Our persistence has been worth it' -

A day of high-stakes Capitol Hill drama began at midday Friday, when the House of Representatives passed a $1.2 trillion, six-bill package representing the largest and most contentious section of federal funding.

With cash running out at midnight for three-quarters of the government, including defense and homeland security, the Senate was thrust into a race against the clock to advance the legislation to Biden's desk.

Budget negotiations looked close to breaking down, with both sides pushing to tweak the legislation to reflect their campaign messaging and priorities ahead of November's presidential election, when Biden faces former president Donald Trump.

Senators were preparing to adjourn with no deal on holding a vote, which would have prompted the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to begin scaling back operations in key federal agencies on Saturday morning.

But a deal came together just as the midnight deadline arrived, and the Senate voted to pass the resolution after 2:00 am local time (0600 GMT) in Washington.

"It wasn't easy, but tonight our persistence has been worth it," Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor after hours of tense negotiation.

"It is good for the American people that we have reached a bipartisan agreement to finish the job," he added before the bill received final approval.

Republican Senator Mitt Romney said while the bill was "far from perfect, I voted for this appropriations bill because it provides critical funding for our military and for border security."

- Speaker under pressure -

Hours earlier, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson had angered his own right flank by relying on Democratic votes to advance the package to the Senate.

Marjorie Taylor Greene, a close ally of Trump, told reporters she had filed a "motion to vacate" the speaker's chair over Johnson's endorsement of the funding package, thrashed out over weeks of tense negotiations between the parties.

The resolution, a rare maneuver that requires a simple majority to pass, comes after the same maneuver led to the removal of previous speaker Kevin McCarthy last fall -- and weeks of infighting as Republicans rejected several potential replacements before settling on Johnson.

The timeline for next steps on Greene's resolution was not immediately clear, although a vote to remove Johnson cannot take place until April at the earliest, with the House now on a two-week recess.

Greene told CNN that "quite a few" Republicans were supporting her effort.

The shutdown would have affected about 70 percent of government agencies and departments, as funding for the first 30 percent -- covering agriculture, science, veterans programs, transport and housing -- passed without major drama last month.

Five of the six bills covering the rest of federal spending were also straightforward, but disputes over the funding of homeland security delayed the release of the deal, originally expected last weekend.

Republican hard-liners were angered by a lack of stricter border security provisions in the package, as well as the overall price tag and the elevated speed with which the deal has been negotiated.

ft/ssy/aha/md/bbk/acb
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Congress is struggling to pass a budget bill to prevent large portions of the federal government from shutting down at midnight. The House approved the bill late this morning and now its the Senates turn.

Senate leaders are saying theres still time to pass the bill before midnight but just one lawmaker could upend everything.

The House passed the $1.2 trillion dollar package to avoid a partial government shutdown just in the nick of time.

Texas Republican Chip Roy said the border security provisions dont go far enough.

Im not afraid of a shutdown, said Roy.

However, more Republicans voted against it than supported it.

How long are we going to put up with this insane spending? asked Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.)

Other Republicans, like Texas Congresswoman Kay Granger, supported the package noting more than 70% of the money would go to the Pentagon.

Im proud to say this bill strengthens our national security and funds critical defense efforts, said Granger.

Democrats, like Connecticut Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, largely supported the package for its support of low-income families and protections for womens reproductive rights.

We need to govern on behalf of the American people, said DeLauro.

Some Democrats, like New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, still opposed the bill arguing its humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza doesnt go far enough.

This is a mass starvation of people, Ocasio-Cortez said.

All of this could cost House Speaker Mike Johnson his job after Georgia Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene started an effort to remove him.

Everyone has lost complete confidence in Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House, Greene said.

President Biden says hes ready to sign the package as soon as it passes. If it doesnt pass by midnight the impact would be minimal this weekend since most federal workers are off duty and many government services are funded through earlier legislation but that would change if the Senate dragged this into Monday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
The House of Representatives has approved a spending package that will fund the US government through September.

It is the first step in a race by legislators in the US Congress to beat a midnight deadline that would trigger a partial shutdown of the US government.

The final vote was 286 to 134, narrowly above the two-thirds majority needed. All but 23 Democrats backed the legislation, while 112 Republicans voted no.

The package now moves to the Democrat-controlled Senate, where it is expected to have sufficient support to pass Friday evening.

The $1.2tn (951bn) legislation was the result of bipartisan negotiations and funds a broad swath of federal services through October, including a 3% increase in US defence funding.

The vote was yet another example of the difficulties the narrow Republican majority in the House of Representatives has had in approving new spending legislation since taking control of the chamber last year.

A small but vocal group of conservatives has opposed proposed increases in government spending and called for new legislation that would include US immigration law changes aimed at addressing a surge of undocumented migrants at the US southern border.

"No Republican in the House of Representatives in good conscience can vote for this bill," said Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia during Friday debate on the House package.

"It is a complete departure of all our principles."

Ms Greene has since then filed a motion to force an election for a new House Speaker and replace Mike Johnson of Louisiana.

Hard-line Republicans used the same tactic last year to oust the then-speaker, Kevin McCarthy, over another budget disagreement. The move caused Congress to spiral into disarray for weeks, as Republicans sought a new leader to lead the House.

The Georgia congresswoman has taken the first procedural step to follow through on her threat to oust the replacement that Republicans eventually landed on - Mr Johnson.

Ms Greene called the motion a "warning and a pink slip" while speaking to reporters on Friday, as she has allowed a vote on it to be delayed until next month. She added that she respects the chamber and does not wish to "throw the House into chaos".

But her latest gambit could setup another bitter Republican leadership battle in the chamber just months before November's US elections.

Meanwhile, the House budget vote on Friday continues the trend in recent government-funding fights of Democrats joining some Republicans to approve legislation to avert a shutdown.

Unlike recent votes, however, a majority of House Republicans opposed a funding bill negotiated by their own party.

If the Senate fails to approve the legislation, operational funding would cease for some parts of the US government, although the full impact would not be felt until the new work week begins on Monday.
The U.S. House passed a $1.2 trillion government spending bill, giving the Senate hours to clear it before a midnight deadline. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. House approved a broadly bipartisan $1.2 trillion spending package Friday, sending the legislation to the Senate ahead of a midnight deadline.

Senators have just hours to clear the measure for President Joe Bidens signature, otherwise parts of the federal government will begin a funding lapse early Saturday.

Meeting that benchmark will require agreement from all 100 senators, which could happen after Democratic and Republican leaders broker an agreement on amendment votes. None of those proposals, however, are likely to garner enough votes to be added to the bill, since that would require it to go back to the House, delaying enactment.

Once the Senate clears the bill, it will join the House on a two-week recess, before returning to Capitol Hill the week of April 8.

Biden in support

Biden is expected to sign the 1,012-page government funding package, which includes the final six annual appropriations bills that were supposed to become law nearly six months ago before the Oct. 1 start of the fiscal year.

The White House budget office wrote in a statement of administration policy released Thursday the administration was pleased the bill rejects the extreme spending cuts and harmful riders proposed by House Republicans.

Instead, the bill expands access to affordable child care and supports early childhood education through Head Start, and includes critical investments in lifesaving cancer and Alzheimers research at the National Institutes of Health, the statement says. The bill also maintains important investments in mental health and substance use prevention and treatment.

Congress released the package just before 3 a.m. Thursday after months of negotiations on the spending levels and policy throughout the measure.

The bill includes funding for the departments of Defense, Education, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Labor, State and Treasury.

There is also spending for dozens of smaller entities, including Congress, the Executive Office of the President, the judiciary and the Social Security Administration.

Bipartisan backing

The Houses 286-134 vote to approve the legislation followed mostly bipartisan debate, though conservative Republicans railed against how much it would spend and the fact it didnt include more policy changes.

House Appropriations Chairwoman Kay Granger, a Texas Republican, said the package strengthens our national security and funds critical defense efforts.

This package also includes other key priorities, Granger said. It continues our strong support of Israel, combats the flow of illegal drugs and fully funds medical research for cancer and chronic diseases.

Connecticut Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro, ranking member on the spending panel, said the bills didnt have everything either political party wanted, but said she was satisfied that many of the extreme cuts and the policies proposed by House Republicans were rejected.

This bill sides with the hard-working majority of Americans, it helps to lower the cost of living, it protects womens rights and access to reproductive health care, it reinforces Americas global leadership and it helps our communities be safe and secure, DeLauro said.

Conservatives object over immigration

Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna was one of about a dozen conservatives who spoke out against the legislation, saying it didnt go far enough to address illegal immigration.

What we are seeing right now at the border is a rise in crime, Luna said. We are seeing these very communities being impacted by the rise in gang violence. And frankly, its been disgusting to watch crony capitalists push the importation of cheap labor.

Luna then rebuked Tyson Foods over a federal investigation into whether the company, along with Perdue Farms, used immigrants without legal authorization to be in the country, including children as young as 13, to clean overnight.

Military pay and Israel aid

The six-bill government funding package included increases in funding to federal departments and programs important to each of the political parties as well as ones that regularly garner bipartisan support, though many programs face cuts as well.

The Defense Department would receive $824.5 billion, a $27.75 billion increase above its current funding level. That boost would go to numerous initiatives and programs, including a 5.2% pay raise for troops and civilian employees that would be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024.

Within that Defense funding bill, $500 million would go to the Israeli Cooperative Missile Defense Program and $300 million would go to the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.

House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert of California, said voting against the package is a vote for China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and Hamas.

Every member must understand the impact of not passing this package, Calvert said. The only other option will be a full-year continuing resolution, which will devastate our national security and put our country at risk.

Election security

The Financial Services and General Government bill would slightly reduce funding for the Treasury Department while keeping funding for the Internal Revenue Service flat. Spending on the Election Assistance Commission would receive a minor cut while lawmakers provided $55 million for Election Security grants.

Maryland Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer, ranking member on the FSGG spending subcommittee, said the bill was a responsible compromise.

That FSGG spending bill includes 17 pages of earmarks, also called community project funding or congressionally directed spending.

Among the projects is $3 million for the Alaska Federal Lands History Project, secured by Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski and nearly $1.5 million for Economic and Business Development Training for Lobstering Communities, secured by Maines Republican Sen. Susan Collins and independent Sen. Angus King.

Immigration funding

The Homeland Security bill boosts funding for Customs and Border Protection by $3 billion to $19 billion and funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement by $1.1 billion to $9.6 billion.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is housed within DHS, would receive a funding cut of $72.9 million, dropping its allocation to $25.3 billion.

That funding bill holds 18 pages of earmarks including $2.9 million for the Anderson County Emergency Operations Center in Tennessee, requested by GOP Rep. Chuck Fleischmann; $5 million for the City of Daphne Main Street Utility Relocation Project in Alabama, requested by Republican Sen. Katie Britt; and $3.5 million for the Williamsport Levee Flood Control Project in Pennsylvania, requested by Democratic Sen. John Fetterman and GOP Rep. Dan Meuser.

Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman David Joyce, an Ohio Republican, said the bill ensures that men and women of the Department of Homeland Security, who work tirelessly on our behalf, have the resources and tools they need.

It reflects strong Republican priorities, cuts wasteful spending and prioritizes securing the border, Joyce said. We cannot surrender this progress for a wasteful and harmful government shutdown.

Cuts for Labor, HHS, Education

The Labor-HHS-Education bill includes small but not insignificant spending reductions for all three departments funded in the bill, though some programs did receive increases.

The National Institutes of Health would receive a $300 million increase to $48.6 billion, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would get $4.5 million more for a funding level of $9.2 billion.

The legislation has a $1 billion increase in spending for child care and early learning programs. The Child Care and Development Block Grant would see its appropriation rise by $725 million to a total of $8.8 billion. The Head Start programs funding would increase by $275 million to $12.3 billion.

That bill holds 103 pages of earmarks that would go to numerous programs, including HHS Administration for Children and Families, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Labor Departments Employment and Training Administration.

Legislative Branch boost

The Legislative Branch spending bill increases funding for the U.S. House by $3.4 million to nearly $1.9 billion and for the U.S. Senate by $104.2 million to almost $1.3 billion.

Joint congressional items  which include the Joint Economic Committee, Joint Committee on Taxation, Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, Office of the Attending Physician and Office of Congressional Accessibility Services  received an overall funding level of $28 million, $4.9 million more than the current appropriation.

The U.S. Capitol Police, which handles an increasing number of threats against members, would see its funding increase by $56.9 million to $791.5 million.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which publicly releases information on how much legislation would cost if enacted, would see its funding level rise by $6.8 million to $70 million.

Foreign aid

The State-Foreign Operations bill would appropriate nearly $58.4 billion, a $3.4 billion cut compared to current funding levels. The legislation blocks U.S. funding from going to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency through March 25, 2025 and zeroes out funding for the United Nations Commission of Inquiry against Israel.

The bill includes $6.1 billion for the foreign military financing program with $3.3 billion of that for Israel and $300 million for Taiwan.

State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart, a Florida Republican, said the bill is a dramatic improvement from current law.

This bill reduces spending, it re-prioritizes funding towards our vital national security interests and carries crucial limitations and smart policy changes to rein in the Biden administration, Diaz-Balart said. And if this bill were to fail, we are giving carte blanche to the Biden bureaucracy.

Additional reporting from States Newsroom on these six government funding bills can be found here. Details on the other six spending bills released earlier this month can be found here with coverage of that House vote here and the previous Senate vote here.

The post Congress rushes to approve $1.2 trillion spending package ahead of midnight deadline appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
The U.S. House passed a $1.2 trillion government spending bill, giving the Senate hours to clear it before a midnight deadline. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

Quality Journalism for Critical Times

WASHINGTON  The U.S. House approved a broadly bipartisan $1.2 trillion spending package Friday, sending the legislation to the Senate ahead of a midnight deadline.

Senators have just hours to clear the measure for President Joe Bidens signature, otherwise parts of the federal government will begin a funding lapse early Saturday.

Meeting that benchmark will require agreement from all 100 senators, which could happen after Democratic and Republican leaders broker an agreement on amendment votes. None of those proposals, however, are likely to garner enough votes to be added to the bill, since that would require it to go back to the House, delaying enactment.

Once the Senate clears the bill, it will join the House on a two-week recess, before returning to Capitol Hill the week of April 8.

Biden in support

Biden is expected to sign the 1,012-page government funding package, which includes the final six annual appropriations bills that were supposed to become law nearly six months ago before the Oct. 1 start of the fiscal year.

The White House budget office wrote in a statement of administration policy released Thursday the administration was pleased the bill rejects the extreme spending cuts and harmful riders proposed by House Republicans.

Instead, the bill expands access to affordable child care and supports early childhood education through Head Start, and includes critical investments in lifesaving cancer and Alzheimers research at the National Institutes of Health, the statement says. The bill also maintains important investments in mental health and substance use prevention and treatment.

Congress released the package just before 3 a.m. Thursday after months of negotiations on the spending levels and policy throughout the measure.

The bill includes funding for the departments of Defense, Education, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Labor, State and Treasury.

There is also spending for dozens of smaller entities, including Congress, the Executive Office of the President, the judiciary and the Social Security Administration.

Bipartisan backing

The Houses 286-134 vote to approve the legislation followed mostly bipartisan debate, though conservative Republicans railed against how much it would spend and the fact it didnt include more policy changes.

House Appropriations Chairwoman Kay Granger, a Texas Republican, said the package strengthens our national security and funds critical defense efforts.

This package also includes other key priorities, Granger said. It continues our strong support of Israel, combats the flow of illegal drugs and fully funds medical research for cancer and chronic diseases.

Connecticut Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro, ranking member on the spending panel, said the bills didnt have everything either political party wanted, but said she was satisfied that many of the extreme cuts and the policies proposed by House Republicans were rejected.

This bill sides with the hard-working majority of Americans, it helps to lower the cost of living, it protects womens rights and access to reproductive health care, it reinforces Americas global leadership and it helps our communities be safe and secure, DeLauro said.

Conservatives object over immigration

Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna was one of about a dozen conservatives who spoke out against the legislation, saying it didnt go far enough to address illegal immigration.

What we are seeing right now at the border is a rise in crime, Luna said. We are seeing these very communities being impacted by the rise in gang violence. And frankly, its been disgusting to watch crony capitalists push the importation of cheap labor.

Luna then rebuked Tyson Foods over a federal investigation into whether the company, along with Perdue Farms, used immigrants without legal authorization to be in the country, including children as young as 13, to clean overnight.

Military pay and Israel aid

The six-bill government funding package included increases in funding to federal departments and programs important to each of the political parties as well as ones that regularly garner bipartisan support, though many programs face cuts as well.

The Defense Department would receive $824.5 billion, a $27.75 billion increase above its current funding level. That boost would go to numerous initiatives and programs, including a 5.2% pay raise for troops and civilian employees that would be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024.

Within that Defense funding bill, $500 million would go to the Israeli Cooperative Missile Defense Program and $300 million would go to the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.

House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert of California, said voting against the package is a vote for China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and Hamas.

Every member must understand the impact of not passing this package, Calvert said. The only other option will be a full-year continuing resolution, which will devastate our national security and put our country at risk.

Election security

The Financial Services and General Government bill would slightly reduce funding for the Treasury Department while keeping funding for the Internal Revenue Service flat. Spending on the Election Assistance Commission would receive a minor cut while lawmakers provided $55 million for Election Security grants.

Maryland Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer, ranking member on the FSGG spending subcommittee, said the bill was a responsible compromise.

That FSGG spending bill includes 17 pages of earmarks, also called community project funding or congressionally directed spending.

Among the projects is $3 million for the Alaska Federal Lands History Project, secured by Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski and nearly $1.5 million for Economic and Business Development Training for Lobstering Communities, secured by Maines Republican Sen. Susan Collins and independent Sen. Angus King.

Immigration funding

The Homeland Security bill boosts funding for Customs and Border Protection by $3 billion to $19 billion and funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement by $1.1 billion to $9.6 billion.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is housed within DHS, would receive a funding cut of $72.9 million, dropping its allocation to $25.3 billion.

That funding bill holds 18 pages of earmarks including $2.9 million for the Anderson County Emergency Operations Center in Tennessee, requested by GOP Rep. Chuck Fleischmann; $5 million for the City of Daphne Main Street Utility Relocation Project in Alabama, requested by Republican Sen. Katie Britt; and $3.5 million for the Williamsport Levee Flood Control Project in Pennsylvania, requested by Democratic Sen. John Fetterman and GOP Rep. Dan Meuser.

Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman David Joyce, an Ohio Republican, said the bill ensures that men and women of the Department of Homeland Security, who work tirelessly on our behalf, have the resources and tools they need.

It reflects strong Republican priorities, cuts wasteful spending and prioritizes securing the border, Joyce said. We cannot surrender this progress for a wasteful and harmful government shutdown.

Cuts for Labor, HHS, Education

The Labor-HHS-Education bill includes small but not insignificant spending reductions for all three departments funded in the bill, though some programs did receive increases.

The National Institutes of Health would receive a $300 million increase to $48.6 billion, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would get $4.5 million more for a funding level of $9.2 billion.

The legislation has a $1 billion increase in spending for child care and early learning programs. The Child Care and Development Block Grant would see its appropriation rise by $725 million to a total of $8.8 billion. The Head Start programs funding would increase by $275 million to $12.3 billion.

That bill holds 103 pages of earmarks that would go to numerous programs, including HHS Administration for Children and Families, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Labor Departments Employment and Training Administration.

Legislative Branch boost

The Legislative Branch spending bill increases funding for the U.S. House by $3.4 million to nearly $1.9 billion and for the U.S. Senate by $104.2 million to almost $1.3 billion.

Joint congressional items  which include the Joint Economic Committee, Joint Committee on Taxation, Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, Office of the Attending Physician and Office of Congressional Accessibility Services  received an overall funding level of $28 million, $4.9 million more than the current appropriation.

The U.S. Capitol Police, which handles an increasing number of threats against members, would see its funding increase by $56.9 million to $791.5 million.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which publicly releases information on how much legislation would cost if enacted, would see its funding level rise by $6.8 million to $70 million.

Foreign aid

The State-Foreign Operations bill would appropriate nearly $58.4 billion, a $3.4 billion cut compared to current funding levels. The legislation blocks U.S. funding from going to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency through March 25, 2025 and zeroes out funding for the United Nations Commission of Inquiry against Israel.

The bill includes $6.1 billion for the foreign military financing program with $3.3 billion of that for Israel and $300 million for Taiwan.

State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart, a Florida Republican, said the bill is a dramatic improvement from current law.

This bill reduces spending, it re-prioritizes funding towards our vital national security interests and carries crucial limitations and smart policy changes to rein in the Biden administration, Diaz-Balart said. And if this bill were to fail, we are giving carte blanche to the Biden bureaucracy.

Additional reporting from States Newsroom on these six government funding bills can be found here. Details on the other six spending bills released earlier this month can be found here with coverage of that House vote here and the previous Senate vote here.

The post Congress rushes to approve $1.2 trillion spending package ahead of midnight deadline appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
The U.S. House passed a $1.2 trillion government spending bill, giving the Senate hours to clear it before a midnight deadline. Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom

WASHINGTON  The U.S. House approved a broadly bipartisan $1.2 trillion spending package Friday, sending the legislation to the Senate ahead of a midnight deadline.

Senators have just hours to clear the measure for President Joe Bidens signature, otherwise parts of the federal government will begin a funding lapse early Saturday.

Meeting that benchmark will require agreement from all 100 senators, which could happen after Democratic and Republican leaders broker an agreement on amendment votes. None of those proposals, however, are likely to garner enough votes to be added to the bill, since that would require it to go back to the House, delaying enactment.

Once the Senate clears the bill, it will join the House on a two-week recess, before returning to Capitol Hill the week of April 8.

Biden in support

Biden is expected to sign the 1,012-page government funding package, which includes the final six annual appropriations bills that were supposed to become law nearly six months ago before the Oct. 1 start of the fiscal year.

The White House budget office wrote in a statement of administration policy released Thursday the administration was pleased the bill rejects the extreme spending cuts and harmful riders proposed by House Republicans.

Instead, the bill expands access to affordable child care and supports early childhood education through Head Start, and includes critical investments in lifesaving cancer and Alzheimers research at the National Institutes of Health, the statement says. The bill also maintains important investments in mental health and substance use prevention and treatment.

Congress released the package just before 3 a.m. Thursday after months of negotiations on the spending levels and policy throughout the measure.

The bill includes funding for the departments of Defense, Education, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Labor, State and Treasury.

There is also spending for dozens of smaller entities, including Congress, the Executive Office of the President, the judiciary and the Social Security Administration.

Bipartisan backing

The Houses 286-134 vote to approve the legislation followed mostly bipartisan debate, though conservative Republicans railed against how much it would spend and the fact it didnt include more policy changes.

House Appropriations Chairwoman Kay Granger, a Texas Republican, said the package strengthens our national security and funds critical defense efforts.

This package also includes other key priorities, Granger said. It continues our strong support of Israel, combats the flow of illegal drugs and fully funds medical research for cancer and chronic diseases.

Connecticut Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro, ranking member on the spending panel, said the bills didnt have everything either political party wanted, but said she was satisfied that many of the extreme cuts and the policies proposed by House Republicans were rejected.

This bill sides with the hard-working majority of Americans, it helps to lower the cost of living, it protects womens rights and access to reproductive health care, it reinforces Americas global leadership and it helps our communities be safe and secure, DeLauro said.

Conservatives object over immigration

Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna was one of about a dozen conservatives who spoke out against the legislation, saying it didnt go far enough to address illegal immigration.

What we are seeing right now at the border is a rise in crime, Luna said. We are seeing these very communities being impacted by the rise in gang violence. And frankly, its been disgusting to watch crony capitalists push the importation of cheap labor.

Luna then rebuked Tyson Foods over a federal investigation into whether the company, along with Perdue Farms, used immigrants without legal authorization to be in the country, including children as young as 13, to clean overnight.

Military pay and Israel aid

The six-bill government funding package included increases in funding to federal departments and programs important to each of the political parties as well as ones that regularly garner bipartisan support, though many programs face cuts as well.

The Defense Department would receive $824.5 billion, a $27.75 billion increase above its current funding level. That boost would go to numerous initiatives and programs, including a 5.2% pay raise for troops and civilian employees that would be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024.

Within that Defense funding bill, $500 million would go to the Israeli Cooperative Missile Defense Program and $300 million would go to the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.

House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert of California, said voting against the package is a vote for China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and Hamas.

Every member must understand the impact of not passing this package, Calvert said. The only other option will be a full-year continuing resolution, which will devastate our national security and put our country at risk.

Election security

The Financial Services and General Government bill would slightly reduce funding for the Treasury Department while keeping funding for the Internal Revenue Service flat. Spending on the Election Assistance Commission would receive a minor cut while lawmakers provided $55 million for Election Security grants.

Maryland Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer, ranking member on the FSGG spending subcommittee, said the bill was a responsible compromise.

That FSGG spending bill includes 17 pages of earmarks, also called community project funding or congressionally directed spending.

Among the projects is $3 million for the Alaska Federal Lands History Project, secured by Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski and nearly $1.5 million for Economic and Business Development Training for Lobstering Communities, secured by Maines Republican Sen. Susan Collins and independent Sen. Angus King.

Immigration funding

The Homeland Security bill boosts funding for Customs and Border Protection by $3 billion to $19 billion and funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement by $1.1 billion to $9.6 billion.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is housed within DHS, would receive a funding cut of $72.9 million, dropping its allocation to $25.3 billion.

That funding bill holds 18 pages of earmarks including $2.9 million for the Anderson County Emergency Operations Center in Tennessee, requested by GOP Rep. Chuck Fleischmann; $5 million for the City of Daphne Main Street Utility Relocation Project in Alabama, requested by Republican Sen. Katie Britt; and $3.5 million for the Williamsport Levee Flood Control Project in Pennsylvania, requested by Democratic Sen. John Fetterman and GOP Rep. Dan Meuser.

Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman David Joyce, an Ohio Republican, said the bill ensures that men and women of the Department of Homeland Security, who work tirelessly on our behalf, have the resources and tools they need.

It reflects strong Republican priorities, cuts wasteful spending and prioritizes securing the border, Joyce said. We cannot surrender this progress for a wasteful and harmful government shutdown.

Cuts for Labor, HHS, Education

The Labor-HHS-Education bill includes small but not insignificant spending reductions for all three departments funded in the bill, though some programs did receive increases.

The National Institutes of Health would receive a $300 million increase to $48.6 billion, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would get $4.5 million more for a funding level of $9.2 billion.

The legislation has a $1 billion increase in spending for child care and early learning programs. The Child Care and Development Block Grant would see its appropriation rise by $725 million to a total of $8.8 billion. The Head Start programs funding would increase by $275 million to $12.3 billion.

That bill holds 103 pages of earmarks that would go to numerous programs, including HHS Administration for Children and Families, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Labor Departments Employment and Training Administration.

Legislative Branch boost

The Legislative Branch spending bill increases funding for the U.S. House by $3.4 million to nearly $1.9 billion and for the U.S. Senate by $104.2 million to almost $1.3 billion.

Joint congressional items  which include the Joint Economic Committee, Joint Committee on Taxation, Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, Office of the Attending Physician and Office of Congressional Accessibility Services  received an overall funding level of $28 million, $4.9 million more than the current appropriation.

The U.S. Capitol Police, which handles an increasing number of threats against members, would see its funding increase by $56.9 million to $791.5 million.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which publicly releases information on how much legislation would cost if enacted, would see its funding level rise by $6.8 million to $70 million.

Foreign aid

The State-Foreign Operations bill would appropriate nearly $58.4 billion, a $3.4 billion cut compared to current funding levels. The legislation blocks U.S. funding from going to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency through March 25, 2025 and zeroes out funding for the United Nations Commission of Inquiry against Israel.

The bill includes $6.1 billion for the foreign military financing program with $3.3 billion of that for Israel and $300 million for Taiwan.

State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart, a Florida Republican, said the bill is a dramatic improvement from current law.

This bill reduces spending, it re-prioritizes funding towards our vital national security interests and carries crucial limitations and smart policy changes to rein in the Biden administration, Diaz-Balart said. And if this bill were to fail, we are giving carte blanche to the Biden bureaucracy.

Additional reporting from States Newsroom on these six government funding bills can be found here. Details on the other six spending bills released earlier this month can be found here with coverage of that House vote here and the previous Senate vote here.

The post Congress rushes to approve $1.2 trillion spending package ahead of midnight deadline appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
The U.S. Capitol under an overcast sky

The U.S. House passed a $1.2 trillion government spending bill, giving the Senate hours to clear it before a midnight deadline. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. House approved a broadly bipartisan $1.2 trillion spending package Friday, sending the legislation to the Senate ahead of a midnight deadline.

Senators have just hours to clear the measure for President Joe Bidens signature. Otherwise, parts of the federal government will begin a funding lapse early Saturday.

Meeting that benchmark will require agreement from all 100 senators, which could happen after Democratic and Republican leaders broker an agreement on amendment votes. None of those proposals, however, are likely to garner enough votes to be added to the bill, since that would require it to go back to the House, delaying enactment.

The Alabama delegation split down on party lines over the bill. Democratic U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell of Birmingham voted for the bill. Republican U.S. Reps. Robert Aderholt of Haleyville; Jerry Carl of Mobile; Barry Moore of Enterprise; Gary Palmer of Hoover; Mike Rogers of Saks and Dale Strong of Madison voted against it.

Once the Senate clears the bill, it will join the House on a two-week recess, before returning to Capitol Hill the week of April 8.

Biden in support

Biden is expected to sign the 1,012-page government funding package, which includes the final six annual appropriations bills that were supposed to become law nearly six months ago before the Oct. 1 start of the fiscal year.

The White House budget office wrote in a statement of administration policy released Thursday the administration was pleased the bill rejects the extreme spending cuts and harmful riders proposed by House Republicans.

Instead, the bill expands access to affordable child care and supports early childhood education through Head Start, and includes critical investments in lifesaving cancer and Alzheimers research at the National Institutes of Health, the statement says. The bill also maintains important investments in mental health and substance use prevention and treatment.

Congress released the package just before 3 a.m. Thursday after months of negotiations on the spending levels and policy throughout the measure.

The bill includes funding for the departments of Defense, Education, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Labor, State and Treasury.

There is also spending for dozens of smaller entities, including Congress, the Executive Office of the President, the judiciary and the Social Security Administration.

Bipartisan backing

The Houses 286-134 vote to approve the legislation followed mostly bipartisan debate, though conservative Republicans railed against how much it would spend and the fact it didnt include more policy changes.

House Appropriations Chairwoman Kay Granger, a Texas Republican, said the package strengthens our national security and funds critical defense efforts.

This package also includes other key priorities, Granger said. It continues our strong support of Israel, combats the flow of illegal drugs and fully funds medical research for cancer and chronic diseases.

Connecticut Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro, ranking member on the spending panel, said the bills didnt have everything either political party wanted, but said she was satisfied that many of the extreme cuts and the policies proposed by House Republicans were rejected.

This bill sides with the hard-working majority of Americans, it helps to lower the cost of living, it protects womens rights and access to reproductive health care, it reinforces Americas global leadership and it helps our communities be safe and secure, DeLauro said.

Conservatives object over immigration

Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna was one of about a dozen conservatives who spoke out against the legislation, saying it didnt go far enough to address illegal immigration.

What we are seeing right now at the border is a rise in crime, Luna said. We are seeing these very communities being impacted by the rise in gang violence. And frankly, its been disgusting to watch crony capitalists push the importation of cheap labor.

Luna then rebuked Tyson Foods over a federal investigation into whether the company, along with Perdue Farms, used immigrants without legal authorization to be in the country, including children as young as 13, to clean overnight.

Military pay and Israel aid

The six-bill government funding package included increases in funding to federal departments and programs important to each of the political parties as well as ones that regularly garner bipartisan support, though many programs face cuts as well.

The Defense Department would receive $824.5 billion, a $27.75 billion increase above its current funding level. That boost would go to numerous initiatives and programs, including a 5.2% pay raise for troops and civilian employees that would be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024.

Within that Defense funding bill, $500 million would go to the Israeli Cooperative Missile Defense Program and $300 million would go to the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.

House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert of California, said voting against the package is a vote for China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and Hamas.

Every member must understand the impact of not passing this package, Calvert said. The only other option will be a full-year continuing resolution, which will devastate our national security and put our country at risk.

Election security

The Financial Services and General Government bill would slightly reduce funding for the Treasury Department while keeping funding for the Internal Revenue Service flat. Spending on the Election Assistance Commission would receive a minor cut while lawmakers provided $55 million for Election Security grants.

Maryland Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer, ranking member on the FSGG spending subcommittee, said the bill was a responsible compromise.

That FSGG spending bill includes 17 pages of earmarks, also called community project funding or congressionally directed spending.

Among the projects is $3 million for the Alaska Federal Lands History Project, secured by Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski and nearly $1.5 million for Economic and Business Development Training for Lobstering Communities, secured by Maines Republican Sen. Susan Collins and independent Sen. Angus King.

Immigration funding

The Homeland Security bill boosts funding for Customs and Border Protection by $3 billion to $19 billion and funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement by $1.1 billion to $9.6 billion.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is housed within DHS, would receive a funding cut of $72.9 million, dropping its allocation to $25.3 billion.

That funding bill holds 18 pages of earmarks including $2.9 million for the Anderson County Emergency Operations Center in Tennessee, requested by GOP Rep. Chuck Fleischmann; $5 million for the City of Daphne Main Street Utility Relocation Project in Alabama, requested by Republican Sen. Katie Britt; and $3.5 million for the Williamsport Levee Flood Control Project in Pennsylvania, requested by Democratic Sen. John Fetterman and GOP Rep. Dan Meuser.

Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman David Joyce, an Ohio Republican, said the bill ensures that men and women of the Department of Homeland Security, who work tirelessly on our behalf, have the resources and tools they need.

It reflects strong Republican priorities, cuts wasteful spending and prioritizes securing the border, Joyce said. We cannot surrender this progress for a wasteful and harmful government shutdown.

Cuts for Labor, HHS, Education

The Labor-HHS-Education bill includes small but not insignificant spending reductions for all three departments funded in the bill, though some programs did receive increases.

The National Institutes of Health would receive a $300 million increase to $48.6 billion, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would get $4.5 million more for a funding level of $9.2 billion.

The legislation has a $1 billion increase in spending for child care and early learning programs. The Child Care and Development Block Grant would see its appropriation rise by $725 million to a total of $8.8 billion. The Head Start programs funding would increase by $275 million to $12.3 billion.

That bill holds 103 pages of earmarks that would go to numerous programs, including HHS Administration for Children and Families, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Labor Departments Employment and Training Administration.

Legislative Branch boost

The Legislative Branch spending bill increases funding for the U.S. House by $3.4 million to nearly $1.9 billion and for the U.S. Senate by $104.2 million to almost $1.3 billion.

Joint congressional items  which include the Joint Economic Committee, Joint Committee on Taxation, Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, Office of the Attending Physician and Office of Congressional Accessibility Services  received an overall funding level of $28 million, $4.9 million more than the current appropriation.

The U.S. Capitol Police, which handles an increasing number of threats against members, would see its funding increase by $56.9 million to $791.5 million.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which publicly releases information on how much legislation would cost if enacted, would see its funding level rise by $6.8 million to $70 million.

Foreign aid

The State-Foreign Operations bill would appropriate nearly $58.4 billion, a $3.4 billion cut compared to current funding levels. The legislation blocks U.S. funding from going to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency through March 25, 2025 and zeroes out funding for the United Nations Commission of Inquiry against Israel.

The bill includes $6.1 billion for the foreign military financing program with $3.3 billion of that for Israel and $300 million for Taiwan.

State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart, a Florida Republican, said the bill is a dramatic improvement from current law.

This bill reduces spending, it re-prioritizes funding towards our vital national security interests and carries crucial limitations and smart policy changes to rein in the Biden administration, Diaz-Balart said. And if this bill were to fail, we are giving carte blanche to the Biden bureaucracy.

Additional reporting from States Newsroom on these six government funding bills can be found here. Details on the other six spending bills released earlier this month can be found here with coverage of that House vote here and the previous Senate vote here.

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The post Congress rushes to approve $1.2 trillion spending package ahead of midnight deadline appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
The U.S. House passed a $1.2 trillion government spending bill, giving the Senate hours to clear it before a midnight deadline. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. House approved a broadly bipartisan $1.2 trillion spending package Friday, sending the legislation to the Senate ahead of a midnight deadline.

Senators have just hours to clear the measure for President Joe Bidens signature, otherwise parts of the federal government will begin a funding lapse early Saturday.

Meeting that benchmark will require agreement from all 100 senators, which could happen after Democratic and Republican leaders broker an agreement on amendment votes. None of those proposals, however, are likely to garner enough votes to be added to the bill, since that would require it to go back to the House, delaying enactment.

Once the Senate clears the bill, it will join the House on a two-week recess, before returning to Capitol Hill the week of April 8.

Biden in support

Biden is expected to sign the 1,012-page government funding package, which includes the final six annual appropriations bills that were supposed to become law nearly six months ago before the Oct. 1 start of the fiscal year.

The White House budget office wrote in a statement of administration policy released Thursday the administration was pleased the bill rejects the extreme spending cuts and harmful riders proposed by House Republicans.

Instead, the bill expands access to affordable child care and supports early childhood education through Head Start, and includes critical investments in lifesaving cancer and Alzheimers research at the National Institutes of Health, the statement says. The bill also maintains important investments in mental health and substance use prevention and treatment.

Congress released the package just before 3 a.m. Thursday after months of negotiations on the spending levels and policy throughout the measure.

The bill includes funding for the departments of Defense, Education, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Labor, State and Treasury.

There is also spending for dozens of smaller entities, including Congress, the Executive Office of the President, the judiciary and the Social Security Administration.

Bipartisan backing

The Houses 286-134 vote to approve the legislation followed mostly bipartisan debate, though conservative Republicans railed against how much it would spend and the fact it didnt include more policy changes. Reps. Lauren Boebert and Ken Buck, both Republicans, were the only two of the eight members of the House from Colorado who voted against the measure.

House Appropriations Chairwoman Kay Granger, a Texas Republican, said the package strengthens our national security and funds critical defense efforts.

This package also includes other key priorities, Granger said. It continues our strong support of Israel, combats the flow of illegal drugs and fully funds medical research for cancer and chronic diseases.

Connecticut Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro, ranking member on the spending panel, said the bills didnt have everything either political party wanted, but said she was satisfied that many of the extreme cuts and the policies proposed by House Republicans were rejected.

This bill sides with the hard-working majority of Americans, it helps to lower the cost of living, it protects womens rights and access to reproductive health care, it reinforces Americas global leadership and it helps our communities be safe and secure, DeLauro said.

Conservatives object over immigration

Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna was one of about a dozen conservatives who spoke out against the legislation, saying it didnt go far enough to address illegal immigration.

What we are seeing right now at the border is a rise in crime, Luna said. We are seeing these very communities being impacted by the rise in gang violence. And frankly, its been disgusting to watch crony capitalists push the importation of cheap labor.

Luna then rebuked Tyson Foods over a federal investigation into whether the company, along with Perdue Farms, used immigrants without legal authorization to be in the country, including children as young as 13, to clean overnight.

Military pay and Israel aid

The six-bill government funding package included increases in funding to federal departments and programs important to each of the political parties as well as ones that regularly garner bipartisan support, though many programs face cuts as well.

The Defense Department would receive $824.5 billion, a $27.75 billion increase above its current funding level. That boost would go to numerous initiatives and programs, including a 5.2% pay raise for troops and civilian employees that would be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024.

Within that Defense funding bill, $500 million would go to the Israeli Cooperative Missile Defense Program and $300 million would go to the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.

House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert of California, said voting against the package is a vote for China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and Hamas.

Every member must understand the impact of not passing this package, Calvert said. The only other option will be a full-year continuing resolution, which will devastate our national security and put our country at risk.

Election security

The Financial Services and General Government bill would slightly reduce funding for the Treasury Department while keeping funding for the Internal Revenue Service flat. Spending on the Election Assistance Commission would receive a minor cut while lawmakers provided $55 million for Election Security grants.

Maryland Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer, ranking member on the FSGG spending subcommittee, said the bill was a responsible compromise.

That FSGG spending bill includes 17 pages of earmarks, also called community project funding or congressionally directed spending.

Among the projects is $3 million for the Alaska Federal Lands History Project, secured by Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski and nearly $1.5 million for Economic and Business Development Training for Lobstering Communities, secured by Maines Republican Sen. Susan Collins and independent Sen. Angus King.

Immigration funding

The Homeland Security bill boosts funding for Customs and Border Protection by $3 billion to $19 billion and funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement by $1.1 billion to $9.6 billion.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is housed within DHS, would receive a funding cut of $72.9 million, dropping its allocation to $25.3 billion.

That funding bill holds 18 pages of earmarks including $2.9 million for the Anderson County Emergency Operations Center in Tennessee, requested by GOP Rep. Chuck Fleischmann; $5 million for the City of Daphne Main Street Utility Relocation Project in Alabama, requested by Republican Sen. Katie Britt; and $3.5 million for the Williamsport Levee Flood Control Project in Pennsylvania, requested by Democratic Sen. John Fetterman and GOP Rep. Dan Meuser.

Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman David Joyce, an Ohio Republican, said the bill ensures that men and women of the Department of Homeland Security, who work tirelessly on our behalf, have the resources and tools they need.

It reflects strong Republican priorities, cuts wasteful spending and prioritizes securing the border, Joyce said. We cannot surrender this progress for a wasteful and harmful government shutdown.

Cuts for Labor, HHS, Education

The Labor-HHS-Education bill includes small but not insignificant spending reductions for all three departments funded in the bill, though some programs did receive increases.

The National Institutes of Health would receive a $300 million increase to $48.6 billion, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would get $4.5 million more for a funding level of $9.2 billion.

The legislation has a $1 billion increase in spending for child care and early learning programs. The Child Care and Development Block Grant would see its appropriation rise by $725 million to a total of $8.8 billion. The Head Start programs funding would increase by $275 million to $12.3 billion.

That bill holds 103 pages of earmarks that would go to numerous programs, including HHS Administration for Children and Families, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Labor Departments Employment and Training Administration.

Legislative Branch boost

The Legislative Branch spending bill increases funding for the U.S. House by $3.4 million to nearly $1.9 billion and for the U.S. Senate by $104.2 million to almost $1.3 billion.

Joint congressional items  which include the Joint Economic Committee, Joint Committee on Taxation, Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, Office of the Attending Physician and Office of Congressional Accessibility Services  received an overall funding level of $28 million, $4.9 million more than the current appropriation.

The U.S. Capitol Police, which handles an increasing number of threats against members, would see its funding increase by $56.9 million to $791.5 million.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which publicly releases information on how much legislation would cost if enacted, would see its funding level rise by $6.8 million to $70 million.

Foreign aid

The State-Foreign Operations bill would appropriate nearly $58.4 billion, a $3.4 billion cut compared to current funding levels. The legislation blocks U.S. funding from going to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency through March 25, 2025 and zeroes out funding for the United Nations Commission of Inquiry against Israel.

The bill includes $6.1 billion for the foreign military financing program with $3.3 billion of that for Israel and $300 million for Taiwan.

State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart, a Florida Republican, said the bill is a dramatic improvement from current law.

This bill reduces spending, it re-prioritizes funding towards our vital national security interests and carries crucial limitations and smart policy changes to rein in the Biden administration, Diaz-Balart said. And if this bill were to fail, we are giving carte blanche to the Biden bureaucracy.

Additional reporting from States Newsroom on these six government funding bills can be found here. Details on the other six spending bills released earlier this month can be found here with coverage of that House vote here and the previous Senate vote here.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Congress rushes to approve $1.2 trillion spending package ahead of midnight deadline appeared first on Colorado Newsline.
The spending stalemate has aggravated both Democrats and Republicans on the Senate and House Appropriations committees, who say leadership needs to give them the green light to begin talks ahead of the Jan. 19 deadline to enact four spending bills and the Feb. 2 deadline for the other eight appropriations measures. Shown is the U.S. Capitol. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

The spending stalemate has aggravated both Democrats and Republicans on the Senate and House Appropriations committees, who say leadership needs to give them the green light to begin talks ahead of the Jan. 19 deadline to enact four spending bills and the Feb. 2 deadline for the other eight appropriations measures. Shown is the U.S. Capitol. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. House approved a broadly bipartisan $1.2 trillion spending package Friday, sending the legislation to the Senate ahead of a midnight deadline.

Senators have just hours to clear the measure for President Joe Bidens signature, otherwise parts of the federal government will begin a funding lapse early Saturday.

Meeting that benchmark will require agreement from all 100 senators, which could happen after Democratic and Republican leaders broker an agreement on amendment votes. None of those proposals, however, are likely to garner enough votes to be added to the bill, since that would require it to go back to the House, delaying enactment.

Once the Senate clears the bill, it will join the House on a two-week recess, before returning to Capitol Hill the week of April 8.

Biden in support

Biden is expected to sign the 1,012-page government funding package, which includes the final six annual appropriations bills that were supposed to become law nearly six months ago before the Oct. 1 start of the fiscal year.

The White House budget office wrote in a statement of administration policy released Thursday the administration was pleased the bill rejects the extreme spending cuts and harmful riders proposed by House Republicans.

Instead, the bill expands access to affordable child care and supports early childhood education through Head Start, and includes critical investments in lifesaving cancer and Alzheimers research at the National Institutes of Health, the statement says. The bill also maintains important investments in mental health and substance use prevention and treatment.

Congress released the package just before 3 a.m. Thursday after months of negotiations on the spending levels and policy throughout the measure.

The bill includes funding for the departments of Defense, Education, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Labor, State and Treasury.

There is also spending for dozens of smaller entities, including Congress, the Executive Office of the President, the judiciary and the Social Security Administration.

Bipartisan backing

The Houses 286-134 vote to approve the legislation followed mostly bipartisan debate, though conservative Republicans railed against how much it would spend and the fact it didnt include more policy changes.

House Appropriations Chairwoman Kay Granger, a Texas Republican, said the package strengthens our national security and funds critical defense efforts.

This package also includes other key priorities, Granger said. It continues our strong support of Israel, combats the flow of illegal drugs and fully funds medical research for cancer and chronic diseases.

Connecticut Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro, ranking member on the spending panel, said the bills didnt have everything either political party wanted, but said she was satisfied that many of the extreme cuts and the policies proposed by House Republicans were rejected.

This bill sides with the hard-working majority of Americans, it helps to lower the cost of living, it protects womens rights and access to reproductive health care, it reinforces Americas global leadership and it helps our communities be safe and secure, DeLauro said.

Conservatives object over immigration

Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna was one of about a dozen conservatives who spoke out against the legislation, saying it didnt go far enough to address illegal immigration.

What we are seeing right now at the border is a rise in crime, Luna said. We are seeing these very communities being impacted by the rise in gang violence. And frankly, its been disgusting to watch crony capitalists push the importation of cheap labor.

Luna then rebuked Tyson Foods over a federal investigation into whether the company, along with Perdue Farms, used immigrants without legal authorization to be in the country, including children as young as 13, to clean overnight.

Military pay and Israel aid

The six-bill government funding package included increases in funding to federal departments and programs important to each of the political parties as well as ones that regularly garner bipartisan support, though many programs face cuts as well.

The Defense Department would receive $824.5 billion, a $27.75 billion increase above its current funding level. That boost would go to numerous initiatives and programs, including a 5.2% pay raise for troops and civilian employees that would be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024.

Within that Defense funding bill, $500 million would go to the Israeli Cooperative Missile Defense Program and $300 million would go to the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.

House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert of California, said voting against the package is a vote for China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and Hamas.

Every member must understand the impact of not passing this package, Calvert said. The only other option will be a full-year continuing resolution, which will devastate our national security and put our country at risk.

Election security

The Financial Services and General Government bill would slightly reduce funding for the Treasury Department while keeping funding for the Internal Revenue Service flat. Spending on the Election Assistance Commission would receive a minor cut while lawmakers provided $55 million for Election Security grants.

Maryland Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer, ranking member on the FSGG spending subcommittee, said the bill was a responsible compromise.

That FSGG spending bill includes 17 pages of earmarks, also called community project funding or congressionally directed spending.

Among the projects is $3 million for the Alaska Federal Lands History Project, secured by Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski and nearly $1.5 million for Economic and Business Development Training for Lobstering Communities, secured by Maines Republican Sen. Susan Collins and independent Sen. Angus King.

Immigration funding

The Homeland Security bill boosts funding for Customs and Border Protection by $3 billion to $19 billion and funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement by $1.1 billion to $9.6 billion.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is housed within DHS, would receive a funding cut of $72.9 million, dropping its allocation to $25.3 billion.

That funding bill holds 18 pages of earmarks including $2.9 million for the Anderson County Emergency Operations Center in Tennessee, requested by GOP Rep. Chuck Fleischmann; $5 million for the City of Daphne Main Street Utility Relocation Project in Alabama, requested by Republican Sen. Katie Britt; and $3.5 million for the Williamsport Levee Flood Control Project in Pennsylvania, requested by Democratic Sen. John Fetterman and GOP Rep. Dan Meuser.

Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman David Joyce, an Ohio Republican, said the bill ensures that men and women of the Department of Homeland Security, who work tirelessly on our behalf, have the resources and tools they need.

It reflects strong Republican priorities, cuts wasteful spending and prioritizes securing the border, Joyce said. We cannot surrender this progress for a wasteful and harmful government shutdown.

Cuts for Labor, HHS, Education

The Labor-HHS-Education bill includes small but not insignificant spending reductions for all three departments funded in the bill, though some programs did receive increases.

The National Institutes of Health would receive a $300 million increase to $48.6 billion, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would get $4.5 million more for a funding level of $9.2 billion.

The legislation has a $1 billion increase in spending for child care and early learning programs. The Child Care and Development Block Grant would see its appropriation rise by $725 million to a total of $8.8 billion. The Head Start programs funding would increase by $275 million to $12.3 billion.

That bill holds 103 pages of earmarks that would go to numerous programs, including HHS Administration for Children and Families, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Labor Departments Employment and Training Administration.

Legislative Branch boost

The Legislative Branch spending bill increases funding for the U.S. House by $3.4 million to nearly $1.9 billion and for the U.S. Senate by $104.2 million to almost $1.3 billion.

Joint congressional items  which include the Joint Economic Committee, Joint Committee on Taxation, Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, Office of the Attending Physician and Office of Congressional Accessibility Services  received an overall funding level of $28 million, $4.9 million more than the current appropriation.

The U.S. Capitol Police, which handles an increasing number of threats against members, would see its funding increase by $56.9 million to $791.5 million.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which publicly releases information on how much legislation would cost if enacted, would see its funding level rise by $6.8 million to $70 million.

Foreign aid

The State-Foreign Operations bill would appropriate nearly $58.4 billion, a $3.4 billion cut compared to current funding levels. The legislation blocks U.S. funding from going to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency through March 25, 2025 and zeroes out funding for the United Nations Commission of Inquiry against Israel.

The bill includes $6.1 billion for the foreign military financing program with $3.3 billion of that for Israel and $300 million for Taiwan.

State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart, a Florida Republican, said the bill is a dramatic improvement from current law.

This bill reduces spending, it re-prioritizes funding towards our vital national security interests and carries crucial limitations and smart policy changes to rein in the Biden administration, Diaz-Balart said. And if this bill were to fail, we are giving carte blanche to the Biden bureaucracy.

Additional reporting from States Newsroom on these six government funding bills can be found here. Details on the other six spending bills released earlier this month can be found here with coverage of that House vote here and the previous Senate vote here.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Congress rushes to approve $1.2 trillion spending package ahead of midnight deadline appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
CHONGQING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Thursday shipped its first batch of barium chloride to Genoa, Italy, marking the first time for the inland city to export the chemical.

The first batch of barium chloride exports weighs 25 tonnes and is worth about 140,000 yuan (about 19,717 U.S. dollars), according to Wanzhou Customs of Chongqing.

Barium chloride is widely used in mobile phones, vehicle batteries, chips, and other electronic goods, hence its huge demand on the global market. Being a hazardous chemical, its export requires strict inspection by local customs.

The main raw material of barium chloride is witherite. In June 2023, Chengkou County of Chongqing found a large-scale witherite mine with proved reserves of some 120 million tonnes.

The next batch of barium chloride is expected to be exported to Japan and the Republic of Korea, according to local authorities in Chengkou County. 
The average American who rents their home is now spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing  the mark that was once considered the standard for determining reasonable housing costs.

Its a problem affecting people living in densely populated cities, to those in rural communities.

Our Washington News Bureau spoke with Noelle Porter, Director of Government Affairs for the National Housing Law Project (NHLP).

We absolutely know that across this country theres not enough affordable housing, said Porter. It is making it impossible for renters not only to survive, but to invest and save for the future.

On Thursday, members of the Congressional Renters Caucus announced a series of more than a dozen bills aimed at helping renters.

The plans include expanding rental assistance, increasing affordable housing and beefing up protections against evictions.

If youre rent burdened, then you cant save for a home, said Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), Chair and Founder of the Congressional Renters Caucus. You cant save for college. You cant save for retirement.

The measures are backed by Democrats and face an uphill battle in the GOP-led House.

Republicans, meanwhile, have blamed the Biden administrations economic policies for the housing crisis.

Families are struggling more than ever to afford their monthly rent and mortgage payment in large part because of Bidenomics, said Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC).

Gomez said hes been in talks with Republican colleagues about the proposals, but for now its unclear if these bills will get bipartisan support.

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Kentuckys new education commissioner Robbie Fletcher has signed a four-year contract with an annual salary of $265,000.

But the leading Republicans in the Senate, which must confirm his hiring for him to remain as commissioner, havent been clear on whether theyll let him stick around.

In fact, one said Friday hes currently a no on Fletcher.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, said that more due diligence is needed on Fletcher to gain his approval.

From what I know so far, Im probably going to be a no vote if his confirmation resolution comes to the floor, Thayer said. But its still preliminary; my mind could be changed.

Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, struck a more noncommittal tone. He said he had no expectations to confirm or not confirm.

Stivers mentioned that hes known Fletcher, a fellow Eastern Kentuckian, for several years. Right now, he said the chalkboard is blank, and is not closing off any possibility for handling the confirmation process.

This is an important position, and weve been trying to give it the respect and thorough investigation it deserves, Stivers said. Then later on in this session  which could be up to (April) 15th, we dont have to be in any rush  we would determine about confirming or not confirming the individual that has been picked through this process.

Under a new state law, the Kentucky Senate must confirm Fletchers nomination.

The commissioner of education is the chief state school officer who oversees daily operations of the Kentucky Department of Education and acts as superintendent of the Kentucky School for the Blind, the Kentucky School for the Deaf and the 50 area technology centers.

Earlier this session, Stivers mentioned the possibility of passing a resolution suspending the confirmation rules to allow the boards pick to remain on board until next years session without being confirmed this session. He didnt rule that out Friday.

If the Senate refuses to confirm Fletcher without such a workaround, the position would be vacated when the Senate adjourns April 15.

Next week is expected to be the busiest of the legislative session, with the deadline for the GOP-controlled Senate and House to pass legislation in time to override the governors potential veto coming on Thursday.

Its possible the Senate Education Committee could call a special meeting afterward, during the veto break, when its less occupied with other items like the state budget bills.

I look forward to the opportunity of earning Sen. Thayers trust, Fletcher, Lawrence County Schools superintendent, said in a statement shared with the Herald-Leader.

When Fletchers hiring was first announced Thursday, Senate GOP Whip Mike Wilson, R-Bowling Green, had only nice things to say. Wilson was the sponsor of the bill last year, amid Republican complaints about former commissioner Jason Glass, that made the commissioner of education subject to Senate confirmation.

Robbie Fletcher is from right here in Kentucky and is very familiar with the needs of students across the commonwealth. I and the rest of the legislature hope to meet him soon and, if confirmed, to work with him and the rest of the KDE on improving Kentuckys educational achievements to secure a vibrant and working Kentucky future, Wilson wrote.

Thayer mentioned that an exhaustive review of Fletchers political contributions was needed.

However, Fletchers political donation history is scant, according to state and federal records. His only contribution on record at the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance is one $250 donation to Ray Jones, the former Democratic senate leader whos now Pike County Judge-Executive.

He has no record of federal contributions in the past 15 years according to the Federal Elections Commission.

For Fletcher to be confirmed, a resolution supporting him would need to make it through a Senate committee, then called for a Senate floor vote  processes generally controlled by such Senate GOP leaders as Stivers, Thayer and Wilson  and approved by a majority of the Senate.

Kentucky Department of Education officials did not immediately respond to the senators comments.

Fletchers pay

Fletchers salary, $5,000 higher than the 2020 starting salary of Jason Glass who resigned last year, will be tied to Fletchers annual evaluation.

It can be increased, according to the contract obtained by the Herald-Leader under the Kentucky Open Records Act.

Fletcher entered into the contract with the Kentucky Board of Education Thursday. It runs from July 1 to June 30, 2028.

It says hell receive reasonable vacation and other benefits. His expenses will be reviewed by the state board, and he can either receive an automobile allowance of $500 per month or use a state motor pool fleet vehicle.

He will receive relocation expenses of up to $3,000.
ST. CLAIR COUNTY  Ottawa County's controversial executive administrative aide is setting his sights higher  by filing to run as a state representative in St. Clair County.

Jordan Epperson, 23, has filed to run as a Republican in the state's 64th District, which includes Worth Township in Sanilac County and the city of Port Huron  plus parts of the city of St. Clair, the townships of Burtchville, Clyde, Fort Gratiot, Grant, Kimball, and Marysville, and parts of St. Clair Township.

Epperson first made headlines in Ottawa County when he was hired in August to serve as former Ottawa County administrator John Gibbs' executive aide.

Jordan Epperson, senior executive aide for Administrator John Gibbs, enters the conference room in September 2023.

Epperson did not respond to The Sentinel's request for comment Friday.

After hiring Epperson in August, Gibbs was accused of age discrimination after a more qualified finalist for the position went unselected. That finalist, Ryan Kimball, filed a lawsuit against Gibbs and Ottawa County in October; the case remains ongoing.

Gibbs, hired after the new Ottawa Impact majority assumed control of the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners in January 2023, was fired last month after his relationship with OI leaders Joe Moss and Sylvia Rhodea soured over months of ongoing controversy, including a year-long lawsuit with the county health officer settled in late February.

One week after placing Gibbs on paid administrative leave, commissioners fired him "for cause" during a special meeting Thursday, Feb. 29. Days earlier, Moss published to his personal social media accounts that Gibbs faced allegations brought forward by Epperson and new Deputy Administrator Ben Wetmore, also a Gibbs hire.

Epperson, a recent graduate of Michigan State University with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, started with the county Aug. 21.

Ottawa County administrator John Gibbs was fired by the county board on Feb. 29.

After the hiring was publicized  Gibbs refused to name whom he'd hired to "avoid a public spectacle"  several residents voiced disdain over Epperson's social media history.

Epperson made his Facebook account private and deleted his Twitter account days after his hiring was reported, but not before dozens of screenshots of his previous social media posts had been captured, including several controversial comments about women and immigrants, among other topics.

That Epperson was seeking public office was first revealed in an interview with Gibbs on Friday, March 22, by independent journalist Scott McMahan in the "Bigger Truth" podcast.

LIVE with John Gibbs! Working with Ottawa #GOPDisruptors https://t.co/y2dBXF1NVW  Scott McMahan (@BiggerTruth) March 22, 2024

When McMahan asked why Epperson was hired, Gibbs said he came "highly recommended" by individuals involved in state government.

According to his resume, Epperson worked as a part-time aide for Rep. Matt Maddock, one of several lawmakers active in Michigan's "Grand New Party," a far-right offshoot of the Republican Party. Most recently, Epperson worked as a legislative aide for Northern Michigan State Rep. Neil Friske, also a GNP supporter.

Prior to his time with Maddock and Friske, Epperson worked as a political consultant for Victory Strategies LLC, an organization founded by Wetmore, who most recently worked as a legislative aide to Maddock. He also has ties to several prominent far-right Michigan Republicans, including former MIGOP co-chair Meshawn Maddock, one of 16 people charged for allegedly acting as a false elector in the 2020 presidential election.

The 64th District is currently represented by Andrew Beeler, who opted not to run for re-election.

I dont think politics is ever meant to be anybodys career," Beeler said. "Thats certainly what our founders thought, and so I think the same is true for me. Ive served two terms, and Im going to let somebody else have a shot at it."

State Rep. Andrew Beeler, R-Port Huron, speaks on the state House floor. Beeler serves as chair of House Republicans' campaign arm, the House Republican Campaign Committee.

Beeler said he's keeping his options open.

"I dont think its the end of politics for me altogether. Certainly, (I am) open to having the opportunity to serve the community (again)," he said. "Dan Lauwers seat will be open in 2026. Hell be term-limited, and Id be able to do two full terms in the Senate. Thats certainly an interest to me.

Beeler said he isn't sure what his next step is, but that it's likely in the private sector.

I would share it if I knew it. But theres not some job lined up. Theres no specific plan. I do think that Ill be in the private sector, and so, thats an experience that Ive not yet had. I went from the Navy to grad school to this, so I do think whats next for me in the private sector.

 Contact executive editor Sarah Leach at sarah.leach@hollandsentinel.com. Contact reporter Jackie Smith at jssmith@thetimesherald.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Controversial Ottawa County aide running for state rep in St. Clair
A convicted murderer accused of killing his girlfriend two days before Christmas in 2019 must serve 50 years to life in prison, a judge decided Friday.

Ahmad Khaasanouva Bey has been convicted of murder twice  in a 1999 Pittsburg, Kansas, killing and in the 2019 shooting death of 41-year-old girlfriend Melinda K. Sprague of Wichita  though he says hes innocent in the latter.

Bey had been out of prison for about six months after serving a 20-year sentence for the Pittsburg murder before Sprague was fatally shot in the neck from above as she sat in a chair at her Wichita home.

Her body was later found stuffed in the trunk of her car after another woman Bey had romantic ties to, Vanessa Waner, abandoned it behind a business in the 1500 block of East Harry, Wichita police have said.

A jury in February found Bey guilty of first-degree premeditated murder and criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon after a multi-day trial where prosecutors presented largely circumstantial evidence of his involvement in the shooting. In closing arguments last month, Sedgwick County Assistant District Attorney Justin Edwards called the case a puzzle with pieces that all come together to point to Bey as the killer.

Bey, Edwards told the jury, had means and motive: His relationship with Sprague had been violent, with recent discord and strife centered on Bey using Spragues car and him seeing another woman. He was at Spragues house the night she died, although Bey claims she was alive when he left.

Sprague even forecast her own death, telling coworkers and acquaintances she believed she would wind up dead and her body would be dumped in a river, Edwards told jurors last month.

A coworker reported Sprague missing when she didnt show up for work on Christmas Eve. Prosecutors think she was probably shot sometime before midnight on Dec. 23, 2019, but that she probably didnt die immediately.

They said at trial last month that someone took time to clean up the crime scene and that Bey had counted on someone stealing Spragues car when Waner abandoned it with the keys and her body inside.

Prosecutors initially charged Waner with concealing, destroying or altering evidence in the killing but later dismissed the case. She told police she abandoned the car because there wasnt enough gas to run an errand and that she didnt know Spragues body was in the trunk, court records say.

Beys lawyers in their closing arguments cast blame for the murder on Waner, saying she was upset by the love triangle and Sprague when her own relationship with Bey fell apart.

Law enforcement never found the murder weapon and there were no eyewitnesses, defense attorney Randall Price told jurors. Prosecutors had an overall lack of evidence tying Bey to the crime, he said last month.

On Friday before his sentence was pronounced, Beys team of lawyers asked Sedgwick County District Judge Jeffrey Goering to grant a new trial, arguing that prosecutors inferences and assumptions about how the killing happened shouldnt outweigh an absence of direct evidence.

He (Bey) pled not guilty. He hasnt done anything but maintain that to this day, defense lawyer Ian Clark said.

Bey echoed that when he addressed the court, saying: I didnt do nothing wrong. I didnt kill Melinda. I didnt stuff her in no trunk.

Edwards responded that the defense was simply complaining about circumstantial evidence and that prosecutors were very careful not to stack inferences when they presented the case to the jury.

When the judge refused to redo the trial, Clark asked him to give Bey a more lenient sentence of 25 years to life so that Bey might be paroled sooner when hes an elderly man. Bey is 43 now.

Edwards replied that a two-time killer didnt deserve that chance.

Goering acknowledged that Bey had maintained innocence throughout the case but said he found no substantial or compelling reasons to depart from state sentencing guidelines that say defendants convicted of first-degree premeditated murder should serve at least 50 years in prison.

He ordered a life sentence with parole eligibility after 50 years for Spragues murder and 11 months in prison for the weapons charge. The sentences will be served concurrently, or at the same time.

Goering also ordered Bey to pay $3,772.40 in restitution.

Several members of Spragues family were in the courtroom Friday for Beys sentencing, but none gave victim impact statements.

Bey will receive credit toward his prison sentence for the time hes already spent in jail waiting for the case to resolve. Hell be around 89 years old when hes eligible for parole for the first time.

Two arrested on murder charges in death of woman reported missing on Christmas Eve

Convicted murderer charged with killing girlfriend on Christmas Eve in Wichita

Prosecutors drop case against woman who drove car with body in trunk

Jury finds Wichita man, previously convicted of murder, guilty of killing girlfriend
Cool Car: 2024 Toyota Prius Prime XSE Premium

(WHTM) The new Toyota Prius is so much better looking than the last generation, its hard to believe its the same model.

Just look at the slope of that windshield to cut through the air like a bullet. Our review car is the plug-in hybrid Prime XSE Premium that can travel for about 40 miles on electric only.

In a week-long review I averaged about 48 miles per gallon, and that is electric and gasoline combined.

A two-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine combines with the electric motor for 220 horsepower and good performance.

The Prius interior is much improved too but still unusual.

The first thing you notice is the steering wheel is small and you dont look through it to see the dash, you look over the top. The center stack is more conventional now with a large touch screen. The old dash-mounted stubby gear selector is gone, replaced with a more conventional console shift.

Row two can be tight with the front seats slid back. The cargo hold is roomy for such a slope-backed machine. The charge cord stows under the floor.

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The way the Prius handles is also much improved, dare I say sporty? The old one drove like a slug.

So for the 2024 Toyota Prius Prime XSE Premium, I say thumbs up, to much improved styling a much improved interior and great gas mileage. Thumbs down to tight row two seats.

The as-reviewed Prius sticker is $42,590.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
India's ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) was far and away the single biggest beneficiary of the electoral bond scheme (DIBYANGSHU SARKAR)

Huge donations by firms under criminal investigation or suspected of being shell companies have been funnelled to India's ruling BJP and other parties, new data showed, highlighting the backscratching ties between corporate titans and the government.

Last week, India's election commission published a list detailing buyers of electoral bonds, a contentious funding scheme that has helped Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party build an immense campaign war chest dwarfing rivals.

Electoral bonds account for more than half of all political donations and were anonymous until India's top court ruled them illegal weeks before the start of national elections next month.

An AFP review of the list found that of the $1.5 billion donated through the scheme, at least $94 million was donated by 17 companies after they faced -- either directly or through their subsidiaries -- investigations for tax evasion, fraud or other corporate malfeasance.

"The electoral bond scheme was sinful in conception, faulty in design and intended to prevent transparency," lawmaker Abhishek Singhvi of the opposition Congress party told AFP.

"Each of these vices stand exposed... by the huge disclosures tumbling out of the closets."

- 'Knocked at their doors' -

Opposition party lawmakers claim the electoral bonds list shows that firms were donating to Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the hopes of influencing the outcome of criminal probes.

The BJP was far and away the single biggest beneficiary of the scheme, receiving $730 million or around 47 percent of total bonds cashed since April 2019.

Its main competitor Congress received around $171 million over the same period.

Among the companies named as donors are Hero MotoCorp, the country's biggest motorbike maker by sales. It donated $2.4 million to the BJP seven months after confirming its finances were being investigated by the tax department.

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, a top drug firm, bought $1.17 million worth of electoral bonds for the BJP eight months after Indian media reported an investigation for alleged tax evasion.

Indian miner Vedanta, whose parent company was once listed on the London Stock Exchange, donated more than $40 million spread across half a dozen parties over the past five years.

Local media reported in 2022 that the country's main financial crime agency began investigating the company in 2018 for allegedly paying bribes to facilitate Indian visas for Chinese technicians.

Hero, Glenmark and Vedanta did not respond to requests for comment.

No definitive proof of such a quid pro quo has surfaced. Authorities have also not publicly announced whether investigations against donor companies have been closed or withdrawn.

Nirmala Sitharaman, Modi's finance minister, said last week that any allegation of a link between criminal investigations and political donations was based on "huge assumptions".

"What if the companies gave the money, and after that, we still went and knocked at their doors?" she told a panel hosted by television channel India Today.

The BJP was not the only party to receive electoral bonds from companies facing legal investigation.

Among the several parties funded by lottery company Future Gaming -- the biggest single donor under the scheme with a spend of $164 million -- were the government and opposition of southern Tamil Nadu state.

Future Gaming has since 2011 been the subject of several investigations on suspicion of unpaid income tax, money laundering and fraud, according to media reports.

- 'Black money' -

Ties between corporate India and the country's political class have previously blown up into public scandal -- including to the benefit of Modi, who was swept to office a decade ago on a wave of public discontent over corruption.

Modi made hay from a number of corporate bribery accusations directed against his opponents, including allegations that ministers and bureaucrats had taken money from telecom companies in return for favourable licensing deals.

His government introduced electoral bonds in 2017, pledging the scheme would clear up the illicit "black money" donated to parties in return for political favours.

But the new scheme did not close off other avenues of funding, including anonymous cash donations or tax-deductible electoral trusts in which multiple companies can pool money together for parties without public scrutiny.

Indian media also identified several other irregularities with the electoral bond scheme, reporting that several companies donated amounts far in excess of their annual profit or revenue.

Others were loss-making or had been freshly incorporated, suggesting they had been used as front companies to make donations on behalf of an unidentified third party.

Milan Vaishnav, of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said the donation list vindicated the election commission's objections to the scheme when it was first unveiled.

"This is precisely what the EC had warned, (that) the creation of this opaque instrument could allow for shell companies, foreign firms, and unknown third parties to give to parties without detection or outside scrutiny."

asv/gle-pjm/sco
If Donald Trump fails to to pony up a $454 million bond, could New York Attorney General Letitia James seize his Trump National Doral in Miami-Dade County?

Bear in mind that legal analysts have long argued that Florida law offers broad protection for assets owned in the state by its permanent residents and property owners. In fact, the state has long been a haven for people at risk of substantial major claims in other states and who move here and become residents precisely to guard their properties and other assets.

The resort, club and golf course are scheduled to test the sport's best next month at a LIV Golf tournament to be held at the location.

How did Trump end up owning Trump National Doral?

There's a story about how Trump came to own the Doral property, and he told it at Doral during a presidential campaign speech in October 2015.

Trump told how, in 2012, he and daughter Ivanka were headed to the closing of their purchase of the then-named Doral Resort & Spa. On the way, Trump told his eldest daughter he would last-minute negotiate a reduction in the $170 million price.

Trump then related how he threatened, more than once, to walk out of the room and abandon the deal. Sure enough, he told the enraptured audience of hundreds of people, he knocked $20 million off the cost and purchased it for $150 million.

The resort's golf course sports the famed "Blue Monster," but the property has been equally linked to Trump's political career.

Donald Trump played the course at Trump National Doral in October 2022.

In 2019, then-President Trump drew significant pushback when he said he wanted to host a planned 2020 G7 global meeting at Trump National Doral, which is west of Miami International Airport.

A year earlier, a gunman opened fire in the lobby of the Trump National resort. Police at the time said the shooter shouted anti-Trump statements while firing gunshots at the roof and chandeliers. The gunman was wounded in a gunfire exchange with police, and one officer broke his arm in the confrontation. No employees or guests were injured.

Two years before that, it was in a Doral resort ballroom where then-candidate Trump infamously called on Russian hackers to unearth Democratic rival Hillary Clinton's disappeared emails.

"Russia, if you're listening, I hope you're able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing," he said at the July 2016 news conference. "I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press."

Trump later claimed it was a joke. But the statement was raised by former Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Antonio Fins is a politics and business editor at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at afins@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Could New York AG Letitia James seize Trump National Doral in bond dispute?
Angela Rayner has claimed a row over the sale of her former council house was manufactured in an attempt to smear her.

Ms Rayner, the Labour deputy leader, accused the Tories of whipping up the non-story as she insisted police had found no issues with her affairs.

The spat revolves around the amount of tax Ms Rayner should have paid when she sold her home in Vicarage Lane, Stockport, Greater Manchester, in 2015.

The principal question is whether she should have been liable for capital gains tax, based on her primary residence at the time.

Last month, James Daly, the Conservative MP for Bury North, wrote to Greater Manchester Police to demand an investigation, arguing that there was strong public interest in looking into the matter.

Tried to manufacture an investigation

Asked about the controversy on BBC Newsnight, Ms Rayner insisted the police had found no issues there and accused the Tories of stirring up a row to create a stain on her character.

Ive been very clear theres no rules broken, she said. They [the Conservatives] tried to manufacture a police investigation.

They [the police] said theres no issues there. I got tax advice which says there was no capital gains tax. Its a non-story manufactured to try and smear me.

Ms Rayner registered the Stockport house, which she bought under the Right to Buy scheme in 2007, as her main address on the electoral roll.

As a result, when she sold the property in 2015  making a profit of 48,000  she was not liable to pay capital gains tax on that money.

But weeks after marrying Mark Rayner in 2010, she had re-registered the births of her two youngest children at his address on Lowndes Lane, just over a mile away.

That raised questions over whether she moved in with her now estranged husband but did not update her address on the electoral register. HMRC rules state that married couples or civil partners can only count one property as their primary residence.

Wasnt aware of the HMRC rules

Ms Rayner said she was not aware of this when she sold the property, but has since been advised that she did not owe any capital gains tax.

I was a home care worker, you know, I didnt have an accountant, she said. I had, as most people would: you put your house on the market, you get a legal conveyancing solicitor, and you get an estate agent.

But since those allegations were put to me, I got expert tax advice to make sure that I hadnt done anything wrong.

No, I wasnt aware of the HMRC rules... when I sold that property. I sold it as most people would put it on the market, got the solicitor and the estate agents, etc. Since those allegations were put to me, the tax laws on capital gains tax and principal private residency etc, is very complex, including marriage.

I got that advice that is categoric that I do not owe any capital gains tax on that.

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BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- If juveniles stand accused of serious crimes, and a review and approval procedure deem the cases worthy of prosecution, criminal liability shall be investigated in accordance with the law, China's Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) said Friday.

SPP Procurator-general Ying Yong has stressed the importance of preventing and addressing juvenile delinquency during a recent grassroots investigation and study visit, according to the SPP.

For serious crimes committed by juveniles, such as intentional homicide and intentional injury leading to death, if the cases meet the criteria for prosecution per the result of a review and approval procedure, criminal liability shall be investigated in accordance with the law, he said.

Ying called for actively coordinating and promoting the development of special schools, as well as improving the graded intervention mechanism for juvenile delinquents, and increasing education and correction efforts to curb the rising trend of juvenile crimes. 
Editors Note: This article was published by the blog The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak on March 22, 2024, and has been re-published by the Kyiv Independent with permission. To subscribe to "The Counteroffensive," click here.

Aahed Bakkora will never forget the night that birds began falling out of the sky. An engineer by training, he was working for a local city council in Jobar, an area just outside Damascus, Syria. At the time, the area was controlled by Syrian opposition forces that had risen up against Bashar al-Assad in the early 2010s.

At around 2 a.m., in the early morning hours, he heard an unfamiliar noise in the air. Then, he heard a sharp voice over the walkie-talkie he carried for city council work: People are dying in the street! He immediately rushed his family into the bathroom and ran outside to help, not knowing the terror that was unfolding.

I saw a lot of bad things in my life, Aahed sighed. But this night, it was like the last day of the world."

Bakkora didnt realize it then, but he was about to become one of the victims of the Ghouta chemical attacks in Syria, strikes by the Bashar Al-Assad regime in 2013 that became notorious for the hundreds of people it ultimately killed due to Sarin gas nerve agent.

The attacks have also become notorious for being a critical inflection point in the way the West responded to chemical weapons. At the time, then U.S. President Barack Obama threatened that employing these kinds of attacks was a red line and could lead to military intervention.

It ultimately did not. Obamas hollow threat sent a message  Aahed and chemical weapons analysts agree  it told the world that an authoritarian could illegally use chemical weapons, and not have to face justice for it.

This leads us to the escalating situation in Ukraine. Earlier this month, the Ukrainian military claimed that Russia has used chemical weapons 1,068 times since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine began two years ago. This includes allegations that Russia used chloroacetophenone, a chemical comparable to tear gas but with higher toxicity. A Russian commander even openly bragged about using chemical weapons last year.

The usage of these chemicals on the battlefield is "unquestionably" illegal, said Brett Edwards, who specializes in chemical weapons issues and lectures at the University of Bath. It goes against the Chemical Weapons Convention, to which Russia is a signatory.

While Russia is not using nerve gas like it did in Syria, experts warn that the usage of chemicals as an instrument of warfare could be a test of the worlds resolve.

There're lots of videos of Russians dropping tear gas grenades to clear tunnels Russian media is now reporting hundreds of cases, Edwards said.

Allowing Russia to use (riot control agents) in this way unpunished would allow for the use of an increasing range of increasingly deadly agents on the battlefield.

Aahed thinks about the increasing chemical weapons usage by Russia through the lens of that one terrible night in Syria back in 2013. When he got out into the street a series of horrors unfolded before him. He saw someone on a bike collapse on the street, dying, he remembers, as if someone had pressed a button. There was little light due to a lack of power, a common occurrence during the Syrian civil war. Aaheds eyes began to water and things began to blur.

Read also: Asami Terajima: A toast to my fallen friends in Donbas

I started feeling something hot in my eyes, and started losing my focus, he recalled. He stumbled to his nearby car and began evacuating people on the street to the nearest hospital.

Nobody can collate the (number of) people who were killed that night because it was crazy. No electricity, nothing, he told The Counteroffensive.

People running. Wallahi (Arabic for 'I swear to God,), when I was driving my car, birds were falling down from the sky. The birds. Imagine this situation. Oh my God.

The attacks took place just a few hundred meters from where Aahed lived. Ninety percent of the people in his immediate area were killed by those attacks, he said. When he got to the hospital, he remembered that in his rush to evacuate people from the street, he forgot a critical thing: his family was still in his apartment. He rushed back to his home.

Thankfully the air currents were pushing the gasses away from the apartment, and he found his family where he left them, safe in the bathroom. They rushed away from the scene of the attacks, later finding a checkpoint where oxygen was being administered. Later in the night, they found a place where atropine, a medication that counteracts nerve agents like Sarin gas, was being provided to victims.

The aftermath of an alleged phosphorus bomb attack on a school, according to then Donetsk Oblast Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko, in Avdiivka, Ukraine, on May 18, 2022. (Pavlo Kyrylenko/Telegram)

Aaheds close friend, a neighbor, was not so lucky. He died in their home. His friend's wife died in their kitchen. Their kids died in their beds.

The horrific event was compounded by the lack of action from the rest of the world, he said.

"Even now I don't understand. After what's happening in Ukraine, in Syria, and everywhere, I don't believe in the United States, Aahed told us.

American inaction, after the sarin gas attacks in Syria, he added, gave the Russians the green light to do everything.

And now, with emerging evidence of increasing Russian chemical weapons use, Russian President Vladimir Putin may be following the Assad playbook  escalating usage of chemical weapons to test the international will to respond and condemn him.

Read also: The Counteroffensive: Inside Kharkivs underground metro schools

I think that the world is afraid to push the (Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) to its breaking point. Its possible that Russia could just tear up the (Chemical Weapons Convention) and that would be bad, said Dan Kaszeta, a chemical weapons specialist at the U.K. think tank RUSI.

"Any such investigation would be politically fraught," added Edwards, pointing out that Ukraine has been subject to tens of thousands of alleged war crimes. "This is just one of many war crimes and human rights violations that (governments) are thinking about."

Aahed says he cannot clear his mind of the memories from that night. While many years have passed since the attacks, he urged the world to hold the two authoritarians responsible.

If we don't stop the person who is doing the crimes Nothing will stop him. Russia wants to build their power to (control) the world. If we don't stop them, they will not stop in Ukraine or in Syria  they will (keep) crossing (boundaries).

Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent.

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PITTSBURGH, Pa. (WHTM)  Country Music Artist of the Decade, Jason Aldean, in conjunction with TC Restaurant Group, officially opened their new Pittsburgh-based bar and restaurant.

The new Jason Aldeans Kitchen + Bar officially opened its doors in North Shore, Pittsburgh on 393 North Shore Drive earlier today on March 22, 2024.

According to TC Restaurant Group, the new establishment occupies a 10,000-square-foot space and it features a live music stage, a main dining area, two bars, and an expansive outdoor patio section.

I love coming to Pittsburgh and the state of Pennsylvania to perform, some of the best country music fans in the world are in the area, Jason Aldean said. Im proud to have a permanent destination where fans can stay connected to my music, hear great country music any day of the week, and sit back and enjoy some of my favorite food and drinks. I cant wait to get up there soon to celebrate with Pittsburgh. Its going to be a great time.

The menu for the new establishment has been crafted by TC Restaurant Groups Chef Tomasz Wosiak, and it will feature some of Aldeans favorite meals, such as Jasons Mac & Cheese and Grandmas Pot Roast.

TC Restaurant Group says that they expect to create 115 new jobs in the area.

The new Pittsburgh restaurant will become the third to open in the United States, with two other locations being found in Gatlinburg and Nashville.

abc27 news will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Sunset over Sussex: Why shoul the little rural platoons vote Conservative if the Tories can't defend them against the bureaucratic big battalions?

Until 1948, some universities had the right to return their own MPs, elected by their graduates, to Parliament. They liked eccentric independents. One such was the humourist, A P Herbert, who sat for Oxford University. In his election address, he set out his policies on each subject. Under Agriculture, he wrote, I know nothing about agriculture.

Nowadays, Herberts condition is commonplace among MPs. Unlike Herbert, however, they do not have the honesty to admit it. This ignorance spreads to most aspects of rural life  and across all parties.

It was traditionally understood that, if you knew nothing about something, you either shut up about it, or showed a bit of humility and a readiness to learn. The culture of social media and protest activism does not see it that way. Twitter storms (sorry to stick with the old name, but X storms sounds wrong) prefer something very fierce, nothing knowledgeable. In the verbal battles about Israel/Gaza, for example, it has been grimly amusing to discover people shouting from the river to the sea who cannot tell you, when asked, which river they mean, or which sea.

This false certainty bedevils rural issues. Online passions are stirred up about trees, wildflowers, wild animals, birds. In the run-up to the hunting ban, for example, it was endlessly repeated that foxes were torn apart alive by hounds. This was untrue: the lead hound killed the hunted fox in seconds. Hounds then broke up the body of the dead fox. That was not a pretty sight, but it was not cruel, the fox being, as I say, dead.

A more recent popular illusion is that, if you abandon all land management, nature will restore balance. The truth, especially in a long-cultivated and heavily populated landscape like Britains, is more complicated.

On the National Trusts Winchelsea estate near us in Sussex, for example, the population of wintering and breeding birds, such as the charismatic lapwing, is suffering from neglect since the Trust rewilded two years ago. At privately owned Knepp, the nations best exemplar of rewilding, doses of sensitive grazing are used to create and preserve the right habitat. But now an ideological template is being imposed across the country by the Trust, ignorance and dogma making a noxious brew.

Traditionally, the Conservatives have dominated rural constituencies, but when I travel in rural England, I find Tory pre-election support at a low ebb. This is not so much because of any single policy. A few are even quite popular, such as permitted development rights or rural housing enablers which make more affordable housing available. The much-decried badger cull to prevent bovine TB seems to be working well. Ill feeling is more the result of frustrations.

Some Tory Defra secretaries  Liz Truss for lack of interest, Therese Coffey for a truly embarrassing failure to grasp her subject  went down badly. Everything to do with the land carries a big emotional charge, so politicians who do not understand this lose respect.

Still more common is frustration that Conservative ministers are not masters in their own house. Brexit restored power to those we elect, but in Defra the chance was not taken.

Defra civil servants have pliant relationships and ideological affinities with quangos such as Natural England and the Environment Agency, and with pressure groups like the RSPB or Friends of the Earth. This makes country-dwellers feel that the people least likely to be consulted are those who live and work with the problems that policy is supposed to address. Michael Gove spoke of public money for public goods, meaning environmentalism. Since when, people wondered, had food production and food security ceased to be public goods?

Where is consent for changes in rural life properly sought? Take the Right to Roam, which a Labour government promises. There is much to be said for better public access to the countryside, but farmers and landowners cannot be expected to cooperate with the imposition of a universal right regardless of ownership, circumstances and numbers.

There are problems of cost, liability, damage, livestock fencing, shooting, the protection of sensitive wildlife sites and  sadly common  dangerously behaved dogs. Any sensible reform would seek buy-in from the country people affected. It would also focus on improving our admirable and ancient system of footpaths. Paths are good things. Wandering all over often sensitive land is not.

Recently, there have been waves of farmers protests across the European continent  and also, not insignificantly, in Wales, where new environmental reforms could force farms to take 20 per cent of their land out of production, thus moving most from precarious survival to certain loss. I saw a banner in a Paris demonstration which said, Pas de pays sans les paysans. That means no country without the peasants, but the literal translation does not echo the link between the word pays and the word paysans, which means peasants. Perhaps our closest rendering of the phrase would be no country without country people.

We should consider that slogan here. Some might argue it is out of date since agriculture is so depopulated that there is now no distinctive rural interest. It is true that farming employs fewer and fewer people. But any political party would be rash to think that is the end of the matter.

The famous Red Wall, which won the last election for the Tories and is now deserting them, is a protest by those who feel they understand their surroundings against people they believe do not.

This knowledge does not make them automatically right: for instance, village residents in southern England are sometimes so keen to guard what they have that they ignore the housing needs of their descendants. But it is highly unwise of politicians to neglect the very people who feel a deep love of country (in both senses of the word) and have strong practical traditions of getting things done, an attractive mixture of the traditional and the individualistic.

In the mid-20th century, socialists wanted to nationalise land. That never prevailed in Britain, but nowadays, even under the Tories, governments are nationalising the use of land. Farmers and landowners are made unwilling agents of government policy. Ever more complicated planning, environmental regulation and punitive energy costs frustrate the new, small enterprises that can revive rural economies. This induces despair and weakens community cohesion.

Politicians talk of our land. It certainly is a common patrimony, but most of it has actual individual owners. If it did not, it would never have been so well shaped in its fields, woods, hedges and stone walls, so economically productive or so attractive in the appearance of its small towns and villages. Dont despise the people who know the lie of the land.

If Conservatives cannot defend the little rural platoons against bureaucratic big battalions, those platoons might as well vote Labour. Significant numbers of country people are toying with this idea. As with most subjects as the election approaches, Labour is avoiding specific commitments, though its shadow spokesman recently revealed his partys tribal prejudices when he promised to ban both trail- and drag-hunting in the next Parliament, despite neither sport pursuing a living creature.

Sir Keir Starmer contents himself with the line that Labour thinks the countryside is wonderful, but is for the many, not the few. Compared with the numbers in cities, country people will always be the few, not the many. A wise political party would take care to protect them from the tyranny of the majority.

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John Craven has presented Countryfile since 1989 and wants to find out what puts off those from ethnic backgrounds from leaving urban areas - BBC/Pete Dadds

John Craven, the Countryfile presenter, has claimed there is disturbing evidence of racism in the countryside.

Although many white voices would insist there is no racial prejudice in the green acres, researchers at the University of Leicester had found clear examples, Craven wrote in an article for the BBCs Countryfile magazine.

The university is carrying out a two-year survey to discover the true extent of rural racism

After speaking to Dr Viji Kuppan, one of the academics leading the study, Craven wrote: Some of the results so far are disturbing.

[He] tells me about two women who live in rural areas, one brown and one black. Both were subjected to racist taunts, spat on in one instance and weapons with intent to harm produced in another  very stark incidents of racial and engendered hostility.

Dr Kuppan said racism can also appear in mundane ways, such as mutterings, stares or laughter.

Craven, who has presented on Countryfile since 1989, questioned what it is about rural Britain that puts many people from ethnic minority backgrounds off visiting the countryside.

Do they find it unwelcoming? he said. Is racism any worse in rural areas than in our towns and cities?

Dr Kuppan, who joined the study at the University of Leicester last year, has spoken about his own experiences of racism in the countryside.

These included encountering a man brandishing a large knife and using a racial slur while barring his entrance to a pub in Haworth, Yorkshire, the home of the Bronte sisters.

Craven said he hoped the two-year study, which involves interviewing rural residents about their experiences of racism, would help to lead towards a countryside where everyone, no matter what their colour or background, feels they belong.

He cited recent comments by Richard Benwell, the chief executive of charity umbrella group the Wildlife and Countryside Link.

Mr Benwell said: There are many accounts showing that some people of colour continue to experience racist comments and abuse when visiting nature. This is well-evidenced, including in reports from Government and from public bodies.

In February, The Telegraph reported that the Mr Benwells organisation had given evidence to Parliament that the British countryside had been influenced by racist colonial legacies.

The claims were made in a report submitted to MPs on the APPG for Race and Community as part of a call for evidence on the link between systemic racism and climate change.

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The sexual battery and defamation lawsuit against conservative icon Matt Schlapp has stalled out, with a number of subpoenas and depositions for the case abruptly canceled this week without explanation.

The pause in activity, which The Daily Beast confirmed through court records and sources with knowledge of the events, strongly suggests that the parties have made significant progress toward a settlement.

The cancellations include witness subpoenas along with recorded depositions from Fox News host Sean Hannity and a young contractor for the American Conservative Union, the Schlapp-led group that organizes the influential Conservative Political Action Conference. Both depositions were previously slated for this week.

Inside Matt Schlapps Offer to Settle the Sexual Battery Lawsuit Against Him

The ACU was recently added as a co-defendant in the multimillion-dollar civil suit, alongside Schlapp and his wife, conservative commentator Mercedes Schlapp.

Republican campaign operative Carlton Huffman first sued the Schlapps last January, about a week after Huffman accused Matt Schlapp of pummeling his crotch against his will following a night of drinking in Atlanta about three months prior.

Huffmans suit charged Matt Schlapp with sexual battery and further alleged that the Schlapps engaged in a smear campaign to defame him in response to his accusations. Huffman, who was working on Herschel Walkers Senate campaign at the time of the alleged incident, only added the ACU to the suit in December 2023, claiming that the nonprofit was culpable for negligence by not taking action against Schlapp despite alleged knowledge of at least two reported instances of unwanted sexual advances.

The Daily Beast previously reported that Schlapp had floated a settlement deal in the low six figures last March. At the time, Huffman countered with a substantially higher number, which Schlapp rejected.

Its publicly unknown if or when the parties ever renewed those talks, and the case docket in the circuit court for Alexandria, Virginia, did not reflect any official agreements as of Friday afternoon.

That docket had been bubbling with recent activity, however, including a flurry of subpoenas and witness depositions, The Daily Beast previously reported. But with a jury trial scheduled just three months away and a number of key depositions aheadincluding Schlapp himselfthat activity has come to a sudden halt.

CPAC Tax Docs Reveal Big Losses After Matt Schlapp Sex Abuse Allegations

In late February, former CPAC communications director Ian Walters sat for a deposition, but this weeks depositionsfor Hannity and CPAC contractor Turner Johnsonwere both scrapped, without explanation.

The cancellations affected subpoenas to other CPAC employees as well as Walker campaign officials who had helped Huffman when he came forward to them the morning after the alleged assault.

The allegations have dogged Schlapp for more than a year, contributing to a precipitous drop in the influence of his once-storied organization, which for decades served as a pillar of the conservative movement and an incubator for new talent and policy platforms.

But conference attendance has plummeted, with top speakers and sponsors withholding support after the accusations, and ACUs revenue has taken a major hit. After last years conference, the board of directors saw a mass exodus, with multiple top officials citing Schlapps response to the allegations and financial mismanagement as their reasons for leaving.

The Daily Beast has reached out to counsel for Huffman, Schlapp, and CPAC, and this piece will be updated with any future comment.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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A Foxford Community School spokesman was reported to have said the doors were unlocked 'before and after school, as well as at break and lunchtimes' - Ian Ward/BPM Media

A school has installed metal bar doors to its lavatory areas in a move one parent claimed was to prevent students from using the bathroom during lesson time.

Foxford Community School in Longford, Coventry, has insisted pupils are not prevented from using the toilets at any stage during the day, although the conditions for allowing them to use the bathrooms are unclear.

MailOnline reported that a school spokesman had said the doors were unlocked before and after school, as well as at break and lunchtimes.

One concerned grandfather has described the installation as totally wrong and claimed that children could only use the facilities with supervision during lesson time.

Ian Ward, whose grandchildren attend the school, told the website: Now they have fitted locked cage doors to prevent the kids from even getting near the toilets and have said the kids can only use the toilets during break times but not during lessons.

Kids are only allowed to go to the toilet under supervision, which is totally wrong. It is taking away the freedom of being able to use the toilet as and when you need it.

School is supposed to be a safe place for kids and it is supposed to be a relaxed environment, but how is it a relaxed environment when they are locked up?

Better ways to solve issue

Many others have been outraged by the decision, labelling it disgusting and totally wrong, according to the news outlet.

Mr Ward said that the cage doors were fitted on March 6 to two of the schools lavatory areas.

The move has allegedly been enforced on pupils in every year group from years seven to 11, which Mr Ward said had created upset for all six of his grandchildren.

The doors are reported to have been introduced following issues with students in the lavatories, although Mr Ward said there were better ways to prevent such problems.

He said: I think there are other ways of controlling that by having somebody sit by the toilets at certain times.

A spokesman for Foxford Community School told The Telegraph: Foxford students are not prevented from using the toilets at any stage of the day.

Castle Phoenix Trust, the academy schools sponsor, has been contacted for comment.

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COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  The Columbus Police Department is launching a new initiative to raise awareness for unsolved homicides.

On Friday, the agency released information about an unsolved murder that happened over 10 years ago.

CPD said on Jan. 8, 2013, 63-year-old Brenda Lowe was found dead in her apartment by authorities. DNA evidence does exist in Lowes case and CPD said with any information, police could solve her case and bring justice to the memory of Brenda Lowe.

CPD is offering a reward for information leading to an arrest and asks for anyone with information concerning Lowes case to contact Sgt. Hayes at 706-225-4268 or via email at Shayes@columbusga.org. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to CPDGA@columbusga.org

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  One person is in critical condition after a crash involving a delivery truck on Friday morning in west Columbus.

Authorities responded to I-70 East beyond I-270 at about 3:03 a.m. on Friday after report of a two-car crash involving a FedEx truck, according to the Columbus Division of Police. All lanes were briefly closed and one person was transported to Grant Medical Center in serious condition.

(NBC4 Photo/Ronald Clark)

The scene had cleared by 6 a.m. on Friday, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
The service station and an apartment block were ripped apart by the blast

Two men have been arrested in connection with an explosion at a petrol station in County Donegal which killed 10 people in 2022.

A five-year old girl was among the victims of the blast in Creeslough on 7 October.

The men, aged in their 50s, were detained on Friday.

Gardai (Irish police) said they were being questioned over alleged offences contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.

Creeslough is a small village in the north-west of Ireland, about 15 miles (24km) from Letterkenny and 30 miles (48km) from the border with Northern Ireland.

It has a population of about 400 people.

The victims - four men, three women, two teenagers and a five-year-old girl - were from the village or surrounding areas.

The victims of the explosion were Jessica Gallagher, Robert Garwe, Shauna Flanagan Garwe, Leona Harper, Hugh Kelly, Martina Martin, Martin McGill, James Monaghan, Catherine O'Donnell and James O'Flaherty

On the first anniversary of the tragedy, Gardai said their investigation had been continuing "as expeditiously as possible, in the circumstances" to ensure issues around the tragedy are "professionally investigated".

At the time, Gardai revealed that they had opened more than 1,350 lines of inquiry and taken in excess of 900 statements.

Friday's arrests are the first to be made in connection with the explosion by police.

Gardai previously said the incident was being treated as a tragic accident, with a gas leak believed to be one theory.

The investigation is being co-ordinated from Milford Garda station, with support from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI), Garda Siochana Analysis Service (GSAS) and Garda Technical Bureau.

Irish police are also being assisted by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) and the Norwegian company DNV, which specialises in investigating and testing energy systems.

The blast resulted in the highest number of civilian casualties in a single incident in the county in decades.

Eight people were treated in hospital for their injuries.
A critical infrastructure facility in Vinnystya Oblast was hit as Russia launched a massive mille attack on Ukraine bright and early on March 22, NV reports.

The enemy deployed a mix of drone and cruise missile tactics, Vinnytsia regional governor Serhiy Borzov reported on Facebook.

The Air Force noted the launch of three MiG-31Ks from the Savasleyka airfield in Russias Nizhny Novgorod region.

Read also:

The Russian military intensely bombarded Ukraine with various weapons on March 22.

Many Ukrainian regions were targeted, with the Russians focusing on the energy infrastructure.

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
European Council President Charles Michel (R) and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen attend a press conference during the European Union (EU) summit in Brussels, Belgium, on March 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

SARAJEVO, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) at a summit in Brussels on Thursday, marking a new phase in European integration for the country.

The green light for the start of negotiations was welcomed by European officials and political leaders in BiH. European Council President Charles Michel said BiH "is in our European family," noting "now the hard work needs to continue so Bosnia and Herzegovina steadily advances."

"Today's decision is a key step forward on your EU path," Michel said while extending congratulations to the country situated in Southeast Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also hailed the EU leaders' decision as "historic," noting BiH's progress in enacting crucial legislation, managing migration and fostering dialogue and reconciliation.

In May 2019, the European Commission published the Opinion on BiH's application for European Union membership, which contains 14 priorities that can be divided into four areas -- democracy and the functioning of the state, rule of law, fundamental rights and public administration reforms.

BiH needs to fulfill these reforms to begin negotiations for full membership.

BiH submitted its membership application in 2016 and was granted candidate status in December 2022. In November 2023, the European Commission recommended the opening of accession negotiations with BiH to the European Council. 
Ukrainian engineers have managed to restore the operation of the 750 kV Dniprovska overhead power line, which supplies the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), Ukraine's state nuclear company Energoatom reported on Telegram on March 22.

The critical power line was damaged in a massive Russian attack on Ukraines energy facilities earlier that day.

Read also: More than 1000 miners trapped underground amid blackouts in Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts

"At the moment, the temporarily occupied ZNPP is again connected to the integrated power system of Ukraine through two power lines - Zaporizhzhya TPP - Ferroalloy with a voltage of 330 kV and Dniprovska, which provide power for the plant's own needs," Energoatom said.

ZNPP has experienced several power outages since it was occupied by Russian forces, with eight full outages and one partial outage requiring the use of emergency diesel generators and safety systems. Failure of these systems could potentially lead to a serious emergency.

Earlier in the day, Energoatom reported that the plant was on the verge of a complete power blackout.

Read also: Russia strikes passenger trolleybus with missile  They were ordinary people traveling to work

"This situation is extremely precarious and threatens an emergency," said Energoatom Chairman Petro Kotin.

If the last line of communication with the national power grid is disconnected, ZNPP will be in another blackout, which is a serious violation of the conditions for the safe operation of the plant.

In addition to damage to the power lines, Russia launched 12 missile attacks on Zaporizhzhya city itself. Early reports say that at least seven buildings were destroyed, and at least 35 damaged.

Read also: Zelenskyy draws a parallel between delay in Western aid and Russias devastating March 22 attack

Police also reported a "complete restriction" of traffic on the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant dam. The advisor to the mayor of Mariupol, Petro Andriushchenko, said that the Russians had hit the dam of the Dnipro HPP.

In addition, critical infrastructure facilities were hit in Kryvyi Rih. Rolling blackouts have been introduced in the city to compensate for the lack of power.

The energy company DTEK announced the introduction of power blackouts in Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, and Kharkiv oblasts.



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
OCEAN GROVE - The nonprofit activist group Neptune United released a report arguing properties owned by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association are generally assessed at a lower value for property taxes compared with similar properties owned by other taxpayers.

The group, which describes its mission as advocating for parity and equity for all of Neptune Township and has frequently battled the Camp Meeting Association, has spent the last several months reviewing eight years worth of publicly available property assessment data, all of which is available at Monmouth Countys Office of Record Management.

Neptune United identified what it called repeated discrepancies between land value assessments assigned to property owned by the association versus land value assessments assigned to homeowners. The association owns almost all the land in Ocean Grove section of Neptune, except for the streets. Many, but not all, homeowners actually lease the land on which their homes sit.

Neptune United's focus was on the assessed land value of properties, not on the tax paid, because the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association owns many properties that are exempt from property tax because they have been found to qualify as church or charitable property. For example, the historic Great Auditorium, despite its tax-exempt status, in 2023 had an assessment total of $7,455,700, according to the report.

Church vs. state on Ocean Grove beach: Date set when judge may cut town's religious power

The analysis identified three issues of particular concern, according to Neptune United.

The first issue is apparent pattern of lower assessments for land on which the camp meeting must pay tax versus camp meeting land which is tax exempt, the group said. The second issue is the group identified what it calls an "alarming discrepancy" in the assessed value of land owned by the association compared with private owners. The third concern claims the rate of increase in assessments experienced by homeowners from 2016 to 2023 is significantly higher than the rate experienced by the association in that same time.

The Camp Meeting Association could not be reached for comment.

The example provided by Neptune United to illustrate the first concern is two adjacent parcels owned by the association on Inskip Avenue  the Inskip Tennis Courts and a neighboring park.

Both are approximately 0.59 acres. The park is exempt from property tax, but the tennis courts are not. For 2023, the park land was assessed at $811,300, while the tennis courts were assessed at $215,600, the association said.

What the nonprofit describes as "even more concerning" in their findings is the Ocean Pathway, two vacant parcels where the annual flea market is held. The Ocean Pathway site is not exempt, and the two parcels, which lead toward the Great Auditorium in total consist of 3.0828 acres of vacant land. It has no assessed value and is not taxed.

In 2023, the Great Auditorium was assessed at a total of $7,455,700. Of that, $3,325,100 was for the the value for the 2.73 acres of land on which it is located. The whole property is tax-exempt because of the religious use of the auditorium.

"How can over three acres of oceanfront land be worthless?" Neptune United wrote in its report. "As a result, no taxes are being paid on land for which the township could be collecting a substantial amount of revenue in property taxes."

Hotel, condo plan moves ahead: Ocean Grove historic group won't have any control over it

Tents surround the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove Friday, August 30, 2019, ahead of the Labor Day weekend.

Neptune United compared the assessed land values of each of the non-exempt Camp Meeting Association properties to the assessed land values of the three nearest homeowner properties, excluding those that had recently sold. Land owned by the association is assessed at an average of $1,721,461.92 per acre (limited to property on which the association pays tax). In comparison, the average land assessment of homeowner property per acre is $8,040,336.16, according to the report.

"That is a difference of over $6.3 million per acre. Does this ensure the equitable distribution of the tax burden?" the group wrote.

The rate of increase in assessments experienced by homeowners from 2016 to 2023 is 52% higher than the rate experienced by the Camp Meeting Association over the same, the group said.

During that eight-year period, the association experienced an average increase of 32.61% to its land assessments for its properties that are not tax-exempt while homeowners experienced an 85.07% increase in their land assessments, according to the report.

According to the Neptune United "it would be unfathomable for Neptune Township to give preferential treatment to one property owner, to the detriment of thousands of others. Therefore, we are in no way accusing any party of any misconduct. Instead, we are asking that the appropriate state and local officials look into the concerns raised and provide the public with an explanation as to what would otherwise seem preferential."

Township Administrator Gina LaPlaca told the Press that "Neptune Township values all our employees and trusts them to serve with a residents-first mentality.

"Ocean Grove is a unique community when it comes to the ownership and tax designation of certain properties, something that has been noted repeatedly by New Jerseys Tax Court, and assessing values within it is even more challenging. Still, we maintain the highest level of confidence in the work of our Tax Assessors office," LaPlaca said.

She added "we also take the concerns of our residents and community groups seriously, and, as the Township, as state statute dictates, has no say over how a municipal tax assessor sets valuations, or in how the office operates, we encourage Neptune United to advance these concerns through the proper channels, in this instance the Monmouth County Board of Taxation."

Ocean Grove was founded in 1869 by Methodist clergymen and is noted for its Victorian-style homes and the Great Auditorium, which frequently attracts religious gatherings. It is commonly known by the nickname "God's Square Mile." In the past, the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association had police powers like any other municipality, forbidding vehicular traffic on Sundays, but a 1979 state Supreme Court decision changed that. It maintains ownership of much of the land.

Neptune United formed after some residents said the Camp Meeting Association began rolling out religious imagery with more assertion. The association last summer included an image of a cross on beach badges. And it rebuilt the Ocean Grove pier, destroyed during superstorm Sandy in 2012, in the shape of a cross. The 500-foot pier opened last April, but it has been temporarily closed due to concerns about the safety of its structure.

The Camp Meeting Association has kept boardwalk access to the beach closed from 9 a.m. to noon on Sundays from Memorial Day to Labor Day, violating the terms of a permit that it received from the Department of Environmental Protection to manage and maintain the beach. Specifically, the permit said the Camp Meeting Association couldn't limit public access to the beach.

Some residents, including Neptune United members, began defying the policy. They gathered on the boardwalk on Sunday mornings, beach chairs in hand, insisting they were not protesting, but merely showing up to enjoy the beach with their friends and family as they were allowed to do under the law. The Camp Meeting Association filed a lawsuit, saying the group was trespassing. The fight over beach access drew the attention of the state Department of Environmental Protection. It ordered the Camp Meeting Association to open the beach. The association refused and is seeking to overturn the order.

A hearing date for the appeal has been scheduled for April 17. Residents hope that the issue will be resolved before the beach access closure, and, presumably more protests, are set to begin again Memorial Day weekend.

Charles Daye is the metro reporter for Asbury Park and Neptune, with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. @CharlesDayeAPP Contact him: CDaye@gannettnj.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association enjoys tax deals, nonprofit says
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA)  Leaders of the Champaign-Urbana Jewish Federation are speaking out against a City of Urbana resolution that they said they cannot support because of certain wording in the resolution.

The Urbana City Council passed the resolution earlier this week, which calls for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. The resolution was drafted after months of collecting input from the community, which the CUJF Board of Directors said was intended to represent the viewpoints of different segments in the community.

The CUJF board issued a statement saying that while the resolution does not address all of the points they wanted to see in it, they do appreciate that the City Council sought input from a broad and diverse selection of viewpoints held by Urbana residents.

Champaign school board holds special meeting to discuss board vacancies following new resignation

However, the CUJF board is taking exception to a change made to the resolutions text that they said implicitly blames Israel for the war.

Leaders said the original draft of the resolution included the following text as Item 6:

Urge the United States government and international community to prioritize funding tools of peace over weapons of war to create conditions for reconciliation between Israel and Palestine, which is the foundation for a just, secure, and lasting peace.

State senators join fight against changes to Central IL post offices

But the resolution that was ultimately passed used the following text as Item 6:

Call the United States Government and International community to stop funding weapons of war to Israel so as to create conditions for reconciliation between Israel and Palestine which is the foundation for a just, secure, and lasting

peace.

For this reason, the CUJF board said it can no longer support the resolution, which passed unanimously.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
Young members of the Charlotte community discussed gun violence and possible solutions at a forum Thursday night.

The teens hope that their young minds can make a change thatll last a lifetime.

Raise the Age: The crisis of North Carolinas juvenile justice system

If I go to the mall, if I go to school, I dont know if its going to be my last day there, said Gaven Getter, 17, a student at The Fletcher School.

A dozen high-schoolers shared their concerns at the youth-led town hall inside the Government Center in Uptown.

Students, parents, and community leaders shared ideas on how to improve safety.

With this, I hope that we can enact some form of change, you know, whether it be just hard and hardening down on juvenile crimes and crimes, in general, or maybe focusing on a new rehabilitation program, Getter said.

Councilmember Tiawanna Brown, D-District 3, encouraged teen panelists to share their experiences.

Ive never been afraid to be in Charlotte, but Im afraid now, said Brown, who has lived in Charlotte throughout her life.

Some suggested stricter gun laws, self-defense training, and more education for parents, which can be passed down to their kids.

We always talk about our youth, Brown said. A lot of times, we talk at them and not to them. And we dont listen. Everybody gets to listen.

Getter said he hopes to one day wake up to less crime instead of seeing another shooting in the headlines.

Were kids, Getter said. Were supposed to have a childhood, not a life of crime.

Mayor Vi Lyles, on Thursday, shared a letter on social media, which was addressed to the youth of Charlotte.

A letter to the Youth of Charlotte - pic.twitter.com/MjcfuRwuJW  Mayor Vi Lyles (@CLTMayor) March 21, 2024

Lyles said that their voices, their ideas, and their actions are crucial in the fight against gun violence.

VIDEO: Community activists say juvenile laws need to change
Authorities are searching for a dangerous convicted felon after he walked away from a halfway house in Orange County.

The man was identified as Ike Souzer, 20, according to the Orange County District Attorneys Office.

Authorities said Souzer is considered extremely dangerous and violent and should not be approached.

Souzer was released from custody on March 20 after pleading guilty to felony vandalism. He was sentenced to 90 days in county jail and placed on probation for two years afterward.

He checked into the halfway house that day, called Project Kinship in Santa Ana, but left the premises and never returned. He did not notify his probation officer of where he may have been headed.

Souzers criminal history involves stabbing his mother to death when he was 13 years old, attacking three correctional officers, and manufacturing a shank while being housed at the Orange County Jail, said the DAs office.

Ike Souzer, 20, in a booking photo from the Orange County District Attorneys Office.

He had previously walked away from Project Kinship in April 2022, after being released on electronic monitoring from jail.

After a countywide manhunt during that incident, he was eventually located and arrested at a homeless encampment in Anaheim.

Souzer remains at large and is considered a significant public safety threat. Anyone who spots him is asked to avoid approaching him and to call 911 immediately.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
HINGHAM  The Haitian migrant accused of raping a 15-year-old girl at a Rockland hotel earlier this month will remain in jail following an hourlong dangerousness hearing Friday.

Cory B. Alvarez, 26, was arraigned on one count of aggravated rape of a child with a 10-year or more age difference March 14 in Hingham District Court, where the dangerousness hearing was held March 22. He has pleaded not guilty. The charge comes with a minimum 10-year prison sentence.

Alvarez pleaded not guilty to an additional rape of a child by force charge at Fridays hearing.

Alvarez has been held without bail at the Plymouth County jail pending the outcome of the dangerousness hearing and will remain there as the case moves forward.

He is due back in court April 22.

Federal immigration agency involved in Alvarez case

Officials from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Boston office sent a detainer notice to the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department on March 14, said federal Enforcement and Removal Operations spokesperson James Covington.

He said detainers request that state or local law enforcement agencies maintain custody of an arrested noncitizen for a period not to exceed 48 hours beyond the time the person would otherwise be released, allowing Enforcement and Removal Operations staff to assume custody for removal purposes in accordance with federal law,

The agency removes people who are in the United States illegally, including at the order of immigration judges with the Justice Departments Executive Office for Immigration Review, which is separate from the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Covington said.

"Immigration judges in these courts make decisions based on the merits of each individual case, determining if a noncitizen is subject to a final order of removal or eligible for certain forms of relief from removal," Covington said in an email.

Hotel used as migrant shelter under state law

A 26-year-old man was living at the Comfort Inn Hotel in Rockland, which was being used as a state-funded migrant shelter, when he was charged with one count of aggravated rape of a child on March 13, 2024.

The 15-year-old girl officials say he raped is also a Haitian migrant staying at the hotel. The police report described her as disabled, but did not elaborate on that description. They and others are staying there as part of the states right-to-shelter law.

In August 2023, Gov. Maura Healey declared a state of emergency due to a "severe" lack of shelters available to the rapidly rising numbers of migrant families arriving in the state.

According to the Plymouth County district attorneys office, Rockland police responded to a report of the allegation from the Comfort Inn on Hingham Street at about 7 p.m. March 13.

'I told him to leave me alone, but he didnt stop'

The 15-year-old was taken to South Shore Hospital in Weymouth to undergo a sexual assault investigation. Her clothes were collected as evidence, according to the report.

The girl, who speaks French Creole, told investigators through translators  one who translated French Creole to Spanish and a second who translated the Spanish to English  that Alvarez raped her in his room while she was getting help with using apps on a tablet. She said Alvarez pushed her onto the bed and raped her, according to the police report.

"He raped me," the girl told investigators, according to the police report. I told him to leave me alone, but he didnt stop.

The girl pointed police to the room and pointed him out as her assailant, according to the report.

Alvarez came to the United States from Haiti last summer, according to WCVB, and has been living at the hotel since October while seeking immigration status.

Alvarez was ordered to surrender his passport and have no contact with the victim while in custody.

The case has gained national attention, especially by right-leaning media outlets, and has been used in fundraising efforts by former President Donald Trump in his reelection campaign.

More: Rockland rape case gets national attention, stokes anti-migrant sentiment

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Migrant accused of raping girl in Rockland ordered held pending trial
In the spring of 2022, right after Russias atrocities in Bucha were exposed, several Western leaders uttered the term genocide. U.S. President Joe Biden, former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, former Colombian President Ivan Duque, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did so in short succession, albeit in their own way.

I called it genocide because its become clearer and clearer that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is just trying to wipe out even the idea of being Ukrainian. The evidence is mounting, Biden said in April 2022.

French President Emmanuel Macron categorically distanced himself from this cohort, however, refusing three times publicly to use the term genocide to describe Russias war crimes in Ukraine. In one interview, Macron rejected the term, explaining that Ukrainians and Russians are so-called brotherly peoples. In another interview, he highlighted the alleged political inconvenience of the term:

States that consider that it is genocide have an obligation under international law to intervene. Is that what people want? I dont think so.

Macron explicitly acknowledged that he did not want to use the term genocide because it would impose certain obligations on him.

Professor William A. Schabas, a genocide expert featured in the Kyiv Independents War Crimes Investigations Units documentary, Destroy, in Whole or in Part, dismisses claims that Russias actions in Ukraine constitute genocide, calling statements like that of Biden political. Schabas may be right in a sense: the term genocide is often thrown around for political purposes without much attention paid to the legal definition of the crime of crimes. However, Macrons refusal to use the term is even more political.

The so-called inconvenience of the term genocide has a long and varied history, which is well explained in Samantha Powers book A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide, for example. Its not surprising that some Western politicians and officials not only avoid using the term to describe Russias atrocities in Ukraine today but also outright deny that it is taking place. The term is often extremely undesirable for politicians as it imposes a certain pressure to act.

A child sits on a swing across from a residential building destroyed by a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Feb. 25, 2022. (Pierre Crom/Getty Images)

This political dimension has absolutely nothing to do with the question of whether genocide is actually taking place in Ukraine or not. However, it often coincides with the popular belief, often promoted politically, that genocide is necessarily the total extermination of a national or ethnic group, for instance, in the Holocaust, Rwanda, and Srebrenica. If the atrocities do not reach such a scale, there is no genocide, or so they say.

This understanding is due to ignorance of the real legal definition of genocide as enshrined in the Genocide Convention and the Rome Statute, although these doctrines are not without their own issues.

According to the Genocide Convention, genocide entails acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group, including killing, causing serious bodily or mental harm, deliberately inflicting conditions for destruction, imposing measures intended to prevent births, and forcibly transferring children to another group.

This definition makes no mention of the number of victims, whether those involved are so-called brotherly peoples, or if other states are willing to intervene.

The key to understanding whether genocide is taking place or not is genocidal intent. As Schabas emphasizes in our documentary, if even two or three people are killed with the clear and unequivocal intention of destroying the group as such, then genocide has occurred.

On the one hand, everything seems quite obvious. Its very easy to prove in court that Russia is committing crimes in Ukraine that fall within the internationally agreed-upon definition of genocide  particularly, the killing of civilians and the forced deportation of children. Besides, while Russia tries to deny that it is deliberately killing Ukrainian civilians, the forced deportation of children is openly advertised at the highest level of command.

On the other hand, actions alone are not enough. Its necessary to prove genocidal intent unequivocally. Intent is on a plane of the intangible  its forever something vague, something that can be questioned. Intent is difficult to prove not only in court but also to public opinion outside of Ukraine (I think most Ukrainians no longer doubt Russias obvious intention to destroy the Ukrainian nation as such).

The blatantly genocidal rhetoric employed by Russian officials and propagandists can be done away with by calling it bellicose hate speech. The massacres committed by the Russian army can simply be attributed to wanting to crush potential resistance. The mass deportation of Ukrainian children can be justified by Russia's wanting to solve its demographic problems. Russias favorite game with reality is that nothing is that clear  perfect for concealing genocidal intent.

The unwillingness of politicians to give in to pressure, the masses lack of understanding, and the difficulty in proving genocidal intent all combine to create a very convenient ground for all those who want to dismiss the inconvenient term when talking about Russias war against Ukraine.

But even against this backdrop, Ukrainians should continue to speak out and prove that the intention behind Russias invasion of Ukraine is to destroy the Ukrainian nation, in whole or in part.

This is not to somehow ease the suffering of the victims of the Russian militarys war crimes in Ukraine. Their pain will not become lesser or greater because what was done to them has been labeled a war crime, crime against humanity, or genocide. And their sense of justice is also unlikely to be greatly affected by the qualification of the crime for which a Russian criminal is imprisoned.

Read also: Kyiv Independents new documentary debuts on YouTube

Proving genocidal intent is instead necessary to understand Russias current war against Ukraine and its preconditions. As Ukrainian academic Dmytro Koval emphasizes in our documentary, the history of this war and the reasons for Ukrainians suffering at the hands of the Russian state cannot be fully recounted and explained without the term genocide.

While Ukrainians also need to come to this understanding, it is, above all, the world, which is accustomed to a distorted perception of Ukraine through the prism of Russian historiography or Western prejudice, that must do so. Foreign politicians, officials, and ordinary citizens who today reject the word "genocide" when talking about Russias war are thus rejecting the key to understanding what is happening in Ukraine. We must continue to offer this key.

Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Over a week after a woman was discovered shot and killed in North Las Vegas, her daughter shared her story exclusively with 8 News Now.

We always called her a lightbulb, Kash King said of her mother, Venus Hart. Because she was so bright.

North Las Vegas police to release 911 call, body-cam video of triple-murder-turned-officer-involved shooting

King told 8 News Now everything she will miss about Hart days after her death.

My mom would give the shirt off her back, she said. She always was resilient, very smart, educational.

King said Venus was visiting her friend Tiffany at an apartment complex near Civic Center Drive and Carey Avenue on March 12 when the worst happened.

I just cant believe this happened to my mom, she said.

Man killed after shooting 3 in North Las Vegas faced murder charge, twice

The 48-year-old was murdered, along with Africa A. Woods-McGill, 52, and Tiffany K. Mawhorter, 42, whom King identified as Harts friends. A dog was also killed, according to police.

The man identified as the shooter, 43-year-old Edward Brooks, was later killed by police.

The two North Las Vegas police officers involved in the shooting were identified as Officer Kenneth Townsley who was hired in 2020 and Officer Kevin Calderon who was hired in 2022, police said.

If Brooks had survived, he would have faced charges of open murder, assault with a deadly weapon on a protected person, ex-felon in possession of a firearm, failure to register as an ex-felon, burglary with a deadly weapon, and animal abuse, police said.

I just want people to know that we are really living in hard times, King said. And that you dont have every day to get it together, life is really short.

King said her family still hasnt completely absorbed what happened, but now they have to focus on funeral expenses.

It makes us feel like failures because I want to do something nice for my mom, she said. But I have three kids, my sister has three kids.

Therefore, King said her family is asking the community in Las Vegas to help, so she can honor her mom Luna, whom everyone already misses so much.

We never expected our mom to go, she concluded. So dont take life for granted.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-Md.) released a statement Friday, apologizing for using a racial slur he used at a hearing on Thursday.

Trone, who currently is running for Marylands U.S. Senate seat, used the derogatory term for a Black person while he was at a congressional budget hearing.

Whats in the spending bill?

The statement Trone provided to DC News Now after the incident said:

While attempting to use the word bugaboo in a hearing, I used a phrase that is offensive. That word has a long, dark, terrible history. It should never be used any time, anywhere, in any conversation. I recognize that as a White man, I have privilege. And as an elected official, I have a responsibility for the words I use. Regardless of what I meant to say, I shouldnt have used that language, and I apologize. U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-Md.)

Trone is considered the Democratic frontrunner in his matchup against fellow Democrat Angela Alsobrooks, Prince Georges County Executive.

A recent poll by DC News Now, Emerson College, and The Hill showed Trone leading Alsobrooks by 7%.

Although the same poll showed Trone in a dead heat with former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (R-Md.), a Washington Post-University of Maryland (UMD) poll shows Hogan topping Democrats by double digits.

All candidates are hoping to be elected to the U.S. Senate seat that will be vacant when Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) finishes his time in Congress.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Certain D.C. citizens can apply to receive a voucher that will dramatically reduce the cost to purchase an e-bike starting April 1.

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will accept applications from preferred applicants on April 1 up until April 15. This is part of the Districts new e-bike incentive program.

DDOT expects to hand out 250 vouchers to this round of applicants.

First day of Cherry Blossom Festival draws thousands

Back in September, the D.C. Council unanimously approved the incentive, and the program was given $500,000. If there are remaining funds, another application window will open for the rest of the public.

Ward 6 councilmember Charles Allen introduced the measure in January of last year. The incentive program aims to bridge barriers in access to sustainable modes of transportation, which can be costly, in underprivileged communities.

The fact that were doing it with equity front and center will also ensure more residents are able to take advantage of, and demand, improved infrastructure to get from point A to point B safely in neighborhoods that have historically experienced disinvestment, Allen said in a statement.

This is why the incentive program is only open to preferred applicants for the moment. Applicants must be enrolled in SNAP, TANF, Medicaid or DC Healthcare Alliance to be considered as preferred applicants. They must also be District residents over 18 years old with an intent to purchase an eligible bicycle-bike, related service or accessory after approval to be eligible.

The DDOT has authorized 12 local retailers where recipients can use their vouchers.

Take a tour of the worlds first hydrogen-powered boat at the Wharf

This chart outlines the monetary differences in vouchers between preferred and standard applicants:

Purchased Item/Service Preferred Applicants Standard Applicants Electric cargo bicycle $2,000 $1,000 Electric bicycle $1,500 $750 Annual maintenance $250 $0 Disability components $250 $125 Bicycle lock $150 $75

This legislation is following the lead of Denvers trailblazing rebate policy which has been expanded since its initial adoption in 2022. Colorado introduced a statewide policy last August, and nine other states have passed similar tax incentives and rebates for e-bikes.

Allen acknowledges that most rebates take away purchasing power, by giving reimbursement later. So, the bill authorized the DDOT to hand out vouchers instead which can be used upfront.

The bill authorizes DDOT to create a voucher system that would allow applicants to receive the value of the voucher as a discount when they purchase the bike at the store, with the District then reimbursing the retailer directly, a statement released by Allen said. This point-of-sale incentive ensures that cost isnt a barrier for residents who cant afford the full cost of an e-bike upfront.

Lawmakers hope this incentive will usher in an era of sustainable transportation- and reduce the flow of traffic in the District, a source of complaint among many residents who worry about pedestrian safety and long commutes.

Mother, child hospitalized after hit-and-run crash in Petworth

When Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto introduced her own form of e-bike legislation last January, which was eventually struck down in favor of Allens bill, she commented on the benefits of reducing traffic.

Reductions in traffic congestion and pollution mean we all benefit from getting more residents onto bikes  the rebate program provides an additional opportunity and incentive for residents to make this choice, Pinto said in a statement.

Applications can be submitted online or in person through one of the pop-up events hosted by the DDOT across the District.

A full list of the events can be found on the DDOTs website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
MONTEVIDEO, March 21 (Xinhua) -- More than 1,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in Uruguay's southern department of Florida after heavy rains caused floods, local authorities said Thursday.

Guillermo Lopez, governor of the department, said that the Santa Lucia Chico River in the department's namesake capital city Florida has surpassed its latest record high by 1.2 meters after heavy rains on Wednesday night, reaching places it had never been before.

The flooding has caused "historic devastation," inundating hundreds of homes and forcing traffic disruption to the Piedra Alta Bridge, the entrance to the Florida city, which had never happened before, the governor told local media.

The city of Florida, with a population of 33,000, has been left without access to drinking water due to the impact of the flooding on the water treatment plant. Food and shelter have been provided to the affected people.

The Uruguayan Institute of Meteorology on Wednesday issued a red alert for severe storms in several regions of the South American country, including the Department of Florida. 
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said Thursday that they arrested and charged a suspect for a homicide that happened in Adams Morgan in 2022.

Officers responded to the 2400 block of 18th St. NW at about 1:20 a.m. on Dec. 17, 2022. There, they found a man and a woman suffering from gunshot wounds.

Person wanted for deadly shooting in Adams Morgan

The woman was taken to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The man died at the scene. He was identified as 30-year-old Avon Perkins of Baltimore, Md.

On March 21, over a year after the double shooting happened, MPD officials took 25-year-old Jakeim Miller of Heath Springs, N.C., from the US Marshals Service. He was charged with first-degree murder while armed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Consequences of the attack of the Russian Federation on Zaporizhzhya on March 22

The death toll of a Russian missile strike on the city of Zaporizhzhya on March 22 has risen to three, the head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, Ivan Fedorov, reported on Telegram.

Earlier, one fatality and 14 injuries had been reported. Two people are considered missing.

Read also: Russias massive attack on Zaporizhzhya shuts down traffic across Dniprovska hydroelectric plant

Russias mass attack on March 22

Russia conducted a mass attack against Ukraine with drones and missiles, primarily targeting energy infrastructure, on March 22.

A total of 151 aerial targets were recorded by the Ukrainian military. Air defense forces destroyed 92 of these targets, including 55 Shahed-136/131 drones and 37 missiles.

Read also: Zelenskyy responds to Russia's mass missile assault on Ukraine, calls for air defense support

Russians launched 12 missile strikes in Zaporizhzhya, destroying seven buildings and damaging 35.

Police reported a "complete restriction" on traffic on the Dnipro Hydroelectric Station dam. Mariupol mayoral advisor Petro Andryushenko reported that a missile had struck a trolleybus crossing the dam, setting it ablaze.

Critical infrastructure was also damaged by strikes in Kryvyi Rih, forcing the city to implement rolling blackouts.

Meanwhile, Kharkiv is almost completely without power, as Russians launched over 15 strikes on the citys power facilities.

Read also:

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A bill allowing human composting in Delaware now waits on Gov. John Carneys desk after the Delaware Senate gave final approval for the alternative funeral practice.

House Bill 162, an effort to allow human composting in the First State, received near-unanimous approval in the state House when it passed with a vote of 37-2 on Jan. 23. From there, it awaited consideration in the Senate until it was granted a passing vote of 14 to 7 on March 21.

What is House Bill 162?

Human composting, also known as natural organic reduction, is alternative to cremation or burial that allows humans remains to naturally be reduced to soil, which can then be given to family of the deceased or donated for land conservation efforts.

House Bill 162 was introduced by Rep. Sean Lynn, a Democrat in District 31 in Dover, and seeks to add Delaware to the growing list of states offering human composting, also known as natural organic reduction, as a funerary practice.

What is human composting?

Recompose, a Seattle-based company, demonstrates the human composting process. Over 30 days, the body and plant material form nutrient-dense soil.

Burial or cremation are the common ways human remains are disposed of. Human composting offers an alternative by allowing the human body to decompose in a gentle, respectful process that accelerates the decomposition of human remains to soil, according to a bill summary on the Delaware General Assembly website.

The process uses large vessels to hold human remains together with wood chips, straw or other natural materials for about 30 days, during which the human remains and organic materials are mixed with warm air and periodically turned. This results in the body breaking down until only a soil material remains, which can then be given to the deceaseds family.

A sample of compost, not created from a human body, that has been through the Recompose composting process.

According to the bill proposal, natural organic reduction is considered to be more eco-friendly than cremation, as the practice does not use formaldehyde or release carbon dioxide and mercury into the atmosphere and uses one-eighth of the energy of cremation.

HB 162 passed with an amendment stating that there are restrictions on any remains from a person who had or is suspected of having a viral or other health risk that the Delaware Division of Public Health determines may not be eliminated during the human composting process. The bill also states that remains cannot be accepted for the practice if a person died due to a radiological incident or if their body contains radioactive implants.

Human composting is not new

Human composting, also known as natural organic reduction, is alternative to cremation or burial that allows humans remains to naturally be reduced to soil, which can then be given to family of the deceased or donated for land conservation efforts.

Lynn, along with the bills other sponsors, worked with the framework provided by the other seven states allowing human composting to ensure Delawares allowance of natural organic reduction would be as safe and successful as possible.

Part of the team guiding Delawares plans for human composting is Haley Morris of Earth Funeral, a licensed natural organic reduction provider in Washington State, the first state to legalize human composting in 2019.

In this Friday, April 19, 2019, photo Katrina Spade, the founder and CEO of Recompose, displays a sample of the compost material left from the decomposition of a cow, using a combination of wood chips, alfalfa and straw, as she poses in a cemetery in Seattle. Washington is set to become the first state to allow the burial alternative known as "natural organic reduction," that turns a body into soil in a matter of weeks.

Morris previously told Delaware Online/The News Journal that she believes human composting will continue to gain interest across the country as more people reflect on how they can be more sustainable, even beyond the end of their lives.

This doesnt have to be the option for everyone; it just needs to be available for everyone, she said. I just think theres also this growing interest, and potentially even movement, in this option to return your body to the earth and your final act on Earth doing good for the earth, and I think this resonates for a lot of people.

What is next for HB 162?

Governor John Carney delivers the State of the State address in the House or Senate chamber of Legislative Hall in Dover, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. Much of the governor's speech focused on education, including pay increases for teachers.

After a passing vote in the Delaware House, Senate Health & Social Services Committee and Senate, HB 162 is ready for governor action and waits on Carneys desk for his final signature.

The bill will take effect upon being signed into law, after which state officials have one year to develop Delawares human composting regulations.

If signed by Carney, Delaware would become the eighth state in the nation to allow human composting, joining Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, California, New York and Nevada.

Washington was the first state to legalize human composting in 2019, followed by Colorado and Oregon in 2021, Vermont and California in 2022, New York in 2023 and Nevada in January of this year.

Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys'tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware's human composting bill passes, awaits governor's signature
DELRAY BEACH  Residents of the Village by the Sea will have a new mayor and two newly elected commissioners come March 28.

The city's 40,412 voters elected former mayor and commissioner Tom Carney as mayor on Tuesday. Voters also elected political newcomer and former corporate CEO Tom Markert for Seat 1. In the city's third race of the night, voters elected former commissioner Juli Casale for Seat 3.

Carney, 70, defeated Ryan Boylston, the city's current vice mayor, and Shirley Ervin Johnson, a former commissioner from 2017 until 2023. In about a week, he will take over for current mayor Shelley Petrolia, who has served in the role since 2018.

Carney gained 52% of the vote, to Boylston's 38% and Johnson's 10%, according to preliminary results published by the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Office.

Carney did not respond for comment to The Palm Beach Post but in his campaign, he stressed concerns about overdevelopment and the traffic congestion that comes with it, public safety, fiscal responsibility, reductions in property taxes, protecting Delray's quality of life and making City Hall user-friendly.

Tom Carney

This election marks Carney's first return to the commission in more than a decade. Previously, he served as a commissioner from 2011 until 2013, serving as acting mayor in 2013. He has lived in Delray Beach for nearly three decades.

Tom Markert and Juli Casale win Delray Beach commissioner seats

In the city's Seat 1 race, Markert, a political newcomer and former corporate CEO, defeated former commissioner Jim Chard and Tenille DeCoste, another political newcomer. Markert, 66, will replace current commissioner Adam Frankel. He gained 39% of the vote to Chard's 37% and DeCoste's 24%.

Tom Markert

Before running for local office, Markert had a long history in business. He has served as the president and chief marketing officer of various companies and currently is president of InfraGard, a partnership between the FBI and members of the private sector for the protection of U.S. critical infrastructure and the American people.

Markert is a 15-year resident of the city. His campaign centered on increasing public safety, more oversight of the budget, providing residents with clean water and finding solutions to the citys traffic congestion.

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For the city's Seat 3 role, Casale defeated political newcomers Anneze Barthelemy and Nick Coppola. She gained 42% of the vote, to Coppola's 37% and Barthelemy's 21%. She will replace Boylston.

Juli Casale

Casale, 55, previously served as a commissioner and deputy vice mayor from 2020 until 2023, when she was defeated for the position by a newcomer at the time, Rob Long. Her campaign priorities included better management of the city's budget, neighborhood safety, supporting a new Atlantic Avenue Historic District, using technology to improve traffic and building more workforce and affordable housing. She has lived in the city for nearly two decades.

Also on the municipal ballot this year was an amendment to eliminate the city's Board of Adjustment, which considers and decides appeals and variances to the city's land-development regulations. Voters did not approve the amendment, with 59% of voters voting against it.

Jasmine Fernandez is a journalist covering Delray Beach and Boca Raton for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at jfernandez@pbpost.com and follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @jasminefernandz. Help support our work. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Delray Beach 2024 election: Tom Carney returns as mayor
TRENTON, N.J.  On Sunday evening, Democratic Rep. Andy Kim celebrated a decisive win at the Atlantic County Democratic Committees convention, giving him an advantageous position on the countys ballot in the June 4 Senate primary.

The next day, Kim took the witness stand here in federal court, fighting against that very ballot position.

Its about what kind of democracy we want here in New Jersey, Kim told NBC News after he testified Monday.

Its a broad statement about an esoteric local political custom  one that has become one of the defining issues in a Senate primary with few major ideological divides.

Kim filed a lawsuit last month seeking to eliminate the so-called county line, a unique ballot design in which party-endorsed candidates appear bracketed together in a single column on the primary ballot, and nonendorsed candidates appear off to the side. Instead, Kim wants candidates grouped by office, arguing the county line is unconstitutional since it gives party-backed candidates an unfair advantage over outsiders.

In some counties, the party chair is the endorsements sole arbiter. Several of those chairs endorsed New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy a few days after she launched her Senate campaign in November, sparking criticism that they were looking to curry favor with Gov. Phil Murphy, the state's top Democrat. The parties in other counties, like Atlantic, award endorsements through convention votes.

The clash over the county line, which is used in all but two of the states 21 counties, comes as Democrats across the country are campaigning on protecting democracy. But some Democrats say that message is more complicated in New Jersey, where party bosses still wield significant power.

New Jersey is nicknamed the Soprano state, and its for a good reason, said Sue Altman, a Democrat running for Congress in the 7th District who led the New Jersey Working Families Alliance and has clashed with party power brokers.

It would make the campaign much easier and much more straightforward if we could stand up tall and proud and say, Yes, at every level Democrats are the party of democracy and have the receipts to back that up, Altman later added. But right now in New Jersey thats difficult to do.

Kim said that taking on the party machine is critical for Democrats trying to hold onto Sen. Bob Menendezs seat. Menendez, who was indicted in September on bribery charges, announced Thursday he might run as an independent if he is exonerated.

Right now, independent voters are very wary of the Democratic Party here in New Jersey after this indictment of Sen. Menendez, Kim said in an interview at the Atlantic County convention on Sunday.

If it looks like the same political machine that protected Menendez for so long is trying to shape the outcome of this Senate primary, independent voters are not going to stand for that, Kim later added.

Process, policy and the campaign

Tammy Murphy, meanwhile, is looking to stay focused on policy issues.

Were all playing by the same rules. So if the rules get better, if they can reform and make things better, then Im all for that, Murphy told NBC News after meeting with union members in Mays Landing on Sunday, where she touted her work as first lady on issues like raising the minimum wage and improving infant and maternal health care.

But my view is  thats over here, Murphy added. Im trying to help with affordability. Im trying to help with reproductive freedoms. Im trying to help with gun safety and climate change. And I think thats what people really think about every single day. So I am sick of hearing about the process.

Still, some New Jersey politicos said questions about the process have consumed the race.

The county line dynamic that were even talking about now has overshadowed the core of any campaign, state Democratic Party Chairman LeRoy Jones Jr. said in a phone interview.

Jones, who also chairs the Essex County Democratic Committee, is among the leaders who endorsed Murphy. Jones has the sole power to decide which candidate is on the ballot line in Essex, but he said he surveyed the roughly two dozen municipal chairs in his county before endorsing the first lady.

Kim said a number of county chairs who ultimately backed Murphy did not return his phone calls. After Murphy launched her run, Kim faced pressure to drop out.

I dont want to go into specific names, but I had a number of people tell me that they think my chances are zero, Kim said Sunday. Kim said he told one of them, I dont think I can look my two kids in the eye if I drop out of this race simply because someone whos more connected than me is jumping in, but somebody I think that I have more experience than.

Pressures in the convention process

Kim hasnt been the only one facing pressure to fall in line.

Sadaf Jaffer, a former assemblywoman and mayor of Montgomery Township, said she was pushed not to nominate Democrat Patricia Campos-Medina for Senate at her party convention in Somerset County, where the chairwoman, Peg Schaffer, had endorsed Murphy.

Jaffer said in a phone interview that someone with the county party pulled me aside and said, Dont hurt your future. Dont do something to hurt your future. Jaffer declined to name the individual, but said it was not Schaffer. Murphy won the Somerset County endorsement, which was decided by a public show of hands.

Campos-Medina was also physically barred from entering the Camden County Democratic meeting on Saturday, where Murphy received the endorsement. Kim said his requests to attend the meeting were rejected.

This goes against our message of protecting democracy, Kim said at the Atlantic convention on Sunday.

Youll have to talk to Camden, Murphy told reporters at the convention when asked about Saturdays meeting. I think we all have been playing by the same rules in the counties.

Those rules can benefit some candidates over others in a primary, according to research from Rutgers University professor Julia Rubin, who also testified as an expert witness in Kims lawsuit Monday.

Candidates not on the line look illegitimate when they are not grouped with other candidates, Rubin said in a recent phone interview. Theyre off in ballot Siberia.

The Camden County primary ballot from 2018 illustrates how the line can favor the favorite, with Democratic Rep. Donald Norcross' opponent squished on the far right side of the ballot after lines of empty space.

Micah Rasmussen, director of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University, was doubtful Kim would face that significant of a disadvantage over the county line system.

If [Kims supporters] have to bring a magnifying glass to find him on the ballot, theyre going to find him, Rasmussen said.

Although the county endorsement process is nearly complete, the primary race is still heating up. Neither candidate has spent much money so far, although Murphy recently launched a TV ad focused on gun violence.

Murphy is ready for the county endorsement process to be over. She focused on other issues as she met with several members of Unite Here Local 54, which represents hospitality workers, in the back of a Mays Landing bar on Sunday afternoon.

Aura Sprague, a 54-year-old union leader and former hostess from Harbor Township, said she plans to support Murphy in the primary.

Its not what she said, but its also her actions, Sprague said. I mean, shes a person that has been a direct friend with our union members, and she has been for us through the years.

But Kims supporters believe he is more qualified to serve in the Senate, citing his three terms in Congress and his work as a foreign affairs officer in the State Department.

He is a dedicated public servant, said Christi Davis, a retired environmental engineer from Woodbury Heights, who stood outside of the courthouse on a chilly Monday morning with other activists, holding a sign that read, in part, Abolish the line."

Davis said she became involved in the anti-line movement when she saw several powerful county chairs endorse Murphy.

Its just too obviously rigged," she said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Several House Democrats on Friday said they would be willing to help rescue Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes (R-Ga.) motion to oust him  though some said their vote would be contingent on how he handles Ukraine aid.

Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) told CNN on Friday he would vote to keep Johnson as Speaker.

Its absurd hes being kicked out for doing the right thing, keeping the government open. It has two-thirds support of the Congress, and the idea that he would be kicked out by these jokers is absurd, he said.

Asked if he thought other Democrats would follow suit, Suozzi responded, I hope so.

Greene filed the motion to vacate the Speakers chair  the same mechanism that was used to remove former Speaker Kevin McCarty (R-Calif.) last fall  to protest the $1.2 trillion package to keep the government open the House passed on Friday.

Already though, theres less enthusiasm for the possibility of removing the Speakers gavel. McCarthys ouster resulted in three weeks of chaos and a paralyzed lower chamber. Even many members of the hard-line conservative House Freedom Caucus, who are furious with Johnson for his handling of the spending bill, have brushed off the idea.

And Democrats, who voted in lockstep to oust McCarthy  and then in lockstep against every subsequent GOP Speaker nominee  appear more open to the idea of helping Johnson remain in his post.

I do not support Speaker Johnson, but I will never stand by and let MTG to take over the peoples House, Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Even some liberals, who oppose Johnson on virtually every major policy issue, appear open to the idea of rescuing his Speakership  if hes willing to consider the foreign-aid package passed by the Senate last month.

Id want to see his good-faith action before that happened, said Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.).

Huffman noted that Democrats would not be voting directly on the binary choice between choosing a Speaker Johnson or a Speaker Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), but might opt to support a procedural tool, known as a motion to table, to prevent Greenes vacate resolution from getting a vote, which is easier for Democrats to support politically, he said.

To be sure, Democrats would likely look to Jeffries, the partys leader in the House, for guidance. He has not said which way he would lean.

But even before Greene made her motion, Democrats were floating the idea of helping Johnson, though most also based it on his handling of Ukraine aid.

Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, told The Hill last month that he thought Democrats would rescue Johnson from a revolt over Ukraine aid.

If we get a vote on the appropriations bills and we get a vote on the supplemental, therell be enough Democrats that Johnson will not be removed as Speaker, Smith said. Thats just my view.

And several others said in January that they would be willing to step in  if Johnson committed to working with Democrats.

Mike Lillis contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
In a deeply polarized election year, President Biden and fellow Democrats wasted little time lambasting a budget proposal from a large group of House Republicans that would, among other things, raise the retirement age for Social Security and endorse a bill that would codify that life begins at conception.

The fiscal 2025 budget proposal was released Wednesday by the Republican Study Committee - a bloc that includes 80 percent of Republicans in the House, including every member of House leadership. RSCs proposed budget was released weeks after House Republicans advanced the conferences official budget plan out of committee.

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While the proposal from the Republican faction is unlikely to become law, it offers insight into how Republicans could seek to govern if they win control of Congress and the White House in the 2024 elections. The White House, Democratic lawmakers and political groups hoping to elect more Democrats in November seized on the issue.

Biden called RSCs proposal extreme in a statement Thursday and said it shows what Republicans value.

Let me be clear: I will stop them, he added.

The White House also circulated a document among reporters about the RSC plan, saying it cuts Medicare and Social Security while putting health care at risk for millions, and rigs the economy for the wealthy and large corporations against middle class families.

On the Senate floor Thursday morning, Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the RSC proposal reads like a wish list for Donald Trump and the MAGA hard right.

The Republican Study Committee plan is cruel. It is fringe, way out of line with what most Americans want. But unfortunately it is what the House Republicans envision for our country, he continued.

The RSC proposal, which the committee dubbed Fiscal Sanity to Save America, endorses modest adjustments to the retirement age for future retirees to account for increases in life expectancy and says benefits should be lowered for the highest-earning beneficiaries. But the committee also emphasized that the proposal does not cut or delay retirement benefits for any senior in or near retirement. The proposal also supports implementing a premium support model for Medicare, in which private plans would compete with a federal Medicare plan.

Medicare and Social Security face a looming funding crisis, and there is broad agreement that the programs cannot run over the long term without reducing benefits, lowering payments to the health industry or finding new ways to fund the programs, such as raising taxes. But politicians disagree about how to resolve those issues.

The House Majority PAC, an outside political group working to make Democrats the majority party in the House, plans to cite the budget proposal in ads this fall, said CJ Warnke, the groups communications director.

House Republicans are writing House Majority PACs ads for us, Warnke said.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the official campaign arm for House Democrats, said in a statement from spokesman Viet Shelton that the RSCs plan not only supports dangerous policies but also is deeply unpopular. Voters can plainly see how little House Republicans actually care about them with this budget, and every single House Republican will have to answer for this extreme plan, Shelton said.

Rep. Kevin Hern (Okla.), chairman of the RSC, cast the proposal as proof that its possible to balance the budget. He also said the presidents refusal to address Social Security insolvency will destroy this or any future Congress ability to save it for future generations.

His rhetoric is not only false, its dangerous, Hern added.

The intense focus by Democrats on the plan is reminiscent of a dynamic that played out ahead of the 2022 midterms after the release of a wide-ranging Rescue America plan by Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), which originally included a provision requiring that all legislation be renewed every five years to stay on the books.

Biden seized on the provision, pointing out that Social Security and Medicare were created by law. The president repeatedly accused the senator of wanting to put the popular programs on the chopping block, even though Scott said that wasnt his intent. In 2023, Scott amended the plan to exclude Medicare and Social Security from the sunset provision.

The president has made Republican proposals, including Scotts plan, a recurring point of criticism in stump speeches across the country. Biden has said for years that he would not tolerate cuts to the programs. And he has taken hold of Trumps recent comments about potential entitlement cuts, forcing the former president to clarify where he stands on the issue.

Trump had previously urged fellow Republicans not to cut Social Security and Medicare, but told CNBC earlier this month that there is a lot you can do  in terms of cutting, as well as bad management. Trumps campaign later insisted that he was referring to cutting waste within the programs.

To resolve the solvency issue, the RSC touts its budget plan as common-sense, incremental reforms that will simply buy Congress time to come together and negotiate policies that can secure Social Security solvency for decades to come.

But Rep. Brendan Boyle (Pa.), the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee, characterized the proposed changes in a statement as an attack on seniors, veterans and the middle class that would end Medicare as we know it and make devastating cuts that would raise the cost of living for working families.

The RSC proposal also endorses several bills designed to advance the cause of life, such as the Life at Conception Act, which has 126 co-sponsors in the House. The legislation would provide legal protections at all stages of life, including the moment of fertilization. The endorsement of the bill from the committee comes weeks after Republicans attempted to quell concerns about whether the Supreme Courts decision overturning Roe v. Wade would lead to restrictions on reproductive treatments such as IVF.

After Alabamas Supreme Court ruled last month that frozen embryos should be considered children and that people can be held liable for destroying them, conservatives running for office, including Trump, sought to distance themselves from the ruling and voiced support for IVF. Many repeated party talking points in support of the creation of families, and Alabamas legislature voted to protect IVF providers and patients from criminal or civil liability if embryos they create are subsequently damaged or destroyed.

But Republicans supporting the Life at Conception Act have been under scrutiny. The House version of the bill 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.

Schumer, in his floor remarks Thursday, argued that the proposal makes it clear theyre the same old anti-choice, anti-women party. The Biden campaigns rapid-response account on X similarly suggested that the proposal endorses a ban on all abortions in every single state and ripping away access to IVF.

- - -

Hannah Knowles and Jacqueline Alemany contributed to this report.

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SEASIDE, Calif. (KRON)  Hundreds of California police officers listened as Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn retold their real-life American Nightmare on Thursday.

The law enforcement training event was organized by Seaside Police Chief Nick Borges to learn from blunders made by the Vallejo Police Department after Huskins was kidnapped, raped, and falsely declared a hoaxster. The couples story was recently made into a popular Netflix documentary American Nightmare.

Huskins cried in front of an audience of officers while she described in detail what happened nine years ago. Huskins was kidnapped by a masked intruder who broke into her boyfriends Vallejo home on March 23, 2015. The kidnapper threw her in the trunk of a car and drugged Quinn until he lost consciousness.

Aaron Quinn, left, and Denise Huskins, right, signs her book at a law enforcement training event held on March 21, 2024 in Seaside. (KRON4 / Amy Larson)

Vallejo detectives almost immediately zeroed in on Quinn as their prime suspect. One detective interrogated Quinn for hours, peppering him with questions about a love triangle between the missing woman, Quinn, and Quinns ex-girlfriend.

He was asking me question after question about my relationship with Denise. I answer them all, I didnt hurt Denise. The detective says your story is very elaborate and far-fetched  he says I need to come clean, Quinn told the audience of officers.

Quinn retold the moment when he realized that police were not searching for Huskins kidnapper. Police believed they already had her killer sitting inside their interrogation room, he said. Its clear Im not a victim. Im a suspect, and the only suspect, Quinn said.

The detective eventually began calling Quinn a monster and murderer, interrogation room videos shown in the Netflix documentary revealed.

Denise Huskins talks to a Santa Cruz County Sheriffs deputy in Seaside on March 21, 2024. (KRON4 / Amy Larson)

An FBI agent gave Quinn a polygraph lie detect test. The FBI agent unhooks me and says Theres no question in my mind that you failed this test. (Huskins death) was either an accident or Im a monster.

Im staring at the same four walls wondering if I had a psychotic break, Quinn said. The interrogations were a classic case of confirmation bias and tunnel vision, he told the audience.

The kidnapper, Matthew Muller, held Huskins in captivity for 48 hours in South Lake Tahoe, raped her twice, and threatened to kill her if she spoke to police after.

This June 2015 mugshot provided by the Dublin Police Department shows Matthew Muller after he was arrested. (Mugshot via Dublin Police Department)

She reappeared unharmed outside her parents home in Huntington Beach. For a moment, before police and news reporters arrived at the Huntington Beach home, Huskins thought her nightmare was over. But it wasnt.

I go from one nightmare to the next. Theres a media storm building. Police tell me Im going to be granted  immunity, Huskins said. She was confused and wondered, Immunity from what? Im the victim of a crime.

Soon after, the Vallejo Police Department held a press conference. VPD spokesman Kenny Park accused Huskins and Quinn of faking the abduction, which spurred a massive search. Park expressed disgust over the resources supposedly squandered, and the fear it sparked in the community. It was such an incredible story, we initially had a hard time believing it, and upon further investigation, we couldnt substantiate any of the things he was saying, Park told reporters.

Huskins found out about the news conference from her defense attorney. He tells me, the Vallejo Police Department just held a press conference and they threw you under the bus, she said.

A member in the audience asked if the couple ever found out why VPD held the controversial news conference. Quinn answered, The chief of police said there was a lot of pressure from the media, so they needed to tell them something. It was a huge story, there was a lot of coverage.

The case made national media headlines as the Gone Girl kidnapping, in reference to a movie about a woman who faked her own abduction.

Huskins said she believes VPD was also driven by anger toward her, adding, They were very angry. The chief of police told (Park), Burn that b**ch.'

After police publicly declared the incident a hoax, Huskins underwent a rape survivor exam and went to the police station for questioning, hoping the give police information that would lead to her kidnappers arrest. However, the detectives main focus was not to find the truth, but to catch me in a lie, she said.

Seaside Police Chief Borges stood up in the audience and asked, Were you guys ever given a proper apology from law enforcement?

Quinn answered, The main actors have not, and tried to blame circumstances for their actions.

Chief Borges then asked the entire audience to stand, and he said, We are so sorry. The Seaside Police Department, located more than 100 miles south of Vallejo, was not involved in the Huskins kidnapping investigation. Borges organized the event as a learning opportunity for law enforcement officers from agencies across the Bay Area and Central Coast. Chief Borges said he requires all of his investigators to read the couples book, Victim F: From Crime Victims to Suspects to Survivors.

Borges told the audience, We gotta be better. Victim shaming and blaming? Its ridiculous. What are we doing? The book Victim F is now mandated in Seaside if you want to be an investigator.

Quinn said before Muller was caught, the couple battled depression, anxiety, and received hundreds of negative messages through social media.

Muller was arrested on June 8, 2015, in South Lake Tahoe for a home invasion that occurred in Dublin. A Dublin police detective, Misty Carausu, connected evidence seized in Mullers South Lake Tahoe home connecting him to the Huskins kidnapping case. Evidence included a fake gun with a flashlight, a long blond strand of hair on a pair of goggles, and rape tapes. The goggles and other evidence items matched the story that Quinn and Huskins told Vallejo police.

This is Dublin Police Det. Misty Carausu, the cop who cracked the Denise Huskins kidnapping case and caught rapist Matthew Muller. Huskins said Vallejo PD has never apologized directly to her. Carausu said Vallejo PD needs to take accountability for how it botched the case. pic.twitter.com/5nUCx6ykTE  Amy Larson (@AmyLarson25) March 21, 2024

At Thursdays training event, Carausu said Vallejo police had no interest in talking to her about their case. She continued calling VPD like a crazy ex-girlfriend, Carausu said.

Quinn said, Misty had compassion and curiosity for finding facts. Misty was relentless, she didnt give up. If she hadnt been as persistent, we wouldnt be here today. She saved our lives.

Muller later pleaded guilty to the kidnapping. He is currently serving a 40-year prison term for federal crimes, and a 31-year prison term for state crimes.

Huskins and Quinn married in September 2018 and are now parents of two daughters. The couple said they chose to take their American Nightmare public and continue sharing their experience to help other victims who are not believed.

Aaron Quinn, left, and Denise Huskins, right, talk to a Seaside police officer at a law enforcement training event held on March 21, 2024 in Seaside. (KRON4 / Amy Larson)

Huskins said, We refuse to live our lives in fear and hiding. We want to make change for our daughters  and others who may be lost in the (criminal justice) system. Our story is an example of the worst in people and the best in people. We have two beautiful daughters, our little ones give us so much joy. We want them to know that you can rise up even when you are knocked down.

Huskins told the police officers in the audience, I imagine most of you got into this because you want to help people. You want to be someones hero. Misty is ours.

The couple said law enforcement and the media can improve by approaching people with an open mind. You dont know everything. As soon as you say, I dont believe this person, that cuts off the opportunity to find out the truth, Huskins said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.





For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
DENVER (KDVR)  The Denver Police Department announced Friday that one of its officers was arrested on harassment charges.

Officer Ramone Young was arrested Thursday night by the Aurora Police Department on two counts of domestic violence-related harassment, according to a release from DPD.

Weld County cold case could be compromised due to allegedly mishandled forensic data

Young, who has been with the department for 10 years, has been placed in a non-patrol assignment while his case goes through the judicial process, DPD said.

DPD said its administrative review will be conducted once the case is adjudicated.

The Aurora Police Department is investigating the case, which will be prosecuted by the 18th Judicial District Attorneys Office.

DPD had no further comment, but FOX31 has reached out to police in Aurora for more details.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
RICHLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD)  An 85-year-old driver died Friday after a crash in Richland Township, deputies say.

The crash happened around 2:20 p.m. on M-89 near North 30th Street, according to the Kalamazoo County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies say a car was heading west when the driver lost control and slid into the eastbound lane. Then, an eastbound car hit the westbound car, causing injuries, according to the sheriffs office.

When deputies arrived, firefighters were providing medical aid to an unresponsive driver. Deputies say lifesaving efforts were not successful, and the driver, an 85-year-old from Richland, died on scene. The drivers name was not released Friday.

The other driver, a 46-year-old from Holland, experienced minor injuries, according to the sheriffs office.

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The office says M-89 reopened around 4 p.m. The crash remains under investigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
JUBA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan's ruling party, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), has proposed postponing parliamentary elections scheduled for December for another year.

"We propose that we conduct presidential and gubernatorial elections in December 2024, and the parliamentary elections to follow after one year of the elected government," said SPLM Secretary-General Peter Lam Both in a statement issued in the South Sudanese capital of Juba Thursday evening.

He disclosed that the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) is expected in April to approve a budget for election institutions, such as the Political Parties Council (PPC), the National Elections Commission (NEC), and the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC).

Lam called for dialogue among the parties to the 2018 revitalized peace agreement over the type of elections that should be conducted, saying South Sudan does not need a permanent constitution to conduct an election, as it currently has the 2011 transitional constitution in place.

"The political parties that are signatories to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS) must now dialogue on whether we will hold general or executive elections, given the budgetary considerations for elections," he said.

The SPLM reiterated its resolve not to extend the transitional period by another year, which ends in February 2025. 
The Rowan County Sheriffs Office says deputies served two search warrants at local gambling establishments this week and found guns, cash, and numerous gambling devices.

According to the sheriffs office on Friday, deputies raided the Shark Tank on Statesville Boulevard in Salisbury and the VIP2 on Highway 801 in Woodleaf after a months-long investigation.

RCSO said that before the raids, there had been a history of violence, weapons violations and drug transactions ... on their property, which has become a public nuisance within Rowan County.

The deputies found three semi-automatic pistols, and one felon was illegally in possession of a firearm.

A little over $67,000 in cash was found, and deputies seized over 100 computers, 15 stand-up gambling devices, six Fish Games tables, and two money counters.

According to Sheriff Travis Allen, authorities gave a warning to close the businesses before action was taken. Allen said many of these establishments closed for a short period of time, some permanently, and then gradually reopened.

The sheriffs office didnt say if anyone was arrested for the alleged gambling during the searches, but did say that charges from these search warrants will be forthcoming.

Well update this article when more information is made available.

(WATCH: Victims family holds on to hope 1 year after deadly arcade robbery in Salisbury)
Three suspects from Jacksonville were arrested on Wednesday by Flagler County Sheriffs Office deputies on multiple charges including grand theft.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

At around 3:10 p.m., the Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) was alerted to a stolen gray Hyundai Elantra on Palm Coast Parkway.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

The car was quickly found in the parking lot of a Home Depot in the area. The sheriffs office said deputies parked their vehicles to prevent an escape and made contact with two suspects. After confirming with the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office that the car was stolen, the two were placed under arrest.

Deputies found the steering column busted and the car running without a key in the ignition.

The driver, Malachi Quinn, 16, Jacksonville, was arrested for grand theft of a motor vehicle.

The passenger provided multiple names to deputies and she was uncooperative when trying to use RapidID technology to identify her. However, she did finally admit there was a third suspect who was attempting to steal from the Home Depot store.

The sheriffs office said that several witnesses saw the third suspect enter a nearby shed. He was quickly located and identified as Brendan Maddox, 28, of Orange Park. Several baggies of drugs were found behind a piece of wood inside the shed. They also found the womans ID and identified her as Savanna Woodruff, 18, Jacksonville.

Woodruff was arrested for grand theft, false name or identification given to law enforcement, and resisting an officer without violence. A Flagler County Sheriffs office spokesperson said in a statement that she was also a fugitive from Putnam County for failure to appear in an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and domestic violence battery case.

Maddox was arrested for grand theft of a motor vehicle, resisting an officer without violence, possession of methamphetamine, possession of cathinone, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also found to be a fugitive from Duval County for grand theft.

Woodruff is being held in a Flagler County jail without bail, while Maddox is on a $27,003 bond. Sixteen-year-old Quinn was released from the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice to his parents.

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly issued this statement concerning the arrests:

This trio thought that they could come to Flagler County in their stolen vehicle and steal from Home Depot, Sheriff Rick Staly said. They learned the hard way that was a bad decision. Im not sure what kind of tools they wanted to steal, but they quickly learned we have plenty of powerful tools in our toolbox to catch criminals. I commend our deputies and our Real Time Crime Center, and I thank our partners at Flagler County Fire Rescue for helping us find this stolen vehicle and put these car thieves in the Green Roof Inn. Sheriff Rick Staly

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Ukraine has already responded to alleged calls by the United States to stop attacks on Russian oil refineries "by achieving its goals and very successful operations" conducted inside Russia, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna said at the 16th Annual Kyiv Security Forum on March 22.

She was responding to a recent article in the Financial Times, which had alleged that a number of U.S. officials had pressured Kyiv into stopping Ukrainian attacks against Russian oil refineries, over fears that global gas prices could rise.

Read also: Major Indian refiner Reliance Industries rejecting Russian oil tankers amid US sanctions

However, statements by other officials indicate that Russian oil refineries are absolutely legitimate targets from a military point of view, said the official.

"We understand the call of our American partners, Stefanishyna explained.

Read also: Attacks on Russian refineries may affect global oil supply  report

"At the same time, we are fighting with the capabilities, resources, and practices we have today,"

She also recalled how in February 2022, she spoke with NATO Headquarters about playing their role and appealing to the UN to close the skies over Ukraine.

"In the NATO sense, closing the skies means destroying the infrastructure in the Russian Federation that makes it possible to bomb Ukrainian cities, factories that produce missiles, so we are actually acting in accordance with the best NATO standards," Stefanishyna said.

Attacks on Russian refineries

Recently, Ukraines SBU security service has successfully attacked at least 12 oil refineries in Russia recently, Reuters reported on March 17, citing a source in the service.

Read also: Drone attacks halt nitrate transshipment at large St Petersburg port, causing significant cargo loss

This figure does not take into account the operations of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry (HUR), which also carries out strikes on Russian refineries using drones.

According to the CEO of Gunvor Group Ltd. Torbjorn Tornqvist, Russia has lost about 600,000 barrels of daily refining capacity as a result of Ukrainian drone strikes.

A fire broke out at one of the plants in the city of Slaviansk-na-Kubani in Krasnodar Krai of the Russian Federation as a result of a drone attack overnight on March 16-17.

Read also: Ukraines strategic strikes aim to undermine Russia's economy and cut petrodollar flow to war effort

Several Russian refineries in different regions have been attacked by drones over the past week. Ukrainian intelligence and the SBU confirmed their involvement in some of these attacks in comments to NV.

Drones attacked the Kursk, Belgorod, Tula, Voronezh, Nizhny Novgorod, Bryansk, Leningrad, Oryol oblasts of Russia overnight on March 11-12, as well as Moscow. In the city of Oryol, explosions were heard near an oil depot where a fire broke out. A Lukoil oil depot in the Nizhny Novgorod Oblast was also ablaze.

Drones attacked the Voronezh, Kursk, Belgorod, Bryansk, Leningrad, and Lipetsk oblasts of Russia overnight on March 12-13, as well as an oil refinery in Ryazan, where a serious fire broke out.

A fire broke out at two refineries in Russias Samara Oblast overnight on March 15-16, which Russian media claimed to have been the result of a drone attack.



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
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a law that bans people experiencing homelessness from sleeping in public spaces overnight, a measure that follows a wave of similar legislation across the US targeting unhoused people.

Floridas bill, which opponents have warned does nothing to address the root causes of homelessness or provide longer-term solutions, prohibits public camping or sleeping  including the presence of bedding or pillows  on any public property, such as public parks.

Instead, the law directs local governments to open temporary campsites if shelters have reached capacity. It goes into effect in October.

At a press conference announcing the law on Wednesday, Mr DeSantis underscored that the measure is about law and order and intended to improve the quality of life for other people.

You should not be accosted by a homeless like we see, he said. You should be able to walk down the street and live your life.

In a statement announcing the measure, he said the law would not allow homeless encampments to intrude on its citizens or undermine their quality of life.

The legislation also requires local designate specific sites for outdoor sleeping, while offering behavioral health services and bathrooms with running water. If they dont, the law allows businesses and residents to sue.

Martha Are, executive director of the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida, has argued that the law could unnecessarily expose local governments to costly lawsuits if they dont have enough funding to operate such shelters.

If a city or county cant afford to provide such a place  and the expense to do so statewide would add up more than the entire state budget for homelessness  the bills enable any person or business to sue the jurisdiction if there are still people living on the streets, she wrote in an op-ed for the Orlando Sentinel.

The cities and counties will need to arrest everyone on the street  thus leaving the cities and counties vulnerable to civil rights lawsuits, she wrote. Or the cities and counties will ignore the statute, and so theyll face lawsuits.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signs a measure into law on 20 March that bans people from sleeping in public spaces. (Getty Images)

Floridas bill, which passed through the Republican-led legislature earlier this month, was signed into law roughly one month before the US Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in a landmark case that could determine whether local governments have the constitutional right to criminalize living outside and unsheltered when no other option is available.

Johnson v Grants Pass  based on a lawsuit from a group of people experiencing homelessness challenging an Oregon citys ban on public campaign  will be the first major Supreme Court case addressing homelessness in roughly 40 years when it reaches the justices on 22 April.

A decision that reverses a lower-court ruling in favour of the city of Grants Pass could have profound, far-reaching impacts on unhoused people, and could fly in the face of previous court rulings that held that criminalising homelessness constitutes cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment.

Miami police speak with an unhoused person before a street is cleared in 2021. Under a new Florida law, effective this October, unhoused people cannot sleep in public spaces. (AP)

Since 2017, the number of people experiencing homelessness across the country has risen by more than 8 per cent to more than 653,000, according to the results of the US Department of Housing and Urban Developments latest point-in-time survey from January 2023.

More than 50,000 of those people are living in Deep South states, including Florida, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

At least 30,000 people in Florida are unhoused. The state has the third-highest rate of homelessness in the US, behind California and New York.

Last year, neighboring Georgia enacted a measure to enforce bans on public camping, without first studying the impacts of the legislation. More than 12,000 people in the state were unhoused that year.

While those rates are increasing, state and local lawmakers  relying on draft legislation from law enforcement think tank the Cicero Institute  have introduced roughly three dozen measures this year aimed at banning unhoused people from panhandling and sleeping in public places.

In recent years the number of people experiencing homelessness has risen and so too have the efforts to criminalize this. We see this across the country, according to Gina Azito Thompson, a policy analyst for the Southern Poverty Law Centers Eradicating Poverty initiative and the author of the report Sheltering Injustice: A Call for Georgia to Stop Criminalizing People Experiencing Homelessness.

Homelessness itself is a traumatic experience. Rather than further traumatize people by making the simple act of sitting and sleeping a crime, the simple and proven solution is just to give people resources and housing, Azito Thompson said.
ORLANDO, Fla.  Efforts to repeal the free kill provision of Floridas Wrongful Death Act saw progress during this years legislative session but ultimately failed, leaving advocates disappointed that millions of Floridians still have no pathway to sue if their loved ones are killed by medical malpractice.

The 1990 statute states that if a doctors mistake kills someone whos over 25, unmarried, and without children under 25, no one can sue for noneconomic damages, also known as pain and suffering. This bars loved ones from pursuing suits because the payout for economic damages often is so small that no lawyer will take the case.

The law applies to people including widowed seniors and unmarried adults without children. Critics call these people free kills.

Defenders say the law is necessary to cut down on medical malpractice insurance premiums and, by extension, consumer health care costs. Floridas malpractice insurance rates are among the highest in the country, despite having the free-kill law on the books.

Five total or partial repeal bills were proposed. All failed to gain traction before Floridas 2024 legislative session ended March 8.

This legislative session was terribly disappointing in the fact that there were so many bills, and then nothing happened, said Marcia Scheppler of Lakeland.

Her son Joseph JoJo Thompson died of septic shock in 2019 at age 29, shortly after being turned away from the first Florida hospital where his mom took him.

He had severe intellectual and developmental disabilities and the mental age of a 2-year-old. He could not marry or have children, making him a free kill as soon as he turned 25. Changing the law now wouldnt bring him justice, but Scheppler is determined to improve things for others.

I miss my son every day. He made me a better person, Scheppler said. This should never happen to anyone.

State Sen. Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, said he plans to refile his bill to undo free kill next year. His measure, SB 248, had a single hearing in the Senate before the legislative session ended.

I do believe it is an unjust law, Yarborough said. It is now 34 years on the books. There have undoubtedly been instances of medical negligence covered over because of that law.

One controversial sticking point with Yarboroughs proposal was an amendment that would have put a cap on all malpractice lawsuits.

Yarborough proposed limiting noneconomic damages to $500,000 for a suit involving a doctor and $750,000 for nonpractitioners. He said he is open to negotiating the amounts.

This amendment won support from leading industry groups such as the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association and Florida Hospital Association, which have historically defended free kill as necessary to reduce malpractice insurance premiums.

Yarborough called those caps an acceptable compromise that would allow families to get justice while balancing rising health-care costs. About 30 states have such caps.

The Florida Supreme Court struck down medical malpractice caps as unconstitutional in 2014 and 2017. Yarborough said its possible the court with its present makeup could rule differently.

But the cap proposal has turned off some advocates of the repeal.

Melody Page, who in 2017 co-founded a grass-roots working group aiming to change the law called the Florida Medical Rights Association, said shes grateful for the awareness that the Senate hearing brought but is relieved SB 248 didnt pass.

That bill, had it gone through, would have affected a lot of living people who suffered malpractice and you know, it wasnt worth the trade, Page said. I dont think we should be compromising on peoples lives.

Page said she has zero confidence the current Legislature will pass a reform given their failure to do so over the last several years. She added that she feels many current legislators are on the side of big corporations rather than the people.

Others, like Sabrina Davis, were willing to accept restricted malpractice payouts if it led to a repeal.

Davis, from Gainesville, lost her father in 2020. The Florida Department of Health ruled his doctor committed malpractice, and gave the doctor a small fine and a letter of concern. Barred from pursuing a lawsuit on behalf of her dad, Davis says she doesnt feel she got justice.

One of the proposed repeals this session was named after her dad: the Keith Davis Family Protection Act, SB 442/HB 129. Though that bill didnt gain traction, Davis said it was huge that Yarboroughs bill got a Senate hearing.

The Senate has historically been less receptive to repealing the statute than the House, which passed repeal bills in 2021 and 2022 by overwhelming margins.

Davis said she is optimistic the added awareness increases the odds of a repeal next session.

This law being talked about in the Senate was record-breaking, Davis said. To hear some senators refer to it as an injustice  thats a huge step, just to have that on record. That somebody admitted that, that the Legislature acknowledged that, is super powerful.

Grass-roots advocates such as Scheppler, Page and Davis have spotlighted the free-kill law by writing lawmakers and traveling to Tallahassee to share their stories.

Those activists should keep working, said state Rep. Spencer Roach.

My message to the families is youve been heard, said the North Fort Myers Republican. Youve been heard not just by me but many of my colleagues in the House. This is a good example of how grass-roots activism and engagement still matters.

Roach sponsored a bill this session, HB 77, that would have partially repealed free kill by allowing parents to pursue damages on behalf of their adult children.

Roach, who has sponsored a bill seeking to walk back the free-kill law for four consecutive years, said he plans to reintroduce it again if he wins reelection in November. He said bundling a repeal with a cap on noneconomic damages is a nonstarter for him.

I am going to continue to file it every year in the hopes we can repeal this absolutely draconian law, Roach said.

_____
MARGATE CITY, N.J. (PIX11)  Tens of thousands of people from all over the world travel to one part of New Jersey each year to get a look at a historical landmark. In Margate City, Lucy the Elephant has withstood the test of time.

Watch the video player for more on this story.

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New development being considered near the future DeLand SunRail station would bring new businesses and residents just north of the area and tie into the Spring-to-Spring Trail.

The proposed development is on about 42 acres at 2433 W. New York Ave. and about 2 miles west of North Spring Garden Avenue. The site is about a mile's walking distance from the future DeLand SunRail station, which is scheduled to open this summer at 2491 Old New York Ave.  SunRail allows people to bring their bicycles on the train.

The development would include 121 single-family residential units and 36,000 square feet of commercial uses along State Road 44. If the project is approved, work on the residential side of the development would start in 2025. Work on the commercial side would start in 2030.

Michael Woods, attorney for the project, shared details at Thursday's Planning and Land Development Regulation Commission meeting.

If approved, the project would provide right-of-way to help complete the Spring-to-Spring Trail, which would connect with part of the development. The Spring-to-Spring Trail is expected to stretch about 26 miles from DeLeon Springs State Park to Gemini Springs Park in DeBary, according to Volusia County.

"It's a fantastic amenity, and we're real excited to be able to put houses right on it," Woods said.

Woods sought the planning commission's support for a rezoning and a Comprehensive Plan amendment to complete the project. If approved, the zoning would change from Rural Agricultural to Planned Unit Development. The Comprehensive Plan designation for the land would change from Rural to Commercial and Urban Low Intensity.

The planning commission voted 4-2 to recommend approval to the County Council after an initial 3-3 vote.

Some members raised concerns about the project contributing to flooding and traffic in the area.

"Rush hour is a major problem right now," board member Stony Sixma said.

Board Chairman Ronnie Mills changed his vote to recommend approval and break the tie, but he said he wanted at least some "no" votes so that the council would consider the commission's concerns. Mills also voiced concern about the possibility of residents dealing with odor from construction debris from a nearby landfill.

Woods responded to the concern via email to The News-Journal.

"We dont believe this will be a concern for our residents," he said.

Guests board the SunRail train during a groundbreaking ceremony for the new SunRail expansion station in DeLand, Monday, May 22, 2023.

Woods also said via email that the project won't contribute to flooding issues at surrounding properties.

"No, our engineers are very aware of the unique drainage issues presenting themselves elsewhere in the (southeast) portion of the city," Woods said. "There is no indication of any such conditions here and the site will be engineered to contain its runoff on-site."

SunRail system moving closer to transition

SunRail connects Volusia County with Seminole, Orange and Osceola counties across about 50 miles and 16 stations, including one in DeBary. It began operating in 2014, and the Florida Department of Transportation pays for and operates the system with guidance from the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission.

Officials from the city of Orlando and Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties  including County Council Chair Jeff Brower  lead the commission. The Commuter Rail Commission is expected to fully take over the system through "a third-party operating entity" starting on Jan. 1, 2028, according to Volusia County.

As part of the transition in the system's leadership, the local government partners are expected to start funding operations in 2025 while the FDOT is still running the system. The first fiscal year is expected to cost up to $63 million, and the share covered by each government depends on a formula.

Coming soon: Volusia County Council OKs scaled-back development with up to 100 townhomes near DeLand

Volusia County will probably spend about $6 million to $7 million a year for SunRail under the current system hours, County Manager George Recktenwald said.

"If the nights and weekends are added then I think you might be approaching more like the $9-10 million range," he said.

The county can decline to participate in expanded service if that is considered for the SunRail system.

The County Council this week voted in support of the transition plan and updated governance agreement, which included the cost.

The Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission is scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. Thursday in the LYNX Central Station Administration Building in Orlando. Agenda information will be posted at least three days before the meeting at https://corporate.sunrail.com. People can join the meeting by phone by calling 415-930-5229 and dialing access code 422-034-428.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: New DeLand development would link into bike trail near SunRail station
Frank Hester allegedly said Diane Abbott made him "want to hate all black women".

West Yorkshire Police has launched an investigation into alleged racist comments made by a top Tory donor.

Officers are investigating after Frank Hester reportedly said Diane Abbott, the UK's longest-serving black MP, made him "want to hate all black women".

The Guardian alleged the Leeds businessman, who has given 10m to the Tories, also said she "should be shot".

The force said it is working to establish if "a crime has been committed".

Mr Hester has apologised for making "rude" comments about the former-Labour MP but said his remarks "had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin".

He allegedly made the remarks about Ms Abbott while criticising a female executive at another organisation during a meeting at his company's headquarters in Leeds in 2019.

The Guardian reported that he went on to say: "It's like trying not to be racist but you see Diane Abbott on the TV, and you're just like I hate, you just want to hate all black women because she's there, and I don't hate all black women at all, but I think she should be shot."

Ms Abbott, who has been suspended by Labour and now sits as an independent MP, reported the comments to the Metropolitan Police on 11 March and the London force passed it on to West Yorkshire.

She has previously called the comments "frightening" adding the "fact that two MPs have been murdered in recent years makes talk like this all the more alarming".

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called the comments "racist" and "wrong" but argues Mr Hester's apology should be accepted.
NEW DELHI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Workers and supporters of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), or Common Man Party, on Friday protested against arrest of its chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over his alleged role in the controversial Excise Policy Scam in 2021.

The Enforcement Directorate arrested Kejriwal Thursday night after questioning him for hours at his official residence amid tight security.

Several ministers in the Delhi government were also detained by Delhi police on Friday while protesting along with hundreds of AAP supporters. AAP officials and workers were heard chanting slogans against the federal government for "killing democracy."

During the day, judges of the Supreme Court of India are likely to hear a plea from the AAP.

It was alleged that Kejriwal was involved in receiving nearly 1 billion Indian rupees (around 12 million U.S. dollars) for awarding contracts for sale of liquor in Delhi after announcing the new Delhi Excise Policy in 2021.

The directorate had served several summonses to Kejriwal over the past couple of months asking him to appear before it for questioning in the alleged scam. But he evaded the summons saying the directorate had no authority to summon or question him without any credible evidence.

Meanwhile, similar protests against Kejriwal's arrest were also reported in Chennai, the capital city of the southern state of Tamil Nadu.

The political developments assume significance as the country will witness the general parliamentary elections from April 19. Voting in Delhi is scheduled to take place in the sixth phase on May 25. 
IONIA, MICHIGAN - JULY 19: Kyle Rittenhouse (right), the then-17-year-old who, in 2020, shot and killed two protestors in Kenosha, Wisconsin, claimed self-defense, and was found not guilty, speaks to supporters of the 2nd Amendment at a Defend Our 2A: Michigans Fight for Self Preservation rally at a farm on July 19, 2023 in Ionia, Michigan. The rally was moved this year from the Michigan State Capitol where it was previously held. Other speakers at the rally are former Arizona Sheriff Richard Mack, and Mark and Patricia McCloskey. - Photo: Bill Pugliano (Getty Images)

Kyle Rittenhouse rushed off the stage on Thursday during a speaking event, after a crowd repeatedly booed the infamous conservative activist, who shot and killed two people during a Black Lives Matter protest.



In a now viral video, Rittenhouse can be seen exiting the stage at the University of Memphis as boos erupt from the crowd.

Rittenhouse fatally shot two people after driving to a Black Lives Matter protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin. However, he was acquitted on all criminal charges.

In the intervening years, Rittenhouse has become a celebrated figure on the right  speaking all across the country promoting conservative causes. The event on Thursday, titled Rittenhouse Recap was held by Turning Points USA at the University of Memphis. According to the events website, he was supposed to speak on the importance of the Second Amendment and the lies of BLM.

However, students at the University, held his feet to the fire, questioning him about his choice to work with Charlie Kirk CEO of Turning Points USA. Charlie Kirk has said a lot of racist things, said one audience member, in an interaction captured by The Hill. Rittenhouse denied that Kirk had said anything racist, until he was confronted with a list of the racist things Kirk said, at which point he said he didnt know anything about that.

Rittenhouses camp has denied that he left the stage due to being booed.



The insinuations that Kyle stormed off the stage are ridiculous. He warned that it was his last question, he received a question that was not in good faith about somebody other than himself and so he declined to comment, a spokesperson for Turning Points USA told Hill. And then he ended the Q&A portion and left and spent two hours with our Turning Point USA students.

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Editor's Note: The Kyiv Independent is exclusively re-publishing an interview with Dmytro Vovk prepared by Forum for Ukrainian Studies, a research publication for experts, practitioners, and academics to discuss, explore, reflect upon, develop, and transform international understanding of contemporary affairs in Ukraine. This platform is run by the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (CIUS) of the University of Alberta (Edmonton, Canada).

Dmytro Vovk is a visiting professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Prior to 2022, Vovk was director of the Center for the Rule of Law and Religion at the Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University in Ukraine, where he was also Professor of Law.

CIUS: Even before the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, you argued that the war with Russia since 2014 had changed church-state relations in Ukraine. Can you describe that evolution?

Dmytro Vovk: There are two main trends here, which overlap. The first trend is securitization, and the second one is a drift to a more cooperationist model of church-state relations with respect to securitization. Since 2014, religion, and especially inter-Orthodox competition, has become a matter of security concern for Ukraine. Before the war, there were several academics, experts, and some politicians promoting this sort of spiritual security approach, but it was never a matter of urgent high political priority or comprehensive state policies.

When the war began, the situation dramatically changed. First, the state played a crucial role in establishing the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) and obtaining a Tomosgrant of ecclesiastical independenceby the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. In addition, the state implemented several restrictive measures against the OCUs main rival, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church historically and ecclesiastically affiliated with the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC), including the forced renaming of the Church; more intrusive regulation of decision-making processes in order to simplify the transition of the UOC communities to the OCU; and the deprivation of the Moscow Patriarchates right to send their chaplains to the Ukrainian military forces. All these measures were implemented as security-related measures, either in a narrow sense of military and political security, or in a broader sense of spiritual or cultural security.

Regarding the second trend, there are several examples of the state and church becoming closer to each other. For instance, prison and military chaplaincy appeared after 2014, the state started recognizing religious educational and academic degrees, and the state gave religions the right to establish educational institutions (by the way, this did not cause any sort of spike of new religious schools or universities). We are also having an extensive discussion whether chaplains are needed for educational institutions and hospitals. So religion has become more visible in the public space. Religious prayer breakfasts have become regular practices both at the central and local levels of government.

Religions, especially the main churches, have also played some role in the promotion of Ukraines aspirations toward European integration and in disseminating knowledge about Russian aggression, both within the country and abroad. However, Im not sure of the extent of their importance, especially since most Ukrainians support European integration for purely secular reasons.

The interesting question here is whether this drift will result in some form of official or endorsed church in the country, because we see some signals from the OCU and its political sponsors that they would like to have some sort of special status as the church of majority or a historical church. But at the same time, the religious landscape and the rather strong political positions of religious minorities in Ukraine will probably make it very difficult to establish a special partnership between the state and the OCU, as in, for example, Georgia, Romania, Russia, or Belarus, where there is a very strong Orthodox partnership with the state.

These trends, however, do not constitute a linear process, from less religion to more religion or from less cooperation to more cooperation. In 2019, President Zelenskyi completely changed the trend. He seems to be very secular and has no personal interest in religious issues (at least, at the level of institutionalized religion). Given that, he was mostly ignorant of religion and religious leaders in the first years of his presidency.

The situation changed significantly after the beginning of the full-scale invasion. In December 2022, Zelenskyi declared a goal to preserve what he called spiritual independence and to ensure that Ukrainian spiritual spaces, like the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, for example, are liberated from Russian influence, and that Ukrainian religious communities are not affiliated with Russia. Still, the president seems to be acting more in response to growing public demands and negative attitudes towards the UOC than taking initiative and leadership himself on these issues.

This is an interesting moment, because the state seems to be simultaneously sending society two different signals. At the presidential level, Zelenskyi treats this issue as any other political issue, in a purely political manner. He feels great public pressure to deal with the UOC that the public opinion associates with Russia and tries to respond to it, but is not eager in making any tectonic changes in church-state relations and religious life more broadly. For example, I think Zelenskyi is not interested in making any sort of alliances with the OCU or plays to strengthen this church. But at the lower levels of government (for instance, at the level of the Ukrainian State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience), we see signals that Ukraines religious landscape must be radically changed and that the UOC in its current form should somehow disappear, either by self-declaring autocephaly or by joining the OCU.

Read the full interview here.

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Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

Russia launched another large-scale drone and missile attack against Ukrainian cities overnight on March 22, targeting Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Kryvyi Rih, primarily aiming at the energy infrastructure.

Attacks were also reported in Khmelnytskyi, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Vinnytsia, Kirovohrad, Lviv, Sumy, Poltava, and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts.

Regional authorities said that there were at least five killed and 31 injured among the casualties reported so far.

"The enemy launched one of the largest attacks on the Ukrainian energy sector in recent weeks," Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko wrote on Facebook.

"The goal is not just to damage it, but, just like last year, to cause a large-scale disruption in the country's energy system." Russian forces launched a campaign of mass strikes against Ukraine's power grid in late 2022 and early 2023 but failed to put it out of action.

Zaporizhzhia's Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant, Ukraine's largest hydroelectric station, was hit during the attack, Ukrhydroenergo announced on March 22. The company reported fire at the station but said there is no threat of a dam breach, adding that the situation is under control.

Traffic across the Dnipro Dam was blocked following the Russian attack, the police in Zaporizhzhia Oblast said. A trolleybus was hit and caught on fire when a Russian projectile targeted the dam, and its 62-year-old driver was killed, Governor Ivan Fedorov said. No passengers were on board.

The head of Ukrainian state-owned energy company Ukrhydroenergo, Ihor Syrota, said that one of the stations of the Dnipro power plant, the Hydroelectric Power Station-2 (HPS-2), suffered critical damage. The Hydroelectric Power Station-1 was also not operating, he added.

Syrota announced at around 12 p.m. that the fire had been contained, but the engine room remained inaccessible for specialists due to heavy smoke.

Two other civilians have been killed in Zaporizhzhia proper: a 35-year-old man and his eight-year-old daughter, Fedorov said. At least 25 people have been reported as injured.

Fedorov also said earlier that Russian missiles destroyed four houses and damaged over 40 in Zaporizhzhia.

Situated on the Dnipro River just north of the Kakhovka Reservoir, the Dnipro Dam is 800 meters long and holds up a water reservoir of approximately 3.3 cubic kilometers. Last year, Russian forces destroyed the Kahkovka Dam and the adjacent hydroelectric station located downstream of the Dnipro Dam, causing a humanitarian and ecological catastrophe across southern Ukraine.

Overnight on March 22, Russian forces also struck the energy infrastructure in the city of Kharkiv, leading to a near-complete loss of power in the city. At least 15 explosions were reported.

The State Emergency Service said at 10:23 local time that about 700,000 Kharkiv residents were left without power. One employee of a targeted energy infrastructure facility in the city was reportedly injured.

Regional authorities also said that critical infrastructure was hit in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, namely in Kryvyi Rih, as well as in the Pavlohrad, Kamianske, and Dnipro districts. No casualties were reported.

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe's largest nuclear power station currently occupied by Russia, was in an "extremely dangerous" situation following the attack, Energoatom announced early on March 22.

An external power line that links the station to Ukraine's energy system was disconnected following the strikes, the Ukrainian state-owned company said.

"The situation is extremely dangerous and threatens to cause an emergency. If the last communication with the domestic power grid is severed, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant will suffer another blackout," Energoatom head Petro Kotin said.

At 10:53 local time, Energoatom reported that the power line had been repaired.

Read also: Lives are falling apart: Kyiv residents shook by another mass missile attack

In Lviv Oblast, a Russian drone hit an energy infrastructure facility in the Stryi district, Governor Maksym Kozytskyi reported.

"A fire broke, but it has been extinguished by firefighters. As of now, there is no information about casualties," Kozytskyi wrote on Telegram.

The attacks injured at least two people and damaged a critical infrastructure facility in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, Governor Svitlana Onyshchuk and the State Emergency Service said. No power outages were reported in the region.

Two people were killed in Khmelnytskyi Oblast, and at least eight were wounded, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said. Rescue workers are continuing to search for other possible casualties amid the rubble.

Russia launched 60 Shahed-type drones and almost 90 missiles of various types against Ukraine in the overnight strike, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

"There are no delays in Russian missiles like there are in assistance to our country," Zelensky wrote on Telegram.

"Shaheds are not undecisive, like some politicians. It is important to understand the cost of delays. Patriot systems must protect Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia."

Polish and other allied jets were scrambled in response to the attacks, the Operational Command of Poland's Armed Forces said.

Ukraine's air defense is in an increasingly difficult situation as ammunition supplies from the U.S., a key military donor, remain blocked due to political disputes in Congress.

Read also: With arrival of spring, a look at Russias winter strikes on Kyiv

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Russia struck the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Station (HES) with two missiles, causing critical damage to the HES-2 station and damaging support structures and overhead beams, Ukrhydroenergo director, Ihor Syrota, told Radio Svoboda (Liberty) on March 22.

The Dnipro HES in Zaporizhzhya consists of two stations, both of which are non-operational right now, Syrota said.

Read also: Russias massive attack on Zaporizhzhya shuts down traffic across Dniprovska hydroelectric plant

"HES-2 is in critical condition, and HES-1 is also not operational at the moment, he said.

We are taking measures to raise the gates and release water because we cannot process water through the station."

Read also: Ukraine downs 92 of 151 air targets during Russian mass missile strike

The turbine hall and electrical equipment at the station must be fully restored.

HES-2 may be unable to operate for some time or will have limited functionality, Syrota said, adding that detailed information on the impacts of the Russian strikes on HES would become available later in the day.

There were no reported casualties among the employees of the Dnipro HES, the Ukrhydroenergo head reported.

Read also: Critical infrastructure hit in Vinnytsia in Russias latest mass missile barrage

Missile strike on Dnipro HES on March 22  what's known

Russia launched its most extensive attack on Ukraine's energy system in at least a year, damaging facilities in many oblasts on March 22.

Read also: Zelenskyy responds to Russia's mass missile assault on Ukraine, calls for air defense support

Russian forces targeted the Dnipro HES dam with a missile that struck a passenger trolleybus carrying civilians, Mariupol Mayoral advisor Petro Andriushchenko, reported, posting a photo showing damage to the hydroelectric station's dam.

Traffic through the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Station has been completely halted, the National Police Department reported, adding that "DniproHES is standing," contrary to fake news reports spread by the Russians.

Read also: Under control  Though ablaze after RU attack, no threat of breach at Ukraines largest hydro dam

Ukrhydroenergo later confirmed the strike on the HES and the fire, saying there is no threat of a dam breach, and noting that the situation is under control.

The attack on the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Station marks the most significant blow to the facility during the war, with Russia aiming to completely incapacitate the hydroelectric power station, Ukrenergo, head, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, reported.

The Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Station consists of two power plants, forming a single complex of hydraulic structures located under one dam  Dnipro HES-1 (10 hydroelectric units with radial-axial type turbines) and Dnipro HES-2 (8 hydroelectric units: 6 with Kaplan turbines, 2 with propeller turbines).

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
There may be problems with water supply in the upper part of the city of Dnipro due to a power shortage, Dnipro Mayor Borys Filatov announced on Telegram on March 22.

"Due to the lack of power supply, there may be problems with water supply in the upland part of the city," he wrote.

The city water utility company will finish [repairs] by 9.00 p.m. Please take a little extra water, but you need not fill whole bathtubs. Also, follow the official messages of the military administration and the city council.

Read also: Casualties in Russias biggest attack of 2024: hydro, thermal, and nuclear stations in 8 regions hit

Russia carried out a mass attack on Ukraine's power grid on March 22.

Russian strikes targeted and hit generation facilities, transmission, and distribution systems in various regions across Ukraine.

There are power outages in some regions. Engineers are already working to restore power to affected households.

In total, Russian forces launched 12 missile attacks on Zaporizhzhya, destroying seven buildings and damaging a further 35.

Read also: Under control  Though ablaze after RU attack, no threat of breach at Ukraines largest hydro dam

Police reported a "complete restriction" of traffic on the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant dam. The advisor to the mayor of Mariupol, Petro Andriushchenko, said that the Russians had hit the dam of the Dnipro HPP.

In addition, critical infrastructure facilities were hit in Kryvyi Rih. Rolling blackouts have been introduced in the city to compensate for the lack of power.

Energy company DTEK announced the introduction of emergency blackouts in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

Read also: Over 70,000 soldiers and numerous weaponry units deployed on left bank of Dnipro  Armed Forces

Kharkiv is almost completely without electricity after the Russian military carried out more than 15 attacks on energy facilities.

Stabilization blackouts were introduced in Odesa as power facilities were damaged in the region.

Blackouts in Donetsk Oblast were also reported.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Donald Trumps upcoming Manhattan trial over his Stormy Daniels hush money cover-up was unceremoniously delayed last week when federal prosecutors suddenly dumped 200,000 pages worth of evidence at his request.

But what was unknownuntil nowis that the Justice Department had been holding back similar records from public disclosure for years.

Judge Rips Into Michael Cohen for Bank Fraud Trial Perjury

The surprise decision by federal prosecutors at the Southern District of New York, which worked on a previous iteration of this investigation before Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg picked up the baton, has thrown the case into chaos just weeks before the trial.

The fog has everyone blaming each other. The DAs office says Trump played delay games by waiting until the last minute to ask for these records. Trumps lawyers claim the new files show that the DA held back exculpatory evidence. Meanwhile, legal scholars on the sidelines are asking why the feds unexpectedly presented a trove of new documents to the former president.

But an untold piece of this puzzle is that Michael Cohen, the one-time Trump confidant and fixer whom Bragg is relying on to prove that Trump broke the law, had been asking for many of these same records for more than two yearsonly to face stiff resistance from the Department of Justice.

Cohen, who feels that the feds unfairly prosecuted him for the hush money deal while never going after his former boss, teamed up with journalist Brian Karem to demand records from the FBI and DOJ.

In December 2021, Karem filed a Freedom of Information Act request for records related to the investigation and prosecution led by the U.S. Attorneys Office at the Southern District of New York, taking the extra step of getting Cohens express permission to obtain information about him. After not hearing back from the feds, Karem sued.

In court filings, the FBI in New York eventually identified over 450,000 pages of potentially responsive material and promised to roll out 500 pages a month to Karem starting in August 2022.

But it wasnt until March 11 this year that the FBI finally started turning over those records to Cohen, which are marked unclassified. And when it did, the first batch was a measly 32 pages.

Michael Cohen and his attorney Danya Perry arrive at Trumps civil fraud trial at New York State Supreme Court in October 2023. Spencer Platt/Getty

By comparison, SDNYthat very same weekhad just sent a whopping 73,193 documents about the same investigation in Trumps direction. The feds had fast-tracked a request by Trumps lead defense lawyer, Todd Blanche, who was looking for information that could undercut the Manhattan DAs case and undermine Cohens credibility.

Cohen thinks the DOJ was only spurred into handing him those 32 pages because it had already handed over 6,250 times as many to the former president.

Trump put in a request for the documents in January, so that orange piece of shit in 45 days gets documents that Ive been waiting on for years, Cohen told The Daily Beast. Im angry that hes able to delay this case.

Indeed, Blanche filed a formal request to SDNY on Jan. 22. One month later, the politically appointed top federal prosecutor at the office, Damian Williams, wrote a letter authorizing the release of those records to the DA, so they could be reviewed and promptly handed over to the Trump legal team.

Karem, a Salon columnist in Washington who hosts his own podcast, expressed his frustration that the DOJ had worked so hard to slow down him and Cohenbut kicked into high gear when the former president came knocking.

When Donald Trump says theres a two-tiered justice system, that stupid motherfucker is exactly right! Heres the problem: Hes on the top tier, and the rest of us arent, he told The Daily Beast on Wednesday.

On Thursday, Trumps 2024 presidential campaign communications director, Steven Cheung, responded with a swipe at Cohen that referenced the previous days news.

Michael Cohen is a convicted, repeated perjurer and compulsive liar. Nothing he says can be taken as anything other than fiction. Just yesterday a federal judge refused to reduce his supervised release sentence because he continues to lie and cheat the system, including lying on the stand in the NYAG case and his A.I.-generated legal brief. No ethical prosecutor or judge can use Cohens testimony in any case, Cheung said.

The DOJ did not respond to a request for comment.

In court, DOJ lawyers in Washington have spent 24 months filing 18 status reports listing a litany of reasons for why the records simply werent available to Cohen and Karem yet, citing a painstaking and time-intensive review by federal prosecutors at SDNY who have other litigating and prosecutorial responsibilities.

Theyve also claimed that the FBI cant simply turn over records documenting the way agents went about with their investigation, citing a need to seek consultations from more than 25 other government agencies with overlapping equities.

How Trump Got Michael Cohens Emails Over DA Objections

Now that Karem sees the way SDNY quickly moved to fulfill Trumps request in just a month and a half, he balked at the excuses he got for years.

I dont want to hear that you cant produce it for me, he said. If Congress is going to tell us that theyre for transparency, then make the government a little more transparent.

By contrast, state court filings reflect that SDNY has turned over 119,000 pages meant for Trump this month alone. A source familiar with the situation told The Daily Beast that total was bumped up to 200,000 pages this week.

The former presidents lawyers are employing that recent development to accuse Bragg of holding back information relevant to the casewhat would amount to any dirt the feds picked up when they took the first bite of the apple and chose to not indict Trump. The move plays into Trumps goal to discredit Cohen.

Braggs office has fiercely denied violating information-sharing rules in court, claiming that Trumps team engaged in underhanded tactics by firing off an eleventh hour request for largely duplicative documents from the fedstiming that assistant district attorney Matthew Colangelo called a function of defendants own delay.

On March 8, Trumps attorney Blanche also asked the New York judge overseeing the hush money case, Justice Juan Merchan, to sanction the DAs office for improperly redacting SDNY & FBI materials that could shed light on details of their handling of requests for benefits and favors by Cohen, [Stormy Daniels, and] any other witness.

On Monday, Colangelo wrote to the state judge that any complaints about redactions are bogus because Trump actually got unredacted versions of the same materials in a single folder, a fact that suggests he is more interested in manufacturing and publicizing perceived discovery violations then in using the materials provided to prepare for trial in this matter.

Stormy Daniels Is Going to Screw Trumps Campaign Schedule

But while the DAs prosecutors and Trumps defense lawyers bicker about the sudden appearance of documents related to the FBIs hush money investigation, Cohen is fuming. Hes flummoxed that Trump could simply leapfrog his way to victorybeating Cohen in the race to get the mans own government files.

Cohen called on Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate what he chalked up to an ongoing grudge by federal prosecutors at the office that went after him so aggressivelybut would not pursue a case against Trump while he was in the White House, in large part due to constant resistance from William Barr, then Trumps AG.

That scandal has received scant attention despite its monumental implications and was detailed by Geoffrey Berman, who led the prestigious SDNY office at the time.

The Southern District of New York believes themselves to be above everyone and everything. They refer to themselves grossly as the Sovereign District of New York. Theyre not obligated to. They threaten. Theyre coercive. They lie, Cohen fumed. Then they get seven-figure jobs with the top law firms.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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On July 15, Richard Hanson of Newton was arrested after he allegedly beat his wife, Nancy Hanson, to death with a baseball bat.

That murder involving intimate partners was one of 19 in the state 2023 tracked by Jane Doe Inc., a statewide coalition of public and private agencies that work to prevent gender-based violence.

The numbers are unofficial  the state has not released the final 2023 data and Jane Doe Inc. bases most of its numbers by tracking media accounts of intimate partner murders, organization Executive Director Debra Robbin said.

The 19 homicides are a little above the yearly average since 2013  18.1  and six lower than in 2022 when there were 25 throughout the state.

Richard Hanson, right, of Newton, at his Newton District Court arraignment last July. He is charged with killing his wife, Nancy, one of 19 domestic violence homicides in the state that occurred in 2023, according to Jane Doe Inc.

However, Robbin said people shouldn't read too much into recent numbers  rather, she said every year has to be judged on its own.

"There are different factors each year," she said. "It's not something that can be judged year to year or even over a 10-year period."

More: 'He had the intention of killing her.' Westborough man held in hotel parking lot slaying

Those numbers do not include non-intimate partner domestic homicides. For example, the murder of Nancy Uhlman of Westborough on June 1, 2023, in Marlborough, allegedly by her son, Daniel Uhlman, is not included in that number. The death of Eric Murray of Marlborough on Aug. 2, allegedly stabbed to death by his girlfriend, Darlene Carreras, who is charged with manslaughter, is included.

One-third of all women report domestic violence

Domestic violence is a problem in the state  one in three women and one in five men report violence, rape or stalking involving an intimate partner during their life, according to Jane Doe Inc. In addition, one-third of transgendered people say they have been threatened with violence by a partner compared to 13.6% of cisgendered people.

Incidents of domestic violence, as a whole, increased during the pandemic as more and more people were trapped in homes, often with their abusers.

Sixmarie Rodriguez, program director for Framingham-based Voices Against Violence  said the number of domestic violence incidents has declined since pandemic restrictions were lifted.

"There has been a very high uptick during the pandemic  it was extremely high compared to what we see now," she said. "People weren't able to leave their home and the stressors during the pandemic played a role in the violence."

More: Preliminary autopsy results indicate Dover father shot wife, daughter and himself

In general, most domestic violence homicides in 2023 were allegedly committed by men  17 of the victims were women. That includes the Newton case, where Hanson is alleged to have killed his wife. It also includes Rakesh Kamel, 57, of Dover, who authorities said killed his wife and daughter  Teena and Arianna  before killing himself in December.

The Kamel murder was not the only murder-suicide in the area.

On Dec. 17, the Norfolk District Attorney's Office said Michael Fischella, 32, shot and killed his partner, Tanaia Wilkinson, 25, in Millis before he killed himself.

Authorities say Kethlen Paula Alves Trindade DaRocha of Marlborough, was a victim of a murder-suicide by her boyfriend, one of 19 domestic violence homicides in the state.

On Nov. 29, Kethlen Paula Alves Trindade DaRocha, 28, was shot to death in her Marlborough home, allegedly by her boyfriend, Marlon Moreira Costa, 29, who then shot and killed himself with what authorities say was a murder-suicide.

"Obviously, the loss of anyone in these situations even one is too many," said Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan. "We work hard in these situations and work to try to avoid these situations ever happening."

Despite multiple area murder-suicides, Ryan said murder-suicides themselves aren't increasing  but suicides, in general, are.

"There has been a significant increase in people dying by suicide," she said.

DA's office offers programs to help spot domestic violence

The Middlesex District Attorney's Office has many programs designed to help those suffering through domestic violence. One of the programs is called "Cut It Out," where those who work in salons, such as hairdressers or makeup artists  can undergo training to help spot domestic violence and refer people to area resource agencies.

Another is having domestic violence high-risk assessment and rapid response teams. There are nine teams in the county, including in Framingham and Waltham. The team, using evidence-based risk assessment and tools try to identify and intervene in domestic violence cases that pose the greatest risk of someone being killed.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan

"It's, unfortunately, a problem that exists in every town, every community," said Ryan. "We have to do our best to make sure the programs are available, and people know about these. We work hard in these situations to help make sure people know these resources are available."

Rodriguez said Voices Against Violence runs an emergency shelter for people who need immediate support, but she said the key is making sure the public knows about available help.

"I think the most important thing, before any of these (homicides) happen, is to really work on our outreach," she said. "The more the public knows that we're there to support them there are less chances for things to get to a homicide. We try to go to every event possible; we try to go to all of the schools to talk about it and we have relationships with local police departments."

Robbin said the key is to work with domestic violence victims. Many times, when someone is the victim of a domestic homicide, those who know the couple often don't know there was domestic violence in the relationship.

She said having the resources and assistance is particularly important when particularly when a person has decided to leave their abuser.

"That's the most dangerous time for a person," said Robbin. "That can trigger an abuser to increase the violence when they find out."

Domestic violence resources

The statewide SafeLink Hotline: 1-877-785-2020Voices Against Violence: 800-593-1125Domestic Violence Network of Central Middlesex Inc.: 888-399-6111Advocates: 508-485-9300Wayside Youth & Family Support Network: 508-879-9800 and 508-478-6888REACH Beyond Domestic Violence: 800-899-4000YWCA Central Massachusetts: 508-755-9030New Hope Inc.: 800-323-4673Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children: 781-861-0890CASA Project: 508-757-9877

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Domestic violence homicides drop from higher rates in pandemic years
AMERICAN FORK, Utah (ABC4)  One woman was killed and another hospitalized after a duplex exploded in American Fork early Wednesday morning, March 20. Dominion Energy has released a statement on the matter.

Today, Dominion Energy continues to work closely with investigators to determine the cause of the fatal explosion at a duplex in American Fork. We appreciate your patience as we work diligently to gather all the information needed for the ongoing investigation. Dominion Energy was doing routine maintenance in the area on Tuesday, including at this particular address. Highly trained personnel work every day to ensure the safety of the public we serve and to ensure the integrity of our natural gas system. We are committed to fully participating in the investigation of this tragic event.

American Fork Battalion Chief Brandon Boshard told ABC4 the explosion was in the neighborhood of 100 North and 300 East, shortly before 6 a.m. When emergency crews arrived, they said there was debris everywhere and an ongoing fire. The flames have since been put out.

Taylorsville Police make third arrest in death of missing 21-year-old

Boshard said one woman was killed on the heavily damaged side of the duplex. Another woman living on the other side survived and was taken to the hospital as a precaution. Boshard said a dog was reported missing after the explosion but that dog somehow survived and came walking out of the building while crews were on scene.

Fire crews are still investigating the cause of the explosion and said crews with Dominion Energy are assisting.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Social media users had a field day with Donald Trump Jr.s latest gripe.

Former President Donald Trumps eldest son complained on Thursday to Newsmaxs Eric Bolling about people adjusting their valuations of his fathers properties depending on their motives.

The former president has admitted he is struggling to meet the $464 million bond needed to appeal his civil fraud conviction, which stemmed from decadeslong overvaluation of assets to secure loans and make deals, and undervaluation for tax reasons.

If the ex-POTUS cant get the money together by Monday, New York Attorney General Letitia James can begin the process of seizing his assets. Its prompted speculation as to how much properties like Trump Tower and Mar-a-Lago are actually worth.

If its worth 18 million and thats good for the soundbite at the time, its worth 18 million, Trump Jr. claimed to Bolling. If its worth hundreds of millions the next day for a different purpose, its worth hundreds of millions. And thats whats going on.

Trump Jr. had killed irony with his comments, critics mocked on X (formerly Twitter).

Donald Trump Jr murders irony by complaining about other people changing the values of Trump properties based on convenience pic.twitter.com/B5gDV1R6Pm  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 22, 2024

These people have murdered irony so many times, I'm surprised Merriam-Webster hasn't removed it from the dictionary. https://t.co/XGEjUkacMf  CallItAsISeeIt (@CallItAsISeeIt7) March 22, 2024

Irony has died so many times during Trumps tenurebut this it wont come back from. RIP https://t.co/OU4jicCBms  Rose Benson (@NotoriousRBF) March 22, 2024

"The people screaming about the fascism are acting a lot like the fascists."



Actually, enforcing laws against fraud is good. https://t.co/9Ry9py7hPm  Nick Brooke (@Hi_Dr_Nick) March 22, 2024

Hes literally describing what they did lmao   Brett Friedman (@pistachio_deez) March 22, 2024

Other people changing the values of Trump properties? Umm...someone's a little confused. That is exactly what the Trump Org was doing and they got caught.  Nick Berry  (@NickBerryMusik) March 22, 2024

These assets are worth what a buyer is willing to pay.



Thanks for fucking around. Were all about to find out. #FAFO  GM (@GaryMintz) March 22, 2024

Whomp whomp! Cry me a river 

My heart bleeds for you  pic.twitter.com/qqIajOb7ZJ  lotta_oswalt (@LottaOswalt) March 22, 2024

I love this: Junior is admitting his father practices "situational reality" changing facts depending on what he's doing.



In other words: Donald Trump is making it up as he goes along.  Jack (but not THAT Jack) (@jacktomalis) March 22, 2024

His point is right, they need to take many more assets because they are overvalued and so leveraged it wont cover the judgment   Sicky Dimpkins  (@ddickinsonlaw) March 22, 2024

The inheritance isn't going the way he planned. https://t.co/x21Mz46zny  Steven Cockdiamond (@StvnCockdiamond) March 22, 2024

Related...
As we continue to celebrate Womens History Month, were highlighting a local nurse at the forefront of the changing face of health care. From working at one of the first urgent cares to co-founding one of the first nurse-owned esthetic practices in the stateLinda Vecchione is a pioneer in her field and after 44 years, shes hanging up her stethoscope.

As a little girl raised in revere, Linda says she always wanted to be in the medical fieldespecially esthetics. At the time, she didnt know how to get into that sectorso she turned her focus to a nursing career in the NICU.

Then I was approached to work with this doctor that was opening these urgent cares, so I didnt even know what they were, said Vecchione.

Excited to see what this new concept would be right in her backyard, Linda jumped on board.

It was the first one in the state and then they opened up, said Vecchione. They were, like, popping up, like everywhere. Every town had one.

Linda says... She believes Health Stop helped transform health care.

I think it was something that needed to happen and I think its really thriving there everywhere now, said Vecchione.

Linda continued to spread her wings, getting her masters in education and also taking an esthetics course.

A lot of people do think that esthetics is a fad and its not a fad, said Vecchione. Its real medicine. Its real nursing. You have to know your anatomy. Its just a whole different realm of nursing.

In 2012, Linda reached out to fellow nurse Michelle Doran about opening an esthetics practice in Lynnfield.

We were one of the pioneers, we were one of the first to do this, said Michelle Doran, co-owner of RN Esthetics.

We just took a leap of faith and decided we were going to give it a go, said Vecchione. Of course, our husbands thought we were nuts, but, yeah, we proved them wrong.

Getting the financial support was a challenge because the pair of female nurses had to convince banks to back their dreamswhile taking a big risk.

We had to put personal collateral on everything in order to get a loan, said Doran. People, I think, were worried that it was more of a fad and we were going to open a practice and within a year or two it was going to be nonexistent.

Instead, Linda and Michelle quickly expanded their small office into three locations and have 30 employeesthat they continue to educate and train.

Im so happy that this happened because this was my dream from when I was a kid, so I feel like its like a full circle moment, said Vecchione.

At RN Esthetics, Linda loves making others feel and look good, but after 44 years in the nursing field, she decided to pass the baton so she could focus on herself and her family.

I think, you know, once youve once youve done something historic like she did, helping set up the practice, its time for her to really do those things, said Doran.

However, Linda says the education never stops. Her business works with local colleges, like Endicott, to have nurses come in to train and mentor as they learn about the growing esthetic field.

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ADDIS ABABA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia plans to repatriate around 70,000 nationals from Saudi Arabia starting in April, an Ethiopian official said Thursday.

Birtukan Ayano, state minister of the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), said in a statement to the press that the repatriation of 70,000 Ethiopians from Saudi Arabia will commence in two weeks.

Ayano also said a national committee chaired by her will coordinate with Ethiopian federal institutions and regional administrations to facilitate the repatriation of tens of thousands of Ethiopians living in difficult situations in Saudi Arabia.

The Ethiopian official further stated that the necessary budgetary, logistics and shelter preparation should be done for the realization of the successful repatriation of Ethiopian nationals from Saudi Arabia.

According to the Ethiopian MoFA, more than 750,000 Ethiopians are estimated to be living in Saudi Arabia, among whom 450,000 are believed to be without proper documents.

In recent years, Ethiopia has stepped up efforts to take back its citizens stranded overseas, mainly Saudi Arabia, as part of the government's citizen-centered diplomacy.

The Ethiopian government is also working to dismantle sophisticated human trafficking networks and create economic opportunities for nationals with low incomes. 
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A driver has been charged with a felony after crashing into a deputys cruiser then striking a COTA bus stop and a utility pole in north Columbus on Friday morning.

The deputys cruiser was parked at a Mobil Mart gas station at 2727 Cleveland Avenue when it was hit at about 3:30 a.m. on Friday, according to the Franklin County Sheriffs Office (FCSO). The driver was backing out from a parking spot when it struck the cruiser then continued moving, fleeing down Cleveland Avenue at speeds up to 90 mph. A short pursuit ensued before the driver crashed into a COTA bus stop and a utility pole at Cleveland Avenue and East 4th Avenue.

(Courtesy Photo/Franklin County Sheriffs Office)

(Courtesy Photo/Franklin County Sheriffs Office)

Five occupants, including a two-year-old infant, were in the car and were evaluated on the scene by medics, the sheriffs office said. The two-year-old was not injured but was transported to a local hospital as a precaution, while four others were transported for minor injuries.

The 20-year-old driver was charged with felony fleeing and child endangerment. The FCSO said more charges are pending upon further investigation. The owner of the vehicle was in the car, but was not the driver. None of the occupants of the car had a valid drivers license, according to the FCSO. The southbound lanes of Cleveland Avenue between East 4th and East 5th avenues were temporarily closed and have since reopened.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - A St. Paul police officer was responding to a burglary in progress when a car crashed into his squad car and another car at an intersection Thursday morning.

According to St. Paul police, a police officer was driving a marked police squad car southbound on White Bear Avenue with the lights and siren on, responding to a burglary in progress. When the officer approached the intersection of White Bear Avenue and Maryland Avenue East, the light was red. Cars at the intersection yielded for the squad car to proceed through the intersection, but as the officer drove through, a Toyota Camry was being driven eastbound on Maryland Avenue East and crashed into the squad car in the intersection.

Police say the driver of the Toyota Camry then hit a Hyundai Sonata which had pulled over for the squad car.

The occupants of the Hyundai were evaluated at the scene but did not need to go to the hospital, police said. The driver of the Toyota had to be assisted out of the car and taken to the hospital. The driver of the Toyota and the police officer were both taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

St. Paul police are investigating the crash.
Dacarrei Kinard, 31, of Columbus at the defense table in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas Friday. Kinard is accused of shooting and killing George Jensen, 40 of Akron, on May 17, 2023, in a road rage incident along I-76 in Norton.

Douglas Crocker of Florida doesn't drive for work very often, but on the afternoon of May 17, 2023, he found himself hundreds of miles from home when a black Camaro swerved in front of him, appearing from the shoulder lane.

Seconds later, he saw the driver aim a handgun through the driver-side window and unload multiple rounds into a nearby blue Mazda, Crocker said.

Arrest: Dacarrei Tovon Kinard, suspect in Norton fatal road rage shooting, arrested in Columbus

"The Mazda was close enough to see the driver was slumped," Crocker said. "It looked like [the Mazda] was in the left lane and hit the median and went right."

Stopping his vehicle, Crocker adjusted his side-view mirror. Minutes later he saw multiple passersby rushing to help Jensen, including one attempting to resuscitate him, he said. George Jensen, 40 of Norton, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Judge Kathryn Michael asks the first witness, Kevin Starling, a question from the jurors on Friday during a trial involving Dacarrei Kinard, 31, of Columbus, who is accused of shooting and killing George Jensen in a 2023 road rage incident along I-76 in Norton.

Crocker was one of four witnesses who testified Friday at Dacarrei Kinard's murder trial in Summit County Common Pleas Judge Kathryn Michael's courtroom.

The 31-year-old Kinard of Columbus is accused of shooting and killing Jensen following a road rage incident last year on Interstate 76 near state Route 21 in Norton. He is charged with two counts of murder, one count of felonious assault and multiple firearm and drive-by shooting specifications that could result in additional prison time. An improperly handling firearms charge was dropped.

Kinard, who is represented by attorneys Nathan Ray and Rhonda Kotnik, is expected to testify next week.

Defense attorney Rhonda Kotnik cross-examines the state's first witness, Kevin Starling, in a trial Friday involving Dacarrei Kinard, 31, of Columbus, who is accused of shooting and killing George Jensen in a 2023 road rage incident along I-76 in Norton.

How did the road rage incident play out?

Both Jensen and Kinard engaged in aggressive driving just before the shooting, said Zachary Neumann, an assistant Summit County prosecutor.

Witnesses and Ohio Department of Transportation video showed that Jensen cut Kinard off to prevent him from passing, Neumann said in his opening statement. Jensen brake-checked Kinard at least twice, forcing Kinard to hit his brakes to keep from rear-ending him.

Assistant Prosecutor Zachary Neumann delivers the opening argument for the state on Friday during a trial in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas regarding a road rage incident from May of 2023 that left one dead.

"We are not going to dispute that Mr. Jensen exhibited driving that would make anyone upset," Neumann explained.

Kinard then passed the truck driven by Crocker by entering the shoulder and swerved into the center lane next to Jensen's blue Mazda, he said.

"He pulled out a gun and shot from a moving car approximately eight times," Neumann said. Two of those bullets struck Jensen.

Nathan Ray delivers opening arguments for the defense on Friday during a trial in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas regarding a road rage incident from May of 2023 that left one dead.

Ray, representing Kinard, said in his opening statement that his client was on his way to Youngstown from Columbus. He wasn't in a hurry. He stopped in Mansfield at a record store along the way.

"It was just another sunny, casual day, so what changes that?" Ray asked the jury in his opening statement. "Mr. Jensen changed that."

Ray argued that Kinard was trying to get away from Jensen as he cut Kinard off and brake-checked him. As the road rage incident progressed, Kinard began to feel fear and anger.

Witnesses recall hearing gunshots

For Stephen Swinehart, the commute home from his Broadview Heights job was like any other until he merged onto I-76 east. That's when he saw a black Camaro swerve into an entrance ramp lane that transitioned into a shoulder lane.

He saw the Camaro pass and merge in front of a pickup truck. That's when he heard a noise he described as a "pop pop," he told prosecutors.

Dacarrei Kinard, 31 of Columbus, looks at his attorney, Nathan Ray, before opening arguments of his trial on Friday. Kinard is accused of shooting and killing George Jensen, 40 of Akron, on May 17, 2023, in a road rage incident along I-76 in Norton.

At the same time, another witness, Donald Davis, recalled seeing the blue Mazda brake-check the black Camaro just moments before hearing between eight and a dozen gunshots.

Both Davis and Swinehart said the blue Mazda, driven by Jensen, veered right and hit a concrete wall before swerving left and crashing into the median separating the eastbound and westbound lanes.

How did investigators identify Dacarrei Kinard?

After the black Camaro fled the scene, it left I-76 east and re-entered the highway traveling westbound. Neumann said Kinard's destination was Columbus.

Investigators used eyewitness testimony, ODOT videos and surveillance cameras from businesses to identify the vehicle and Kinard.

One camera captured the license plate, which allowed detectives to see the vehicle was registered to Kinard. A phone number registered with the Camaro matched Kinard's cellphone number, Neumann said.

Norton Detective Kevin Starling, the first witness for the state, takes the stand on Friday during a trial in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas regarding a road rage incident from May of 2023 that left one dead.

Pulling data from T-Mobile, investigators tracked the phone with the registered number from Columbus to Norton and back, explained Kevin Starling, a Norton Police Department detective who worked on the case and was a witness in the trial.

The phone connected to each nearby T-Mobile cell tower along the drive, Starling said. "Unless you turn your phone off or disconnect the mobile data feature, your phones are always looking to talk with the nearest tower with the clearest signal," he said.

Investigators also found footage of Kinard with the Camaro at the Mansfield record store before the incident, Neumann said. The vehicle was later found in the Columbus area.

The trial is set to resume Monday morning.

Bryce Buyakie covers courts and public safety for the Beacon Journal. He can be reached by email at bbuyakie@gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @bryce_buyakie.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Witnesses recall hearing gunshots in I-76 Norton road rage trial
ONALASKA, Wis. (WFRV)  A western Wisconsin man, who authorities say was out on seven bonds, was taken into custody after a drone found him hiding in the woods after fleeing from a pursuit.

A release from the Holmen Police Department states that a traffic stop was attempted on a vehicle with no license plates near County Road OT and Frontage Road in Onalaska on March 18 around 9:50 p.m.

Wisconsin traffic stop yields 250+ grams of fentanyl, 2 lbs. of marijuana after multiple anonymous tips

Officers say the vehicle failed to stop, reportedly fleeing at a high rate of speed north on County Road XX. The driver, later identified as Randy Russel Jr., then allegedly left the road and began driving through a field.

Shortly after, Russel Jr. got out of the vehicle and escaped into a nearby wooded area.

After a perimeter was established, assistance was requested from the Campbell Police Department K9 unit, as well as the Onalaska Police Department for use of its thermal imaging drone.

Roughly 180 feet in the air, officers say the drone spotted Russel Jr. hiding in the woods. He was taken into custody shortly after.

Holmen Police Department

Holmen Police Department

Holmen Police Department

29-year-old Appleton man arrested in Grand Chute for seventh OWI

Russel Jr., a 50-year-old from La Crosse, was arrested and taken to the La Crosse County Jail on the following charges:

Vehicle Operator Flee/Elude Officer

2nd Degree Reckless Driving  Endangering Safety

5 counts of Felony Bail Jumping

5 counts of Misdemeanor Bail Jumping

Resisting/Obstructing an Officer

It was noted that the pursuit covered roughly 3.6 miles and had speeds that reached around 100 mph.

No additional information was provided.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Several thermal power plants operated by DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy company, were hit during a massive Russian attack on March 22, DTEK 's press service said.

Russia launched over 150 missiles and drones against Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure earlier on March 22 in one of the largest attacks against the country's power grid.

According to DTEK, its thermal power plants suffered "severe damage," and at least two energy workers were injured. For security reasons, the company does not specify the location of damaged stations.

At least one employee of an unspecified energy facility was previously reported as injured in Kharkiv.

DTEK said that the damage caused by Russian attacks also resulted in power outages in the company's mines in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, temporarily trapping 1,060 miners underground.

As of 11 a.m., all the miners have been brought to the surface, according to the company's statement.

"DTEK engineers are working to restore power to mines once again using backup systems. No coal is currently being produced, but we expect production to resume once the necessary preparatory work is completed," the company said.

The morning attack damaged energy facilities across the country, most notably Zaporizhzhia's Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant. Three people were reported as killed, and over 20 were injured across Ukraine.

Read also: Zaporizhzhias Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant hit amid Russian attack on energy infrastructure

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Allegheny County police have arrested a woman in connection to a stabbing in Pleasant Hills over the weekend.

LaShawn Christian, 33, of Duquesne, is accused of stabbing a woman after an altercation at a South Side gas station.

Update: LaShawn Christian is now in custody. Thank you to everyone who shared. https://t.co/HJPADz4wCt  Allegheny County PD (@AlleghenyCoPD) March 22, 2024

Police were called just after 4 a.m. on Saturday to the 100 block of Cerasi Drive, where they found a 27-year-old woman who had been stabbed multiple times. She was taken to a local hospital in critical condition.

Christian and the victim were involved in an altercation at a gas station in the South Side earlier, according to police. Christian allegedly followed the victim to an apartment building in Pleasant Hills where the women got into another altercation before Christian stabbed the victim, police said. They released a photo of Christian in an attempt to locate her.

Police said Thursday night she was taken into custody.

Christian is charged with criminal attempt - criminal homicide and aggravated assault. She was denied bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 3.

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Ex-Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett selling his Cranberry Township home 19-year-old motorcyclist in ICU after being hit by truck in North Strabane Township Photos: Ex-Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett selling his Cranberry Township home VIDEO: They have touched a lot of lives: Jeannette students, school staff remember kids who died in fire DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
A consultant the Durham school board hired to help sort out the pay issues wreaking havoc on the district has proposed throwing out the current methods for calculating pay.

The new plan is for classified staff, the group of employees whose pay yo-yoed after budget mistakes were made in the rollout of raises.

For a few months, those raises resulted in significantly higher pay for many of the districts lowest-paid workers , including cafeteria staff, instructional assistants, physical therapists, bus mechanics and custodians.

But after overspending by millions of dollars, the school board reset 1,875 workers pay to last years levels and added a flat 11% raise . These paychecks started in March.

What the change means: 74% are making less than they were promised last year, and 35% are making less than they were promised in January.

Workers say they are on the brink.

I have witnessed personally five employees leaving in less than a week, Riverside High School instructional assistant Quentin Headen said.

The Durham Association of Educators protested before Thursday nights school board meeting.

They called for a return to the pay promised last year, including backpay for any missed months.

No more steps?

Kerry Crutchfield  who for decades led the finance department at Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools and is now serving as Durhams comptroller  presented a proposed solution to the school board Thursday night.

Durham has historically calculated pay for its classified staff in a step system, but he recommended the schedules be thrown out and replaced:

What is a step system? In Durham, a year of experience counts as a step. Step systems are drawn up each budget year showing pay rates for every step in every position. Positions are grouped in grades.

But ... The increments by which pay changes at each step vary widely, from nothing to 0.26% for the districts lowest-paying jobs, and hovering around 1.5% a year in others. No consistency whatsoever, Crutchfield said.

Why? Thats partly due to compression associated with raising everyones minimum pay to $15 an hour.

Crutchfield said sticking with last years salaries was never going to be equitable, but achieving equity was never going to be easy or inexpensive, since the state doesnt offer enough money to pay competitively.

Like many large school districts, Durham County supplements pay provided by the state for school employees.

This is the reality of Durham and how expensive it is to live here, school board member Natalie Beyer said. North Carolina needs to pay educators and classified staff better. This is all on the state, and theres always going to be a limit to what we can do locally.

Crutchfields plan would add $8 million to next years budget.

He proposed a standardized minimum and maximum for each pay grade. Those two numbers are 40% apart when they dont bump up against state-set maximums.

Lingering question: Pay along that scale would still range based on experience, but would be calculated with a yet-to-be-decided percentage above the minimum. Additional percentages could be tacked on to reward those with a decade or more experience.

The school board wants significantly more details before making a decision.

Im not sure that staff currently who want to respond to our proposal can understand where they fall, Chair Bettina Umstead said. How can we get it as clear as possible?

It will be confusing no matter what we do, Crutchfield cautioned with a smile.

Hell return in two weeks with more data.

Some guarantees: No employees pay would dip below what they are being paid now. As a reminder, thats 11% more than last year. Some jobs would get up to 18.5% more than last year.

State-funded increase: Theres an additional 3% increase programmed by state legislators that would be tacked on top.





Whats next?

Ultimately, whatever the school board decides is more of a suggestion than a decision.

The Durham County Board of Commissioners has the final say-so. Commissioners are considering raising property taxes to cover the cost.

Dates to watch

The next school board meeting is on April 11 . The interim superintendent will present her proposed budget and the public can offer input.

The school board will continue talking things over April 25 and May 9 .

The county manager presents her recommended budget May 13.

County commissioners scheduled their final budget hearing for May 28 . The public can provide comments.

Final approval is set for June 10.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands welcomes China's President Xi Jinping on the second day of his state visit, at The Hague

By Toby Sterling

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Chinese President Xi Jinping will next week discuss whether ASML can continue to service billions of euros worth of computer chip equipment it has sold to Chinese customers, people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The Dutch government said in a statement Rutte's visit is to discuss "bilateral and economic ties, and the situation in the Middle East".

But also on the table at their meeting will be licencing policy for ASML, the biggest supplier of equipment to semiconductor manufacturers, whose tools have become a flashpoint in the U.S.-China "chip wars".

ASML dominates the global market for lithography systems, multi-million dollar tools essential in helping to create the circuitry of computer chips.

One of Xi's top policy goals has been to help China build up its domestic chipmaking industry, spending billions on subsidies.

Meanwhile the U.S. government is seeking to undermine China's ability to make its own chips, and has enlisted aid from the Dutch and Japanese governments.

ASML has said that as of Jan. 1, it no longer expects to receive licences from the Dutch government to ship its advanced "DUV" tool lines to Chinese customers.

But it remains unclear how much of the equipment ASML has already sold to Chinese customers - more than 6 billion euros ($6.5 billion) worth last year alone - it will be able to continue to service.

Sooner or later the company must seek licences for equipment already in China that now falls under Dutch or U.S. export rules. If licences are denied, or revoked, ASML's tools would become impossible to operate within weeks - potentially devastating for its customers, which include China's largest contract chipmaker SMIC.

ASML, which complies with all export regulations, declined comment on Friday.

"ASML has export licenses in place to service the majority of its Chinese customers until Dec. 31, 2024," it said in an emailed answer to Reuters questions about machines that fall under the export restrictions earlier this week. It will then have to seek annual renewal licenses.

For some of its most advanced product lines "ASML has not received an export license to continue servicing of these systems at some specific advanced logic fabs (in China) as of 1st November 2023," the company added.

China was ASML's second-largest market in 2023 behind Taiwan and ahead of South Korea, and it has said it expects to continue to have significant sales in China this year of product lines used to make relatively older chips, which do not fall under the current restrictions.

During the March 26-27 visit, Rutte is expected to meet with Xi and premier Li Qiang. Dutch Trade Minister Geoffrey van Leeuwen is also attending and expected to meet with Chinese Trade Minister Wang Wentao.

"They will discuss economic cooperation opportunities, the importance of a level playing field, and the importance of equal market access," the Dutch government said in a statement.

($1 = 0.9244 euros)

(Reporting by Toby Sterling; Editing by Hugh Lawson, Barbara Lewis and Angus MacSwan)
A large amount of ammunition will be sent to Ukraine "in the near future" within the Czech-led initiative to provide Kyiv with hundreds of thousands of artillery shells, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on March 22.

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.

Artillery shells are a crucial capability for Ukraine as the country faces critical ammunition shortages. Delays in U.S. military assistance, caused by disputes in Congress, have already had a direct impact on the battlefield, contributing to the loss of the key front-line city of Avdiivka.

"In the weeks and months ahead, we will continue to do our utmost to support Ukraine, prioritizing artillery and air defense," Rutte wrote on X after discussing the ammunition delivery with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on March 12 that the initiative has already secured the purchase of 300,000 shells and received nonbinding commitments for 200,000 more.

According to Fiala's security advisor, Tomas Pojar, the rounds could start flowing to Ukraine by June.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Myrtle is a Boer goat, while her son is a Nigerian Dwarf goat

A Nigerian Dwarf goat - the world's smallest dairy breed - has been born in the UK for the first time after his frozen embryo was brought from the US.

The embryo was implanted in a surrogate mother called Myrtle, who is a different breed of goat but is apparently "besotted" with her son.

Windmill Farm Park in Leicestershire wanted to introduce the Nigerian Dwarf breed of goat to the UK.

Importing a live goat would have been illegal, so they opted for IVF.

'Fantastic mum'

A total of nine embryos were implanted in six female Boer goats, but only one was successful.

The farmers thought they would need to bottle feed the baby, but Myrtle took to him immediately.

"When we lifted him out his mother went crazy; she was so upset at being separated," said Stacey Briggs, who runs the farm with her husband Steven.

"She's a fantastic mum. Although she looks a bit silly because she's a big white goat and he's a tiny little black and brown goat."

The unnamed baby goat is currently only 22cm (8.7 inches) tall

The goat, who has not been named yet, was born on 14 March at the farm park in Kibworth Harcourt.

He is currently 22cm (8.7 inches) tall, and is expected to grow to no more than 60cm (23.6 inches).

The process cost tens of thousands of pounds, and the farmers decided to forego a large wedding so they could pay for it.

Mrs Briggs said she "fell in love with the breed" when she became aware of them several years ago.

"There have never been pure Nigerian Dwarfs in the UK before," said Mrs Briggs.

"The animals they originated from - West African Dwarf goats - were here, but the breed Nigerian Dwarf was developed in the USA."

Frozen embryos were also imported to Australia in 2014.

The couple decided to forego a large wedding to pay for the goat, which cost tens of thousands of pounds

Mrs Briggs said the breed is known for the quality of its milk, which is richer in buttermilk than larger breeds, and they can also produce a substantial amount for their size.

While the farm's goat will not produce milk, because he is male, his semen will be used to breed with other dairy goats.

"When importing embryos or live animals is cost prohibitive or impossible it can help to increase genetic diversity," Mrs Briggs explained.

"We will look at the UK small goat population and find and select the ones with closest characteristics to Nigerian Dwarf goats.

"We will then breed them using artificial insemination to increase the Nigerian Dwarf percentage until it is over 93%."

The unnamed baby goat will be moved to public areas of the farm park when he is older

Mrs Briggs said the IVF process had been "a rollercoaster of emotions".

The frozen embryos started their journey from the US on 10 July, following more than 18 months of planning and paperwork.

They cleared UK customs on 4 August, then were held in a UK storage centre until 25 October, when the embryos were implanted into the female goats.

When the baby goat is older he will be moved to public areas of the farm park so visitors can see him.

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.
BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, President of the Republic of Nauru David Adeang will pay a state visit to China from March 24 to 29, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced Friday.

It will be the first state visit by the Nauruan president since the resumption of diplomatic ties between the two countries in January, another Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular news briefing.

The visit will be an opportunity for China and Nauru to consolidate political mutual trust, expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields, deepen people-to-people friendship and push forward bilateral relations, Lin said. 
TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  A 76-year-old mans early release was denied in Tulare County earlier this week.

Tulare County prosecutors say they successfully argued against the early release of Luis Gonzalez on Tuesday.

The Tulare County District Attorneys Office says Gonzalez petitioned the court for compassionate release for a 2010 felony criminal conviction and a 195-year-to-life sentence for the aggravated sexual assault of two children between 2002 and 2006.

It is preposterous that the family had to return to court to relive this trauma again only a short fourteen years into a 195-year-to-life sentence, said Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward. Once again, the Legislature has eroded truth in sentencing in California. My office will continue to stand with victims and survivors and together we will push back on the radical and dangerous schemes to release violent and dangerous criminals, such as this child molester, early.

Gonzalez is currently serving his sentence at the California Substance Abuse Facility in Corcoran.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
NEW YORK  New Yorkers will get their chance to weigh in on the two parties presidential candidates with early voting set to start Saturday for the states April 2 primary.

There is virtually no suspense about the results with President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump having already wrapped up their parties nominations. They will face off in the November general election in a rematch of their 2020 battle.

Several other minor candidates will be on the ballots in case voters want to register unhappiness with the presumptive nominees.

However no write-in votes are allowed and there is no way to vote for undecided slates of delegates like voters in other Democratic primaries have done to express opposition to Bidens handling of Israels war in Gaza.

Here are some takeaways:

Who can vote?

Anyone who is a registered member of either the Democratic or Republican parties can vote in their presidential primaries.

The deadline to register in one of the parties is Saturday, March 23, the same day as the start of early voting.

Voters may only vote in the primary for their own party.

When and how can I vote?

Early voting kicks off Saturday and runs through Saturday, March 30, the day before Easter.

Check the state Board of Elections site for early voting locations and hours.

In general, early voting takes place during business hours and at far fewer locations than normal Election Day voting.

Voting on election day runs from 6 am to 9 pm at usual neighborhood polling places.

Absentee ballots are available for voters who cannot vote early or in person on primary day. Applications must be submitted by Saturday, March 23 to county elections offices.

Whos on the ballot?

The election is only for president and delegates to the presidential conventions.

On the Democratic side, Biden will appear on the ballot along with Marianne Williamson and Rep. Dean Phillips, who has already dropped out of the race.

Different slates of pro-Biden delegates will also be on the Democratic ballots for each county in the state and the five boroughs in New York City.

For Republicans, Trump will be on the ballot along with Nikki Haley, Chris Christie and Vivek Ramaswamy, none of whom are still in the race.

There are no slates of delegates listed as the winner gets to pick the GOP delegates.

Can you vote for Undecided as a protest?

Nope. There are no options to protest against the candidates or delegate slates except by voting for rival candidates.

That means opponents of Bidens staunch support for Israel will have no way of expressing that opinion like some Democratic primary voters did in states like Michigan and Minnesota.

Write-in votes are not allowed either.

Will we learn anything about Biden v. Trump?

Some pundits believe turnout in primaries  even effectively uncontested ones  offer valuable clues about which parties will win in November.

But in deep-blue New York, its already considered a foregone conclusion that Biden will beat Trump so any tea leaf-reading will be of minimal interest.

What about congressional and state legislative races?

Primary elections for congressional and U.S. Senate seats will be held in June.

Among the most closely fought congressional races are expected to be the Democratic contest between Rep. Jamaal Bowman and Westchester County Executive George Latimer and the battle for the Democratic nomination to face Rep. Anthony DEsposito on Long Island, who is considered one of the most endangered GOP incumbents in the country.

There will also be a handful of competitive Democratic primaries for state Assembly and Senate seats in the city.
Editors Note: The video above explains how to safely take photos of the eclipse

AUSTIN (KXAN)  As the moon casts its shadow across Central Texas in a once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse, county officials expect every city, town and hamlet to be brimming with visitors on April 8, and many are preemptively issuing disaster declarations to prepare.

County judges in and around the Hill Country told KXAN they are issuing the declarations to give themselves additional power to handle the consequences of the tourism tidal wave expected to accompany the celestial event.

Among many anticipated problems, price gouging isnt topping the list of concerns among local county judges, at this time.

EXPLORE: Full coverage of the solar eclipse

Travis County Judge Andy Browns office issued a disaster declaration on March 8, in anticipation of crowds that could double the countys population, cause extreme traffic congestion and result in enormous strains on first responders and law enforcement organizations, according to the declaration.

Travis County Judge Andy Brown looks skyward with his eclipse glasses (Travis County Judge Andy Browns Office Photo)

We just want to make sure that we as the county have the power to, if we need, to close off roads or make access for emergency vehicles and first responders to get through to make sure everybody has a safe, happy, good experience watching the eclipse, Brown told KXAN in an interview Wednesday. What the disaster declaration does is it makes it easier for us to require things that are going to make it easier for emergency vehicles to get around.

Burnet County Judge James Oakley issued a disaster declaration on March 12 that will be effective for six days surrounding the eclipse. Oakley said hes primarily concerned with issuing a burn ban. He couldnt normally do one without the KBDI  a moisture index that helps predict wildfire probability  being high enough, he said.

Billion dollars could be spent during April 8 eclipse, experts say

Eclipse cartographer Michael Zeiler estimates Texas could see 1.2 million visitors along the eclipse path  thats 10% of the 12 million people living in the pathway. On the high end, Zeiler estimates Kerr Countys city of Kerrville, which has a population of about 25,000, could potentially host more than 100,000 visitors.

Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly issued a disaster declaration on March 4.

The measure was necessary if the county hopes to receive any state assistance or resources to help with the anticipated strain from eclipse crowds, the county said in a news release.

KXAN contacted every Central Texas county judges office in our coverage area and found more than half have made a disaster declaration or have plans to declare one at some point.

How much of the sun will be covered in your city during Aprils solar eclipse?

In Texas, county judges like Brown, Oakley and Kelly are the heads of county commissions. They are like mayors leading city councils, and they dont handle criminal courts.

To help develop a traffic plan, Brown said his office will require people in unincorporated areas of the county to register with the Fire Marshals Office if they are having 50 or more people on their property.

Most of the counties that arent issuing a disaster declaration are located east of the path of totality, which is the roughly 120-mile swath where the moons shadow will completely cover the sun for up to four and a half minutes, according to greatamericaneclipse.com. The duration of the shadow depends on the proximity to the center of the path.

A guide to the 2024 Great American Solar Eclipse

One problem people often associate with disasters is price gouging. Brown said it will be on his radar but isnt his number one concern.

Price gouging

Price gouging is defined as selling, leasing or demanding an exorbitant or excessive price for fuel, food, medicine, lodging, building materials, construction tools, or another necessity when a disaster is declared by the governor or president, according to the state statute.

Local disaster declarations, like the one declared by Brown in Travis County, do not have the same protections, his office told KXAN Thursday after consulting with the county attorney.

Brown was told the county could amend the declaration to include gouging but emergency services officials did not recommend that because its not a concern as of right now, his office said.

A pair of solar eclipse glasses (KXAN Photo/Matt Grant)

Still, he urged anyone in Travis County who witnesses price gouging during the eclipse to file a formal complaint with the county attorney.

Under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, price gouging is illegal, and the Office of the Attorney General has authority to prosecute any business that engages in price gouging after a disaster has been declared by the governor, according to Attorney General Ken Paxtons website.

Travis County issues disaster declaration ahead of total solar eclipse

Gov. Greg Abbott has not declared a disaster related to the eclipse. His office did not respond to KXANs requests for comment about whether they may issue a declaration. Price gouging authorities are also activated by a presidential disaster declaration, according to state law.

State disaster declarations have typically been issued for severe weather events, like hurricanes, wildfires, floods and ice storms. Price gouging complaints can be submitted online through Paxtons office here or by phone at 1-800-621-0508.

Paxtons office has taken action against price gougers during natural disasters, following declarations issued by Abbott.

His office sued multiple gas stations after Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and required refunds to customers. KXAN exposed dozens of price gouging complaints at a Robstown hotel after that storm. State officials investigated, and the hotel ultimately lost its affiliation with a national chain and provided customer refunds.

Amid the pandemic, Paxtons office fielded thousands of price gouging complaints and, in one case, sued an auction company for high-priced medical masks.

KXAN asked Paxtons office to comment for this story but his press office never responded.

I want everybody who comes here and everybody who lives here to have a safe and fun time seeing the eclipse, Brown said. Im very excited. My kids are excited. Its neat. You know, I know theres a lot of people that travel thousands of miles, from across the world to see this, that are probably more excited than I am even.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Republicans already livid with the Biden administration for sinking the college admissions season into turmoil with a bungled financial aid rollout are jabbing Education Secretary Miguel Cardona for trying to spread the blame.

A monthslong delay in the Biden administrations release of a revamped FAFSA  the form used to determine federal financial aid  and processing submissions has resulted in a nationwide backlog of some 6 million applications. But while the department is starting to send long-awaited financial aid data to colleges, Cardona has been suggesting publicly that some colleges are also at fault because theyre still not fully prepared to receive it.

Cardonas rhetorical shift in front of university leaders and financial aid administrators in the last week has frustrated some. It is also giving Republicans new fodder against the Biden administration  and something else for Democratic lawmakers to answer for  in an election year.

We are months behind schedule because the Department of Education failed to do its job over the last three years, Sen. Bill Cassidy, the top Republican on the Senate education committee, told POLITICO in a statement, referring to the 2020 law that directed for simplifying FAFSA. Secretary Cardona and the Department need to take responsibility and show they are committed to making it right. Attempting to deflect blame onto anyone else is not taking responsibility.

On Thursday, Cassidy pressed Cardona to testify on Capitol Hill in part to answer for the botched FAFSA release. And higher education groups say the department has only just started delivering all the information they need to start creating financial aid offers to send out to families. The real work on their end is only just beginning.

Secretary Cardona has been crystal clear  the Department is working tirelessly to ensure every student who qualifies for aid can fill out a FAFSA form with ease and access the aid they need to attain their higher education goals, an Education Department spokesperson said in a statement. Cardona, they added, is committed to making sure colleges have the information, tools, and training they need to tackle the significant undertaking of getting aid in the hands of millions of students as quickly as possible.

The department started distributing Institutional Student Information Records, the electronic records of financial aid data to schools, last week. So far, only about a quarter of the millions of outstanding FAFSAs have been processed and that doesnt include the paper forms submitted by families who struggled with the online application when the new, buggy system launched.

Cardona, during a virtual student aid training for financial aid administrators on Monday, promised the department would continue to ramp up its delivery of the records, but emphasized that we need institutions to be ready.

Once the agency is at full production, it estimates it will take about two weeks for officials to clear the FAFSA backlog.

Yet, Cardona, at the virtual training, said part of the reason why were having [this webinar] is because, based on some of the requests we've received late last week, we believe some schools are still not fully prepared to receive ISIRs. He said it was really concerning that some schools hadnt set up their Student Aid Internet Gateway mailboxes to receive the financial aid data from the Education Department.

Cardona acknowledged how tough the work of these administrators has been, but also told them on the call that there are some issues that maybe could have been addressed much earlier.

But higher education leaders are asking themselves: When?

We are not here to point the finger directly at anyone  but definitely not at our institutions, said Emmanual Guillory, senior director of government relations at the American Council on Education, which represents more than 1,700 colleges and universities. It's pretty obvious that it's not the fault of the institution that there's been a delay in the FAFSA.

The Education Department also pushed out several software updates since February, including one as late as March 11, according to Karen McCarthy, vice president of public policy and federal relations at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. Schools continue to also navigate long wait times to get help from the Education Department. Some institutions reported that test versions of the student information records sent earlier this month by the department werent sufficient to make sure their systems were ready.

The first batch of real ISIRs were pushed out on March 10, and the departments ramp-up only started this week.

We are assuming that the secretary doesn't mean to infer that FAFSA delays are due to institutions, McCarthy said. Institutions are really moving as quickly as they can.  Financial aid offices are scrambling to get all of the pieces together.  They're trying to do six months of work in a matter of weeks at this point.

Top Education Republican lawmakers, however, are sure it is an attempt to redirect attention.

The blame is all with the Department of Education, come on, House Education and the Workforce Chair Virginia Foxx, a North Carolina Republican, said in an interview.

Democrats have largely tried to avoid weighing in on the issue. But Rep. Kathy Manning (D-N.C.) a member of the House education committee said she is focused on the ultimate goal of making college more affordable.

I am sure the secretary is doing the best he can and we ought to be doing the best we can in Congress, she said in an interview.

It's March, Manning said. So all I can say is we need to get those forms into the hands of families so that they can fill them out and make sure that their kids can decide as quickly as possible where they can afford to go to school.

Even after schools receive the student financial aid data, which is expected to be completed by the end of the month, it takes time for colleges to review them and send out financial aid offers.

Even the most on-the-ball, well-resourced aid office is probably looking at about two weeks after they start receiving ISIRs before they start sending out aid offers, McCarthy said.

This means students might start receiving aid offers from some schools as soon as mid-April. But that still only gives families only about two weeks to make a decision on attending schools with a May 1 commitment deadline, or about a month for others who have pushed their deadlines.

Guillory said while some schools can be faulted for not fully setting up their mailboxes, as of March 1, that was only about 300 schools.

Schools have told ACE, their largest advocacy group, they have a general lack of confidence in the Education Departments ability to provide them the most accurate information in a timely manner. Theyre not confident in the agencys rollout of the FAFSA and that they will receive these student aid records without errors.

About half of all colleges reported they will be adjusting their May 1 deadline, Guillory said, and another 13 percent have already pushed them back. Despite the accommodations schools are making, processing data and sending out aid packages in a matter of days is an immense undertaking.

And if you don't do it immediately, now it's your fault, he said. That is not a fair place to put the institutions in. We need to look at the issue holistically and stop pointing fingers.

Dana Nickel contributed to this report.
A sign captured in front of a home on Harbor Drive in Indian Rocks Beach on Jan 14, 2023 (credit: Mitch Perry)

Quality Journalism for Critical Times

As lawmakers were winding down in the Capitol, Florida lawmakers finally passed a contentious bill that has irked local governments over the past decade  a proposal to give the state more power to regulate short-term vacation rentals such as Airbnb and Vrbo platforms, which have changed the vacation landscape in a tourist-heavy state.

But a growing list of opponents have been inundating Gov. Ron DeSantis office with emails and phone calls ever since. The bill had been approved on the second to last day of the legislative session, which ended March 8.

The opponents began urging DeSantis to veto the measure, with neighborhood residents and local government officials from coastal and tourist communities saying that the bill will tarnish their quality of life.

Other opponents  such as the Florida Realtors group  say that if the measure becomes law, it will erode the rights of property owners who rent out their homes, and ultimately hurt the states economy.

We are trying to educate the governor that this is a bad bill and only hurts residential communities, says David Will, the mayor of Redington Beach in Pinellas County. Will has made numerous trips to Tallahassee to lobby against this bill and previous versions of the proposal since he was elected in 2021.

We are one signature away from sweeping legislation that will change Floridas vacation rental lodging association forever, warns the Florida Alliance for Vacation Rentals (FAVR), in an email message to its members.

Fair and balanced?

Unlike other controversial bills approved in Tallahassee this past session, the opposition to the measure (SB 280) transcended partisanship, with the House passing it 60-51, one of the closest margins of any proposal that came before the chamber this winter.

Pinellas County Republican Nick DiCeglie, the Senate bill sponsor, said the measure was a fair and balanced approach to an issue that has divided residential communities and the rights of property owners in Florida for years. He told lawmakers at one committee meeting earlier this year that while every community in the state is unique, a state law was required to prevent local governments from enacting ordinances that are used as a weapon to stop vacation rentals from operating at all.

DiCeglie boasted that the bill now creates a statewide database of all short-term rental hosts, but critics note that it does not require that vacation hosts report a physical address to either the states Department of Business and Professional Regulations (DBPR), nor the local government which is registering the property.

Do any other bricks and mortar businesses in Florida get to hide their physical addresses from the public, Indian Rocks Beach resident Kelly Cisarik wrote in a letter to Gov. DeSantis requesting that he veto the bill.

How would local law enforcement or fire departments quickly find a property owner in an emergency? They respond to an address that is not listed with the state! The state registry does not list that physical address where the emergency occurred. There will be no state license number or local registration number displayed on the exterior of a building under SB 280 either. My city requires an exterior placard with the local registration number. Those will be gone if this law is implemented.

Similar concerns coming from all over Florida

The explosive growth of short-term rentals has rocked the neighborhood. It seems like it happened overnight all of a sudden, says Carol Anderson, the president of North Beach Community Alliance Inc. in Vilano Beach, an unincorporated part of St. Johns County just outside of St. Augustine in northeast Florida. Anderson tells the Phoenix that in 2022 her organization discovered that 40% of the properties in their neighborhood had become short-term rentals, and that 70% had been purchased since 2018.

Vacation rentals. Credit: Julie Hauserman

St. Johns County passed their own ordinance regulating short-term vacation rentals in 2021 an ordinance that would be stripped away if the governor signs the bill. I just dont think that pulling out the local limitations that were allowed is going to be helpful at all because the states not putting anything in there to be duplicative of what we have, Anderson says.

In 2011 the Legislature prohibited local governments from enacting any new laws that restricted the use of vacation rentals. But just three years later they amended the law after receiving substantial criticism from local governments. The 2014 law allowed those local governments the ability to handle issues like noise, trash and parking, but said that they still could not regulate the duration of the frequency of short-term rentals.

In the bill passed earlier this month, a late-filed amendment was added: Counties can keep their own local vacation rental ordinances as long as they were passed before 2016  which as it turns out, affects only one jurisdiction  Flagler County, which passed its local ordinance regulating short-term vacation rentals in February 2015.

That carveout has outraged some local mayors.

We passed a comprehensive local registration process in 2020 when that was permitted but I think this bill kills [that] for us but not Flagler. But why? Melbourne Beach Mayor Alison Dennington told the Phoenix in an email. We spent a great deal of money (staff, numerous meetings, legal fees, drafting and redrafting, public notice, 1st and 2nd reads, etc.).

Indian Rocks Beach Mayor Cookie Kennedy says it took over six months last year for her city to come up with an ordinance regulating short-term vacation rentals. Why isnt Pinellas County, exempt from the bill? she says, laughing. How fair is that? I mean, what is this about?

In introducing the amendment, neither DiCeglie nor the House bill sponsor, Bay County Republican Philip Griffitts, ever explained why Flagler County, which coincidentally is the home to House Speaker Paul Renner, was allowed to have their local ordinance regulating vacation rentals grandfathered into the bill.

Dont you think thats kind of odd? Kennedy asks.

Its not fair

The city of Anna Maria is a residential community located at the northern end of Anna Maria Island in Manatee County on Floridas west coast. Its mayor, Dan Murphy, was reportedly scheduled to meet with DeSantis this week, according to The Anna Maria Islander. Murphy did not return the Phoenixs request for comment but did tell the local paper that the bills provision on regulating occupancy would be virtually unenforceable.

Its not fair.  This is something that could change the whole complexion of this city, Murphy said. This is something that could be really devastating to us.

Adding some heft to the opposition is the Florida Realtors, but for different reasons than where the local governments are coming from.

For example, after receiving criticism that the charge for a registration fee from property owners was too low, DiCeglie amended it to now give local governments the ability to charge a reasonable fee. The Realtors say that risks charging excessive fees to property owners who want to rent their homes out.

The bill also calls for capping the maximum overnight occupancy at the greater of either two people per bedroom, plus an additional two people in one common area, or more than two people per bedroom if there is at least 50 square feet per person. The Realtors oppose that provision, saying it would mean that multi-family groups could struggle to find accommodations that comfortably fit everyone, potentially leading to higher costs for those families, prompting them to choose other states to vacation.

Another opponent is the Florida Alliance for Vacation Rentals (FAVR), a vacation rental owners nonprofit association. Theyre warning its members that if passed, the measure would be a bureaucratic nightmare for the tens of thousands of Floridians who currently rent out their homes to paying visitors.

Vacation Rental Managers who operate statewide will also feel the increasing burden of more regulations, fees, fines and more hoops to jump through, the organization recently wrote to its members in an email.

Its not perfect

Even those who supported the proposal in the Legislature arent doing much to sell its benefits.

Florida beaches. March 18, 2020. Credit: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Pinellas County House Republican Berny Jacques, who voted for the bill, told some constituents at a town hall meeting recently that its not perfect. Sometimes you just have to hold your nose sometimes.

I see both aspects of [the issue], he added. People say private property rights. I can appreciate that, but its also your private property rights to not live next to a hotel, right? And so how do you balance that? And there are public safety elements as well.

Gov. DeSantis hasnt commented publicly about SB 280, but back in 2020, when a similarly worded bill was making its way through the legislative committee process, he let it be known that philosophically he had issues with the state taking over control of regulating tens of thousands of vacation rentals.

We are a very diverse state. For us to be micromanaging vacation rentals, I am not sure that is the right thing to do, DeSantis told reporters after a dedication ceremony at Florida A&M University, as reported by the News Service of Florida. These are things where youll have kind of a quiet neighborhood. Then you will have someone doing this and there are parties going on and some of the residents get upset. My view would be, probably, that it should be determined locally.

Once the Legislature sends SB 280 to DeSantis, he will have 15 days to either sign the bill, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature.

The post The effort to get the FL governor to veto short-term vacation rental bill accelerates appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  El Paso District Attorney Bill Hicks hosted a press conference on Friday, March 22 regarding the implementation of Texas Senate Bill 4, the District Attorneys Office said in a press release.

Was held at 3:30 p.m. on Friday at the El Paso County Courthouse.

This story will be updated once we gather more details.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Two days after Christmas, El Paso police responded to a 911 call from a woman who had allegedly shot and killed her husband at a South-Central home.

Luz Elena Martinez, 54, told police that she fatally shot her husband, Jose Luis Avalos Reyes, 47, because he allegedly attacked her with a knife after raping her, according to a police criminal complaint affidavit.

When police officers entered the home, Reyes lay dead on a bed with a knife by his his left hand. He had been shot more than once, stated the affidavit filed by an El Paso police homicide detective.

Homicides 2024: Man arrested for murder in Central El Paso stabbing claims self-defense

The shooting occurred around 4:30 a.m. on Dec. 27 at a home in the 400 block of French Place, near Delta Park.

Luz Elena Martinez was arrested on a murder charge on March 11 accused in the fatal shooting of her husband, Jose Luis Avalos Reyes, at a home on French Place in South-Central El Paso on Dec. 27, 2023.

On March 11, after a police homicide investigation, a U.S. Marshals fugitive task force arrested Martinez on Alameda Avenue near Fox Plaza on a warrant on a murder charge for allegedly killing Reyes, police officials said.

Martinez is being held under a $500,000 bond at the El Paso County Jail Annex. She does not have a lawyer listed on court records.

A deadly shooting in December

When police officers responding to the 911 call arrived, they found Martinez sitting inside a dark blue taxi van parked outside the home on French Place. She was accompanied by three people, the complaint affidavit stated.

Martinez told police that she had been raped and then asked for a lawyer.

Crime: Jaguars El Paso strip club permanently closed after crime, nuisance allegations

Inside the home, Reyes was dead on a bed. A pistol was on a nightstand next to the bed, police noted.

The investigation allegedly discovered other inconsistencies in the account that Martinez had given. She allegedly told witnesses that she shot Reyes, the affidavit stated.

Detectives learned that Martinez phoned a relative at 4:27 a.m. after the shooting before calling 911 at 4:39 a.m., the affidavit stated.

'He came at me with a knife so I shot him'

A sexual assault evidence kit was done on Martinez by a sexual assault nurse examiner. Martinez had told the nurse, "at one point he came at me with a knife so I shot him, then he stood up with the knife and I shot him again," the affidavit stated. The affidavit does not say whether Martinez was actually sexually assaulted.

According to the affidavit, evidence at the scene indicated that Reyes was lying down on the bed when he was shot at a close distance, contradicting what Martinez had told the nurse, alleging that he stood up with the knife.

Immigration: As Texas SB 4 law debate rages, El Paso law enforcement stuck in the middle

The knife was by Reyes' left hand, but detectives later found out that he was right handed, detectives noted.

An El Paso police patrol car and the police mobile command vehicle at a crime scene. File art.

As the investigation continued, detectives learned that Martinez had discovered that Reyes was having an extramarital affair, the affidavit stated. Martinez had hired a private investigator to follow her husband and she had also hired a divorce lawyer.

Detectives alleged that Martinez intentionally shot and killed her husband after learning about the affair.

Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com; @BorundaDaniel on X, formerly Twitter.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso woman killed cheating husband, lied of attack, police say
FILE PHOTO: Man holds laptop computer as cyber code is projected on him in this illustration picture

By Christopher Bing and Raphael Satter

(Reuters) -Elite hackers tied to Russian intelligence last month targeted several German political parties with an eye toward burrowing into their networks and stealing data, according to an alert released by Germany's cybersecurity agency and security researchers working for Google owner Alphabet.

In a report published on Friday, Alphabet's Mandiant cyber unit said it had caught the hacking group known as APT29, which is alleged by Western intelligence to act on behalf of Russia's SVR foreign spy agency, trying to trick "key German political figures" into opening an email masquerading as an invitation to a March 1 dinner event hosted by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Germany's center-right political party.

An alert circulated by Germany's BSI cyber agency and reviewed by Reuters referred to the same incident, saying that state-backed cyber spies were targeting German political parties in an effort to build long-term access and exfiltrate data.

In a statement, the CDU said it had long been exposed to digital attacks from domestic and foreign actors.

"In this case, too, we received very prompt information about the attack," the statement said. "There was no official CDU dinner on 1 March, the event was fictitious."

The alert did not give further details on who was believed to be responsible and neither it nor Mandiant provided details on who specifically was targeted. The BSI did not immediately return a request for comment. The Russian embassy in Washington also did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment.

The BSI said in its alert that foreign powers were particularly interested in spying on politicians in the context of the "upcoming European elections." Mandiant said the targeting fit in with Moscow's focus on its long-running conflict with Kyiv.

"This latest targeting is not just about going after Germany or its politicians; it is part of Russia's wider effort aimed at finding ways to undermine European support for Ukraine," Mandiant's Dan Black said in a statement.

Germany is among the Western nations that have provided military support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. In December, Russian President Vladimir Putin said relations between the Berlin and Moscow have remained largely frozen.

Germany's Der Spiegel first reported on the alleged hacking campaign earlier on Friday.

(Reporting by Christopher Bing and Raphael Satter; Thomas Escritt in Berlin and Andreas Rinke in Brussels contributed to this report. Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Paul Simao.)
At the invitation of Premier Li Qiang of the State Council, Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Dinesh Gunawardena will pay an official visit to China from March 25 to 30.



At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Nepals Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha will pay an official visit to China from March 25 to April 1.

Peoples Daily: China announced that Nauru President Adeang will visit China. Can you brief us on the arrangements of Nauru Presidents upcoming visit and Chinas expectation?

Lin Jian: This visit will be Nauru Presidents first state visit to China after China and Nauru reestablished diplomatic ties in January this year. China stands ready to work with Nauru to take this visit as an opportunity to cement political mutual trust, expand exchanges and cooperation across the board, deepen the friendship between our two peoples and further advance our bilateral relations.

China Daily: At a meeting on March 20, the government of Ukraine decided to scrap the International Sponsors of War list made and published by Ukraines National Agency on Corruption Prevention. What is Chinas comment?

Lin Jian: Chinas position on the Ukraine issue is consistent and clear. We always stand on the side of peace and justice. Regarding the listing of Chinese companies by relevant Ukrainian institution, we have made clear our firm opposition. China welcomes the canceling of the list by Ukraine.

Reuters: The UN Security Council is supposed to vote today on whether to extend the mandate for the UN panel on experts on North Korea. Does China support extending that mandate?

Lin Jian: Im not aware of that.

CNR: China just announced Sri Lankas Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardenas visit to China. Whats Chinas arrangements and expectations of this visit?

Lin Jian: Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has visited China several times and greatly contributed to the growth of China-Sri Lanka relations. During this visit, President Xi Jinping will meet with him, and Premier Li Qiang and Chairman Zhao Leji will meet and have talks with him respectively. The leaders of the two countries will have an in-depth exchange of views on carrying forward traditional friendship, deepening political mutual trust, expanding practical cooperation, and international and regional issues of common interest.

China and Sri Lanka are traditional friends and neighbors. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1957, the two countries have always stood together and moved ahead shoulder-to-shoulder, setting a good example of equality and friendly relations between countries. In recent years, the two countries have had frequent high-level interactions, advanced political mutual trust, strengthened exchanges and cooperation in economy, trade, people-to-people exchange, and other fields, and maintained sound communication and coordination on regional and international affairs. Last October, President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe attended the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in China. President Xi Jinping had an in-depth exchange of views with him and they reached important common understandings on developing the bilateral relations.

China attaches great importance to its relations with Sri Lanka. We stand ready to work with Sri Lanka to implement the important common understandings reached by leaders of the two countries, expand exchange and cooperation in various fields, including high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and strive for new progress in the strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship.

CCTV: China has recently faced headwinds when exporting its electric vehicles. Not long ago, the EU announced customs registration of electric vehicles imported from China, and will probably impose retroactive tariffs on relevant vehicles. The UK and the US are ready to launch an anti-subsidy probe into Chinese electric vehicles or an investigation into the national security risks posed by them. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that the government is taking steps to ensure the success of Americas electric vehicle industry. Whats your comment?



Lin Jian: Electric vehicle is a globalized industry. Only division of labor and cooperation can bring mutual benefits, and only fair competition can bring technological progress. Advocating protectionism and establishing trade barriers in the name of fair competition and national security goes against the principles of market economy and WTO rules. In the short term, some countries will seemingly take advantage of these practices, but what they protect are their underdeveloped industries, what they lose is their future development, and what they reap is lose-lose. In the long term, the interests of their industries and customers will be affected, and the global transition to a green economy and the fight against climate change will be undermined. In fact, the automobile industries in the US and Europe have expressed opposition to these practices. Many European automobile executives and business associations believe that the West should not fear Chinese electric vehicles, and restrictions such as levies cannot help solve the challenges that stifle their competitiveness.

I want to stress that the popularity of Chinese electric vehicles relies on our technological innovation and superb quality in the midst of global competition rather than subsidies. Meanwhile, China has abolished all market access restrictions on foreign investment in manufacturing and remains open to international car makers who can fully share in the dividends of Chinas big market. In 2023, China was the second largest market for Tesla who sells over 600,000 vehicles with a year-on-year increase of 37.3 percent in retail sales and generates USD 21.75 billion of revenue. Mercedes Benz, BMW and Volkswagen have been household names in China. Reports say that as the West feels unsettled by the exports of Chinese electric vehicles, one Volkswagen vehicle is sold every 10 seconds in the Chinese market.

Economic globalization is a major trend, protectionism is never a good option, and abuse of trade remedies contravenes international trade rules. Only through mutually-beneficial cooperation can we make the pie bigger; only by transcending zero-sum game can we achieve win-win. We hope relevant parties will listen carefully to the rational voice from the industry, earnestly observe WTO rules, respect market economy laws, stop turning economic and trade issues into political, security or ideological issues, and provide an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for the investment and operation of businesses from all countries, including China.

TASS: Its reported that China has reached an agreement with Yemens Houthis on unimpeded shipping in the Red Sea. Whats the Foreign Ministrys comment?

Lin Jian: The Red Sea is an important international trade route for goods and energy. China calls on relevant parties to jointly protect the safety of the shipping lanes in the Red Sea in accordance with the law and earnestly respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the coastal countries along the Red Sea. China will continue to play a constructive role and make contribution to the early restoration of peace and stability in the Red Sea.

Bloomberg: The Houthis have said that the ships of China and Russia will be allowed to sail through the Red Sea without being attacked. And this is as a result, according to these people, talks between Chinese and Russian diplomats, and one of the Houthis top political figures. So the question is, did this happen? Can you confirm that Chinese diplomats spoke with the Houthis? Did you agree on the situation? And also, its reported that in exchange for this agreement, China and Russia have agreed to provide more political support to the Houthis. So my question basically is, can you give more details? And was this exchange an understanding that China will support politically the Houthis going forward?

Lin Jian: Ive stated Chinas position and have nothing more to offer.

CCTV: You just announced that Nepals Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Shrestha will pay an official visit to China. How does China view the current China-Nepal relations? Whats Chinas expectation of the visit?



Lin Jian: China and Nepal are traditional friends and neighbors linked by mountains and rivers. In recent years, our two countries maintained close high-level exchanges with deepening practical cooperation in various fields. Our two sides maintained close coordination and collaboration in regional and international affairs. Last September, Prime Minister Prachanda paid an official visit to China and leaders of the two countries reached important common understandings on growing the China-Nepal relations.

The upcoming visit will be Mr. Shresthas first overseas visit after taking office as Nepals Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs. China stands ready to work with Nepal to take this visit as an opportunity to further deliver on the important common understandings between leaders of the two countries, deepen political mutual trust, pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, expand exchanges and cooperation in various areas and strive for new progress in building China-Nepal strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity.

AFP: The United Nations Security Council will vote today on a draft resolution submitted by the United States calling for the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. So could you tell us how China views this draft resolution and how it plans to vote?

Lin Jian: The ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict is still raging, which inflicted a severe humanitarian crisis. The international community expects the Security Council to earnestly fulfill its mandate. China supports the Security Council in taking more responsible and meaningful actions as soon as possible and working relentlessly to realize an early cessation of hostilities in Gaza, ease the humanitarian situation and implement the two-State solution. We believe that on the Palestinian-Israeli question, we must respect facts and history, listen to and respect the position and aspiration of Arab countries, realize an early ceasefire, ease the humanitarian situation and implement the two-State solution. This is the yardstick to assess the Security Councils actions and decisions.

Shenzhen TV: The Prime Minister of Eswatini Russell Mmiso Dlamini visited Taiwan recently, during which he met with Tsai Ing-wen, Lai Ching-te and Premier of the Executive Yuan Chen Chien-jen, attended the welcome dinner hosted by head of Taiwans foreign affairs office Wu Jaushieh, visited Taiwans companies and universities and held the Seminar on Exploring Investment Opportunities in the Kingdom of Eswatini. What is Chinas comment on this?

Lin Jian: We noted the recent visit to Taiwan by the Prime Minister of Eswatini Russell Mmiso Dlamini. This is a grave provocation to the one-China principle and Chinas sovereignty. China firmly opposes this.

There is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinas territory, and the government of the Peoples Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. This is a prevailing international consensus that brooks no challenge. On the visit to Taiwan by the Prime Minister of Eswatini, I would like to stress the following two points:

First, over the past 56 years of the so-called diplomatic ties between Eswatini and the Taiwan region, the people of Eswatini hardly received any tangible benefits and Eswatinis national development hardly achieved any progress. We believe the people of Eswatini know this well. The Taiwan authorities squander the taxpayers money to support some bigwigs in Eswatini to maintain the so-called diplomatic ties. This kind of relationship is worth nothing to people in Taiwan and in Eswatini.

Second, over 180 countries and international organizations reaffirmed their commitment to the one-China principle after the elections in the Taiwan region. Recently, Nauru reestablished diplomatic ties with China, cutting the number of countries that have the so-called diplomatic ties with the Taiwan region to only 12. Undeniable facts once again show that one China is where global opinion trends and the arc of history bends. Certain persons in power in Eswatini run counter to the trend of the times and maintain the so-called diplomatic ties with the Taiwan region. Such moves find no support and will not persist.

We believe that the people of Eswatini will see clearly the truth about Taiwan independence and recognize the perils of the deformed dollar diplomacy between Taiwan and Eswatini. We urge certain persons in power in Eswatini to see squarely the prevailing consensus in the international community, refrain from being self-deceptive or deliberately undermining the one-China principle, which is a basic norm governing international relations, and realize their errors and mend their ways as soon as possible.

Bloomberg: I believe there was a press conference or a meeting this morning between Li Hui and some diplomats and some representatives of the press from 18 countries, but not everybody from the media organizations was there. So could you give me a brief in terms of what was the main message from Li Hui? What was the deliverable from this trip to Ukraine and the European countries?



Lin Jian: Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs Li Hui held a press briefing on March 22 and shared with diplomatic envoys and Chinese and foreign press representatives information on the second round of shuttle diplomacy on the Ukraine crisis. China has released a readout which you may refer to. Id like to also share with you relevant information at the press conference.

Special Representative Li Hui elaborated on his in-depth exchange of views with various parties on how to achieve an early ceasefire and political resolution of the crisis and other issues during his visit to Russia, Ukraine, and other relevant European countries. Li Hui said that all parties commended Chinas efforts on mediation and expected China to play a more constructive role. They agreed that as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a friend of both Russia and Ukraine, China is in a good position to mediate between the two countries and among various parties, convey information, and encourage all parties to seek common ground while shelving differences, build consensus and build up favorable conditions for peace talks.

Special Representative Li Hui also stressed China supports the holding in due course of an international peace conference that is recognized by both Russia and Ukraine and ensures the equal participation of all parties and fair discussions on all peace plans. We stand ready to continue playing our unique role and contributing Chinas wisdom and strength to the political settlement of the crisis.

PTI: Just like to seek a clarification about the China-Russia-Houthis deal that you talked about here. Does this particular deal get extended to any other countries or probably confined to just China and Russia?

Lin Jian: I just stated Chinas position.

Bloomberg: I just want to ask about the China Development Forum which begins over the weekend on Sunday and Monday in Beijing. Im wondering if you have any details about who might be some of the top leaders or speakers at that event. Do you have any information regarding Chinese government officials, and top leaders, especially those who might speak at that event?

Lin Jian: China will release relevant information in due course. Please stay tuned.




UNITED NATIONS, March 21 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Thursday urged the international community to make collective efforts to alleviate humanitarian crisis in Syria, and promote a political solution to the Syrian issue.

"Thanks to the joint efforts by the Syrian Government and the UN, the border crossings for aid delivery are now operating effectively. We urge parties concerned to actively cooperate to facilitate cross-line deliveries," Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told the UN Security Council briefing on Syria.

He called on the international community to scale up its humanitarian assistance to Syria, provide adequate and unearmarked financial support to early recovery projects throughout Syria.

"Unilateral sanctions and resource plunder have long hindered the economic recovery, social development, and improvement of people's livelihoods in Syria. We urge relevant countries to immediately cease these unlawful acts. Foreign forces should immediately end their illegal military presence in Syria," said the envoy.

The envoy noted that the recent Arab League foreign ministers meeting reaffirmed its abiding commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and its objection to any external interference.

"We are of the view that support from regional countries can give new impetus to the political settlement of Syrian issue. We welcome UN special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen's broad engagements with all parties on the implementation of resolution 2254," he said.

He underscored that the international community should uphold the Syrian-led and Syrian-owned principle and encourage dialogue and consultation, so as to find a solution acceptable to all parties.

"Terrorism is a persistent threat to the political process in Syria. We welcome the measures taken by the Syrian Government to fight terrorism and maintain security and stability. The international community must fight all terrorism in Syria with zero tolerance," the envoy added.

Geng said that since the outbreak of the current round of Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Israel, over the occupied Golan Heights and the Blue Line, has launched frequent airstrikes against various locations in Syria in grave violation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"China is deeply concerned about this. Against the backdrop of ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict, all parties must exercise restraint, avoid exacerbating tensions, prevent hot-spots feeding off each other and the spread of conflict. Major countries outside the region should play a constructive role in deescalating the situation."

Geng urged the international community to redouble its collective efforts to manage the conflict in Gaza and leverage the unconditional Ramadan ceasefire as an entry point to push for a permanent ceasefire, thereby injecting more positive energy into peace and stability in the Middle East, including in Syria. 
Judy Chang, David Rosner and Lindsay See, nominees to serve on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, are sworn in Thursday at the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. (Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee livestream)

President Joe Bidens three nominees to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission faced questions from a U.S. Senate committee Thursday, with senators probing their views on fossil fuels and climate policy, the reliability of the nations electric grid and gas delivery system and how to handle the pressing need for new electric transmission lines, among other topics.

One major clean energy industry group, wary of a political fight that could leave the crucial energy regulator without a quorum during a major transition of the electric grid, called on the Senate to confirm the nominees swiftly.

Sen. Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat and the powerful chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee who has clashed with the Biden administration over climate and energy policy, called the work of the commission enormously important to the nation.

The commissions job is to ensure the orderly development of plentiful supplies of electricity, natural gas at reasonable prices, Manchin said. It enables us to keep the lights on, protects the American people from excessive gas and electric rates and it protects the public interest. The job calls for people who can fairly assess the needs and concerns of all interests affected by our energy policies and apply the law.

Manchin has taken FERC head-on in the past, refusing to hold a confirmation hearing for former FERC Chair Richard Glick, a Democrat who had been nominated for a second term by Biden. Glick had spearheaded efforts to more thoroughly vet the need for natural gas pipelines and their environmental effects, angering Manchin.

By law, FERC has five members, with no more than three from the same political party. They are appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate and serve five-year staggered terms. Biden is attempting to fill vacancies left by Glick, who departed in 2023; GOP commissioner James Danly, whose term expired last year; and Democrat Allison Clements, whose term expires this summer. If no new appointments are confirmed before Clements leaves, the commission would be reduced to two members.

The nominees

At least two of Bidens nominees could be seen as an olive branch to Manchin. One is David Rosner, a Democrat and FERC energy industry analyst who was detailed to Manchins committee and was recommended for the commission seat by the senator last year, Politicos E&E News reported. Rosner was previously a senior policy adviser at the U.S. Department of Energy and an associate director at the Bipartisan Policy Centers energy project.

The other is West Virginia Solicitor General Lindsay See, a Republican who led the states successful legal fight against the Environmental Protection Agencys proposal to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants that wound up before the U.S. Supreme Court. The third nominee, Judy Chang, a Democrat, is an energy economics and policy expert and adjunct lecturer and senior fellow at Harvards Kennedy School. She is the former undersecretary of energy and climate solutions for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

In a hearing that featured few fireworks, Chang faced the toughest grilling. Wyoming Republican Sen. John Barrasso blasted Massachusetts for consuming more energy than it produces and blocking natural gas pipelines as part of a radical climate agenda.

The last thing FERC needs is someone eager to impose the failed policies of Massachusetts on the rest of our nation, he said.

Barrasso questioned Chang about a 2018 newspaper article in which she was quoted as saying it doesnt make sense to build new gas pipelines or power plants.

Do you still think its fiscally irresponsible to invest in pipelines? Barrasso asked. Chang initially said the issue is very complex in New England but added that if I had my magic wand I would love to have more gas infrastructure and gas supply in the region.

Pretty civilized

In response to repeated questions from multiple GOP senators about whether FERC is an economic or environmental regulator, the nominees agreed that is the former. They also agreed that beneficiaries should shoulder the costs for transmission projects, though quantifying benefits of large transmission projects, and who they extend to, is a thorny debate. FERC is expected to release a final rule to address some of those questions this spring.

The who pays question is significant, said Utah GOP Sen. Mike Lee, who was concerned about socializing the costs of transmission to ratepayers that will not benefit from those projects and did not have a say in the climate policies that have been adopted in other states.

Colorado Sen. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat who has been pushing legislation to build more interregional transmission lines, asked whether FERC should establish minimum interregional electric transfer requirements, which would allow different parts of the electric grid to better help each other during increasing severe weather and other emergencies. All three nominees voiced interest, though See and Chang noted the importance of taking regional differences into account.

Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican, asked whether FERC has the authority to incorporate greenhouse gas emissions into its review of projects, a long-running debate at the agency. The nominees pledged to follow the law, though Rosner noted there are some courts that have decided the agency needs to consider certain emissions.

According to the Natural Gas Act, it does not specify greenhouse gas as a criteria for evaluating natural gas pipelines, Chang said.

The nominees were also asked about grid-enhancing technologies, which can improve the capacity of existing transmission lines, speeding up the connection of new power resources to the grid and local and state conflicts with federal authority over transmission, among other concerns.

But they mostly provided artful answers, noted Ari Peskoe, director of the Electricity Law Initiative at the Harvard Law School Environmental and Energy Law Program.

I think if theres any value to these hearings, its that the public hears what issues the senators are interested in, he said. These nominees were careful to avoid saying anything that would get them into trouble with either the Republicans or Democrats.

Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican, called the committee hearing pretty civilized and not pitting individuals against one another or kind of the political trading that goes back and forth.

And indeed, the tone of the hearing could signal that the nominees might face a smooth path to confirmation, Peskoe said. The Koch Industries-linked American Energy Alliance, which has been supportive of fossil fuel industries, complained that Manchin is working with President Biden to rush these nominees through the process without much scrutiny.

These three nominees were selected to ease some of the political considerations, Peskoe said. Maybe it actually suggests well have a moment of cooperation here.

Its never ideal for FERC to be without a quorum, like it was in 2017, but now is a particularly bad time, said Caitlin Marquis, managing director at Advanced Energy United, a clean energy trade group.

There should be recognition from both sides that FERC without a quorum is bad for everyone. It creates uncertainty for all aspects of the energy industry, she said. Theres never a good time for FERC to be in turmoil but certainly this is a time of historic change in the industry.

Manchins office did not respond Thursday to questions about next steps for the nominees.

The post Energy regulator nominees face Senate committee appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Russian forces attacked an energy infrastructure object in the Stryi district of Lviv Oblast on March 22, Lviv Regional Military Administration head, Maxym Kozytskyi, reported on Telegram.

A fire broke out at the facility following a drone strike, and firefighters are on the scene working to extinguish the blaze.

No casualties have been reported, Kozytskyi said.

Read also:

The Russian military launched its most extensive attack of 2024 on Ukraine's energy system on the morning of March 22, targeting multiple oblasts with cruise and ballistic missiles, and drones.

Local authorities reported strikes in Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhya, Lviv, Khmelnytskyi, and Vinnytsia oblasts.

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
ENTERPRISE, Ala (WDHN)  An $11,000 grant has been awarded to the Enterprise Fire Department from the Alabama Power Foundation to buy materials for fire prevention and safety education.

The grant was presented to Enterprise Fire Chief Christopher Davis by a spokesperson from the foundation on Thursday.

Simply put, this grant has the ability to help us save lives, Chief Christopher Davis said. Anytime we can reach both children and adults to improve their fire safety knowledge, and get them excited about it, thats a win. This grant allows us to create memorable training experiences for our citizens.

The funds will be used to buy an inflatable fire safety training house with a realistic setting and updated technology. This will be used to give examples of fire behavior, protection, and escape in a safe setting.

According to the City of Enterprise, the EFDs last fire trainer deteriorated and could not be used. This forced Enterprise Firefighters to learn through lectures instead of hands-on training.

The inflatable training house will be taken to school visits, local festivals, and other community events.

While the presence of our firefighters and fire trucks does create some excitement, this inflatable fire safety house creates a fun, bouncy-house-like atmosphere where visitors can enter a four-room setting simulating a living room, bedroom and other areas of a home. They will have visual learning on topics like burning candles in the home, cooking safely, smoke alarms, space heater safety, said Davis.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex released a statement after the Princess of Wales shared the update about her health

KIRSTY O'CONNOR/POOL/AFP via Getty Kate Middleton, Prince William, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on the long Walk at Windsor Castle on September 10, 2022.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have released a statement after their sister-in-law Kate Middleton announced that she is receiving cancer treatment.

"We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace," the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said in a statement shared with PEOPLE on Friday.

Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, last stepped out with Princess Kate and Prince William for a surprise walkabout in Windsor following the death of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were in Europe for a series of charity events when Queen Elizabeth died at age 96. The couple extended their trip from California, where they relocated after stepping back from their royal roles in 2020, for the funerary events.

On Friday, Princess Kate released a video message to share that following her abdominal surgery in January, post-operative tests "found cancer had been present." The Princess of Wales explained that she is in the "early stages" of a course of preventative chemotherapy and that she and Prince William took time to explain the situation to their children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, before the public announcement.

Related: Kate Middleton Reveals Cancer Diagnosis: Full Recap

Before the Princess of Wales shared the latest news about her health, a family source told PEOPLE that Prince Harry and Meghan were in the dark about Kate's abdominal surgery and recovery.

"They are aware of everything that goes on back in England, but are being left out of any details regarding Kate," the source told PEOPLE. "There is clearly no trust."

KIRSTY O'CONNOR/POOL/AFP via Getty Kate Middleton, Prince William, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on the long Walk at Windsor Castle on September 10, 2022.

While the Duke of Sussex traveled from California to the U.K. in February following the announcement of King Charles' cancer diagnosis, his brief stay in the U.K. did not involve meeting with his brother Prince William or sister-in-law Princess Kate. A royal source said at the time there were "no plans" for the brothers to get together.

Related: King Charles Informed of Kate Middleton's Cancer Diagnosis as He Also Undergoes Treatment for Cancer

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Chris Jackson/Getty Kate Middleton, Prince William, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on the long Walk at Windsor Castle on September 10, 2022.

A former courtier suggested Prince William's "principal concern is his wife" in the weeks following the procedure Princess Kate described as "major" on Friday, but trust continues to be a concern following the release of Harry's revealing memoir, Spare, and the revealing Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan.

"It would be the normal run of things to go and see your sister-in-law who's had a serious operation and also see your niece and nephews. But it isn't normal. It's terribly sad," a source close to the royal household told PEOPLE.

Queen Camilla also made sure to be in the room during Prince Harry and King Charles' short reunion at Clarence House on Feb. 6.

"This is all to do with William's wish to protect the institution of the monarchy, which he feels Harry can't be trusted with. I don't think William will ever agree to readmission of Harry into the family unless he clearly apologizes and moves forward," royal author Robert Lacey told PEOPLE.

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Read the original article on People.
When the 165-foot-tall (50 meters) SpaceX Starship upper stage crashed into the Indian Ocean last week during its third test flight, environmentally conscious observers wondered whether the stainless-steel vehicle, perhaps containing hundreds of kilograms of residual fuel, could endanger marine life. The good news is  not really. Starship uses one of the most environmentally friendly fuel combinations available. Still, sustainability experts warn that the rocket is not without its problems.

"Debris and fuel [from the latest Starship launch ] are a drop in the ocean," Tommaso Sgobba, executive director of the International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety, told Space.com.

Starship's Raptor engines burn liquid oxygen and liquid methane, neither of which, fortunately, is toxic to the environment.

Related: Relive SpaceX Starship's 3rd flight test in breathtaking photos

Still, dumping garbage into the ocean is not the most respectable behavior, although the world's space agencies and launch operators have been doing that for decades.

"The stuff actually dumped is similar to other industrial materials contributed by shipping and fishing," space sustainability researcher Vitali Braun told Space.com. "Theoretically, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea binds all states 'to protect and preserve the marine environment in all zones of the sea.' So, effectively, states dumping their trash into the ocean is a violation of this treaty."

What concerns Braun most are Elon Musk's plans to ramp up the frequency of Starship launches to perhaps hundreds per year. Each of those flights could loft more than 100 tons' worth of satellites into space. These satellites will not only be going up, but at some point, they will be also falling back down.

"Those numbers are insane," Braun said. "We have already seen an exponential increase in reentering satellites and rocket stages in the past years. With that perspective, I am quite concerned about the consequences."

Satellites and old rockets burn up when they spiral back to Earth, leaving behind metallic ash , the composition of which raises concerns. Some researchers think that these remnants of satellite incineration could damage Earth's protective ozone layer or even affect the planet's magnetic field. Most of the reentering material vaporizes some 75 to 50 miles (120 to 80 kilometers) above Earth's surface. At these altitudes, the ash particles may remain essentially forever, which means their concentrations will only continue to rise.

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But there are other concerns about frequent Starship launches. Methane, although not toxic, is a gas commonly found in nature and is used to power everything from city heating through electricity generation to transport. When burned, it converts into carbon dioxide and water vapor. Although the overall greenhouse gas emissions of methane combustion are lower than those of burning oil or coal, the gas still contributes to the warming greenhouse effect that humankind is currently working hard to thwart.

According to Andrew Wilson, assistant professor in environmental management at Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland, one Starship launch produces 76,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (a measure combining different types of greenhouse gases in one unit). That's 2.72 times more emissions than those produced by a single SpaceX Falcon 9 launch but only 0.96 of the emissions produced by a Falcon Heavy liftoff. Both the Falcon 9 and the Falcon Heavy combust the much dirtier oil-based rocket fuel RP-1, so their carbon footprint per ton launched is much higher. The Falcon 9 , for example, has less than one-sixth the payload capacity of Starship.

Carbon emissions are not Starship's only contribution to global warming. Water vapor too is a potent greenhouse gas. The higher layers of Earth's atmosphere naturally contain very little of it, and scientists don't know what water vapor produced by rocket exhaust at high altitudes can do to the planet. On top of that, Starship emissions contain soot, which spreads throughout the upper atmosphere and absorbs incoming heat. This effect, known as radiative forcing, can contribute to additional warming. And let's not forget that methane itself is a greenhouse gas up to 90 times more potent in trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. Methane leaks from processing and storage facilities and gas pipelines are known to be a major contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions.

A full accounting of the atmospheric impact would also include the greenhouse gases generated by the manufacture of Starship vehicles, which occurs at SpaceX's Starbase facility in South Texas. But that's an even tougher number to pin down.

Related: Climate change: Causes and effects

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Carbon footprint

Wilson cautions that the sheer size of Starship and the frequency at which SpaceX plans to launch it mean that the giant rocket's environmental footprint in the long term is unlikely to remain just a drop in the ocean.

"Historically, the space sector has been granted a lot of exemptions from different legislations, and, as a result, they have essentially been able to get away with doing what they want," Wilson said. "And Starship, because it's the biggest rocket ever built, is also one of the dirtiest."

Right now, the overall amount of greenhouse gas emissions from spaceflight is negligible, equivalent to 1% or 2% of the carbon footprint of aviation, which by itself makes up about 2.5% of overall global greenhouse gas emissions. But the number of rocket launches has been rising steeply in recent years. 2023 saw a record-breaking 223 attempted spaceflights worldwide, according to astronomer and space age historian Jonathan McDowell . That's more than double the 85 attempts made in 2016. SpaceX alone launched a record 96 orbital rockets last year and aims for nearly 150 in 2024. SpaceX's bold ambitions are what worry scientists like Wilson.

"If it scales up and SpaceX launches Starship more and more and more, as they say they will, then there will be an accumulation of those effects on our environment," said Wilson.

Apart from enabling humankind to colonize Mars , as Elon Musk envisions, Starship has also been proposed as a next-generation means of intercontinental travel that could shorten the duration of the longest journeys here on Earth to a mere hour.

"The amount of pollution that would cause in comparison to aircraft is orders of magnitude of a difference," said Wilson.

While engineers in most industries are scratching their heads, pondering how to decarbonize by the middle of this century as required by international climate protection pledges, Musk and his company are developing a carbon-intensive business with uncertain impacts on the environment, Wilson suggests.

The Paris Agreement, signed at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in the French capital, binds nations to limit global warming to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 degrees Celsius) compared to preindustrial times. So far, that goal appears to be slipping through our fingers. In 2023, in fact, global temperatures breached the 2.7 degrees F threshold on 50% of days, according to the European Copernicus Climate Change Service .

"We are in a climate crisis  we already saw warming that is close to the targets of the Paris Agreement  and here we go, creating a massive launcher which is going to just add more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere," Wilson concluded.
Like the rest of us, the Environmental Protection Agency seems to have noticed that cars are an increasingly rare sight on American roads, having been rapidly displaced by seemingly ever-larger trucks and SUVs. In its impact analysis of the agencys new tailpipe emissions standards, a final version of which was unveiled this week, the EPA considers its own role in killing the sedan.

The issue, the EPA analysis says, may have been the attribute-based GHG standards for light-duty vehicles, which first applied to new cars released in 2012. While federal regulators had distinguished between passenger and non-passenger vehicles since the 1970s, this Obama-era change amended U.S. corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards such that vehicles would be held to different emissions standards based on their sizespecifically, the vehicles wheelbase multiplied by its track length (width). This meant that larger carsthose classified as light truckswould be held to less stringent standards than passenger vehicles. What might sound like a wonky bureaucratic tweak has dramatically changed how Americans drive.

In less than a decade after that change took effectbetween 2012 and 2021the EPA found that the percentage of new vehicle sales classified as passenger cars and those classified as light trucks has essentially flipped. In 2012, 64 percent of new vehicle sales were classified as passenger vehicles, while 34 percent were classified as light trucks. By 2021, light trucks accounted for 63 percent of sales while passenger vehicles accounted for 37 percent of sales. Sedans have largely been replaced with taller vehicles such as truck-like sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and crossover utility vehicles (CUVs), the agency writes. Pickup trucks share of new cars sales jumped from 10 to 16 percent over the same period. During that time, the overall average footprint of new cars grew by more than 5 percent.

American autos arent bigger because consumers have suddenly embraced off-roading, the construction trades, or home improvement projects. Theyre bigger because automakers want to escape regulations. Each manufacturer is required to comply with boutique greenhouse gas emissions standards, which are calculated based on the size and capabilities of the cars in their fleets. Smaller cars are held to different standards than larger cars. So are those with specialty features like all-wheel drive or large towing capacities. By changing the makeup of their fleets, in other words, car companies can change the standards to which theyre held. Those greenhouse gas emissions targets are measured in grams of carbon dioxide or its greenhouse gas equivalent per mile.

As the EPA points out in its impact analysis, carmakers shift to larger vehicles has undermined the effectiveness of EPA regulations. The recent, rapid growth in car size, the agency writes, has permitted compliance under higher numerical standards. As a result of the increased average footprint of cars, automakers in 2021 could emit eight more grams per mile than in 2012. The EPA had projected the rules it implemented that year would result in average targets that were 22 grams per mile lower than those that were actually in place in 2021. And it therefore projected its 2012 rules would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 3.5 percent per year from 2012 through 2021. Instead, the agency found it reduced emissions by about 2 percent per year.

The EPAwhich did not respond to a request for comment in time for publicationseems aware of the sweeping, unintended consequence of changing the way that cars are classified. Ill be writing soon about the ways its new tailpipe emissions rules do and do not address that challenge. On its own, though, the agencys analysis of how dramatically its policies have shaped the way Americans drive should serve as a cautionary tale for just how influential even the most boring regulatory shifts can be when it comes to long-term emissions.
A woman carrying her child looks at a memorial to victims of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide

A Rwandan-born man has been arrested in Ohio on charges of hiding his involvement in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Federal prosecutors accuse Eric Tabaro Nshimiye of concealing his involvement in the mass murders, including personally hacking people to death.

Mr Nshimiye has lived in Ohio since 1995 after fraudulently gaining refugee status in the US, prosecutors say.

He has previously denied participating in the genocide.

He is due to appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.

"[Mr] Nshimiye is accused of lying to conceal his participation in one of the greatest human tragedies of all time," Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Michael Krol said in a statement.

"The government alleges his testimony in the defence of a convicted genocidaire was a calculated attempt to conceal the horrific crimes committed during the genocide."

Mr Nshimiye testified at the 2019 trial of Jean Leonard Teganya, who was convicted as a genocide perpetrator. Prosecutors accuse him of lying under oath in order to conceal his involvement in the killings. He is alleged to have personally participated in killings of ethnic Tutsis by hitting them on the head with a nail-studded club and then hacking them to death with a machete, according to court filings.

He left Rwanda in mid-1994. The following year, he travelled to Kenya, where he is accused of lying to US immigration officials in order to enter the US.

He faces charges of falsifying, concealing and covering up a material fact, obstruction of justice, and perjury.

David Johnson, a defence lawyer for Mr Nshimiye, did not immediately answer a telephone call requesting comment.

The Rwandan genocide saw about 800,000 people slaughtered in Rwanda by ethnic Hutu extremists over just 100 days in 1994. So-called genocidaires targeted members of the minority Tutsi community, as well as their political opponents, irrespective of their ethnic origin.
A Summit Township McDonald's that served blood-stained food packaging to a customer earlier this month, and then told an Erie County Department of Health inspector that the incident did not occur, was not cited for any violations to the Pennsylvania Food Code.

The County Health Department decided not to revisit the restaurant, 7200 Peach St., after learning from the Erie Times-News that a McDonald's Corp. spokeswoman confirmed a worker had suffered a cut.

"We didn't reach out again because the customer was already being treated for her exposure and we received no other complaints," said Breanna Adams, director of environmental health services for the County Health Department. "Also, the risk to customers had been abated at that point."

The incident occurred March 9 after Elizabeth Kiddo and her friend ordered lunch for their families at the restaurant. Kiddo, a 29-year-old Bemus Point, New York, resident, noticed a red smear on the palm of her hand after sipping her Diet Coke and then licked the substance, thinking it was ketchup.

It was determined to be blood, which had been smeared onto the cup. Kiddo said she also found drops of blood on a Big Mac container, Happy Meal container and one of her receipts.

Elizabeth Kiddo, a 29-year-old Bemus Point, New York, resident, shows a receipt, one of the blood-stained items she received during a visit to McDonald's, 7200 Peach St., on March 9.

Kiddo showed McDonald's employees the blood-stained packaging. She said a shift manager later confirmed that the employee who packaged their order had a cut that was bleeding.

The incident was also confirmed by the McDonald's spokeswoman, who told the Erie Times-News that the cut was minor.

"The matter was solved with a Band-Aid," the spokeswoman said.

McDonald's staff told health inspector there was no bleeding

Kiddo reported the incident that day to the County Health Department, which sent an inspector to the restaurant on March 11.

The inspector observed the restaurant's food preparation procedures and confirmed that employees who handled food were wearing gloves, Adams said. The staff was asked about the incident and told the inspector that they did not notice anyone bleeding.

"The main thing we were looking at was their food safety training. McDonald's compliance has been good," Adams said. "We're not sure why there was this miscommunication (about the employee bleeding)."

A follow-up message left Wednesday with the McDonald's spokeswoman was not returned.

Customer taking antivirals, getting tested after exposure

Since no employee was identified and tested for blood-borne illnesses such as HIV and hepatitis, Kiddo's physician prescribed the antiviral drugs Truvada and Isentress to reduce her risk of illness.

Kiddo is also undergoing regular blood testing for at least the next six months.

More: Blood on Erie-area McDonald's items alarms diner. County Health Department investigating

Her likelihood of contracting HIV from consuming blood is extremely rare, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Hepatitis A can be spread by an infected person improperly handling food, while hepatitis B and C are spread primarily through blood-to-blood contact.

The incident occurred about a month after a food-handling employee at Cracker Barrel, 7810 Interstate Drive, was diagnosed with hepatitis A. Customers who ate food at the Summit Township restaurant between Feb. 10 and Feb. 21 were given hepatitis A vaccines at a county Health Department clinic.

No other reported cases of hepatitis A have been connected to the Cracker Barrel employee, county health officials have said.

Health department can't force employee to get tested

The state Food Code and public health law don't give the County Health Department the power to compel an employee to get tested for bloodborne illnesses, since no signs of symptoms of illness had been reported, Adams said.

"The exposure seems very limited to the complainant's party," Adams said. "There is no reason to suspect a public health risk to other consumers during the time of this event, or at this time."

Kiddo said she has not been contacted by anyone associated with McDonald's since she reported the incident to the County Health Department.

"Throughout this whole process I have waited and hoped that (McDonald's) would do the right thing. ..." Kiddo said. "My concern is for others that may have been exposed and haven't been able to take the steps necessary to protect themselves. They minimized the severity by putting out the Band-Aid comment."

Kiddo said she had an appointment Thursday to talk with a lawyer about the incident.

Contact David Bruce at dbruce@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNBruce.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: McDonald's not cited by Erie County health department for blood dripping
Idaho police on Thursday caught a white supremacist prisoner and the man who helped him escape from custody at a hospital a day earlier, authorities said, with investigators now trying to establish if the pair are responsible for two killings reported after the violent breakout.

Skylar Meade, the 31-year-old fugitive inmate, and 28-year-old Nicholas Umpehnour, the alleged gunman who shot two corrections officers at the Boise hospital where Meade escaped, were arrested in the city of Twin Falls on Thursday afternoon after a short car chase, according to the Boise Police Department. The men had been housed together in prison at times and were both members of the same gangthe Aryan Knightsauthorities said.

Idaho Inmate on the Run After Brazen Escape Leaves 3 Officers Wounded

Two homicides, in Nez Perce County and Clearwater County, in which both victims were men, are now being investigated in connection with the escape, with police saying shackles were found at one of the crime scenes.

The Clearwater County Sheriffs Office said deputies responding to a request for a welfare check at around 8 p.m. Wednesday found a deceased male, adding that the suspects had been out of the county for several hours when the call was made.

Meade had been serving a 20-year sentence for shooting at a sheriffs sergeant during a chase. Officials said he was taken from the Idaho Maximum Security Institution to the hospital after hed injured himself. Shortly after 2 a.m. Wednesday, corrections officers in the ambulance bay of Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center were ambushed as they prepared to return Meade to prison.

One of the officers allegedly shot by Umphenour was in a critical condition after the attack, while another sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries, police said. A third corrections officer was also injured when Boise police responding to reports of an active shooter at the hospital fired at an armed person close to the entrance of the hospital, authorities said.

Corrections Department director Josh Tewalt said the department is now reviewing its own policies in the wake of the escape.

What we know, with near certainty, this was not an accident, Tewalt said, according to NBC News. This was a planned event. And were channeling every resource we have into trying to understand exactly how they went about planning it.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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TEHRAN, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani on Friday condemned a recent deadly "terrorist" attack in Afghanistan's Kandahar city.

In a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, he extended condolences to the victims' families, and wished for the speedy recovery of those wounded in the incident.

Three people were confirmed dead and 12 others injured as a suicide blast rocked Kandahar city, the provincial capital of south Afghanistan's Kandahar province, on Thursday, provincial police spokesman Mullah Asadullah Jamshid said.

The suicide blast occurred in front of Kabul bank in the city's Police District 1 at 08:30 a.m. local time (0400 GMT), Jamshid confirmed.

Eyewitnesses believed that the number of casualties could be higher than reported as many people, including military personnel, were waiting outside the bank.

The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack on its Telegram channel. 
The News

ADDIS ABABA  Ethiopias state-owned Commercial Bank of Ethiopia has issued a deadline for anyone who illegally withdrew large amounts of money during a major technical glitch to return the funds or face prosecution.

The bank, the biggest financial institution in the country, reported a loss of approximately 2.4 billion Birr (more than $40 million) as a result of the incident on March 16 when the banks ATM and digital payment system allowed customers to withdraw and transfer money with no limit for around 12 hours.

Know More

The bank had alleged that most of the unauthorized withdrawals were carried out by university students. Officials believe news of the cash withdrawal glitch quickly spread among students on social media. The bank has written to various educational institutions throughout the country asking their students to cooperate in its effort to recoup its loss.

The bank released a statement this week on its plan to start posting names and images of the perpetrators as a way to force them to return the funds, in addition to pursuing legal avenues.

On Thursday it set a deadline of Saturday for clients to return the funds willingly.

Sources inside the bank told Semafor Africa it had so far only managed to recover a small portion of the amount it lost, which was why the institution has been forced to take drastic action.
TRI-CITIES, Tenn./Va. (WJHL)  ETSU Con, Blue Ridge Artisan Days, a trout tournament and more are set for this weekend in the Tri-Cities area.

Below are events happening in the region from Friday, March 22 to Sunday, March 24.

VOTE: Tri-Cities Best Gym

Johnson City Jazz Festival 2024

6th annual festival featuring live jazz music in Johnson City.

Friday and Saturday

Carnegie Hotel (1216 W State of Franklin Road)

More information

Carter County Car Seat Check

Hosted by the Carter County Sheriffs Office, trained technicians will help ensure car seats are installed safely and used correctly.

Friday, 1  3 p.m.

Elizabethton Walmart (1001 Over Mountain Road)

More information

ETSU-Con

Panels, vendor hall, gaming tournament, food trucks, contests, voice actors and more.

Saturday and Sunday

East Tennessee State University

More information

Blue Ridge Artisan Days

Free entry, raffles, artisans, small businesses, non-profits and food trucks.

Saturday, 9 a.m.  3:30 p.m.

Kingsport Civic Auditorium (1550 Fort Henry Drive)

More information

Science Hill JROTC Drill Competition

JROTC drill teams from local high schools will compete at Science Hill for a drill competition.

Saturday from 7:30 a.m.  1 p.m.

Science Hill High School (1509 John Exum Parkway, Johnson City)

More information

Quillen Pickleball Palooza for St. Jude

Pickleball tournament and festival to benefit the Tri-Cities Affiliate Clinic of The St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital.

Saturday and Sunday

Memorial Park Community Center (510 Bert Street, Johnson City)

More information

Joggin for the Noggin 5K and Pancake Breakfast

Hosted by The Crumley House to highlight brain injury awareness month.

5K begins Saturday at 10 a.m.

The Crumley House (300 Urbana Road, Limestone)

More information

David Crockett Trout Madness Tournament

Full-day tournament with fish to harvest, prizes and more for ages 6-16.

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Saturday

Group Camp/Limestone Creek Trail (David Crockett Birthplace State Park)

More information

Charity Ride for Madelyn Edwards

Charity ride to support Madelyn Edwards, a child with leukemia from Rye Cove, Virginia.

Lineup begins at noon on Saturday

Food Lion in Gate City (241 Gateway Plaza)

More information

Hampton High School Music Festival

Fundraiser event hosted by Hampton High School. The event will have live music and a food truck on site.

Saturday 4  7 p.m.

Hampton High School Gym (766 1st Avenue, Hampton)

More information

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn (WJHL)  East Tennessee State University (ETSU) hosted its annual 2024 Appalachian Highlands Economic Forum at the ETSU Martin Center on Friday morning.

The forum served as an opportunity to discuss a range of pressing economic issues such as housing, market performance and economic opportunities in the region.

ETSUs College of Business and Technology invited several economists and financial experts from ETSUs Department of Economics and Finance to speak at the forum. Stuart C. McWhorter, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development commissioner, spoke as the keynote speaker from the program.

Carter County mayor responds to countys 2nd straight poor audit

Dr. Tony Pittearese, Dean of ETSUs College of Business and Technology, says the forum creates an opportunity to discuss the current state and future of the regions economy.

For the university, it enables us to reach out into the community and connect our faculty with professionals from the region and to open a dialogue that we hope will be an ongoing dialogue and to give the region a picture of itself and see where we are, Pittearese said. Its a time for economists from the university as well as business leaders to convene to talk about the future of the region.

For more information on other speakers at the forum, click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
At a summit in Brussels on Thursday, EU leaders agreed to "continue working" on a plan to use the profits from the frozen assets of the Russian Central Bank for Ukraine's military needs. The first 1 billion could be allocated for the purchase of weapons for Ukraine by 1 July.

Source: Voice of America

Details: The proposal, which has been the subject of negotiations between EU leaders in Brussels, could reportedly free up about 3 billion (US$3.3 billion) a year for Kyiv  once all EU member states agree.

"We are glad that the leaders supported our proposal to use... the proceeds of frozen Russian assets. This will provide funding for Ukraine's armaments," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

The EU has frozen about 200 billion of assets of the Central Bank of Russia as part of sanctions imposed on Moscow over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Most of the funds are held by Euroclear, the Belgian-based international securities depository.

EU countries have been arguing for months over what to do with the assets, and EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell came up with a plan on Wednesday to redirect the profits earned on the funds to arm Ukraine.

This plan allows for 90% of the proceeds from the frozen Russian assets to go to a fund used to cover the cost of weapons for Ukraine.

The remaining 10% will be transferred to the EU budget, where it will be used to help increase the capacity of Ukraine's own defence industry.

The EU's attempts to find additional funds for Ukraine come as a US$60 billion support package from the US, another Kyiv ally, remains blocked in Congress.

EU officials insist that the plan is legally sound, as the profits were earned by securities depositories as a result of the sanctions and do not belong to Russia.

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Brussels wants to make Russian grain imports into the EU 'unviable' (Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV)

The EU is looking to "choke off" revenue Russia uses for its war on Ukraine by slapping "prohibitive tariffs" on grain and related imports into the bloc, under a plan being put to a leaders summit on Friday.

Moscow responded immediately by saying Europeans would "suffer" from the move.

The added sanctions, welcomed by Kyiv, will not apply to Russian grain transiting through the European Union to other markets, so as not to disrupt food supplies elsewhere, EU trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky complained to the EU leaders meeting in Brussels Thursday, via video link, that it was not fair Russian grain continued to have "unrestricted" access to their markets, while Ukrainian imports face limits.

Brussels has been seeking to increase pressure on Moscow's finances after several rounds of sanctions that have already frozen Russian assets in the 27-nation bloc, targeted leaders including President Vladimir Putin and curbed trade.

At the same time, the European Commission has been multiplying concessions to EU farmers, who have been holding protests over depressed income, part of which they blame on grain imports from war-torn Ukraine.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU did not want Russia to earn grain revenue from the bloc, or to "influence" the EU's market.

The tariffs were also to be imposed on products from Belarus, which served as a staging ground for Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine.

"This move makes clear that we do not want Russian grain or Belarusian grain on the EU market. But transit is still possible," she said.

For such a decision to be made, a weighted majority of EU countries is needed. The bloc's heavyweight, Germany, indicated it would be in favour.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he thought it "right that we are thinking about tariffs on grain products from Russia".

Moscow, though, warned against the plan.

"Consumers in Europe would definitely suffer," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

- Global food security -

Dombrovskis said: "Today's proposal will choke off another important source of revenue for the Russian government to fund its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine."

The proposal follows an increase in Russian agricultural imports into the EU in 2023, according to the commission.

The tariffs would target imports of cereals, oilseeds and derived products from Russia and Belarus, applying at a level of either 95 euros ($103) per tonne or 50 percent of the value, depending on the product.

"Our proposed prohibitive tariffs will make imports of these products commercially unviable," Dombrovskis said.

"It will also help put a stop to the Russian practice of illegally exporting stolen Ukrainian grain into the EU", Dombrovskis said.

Under World Trade Organization rules, virtually all Russian grain has until now been exempt from EU import duties.

Despite sanctions taking aim at huge swathes of Russia's economy, the EU until now avoided targeting the farm or fertiliser sectors for fear of destabilising the global cereal market and undermining food security in Asia and Africa.

"We have been careful to uphold global food security," Dombrovskis said, adding that the move "will not affect the transit of Russian and Belarussian grain products to third countries."

Russia last year exported 4.2 million tonnes of cereals and related agricultural products to the EU, for a total value of 1.3 billion euros.

Belarus imported 610,000 tonnes, with a value of 246 million euros.

The Russian grain imports represent just one percent of the EU's total market and are far smaller than the amount imported from Ukraine.

rmb/del/ec/rox
NICOSIA (Reuters) - EU commissioner Margaritis Schinas said on Friday that the European Union could strike a deal with Lebanon to stem arrivals of migrants, as Cyprus complained it was being inundated by a surge in arrivals from the Middle East.

The EU has entered agreements with several countries to help them deal with increased migration burdens, and, ultimately, prevent a spillover into the 27 member states of the bloc. Rights groups have sharply criticised the pacts.

Schinas, the European Commission's vice president for promoting the European way of life, said a deal with Lebanon could be brokered along the lines of one the EU signed with Egypt on March 17. Considerable preparation was required, he said.

"We had worked with Egypt for quite some time, but I consider that it's absolutely realistic to move in a corresponding manner with Lebanon," he said during a visit to Cyprus.

Cyprus, the EU's easternmost state, lies just 100 miles (160 km) from Syria and Lebanon, and arrivals of asylum seekers have been rising in recent months. Lebanon is in economic crisis and also hosts hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees.

In the space of one day, March 11, 458 Syrians arrived in Cyprus on six small boats. This month alone, authorities have registered 533 arrivals by sea, compared to 36 in March last year.

"Our country ... is facing asphyxiating pressure because of the large number of Syrians arriving in Cyprus," Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou said after meeting Schinas.

Nicosia wants the bloc to consider declaring parts of war-ravaged Syria safe, which would allow authorities to repatriate people arriving from there.

U.N. data shows about 34,000 people have entered the EU through irregular channels so far this year, mostly across the Mediterranean.

(Reporting by Michele Kambas; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
The EU moved closer on March 21 to finalizing the proposed plan to use profits from frozen Russian state assets to purchase weapons for Ukraine. Leaders from the 27 member countries agreed to move forward with the plan, but there are still details to be worked out.

The European Commission has proposed to use 90% of the profits to purchase weapons for Kyiv and allocate the remaining 10% to the EU budget to support Ukraine's defense industry. The proposed measure would allocate around 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) to Ukraine per year.

Ukraine's Western partners and other allies froze around $300 billion in Russian assets at the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, with roughly two-thirds held at the Belgium-based financial services company Euroclear.

EU countries such as Austria, which are militarily neutral, have expressed hesitation about the prospect of the funds being used to purchase weapons.

"For us neutral (countries), it must be ensured that money, for which we give our approval, is not spent on weapons and ammunition," Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said on March 21.

It nonetheless appears as if some of the hesitation has been overcome, at least enough for the plan to proceed to the next step.

"I am confident that we can act very quickly," said European Council President Charles Michel.

Michel said that the concerns of neutral countries would be taken into consideration.

Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said that the first 1 billion euros ($1.09 billion) could be dispersed by July.

Read also: FT: Ukraine may get 3 billion euros from frozen Russian assets in summer

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By Philip Blenkinsop

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Commission proposed on Friday imposing tariffs on imports of grain from Russia and Belarus in an attempt to prevent Moscow and its ally from distorting EU markets and placate farmers who have protested for months over cheap imports.

The Commission said the tariffs were also designed to limit Russia's ability to fund its war in Ukraine and to curb its sales of grain stolen from Ukraine.

The EU has expressly avoided imposing sanctions of Russian agricultural produce so as not to disturb global supplies. The Commission said that, with tariffs, transit of grain through the bloc to other countries would still be allowed as would financing, insurance, storage and transport of such shipments.

Traders said earlier this week that Russian and Belarusian shipments to the bloc are low, certainly relative to those from Ukraine, and that the imposition of tariffs was largely symbolic.

Russia exported 4.2 million metric tons of cereals, oilseeds and derived products to the EU in 2023, worth 1.3 billion euros ($1.4 billion). A Commission official said this represented about 1% of the EU market.

However, the Commission said there was a risk imports could increase, given Russian overall wheat exports had risen to 50 million tons from the usual 35 million tons.

The tariffs will be 95 euros ($102.76) per ton for cereals and 50% for oilseeds. They can be applied after approval from EU governments, which are likely to give assent within a few weeks.

The proposal came as European Union leaders debated the EU response to farmer complaints over environmental rules and the suspension of tariffs on agricultural imports from Ukraine since Russia's invasion in 2022.

The latter has caused ructions in the bloc. Both France and Poland have criticised a provisional deal reached on Wednesday to extend tariff-free access for a further year with new curbs on some food products.

There is broader agreement on keeping out measures targeting Russia and Belarus.

On Wednesday, agriculture ministers of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland wrote to the Commission urging it to act.

($1 = 0.9248 euros)

(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop;Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta, Tomasz Janowski and Kim Coghill)
FILE - In this handout photo taken from video provided by the Moscow City Court on Feb. 2, 2021, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny shows a heart symbol while standing in a defendants' cage during a hearing in the Moscow City Court in Moscow, Russia. President Vladimir Putin says he supported an idea to release Navalny in a prisoner exchange just days before the man who was his biggest foe died. (Moscow City Court via AP, File)

BRUSSELS (AP)  The European Union on Friday imposed sanctions on the Russian justice and prison officials responsible for imprisoning opposition leader Alexei Navalny before his death last month.

Alexei Navalnys slow killing by the Kremlin regime is a stark reminder of its utter disregard for human life, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement announcing the move.

Borrell said the sanctions, which target 33 officials and two prisons and involve asset freezes and travel bans, demonstrate our determination to hold Russias political leadership and authorities to account for the continuing violation of the human rights in Russia.

Navalny, the most persistent foe of President Vladimir Putin, was serving a 19-year sentence when he died. He had been behind bars since January 2021 after returning to Russia from Germany where he had been recovering from nerve-agent poisoning that he blamed on the Kremlin.

The cause of his Feb. 16 death has been described by officials only as due to natural causes.

The EU said that its measures would hit the IK-6 corrective colony and IK-3 maximum security corrective colony, including the official in charge Vadim Kalinin, where Navalny had been held before his death.

Both colonies are known for exerting physical and psychological pressure, full isolation, torture and violence on prisoners. In both places Mr. Navalny suffered abuses, including through repeated solitary confinement in a punishment cell and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, leading to the severe deterioration of his health, it said.

Justice officials targeted by the EU measures include Andrey Suvorov, who last year sentenced Navalny to 19 years in a special regime colony, and Kirill Nikiforov, who rejected Navalnys lawsuit against IK-6 to appeal his transfer to a punishment cell for 12 days. It's unclear whether the officials traveled to or through EU countries or had significant assets in Europe.
Leaders of the European Union have warned Iran that it will face a response from the EU if it transfers ballistic missiles to Russia.

Source: The meeting minutes of the Brussels summit held by the leaders of EU member states, the first day of which was Thursday (March 21), reported by European Pravda

Details: EU leaders called on third parties to immediately stop providing material support to Russia for its war of aggression against Ukraine.

They noted that they were extremely concerned about reports that Iran might transfer ballistic missiles and related technologies to Russia for use against Ukraine.

"Were Iran to do so, the European Union is prepared to respond swiftly and in coordination with international partners, including with new and significant restrictive measures against Iran," they stated.

Background:

Reuters reported in February, citing sources, that Iran had already sent several batches of its surface-to-surface ballistic missiles to Russia since the beginning of 2024 as part of agreements to deepen cooperation between the two countries.

Iran's Permanent Mission to the United Nations denied this.

Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, denied that Iranian ballistic missiles had been delivered to Russia.

The US did not officially confirm this information either.

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The European Commission has presented an official proposal to increase tariffs on imports of grains and oilseeds and their derivatives from Russia and Belarus to the EU.

Source: European Pravda with reference to the Commission's website

Details: In almost all cases, tariffs on Russian and Belarusian exports to the EU will increase to 95 per tonne, the proposal says. The Commission stressed that although these tariffs are high enough to suppress imports of certain agricultural products to the EU in practice, they will not affect exports to third countries.

The decision is intended to prevent destabilisation of the EU market through any future significant diversion of Russian grain products to the EU market. The EU farming community had previously expressed concern about this risk.

The imposed tariffs are necessary to combat Russian exports of misappropriated grain from Ukraine, some of which is illegally exported to the EU market and deliberately labelled as "Russian", the Commission said.

"The tariffs proposed today will ensure that this illicit export method is no longer profitable," they stated.

The tariffs should also prevent Russia from using revenues from grain exports to the EU to finance its aggressive war against Ukraine.

Increased tariffs would also apply to Belarus, given the country's close political and economic ties with Russia.

The transit of grains, oilseeds and their derivatives from Russia and Belarus to third countries is not covered by the proposal. In this way, the EU wants to remain committed to promoting food security around the world.

The proposal will now be considered by the Council of the European Union, and once approved by the Council, the tariffs will be immediately applied.

Background:

During the EU leaders' summit on 21 March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for measures to be taken against Russian grain. He called it "unfair" that Russian food products are being shipped to Europe while Ukrainian grain is being thrown onto the asphalt or railway tracks.

The day before, the ministers of agriculture of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland and Czechia appealed to the European Commission to ban grain imports from Russia and Belarus to the European Union.

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The European Commission proposed on March 22 steep tariffs on imports of Russian and Belarusian grain, oilseeds, and derived products to protect the EU market and cut down Moscow's profits amid its war against Ukraine.

Several EU members have been pushing the EU to slap sanctions on Russian agricultural imports into the bloc, which have surged in recent years.

The commission's president, Ursula von der Leyen, presented the proposal to EU member states during a summit that took place in Brussels between March 21 and 22.

The measure would impose a tariff of 95 euros ($103) per ton on corn and wheat, as opposed to zero tariffs imposed today, Business Insider reported. Oilseeds and derived products would be subject to an "ad valorem duty" of 50%, the outlet said.

"We propose the imposition of tariffs on these Russian imports to mitigate the growing risk to our markets and our farmers. They will reduce Russia's capacity to exploit the EU for the benefit of its war machine," von der Leyen said.

Read also: Latvian government approves list of banned agricultural goods from Russia, Belarus

Russia exported around $1.4 billion euros worth of grain products to the EU in 2023. European imports of grains, oil seeds, and their derivatives from Russia reached a record of 4 million metric tons in 2023, which is 1% of the total EU consumption, the Financial Times reported.

Another professed goal of the measure is to prevent Russia from selling grain looted from Ukraine on foreign markets while presenting it as a Russian product.

If approved, the proposal would slap the same restrictions also on products from Belarus in retaliation for Minsk's support for Russian aggression. The measure would not affect exports to third countries.

"We are striking the right balance between supporting our economy and farming communities. At the same time, we maintain our unyielding support for Ukraine," von der Leyen said.

The proposal will now be considered by the EU Council. Once adopted, it will enter into force immediately.

Read also: Belarus Weekly: Warsaw calls for EU sanctions on Belarusian, Russian agricultural imports following Ukrainian investigation

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The European Council has sanctioned 33 people and two entities over the death of former Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny last month, it was announced on March 22.

In a European Council press release, the EUs top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said the slow killing of Navalny by the Kremlin regime was a stark reminder of its utter disregard for human life.

Todays sanctions demonstrate our determination to hold Russias political leadership and authorities to account for the continuing violation of human rights in Russia, he added.

At the same time, we know that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is not Russia, and Russia is not Putin. We will continue supporting Russias civil society and independent voices.

Among those sanctioned are Vadim Kalinin, the head of the penal colony in which Navalny died, as well as various deputy heads at the facility.

The penal colony itself  IK-3 maximum security corrective colony  and another in which he was held  IK-6 corrective colony  have both been sanctioned.

In both places Mr. Navalny suffered abuses, including through repeated solitary confinement in a punishment cell and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, leading to the severe deterioration of his health, the European Council wrote.

The European Council also sanctioned members of the Russian judiciary, including Andrey Suvorov, who sentenced Alexei Navalny to 19 years in prison, and Kirill Nikiforov, who rejected his lawsuit against IK-6 to appeal his transfer to a punishment cell for 12 days.

Other judiciary member also made the list having issued a number of rulings against political opponents including Mr. Navalny, thereby contributing to political repression in Russia.

Leaders around the world pointed at Putin as to blame for Navalny's death.

It remains unclear whether the harsh prison conditions caused his death or if he was intentionally murdered.

Read also: The Counteroffensive: The Kremlins illegal chemical weapons playbook

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The European Council urged the Council of the EU to "swiftly adopt" accession negotiating frameworks for Ukraine and Moldova in a statement published on March 21.

"European Council invites the (EU) Council to swiftly adopt them and to take work forward without delay," read the conclusion published by Ecaterina Casinge, a spokesperson of European Council President Charles Michel.

In its November 2023 report, the European Commission  the EU's executive arm  recommended the launch of accession talks with Kyiv. The European Council then officially agreed in December 2023 to begin the talks.

The European Commission on March 12 proposed a draft framework for the membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova, another candidate to join the bloc of 27 countries.

In its latest conclusions, the European Council said it welcomes Ukraine's and Moldova's progress in advancing the necessary reforms on their EU path.

The European Council also expressed its determination to provide political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military, and diplomatic support to Ukraine for "as long as it takes and as intensely as needed," calling on other allies to join these efforts.

Previously, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said the Ukrainian government hopes the negotiations on the country's accession to the European Union can start in the first half of 2024.

Michel said at the press conference after the European Council's meeting on March 21 that he believes the negotiating framework for Ukraine will be approved during Belgium's presidency in the EU, which terminates on June 30.

Read also: Kremlin admits Russia de facto at war, calls Ukraine occupying force

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Ukraine has finally reached a consensus with neighboring Baltic countries and the European Commission on banning Russian and Belarusian food exports to the European Union, Ukraines Deputy Economy Minister, Taras Kachka, said at the Forbes "Made in Ukraine" Exporters Summit, Ukrainian agribusiness website Latifundist reported on March 22.

The European Commission could adopt this ban as early as April. Approval for the ban is expected to be obtained at the European Summit on March 22.

Read also: Latvia to cut Russia's supply of military raw materials

This will be the most significant and prominent political project of the European Parliament, said Kachka.

"It allows us to expand this initiative to non-agricultural goods not subject to sanctions, primarily metallurgy. This is important for us to realize the project of displacing Russian raw materials and semi-finished products from the European market and replacing them with Ukrainian ones."

Ukraine must convey to the European community the absurdity of allowing Russian and Belarusian goods access to the EU market, he said.

Agriculture ministers of Poland, Czechia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have reportedly called on the European Commission to ban grain imports from Russia and Belarus to the EU.

Read also:

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
(This March 21 story has been corrected to say high-assay low-enriched uranium or HALEU instead of helium in paragraph 20)

By Julia Payne and Kate Abnett

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Leaders from pro-nuclear European countries and energy experts called for a nuclear energy revival on Thursday at a summit in Brussels, seeking to rebuild the European industry after years of gradual decline.

The political push to expand nuclear - a low-carbon energy source - is part of the drive to meet Europe's ambitious climate targets. But it faces headwinds including a lack of investment and cost overruns and delays that have plagued recent projects.

"Without the support of nuclear power, we have no chance to reach our climate targets on time," International Energy Agency (IEA) chief Fatih Birol told reporters ahead of the Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels.

Nuclear fell out of favour in Europe over safety concerns following Japan's Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, which prompted Germany to immediately shut down six nuclear plants and phase out its remaining reactors. The last three were shut down in April 2023.

But the need to find alternatives to Russian gas following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the European Union's commitment to cut net greenhouse gas emissions 55% by 2030 has renewed interest in nuclear power.

However, EU countries remain divided on whether to promote nuclear energy, with two entrenched camps - one led by France that believes nuclear expansion is crucial, and the other including anti-nuclear countries Austria and Germany, who want the focus to stay on renewable sources such as wind and solar.

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Europe must free itself of being "a hostage of ideological approaches".

In a joint statement, countries committed "to work to fully unlock the potential of nuclear energy by taking measures such as enabling conditions to support and competitively finance the lifetime extension of existing nuclear reactors".

The statement also commits to the construction of new nuclear power plants and the early deployment of advanced reactors, including small modular reactors worldwide while maintaining the highest levels of safety and security.

NUCLEAR FINANCING

UN atomic agency IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said financing was a key issue, adding that nuclear needed to be treated on a level playing field with other energy projects.

"We still have an international and institutional architecture that forbids financing of nuclear projects," he said.

Grossi told the conference that since the COP 28 climate conference, most countries now agreed that nuclear was part of the solution, which should help secure funding.

"Many decisions of financial institutions depend on governments wanting something or not opposing it," he said.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo suggested involving the European Investment Bank in financing new reactors.

"There is no lack of private financing. Quite the contrary, what lacks is the right circumstances to get private financing going and a multilateral bank should be a lever to multiply investment," he said.

In response to a question, De Croo also said that European nuclear industry supply chains needed to disconnect from Russia as fast as possible, while balancing existing operations.

Several European countries depend on Russian technology and uranium to supply and maintain their reactors.

The United States, too, is looking to revive nuclear.

"We're supporting the French initiative to encourage the World Bank and other development banks to eliminate the restriction on funding nuclear," John Podesta, senior advisor to the U.S. President for clean energy, told reporters.

He added that Congress recently approved $2.7 billion to restart an enrichment programme, particularly for advanced fuels such as high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), which according to the World Nuclear Association is enriched uranium used mostly in research reactors and medical isotope production.

(Reporting by Julia Payne, Kate Abnett and Bart Meijer; Editing by Alex Richardson)
CAMDEN - On a frigid day along the Delaware River, people flocked to see the Battleship New Jersey on its journey to dry dock for maintenance.

Away from the Camden Waterfront, places like Freedom Pier and Proprietors Park in Gloucester City, Red Bank Battlefield in National Park, and the RiverWinds complex in West Deptford drew spectators equipped with blankets, chairs, grills and hopes of catching a glimpse of the 887-foot ship.

The early spring chill and whipping winds did little to dissuade the crowds.

Chuck Sinclair and his son drove an hour and half from Dover, Delaware. Sinclair said he has a ton of respect for everyone who served on the ship" and makes it his goal to see the ship at least two to three times a year.

People wait in line to get something hot from the Dietz and Watson tent at the Camden Waterfront.

At Freedom Pier, spectators were already parked and some even tailgated at 10:30 am. One group had a grill going with music playing and laughs being had.

Bill O'Neil of Medford, a Vietnam veteran and a battleship ambassador, was set up with a table selling ship souvenirs and sharing information about the USS New Jersey.

"There's only one Battleship New Jersey, so for the fact that she's going to move for the first time in 30-plus years is historic," O'Neil said.

At Red Bank Battlefield, families, veterans and photographers came bundled up with blankets and excitement to see the battleship float past.

Some braced against the cold with blankets; others embraced the frigid air, complementing the chill with ice cream from Mister Softee.

Spectators line the shore at RiverWinds in West Deptford to see the Battleship New Jersey.

A short time later, the 45,000-ton ship made its way past RiverWinds complex in West Deptford.

Spectators were lined along the riverbank, hills and restaurant, where diners took a break from lunch to watch the ship.

Late arrivals sprinted to the riverbanks and hills just to make sure they didn't miss out on this rare occasion.

The New Jersey will remain in Paulsboro for about a week and then go to the Philadelphia Navy Yard to be dry docked for an estimated two months.

Nick Butler is an impact reporter for the Courier Post, the Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times covering community news in South Jersey. Have any tips or stories? Reach out to NButler@Gannett.com. Subscribe to stay in the loop.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Spectators flock to Delaware River to watch Battleship New Jersey
A former Father Lopez Catholic High School teacher turned himself in Thursday to Daytona Beach Police after he was accused of sexual offenses involving a student.

Noah M. Cabiac, 42, of Ormond Beach, was charged with sexual offense by an authority figure and engaging in lewd conduct with a student, according to a Daytona Beach Police news release.

The parent of a student at the high school contacted the Daytona Beach Police Department May 11, 2023, prompting an extensive investigation, the news release said. The incident occurred more than a year ago, according to the release. The student has since graduated.

Back in court: Ex-teacher Arin Hankerd has new sentencing date in student sex case

The Daytona Beach Police Department issued a warrant for Cabiac on March 11, and Cabiac turned himself in to the Volusia County Branch Jail Thursday, according to the release. His bond was set at $250,000, and he bonded out shortly after, the news release said.

Cabiac was fired on May 10, 2023, from Father Lopez Catholic High School. He had been with the school since 2006, according to his LinkedIn profile.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Former Father Lopez teacher Noah Cabiac charged with sexual offense
Former Georgia Insurance Commissioner and gubernatorial candidate John Oxendine pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to conspiracy to commit health-care fraud in a scheme involving the ordering of unnecessary medical tests.

Oxendine, 61, admitted that his insurance consulting business ordered the tests from a lab company in Texas in return for hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks, working with a co-conspirator, Dr. Jeffrey Gallups.

This scheme to bill for unnecessary services has no place in our health-care system, said Keri Farley, special agent in charge of the FBIs Atlanta office. It not only increased health-care costs for all beneficiaries, but they also violated the trust of patients.

Oxendine, a Republican from Johns Creek, was elected insurance commissioner in 1994 and served four terms. He ran for governor in 2010 but finished fourth in the GOP primary.

According to U.S. Attorney Ryan Buchanan, Oxendine and Gallups submitted fraudulent insurance claims for medically unnecessary tests from Next Health, a lab in Texas. Physicians associated with Gallups ear, nose, and throat practice were pressured to order the tests.

The lab company agreed to pay Oxendine and Gallups a kickback of 50% of the profit from eligible specimens Gallups practice submitted to the company.

The pair submitted claims seeking more than $2.5 million from private health insurers, which paid Next Health almost $700,000. The company then paid $260,000 in kickbacks.

When a compliance officer raised questions about the kickbacks, Oxendine told Gallups to lie and say the payments were loans. Oxendine then told Gallups to repeat the lie after Gallups was questioned by federal agents.

John Oxendine, as the former statewide insurance commissioner, knew the importance of honest dealings between doctors and insurance companies, Buchanan said. He will now be held accountable for violating the publics trust.

Gallups also has pleaded guilty to health-care fraud. Oxendine is scheduled to be sentenced in July.
BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Xu Congxiang, a large-scale grain grower from Taihe County in east China's Anhui Province, recently instructed his fellow farmers on how to prevent and treat wheat pests and diseases.

"Now wheat-related pests and diseases are still in the early period of development, so it is the right time to take preventive measures," said Xu.

At the moment, spring farming, which is crucial to ensuring grain harvest, is in full swing across China.

As a keen learner and practitioner of agricultural science and technologies, Xu has repeatedly set Anhui's yield records for wheat, corn and soybeans in his experimental fields.

The veteran farmer teamed up with research institutions to grow high-yielding crop varieties and test advanced planting methods on 20-hectare experimental fields out of more than 80 hectares of farmland he transferred from other villagers.

"Xu has rich farming experience. We need his help to test and verify our scientific study," said Ding Yonggang, a researcher at Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Last year, Xu and 54 other large-scale farmers in the city of Fuyang, Anhui, set up an association dedicated to applying modern agricultural technologies and helping small household farmers expand grain production and improve grain quality.

"I followed Xu's way of sowing and applying fertilizers on my 0.8-hectare farmland. As it turned out, higher output was achieved with lower production cost," said Zhang Bingyin from Zhanghuai Village, Taihe County.

This year, Anhui will focus on improving its agricultural sci-tech innovation capabilities and strengthening the ties between sci-tech and the industry, to accelerate the nurturing of new quality productive forces in agriculture, said Wang Xuejun, head of the provincial department of agriculture and rural affairs.

In recent years, led by farmers like Xu, the transfer process from laboratory research findings to new quality productive forces in agriculture has been accelerated, as reflected by increased production.

China's grain output in 2023 rose 1.3 percent year on year to a record high of 695.41 million tonnes, official data showed. This is the ninth consecutive year that China registered a grain harvest of over 650 million tonnes.

According to this year's government work report, further efforts will be made to ensure stable production and supply of grain and other major agricultural products, including invigorating the seed industry, making breakthroughs in key agricultural technologies, and addressing weaknesses in agricultural machinery and equipment.

Amid the urbanization process, more large-scale grain producers have been emerging in China. The increasing use of machinery has empowered them to manage more transferred farmland for scale operations.

"Modern agriculture has achieved full-process mechanization. This calls for the participation of more tech-savvy young farmers as they can master modern technologies very quickly," said Dai Hong, 36, a large-scale grain producer in Gangzhongping Village in the city of Changde, central China's Hunan Province.

"My father used to plow with cattle and small tools, which was rather a toiling and inefficient process. It is quite a different picture now," he said.

Managing 32 hectares of paddy fields, Dai now deploys three transplanters, one rotary tiller, two reaping machines and a drone. He also follows updates on new agri-tech use in other countries on short video platforms.

With modern farming, Dai's family earned a total income of more than 600,000 yuan (about 84,500 U.S. dollars) from his rice plantation last year.

As the largest contributor to grain production in Hunan for two decades, Changde has been promoting agricultural equipment upgrades through targeted government policies. Since 2016, local authorities have granted 600 million yuan of subsidies for the purchase of over 44,000 sets of machinery.

Nationwide, the mechanization rate in crop plowing, planting and harvesting had risen from 67.2 percent in 2017 to 73 percent in 2022. China aims to further increase the rate to 75 percent by 2025.

"I don't regret going back to my hometown to become a farmer. My income now is six times more than what I earned as a migrant worker before," said Dai. "Meanwhile now I can spend more time with my family. This is my ideal life." 
The 63-year-old died a day after getting a record fine for accounting fraud

Markus Jooste, the former head of the Steinhoff retail group that was at the centre of a huge corporate fraud case in South Africa, has died.

Police said Mr Jooste succumbed to a gunshot wound in hospital, with local media reporting he shot himself at his home in the southern town of Hermanus.

"The circumstances surrounding his death are being investigated," police spokesperson Andre Traut said.

The Steinhoff group had included European retailers such as the UK's Poundland.

Local media says Mr Jooste once had a "near-mythical" reputation as an exceptional businessman, credited with turning the small Johannesburg furniture-seller Steinhoff into a multinational retailer.

News of the 63-year-old's death came a day after he was ordered to pay a $25m (20m) fine - said to be the biggest in South Africa's history.

On Friday, police said he had been notified that an arrest warrant had been issued against him shortly before he died.

The country's financial regulator said Mr Jooste had played a role in the publishing of misleading financial statements about Steinhoff International Holdings.

Fake transactions worth $6.5bn were made by Steinhoff executives in order to inflate profits, an audit by PwC found.

Close to 98% of Steinhoff's share value was wiped out in 2017, when the accounting scandal first broke. Those heavy losses also affected investors in South African pension funds.

Mr Jooste resigned as chief executive, but denied any knowledge of accounting fraud. He was also later fined for insider trading in 2020.

Steinhoff International Holdings is based in South Africa but also listed in Germany's financial capital of Frankfurt.

After Mr Jooste's no-show at a trial in Germany last April, a German court issued a warrant for his arrest in June.
Donald Trump spent Friday morning blasting out capitalized screeds on his social media platform, including the claim that he has nearly $500 million IN CASH.

According to legal experts, that was not a wise move.

THROUGH HARD WORK, TALENT, AND LUCK, I CURRENTLY HAVE ALMOST FIVE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS IN CASH, A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF WHICH I INTENDED TO USE IN MY CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The GOPs presumptive presidential nominee continued with a conspiracy theory about the New York judge who oversaw his civil fraud case, claiming that Judge Arthur Engoron knew how much cash Trump had and WANTED TO TAKE IT AWAY FROM ME.

Trump was ordered by Engoron last month to pay more than $350 million in damages, plus interest, for decades of fraudulent business practices. The former president is appealing the verdict and must post bond by Monday, or face the seizure of his assets by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Trumps team claimed in a court filing this week that obtaining an appeal bond for $464 million is a practical impossibility under the circumstances presented. (That figure includes $454 million for Trump himself and millions more to cover the disgorgement for his sons.) The brief said that he had been rejected by 30 bond companies, which would only accept cash or cash equivalents as collateral.

Nick Akerman, a legal analyst and former Watergate prosecutor, appeared Friday morning on CNN to discuss the developments.

That is the dumbest thing he could have possibly done, to put that on Truth Social, because that is a direct admission by him that he has the money, Akerman said, in a clip flagged by Mediaite.

Keep in mind, even with this operating money or cash that he supposedly has, if he doesnt pony up and put up a bond, Letitia James is going to be able to go in and basically put restraining orders on all of his bank accounts, he continued.

Everything that relates to him and all of that money is going to be tied up and frozen. So if hes really got that money, hes got to put it up.

Donald Trump posted a series of all-caps rants on his social media site Friday morning, including one in which he claimed to have almost $500 million in cash. Donald Trump/Truth Social

Other legal minds also chimed in.

Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor, said on social media that you can expect the court to ask Trumps lawyers about this, given the contradiction with this weeks court filing.

Trump now claims that he has almost $500 million in cash, but his lawyers recently told the appellate court that he has no means to post a $454 million bond.



One of them is lying, and you can expect the court to ask Trumps lawyers about this. pic.twitter.com/z0Yj6NUc7B  Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) March 22, 2024

Norm Eisen, a CNN legal analyst and former White House ethics lawyer, said that Trumps Truth Social post was so dumb.

AG Tish James can help herself, including to this supposed money! he tweeted.

Hard to imagine that anyone could think this man is mentally and psychologically fit to be president of the United States, conservative attorney George Conway tweeted, alongside a screenshot of Trumps post. But here we are.

MSNBC host and legal contributor Katie Phang said that the post should make it easier for the appellate court to decide what to do with Trumps motion to stay Tish James execution on her judgment.

Paging @NewYorkStateAG! Phang wrote in a separate tweet, using a handle for the attorney general. Cash clean-up in Aisle 454!

Trump: I currently have almost five hundred million dollars in cash!



Paging @NewYorkStateAG! Cash clean-up in Aisle 454! https://t.co/txClF9vigN  Katie Phang (@KatiePhang) March 22, 2024

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Former Sacramento City Councilman Sean Loloee and three workers from his supermarket chain were named in a new federal indictment unsealed Friday, with Loloee now accused of filing false tax returns and cheating workers out of pay they were owed.

The superseding indictment names Loloee and his supermarket general manager, Karla Montoya, who were both charged in the original indictment in December and pleaded not guilty then.

The new indictment adds charges against Loloee and two brothers: Mirwais Shams, Viva Supermarkets controller and financial auditor, and Ahmad Shah Shams, the firms human resources director.

Loloee faces new charges of conspiracy to defraud the IRS, willful failure to collect or pay overwithheld taxes, three counts of filing a false tax return and three counts of money laundering.

The Shams brothers also face charges of filing false tax documents, and Ahmad Shams faces two counts of perjury for allegedly lying to a federal grand jury.

All four defendants pleaded not guilty Friday to the charges in the new indictment, and all four were permitted to remain out of custody pending trial. The next court date in the case was set for April 29.

The December indictment accused Loloee and Montoya with conspiracy, obstruction of agency proceedings, and possession and use of false immigration documents in a case alleging they hired employees who were using false immigration papers.

The new indictment adds allegations that Loloee, Mirwais Shams and Ahmad Shams manipulated the working hours reported by Viva employees to lower Loloees on-the-books payroll, to lower the expense of overtime, to lower Loloees federal payroll tax obligation and to lower Loloees labor costs overall.

The practice occurred in tens of thousands of instances, the indictment says, representing a significant percentage of all punch-clock recorded worker time.

The indictment charges that Loloee and the two brothers used a system called TimeClock Plus to report hours worked to Heartland payroll.

The time clock system was designed to let employers override the data employees entered into their time clock system, a feature that was supposed to be used to correct time cards if a worker forgot to punch out after a shift or to punch in after a lunch break, the indictment says, but Loloee found a way to use it benefit himself.

Beginning at least in or about November 2017, M. Shams and S. Shams, working at the direction of Loloee, used the manual override option offered by TimeClock Plus to reduce hours of Viva supermarkets employees, and to delete employees from punch clock records all together, the new indictment states.

The shaving down of hours and deleting employees had at least two purposes: (1) to deprive employees of overtime pay they would be entitled to if their true number of hours were reported to Heartland Payroll, thus enriching Loloee, who kept the proceeds of any unpaid overtime; and (2) to deprive the IRS of the payroll tax obligation that Loloee would bear if the true hours were reported to Heartland Payroll.

The indictment says Loloee also was able to entirely delete certain employees, typically employees who were also undocumented, from the payroll.

This allowed Loloee to avoid scrutiny and any reporting requirements caused by his continued employment of undocumented workers, the indictment says, and let him avoid paying workers overtime they were owed. The scheme also allowed Loloee to lower his federal payroll tax obligation, the indictment says.

The new indictment also charges Loloee with three counts of money laundering fraudulently obtained COVID-19 pandemic relief funds.

U.S. Attorney Phil Talberts office said those charges stem from May 2021, when Loloee fraudulently applied for $2.2 million in COVID-19 relief from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund program (RRF) and received $1.2 million.

After receiving the $1.2 million, Loloee initiated the laundering of funds with 10 checks all bearing the same issue date of June 18, 2021, moving the money through multiple accounts that he controlled, Talberts office said. Loloee completed the laundering with three bank transfers that moved $949,900 into a trust account in the name of one of his family members.

In April 2020, the city of Sacramento also granted Loloee a $25,000 forgivable economic relief loan using coronavirus federal grant money. At the time, Loloee had advanced to a runoff for the 2nd District Council seat, which he won but resigned from on Jan. 4 of this year, three weeks after the first indictment was handed up.

Loloees lawyers previously sought dismissal of much of the original 25-count indictment, arguing that many of the charges stem from years-old allegations and are a thinly-veiled end-run around the statute of limitations.
Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former White House communications director under Donald Trump, said shes concerned that the ex-presidents dire financial predicament will lead him to accept help from foreign adversaries.

Its incredibly bad. This is a total blow to the brand of Trump, Griffin said, discussing the Monday deadline for Trump to put up a $464 million bond or face the seizure of his assets.

What Im worried about is this, Griffin told CNNs Sara Sidner on Thursday. When Donald Trump is backed into a corner, he gets reckless and he makes reckless decisions.

Trumps lawyers said in a filing this week that he had been rejected by 30 companies as he tried to come up with the bond for his civil fraud conviction, which he is appealing. The former president was accused of falsifying business records of his Trump Organization for years.

New York Attorney General Letitia James has already taken steps to seize his assets if he doesnt make the deadline.

Wheres he going to turn? Griffin asked. There is a possibility hes going to look to foreign  it could be adversaries, it could be individuals within nations that are adversaries  to lend him money if hes not able to secure loans here. And I think thats a very real possibility that folks need to be thinking about in the broader context of this.

Trump has no moral compass when it comes to Americas standing in the world, she said, adding that he certainly puts his interests before the country.

So, if an oligarch in a Russia or a Chinese business official wants to help him get this money, I have no question that he would end up accepting it, she said.

Multiple national security experts have warned of the risks Trumps debt poses to the countrys security.

Former U.S. national security adviser Susan Rice, for example, warned earlier this week that if Trump accepts money from an individual or an entity, whether domestic or international, that individual or entity will potentially have real influence over him.

Trumps lawyer Alina Habba ducked a question Wednesday on whether her client asked Russia or Saudi Arabia or any other country for help coming up with the money.

Related...
By Sybille de La Hamaide

PARIS (Reuters) -France has picked German company Boehringer Ingelheim and France's Ceva Animal Health to supply bird flu vaccines as part of an unprecedented vaccination campaign against the disease that has decimated poultry flocks, the companies told Reuters.

France has been among the countries worst affected by a global spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, in previous years, which led to the death of tens of millions of poultry in the country.

This prompted the government to launch a campaign in October to vaccinate all ducks against bird flu, braving trade barriers from countries that fear the virus could spread without being noticed. Ducks are one of the most sensitive species to the virus.

In a first vaccine tender in July, the ministry granted an order for 80 million doses to Boehringer Ingelheim, causing an outcry from Ceva, which challenged the decision in court. The French company pulled its appeal later that month, saying it did not want to delay the vaccination campaign.

Boehringer Ingelheim will provide 34.2 million doses as part of the second tender, which is for 61 million doses, the company said, adding that deliveries are due to begin in April.

Ceva Chief Executive Marc Prikazsky said in a statement to Reuters he was "very pleased that Cevas vaccine solution has been selected".

France's agriculture ministry did not immediately respond to a request to comment.

Boehringer Ingelheim said that as part of the renewable deal, the company could support the French authorities for four years if it proved necessary to continue bird flu vaccination.

Bird flu is usually carried by migrating wild birds before being transmitted between farms. It ravaged flocks around the globe in the past years, disrupting supply, fueling food prices and raising concerns over the risk of human transmission.

France has seen a sharp fall in bird flu outbreaks this season. Scientists say this is due both to vaccination and a lower number of outbreaks in Europe.

This prompted France to ease bird flu restrictions last week, allowing ducks and poultry outside again.

(Reporting by Sybille de La HamaideEditing by Mark Potter and Chizu Nomiyama)
EXCLUSIVE: Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has opened an investigation into the school district he said bears some responsibility for the brutal attack on a St. Louis teen who was seen in a viral video having her head bashed into the pavement by another student.

On Thursday, Bailey told Fox News Digital exclusively that he would be opening an investigation into the Hazelwood School District and how their DEI programs contributed to the safety failures following the violent attack.

"Hazelwood owes the parents of the district and the entire community an explanation as to what role these radical programs and safety failures played here," Bailey's staff said to Fox News Digital  emphasizing that this is the focus of the investigation.

In a letter sent to Hazelwood School District (HSD) Superintendent Dr. Nettie Collins-Hart, Bailey said he is disturbed to see that the school district has ignored long-standing Missouri law and elevated political narrative above student safety.

ST. LOUIS TEEN STILL UNCONSCIOUS, SUFFERING FROM FRACTURED SKULL AFTER BRUTAL ATTACK

Bailey said back in 2020, the HSD Board of Education adopted a "Statement of Solidarity" which influenced the district to, among other things, categorize and treat students differently based on race; "recruit, hire, and promote" staff based on race, and "reevaluate" the district's relationship with local police.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Starting in the 2021 school year, Bailey said Hazelwood removed uniformed police officers from its schools after unsuccessfully trying to subject its school resource officers (SROs) to the district's diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming. He said there were no school resource officers at the school when the victim was attacked.

"As of this writing, [the victim] remains in critical condition in a St. Louis area hospital. Notably, during the attack on [the victim], which was captured on video by other students, not a single school resource officer was on the scene to protect [the victim] or restore order," Bailey said.

Bailey said because of this, the district is putting student safety at risk.

MISSOURI AG SLAMS SCHOOL'S PROMOTION OF 'DIVISIVE RACIAL IDEOLOGY' OVER SAFETY AFTER TEEN'S BRUTAL BEATING

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is investigating the Hazelwood School District after 16-year-old high school student, Kaylee, was brutally beaten in a viral video. AG Bailey detailed the investigation in a letter to the districts superintendent, Dr. Nettie Collins-Hart, on Thursday.

"The absence of SROs on the scene is directly attributable to Hazelwood's insistence on prioritizing race-based policies over basic student safety. By its actions, HSD has endangered not only [the victim], but the general school community writ large," said Bailey.

Bailey said the investigation will determine whether the school district violated Missouri's Human Rights Act, which "guarantees every Missouri resident the right to be free from discrimination and the right to full enjoyment of places of public accommodation."

Bailey then demanded the school district turn over a series of records related to bullying, anti-bullying and harassment, student violence, records about the decision to remove law enforcement from schools, as well as records about the district's anti-discrimination policies and DEI action plan.

"By promoting DEI and excluding uniformed law enforcement from campus in 2021, this school bears some responsibility for this incident. Yet, it has not offered a substantive apology to the victim of this violent attack who is still fighting for her life. This school owes the parents of the district an explanation as to what role these radical programs and safety failures played here," Bailey previously said.

ALABAMA LAWMAKERS PASS LEGISLATION THAT BANS STATE FUNDING OF DEI, RESTRICTS TEACHING 'DIVISIVE CONCEPTS'

Andrew Bailey, Missouri's attorney general, is investigating the Hazelwood School District after a 16-year-old student had her head violently bashed into the pavement by another student. The fight was caught on camera and went viral online.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Hazelwood East High School and the Hazelwood School District for comment on the attorney general's investigation, but has not yet heard back.

Bailey also added that the suspect in the violent brawl should be tried as an adult and charged with murder if the offense rose to a homicide.

A lawyer for the victim, named Kaylee, and her family told Fox News Digital that Kaylee suffered a fractured skull that resulted in brain bleeding and swelling, and that she has still not gained consciousness.





Original article source: EXCLUSIVE: Missouri AG opens investigation into school district's DEI promotion after teen's brutal beating
Ihor Terekhov, the mayor of Kharkiv, has reported that Kharkiv came under Russian fire, and fires have broken out at the scenes of the strikes.

Source: Terekhov on Telegram

Quote from Terekhov: "About 15 explosions have rocked Kharkiv so far. There are problems with electricity in the city, as the enemy is targeting the energy structure. There are fires at the scenes of some strikes."

Details: Terekhov urged the citizens to be careful, as the Russians might launch another attack.

Update: Terekhov stated later that the city was already experiencing problems with water supply because pumping substations were cut off from the power grid.

"In addition, electric transport will not be available in the morning, so buses will be running as per a blackout algorithm," he added.

Background:

On the night of 21-22 March, Russian forces launched cruise missiles at Ukraine from the Caspian Sea, and an air-raid warning was issued in all of Ukraines oblasts.

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Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, has stated that efforts are being made so that the F-16 fighter jets appear in the sky above Ukraine as soon as possible.

Source: Rutte in a special video address during the 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum, founded by the Open Ukraine Foundation, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Rutte stressed that the Netherlands would continue supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes. In this context, a 10-year-long bilateral security agreement was signed "to show that we remain committed. To send a clear signal to Kyiv, to our international partners and to Moscow that we are unwavering".

"This undoubtedly means that we must turn our words into actions. And this is exactly what we are doing. The Netherlands will spend 2 billion more on support for Ukraine," Rutte stated.

He noted that the Netherlands had allocated 250 million for the Czech initiative of artillery ammunition procurement.

"This is not our last contribution. We are also working hard so that 24 Dutch F-16s start flying in the sky over Ukraine as soon as possible," he stressed.

Rutte added that the issue of responsibility and rebuilding after the war ends is just as important, reporting that on 2 April, the Netherlands, as co-organisers, will hold the Restoring Justice for Ukraine conference in The Hague.

Earlier, it was revealed that the Netherlands would allocate over 150 million for ammunition procurement for fighter jets supplied to Ukraine and 200 million for the procurement of drones for Ukraine.

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Amid uncertainties surrounding South Sudans first-ever general elections slated for December 2024 and a surge in intercommunal conflict that has left hundreds of civilians dead, posts claiming to show Ugandan troops arriving in the capital of Juba have been shared dozens of times on Facebook. The claim is misleading; the images are old and show the Ugandan army entering South Sudan in 2016 to evacuate its citizens trapped by fighting in the main city.

On March 17, 2024, a Facebook post shared two images claiming they showed Ugandan troops entering Juba.

Finally Ugandan forces arrived in South Sudan capital Juba. Ethnicization of our military forces has resulted into such contracting foreign forces to come to South Sudan (sic), it reads.

A screenshot of the misleading post, taken on March 21, 2024

The post has been shared more than 50 times and was published by an account whose owner describes himself as a journalist and the founder of the news site The Juba Mirror.

Political tension

The composition of South Sudans army has been a contentious battle for years between President Salva Kiir and his rival, Vice President Riek Machar  who belong to the two largest ethnic communities in the country.

In 2022, a long-overdue graduation ceremony (archived here) to unify forces loyal to Kiir and Machar was held to meet a key condition of the 2018 peace deal that ended the brutal five-year conflict in which nearly 400,000 people died.

When the civil war erupted in December 2013, Uganda sent troops to South Sudan in support of Kiir. About two years into the bloody conflict Uganda began pulling out its army in line with the peace deal (archived here).

While the worlds youngest nation has been formally at peace since 2018, localised violence between rival communities flares up frequently and the political space remains fragile.

Now, after years of postponements, the nation is set to hold its first-ever election in December 2024 (archived here).

While Uganda has been an ally during political tensions in South Sudan, the post claiming to show Ugandan troops entering Juba is misleading.

2016 images

A reverse image search revealed the two pictures emanate from news articles published here and here back in 2016 (archived here and here). The reports described how the Ugandan army was preparing to evacuate its civilians stranded by fighting between forces loyal to Kiir and Machar.

The first image used in the misleading post is a cropped AFP picture.

Uganda military personnel are seen atop military and police trucks as they drive towards Juba in South Sudan at Nimule border point on July 14, 2016, AFPs caption reads.

A screenshot of the AFP photo as shown in AFP's archives

The second image is a thumbnail from a video embedded in a 2016 Al Jazeera report (archived here).

A screenshot of the Al Jazeera report, taken on March 22, 2024

'Pure lie'

AFP correspondents in South Sudan confirmed there was currently no visible presence of Ugandan troops in Juba.

South Sudan Peoples Defence Forces (SSPDF) spokesman Major General Lul Ruai Koang also dismissed the claims, saying they were "lies".

The statement that has been circulating on social media was finally dismissed by the deputy spokesperson of the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) saying they have not deployed here in the Republic of South Sudan. That's a pure lie, Koang told AFP.

According to local reports, UPDF spokesman Lt. Col Deo Akiiki also denied the claims (archived here).
NORTHGLENN, Colo. (KDVR)  Concerns have arisen in a Northglenn, Colorado, neighborhood about sex offenders living close to a school and other vulnerable spots. This comes after the state recently gave the green light for transitional housing for people leaving mental health hospitals, convicted sex offenders among them.

The city of Northglenn sent a letter to people who live near the facilities saying they had no control over this decision. Even a state lawmaker expressed concern about who will live in the facility blocks from an elementary school.

Kyle Rittenhouse booed during University of Memphis speech

Alex Granados has lived in his home for eight years. Soon, he could have sex offenders living just behind his backyard.

Im worried because I have three sons in grade school, and anyone living there could try to talk to them, Granados said.

Exterior of a house-like facility

A statement from the city said in part: The City of Northglenn is concerned that we have no voice in this land use decision.

Even the areas state Rep. Jenny Willford, of District 34, shared her concerns in a letter to the Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health, which approved the land use.

I do not believe the information provided was fully transparent or complete, Willford said.

Playground, daycare, pool and more nearby

Theres a school in the neighborhood and a church nearby, Granados said. Its a quiet area, and that kind of element has never been here before.

Thats a concern Willford pointed out as well. In her letter, she noted the exact distance from this transitional home to a church, a playground, an elementary school, a home-based daycare and a pool.

If its being ordered by the state, what choice do we have? Granados said. Even if it is an inconvenience to the neighborhood.

Over 440,000 Starbucks-branded mug gift sets recalled due to burn, laceration hazards

FOX31 reached out to the Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health for comment. As of this storys publication, the request remained unanswered.

Ill tell my sons what Ive told them before, Granados said. Not to talk to strangers.

Northglenn will host a meeting where the public can give their input. Thats set for Wednesday, April 3. State officials are expected to be there.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
KUNMING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin has called for efforts to secure employment, promote people's income growth, and support women's employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Shen made the remarks during a three-day fact-finding tour that ended Thursday on employment-related work as well as work related to women and children in southwest China's Yunnan Province.

Shen visited multiple sites in the province including an enterprise, a school, a resident community and an employment service center. During the tour, Shen noted that efforts should be made to promote employment opportunities while advancing high-quality development, requiring fiscal and financial policies and other special policies to support relevant work.

She also stressed developing industries with local characteristics, enhancing vocational skills training, as well as efforts to provide more employment opportunities for women.

Shen visited Zhang Guimei, a July 1 Medal winner and an exemplary educator in the province. She also emphasized the need of supporting children's healthy growth and overall development. 
NORTHGLENN, Colo. (KDVR)  Concerns have arisen in a Northglenn, Colorado, neighborhood about sex offenders living close to a school and other vulnerable spots. This comes after the state recently gave the green light for transitional housing for people leaving mental health hospitals, convicted sex offenders among them.

The city of Northglenn sent a letter to people who live near the facilities saying they had no control over this decision. Even a state lawmaker expressed concern about who will live in the facility blocks from an elementary school.

Kyle Rittenhouse booed during University of Memphis speech

Alex Granados has lived in his home for eight years. Soon, he could have sex offenders living just behind his backyard.

Im worried because I have three sons in grade school, and anyone living there could try to talk to them, Granados said.

Exterior of a house-like facility

A statement from the city said in part: The City of Northglenn is concerned that we have no voice in this land use decision.

Even the areas state Rep. Jenny Willford, of District 34, shared her concerns in a letter to the Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health, which approved the land use.

I do not believe the information provided was fully transparent or complete, Willford said.

Playground, daycare, pool and more nearby

Theres a school in the neighborhood and a church nearby, Granados said. Its a quiet area, and that kind of element has never been here before.

Thats a concern Willford pointed out as well. In her letter, she noted the exact distance from this transitional home to a church, a playground, an elementary school, a home-based daycare and a pool.

If its being ordered by the state, what choice do we have? Granados said. Even if it is an inconvenience to the neighborhood.

Over 440,000 Starbucks-branded mug gift sets recalled due to burn, laceration hazards

FOX31 reached out to the Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health for comment. As of this storys publication, the request remained unanswered.

Ill tell my sons what Ive told them before, Granados said. Not to talk to strangers.

Northglenn will host a meeting where the public can give their input. Thats set for Wednesday, April 3. State officials are expected to be there.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Claim:

Bees in North America need dandelions for food in the early spring.

Rating:

Rating: Mostly True

Context:

While it is true that dandelions are helpful to bees in the earlier months of spring, there are other pollinating plants that are more nutritionally beneficial to the insects. In essence, bees don't "need" dandelions, but access to them certainly helps.

Every spring, social media posts (archived), blogs (archived) and articles (archived) circulate online claiming that true bee lovers should make friends with their backyard dandelions to provide important food sources for the buzzing pollinators. Take, for example, the below post shared to Reddit in 2021 (archived):

While it's true that dandelions provide some nutritional benefits to spring bees, the yellow flowers are not the most important food source for the insects. We have rated this claim "True."

Jonathan Larson, an entomologist at the University of Kentucky with expertise in pollinators, told Snopes that, broadly, it is "fairly accurate" that bees need dandelions in the spring.

"Flowers of most types will be handy to bees looking for something to eat, especially in the earliest parts of the growing season. So dandelions are an important species," Larson said in an email.

Dandelion flowers are among the first to bloom in most parts of North America, forming mostly in April and May, with some having been known to appear as early as February and as late as June, according to Ohio State University. It's the dandelion's early emergence that some suggest provides bees with an especially important benefit.

That being said, dandelions aren't the only important species to early-season pollinators.

"There are some traits of dandelions that make them attractive to bees; their yellow color, their open platform-like shape, the clusters they can be found in, and their ease of nectar access," Larson wrote.

Dandelions are considered by some scientists as a "plant for all pollinators," not just for particular species such as bees. There's also been discussion that dandelion pollen is not nutritionally sufficient for honeybees, though similar research doesn't necessarily reflect the same findings for native bees.

Snopes reported in 2023 that honeybees are not native to North America. Rich Hatfield, a conservation biologist with expertise in endangered species, told our newsroom at the time that there are over 20,000 known bee species in the world, roughly 3,600 of which are native to North America.

Larson added that while dandelions are undoubtedly beneficial to native bee populations, there is still contention surrounding whether they are better than other pollinating plants:

Even if [dandelions] aren't the "most important" of flowers, they are fairly ubiquitous, early risers, and are better than nothing. On the flip side, beyond possible nutritional deficiencies, some might argue that their non-native status makes them less desirable as something to encourage. Others might worry about their "weedy" status, which makes them hard to use as the poster child flower for pollinator conservation. I have also argued in the past that they are very transient, we tend to have bursts of yellow flowers and then nothing, especially when compared with something like white clover which sticks around longer.

In certain parts of the U.S., bees are active as early as March, Larson noted.

"Some species, like bumble bees, start the year as lone queens looking for food and a hole in the ground to call their own. While she wanders, dandelions might be a nice royal treat to enjoy before bumbling off again," Larson wrote.

Other species  such as mining bees, sweat bees, and mason and leafcutter bees  will have somewhat staggered emergence times, coming out at different times to reduce competition. Honeybees, meanwhile, are active in the early spring to start foraging and rebuilding their colonies.

The question at the heart of this claim, some might argue, is whether urban and suburban landscapes should keep  not weed  their dandelions to provide more food resources for pollinators. Initiatives like "No Mow May" suggest leaving weeds, such as dandelions and clovers, in yards is a way to help pollinators.

"As long as those weeds aren't treated with insecticides while in bloom," Larson said, adding:

However, when talking about providing habitat or food for bees, it's a season-long situation. Dandelions may help earlier in the year but species that emerge after dandelion bloom peak need food too. We have to consider offering a variety of bloom colors, shapes, and timing if we want to help all these buzzy friends. Bees and pollinators are not a monolith, each species has its own unique needs. For that reason, I hope people who are inspired to try and leave dandelions around go a step further in the future and set aside part of their landscape for pollinators and construct a pollinator habitat with lots of blooming plants that grow in succession.

Snopes has debunked other claims related to bees, which can be read here.

Sources:

Dapcevich, Madison. "Honeybees Aren't Endangered in the US?" Snopes, 8 Sept. 2023, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/honeybees-arent-endangered-in-the-us/.

Donkersley, Philip. "Dandelions Are a Lifeline for Bees on the Brink  We Should Learn to Love Them." The Conversation, 27 Apr. 2023, http://theconversation.com/dandelions-are-a-lifeline-for-bees-on-the-brink-we-should-learn-to-love-them-204504.

Jonathan L. Larson | Entomology. https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/directory/jonathan-larson. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.

Larson, Jonathan L., et al. "Pollinator Assemblages on Dandelions and White Clover in Urban and Suburban Lawns." Journal of Insect Conservation, vol. 18, no. 5, Oct. 2014, pp. 86373. Springer Link, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-014-9694-9.

McKelvie, Thyra. "DANDELIONS ARE FIRST TO BLOOM AND FEED SPRING BEES." Rent Mason Bees, 13 Mar. 2024, https://rentmasonbees.com/dandelions-feed-bees/.

No Mow May | Bee Lab. https://beelab.umn.edu/no-mow-may. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.

Wignall, Veronica R., et al. "Food for Flowervisiting Insects: Appreciating Common Native Wild Flowering Plants." People and Nature, vol. 5, no. 4, Aug. 2023, pp. 107281. DOI.org (Crossref), https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10475.

https://academic.oup.com/jee/article-abstract/80/1/14/757976. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.

Updates:

On March 28, 2024, the rating of this fact check was revised from True to Mostly True to better represent its conclusions.
Claim:

Video footage shows migrants storming the U.S.-Mexico Border in El Paso, Texas, on March 21, 2024.

Rating:

Rating: True

On March 21, 2024, several media outlets reported on an incident at the U.S.-Mexico border in which a large group of migrants rushed U.S. border guards as they ran through a preliminary fence. Footage of the incident accompanied NY Post's reporting, and that video went viral on social media platforms, including X (formerly known as Twitter):

This is the moment when TX National Guard became overrun by migrants rioting to get across the border here in El Paso today



We were there and saw it all happen. Absolute chaos here. pic.twitter.com/VN6Kf663ie  Jennie Taer (@JennieSTaer) March 21, 2024

Some online doubted the authenticity of the video, suggesting that it was actually footage from America's chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2020. "Someone give me a tip that this is old footage from Afghanistan," the X account Decoding Fox News posted, for example:

The video is, in fact, authentic. First, it was absolutely not filmed in Afghanistan. To be specific, it was filmed at a border crossing gate in El, Paso, Texas  number 36. Several videos show the same incident from other angles, further confirming the location of this video. That location is visible on Google Street View, and it is easy to verify features common to the viral video (top) and Google's street view (below):

Second, the incident was widely reported on by several outlets besides the New York Post, and no footage matching this incident predates March 21, 2024. As described by the El Paso Times:

Hundreds of migrants overcame Gov. Greg Abbott's barrier along the Rio Grande in El Paso after Texas National Guard soldiers were unable to hold them back. The migrants breached concertina wire barriers shortly after 8:30 a.m. Thursday, March 21, in hopes of surrendering to U.S. Border Patrol agents for processing. Some [of] the migrants had been camping on the northern bank of the Rio Grande for up to three days.

Because the footage matches the location of an incident that was widely reported, and because it does not depict Afghanistan, the claim that the footage shows migrants rushing a U.S.-Mexico border crossing on March 21, 2024 is true.

Sources:

"Google Maps." Google Maps, https://www.google.com/maps/@31.7397668,-106.3922138,3a,18.8y,227.61h,89.76t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s-_6UItdd3leQR-do4SLMbQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3D-_6UItdd3leQR-do4SLMbQ%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D216.83478%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu. Accessed 22 Mar. 2024.

Hundreds of Migrants Arrested in El Paso after Breaching Razor Wire. www.youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9AcVi8gwHY. Accessed 22 Mar. 2024.

"Migrants Breach Razor Wire Barrier in El Paso, Overwhelm Texas National Guard." El Paso Times, https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/immigration/2024/03/21/el-paso-migrants-breach-razor-wire-barrier-overwhelm-national-guard/73059403007/. Accessed 22 Mar. 2024.

Migrants Break Barriers and Rush Border Guards in El Paso. 21 Mar. 2024, https://nypost.com/2024/03/21/us-news/migrants-break-barriers-and-rush-border-guards-in-el-paso/.

Migrants Rush the Texas Border in El Paso. www.youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p334y89BsVg. Accessed 22 Mar. 2024.
Claim:

In March 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released an entirely redacted, 148-page study on myocarditis outcomes after a COVID-19 vaccination.

Rating:

Rating: False

In March 2024, anti-vaccine advocates claimed that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had released a wholly redacted, 148-page study on myocarditis occurring after a COVID-19 mRNA vaccination. The document was the subject of discussions during a hearing of the Novel Coronavirus Southwestern Intergovernmental Committee on March 15, 2024, which was livestreamed.

"One hundred and forty eight pages," said Arizona State Sen. Janae Shamp as she held up blank pages during the hearing. "The entire thing is redacted. What good does a study do if there's nothing there?"

Peter McCullough, a cardiologist who contributed to the spread of misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic, was also at the hearing. "We're witnessing an active cover-up of a colossal consumer safety debacle that is basically affecting the entire world," McCullough said. He then accused the CDC, the FDA, as well as the U.K., European and Australian medicine regulation agencies, of being complicit in this alleged cover-up.

As we will demonstrate below, the redacted document was not in any sense a "study."

A clip of the intergovernmental committee's hearing was shared on X/Twitter (archived) on March 18, 2024, and was viewed 4 million times and amplified more than 20,000 times.

(screen capture)

The CDC's Redacted Pages

The CDC did release 148 redacted pages following a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by The Epoch Times concerning "MOVING" (Myocarditis outcomes after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination) surveys. These pages, however, were not a study. Zachary Stieber, the Epoch Times reporter who made the FOIA request, posted on X that he had noticed "confusion" about the document:

(@ZackStieber / X)

The post (archived) to which he replied included the 148 blank pages. Clicking on the linked document and zooming in, a small inscription appears in the upper left corner of the first page:

(X screenshot)

The inscription (b)(5), seen above, is repeated on every page of the document. This refers to information that is exempted from FOIA requests. According to the U.S. Justice Department:

Exemption 5 of the FOIA protects "inter-agency or intra-agency memorandums or letters which would not be available by law to a party other than an agency in litigation with the agency."

This detail confirms that the 148 redacted pages did not comprise a study, but were instead communications within the CDC or between the CDC and other agencies. We contacted the CDC asking for more details on the reason for the redaction and will update this story if we receive an answer.

Stieber, in his post, added that the CDC team in charge of studying myocarditis outcomes following COVID-19 vaccinations has already shared several studies on the topic. He links to one of them, published in 2022 in The Lancet, which concludes:

After at least 90 days since onset of myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, most individuals in our cohort were considered recovered by health-care providers, and quality of life measures were comparable to those in pre-pandemic and early pandemic populations of a similar age.

The paper also recommends further study into the topic.

More Studies on Myocarditis Outcomes After COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine

The CDC and other research institutions have indeed released several studies on the link between the COVID-19 vaccine and both myocarditis, which is an inflammation of the heart muscle, and pericarditis, which is an inflammation of the thin tissue that lines the heart. The CDC website links to 10 studies on myocarditis after the vaccine carried out between 2021 and 2022. As Stieber indicated in this post, the MOVING team told him it plans to publish another study with updated findings.

Several studies found that while myocarditis and pericarditis can follow mRNA vaccination, the data show vaccination protects against complications. For example, a study from Germany showed that the risk of dying from myocarditis from a COVID-19 infection is much higher than the risk of dying from myocarditis not caused by COVID-19.

Sources:

Bemtgen, Xavier, et al. 'Myocarditis Mortality with and without COVID-19: Insights from a National Registry'. Clinical Research in Cardiology, vol. 113, no. 2, 2024, pp. 21622. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-022-02141-9.

Kracalik, Ian, et al. ' Ian Kracalik, PhD    Matthew E Oster, MD  Karen R Broder, MD  Margaret M Cortese, MD  Maleeka Glover, ScD  Karen Shields, BS  et al. Show All Authors Published:September 21, 2022DOI:Https://Doi.Org/10.1016/S2352-4642(22)00244-9 PlumX Metrics'. The Lancet, vol. 6, no. 11, Nov. 2022, pp. 78899, https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanchi/article/PIIS2352-4642(22)00244-9/fulltext.

Office of Information Policy | FOIA Guide, 2004 Edition: Exemption 5. 23 July 2014, https://www.justice.gov/archives/oip/foia-guide-2004-edition-exemption-5.

Vaccine Safety Publications | Research | Vaccine Safety | CDC. 27 Feb. 2024, https://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/research/publications/index.html.

Video Player. https://www.azleg.gov/videoplayer/?clientID=6361162879&eventID=2024031052. Accessed 22 Mar. 2024.
Claim:

Bhutan residents paint penises on their homes and other buildings to ward off evil and as a symbol of good luck and fertility.

Rating:

Rating: True

Tucked away in the Himalayas and bordered by the Tibet autonomous region to the north and India to the south, the South Asian Kingdom of Bhutan has always been a little mysterious, owing to its mountainous location, and having been open to foreign tourists only since 1974.

With 2024 marking the 50th anniversary of the Buddhist kingdom welcoming outside visitors, Snopes examined one of Bhutan's more interesting cultural tidbits  its alleged proliferation of phallic symbols painted on and affixed to buildings there.

The chatter about penises painted on buildings as a decorative feature has popped up on many Reddit posts over the years and also on X (formerly Twitter), in posts such as this one from @SagiOrli, who wrote, "Houses in #Bhutan are painted with explicit symbols particularly in villages, traditionally symbols of an erect pen*s have been intended to drive away the evil eye and malicious gossip #Punakha":

(@SagiOrli/X)

Many online commenters wondered if the phallic artwork had anything to do with pornographic or "explicit" intent. Snopes found artists have painted penises on many building facades and placed them as sculptures around Bhutan for hundreds of years, but these works of art are not intended to be obscene. Rather, they hold cultural significance deeply rooted in Bhutanese beliefs and traditions.

To get a better understanding of the phallic symbols within Bhutan, we corresponded with local guide Kinlay Gyeltshen, who is based in the kingdom and helps run Bhutan Himalayan Experience, which operates guided cultural tours and Himalayan treks in the region.

"The phallus was and still is an integral part to all rituals associated with Bon or animistic worship and beliefs," Gyeltshen told Snopes, referring to the religious practice of Bon, which predated Buddhism in the Tibetan region before spreading to Bhutan. "The phallus worship predates Buddhism, which came to Bhutan in the 8th century.

"Today, in most parts of Bhutan, the phallus is painted on homes, and wooden phalluses are hung over doors and rafters to ward off any negativity and bring about positive energy to the household and communities," Gyeltshen continued. "During the very colorful mask dance festivals, the Acharyas, or the learned masters, also carry wooden phalluses, incorporating it in their acts and dances."

Snopes also spoke to travel specialist Brent Olson, founder of ETHOS Bhutan, who has traveled to the kingdom more than 50 times since 1985.

"It's a bit shocking to most people who visit," Olson told Snopes of the phalluses. "Bhutan is a completely unique cultural entity in its own right, and they don't have the same sexual mores as perhaps the puritanical West might have."

Olson explained that the phalluses are considered a fertility symbol, while people in the villages also regard them as holy items that bring blessings and fertility to the house and also protection:

"They'll hang wooden phallic images from the corners of the roof of the eaves of the house. As a means to protect the house from evil and also to stop malicious gossip about the inhabitants of the house."

According to multiple online sources, these phallic symbols have long been associated with Drukpa Kunley, a revered Tibetan Buddhist monk known as the "Divine Madman," who is believed to have helped popularize them in Bhutan when he arrived in the late 1400s.

Local legend tells the story of Drukpa Kunley, also known as the "the Saint of 5,000 women," who was renowned for his unorthodox teachings and unbridled antics, using humor and shock value to spread Buddhist teachings. As part of his teachings, he employed phallic symbols as a representation of fertility and spiritual protection, warding off evil spirits.

Olson explained that within a segment of Buddhism there are "teachers called divine madmen, who are enlightened beings who can use any method at their disposal to help people achieve enlightenment."

As the story goes, Drukpa Kunley subdued the demoness Loro Duem, who was terrorizing locals, by transforming her into a dog, using his "flaming thunderbolt of wisdom" (i.e., his phallus) to pacify her. Following this, he is said to have engaged in various unconventional acts, including intimate relations with women and using his phallus as a spiritual weapon.

Of Drukpa Kunley's "flaming thunderbolt of wisdom," Olson said, "He used that as a way to shock people out of their complacency about being stoically Buddhist and just thinking that that represents the good aspects of Buddhism, whereas showing that sexuality and the phallic image is all part of Buddhism. It just depends on your understanding of the illusion of duality, where you separate things into good and bad or right and wrong. And so by using the phallic image as a powerful, religious symbol, it sort of helps to deflate the righteousness and the ego of the religious officials as well."

It is believed that Drukpa Kunley blessed the monastery and temple of Chimi Lhakhang with his spiritual presence during his travels through Bhutan. Per Taste of Bhutan:

The legend says Drukpa Kunley launched an arrow from Tibet to identify a new location where he could propagate his Buddhist teachings. The arrow fell near the current site of Chimi Lhakhang in Punakha (where his temple now stands) and guided him to Bhutan. During the search for the arrow, he met a young woman who believed in his cause. He spent the night with the woman and 'blessed' her with his offspring. The location of the Chimi Lhakhang is perceived as sacred and now houses an ancient bow and arrow as well as a 10-inch ivory and wood phallic emblem.

( Getty Images)

Also referred to as the "temple of the divine madman," Chimi Lhakhang, built in 1499, still stands today in the Punakha District in the northwest of the country, and became known as the "temple of fertility."

Mukesh Gupta  an Indian national originally from Darjeeling who is now based in California  has operated Bhutan Travel since the 1980s. Owing to the relaxed border controls between the northeast Indian state of Sikkim, where Darjeeling is located, and Bhutan, Gupta has been crossing the border into Bhutan since before the kingdom was officially opened to tourism in 1974.

Gupta said he has been chaperoning Western tourists to Bhutan for decades, and owing to his steeped history as a regular visitor to the region, he can understand the perspective of Westerners when they first see the abundance of Bhutanese phalluses:

I've been dealing with Western tourists ever since my school days. I know their perspective and their thinking and how a Westerner or an outsider looks at these sorts of things, so I can see from both sides. In Bhutan, the locals don't see any contradiction. They just do whatever their father's forefathers did, they just follow tradition. They don't want to go against the tradition. So it's more of a cultural tradition and obviously nowadays less of a religious thing. In fact, it's no longer a religion thing at all. The phalluses and symbols and pictures and drawings, you will not find in real temples. These phalluses are mostly found in private homes. Sometimes, the only temple you'll find them in is the temple that was set up to honor the "madman," because the phalluses and symbols are dedicated to him.

Gupta added that while some locals may decry the commercialization of the phallic symbols, they do appreciate that it's something tourists like to purchase and bring home as a keepsake of their time in Bhutan, adding that he has "two in my office here" at his home north of Los Angeles.

Echoing what Olson told Snopes, Gupta noted the Bhutanese tradition of having the phalluses placed at the four corners of the roof of a home, which is still done today with newly built dwellings. "That's what I like about Bhutan, they still continue to follow tradition  not only this, but all other traditions. Now [placing the phalluses on the eaves] is more of a fun thing to do, which is also tradition and culture."

Gupta also discussed the custom of young men and women in Bhutan taking part in a fake "fight while hanging those penises" with the rope. "The men try to raise it up," he explained. "The girls try to pull it down with the rope. And that's sort of like a game. It has become traditional over the years and centuries. That has become a game. And always traditionally, the girls win. It's more like a flirting game for people to get to know each other. It's definitely not religious, but that's part of the process they do to build a new home. And then after, the boys invite the girls to drink and merriment."

The phallic symbols adorning Chimi Lhakhang's walls continue to be venerated by locals and visitors alike. Each year, people flock to the temple from all over the world to offer prayers, particularly as they relate to conception, and to receive fertility blessings. According to Daily Bhutan, the fertility blessing performed at the temple goes like this:

Women who visit this Buddhist monastery seeking blessings to conceive will first be hit on the head with a 10 inch phallus made of wood and ivory by a presiding Lama. This is followed by being hit by a bow and arrow which was purportedly used by the Divine Madman  Drukpa Kuenley himself hundreds of years ago.

Following this part of the ceremony, the women are then purportedly made to walk around the temple three times while carrying the wooden phallus. Many miracle babies are said to have been born following their parents' visit to the temple for fertility blessings. These miracle babies are sometimes named Chimi/Chime, which means "no dog," or Kinley, which translates to "kind-hearted."

( Getty Images)

Today, phallic symbols are ubiquitous in Bhutan in the form of souvenirs catering to local traditions and tourist interests. These pen*s-adorned trinkets range from traditional wooden and stone carvings and textiles, prayer wheels and jewelry, to more modern items like keychains, magnets and paperweights. Phallic souvenirs remain popular among tourists, blending tradition with modernity in the country's evolving cultural landscape. According to Gupta, you can even find phalluses for sale "made out of leather with pubic hairs, which are made out of yak."

Gupta explained that while phalluses are no longer seen on newer government buildings and universities, "because the government does not want to be associated so much with this kind of tradition, because now they're trying to Westernize a little bit," distinctive paintings of penises that tell a story can still be seen on private homes.

"Lots of idiosyncratic pictures will come up, depending upon who the painter is and what he or she is thinking," Gupta said. "They now have penises with eyes, penises with wings  this is not regular eyes, but cosmic eyes, things like that. So they'll have pictures of penises with wings and then that becomes some flying penises like the tigress who flew Padmasambhava, the great Tibetan monk, to spread Buddhism into Bhutan."

Aside from the phallic symbols, Bhutan is known for its unique Gross National Happiness Index, which prioritizes the well-being and happiness of its citizens over purely economic measures. The presence of penises in Bhutan's cultural landscape is a reflection of the country's rich and vibrant heritage, which values spirituality, tradition and happiness above all else.

So, as it turns out, the practice of painting penises on buildings and placing phallic sculptures in Bhutan is not only true, it's widespread and is considered a form of spiritual protection and a way to promote harmony and prosperity in communities, while also bringing good luck and fortune. Snopes has previously written about phallic symbols in the natural world and also in other parts of the world.

Sources:

"Bhutan Travel - The Oldest & The Most Knowledgeable." Bhutan Travel, https://bhutantravel.com/. Accessed 21 Mar. 2024.

"Bhutan Travel, Treks and Cultural Tours." Bhutan Himalayan Experience, https://bhutanhimalayanexperience.com/. Accessed 21 Mar. 2024.

Bhutan  Gross National Happiness Index : Wellbeing Economy Alliance. http://weall.org/resource/bhutan-gross-national-happiness-index. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Chimi Lhakhang | The Fertility Temple | andBeyond. https://www.andbeyond.com/experiences/asia/bhutan/punakha/chimi-lhakhang-fertility-temple/. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

"ETHOS Bhutan." ETHOS Bhutan, https://ethosbhutan.com. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

"How And Why Bhutan Came To Worship The Phallus." Culture Trip, 15 Mar. 2018, https://theculturetrip.com/asia/bhutan/articles/how-and-why-bhutan-came-to-worship-the-phallus.

"Https://Twitter.Com/SagiOrli/Status/1002227330104807425." X (Formerly Twitter), https://twitter.com/SagiOrli/status/1002227330104807425. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.

Modern Miracles. https://www.chimilhakhang.com/modern-miracles. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Nast, Conde. "Why This Bhutan Town Has Phalluses Everywhere." Conde Nast Traveller India, 21 Mar. 2016, https://www.cntraveller.in/story/why-this-bhutan-town-has-phalluses-everywhere/.

Pray to Conceive at the Chimi Lhakhang. http://www.dailybhutan.com/article/pray-to-conceive-at-the-chimi-lhakhang. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Rahman, S. M. Mamunur. "Why Bhutanese People Paint Erect-Penis on Their Homes." The Masterpiece, 23 Aug. 2021, https://medium.com/the-masterpiece/why-bhutanese-people-paint-erect-penis-on-their-homes-a360a46310ba.

tashic. Visit Bhutan  Permanent Mission of Bhutan to the United Nations. https://www.mfa.gov.bt/pmbg/visit-bhutan/. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.

tasteofbhutan. "The Phallus of Bhutan and Its Unique Meaning." Taste of Bhutan, 1 Dec. 2021, https://tasteofbhutan.com/the-phallus-of-bhutan-and-its-unique-meaning/.

"Why This Small Country Has a Penis on Every Roof." MEL Magazine, 3 Mar. 2021, https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/bhutan-phallic-art-drukpa-kunley.
Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp gives updates during a press conference about the investigation into Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert for incorrect revenue reports on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Shelby County Administration Building in Memphis, Tenn.

Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp told reporters that during her visit to Shelby County these past two days she learned things that give her "great concern" regarding Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert.

"It makes sense that there are unhappy citizens and unhappy commissioners and unhappy elected officials, that makes sense to us at this point. There certainly are failures that must be fixed at some point whether that's through removal of office or not, we will make those decisions," Wamp said.

Wamp said she was pleased that the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury "invested" his resources into Halbert's office to get correct revenue reports released. But the deficiencies in the office currently are not new, she added.

"My major concern is that (the) deficiencies are very similar to the deficiencies she had noted by the comptroller several years ago. They're not a whole lot different," Wamp said.

Thursday, the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury released a report outlining problems found by a state audit performed in the Clerk's Office this past month. The Comptroller had been notified by Trustee Regina Newman about repeated late revenue reports sent to her office by Halbert.

Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert speaks to people waiting in line for motor vehicle renewals and registrations while giving a tour of the clerks office to The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tenn., on Friday, January 5, 2024.

Wamp said that she and her team put the investigation on pause in the beginning, hoping that the issues would resolve themselves and Halbert would "start doing better."

"If I'm being investigated over X, Y and Z I'm going to try to do better at X, Y and Z. And sometimes in a leadership position you just have to sort of let things play out and hope that they work themselves out, that did not happen," Wamp said. "Mrs. Halbert did not begin to do better and to report more accurately and so that's why we are in the position that we're in today."

The local government audit team from Comptroller Jason Mumpower's office said there were numerous issues within the office that Halbert needed to address in order for him to have confidence in her as the clerk.

While Im pleased with the results of our work, I recognize there are still many operational deficiencies within the clerks office, Mumpower said in a press release. The Shelby County Clerk must improve operations to gain the confidence of citizens. I hope the Clerk will be receptive to additional training that will only improve the function of this important government office.

Previously: Shelby Co. Clerk Wanda Halbert asks to delay county commission appearance amid investigation

In a letter to Shelby County Lee Harris, Mumpower said unless additional training or intervention is taken by Halbert, his office "lacks confidence the clerks office will be able to accurately report revenue figures in future months."

The burden of proof for ouster proceedings is high, Wamp said, and reiterated that she would like to have a solid case before bringing anything to a judge. Wamp did say that her office will begin a draft of proceedings when they return to Hamilton County but confirmed there is no time estimate on the conclusion of the investigation.

"We're gonna go back to the office and actually sort of draft what a petition would look like. I'm not I'm not going to do this and go through with this unless I think that we have a chance of success," Wamp said. "I'm not sure what our chances of success will be but what I'm called to do is to ensure in Hamilton County that we protect the public in this case, I'm here to ensure that there's an elected official who is not neglecting her duties."

Wamp also said that people her team interviewed in December who worked in the clerk's office are no longer there, and the high turnover rate is a grave concern.

More: New revenue reports from Shelby County clerk released, OKed by state auditors

"You have to have some stability in an office like that. There's always going to be turnover, so that's not entirely anyone's fault," Wamp said. "But there's been...a lot of turnover and I think in a large county office like hers that's collected the amount of money that she collects, she would need good people around her and I'm...not saying that people around her not good. I just don't know if there's enough."

Halbert, who previously served on both the Memphis City Council and the school board, has become a polarizing figure since taking office as county clerk in 2018.

Shes faced criticism for long lines at clerk offices, for license plate backlogs, for expiring leases at offices and for traveling to Jamaica during a closure of her offices to handle a backlog.

Halbert has been under investigation for willful neglect of office since June.

Brooke Muckerman covers Shelby County Government for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at (901) 484-6225, brooke.muckerman@commercialappeal.com and followed on X, formerly known as Twitter @BrookeMuckerman.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Wanda Halbert investigation: Independent investigator expresses converns
COLOMBO, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) will publicize a marine tourism master plan by the end of this month, local media reported on Friday.

The Chamber of Marine Industries aims to promote boating among Sri Lankans and make the country a boat manufacturing hub, the media quoted the chairman of the chamber Indhra Kaushal Rajapaksa as saying.

Rajapaksa highlighted the chamber's plans to develop small boat launch facilities, promote marina development, and host boat exhibitions in the near future.

He added that Sri Lanka has a good boat manufacturing base and the Chamber hopes to promote boat ownership among the citizens.

In January, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando said Sri Lanka aims to be a premier marine tourism destination in 2024. 
A 27-year-old Whatcom County woman will spend a little more than a decade in prison for hitting and killing a 38-year-old Deming man with her car in May 2022.

Rayven Taylor Dan Butler-Washington was sentenced March 11 in Whatcom County Superior Court to 10 years, four months in prison, with three years probation, for the May 6, 2022 death of Pablo Skrehelem Rabang.

Butler-Washington pleaded guilty Nov. 13 to one count of second-degree murder. She was originally charged with first-degree murder, vehicular homicide and hit and run resulting in death, but her charges were amended down as part of a plea deal, court documents show.

Prior to sentencing, numerous family members and friends wrote impact statements and submitted them to the court urging the court to hold Butler-Washington accountable for her actions and to provide justice for Rabangs death. Multiple people also spoke at Butler-Washingtons sentencing hearing March 11, according to court documents.

In their impact statements, friends and family described Rabang as an intelligent, loving, creative man dedicated to family and his children. Several people described Rabangs kindness and humor, stating that he always knew how to make someone laugh, no matter the circumstances.

The world not only lost a son, brother, cousin, nephew, godson, father, friend, but someone who brought joy and laughter and a better place to the world. It was not your time Lito. Parents should never have to bury their children, Deborah Alexander, Rabangs aunt and godmother, wrote to the court. You may have had your struggles but it never stopped you from living your life to the fullest and being you  funny, silly, trying to be serious at times, but real.

Rabang was wise beyond his time, made his loved ones feel special and provided good advice when it was needed, family and friends wrote. He had a vocational welding degree and many family members considered him their protector.

Normally death happens due to old age or sickness; in this case it was neither. My uncle was purposely taken (from) me, my family, his siblings, his parents, and his kids. He was yanked out of this life deliberately without a say, no choice, Sonia Rabang wrote in a statement to the court. There is not a day that goes by where I dont think about my uncle and all the memories we had with him. Memories are all we have left of him.

Rabangs family and friends told the court that Rabang, who suffered from addiction, did not deserve to die the way he did and did not deserve to have his life cut short. Multiple people wrote to the court hoping to convey the impact Rabang and his life had on them and his extended family. Most asked the court for justice for Rabangs death, with some expressing fear that it wouldnt be served.

I pray that this court delivers an appropriate sentence to this young lady, so she may realize the totality of the damage that she has done to those who must go on living with the pain of the absence of the the life of the one that they held so dear, Chief Robert Gladstone, Rabangs uncle, wrote to the court. We must bear the weight of our shortcomings, and this young lady must bear the weight of the life that she extinguished.

Character letters

Multiple people, including two Whatcom County Jail chaplains, also wrote and submitted character letters for Butler-Washington, asking for leniency and for the court to give her a second chance.

One of the jail chaplains wrote that throughout the time she had met with Butler-Washington during her incarceration, she had watched Butler-Washingtons focus move from being on herself to caring for the well-being of the other women incarcerated in her housing unit.

The chaplain wrote that she strongly believed Butler-Washington was remorseful for her actions and the impacts those actions had on other people. She also wrote that she didnt believe Butler-Washington would be a danger to others once released from prison, and said that Butler-Washington had good plans in place following her release.

At least three women who were incarcerated with Butler-Washington also wrote character references. Each said they believed Butler-Washington deserved a second chance, and each said their time while incarcerated was made better by Butler-Washington and her actions while in the Whatcom County Jail.

Several described Butler-Washington as caring, and stated she often would brush womens hair, help those who were withdrawing from drugs or alcohol, and would provide food and toiletries from her personal items she got at the jail commissary to others, according to court records.

I know that if she could go back and do things different she would. She shows extreme remorse for her actions and I know things would have been done different, a woman who had been incarcerated with Butler-Washington for nearly a year wrote in a letter to the court. I have seen her grow tremendously! She seems like a totally different person than when she was caught up in addiction.  Everyone makes mistakes, I know she is a different person now.

Butler-Washingtons mother, Teresa Ray S. Bumatay, also wrote a letter to the court regarding her daughters character. Bumatay wrote that she hoped her letter would show my daughters human side and the impact of her actions on her family and her son. Bumatay also said she hoped the letter would provide information that would help a judge understand Butler-Washingtons positive qualities and potential for rehabilitation and redemption.

Bumatay wrote that her daughters life has been marred by struggle, but that she has used her strength to overcome those obstacles. She said her daughter was remorseful for her actions and saddened by the shadow cast over the two families shared lives. Bumatay said her daughter is a good person and holds lots of love for her family and her son. Bumatay said she believed that with the love, support and guidance of family, Butler-Washington could overcome her current challenges and emerge a stronger person, according to court documents.

I acknowledge that Rayven has encountered difficulties and made mistakes along the way. However, her journey is defined not by the missteps she has taken, but by her resilience and determination to learn from them. Despite facing her darkest moments, she continues to strive for self-improvement and growth, Bumatay wrote to the court. She is not defined by her mistakes, but by her capacity for love, compassion, and redemption.

Sentenced

Butler-Washingtons standard sentencing range, based on her lack of criminal history and the nature of her conviction, was between 10 years and three months in prison to 18 years and four months in prison.

The prosecutor was expected to recommend a prison sentence of 15 years in prison for Butler-Washington, while her public defense attorney was expected to recommend the lowest sentence of 10 years and three months in prison.

Ultimately, the judge sentenced Butler-Washington to 10 years and four months in prison  one additional month than the lowest possible sentence for her crime. Butler-Washington will be required to be on probation for three years following her release from prison, court documents state.
Rishi Sunak promised to be a champion of agriculture in his speech at the National Farmers Union conference last month.

The Prime Minister was sent to Birmingham on a charm offensive to stem the collapse in rural support, declaring to farmers: Ive got your back.

However, two weeks on from the Budget, farmers are coming to the realisation that the Treasurys tax raid on holiday lets threatens to inadvertently rip away their livelihoods. Put simply: many farmers feel rather than having their backs, Rishi Sunak has put a knife in them.

A crackdown on furnished holiday lettings, which includes removing tax breaks, was supposed to be a popular policy to tackle the housing shortage in coastal areas and holiday hotspots. By removing the tax incentives for holiday let owners, it would encourage them to sell up, boosting local housing.

However, caught in the crossfire between the Government and second-home owners are farmers. Faced with ever-dwindling profits and having to compete with external shocks such as the war in Ukraine and more extreme weather, farmers have long been encouraged to diversify their businesses by the Government.

A report last year by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said diversification was a rational response to enhance income and found 49pc of farms let their disused buildings for non-agricultural use.

Farming alone is not profitable

Sally-Ann Chesters and her husband have converted their spare barns into six holiday cottages - Paul Cooper

Sally-Ann Chesters is one such farmer. Alongside her husband, they began diversifying Millmoor Farm in Cheshire 28 years ago when they opened a bed and breakfast. Since then, theyve converted their spare barns into six holiday cottages.

The holiday lets now account for half of the profit their farming business generates, despite managing a 260 acre farm.

Lifelong Conservative voter, Mrs Chesters said: We wouldnt be farming today if we didnt have the holiday let business, its become more and more important.

Despite their economic reliance, she explained their holiday let business exists out of necessity rather than choice. What we would love is for the farm business to be much more profitable so that we could ease off with the holiday lets but we are not quite there yet.

Its still an uphill struggle because with farming, one year you can have a really good price for your lambs, but another year the price is on the floor.

Ashlyn Cumberland Reed, 52, runs Tredethick Farm in Cornwall, a toddler-friendly farm that enables young families to experience a working farm while holidaying.

The mother and widow said: It is breathtaking. I sat down with my manager last week and we thought we had got through the farm accident which killed my husband, we got through Covid, we thought we could get through anything, but this has just stopped us in our tracks.

We are at the heart of a rural stable community. I employ 14 people locally, I am local, my kids are local. Tredethick has been running as a diversified farm since 1995, its been in the family for 110 years, but this change is unnecessarily challenging.

The furnished holiday let regime provides two significant forms of tax relief farmers have relied on. Firstly, it allows them to deduct the full cost of their mortgage interest payments from the rental income of the property.

Secondly, they are entitled to capital gains allowances meaning they can deduct the cost of the furniture and fittings of the properties from their profits before paying tax. By removing these benefits, it will almost certainly move them into a higher tax bracket, reducing their net income.

With such high running costs, not being able to offset these expenses has left Mrs Cumberland Reed in an impossible position. No one is earning a fortune, this is Cornwall. Im a single parent, Im just trying to get by. I thought I was the small to medium business the Conservatives are trying to encourage.

Not only is Mrs Cumberland Reed left with a business which will be penalised by the changes, the eight cottages cannot be used for longer-term lets as they are classified as holiday lets.

A tax trap

Ralph Rayner, who manages the Ashcombe Estate in Devon, is in a similar position.

We have used redundant farm buildings which are no longer suitable for modern agriculture and converted them into cottages, he said.

The condition of being able to convert them was that they could only be used for holiday let purposes. We couldnt change them to be residential if we wanted to, in fact weve tried.

The 2,500 country estate has been in Mr Rayners family for three generations and farming has increasingly given way to the holiday lettings part of the business to fund the estate.

Having first diversified in 1997, they now have eight properties, which can sleep up to 103 people at any one time, and three swimming pools.

Mr Rayner: 'People think holiday lets are a cash cow but the outgoings are huge' - Dale Cherry

Last year, Mr Rayner had 4,800 guests stay at Ashcombe cottages and estimates his business alone generates 2pc of the tourist spend for the Teignbridge district.

He said: Farmers have been told to diversify, so weve all diversified into all these different businesses which effectively have become a tax trap. Ive been in contact with my accountants and theyve sent me a synopsis of how this will affect us and its pretty brutal to be honest.

There isnt anything I can see in it which is of any use because once we cant reclaim capital allowance, it will impact us hugely.

These are very intensive businesses because the people who come to stay in them do tend to break things and they do tend to wear things out very quickly.

We are regularly changing over mattresses, beds, TVs, sofas, all these things we wouldnt be allowed to [claim capital allowance against], and these are big ticket items because people expect the very best nowadays.

We end up having to spend money every year and that is where the marginal nature of the business comes into play. The cost is in the hundreds of thousands [of pounds]. And while we have a large income we also have a very large outgoing. The actual profitability is not what they seem to think it is, they seem to think its just some big cash cow.

Mr Rayner argued the Governments policy has conflated second-home owners with locals who run holiday let businesses that have huge benefits for the local economy.

He said: What they are trying to do is change the people who have a property by the sea somewhere and stay there once a summer or twice a year and rent it out, they are your classic second-home owners.

Untold damage to local economies

Its not only farmers who feel hard-done by the decision. Anger is rumbling throughout the rural business community at the decision with many increasingly arguing it doesnt seem thought through.

Alistair Handyside, chairman of the Professional Association of Self-Caterers, said it was policy on the hoof and would cause untold damage to rural and coastal economies. His organisation has launched a petition to stop the abolishment which has been signed by almost 13,000 small businesses.

The Treasury said the abolishment will not take effect until April 2025 and draft legislation will be published in due course. However, privately some Conservative MPs have expressed their opposition to the Governments decision.

One senior Conservative MP told The Telegraph he would immediately amend the abolishment to exclude those who are restricted by planning permission.

Sir Robert Goodwill, who is chairman of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, said: I think they should look at where the planning permission only allows holiday use.

I think theres a strong argument these changes should not apply to those businesses because they dont have the option of switching those lets into residential lettings.

The Scarborough and Whitby MP, who himself helps run his 250-acre family farm in Terrington, North Yorkshire, added: A lot of my friends and neighbours have holiday lets and more regularly its farm buildings which have been converted.

These are not purely an investment property business, there is a lot of work involved in terms of the cleaning. Its not just buying a unit on an industrial estate and collecting rent. Its genuinely hard work which usually a farmers wife has to do as part of the overall farm business.

Michael Parker, head of tax at the National Farmers Union, said: Abolishing the furnished holiday lets regime could mean a significant financial hit for many of our members. This is an important source of diversification which can provide a steady income stream to help manage volatility and underpin the resilience of the farming business.

Many are converted farm buildings which can be restricted to being used for holiday letting and not for the residential letting market.

The Treasury said the planned reforms will make the holiday let system fairer and simpler.

A spokesman said: This change levels the playing field between short-term holiday lets and longer-term lets while supporting local peoples access to housing.

These changes will not penalise or prohibit the provision of furnished holiday lets, but will make the tax system fairer and simpler.

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.
Nabil Bacha says hes known in the back of his mind that he was going to have to make a tough decision about Cafe Bel Ami  the elegant downtown restaurant hes owned since 1998.

In a way, he said, he was in denial and really didnt want to face it.

But now, as the weather begins to warm up, he said, he cant put it off any longer. Bacha  whose long history with Wichita restaurants started in the 1980s at Antoine Toubias famous Cafe Chantilly  says he has to close the restaurant at 229 E. William.

Cafe Bel Ami is at 229 E. William.

The closure wont be permanent though, he said. He has brokers scouring Wichita for a new spot for the restaurant, which first opened in ORourke Title Building  the historic onetime site of the McClellan Hotel  26 years ago.

So its in their hands, he said, As soon as they find something, we will be moving Bel Ami.

The issue, Bacha said, is the buildings air conditioning. Its been failing for years and has gone out twice in the past two years. In fact, it hasnt been working since September.

The buildings new owner, Marv Shellenberg of Schellenberg Development Company, has been more than accommodating, Bacha said. But repairing the air conditioning for the building is going to be a complicated, 14-month project that will involve ripping out ceilings. They discussed all kinds of workarounds but couldnt find one that made sense for Cafe Bel Amis business.

Bacha only recently admitted defeat to himself. He informed his staff of his decision this week.

People still have a little time to dine at Cafe Bel Ami before it takes its hiatus  but not much. Bacha hasnt targeted an exact closing date. He plans to keep going until the weather gets into the 80s and the temperature inside becomes too uncomfortable. He hopes to make it to May but is at the mercy of Mother Nature.

The ORourke Title Building needs a new air conditioning system that will take 14 months to repair, so Cafe Bel Ami has to leave after 26 years.

Bacha said another factor in his decision to move was his reluctance to ask customers to fight all the construction thats about to erupt around his building and would make parking nearly impossible. Shellenberg and his partners are also planning to overhaul the Petroleum Building next door to Cafe Bel Ami, and Wichita State University, the KU School of Medicine and WSU Tech will soon break ground on an eight story biomedical center on the parking lot across the street.

Its going to be chaotic with all of the construction, Bacha said. Its going to be madness over there.

Bacha said that Shellenberg told him he can return to his current spot once all the repairs are made, and Bacha hasnt ruled that option out. It all depends on whether he finds another property behind now and then.

Ideally, he said, hed move to a spot on the east side where he could recreate Cafe Bel Amis upscale, old-world feel. So far, he hasnt been able to find such a place.

Bacha started as a busboy at Cafe Chantilly, a Wichita favorite at 6921 E. Kellogg that closed in 1993. A Lebanon native, he immigrated to Wichita from his home in Kuwait when he was 18 years old with the intention of earning a degree at Wichita State University.

Nabil Bacha has to move his Cafe Bel Ami from its longtime home at 229 E. William.

He found a job at Cafe Chantilly, and it wasnt long until owner Toubia recognized his new busboys culinary potential. Bacha rose quickly through the ranks and was the manager of the restaurant during the final three of his eight years there. He followed that with a stint managing Toubias company Latours food service contract with Cessna.

He struck out on his own in 1998, opening Cafe Bel Ami and building a loyal clientele with his French-inspired Mediterranean dishes served in a quiet, elegant dining room.

Stay tuned for more information as Bacha continues his real estate hunt.

In the meantime, he encourages his longtime customers to stop by for a last taste at Broadway and William.

The sooner, the better, he said.

This Wichita restaurant has been around for 30 years. Soon, it will move to a new home.

Eye-catching new burger restaurant on Maize Road  Sickies Garage  has an opening date

The Belmont debuts its first major menu overhaul since it opened nearly four years ago
A Boeing 737 Max aircraft during a display at the Farnborough International Airshow, in Farnborough, Britain, July 20, 2022. (Peter Cziborra/Reuters)

Dave Calhoun, the CEO of embattled aerospace manufacturer Boeing, will step down by the end of the year, the company announced Monday morning.

The moves come amid a series of recent problems with the companys airplanes, including a door plug being blown out during a flight, a plane that dropped midflight, injuring passengers, and a panel falling off a plane during a flight. The company has come under scrutiny from the Department of Justice and the Federal Aviation Administration as a result.

While Boeing has been making headlines a lot recently, the company has faced more than five years of safety challenges with its planes. The issues have resulted in multiple aircraft groundings and more than $31 billion in losses.

 What just happened?

Calhoun announced on Monday that he would resign at the end of 2024 as part of a leadership shake-up. The announcement also mentioned that the CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Stan Deal, is retiring and that Boeings chairman, Larry Kellner, will not be seeking reelection as a board director.

 Lets rewind. How did we end up here?

March 2024

The FBI is investigating the Alaska Airlines flight in January that saw a door plug blow off the plane midflight  and has told passengers they may be a possible victim of a crime.

The FAAs 737 Max production audit finds multiple instances where Boeing allegedly did not comply with manufacturing quality control requirements.

In two separate incidents, a Boeing 777-200 loses a wheel during takeoff from San Francisco and a Boeing 737 skids off the runway after landing in Houston.

The next week, a prominent Boeing whistleblower  former employee John Barnett  dies by suicide while in Charleston, S.C., for a deposition for a lawsuit against Boeing.

A Boeing 787 Dreamliner nose-dives during a flight from Sydney to Auckland, New Zealand, injuring at least 50 people, on the same day a Boeing 777 flight from Sydney is forced to turn around due to a maintenance issue.

Another Boeing 777 is forced to make an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport after pilots report a flat tire.

A Boeing 737 that took off from San Francisco later that week is found to be missing a panel during a postflight inspection.

On Friday, Boeing sues Virgin Galactic, accusing it of stealing trade secrets.

Whistleblowers, nosedives and a DOJ investigation: Read more about Boeings March mishaps on Yahoo News

February 2024

The NTSB publishes a preliminary report that found the Alaska Airlines flight was missing four key bolts, which is why the door plug blew out.

January 2024

Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 experiences a door plug blowout midflight. The FAA subsequently grounds all Max 9 aircraft to investigate.

Read more from BBC News: Passenger describes being on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282

December 2023

Boeing urges airlines to inspect all 737 Max jets for potential loose hardware in the planes rudder control systems.

August 2023

Boeing reports a supplier quality issue with 737 Max planes involving improperly drilled holes.

October 2022

The FAA tells Boeing that some documents submitted for the certification review of the 737 Max 7 are incomplete.

March 2021

Chinas aviation regulator claims there are major safety concerns with the Boeing Max jets.

November 2020

The FAA allows Boeing 737 Max planes to fly again.

September 2020

An 18-month-long investigation by a House of Representatives panel concludes that Boeing failed in its design and development of the Max aircraft and was not fully transparent with the FAA.

Read more from Reuters: U.S. lawmakers fault FAA, Boeing for deadly 737 Max crashes

January 2020

Boeing suspends all 737 production.

March 2019

Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, a Boeing 737 Max 8, reports a flight control problem to the control tower one minute after taking off from Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The plane crashes six minutes after takeoff, killing all 157 people on board.

China decides to ground all Boeing 737 Max planes. The FAA follows.

November 2018

The FAA and Boeing announce they are investigating software and design changes on all 737 Max planes following the Lion Air crash.

October 2018

Lion Air Flight 610, a Boeing 737 Max aircraft, crashes 13 minutes after takeoff from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Indonesia. All 189 on board are killed.

 Boeing had problems for years. Why is it being investigated only now?

Weve known [about Boeing] for five years, Mark Pegram, father of one of the Ethiopian Airlines flight victims, told NPR in March. I think the rest of the world is finally waking up to it, that these werent just isolated incidents.

Boeing has paid billions of dollars in settlements since 2018, and the company and its leaders entered into a deferred prosecution agreement in January 2021 with the Department of Justice that has helped them avoid criminal prosecution so far.

Boeing paid $1.77 billion to compensate airline customers, $243.6 million as a criminal fine and $500 million for a compensation fund for family members of crash victims, CNN reported.

A yearlong FAA-commissioned panel review was critical of the safety culture at Boeing, and found that executives and employees were not aligned with what the safety standards were, according to a report from February. The investigation also found that many employees were afraid of retaliation for speaking up.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  Federal Prosecutors are considering the death penalty in the case against South Carolina man who is accused of killing New Mexico State Police Officer Justin Hare.

Jaremy Smith, 33, of Marion, South Carolina, is charged with carjacking resulting in death and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. The charges were announced on Friday during a press conference held by the United States Attorneys Office and New Mexico Department of Justice outside the Pete V. Domenici U.S. Courthouse in Albuquerque.

Story continues below

Smith faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in federal prison for the firearms offense. The more-serious charge of carjacking resulting in death carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or death.

The death penalty is authorized by the statute carjacking resulting in death, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico Alexander M.M. Uballez said at the press conference.

The possibility that Smith could face the death penalty was also mentioned in court. U.S. Magistrate Judge Kirtan Khalsa said that Smith will be appointed learned counsel, meaning that Smith will have at least two attorneys, one of which is knowledgeable about the defense of death penalty cases.

This is the first time Smith made an appearance in court since he was taken into custody and then to the hospital after being shot by deputies during a pursuit in Bernalillo County on Sunday. KRQE News 13 was in the court hearing where Smith appeared dressed in a hospital gown with pants underneath. His left arm was bandaged and was in a sling. He also needed assistance to walk through the courtroom, our crew noted.

The deadly shooting of Officer Hare happened around 5 a.m. on Friday, March 15. Officer Hare was dispatched to help a motorist with a flat tire on I-40 near mile marker 318, west of Tucumcari. Hare parked behind a white BMW, and Smith approached the officers passenger side window. The two had a brief conversation about the flat tire before Smith fired at the officer, according to newly unsealed court documents and previous information disclosed by New Mexico State Police.

Photo of fallen NMSP Officer Justin Hare, courtesy of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham

New Mexico State Police said Smith walked over to the drivers side and shot Hare again before he got into the officers vehicle. Smith then pushed Hare into the passenger seat and drove away in the officers patrol car.

Approximately five minutes after Officer Hare arrived at the scene, a duress signal from Hares radio was activated. Backup units were sent to the scene, where they found an unoccupied BMW with a flat tire.

Hares police vehicle was found crashed on the side of the road near mile marker 304 with no one inside. Officer Hare was found with gunshot wounds to the head and neck. He was then taken to the hospital, where he died from his injuries, court documents state.

Law enforcement conducted a manhunt for Smith on Friday, which ended in Bernalillo County on Sunday.

ABQ man accused of trying to escape hospital through ceiling

New information learned through the court documents revealed that Smith stole a white flatbed truck from Cuervo, New Mexico, on Saturday. Cuervo is approximately 134 miles east of Albuquerque and approximately 13 miles west of the site where Hares vehicle was crashed.

When officers recovered the truck, they found several items inside, including white Nike shoes and 9mm ammunition. The location of where the truck was recovered was not mentioned.

Smith was first seen in Bernalillo County on Sunday when a gas station clerk checked Smiths identification card and recognized his name. Deputies found Smith in the area of Unser and Anderson Hill. During a foot pursuit of Smith, court documents state that Smith reached for his waistband, and BCSO deputies shot him. He taken into custody and to a local hospital to be treated.

And when the suspect is captured, as it was on Sunday, by BCSO, we have a very small moment of relief and even, I would say, happiness. But that elation and that celebration is very short lived, Sec. Jason Bowie, with the New Mexico Department of Public Safety said.

Smiths ties to New Mexico and South Carolina

Smith, who has an extensive criminal history in South Carolina, is also listed as a person of interest in connection to a missing paramedic in South Carolina. The body of 52-year-old Phonesia Machado-Fore was discovered on Friday. The BMW Smith was driving in New Mexico when he got a flat tire was registered to Machado-Fore, according to court documents.

Law enforcement recovered a Taurus 9mm pistol near the area where Smith was taken into custody in Bernalillo County and 9mm shell casings in Officer Hares patrol unit. The same type of pistol was reported missing by Machado-Fores roommate after her Machado-Fore went missing, the court documents state.

The newly unsealed court documents also show that Smith has ties to the Albuquerque area. On Feb. 27, Albuquerque Police were dispatched to a domestic violence call involving Smith and a woman. The womans name was not stated in the court documents, however, the FBI knows who she is. A phone that previously belonged to the woman was also found near the crash site of Officer Hares patrol unit.

Investigators are still examining Smiths criminal history which also extends into Georgia, according to court documents.

Will there be additional charges?

New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez said they are withholding state charges against Smith at this time. We do that because we believe it is in the best interest of justice, Torrez announced at Fridays press conference. And we do that knowing full well that as soon as his case is addressed in federal court, he will immediately be taken into custody and face murder charges in state court.

Federal charges have not been filed in South Carolina, Uballez said on Friday.

Smith was officially released from the hospital and taken back into custody on Friday. He is expected back in court for a detention hearing on March 26.

Watch the full conference below:

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  A United States magistrate judge is letting plaintiffs and their attorneys in a lawsuit alleging Baton Rouge Police Department misconduct inspect the site. The warehouse, called the Brave Cave, is alleged to be where officers took people for unconstitutional searches and to beat them.

The city disbanded the Street Crimes Unit last year in the wake of multiple lawsuits, the most recent was filed on Feb. 20. The FBI also launched an investigation. The facility is now in the courts possession, which means that BRPD had to leave the building untouched for evidence.

On Sep. 28 of last year, a plaintiff filed to have access to the facility, but was denied due to some defendants not yet making an appearance. After the appearances were made, the plaintiff filed again on Nov. 28.

The judge partially granted a motion for a protective order related to an inspection of the Brave Cave. Previous requests to inspect the site immediately were initially denied.

The court OKd the inspection but set requirements around the date and who can be there; limiting the spread of certain photos or videos; and making sure there is no interference with evidence gathering.

Denham Springs man arrested, accused of sexual battery, 18 counts of indecent behavior

According to court documents, the city and BPRD asked for a protective order for the inspection. They wanted specific provisions limiting who can inspect the facility, how photographs and videos taken during the inspection will be handled, and preventing the disclosure of certain information.

They argued that media coverage and the potential use of photos and videos from the scene could influence public opinion and potential jurors and harm their case.

Two attorneys of the plaintiffs said that this decision to grant them access is crucial for their cases.

We need to see what the facility looks like. What type of equipment was housed there, what condition its in, and get the clients to walk us around and show us where these incidents occurred, said Attorney Jessica Hawkins.

The plaintiff argued that the defendants did not meet the good cause framework for a protective order and failed to show specific injury.

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The judge said that requires the party seeking a protective order to show why its necessary and provide specific facts and reasons to support their request. While the defendants didnt meet the standard, he did partially grant their requests.

There will be a press conference before the tour at 10 a.m. Friday. The inspection is scheduled for 10 a.m. March 22 and can last no longer than five hours.

Were hoping that this inspection not only preserves evidence but informs the public exactly about what exactly is going on inside the Brave Cave. May, justice be swift, said Attorney Ryan Thompson.

Latest News

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com.
A federal judge in Washington, D.C., dismissed a lawsuit challenging a district law that allows noncitizens to vote in local elections, ruling the plaintiffs did not prove the law violates their rights.

In an opinion issued Thursday, Judge Amy Berman Jackson ruled against a group of seven plaintiffs  all of whom are U.S. citizens and registered to vote in D.C.  who argued the citys Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 violates their Fifth Amendment rights.

The law, passed by the D.C. Council in 2022, removed the citizenship requirement for voting in municipal elections, allowing noncitizen residents to vote in local elections, according to court documents. This includes being able to vote for local officials, along with local initiatives, referenda, recalls or charter amendment measures. It did not allow noncitizens to vote in federal elections.

The law also allows noncitizen residents to run for D.C. government roles and serve on the citys Board of Elections, per court filings.

The suit, filed against D.C.s Board of Elections, alleged the law dilutes the vote of every U.S. citizen voter in the District. The plaintiffs argued the enfranchisement of noncitizens infringed on their fundamental right to vote, and discriminated against U.S. citizens and native-born U.S. citizens living in D.C. while violating the constitutional right to citizen self-government.

The plaintiffs requested the judge to stop the Board of Elections from registering noncitizens to vote and counting votes cast by noncitizens, per the filing.

Jackson ruled the plaintiffs failed to show anything was taken away or diminished from them because of the law.

They may object as a matter of policy to the fact that immigrants get to vote at all, but their votes will not receive any less weight or be treated different than noncitizens votes; they are not losing representation in any legislative body; nor have citizens as a group been discriminatorily gerrymander, packed, or cracked to divide, concentrate or devalue their votes.

Jackson argued the plaintiffs are simply raising a generalized grievance.

The Hill reached out to the Immigration Reform Law Institute  which represented the plaintiffs  and the D.C. Board of Elections for comment.

Those among the plaintiffs included Stacia Hall, who ran as a Republican and lost to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) in 2022, and Ralph Chittams Sr., who was a Republican candidate in 2018 for an at-large seat on the citys Council.

The D.C. law was brought to light on Capitol Hill, where the House last year approved a pair of resolutions that disapproved of the bill, and the districts criminal code. This was part of an effort to block D.C. from enforcing the measures, a power granted to Congress under the D.C. Home Rule Act.

The resolutions were not voted upon within the 30-day window in the Senate, allowing the bill to become a law.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
FedEx Supply Chain, Inc. announced via a public notice that they would be laying off 326 workers from their Union City, Ga. facility and closing the site down permanently.

The announcement was filed with Georgias Worker Adjustment Training and Notification Act (WARN) public database.

WARN notices are required by federal law for layoffs of more than 100 staff to give employees and state officials at least 60 days notice before separations occur.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

According to the filing, submitted by the company in February and updated on March 19, the employee layoffs will be happening in two phases as the shipping company permanently closes the facility.

In a letter to state officials, FedEx said the notice was to inform the state that there would be a discontinuance of operations at the Union City site.

The layoffs will begin on April 8 and finish on June 23, according to the WARN filing.

TRENDING STORIES:

This letter is to inform you that FedEx Supply Chain, Inc. will be discontinuing the operations it currently manages for its customer at its facility located at 6720 Oakley Industrial Blvd,, Union City, Ga. 30291 (the Facility) due to its customers decision to transition its business to another location in Jackson, GA (the Jackson Facility), the company said. As a result, approximately 326 employees working at the Facility will be displaced from their employment at the Facility.

According to FedEx, there may be some opportunities for the impacted employees to be rehired at the Jackson Facility in the near future, but the closure of the Union City site is expected to be permanent. All of the employees who will be laid off due to the closure were said to have been informed via written notice and will be paid all wages and benefits through their last day of employment.

Additionally, any retirement or group insurance benefits will be provided per the terms of the relevant employee benefit plans, according to FedEx.

The company said none of the affected employees are members of a collective bargaining unit represented by a union. They said they also provided their employees with information about other FedEx openings, both at the Jackson Facility and other locations nearby.

Channel 2 Action News reached out to FedEx for more information about the closure. The company provided the following response:

The customer that occupied space at 6720 Oakley Industrial Blvd in Union City will be moving its operations to a new location in Jackson that will continue to be operated by FedEx. We expect this building to cease operations this spring. Affected team members were notified in advance of any changes taking place, and we are actively working to transition positions to the new location, as well as assisting with finding other employment opportunities within the company, including at other nearby FedEx facilities in the area.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
The Fayette County Attorneys Office has dismissed several felony charges against a former council member for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government.

Michael Wilson, a 74-year-old former District 1 council representative, was arrested in March 2023 for first degree wanton endangerment and third degree terroristic threatening, according to court records.

Wilson said he was going to shoot someone before firing two shots in close proximity to that person, according to his arrest citation.

On Tuesday, his charges were dismissed.

Wilsons attorney, John Paul Howard, said the charges being dropped was a just outcome and the correct resolution.

According to Howard, the alleged victim in the case did not wish to continue with prosecution. Wilson was cleared of all charges.

The case moving forward for them wasnt going to amount to anything, I dont believe, Howard told the Herald-Leader. He is not a person regularly in the system and he had some things come up that were definitely out of character. ... This case should have been dismissed some time ago, but it took some time.

Fayette County attorney John Hayme did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A cruel and manipulative IT worker hacked into the lives of a married couple and spent 18 months poisoning the wife with drugged health drinks.

Luke DWit was sentenced to life in prison on Friday and told he must serve a minimum of 37 years behind bars for the deaths of Carol Baxter, 64, and husband Stephen, 61.

DWit, described as a nerdy and weird loner, spent almost a decade ingratiating himself with the couple and their family before scheming and planning their demise.

At Chelmsford Crown Court, the Baxters children, Harry and Ellie, said they had been completely brainwashed by the 34-year-old, whom they viewed as a brother.

The couple were discovered slumped in their armchairs in the conservatory of their detached home in the seaside village of West Mersea, Essex, by their daughter on April 9 last year.

In the months before giving the couple a fatal dose of fentanyl, DWit had created multiple fake identities of doctors to trick Carol into taking medication that left her with dementia-like symptoms.

The court heard he would film her and giggle at the footage, after making her drink health drinks that would supposedly help with her thyroid condition, but were laced with drugs.

Ellie, 22, read a victim impact statement at Chelmsford Crown Court in which she laid bare the horror of finding her parents bodies.

Carol and Stephen Baxter were found dead by their daughter last year - Essex Police/PA

She said she found her parents stiff and stone cold.

I have never known an emotional pain to physically hurt so much. It was like my insides were on fire. I pleaded for them to wake up. I begged them.

She told the court that her parents, who ran a shower mat company, had grown closer to DWit, who carried out IT work for them and lived a five-minute walk away, when his father died in 2021.

Over the next 18 months, Carols health began to decline and Ellie said her mother had been completely brainwashed by a fake doctor DWit was posing as, called Dr Andrea Bowden.

In the months leading up to their deaths, Miss Baxter said her father seemed lonely as her mother constantly struggled to stay awake.

My mum being drugged for so long and needing such constant help was also, slowly but surely, tearing away every last bit of my dads soul. I felt so helpless.

Ellie said her parents, who were planning on taking early retirement, had so much life left to live and so much to look forward to.

She added: All that had been crushed due to one mans heinous crimes.

A man my family protected and cared for. A man who lied his way into our lives. A man so manipulative he hacked his way into our lives over a decade ago, schemed and thoroughly planned my parents demise.

Tracy Ayling KC, prosecuting, said DWits murder plot involved quite an extraordinary long-term case of manipulation.

Luke D'Wit was sentenced to at least 37 years in prison - Essex Police

The barrister said DWit was drugging Mrs Baxter, causing her to appear as if she had dementia or a stroke, and that the pain he was inflicting on her was for (his) own satisfaction.

She said he had previously tried to harm Mrs Baxter by giving her a pill with a tack inside it.

As the couple lay dying in their home, DWit watched on remotely via cameras installed in the property. After they had died, a fake will was discovered naming DWit as the director of the couples business.

Mr Justice Lavender said that while DWit had hoped to gain financially from the couples deaths, the primary motivation may have been a desire to control others as he had done with Mrs Baxter in the months before he murdered her.

Deciding whether another person lives or dies is the ultimate form of control, he added.

The judge told DWit, who was in a wheelchair and remained emotionless as he was sentenced, that he had been viewed as a member of the Baxter family.

He added: You spent a great deal of your time in their home and, in particular, you accompanied Carol Baxter on walks and visits to the gym and you regularly mixed what were supposed to be health drinks for her.

I am sure that it was by means of one such drink, which you had recommended to Carol and Stephen Baxter in the guise of one of many false identities created by you, that you administered the drugs to Carol and Stephen Baxter without their knowledge.

In the close-knit coastal community of West Mersea, locals were still coming to terms with the impact of the murders.

Many who knew DWit have struggled to accept that the polite, mild mannered boy who grew up on the island was capable of such cruelty.

A close friend of the DWit family, who did not wish to be named, told The Telegraph: Ive known him for 30 years, I knew him as a little boy, he used to come round to our house.

Throughout that time up until the day he was arrested, I thought he was a polite nice lad. I just cant understand it.

12:27 PM GMT

Thats it for today

Thank you for following our live coverage of the sentencing of convicted double murderer Luke DWit.

You can read more on the murder trial here and here.

12:15 PM GMT

DWit accepts lengthy sentence

Adam Davis KC, mitigating for Luke DWit at Chelmsford Crown Court, said the defendant knew he faced a lengthy sentence for the murders of Stephen and Carol Baxter.

He said: The defendant knows, given the conviction of the jury, that he faces a very long time in prison.

He accepts that.

12:09 PM GMT

Baxter family leave Chelmsford Crown Court after sentencing

Ellie Baxter, daughter of Stephen, 61, and Carol, 64 - Stefan Rousseau

Harry Baxter, the couple's son leaving the court on Friday - Stefan Rousseau

A new image of Stephen and Carol Baxter released by Essex Police - Essex Police

12:04 PM GMT

One of the most complex investigations carried out by Essex Police

Det Insp Lydia George, senior investigating officer for the case, after the sentencing said: It is simply impossible to put a number on the lives of Carol and Stephen. They were loving, generous parents. They helped people and touched the lives of many.



They were entering a period in their lives where they should have been able to enjoy precious time with their grandchildren.



Luke DWit took all that away in April 2023. He tried to cover it up. He went to great lengths to blame others who we know were not involved in any way.



He clearly enjoyed the control he exerted over people, especially Carol and Stephen.

She continued: Ultimately, the only person in this world who knows why he acted this way is Luke DWit and he has proven time and time again to be a manipulator.



What we do know is the significant sentence handed down today is entirely fitting for the pathological liar that he is.



Ms George said it was one of the most complex investigations her force had ever carried out.

11:55 AM GMT

Judge says whole life order not appropriate

Mr Justice Lavender outlined his reasons for imposing a sentence of life imprisonment and not a whole life order.

He said: The Crown submit that [DWits] offences are on the cusp of being so serious as to justify my imposing a whole life order. However, I do not consider that a whole life order is appropriate based on the facts of this case.

He continued: What you did was cruel and senseless, but I am not sure that it is properly to be described as sadistic.

It is likely that Carol and Stephen Baxter did not endure any pain or suffering, since the drugs which [DWit] administered had a sedative effect, putting Carol and Stephen Baxter to sleep and then killing them in their sleep as the drugs affected their brains and caused them to stop breathing.

DWit was told by the judge he did not have to stand to hear his sentence as the double murderer is currently in a wheelchair, claiming to have a growth on his leg.

Miss Baxter snorted dismissively as the judge made the remark.

11:47 AM GMT

Watch: Moment killer left couples home after the poisoning

11:35 AM GMT

DWit motivated by desire to control victims, says judge

Mr Justice Lavender said the Baxter family had eloquently and lovingly expressed their profound loss and suffering in their victim impact statements.

He told DWit: I am sure you intended to kill Carol and Stephen. You have never admitted what you did and have therefore never expressed why you did it.

The judge said that while financial gain had been a motive, he considered DWit had been primarily motivated by a desire to control his victims.

He said: I consider it is distinctly possible that what really motivated you was a desire to control others, as you controlled Carol Baxter in the two years before her death.

He concluded: Deciding whether another person lives or dies is the ultimate form of control.

11:27 AM GMT

Luke DWit jailed for minimum term of 37 years

Luke DWit, 34, has been jailed at Chelmsford Crown Court for life with a minimum term of 37 years for the murders of married couple Stephen and Carol Baxter who were poisoned with fentanyl in West Mersea in Essex.

Mr Justice Lavender has said that DWit ended the lives of Carol and Stephen Baxter and caused grief and misery to the lives of others.

He said he would not be imposing a whole life order as the conduct of DWit could not properly be described as sadistic as the poisoning of the Baxters with Fentanyl meant they would have experienced little pain when they died.

He sentenced Mr DWit to life in prison with a minimum term of 37 years.

11:23 AM GMT

DWit used pill containing metal tack to harm Carol Baxter

Tracy Ayling KC has said the murders involved significant planning and premeditation, pointing to the fact DWit had tried to harm Mrs Baxter by giving her a pill containing a metal tack.

Mrs Baxter was taken to the hospital following the incident and tacks matching the one found in her stomach were later discovered in DWits bedroom.

Detectives discovered the tacks were purchased shortly before the incident took place.

She said the murders were on the cusp of calling for a whole life order  meaning he would never be released from prison  given the prolonged suffering the couple experienced amounted to sadism.

She said: The definition of sadism is enthusiasm for inflicting pain, suffering or humiliation, we submit this is entirely present in this case.

She added the drugging of Mrs Baxter was for DWits own satisfaction.

11:17 AM GMT

Ellie Baxter: Endless memories have been snatched from my family and I

Ellie Baxter, who became emotional several times during her statement, said her parents had so much life left to live and so much to look forward to as they planned on taking an early retirement.

She said: All that had been crushed due to one mans heinous crimes.

Ellie Baxter, the couple's daughter - Lucy North

She continued: A man my family protected and cared for. A man who lied his way into our lives. A man so manipulative he hacked his way into our lives over a decade ago, schemed and thoroughly planned my parents demise.

Years of pain and trauma were given to us and the chance of countless years and endless memories have been snatched from my family and I.

11:11 AM GMT

Killer lied to family about having cancer

In her victim impact statement, Ellie Baxter has told the court Luke DWit lied to the family about suffering from cancer to elicit sympathy, complaining of constant headaches and fatigue.

She said: My parents and I would support him through this. But once again that was another lie. Another form of deceit. Another way to emotionally manipulate us all.

Miss Baxter said her parents had also taken pity on DWit after his father died in 2021, believing he was lonely.

They took him under their wing and would let him join in. Even in our personal family birthday meals, she added.

She said the stress of discovering that DWit, who she previously described as being like a brother to her, was the investigations prime suspect almost caused her to lose her unborn baby.

10:55 AM GMT

Ellie Baxter recalls finding her parents stiff and stone cold at Essex home

Describing the moment she found her parents on April 9, Miss Baxter said they were stiff and stone cold after she found them slumped in armchairs in their conservatory.

She said she never knew emotional pain could physically hurt so much.

She added: It was like my insides were on fire. I screamed and screamed but nothing I done was helping. I pleaded for them to wake up. I begged them. But of course they could not wake. The next time I saw mum and dad they were in body bags.

In the months leading up to their deaths, Miss Baxter has said her mother struggled to cope with the drugs she was being given. She said: Dad seemed lonely. Mum was too unwell. She struggled to eat and could not stay awake.

My mum being drugged for so long and needing such constant help was also, slowly but surely, tearing away every last bit of my dads soul. I felt so helpless.

Stephen Baxter, 61, and wife Carol, 64 - Essex Police

10:49 AM GMT

Loving family torn apart by killing, says Ellie Baxter

Ellie Baxter described her mother Carol as being full of life and spoke about shopping trips and days to the spa they used to enjoy.

She said: She was my best friend. We would laugh together, cry together and support each other. Over the coming years we had planned to go travelling as we both wanted to go to Japan and India. A dream of ours that now can never be fulfilled.

Speaking about her father, Miss Baxter said he loved playing the guitar and inspired a love of music in his children.

She called him a strong man who used to tell her there are no shortcuts in life.

Miss Baxter added: He worked every day of his life and provided for mum, my brother and I. There was nothing we ever needed. He loved us all.

10:38 AM GMT

Carol Baxter completely brainwashed by killer

Ellie Baxter, the couples daughter, has begun reading her victim impact statement to the court.

She said her mum had lost her ability to function in the years prior to her murder because of her illness, which she says was contrived by DWit.

She added: Mum felt so alone and lost and there was nothing I could do other then give her my shoulder to cry on and cuddle her.

I tried to push her to go to the doctors, which she did but she was completely brainwashed by Dr Andrea Bowden.

Dr Bowden was one of the many aliases DWit used to give Mrs Baxter fake medical advice to treat her thyroid condition.

Miss Baxter said that DWit would get her mother to send videos to Dr Bowden to help her treatment.

But in reality Luke just wanted to see and watch the outcome of his twisted, abominable actions. Sometimes even filming my mum himself and laughing, she said.

10:24 AM GMT

Watch: Moment Luke DWit is arrested by Essex Police

10:16 AM GMT

Baxter family arrive at Chelmsford Crown Court

The Baxters family members, including their daughter Ellie and son Harry, have arrived at Chelmsford Crown Court for the sentencing.

Before detectives began investigating DWit, Ellie was initially arrested on suspicion of their murder.



Miss Baxter was discounted as a suspect after a new will  written the day after the couple died  and empty packets of fentanyl linked to DWit were discovered in the Baxters home.

10:12 AM GMT

In full: Harry Baxters statement following DWits conviction

After Luke DWit was found guilty of the murders of Carol and Stephen Baxter, their son made the following statement outside Chelmsford Crown Court.

Luke DWit took what we all held most sacred and found a way to extract it for himself. Our life will forever be punctured by the gravity of his actions. My eldest daughter will forever have lost the wealth of wisdom and experience my parents possessed. My mum was the definition of the word love. I do not refer to April of 2023. I refer to the day Luke began his foul games torturing and drugging her. Unbeknownst to me, I had already lost my mother a long time ago. I feel great sadness looking back on the videos of her when she was acting strangely and seeing him in the background giggling and smiling knowing hes the one inflicting this pain as we were all dolls in his dollhouse victim to his manipulation. My father on the other hand is the definition of intelligence. A critical thinker and problem solver and a person people could absolutely rely on. Most of all thorough to an astounding level of excellence. Revered within his industry, it was almost as if it seemed like he never broke a sweat. He sacrificed his life for us to live on and when the days came where he could finally take time and retire and have time to teach me, a young man, naive and keen at the beginning of his adult life it was stolen away by someone we all trusted the most. Luke DWit completely destroyed everything we held close to our hearts and every memory and future dream we could have shared. All I can do now is focus on my family by loving and protecting my partner and baby and our future members of the family. We have the important role of not only mother and father, but also capture the memory of a now sadly lost grandmother and grandfather.

09:51 AM GMT

Who is Luke DWit?

Luke DWit was convicted of the murders of Carol and Stephen Baxter at Chelmsford Crown Court on March 20.

DWit is an IT worker from Essex who befriended the couple in 2014 after they advertised for help with their business. The court heard he portrayed himself as a slightly weird, geeky, but ultimately harmless friend.

DWit lived at home, shared a bedroom with his mother, Janatha, showed little interest in careers or relationships, played video games and occasionally attended Comic Con, a comic book fan convention.

Numerous friends gave evidence saying he had a good sense of right and wrong and often helped out at a local soup kitchen.

During the trial a copy of DWits CV was shown to the jury in which he said he had an MSc in computer science from the University of East Anglia. The university has said they have no knowledge of DWit.

The jury heard DWit created an elaborate network of up to 20 fake identities, which he used to give Mrs Baxter misleading advice about how to manage a thyroid condition she had called Hashimotos.

09:46 AM GMT

Good morning

Welcome to The Telegraphs live coverage of the sentencing of the convicted double murderer Luke DWit.

Well be bringing you the latest updates from Chelmsford Crown Court.

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UNITED NATIONS, March 22 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy said Friday that by setting preconditions for a ceasefire in Gaza, a U.S. draft resolution essentially green-lights continued killing, which is "unacceptable."

During his explanatory statement following the Security Council's vote on the Palestine-Israel issue draft resolution, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, said that "an immediate ceasefire is the basic premise" for saving lives, expanding humanitarian access, and preventing further conflict.

Zhang underscored that any action by the Security Council "should withstand the test of history and the scrutiny of moral conscience."

The ambassador pointed out that the U.S. draft was "unbalanced in many aspects," especially concerning Israel's recent repeated declarations of planning military attacks on Rafah.

"The draft did not clearly oppose such actions, sending a very wrong signal with serious consequences," the ambassador added.

"Based on a responsible attitude towards upholding justice, the United Nations Charter, and the dignity of the Security Council, and also due to the concerns and strong dissatisfaction from Arab countries towards the draft, China, along with Algeria and Russia, cast a vote against it," Zhang said. 
(Bloomberg) -- Nuclear-energy officials arrived in Brussels this week amid a growing wave of public support for atomic power. They left humbled by the tepid reaction of bankers assessing the price tag of their ambitions.

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The International Atomic Energy Agency convened a summit to build momentum for a low-emissions technology that many expect will be critical for hitting climate targets. A group of mostly Western countries pledged to triple nuclear generation by 2050. But lenders balked at the eyewatering cost of doing so.

If the bankers are uniformly pessimistic, its a self-fulfilling prophecy, former US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said Thursday after listening to a panel of international lenders explain why theyre unwilling to provide the $5 trillion the industry needs by mid-century.

The bankers are calling for a proven business case, said Jozef Sikela, the Czech Republics industry and trade minister. We need to find a way to make it predictable, stable, bankable and affordable.

Projects in Western economies have been plagued by construction delays and ballooning costs in recent decades. The newest reactor in the European Union  Olkiluoto 3 in Finland  started generating power last year, more than a decade late and three times over budget. Similarly in the US, Southern Co.s Vogtle facility came in seven years behind schedule and $16 billion over estimates.

The project risks, as we have seen in reality, seem to be very high, said European Investment Bank Vice President Thomas Ostros. While the worlds biggest multilateral lender wont close the door on nuclear, it recommends that countries needing power quickly focus on renewables and energy efficiency, he said.

Read More: Europes Nuclear Revival Plans Are Too Little, Too Late

China and Russia are building the most reactors. But their state-owned model of development is at odds with the European and US emphasis on private capital. That will likely need to change if Western economies want to maintain nuclears market share.

We need state involvement, I dont see any other model, Ostros said. Probably we need quite heavy state involvement to make projects bankable.

Ines Rocha, a director at the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, and Fernando Cubillos, a banker at the Development Bank of Latin America, also said their lending priorities lean toward renewables and transmission grids. Nuclear comes last, Cubillos said.

Potential new investors could include sovereign wealth funds or philanthropists, according to Charles Oppenheimer, who advocates for nuclear energy at The Oppenheimer Project.

If its a safe and secure investment with a predictable return, theres a huge amount of capital, said the grandson of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the US physicist who ran the Manhattan Project. What is lacking generally is capital for that risky build.

Europe and the US have been trying to engineer nuclear out of its malaise, proposing a new generation of smaller reactors that can be factory-made and assembled on-site. Theoretically, that approach could cut costs, but has yet to be proven.

Read More: Can Small Nuclear Reactors Really Help The Climate?

In the meantime, with global temperatures soaring and international climate targets in peril, some nuclear advocates say the focus on such innovations may be misguided.

Weve heard a lot about a leapfrogging to the next generation of nuclear technologies, Moniz said. I would submit it might just be better to focus on getting some technologies deployed right now.

--With assistance from John Ainger.

(Updates with Oppenheimer in the 10th paragraph)

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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX)  The City of Grand Junction has named a finalist for interim city manager.

City Council members unanimously voted Roger Tinklenberg, the former city manager for Commerce City a finalist after interviewing him on Wednesday.

Former Pagosa Springs Town Manager Andrea Phillips is scheduled to interview with the city on Friday for the position.

Current city manager Greg Caton is scheduled to leave for his new assistant city manager position in Scottsdale Arizona on April 5.

The city began strategizing to fill this position last spring. They reviewed proposals from 4 firms and City Council, in a 4 to 3 vote selected consulting firm Raftelis to help them launch a nationwide search to find a permanent candidate.

Both interim candidates may also apply for the permanent position. No date has yet been set to finalize and hire a candidate.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
A photo of an area in the Custer Gallatin National Forest where the South Plateau Project will occur. (Image via USFS)

A photo of an area in the Custer Gallatin National Forest where the South Plateau Project will occur. (Image via USFS)

For decades whenever an industrial facility closed in Montana, there was always someone to blame besides the owners, operators, board decisions or economic conditions. That someone was all-too-often industrys favorite whipping boy, the environmentalists.

But when two timber mills in western Montana recently announced closures they finally told the truth  they made business decisions based on a number of factors, none of which could be blamed on environmentalists, lack of logs, or the industrys latest favorite scapegoat serial litigators filing frivolous lawsuits.

When the directors of Seeley Lakes Pyramid Lumber announced the closure of the mill, which has been running since 1949, their statement cited 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.

As Todd Johnson, son of the mills founder, said: todays crisis is much worse than what was experienced in 2000, 2007, and 2015. There is simply no better solution for the owners than to shut the mill down permanently.

Indeed, despite the timber industry and its political allies demonstrably false accusations of the past, the truth is that over the last ten years the Flathead and Lolo National Forests have significantly increased the annual volume of timber sold and cut, with the 2022 harvest the highest in 15 years. During the last five years the average annual timber volume sold was 46 million board feet on the Flathead National Forest and 36 million board feet on the Lolo National Forest.

When Roseburg Forest Products announced the closure of its Missoula particleboard mill an employee echoed Pyramids reasons, saying: Basically the problem is we have a difficult time because of the cost of living in Missoula. Hiring people that want to work for 18 or 20 bucks an hour or whatever it is they pay, people just cant afford to live here and make that kind of money.

Roseburgs CEO also noted the mills outdated technology, which Pyramid has also cited. Unfortunately, Missoulas older platform and technology is simply not competitive from a cost structure perspective in a marketplace with many new, modern particleboard facilities. The company is, however, investing heavily in its Oregon facilities and is building a new mill in North Carolina to take advantage of the fast-growing, highly-productive southern timber plantations.

If theres any tinge of surreality surrounding the closures, its that we cant have healthy forests without logging and timber mills. Yet somehow these forests managed to survive since the last Ice Age, long before chainsaws, feller-bunchers, and timber mills were around to supposedly keep them healthy.

And indeed, its quite the paradox created by politicians and the Forest Service that, despite scientific data to the contrary, we have to continuously thin, cut, and burn forests to save them. The truth is our forests and their intact ecosystems function as one of our best tools for removing the climate-destroying carbon dioxide overload in Earths atmosphere. Not only do forests sequester an astounding 15% of the nations carbon emissions, they do it for free  if only we let them.

We can expect to see politicians and their timber industry supporters skew the mill shutdowns for their own campaign-related propaganda, complete with science-free falsehoods and unfounded claims of frivolous lawsuits.

But Montanans have it from the horses mouth on this one  and the mill owners finally told the truth. The closures are primarily about the cost of living in Montana, a deficient labor pool, and newer, more efficient technology.

When it comes to formulating policy on our national forests truth and science are the most prudent foundations  not demonizing those who oppose the endless attempts by the industry and Forest Service to log the last of our old growth forests.

The post Finally some truth from the timber industry appeared first on Daily Montanan.
A fire at the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) caused by a morning Russian missile strike has been contained but has resulted in significant damage to the plant, Ukrhydroenergo head Ihor Syrota said on national television on March 22.

Read also: Russian strikes on vulnerable targets: Lieutenant General Romanenko on Dnipro HPP attack

Emergency and state rescue services are on the scene.

The machine room is still smoky, making it difficult to assess the full extent of the damage to the hydraulic structure and electrical equipment, but there are "significant losses" and damage to the recently reconstructed and modernized equipment, Syrota said.

The plant is not currently operational, and detailed information on its condition is expected later in the day.

Read also: Under control  Though ablaze after RU attack, no threat of breach at Ukraines largest hydro dam

The Russian military launched its most extensive attack of 2024 on Ukraine's energy system on the morning of March 22, targeting multiple oblasts with cruise and ballistic missiles, and drones.

Russian forces targeted Ukraine's largest hydroelectric power plant  the Dnipro HPP in Zaporizhzhya  hitting a trolleybus and setting it ablaze, Mariupol mayoral adviser Petro Andriushchenko reported previously. Traffic on the dam has been blocked.

Ukrhydroenergo said that there was no threat of dam breach, with Syrota clarifying that there were two direct hits on the dam. Both of the plants stations - HPP-1 and HPP-2 - are currently out of commission.

The attack on the Dnipro HPP marks the most substantial strike on a facility thus far, with Russia aiming to completely disable the plant, said the CEO of Ukrenergo, the Ukrainian national grid operator, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi.

According to the prosecutor's office, at least one person was killed in the attack on the Dnipro plant.



Read also: Ukrenergo implements blackouts in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast following Russian attack

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
HOLLAND, Mich. (WOOD)  Authorities say a firefighter was injured responding to a fire at a grocery store in Holland.

The Holland Department of Public Safety said it happened around 10:15 p.m. Thursday at the Family Fare on Washington Avenue.

The fire started in a meat cooler inside the store. Firefighters were able to put out the fire quickly after arriving at the store, according to a news release.

One firefighter was treated at the scene for a minor facial injury, the release said. There were no other reports of injuries.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but authorities said preliminary findings indicate the fire was caused by an electrical issue in the cooler.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
The worker died in January 2023

A company has been fined 145,125 following the death of a worker at a hospital construction site in Aberdeen.

A 51-year-old man - named in court documents as Alistair Hutton from Forfar - died following an incident at the site of the new Baird Family Hospital on 18 January 2023.

He sustained fatal crush injuries while manoeuvring a Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP).

At Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Thursday, NG Bailey Limited pled guilty to an offence under health and safety at work laws.

The company was fined 135,000 with a victim surcharge of 10,125.

Work on the multi-million facility was halted for about a week following the incident.

An HSE investigation into the death concluded in November.

At the time, construction company Graham confirmed that the incident had involved a sub-contractor.

The HSE subsequently served an improvement notice requiring NG Bailey to change working methods when in control of MEWPs.

The company has since implemented a "revised safe system of work".

A spokesperson for the company said: NG Bailey accepts the findings of the court following the Health and Safety Executives investigation.

"We have fully co-operated throughout the investigation.

We offer our sincere condolences to family, friends and colleagues affected by this tragic event.

The Baird Family Hospital project is next to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

It will provide maternity and breast screening services, as well as a neonatal unit and operating theatre.

The Baird Family Hospital was due to open in 2020, but has been hit by a series of delays.

There is currently no rescheduled date for opening.

More on this story
The first ten Ukrainian pilots to have undergone intensive training under the guidance of instructors from the UK's Royal Air Force instructors have graduated from flight school, the British Defense Ministry said in a March 22 press release.

These 10 pilots received basic flight, ground school, and language training in the UK and will one day form the first line of defense in protecting Ukraines skies from Putins forces.

Read also: F-16s for Ukraine: initial batch of six jets ready for July, allies pledge more

The cohort will now move on to advanced flight training provided by the French Air Force before learning to fly F-16 fighter jets.

I would like to congratulate these brave pilots on completing their initial training here in the UK, said Secretary of State for Defense, Grant Shapps.

Thanks to the world-renowned skills of RAF, these pilots have received some of the best training available and are now a step closer to joining the fight against Putins illegal invasion.

This training is the UK's key contribution to the Air Capability Coalition, co-led by the United States, Denmark and the Netherlands, which is helping build an air force consisting of modern fighter jets to form the cornerstone of Ukraines armed forces. The capability coalitions were established last year to provide a long-term commitment to supporting Ukraines armed forces, with the UK co-leading the maritime and drone coalitions.

NV

Key points about Ukraine's F-16 acquisition:

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that his country, along with the United States, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark had agreed to participate in training Ukrainian pilots on Western fighter jets on May 19, 2023.

On July 6, 2023, Romanian officials said that they were opening a regional training center for F-16 fighter pilots, which would be available to its allies and partners, including Ukraine.

The United States has authorized Denmark and the Netherlands to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets. This was confirmed when the Netherlands and Denmark announced that they would provide Ukraine with 61 F-16 aircrafts  42 and 19, respectively, on Aug. 20.

Norway and Belgium have also confirmed their intentions to supply F-16 jets to Ukraine, with Belgium's contributions starting in 2025.

Read also: Romanian president greenlights Ukrainian F-16 pilot training

On Jan. 10, Ukraines Ministry of Defense reported that Ukrainian pilots are still being trained on F-16 fighters in different programs worldwide.

On March 20, Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said that Ukraine would receive first F-16 fighter jets this summer, with the first batch of aircraft coming from Denmark.



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 flamingo with a tumor is now cancer-free  and had a heartwarming reunion with his flock.

The Greenville Zoo in South Carolina said it will monitor the flamingo as he gets reacquainted with his lagoon and feathered friends.

A photo posted March 8 on Facebook shows Finn spread his wings as he was released back into his habitat. The flamingo rejoined the other pink birds months after blood in his right wing led him to be diagnosed with skin cancer, according to WHNS and the Greenville News.

He received multiple rounds of radiation therapy to shrink the tumor and surgery to remove the remaining tumor tissue, the zoo wrote on social media as it posted pictures of Finn lying on a medical table while being evaluated.

Finn underwent cancer treatment with the help of Upstate Vet, which shared a similar Facebook post. The veterinary hospital said the flamingos wing eventually healed with no sign of the tumor.

Then, it was time for the bird to return to the zoo, where he will continue to receive check-ups.

It was so great to see the flamingo return to the lagoon and be immediately welcomed back by the flock, zookeeper Ava Baranoski told the Greenville News. After a long treatment process, it was gratifying for everyone involved to see him finally be able to participate in normal flamingo behaviors with his flock again.

Finn is a Chilean flamingo, a species known for feathers that develop an iconic pink color as the birds age. The flamingos can grow up to 3 feet tall and often gather by the thousands for safety, according to the Detroit Zoo in Michigan.

The Greenville Zoo didnt immediately share additional information with McClatchy News on March 22.

Darling pink birds arrive at South Carolina zoo. See them emerge from their boxes

Farewell, flamingo friends: Beloved birds are leaving NC Zoo. Where theyre headed
Local governments could be required to pony up big money to meet the demands of legislation Gov. Ron DeSantis signed barring homeless people from either camping or sleeping on public property.

The legislation, which takes effect on Oct. 1, requires local governments to designate a public space for camping or sleeping if shelter spaces are full. Local governments must also provide security, behavioral health services and bathrooms with running water, but Tallahassee is not sending additional money, so local governments can fulfill that mandate.

City officials are still looking into what the legislation, H.B. 1365, might mean for them.

"The governor signed HB 1365 on Wednesday, March 20," West Palm Beach Director of Communications Diane Papadakos said. "According to the bill, the legislation would not become effective until October 1, 2024. Mayor James and staff will be meeting internally to determine how the city will address and implement changes."

The legislation sets aside $30 million for so-called "wrap-around" services for the homeless, but critics say that's not nearly enough.

"We're going to need so much more funding if we're going to build up these resources," Megan Sarmento, an outreach program manager for the Florida Harm Reduction Collective in Tampa, told USA Today. "Even now, how the system is, we are finding people on the streets and are unable to link them to care because of the lack of resources, including housing and detox."

West Palm Beach's Kelly Perkins says he has been homeless for four years and a sidewalk on Belvedere Road is his permanent home.

John Prince Memorial Park near Lake Worth Beach had served as a sort of unofficial public space for the homeless in Palm Beach County.

Tents just south of Sixth Avenue South in Tent City, a homeless encampment at John Prince Park west of Lake Worth Beach.

But four years ago, after area residents expressed security concerns, the county cleared the 726-acre park, where homeless people had set up camp in what they called "Tent City."

Last year, a pointin-time count showed that there were 1,855 homeless people in the county  1,169 of whom were not staying in a place designed for habitation and another 686 staying in a homeless shelter or transition center.

Multiple agencies and local governments provide services for homeless people in Palm Beach County, but beds remain limited.

The homeless dilemma in West Palm Beach: 'They don't want me here, but I have no place to go'

Homeless people still sleep in parks, in vegetation just beyond rights-of-way and even on sidewalks.

West Palm Beach's Kelly Perkins, 58, said he is ambivalent about the legislation from Tallahassee, which elicited eye rolls and shrugs when it was described to him.

"It's a Catch-22," said Perkins, who has been homeless for four years and is entrenched in his current domain on a Belvedere Road sidewalk. "They don't want me here, but I have no place to go."

Perkins said he's seen and heard the threats from authorities before.

RELATED: The Lord's Place in West Palm celebrates opening of larger facility to help serve homeless

RELATED: Can groups feed the homeless in city parks? West Palm Beach looks to amend ordinance

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"One time a police officer said I couldn't stay on the sidewalk, and he took me to a homeless shelter," Perkins said. "Well, after three days, they said I couldn't stay there anymore, so I just came right back here."

Palm Beach County already has an ordinance making it unlawful for any person at any time to sleep in the open on private property, in vacant lots in or under any bridge or structure without the permission of the owner. The county also prohibits any person from sleeping on any public beach between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m.

Can the homeless stay overnight in a Palm Beach County park?

As for county parks, no one is permitted to stay overnight unless a permit is obtained.

County jurisdiction, though, applies to unincorporated areas, which is, for the most part, west of Military Trail.

Many political conservatives have pointed with derision at homelessness in large cities led by political liberals. Conservatives argue that liberals invite the problem through permissive policies that contribute to a degradation of an area's quality of life.

"These are difficult issues, but you should not be accosted by a homeless like we see," DeSantis said during a news conference Wednesday. "You should be able to walk down the street and live your life."

Advocates for homeless people say the approach to the problem has often been hard-hearted and dehumanizing.

They decried a move by West Palm Beach last year to require people and groups to get a permit in order to carry out large-scale feeding programs in public parks.

James said the move was necessary to make sure the city's parks remain places where all citizens feel comfortable.

For his part, Perkins said he doesn't want to be homeless, but said in his state, it is difficult to find and maintain work.

"I don't like sleeping outside," he said. "I don't like being in the rain. I have 20 cents to my name. I've had jobs before, but look at me.  Would you hire me?"

Palm Beach Post Staff Writers James Coleman and Mike Diamond along with USA Today Network's Florida Capital Bureau reporter John Kennedy contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: New Florida law on where homeless can sleep has impact on West Palm
House Speaker Paul Renner addresses reporters following the chamber's session on Jan. 24, 2024. Photo by Michael Moline/Florida Phoenix

Quality Journalism for Critical Times

Although unable to stop passage of Floridas new social media ban for teenagers, First Amendment activists are congratulating themselves for blunting other legislation they consider constitutionally dodgy, including an attempted rewrite of defamation law.

Floridas First Amendment Foundation, in an assessment released following adjournment of the 2024 regular session, also praised the failure of legislation that would have encouraged veterans of the Armed Forces to use reasonable force to prevent desecration of the U.S. flag.

Bobby Block: Credit: First Amendment Foundation

I dont want to say that Im gloating, said Bobby Block, the foundations executive director.

But I am pleased that these unconstitutional bills didnt pass, and you may have legislators thinking about ways to achieve their goal without harming the Constitution, he told the Phoenix during a telephone interview.

Block believes the Legislature might be turning the page following a series of regular and special sessions in which it pursued culture-war gains at the expense of free-speech rights.

I would like to believe there is a growing awareness that its not good public policy to pass laws that will be overturned by the courts, he said.

Do I believe that we wont see overtly bad unconstitutional laws proposed in the future? I dont think were there yet. But do I think there may be the beginning of a greater awareness? Yes.

Defamation

The defamation bill (HB 757) would have established a rebuttable presumption that any news story, social media post, or other publication based on a single, unnamed source constitutes defamation per se. It was the second year in which western Panhandle Republican Alex Andrade attempted what would have been an end-run around New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, the landmark 1964 U.S. Supreme Court ruling setting a high standard for defamation claims.

If passed, the bill would have had a chilling effect on reporting the actions of public officials. It would have impacted not just major news outlets, but also mom-and-pop bloggers and social media users, the foundation said in a written statement.

Gov. Ron DeSantis supported last years version of Andrades bill but remained on the sideline in 2024. But what likely killed the bill was an outpouring of opposition from conservative and religious broadcasters  Salem Radios Bill Bunkley, for example, who warned listeners that the Andrade bill and its Senate companion would open me up personally to baseless, harassing lawsuits by those opposed to my Christian and conservative worldviews.

Andrade argued legitimate news organizations had little to fear from the law, since most legitimate publishers require more substantiation than a single, unidentified source to publish.

But some voices are less scrupulous  Project Veritas, for example, which has infiltrated progressive and news organizations and released heavily edited videos designed to make them look bad. Then theres Fox News, which paid Dominion Voting Systems nearly $800 million to settle defamation claims arising from reporting misinformation about the companys voting machines in the 2020 presidential election.

Its not talk radio anymore

Conservative media depend on controversy to draw their audience and would have to change their format to avoid drawing defamation lawsuits under the bill, Block said. If you end up changing your format, its not talk radio anymore. And therefore, the market share and the audiences wont follow.

Block continued:

A lot of conservative intellectuals, a lot of conservative politicians, a lot of analysts and consultants need these platforms to address their constituents, their base, their people to some degree. This is a direct line for them to talk to like-minded people.

When the stations started going, Whoa, this is not good for us. This is not going to destroy The New York Times but it will destroy syndicated conservative columnists. I think the message started to spread.

In fact, opposition spanned the political spectrum, coming from the nonpartisan Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression and the conservative Americans for Prosperity, among other organizations.

Additional bills that failed include:

HB 465, which would have denied scholarships, fee waivers, and in-state tuition to any state college or university enrollee on an F-1 student visa if that student promotes any foreign terrorist organization, as designated by the U.S. government.

Amid the domestic divide over the Israel-Hamas war, federal law already provides much more dire consequences for real terrorist activity, Block observed. If its not material support for terrorism but its an opinion that you might find abhorrent, and that a lot of people find abhorrent, well, that may be so  you just cant go and penalize it because you dont like it, he said.

The bill made it through a single House committee. The Senate version received not a single committee hearing.

Flags

SB 1120  again, died in committee. It would have barred state and local government agencies from flying flags that represents a political viewpoint, including, but not limited to, a politically partisan, racial, sexual orientation and gender, or political ideology viewpoint. But it also said, An active or retired member of the United States Armed Forces or National Guard at any time may use reasonable force to prevent the desecration, destruction, or removal of the United States flag or to replace the United States flag to a position of prominence  .

Other bills that received no committee consideration (or Senate companions) were HB 1605 and HB 1607, which together would have expanded Marsys Law, a state constitutional amendment protecting victims rights, to shield the identities of police officers who have meted out deathly force.

Two Tallahassee police officers asserted such claims  that, when shooting suspects they believed were attacking them, they became crime victims. The Florida Supreme Court ruled in November that Marsys law confers no absolute right to privacy for any crime victim that outweighs the constitutional right of a defendant to confront his or her accuser.

Also denied any committee votes were HB 599 and its Senate companion, which would have forbidden state and local agencies from disciplining workers for refusing to use a co-workers preferred name or pronouns  or for employees and contractors to ask for that courtesy. It is the policy of the state that a persons sex is an immutable biological trait and that it is false to ascribe to a person a pronoun that does not correspond to such persons sex, the bill asserts.

Social media, etc.

The Foundation welcomed passage of HB 117, which opened grand jury records connected to the initial kid-gloves state criminal investigation of billionaire sex predator Jeffrey Epstein. DeSantis has already signed the bill into law.

Among the most egregious constitutionally unsound bills that made it through both Houses were HB 3, the revamped bill restricting minors from social media platforms, and HB 85, which created a records exemption that prevents the public from knowing who is behind applications for new state banks and financial institutions, the foundation said in its written statement.

The social media bill, now in the governors hands, bans platforms from allowing use by people under 16 years old, although 14- and 15-year-olds can participate with parental consent. Platforms that dont use some of the most abusive algorithms and other tools to hook kids and subject them to dangerous material arent subject to the restrictions, however.

Also passed were HB 75 and SB 184, which were meant to protect First Responders from harassment while working but were written so that they could infringe on individual and press freedoms to record and report on responder efforts. We expect some of these to face constitutional challenges in the weeks and months ahead, the statement continues.

The post Has the Florida Legislature lost its taste for stretching the Constitution? appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
CHANGSHA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping called on central China's Hunan Province to have a clear understanding of its strategic positioning in the fostering of a new development paradigm, uphold the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, remain committed to high-quality development, persist in reform and innovation and follow a realistic and pragmatic approach. He urged the province to continue to strive in building itself into a national hub for important and advanced manufacturing industries, a sci-tech and innovation center with core competitiveness, and a pacesetter for reform and opening up of China's inland regions. By vigorously energizing the central region and promoting the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Hunan should try to write its own chapter in advancing Chinese modernization, Xi said.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks on an inspection tour to the province from March 18 to 21.

On the inspection tour, Xi visited Changsha, Changde and other places, conducting fact-finding missions in a school, an enterprise, a historical and cultural district, a village and so on. He was accompanied by Shen Xiaoming, secretary of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee, and Mao Weiming, governor of Hunan Province.

On the afternoon of March 18, Xi first inspected Hunan First Normal University in Changsha City. The predecessor of the university was Cheng Nan Academy founded in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). In modern times, a large number of revolutionaries and renowned scholars were graduates of the university. At the university, he visited an exhibition featuring Mao Zedong in his youth and learned about the development history of the university and its effective utilization of resources related to the history of the CPC. At the great hall of the university, he chatted with students and faculty representatives. Xi said, for a country to be strong, good education matters. Xi said that Hunan First Normal University is a perfect place to carry out education on patriotism and pass on the traditions of Chinese revolution, urging efforts to protect the university's resources related to the Party's heritage and put it to great use. If a university is to foster students' virtues through education, teachers must first become great educators, he said. Xi called on the university to not only focus on improving the cultural literacy of students, but also make efforts to give good ideological-political courses, so as to cultivate students who could appreciate virtues and have a sense of shame. The university is urged to guide students to firmly uphold core socialist values, and motivate them to have great aspirations of serving the country and strive to become pillars of the society, who will be able to shoulder the responsibilities of building China into a strong country and realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Later on, Xi inspected BASF Shanshan Battery Materials Co., Ltd. The company is a Chinese-German joint venture mainly in the business of research in and development, manufacturing, and sales of anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Xi listened to the locality's briefing on the progress of developing new quality productive forces at a faster pace and expanding high-level opening up, watched the product display of the company, and learned about the performance test of the materials and the battery production process. Xi stressed that the key to enterprises' consistent growth and success lies in scientific and technological innovation and high-quality development, and private enterprises and joint ventures have great potentials to tap in this regard. "China will keep opening its door wider. We would like to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with other countries and we welcome more foreign companies to invest and develop in China," Xi said.

On March 19, Xi went to the city of Changde for inspection. The Changde Hejie, located along the Yuanjiang River, has a long history. It was once destroyed in the Battle of Changde in 1943. In recent years, Changde has made efforts to transform this area into a historical and cultural block by restoring the unique features of this old street. On the morning of March 19, Xi visited Changde Hejie, where he had a look at various local special snacks, specialties, and special handicrafts, talked amicably with shopkeepers and tourists, and watched a display of intangible cultural heritage skills. He also learned in detail about the restoration and utilization of historical and cultural blocks, urban planning, and the comprehensive management of urban water environment. Xi noted that diverse traditional local cultures with their unique features jointly constitute the brilliant Chinese civilization and help promote socioeconomic development. He said that Changde boasts a rich cultural heritage, adding that traditional art forms, such as string music, high-pitched tunes and folk songs, should be well inherited and utilized through suitable means, advancing in line with the times.

Hunan is one of the thirteen major grain-producing provinces in China, with its paddy acreage and total output ranking first in the country. On the afternoon of March 19, Xi inspected the city's Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, where he walked into a comprehensive demonstration area for grain production to inspect seedling cultivation and the progress in preparations for spring farming. During the inspection, Xi was briefed on local efforts to promote high-quality agricultural modernization and calculated the input-output accounts with local large-scale grain producers, agricultural technicians and grassroots officials. Xi underlined that we must be resolved to ensure food security for our population of over 1.4 billion people, and the bowls of the Chinese people should be filled mainly with Chinese grain. It is necessary to build high-standard farmland, adopt operation of appropriate scale, strengthen policy support and demonstration guidance, intensify the promotion of good varieties, good opportunities and good methods, work hard in intensive cultivation, and further increase the yield per unit and quality of grain. In this way, growing grain can be a way to become rich, and more farmers will be attracted to participate in the development of large-scale modern agriculture, and a steady and solid path will be paved for agricultural modernization with Chinese characteristics.

Xi then visited the home of Dai Hong, a major grain producer, to see whether agricultural machinery and other materials are ready for spring ploughing, and then went to the village's service center for Party members and villagers to learn about what has been done to ease burdens on grassroots and improve the efficiency of primary-level governance. He pointed out that work must be done to rectify pointless formalities and bureaucratism, and the government should be streamlined so that a good job can be done in this regard. He encouraged grassroots officials to pool collective wisdom and efforts for industrial development and rural governance, so that they can constantly make achievements that win villagers' approval.

When he was leaving, villagers crowded around to bid farewell to the general secretary. Xi told them with deep feeling that the CPC Central Committee attaches great importance to the work of agriculture, rural areas and farmers, will definitely take practical and effective policies and measures to respond to the concerns and needs of the people, and turn the beautiful blueprint of rural revitalization into reality. The applause from villagers reverberated through the village.

On the morning of March 21, Xi was briefed on the work of the province by the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee and the provincial government, and he affirmed what the province has achieved in various aspects of its work.

Xi noted that scientific and technological innovation is the core element for developing new quality productive forces. It is imperative to work harder on promoting industrial innovation through technological innovation, proactively align with the force of national strategic science and technology, and introduce first-class research and development institutions both at home and abroad, so as to boost the country's own innovation capacity in key areas. The principal role of enterprises in innovation should be reinforced, and deeper integration of the innovation, industrial, capital and talent chains should be promoted to speed up transforming scientific and technological achievements into productive forces. With a focus on industries where the country excels, it is essential to strengthen industrial foundation re-engineering and research on major technologies and equipment, and continue to strengthen and expand the advanced manufacturing sector to move the industries toward high-end, smart and green production and create industrial clusters at a national level.

Xi stressed that a problem-oriented approach should be adopted when further deepening reform in all respects, and efforts should focus on overcoming the bottlenecks and obstacles constraining the creation of a new development paradigm and the promotion of high-quality development, responding to the challenges and difficulties regarding the environment for development and people's well-being, and addressing the central and hot issues that go against social fairness and justice. Major risks must be effectively prevented and mitigated. As a result, we will keep providing impetus and vitality for economic and social development, Xi said. He called on Hunan to strengthen reform on system integration, better participate in the building of a unified national market, deeply integrate itself into the strategies of promoting the rise of the central region and the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, as well as the development of the Belt and Road Initiative, steadily expand institutional opening up, do a good job in building pilot free trade zones at a high standard, and work hard to build the pioneering zone for in-depth China-Africa economic and trade cooperation.

Xi noted that promoting rural revitalization in all respects is the pivot of the work related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers on the new journey of the new era. Hunan Province should shoulder the heavy task of safeguarding national food security, pay special attention to the two key factors of farmland and seed, and speed up efforts to make breakthroughs in core technologies in seed industry and agricultural machinery. Xi noted the imperative of adopting an all-encompassing approach to agriculture and food, and vigorously developing agriculture with local characteristics and agricultural product processing industry to upgrade the industrialization level of agriculture. Xi called for more efforts in promoting the integrated development of urban and rural areas, strengthening county economies, facilitating the flow of factors between urban and rural areas, and coordinating the planning of rural infrastructure and public services in a sound manner. It is a must to promote cultural and ethical advancement and the transformation of outdated rural customs. Xi stressed the necessity of optimizing the community-level governance system led by Party organizations that combines self-governance, the rule of law and the rule of virtue. It is also imperative to adhere to and develop the "Fengqiao Model" in the new era. Monitoring and assistance mechanisms should be optimized to prevent those lifted out of poverty from falling back to poverty and see that no large number of people become poverty-stricken again.

Xi stressed that Hunan Province should better undertake the new cultural mission and contribute to the development of a modern Chinese civilization. It is imperative to do a good job in the protection and utilization of the resources related to the CPC history, strengthen education in revolutionary tradition and patriotism, and guide Party officials and the public to carry forward the fine traditions and revolutionary heritage of the CPC. It is also imperative to practice core socialist values and cultivate new trends and customs for the new era. It is important to explore effective mechanisms for the integration of culture and science and technology, and accelerate the development of new forms and models of culture, so as to create more growth points for the cultural industry. Efforts should be made to promote the deep integration of culture and tourism, guard the green mountains and rivers, blue sky and clean land of the province, and transform natural scenery and humanistic flavor into the enduring appeal of tourism.

Xi pointed out that to promote high-quality development and advance Chinese modernization, it is a must to strengthen and improve Party building. It is imperative to consolidate and expand what has been achieved in the theoretical study program, establish and improve long-term mechanisms, have a correct understanding of what it means to perform well, and persistently rectify pointless formalities to reduce burden on grass-roots units. Education on Party discipline should be well organized and carried out to guide all Party members and officials to learn, know, understand and abide by Party discipline. Leading officials should be urged to have a correct understanding of how power should be exercised, namely that power must be exercised fairly, in accordance with the law, for the people, and in a clean manner.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Xi on the inspection tour.

Li Ganjie, He Lifeng and leading officials from relevant central Party and state departments were also on the inspection tour.

On the morning of March 20, Xi met with officers above colonel level of the armed forces stationed in Changsha. He extended sincere greetings to all officers and soldiers of Changsha-based troops on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, and had a photo taken with them. Zhang Youxia accompanied Xi during the meeting. 
RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. (WFLA)  A Florida mother was arrested last week after her 2-year-old sons daycare found a gun inside his lunchbox.

According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by NBC affiliate WPTV, the incident occurred on March 14 just before noon at Jacksons Daycare Center located at 1232 W 31st Street in Riviera Beach.

Airport worker lashes out at Tampa-bound passengers after delays: I will call the police

WTPV said police were called to the daycare after a teacher found the weapon inside the childs lunchbox.

The boys mother, 39-year-old Shanae Davis, told authorities that she normally leaves the gun, a Glock 43, inside her glove box. However, Davis told police that there had been break-ins at her apartment complex recently, so shed been taking the firearm out of her car.

Davis said while she was getting her 2-year-old ready for school Thursday morning, she put her gun inside his lunchbox because she doesnt carry a purse and did not want it to be in the open.

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The mother told police that shed forgotten to take the gun out of the boys lunchbox, the affidavit states. After the gun was found, the daycare called Davis and told her to come to the center immediately.

According to WPTV, the 39-year-old is facing charges, including allowing a minor to obtain a firearm and take it to school and child neglect.

The Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office jail records show that the mother was released from custody on March 15.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
(KRON)  Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao officially named Floyd Mitchell as the citys next police chief on Friday.

Floyd Mitchell is a strong leader and smart crime fighter who delivers results. His commitment to proven crime reduction strategies including proactive policing and strong officer-community engagement vaulted him to the top of the list, said Mayor Thao. As our citys top police officer, Chief Mitchell will join the talented public safety leadership team we have assembled and lead the law enforcement elements of Oaklands comprehensive public safety strategy.

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Mitchell served with the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department for 25 years. Mitchell was the first Black police chief in Lubbock, Texas, and 23rd overall in that city. He held his position in Lubbock for four years before resigning in Sept. 2023.

Photo: Floyd Mitchell

As servant leaders and guardians of our city, I and the members of the Oakland Police Department have a unique opportunity to create lasting relationships and make significant impacts in the communities we serve. Our duty is to promote safety, prevent crime, and pursue justice for all we serve by collaborating and communicating with our community, said Incoming Chief Floyd Mitchell. As Oaklands police chief I look forward to working together with our residents, business owners, city leadership, and members of the police commission to build a stronger and safer Oakland. I am excited about the opportunity to meet the members of the police department, interact with all the people who call this beautiful city home, and become an integral part of this special place.

Chief Mitchell has earned both his BSA and MBA degrees in Business Administration from Baker University and is a graduate of the Certified Public Manager Program, administered by Texas State University.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Floyd Mitchell talks to the crowd after he was sworn in as Chief of Police, Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, at City Hall in Lubbock. Mitchell on Friday was named chief of police for Oakland, Calif.

Oakland, California Mayor Sheng Thao on Friday announced former Lubbock Police Chief Floyd Mitchell will fill the Oakland Police Department's vacant chief spot.

Mitchell's appointment comes more than a year after Oakland's top police post became vacant as crime is on a steep incline in the California city of about 434,000, and just over five months after he stepped down from his role in Lubbock.

"Since 2019, violent crime has been on the rise and our police force fell to dangerously low levels," Thao said in a video announcing the appointment.

"Chief Mitchell is a strong leader and smart crime fighter who delivers results," she continued. "His commitment to proven crime reduction strategies, including proactive policing and strong officer-community engagement vaulted him to the top of the list."

More: Lubbock Police Chief Floyd Mitchell to resign after 4 years with city

Good Morning, Oakland. Today, I am honored to announce the next Chief of the Oakland Police Department.



Watch the video to learn more. pic.twitter.com/nbRVHFVGPG  Mayor Sheng Thao  (@MayorShengThao) March 22, 2024

Mitchell resigned from the Lubbock Police Department in September last year after four years of service to the city. He was LPD's 23rd chief and its first Black chief, coming to Lubbock in 2019 after four years as chief in Temple.

Before coming to Texas, Mitchell served for 25 years in the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department. He is an Air Force veteran.

Neither Mitchell nor the City of Lubbock disclosed the reason behind Mitchell's September departure, but in a Friday interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, Mitchell revealed he resigned after facing pushback for some decisions he made while in the Hub City.

"When you face resistance, sometimes it's just easier to say, 'Maybe it's just time to go in a different direction,'" he told the Chronicle.

Mitchell did not elaborate on specifics of the situation.

Former Lubbock Police Chief Floyd Mitchell, pictured at an event in 2021, was named the next chief of the Oakland, Calif. police department on Friday.

LPD came under fire in July last year after a KCBD investigative report revealed more than 30,000 calls to Lubbock 911 in 2022 were abandoned  meaning a dispatcher did not pick up the call before the caller hung up  out of about 183,000 calls total, or about 16%. Despite the missed calls, Mitchell reportedly reduced staffing at the police communications center from nine dispatchers per shift to seven in May last year.

Mayor Tray Payne and several Lubbock City Councilmembers called the statistics unacceptable at the time.

In his interview with the Chronicle, Mitchell admitted he didn't pay close enough attention to the situation, choosing instead to focus on how quickly calls were dispatched after they were answered.

"I learned from that situation, and I will definitely take what I learned when I come into Oakland," he said.

Lubbock Police Chief Floyd Mitchell greets a member of the community at Citizen's Tower after the Silent Solidarity Walk on Monday, June 1, 2020, in Lubbock. The Silent Solidarity Walk was organized by 100 Black Men of West Texas to protest police brutality in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Mitchell expressed a desire to help transform the struggling Oakland PD, which has faced a revolving door of chiefs and been plagued with scandal in recent years, the Chronicle reported.

The City of Lubbock has yet to fill the police chief vacancy Mitchell's departure created, and retired Plano Chief Greg Rushin has served as an interim since late September. In an interview with the Avalanche-Journal Wednesday, Councilman Steve Massengale stressed the importance of finding a qualified candidate who can improve morale, which he said has been low at the department for years.

"We need the right person in that job to hold people accountable who break laws in our community, and we also need the right person to be able to lead our officers, because the wrong person quickly creates bad morale, especially in a law enforcement agency," said Massengale, who was first elected in 2016. "It's hard for (officers) to do the job we expect them to do in bad morale, and I've seen bad morale since I've been on the job."

City Manager Jarrett Atkinson said in late February his office was working through a review of applicants. The A-J on Friday reached out to the city to request an update on the search, but did not immediately hear back.

"Ultimately, when we get down to those people that are the finalists, they're going to be presented to the community  to have a chance to give us input and to ensure that we have that next leader that you need to take us forward," Atkinson said.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Former Lubbock Chief Floyd Mitchell named Oakland, Calif. police chief
FOLEY, Ala. (WKRG)  The Foley Fire Department is investigating a Sunday morning camper blaze that reportedly killed a man and a dog.

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A camper fire in Foley reportedly left a man and a dog dead. (Photo courtesy: City of Foley)

Foley Fire and Police Department units were dispatched to a reported camper fire at 303 W. Magnolia Ave. on Sunday, March 17, at 12:16 a.m. (Editors Note: The Foley Fire Department just released this information today.)

FIRE LOCATION:

This embedded content is not available in your region.

When they arrived, units found a 32-foot travel-trailer camper behind the home at the fires location and were told someone was trapped inside, according to an FFD news release.

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Fire crews worked to extinguish the blaze and searched for victims; one camper occupant escaped the fire without injury, according to the release.

Crews found a man, identified as Dallas Omega Martin, 52, of Foley, dead with severe burns. Preliminary autopsy results indicated he died as a result of the fire, according to the fire department.

They also found a small dog dead, also likely as a result of the fire, the release said.

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The Alabama Fire Marshals Office and the Baldwin County Coroners Office were requested to visit the scene and responded to investigate with Foley police and fire crews.

The investigation remains ongoing, and the cause of the fire is undetermined due to the extensive damage to the camper and no first-hand knowledge of the fire origin, officials said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
Folsom City Councilwoman Rosario Rodriguez won the three-way race for a seat on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors. The latest batch of results from the county updated Friday show she has over 51% of the vote, winning the primary outright and avoiding the election in November.

Both her opponents have conceded.

I am grateful that the voters responded so strongly to my message of hope and action, Rodriguez said. My team is already working hard to get me the data and information so I can hit the ground running in January.

Rodriguez will replace outgoing supervisor Sue Frost, who announced in July that she would not run for reelection for the 4th Supervisorial District. The boomerang-shaped district includes parts or all of Citrus Heights, Folsom, Orangevale, Antelope, Rio Linda, Elverta, Gold River, Rancho Murieta, North Highlands, Carmichael, Foothill Farms and Fair Oaks.

In her announcement that she would step down, Frost endorsed Rodriguez as her successor. Though the race for the Board of Supervisors is ostensibly nonpartisan, Rodriguez and Frost are both conservatives.

Rodriguez ran against political newcomer and registered Democrat Braden Murphy and the conservative Citrus Heights Mayor Bret Daniels. Daniels had 26% of the vote when the county released a new round of results Friday, while Murphy had 22%.

Daniels conceded in a Facebook post March 15. While there are still some votes to be counted, he wrote, it is my belief that there will not be a (runoff) and that Rosario Rodriguez has won. I want to congratulate Rosario on running a great campaign.

Murphy conceded March 8. I am very proud of the campaign that WE ran, he wrote on Facebook. I thank you ALL very much for your support. The fight to stand up for everyday people continues. I hope if I am on the ballot in 2026 you will stand with me again. Lets make sure to get liberals elected in November.

Rodriguez was the frontrunner in the race and picked up two more endorsements from sitting supervisors: Along with the nod from Frost, she earned the support of 3rd District Supervisor Rich Desmond and 5th District Supervisor Pat Hume.

Desmond also ran in the primary to keep his seat representing the 3rd Supervisorial District. He was unopposed.
Taco truck owner Bryan Tecun of Highland sits in the driver's seat of his truck. He was stabbed March 10 while fighting with a mugger who robbed a woman near his food truck in Long Beach. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Days after Bryan Tecun confronted a mugger in Long Beach, the 30-year-old food truck owner still has trouble catching his breath to tell the story  the result of an injury he suffered during the adrenaline-pumping incident.

After a long night of serving hungry customers at his food truck, Bryan's Birrieria, Tecun saw a man rob an older woman sitting on a bench in Long Beach. He asked her if she was OK and then, without thinking, gave chase.

"I just started to move," Tecun said.

First, he maneuvered his food truck to cut off the mugger; then he jumped out to confront the man. There was an argument, then the two men wrestled over the woman's cellphone. Tecun pulled away the phone that was wrapped in a jacket in the mugger's hands.

Read more: Fight that led to a fatal stabbing at Dave's Hot Chicken ends in an arrest at LAX, police say

During the March 10 struggle, Tecun thought he dislocated his shoulder. By the time he looked up, another person joined him to help get the woman's phone and police were already on the scene.

It was shortly after 5 a.m. but Tecun felt the adrenaline surging through his body from the chase. Police later arrested 29-year-old Alexander Pierson, who was booked for robbery. He was being held in jail in lieu of a $75,000 bail, the Long Beach Police Department said.

Taco truck owner Bryan Tecun of Highland was stabbed while fighting with a thief who robbed a woman near his food truck on March 20, 2024. Tecun drove his taco truck down the street to block the thief and then jumped out to fight the man. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

"I spoke to police and then made sure to return the woman's stuff back to her," he said. "I didn't need anything else, didn't need police or medical help."

But on the drive home Tecun felt the adrenaline start to die down. He called his wife to tell her what happened and said he was not feeling great, with pain surging through his chest. He drove to the lot where he parks his truck overnight and asked the security guard to help him park the vehicle because he was in so much discomfort. That's when he asked someone to call 911.

Nurses at the hospital cut off his sweater. For the first time, Tecun saw blood and realized he had been stabbed near his neck and again in his rib cage, he said. One of his lungs collapsed and there was internal bleeding in his chest. Medical personnel described to him the extent of his injuries and the next steps they would take to treat him.

But it was all a blur.

"As they started to tell me where the puncture wounds were on my body, I panicked," Tecun said.

Read more: Stray bullet kills vendor and father of 2 who was a fixture in Long Beach neighborhood

Tecun has trouble catching his breath now when retelling what happened. The details of that day are upsetting and he's trying not to let that derail his recovery.

Even though he's still hurt, Tecun has not contacted the Long Beach Police Department to disclose his injuries. Police encourage Tecun to come forward if he was seriously injured, but he's reluctant and won't say why.

"I feel like growing up, my dad instilled in me to be fearless and to never let anything hold us back," he said. "I received the toughest love from my dad and the softest love from my mom."

Over the phone, his voice is panicked as he starts to think of his four employees who are temporarily out of work while he recovers. He's already picturing himself cooking, shopping and lifting the heavy metal pots full of birria in his truck, even though he still has a white bandage under his shirt where he was stabbed.

The Long Beach community is showing its support for Tecun. A GoFundMe started to help with his recovery has already generated nearly $30,000.

In the comments, well-wishers praise his heroic actions.

One person wrote, "Your mother must feel so proud to have a son like you, she definitely raised you right."

"Every Good Samaritan deserves an angel," someone else wrote.

"Most people today would turn away and not get involved. Your action gives me hope for mankind. God bless you."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Guernsey Waste said the main reasons for food wastage was due to not being eaten in time or too much was cooked

Guernsey's household food waste is currently costing the island more than 10m a year, according to Guernsey Waste.

The States body announced it would be supporting the UK's Food Waste Action Week in a bid to reduce the cost and environmental impact of local food.

The UK campaign aims to raise awareness of the huge impact of household food waste on climate change.

Douglas Button, Guernsey Waste's minimisation and sustainability officer, encouraged islanders to think before they bin food.

He said he was "frustrated" by the levels of waste figures and claimed "70% of Guernsey's food waste is avoidable".

Mr Button said the figures showed the average family in the island would spend more than 900 per year on food it would throw away.

The campaign encourages islanders to freeze or preserve food that has not been used.

Guernsey Waste said: "Cutting down on avoidable food waste is one of the single biggest contributions that islanders can make towards reducing carbon emissions  and potentially save hundreds of pounds at the same time."

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A former Northeastern University admissions counselor pleaded guilty on Friday to receiving child sexual abuse material obtained via Zoom chat rooms.

Beau Christopher Benson, 35, of Dorchester, pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography after his arrest in November, Acting U.S. Attorney Josh Levy said in a statement. U.S. District Court Judge Myong Joun scheduled sentencing for July 8.

In April 2023, authorities were notified that Benson participated in Zoom video chat rooms used to share and view child sexual abuse material, Levy said. The files depicted children who appear to be approximately two to four years old.

Benson recorded his participation in the chat rooms and saved the recordings  which featured videos of child sexual abuse material and conversations between Benson and others about the child sexual abuse material  to his social media account, Levy said.

Approximately 15 video files depicting child sexual abuse material were found saved in his Dropbox. In addition, Benson was identified as an online user who had uploaded two files containing child sexual abuse material to a Dropbox account.

Benson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in federal prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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A former U.S. Army captain was found not guilty of murder by a jury after spending more than a year in jail in connection with the death of her boyfriend, court records show.

Clevy Muchette Nelson-Royster, 30, was acquitted of murder, manslaughter and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon Feb. 29, by a jury in the death of Capt. Malcom Xavier Perry, 27, in an Oct. 11, 2020, fiery crash in far East El Paso, court records show.

Clevy Muchette Nelson-Royster, second to left, poses for a photo with her attorneys Brock Benjamin and Louis Lopez, and her mother, Senobia Nelson, after being found not guilty of murder Monday, Feb. 29, 2024, at the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse in Downtown El Paso.

El Paso attorney Brock Benjamin said his client's commitment to proving her innocence was a difficult journey for her, but in the end, she was rewarded with a jury finding her not guilty.

"She's ecstatic," Benjamin said. "I mean she deserves a lot of credit. She made some hard decisions. She decided not to testify based upon advice of counsel, but ultimately the client gets to decide whether they're willing to trust the lawyers that's advising them. She also then decided not to ask for a lesser instruction of negligent homicide.

"She made tough decisions and making those two hard decisions paid off very well for her, mainly because of the way the state tried to present it. The state was prosecuting a murder, a specific intent murder, and they didn't have that by any stretch of imagination."

Nelson-Royster could not be reached for comment. She was a U.S. Army captain stationed at Fort Bliss at the time of the fatal crash. She was discharged from the Army about two months after her Oct. 15, 2020, arrest.

"I think she just wants to get this past her," Benjamin said.

More: Jaguars strip club permanently closed after crime, nuisance allegations

El Paso District Attorney Bill Hicks said he and his prosecutors still believe Nelson-Royster's actions led to Perry's death.

"Of course it was disappointing, but we respect the jury's decision and whatever the jury does, the jury does," Hicks said. "We respect the jury's decision. Obviously, we think that we had the right person and we believe we still have the right person, but we also respect the jury's decision."

Jury finds Nelson-Royster not guilty of murder

State prosecutors and El Paso Police Department detectives accused Nelson-Royster of soliciting, directing, encouraging and aiding in the fatal crash. She was a passenger in the front seat of her Jeep Wrangler when she and Richard Mustapha Sennessie crashed into Perry's Audi.

Sennessie and Nelson-Royster were accused of chasing Perry's vehicle and running him off the road, which caused Perry's car to rollover and catch fire. Perry called 911 during the chase to report someone was following him and that a Jeep was hitting and bumping into his car, a complaint affidavit states.

"I am going to die," Perry, according to the affidavit, said on the emergency call before crashing and yelling for help.

Sennessie was the driver of Jeep and is facing a murder charge in connection with Perry's death. He claimed to police that Nelson-Royster kept yelling at him to ram Perry's car and that her Jeep had a good bumper. He alleged Nelson-Royster kept grabbing the wheel and honking the horn during the chase, the affidavit states.

More: Man arrested for murder in Central El Paso stabbing claims self-defense

State prosecutors claimed Nelson-Royster and Perry had been fighting, including a confrontation outside in the parking lot at a strip club. They claimed Nelson-Royster planned the crash in an effort to kill Perry.

"(We had) evidence of the fight that they had in the parking lot at a gentleman's club," Hicks said. "The evidence where she was encouraging the driver to get in the car to go after our decedent. All of that information I think was very compelling that she was a party to the offense, that she was encouraging the offense and the chasing after our decedent. I think all of that was very compelling."

The fight in the parking lot was not with Perry, but with strippers who worked at Jaguars strip club, Benjamin said.

"In closing arguments, one of the things that we highlighted is the fact that Malcom walks right by her and she doesn't even look at him and then she gets up and goes after the strippers again," Benjamin said. "It wouldn't be easy by any stretch of imagination. It still would've been a very hard case if one of the strippers died. The DA gets to choose their cases and they did. I don't think that they did it very well."

Nelson-Royster spends more than a year in jail

In the end, a jury found Nelson-Royster not guilty, but it took her serving a year in jail and the end of her career in the U.S. Army.

Nelson-Royster was arrested Oct. 15, 2020, and released after posting bail Dec. 15, 2021, jail records show. She remained out bond until she was found not guilty Feb. 29.

Clevy Muchette Nelson-Royster, a former U.S. Army captain stationed at Fort Bliss, was found not guilty of murder by a jury Monday, Feb. 29, 2024, at the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse in Downtown El Paso.

Nelson-Royster will never get reparations for the year she lost in jail, but for now, she is happy to have her name cleared of any wrongdoing, Benjamin said.

"She's very relieved," Benjamin said. "Very relieved. It's not easy to be blamed for something and have to go to trial. Nobody's going to remember she got acquitted, which is a sad thing. All they're going to remember is that she was charged. That's not fair to her. She was found innocent by a jury."

Co-defendant set to go to trial in June

Sennessie is scheduled to go to trial June 24, court records show. He is facing one count each of murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and accident involving death.

An April trial date for Sennessie was postponed, court records show. He was arrested Oct. 13, 2020, in connection with Perry's death. He was released from jail May 12, 2021, after posting a $800,000 bond, jail records show.

Richard Mustapha Sennessie and another suspect are accused of murder in an alleged vehicular assault ending in a fiery crash that killed Capt. Malcom Xavier Perry on Oct. 11 on John Hayes Street in the far East Side.

Sennessie's attorney, Dereck Wyatt, declined to comment.

Hicks is confident his team will be successful in getting a guilty verdict when Sennessie goes to trial.

"It's going to be very important that we explain to the jury what was happening, the details of the car chase and as much as we can about what was happening between the two cars and how it was not an accident that our decedent ran off the road and his car flipped, that he was forced off the road, and how the defendant's car forced him off the road," Hicks said. "I think that's very important evidence."

Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Former Army captain found not guilty of murder in boyfriend's death
Autauga-Prattville Public Library Director Andrew Foster demonstrates how a magnifying machine works in the Alabama section of the library on Feb. 23, 2024. (Ralph Chapoco/Alabama Reflector)

The former director of the Autauga-Prattville Public Library Thursday demanded that the librarys governing board give him his job back and take action to restore his good name.

In a memo sent to members of the Autauga-Prattville Library Board of Trustees, Christopher Weller, an attorney representing Andrew Foster, accused the board of violating the state Open Meetings Act, and demanded a retraction, correction and apology for comments made by Ray Boles, the board chair, and Laura Clark, the attorney representing the board, for comments made about Foster to the media.

Importantly, Mr. Foster seeks to resolve this dispute and to restore his good name and reputation in the community without the need to resort to costly and time-consuming litigation, Weller said in the memo.

Messages seeking comment were left with Boles and Clark on Friday.

I love the Autauga-Prattville Public Library, Foster said in a statement emailed to the Alabama Reflector. Seeing the loss of staff and programming that has followed my dismissal has been heartbreaking. Ive also watched the community reaction to it all. The actions of the past week have taken an already polarized situation here in Prattville and supercharged it. Quite a lot has been said about the situation, both in my favor and against me. Im hoping that the recordings that I made for the purpose of protecting myself serve their purpose.

The board fired Foster on March 14 amid an ongoing dispute in the community over content in the library and leadership.

According to Wellers memo, Boles became hostile during a March 14 meeting and accused him of releasing confidential internal emails to the public in response to a records request from the media. Boles also said the records request should not be fulfilled because it was not in proper form.

Boles then gave Foster the option to either resign or face termination and presented Foster with the letter of resignation.

The memo says Boles also asked Foster if he was recording the conversation in executive session and Foster said he was. Boles then told Foster that recording the discussion was a major violation of the law. Alabama, however, is a single-party consent state, and as long as the person recording the conversation is part of the discussion, then it does not violate any law.

After consulting with his attorney, Foster told board members he would not voluntarily resign, and board members prepared to have Foster terminated.

The board convened for about 20 minutes, before gaveling back into regular session, where Boles announced Fosters termination.

A typed statement left for the media said that Foster was terminated for revealing confidential information to the press and for violation of criminal law, which appeared handwritten on the paper. The board did not provide any evidence that Foster had violated the law.

Weller wrote in his memo that the only guidance Foster received about records requests came from the city attorney who told Foster that internal emails were not typically disclosed as part of a records request. Those communications only pertain to internal emails for possible actions taken by an agency.

Fosters termination led to a work stoppage among some library employees and a scaling back of hours and programming at the library.

Weller alleges that board members violated the Open Meetings Act by failing to declare the reason they were going into executive session at the meeting and meeting in private to discuss Fosters termination.

Thus, while Mr. Foster appeared at the special meeting under the incorrect assumption that there would be a discussion regarding someones reputation and character, in reality, the Board immediately confronted Mr. Foster with its predetermined decision of the termination of his employment, the memo states.

Weller also alleged that the March 16 meeting where Tammy Bear was hired as interim director also violated the Open Meetings Act because the notice was posted less than 24 hours before the meeting was scheduled.

Foster has also demanded that Boles and Clark retract their statements made about Fosters termination, saying they were false and defamatory.

Since March 14, 2024 you have continued to speak to the news media about the termination of Mr. Fosters employment, the memo states. Your story has changed more times than Elizabeth Taylor has changed husbands. But one fact remains consistent: falsehood.

The memo goes on to state that Foster did not commit a criminal act. Clark did not identify what criminal law Foster violated initially, but later said that Foster violated the Open Meetings Act that included a provision for eavesdropping.

Weller wrote that Alabama is a one-party consent state and Foster did not violate the law because he was a party to the conversations. Violations are also civil and not criminal.

The road to termination

The chain of events leading to Fosters termination began last year when a group of residents who objected to a book in the library containing inclusive pronouns formed an organization called Clean Up Prattville, part of a broader right-wing attack on library content around the country, particularly books with LGBTQ+ themes. The group was able to get the Autauga County Commission to appoint board members sympathetic to their cause.

At the boards Feb. 8 meeting, the first one for all the new members, the board adopted a new set of policies for the library, some of which were controversial.

For the avoidance of doubt, the library shall not purchase or otherwise acquire any material advertised for consumers ages 17 and under which contain content including, but not limited to, obscenity, sexual conduct, sexual intercourse, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender discordance, the policy stated.

Two weeks later, according to the memo, Boles met with Foster and provided him with a document that listed 113 books within the librarys collection. Boles requested that Foster review the titles and highlight any that contained sexual content.

Foster later identified 48 books that appeared to have sexual content and 95 books that have some connection that have LGBTQ+ content. Another 8 books needed further clarification.

At a March 4 meeting, the memo says, Foster told Boles that the policy was vague. Boles spoke about tagging books with a red sticker and asked Foster if those books needed to be moved. Foster said that decision should be made at an open meeting. The memo says Boles said he did not want the books removed, just tagged, and moved to the adult section where parents could still find them.

Clark sent Foster an email on March 5 to have the books removed from the collection and not simply reshelved, telling Foster that Boles asked him to weed out books that violate the librarys policy.

That email also indicated that the board does not need to meet to remove books from circulation, and that either she or any member of the Board could determine whether a book violated the collection policy on a case-by-case basis.

The memo said Boles met with Foster March 8 and recommended that everyone meet to discuss the fate of the books while also admitting that he and Clark had a different perspective with respect to the books. Boles said there was disagreement among members of the board. Boles then suggested that Foster and board members meet to clarify what should be done with the books.

On March 7, Foster received an open records request and fulfilled the request, which included the March 5 email that Clark sent to Foster.

On March 11, Clark sent an email to the board and Foster indicating that any communication between her and members of the board is privileged and confidential and cannot be disclosed to the public.

Notwithstanding the fact that there is no such prohibition, this was the first and only occasion that Mrs. Clark, or anyone else, had instructed Mr. Foster not to provide internal emails in response to open records requests, the memo states.

On March 12, Boles sent Foster an email requesting him to post a notice for an emergency meeting that eventually resulted in Fosters termination.

Truthfully, I dont know (or fully expect) that the board will reinstate me, Foster said Friday. This is something that I have considered quite a bit while having conversations about my options with my legal counsel. I think that if I were to be offered reinstatement, discussions would need to be had with my counsel on how I could protect myself moving forward from further action by the board. Otherwise, I would be stepping back into an at-will situation with a board that has already fired me.

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The post Former Autauga-Prattville Public Library director demands reinstatement appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
SEOUL, March 22 (Xinhua) -- South Korea on Friday expressed deep regret over Japan's history-distorting textbooks that laid sovereignty claims over disputed islets, called Dokdo in South Korea and Takeshima in Japan.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that South Korea deeply regrets Japan's approval of middle school textbooks written with unjust claims over the Dokdo islets and other claims inconsistent with historical facts.

The ministry said Seoul strongly protests Tokyo's repeated approval of such textbooks, adding that Dokdo is South Korea's inherent territory historically, geographically, and by international law, noting that South Korea will not accept any Japanese claims over Dokdo.

Dokdo is a couple of rocky outcroppings lying halfway between South Korea and Japan, which were forcibly occupied by Imperial Japan during its 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.

South Korea restored its sovereignty over the islets after its liberation in 1945 from the colonization. Seoul has since maintained a small police detachment there.

South Koreans regard Japan's territorial claims over the islets as the denial of the colonial history.

The ministry said South Korea strongly regrets the expressions and descriptions in the textbooks about the Imperial Japan's sexual slavery and forced labor, which were changed in a way that reveals no coercion.

The ministry urged Japan to sincerely perform history education based on the spirit of apology and reflection, made by Japan itself in the past, adding that future-oriented relations between Seoul and Tokyo can start from a right perception of history.

Hundreds of thousands of Korean people were forced, kidnapped or duped into sexual servitude for Japan's military brothels or coerced into heavy labor without pay for Japan's arms manufacturers during the Pacific War. 
The Freedom of Russia Legion has posted a statement accusing "Putins terrorist regime" of committing the recent terrorist attack at a concert hall in Moscow Oblast.

Source: Freedom of Russia Legion on Telegram

Quote: "We accuse Putins terrorist regime of todays tragedy. We have faced similar manifestations of the Kremlins dictatorship since the very first days of Putins rule and are not surprised by yet another bloody provocation."

Details: The Legion claims that both the terrorist attack and its media coverage were planned.

The Legion stressed that they do not fight civilians: terrorist attacks are "a method often employed by Putins security services which we do not support and against which we fight".

Background:

A shooting incident occurred at a concert by the band Piknik at the Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, Moscow Oblast, on the evening of 22 March. Early reports say at least 40 people are dead and 130 injured.

Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) stated that the terrorist attack was a deliberate provocation by Putins regime that had been anticipated by the international community.

The White House said it saw no evidence of any Ukrainian involvement in the attack, which has claimed the lives of dozens of people.

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FILE - Logos for Cash App are shown on devices in New York, Sept. 8, 2023. Tax reporting requirements for freelancers or gig workers who receive payments via apps like Venmo, Zelle, Cash App or PayPal will change for the 2024 tax year. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

NEW YORK (AP)  Workers across different industries are increasingly receiving some or all of their income via apps. They include tutors, graphic designers, hair stylists, and all kinds of independent and self-employed workers, along with merchants who sell products online through Etsy, eBay, Amazon and other sites. But tax law is still catching up when it comes to how best to report this income.

If youre a freelancer or gig worker who receives payments via apps like Venmo, Zelle, Cash App or PayPal, your tax reporting requirements will change for the 2024 tax year. The law will not affect the amount of taxes owed, but it will change how you report income with 1099-K forms.

The changes were supposed to take effect for the 2023 tax year, but they have been delayed. The tax filing deadline is April 15.

For the current tax year, freelancers and small business owners still only need to use 1099-K forms to report third-party app payments totaling $20,000, and any number of payments above 200. But beginning next year, that threshold will be just $5,000, which will eventually be lowered to $600. The changes were supposed to take effect for the 2023 tax year, but they have been delayed.

Some in the space say the new law will benefit both freelancers and the IRS by improving information gathering, especially for people who are self-employed and merchants who sell online.

Freelancers, gig workers, and online sellers owe taxes on their income regardless of whether they meet the reporting threshold to use 1099-K forms, but it can be difficult to keep track of every payment, especially across sites and apps. This can lead to confusion and underpayment, experts say.

The eventual change will affect platforms, businesses, and individuals, and its good to begin preparing now. Here's what you need to know:

WHAT SHOULD I DO TO GET READY FOR THE NEW 1099-K REPORTING THRESHOLD?

If youre already keeping accurate track of your income from freelancing as paid via Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, PayPal, and other sites, youre in good shape. The main difference will be that these platforms will issue you additional forms for every transaction. This should make correct reporting to the IRS even easier, though there will be more paperwork.

Currently, if someone paying a freelancer via Venmo, Zelle, or CashApp sends a form to the IRS reporting that pay, but the freelancer doesnt report the income with the same form, that creates a matching error for the agency. The change will ensure both that taxpayers receive proper refunds and that the IRS receives proper payment.

WHAT IF I MISTAKENLY RECEIVE A 1099-K FORM?

In some cases, in part due to the changing guidance, platforms may send taxpayers 1099-K Forms in error this year  such as for transactions between family and friends or for expense sharing between roommates, according to the IRS.

The first thing to do is try to get an updated form by contacting the company that issued the form incorrectly. If you cant get one in a timely manner, the IRS says to zero out the income on your tax return with the description Form 1099-K Received in Error. The line appears on Form 1040 - Additional Income and Adjustments to Income. There, you should write, as follows: "Part I  Line 8z  Other Income  Form 1099-K Received in Error."

WHY DID THE IRS DELAY IMPLEMENTING THE CHANGE FOR A SECOND YEAR IN A ROW?

The change, which had been set to take effect this year, was delayed again in November. The IRS decided to give taxpayers another year to adjust to the new reporting requirements.

Taking this phased-in approach is the right thing to do for the purposes of tax administration, and it prevents unnecessary confusion, IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said in November. Its clear that an additional delay for tax year 2023 will avoid problems for taxpayers, tax professionals and others in this area.

WHAT ADVICE AND GUIDANCE DOES THE IRS HAVE FOR FREELANCERS?

The IRS has an online Gig Economy Tax Center that focuses specifically on the tax questions and needs of freelancers and other workers in the informal economy. The site addresses common concerns and pitfalls.

WHAT IF I MAKE A MISTAKE REPORTING INCOME ON 1099-K FORMS?

The IRS will be in touch if they see discrepancies between income reported on 1099-K forms by taxpayers and companies issuing the forms, both this year and next. Its important to keep in mind that income from all platforms, including things like YouTube ads and Patreon subscriptions, must be reported in this way.

One way to make sure all income is accurately captured is to be sure to transfer all payments from your PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App accounts to a traditional bank account, rather than keeping it on third-party platforms.

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Find more of AP's tax season coverage here: https://apnews.com/hub/personal-finance

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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.
The news editor of a regional French daily has been suspended after a front-page headline critical of President Emmanuel Macron, management said Friday, causing outrage across the newsroom.

Macron on Tuesday launched a major operation against drug trafficking in the southern port city of Marseille and elsewhere.

Following Macron's Marseille visit, La Provence daily published a front page Thursday showing two people, watching a police patrol. The accompanying headline said "He's gone, but we're still here".

On the basis of the front page, La Provence's news editor Aurelien Viers was suspended for a week, for failing to follow its "values and editorial line", said the paper's managing editor Gabriel d'Harcourt.

The front-page quote and picture "could lead people to believe that we agree to give drug dealers a voice so they can mock the public authority", wrote d'Harcourt in a "To Our Readers" article published Friday.

In an article inside Thursday's La Provence, the front-page quote was actually attributed to a resident of a poor Marseille neighbourhood, named only as Brahim.

He said that the city had "found the means necessary to protect the president during his visit. He's gone, but we're still here, in the same hell".

- 'Editorial interference': union -

D'Harcourt told AFP that his paper's coverage of the visit had been "very good" except for the front page, "where you get the impression that we're spokespeople for the dealers".

The front page was "contrary to our roles and the role we want to play in Marseille and the surrounding region", he said.

The SNJ, the main journalists' union at La Provence, told AFP that the paper's journalists were "scandalised" by Viers's suspension, and called d'Harcourt's justification for the suspension "surreal".

A general staff assembly Friday voted in favour of a strike in protest.

"This is an inadmissable act of editorial interference," SNJ representative Audrey Letellier told AFP.

La Provence, published in Marseille, has a daily circulation of around 62,000. It is owned by CMA CGM Medias, which belongs to Franco-Lebanese billionaire businessman Rodolphe Saade.

Saade, who has other high-profile media interests, this month announced that he would also buy Altice Media, which owns broadcasters BFMTV and RMC.

Asked during an Altice staff meeting whether he would seek to censor unfavourable news about his media interests, Saade replied: "I wouldn't like it, and I would let that be known".

But, added the media mogul, "I wouldn't interfere".

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Kathleen Amm, a Florida State University alumna, has been named the new director of Tallahassee's National High Magnetic Field Laboratory  a facility billed as the largest and highest-powered magnet lab in the world.

The distinguished researcher, who graduated from FSU in 1998 with a doctoral degree in condensed matter physics, will start her new role May 6. She is now director of the Magnet Division at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, New York.

Kathleen Amm has been named the new director of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory headquartered at Florida State University.

I am elated to be returning to my alma mater to run the worlds largest and highest-powered magnet lab, Amm said in a prepared statement.

I believe the National MagLabs people represent the labs greatest opportunity, and I am excited to work with the brilliant scientists and staff to develop a compelling vision for the future of high-field magnet science and technology.

As FSU and local economic leaders try to position Tallahassee as the "Magnetic Capital of the World, the baton is being passed to Amm to continue those efforts as the capital city works on diversifying its economy beyond state government.

Amms selection is the result of an international search to replace MagLab Director Greg Boebinger, who announced last year he would step down to return to the faculty. He led the the national laboratory for nearly two decades.

While Amm currently leads a team of scientists, engineers and technicians at Brookhaven National Laboratory, she will oversee more than 500 scientists at FSUs MagLab along with over 2,000 people from across the country who visit the laboratory every year.

Amm will also spearhead the MagLabs satellite locations at the University of Florida in Gainesville and Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico.

Prior to Brookhaven, she spent nearly 20 years at GE Global Research  a division of the multinational and multi-industry company General Electric  as a physicist in the organizations electromagnetics and superconductivity lab and in several leadership positions.

In addition, Amms track record includes holding 22 patents while being the co-author of over 75 peer-reviewed publications. She is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, among her other memberships in professional societies.

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Amm back to Florida State University to lead the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, FSU President Richard McCullough said in a release.

FSU President Richard McCullough.

She has a proven record of success, and we are confident that her leadership, expertise and vision will usher in a new era of scientific excellence at the National MagLab.

Headquartered at FSU since 1994, the MagLab is primarily funded by the state and the National Science Foundation  which gave the laboratory a five-year fund of $195.5 million in 2022  as it hosts researchers from around the world who use high-field magnets to address issues related to health, energy and other fields.

Over 25,000 researchers have conducted experiments at the laboratory, according to the university.

More: A major leadership change in the works for FSU-headquartered National MagLab

Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on X: @tarahjean_.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Kathleen Amm is new director of Tallahassee's National MagLab
The U.S. reportedly warned Ukraine to stop attacking Russian oil refineries, cautioning that strikes against the facilities could raise global oil prices and increase the risk of further retaliation, the Financial Times (FT) reported on March 22, citing unnamed sources in Ukraine's military intelligence and Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

In the past weeks, Ukrainian forces have launched a series of drone strikes aimed at damaging Russia's oil industry. Ukraine has hit oil refineries in multiple regions deep inside the Russian territory.

As foreign military aid has decreased, especially due to the ongoing deadlock on funding from the U.S., Ukraine has turned to focus on its domestically produced attack capabilities.

The sources told the FT that the U.S. is concerned Russia could potentially retaliate by striking energy infrastructure used by the West, which could result in higher energy prices globally.

At the same time, Russia is highly reliant on revenue from its energy exports to fund its war machine, and the attacks on the refineries have already caused significant disruptions.

While U.S. President Joe Biden has regularly repeated his support for Ukraine and willingness to prevent a Russian victory, he is also facing a reelection battle later this year.

An analyst told the FT that the U.S.'s warnings could be primarily related to electoral politics.

"Nothing terrifies a sitting American president more than a surge in pump prices during an election year," said Bob McNally, the president of the consultancy group Rapidan Energy and a former White House energy adviser.

Read also: Ukrainian drones hit one Russian oil refinery after another

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
More than 700 people were convicted because of problems with the Horizon system - Alamy

The company at the centre of the Horizon scandal was approved for new contracts to handle top-secret military documents, spyware and warship technology only five months ago, The Telegraph can reveal.

Fujitsu, the scandal-hit Japanese tech giant, was one of 15 firms approved in October to handle information assets that directly support or inform the national security of the UK, giving it access to government contracts worth millions of pounds.

The decision came during a public inquiry into the companys failings and only three weeks after ministers said that wrongfully convicted postmasters had suffered significant financial losses and an overwhelming impact on their lives because of its Horizon software.

MPs said the revelatory discovery of the contract should be examined by Parliament, amid concerns that millions of pounds of taxpayers money is still being awarded to the firm.

The company has said it will not seek new government contracts during the Post Office inquiry, which is examining the conviction of more than 700 people because of problems with its system across a 16-year period.

However, Alex Burghart, a Cabinet Office minister, has said that the Government will still award contracts to Fujitsu if the work involves specialist skills we require.

The company has already been placed on the approved list for new national security contracts, which allows it to work on a range of highly classified government projects marked as secret or top secret.

Despite Fujitsus decision not to apply for new contracts, the Governments approval of the company in a framework agreement means it can still be handed future work.

The agreement in October authorises Fujitsu to provide technology for intelligence agencies and armed forces, including computers, mobile phones, CCTV cameras, radios and video-conferencing equipment.

The top secret classification is given only to information that, if compromised, could cause exceptionally grave damage including the widespread loss of life or a major threat to national security.

The decision to award the contract came almost four years after a High Court ruling that there was a material risk that bugs, errors and defects in the Horizon software were responsible for the prosecution of hundreds of sub-postmasters.

Harriett Baldwin, the chairman of Parliaments Treasury committee, said that the Government should use the contract in compensation negotiations with Fujitsu.

As the Treasury committee showed when we gathered information on Fujitsu contracts at the entities we scrutinise, Fujitsu is embedded in many parts of our Government, she said.

This further investigation by The Telegraph is revelatory and I hope it will strengthen the Governments negotiating position over Fujitsus contribution to the compensation bill.

Mark Francois, a Conservative MP on the defence committee, said it was totally inappropriate for the company to work on top-secret material.

There is more than one IT supplier in the world and we should not be awarding any major IT contracts to Fujitsu until their degree of culpability, or otherwise, has been fully established by the public inquiry and appropriate compensation agreed, he said.

This contract, however sensitive, should be immediately reviewed, including by the relevant select committee. Anything less is a direct insult to all those innocent sub-postmasters and their families.

The Government established the public inquiry into the scandal that began hearing evidence in January 2021, and ministers announced in September last year that those affected would receive 600,000 in compensation.

Several of those prosecuted under false accusations of theft have since taken their own lives, while others have lost their jobs and homes.

Kevin Hollinrake, the Post Office minister, said at the time that the Government recognises that these postmasters have suffered gravely in relation to the Horizon scandal, and for too long, so should be able to settle their claims swiftly if they wish.

Fujitsu bosses have since apologised to the victims of the scandal, offering to pay into the Governments compensation fund under a moral obligation to those affected.

The level of compensation to be paid by Fujitsu is under negotiation with ministers.

A government spokesman said: The impact the Horizon scandal has had on postmasters and their families is utterly horrendous, and it is crucial that something like this can never happen again.

That is why we have launched a statutory inquiry into the scandal to get to the bottom of what went wrong, as well as providing compensation for those affected.

We welcome Fujitsus decision to pause bidding for work with new government customers until such time as the inquiry concludes.

Ahead of that, and as with all contracts, we continue to keep Fujitsus conduct and commercial performance under review.

A Fujitsu spokesman said the company continues to work very closely with the Cabinet Office to ensure that the guidelines that we have voluntarily put in place are being followed appropriately.

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For generations, Americas success has been underwritten by its military strength. That strength has deterred aggression and countered the forces of evil that threaten freedom and our way of life.

This run of prosperity, however, cannot lead us to complacency. The past two years of heightened global unrest are evidence that the end of the Cold War did not mark the end of great power competition. Russias invasion of Ukraine, global aggression by the Peoples Republic of China, the brutality of Hamas and other Iranian proxies, and the unending antagonism of North Korea are reminders of this sobering truth.

In the face of these challenges, American military strength is needed now more than ever. But we cannot rely on our legacy arsenal to retain military advantage and deter these threats. We must prepare for a modern fight to preserve Americas superiority. The fiscal 2024 Defense Appropriations Act funds these preparations.

The approximately $824.5 billion provided in the bill, which accounts for a $27 billion increase over the FY23 enacted level, is directed to the highest national defense priorities, in particular countering the Peoples Republic of China, prioritizing innovation at the Pentagon, and investing in quality-of-life initiatives for service members and their families.

To deter Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific region, the bill maxes out the production of critical munitions, doubles security cooperation funding for Taiwan, and prioritizes the delivery of defense articles and services to Taiwan. It rejects the Biden administrations inadequate procurement and divestment suggestions, and instead funds eight battle ships while retaining four others; increases investments in fifth- and sixth-generation aircraft; and provides over $66 billion in Indo-Pacific-relevant capabilities. These decisions demonstrate Americas capacity and intent to stand with Taiwan as well as our allies and partners in the region.

Todays Department of Defense is an overburdened and antiquated bureaucracy confronted with the realities of the 21st century. The bill recognizes that the military will only achieve the modernization it needs by tapping into Americas entrepreneurial spirit, and it provides an unprecedented investment in innovation.

Included in that investment is $1 billion for the Defense Innovation Unit and military services to accelerate acquisition and fielding as well as $300 million for the successful Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies program, which will work to overcome the infamous valley of death.

The most cutting-edge military technologies still rely on the ingenuity of American service members. At the core of our military might are the men and women who serve the nation so bravely. The bill recognizes that and honors them, funding the largest increase in basic military pay in more than 20 years (5.2%) and providing $123 million for recruiting and retention incentives and service member cost-of-living adjustments.

The bill also resources across-the-board investments in our military families with funding to address out-of-pocket family costs such as child care; to expand spouse employment opportunities; and to conduct medical research on areas of significance to the military community.

Undoubtedly, the bill invests in a more modern, innovative and ready fighting force. In the midst of unparalleled threats to the United States and its interests, this sends a strong message that we are prepared to meet and defeat any adversary.

Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, chairs the House Appropriations Committee, where Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., chairs the Defense Subcommittee.
PHNOM PENH, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has arrested a gang of two foreigners for possessing and trafficking illicit drugs, seizing almost 670 kg of narcotics, the country's Anti-Drug Department (ADP) said in a news release on Friday.

The two male-suspects were apprehended on Tuesday during raids on two condos here after a thorough probe.

The Southeast Asian country has no death sentence for a drug trafficker. Under its law, those found guilty of trafficking more than 80 grams of illicit drugs could be jailed for life.

According to the ADP, Cambodia nabbed 4,946 drug-related suspects, including more than 100 foreigners, in 2,047 cases from Jan. 1 to March 21, 2024, confiscating more than 2.8 tons of narcotics.

Most of the seized drugs were ketamine, crystal methamphetamine, methamphetamine tablets, heroin, ecstasy and cocaine. 
A March 12 incident at the Base Gagetown medical centre kept the service closed for several days, (CBC - image credit)

An incident at 5th Division Support Base Gagetown's medical centre in Oromocto last week that led to criminal charges against a soldier has highlighted the need for more protective measures for staff at military medical clinics across the country, says the head of the national union.

A master corporal with the Canadian Armed Forces has been charged with forcible confinement, assault with a weapon and mischief causing property damage in connection with the incident March 12 involving a "health-care professional" at 42 Canadian Forces Health Services Centre Gagetown.

Defence Department spokesperson Andree-Anne Poulin declined to say whether the alleged victim is a man or a woman, or whether they are known to the 27-year-old accused, who has been posted at the base for about eight years.

"No one was injured during the incident," Poulin said in an email.

But it prompted the clinic at the second largest military base in Canada to close for the rest of the week.

"To ensure the safety of patients and personnel," some routine primary care and physiotherapy appointments were rescheduled for a few days, some of which were dealt with virtually on March 18, said Poulin.

"As of March 19, the clinic has reopened as per normal and is functioning full operations."

Clinic staff are 'fearful for their safety'

According to June Winger, national president of the Union of National Defence Employees, which represents about 18,000 public- and private-sector workers at DND locations across Canada, including administrative staff at the medical centre, the reason it remained closed is that staff refused to go to work.

"Members are fearful for their safety," and it's been an ongoing concern, she said.

"They want to have protections put in place to ensure that their safety is maintained while still being able to provide their very valuable service to the Canadian Armed Force members."

Winger disputes the notion no one was injured during the incident, which she alleges involved a knife and an attempted attack on a female nurse.

"Maybe nobody has a broken bone or a scar out of this, but there's certainly been an injury," she said.

"So certainly we are quite insistent that more needs to happen, that there needs to be security measures implemented to ensure that everybody can stay safe at the workplace."

Union seeks swipe-card access, metal detectors

Some of the measures the union is calling for include swipe-card access to medical centres, as many other buildings on bases have; metal detection equipment to ensure no one's carrying a weapon; designated staff-only washrooms, and plexiglass barriers at reception desks.

June Winger, president of the Union of National Defence Employees, says the investigation into Krystina MacLean, who complained about a toxic environment along the naval docks in Esquimalt, BC, was "deeply flawed."

June Winger, president of the Union of National Defence Employees, says many buildings on military bases require swipe-card access to keep information safe, so at medical centres, 'we should certainly be providing at least, at the bare minimum, the same level of security for our personnel.' (CBC News)

In addition, the union wants a formalized process to flag high-risk patients and "immediate followup," a zero tolerance policy and appropriate staffing levels, said Winger. She could not immediately provide staffing levels for the Gagetown medical centre.

"These are all simple measures," Winger said. "They're entirely achievable. It just has to have some foresight and be willing to do it."

'Problematic across the country'

Winger contends added security measures were supposed to be in place at the Gagetown medical centre before it moved into its new building in the past year  although the specifics of the contract have been "very difficult to track."

Poulin did not respond to a request for details.

"This was a needless, tragic event that could have been prevented," said Winger.

We will continue to work with National Defence and if we need to, engage [Employment and Social Development Canada, which enforces the Canada Labour Code] to make sure that members' rights are being protected and that their safety is paramount. - June Winger, union president

"And I mean it's not restricted to this location. This is problematic across the country."

Winger and other union representatives expected to meet Thursday with the national health and safety policy committee at National Defence to discuss the situation.

"We have also engaged with the head of the health services, and we're asking them to make sure that appropriate steps are implemented," she said.

"We will continue to work with National Defence, and if we need to, engage [Employment and Social Development Canada, which enforces the Canada Labour Code] to make sure that members' rights are being protected and that their safety is paramount, as it should be at all workplaces."

Accused released on conditions

The accused, who was arrested by the military police and held in an RCMP cell pending a bail hearing, was released on conditions on March 14 and is scheduled to return to court on April 4.

"This case will now proceed through the civilian justice system and no further information can be released," said Poulin.

Chief Justice Marc Richard had set a deadline of 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday for applications to intervene in the case.

The accused is scheduled to appear in Fredericton provincial court on April 4. (Pat Richard/CBC)

She said base leadership is following the matter closely to ensure professional support, including mental health support, is provided, and proper administrative or disciplinary action is taken in accordance with Canadian Armed Forces policy.

"The CAF holds its members to a high standard of conduct and performance," Poulin said. "Canadians have a clear expectation that their Armed Forces remain disciplined at all times, while reflecting Canadian values and ethics."
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A man was sentenced in a Marion County court Thursday for committing a shooting in Salem in 2022 that injured two people when he was just 17 years old.

The now 18-year-old Saul Sosa-Medina was sentenced to nearly six years in prison with an adult conviction of second-degree assault with a firearm and two juvenile convictions: first-degree attempted assault and unlawful use of a weapon, the Marion County District Attorney announced.

Mother charged after son killed in Wednesday night car crash

Sosa-Medina committed the shooting in Aug. 2022, injuring one girl and one woman. One 17-year-old victim was struck in the hip. Another person, 23-year-old Ryna Dawn Keener, had two injuries: one in the hand and one in the right hip. Both people were transported to a hospital but neither one of their injuries was considered life-threatening.

Sosa-Medina had been with two other boys at the time, walking through the Evergreen Park Apartment parking lot, near the location of the girl and woman. Its unclear what Sosa-Medinas motivation was. However, he later admitted to authorities to being an active gang member.

Sosa-Medina reportedly fired just a single shot at the victims then fled south and was apprehended by Salem police less than an hour later near Englewood Park. At the time, Sosa-Medina denied firing the gun but admitted to being in the area.

Fentanyl emergency update: Multnomah County Commissioners slam billboard campaign as tone deaf

In Oregon, a judge can decide to sentence a juvenile as an adult, if an analysis determines the crime and circumstances are considered warranted for such a move. Thats what happened here, except it was a split sentence with one charge treated as an adult and the other two treated as juvenile charges due to a deal made between the defendants counsel and the prosecution.

Sosa-Medina will serve out the 70-month sentence, in total, at the Oregon Youth Authority for all of the charges. However, he will be eligible for release halfway through the sentence due to a second look legal process, officials said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for an immediate cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, he said in an open letter to Californias Muslim, Palestinian American and Arab American communities published Thursday evening, decrying violence that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.

Newsom echoed President Joe Biden in calling for a cease-fire, saying in his open letter that none of us should be able to witness the deaths of thousands upon thousands of civilians in Gaza without our hearts breaking. Newsom called the Palestinian death toll so vast that it seems few Palestinians across the world have been spared personal loss.

So let me be clear  I condemn the ongoing and horrific loss of innocent civilian life in Gaza. I support President Bidens call for an immediate ceasefire as part of a deal to secure desperately needed relief for Gazan civilians and the release of hostages, Newsom said in the letter. I also unequivocally denounce Hamass terrorist attack against Israel.

In the letter, Newsom cited an uptick in anti-Muslim and anti-Arab American bias in the state, with bias events rising more than 44% from 2021 to 2022, and a spike in anti-Muslim incidents after Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel that killed about 1,200 Israelis and precipitated the ongoing war in Gaza.

Newsom said that spike is the largest documented surge of its kind since late 2015 and early 2016, amidst calls for a Muslim ban. And now, many Muslim and Arab American communities report a level of fear comparable to the months following 9/11.

In his letter, the governor spoke of efforts to push back against anti-Muslim hatred, including challenging then-President Donald Trumps ban on travel from Muslim-majority nations; expanding funds for security grants for churches, synagogues and mosques; working with Californias universities and colleges to promote student safety; and passing a first-in-the-nation ethnic studies course requirement law that includes lessons dedicated to Arab Americans.

Then there is the ongoing effort, including by the California National Guard, to attempt to deliver aid to Gaza in the form of food and medical supplies.

Still, these contributions are no substitute for the enormous surge of aid that Gazan civilians desperately need. And while our anti-hate efforts here in California are an important start, there is more work ahead, Newsom wrote.

The letter was welcomed by the Council on American-Islamic Relations California Chapter, with CAIR-CA CEO Hussam Ayloush saying in a statement: We are invigorated to see the Governor ultimately decide to take action and commend him for his commitment to peace and justice amid the heartbreaking violence that has tragically resulted in the death of over 30,000 Palestinians.
Palestinians Rim Abu Obeida (L) and Manal Abu Shaaban are waiting anxiously to learn if they'll be sent back to war-torn Gaza (AHMAD GHARABLI)

In a small hotel near the Augusta Victoria Hospital in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, where she received radiation therapy for breast cancer, Palestinian Rim Abu Obeida waits anxiously.

She is among a group of Palestinian patients living in limbo while a top Israeli court weighs whether they can be sent back to war-torn Gaza now that their treatment is completed.

Like dozens of Gazans before the Israel-Hamas war erupted, she was granted permission to leave the territory for care because hospitals in the Gaza Strip did not have the necessary equipment.

"This week, we were suddenly told we had to return to Gaza. This is sending us to hell, to death!" Abu Obeida told AFP.

If she is forced to leave she won't have much to return to -- her house in southern Gaza's Khan Yunis has been destroyed in Israeli's offensive against Hamas.

The roughly 20 patients from Gaza, most of them battling cancer, have been receiving treatment in Tel Aviv and east Jerusalem for the past six months.

COGAT, the Israeli defence ministry body that governs civilian affairs in the occupied Palestinian territories, said this week that because the patients "don't need any continued medical treatment they are being returned to the Gaza Strip."

But at the last minute, the Israeli Supreme Court, responding to a petition by the NGO Physicians for Human Rights, suspended COGAT's order.

The court is expected to deliver a ruling in the case, though the timeline is unclear. The government has until April 21 to file its arguments.

- 'Catastrophic conditions' -

In the next room along from Abu Obeida, Manal Abu Shaaban was busy stashing food into her bags.

"I have rice, sugar, all the things they are deprived of there. I hope they won't stop me from bringing them in," she said.

Abu Shaaban, a breast cancer patient like Abu Obeida, said she was not opposed to returning, but she knew the security situation meant she would be unable to reach her home in Gaza City, in the besieged territory's north.

"I want to go back. But to my home, in my house! Not in Rafah, in the south, where they want us to go, I don't know anyone there," she said.

Large swathes of the north have been flattened by Israeli bombardment and a UN-backed assessment said the area faces famine by May unless substantially more aid reaches it.

Meanwhile, in Gaza's south up to 1.5 million displaced Palestinians are crammed into Rafah and live under the threat of a full-scale Israeli ground offensive.

Asked about the fate of the patients who face being returned to Gaza, Augusta Victoria Hospital director Fadi Mizyed paused for a few seconds.

"I don't know. They will go back in a war zone, they will be at risk, they will be living in catastrophic conditions," he said.

"The situation in Gaza is beyond description, with no guaranteed healthcare services that can do what is needed for any cancer patients."

"We said we don't think it's the right thing to do but at the end of the day it's not our call," he added.

- Patients conflicted -

The war in Gaza was triggered by Hamas's surprise 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 campaign to destroy Hamas has killed at least 32,070 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

While fighting rages, Mizyed said, the patients facing a possible return to Gaza are conflicted.

"On one hand they want to go back to see their families and to be closer to their families, even if the conditions are unthinkable," he said.

On the other, they know that to go back is to risk death "not only from the cancer but from the war as well".

According to the United Nations, fewer than one-third of hospitals in Gaza are even partially functioning.

Hospitals have been frequent targets of the Israeli military, which accuses Hamas of using them as command centres.

Ahmad Said, a 60-year-old patient also treated at Augusta Victoria, which was set up to serve Palestinians, previously lived near Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, the territory's largest.

Witnesses this week reported air strikes and tanks near the sprawling medical complex crowded with displaced people -- the latest instance of Israeli operations in the area.

Israeli troops previously raided Al-Shifa in November, sparking international outcry.

Said told AFP his house, like so many others, had been destroyed, and that some of his relatives were living in tents in Rafah.

If forced to leave east Jerusalem, he would like to join his daughter in Canada.

He is adamant that he has no desire to go back to Gaza.

"Why would you want to transfer us to a dangerous place?" he asked.

cf-saf/rcb/jm/dcp
The Utah Board of Higher Education unanimously named Geoffrey T. Landward Commissioner of Higher Education at its meeting today. Commissioner Landward has served as interim commissioner since Sept. 2023. Previously, he served as deputy commissioner and secretary to the Utah Board of Higher Education.

Geoffrey Landward has been appointed Utah Commissioner of Higher Education.

The Utah Board of Higher Education voted unanimously Thursday to appoint Landward to the position. The appointment requires confirmation by the Utah Senate.

Landward has served as interim commissioner since September 2023, when Commissioner Dave Woolstenhulme suddenly stepped down to pursue other professional opportunities.

Landward previously served as deputy commissioner and secretary to the higher education board. A graduate of BYUs J. Reuben Clark Law School, Landward has two decades of legal expertise in administrative law, education law and employment law.

Amanda Covington, chairwoman of the Utah Board of Higher Education, said in a statement that Landwards exceptional work, especially during the 2024 legislative session, along with his statewide relationships, make him the right leader for this role. Our decision to appoint Commissioner Landward underscores our confidence in his ability to lead the system with vision, collaboration and effectiveness into the future.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Landward had demonstrated an ability to navigate the complexities of higher education in Utah the last several months as interim, and is well positioned to assume the role as commissioner.

Following his appointment, Landward thanked the board for its confidence in him.

The team that I get to work with, the level of respect and in some cases, intimidation I have, working with you is is inexpressible. To know that Ive earned your confidence and trust is the greatest privilege I can ever hope for in my professional career. So thank you. I hope to meet the expectations set for me, he said.

In his six months as interim commissioner, Landward provided state-level leadership on higher education issues, including establishing legislative strategies, navigating the state budget and advocating for the value of higher education locally and nationally.

Senate Majority Whip Ann Millner, R-Ogden, a former president of Weber State University, said Landwards selection was a great appointment for the Utah System of Higher Education.

She continued, Geoffrey Landward possesses a deep understanding of higher education and the state and has proven he has the skills to move the system forward in remarkable ways. I look forward to working with Commissioner Landward in the future.

Rep. Karen Peterson, R-Clinton, House chairwoman of the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee, said in a statement that for nearly a decade, she had observed Landwards ability to lead with integrity and ingenuity, earning the respect and trust of colleagues across the state.

Previous commissioners of higher education include G. Homer Durham  1969-1976; T.H. Bell  1976-1981; Arvo Van Alstyne  1981-1985; Wm. Rolfe Kerr  1985-1993; Cecelia H. Foxley  1993-2003, Richard E. Kendell  2003-2007; William A. Sederburg  2008- 2012; David L. Buhler  2012- 2019 and Dave R. Woolstenhulme  2019-2023.
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.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said a recent review of the states Republican primary race was won by former President Donald Trump. The announcement also noted that the equipment used during the March 12 vote was the same equipment used during the 2020 election cycle.

An audit of the Republican race in the 2024 Presidential Preference Primary confirmed former President Donald Trump as the winner. This week, all 159 Georgia counties conducted a post-election audit of ballots cast in the March 12th Republican Presidential Preference Primary, the Secretary of States Office said Friday.

The audit reviewed every Georgia county, where officials were required to count randomly selected ballots totaling 413 batches from across the state, equal to 7.5% of all of the ballots, according to officials.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

During the review of the March 12 Republican Presidential Preference Primary election, the Sec. of States Office said the risk-limiting audit was conducted with a 5% risk limit.

According to the Georgia Secretary of State, this small amount of difference is well within the expected margin of error for an audit of this size, and it is largely caused by human error during the hand counting process.

The audit was performed to follow state law on elections for statewide and federal contests, officials said.

TRENDING STORIES:

Our county election directors are always going above and beyond, Raffensperger said in a statement. Their hard work secures our voting system, building trust in communities across the state.

The Sec. of States Office also noted that every audit of a race in Georgia, including the hand-count audit of the 2020 election results, have confirmed that the system functioned properly and that the result was correct, adding that as in November 2022, Georgias audit was supported by VotingWorks and their Arlo auditing software.

A comparison of votes from each candidate that was audited was provided by the state as well.

Candidate Audited Results Machine Count Results Binkley 26 24 Burgum 12 12 Christie 112 112 DeSantis 484 485 Haley 4,599 4,598 Hutchinson 15 15 Johnson 9 9 Ramaswamy 67 68 Scott 89 91 Stuckenberg 11 11 Trump 38,754 38,747 Totals 44,178 44,172

A full audit summary report on the data was provided by the Sec. of States Office online.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
The Georgia Senate passed immigration legislation March 21 tied to the killing of a Georgia nursing student who was slain on the Athens campus of the University of Georgia. John McCosh/ Georgia Recorder

The Georgia Senate passed a bill Thursday that could result in law enforcement agencies and local governments losing federal and state funds and force elected officials to be removed from office if they fail to comply with undocumented immigrant reporting laws.

The adoption of House Bill 301 on Thursday comes just days after a plea for Georgia legislators to pass a stronger immigration law was made by the father of slain nursing student Laken Riley, whose Feb. 22 killing has become a flashpoint in the national debate over border security and immigration policy in Congress, Georgia and and other state legislatures.

A 26-year-old Venezuelan immigration authorities say is undocumented, Jose Ibarra, has been charged by Athens-Clarke Police Department with the murder of 22-year-old Riley, who was killed while jogging on a University of Georgia running trail.

Thursdays 33-19 vote for House Bill 301 was split along party lines, with Republican and Democratic lawmakers at odds over the need to ramp up the penalties. The legislation gives any state resident the right to sue local governments for not enforcing the states ban on so-called sanctuary laws thats been in place since 2009. Senate Democrats criticized Republicans for demonizing a Georgia population that pays taxes and raises families while living productive lives.

On the day before the Senate voted on the bills, Laken Rileys father, Jason Riley, urged lawmakers to do more to protect us.

Governor Kemp, please declare an invasion to detain and deport criminal illegals so we can prevent future families from those tragedies, Jason Riley said Wednesday in the Senate chamber.

According to the American Immigration Council, sanctuary policies embrace the idea that the federal government cannot compel local jurisdictions to enforce immigration laws.

The legislation approved Thursday says any public official who fails to enforce statutory laws will be suspended, which could eventually result in them being permanently removed from office by the governor. Suspended public officials must demonstrate in court that they are in compliance with state law before they can return to office.

State and federal funding would also be stripped from local governments in violation of the law.

The Senate on Thursday also passed HB 1105, which requires local and state police to identify, arrest, and detain undocumented persons.

If you go out there and you want to be a sanctuary city, that violates Georgia law, then youre going to be held accountable for that, said Sen. Randy Robertson. Were going to take funding away from the state funding and federal funding that were responsible for.

If a local municipality chooses to blatantly violate Georgia law, thats what happens, the Cataula Republican said. You may be a mayor, you may be a city councilor, you may be a county commissioner, but you are not above Georgia law.

The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute reported in 2020 that roughly one-third of Georgias 1 million immigrants are undocumented.

Atlanta Democratic Sen. Jason Esteves criticized GOP members for political posturing, such as calling the immigration crisis an invasion.

Our agriculture industry, poultry, construction, manufacturing, care workers, every single industry that is touted in this building has exploited this very community, Esteves said. Shame on every single one of us because there is no one in this chamber that does not know someone who has hired or has hired someone who is not undocumented.

Sen. Josh McLaurin, a Sandy Springs Democrat, said HB 301 is problematic and unnecessary when there is already a law prohibiting cities from implementing sanctuary policies. He also questioned the need to allow any resident to sue.

All this bill does is threaten complete financial extinction of the local government by taking away state and federal funding and threaten removal of every elected official who serves the local government. if they dont follow existing law, he said.

The post Georgia Senate passes bill to punish local governments with loose immigration policies appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
Georgia teens allegedly grab gun, knock out deputy and escape custody before being recaptured by police

Two Georgia teenagers escaped custody and prompted a manhunt Thursday after they overpowered a deputy and assaulted him with his own gun, according to police.

The boys, identified as Brandon Davis, 14, and Corinthian Newton, 15, stripped a deputy of his gun and used it to knock him unconscious, according to the Jenkins County Sheriff's Office. The teenagers then fled into the woods and are now back in custody after an extensive search, police said.

"The safety of our community was of utmost importance, and we were confident that, together, we would bring these individuals to justice," Burke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams said in a statement.

"The deputy is safely recovering. The juvenile suspects are unharmed and in custody."

YOUNG MEN IN UPSCALE ATLANTA NEIGHBORHOOD WARNED ABOUT BEING DRUGGED, ROBBED AFTER BARHOPPING

Corinthian Newton, left, and Brandon Davis, right, escaped police custody while being transported to the Regional Youth Detention Center in Augusta March 21, 2024, and were later recaptured, authorities said.

The escape happened Thursday afternoon at Highway 56 and Knight Road, just south of the Richmond County line. The teens were being transported to the Regional Youth Detention Center in Augusta after an appearance in court in Millen, about 51 miles south of Augusta, on burglary and gun charges, local station WRDW reported.

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Burke County Sheriffs Office Col. Jimmy Wylds told the outlet that while being driven back to Augusta, the teens complained about being hot in the back of the police vehicle.

Deputy Milo Perry reportedly refused to roll down the windows but eventually opened the partition between the front seat and rear compartment.

"And at some point, one of them goes into the cab of the truck and started wrestling with him and was able to get his gun and pistol weapon, and they stopped and got out. And they fought a little bit outside," Wylds told WRDW. "Its my understanding that they fired around and then ran off into the woods."

GEORGIA COLLEGE STUDENTS ON WEEKEND ROAD TRIP RESCUE FAMILY IN SINKING CAR: SURREAL

Police recaptured the Georgia teens after launching a manhunt with the assistance of bloodhounds.

The teens fired three rounds with Perry's gun in the deputy's direction, the Jenkins County Sheriff's Office said. The deputy was not shot but was transported to a hospital for treatment after the teens attacked him with his weapon, according to police.

Nearly three dozen law enforcement units responded to the escape, including officers from the Burke County Sheriff's Office. Authorities launched a manhunt to find the escaped teens, who were still shackled when they fled.

GEORGIA MAN PUT TO DEATH FOR RAPE, MURDER IN STATE'S FIRST EXECUTION IN YEARS

The boys were apprehended around 5 p.m. with the assistance of police dogs, WRDW reported.

"Bloodhounds from the Department of Juvenile Justice or their department of corrections were able to track them into the woods. We found a T-shirt belonging to one of the suspects that had some blood on it," Wylds told the station.

Brandon Davis, 14, is pictured in police custody.

The bloodhounds tracked the escapees to a dead end on Ponderosa Road, where the teens were found hiding in a storage container.

"When the dogs got on them, they surrendered," Wylds said.

Sheriff Williams thanked the participating law enforcement agencies for their assistance and the community for its support during the search.

"Thank you everyone for remaining vigilant and reporting any suspicious activities or sightings," Williams said.

It is unclear what additional charges the teens will face.





Original article source: Georgia teens allegedly grab gun, knock out deputy and escape custody before being recaptured by police
ATLANTA (AP)  Georgia lawmakers have made it harder for workers at companies getting state economic incentives to unionize, in what could be a violation of federal law.

The state House voted 96 to 78 Wednesday for Senate Bill 362, which would bar companies that accept state incentives from recognizing unions without a formal secret-ballot election. The measure, which has been backed by Gov. Brian Kemp, now goes to the Republican governor for his signature.

The bill would block unions from winning recognition directly from a company  without the additional step of a secret ballot  after signing up a majority of workers, in what is usually known as a card check.

The proposal comes as Georgia is giving billions in economic incentives to electric vehicle manufacturers and other companies.

Union leaders and Democrats argue the bill violates 1935s National Labor Relations Act, which governs union organizing, and will be challenged in court.

If this bill passes, there will be a lawsuit and it will cost Georgia taxpayers millions of dollars and the state will lose, state Rep. Saira Draper, an Atlanta Democrat, said on the House floor Wednesday.

Georgia AFL-CIO President Yvonne Brooks condemned passage of the bill, calling it a political ploy by the corporate elite.

Georgias working families deserve lawmakers who will defend our right to organize and advocate for good, union jobs with fair pay and good benefits, she said.

Democrats say the bill is really about making it harder for unions to organize and for companies to accept them. Other Democrats took to the House floor to argue that the bill would harm Georgia businesses by making workers from other states reluctant to move here.

Why would we do anything to be anti-labor when we need to attract more workers from any source available? asked Rep. Gregg Kennard of Lawrenceville.

Republicans denied that the bill is anti-labor, saying it aims to protect workers privacy. Some, including Kemp, argue that the secret ballot protects workers from being bullied into joining unions.

Nothing in this bill stops a union from being formed, said Rep. Soo Hong of Lawrenceville. We are ensuring that when the state invests state resources to drive job creation that hardworking Georgians who hold those jobs have the agency to determine whether to be represented by a labor union.

Only 4.4% of Georgia workers are union members, the eighth-lowest rate among states.

Georgias bill is modeled after a law passed in Tennessee last year, but there could be similar legislation offered in many other states. The conservative American Legislative Exchange Council is promoting the idea. The national push could also be a response to a decision by the Democratic-controlled NLRB last year that made it easier for unions to organize by card check.

Governors in other Southern states traditionally hostile to organized labor have been speaking out against unions, after the United Auto Workers vowed a fresh push to organize nonunion auto factories after multiple failed attempts.

Alabama Republican Gov. Kay Ivey said her states economic success is under attack. Henry McMaster, South Carolinas Republican governor, told lawmakers in the nations least unionized state last month that organized labor is such a threat that he would fight unions  all the way to the gates of hell.

Kemp proclaimed his support for the bill in a January speech to the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, echoing the chambers own agenda. He said the move would protect workers right to opportunity from President Joe Bidens pro-union agenda and outside forces who want nothing more than to see the free market brought to a screeching halt.

Alabama and South Carolina are among five states that have passed state constitutional amendments guaranteeing access to secret union ballots. Indiana, like Tennessee, has passed a state law.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng will attend and deliver a speech at the first signature event of "Invest in China" next Tuesday, the Ministry of Commerce said on Friday.

"Invest in China" is a government campaign to attract foreign investment and help foreign companies better understand China's opportunities. 
Carsten Breuer, Inspector General of the Bundeswehr, speaks during an interview with the German Press Agency at the Defence Ministry. Kay Nietfeld/dpa

The head of the German armed forces, Inspector General Carsten Breuer, has called for a rapid build-up of missile defence against potential threats from Russia.

"We have five to eight years. We must set up a missile defence system within this period. There is no alternative," Breuer told the Funke Mediengruppe newspapers on Friday.

"We believe that Russia will be able to wage war against NATO states within a time frame of five to eight years. Until then, we in Germany must also be in a position to fend off such an attack," he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin makes no secret of his intentions towards the West, he said, while adding that an attack on a Western country is currently only a worst-case scenario.

However, it could take place "across the entire spectrum - from cyber attacks to drones and missiles."

He rejected statements in Germany about allowing a frozen conflict in Ukraine.

"Freezing a war presupposes acceptance of this on both sides. There is hardly a frozen conflict in the world that has not flared up again," said Breuer. "The current military situation in Ukraine makes freezing the war seem neither possible nor desirable.

He was reacting to remarks made in parliament earlier this month by Rolf Mutzenich, the head of the parliamentary group of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats (SDP).

"Isn't it time we not only talked about how to wage a war, but also thought about how to freeze a war and end it later?" Mutzenich said.

He later said the opposition had taken parts of his statement out of context and declared his unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its pre-2014 borders.
Carsten Breuer, Inspector General of the Bundeswehr, speaks during an interview with the German Press Agency at the Defence Ministry. Kay Nietfeld/dpa

The head of the German armed forces, Inspector General Carsten Breuer, has called for a rapid build-up of missile defence against potential threats from Russia.

"We have five to eight years. We must set up a missile defence system within this period. There is no alternative," Breuer told the Funke Mediengruppe newspapers on Friday.

"We believe that Russia will be able to wage war against NATO states within a time frame of five to eight years. Until then, we in Germany must also be in a position to fend off such an attack," he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin makes no secret of his intentions towards the West, he said, while adding that an attack on a Western country is currently only a worst-case scenario.

However, it could take place "across the entire spectrum - from cyber attacks to drones and missiles."

He rejected statements in Germany about allowing a frozen conflict in Ukraine.

"Freezing a war presupposes acceptance of this on both sides. There is hardly a frozen conflict in the world that has not flared up again," said Breuer. "The current military situation in Ukraine makes freezing the war seem neither possible nor desirable.

He was reacting to remarks made in parliament earlier this month by Rolf Mutzenich, the head of the parliamentary group of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats (SDP).

"Isn't it time we not only talked about how to wage a war, but also thought about how to freeze a war and end it later?" Mutzenich said.

He later said the opposition had taken parts of his statement out of context and declared his unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its pre-2014 borders.

The German government had set up a special fund totalling 100 billion ($108 billion) to upgrade the Bundeswehr.

According to Breuer, 80% of the funds are now committed and due to be fully committed by the end of the year, but with possible delays in procurement.

"We are going through a trough at the moment. Much of the material has been ordered, but it is not yet reaching the troops to the extent that I would like," said Breuer, who sees the 100 billion as "start-up funding."

"We need to stabilize defence spending. The defence budget must remain at 2% of economic output in the long term," he said.
German Minister of Economics, Robert Habeck, attend the 159th session of the German Bundestag. Jonathan Penschek/dpa

A multibillion-euro growth package to boost businesses in Germany, promising tax relief and less bureaucracy, is approved by lawmakers in the upper house of parliament.

On Wednesday evening a mediation committee of Germany's upper and lower house - the Bundesrat and Bundestag - reached a majority in favour of the growth package.

The parliamentary state secretary for finance, Katja Hessel, on Friday said the compromise was "the urgent signal that the economy needs now."

Germany, the largest economy in the European Union, is projected to grow by a meagre 0.2% this year, according to a recent forecast from Economy Minister Robert Habeck.
Scottish Green Party councillor Dan Hutchison claimed the existing flag protocol 'does not adequately reflect the progressive and internationally minded city of the modern day' - Colin Fisher / Alamy Stock Photo

Glasgow is to consider axing the Union flag for Royal events and instead flying transgender, Palestinian and Cuban flags in an attempt to reflect the citys progressive values.

Dan Hutchison, a Green councillor, has put forward a plan to be debated next week in which the Union flag would no longer be flown at Glasgow City Chambers to mark royal events such as the birthdays of the King, Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Instead, he has proposed that the revolutionary Red Flag will be flown to celebrate workers on May 1 and that the transgender flag will be hoisted to mark Trans Remembrance Day on Nov 20, in Scotlands largest city.

While the British flag would no longer be used to celebrate the Royal family, he has proposed that a series of foreign flags should be flown to mark overseas national holidays.

These would include the French tricolour to mark Bastille Day, the Palestinian flag to mark solidarity day and the Cuban, Pakistani and Ukrainian flags to mark their independence days.

Mr Hutchison, who was elected in 2022 and represents the Govan ward, is a member of the Republic campaign group.

The Union flag is currently flown from City Chambers on seven Royal occasions - gerard ferry / Alamy Stock Photo

He claimed the existing flag protocol at the City Chambers does not adequately reflect the progressive and internationally minded city of the modern day.

His motion calls on other councillors to agree that adopting flags such as the transgender flag and the red flag signifies support for both Glasgows transgender community and workers.

He proposed flying foreign flags in an attempt to recognise that Glasgow is an international city, with a rich history of migration, and with a vibrant twin city scheme.

Stephen Kerr, the Scottish Tory MSP, denounced the plan as proper loony Left stuff.

The council is run by the SNP, propped up by the Greens, in a similar deal to a coalition pact between the two pro-independence parties at Holyrood.

This is entirely disrespectful to thousands of citizens of Glasgow and beyond who will be amazed that the Scottish Greens would sooner celebrate German, Cuban and French national days than any of the days when the Union flag would be flown, Mr Kerr said.

But it is unsurprising that it would be a Scottish Green councillor who would show such hatred for our country, its values and traditions given their record of student style politics.

He added: Councils should stick to the day job, sort the outrageously bad roads in Glasgow, get the bins picked up on time, and maybe do something about the litter problem and stop worrying about virtue signalling flag waving.

Glasgow: Do you know what your (Green) councillors are up to?



Debating about Gaza, and putting in motions to fly the French, German, Cuban, and other flags.



What a use of your council tax money.  Stephen Kerr MSP (@RealStephenKerr) March 22, 2024

In November, Mr Hutchison welcomed a vote by Scotlands most famous country music club, the Grand Ole Opry in Glasgow, after its members narrowly voted to ban the American Confederate flag.

The flag is viewed by some Americans as racist as it was used by slave-owning states in the US Civil War but others have defended it as a symbol of southern US heritage.

Mr Hutchisons flag motion is to be debated at a meeting of Glasgows full council on Thursday.

If it receives the support of a majority of members it will be declared the decision of the council and officers will be tasked with bringing it into force.

Of the 85 councillors in Glasgow, there are 11 Green and 37 SNP politicians, meaning the motion is likely to pass if both pro-independence parties support it.

The Union flag is currently flown from City Chambers on seven Royal occasions. The proposals would mean the national flag of the United Kingdom would only be flown above the City Chambers on one day of the year, Remembrance Sunday.

Thomas Kerr, leader of the city councils Conservative group, said: Glaswegians have regularly shown their affection for the Royal Family  not least when Her Majesty the Queen passed away  and will give this ignorant stunt short shrift.

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By Helen Coster

NEW YORK (Reuters) - "This is really a battle between good and evil," evangelical TV preacher Hank Kunneman says of the slew of criminal charges facing Donald Trump. "There's something on President Trump that the enemy fears: It's called the anointing."

The Nebraska pastor, who was speaking on cable news show "FlashPoint" last summer, is among several voices in Christian media pressing a message of Biblical proportions: The 2024 presidential race is a fight for America's soul, and a persecuted Trump has God's protection.

"They're just trying to bankrupt him. They're trying to take everything he's got. They're trying to put him in prison," author, media personality and self-proclaimed prophet Lance Wallnau said in October on "The Jim Bakker Show", an hour-long daily broadcast that focuses on news and revelations about the end times that it says we are living in.

"The hand of God is on him and he cannot be stopped."

In both the 2016 and 2020 elections, evangelical voters staunchly supported Trump despite claims of adultery and sexual misconduct, which he denied. With Trump now facing dozens of criminal charges as he pursues a second term, some Christian media are bolstering his support by portraying him as an instrument of God's will who faces persecution by his foes.

While the people making these claims are largely outside the mainstream in Christian media, they have amassed significant online followings and their messages reverberate across radio shows, cable TV and streaming platforms that reach millions of Americans every day.

The claims that Trump benefits from divine help present a jarring counterpoint to the views voiced by his critics, who denounce him as an immoral grifter set on dismantling democracy and point to his inflammatory rhetoric about immigrants in the country illegally and opponents he has threatened to prosecute.

The former president's myriad legal woes include allegations of sexual abuse and financial chicanery. In May, a jury decided Trump must pay $5 million in damages for sexually abusing a magazine writer in the 1990s and then branding her a liar. He is also facing a criminal trial on charges he covered up hush-money payments to a porn star. He has denied wrongdoing in both cases.

The barrage of legal actions have broadly served to rev up Trump's support among Republicans rather than diminish it, according to a July Reuters/Ipsos poll.

The roughly 80 million Americans who describe themselves as born-again or evangelical Protestants - about a quarter of the population - have provided the bedrock for his meteoric rise, and their turnout levels this November could prove critical in a tight contest against Democratic rival Joe Biden.

Reuters interviews with 10 experts in faith-based political outreach, political science, media and religion outlined the contours of a Christian media space broadly supportive of Trump and his policies, though offering differing views about any religious mission he might have, and highlighting a shift in the messaging at the fringes in the run-up to this election.

Many conservative Christians have long relied on Christian media to champion political causes tied to their faith, like anti-communism and anti-abortion.

But what's new about this election cycle is the unabashed support for Trump and the frequency he is depicted as "God's chosen" leader, said Brian Calfano, a political science and journalism professor at the University of Cincinnati who has researched the proliferation of media-savvy ministers who support Trump.

"Before Trump, there was some hero worship of favored politicians, but the larger philosophical or ideological causes received greater attention."

Language that casts Trump in messianic terms helps to energize his base, said Paul Djupe, a political scientist at Denison University who specializes in religion and politics.

Wallnau and Kunneman did not respond to Reuters requests for comment for this article, while representatives for FlashPoint host Gene Bailey and Bakker declined to comment. The Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

SELF-PROCLAIMED PROPHETS

Christian media includes thousands of religious podcasts, radio shows, cable TV and streaming platforms, with a combined monthly audience of more than 140 million Americans, according to the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) association.

Shows like FlashPoint and Bakker's show are comparatively niche.

FlashPoint for instance pulls in an average monthly cable TV audience of roughly 11,000 households, according to Comscore data, while the Victory Channel it appears on has more than a million followers on YouTube and Facebook combined. Trump participated in six interviews with FlashPoint between 2021 and 2023.

Many preachers ply their own trade and command significant online audiences. For example, Wallnau has his own podcast and more than 1.3 million followers on social media. Kunneman, another self-styled prophet, has close to 250,000.

Many Christian voters credit Trump with a series of policy victories, including the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in 2022 to overturn the constitutional right to abortion after he appointed three conservative justices to the court, plus the moving of the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

"There's a lot of evangelical conservative Christian voters that have some challenges with some aspects of his personality, but when they look at his policies, what he did, juxtaposed to what we have, and what's proposed by those on the other side, it's a no-brainer," said Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council evangelical advocacy group.

His "Washington Watch with Tony Perkins" airs every week day on about 100 Christian TV stations, various streaming channels and 800 radio stations and draws an average monthly cable TV audience of roughly 5,000 households, according to Comscore.

While Perkins, a more mainstream voice in Christian media, steers clear of any messianic messaging, the former Louisiana lawmaker said on his show in December that efforts to kick Trump off the Republican primary ballot were part of a "battle between good and evil".

"You will hear the fact that we do believe that God calls people to different walks of life, including into the political realm," Perkins told Reuters in an interview.

Much of the Trump content on Christian media looks at the former president through the lens of the Bible, he added, for example drawing a parallel between him and Cyrus the Great, the pagan ruler of the 6th century BC who liberated the Jews from Babylonian captivity and enshrined religious freedom.

On Trinity Broadcasting Network, a Christian outlet that reaches more than 100 million U.S. households, former Arkansas governor, TV host and Baptist minister Mike Huckabee says Trump should be judged by his deeds.

"He proved to be the most pro-life president in American history, by not just by what he said, but by what he did," Huckabee said in December.

Huckabee and Trinity Broadcasting Network did not respond to requests for comment.

'SO GOD GAVE US TRUMP'

It's difficult to get an exact count of how much of the Christian media is explicitly pro-Trump, because like other aspects of the fragmented media industry, it has ballooned in recent years over TV, radio, podcasts and social media.

NRB President Troy Miller said Christian media was becoming more politically focused, although political programming still represented less than 3% of overall content.

Nevertheless, he added, it is filling a vacuum for conservative evangelicals who feel mainstream media coverage doesn't reflect their values or fairly cover a candidate who in their eyes understands them and the issues they care about.

"You're programming for your audience, so Trump's going to be a major part of that," he said in an interview.

Miller said the view that Trump has been anointed by God reflects the fringe of Christian media but that the notion of spiritual warfare playing out in the U.S. is more mainstream.

Trump himself has leaned into the battle.

In a speech to an NRB conference last month Trump vowed to defend Christianity and urged Christians to vote for him in the Nov. 5 election, a contest he depicted in religious terms and likened to the great battles of World War Two.

"I know that to achieve victory in this fight, just like in the battles of the past, we still need the hand of our Lord, and the grace of Almighty God," he told the gathering to applause.

The former president has started some rallies with a messianic video made by social media influencers which opens with the line: "On June 14, 1946, God looked down on his planned paradise and said: I need a caretaker, so God gave us Trump."

He has also shared on the Truth Social media app a sketch of himself in court, sitting next to what appears to be a rendering of Jesus Christ.

Written above the drawing: "Nobody could have made it this far alone."

(Reporting by Helen Coster in New York, additional reporting by Alexandra Ulmer in San Francisco, editing by Ross Colvin and Pravin Char)
A rabbi from north London has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman.

Chaim Halpern, 65, of Golders Green, was charged on Thursday with two counts of sexual assault against a woman on 1 June 2022.

Mr Halpern was arrested in March 2023 after police began an investigation in December 2022.

He has been released on bail and is set to appear before Willesden Magistrates' Court on 19 April.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk
A Great Dane chews its soft toy on the third day of the Crufts dog show in Birmingham, central England, in March 2024 (Oli SCARFF)

Whether dogs truly understand the words we say -- as opposed to things like tone and context clues -- is a question that has long perplexed owners, and so far science hasn't been able to deliver clear answers.

But a new brain wave study published Friday in Current Biology suggests that hearing the names of their favorite toys actually activates dogs' memories of those objects.

"It definitely shows us that it's not human-unique to have this type of referential understanding," first author Lilla Magyari of the Eotvos Lorand University in Hungary, told AFP, explaining that researchers have been skeptical up to this point.

With a couple of famous exceptions, dogs have fared poorly on lab tests requiring them to fetch objects after hearing their names, and many experts have argued it isn't so much what we say but rather how and when we say things that pique our pooches' interest.

Yelling "Go get the stick!" and having a dog successfully bring the object back doesn't conclusively prove they know what the word "stick" means, for example.

Even scientists who concede that dogs do pay attention to our speech have said that, rather than really understanding what words stand for, they are reacting to particular sounds with a learned behavior.

- Brain waves -

In the new paper, Magyari and colleagues applied a non-invasive brain imaging technique to 18 dogs brought to their lab in Budapest.

The test involved taping electrodes to the dogs' heads to monitor their brain activity. Their owners said words for toys they were most familiar with -- for example "Kun-kun, look, the ball!" -- and then showed them either the matching object or a mismatched object.

After analyzing the EEG recordings, the team found different brain patterns when dogs were shown matching versus mismatched objects.

This experimental setup has been used for decades in humans, including babies, and is accepted as evidence of "semantic processing," or understanding of meaning.

The test also had the benefit of not requiring the dogs to fetch something in order to prove their knowledge.

"We found the effect in 14 dogs," co-first author Marianna Boros told AFP, proving the ability is not confined to "a few exceptional dogs." Even the four that "failed" may have simply been tested on the wrong words, she added.

- Case closed? -

Holly Root-Gutteridge, a dog behavior scientist at the University of Lincoln in England, told AFP that the ability to fetch specific toys by name had previously been deemed a "genius" quality.

Famous border collies Chaser and Rico could find and retrieve specific toys from large piles but were deemed outliers, she said.

But the new study "shows that a whole range of dogs are learning the names of the objects in terms of brain response even if they don't demonstrate it behaviorally," said Root-Gutteridge, adding it was "another knock for humanity's special and distinct qualities."

The paper "provides further evidence that dogs might understand human vocalizations much better than we usually give them credit for," added Federico Rossano, a cognitive scientist at UC San Diego.

But not all experts were equally enthusiastic. Clive Wynne, a canine behaviorist at Arizona State University, told AFP he was "split" on the findings.

"I think the paper falls down when it wants to make the big picture claim that they have demonstrated what they call 'semantic understanding,'" he said, though he praised the "ingenious" experimental setup as a new way to test the full extent of dogs' "functional vocabulary."

For example, Wynne said, he needs to spell out the word "w-a-l-k" when he's in front of his dog -- lest his pet get excited for an outing there and then -- but he doesn't need to take the same precautions in front of his wife, whose understanding of the word goes beyond simple association.

"Would Pavlov be surprised by these results?" asked Wynne, referencing the famous Russian scientist who showed dogs could be conditioned to salivate when they heard a bell signaling meal time. "I do not think he would be."

ia/bjt/mdl
Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) announced on Friday that he plans to resign from his congressional seat early, further narrowing Republicans already slim majority in the House.

The announcement that hes leaving his House seat on April 19 comes little over a month after Gallagher said he would not be seeking re-election.

Four terms serving Northeast Wisconsin in Congress has been the honor of a lifetime and strengthened my conviction that America is the greatest country in the history of the world, he said in a statement posted to X.

A statement from Congressman Mike Gallagher. pic.twitter.com/dOBcM8kbNV  Rep. Gallagher Press Office (@RepGallagher) March 22, 2024

As Gallagher plans to leave after April 2, his seat will remain open until the 2024 elections in November. His early departure means that Republicans majority in the House will shrink to 217 seats to Democrats 213, a one-vote margin, as a bill would fail if more than one Republican defected to the other side.

Forbes has reported that Gallagher plans to take a position with defense contractor Palantir, according to multiple sources. The massive data analytics company stands to profit from a breakdown in U.S. relations with China, as the U.S. government supplies it with contracts for AI work. Palantir is headed by Peter Thiel, who is long-known for touting anti-China rhetoric.

As a chair on the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Gallagher was one of the lawmakers who introduced a bill that would ban TikTok in the U.S. if the company does not part ways with its owner, ByteDance, which is based in China. It is not a ban, think of this as a surgery designed to remove the tumor and thereby save the patient in the process, Gallagher said of the bill.

In his statement Tuesday, Gallagher wrote that hed worked closely with House Republican leadership on this timeline and look forward to seeing Speaker Johnson appoint a new chair to carry out the important mission of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.

Gallagher garnered some heat from his fellow Republicans last month when he opposed the removal of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. He warned his colleagues that voting to oust Mayorkas would allow Republican secretaries to be more easily removed in the future.

GOP political operative Alex Bruesewitz, an ally of Donald Trump, told The Daily Beast that Gallagher couldnt be trusted, and said he was planning an exploratory committee to primary him.

In February, Gallagher announced his decision not to run again in a statement on X.

The Framers intended citizens to serve in Congress for a season and then return to their private lives, he wrote. Electoral politics was never supposed to be a career and, trust me, Congress is no place to grow old.

Last week, Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) announced his early resignation from his congressional seat.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Lawmakers from both parties are praising the $1.2 trillion spending package for the increase in funding for border security.

I live at the border. I dont go visit. This is a strong Homeland Security bill, Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) said. This is the strongest border security bill that we have and it is fair.

Cuellar says he is pleased with the bill that includes $61.8 billion to ramp up security at the southern border.

The bill includes money to hire 22,000 border patrol agents, $100 million for border security technology, and increases the number of detention beds to 41,500.

But many Republicans say the bill wont help.

This is anything but a national security bill, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) said.

You are voting to speed up the process of redistribution of illegal aliens coming in, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) said. Because thats what the funding is going to go for.

Republicans Biggs and Norman both voted against the bill to keep the government funded. They urged the Senate to do the same.

Cut the lights off and until the Senate accepts a total shutdown of the border, until they accept the total H.R. 2, we dont come back. Norman said. Why fund the government that is working against us? It is total insanity.

Many who voted against the bill say Congress should act immediately to take up additional border security measures.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
The Scene

Donald Trump was on friendly turf. WABCs Sid Rosenberg introduced the former president on Tuesday with an ad for gold  Donald Trump is not the only comeback story of 2024  and thanks for being an incredibly gracious host in Florida. It was unfair, said Rosenberg, that people thought Trump didnt talk about abortion  thats just not true.

This was how Trump, after a year of bobbing and weaving, endorsed a 15-week federal abortion limit; even hard-liners are agreeing, he told Rosenberg. The same day, Ohio Republicans nominated state Rep. Derrick Merrin, whod advanced a six-week state abortion ban, for a Toledo-area House seat; in Cincinnati, they nominated Orlando Sonza, whod told a local Right to Life group that he opposed abortion-on-demand from fertilization to birth.

One month after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that fertilized embryos had the legal rights of children, Republicans have moved closer to a clear abortion message: a national 15-week limit and carve-outs for IVF.

That position is being built in fits and starts. Its contradicted by the actions of individual incumbents and candidates  some on record supporting stiffer limits, some opposed right now to IVF. On Thursday, the Republican Study Committee released a budget document that praised the Life at Conception Act, creating yet another headache for RSC members whod backed away from that bill over concerns that it would ban IVF. That position is also still backed in the GOPs official platform, which has long included support for a human life amendment and extending 14th Amendment protections to fetuses.

But the anti-abortion movement has also given Republicans space to figure this out. Candidates who signed pledges to support life at fertilization, and now dont support the federal Life at Conception Act, have gotten no serious pressure from issue groups. During the Republican presidential primary, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America urged candidates to endorse a 15-week federal limit, only to watch every candidate who clearly did so drop out before voting began in Iowa. After Trumps meandering 15-week answer, all was forgiven.

President Trump is right: protecting babies from painful late-term abortions is a place of national consensus, said Marjorie Dannenfelser, the president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. We challenge the Biden/Harris Administration and all Democrats to stop catering to the extreme Left and work with President Trump to enact the will of the people and eliminate painful late-term abortion  just like 47 out of 50 European countries do.

Davids view

The most important development in the GOPs messaging war is the soft touch of the anti-abortion movement, which is more interested in exercising power than in language games.

The best example of this: Lagging support for the Life at Conception Act, which lost 30 House co-sponsors from the last Congress to this one. California Rep. Michelle Steel co-sponsored it last year, delayed co-sponsoring it this year, signed on after the New York Times highlighted her apparent flip-flop  then withdrew her sponsorship after the Alabama decision, explaining that it could create confusion about my support for the blessings of having children through IVF.

What was Steels punishment? Nothing, really; she won 55% of the vote in this months all-party California primary. Anti-abortion groups arent attacking Republicans who say they support life at conception, but dont sign onto bills that would protect it. In New York, Rep. Andrew Garbarino told the Long Island Coalition for Life hed support legislation to protect innocent human life from conception to natural death. Asked about Garbarino not signing onto the existing bill that would do that, a spokesperson for the coalition showed no concern.

The LICL doesnt generally ask legislators/candidates if theyll sign on to a specific bill, they said in an email. We may find out the position of a legislator/candidate indirectly. We encourage pro-lifers to contact their legislators asking them to vote for pro-life legislation (and against pro-abortion legislation).

Other Republicans whove bailed on the bill have explained that they support exceptions, with no backlash yet from social conservatives back home. Asked why they sponsored it in 2022 but not now, two Republicans in seats that Joe Biden won had similar answers.

I didnt sign on this Congress because it doesnt adequately address the concerns I had about exceptions for cases of rape, incest, and life of the mother, California Rep. David Valadao said in a statement. The decision decided this was an issue left to the states and thats where I believe policy on the issue should be decided.

Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon said that he wanted the bill to include more specific language to clear up misconceptions about the legislation, and didnt sign on again for that reason. The authors intent was not to restrict abortions or IVF, but rather to be a statement of principle, he said in a statement. Seeing how the Dems distorted the bill last election, I asked that the bill be more carefully written to preclude confusion or distortion.

And West Virginia Rep. Alex Mooney, who sponsored the bill, took a forgiving stance on the members whod backed away. House Republicans realize that the media hysteria over the Alabama IVF decision was overblown and did nothing to prohibit use of IVF treatment, he said in a statement. My bill does nothing to ban IVF treatment. Destroying or neglecting human embryos is not essential for IVF. The Life at Conception Act calls for embryos to be treated with dignity and humanity. I am proud that a majority of the House Republican Conference once again believes life begins at conception. The pro-life spirit is alive and well in the Republican Conference.

The View From Democrats

Democrats have won a string of races, including last months special election on Long Island, by pinning down Republican candidates on abortion. Theyre confident that this works. Ohios primaries this week, which produced nominees whose abortion records go beyond the 15-week promise, made them more confident.

Theyre trying to massage their language, said Democratic Ohio Rep. Greg Landsman, whos running against Orlando Sonza. Theres no way around the fact that they still want a national abortion ban. They still want politicians  i.e., themselves  to make these decisions, taking away this core freedom from patients and their doctors.

In the Toledo-based 9th district, where Republicans nominated Merrin to face Rep. Marcy Kaptur, Democrats said that Merrins work on the six-week limit would be an albatross for him in November.

There is no short supply of extremism or corruption in Ohios Republican controlled state government, Kapturs campaign said in a statement. Getting between families and medical professionals is just another example of extremist overreach.

In the competitive 13th district in and around Akron, Republicans nominated ex-legislator Kevin Coughlin to face Rep. Emilia Sykes. The congresswoman, who served with Coughlin in Columbus, said that his record there would be hard to spin away, along with his opposition to last years reproductive freedom amendment, which passed locally by a landslide.

My opponent specifically said that he didnt think people really knew what they were voting for, said Sykes. My constituents are not stupid. How dare you? You have a lot of nerve to say such a thing about the people in this district who you want to serve.

Notable

In Vox, Rachel M. Cohen marshaled evidence that Democrats might not benefit from abortion politics in 2024, which disproportionately moved the kinds of voters likely to cast ballots in midterm and special elections.

In the Washington Post, Meagan Vasquez looked at how Democrats were using the Republican Study Committees budget against the GOP, highlighting elements that swing seat Republicans might not want to run on.
BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Since the 1970s, six of Ammar Muhammad's family members have studied at the Beijing Institute of Technology of China. Nowadays, the 37-year-old Pakistani remains engaged in the education sector, particularly in promoting bilateral exchanges.

"Our family gatherings resemble alumni reunions of Beijing Institute of Technology," he said.

Ammar Muhammad's family connection with China began with a magazine. Decades ago, his grandfather picked up a copy of China Pictorial, which was distributed by the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, and brought it home.

The magazine series exposed Ammar Muhammad's father, Ikram Ul Haq, to Chinese architecture and construction, opera, martial arts and films.

Ammar Muhammad recalled that his father had observed the passion and efforts of the Chinese people in building their nation. "My father said Pakistanis also aspired to develop their nation, so he wanted to go to China and take a look," he said.

After learning about an opportunity to study in China, Ikram Ul Haq, driven by curiosity and affinity, submitted an application and began his studies in Beijing in the 1970s. Ammar Muhammad said his father had not only seen China, but also accessed Chinese wisdom such as "linking theory with practice," and was optimistic about China's future.

"My father would often tell us about his time in China, which naturally led us to consider studying there," said Ammar Muhammad, adding that both and his two sisters had studied in China.

Currently, Ammar Muhammad serves as secretary general of a China-Pakistan industry and education cooperation alliance. He said the organization has introduced more than 200 technical and vocational education and training disciplines of China into Pakistan, benefitting over 10,000 Pakistani young people every year, and has facilitated Chinese enterprises' investment in Pakistan.

In Ammar Muhammad's eyes, over 2,000 years ago, China and Pakistan established friendship through the ancient Silk Road, while nowadays the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) serves as a bridge to strengthen closer people-to-people ties and economic cooperation among partner countries.

"BRI has opened a door for more young Pakistani people," he said.

This year, Ammar Muhammad will go to Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China, to participate in a series of short video creation and communication activities.

"I have been to Xinjiang before and was impressed," he said, adding that he is looking forward to the upcoming journey. "Xinjiang is geographically close to Pakistan, and has beautiful scenery, rich products and modernized infrastructure."

"Multiple cultures blend with each other and multi-ethnic groups coexist harmoniously in Xinjiang," he said.

According to Ammar Muhammad, Xinjiang's open, safe and civilized society offers a Chinese approach to achieving modernization in regions with diverse ethnic groups and religions.

"I encourage friends from all over the world to visit Xinjiang and experience it firsthand," he said. 
Sixteen and 17-year-olds in Florida could work more than 30 hours per week with parental approval. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Quality Journalism for Critical Times

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Friday authorizing 16- and 17-year-olds to work more than 30 hours per week with their parents approval. The bill DeSantis approved is a scaled-back version of the plan GOP House members originally proposed during the 2024 legislative session.

The governors signing of HB 49, which had garnered criticism from workers advocacy groups early in the session, came without fanfare. In fact, his office announced the approval in a press release along with 24 other bills the governor signed Friday afternoon.

The law will go into effect on July 1, allowing Florida minors older than 16 to work more than 30 hours per week if a parent, guardian or school superintendent gives their permission in a waiver. Teens of those same ages could work more than eight hours on weekends and holidays.

Originally, the bill waived any break requirements for people older than 16, but the final version DeSantis signed states that older teenagers must have a 30-minute break every four hours if their shift is longer than eight hours. Under the law going into effect in a few months, employers could schedule 16- and 17-year-olds to work for more than six days at a time.

Still, homeschooled 16- and 17-year-olds and those who attend virtual schools can work without any of the limitations the state places on minors.

Lawmakers debated changes to the bill until the last day of this years legislative session when it passed on a 76-33 vote in the House and a 27-11 vote in the Senate.

The post Gov. DeSantis signs bill allowing teens older than 16 work 30+ hours per week appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
The Senate Transportation Committee considered a bill that would crack down on public protest on March 21, 2024. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

The Senate Transportation Committee considered a bill that would crack down on public protest on March 21, 2024. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Opponents of Gov. Mike Dunleavys proposal to criminalize unpermitted street protests and other activities that block passage through public places said it is unconstitutional, too vague and too broad to become law.

If Senate Bill 255 or its companion, House Bill 386, is passed into law, certain types of protest could be counted among the states most serious crimes.

Dunleavy has said the bill is aimed at increasing public safety. It would impose penalties for blocking highways, airport runways and other public places if it causes significant risk of physical harm or interference with emergency response efforts.

But its critics said it would also infringe on their civil liberties in a Senate Transportation Committee hearing on Thursday.

Kay Brown, a former state representative who lives in Anchorage, criticized the bill for lack of clarity and said it criminalizes constitutionally protected behavior.

I think it is an attempt to intimidate, dissuade and discourage people from assembling, she said.

Patti Saunders, a former lawyer from Anchorage, said she is certain that lawsuits would be the result if the bill were passed and that the Legislature should account for the costs.

This is guaranteed litigation. Absolutely guaranteed somebody is going to get arrested, and somebody is going to sue, because this violates the Constitution. I dont know how much its going to cost, but its going to cost a lot because its going to go all the way up to the Supreme Court, she said. So put that in your fiscal note.

Morgan Lim, an advocate with the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Alliance, said the bill is an example of government overreach and that it threatens Alaskans more than it protects them.

Vague and overly broad laws can be applied selectively by law enforcement against parties engaged in disfavored speech. There is no way for the state to neutrally apply this bill, Lim said, adding that the bill appears to criminalize homelessness.

Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, illustrated what he said was a weakness in the bills construction with a pointed question to a state attorney.

The City and Borough of Juneau does not have any code or regulation that allows its snowplow drivers to plow snow on the sidewalks, he said. When they plow my sidewalk in, do I sue the city snowplow drivers in their personal capacity for $10,000 each, or their professional capacity as city employees?

His point was well taken by audience members who snapped their approval from the back of the room.

But the bill found support among some lawmakers in a House Transportation Committee meeting the same day.

Protesters with the Just Transition Alliance gathered in front of the Capitol on March 21, 2024. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, called the bill simple and straightforward.

We dont want to limit anyones freedom of speech, or right to assemble, Vance said. And this bill, in my mind, in no way does that. But it puts everyone on an equal playing field that says that their right to get from where they need to go, from point A to point B, is not going to be obstructed.

Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, said the bill looked like a solution seeking a problem and was concerned about the lack of public support, but Committee Chair Rep. Kevin McCabe, R-Big Lake, said it is preventative, and acknowledged a fine line between protecting the rights of travelers and protesters.

Blocking roads, which seems to be the protest du jour these days, where they line up along the Glenn highway and all lock arms so you cant drive past I get their point. But what about the people who also have rights to get to work, to go pick their kid up from school, to get in an ambulance and go somewhere? So where did their rights collide and what can we do to make it easier for both of them to accomplish their goals? he asked.

They moved the bill on to the House Judiciary Committee, with Rep. Genevieve Mina, D-Anchorage, the sole vote against. The Senate Transportation Committee will take the Senate version of the bill up again next Monday.

The two bills have generated dozens of opposition letters from the public, mostly concerned that their First Amendment rights are in jeopardy.

Just that morning, protesters had a permit to shut down the street outside the Capitol for a rally to demand climate action. If the bill were law, their activities could have been punished severely if they lacked a permit.

Elaine Schroeder, a Juneau resident and longtime activist, said the bill is a frightening attempt to curtail freedom of speech.

It is a possible step to much more restrictive laws that would eventually totally shut down citizens voices, she said.

She gestured to her fellow protesters, holding signs in the sun: This is a way for your average citizen to have their voice heard.

Correction: The spelling of Patti Saunders first name and a mistyping of Dunleavys name have been corrected.

The post Gov. Dunleavys protest crackdown proposal faces public pushback and lawmaker scrutiny appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Two Arizona Republican lawmakers have harmonized competing bills dealing with public reporting of political fundraising, advancing a version that would require Gov. Katie Hobbs to divulge details later this year.

That means the public could see who is funding Hobbs' political operation, and how she is spending that money, this summer, roughly two years sooner than required under existing Arizona law.

Two Republican lawmakers  Rep. Matt Gress of Phoenix and Sen. T.J. Shope of Coolidge  introduced bills earlier this year in response to reporting by The Arizona Republic that highlighted a three-year gap in reporting requirements. The bills included different reporting deadlines until Thursday, when Gress amended Shope's bill to bring them in line.

Matt Gress is a Republican candidate for the state House in Legislative District 4. He serves as Arizona's budget director and was previously a public school teacher and school board member.

"This is a bipartisan issue," Gress told The Republic. "I hope that it continues to receive bipartisan support. Arizona has plenty of sunlight, so let's shine it on elected officials' campaign accounts."

Currently, four-year officeholders who will seek a second term in office do not have to file public reports until early in the reelection year. For example, Hobbs, a Democrat who was elected in 2022 and is fundraising for her reelection in 2026, has no legal requirement to make public her fundraising and spending details until January 2026.

Under the bill that advanced Thursday, Senate Bill 1571, Hobbs and others seeking four-year offices will be required to report their political fundraising and spending four times a year in each of the years between an election. Because the bill has an emergency clause, it would go into effect immediately once the governor signs it.

That could happen quickly. The amended version of Shope's bill needs to win majority support in the House, and a vote in the Senate concurring with the changes, both of which could occur next week. Given overwhelming bipartisan support in prior votes on the slightly different measures, the bill is likely to pass and land on Hobbs' desk.

Hobbs has said she will sign it.

As introduced, the prior version of Shope's bill required more reporting but only in the two years before an election.

State Sen. T.J. Shope (R-D8) listens as a bill is discussed in the Arizona Senate on June 23, 2022.

Shope said he believed the version of the bill moving forward would carry out the will of Arizonans who favor transparency, citing the overwhelming voter approval of last year's Voters' Right to Know Act mandating more disclosure of the groups funding political advertising.

It seems very clear the people want to know who is influencing elections," Shope said. "Not just elections, but in some cases, who has influence, period.

Candidates for office have to file periodic campaign finance reports that give the public insight into political spending and to help prevent corruption or the appearance of it. The reports can reveal who is trying to influence powerful elected officials and policymakers. Campaign finance experts said Arizona's law allowing the three-year gap without any reporting was unique in the nation.

Though the gap in reporting is allowed by current law, Hobbs stood apart from other elected officials in taking advantage of it. Other officeholders including Hobbs' fellow Democrats Attorney General Kris Mayes and Secretary of State Adrian Fontes filed an annual report disclosing political finances earlier this year though it wasn't required.

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs speaks at an MLK Celebration in Phoenix on Jan. 12, 2024.

The governor's political war chest has drawn more attention after Hobbs pledged to use it to elect more Democrats to the Legislature who could support her agenda and unseat slim GOP majorities. Those Republican majorities have served as a roadblock to most of Hobbs' policy goals and erected hurdles last year as Hobbs tried to get her agency directors in place.

GOP lawmakers have criticized Hobbs for not keeping up with her campaign commitments to be accountable and transparent, concerns that grew from the governor's secret inaugural fundraising into a dark money group that does not reveal its donors. The Hobbs campaign ultimately disclosed those donors under public pressure to do so.

If it passes, the amended campaign finance bill would require four-year officeholders and candidates to file public reports more often than state lawmakers. Lawmakers are elected every two years and file quarterly reports only in the year of an election. For the off year, only an annual accounting is required.

Gress said statewide officeholders should disclose their donors more frequently because of their immense executive power, including to award contracts that spend taxpayer dollars and implement programs.

"I oversee half of an assistant, that's all I oversee," Gress said.

"You have these executive branch officials overseeing hundreds of people, and having them carry out their agenda that they've been elected to pursue. So we are very different in terms of our role."

Reach reporter Stacey Barchenger at stacey.barchenger@arizonarepublic.com or 480-416-5669.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Republican bills merge to force Hobbs to disclose fundraising
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  A memorial to Fr. Emil Kapaun at the Kansas Capitol is becoming closer to reality. On Friday, Governor Laura Kelly signed a bipartisan bill in favor of a memorial to him.

In this photo provided by Col. Raymond A. Skeehan, Father Emil Kapaun celebrates Mass using the hood of his jeep as an altar, as his assistant, Patrick J. Schuler, kneels in prayer in Korea on Oct. 7, 1950, less than a month before Kapaun was taken prisoner. Kapaun died in a prisoner of war camp on May 23, 1951, his body wracked by pneumonia and dysentery. (Courtesy AP and Catholic Diocese of Wichita)

Kapaun, from Pilsen, Kansas, served as an Army chaplain and captain during the Korean War. He is the most highly decorated chaplain in Army history. He was captured while refusing to leave the wounded and died as a prisoner of war in 1951.

Father Emil Kapaun was known for his selfless, dedicated service and providing care to all, regardless of their religion or beliefs, Kelly said. I am proud to honor his legacy and sacrifices for our country by signing this bipartisan bill.

How fast can you legally drive on county roads in Kansas?

Senate Bill 431 directs the Capitol Preservation Committee to create a memorial honoring Kapaun.

Father Kapauns bravery and service is commendable, State Senator Chase Blasi of Wichita said. He worked tirelessly to care for many courageous Americans fighting for our freedom in both World War II and the Korean War. Its an honor to recognize his commitment and valor with this memorial.

Chaplain Father Emil Kapaun served his country and his fellow prisoners of war, regardless of their religion or creed, State Senator Rick Wilborn of McPherson said. It is only fitting that we honor this native Kansan with an image in our state Capitol where every visitor and public servant may profit by his example.

Kingman residents frustrated with city for approving solar farm location

It is an honor to co-sponsor Senate Bill 431 to commemorate our Kansas hero, Father Kapaun, State Senator Elaine Bowers of Concordia said. As a member of the Capitol Preservation Committee, I pledge to see this memorial through the final stage of approval and permanent, prominent placement in the Statehouse.

The bill says the money for a memorial will come from grants, gifts, contributions, and bequests. It also calls for an Emil Joseph Kapaun memorial fund in the state treasury. The money in the fund will be used to create and construct the memorial.

Click here to learn more about Kapaun and the effort to get him declared a saint.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  A grand jury in Montgomery County indicted Flavio Cesar Lanuza on Friday. Hes accused of stealing a state-owned truck in February and leading police on a chase.

Police chase in Maryland involving stolen state truck; man arrested

The jury indicted him on 27 counts, including first- and second-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting/interfering with arrest and related charges, according to a spokeswoman for the Montgomery County States Attorneys Office.

Maryland State Police (MSP) said troopers received word of a hit-and-run crash involving four cars at about 5 p.m. on Feb. 16. One of the cars involved left the scene, driving into a guard rail in a Park and Ride lot.

A Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (SHA) truck responded to the lot to check on the driver of the Ford. Police said the driver, whom they identified as Lanuza, got out of his own truck and drove off in the SHA truck.

Police identify man suspected of stealing state truck, initiating police chase

Police said he led officers on a pursuit through Montgomery and Prince Georges counties. During the chase, Lanuza hit more than a dozen cars.

Police arrested him at about 6:30 p.m. after the stolen car broke down in Silver Spring.

Lanuza is believed to have hit 13 cars, leading to a civilian, two law enforcement members, a Maryland State trooper and a Montgomery County police officer being injured.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
The governor has deployed the National Guard to Eagle Pass, Texas, and wants state authorities to arrest and deport migrants. (John Moore / Getty Images)

I wonder what the people will look like.

You know, the ones police in Texas are supposed to stop and question if they look as if they might be in the U.S. illegally.

Lone Star Republicans passed Senate Bill 4 last year, which would make illegally crossing the border into Texas from Mexico a misdemeanor with a punishment of up to six months in jail. Repeat offenders could face 20 years. The state could even try to deport people to Mexico . Courts have kept the law in limbo so far , but its still a looming threat.

Read more: Granderson: The border crisis is real. That's why Trump is blocking solutions

Legislating immigration and border issues is not the role of states  according to the Constitution  however Gov. Greg Abbott has a plausible justification for trying to usurp the federal government and tighten enforcement: Border towns in his state lack the resources to process the historic volume of migrants seeking refuge.

Consider this: San Antonio has processed more than 600,000 migrants since 2021. It is about 150 miles from Eagle Pass, the border town where Abbott sent the National Guard and placed barbed wire in the Rio Grande . For San Antonio, the second-largest city in Texas, the crisis is an issue. For Eagle Pass  a town of fewer than 30,000 that sits 2,000 feet from Mexico  it is the issue.

Read more: Granderson: Texans don't hate migrants. Why do they elect such a cruel governor?

But SB 4 is not a solution. Because at the heart of this bill are questions Texas cant answer.

The Lone Star State is among our most diverse in terms of race and ethnicity . It is third in religious diversity, sixth in cultural diversity and ninth in socioeconomic diversity, according to one analysis of U.S. Census data . So  what exactly does a Texan look like? Talk like? How are police officers supposed to guess who isnt supposed to be in Texas?

Read more: Opinion: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is defying a U.S. Supreme Court order. That's frightening

Hurricane Katrina forced some 250,000 evacuees to Houston, and more than 100,000 New Orleanians stayed. The fastest-growing city in the nation during the pandemic was San Antonio. Texas is home to the third-largest Asian American population in America .

And the premise of SB 4 is to have police officers stop, question and maybe even arrest people they suspect of illegally crossing the southern border.

So again I ask: What will the people look like?

Because despite the rash of Dont California my Texas bumper stickers Ive seen around the state, the facts of the census show the two states are pretty much the same in terms of diversity. Trying to determine who is not from Dallas based on looks is like trying to determine the same in Los Angeles. And we are to believe that with proper training local law enforcement will be able to enforce SB 4 without being racist.

Six white former police officers in Mississippi were just sentenced for torturing two Black men in January 2023. Not 1963 but 2023. The final sentencing for officers connected to George Floyds 2020 death had not happened yet when Mississippis goon squad beat, tortured and sexually assaulted the two Black men.

James Baldwin questioned in 1968 why a Black man would have faith in some idealism which you ensure me exists in America which I have never seen. Why should anyone today think Texas ridiculous legislation would be enforced fairly?

This law would require state judges to order migrants to return to Mexico if convicted. Of course, not everyone who is in the U.S. illegally is from Mexico. The judge would drop the charges if the migrant goes back voluntarily, meaning the authors of the bill believe desperate people who risked their lives to come here would rather go back than enter our slow-moving, broken judicial system.

What a depressing thought. Either Texas lawmakers believe our criminal justice system is even worse than it is, or they are clueless about the desperate poverty and violence driving people north from Latin America. Either way  the logic behind SB 4 is unmoored from reality.

Heres the reality: The immigration system is broken. Migration is a crisis. Asking Texas officers to enforce SB 4 fairly on the streets or Texas judges to apply it justly in court is not only racist and unconstitutional. Its also impossible.

@LZGranderson

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.
Two outgoing House Republican defense hawks in charge of high-profile national security committees announced Friday they will vacate their respective chairmanships before the end of the year.

House Appropriations Chairwoman Kay Granger, R-Texas, and Committee on the Chinese Communist Party Chairman Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., had already announced they would not seek reelection this November amid a slew of Republican retirements.

But Granger said Friday she would vacate her committee position while serving out the end of her term. At the same time, Gallagher said he would resign in April, further narrowing the House GOPs thin majority and creating a vacant position atop the China-focused panel.

Granger announced she would step down as the Republican appropriations leader shortly after the House voted 286-134 to pass the fiscal 2024 government funding package  including the $825 billion defense spending bill  nearly six months overdue. The Senate must still vote to pass the bill, with funding for the Defense Department and several other agencies to expire at midnight.

Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, is surrounded by reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP)

Recognizing that an election year often results in final appropriations bills not getting enacted well until the next fiscal year, it is important that I do everything in my power to ensure a seamless transition before the FY25 bill development begins in earnest, Granger wrote in a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. I, therefore, respectfully request that as soon as possible, the GOP Steering Committee and Conference select a new Chair of the Appropriations Committee to serve out the remainder of the 118th Congress.

Granger, who chaired the defense spending panel before becoming the Appropriations Committee chairwoman, wrote that she would remain as chair emeritus to advise and counsel colleagues.

Conversely, Gallagher  who also chairs the Armed Services Committees cyber and information technologies panel  announced he would resign April 19. As chairman of the China committee chairman, Gallagher championed policies to arm Taiwan to the teeth to deter a possible Chinese invasion, while framing the Sino-U.S. rivalry as a new Cold War.

Ive worked closely with House Republican leadership on this timeline and look forward to seeing Speaker Johnson appoint a new chair to carry out the important mission of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Gallagher said in a statement.

Gallaghers early departure will reduce the embattled House Republican majority to a one-vote margin given the resignation of Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., on Friday. Buck announced his resignation date earlier in March. The Colorado special election to replace Buck is slated for June 25.

As one of his last acts, Buck became the first  and so far only  Republican to sign a discharge petition that would force a House vote on the $95 billion foreign aid bill for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, which the Senate passed 70-29 in February. The discharge petition would need to gather 217 signatures for House lawmakers to force a vote on the package.

Johnson has so far refused to put the bill on the floor amid opposition to Ukraine aid from former President Donald Trump and the right flank of his caucus. Traditional Republican defense hawks like Granger and Gallagher have found themselves increasingly sidelined in the House by Trumps America First wing of the party.
This photo taken on March 16, 2024 shows a peacock in the Zhenkang Nanpenghe provincial nature reserve in Zhenkang County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua)

KUNMING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- A total of five rare green peacocks were captured on March 16 by infrared cameras in the Zhenkang Nanpenghe provincial nature reserve in Zhenkang County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, according to the management and protection bureau of the reserve.

Close inspection confirmed that the five peacocks were from the same flock. About 10 flocks of green peacocks have been monitored in the reserve to date, totaling around 48 individuals, according to the bureau.

Green peacocks are the only native peacock species in China, and they are currently only found in Yunnan. They are categorized as national first-class key protected wild animals and are a critically endangered species.

Monitoring of the green peacock population in Zhenkang started in 2015, and a male peacock was first spotted by an infrared camera in 2018. Since 2019, green peacock activity in the reserve has become more frequent, and the number of monitored populations has gradually increased.

In 2023, up to eight peacocks were captured in a single picture. In addition, green peacock chicks have been spotted many times in the reserve, with up to four in one picture.

Over 3 million yuan (about 0.42 million U.S. dollars) has been invested since 2020 in efforts to carry out green peacock population monitoring, habitat restoration and protection. 

This photo taken on March 16, 2024 shows a peacock in the Zhenkang Nanpenghe provincial nature reserve in Zhenkang County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua)

This photo taken on March 16, 2024 shows a peacock in the Zhenkang Nanpenghe provincial nature reserve in Zhenkang County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua)
The Willard Bay portion of the Great Salt Lake in Utah is pictured on Monday, March 18, 2024. (Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

Dont say its healthy yet  but the Great Salt Lake has a better outlook today than at any time in the last five years.

Thats according to Great Salt Lake Commissioner Brian Steed as he briefed reporters Wednesday on the status of the lake, which for years has been in decline. Now, with the state seeing an above-average snowpack on the heels of 2023s historic winter, the lake has officials cautiously optimistic.

The south arm of the lake, which includes everything south of the railroad causeway that spans the lake near the Bear River delta, sits at about 4,194 feet. Thats roughly last years high point, which Steed said is cause for celebration because spring runoff still hasnt started.

We have snow conditions in the mountains that are above normal for this time of year so were sitting at a pretty good spot. We expect a healthy runoff to continue, Steed said.

railroad causeway divides the Great Salt Lake in Utah

In an aerial view, a railroad causeway divides the Great Salt Lake on Aug. 2, 2021 near Corinne, Utah. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Data shows Utahs snow water equivalent  essentially how much water is in the states snowpack  at about 125% of whats normal for this time of year. Thats a statewide average, though much of the Great Salt Lake Basin is also hovering around that 125% mark.

Some regions in southern Utah are seeing as much as 160% of the typical snow water equivalent for late March. And more snow is expected this week especially in northern Utah, according to the National Weather Service.

This slightly above-average snow year means more water will continue to make it to the Great Salt Lake. According to predictions from the U.S. Natural Resource Conservation Service, its expected to rise at least another foot, putting the elevation just above 4,195 feet. Thats a conservative estimate, according to Steed.

Steed said 4,195 feet is an important milestone, established by the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands in a 2013 study that set thresholds indicating the lakes health.

Its still not healthy, but its closer to healthy than we have been at any time really since 2019, he said. We identified 4,195 (feet) as something we should aim to get to in the shorter term. Were really happy to get there this year.

The lakes historic average is around 4,196 to 4,200 feet, according to state data. Lake levels have been declining for years, exposing toxic, arsenic-laden dust that pollutes the air and can cause a number of diseases and health complications.

The north arm of the lake has a healthier outlook than years past, but not nearly like the southern section. Thats because the state intentionally raised the berm dividing the two regions last year in an effort to reduce the salinity conditions in the south arm, preventing some water from flowing into the north.

As a result, it sits at about 4,190 feet, about four feet below the south arm.

Across the state, the water outlook is good, officials said. Reservoirs around Utah are at above average levels while Utah Lake is just below 100% capacity. Reservoirs in the Great Salt Lake Basin like Pineview or Echo are releasing water to make room for the runoff thats expected in the coming weeks.

The Utah News Dispatch, like the Idaho Capital Sun, is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Utah News Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor McKenzie Romero for questions: info@utahnewsdispatch.com. Follow Utah News Dispatch on Facebook and Twitter.

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The post Great Salt Lake much healthier heading into the summer than in recent years appeared first on Idaho Capital Sun.
Artificial intelligence is going to shape our future on a scale that far exceeds its current potential.

Now, we use AI to help us compose an email or recommend a movie to watch.

But what decisions will we allow AI to make as computers get more powerful and the algorithms evolve? How do we shape the future of AI and ensure that it makes the world a better place and bends toward the public good?

Faculty at Binghamton University are currently tackling those questions at a critical point in the evolution of this technology.

A few examples include:

Combining data from MRI exams, personal wearable medical devices and social media usage to allow medical professionals to predict and intervene before mental health crises.

Processing huge amounts of information quickly to understand the dynamic social behavior of large groups of people.

Protecting power systems and healthcare data from malicious attacks by identifying security vulnerabilities in algorithms.

Developing robotic seeing-eye dogs to better serve the visually impaired.

Binghamton faculty are working to advance AI technology and channel its power to help society. I also believe that the university has a duty to prepare its students for a future in which AI will play a pervasive role in every facet of human life.

Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger.

The Empire AI Consortium, proposed by Gov. Hochul earlier this year, will be a critical resource in achieving these goals. Empire AI aims to link together colleges and universities and their faculty and students with industry partners to pool New Yorks collective brainpower and resources. It will make the state the leader in AI tech and create new economic opportunities that draw people, jobs and companies.

It's a win-win scenario in which New York supports and expands its institutions of higher education and takes economic and ethical leadership of this emerging technology.

I remain grateful to Gov. Hochul and the Office of Information Technology Services for guiding this initiative and positioning the state as the national trailblazer in artificial intelligence technology. Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo and Senator Lea Webb have also been essential in their public support of this project.

Im confident of Binghamton Universitys role in artificial intelligence because Ive seen how our faculty and staff are working to advance technology and revitalizing the economy through batteries.

The New Energy New York project (NENY) at Binghamton combines academia, industry, government and economic development partners working together for a common goal, in this case, creating a full-scale battery economy in the Southern Tier. NENY has received more than $300 million in potential external funding and has been designated the only national Tech Hub focusing on batteries. It is going to lean on researchers to make batteries better and its going to create jobs in the local community.

Empire AI is similar in its scope. It will make our institutions and our communities stronger.

New technologies can sometimes be daunting, unfamiliar, and frankly, in the case of AI, scary.

It doesnt have to be.

We have the accomplished researchers, the curious students and the resources to make artificial intelligence be a force for good. Im proud that Empire AI is going to make that happen right here in New York.

Harvey Stenger is the president of Binghamton University.

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: AI is the future, and here's how Binghamton U. is taking the lead
Gunmen opened fire at a rock concert in a Moscow suburb Friday leaving dead and wounded before a major fire spread through the theatre, Moscow's mayor and Russian news agencies reported.

Attackers dressed in camouflaged outfits entered the building, opened fire and threw a grenade or incendiary bomb, according to a journalist for the RIA Novosti news agency who was at the scene.

Russia's foreign ministry called the incident a "terrorist attack" that had to be condemned.

Fire quickly spread through the Crocus City Hall, north of the Russian capital, where the theatre can hold several thousand people and has staged several concerts by top international artists, according to the reports.

No details were given on casualties but Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed there were deaths in what he called a "terrible tragedy" at the concert by Russian rock band Piknik.

Automatic gunfire was used on the audience, the RIA Novosti journalist reported.

"People who were in the hall were led on the ground to protect themselves from the shooting for 15 or 20 minutes," the journalist was quoted as saying.

People started crawling out when it was safe, the journalist reported, adding that security forces were at the scene.

- 'Odious crime' -

About 100 people escaped through the theatre basement while others were sheltering on the the roof, the emergency services ministry said on its Telegram channel.

Telegram news channels Baza and Mash, which are close to security forces, showed video images of flames and black smoke pouring from the concert hall.

Other images showed two men walking through the hall with at least one person left on the ground near the entrance. Spectators were also seen hiding behind seats or trying to escape.

Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said it had been a "terrorist attack".

"The whole international community must condemn this odious crime," she said on Telegram.

The US presidency called the attack "terrible" but said there was no immediate indication of any link to the war in Ukraine.

"I offer my condolences to the families of the dead," said Moscow's mayor as a major security operation was launched around the theatre and nearby shopping mall.

Sobyanin said he had cancelled all public events in Moscow for the weekend.

TASS news agency said that SOBR and special police forces and the OMON anti-riot squad had been sent to the Crocus hall.

It added that all the members of the rock band had been evacuated safely.

Orthodox church leader Patriarch Kirill was "praying for peace for the souls of the dead," said his spokesman Vladimir Legoyda.

bur/tw/db
Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

Several gunmen opened fire at a concert hall in Krasnogorsk, northwest of Moscow, on the evening of March 22, killing and injuring dozens of people, Russian media claimed.

Kremlin-controlled media RIA Novosti claimed that at least three men sporting camouflage and automatic weapons shot at people at the Crocus City Hall ahead of a concert.

The terrorist group Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the shooting in a Telegram post shortly after the attack. U.S. intelligence officials confirmed the claim.

More than 60 people were killed in the attack, Russia's Investigative Committee reported.

Russian officials reported that over 140 people were injured in the shooting, with 115 requiring hospitalization.

Members of Russia's National Guard arrived at the scene, according to TASS. More than 50 ambulances were reportedly sent to the concert venue.

Several Russian outlets also reported explosions, causing the building's roof to start collapsing.

FSB said it is taking "all necessary measures" in connection with the shooting.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Russian President Vladimir Putin was informed about the shooting "in the first minutes of the incident," according to TASS.

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said that images of the shooting in Moscow were "horrible and just hard to watch." He emphasized that there is no indication at this time "that Ukraine, or Ukrainians, were involved in the shooting," AFP reported.

Andriy Yusov, spokesperson of Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR), called the shooting "a deliberate provocation of the Putin regime, which the international community has warned about."

On March 7, the U.S. Embassy in Russia issued a warning that "extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow" and urged American citizens to stay away from crowded areas and venues over the next 48 hours. U.K., Canada, Germany and several other countries published similar statements soon after this.

Read also: US Embassy in Russia issues warning of potential terror attack in Moscow over next 48 hours

"The Kremlin tyrant started his career with this and wants to end it with the same crimes against his own citizens," Yusov told Ukrainska Pravda.

Advisor to Ukraine's Presidential Office head Mykhailo Podolyak said "Ukraine is definitely not involved in these events."

In a post on its Telegram channel, HUR claimed the shooting is intended to justify "even tougher" attacks on Ukraine and total mobilization in Russia.

"The unimpeded movement of a group of militants with assault rifles through the center of Moscow, as well as a lot of other indisputable evidence, indicate that the shooting in Crocus City Hall was organized by the Russian special services," Ukrainian military Intelligence wrote.

In 1999 shortly after Putin become president, a series of apartment bombings rocked Russia which were blamed on Chechen separatists, lighting the fuse for the second Chechen war.

Since then, speculation has continued that Putin and Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) orchestrated the bombings to boost his popularity and legitimize the war.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russia hits Ukraines largest Hydroelectric Power Plant, kills civilians

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The News

The death toll of Fridays deadly attack on a Moscow concert venue has risen to 133 people. In remarks Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin called it a barbaric terrorist act and suggested without evidence  that Ukraine had helped the attackers escape.

Eleven people, including the four gunmen who opened fire at the concertgoers, have been detained so far in connection with the attack, Putin said.

The Islamic State terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack late Friday, and a U.S. official told the Washington Post that they had no reason to doubt the claim. The group has long called for attacks on Moscow due to its history of violent wars in Afghanistan and the Muslim-majority region of Chechnya.

Putin did not mention the Islamic State in his remarks Saturday, but instead claimed the gunmen had tried to escape to Ukraine, where a window for them to cross the state border was prepared by the Ukrainian side. The FSB security service has said the gunmen had ties to Ukraine, an assertion which has gained steam in Russian media, although no proof to support it has been presented.

Kyiv has strongly denied any involvement in the attack, calling Putins allegations absolutely untenable and absurd. However, several officials have warned that the Kremlin may use the aftermath of the attack to whip up support for the war in Ukraine and a possible new military mobilization, The Washington Post reported.

There is no indication of a possible Ukrainian role in the incident at this time, U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Friday.

Public events planned over the weekend have been canceled across much of Russia, while shopping malls in Moscow and St. Petersburg have been shut down, and security ramped up at airports and train stations, state media reported.

Know More

The deadly attack comes less than a week after Putin claimed victory in a landslide election widely seen as a sham, further tightening his grip on power.

Just three days ago, he dismissed warnings from several Western countries about the possibility of a terrorist attack in Russia as outright blackmail to intimidate and destabilize our society.

In early March the Federal Security Service (FSB), Russias domestic security agency, said it had foiled a planned attack on a synagogue in Moscow by an Islamic State cell group. Russian special forces also launched counter-terrorist operations earlier this month in the Caucasus region that killed six people who Russian authorities said were planning terrorist attacks.

Former Russian president Dmitri Medvedev said that if Kyiv was behind the attack, Russia would destroy the Ukrainian regime mercilessly. Death for death, he wrote on Telegram.
ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Thousands of dollars and guns were seized after a warrant was executed at two gambling establishments, the Rowan County Sheriffs Office said.

Deputies executed warrants at Shark Tank on Statesville Blvd. in Salisbury and VIP2 on Highway 801 in Woodleaf on Wednesday following a months-long investigation.

During the search, numerous items were seized including three semi-automatic guns, over $67,000 in cash, and 116 computers that were being utilized for gambling purposes.

Many of these locations have been a hotbed of criminal activity, including armed and unarmed robberies, shootings, and assaults. Many of these crimes go unreported as patrons and business owners do not want to be on the wrong end of legal troubles associated with illegal gambling, the sheriffs office stated.

Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area  >> Latest stories here

Charges are expected and no names have been released in the investigation.

The remaining gambling businesses will be issued a cease-and-desist letter, giving them a very short time to remove all machines from their businesses, Sheriff Allen said. Noncompliance will result in similar investigations that could end in property seizure and criminal charges.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
A Haitian migrant accused of raping a teen in the Rockland shelter they were both living in is expected to be in court Friday.

26-year-old Cory B. Alvarez has already pleaded not guilty to aggravated rape of a child. He is being held without bail pending Fridays dangerousness hearing.

ICE has also placed an immigration detainer on him.

Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz said at approximately 7:06 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, Rockland Police responded to the Comfort Inn at 850 Hingham St. for a report of a sexual assault.

The Comfort Inn is currently part of a government program to house migrant families, and Alvarez lived at that address.

When officers arrived, they found the teenage victim, who was then taken by ambulance to South Shore Hospital for treatment, Cruz said.

The girl, who only speaks Haitian Creole, told investigators through a translator she went to Alvarezs room so he could help her with apps on a tablet before he forced himself on her.

The alleged victim told police, I asked him to leave me alone, but he didnt stop.

The court ordered that Alvarez surrender his passport and have no contact with the victim while in custody, Cruz said.

Rockland Town Administrator Douglas Lapp said in an October special meeting to discuss the emergency shelter situation that the state had notified them the week before that the Comfort Inn would be housing migrants.

The town had absolutely no say in that decision, said Lapp.

At the time, Lapp said, 26 migrants were living at the hotel and the state had reserved 20 rooms, with the potential to fill all 100.

These are people from other countries that are fleeing unsafe or violent situations and trying to save their families, and theres a legal process where you can enter the country and seek asylum, Lapp said, responding to residents concerns about the influx of migrants in their town.

Rep. David DeCoste, who represents Rockland told Boston 25 News Thursday the incident is a tragedy.

Unfortunately, this type of thing is being repeated all across the country, and the Commonwealth certainly let down this young lady, DeCoste said.

Mass GOP Chairwoman Amy Carnevale said in a statement the alleged crime prompts a pressing need to revisit and amend the legislation pertaining to the right to shelter.

I acknowledge the presence of well-intentioned and compassionate residents of Massachusetts who would like for the state to provide refuge for migrants during times of exigency, Carnevale said. However, it is imperative to discern between appropriate and inappropriate methods of addressing this endeavor. The recent incident exemplifies our states struggle to effectively manage the migrant crisis, and the influx of additional migrants may exacerbate the likelihood of such distressing occurrences.

An investigation is ongoing.

Massachusetts Senators just adopted an amendment to their spending bill that aims to limit shelter stays for migrant and homeless families.

The amendment would require a review of safety practices and procedures at the state-run emergency shelters.

It would also need support from the House.

In Washington DC, Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan who is chair of the House Judiciary Committee is requesting the immigration history and screening process for Cory Alvarez.

Were told Alvarez lawfully entered the country in June of last year through a federal program.

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
The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has opened up numerous opportunities for not only Dominica, but also other countries, said Dominican prime minister. #GLOBALink

Produced by Xinhua Global Service




20 House members, mostly Republican, voted against federal funding for their districts.

It shows the limits of the "earmark" process, which aims to incentivize lawmakers to vote for bills.

"When I cast a vote on a bill, it has to be reflective of my core principles," said one Republican.

As Rep. Clay Higgins walked toward the House floor to vote on a $1.2 trillion government funding bill on Friday, the Louisiana Republican explained why his "earmarks" couldn't get him to vote yes.

"Ultimately, I don't control what the final language of the total funding bill will be," said Higgins. "When I cast a vote on a bill, it has to be reflective of my core principles."

Higgins voted against the bill, despite securing $2.3 million in federal funding for an emergency operations center at the port in Morgan City, Louisiana.

He was one of 20 House members  15 Republicans and 5 Democrats  who voted against Friday's government funding bill despite securing so-called "earmarks," known officially as congressionally directed spending.

Earmarks, which allow lawmakers to funnel spending toward specific projects in their districts, are controversial. Republicans banned them in 2011 amid accusations of fraud and waste, but Democrats brought them back in 2021. One argument in favor of earmarks is that they make high-stakes legislation easier to pass, providing lawmakers a stake in major bills and giving leadership a way to corral votes.

But recent votes show that there are limits to that logic.

Friday's bill encompassed roughly 70% of federal government funding, including the Pentagon, the State Department, the Department of Homeland Security, and other agencies.

The other 30% was contained in a separate funding bill passed roughly two weeks ago, but that bill contained far more earmarks, especially for House members. Nonetheless, 42 House members who secured earmarks voted against it anyway, 40 of whom were Republicans.

Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal cited a litany of reasons for opposing the bill, even as it contained $1.3 million for the Seattle Public Library. Mandel Ngan / AFP via Getty Images

The government funding bill, a compromise hashed out between the Democratic-controlled Senate and the Republican-controlled House, barely passed with the required two-thirds majority on Friday. Both progressives and Republicans found reasons to oppose it.

Republicans protested that the bill did not include certain hardline immigration-related policy provisions, that culture war "riders" had been stripped from the compromise legislation, and as always, that the federal government is spending too much money.

Ultimately, most of the GOP conference voted against the bill, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia is now threatening to oust Speaker Mike Johnson over it.

22 Democrats, the vast majority of whom are members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, voted against the bill in protest of increased military funding, increased funding for border enforcement measures, and a one-year ban on funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), a key provider of aid to Palestinians, particularly in Gaza.

That included Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington, the chairwoman of the caucus, who voted against the bill despite securing $1.3 million for seismic structural upgrades at the Seattle Public Library.

"We are consistently rewarding waste, fraud, and abuse in the Pentagon by providing them with a larger budget year after year," Jayapal said in a statement.

Republicans in particular have faced accusations in recent years of "voting no and taking the dough"  not just when it comes to earmarks, but for celebrating funding from bills that they wholly opposed.

Already, Republicans including Greene and Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado have bragged about earmarks they secured in government funding bills this week, even though they voted against the final product.

Here are the 15 Republicans who voted against the bill, despite securing earmarks:

Brian Babin of Texas

Gus Bilirakis of Florida

John Curtis of Utah

Mike Ezell of Mississippi

Garrett Graves of Louisiana

Michael Guest of Mississippi

Diana Harshbarger of Tennessee

Clay Higgins of Louisiana

Trent Kelly of Mississippi

Burgess Owens of Utah

Mike Rogers of Alabama

Chris Smith of New Jersey

Greg Steube of Florida

Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey

Randy Weber of Texas

Here are the 5 Democrats who did the same:

Andre Carson of Indiana

Joaquin Castro of Texas

Pramila Jayapal of Washington

Summer Lee of Pennsylvania

Nydia Velazquez of New York

Read the original article on Business Insider
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  Check out community events around New Mexico from March 22-28.

Albuquerque

New Mexico

Albuquerque Notices

 Downtown ABQ getting more e-bikes for patrols  APD has been using RECON Interceptor Power Cycles to access areas congested areas. Now, the department has gotten two more bikes for downtown policing. The electric-powered bikes can reach 30 miles per hour and go around 50 miles on a single charge, the city says.

 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.

 Bernalillo County using $1.25 million to address pollution, development in South Valley neighborhood  The county will put more than $1 million towards addressing pollution and is supporting a development plan. The county is planning on using money from the general fund to support an environmental improvement survey.

 Presbyterian Healthcare Foundations 41st annual Daffodil Days Fundraiser  Funds raised during the event will go towards supporting the Presbyterian Robert Wertheim Hospice House. Friday, March 22, at one of 12 pop-up shop locations around the metro, people can purchase a flower arrangement.

 Bernalillo County hosting public meeting with sheriffs office advisory board  The next meeting is scheduled for March 22, 2024, at 1 p.m. The meeting will be hybrid, both in-person and online via Microsoft Teams. The meeting will be held in the Chambers Conference Room at Bernalillo County at Alvarado Square.

 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.

 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.

 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.

New Mexico Notices

 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.

 NMSP warns of counterfeit GoFundMe pages for Officer Justin Hare  New Mexico State Police are warning the public of fake social media pages spreading misinformation about fallen NMSP Officer Justin Hare. They say at least one account is fake and also said there are fake GoFundMe pages as well.

 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.

 State land office asking for input on transferring 212 acres of the Bosque to the feds  No actions have been taken at this time but the states land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard wants public comments before deciding whether or not to approve the proposal.

 Santa Fe shelter launches a mobile hygiene unit  The mobile hygiene unit created by the Interfaith Community Shelter has two standard showers with a restroom inside each of them. The mobile hygiene unit will run twice a week. You can find them on Mondays at La Familia Medical Centers Healthcare for the Homeless off Cerrillos Road and on Thursdays at The Salvation Army on Alameda Street.

 New Mexico offering debt relief for healthcare workers  Workers must meet certain qualifications, such as working in an eligible occupation or under an eligible healthcare license. The deadline to apply is May 1, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

 State environmental leader asks Congress to intervene on PFAS contamination  Theres well-documented PFAS contamination near Hollomon Air Force base among other locations, which only the Department of Defense has the authority to clean up. Secretary James Kenney also accused the Department of Defense of spending more effort on defending PFAS-related lawsuits as opposed to clean-up, saying the states now spent around $8 million in a five-year legal battle with DOD.

 Biden announces major deal with Intel to invest billions in 4 states  The funding would support the construction and expansion of intel facilities in Arizona, Ohio, New Mexico, and Oregon and create nearly 30,000 jobs, White House officials said.

 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.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
The Internal Revenue Servce has outlined plans that could see more than half of its workers sent home in the event of a shutdown (Brendan SMIALOWSKI)

The US government could go into partial shutdown this weekend, raising the specter of mass employee furloughs and the suspension of many federal services if the situation goes unresolved.

A best-case scenario would see lawmakers secure a last-minute deal before the shutdown deadline of midnight Friday - or organize a vote early next week to keep any closure short and with minimal impact.

Here is what could happen if Congress fails to do so:

- Who would be impacted? -

Congress has already passed six of twelve funding bills, with the outstanding six covering agencies including the Departments of Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, Labor and Defense.

Tens of thousands of federal workers in the affected departments would likely be furloughed, or work without pay during a government shutdown.

The Department of Defense would be the largest one to be affected -- despite most of its workers being deemed essential, meaning they cannot be sent home in the event of a shutdown.

Of the 800,000 or so civilian employees at the agency, around 440,000 -- more than half -- would be sent home without pay, according to Andrew Lautz, a senior policy analyst at the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington.

If the shutdown is short-lived, "there are disruptions, but not huge disruptions," he told AFP.

At the Treasury's Internal Revenue Service (IRS), more than half of the almost 90,000 employees could also be forced to stay home under contingency plans announced last week, hampering the bureau's efforts to process Americans' tax returns just weeks before the April 15 filing deadline.

"You can't avoid having knock-on effects to the entire workforce when you take away that large of a chunk overnight," Lautz said. "But that being said, the IRS clearly has a plan here."

Unlike a previous shutdown in 2019, this one would not lead to the closure of Smithsonian museums and America's much-loved national parks, as they were funded as part of another funding agreement on March 8.

- How long could a shutdown last? -

If the US Senate can pass the funding bill on Friday, a shutdown is averted, and the government would continue to be funded through September 30 this year.

But if the bill fails to pass by the deadline, the shutdown is unlikely to be a long one, economists at Citi wrote in a recent investor note.

"Congress is very likely to either avoid a shutdown entirely or limit it to a technical shutdown during the weekend that would not significantly affect government functions," they said.

After some last-minute brinkmanship, the Republican-led House of Representatives passed the $1.2 trillion bill just before noon local time Friday (1600 GMT), sending it to the Senate for a vote.

Party leaders fear the Senate may struggle to rubber-stamp the House vote before the midnight deadline, with arcane procedural rules threatening to push the action into the weekend.

However, the shutdown deadline comes just before Congress is scheduled to shut up shop for two weeks over Easter, and senators have shown little appetite for a weekend of drama or a delayed start to the holiday.

As a result, they may still agree to hold a last-minute vote on Friday and avert a shutdown -- buying themselves a few quiet months before negotiations restart over funding levels for the next fiscal year, which starts on October 1.

"Over the last 40-plus years, Congress has been on time with its budget four times," Lautz said, adding that lawmakers are unlikely to agree on a funding deal for next year in the run-up to the 2024 elections in November.

"I think it's very likely -- not certain but very likely -- that they punt, at least past the election," he added.

da/des
More than five months into the horrifying conflict, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has finally called Israels war on Gaza a genocide.

On Friday, the New York lawmaker echoed language that President Joe Biden used during his vice presidency, reminding the lower chamber that preventing genocide is an achievable goal.

Too often these efforts have come too late, after the best and least costly opportunities to prevent them have been missed, she said during a harrowing speech on the House floor.

As we speak, in this moment, 1.1 million innocents in Gaza are at famines door. A famine that is being intentionally precipitated through the blocking of food and global humanitarian assistance by leaders in the Israeli government, she continued.

This is a mass starvation of people, engineered and orchestrated, following the killing of another 30,000, 70 percent of whom were women and children, she said. There is hardly a single hospital left. And this was all accomplished, much of this accomplished, with U.S. resources and weapons.



If you want to know what an unfolding genocide looks like, open your eyes, she added. It looks like thousands of children eating grass as their bodies consume themselves while trucks of food are slowed and halted just miles away. It looks like good and decent people who do nothing or too little too late.

There is no world in which the forced famine of 1.1 million people cannot be considered genocide. And that is exactly what we are watching unfold in Gaza now.



We must enforce U.S. laws and halt weapons transfers to the Israeli government to stop an atrocity in the making. pic.twitter.com/N40Jk3yKc7  Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@RepAOC) March 22, 2024

Also on Friday, Ocasio-Cortez voted against a $1.2 trillion federal funding package that will gut U.S. funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which sends aid to Palestine. On Thursday, she called the cuts unconscionable and highly political.

Friday also saw another failed vote at the United Nations Security Council supporting an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. The resolution was the first one proposed by the U.S. calling for an immediate cease-fire, even if it wasnt legally binding. Ultimately, the effort was torpedoed by Russia and China.

Last week, a cohort of senators in the Democratic caucus called on Biden to immediately suspend military aid to Israel so long as the Western ally continued to block humanitarian aid efforts into a starved Palestine.



More than 31,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, in which Israel has weaponized mass starvation as well as blocking or destroying access to critical resources such as water, food, fuel, electricity, and medical aid.
Harry and Meghan have been based in California since 2020 (Andrew Chin)

Estranged British royal Prince Harry and his American wife Meghan said Friday they wished "health and healing" to Catherine, Princess of Wales, after she revealed she has cancer.

The statement came after Catherine -- known widely as Kate -- announced she has an undisclosed form of the disease and is in the early stages of chemotherapy.

"We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace," said the California-based couple.

The news of Kate's diagnosis comes at a tumultuous time for relations inside Britain's royal family.

Harry and Meghan, known formally as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are no longer working royals, having stepped back from duties amid recriminations over the way they say they were treated by "The Firm."

They moved to California in 2020, where they live in an exclusive enclave outside Santa Barbara, and are now forging their own businesses, after being cut off from the royal purse.

Harry, who married former actress Meghan in a fairytale wedding in 2018, was at one time very close to William, but relations have soured in recent years.

The brothers have reportedly not spoken in months after Harry's public criticism of his family.

Harry has repeatedly aired complaints about the way he feels he and his wife were mistreated during their time as working royals, culminating in January 2023 with his autobiography "Spare".

In the best-seller he laid bare years of family feuding, including alleging that William physically attacked him during an argument about Meghan.

The publication followed a string of high-profile interviews and a six-hour Netflix docu-series in which Harry and Meghan repeatedly criticized the royals.

In comments that were widely seen as damaging to the monarchy, Meghan, who is mixed race, also told US chat show queen Oprah Winfrey in 2021 there had been questions before son Archie's birth about the color of his skin.

The claim prompted William to furiously respond that the royals were "very much not a racist family."

The couple have made infrequent visits to the UK since relocating to the United States, including for the funeral of Harry's grandmother Queen Elizabeth II in September.

In a rare joint outing, tensions were visible when Harry and Meghan accompanied William and Kate on a walkabout at Windsor Castle to review floral tributes for the late monarch.

Harry was once a popular member of Britain's royal family, long seen as a breath of fresh air in the stilted institution; a young man who got himself into very human scrapes and was open about his mental health struggles.

His marriage to Meghan was an enormous event, and the couple were initially warmly welcomed by the public.

But sentiment turned when stories began to emerge of Meghan's diva-like behavior, which detractors said had fueled Harry's grievances.

The couple have also been criticized for proclaiming their desire to break with the royal family while apparently still trying to cash in on the brand, including in their latest venture, which appears to be selling homeware.

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A drilling rig at an oil and gas site is pictured in Bent County on Oct. 5, 2022. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)

A coalition of environmentalists filed a trio of ballot initiatives Thursday that could dramatically boost enforcement of Colorado air, water and climate protections, the coalition announced.

The three initiatives would make oil and gas companies strictly liable for any damage that results from their operations, allow any person to file a civil lawsuit to enforce state environmental regulations, and establish in state law that people have a right to a healthy environment.

These are about giving us the tools to protect our communities, Ean Thomas Tafoya, Colorado state director for GreenLatinos, a coalition member, said.

The coalition, called Coloradans for Clean Air & Water, also includes Conservation Colorado, Healthy Air and Water Colorado, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, and Southwest Energy Efficiency Project.

The initiatives come in response to the oil and gas industrys own ballot initiative efforts, which are backed by advocacy group Protect Colorado and funded by such companies as Chevron, Occidental Petroleum and PDC Energy, CPR reported. Several fossil fuel-promoting initiatives have already earned approval from the state Title Board for supporters to circulate petitions and collect signatures for the proposals to appear on the November ballot.

The coalition is particularly concerned with two industry initiatives, Nos. 86 and 116. They would block restrictions on the kind of energy source, such as natural gas, that Coloradans could use.

If passed, either of these measures could be used by the industry as a free-for-all, swinging the door wide open to try to invalidate numerous climate policies in an attempt to prohibit state or local regulations based on fuel type, the coalition wrote in a memo that was shared with Newsline.

Newsline sent messages to oil and gas industry and initiative representatives but did not immediately receive a response.

Environmental advocates have backed a number of bills at the state Legislature in recent years, with a mixed record, but coalition members see advantages in the citizen initiative process.

The ballot would be a vote of the people, and we believe that people are on our side, both broadly and specifically, Jessica Goad, vice president of programs at Conservation Colorado. Our polling on these measures that were filing today shows that we have a path to victory. These are very, very popular.

The coalitions strictly liable initiative would make industry liable for any damages it causes, including spills, toxic releases, fires, explosions and fracking-induced earthquakes. Under strict liability, a person would have to show only that damages occurred rather than prove cause, the coalition said.

The civil lawsuit initiative would allow so-called citizen suits, where any person living in Colorado could file a civil lawsuit to enforce state environmental regulations. Such suits are already permitted under the federal Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act.

The healthy environment initiative would add a provision to state law that declares every person has a right to clean air, water, a safe climate and a healthy environment. The provision is similar to one in the Montana state Constitution that was at issue in the landmark Held v. Montana ruling last year. That lawsuit was the first to challenge state and national climate and energy policies to make it to trial in the U.S., and the ruling was the first in which the plaintiffs won.

Initiative backers in Colorado this year must gather 124,238 signatures from registered voters to qualify for the ballot.

Editors note: This is a developing story and will be updated.

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The post Healthy environment rights and citizen suits proposed in Colorado ballot initiatives appeared first on Colorado Newsline.
Talon Vance, his mother Rebecca Vance, Trevala Jara, Christine Vance and Ms Jaras husband are pictured days before the trio left for the Colorado wilderness (The Gazette / Trevala Jara)

A Colorado boy who died while living off the grid in the Rocky Mountain wilderness nearly a year after he was whisked away by his mother and aunt over fears of pandemic conspiracy theories kept a journal that painted a chilling picture of his life in isolation.

The tattered notebook found next to the mummified remains of 13-year-old Talon Vance started in a cheerful tone, but soon took a dark turn as he chronicled his sadness of having to leave his friends and his mental breakdown at an Arbys fast food restaurant.

Talon weighed less than 40 pounds when he was found dead in July 2023 outside of a tent where the bodies of his mother Rebecca Becky Vance, 42, and 41-year-old aunt, Christine Vance, 41, were found.

The trio left their Colorado home in 2022 to permanently live off the grid in a tent near Gold Creek Campground, about an hours drive from Gunnison, Colorado, in an attempt to escape society.

In the days before they left, Talon told his online Roblox gaming friends goodbye, which he wrote about in 24 pages in his journal, according to Tom Conover with Outside Magazine.

NOOO COME BACK, a gamer with the username Fluffy wrote.

Please I will give anything for you to come back, another wrote.

At one point during their trip, they stopped at Arbys for food and Talon wrote about how he was having a mental breakdown because nothing feels the same.

I also had a mini breakdown at Arbys because nothing feels the same anymore [sad face], he wrote.

He also wrote about going to the grocery store with his aunt, who let him pick out a treat.

During my breakdown, she took us to Safeway and let me pick out candy of my choice! I was so sad, that nothing really sounded appealing to me anymore. So I picked out chocolate for mommy mostly, and then Aunty suggested fruit snacks for me, so I just said OK.

Family members still reeling from their tragic outcome said they didnt know their escape would be a permanent one.

Beckys stepsister, Trevela Jara, told The Independent she couldnt even bring herself to read the journal entries.

Talons half-sister, Emma, who provided copies of the journal entries for Conover, told him the pages smelled like smoke from a campfire, he said.

None of the three had outdoor survival experience, according to family members, but some of the entries revealed Talons mother had been trying to prepare him for the trip by encouraging him to learn survival skills, including how to tie knots.

Square knot! Right over left, Left over right, he wrote, ending the entry with a smiley face.

He also detailed how to tie a clove hitch, bowline, Japanese square lashing, and timber hitch, exclaiming: Side note: I did the truckers hitch first try!!

Just before the family left Colorado Springs, he wrote about having to leave his stinky cat Oreo behind.

Oreo always plopped on our laps when we were on the couch, he wrote. On the 29th of July, Oreo plopped between me and mommy as we were practicing ropes and knots. During online school, I would work on the couch a lot of the time. Because of that, Oreo would plop on me. On the 29th of July, Oreo plopped on me for the last time.

The cat was left behind with Trevela Jara before the trio left for their trip.

Ms Jara previously told The New York Times that her stepsister was so discouraged with the state of the world that she was set on living in a remote destination away from modern stressors.

She went for good intentions, she said. She thought she was protecting her son and our sister, Christine, because she didnt want them to get wrapped up in what the world was coming to in her eyes.

The Covid-19 pandemic only intensified her uneasiness with the state of the world, Ms Jara added.

Beckys sister Christine initially did not want to go, but ended up joining the mother-son duo because she thought that if she was with them, they had a better chance of surviving.

In July 2023, Gunnison County officials located three heavily decomposed bodies at the Rocky Mountain campsite after a hiker noticed one of the corpses, which turned out to be Talon. The sisters bodies were found inside the tent nearby.

Their shelter, later described by investigators as an eighty-dollar Walmart tent, was not warm enough for the harsh winter in the wilderness and they did not have the appropriate equipment to survive.

While no firearms or knives were found at the site, investigators did find a fishing rod, however, the lakes are frozen and inaccessible in winter. They also found a set of four fantasy-themed Choose Your Own Adventure books, a Bible, and a journal Becky kept that detailed plant identification and high-altitude foraging.

It is not known when exactly the trio died but an autopsy ruled that they died of malnutrition and hypothermia.
A "Now Hiring" sign is seen as the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nonfarm payrolls increased by 235,000 in February and the unemployment rate was 4.7 percent in the first full month of President Donald Trump's term on March 10, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

The director of a Helena-based non-profit employee training agency said her organization would be closing its doors following the states recent decision to contract those services to a single company statewide.

Career Training Institutes Executive Director Jasyn Harrington said in a letter posted to the agencys website Wednesday, she made the announcement to close the organization, which had been in operation for more than 40 years, with a heavy heart and great sadness.

Offices like Career Training Institute are meant to connect clients in two programs, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), to employee training, jobs and education opportunities, which they may be required to participate in to receive aid.

Career Training Institute is the latest employee training agency to say it will be closing its doors in Montana due to the Maximus contract, with Buttes Career Futures Inc., saying earlier this month it also wouldnt be able to keep its doors open as a subcontractor.

In February, Virginia-based Maximus was awarded $15 million for the statewide contract. In the past, the state had contracted with multiple organizations.

Democrats have previously voiced concern about the Maximus contract, saying it may lead to the multiple community organizations that have connected low-income residents to job training and opportunities to close. But DPHHS says having one contract with Maximus streamlines the clients experience and virtual options give people choices for how they can participate in the program.

Harrington said in her letter the organization did meet with Maximus representatives, but it was apparent that subcontracting would not be feasible. TANF Pathways and SNAP Education and Training made up the majority of their budget.

Current Career Training clients would be transitioned to Maximus between April 1 and June 30, Harrington said. She said thats what the state has told them.

Harrington said the organization helped thousands in the community improve their lives.

We have established working relationships with our community social service partners, training providers, post-secondary institutions and employers, all in an effort to provide individualized assistance to our clients to overcome barriers to employment and enter the workforce, Harrington said. I, and many others, have great concerns regarding the new service delivery model DPHHS has chosen and its potential devastating impact on clients.

Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Charlie Brereton told lawmakers earlier this month contracting with one company, as opposed to multiple contractors, ensured participants in the programs across counties had the same user experience.

Helena will be one of Maximus five Montana urban locations that is slated to have a brick and mortar in-person office, and so will Great Falls, Billings, Missoula and Bozeman. Rural in-person services would be through subcontractors. The department also said there would be pop-up locations at libraries or college enrollment periods.

The department also made the decision to transition to a single performance-based model where a percentage of the payment to the contractor would be dependent on whether clients achieve certain outcomes  like earning a General Education Development certificate or getting a job.

Gov. Greg Gianfortes office has previously told the Daily Montanan he is committed to ensuring these programs are results-driven, help the vulnerable, and bring Montanans to greater self-sufficiency.

Idaho contracted Maximus to operate employment services in 2016. States Newsroom reported in August Maximus call-center employees protested for better working conditions after hundreds of workers across several states were laid off.

The post Helena employee training non-profit to close after new company gets statewide contract appeared first on Daily Montanan.
No, youre not being hyperbolic if you say MAGA is a fascist movement. You're just being accurate. That was one of the biggest points made by NYU historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat, author of the book "Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present," during our recent "Salon Talks" conversation.

Ben-Ghiat explained that Donald Trump is leading a right-wing counterrevolution against the loss of white male privilege, aimed at taking America back to the time when women, nonwhite people and non-Christians knew their place.

But what truly defines MAGA as fascist, Ben-Ghiat said  rather than just right-wing  is its use of violence. Fascists believe that violence is the way to change history, she told me. We saw that clearly enough on Jan. 6, 2021, with the attack on the Capitol mean to keep Trump in power despite his loss in the 2020 election.

What is most worrisome going forward, Ben-Ghiat suggested, is Trumps defense of the Jan. 6 attackers as hostages and his promises to pardon them, which seek to change "the perception of violence." Trumps message to his loyal followers, she said, is that violence is sometimes morally necessary and even righteous, and even patriotic. That, she added, is what we call sacralizing violence, giving violence a kind of ritual, religious tone.

Ben-Ghiat sees Trumps promise to pardon the Jan. 6 insurrectionists as intended to inspire his supporters to commit future acts of violence if that can help him win. The implied promise is that if they commit violent acts and Trump regains the White House, he'll pardon them too. That's straight out of the autocrat's playbook, Ben-Ghiat says: "All authoritarians use pardons and manipulate the justice system to maintain power.

Ben-Ghiat says she's not trying to scare us, only to prepare us for what we're likely to see between now and November  and for a good while after that if Trump wins. Too many Americans still don't believe, Ben-Ghiat warns, that "it can happen here"  "it" being a fascist takeover. History tells us those people are wrong.

Watch my full conversation with Ruth Ben-Ghiat here or read a transcript of our conversation below, edited for length and clarity.

Youve been discussing and studying this issue for years, but it seems even more important than ever to talk about authoritarianism.

It's incredible that it could be upon us. Here's Trump saying he's going to be a "dictator for day one," but we know that they're never dictators for day one. They never relinquish their powers, so it's extremely important to understand what we're up against.

Despite Trump saying he wants to be a dictator and facing 91 felony counts for his attempted coup, the GOP base and millions of Americans still love him. What do you take from that?

Sadly, in history, when these charismatic demagogues come to power, they use emotions to manipulate people. Trump says, "I love you" to his people. He told them he loved them on Jan. 6. He builds a personality cult so he poses as the victim, which is really important because not only are all his crimes presented as persecutions by the "deep state," but saying he's being persecuted makes his followers feel protective of him.

You have quotes from MAGA people saying, "Oh, it's so distressing. We have to be there for him." That's what Jan. 6 was. It was many things. It was a violent coup attempt. But he was a leader in distress and he called on people, he brought them to the rally and they responded. They were trying to rescue him. This happens in history. I have quotes in Strongmen with people, actual fascists sitting in jail in 1945, where they're like, "Oh, I was completely magnetized by Mussolini. I didn't realize what was going on." So that's how I see it.

Is history warning us about the fact that Trump has not been held accountable by the system? There was such a long delay in investigating him. He's finally charged and now he's using his lawyers to manipulate the system to keep him on the ballot, and maybe not have any of the serious criminal trials before Election Day.

It's very disheartening, and no one is going to save the American people. My mantra has always been, "Never underestimate the American people." We had the Women's March, we had Black Lives Matter. These were the largest protests in history, and they led to electoral [change] in the midterms in 2018 and 2022.

We've got to do it. We can't depend on our institutions, which is very sad in a democracy. But our democracy has been so damaged, including the Supreme Court with Justice Thomas who wouldn't recuse himself. There's a whole attempt to delegitimize democracy, and not just Joe Biden, but the whole system. So we have to do this from the ground up.

From an academic point of view, is MAGA an authoritarian movement? Is it a fascist movement? Where does it fall?

It's pretty fascist.

Why?

The reason I wrote Strongmen was to have this 100-year history of authoritarianism, almost all right-wing, because that's my specialty. Obviously communists had a higher body count than fascism, so I could have put them in there, but for narrative and other reasons, I focus on the right wing. Fascism was the first stage of authoritarianism, but it continued in different forms, like the Cold War military dictatorships.

Trump is very similar to Mussolini in many ways. It checks all the boxes, where it's this huge right-wing counterrevolution against the loss of white male privilege, and it's to save civilization, and the whole "great replacement" theory, which is big in the MAGA base, the idea that nonwhites and non-Christians are having too many babies: We're going to be extinguished. Mussolini talked about this too. You can track a whole series of checkpoints and talking points, and they're pretty much the same.

What's the core of fascism? And why do you, as an academic, look at MAGA and say, "Yep, it's now fascist"?

Mussolini actually was a great sloganeer. He created fascism and had one very simple definition. He called it "a revolution of reaction." Both those things are true because it upends everything. It disrupts everything. It uses violence. Fascists believe that violence is the way to change history. Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, he came to the Iowa State Fair to help Trump in the summer. People are eating their corn dogs, there's kids there, and he says, "Only through force will we bring change to corrupt D.C." This is after the coup that tried to do that. So that's the revolution part. People are given permission to be their most violent selves, their worst selves. It's a collapse of morals.

The reaction is what I was saying before, where you want to turn the clock back to "the good old days." MAGA wants to make the nation "great again" by going back to times when women knew their place, as did nonwhites and non-Christians, so things were as they should be. This is part of authoritarianism, which is also a set of attitudes about child-rearing, about traditions, about male authority. All of that, Trump says, is threatened, and so the MAGA base is responding to that.

As an expert in authoritarianism, when you hear Donald Trump defending the people who attacked the Capitol, calling them "hostages" and saying they've been treated unfairly, pledging to pardon them, does that raise red flags for you? And if it does, what does it mean?

Totally. One of the major things that fascists did, and that Trump is doing  he's been doing this through his rallies with frightening relentlessness  is to change the perception of violence. To get people to see that violence is not negative, including violence against your neighbors, or that you're going to look the other way when your neighbor's deported. Violence is sometimes morally necessary and even righteous, and even patriotic. He has used his rallies since 2015, and I wrote about this in my report for the Jan. 6 committee, where he'd say, "Oh, in the old days we used to be able to beat people up and nothing happened." This is thug talk. This is part of fascism.

So Jan. 6 becomes this righteous "Stop the Steal." The people who have been arrested become patriots. He almost is doing what we call sacralizing violence, giving violence a kind of ritual, religious tone. In his rallies, he has the Jan. 6 prisoners choir sing. This is totally fascist. Trump has these fascist spectacles.

I wrote an essay for Lucid when he kicked off his campaign at Waco, Texas. What a choice! He had the choir and the spectacle of it reminded me of Hitler's Nuremberg rally. I think I entitled my essay, for my Substack newsletter, "Triumph of the Will, Waco Version." He knows exactly what he's doing because he's a showman, he's a man of TV, he's a man of the camera. It's really scary and it really works. That's what all of that is about. The pardons are about encouraging people to do more violence, thinking that they're not going to pay any consequences. That's actually the essence of authoritarianism and fascism: You arrange government so that you can be violent and corrupt, and get away with it.

When Trump says "I'm going to pardon you for committing these crimes," then the message becomes "If you commit crimes for me as we get closer to the election, I will do the same for you."

That's right. We also want to talk about not just Trump, but the enablers. So Rep. Paul Gosar, who should not be anywhere near government, in my opinion, who hangs out with Nazis, he was promising people pardons to get all the thugs he knew, all the right-wingers who were violent, to come on Jan. 6  promising them pardons because Trump had just pardoned all these violent people like Roger Stone and Michael Flynn and [Steve] Bannon. That's the environment.

All authoritarians use pardons because why do you want people sitting in jail, the worst people in the world, who are for you the best people, when they could be serving you? So Mussolini, Pinochet, they all use pardons to free up the people they need. It's really awful, but this is where we are.

The fact that you know all this, does it scare you more?

I do. It's a little eerie that things are unfolding exactly as they have  well, not exactly as they have in the past because it always looks different, which is why some people don't see it coming. Because no, we're not 1930s Germany, even though Trump's saying, "I hope the economy crashes," which is the Hitler playbook. But it redoubles my mission to speak out and to warn people. The challenge is to reach more people now, reach the people who usually don't vote, who have no idea.

There was a poll that was very disturbing that said, I forgot what percent, a lot of Americans have never heard Trump's authoritarian declarations. They'd never heard any of that, and some of them don't know about his crimes because they don't follow the news at all.

As a historian, are you concerned that there are Americans who sincerely believe it can't happen here? "It" being fascism, authoritarianism and the end to self-determination as a people.

Oh, absolutely. Even when I'm speaking to people, and these are people who have come to hear me, so they know what I'm about, when I say things like, "The GOP is an autocratic entity, or it's become autocratic"  I don't use the word fascist often  you can see that they're kind of, Well, this is a little exaggerated. It's like a mental divide between what we hear about abroad and what we are. In the meantime, they're going to pick their kid up from school, they're going to the gym, and they don't have any conception of how their lives would be affected. So it just seems like some blathering by a professor, and that is frustrating.

Sticking to Trump and what he says, at a rally recently, he mocked President Biden's stutter. At another rally last year, he made fun of Paul Pelosi, Nancy Pelosi's husband, a man in his 80s who was hit in the head with a hammer. Trump doing that is one thing, but what is more bone-chilling to me is when he did that, the crowd cheered and laughed. With Biden's stutter, the crowd cheered and laughed. What does that indicate to you?

This is part of his re-marketing of violence as positive. That's the Pelosi part. There's a reason that threats to members of Congress and their families are up like 400%.

Mocking the speech impediment is about cruelty. To have an autocracy, you need people to be cruel. You need them to think that solidarity and empathy and kindness are for weak people. That's totally fascist. That's what fascism is. In fact, Mussolini, who, like Hitler, read Nietzsche, the philosopher of the Ubermensch and all that, and took away from it that if somebody is weak and they're on a cliff, you should just push them because they're useless to society. That's the philosophy. Trump also made fun, years ago, of a New York Times reporter with a disability. And the disabled, just to take that theme for a second, have always been persecuted by fascists and others.

When Biden gave the State of the Union address, he raised the alarm about Trump. What more should he be doing, in talking about Trump, to alert our fellow Americans?

I was glad that he was doing that. You have to respond forcefully. This whole thing partly includes Putin's maneuvers in Ukraine. Biden came to office and in his first press conference said, "We've got to prove democracy works." So from the very beginning, he was going to not only save democracy in our country, but prove it works abroad and stop these people.

He had a summit with Putin in the summer of 2021. They sat there and Putin was placed as an equal visually, and they had the globe between them. It was in Geneva. I looked at Putin  because I live in these people's heads, unfortunately  and I got a really bad feeling. He was also being grilled by the U.S. press, including by female journalists, and he didn't like that at all. He was put on the spot by a female American journalist. I thought, This is bad, because there was something about him. So that night I wrote for my Lucid newsletter that Putin could become very reckless over the next months because he felt extremely threatened that Biden was there instead of Trump. It was a nightmare for him that Trump didn't win. He was risking a lot.

Then we know what happened. He went into Ukraine and before that, he and China made a formal alliance. And so all of this, one way to read it is it's because of Biden's commitment to democracy. Now, after Jan. 6, he's there. He almost didn't make it into office, but now he's there and we're at the showdown. I think he needs to be even more forceful, but at least he's stepped up.

Trump recently invited Viktor Orban, the prime minister of Hungary, to Mar-a-Lago. He said, "There's no one that's a better or smarter leader than Viktor Orban. He's fantastic." What alarm bells go off when you hear that?

Trump has actually been conditioning Americans to see authoritarian leaders like Orban as positive role models, as well as saying, "I'm going to be a dictator." One of the interesting things he said after that was that Orban is a "non-controversial leader because he says, 'This is the way it's going to be,' and everybody accepts it, end of discussion." So what Trump is saying is that literally being a dictator, dictating what you're going to do and everybody just submits, shouldn't be controversial. It's how it's going to be.

He's using these visits not just to curry favor with these autocrats and whatever dirty deals they're going to have  and it's all about Putin, because Orban is a client of Putin  but he's using these occasions to keep indoctrinating Americans that this is the leadership they're going to have.

It resonates with some folks in the base. I see interviews where people are like, "Yes, he'll be a dictator just in the beginning to get everything right." And you're like, "You are not upset that he'll be a dictator because he'll be your dictator." That's the way it is. If Biden said, "I want to be a dictator," the right would go ballistic, as they should.

They already say he's a dictator. That's what I call the upside-down world of authoritarianism. Marjorie Taylor Greene and others talk about the Biden regime. Mussolini did this: Liberal democracy is tyranny, fascism is freedom. Then we get all the way to Auschwitz, where the gates of said, "Work will set you free." That's the upside-down world of authoritarianism.

We're seven or eight months out from the election right now. As we get closer, do you have concerns about violence by the MAGA movement?

I do, because they're being egged on. There was a news item out of Kansas, where there was a Republican fundraiser and they were using an effigy of Biden and encouraging people to attack it. This kind of violence against anybody who is trying to hold Trump accountable or protect democracy could easily, because of our lax gun laws, happen as the election nears.

If Trump loses in 2024, do you expect a similar scenario as we saw after 2020? Even a call for another Jan. 6-style attack?

I do. Sometimes I'll have these thoughts and then they come to me and I'm like, Oh, that's not good. It's very interesting, when a president loses and a new one's going to come in, there's a transition team. That transition team is activated after the election is known. Project 2025, which has tens of thousands of people, 70 organizations, it bills itself as a transition team. Probably millions of dollars are being spent with giant staffs to plan a transition as though they think that whatever happens, they're coming into power. So that is disturbing, and that's a part of Project 2025 we haven't thought about. Why are they doing all this if it's going to be a free and a fair election, and they could lose?

It's important for President Biden, as a defender of democracy, to adhere to democratic norms. Right now, theres a debate about whether Biden should give him the standard national intelligence briefing. Do you think that is it in the nation's best interests for Biden to adhere to this tradition that goes back to the time of Truman or, given the threat that Trump presents  and that he's actually charged with felonies for mishandling classified documents  should Biden not give him the briefing?

Somebody who has instigated a violent coup to overthrow the government and kept classified documents in the bathroom of his private residence is not exactly trustworthy. It's not just Trump, it's also Jared Kushner. We need to be investigating how he came out of the Trump administration immediately into the hands of the Saudis. It's a whole flow of illicit money and networks. Absolutely he cannot be briefed. If that happens, that's actually very naive.

If Trump wins in 2024, do you think he would leave office peacefully in 2028?

No. He'll never leave, and if he falls ill or something, there's other Trumpers waiting in the wings. It's a dynasty. You could even see they're talking about Jared Kushner as secretary of state, which would be perfect for crime, for corruption. You don't know what will happen, but they build dynasties, and Trump has always had a family business. His two sons are not exactly equipped to take on high public office, but there are other people around. Lara Trump was just put in charge of the Republican National Committee so that every penny will go to [the Trump campaign]. This is classic corruption. So it could be anyone. It could be Lara Trump, who knows? As long as they keep control.

How's this going to end if Trump ends up being convicted, he loses the election, he's convicted and put in prison? With authoritarian movements from the past, do you have any guide? Does that weaken the movement, or no?

Yeah, there are polls showing that if he's actually convicted and sent to jail, he may become irrelevant. We can contrast what has happened after Jan. 6 here with Brazil, where they had a military coup in 1964. They had over 20 years of horrible dictatorship, with torture and all kinds of things, that only ended in 1985. The political class, the judges, they all know. They were there, or their parents were there.

Brazil had its own insurrection, on Jan. 8 [in 2023], but the former president [Jair Bolsonaro] has been banned from politics until 2030, so his popularity is going down. Same thing happened in Italy without an insurrection: Silvio Berlusconi had over 20 indictments and 14 major corruption trials. He was finally convicted two years after he left office and banned from politics for five years. That's when his amazing, formidable personality cult shriveled. Because personality cults, they're like plants. You've got to water them, you got to tend to them, and they need the person to be viable and active. If they're in jail or they're banned from politics, that's what you need to end them. So I hope to goodness that happens.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Sources tell 8 News Now an assistant principal at Del Webb Middle School was arrested Friday in Texas.

Court records showed Howard Hughes, 61, had an active arrest warrant on three counts of contacting or attempting to contact a minor by a person of authority for the purpose of sex.

Howard Hughes faces three counts of contacting or attempting to contact a minor by a person of authority for the purpose of sex. (CCSD)

Law enforcement sources said officers went to arrest Hughes at his home Wednesday, but learned that he fled to Texas where U.S. Marshals caught him Friday afternoon.

There was concern he would try to cross into Mexico.

Sources said Hughes was placed on involuntary suspension before his arrest. His bio and photo are no longer up on Del Webbs website.

Del Web Middle School is located in Henderson.

Hughess arrest marks the fifth time this week a Clark County School District staffer was locked up.

His arrest was the result of a new law that into effect in October that toughened the states previous luring of minors law.

According to his bio, Hughes entered the education field in 2002.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
This undated file photo shows an aerial view of an electric vehicle industrial park in Xishan district of Wuxi City, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua)

by He Leijing

NANJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Imagine a vehicle that allows for effortless driving and has space for both passengers and cargo, is easily affordable and does not require fuel. Sounds enticing, doesn't it? But it's not imaginary -- What I'm describing is a Chinese-made electric tricycle.

Not long ago, a U.S. resident ventured out on one such a tricycle, eliciting curiosity and admiration from neighbors. The electric tricycle has a sleek design, practical performance and an unusual warning sound: "Please pay attention, I'm backing up!" Video clips of the vehicle have garnered significant attention on social media platforms overseas, with some netizens even hailing it their "dream vehicle."

Yet as the buzz grows, I find myself pondering why this vehicle, which has long been popular across China, has only recently made waves overseas. If you were to journey into China's rural areas, you would find that these vehicles are almost ubiquitous.

The electric tricycle that has wowed U.S. residents is made by Jiangsu Guowei Motorcycle Co., Ltd., which is located in the Xishan district of Wuxi City in east China's Jiangsu Province. And it is priced at a modest 600 U.S. dollars.

Stepping into a Guowei workshop, I encountered a bustling scene of production and assembly, with skilled workers meticulously assembling electric tricycles in minutes. Rows of pristine blue tricycles stood ready to be shipped to overseas markets, including the United States. My visit gave me a sense of the company's vibrancy.

After a candid conversation with Ni Xiaofeng, Guowei's general manager, I learned that the company's overseas orders have surged this year, and that the electric tricycle's popularity abroad was no stroke of luck.

Ni said that with nearly two decades of experience in exports, his company is well-prepared to embrace overseas markets, and that the increasing global emphasis on low-carbon transportation has presented a golden opportunity to sell electric vehicles with decent driving speeds.

The Guowei R&D team conducts extensive research on target overseas markets, studying regulations, road conditions and travel habits to tailor the company's three-wheelers to local needs. Moves such as the adoption of anti-rust technology and the improvement of battery range have resulted in the creation of over 100 product varieties.

Delving deeper, I realized that Guowei is not the only enterprise blazing a trail in its export endeavors. Xishan has earned a reputation as the "hometown of Chinese electric vehicles," producing one out of every three e-bikes globally -- three-wheeled or not.

Xishan is the largest R&D and manufacturing base for electric vehicles in China, with an annual output of over 15 million units. Its industry scale, competitive pricing and complete industrial chain have drawn global attention to its products.

Electric vehicle companies in Xishan often venture abroad in groups, frequently showcasing their products at overseas exhibitions to bolster their brand influence. And with their products now available in over 140 countries and regions, many have established factories and sales networks overseas, realizing localized production, sales and after-sales services to cement their status as global players.

The international success of Chinese-produced electric tricycles are representative of the current global appeal of made-in-China products. As the consumption market of the world's second-largest economy is upgraded and diversified, domestic brands have gradually shed their former image of being cheap and low-end. But their continued, relative cost-effectiveness is still favored by overseas markets amid slow global economic recovery and weak international trade.

Affordability, quality and advanced technology are among the features overseas consumers have highlighted in their evaluations of Chinese goods. Electric tricycles, for example, are highly adaptable and can be used almost anywhere -- from the narrow streets of European cities to vast farms in the countryside.

Alongside China's established export categories like smartphones and clothing, Chinese-produced tea drinks, cosmetics and specialty agricultural products are now highly sought-after by overseas consumers on the cross-border e-commerce platforms of domestic enterprises.

Cat owners overseas, for example, are increasingly eager to purchase Chinese-made smart litter boxes and automatic pet feeding machines. And handmade bags and shampoos produced with traditional Chinese craftsmanship are also in high demand globally.

The rise of cross-border e-commerce has allowed international consumers to access oceans of quality products from all over China with ease. Data show that China's cross-border e-commerce imports and exports totaled 2.38 trillion yuan (330.6 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023, a year-on-year increase of 15.6 percent.

And with its sales networks now covering more than 220 countries and regions, cross-border e-commerce has become an important driving force for China's foreign trade growth.

Aiming to transform more products from fads to goods with enduring popularity, Chinese manufacturing is making strides in product innovation, services enhancement and the development of stable industrial and supply chains, achieving improvements in both quality and brand recognition.

By leveraging new sales channels and marketing strategies, China is solidifying its reputation as a global manufacturing powerhouse. And as we look to the future, one thing is certain: More quality, innovative products from China will grace the global stage, enriching the lives of consumers around the world. 

A worker assembles electric tricycles at a workshop of Jiangsu Guowei Motorcycle Co., Ltd. in Xishan district of Wuxi City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 15, 2024. (Xinhua)
A group of freshmen and sophomores in Ohio State Marions education 5101 teaching and learning with drama course benefitted from a demonstration of puppeteering from professional puppeteer and actor Joe Kovacs.

Kovacs, who is most famous for his work with the Jim Henson Company, presented dozens of hand puppets, marionettes and shadow puppets during a recent class session.

Kovacs' career includes playing Bear for Disneys "Bear and the Big Blue House Live" and revitalizing the famous Madame puppet for VH-1s "I Love the 70s." He imparted to students the many benefits of puppeteering in the classroom, including the development of social skills, fostering creativity, capturing the attention of a classroom, developing language skills and confidence in reading and speaking to name a few.

Additionally, students learned that puppets can be utilized in a broad range of subjects, from nutrition, music, reading, mathematics, language, science and many more.

Joe Kovacs, a professional puppeteer and actor, told education majors at The Ohio State University at Marion the use of puppets in the classroom has many benefits when it comes to developing language and reading skills.

The course is taught by education field supervisors and lecturers Patricia Muir and Sally Burson, who have taught the class together for the past seven years. According to Muir, they incorporate puppets in the class each year. Education alumna Erin Rollins, who recently was part of the course, connected the famed actor/puppeteer with the class.

The reason I am here, Kovacs said, is Erin Rollins.

He said Rollins mother Kathy Rollins, also an Ohio State alum, is his dear friend, having attended junior high and high school together at the Cincinnati School for Creative and Performing Arts.

This year was the best, Muir shared. During COVID when Erin Rollins was a student in the class, she asked Kovacs to Zoom in, and that is how we met and connected. Sally and I love facilitating the puppet unit with the students."

The goal for students is to research, create and design a short puppet show which could be used in their future classroom. The students spent two weeks leading up to Kovacs visit designing their own puppets.

Using puppets in the classroom is now a unique strategy for today's technological classroom, Muir shared.

Having a professional puppeteer share his work and passion for puppetry made our unit even more memorable and exciting for the students as they connect with ways to share puppets and engage learners of any age," she added.

The course will culminate with students performing their own self-created puppets and puppet shows Tuesday.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Joe Kovacs shares his expertise with Ohio State education majors
Students are greeted by cheering City Year service members at Milwaukee High School of the Arts on Sept. 6, 2022, the first day of the 2022-23 school year. Attendance data show Milwaukee students attended more school that year than the year prior.

Data published on Thursday show school attendance rebounded slightly in Wisconsin after dropping in the first two years of the pandemic.

Here's a look at the numbers.

What was Wisconsin's school attendance rate in the 2022-23 school year?

In the 2022-23 school year, Wisconsin students collectively attended about 92% of total school days, according to public school data from the state Department of Public Instruction.

That's up slightly from a 91% attendance rate in the 2021-22 school year, a low point for attendance. Before the pandemic, the statewide attendance rate was about 94%.

How many Wisconsin students were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year?

About 20% of Wisconsin students were considered chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year. That's down from 23% the prior year, but still above pre-pandemic levels of about 13%.

Students are counted as chronically absent if they miss over 10% of school days.

What is the attendance data for Milwaukee Public Schools?

Students at Milwaukee Public Schools collectively attended about 82% of school days in the 2022-23 school year, data show. That's up from about 79% the prior year but below the pre-pandemic rate of 87%.

About 50% of MPS students were considered chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year for missing over 10% of school days. That's down from 58% the prior year but still higher than the pre-pandemic level of 37%.

MPS classes were virtual for most of the 2020-21 school year. Throughout the 2021-22 school year, the district closed individual schools temporarily during COVID outbreaks. The 2022-23 school year was the first since the start of the pandemic without COVID-related closures.

MPS officials have said attendance continued to improve this fall, though official data for this school year won't be released until next March. In November, the district reported the attendance rate for the school year at that point was about 86%. and about 39% of students had been chronically absent.

Why has school attendance been so low since the pandemic?

The pandemic caused a range of challenges for students that are still being accounted for. Students have fallen ill, lost loved ones, had to care for siblings, struggled to get to school, endured isolation and mental health challenges, watched family members lose jobs and gotten jobs themselves.

A Stanford University study published last year found that youth assessed in the two years after the onset of the pandemic showed more severe mental health problems and advanced brain aging, as compared to youth assessed before the pandemic.

In a fall 2021 survey, about 52% of Wisconsin high school students said that in the past year they had significant problems with feeling very anxious, nervous, tense, scared or like something bad was going to happen. At the same time, students were also less likely to say they were able to get the emotional support they needed  especially students of color and LGBT students.

Also on that survey, about 54% of Wisconsin high school students said they knew at least one person who was hospitalized or killed by COVID.

About 25% of Wisconsin high school students said their parent or another adult in their home lost their job during the pandemic, out of those whose parent or other adult had a job before the pandemic.

At the same time, about half of Wisconsin high school students said they worked jobs during the pandemic. About 37% of Milwaukee County high school students said they worked at least one hour per week, including 10% who worked 10-19 hours per week, and 7% over 20 hours per week.

When an October Wisconsin Policy Forum report found about 1% of Wisconsin students seemed to be missing from school headcounts, researchers said some of them might have fully dropped out of school or been absent so often that they weren't counted by their schools on any of the headcount days.

Those researchers did point to one program they said has helped and could continue to help: ENGAGE Wisconsin. State lawmakers used $5 million of pandemic relief funds to contract with Graduation Alliance to support chronically absent students in school districts that opt into it. School districts have called on state lawmakers for more resources to engage students, particularly as federal pandemic relief funds will expire.

How do I find the attendance rate for my school district?

You can find attendance rates for any school district or public school on WISEdash, a website run by the state Department of Public Instruction. Data can be filtered by school, year and demographics.

Contact Rory Linnane at rory.linnane@jrn.com. Follow her on X (Twitter) at @RoryLinnane.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Here's how much school Wisconsin students missed last school year
ELLSWORTH COUNTY (KSNT)  Ever wanted to take a snooze where a nuke used to sit? You can make your dream come true with a new Airbnb option in the heart of Kansas.

27 News spoke with Matthew Fulkerson, the proud owner of a former missile silo tucked away in the scenic Smoky Hills of Kansas. The nuclear weapons might be long gone, but the location offers guests a unique place to spend the night and explore the local area.

Staying in an old abandoned missile base thats been turned into an Airbnb is one of those bucket list items, Fulkerson said. Just to be able to go through and walk through the tunnels and into the silo is a pretty incredible experience.

Wizard of Oz actress home for sale at $11 million

Fulkerson says he purchased the property with the help of an investor in 2013 and has been working hard to get it ready for people to stay ever since. He moved out to the site in 2020 to cut down on the nearly three-hour drive time from Topeka and work on the site full-time. Though he occasionally gets help from friends and family, Fulkerson says hes been operating as a one-wrecking crew throughout the renovation process.

Over the last year, Ive been working diligently with the power washing, demolition and rebuilding it into a destination where people can actually stay, Fulkerson said. Im still in the process of finishing the lower areas.

He received additional funds from Airbnb through its OMG! fund. Every year, Airbnb chooses 100 hosts around the world to receive $100,000 based on their originality and other factors.

Out of thousands of hosts who applied from around the world to create a unique destination, I was one of the hundred chosen, Fulkerson said.

Kansas eclipse chasers ready to fight the crowds for perfect viewing spot

The site was opened several years ago as a campground for people traveling up and down I-70. Once he felt it was safe to do so, Fulkerson started offering historic tours down into the silo to show tourists what the facility looks like. He gave 27 News several photos showing what it looked like initially:

(Photo Courtesy/Matthew Fulkerson)

(Photo Courtesy/Matthew Fulkerson)

(Photo Courtesy/Matthew Fulkerson)

(Photo Courtesy/Matthew Fulkerson)

Fulkerson says he enjoys teaching people about Cold War history and how the rockets enforced the mutually assured destruction policies of the time. However, the facility looks a little more modern thanks to his efforts to make it into a livable space.

Most [missile silos] are abandoned or in private hands, Fulkerson said. This is a very unique experience you can hardly find anywhere else in the world.

Kansas towns compete for best small town title

Up to four people can sleep at a time in the silo in its king bed or bunk beds. Modern amenities include TVs, a microwave, fridge and coffee maker. People can start reserving the missile silo resort on Monday, March 25 for $300 a night to book the Airbnb.

(Photo Courtesy/Matthew Fulkerson)

(Photo Courtesy/Matthew Fulkerson)

(Photo Courtesy/Matthew Fulkerson)

(Photo Courtesy/Matthew Fulkerson)

(Photo Courtesy/Matthew Fulkerson)

(Photo Courtesy/Matthew Fulkerson)

(Photo Courtesy/Matthew Fulkerson)

(Photo Courtesy/Matthew Fulkerson)

(Photo Courtesy/Matthew Fulkerson)

(Photo Courtesy/Matthew Fulkerson)

(Photo Courtesy/Matthew Fulkerson)

The Airbnb can be found just off I-70 near the City of Wilson in Ellsworth County. Aside from exploring the site itself, people can also head over to nearby Wilson State Park for outdoor recreation activities.

I thought this was a hidden gem for tourism, Fulkerson said. Right off the interstate, close to one of the largest lakes in the state.

70s rock band KANSAS plans Topeka homecoming

You can find the missile silo at 354 Fourth Road in Wilson. You can stay the night either at the above-ground campsite or reserve the silo itself. For more information, check out the resorts website by clicking here.

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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.
A tunnel constructed high in the mountains of northeastern India has become the latest flashpoint in a simmering border dispute between New Delhi and Beijing.

The Sela Tunnel, inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this month, has been hailed in India as a feat of engineering  blasted through the Himalayas at an elevation of some 13,000 feet (3,900 meters)  and a boon for the military, enabling faster, all-weather access to a tense de facto border with China.

Thats caught the attention of Beijing, whose long-running dispute with New Delhi over their contested 2,100-mile (3,379-kilometer) border has seen the two nuclear-armed powers clash in recent years.

That includes in 2020 when hand-to-hand fighting between the two sides resulted in the deaths of at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers in Aksai Chin-Ladakh in the western stretches of the border.

And, decades ago, the dispute led to war.

China also claims the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, where the tunnel was constructed, as its own, even as the area has long functioned as Indian territory.

Chinese officials in recent days have slammed the tunnel project and Modis visit to the state, accusing New Delhi of taking steps to undermine peace along the border.

We require the Indian side to cease any action that may complicate the boundary question  the Chinese military remains highly vigilant and will resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, a Defense Ministry spokesperson said last week, using the Chinese name Zangnan or South Tibet to refer to Arunachal Pradesh.

India hit back on Tuesday, slamming Beijings absurd claims and saying the area is and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India.

The US State Department also weighed in during a news conference Wednesday backing Indias sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh and voicing strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions or encroachments across the line of actual control (LAC), or de facto border.

Beijing hit back at this too, accusing Washington of sparing no efforts to provoke and take advantage of other countries conflicts to serve its selfish geopolitical interests.

The spat  which underscores the deep tensions undergirding the relationship between Asias two largest countries  comes as India is weeks away from national elections expected to deliver a resounding endorsement of Modis Hindu nationalist platform.

Rising nationalism under Modi has come alongside a similar phenomenon in China, where leader Xi Jinping has overseen an assertive foreign policy  though both sides have appeared to take steps to cool border tensions following the deadly 2020 clash.

Modi on Friday also traveled to Bhutan for a trip aimed at further cementing the India-Bhutan partnership, he wrote on social media platform X. The remote Himalayan country bordering Arunachal Pradesh too has a contested border with China, and New Delhi has been wary of a potential settlement between leaders there and in China over that dispute.

Indian soldiers stand guard along a highway in Ladakh in 2022. - Yawar Nazir/Getty Images

Entrenched dispute

During his visit to Arunachal Pradesh earlier this month, Modi praised the Sela Tunnel as an engineering marvel, while touting a host of other development projects, including those related to border infrastructure.

Those projects are part of the intensified push by his government to develop Indian territory along the contested border. That push  which Beijing has signaled it is closely watching  reverses longstanding thinking from the Indian government that not developing the harsh terrain would have a deterrent effect on invasion or encroachment by China.

Of 118 projects launched by Indias Border Roads Organization last year to build infrastructure like roads, bridges and airfields, more than half were in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh, along the disputed border with China.

Beijing has accused India of complicating the boundary question and disrupting the situation in the border areas between the two countries with such development.

But observers say India is addressing an imbalance after decades of Chinese road and infrastructure building gave it a significant advantage over New Delhi in deploying troops to border areas, where it also constructed hundreds of xiaokang, or villages, which Beijing denies are meant to enforce its land claims.

Now that India has recognized the benefits of border infrastructure, it is accelerating its building efforts and playing catch-up to China. But its efforts are also likely to raise tensions with China and encourage Beijing to also redouble its own building efforts, said Byron Chong, a research associate at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policys Center on Asia and Globalization in Singapore.

The Sela Tunnel, which runs from the state of Assam to Arunachal Pradeshs Tawang, has likely caught special attention from Beijing given the sensitivity of the area, which lies along the line of actual control. New Delhi has said the project will boost the preparedness of the Armed Forces.

Tawang was the site of a non-lethal scuffle between the two sides in late 2022, according to Indian authorities. Then, New Delhi accused Chinas Peoples Liberation Army troops of trying to unilaterally change the status quo by attempting to cross the LAC.

But Tawang may also be especially important to Beijing given its significance within Tibetan Buddhism and Chinas concerns surrounding the succession of spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, according to Manoj Kewalramani, who heads Indo-Pacific studies at the Takshashila Institution research center in Bangalore.

The Dalai Lama, 88, has lived in exile in India since a failed 1959 uprising against Chinese rule of Tibet, where Beijing has cracked down on religious practice and sought to exert its control over Tibetan Buddhism.

A lot of this pressure (on Arunachal Pradesh) right now is a product of anticipation of when that event takes place  (in terms of) how China wants India to respond to it and what could be the potential fallout, he said.

But even as the two sides build-up around the border  and China continues a push to entrench its territorial claims in its maps and official language, they have made diplomatic efforts to quell tensions following the deadly 2020 clash.

During a meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in South Africa last August, Modi and Xi agreed to intensify efforts to deescalate tensions.

The Indian and Chinese militaries have also continued to hold border talks, the most recent of which took place last month, when they reiterated a commitment to maintain peace and tranquility.

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A group of 260 staff, alumni and students at Queen's University Belfast have written a letter "registering profound concern" over Hillary Clinton's role as chancellor.

In an open letter, they cite an op-ed for The Atlantic in November rejecting the call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Mrs Clinton was inaugurated as the university's chancellor in September 2021.

The university said it had not yet received the letter.

Conflict has raged since the 7 October attack by Hamas in Israel, which has led to retaliatory attacks in Gaza.

The US secretary of state, Anthony Blinken, a role Mrs Clinton previously served in, is in the Middle East to discuss a post-war plan to govern and secure Gaza.

Addressed to the university's vice chancellor and deputy vice chancellor, the letter states: "We ask the university to call for an immediate ceasefire, an urgent review of the current chancellor's position, and the introduction of a more rigorous ethical investment policy in consultation with staff and student unions."

One of the signatories of the letter was Prof John Barry of the university's School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics.

"Hillary Clinton is on public record as not calling for a ceasefire which we, as those who signed that letter, find unconscionable," Prof Barry told BBC News NI.

"Many of us feel frankly both ashamed and embarrassed that we have as a chancellor somebody who's not supporting a call for a ceasefire.

"Once again it's left to staff to stand up where management haven't."

Prof Barry said that he would like to see Mrs Clinton call for a ceasefire and apologise for her previous remarks.

"So she could stay as chancellor, but represent the will of those of us of staff and of course students as well," he said.

"Falling short of that we should remove her as chancellor because I don't think she's fit to represent this institution if those are her views.

A spokesperson for Queen's University said its vice chancellor called for an immediate ceasefire on Sunday

"So either apologise and join with us in calling for a ceasefire, or do the honourable thing and step down, because you're not representing staff and students."

He added: "The reason why we've gone public is that it's like an act of desperation.

"The university only seems to respond to negative publicity and so those of us who've signed our name that's the path we've chosen - other staff may have different views and that's absolutely fine."

Vice chancellor's ceasefire call

In response, a spokesperson for Queen's University said that its vice chancellor, Prof Sir Ian Greer, had called for an immediate ceasefire on Sunday.

In a social media post, Prof Greer said: "As the head of a university that has a long history in promoting global peace and reconciliation, I have called for an immediate end to the conflict in Gaza with a humanitarian ceasefire so urgent aid relief can commence in the region.

"Dialogue must commence to secure a lasting peace and the violence must stop.

"The lesson of Northern Ireland is that peace can be achieved with hard work and compromise.

"Our young people have no memory of the conflict and thankfully no experience of it either, which is an outstanding achievement for all our leaders past and present.

"Let's hope for the same in the Middle East in the years to come."

Prof Greer, pictured to the right of Hillary Clinton, has called for a ceasefire in Gaza

In her op-ed in the Atlantic in November, Mrs Clinton wrote that Hamas "have proved again and again that they will not abide by ceasefires, will sabotage any efforts to forge a lasting peace, and will never stop attacking Israel".

She added: "So the Biden administration is correct not to seek a full ceasefire at this moment, which would give Hamas a chance to re-arm and perpetuate the cycle of violence.

"Hamas would claim that it had won and it would remain a key part of Iran's so-called axis of resistance.

"By contrast, the humanitarian pauses advocated by the Biden administration and tentatively accepted by the Israelis can save lives without rewarding Hamas."

Who is Hillary Clinton?

Mrs Clinton has been a high profile figure in American and world politics, serving as First Lady during her husband Bill's terms as president in the 1990s, later being elected as a US senator for New York.

She was secretary of state during the Obama administration and was defeated by Donald Trump in the 2016 race for the White House.

She was appointed chancellor of Queen's University in 2020 and inaugurated the following year.
An event immediately preceding both ends of totality. Bailey's Beads is a phenomenon in which the Sun's light passes through the mountains on the moon leading to the "beads" on the edge of the Moon's shadow. The Chromosphere is also quite visible in this shot.

Of the 15 states that will be touched by the moon's dark umbral shadow on April 8, no state is perhaps more enthused at the prospect of hosting the total solar eclipse than New York.

Indeed, this will be the first time in 99 years that the path of totality will sweep across the Empire State, and the "I Love New York" campaign, used since 1977 to promote tourism in the state of New York, is going all out to attract prospective eclipse watchers from other parts of the country to "Come for the Eclipse, Stay for New York."

Related: '99% totality' does not exist! Why you need to get to the path for April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse

The "Big Apple" was sliced in half

At New York's last total eclipse, which occurred on Jan. 24, 1925, totality passed over cities that again will be in the totality zone this year: Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Rochester. But unlike this year, the moon 's dark shadow took a more southeasterly track in 1925 encompassing a section of New York City's metropolitan area.

To some, this is known as "The 96th Street Eclipse," since the southern edge of the totality path paralleled 96th Street in upper Manhattan.

eclipse map graphic showing the path of totality cutting through New York City.

Those to the north, including all of the Bronx and the Hudson Valley, saw a total eclipse, while south of 96th Street (Midtown and lower Manhattan, the Battery, Brooklyn and New York Harbor), saw a partial eclipse. In these areas, however, the corona was still briefly visible since the eclipse missed being total by a mere fraction of a percent. The predicted northern edge of totality went through Providence, Rhode Island.

Interestingly, for our upcoming eclipse, there will be cities that will be similarly "cut in half" by the moon's dark shadow, such as San Antonio and Montreal

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eclipse map

While other large metropolitan areas such as Cincinnati and Toronto will lie just outside the totality zone.

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eclipse map

Will the corona be evident for these places as it was in 1925 outside of totality for parts of New York?

Views from the edge

Don't miss the eclipse!

Keep up to date with the latest eclipse content on our eclipse live blog and watch all the total eclipse action unfold live here on Space.com.

Seemingly supporting this idea, is that during the total eclipse of March 7, 1970, an amateur astronomer stationed at Chatham, Massachusetts, which was roughly 4 miles (7 km) outside totality, reported to Sky & Telescope magazine, that he ". . . was able to see the corona for a few seconds," using a 4-inch Schiefspiegler reflecting telescope.

Other observations in 1970 that were made near the edge of the path of totality, showed that certain phenomena, such as Baily's beads, the flash spectrum and shadow bands, persisted for at least 10 times their duration as seen from the center line of totality. Baily's beads, for instance, lasted for nearly a minute before the start of totality and for a similar interval at the end. The ruby red chromosphere remained visible throughout totality. The corona was seen before the sun was completely eclipsed and, even at the limit of the moon's shadow, the corona may have been visible for a minute or two more.

The diamond ring was born

The 1925 eclipse also gave birth to the now oft-used term "diamond ring effect." On the front page of the Jan. 25 edition of The New York Times, it was noted that: "A thin, luminous ring, set with a great gem of soft-burning light, hung in the eastern sky yesterday morning . . . while most of New York's population of six million gazed at it. For several seconds the jewel sparkled with a pure and mild radiance, then trembled and melted into the circle of light which rimmed the inky black disk of the moon. The total eclipse had come."

A photograph of the front page of the New York Times in 1925, showing lots of eclipse related stories.

It appears that those who were just outside of totality had a protracted view of "the great gem" which seemed to hang on for a good many seconds during the maximum phase of the eclipse. Many apparently contacted The Times afterward, to ask why the astronomers did not alert them to the possibility of seeing this beautiful product of an almost-total eclipse. The Times, in turn, asked one of America's leading astronomers, Henry Norris Russell, to provide an explanation. In the Jan. 26 edition, under the headline "Scientists Missed Sun's 'Diamond Ring,'" we read in part:

". . . spontaneously called 'the diamond ring' by numbers of observers in New York, and this term, hitherto unknown to astronomy, was apparently fixed forever as a technical term in the literature of the subject by Saturday night."

Eclipse justice meted out

A final anecdote regarding the 1925 eclipse in New York City involved a rather unusual court case that was tried in a courtroom on the Upper East Side of Manhattan (Harlem) on the same day as the eclipse. It seems that on the night before the eclipse, three men were arrested and thrown in jail for apparently causing a ruckus thanks to the fact that they were drunk.

A snippet from the New York Times detailing the arrest of three men during the eclipse celebrations.

According to The New York Times, ". . . they had come to their plight through overdoing a liquid celebration held as a preliminary to watching the eclipse."

The three men were brought before City Magistrate Richard F. McKiniry on the same afternoon following the eclipse.

"You were in jail this morning when the eclipse took place?" inquired Judge McKiniry.

"We were," the three replied.

"Well, I think you have been sufficiently punished," Judge McKiniry said. "Discharged."

In his 1950 obituary, The Times noted that Judge McKiniry "Enjoyed a reputation for understanding human nature and for equanimity. He had a distaste for the purely legalistic in court, preferring the spirit of the law."
Home and Away spoilers follow for UK viewers.

Rose Delaney and Mali Hudson's romance hits the rocks in upcoming scenes for Home and Away viewers in the UK.

In episodes airing on Channel 5 in the UK on March 25 and March 26, Rose is a little nervous ahead of her first day in her new Senior Constable role (taking over from Cash Newman), despite her half-brother Xander and her partner Mali throwing their support behind her.

Mali's encouraging but Rose feels overwhelmed by her new duties and cuts short their planned lunch at The Diner.

Channel 5

Related: Home and Away - Harper and Dana Matheson's secret backstory revealed

When Rose abandons their evening plans to work late, Mali couldn't help but feel rejected. He leaves for work before she wakes up and declines her offer to get coffee the next day, hinting at being busy too.

Later, he leaves her a message apologising, but it's clear Rose's promotion is already taking a toll on their relationship.



Meanwhile, Mackenzie Booth tells Mali the full truth about her personal life dramas. In a recent storyline, she slept with her married doctor Levi Fowler, but she isn't on board with being the other woman. Mali is determined to help Mac, and suggests they get some fresh air.

Channel 5

Related: Home and Away reveals aftermath of Tane and Harper shock

They run into Rose at the beach, and Mackenzie gives the couple space, but they cannot make up. Rose is too busy with her new job to give Mali time, but he insists she can't be too busy if she's out getting a coffee.



After an abrupt parting, Rose later meets Mali to finish their conversation.

She's confused by seeing him so worried about Mackenzie. For his part, Mali wishes he could tell Rose the whole truth about Mac's affair with Levi, but he's sworn to secrecy. As they pair are having a chat, Mackenzie interrupts them, asking for a ride home.

Mali accepts, leaving Rose puzzled as to why she's not his priority.

Back at home, Mackenzie advises him to spend time with his girlfriend, but he declines, determined to tackle one crisis at a time.

Home and Away airs weekdays at 1.45pm on Channel 5, with repeat screenings at 6pm on 5STAR and first look screenings at 6.30pm on 5STAR. Selected classic episodes are available via Prime Video in the UK.

Read more Home and Away spoilers on our dedicated homepage



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Mar 18, 2024; Lakeview, Ohio, USA; Cheri Sutton, left, looks for available food with Haylie Martin as Martin holds her daughter Hazlie Hurley, 18 months, at the Lighthouse at Indian Lake. The Lighthouse had been transformed into a pickup location where people were able to receive free supplies following a series of tornadoes and high winds that destroyed many homes in the area.

Honda is pitching in to help with relief efforts in Logan County after a powerful tornado killed three people and injured dozens in the Indian Lake area.

Eight tornadoes struck 11 Ohio counties on March 14. The most powerful was an EF3 in and around Lakeview and Orchard Island on the shores of Indian Lake in Logan County. The NWS said that particular tornado began near Fryburg in southern Auglaize County and continued through the Lakeview area in northern Logan County.

Gov. Mike DeWine has requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency survey the damage to determine if additional assistance is needed.

How Honda is helping with Logan County disaster relief

Honda's Ohio Transmission Plant is in Russells Point, a community on the shores of Indian Lake. The company is giving $350,000 to help relief efforts-- $250,000 to the United Way of Logan County and $100,000 to the American Red Cross -- along with supplies to use in disaster relief efforts.

In a statement, Honda says teams of associates responded to the crisis by assisting with cleanup and rebuilding efforts, supporting residents as they recover from the devastation. Associates continue visiting homes to provide information on local resources and tips on proper generator operation.

"Everyone at Honda stands together as neighbors with our community during this challenging time and we are committed to supporting the relief and recovery efforts," said Bob Nelson, executive vice president, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Texas Roadhouse to give 100% of profits to help relief efforts

Texas Roadhouse announced in a Facebook post that it will give 100% of the profits it earns on March 26 to "provide relief to those impacted by the recent tornado in Indian Lake."

The locations in Troy, Lima, Chillicothe, Marysville, Springfield, Alliance, Grove City, Hilliard, Lancaster, Mansfield, New Philly, Newark, Polaris, Stow and Zanesville are part of the fundraiser, according to the post.

United Way sets up Indian Lake tornado relief fund

As of Thursday, the United Way of Logan County says 2,020 donors have given $730,238 toward its tornado relief fund, bringing the total to $830,238. The United Way seeded the fund with $100,000.

To date, $87,347.16 has been used to purchase roofing materials, generators, portable storage units, transportation, prescription medication, set up two Multi-Agency Resource Centers, and provide specialized assistance to clients of a mental health agency and the Logan County Cancer Society.

American Red Cross assists efforts in Russells Point

The Red Cross has opened a shelter in Russells Point, and has opened mobile feeding operations in and around the area, according to a statement. However, residents impacted by these tornadoes do not need to be staying at a shelter to receive Red Cross services. For assistance, please call 1-800-Red-Cross (1-800-733-2767).

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Honda, Texas Roadhouse give to Indian Lake tornado relief efforts
Theres only one Jon Taffer.

The straight-talking businessman has been the host of Bar Rescue since it began airing on Spike TV in 2011, helping countless failing establishments get it together.

But now Taffer is the one who needs help, from a judge.

In a newly filed federal lawsuit, the reality star claims theres a Florida man who has been hitting up bars around the Naples area pretending to be him for about three years now.

Named in the suit is Vic Caroleo, who bears a striking resemblance to Taffer, but has nothing to do with bar management. Hes actually a New York born preacher with a presence on TikTok.

Vic Caroleo gave his life to Christ over 35 years ago. Since then, God has used him strategically in the workplace in both unique and effective ways, says a description on his eponymous website.

Taffer says that Caroleo not only impersonates him, the dude has gone a step further, picking up women as him and taking credit cards out his name.

A concerned fan reportedly reached out to Taffers reps in January to alert him that she went out with Caroleo at Verginas restaurant in Naples thinking he was the famous version. Their date raised flags after Caroleo became extremely touchy and refused to show her his drivers license, she said.

Earlier this week on Instagram, Taffer, who is being repped by Kodak Blacks lawyer Bradford Cohen, posted the TMZ story to alert his followers. Many showed their support by writing in the comments his signature phrase: Shut it down!

The Miami Herald reached out to Cohen for comment on the case, but did not immediately hear back.
HARARE, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The World Food Program (WFP) has concluded its lean season food aid distribution in Zimbabwe after last year's cereal harvest amid rising food insecurity due to the El-Nino-induced drought.

The Zimbabwean government, along with the WFP, has been providing lean season food assistance to the targeted people across the country.

Speaking at one of the food aid distribution locations in Matabeleland South Province on Thursday, WFP Representative and Country Director Francesca Erdelman said Zimbabwe is facing one of its worst droughts in decades, which will likely leave many people food insecure and requiring emergency food aid in the 2024/25 season.

In the 2023/24 agricultural season, at least 2.7 million people, or a quarter of the rural population, were assessed as food insecure and requiring food assistance during the peak of the lean season between January and March 2024.

"This year's harvest is particularly somber because the agricultural season is even worse than it has been in quite a number of years ... We see across the country that the crop production is very much affected by the current El Nino drought," Erdelmann said. 
Freemixer via Getty Images

Eagertoshower and get to bed after a late-night arrival in Brussels last summer, my husband and I were disappointed  but not surprised  to find that my wheelchair didnt fit into the bathroom of our supposedly accessible hotel room.

Too late to find a new hotel to stay in after a short but laborious flight from our home in Dublin, I clumsily lowered myself to the floor, scooted into the shower and sat while my husband angled the showerhead toward me and sprayed me down. Using the toilet was an even bigger issue, but Ill spare you the details.

Navigating hotels as a person with a disability can be challenging in unexpected ways. After a long day of traveling, nothing feels better than settling into a cozy bed. But for wheelchair users like me, there are often several obstacles that keep us from resting, relaxing and getting anything else done in a hotel room that was clearly not designed with anyone like me in mind. From stories about beds being too high to limited floor spaceand roll-in nightmares, there are so many things that the global hospitality industry needs to address.

I have to hope that change is underway, because this cant be as good as it gets. I spoke to several big hotel groups about what theyre doing to ensure better accessibility for their disabled guests  and some of them appeared to already have plans in action.

IHG Hotels & Resorts is comprised of 19 brands include EVEN and Crowne Plaza, as well as, on a luxury level, Kimpton and InterContinental Hotels & Resorts; theyre recently launched an inclusivity initiative that prioritizes accessibility through a pledge to focus on diversity in clientele.

By championing accessibility from the outset, we are rethinking how our environments enable every guest to find restoration and rest within our rooms, Melissa Messmer, the head of global design for InterContinental at IHG Hotels & Resorts, told me.

Messmer noted that, historically, accessibility in the hospitality industry has been an afterthought  and I wholeheartedly agreed, as Ive experienced all the shortcomings for years.

I learned that it can be easier for some structures to get accessibly face-lifts than others. The Kimpton Fitzroy in London, which was aquired by IHG in 2018, is old and grand  sort of a historic landmark. Some renovations have been made on the hotel since it opened its doors as The Russell in 1898, but there was a larger focus on wheelchair accessibility starting 2014. For example, the hotels entrance was fitted with a wheelchair lift using modern engineering and construction methods.

Kimpton Fitzroy London Photo: IHG

To Bryan Houser, vice president of preconstruction lifecycle at IHG, a strong design aesthetic is always inclusive. He and his team strive toward a balance of thoughtful function and aesthetic strategizing to create comfortable environments for their guests with different disabilities.

Rooms at the Hotel Indigo in Tallahassee, Florida, have rearrangeable furniture and accessible door locks. Photo Credit: IHG

And to tap into what this requires, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts work with the U.K.-based Motionspot, an inclusive design consultancy creating beautifully designed environments that center people with various disabilities.

Traditionally, accessible design has been functional  the bare minimum of what a person needs to carry out their daily tasks said Ed Warner, the CEO of Motionspot. However, this is not enough for a person to express themselves and reach their full potential. Truly inclusive design is about blending function and form to create spaces which enable and inspire.

Rooms at the Voco Grand in Glasgow, Scotland, have a fully accessible bathroom with shower transfer seats. Photo: Simon Callaghan for IHG

Partnerships like these are not just cool  theyre necessary, because design decisions about accessibility really cant be made by a bunch of people who have never used a mobility aid.

Marriott International, in hopes of making properties more comfortable for those with mobility issues, is engaging with people with disabilities to inform its decision-making in the development of its Room for All initiative. Its also working with inclusive design consultant Elise Roy, a deaf, human-centered designer who delivered a thought-provoking TEDx talk back in 2015 called When We Design for Disability, We All Benefit.

Based in Marriotts Maryland headquarters, the Room for All project will see the development of new digital features such as voice-activated temperature and lighting control, as well as room layouts that have fewer physical barriers and increase accessibility for guests who use wheelchairs.

Similarly, the company Accor has partnered with Jaccede  a collaborative platform where users review the accessibility of places theyve visited, aiming to help people with reduced mobility identify establishments that can meet their access needs. The transparency of real guests posting about their stays is really appealing here.

New in-room features are also key to Accors quest to make hotels in its roster (like Sofitel, Novotel and Ibis) more accessible to people with mobility aids. Accors recently launched smart rooms use technological innovation  including adapted, adjustable bathrooms and connected tablets to control the rooms equipment  to create a richer overall hospitality experience.

Anne-Sophie Beraud, senior vice president of group diversity inclusion and social care at Accor, stressed to me that the brands are not only focused on improving physical accessibility for their guests, but also on creating a better work environment for hotel staff with disabilities. They offer extensive training to foster healthy attitudes and reactions toward disability, as well as self-assessment programs.

The hotels also go through a certification process with the French organization Tourisme & Handicap  part of an action plan among hotel stakeholders in France ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in Paris  to advance their commitment to accommodating guests with disabilities. Beraud hopes that these efforts will not only establish a legacy of inclusivity, but also facilitate the global adoption of these best practices.

After chatting with leaders in these hotel groups, I do feel a little more hopeful about change across the industry. The evolution of attitudes and actions in hotel tourism feels slow but palpable. Many of the hotels that execute new tech and accessibility features might be out of reach for those who arent rich. But hopefully, in the no-so-distant future, these features will become a staple of all hotels. Really, its beneficial for everyone.

Ensuring there is accessible hotel provision is not only the right thing to do, said Warner, it also makes solid business sense.

A 2020 market study by Open Doors Organization revealed that in 2018 and 2019, adults with disabilities in the U.S. spent a staggering $58.7 billion on their travel adventures. A similar study by VisitBritain uncovered that individuals with disabilities contribute a noteworthy 14.6 billion pounds each year to Englands travel economy. We are out on adventures too, and we want to spend our money on accommodations that make us feel seen and safe.

Failing to cater to the access needs of people with disabilities closes the door on numerous significant revenue streams. Mobility Mojo, a company that empowers organizations to create more accessible and inclusive environments,reported that the accessible tourism market is the fastest-growing but most underserved market in tourism.

The best way, in my opinion, that hotels can address inaccessibility is by working with disabled people, designers like Roy and agencies like Motionspot. We are, after all, experts through our own experiences.

And since vacations are short, and I deserve as comfortable a stay as anyone else, Im going to continue to ask the uncomfortable questions  and choose spaces that value my money.
EXCLUSIVE: House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan has subpoenaed Mark Zwonitzer, the ghostwriter of President Bidens memoir amid the panels oversight probe of Special Counsel Robert Hurs investigation into Bidens retention of classified records.

Fox News Digital reviewed the subpoena, which demands Zwonitzer turn over all documents and communications with Biden or his staff related to his ghostwriting work on his memoirs "Promise Me, Dad" and "Promises to Keep," including emails, call logs and more.

BIDEN GHOSTWRITER ESCAPES SPECIAL COUNSEL CHARGES DESPITE DELETING EVIDENCE

The subpoena also compels Zwonitzer to turn over all contracts and agreements related to his work, along with audio recordings of interviews and conversations with Joe Biden and transcripts of those conversations and interviews.

The president has claimed that he did not share classified information with Zwonitzer, but Hurs report, released last month, states that Biden would "read from his notebooks nearly verbatim, sometimes for an hour or more at a time," and "at least three times President Biden read classified notes from national security meetings" to Zwonitzer "nearly verbatim."

"Despite President Bidens unequivocal contradiction of these material facts, Special Counsel Hurs report contains references to audio recordings and transcripts of your multiple conversations with President Biden related to [your] ghostwriting work of Bidens memoirs," Jordan wrote in the subpoenas cover letter, obtained by Fox News Digital.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Special Counsel Robert Hur's report calling out President Biden's "poor memory" sparked newfound media coverage of the leader's mental capacity in office.

Jordan noted that FBI agents once contacted Zwonitzer relating to his work, and said he "provided investigators records that included near-verbatim transcripts..and audio recordings."

"Special Counsel Hur also noted that shortly after he began his investigation, you took steps to conceal some of these recordings and transcripts," Jordan wrote.

HUR TESTIFIES HE 'DID IDENTIFY EVIDENCE' THAT 'PRIDE AND MONEY' MOTIVATED BIDEN TO RETAIN CLASSIFIED RECORDS

Jordans committee has been requesting records related to Zwonitzers work since last month, sparking a back-and-forth between the committee and Zwonitzers attorneys.

"Your attorney informed the committee you would not produce the documents without a subpoena compelling your cooperation," Jordan wrote.

Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee Rep. Jim Jordan questioned former special counsel Robert K. Hur as Hur testifies before the House Judiciary Committee on March 12, 2024, in Washington, D.C.

The subpoena compels Zwonitzer to produce all requested material to the House Judiciary Committee by April 12 at 9 a.m.

Hur did not charge Biden or Zwonitzer out of his investigation.

HUR TESTIFIES BIDEN 'WILLFULLY RETAINED CLASSIFIED MATERIALS,' BUT PROSECUTORS 'HAD TO CONSIDER' MENTAL STATE

Hur testified earlier this month that Zwonitzer "slid" files of audio recordings and transcripts of conversations with Biden "into his recycle bin on his computer" upon learning that a special counsel had been appointed to investigate the matter.

Jordan, during Hurs public hearing earlier this month, asked whether the ghostwriter tried to "destroy the evidence."

"Correct," Hur testified.

"The very guy who was helping Joe Biden get the $8 million, $8 million Joe Biden used  the motive for Joe Biden to disclose classified information to retain classified information, which he definitely knew was against the law. When you get named special counsel, what's that guy do? He destroys the evidence," Jordan said during the hearing. "That's the key takeaway in my mind."





Original article source: House Judiciary subpoenas Biden ghostwriter amid classified records investigation
The House of Representatives narrowly passed a $1.2 trillion federal spending package along bipartisan lines on Friday, taking a step closer to averting a partial government shutdown at midnight.

The legislation was expedited onto the House floor via suspension of the rules, which bypasses procedural hurdles in exchange for raising the threshold for passage from a simple majority to two-thirds. It passed by a 286 to 134 vote.

More Republicans voted against the bill than for it  112 GOP lawmakers opposed the bill and 106 voted for it. Just 22 Democrats voted against it.

HOUSE PASSES $460 BILLION GOVERNMENT FUNDING BILL BLASTED BY GOP HARDLINERS

House Speaker Mike Johnson ushered a massive $1.2 trillion spending deal through the House.

The package, comprised of six appropriations bills that account for roughly 70% of discretionary government spending, was unveiled around 3 a.m. on Thursday night. It is aimed at funding the government through the remainder of fiscal year 2024, which ends Sept. 30.

It puts Congress one step closer to ending a monthslong war that has spurred historic levels of dysfunction within the House GOP's razor-thin majority.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The bill is aimed at funding the departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Education, Health & Human Services and the legislative branch.

Both Republican and Democratic negotiators walked away declaring victory on striking a deal  Johnson touted cuts to funding for non-governmental organizations, a 6% cut to overall foreign aid funds, and policies like banning the State Department from flying non-official flags at diplomatic facilities.

GOP HARDLINERS FURIOUS AT JOHNSON FOR PASSING ANOTHER SHORT-TERM SPENDING BILL WITH DEMS: 'USUAL C--P'

The bill now heads to Democratic Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer.

Democrats cheered the exclusion of enforcement measures of the House GOPs H.R.2 border security bill  something conservatives demanded in order to fund the Department of Homeland Security  as well as increased federal child care funding and a $1 billion increase for climate and green energy programs.

Both GOP hardliners and rank-and-file conservatives panned the bill for its exclusion of those border enforcement measures.

HOUSE SPEAKER JOHNSON SAYS WHITE HOUSE DOESN'T 'CALL THE SHOTS' ON WHEN IMPEACHMENT IS OVER

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., normally a reliable vote for GOP leaders, posted on X ahead of the package's consideration, "I have a real problem with giving the Biden Administration more money without changes to his border policy. I will not fund his reckless agenda that includes the transportation & housing of more illegal immigrants, including criminals, in New York City & across America."

Conservatives were also livid that the House got less than 48 hours to review the bill before the final vote, accusing GOP leaders of violating an earlier promise to give members at least 72 hours to review the bill's text. Johnson's office blamed the White House for dragging out negotiations.

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis was among the rank-and-file Republicans coming out against the bill.

Speaker Mike Johnson's handling of the bill prompted Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., to file a motion to oust him from leadership  though she told reporters afterward it was more of a "warning."

The package did score support from conservative groups like FreedomWorks and Americans for Tax Reform, industry groups, veterans' groups like With Honor Action, and pro-Israel organizations.

It now heads to the Senate, which must act before midnight to avert a partial government shutdown.





Original article source: House passes $1.2T government spending bill to avert government shutdown
The House approved a $1.2 trillion government funding bill Friday, sending the sprawling package to the Senate hours before the deadline and officially capping off the fiscal 2024 appropriations process in the lower chamber.

The legislation  which includes six funding bills  cleared the House in an 286-134 vote, hours before a slew of agencies and programs are set to run out of funding.

The Senate is expected to quickly take up the package, with hopes of getting it over the finish line before midnight so lawmakers can avoid a lapse in funding and begin their two-week Easter recess. President Biden has said he will sign the bill.

The successful House vote puts a bookend on the fiscal 2024 appropriations process in the lower chamber, which dragged on for months with four short-term extensions, led to the first-ever toppling of a sitting Speaker, and incited bitter battles between hard-line conservatives and GOP leadership.

Top lawmakers are welcoming the conclusion of the drawn-out process.

Im delighted and relieved to be finally closing out fiscal year 2024, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (Conn.), the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, said on the floor.

The vote is also a win of sorts for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who staved off a shutdown, got the package passed despite intense conservative criticism, and avoided having to pass a massive, end-of-year omnibus spending bill, which conservatives abhor. Hard-liners, however, have derided the pair of funding bills  known as minibuses  as a two-part omnibus.

Trouble, however, looms large for Johnson.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who has emerged as one of his foremost critics, on Friday filed a motion to vacate against Johnson  the same mechanism that led to the ouster of his predecessor, former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.)  following his endorsement of the trillion-dollar spending package.

I respect our conference; I paid all my dues to my conference; Im a member in good standing, and I do not wish to inflict pain on our conference and to throw the House in chaos, Greene said after the vote. But this is basically a warning, and its time for us to go through the process, take our time, and find a new Speaker of the House that will stand with Republicans in our Republican majority instead of standing with the Democrats.

Johnson has consistently said he is not concerned about a threat to his gavel.

Greenes move is emblematic of the frustrations conservatives have aired through every twist and turn of the appropriations process, which has spanned months.

On the current package, they criticized the large price tag, inclusion of various spending priorities, the exclusion of some of their controversial policy riders, and the process by which the bill was brought to the floor.

The bill only got 101 GOP votes, while 112 Republicans voted against it. That broke the so-called Hastert rule, the principle that a Republican Speaker wont bring to the floor a bill that has support from less than half the conference.

Johnson also waived the 72-hour rule, instead giving lawmakers roughly a day and a half to read the legislative text. And he brought the bill to the floor under suspension of the rules, which eliminated conservatives ability to block the measure on a procedural vote but requires two-thirds support for passage.

The 1,012-page bill calls for $1.2 trillion in funding for the departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Labor, Health and Human Services, and State, as well as general government, financial services and foreign operations.

Defense spending sees a bump of more than 3 percent, in line with a deal struck last year between President Biden and House GOP leadership to limit federal spending. Nondefense funding is roughly flat when compared to the previous fiscal year.

Lawmakers have bemoaned having to vote on a sprawling funding package not long after it was rolled out in the dead of night the day before  a common practice in Washington. But members on both sides are already touting a list of wins for them and dings against the other side.

Republicans point to investments on the border that they say allow for a greater focus on enforcement, including funding for 22,000 Border Patrol agents, boosts for border security technology and funding for 41,500 detention beds.

The bills dont make the drastic cuts House Republicans sought in their partisan funding proposals from last year, but the party has also boasted what it calls a break from previous years when both sides would haggle over parity between defense and nondefense funding increases.

Some programs that see more modest cuts in the package include the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Democrats, meanwhile, have cheered fending off the steep funding cuts pushed by Republicans, as well as a string of so-called poison pill riders, including measures targeting abortion access and diversity initiatives.

The party has leaned in on funding boosts secured in early childhood education and health programs, including Head Start, Child Care and Development Fund block grants and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

The package also increases funding for the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the Health Resources and Services Administration.

However, the bill has also notched criticism from the far reaches of both parties.

Conservatives have bashed funding in areas such as FBI construction and certain Democratic-backed community projects, while coming out against overall funding levels in the package.

Progressives in both chambers have also criticized a concession secured by Republicans blocking dollars to UNRWA, a key United Nations agency that provides relief for Palestinian refugees.

Do they consider a win the fact that children are starving to death in Gaza and are going to be unable to get the food and medical supplies they need because of the lack of funding to UNRWA? Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) told The Hill. If thats a win, Id hate to see what a loss looks like.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The excavation of HS2's longest tunnel has been completed.

A tunnelling machine reached the end of its 10-mile (16km) journey on Thursday at a site near South Heath, Buckinghamshire.

Cecilia, named after Buckinghamshire-born astronomer and astrophysicist Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, was launched in June 2021.

The tunnel will form part of HS2, the high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham.

A second machine, named after Florence Nightingale, cut through the chalk beneath the Chiltern Hills last month.

Both began their journeys near Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, close to the M25 motorway.

They dug a twin-bore tunnel with a depth of up to 80m (about 260ft) that will be used for HS2 trains.

HS2 Ltd said each machine operated as an "underground factory" with crews of nearly 20 people working in shifts to keep them running constantly.

The tunnel was excavated and lined with 112,000 precast concrete wall segments which were grouted into position. The process moved forward at an average speed of about 16m (about 50ft) a day.

HS2 Ltd's head of civil works for this section of the route, Mark Clapp, said Thursday was a "remarkable achievement for all concerned".

He added: "But it's only the end of the first chapter in the story of building Britain's high-speed railway under the Chiltern Hills.

"Several years of intensive, world-class engineering lie ahead of us to complete the tunnels' four ventilation shafts plus headhouses, [and] install the mechanical and electrical plant and machinery, slab track and overhead electrical wires before trains begin passing through at 200mph."

Headhouses are buildings on top of ventilation shafts that contain air flow and ventilation systems.

Didier Jacques, underground construction director at main contractor Align, said: "The complexity and technical challenges of completing such a long drive for both our tunnel-boring machines (TBMs) has been significant. However, I am delighted that as a team we have risen to the challenge."

He said both machines "incorporate innovations and technologies that have been introduced on TBMs in the UK for the first time".

These include "semicontinuous boring", allowing the machines to build the rings that line the tunnels without pausing.

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp 0800 169 1830
Hundreds of migrants on Thursday broke through razor wire barriers along the Texas-Mexico border in El Paso, days after the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals extended a hold on Senate Bill 4, a new state law that allows state and local police to arrest migrants suspected of entering the U.S. without legal authorization.

Here's what we know:

What happened at the Texas-Mexico border in El Paso?

Hundreds of migrants breached concertina wire barriers shortly after 8:30 a.m. Thursday, in hopes of surrendering to U.S. Border Patrol agents for processing.

"About the surge of illegal immigrants in El Paso: The TX National Guard & Dept. of Public Safety quickly regained control & are redoubling the razor wire barriers. DPS is instructed to arrest every illegal immigrant involved for criminal trespass & destruction of property," Gov. Greg Abbott posted on X, formerly Twitter.

SB 4, which was set to go into effect earlier this month, has been put on hold by federal courts as constitutional challenges brought by the U.S. Justice Department and migrant rights groups are settled.

Migrants trying to surrender to the U.S. Border Patrol in El Paso broke through razor wire barriers set up along the Rio Grande by the Texas National Guard.

As the crisis at the U.S. southern border in Texas continues to escalate, Abbott is continuing his $11 billion Operation Lone Star border security initiative, which includes a floating buoy barrier in the Rio Grande, hundreds of miles of concertina wire along the river's shoreline, and a permanent state military installation along the border near Eagle Pass.

Abbott has accused President Joe Biden and his administration of being derelict in securing the border. The White House has blamed congressional Republicans for the crisis, saying they could fix the issue by passing a bipartisan border security bill that they blocked at the urging of former President Donald Trump to prevent Biden from getting a legislative win during an election year.

Polls show that immigration and border security are key issues for voters as Biden gears up for what is expected to be a brutal rematch this fall with Trump, who is running on a tough-on-immigration platform and has blamed Biden for an influx of illegal crossings at the border.

What is the Texas-Mexico border issue about?

The U.S. southern border in Texas has seen record numbers of migrants seeking asylum in the U.S., a sizable percentage of whom are coming from Venezuela, as they flee that South American country's economic and political crisis. The United Nations Refugee Agency has estimated that more than 7.7 million people have fled Venezuela in recent years, with more than 500,000 reaching the U.S., according to the agency's latest figures.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported encountering more than 155,000 people who made it into the U.S. in Texas without legal authorization, though those encounters declined to under 74,000 in January.

African migrants sleep next to a fire to keep warm in the early hours of Thursday morning along the Rio Grande in El Paso.

What is Mexico saying about the Texas border crisis?

Mirroring the U.S. federal government's challenges to Texas SB 4, the Mexican government is arguing that immigration law should be handled federally and not by Texas. Mexican government officials have said that SB 4 would be harmful to its own citizens and its economic relationship with the U.S.

In a friend-of-the-court brief filed by Sinead O'Carroll, a partner at Reeves & Brightwell LLP in Austin, with the 5th Circuit, Mexico presented its arguments on the negative affect of SB 4:

The law could lead to the undue harassment, arrest, expulsion and criminalization of Mexican citizens and individuals who "look Latino" by Texas agents.

The measure creates an atmosphere of uncertainty, fear and vulnerability.

The law conflicts with judicial precedent establishing that the federal government has the exclusive responsibility to regulate immigration issues.

The law violates Mexicos sovereign right to determine its own policies regarding which individuals enter its territory.

The law would affect bilateral collaboration and talks on border issues, and it would significantly affect trade between the two countries.

What states are sending troops to Texas?

As of now, 14 Republican-led states  Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming  have sent National Guard troops to the Texas-Mexico border to show support for the state.

What is Texas Senate Bill 4?

SB 4 would authorize state and local police to detain and arrest people suspected of crossing into the U.S. in Texas from Mexico without legal authorization. The law also empowers magistrate judges to order migrants to return to Mexico or hand down stiffer criminal penalties for noncompliance.

Migrants are escorted south through a border barrier in El Paso by Texas National Guard troops on Thursday. The migrants were seeking to surrender to the Border Patrol.

According to the bill's language, SB 4 looks to prohibit sanctuary city policies that prohibit local law enforcement from inquiring about a person's immigration status and complying with detainer requests. These policies often also prohibit the sharing of information regarding a person's immigration status with the federal government.

Is SB 4 being enforced now?

Not at this time. The 5th Circuit issued a hold on SB 4 on Tuesday night, about nine hours after the U.S. Supreme Court had paved the way for the controversial measure to take effect. The appeals court heard arguments over SB 4 on Wednesday morning but did not take any action.

What are the penalties under SB 4?

SB 4 seeks to make illegally crossing the border a Class B misdemeanor, carrying a punishment of up to six months in jail. Repeat offenders could face a second-degree felony with a punishment of two to 20 years in prison. The law allows state police officials to arrest migrants suspected of entering the U.S. illegally and to force them to accept a magistrate judge's deportation order or face stiffer criminal penalties.

A migrant watches others who breached the razor wire Thursday on the Rio Grande in El Paso.

Why is SB 4 being challenged in court?

The U.S. Justice Department and immigration advocacy groups argue the bill usurps the federal governments authority over immigration laws. They also argue that SB 4 would lead to racial profiling by police, similar to stop-and-frisk policies. Texas Republicans have argued that the state needs to step in to stem the rise in migrants reaching the Texas-Mexico border as they accuse the federal government of being derelict in that duty.

What are the rules for seeking asylum?

According to USA.gov, an immigrant must be able to demonstrate that they were persecuted or have a fear of persecution in their home country due to their:

Race

Religion

Nationality

Social group

Political opinion

Anyone who enters the U.S., legally or illegally, has up to one year to request asylum. A decision is made on the asylum application within 180 days after that person files a request.

Hundreds of migrants line up along the border wall in El Paso after they breached razor wire barriers Thursday.

Can police check immigration status?

According to the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, SB 4 (while currently on hold) does not change the way police are required to act when enforcing Texas laws on the streets. However, it can change the way police are likely to behave.

The center described what is and isnt prohibited:

It is legal for Texas law enforcement to inquire about immigration status in the course of enforcing Texas criminal laws. However, it is not required.

There is no requirement for police to enforce federal immigration laws: SB4 does not authorize police to stop migrants purely on the basis of immigration status nor does it require police to inquire about immigration status.

Texas police cannot legally stop someone solely because they suspect them of being undocumented.

Higher risk of police action based on assumed lack of immigration status: Because of SB4, police might be more likely to stop and arrest immigrants or question people about immigration status, even though this might be illegal discrimination.

USA TODAY Network reporters Hogan Gore, John Moritz, Michael Collins, Omar Ornelas and Aaron A. Bedoya contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Migrants breach razor wire barrier in El Paso as SB 4 remains in limbo
A stage hypnotist has been sentenced to eight months in prison for stealing a womans identity and illegally downloading and selling nudes of two other women he hacked on social media.

Robert Temple, a U.K. comedian known for his hypnotism shows, was convicted in a British courtroom of three counts of fraud, two counts of hacking, and one count of concealment of criminal property.

He admitted on Monday that he hacked into the Snapchat accounts of two women to download their nude and topless photos, which he then sold for cryptocurrency.

This man was operating on an online forum to target women, in which he would receive a specific request and hack social media accounts in order to obtain personal and explicit photos in exchange for cryptocurrency, police detective Jonathan Naylor said.

Temple also stole the identity of another woman to shroud his illicit dealings, police said. He set up multiple crypto accounts and a social media account under Ellie Normans name to solicit racy photos from women who might want to profit off them.

The real Ellie Norman told multiple U.K. media outlets that she realized she had been targeted when police detectives contacted her, asking if she was involved with crypto.

I wouldnt have a clue where to start. But even though Id done nothing wrong, for a moment I went into panic modeI thought Could I end up going to prison? It was really scary, she told the Daily Mail.

Then they realized my social media and my email had been hacked by Temple. Its scary to think what else hes done with my identity and my photos, all without my knowledge.

Norman told The Guardian that Temple had also contacted her using yet another womans name, Emma Collins.

Basically Robert Temple had created a fake Facebook profile under the name Emma Collins. He used it to lure women into joining a modeling agency and would ask them to send [explicit] pictures and videos, Norman explained.

She didnt send him any of her photos, but was shocked to find that she had been talking to a man the whole time.

She seemed really nice, just like she genuinely wanted to help you, so I was thrown back a little bit that ended up being a man.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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KAMPALA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has made changes in both Cabinet and army, dismissing the defense minister and replacing the army commander.

Museveni, through his social media handle on X, formerly Twitter, said late Thursday that he had replaced Defense Minister Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja with Jacob Marksons Oboth, while Chief of Defense Forces Wilson Mbadi was replaced with Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Museveni's son. Kainerugaba will be deputized by Samuel Okiding.

The president also appointed a new joint chief of staff, dropped two ministers in charge of the northeastern region of Karamoja who are currently accused of corruption, and appointed two young ministers who have been regional mobilizers for his son's pressure group, the Patriotic League of Uganda.

The new Cabinet list will be sent to the parliament for vetting before they can be sworn in. 
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said Friday that it has increased patrols in an area of the southern border in El Paso, Texas, where a large group of illegal immigrants burst through razor wire and surged toward the border wall a day before.

Video taken by the New York Post showed dozens of adult males ripping away razor wire that was set up by the state and charging past Texas National Guardsmen. They then ran toward a section of border wall, where they were blocked from entering further.

A Texas law enforcement source told Fox News the group consisted of over 300 illegal immigrants, and about 100 adult males rushed the soldiers, and one has been arrested so far for assaulting a soldier. The melee began when one family unit was allowed through. The source said that more arrests are likely coming for destruction of property and assault.

"Get the f--- back!" one soldier can be heard in the Post's video yelling at the illegal immigrants from the other side of the fence.

MIDWEST STATE ON VERGE OF DEFYING BIDEN WITH TEXAS-STYLE BILL TO COMBAT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

CBP said that as of 3 p.m. local time, all migrants had been moved from the site.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Additional personnel have been deployed to the scene, and the situation is under control. The U.S. Border Patrol continues to monitor the situation and has increased patrols in the area," a spokesperson said.

"There are consequences to crossing the border illegally, and CBP continues to enforce United States immigration laws. Individuals and families without a legal basis to remain in the U.S. are subject to removal, and are subject to a minimum five-year bar on reapplying for admission and potential criminal prosecution if they subsequently re-enter without authorization. No one should believe the lies of smugglers; individuals and families without a legal basis to remain in the United States will be removed," they said.

Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, told Fox News Digital on Thursday that agents were going through video to see who assaulted the soldiers. They will be processed for deportation, but maintain the ability to claim asylum. Texas also has the ability to charge the migrants who assaulted them.

It marked the latest flashpoint at the border in a three-year crisis that has seen record numbers of migrants hit the border, with 2.4 million in FY 23 alone. Numbers have dropped since the high of 302,000 seen in December, but there are concerns those numbers could again swell as the summer months approach.

Texas has implemented a number of border security measures to tackle the flow of illegal immigration, most of which have faced opposition from the Biden administration. The razor wire has been cut by federal officials, leading to a lawsuit. Meanwhile, the administration sued over Texas deployment of buoys into the Rio Grande.

This week, the Supreme Court briefly allowed Texas anti-illegal immigration law, which allows police to arrest illegal immigrants, to go into effect despite a legal challenge from the Biden administration. The law was kicked back down to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which then blocked it again hours later as arguments proceeded on the merits.

The Biden administration has claimed that the law encroaches upon federal responsibility over immigration enforcement.

TEXAS CAN KEEP ARRESTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHILE BIDEN CHALLENGE PROCEEDS, ABBOTT SAYS

"S.B. 4 will not only make communities in Texas less safe, it will also burden law enforcement, and sow chaos and confusion at our southern border. S.B. 4 is just another example of Republican officials politicizing the border while blocking real solutions, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement this week.

Texas has argued that it has had to act because the administration is not doing its job to secure the border and deport those in the country illegally.

MEXICO SLAMS TEXAS OVER IMMIGRATION LAW, WON'T ACCEPT REPATRIATIONS FROM STATE AFTER SCOTUS RULING

"Number one, we are facing such dangerous situations. And number two, Joe Biden, through his actions, is violating the laws of the United States of America," Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Wednesday.

Texas has said it still has the authority to stop those coming across illegally by using trespass laws. Gov. Abbott's spokesman, Andrew Mahaleris, told Fox News Digital, "The surge today in El Paso is the direct result of the unsustainable chaos President Biden has unleashed on the border. The Texas Military Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety quickly gained control of the situation and are working to repair the damage. These illegal immigrants committed crimes in Texas, and the Department of Public Safety is under instruction to arrest every illegal immigrant involved for committing criminal trespass and destruction of property."

Meanwhile, the chaotic scenes at the border will fuel the ongoing debate in Washington, D.C., over how to handle the crisis. The Biden administration has said it needs more funding, resources and reforms to overhaul a "broken" system and has called for passage of a bipartisan Senate package.

Republicans have said no such legislation is needed and that the administration can restore calm by re-enacting Trump-era policies like "Remain-in-Mexico" and wall construction.

"Just in case people are unsure, this is what an invasion looks like," Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., said Thursday.

Fox News' Griff Jenkins contributed to this report.





Original article source: CBP increases patrols after migrant surge overwhelms Texas National Guard in El Paso
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welchs office issued an order instructing his 78-member Democratic supermajority not to speak to a Chicago Tribune reporter about political matters at the State Capitol or elsewhere, citing highly dubious grounds that such discussions could be an ethical breach.

One former veteran statehouse journalist described the order as a goofy and stupid attempt to try to stifle legitimate news-gathering activities, while the head of the states press association said reporter conversations with lawmakers about politics are legal constitutionally protected free speech.

Illinois Speaker Welch apologizes for memo ordering Democratic lawmakers not to answer Tribune questions

The order was issued Thursday after Welchs team apparently became irked by questions being asked of the speakers leadership team by Tribune reporter Jeremy Gorner about tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions that they made in support of Michael Crawfords candidacy for an Illinois House seat in Tuesdays primary. Crawford was the successful Welch-backed primary challenger to longtime Democratic state Rep. Mary Flowers of Chicago, the longest serving Black House member.

In a memo distributed in a blast email to House Democrats on Thursday afternoon, the lawmakers were instructed that they should not respond to Gorners questions nor should they call him back or give him a number for him to reach you to discuss political matters as it is also ethically dubious.

The memo warned that Gorner was asking questions that were explicitly political and stated that it is inappropriate to discuss campaign related matters on the Capitol grounds.

The memo was signed by Carla Jones, who identified herself as office manager in the communications unit of the Office of the Speaker, Emanuel Chris Welch.

When contacted by Gorner about the memo, Jaclyn Driscoll, a former statehouse reporter who became Welchs chief spokesperson in April 2021, falsely accused Gorner of questioning only Black lawmakers about Welchs efforts to defeat Flowers. Gorner informed Driscoll that she was wrong and that he spoke to a variety of lawmakers who contributed campaign funds to Flowers opponent, regardless of their racial or ethnic background. Welch is the states first Black House speaker.

Contacted by another Tribune reporter, Driscoll said the memo represented long-standing policy. Informed that no such policy has existed in the statehouse for at least four previous decades, she was asked to have the House Democrats legal counsel provide statutory citations that prohibit political discussions by legislators on or off Capitol grounds.

None were provided because no such statutory prohibitions exist in Illinois law and, if they did, they would likely be in violation of First Amendment free speech protections.

The only statutory campaign prohibitions prevent lawmakers from being offered or accepting campaign contributions inside the Capitol and a ban on lawmakers and legislative candidates from holding campaign fundraisers on session days in Sangamon County, where Springfield and the Illinois State Capitol are located.

On Friday, Driscoll released a statement to the Tribune about the memo saying it was overly cautious and was not prepared or reviewed by the House Ethics Officer. She also said that at a meeting with lawmakers on Friday morning that the speakers office clarified to members that nothing precludes them from answering reporter questions.

Asked for documentation of the clarification, Driscoll did not provide any. She also declined to identify the people who put together the initial memo, but said Welch was not involved.

Im not going to throw staff under the bus, she said.

She also did not offer an apology to Gorner or the media over the content of the memo, nor to members of the Democratic caucus for not trusting them to use their own judgment.

Asked about issuing an apology, after a long pause, Driscoll said, I dont see how this is beneficial.

Tribune Executive Editor Mitch Pugh said, we are disappointed in Speaker Welch and his office.

Clearly, this wrong-headed memo was an attempt to stifle our reporters constitutional right to do his job, Pugh said. We continue to support our journalists ability to ask elected officials tough questions, no matter the setting. We are confident our readers and Speaker Welchs constituents expect nothing less.

Virtually everything that happens at the State Capitol is rooted in politics.

Theres distinct seating of Democrats and Republicans on opposite sides of the House and Senate floors. There are meetings the two chambers four partisan caucuses hold behind closed doors to develop a legislative game plan. And theres the drawing of gerrymandered district maps after the federal census, which each party has used to gain or keep power over the decades.

Perhaps the least political activity at the statehouse is the awarding of legislative license plates  senators by their district number and House members by their seniority.

Don Craven, president of the Illinois Press Association and its general legal counsel, said he knew of no limitation of the ability of lawmakers to discuss election results, even in the Capitol.

Discussing election results (is) constitutionally protected activity and can occur anywhere, Craven said.

Charles Wheeler, a former longtime statehouse reporter, called the policy stated in the memo absolutely goofy, recounting that at least half the time if not more of his quarter-century working in the Capitol involved asking questions that had to do with politics.

Its so stupid from a public relations point of view, said Wheeler, an emeritus professor of journalism who is a past director of the Public Affairs Reporting Program at the University of Illinois at Springfield. I just find it difficult to believe that a legislative leader would authorize one of his staff to tell his members not to talk to reporters.

Wheeler also said the success of such an order was unlikely because independently elected lawmakers will not pay attention to it, although some interviewed by Gorner on Thursday declined to speak to him, saying they didnt want to discuss anything campaign-related in the Capitol.

Welchs memo to lawmakers came after the speaker, Democratic leadership and about a dozen unions bankrolled Crawfords campaign fund against Flowers. State campaign records show more than a dozen House Democrats contributed to Crawfords campaign, including top-ranking members of the Democratic caucus.

State Rep. Kelly Burkes campaign contributed $10,000 to Crawford, because Welch had asked me to donate, Burke said.

Im a member of his leadership team, said Burke, a Democrat from Evergreen Park who serves as an assistant majority leader in the House. Im happy to support the speaker when he needs my help.

Records show that none of the more than $1.6 million that Crawford raised in large donations came from within the House 31st District he will represent if he wins the general election in November.

In an interview Friday with the Tribune, Flowers said she felt like Welch targeted her for speaking up at times against his leadership and that Welchs backing of Crawford allowed him to not be forced to answer tough questions about what kind of lawmaker hed be.

He didnt have to show his hands too much, but now hes been exposed. But the damage is done to me and my constituents, she said of Welch.

A spokesperson for Crawford didnt return a request for comment. Crawfords campaign repeatedly declined requests for comment to the Tribune throughout the campaign and after his victory.

Another assistant House majority leader, state Rep. Aaron Ortiz, said his campaigns $10,000 contribution to Crawford stemmed from there being a unified effort among Democrats. The Chicago Democrat also said there were some things Flowers said that were disrespectful.

As a leadership team, we all signed like a pledge to abide by these rules of respect and engagement and listening, Ortiz also said, and thats something unfortunately that she kind of just tossed out the window.

Flowers was pushed out of Democratic leadership last year after it was alleged that she repeatedly engaged in inappropriate behavior that included saying a Democratic staffer looked like Adolf Hitler. She acknowledged making the comment but said it was just one of a series of disagreements with Welch.

They said I talk mean, Flowers said of some state representatives who fundraised against her. You know, I  yeah. Im a little older than you, Ive seen a little bit more in life. And Im not an angry Black woman, but I do get angry when I see injustice done. And I have seen more injustice done than they have.

Longtime political consultant Delmarie Cobb worked on Flowers campaign in its final weeks. She said the challenge to Flowers sends a concerning message to other legislators, particularly Black women.

It sends a message that, Youre next if I dont like you, or I can primary you too, Cobb said.

Flowers, the nearly four-decade veteran lawmaker first elected to the office when Harold Washington was mayor of Chicago, said she long prioritized services to Black mothers, infants and children, including those in the care of the state.

On Friday, Flowers said her only regret was being unable to continue serving her community, my extended family.

Tribune reporter Ray Long contributed.
Illinois lawmakers are considering two bills aimed at blocking children and teenagers from obtaining and concealing electronic cigarettes.

One bill would ban e-cigarettes that are designed to look like objects commonly carried by schoolchildren, such as highlighters and markers, and therefore not spotted for what they actually are by adults.

We should do everything in our power to make it impossible for children to obtain and conceal tobacco products, state Sen. Julie Morrison, a Deerfield Democrat who is co-sponsoring the bill that would ban the marketing of vapes that might be mistaken by adults for something else, said at a news conference in Springfield on Tuesday.

Morrison said the measure would prohibit tobacco companies from pulling the wool over the eyes of the adults whose job it is to keep our children safe.

A second bill would prohibit e-cigarettes from being purchased remotely by anyone other than a distributor or seller.

Both bills passed out of the Senate executive committee earlier this month and are awaiting a vote by the full chamber.

Morrison and Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel, a Shorewood Democrat who is taking the lead on the bill prohibiting remote sales, said at Tuesdays news conference that e-cigarettes, or vapes, create dependency and lead to adverse health issues, and should be regulated just as strictly as tobacco.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2023 marked the 10th year in a row e-cigarettes have been the most popular type of tobacco product used by middle and high school students.

Morrison put forth a bill in 2019 to ban flavored tobacco products statewide, but it failed to come to a vote. Cook County last year approved a ban on flavored e-cigarettes, which critics say attract younger users.

Morrison and Loughran Cappel said they have received regular complaints about e-cigarettes from schools. Michelle Stiff, president of the Joliet Township high school district board of education, said local efforts to crack down on retailers that sell vapes to young people have helped reduce student use, but many still find ways to obtain nicotine products online or by mail.

We are seeing an increase among high school students vaping in schools and we are concerned with the health of our students, Stiff said at Tuesdays news conference. I stand before you today because of the collaborative partnerships that it takes to solve this issue.

____
The executive board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a third review of Ukraine's $15.6 billion loan program. This decision enables the release of $880 million designated for budget support, bringing the total disbursements to $5.4 billion, the IMF announced on March 21.

The international lender emphasized that Ukraine continues to face exceptionally high risks, mainly due to uncertainties related to the ongoing war with Russia and the outlook for external financial support. However, Ukraine mission chief Gavin Gray said that the IMF anticipates the war in Ukraine to de-escalate by the end of 2024, according to Reuters.

Gray said that Ukraine has maintained a robust performance on the IMF program throughout its initial year, meeting all but one of the quantitative performance criteria. The single discrepancy pertained to tax revenues, which was of minor significance.

Ukraine is expected to receive the funds in the coming days, according to Gray.

Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the IMF, emphasized that Ukraine's macroeconomic and financial stability has been preserved despite "enormous social and economic costs" due to Russia's full-scale invasion.

"The economy has been resilient, with stronger-than-expected macroeconomic outturns in 2023. Ukraines performance and commitment under the program has continued to be strong," she said. "Steadfast reform momentum to enhance anti-corruption and governance frameworks, including ensuring the effectiveness of anticorruption institutions, will be essential to help contain fiscal risks, enhance growth and support the path to EU accession."

An external commercial debt treatment in line with program parameters will help "create the needed space for critical spending and restore debt sustainability," she added.

Read also: Charles Michel: Europe must prepare for war

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
PROVIDENCE  City planners have proposed to make every zone in the city that allows two-family dwellings also allow three-family dwellings, and to rezone certain areas that currently allow three dwellings to scale up to apartment buildings.

Under a draft land-use plan, part of the city's adoption of a new comprehensive plan, city planners propose folding the lowest-density commercial zoning district, C-1, into the medium-density zoning district, C-2.

The comprehensive plan is completed every 10 years.

"The fact is, that we need to find more opportunities to build housing," Deputy Planning Director Bob Azar said during a planning meeting Tuesday night. "Zoning and land use is not going to solve the housing crisis alone."

What is being proposed?

Turn all duplex zones into triplex zones and rename them "medium density residential."

Allow "small" apartment buildings in the new triplex zone through an as-yet-undetermined process.

Turn some triplex zones into denser R-4 zones, which allow for larger apartment buildings.

Turn the least-dense commercial zoning (C-1) into the next-higher density level, C-2.

New buildings in residential areas would be no taller than three stories except in R-4, where they could be four stories tall.

This map shows where duplex zoning would turn into triplex zoning under proposed zoning changes, part of the comprehensive plan. The map on the left is the current zoning and on the right is where triplex zoning would be if the changes are approved.

What is the R-4 zone, and why is it important?

Providence has five residential zones, four of which get their numbering from the number of units they allow by right:

R-1 for single-family houses

R-1A for single-family houses on big lots

R-2 for duplexes

R-3 for triplexes

R-4 for apartment buildings

The new R-4 zone would allow for dense residential developments by right, something that was not allowed until recently in residentially zoned areas.

In a 2022 planning document, the Department of Planning and Development described proposed changes to the R-4 district as allowing it to become "a true multifamily zoning district" but noting that any new R-4 zones would have to be created by the City Council.

This is Providence's current zoning map. Yellow and light yellow are single-family zoning, terra cotta is duplexes, light brown is triplexes and dark brown is R-4, for apartment buildings. Pink and light pink and red are the three commercial districts.

Currently, the R-4 zone does not put a cap on the number of units in a building, something commissioners and planning staff have resisted following an initial proposal by Kevin Diamond and Dustin Dezube in the Mount Hope neighborhood for a 58-unit four-story apartment building composed of small units. They are principals in Providence Architecture and Building Company.

Diamond and Dezube have also proposed adding 59 units across three new buildings in the Federal Hill neighborhood, plans that require the City Council to approve the zone changes.

Developer Seth Zeren, with Armory Management Company, has proposed a 26-unit building next to a former nursing home along Parade Street, across from the Dexter Training Ground, that he turned into 12 market-rate apartments. At the time of the renovation, 12 units was the cap for the R-4 zone. The cap has since been lifted.

Where would three-family zones be changed into the denser R-4?

In an email, Azar wrote that the proposed change from three-family to the denser R-4 is for "specific areas called out as high-density residential on the future land use map."

Maps provided during a presentation on Tuesday night show three areas where the zoning would increase from triplexes to R-4: Upper South Providence/the West End/Federal Hill, Smith Hill/Downtown/Valley and Fox Point/Wayland. The map shows areas, but not entire neighborhoods, for rezoning. Most of the areas appear to be already zoned for triplexes.

This "high density residential" map shows where the city planners are proposing triplex zoning increase to the much denser R-4 zone, circled on the map on the right.

How did we get here?

When the city adopted its first zoning code in 1923, much of it was already built. The next major change came in 1951, part of the wave of urban renewal that displaced ethnic minority communities, turned houses into parking lots and bulldozed neighborhoods to build freeways.

The 1950s urban renewal zoning code was meant to decrease density. The 1923 zoning rules allowed for "an awful lot of density." The 1951 zoning code introduced the city's current plan for three main residential zones, for single-family houses, duplexes and triplexes, Azar said.

How did we get here? Rhode Island's housing crisis is at a breaking point.

"Ever since probably the late '90s, we've been slowly kind of reversing that trend and undoing a lot of the things in those earlier zoning ordinances that speak to a city that, if you build it, according to those ordinances, it looks more like a suburb," Azar said.

In neighborhoods like Elmwood and Fox Point, they are zoned for duplexes but in reality, much of the housing is triple-deckers or denser, Azar said.

If you zone it, will they come to build new triple-deckers?

If the zone change doing away with the 1950s duplex zone goes forward and all those areas allow triple-deckers, does it matter?

Reporter Tom Mooney, in the Sunday, Feb. 28 Providence Journal, explained why builders quit building triple-deckers after their central role in quickly expanding Rhode Island's housing stock in the early 20th century as immigrants arrived in large numbers.

As Mooney reported, three-unit buildings are now considered commercial properties under the state's building code and require expensive sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems and two staircases.

As Providence Director of Inspections and Standards James Moore put it, the projects no longer "pencil out" as cost-effective.

Legislation proposed by Neighbors Welcome! Rhode Island, a pro-housing group, would shift the building code for three- to six-unit buildings from commercial to residential, doing away with much of the prohibitively expensive building requirements.

New housing proposal sparks fiery debate Stairway to affordability or shortcut to danger?

Zeren, who is both a developer and director of the organization, said the bill could make triple-deckers feasible again, but the city would also need to expand three-family zoning.

"Unless the land use changes, you can't build them," he said.

Row houses seen as another way to expand three-family buildings

Triple-deckers are not the only form of triplex that can be built, as row houses present a viable option.

'More gentle density'

Christian Roselund, an organizer/founder with Providence Urbanist Network, said in an interview that the proposed plan would create "gentle density" in the city.

"It's exactly what we need," he said.

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Contributed to DocumentCloud by Wheeler Cowperthwaite (The Providence Journal)  View document or read text

While Roselund and the other members of his group, many of whom testified at the Tuesday meeting, think the new plan is a huge step forward, they want to see more areas near high-frequency bus routes slated for denser development.

The other place the map should be denser is the "growth corridors" that should be zoned commercial, which allows mixed-use buildings  residential and commercial.

"There's no reason to freeze commercial areas in the city in time," he said.

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Providence Journal subscription. Here's our latest offer.

Reach reporter Wheeler Cowperthwaite at wcowperthwaite@providencejournal.com or follow him on Twitter @WheelerReporter.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence comprehensive plan proposes upzoning duplexes to triplexes
By Arpan Chaturvedi and YP Rajesh

NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Arvind Kejriwal, chief minister of Delhi's capital territory and a key opposition leader, was remanded in custody on Friday until March 28, a blow to the opposition after he was arrested in a graft case weeks before a general election.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), India's financial crime agency, arrested Kejriwal on Thursday in connection with corruption allegations relating to the city's liquor policy.

His detention, less than a month before India begins voting on April 19, is a setback for his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the larger opposition alliance as he is a key campaigner who entered politics on an anti-corruption platform.

All the main leaders of his decade-old party are in jail in connection with the liquor case.

Kejriwal, 55, told the India Today TV channel he would not resign and would run the city government from jail if he had to.

"This is not a case or investigation, this is murder of democracy in this country," said Delhi's finance minister Atishi, who uses only one name.

"The BJP wants to win the elections through the ED," she said, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party.

AAP has called for protests, with plans for its members to burn effigies of Modi in Delhi on Sunday and march to his residence on Tuesday.

Earlier on Friday, AAP workers protested in Delhi and the states of Punjab, Haryana, Odisha and Gujarat, among others. Dozens were detained by police. Police in Punjab, the only other state AAP rules, and Haryana, used water cannons to disperse protesters.

OPPOSITION UNDER PRESSURE

A delegation of opposition leaders met the Election Commission of India asking it to intervene, saying the arrest had damaged the level playing field the opposition needs.

The ED is investigating allegations that the Delhi government's 2022 policy that ended its control over liquor sales gave undue advantages to private retailers. It was subsequently withdrawn and the AAP government has said no evidence of wrongdoing has emerged in the investigation.

The ED lawyer told the court on Friday that Kejriwal had been uncooperative, failing to appear for questioning despite nine summons.

Kejriwal was the "kingpin" and "key conspirator" as he was "directly involved in formulation" of the liquor policy and needed to be interrogated, the lawyer said.

AAP is part of the 27-member 'INDIA' bloc which has dismissed graft investigations against multiple opposition leaders as a politically motivated smear campaign by the BJP, which runs the federal government that controls the ED.

The federal government and BJP deny any political interference.

On Thursday, the main opposition Congress party accused Modi of crippling it before the general election by freezing its accounts in an income tax case, charges BJP denied.

"AAP and Arvind Kejriwal were arguing until now that there is no evidence, this is a fake case," BJP National Secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa told ANI. "The court understands that there is so much strong evidence which is why they have sent him on remand."

(Additional reporting by Tanvi Mehta, Sakshi Dayal, Shivam Patel and Jatindra Dash; Writing by YP Rajesh; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Richard Chang)
(Bloomberg) -- Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey said Thursday that he hoped to seek reelection as an independent Democrat if he is exonerated of federal corruption charges, but ruled out running in the Democratic primary.

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I am hopeful my exoneration will take place this summer and allow me to pursue my candidacy as an independent Democrat in the general election, Menendez told his states voters in a nine-minute video released on YouTube.

I know many of you are hurt and disappointed in me with the accusations I am facing, he said, proclaiming his innocence. All I can ask of you is to withhold judgment until justice takes place.

Menendez, a former chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he would not file for the primary given the charges against him. His support has plummeted in polls, but his plans to run as an independent could hurt the Democratic Partys ability to hold the seat and its slender majority in a year in which it faces competitive races in several Republican-led states.

He has pleaded not guilty to bribery charges that accuse him of accepting gold bars, cash and a Mercedes Benz in exchange for helping three businessmen. His wife, Nadine, is also a defendant.

Federal prosecutors re-indicted them earlier this month, adding obstruction of justice allegations. Menendez was accused of accepting bribes from a businessman to make public statements in favor of Qatar and acting as an unregistered agent of the Egyptian government.

On top of obstruction, the US also brought new bribery, fraud and foreign agent charges to previous conspiracy allegations.

The new charges followed a guilty plea by Jose Uribe, a businessman, who is now helping prosecutors. Uribe said he bribed the senator with a Mercedes-Benz convertible for help in resolving two legal matters.

Menendez has resisted widespread demands for his resignation from fellow Democrats, including from the states other senator, Cory Booker, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The states first lady, Tammy Murphy, and Representative Andy Kim are among politicians preparing to run for the Democratic nod in a June 4 party primary.

Menendez in September pleaded not guilty to the charges that he acted as an agent of Egypt. The US on Jan. 2 filed revised charges that he took bribes from a New Jersey businessman who was seeking an investment from a Qatari fund for a real estate project. In exchange, prosecutors allege, Menendez made multiple public statements in support of the Gulf country.

Menendez has been a powerful force in New Jersey politics for decades, and was appointed to the Senate by former Governor Jon Corzine in 2006. He survived a separate indictment over gifts he received from a Florida doctor. A 2017 trial ended when jurors couldnt reach a unanimous verdict and the Department of Justice later dropped the case.

In the video released Thursday, the senator described his record of action in crises including the financial crisis and recession of 2008, Hurricane Sandy and the coronavirus pandemic, and referred to his rise from humble origins as a child of immigrants in Union City.

Ive never backed down from a fight worth having, he said.

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2024 Bloomberg L.P.
The Scottish government has announced details of a review into the use of WhatsApp and other messaging apps.

It will consider whether ministers and officials should use WhatsApp to conduct government business.

The UK Covid inquiry revealed officials and ministers had deleted WhatsApp messages exchanged during the pandemic.

The external review, commissioned by First Minister Humza Yousaf, will also look at whether personal devices ought to be used for government business.

It will be lead by former Channel Islands data protection commissioner Emma Martins.

The Covid inquiry heard that a number of Scottish government figures, including the then first finister Nicola Sturgeon, had deleted messages that referred to government business.

The Scottish government was accused of "industrial scale" deletion of messages by opposition parties, but Ms Sturgeon said any "salient" points were recorded on the corporate record and it was informal messages that were deleted.

The UK government was also criticised over its record-keeping, with Scottish Secretary Alister Jack telling the inquiry he had deleted all of his messages to create memory space on his phone.

'Committed to openness'

The external review will also consider how information from messaging apps should be retained and whether the Ministerial Code and Scottish Civil Service Guidance need to be updated.

The current Scottish government guidance states that relevant information from mobile messaging apps should be saved centrally and messages should be deleted at least monthly.

Minister for Parliamentary Business George Adam said: "We are committed to openness and transparency and constantly seek to maintain and improve our performance in this area which is why the first minister commissioned this important external review."

Emma Martins has been appointed to lead the inquiry on an initial three month contact.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, speaks at a video conference on promoting the prevention and resolution of local government debt risks on March 22, 2024. Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese vice premier, presided over the meeting. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang said Friday that continuous efforts should be made to promote the prevention and resolution of local government debt risks.

Defusing the debt risks will be a tough and protracted battle, Li said during a video conference.

All regions and government departments should strengthen their sense of responsibility to resolve existing debt risks and prevent new debt risks, Li said.

Efforts should be made to defuse risks on financing platforms and clear outstanding payments owed to enterprises, he said.

He also noted the importance of efforts to build a government debt management mechanism in accordance with high-quality development, fine-tune the investment and financing systems of local governments, and improve the long-term mechanism to prevent outstanding payments. 
Clockwise from top left: Boris Epshteyn, John Eastman, Rudolph W. Giuliani and Roger J. Stone Jr. (Clockwise from top left: Hillary Swift/The New York Times; Anna Moneymaker/The New York Times; Rebecca Noble/The New York Times; Nicole Craine/The New York Times)

WASHINGTON  After being sworn in as attorney general in March 2021, Merrick Garland gathered his closest aides to discuss a topic too sensitive to broach in bigger groups: the possibility that evidence from the far-ranging Jan. 6 investigation could quickly lead to former President Donald Trump and his inner circle.

At the time, some in the Justice Department were pushing for the chance to look at ties between pro-Trump rioters who assaulted the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, his allies who had camped out at the Willard Hotel, and possibly Trump himself.

Garland said he would place no restrictions on their work, even if the evidence leads to Trump, according to people with knowledge of several conversations held over his first months in office.

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Follow the connective tissue upward, said Garland, adding a directive that would eventually lead to a dead end: Follow the money.

With that, he set the course of a determined and methodical, if at times dysfunctional and maddeningly slow, investigation that would yield the indictment of Trump on four counts of election interference in August 2023.

The story of how it unfolded, based on dozens of interviews, is one that would pit Garland, a quintessential rule follower determined to restore the departments morale and independence, against the ultimate rule breaker  Trump, who was intent on bending the legal system to his will.

Garland, 71, a former federal judge and prosecutor, proceeded with characteristic by-the-book caution, pressure-testing every significant legal maneuver, demanding that prosecutors take no shortcuts and declaring the inquiry would take as long as it takes.

As a result, prosecutors and the FBI spent months sticking to their traditional playbook. They started with smaller players and worked upward  despite the transparent, well-documented steps taken by Trump himself, in public and behind the scenes, to retain power after voters rejected his bid for another term.

In trying to avoid even the smallest mistakes, Garland might have made one big one: not recognizing that he could end up racing the clock. Like much of the political world and official Washington, he and his team did not count on Trumps political resurrection after Jan. 6, and his fast victory in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, which has complicated the prosecution and given the former president leverage in court.

In 2021 it was simply inconceivable, said one former Justice Department official, that Trump, rebuked by many in his own party and exiled at his Florida estate Mar-a-Lago, would regain the power to impose his timetable on the investigation.

I think that delay has contributed to a situation where none of these trials may go forward, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said in a recent interview on CNN, citing the Justice Departments approach as a factor. The department bears some of that responsibility.

The Supreme Courts decision to review Trumps claims of presidential immunity in the case has now threatened to push the trial deep into the campaign season or beyond, raising the possibility that voters will make their choice between Trump and President Joe Biden in November without Trumps guilt or innocence being established.

It has resurfaced a question that has long dogged Garland: What took so long?

It would take the department nearly a year to focus on the actions contained in the indictment ultimately brought by Jack Smith, the special counsel Garland later named to oversee the prosecution: systematic lies about election fraud, the pressure campaign on Vice President Mike Pence, the effort to replace legitimate state electors with ersatz ones.

Officials in the Biden White House have long expressed private consternation with Garlands pace. The select committee established by the House in 2021 to investigate what led to the Jan. 6 riot made it an all-but-explicit goal to force the Justice Department to pursue the case more aggressively, and in Georgia, a local prosecutor was going head-on at Trumps efforts to overturn his loss even before Garland was sworn in.

People around Garland, who like others interviewed for this article spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss Justice Department affairs, say there would be no case against Trump had Garland not acted decisively. And any perception that the department had made Trump a target from the outset, without exploring other avenues, would have doomed the investigation.

Dont confuse thoughtful with unduly cautious, said a former deputy attorney general, Jamie S. Gorelick, who sent Garland, then her top aide, to oversee the prosecution of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. He was fearless. You could see it then, and you could see it when he authorized the search at Mar-a-Lago.

Garlands allies point to how, by the summer of 2021, the attorney general and his powerful deputy, Lisa O. Monaco, were so frustrated with the pace of the work that they created a team to investigate Trump allies who gathered at the Willard Hotel before Jan. 6  John Eastman, Boris Epshteyn, Rudy Giuliani and Roger Stone  and possible connections to the Trump White House, according to former officials.

That team would lay the groundwork for the investigation that Smith would take over as special counsel a year and a half later.

But a host of factors, some in Garlands control, others not, slowed things down.

Department leaders believed that the best way to justify prosecuting Trump and the Willard plotters was to find financial links between them and the rioters  because they thought it would be more straightforward and less risky than a case based on untested election interference charges, according to people with knowledge of the situation. But that conventional approach, rooted in prosecutorial muscle memory, yielded little.

There were also problems inside the part of the Justice Department leading the investigation, the U.S. attorneys office in Washington. The office was racked by personnel issues and buckling under the weight of identifying and prosecuting Jan. 6 rioters  an investigation that became the largest ever undertaken by the department.

Garland and his team decided early on not to take direct control of the investigation themselves, as the department had done after the Oklahoma City bombing.

And for much of 2021, the U.S. attorneys office at first prioritized indicting key members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, far-right groups that played a crucial role in the assault, on charges of seditious conspiracy.

Time will tell whether Garland and Monaco made the right calls in the period before they turned the investigation over to Smith, who within eight months brought not only the election-case indictment but the separate charges against Trump for mishandling classified documents.

But like many before them, Garland and his team appear to have underestimated Trumps capacity for reinvention and disruption, in this case through delay.

A Shaky Start: January to March 2021

On Jan. 6, 2021, Garland was in his attic office in suburban Maryland, drafting remarks he would deliver the next day in Delaware when Biden was to introduce him as his pick for attorney general.

The speech was to center on reestablishing normal order after four chaotic Trump years. Garland took a break, clicked on a livestream of rioters breaching the Capitol and realized, in a flash, that he would need to revise not only his speech, but his approach to the job.

He was still fine-tuning his language as his wife drove him to Wilmington the next morning.

The rule of law is the very foundation of our democracy, said Garland as Biden, whom he barely knew, looked on.

In February, while Garland awaited Senate confirmation, J.P. Cooney, a veteran prosecutor in the U.S. attorneys office who ran the group investigating the riots ringleaders, drafted a proposal to fast-track elements of the investigation. It would also include seizing the phone of Stone, a longtime Trump associate who was part of the group that had been camping out at the Willard Hotel before Jan. 6 strategizing about how to keep Trump in office.

The FBI and Justice Department balked at Cooneys plan.

Cooney had prosecuted Stone in 2019 for obstructing a congressional investigation, only to have Trump appointees intervene to reduce the sentence  before Trump wiped it away. Some at the department worried Cooney might be trying to settle unfinished business, according to two former officials who now believe those doubts were misplaced.

For the next several months, the Willard inquiry, led by Cooney, took a back seat to another high-profile, high-risk effort: drafting novel seditious conspiracy charges against the leaders of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys for their roles in the Capitol attack.

Moving Up the Ladder: April to October 2021

Garland, like most attorneys general, did not weigh in on day-to-day decision-making. Instead, he would transmit his preferences on the Jan. 6 investigations every Thursday evening during a briefing with a half dozen aides. The team included L. Rush Atkinson, a senior counselor to Garland whose work for special counsel Robert Mueller offered valuable insight.

The meetings often lasted hours as Garland rattled off questions. One early query: Had Trump made incriminating statements during an Oval Office meeting in December 2020 when his team discussed overturning Bidens electoral victory?

Monaco, 56, a former national security official in the Obama White House, was confirmed in April 2021. While she embraced her bosss cautious, stepwise approach, she also had a keener awareness of political optics and was so trusted by Bidens transition team she was chosen for her job weeks before Garland was selected for his.

She made it clear that the Willard investigation was a priority.

Anxiety about the investigation was growing among some prosecutors in the U.S. attorneys office, some at Justice Department headquarters and eventually in the White House.

Then came a public warning shot. On June 30, the Democratic majority in the House voted to create a Jan. 6 committee, with teams assigned to investigate the fake electors plot and Trumps effort to overturn the election.

This was no bottom-up, follow-the-money exercise: They aimed straight for Trumps inner circle, issuing one of their first subpoenas to his final chief of staff, Mark Meadows. By late in the year, the committee was making clear that one of its goals was to force Garland to bring more urgency to the Justice Department investigation, suggesting it could make a criminal referral to the department on election interference charges.

Justice Department officials vehemently deny that external pressure spurred them to move faster and maintain that their decisions were prompted solely by the collection of evidence.

Nonetheless, their pace accelerated.

By the third week of June 2021, Garland had decided investigators had accumulated enough evidence to justify channeling more resources into the Willard investigation, according to people with knowledge of the situation.

Internal communications showed that Oath Keepers leaders were trying to contact the White House in the days leading up to the attack. Giuliani, whose phones had been seized by the FBI in April in an unrelated investigation, seemed to be involved. Department leaders were recognizing that a Trump Justice Department official, Jeffrey Clark, whose pivotal role had already been well documented in news reports months earlier, was a central figure.

But the U.S. attorneys office, which was supposed to be coordinating the investigation, did not have the bandwidth to do it, in Garlands view, according to people he spoke with.

He groused about a lack of updates on the inquiry. During one meeting, an impatient Monaco interrupted prosecutors to ask, OK, but where are we going to be on all this by Labor Day?

In late June, Garland, Monaco and several aides decided they needed to take a dramatic step: creating an independent team, separate from Cooneys original group, tasked with investigating the Willard plotters, with no restriction on moving up the ladder to Trump if the evidence justified it.

They did not want too many people knowing about it. So they gave it a vanilla name: the Investigations Unit.

Then things appear to have stalled.

Many veteran prosecutors were already being deployed on rioter cases, and recruiting for the team took longer than expected. In the meantime, Monaco turned her attention to reorganizing an overwhelmed U.S. attorneys office in Washington, according to former officials.

Garland worked in a corner office, deliberating on an issue that was critical but not directly focused on Trump: whether to employ the symbolically powerful but little-used seditious conspiracy law against the leaders of the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers. After weeks of internal debate, he signed off.

The investigations unit would not begin operating until November 2021, more than four months after its creation.

The Turning Point: October to December 2021

The man selected to run the unit was Thomas P. Windom, a career federal prosecutor in Maryland who had recently notched a pair of impressive victories in high-profile cases against white supremacists.

Windom was aggressive, tight-lipped and, in Garlands view, somewhat impervious to partisan attacks  his father had been the Republican lieutenant governor of Alabama.

His arrival is now regarded as a major turning point. Back then, it was not clear to his colleagues what he was supposed to be doing.

Windom showed up at the U.S. attorneys office without any fanfare or much explanation. He did not even have an office. Few of his new colleagues knew who he was. Agents in the FBIs field office learned of his existence when he began requesting files.

He was vague about his mission and chipper, if a bit chilly  with a habit of correcting people who called him Tom instead of Thomas. But it soon became clear that Windom was asking big-picture questions about Trump and his circle, and that he had the support of the departments leaders.

He adopted the follow-the-money directive used in most organized crime and white-collar cases, including the Enron prosecution of the early 2000s that defined Monacos early career.

Yet the deeper prosecutors dug, the less about money they seemed to find.

It had initially appeared that the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, in cahoots with some in Trumps circle, bankrolled travel and lodging for allies, with the intention of blocking certification of the election. Windom was intent on finding out whether Stone and Infowars founder Alex Jones were involved in a broader funding conspiracy, according to people familiar with the situation.

The reality was more mundane. Most rioters drove themselves to Washington, paid their airfare and hotel bills out of pocket, slept on couches, or set up crowdfunding sites.

As the year came to a close, the departments leadership had no alternative but to steer the investigation into choppy, uncharted waters: They shifted focus to election fraud.

End Game: January to November 2022

In January 2022, Garland announced his intention to pursue anyone involved in Jan. 6 whether they were present that day or were otherwise criminally responsible for the assault on our democracy. Monaco publicly confirmed the department was investigating the mailing of fake elector certificates.

Behind the scenes, Windom had begun joining with investigators from other agencies, including the Postal Service, to track the trail of fake electors. He also teamed up with the Justice Departments inspector general who had begun investigating Clark.

Until that point, the FBI had mostly remained on the sidelines, leaving much of the initial work to state officials. But by late 2021, Paul Abbate, the FBI deputy director, told senior law enforcement officials that the bureau was, in general, supportive of the inquiry.

Then Windoms former boss in Maryland, Jonathan Lenzner, was named as chief of staff to FBI Director Christopher Wray, giving the prosecutor a direct line to the highest echelons of the bureau. Wray also instructed deputies to ensure that Windom had everything he needed.

By April, the Washington field office finally drafted an investigative memo required to open the fake electors case, with Wray and Garland signing off.

The first telltale signs Windom was homing in on Trump and the half-dozen allies who would later be listed in the indictment as uncharged co-conspirators was a series of subpoenas issued by a grand jury in Washington.

Over the next few months, federal agents and prosecutors obtained search warrants and seized the phones of Clark and Eastman as well as Epshteyn and Mike Roman, a campaign strategist who was the director of Election Day operations for the Trump campaign in 2020.

It is not clear when Garland formally approved the investigation of Trump. But Windoms team began issuing subpoenas, including a request for presidential phone logs, schedules and drafts of speeches by May 2022, and possibly sooner. By the summer, the department was directly asking witnesses about the presidents actions.

But by this time, Trumps strategy of block and delay was being deployed. The process was slowed by the necessities of dealing with complex legal issues, in particular claims of executive privilege and attorney-client privilege when it came to material on the seized phones of Trumps allies. The Justice Department set up a secret team of prosecutors, eventually employing more than a dozen lawyers to review the potentially protected materials, including emails.

It was known internally by the code name Coconut and, according to people familiar with the planning, led by a prosecutor from Portland, Oregon, who was the only person authorized to talk to Windoms team.

The departments actions, significant and far-reaching as they were, were overshadowed by the Jan. 6 committee in the summer of 2022, which presented a firsthand and well-documented narrative of the effort to overturn the election.

Prosecutors, accustomed to working in the shadows and at their own pace, watched some potential witnesses answer questions on camera.

Garland has said, time and again, that the hearings had no impact on the Trump investigation. The department was motivated only by the need to get it right, which entailed imagining the mistakes that we could make, and making sure that we dont make them, as he told a bar association conference recently.

But the pressure was clearly building. What Windoms team wanted most were hundreds of raw transcripts of committee interviews, something the panel refused to turn over quickly.

The committee did not immediately make a criminal referral, but members were hardly shy about passing the torch to Garland. The Justice Department doesnt have to wait, Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., a vocal advocate of prosecuting Trump, said at the time.

But wait it would. Windoms team was hitting legal roadblocks set up by Trump and his allies. An intense series of legal battles would play out over the ensuing months with 25 witnesses called by the federal grand jury in the case. Those witnesses asserted executive privilege or other reasons for not testifying  by far the most time-consuming and frustrating element of the investigation, in the view of current and former officials.

There was another surprise. Despite the blockbuster hearings by the House panel, Trump was gaining political strength. On Nov. 15, 2022, he formally announced that he would be a candidate to recapture the presidency.

Three days later, Garland, following rules intended to insulate political appointees from accusations of election interference, announced his selection of Smith as a special counsel. By now, the department was in a race for time.

A few weeks earlier, Smith was driven into the departments cobbled courtyard and whisked up to Garlands office, where he was asked how quickly he could start.

Smith let Garland know he wanted to move fast, and signaled his intention to enlist Windom, which would save time and effort.

After returning to The Hague, where he served as a war crimes prosecutor, Smith was struck by a scooter while biking and fractured his leg. For a few anxious days, there was serious concern whether he would recover in time to take the job. But he rallied and was in Washington by Christmas, leg propped on a walker.

About seven months later, Windom, a half-smile on his face, took the measure of Trump, who scowled at him across a scuffed courthouse table as he was arraigned on charges of plotting to subvert the peaceful transfer of power.

Smith watched from a nearby bench, occasionally peeking at the clock on the wall.

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The Polk County Jail is among those an Iowa ombudsman's report says has improperly charged inmates for medical costs.

Responding to what it says has been years of uneven compliance, the Iowa Office of Ombudsman is calling on the states county jails to follow the law on charging prisoners for health care and room and board.

Ombudsman Bernardo Granwehr in a report issued Thursday found that several county jails in Iowa, including Polk County's, have been collecting money from inmates for health care costs before they were convicted and without a court order. The report said that violates an Iowa law on the books since 2006.

County sheriffs are allowed to seek recovery of medical and other costs from inmates only if they are found guilty and after a bill of costs is presented to a court and approved, Granwehr said in a statement.

More: Last lawsuit claiming sex abuse by Polk County Jail doctor settled for $7,500

Weve actually had complaints coming in for years, he told the Des Moines Register. We decided to move forward with this as a public report to bring attention to the issues and maybe resolve the issue.

He recommended that all Iowa sheriffs review their practices to ensure they comply with the law.

In addition, he said, he has recommended that the Iowa Department of Corrections propose amendments to an administrative rule that has confused jail officials.

The department acknowledged the issue but has not committed to amend the relevant rule, Granwehr said.

I hope this report starts a conversation that ultimately leads to consistency in how jails handle inmate health care costs, he said in the statement.

Law prohibits collecting payment from prisoners before conviction

The law Granwehr cites in the report says that a county sheriff "may charge a prisoner who is eighteen years of age or older and who has been convicted of a criminal offense or sentenced for contempt of court for violation of a domestic abuse order for the actual administrative costs relating to the arrest and booking of that prisoner, for room and board provided to the prisoner while in the custody of the county sheriff or municipality, and for anymedical aid provided to the prisoner.  If a prisoner who has been convicted of a criminal offense or sentenced for contempt of court for violation of a domestic abuse order fails to pay for the administrative costs, the room and board, or medical aid, the sheriff or municipality may file a reimbursement claim with the district court. ..."

Granwehr said his office put out a special report in 2016 to draw jails' attention to the requirement, but it apparently went largely unheeded.

From 2022: A tooth abscess led to a life-threatening infection. This Polk County jail inmate's mother wants to know why

The new report in particular focused on the Scott, Wapello, Mills and OBrien county jails, and identified eight other counties that it said were at least partially out of compliance with the law. Among them, it said Polk County acknowledged charging inmates for medical care before they were convicted.

Granwehr said none of the four jails at the center of the report disagreed with his interpretation of the law and that three of the four, excluding Wapello, already have committed to or made changes to their practices.

He said a source of the problems has been that the Iowa Administrative Code, which also addresses reimbursement of jails for medical services and room and board, was never updated to reflect the 2006 change in the law. He said he has urged the Department of Corrections to rewrite the code section.

Weve had constructive dialogue with the department and they understand what the problem is, Granwehr said. We just want to encourage them to take the step of amending the rule thats causing confusion. Im optimistic they will follow through, and if they do this problem will go away statewide.

The Department of Corrections did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

ACLU says years of noncompliance with law 'shocking but not surprising'

Iowa officials of the American Civil Liberties Union said they agree with Granwehrs conclusions and recommendations. The group's National Prison Project seeks to identify and prevent abuses of prisoners' rights.

Sheriffs and jail personnel who decline to provide basic, necessary medical care for inmates prior to conviction are in the wrong under Iowa law, ACLU of Iowa Policy Director Pete McRoberts said in an emailed statement.

With regard to the provision of medical services in jails, Iowa law was changed nearly 20 years ago to require a conviction prior to assessing fees to inmates, McRoberts said.

Almost two decades later, it is shocking but not surprising to see that local governments are still not following state law, he said.

More: Should Polk County help pay for an offender release program the state took over? It says no.

The ACLU of Iowa will seek to ensure that all Iowa sheriffs abide by statutory and constitutional requirements regarding the well-being of jail inmates, he said.

We are, however, disturbed that the state Department of Corrections continues to decline to use its authority to resolve any misapplication of Iowa law regarding provision of health care in county jails, he said.

ACLU of Iowa officials are concerned that the department was formally asked to assist on the issue but has declined to make any changes, he said.

The department has had 18 years to get this right, McRoberts said. Its many directors over the years have known or should have known of this issue. At this time, it is beyond doubt that department management is well aware of the law.

If department leadership continues to stonewall and enable further skirting of state law, then we urge the Iowa Legislature to use its oversight and statutory prerogatives to force a course correction, he said.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Jose Mendiola is a breaking news reporter for the Register. Reach him at jmendiola@dmreg.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Report: Iowa county jails are violating law on inmate medical billing
As our state faces a serious workforce crisis, its time for our government to deliver a better deal for Iowas working families.

Employers are calling out with increasing urgency about the need for skilled workers to fill vacant positions and allow their businesses to expand. With state and national unemployment rates at historic low levels, competition for employees is tough and getting tougher.

Iowa needs more workers.

More: Iowa Business Council annual report says state's workforce 'tapped out,' newcomers needed

Our worker shortage represents a major challenge  but also a major opportunity. If we can establish Iowa as a premier destination for people to work and raise a family, we can solve this immediate crisis  with benefits that last a generation. We can build a brighter, stronger future for Iowa. But to do it, we must offer working families a better deal than they are getting now.

Over the past eight years, our governor and her majority partys short-sighted decisions have made things worse, not better. Because of their choices, its now more difficult to recruit and retain workers and reverse the effects of our compounding worker shortage.

Because of Republican politicians attacks on our unemployment system, the 1,300 workers facing an uncertain future due to the Tyson plant closure in Perry will have access to nearly three months fewer unemployment benefits than they wouldve had just a couple years ago.

Those attacks on unemployment aid have also made it harder for seasonal workers in construction and outdoor fields to stay in Iowa year-round  and increasingly leaving for neighboring states that understand their industries and respect their work.

Because of their refusal to raise the minimum wage to match our neighboring states (not to mention economic reality), workers are left feeling undervalued and under pressure to leave for jobs that pay the bills.

Because of their loosening of child-labor laws, kids are being pushed into more dangerous work, a truly immoral shortcut toward solving the worker shortage in our state. At one point, Republicans even tried to deny injury benefits to kids who get hurt in these jobs  thankfully we were able to get that amended out last year.

And because of their erosion of worker protections and the prioritization of corporate profits, workers face the threat of serious injuries with less opportunities to get the benefits they need when their careers are cut short.

And then theres the Republican majoritys ongoing attack on the right of workers to organize for better pay, benefits, and working conditions.

In 2017, they slashed workplace rights for public employees  a blatant political attack meant to break Iowas unions and undo decades of strong relations between employers and employees. This year, they doubled down, pushing a bill in the Senate that created a loophole in state law for employers to decertify  that is, break up  their workers union. Lucky for Iowa workers, that bill failed  but not before revealing just how extreme this agenda continues to be.

More recently, Senate Democrats invited our Republican colleagues to collaborate on a bipartisan leadership bill to restore the full 39 weeks of unemployment aid for workers affected by plant closures. They declined, despite the devastating closure in Perry.

This is not the way forward for Iowa. This is not the solution to our workforce crisis. We can offer a better deal for Iowa workers and their families. We simply have to make their quality of life our priority in state government again.

Jesse Case, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 238 of Iowa delivers remarks during a Teamsters demonstration at the Iowa State Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, in Des Moines.

Along with my Democratic colleagues, Ive introduced a legislative blueprint for that better deal. Heres what it looks like:

Paid family leave for Iowans. Family leave programs are a huge asset for employees and a competitive edge for employers large and small.

Support for seasonal workers. We have a bipartisan bill to help seasonal workers get through short-term layoffs so they can stay and the state and stay on the job for Iowa employers.

Protections for workers. There are clear, concrete steps we can take to promote safer workplaces, provide care for injured workers, and ensure justice for those harmed on the job. We can hold bad actors accountable when their disregard for the law causes workplace injuries, and we can ensure fair loss-of-earning-capacity benefits for those who suffer major on-the-job injuries.

Better quality of life. We can do much more as a state to ensure affordable child care, world-class public schools, restored natural resources and recreational opportunities, and access to quality health care.

Im dedicated to making Iowa a better place for the workforce we need today and in the years to come. By offering a better deal for Iowa workers, we lay the foundation for a bright future for our state.

State Senator Nate Boulton

State Sen. Nate Boulton is the Democratic Whip and represents Altoona, south Ankeny, east Des Moines, Pleasant Hill, and Saylor and Delaware Townships.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Make Iowa a premier destination for people to work
One of the Bahai faith's major temples is in Haifa, Israel, although its spiritual roots are in 19th century Iran (RONALDO SCHEMIDT)

A flattened patch of earth is all that remains of where the graves once stood - evidence, Iran's Bahais say, that their community is subjected to persecution even in death.

Beneath the ground in the Khavaran cemetery in the southeastern outskirts of Tehran lie the remains of at least 30 and potentially up to 45 recently-deceased Bahais, according to the Bahai International Community (BIC).

But their resting places are no longer marked by headstones, plaques and flowers, as they once were, because, said the BIC, this month Iranian authorities destroyed them and then levelled the site with a bulldozer.

The desecration of the graves represents a new attack against Iran's biggest non-Muslim religious minority which has, according to its representatives, been subjected to systematic persecution and discrimination since the foundation of the Islamic republic in 1979.

The alleged destruction has been condemned by the United States, which has also criticised the ongoing persecution of the Bahais, as have United Nations officials.

Unlike other minorities, Bahais do not have their faith recognised by Iran's constitution and have no reserved seats in parliament. They are unable to access the country's higher education and they suffer harassment ranging from raids against their businesses to confiscation of assets and arrest.

Even death does not bring an end to the persecution, the BIC says.

According to the community, following the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran, the authorities confiscated two Bahai-owned burial sites and now forcibly bury their dead in Khavaran.

The cemetery is the site of a mass grave where political prisoners executed in 1988 are buried.

"They want to put pressure on the Bahai community in every way possible," Simin Fahandej, the BIC representative to the United Nations, told AFP.

"These people have faced persecution all their lives, were deprived of the right to go to university, and now their graves are levelled."

The US State Department's Office of International Religious Freedom said it condemned the "destruction" of the graves at the cemetery, adding that Bahais "in Iran continue to face violations of funeral and burial rights".

- 'Going after the dead' -

The razing of the graves comes at a time of intensified repression of the Bahai community in Iran, which representatives believe is still hundreds of thousands strong.

Senior community figures Mahvash Sabet, a 71-year-old poet, and Fariba Kamalabadi, 61, were both arrested in July 2022 and are serving 10-year jail sentences.

Both were previously jailed by the authorities in the last two decades.

"We have also seen the regime dramatically increase Bahai property seizures and use sham trials to subject Bahais to extended prison sentences," said the US State Department.

At least 70 Bahais are currently in detention or are serving prison sentences, while an additional 1,200 are facing court proceedings or have been sentenced to prison sentences, according to the United Nations.

The Bahai faith is a relatively young monotheistic religion with spiritual roots dating back to the early 19th century in Iran.

Members have repeatedly faced charges of being agents of Iran's arch-foe Israel, which activists say are without any foundation.

The Bahais have a spiritual centre in the Israeli port city of Haifa, but its history dates back to well before the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948.

"The fact that they are going after the dead shows that they are motivated by religious persecution and not by a perceived threat to national security or society," said Fahandej.

Repression of the Bahais, 200 of whom were executed in the aftermath of the Islamic revolution, has varied in strength over the last four-and-a-half decades but has been in one of its most intense phases in recent years, community members and observers say.

The UN special rapporteur on human rights in Iran, Javaid Rehman, told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva this week he was "extremely distressed and shocked at the persistent persecution, arbitrary arrests and harassment of members of the Bahai community".

Fahandej said it was not clear what had prompted the current crackdown but noted it came as the authorities seek to stamp out dissent of all kinds in the wake of the nationwide protests that erupted in September 2022.

"The treatment of the Bahais is very much connected with the overall situation of human rights in the country," she said.

sjw/ah/dcp
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani, seen here in Baiji, north of Baghdad, on February 23, 2024 in a handout photo provided by his office (-)

President Joe Biden will welcome Iraq's prime minister on April 15 for talks on the US troop presence, the White House announced Friday, as tensions subside following US clashes with pro-Iran militias.

It will mark the first trip to Washington by Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani, who took office in October 2022.

Sudani in the past has called for an exit of US forces, redeployed nearly 10 years ago as part of a campaign to defeat the Islamic State extremist group, better known as ISIS, which had seized vast swathes of Iraq and Syria.

Biden and Sudani will discuss "our shared commitment to the lasting defeat of ISIS and evolution of the military mission," a White House statement said.

Sudani's office said that the two would "discuss the future relationship" between Iraq and the United States following the fight against the extremists.

Tensions soared amid the Israel-Hamas war with armed groups linked to Iran carrying out a slew of attacks on positions in the Middle East of the United States, the main ally of Israel.

The United States carried out reprisals after a drone strike killed three US soldiers stationed in the Jordanian desert in late January.

A US drone strike inside Baghdad killed Abu Baqir al-Saadi, a senior commander of Iran-lined Kataeb Hezbollah who was accused by the US military of planning and participating in the attacks on US forces.

Iraq, hoping not to be consumed by US-Iran hostility, protested the strike.

But calm has largely returned and tensions have subsided between the United States and Iraq, which have resumed talks on the future of the anti-jihadist coalition.

Iraqi authorities have voiced hope for drawing up a timeline to reduce the presence of US forces.

Both Biden and Donald Trump, who is seeking to return to the White House in November elections, generally oppose extended deployments of troops overseas, with Biden in 2021 completing the pullout of US forces from Afghanistan, where the Taliban swiftly took back control.

The United States stations some 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in neighboring Syria as part of the coalition.

Iran wields considerable political influence in Baghdad. Its Iraqi allies dominate parliament and appointed the current government.

The White House said Biden would discuss Iraqi economic reforms in hopes of promoting economic development and "energy independence," with the country still relying on Iran.

aue-tgg-sct/tjj
The terrorist group Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the mass shooting at a concert hall in Moscow on March 22 that has left at least 60 people dead.

The group announced their involvement in a Telegram post released after the attack

"Soldiers of the Islamic State attacked a big crowd of Christians in the city of Krasnogorsk...killing and wounding hundreds," the statement said.

The post also claimed the attackers "withdrew safely" after the attack.

IS has in the past claimed responsibility for attacks it did not carry out. U.S. intelligence officials, however, confirmed the claim shortly after the post.

Sources told CNNs Alex Marquardt that there has been "fairly specific" intelligence that ISIS-K, also known as Islamic State  Khorasan Province, has been planning attacks inside Russia.

On March 7, the U.S. Embassy in Russia issued a warning that "extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow" and urged American citizens to stay away from concentrations of people over the next 48 hours.

And earlier this month, Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said it had thwarted an attack on a synagogue by an IS cell.

The attack on March 22 at the Crocus City Hall killed at least 40 and wounded more than 100, Russian state-controlled news agency TASS claimed, citing the preliminary data of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).

Images posted to social media showed them walking unchallenged through the venue and firing indiscriminately at those inside.

Read also: Moscow shooting: Gunmen fire into crowd at concert hall, over 100 casualties reported

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
This is a locator map for Afghanistan with its capital, Kabul. (AP Photo)

ISLAMABAD (AP)  The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a deadly bombing that targeted people trying to collect their salaries at a bank in southern Afghanistan. The bombing Thursday at a branch of New Kabul Bank in Kandahar city killed three people and wounded 12 others.

All of the victims had gathered there to collect their monthly salaries, said Inamullah Samangani, head of the governments Kandahar Information and Culture Department.

Abdul Mateen Qani, spokesman for the Taliban Interior Ministry, said the target of the attack was civilians and the victims were local people. He said an investigation is continuing.

The Islamic State groups affiliate, a major Taliban rival, has conducted attacks on schools, hospitals, mosques and Shiite areas throughout Afghanistan.

The militant group said in a statement posted on its news agency, Aamaq, late Thursday that the suicide bomber detonated his explosive belt among Taliban gathered near the bank to receive their salaries.

Kandahar city is a spiritual and political center for Afghanistans rulers because the Talibans supreme leader, Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, is based there and his decisions on major issues are implemented by authorities in Kabul, the capital.

The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021 during the chaotic departure of U.S. and NATO troops after 20 years. Despite initial promises of a more moderate stance, the Taliban have gradually reimposed a harsh interpretation of Islamic law, or Shariah, as they did during their previous rule of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001.
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a brazen attack on a large concert hall in Moscow on Friday that killed at least 115 people and injured more than 100.

The group claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement posted on affiliated channels on social media, which couldnt be independently verified. It wasnt immediately clear what happened to the attackers after the raid, which Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin described as a huge tragedy and state authorities were investigating as terrorism.

The attack, which left the concert hall in flames with a collapsing roof, was the deadliest in Russia in years and came as the countrys war in Ukraine dragged into a third year.

In a statement posted by its Aamaq news agency, the Islamic State group said it attacked a large gathering in Krasnogorsk on Moscows outskirts, killing and wounding hundreds. It was not immediately possible to verify the authenticity of the claim.

Earlier this month, Russias top security agency said it thwarted an attack on a synagogue in Moscow by a cell of the Islamic State group. Russian authorities also said that six alleged IS members were killed in Ingushetia in Russias volatile Caucasus region.

It was not clear why the group, which operates mainly in Syria and Iraq but also in Afghanistan and Africa, would stage an attack in Russia at this time. Over the years, the extremist group recruited fighters from the former Soviet Union who fought for the group in Syria and Iraq and claimed several attacks in the Caucasus and other Russian regions in the past.

Some commentators on Russian social media questioned how authorities, who relentlessly surveil and pressure Kremlin critics, failed to identify the threat and prevent the attack.

Russian officials said security has been tightened at Moscows airports, railway stations and the capitals sprawling subway system. Moscows mayor canceled all mass gatherings and theaters and museums shut for the weekend. Other Russian regions also tightened security.

The Kremlin didnt immediately blame anyone for the attack, but some Russian lawmakers were quick to accuse Ukraine of being behind it and called for ramping up strikes.

The attack followed a statement issued earlier this month by the U.S. Embassy in Moscow that urged Americans to avoid crowded places in the Russian capital in view of imminent plans by extremists to target large gatherings in Moscow, including concerts. The warning, which was issued hours after Russias top security agency said it busted a cell of the Islamic State group preparing an attack on a synagogue, was repeated by several other Western embassies.

Asked about the embassys March 7 notice, John Kirby, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, referred the question to the State Department, adding: I dont think that was related to this specific attack.

Responding to a question about whether Washington had any prior information about the assault, Kirby responded: Im not aware of any advance knowledge that we had of this terrible attack.
ISP ask for help in death investigation of QCA woman

Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 1 asks for help from the public an investigation surrounding the death of 23-year-old Destiny Dixon of Galesburg, a news release says.

On Jan. 1, 2024, at about 7:30 p.m., ISP responded to a fatal hit-and-run traffic crash on Interstate 55 northbound near Braceville, in Grundy County. A vehicle crashed and rolled over on Interstate 55, and the driver was trapped inside his vehicle.

Destiny Dixon (Illinois State Police)

Destiny Dixon, the mother of two young daughters, was among multiple people who stopped to help the driver. Dixon was standing near the rolled vehicle when another motorist drove through the crash scene at a high rate of speed, striking Dixon and another person.

Dixon later died as a result of her injuries, the release says.

The driver fled the scene northbound on Interstate 55 and was last seen in the area of the Interstate 55 and Interstate 80 interchange. The vehicle has been identified as a dark gray 2010-2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor. The Mitsubishi sustained significant damage to the front left corner, left side headlight, and left side mirror, the release says.

Mitsubishi Endeavor (Illinois State Police)

Officials ask anyone with information related to this incident to contact Sgt. Cary Morin at 779-243-4770, or Grundy County Crime Stoppers at 815-942-6645. A $1,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
FILE PHOTO: Handing over ceremony for the new Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, in Jerusalem

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Friday declared 800 hectares in the occupied West Bank as state land, in a move that will facilitate the use of the ground for settlement building.

The announcement, on the day U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Israel for talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, underlined the government's determination to press ahead with settlement building in the West Bank, despite growing international opposition.

Palestinian authorities condemned the move.

"While there are those in Israel and in the world who seek to undermine our right to Judea and Samaria and the country in general, we promote settlement through hard work and in a strategic manner all over the country," Smotrich said, using Biblical names for the area of the West Bank that are commonly employed in Israel.

The denomination of the 1,976 acres of land in the Jordan Valley as state land follows a similar designation of 300 hectares (740 acres) in the Maale Adumim area of the West Bank, which the Palestinians want as the core of a future independent state.

The United States said last month Israel's expansion of settlements in West Bank was inconsistent with international law, signalling a return to long-standing U.S. policy that had been reversed by the previous administration of Donald Trump.

The change brought the United States back into line with most of the world, which considers the settlements built on territory Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war to be illegal. Israel itself disputes this view, citing the Jewish people's historical and Biblical ties to the land.

The Palestinians say the expansion of settlements across the West Bank is part of a deliberate Israeli policy to undermine its ambition of creating an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the latest move was "a continuation of the extermination and displacement of our people from their homeland".

"The international failure to protect our people is complicity and cover for Israel's ongoing evasion of punishment," it added.

Smotrich, the influential leader of one of the hard-right pro-settler parties in Netanyahu's coalition, himself lives in a settlement and has consistently backed settlement building.

International pressure for a resumption of efforts to reach a two state solution, with an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, has grown amid efforts to end the nearly six month war in Gaza.

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

(Reporting by James Mackenzie; Editing by Alison Williams)
BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- China has rolled out national and pilot free trade zone (FTZ) versions of negative lists for cross-border trade in services to boost opening up, the Ministry of Commerce announced on Friday.

It is the first time that China has formulated a negative list for cross-border trade in services at the national level, according to the ministry. The national-level list consists of 71 items.

The pilot FTZ version of negative list for cross-border trade in services contains 68 items in total, and covers fields including occupational qualifications of natural persons, professional services, finance and culture, the ministry said.

Such moves are China's major measures to align itself with high-standard international economic and trade rules and boost institutional opening up.

China released its first negative list in services trade at the Hainan Free Trade Port in July 2021, specifying that domestic and overseas service providers should enjoy equal access in sectors not on this list, said ministry spokesperson He Yadong at a press conference in November.

The national version of the negative list compiles and summarizes market entry measures across various sectors, emphasizing that services and their providers in sectors not included on the list will be treated equally, whether at home or abroad, according to the ministry.

It anticipates that the list will effectively increase transparency and predictability in the country's management of cross-border trade in services.

The pilot FTZ version of the negative list specifies measures to ease restrictions on vocational qualifications. It permits foreigners to take examinations to become registered urban and rural planners, real estate appraisers, auctioneers, supervision engineers, veterinarians, and survey and design engineers.

On the financial sector, the pilot FTZ version makes it clear that the opening-up measures implemented in the Hainan Free Trade Port will be replicated across pilot FTZs. These zones will, for example, allow eligible foreign individuals to open securities and futures accounts.

The pilot FTZ version permits foreigners and businesses established overseas to participate in customs clearance processes. It also reduces the minimum requirement for the proportion of Chinese staff working on television series co-produced by Chinese and foreign companies.

The ministry stressed that it expects the introduction of the two negative lists to enhance China's alignment with high-standard international trading rules, thereby expediting the country's progress in reforming its management mechanism for cross-border trade in services.

The introduction of the lists will also advance the country's high-level opening up, delivering new opportunities for global cooperation, the ministry said. 
Despite condemnation by Washington, successive Israeli governments led by Benjamin Netanyahu have sharply accelerated the expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, regarded as an obstacle to peace and illegal under international law (Jaafar ASHTIYEH)

The Israeli government announced Friday it was confiscating 800 hectares of land in the occupied West Bank, which activists called the largest such seizure in decades.

An area of about 1,980 acres in the northern Jordan Valley has been declared "state land", said far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who has vowed to expand Jewish settlements in the West Bank, which are regarded as illegal under international law.

Israeli settlement watchdog Peace Now said the seizure was the single largest since the 1993 Oslo Accords, and that "2024 marks a peak in the extent of declarations of state land".

Peace Now called the timing of the announcement a "provocation" as it came during a visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has been critical of settlement expansion by the hard-right government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Blinken met Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on Friday for talks which highlighted deep differences between the Israeli government and Washington over the conduct of the war with Hamas.

Israel captured the West Bank, including annexed east Jerusalem, in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and all Israeli settlements in the territory are considered illegal under international law.

"While there are those in Israel and the world who seek to undermine our right over the Judea and Samaria area and the country in general, we are promoting settlement through hard work and in a strategic manner all over the country," Smotrich said, using Israel's term for the West Bank.

Jordan condemned the new land seizure, "reaffirming the kingdom's categorical rejection and denunciation of the Israeli government's ongoing violations of all international law norms".

Despite international condemnation of a policy that is regarded as one of the main obstacles to Middle East peace, successive Netanyahu-led governments have sharply accelerated the expansion of Israeli settlements across the West Bank.

Excluding annexed east Jerusalem, they are now home to more than 490,000 Israelis, who live alongside around three million Palestinians.

The UN high commissioner for human rights Volker Turk said last week that Israel settlement expansion constituted "a war crime" and risked eliminating any possibility of a viable Palestinian state.

Since the Hamas attacks of October 7 triggered war with Israel in Gaza, violence has escalated between the settlers and Palestinian inhabitants of the West Bank.

Several hardline settler leaders have been targeted with asset freezes and travel bans by Britain, the European Union and the United States for their alleged roles in the violence.

bur-jm/kir
By Elvira Pollina and Martin Coulter

MILAN/LONDON (Reuters) - Soon after Italian watchdog Garante took on ChatGPT with a temporary shutdown locally last year, it tried to strengthen its team by hiring four artificial intelligence (AI) experts.

But Italy's data protection agency could not recruit the people it wanted, with a dozen candidates dropping out over issues including pay, highlighting a growing challenge facing regulators around the world.

"The search process went worse than our low expectations," Garante board member Guido Scorza told Reuters, adding: "We will come up with something else, but so far we have lost".

Demand for AI experience and expertise has surged since OpenAI unveiled ChatGPT in late 2022, and regulators have found themselves vying for talent from the same shallow pool.

But relatively low pay, long hiring processes and visa problems are thwarting their hiring ambitions, industry participants familiar with the situation told Reuters.

Other public bodies in the European Union could soon face similar problems, just as the bloc rolls out some of the most sweeping and impactful AI regulation in the world.

The EU has been recruiting for its newly opened AI Office, which will oversee enforcement of the AI Act, as well as the European Centre for Algorithmic Transparency (ECAT) which covers both the AI Act and the Digital Services Act.

"The biggest problem will be enforcement and getting people for this," said EU lawmaker Dragos Tudorache, who oversaw the drafting of the AI Act.

Meanwhile, Britain continues to recruit for its own AI Safety Institute, launched in the wake of the summit it held for world leaders in October.

Many of the public sector roles advertised at these organisations offer salaries at a fraction of industry standards and appear geared towards recent graduates, which some warn may deter the best talent.

TALENT SURGE

Around the world, governments have acknowledged the need for AI expertise to keep tabs on the rapidly-developing technology.

The United States has demonstrated a willingness to pay more and be more flexible about its recruitment processes.

Under President Joe Biden, the U.S. Office for Personnel Management (OPM) has granted government agencies the power to quickly hire AI expertise, as part of an ongoing "talent surge" in government, expediting the usual recruitment process.

In February, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched a first-of-its-kind initiative to create a new "AI Corps", aiming to recruit 50 AI experts.

A DHS job ad offers IT specialists, focused on AI, a salary of $143,000 per year, similar to the private sector.

By contrast, EU agencies, including the AI Office and ECAT, have offered around 50,000 to 60,000 euros ($65,166).

An EU spokesperson told Reuters that ECAT currently employed 35 experts, and planned to hire 100 more for the AI Office.

"Working with the Office presents a unique and thrilling opportunity for passionate professionals to contribute significantly to shaping trustworthy AI in Europe and beyond," they said.

In Britain, the AI Safety Institute has offered stronger incentives for its most senior posts. Recently advertised roles  including chief information security officer and head of engineering  offered up to 135,000 pounds ($170,829).

However, other roles offered much less. One overseeing the societal impacts of AI offered up to 47,000 pounds.

Another British government role, at the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT), offered up to 76,000 pounds for a head of AI regulation strategy and implementation.

Ian Hogarth, chair of the AI Safety Institute, told Reuters the organisation had successfully recruited experts from companies like Google DeepMind and OpenAI.

"While we do benchmark our salaries against those on offer in industry, the technical experts that are joining us from the top of their fields do so seeking more than a high salary," he said. "They are joining to contribute to a critical mission to make sure these models are safe."

Last month, a report by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, which advises governments on policy matters, called on the UK government to relax normal recruitment rules, loosen pay restrictions and roll out new work visas for tech talent.

"Getting the depth of talent needed so that governments can not only ask the right questions, but also find solutions, will require a fundamental mindset shift in skills and culture," said the institute's Chief Policy Strategist Benedict Macon-Cooney.

($1 = 0.7903 pounds)

($1 = 0.9207 euros

(This story has been corrected to fix the spelling of Guido Scorza in paragraph 3)

(Additional reporting by Foo Yun Chee in Brussels; Editing by Matt Scuffham and Alexander Smith)
Action News Jax is learning new details about a Department of Homeland Security investigation that centered around a home in Maxville on Thursday.

We told you Thursday that local agencies -- the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office, the Clay County Sheriffs Office, and the Florida Highway Patrol -- assisted in the investigation.

A JSO incident report about its assistance in the investigation said that an unknown subject was pronounced dead at the scene.

This matches up with what two sources told us Thursday, that one suspect had died. Those sources said the suspect took his own life.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

The report also states that JSO was called to assist due to an officer-involved incident at the home.

The Department of Homeland Security, the lead agency on the investigation, told us Thursday since its an active investigation, they cannot disclose more information right now.

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

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CNN

CNN anchor Jake Tapper responded Thursday after Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller insisted that the former president has never mocked Joe Bidens stutterby playing a video where Trump repeatedly does exactly that.

Bidens stutter was the subject of a Washington Post article published earlier in the day, which describes how he has embraced the speech impediment as a way to show compassion for others who stutter. Trump, the article notes, has mocked Biden in recent weeks by falsely claiming that the president is stuttering during his speeches and has occasionally parodied the purported stammer.

While Miller tried to argue that Trump has simply called out the fact Biden is a cognitively impaired, low-IQ individual, Tapper showed otherwise, rolling tape of Trump from a Jan. 5 speech in Iowa.

Did you see him? He was stuttering through the whole thing, Trump said of Biden, before launching into a crude imitation.

Tapper then dismissed Millers narrative: Why even deny it when its soI mean, it just doesnt matter anymore? Just lie about anything?

Yeah, its stupid, GOP strategist Alice Stewart weighed in. News flash: whenever you say something in front of cameras, people can use that video against you if you try to deny saying something.

Hannity Suggests Biden Is Making Up Lifelong Stutter

Democratic strategist Paul Begala then likened Trumps recent attacks to his 2015 imitation of New York Times reporter Serge Kovaleski, who has arthrogryposis, which causes shortened, stiff joints and muscle weakness, as well as his mockery just months ago of John McCains permanent arm disability, which stemmed from the late senators time as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

This is what Trump does, Begala said. Many of his supporterssome are friends and family of mineare lovely people, but theyre supporting a very unlovely man.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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James Cleverly spent 165,561 chartering a private jet for a one-day round trip to Rwanda, the Home Office has revealed, as deportation flights to the central African state remain grounded.

The Home Secretary chartered the Prime Ministers plane for himself, his officials and selected press to fly to Rwanda to sign the new deal with the African state after the Supreme Court ruled it was an unsafe country for migrants.

He travelled on the RAF Voyager plane because of the need to fast-track the signing of a new legally binding treaty on Dec 4 alongside Vincent Biruta, Rwandas foreign affairs minister.

Deportation flights are currently facing delays into June after the House of Lords inflicted seven defeats on the Governments Rwanda Bill, pushing back its passage through Parliament until after Easter. Rishi Sunak has said he wants flights to take off this spring as part of his key pledge to deter and stop small boat crossings.

Ministers have been accused of dragging their feet for five months after claiming that the Rwanda Bill was emergency legislation that would be fast-tracked through Parliament.

Disclosure of the flight follows claims, denied by the Home Office, that they are struggling to secure a contractor to fly the deported migrants to Rwanda.

Sources have, however, confirmed Home Office officials are in talks with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) over the potential use of RAF jets to transport the migrants to Rwanda.

Responding to questions over the flights, a Home Office spokesman said: We have robust operational plans in place for flights following discussions with a range of commercial companies, and departments are working across Whitehall towards ensuring the first flights leave for Rwanda as soon as possible.

Mr Cleverlys flight was disclosed in a transparency document issued by the Home Office. It follows criticism of the Government after spending watchdogs revealed that the cost of sending each of the first 300 asylum seekers to Rwanda would be 1.8 million.

Mr Cleverly was the third home secretary to make his way to Rwanda to sign an agreement, following in the steps of his predecessors Dame Priti Patel and Suella Braverman.

The treaty signed by Mr Cleverly established a new appeal body, to be made up of judges with asylum expertise from a range of countries, to hear individual cases.

The Government said Rwandas asylum system would be monitored by an independent committee, whose powers to enforce the treaty would be strengthened. The committee would develop a system to enable relocated people and their lawyers to lodge complaints.

It is understood that the flight took Mr Cleverly, members of his private office, a small team of civil servants, a photographer, a reporter and a BBC TV crew to Kigali.

Asked about Mr Cleverlys flight, a Home Office spokesman said: Stopping the boats is one of our top priorities. The cost of the asylum system could reach up to 11 billion a year by 2026, and we make no apologies for pursuing bold solutions like our partnership with Rwanda to stop the boats and save lives.

All government spending goes through thorough due diligence to ensure best value for money.

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The scenario presented at an anti-hate crime workshop drew criticism for its similarities to JK Rowling

A fictional trans-hating character called Jo, who womens groups claim is an offensive parody of JK Rowling, was invented by Police Scotland officers, it has emerged.

The national force faced scrutiny this week over a scenario presented at an official hate crime event in which Jo, a gender-critical campaigner who, like Rowling, has a large social media following, states that trans people should be sent to gas chambers.

The Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) campaign group, which ran the hate crime event in collaboration with police, revealed the Jo character had been written by officers at Police Scotland based on their expertise.

Validating conspiracy theories

Womens groups said the revelation raised new doubts over the ability of police to impartially enforce new hate crime laws, which come into force on April 1.

They say the fictional narrative written by officers is offensive as it reinforces inaccurate claims commonly made by trans-rights activists that gender-critical campaigners such as Rowling have been radicalised.

The story also validates unfounded conspiracies that such women wish to physically harm or even kill trans people and have links to the far-Right.

To find out that this clear parody of JK Rowling was invented by serving police officers is astonishing, Marion Calder, a director at the For Women Scotland campaign group, said.

Whoever came up with this clearly believes that women who believe in biological sex have somehow been radicalised and endorses activists ridiculous claims that transgender people are somehow being targeted in a genocide.

Escalation into extremism

In the scenario created for a Police Scotland youth-engagement event on Feb 27, Jo is initially described as making moderate statements such as there are only two genders.

But it bizarrely escalates when it concludes with Jo posting a video with the caption They all belong in the gas chambers.

Attendees at the event were then invited to discuss whether Jo had committed a hate crime, with views then fed back to decision makers within Police Scotland.

Police Scotland has refused multiple opportunities to deny that the character was modelled on Edinburgh-based Rowling, whose first name is Joanne and is called Jo by her friends.

Trans activists have vowed to report Rowling under the new hate crime laws once they come into force for misgendering, meaning to refer to a biological male who identifies as a woman as a man.

SNP politicians have also admitted the Harry Potter author could be targeted with multiple complaints.

Ms Calder added: Womens confidence in police to reasonably apply new hate crime laws was already at rock bottom, but now we have evidence that serving officers actually believe these bizarre conspiracy theories.

Police Scotland must now break their silence over this scandal and apologise, and launch an investigation into how this was ever allowed to happen in the first place.

A fictional character in a fictional scenario

The scenario was presented at an event organised by police for LGBT History Month and attended by secondary school age children.

TIE distanced itself from the Jo character after some social media users suggested the organisation had been behind the creation of the hate crime scenario.

In a statement, the group said it had been invited by Police Scotland to take part in the event and that its role had been to act as facilitators for educational workshops intended to help young people understand hate crimes.

It added: The workshop used fictional scenarios, designed to help young people identify what may or may not be a hate crime. These scenarios were written by officers at Police Scotland based on their expertise.

The purpose of the particular scenario that was reported on was to support young people to understand the difference between freedom of expression and extremist hate speech.

It was situated in the context of TikTok and Instagram, which young people report as the platforms where they often see viral videos with extremist content about minority communities.

It added: Regrettably, some individuals have decided to mischaracterise and deflect from such a serious topic by focusing on a fictional character in a fictional scenario and creating an inaccurate narrative.

Police Scotland said it had nothing to add to a previous statement, which did not address the Jo character or accusations it had been based on JK Rowling.

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Crucial to Joe Bidens exceedingly small margin of victory in 2020 was the perception that he was the more serious of Americans two presidential choices.

Despite manifold opportunities, Donald Trump never grew into the presidency: he was simply too recalcitrant to learn any new tricks and subordinate his id to the interests of his country, as well as his own political prospects.

Trumps tendency to incessantly and deleteriously run his mouth extended into many spheres, including foreign policy. He praised North Koreas Kim Jong Un for being very honorable. He showered Chinas Xi Jinping with praise for achieving the status of president for life, adding that he thought that was great.

With considerable justification, he bristled over Americas Nato allies failing to pull their own weight, but went too far in suggesting that the US might leave the alliance as a result. Perhaps most infamously, Trump handed Russias Vladimir Putin propaganda coup after propaganda coup at a shameful press conference in Helsinki back in 2018.

Biden capitalised on Trumps reckless tongue on the campaign trail, saying in 2019 that American foreign policy... has to be purposeful and inspiring. Based on clear goals, driven by sound strategies, not by Twitter tantrums. A year later, he assailed his opponent for having poked his finger in the eye of all our friends and allies and embraced every autocrat in the world. Trump was labelled Putins puppy during their first presidential debate.

Yet for all of Trumps rhetorical shortcomings and Bidens critiques of them, its the latter who has more persistently empowered Americas enemies, undermined its allies, and inadvertently sewn chaos across the globe. After spending a two-year campaign cycle pledging to restore Americas image in the eyes of the world, Biden has spent his three-plus years as commander-in-chief doing exactly what he charged Trump with.

Iran, suffering under the Trump administrations maximum pressure strategy, was quickly given a reprieve at Bidens direction. In a nostalgic effort to bring the mullahs back to the negotiating table for another nuclear deal, Biden lifted sanctions and eased up on Irans terrorist proxies across the Middle East, including Ansar Allah (the Houthis) in Yemen.

Biden has also sought a rapprochement with China in spite of his tough talk prior to his election. In a video released by Antony Blinken in the spring of 2020, the future secretary of state accused Trump of having gone soft on China when it mattered most.

Yet as Americas top diplomat, Blinken has overseen an effort to kowtow to the United States most formidable geopolitical rival. In a statement commemorating the Tiananmen Square massacre last year, Blinken would only allow that China took action to brutally repress pro-democracy protesters. It was a noticeable shift in tone from the prior years statement, which acknowledged that countless were imprisoned and the number of deaths is still unknown today. The watered-down commemoration came amidst reports that the administration was seeking to hit the reset button with the Chinese regime. That same month, Blinken stressed American opposition to Taiwanese independence after meeting with Xi in Beijing.

While Biden admirable, if imperfect, efforts to aid Ukraine in its defensive war against Russia are laudable, the truth is that the president is guilty of the same appeasement he accuses his Republican opponent of. After-all, its undeniably true that in the early days of his administration sanctions linked to the lucrative Nord Stream 2 pipeline were lifted  a move that Donald Trump opposed.

While Biden offers carrots to foes, he wields sticks against his beleaguered friends. As Israel seeks to finish the job of rooting out Hamas in Gaza, Biden has embraced  largely out of perceived electoral interest  the false narrative that the Israeli response to October 7 has been somehow disproportionate.

At a press conference meant to reassure the public of his mental capacity last month, Biden actually shuffled back to the podium to chide the worlds only Jewish-majority state for its over the top response to the mass slaughter, rape, and torture of civilians. More recently, Biden praised Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for his wildly inappropriate speech in which he called for the ouster of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

And of course, theres the general air of incompetency about the Biden administrations namesake and his braintrust, which was best exemplified by its ill-considered, haphazard, and ultimately disastrous evacuation from Afghanistan.

The results of the Biden Doctrine, as it were, have been entirely predictable. The hand of evil has been made stronger, and the hand of righteousness has been weakened. Countless innocent Ukrainians, Afghans, Israelis, Palestinians, and yes, Americans, have died. The United States is less trusted by its friends and less feared by its enemies. A new axis of evil between China, Russia, and Iran has coalesced and American leadership hardly seems aware, much less prepared to face it down.

American foreign policy, it has been said, is supposed to be purposeful in its aims and clear-eyed about the world in which it operates. The criticisms of Trumps loose tongue leveled by Biden in 2020 may have been well-grounded. But if he recycles them in 2024, one must only look to his own actions to see their irony.

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Its an uncomfortable truth: Jon Stewart and Donald Trump both tapped the same well of latent public disaffection with politics and the media in the 2000s. Trust in media and government had been declining for several decades. But the symbiotic relationship between the White House and the press during the Iraq War highlighted the dangers of a lap dog press.

It was against this backdrop that Stewart and Trump used their positions outside the fray to ally themselves with their audiences and draw pointed contrasts with the artifice of postmodern politics. But they did this  and continue to do this  in opposing ways.

Trump lashes out when politicians and journalists bring us closer to truth. Stewart criticizes them for keeping us in the dark. To Stewart, the solutions to Americas political spectacle are political accountability and increased transparency. To Trump, the solution is far simpler: He alone can fix it.

In 2003, maybe Stewart could call himself a tiny, neurotic man, standing in the back of the room throwing tomatoes at the chalkboard. But today, with his return on Monday nights to host The Daily Show, he is part of the school administration trying to keep the lights on and the students learning.

Criticizing Bushs war

During the George W. Bush years, Stewart perfected the art of ironic satire, playfully critiquing politicians, the press and the public, while implying something better was possible.

He feigned incredulity as he critiqued the Bush administrations political hypocrisy and cynical invocation of Sept. 11 in its justification for the Iraq War.

Stewart used irony to describe failures of American policy as though they were fabulous successes. Like on July 16, 2007, when he said enthusiastically, As you know, we are now entering our fifth year of making  very good progress in Iraq. Obviously the president defining progress now as moving forward in time. Stewart invited his young, politically interested, liberal/moderate audience to conclude the opposite: Things should not be this way, and we deserve better.

Around the same time, Trump was also criticizing Bush, but through hyperbole and outrage rather than ironic satire. In 2007, he told CNNs Wolf Blitzer that everything in Washington has been a lie. Weapons of mass destruction  it was a total lie. It was a way of attacking Iraq.

By 2011, Trump aimed his hyperbole and outrage at a new target: President Barack Obama. Trump challenged the legitimacy of Obamas presidency by spreading racist lies about Obamas birthplace and suggesting that Obama was a Muslim. The Birther Lie launched Trumps political career. It also solidified his appeal among those whose worldview was amenable to authoritarian populism: those high in political distrust, racial resentment and conspiricism.

Authoritarianism vs. democracy

Trump has embraced an authoritarian vision of the presidency with concentrated powers in the executive branch. If reelected, he has vowed to use the Department of Justice to investigate political opponents and has explored ways to use the military to subdue political unrest stemming from his reelection.

Trumps critiques of the press echo an authoritarian perspective, too. When Trump lambastes the press as fake news, it is in response to negative coverage of himself or fact checks of his own false statements.

To Stewart, though, journalisms failures are not ideological or personal, but professional. He criticizes them for not getting us closer to the truth. He has critiqued how journalists leave political spin uninterrogated, give time to both sides and leave the conversation there, even when one side is demonstrably wrong. He has criticized politicians reliance on communications professionals who obfuscate the truth to get more favorable coverage.

Stewarts new old role

Though a political outsider two decades ago, Stewart now finds himself inside the political and media institutions whose roles include making the public aware of  and thus safeguarding them from  the antidemocratic and destabilizing forces of populist authoritarians like Trump.

Since Stewarts return to The Daily Show after his 2015 departure, he has interviewed democracy expert Steven Levitsky on ways to protect democracy, journalist Jonathan Blitzer about the complex forces shaping U.S. immigration policy, Middle East-focused journalists Murtaza Hussain and Yair Rosenberg on Israels war in Gaza, and legal scholars Melissa Murray and Kate Shaw on Trumps efforts to avoid prosecution.

Through these conversations, Stewart showcases guests who espouse a pluralistic liberal vision of democracy. And through his satire, Stewart himself shows that democratic institutions and processes may be messy, but their ability to protect the will and liberty of the people makes them indispensable.

Or, as Stewart said in a February episode, The difference between Americas urinal-caked chaotic subways and Russias candelabrad beautiful subways is the literal price of freedom.

Stewart explained his 2024 return to The Daily Show as wanting to have some kind of place to unload thoughts as we get into this election season.

But having studied the content and effects of political satire since Stewart became The Daily Show host in 1999, I see his return as evidence he recognizes the protective role he can play for American democracy. Because even if ironic satire isnt great at persuading people to change their minds, research shows it does subtly shape how we think about and engage with our political world.

When satirists cover an issue, viewers become more likely to see that issue as important. Satire also shapes how people think about politicians and issues. In the early 2000s, I conducted a series of studies that revealed that exposure to jokes about presidential candidates provided study participants with criteria they then used to evaluate those candidates  like Al Gores lack of charisma or George W. Bushs lack of intellect or performance on Iraq. And when study participants didnt have a lot of political knowledge, satire helped them fill in the gaps.

Satire is also great at highlighting issues that audiences havent thought much about, such as the implications of the Supreme Courts ruling in the Citizens United campaign finance decision.

Satire encourages audiences to pay attention and discuss politics in new ways, motivating them to seek out other information or talk about politics with friends. And even though satirists like Stewart may be critical of journalism, their programs highlight the importance of an independent press to a democratic society, increasing viewers perceptions of the importance of news.

Theres always a role for the satirist

Because Trumps rhetoric is so explicit and outrageous, some have suggested it may rob satirists of the ability to deconstruct his messaging. But despite its explicitness, there is still a lot that authoritarian populists like Trump dont ever say.

This is where satirists like Stewart can help fill in the gaps: By juxtaposing populist authoritarians glittering generalities with the ugly reality of life under authoritarianism.

For example, in a recent episode of The Daily Show, Stewart deconstructed Tucker Carlsons interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Carlsons glowing reviews of Russias grocery stores and sparkling subway system.

Perhaps if your handlers had allowed, Stewart says as though addressing Carlson, you would have seen there is a hidden fee to your cheap groceries and orderly streets. Ask likely assassinated opposition leader Alexei Navalny or any of his supporters.

In a 2021 discussion on CNN about American democracy, Stewart lamented Democrats endless hand-wringing over Trumps threat to democracy. Instead, Stewart proposed: Action is the antithesis of anxiety.

What we see in Stewarts return is him reminding us that American democracy is never done. It takes constant action.

Stewart may still be a tiny, neurotic man, but far from throwing tomatoes at the chalkboard, now hes standing tall in front of the class, and school is in session.

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: Dannagal G. Young, University of Delaware

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Dannagal G. Young was a production assistant on the Daily Show for 10 days during the RNC in Philadelphia in 2000.
ROSEAU, March 21 (Xinhua) -- "China has been a true friend of Dominica, and I would say an all-weather friend," Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has said.

Located in the northeastern Windward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean, the Commonwealth of Dominica is an island country with a population of less than 100,000.

When Dominica was in difficult times, "China is always one of the first countries, which would come to the aid," Skerrit told Xinhua in an exclusive interview in Dominica's capital Roseau.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, which have seen rapid growth both at the bilateral and multilateral levels.

Skerrit recalled the historic decision made 20 years ago. Dominica has since been committed to the one-China principle.

In 2018, Dominica signed a memorandum of understanding with China to jointly build the Belt and Road.

According to Skerrit, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has opened up numerous opportunities not only for Dominica, but for many countries around the world to help with their economic independence and social development.

Agriculture is the mainstay of Dominica's economy, and the Dominican government is actively exploring ways for its modernization.

Skerrit said that under the BRI, Dominica has been actively working with China to set up agricultural technology cooperative projects in order to improve agricultural development, technology transfer and guarantee food security in the country.

At the beginning of this year, he also went to visit Chinese agriculture group at the Dominica-China Modern Agricultural Centre and participate in the handover of agricultural materials.

Dominica has limited medical resources, and the population has a long history of difficulty accessing to health care.

In his opinion, the construction of the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital, the introduction of new technologies, equipment and the direct support by China in respect to its first cardiology department show "a dramatic improvement in the health care in Dominica as a result of the BRI."

In recent years, institutions like the Confucius classroom in Dominica State College and the Dominica-China Friendship Association have been established one after another. Batches of Dominican students and individuals from various sectors travelled to China for further studies, visits and trainings.

Many young Dominican students are attending universities in China and attaining their degrees in China. "Most of them are back here working in various fields, such as medicine, agriculture, architecture, environmental studies, international relations studies and psychology," he said.

Skerrit commended China's successful experience in implementing a system that meets China's own conditions and realities and boosts China's modernization and development.

"We always say that every country has a right to determine its own political system. And I believe that the political system which exists in China has also contributed to China's prosperity and the improvement in the way of life of the Chinese people," he added.

Skerrit said that multilateralism is the way to world development, and that many troubles in today's world are triggered by lack of respect for multilateralism.

"And I think the way to go about achieving peace and prosperity is through dialogue and engagement of countries," he said.

A number of concepts and initiatives proposed by China, he said, could help practice multilateralism, assist in global peace and development and offer countries an opportunity to collaborate on important national and global issues.

As this year marks the tenth anniversary of the proclamation of the Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Skerrit deemed the China-CELAC Forum an opportunity for those countries to participate in international affairs and share ideas.

"Dominica is ideally placed. Dominica has excellent relations with all of the countries within CELAC, especially those from Latin America. We have excellent relations with China, and we will continue to serve as a bridge between China and CELAC and to advance the collaboration and the cooperation," said Skerrit.

He voiced hope for strengthening and deepening bilateral relations and working together in addressing global issues, so as to promote global peace and prosperity. 
As an investigation drags on, families of three dead Kansas City Chiefs fans and the party host whose backyard is where the men were found are threatening lawsuits against each other. But attorneys told Fox News Digital that either case would be difficult to win in court.

David Harrington, 37, Clayton McGeeney, 36, and Ricky Johnson, 38, were discovered frozen and dead behind friend Jordan Willis' home Jan. 9, two days after they watched the Chiefs play the Los Angeles Chargers.

As the men's families await answers about their loved ones' deaths, Harrington's family intends to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

"There will be a wrongful death lawsuit, and a private investigator will more than likely be part of that," Jon Harrington told People.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS FANS DEATHS: 'WALTER WHITE NARRATIVE' ABOUT PARTY HOST IS OUT OF CONTROL, SOURCE SAYS

David Harrington, Clayton McGeeney and Ricky Johnson were found dead outside their friend's Kansas City home Jan. 9, 2024.

Tony Kagay, an attorney representing McGeeney's mother and fiancee, told Fox News Digital his clients are also "exploring civil lawsuit options."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

A source close to Willis told Fox News Digital March 11 the HIV scientist, who has since moved out of his Kansas City home and spent a stint in rehab, "has been left with no choice but to consider slander and defamation suits against these families, friends and significant others who have baselessly accused him in a smear campaign on every public forum willing to give them a platform to blame and point fingers."

The source said Willis "looks forward to having the opportunity to be able to clear his name."

But attorney Daniel Miller, a former prosecutor in Platte County, Missouri, told Fox News Digital he wouldn't take on either case.

"It's a hell of a hurdle. I wouldn't represent [Willis] for anything [in this case]. I don't represent people for defamation anyway. You're going to have to have a Johnny Depp-level defamation case, and then you have to find someone you can collect against."

Fred Tecce, a former federal prosecutor and current attorney based in New York, told Fox News Digital "anybody with a couple hundred dollars can file a lawsuit," but that "filing a lawsuit and winning a lawsuit are two different things."

"Could they technically file a wrongful death lawsuit? Yes," Tecce said. "[But they would] have to show that somebody did something that was wrong, and that wrong caused a harm. Its causation. Its not that they died. You have to show that what they did caused the death."

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS FANS DEATHS: DRUGS IN MEN'S SYSTEMS SHOW 'THERE'S MORE TO THE STORY,' FAMILY SAYS

HIV scientist Jordan Willis, 38, checked himself into a rehab center after his three friends were found dead in his backyard Jan. 9, 2024.

Although preliminary autopsy results released to family members showed the presence of marijuana, cocaine and fentanyl in the dead men's systems, it is unclear what caused their deaths.

"[The results] show that theres more than one type of drug in their system," Tecce said. "In order to charge the homeowner, youd have to show  did they get [all the drugs in their systems] from the homeowner? If they only got one, theres a reasonable doubt as to whether the other drugs killed them."

Jon Harrington, left, and his son David.

Previously, experts have told Fox News Digital that hypothermia combined with drugs the men may have ingested likely caused their deaths.

James Roswold of Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys told Fox News Digital that, based on currently available information, he "doesn't see any facts to support a wrongful death claim."

Even if Willis or Alex Lee, the fifth man who was in the house on the night of the Chiefs game, provided or sold the drugs, it would still be "a challenge to pin any blame from one to another."

"Let's say we have consenting adults [that] all know what [they're] getting into  they all voluntarily and knowingly take [drugs,]" Roswold said. "It's going to be a challenge to pin any blame from one to another, [unless] one person has superior knowledge of what's in those drugs or where it's coming from."

PRELIMINARY TOXICOLOGY RESULTS BACK FOR KANSAS CITY CHIEFS FANS FOUND FROZEN TO DEATH

An exterior view of the backyard and porch of Jordan Willis home in Kansas City, Mo., Jan. 26, 2024. The bodies of Willis three friends  Ricky Johnson, Clayton McGeeney and David Harrington  were found in the backyard.

If the men ingested the drugs that killed them unknowingly, however, the odds of a successful wrongful death lawsuit would increase.

"We can go with the crazy scenario where they don't know at all and somebody spikes the punch bowl. Game on, wrongful death," Roswold said. "In terms of the sale, illegal versus legal drugs, I'm going to have to tread lightly, but the wrongful death aspect of it focuses on knowing or unknown ingestion of drugs."

Previously, the three men's families have suggested to Fox News Digital and other outlets that Willis played an active role in their sons' deaths. Johnson's father told Fox News Digital he "believed [Willis] drugged them, dragged them outside and waited two days to call police."

Johnson's mother said she feared HIV scientist Willis had "concocted" something to kill her sons, while Harrington's father told Fox News Digital he and his son's mother were "convinced that Jordan Willis played a part in this somehow" and they "just [hadn't] figured out how yet."

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS FANS' DEATHS: VICTIMS' FAMILIES AT ODDS OVER 'ANGRY' SPECULATION, LAWYER SAYS

Family and friends of Clayton McGeeney, left, David Harrington, center, and Ricky Johnson are clamoring for answers after the three men inexplicably died in freezing temperatures outside their friend's Kansas City, Mo., home.

One of McGeeney's cousins told the New York Post that Willis was nicknamed "the chemist" in high school for making drug cocktails, a claim that a source close to Willis has told Fox News Digital is entirely false.

"Every good he's done in his life has been overshadowed by him becoming the scapegoat for their deaths without any evidence," the source told Fox News Digital Tuesday. "His livelihood has been affected.  This has been a witch hunt in a series of constantly shifting stories without any proof and none of them are true."

Willis moved out of his home and spent a stint in rehab soon after the deaths made headlines, and a source close to him told Fox News Digital Willis is deeply "depressed" over the "constant speculation."

But, likewise, a defamation lawsuit in this case would be difficult to win, attorneys say.

"Opinions are free speech, and they are fair game. They are not subject to defamation actions with very few exceptions," Roswold said. "[These accusations] are stated as opinion[s], which puts any kind of statement on way shakier ground in terms of being actionable.

"[But] if I had a client in this situation and I had an opportunity to advise them before making such a statement, I would be like, 'You're starting to tread on thin ice,'" Roswold added. "You don't have that opportunity oftentimes to counsel people in a highly emotional state."

A defamation case could also open Willis up to more scrutiny that he may not want to shoulder, Miller said, even if he was found innocent in a criminal case in the men's deaths.

"He's going to have to prove that's false  that he did not give them drugs, and he did not bring them out into the backyard to die," Miller said. "Does Willis really want to go there? He can open up something he really doesn't want to open. He does look funny."

Tecce said that, in the case of either threatened lawsuit, he didn't see "any assets by any of these people that would warrant the amount of expenditure it would take to bring a lawsuit."

But in some cases, Roswold pointed out, it's not about the monetary verdict.

"Bringing a claim against somebody who is responsible for the death of another person  you're doing something in honor of the person who has lost their life. That's always a personal consideration," Roswold said. "If you succeed [in a defamation suit or a wrongful death suit], you've proven ... something that would be in the court of public opinion, you would see that these people had done wrong."

Each attorney said it is important for the families and attorneys involved to wait for more facts to emerge in the case.

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"If I were the prosecutor  and I was the prosecutor for 17 years  I would look under every rock and bleed every turnip dry until I was sure that I had nothing to get on Willis or if I found who supplied the drugs," Miller said. "Whether they did this to themselves or not, it's terrible that it happened to them."





Original article source: Kansas City Chiefs fans' deaths: Families threatening to sue each other face 'hell of a hurdle,' lawyer says
The Kansas House passed a bill Thursday to restrict diversity-oriented hiring practices at Kansas universities, making the Sunflower State the latest to try to limit DEI initiatives in educational settings.

The bill passed the Kansas House of Representatives in an 81-39 vote Thursday, with five lawmakers absent from the vote. The bill would prevent the states universities, community colleges or technical colleges from using diversity, equity or inclusion consideration in their admissions, student aid and hiring decisions.

The bill also would prohibit postsecondary educational institutes from basing admissions, educational aid or employment decisions on any statement about political ideology or movement the candidate may provide. Universities would also be banned from requesting or requiring such statements.

The vote comes nearly a week after the Kansas Senate moved forward with a proposed $25 billion state budget, which features a provision to force universities to eliminate DEI requirements and mandatory DEI training, The Associated Press reported. The states six public four-year universities would need to report they have eliminated these requirements in order to receive certain funding, the AP added.

The provision will be discussed among negotiators during the final budget draft processes, per the AP.

Instead of a merit-based approach, universities have chosen to embrace ideologies that discriminate against people who do not hew to their orthodoxy, State Rep. Steven Howe, the Republican lawmaker behind the legislation, said during a House proceeding Wednesday. This legislation prohibits all loyalty oaths, litmus tests without regard to viewpoint or ideology.

Calling it constitutionally sound, Howe said the legislation is protective of students and faculty rights.

The proposed legislation would also permit the state attorney general to impose fines of up to $10,000 on schools that do not comply with the rules.

The definition of DEI is not clearly defined in the measure, some Kansas lawmakers argued, the AP reported. Kansas House Speaker Daniel Hawkins (R) pushed back on this, claiming the bill would instead create a basic test  if a university requires ideological statements from candidates  to avoid definition confusion, the news wire added.

Republican leaders in nearly two dozen states have sought to restrict DEI initiatives in schools, including in Alabama, where the states Republican-led Legislature passed a measure this week to ban state funding of DEI programs at public universities, local boards of education and government agencies.

At least 22 states have introduced legislation surrounding DEI efforts at universities as of July 2023, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Texas and Florida colleges have started terminating DEI positions, and Florida state colleges are prohibited from using state or federal money to fund DEI programs.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Classic rock band Kansas is adding a third and final leg to their 50th anniversary tour and will stop in Pittsburgh for a second time.

The Another Fork in the Road tour comes to the Benedum Center on Dec. 11. The June 2023 show at the Benedum sold out.

This tour has already been incredibly special for the band. The 50th Anniversary Tour started in 2023 which commemorates KANSASs first year as a band. It is continuing in 2024 which commemorates the release of the first KANSAS album, said Kansas guitarist and original member Richard Williams. There are so many places in the U.S. where we havent been able to play yet, Topeka and Wichita just to name two, we knew we would have to add a third and final leg to the tour. After such a successful and sold-out premiere of the tour at the Benedum Center (in) Pittsburgh...we wanted to put an exclamation point on the tour by having the closing 50th Anniversary Tour concert take place at the Benedum Center this December.

Tickets can be purchased at TrustArts.org.

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Kate Middleton was diagnosed with cancer after an abdominal surgery. Here's how that happens.

Kate Middleton, 42, is diagnosed with cancer and undergoing chemotherapy.

She said she was diagnosed after her abdominal surgery in January.

King Charles was also diagnosed with cancer after an unrelated surgery.

On Friday, Kensington Palace released a pre-recorded video of Kate Middleton, 42, sharing that she has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy.

On January 17, Middleton underwent abdominal surgery and was hospitalized for two weeks, with the Palace stating that it was "unlikely" she would return to public duties before Easter.

In the announcement, Middleton said that at the time of her surgery, it was believed that her condition was non-cancerous. But following the success of the procedure, tests found that "cancer had been present."

Because abdominal symptoms are common and often difficult to make sense of, "it is difficult to separate cancer from non-cancer," according to Dr. Shivan Sivakumar, an oncologist at the University of Birmingham in the UK. Most of the time, he said, they are not tied to cancer.

Sivakumar said it's common practice for pathologists to screen for cancer through tissue assessments after invasive surgeries, especially if patients have displayed symptoms that can be signs of cancer. "They usually do look out for cancer," he said.

Cancer cells are often spotted before surgery

Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a professor of medicine with the George Washington School of Medicine & Health Sciences, told CNN that the press release "doesn't make a lot of medical sense."

Reiner said that due to intensive imaging technology like CT scans and MRIs, "the surgical team would have a very good understanding of what was likely the problem" before and during the surgery, not after. According to him, pathology would usually confirm the cancer, not find signs of it for the first time.

Sivakumar said it "is still unclear" why Kate Middleton had an abdominal surgery when the Palace initially told the Associated Press that it was unrelated to cancer. "One has to surmise it was for a non-cancer abdominal issue," he said.

In Middleton's case, he speculates that they were able to find cancer once they looked at the specimen more closely, and wouldn't have been able to make that call before the unrelated surgery.

King Charles was also diagnosed with cancer after an unrelated surgery

Like Middleton, King Charles was also diagnosed with cancer after undergoing a prostate procedure.

Similarly, tests after his procedure found cancerous cells, though the family did not disclose which type of cancer Charles has.

Read the original article on Business Insider
After months of speculation, Princess Catherine of Wales  otherwise known as Kate Middleton, the wife of Prince William, the heir to the British throne  has revealed that she has cancer.

In a new video posted on X-formerly-Twitter, Middleton addressed the camera directly even as she glossed over rumors about her seeming disappearance from the public eye in 2024.

https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/1771235267837321694

The 42-year-old princess said in her video address that her cancer diagnosis, the details of which she did not specify, came as a "huge shock" following a planned abdominal surgery in January. Now, as Middleton said in her video address, she's preparing to undergo chemotherapy. She didn't specify what type of cancer.

"Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too," Middleton, who shares children George, Charlotte, and Louis with the princes, said in the video. "As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both."

While there certainly has been an outpouring of affection for the upper-crust princess, the rumor mill has churned incessantly in the two months she disappeared from view following her surgery.

Those rumors were not aided when the Kensington Palace's account published a bizarre and visibly doctored photo of the princess and her three children with William. Ultimately, the Agence France-Press issued a rare "kill order" on the photo and announced that it would no longer considering the Kensington Palace, which is second only to Buckingham in the British royal system, as a "trusted source."

News of Middleton's health trouble also comes on the heels of King Charles' cancer diagnosis in February, which spurred its own rumors and Russian disinformation campaigns claiming he'd died.

"As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment," Middleton said in the video, in what was perhaps a slight nod to her absence in public life over the past few months. "But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok."

More on cancer: Doctors Alarmed by Young People Getting Cancer at Unprecedented Rates
(Bloomberg) -- Princess Catherine is being treated for cancer, she said in a video statement, shedding light on a royal health crisis that has been the subject of intense media speculation in Britain and beyond.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Catherine, the Princess of Wales and wife to the heir to the British throne, Prince William, said Friday that her scheduled abdominal surgery in January uncovered the presence of cancer. She has subsequently been undergoing preventative chemotherapy, she said without elaborating on the type of cancer or its severity.

I am now in the early stages of that treatment, said Catherine, 42. This of course came as a huge shock and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.

Its the latest health setback for the British royal family, whose longevity was symbolized by Queen Elizabeths 70-year reign. The announcement comes six weeks after Buckingham Palace disclosed that King Charles III was also receiving treatment for an unspecified cancer and 18 months since the queens death.

The princesss health scare led William to suspend some appearances, suddenly leaving three of Britains most senior royals out of the public eye. While King Charles has continued light royal duties, such as delivering a video message last week to mark the anniversary of the Commonwealth, it remains unclear when he might return to a fuller schedule.

Kensington Palace first announced on Jan. 17 that the princess had been admitted to the hospital for planned abdominal surgery and wouldnt return to public duties until after Easter, which in the UK will be observed on March 31 this year. At the time, the BBC reported that her condition was not cancer-related.

The Princess of Wales has the love and support of the whole country as she continues her recovery, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement. In recent weeks, she has been subjected to intense scrutiny and has been unfairly treated by certain sections of the media around the world and on social media.

Speculation about the princesss health was amplified after Prince William failed to attend a Feb. 27 memorial service for his godfather, King Constantine of Greece. He was due to give a reading, but he withdrew less than an hour before the event.

The palace subsequently released a photo of Catherine and her three children on Mothers Day, accompanied by a written message from the princess. The photo was then recalled by five international photo agencies because of concerns it had been manipulated. The Princess later apologized for the confusion, indicating that she had edited the photo.

On Friday, she requested time, space and privacy while she receives medical care. She indicated that she might continue to keep a low profile, saying she would return when I am able.

It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment, Catherine said. But most importantly it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be OK.

--With assistance from Eamon Akil Farhat and Charles Capel.

(Updates with prime ministers statement in seventh paragraph.)

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2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Kansas City had a rare opportunity to rename Troost Avenue. Then Mayor Quinton Lucas stepped in and derailed the entire process.

Lucas wanted to wait until 2028 to permanently replace street signs that bear the last name of Benoist Troost, a Kansas City physician who enslaved Black people. District 3 Councilwoman Melissa Robinson pushed back. As a result, the proposal first brought forth by Robinson was tabled this week and now were back to square one.

At this point, the mayor has become an impediment to justice, former Board of Parks and Recreation commissioner Chris Goode told me. To put an honorary street sign above Troost Avenue is not what the people want. The goal is to remove the name of the street.

Goode spearheaded the effort to rid the name from Kansas City streets. Robinson and others were instrumental in helping the push that he began in June 2022.

It may take months before the City Council could even address the issue again, according to Robinson. I have serious concerns about the manner in which Lucas killed this proposal  and Kansas Citians should too. This stall tactic he employed flat out stinks.

This week, in a special committee for legal review meeting that he chairs, Lucas introduced a revised ordinance that would have slowed the timeline to strip the name. This proposed ordinance, which passed out of committee by a 2-1 vote, would have placed honorary street signs above the ones already erected along the Troost corridor, if approved. Its all a moot point now.

On Thursday, the amended ordinance Lucas had introduced one day earlier led to the council scraping the matter from its docket.

I reached out to the mayors office Wednesday for more information but was referred to the comments Lucas made in committee.

Lucas measure would have given residents and businesses along the corridor time to gradually transition their mailing address to Truth Avenue, he said during the meeting.

The revised ordinance pushed by Lucas stated: Renaming a large avenue may cause logistical difficulties and disruptions to individuals and businesses as they change their address on all mailings, records, accounts, etc.

I am sympathetic to that, Lucas said.

While I understand the need for a transition period, does it really take four years to change addresses? Cmon, Mayor Lucas.

Robinsons original ordinance would have changed the street to Truth Avenue, if approved by the full council. Sadly, that measure was amended by Lucas in committee where he and District 6 at-large Councilwoman Andrea Bough voted in favor of the honorary designation. Robinson opposed.

I urge the Kansas City Council to use this time to convene a bi-regional committee to address renaming all city-owned streets and monuments that honor slave owners.

We did everything we were supposed to do, Troost-based business owner Chris Goode said. Why continue to celebrate slavery? Tammy Ljungblad/tljungblad@kcstar.com

More than 1,000 Troost property owners, residents surveyed

I spoke with Robinson ahead of this weeks City Council meeting. She reiterated some key points about the proposed change.

She reminded me of a September 2020 council resolution requesting the Parks and Recreation commissioners to develop a plan to study the removal of memorials and monuments of people who enslaved other humans, promoted racism or participated in the oppression of Black people and other minorities.

But Jack Holland, then-president of the parks commission and a Lucas appointee, nixed those plans.

Multiple listening sessions were conducted with area property owners along Troost about changing the name, Robinson said. Private money was raised to bring awareness to the potential change. Postcards were sent to residents along Troost soliciting feedback.

More important, a survey conducted during this process targeting more than 1,000 residents and property owners along the corridor found 71% of people responding agreed that Kansas City streets should not bear the name of known slave owners. Are Lucas and the City Council listening?

Kansas Citys street naming committee also signed off on the name change, Robinson said.

Why shouldnt the city act now?

In four years, were going to be out of office, Robinson told me. If we need to go back to the drawing board, lets do that. This is going to cause harm to the Black community.

Troost is not the only major street or monument in Kansas City named after slave owners. Wornall Road, McGee Street and others come to mind. But the process to rename Troost was robust and painstaking, according to Goode, who owns a business on the street.

We did everything we were supposed to do, Goode said. Why continue to celebrate slavery?

As parks board commissioner, Goode was instrumental in the boards decision to strip J.C. Nichols name from a street and fountain in Mill Creek Park on the Country Club Plaza. He also championed renaming three Kansas City boulevards to honor slain civil rights icon the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. His work on Troost should be commended. I am hopeful the effort was not in vain.

Troost Avenue is well known as the dividing line of Kansas Citys history of racial segregation and economic harm to Black residents. Renaming the street now could have gone a long way towards racial reconciliation in our city. Leaving the street signs in place four more years does little to create an environment of diversity and inclusion.

The Kansas City Council must act with a sense of urgency on this matter. I see little need to wait any longer to remove street signs that honor a slave owner.
Reality Check is a Star series holding those in power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at RealityCheck@kcstar.com.

An embattled Kansas City-area fire protection district requires a $50 deposit when members of the public submit records requests, a policy the Missouri Attorney Generals Office says charges illegal fees and must be reversed.

Jason Lewis, the offices general counsel, warned the Western Cass Fire Protection District that its policy doesnt comply with the Missouri Sunshine Law in a letter sent to the district on Monday. Lewis gave the district until April 15 to change its rules, writing that if it holds firm the decision may be future evidence of a purposeful violation of the Sunshine Law.

We have thoroughly reviewed this matter  we insist that the District reverse course and adopt a compliant policy that does not impose unauthorized fees on citizens, Lewis wrote in the letter, obtained by The Star.

The Western Cass Fire Protection District has faced a host of controversies in recent years centered on allegations of mismanagement and incompetent leadership. The district provides firefighting services to about 2,500 people across 16 square miles in western Cass County, south of Kansas City.

The warning from the Missouri Attorney Generals Office comes as western Cass County residents prepare to vote on April 2 whether to allow the fire districts board of directors to raise property taxes to generate more revenue for its operations. The districts board of directors wants the authority to raise its tax levy by up to 50 cents  an increase, it says, of about $286 a year on a $300,000 home. The 2023 levy was 38 cents.

A political action committee, Cass Citizens in Action, is opposing the measure, arguing the board refuses to be transparent and has mismanaged funds in the past. The effort to block the tax increase is taking place after lawsuits aimed at reforming the fire district have faltered in court.

Letter to Western Cass FPD by The Kansas City Star on Scribd

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Kerri VanMeveren, a former member of the fire districts board of directors who has been sharply critical of how the district is operated, said the letter from the Missouri Attorney Generals Office was encouraging.

Weve been trying to educate people for nearly two years on whats going on. Its difficult, we get that. People dont want to have to babysit their government to make sure that the people they elect into office are doing their job and not doing things that are self-enriching their own personal situations, VanMeveren said.

Lewiss letter to the fire district says the Sunshine Law has been interpreted to prevent advance charges for time spent reviewing records before disclosure and that while advance payment may be required for copying costs, there is little cost associated with duplicating electronic records.

While the district policy allows for the $50 to be refunded if the actual costs of fulfilling a request are lower, Lewis wrote that refunds are contingent on board approval, which means they may or may not happen. But even if a refund is made, Lewis emphasized that the requestor at least temporarily loses access to their money.

Indeed, the policy requires citizens to tender $50 even before the District has begun searching for records, Lewis wrote. The citizen has lost the time value of the citizens money.

Sue Hosterman, president of the fire districts board of directors, said in an interview that the board turned the letter over to its attorney, who was handling the response. Hosterman pushed back on the idea that the Sunshine Law policy violates the law.

If you dont have people pay up front, they probably wouldnt pay if they got the information, she said, adding that the states open record laws were under interpretation of what you read in the statutes.

Hosterman declined to comment further, directing questions to an attorney representing the district. Aaron Racine, the attorney, said in an interview that he was discussing the issue with the attorney generals office and didnt want to go into detail about those discussions.

But he pushed back on the offices interpretation of the district policy.

Every time we get a request costs money and thats the purpose of charging the deposit, he said. If were going to engage our contractor to have to go find a document, make a copy and provide it in response to a Sunshine Law request, were interpreted that to be a cost of copying.

A portion of the Western Cass Fire Protection Districts Sunshine Law policy.

John Webb, the boards vice president who has consistently butted heads with VanMeveren, also pushed back on the letter. He defended the policy, noting the district pays an outside company to handle public records requests. The districts Sunshine Law policy says the district contracts out requests at a rate of $25 per hour.

We contract out services and in order for someone to handle an email and do the research and make the copies, we have to pay somebody to do that, Webb said. Missouri state statute says that the costs involved in replying to a response are chargeable to the person seeking the request.

Webb pointed to a line in state law that states that research time for fulfilling public records requests may be charged at the actual cost of research time.

First thing you have to understand is that we are a small fire district, so we have no regular employees, Webb said.

But Lewis in his letter argues that the $50 deposit combined with the use of an outside contractor may impair the publics ability to inspect or copy public records.

The choice to hire an outside contractor and voluntarily assume a variable cost, rather than the fixed cost of paid employees already on the Districts payroll, should not be passed along to citizens beyond what would ordinarily be expected if a District employee were to fill that role, Lewis wrote.

A fire station operated by the Western Cass Fire Protection District. The district has experienced political dysfunction for years.

Tax levy promotion questioned

The fire districts Sunshine Law policy is only one part of a host of problems identified by critics of the districts leadership. A lawsuit has previously alleged that for several months in 2022, the district had no qualified firefighters. Critics also say the districts financial recordkeeping is deficient.

A lawsuit brought by Citizens for Transparency and Accountability, a local group that includes VanMeveren, against the fire district failed at the circuit court level. The group is appealing, and court filings are expected in the coming days.

The upcoming April election has produced renewed scrutiny of the fire district  including whether the district is improperly promoting the measure.

Missouri law prohibits direct spending by government agencies and officials to support or oppose ballot measures. VanMeveren said the board of directors in a February meeting approved spending $2,000 to promote the tax levy increase and at a subsequent meeting potentially approved additional spending.

Minutes for February board meetings arent available, but the agenda for a Feb. 21 meeting lists Tax Levy Promotion under new business. VanMeveren provided a photo showing a VOTE YES banner attached to the side of a district fire station. She said the banner has since been taken down.

Webb on Thursday said he did not remember how much money the district approved. However, he argued that the money was to inform residents about the tax levy, not to promote it.

Some money was approved to provide information on the levy, he said. When pressed on whether the money was intended to promote the tax increase, he said its just information about the district.

As of Thursday afternoon, the fire districts official website contained instructions for how to request yard signs in support of the tax levy.

The website of the Western Cass Fire Protection District.
Feature: From serfdom to freedom, new life arising from old Xizang manor

09:23, March 22, 2024 By Liu Zhoupeng, Lyu Qiuping and Bai Mingshan ( Xinhua

Tseten takes a walk outside his home in Qonggyai County in Shannan, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Feb. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Tenzing Nima Qadhup)

LHASA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Had it not been for democratic reform 65 years ago, Tseten from southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region would have been sold by his master and separated from his parents.

At 13, an age when serf children were traded among manors, the Tibetan boy was about to be brought to the market for trading when democratic reform in March 1959 abolished the feudal serfdom system in the region, freeing some 1 million people.

"Compared with those who were sold and even tortured to death, I was rather fortunate," said Tseten, now 78, who lives in a villa near the former manor his family used to serve in Qonggyai County in the city of Shannan.

Last year, the county government invested 4 million yuan (563,841 U.S. dollars) in renovating the manor based on its original appearance and is planning to turn it into a tented camp, where visitors can get a glimpse of the miserable lives endured by serfs before they were set free.

Born into the lowest rank of serfs, Tseten lived in a livestock shed at the manor, sharing space with sheep and their manure. At night, he was often awakened due to a sheep stepping on him.

He revealed that leftovers from the masters' dining table were for the maids to eat, while all the serfs had to eat was soup made of barley flour -- soup as clear as water.

"I had to eat after my parents because they had heavy labor to do," Tseten recalled, with memories of hunger still haunting him.

Back then, Tseten's parents were muleteers at the manor, using mules to transport farming yields like barley flour and yak butter to the city of Lhasa. Sometimes, robbers would steal their goods on the way.

"I remember my father being tied to the stairs and whipped after being robbed," he said.

Following democratic reform in 1959, Tseten and his family, together with another household, moved from the sheep pen to the manor owner's rooms on the second floor of the manor.

His family was allocated farmland, one head of cattle, a donkey and seven sheep. Thanks to the reform, Tseten was able to go to school at the age of 15 and, after graduating from high school, he returned home to farm.

Now, Xizang is the first provincial-level region in China to provide 15 years of publicly-funded education from kindergarten to senior high school, a stark contrast to the situation seven decades ago when access to education was limited to the nobility.

In 2003, Tseten's family moved to a hill opposite the old manor and built a 90-square-meter house. Three years later, with a subsidy of 10,000 yuan provided by Shannan's housing project, the house was expanded into a villa of about 230 square meters in size.

Tseten lives on the second floor with one of his daughters, while his son-in-law, a migrant worker employed outside the county, earns more than 30,000 yuan a year. One of Tseten's sons became a doctor in a hospital in Shannan after graduating from college.

Despite his age, Tseten is in good health. He likes taking care of the plants on his balcony, watching almost every cultural performance organized in his village and even traveling to the regional capital Lhasa to visit his relatives and explore.

"I am lucky to witness such a new era in this region," said Tseten, adding that he also receives a monthly pension of 260 yuan, while his hospital bills for minor eye and stomach problems are mostly covered by public healthcare.

According to a white paper issued in 2023, a total of 3.43 million people were covered by basic medical insurance in this region, more than 95 percent of the total population there.

Nyidron, Tseten's granddaughter, is a freshman at Fujian Normal University in the coastal province of Fujian in east China, a place her family had never been to before. Nyidron returns home during the winter and summer vacations.

She said she used to go to the old manor in summer to escape the heat, stargazing on the rooftop and marveling at the twinkling lights of villages in the distance.

She can still recall her deep sorrow when she first saw the dark walls, stairs and pillars of the old manor.

"The manor reminded me of the suffering of my grandfather in the past. Those miserable days are now gone, but I will always remember them," said Nyidron. Enditem

(Xinhua correspondents Kelsang Paljor, Tenzing Nima Qadhup and Wei Guanyu contributed to the story.)

Tseten's granddaughter serves a cup of butter tea for Tseten at home in Qonggyai County in Shannan, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Feb. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Tenzing Nima Qadhup)

Tseten tends to his plants at home in Qonggyai County in Shannan, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Feb. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Tenzing Nima Qadhup)

Tseten (L) and his family members enjoy some snacks at home in Qonggyai County in Shannan, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Feb. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Tenzing Nima Qadhup)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The Embassy of Serbia in Baku congratulated the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of Nowruz holiday, Azernews reports, citing a post shared by Embassy on its official X account.

The post reads:

"The Embassy of #Serbia wishes all the citizens of #Azerbaijan a happy Novruz! May you always celebrate it in peace, joy, unity and well-being! Novruz bayram?n?z mubar?k!"
BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- If juveniles stand accused of serious crimes, and a review and approval procedure deem the cases worthy of prosecution, criminal liability shall be investigated in accordance with the law, China's Supreme People's Procuratorate said Friday. 
Kansas City, Kansas police are investigating a shooting that left one person with life-threatening injuries Thursday.

Police were called to the 200 block of Southwest Boulevard around 1 p.m. on reports that someone needed medical attention, Officer Jovanna Cheatum of KCKPD said in a statement Thursday evening. Officers arrived and found a man with a single gunshot wound. The man was taken to an area hospital for treatment and was in critical condition, Cheatum said.

No other details about the incident were released.

Anyone with information about the shooting may contact the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.
KANSAS CITY, Kan.  A shooting is under investigation after a man was found shot Thursday afternoon in Kansas City, Kansas.

KCK police officers responded just before 1 p.m. to the area of Eaton Street and Southwest Boulevard after receiving reports that someone needed medical attention.

KCPD to begin using new feature to improve 911 service in Kansas City

When officers arrived on scene they found a man who had a single gunshot wound.

Police said the victim was taken to an area hospital for treatment where he remains in critical condition.

Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android

The incident remains under investigation. KCKPD are asking anyone with information o call the Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
With just a day left in Congress, retiring Representative Ken Buck has delivered a parting giftthat looks more like a parting shotto his fellow Republicans.

Buck signed House Democrats foreign aid discharge petition Thursday night, the first Republican to do so. If the petition, which was launched earlier this month, reaches 218 signatures, it would force a vote on a $95 billion foreign aid package. The package, which has already passed the Senate, includes $60 billion in aid for Ukraine, an increasingly unpopular issue among far-right Republicans.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to consider the aid package, which would also give aid to Israel and Taiwan, despite it passing the Senate with broad bipartisan support, because it does not include regulations for the U.S.-Mexico border that he considers strict enough. But if the aid bill makes it to the House floor, it is expected to pass, again with bipartisan backing.

As of Thursday night, the discharge petition had 188 signatures. It needs just 30 more to pass.

Buck also signed a competing discharge petition to force a vote on a package that includes both Ukraine aid and new border restrictions. Other Republicans have also signed on to that petition, which has only 16 signatures so far.

Although Friday is Bucks last day in Congress, his signatures will remain on both petitions until his temporary successor is chosen in a special election. If the successor also signs either petition, Bucks name will be removed. The special election to replace Buck wont be held until June, coinciding with the Colorado primaries.

Despite sitting on the far-right wing of his party, Buck has found himself at odds with his fellow Republicans in recent years. In fact, the far-right House Freedom Caucus voted Tuesday night to oust Buck from its ranks. One member, speaking anonymously, told The Hill that Buck hadnt attended caucus meetings regularly for months.

The member cited Buck breaking with Republicans on several major issues and leaving the conference hanging with a historically narrow margin as the main reasons for his removal.

When Buck first announced his retirement in November, he slammed the GOP for pushing self-serving lies, including that the 2020 election had been stolen. More recently, he has been seemingly the only Republican who refused to fall in line with his partys efforts to impeach Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Buck has repeatedly pointed out that neither impeachment effort is based on any evidence of wrongdoing.



Last week, when Buck announced he would retire early, he told CNN that the past year had been the worst year of the nine years and three months that Ive been in Congress.

Instead of having decorum, instead of operating in a professional manner, this place has just devolved into this bickering and nonsense and not really doing the job for the American people, he said.
Kenyan government officials ignored "credible reports" that could have prevented the death of more than 400 suspected doomsday cult members, a state-funded human rights watchdog said on Friday.

The piles of human remains were discovered in April 2023 in Shakahola forest, a vast bushland that lies inland from the Indian Ocean town of Malindi.

The government is due to start releasing the exhumed bodies to relatives for burial next week after the DNA profiling was delayed by lack of reagents and equipment.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), a state-backed body, criticised security officers in Malindi for "gross abdication of duty and negligence".

"They not only failed to be proactive in collecting and acting on intelligence to forestall the Shakahola massacre but also unjustifiably failed to act on credible and actionable reports," KNCHR chairwoman Roseline Odede said.

Self-professed pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie is alleged to have incited his followers to starve to death in order to "meet Jesus".

While starvation appears to be the main cause of death, autopsies carried out by the government found that some victims -- including children -- had been strangled, beaten or suffocated.

Between April and October last year, a total of 429 bodies were exhumed from shallow graves, while 67 adults and 25 children were rescued, according to government records.

- Warnings ignored -

"Many followers faced a slow excruciating death, mainly through starvation," KNCHR said.

The rights group said the radicalisation of Mackenzie, a former taxi driver, had been raised at a court users' meeting in November 2019 but had also been ignored.

A former follower of Mackenzie had "desperately" tried to sound the alarm but her warnings were also dismissed, it added.

"Instead of investigating the veracity of the issues raised, the lady was intimidated after being accused of making baseless accusations," Odede said.

"The commission regrets that no known sanctions were taken against those officers who abdicated their duty to protect hundreds of persons, including children who are either missing, dead or deeply traumatised," KNCHR said.

Mackenzie has been in detention since handing himself in to the police in April and investigations continue.

He has been charged with murder, manslaughter, terrorism and child abuse.

A Senate commission of inquiry reported in October that Mackenzie had faced charges back in 2017 for his extreme preaching but "the criminal justice system failed to deter the heinous activities".

ho/gil
Payson High School students are going to get a lot closer than six degrees of Kevin Bacon.

Footloose, which celebrates the 40th anniversary of its release this year, was filmed at the school in Payson, Utah. For months, the students there have tried to get the actor to attend this years prom, which will be the last at the building as the school will be relocating at the end of the academic year. Well, they will get a visit from the actor after Bacon confirmed he would be visiting on prom day while on TODAY March 22.

The actor called in from Atlanta while a throng of students filled the school gym. He shared his appreciation for all they have done and to let them know he will indeed be visiting Payson High School on prom day, with the announcement prompting an eruption of cheers.

I have been so impressed with everything thats been going on there with this crazy idea to get me to come back, he began while noting how big the movie and the school has been to his own life.

Footloose (CBS via Getty Images)

Bacon also showed appreciation for the students supporting his SixDegrees.org charity and how much effort they've put into trying to get him to come visit.

Ive been amazed at the work that all of you have been putting into this, with the musical and the flash mobs and the re-creations," he said.

It hasnt gone unnoticed by me, not to mention the fact that you tied in SixDegrees.org, our foundation, and are trying to figure out ways to give back to your community. Its really inspirational, so thank you. Thank you. And Im gonna come. I gotta come, he continued, as the gym exploded in joy.

Students have indeed put on an all-out blitz to get Bacon to come to visit their school, using the hashtag #bacontopayson on social media, re-creating scenes from the movie, learning the Footloose dance and hosting an event on prom day to benefit SixDegrees.org.

"Let's dance! We're gonna do it! This is awesome!" student Rubie Raff told him after he made the announcement.

"We're gonna party really hard, Kevin," Kaleb Dymock added.

"Thank you guys. Let's dance," Bacon said.

In a segment that aired right before Bacon's announcement, the school's student council advisor Jenny Staheli said she's proud of all the work the students have put in.

To watch them just take ownership of that and run with it has been ... it succeeded beyond my wildest dreams, honestly, she said.

Bacon, who celebrated the end of last year's actors strike by re-creating a famous dance scene from "Footloose," has embraced the enduring popularity of the film.

I think that it was a great gift to be part of that movie, he told TODAYs Willie Geist in 2022. I certainly took it very seriously when I was doing it and I love that people will still come up and say that they just showed it to their kids.

CORRECTION (March 22, 2024, at 2:59 p.m. ET): An earlier version of this story said Kevin Bacon was planning to attend Payson High Schools prom. Bacon plans to visit the school during the day of prom, not attend prom.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  The Utah Film Commission announced this morning that actor Kevin Bacon has agreed to return to Payson High School, where 40 years ago, he filmed the 1984 movie Footloose.

Bacon made the announcement on NBCs Today, noting that he will visit the school on April 20. The film was shot on location at Payson High and Lehi Roller Mills. Payson Highs student body has been working to lure the actor back to the school for several months now.

I have been so impressed with everything thats been going on there with this crazy idea to get me to come back, said Bacon this morning.

Payson High invites Kevin Bacon for one last dance in celebration of Footloose 40th anniversary

Weve worked so hard this year and done our absolute best to make this crazy dream a reality, said Payson High School Student Body President Rubie Raff. I cant believe that its finally happening and that we can say we did it! It was all worth itwe got Kevin back to Payson!

For over a year, the Utah Film Commission has been working with the students at Payson High School on a campaign to bring Kevin Bacon back to Utah, stated a press release this morning. In November of 2023, Gov. Spencer J. Cox joined the efforts on social media inviting Bacon to return to Payson.

As part of the effort to bring Bacon back to Utah, students have offered to help support the actors foundation, SixDegrees.org. The foundation is aiming to create 40,000 essential resource kits for youth and schools. Payson students have pledged to create 5,000 of those kits on the same day as prom as thanks for Bacons return.

It hasnt gone unnoticed by me, not to mention the fact that you tied in SixDegrees.org, our foundation, and are trying to figure out ways to give back to your community, Bacon said on Today. Its really inspirational, so thank you. Thank you. And Im gonna come. I gotta come.

Payson could not be happier at the possibility of a visit from Kevin Bacon. He is our favorite celebrity and we are so excited at the chance to have him back, said Payson High Principal Jesse Sorenson.

Visit film.utah.gov/100years to learn more about how to get involved in the SixDegrees.org Building Kits event on April 20.

The announcement also comes as a boost for the film commissions 100th anniversary. According to the press release, a 2023 survey indicated that 37% of visitors cite film and/or television as one of the motivators in selecting Utah as a destination. Over the last 10 years, the film commission said those visitors have spent an estimated $6 billion in the state.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
The work of firefighters in Kharkiv, archive photo

Zaporizhzhya and Kharkiv were hit hard in Russias biggest mass missile attack of 2024, undergoing wave after wave of explosions  at least 15 over several hours  early in the morning on March 22, regional authorities reported.

Much of Kharkiv is without power after Russia targeted the citys energy infrastructure.

Read also: Casualty toll rises to 40 injured and 4 killed in massive Russian missile attack on Ukrainian capital

"Due to the blackout of pumping stations in the city, problems with water supply are already being observed, he said.

Electric transport will not operate on routes in the morning  buses will provide transportation according to a contingency plan for the blackout," Terekhov confirmed issues with electricity in the city.

Read also:

A series of explosions rocked Zaporizhzhya, with the first wave around 4:00 a.m. EET and another wave shortly after 5:00. Russia launched at least eight missile strikes against the city, Zaporizhzhya Regional Military Administration head Ivan Fedorov reported.

"Infrastructure objects have been hit. Civilian buildings have been damaged, he said.

We are clarifying information about the number of injured people.

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 News

The family of a Princeton graduate student kidnapped last year by an Iranian-backed militia in Baghdad called on the Biden administration to designate Iraq as a state sponsor of terrorism for allegedly failing to work for the release of Elizabeth Tsurkov.

Tsurkov, a Russian-Israeli scholar and journalist, entered Iraq in January 2023 to conduct field research for her Ph.D. dissertation on sectarian politics in the Middle East. The 37-year-old was abducted two months later by Kataib Hezbollah, an Iraqi militia thats funded by Tehran but whose political wing forms a part of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudanis government.

His office announced in November that it had launched a formal investigation into Tsurkovs disappearance. But it hasnt disclosed any findings from the probe, and Tsurkovs family accused the Iraqi leader on Thursday of refusing to pressure Kataib Hezbollah to release the student.

I am calling on Secretary of State Blinken to use his legal authority to declare Iraq a state sponsor of terrorism  just like its neighbors, Iran and Syria, Tsurkovs sister, Emma Tsurkov, said at a protest staged outside Iraqs embassy in Washington. The U.S. is sending hundreds of millions of dollars each year to Iraq. We have a right to expect them to not fund terrorists who are targeting U.S.-based researchers and journalists.

Iraqs embassy didnt respond to a request for comment from Semafor. The State Department has said that its closely tracking Tsurkovs situation, but declined to comment further. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in July issued a statement demanding Kataib Hezbollah release the dual-national student.

Kataib Hezbollah in November released a proof-of-life video of Tsurkov in which she mentioned Israels war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas. But she also appeared to be coerced into saying she was working for the CIA and Israels spy service, Mossad  a charge her family and the U.S. and Israeli governments deny.

Emma Tsurkov said shes been unable to establish any direct line to Kataib Hezbolah, and that Iraqs government has refused to serve as a mediator. You have been given the benefit of the doubt and your grace period is over. You have done nothing but mislead, misdirect, and gaslight my family, Tsurkov said of Sudanis administration. You will get no peace or quiet until my sister is home.





Jays view

Elizabeth Tsurkov is the second Princeton graduate student kidnapped by Iran and its proxies over the past decade. But her Russian-Israeli nationality, and the U.S.s military partnership with Iraq, risks complicating efforts to secure her release.

The Pentagon maintains a forward base in western Iraq from which its launched missions against the Islamic State (ISIS), the terrorist organization that gained control of large swathes of the Arab country beginning in 2014. But Kataib Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed militias have attacked the base, as well as U.S. military facilities in neighboring Syria, in an effort to force Washington to withdraw its personnel. These strikes have escalated since Hamas launched its terrorist assault on southern Israel last October. The Pentagon has charged Kataib Hezbollah of overseeing a January drone attack on Jordan that killed three U.S. military personnel stationed there.

The Biden administration and Sudanis government have been holding negotiations over whether to maintain the U.S. troop presence in Iraq. In this environment, the White House has appeared reluctant to pressure Baghdad over Tsurkov, her family says. They say the administration has been cautioning U.S. lawmakers against aggressively criticizing Baghdad.

Sudani is expected to visit Washington next month, and Emma Tsurkov pressed the Biden administration on Thursday to use it as leverage to gain her sisters release. What is the point of having power if you do not exercise it to protect the values you believe in? she said.

The first Princeton student kidnapped by Iran, Wang Xiyue, was held in Tehrans Evin Prison from 2016-2019. He was released as part of a prisoner exchange negotiated by the Trump administration and Tehran.





The View From Baghdad

Sudanis government, in November, pledged to aggressively investigate Tsurkovs abduction and get her home. The security services are still following the case of the disappearance of the Russian citizen in Baghdad and are sparing no effort to find any leads leading to the kidnapped person, Husham al-Rikabi, a communications adviser to the prime minister, told AFP. We hope soon [to find] leads or evidence that will lead the competent authorities to her.

Leaders of Kataib Hezbollah, an arm of Irans most powerful military unit, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, have described her abduction as an important step in their battle against the U.S. and Israel.





Notable

Kataib Hezbollah also serves in the Iraqi government through the Popular Mobilization Forces, an irregular national guard.
The King said he was proud of his daughter-in-law for speaking publicly - Royal Household/PA

The King has revealed his pride in the Princess of Wales, his daughter-in-law, after she spoke publicly about her cancer diagnosis.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said that His Majesty, who is also undergoing cancer treatment, was so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did.

The spokesman added that the King had remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks.

The King and the Princess are understood to have been supporting each other ever since they were treated at the same London hospital together in January. At the time, neither realised that they had cancer.

The palace said that both the King and the Queen will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time.

The Kings warm tribute was echoed by hundreds of others, from world leaders to health professionals and members of the public.

Joe Biden, the US president, was incredibly sad to hear of the news, his official spokesman said. Jill Biden said: You are brave, and we love you.

We just heard, obviously, all of us just heard the terrible news, Karine Jean-Pierre said at the White Houses daily press briefing. I think its important that we respect their privacy, especially at this time, so Im not going to go further than that.

Emmanuel Macron, the French president, said the Princess of Waless strength and resilience inspires us all. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Macron added: Your Highness. In this difficult period you are going through, Brigitte and I wish you a full recovery.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex sent wishes of health and healing to the Princess. The couple said in a statement: We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.

A spokesman for the Sussexes has not confirmed when the couple learnt news of Prince Harrys sister-in-laws diagnosis.

The statement used the popular version of the Princesss name of Kate, rather than the Catherine used by the Waleses and the palace in their public statements.

Prince Harry is thought to have last seen the Princess at the Coronation of his father.

The Waleses and Sussexes are not known to have spent significant time together since Prince Harry and Meghan left the UK.

Leaders share support

At home, leaders of all political parties were united in their messages of love and support.

Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, commended the Princesss bravery in speaking out, while Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, said she was in the nations thoughts and prayers, adding that he was heartened by her message of faith and hope.

Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat Leader, said his thoughts and prayers were with the Princess as he expressed hope that the Royal family would be given space and privacy.

Liz Truss, the former prime minister, said the entire country would be wishing the Princess a speedy recovery.

Meanwhile, Amanda Pritchard, the NHS chief executive, said that the Princess speaking out about her diagnosis was really brave and could help others in a similar situation.

On behalf of the NHS, Im really sorry to hear this shocking news, she said.

The King said he was "so proud" of his daughter in law - Chris Jackson/2021 Getty Images

Our thoughts are with the Princess of Wales and the Royal family, especially while her treatment continues.

We know how difficult a diagnosis and treatment journey can be for patients and their families.

Speaking out about it is really brave and it can help others to get worrying signs and symptoms checked. If youre worried about cancer, the NHS website has more information.

Former prime minister Boris Johnson wished the Princess all possible strength and a full and rapid recovery.

Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf said: Im deeply saddened to hear the news about the Princess of Wales/Duchess of Rothesay. I am praying for her swift recovery.

It must be an incredibly difficult time for the whole family. Royalty or otherwise, she has a right to privacy, which I hope will be respected.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle sent well wishes on behalf of the House and said the Princesss candour would make a difference to others facing their own battle against cancer.

He said in a statement: The Princess of Wales has been incredibly brave in revealing her cancer diagnosis and I am sure her candour will make such a difference to all those facing this dreadful disease.

On behalf of the House of Commons, I would like to send my best wishes to Catherine and her family and hope she will be back to full health very soon.

The Queen and King pictured with the Prince and Princess of Wales - Chris Jackson

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said: We all know the suffering and distress that a cancer diagnosis brings to individuals, their families and friends.

I wish Kate well in her battle, and have no doubt that her words will be of comfort and support to others facing their own.

Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy said: Incredibly moved by the bravery of Her Royal Highness.

At this extremely difficult time, her message to others affected by cancer will mean so much to so many.

Wishing The Princess of Wales, and the whole Royal Family, the very best in recovery.

May all respect their privacy.

Stormonts leaders, Michelle ONeill and Emma Little-Pengelly, both sent messages of support on social media shortly after the Princess revealed the news in an emotional video message.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said his thoughts and prayers were with the Princess of Wales and her family.

Praying for her full recovery

Sarika Patel, the chairman of trustees at Action for Children, of which the Princess is a patron, said staff sent their very best wishes to the Princess.

We want her to know we are thinking of her at this very challenging time and send her our love and support, she said.

Michelle Mitchell, the chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said it was important that the Princess was given the time and space to focus on her treatment.

Nearly one in two of us will develop cancer during our lifetimes, but many more are affected when someone they love is diagnosed with cancer, she said.

Thanks to research there is hope: cancer survival has doubled in the last 50 years.

High-profile cancer cases often act as a prompt to encourage people to find out more or think about their own health. If people spot something thats not normal for them or isnt going away, they should check with their GP. It probably wont be cancer. But if it is, spotting it at an early stage means treatment is more likely to be successful.

The Archbishop of Canterbury hailed the Princesss spirit of optimism as he said: I join the whole country, and the world, in praying for her full recovery.

He added: Her bravery in sharing in this way and her continued commitment to supporting others speaks to her compassion and sense of service.

Please join with me in praying for the Royal family as they deal with this private matter and I would urge people to respect their privacy at this time.

The Church of England also released A prayer for HRH The Princess of Wales in which hope was made for her continued recovery along with support for her family and all who are affected by sickness.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) suggested that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) should make a deal on aid to Ukraine to save his Speakership, as the threat of a motion to vacate loomed over Johnsons head Friday.

Is she gonna try a motion to vacate? I dont know, Kinzinger said on CNN Newsroom, in an interview with anchor Jim Acosta, referring to an earlier apparent threat from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) to file a motion to oust Johnson.

In a way, I think it could be interesting if she does, to see if Mike Johnson just says, OK, fine, thats delayed, because you can delay that motion to vacate. And by the way, since youre doing that, the next bill Im putting on the floor before we go to recess, is the Senate foreign aid bill, Kinzinger continued. That would be an interesting reaction, and then the Democrats could frankly come in and save Johnson on a motion to vacate.

Greene later filed a motion to oust Johnson as Speaker, which came in opposition to his support for a bipartisan spending deal making its way through Congress. The Georgia Republican said she would not trigger a vote to oust Johnson yet.

Today, I filed a motion to vacate after Speaker Johnson has betrayed our conference and broken our rules, Greene told reporters on the steps of the Capitol.

She continued: But this is basically a warning, and its time for us to go through the process, take our time, and find a new Speaker of the House that will stand with Republicans in our Republican majority instead of standing with the Democrats.

The Senate passed a $95 billion foreign aid package last month that includes $60 billion in aid for Ukraine. However, since the package was sent to the House, Johnson has refused to consider it because it does not include more stringent U.S.-Mexico border provisions.

Kinzinger also posted similar comments to those he made on CNN on X, the platform formerly known Friday, stating that Johnson should put the aid package on the floor NOW in exchange for dem votes to save him.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A fatal shooting occurred in East Sacramento at a Sacramento Regional Transit light rail station on Thursday.

Heres what we know so far:

Where and when was Sacramento shooting?

The Sacramento Police Department received reports about a shooting around 3:15 p.m. Thursday at the University and 65th Street light rail station, The Sacramento Bee reported.

Police officers were on the scene at the 6500 block of Q Street as of 3:42 p.m., the police department said in a post on X, formerly called Twitter.

Thats near Wexler Apartments on Folsom Boulevard, a Sacramento State student apartment complex.

Police activity in the area of 6500 block of Q street. We will provide updates as soon as we have them. pic.twitter.com/xhbRZjWWPr  Sacramento Police Department (@SacPolice) March 21, 2024

How many people were killed? Injured?

At the scene of the shooting, officers located a man with at least one gunshot wound, police said in a 11:30 p.m. post on X. Sadly, the victim was pronounced deceased on scene.

Two other people  a man and a woman  were injured, Officer Anthony Gamble, a spokesman for the Sacramento Police Department, told The Bee.

They were hospitalized and listed in stable condition as Thursday afternoon, Gamble said.

The Sacramento County Coroners Office will release the identity of the deceased after next of kin have been notified, police said via X.

Sacramento Police investigate a shooting with one dead and two hospitalized at the 65th Street light rail station in East Sacramento on Thursday.

Who are suspects in the fatal shooting?

On Thursday afternoon, law enforcement searched nearby neighborhoods and along the American River for two male suspects that police called armed and dangerous.

One of the men was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans and the other was wearing a grey sweatshirt and black jeans, police said.

The suspects clothing may have been ditched in the American River, according to radio dispatches reviewed by The Bee.

Sacramento Police investigate a shooting with one dead and two hospitalized at the 65th Street light rail station in East Sacramento on Thursday.

Has anyone been arrested?

A helicopter whirred over Sacramento States campus and surrounding neighborhoods in East Sacramento on Thursday evening, calling residents to be on the lookout for the suspects.

University spokesman Brian Blomster said the campus was not on lockdown and people were not told to shelter in place.

The two men hadnt been found as of 7:40 p.m., The Bee reported.

No arrests were made as of 11:30 p.m. Thursday, the police department said on X.

Sacramento Police investigate a shooting with one dead and two hospitalized at the 65th Street light-rail station in East Sacramento on Thursday.

Was shooting connected to nearby carjacking?

Gamble said a carjacking was reported around the same time and in the same vicinity as the shooting, near the Dollar Tree on Folsom Boulevard.

A stolen car was found near Riverview Hall, a dorm on campus, according to radio dispatches.

The Sacramento State Police Department assisted city police on Thursday afternoon in a search for carjacking suspects along a levee near campus, university police said in a post on X, noting that there was no immediate threat to campus.

It was not clear Friday whether the carjacking was connected to the homicide.

How to send in a tip

If you were a witness to this event, the Sacramento Police Department wants to hear from you.

People are encouraged to share tips regarding the investigation and can reach out to the dispatch center at 916-808-5471 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-HELP (4357).

Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000, the department said. Anonymous tips can also be submitted using the free P3 Tips smartphone app.

On Thursday, March 21, 2024, just after 3:15 p.m., Sacramento Police Department patrol officers responded to the 6500 Block of Q Street for reports of a shooting. At the scene, officers located one male with at least one gunshot wound. Sadly, the victim was pronounced deceased on pic.twitter.com/ZzJRaqrKrt  Sacramento Police Department (@SacPolice) March 22, 2024
NEW YORK (PIX11)  Recent high-profile incidents involving alleged squatters in New York City have left many New Yorkers with questions about their rights and the laws in New York.

A squatter is someone who settles on property without right or title or payment of rent, according to Merriam-Webster.

It only takes 30 days to gain squatter rights in New York, according to the states Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law 711. Under state law, squatting is a form of an adverse possessor  someone who occupies the property of another person or entity with or without knowledge of the others superior ownership rights that would give the owner a cause of action for ejectment.

An adverse possessor can make a claim of right, as defined by state law. A claim of right is a reasonable belief that a property belongs to either the adverse possessor or property owner. However, if the property owner(s) on the tax record cannot be found by reasonable means, a squatter does not have to claim adverse possession.

Squatters beat woman to death and stuffed her in bag in NYC apartment: NYPD

In addition to living in the property for 30 days, a squatter must also stay in the property in a way that is obvious and goes against the ownership. Once a squatter has been living in a property for 30 days, property owners must navigate New York Citys eviction laws to remove them.

If a squatter has been in permanent possession of a property for 10 years without interruption, they can become the propertys legal owner, according to New York State law RPAPL 511.

There are several steps to the eviction process in New York under state law RPAPL  701-768.

A Notice to Quit notifies the occupants they have 10 days to leave the property. The property owner must file an eviction lawsuit if the squatter does not leave in 10 days.

Once the squatter gets the summons, they will have 10 days to answer. After court, if the squatter is required to leave, they will get a 14-day notice to move out, at which point police can come to remove the individual if they still have not left.

The process can take up to five months and burden property owners with hefty legal fees.

Innago, a property management tool, offered some tips that a property owner in New York City should practice to avoid becoming a victim of squatters:

Regularly inspect your vacant property every few weeks.

Make your property appear inhabited.

Install lighting and security systems to deter unauthorized entry.

Secure all entry points with sturdy locks and barriers.

Post No Trespassing signs on the property.

Encourage neighbors to report any suspicious activity.

Hire a property management company to maintain the property.

If feasible, keep the property in use.

New York State Assemblymember Jake Blumencranz (D-15) introduced Assembly Bill A6894, which would extend the time period for tenancy rights from 30 days to 45 days of possession and add squatting to the definition of criminal trespass in the third degree. Sen. Patricia Fitzpatrick also introduced the bill in the New York Senate.

A 2023 report from the citys Housing Preservation and Development department found that housing vacancy dropped to 1.4 percent across New York City  the lowest since 1968. However, city officials said that in 2023, only around 33,000 housing units were available for rent, creating opportunities for potential squatters.

PIX11s Emily Rahhal contributed to this report.

Jonathan Rizk is a digital journalist who has covered local news in the New York City and Washington D.C. areas. He has been with PIX11 since August 2022. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
The Town of Yorktown is holding a special election April 16 to fill the vacant town supervisor position left by the death of former supervisor Tom Diana.

Diana died on Jan. 5 at the age of 66, just four days after he was sworn in for a new term in office. He was sworn in as acting supervisor on Jan. 1, 2023 after former Yorktown supervisor Matt Slater was elected to the New York State Assembly and Diana won the general election on Nov. 7 to remain in office.

Here is what Yorktown voters need to know.

This compiled image shows Ed Lachterman, left, and Jann Mirchandani, right.

Who's running?

The two candidates in the race for town supervisor are current acting supervisor Ed Lachterman, a Republican, and Yorktown small business owner and advocate Jann Mirchandani, a Democrat.

Former deputy and current acting Yorktown town supervisor Ed Lachterman is running for an official seat as town supervisor on April 16.

Lachterman was formerly deputy supervisor and was appointed to the role of acting supervisor by the Town Board following Diana's death.

Mirchandani ran for town supervisor in last year's election and lost to Diana. She is a board member of the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Hudson Valley Council Boy Scouts of America and the Hudson Valley Town Council.

Jann Mirchandani

Important deadlines and dates

April 16 is the date of the special election for Yorktown residents. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday, April 6 is the last day for new voters to register to vote.

Early in-person voting begins on April 6 and ends on April 14.

April 6 is the last day to mail requests for absentee ballots, and April 15 is the last day to apply in-person at the Yorktown board of elections for absentee ballots. Absentee ballots must be mailed and postmarked by April 16. They will be received until April 23.

Can I still vote by absentee ballot?

New York state allows residents who travel like college students and military servicemembers, or seniors who have medical conditions to vote by absentee ballot. NYS Board of Elections says that in order to request an absentee ballot, you must be:

Absent from your county on Election Day.

Unable to appear at the polls due to temporary or permanent illness or disability.

Unable to appear because you are the primary care giver of one or more people who are ill or physically disabled.

A resident or patient of a Veterans Health Administration Hospital.

In jail or prison for any reason other than a felony conviction. This includes anyone who is awaiting grand jury action, awaiting trial, or serving a sentence for a misdemeanor. Again, residents are not allowed to vote if they are in jail for a felony.

What are the requirements for voting?

Voting registration can be found on the NYS Board of Elections website, at your county board of elections, or at your local Department of Motor Vehicles. In order to vote, you must:

be a citizen of the United States

be at least 18 years old

live in the state, county, city or village for at least 30 days before the election

not be in prison for a felony

Yorktown's town board said the winner of the special election will take office immediately following the election and certification by the Board of Elections.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Yorktown NY town supervisor special election scheduled for April 16
He is probably one of the most iconic and memorable characters from the movie Deliverance.

Billy Redden, who played the Banjo Boy in the movie, was just 15 when it was filmed in North Georgia in 1972.

Redden lived in Clayton, Georgia, at the time and was handpicked by director John Boorman for the role.

Boorman said Redden had the exact look of a country boy that he was looking for, according to his profile on IMDB.com.

One of the most iconic parts of the movie is when Drew Ballinger, played by then-newcomer Ronny Cox, pulls out a guitar and the two of them play the song Dueling Banjos. The song ended up landing at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972.

Redden only received $500 for the role.

Now, at age 68, Redden is in need of some help. And a California bluegrass musician is helping to make that happen.

This scene enriched all who were involved - the movie was a hit and the song itself won a Golden Globe and a Grammy - but it did not enrich Redden, Lance Frantzich said on a GoFundMe page set up to help Redden with his expenses.

The movie essentially boosted the careers of Ned Beatty, John Voigt, and Ronny Cox, but somehow left Billy Redden behind, Frantzich said.

Since playing the role, Redden has made a few cameos in movies but for the most part, has been working menial jobs to make ends meet.

He had been working the last several years at the local Walmart, Frantzich said. Billy isnt complaining, but some believe there might have been some exploitation of this boy.

TRENDING STORIES:

Lets all help compensate him - fairly and finally - for his vital contribution to this iconic and inspirational scene that lifted the banjo, lifted bluegrass music, Frantzich continued.

On top of his normal bills, Redden has also had some health issues.

We have met and talked with Mr. Redden who was just today released from the hospital. He stated that he has mounting medical bills. He has given this fundraiser his blessing and gratitude, Frantzich said in an updated post on March 4.

People who have donated to the fund say Redden became an inspiration to them.

When I was a young boy, your scene in Deliverance inspired me to play the banjo. My father would only show me your scene. Thank you for bettering my life. I wish you the BEST! Jason Schlieske said.

I learned Banjo 50 years ago, because of that song. Its great to think I bought that kid a dinner, Keith Brown said.

Dueling Banjos was nominated for Best Original Song at the Golden Globe Awards and won the 1974 Grammy for Best Country Instrumental Performance.

Whats interesting is Redden didnt actually play the banjo at the time.

A musician named Mike Addis was used to mimic the movement of Reddens left hand to make the depiction in the film appear closer to the recording. Redden cant even play the banjo. Nonetheless, its Billy Redden who is most synonymous with Dueling Banjos, even above the composers or players, SavingCountryMusic.com said.

So far, the GoFundMe account for Redden has raised more than $16,500 of its $25,000 goal.

If we can get 20k people to donate a single dollar, this young man can stop worrying about money and enjoy his life, knowing his work inspired us and continues to inspire us, Frantzich said.

RELATED NEWS:
In an unexpected admission, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on March 22 that Russia is in a "state of war" in an interview with the Russian state-owned media outlet Arguments and Facts.

Peskov also said that Russia's main goal was to protect the people living in the Ukrainian territories illegally annexed by Russia, going on to characterize Ukraine as an "occupying force."

Peskov later clarified his words, saying that "de jure" it remained a "military operation," but "de facto" had become a war.

Russia refuses to refer to its war against Ukraine as a war, referring to it instead as a "special military operation" for propaganda purposes and to downplay its actions for both domestic and international audiences. Russia's choice of wording plays a key part in the framing of its full-scale war.

Under Russian law, it is forbidden to actually call it a war or an invasion, and violating these restrictions can lead to punishment, including a potential prison sentence.

Elaborating on his presentation of Russia's war goals, Peskov said that Russia "cannot allow the existence of a state on its borders" that seeks to "take away Crimea."

Crimea is internationally recognized as part of Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly stated that Ukraine's ultimate goal is the liberation of all occupied areas of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, and that any other result of the war would "not be victory."

Peskov's comments came on the same day that Russia launched a massive wave of attacks on critical energy infrastructure sites across Ukraine, killing at least five people and wounding 26.

Read also: Editorial: Stop using Russias propaganda language to talk about its war in Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The News

Russia is in a state of war, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Friday, in a marked escalation in the official language used to describe Moscows invasion of Ukraine.

Yes, it started as a special military operation, but as soon as this alliance formed, when the collective West became a participant on the side of Ukraine, it became a war for us, Peskov told state-affiliated newspaper Argumenty i Fakty.

Know More

Peskovs comments are not the first time that the Kremlin has referred to its military campaign as a war: In late 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters in Moscow that the countrys goal is not to spin the flywheel of military conflict, but, on the contrary, to end this war.

Calling the conflict a war was effectively illegal in Russia, and the Kremlin implemented a law making it illegal to spread misinformation about its invasion of Ukraine.

Peskov on Friday also described an internal mobilization, a comment that follows rumors that Russia may soon mobilize more soldiers to the front lines.
By Andrew Osborn

(Reuters) -Russia regards itself to be at war due to the West's intervention on Ukraine's side, the Kremlin said, shifting the language it uses to describe the conflict in an apparent move to prepare Russians for a longer and harder struggle.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov's comments, first to the Russian publication Arguments and Facts and then to reporters on a conference call on Friday, may sound unremarkable to Ukrainian and Western ears.

But inside Russia, where people have been told for the past two years to refer to the war in Ukraine as a "special military operation" - a phrase designed to underline the initially limited nature of the conflict - they represent a departure and look like part of a shift to prepare people mentally for a conflict which may require more sacrifices from them.

"We are in a state of war. Yes, it started out as a special military operation, but as soon as this group was formed, when the collective West became a participant in this on the side of Ukraine, it became a war for us," Peskov told Arguments and Facts.

"I am convinced of that. And everyone should understand this, for their internal motivation."

He made his comments five days after President Vladimir Putin was re-elected for six more years and after what Kyiv said was Russia's largest air strike on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. They appear to signal that Russia is digging in for an even longer standoff over Ukraine with the United States and its allies.

They also give the Russian authorities more leeway with their own people to announce decisions more commonly associated with a war such as a further mobilisation.

"Now it's official: the SMO (Special Military Operation) is recognised as a war," said Tatiana Stanovaya, founder of the R.Politik analysis firm.

"Of course, the SMO de facto became a war a long time ago But this is a certain psychological boundary, beyond which different requests can be made of both the population and the elites than during the SMO," she said.

Peskov in subsequent remarks to reporters clarified that Russia's actions in Ukraine were still legally qualified at home as "a special military operation" rather than as a war.

"But de facto it has become a war for us as the collective West more and more directly increases its level of involvement in the conflict," he said.

Russian officials from Putin down have gradually started to use the word "war" more often, having long avoided it and discouraged others from using it - on pain of prosecution - as they initially sought to cast the decision to go into Ukraine as some kind of a swift and limited military intervention.

Having suffered serious battlefield losses and been pushed back in 2022 and 2023 before regaining the initiative, Russian officials have conceded that fighting is now set to go on for longer than initially thought, however, and that ambitious goals remain unfulfilled.

Mark Galeotti, author of several books on Putin and Russia, said Peskov's comments sent a powerful signal to the Russian public.

"That internal mobilisation is actually the key thing: the Kremlins demand that every Russian get into a wartime mindset, and realise there is now no middle ground between being a patriot and a traitor (as Putin defines these)" Galeotti wrote on the X social media network.

Peskov said that Russia must fully "liberate" its "new regions" to ensure people's safety there, a reference to the four Ukrainian regions which Russia claimed to have annexed in 2022 but does not fully control.

Russia, he added, could not allow a state to exist on its borders that had shown itself ready to use any method to seize control of Crimea.

Kyiv says Russia's annexation of the four regions is an illegal land grab and that it will not rest until every Russian soldier is ejected from its soil.

It says it is also determined to return the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, which Russia took from it in 2014. Moscow, which has invested heavily in Crimea, the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, says the peninsula is part of Russia and that its status has been settled once and for all.

(Reporting by ReutersWriting by Andrew OsbornEditing by Angus MacSwan)
Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, visits an exhibition on the "Double-Eight" strategy in east China's Zhejiang Province, March 19, 2024. Li Xi was on a fact-finding mission to east China's Zhejiang Province between March 18 and 21. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

HANGZHOU, March 22 (Xinhua) -- China's top anti-graft official Li Xi has urged efforts to eradicate the breeding grounds and conditions for corruption.

Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, made the remarks during a fact-finding mission to east China's Zhejiang Province between March 18 and 21. There, Li visited local villages, research institutes and historical sites.

Li called on discipline inspection commissions and supervision agencies to enhance inspection and supervision while centering around the country's most fundamental interests, to facilitate and guarantee the development of new quality productive forces, and to advance the country's high-quality development.

While presiding over a symposium, Li also urged efforts to intensify political oversight, further improve conduct, enforce discipline and combat corruption, and deepen the reform of inspection and supervision system. 

Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, presides over a symposium in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, March 20, 2024. Li Xi was on a fact-finding mission to east China's Zhejiang Province between March 18 and 21. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)
The inspector compared the photo with the bearer's face and noted that the photo shows a different person

A resident of Kyiv tried to leave Ukraine for Slovakia by providing border guards with a copy of a Nigerian passport, the press service of the State Border Guard Service reported on March 22.

"The man was traveling by bus to leave Ukraine through the Uzhhorod checkpoint," law enforcement officials said.

At the passport control, he provided a copy of the information page of a Nigerian passport.

Read also: Bus carrying 34 draft dodgers detained at Ukrainian-Romanian border

Press service of the State Security Service

Press service of the State Security Service

The man told border guards that he lives in Odesa and lost his passport during the recent attack on the city.

The inspector scrutinized the photo against the bearer's face and observed that the image was of a different individual.

Read also: Ukraine's Chernivtsi Oblast introduces major restrictions to prevent illegal border crossings

Law enforcement also found that the passport holder had left the territory of Ukraine at the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

The man admitted in the course of the conversation that he was indeed a citizen of Ukraine and lived in Kyiv, the border guards added.

"Given his resemblance to a foreigner, he decided to use his passport photo and concocted a legend," the message reads.

The Kyiv resident was denied entry across the border. A case has been opened under Part 1 of Article 204-1 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Violations on illegal crossing or attempted illegal crossing of the state border. The case will be brought to court.



Read also: Kharkiv resident found dead in Tysa River in illegal border crossing attempt

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Kyivs City Council canceled an auction for the capital's iconic Zhytniy Market after accusations that the competition was unfair but activists warn the modernist building is still at risk.



This wouldnt be the first time Kyiv has lost its architectural heritage to developers looking for new real estate opportunities. Activists are determined not to lose Zhytniy the same way.

Although the initial auction was overturned due to the backlash, a second is set to take place next month.

Celebrity chef and activist Yevhen Klopotenko cautioned that the fight is not over. On social media, he highlighted the case of Kyiv's Sinnyi Market which was demolished in 2005 despite protests.

Kloptenko led online protests against the recent auction announcement for Zhytniy. He accused the initial five-day bidding period of being suspiciously short, saying the small window meant a winner had been predetermined.

Five days to prepare and submit documents is an unrealistic time frame unless you knew about it in advance, Klopotenko said.

Ievgen Klopotenko, 33, a chef and a co-owner of the Ukrainian restaurant "100 Years Back in Future", poses for a portrait in Kyiv, Ukraine on October 15, 2020. Ukrainian ministry of culture is in the process of recognizing borscht as a part of the country's "intangible cultural heritage". The goal is to get it on UNESCO's cultural heritage list, which was initiated by a local chef Ievgen Klopotenko, who posted on Facebook that Ukrainians needed to "defend" borscht and also launched an NGO Institute of Culture of Ukraine that is the driving force behind this effort". (Oksana Parafeniuk for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

A new auction will be held on April 15, Klopotenko told the Kyiv Independent, after he spoke with Kyivs mayor Vitali Klitschko on March 20.

The deadline has now been extended fivefold  up to 25 days. This is enough time to prepare all the documents.

The brutalist Soviet-era Zhytniy Market in the historic Podil neighborhood was initially put up for a 15-year lease with rent starting at Hr 2.5 million ($67,000) per month on March 19, according to the National Electronic Exchange.

The Kyiv City Council, the landlord of Zhytniy Market, did not respond to the Kyiv Independents request for comment on the short bidding time.

Klopotenko told the Kyiv Independent that he has been in close contact with city authorities, market management, and public activists regarding Zhytniy over the last year. But, no one knew about the auction before the announcement.

Despite recent efforts, Ukraine still struggles to ensure transparency and fair competition in its auctions.

Klopotenko and Klitschko also discussed the tender conditions and requirements for the winner. The chef emphasized that the interests of the community need to be taken into account and affirmed in all the documents.

The main thing is to renovate the market and preserve its profile  the market should be a market, Klopotenko explained.

He held a public discussion in October 2023 that developed a common vision for Zhytniy Market with local residents, members of the food industry, and NGOs. It includes keeping the building as a functioning market, while also developing spaces for restaurants, play areas for children, and cultural events.

Zhytniy is one of the largest covered markets in Europe, spanning 11,000 square meters. Its nestled on the site of a medieval market.

Years of neglect have left the building largely in disrepair, with leaking ceilings and no central heating for the dozens of businesses selling everything from cheese to Ukrainian embroidered shirts.

A couple dances as others visit a charity fair in Zhytniy Market on June 17, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine. The main goal of the event was to collect money for one of Ukraine's army units. (Roman Pilipey/Getty Images)

Klopotenko says it was deliberately left to decay to justify its sale to developers. Although the initial auction agreement stipulated that the winner must retain the function of the market, Klopotenko warned that it could be turned into another soulless shopping mall or anthill high rise, in a Facebook post on March 20.

The restaurateur also highlighted a key remaining issue. The majority of the second floor of the market is still leased to the previous tenant, a company called Tangerin owned by German businessman Florian Bohlen, which initially pledged to construct food courts, a brewery, and childrens play areas, according to Pragmatika.

However, a lawsuit is underway to terminate the lease after Tangerin failed to pay rent and carry out contractual renovations. At the same time, the winner of the new auction, which covers another section of the market, will also be required to do repairs.

How the two tenants are to share the repairs is an issue that the mayor's office has promised to sort out, Klopotenko wrote.

People visit a charity fair, organized to collect money for Ukraine's army, in the Zhytniy Market in Kyiv, on December 10, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Roman Pilipey /AFP via Getty Images)

The restaurateur underwent efforts to revitalize Zhytniy last year after noticing the market was quietly dying, as he put it.

The chef planned to present the revival project in the spring and noted that an audit was scheduled in the coming weeks.

I see Zhytniy as a gastronomic and cultural hub. I want foreigners to come here as they come to the San Miguel market in Madrid, he said.

Read also: Generation of Fire: Young Ukrainians forced to survive first, plan for future later

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG)  A controversial guest speaker made his way to the University of Memphis Wednesday night.

Kyle Rittenhouse spoke at the UC Theater, but his appearance has sparked weeks of controversy throughout the community. Rittenhouse walked on stage with his dog to mostly jeers from the crowd of about 50-75.

Medicare to cover obesity drugs, but not for weight loss

On August 25th of 2020, I was violently attacked by a mob of rioters, he said before he was shouted down. The event quickly went into a Q&A session.

Rittenhouse was abruptly rushed off the stage after only about 30 minutes as protestors inside booed him, yelled and disrupted him.

Kyle Rittenhouse event at UofM stirs up controversy on campus

This man is real violent and you have many people who told me they dont even feel comfortable being on campus today, student Moses Davis said.

There were hundreds of people outside protesting. In fact, far more people were outside than there were inside.

Theyre portraying him like this icon for the gun people, student Franko Coleman said. We already have enough gun violence in Memphis itself, so having this guy come here and spread racist views and also talking about how we need more guns on the street  I think its awful, just baffling, that they allow this. Because this is borderline free speech, but this is more toward hate speech.

Despite this, there were several in attendance who agreed that this is freedom of speech, and they were in favor of it.

I saw the footage of him on the ground getting beat with a skateboard. And so he defended himself, there is multiple angles of this happening, supporter Dean Musarra said.

Rittenhouse was acquitted of killing two men and wounding another during a Black Lives Matter rally in Wisconsin in 2020 when he was 17 years old.

California church pastor arrested in alleged $40K murder-for-hire plot

Theres a lot of misinformation and so I am just curious to hear from him exactly what hes been through and what he has to say. I want to hear his side of the story, Carla van Shaick said.

Rittenhouse was invited to the University of Memphis by the campus organization Turning Point USA.

In a statement to WREG sent last week from their national headquarters, they said, Attempts to cancel or censor events like these only serve to stifle the exchange of ideas and limit the intellectual diversity to which students are exposed.

According to a spokesperson with the University of Memphis, tickets were re-issued after some people discovered the codes on their tickets had disappeared, and were concerned they wouldnt work.

All ticketholders had to reapply for tickets Wednesday morning, after learning the tickets they got as early as weeks ago may not be valid.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
The Labour Party is facing legal action from Angela Rayners former partner over alleged voter fraud.

Lawyers acting for Sam Tarry, the MP for Ilford South, have written to the party over claims that an online voting system has been used to disadvantage Left-wing candidates.

Mr Tarry, whose relationship with Labours deputy leader ended last year, claims the Anonyvoter system was used to harm his unsuccessful attempt to be re-selected for the general election.

Anonyvoter is a software for holding online votes that is widely used by local Labour Party branches to decide who will be their candidate for the next election.

Mr Tarry lost to Jas Athwal in a selection vote in October 2022 and has been disputing the result since.

He is now considering issuing legal proceedings to force Labour to publish the Anonyvoter records from his selection or even to get an injunction to block Mr Athwal from being the official Ilford South candidate.

Trade unions are helping Mr Tarry raise tens of thousands of pounds, which will help fund legal action if an agreement with the party is not reached.

Meanwhile, a second Labour MP, Beth Winter, who represents Cynon Valley, has been exchanging legal letters with the party over how Anonyvoter was used in her selection race.

Ms Winter sought to become the candidate in a newly created Welsh seat last summer, but lost. Her lawyers wrote to the party raising concerns about the use of the Anonyvoter system both before and after the result.

This week, she has written to senior figures in Welsh Labour widening her complaint beyond online voting and demanding an investigation.

Vote breakdowns seen by The Telegraph show that both candidates did better than their rivals among the voters who took part either in person or by post, but worse among those who cast their ballot on Anonyvoter. Such records are not made public.

Mr Tarry and Ms Winter are both members of the Socialist Campaign Group, the most prominent Left-wing group in the Commons, which includes Jeremy Corbyn.

Sam Tarry, MP for Ilford South, with Jeremy Corbyn in 2016 - Sam Tarry/X

Since becoming Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer has widely been seen to have sidelined Left-wing figures. His party is now facing allegations that information generated by the Anonyvoter system is being used at times to help get moderates selected as election candidates.

In one selection, a moderate candidate won just 10 per cent of the in-person vote but 62 per cent of the Anonyvoter online vote, according to a breakdown shared by local party figures.

There is no suggestion the Anonyvoter system is inherently flawed or faulty, but the lack of transparency has raised concerns that it is open to abuse.

Regional Labour figures running the online votes are able to see who has voted, a piece of information that would be critical to campaigns trying to turn out supporters in tight races.

Independent tellers are not usually given access to monitor the Anonyvoter system during the votes, meaning there is no outside oversight of the live online voting process.

The news comes as the Metropolitan Police this week confirmed its cyber team was investigating computer misuse in the selection of a Labour candidate in Croydon East after claims of vote-rigging.

Mr Tarry and Ms Winter are both now calling for use of Anonyvoter in picking candidates to be suspended and for Civica, an online vote company used by other political parties, to be used instead.

Labour deserves better, as do the British people

In a statement to The Telegraph, Mr Tarry said: The Labour Party hierarchy has failed to resolve this matter, despite me submitting a formal appeal over a year ago.

I am extremely reluctant to seek legal redress, as we should be focusing all our efforts and resources on the general election, but it is impossible for this situation to stand.

Labour Party and Labour movement figures at the very highest levels have seen the evidence, and are backing me in seeking a fair resolution. However, whats gone on in Ilford South, and allegedly in other selections too, is unlike anything I have seen in 20 years in the Labour Party, in elected positions under four party leaders.

Labour deserves better, as do the British people, who need to be able to trust our party. As a party that hopes to form the next government, and has my full support to do so, we should be operating at the highest level of electoral and ethical integrity.

The Labour Party owes it to its members and the voters to resolve this democratic outrage before it becomes a full-blown crisis that will harm our electoral performance. The use of Anonyvoter must be stopped immediately.

Ms Winter said in her statement: The ongoing controversy around Anonyvoter voting software understandably leads to a lack of trust and confidence in Labour Party procedures. Continued use of the software risks bringing the party into disrepute.

In order to restore some trust in the party, there must be an independent review of the use of Anonyvoter in internal selection campaigns, including the selection process in Merthyr Tydfil and Upper Cynon.

In addition, Labour should end its use of Anonyvoter and commission a trusted independent balloting administrator, whose ballots stand up to scrutiny, such as Civica (formerly Electoral Reform Services)  as the trades unions do  to conduct its internal ballots including parliamentary selections, in future.

It is understood that Labour Party figures have disputed whether the two MPs have the evidence to back up their claims. Critics have said their defeats could be the real motivation for the complaints.

A Labour spokesman said: We have full confidence in the integrity of both selection processes and the use of Anonyvoter.

The Anonyvoter website states that its software allows organisations to conduct secret ballots remotely where voters want to be sure their votes are anonymous.

Labours widespread use of the system started during the pandemic, with the software being used for votes on issues at local branch meetings as well as for selections.

There are concerns about how it is used by those who run the votes for Labour party candidates, often regional party officials.

The system works by inviting Labour members to take part in a vote via email. The vote runs for a set period of time. Who won how many votes is announced at the selection meeting.

One concern raised by Left-wing Labour figures is that, throughout the process, whoever is running the vote can see which members have voted and which have not.

Such information, if shared with a campaign team, could be significant. As selection votes often only involve a few hundred people voting and tight margins, they could use the information to attempt to engage their own supporters, potentially impacting the result.

Angela Rayner, deputy Labour leader, with Sam Tarry - Sam Tarry/X

Another concern is that the system allows for new members to be added while the vote is ongoing. It is understood that data showing when voters were added is not routinely handed over to candidates at the counts.

A third area of concern is that members who do not receive the email are able to generate a special code to vote, which can be communicated to them over the phone if needed. In theory, codes can be generated and even cast by those running the votes. Again, any data about how many codes have been generated and for whom are not routinely published.

At the heart of the concerns is a lack of observation of the online votes as they take place. Independent tellers, whose job involves observing a voting process to make sure it is run properly, are not usually given access into the system to monitor the vote.

This is different for in-person votes, when members of a campaigns team are often present, and postal votes, which are often opened and counted on tables in front of campaign teams.

One Left-wing Labour source said: It is a black box. There arent really checks and balances. There is an easy way of doing this, which is independent tellers. But those suggestions have been rebuffed. The only check and balance we have is the supposed integrity of the regional staff.

Records of those present must be relied on

To select candidates for a general election, each local Labour branch decides whether to do in-person voting, postal voting, online voting with Anonyvoter, or a combination of all three.

A breakdown of the results of the candidate selection vote is not published but is often read out at the count, meaning the records of those present must be relied on for the figures.

Mr Tarry, a former political officer at the TSSA trade union, has been the MP for Ilford South since 2019. In the summer of 2022 he faced a trigger ballot, a Labour Party mechanism that lets local parties force a re-selection vote, losing the subsequent vote that October.

Mr Athwal, the Redbridge council leader, won the selection. He had been endorsed by Wes Streeting, Labours shadow health secretary and one of the partys leading moderate figures.

Mr Tarry is understood to have won 57 per cent of the in-person votes at the selection but just 35 per cent of the Anonyvoter votes, plus a small number of postal votes. Mr Athwal won 43 per cent of the in-person votes but 65 per cent of the Anonyvoter and postal vote.

The vote breakdown was provided by Mr Tarrys team. No record is published by the party. Labour and Mr Athwal did not dispute the accuracy when approached for comment.

In late 2022 and early last year, the law firm Carter Ruck, acting on behalf of Mr Tarry, exchanged letters with senior Labour figures requesting a formal appeal and seeking disclosure of the Anonyvoter data.

A year on, the dispute has not been resolved. A further letter was sent to Labour earlier this month, addressed to James Asser, the chairman of the partys National Executive Committee. David Evans, who as general secretary is Labours most senior official, was copied-in.

The lawyers noted that Mr Tarry had sought the disclosure of records generated by Anonyvoter about how each vote was cast, the date and time each ballot was issued, where new codes generated were sent and how those votes were cast.

It read: Mr Tarry believes there is evidence of voter fraud pertaining to the use of the Anonyvoter system, and specifically, that votes were improperly generated using Anonyvoter in a manner that was unfavourable to our client and favourable to his opponent.

Elsewhere, the letter said Mr Tarry had been denied the opportunity to scrutinise the electronic voting record despite the obvious seriousness of the concerns raised. It made clear information on how individuals voted was not wanted, only detail on time and method of the votes.

An isolated incident

One complaint made in writing by Mr Tarry during the trigger ballot process in the summer of 2022 regarded a Labour member being alerted that they had voted via Anonyvoter to force a reselection. However, the Labour member in question was abroad in Italy at the time and had not taken part in the vote.

It is understood the Labour Party investigated the claim at the time and accepted an error had occurred, but concluded that it was an isolated incident.

The complaints by Ms Winter, the MP for Cynon Valley since 2019, regard a selection for Merthyr Tydfil and Upper Cynon, a newly-created seat as part of the boundary review.

Ms Winter competed against Gerald Jones, the Labour MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, who was made shadow Scotland minister by Sir Keir in September.

She won 56 per cent of the postal votes but 47 per cent of the Anonyvoter votes, according to a breakdown recorded by her team. There were no in-person votes.

Mr Jones won 43 per cent of the postal votes  there was one abstention  but 53 per cent of the Anonyvoter votes, meaning he will be the candidate for the new seat.

Before and after the June 2023 selection, Ms Winters lawyers Howe+Co sent letters to senior figures in both the UK Labour Party and Welsh Labour raising concerns about the process.

A letter sent to Jo McIntyre, the general secretary of Welsh Labour, before the selection raised concerns about using online voting, saying: As you are aware from previous trigger ballots and selections, there is serious disquiet among some parliamentarians and party members that online processes have produced and will continue to produce undemocratic results which lack fairness and transparency.

Ms Winter demanded a detailed breakdown of the Anonyvoter data, including how many codes allowing people to vote directly were generated.

The Welsh Labour Party declined to publish the detail Ms Winter requested, citing data protection rules.

This week, Ms Winter raised new concerns in a letter she sent on Wednesday to Ms McIntyre and Vaughan Gething, the new Welsh Labour leader.

The claims were not related to Anonyvoter, unlike the correspondence sent by her lawyers last year, but the new letter underscores that she is continuing to dispute the selection.

Mr Jones and Welsh Labour were approached about Ms Winters claims, but neither issued a comment. Anonyvoter was also approached about claims that its software is being misused to benefit moderate candidates. The company did not issue a comment.

Momentum urges investigation

Momentum, the Left-wing activist group that championed Mr Corbyns leadership, called for an immediate, comprehensive and independent investigation.

A Momentum spokesman said: We need an independent, KC-led investigation into Labours selections, and the replacement of Anonyvoter with an independent system such as Civica to ensure the integrity of the partys processes and confidence in their outcomes.

The allegations emerge amid a wider tussle between Labours Left-wing faction and its moderates, now effectively led by Sir Keir, for the control of the party, that has raged for years.

Centrists once accused Mr Corbyn, the Left-wing Labour leader between 2015 and 2020, and his allies of trying to sideline moderates and triggering deselection votes during his tenure.

Now under Sir Keir, who took over from Mr Corbyn in April 2022, some of the partys most prominent Left-wing MPs face being forced out of Parliament at the next general election.

Mr Corbyn was stripped of the Labour whip after refusing to accept findings of an anti-Semitism report, meaning he cannot stand for the party in his Islington North seat.

Diane Abbott, who was Mr Corbyns shadow home secretary and the first ever female black MP, lost the Labour whip 11 months ago over a comment about differing forms of racism for which she has apologised. The party disciplinary process is yet to be completed.

Currently, Ms Abbott cannot stand for Labour for re-election as the MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, a seat she has represented since 1987.

Mr Tarry and Ms Winter are yet to be selected for other seats after they lost their selections. If nothing changes, both are likely to no longer be MPs this time next year.

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Police will be able to prosecute domestic abusers without consulting the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) under a Labour shake-up to boost record low charging rates.

In a major extension of police powers, officers would be able to arrest, lock up and charge domestic abusers without having to be authorised to do so by the CPS.

Labour believes the law change would speed up charging decisions and avoid CPS delays that can lead to dangerous domestic abusers being released and their victims being put at risk because of the time limit for custody.

Insiders suggested it could be extended to other offences, following demands from three of Britains most senior chief constables that police, rather than prosecutors, should be given powers to charge suspects for many more crimes.

The police chiefs said CPS delays in charging suspects was leading to the guilty walking free and delayed justice, as victims and witnesses tire of long waits. Last year, 1.6 million victims dropped out of cases amid record police and court delays.

The move for charging domestic abusers is part of a package of measures to speed up justice and reduce bureaucracy which has been proposed by Labours charging commission, led by former victims commissioner Dame Vera Baird, with a former chief constable, prosecutor and crime commissioner.

Dame Vera Baird is a former Solicitor General, police and crime commissioner and victims' commissioner - Rii Schroer

It also proposes a new statutory duty requiring chief constables and chief crown prosecutors to better collaborate to reduce delays, bolster file quality and drive up charging rates.

The commission found some officers did not even have contact details for the prosecutors working on their cases, and only communicated through a ping pong of electronic memos, causing disastrous delays.

One lawyer who had been working for the CPS for over three years said they had never spoken to a police officer.

The proportion of offences resulting in a charge have collapsed in the past eight years from 15.5 per cent in 2015 to below six per cent last year.

Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, said: The catastrophic collapse in the proportion of crimes being charged must be reversed if victims are to have confidence in the system again  and the police and CPS must both play their part in turning things around.

West Yorkshire Police has been piloting a scheme where officers use emergency powers to charge high-risk domestic abusers if the CPS is unable to authorise such a move within the 24-hour window before they have to release them.

Dame Vera said it had proved a success with all the charging decisions made by the specially-trained officers subsequently ratified by the CPS.

In an article for The Telegraph, Dame Vera said the commission had found victims being put at risk from violent suspects who could have been remanded in custody if they were charged in time. West Yorkshires scheme was making a real difference, safeguarding victims and boosting confidence, she added.

Labour is proposing the scheme would firstly be expanded to six high-performing police forces before being rolled out nationally, if successful.

It follows a call last year by the chief constables of the Met, West Midlands and Greater Manchester for the CPS to be stripped of having the sole power to authorise charges in most cases to combat delays.

They proposed this would include crimes such as domestic abuse, harassment, burglary, robbery, theft, knife crime, and violence.

Labour said the new statutory duty for police chiefs and CPS was designed to end the blame game and ensure they worked together to speed up justice. The new duty would be policed through annual joint inspections by the police watchdog.

The commission also proposed changing data protection laws to sweep away bureaucracy so that police no longer had to redact personal data from case files before they were sent to the CPS, saving thousands of officer hours every year.

Some forces have spent up to 1 million setting up digital Tipp-Ex divisions whose only job is to redact names, addresses and images from evidence to meet data privacy rules.

Justice delayed by catalogue of serious flaws in charging process

By Dame Vera Baird

When I resigned as the Victims Commissioner for England and Wales 18 months ago, I didnt think that things could get worse. Conservative ministers were failing to support ordinary people whose lives are destroyed or made miserable by crime, and they would not act on my advice to bring positive change. Thousands of people were being let down by the criminal justice system each year and public confidence was tumbling.

But the situation has gotten worse. The facts speak for themselves. More than 90 per cent of crimes reported to police went unsolved last year, 2.3 million crimes were dropped because of a lack of evidence, and over a million victims dropped out of the criminal justice process altogether because they lost confidence in the system.

It is hugely disappointing that in a third of cases it now takes more than 100 days for a suspect to be charged, and in more than half of cases it takes at least a month. These delays include low-level cases as well as the most serious ones, and rape charges, in particular, are taking longer than ever; the average time a rape victim has to wait for their attacker to be charged is now more than 400 days.

Justice delayed is justice denied

How can anyone believe that the police and prosecutors are listening if this very first step towards justice takes months or years? It may be an old saying but justice delayed is justice denied.

After 14 years of Tory Government and austerity, many police and prosecutors have long been overstretched and are exhausted. Both agencies have lost experienced and specialist personnel. Morale is low and it would be easy for the two agencies to descend into a turf war about who is to blame. But we desperately need these public services to work together to deliver for victims, and we need a government intent on turning things around.

Thats why I agreed to chair Labours Charging Commission, which has brought together highly experienced colleagues from the most senior levels of investigation and prosecution to work together and to advocate for victims.

Over the last six months, we have uncovered a catalogue of serious flaws in the charging process which are preventing justice. We found a staggering breakdown in communication and confidence between the police and the CPS, and evidence that in too many cases, they are simply not talking to each other or working together, meaning problems escalate or dont get resolved fast enough.

Astonishingly, one CPS lawyer told us they had never even spoken to a police officer in three years. That cannot be right. When victims have the courage to report crime, they should be able to expect that it will be dealt with swiftly and effectively  not get bogged down between the police and the CPS.

Ending the blame game

Our commission has come up with a series of recommendations to drive improvement, and to end the blame game so that police and prosecutors can start working together again, putting victims first. Under our proposals, adopted by the Labour Party, chief constables and chief crown prosecutors would be put under a legal duty to collaborate through joint plans, to reduce friction and delays, improve case files from police and make CPS case management more effective.

Our commission also found that victims were being put at risk from violent suspects who could have been remanded in custody if they were charged in time. We have suggested a practical solution where the police use the emergency powers available to them to charge high-risk domestic abuse suspects if the CPS, despite their best endeavours, are unable to do so before the custody clock runs out. The measures would be piloted in a small number of high-performing police forces. West Yorkshire Police is already doing this - and its making a real difference, safeguarding victims and boosting confidence  and the CPS has ratified every domestic abuse charge this force has made, so the scheme is working for everyone.

We also propose that victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault and rape have the right to be supported in court by skilled, specialist advisers. At present, the person whos helped them through the ordeal of the police investigation may not be allowed into court to be with them when they give evidence. We want that to change, making it an automatic right.

Those working in the criminal justice system do remarkable work in difficult conditions, but we found that the system is currently overrun with complexity and sorely lacking in common sense.

Thats what the recommendations we are putting out today are intended to address.

Keir Starmer led the way in putting victims at the heart of the system when he was Director of Public Prosecutions. He drove up the charge rate and has made it the mission of a future Labour government to reverse the catastrophic collapse we have seen since, and to rebuild confidence in the police and criminal justice system.

Under his leadership, we can restore a system where it is simply the norm that crime is punished, victims are protected, and justice is delivered. Our recommendations will offer a starting point and we will continue to work for more progress together.

Dame Vera Baird is a former Solicitor General, police and crime commissioner and victims commissioner.

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Landmark regulations intended to protect millions of California workers from worsening heat conditions in warehouses and other indoor facilities were left in limbo Thursday after the Newsom administration objected to the cost of the rules.

In a highly unusual move, the board of the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health voted unanimously to adopt new heat illness prevention standards for indoor workers  even after the Department of Finance intervened in the 11th hour over concerns about considerable costs to correctional facilities and other state entities.

The rules  more than five years in the making  would set temperature requirements in warehouses, shipping centers, schools, kitchens and other workplaces that often simmer without air conditioning or sizzle in the hot summer months.

Cal/OSHA board members described the Department of Finance's last-minute objection as "absolutely outrageous" and decided to hold their vote anyway. They underscored the urgent need for indoor heat rules to be in place before the first days of summer.

"We're in uncharted waters  we just voted for it," said board member Laura Stock. "We don't know yet whether that's going to have any impact whatsoever. We don't know yet whether there's going to be any pressure that is able to be put to bear on the Department of Finance."

H.D. Palmer, a spokesman for the Department of Finance, said the rules cannot move forward without the agency's approval. He rejected board members' assertion that they were "blindsided" by the department's concerns, and said finance officials did not receive some data related to the regulations until February.

"This was not a policy-driven decision. This was not an arbitrary decision. This was a decision that was driven by our inability to do our fiscal due diligence and evaluate this data late in the process that had a potential impact to the state," Palmer said.

While the governor did not weigh in on the decision, Palmer said the impact to state agencies could be "in the neighborhood of billions of dollars."

The administration is concerned about costs as the governor and lawmakers work to offset a historic budget deficit. The Newsom administration forecast a $37.9 billion shortfall for the upcoming budget year. Other estimates suggest the deficit could end up being twice as high.

Read more: How hot is it inside Southern California's warehouses? Ask the workers at Rite Aid

California in 2006 became the first state in the nation to establish permanent heat protections for outdoor workers after several farmworkers died from heat-related causes. But the state has been far slower to adopt standards for indoor workers  even as the warehouse industry boomed in places such as the Inland Empire and the Central Valley, where summertime temperatures regularly soar into the triple digits.

Should the vote hold, California would become the second state in the nation to mandate heat protections for indoor and outdoor workers, following Oregon, which established rules for both in 2022 in the wake of a brutal heat wave. There is currently no federal standard regarding the prevention of heat illness in indoor places of employment.

Under the proposed regulations, employers would be required to provide cooling through air conditioners, fans or other devices when the indoor temperature or heat index reaches 87 degrees, or 82 degrees in places where workers wear heat restrictive clothing.

At 82 degrees, employers would also have to provide water and access to cool-down areas where workers can take breaks, and ensure effective means of communication and monitoring for signs of heat illness, among other measures.

A Rite Aid worker holds a heat and humidity index device that some workers wear when working at the Rite Aid warehouse in Lancaster. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Experts said such guidelines can't come soon enough. The planet experienced its hottest year on record in 2023, and temperatures are expected to continue to rise in the years ahead, primarily due to climate change driven by fossil fuel emissions.

"It's a prudent action in the age of increasing global warming," said Louis Blumberg, senior climate policy advisor with the advocacy nonprofit Climate Resolve. "The planet will continue to warm until the end of the century, even if all greenhouse gas emission reduction targets were met this year."

But even Blumberg was surprised by what unfolded Thursday. "I consider it a victory with a question mark," he said.

Alice Berliner, director of the worker health and safety program at UC Merced Community and Labor Center, noted that extreme heat isn't just dangerous  it can also exacerbate chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and respiratory diseases.

What's more, "there's a real trend toward quotas and pace-of-work demands" in many warehouses, packing plants and other such workplaces, she said ahead of Thursday's vote. "So if you think about someone's body temperature heating up when they're moving quickly, they're much more susceptible to hot indoor environments."

Read more: Editorial: Extreme heat puts workers in danger. California needs to help them now

Indeed, workers have described at length how hot conditions can make them sick, dizzy and sluggish on the job, including during a 2023 public hearing conducted by Cal/OSHA.

"I've personally experienced headaches, nausea, lightheadedness and nosebleeds because of how hot I get when I'm in my workplace conducting the physically demanding duties of my 10-hour work shifts," Anna Ortega, a member of Inland Empire Amazon Workers United, in San Bernardino, told hearing members.

"We are in constant motion. Throughout the day my shirt is soaked in sweat three to four times," said Sara Fee, another Amazon worker in San Bernardino. "I have felt heat illness myself. I have been nauseous, dizzy."

Amazon said in a statement that its heat-related safety protocols "often exceed industry standards" and that it is one of only a few companies to provide air conditioning and heating in all of its fulfillment centers and air hubs, including its facility in San Bernardino, where temperatures "have not exceeded 78 degrees F."

"We've seen the positive impacts of an effective heat mitigation program and believe all employers should be held to the same standard as we have proactively set for our company and our Amazon delivery service providers," said Maureen Lynch Vogel, a spokesperson for the company.

Read more: Earth reaches grim milestone: 2023 was the warmest year on record

But Ortega and Fee are two of an estimated 5.8 million Californians in high-risk heat industries, including indoor and outdoor workers, according to a map of national heat safety standards from the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Many are low-wage workers, who are five times more likely to be injured on the job due to heat than high-income workers, according to a 2021 study led by UCLA that examined 18 years of California workers' compensation data.

That's partly because "lower wage workers are more likely to work in dangerous occupations, more likely to live and work in places with greater heat exposure and experience larger marginal increases in risk on hotter days," the study says.

Between 2001 and 2018, hotter temperatures caused approximately 360,000 additional workplace injuries in California, or roughly 20,000 per year  a figure at least 19 times the annual number shown in workers' compensation records, the study says. (A 2021 Times investigation found that California chronically undercounts heat-related illnesses and deaths .)

The researchers also found that on days when the temperature was between 85 and 90 degrees, the overall risk of workplace injuries was 5% to 7% higher than on days when temperatures were in the 60s. The risk of injuries was 10% to 15% higher when temperatures were over 100 degrees.

"It's not only deaths that we're preventing  we're preventing workplace injuries [like] falling off ladders," said Blumberg, of Climate Resolve.

Read more: What it's like working at Amazon during a Southern California heat wave

During Thursday's meeting, labor advocates and climate activists condemned plans to remove the heat item from the board's agenda and delivered impassioned speeches and chants about the need for regulations.

"Five years of delays have already been detrimental, and it is a matter of life and death for workers as rising temperatures continue to threaten their health and safety every single day," a representative of the California Labor Federation told the board.

Board Chair David Thomas adopted a defiant tone as he called for the vote, even as he indicated that his job may be at risk.

"There's no reason this shouldn't be passed in my mind, because they are right that their lives are the ones that are on the line," Thomas said. He added later that the vote "was unanimous because it should have been. I don't know what Finance is going to do, and personally, I don't care. "

He and other Cal/OSHA officials indicated that they were uncertain about whether the vote would stand, and said they would look into possible alternative actions such as holding a special meeting or passing an emergency measure if needed.

Palmer said the state's Office of Administrative Law will need the Department of Finance's approval before it can move forward with the regulations, but he was not immediately certain about the time frame for next steps.

"We stand ready to do further work and evaluate this, if that is the direction we are given," Palmer said.

The dust-up comes only weeks after the Florida Legislature approved a bill that seeks to block local cities, counties and municipalities from setting workplace heat protection standards for outdoor workers. Experts said such moves underscore the need for heat rules at the federal level.

"We absolutely need a federal heat standard. These critical protections shouldn't be an accident of geography," said Juanita Constible, senior heat solutions advocate with the Natural Resources Defense Council, in an email ahead of the vote.

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration began its rule-making process for workplace heat protections in 2021, but it could be several more years before they are enacted.

"In the meantime," Constible said, "states should do everything they can to protect their workers from killer heat  including setting new standards, where possible."

Times staff writer Taryn Luna contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Gee is a three-year-old German Shepherd and Alaskan Husky mix at Greenhill Humane Society.

Greenhill Humane Society

Gee is a friendly 3-year-old German Shepherd and Alaskan Husky mix, according to staff at Greenhill Humane Society.

He is an extremely playful, silly and smart puppy. Gee can be a little nervous around new people but with some gentle pets, he warms up quickly and turns into your most loyal friend.

Gee previously lived in a car so he needs a family that will be patient as he adjusts to a new home setting.

He weighs 80 pounds and has a tan and black coat which will require daily brushing. He may do well with calm, older dogs and should meet any potential dog siblings prior to adoption.

According to Greenhill, Gee would do best with older children who can respect his space when he wants it.

He is neutered, microchipped, up to date on vaccines and ready to go home.

Greenhill Humane Society is open seven days a week, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 88530 Green Hill Rd in Eugene. For more information call (541) 689.1503 or visit www.green-hill.org.

Oregon Coast Humane Society

Linda is a one-year-old cat available for adoption at Oregon Coast Humane Society.

Linda arrived at Oregon Coast Humane Society with four kittens who have all found families, and now it's Linda's turn.

"She's really bloomed here at OCHS, turning into a purr machine who adores attention after her initial shyness wears off," said Elizabeth Thompson, executive director at Oregon Coast Humane Society.

Linda is a year old and is good around other cats.

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 the 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: Lane County pets to adopt: Mixed dog, a kitten, bonded cats
Matthew Hernandez, 8, holds a sign with a picture of his uncle, Daniel Hernandez, during an event held by family in June 2020. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)

Ruling on one of the most controversial and closely watched LAPD shootings in recent years, a federal appellate court said Thursday that the legal doctrine of qualified immunity protects officer Toni McBride from federal claims in the fatal 2020 shooting of Daniel Hernandez.

McBride is shielded by the law regardless of whether she used excessive force when shooting Hernandez six times, the last two when he was already badly wounded and on the ground, the court said.

"[A]lthough a reasonable jury could find that the force employed by McBride was excessive, she is nonetheless entitled to qualified immunity," Judge Daniel P. Collins wrote for the unanimous three-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

McBride shot Hernandez after she and other officers arrived at a chaotic scene where Hernandez, on methamphetamine, had crashed his truck into multiple other vehicles and was brandishing a box cutter  which he refused to put down as he walked toward the officers, despite their commands for him to do so.

McBride fired in three volleys of two shots each  all in less than seven seconds. She fired the first volley as Hernandez advanced toward her, making him fall to the ground; the second as he got back to his hands and knees; and the third as he rolled on the ground.

McBride was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing, but the Hernandez family sued in civil court, seeking damages based on the claim that McBride's actions had violated Hernandez's rights.

Read more: If we must rely on 'history and tradition' to assess gun laws, does racist history count?

Collins, an appointee of then-President Trump, wrote that the family's claims lacked a "pre-existing precedent" that made it clear that McBride's actions violated established law. Without a previous case to reference "that squarely governs the factual scenario" of Hernandez's shooting, Collins wrote, McBride could not be held liable.

The decision  in which Collins was joined by Judge Milan D. Smith Jr., a President George W. Bush appointee, and Judge Kenneth K. Lee, another Trump appointee  upheld an earlier dismissal of the federal claims by a lower court.

Separately, the appellate panel reversed the lower court on the question of whether Hernandez's family has potentially viable claims of assault, wrongful death and civil rights violations under California law. The lower court had also rejected those claims, but the appellate panel found they could proceed because the final set of shots that McBride fired at Hernandez could be deemed excessive by a reasonable state jury.

"Because the reasonableness of McBrides final volley of shots presented a question for a trier of fact, the district court erred in dismissing these state law claims based on its determination that McBride's use of force was reasonable," Collins wrote.

The ruling will result in a new state case in Los Angeles County Superior Court. In federal court, it further cements qualified immunity across the American West as a powerful shield for police officers who have been accused of excessive force  even when, like McBride, they have been found to have violated police department policies.

Narine Mkrtchyan, an attorney for Hernandez's now 18-year-old daughter Melanie, said the ruling was a "half victory" for her client given that it preserved her state claims, but a "dangerous" precedent for future excessive force cases overall.

"The judges are really, really tightening on qualified immunity," she said. "It's very disheartening. I'm very concerned, seriously, about our civil rights."

Arnoldo Casillas, an attorney for other Hernandez family members and Hernandez's estate, said the ruling showed qualified immunity is a "sham for negligent cops," but that he looks forward to pursuing justice for Hernandez's family in state court.

McBride's father, Jamie McBride, a prominent leader of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union that represents rank-and-file LAPD officers, said, "anybody with any type of police experience" knows that his daughter's shooting of Hernandez was completely justified.

Read more: A battle over a Nazi-looted masterpiece has plunder holders around the world on notice

He praised her actions and rejected the finding of the Los Angeles Police Commission that she had violated department policy not with the first four shots, but with her final two. An independent forensic pathologist retained by Hernandez's family theorized it was those last shots that killed Hernandez.

McBride noted that Hernandez was on drugs and had ignored police commands.

"You can't fix stupid," he said, of Hernandez's actions.

McBride said his daughter would not be commenting on the latest court decision. The LAPD also declined to comment. Attorneys representing the younger McBride and the city did not respond to a request for comment.

McBride, a social media influencer and "Top Shot" police academy graduate who touts her prowess with firearms in online videos from shooting ranges, shot Hernandez on April 22, 2020  about a month before George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer. The Hernandez shooting sparked protests in L.A. and became one of many cases cited by activists at the larger demonstrations in the months that followed.

The incident was captured by McBrides body camera and by witnesses with smartphones.

Then-Chief Michel Moore defended McBride's actions, but the civilian Police Commission ruled in December 2020 that her last two shots violated department policy. California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta's office later sided with Moore and cleared McBride of wrongdoing.

The appellate panel on Monday found that McBride's first two volleys of shots were justified, but that the final two shots "present a much closer question"  and could be interpreted differently by reasonable jurors.

That wasn't enough to clear McBride's qualified immunity protections in federal court, the panel ruled, but was enough to justify another look in state court, where qualified immunity doesn't apply.

Joanna Schwartz, a UCLA law professor, said it was "precisely the kind of case that should be decided by a jury," given the dispute over the final shots.

Read more: A heated custody battle over a transgender child in California stokes a viral debate

And yet, "what qualified immunity did in this case," Schwartz said, was remove that decision from a federal jury, even "after the judges had concluded that a reasonable jury could have found that this conduct was unconstitutional."

Schwartz said the decision was "emblematic" of two major problems with qualified immunity.

First is the idea that, to get around it, the Hernandez family would have had to put forward a previous case in which a court had ruled that another officer's actions in a "virtually identical" set of circumstances were unconstitutional, Schwartz said.

"Those prior cases are hard to find simply because the same things don't happen in precisely the same ways," Schwartz said.

Second is the notion that such a prior decision would have served as a warning for McBride and other officers.

That is absurd, Schwartz said, because it "bears no relationship to how officers are actually trained."

"They don't read hundreds or thousands of cases and then recall the facts and holdings of those cases while they are doing their jobs," she said. "Officers are trained about the general contours of the law  like the notion that you are not supposed to use deadly force against a person who is not a threat."

It is that concept that McBride's actions should be judged against, Schwartz said, not the "illogical" construct of qualified immunity.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A group of migrants try to cross a barbed wire fence to reach the US from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico on March 20, 2024 (Herika MARTINEZ)

A "large group of migrants" crossing into the United States from Mexico broke through razor wire Thursday and rushed the border wall, the border patrol said, the latest episode in a simmering national immigration crisis.

Illegal immigration is a hugely contentious topic in the United States, and an issue already figuring prominently in the campaign for the November presidential election.

Republicans blame President Joe Biden for the recent record flow of migrants, while the White House accuses Republicans of deliberately sabotaging a bipartisan attempt to find a solution.

Greg Abbott, the Republican governor of Texas and an ally of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, wrote on X shortly after the episode that officers "quickly regained control & are redoubling the razor wire barriers."

On Thursday morning, a crowd of dozens of migrants pushed aside part of a razor wire barricade the Texas National Guard had installed between the Rio Grande river -- the natural boundary between Texas and Mexico -- and the border wall in the west Texas city of El Paso.

Video published in the New York Post showed migrants pushing past the wire and overwhelming soldiers trying to contain them.

After breaching the wire barricade, the migrants reached a tall section of border wall, which was impenetrable.

"At approximately 11 am local (1700 GMT) a large group of migrants breached Texas National Guard concertina wire barricades located between the Rio Grande (river) and the border wall in El Paso," US Customs and Border Protection wrote in a statement.

Border patrol agents then "took custody of the migrants at the adjacent border wall and transported them to the central processing station to be processed," it said.

The law allows migrants to stay in the country while their asylum request advances or their deportation is processed if they do not meet requirements.

The episode occurred as a Texas law winds its way through the courts that would allow state police to arrest and deport migrants who cross illegally into the United States from Mexico.

On Tuesday the law, known as Senate Bill 4, was placed on hold in the latest round of legal wrangling.

The thorny issue of immigration was meanwhile on full display last month when ex-president Trump successfully pressured Republicans to block a bill in Congress that included the toughest border security measures in decades, the type of measures usually championed by the right.

mav-rle-bfm/tjj
TUNIS, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia's maritime guards have rescued 175 undocumented immigrants from sinking boats after they foiled several illegal immigration attempts off its central coast, the Tunisian National Guard announced in a statement on Friday.

The maritime guards intercepted boats involved in illegal immigration attempts to cross the Mediterranean to Italy on Thursday, rescuing 172 immigrants from sub-Saharan African countries and three Tunisian nationals off the coast of Sfax province, according to the statement.

"Three boats were seized, and five wanted persons were arrested," added the statement.

Located in the central Mediterranean, Tunisia is one of the main points of access to Europe used by undocumented immigrants.

Despite the stringent measures implemented by Tunisian authorities, the number of undocumented immigrants attempting to reach Italy from the Tunisian coast continues to rise. 
Aftermath of Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia on 22 March, 2024. PHOTO: IVAN FEDOROV ON TELEGRAM

A large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine on the night of 21-22 March has left at least five civilians dead, with 14 others injured (other sources say this number is as high as 16) and three missing.

Source: Ukraine's State Emergency Service (SES); Ivan Fedorov, Head of Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote from SES: "So far, we have information that two people have been killed and at least eight injured in Khmelnytskyi. In addition, six people have been injured in Zaporizhzhia, with three other civilians missing at the sites of the attacks. Information about casualties is being gathered as fast as possible."

  21-  -         .   pic.twitter.com/kEOcYxNg1I     (@ukrpravda_news) March 22, 2024

Details: At the same time, Ivan Fedorov, Head of Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration, reported that one civilian had been killed and eight injured in Zaporizhzhia.

Update: He later added that the number of casualties from the Russian rocket attack on Zaporizhzhia had risen to three.

Ukraine's SES noted that Russian forces had targeted infrastructure facilities and caused severe damage to residential buildings. The Russians targeted Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyi, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, Mykolaiv, Vinnytsia, Lviv, and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts.

Emergency workers are responding at the sites of the strikes.

Aftermath of Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia on 22 March, 2024

Photo: Ivan Fedorov on Telegram

Fedorov explained that within a few hours, Russian troops fired almost 20 missiles on Zaporizhzhia, targeting critical and civilian infrastructure. The attack resulted in the destruction of and damage to infrastructure facilities, ten private houses and over 35 high-rise buildings.

Russian forces also hit the Dnipro hydroelectric power plant (HPP). Vehicular traffic at the dam has been suspended.

Russian troops fired almost 20 missiles on Zaporizhzhia, targeting critical and civilian infrastructure.

Photo: Ivan Fedorov on Telegram

Update: Later, Fedorov added that at least two people in Zaporizhzhia were considered missing. Four houses were completely destroyed, and over 40 were damaged.

The Prosecutor Generals Office reported later that one person had been killed in the Russian attack on the Dnipro hydroelectric power plant in Zaporizhzhia.

Ukrhydroenergo stated that there were no casualties among the employees of the plant. However, it is known that a trolleybus was moving on the dam at the time of the attack. It burned down completely.

Ukraine's Interior Ministry reported at 14:54 that the number of people who were injured in Zaporizhzhia had risen to 15.

Background:

On the night of 21-22 March, the Russians launched Shahed drones and cruise missiles on Ukraine. An air-raid warning was issued across Ukraine and remained in effect for about four hours.

Explosions were heard in several regions, particularly in the city of Kharkiv, where around 15 explosions were reported. Fires broke out at some sites. The Russian forces targeted energy infrastructure facilities, causing power outages in the city.

Russian forces conducted eight missile strikes in the city of Zaporizhzhia. Ivan Fedorov, the Head of Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration, reported damage to infrastructure facilities and civilian homes.

The Russians hit a critical infrastructure facility in Vinnytsia Oblast and an energy infrastructure facility in Lviv Oblast.

Strikes on critical infrastructure facilities were recorded in the city of Kryvyi Rih, too.

Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said the Russian attack on the night of 21-22 March targeted the Ukrainian energy sector and was the largest in recent times.

The Russians have hit the Dnipro HPP in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, where firefighters are working to extinguish the fire. Ukrhydroenergo, Ukraines largest hydropower generating company, has reported that there is no threat of a dam breach.

This news has been updated since publication.

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LAURINBURG, N.C. (WBTW)  A 21-year-old man is in custody after allegedly shooting and killing 36-year-old Denver Quick inside of her car on Wagram Street on March 14, according to Laurinburg police.

Nicholas Leonardo Nicholson was charged with first-degree murder, discharging a weapon into occupied property, felony conspiracy, and discharging a firearm in the city.

Officers with the Laurinburg Police Department and Scotland County Probation and Parole arrested Nicholson at his home at about 12:15 p.m. on Thursday.

Laurinburg police responded to the shooting at about 10:15 p.m. on March 14 in the area of Samao and Wagram Street and found a silver Chevrolet Malibu crashed with gunshots. Quick, who formally lived in Laurinburg, was found unresponsive in the drivers seat. It is unclear how many times or where Quick was shot.

Quick was taken to a nearby medical facility in critical condition and then moved to another unnamed medical center, police said. The investigation revealed that Quick was driving on Wagram Street when a person, now identified as Nicholson, fired multiple shots into the vehicle, police said.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Laurinburg police or Scotland County Crimestoppers at 910-266-8146, www.scotlandcountycs.com, or P3tip.

Count on News13 for updates.

* * *

Taylor Ford is a digital journalist for News13. She joined the News13 team in January 2023. Taylor is a Florence native and covers the Pee Dee out of News13s Florence Bureau. Read more of Taylors work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
Islamic State claimed responsibility for a deadly attack that saw gunmen in combat gear burst into a concert hall in Moscow on Friday night, spraying bullets into the crowd and throwing explosives.

At least 40 people were killed and more than 145 injured after the attack at in north-west Moscow, with a major fire burning through the building for hours.

Several children taking part in a dance competition at the same venue were among those injured in the attack, according to reports, with one apparently killed.

Footage showed at least four people in military-style fatigues walking up to a crowd of people at the entrance of the and shooting them at point blank range with automatic weapons.

The gunmen as they entered the Crocus City Hall

The gunmen also blew up part of the concert hall, prompting a fire that had caused the roof of the building to partially collapse by yesterday evening.

The gunmen were still believed to be at large late Friday, after the Russian National Guard left the building following an extensive search for the perpetrators.

There may be several armed men in green camouflage suits in [a white] car. A large number of roadblocks have been set up around the Moscow region, Russian security forces said.

IS, the militant group that once sought control over swathes of Iraq and Syria, claimed responsibility for the attack, according to a statement on the groups Telegram channel.

Fighters attacked a large gathering of Christians in the city  and they killed and wounded hundreds and inflicted great damage on the place before safely withdrawing to their bases, the statement said.

Gunmen attacked the concert venue - Shutterstock

Blaze burns at Crocus City Hall near Moscow - Anadolu

IS is active in Russia and the five neighbouring Muslim former Soviet Central Asian states, with thousands of Russian and Russian-speaking jihadists headed to Syria at the height of so-called Islamic Caliphate in the 2010s.

Russia is seen as a target because it helped defeat IS in Syria and assists allies in Central Asia root out Islamist cells.

Russias FSB security services says it deals with dozens of Islamic terrorist plots every year.

Earlier this month, the FSB killed two Kazakh nationals who it said were part of an IS cell planning to attack a synagogue in Moscow.

Moscows foreign ministry called the incident a bloody terrorist attack that world leaders should condemn. Vladimir Putin has not yet commented but his spokesman said that he was being kept up-to-date on events.

Kyiv earlier denied any involvement.

Lets be clear, Ukraine absolutely has nothing to do with these events, Ukraines presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak said on Telegram.

A Russian servicemen patrols the area as the Crocus City Hall burns in the background - AP/Dmitry Serebryakov

A Kalashnikov assault rifle lies on the ground as Russian investigators work inside Crocus City Hall concert venue following a terrorist attack in Krasnogorsk, outside Moscow - Shutterstock

The White House also said Kyiv was not behind the attack. There is no indication at this time that Ukraine or Ukrainians were involved in the shooting, John Kirby, National Security Council spokesman, told reporters.

Moscow retorted that it was too early to rule out a Ukrainian link to the attack. on the concert in Moscow. On what basis do officials in Washington draw any conclusions about anyones innocence in the midst of a tragedy? the foreign ministry said.

Dmitry Medvedev, the former president, said that if Ukraine was found to be behind the attack, Russia would hunt the perpetrators down and kill them.

If it is established that these are terrorists of the Kyiv regime, all of them must be found and ruthlessly destroyed as terrorists, Mr Medvedev wrote on Telegram. Official representatives of the state that committed such a crime would also be punished, he added.

Analysis

Moscow terror attack raises questions about FSB failure to prevent it

Read more

The attack, the deadliest in Russia for years, comes less than a week after Vladimir Putin won a presidential election, extending his 24-year presidency to at least 2030. He has outlawed anti-Kremlin protests, especially over his war in Ukraine.

The US embassy in Moscow has issued warnings for the past fortnight that a terror attack was planned in Moscow and had told US citizens to stay away from large crowds, specifically mentioning concerts.

Footage from the attack showed people shot dead lying slumped across blood-soaked benches and crumpled by the glass doors of the venue.

Another video showed people who had been waiting for a concert by the Soviet-era rock band Picnic to begin. At least 6,200 people had bought tickets to the concert.

Some 6,200 people had tickets for the concert - Sergei Vedyashkin/Moscow News Agency

In the video, word spreads of an attack and people start leaving. Less than a minute later there are shots in a corner of the concert hall, people start screaming and ducking for cover. One witness described his escape to Russian media. Someone broke a window into the parking lot and we just ran out without our things, without anything, only with what we were wearing, he said.

A state media journalist at the hall said they saw people crawling to safety. People who were in the hall were led on the ground to protect themselves from the shooting for 15 or 20 minutes, the journalist was quoted as saying.

Other people described locking themselves in the basement, smashing down fire doors with axes and running across broken glass to escape.

Apartment attacks in 1999

Putin has previously been accused of using terror attacks in Russia to tighten his rule. Chechen terrorists were blamed for bomb attacks on apartment blocks in Russia in 1999 that killed 300 people shortly before Putin took over as president, promising to improve security.

In 2002, Chechen terrorists captured the Nord-Ost theatre in Moscow and in 2003 Chechen rebels captured a school in Beslan in North Ossetia, southern Russia. Several hundred people were killed in both attacks, forcing Putin to promise to improve security.

Since the promotion of the Kremlin-backed Ramzan Kadyrov in 2007 as Chechnyas leader, though, most Chechen rebels have laid down their arms.

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The migrants were trying to cross the Libyan desert

A mass grave containing the bodies of at least 65 migrants has been found in Libya, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has said.

The IOM said the circumstances of their deaths and their nationalities are still unknown but they believe they died being smuggled through the desert towards the Mediterranean.

The organisation, part of the United Nations, said it was "profoundly shocked" by the discovery.

Libya is investigating, the IOM said.

The grave was found in south-west Libya, it said.

An IOM spokesperson said: "Each report of a missing migrant or a loss of life represents a grieving family searching for answers about their loved ones or acknowledging the tragedy of the loss.

"The cost of inadequate action is evident in the increasing human deaths and the disturbing conditions migrants find themselves in."

The organisation said the tragedy highlighted the need for a co-ordinated response to smuggling of migrants and legal migration pathways.

Libya is among the main departure points for migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean to enter Europe.

The Geneva-based IOM also called on Libyan authorities and other UN agencies to ensure a dignified recovery, identification and transfer of the remains.

The discovery of the mass grave comes after at least 60 migrants, who set off from Libyan coast, died when a rubber dinghy ran into trouble in the Mediterranean Sea.

The IOM said earlier this month 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, which provides humanitarian assistance to vulnerable people in Libya, said the figure was 20% up on the year before.

The mass grave was found in south-west Libya
Lebanese forensics work on collecting evidence from the destroyed office of Hamas which was attacked by Israel on 02 January, killing Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri and six others in Beirut southern suburb. Marwan Naamnai/dpa

At least two people were detained and handed over to the Lebanese security authorities in connection with the assassination of a Hamas official, Hadi Mustafa, in southern Lebanon, Palestinian and Lebanese security sources told dpa on Friday.

The pair are suspected of spying for Israel, the sources said.

"After the cowardly assassination of the Qasami martyr Hadi Mustafa (Abu Shadi) ... the factions and Islamic forces carried out vigorous field follow-up," read to a statement by the Palestinian factions in the Rashidiyeh refugee camp near Tyre, Lebanon.

The statement added that the individuals concerned had been handed over to Lebanese security services.

The statement did not give any further details.

A Palestinian source in the Rashidiyeh camp told dpa that two boys, one Syrian and one Lebanese, who are younger than 18 years old, were caught in the camp in south Lebanon.

Under questioning, they reportedly said they were hired by a Lebanese man to monitor the movement of the slain Hamas official.

A Lebanese judicial source in Beirut said two arrest warrants were issued by military judge Fadi Sawan after finding maps in their possession showing areas of Beirut's southern suburbs, a hotbed of the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement, as well as areas near Palestinian refugee camps.

The Palestinian militant group Hamas confirmed earlier this month that Mustafa was based in the Rashidiyeh camp. The Israeli military said Mustafa was responsible for terrorist attacks on Israel as well as Jewish targets in several other countries.

Since Hamas led unprecedented attacks and massacres in Israel on October 7, Hamas-allied Hezbollah has traded attacks with the Israeli military almost daily on the Lebanese-Israeli border.
The Montana State Capitol in Helena on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. (Photo by Mike Clark for the Daily Montanan)

With the question of whether to override Gov. Greg Gianfortes veto of Senate Bill 442 now in the hands of lawmakers, a report published this week by a Legislative Services Division research analyst details how most of the states counties would stand to get tens, or hundreds, of thousands of dollars to maintain their county roads if the override is successful.

The Montana Supreme Court will have the ultimate say if whether Gianfortes veto of the broadly supported bill that redistributes the states marijuana revenue to send more toward county roads and a legacy conservation program was done properly, since the state has filed a notice of an appeal of a Lewis and Clark County District Court decision.

But if the override poll is successful and the court upholds the lower court opinion saying lawmakers needed the chance to override the veto, the analysis shows how the county roads maintenance portion of more than $50 million in annual marijuana tax revenue will be distributed to all 56 counties, including the ones that dont allow for recreational marijuana sales.

If the veto override should prevail, SB 442 could go into effect, changing the distribution of marijuana tax revenue, starting with the 2024 fiscal year. What that actually means, though, deserves a little more explanation, wrote research analyst Erin Sullivan, who is also the lead staffer for the Economic Affairs Interim Committee.

How the marijuana revenue would be redistributed

Under the structure passed by lawmakers in the 2021 session, the marijuana tax revenue and fees the state collects each fiscal year is transferred out to multiple accounts. The Department of Revenue first reserves three months of operating expenses  about $4.1 million  out of the full pot of money, which totaled $56.4 million in fiscal year 2023.

Next, $6 million goes to the Healing and Ending Addiction through Recovery and Treatment (HEART) Fund for behavioral health and treatment programs.

Hundreds of Montanans gathered at a rally for public lands and to support the Habitat Montana funding through marijuana tax revenue on Feb. 23, 2023. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan)

Then, money is then distributed as follows: 20% for wildlife habitat and conservation funding; 4% each for state parks, trails and recreational facilities, and nongame wildlife; $200,000 for veterans and surviving spouses; and $150,000 for the Board of Crime Control. The rest of the money then goes into the General Fund.

Competing bills during the session sought to redistribute more of the money toward crime prevention, the Department of Justice, and the General Fund, but SB 442, sponsored by Sen. Mike Lang, R-Malta, won out among the three after it was rewritten to put more money toward county road maintenance.

That curried the favor of dozens of conservation, rural Montana and other groups who said that repairing and maintaining county roads with the money would be beneficial in supporting the habitat and outdoors funding that some said was the reason that Montanans voted to legalize adult-use marijuana in the first place.

Under the final version of the bill, which passed with support from 130 of 150 lawmakers, the HEART Fund gets 11% of the tax revenue instead of a flat $6 million, veterans and spouses get 5%, the Board of Crime Control gets 0.2%, county roads get 20%, and the other allocations remain unchanged aside from the drop in money going toward the General Fund.

The report says the change of the HEART Fund getting $6 million to 11% of the revenue means the amount the fund receives will fluctuate based on adult-use and medical sales and the fund for veterans and surviving spouses could see a significant increase in funding if tax collections continue to increase.

Total marijuana sales have topped $24 million a month in every month since February 2022, peaking so far last August at $28.7 million for the month. From January 2022 through January 2024, the state has sold an estimated $647.8 million in medical and adult-use marijuana, collecting about $104.1 million in total tax revenue. Nearly 94% of that tax revenue comes from adult-use sales, according to the Department of Revenue.

Sullivans report forecasts how those percentages allocate out into dollars if the override were to pass by using the $56.4 million in revenue that was dispersed last June 30 for the prior fiscal year.

According to her analysis, if Montana brought in the same amount of revenue in FY2024 and SB 442 were law, the HEART Fund would see a reduction of $247,000 compared to last year under the new 11% formula.

A chart showing how marijuana tax revenue distribution could change if SB 442 became law, using FY2023 revenues. (Source: Legislative Services Division)

A chart showing how marijuana tax revenue distribution could change if SB 442 became law, using FY2023 revenues. (Source: Legislative Services Division)

The report says the wildlife habitat, state parks, trails and recreation, and nongame wildlife funds would likely see 13% increases, respectively, totaling to an increase among all four funds of about $2 million.

The veterans and surviving spouses fund would see a 1200% boost of about $2.4 million dollars, according to the report. The Board of Crime Control would lose about $45,000, or 30%, of its current funding, while the General Fund would lose about $20.6 million dollars, a 66% reduction from last year.

Analysis estimates about $16 million annually would go toward county roads

The bulk of that General Fund money, about $16.6 million, according to Sullivans estimate, would go directly toward the county road fund, then be distributed to the Department of Transportation. The DOT will hand the money out to each county based on a formula that accounts for the number of rural road miles, state and federal land area, and block management acres in each  with an emphases on the share of the rural road mileage in each county compared to the total rural road mileage in Montana.

The revenue deposited into the County Roads fund first goes into three buckets: Rural Roads, Block Management Acres, and Federal and Trust Acres, the report says. Half of the revenue is deposited into the Rural Roads bucket, and 25% each into the Block Management Acres and Federal and Trust Acres buckets.

Montanas 56 counties are split 50-50 as to whether they allow adult-use marijuana sales. The more rural and loss populated counties largely account for the 28 counties that dont allow for adult-use sales.

But those counties also stand to see the largest comparative shares of money going toward their road maintenance compared to the lack of, or relatively small amounts, of revenue they bring in with just medical sales if the SB 442 veto is overridden and the courts decision upheld, according to the report.

Rural counties stand to see biggest boost for roads

Among 22 counties that contribute zero tax revenue, allocations range from 0.5% of the county road money for Wibaux County up to 3.9% for Phillips County. Most counties that dont contribute marijuana tax revenue will see around 1-2% of the county road funding.

But even 0.5% of the total road money would mean an estimated $55,312 for county roads annually for Wibaux County, according to the report, and many of those counties would see more than $100,000 a year. Phillips County, home to Lang, would get an estimated $406,134 each year if SB 442 was law, according to the report.

A map and chart showing how much each county provides in marijuana tax revenue from sales and how much county road funding they stand to receive out of the fund under the LSD analysis. (Source: Legislative Services Division)

A map and chart showing how much each county provides in marijuana tax revenue from sales and how much county road funding they stand to receive out of the fund under the LSD analysis. (Source: Legislative Services Division)

The biggest boost to county roads would be in Flathead County, which stands to receive $492,950 a year, according to the report, but Valley ($389,000), Beaverhead ($393,000), Lincoln ($368,000), and Blaine ($306,000) would all stand to get more than $300,000 a year.

Most of the rest of the counties in the state would stand to receive between $120,000 and $300,000, according to the report.

Among the counties that do allow adult-use marijuana sales, they would receive distributions ranging from 0.6% of the county road fund in Silver Bow County to 4.7% of the share in Flathead County.

If the override does prevail, the marijuana tax revenue distribution will adjust for at least fiscal year 2024, Sullivan wrote in the conclusion of the report. When the next legislative session convenes in 2025, legislators again will have an opportunity to review statutes and craft policies, meaning the marijuana tax distribution may see additional adjustments in the near future.

Where the veto override stands

Lawmakers will have until 5 p.m. on April 18 to send their ballot back to the Secretary of States Office, and they will need two-thirds of the Legislature to support the override for it to pass.

Three of the groups that were key in bringing the outside groups and lawmakers together to support the bill during the session  the Montana Association of Counties, Wild Montana, and the Montana Wildlife Federation  sued to challenge the Legislatures lack of ability to override the veto. They said Tuesday when the override polls were sent out they were pressing lawmakers to support the override.

Sen. Mike Lang, R-Malta, poses with fellow lawmakers supporting his Senate Bill 442 alongside a political cartoon drawn about the fight between competing marijuana tax revenue bills.

Sen. Mike Lang, R-Malta, poses with fellow lawmakers supporting his Senate Bill 442 alongside a political cartoon drawn about the fight between competing marijuana tax revenue bills. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan)

Respectfully to the 130 legislators who supported this vital bill almost a year ago, Stick to your guns, the next 30 days will impact what makes Montana, Montana, for the next 30 years, Montana Wildlife Federation Executive Director Frank Szollosi said in a statement earlier this week.

But Republican leadership in both the House and Senate  many of whom supported the bill during the session  are now trying to convince their members not to fill out the override poll or to vote against the override.

Twenty-seven Republican senators sent a letter to the Supreme Court on Monday in a last-minute attempt to block the override, saying that the Senate president was still in possession of the bill and arguing that if the poll override were sent out without the actual original copy of the bill, it would be an illegal poll.

The legislature will not participate in an unconstitutional poll, the letter said.

On Wednesday, a day after the polls were sent out, seven Republican members of House leadership also said the courts decisions were unconstitutional and, like the senators, claimed they would not be participating because they believe the courts are stepping on the Legislatures toes.

All three branches of state government must be vigilant to protect the powers divided by our constitution, read the letter from the House Republican leaders, which was addressed to the Supreme Court. To that end, House Leadership will not be participating in Judge Menahans opinion of how he believes the legislature should operate. This has no bearing on the content of SB 442. That will be addressed with a solution provided by us, the legislature.

Lang, in an opinion piece published in his hometown paper this week, urged his colleagues to support the override: SB 442 brought Montana together in a time when division is the preferred course of action in politics. I hope my colleagues will still stand with me and cast their vote to overturn the governors veto, and support this excellent bill.

Marijuana_Tax_Revenue_Allocation_Implications_of_SB442

The post Legislative analysis shows how much road funding counties could get if SB 442 veto overridden appeared first on Daily Montanan.
KABUL, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Construction of 11 small water reservoir dams has begun in areas of Afghanistan's capital of Kabul, a statement of the Ministry of Energy and Water said on Thursday.

The dams will be constructed with a cost of 30 million afghanis (about 417,000 U.S. dollars) in 11 remote districts of Kabul, the statement added.

The statement said that the new dams aim to manage water better, enhance agricultural water supply and store groundwater.

Drought is considered a crucial challenge in Afghanistan. The Afghan caretaker government has been building small dams across the country to improve and store groundwater. 
James Comer, that caged monkey with a cocaine drip, just cant stop. He wants President Biden to come to his House committee to testify. At the end of a hearing on Wednesday that was just an abject humiliation for his party and for him personally, Comer actually said with a straight face: In the coming days I will invite President Biden to the Oversight Committee to provide his testimony and explain why his family received tens of millions of dollars. We need to hear from the president himself.



The White House reacted with an appropriate LOL, and theres no sign Ive seen that Comer is planning on issuing the president a subpoena, which would be insane. But whos to say he wont one day?

Ah, interesting question. Because there is a precise answer to whos to say he wont: Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch, Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott, Sean Hannity, and everyone else at Fox who runs the Republican Party. This whole thing happened because Fox wanted it to happen. And therein lies a lesson for all of us about how a morally corrupt entity, which settled a lawsuit for three-quarters of a billion dollars because its executives were mortified about what the country was likely to learn about how they do business, has perverted American democracy.

As Media Matterss Matt Gertz wrote at MSNBC.com this week, The House Republican impeachment inquiry satisfied Fox stars long-standing demands for a Biden impeachment, which began before he was even elected. Fox and the New York Post and other right-wing outlets tried to make Hunter Biden an issue in the 2020 campaign. They claimed a great victory over the snaring of Hunters laptop, although we still dont know what was on it that was supposedly so incriminating.

Then, after the GOP captured the House in the 2022 midterms, Fox shoved it into overdrive. Hannity, Gertz notes, did 325 segments on Hunter in 2023. Think of that. There are only 260 weekdays in a year. So thats many shows with two segments. Which of course the story deserved, because the Biden crime family was the biggest scandal in American history!

Except there is no story, and no Biden crime family. Everything Comer and Jim Jordan have charged has collapsed. Everything. The Democrats on Comers committee drew attention Wednesday to the parade of schmegegges the Republicans have marched up to the Hill. Tony Bobulinskis testimony has been riddled with inconsistencies, and he has his own alleged Russian connections, The Daily Beast reported. Jason Galanis has said nothing of importance that we know of thats been substantiated. Alexander Smirnov was a great key witness; then he was indicted, and suddenly Comer said he wasnt an important part of the probe. But my favorite is Gal Luft, whom Comer once described as very credible. Luft alleged that the Bidens received payments from Chinathen was indicted on allegations that he himself was an agent for China (he denies this).

But Comer kept it going, and he kept it going for one simple reason: Fox News, and the rest of the right-wing media following its lead, set up a very clear reward system. Comer and Jordan, and anyone else who cared to, make allegations; they get invited on Fox to talk them up; the small-dollar donations come in from the suckers who believe this spittle; and lies get filtered out into the discourse by a non-right-wing media that wants scoops and clicks but also fears in the back of its collective mind that its just possible that the Republicans are onto something and that if they dismiss that possibility, theyre guilty of liberal bias.

Its the right-wing propaganda equivalent of Elisabeth Kubler-Rosss famous stages of grief. The five stages of right-wing propaganda: Assert, repeat, raise money, repeat again, blame the deep state when it falls apart. But now there is a sixth stage, which is when even Fox taps on the brakes and tells stooges like Comer, OK, you idiot, you have failed, its time to move on. This gives Fox the richly undeserved opportunity to look responsible, after five years of suggesting that Joe Biden was the most corrupt person in America since Boss Tweed.

None of it would have happened without the existence of this Fox doom loop. A lot of things wouldnt have happened. Donald Trumps march to the 2016 nomination wouldnt have happened without Fox. Once Rupert saw that the enraged base he and Roger Ailes had spent two decades creating was demanding nothing less than an openly racist demagogue who talked smack on everyone Fox and Rush Limbaugh had taught them to despise, he decided to pave Trumps way. Fox could have ended Trumps rise at any point it wanted to in 2015 or 2016, but Trump was too good for business, and besides, he was the networks unchecked id.

This is what happens to a democracy when a news organization becomes the command headquarters of a political party. And it is thatthe command headquarters. It is not an arm of the GOP, as is often said; it is the brain, which sounds like a big statement but isnt, really, since the GOP auto-lobotomized years ago.

Remember, that other lawsuit is cominga judge ruled in January that the Smartmatic suit could proceed, rejecting Foxs arguments. Smartmatic says Fox aired lies about the voting company as it repeated its false story line about the 2020 election. Fox says the suit is a baseless attempt to infringe upon its free speech rights.

People are reportedly being deposed now. Theres reason to think that, someday, well see those depositions. Theyll tell us, again, what the Dominion lawsuit depositions told us. With any luck, this one will go to trial and Scott and others will have to place their hands on a Bible and swear to tell the truth, assuming their flesh doesnt catch fire once it touches the good book. Then, maybe, America will finally see.

This article first appeared in Fighting Words, a weekly TNR newsletter authored by editor Michael Tomasky. Sign up here.




To the editor: Coincidentally, your article about the hastened demise of Arctic Ocean sea ice appeared in the print edition the day after I finished rereading a favorite classic, Mary Shelly's "Frankenstein."

Those who know the tale will remember that it begins as the scientist Victor Frankenstein is chasing his hideous, unnamed creation across giant plains of Arctic ice to avenge the murders of Frankenstein's family members. Rescued by a passing ship, Frankenstein narrates his story to the captain, revealing his hubris: man's assumption that he can manipulate nature without tragic consequences.

Frankenstein feels no remorse for unleashing this destructive force on the world, explaining merely that he created the monster while "in a fit of enthusiastic madness."

Shelly, who wrote the book in 1818, could not have predicted that her setting, which she described as the "everlasting ices of the north," would eventually be destroyed because of something called fossil fuel emissions. However, she would have had no trouble imagining that our reckless tampering with nature, despite the many signs that we were causing great harm, would catch up with us in a big way.

Just look at the monster we have created.

Sarah Freifeld, Valencia

..

To the editor: As you say in the print-edition subheadline, this is troubling. It's not just about the polar bears anymore.

The loss of Arctic sea ice is like the canary in the coal mine. It portends drastic effects on our environment and the environment in which all wildlife lives  where we grow food crops and lumber for buildings, as well as the ocean environment, which is a source of food for much of the world.

That is why the fact that an ice-free Arctic is now inevitable does not mean we should stop trying to fight climate change. This news should act as a call to action to prevent consequences of climate change worse than an ice-free Arctic Ocean.

This is about the habitability of our world. If you don't think that's a problem, consider that people are already dying from extreme heat.

Murray Zichlinsky, Long Beach

..

To the editor: Once again, the most serious issue, climate change, is being mostly ignored in an election year. Despite extreme weather and record-breaking temperatures, it still isn't making headlines as a "burning" issue for candidates.

Prior to the overturning of Roe vs. Wade in 2022, "pro-life" conservatives dismissed climate change, even though extreme weather kills thousands of people each year. Now, Democrats are focusing on women's rights as a winning strategy. Meanwhile, Ukraine and Gaza are justifiably making headlines.

If this year becomes another record-breaker for temperatures, extreme weather, wildfires and floods, then maybe voters will decide to choose candidates who take climate change  and thus life itself  seriously.

Michael Wright, Glen Rock, Pa.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Lev Parnas has offered a scathing prediction for whats looming in the near future for former president Donald Trump and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Prison and jumpsuits, he said. They will be cellmates for the rest of their lives.

The Ukrainian-American businessman and former close associate of Mr Giuliani spoke to The Independent after giving fiery testimony this week at a House Republican impeachment hearing into President Joe Biden.

During the House Oversight Committees 20 March hearing, Mr Parnas did not mince his words.

He testified that he had found precisely zero proof of the Bidens criminality.

But, instead he claimed that Mr Trump, Mr Giuliani and their associates lied to the American people when they pushed falsehoods knowing it would undermine the strength of our nation.

He said that Mr Giuliani, then Mr Trumps personal lawyer, was tasked with finding dirt on the Bidens ahead of the 2020 presidential election.

Mr Trump and his allies then planned to use this information to damage the Bidens reputations and secure the 2020 election for Trump, Mr Parnas told the committee.

Speaking to The Independent on Friday, Mr Parnas said that it was poignant that Mr Trump, who has a penchant for posting on his Truth Social platform, has not tweeted, not made one comment about me after the testimony.

He said he believes that the former president hasnt publicly remarked on his testimony for one of two reasons.

Either hes a cowardbecause hes scared for the truth to come out, he said. Or maybe dementia has set in, and he just doesnt remember who I am.

His comments about Mr Trump and Mr Giuliani come as the pair face a mountain of legal battles.

In Georgia, where they are codefendants in a sprawling RICO case, they are each facing decades in prison. They have both pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Independent has reached out to representatives for Mr Trump and Mr Giuliani for comment.

Aside from the 2024 Republican frontrunner and his former associate, Mr Parnas also slammed members of Congress in his testimony, accusing Rep Pete Sessions, former Rep Devin Nunes and Senator Ron Johnson of having understood they were pushing a false narrative in the runup to the 2020 election.

Asked how these elected officials should be held to account, Mr Parnas told The Independent: We should have a congressional hearing on how Russian disinformation could get into the halls of Congress, the DOJ and the FBI and be used to impeach a sitting US president.

He questioned whether or not individuals did this knowingly or willingly.

Lev Parnas testifies before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Wednesday March 20 2024 (REUTERS)

Or was it just because theyre blatantly incompetent, stupid? Mr Parnas asked.

The only information ever pushed about the Bidens and Ukraine has come from Russia and Russian agents, which everyone sitting here today knows, Mr Parnas testified on Wednesday, pointing to the recent indictment of former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov.

Earlier this year, Mr Smirnov was charged with providing false derogatory information about the Bidens business dealings. His arrest dealt a huge setback to the Republican-led probe, which so far has seen unsuccessful efforts to support allegations of the Biden family members corruption.

Mr Parnas reflected that, after sitting through the eight-hour long hearing: I was truly disappointed. Im embarrassed for our country.

The world saw a kangaroo court, he said, adding that he believes Republicans are using the inquiry as a political sham rather than to seek the truth.

They have no evidence, they dont have the votes and it needs to stop, he said.

At the chaotic hearing, Democratic Rep Stephen Lynch went so far as to say that the impeachment effort has actually provided more evidence to impeach Donald Trump for a third time than you have in so much as laying a glove on Joe Biden.
Brits have always been conscious of our international standing. We are an outward-looking, trading nation which has always engaged with the world. After the end of empire, we became worried by our comparative decline. This was not entirely for sentimental reasons. People studied the size of our economy, the balance of payments, the capability of our military and our sphere of influence  in other words, the metrics of raw power.

But the recent obsession with our international reputation is different: it has become the preoccupation of liberal elites, not of ordinary patriotic Brits. And the metric against which it is now assessed is no longer power but perception.

What is deemed to strengthen or weaken our international reputation invariably reflects the metropolitan elites ideological prejudices. The internationally mobile  who David Goodhart would describe as the anywheres  have an interest in preserving their social status at home and abroad. So what they really mean when they invoke our reputation is not our true national status, but their own reputation and employability among foreign liberal elites. What reception would a crackdown on illegal migration receive in Davos? How will the UN react?

Hypocrisy abounds. Some who protest about our reputation seem curiously willing to sell out once private interest has replaced public office. Nick Clegg is Metas lobbyist-in-chief. Tony Blair has established himself as salesman for hire by foreign dictatorships that need reputation laundering. Contrast that with Jim Callaghan who retired to his farm, or Margaret Thatcher who established a foundation to perpetuate her ideas rather than her income. The dignity of those who exercise power is at its most evident when they no longer wield it.

Through the chattering classs eyes, even the most remotely conservative pronouncements, still less policy, have a devastating effect on our reputation. This bogus argument was invoked during the EU referendum when advocates of Brexit were condemned as endangering our standing on the world stage.

Now the same argument is deployed to support the liberal elites latest preoccupations. Take net zero, where they argue that pursuing a more pragmatic approach will jeopardise our status. With whom? The Americans, whose economy has boomed thanks to their shale revolution? Or India, with its expansion in coal power plants? The reality is we have decarbonised faster than any G20 country. And at great cost to our industries: we have the fourth most expensive commercial energy in Europe. Moving ever more quickly to green technologies will make us even more dependent on imports like electric vehicles from China.

Perhaps the most startling example of this liberal prejudice is their skewed perspective on immigration and defence. Dare to criticise the fact that the European Convention on Human Rights compromises our security and youll be greeted with cries from the Left: leave and youll enter the club of dictators, Belarus, and Russia. They never admit that it would mean joining our Five Eyes allies.

These appeals to our reputation ring hollow to a public more concerned by their ability to live in a country with secure borders, safe streets, good jobs and cheap energy. The vanity of the liberal elite is a luxury belief in action.

Naturally these individuals have a poor grasp of what our reputation actually is. Gallup polling of different countries shows consistently positive opinions of the UK. Nor do they understand what generates reputations. Foreign citizens are not political anoraks. Just as the average Brit doesnt think less of Italy for their fiscal instability, so the average European rarely dwells upon our political instability. Instead, it is our rich cultural past and thriving cultural future  from Shakespeare to The Crown, Wembley to Wimbledon  that we are known and revered for.

If you were to speak to ordinary people in Europe, youd find Britain held in high regard as a loyal friend. From the Balkans to Brittany, and today in Eastern Europe and Ukraine, Britain is seen as a force for good. This is either disregarded or denied by a metropolitan elite determined to rewrite the history of Britain as one of shame and disgrace.

Liberal elites will talk about anything and everything except what actually diminishes our ability to influence. Indeed, we have more to fear from our failures domestically to tackle problems like violent crime on our cities streets. We have weak growth, a high trade deficit, low productivity and a shrinking military. From the police to universities, institutions consistently fail to defend our national heritage and identity. How can we ask the world to advance our values and interests when we struggle to do so ourselves?

If nation states are to succeed in an age of intensifying great power competition, politicians must relentlessly pursue the interests of their countrys citizens over those outside it. That means reaffirming the enduring principle of national interest to deliver the common good. That is our duty as elected representatives. The leaders who grasp this are invariably those whose reputations endure.

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LINDSBORG, Kan. (KSNW)  The historic Worlds Fair Swedish Pavilion in Lindsborg has closed for safety reasons. Officials are concerned it could collapse.

Last week, the Board of Directors of the Lindsborg Old Mill and Swedish Heritage Museum voted to close the building to the public until the structure can be stabilized.

The problem

File photo of 1904 Worlds Fair Swedish Pavilion in Lindsborg (Courtesy Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum)

A structural engineer determined that the 120-year-old Swedish Pavilion is leaning westward by up to two degrees.

Two degrees might not sound like a lot, but you take those degrees across several dozen feet, and that means multiple inches of lean in that direction, Adam Pracht, the museums marketing and communications director, said.

He said even untrained observers can see the problem.

If unaddressed, the structural issues threaten a catastrophic collapse of the historic treasure, should the wrong set of windy weather conditions occur, he said. Given this small  but very real  risk of a dangerous structural collapse, the museums board voted unanimously to close the building to the public to ensure safety.

When did the problem start?

The Swedish Pavilion at the 1904 Worlds Fair in St. Louis. (Courtesy Library of Congress)

The pavilion was built to last for one event  the 1904 Worlds Fair in St. Louis.

Its really a remarkable testament to (Ferdinand) Bobergs work that its 120 years old this year, Pracht said. That makes it really a rare treasure that something from that long ago is still here and such a central part of Swedish culture.

Boberg was one of Swedens premier architects. He designed the pavilion to resemble a traditional Swedish manor house.

The Swedish Pavilion has been built and taken apart a couple of times. First, it was prefabricated in Sweden, then dismantled and shipped to Baltimore. From there, it was taken by train to St. Louis, where it was rebuilt for the Worlds Fair.

After the fair, the pavilion was dismantled and taken by train to Lindsborg. It was rebuilt and presented to Bethany College. It served as a college classroom until 1969.

How fast can you legally drive on county roads in Kansas?

In 1969, the college outgrew the pavilion, but it was such a rare historical artifact that they did not want to just tear it down, Pracht said. They moved it by a flatbed truck over to the campus of the Old Mill here in 1969, and that is where it has stood ever since.

He said the structural engineer compared historic photos of the pavilion being built in 1904 to the current building. The engineer said some cross braces in the 1904 structure are missing in the current building.

Pracht said it is impossible to tell when the braces disappeared.

1904 Worlds Fair Swedish Pavilion in Lindsborg (Courtesy Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum)

The damage couldve happened when it moved over from Bethany to here, to the museum campus. It couldve happened between St. Louis and Bethany, he said.

He also doesnt know when the pavilion started to lean.

Its quite likely that theres been some risk that we were unaware of for a while, Pracht said. It stood for a very long time, and its just impossible to know what set of circumstances precisely would lead to that sort of catastrophic failure.

The solution

The Swedish Pavilion means a lot to the community.

We have people coming from all over the Midwest, from both coasts and even internationally, just to see the pavilion, Pracht said. Its one of these places that the history is so rare, in a single word, it is irreplaceable. We dont get a second shot at this.

The museum board of directors decided to take action to save the building.

Governor signs bill for Fr. Kapaun memorial at Capitol

Its an anxiety-inducing time, Pracht said. You dont want it to be on your watch that something this rare gets lost, and so were doing our absolute best to make sure that we can preserve it as soon as possible.

The Phase 1 cost of stabilizing the building is estimated at $181,000. The museum is applying for grants to help with the cost. The hope is that contractors can begin the repairs in August and reopen the pavilion in time for Heritage Christmas.

1904 Worlds Fair Swedish Pavilion in Lindsborg (Courtesy Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum)

But it will be closed during some popular Lindsborg spring events, including the museums annual Millfest for Kids on Friday, May 3, Millfest on Saturday, May 4, and Midsummers Festival on Saturday, June 15.

The portion of those events that are usually held inside the pavilion will be moved outside.

The museum says the pavilion will be safe again after Phase 1 of the repair is complete.

Pracht says there will be a Phase 2 to strengthen the structure further, but officials do not have a cost or timeline.

If you would like to help the museum pay for the repair, you can donate in person at the museum from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also donate using a credit or debit card over the phone at 785-227-3595. You can donate online via PayPal at www.paypal.com/paypalme/lindsborgoldmill and indicate in the memo area that the donation is for Swedish Pavilion preservation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
Currently, lawmakers in Kansas are planning to restrict diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives on college campuses which would follow in the footsteps of other states like Florida, Georgia and Utah. Though Kansas is having a hard time defining exactly what DEI is, the bill that would severely restrict discriminatory concepts. Here are a list of states that have severely limited or got rid of DEI in education and job settings.

Alabama

Photo: Andi Rice (Getty Images)

Alabamas Senate Bill 129 will forbid the states public colleges and universities from sponsoring, promoting or sustaining DEI offices and programs. It will also stop public institutions from addressing divisive concepts relating to race, sex, or religion. It will go into effect on October 1.

Arizona

Photo: Ash Ponders (Getty Images)

Senate Bill 1694 was passed meaning public colleges in Arizona are forbidden from requiring an employee to complete DEI programming. It also means there will be no spending of public funds on DEI services.

Arkansas

Photo: Al Drago (Getty Images)

Senate Bill 71 in Arkansas would end state-sponsored discrimination by banning state and local government agenciesincluding public universities from using affirmative action programs. Luckily, it died in the Senate.

Florida

Photo: Joe Raedle (Getty Images)

Thanks to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the passing of House Bill 999 and its companion Senate Bill 266 means institutions in Florida are not allowed to fund the promotion or livelihood of DEI programs. Also, House Bill 931 and its companion Senate Bill 958 mean affirmative action is not allowed in hiring or education selection practices.

Georgia

Photo: Joe Raedle (Getty Images)

Under Senate Bill 261, public institutions in Georgia would have been banned from employing political litmus tests in admissions and promotions practices. Luckily, it died in the committee.

Indiana

Photo: Joe Sohm (Getty Images)

Indianas House Bill 1338 is still in the works and aims to ban public institutions from requiring current students from engaging in any form of mandatory gender or sexual diversity training or counseling.

Iowa

Photo: Rachel Mummey (Getty Images)

House File 616 in Iowa has been presented and the bill may get passed. If so, it prohibits colleges and universities governed by the Iowa state board of regents from funding DEI offices and its offices employees.

Kansas

Photo: Don and Melinda Crawford (Getty Images)

Kansas lawmakers introduced House Bill 2460, meaning the states postsecondary education institutions would be prohibited from aiding or admitting students based on political beliefs. SB 155 is a budget bill that would ban schools from allowing DEI practices in hiring decisions. The status on these bills remains unknown.

Kentucky

Photo: Visions of America (Getty Images)

Senate Bill 6 will ban the teaching of divisive concepts to students and employees. House Bill 9 will forbid race-based and sex-based scholarships, DEI programming and DEI training at the states public universities. Both are waiting for Senate approval.

Louisiana

Photo: Chris Graythen (Getty Images)

Louisianas Senate Bill 128 would have banned colleges and universities from providing preferential treatment in the form of financial aid based on race, sex, or national origin. Ultimately, the bill failed a vote out of committee.

Missouri

Photo: Jacob Moscovitch (Getty Images)

If passed, Missouris Senate Bill 410, would prohibit higher education institutions from requiring staff and students from answering questions related to DEI. House Bill 75 would ban colleges and universities from requiring students to complete mandatory gender or sexual diversity training or counseling. Senate Bill 680 and House Bill 1196 aim to get rid of DEI in hiring practices on college campuses.

Montana

Photo: Justin Sullivan (Getty Images)

Senate Bill 222 forbids the unlawful discriminatory practice of diversity training as a step to hiring. The bill also stops universities from using DEI in hiring practices.

Nebraska

Photo: Ting Shen (Getty Images)

Senate Bill 283 has a goal of forbidding diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and officers to be present at colleges in Nebraska.

North Carolina

Photo: Grant Halverson (Getty Images)

House Bill 607 would stop institutions in the University of North Carolina system and public community colleges from interested students about political and social beliefs. That bill has passed in the House.

North Dakota

Photo: World Atlas

Senate Bill 2247 was signed into law last year, in which college and university staff and students cannot be asked about ideology or politics.

Ohio

Photo: Andrew Spear (Getty Images)

With Ohio Senate Bill 83, private higher ed institutions would only receive funding if they complete syllabus, intellectual diversity and freedom of speech requirements.

Oklahoma

Photo: Scott Heins (Getty Images)

SB 870 and SB 1008 aim to prohibit public colleges in Oklahoma from giving money to DEI offices and using political tests and diversity statements when hiring. It is still undergoing approval.

Oregon

Photo: Nathan Howard (Getty Images)

House Bill 2430 and House Bill 2475 both aim to prohibit public educational institutions in Oregon from requiring or encouraging students that any race, ethnicity, color, sex, gender, religion or national origin is inherently superior or inferior to another.

South Carolina

Photo: Sean Rayford (Getty Images)

House Bill 4289 and House Bill 4290 would disallow public institutions from making diverisity training/statements mandatory. It would also eliminate DEI from its hiring and admissions practices.

South Dakota

Photo: Bettmann Archive (Getty Images)

This states House Bill 1012 was signed into law and goes after divisive concepts, barring mandatory training or orientation about said concepts.

Tennessee

Photo: Seth Herald (Getty Images)

House Bill 1376 allows students and employees to report professors who teach divisive concepts to their institutions. Senate Bill 102 bars colleges from firing employees for refuse to partake in implicit bias training.

Texas

Photo: Brandon Bell (Getty Images)

Under SB 17/ HB 5127, DEI offices and diversity training have been banned at public institutions. Senate Bill 16 bans the teaching of critical race theory, while House Bill 3164 and HB 1 also ban DEI practices.

Utah

Photo: George Frey (Getty Images)

With House Bill 451 and Senate Bill 283, public institutions in Utah would have been prohibited from having DEI offices and mandating DEI statements in its hiring or admissions practices. Earlier this year, HB261 was signed into law effective July 1, 2024. It eliminates training requirements that promote differential treatment and bars DEI from into hiring and admission practices.

West Virginia

Photo: Visions of America (Getty Images)

West Virginias House Bill 3503 failed to pass, but would have gotten rid of required diversity training including workshops and speakers addressing social justice, inclusive language, transphobia and homophobia.

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Lithuania has announced the delivery of its drone defence systems to Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda, citing Lithuanian Defence Ministry

Quote: "Lithuania continues to provide continuous military support to Ukraine. On 22 March, Lithuanian anti-drone systems were delivered to Ukraine," the statement reads.

The ministry noted that the military aid provided to Ukraine within the framework of the national defence system includes a wide range of weapons, ammunition, drones, anti-drones, military training, heavy equipment repairs and other assistance provided according to Ukraine's stated needs.

"Lithuania has already developed a long-term plan to support Ukraine, which includes a package of military assistance worth 200 million for 2024-2026," the Ministry of Defence pointed out.

Background:

Lithuania contributed 35 million to the purchase of artillery shells for Ukraine as part of the Czech initiative.

Czech President Petr Pavel announced at the Munich Security Conference that Czechia had found 800,000 shells that could be sent to Ukraine within a few weeks, but it needed funding to do that. Several partners volunteered to fund this purchase, but not all of them made their participation public.

Before this, Lithuanian representative Vaidotas Urbelis, at the 20th Ramstein-format meeting, called on allies to support Ukraine with demining equipment and training.

In addition, Urbelis expressed his gratitude to the nations that have joined the Lithuanian-led coalition for mine action in Ukraine, which now consists of 22 states.

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KYIV  Viktor Syrotyn was sleeping in his apartment near central Kyiv when the first powerful explosion rang out. He immediately woke up, ran into his childrens room, and covered his daughter with his body.

The next moment, he heard another explosion, even more powerful, with windows getting blown out of their frames into the room.

"Thats how our morning started," Syrotyn, 39, told the Kyiv Independent in a tired voice, showing the damage that the overnight Russian missile attack inflicted on his home.

In the small two-story building, built in the early 20th century, around half of the windows were shattered. "Thats where a fragment (of the missile) flew in," Syrotyn said, pointing to a hole left in his rooms window.

In the latest mass strike against Ukraine, Russia launched 31 missiles, two ballistic and 29 cruise ones, in the early morning of March 21, according to the Air Force. The attack mainly targeted Kyiv and the surrounding region. All the missiles were reportedly shot down.

Four people suffered injuries due to falling missile remains in Kyiv Oblast, where over 60 houses, five apartment buildings, and two educational institutions were damaged, according to the regional administration.

Debris from the missiles also fell in several locations across Kyiv, wounding 13 people, including a child, as well as damaging homes, enterprises, and other infrastructure, the city authorities said.

Firefighters are extinguishing a fire that broke out in a building after a Russian missile attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, on March 21, 2024. (Tanya Dzafarowa/Suspilne Ukraine/JSC "UA: PBC"/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

In the capitals Shevchenkivskyi district, where Syrotyn lives, the debris caused a fire in a six-story apartment building, prompting the evacuation of residents. Seven people were injured in this area, according to the Kyiv City Military Administration.

In the area, windows and doors of several residential buildings and a church nearby were shattered, while balconies and facade elements were crooked. Hours after the attack, in the early afternoon, local residents and business owners rushed in and out, taking out the glass and other litter from their properties. Many of their relatives and friends rushed to the site to help.

The authorities supplied the victims with thick plastic sheets and wooden panels to cover the shattered windows right on the spot. However, receiving state assistance in repairing the damage caused by the attack would require a much longer wait.

Rescuers and city utility workers remove the aftermath of a Russian missile attack on Kyiv, Ukraine, on March 21, 2024. (Vitalii Nosach/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Dozens of first responders and utility workers were helping the residents and cleaning the street covered in glass. In the middle of the scene, a several-meter-wide crater showed how powerful the strike was.

Some people were wandering around, quietly observing the aftermath of the attack. An elderly woman who lives nearby came to see what happened to the building where her daughter went to a kindergarten a long time ago.

"It will all be restored," she told the Kyiv Independent, pointing at the damaged buildings and bursting into tears, "but people's lives are falling apart."

'We are all fatalists here'

Tetiana, a 42-year-old dentist who lives in her grandmothers Soviet-style apartment, was not at home on the night of the attack. Now, she was collecting glass that was scattered in her home.

Tetiana said her relatives often worry about her living in this area as it is often targeted by Russian attacks. A key industrial facility that was hit multiple times throughout the full-scale invasion lies just two kilometers away.

When asked whether she thinks about moving to another district, Tetiana replies with an ironical smile, "We are all fatalists here, if it hits, it hits."

"Well, you see, God had mercy, I am alive and well."

Meanwhile, on the first floor of her building, a group of young, energetic-looking people were clearing the office of a dental clinic from the wreckage left by the attack.

The clinics head, Oleksandr Baido, told the Kyiv Independent that he planned to re-open the place, which now has holes instead of windows, already the next day.

Baido said he had received immense help from the community formed around the clinic and would not wait for the state's assistance in repairing the office.

"We have to keep working," said Baido, whose clinic provides free services to Ukrainian soldiers.

"I woke up in the corridor because of the explosions, me and my five and my kid, whos eight months old. Then I got this call from the clinic saying that we have problems here. But I immediately thought  Im alive and not injured, my wife and the clinics personnel too, so what else can you ask for?"

Read also: 5 children killed in single attack: We should never forget what Russia did

'Every Ukrainian is suffering'

Not everyone was as optimistic as Baido.

A 64-year-old woman, Syrotyns neighbor, was sitting beside her building, looking shocked and lost. Valentyna told the Kyiv Independent that her family didnt know what to do with their damaged apartment.

The main thing for them to figure out is how they would spend the next night in their windowless rooms without heating.

Valentyna said she woke up from a loud noise similar to that of a flying airplane and then saw a missile flying above.

"I moved away from the bed, and a second later, it hit, and everything fell from above," she said. "We jumped out into the corridor and didnt know what to do; everyone was fussing, especially me; there was no light; it was dark."

"I feel so bad that you cant imagine But we are not the only ones suffering, every Ukrainian is suffering. Its scary, very scary."

Note from the author:

Hi, this is Dinara Khalilova, the author of this article. While doing this field report for you, it was painful to see Kyiv residents having to go through the horror of Russian missile attacks yet again. But, at the same time, their courage and resilience were truly inspiring and I would be glad to know if you feel the same way. If you want to see more on-the-ground coverage like this, please consider becoming a member of the Kyiv Independent community.

Read also: With arrival of spring, a look at Russias winter strikes on Kyiv

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
JERUSALEM-Israels minister for Diaspora affairs and combating antisemitism, Amichai Chikli, told Fox News Digital on Thursday that London is the worlds most antisemitic city.

Chikli, a member of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus Likud Party, said he believes London is the "most antisemitic city" because "The atmosphere created by pro-Hamas supporters across London is something that we have not seen in other cities."

The center of London has been immersed in mass rallies that are filled with what some observers claim include Islamist extremists and antisemites since Hamas invaded Israel on Oct. 7. Hamas brutally murdered 1,200 people on Oct. 7, including more than 30 Americans.

Chikli explained that when the anti-Israel slogan "from the river to the sea" is projected on Big Ben, it is a "call for the ethnic cleansing of Jews from the state of Israel." The slogan, "From the river to sea, Palestine will be free," is widely interpreted to mean the eradication of the Jewish state and its replacement with a Palestinian Muslim nation.

PRINCE WILLIAM DENOUNCES ANTISEMITISM AMID SOARING RATES OF ABUSE AT LONDON SYNAGOGUE

The Israeli minister cited another example of the British MP Mike Freer "who left office due to pro-Hamas attacks, including setting fire to his office." Chikli said he was "not aware of a member of Parliament who resigned from office in other parliaments" due to pro-Hamas violence.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

He continued that "Most of the antisemitic incidents are not being reported. Most of the students on campuses know the system is totally against them. There is nothing to gain for complaining against harassment." He also pointed to antisemitic attacks in the London subway system and the anti-Israel activist who vandalized the portrait of Lord Balfour at Cambridge University.

AUSTIN, TEXAS - JANUARY 19: Israel Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli speaks during The Israeli American Council (IAC) 8th Annual National Summit on January 19, 2023 in Austin, Texas.

Balfour famously issued a letter from Nov. 2 1917 stating that the British government looked favorably upon "the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country."

People attend a Campaign Against Antisemitism rally outside New Scotland Yard in central London seeking police action amid a rise in antisemitic incidents.

Chikli argues the core feature of modern antisemitism is to strip Israel of its right to exist. He said the "3D Test of Antisemitism" formulated by the human rights expert and former dissident in the Soviet Union, Natan Sharansky, best captures the hatred targeting Israel. Sharansky uses the litmus test of demonization, double standards, and delegitimization against Israel to classify contemporary antisemitism.

The Israeli minister said "The annual report from his Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism shows a 235% increase in antisemitic incidents in 2023 compared to 2022."

CHAMPION CYCLIST SAYS SHE WOULD SERVE IN IDF RIGHT NOW AMID REMOVAL FROM INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY EVENT

Pro-Palestinian Muslim protesters hold a banner saying "From the river to the sea," in London on Dec. 9, 2023.

He said "45% of the incidents in 2023 occurred in the USA and 39% in Europe, with a 33% increase in violent incidents. 16% of the violent incidents were recorded in the U.K., many following the 'Iron Swords' war."

Chiklis report noted that "The U.K. is among the top 10 countries for online antisemitic discourse. In 2023, 4,103 antisemitic incidents were recorded in the U.K., a 147% increase compared to 2022. A dramatic increase in London, with 2,140 incidents (52% of the total). 66% of incidents were recorded after October 7, with a 589% increase compared to the previous year."

According to the report, "Nearly half of British Jews considered leaving the country due to the documented antisemitism. 60% of British Jews experienced or know someone who experienced an antisemitic incident after the war. Large pro-Palestinian protests were recorded in the U.K., with hostile calls against Jews and Israelis."

Jonathan Hoffman, a former vice chair of the Zionist Federation in Britain, who has campaigned for Israel and against antisemitism in London, told Fox News Digital that "The Minister is correct. Jews who are openly pro-Israel have no future in the U.K.. In academia, humanities are a write-off. Such Jews are openly discriminated against in many professions."

Hoffman, who has written extensively about British antisemitism, said "Things will be even worse, if as seems likely, Labour is elected at the election due before end January 2025. What needs to happen? Water cannon at Israel hate demos. All the recommendations of Shawcross about Prevent need to be enacted."

Sir William Shawcross published a report last year that the British governments anti-extremism Prevent program said "Prevent's first objective - to tackle the causes of radicalization and respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism - is not being sufficiently met. Prevent is not doing enough to counter non-violent Islamist extremism."

Hoffman believes that "The Courts need to accept that Judaism and Israel are inseparable. But mostly it's too late. For one thing, the proportion of Muslims in the population continues to grow, and they are far more antisemitic than the rest of the population."

A spokesperson for London Mayor Sadiq Khan told Fox News Digital that "Since the 7th October attacks weve seen an unacceptable rise in both antisemitic and Islamophobic hate in the capital. The police continue to take action again anyone breaking the law, including anyone committing hate crime offenses."

The spokesperson noted that, "The Mayor speaks with members of the Jewish community regularly, and despite their ongoing and real concerns, most dont agree with the extent of the language used by the minister  The Mayor continues to reiterate that with tensions running high all Londoners have to be conscious of the language we use and how our actions make others feel  not inflaming divisions, but bringing communities together."

On Thursday, the Community Security Trust, which provides protective services to the British Jewish community, wrote on X that an arson attack in London might have been animated by antisemitism.





Original article source: London is the worlds most antisemitic city, says Israeli minister
he coal-burning Fayette Power Plant is co-owned by the city of Austin and the Lower Colorado River Authority. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson wants the city to shut down its portion of the plant no later than January 2029. (Credit: American-Statesman/File)

Re: March 18 article, 'Experts: Wind, solar arent enough'

The headline in the Statesman should remind us that sustainability and perpetual population growth are not compatible. On a global scale we can see it already with global warming and numerous other environmental disasters. Locally the growth that so many people see as a good thing has its downsides. Wildlife habitat and aquifer levels are shrinking with each new development.

Lets face it carbon neutral is a fantasy unless we achieve a stable human population.

Diane W. Young, San Marcos

Rising costs aside, we can't afford

not to build new transmission lines

The cost of building transmission lines may well have tripled since 2008, as Robert Bryce suggests. However, the costs of climate change have risen even faster. Just consider winter storm Yuri, hurricane Harvey in Houston, and this months record Smokehouse Creek Fire in the Panhandle.

If the U.S. can spend almost $1 trillion a year on defense, it can afford to build new transmission lines. In fact, it cant afford not to.

Philip Russell, Austin

Vote for global warming believers.

Vote as if our lives depended on it.

Texas had its biggest wildfire ever recorded and ranchers lost thousands of cattle. According to the European Unions Climate monitoring service, Earth has shattered heat records for 9 consecutive months and the average global ocean temperature in February was the highest on record. Climate change worsens food insecurity, increases refugees, and increases heat deaths.

The book Not the End of the World says if countries follow through on their current climate pledges, wed come out at 2.1 degrees C above pre-industrial levels by 2100. Without climate policies, wed be headed toward devastating conditions of 5 degrees or more.

Fifty-eight percent of U.S. adults think global warming is caused mostly by human activities, according to the 2023 Yale Climate poll. If you believe that, then vote against any politician who doesnt.

Vote against politicians who are fighting for their fossil fuel donors, and for politicians who will follow through on climate policies.

Don Hammond, Austin

How to submit a letter to the editor

Send letters of no more than 150 words by using our online form at https://bit.ly/3Crmkcf or send an email to letters@statesman.com.

We welcome your letters on all topics. Include your name and city of residence; we do not publish anonymous letters.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Our long overdue reality check about population growth | Letters
BEIRUT, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon since the onset of the Gaza conflict has led to a 30-percent decline in agricultural production, Lebanese Agriculture Minister Abbas Hajj Hassan said on Friday.

"The Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon prevented farmers in villages and towns adjacent to the occupied Palestinian territories from reaching their lands to reap fruits or grow crops, which affected up to 30 percent of Lebanese agricultural production," the National News Agency quoted Hajj Hassan as saying.

The decline in production in turn affected the export of agricultural products and led to a rise in the price of fruits and vegetables during the current Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Hajj Hassan said.

The minister further noted that so far the economic loss of the agricultural sector from Israeli strikes cannot be specified, as the conflict is still ongoing. Still, it is estimated at billions of dollars.

Hajj Hassan added that Lebanon has complained to the United Nations Security Council about Israel's "aggression" in southern Lebanon.

The Lebanon-Israel border has been witnessing increased tension since Oct. 8, 2023, after Lebanese armed group Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward Israel in support of the Hamas attack on Israel the previous day, prompting Israel to respond by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. 
A Belleville-based family business received national recognition for its longtime commitment to customers and the community.

Mueller Furniture and Mattress was named 2024 Retailer of the Year by the Home Furnishings Association.

Fourth-generation owner and president Mark Mueller accepted the award March 15, at the business warehouse and showroom in Fairview Heights.

In attendance were the members of the Mueller family, friends, staff, Fairview Heights Mayor Mark Kupsky and other city officials, members of the Fairview Heights and Metro-East Regional chambers of commerce, furniture suppliers and many others.

Prior to the presentation, Mueller spoke to the crowd.

Thank you so much for coming. Weve got suppliers, weve got partners, weve got people that weve known forever, people that we just met, said Mueller. Got my family here, and my dad, who put in 50 years to this company to get us where we are today.  A lot of great things have happened and a lot more amazing things planned for the future.

The award was presented live on Show Me St. Louis by Shannon Williams, the incoming CEO of the Home Furnishings Association.

Pictured left to right: Lynwood Mueller, Viviana Mueller, Mark Mueller, Show Me St. Louis personality Malik Wilson, and Shannon Williams and Mark Schumacher of the Home Furnishings Association

These awards are not popularity contests; they have to be earned, said current HFA CEO Mark Schumacher.

Businesses nominated by the industry are judged by a panel, according to the HFA website. Criteria include customer experience, company culture, social responsibility and other categories.

It all comes down to [Mueller Furnitures] four values: truthfulness in all things, serving others before self, if I say it I do it, and extreme competence.  Everything they do here in this culture fits those values. Thats why this is a no-brainer that Mueller Furniture & Mattress is really gonna receive this award, said Schumacher.

Ninety-six years in the making and four generations,  we put the family in furniture, thats why we got this award, said Mueller upon accepting the award. We believe in quality, American-made furniture. We believe that the best value is not the cheapest product. We believe in our people, and we believe in giving back to the community. If that resonates with you, we want to meet you too.

Mark Mueller and Lynwood Mueller hold their Home Furnishings Association Retailer of the Year award.

At Muellers side during the broadcast was his father, Lynwood Mueller, who retired as the companys president in January 2022.

This is very much a team award. We have great employees, both in sales and our back room and delivery, said Lynwood Mueller. We have great leadership with Mark and his managers. We really invite everyone to come out and visit. Well make it a good experience for you.

After the award presentation was a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Mayor Kupsky and the Chamber of Commerce.

Theyve been in business since 1927, when John started the business, said Kupsky. He was known as Honest John. He believed in quality, good service, treating people fair and right, and they would not sell junk.  They continue that tradition 96 years later.

Mueller Furniture was presented with a plaque to celebrate coming to Fairview Heights.

Mark Mueller gets ready to cut the ribbon at Mueller Furniture & Mattress Warehouse Showroom in Fairview Heights.

More to offer than before

Since the stores opening in late August, it now has many more furnishings on offer.

We have thousands of pieces of merchandise on display, said Michael Wipfler, director of sales for Mueller Furniture & Mattress Co.

Wipfler commented that their Amish furnishings are well made, heavy pieces, some weighing more than 300 pounds.

A variety of dining sets are available at Mueller Furniture & Mattress Warehouse Showroom.

View of some of the armchairs and sofas available at Mueller Furniture & Mattress Warehouse Showroom in Fairview Heights

Mark Mueller commented that the 55,000-square-foot showroom has more quality American-made furniture in this building than any other building in the state.

Prior to and after the award presentation and ribbon cutting, guests enjoyed coffee and donuts while Mark Mueller showed people around the impressive showroom.

He pointed out some new signage installed earlier in the week, to build a little of the history, add character to the store, he said.

Signage features photos from the family-owned business history, including the delivery team in 1948 consisting of Cy Stauder, Roland Mueller, Les Mueller and Jim Mueller.

A few banners feature the Detroit Tigers, 1945 World Champions, and Les Meuller, who is featured solo on one banner.

Les Mueller pitched for the Tigers in 1941 and 1945.

New signs featuring historic photos hang at Mueller Furniture & Mattress Warehouse Showroom, including some that feature Les Mueller, who pitched for the Detroit Tigers.

About Mueller Furniture

John Mueller founded Mueller Furniture in 1927. Located at 1004 E. Main St. in Belleville, he ran the business until his death in 1952.

The business was taken over by his sons, Ronald Mueller and Les Mueller. Ronald died in 1960; Les retired in the 1970s. He died in 2012.

A second store location opened in Lake St. Louis, Missouri, in March 2017 under the leadership of Lynwood Mueller, who remains involved in the business since retiring in 2022.

The Ellisville, Missouri, store opened in May 2021.

Mark Mueller took over as president in 2022.

Mueller Furniture and Mattress Warehouse Showroom is located at 51 Commerce Lane in Fairview Heights.

For more information about all locations, visit muellerfurniture.com.
Longtime PA Dem silent on support for freshman 'Squad' member after his name is quietly removed from site

Longtime Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. Bob Caseys office has remained silent on whether the powerful Keystone State lawmaker still endorses freshman Squad member Rep. Summer Lee in light of backlash over her rhetoric on Israel.

Fox News Digital reached out to Caseys Senate office, press secretary, chief of staff and campaign repeatedly this week to see if the Democratic lawmaker endorses Lee in 2024, but received no responses.

Pennsylvania will again serve as a key battleground state this election cycle as former President Donald Trump and President Biden are anticipated to face a rematch in a state that narrowly voted for Trump in 2016, and elected Biden in 2020 at a 1.17% margin.

Casey is also anticipated to have a difficult election campaign this year as he defends his seat for the fourth time. His lack of response on whether he endorses the left-wing congresswoman and Squad member could mean a deepening divide between progressive Democrats and their more moderate counterparts over stances on the war in Israel.

COOKIE MONSTER HIDES SEN. BOB CASEY'S REPLY ON X AFTER DEM SOUGHT CAMPAIGN DONATION: 'CAN YOU CHIP IN?

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 25: U.S. Sen. Robert Casey (D-PA) speaks during a news conference on health care September 25, 2017 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Patient groups gathered on Capitol Hill to urged to reject the Graham-Cassidy health care bill. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Last week, a news report surfaced detailing that Lee, who was first elected to represent Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district in 2022, removed Caseys name from a section on her campaign website that communicates to super PACs and other outside political groups that they could include his endorsement in political ads. The section of the website is known as a "red box," and is used by political candidates to work around rules prohibiting political groups from directly coordinating with a campaign.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

REPUBLICAN DAVE MCCORMICK LAUNCHES BID FOR VULNERABLE SENATE SEAT IN BATTLEGROUND STATE

Jewish Insider reported last week that as recently as March 7, Caseys name was included within the "red box" section on Rep. Lees campaign site, but has since been removed and replaced with Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries name and endorsement.

BALTIMORE - MARCH 2: Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa., speaks during House Minority Whip Katherine Clarks news conference with freshman women of the 118th Congress at the House Democrats 2023 Issues Conference in Baltimore, Md., on Thursday, March 2, 2023. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

"In her first year in office, Congresswoman Summer Lee has worked with the Biden Administration to deliver $1.2 billion dollars in investments (see video) to Allegheny and Westmoreland counties to improve transportation, create green jobs, clean our air and water, and expand affordable housing. Thats why shes endorsed by the Democratic Party, Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Pennsylvania AFL-CIO State Labor Council, SEIU and Planned Parenthood," a section of the red box on the campaign website reads as of March 19.

Fox News Digital reached out multiple times to Lees congressional office, chief of staff, press secretary and campaign for comment on why Caseys name was removed from that section of the website, but did not receive any responses. Lees office also did not comment on questions regarding whether Casey endorses Lees 2024 run and if the name removal was related to the war in Israel.

DEM SEN. BOB CASEY SLAMMED BY GOP FOR SHIFTING IMMIGRATION STANCES: 'COMPLICIT IN THE CRISIS'

Caseys name is still listed among a large swath of local and national political figures on Lees official endorsements page on her website, alongside Lees fellow Squad members such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Progressive Caucus chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal.

(L-R) US Representative Summer Lee, Democrat of Pennsylvania, embraces US Representative Rashida Tlaib, Democrat of Michigan, as US President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on March 7, 2024. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Lees district is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, and includes Pittsburgh and much of Allegheny County. Pittsburgh is home to a large Jewish community, and where the 2018 mass shooting at the synagogue Tree of Life killed 11 people and wounded six others during Shabbat morning services.

Lee has come under fire in recent months from pro-Israel groups and the Jewish community for her rhetoric on the war in Israel, including an open letter signed by dozens of rabbis condemning Lee for her "divisive rhetoric" they said has been "perceived as openly antisemitic."

Jewish community leaders in the Pittsburgh area have taken issue with Lee calling for a ceasefire shortly following the war beginning in Israel, for voting against a resolution backing Israel and condemning Hamas in October, as well as agreeing to attend a Muslim advocacy group's event this month before backing out.

The March letter was also signed by a handful of rabbis in Lees neighboring district, which is represented by Democratic Congressman Chris Deluzio. Fox News Digital reached out to Deluzios campaign and congressional office this week asking if he endorses Lees 2024 campaign, but did not receive comment back.

"Chris Deluzio has been awfully quiet when it comes to Summer Lees extreme antisemitism, and thats unacceptable. Why wont Deluzio say a word while Jewish groups in his own district are speaking out against her?" National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Mike Marinella told Fox News Digital of Deluzio.

Previous media reports detailed that powerful pro-Israel lobbying group, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, had worked to recruit a candidate to challenge Lee this election cycle over her Israel stance, after spending $5 million against her campaign in 2022, the Intercept reported. Shortly following the outbreak of war in Gaza, Lee joined fellow left-wing lawmakers in calling for a ceasefire in October, while President Biden and other Democrats pledged support to Israel as it battled Hamas.

DEMOCRATIC SEN. BOB CASEY CONCEDES THERE'S NO 'VIDEOTAPE' THAT'LL DISPROVE BIDEN'S AGE CONCERNS

In January, AIPAC tweeted a message that tagged Lee, fellow Squad members Reps. Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush and others, stating "a Ceasefire Now keeps these monsters armed and in power." AIPAC is the largest pro-Israel PAC in the nation, and is expected to spend $100 million this election cycle against candidates they believe are not sufficiently pro-Israel, Politico reported earlier this month.

That same month, three top House Democrats - Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar - endorsed Lees re-election.

UNITED STATES - JANUARY 31: Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa., participates in the House Oversight and Accountability Committee organizing meeting in the Rayburn House Office Building on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

"A civil rights champion, advocate for organized labor and the first Black woman to represent Pennsylvania in Congress, Summer Lee has worked tirelessly to deliver for working families," the three leaders said in a statement in January.

The removal of Caseys name from the "red box" page on Lees campaign website could outline a growing divide within the Democratic Party amid the war in Israel.

SEN. CASEY PUSHED TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR LGBTQ CENTER THAT HOSTED YOUTH DRAG SHOWS, PROMOTED COMMUNIST EVENTS

Casey has long been a Pennsylvania Democratic stalwart, first winning his election to the U.S. Senate in 2007. The Casey name also has deep roots in the state, with Bob Casey Sr., the senators father, serving as the Keystone States governor from 1987 to 1995, following years of serving in various other elected roles.

This year, Casey is facing an anticipated closely-watched and uphill battle to hold onto his seat - which the longtime senator even conceded in an interview with NBC News last month. The Cook Political Report lists Caseys seat as "leans Democrat," while Caseys 2024 race has repeatedly been listed as a must-watch this election cycle, as his seat could flip red.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 05: (L-R) Actress Debra Messing, U.S. Sen Bob Casey (D-PA) recording artist Katy Perry and Democratic presidential nominee former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton greet supporters during a get-out-the-vote concert at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts on November 5, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With three days to go until election day, Hillary Clinton is campaigning in Florida and Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

"Itll be a close, tough race," Casey said last month. "But look, theres a lot on the line every time. Every time Ive run for public office in Pennsylvania, Ive had to earn the vote and the trust of the people. And I got to do that, again."

MASSIVE COALITION FORMS TO PROTECT LEFT-WING SQUAD MEMBERS AGAINST ONSLAUGHT OF ELECTION SPENDING

Casey is expected to face off against Republican Dave McCormick following the state's primaries. McCormick is an Army combat veteran and former CEO of hedge fund Bridgewater Associates, who served as the Commerce Department's Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security as well as Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs under former President George W. Bushs administration. His wife, Dina Powell, also served under former President Donald Trumps administration as Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick meets with Israeli officials.

McCormick last month called for Lees "immediate resignation" while trying to rally Casey to join him in the demand in a video posted to X. The video message came in response to outrage over Lee agreeing to appear as a speaker for a fundraiser hosted by the Philadelphia chapter of Muslim advocacy group, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

Lee ultimately canceled her appearance, following backlash, saying the cancelation was intended "to prevent the Muslim community from being the target of any more politically motivated Islamophobia and to ensure my Jewish and LGBTQ+ constituents know their concerns are heard."

McCormick has long been calling out Lee's rhetoric on Israel, including right after the war began in October, when Lee claimed Israel bombed a hospital in Gaza - which was a narrative promoted by outlets such as the New York Times in October, before the Times backtracked and said it "relied too heavily on claims by Hamas."

McCormick called on Casey to rescind his endorsement of Lee in a comment to Fox News Digital.

"Summer Lee has been sowing the seeds of antisemitic hate as Hamas brutalizes the Israeli people. For Senator Bob Casey to sit idly by as she fails to stand up for Pittsburghs Jewish community, which she's supposed to be representing, is dangerous. Casey needs to rescind his endorsement of Lee immediately. You cant fight antisemitism and support Summer Lee," McCormick told Fox News Digital this week.

McCormick also addressed the report detailing how Lee's campaign quietly removed Casey's name from the "red box" section of the campaign website in a tweet last week, saying Casey should "come out and rescind his endorsement" of Lee, but is instead taking the "say-nothing, do-nothing" approach.

'SQUAD' DEMOCRAT DECLARES 'ALL LIVES DO MATTER' WHILE CALLING FOR CEASEFIRE IN ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR

A recent Emerson College Polling/The Hill survey found McCormick is closing in on Casey, at 41% support to Casey's 45%. The same poll found Trump has 47% of Pennsylvania voters compared to Bidens 43%.

Casey came under fire from police groups this week, when a pro-defund the police group, Indivisible Philadelphia endorsed the Senator. Folcroft Deputy Police Chief and Delaware County FOP Lodge 27 President Chris Eiserman held a press conference on Wednesday, where he slammed Casey for aligning himself with the progressive group, while pledging his support for McCormick in the election.

"At a time when there were four shootings in four days on our local public transit system, and law enforcement across the Commonwealth is understaffed, Casey's decision to align himself with these defund the police activists is alarming and extremely dangerous," Eiserman said Wednesday.

Casey's campaign office did respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment regarding Indivisible Philadelphia's endorsement this week, saying the senator has provided needed tools to law enforcement, while going after McCormick.

"Senator Casey has delivered hundreds of millions to fund bulletproof vests, SWAT gear, police cars, and ballistics shields for officers, and has worked alongside law enforcement to address threats like fentanyl trafficking," campaign spokesperson Maddy McDaniel said. "David McCormick went against law enforcement when he opposed a border deal that was supported by border patrol, and he spent his career investing for the Chinese government, which is now teaming up with Mexican cartels to pump fentanyl into Pennsylvania. We cant trust him to prioritize our safety  only his bottom line."

The campaign office did not address whether Casey agrees with Indivisible Philadelphia's support of defunding the police in favor of funding social workers or medical professionals to handle certain public safety issues.

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 15: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C), stands with members of the U.S. Senate, (L-R), John Barrasso (R-WY), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Robert Casey (D-PA), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Bob Menendez (R-NJ) and John McCain (R-AZ), during a meeting at the U.S. Capitol on February 15, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

The More than 40 rabbis and Jewish leaders in the Pittsburgh area who published the open letter this month condemned Lee for what they said was her failing to come through on a promise to "call out antisemitism and temper your own language."

PA SENATE CANDIDATE MCCORMICK RECOUNTS IDF VISIT, DEEMS ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR 'TEST' FOR AMERICAN LEADERSHIP

"Last fall we wrote to you with concerns about your rhetoric and votes in relation to the events of October 7 in Israel, the subsequent war and the rise in antisemitism in America," the rabbis and Jewish leaders wrote in the letter. "You graciously agreed to meet with us, and in that meeting you promised us that you would call out antisemitism and temper your own language."

"Sadly, three months later, you have not followed through on those commitments," they wrote. The letter stated Lee has "continued to use divisive rhetoric, which, at times, we have perceived as openly antisemitic."

Lee is facing a Democratic challenger in the primary, which will be held on April 23, before the general election on Nov. 5.





Original article source: Longtime PA Dem silent on support for freshman 'Squad' member after his name is quietly removed from site
Steve Burns, the ousted founder, chairman and CEO of bankrupt EV startup Lordstown Motors, has settled with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over misleading investors about demand for the company's flagship all-electric Endurance pickup truck.

Burns was ordered to pay a civil fine of $175,000 and cannot serve as an officer or director of a public company for two years, according to the agreement filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Without admitting or denying the SEC's allegations, Burns consented to a permanent injunction, the fine and other stipulations in the agreement, according to the SEC.

The SEC charged Lordstown Motors in February 2024 with misleading investors about the sales prospects of its Endurance electric pickup truck. The company agreed to pay $25.5 million. At the time, it wasn't clear that the SEC was also going after Burns.

Lordstown Motors was founded in April 2019 as an offshoot of Burns other company, Workhorse Group. The company went public the following year via a merger with a special purpose acquisition company DiamondPeak Holdings Corp., with a market value of $1.6 billion. During and after the merger, Lordstown received $780 million from investors, according to the SEC.

The company was among a batch of EV startups that went public via mergers with blank-check companies in 2020 and enjoyed skyrocketing share prices that soon fell back to earth as they grappled with the challenge of producing and selling electric vehicles. Lordstown Motors attracted the attention and investment of GM and even acquired the 6.2-million-square-foot assembly plant in Lordstown, Ohio, from the automaker.

By June 2020, Lordstown was riding high after revealing its Endurance electric pickup in a splashy and political-leaning ceremony that featured former vice president Mike Pence, who spoke for 25 minutes about former President Trump's policies on jobs and manufacturing, China and the COVID-19 response.

Burns told the crowd that it had received 20,000 pre-orders, a number that would have locked in the entire first year of production if every customer who pre-ordered the truck followed through and bought the vehicle. Burns later said the company had received 100,000 nonbinding pre-orders from commercial fleet customers.

Short-seller research firm Hindenburg Research disputed those claims, and ultimately Burns, along with other executives, would resign by June 2021.

The SEC later investigated the claims and said Lordstown Motors and Burns made misleading statements about the business because most of the pre-orders were not submitted by commercial fleet customers, but rather by companies that did not operate fleets or intend to buy the truck for their own use. This, the SEC says, created an unrealistic and inaccurate depiction of demand for the truck from commercial fleet customers.

Lordstown continued on a rocky road even after Burns left, and eventually filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. In March, Lordstown Motors emerged from bankruptcy with a new name and a nearly singular focus: continuing its lawsuit against iPhone-maker Foxconn for allegedly destroying the business of an American startup. The company is now known as Nu Ride Inc.

Burns has also moved on since his resignation. In January, Burns launched a new company called LandX Motors.
The hippopotamus, often simply referred to as a hippo, is a creature that fascinates and delights those who are fortunate enough to witness it in its natural habitat. These semi-aquatic mammals, known for their massive bodies, wide-open mouths and almost serene existence in the waters of sub-Saharan Africa, are not just wonders of nature's design but also vital components of their ecosystems.

The hippopotamus is native to sub-Saharan Africa, dwelling in rivers, lakes, and mangrove swamps. Despite their broad distribution, hippos face numerous threats that have led to declining numbers. Habitat loss due to agriculture, human settlement and industry is a significant factor. Additionally, hippos are poached for their meat and ivory (found in their teeth), further impacting their populations. Currently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the hippo as vVulnerable, with estimates suggesting there are between 115,000 and 130,000 individuals left in the wild. This classification underscores the pressing need for effective conservation measures to prevent their slide toward endangerment.

Acknowledging the critical role hippos play in their ecosystems and the various challenges threatening their existence, a collaborative effort among conservationists, governmental bodies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has led to the launch of numerous initiatives aimed at safeguarding these splendid animals. Among these efforts is the notable "Save the Hippos" campaign, which also marked the inception of World Hippo Day in 2016. This campaign, along with others, highlights the concerted actions taken to ensure the protection and preservation of hippos across their natural habitats.

Anti-poaching measures, such as increased patrolling of protected areas and the implementation of stricter laws against poaching and ivory trade, are critical components of these efforts. Additionally, habitat restoration projects seek to reclaim and protect natural habitats for hippos and other wildlife. Community-based conservation is another vital strategy, involving local communities in conservation efforts and providing them with sustainable alternatives to hunting and habitat encroachment. International cooperation is also essential, as the conservation of hippos requires cross-border efforts due to their habitat spanning multiple countries.

Conservationists are also employing innovative technologies to monitor hippo populations and their habitats. Satellite imagery, drone surveillance and GPS tracking are tools that help gather data on hippo numbers, movements and health, which is crucial for making informed conservation decisions.

Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes.

Hippos are the third-largest living land mammals after elephants and white rhinos. An adult male can weigh up to 3,200 kilograms (about 7,000 pounds), with females slightly smaller. Despite their bulk, hippos are surprisingly graceful in the water, where they spend most of their time. Their specific gravity allows them to sink and walk or run along the bottom of rivers and lakes. Hippos are well adapted to their aquatic lifestyle, with eyes, ears and nostrils located high on their heads, enabling them to breathe and look around while mostly submerged. Their large mouths, which can open up to 180 degrees, reveal large canines and incisors used primarily for defense.

A unique feature of hippos is their thick, hairless skin, which secretes a natural sunscreen, often referred to as "blood sweat," to protect them from the sun's harsh rays. This oily red secretion is not only a sunblock but also has antiseptic properties, helping to keep wounds clean and free from infection. This adaptation is crucial for their survival in the hot, sunny environments they inhabit.

Hippos are highly social animals, living in groups known as pods, bloats or schools, which can consist of anywhere from 10 to 30 individuals, though larger groups of up to 100 hippos are not uncommon. These groups are typically made up of females with their young and a few non-breeding males, with a dominant male leading the group. The dominant male has exclusive breeding rights within the group, and his authority is established and maintained through displays of strength and aggression.

Additionally, hippos spend a significant amount of time in the water, where their social interactions occur. They communicate through grunts, bellows and wheezes, a form of vocalization that plays a crucial role in the dynamics of the group. Despite their peaceful appearance, hippos can be quite aggressive, especially if they feel threatened. This aggression is most commonly observed between males fighting over territory or breeding rights.

The Way Forward

The survival of the hippopotamus is intricately linked to the health of Africa's freshwater ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. As such, the conservation of hippos is not just about saving an iconic species; it's about preserving the balance of ecosystems and the well-being of human populations as well. The challenges are significant, but with continued effort, awareness and international support, the future for hippos can be bright. It's a testament to the resilience of nature and the power of collective action aimed at protecting our planet's remarkable biodiversity.

The hippopotamus, with its unique physical characteristics, significant ecological role, and the challenges it faces, is a symbol of the broader issues of wildlife conservation and environmental stewardship. By understanding more about these gentle giants, we can appreciate their place in the natural world and the importance of efforts to ensure their survival. Let's hope that future generations will have the opportunity to marvel at these incredible animals, not just in pictures or documentaries, but thriving in their natural habitats, a lasting legacy of our commitment to conservation.
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  Early voting numbers are still coming in, but the Louisiana presidential primary has lower turnout than in previous presidential election years.

Orleans Parish is seeing a 50% drop in voter turnout.

In 2020, we had right around 20,000 early voters and this year its at 10,000. So, its below half and that is a concern for everyone, said Orleans Parish Clerk of Court Darren Lombard.

New Orleans Regional Transit Authority offering free rides on election day

Even with President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump already the nominees for their respective parties, people are worried. Some voters are afraid low early voter turnout could foreshadow whats to come at the polls in November.

Its important to vote because if you dont vote, you dont have a voice. So, I always exercise my right to vote, and I make sure my kids do the same thing, said Brenda Wheeler.

As of March 1, there were around three million voters registered in Louisiana. Lombard hopes voters do their research and arrive at the polls confident about their choice.

There may be some voter fatigue over what is going on nationally and also what happened four years ago. That may be affecting voter motivation in this election. Hopefully, election day people will turn out, said Lombard.

This weekend and on election day, the number one thing voters should remember is to bring their IDs. Also, remember if you are in line past closing times you will still be eligible to vote.

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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Multiple North Texas nonprofits found out this week that they are on the receiving end of a generous donation.

Billionaire philanthropist and author MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, announced this week that shes giving $640 million to 361 small nonprofits that responded to an open call for applications.

MacKenzie Scott attends the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 4, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Credit: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)

Scott's organization Yield Giving gave more than double what Scott had initially pledged to give away in the first round through the application process.

READ MORE: MacKenzie Scott doubles planned nonprofit gifts  here's how much she's given away so far

Dallas Afterschool received $1 million, the Prison Entrepreneurship Program received $2 million, Bonton Farms received $2 million and the Epilepsy Foundation of Texas received $2 million.

"Dallas Afterschool is proud to be a recipient of the MacKenzie Scotts Yield Giving Open Call award," said Marjorie Murat, CEO of Dallas Afterschool in a statement. "It is an honor to be recognized amongst so many worthy organizations doing such meaningful work from across the nation."

The nonprofit says the money will help expand their mission to give children in Dallas County a quality afterschool program.

The Prison Entrepreneurship Program, which operates in Houston and Dallas, said the money will help their efforts to help five times as many people over the next five years.

South Dallas' Bonton Farms and the Epilepsy Foundation of Texas also celebrated the gift on social media.

Who is MacKenzie Scott?

Scott is a philanthropist, author and the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, to whom she was married for 25 years. As part of their divorce in 2019, she received a 4% stake in the online retailer, according to Forbes .

In 2019, Scott signed the Giving Pledge , a movement of philanthropists who promise to give the majority of their wealth to charitable causes, either during their lifetimes or in their wills.

"We each come by the gifts we have to offer by an infinite series of influences and lucky breaks we can never fully understand," Scott wrote in 2019 . "In addition to whatever assets life has nurtured in me, I have a disproportionate amount of money to share. My approach to philanthropy will continue to be thoughtful. It will take time and effort and care. But I wont wait. And I will keep at it until the safe is empty."

MacKenzie is going to be amazing and thoughtful and effective at philanthropy, and Im proud of her. Her letter is so beautiful. Go get em MacKenzie. https://t.co/S2gLLBQyRQ  Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) May 28, 2019

Scott has given away $16.5 billion from her fortune so far.

Initially, she publicized the gifts in online blog posts, sometimes naming the organizations and sometimes not.

She launched a database of her giving in December 2022, under the name Yield Giving.

MacKenzie Scotts Yield Giving donates millions

Last year, Scott launched an "open call" for nonprofits that the billionaire philanthropist could fund.

The open call asked for applications from nonprofits who are community-led with missions "to advance the voices and opportunities of individuals and families of meager or modest means," Yield Giving said on its website.

Only nonprofits with annual budgets between $1 and $5 million were eligible to apply.

The awardees were selected through a multilayer process, where applicants scored fellow applicants and then the top organizations were reviewed by a panel of outside experts.

In a brief note on her website, Scott wrote she was grateful to Lever for Change, the organization that managed the open call, and the evaluators for "their roles in creating this pathway to support for people working to improve access to foundational resources in their communities. They are vital agents of change."

Some 6,353 nonprofits applied for the $1 million grants when applications opened.

The 279 nonprofits that received top scores from an external review panel were awarded $2 million, while 82 organizations in a second tier received $1 million each.

"The donor team decided to expand the awardee pool and the award amount," said Lever for Change, which specializes in running philanthropic prize awards.

The increase in both the award amount and the number of organizations who were selected is "a pleasant surprise," said Elisha Smith Arrillaga, vice president at The Center for Effective Philanthropy. She is interested to learn more about the applicants' experience of the process and whether Scott continues to use this process going forward.

Competitions like Scott's open call can help organizations who do not have connections with a specific funder get considered, said Renee Karibi-Whyte, senior vice president, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

"One of the best things about prize philanthropy is that it surfaces people and organizations and institutions that otherwise wouldnt have access to the people in the power centers and the funding," she said. Her organization also advises funders who run competitive grants or philanthropic prize competitions to phase the application to diminish the burden of applying on any organization that is eliminated early.

Megan Peterson, executive director of the Minnesota-based nonprofit, Gender Justice, said the application was a rare opportunity to get noticed by Scott.

"Having seen the types of work that she has supported in the past, we did feel like, Oh, if only she knew that we were out here racking up wins," said Peterson.

Her organization has won lawsuits recently around access to emergency contraception and the rights of trans youth to play sports. They plan to use the funds to expand their work into North Dakota. Peterson said the funds must be used for tax exempt purposes but otherwise come with no restrictions or reporting requirements  just like Scott's previous grants.

"I think shes really helping to set a new path for philanthropy broadly, which is with that philosophy of: Find people doing good work and give them resources and then get out of the way," Peterson said of Scott. "I am grateful for not just the support individually, but the way in which I think she is having an impact on philanthropy broadly."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Major bipartisan health bills, including changes to the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) industry and hospital payment reforms, were excluded from the $1.2 trillion government funding bill after members failed to come to a last-minute agreement.

Lawmakers and aides said they were close to a bipartisan, bicameral agreement, but ultimately there were too many people involved with too many competing priorities to get the package over the finish line.

Lawmakers in both chambers said they are not giving up, but the next and potentially last opportunity to pass the reform package in this Congress likely wont be until after the November election.

Sources said a last-ditch attempt came together after an earlier package of appropriations bills also failed to include the reforms. It involved the leaders and ranking members of the health committees in the House and Senate, and it would have added new funding for community health centers, reformed hospital billing practices, and made changes to how PBMs operate.

But there wasnt enough time to come to a consensus; 8 out of 10 committee leaders and ranking members were on board, but there were two holdouts from the House. And leadership ultimately did not sign off, choosing to prioritize a clean funding bill.

Members arent giving up on the deal and are now plotting how best to forge ahead.

Theres open lines of communication. Were negotiating, and Im very encouraged, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) said.

The path [forward] is every single opportunity until we get it done. This ought to have been done yesterday, Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) told reporters, adding that the number of people involved made it difficult.

It wasnt even really four corners. You know, the traditional Capitol Hill lingo.  I think it was more like five or six corners, and threading the needle is a challenge. We got some work to do in the House, Wyden said.

All the potential health riders had bipartisan support, but some were still contentious.

For instance, one of the changes was aimed at making hospital billing more transparent. But the hospital industry was opposed.

Industry opposition similarly ended an earlier push to have Medicare pay hospitals the same amount as it pays doctors and stand-alone facilities for the same services.

In December, the House passed a bill that included a provision requiring Medicare to pay the same rates for infusion treatment, regardless of whether its done in a doctors office or in a stand-alone clinic.

Hospitals lobbied furiously against it, as they saw the provision as a slippery slope leading to more payment cuts. Republicans and Democrats expressed reservations, and it wasnt included in the first tranche of government funding earlier this month.

There was less opposition to PBM changes. The Finance Committee passed a package of PBM reforms in November by a 26-0 vote, and the House had its own set of reforms.

Ahead of the bill being released, pharmacy groups last week joined with Wyden and Senate Finance Committee ranking member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) to push for action on PBMs.

Wyden and Crapo sent a letter to the Finance Committee last week pledging their continued support for PBM reforms.

Simply put, our proposed reforms would lower consumer costs, protect small businesses, and save taxpayer dollars. We will continue engaging with all relevant committees and with congressional leadership to ensure the enactment of the priorities crafted and refined by Members across this committee, the senators wrote.

In a joint statement ahead of the bills introduction, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, the National Community Pharmacists Association and other stakeholders urged Congress not to waste the bipartisan momentum.

Congress is dangerously close to proving wrong the notion that its never too late to do the right thing, the groups wrote.

In the current must-pass legislation, Congress failure to enact PBM reforms for Americans in Medicare and Medicaid and for their pharmacies is nothing short of a wasted opportunity  at a moment when time cannot be wasted.

While there were earlier disagreements over whether to extend the PBM changes beyond Medicare to private insurance, those were seemingly resolved.

A source familiar with the negotiation process said it wasnt one specific policy that doomed the process, but rather that nobody involved wanted to separate their priorities from the larger package.

It wasnt just one policy. We had to get 10 corners in agreement, the source said. You had competing priorities between each committee, between the House and Senate, Republican and Democrat. It was a huge undertaking, but nobody wanted to let one thing go. Everything had to be discussed.

But another source placed the blame on congressional leadership for insisting on keeping the funding bill free from potential complications.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Majorities of voters in Michigan and Pennsylvania, two key swing states that helped President Biden win in 2020, are dissatisfied with their choices this year, according to polling released Friday.

The CNN surveys, conducted by SSRS, found that majorities of voters in the two battleground states arent happy that Biden and former President Trump are the leading candidates in the election this fall. Just 47 percent of voters in Pennsylvania and 46 percent in Michigan say theyre satisfied with them.

The surveys were conducted just after Biden and Trump clinched their respective parties nominations and kick-started the 2024 general election campaign, which is expected to feature another close race between Biden and Trump.

The new polling also found Trump and Biden are in a dead-even race in Pennsylvania, each earning 46 percent support among registered voters.

While Biden earned support among women, voters of color, college graduates and independent voters, he struggled with younger voters in Pennsylvania. He was about even with Trump among voters under the age of 35, CNN noted.

In Michigan, Trump has an 8-point lead; the former president secured 50 percent support, to Bidens 42 percent. The incumbent had less support among voters of color and trailed Trump among independents and young voters in Michigan.

In both states, Biden holds on to about 9 in 10 of his self-described 2020 supporters, while Trump keeps slightly more of his own 2020 voters, the network reported.

And while many voters say theyve already made up their mind, a sizable amount in each state say they have less solidly decided who to support. In Michigan, 45 percent of independents have yet to make up their mind, and 32 percent in Pennsylvania say the same.

According to The Hill/Decision Desk HQ, Biden trails Trump in Michigan; Trump holds 45.4 percent support while Biden has 42.1 percent. In Pennsylvania, Trump leads with 46.3 percent, while Biden has 41.5 percent.

The CNN polls were conducted March 13-18 among 1,097 Michigan voters and 1,132 Pennsylvania voters. The margin of error in Michigan is 3.6 percentage points and 3.8 percentage points in Pennsylvania.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Bloomberg) -- Malaysia abandoned its plan to do away with automatic citizenship for foundlings and abandoned children, following weeks of public criticism against the government.

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The Malaysian cabinet rejected a proposal to amend the constitution that would result in such children having to apply for citizenship, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution said at a briefing Friday. The Home Ministry had initially planned to present a bill on the matter to parliament once it gained the cabinets approval.

The decision was made amid plans by civil society groups such as Undi18 to protest the proposal outside parliament on Monday.

These amendments transcend partisan politics as it directly affects Malaysian stateless children and their future, Undi18 said ahead of Saifuddins briefing. It would have been the second street protest against the government in a month.

The widespread backlash against the Home Ministrys proposal points to the growing disillusionment toward Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahims government. Anwar rose to power in 2022 promising institutional reforms, but his approval rating has dipped amid a moderating economy and attempts to appeal to conservative voters.

Saifuddin had previously warned that Malaysias existing citizenship laws were open to abuse from the 3.5 million foreigners living in the country. He told parliament on March 11 there were incidents of foreigners refusing to pay hospital fees after giving birth and abandoning their babies, knowing that they would be granted automatic citizenship.

That reasoning did not go down well with critics. Malaysias Human Rights Commissioner Ragunath Kesavan last week said that the planned amendments were abhorrent and regressive and the government had not shown any justification for it during their engagements.

Other proposed amendments to Malaysias citizenship law, such as allowing automatic citizenship be granted to children born abroad to Malaysian mothers  a right that already exists for Malaysian fathers  has received the cabinets greenlight, Saifuddin said on Friday. He added that he would hold an engagement session with backbenchers on Monday regarding the matter.

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Members of a delegation of high school students from the U.S. state of Washington pose for a photo at the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall in Beijing, capital of China, March 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Gang)

BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Standing on a beacon tower of the Mutianyu Great Wall in Beijing, U.S. high school student Montserrat Romero-Rocha doodled her cartoon portrait on a message board on the wall, along with the words "Monce Loves China!"

Romero-Rocha, member of a delegation of high school students from the U.S. state of Washington, is visiting China from March 17 to 27, as part of a program dedicated to promoting youth communication and exchanges between the two countries. The delegation includes students and staff members from the state's Lincoln High School and Steilacoom High School.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, during his trip to the United States in November 2023, announced the program to invite 50,000 American youths to China in the next five years for exchanges and study.

"I was so excited as I never experienced this and I feel like it is such a cool thing," said Yuti Thakor, a girl from Steilacoom High School, as she learned from her father that it was President Xi who invited them to visit China.

"I don't know much about the Chinese culture, but seeing a lot of other people, trying to understand and communicate, and getting to know what they do is really interesting," said Thakor.

All 24 students in the delegation are visiting China for the first time. During their stay in Beijing, the delegation visited historical landmarks such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, and venues for hosting the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the 2022 Winter Olympics.

The students also visited the campuses of several Chinese schools, participated in cultural activities such as martial arts and fan painting with Chinese peers.

At Tsinghua University High School, 11th grader Shang Xinyue and her newly met U.S. friend, Annaliese Colbaugh from Lincoln High School, added each other as friends on WeChat. Colbaugh downloaded the social media app before coming to China, and Shang was her first Chinese friend on WeChat. Both girls share a common love for sports.

"I was surprised to see that she likes my moments post, and I hope we could keep in touch," Shang said.

Colbaugh's schoolmate Adian Russum wove seven hearts with red knitting wool as gifts for the Chinese students. During a social event held at the National Stadium, or the "Bird Nest", he gave one heart to Gong Tiantian, a 10th grader from Beijing No. 80 Middle School.

"I'm so glad I did decide to take this opportunity, otherwise, I don't think I will be able to learn as much as I am right now," said Russum.

As the event came to an end, Russum invited Gong to visit his school and told her to text him if she ever visits the United States.

Lincoln High School music teacher Lynn Eisenhauer is on her fourth trip to China. She still remembers the scene from Xi's visit to the school in 2015, where Xi invited 100 students from the school to visit China in the following year.

Eisenhauer, along with another over 100 staff and students from the school, visited China in 2016.

"The legacy continues. More students are allowed to have the experience," said Eisenhauer.

"For them to come here, to walk on the ground and to hear the stories, really gives them a grander idea of why relationships matter."

She said the excitement is to bring more kids to see the world from a different perspective. Their ideas change and grow over time, and they have friendship with individual students that may last for a lifetime.

"I believe in the power of the relationships between people and countries," Eisenhauer said, adding she hopes the students are "empowered to realize that they can be a part of something bigger than themselves."

"Even just meeting one of the students and having conversations, you move the world a little bit," she said.

The delegation left Beijing on Friday and headed to Shiyan in central China's Hubei Province. They will later visit Guangzhou and Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong Province. 

Chinese students teach a member of a delegation of high school students from the U.S. state of Washington to play guzheng, a classical Chinese zither, at Peking University in Beijing, capital of China, March 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Gang)

Members of a delegation of high school students from the U.S. state of Washington learn fan painting with Chinese students at Tsinghua University High School in Beijing, capital of China, March 18, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Gang)

Members of a delegation of high school students from the U.S. state of Washington pose for a photo in front of the Qianqing Gong, or the Palace of Heavenly Purity, at the Palace Museum in Beijing, capital of China, March 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

Members of a delegation of high school students from the U.S. state of Washington pose for a photo with Bing Dwen Dwen, mascot of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, and Shuey Rhon Rhon, mascot of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, at Big Air Shougang in Beijing, capital of China, March 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

Members of a delegation of high school students from the U.S. state of Washington visit the National Stadium, or the "Bird Nest", in Beijing, capital of China, March 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

Members of a delegation of high school students from the U.S. state of Washington visit the Capital University of Physical Education and Sports in Beijing, capital of China, March 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xin)
Editors note: The video above was originally posted on March 17, 2024.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11)  A man was arrested early Friday morning after a 19-year-old woman was fatally stabbed and her twin sister was injured outside a Brooklyn bodega, according to police.

Veo Kelly, 20, turned himself in with his attorney present at 8 a.m., sources said. Kelly was previously identified as the suspect in the stabbing of Samyia Spain by authorities.

The stabbing happened on Sunday near 4th Avenue and St. Marks Place in Park Slope. Kelly allegedly encountered the 19-year-old sisters and got aggressive with them when they rejected his advances, according to authorities.

Kelly is accused of arguing with them, police said. A man the sisters were with got into a fight with the suspect, according to authorities.

Police ID man whose body parts were found in LI parks

Thats when Spain was stabbed in the neck and chest, police said. She was taken to an area hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Police previously said they had video footage that showed Kelly in the bodega before the stabbing. He was attending a nearby party and believed to be drunk before he went to the bodega, according to authorities.

Police said Kelly had one prior arrest for robbery. Detectives found the clothes Kelly was wearing the night of the stabbing in his apartment, but did not recover the knife used, according to authorities.

A GoFundMe page has been created for Spain. The fundraiser can be found here.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
A Lexington man was arrested Friday in connection with a shooting earlier this week that left a woman with life-threatening injuries and a man hurt as well.

Mark Conley, 28, has been charged in connection with the shooting on Winchester Road early Sunday, the Lexington Police Department said in a news release Friday night.

Police said they found the woman who had been shot when they were called to the 900 block of Winchester at 2:34 a.m. The man who had been shot showed up at a local hospital while police were still at the scene, police said in the release.

Detectives were able to identify Conley as the suspect and find him with the help of traffic cameras, Flock license plate readers and the Real-Time Intelligence Center, police said in the release.

Conley is charged with first-degree assault, police said. The jail website indicates that he was also wanted in Ohio on a charge of fentanyl possession and in Texas on a charge of assaulting a security officer.

Conley was taken to the Fayette County Detention Center, where he was being held on $50,000 bond, according to the jail website.
The man said that he needed to get home to see his family (Getty Images)

A Texas man has been arrested after he managed to board a Delta Air Lines flight by using a photo he took of another passengers boarding pass while he was not looking.

The 26-year-old Wicliff Yves Fleurizard is facing one count of stowing away on a vessel or aircraft after he boarded the flight without a ticket, according to a complaint filed in a Utah district court on Monday.

Security footage allegedly captured Mr Fleurizard taking pictures of the phones and boarding passes of multiple passengers before boarding was called for a flight to Austin, Texas, while in Salt Lake City Internationa Airport on 17 March.

Mr Fleurizard was able to snap the photos while the passengers were not looking, the complaint alleged.

Once the plane started to board, Mr Fleurizard got onto the aircraft and went into the front lavatory, where he spent a significant amount of time while other passengers filed onto the flight.

It was only after boarding was complete and the doors were secured that Mr Fleurizard emerged from the lavatory and made his way to the back of the plane, where he entered another lavatory.

After he left the lavatory, a flight attendant noticed that there were no seats available and went up to Mr Fleurizard to try to assist him, the complaint stated.

At this point, the plane had already pushed back from the gate and had begun taxiing to the runway.

The man told the attendant that his seat was 21F, but the crew verified that the person who bought the ticket for that seat was already sitting there.

Flight attendants obtained Mr Fleurizards actual name and realised that he did not have a ticket for this flight after searching on their system.

The plane was forced to taxi back to the gate, where Mr Fleurizard was contacted by law enforcement.

Mr Fleurizard told police that he was visiting Park City, Utah, on a snowboarding trip, and was using his friends Southwest buddy pass to get home; however, the two flights he tried to get on with that airline were both full.

He added that he needed to get home to see his family.

The complaint stated that Mr Fleurizard admitted he had made a mistake and was only trying to get home.

Police told CNN that he is being held at Salt Lake County Metro Jail on a federal detainer.

Delta Air Lines also said in a statement to The Independent that they are cooperating with authorities in the investigation.

Delta is cooperating with law enforcement and relevant federal agencies regarding an investigation into a non-ticketed individual being escorted off DL 1863 on March 17 aircraft in Salt Lake City prior to a scheduled departure, they said.

The Independent has contacted Mr Fleurizards attorney and Delta Air Lines for comment.
A man was accused of breaking into an Orange County home while three women were still asleep inside.

The suspect was identified as Michael Alan Garnett, Jr., 44, according to the Westminster Police Department.

On March 20, Garnett allegedly broke into a home in the 14800 block of Cordoba Plaza in Westminster shortly before 6 a.m.

During the invasion, three women were still asleep in their bedrooms, police said.

One woman was suddenly awakened by loud noises. Thats when she discovered Garnett inside the home. He had broken in through a sliding glass door that was attached to the womans bedroom, police said.

A second woman who heard the intrusion ran outside the home to escape, while the third woman stayed behind and attempted to speak to the suspect.

Dangerous felon at large after walking away from halfway house in O.C.

At one point, Garnett reportedly lifted his shirt and brandished a hammer. He eventually asked for food. The women followed him into the kitchen and gave him something to eat while waiting for the police to arrive.

Garnett sat on the living room couch as he ate a banana and drank from a bottle of whiskey he had found in the home.

Arriving officers eventually took the man into custody. Authorities believe he may be an unhoused person.

I can only imagine how terrifying this must have been for the three victims, their quick thinking aided in the police response and probably saved them from harm, said Deputy Chief Cameron Knauerhaze.

Garnett was arrested on charges of armed robbery and burglary.

The incident remains under investigation by Westminster polices Major Crimes Unit. Anyone with additional information can call Detective J. Figueroa at 714-548-3783.

Anonymous tips can be provided to OC Crime Stoppers at 1-855-847-6227 or online at occrimestoppers.org.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
(FOX40.COM)  A man was found guilty by a Sutter County jury on Wednesday nearly 25 years after the fatal stabbing of his estranged wife.

Francisco Arellano was convicted of first-degree murder in the July 26, 1999 death of his wife Blanca Duenas-Arellano, according to the Sutter County District Attorneys Office.

Duenas-Arellano was 32 years old when she was found dead in her Yuba City apartment. Prosecutors said she was stabbed 13 times in her abdomen, chest, arms, and right leg, and a phone cord was wrapped around her neck four times, according to testimony.

Prosecutors said Arellano testified he acted in self-defense.

There is no valid theory of self-defense in this case, Sutter County District Attorney Jennifer Dupre said in a Facebook post. There is no way that (Arellano) didnt use more force than was reasonably necessary to defend himself against anyone.

Man arrested for hate crime in Folsom after attacking woman near parking garage, police say

Arellano, who was 27 at the time of the murder, emerged as the prime suspect and fled from Yuba City to Mexico with his and his wifes two children following her death, the DAs office said.

His whereabouts were unknown for 20 years until investigators learned that Arellano was living in Morales, Mexico in 2019. Prosecutors from the DAs office and Yuba City Police began working with the U.S. Office of International Affairs to extradite Arellano to California.

Agents from the U.S. Marshals arrested Arellano in Mexico on June 22, 2022. Arellano was later extradited from Mexico on Nov. 18, 2022, and was transported back to Yuba City where he was booked into Sutter County Jail.

Arellano will return to court on April 26 for his sentencing. He is facing a maximum sentence of 25 years to life.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
DENVER (KDVR)  A man was critically injured in an early morning shooting in Commerce City.

According to the Commerce City Police Department, officers were called to a shooting in the area of East 72nd Avenue and Magnolia Street on Friday at about 2 a.m.

Officers said a man was shot and taken to a local hospital in critical condition. Two guns were recovered at the scene and detectives are working to identify a suspect or suspects.

Police believe the man was shot at that location.

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At this time, there are no suspects in custody and police are still at the scene investigating.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Commerce City Police Department or the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and still be eligible for a cash reward.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
UNITED NATIONS, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Violence sinks nearly half the population of Haiti to a crisis or worse food insecurity levels as gangsters block some meal distribution efforts, UN humanitarians said on Friday.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on the latest official Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis. It said the figures continue to worsen. Nearly 5 million people in the country -- almost half the population -- face crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 and higher).

OCHA said the figure includes more than 1.6 million people facing "emergency" (IPC Phase 4) levels.

The office said that the most severely affected areas are in Haiti's breadbasket of the Artibonite valley, where armed groups have taken over farmland and stolen harvested crops. Also hard-hit are the West department, rural parts of Grand Anse in the south, and several poor neighborhoods in the capital of Port-au-Prince, including Croix des Bouquets and Cite Soleil, which saw pockets of catastrophic hunger (IPC Phase 5) in late 2022.

Still, OCHA said the United Nations and humanitarian partners continue to do everything possible to support Haitians. Unhindered and safe access is urgently needed.

The World Food Programme (WFP) reported that the gang violence and roadblocks on Thursday prevented the UN agency and local partners from distributing as many hot meals as planned. The WFP reached only 9,300 displaced people out of the more than 17,000 the agency intended to assist.

However, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said it and its local partners delivered more than 60,000 liters of drinking water across five sites for displaced people in the capital on Friday.

Despite the risks of passing through gang-controlled routes, the IOM said people continue to flee Port-au-Prince. The agency reported that more than 33,000 people left since March 8.

OCHA said the humanitarian response plan for Haiti for 2024, which requires 674 million U.S. dollars, is just 6.5 percent funded, with only 43.5 million dollars received. 
AUSTIN (KXAN)  An Austin man was arrested March 14 and charged in connection with a homicide investigation from December 2023, according to Travis County court documents filed Monday.

An arrest affidavit showed 21-year-old Johnathan Matthew Silguero faced one count of capital murder by terror threat.

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KXAN searched for attorney information for Silguero, but none was found. This story will be updated if an attorney is later listed and KXAN receives a statement.

On Dec. 26, officers with the Austin Police Department responded to a call regarding a man found beaten and bloody in an alleyway in the 1700 block of West Braker Lane.

The man, later identified as Hector Diaz-Esparza, was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy was performed, and it was determined his cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head.

At the scene, investigators found a cell phone belonging to Diaz-Esparza. A digital forensic examination of the phone showed messages between Silguero and Diaz-Esparza.

Court documents said law enforcement officials used the messages sent from Silguero to Diaz-Esparza and surveillance camera footage to identify Silguero as a suspect in the investigation.

According to the affidavit, Diaz-Esparza was meeting with Silguero to purchase a firearm for $400.

According to a search warrant, law enforcement officials requested to search a residence where Silguero lived. Officials were searching for items to show ownership, specific stolen property, suspect clothing, blood evidence, trace forensics, electronically stored data, cell phones and weapons, including blunt objects and firearms.

As of Thursday, Travis County jail records showed no bond set for Silguero.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN)  A man was arrested Thursday on a murder charge in connection with a December fentanyl overdose death.

According to law enforcement officials, Kreli Haynes was arrested by U.S. Marshals and the Cedar Park Police Department on a warrant out of Williamson County.

The warrant was issued in connection with an incident where a 16-year-old boy in Leander was found dead from an alleged fentanyl overdose.

Court records didnt list an attorney for Haynes. This story will be updated when that information is received and if a statement on behalf of Haynes is provided.

Law enforcement said an investigation linked Haynes to the sale of the fentanyl, which later led to his arrest.

Haynes also faces additional charges of possession of a controlled substance and the unlawful carrying of a firearm.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  A man was taken to Huntsville Hospital after a fight led to a stabbing Thursday afternoon, authorities said.

HEMSI Spokesperson Don Webster told News 19 that the call about the stabbing came in around 3:19 p.m.

Parent concerned after incident where MCSS bus carrying students ran off-road

The Huntsville Police Department (HPD) said officers responded to reports of a fight between two people in the area of Matic Road and Deerfield Road. HPD says one person received multiple cuts during the incident.

Police confirmed 44-year-old James McGinnis and 47-year-old Tyrone Hopson were both arrested and charged with second-degree aggravated assault.

Webster said a man was transported to Huntsville Hospital Trauma Services with stab wounds. The man is stable at this time but was still being evaluated as of 4:30 p.m., according to Webster.

The police department said the fight appears to have started over the attempted theft of gas.

HPD added the incident is still under investigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
BONSALL, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  A man killed in a wrong-way Bonsall crash over the weekend resulted in the arrest of a suspected DUI driver, authorities said.

The collision occurred around 11:24 p.m. on Gopher Canyon Road, east of Hoxie Ranch Road, Officer Hunter Gerber with the California Highway Patrol said in a news release Thursday.

Authorities say a 29-year-old Valley Center woman, identified as Janely Magali Bautista, was driving a brown Chevrolet Silverado eastbound on Gopher Canyon Road when she turned into the westbound traffic lane and crashed into a white Toyota Camry.

Police activity shuts down traffic on I-5 near La Jolla Village Drive

When first responders arrived on scene, the driver of the Toyota, a 51-year-old woman of Vista, and her 52-year-old male passenger were taken to the hospital. Gerber confirmed the man died while the Toyota driver suffered major injuries.

Bautista, who suffered minor injuries, was arrested on suspicion of murder, felony driving under the influence and gross vehicular manslaughter, according to CHP.

Both lanes of Gopher Canyon Road were closed during the crash investigation.

Anyone with information or video of the crash is asked to contact the CHP Oceanside office at 760-643-3400.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  Isaiah Augustine Bob, a 39-year-old enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the murder of his friend. The murder occurred in 2020.

At the time, the friend  identified only as John Doe  invited Bob to stay at his home in Church Rock, New Mexico. In December of 2020, Bob beat John Doe to death following an argument, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

Man with police and cartel ties sentenced for drug trafficking

Later, in 2023, Bob pled guilty to second degree murder in Indian Country. At a recent sentencing, a federal judge adjusted Bobs sentence upwards because John Doe was particularly vulnerable to the attack.

Now, Bob will serve 15 years in prison. He will then be subject to five years of supervised release.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
Manhunt underway for squatters accused of killing woman found in suitcase in Manhattan

KIPS BAY, Manhattan (PIX11)  A multi-state manhunt is underway for a pair of squatters accused of killing a mother and stuffing her in a suitcase in Manhattan, according to officials.

Concerned family members of 52-year-old Nadia Vitel, of Long Island, called the super of an East 31st Street apartment building in Kips Bay to check on her last Thursday, according to authorities. He called 911, and thats when her body was discovered in a suitcase in a closet, police said.

Vitels dog was also found in the apartment, unharmed.

Police believe the squatters snuck inside the apartment on March 10. The victim came to the apartment two days later to clean it for family friends, according to authorities.

Mom left Manhattan home for cigarettes when fire critically injured toddlers: NYPD

The suspects were then seen on video leaving in the victims Lexus, police said. Her stolen car was found crashed in Pennsylvania by police.

The duo is still on the run, according to authorities. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said authorities know who the suspects are, and are actively looking for them.

Lawmakers are now looking to make squatting a form of criminal trespassing. A bill filed by a Long Island politician would take away squatters rights.

The bill is currently being considered by state lawmakers.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
UNITED NATIONS, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Algeria's permanent representative to the United Nations, Amar Bendjama, told the Security Council (UNSC) on Friday the U.S. draft resolution would have given green light to "continuing bloodshed."

Bendjama made the remarks after a U.S.-proposed draft resolution regarding Gaza failed to be adopted by the Security Council.

"Had the Security Council passed its resolution of late February, thousands of innocent lives could have been saved," the ambassador said.

Bendjama added that since the United States circulated its draft over a month ago, Algeria had proposed reasonable edits to achieve a "more balanced and acceptable text." He acknowledged that some of their proposals had been included but "core concerns remained unaddressed."

Bendjama has emphasized the urgency of an "immediate ceasefire" to prevent further loss of life but regrettably the draft fell short, and his country had therefore voted against it.

The ambassador noted that the immense suffering endured by the Palestinian people over five months has resulted in the tragic loss of life of more than 32,000 people in Gaza. More than 74,000 have been injured, with 12,000 suffering permanent disabilities.

These figures represent lives, dreams and hopes that have been destroyed, he said, stressing that the U.S. text made no mention of Israel's responsibility for their deaths.

The Arab and Islamic world needs acknowledgement that "Israel will be held accountable," he said.

The operation in Rafah would have devastating consequences if it goes ahead, he added.

This was the fourth attempt to pass any kind of ceasefire resolution at the council. U.S. permanent representative to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, has vetoed three previous resolutions, in October, December, and February.

February's resolution tabled by Algeria received 13 votes of approval and one abstention from Britain. Russia and China were among those who criticized the United States for voting against the resolution for a third time. 
Brackets may already be busted, but you can still grab a deal while the madness continues.

Grubhub is joining the excitement, and offering deals on fast food favorites like Taco Bell, Popeyes, Wendys, Buffalo Wild Wings and more.

From March 21 to April 8, the following freebies will be offered through Grubhub:

BOGO on Cantina Menu items from Taco Bell

Free Baconator from Wendys

Free 6-piece wings from Popeyes

BOGO on chicken wings from Buffalo Wild Wings

Discounts off your totals from Pizza Hut, 7-Eleven, Chilis, Wendys, Jersey Mikes & Applebees

The deals continue on Grubhub throughout the whole tournament, with more offers the closer we get to crowning a new champion.

TGI Fridays is offering six free boneless wings to any customers willing to show them their failed bracket from March 19 through April 8 (with food or non-alcoholic drink purchase).

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Marco Rubio, the Florida senator who once suggested the size of Donald Trumps hands indicated smaller-than-average reproductive anatomy when he and the future president both ran for president eight years ago, has indicated a willingness to serve as Mr Trumps vice president should the 45th president succeed in becoming the 47th after the November presidential election.

The Sunshine States junior senator said on Thursday that it would be an honour for Mr Trump to choose him as his 2024 running-mate after NBC News reported that he is under consideration, citing sources close to the ex-president.

I think anybody who would be offered that should be honored, but Ive never spoken to anybody in the Trump world about it, he said.

Because the US Constitution doesnt allow the president and vice president to be residents of the same state, selecting Mr Rubio as his running mate would require the former president to change his primary residence from Mar-a-Lago, his Palm Beach, Florida social club and the site where he allegedly stored hundreds of classified documents after he left the White House following his 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden.

In such an instance, Mr Trump could re-establish residency in New York, where he lived from birth until he moved to Washington at the start of his term in 2017.

Selecting the Florida senator as his vice president would represent a significant rapprochement between the two men, who attacked each other in vulgar terms when they squared off for the GOP nomination during the 2016 election cycle.

During one March 2016 primary debate, Mr Rubio responded to Mr Trump calling him little Marco by suggesting that Mr Trumps genitals were undersized by remarking on the size of the New Yorkers hands.

And you know what they say about guys with small hands, said Mr Rubio, who was then a sitting senator while Mr Trump was merely a real estate developer turned reality television host.

The future president defended his manhood shortly thereafter, falsely claiming that no one had ever commented on his hand size before even though the now-defunct Spy magazine had routinely referred to him as a short-fingered vulgarian.

I have to say this, he hit my hands. Nobody has ever hit my hands. Ive never heard of this one. Look at those hands. Are they small hands? And he referred to my hands if theyre small, something else must be small, he said. I guarantee you theres no problem. I guarantee you.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell in 2022. Photo by Gage Skidmore (modified) | Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0

During a March 6 press conference in Queen Creek, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced the arrests of four persons for the murder of 16-year-old Preston Lord. Three more arrests came the following day.

Mitchell called the arrests a great leap forward in obtaining justice for Lord, who was badly beaten by a group of teenagers at an Oct. 28 Halloween party in Queen Creek. He died two days later from his injuries.

The media has linked Lords murder to a spate of juvenile violence in the southeast Valley, connected in part to a group referred to as the Gilbert Goons.

On Lords killing alone, Mitchell said her team spent hundreds of hours logging and receiving evidence, including the Queen Creek Police Departments 2,000-page report on the homicide, as well as 600 videos submitted by the department.

The county attorney explained that her office impaneled a special investigative grand jury on Feb. 7 that issued subpoenas and took testimony from witnesses. This is unlike an ordinary grand jury that hears several cases a day.

If you have any doubt Lords homicide received special scrutiny, consider Mitchells words at a Jan. 24 press conference at her office in downtown Phoenix.

Mitchell told reporters pressing her about the Lord investigation that she had met with Lords family, something she admitted she ordinarily does not do. And she was receiving daily briefings from her staff on their review of the evidence.

Asked how many in her office were working on the Lord case, Mitchell declined to give a number, but she said she had investigators, prosecutors, support staff, victim advocates, criminal analysts and paralegals dedicated to the case.

Considering the media feeding frenzy and the public outcry over Lords murder, its not surprising that Mitchell, who is running for reelection this year, would devote so much of her offices resources to the Lord investigation.

However, most homicides in Maricopa County do not receive the Preston Lord treatment. Thats significant, because there is a lot of bloodshed in this county.

According to the most recent statistics from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, there were 283 murders and non-negligent homicides in Maricopa County in 2023. The bulk occurred in Phoenix: 198 per the Phoenix Police Department.

By contrast, DPS stats show that the Gilbert Police Department reported four homicides in 2023. Chandler reported seven. Queen Creek reported zero. (Apparently, Lords homicide has not yet been added to the count.)

The MCAOs online data dashboard further reveals that five of Phoenixs eight police districts referred more cases to the MCAO for prosecution than Queen Creek, Gilbert or Chandler.

Hands down, these three cities are some of the safest places to live in Maricopa County. They are also quite affluent. Phoenixs poverty rate is higher, its median income is lower.

And yet, the Preston Lord case and the Gilbert Goons have dominated local media in the past few months.

This is not to say the public should not have been outraged or that the press should not cover the case. But I cant help but wonder: Where is the outrage for Phoenixs dead? Where is the media firestorm, demanding that Mitchell avenge the fallen?

Sure, the squeaky wheel gets the WD-40. I witnessed that at Mitchells Jan. 24 press conference, where the only name on nearly all reporters lips was Preston Lords. One local news station had three reporters present to question Mitchell about Lord. Another news outlet sent two.

Journalists practically demanded indictments from Mitchell. To her credit, Mitchell pushed back, pointing out that she could not just indict anyone she wanted.

Reporters asked her about legislative attempts to ban brass knuckles, which were reportedly utilized in some Goon attacks.

Mitchell replied that, with or without a ban, there would always be a weapon when it came to murder, be it fists or feet.

I recently interviewed a mother in west Phoenix about her son, who she lost to gun violence. She said she wished the attack on her boy had been done with brass knuckles instead of a Glock. Then he might still be alive.

Phoenixs crime problem is aggravated by the Phoenix Police Departments manpower shortage. The department is down more than 560 officers. Its cold case homicide unit has three sworn officers and two civilian investigators  and more than 3,000 unsolved homicides.

As for gangs in the Valley, former DPS Director Heston Silbert recently told me there are hundreds. The MCAOs data dashboard lists law enforcement referrals tied to 29 different gangs. The Gilbert Goons is not on the list. It may be a gang, but its hardly the countys most deadly or prolific.

This is not to downplay youth violence in the Southeast Valley. The public, the media and law enforcement were correct to seek justice for Preston Lord and his family.

But Maricopa County is filled with victims and grieving relatives. They deserve equal resources, sympathy and the same indignation for the criminals whove harmed them.

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The post Maricopa County is filled with victims who arent getting the Preston Lord treatment appeared first on Arizona Mirror.
Marjorie Taylor Greene initiated the process to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson as the US House of Representatives narrowly passed a bill to avoid a government shutdown despite the objections of conservatives like the Georgia Republican who support former president Donald Trump.

Ms Greene filed a motion to vacate the speaker as the House was still voting on the spending agreement.

A two-thirds majority was reached to pass the spending package  286 voted in favour and 134 voted against.

This is a betrayal of Republican voters, Ms Greene told reporters on Friday. The bill ... forced Republicans to choose between funding to pay our soldiers and in doing so, funding late-term abortion  this bill was basically a dream and a wish list for Democrats and for the White House.

The Senate voted to 74-24 early Saturday morning, allowing the government to stay open and sending the bill to President Joe Biden, who said he would sign the legislation immediately once it reaches his desk. The bill will keep the government open until the end of Fiscal Year 2024 on 30 September.

Ms Greene said the process was completely led by [Democratic Senate Majority Leader] Chuck Schumer, not our Republican Speaker of the House, not our conference, and we weren't even allowed to put amendments to the floor to have a chance to make changes to the bill.

Unlike Representative Matt Gaetzs motion to vacate last year that ousted Kevin McCarthy as speaker, Ms Greenes will not trigger a vote within two legislative days. Rather, Ms Greene said she wanted to put Mr Johnson on notice rather than oust him.

I filed the motion to vacate today, but it's more of a warning than a pink slip, she added. Its time for us to go through the process, take our time and find a new speaker of the House that will stand with Republicans and our Republican majority instead of standing with the Democrats.

Republicans in the House told The Independent they had little appetite to join in a motion to vacate after last years ouster of Mr McCarthy left the House without a speaker for 22 days. Republican Arizona Representative Juan Ciscomani told The Independent that the filing of the motion to vacate was very unfortunate.

He added that he didnt support the motion to vacate former Mr McCarthy last autumn. This is a bad idea again.

Mr Johnson argued in a statement that House Republicans achieved conservative policy wins, rejected extreme Democrat proposals, and imposed substantial cuts while significantly strengthening national defense.

The process was also an important step in breaking the omnibus muscle memory and represents the best achievable outcome in a divided government, he added.

As the House voted on Friday, Texas Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett told The Independent that it was about damn time that the funding agreement was passed.

Asked about the months of struggles to fund the government, Republican Wisconsin Representative Mike Gallagher said, Divided government is hard, and we still got a lot of work left to do. So we'll see what happens.

He added that he wasnt concerned about the motion to vacate the speaker. Hours later, Mr Gallagher announced that he would resign from Congress, reducing the Republican majority down to one vote.

New York Republican Representative Mike Lawler told reporters that the American people agree with us on the issues. What they dont agree with is the idiocy and the chaos that is totally unnecessary and does nothing to actually solve the problem.

The people that are so upset about this bill today should have thought ... long and hard before they removed Kevin McCarthy as speaker, he added.

Ive won twice in two-to-one Democratic districts because Ive taken a common sense bipartisan approach, and thats what Ill continue to do. I call it as I see it ... and this stunt by Marjorie is idiotic, he told The Independent.

Michigan Republican Rep Lisa McClain said it was about time that the spending agreement was passed, adding that she was concerned about the motion to vacate the speaker.

To what end? Weve got to move forward ... I don't know what this accomplishes, she said.

Maryland Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin told the press that their party lives on insurrection and division and polarisation and so it doesn't surprise me that they're again cannibalizing themselves.

This is the Donald Trump playbook that has overtaken the Republican Party and for people interested in democracy, freedom and effective governance, the Democratic Party has a plan, he told The Independent.

The spending bill is part of an agreement by House and Senate leadership as well as the leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. Earlier this month, Congress passed six spending bills and a stopgap spending bill to allow for negotiations to continue for some of the more contentious pieces of legislation.

Conservatives objected to the fact that the legislation did not make steep enough spending cuts and the House Freedom Caucus had called for Mr Johnson to put in place more measures to restrict immigration at the US-Mexico border.

Conversely, progressives objected to cuts in funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York called unconscionable.

At the same time, the legislation also includes 12,000 special immigrant visas for Afghans who assisted US servicemembers during the war in Afghanistan.

The so-called minibus spending bill contains the remaining six spending bills to fund the State Department; the Pentagon; the Department of Homeland Security; Congress; the Department of Health and Human Services; the Department of Education; financial services and the general government.

Republicans pushed to include amendments on immigration. Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas accused Mr Schumer of trying to shield vulnerable Democrats from taking tough votes.

In response, when Senator Jon Tester, a Democrat from Montana up for re-election, saw Mr Cotton, he told reporters did Cotton say they're holding amendments because of John tester because if he did, he might be full of something that comes off the back of a cow.

It shows how this place is broken, Senator Jon Tester, a Democrat from Montana, told The Independent about how the process being dragged out.

The push for amendments also came as Senator Susan Collins, the top Republican on the Appropriations Committee, hoped to return to Maine on Saturday for her mothers funeral. An eventual agreement for amendment votes came in the early hours of Saturday as the White House Office of Management and Budget announced agencies would continue normal operations.

The passage of the spending bill allows for the House and Senate to begin a two-week vacation. But it does not mean the end of work on spending bills. Congress will either need to once again craft 12 spending bills by 30 September or pass another stopgap spending bill before they break again for an October recess.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., told reporters on Friday that she filed a motion to vacate House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., accusing him of having "betrayed" the "confidence" of the House GOP Conference by ushering through a bipartisan $1.2 trillion federal funding bill to avoid a partial government shutdown.

Johnson won the gavel in late October after his predecessor was ousted by a motion to vacate resolution earlier that month.

"It's more of a warning and a pink slip," Greene told reporters after filing the motion. "Theres not a time limit on this, it doesnt have to be forced... But I'm not saying that it won't happen in two weeks, or it won't happen."

HOUSE PASSES $460 BILLION GOVERNMENT FUNDING BILL BLASTED BY GOP HARDLINERS

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, left, and House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Earlier, while the House was voting on the package, three GOP lawmakers on the House floor told Fox News Digital that Greene made the consequential move.

During the vote, Fox News Digital witnessed Greene sign a paper at the front of the chamber and pass it off to House staff. Her office has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

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Johnson's office told Fox News Digital in a statement, "Speaker Johnson always listens to the concerns of members, but is focused on governing. He will continue to push conservative legislation that secures our border, strengthens our national defense, and demonstrates how we'll grow our majority."

GOP HARDLINERS FURIOUS AT JOHNSON FOR PASSING ANOTHER SHORT-TERM SPENDING BILL WITH DEMS: 'USUAL C--P'

Greene filing a motion to vacate does not necessarily require a vote, as was the case with ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., being booted. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., had filed a "privileged resolution" to oust McCarthy in early October, meaning House leaders were forced to act on it within two legislative days.

The previous House speaker, ex-Rep. Kevin McCarthy, was ousted in early October.

Greene's motion is not privileged, so there is nothing forcing the House to take it up unless she acts. Former Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., made a similar move with ex-Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, in 2015 though Boehner stepped down before the motion could be acted on.

Even so, it would likely have to wait  Congress is leaving Washington on Friday for a two-week recess.

Fox News Digital heard from a fourth GOP lawmaker on Friday morning who believed Greene would be filing the motion. When asked why they thought so, the lawmaker said Greene "went in" with McCarthy as an ally and "got burned by the base" of conservative voters. "She's trying to redeem herself," they added.

HOUSE SPEAKER JOHNSON SAYS WHITE HOUSE DOESN'T 'CALL THE SHOTS' ON WHEN IMPEACHMENT IS OVER

In her remarks to reporters on Friday, Greene blasted Johnson for the massive $1.2 trillion spending deal, calling it "a dream and a wish list for Democrats and for the White House."

"I respect our conference. I paid all my dues to my conference. I'm a member in good standing and I do not wish to inflict pain on our conference. But this is basically a warning for us to go through the process, take our time, and find a new speaker of the House that will stand with Republicans," Greene said.

Rank-and-file GOP lawmakers like Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., blasted the Georgia firebrand's move. "I think it's not only idiotic, but it actually does not do anything to advance the conservative movement. And in fact, it undermines the country and our majority," Lawler told reporters.

Rep. Matt Gaetz filed the motion to oust Rep. Kevin McCarthy as House speaker.

A vote on vacating the chair would likely occur after a motion to table the resolution or referring it to committee  procedural steps that would essentially kill the move.

If the procedural votes failed, then the House would have to vote on whether to actually oust Johnson.

Johnson would only be able to lose two Republican lawmakers' support if all Democrats voted against him  which may not be the case.

Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., told multiple outlets he would vote to save Johnson. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., suggested similarly on X, writing, "I do not support Speaker Johnson but I will never stand by and let MTG to take over the peoples House."





Original article source: Marjorie Taylor Greene files motion to oust Speaker Johnson
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has filed a motion to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson.

The move came as the House of Representatives voted in favor of a spending bill that would avoid another government shutdown.

It is the will of our voters, and it is the will of Republicans across the country that this bill should not be brought to the floor that this bill will, will absolutely destroy our majority and well tell every single one of our voters that this majority is a failure, Greene said on the House floor Friday.

Greenes motion to vacate comes about 5 months after former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was removed in similar fashion.

With the narrowest majority in modern times, Johnson has a weak grasp on his Republicans in the House.

Greene has warned she would try to remove the speaker if he pushes ahead with a package to support Ukraine as it battles Russias invasion.

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Johnson, who has refused to put a $95 billion Senate-passed national security package with Ukraine funds to a House vote, has nevertheless promised to fund Ukraine as the next priority.

No Republican in the House of Representatives in good conscience can vote for this bill. It is a complete departure of all of our principles, especially if you call yourself pro-life, Greene said.

Under current House rules, any member can make the motion privileged, which would require leaders to schedule a vote within two legislative days. But it can also simply sit until lawmakers return next month.

The House is scheduled to leave town for a two-week spring recess at the end of Fridays session, and its doubtful any vote on removing Johnson, of Louisiana, would be imminent.

Its doubtful any vote on Johnsons removal would be imminent. Johnsons spokesman says hes focused on governing.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

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Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to boot Speaker Mike Johnson from his chair on Friday, shortly after the House passed a $1.2 trillion spending deal to avoid a government shutdown that drew widespread opposition from conservatives.

But it was immediately unclear how many other members supported the Georgia congresswomans move, or when it might lead to a no-confidence vote.

Greene did not file her motion to vacate as privileged, which would have forced a vote within two legislative days, effectively guaranteeing a referendum on Johnsons leadership after the Houses upcoming two-week recess. Instead, she submitted it as an ordinary motion, which will be sent to a committee for review.

I filed the motion to vacate today, but its more of a warning than a pink slip, Greene said while speaking to reporters on the steps of the Capitol. She emphasized that she did plan to trigger a vote eventually, but had no specific timeline  only that the clock has started for Republicans to begin the process to elect a new speaker.

It doesnt have to be forced and throw the house into chaos. I dont want to put any of our members in a difficult place like we were for three and a half weeks, she added, referring to the month-long leadership battle that ensued after a small group of Republicans toppled former speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Greene accused Johnson of violating procedural rules that House Republicans had agreed to and of failing to win concessions on the border and abortion from Democrats during the spending negotiations. The government funding deal passed earlier on Friday with support from less than half the Republican conference.

You know when another video that everyone is watching today? Its the illegals rushing our border military-aged men running over Border Patrol running over the Texas National Guard, Greene said. And Mike Johnson, the Republican Speaker of the House, handed over every ounce of negotiating power to Chuck Schumer and the Democrats and went ahead and funded the government. When this was our point of leverage.

A spokesman for Johnson said that the speaker always listens to the concerns of members, but is focused on governing. Johnson did not address the motion directly in a later statement to reporters, but defended the spending deal.

During the FY24 appropriations process, House Republicans achieved conservative policy wins, rejected extreme Democrat proposals, and imposed substantial cuts while significantly strengthening national defense, Johnson said. The process was also an important step in breaking the omnibus muscle memory and represents the best achievable outcome in a divided government.

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Johnson has found himself in an increasingly precarious position with hardline Republicans in the House, whove complained bitterly about the lack of policy wins in this years spending agreement and staged a series of mini-rebellions by tanking routine rule votes. Johnson has been forced in turn to rely on Democratic votes to pass legislation.

Greene, who backed Johnson when he ran to replace McCarthy, has become one of the speakers most vocal critics. In January, she publicly warned that she would file a motion to vacate his seat if he passed new aid to Ukraine.

The View From House Republicans

But many Republican members have found themselves exhausted and demoralized by the constant infighting that has rocked their conference over the past year, which has helped fuel a spate of retirements by members known for their governing chops.

That exodus continued to speed up as Greene made her move on Friday, as retiring Rep. Mike Gallagher, who heads the Houses China committee, announced he would leave his seat April, further narrowing GOPs razor-thin majority. Rep. Kay Granger said she would also step down early as head of the Appropriations Committee, well ahead of her own departure from Congress next year.

Several GOP members lashed out angrily at Greene for continuing the cycle of dysfunction on Friday.

Rep. Mike Lawler, who faces a tough re-election campaign in New York, called her motion an idiotic stunt. Rep. Carlos Gimenez said hardliner Republicans were unlikely to win more conservative victories by toppling a second speaker, given the partys tiny governing margin. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, the Californian said. Theyre not going to get a different result.

Some members of GOP leadership also dismissed Greenes gesture, though in more muted fashion. I dont know what this accomplishes, said Rep. Lisa McClain, the conference secretary.

Vice Conference Chair Blake Moore told Semafor that he simply didnt have any reaction to it.

Still, some appeared to at least leave the door open to supporting Greene. Rep. Thomas Massie told Semafor he felt this speaker failed miserably today, and didnt comment directly on whether hed vote in favor of Greenes motion. I dont think its trying to get leverage. I think its a pink slip, he said. Rep. Ralph Norman, another high profile hardliner, told Politico well see when asked about potentially supporting the motion.

While speaking with reporters, Greene said she had support on this from others in my conference, but declined to name names.

The View From House Democrats

Even if Greene can win over some of her GOP colleagues, the speaker could potentially find support among Democrats, some of whom are already signaling that they would help the speaker keep his job if necessary.

Rep. Jared Moskowitz posted to X that he will never stand by and let MTG to take over the peoples House. Rep. Tom Suozzi, a moderate who just won a special election in Long Island, told CNN he would support Johnson because its absurd that hes being kicked out for doing the right thing and keeping the government open.

Others said he would need to demonstrate more willingness to cooperate with Democrats first, for instance by bringing Ukraine aid to the floor for a vote. The ball is in his court, New Democrat Coalition Chair Annie Kuster told Axios. If he is a fair actor with us, weve got no reason to get rid of him.
The far-right Georgia Republican Marjorie Taylor-Greene filed a motion to remove Mike Johnson as House speaker on Friday but did not pull the trigger on a move that would probably pitch Congress into a repeat of chaos seen last October, when the right ejected Kevin McCarthy.

Related: US House passes $1.2tn spending bill hours before shutdown deadline

Speaking after Johnson relied on Democratic votes to pass a $1.2tn spending bill and avoid a government shutdown, Greene said her motion was meant as more of a warning than a pink slip because she did not want to throw the House into chaos.

Claiming to be a Republican member in good standing, Greene said her motion was filed, but its not voted on. It only gets voted on [when] I call it to the floor for a vote.

Speaking to a scrum of reporters on the Capitol steps, she said: Im not saying that it wont happen in two weeks or it wont happen in a month or who knows when. But I am saying the clock has started. Its time for our conference to choose a new speaker.

Congress goes into recess on Friday and returns in two weeks time.

Greene said she had not discussed her motion with the partys presumptive presidential nominee, Donald Trump. But even without Trumps involvement, it was the latest dramatic expression of House Republicans inability to govern themselves.

McCarthy became speaker in January 2023, but only after 15 rounds of voting as the pro-Trump far right hauled him over the coals.

In October, another far-right Republican, Matt Gaetz of Florida, used a concession won in that January battle by introducing a motion to vacate, ultimately gaining the support of seven colleagues (not including Greene) and achieving the first ever ejection of a speaker by his or her own party.

The deeply religious Johnson succeeded McCarthy as a candidate acceptable to the far right, but only after more than three weeks as three members of Republican leadership  Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan and Tom Emmer  failed to gain sufficient support.

Greene said on Friday there was no time limit on her new motion to vacate.

It doesnt have to be forced, and throw the House into chaos. I dont want to put any of our members in a difficult place like we were for three and a half weeks [in October]. Were going to continue our committee work. Were going to continue our investigations.

Greene has played a prominent role in one such investigation, an oversight committee attempt to impeach Joe Biden over alleged corruption involving his son  an effort that has descended into political farce.

Johnson, meanwhile, must operate with a tiny majority  set to decrease yet further after Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin said he would quit in April  and a right wing as restive as ever. Fridays shutdown-averting spending bill was the second the speaker has passed with Democratic support.

Gaetz moved against McCarthy over the same issue but said on Friday he did not support Greenes motion to remove Johnson.

If we vacated this speaker, wed end up with a Democrat, Gaetz said. When I vacated the last one, I made a promise to the country that we would not end up with the Democrat speaker. And I was right. I couldnt make that promise again.

Other rightwingers criticised Greene. Clay Higgins, from Louisiana, said: I consider Marjorie Taylor Greene to be my friend. Shes still my friend. But she just made a big mistake  To think that one of our Republican colleagues would call for [Johnsons] ouster right now  its abhorrent to me and I oppose it. I stand with Mike Johnson.

McCarthy lost the speakers gavel because Democrats chose not to come to his aid. Johnson appears more likely to keep Democrats onside.

Tom Suozzi, a centrist Democrat from New York, told CNN: Its absurd [Johnson is] getting kicked for doing the right thing, keeping the government open. It has two-thirds support of the Congress and the idea that he would be kicked out by these jokers is absurd.

But Democratic support may come with a price. In alignment with Trump, Johnson has blocked aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia. On Friday, an unnamed Democrat told Politico: If we get some Ukraine aid package, that might be part of a deal.

Raj Shah, a former Trump White House aide and Fox News executive now Johnsons spokesperson, said: Speaker Johnson always listens to the concerns of members, but is focused on governing.

Greene said Republican voters did not want to see a Republican speaker thats held in place by Democrats. Asked if she thought a speakership fight was a good idea in an election year, she said: Absolutely  because, dammit, I want to win that House, I want to win the White House, I want to win the Senate and I want to restore this country back to greatness again.

Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic minority leader, told reporters of Greenes motion: Its a joke, she is an embarrassment. We will have a conversation about it soon.
On Friday, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene pulled off her most audacious stunt yet when she filed a motion to vacate to stage a no-confidence vote for Speaker Mike Johnson. The reason for filing that motion? Johnson did what he is supposed to do: pass spending bills to keep the government open.

The move went perfectly for Greene, who has shown little desire to legislate but an eagerness for attention. It turned out to be the perfect spectacle in Congress. Greene even brought her boyfriend, right-wing media provacateur Brian Glenn, along for the action. As soon as she exited the floor, reporters, including myself, swarmed her with questions  but she waited to speak until she descended the Capitol steps so she could have her moment in front of the cameras.

Greene and other hardline conservatives hate that, despite the fact Republicans control one half of one branch of the government, they did not get everything they want and get President Joe Biden to sign it. Its an unrealistic desire, but the far-right side of the Republican Party doesnt seem to care.

To be clear, there likely wont actually be a motion to vacate. Representatives Tim Burchett of Tennessee and Nancy Mace of South Carolina, both of whom voted to kick out Kevin McCarthy, told me they would be a no vote on Johnson, as of right now. Swing district Republicans would rather not take part in it. And even Representative Matt Gaetz told multiple reporters he did not support a motion to vacate. That makes sense, given his coup against McCarthy always allegedly had more to do with his personal vendetta against the speaker than any actual policy differences.

Conversely, as he went in for votes on Friday, Republican Representative Mike Gallagher had only a few words: Divided government is hard.

Gallagher could not be more different from Greene. A mild-mannered Wisconsite, he served as a US Marine Corps intelligence officer and earned a PhD from Georgetown. On January 6, he urged Donald Trump to call off the riot and he voted to certify the 2020 election results, though he ultimately voted against impeaching Trump.

As chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Gallagher has earned praise from Democrats. He racked up his biggest success last week when he shepherded in legislation that would have forced ByteDance to sell TikTok, which received overwhelming bipartisan support. This came despite the fact that Trump opposed the ban.

Last week, Gallagher tried minimizing the daylight between him and Trump on TikTok, saying it was simply a continuation of the former presidents previous attempts to ban the social media giant. Gallagher also tried to flatter Trump by saying, Trump may, if he gets re-elected, have an opportunity to consummate the deal of the century.

This may have been too clever by half because in the end, Gallagher and Trump found themselves on opposite sides. But Greene, who always finds a way to promote herself, voted against the bill, saying, Im the only member of Congress that actually got banned on Twitter by an American-owned Twitter and China didnt do that to me.

Last month, Gallagher voted against impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas both when the motion failed and when it passed. Both times, he was joined by Representative Ken Buck of Colorado, the cantankerous conservative who decided last week to retire early. When I caught Gallagher going to the floor on Friday and asked him if he was worried his fellow class-of-2016 alumnus Johnson would face Greenes motion to vacate, he said, I dont think so.

After the smoke cleared on Friday following Greenes stunt, Gallagher announced he would join Buck and resign from Congress effective April 19. Republicans had hoped to recruit him against popular Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin. Hes elected to walk away instead, and that speaks volumes.

The move means that Republicans now only have a one-seat majority and makes Johnsons job all that more difficult, given the other vacancies in the House.

Gallaghers move reveals just how miserable being in the House is for Republicans who want to get things done. Just two days before, the House Oversight Committee held another, pointless impeachment inquiry hearing into the president and Hunter Biden that went nowhere.

When Greene was given committee assignments this Congress (after Democrats removed her last time around), McCarthy put her on Oversight. She proceeded to post nude photos of the presidents son during hearings. That has done little to show any link between Hunter Bidens wrongdoing and the presidents, but it has gotten her plenty of attention.

Gallagher seemed to recognise that his future in Congress would either be in the minority  and simply, being in the minority in the House sucks  or he would have to deal with Trump, with whom he has a testy relationship. As a result, it behooves someone like him to simply leave.

Inevitably, Gallagher will likely be replaced by a conservative much more married to Trump and the MAGA ideology than someone with his demeanor. Similarly, while Greene will likely accomplish little in the House, she will continue to be a darling of some Republicans and someone whom the others fear. And that creates a death spiral, since it will only entice more like her to the party and fewer Mike Gallaghers.
Even the maker of the superhero flicks is upset with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Marvel Studios founder Avi Arad  producer of the Spiderman, Incredible Hulk and Iron Man movies  slammed Schumers web of betrayal by abandoning Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and meddling in Israeli politics amid the Jewish States war with Hamas.

Arad, a dual citizen who was born in Israel and moved to the US in 1969, sent in a scorching personal letter to Schumer Tuesday saying he was stunned by the high-ranking Jewish officials betrayal of Israels leader in its time of need.

Marvel Studio found Avi Arad criticized Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for his recent comments on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo by Anthony Harvey/Getty Images

I am writing about your recent statement last Thursday when you called on Israel to hold new elections, saying you believe 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. I believe your statement is not only incorrect, but inappropriate, Arad, 75, said.

Its not your war. It is not your country. And it is not you who is at risk. And, with all due respect, it is not your place or business to attempt to dictate to another democratic country what its electorate should do or how they should vote, said the Hollywood movie mogul, who is Jewish and served in the Israeli army.

Arad said its repulsive enough to hear Hollywood stars blame Israel for the occupation and the conflict with Palestinians, but it is quite another to hear harsh criticism of Israel from a United States Senator who is the highest ranking Jewish elected official in our government and whose constituents constitute one of the largest concentration of Jews in the world.

Arad accused Schumer, 73, of ignoring the fact that Israelis are dealing with an enemy  Hamas  that has vowed to annihilate the State of Israel.

Schumer said in his speech that Netanyahus government no longer fits the needs of Israel. Getty Images

I wonder, if God-forbid, one or more of your relatives was butchered like the Israelis were by Hamas on October 7, what you would be saying  or, if God-forbid a member of your family was taken hostage and held in subhuman conditions for more than five months or killed in captivity. I wonder if you would take the same stance you recently took or you would utter the same words if you and/or your family lived in Israel and were subject to unwarranted missile strikes and attacks by these terrorists, the film mogul said.

He also bashed the Democrat for statements that make Israel look like the villain for failure to secure a ceasefire when media reports say Hamas is resisting a temporary truce from the war in Gaza.

The filmmaker cited skeptics who say pro-Palestinian supporters in the Democratic Party, such as Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib  who encouraged Americans not to vote for Biden in the Democratic primary  could be influencing the New York senators views.

Arad called Schumers remarks incorrect and inappropriate. AP

Schumers office declined to comment, but noted that the office received many letters of support from award-winning Hollywood actors and actresses, many of whom are Jewish.

Countering Arad, Mark Ruffalo, the actor who played The Incredible Hulk, praised Schumer for his moral courage in a statement on X hours after the senators speech knocking Netanyahu.

During the speech in the Senate chamber on March 14, Schumer said, As a lifelong supporter of Israel, its become clear to me that the Netanyahu coalition no longer fits the needs of Israel after October 7.

If Netanyahu 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 warned.
BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- China will implement new measures to combat illegal fishing activities in 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on Friday.

These efforts include strengthening the protection of baby eels, a precious and economically important species, ministry official Liu Xinzhong said at a press conference.

Regulators will tighten law enforcement to ensure the regulated fishing of baby eels, thereby promoting the healthy development of related industries, Liu said.

The ministry will continue to uphold the fishing ban across the Yangtze River basin while adhering to the most stringent oversight measures during the country's maritime summer fishing moratorium, the official said.

Efforts will also be made to conserve aquatic wildlife and regulate the aquaculture industry, Liu added. 
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., on Friday filed a motion to oust Speaker Mike Johnson as the House voted to avoid a government shutdown, NBC News reports.

Greene did not file the motion as privileged, which would force a vote within two days, but could notice it as privileged after the House returns from a two-week recess on April 9. Greene said she filed the motion because Johnson forced a vote on multiple continuing resolutions and funding bills to keep the government running.

This is a betrayal of the American people. This is a betrayal of Republican voters, Greene told reporters.

I filed the motion to vacate today but its more of a warning and a pink slip ... I do not wish to inflict pain on our conference and to throw the House in chaos but this is basically a warning and its time for us to go through the process, take our time, and find a new speaker of the House, she said.

I filed the motion to vacate today but its more of a warning and a pink slip ... I do not wish to inflict pain on our conference and to throw the House in chaos.



 Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) after filing motion to vacate Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) over spending deal pic.twitter.com/KqSjYS1KXC  The Recount (@therecount) March 22, 2024

Raj Shah, a spokesman for Johnson, told NBC News the speakers focus is "on governing. He will continue to push conservative legislation that secures our border, strengthens our national defense and demonstrates how well grow our majority."

Johnson was elected speaker after former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was ousted by a far-right group led by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. But Gaetz said he would not support Greenes motion.

If we vacated this speaker, wed end up with a Democrat. When I vacated the last one, I made a promise to the country that we would not end up with the Democrat speaker. And I was right. I couldnt make that promise again, he told reporters.

Wed have Republicans cross over. I worry that weve got Republicans who would vote for Hakeem Jeffries at this point, he added. I really do. I take no joy in saying that. But you can only vacate the speaker if you know that the party leadership wont change hands. I knew that with certainty last time. I dont know it with certainty this time.
The Topeka zip code 66604 in central Topeka has highest rate of gun violence in the city, according to data from the Community Inspired Violence Intervention Coalition.

About 250 people joined in person and virtually to address gun violence and how it disproportionately harms people of color at the 70th Brown Coalition's event "The Health of the BIPOC Community: A Discussion on Gun Violence."

Stormont Vail Health partnered to put on the event, which included four presentations.

About 250 people attended the "Health of the BIPOC Community: A Discussion on Gun Violence" event Thursday at Stormont Vail Health.

Mary Snipes, a mother who lost her son to gun violence in Junction City, told the audience how the importance of conversations about gun violence during "Gun violence: A Survivor's Perspective."

"Our son mattered," Snipes said. "His siblings matter. We matter, our community matters, our story matters. Having this community forum matters, and continuous conversations like this matters."

It's in our own backyard

"This isn't just a national thing," community activist Danielle Twemlow said during "The Impact of Gun Violence in our Community." "We see these disparities here."

As previously reported, Topeka saw its deadliest year in 2023 with 35 homicides, which included 10 child victims.

Social worker and community activist Daniel Martin spoke about his own personal experiences with gun violence in Topeka. At the age of 14, he was shot at close range with a shotgun near S.W. 14th and Western Avenue.

During Twemlow's presentation, she broke down data showing the racial disparities the Community Inspired Violence Intervention Coalition (CIVIC) found in Topeka and Shawnee County. This included people of color having less access to safe and decent living and higher premature mortality rates.

70th Brown Coalition co-chairs Glenda Washington and Beryl New helped host the gun violence forum Thursday at Stormont Vail Health.

An us vs. them mentality

During "A Surgeon's View on Gun Violence," Stormont Vail trauma surgeon Nason Lui said he consistently has seen white people in the community detach themselves from the issue of gun violence because it doesn't impact them.

Lui said he'd even heard some people go as far as saying, "Let them shoot each other."

Lui said this mentality is dangerous and damaging to the community. During his speech, he cited a quote from James Baldwin  the late writer and civil rights activist  about indifference being what blinds people.

"But the problem is out there, and the problem is not them," Lui said. "The problem is us."

Lui said because of this mentality in Topeka, he's seen resources be doled out for high-income communities, including his own, but has yet to see low-income neighborhoods receive the same care.

"In the days that house invasions used to happen, that happened in my neighborhood," Lui said. "Do you know how long it took to shut down? Less than two to three months because the Shawnee (County) commissioner lives right there and the resources were brought in immediately. So we have this stuff.

"We can use it, but it's just accessing it, which is difficult."

What is being done to address gun violence?

Often, people don't agree on the best strategies to address or prevent gun violence.

There are advocates who speak out against gun violence like "The Bodies Keeps Coming" author and trauma surgeon Brian Williams and Moms Demand Action advocate Snipes, who lost her son to gun violence. Both have worked with legislators to achieve gun regulation and decreasing easy gun access.

Williams had advocated for the Safer Communities Act, which Congress passed in 2022 and implemented new gun control laws.

"The power of policy can make a huge difference on a scale much larger than I ever could do in the hospital," said Williams, whose presentation was titled "Structural Racism, Gun Violence and How We Heal."

The trauma center at Stormont Vail not only physically treats gun violence, but it also has programs in place to deep dive into what gun violence in the community looks like, Lui said

"The most positive transformation has been Stormont Vail organizing a level two trauma service, which has helped us to trace what actually happens in this community," he said. "Things that we can document, that we can show what's going on and things that we won't close our eyes to."

Then there are community programs that address contributing factors to gun violence like CIVIC and Martin's private practice where he helps former prison residents rejoin the community.

Speaker Daniel Martin tells the story of being shot in the face when he was 14 years old during a gun violence forum Thursday at Stormont Vail Health.

Martin said one thing is for certain, the conversations of gun violence and how to resolve it must include those directly involved.

"The answer to the community's problems is not in this room," Martin said. "The answers are where I'm at, out in the streets with him, making decisions about people's lives, and they're not even here. We're telling them what they need, and we're not even asking them nothing.

"Like they don't participate in their own lives. It don't work, and different people need different things."

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topekans discuss gun violence in BIPOC areas and search for solutions
Maria Bartholdi won't admit that she has her great-great-great uncle Frederic Auguste Bartholdi's eye for design, even though it's clear she does.

Bartholdi's style in her south Minneapolis home splashes with bright and bold colors, embodying that same feeling of fearlessness that emanates from her ancestor's greatest piece  the Statue of Liberty in New York. Growing up, she dreamed of becoming a sculptor like him, but said she didn't have the patience to refine her skills.

Bartholdi, a content creator best known for her podcast, "Good Luck High Five," where she and co-host Meghan Wolff review card and board games, settled with decking out her home in a way that keeps her creative juices flowing.

In her 1920s Craftsman-style abode, bright magenta and green walls jump out over the black fireplace and dining table. Everything centers around one of her first furniture pieces: the sofa in the middle of the living room, she explained.

"It all started with the green chartreuse couch and it exploded from there," Bartholdi said. "Once you start going, everything falls into place over time. I think it all just builds into itself if you have the right vibe."

All about that base

That couch inspired her to paint the living room walls green and then the dining room an opposite hue on the color wheel  magenta. Doing that ensured the two rooms flowed together.

"You've got to think of the design," she said. "[Painting the walls like that] draws the eye through the room."

But with all that color, areas needed a neutral one. So Bartholdi chose black for a granite table in the dining room and when painting a previously white fireplace in the living room.

Bartholdi said painting and color are the first steps to maximalism. The next is filling it with everything you love. For Bartholdi, that's all the fun things she has found at thrift stores and gathered throughout her life.

"I believe in maximalist design. Not everything can be the same," she said. "You can't have the same color or mood. I like to have [a mix of] little moments of surprise."

There's the dinosaur lamp in the dining room, a tiny Statue of Liberty souvenir and a retro-looking Borghesani robot-bar cabinet Bartholdi affectionately calls Lloyd  after her favorite movie, "The Shining." Made by a local woodworker, it has a folding tray that, when lowered, shows an array of boozy drinks for when she hosts.

Why a robot? you may ask.

"Everyone knows I love robots; I used to draw them on my Instagram account," Bartholdi said. "It was something I'd do back when I worked a 9-5 [job]."

Among the bright furniture and trinkets, she makes sure to have fun items for her cats. There's the bright green cactus scratcher she bought from the pet decor company Vetreska and, among the simpler items her fluffy cats have approved, a furry white throw blanket placed on a bench by a sunny window. Instead of having a television in the living room, she turned an old television set into a sleeping nook for her cats, complete with a light-up sign that says "Sweet dreams." On top of the recast retro piece are an array of vibrant green plants.

"I saw the TV online and I thought that just screams cat bed to me and I wanted them to have something but I hate [the look of] pet furniture," she said. "I want them to have a nice place that doesn't look horrendous and they love going in there at night and when I turn on the fireplace for them."

Out of the shadows

Showing off what most people would tuck away is another decor theme.

She was going to put even more oddities into a black, framed glass cabinet, but realized she still needed a place to put her board games, which range from detective to medieval themes such as Columbo, Wyrmspan and The Quacks of Quedlinburg. Putting it on shelves shows off her hobby to guests and is a decoration in and of itself, Bartholdi said.

"I think that's something that's a big tenant of maximalist design, is expressing yourself through design," she said. "I have a love of board games but you can do this with whatever you're passionate about."

Upstairs, she does this again by hanging her jewelry  most from local artisans  in a see-through transparent box she purchased from Amazon. There's a set of skeleton earrings, various gold-plated necklaces and bright-colored bracelets hanging from a porcelain hand that Bartholdi also found at a local thrift store. Above her assortment of jewelry are watercolor pictures she painted during the pandemic.

"You can find [those hands] around now too and what better way to display your bracelets," she said. "You can see any thing all at once and it's a celebration of who you are."

In her desk room, she puts her love of tarot cards front and center on her meditation stand amid crystals and candles. Most prominently displayed is the magician card, which signifies infinite possibilities without barriers, she said. One hand pointing up indicates divine inspiration and the one pointing down signifies manifestation.

"For me, it's the card of creativity, like being inspired and putting it into practice and making it happen," she said. "It's a big thing for me. I just love to create and do all sorts of things like writing a musical, making a podcast or videos and doing improv shows."

Style confidence

Over the years, Bartholdi has garnered quite a reputation for her eclectic and quirky decorating style. In 2022, a friend's recommendation led to a feature of her home on HGTV's "Handmade Homes" series.

She's fielded questions over the years from friends asking for styling tips. Her best advice? Be confident.

"So many people are afraid of color, they see themselves as temporary in their spaces," she said. "You deserve to live in a space you love. Painting a wall can take 24 hours, but you get three years of happiness."

In fact, it was that design confidence that Bartholdi said helped sell her previous home, particularly the stairwell steps she painted in rainbow colors. She said many people are caught up with thinking about how they're going to sell the house in the future so they forego adding in their own flair.

"Don't be afraid to express yourself through design," she encouraged.
Czechia provided Ukraine with the last of its Soviet Mi-24 attack helicopters, the Czech media outlet Denik N reported on March 21, citing Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernochova.

Cernochova announced in August 2023 that Czechia may supply Ukraine with Mi-24 helicopters, as the Czech military is replacing them with newer U.S. models. The minister said that the aircraft provided excellent service, even though they have been in use "longer than expected."

Prague donated several of its Mi-24 helicopters to Ukraine in the previous years without specifying their number.

Cernochova now clarified that together with the latest donation, Prague had supplied Ukraine with eight Mi-24 helicopters in total. Denik N noted that the Czech military previously operated 17 units, and it remains unclear what happened with the remaining ones.

The Czech government secretly approved sending the last Mi-24 attack helicopters two weeks ago, according to Denik N.

Cernochova said this helicopter supply would be the last piece sent to Ukraine from the Czech military's own stocks, as "no more military equipment could be donated."

Earlier, Czechia launched an initiative to collect artillery shells for Ukraine to alleviate its critical ammunition shortage on the front line as a $60 billion aid package from the U.S. remains stalled in Congress.

Prague had identified 500,000 155 mm shells and 300,000 122 mm shells outside of Europe and started to gather a coalition of states to purchase them for Ukraine.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on March 12 that the initiative has already secured the purchase of 300,000 shells and received nonbinding commitments for 200,000 more.

Read also: Dutch defense minister: You dont start negotiations with gun pointed at your head

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Sen. Bill Cowsert (center) cast the decisive vote Thursday to keep a Medicaid expansion proposal from advancing out of his committee. Cordele Republican Sen. Carden Summers (left) was one of two Republican senators who voted for the bill. Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder

A late proposal to fully expand Medicaid received a surprise hearing in a Senate committee Thursday but was narrowly defeated, with the chairman who allowed the hearing casting the decisive vote to shelve it.

And negotiations also wrapped up Thursday evening over a high-profile health care bill that was seen as a potential host for a full Medicaid expansion add-on. Instead, that bill ended where it started last month: with a commission that will look at ways to expand health care coverage.

The whirlwind of developments Thursday seemed to shut the door on any lingering Medicaid expansion talks for this year. The legislative session ends next Thursday.

There are days in this building that break your heart, and I think that today was a day like that for lots of us, Rep. Michelle Au, a Johns Creek Democrat, said Thursday evening.

This years session had started with new bipartisan chatter about fully expanding Medicaid. Much of that can be traced back to House GOP leaders who signaled an openness to an Arkansas-style model that uses federal money to purchase private plans for those who are eligible. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, for his part, didnt dismiss it.

But the barrier to those talks was always the governors partial expansion program, which was launched last July after being delayed by the federal government.

About 3,500 people have signed up for the program, which has cost the state at least $26 million so far, according to a story this week from KFF Health News. More than 90% of the expenses have gone to cover administrative and consulting costs.

Just last week, Kemp said he remained focused on his health care plan, which he described as a limited Medicaid expansion in a conservative way. He sued the federal government last month for more time to make the program work. As of now, the federal waiver authorizing the program is set to expire next fall.

Georgia is one of 10 states that have not fully expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

It does not work

A bill that would have created a Medicaid program styled as PeachCare Plus was given a hearing in a Senate committee Thursday morning.

The proposal was modeled after the Arkansas-style of expansion, which would require federal approval. Under the bill, the state would not seek a new federal waiver until the expiration of Georgias existing program.

Sen. Bill Cowsert, an Athens Republican who chairs the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee where the bill was considered, described the proposal as being like the states existing partial Medicaid expansion but more aggressive.

Cowsert ultimately came down on the side wanting to give Georgia Pathways to Coverage more time. He told reporters afterwards that the discussion was a healthy one but probably a little premature, saying he wants to give Pathways a chance to work.

The committee vote was 7-to-6, with Cowsert causing the tie that blocked the bill from advancing. Sen. Ben Watson, a Savannah Republican who is a former member of the committee, showed up at Thursdays meeting to vote against the proposal.

If it fails, then well be back in here next year talking about other alternatives, Cowsert said.

But Sen. David Lucas, a Macon Democrat who sponsored the Medicaid expansion proposal, did not hold back later when the certificate-of-need bill arrived at the Senate for final passage without an immediate plan for full expansion.

He argued that Pathways has had enough time to work, and he attributed his bills failure in committee to the governors influence.

Sen. David Lucas, a Macon Democrat, sponsored a bipartisan proposal to fully expand Medicaid. Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder

When youre the governor, youve got influence but his program dont work. It does not work, Lucas said. And weve got $26 million invested in it. So, when these rural hospitals close when we leave session, I am going to blame it on you.

But Thursdays committee hearing still represented a rare public discussion on Medicaid expansion in a Republican-controlled legislative committee. Two Republicans, Sen. Matt Brass of Newnan and Sen. Carden Summers of Cordele, voted with the Democrats.

Brass, who chairs the gatekeeping Senate Rules Committee, offered a few changes, including the addition of a workforce development fund like the one adopted in North Carolina. But he also unsuccessfully proposed an amendment to fully repeal the states health care business regulations.

Brass said he believes the governors program can be successful, but it will always be limited to those who fall below 100% of the federal poverty line, or about $15,060 for a single adult. Participants must also complete 80 hours of work, school or other qualifying activity each month to gain and keep their coverage.

Brass said he was concerned about the rising insurance costs for people with health coverage and the strain on emergency rooms from uninsured patients. But he also said he changed his mind on Medicaid expansion because of his experience as a small business owner who cannot afford insurance for his employees and whose construction business does not consistently offer 80 hours of work each month.

I pay them well, but on an hourly basis and sometimes, sometimes roofs leak, sometimes they dont, he said.

Bill with certificate-of-need changes goes to the governor

A separate proposal to ease some of the health care business regulations in hopes of attracting more medical services, particularly in rural Georgia, is now on the governors desk.

The proposal originally came from House leaders, with Speaker Jon Burns the second signer and Minority Leader James Beverly a co-sponsor. The Senate then pushed for more changes, like an easier path for freestanding birth centers to open, and the two chambers settled on a compromise measure Thursday.

That final product was celebrated by conservatives who pushed for changes scaling back the states certificate-of-need rules.

For decades, CON laws have unfortunately represented a barrier to expanding quality healthcare, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones said in a statement. Today, we took a step towards reforming CON in Georgia and alleviating the roadblocks Georgians face in their efforts to receive accessible and quality healthcare.

Burns said in a statement Thursday that the bill represented significant action to reform Certificate of Need and expand access to quality, affordable healthcare in our state.

The measure also increases the cap for the rural hospital tax credit program to $100 million, devoting another $25 million to the program.

When it comes to Medicaid expansion, Rep. Butch Parrish, a Swainsboro Republican who sponsored the bill, framed his proposal as what could be accomplished this year. Parrish chairs the powerful House Rules Committee.

Over in the Senate today, there was an attempt to pass a Medicaid expansion, and it did not pass. So, I think that what we need to do is do what we can with what weve got to work with to provide the services for as many people as we can around the state, Parrish said during Thursdays debate.

But Democrats blasted their GOP colleagues for not including full Medicaid expansion in the final version. The bill had found bipartisan support earlier, but Thursdays final votes largely fell along party lines in both chambers.

Rep. Sam Park, a Lawrenceville Democrat who serves as minority whip, said House Democrats had held out hope until Thursday that Medicaid expansion would still happen this year.

This CON will not cover a single Georgian despite the fact that we have one of the highest uninsured rates in the country, Park said. Today was yet another reminder of Republican cowardice and Republican failure of leadership by leaving hundreds of thousands of Georgians uninsured.

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The post Medicaid expansion chances dim again this year as key health care proposal passes without it appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
(The Hill)  The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) has issued guidance allowing for the coverage of anti-obesity medications, but only in cases they are indicated for treating conditions other than obesity.

CMS cited the recent expanded indication of the anti-obesity medication Wegovy as having informed its decision. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Wegovy approval earlier this month for reducing the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack and stroke in patients with cardiovascular disease and obesity.

With the recent change in the FDA approved use for Wegovy (semaglutide), current Medicare Part D and Medicaid coverage rules apply, a CMS spokesperson said in a statement.

Man sues multiple women for making negative comments on Facebook dating group

CMS has issued guidance to Medicare Part D plans stating that anti-obesity medications (AOMs) that receive FDA approval for an additional medically accepted indication can be considered a Part D drug for that specific use, the spokesperson added, specifying that drugs which are FDA-approved for only weight loss do not fall under this consideration.

Medicare has long been barred from covering weight loss treatments for beneficiaries due to the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. At the time, there were concerns that the weight loss drugs on the market  specifically fenfluramine/phentermine  carried dangerous side effects.

The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act introduced in Congress would allow for more health care providers, services and drugs to be covered under Medicare. Obesity medicine groups and drugmakers such as Novo Nordisk have heavily lobbied for the bill to be passed.

Wegovy falls within the newer class of drugs known as GLP-1 agonists which mimic a hormone produced in the gut that stimulates insulin production and suppresses appetite. In a multi-national study of 17,600 participants, Wegovy was found to statistically reduce risk of a major adverse cardiovascular events by 20 percent.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
HICO, WV (WVNS)  Locals from Fayette County met at Midland Trail High School to host a digital equity meeting.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss broadband planning and infrastructure.

Its a needed issue in Fayette County, where a significant percentage of the population dont even have access to an internet device.

Annie Stroud is the Broadband Program Director with Generation West Virginia. She said the number of people without proper internet access is a shocking statistic.

I think a lot of people dont realize how many folks in our communities dont have a recourse like the internet. There is a whole district in Fayette County where almost 20% of households report having no device at all, thats no phone, no computer, no tablet, Stroud said.

Kick-off for Inclusion Week at Coal City Elementary School

To tackle this issue, Generation West Virginia is trying to tackle the needs of different target groups.

This includes Seniors, Veterans, People with Disabilities, and many more.

One of the locals to attend the meeting was Jeff Proctor. He said the need even stretches to his own residence.

I live on a street that had no internet on it. Theres probably 30 to 40 percent of the county either has no internet or theyre considered unserved, Proctor said.

Junior Police Academy to be hosted by Beckley Police Department

Thankfully, groups like Generation West Virginia are trying to change that around.

With workshops planned for summer of 2024, final plans are expected to be wrapped up by August.

Officials said as our world evolves in the internet age, getting more people access to the internet will need to be a necessity.

As so much of our daily transactions move online, our banking, submitting forms, school communications. All of those things are moving to an online platform, its really going to leave some of these people in the dust, Stroud said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
Megan Fox is a mom of three children, with ex Brian Austin Green. While the actors filed for divorce in 2020 (it was finalized in 2022), they're devoted to co-parenting together.

The former couple met on the set of Fox's former sitcom "Hope & Faith" in 2004 when Fox was 18 years old and Green was 30. They dated until 2010 and married in Hawaii at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Fox and Green share three children: Noah, 11, Bodhi, 10, and Journey, 7.

Green also has a 22-year-old son named Kassius with actor Vanessa Marcil and a 1-year-old son named Zane with his fiancee, professional dancer Sharna Burgess.

Fox is engaged to musician Machine Gun Kelly, who shares 14-year-old daughter Casie with his ex Emma Cannon.

Here's everything to know about Megan Fox's children.

Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green attend Ferrari's 60th Anniversary in the USA Gala at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on October 11, 2014 in Beverly Hills, California. (JB Lacroix / WireImage)

Noah Shannon Green

Fox's firstborn child, Noah Shannon Green, was born on September 27, 2012.

"He is healthy, happy, and perfect," Fox wrote on her Facebook page. "We are humbled to have the opportunity to call ourselves the parents of this beautiful soul and I am forever grateful to God for allowing me to know this kind of boundless, immaculate love."

Fox told "Glamour UK" that Noah started wearing dresses when he was a toddler, so she did research to understand her child better.

Noah started wearing dresses when he was about two, and I bought a bunch of books that sort of addressed these things and addressed a full spectrum of what this is," Fox told the outlet. "Some of the books are written by transgender children. Some of the books are just about how you can be a boy and wear a dress; you can express yourself through your clothing however you want. And that doesnt even have to have anything to do with your sexuality. So from the time they were very young, Ive incorporated those things into their daily lives so that nobody feels like they are weird or strange or different."

Fox said she didn't want her kids on social media.

"I cant control the way other people react to my children," Fox told Glamour UK, adding, "I cant control the things that other children  that they go to school with  have been taught and then repeat to them. Thats also why I dont really put my children on Instagram or social media. Im so proud of my kids."

Green also defended Noah's clothing choices, telling Hollywood Pipelines "Straight from the Source," "Ive heard from some people that they dont agree with him wearing dresses. To them I say, I dont care. Hes 4 and if he wants to wear it then he wears it.

In 2018, Fox told TODAY.com that Noah, then 6, was an "unbelievable pianist" and wanted to be a fashion designer.

Everything for him is about beauty, color, texture, she said, adding that Noah "has the potential to be an incredible artist. He could be a Pablo Picasso  Im not going to squash his vibrant, beautiful mind!

Bodhi Ransom Green

Bodhi Ransom Green was born on February 12, 2014.

Bodhi: Stunner. Clown. Unicorn, Fox wrote in the Instagram caption of the birth announcement.

When Bodhi was two months old, Fox told Ellen DeGeneres that she got pregnant only two weeks into filming the action movie "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."

Anyone thats been pregnant knows your first trimester can be pretty rough and youre nauseous all day long," she said. "So I spent the whole shoot basically (sick).

The producers would come see me in the morning in the makeup trailer and I would be clinging to a box of saltines and we had kept pickles in the refrigerator for me," Fox told DeGeneres. "I was just constantly on the verge of vomiting.

In 2018, Fox told TODAY.com that Bohdi was a "really evolved and kind, gentle spirit." In a 2023 "Sports Illustrated Swimsuit" interview, Fox joked that Bohdi was "a little bro" and The classic middle child where theres no room to be bad."

Journey River Green

Journey River Green was born on August 4, 2016.

While pregnant with her third child, Fox said shehad some sort of communication with her unborn baby.

You dont hear an audible voice, but I feel like you receive messages from the child if youre open to it, Fox told Jimmy Kimmel. For instance, this baby wanted me to live somewhere else, so were moving to a whole different place in Los Angeles because I feel like thats where this baby wants to be raised.

Fox added, I also feel like this baby is telling me its kind of like a Wernher von Braun or an Elon Musk  like a super genius."

In 2023, Fox mentioned that Journey is naughty and mischievous" and charming and so so cute" during her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit interview.

Fox added, When he was 3, he already knew like 1,600 species of dinosaurs. So his mind is very powerful.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have expressed their condolences following Princess Kates announcement of her cancer diagnosis.

We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace, a spokesperson for the couple said, according to Harpers Bazaar.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, revealed she is undergoing chemotherapy in a recorded video message following months of rumors about her condition.

The rumors led the royal family to release a doctored photo of Kate and her three children, forcing her to make an apology after multiple outlets pulled the photo.

It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way thats appropriate for them and to reassure them that Im going to be OK, she said of her children. We hope that youll understand that as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment.

Princess Kate also thanked the public for their support.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
An employee of the Stuttgart-based car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz works on a Mercedes emblem on a hood in Factory 56 at the Merecdes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen in the production of luxury vehicles. The German automake has recalled around 529,000 right-hand drive vehicles worldwide to address a steering software issue, according to a spokesman. Bernd Weibrod/dpa

German automaker Mercedes-Benz has recalled around 529,000 right-hand drive vehicles worldwide to address a steering software issue, according to a spokesman.

A recall notice was published in a database from Germany's Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) regulator on Friday, and was confirmed to dpa by the Mercedes-Benz spokesman.

The recall includes the A-Class, B-Class, CLA, EQA, EQB, GLA and GLB models built between 2017 and 2024. According to the KBA, only 22 vehicles in Germany are likely affected by the recall.

Drivers in Germany, like the rest of continental Europe, almost exclusively use left-hand drive vehicles. Right-hand drive vehicles are preferred in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan and some other countries.

The cause of the recall is the steering software, which may not meet the necessary specifications in the vehicles, the company spokesman said.

In a particular and extremely rare case, a loss of steering capability cannot be ruled out, the spokesman said. As a precautionary measure, the electric steering software of the affected vehicles will be updated.

The planned visit to the workshop will take around 30 minutes. Trade media had previously reported on the recall.
On March 20, Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov left for the Kingdom of Belgium for a business trip, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry's press service.

The press service noted that within the framework of the visit, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov will participate and make a speech at the Nuclear Energy Summit to be held in Brussels on March 21, as well as hold a number of bilateral meetings.
MOSCOW, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Several people were injured after at least three people in camouflage opened fire at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in the northwest of Moscow on Friday, local media reported.

Police officers have arrived at the scene, reported RIA Novosti, citing a correspondent. 
Dashcam footage captured the moment the driver of a white Mercedes Benz barreled through a red light in the San Fernando Valley and smashed into a woman behind the wheel of an SUV late Wednesday night.

The incident, according to the Los Angeles Police Department, occurred just before 11 p.m. at the intersection of Coldwater Canyon Avenue and Saticoy Street in Sun Valley.

Footage of the incident captured on the SUVs dashcam clearly shows the driver of the Mercedes blowing through the red light at a high rate of speed just moments before the violent collision.

In video obtained by KTLA of the crash aftermath, the Mercedes, which brought down the Saticoy Street traffic light pole after impact, sustained heavy damage, losing both the front and rear door on the drivers side, and the rear door on the passenger side.

The front end of the SUV was also heavily damaged.

Dashcam video captures violent crash when Mercedes driver runs red light in Sun Valley on Mar. 20, 2024. (RMG News)

Dashcam video captures violent crash when Mercedes driver runs red light in Sun Valley on Mar. 20, 2024. (RMG News)

Dashcam video captures violent crash when Mercedes driver runs red light in Sun Valley on Mar. 20, 2024. (RMG News)

Dashcam video captures violent crash when Mercedes driver runs red light in Sun Valley on Mar. 20, 2024. (RMG News)

Dashcam video captures violent crash when Mercedes driver runs red light in Sun Valley on Mar. 20, 2024. (RMG News)

Dashcam video captures violent crash when Mercedes driver runs red light in Sun Valley on Mar. 20, 2024. (RMG News)

Dashcam video captures violent crash when Mercedes driver runs red light in Sun Valley on Mar. 20, 2024. (RMG News)

Dashcam video captures violent crash when Mercedes driver runs red light in Sun Valley on Mar. 20, 2024. (RMG News)

Medical personnel with the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene where, according to the video gathering service RMG News, three people in the Mercedes, including a pregnant woman, were rushed to the hospital by ambulance.

Camaro thieves in California thwarted by mans anti-theft system

Their conditions were not immediately known. The driver of the SUV was purportedly uninjured during the crash.

Traffic at the intersection was blocked while detectives with LAPDs North Hollywood Traffic Division investigated the cause of the collision and crews worked to clear the area.

It is unclear at this point if drugs and or alcohol may have been a factor in the incident.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
LANSING  "I'm going to murder everyone at Michigan lottery. I'm going to slit each of their throats with rusty forks," read the message. "I'm going to commit mass genecide (sic)."

That message, posted on social media in March of last year, prompted Michigan Lottery officials to call the Michigan State Police, and the agency's Capitol security team, which handles criminal complaints involving state facilities and workers in state governments massive downtown Lansing footprint. The security team determined the message came from a West Virginia man.

He "was upset and made those threats because of an issue with his debit card" involving his overdrawn checking account because of two lottery withdrawals, according to a police report.

After police spoke to the man, who was not charged, he posted an apology on X, formerly Twitter.

The incident was among 178 complaints in the first nine months of 2023 involving reported offenses against state employees, officials, buildings or property. Those complaints were down 17% from the same period in 2022, when there were 215 reports. Overall, there were 289 complaints in 2022 and 338 in 2021. The State Journal could not obtain full-year 2023 data for comparison from MSP.

Some complaints stem from threats, but also include assaults, break-ins to state buildings and loitering. A common theme of the complaints  many of which were reported to police as threats but were determined not to be - stem from people with mental health problems or frustration by everyday Michigan residents struggling to get assistance from state workers, such as at the unemployment agency.

Michigan House Sergeant at Arms Jim West staffs the weapons detection monitors near the north entrance of the state Capitol, Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

Some of the downward trend in incidents can be attributed to tensions that ran high during the pandemic fading, at least somewhat, said Bill Kandler, chair of the Capitol Commission, which oversees the Capitol building, including security. Some of those tensions stemmed from Whitmer's controversial coronavirus policies.

Officials last year spent tens of thousands of dollars improving security at the Capitol and other buildings, including adding weapons detectors and artificial intelligence video software to detect weapons. Kandler said officials realize the downward trend in incidents may not continue, given that this years election cycle could drive an increase in some of the passions that could lead to threats.

"There is a concern about people being overcharged or excited about political extremes," Kandler said. "People are discussing violence in connection with that so it could manifest itself in any way."

The data comprises only the first nine months of 2023. The Lansing State Journal filed a public records request in October for data on incidents and police reports; MSP requested extensions multiple times and did not turn over incident reports for nearly five months, after charging the LSJ $190.

The most serious of potential crimes at the Capitol  an accidental firearm discharge in 2022, conspiracy, hazardous materials such as ricin  are rare, each happening once in the 33-month period.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer frequent target

Troopers from the Michigan State Police monitor the main entryway of the state Capitol building, Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

The governor, lottery officials, legislators and state workers reported alleged threats during 2023.

Whitmer's office reported several threats, some of which police determined not to be threatening. Others were substantiated and involved the FBI and Secret Service.

Some examples:

In March 2023, someone sent threatening letters to Whitmer with a black-and-white piece of paper showing a created image of former President Donald Trump holding a gun with the words You are a dead traitor. Similar letters were sent to officials in Illinois and New York and members of the LGBTQ+ community in Saline in 2021. The case is now with the FBI.

That same month, the lead pharmacist at the Saginaw Veterans Affairs office reported someone had made threats toward Whitmer, President Joe Biden, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and VA workers. The pharmacist said the caller had said something similar to: Nessel and Whitmer are going to get shot and gutted like fish and continued to make homophobic and racial statements while threatening the pharmacist. Gregory Simms, 38, was charged in April with a felony, making a false report or threat of terrorism, and a misdemeanor, malicious use of telecommunications. The charges are still pending with a hearing date in early April. The listed number of his attorney, Ronald Bayot, was not accepting incoming calls on Thursday afternoon.

In June of last year, someone left three voicemails that made statements about Whitmer. State police officials determined there was no direct threat by the caller, and they also were not able to track the caller due to a difference between analog and digital cell towers in the area.

Also in March 2023, the governor's office reported a letter that included the sentence: Personally, you should be taken out behind the woodpile and beating (sic) within an inch of your life. State police and an Attorney Generals office lawyer, LaDonna Logan, agreed that it was rude, disrespectful, and vulgar, (but) stating someone 'should' have something done to them is not indicating that the sender would carry out any of the acts themselves.

In July 2023, a Michigan Lottery investigator turned phone messages over to state police that said, With all this mass killing out here, you can tell Governor um Gretchner (sic) or whoever the governor is, you tell that bitch Im going to kill her. Imma shoot every mother (expletive) coming out that mother (expletive) building. The case against the man, whose name is redacted from MSP records, is pending, and he has posted a $40,000 bond.

Threats against a sitting governor are not unusual. Gov. Rick Snyder was directly threatened three times between January and October 2015 and another threat was made during a National Governors Association meeting Snyder attended. The MSP also investigated a threat against former Gov. Jennifer Granholm that year.

Tightened security for the public's building

One of four weapons detection systems at one of the entrances of the state Capitol in Lansing, pictured Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

The Capitol is both a place for legislative debates and tourists. But the lofty exterior often draws people with mental health issues and strong political opinions, state troopers said.

Legislators, along with the Capitol security team, have been striving toward improvements. In 2023, the Capitol Commission voted to ban weapons from the Capitol, with an exception for law enforcement and legislators who have a concealed carry permit. A weapons detection system was added as well. Open carry of firearms is still allowed on the Capitol lawn.

The Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol helped spur on the changes.

According to a 2021 survey of state capitols by the Council of State Governments, Michigan at the time did not have any of the four non-COVID related precautions the study examined: Metal detectors, X-ray machines, ID checks and security fencing.

Rep. Phil Green, R-Millington, said he has a concealed carry permit that allows him to carry a weapon in the Capitol. He was concerned when the armed protestors entered the Capitol in April 2020 but said he's not convinced the changes have made the Capitol safer.

"I have definitely felt over the past couple of years, the past year or two, the temp of people being angry starting to subside," he said. "To the best of my knowledge the system we had in place worked and we had no major incidences. So Im not 100% sure as to what the current change in security has done to make it more safe.

"Some people feel it's more safe but some people feel less safe."

Speaker of the House Joe Tate, D-Detroit, and Speaker Pro-Tem Laurie Pohutsky, D-Livonia, did not respond to requests for comment for this story.

MSP First Lt. Fahad Qureshi, who oversees the Capitol security team, said anyone can still walk into the Capitol, when it's open, without providing identification and that's intentional.

"The main role of the State Police is to maintain order to ensure people can express their constitutional rights to assemble and have a protest or a rally for whatever cause they're there for and ensuring safety for everybody that's there," he said. "Whether they're for a cause or against a cause, we are there to make sure the environment is safe.

"It's all case by case with what our responses are and we look at different outcomes. They're not all the same, where we can go down a checklist." said Qureshi, recently appointed to serve as post commander for MSP's Flint Post #35 Third District while continuing to lead the MSP State Security Operations Section at the Capitol until that position is filled.

Mental health, angry customers drive threat complaints

One of four weapons detection systems near the entrances of the state Capitol in Lansing, pictured Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

MSP's data indicates reports of threats are a small slice, about 11%, of the 178 incidents in the first nine months of 2023, when 19 incidents were reported to MSP as threats.

People with mental health problems are behind some of the incidents, documents show.

After employees at the Michigan Economic Development Corp. reported potential threats in January 2023, state police tracked a man who said he was frustrated with MEDC. The man made several calls, starting the previous month, and the nature of the potential threats is not included in the police reports, nor is his name.

State police contacted local police, in Lawrence, Michigan, where village Police Chief Paul Bianco told troopers that the man may have mental health issues; he had gone into the police station a month before and made racial comments about an Asian employee, the chief told state police. Bianco said the man was abrupt and had problems with the government, but confirmed he did not have access to firearms. The case was closed without prosecution.

Repeated calls, often heard by state workers as abusive, pop up regularly in the state reports and are usually dismissed with no crime found.

Others point to frustrated people interacting with often-complicated issues that get mired in state bureaucracy.

In April 2023, someone called the state Department of Treasury for issues involving home heating credits and check cashing.

The male caller became agitated and said, "Youre lucky I dont know where your office is. Im going to look up your address and come up there," according to a police report.

The Treasury worker told police she didn't feel threatened but took it as more of a general threat toward the building.

When police called the man, he told an officer he knew why they were calling, and he apologized, saying he made the comments out of anger with no intent to ever cause harm. The man told police that he had other issues going on in his life and would not make threats again. Police closed the case.

In another case, a man called workers at the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules more than 30 times on June 13, 2023, using profanities and racial slurs. He eventually began calling the Unemployment Insurance Appeals Commission, too. Police found the man, determined he was not a risk, and a supervisor at the Administrative Hearings and Rules office decided not to press charges, a police report showed.

The 'proverbial town square'

Michigan Senate Sergeant at Arms Gary Masseau at an entrance to the state Capitol, Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

The First Amendment allows people to protest state government, even in stern terms, meaning not every angry call is a threat, police said.

"The Capitol is the proverbial town square," Qureshi said. "It's where people come to rally for a cause or protest for a different cause. It's a gathering point for our citizens to express their constitutional rights."

More often than not, reported threats turn out to be unfounded, with someone making the threats with no intent to commit a crime, said Detective Sgt. Aaron Sitko of the Michigan State Police, who reviews most of the threats.

"Sometimes it's just conversations with people or they are frustrated trying to get to the root cause," Qureshi agreed. "We want to see, 'Hey, how can we help you so we can all move on from this?'

"Sometimes you have to explain (to state employees who file the complaint) that, constitutionally, they're allowed to do this. There's no law against it and the police can't interfere. It's a little disconcerting for people when that happens."

Someone submitted a potential threat in April 2023 to the governor's office via a web submission: "Take your filthy woke trash neurodiversity ideology and shove it. (Explicative) Im on the spectrum and I dont need acceptance. I dont want acceptance. You are a disease to society for propping these filthy woke (expletive) that dont deserve to live. Politicians like you dont deserve to breath."

State Police looked at the message and, in consultation with an Attorney General's Office attorney, determined it not to be a crime.

"There was a mutual agreement that there was no criminal activity in the post and would be protected by the First Amendment," the police report, signed by Sitko, said.

Sitko said police work with prosecutors on cases where there's a fine line between people being able to protest aggressively and making a threat.

"We can't guarantee anything," Kandler said. "But we do the best we can to make it safe and I tell parents, when their kids come to tour the Capitol, that they are at least as safe here as they are at their school."

Clarification: This story has been updated to reflect that Michigan State Police First Lt. Fahad Qureshi is now post commander for Flint Post #35 Third District while continuing to lead the MSP State Security Operations Section at the Capitol until that position is filled.

Contact Mike Ellis at mellis@lsj.com or 517-267-0415.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan Capitol police investigate hundreds of complaints. Heres what they found
The wait is almost over.

A smorgasbord of eateries will soon operate under one roof in Sacramento.

San Francisco-based Local Kitchens will open its third area location on March 27, at 2610 Arena Blvd., Suite 110, in North Natomas, with wagyu beef burgers, Detroit-style pizza, boba and more.

Local Kitchens is a micro food hall that partners with culinary experts to bring a variety of cuisines together on one menu.

The site joins a growing list of more than 10 sites across California, including one in Roseville and another in Davis.

This addition underscores our mission to foster connections between communities and the culinary talents that inspire them, bringing a diverse collection of signature dishes from favorite restaurants and chefs under one roof, according to a news release.

Local Kitchens at 2610 Arena Blvd., Suite 110, in Natomas. The San Francisco-based company will open a third Sacramento-area location on Tuesday, March 27, 2024. The micro food hall features cuisine from Nash and Proper, Square Pie Guys, The Melt, Boba Guys, Flavor Trippin by Turkey and The Wolf, and Nopalito Taqueria.

We are on a mission to build authentic connections between guests and the culinary creators who inspire them, the company added.

The official opening comes roughly one year after the Natomas Crossing site was originally slated to unlock its doors to the Sacramento community, according to a previous Sacramento Bee story.

What eateries are at Local Kitchens in Natomas Crossing?

The takeout-first food hall will feature grub from Sacramento-based Nash & Proper, according to a news release.

The small California chain serves the best Nashville-style fired chicken in Sacramento, according to its website.

The menu is chicken-heavy; options include quarter and half chickens, wings, tenders and sandwiches.

Owner Cecil Rhodes, left, works on orders while Matt Rocha, right, lifts a chicken thigh out of hot oil and Gavin Okamoto, center, makes sandwiches at Nash and Propers new takeout restaurant on K Street in downtown Sacramento on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020.

Nash and Proper customers eat at the new takeout restaurant on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, on K street in downtown Sacramento.

San Francisco-based Square Pie Guys will also set up shop in North Natomas with Detroit-style pizzas, chicken wings, salads and fries.

Square Pie Guys is opening its first Sacramento-area location in Rosevilles new Local Kitchens food hall.

Also available:

Guests can take their food to-go or eat on the patio, according to Oscar Weis, head of marketing for Local Kitchens.

What happened to the other Local Kitchens locations in the Sacramento area?

In December, Local Kitchens closed a separate Roseville site on Sierra College Boulevard with no plans of reopening, Weis said.

The Roseville location that is still open is at 10357 Fairway Drive, Suite 130.

The company also abandoned plans for locations in Folsom and Citrus Heights.

Were repositioning our stores in the greater Sacramento area in order to best serve our guests as weve learned more about the local communities here over the last year, he told The Bee on Thursday via email.

When will Local Kitchens open in North Natomas?

Local Kitchens is slated to open on Wednesday, March 27, at 2610 Arena Blvd., Suite 110, in Natomas Crossing.

Business hours are from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

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.
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  The Columbus Police Department is asking for the publics help with finding a missing juvenile.

Police say Taylor Ross, 17, was last seen near the 800 block of Stafford Court on Tuesday, March 19 at about 8 p.m.

Ross was wearing a beige zip-up jacket when she was seen last. Police describe Ross as standing at 53 and weighing 140lbs with brown eyes, brown hair.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or Detective Maymi at (706) 225-4173.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
ASHLAND CITY, Tenn. (WKRN)  Working their way back and forth along the Cumberland River, Metro, Cheatham County, and Ashland City officials are still looking for missing Missouri student Riley Strain.

News 2 rode with search crews from the Cheatham County Sheriffs Office and the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) on a search and rescue boat along the Cumberland River.

Search crews with TWRA and the Cheatham County Sheriffs Office told News 2 that the search looks a little different than Wednesdays. There are more boats in the water and resources in the air.

Riley Strains family reviewed unreleased surveillance video along Gay Street

However, the grid plan remained the same for all search crews.

Its actually normal, Lt. Shannon Heflin, Cheatham County Sheriffs Office said. I mean, of course the river flows down from Nashville to here and theres been a lot of current, so it is possible that he has washed down this far and in the past that has happened.

Using an app called CalTopo, search crews, including the Cheatham County Emergency Management Agency, Ashland City Fire Department, and Metro Organization of Emergency Management, comb through the river using a grid system near Gower Island and Rivergate Bluff.

Authorities say it is much like mowing a lawn with boat crews going back and forth.

Lt. Shannon Heflin with the Cheatham County Sheriffs Office told News 2 that by using technology on the boat, they can see whats under the water and along the shoreline.

(WKRN)

(WKRN)

(WKRN)

Heflin told News 2 that the biggest challenge to water searches is examining every pile of debris and suspicious sonar image from below the water. He also explained that if Strain did fall in and his body traveled to Ashland City, he would most likely be floating or along the shoreline.

Its possible as well that getting washed down the river, you could get caught up in a log jam or log pile, so we see something thats got debris built up in it, and we will pull in and kind of probe it just to make sure that theres not a body in there, Heflin said.

He added residents are keeping an eye out for Strain.

Tearful mother of Riley Strain says family focused on bringing him home

There has been a lot of publicity on this, Heflin said. I think most of the community members in Cheatham County and Metro Nashville, and most of the people that own boats, probably everybody is out here. Even if theyre out for recreation activities, they are still keeping an eye out for the body.

On Thursday night, search crews plan to be on the Cumberland River again. Officials told News 2 that searching the water at night makes for easier visibility below the water.

But with Fridays chance of inclement weather, Heflin said for the time being, they plan to proceed with a plan similar to Thursdays and day-by-day comb through the river.

More details about Riley Strain

University of Missouri student Riley Strain disappeared while on a fraternity trip in Nashville on March 8.

Surveillance video from Downtown Smoke & Vape Shop on Church Street caught Strain stumbling and falling in a parking lot at 3rd Avenue and Church Street around 9:45 p.m. Then, at 9:47 p.m., surveillance footage caught Strain crossing 1st Avenue North to Gay Street.

Strains last phone ping was near James Robertson Parkway and Gay Street between 9:55 p.m. and 10 p.m. Detectives said the last phone conversation Strain had with one of his friends was also during that same time period, but the ping covered about a two-mile radius and didnt give them a direction of travel or any more details about where Strain might have gone.

A friend of the 22-year-old called 911 on Saturday, March 9 after saying he went to the Central Police Precinct and called the sheriffs office to file a missing persons report.

Riley Strain Continuing Coverage | The latest in the search for the missing Missouri student

Then, on Sunday, March 17, police announced Strains bank card was found on the embankment between Gay Street and the Cumberland River amid the ongoing search effort for the missing college student.

On Monday, March 18, the department released bodycam video from an officer interacting with Strain on Gay Street just south of the Woodland Street Bridge from the night of Friday, March 8.

Strain is 6-feet, 5-inches tall, with a slender build, blonde hair, and blue eyes, according to his family. If you see Strain or have any information about where he may be, you are asked to call the MNPD at 615-862-8600.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
LUSAKA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- A senior Zambian government official said Friday that Lusaka, the country's capital, has witnessed an improvement in water supply since the commissioning of the Kafue Bulk Water Project funded by the Chinese government.

"One of the projects being done to address water problems in Lusaka is the Kafue Bulk Water Supply Project. The people in Lusaka have witnessed an improvement in water supply since it was commissioned," said Sheal Mulyata, the minister for Lusaka Province, during an event held in commemoration of this year's World Water Day.

She said about 500,000 people had been benefiting from the improved water supply, noting that the significance of the project addressing the water challenge could not be overemphasized.

Phase one of the project, financed by the Export-Import Bank of China (China Exim Bank) and constructed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), was commissioned in 2022.

Meanwhile, the official stressed the need for stakeholders to redouble efforts to address challenges of inequality in accessing clean water and sanitation services. She said unequal access to clean and proper sanitation has caused tensions and has been a source of conflicts in many parts of the country.

She said the theme for this year's commemoration, "Leveraging Water for Peace," calls for sustainable water management strategies and interventions.

The government, she said, was implementing several interventions aimed at expanding access to clean water and proper sanitation services in the country.

The minister warned that the drought that has hit the country would result in increased human-animal conflicts.

Raubil Durowoju, the African Development Bank (AfDB) country representative, said the lack of equitable access to clean water and sanitation services has been a breeding ground for conflicts in many parts of the world.

In remarks delivered on behalf of cooperating partners in the water sector, the AfDB representative said there was a need for countries to come up with strategies that ensure equitable access to water resources.

He reaffirmed that the bank and other cooperating partners will continue to support Zambia to address challenges in the water sector and ensure that the country has an adequate water supply. 
The Public Employment Retirement System of Mississippi is not on life support.

That was the message PERS leadership told senators Wednesday during a hearing at the Mississippi State Capitol to address legislation aiming to replace the board and take away its only regulatory tools.

PERS Board chairman Kim Hanna and board members Jay Smith and Randy McCoy spoke to the Senate Government Structures Committee to discuss PERS and give key updates on why the board has made decisions to address growing potential debt and low membership.

PERS is funded through both employee and employer contributions. Employers, such as cities, counties, state agencies and school districts currently contribute 17.4% matches of employees yearly salaries, while workers who opt in pay 9%.

Lawmakers who support the bill have said that over the past few years, the board has made three key errors.

Public Employment Retirement System of Mississippi board member Jay Smith, left, speaks with lawmakers Wednesday during a Senate hearing on House Bill 1590 in the Mississippi State Capitol. Smith, as well as other board members, gave updates to lawmakers about why they made the decision to increase contribution rates on public employers, who put money into the state's retirement sytstem.

One of those mistakes was estimating the retirement system was 93.5% funded through 2047 as of 2022. In 2023, PERS Executive Director Ray Higgins gave lawmakers a report stating the system would be less than 60% funded by 2034, and that if nothing was done to address future decline, less than 50% of active members within PERS could receive full benefits, which average out to $26,000 per year.

The other two mistakes were a vote to increase employer contributions to 22.4% over a five-year period, and a vote to decrease what is known as the estimated rate of return on all investments from 7.75% to 7%, which ballooned the systems estimated liabilities by $6 billion, from $19 billion to $25 billion, some lawmakers said Wednesday.

I am disappointed that the Board did not take the opportunity to recommend its proposal for long-term viability, said HB 1590 sponsor Rep. Hank Zuber, R-Ocean Springs. Its recommendation of a 5% employer contribution increase over three years is (just) a short-term and stop-gap measure.

The boards rebuttal? There havent been consecutive years where the estimated percentage of member funding fell below 50%, which is considered failing, and the board has done the only thing it could to address low memberships, accounting for a 15,380-member loss since 2014.

We executed our duty by using the only arrow in our quiver, which is to raise the contribution rate in order to achieve the results we think will happen, McCoy said.

As of 2023, 146,664 active members are paying into the system, a 10% fall from 2014 when it sat at 162,044. There are 118,301 retirees receiving benefits.

What is House Bill 1590?

House Bill 1590 was passed through the House last week. If it passes through the Senate as is, it would essentially have two key functions:

Replace the PERS Board of trustees members with an 11-person board consisting of four gubernatorial appointees, three appointees from the lieutenant governor, in addition to the state treasurer and the revenue commissioner, who both serve on the board. Only two members would be elected by the PERS membership.

Currently, the board is comprised of 10 members, eight of whom are elected, one is a gubernatorial appointee, and one is the state treasurer.

The bill would also eliminate a rate increase for public employers, which the board passed last year.

Why does HB 1590 matter?

During the Wednesday meeting, Toby Barker, mayor of Hattiesburg told lawmakers that future rate increases would force him and other citywide agencies to cut jobs and in other areas because of heightened costs.

Smith, who also serves as the superintendent for North Pike School District, said he will have to budget for an additional $750,000 to fulfill the 5% rate increase taking effect in 2027. However, he said that added cost is a far better burden than a failing retirement system in Mississippi.

When the experts are telling you that if you do not raise this rate, that your funding ratio is going to fall below 50% By the year 2034, that kind of ties the board's fingers because the revenues got to come from somewhere, Smith said. The first thing I learned is the revenue is going to come from somewhere, and it's either coming today or down the road, but we've got to make tough decisions.

Additionally, PERS Board Chair Hanna told the Clarion Ledger that taking away the boards ability to change employer or employee contribution rates, which she said is the board's only autonomous method to regulate PERS, would set a precedent for lawmakers to override any rate-based decisions the board makes.

It certainly changes the numbers, and it (allows) a funding policy that we as a standard don't typically accept, Hanna said. That would completely undermine the basic principle on which we base our funding on.

Would HB 1590 help PERS? Who is pushing for it?

Republican lawmakers in the House have stated that changing the board and decreasing the rate on employers will help the legislature readjust its public retirement approach.

House Speaker Jason White, R-West, who did not respond to requests for comment on the bill, publicly endorsed the legislation Wednesday on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The House of Representatives remains committed to preserving our retirement system without placing unnecessary burdens on our local governments and Mississippi taxpayers, White wrote in the post.

Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann did not say whether he supports HB 1590 in a written response to the Clarion Ledger, but he did say shoring up PERS is a priority.

I remain committed to protecting all of the retirement benefits of all of our retirees and our current employees, Hosemann said. I also remain committed to shoring up the retirement system, which the executive director has now informed us is $25 billion underfunded, and finding a solution to ensure all benefits will be paid.

Will the Houses proposal to reform state retirement work?

According to some experts, the HB 1590 does nothing to address the larger problem: PERSs growing liability and shrinking number of active members.

Robert Clark, an economist at North Carolina State University, said he has not seen any example of a legislative takeover of a PERS board or the taking away of the boards ability to manage contributions ever being more successful.

I haven't seen any evidence on that, Clark said. I mean, if you look around the country, there are even some states that have been negligent in making contributions to their pension plans.

Clark said states have had less than a handful of options to reduce liability on retirement funds, address low memberships and control immediate costs.

Mississippi Lawmakers are not currently taking any of those actions.

Those moves include changing the contribution rate for employers or employees or to create more hybrid models that include public funds to match private sector retirement plans, such as a 401K.

If you look across the country, you will find 12 or 15 different states have shifted to things called hybrid plans where the traditional defined benefit plan has been frozen, and all new employees were in this hybrid plan, which has a much lower defined benefit component, Clark said.

Senators kill ballot initiatives Monday Ballot initiative reform dies in Mississippi Senate Monday

What happens next for House Bill 1590?

Senate Government and Structures Committee Chairman Chris Johnson, R-Hattiesburg, told the Clarion Ledger he is still unsure whether he will bring out the bill to his committee for a vote.

I'm still processing, Johnson said. We want to, of course, be cautious with expanding appropriations through the employer contribution, but then we also want to make sure that we make this the employment retirement system as sound as possible.

During the hearing, several Senators such as Johnson, David Parker, R-Olive Branch, and Daniel Sparks, R-Belmont, asked if the board would benefit from additional members.

While they did not specify where those members would originate, the question does mimic HB 1590 with additional board seats.

While Hanna and Smith both said they were open to the idea of receiving more advice, they are weary of it.

We do have some concern over the diluting of the representation of the 330,000 PERS members, whether they're retired or active, Hanna said.

Johnson did not indicate if he has been given a mandate from Hosemann to consider HB 1590, and he will have until April 2 to push that bill out of committee.

Read what else lawmakers are up to Mississippi Senate is likely to change House Medicaid expansion bill

Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MS Senate considering bill to replace elected state retirement leaders
Missouris Republican Party filed suit Thursday to stop an honorary member of the Ku Klux Klan from running for governor under its banner.

The petition says the GOP did not have a chance to vet Darrell McClanahan III and didnt learn of his views and associations until after he filed a declaration of candidacy.

MSRC does not want to be associated with Mr. McClanahan. His racism and antisemitism are antithetical to beliefs of MRSC, the party wrote in its request for an injunction.

Last month, after McClanahan launched his primary campaign, a photo of him in front of a burning cross with a Klan member resurfacedprompting the party to disavow him.

The party also asked the secretary of state to remove McClanahan from the ballot but he refused. He is named as a defendant in the suit.

Although McClanahan has said he was never a member of the KKK, the suit notes that he has acknowledged he was given an honorary one-year membership.

In response to the Missouri GOPs repudiation, McClanahan said earlier this month that the party knew exactly who I am and claimed the chairman knew I was a Christian identist and told him that I should just not say anything bad about the Jews.

What a bunch of Anti-White hypocrites, he added.

On Thursday, he uploaded documents of the GOP case to a video on YouTube, titled, Missouri GOP filed a lawsuit against me What a bunch of Anti-White Hypocrites. He made no further comment.

As NBC News reported, the photo of McClanahan with the burning cross first came to light two years ago when he ran for the Republican nomination for a Senate seat and lostand then ran as an independent for a House seat and lost again.

He sued the Anti-Defamation Leaguewhich had exposed his historyfor $5 million, but it was dismissed.

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A young man was shot dead after a night out with friends in "swift and lethal" retribution for a stabbing, the Old Bailey heard.

Tyrese Miller, 22, was shot in the chest with a shotgun at close range on 4 April last year, the court was told.

Four men from south-west London are on trial charged with murdering Mr Miller.

It was heard that he may have been a victim of mistaken identity, who was "in the wrong place at the wrong time".

Opening the trial on Thursday, prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones KC said another man, named Prince Miller, was stabbed in south London shortly before midnight on 3 April last year.

Having survived, he did not want police involved and instead went to his friends who swiftly responded, jurors heard.

In just two-and-a-half hours, Denzel Kwateng, 21, and Armani McClymont, 21, got a gun and Kavaun Morrison, 19, and Manuel Paulo, 20, fetched a stolen car on false plates, it was alleged.

'Tragically misguided'

They travelled across south London towards the area where their friend was stabbed, it was claimed by the prosecution.

Mr Emlyn Jones KC said: "When they got to Mitcham, they drove after a young man named Tyrese Miller and, when they caught up with him, they shot and killed him. He was shot in the chest with a shotgun from close range.

"This group's revenge was swift and it was lethal. It was also tragically misguided."

Mr Emlyn Jones KC said it was clear Tyrese Miller had not stabbed Prince Miller and had been enjoying a night out in a pub with friends at the time.

After the shooting, Prince Miller's girlfriend, Azariah James-Gulston, 20, from Croydon, and their friend, Ky-mani Elliott, 20, from Lewisham, helped get rid of the car, which was set alight on playing fields, prosecutors alleged.

A 17-year-old youth, who cannot be identified because of his age, and Cheick Cisse, 29, collected the gun but were caught by police with it in the back of an Uber, the court heard.

'Unable to establish' link

The prosecutor said there had been an "extensive investigation" and police had been "unable to establish any link" between Tyrese Miller and the stabbing of Prince Miller.

"Prince Miller never told the police who stabbed him, but of course he'd have told his mates who stabbed him before they set out to commit their act of tit-for-tat violence in revenge.

"On the other hand, it remains entirely possible that Tyrese was just tragically in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Mr Emlyn Jones KC added: "It is possible that he was shot either in a case of mistaken identity or that he was shot just because the defendants were looking to send a message by shooting any young man they happened to find in that particular part of town."

Denzel Kwateng, from New Addington, Armani McClymont, of Thornton Heath, Kavaun Morrison and Manuel Paulo, from Tooting, deny murder and possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

Mr Kwateng, Ky-Mani Elliott and Ms James-Gulston deny perverting the course of justice by assisting in the destruction of the Toyota car.

Mr Cisse, from Croydon, and the 17-year-old deny possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

The trial continues.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  The City of Mobile is taking action that could reduce the number of garbage cans lining the streets of downtown.

Until now, the city picked up most downtown businesses garbage once a day for free.

The Mobile City Council passed a law on Tuesday that defines which businesses downtown get their garbage picked up and when.

If we want a clean city

It doesnt just disappear at the end of the day, Casi Callaway, Mobiles Chief Resilience Officer, said about garbage. Weve got to make sure were taking care of it if we want a clean city.

The law defines which downtown businesses are qualified for pick-up services and when those services will happen.

Qualified businesses are limited to restaurants and bars; however, the city has not always enforced this restriction until now.

The city will continue free pick-up services for qualified businesses once every day. According to Callaway, service will also continue for unqualified businesses that had been receiving services before Tuesday.

She said the law reminds business owners of their responsibilities while saving the city money.

Some people come in, they put their trash out every day and the citys been picking it up, Callaway said.

That becomes, over time, a pretty incredible burden of expense on the city.

Unqualified businesses, according to Callaway, can take their garbage to one of the two trash compactors downtown. However, rotting garbage cannot be put in those compactors.

She said this could help clean up downtown streets.

Having a lot of garbage carts on the streets downtown is not what anyone wants, Callaway said.

What about unqualified businesses?

Meanwhile, businesses outside of downtown seem to be out of luck. They will have to keep paying for a third-party garbage and trash service.

As a restaurant owner out not in downtown, I would like to say its not fair, but I understand the logistics of it, Bobby Lankford, a business owner on Dauphin Island Parkway, said.

Unlike downtown businesses, Lankford said, he has enough space for a dumpster. Its something he said hes grateful for.

Its not like anything is being taken away from me, Lankford said.

District 2 Councilman William Carroll said the passage of this law is the beginning of a larger discussion to treat all businesses within the city limits the same.

Carroll said theres no definite way to know what businesses qualify for services, especially with all garbage cans looking the same.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
A Pennsylvania mother who attempted to fight off a gunman accused of killing her daughter in a violent spree last week recalled the last moments she saw her child alive in an interview Monday.

On March 16, 26-year-old Andre Gordon allegedly forced his way into the home of Nancy Daniel, 61. According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by HuffPost, Gordon killed Daniels 25-year-old daughter, Taylor Daniel, with whom he had two children.

Nancy Daniel told ABC affiliate WPVI-TV that Taylor grabbed her two girls and locked herself in a bedroom with them before Gordon arrived.

The first thing I remember is Taylor coming to me saying, Mom, Andres here, hes got a gun. Go in your room, Nancy Daniel told the outlet.

She said Gordon broke into her home and tore her daughters bedroom door down.

According to the affidavit, Nancy Daniel left her bedroom after hearing gunshots and struck Gordon with a wooden axe handle. Gordon hit Nancy Daniel in the head with his rifle before leaving the scene.

Taylor Daniels brother, John Daniel, was also home at the time of the incident. He told investigators that he found his sister unresponsive and their mother with a head injury. After finding them, he took his nieces out of the room.

According to the affidavit, Taylor Daniel was pronounced dead at the scene.

She lived for those girls. They were everything to her. She protected them to the end, Nancy Daniel told WPVI-TV.

In addition to the Daniels, Gordon attacked members of his own family, the affidavit details. Earlier on March 16, just minutes before Taylor Daniel called police, Gordon allegedly fatally shot his stepmother and teen sister inside their home in Falls Township.

Almost 10 minutes after allegedly killing Taylor Daniel, Gordon robbed a man at gunpoint and fled the area in the victims car, according to the affidavit. That car was found abandoned in Trenton, New Jersey, a short drive away.

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Gordon barricaded himself along with several hostages inside a home in Trenton. Gordon escaped from the home but was apprehended on foot several blocks away, police said. Gordon is facing charges of murder, burglary and assault in Pennsylvania. In New Jersey, hes also facing several charges, including unlawful possession of an assault firearm, according to an announcement by the New Jersey attorney generals office.

The Daniel family told The Philadelphia Inquirer that Gordon and Taylor Daniel were in an on-and-off relationship for at least seven years. The family said Taylor Daniel had noticed Gordon was acting irrational, and he stopped seeing his daughters in June of last year.

Police did not mention a clear motive behind the incident. Falls Township Police Chief Nelson Whitney told reporters on Monday that while the suspect had previous minor incidents with the law, there was nothing that would indicate that anything like this would happen, Fox affiliate WTXF-TV reports.

An attorney was not listed in Gordons court record. No date was assigned for his next hearing in Pennsylvania, but according to WPVI, hes set to return to court in New Jersey on Thursday for his detention hearing.

According to a separate probable cause affidavit cited by WPVI, Pennsylvania authorities believed Gordan had acquired a ghost gun used in the carjacking and killing.

Related...
Nearly three years ago, my mother Debbie Sisco and sister Marie Varsos were murdered. Her husband Shaun Varsos, who had threatened our family and friends, hunted them down, shot and killed them. Marie was a tragic victim of domestic violence, and my mom died trying to protect her.

My sister had the cards stacked in her favor to protect her. She contacted the police. She received a restraining order. She followed up with local enforcement for updates. She was surrounded by our family, who advocated for her and provided a safe haven. She kept disturbing messages from her husband as proof that his behavior was a threat to her life.

Marie Varsos with her dogs.

She even secured a firearm, which she ultimately used against him the morning of her death. However, she still ended up as a casualty of domestic violence. If Marie had these advantages, how great is the risk for other women who lack similar support, resources and advocates?

Loopholes in the law put domestic violence victims in danger

The red flags were there for local law enforcement, lawyers and the courts. About one month prior to her death, Marie was strangled and held captive at gunpoint by Shaun. They were aware of Shauns risk to hurt others. Due to loopholes and missteps by government agencies, I suffered two significant losses in one day. Unfortunately, stories like mine arent entirely one of a kind, and its deeply troubling to know how commonplace domestic violence continues to be.

Deborah Sisco

In Tennessee, for instance, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence estimates nearly 40% of women in the state will experience some form of domestic violence in their lifetimes. A contributing factor are several loopholes.

A Tennessee judge can authorize electronic monitoring to track a DV offenders whereabouts but that condition was never imposed on Maries husband as part of his release.

In fact, when pressed, a local district attorneys office couldnt name a single DV case where monitoring was used. Gaps like this can expose women to be more vulnerable and more likely to become fatalities.

'Crime-free' laws hurt those in need: For domestic violence survivors, calling for help can be deadly. Or cost them their home.

For my sister, one of the most egregious system failures was that she wasnt notified of her husbands arrest and release. Even more appalling is that he was released early from jail, although the magistrate ordered he be held for the mandatory 12 hours before his release.

GPS requirement bill could prevent more tragedy

More safeguards are needed at the local and national levels. GPS monitoring to notify both victims and law enforcement is one of those options. Currently, theres not much to deter an offender from coming after you.

'I am them': An Arizona lawmaker publicly revealed her planned abortion. She shouldn't have had to.

My sister was so worried for her life that she slept with a knife under her pillow and a gun nearby after her strangulation. Im sure other victims have slept with a weapon close by, but they shouldnt have to rely on self defense.

GPS monitoring should be a condition of bail for any offender who strangulates, uses a deadly weapon on a victim or is deemed dangerous. Enabling this technology brings victim protection into the 21st century and can save lives. If my sister had had access to this technology to alert her, it could've increased her chances of survival.

Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store.

Right now, the Tennessee legislature is considering a GPS monitoring bill (Senate Bill 1972/House Bill 2692), named in honor of my late mom and sister, that could save lives of battered people by notifying them and local law enforcement of an offenders proximity.

Alex Youn

If it passes, it may encourage other states to follow Tennessees lead to pass a similar law. No one should have to experience what Ive gone through. While it shouldnt take a tragedy to inspire transformation, Im hopeful my personal loss will save the lives of others.

Alex Youn is a domestic violence advocate and public policy professional in the telecommunications industry. This column originally appeared in The Tennessean.

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Abuse victims need protection. GPS tracking of offenders is a start
The mother of two toddler boys who were critically injured in a Washington Heights fire has been arrested on child endangerment charges, police said Friday.

Skilyn Maldonado, 23, was arrested late Thursday after police determined she wasnt home when the fire broke out inside her fifth-floor apartment on Audubon Ave. near W. 175th St., cops said.

She had also been arrested four days before the fire for allegedly robbing a 29-year-old woman of her phone.

Her two children, a 2-year-old boy and his 1-year-old brother were critically injured in the blaze, authorities said Thursday.

Neighbors rescued the tots from the apartment shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday.

My mom and I were trying to see if we can bring out the kids, but the couch was on fire, neighbor Jayden Zorilla, 14, told the Daily News Thursday. When I entered, the window glass broke, and there was blazing fire.

Jayden said an 8-year-old girl, the older sister of the two boys, came to her apartment and started banging on the door.

She was saying there is a fire in her apartment, the teen recounted.

Jaydens mother Yucania Germosen, 40, said an older sister was trying to save her siblings, but the fire was already reaching the ceiling.

They were crying out loud, she said.

Germosen then wrapped the little girl whod knocked in a blanket and asked her 10-year-old son Justin Zorilla to take her downstairs.

She had burns on her face, and her hair was also burnt, Justin said.

The two boys were in critical condition Friday. Their 8-year-old sister was less badly hurt and was treated for smoke inhalation. Another girl, also 8, and her mother, 28, were treated for smoke inhalation, police said.

It took nearly 60 firefighters an hour to bring the fire under control after flames spread in the building above a street-level restaurant, the Emergency Snack Bar Plus.

Cops charged Maldonado with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Her arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court was pending Friday.
A bi-partisan omnibus bill aimed at lowering Kentuckys soaring maternal mortality and morbidity rates is nearly law.

But a last-minute committee substitute to add the requirement that health care providers recommend women with nonviable pregnancies should consider carrying those pregnancies to term rather than get abortions has rankled Democrats.

The committee substitute was added during the Senate Standing Committee on Health Services Thursday, but the whole of the last-minute change was not made public or discussed at length at the meeting.

Some Democrats on the committee who voted in favor of the new bill told the Herald-Leader they didnt realize how extensive the bill substitute was. The bill has otherwise had strong bipartisan support throughout the working group that produced the measure and so far this legislative session, earning a recent vote in the House of 90-0.

House Bill 10 from Rep. Kim Moser, R-Taylor Mill, known as the momnibus bill for its many components pertaining to pregnant and new moms, would do the following:

Establish pregnancy as a qualifying life event to be covered by Medicaid

Require Medicaid to cover lactation consultation services and the cost of breastfeeding equipment, telehealth services related to maternity care and participation in an in-home program for treatment of substance use disorder.

Allow pregnant women on private insurance the option to buy into temporary insurance to cover pregnancy.

Maintain the emergency Lifeline for Moms Psychiatry Access Program under the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to allow health care providers expedite referrals for patients needing behavioral health services.

This lifeline builds off a five-year $750,000 grant the state had been awarded to do just that. If providers identify a mental health need, they would be able to call a hotline and get immediate access to mental health treatment, and then a referral if necessary for their patient, Moser told the committee Thursday.

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The bill would also push public health department staff working in the home-visit program known as HANDS  health, access, nurturing development services  to offer education on safe sleep and lactation counseling and assistance. Under the bill, the Cabinet will also study Doula programs and their benefit to populations most at risk for poor perinatal outcomes.

Year over year, Kentucky has one of the highest maternal mortality rates. Nearly all maternal deaths within the first year of pregnancy are preventable, and more than half are caused by addiction-related issues, Moser has said.

Generally, the goal is to strengthen wrap-around services for this population to lower these rates and to ensure mothers and their children are afforded the best care in Kentucky, said Moser, a former nurse who chairs the House Health Services Committee.

It was in that committees meeting earlier this month that three Democrats walked out in protest over the contents of a bill that were slipped into House Bill 10 on Thursday.

Under House Bill 467, or the Love Them Both Part II Act from Rep. Nancy Tate, R-Brandenburg, all hospitals, birthing centers, maternal fetal medicine providers and midwives shall provide or make referrals to a perinatal palliative care program, or perinatal palliative care support services if a patients pregnancy is nonviable, and it would be covered by insurance.

This program, according to Tate and her bill language, is to offer alternatives to pregnancy termination.

One of the lawmakers who walked out was Rep. Lindsey Burke, D-Lexington, who has shared her own experience of terminating a nonviable pregnancy. She called Tates bill an insult to grieving parents everywhere.

Tate said her bill is a very compassionate piece of legislation that gives us the opportunity to support women and their families physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally and financially.

A nonviable pregnancy is one in which the fetus is diagnosed with a condition or anomaly that will lead to their death, either in utero or shortly after birth.

In these situations, as the Herald-Leader has reported, termination is one of the handful of options considered the standard of care health care providers present to patients with nonviable pregnancies.

With abortion still illegal in Kentucky except in medical emergencies, women with nonviable pregnancies that dont immediately threaten their health must drive out of state for those services.

Palliative care for babies born with fatal conditions already exists in hospitals across Kentucky, according to doctors whove spoken with the Herald-Leader, though not all hospitals have a formalized program.

Moser added much of the wording from Tates bill to House Bill 10 on Thursday, which would also require the Cabinet to maintain a list of perinatal palliative care programs and services providers on its website.

She said Friday morning that the point is just that the hospital shall give the patient and family the option of receiving this care, not to necessarily pressure women one way or the other.

In the meeting Thursday, she told committee members that perinatal palliative care had been added to two sections of the bill, but not all members had seen the committee substitute by the time votes were taken.

Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong, D-Louisville, voted in favor of House Bill 10 in committee on Thursday before realizing what the committee sub called for.

Chambers Armstrong, who was part of the working group that produced House Bill 10, said she had not seen the committee sub by the time the meeting started.

I did not realize this bill had been added, and I certainly wouldve had a lot more questions had I realized it, she said Friday morning. We did not know at the time we were voting for (that) bill.

I very much support the maternal health provisions in the bill, and I want those to pass. The ones that expand access for pregnant women to insurance, to lactation support, to Doulas, to mental health treatment. Those are really important provisions that will save lives, Chambers Armstrong said.

And if women with nonviable pregnancies wish to carry to term, its important to meet that need, she said.

But what is cruel about the law in the state of Kentucky right now is thats the only choice that the law offers to women in these impossible situations, she added. We should also be providing them information about the medical standard of care, which is allowing for termination in cases where a pregnancy is nonviable.

The bills provisions seemingly encouraging women who are pregnant with nonviable pregnancies to stay pregnant, I think that is a cruel provision. I cant support that.

House Bill 10 next heads to the Senate for floor votes, one of the last steps before passage.

This story may be updated.
Greece is the word for Monmouth College, as students in the Chorale, Chamber Choir and the Chamber Winds are fondly recalling their recent trip to Greece.

Those curious about what pieces those groups performed during their March 9-17 getaway and how they sounded should attend their home concert at 7:30 p.m. March 23 in the Kasch Performance Hall of Dahl Chapel and Auditorium.

For those who are curious about the trip overall and the impact it had on students, Kelsey Moersfelder 26 of Huntley, Ill., offered a take that several of her peers echoed in a Thursday college release.

The atmosphere, the crowds  it was absolutely fantastic to feel welcomed in these new places, she said. We had no idea since wed never been there before, but it was life-changing.

Monmouth College students at the Parthenon in Greece during their trip earlier this month.

Aiden Earley 27 of Annawan, Ill., agreed.

My favorite thing was probably the amazing crowds that we got to see as we performed, he said. They had total engagement with our music.

With a few exceptions, it was most students first time visiting Greece. For Earley and several others, it was also the first time traveling abroad.

I love Monmouth, because I transferred in here earlier this semester, and Im already traveling to Greece with these amazing people, he said. Ive never been outside the country before. This was an amazing experience.

Connections and growth

Riley Kalnins 26 of Lincoln, Neb., and Lorenzo Ramirez 26 of Waukegan, Ill., both said they enjoyed the chance to see what the lives of the local people were like, but several students commented that the new relationships they treasured most were with other members of their group.

My favorite part of the trip was being able to connect with the people around me in many different facets, like the hectic-ness of travel, getting through tough spots in performances, and the unknowns of each venue, said Moersfelder. We were able to work through things smoothly, and it was an incredible way to get to know the people around me.

Chorale director and music professor Tim Pahel has been taking students on spring break trips for several years, and hes witnessed many times that sense of camaraderie that Moersfelder discussed.

These trips are so good for the musical groups, because people get to know each other better and bond more while theyre seeing these incredible things, he said. There was also great growth from the first concert to the third one, and by the time we did the third one, we were like, That was a really good concert.'

A Monmouth College group at the theater in Epidaurus, Greece.

In a normal setting, as we work on goals and projects together, we see a deepening of relationships, said music professor Justin Swearinger, who directs the Chamber Winds. But spending a week together in a land of new experiences is just so different for everybody. I was extremely impressed and proud of how much the students helped each other navigate all of the logistics that come with travel and traveling with instruments. They took care of each other.

Ancient time capsules

Pahel listed some of the incredible things on the groups itinerary.

In Athens, we saw the Acropolis and Parthenon, he said. We also went to Delphi, Corinth, Epidaurus and Patras, and it was fantastic. We saw some incredible things, and we had incredible weather. We were able to love being outside, seeing all the beautiful sites.

Monmouth Colleges Dahl Chapel and Auditorium.

The odds were in the contingents favor, at least in terms of sunshine, as Greece averages around 330 such days per year.

Earley said he was impressed by the upkeep of those historic sites.

We could see them for what they were, which are these grand and amazing time capsules that take you back to what it was like back then, he said. You see how far man has come, but also how advanced they were then, as they served as the building blocks  the cradle  for Western civilization.

I couldnt have even predicted how beautiful and well-kept everything was, said Hannah McGee 26 of Morris, Ill., who was thrilled to see in person the theatre at Epidaurus, a site shes read about in class.

Its wild to think of how many different places we experienced in such a short period of time, said Swearinger. Because the crowds werent too large, we really got to be up close with all these sites. Epidaurus really sticks out in my mind. The acoustics there were truly incredible and were worth the trip alone to experience.

Swearinger also enjoyed a footrace with Kalnins at Olympia, home of the original Olympics.

Pahel purposely schedules a trip outside of the United States every four years so that a student, at some point during their time here, has the possibility of traveling internationally. And I love the idea of touring, because we get to make music together and go see new, cool places. Overall, this experience is really rich and gives people memories that theyll have for the rest of their lives. And its all wrapped up in music, friends and being in a new country seeing incredible things.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
MOSCOW, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Russia's Foreign Ministry on Friday called the shooting at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in the northwest of Moscow a "terrorist attack" and urged the entire world community to condemn the attack.

"The Russian Foreign Ministry receives calls from ordinary citizens around the world expressing condolences in connection with the terrible tragedy at Crocus City Hall and words of strong condemnation of this bloody terrorist attack taking place before the eyes of all mankind," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Telegram.

"The entire world community is obliged to condemn this monstrous crime," she added. 
A Monmouth County fugitive wanted on attempted murder charges was arrested in North Carolina, following a police car chase that spanned around 100 miles, authorities said.

Damian Bell, 49, of Brooklyn, is wanted in New Jersey for two counts of first-degree attempted murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon - certain person not to possess a firearm, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

These charges stem from an early morning incident on August 25, when Freehold Borough Police responded to shots fired on the 70 block of Center Street, according to the prosecutor's office. There officers found two adult victims, one man and one woman, with gunshot wounds. Both were taken to a local hospital, treated and released.

Bell was identified by police as the suspected shooter but he could not be located, so a fugitive warrant was issued for his arrest.

North Carolina police subsequently arrested Bell on unrelated charges earlier this month, and then contacted Monmouth County authorities after learning of the fugitive warrant. Bell now awaits extradition to New Jersey.

Damian Bell, wanted for two counts of attempted murder, was arrested in North Carolina following a 100 mile police chase.

In North Carolina, Bell was charged by the Rowan County Sheriff's Office after authorities there said he tried to flee police following a traffic stop. At 11:52 p.m. on March 14, deputies from the sheriff's office received word from another law enforcement agency that a red Hyundai Tucson, later identified as being driven by Bell, failed to stop for one of their officers on a traffic stop, authorities said. That agency's policy would not allow them to engage in a pursuit for a misdemeanor traffic violation.

Soon after, Rowan County deputies located the vehicle on I-85 near exit 76 - U.S. Highway 52 - and noted that the vehicle appeared to be traveling around 25 mph over the 70 mph speed limit, according to authorities. They tried to pull the vehicle over but it did not stop, and a pursuit began northbound on I-85.

The vehicle Damian Bell used during the 100 mile police chase.

As the pursuit continued, other agencies were requested for assistance, and one police department deployed stop sticks at exits 102 and 103, authorities said. As the pursuit approached exit 102, the suspect vehicle hit the stop sticks, decreasing speed but continuing to flee despite having a flat left front tire.

The pursuit continued on I-85, where stop sticks were attempted again at exit 141, but were unsuccessful, the sheriff's office said. The pursuit continued and stop sticks were again deployed at exit 147, successfully striking the right front tire of the suspect vehicle, which continued to flee with two flat front tires.

The pursuit continued, but eventually the suspect vehicle began slowing due to not having any tires left on the front wheels, authorities said. The vehicle finally slowed down to around 30 mph and came to a stop just before exit 183 in Durham County, North Carolina.

The driver, later identified as Bell, was taken into custody without further incident, according to the sheriff's office. The pursuit covered a total distance of approximately 100 miles.

Inside Bell's car, deputies found nine handguns, one rifle, numerous rounds of ammunition and two bags of methamphetamine, authorities said. While searching the Bell, they also found crack cocaine and marijuana.

Bell initially refused to give his name and had no documents to identify who he was, the sheriff's office said. He was charged with multiple charges including felony flee to elude, possession of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, misdemeanor possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, carrying a concealed gun, maintaining a vehicle/dwelling place for controlled substance and resisting a public officer. He was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $150,000 secured bond.

Paraphernalia taken from Bell's vehicle during his arrest.

Deputies at the Rowan Counties Sheriff's Office spoke with the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office who confirmed Bell was still wanted on the attempted murder charges and that they would extradite him back to New Jersey, the office said. A fugitive warrant was obtained for Bell, and he was brought back before a magistrate where he received an additional bond of $750,000, bringing his total bond to $900,000.

Jenna Calderon covers breaking news and cold cases in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Before coming to the Press, she covered The Queen City for Cincinnati Magazine in Ohio. Contact her at 330-590-3903; jcalderon@gannettnj.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Monmouth County fugitive caught after 100-mile chase in North Carolina
WASHINGTON  A group of four House Republicans sent a letter to the Biden administration Wednesday protesting a policy to expand access to in vitro fertilization, or IVF, for veterans.

The letter, addressed to Denis McDonough, the secretary of veterans affairs, was signed by Reps. Matt Rosendale of Montana, Mary Miller of Illinois, Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma and Bob Good of Virginia, who said they had "a plethora of ethical concerns and questions" about the policy.

"IVF is morally dubious and should not be subsidized by the American taxpayer. It is well known that IVF treatments result in a surplus of embryos after the best ones are tested and selected. These embryos are then frozen  at significant cost to the parents  abandoned, or cruelly discarded," the lawmakers wrote.

The Republicans argued the VA's policy expanding IVF access for veterans would be harmful to the embryos, which they said have "inherent humanity."

Parents uncertainty of what to do with the additional embryos and inclination to leave them frozen for many years rather than discarding them points to their inherent humanity. The new VA policy is shocking not only on a moral level, but on a political and legal level as well, the four Republicans added.

They went on to ask McDonough a series of questions, including what the Department of Veterans Affairs plans to do with the surplus embryos, where it will store embryos, who will pay for the storage, how much it will cost and where the VA gets the legal authority for its decision.

The department explains the changes it is pursuing on its website: VA is soon expanding access to IVF services. Before todays expansion of care, VA was only allowed to provide IVF services to Veterans who were legally married and  within that relationship  able to produce their own gametes (both eggs and sperm). Under this expansion of care, VA will offer IVF benefits to qualifying Veterans regardless of marital status and  for the first time  allow the use of donor eggs, sperm, and embryos.

The VA said in a news release that expanding access was "a critical step toward helping Veterans who are not able to produce their own sperm or eggs due to service-connected injuries and health conditions."

Raising a family is a wonderful thing, and Im proud that VA will soon help more Veterans have that opportunity, McDonough said in the release. This expansion of care has long been a priority for us, and we are working urgently to make sure that eligible unmarried Veterans, Veterans in same-sex marriages, and Veterans who need donors will have access to IVF in every part of the country as soon as possible.

The Republicans' letter comes amid a heated national debate about IVF after an Alabama ruling that found that embryos are people threatened access to the procedure within the state. In the aftermath of the ruling, Republicans were divided, with some enacting legislation at the state level to protect IVF and others blocking measures that would provide federal protections for the practice.

President Joe Biden and other Democrats have rushed to present themselves as defenders of keeping IVF legal. They've introduced measures in the House and the Senate aimed at protecting the practice, and some lawmakers even invited guests affected by Alabama's ruling to attend Biden's State of the Union address this month.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Several mines in Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts lost power after a massive Russian drone and missile attack on March 22, leaving 1,060 miners trapped underground, the Energy Ministry reported, adding that there was no threat to their lives.

"An emergency plan has been implemented: emergency power supplies have been activated, and the evacuation of miners to the surface has begun, Ukrainian energy provider DTEK reported on Telegram on March 22.

Read also: Zelenskyy draws a parallel between delay in Western aid and Russias devastating March 22 attack

All miners are undergoing medical examinations after evacuation. No one was injured."

Once the mines are deemed safe and the necessary preparations are made, coal production will resume, the company said.



Read also: Russian mass attack shuts down metro, trolleybuses, and trams in Kharkiv

The Russian military launched its most extensive attack of 2024 on Ukraine's energy system on the morning of March 22, targeting multiple oblasts with cruise and ballistic missiles, and drones.

Blackouts were introduced in Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Odesa oblasts.

Read also: Terrible morning: Civilians left dead and injured as Russia pounds Khmelnytskyi Oblast overnight

A total of 92 out of 151 air targets were shot down overnight during the attack, Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk reported on Telegram on March 22.



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
Editors note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.

State lawmakers for the second year in a row have signed off on expanding the number of medical-marijuana licenses earmarked for Black farmers, opening the door for three applicants who lost out earlier.

Expansion of medical-marijuana licenses for Black farmers was included in a wide-ranging Department of Health bill (SB 1582) that also addresses such issues as septic-tank inspections and screening for newborns and pregnant women.

A provision added to the bill in the last week of this years legislative session would help at least three Black farmers who had sought medical-marijuana licenses but were deemed ineligible to apply by state officials.

Read: Madeline Soto: Kissimmee police chief says detectives cant be rushed in their investigation

Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journals website.

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About 32,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis have been killed since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, marking a casualty ratio of roughly 26 to 1, according to officials from both governments.

But despite this massive disparity, half of Americans do not know which side has had a higher death toll, according to a March 21 poll from the Pew Research Center.

The poll, conducted in February, sampled 12,693 U.S. adults and has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.5 percentage points.

When asked via a basic knowledge multiple choice question whether the death toll was higher among Palestinians or Israelis, 48% of respondents did not select the correct answer.

One-third, 34%, selected not sure, while 7% chose higher among Israelis and 7% chose about the same.

A slim majority of respondents, 52%, correctly reported that more Palestinians have died.

Awareness  or lack thereof  of the war casualties corresponded to opinions about the conflict in a handful of ways, according to the poll.

Firstly, those who did not know the Palestinian death toll was higher were far more likely to decline to answer opinion questions.

Second, those who correctly answered the death toll question were more likely to signal pro-Palestinian views.

For example, among those who were aware of the death toll disparity, 61% had favorable opinions of Palestinians, while 39% of those who were unaware of the disparity had favorable opinions of Palestinians.

Additionally, those who were aware of the death toll breakdown were far more likely to say President Joe Biden is siding with the Israelis too much.

Of those who correctly said more Palestinians have died, 35% said Biden is favoring the Israelis too much, while 15% of those who incorrectly answered the question said Biden is favoring the Israelis too much.

Two other basic knowledge questions were posed to respondents: Who is the current prime minister of Israel? And who attacked Israel on Oct. 7?

On these questions, more respondents selected the right answers, with 62% correctly identifying Benjamin Netanyahu as Israels prime minister and 80% identifying Hamas as the group that attacked Israel on Oct. 7.

Bernie Sanders calls out starvation caucus over cut to Gaza food aid. What to know

Why is there a generational divide on Israel in the US? Experts explain

Should US keep arming Israel? Poll finds most Americans want weapon shipments to stop
In this photo provided by Telegram Channel of Ukraines prime minister Denys Shmyhal, smoke and fire rise over the Dnipro hydroelectric power plant after Russian attack (AP)

Russia has launched its largest attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure since the war began, Kyiv has said  firing more than 150 missiles and drones, hitting a vast dam over the Dnipro River and killing at least five people.

Dozens of energy facilities across the country were hit in the attacks, plunging more than a million Ukrainian civilians across seven regions into blackouts, as Poland, Romania and Slovakia rushed to supply emergency power.

The world sees the targets of Russian terrorists as clearly as possible: power plants and energy supply lines, a hydroelectric dam, ordinary residential buildings, even a trolleybus, wrote Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on the Telegram messaging platform. Russia is at war against the ordinary life of people.

Ukraines largest dam, the DniproHES in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, which supplies electricity to the nearby nuclear plant, was also hit eight times, according to Yuriy Bielousov, head of the war department of the general prosecutors office.

The main external power line to the plant was cut off as a result, International Atomic Energy Agency head Rafael Grossi said, though Ukraines nuclear energy operator said it was restored several hours later.

Moscow called the strikes revenge for deadly cross-border raids earlier this month by pro-Ukrainian military groups and repeated attacks by Kyiv on Russian infrastructure. It is a claim rejected by Andriy Kramarov, a former officer of a Ukrainian anti-missile unit.

It is very bad that there are discussions suggesting todays Russian strikes on us are equal to our strikes on their [oil] refineries, he said. They dont even have any people that struggle from these attacks. We have a lot of civilians killed. They are not the same. The idea that the attacks cause casualties of war on both sides is wrong. Todays attack was another terrorist attack from Russia. We are just trying to strike their economy without any civilian casualties.

The attack came as the Kremlin described the invasion of Ukraine as a war for the first time. For more than two years, Russian officials and state-owned media have used the propagandistic phrase special military operation to describe the attack on Ukraine in order to downplay its impact on mainland Russia and its people.

It started as a special military operation, said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov in an interview with a Russian newspaper, But as soon as this gang developed and the collective West started participating in the conflict on the side of Ukraine, for us it became a war.

Mark Galeotti, an expert on Russian strategy, said the adoption of the word war signalled the Kremlins demand that every Russian get into a wartime mindset, and realise there is now no middle ground between being a patriot and a traitor.

Self-defence unit volunteers stand by burned-out cars in a residential area of the city of Belgorod following fresh aerial attacks on March 22 (AFP via Getty)

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, meanwhile, said the comments proved that the Kremlin betrayed the Russian population for the last two years by hiding the facts and denying that they are at war.

Russias Belgorod and Kursk regions bordering Ukraine have been attacked multiple times this month by pro-Kyiv Russian military groups. Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said one person had been killed by further Ukrainian strikes in the region on Friday morning. And at least nine oil refineries in western Russia have also been attacked by long-range drones this year.

The overnight long-range assault across Ukrainian territory  at least 12 regions across Ukraine were hit by the onslaught of missiles and drones, fired from land, sea and air. Some 1.2 million people in at least four regions have been left without power due to the attacks on Ukraine, according to figures posted by presidential aide Oleksiy Kuleba. Around 700,000 of those were in the eastern region of Kharkiv alone.

It was the most significant and well-planned attack on the energy sector since the onset of the war, targeting dozens of energy facilities, said Oleksandr Kharchenko, director of the Energy Industry Research Center in Kyiv, which advises the Ukrainian government on the energy sector.

A handout photo made available by the State Emergency Service shows rescuers at work at the scene of a missile strike in the city of Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine (EPA)

He said the scale of the attack indicated extensive preparation time, including the stockpiling of missiles and the gathering of information on the current state of the Ukrainian energy system. Similar attacks were carried out in the winter of 2022, which Mr Kharchenko suggested meant Russians had been studying in preparation for this attack.

Its a solid assumption that the planning of this operation involved not only military personnel but also intelligence services and Russian energy specialists, he said. Given the nature of the attack, they were well-informed about our defences and attempted to bypass them. Strategic planning was undoubtedly conducted by energy experts, considering the specific targets they aimed to hit.
Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) has said a deadly shooting on a concert hall in Moscow on March 22 is a "deliberate provocation by Putin's special services."

The attack  ongoing at the time of writing  saw several gunmen opening fire at the Crocus City Hall ahead of a concert.

Images posted to social media showed them walking unchallenged through the venue and firing indiscriminately at those inside.

According to Russia's Investigative Committee and the Russian Health Ministry, over 60 people were killed and more than 140 wounded following the attack.

"This is a deliberate provocation by Putin's special services, about which the international community warned," Andrii Yusov, a spokesperson of Ukraine's military Intelligence, told Ukrainska Pravda.

In a post on its Telegram channel, HUR claimed the shooting is intended to justify "even tougher" attacks on Ukraine and total mobilization in Russia.

"The public execution of people in Moscow should be understood as Putin's threat of an even greater escalation and expansion of the war," HUR wrote.

The terrorist group Islamic State (IS) later claimed responsibility for the attack in a Telegram post, and U.S. intelligence officials confirmed the claim.

Read also: Moscow shooting: Gunmen fire into crowd at concert hall, over 100 casualties reported

On March 7, the U.S. Embassy in Russia issued a warning that "extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow" and urged American citizens to stay away from concentrations of people over the next 48 hours.

"The unimpeded movement of a group of militants with assault rifles through the center of Moscow, as well as a lot of other indisputable evidence, indicate that the shooting in Crocus City Hall was organized by the Russian special services," HUR wrote.

"International embassies also warned about the preparation of a terrorist attack."

In 1999 shortly after Vladimir Putin become president, a series of apartment bombings rocked Russia which were blamed on Chechen separatists, lighting the fuse for the second Chechen war.

Since then, speculation has continued that Putin and Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) orchestrated the bombings to boost his popularity and legitimize the war.

Just hours after the attacks began, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, warned of retaliation against Ukraine if terrorists of the Kyiv regime were found to be behind them.

If it is established that these are terrorists of the Kyiv regime, it is impossible to deal with them and their ideological inspirers differently, he wrote in a post on Telegram.

All of them must be found and mercilessly destroyed as terrorists. Including officials of the state that committed such atrocity. Death for death.

Read also: US Embassy in Russia issues warning of potential terror attack in Moscow over next 48 hours

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The mother of a Tri-Cities murderer will spend 60 days in jail after admitting to her role in a series of crimes surrounding the killing.

Kari Ann Goldens sentence was initially supposed to be 30 days, but Judge Norma Rodriguez felt the joint recommendation was too low for the crimes.

I want you to know that its difficult for me to go over the prosecution recommendation, I hope you understand the gravity of these charges, the judge told the 54-year-old woman on Thursday afternoon.

Golden pleaded guilty to second-degree rendering criminal assistant, attempted witness tampering and fourth-degree assault, two gross misdemeanors and a misdemeanor.

This included both the help she gave to her son, Michael Ray Golden, to hide the body of Oscar Munos, as well as the threatening a potential witness at a home just days after getting out of jail.

Her maximum possible sentence for the crimes would be a year in jail.

She will spend a total of 60 days in jail for the crimes, of which shes already served 21 days, according to her attorney.

Rodriguez also signed off on a five-year court order to prevent her from having any contact with the woman she was accused of threatening.

Kari Golden provided information about the potential location of Munos body after her initial arrest.

Family members werent at Thursdays hearing because they were at a memorial service for the 38-year-old man, Deputy Prosecutor Kristin McRoberts said.

They did express their frustration that Golden wouldnt help without getting her charges lessened, she said.

She (Kari Golden) caused a tremendous amount of pain, McRoberts said.

Goldens attorney, Mitchell Crook, said his client has admitted that she was at fault from the point when she was arrested. The entire event had impacted her deeply.

It is a very tough time in her life, he said. She wants to get out of active addiction.

Golden told Rodriguez she only wanted to help her son after discovering what he had done.

She said Munos was her friend as well and she mourns his death.

She downplayed the assault and continued to deny making any threats to a witness. She told the judge that all she did was try to take a comb from the womans hair and the jacket and shoes the woman was wearing.

Michael Golden pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on March 13. He is serving a 19 1/2-year prison sentence.

Michael Goldens girlfriend, Coral Hernandez, 33, remains charged in Benton County with first-degree rendering criminal assistance. She has been released on $50,000 bond.

Munos Murder

Michael Golden told investigators that he shot his roommate, Munos, on New Years Eve at the Arrowhead Avenue home they shared.

He told investigators that he had been hearing voices claiming that Munos was going to shoot him and he needed to defend himself, according to court documents.

Golden confronted Munos with a shotgun. He pointed it at him several times before pulling the trigger, according to court documents.

He told investigators that he, his girlfriend and his mother moved the body from the bedroom to the garage in a large black wheelbarrow. Then they loaded it into his mothers car and buried it in a shallow grave in Benton County, court documents.

Police became involved in the search for Munos in February after reports from family members. They discovered the items used to move the body covered with blood inside the house.

Kennewick detectives discovered the body in the area of Horn Rapids Park off of Highway 225 on March 14.

Threats

Kari Golden was arrested on Feb. 22 as police were investigating what appeared to be a murder. She initially worked with police to help with finding Munos body.

That help led to her release from jail four days later, but she ended up back in jail days later after threatening and assaulting a woman at her home, according to court documents.

When Kari Golden returned to her home on Steptoe Street she found one of her housemates outside playing with a child.

Kari Golden immediately confronted the woman, and told her she needed to leave.

While the woman was packing her items to leave, Kari Golden began telling everyone that she had the paperwork to prove that the woman was a snitch, and the reason the Goldens had been arrested for the murder, according to court documents.

Kari told her If I could kill you right now and get away with it, I would, according to court documents.

After the woman went outside with her items, Kari Golden told her to take off her coat, because it belonged to Kari.

When the other woman refused, Kari Golden started pulling on the coat and then started pulling on the other womans hair.

When detectives spoke with Kari Golden, she admitted to pulling the womans ponytail and that she wanted to beat her up because she was a snitch.
A man was killed Friday morning after his vehicle smashed into two cars parked in the driveway of a home along a busy roadway in Arden Arcade.

California Highway Patrol officers were called about 2:30 a.m. to the 4100 block of Marconi Avenue for reports of a vehicle that crashed into a home. When officers arrived they found a vehicle, traveling west, crossed over the road, jumped the curb into a tree and careered into the parked vehicles.

The motorist was killed, witnesses and family members of the driver at the scene said Friday morning. No one else was injured.

It was unclear what led up to the crash. A spokesman for the CHPs North Sacramento office did not immediately return a request for information.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A Nutbush man scared off a would-be burglar with a warning shot early Thursday morning.

While Steve Huntley, 70, was fast asleep, an intruder made his way to the back door of his Nutbush home in an effort to get inside.

And he was bump, bump, bump, thats what got my dogs stirred up, Huntley said.

Awoken by the commotion, Huntley got up and soon found himself face-to-face with the man who was trying to enter his home.

Victim found dead, suspect located in Southaven

I shoved him, Huntley said. He hit the ground down there. I slammed the door and went in to get my pistol.

Huntley then claims that he returned to where the man was and fired a single shot. The burglar took the warning and ran away.

Thats the reason a lot of people are moving out of this neighborhood because of whats going on, Huntley said.

When digging through the citys data hub numbers, WREG discovered that within the past year, police have been called 170 times regarding breaking and entering, property crimes, and thefts.

To make matters worse, all of those calls have been made in a half-mile radius from Huntleys home.

Police say man shot into car with ex-girlfriend, man inside

However, none of those instances have had a more profound effect on Huntley than the 2016 shooting death of his son.

In an effort to ensure that neither he or his loved ones are subjected to that same violence, Huntley said he is prepared to take extreme measures to keep them safe.

He picked the wrong place to try and break into, he said. Because my motto is if you come in here, you are going to meet your maker.'

According to a police report, officers found the accused a few blocks away from the home. At this time charges are still pending for the alleged attempted burglar.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing (1st R, front) attends the first Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels, Belgium, March 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)

BRUSSELS, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing said here Thursday that China stands ready to work with all parties to extend the benefits of nuclear energy development to a broader spectrum of nations.

Zhang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when attending the first Nuclear Energy Summit here as Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy.

Noting that nuclear energy has unique advantages in addressing climate change and ensuring energy security, Zhang said China has been following a rational, coordinated and balanced nuclear security strategy put forward by President Xi, and formulated and implemented policies and measures for active, safe and orderly development of nuclear power.

China is advancing carbon peaking and carbon neutrality with concrete actions, making positive contributions to promoting the green and low-carbon transformation of global energy, Zhang added.

Meanwhile, Zhang said China is willing to work with all parties to facilitate cooperation in nuclear energy technology innovation, boost the joint establishment, governance and sharing of nuclear security, enhance the resilience and security of the global industrial and supply chains of nuclear energy, increase technical support for developing countries in nuclear energy development and to ensure more countries will benefit from the development of nuclear energy, making greater contributions to building a clean and beautiful world featuring lasting peace, universal security, common prosperity, openness and inclusiveness.

As the highest-level meeting to date exclusively focused on nuclear energy, the summit drew participation from over 30 countries, including heads of state, government leaders, senior representatives as well as leaders of international organizations, and it also adopted a joint declaration on nuclear energy.

On the sidelines of the summit, Zhang met Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, and Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, respectively. During the meetings, both sides had in-depth exchanges of views on enhancing dialogue and practical cooperation. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing meets with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo on the sidelines of the first Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels, Belgium, March 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)

Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing speaks at the first Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels, Belgium, March 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)

Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing (L) meets with Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, on the sidelines of the first Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels, Belgium, March 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
A ban on importing hunting trophies to the UK has moved a step closer to becoming law with a vote by MPs.

Body parts of elephants, bears, lions, hippos and zebras are among those currently allowed to be brought back from hunting trips.

This is the third attempt to pass a new law to tackle the issue and the bill is still at an early stage.

Opponents argue profits from trophy hunting go towards protecting endangered species.

But environment minister Rebecca Pow said the government would support the bill to ensure trophy hunters "are not putting additional pressure on already threatened species".

Government backing means a bill has a far greater chance of making it on to the statute book.

But the legislation will undergo further scrutiny and, to become law, will have to clear its remaining parliamentary stages before a general election expected later this year.

Labour MP John Spellar, who is shepherding the private members' bill through Parliament, welcomed the 49-to-zero vote, saying the legislation would help protect endangered species all over the world, including polar bears from Canada.

"The public really do not want these magnificent animals to just be slaughtered, not only for a bizarre form of pleasure but to decorate people's houses," said the MP for Warley.

"Australia, France, Belgium and other countries have already shown the way by banning the trade in hunting trophies.

"I hope what we decide here will start to send a message to other countries that this is an international movement... and we need to move on from this."

Conservative MP Henry Smith said his own attempt to get an earlier version of the bill through Parliament ran out of time last year when "a very small minority of peers... sought to block this legislation".

He urged the Lords to support this bill, adding "this is not a natural practice of people in southern Africa - it is a neo-colonial import".

A Lords briefing paper last year stated 190 hunting trophies from Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (Cites) listed species were imported into the UK in 2020.

Multiple MPs urged wildlife lovers to use film and not guns to shoot animals in their own habitat, including Tory MP Tim Loughton who said trophy hunters could instead "show how brave and manly they are by getting up close with cameras rather than guns".

Conservative former cabinet minister Theresa Villiers highlighted how the death of Cecil the Lion had outraged people across the country.

But Tory opponent of the measure, Sir Bill Wiggin, President of the Association of Professional Shooting Instructors since 2006, labelled the reaction to Cecil's death "knee-jerk" and warned MPs against "blundering into inadvertent racism".

"The picture, widely circulated, of Walter Palmer standing over Cecil's body, became emblematic of man's destructive relationship with nature," he said.

"Reasonable though this reaction is, it is knee-jerk - it fails to acknowledge that for many Africans trophy hunting is vital for the local population.

"It's a wildlife conservation measure that generates income used to combat illegal poaching."

Animal trophies, many from hunts in southern Africa, are brought into the UK each year

Outside Parliament, academic Professor Amy Dickman agreed with opponents of the bill that it could do more harm than good.

Prof Dickman, Director of Oxford University's Conservation Research Unit WildCRU, said: "The Parliamentary debate today was riddled with misinformation.

"MPs pushing for a blanket import ban demonstrated that they were willing to ignore scientific evidence, major risks to conservation and animal welfare, and the rights and livelihoods of affected people."

But Edith Kebesiime, of World Animal Protection Africa, said it was "extremely encouraging that this important bill has been resurrected".

She said: "African people do not support trophy hunting. Most money from these hunts does not reach local communities.

"It is nothing but an opportunity for a cruel and wealthy few to inflict pain and suffering on our native wildlife for their own enjoyment.

"The UK's trophy hunting import ban will help us protect our wildlife heritage and make space for wildlife friendly conservation solutions."

Eduardo Goncalves, of the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting, said they were delighted.

"Sick sport shooting of magnificent animals is an anachronism in today;s world," he said. "It's simply a dirty facet of a shameful past, where both man and beast were used and abused by a wealthy minority."

A pledge to ban the import of hunting trophies was included in the Conservatives' 2019 general election manifesto.
EAST LANSING  Michigan State University said Friday it will remove classrooms at Berkey Hall and the dining area at the Union where students were killed and wounded in the Feb. 13, 2023, mass shooting.

Interim Provost Thomas Jeitschko and Senior Vice President of Student Life and Engagement Vennie Gore sent a Thursday email to the campus community announcing renovation plans.

Classrooms where the shooting happened at Berkey Hall will be transformed into an open area. The MSU Union's former food court area will reopen in June but will not having dining options immediately available.

Mark Bullion, spokesperson for the university, said in a text to the State Journal that he wasn't certain if or when dining would return to the Union. He did confirm renovations will be taking place in the former kitchen area later this year.

MSU officials said in their email families and individuals directly impacted by the shooting were allowed to review plans and provide feedback.

"We want to update you today on renovations beginning in the next two weeks at the MSU Union and Berkey Hall, the locations impacted by the events of Feb. 13, 2023," MSU officials said in their email. "Design teams for each location worked closely with trauma-informed experts as part of the planning process."

Bullion said in an email that MSU "worked with two different firms (a security and an architectural firm) with expertise in space planning and doing so in a trauma-informed manner." He explained that this meant creating a space that "would be well received by individuals who have undergone trauma," including "the layout, types of furniture, colors used, more open and accessible spaces, appropriate room decor and other items."

MSU Union

Beginning Monday, construction will start at the MSU Union in the former food court area.

The email said that current plans will "modernize" the area while "maintaining a space that allows individuals to gather, engage and socialize." The email notes that "the area will remain walled off during construction; however, at times the demolition work could create unexpected noises that some may find disruptive."

The renovation should be complete by June. There will be no dining options available when the seating area opens, as planning is still underway.

Flowers placed near the main entrance of the MSU Union, seen Feb 13, 2024, in honor the victims of the shooting rampage on campus one year ago today that killed three students and injured five.

Berkey Hall

Renovation of the first floor of the north wing begins April 1. The email said that work "will take place outside of business hours to limit any disruption to those working and learning in the building this semester." The building will be closed for classes in the summer while construction continues.

The email said that the classrooms impacted by the violence on campus will be transformed into an open space for individuals to gather and engage, and an addition of small-group meeting rooms, a reflection room, single-occupant accessible restrooms and a personal health room. Renovations are scheduled to be completed by fall 2024.

Signage seen in Berkey Hall, Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, the first day Michigan State University reopened Berkey for classroom instruction since the Feb. 13 campus shooting.

In December, students protested the reopening of Berkey Hall for the Spring 2024 semester, saying it was too soon, and too painful for classes to be held where students were killed. The university continued with their plans, and in January the building reopened for classes, but no classes were held in the two classrooms where the shooting occurred.

More information

More information about both renovation projects can be found at the Spartans Together website. The email said that community members seeking resources related to the violence of Feb. 13, 2023, to seek campus services, with more information available at Office for Resource and Support Coordinations website.

Contact Sarah Atwood at satwood@lsj.com, or follow her on X @sarahmatwood.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU releases plans for major renovations at Union, Berkey Hall after shooting
TOPEKA (KSNT)  The Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center says it has found its new CEO following a national search.

The Topeka Zoo said in a press release that Dr. Christina Castellano has accepted the position of CEO. She brings with her a wealth of experience for wildlife conservation thanks to her time spent in leadership positions at other zoos and aquariums across the country.

We are delighted to welcome Christina as our new CEO, said Fred Patton, President of the Topeka Zoo Board of Directors. Her extensive background in zoo management, conservation, and education make her the ideal candidate to lead our institution forward. We are confident that under her leadership, the Topeka Zoo will continue to thrive as a leading center for wildlife conservation, education, and community engagement.

Patton says Castellano is recognized internationally as a conservation biologist and published author. She has a Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Sciences from Fordham University and an MBA with Western Governors University.

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Castellano has previously worked at Utahs Hogle Zoo, Loveland Living Planet Aquarium and Hawk Watch International. She also has experience in breeding critically endangered species for reintroduction programs at zoos in Australia.

I am honored and excited to join the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center, Castellano said. The Topeka Zoo has a long-standing commitment to conservation, education, and community service, and I look forward to working collaboratively with our staff, volunteers, partners, and community to build upon that legacy.

Castellano will oversee every aspect of the Topeka Zoos operations including animal care, development initiatives and visitor experiences. She will work closely with the zoos Board of Directors, staff and other stakeholders to ensure it continues to enrich the community with wildlife conservation.

Patton said her first official day with the zoo has yet to be determined.

The Topeka Zoos former CEO, Brendan Wiley, departed in September 2023. The zoo partnered with Canopy Strategic Partners to aid in its search for Wileys replacement.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
National security hawks are raising alarms that Congress defense spending plan could hamper U.S. military advancement and leave the country more vulnerable against adversaries like China.

The defense appropriations bill was unveiled as part of a larger $1.2 trillion spending package aimed at funding roughly 70% of the federal government. Defense spending accounts for $886 billion, about a 3% increase from fiscal year 2023.

Lawmakers in both the House and Senate argued that the modest hike amounted to a spending cut when taking annual inflation into account and shared concerns that not enough is being allocated to military technology advancements.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told Fox News Digital, "I thought the budget deal threw the Defense Department under the bus."

BALLET IN UKRAINIAN BOMB SHELTER ALLOWS ESCAPE FROM THE HORRORS OF WAR

Republican defense hawks like Sen. Marco Rubio, Rep. Mike Gallagher and Rep. Mike Garcia are sounding the alarm about the defense spending allocations in the bipartisan government funding deal.

"We've been clawing and scratching to get a little higher number China's up 7% year-over-year," Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif., a retired Navy pilot, told Fox News Digital. "Were not doing what we need to do in terms of investment in our military. It begins with our troops, but its also things like hypersonic space programs."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

He also bashed the White House for calling for just a 1% increase in President Bidens annual budget proposal earlier this month, adding, "It feels like every other federal agency keeps getting these higher numbers out of the White House in those requests, and [defense] is just getting neglected."

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, similarly argued, "It's not just the level of spending, but where it's being allocated."

"These appropriations bills are ultimately a process of negotiation. And when the people in the majority here prioritize other things over the defense of our country and spending on it, you're going to wind up with products such as this," Rubio said.

Another Navy veteran in Congress, Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., said, "The defense budget is always inadequate. I say that every day of the week, so I wish it was more."

REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS DEMAND 'CONSEQUENCES' FOR AUSTIN'S 'FAILURE OF LEADERSHIP' DURING MEDICAL SCARE

"We are always a day late and a dollar short already. We don't have the time. The time was yesterday to invest in our military. It's something that was neglected for a while," Kiggans said.

She also directed criticism at Biden for his proposed 1% increase for the next year, telling Fox News Digital, "Weve got to put our money where our mouth is. Again, it gets very frustrating to me  that top line number from the Biden administration."

According to a House Appropriations Committee summary of the bill text, the defense appropriations bill "doubles security cooperation funding for Taiwan" and includes a 5.2% increase in basic military pay. It provides a $27 billion increase over the previous fiscal years enacted level.

The bill also includes nearly $4 billion for Israel and $300 million for Ukraine.

FEMALE RECRUIT CONSIDERED RESIGNING AFTER BEING FORCED TO SHOWER WITH TRANS WOMEN WITH FULL MALE GENITALIA

Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer unveiled the legislation overnight Thursday.

House China committee Chair Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., however, was concerned there would not be enough resources to counter Beijings aggression  particularly toward Taiwan.

"We're dealing with a bow wave of deferred modernization. Were still living off the Reagan buildup right now. I mean, we just haven't invested the requisite money and allocated resources accordingly, sufficient to deny a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, which remains the most pressing national security challenge we need to be thinking through," Gallagher told Fox News Digital.

A spokesperson for Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told Fox News Digital, "By rejecting misguided priorities and refocusing Pentagon spending toward its core mission, this legislation increases funding to strengthen our national security and invest in our military readiness, technology, and modernization."

The office of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., declined to comment.





Original article source: National security hawks warn Congress throwing Pentagon 'under the bus' with 'inadequate' spending bump
Admiral Rob Bauer, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, has said that the Alliance countries are prepared for a potential direct clash with Russia.

Source: Admiral Rob Bauer, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, in an interview with ArmyInform, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Admiral Bauer stated that NATO acknowledged a change in the security situation in 2014, following Russia's occupation of Crimea. In 2019, the Allies began to return to collective security by changing their defence strategy, operational planning, and the forces required to carry out all of these missions.

Quote: "We are all aware that time is of the essence when it comes to reestablishing collective security. Because the enemy determines when and where to attack you, as well as the length of the conflict. Unfortunately, Ukraine has experienced this.

Are we ready? Answer: Yes! Our primary task is to be prepared. If this happens today, you must fight with what you have. It is always a combination of being ready for today and improving opportunities for the future," said Rob Bauer.

When asked about NATO's readiness on its eastern flank, where the most potential threats exist, he recalled how the Alliance has increased its presence in the Baltic states since 2016, as well as in Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria since the outbreak of the full-scale war in Ukraine.

"We now have eight such combat groups, each with a battalion, and they can be combined to form a brigade if necessary. The relevant countries are constantly collaborating on this mechanism. We will consider additional requirements. But so far, this is sufficient," Bauer said.

He went on to say that modern warfare has additional dimensions, such as cyberspace or space attacks, and that Russia can wield power in the Arctic, the West Atlantic Ocean, Africa, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

"It would be foolish to focus solely on the eastern flank, because the Russians are not just there. They are everywhere. That is why NATO constantly monitors their actions and responds appropriately if necessary," added Rob Bauer.

He also stated that he was not concerned about the prospect of increased threats from Russia following Vladimir Putin's "re-election" because the war in Ukraine weakened Russia, and the replenishment and modernisation of its troops will be complicated by Western sanctions.

"We can see that Russia has the capacity to produce large quantities of weapons, but their quality has been steadily declining since the start of the war. They have plans, but they are at war, so they will need plenty of time. It will not be easy for them," the admiral said.

Rob Bauer also commented on the potential military deployment of any NATO country in Ukraine, stating that such decisions affect the interests of all allies and thus require consultations among them.

In addition, Bauer cautioned against excessive pessimism about Ukraine's ability to win the war and urged the world to further support Kyiv.

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Islamic State claimed responsibility on Friday for a deadly attack that saw gunmen in combat gear burst into a concert hall in Moscow, spraying bullets into the crowd and throwing explosives.

At least 60 people were killed and more than 145 injured after the attack at Crocus Concert Hall in north-west Moscow, with a major fire burning through the building for hours.

Several children taking part in a dance competition at the same venue were among those injured in the attack, according to reports, with one apparently killed.

Russian security services said they were urgently searching for the perpetrators, but that three or four of the perpetrators in green camouflage suits may have escaped in a white car.

Earlier this month, the US embassy in Moscow took the unusual step of issuing an alert warning of a potential terror attack, advising US citizens to avoid large gatherings, including concerts.

At the time, the Kremlin dismissed the warning as a provocation intended to destabilise Russian society.

Messages of condolence have poured in from world leaders.

Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, has yet to make a public statement on the attack, although his spokesman said he was being briefed.

12:16 AM GMT

Thats all for today

Thank you for following. Our live coverage has now concluded until later in the morning.

12:01 AM GMT

Ukraine seeks emergency power after Russian strikes

Russia pounded Ukrainian power facilities on Friday in an attack described by Kyiv as the largest airstrike on its energy infrastructure in two years of war, and portrayed by Moscow as revenge for Ukrainian attacks during its presidential election.

The missile and drone attack hit a vast dam over the Dnipro river, killed at least five people and left more than a million others without power, forcing Kyiv to seek emergency electricity supplies from Poland, Romania and Slovakia, Kyiv officials said.

President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking in his nightly video address, said the strikes proved again that Russian attacks on infrastructure could be halted only with more air defence systems and that required political will from Ukraines allies. Russian terror is only possible now because we dont have enough modern air defence systems which, to be honest, requires enough political will to provide them, Mr Zelensky said.

11:56 PM GMT

Images of the scene after the attack

Fire rises above the burning Crocus City Hall concert venue following the attack in Krasnogorsk, near Moscow - VASILY PRUDNIKOV /EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The scene outside the venue - Contributor/Getty Images Europe

Work to extinguish the blaze continues at the Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow - Ali Cura/Anadolu via Getty Images

Special operations forces approach the Crocus City Hall concert - SERGEI VEDYASHKIN/Moskva News Agency/AFP via Getty Images

People place flowers and lit candles in memory of the Moscow concert attack victims, in Simferopol, Crimea - Stringer/AFP via Getty Images

11:43 PM GMT

Intelligence backs Islamic State claim, says US official

The United States has intelligence confirming Islamic States claim of responsibility for a deadly shooting at a concert near Moscow, a US official said on Friday.

IS has claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement posted on affiliated channels on social media, which couldnt be independently verified. It wasnt immediately clear what happened to the attackers after the raid, which Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin described as a huge tragedy and state authorities were investigating as terrorism.

In a statement posted by its Aamaq news agency, IS said it attacked a large gathering in Krasnogorsk on Moscows outskirts, killing and wounding hundreds. It was not immediately possible to verify the authenticity of the claim.

11:41 PM GMT

Further details emerge of how assailants attacked

Video from outside showed the building on fire, with a huge cloud of smoke rising through the night sky. The street was lit up by the blinking blue lights of dozens of firetrucks, ambulances and other emergency vehicles, as several fire helicopters buzzed overhead to dump water on the blaze that took hours to contain. The prosecutors office said several men in combat fatigues entered the concert hall and fired on concertgoers.

Repeated volleys of gunfire could be heard in videos posted by Russian media and on Telegram channels. One showed two men with rifles moving through the venue. Another showed a man inside the auditorium saying the assailants had set it on fire, as gunshots rang out incessantly in the background. Other videos showed up to four attackers, armed with assault rifles and wearing caps, shooting screaming people at point-blank range.

Guards at the concert hall didnt have guns, and some could have been killed at the start of the attack, Russian media reported. Some Russian news outlets suggested the assailants fled before special forces and riot police arrived. Reports said police patrols were looking for several vehicles the attackers could have used to escape.

11:32 PM GMT

UN Security Council condemns heinous, cowardly terrorist attack

The UN Security Council on Friday condemned what it called the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack at a concert hall in Moscow that killed at least 40 people and wounded 145.

Islamic State, the militant group that once sought control over swaths of Iraq and Syria, claimed responsibility for the attack.

French President Emmanuel Macron, in a statement, said he firmly condemns this terrorist attack, claimed by the Islamic State. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday condemned an odious act of terrorism in a statement, saying the horror of the massacre of innocent civilians in Moscow is unacceptable and expressing her full solidarity with the affected people and the victims families.

10:53 PM GMT

Health authorities: 145 injured in attack

A total of 145 people have been listed as injured in the attack so far, Russian health authorities said.

Of those, 115 have been hospitalised, including five children.

Some Russian news reports suggested that more could have been trapped by the blaze that erupted after the assailants threw explosives.

10:38 PM GMT

UN secretary-general condemns attack

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the concert hall attack in the strongest possible terms, a spokesperson said on Friday.

The Secretary-General conveys his deep condolences to the bereaved families and the people and the Government of the Russian Federation. He wishes those injured a speedy recovery, deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said in a statement.

09:53 PM GMT

Analysis: Russia is a target to Islamists

Our Russia reporter, James Kilner, shares this insight:

Islamic State (IS) is active in Russia and the five neighbouring Muslim former Soviet Central Asian states, fertile recruiting grounds during its war in Syria in the 2010s. Earlier in March, Russias FSB security services said that it killed two Kazakh nationals near Moscow who were part of an Islamic State terrorist plot to kill Jews. It also said that six Islamic State terrorists were killed in a shoot in Ingushetia earlier in March. The FSB says that it deals with dozens of Islamic terrorist plots every year. Most are low-level plots which dont make headlines and are mainly constrained to the North Caucasus where, despite heavy government spending and support for hardmen loyalists, anti-Russia and Islamist sentiment combine to generate a threat. Russia is a potential target in the eyes of Islamists because it helped defeat Islamic State in Syria and helps the security services of its allies in Central Asia root out and defeat Islamist cells.

09:44 PM GMT

Analysis: This is a reminder IS remains a potent threat

Fridays attack on Moscow has the hallmarks of an Islamic State (IS) attack, and they have the motive and the capability.

Thousands of Russian and Russian speaking jihadists headed to Syria at the height of Islamic States so-called Caliphate in the 2010s.

Many were actively encouraged to leave, and reportedly even given passports, by Russian security officials keen to see the back of them.

This is a reminder that IS remains a potent threat - and also that Russias security services, preoccupied with Ukraine, may have neglected it.

09:27 PM GMT

Islamic State group claims Russia gun attack

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the deadly gun attack, which Russian authorities said killed at least 40 people.

Isil fighters attacked a large gathering... on the outskirts of the Russian capital Moscow, the group said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app.

09:19 PM GMT

EU: Shocked and appalled

The European Union was shocked and appalled by the reports of a terrorist attack in the Crocus City Hall in Moscow, a spokesman for the bloc said.

The EU condemns any attacks against civilians. Our thoughts are with all those Russian citizens affected.

09:17 PM GMT

Events cancelled across Russia

All entertainment and mass events across the country have been cancelled, the Russian Culture Ministry said on Friday.

Earlier, all mass events were cancelled in Moscow due to the shooting at the Crocus City Hall concert, in a western suburb of the city.

09:03 PM GMT

US Embassy expresses shock at attack

The US Embassy in Moscow expressed its sincere condolences to the Russian people.

The embassy said it was shocked by the attack.

Earlier this month, it issued an unusual security alert warning of reports that extremists had imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow. The warning included concert venues.

At the time, it advised US citizens to avoid large gatherings for the next 48 hours.

08:59 PM GMT

France condemns odious acts

Frances foreign ministry said its thoughts are with the victims of the shooting in Moscow, and with the Russian people.

The images from Moscow tonight are horrifying. Our thoughts go to the victims and to those injured as well as to the Russian people, the French foreign ministry wrote on X, the former Twitter.

All effort has to be made to determine the cause of these odious acts, it added.

08:58 PM GMT

Victims include children

Children are among those injured in the shooting, according to the state-owned RIA news agency. which cited Moscows childrens ombudsman.

There were unconfirmed reports earlier that a ballroom dancing competition for kids was taking place when the shooting started.

Children and teenagers were at the competition. People came and said there was shooting. A crush ensued, one eye witness told the BBC.

The children were running out in their ballroom gowns.

08:44 PM GMT

Photos from the scene

Rescuers work to extinguish the fire - Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

A view shows the burning Crocus City Hall concert hall - AFP

Smoke from fire rises above the burning Crocus City Hal - Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

08:37 PM GMT

Where did the attack take place?

08:31 PM GMT

Security services: Gunmen may have fled

Basa, a Telegram channel linked to the Russian security services, said that three or four of the gunmen who attacked the concert may have escaped in a white car.

There may be several armed men in green camouflage suits in the car. A large number of roadblocks have been set up around the Moscow region, it said.

08:22 PM GMT

Russian forces searching for Moscow attack perpetrators

Russias national guard said it was searching for the perpetrators of the attack.

Special units of the Russian Federal Guard are working at the site of the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall. A search for criminals is underway and citizens are being evacuated from the building, Rosgvardia said.

A Russian law enforcement officer walks the perimeter - Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

08:14 PM GMT

Ukraine denies involvement

Ukraine denied any involvement in the incident. Regarding the events in Crocus City in the Russian suburbs  lets be clear, Ukraine absolutely has nothing to do with these events, Ukraines presidential aide, Mykhailo Podolyak, said on Telegram.

But Moscow was quick to retort that it was too early to rule out a Ukrainian link to the attack on the concert in Moscow, as the US has signalled.

On what basis do officials in Washington draw any conclusions about anyones innocence in the midst of a tragedy? the foreign ministry said.

If the United States has or had reliable information in this regard, then it must be immediately transferred to the Russian side. And if there is no such data, then the White House has no right to issue indulgences to anyone, it added.

Former president Dmitry Medvedev said that if Ukraine was found to be behind the attack, Russia would hunt the perpetrators down and kill them.

If it is established that these are terrorists of the Kyiv regime... all of them must be found and ruthlessly destroyed as terrorists, Mr Medvedev wrote in a post on Telegram.

Official representatives of the state that committed such a crime would also be punished, he added.

08:11 PM GMT

Moscow vows tough response

A Russian Rosguardia (National Guard) servicemen - Dmitry Serebryakov/AP

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russias Security Council, promised a tough response.

Terrorists understand only retaliatory terror. No trials or investigations, he said.

Members of Russian special operations forces stand guard near the burning Crocus City Hall concert venue - Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

He also said that it was not possible to rule out Ukrainian involvement in the attack.

If it is established that these are terrorists linked to Kyiv regime, it is impossible to deal with them and their ideological inspirers any differently, he said.

All of them must be found and mercilessly destroyed as terrorists. Including officials of the state that committed such an atrocity.

08:06 PM GMT

Moscow mayor: This is a terrible tragedy

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said that a terrible tragedy unfolding at the concert venue.

I am sorry for the loved ones of the victims, he said.

A Russian ambulance responding to the scene - Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

08:00 PM GMT

Kremlin: Too early to rule out Ukrainian link

Russias foreign ministry said that it was too early to rule out a Ukrainian link to the attack on the concert in Moscow.

On what basis do officials in Washington draw any conclusions about anyones innocence in the midst of a tragedy? If the United States has or had reliable information in this regard, then it must be immediately transferred to the Russian side. And if there is no such data, then the White House has no right to issue indulgences to anyone, it said.

07:59 PM GMT

Fire brigades halt fire

Fire brigades have stopped the fire in the Crocus City Hall from spreading, Russias Interfax news agency reported.

Emergency services vehicles are seen outside the burning Crocus City Hall concert hall - AFP/AFP

Rescuers work to extinguish fire at the burning Crocus City Hall concert venue - Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

07:37 PM GMT

We heard a burst of gunfire and then screams: eyewitness

An eyewitness has told Reuters how they heard shots and then a stampede began.

Suddenly there were bangs behind us - shots. A burst of firing - I do not know what, one witness who asked not to be named said.

A stampede began, everyone ran to the escalator, the witness added. Everyone was screaming, everyone was running.

07:31 PM GMT

Death toll rises to 40: FSB

At least 40 people have been killed and more than 100 wounded, state news agency TASS cited Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) as saying.

It was not immediately clear who the gunmen were. Russian news agencies said 70 ambulance crews had been sent to the scene.

A terrible tragedy occurred in the shopping center Crocus City today, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said. I am sorry for the loved ones of the victims.

07:12 PM GMT

Children were running out in their ballroom gowns: report

Parents were reportedly attending a ballroom dancing competition with their children when the shooting started, according to an unnamed witness cited by the BBC.

Children and teenagers were at the competition. People came and said there was shooting. A crush ensued, the witness said.

The children were running out in their ballroom gowns.

07:07 PM GMT

18 dead and 43 injured amid reports roof is about to collapse

Eighteen people have been killed and forty-three injured at the attack on Crocus City Hall, Russian media outlet Baza reported on Friday.

Russian state media says the roof of the concert hall is close to collapsing.

 Partial roof collapse in the "Crocus City Hall" building in #Moscow pic.twitter.com/iXjAQA50ma  NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 22, 2024

07:03 PM GMT

Helicopter trying to put out fire at venue

A helicopter has been called in to put out a fire at the Crocus City Hall, Russias state-owned news agency TASS reported.

Two blasts have been reported at the venue.

All large-scale sporting, cultural and other public events will be cancelled in Moscow this weekend, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Friday.

Russian emergency services parked near the burning Crocus City Hall - Maxim Shemetov/REUTERS

07:00 PM GMT

Pictured: Inside of Crocus City Hall as shooting began

The inside of the Crocus City Hall in Moscow as the shooting started - Social media

06:56 PM GMT

Watch: Attendees duck for cover as gunmen open fire

Warning: This video may be distressing to some viewers

06:54 PM GMT

People crawled to safety to escape gunmen: eyewitness

Members of the public crawled on the ground to escape the gunmen, according to a journalist for the RIA Novosti news agency who was at the scene.

Attackers dressed in camouflaged outfits entered the building, opened fire and threw a grenade or incendiary bomb, the journalist said.

People who were in the hall were led on the ground to protect themselves from the shooting for 15 or 20 minutes, the journalist was quoted as saying.

People started crawling out when it was safe, the journalist reported, adding that security forces were at the scene.

Around 100 people have been evacuated from the basement by the firefighters. Work is ongoing to save people from the roof of the building with lifting equipment, the Moscow regions emergency situations ministry wrote on Telegram.

06:47 PM GMT

Footage of shooting hard to watch

John Kirby, the White Houses national security spokesman, said the footage of the shooting was hard to watch and that the administrations thoughts were with victims.

Weve all seen the reports in the video coming out of Moscow, this violent shooting in what looks like a shopping mall, he said at a White House press briefing.

The images are just horrible and just hard to watch, and our thoughts obviously are going to be with the victims of this terrible, terrible shooting attack.

Youve got to recognise that theres some mums and dads, brothers and sisters and sons and daughters that havent gotten the news yet. And this is going to be a tough day. So our thoughts are with them.

Mr Kirby added that the State Department was advising Americans in Moscow to avoid large gatherings and concert halls, and to check the departments website for further updates.

06:46 PM GMT

No indication Ukraine is behind attack: US

The White House said on Friday it had no indication that Ukraine, which is under attack by Russia, was involved in a deadly attack on concert hall in Moscow.

There is no indication at this time that Ukraine, or Ukrainians were involved in the shooting, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

I would disabuse you at this early hour of any connection to Ukraine.

06:43 PM GMT

Second blast heard at concert hall near Moscow

A second explosion has been heard at Crocus City Hall near Moscow, the site of a shooting incident, Russian news agencies reported.

Russian authorities said they had stepped up security measures at Moscow airports and railway stations.

06:42 PM GMT

Moscow facing a bloody terrorist attack, says Russia

Moscow is facing a bloody terrorist attack after a deadly shooting and fire at a Moscow concert hall, Russias foreign ministry spokeswoman said.

The entire world community must condemn this despicable crime! Maria Zakharova wrote on Telegram.

Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) said it was taking all necessary measures in connection with the shooting, Russian news agency Interfax reported.

Russian ombudsman Tatyana Moskalkova also called the incident a terrorist attack.

06:38 PM GMT

Pictured: Crocus City Hall in flames

The venue engulfed in flames

A massive blaze is seen over the Crocus City Hall - Sergei Vedyashkin/Moscow News Agency

06:34 PM GMT

The gunmen

At least three people opened fire at the Crocus City Hall

06:33 PM GMT

At least three people filmed opening fire

Warning: This video may be distressing to some viewers

06:28 PM GMT

People being evacuated, some still trapped inside

People are currently being evacuated, but an unspecified number of people could have been trapped by the blaze, Russian media reported.

Andrei Vorobyov, the governor of the Moscow region, said he was heading to the area and set up a task force to deal with the damage. He didnt immediately offer any further details.

Riot police units were being sent to the area.

It is not known how many people were inside the building. The Crocus City Hall can accommodate over 6,000.

06:22 PM GMT

Concert hall was hosting Russian band that played in Crimea

Crocus City Hall, where the attack is taking place, was due to host a concert by Russian rock band Picnic tonight.

The band performed in Russian-occupied Crimea in 2016, saying at the time, We dont care about sanctions at all.

06:17 PM GMT

Attack on concerts warning issued earlier this month

A few weeks ago, the UK and US warned of the possibility of an extremist group attack at Moscow-area concerts.

The security alert, first issued by the US embassy and repeated by the UK, urged American citizens to avoid large gatherings over the next 48 hours back on March 7.

The US embassy said at the time that it was monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, to include concerts.

It did not specify what kind of threats it referred to, or who might be behind them.

06:12 PM GMT

Police and ambulances arrive on the scene

Special units of Russias National Guard have arrived on the scene of a shooting at a concert venue near Moscow, Russian state news agency TASS said.

More than 50 ambulance crews have been sent to the scene, the RIA news agency reported.

03:30 PM GMT

Russia preparing 100,000 soldiers for major offensive as Kremlin says it is at war

Russia is building up a force of more than 100,000 soldiers in preparation for a major offensive this summer, Ukraines ground forces commander has warned.

They are creating a group of more than 100,000 people, Lieutenant General Oleksandr Pavliuk said, adding that the troops could be used to launch an offensive by the beginning of summer.

Gen Pavliuks warning comes as the Kremlin admitted it was in in a state of war with Ukraine as it launched a wave of 90 missiles and more than 60 kamikaze drone strikes overnight, in what Ukrainian officials said was an attempt to cripple the countrys energy infrastructure.

Kharkiv experienced a near city-wide blackout with water supplies cut off, according to local reports. Elsewhere in Zaporizhzhia, strikes on Europes largest nuclear power plant left the facility in an extremely dangerous position, while Ukraines largest dam, a hydroelectric power plant on the Dnipro river, is in a critical condition following a missile attack, officials reported.

Moscow carried out the strikes in response to attacks by pro-Kyiv soldiers on Russian border cities over the past week, the defence ministry said in a statement.

03:26 PM GMT

Pictured: Ongoing strikes on Belgorod

Self-defence unit volunteers stand by burned-out cars in a residential area of the city of Belgorod following fresh aerial attacks on March 22 - Getty Images

Burned-out cars are seen in a residential area of the city of Belgorod - Getty Images

03:15 PM GMT

France and Germany reach breakthrough on laser-armed battle tank

France and Germany have reached a breakthrough over joint plans to develop a next-generation battle tank.

We have achieved a breakthrough, Boris Pistorius, Germanys defence minister announced at a Berlin press conference, flanked by his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu. We have agreed on the distribution of all tasks for this major project.

Dubbed the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS), the new-age tank is a successor to the French Leclerc and German Leopard tanks from 2035.

The MGCS will consist not just of one armoured fighting vehicle but a system of manned and unmanned vehicles, including drones to protect the tank as well as the use of artificial intelligence and laser technology, the ministers said.

Germany and France agreed to jointly develop the tank in 2019, but the project was delayed amid rivalry between French and German industrial companies, and different priorities in Berlin and Paris.

Mr Lecornu hailed the innovative tank system as a generational leap in terms of technology with impressive connectivity.

03:04 PM GMT

Over 1,000 miners trapped underground due to power outage

Coal mining facilities in Dnipropetrovsk were left without electricity during the large-scale attack overnight, leaving 1,060 miners trapped underground, Ukraines energy ministry reported.

Several mines in Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts are left without electricity. Over 1,000 people are underground. There is no threat to their lives, the ministry of energy said in a statement.

DTEK, the energy company, said that an emergency evacuation plan has been implemented, with back-up generators switched on to bring the miners back up to the surface. Nobody has been injured.

03:01 PM GMT

Russian missile strike leaves heating and electricity completely cut off in Kharkiv

Russian overnight strikes have completely cut off the electricity and heat supply to Ukraines second largest city, Kharkiv, its mayor said.

The city is completely without power and as a result the water and heating supply are not working, Igor Terekhov, Kharkivs mayor, said in a video on his social media.

Utilities and power engineers need time to cope with the challenges posed by this hostile shelling... I ask everyone to stay calm and remain patient, he said in a post.

Other areas across Ukraine also reported blackouts, including at least 200,000 in the western Khmelnytsky region and around 260,000 in the southern region of Odesa.

02:59 PM GMT

Pictured: Ukrainian pilots earn their wings

10 Ukrainian pilots have graduated from RAF training before they commence fast jet training in F-16s - PA

02:12 PM GMT

Update: Ukraine restores Zaporizhzhia power line

Ukraine has restored a power line at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant damaged by Russian strikes, officials reported.

Ukrainian power engineers returned the Dniprovska PL-750kV overhead power line to service, which was damaged this morning during a massive missile attack of the Russian Federation, Ukraines energy regulator said in a statement.

The fix means the plant is once again connected to Ukraines energy grid via two power lines, reducing the risk of a blackout.

See post at 8.11am for more details.

01:39 PM GMT

Russian Navy accidentally sinks own fishing boat, reports suggest

Moscows Black Sea Fleet accidentally sunk a Russian fishing trawler with a missile during training exercises, reports suggest.

Footage of the alleged incident posted on social media shows a fishing vessel, painted navy and red, with its hull on fire and black smoke rising into the air.

Three people were killed in the strike and four others injured, a relative of one of the dead men claimed to TV Rain, a Russian independent TV channel, yesterday.

The incident reportedly took place on March 19 when Russias Baltic Sea Fleet, taking part in war exercises in occupied Kaliningrad, launched a live missile which hit a Russian fishing trawler, the Captain Lobanov.

Russian authorities claimed the incident was caused by a fire onboard the ship and said only one person had died, TV Rain reported.

When the survivors were taken away, everyone knew perfectly well that three people had died and everyone knew perfectly well that a rocket had hit, the relative said to TV Rain.

01:06 PM GMT

Pictured: The aftermath of Russias overnight strikes

A rescue team member carries a chicken found among debris at a site of residential buildings destroyed in Zaporizhzhia - Reuters

Ukrainian emergency work at the site of Russia's air attack in Zaporizhzhia - AP

Firefighters extinguish a fire at an electrical substation after a missile attack in Kharkiv - Sergey Bobok/AFP

12:33 PM GMT

Russia arrests seven alleged pro-Ukraine rebels in Moscow

Russias FSB security service has arrested seven Moscow residents linked to a pro-Ukraine militia accused of raiding Russias border regions, state news agencies reported.

The seven detained residents of Moscow maintained contacts with the Russian Volunteer Corps, acting as part of (the) Ukrainian army, the FSB was quoted as saying.

The accused had discussed ways of carrying out violent actions against representatives of law enforcement agencies, servicemen and foreigners, it said.

Video published by state news agencies showed FSB officers bursting into an apartment and detaining one of the suspects, as well as a photo allegedly showing a cache of seized weapons.

The coordinated arrests come a few days after Vladimir Putin ordered the FSB to wage an unrelenting crackdown on the fighters, whom he called scum and traitors.

After last weeks raids, which targeted the Russian border regions of Kursk and Belgorod, Putin ordered the FSB to punish the fighters without statute of limitations.

12:12 PM GMT

Ukraine experience blackouts across seven regions amid massive Russian attacks

Ukraine has experienced emergency blackouts in seven regions with numerous energy facilities damaged following Russias overnight missile strikes, Kyivs power grid operator has said.

Dozens of power system facilities have been damaged. Emergency blackouts in seven regions, Ukrenergo, the state-run grid operator, said on Telegram.

Denys Shmyhal, Ukraines prime minister, said that despite the shortages of supply, the situation is under control.

As a result of the shelling, there are problems with electricity supply in some areas, he wrote on Telegram. In general, the situation in the energy sector is under control, there is no need for blackouts throughout the country.

11:38 AM GMT

Watch: The impact of Moscows overnight strikes

It was such a difficult night for Ukraine. Mixed air attack of 151 different kind of missiles and kamikaze drones targeted Ukrainian cities. One of the largest hit on the energy infrastructure. Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyy, Kharkiv, Dnipro suffered the most. Video by @United24media pic.twitter.com/wFFNohhSIX  Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) March 22, 2024

11:19 AM GMT

Support for Ukraine could go beyond arms supplies, says Frances top general

Russia should not expect the West to limit its support for Ukraine to arms supplies, Frances military chief has warned.

General Thierry Burkhard, Frances chief of the defence staff, has warned that Russias military gamble is based on the premise that the West will only provide arms to Kyiv - an assumption the General described as not correct.

Vladimir Putin has built his operation on the idea that the West will never go into Ukraine but will simply supply weapons, Gen Burkhardt told reporters after talks in Paris with his Swedish counterpart, Gen Mikael Boden. We have to show him that he cannot use this logic to go all the way, because this idea is not correct.

The war in Ukraine concerns us because we are involved in its aftermath. Therefore, Europeans must be able to take risks to ensure the security of Europe in the next decade, the general said.

His comments echo those of Emmanuel Macron, the French president, whose suggestion earlier this month that the West could deploy troops in Ukraine led to widespread controversy.

The presidents intention is to let Vladimir Putin know that we are aware of what is at stake in Ukraine, Gen Burkhardt said.

10:41 AM GMT

Ukrainian army official embezzled 1m meant to feed soldiers

A senior Ukrainian army official who allegedly embezzled more than 1 million meant to buy rations for the military has been detained.

The suspect, named locally as Oleksandr Kozlovsky, was working as the head of a military department that procured food for soldiers before his arrest.

Ukraines State Bureau of Investigation claimed he had used the funds to buy an apartment in Kyiv, a dozen plots of land and a car instead of spending the money on supplies for the military.

From 2022 to 2023, the official acquired unsubstantiated assets in the amount of almost 58 million hryvnia (1.18 million), the agency said.

Read the full report here.

10:29 AM GMT

Watch: Russian missile strikes Dnipro dam

10:10 AM GMT

Russia is in a state of war, says the Kremlin

Russia is in a state of war with Ukraine, the Kremlin has said, in a major escalation of its official language used to describe the conflict.

We are in a state of war. Yes, it started as a special military operation, but as soon as this bunch was formed there, when the collective West became a participant on Ukraines side, for us it already became a war, Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, said in an interview to a pro-Kremlin newspaper published on Friday.

Mr Peskovs remarks represent one of very few times Moscow has addressed the true nature of its so-called special military operation in Ukraine.

His comments come after Vladimir Putin referred to the conflict as a war in his state of the federation speech last month.

09:53 AM GMT

Ukraines largest dam in critical condition amid wave of Russian strikes

Ukraines largest dam has been left in critical condition after a wave of Russian strikes damaged its generators, officials reported.

The Dnipro hydroelectric power plant contains two generator units - called HPP-1 and HPP-2 - the first of which is out of service and the latter of which is in a critical condition following a direct hit.

We are losing the plant, said Ihor Syrota, the director of Ukrhydroenergo which manages the dam. HPP-2 is in jeopardy and we dont know to what extent and with what capacity it will be able to operate. This is all due to missile strikes.

Smoke rises from Ukraine's largest dam, the DniproHES in Zaporizhzhia, after a Russian missile attack - Twitter

There were two missile strikes. HPP-2 suffered a direct hit. One missile damaged overhead crane beams, hitting the supports. So HPP-2 is in critical condition and HPP-1 is also currently out of service.

Mr Syrota added that Ukrhydroenergo is taking measures to raise the floodgates, as water is currently unable to pass through the generation turbines, and must completely restore the facilitys engine room and electrical equipment.

We will assess the aftermath within a day and get a clearer picture of the damage. And whether it [HPP-2] will be able to operate, at least in a limited capacity, or whether it will be out of service entirely, he said.

09:37 AM GMT

Zelensky blames Western politicians after Russia launches strikes across Ukraine

Russia attacked Ukraine overnight with over 90 missiles and 60 drones, Volodymyr Zelensky said.

The strikes targeted Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure, including the Dnipro dam in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraines largest hydroelectric power plant.

The Ukrainian president called on the countrys allies to deliver air defence systems to protect against airborne attacks.

Russian missiles have no delays, unlike aid packages for Ukraine. Shahed drones have no indecision, unlike some politicians. It is critical to understand the cost of delays and postponed decisions.

This night, Russia launched over 60 "Shahed" drones and nearly 90 missiles of various types at Ukraine. The world sees the Russian terrorists' targets as clearly as possible: power plants and energy supply lines, a hydroelectric dam, ordinary residential buildings, and even a pic.twitter.com/5dX2fAMMiE  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) March 22, 2024

Images of the Dnipro dam posted on social media show a large fire with black smoke rising into the air. Officials later reported there is no threat of the dam breaching.

Patriot systems must protect Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia; air defence is required to protect people, infrastructure, homes, and dams, added Volodymyr Zelensky, renewing his call for the west to resupply Ukraine with air defence systems.

Our partners know exactly what is needed. They can definitely support us. These are necessary decisions. Life must be protected from these savages from Moscow.

08:44 AM GMT

Washington urges Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries

The US has called on Ukraine to stop its attacks on Russias energy infrastructure, cautioning the strikes risk driving up global oil prices and provoking retaliation, the Financial Times reported.

A series of warnings from Washington were delivered to senior officials at Ukraines state security service, the SBU, and its military intelligence directorate, called the GUR, three people familiar with the discussions told the paper.

One person said that the White House had grown more and more frustrated by Ukrainian drone attacks that have struck oil facilities across western Russia, hurting its oil production capacity.

The intervention comes amid a spate of Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil facilities - with nine carried out this year so far - that have wiped out around 12 per cent of Moscows overall oil production, leading to a spike in global prices.

The White House is also allegedly concerned that if Ukraine keeps hitting Russian facilities, including many that are hundreds of miles from the border, Russia could retaliate by lashing out at energy infrastructure relied on by the West.

08:20 AM GMT

Russian strikes on Kharkiv cause city-wide blackout

Russian overnight strikes on energy infrastructure in the city of Kharkiv have caused a near-complete loss of power in the city, with at least 15 explosions reported.

The citys transportation network is also down and water supplies disrupted, according to local reports.

Kharkiv electricity facilities hit by 15 ballistic missiles from Russia, plunging the city into total blackout. Water supply disrupted, no city transportation. Now more than ever, people of Ukraine urgently need your voices of support. pic.twitter.com/H25lKbmaNo  Maria Avdeeva (@maria_avdv) March 22, 2024

The enemy launched one of the largest attacks on the Ukrainian energy sector in recent weeks, Herman Halushchenko, Ukraines energy minister, wrote on Facebook.

The goal is not just to damage it, but, just like last year, to cause a large-scale disruption in the countrys energy system.

08:11 AM GMT

Europes largest nuclear plant in extremely dangerous position after Russian strikes

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is in an extremely dangerous situation following a wave of Russian strikes overnight on Ukraines energy infrastructure, officials reported.

The situation is extremely dangerous and threatens an emergency, said Petro Kotin, the head of Energoatom, Ukraines largest power supplier which runs the site.

The strikes took out a power line that links the station to Ukraines grid, leaving just one remaining connection to the countrys energy system. If the last communication with the domestic power grid is severed, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant will suffer another blackout, said Mr Kotin.

The plant was occupied by Russia in March 2022 and is no longer generating power, but needs a supply of electricity to cool one of its four reactors.

Disruption to power lines at the site have caused several blackouts at the facility since Russias invasion, with Ukrainian officials repeatedly warning of the threat of nuclear catastrophe that power outages pose.

07:53 AM GMT

Pictured: the aftermath of yesterdays strikes on Kyiv

Ukrainian municipal services workers survey and repair the damage following a missile attack in Kyiv - AFP

An explosion is seen in the sky over the city during a Russian missile strike on Kyiv - Gleb Garanich/REUTERS

07:50 AM GMT

In case you missed it: Kyiv blitzed by Russian missiles as revenge for raids

Volodymyr Zelensky urged European leaders to hand over dozens more air-defence systems on Thursday after at least 17 people were injured in a Russian missile barrage against Kyiv, writes Joe Barnes.

Ukraines air force said it had shot down all 31 hypersonic, ballistic and cruise missiles that were launched at the capital for the first time in more than a month.

Residential buildings, medical facilities and businesses were damaged as the burning debris of the intercepted projectiles were rained down on the city.

Moscow had vowed revenge for a recent spate of cross-border attacks on Russian border regions and also coincided with the two-year anniversary since the liberation of the Kyiv region in the early days of the war.

Read Joes full report here.

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NBC raised eyebrows Friday when it announced that former Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel will join the network as an on-air contributor.

McDaniel, who stepped down from the RNC at the start of this month, will provide conservative political analysis on NBC and its affiliate MSNBC. She makes her on-air debut on Sunday.

NBC News political coverage chief Carrie Budoff Brown explained that McDaniel was chosen because she can provide an insiders perspective on national politics and the future of the Republican Party.

That insider knowledge is apparently enough for NBC to overlook the rest of McDaniels history. Although she disagreed with Donald Trump in recent months, McDaniel was still one of his biggest allies in the party. She repeatedly elevated his claims and conspiracies, including that the 2020 election had been rigged and that mail-in voting allowed for fraudulent ballots to be cast.

McDaniel was elected RNC chair in 2017, at first with Trumps support, although the former president insisted she drop her maiden name (Romney) to win his support and show loyalty. She was reelected four times and helped to transform the party into the mirror of Trump that it is now.

But Trump eventually turned on her because she refused to crown him the Republican presidential nominee and instead opted for a contested primary. Trump eventually clinched the nomination on his own, but not before he decided hed rather have two absolute loyalists at the helm of the RNC.

The GOP in general has also soured on McDaniel because she failed massively at the two main parts of her job: fundraising and winning electionsthanks in large part to her embrace of Donald Trump.

By the end of October, the RNC had a little more than $9.1 million in its coffers, the smallest amount in nearly a decade. McDaniel insisted there was nothing unusual about the low funds.

Republicans also suffered wave after wave of bruising losses, from the 2022 midterm elections to, most recently, the special election for former representative and serial fabulist George Santoss seat in New York. The party has largely blamed McDaniel for the defeats, even as many of the failed candidates mostly embraced Trumps policies and talking points.

So, given the facts that McDaniel was both bad at her job and is now on the outs with her own party, its unclear what analysis of value she has to offer NBC. Instead, her hiring looks more like a shameless grab for viewers.
Boom Supersonic took a step toward its passenger jet ambitions Friday by completing the first flight of its demonstrator jet, called XB-1, at the Mojave Air & Space Port in California.

The company said the needle-nosed XB-1 met all its test objectives including reaching 7,120 feet and 273 mph. This is well short of the supersonic speeds (around 1,300 mph) at which Boom promises to eventually shuttle passengers around the world. In an email to The News & Observer, Boom spokesperson Aubrey Scanlan said the company expects to perform 10 to 20 additional test flights before going supersonic.

This includes in-flight checks of all systems, as well as multiple test points demonstrating safe margin to flutter (vibration) boundaries, she said.

While based in Colorado, Booms future is intertwined with the North Carolina Piedmont. In January 2022, the startup jetmaker entered an agreement with the state to build a $500 million flagship at Greensboros Piedmont Triad International Airport. A $121.5 million incentive package between the state and Guilford County helped North Carolina edge out Florida for the company.

Boom pledged to employ up to 1,761 workers at the facility, and construction got underway early last year. The startup intends to use the Greensboro campus to assembly, test, and deliver its prospective supersonic airliner, called Overture, which it hopes to have certified for commercial travel in 2029. The company expects to complete construction by the middle of this year, Scanlan said.

The XB-1 program, Boom said in a statement, provides the foundation for the design and development for this future jet, which could carry 64 to 80 passengers at Mach 1.7, or roughly twice the speed of todays traditional commercial airliners. Supersonic flight begins at around 760 mph, depending on temperature and altitude.

On Friday, North Carolinas top leaders offered statements celebrating Booms inaugural test flight.

Were excited about this historic flight and Booms progress toward great paying North Carolina jobs and sustainable aviation, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper said.

Republican Senate leader Phil Berger called the XB-1 flight a tremendous turning point in Booms quest to bring supersonic flight to the masses.
A duo snatched almost $2 million worth of Hermes Birkin designer bags from a Miami Beach store. One of the men accused in the heist, whose car is linked to a jewelry store theft last year in Florida, is now behind bars.

Eduardo Travieso Garcia, 45, was arrested Tuesday, hours after the front door of the Maison Wrist Aficionado was propped open  and the business was ransacked for its luxury handbags. The Southwest Miami-Dade man is facing charges of burglary, grand theft over $100,000 and unlawful use of a communications device.

At around 3 a.m. Tuesday, police were called to the Setai Hotel, 2001 Collins Ave., where the store is housed. Surveillance video caught a man hopping out of a white Ford E-250 work van with a PSG Construction logo on the side.

He opened the door with an unknown tool, police say. Then another man approached the front door with a large gray garbage bin. The first guy is, too, caught on tape with a bin of his own.

Within minutes, theyre collecting treasure, filling the bins with luxury designer handbags, according to police. The men got back into their respective vehicles, with the second man jumping into an orange Hyundai Santa Fe.

The store owner, who arrived on the scene that morning, told police that more than 60 bags  valued at more than $1.8 million  were nabbed.

When detectives tracked the work vans whereabouts, they noticed that it and the Santa Fe left Miami Beach together through the Julia Tuttle Causeway. The Santa Fe, according to police, was linked back to Garcia  and a jewelry store burglary in Hillsborough Country last year.

Garcia, jail records show, is being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center with his bond set at $100,000.
In one weeks time, nearly 20,000 people have applied for a lottery to fill a 113-unit affordable housing development in Hollywood, underscoring the need for affordable housing in South Florida.

That number astounded Timothy Wheat, partner at Pinnacle, the developer behind Pinnacle 441, a property at the intersection of Johnson Street and State Road 7, south of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, that will provide affordable housing to households earning 60% or less of the area median income.

Were at a crisis level, perhaps the likes of which weve never seen  a crisis of affordability, Wheat told the Miami Herald.

The $93 million development has been in the works since 2019 and will include one-, two- and three-bedroom units between $1,100 and $1,400, Wheat said.

According to a 2022 Broward County Affordable Housing Needs Assessment, 62% of Broward renters were cost burdened, meaning more than 30% of their income was going toward their rent. Of those residents, 52% were severely cost burdened, meaning more than half of their income was going toward rent.

Pinnacle 441 is an affordable housing development along the 441 corridor in Hollywood.

Were now in a situation where people arent saving, people are incurring debt and were struggling to find housing at median prices, Wheat said, adding that median rental prices in the South Florida market range between $2,500 and $2,800.

Prior to the lottery opening, Wheat told the Herald that his office had received 18,000 inquiries about the development, which is being completed in two phases. Phase I of the project will include 113 units, three of which will be rented at market-level pricing, Wheat said.

Lottery registration for Phase I opened Friday, March 15, and closes Monday, March 25, at midnight. Registrants will be selected for the housing using a randomized computer generator, Wheat said.

The property managers will reach out to the selected applicants in groups of 20, Wheat said. Those selected will have 72 hours to respond to two phone calls regarding the application. From there, Wheat said residents will be asked to provide additional information, including their income and prior resident history. A background check will be performed, and an application fee must be paid.

Pinnacle 441, an affordable housing development in Hollywood, will consist of 213 units.

Wheat said he anticipates residents will move into the Phase I apartments as early as May and Phase II, which will have 100 units, will be ready as soon as early 2025. But even as Pinnacle 441 is hoping to put a dent in Hollywoods affordable housing needs, hes still stunned by the large response.

Im alarmed at what this says about how dire the need for affordable housing is, he said. Im still stunned by the fact that well probably have to sit through a 20,000-person list when we randomize this.  Im just stunned by the notion therell be, you know, 19,887 unhappy people. Im still wrapping my own brain around that.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  On Thursday, the Austin Police Department released information related to its efforts to combat violent crimes during the 2024 South by Southwest festival.

During SXSW, APD launched a Violent Crimes Initiative in the downtown Austin area. The initiative ran from March 8 through March 17.

Throughout the operation, APD said it seized 46 firearms and made 153 arrests.

The arrests were related to charges of unlawfully carrying a weapon, possession of a controlled substance, warrants for homicide and robbery, public intoxication and fighting.

Every year the City celebrates Spring Festival, the Austin Police Department along with all city departments work closely by coordinating to take necessary measures and precautions to ensure the safety and well-being of our community and visitors. Our joint efforts aim to create a secure environment for everyone to enjoy the festivities, APD said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
NAIROBI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Africa's Business Heroes (ABH), a pan-African philanthropic initiative sponsored by Chinese entrepreneur Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy, held a roadshow and training session for aspiring entrepreneurs in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi Thursday night.

Dozens of budding entrepreneurs, innovators, and past winners of the annual ABH prize competition graced the event to learn how to grow their businesses in an interconnected world.

Zahra Baitie-Boateng, managing director for Africa at the ABH Initiative, said Kenya was among the African countries selected for roadshows and training sessions to enlighten upcoming entrepreneurs on how to participate in the 2024 prize competition, open for application from March 4 to May 19.

"In our sixth year, we have a very strong community for them to join, with like-minded entrepreneurs, judges, and mentors from around the world, and access to a wide range of training," Zahra said.

She revealed that the semifinals and grand finals of the 2024 edition of the ABH will be held in person later this year, where contestants will have ample opportunity to interact with judges and fellow entrepreneurs.

According to Zahra, the competition judges will be looking for sustainable businesses that are solving a perennial societal challenge, have market traction, pay customers, and have generated revenue over two years; the enterprises should have a clear passion, purpose, and impact, while the founders should have clarity on the kind of challenges they are keen to offer solutions to.

Zahra disclosed that later in the year, the ABH will sponsor all heroes from the past five editions to travel to Hangzhou, the capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, to engage with the Alibaba Ecosystem, explore partnerships, and learn about China's economic growth.

Chebet Lesan, founder and chief executive officer of BrightGreen Energy and a past winner of the ABH prize competition, said the ABH provided her with the seed capital, skills, and exposure she needed to fuel the growth of her green startup. 
Kali Eernisse holds a sign during a march for Nex Benedict at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City, Thursday, March 14, 2024. Benedict was pronounced dead Feb. 8, one day after being injured in an altercation inside an Owasso High School bathroom.

Mallory Golski is the civic engagement and advocacy manager at Kaleidoscope Youth Center.

The ongoing nationwide anti-LGBTQIA+ bullying efforts at the hands of state legislators culminated in the Feb. 8 death of Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old student at Owasso High School in Owasso, Oklahoma.

The transgender, nonbinary, two-spirit sophomore died one day after they were reportedly beaten by three older classmates in a school bathroom, and nearly two years after Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed into law Senate Bill 615, requiring students in K-12 schools to use the restroom or changing room facility that aligns with the sex assigned on their original birth certificate.

More: Joe Biden mourns death of Nex Benedict, LGBTQ+ teen who died by suicide

Teachers could have intervened in the bullying, but reportedly didnt  but, what motivation had they to step in, when Tyler Wrynn, a former eighth-grade teacher in the Owasso school district, was forced to resign two years ago after receiving viral push back for his open support of LGBTQIA+ students?

Nex Benedict poses outside the family's home in Owasso, Okla., in December 2023. The death of Nex Benedict, 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, March 13, 2024. (Sue Benedict via AP, File)

The trajectory of these events was entirely preventable, and its not outside the realm of possibility to assume that another tragedy is likely  if not inevitable  because of comparable legislation in our state.

Ohio House Bill 183 would similarly restrict people to using the restrooms aligning with the sex markers on their original birth certificates, and it would leave the bills enforcement entirely up to the will of transphobic vigilantes.

What motivation will Ohio teachers have to intervene in bathroom bullying when legislators are working to pass House Bill 8, requiring teachers to out students to their families, even if doing so would compromise that students safety and well-being at home?

More: Ohio bill could mandate sharing student info even if teachers suspect parental abuse

Just as Kaleidoscope Youth Center houses the Ohio GSA (Genders and Sexualities Alliances) Network, Freedom Oklahoma is Oklahomas statewide GSA Network affiliate, helping K-12 gender and sexuality alliances and other school-affiliated pride organizations foster community and create safer and more inclusive environments for students.

But, when legislators use schools as the vehicle for their hateful rhetoric, students learn that its acceptable to torment classmates who dare to wear their favorite outfit or go to the bathroom.

And when teachers are vilified for supporting queer and trans students  and are subjected to laws that prevent them from doing so entirely  school professionals are forced to choose between keeping their job and keeping their students safe.

While more than half of LGBTQIA+ students report experiencing bullying at school because of their identity, 100% of gender-nonconforming young people in Ohio are currently experiencing bullying at the hands of the state legislature.

Nearly two-thirds of LGBTQIA+ young people have said that hearing about anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation worsened the state of their mental health.

Following the news of Nexs death, the Indiana-based Rainbow Youth Project received a nearly 300% increase in mental health crisis counseling calls.

Two-spirit, transgender, gender-nonconforming and intersex youth should not have to be martyrs for their own right to exist. Yet, as with any other bullying, this torment takes its toll.

Nex Benedict, a headstrong teenager who loved cooking, Minecraft and sporting dapper vests, died by suicide, the Oklahoma Medical Examiner found. Its a forewarned yet unfathomable conclusion that Ohio legislators must reckon with as they return to the Statehouse following their time on the primary campaign trail.

Are they comfortable with their own electability being a comorbidity?

If you or someone you know needs mental health resources or support, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit www.988lifeline.org for 24/7 access to free, confidential services.

Mallory Golski is the civic engagement and advocacy manager at Kaleidoscope Youth Center, Ohios largest and longest-serving organization solely dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults ages 12 to 24.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio schools becoming hate vehicle. Nex Benedict show what can happen.
The Royal Hospital for Children is part of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) campus in Glasgow

A health board has launched an investigation after reports that two members of staff, including a junior doctor, filmed their sexual encounter in a Glasgow children's hospital.

The Scottish Sun said NHS employees reported the footage, after claiming it was recorded in changing rooms at the Royal Hospital for Children.

The paper said the man responsible for the clip works in a non-clinical role.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde described the allegations as "concerning".

The explicit video is said to have been uploaded to the non-clinical worker's OnlyFans account.

The paper said the staff member used a fake name to post sexual material online involving himself and other men.

But when links to his clips were shared with colleagues last month he defended his actions and criticised those who circulated them.

A health board spokesman said: "We have launched an immediate investigation into these concerning allegations.

"So far we have not established any evidence of inappropriate behaviour or conduct on our premises."
The deadline for filing for candidacy in New Mexico just passed and there were several major surprises, including the sheer number of incumbents not running. Nearly a third of the state Senate is not standing for re-election  13 of 42 members, and 10 of 70 members of the House of Representatives are not running to keep their seats.

Three of the departing House members are running for vacant Senate seats, one of whom, former House minority leader and current House minority whip James Townsend of Artesia, is unopposed in both the primary and the general election. The House majority leader and longest serving member of the House, Representative Gail Chasey of Albuquerque, is stepping down. The only remaining Republican member of the House from the City of Albuquerque, nine-term Representative Bill Rehm, is retiring.

In the 2021 redistricting gerrymander, most of the attention went to the CD2 debacle where Albuquerques South Valley and Roswell now share district boundaries. But we shouldnt forget the Legislature. Two Republican state Senators, Greg Baca of Belen, and Joshua Sanchez of Bosque, were redistricted into the same district. Baca, the Senate minority leader, announced on filing day he would not seek re-election, clearing the way for Sanchez to file in his new district.

Merritt Hamilton Allen

With Townsend unopposed and several sessions of House leadership under his belt, he could be a freshman Senator with a very credible leadership bid. Other more senior Senators, including Mark Moores of Albuquerque, Ron Griggs of Alamogordo, Steve Neville of Aztec, and Cliff Pirtle of Roswell are all leaving the Senate.

Here in the East Mountains, where this column is first published, first-term state Senator Gregg Schmedes has declined to run for re-election after bursting onto the political scene out of nowhere in 2018 with seemingly limitless drive and ambition. Ive only had three very brief conversations with Schmedes, despite being his opponent in 2018, so I really dont know his reasons for pausing his political career. If I was to hazard a guess,

I would imagine he either: doesnt see an immediate path to statewide office; he is frustrated at the Democratic supermajority in the Legislature and the resulting inability to push through any element of his agenda; he needs to earn a living full-time for his family.

This is all somewhat interesting. The real shock from filing day for me came with House minority leader Ryan Lane of Farmington and his decision not to run. Lane was a surprise victor as minority leader in 2023 in just his second term. Firmly conservative but less combative, Lane seemed more willing to have conversations with the opposition rather than just picking fights. The candidate who has filed to run for his seat, Republican William Hall, will be unopposed.

So all of House minority leadership is leaving and the Senate minority leader, and stakes are high for fundraising, particularly in the House, where more candidates have to run twice as often.

Calling Rebecca Dow. She is running again for her old seat in Sierra County, which has changed a bit in redistricting, but she still happens to reside in. She vacated the seat to run for governor, but I do not doubt she will prevail. She is not only an excellent campaigner for herself, but for others; House Districts 32 and 39 and Senate District 35, all in the southwest, have gone red after decades of Democratic control thanks to her influence. While in the House, she worked both sides of the aisle to push through key legislation. Crucially, in 2024, she is a vocal advocate for CYFD reform.

She is formidable.

I will admit to some bias. District 38 was my mothers, Dianne Hamiltons, seat for 18 years. When she retired, party leadership wanted someone else to run  someone from Silver City, someone male, pretty much anyone other than Dow. Hamilton held firm. Dow was ultimately the successful candidate, and her success in District 38 and throughout the southwestern part of the state cannot be denied. Its one thing to hold GOP seats in NM. Its quite another to flip them.

Dow also has a characteristic that is badly needed in the Legislature going forward: she knows when to fight and when to persuade. Too often in todays GOP, its all fight and no persuasion. With a crippling minority and no real path forward to a red wave in the 2024 elections here, the next class of NM GOP legislative leadership must do more than scream a one-sided agenda; they must convince some of their colleagues across the aisle and more New Mexicans that they are right.

Merritt Hamilton Allen is a PR executive and former Navy officer. She appeared regularly as a panelist on NM PBS and is a frequent guest on News Radio KKOB. A Republican, she lives amicably with her Democratic husband north of I-40 where they run one head of dog, and two of cat. She can be reached at news.ind.merritt@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: NM GOP legislative leadership calls it a day
An Oklahoma district attorney declined to file charges in connection with the death of nonbinary teenager Nex Benedict, officials said Thursday.

Benedict, a 16-year-old student at Owasso High School near Tulsa, died by suicide on Feb. 8, one day after a fight in a high school bathroom.

"Based upon the investigation of the Owasso Police Department, I am in agreement with their assessment that the filing of juvenile

charges is not warranted," Tulsa County District Attorney Stephen A. Kunzweiler said in a statement.

"From all of the evidence gathered, this fight was an instance of mutual combat," Kunzweiler wrote. "I do not have a reasonable belief that the State of Oklahoma could sustain its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt if charges were presented for prosecution."

Nex Benedict. / Credit: CBS News

Benedict, who identified as nonbinary and used they/them pronouns, was sent to a hospital by a school nurse immediately following the fight. Benedict, while in the hospital, spoke to police officers and told them the bathroom fight had started when three girls harassed them. Benedict responded by throwing water at the girls, which sparked the fight.

Owassa police during their investigation discovered brief notes written by Benedict that appeared to be related to the suicide, Kunzweiler said. The notes didn't reference the fight or difficulties at school. Benedict's parents also told officers that Benedict had "reported being picked upon for various reasons while at school," Kunzweiler said.

The district attorney's office reviewed law enforcement's reports for two separate incidents related to Benedict, according to Kunzweiler. The first was the fight on Feb. 7, which involved two groups of students who were attending an "in-school suspension" class at the west campus of Owasso High. Neither group had known the other before attending the class, but reports indicate they were antagonizing each other in the days leading up to the fight, Kunzweiler said.

"According to witnesses, the fight was less than one minute in duration after Benedict poured water over two girls while they were in the bathroom," Kunzweiler said. "Apparently, comments were directed about how Benedict laughed, which was followed by the water pouring incident."

People gather outside the Stonewall Inn for a memorial and vigil for the Oklahoma teenager who died following a fight in a high school bathroom on February 26, 2024, in New York City. / Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Owassa police were called to investigate Benedict's death the following day, and the state's medical examiner's office ruled their death a suicide on March 13.

Benedict's death "is a tragedy for the family who is grieving over the loss of a life they loved," Kunzweiler said in his statement, adding, "Mostly, we are left with questions about what any one of us could have done to prevent the tragedy from happening in the first place."

According to Kunzweiler, the medical examiner's report noted that superficial injuries consistent with the fight were visible during the autopsy, but it was determined that none of them caused or resulted in death. No evidence was found of an internal injury that caused or resulted in death. The medical examiner's summary report said Benedict died due to the combined toxicity of two different legal medications.

"Fighting takes place at schools everyday across this nation," Kunzweiler said. "Some fights may be justified. Some fights may be mutual combat. Some fights may be unjustified. When I review a report and make a decision to file a charge I must be convinced - as is every prosecutor - that a crime was committed and that I have a reasonable belief that a judge or a jury would be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime was committed."

Kunzweiler ended his report by saying he did not have this reasonable belief.

Benedict's death prompted rallies and vigils in U.S. cities from New York to Los Angeles, with organizers calling their death a reminder of the dangers and persecution the LGBTQ+ community continues to face.

In a statement released last week, President Biden said, "Bullying is hurtful and cruel, and no one should face the bullying that Nex did. Parents and schools must take reports of bullying seriously."

He added, "In memory of Nex, we must all recommit to our work to end discrimination and address the suicide crisis impacting too many nonbinary and transgender children."

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, you can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You can also chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline here.

For more information about mental health care resources and support, The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.10 p.m. ET, at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email info@nami.org.

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A man who counter-protested a rally for Nex Benedict outside Owasso High School drew a crowd and police presence in February as Owasso students and supporters gathered outside Owasso High School to hold a peaceful demonstration in honor of Nex Benedict, 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 Tulsa County district attorney will not file charges in the death of Nex Benedict or the fight that preceded it.

In a lengthy news release Thursday, Steve Kunzweiler called Benedict's death, which was ruled a suicide by Oklahoma's chief medical examiner, a "tragedy." But he said that based on the investigation by the Owasso Police Department, the "filing of juvenile charges is not warranted."

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, 16, used the pronouns he, him, they and them, their friends and relatives have said.

The teen's death has gained national attention. Their family has called on school administrators, lawmakers and others to end hate and bullying in schools.

A memorial for Nex Benedict is pictured Feb. 26 at Owasso High School.

Jacob Biby, an attorney representing the Benedict family, declined to comment about the district attorney's decision not to file charges when he was reached late Thursday.

In his statement, Kunzweiler said, "from all of the evidence gathered, this fight was an instance of mutual combat. I do not have a reasonable belief that the State of Oklahoma could sustain its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt if charges were presented for prosecution."

DA considered 60-pages of police reports, Nex Benedict notes in decision

Kunzweiler said police turned over nearly 60 pages of reports and other digital files, including interviews with seven Owasso High students and six staffers. Two students declined to be interviewed or "were in the process of consulting with an attorney," he said. Police also submitted notes from the school nurse and reports from responding officers.

In addition, Tulsa County's top prosecutor said he reviewed a 12-page autopsy report, which included results of a toxicology report. Oklahoma's chief medical examiner has said Benedict died Feb. 8 from toxicity of diphenhydramine, an antihistamine, and fluoxetine, an anti-depression medication. "These drugs are not illegal, and they were legally available within the home where Benedict was raised," Kunzweiler said.

He said an "important part" of the investigation were notes written by Benedict that "appeared to be related to the suicide." He declined to disclose any details about the notes except to say they "do not make any reference to the earlier fight or difficulties at school."

Benedict was treated at a local hospital soon after the Feb. 7 fight at school 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, Benedict said, explaining the water came from a water bottle.

Benedict said the girls took them to the ground and were beating them when Benedict blacked out.

The interview was recorded by the officers body camera. As Benedict lay in the hospital bed, the officer explained that they could also be facing assault charges because they squirted other students with water.

Benedict's family said earlier this month that they believe some of the medical examiner's findings point to the severity of the injuries suffered by the teen in the fight. Biby disclosed a portion of the complete autopsy report  which has been released to Benedict's family but not to the public  that noted some bruises, cuts and other injuries on or near the teen's head and left hand.

In his statement, Kunzweiler described those injuries as superficial and external. "The autopsy of Benedict did not uncover any evidence of an internal injury (blunt force/trauma related) which caused or resulted in death," he said.

The district attorney noted that his office considers whether a crime occurred and does not look at any civil liability that may exist in the case.

The U.S. Department of Education plans to launch a civil rights investigation into Owasso schools in light of Benedict's death, the school confirmed earlier this month.

The investigation will look into allegations that Owasso Public Schools failed to adequately address reports of sex-based harassment.

Read the district attorney's full statement:

This embedded content is not available in your region.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Nex Benedict investigation: Tulsa DA says no charges to be filed
After the massive overnight attack by Russia on Ukrainian infrastructure, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis has stated that the West is making mistakes in its strategy to support Ukraine, and this could have consequences for the future development of the situation.

Source: Gabrielius Landsbergis, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, on Twitter (X)

Quote: "We choked the weapons supply, we failed to provide enough air defence, and now we ask Ukrainians to sit on their hands while cruise missiles land on their families," Landsbergis noted, probably referring to a Financial Times article suggesting that the US is allegedly asking Kyiv to halt strikes on Russian refineries and oil depots.

We choked the weapons supply, we failed to provide enough air defence, and now we ask Ukrianians to sit on their hands while cruise missiles land on their families. Such mistakes are setting the course of the entire century. And there is no justification for any of this. pic.twitter.com/ILreho4v1R  Gabrielius Landsbergis (@GLandsbergis) March 22, 2024

"Such mistakes are setting the course of the entire century. And there is no justification for any of this," he added.

Background:

On the night of 21-22 March, Russia carried out another large-scale air attack using long-range aircraft. In response, United States Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink called for immediate support for Ukraine.

The Defence Intelligence of the United Kingdom believes that Russia will almost certainly continue to strike critical targets to the maximum extent permitted by its reserves of aircraft, crews, and armaments, seeking to maintain pressure on the Ukrainian government and population.

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Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, has noted that Ukraine "has no illusions" in its expectations from the upcoming NATO summit in Washington, but Kyiv, in any case, will call on its allies to make a legally binding decision to invite Ukraine to membership.

Source: European Pravda; Olha Stefanishyna during a discussion at the Kyiv Security Forum

Details: Olha Stefanishyna said that Kyiv "has no illusions" about the chances of receiving an invitation to join the Alliance at the summit in Washington but will still call on its allies to make such a decision.

She recalled that even before last year's summit in Vilnius, Ukraine proposed a legally binding invitation format.

"We have a very simple position: the invitation issue is much more important than just a political signal for Ukraine... The issue of invitation is not a question of providing weapons, closing the sky or Article 5. This is a matter of legal solution," Olha Stefanishyna stressed, noting that all previous declarations on the prospect of Ukraine's membership in NATO de facto were "just words."

"I would like to remind my foreign counterparts who actively travelled to Moscow after the start of the full-scale war and tried to be intermediaries, as well as those who claim their mediation (...): Ukraine's invitation to NATO is a legal guarantee that there will be no negotiations behind the allies' backs, behind Ukraine's backs. This is an important decision for us, and it will be on the table for as long as necessary," the deputy prime minister stressed.

Stefanishyna added that it is unnecessary to link such a potential decision to the summits of NATO leaders since these events are more of a platform for exchanging views and establishing contacts.

"The decision can be made at any time, and we do not need to wait for a specific meeting at the leadership level," Olha Stefanishyna said.

The deputy prime minister noted that most NATO countries supported the idea of inviting Ukraine at the time of the Vilnius summit.

"There are key opponents of this decision  the United States and Germany. And I think that now the United States does not allow this dialogue to even develop. And this is very sad," Stefanishina added.

During the discussion, the Deputy Prime Minister also commented on an article in the FT about Washington's alleged calls for Kyiv not to strike Russian refineries and noted that such actions by Ukraine are fully in line with NATO's approach.

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Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong Joko Widodo A video of a 2022 meeting between Singapore'sand Indonesian Presidentwas shared with false claims it showed Lee agreeing to return billions of dollars supposedly parked in his city-state by corrupt Indonesian individuals. But no such deal was mentioned in official documents released by either country following the bilateral meeting. As of March 22, 2024, there have been no official reports of such an agreement.

"The most beautiful gift at the end of the term," says the Indonesian-language caption of a TikTok post uploaded on January 28, 2024.

The post shared a 32-second clip, which has been viewed more than 142,100 times. It opens with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong signing a document as Indonesian President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, looks on.

"Thank you, Mr Jokowi. Singapore agrees to return 1,000 trillion rupiah of corruption suspects' assets," a female narrator says in the video.

The second half of the clip shows Nurul Ghufron, the deputy chairman of Indonesia's anti-graft agency, or KPK, talking about an extradition treaty (archived link).

"The Corruption Eradication Commission really appreciates the progress of the extradition agreement process that was signed today," he says.

Screenshot of the false post, taken on March 21, 2024

Indonesian-language text on the video repeats the claim, saying that "Singapore is handing over a trillion rupiah" ($64 billion) of Indonesia's "state assets stolen by corruption suspects".

"I really got goosebumps, Mr Jokowi is the best and great," the text also says, praising the president for his "courage to stand up against foreign countries to defend his people".

Jokowi, who first took office as president in October 2014, has enjoyed consistently high approval ratings -- despite accusations that he had used state resources to tilt the vote for presidential candidate Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto, who chose Jokowi's eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, as his running mate in the February 2024 election.

As Jokowi entered the final year of presidency, his approval rating reached 80.8 percent in January 2024 but was slightly down to 76.6 percent the following month amid rising rice prices (archived links here and here).

The same video has been watched more than 917,600 times after it was shared alongside a similar claim on TikTok here and here, as well as on Instagram in late February and early 2024.

A longer clip has circulated since at least 2022, racking up a million views. The five-minute video shows not only Jokowi and Lee, as well as Ghufron, but also other Indonesian top officials: then chief security minister Mahfud MD and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati.

However, the video has been shared in a false context.

First clip

A keyword search on Google found that the first part of the false video was posted by the official YouTube account of Indonesia's Presidential Secretariat on January 25, 2022 (archived link).

The video is titled: "The Meeting of President Joko Widodo and Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong, at Bintan Regency on 25 January 2022".

During the bilateral meeting on the Indonesian resort island of Bintan, the two leaders signed a number of agreements, including extradition of fugitives, airspace management and defence cooperation, according to press statements from the Singaporean and Indonesian governments (archived links here and here).

There is no mention about the return of corruption suspects' assets in the Presidential Secretariat's video and the governments' statements.

Below is a screenshot comparison of the video in the false post (left) and the original video from Indonesia's Presidential Secretariat (right):

Screenshot comparison of the video in the false post (left) and original video from Indonesia's Presidential Secretariat (right)

The clip was also used in reports on the bilateral meeting, published by Indonesian news outlet Kompas Daily and Singapore-based TV station CNA (archived links here and here).

Second clip

Keyword searches on YouTube found that the the second clip, which shows the KPK official Ghufron, was taken from his interview with Indonesian broadcaster Metro TV, which was uploaded at midnight on January 26, 2022 (archived link).

In the interview, Ghufron applauded the long-awaited extradition treaty, saying it could help bring graft fugitives who had taken sanctuary in other countries to justice.

Below is a screenshot comparison of the video in the false post (left) and the original video from Metro TV (right):

Screenshot comparison of the video in the false post (left) and the original video from Metro TV (right)

The extradition treaty, which was later approved by the Indonesian parliament in December 2022, aims to help Jakarta track down corruption suspects who have been taking refuge or storing money offshore in Singapore.

The longer video circulating in 2022 includes two extra clips. One clip shows Mahfud giving a press conference in February 2022 on the ratification of the agreements signed by Jokowi and Lee the previous month, while the other shows Sri Mulyani giving a lecture on state assets and fiscal policy at Indonesia's Gadjah Mada University in October 2018 (archived links here and here).

Other clips used in the false posts do not mention about Singapore returning any assets in the reports on the 2022 bilateral meeting.

AFP cannot find any credible reports that Singapore and Indonesia have ever made such agreement.
MOGADISHU, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) said it has wrapped up training for 25 criminal investigations officers from the Somali Police Force (SPF) to develop ways to investigate financial crimes to help the government fight terrorism.

ATMIS said the intensive training imparted the participants with skills for detecting crimes ranging from money laundering and terrorist financing to other illegal transactional activities.

"This training provides a significant opportunity to deepen our understanding of financial intelligence methodologies, tools, and techniques of investigation," ATMIS Police Training and Development Coordinator Samuel Asiedu Okanta said in a statement issued in the Somali capital of Mogadishu Thursday evening.

The course, conducted by ATMIS police trainers, included both theoretical and practical sessions to deepen the participants' understanding and capacity in financial intelligence, investigative methods and procedures in combating financial crimes, and the financial intelligence cycle, among other topics.

The training is part of ATMIS' efforts to build the capacity of the SPF to effectively assume full security responsibilities when ATMIS exits Somalia in December.

Nur Gedi Mohamed, SPF deputy director of training and planning, emphasized the importance of training for the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in disrupting the financing systems of criminal networks to curb financial crimes in the country.

During the training, participants also received intensive training in basic fingerprinting techniques to enhance their understanding of the role of fingerprints in upholding justice, protecting communities, and ensuring the rule of law.

ATMIS police are mandated to support the Somali security forces through specialized training, mentoring, and advising. They also provide operational support through joint patrols and protection of vital installations. 
Some areas in Ukraine are experiencing power outages as a result of the large Russian air attacks that occurred on the night of 21-22 March. However, the energy sector as a whole is largely under control, with no need for rolling blackouts to be implemented nationwide.

Source: Denys Shmyhal, Ukraines Prime Minister, on Telegram

Details: According to him, emergency responders and electrical technicians are already working to restore power.

"This morning, the enemy attacked several regions with various types of missiles and drones. The Russian Federation's terrorist attack also caused damage to civilian infrastructure. Injuries and deaths have occurred. [We express] our heartfelt condolences.

Ukraine requires more weapons and air defence systems to protect its people. Russia needs more sanctions and isolation. War should become an unbearable burden for the aggressor," he added.

Background:

The Russians hit the Dnipro HPP in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, where firefighters are working to extinguish the fire. Ukrhydroenergo, Ukraines largest hydropower generating company, has reported that there is no threat of a dam breach.

The Russians conducted two direct hits on the Dnipro hydroelectric power plant (HPP). Ihor Syrota, General Director of PJSC Ukrhydroenergo, has reported that the HPP-2 generating station is in critical condition and it is unknown if it will be able to operate.

Emergency rolling blackouts have been imposed in several Ukrainian regions as a result of Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

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Organizations that feed people who are homeless are being criminalized for trying to ease food insecurity.

The nationwide trend reached Tempe, Arizona, and AZ Hugs recently, Forbes reported. The nonprofit had for three years hosted weekly picnics to provide meals and connect homeless people with services.

Organizer Austin Davis had received permitting warnings from the city for more than a year before applying for a special-events permit in November. The city denied the request, "blaming the repeated violations, complaints from neighbors and what they said was an uptick of trash and drug paraphernalia in Papago Park, the picnics' usual location," according to Forbes.

Davis told the Arizona Republic that drugs had never been a problem and that officials were eager to hide the unhoused population after razing a homeless camp.

Similar situations have arisen in California, Georgia, and South Carolina. The city of Houston could not convict any of the 90 people it charged with feeding homeless people without permission.

"It criminalizes the Samaritan for giving," said lawyer Paul Kubosh, who represented Houston-based Food Not Bombs volunteer Phillip Picone.

In the United States, food insecurity increased from 10.2% in 2021 to 12.8 percent in 2022, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, meaning 17 million households and 44.2 million people at some point that year could not afford enough food to eat. Families with children, as well as American Indian or Alaska Native, Black, Hispanic, or multiracial people, were at higher risk.

The Equal Justice Initiative reported the issue was directly correlated to the end of the Child Tax Credit  which reduced household food insufficiency by 26%  and other programs borne of the coronavirus pandemic.

"The experience of the pandemic showed us that when government invests in meaningful support for families, we can make a positive impact on food security, even during challenging economic times," Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stated. "No child should go hungry in America. The report is a stark reminder of the consequences of shrinking our proven safety net."

The problem has been exacerbated by rising food prices and the climate crisis, which is displacing people, killing crops, and destroying livelihoods, per the World Food Programme. Globally, areas of war and violence are home to 70% of hungry people.

Community refrigerators, the revival of ancestral farming practices, and technological developments such as turning bones into an edible paste that can be incorporated into fish and poultry are some means of helping solve the problem.

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NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  A Norfolk man was sentenced to 40 years in prison for stabbing and murdering two men in 2020, officials said.

36-year-old L.C. Grant III was convicted in a jury trial for the murder of 31-year-old Donta Antonio Jackson and pleaded guilty to the murder of 50-year-old Michael Dewayne Mizzell.

On Oct. 27, 2020, Grant and Jackson were driving in Jacksons girlfriends car before parking outside a restaurant on N. Military Highway to have sex. Afterwards, Grant stabbed Jackson nine times, including a fatal 4-inch wound to the chest.

Jackson was able to go to a nearby business and inform them he was stabbed by a man who drove off in his girlfriends white Mitsubishi Mirage, a release states. Jackson died shortly after being taken to the hospital. Grants DNA was found on Jacksons body, due to their sexual encounter.

Previous Coverage: Man dies after stabbing on Hoggard Road in Norfolk

Grant drove to visit the girl he was dating in Richmond the following day, and they were seen at a grocery store in Richmond. However, she said she broke up with him after he was acting odd, had unexplained cuts and was sleeping in an unfamiliar car.

Previous Coverage: Police identify man found dead on Little Bay Avenue; death being investigated as homicide

Around the same time, Mizzell was reported missing in Norfolk. On Nov. 5, police did a wellness check on his and found him dead from more than two dozen stab wounds to the torso, neck and head. He was wrapped in linens in a closet. Grant was known to have lived with Mizzell and acted as a caretaker.

Previous Coverage: Crime scene expands in Norfolk homicide investigation

Grants DNA was found at Mizzells apartment and he had used Mizzells EBT card during his trip to Richmond after killing Jackson.

On Nov. 30, the jury found Grant guilty of the second-degree murder of Jackson as well as the use of a weapon in the commission of his murder and carjacking.

Grant was sentenced on March 8 to 40 years in prison.

On Thursday, March 21, Grant pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of Mizzell. Grant was sentenced to an additional 40 years, however, itll be served at the same time as his prior sentencing.

Check with WAVY.com for more updates.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
Almost a decade ago Maria Guillen worried how she was going to fulfill her dream of going to college after she graduated from Venus High School. Coming from a low-income family, things appeared bleak.

Sometimes it can be hard enough to pay the light bill, much less find money for college tuition.

Now, she is a first-generation college graduate, receiving her degree in agriculture management from Tarleton State University in 2018.

And she works for the place that helped make college possible for her, Opportunity Resource Services.

The Cleburne-based nonprofit started 2010 with the goal of alleviating poverty in rural communities by providing more access to educational services and support for first-generation college students and children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

In other words, they believe everyone deserves a college education  and they are there to help make it happen.

Basically, they work to make sure folks know what theyre applying for, how to do it and where to go to get the right funding. They work with school counselors and other administrators. Theres money out there, but many people just dont know where to go.

Myself and my family are proof of how fundamental ORS is in helping a family break generational poverty, Guillen said. My parents, a low-income family, were not equipped or informed to help their children navigate through the college process nor help financially. Now my siblings and I have graduated with a bachelors degree and hold leadership positions within our jobs.

Following her lead, all three of Guillens siblings graduated from high school and have attended college, studying engineering and accounting.

Joseph Cowan, end-of-course assistant director, gives a physics presentation to Opportunity Resource Services Upward Bound students on the campus of Southwestern Adventist University in Keene.

Opportunity Resource Services has helped over 14,000 achieve that goal.

When the nonprofit started, most federal education programs were for colleges in urban areas, according to CEO Dustin Phillips, who founded Opportunity Resource Services with James Jesse.

Phillips and Jesse are from disadvantaged backgrounds. Growing up in rural parts of Texas, they were the first in their immediate families to earn a bachelors degree.

These formative experiences instilled a passion for education and a desire to help other individuals from similar backgrounds, Phillips said.

Fighting generational poverty

Generational poverty is typically described as a family with at least two generations experiencing poverty. Phillips noted research indicates children who experience poverty are far more likely to continue to experience poverty in adulthood.

At ORS, we have a saying, Education is the fastest and surest path out of poverty, Phillips said.

Phillips also noted the dialogue surrounding post-secondary education is shifting. The emphasis is moving beyond the traditional four-year college degree.

Theres a growing recognition of the value in alternative forms of education and skill development, which we call credentials of value, he said. This includes vocational training, learning computer programming languages, and specializing in areas like industrial and robotics maintenance. These paths can lead to sustainable employment and are often more aligned with current job market demands.

Phillips stresses there is a lot of grant money to help pay for college. However, he added that even if a student can afford the cost of college, they might have significant financial obligations holding them back.

Many of our clients live at home and help their parents, or they have started a family of their own, sometimes both, he said. Luckily, post-secondary programs have become more flexible, offering online, weekend, and night courses.

However, college students must still pay their bills and feed their families. Working full-time or multiple part-time jobs while raising a family and trying to earn a degree is very difficult for anyone.

Navigating the system

Most Opportunity Resource Services clients will be the first in their immediate family to obtain a bachelors degree. Phillips said these barriers contribute to a lack of knowledge about the system, including how to pay for college, how to apply, how to select classes or register, or how to read a degree plan.

Navigating without the knowledge, expertise, or family support is very intimidating, he said. This is one of the most common challenges our people face. They do not know how to get started or what to do.

Bethany Garcia is a former Opportunity Resource Services student and is now with the team as a high school program coordinator. She was in the Upward Bound Math and Science program at Alvarado High School from 2013-15.

As a first-generation and low-income student, I desperately needed exposure to just how many possibilities there were for me, and ORS did that and more, she said. I love working with the students and helping them realize how many careers they can enter with different degrees. I love working with seniors as they receive their scholarships or award letters and realize college is accessible to them even after being told otherwise.

Serving many

In 2016, Opportunity Resource Services established the Johnson County Educational Opportunity Center, thanks to funding from the Department of Education. The center serves over 1,000 Texans annually, providing career mentoring, college application support, financial aid advising, and GED preparation throughout the county.

In 2021, Opportunity Resource Services established Educational Opportunity Centers in Dallas County and Tarrant County.

Opportunity Resource Services serves over 2,700 vulnerable and at-risk youth and adults between the three centers each year. Most of the clients are first-generation college students and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Between all nine programs at ORS, they serve over 3,084 vulnerable and at-risk youth and adults each year. Roughly two-thirds of the clients are first-generation college students and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

I had a moment in high school that felt like college was not a choice for me, Guillen said. My parents migrated here from Mexico with little to no education, finances were always a worry at home and my community and school had little to no resources available to help guide me.

In my sophomore year, ORS came to my school with their first Upward Bound College Readiness Program and I knew that was the right program for me to join and learn about my post-secondary options after graduation.
Six Northwest Arkansas police departments are working together to recruit more officers. (Getty Images)

Six Northwest Arkansas law enforcement agencies are launching a campaign to attract out-of-state candidates in response to nationwide recruitment challenges.

The agencies are partnering with the Northwest Arkansas Council, which created a public safety consortium that discusses issues facing local first responders. The group is the continuation of a relationship that formed among law enforcement agencies, fire departments and health care providers as they worked together to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

NWA Council Policy Director Rob Smith said the police departments struggles to attract talent was a prevailing theme at the consortiums quarterly meetings, so they decided action needed to be taken.

This is a national thing, its not unique to Northwest Arkansas, Smith said. I think whats unique here is that were working together to tell the story of all these departments.

Departments in Bella Vista, Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, Springdale and the Washington County Sheriffs Office have about 45 job openings for officers. To fill the positions, four-person teams will attend recruiting events in Fort Worth on Friday and in Los Angeles on April 11.

While Texans will likely be familiar with Arkansas, Smith said he hopes to be an odd duck in California where recruiters can discuss the advantages in housing and quality of life that Arkansas can offer.

Springdale Police Sgt. Matt Ray will attend both events and said several factors have contributed to recruitment issues, including people retiring, misconceptions about police officers and a shift to remote work following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Low pay can also be an issue. Gary Sipes, a retired police chief and executive director of the Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police, said pay varies across the state, but he estimates the average is around $35,000.

Northwest Arkansas is kind of the premier spot right now for Arkansas and they seem to be paying a little better than the southern region officers, so I suspect theyll be pretty successful [with recruitment], Sipes said.

Law enforcement officers did receive some extra pay under Act 224 of 2022, which awarded certified law enforcement officers one-time $5,000 stipends. State troopers were awarded one-time $2,000 stipends.

Arkansas does not have a minimum law enforcement salary, but thats something Sipes said his association has considered as a solution to recruitment issues, which are seen throughout the state. While some agencies may only have a handful of vacancies, Sipes said one central Arkansas agency is down about 50%.

Let us know what you think...

Smith and Ray both said they welcome Arkansas applicants, but Ray noted recruits from other states can bring different life experiences and talents.

Having law enforcement officers that have different cultural backgrounds and diversity helps us to be better as a department and as officers because theres just things that I dont understand being from Springdale that they can help with [by] bringing that expertise to us, he said.

Roughly 40% of Springdale residents are Hispanic, according to the U.S. Census. The city is also home to a large population of migrants from the Marshall Islands.

Ray said recruiting bilingual speakers would be beneficial to his department, which does offer an incentive to officers fluent in other languages. The Springdale Police Department has several Spanish-speakers and two officers who speak Marshallese, but other languages would also be helpful, he said.

The department does use an interpreting service, but Ray points to an encounter with someone speaking Lao as an instance when it would have been beneficial to have an officer who could speak in their native tongue to explain things.

We have a very diverse communitywe want to reflect our community, and thats the biggest thing is weve got to represent our community and reflect it in that way, he said.

Language skills aside, Ray said hes looking for someone who is level-headed, community-driven and puts others above self.

If the out-of-state recruitment trips are successful, Smith said they may organize a third. In addition to the recruiting events, the NWA Council has also created a webpage where interested applicants can connect with a talent ambassador to learn more about job opportunities in the region.

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Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene proposed a vote to oust Speaker Mike Johnson on Friday, offering a sudden challenge to his leadership after supporting his bid for the role just four months ago.



The Georgia lawmaker reportedly filed the motion to vacate Johnson just moments before the House of Representatives voted to pass a $1.2 trillion omnibus bill. It is not yet clear if Greene filed the motion as privileged, which would require time on the House floor.

Moments after the news broke, Greene claimed shes not yet calling for Johnson to vacate while acknowledging the motions filing. Instead, Greene considers it a warning and a pink slip.

I do not wish to inflict pain on our conference and throw the House in chaos, Greene told a crush of reporters outside the Capitol building. But this is basically a warning and its time for us to go through the process, take our time, and find a new speaker of the House that will stand with Republicans and our Republican majority instead of standing with the Democrats.

Still, even though its a warning, Greene did concede that she will force the vote.

Theres not a time limit on this, she continued.

But Im not saying that that wont happen in two weeks or it wont happen in a month or who knows when, she said. But I am saying the clock has started, its time for our conference to choose a new speaker.

A formal vote to oust Johnson, however, might see Greenes cause fall remarkably short. Two of the eight Republicans who voted to eject former Speaker Kevin McCarthy in October have already said that they wouldnt have any part in a new effort to rid the lower chamber of its speaker.



Tennessee Representative Tim Burchett told Politico that he had no idea what Greene was doing and signaled he would not support the cause. South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace also told the outlet she would vote no.



The news follows months of circulating rumors that hinted at growing disdain for the junior party leader, who took the reins of the House in a surprise vote after Republicans cannibalized McCarthy over similar transgressions.

A vote to oust Johnson also holds the potential to completely backfire on Republicans. Democrats could use the opportunity to vote in Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries as the speaker, putting a discordant GOP in a position of needing a nearly unanimous vote to maintain their role at the head of the lower chamber. In a vote with full attendance, the conservative party could lose just two Republican votes.

Speaker Johnson always listens to the concerns of members, but is focused on governing. He will continue to push conservative legislation that secures our border, strengthens our national defense and demonstrates how well grow our majority, Johnsons spokesperson, Raj Shah, said in a statement.

This article has been updated.
Palestinian families take refuge under harsh conditions at a school affiliated with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Gaza City, Gaza on February 6, 2024. Credit - Dawoud Abo AlkasAnadolu/Getty Images

The fate of the U.N. agency dedicated to Palestinian refugees hangs in the balance as U.S. lawmakers prepare to vote on a batch of spending bills that, if passed, would suspend direct funding to the agency for at least a year.

The U.N. agency, known by its shorthand UNRWA, was first established in 1949 to serve Palestinians displaced from their homes and native villages amid the war that led to Israels creation the previous year. In the interim decades, the U.N. body has served as a quasi-state for the stateless, providing schooling, healthcare, and other social services for Palestinian refugees in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), Gaza, and across the region. Since Israel began its bombardment of the Strip in the aftermath of Hamass Oct. 7 attack, UNRWAs role kicked into overdrive, providing not just vital food and medical aid, but emergency shelter for thousands of displaced Palestinians across the Strip.

Providing between $300 million and $400 million annually, Washington was the largest donor to UNRWAat least until January, when the U.S. and more than a dozen other countries froze their funding amid Israeli allegations that 12 of the agencys 13,000 employees participated in the Oct. 7 attack. Israel has yet to supply evidence to back its claims, according to the U.N., investigations into which remain ongoing. While several countriesincluding Canada, Australia, and Swedenhave since resumed funding, the U.S. is the only one that has moved to make its suspension of aid more permanent. The Congressional spending bill stipulates that a ban on U.S. funding for UNRWA will last until March 25, 2025, meaning the Biden administration will be unable to reverse the pause until that time.

However, should former President Trump secure victory in Novembers presidential election, the decision on whether to reinstate funding would fall to his new administration. The prospects of such an outcome would bode poorly for UNRWA. During Trumps first term, he cut all U.S. funding to the agency, which his State Department deemed irredeemably flawed.

Demonstrators stage a protest during a hearing before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Accountability of House Foreign Affairs Committee on January 30, 2024 in Washington, DC. The subcommittee held a hearing titled UNRWA Exposed: Examining the Agencys Mission and Failures. Alex WongGetty Images

President Biden has already pledged to sign the $1.2 trillion spending billwhich includes billions in funding for several federal agencies, including the Departments for Defense, Homeland Security, and Laborvoting on which must take place today in order to avert a government shutdown. Should it pass, it will leave a huge hole in the agencys operating budget, which amounts to roughly $800 million a year, according to UNRWA Communications Director Juliette Touma. Such an outcome will make it harder for UNRWA to assist starving Gazans, she tells TIME, and potentially further weaken regional stability.

It also stands to place further scrutiny on the Biden administration, which has faced mounting criticism at home and abroad over its unfettered support for Israel and its lackluster efforts to deliver vital food aid to Palestinians in Gaza. After all, it was only this week that the IPC, the international communitys authority on hunger crises, warned that famine may already be unfolding in Gaza. Denying funding for UNRWA is tantamount to denying food to starving people and restricting medical supplies to injured civilians, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a leading Democratic lawmaker on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement. To punish over 2 million innocent people in Gaza and UNRWA beneficiaries throughout the region for these actions is not just misguidedits unconscionable.

In the House, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the sole Palestinian American in Congress, told her colleagues on Thursday that passing this bill would mean contributing to the starvation of Palestinian families.

What remains to be seen is whether the U.S.s decision to withhold funding until 2025 prompts other countries to restore, or even increase, their own contributions. On Friday, Finland announced that it will resume its annual funding of 5 million euros ($5.4 million) to UNRWA, a portion of which will be earmarked for strengthening the agencys risk management. In the U.K., the opposition Labour Party (which polls project will form the next government) has called for the British government to follow the E.U. and others in resuming its payments to UNRWAwhich amounted to $21.2 million in 2022 alongside increased emergency funding to Gaza.

But it may not be enough. According to Touma, UNRWAs budget is based on contributions from member states that provide financial support to the Agency over and above their regular U.N. dues. In 2022, the agency received $1.17 billion in funding by governments. The U.S. was the single biggest donor, contributing more than a quarter of that amount.

More From TIME

Write to Yasmeen Serhan at yasmeen.serhan@time.com.
Have you seen some flags at half-staff in Washington today and wondered why?

Washington Governo Jay Inslee issued a directive on Friday to lower state and United States flags to half-staff in honor of the 10-year anniversary of the Oso landslide.

The Oso landslide, which occurred on March 22, 2014, is remembered as the deadliest landslide in United States history. The town had experienced heavy rainfall, causing a surge of mud and debris to plow into the Steelhead Haven neighborhood below.

The recovery process took several months. In total, the disaster destroyed 49 homes and claimed the lives of 43 people.

Today marks the 10-year anniversary of the tragic event, therefore we honor both the victims and first responders, Inslee stated in the directive.

All U.S. and Washington flags at state agency facilities are ordered to half-staff until sunset or the close of business. Other organizations are encouraged to join in.

A permanent memorial for the disaster opened on Friday following a dedication ceremony. The Slide Memorial on State Route 530 results from a multi-year coordinated effort to honor the events victims, survivors, first responders, family members, and surrounding communities.

The massive mudslide that killed 43 people in the community of Oso, Wash., is viewed from the air on March 24, 2014.

Flag directives in Washington

The state governor is responsible for issuing flag directives. There is a set list of days that flags should be flown at half-staff, and the Governors Office will announce any additional dates. You can sign up for email updates to be notified whenever a flag directive is ordered.

In the past, Inslee called for lowered flags for deaths in law enforcement, state employee deaths, and in recognition of significant events, like the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, in October 2023.

The president can also issue a federal flag directive, leading to a subsequent governor directive.
I am thrilled to share some exciting news with the Centre County community. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is expanding its reach by opening a new location in Bellefonte! We hope to officially open our doors in July with the expectation of offering classes on this August  just in time for the fall semester to begin.

Our new location in Centre County aims to improve access to higher education for residents of the region by providing enhanced access to affordable in-person and online college classes. Whether you are a recent high school graduate, a working professional seeking career advancement, or someone looking to explore new academic opportunities, Penn Highlands Centre County has something to offer.

Here are some key highlights about our new location, named Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Centre County:

Location: The facility is at the Match Factory in historic Bellefonte and is currently undergoing renovations. Please, look for a ribbon cutting ceremony announcement. Quality education: Penn Highlands provides high quality instruction and support services. In fact, Penn Highlands Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission for Higher Education  verifying our high-quality instruction and services. Our instructors bring a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience, enhancing the educational journey in every classroom. Affordable high-demand academic programs: Penn Highlands Centre County offers a range of programs that transfer to four-year universities/colleges or prepare you quickly for the workforce as a highly trained professional. Residents will have access to programming like accounting, behavioral sciences, business management, entrepreneurship, liberal arts & sciences, marketing management, medical coding & billing, paralegal studies, and social service assistant. Flexible learning: Classes will be offered in three formats: in-person, live but virtual, and in the traditional online format. Transfer agreements (out): Our credits will transfer to other higher education institutions if you are seeking to earn a bachelors degree. In fact, we have 166 transfer agreements with 33 different post-secondary institutions, including Lock Haven University and Penn State. Transfer agreements (in): We also accept credits from local CTCs, including Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology (CPI), and other post-secondary institutions. Therefore, a student can start at one institution and finish a degree at Penn Highlands Community College. Student services: Centre County students will have access to all the services that other Penn Highlands students already enjoy, such as access to library resources, tutoring, KEYS, financial aid, counseling, academic advising, clubs and more. Federal financial aid and Penn Highlands scholarships: More than 50% of our students qualify for federal financial aid. Also, Centre County residents may apply for over $100,000 in scholarships from the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation that will make an already affordable education even more affordable. Admissions: Applying to Penn Highlands is straightforward. We accept applications year-round and admit students on a rolling basis.

As we prepare for the fall semester, we invite everyone in Centre County to explore the opportunities available at Penn Highlands Centre County. Whether you are starting on a career path, seeking personal growth, or simply curious about lifelong learning, our dedicated team is here to support you. Please reach out to us by visiting our webpage (www.pennhighlands.edu/centre/), by email (centrecounty@pennhighlands.edu) or by phone (814-230-3080).

Thank you for helping us spread the word about this exciting development.

See you at Penn Highlands.

Steve Nunez is the president of Penn Highlands Community College.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  The National Weather Service of Abilene and San Angelo is planning to transmit a routine weekly test message at the beginning of April, and its encouraging residents to practice a tornado drill alongside it. Heres when it is, what to expect and how the National Weather Service wants you to prepare.

When and what?

According to the NWS, the test message will be sent out on Wednesday, April 3, at 10 a.m. The message will be sent through the Emergency Alert System, and due to its format, it may or may not activate certain NOAA weather radios.

During this time or at a more convenient time, all residents, businesses and schools across West Central Texas are encouraged to conduct a tornado drill.

According to KLSTs chief meteorologist, the message comes as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week and is intended to allow schools to practice a tornado drill.

Tornado preparation

When it comes to preparing for a tornado (or tornado drill), the NWS recommends following two life-saving rules: Have at least two ways to receive life-saving NWS warnings automatically, such as NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio and a cell phone with a weather app; and have a safe shelter plan before the storm and practice it.

The NWS also has a list of safety rules that one should follow depending on the environment that they find themselves in. Below is a list of these rules, categorized by their corresponding environments:

If at home

If you have a tornado-safe room or engineered shelter, go there immediately.

Go at once to a windowless interior room; storm cellar; basement; or lowest level of the

building.

If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway or a smaller inner room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet.

Get away from windows.

Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it.

Use your arms to protect your head and neck.

If you are in a mobile home, get out and find shelter elsewhere.

If at work or school

Go to the area designated in your tornado plan. This is usually the interior most room, on the lowest floor away from windows.

Avoid places with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways, or shopping malls.

Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it.

Stay low with your head against the wall and use your arms to protect your head and neck.

If outdoors

If you are caught outdoors, seek shelter in a basement, shelter or sturdy building.

If you cannot quickly walk to a shelter: Immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter.

If in a car

If you encounter flying debris while you are driving, pull over and park. Now you have the following options as a last resort: Stay in your vehicle with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows, covering your head with your hands and a blanket if possible. If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, exit your car, and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands. Be aware of the potential for flooding.

Your decision may vary depending upon your specific circumstances.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
JOHANNESBURG, March 22 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said Friday that two Egyptian nationals appeared in a court Friday in Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, facing charges of murdering three members of the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church earlier this month.

"Two Egyptian nationals, a monk Saeed Basonda (37) and a priest Samuel Avamarkos (47), appeared at the Cullinan Magistrates Court, where they are facing three counts of murder," the NPA said in a statement.

It is alleged that in the early hours of March 12, the two stabbed and killed three priests at the premises of the church, where they all resided, according to the NPA.

In court, the matter was postponed to March 28 for bail information, and the NPA said it intended to oppose bail in the matter.

All three victims were found with stab wounds, while the fourth victim who survived alleged that he was hit by an iron rod on his hand before fleeing and hiding in one of the rooms, according to the South African police. 
The bagels arent all thats boiling in this Brooklyn neighborhood.

A local attorney is accusing the manager of a popular Crown Heights bagel joint of purposely sabotaging old bagels  including covering them in chemicals and food scraps  so that the dumpster-diving dogooder cant donate the leftovers.

These are perfectly good bagels from there, Ted Rao, 47, a social security and disabilities lawyer, told The Post recently.

Ted Rao has accused Bagel Pub in Crown Heights of sabotaging leftover bagels so that he cant donate them to the needy. Michael Nagle

Rao claimed Bagel Pub has been covering the leftovers in chemicals and food scraps to make them inedible. Obtained by NY Post

They were baked in the morning  they shouldnt be thrown out.

Rao became somewhat of a neighborhood celebrity on Franklin Avenue six months ago when he started digging in the garbage of local chain Bagel Pubs outpost there and re-bagging the doughy goods for those in need.

The attorney belongs to the Classon Community Fridge, a group that works with local businesses to redistribute food around the neighborhood so that it doesnt go to waste.

But by the end of February, Rao claims he was forced to stop his evening foraging routine because the once perfectly good bagels started getting mixed in with inedible scraps.

Rao began taking the old bagels out of the trash and bringing them to the Classon Community Fridge about six months ago. Obtained by NY Post

I noticed that the bagels would be ruined, he said. They would be double bagged with the days crockpot of oatmeal poured in there. Sometimes there was a chemical smell and they were just unusable.

Another member of the community group, Terry Chao, 34, claims that when she last inspected Bagel Pubs garbage two weeks ago, the bagels were contaminated with a lemon Lysol or Clorox smell and topped with moist oatmeal.

When The Post visited the eatery after closing Thursday, a reporter found cinnamon bagels mixed together in the garbage with what looked like a chicken wing bone.

Being able to put the bagels out for hungry people was the best part of his day, Rao said.

But Chris Kotsis, manager of the Bagel Pub outpost, which opened in 2015, maintained that the old dough goods were garbage  and that he had to take action after getting complaints that Raos exploits were causing a mess.

Another member of the group found bagels with a lemon Lysol or Clorox smell and covered in moist oatmeal. Obtained by NY Post

Youre feeding people garbage, Kotsis told The Post. We tried to work with him but he insists that he wants free bagels. Were not gonna just give it to him. I dont know what hes doing with them or if hes selling them.

Rao admits that he never struck an agreement with Kotsis before he began diving in the bagel spots dumpster.

But he said he had a silent understanding with cleanup workers who noticed him digging through the trash and rebagging the bagels. They wouldnt stop him, according to Rao, who said the bags of bagels werent contaminated and only contained bagels.

Chris Kotsis, the manager of the Bagel Pub location, said Rao is feeding people garbage. Kyle Schnitzer/NY Post

Rao would then re-bag the bagels by the half dozen in plastic sleeves, which he would then place on park benches in front of the store, or around the neighborhood, like at bus stops, for anyone in need.

On a busy weekend, he said he could get enough bagels to fit 35 sleeves, which he estimated to be around 200 bagels.

Leaving them in front of the store was a mistake, Rao acknowledged.

It left Bagel Pub boiling mad.

Kotsis claims that Raos seedy operation sparked complaints from neighbors and local businesses about the plastic sleeves being found ripped and strewn on nearby streets.

The manager said Rao was leaving a mess outside the store when collecting the bagels. Michael Nagle

He said that Bagel Pub received three tickets from the Department of Sanitation for loose bagels appearing in front of the store, and torn baggies littering the block.

It looks terrible. Its ripped bags all over the place. I dont want that in front of my store, he said.

Kotsis noted that he offered Rao the chance to buy the bagels at half-price (a bagel with no toppings goes for $2) at the end of the day for redistribution, but the good Samaritan wasnt interested.

He also said he was put off by the apparent side deal between Rao and store employees  arguing that Rao should have approached him directly about the leftover goods. He learned about the stunt a few months ago and told his workers to stop participating.

The manager claimed that the store has received three tickets from the Department of Sanitation because of Rao. Obtained by NY Post

Kotsis said he had surveillance footage of Rao digging through the trash and leaving all the garbage outside, which Rao denies.

If somebody comes up to us at the end of the day and has a normal conversation with us and says, Hey, I need these bagels because theyre feeding homeless people, thats a different story, Kotsis said.

But when youre just taking them out of the garbage, I dont know if youre selling them or what youre doing with them, he added. You cant just take st out of our garbage and expect my workers to clean up after.

Kotsis said he was considering getting a restraining order against Rao. He also claims that he was forced to let go of one of his workers who aided in Raos operation.

Rao, who denies ever making a mess outside Bagel Pub, remains hopeful he can reach an agreement with the business.

Im absolutely willing to make peace with the Bagel Pub, he said. But not if Chris stands by the falsehoods that I caused them to get three citations or that he had to fire an employee for helping me, which is patently false.

Earlier this month, Rao brokered a deal with Lula Bagel, a quaint operation on Nostrand Avenue about a half mile away from Bagel Pub, to donate their leftover bagels to the community fridges.

Im not a Marxist  they can do what they want to do, Rao said about Bagel Pub. But short of that, if there is waste, if there is garbage, lets not just throw it out.
NEW YORK  New York City Mayor Eric Adams is planning to travel to the southern border this weekend, his second journey to the region during his time in City Hall.

The trip will come as Adams has continued to chastise the federal government for not providing enough financial support to pay for the more than 180,000 migrants whove streamed into the city since the spring of 2022  and just a day after hundreds of migrants were reportedly arrested for trying to rush into El Paso, Texas.

During an appearance Friday on the Reset Talk Show, Adams said he plans to leave the city Saturday night and that hed be meeting there with national immigration leaders who want to applaud what were doing and rally around us.

We have been really managing this crisis in a real respectable way, he said on the Reset show.

The mayors critics would beg to differ.

An official in President Bidens administration told the Daily News earlier this month that delays in receiving federal funding for the citys migrant response were a result of Adams administration not stepping up to the plate when it came to providing the proper documentation. That remark led to further rebukes from Adams, who argued the feds were the ones at fault.

Ultimately, Bidens administration unlocked the nearly $107 million in migrant aid once the city finally submitted the required paperwork.

Adams has also come under fire for his teams budget projections, which are closely linked to its estimates of how much additional migrant funding will be needed in the months ahead. The mayor has argued those more conservative overall estimates are a byproduct of being responsible for balancing the citys budget.

Aside from a previous trip to Americas southern border in Jan. 2023, Adams also traveled to South and Central America last October to assess the root causes of the crisis.

In a written statement issued later Friday, Adams said he was invited to the border area by Norma Pimentel, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande.

He added that hes eager to meet with her and other leaders to discuss our work in New York City and explore new ways to collaborate with leaders in cities across the country.
NEW YORK  The man who sparked a fight on a Brooklyn subway train last week only to be shot with his own gun apparently believed the couple he targeted were recent migrants, police noted Thursday.

You think you can come here and beat up cops? the 36-year-old aggressor exclaimed at a seated man in the buildup to the March 14 rush-hour clash on a Manhattan-bound A train.

The belligerent man was apparently referring to the Jan. 27 caught-on-camera attack on two NYPD officers outside a Times Square migrant shelter that sparked widespread outrage.

During the mans tirade, a woman says to the seated man, He thinks were migrants, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny noted at a Thursday news briefing.

The subway aggressor  identified by cops as Dajuan Robinson  remains hospitalized and is fighting for his life after he ended up being shot in the head, chest and stomach, Kenny said.

If he does survive his injuries, he is going to be charged with criminal possession of a weapon, Kenny added.

The man targeted 32-year-old Younce Obuad and a woman, identified by her nickname Unique, around 5:30 p.m., police said.

The older man berated and harassed Obuad until he stood up and took a fighting stance, video viewed by the New York Daily News shows.

As the two men tussled, Unique pulled out an unknown item and stabbed the 36-year-old in the back.

We do know he has two puncture wounds to his back, said Kenny. Right now we have not identified (the woman). We know that she and Younce Obuad, the eventual shooter, are known to each other, so were working with that.

After the attacker pulled out a gun, Obuad managed to get hold of it and shot him multiple times as terrified passengers stampeded off the train and onto the platform at the Hoyt-Schermerhorn Station, cops said.

The Brooklyn District Attorneys office declined to press charges against Obuad, the Daily News reported last week.

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, DA spokesman Oren Yaniv said about the shooting Friday.

Once police identify the woman who was with Obuad, detectives will bring the possible case against her to the DA, who will decide whether or not she too was acting in self-defense, Kenny said.

_____
NEW YORK (PIX11)  New York Citys worst landlord is headed for a 60-day stay on Rikers Island, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development announced on Thursday.

Daniel Ohebshalom, who runs multiple buildings with associate Jonathan Santana, claimed the top spot on the New York City public advocates Worst Landlord Watchlist for the past two years.

Historic Brooklyn building to be sold at auction with $3M starting bid

Ohebshalom will serve 60 days at Rikers for endangering tenant health and safety and neglecting two Washington Heights buildings that have racked up 700 open housing violations, according to officials. A warrant for Ohebshalom was issued on March 8, records show.

Slumlords in New York City are officially on notice. Landlords in New York City will not get away with putting our families in unsafe, unhealthy, and downright unlivable conditions, said HPD Commissioner Adolfo Carrion Jr. Today, justice is being served, and tenants are one step closer to getting the conditions that they not only need but deserve.

Ohebshalom is headed to jail because he failed to comply with a civil contempt ruling by the New York City Housing Court in February 2023, officials said. He will serve up to 60 days in jail at Rikers unless he corrects the violations at 705 and 709 170th St. in Manhattan, officials said.

Over the past year, Housing Preservation and Development has brought more than 10 motions for contempt and civil penalties for failing to comply with court orders to correct housing code violations at seven other Ohebshalom buildings.

Violations on his buildings include visible peeling lead paint, roach and mice infestations, inadequate electricity supply and mold.

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.
BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN)  A Hays Consolidated Independent School District bus carrying Tom Green Elementary pre-K students was involved in a serious crash Friday, resulting in at least two deaths, according to officials.

One of the deaths was a child on the bus, and the other was a man from a vehicle traveling behind the bus, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The crash happened between the bus and a concrete truck near Mustang Ridge, the Texas DPS told KXAN. Officials said it appeared the concrete truck veered into the lane of the school bus on SH 21 near Caldwell Road.

RELATED: Site of fatal school bus crash had prior accidents, safety concerns

DPS was unable to confirm if the concrete truck driver would face charges.

According to DPS, its State Crash Reconstruction Team arrived on the scene and initiated an investigation into the incident.

ATCEMS said it evaluated a total of 53 people involved in the incident. Four of the people were in critical condition and transported by helicopter, six people were taken to the hospital in ambulances with potentially serious injuries. Others were transported by other agencies as well, medics said.

In a news release from Hays CISD, the district said the students were returning from a field trip to the Bastrop Zoo. A total of 44 students and 11 adults were on the bus.

The district said parents of students who were on the bus were notified directly from the campus.

SH 21 crash (Courtesy: Fernanda)

Travis County STARFlight helicopters responded to a crash near Bastrop/Caldwell Counties on Friday between a Hays Consolidated Independent School District school bus and a concrete truck | KXAN viewer photo

On Friday afternoon, the Caldwell County Sheriffs Office said on social media SH 21 was shut down due to the crash.

Around 4:30 p.m., medics said all patients who required transport were taken from the scene.

A letter to parents from Tom Green Elementary School principal Jennifer Hanna on Saturday said three school staff members and two students were still hospitalized. The letter said two of the adults will have extensive recoveries ahead while another could be released soon. It said the two students remain in the hospital primarily for observation prior to their anticipated releases in the near future.

Hanna said school Monday is canceled but will be open if students choose to go in for counseling. There will be counselors available from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

In the days and weeks ahead, we will face a long road of healing and recovery, Hanna said in the letter. Let us come together to provide comfort and solace to one another, offering a shoulder to lean on and listening ear for those who need it most.

The Community Leadership Team at Tom Green Elementary set up a GoFundMe account for those interested in helping with costs associated with the crash. As of Saturday, it has raised about $34,000 toward its $50,000 goal.

Read Hannas letter in full hereDownload

I am heartbroken

Hays CISD Superintendent Eric Wright said in an email to parents that he was heartbroken as I write this email.

One of the people killed was a precious young boy, a pre-K student at the elementary school.

There are no words that can express my sorrow for the students family, the Tom Green Elementary School family, and our greater Hays CISD community. I am also saddened to learn of the death of a person who was driving a car that was on the road behind our bus, Wright said in the email.

Furthermore, he said the reunification process was completed at 6:45 p.m.

Our teachers and school staff have all been commendable and professional in their efforts to help everyone affected by todays unspeakable event, Wright said.

He also thanked the driver of the bus. Even though she was injured, he said she insisted medical personnel tend to the children first. The parents on the bus also focused their attention on the children despite their injuries.

I wish I could end this correspondence by saying that everything will be alright. For most of us, it eventually will. But, there are grieving families tonight who will never know life again as it was before. Let us continue to focus on them in our hearts and in our prayers, Wright said.

PAST COVERAGE: Top priority safety improvements on SH 21 still years away

Site of fatal school bus crash had prior accidents, safety concerns

The site of the fatal crash had nearly 130 crashes since the start of 2022, according to data from the Texas Department of Transportation.

KXAN has reported on safety concerns with State Highway 21 before. In 2017, we found eight deaths and more than 400 crashes over a six-year period  just a few miles west of where Fridays deadly bus accident occurred. At the time, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) officials said they would widen the road, lower the speed limit and add stop lights.

KXAN Investigates analyzed data from TxDOTs Crash Records Information System, collected from the 7.5-mile stretch of State Highway 21 between State Highway 130 and Farm-to-Market 812, from Jan. 1, 2022, until Friday, March 22. We found:

At least 128 crashes on this stretch of SH 21.

In four of the accidents, someone died.

Five crashes involved buses.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
KABUL, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Azerbaijan has begun its diplomatic relations with the Afghan caretaker government, Afghanistan's Tolonews TV quoted Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson of the Afghan caretaker government, as saying on Thursday.

"Azerbaijan has started its diplomatic relations with Afghanistan and activated its embassy. This is a new step in diplomatic relations between the two countries and will be beneficial for all," Mujahid said.

The Afghan caretaker government will activate its embassy in Azerbaijan, Mujahid added. 
Ohio dad could still face death penalty in massacre of 3 sons after judge tosses confession

Even after a judge tossed the alleged confession of an Ohio dad accused of executing his three sons and shooting their mother's hand, he could still face the death penalty, experts say.

Ohio law makes capital punishment a possibility in certain murder cases  including when there is a child victim.

"The confession isnt a mitigating or aggravating factor, so it doesnt affect the death penalty one way or another," said Neama Rahmani, a Los Angeles-based attorney and former federal prosecutor.

OHIO DAD ACCUSED OF EXECUTING SONS IN COLD BLOOD INDICTED ON 21 COUNTS AFTER TWISTED TRIPLE MURDER

Chad Doerman was found sitting on the porch next to his rifle when deputies arrived, bodycam video shows.

During his arraignment in June, Clermont County prosecutors said Chad Doerman, 33, had admitted to lining up the boys, ages 3, 4 and 7, before he shot them in the head. He is accused of shooting the third in the back as he ran in terror before catching up and finishing him off in what prosecutors called "an unspeakable act of savagery."

LISTEN: 911 audio reveals panicked daughter who survived Ohio dad shooting 3 sons

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Even though the judge tossed the confession, there is overwhelming evidence that Doerman killed his three young sons, and prosecutors should have no issues securing a conviction," Rahmani said. "The lesson is, law enforcement should read directly from the Miranda card provided by their department, and not ad lib. And if a suspect asks for a lawyer, officers should confirm the request and cease questioning."

HARROWING 911 AUDIO REVEALS DAUGHTER'S PANIC OVER OHIO DAD KILLING EVERYBODY IN 3 SONS' MURDERS

Police arrived to find him sitting calmly next to a rifle as his wounded wife, 35, bawled over the victims in their yard.

There were multiple witnesses, according to police records, including two surviving victims, firefighters stationed across the street and passing drivers.

LISTEN: 911 call from shooting witness sees rampage after Ohio dad shoots sons

OHIO MAN ADMITS TO LINING UP 3 YOUNG SONS IN YARD, EXECUTING THEM WITH RIFLE: PROSECUTORS

"I dont think it is going to affect the case at all," said Joseph Giacalone, a former NYPD sergeant and professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. "They have plenty of information, evidence and eyewitness accounts, including the recovery of the rifle that was right next to him, ballistics and everything else."

A Clermont County Sheriff's deputy takes Ohio dad Chad Doerman into custody after the 32-year-old allegedly gunned down his three young sons.

Doerman's teenage stepdaughter called 911 to report "her father was killing everyone in the house." Firefighters at the firehouse across the street ducked for cover and witnessed part of the shooting. Another 911 caller described the shooter as a White male in a green shirt and blue jeans  matching what Doerman is wearing on bodycam video from responding officers, who found him sitting calmly on the porch next to a rifle with his wife screaming over their dead children on the grass just a few feet away.

It is rare for detectives to fail to meet Miranda standards, Giacalone said, especially in such a high-profile case.

"If they didnt have the eyewitnesses, this wouldve been a huge problem," he added.

OHIO MAN ACCUSED OF EXECUTING 3 YOUNG SONS SEEN IN BODYCAM VIDEO SITTING CALMLY NEXT TO GUN AFTERWARD

Bodycam video shows Doerman ignoring the commands of responding officers, who threw him to the ground and placed him in handcuffs. Before they asked any questions, he told them he was "completely sober."

Sheriff's deputies take Chad Doerman into custody after his sons were shot.

Although a deputy told him to "shut up" and reminded him of his right to remain silent while walking him to the back of a cruiser, the judge found police violated Doerman's Miranda rights twice.

"Can you get the wallet out of my pocket?" Doerman can be heard asking on bodycam video.

"Shut up, dude  you have the right to remain silent," the deputy replies. "F---ing use it."

The first violation came with a detective "failed to properly and fully" read Doerman his Miranda rights prior to interrogation once he arrived at the sheriff's office, Judge Richard Ferenc wrote last week. The second came when Doerman told interrogators "I'll wait for a lawyer," but the questioning continued.

"This is terrible police work, and honestly, they should be embarrassed," said David Gelman, a defense attorney and former prosecutor based in New Jersey who has been following the case.

A Miranda card must be read in full to the defendant before questioning, he said. However, according to the judge, tapes from the interrogation show the detective failed to inform Doerman he had a right to have an attorney present during questioning.

The sheriff's office deferred comment to the county prosecutor, who declined to comment on the Miranda failure or on the death penalty, citing a gag order on the case.

Doerman made numerous comments to deputies in the entrance to the jail, but they were redacted from bodycam video, which at one point showed him smashing his head against a concrete wall before an officer told him to stop.

"If I was the prosecutor, I'd be pissed, because that's valuable evidence  a confession saying I shot my three kids, game over," Gelman said.

Still, other statements from Doerman made outside his interrogation will be allowed in court, the judge said.

"I still think they have a lot of good evidence against this individual, but I'll tell you one thing, as a defense attorney, I think the chances of acquittal have gone up a little bit," Gelman said.





Original article source: Ohio dad could still face death penalty in massacre of 3 sons after judge tosses confession
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A local utility company is warning the public about a re-emerging scam.

Better Call 4 first told viewers about it in October, but five months later, it continues to make the rounds, targeting customers and noncustomers alike.

Root Insurance executive sentenced for embezzling $10 million from Columbus-based company

Were not trying to scare customers, you know, said Amanda DePerro with Columbia Gas of Ohio. We dont want customers to be nervous, but we do want them to be cautious.

That was the warning from Columbia Gas of Ohio, when they first spoke with NBC4 last fall. Back then, some noncustomers had reached out, concerned about letters and checks they received that appeared to come from the utility company.

The first person who reached out to us, theyre from Maryland, DePerro said. And they reached out to us toward the end of September (2023), and they had received an $8,500 check in the mail, claiming to be from Columbia Gas. And then, a few days later, someone from Seattle, Washington reached out and said, I received a check for $3,800.'

The checks also came with letters, instructing the recipients to deposit the checks at their banks. Then, email back copies of the deposit slips. But in an alert on its website, Columbia Gas of Ohio stated, these checks are fraudulent, and do not come from us.





Fast forward to March 2024, and the company is once again sharing that message, as more people reported receiving more of these checks.

If were sending you a check in the mail, were gonna let you know, said DePerro. If something comes that is out of the blue, that should be your first red flag.

The second red flag?

The letter was just not professionally written, DePerro said. You can kind of see those errors in the spelling.

Columbia Gas said it does frequently reach out to customers, but if an individual is ever in doubt about whether the letter, call, email or in-person visit they receive is legitimate, they should take a step back before acting.

If you want to double check, please give us a call, please reach out, and we can verify that persons identity, or you know, a letter in the mail, we can confirm whether it came from us, DeParro said.

For current customers, there is no threat to personal information, as long as the customer doesnt respond to the scheme. Again, reach out to the company first with any concerns.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  A new report from the New Orleans Office of Inspector General says money that was donated to Forward Together New Orleans created a conflict of interest.

According to the report, Forward Together New Orleans initially served as the transition committee for Mayor-elect LaToya Cantrell in 2018.

New Orleans Regional Transit Authority offering free rides on election day

The report states that donated money came from a city contractor and one of the mayors top staffers was also on the transition committee.

The investigation was launched after the OIG received an anonymous tip.

The inspector general says the transition committee should not have accepted the donation.

In the report, the OIG made the following recommendations:

The City must maintain sufficient documentation to confirm that City funds provided to non-profits and other charitable organizations are properly characterized, expended, and utilized in a manner consistent with the agreed-upon terms outlined within a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA).

The City should add a section to its current financial disclosure form requiring City employees to disclose any service they provide to non-profits or other charitable organizations that receive funds from the City.

Read the full report:

FTNO-ROI-_FinalDownload

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Consequences of the Russian attack on the Dnipro HPP, March 22, 2024

Due to the March 22 Russian missile strike on the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant in Zaporizhzhia, oil products are leaking into the Dnipro River, according to Ukraines Environmental Service.

As the Telegram message explains, environmental inspectors recorded soil contamination and took water samples on site.

The Prosecutor General's Office earlier said that the Russian military had hit the Dnipro HPP with eight missiles, putting the power plant out of commission.

Ukrainian authorities assure that despite the damage to the electricity-producing facilities, there is no threat of a dam breach.

Early in the morning on March 22, Russia attacked Ukraines energy infrastructure with a mixture of cruise and ballistic missiles, preceded by a wave of kamikaze drones. A total of 151 drones and missiles were involved in the attack, with Ukraines air defenses intercepting 92 of them, including 55 UAVs and 37 missiles.

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
Ukrainian rock band Okean Elzy has broken new ground with their unveiling of their first English-language track in nearly three decades, Voices Are Rising.

Voices are rising, just let it out right now  this is the message conveyed by the song, which the band presented on the day Ukraine endured a massive missile attack by Russian forces.

"Here could have been big texts, stories, and press releases," the band said on Instagram.

"But today, we just want you to listen to the song and, most importantly, remember that light will always overcome darkness. Our Ukrainian voices have risen thanks to those who defend, restore, and carry their light every minute! Today, our support goes out to our energy workers."



Read also: Five iconic Okean Elzy wartime songs

Voices Are Rising is the first song in an entire English-language album, which has recently been announced  stating that the decision was inspired by Ukraine's first Oscar-winning documentary film 20 Days in Mariupol, directed by Mstyslav Chernov.

Okean Elzy celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2024. Last October, the band announced that they were on a new album, set to release in 2024. In February, Okean Elzy unveiled their first new song since 2022  Vidpovid (Response), released on the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The Tulsa County district attorney said Thursday that no criminal charges would be brought in the case of Nex Benedict, a nonbinary teenager who died by suicide after a fight in an Oklahoma high school bathroom last month.

The district attorney, Republican Stephen Kunzweiler, said he didnt believe charges were warranted after reviewing the findings of an Owasso Police Department investigation and the Oklahoma medical examiners report.

Kunzweilers three-page letter acknowledged Benedicts death as a tragedy, but said that all of the evidence gathered showed that the fight that preceded the 16-year-olds death was an instance of mutual combat.

He also revealed that Owasso police found a suicide note written by Benedict, but did not share further details, saying its contents were a personal matter for their family.

I do not have a reasonable belief that the State of Oklahoma could sustain its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt if charges were presented for prosecution, he added.

An attorney for Benedicts family told the Associated Press he didnt expect them to comment on the district attorneys Thursday letter.

Benedict, who used they/them and he/him pronouns, died at a hospital hours after collapsing on Feb. 8. Their death ignited a national firestorm about bullying in schools and the rise of anti-LGBTQ+ policies nationwide, which have spurred hateful rhetoric and violence against members of the community. In Oklahoma alone, 54 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have passed the state legislature in its current session.

The fight at Owasso High School between Benedict and three teenage girls occurred a day prior to their death. In his letter, Kunzweiler said that those involved were antagonizing each other in the days leading up to the fight, though none of the students reported the hostility to school officials or teachers.

According to witnesses, the fight was less than one minute in duration after Benedict poured water over two girls while they were in the bathroom, Kunzweiler wrote. Apparently, comments were directed about how Benedict laughed, which was followed by the water pouring incident.

Neither the police nor the medical examiners reports have been publicly released. Last week, the medical examiner released a single-page summary of Benedicts autopsy, which listed the cause of death as suicide caused by a lethal combination of the antihistamine diphenhydramine and the antidepressant fluoxetine. Its unclear exactly how much of either substance was in the 16-year-olds system when they died.

Benedicts family have disputed the autopsy results, noting the evidence of physical trauma, and said they are conducting their own investigation into the circumstances around the teens death. The family also called on schools, lawmakers, and communities to to prevent any other family from having to suffer through the heartache now borne by Nexs loved ones.

They continued: 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 change that all involved should be able to rally behind.

If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing or texting 988.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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No Trespassing signs are posted on this Florida property, where the family is trying to clean up the mess left by the squatters and are battling to keep them off the property.

After a TikTok encouraging immigrants to "invade" vacant American homes to gain possession went viral, the internet refreshed discussion about a medieval concept - squatter's rights.

In Oklahoma, users on Reddit asked similar ownership questions: If someone built a shed on another person's unused family property, could the landowner take action to remove it, or does the builder have ground to stand on?

So what exactly are squatter's rights, and how do they apply in Oklahoma?

Here's what we know about Oklahoma squatters' rights, and what rights property owners have when someone is living on their land or in their home.

Who are squatters?

A squatter, according to OKC Home Realty Services, is a person who tries to live "on a foreclosed, unoccupied, or unabandoned residential building or area of land without lawful permission."

A squatter does not pay rent or own the property.

What are squatter's rights in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma's squatter's rights, or adverse possession law, states a squatter can claim the property if they have resided on the property for at least 15 years and paid property taxes for five years.

What can a landlord do about squatters in Oklahoma?

An Oklahoma landlord or property owner must use the normal judicial eviction procedure laid out in the Landlord-Tenant Act to evict squatters.

Did the Oklahoma squatters bill pass?

In 2023, Oklahoma Sen. George Burns, R-Pollard, filed Senate Bill 456 to eliminate squatters rights in Oklahoma.

The bill never made it to a vote.

Why do we have squatter's rights?

According to Anderson Business Advisors, squatting is not a new idea. In fact, it goes back to the common law of medieval England, when the king's courts would consistently rule in favor of individuals who were occupying a property without permission if the owner had not taken action within a certain amount of time.

This often occurred when peasants were seeking an escape from their current tax burden, would move to the country and build a house on the land.

And ancient Welsh folk tradition follows that if a person builds a home on common land in one night, it would belong to them. Other variations include that a squatter would need to have a fire burning in the hearth by morning, and they could claim their property boundaries by throwing an axe as far as possible from all four corners of the home.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: What are Oklahoma squatters rights? Can landowners evict squatters?
Online articles and social media posts claim singer Olivia Rodrigo nationwide .

"Pop Star Olivia Rodrigo Passes Out Abortion Pills to Fans, Shoves Pro-Choice Message in Faces of Gen Z," says a March 13, 2024 article from the Western Journal, a conservative website that AFP has previously fact-checked.

The narrative also spread on X, where a March 14 post says: "olivia rodrigo is distributing free abortion pills to teenage girls at her concerts. shes also donating proceeds from her tour to fund abortions.

"i knew this former disney kid was a satanic industry plant from the time she was invited to the white house to promote vaccines."

Screenshot from X taken March 15, 2024

Other articles and posts on X, Facebook and Instagram make similar claims.

Rodrigo announced the reproductive rights initiative Fund 4 Good ahead of her 2024 "Guts" world tour (archived here). She caused an uproar at a March 12 show in St Louis, Missouri, after passing out emergency contraceptives in partnership with two advocacy groups: the Missouri Abortion Fund and Right By You.

Claims that she distributed "abortion pills" to concertgoers are false. Instead, fans received free boxes of Julie, a morning-after pill available over the counter, as well as condoms and abortion access resources.

"Morning-after pills, or emergency contraception pills, prevent or delay ovulation. They dont harm or interrupt pregnancy, which can only occur after ovulation happens," Siripanth Nippita, a clinical associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at New York University (archived here), told AFP on March 21, 2024.

Guidance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the World Health Organization back that up (archived here, here and here).

However, many Americans conflate emergency contraceptives with abortifacients, which end a pregnancy after a fertilized egg has been implanted in the lining of the uterus.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 73 percent of adults "incorrectly think that emergency contraceptive pills can end a pregnancy in its early stages," while a third are unsure if emergency contraception is legal in their state (archived here).

The active ingredient in medications such as Julie is levonorgestrel, which is FDA-approved (archived here).

"All methods of contraception are legal in all US states," Nippita said. However, the same cannot be said for abortion pills.

Abortifacient access varies

The US Supreme Court's 2022 decision to overturn Roe v Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling that made abortion a constitutional right, sparked rapid changes in reproductive rights across the country.

Twenty-one states have implemented full or partial abortion bans, and some Republicans are pushing for a nationwide prohibition as the 2024 presidential election draws near.

Missouri has banned "all abortions except to save the life of the pregnant person," according to the Center for Reproductive Rights, an advocacy group (archived here). There are no exceptions for rape or incest.

The use of medication -- rather than surgical procedures -- to terminate pregnancy has risen steadily since the FDA approved the abortion drug mifepristone in 2000, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which campaigns for abortion rights.

However, access varies from state to state.

In Missouri, medical professionals must distribute abortifacients in person (archived here). In other states, new FDA rules allow patients to pick up prescribed medication at pharmacies that meet certain criteria (archived here).

In early March 2024, Walgreens and CVS announced it would start filling mifepristone prescriptions in states where abortion is legal.

AFP has fact-checked other claims about abortion here.
Nine more Ukrainian children previously deported by Russia or held in Ukraine's Russian-occupied territories were brought back to Ukraine, Ukraine's Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said on March 22.

At least 19,500 children have been confirmed as abducted by Russia since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and less than 400 of them have been returned home, according to the Children of War database.

According to Lubinets, two three-year-old sisters, a six-year-old boy, and a 10-year-old girl were rescued from orphanages after their guardians and relatives appealed for their return. A 12-year-old girl was returned and reunited with her mother.

Four other children were rescued from Russian-occupied territories.

Read also: Explainer: What we know about Russias deportation of Ukrainian children

"Children were forced to attend Russian schools, where they were told that there was no independent state of Ukraine," Andriy Yermak, Ukraine's Presidential Office head, wrote on Telegram.

According to Lubinets, one of the girls who was returned had a disability and was not given proper medical care while being held in Russian-occupied territory. She will now reportedly receive proper care.

The children were returned with the help of Qatar, which has played a major mediation role in returning Ukrainian children who had been deported or forcibly transferred to Russia, and within the framework of the approved action plan of Ukraine's president Bring Kids Back UA.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
ISLAMABAD, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan on Friday strongly condemns a recent deadly terrorist attack in Afghanistan's Kandahar city, the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

"The government and the people of Pakistan extend their sincere condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the early recovery of the injured," the ministry said in a statement.

Three people were confirmed dead and 12 others injured as a suicide blast rocked Kandahar city, the provincial capital of south Afghanistan's Kandahar province, on Thursday, provincial police spokesman Mullah Asadullah Jamshid said.

The suicide blast occurred in front of Kabul bank in the city's Police District 1 at 08:30 a.m. local time (0400 GMT), Jamshid confirmed.

Eyewitnesses believed that the number of casualties could be higher than reported as many people, including military personnel, were waiting outside the bank.

The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack on its Telegram channel.

"Pakistan reiterates its strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, the ministry said, adding that terrorism is a shared concern that both countries need to address through collective efforts. 
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Oregon State Police are asking for the publics help catching unknown poachers who are thought to have illegally shot and killed four deer in Tillamook County last year.

On Nov. 17, 2023, state troopers responded to a call at 8:30 a.m. for multiple deer shot on Stimson Timber Company Property. Responding officers found the carcasses of two dead fawns and two dead does scattered throughout a forested watershed where only youth hunting is allowed.

Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is asking for public assistance in locating the person(s) responsible for the waste of four black-tailed deer, OSP stated.

A deer believed to have been shot by poachers in Tillamook County in October of 2023. (Oregon State Police)

Large-scale sewage leak shuts down portion of Portland road

The dead deer were found in the following areas:

One doe and one fawn were shot and left to waste on the EB110 Road

One doe was shot and left to waste near the half-mile marker of Old Crow Mainline Road

One fawn was shot and left to waste on 4015 Road, 100 yards into a clearcut area

The investigation determined the deer were all shot around the same time frame  possibly during the last week or weekend of general deer season or the last weekend for youth hunters, OSP stated. Each animal was shot and left without salvaging any meat.

Anyone with information about the poachings is asked to contact the Oregon State Police Dispatch and reference case no. SP23364118.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  City council members unanimously voted to move forward with a land swap that could open the door for a new municipal headquarters in place of Duncan Plaza.

The passage of the motion means the city is now authorized to transfer the streets adjacent to the Superdome: LaSalle Street, a portion of Dave Dixon Drive, the green space on West Stadium Drive and the median between Poydras Street and Sugar Bowl Drive in exchange for the states portion of Duncan Plaza and all of the HEAL Garage.

New Orleans Regional Transit Authority offering free rides on election day

CEO of the New Orleans Building Corporation, Cynthia Connick, said that in the 1950s, the city sold a portion of Duncan Plaza to the state of Louisiana, where they built a garage and had an office building, which was destroyed during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Its in some respects, coming full circle because now were going to have the entirety of Duncan Plaza, said Connick.

The motion received support from all seven council members. While it would likely be years before the city could break ground on a new headquarters, council members are eager for the change.

To be able to build something thats conducive to what the citizens of our city need, and also to have something that is of the highest tech value potentially, and also just something that is a good use of Duncan Plaza, said Councilman Eugene Greene.

The plans await final approval from the commissioners office and Mayor LaToya Cantrell, who released a statement Thursday evening.

This is a big day for the City of New Orleans, particularly for City employees, and for our residents and business owners who access City Hall for government services. The act of exchange whereby the City gains ownership of the States portion of Duncan Plaza has been a priority of mine since the beginning of my administration, almost six years ago. This paves the way to provide adequate space for a new City Hall and Civil District Court, which will strengthen our workforce and increase our assets, ultimately working to provide better services for our residents. I look forward to continue working with the New Orleans City Council and Governor Landrys Office to make this a reality. Mayor LaToya Cantrell

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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Demonstrators in San Bernardino County marched to the home of 15-year-old Ryan Gainer who was tragically shot and killed by deputies after they say he charged them with the bladed end of a gardening tool earlier this month.

The incident unfolded March 9 shortly before 5 p.m. when deputies with the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department responded to a 911 call about a domestic disturbance in the 13400 block of Iroquois Road in Apple Valley, according to a department news release.

Described as a happy kid who was brilliant with numbers, the teen was diagnosed with autism and Crohns Disease and had been struggling ever since his mom suffered a stroke and was wheelchair-bound.

Despite his challenges, his father Norman Gainer, who adopted Ryan at 2 years old, said the teen had flourished as he grew older.

I cant even sleep at night because all I can think about is Ryan, Norman said to the crowd assembled outside the familys Apple Valley home. He did so much. People dont realize he was teaching kids robotics, he was teaching kids chess. He was a mentor to younger kids.

Ryans family, their attorneys, members of Disability Rights California and many others attended Thursdays demonstration.

This is the story of two Americas that we need to deal with because Ryan shouldnt be dead, DeWitt M. Lacy, an attorney for the family, said.

The Gainers have filed a lawsuit against the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department alleging that responding deputies did not utilize the proper training.

They have that training, but they have to choose to follow it and the folks in charge of them or supervising them have to make sure that they follow it, DeWitt said. Thats called accountability and when you dont have it, we have deaths like this.

In the March 9 call to 911 made by the teens sister, she can be heard telling emergency dispatch operators that her 15-year-old brother was committing assault and battery and that he was banging on the door to the room where she was presumably calling for help from.

When a deputy arrived at the scene, body-worn camera footage shows the tense moment Ryan charges with what law enforcement officials described as the bladed end of a 5-foot-long gardening tool before he was shot and killed.

However, the familys attorneys dispute the description of the gardening tool.

Body-worn camera shows an incident that led to the shooting death of a 15-year-old Apple Valley boy. (SBSD)

Family attorney showing a tool reportedly similar to what the teen charged at a deputy with on Mar. 9, 2024. (KTLA)

A sign held be a demonstrator on Mar. 21, 2024, outside the teens Apple Valley home. (KTLA)

A memorial to Ryan Gainer, 15, outside his home after he was fatally shot by SB County deputies on Mar. 9, 2024. (KTLA)

Ryan Gainer, 15, seen here with his family in this undated photo. (BNCLLAW)

Ryan Gainer, 15, seen here in undated family photo. (Viewer photo)

At a news conference about the fatal shooting, San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus said that since January, deputies had been called out to the home about incidents with Ryan five times.

What in my opinion is happening here is that there were plenty of times to offramp Ryan and get him the health and care and mental health care that he needed, Dicus said.

Its unclear if the responding deputies knew about the address history and if they didnt, attorneys claimed it was a department failure. They also criticized the deputies for not using a less-than-lethal force.

Woman arrested after stealing U-Haul truck, leading deputies in pursuit

Whether we knew, didnt know, or had the best resources available to us, this is a reactionary time and if were looking in the scope of being a human being and what [deputies] are trained for, the deputies followed through with what their training protocols are, Dicus added.

Previously, Dicus said that the social safety net for those experiencing mental illness needs to be strengthened and that he sympathized with the teens family, as well as my deputies who will struggle with this for their entire lives.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
The owner of several suspected illicit massage parlors in the Tri-Cities has been arrested more than a year after one of his Kennewick businesses was raided as part of a state-wide human trafficking investigation.

Linhui Yan, 61, was arrested Wednesday as part of the investigation in Chelan County, according to a social media post from the Chelan County Sheriffs Department.

Investigators said Yan, who lives in Pierce County, fled the U.S. after a series of raids at massage parlors he owned in Chelan and Benton counties.

Those suspected illicit massage parlors include the Clearwater Avenue business where former Kennewick Mayor Bill McKay admitted to paying for sexual services.

Kennewick police believed Yan may have been tipped off before the raids, because the Clearwater business was cleared out before they arrived. Its unclear if investigators suspect who may have warned the owners.

Kennewick police help federal agents search a massage business at 6201 West Clearwater Ave. Wednesday morning in Kennewick. The effort was part of a larger series of searches across Washington state focused on human trafficking, said Kennewick Sgt. Chris Littrell.

Yan was recently arrested in King County as he reentered the country, but was released from the King County Jail before investigators could request he be transported to Chelan County, according to the Chelan County Sheriffs Office.

Chelan County worked with Pierce County detectives to have Yan arrested earlier this week, and he was returned to Chelan County. He is being held in the Chelan County Jail without bail.

Yan and his wife owned 13 massage clinics in Washington state and were charged with felonies related to Lin Massage in Wenatchee, according to the Washington state Department of Health.

Felony charges

Court documents show Yan is facing felony charges of leading and profiting from organized crime, money laundering and second-degree promotion of prostitution.

They believe his wife, Yan Yang, has not returned to the United States. She is wanted on the same charges.

State officials took action last summer to suspend his license pending further proceedings and then made the suspension indefinite when he did not contest the action.

In the Tri-Cities, state documents show he owns Lins Massage businesses on Vista Way and North Volland Street in Kennewick and Angel Massage on Clearwater Avenue.

He also had a second Clearwater Avenue business that was raided in March as part of a human trafficking investigation led by the Wenatchee-based Columbia River Drug Task Force.

At the time, his businesses were among 17 suspected illicit massage parlors in Kennewick and 31 in the Tri-Cities. No other owners of massage businesses have been arrested or charged in the Tri-Cities.

Linhui Yan, 61, former owner of a string of suspected illicit massage parlors across the state, appeared in a Chelan County Superior Court on March 21, 2024.

Kennewick raid

The Wenatchee-based task force became involved in the investigation that led to felony charges against Lin in August 2022 when the owner of a neighboring business reported a massage parlor on Mission Street appeared to be involved in prostitution.

She told investigators that Yan and his wife, Yan Yang, acted strangely even before the Mission Street location opened. They painted the walls hot pink, covered the windows and werent interested in replacing the filthy carpet.

The neighbor said Yan showed up to the business a week earlier with enough groceries to feed a family of four. An advertisement with suggestive images and offering sexual services appeared in online searches for the business, according to court documents.

Linhui Yan, 61, former owner of a string of suspected illicit massage parlors across the state, appeared in a Chelan County Superior Court on March 21, 2024.

The business owner and a customer reported hearing what sounded like sex coming from the massage parlor and reported it to the property manager. Shortly after that conversation, Yan appeared with construction equipment and apparently soundproofed the wall adjoining the other business.

McKays involvement

In the Tri-Cities, former Kennewick mayor Bill McKay first approached Police Chief Chris Guerrero the night before Yans Clearwater business was raided, telling him he was aware of a number of suspected illicit massage parlors.

McKay claimed he had been conducting his own investigation into them after being offered sexual services at a massage business about two years earlier.

Former Kennewick Mayor Bill McKay talks about local massage parlors with Kennewick Detectives Elizabeth Grant, middle, and Kris Safranek during a March 13, 2023 interview at the Kennewick police station.

Guerrero told McKay repeatedly to stop investigating the businesses, but he continued going to them and asking what services they offered, even after he agreed to be interviewed by detectives, according to Guerrero and former City Manager Marie Mosley.

McKay told detectives he suspected the women at the businesses were the victims of sex trafficking.

He was never charged with a crime, and his involvement became public after the Herald reported on documents obtained through the state Public Records Act.

McKay resigned rather than face a formal ethics investigation from his fellow city council members.

Pierce County Prosecutor Mary Robnett later conducted an independent review of the situation. Earlier this year, she told the Herald that while McKay admitted to paying for sexual services twice, there was no corroborating evidence that could be used to build a case against him.

Robnett told the Herald that while the case probably should have been reviewed sooner, it likely would not have resulted in a charge.

I say that because when I spoke to the task force commander ..., by the time they executed their search warrant, the place had been cleaned out. They had either been tipped off or knew, Robnett told the Herald in February.

She said the parlor being cleared out meant that building a case was unlikely. Without a witness she believes a case could have been built had enough evidence been collected, but with no witnesses or evidence all they had to go on was McKays confession.

Timeline: Kennewick mayors sudden resignation and ensuing massage parlor scandal
The owner of a Northeast Florida school is accused of misusing more than $1 million in state funds.

The Columbia County Sheriffs Office announced Tomeka Henrys arrest on Thursday afternoon on its Facebook page.

*** Media Release *** On Thursday, March 21, 2024, members of the Columbia County Sheriffs Office along with the... Posted by Columbia County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, March 21, 2024

Sheriff Mark Hunter said that a tip from a citizen is what started the investigation.

CCSO said her private school, Touch By An Angel Learning Academy in Lake City, applied for and got money from two state-funded programs, the Early Learning Coalition and the Step Up for Students program, but misused more than $1.3 million.

Henry is facing charges of fraud and grand theft, CCSO said.

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Anyone with any information is asked to contact detectives at (386) 752-7015 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers of Columbia County at (386) 754-7099.

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The Oxford High School shooter got into a fight with another teenage prisoner at the Thumb Correctional Facility in Lapeer earlier this week and now could face sanctions, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections.

The fight between Ethan Crumbley, 17, and another 17-year-old happened Tuesday in a unit where incarcerated youths under the age of 18 are housed, MDOC spokesman Kyle Kaminski said.

There were no weapons and no serious injuries," Kaminski said. "Staff responded and broke it up. And so both prisoners have been issued misconducts" with any sanctions to be determined.

Crumbley was 15 when he gunned down classmates at Oxford High School on Nov. 30, 2021, killing Hana St. Juliana, 14; Tate Myre, 16; Madisyn Baldwin, 17, and Justin Shilling, 17 and injuring seven other people. He pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, terrorism causing death and other charges and was sentenced in December to serve life in prison without parole.

Ethan Crumbley stands and addresses the court before being sentenced, Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, in Pontiac, Mich. Crumbly was sentenced to life in prison for killing four students, wounding more, and terrorizing Michigan's Oxford High School in 2021. A judge Friday rejected pleas for a shorter sentence and ensured that Crumbley, 17, will not get an opportunity for parole.

His parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, were both convicted in separate trials of involuntary manslaughter charges in the deaths of the four students killed by their son.

Kaminski said the latest fight is Ethan Crumbley's third instance of misconduct since arriving at the prison. The earlier incidents involved horseplay and fighting. Kaminski could not share details about the latest fight and said a hearing will be held to determine whether the teen is guilty of the misconduct and, if so, possible sanctions.

Kaminski said Ethan Crumbley is housed in a unit with other male prisoners under the age of 18. Kaminski said there are currently fewer than 10 youths in the unit, where they each have their own cell, but share common areas.

"School is a primary focus for them because of their age, so most will do school three-plus hours a day and ... that's going to be focused on getting ready to take a high school equivalency test and so that's one of the kind of key structures of their day," Kaminski said. The way the unit operates, "they would be out of their cell quite often during the day in those common areas."

Kaminski said Ethan Crumbley will be in the unit until he turns 18 next month.

Prisoners can only be in that unit while theyre under the age of 18," Kaminski said. "So as soon as he reaches the age of 18, hes no longer eligible to be in that unit.

Contact Gina Kaufman: gkaufman@freepress.com. Follow her on X: @ReporterGina.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Oxford school shooter facing possible sanctions after fight in prison
The report presented by the Azerbaijani delegation at the regular session of the EuroNest Parliamentary Assembly Committee on Social Affairs, Employment, Education, Culture and Civil Society has sparked protests from Armenians, Azernews reports.

According to the information, Co-Chairman of the session, Chairman of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) Committee on Economic Policy, Industries and Enterprising Tahir Mirkishili informed about the proposals of the delegation of Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Georgia, and member of the European Parliament Juozas Olekas.

MP Soltan Mammadov emphasized that the proposition from the Azerbaijani delegation regarding the social, economic, and environmental challenges stemming from the mine threat in Eastern Partnership countries, to be included in the upcoming report for presentation at the EuroNest PA committee meeting, underscores a pressing issue of global significance.

He mentioned that more than 70 countries in the world suffer from the mine problem. The cost of producing one unit of mine ranges from $3 to $100, while the cost of mine clearance can range from $300 to $1,000.

"This limits people's mobility, endangering their safety and well-being and causing fear and anxiety. Mines also pose a serious environmental threat, disturbing natural balance and impeding efforts to rejuvenate the planet. Azerbaijan is one of the countries hardest hit by mine danger. From November 10, 2020, through March 15, 2024, a total of 346 individuals fell victim to mines in the freed territory, with 65 fatalities documented," Mammadov said.

The proposition of the Ukrainian delegation regarding the social adaptation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Eastern Partnership countries was suggested to be merged with the topic introduced by the Azerbaijani representatives.

Members of the Armenian delegation voiced their objections to discussing the issue of mine danger. Armenian MP Maria Karapetyan expressed concerns that Azerbaijan might exploit this topic as leverage against Armenia, citing Armenia's provision of mine maps.

In response, Nurlan Hasanov, a member of the Azerbaijani delegation, stated that the Armenian mine maps are noticeably inaccurate.



Despite opposition from the Armenian delegation, the proposal jointly advanced by the Azerbaijani and Ukrainian delegations received majority support.




Oxford High School shooter Ethan Crumbley, 17, was caught in a prison brawl on Tuesday for the second time since hes been held there the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) said. During the evening hours of Tuesday, March 19th, Prisoner Ethan Crumbley and another 17-year-old housed in the Youthful Housing Unit at the Thumb Correctional Facility engaged in a fight in the unit. Staff in the area responded and gained control of both prisoners, Kyle Kaminski, a spokesman for MDOC, said in a statement to The Daily Beast. Crumbley was taken to the hospital, evaluated, and then released back to his block after the fight was broken up, Kaminski added. Neither Crumbley nor the other inmate suffered serious injuries and no weapons were involved. Both parties will now face misconduct hearings to determine potential sanctions for their actions. According to Kaminski, Crumbley has already been involved in other altercations, including another earlier fight. Crumbley arrived at Thumb in December, shortly after he was sentenced to life without parole for killing four high school classmates and wounding several others in a 2021 campus shooting. Hell remain there only until his 18th birthday in late April, when hell be moved to an adult prison to begin serving the rest of his sentence. Crumbleys lawyers have indicated through court filings that they intend to appeal his conviction.

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A pair of massive, 13-foot adult male great white sharks popped up within minutes of each other off the Florida coast earlier this week.

Bob, a 1,300-pound white shark, surfaced Tuesday, March 19, at 12:45 a.m. ET in the waters northeast of Jacksonville; then Breton, a 1,400-pound great white shark, was located slightly northeast of Bob at 12:46 a.m. ET Tuesday, according to nonprofit research group OCEARCH, which tracks sharks.

This photo from September 2020 shows the OCEARCH research team as it tags Breton, a great white shark while off the coast of Nova Scotia.

The sharks send off a "ping" when their dorsal fins break the water's surface long enough to transmit a signal from satellite tags OCEARCH attached on them.

The pair's arrival comes ahead of most sharks' impending trip north with the arrival of spring and warmer waters in the Atlantic Ocean. And they popped up just days after a 10-foot long great white shark named Penny made an appearance off the west coast of Florida on Sunday, March 17, at 11: 01 a.m. ET.

Rare snake find: Snake with two heads undergoes surgery to remove ovaries. See the 'Two-headed gal'

Since OCEARCH tagged Penny in April 2023 off of Ocracoke, North Carolina, the shark has traveled more than 5,300 miles up the East Coast into Canadian waters in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, then south to Florida in the fall.

Penny has been traveling around the Florida Keys since the first of the year, according to OCEARCH.

After spending the last few weeks in the Gulf of Mexico, #WhiteShark Penny has made her was back to the Florida Keys! Shes currently by the Islamorada Hump, a popular recreational fishing area. Track Pennys movements alongside our team: https://t.co/EPTdOS9rk6#FactsOverFear pic.twitter.com/NW92kJWwkK  OCEARCH (@OCEARCH) February 6, 2024

These three sharks are among the nearly 400 the non-profit has tagged to track their oceanic travels. As part of its ocean conservation mission, the group also tags seals, dolphins and turtles.

Great white shark Breton makes 'self portrait' with his travels

Breton sent another ping about 11 hours later on Tuesday at 12:05 p.m. ET off the coasts of South Carolina and Georgia. The first shark tagged during OCEARCH's 2020 expedition in Nova Scotia, Breton was 13 feet, 3 inches long and weighed in at a whopping 1,437 pounds.

Breton was named by SeaWorld, an OCEARCH partner, for the people of Cape Breton where it was tagged.

Breton' previous travels, represented by his OCEARCH pings between September 2020 and January 2022, look like the outline of the body of a shark, with the tail in Nova Scotia and head pointed at Florida's east coast.

"You can track Breton, the white shark that made this self-portrait on the OCEARCH Global Shark Tracker," the research group posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Breton, a 1,400 pound OCEARCH-tagged white shark seemingly created a self-portrait with pings of his journey received by the research group's shark tracker.

More about Bob, the great white shark

Bob hasn't pinged again, so he and Breton may not be considered traveling "buddies" like Simon and Jekyll, two great whites that traveled 4,000 miles together last year.

Bob measured 13 feet 4 inches and weighed 1,308 pounds when OCEARCH tagged him in Nova Scotia in September of 2021. He was named for OCEARCH chief scientist Dr. Robert (Bob) Hueter, a pioneer in shark science for over 40 years.

"Well be following the journeys of both Bob the shark and Dr. Bob Hueter as they continue to help us grow in the world of science for the betterment of our sharks and our oceans," a note on Bob's OCEARCH tracker page reads.

Other sharks on the move around Florida, Carolinas include Rose, Anne Bonny

Anne Bonny, a great white measuring 9 feet 2 inches, pinged on Friday at 5:03 a.m. ET in waters off the coast of South Carolina.

Tagged on April 23, 2023 by OCEARCH in the waters near Ocracoke, North Carolina, Anne Bonny spent summer in the waters around Nova Scotia before heading south in November 2023. The shark has been off the Carolinas' coasts since about Thanksgiving.

A juvenile white shark nicknamed Anne Bonny by OCEARCH researchers is seen here when she was tagged in April off the coast of North Carolina.

Another great white shark, this one's name is Rose, popped up on the southwest coast off Florida two weeks ago, according to OCEARCH. The 10-foot, 5-inch shark, tagged in 2020, has traveled from the east coast of the state where it pinged several times last month.

Why are so many great white sharks around Florida?

It's not unusual for a grouping of white sharks around Florida and the Gulf in the winter. During the overwintering period (Dec,1 to May 15) many of the white sharks tracked by OCEARCH spend their time from the Outer Banks of North Carolina down the east coast of Florida and into the Gulf of Mexico, the research group told USA TODAY.

They swim south when the water gets too cold for them and they lack food sources up north, OCEARCH chief scientist Bob Hueter previously told the USA TODAY Network. "A lot of these white sharks, most of them actually, tend to kind of come down, they don't really hug the coast in the sense that they're right on the beach, but they stay in the continental shelf waters, most of them and they come south," Hueter told the Fort Myers News-Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, in March 2023."

OCEARCH research has found a pattern of about half of their tagged sharks head to the Gulf of Mexico, he said.

"We don't really know what they're feeding on. There's some reason to believe that they're going for schools of fish, like amberjack, that are found in great numbers in the Gulf this time of year.," Hueter said. "There's not too much in the way of marine mammals out there compared to up north, so the occasional whale that's dead and floating but probably mostly fish."

Contributing: Kinsey Crowley, Samantha Neely, Dan Radel and Jennifer Sangalang

Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads: @mikesnider & mikegsnider.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Great white sharks: 2 appear off Florida coast around the same time
A paralysed drug smuggler who drove a specially adapted trailer to hide 250 million of cocaine and heroin on a Welsh farm has been jailed.

Guy Remington, 48, of Welsh Bicknor, Herefordshire, drove a modified car pulling a trailer, which could covertly store drugs.

Officers estimate Remington, who had a trailer business that he used as a cover, carried between two and three tonnes of class A drugs into the UK across nine trips.

He was arrested following his final trip and police seized 700kg of class A narcotics. On Thursday, he was jailed for seven years at Chester magistrates court after pleading guilty to conspiracy to import and supply heroin and cocaine at an earlier hearing.

Three others were jailed for their roles in a plot during which the drugs were smuggled into the country and stored in Flintshire, North Wales.

(Left to right) Morgan Towner, Guy Remington, Thomas Smith and Luke Hirst were all jailed for their drug offences

As part of the conspiracy, masterminded from Dubai, heroin and cocaine came from South America, through mainland Europe and were brought into the UK on a trailer, the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) said.

Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Whitehead, head of NWROCU, said: We believe the conspiracy was ultimately orchestrated by individuals abroad, including as far away as Dubai.

He added: We observed the activities of these individuals over a period of time, gathered evidence. We were able to secure the seizure of 700 kilos of class A drugs and we would estimate that over the period of nine similar journeys the group made during that time, they were responsible for bringing into the UK between two and three tonnes of class A drugs.

Luke Hirst was the tenant for the farm premises and what that farm premises provided them was a cover that would allow them to move vehicles and drugs in and out of that location otherwise undetected.

The specially adapted car which pulled the trailer to hide the cocaine and heroin - PA

Hirst, 38, of Pinfold Lane, Alltami, was described by police as having a leading role in the organised crime group, sourcing and distributing cocaine on an industrial scale.

He was sentenced to 12 years in jail after admitting conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

From Hirsts farm, drugs were collected by couriers and taken across the country, detectives said.

Morgan Towner, 47, of Leatherhead, Surrey, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs and was jailed for seven years for his role, working for a London-based organised crime group to collect drugs from the farm and take them back to Surrey.

Thomas Smith, 43, of Liverpool, was described as a leading member of the crime group and would make regular trips to Hirsts farm, where he would collect huge quantities of drugs to take back to Merseyside for onward distribution.

He was jailed for 18 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin, possession with intent to supply a class A drug and possession of cannabis.

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Six deaths at Parc Prison in Bridgend within three weeks are likepy spice related, says the prison watchdog

Inmates at HMP Parc in Bridgend have been told to throw away their drugs by the prisons watchdog after six deaths in three weeks.

Police said four of the deaths were believed to be drug-related, while two were being treated as non-suspicious.

John Rose and Jason Hussey both died at the jail on 27 February, while Christopher Stokes died on 9 March.

The three other people who have died at the prison have not yet been named.

South Wales Police said Nitazene, a synthetic opioid drug, had been identified in connection with all four deaths.

The force said spice, another synthetic drug, had been identified in two of the four deaths.

Detective Steve Jones added: "Post-mortems have been completed on two of the four men and at this stage cause of death is inconclusive and we are awaiting toxicology.

"The other two men are awaiting a post-mortem."

Prisons and Probation Ombudsman Adrian Usher, who has launched an investigation into deaths, said all prisoners in possession of spice should "dispose of it immediately".

Spice is a psychoactive substance, designed to mimic the effects of cannabis, but can have severe debilitating effects

Mr Usher added: "This is a dangerous drug and we do not want to see any more unnecessary deaths occur."

Andrew Neilson, director of campaigns at Howard League for Penal Reform, said the level of deaths were "concerning."

"Parc Prison should be holding around 1,500 people, but in fact the prison is holding 1,800 people," he told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"That sort of pressure means prisoners aren't able to get out of their cells as much as they should."

Mr Neilson said that an inspection of the prison in 2022 raised concerns about drugs getting into the prison and fuelling a culture of violence.

"I fear that these tragic deaths would suggest that things are getting worse," he added.

On Wednesday, an HMP Parc spokesperson said: "Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the prisoners who have died recently at Parc.

"As with all deaths in custody, the Prison and Probation Ombudsman will investigate."

The category B local prison opened in 1997 and holds convicted male adult and young offenders and convicted and remand sex offenders.

In 2022, prison nurse Elyse Hibbs, from Manchester, was jailed after having an inappropriate relationship with the prisoner while working at HMP Parc.

At the time of a 2019 inspection it held 1,612 prisoners, making it one of the largest prisons in the UK.
LaShanta Mires daughter was, at least on paper, thriving at her public school in Fort Worth, Texas. Her grades were good. The then-second grader was ostensibly learning to read and was performing at the level expected of kids her age.

But the childs assessments told a different story: She did not yet know how to read. She was missing out on crucial content. She wasnt performing at grade level.

Mire, like possibly millions of parents across the U.S., received flawed information about her daughter and her two other school-age children. After realizing there was a mismatch between her perceptions and the realities of how her child was faring academically, the single mother of five took it upon herself to find a parents group to help her navigate school bureaucracies, engage with educators and seek information such as test scores. As soon as she got the information she needed, Mire transferred the three oldest children to new schools last fall.

Now theyre getting grades that offer a more accurate  if sometimes disappointing  picture of their achievement. I felt like I was failing my child because the school was failing her, Mire said of her now-9-year-old daughter. Her new school, she said, doesnt just give you (good) grades.  You have to earn them.

Mire's daughter is among a generation of children who missed lots of class time and lost significant academic ground during the pandemic. Four years after the onset of COVID-19, schools are still struggling to catch kids up. Theyre also struggling to get young people to show up. Chronic absenteeism  when students miss at least 10% of the school year  remains rampant and in some cases has gotten worse.

Yet schools arent adequately communicating these challenges to families and often, in fact, mistakenly communicate that all is well. Research suggests parents are getting limited, if not inaccurate, messages about their kids performance.

New survey findings, shared exclusively with USA TODAY, underscore the problem: Nearly half of parents say they want better communication from their kids schools  especially about attendance.

One-third of parents do not feel well informed about their childrens academic progress and school success, according to the survey from a K-12 communication and data analytics platform called SchoolStatus. The survey among roughly 1,050 parents and caregivers of children 6 to 18 complements separate polls that asked parents about their kids performance since the pandemic. The latest findings illustrate the stubborn disconnect between families and schools when experts say its crucial they be in sync.

Its crazy that schools have all this data and parents dont, said Russ Davis, founder of SchoolStatus. Parents assume no news is good news  but thats seldom the case.

Distracted students, stressed teachers: What an American school day looks like post-COVID

Amid widespread grade inflation, parents demand better information

Nearly half (45%) of the respondents in the SchoolStatus survey said communication wasnt frequent enough, and a similar percentage said they didnt get messages about the importance of attendance until after their kids missed school.

The findings about a gaping disconnect are more glaring given growing evidence that chronic absenteeism can take an immense toll on learning for all students and that proactive communication with parents about their kids attendance patterns and the benefits of class time can markedly reduce absences.

Most parents said they got some updates about their childrens academic progress, but fewer than a quarter said they received information and resources to support learning at home.

Theres a real erosion of connection between school and home, said Kara Stern, the director of education and engagement at SchoolStatus. The survey findings, she said, can be summed up into one sentence: Parents want to know. And they want to know not just what their kids grades are but also how those students are progressing and where theyre lagging  and how to take action when needed.

Other research also shows a gap between students marks on their report cards and those on standardized assessments.

Grade inflation is nothing new: Schools have long tended to overstate how well kids are faring, said Eric Hanushek, an economist at Stanford University who studies education. But it has become an especially popular tactic in the COVID-19 era and its aftermath as schools work hard to say, Were back up to where we were before, he said.

Research conducted by Gallup in partnership with Learning Heroes, a nonprofit that supports family engagement, has shown that nearly 9 in 10 parents believe their children are performing at or above grade level.

LaShanta Mire got misleading information about how some of her kids were performing in school, including the suggestion that her daughter was performing at grade level. She eventually discovered her daughter could hardly read. Mire then transferred her kids to get them a better education.

But other measures indicate the rate of students achieving whats expected for their age group is far lower. Few parents in the Gallup and Learning Heroes survey were aware their children were behind. More than a third of the small percentage who said their kids were below grade level believed their students received mostly Bs or higher. Nearly 2 in 3 parents cited report cards as an important source of information about whether their kids were at grade level.

Parents are desperate for accurate information, no matter how demoralizing. As Mire, the mother who relocated her children, put it, I just need my babies to do better.

After the fact is too late

Thomas Kane, a Harvard University scholar researching COVID-19 learning loss, said accurate information also needs to arrive swiftly. Parents should be able to act on that information  by signing their children up for summer school or intensive tutoring, for example  before the resources are no longer available.

Shareeda Jones, another single mother of five, had an experience similar to Mire's. She also wasnt informed until recently that her fifth grade daughter was reading at a second grade level. The Washington, D.C., public schooler is doing daily phonics lessons and trying to catch up, but Jones worries she has already lost precious time. She now faces the prospect of being held back.

Parents such as Jones  a product of Washington's public schools who felt she was pigeonholed into special education  care deeply about ensuring their children are spared any of the educational neglect they experienced. A lot of us just dont understand how to care, dont know where to look to care, Jones said. But she said getting the information she needed to intervene after the fact was too late.

Jones managed to find a summer program for her daughter last year but realized a few weeks in that she wasnt learning much. She has pleaded with the school: Help me help you all to help my child.

Kanes research on pandemic learning has shown that kids in the past school year made up about one-third of their pandemic-era math losses and one-quarter of their reading losses. That, in some ways, was a remarkable achievement given that it required learning at a faster pace than normal. But even if students have continued that pace this school year, they still wont have recovered all their learning when summer comes. The unprecedented infusion of COVID-19 relief funding schools received  which supported massive interventions including summer school and tutoring  expires this fall.

Weve got to get as many students as possible signed up for summer learning, and that means making sure parents are aware their kids are behind grade level, Kane said. Somehow, somewhere, the message is not getting through.

Whos to blame for the communication gap?

Few, if any, teachers intend to set up students for failure or mislead families.

The communication mismatch partly stems from the publics fatigue over pandemic learning losses. Even when they hear about the dire circumstances schools are facing since COVID-19, many parents are inclined to believe the narrative doesnt apply to their kids. They see stories about how achievement has gone down and (think), It must be those other guys, Hanushek said. Separate research has shown parents often give the nations K-12 system mediocre or bad grades but assign high marks to their childrens schools.

Attending school was hard during COVID Why arent kids (or teachers) returning to class?

Beyond that, experts say, systemic challenges are at play. Educators are expected to track, compile and analyze overwhelming amounts of data, often using a patchwork of systems.

This is not about a failure of teachers, said SchoolStatuss Stern. Were talking about a failure of systems, about teachers being so overburdened and so overwhelmed and systems being so inefficient that nobody can keep up.

The SchoolStatus platform, which compiles all kinds of data into one place and sends it in customized messages to parents, is one solution to those systemic failures, she and founder Davis said.

Either way, Hanushek says, families need a wake-up call  and facing this urgent gap would benefit the nations economy. One of his studies found that recent achievement declines among students in the COVID-19 generation could result in them earning 6% less in their lifetime than other Americans.

The schools are saying, Well, were working to get back to where we were, but things are coming along, Hanushek said. Such a sanguine approach, he said, often means students dont get the opportunity to catch up to where they should be. And if that doesnt happen, Theyre going to be saddled with these losses forever."

Contact Alia Wong at (202) 507-2256 or awong@usatoday.com. Follow her on X at @aliaemily.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Report cards don't reflect reality: Parents seeking more from schools
Pastor accused of hiring hitman in bid to kill daughters boyfriend

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A pastor was arrested last week for an alleged murder-for-hire plot that targeted a man who dated his daughter, California police announced Tuesday.

Samuel Davalos Pasillas, 47, of Victorville, California, was arrested on March 13 for the car-to-car shooting of a man who was driving in the Riverside area on Oct. 21, 2023. The victim was struck by bullets multiple times from inside a car that pulled alongside him.

The victim survived after driving himself to the hospital.

On Tuesday, the Riverside Police Department said the shooting was part of a murder-for-hire plot hatched by the pastor. Pasillas is accused of paying two men to carry out the killing of his daughters boyfriend.

Airport worker lashes out at Tampa-bound passengers after delays: I will call the police

The pastor allegedly gave the two hit men information about the boyfriend, including where he would be on the night of the shooting, according to police.

Detectives also determined these men were paid almost $40,000 by the father and had conducted surveillance on the victim in the weeks leading up to when they shot him, police said in a statement.

Photos from the scene show what appear to be bullet holes in the windows of the victims car.

Photo courtesy of the Riverside Police Department

Photo courtesy of the Riverside Police Department

Pastor Rafael Parras, who runs Centro de Oracion Internacional, told NBC affiliate KNBC that Pasillas has been a volunteer with the church for nearly a decade and filled in on duties when Parras was away.

Woman who vanished on trip to Florida a month ago found safe, sheriff says

Pasillas was arrested on suspicion of solicitation for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, and assault with a deadly weapon. Juan Manuel Cebreros, 55, of Long Beach, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, and assault with a deadly weapon, police announced.

Both men are being held on $1 million bonds.

Pasillas and Cebreros were taken into custody on March 13 and entered not-guilty pleas to several charges during a joint arraignment, KNBC reported.

Officials are still searching for a third person wanted in connection with the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 951-353-7104.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
The alleged ringleader of a gang that shot dead a police officer during a robbery may as well have "pulled the trigger himself", a jury has been told.

The trial of Piran Ditta Khan, 75, has heard he acted as a lookout during the robbery at a Bradford travel agents in which PC Sharon Beshenivsky was killed.

But prosecutors told the jury at Leeds Crown Court on Friday he still played a "pivotal" role in her death in 2005.

Mr Khan has admitted robbery but denies murder and four firearms offences.

PC Beshenivsky, 38, and her colleague PC Teresa Milburn were shot as they responded to the raid at Universal Express travel agents on 18 November 2005.

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.

'Gave order'

In his closing speech to jurors on Friday, prosecutor Robert Smith KC said the three men who went into Universal Express armed with guns and a knife were ruthless, dangerous, violent and had "no regard for human life".

He said it would have been obvious to Mr Khan "what sort of men these were and what they were capable of".

Mr Khan had previously said during his trial that the owner of Universal Express owed him 12,000 and that debt collector Hassan Razzaq offered to help him "get his money back" after the pair met through a business associate.

Mr Smith said: "It is obvious the defendant was not only aware these three men were going to commit robbery at Universal Express, but that he planned it.

"He provided the information to the other six men about how it should be committed and, on the way past the premises for the last time that afternoon, he gave the order for it to be carried out."

Mr Khan and the other robbers intended to "at least inflict serious bodily harm to anyone who stood in their way", the prosecutor said.

He was therefore guilty of murder "as surely as if he pulled the trigger on that pistol himself", Mr Smith told the court.

Mr Khan had portrayed himself as an "unfortunate victim of circumstances with no knowledge that firearms were being carried".

But Mr Smith added that Mr Khan's evidence had been "exposed over the last few days as thoroughly dishonest".

Mr Khan admitted robbery at a hearing last year.

The trial continues.

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PD: 6 arrested for child endangerment of 3 kids, theft, in Clovis

CLOVIS, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  Six people were arrested following a search warrant that led to the discovery of children and over 10 dogs allegedly living in poor conditions, the Clovis Police Department said.

Detectives say they served a search warrant at a home near the area of Gettysburg and Villa Avenues concerning ongoing investigations for burglary and organized retail theft.

Officers say approximately 20 people were found on the property and were detained while detectives searched. During the warrant, it was discovered that three young children lived at the home.

According to investigators, due to poor living conditions, three adults have been arrested on suspicion of child endangerment. Detectives are also working with Clovis Animal Services as 11 dogs were also found on the property.

Police say the individuals arrested during the investigation include:

31-year-old Ryan Kitchener of Clovis on suspicion of possession of stolen property and for being a convicted felon in possession of body armor.

45-year-old Betty Platts of Clovis on suspicion of identity theft and possession of stolen property.

29-year-old Denise Prine of Clovis on suspicion of organized retail crime.

37-year-old Jennifer Garrison and 37-year-old Julie Taylor of Clovis were arrested on suspicion of child endangerment.

43-year-old Jason Goodwin of Clovis on suspicion of possession of burglary tools and a controlled substance, as well as suspicion of child endangerment.

Detectives assure the children were evaluated and turned over to Fresno County Child Protect Services (CPS), and most of the dogs are in the care of Clovis Animal Services.

This is an ongoing investigation.

Detectives encourage anyone who has been a victim of a crime to report it to their local law enforcement agency as soon as possible.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
Williamson County has opened its latest passive park in College Grove. The 246-acre green space has six walking trails, a visitors center and picturesque scenery with a variety of views.

Walking trails with ponds, hilltops, an observation area and a chapel criss-cross nearly five miles through the park.

Williamson County Parks and Recreation Director Gordon Hampton praised Walter and Anita Ogilvie for donating the land to Williamson County in 2017 with a conservation easement set by the Land Trust for Tennessee.

"We encourage citizens to visit Peacock Hill Nature Park. (Visitors') presence in the park reinforces the commitment from the Ogilvie family to make this generous gift that supports the excellent quality of life in Williamson County," Hampton said.

The Ogilvie family operated Peacock Hill Country Inn in College Grove for 10 years and Anita Ogilvie wrote the "Peacock Pantry" cookbook.

The family wished for the property to be used as a public park so that all could enjoy its trails and views for generations to come.

The park is home to a hill that measures the tallest in the county at 1,180 feet high. The tall hill also sits on the Tennessee Valley Divide, the onetime boundary between the U.S. and Chickasaw Nation.

Peacock Hill Nature Park is open seven days a week with a renovated farmhouse as the visitors center. Park attendants and rangers are on-hand daily for assistance and offer a variety of nature-themed programs. For additional information on hours of operation and programming opportunities contact the park at (615) 368-2911 or visit the website at www.wcparksandrec.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: New park in College Grove is home to the tallest point in Williamson
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A pedestrian was hit and killed in a crash after police said they were found in a travel lane along Summerlin Parkway.

The crash happened on Saturday, March 16, at approximately 12:17 a.m., the Nevada State Police responded to a crash at the location of Summerlin Parkway eastbound, approaching the Rampart Boulevard eastbound off-ramp.

The preliminary investigation indicated that a pedestrian was traveling eastbound on Summerlin Parkway in the travel lane, west of the Rampart Boulevard eastbound off-ramp when the pedestrian was struck by a 2012 Honda Civic.

The pedestrian was pronounced dead on-scene. The identity will be released by the Clark County Coroners Office following next of kin notification.

The investigation is being conducted by the Nevada State Police Highway Patrol  Southern Command M.I.R.T (Multidisciplinary Investigation & Reconstruction Team). This marks the Nevada State Police, Highway Patrol  Southern Commands 14th fatal crash resulting in 14 fatalities for 2024.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- For the public in Western countries, the ballot box is "the only means of appraisal for state governance," while after elections, the public's role in making and implementing policies is "minimal," said a former Malaysian lawmaker.

In an interview with Xinhua on Wednesday, Ong Tee Keat, former deputy speaker of the lower house of the Malaysian Parliament, lamented a political system distant from ordinary people in the West and a West that keeps touting elections as the only form of democracy.

Ideally, candidates should be "people's choice," but in reality, they are "cherry-picked" by contesting parties, with some of them even "novices remaining unknown to the people," said Ong.

Then comes voting -- with the majority prevailing and winner-takes-all math, minority groups may not be heard, he said.

Moreover, candidates are usually mandated through rhetoric like "populist appeals, bold and undeliverable promises," he said.

Administrations often fail to address public needs after taking office, Ong noted, citing the United States as an example.

"Lawmakers appear more obsessed with enacting legislations designed to target other nations in the interest of upholding U.S. primacy" instead of "striving for the well-being of its people," he said.

The bipartisan legislators on Capitol Hill appear "unperturbed" by the "ubiquitous, pathetic scenes" of illicit drug abuse, street vagabonds and looting of shops in the name of "zero-dollar shopping" in U.S. cities, illustrating the dysfunction of U.S. democracy, Ong said in his speech during the third International Forum on Democracy: The Shared Human Values also on Wednesday in Beijing.

Despite its deteriorating system, the West for years has made electoral democracy "the one-size-fits-all benchmark" for democratic rule worldwide and labeled non-Western values and cultural norms "anathema to democracy," he said, noting that "the coercive transplant of electoral democracy, either through military intervention or brutal regime change, as was initiated by Washington in the developing world, has only added more failed states and ensuing humanitarian disasters to the lists."

He added that Washington's strategic motives perpetuate its global hegemony by rallying and camping countries through ideology.

"Democracy should not be made a dogmatic tool," said Ong, adding that it varies with different levels of modernization, trajectories of nation-building, and histories of nationhood across the developing world. Finally, democracy evolves with time.

According to Ong, what matters most in democracy is "the relevance of the people's participation and the end results of the governance."

The former lawmaker called for embracing the diversity of democracy. "One man's meat is another man's poison," he said. 
The Penn State faculty senate is calling on the universitys administration to halt the proposed budget cuts for the 2025-26 fiscal year and instead use a multi-year planning process with a budget model that involves each stakeholder from the start.

The recommendation comes after the university announced in January it plans to make nearly $100 million in cuts for the 25-26 fiscal year, which is expected to significantly impact commonwealth campuses.

The faculty senate passed a resolution to recommend the administration halt proposed budget cuts and initiate inclusive planning process, 75-39 during Tuesdays meeting. The resolution states the cuts threaten the Universitys mission, jeopardize the livelihood of faculty and staff, and exhibit a lack of consideration and commitment for diversity, inclusion, and equity initiatives.

Instead, the resolution calls on the administration to initiate a comprehensive, multi-year planning process with a reasonable budget model that includes a collaborative approach with all stakeholders.

Also during Tuesdays meeting, some senators asked about the Academic Program and Portfolio Review that is underway. The APPR will look at adjusting program offerings that may be duplicative, no longer necessary or undersubscribed, according to a news release.

The APPR process will analyze all of the program options available at Penn State and the leadership and faculty will gather information on how well the programs are meeting student needs, the release states.

Margo DelliCarpini, vice president for commonwealth campuses and executive chancellor, said in the release such a review is needed to make sure the university is offering courses that attract students.

If we have courses that dont attract students, we are not being good financial stewards of our students tuition dollars  this is applicable across our full enterprise, here at campuses, University Park or the World Campus, DelliCarpini said. The APPR process will help us all determine the right degree portfolio by location and provide the data and rationale for more flexibility in our offerings.

The release states that the university is focused on careful evaluation and no decisions have been made. Additionally, allocations for the fiscal year 2025-26 have not been determined yet for individual campuses.

Justin Schwartz, executive vice president and provost, said during the faculty senate meeting Tuesday many aspects of the project are evolving, including the timeline, and have identified working groups that will populated by the hundreds of people who volunteered to be part of it.

During a question and answer session with Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi and Schwartz, Efrain Marimon, a professor in the college of education, asked if shared governance of the recommendations from the APPR would be honored by the university leadership and board of trustees.

...We have been on many task forces, there have been many recommendations in the past from groups have put in hours, years of time, putting out similar recommendations, only to be disregarded or set aside, Marimon said. So I guess part of that is to ask, whether after this process that is collaborative, participatory and taking into account consultation, in the spirit of shared governance. Would that those recommendations be honored by the executive leadership and the Board of Trustees?

Bendapudi said theres no question in my mind that when it comes to curriculum and programs, the control belongs to faculty. She said its easy to say that theyll do every recommendation, but cant because she doesnt know whats coming in. But in terms of the academic side of the programs, she said its a faculty-lead matter.

Another professor asked what happens if the recommendations arent enough and doesnt help the budget crisis as much as it needs to. Bendapudi said they cant follow just one path and are looking at this to show that theyre doing everything responsible. She said they cant give up on fair funding for Penn State.

If we could get on parity even (Pennsylvanias State System of Higher Education), were talking about $108 million. Its $145 million a year if we were brought to parity with Pitt. I just have to caution that some of these weve only begun talking about it, that it will take time. Im under no illusion that things will change overnight, Bendapudi said, adding that shes continuing to advocate for performance-based funding.

Last month, the faculty senate sought greater involvement in university decisions and asked Bendapudi and the board of trustees chairperson to formalize an agreement that grants greater shared governance. Bendapudi on Tuesday said she, some of her leadership team, the board chair and vice chair, and faculty senate leadership have met to discuss it, and plan to meet again about it.

There are portions of the agreement, she said, that she had no questions or concerns about, but wanted to meet again about other parts of it.

Its very much on my mind. We are continuing the conversation, Bendapudi said.
Not many people turn the tables on the formidable moguls of Dragons Den. Thats why viewers were impressed when Peony Li said Im out, turning down a 100,000 investment in her business when she appeared on the BBC show on Thursday night. Even more astonishing: it looks like her high-risk call has paid off.

Li has since revealed that her company Jude  which raises awareness around the taboo subject of bladder health and supplies products such as leak-proof pants and a bladder control supplement  is managing a 5 million annual turnover. Those products are selling out in retail spaces including Boots and QVC.

Eight months on from recording her Dragons Den episode, the companys growth has quadrupled and its marketing costs have halved. That must be a huge relief to Li  and vindication for turning down the money.

Although 100,000 sounds like a lot, Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden and special guest Dragon Emma Grede (who co-founded the shapewear company Skims with the Kardashians) all wanted a hefty 3 per cent of the business in exchange  triple Lis pitch of just 1 per cent.

However, Li had already arranged investment from others on better terms than the Dragons proposed, so, after they all refused her counter-bid of 1.5 per cent, she took a brave gamble in moving forward without them.

If theyd accepted the offer or something remotely similar, I would have taken it in a heartbeat, she admits. I definitely had a bottom line. The company is not just my company. I also have investors who were there from day zero  I raised my first round of funding with no product, it was literally just an idea. So it was a difficult moment: I really wanted the Dragons to be part of the company, and I could see the potential of this exciting offer, but I had to honour and respect the people who believed in me when no one else did.

Li adds that saying no struck a blow for gender inequality. There is a bigger message here: women in boardrooms, especially when it comes to tough negotiations facing really impressive business people, are easily tempted and swayed to accept a lower offer. But I thought: what are my principles, what do I want to stand for as an entrepreneur? Is this is a sustainable long-term partnership, will it set me up for success?

But how did Li build up such confidence  and build this hit company?

The future entrepreneur was born in Hong Kong and attended boarding school. Her passion for healthcare was instilled by her parents, whose company sells incontinence pads and liners.

However, Li didnt plan to follow in their footsteps. Instead she moved alone to the UK aged 15, barely speaking any English. That experience allowed her to understand how it felt to be unseen and unheard, shes since said. Now she takes pride in championing underserved communities.

Li clearly also has a phenomenal work ethic. She went on to study economics at the University of Cambridge, getting her Masters there, and then took a job at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

It wasnt the right fit, but she was inspired by the start-up companies pitching their plans. I knew I wanted to be on the other side of these deals, she explained.

In 2019, Li became the head of operations at Daye, a company dedicated to gynaecological health and period care. There her achievements included helping to commercialise a pain-soothing tampon. During the pandemic, she also distributed six million pieces of protective equipment to front-line workers.

Endearingly, she teared up on Dragons Den while reflecting on how working in the healthcare sector has reconnected her with her parents and her roots. I was very surprised when I cried. Im quite a logical person, she says. But when they asked me about what drives me, and talked about my parents, I got so emotional. I had in my mind this picture of my mum and dad, both in their 60s, still running around, working, serving people with incontinence and contributing to womens health. I now know how hard it is to run a business  when I was younger I had no idea why they were so busy. Theyre Asian parents, they would never say theyre proud of me! But I know deep down they are. Im carrying on the work theyre doing. Hopefully they wont get too embarrassed when they see me cry!

Li presents her brand, Jude, to the Dragons - BBC

Her biggest success to date is definitely Jude, which she founded in 2022. The companys most eye-catching product is its clinically proven supplements, made from all-natural ingredients like pumpkin seeds and soy phytoestrogen, and which, Jude claims, can strengthen your pelvic floor in just 12 weeks.

Li had the idea for the company when she realised how little was being done to tackle a widespread but little-discussed health issue: 14 million people are affected by bladder control issues in the UK, Jude claims, including one in three women. It particularly restricts the lives of older people.

Li spent thousands of hours speaking to sufferers and constantly hearing the word embarrassed. Its these people who I want to support, she explained. I want to play a part in improving their quality of life.

When I see a problem that needs to be solved, I need to start a conversation, she once said; indeed, Li had this issue herself when she was 14 years old. I got a UTI that lasted a decade. All the doctors deemed me too young to have incontinence, but I had that feeling of embarrassment and loss of control. When I put Jude out there next to Tena and Always, it makes sense. Women feel its high time we had a solution to our health, not just coping by putting a pad on it.

For all those noble intentions, the Den was a great leveller. There was some concern from the Dragons about how much we spend on marketing, Li adds. My response in the Den was that its not cheap breaking a taboo and a long-held stigma  it needs a lot of messaging and branding. But deep down I know we have to make the business efficient and profitable, so I took [on board] those valid, legitimate questions. I love the Dragons  I got lots of inspiration and really invaluable feedback from them. Deborah Meaden is so honest, she says it like it is, and I love Emmas philosophy. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pitch them my baby.

Its clear that Jude is more a mission than a business to her. However, many potential investors turned her down  some called her wee lady or pad lady, others told her bladder care simply wasnt sexy enough.

But eventually her passionate pitch paid off. By April 2023, she had lined up 5.2 million of investment.

However, the big question remains following her appearance on Dragons Den  and its one Li asks followers on her Instagram last night. Should I have taken the offer? What do you guys think?

Id argue Li got exactly what she needed from the Dragons, without giving away anything herself. Her mission all along has been to make bladder care a part of the mainstream conversation, empowering sufferers and helping them to take control of their healthcare. Now shes brought Jude to the attention of millions of primetime BBC viewers, but has retained control of her company.

It might well turn out to be the Dragons who feel they let a lucrative opportunity slip away.

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(Bloomberg) -- Colombias institutions can withstand President Gustavo Petros attempt to rewrite the Constitution and bypass other branches of power in his bid to change the countrys economic model, according to the head of Congress.

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Petro, the first leftist to lead the traditionally conservative South American nation, has put pressure on lawmakers and the judicial system to approve his ambitious social reforms. But checks and balances are an essential part of a solid democracy, Senator Ivan Name said Thursday in an interview.

Colombia and the countries of the world that watch us need to know that our institutions and our nation are stronger than any attempt to destabilize them, Name, 67, told Bloomberg at his office overlooking Bogotas main square.

The president jolted Colombias political debate this month when he proposed a constitutional overhaul. Petro argues that existing institutions havent solved fundamental problems in society such as inequality or access to healthcare and drinking water.

While hes laid out priorities and attempted to rally popular support, Petros government hasnt yet sent a bill to lawmakers to begin the formal process of rewriting the nations charter. Given his low approval ratings and lack of a congressional majority, its unlikely that hell be able to successfully convene a so-called constituent assembly.

Name said that after almost half a century in politics, he has never seen such an institutional clash between the government and the other branches of power.

Congress is currently discussing overhauls to the pension and healthcare systems, which have been Petros marquee projects since the presidential campaign. They need approval from lawmakers in the first half of this year or discussions will have to start again from scratch.

Despite Petros protests to the contrary, Name pointed to bills Congress has passed as evidence that legislators arent in fact sabotaging his agenda. Those measures include the 2022 tax law, the governments overall development bill and its annual budget.

Congress has approved all the instruments to govern that Petro has requested, the senator said. Only his reforms to certain sectors, as he has proposed them, are not backed so far by a majority of lawmakers.

As in any parliament around the world, bills are modified as they go through debates  but Petros government has been reluctant to accept those changes, Name added.

Noise around a constitutional rewrite and the atmosphere of mistreatment toward Congress by the president is negatively affecting support for the bills and causing delays in their discussion, the senator said.

Name  who is part of the Green Party and whose term as head of Congress ends in July  fears that uncertainty created by the institutional clash is already hurting investor confidence and could paralyze both economic projects and growth.

He said his intent isnt to torpedo reforms and that Petros administration must recognize the right of elected lawmakers to study proposals and their potential impact on Colombian society.

The government must understand that congress is not a factory of laws, nor is it an institution that is on its knees before the executive branch of the government, Name said. We cannot approve reforms where we arent certain theyre in the nations interest.

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(Bloomberg) -- PetroChina Co. is set to receive a cargo of Venezuelan oil, which will be used at its mega refinery in Guangdong, after the US rolled back sanctions on the OPEC producer late last year.

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The cargo of Merey crude is expected to be discharged over the weekend, but the Chinese oil major is unlikely to make further purchases if US sanctions on Venezuela are reinstated, according to people familiar with the matter. They asked not to be named because the information is private.

China officially resumed imports from the South American producer in February, the first time since 2019. Unofficially, the worlds top crude importer has been frequently taking Venezuelan oil over the years, according to traders and third-party data providers. Oil has often been masked as bitumen mix.

The company responsible for media queries relating to PetroChina  China National Petroleum Corp.  didnt immediately respond to an email and text message seeking comment.

Read More: Doctored and Rebranded Oil Blacklisted by U.S. Winds Up in China

The US suspended sanctions on Venezuela last year in a response to democratic developments in the country. However, penalties could be reinstated after President Nicolas Maduro agreed to run for a third term this July in an election he is all but assured victory after disqualifying his main rival.

The Guangdong refinery in Southern China was a joint venture with state-run Petroleos de Venezuela SA, and Merey was supposed to make up half its crude supply. In 2019, PetroChina dropped PDVSA from the project because of the deteriorating financial status of the company.

The refinery started commissioning in early 2023 and PetroChina sourced heavy crude oil supplies from Canada, Colombia and Ecuador for the plant after US sanctions disrupted access to Merey. The Venezuelan grade is now being offered at close to a $10 discount to ICE Brent, according to traders.

The very large crude carrier Elysia  which is carrying the cargo for PetroChina  is due to discharge at Jieyang port on Saturday, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. The vessel departed Jose oil terminal in early February.

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Lou Kerr packs artwork at the Red Earth Art Center in 2019. Kerr died Thursday at the age of 87.

Lou (Coker) Kerr, the daughter-in-law of late U.S. Sen. Robert S. Kerr and a nationally known civic leader and philanthropist, died Thursday after an extended illness. She was 87.

Born in 1937 in the Capitol Hill area of Oklahoma City, she was one of 10 children. In high school she worked as a waitress, floral designer and bookkeeper. Kerr graduated from Capitol Hill School in 1955 and later earned a bachelor's degree in education and health from Oklahoma City University. As a teenager, she raised money to establish a youth center at her Methodist church in south Oklahoma City and, in 1969, with a $25,000 loan, she opened a clothing store in Shepherd Mall.

She married Robert S. Kerr Jr. in 1972.

Kerr Jr. was the son of Oklahoma Gov. and U.S. Sen. Robert S. Kerr. Sen. Kerr was a national powerbroker in office and was once described by media outlets as "The Uncrowned King of the United States Senate."

'She was a visionary'

The younger Kerr, Robert S. Kerr Jr., was a driving force for decades in formulating water policy in Oklahoma. He died in 2004, just a year after being inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. And though Lou Kerr embraced a family filled with politicians, she, herself, "was the consummate volunteer who had great ideas," her friend, Bob Burke, said.

"I served on several boards with her. No one could outwork her as a volunteer," said Burke, an Oklahoma City attorney and historian. "Her heart was all about changing the lives of people who were served by organizations that received grants from the Kerr Foundation. She was a visionary."

Burke said Kerr often thought of ways for an organization to succeed. "Even if the idea was seemingly out of reach, she made it happen. She was an extraordinary role model for other volunteers whose work is absolutely necessary for most nonprofit causes," he said.

More: Toby Keith remembered for patriotism and philanthropy, being 'more than just lip service'

Lou Kerr was a founding member of Red Earth, the Bizzell Library Society at the University of Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation. She also chaired the State Capitol Preservation Commission for 19 years and served as chair of the Oklahoma Centennial Commission, which planned the state's 100th birthday celebration. In addition, she was president of the Oklahoma Health Center Foundation, and the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics. She was also president of the Friends of the Governor's Mansion.

She served as vice president of the Kerr Foundation from 1985 to 1999, when she became president and chair of the board. She received numerous awards from community and state organizations and was a member of the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame and a recipient of the Governor's Arts Award. She was a member of the Commerce and Industry Hall of Fame at Oklahoma City University. Philanthropy World magazine named her to the Philanthropy Hall of Fame.

Nationally, Kerr was a trustee of the National Public Radio Foundation and the National Symphony Orchestra. She also served on the Women's Leadership Board at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

"She served on more boards than you can count," Burke said. "The United Way, Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women, Allied Arts, Lyric Theatre, Oklahoma Business Roundtable, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. She was a trustee at OCU. She helped make dreams become a reality."

Survivors include her two children, Steven Kerr and Laura Kerr. Funeral services are pending.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Noted philanthropist and civic leader Lou Kerr dies at 87
(Bloomberg) -- The Philippines said China made dangerous moves and deployed a chopper during Manilas research mission to South China Sea, the latest flare-up in lingering tensions between the two nations over disputed waters.

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A China Coast Guard ship tried to prevent a Philippine fisheries bureau vessel from reaching sand bars off Manila-administered Thitu Island to check the status of marine life, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela told a group of journalists who joined this weeks maritime mission.

China also deployed militia ships in the area as seen from Thitu by journalists including from Bloomberg News.

Chinas coast guard said Filipinos on the ships ignored Chinas warnings and its officers boarded Sandy Cay on Thursday to investigate and dealt with the situation in accordance with law, according to its WeChat account.

Tarriela disputed Chinas statement, saying the Philippines was able to proceed with its research mission off Thitu Island. He also said China likely deployed the Navy chopper for surveillance.

Researchers saw dead corals and small species of fish that suggest environmental degradation at Sandy Cay, said marine biologist Jonathan Anticamara, who joined the mission.

The incident marks a new front in maritime encounters between Beijing and Manila as the two countries assert their overlapping South China Sea claims. The Philippines deployed its vessels off Thitu on Thursday to study for the first time corals, fish and other marine resources in the vicinity of Sandy Cay, where several Chinese ships had earlier been spotted.

Tensions between China and the Philippines have been escalating for months as Manila pushes back against a growing number of incursions around key features that both nations claim as their own.

Since coming to power in June 2022, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has taken a more assertive posture to the dispute compared to his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, while also leveraging close ties with the US in an effort to build a deterrence.

Marcos told Bloomberg News on Tuesday that the threat to his nation from Chinas sweeping claims in the South China Sea is growing and that the Philippines must do more to defend our territory. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on a visit to Manila this week, criticized Chinas provocative actions in the contested waters as he reaffirmed the US security commitment to the Philippines.

The number of Chinese maritime militia vessels around key features across the South China Sea grew 35% last year with the help of more than 20 outposts in the Paracel and Spratly Islands, according to the Washington-based Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative. China is known to utilize a so-called backbone fleet to patrol or swarm such areas including earlier this month around Whitsun Reef, according to observers.

The Philippines coast guard recently built a new surveillance base on Thitu Island  complete with radar, satellite communication, coastal cameras and automatic identification capability  to boost its capacity to monitor movements of Chinese ships.

Stretching from China in the north to Indonesia in the south, the South China Sea encompasses 1.4 million square miles (3.6 million square kilometers), making it bigger than the Mediterranean Sea. Its a thriving fishing zone  yielding some 10% of the global catch  and holds promising oil and natural gas reserves.

A vast amount of trade transits through its waters. In 2016, that amounted to some $3 trillion, including more than 30% of the global maritime crude oil trade.

--With assistance from Philip J. Heijmans and Xinyi Luo.

(Updates with more details from briefing and background.)

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Bears at a safari park have been spotted enjoying a ride on a pedalo after heavy rain created a temporary lake.

After the pond formed in the black bear enclosure at Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire, staff decided to take advantage of the new terrain. They borrowed a swan-shaped pedalo and left it by the edge of the water  and the bears didnt take long to investigate.

One by one, the group of bears  also known as a sleuth  began to climb into the boat as it floated until all four seats were taken.

Theres been so much wet weather this year that a new mini lake has formed in the black bears drive-through at Woburn Safari Park, so we had the idea of turning this into interesting enrichment for them, said Tommy Babington, deputy head of the carnivores section at Woburn Safari Park.

The sleuth of bears was immediately intrigued by their new neighbour and wasted no time in investigating the swan peddle boat.

One of the park's North American black bears floating on the temporary lake - Woburn Safari Park/SWNS

North American black bears require lots of stimulation and opportunities for play  especially entering the summer months, when they are most active.

The park is home to adult male Chuck as well as three females named Indiana, Phoenix, and Dixie. The sleuth also includes juvenile male Koda, and females Georgia and Denver.

It was great fun for visitors to see them climb on board, and we love devising new ways to provide food, scent and habitat enrichment that stimulates their natural foraging behaviours, said Mr Babington.

Staff shared the pictures on social media, attracting almost 80,000 likes in under 24 hours.

Oh, to be a bear floating in a swan boat in the rain, said one commenter.

Another referenced Michael Rosens 1989 picture book Were Going on a Bear Hunt, writing: We cant go over it, we cant go under it, we have to go through 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.
MOSCOW, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The Russian military has carried out 49 retaliatory strikes with high-precision weapons from March 16-22 in response to Ukrainian attacks, the Russian Defense Ministry said Friday.

The strikes are in response to the Ukraine shelling of Russian territory and attempts to break through and capture Russian border settlements, the ministry said in a statement.

As a result of the strikes, decision-making centers of the Ukrainian armed forces, airfield infrastructure facilities, workshops for the repair of weapons and military equipment, storage warehouses for UAVs and unmanned boats, logistics bases, as well as temporary deployment points for special operations forces and foreign mercenaries were hit, the ministry added. 
KANSAS CITY, Kan.  Detectives with the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department are asking the public for help in identifying the suspects in a January armed robbery.

Police say the robbery happened just after 8 p.m. on January 13, at the Sabor Latino Restaurant located at N. 38th Street and Everett Avenue, just north of State Avenue.

Lees Summit police looking for suspect after bank robbery

According to police, three suspects entered the restaurant and pointed handguns at the employees and demanded money.

The suspects are described as young, Spanish-speaking, Hispanic men. Police say one of the suspects has a name or word prominently tattooed on the back of his left hand.

Police said all three suspects left the scene in a small, dark sedan, possibly a Mercedes.

No injuries were reported during the incident.

Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android

Police ask anyone with information to call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  The San Francisco Sheriffs Office just made it a lot easier for disgruntled residents to lodge complaints against its employees.

On Monday, The San Francisco Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and the Department for Police Accountability (DPA) launched a new case management and digital complaint system dedicated to receiving complaints about Sheriffs employees, including police officers, and a complainant portal that allows complainants to follow up on their cases.

SF city manager charged for stealing over $600K from his department

A case management system is the foundation of a modern office that will allow us to effectively manage and track our work, efficiently analyze and report on our data, and significantly expand accessibility for the public to engage our services, said Inaugural Inspector General Terry Wiley, who started his term this January.

The public can now officially file their complaints here. Complainants can also file a report regarding police misconduct through the DPA under these conditions:

Use of force causing injury or death.

Use of a weapon or control device.

Sexual Misconduct.

Pattern and practice of retaliation, harassment, or bias towards an inmate.

Reckless disregard for inmate health or safety.

Those trying to file a complaint on police misconduct can do so here.

In November 2020, voters passed Proposition D, creating the Sheriffs Department Oversight Board and the Office of the Inspector General to provide independent oversight of the San Francisco Sheriffs Office, which includes the San Francisco Police Department.

We are delighted that a product of our partnership with the OIG is a platform for complainants to register their complaints with clarity and confidence. Our mutual dedication to improving accessibility and accountability underscores our commitment to fostering trust between oversight agencies and the communities they serve, said DPAs Executive Director Paul David Henderson.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
U.S. Marshals busted a pair of teen squatters on Friday morning who were wanted for the brutal killing of a woman whose body was found stuffed into a duffel bag in a Manhattan apartment last week, multiple outlets reported, citing police sources.

Nadia Vitels, 52, had flown into the U.S. from Spain to prepare the Kips Bay apartment owned by her late mother for a family friend to move into, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said Thursday. Police believe Vitels was beaten to death by the squatters when she found them living in the property.

Those squatters were located Friday morning and arrested in York, Pennsylvania, after they crashed a stolen Lexus in a nearby township while fleeing authorities, Pix 11 and the New York Post reported.

The Post, citing police sources, identified the suspects as Halley Tejada, 19, and Kensly Alston, 18. The NYPD has not announced charges for the duo, but the New York Daily News reported that authorities are working to have them extradited to New York and charged with murder.

NYC Woman Charged After Severed Head, Body Parts Found in Freezer

We believe that some squatters took the apartment over and this woman came home and walked in on the squatters that were there, Kenny said, according to the Post. Vitels 19-year-old son became worried when he didnt hear from her in 48 hours and knew shed been to the apartment because they tracked one anothers locations on their phones, police said.

He then went into the apartment with the buildings super on March 14. As theyre getting ready to leave, the son opens up the closet door near the front door and discovers the duffel bag with a foot sticking out, Kenny said.

An autopsy found that Vitels died from blunt force trauma to the head, and a medical examiner ruled her death a homicide. The apartment had been vacant for months before the killing, according to CBS News, with police sources telling the outlet that the squatters were not known to Vitels. Authorities believe the pair had snuck into the apartment on March 10, two days before Vitels arrival, WPIX reports.

The two suspects were caught on surveillance camera fleeing the scene and escaping in Vitels Lexus. Police say they drove through New Jersey to Pennsylvania, where they crashed in Lower Paxton Township, about 190 miles from Manhattan. The squatters were later found to have visited multiple car dealerships trying to purchase a car for $1,000 which they [were] unable to do, Kenny said, according to the Daily News.

The Post added Friday that the duo allegedly used Vitels credit cards throughout Pennsylvania, which helped authorities locate them there.

The chief said that neighbors heard the apartment buildings garbage chute opening and closing repeatedly on the day of the killing, and that authorities later found a lot of the victims property when authorities checked through the garbage in the basement.

Police and building staff are still trying to establish how the pair were able to access the 19th-floor apartment. The super, Jean Pompee, told the Daily News that camera footage didnt show them trying different floors and asked how it could be that they knew Vitels moms apartment was empty.

The apartment itself is very unique in that theres no front door to apartment, Kenny said, according to the Post. You take an elevator up and then you key your way in. The elevator is actually your front door, he added, describing the apartment as upscale.

Pompee speculated to the Daily News that the suspects may have tried to throw Vitels body down a garbage chute so itd be mangled by a compactor.

The duffel bag that she was in, it wasnt so big, he said. Im only guessing but I think they might have thought about throwing her down the chute. The chute falls down to the basement and theres a compactor in the basement.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Editors note: The related video above is from March 18.

BABYLON, N.Y. (PIX11)  Authorities have identified the man whose severed body parts were found at Long Island parks last month, police said.

The victim was identified as Malcolm C. Brown, 53, of Yonkers, police said Friday. Brown was one of two peoples remains found scattered on Long Island in February, officials said. The other victim was identified as Donna R. Conneely, 59.

Steven Brown, 44, Jeffrey Mackey, 38, Amanda Wallace, 40, and Alexis Nieves, 33, were each charged with concealment of a human corpse, hindering prosecution, and tampering with physical evidence in connection to the deaths, police said.

Steven Brown is the male victims cousin.

Limbs belonging to the two victims were found at Southards Pond Park in Babylon on Feb. 29, authorities said. More of their remains were found on March 5 in a wooded area across from 103 Lakeway Dr. in West Babylon as well as at Bethpage State Park, according to police.

Investigators are waiting on an autopsy report to reveal more information on the cause of death of both victims. A motive in the case remained unclear.

All four suspects were released without bail after they were arraigned, which reignited the debate about bail reform in New York.

While out on bail, Wallace was arrested last week for allegedly shoplifting from a CVS store in Lindenhurst, police said.

This is a developing story. Refresh the page for updates.

Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the New York City area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
This is a breaking news story. Check back to idahostatesman.com for updates.

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Idaho State Police identified the two men who were allegedly killed by suspects accused of staging an ambush at a Boise hospital Wednesday morning.

State police identified the victims as James L. Mauney, 83, of Juliaetta, and Gerald Don Henderson, 72, of Orofino.

The suspects, Skylar Meade, 31, and Nicholas Umphenour, 28, fled in a stolen Honda Civic after they coordinated an attack at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in the Boise Bench, authorities said. Umphenour fired at IDOC officers as Meade, an Idaho prisoner being treated for self-inflicted injuries, was being transported back to prison, Boise police previously said. A third officer was shot by police.

Meade and Umphenour were found Thursday afternoon near Twin Falls after a statewide search and placed in custody. Police said theyre both members of the Aryan Knights, a white supremacist prison gang known for targeting incarcerated people of color.

Skylar Meade, 31, was arrested by police at 2:09 p.m. Thursday, March 21, 2024, near the intersection of North Washington Street and East Pole Line Road in Twin Falls following a statewide pursuit.

Both men appeared before Twin Falls Magistrate Judge Benjamin Harmer Friday afternoon. Meade and Umphenours bonds were set at $2 million as part of the warrants that were issued for their arrests, Harmer said. Unless the men post bail, theyll be extradited to Ada County to appear before another judge.

Before they were arrested, the suspects encountered Mauney in Juliaetta while he was walking his dogs Wednesday, state police said in a news release. Police said Mauney and his dogs were taken and driven eastbound in his silver 2019 Chrysler Pacifica. His body was found later near the Honda Civic that was stolen by the suspects in Boise and abandoned in Nez Perce County, according to the release.

The Nez Perce County Coroners Office called it an apparent homicide in a news release. State police said they dont believe Mauney knew the suspects. A missing person alert was issued for Mauney on Thursday morning, the Lewiston Tribune reported.

The Clearwater County Sheriffs Office found Henderson, the other victim, at his secluded home near Orofino around 8 p.m. Wednesday after someone called for a welfare check. Mauneys dogs and a pair of shackles, believed to be Meades, were found at Hendersons home, state police said.

Clearwater County Coroner Dennis Fuller told the Idaho Statesman by phone that Hendersons estimated time of death was 1 p.m. Wednesday, several hours before deputies found him. His death was also ruled a homicide.

According to state police, Henderson may have been acquainted with the suspects, but its unclear to what extent.

A third suspect, Tonia Huber, 52, was arrested Thursday alongside Meade and Umphenour, according to Lori Stewart, a victim witness coordinator for Twin Falls County. Huber, of Filer, was charged with felony harboring a fugitive, eluding and possessing a controlled substance. Harmer set Hubers bond at $505,000.

Stewart told the Statesman by phone that Huber was driving a vehicle at the time of her arrest but declined to clarify whether Huber in the same vehicle as the other two suspects. Twin Falls County Prosecutor Grant Loebs said Huber was driving 100 miles an hour through Twin Falls neighborhoods in an attempt to further the escape of Meade and Umphenour.

This is a case that spanned out of her allegedly harboring two fugitives who were on the run having escaped and possibly committed more violent crimes by the time they reached her, Loebs said in court Friday.
Police are investigating further alleged crimes by a rapist who was convicted of drugging two men before sexually assaulting them.

Luiz Da Silva Neto was jailed for 22 years in 2022 after attacking the men in separate events at his cottage in Oxfordshire in 2021.

One of his victims has described their ordeal to BBC Crimewatch Live.

He said it had left him needing to "lay in a cold bath tub just to try and calm myself down".

"This is the worst experience I have ever survived or lived through. You want to digest it, but you can't," he added.

Det Insp James Holden-White believed Da Silva Neto targeted straight men as he thought they were more unlikely to come forward

Det Insp James Holden-White, of Thames Valley Police, said several people had "shown great courage in coming forward to report some further alleged offences".

He said he appreciated "how hard it is for any victims of offences like these to approach the police", but added the force had "dedicated officers who specialise in investigating sexual offences".

He said investigators were trying to identify a number of males who they believe encountered Da Silva Neto at his cottage and highlighted the period between 2018 and summer 2021 as being of particular interest.

Mr Holden-White said: "He is targeting straight men. And he is probably targeting straight men because he thinks they are particularly unlike to come forward."

'Monster'

Da Silva Neto lived in Wandsworth, London, but ran a bed and breakfast in Middle Barton, near Banbury in Oxfordshire, which is where the attacks on the two men took place.

The first victim drank alcohol with him at the property which he said "knocked me out instantly, like in 10 minutes".

He then "woke up in the middle of the night... that's how I saw what was going on. I couldn't speak. I just tried to mumble."

The second victim had been out in a club in Chelsea and woke up in the B&B, two hours away from home, police said.

Da Silva Neto drugged the men in separate events at his cottage in Middle Barton

"He remembered a man holding a tumbler of dark liquid to his mouth and encouraged him to drink it," the force added.

The man told Oxford Crown Court during the 2022 trial he was glad he had helped "break the chain and protect others from this monster".

Police are urging anyone with information to come forward, quoting Operation Jion.

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article you can find details of organisations that can help via the BBC Action Line.

Follow BBC South on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2240.
DENVER (KDVR)  The Boulder Police Department said a mans body was found in Boulder Creek Friday.

Police and Boulder Fire-Rescue responded to the Boulder Creek path bridge near 9th Street just after 10 a.m. on a call reporting a man in the water.

When crews arrived, BPD said they found the man dead in the creek.

Police said there was no indication of foul play and there was no danger to the community.

The man has not yet been identified. The Boulder County Coroners Office will identify the body and notify the next of kin. Police said the man will likely not be identified until next week. No further information was immediately available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
The Fort Dodge home where a police shot and killed a man March 16 who they said ran at them armed with knives.

Fort Dodge police have identified the officers involved in the March 16 shooting death of a man who they said ran at them armed with knives as they entered a house.

However, it did not specifically identify the officer it said shot and killed 24-year-old Tyler C. Stansberry.

In a Friday news release, police said the officers and their years of law enforcement experience are:

Officer Matthew English, two.

Officer Andrew Lane, five.

Officer Nicholas Ruggles, 19.

Sgt. Matthew Webb, 15.

It said all four remain on critical incident leave while a state investigation continues, and that they have been interviewed by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

Police said the fatal shooting occurred after the officers received a report of out-of-control behavior, including injuring a dog, by a man at a home in the 1500 block of Fourth Ave. S. They said he rushed them with the knives when they entered the house.

A police news release said the officers had been informed there was an active warrant for Stansberry's arrest for violation of probation with a charge of domestic abuse.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Names of Fort Dodge police officers in fatal shooting released
HELSINKI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Finland's President Alexander Stubb officially signed his country's accession to NATO's Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and the Paris Protocol, the Finnish government said in a press release issued on Friday.

The SOFA agreement sets out ground rules for military personnel on another state's territory, while the Paris Protocol extends those rules to NATO's headquarters staff.

Stubb also confirmed changes to national laws in order to accomodate the accession. The Finnish parliament approved the agreements on Tuesday.

Finland was officially accepted as a member of NATO in April 2023. 
(Bloomberg) -- Polands ruling coalition is preparing for a drawn-out probe of central banker Adam Glapinski as his supporters, currently in the opposition, seek to stymie efforts that could lead to the governors ouster.

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The motion to start the investigation will be submitted in parliament on Tuesday  beginning a process which could last more than a year and encounter obstruction from Glapinski and his allies, said ruling party lawmaker Janusz Cichon, who has led the work on the dossier.

Among eight accusations against Glapinski, the motion lists alleged irregularities in the central banks bond-buying and an abrupt interest-rate cut ahead of the last general election.

The governor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and his backers in the Law & Justice party are seeking to turn the investigation into an attack on the quantitative easing program that financed much needed pandemic-era relief.

We are aware that this will be a difficult process, Cichon told Bloomberg News. We expect obstruction from the governor.

The motion will trigger an investigation by a committee of lawmakers, which may take between six and 12 months, according to Cichon. The probe will involve taking testimony from witnesses including the governor. The former ruling party is trying to bar the committee from summoning Glapinski.

The development is the latest and the most controversial yet by Prime Minister Donald Tusks administration in its bid to free state institutions from the influence of the previously ruling populists and restore democratic standards.

Law & Justice officials rushed to defend Glapinski, saying criticism of the National Bank of Polands bond-buying undermined a program, which helped Poland survive lock-downs without significant job losses. The governor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

The arguments of those attacking the NBP show high levels of ignorance, even economic illiteracy, Mateusz Morawiecki, a former prime minister, said in emailed comment to Bloomberg News. The central bank did what it was supposed to do during the pandemic crisis.

Very Serious

According to Cichon, the quantitative easing program required approvals by the Monetary Policy Council and the central banks management board. We have doubts that such resolutions were taken, he said.

The accusation is not about the bond-buying as such, but rather about whether it allowed the central bank to finance the budget deficit  which is banned by the Constitution as well as European Union laws, according to Cichon. The probe will check if QE was a coordinated action between Glapinski, the government and state financial institutions, he said.

During its open-ended QE program in 2020 and 2021, the central bank bought 144 billion zloty ($36 billion) of notes issued by the government as well as two state agencies responsible for with Covid-recovery efforts.

Przemyslaw Litwiniuk, a member of Glapinskis MPC, said the details of the QE program should be scrutinized, telling broadcaster TVN24 on Friday that the issue required investigation, also for the future as the country must know how to function in a crisis situation.

The full lower house will vote on whether to put the governor in front of the tribunal, which is likely to lead to his suspension from office, only after the parliamentary committee finishes its investigation.

Cichon said in a separate interview on Friday that the best solution  from the point of view of Polands finances  may be for Glapinski to resign before the probe ends.

The matter is very serious, Cichon told Bloomberg. We cannot afford  in a country that after so many years is trying to restore the rule of law  for the governor of such an important institution as the central bank to participate in a political dispute.

--With assistance from Natalia Ojewska.

(Updates with new quotes from MPC member and opposition, details on the bond-buying program from the first paragraph.)

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FILE - Voters walk past a sign pointing them to the polling location for in-person voting, Nov. 8, 2022, in Cranberry Township, Pa. Some Pennsylvania counties are moving polling places out of synagogues and other Jewish buildings this week because the Legislature deadlocked in 2023 over proposals to move the April 2024 primary election so it would not fall on the first day of Passover. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP)  Some of Pennsylvania's most populous counties are relocating polling places out of synagogues and other Jewish buildings because the Legislature deadlocked last year over proposals to move next months primary election so it would not fall on the first day of Passover.

In Allegheny County, which includes Pittsburgh, election officials relocated 16 polling places from six locations  synagogues as well as a Jewish community center. The primary election is April 23.

The number of polling locations moving as a result of the holiday is a fraction of the total, said Allegheny County spokesperson Abigail Gardner, and all are expected to revert to their former spots in November.

It is typical that we have to find new polling places every year  with more than 1,300 precincts, it is a natural occurrence that any number of them are changing ownership, closing, not available due to a special event, etc., Gardner said Friday. Voters in affected precincts will get letters and signs will be posted at the former locations with directions to the new sites.

Polling locations were also shifted in the Philadelphia area. A 2019 study found the city and its four collar counties together had nearly 200,000 Jewish households that comprised about 450,000 people.

Philadelphia moved four synagogue polling places  all had hosted voting for at least the past six years. Bucks County, a Philadelphia suburb, is expected to consider on Monday whether to relocate a synagogue polling place.

And in Montgomery County, the most populous suburb of Philadelphia, eight of the 17 polling places that were moved on Thursday had been located inside synagogues.

Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija, a Democrat who heads its elections board, said Friday it was unfortunate and disrespectful that state lawmakers were not able to find a suitable alternative to April 23.

Its like putting Election Day on Easter Sunday or Christmas. People are either with family or theyre worshipping. And sure, there are going to be people who vote no matter what, said Makhija, a Hindu man whose wife is Jewish. But there will also be people who wont.

Pennsylvania law sets most primaries in May, but in presidential election years such as 2024 they are held on the fourth Tuesday in April. Proposals to change this year's primary date, in part to avoid the Passover conflict but also to become more relevant to the presidential contest, were debated last summer and fall.

The Senate voted overwhelmingly in September to move the primary to March 19, but that proposal ran into opposition in the Democratic-controlled House. The House voted with all Republicans opposed in October to hold an April 2 primary, but that proposal died without Senate action.

By that point, county officials who run elections argued time had become too short to make a change, given the implications for petition circulation as well as the need to secure voting locations and poll workers for a different date.

___

This story has been corrected to say the locations were shifted by elections officials, not by a vote.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A man was sentenced Thursday in Multnomah County court for the 2022 death of a passenger in another car resulting from a crash.

Ayzaiah Walker, 25, was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison for the incident that occurred in January 2022 in which he was found to be driving recklessly and under the influence and caused the crash, which also injured the driver.

As part of a plea deal, Walker pleaded guilty in November of last year to multiple charges, including criminally negligent homicide, for which he was sentenced to 90 months in prison.

Mother charged after son killed in Wednesday night car crash

Walker also pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and driving under the influence of intoxicants, which each have concurrent sentences of 24 months and 60 days, respectively. He also received three years of post-prison supervision.

The victim who died in the crash was identified as 40-year-old Beaverton resident Douglas J. Kereczman.

On the evening of Jan. 20, 2022, shortly after 11:30 p.m., two cars crashed at Southeast McLoughlin Boulevard and Southeast Holgate Boulevard. The Portland Police Bureau said the driver was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries, while the cars passenger  later identified as Kereczman  was pronounced dead at the scene.

911, 211, 311: Which number to call and when

According to officials, no one was inside the other vehicle when they arrived. Witnesses reportedly saw multiple people running away from the area before police were called.

After searching the area, two people were detained nearby and a third person returned to the scene in a different car and contacted police. Walker was booked on multiple charges that same night while the other two people were not arrested.

During the investigation of the crash that night, police said a completely different driver was also arrested and accused of driving while impaired after they allegedly went into the closed-off area and nearly hit an officer

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
It is too early to talk about the slowing down of the Russian offensive at the front, the Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Pavliuk, said on national television on March 22.

The "positional war" is still ongoing, and Ukraine cannot yet gain the upper hand, as the aggressor has significant resources.

"Russia cannot afford to lose the edge at the front, and slowing down their offensive will give us the opportunity to seize the initiative," Pavliuk commented, addressing reports of an alleged slowdown in the Russian offensive.

Russian troops are continuing their offensive on the Lyman, Bakhmut, and Avdiivka fronts. They are no longer as successful as they were in Avdiivka, but sometimes they do carry out partially successful tactical actions.

Read also: Russian forces destabilize Ukrainian defensive lines and prepare for summer offensive amid delays in Western security assistance

The Ukrainian forces, in turn, are also conducting offensive actions, including recapturing positions.

"It is a positional war, we cannot gain an advantage so far, the enemy has more resources, but everything will happen in due course," the commander said.

The New York Times reported on March 10 that Russian troops, after rapid successes in Avdiivka, stalled in the area of three neighboring villages. This is allegedly due to the terrain, the fatigue of the Russian army, and the fact that Ukraine has sent significant forces to defend the area, the article said.

Situation at the front after Russias capture of Avdiivka

Ukrainian units withdrew from Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast, after four months of intense fighting on Feb. 17, 2024. Over the next few days, the Ukrainian Armed Forces withdrew from the village of Lastochkyne and retreated from the small villages of Severne and Stepove near Avdiivka.

The Tavria Operational and Strategic Troop Grouping stated on March 6 that after Avdiivka, the Russian military focused its main efforts on the Novopavlivka front (the former Maryinka front) in Donetsk Oblast.

Read also: Russia ramps up offensives, targets key Ukrainian frontlines  UK intelligence

The Third Separate Assault Brigade said on March 13 that the situation near Avdiivka remains extremely difficult, despite the numerous losses of Russian units.

The U.S.based Institute for the Study of War reported on March 16 that Russia will continue to try to destabilize the defense lines in preparation for a larger offensive in the summer. Ukrainian troops will be able to prevent a significant Russian breakthrough, provided that sufficient security assistance from the West arrives in the coming months.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Jackson County health officials are raising alarms for people who may have visited the Henry Ford Jackson Emergency Department on March 10.

In a news release, the Jackson County Health Department announced an individual who was diagnosed with measles was in the emergency department. This case was related to another case in Washtenaw County.

The exposures may have occurred at Henry Ford Jackson Hospital Emergency Department, 205 N. East Ave., Jackson MI 49201 on March 10, 2024 between 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

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Health officials noted the virus that causes measles can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area.

A person who has experienced an exposure can receive a vaccine to help prevent developing an infection. But that has to be administered within 72 hours of the exposure. That timeframe has passed for any exposure on March 10.

Anyone potentially exposed should monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days. If symptoms develop, such as fever, respiratory symptoms, or rash, call ahead before visiting a doctor, urgent care, or emergency room so they can take precautions to avoid exposing others, health officials reported in the news release.

Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact, and through the air. Measles is so contagious that ninety percent of unvaccinated people who are exposed to measles will become infected. Infected people can spread measles before noticing symptoms, including from four days before through four days after the rash appears. Measles can lead to serious complications including hospitalization and long-term illness, and death. About one in five people who get measles will be hospitalized. One in 20 children who contract measles will develop pneumonia and up to three children who contract measles in 1,000 will die. Symptoms of measles usually begin 7-14 days after exposure, but can appear up to 21 days after exposure and may include:  High fever (may spike to over 104F).  Cough.  Runny nose.  Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis).  Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth (Koplik Spots) two to three days after symptoms begin.  A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on face, spreads to trunk, arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin. Jackson County Health Department News Release information March 22, 2024

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reports that as of March 7, 2024, Michigan had two confirmed cases of measles. The state is one of 17 states experiencing measles cases. As of March 7, there were 41 confirmed cases in the 16 other states.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
A package of seven bills introduced Thursday aims to expand and protect affordable housing options in Delaware as the First State grapples with a housing crisis.

Delaware is over 19,000 affordable units short of accommodating demand, according to the Delaware State Housing Authoritys 2023 Housing Needs Assessment report.

Woodlawn Trustees CEO Rich Przywara (left) and maintenance supervisor Greg Slivinski look at photos of the electrical panel of a Bennett Street home on the Eastside of Wilmington that had been rigged for electricity by a squatter as the group prepares to rehabilitate the home and make it suitable for renting as affordable housing, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023.

That same report also found that 50% of renters and 20% of homeowners spend more than 30% of their income on housing, representing 109,000 households across the state.

Delaware Sen. Russell Huxtable said the bills he is sponsoring tackles the issue from multiple angles, including reducing the realty transfer tax on affordable housing developments; establishing protections for manufactured homeowners; and creating a workforce housing program, among others.

Its a potpourri of policies that we hope to hit somewhere to make some progress, Huxtable said during a news conference ahead of the legislation introduced Thursday, March 21. Theres no one bill, theres no magic bill that solves it all, and thats why theres seven (bills) today.

The housing needs assessment  completed by Colorado-based Root Policy Research and referenced in some of the bills proposed  laid out the states housing affordability shortage and the challenges residents face in accessing housing, offering steps Delaware can take to tackle its affordable housing crisis.

BACKGROUND: Over 100,000 Delawareans struggle to pay mortgage, rent. What the First State plans to do

There really isnt one simple solution. I think we all wish there was, but its a very complex issue, as the senator stated, and I think this package of bills is going to have a huge impact, said state House Rep. Bill Bush, who is a co-sponsor of a bill that would create a workforce housing program.

These are the proposed bills:

Workforce housing program

Senate Bill 22 creates a workforce housing program to increase the amount of affordable, quality residential houses across the state utilizing private capital.

Following the model for public-private partnerships in investment for downtown development districts, the program would offer qualified developers building workforce housing in an Investment Level 1 or Investment Level 2 a grant in an amount up to 20% of the investment in excess of the $25,000 minimum threshold for said workforce housing development.

RELATED: Why Sussex County's young workforce feels 'handcuffed' by lack of affordable housing

Accessory dwelling units

Senate Bill 23 amends state code to allow for accessory dwelling units, also known as in-law apartments, carriage houses, secondary dwellings, garage apartments or granny flats, and requires local governments adopt ordinances that allow for these types of dwellings.

It also outlines what the government can and cannot do when it comes to accessory dwelling approvals, as some communities have seen fit to limit these housing options through zoning restrictions.

Realty transfer tax reduction

Delaware has the highest realty transfer tax in the nation, a badge the First State has carried for years following the taxs increase from 3% in 2017 to 4%.

Lawmakers at the time said the increase was supposed to be temporary to help solve the states budget deficit, but even during $1 billion budget surpluses, the 4% real estate transfer tax rate is still in place.

Woodlawn Trustees CEO Rich Przywara discusses how a severely fire-damaged home on Clifford Brown Walk in Wilmington's Eastside neighborhood is being rehabilitated and will be restored as affordable housing, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023.

The transfer tax revenue is divided between the state, which receives 2.5%, and the county or local government which receives 1.5% for a total of 4%.

Senate Bill 25 would eliminate 2% of that tax on any contract or agreement or undertaking for construction of affordable housing units, according to the legislation.

Use of lodging tax for funding affordable housing

Senate Bill 244 allows counties to tap into their 3% lodging tax collected at hotels, motels and tourist homes for funding workforce and affordable housing.

Delaware authorizes counties with populations greater than 500,000 to impose a local lodging tax of no more than 3% of the rent, in addition to the 8% rate imposed by the state, on hotel stays located in unincorporated areas of the county.

DEVELOPMENT: Which county leads Delaware in housing growth, more than the other counties combined?

Making mortgage assistance program permanent

Senate Bill 245 would permanently establish assistance for those facing foreclosure or default on their mortgage payments.

The Delaware Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program, also referred to as the Delaware Mortgage Relief Program, ended in May 2020. But Huxtables proposal would remove the sunset clauses on the program and point those in need of financial assistance to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments various programs and resources for help.

Two single-family homes were built at the corner of Lafayette Boulevard and Washington Street in Wilmington by a local nonprofit with the help of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funds geared to create affordable homeownership opportunities for low-income families.

Housing repair program

Senate Bill 246 establishes a Housing Repair and Modification Fund, to be administered by the state housing authority, that would offer financial assistance to households making less than 80% of the area median income. It would split funding resources 50/50 between those making less than 80% of the area median income and households making less than 50% of the area median income.

Landlords who own an interest in fewer than five rental units, or some combination thereof, who are leasing the unit to very low income tenants would be eligible to receive low-interest loans for housing repairs. Up to 10% of the annual allotment to the statewide repair fund could go to landlords who fall under this criteria.

Manufactured housing

Senate Bill 247 creates protections for people living in manufactured housing  an affordable living option for many households in southern Delaware  by prohibiting community owners from raising rents if there are unaddressed issues that threaten the life, health, or safety of a resident, visitor or guest of the home.

Mobile homeowners rent the plot of land where their house sits, but it is much more difficult for them to relocate if rents rise or conditions at the park deteriorate.

The bill stipulates that rents couldnt be increased if an official notice of an unsafe condition has been received within the 12 months prior to when rents were increased by the community owner. An official notice could be a building and code violation from a federal, state, county or municipal agency.

It also outlines a legal avenue for residents through the state Superior Court to have their grievances heard if there are unsafe conditions that the community owner knows about, but has not addressed.

The community owner would be prohibited from increasing rent until all hazards are fixed, according to the bill.

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: Mobile homeowner protections, workforce housing among bills proposed
Fifty years after founding what is now Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture in Charlotte, civil rights activist and a champion of education, Bertha Maxwell-Roddey died Thursday. She was 93.

The Seneca, S.C., native and Johnson C. Smith University graduate, co-founded the Afro-American Cultural Service Center in Charlotte with the late Mary Harper, now called the Gantt. She also was one of the first Black female principals in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, founded African-American college curriculum programs and taught at UNC Charlotte.

The Gantts existence is thanks to Roddeys tenacity and willingness to support others, museum CEO and president Bonita Buford told The Charlotte Observer. It was Harper who had the idea to create a cultural center to preserve Black history in the city, Buford said, and Maxwell-Roddey embraced that.

Buford, who took over the reins at the center this year, is grateful for both women: our founding mothers.

They left something tangible thats going to make life better for people in our community, Buford said. I feel gratitude that (Maxwell-Roddey) was in the world and this institution is a result of her leaving a mark and legacy that serves us in the present (and) for years to come.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Bertha Maxwell-Roddey. Her legacy will live on through the countless lives she has influenced through education, community advocacy, and the importance of preserving and celebrating Black history, arts, and culture. pic.twitter.com/UCqzOVdDs5  Harvey B. Gantt Center (@HBGanttCenter) March 21, 2024

Former Charlotte mayor Harvey Gantt, for whom the museum is named, struck up a friendship with Maxwell-Roddey long before either had made their mark in Charlotte.

I remember many times when her drive and her push for something she cared about overcame the room. She was a powerful lady, said Gantt, elected to Charlotte city council in 1974 and who was the citys first Black mayor in 1983. When Bertha entered the room people paid attention.

Bertha Maxwell-Roddey, civil rights activist and co-founder of the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture, died Thursday at age 93.

Gantt said the last time he saw Maxwell-Roddey was about six Sundays ago at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, where she always sat in the second row of pews.

She was always well dressed, hair perfectly in place and she loved that sorority (Gamma Lambda Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority) so she loved to wear red, Gantt said. This community is going to miss such an iconic figure who had a lot to do with Black culture and education in our community.

Bertha Maxwell-Roddey at her desk at UNC Charlotte, circa the late 1960s-mid 1970s.

A trailblazer in education and Black studies

Maxwell-Roddeys list of firsts is a long one.

In 1968, she became one of Charlottes first Black female principals at a formerly all-white CMS elementary school. That was unheard of at the time, said Willie Griffin, assistant professor of history UNC Charlotte.

She was the first Black woman to graduate with a masters from UNC Greensboro.

She was the founder of the Head Start program in Charlotte.

Dr. Bertha Maxwell-Roddeys groundbreaking career as an educatoras a principal helping to desegregating @CharMeckSchools administration, as the first director of @africana_uncc, and as the co-founder of the @HBGanttCenterhas had a lasting impact inside & outside the classroom. pic.twitter.com/f5l1OOMGe4  UNC Charlotte Special Collections (@CLTSpecColl) February 8, 2023

Maxwell-Roddey also was founder and the first chair of the Department of Africana studies at UNC Charlotte, and founder of the National Council for Black Studies in 1975.

She was the godmother of the Black studies movement in this country, not just in Charlotte, Griffin said.

And last year, the UNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library ran a month-long exhibit honoring Maxwell-Roddey.

Lessons from history

Starting in the late 1990s, Maxwell-Roddey worked with Historic Brattonsville to help break the stigma of telling the history of slavery at the former York County, S.C., plantation, and working with descendants.

She was instrumental in making the African-American story be heard and encouraging this history to be told, said Marie Cheek, spokeswoman for Culture & Heritage Museums. I dont think you can tell the story of Brattonsville without telling the story of the African-Americans that were enslaved there. Theyre the ones who built the place and ran the plantation.

Thats when the Rev. Strauss Moore Shiple met Maxwell-Roddey, who was recruiting historic interpreters. When Bratton descendant Shiple walked into the room, Maxwell-Roddey told her she looked like the Egyptian pharaoh Hatshepsut.

When she said that to me, I could not turn her down or anything else she wanted me to do, Shiple said.

Shiple considered Maxwell-Roddey, who was educated and spiritual, a mentor and encourager when she didnt have a lot of other Black role models. In 2008, Shiple was awarded the museums Keeper of the Culture award after being nominated by Maxwell-Roddey for work at Brattonsville and other work in the county.

She was very proud of her heritage and wanted to share it with us and to instill that in younger people, Shiple said. I will always love her for what she saw in me that I did not see in myself.

Bertha Maxwell-Roddey, right, with Strauss Moore Shiple in 2008 at the Keeper of the Culture Award ceremony in York County, S.C.

Changing lives

Sonya Ramsey, who wrote the 2022 biography Bertha Maxwell-Roddey, A Modern-Day Race Woman and The Power of Black Leadership, said she learned something new about her every time they met.

The activism never ended. It just traveled from out on the streets into the boardrooms, into those offices, into the classrooms, said Ramsey, a UNC Charlotte history professor and director of the Womens and Gender Studies Program.

She really redefined the idea of a traditional activist marching in the street, Ramsey said.

Maxwell-Roddey was often the first Black woman in many spaces. She wants her work to keep that door open for other people. And to do that you have to build institutions and organizations to sustain them.

After retiring from UNC Charlotte in 1986, Maxwell-Roddey taught for another 20 years at USC Lancaster. She served on over 50 nonprofit boards. And she was the 20th national president of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, a Black womens public service organization.

The South Atlantic Region would like to wish our 20th National President Dr. Bertha Maxwell Roddey a SENSATIONAL Happy Birthday. You are a trailblazer and your powerful impact to our region and to our sorority have been undeniable. We love you and pray God continues to bless you! pic.twitter.com/WguNVrLuEh  South Atlantic Region-DST (@SensationalSAR) June 10, 2023

Maxwell-Roddey received a number of accolades over the years, too, including the N.C. Order of the Long Leaf Pine prestigious service award and the Thurgood Marshal Award of Education.

Maxwell-Roddey inspired her students, who still visited her to share how she impacted her lives, Ramsey said. To know someone who did that, what an extraordinary experience.

Maxwell-Roddey was preceded in death by her husband Theodore Thed Roddey Jr. She is survived by daughter Tawanna Proctor, and several grandchildren and great-children. Funeral arrangements have not been set.

Bertha Maxwell-Roddey, left, a champion of African-American studies, in 2008 directed York Countys Historic Brattonsvilles program By the Sweat of Our Brows.
MEXICO CITY, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Mexico will provide support for undocumented Mexican migrants targeted by a new law in the U.S. state of Texas that threatens them with imprisonment if they refuse to be deported, Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena said Thursday.

"We are going to protect, first of all, our compatriots and we have 11 consulates in Texas that have precise instructions to provide protection, support and guidance in case they face any problem," Barcena said during a daily press conference of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, held in southeastern Oaxaca state.

The law, known as SB 4, would make it a crime for people to enter Texas from Mexico without authorization, punishable by a six-month jail sentence.

An appeals court in the United States blocked the validity of the law on Wednesday after the U.S. Supreme Court authorized its implementation.

It is still awaiting final approval from the courts, set for April 3. However, its severity has resulted in uniting decision-makers across Mexico's political spectrum, said Barcena.

"Something that is unprecedented in our country is that a political consensus has been achieved. All political forces -- legislators, political parties, candidates, the cabinet -- we are all acting together against this unjust and discriminatory law," she said.

The Texas initiative is "deeply unconstitutional" because immigration matters are a federal issue, as they are in Mexico, the minister added.

Migrant arrivals at the southern U.S. border have risen to record highs. In the fiscal year ending September 2023, there were more than 2.4 million apprehensions across the U.S.-Mexico border, breaking the record of 2.3 million a year earlier. 
Rolling blackouts have been introduced in Odesa after a massive Russian attack on Ukraine's power grid using over 150 missiles and drones, the countrys leading energy provider DTEK reported on Telegram on March 22.

The outage schedules were posted on the DTEK Odesa Power Grid website.

The Russian military launched its most extensive attack of 2024 on Ukraine's energy system on the morning of March 22, targeting multiple oblasts with cruise and ballistic missiles, and drones.

Read also: Energy structure ablaze in Lviv Oblast after early morning Russian missile strike

The enemy targeted Ukraines largest hydroelectric power dam, the Dnipro HPP, hitting a trolleybus with people on board, Mariupol mayoral adviser Petro Andriushchenko reported in the morning.

There is no threat to the dams integrity, however, Ukrainian hydropower operator Ukrhydroenergo reported on Telegram.

Read also: Casualties in Russias biggest attack of 2024: hydro, thermal, and nuclear stations in 8 regions hit

Zaporizhzhya and Kharkiv were also hit hard in Russias attack, undergoing wave after wave of explosions  at least 15 over several hours  early in the morning on March 22, regional authorities reported.

Much of Kharkiv is without power after Russia targeted the citys energy infrastructure.

A series of explosions rocked Zaporizhzhya, with the first wave around 4:00 a.m. EET and another wave shortly after 5:00. Russia launched at least eight missile strikes against the city, Zaporizhzhya Regional Military Administration head Ivan Fedorov reported.

Read also: Critical infrastructure hit in Vinnytsia in Russias latest mass missile barrage

Civilian infrastructure and energy facilities were also under attack in Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Lviv.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A preschool teacher was captured on video pushing students in the cafeteria  now shes suspended without pay for 15 days, the Tennessee district said.

The teacher at Stewartsboro Elementary School came under fire after a camera caught her initiating forceable physical contact with two students, Rutherford County Director of Schools James Sullivan wrote in a disciplinary letter obtained by WZTV.

Sullivan referenced moment-by-moment time stamps from the eight-minute video recorded on Jan. 30.

In the letter, he said the preschool teacher pushed the students heads with her hand and elbow, pulled their arms, jerked and kicked their chairs, grabbed them and spoke to them aggressively.

In a charge listed separately from the physical incidents, Sullivan said one student left the cafeteria and she brought him back, then removed his lunch tray for five minutes.

The teacher is also accused of using her laptop for personal reasons instead of watching students during lunch.

The school board voted to suspend her at a meeting on Wednesday, March 20.

A spokesperson for Rutherford County Schools told McClatchy News the teacher has been with the district for 26 years and had no history of disciplinary issues.

In addition to the suspension, the district is reporting the suspension to the Tennessee Department of Education teacher licensure office, the teacher must meet with the director, and she will be transferred to the Rutherford County Virtual School, the spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

The woman doesnt face criminal charges. In many instances, corporal punishment is legal in Tennessee schools.

Any teacher or school principal may use corporal punishment in a reasonable manner against any pupil for good cause in order to maintain discipline and order within the public schools, according to Tennessee law.

McClatchy News reached out to the teacher for comment on March 22 but did not immediately receive a response.

If I was in there, it would be termination, parent Amber Hodges told WSMV in response to the school board meeting. It would be termination. That is a child, an innocent child.

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Brian Ralph, the 11th president of William Peace University in Raleigh, will step down at the end of the academic year, the university announced Friday.

Ralph has held the presidency of the private university since 2015. With a background in admissions and enrollment, he came to Peace after previous roles at Queens College in Charlotte, Bethany College in West Virginia and Hocking College in Ohio.

At Peace, Ralph led the university through the COVID-19 pandemic and added multiple academic programs, sports and partnerships to the universitys offerings.

William Peace University is a special place that my family and I have had the privilege to call home for almost 9 years, Ralph said in a news release Friday. I am grateful for all that we have accomplished together and I want to express my deep appreciation for the faculty, staff, alumni, Board of Trustees, and the many friends of WPU in the Raleigh region for the roles they have played in advancing this wonderful institution.

Ralph said he was most proud of the Peace students I have had the privilege to know and engage with whether it was at a theater performance, athletic event, research presentation, or a casual conversation on campus. Our students are not only remarkable individuals but also make up a very special community.

It has also been rewarding to watch them go on to accomplish amazing things after their time at 15 E. Peace Street, he said.

Brian Ralph, president of William Peace University.

New leader named for two years

Also Friday, the university announced that the WPU Board of Trustees had appointed one of its own members, Lynn Morton, to serve as president for two years while the university prepares to conduct a national search for its next president.

Morton joined the board last year after a decades-long career in higher education, including a five-year term as president of Warren Wilson College, a private, liberal-arts college in Swannanoa, near Asheville.

At Warren Wilson, Morton led multiple initiatives to increase enrollment, introduced two new scholarship programs to offer greater access to a Warren Wilson education, fostered relationships with the local community as well as regionally and nationally, and had notable fundraising results year over year, the WPU news release said Friday.

Morton also worked for more than 30 years on the faculty and in leadership roles at Queens College, spending almost a decade as the schools provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Lynn Morton will serve as president of William Peace University for two years as the university conducts a search for its next leader.

It will truly be a privilege to serve Peace University, located on a beautiful historic campus in thriving downtown Raleigh. As a Board member Ive been impressed to see the intentional ways that Peace draws on its urban location to offer career-focused immersive learning to both traditional undergraduates and adult learners, Morton said.

My heart is in education, and my experiences as a faculty member and administrator in student-focused intimate learning environments like Peace have shown me how this model of education can transform lives.
Mykhailo Podoliak, adviser to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, denies that Washington demands that Ukraine stop attacks on Russia's oil infrastructure.

Source: Mykhailo Podoliak on the air of the Russian information channel TV Rain

Quote: "This is fictitious information. After two years of full-scale war, no one will dictate to Ukraine the conditions for waging this war. Within the framework of international law, Ukraine can degrease [attack Russia's oil infrastructure] Russian instruments of warfare. Fuel is the basic tool of warfare. Ukraine will destroy its fuel infrastructure."

Details: Podoliak stressed that Russia attacks the critical infrastructure of Ukraine with genocidal intentions, while Ukraine destroys the infrastructure of war.

Background:

The Financial Times reported that the United States had allegedly urged Ukraine not to hit Russian oil refineries and other energy infrastructure, as it was concerned that this could lead to higher energy prices and further escalation.

Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, said that oil refineries in Russia are legitimate targets of Ukraine from a military point of view. According to her, Ukraine is acting in accordance with NATO standards in this case.

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PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  The Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD) said it was investigating a triple shooting Thursday night.

PGPD said officers were investigating two crime scenes that they believe are from the same incident.

One crime scene was located in the 5300 block of Sheriff Road and the other scene was located at the 1200 block of Farmingdale Ave.

Crews work to put out flames in Shenandoah National Park

A call came in around 6:30 p.m. of one man who was found shot at Sheriff Road. He was taken to the hospital and was in stable condition. Another person was also shot but PGPD said they left the area.

A PGPD spokesperson said that a third victim was found in D.C. but did not know where they were.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, joined by Illinois film officials and stakeholders, will depart Sunday, March 24 for an economic development mission to California to promote Illinois to business and film industry leaders.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker arrives to deliver his State of the State and budget address before the General Assembly at the Illinois State Capitol, Feb. 21, 2024, in Springfield, Ill. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune via AP, Pool)

Building on the success of Illinois Illinois Film Production Services Tax Credit, the governor and representatives from the Illinois Film Office and Illinois Production Alliance, will meet with major studios and distributors to discuss increased opportunities for investment in Illinois.

The strides Illinois has made in growing our film and television production sector in recent years is nothing short of remarkable, and its time to ensure that every production company and studio knows exactly what we can offer them here in the Land of Lincoln, Gov. Pritzker said in a release this week. This trip will be a chance to shed a light on what the Illinois Film Production Services Tax Credit as well as our increased film infrastructure can offer companies who may be looking to expand beyond Southern California.

I think its great that the governor is going to California, Davenport film and media consultant Doug Miller said Friday. Hell be talking to from production companies to studio people, all the various entities that Illinois has already had some relationship with or are looking to have relationships with  and the governors a friend of film. I mean, thats just all there is to it.

Quad Cities film and media consultant Doug Miller

Im just glad hes out there doing it, he added. Hes been very good to the Quad Cities, from working with Senator Mike Halpin, whos been a great, great supporter from day one, Miller said.

When production companies choose Illinois, they not only get the benefits of the states Film Production Services Tax Credit, gorgeous locations, and top-flight infrastructure across the state, they also get access to a dedicated, talented workforce, Christine Dudley, executive director of the Illinois Production Alliance, said in the state release.

One thing that everyone agrees on  labor, business, and government alike  is that bringing more film and television production to Illinois benefits everyone, she said.

Through the competitive tax credit incentive enacted by Governor Pritzker, Illinois film industry is breaking records and proving its reputation as an industry leader, said Kristin Richards, head of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.The Illinois Film Office welcomes the opportunity to tout our successes while showing Hollywood studios and companies why they should consider doing business in Illinois.

Pritzker will begin his trip in the San Francisco Bay area, meeting with business executives to promote Illinoiss investments in quantum computing and manufacturing. Following these meetings, the governor will go to Los Angeles for several days of meetings with film studio executives and major production companies to discuss Illinoiss tax credit for film production and other attractive incentives for the film industry.

Pritzker will be joined by representatives from the Illinois Film Office and the Illinois Production Alliance.

Peter Hawley, deputy director of the Illinois Film Office

Our goal is to strengthen our relationships with Hollywood studios and streamers. No one speaks to the strengths of Illinois better than Governor Pritzker, Peter Hawley, deputy director of the Illinois Film Office, said Friday. Ideally, we will be successful in bringing more productions to Illinois as a result of our visits.

In 2022, Pritzker extended the landmark film industry tax credit through 2032. The incentive program, which offers tax credits for local labor and production expenditures, has been a key factor in Illinois landing major productions, the state said.

Recently, Illinois broke previous records for the film industry investment with 2022 seeing $700 million in production expenditures, far exceeding pre-pandemic levels, the state release said.

A rendering of a proposed $12-million film production studio to be built in Rock Island County.

Illinois tax credit has resulted in a $6.81 return on investment for every dollar spent on the incentive, resulting in $3.6 billion in economic activity between FY17 and FY22. 94 percent of Illinoiss current film industry economic impact is attributed to the impact of the tax credit enacted by Gov. Pritzker.

Rock Island-based Fresh Films was recently awarded a $3.8-million state of Illinois grant, to help build a new film production studio and sound stages in Rock Island County. It was among three grant recipients (totaling $10 million), including new studios in Chicago and Champaign.

For more information on the Illinois Film Office, click HERE.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
Representatives vote on a draft resolution during a UN Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, on March 22, 2024. A Chinese envoy said Friday that by setting preconditions for a ceasefire in Gaza, a U.S. draft resolution essentially green-lights continued killing, which is "unacceptable." (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, March 22 (Xinhua) - A Chinese envoy said Friday that by setting preconditions for a ceasefire in Gaza, a U.S. draft resolution essentially green-lights continued killing, which is "unacceptable."

During his explanatory statement following the Security Council's vote on the Palestine-Israel issue draft resolution, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, said that "an immediate ceasefire is the basic premise" for saving lives, expanding humanitarian access, and preventing further conflict.

Zhang underscored that any action by the Security Council "should withstand the test of history and the scrutiny of moral conscience."

The ambassador pointed out that the U.S. draft was "unbalanced in many aspects," especially concerning Israel's recent repeated declarations of planning military attacks on Rafah.

"The draft did not clearly oppose such actions, sending a very wrong signal with serious consequences," the ambassador added.

"Based on a responsible attitude towards upholding justice, the United Nations Charter, and the dignity of the Security Council, and also due to the concerns and strong dissatisfaction from Arab countries towards the draft, China, along with Algeria and Russia, cast a vote against it," Zhang said.

"More than 160 days have passed since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict. In the face of a human tragedy in which more than 32,000 innocent civilians have lost their lives and millions are suffering from famine, the most urgent action to be taken by the council is to promote an immediate, unconditional, and sustained ceasefire," said the ambassador.

He stressed that this is the "universal call" of the international community, the decision taken by the emergency special session of the General Assembly a few months ago, and the solemn appeal by the UN secretary-general to the council while invoking Article 99 of the Charter.

"The council has dragged its feet and wasted too much time in this regard," the envoy pointed out.

Zhang recalled that the U.S. introduced its own draft resolution after vetoing on Feb. 20 the overwhelming consensus among council members on an immediate ceasefire.

"Over the past month, the draft has undergone several iterations and contains elements that respond to the concerns of the international community. But it has always evaded and dodged the most essential issue, that is, a ceasefire," he stressed.

The final text remains "ambiguous" and "does not call for an immediate ceasefire," said Zhang. "Nor does it even provide an answer to the question of realizing a ceasefire in the short term."

The ambassador noted that members of the council have now before them another draft resolution that was "the result of collective consultations" among elected members of the council.

"This draft is clear on the issue of a ceasefire, in line with the correct direction of the council's action, and of great relevance. China supports this draft. We hope that the members of the council will reach agreement on this basis as soon as possible and send a clear signal calling for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the fighting."

Zhang noted that like other members, China has from the outset called for the immediate release of all hostages, a repeated demand in Security Council resolutions 2712 and 2720.

"We welcome the mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and others to this end. And we hope that all detainees will be released at an early date."

The ambassador said that China rejects the accusations by the U.S. and Britain against China's voting position.

"Those are groundless accusations. If the U.S. were serious about a ceasefire, it wouldn't have vetoed time and again multiple council resolutions, and wouldn't have taken such a detour and played a game of words while being ambiguous and evasive on critical issues," he said.

"If the U.S. is serious about a ceasefire, then please vote in favor of the other draft resolution clearly calling for a ceasefire, so that a ceasefire can be finally and immediately achieved, the Palestinians' sufferings ended, and hostages released at an early date. For the U.S. at the current stage, what is most important is not words, but actions," he added.

The ambassador pledged that China will continue to work with council members and the international community to play "a responsible and constructive role" in order to achieve a ceasefire and put an end to the fighting, alleviate the suffering, implement the two-state solution, and promote a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the question of Palestine. 

Representatives vote on a draft resolution during a UN Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, on March 22, 2024. A Chinese envoy said Friday that by setting preconditions for a ceasefire in Gaza, a U.S. draft resolution essentially green-lights continued killing, which is "unacceptable." (Evan Schneider/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)
Over a dozen pro-Palestine demonstrators were arrested at the Russell Senate Office Building on Thursday afternoon.

The pro-Palestine demonstrators were heard repeatedly chanting, "We call for a permanent cease-fire," in the rotunda of the government building, which is connected to the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

In one video, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., was seen attempting to go on-air for a TV news interview as protesters loudly chanted below him in the rotunda.

"Will that disrupt the audio," the Republican is heard asking the reporter.

"Yeah, we can't hear you," the reporter replied, as protesters are heard chanting, "We call for dignity, not for inhumanity," and "Food not bombs."

FDNY FIRE COMMISSIONER JEERED DURING PARADE AFTER PROMISING TO HUNT BOOING FIREFIGHTERS: YOU SUCK

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Approximately 13 people were arrested for illegally demonstrating inside the Russell Senate Office Building on Thursday in Washington, D.C.

"We are Christians for cease-fire," they yelled.

According to U.S. Capitol Police (USCP), approximately 13 demonstrators were arrested.

WATCH PROTESTERS:

Authorities said that they first warned the protesters, who were seen waving signs that read, "Ceasefire Now," that they would be arrested if they did not stop demonstrating.

A majority of the protesters began filing out, but around 13 stayed behind and were promptly arrested by USCP.

A protester is arrested by USCP inside the Russell Senate Office Building on Thursday.

Photos from the scene captured one of the protesters being ushered out of the rotunda by a USCP officer.

Officers used zipties to restrain the protesters.

PROTESTER CHARGES AT DC MAYOR BOWSER, CALLS FOR CEASE-FIRE IN GAZA

The USCP said that the arrested protesters were charged with D.C. Code  221307 - Crowding, Obstructing, or Incommoding.

The protests highlight the growing animosity President Biden faces within his own party from demonstrators calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.

Protesters inside the rotunda at The Russell Senate Office Building chanted and held pro-Palestinian signs and chanted for a cease-fire in Gaza on Thursday.

Recent Fox News polling showed that support for Palestinians among Democrats has increased 17 points since October.

That shift among Democrats leads to a starker party divide now (43% siding with Israelis vs. 42% siding with Palestinians) than in October (59% vs. 25%).

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News has reached out to Rubio's office for comment.

Fox News' Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report.





Original article source: Pro-Palestinian protest breaks out inside Senate office building, interrupts interview with cease-fire chants
Progressive House Democrats on Thursday heavily criticized a provision in the recently unveiled $1.2 trillion spending package that would halt funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

A number of prominent progressives highlighted cuts in funding for the key United Nations agency that provides food, water and shelter to Palestinians in Gaza as one of the reasons they are leery about voting for the government funding bill.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said the move to restrict funding is highly political.

I think its unconscionable; its unconscionable, Ocasio-Cortez said Thursday. Its also not grounded in sound facts. We have intelligence assessments that speak to this, and I find it highly political.

The Biden administration said it would temporarily stop funding for UNRWA over allegations that some of its employees partook in Hamass Oct. 7 attack on Israel, and Republicans pushed to keep the funding cut off.

Democrats countered that the dozen people allegedly involved is a minuscule portion of UNRWAs 30,000 employees, and that UNRWA is a key resource for Palestinians facing a humanitarian crisis and would leave a void no other agency is able to fill.

UNRWA funding had emerged as a late sticking point in negotiations over the spending deal. The measure would extend the pause through March 2025 and deprive the agency of hundreds of millions of dollars.

Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) on Thursday shared a similar sentiment as his colleague from the Empire State.

Thats some bullshit, Bowman told The Hill on Thursday when asked about the provision.

Bowman said he still needs to look deeper at the spending package, but he later continued his criticism.

But thats some bullshit if we are not funding UNRWA, he said. UNRWA is the long-standing organization working on-the-ground in Gaza, providing humanitarian aid, and we have a humanitarian crisis right now where babies and children are starving to death. Its evil. Its unacceptable. We gotta fund UNRWA for sure.

Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) said was leaning no on voting for the spending bills that would help avert a partial government shutdown.

Part of the reason was a 3 percent increase in defense spending, but the other was the UNRWA funding restriction.

Im still looking at it, but Im leaning no, Jayapal told The Hill on Thursday.

She said she was satisfied the GOP did not end up with all of the wins they wanted to have in the minibus negotiations, but she reiterated her concerns over UNRWA funds and the defense package.

But for me, UNRWA prohibition is a big deal, Jayapal said. The defense budget is a big deal, so Im still deciding what Im gonna do.

The lower chamber is expected to take up the spending package Friday. If it passes, it moves to the Senate where lawmakers would have to swiftly take it up and pass it in order to avoid a lapse in funding for numerous agencies.

I will vote no on this bill that bans aid to children in Gaza who are dying of hunger, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) wrote in a Thursday post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Forget the politics & procedural jargon. This is a test of first principles. The America I believe in must never be indifferent to the man made starvation of children.

Mychael Schnell contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A prolific tagger accused of vandalizing property across the Portland metro area, resulting in thousands of dollars in damage, was arraigned on Thursday, the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office announced.

A Multnomah County grand jury indicted 22-year-old Aidan Saul on four counts of first-degree criminal mischief and 19 counts of second-degree criminal mischief. Saul pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Between July 2022 and November 2023, Saul allegedly vandalized buildings and structures using the tag GEOMETRO on public and private property in the Portland metro area, authorities said.

Authorities said 22-year-old Aidan Saul was arraigned on 23 criminal mischief charges on March 14, 2024 for allegedly tagging GEOMETRO on private and public properties across the Portland Metro Area (courtesy Multnomah County District Attorneys Office.)

Authorities said 22-year-old Aidan Saul was arraigned on 23 criminal mischief charges on March 14, 2024 for allegedly tagging GEOMETRO on private and public properties across the Portland Metro Area (courtesy Multnomah County District Attorneys Office.)

Authorities noted they seized significant evidence from Sauls home in November after a search warrant was issued.

The 23 counts include over $6,000 in damage to a concrete wall and metal speed sign at the NE Halsey Street and 81st Avenue overpass along Interstate 84, and over $4,000 in damage to a concrete wall at the SE Powell Boulevard underpass on 17th Avenue, along with damage to City of Portland property, and several businesses, the district attorneys office said.

Mother charged after son killed in Wednesday night car crash

Total damages are still being calculated, but so far total over $15,000.

In February, Portland police announced the arrest of another prolific tagger who is accused of spray painting buildings as far back as 2021.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
(Bloomberg) -- Sign up for the India Edition newsletter by Menaka Doshi  an insider's guide to the emerging economic powerhouse, and the billionaires and businesses behind its rise, delivered weekly.

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Indias opposition parties slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modis government for arresting a key leader just weeks before elections, alleging the move was a vindictive misuse of central agencies and an attempt to stifle them.

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Directorate of Enforcement, or ED, on Thursday. On Friday, a court in Delhi sent him to the custody of the federal agency till March 28.

Delhi is controlled by Kejriwals Aam Aadmi Party, or AAP, in Indias federal government system. The chief minister, 55, is a key member of an opposition alliance challenging Modis bid for a third straight term in office in nationwide elections that kick off in April.

Modi, 73, remains a popular leader with voters and his Bharatiya Janata Party is in a strong position to return to power. The opposition alliance, created last year to mount a united defense against Modi, has been hamstrung by defections, government investigations and a cash crunch.

They allege the federal agencys move against Kejriwal is part of an on-going campaign to malign and weaken them ahead of the elections.

The BJP has refuted any suggestion that its deliberately targeting opposition leaders and has defended the governments actions as necessary to root out wide-spread corruption. Our sincere and unsolicited advice to opposition parties who are attacking the BJP is to trust the courts and seek relief from them, Sambit Patra, national spokesman for the BJP, told reporters Friday. The BJP cannot stop that, he added.

Financial Squeeze

Last month, another chief minister, this time from the eastern state of Jharkand was arrested by the ED in a case of alleged land fraud. He remains in prison. Hours before Kejriwals arrest, Indias main opposition party, the Indian National Congress, accused Modi and his government of trying to cripple the party financially by freezing their bank accounts.

The intensity and manner in which these agencies are against key opposition leaders clearly show that there is political intention, said Niranjan Sahoo, a senior fellow at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi.

The ED has been investigating Kejriwal over allegations that his government skewed the states alcohol pricing in return for bribes. Other federal anti-corruption agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation, are also probing the alcohol policy. Introduced in 2021, the policy was rolled back within months following allegations of wrongdoing. Since then, the ED has arrested two other top AAP leaders. None of those arrested have been convicted.

Kejriwal and his party have denied the allegations. The AAP had been anticipating Kejriwals arrest since the ED sought to question him over the bribery scandal in November.

One by one, they (BJP) are putting opposition leaders in prison. There will be no one left to fight in the elections, Kejriwal said last month. BJP does not win elections, they steal them.

Indias opposition parties lambasted Kejriwals arrest. A scared dictator wants to build a dead democracy, Rahul Gandhi, a senior leader with the Congress party posted on the social media platform X, referring to Modi. Others described Kejriwals arrest as a desperate witch-hunt.

Indian investigative agencies do not really have functional autonomy, said Sahoo. We have seen this with past governments as well and now the BJP has only accelerated the pace. It is actually using them more aggressively, he added.

Over the decade the BJP has been in power, the number of registered cases by the federal agencies have risen as conviction rates have plummeted, according to statistics released by the government. Of the cases filed against politicians for graft and money laundering, 95% target opposition politicians, according to a report by an Indian media house.

AAP members are protesting in the capital New Delhi on Friday, which have led to the closure of several roads and a metro station. Police detained protesters, including the states education minister. If this isnt the death of democracy, then what is, Atishi, who goes by one name, posted on X.

I would say it is not a setback for the opposition, said Sahoo. This is an opportunity for opposition to rally around a popular leader and this can galvanize the opposition just a few weeks before the elections, he added.

--With assistance from Shruti Mahajan and Ruchi Bhatia.

(Updates with custody details in second paragraph.)

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Behind the 12th Street Plaza shopping center and the bustle of Triangle Citys conglomerated intersections, a one-time West Columbia factory sits vacant and dilapidating. Determined signage still attempts to spell out COLITE INDUSTRIES, though a t and s have gone by the wayside.

The 300,000-square-foot facility at 228 North Parson St. was once home to that sign-making companys world headquarters, before it departed for a new home in Columbia in 2008. The building and its still-striking signage were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2018.

And they have continued to sit, seemingly undisturbed, showing little evidence of real estate development company Jams + Starks plans to transform the site into a multi-use development that would bring not just co-working space, but a food hall, multiple restaurants and more. The ambitious developers hope to have an impact similar to reclamation projects in cities such as Durham and Charlotte, which have helped turn those cities into destinations for culture and commerce.

But while nothing has visibly changed since the project, dubbed Colite City, was announced in October 2022, Wade Caughman, the companys director of development, said recently that much has been done behind the scenes and specific announcements about what exactly will be moving into the new development are a few weeks away.

Rendering of the proposed Colite City development

He added that progress has come slower than expected because of requirements that come with the property being on the National Register. The design phase the company has been working through included collaboration with the Savannah College of Art and Design, including a couple students from Columbia, Caughman said.

I think people are starving for collaboration and engagement that they see in other areas, just like our Soda City Market, he offered. (That weekly Columbia market) is packed with different groups of people and ethnicities, types of businesses, creative, innovative entrepreneurs in all different ways. What were finding is ... theres a lot of smart and great people in Colombia. But theyre all over the place, from Lexington to Irmo, downtown, Five Points, West Columbia.

Colite City, Caughman added, would give them an opportunity to collaborate in one location.

The planned investment, the cost of which Caughman said he couldnt yet disclose, would allow professionals and creatives a variety of spaces to carry out this collaboration, with maker/designer spaces, an entrepreneur hub featuring flex office space, studio spaces, and outdoor/indoor pocket parks envisioned as creative and engaging spaces all on the menu.

Beyond the specifically business-focused aspects, the project promises lifestyle enhancements for West Columbia, including the aforementioned food hall, two restaurant spaces and an event space the Colite City website dubs the CC Hanger. That 15,000-square-foot event space with an attached covered patio is pitched as a potential home for markets, dinners, music and special occasions.

Rendering of the proposed Colite City development

Caughman detailed in an email that the project is in the process of locking down potential tenants, with those discussions including the likes of well curated food hall concepts for the foodies of metro Columbia ... start-up tech companies, art/design, T-shirt makers, urban fitness, designers in fashion, furniture and leather.

We see many types of entrepreneurs creating synergy, from a blacksmith to a tech company to a designer who gets a great idea from a foodie in the food hall, he added. Unique and diverse people and businesses working together.

Some might remember Caughman bringing to bear impactful local projects in the past  the residential developments City Club and Congaree Creek, for instance. Caughmans also known for some past legal trouble  he went to prison for fraud and money laundering related to a phony luxury car deal that duped investors out of more than $1 million between 2011 and 2016.

But he and Jams + Stark arent running from his past trouble. Caughman said he was upfront with the company and hes being upfront with every potential Colite City tenant he talks with about his checkered past.

And West Columbia leadership doesnt seem bothered by Caughman having a large hand in a potentially game-changing project for the city.

Its my understanding that hes been upfront with everybody that hes talked to as a potential investor about his prior experiences, said West Columbia Mayor Tem Miles. And at the end of the day, I think Wade Caughman is a visionary, and the timing works, and he brings us a doable project. I look forward to seeing it being done.

The mayor sees the promise of Colite City as a big deal for his city, saying that if it is completed it would be the most transformative project in the history of West Columbia.

It is in the geographic heart and center of town and will be an unbelievable catalyst for the areas around it, Miles added.

Rendering of the proposed Colite City development

West Columbia City Councilman David Moye, whose district includes the former Colite factory, emphasized the positive impact it could have on the surrounding neighborhood, which runs along Jarvis Klapman Boulevard and is made up of older residences originally spurred by the need to house workers at the factory.

And like Miles, he isnt concerned by Caughmans involvement.

The old Colite site has been identified as the most consequential redevelopment site in the area, thats the bottom line, Moye said in a statement to The State. A great project does not care who built it. If council gets a proposal from the developer that will meet our community and economic goals, and the citys legal team thinks there are adequate protections in place, then it is in our interest to pursue the project. If not, then we shouldnt. At this point, I am optimistic about the future.

The location of the site is likewise a big part of what excites Caughman about its potential. He said its proximity to Jarvis Klapman and the thoroughfares that meet in Triangle City make it easily accessible from downtown Columbia, Lexington and local interstates, which should help it become a hub for creativity and entrepreneurship  one that might help the Midlands catch up with its larger metropolitan neighbors.

Atlanta is 500,000 people, but you and I know, Atlantas 6 million, he said, comparing it to the greater metropolitan population of Columbia, which is nearly 1 million.

Caughman argued that attracting and retaining talent tempted by places like Atlanta, with all the business and lifestyle benefits made possible by their larger populations, means taking swings like Colite City.

This project and the connectivity is really going to bring things together, he added.

Eric Woodard, who owns the record and comic shop Scratch N Spin roughly four blocks away in Triangle City, is hopeful for what Colite City might do for the area. He sees the project as being able to appeal to young professionals and students approaching graduation, hopefully helping to motivate them to stay in the area  and spend time near his store.

It could attract the right kind of young professional that hopefully will stay in Colombia that will bring energy and new blood, so to speak, he said.
Public schools are often lauded as the bedrock of democracy, especially when supporters claim that public schools take all comers. But the truth is that public schools aren't open to all.

All too often, admission is only open to students whose families can afford to buy or rent a home inside the districts' boundaries or pay transfer student tuition. In 33 states, students living outside a district's boundaries can be barred from its schools simply because of their geographic location.

Most states permit some form of open enrollment, which lets students attend public schools other than their residentially assigned one. However, 24 states also let school districts charge tuition to transfer students.

This means that transfer students and their families can be on the hook for pricey public school tuition. For instance, Clayton School District in Missouri charged the families of non-resident students in kindergarten through the fifth grade $18,300 and those in the sixth through 12th grades $19,400 for the 2023-24 school year.

In Virginia, Reason Foundation found that the average tuition rate in 72 school divisions that permitted cross-district transfers was $4,000, with rates peaking at $24,000 per student at Meridian High School in Falls Church.

At the same time, New York's Tuxedo Union Free School District charged non-resident students in the seventh through 12th grades $11,000 annually for the 2022-23 school year. Yet this pales in comparison to the $20,200 charged annually by Pelham Public Schools that same year.

In cases like these, tuition makes schools out of reach for many students, especially those from low-income families.

Sometimes, neighboring school districts establish special agreements to pay tuition for each other's transfer students. Proponents might argue that these dollars help offset the costs of new students, but in many instances, it's clear that districts are selling seats to rake in extra cash.

For example, when Dacia Mumford was elected in 2022 to the school board of the West Lafayette Community School Corporation in Indiana, she discovered that the district's superintendent used transfer tuition funds as a "slush fund" for travel and other dubious expenses.

She found that tuition funds were diverted to a "Promotion of Schools/RATM" fund which were funneled to credit cards used at the superintendent's discretion. Mumford found that he used these funds to pay for various travel expenses, including a trip overseas.

"The April 2019 credit card statement shows $14,837 in payments to a travel agency for what seems to be the trip to London, though the destination is redacted," Mumford wrote in a September 2022 blog post. "There are also charges for a couple of thousand-dollar meals and several hotel rooms in Philadelphia that appear to be part of a trip for school board members."

With the school board's approval, these funds paid for the superintendent's and others' travel to a London concert in celebration of new school buildings, one of which, Mumford noted, was named after a performer's family member.

Moreover, these purchases occurred the same month the school board voted to fire all first-year teachers at the district's elementary and middle schools to save costs.

While most school districts have better oversight of transfer student tuition funds, this example highlights how some are willing to sell their seats for the right price.

However, state policymakers are beginning to take note and recognize that charging families public school tuition is an oxymoron. Last year, state policymakers in Montana and North Dakota established laws stopping school districts from charging tuition to students using open enrollment.

This year, Indiana policymakers followed suit. Gov. Eric Holcomb signed H.B. 1380 into law which stops school districts from charging transfer students public school tuition or any other fee associated with the transfer.

This is a major victory for the 87,000 students in Indiana who use open enrollment or some other transfer mechanism to attend a public school other than their residentially assigned one.

This reform is long overdue, since Indiana's constitution guarantees that public schools are open to all students. Yet, in practice, school districts could bar their doors to transfer students who can't pay the price of admission.

Indiana's new law ensures that school districts cannot use open enrollment to sell seats, making Indiana the 26th state where public schools are free to all students. Policymakers in the remaining 24 states should follow suit and ensure that public education isn't free in name only.

The post Public Schools Charge Tuition, Just Like Private Schools appeared first on Reason.com.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and the state office of development and international trade announced Wednesday that over $55 million in grants will to go toward workforce training and development programs throughout the state.

Some of that grant money is going to come to Pueblo, as a few million dollars have been allotted to programs to help train local workers.

This is about working through our industry partners of the private sector, saying, 'What do you need? Who are you hiring? What are your needs over the next year, two years, three years? And how can we train people up to earn a good living and help fill the job positions that are open today and tomorrow?' Polis told the Chieftain.

Gov. Jared Polis delivers the State of the State address at Colorado State University Pueblo on Friday, January 26, 2024.

Which Pueblo organizations will receive grant funds?

Over $2 million will go to the South Central Board of Cooperative Educational Services, based in Pueblo West.

This organization focuses on the construction and education industries, partnering with school districts, higher education institutions, training centers and industry leaders to address the shortage of qualified workers in the region. Thats according to a document about the grant recipients.

With concurrent enrollment opportunities and industry-certified credentials, our students will seamlessly transition into full-time employment within their chosen field, the document states.

Servicios de la Raza is also receiving a $900,000 grant to help low-income Latinos in Pueblo and Denver.

The grant for Servicios de la Raza will focus on industries with a shortage of qualified workers, including transportation, infrastructure, warehousing, construction and skilled trades sectors, the document states.

The scope of the grant includes an evidence-based curriculum, the potential for obtaining credentials, swift access to careers with industry partners, and case management services from the organization.

Why the grant funds are needed in Pueblo County

Pueblo County has one of the highest unemployment rates in Colorado, although its still low compared to historical data.

It's really about making sure people have the opportunity to get the skills they need, which are often in addition to having a high school degree or diploma, Polis said, adding that the project from South Central BOCES could help high school graduates not attending college with a marketable skill, and a trade that allows you to earn a good living.

More: Pueblo County ranks among the most unemployed counties in Colorado. Why is that the case?

Anna Lynn Winfrey covers politics for the Pueblo Chieftain. She can be reached at awinfrey@gannett.com. Please support local news at subscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo organizations to receive millions in funds for workforce training
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a heartwarming reception in Bhutan on Friday, March 22. Youngsters welcomed the PM at his hotel in Thimphu with a graceful Garba performance, dancing to the tunes of a song written by PM Modi himself.

In traditional Gujarati attire, Ghagra-choli, and Kurta Paijama, the performers radiated festive vibes. PM Modi also met and interacted with members of the Indian diaspora and locals of Bhutan before the performance.

The Bhutanese Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay, expressed his warm welcome to PM Modi in a Hindi post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Bhutan mein aapka swagat hai mere bade bhai @narendramodi Ji."

Upon his arrival at the Paro airport, PM Modi was warmly received by the Bhutanese Prime Minister and accorded a red-carpet ceremonial welcome. The entire 45-kilometre route from Paro International Airport to Thimphu was lined with Bhutanese people, adorned with Indian and Bhutanese flags and banners leading up to the hotel.

Members of the Indian community expressed their happiness, feeling honored to meet PM Modi, the report reads.

During his visit, PM Modi will partake in various programs aimed at strengthening the India-Bhutan bilateral partnership. The Ministry of External Affairs stated, Prime Minister will inaugurate the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital in Thimphu, a state-of-the-art hospital built with the assistance of the Government of India."

The ministry had earlier mentioned that PM Modi's visit would offer an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on bilateral and regional matters and deliberate on ways to expand and intensify their exemplary partnership for the benefit of their peoples.

Diplomatic Significance of PM Modi's Trip to Bhutan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Strengthen Bilateral Ties on Bhutan Visit

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Tonight features partly cloudy skies. With our wind transitioning to coming from the northwest to lightly coming out of the southeast by dawn, we wont be as cold overnight, with lows dropping to around freezing.

Friday brings rain showers back to the region for the afternoon, as a trough crosses. Although a good setup for cold air damming is expected with high pressure to our northeast over Canada, temperatures even in the highest mountain spots should remain just warm enough for showers to remain as rain, however highs on the eastern side of the mountains will struggle to reach into the 40s.

For the lowlands, we wont be affected by cold air damming, with highs making a run at 60  a few low 60s in our western counties is a good bet! We will see a big variety in temperatures for highs, ranging from near 60 in the lowlands down to the low to mid 40s in the highlands. Showers will continue into the overnight hours, with lows around 40. Friday will be blustery, with gusts up to 25 mph possible out ahead of the showers that work their way in. Thats not good news for the brushfires burning but beneficial rain will arrive late in the evening.

Saturday keeps rain showers likely through the morning in what will begin as a dreary, gloomy and cold day with a northwest breeze in place. Rain shower chances will become more isolated in the afternoon, though a sprinkle or two cant still be ruled out. High temperatures will be in the upper 40s in the lowlands and low 40s in the mountains but with a north to northwest breeze that could gust to 25 mph, wind chill values in the 30s will make for a chilly afternoon. Between Friday night and Saturday, most of us will see around a half inch of rain.

Sunday brings mostly sunny skies into the region with high pressure overhead shifting to our east by the afternoon, which will warm us up as a return flow shapes with a southwest breeze. With high pressure once again up to our northeast, our mountain counties will be much cooler than the lowlands. High temperatures into the upper 50s in the lowlands are a good bet with 40s being stubborn to in the mountains. Well have hardly a cloud in the sky. At least the wind will relax!

Monday provides mostly sunny skies once again and high temperatures pushing into the 60s  its going to feel great outside! Our next system will begin to approach late in the day, with clouds on the increase and showers will then be likely heading into the next day.

How to avoid and alleviate mosquito bites

Tuesday sees mostly cloudy skies and a few showers likely by the afternoon as a low pressure system moves up into the Great Lakes and a new area of low pressure develops in the lower Mississippi River Valley. That latter low will move north into the Ohio River Valley by the evening, increasing our rain chances. Rain chances will be greatest overnight into Wednesday, with high temperatures warm once again with a stout southerly breeze around 60 degrees.

Wednesday continues the mild but unsettled pattern, with a few showers continuing early. Well see some afternoon clearing but behind a cold front, its a little cooler  but still above average  with highs in the mid 50s.

What should you do if you are bitten by a tick?

Thursday features plenty of sunshine with high pressure moving into the region from the west. That will give us a cooler air flow and hold high temperatures down into the low 50s.

Looking ahead in your extended forecast, well see a few showers return late in the day on Good Friday but with a southerly breeze, we warm up nicely to around 60 degrees. Better chances for rain look likely for Saturday with another area of low pressure scooting through with highs in the 50s. Sunday could provide a morning shower or two with afternoon clearing. Its cooler with highs near 50.

Help us with our growing community of weather photos with #weathertogether. Head to our website and search for the Weather together tab and upload your photos of weather going on around our region.

We are in spring forest fire season in West Virginia  this means dont burn between 7 AM and 5 PM through May 31st. Low humidity values during the daytime, along with breezier and warmer conditions will at times increase the fire threat, hence the burn ban during most of the daytime. Follow all regulations or be faced with potential consequences, such as fines! In Virginia, the spring fire season continues through April 30th  dont burn before 4 PM.

TONIGHT

Partly cloudy. Lows near freezing.

FRIDAY

Rain showers likely by dinnertime. Quiet but breezy beforehand. Quite a variance in temperature, with highs near 60 in the lowlands but only in the 40s in the highlands.

SATURDAY

Gloomy start with showers likely. Afternoon clearing. Highs in the upper 40s.

SUNDAY

Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 50s.

MONDAY

Mostly sunny. Highs in the low to mid 60s.

TUESDAY

Rain showers likely, especially for the afternoon. Highs near 60.

WEDNESDAY

Showers likely once again. Highs in the mid 50s.

THURSDAY

Morning sprinkles. Afternoon clearing. Highs in the low 50s.

GOOD FRIDAY

Sunny. Increasing clouds late. Highs in the 60s.

SATURDAY

Rain chances return. Highs in the 50s.

SUNDAY

Lingering showers. Highs in the 50s.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
While Florida is deemed the "Sunshine State," we all have had rain ruined our weekends from time to time.

The sudden appearance of rain might mean canceled beach plans, hangouts in downtown or walks in a nature preserve.

Need any ideas on what to do in Lee County during the next completely rainy day? We got you covered; here are 10 indoor activities anyone can do during the next gloomy weather day.

Look for treasure at Fleamasters Fleamarket

Shoppers at Fleamasters in Fort Myers take a break to enjoy some local food.

Where else can you get fresh fruit, genuine leather cowboy boots, and unique antiques under one roof? Open Friday through Sunday all year round, getting lost in 400,000 square feet of shopping at Fleamasters Fleamarket is the perfect way to spend a rainy day. Attendees will forget about the lack of sun after scoping out the deals and trinkets within each booth.

After the hard work of bargaining and scoring good finds, attendees have over 20 snack bars serving various treats to hit up afterward as a reward.

The flea market is located at 4135 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Fort Myers and goes from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Have dreams of being a scientist? Try it out at the IMAG History & Science Center

The Science on a Sphere show at IMAG History & Science Center in Fort Myers

Ever want to learn more about the world we live in and where we came from? Take advance of a stormy day to check out IMAG History & Science Center.

According to its site, IMAG is an "extraordinary, unique family-friendly destination in Southwest Florida featuring aquariums and animal exhibits; interactive displays, exhibits, and activities; presentations, and innovative programs all to inspire the imagination in you, your family, and friends."

It is located at 2000 Cranford Ave. in Fort Myers. It is open from Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is open on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. and closed on Tuesdays.

Solve a mystery on the Murder Mystery Train

Enjoy a one-of-a-kind theatrical and culinary experience where a 3-hour live murder mystery show is played out in a dining car. Located in Colonial Station in Fort Myers, attendees will enjoy a five-course dinner as the performance takes place around them.

The show runs Wednesday through Sunday evenings throughout the year. You can make a reservation through their website.

Want to learn something new? Take a trip to a museum

Southwest Florida is ripe with history, art and science. Check out the various museums in the region and expand your knowledge.

Southwest Florida hosts several museums on fine art, history, prominent figures, and fashion. Most admission ranges from $5 to $45, however many offer discounts for locals, veterans, college students, and seniors.

Here are some museums to explore:

Catch a show at a local theater

A scene from "Murder on the Orient Express," the new murder mystery opening Aug. 18 at Broadway Palm dinner theater in Fort Myers.

Lee County is home is a thriving arts community, especially when it comes to theater. Fort Myers alone has multiple theaters where residents and tourists can catch off-Broadway plays or originals from the minds of local talents.

Here are some theatres to look into:

Florida Repertory Theatre: 2268 Bay St., Fort Myers, FL 33901; floridarep.org/

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre: 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33907; broadwaypalm.com

Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center: 2301 First St., Fort Myers, FL 33901; sbdac.com

Visit a brewery or coffee shop

Grab some friends and get some drinks the second you see rain in the distance. Whether your drink of choice is a beer, coffee, or glass of water, you can brave the storm under a roof with good music and good company.

Eight-Foot Brewing, which opened July 28 in Cape Coral. The brewery specializes in small-batch beers and opened after three years of planning by husband and wife Roger and Alex Phelps.

Check out these breweries:

Millennial Brewing Company: 1811 Royal Palm Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33901

Crazy Dingo Brewing Company: 8500 Penzance Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33912

Coastal Dayz Brewing Company: 2161 McGregor Blvd E, Fort Myers, FL 33901

Fort Myers Brewing Company: 12811 Commerce Lakes Dr #28, Fort Myers, FL 33913

Botanical Brewing Company: 839 Miramar St., Cape Coral, FL 33904

Point Ybel Brewing Company: 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33908

Eight-Foot Brewing Company: 1520 SE 46th Lane, Cape Coral, FL 33904

Or maybe you prefer coffee instead:

Seed & Bean: 1520 Broadway #107, Fort Myers, FL 33901

Urban Buzz: 4413 Del Prado Blvd S, Cape Coral, FL 33904

The French Press: 5789 Cape Harbour Dr #101, Cape Coral, FL 33914

Cafe Flore: 8061 Dani Dr. Unit 110, Fort Myers, FL 33966

The House of Ride Nature: 2464 Second St., Fort Myers, FL 33901

The Perfect Cup: 4548 Pine Island Road, Matlacha, FL 33993

Vichino's Coffee and Wine Bar: 25987 S Tamiami Trail Unit 100, Bonita Springs, FL 34134

Go scouting for new music at record shops

Record Trader 1 in Fort Myers will be participating in Record Store Day which will take place on Saturday. Record Trader 1 owner Ralph Tarantino expects long lines early in the morning and is opening his doors early to deal with crowds.

Are any music buffs looking for an excuse to search for some new tunes? Use the recent rainy weather to your advantage and score some records. Since it's typically a monsoon each afternoon, you'll (fortunately) have to kill some time really digging into each section to see what they have.

Check out these record shops:

Record Trader 1: 3091 Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33901

Joe's Record Exchange: 2439 First St, Fort Myers, FL 33901

Revolution Records: 1031 Cape Coral Pkwy E #101, Cape Coral, FL 33904

Beach Records: 15560 McGregor Blvd #8, Fort Myers, FL 33908

Stellar Records: 4204 Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33901

Record Store Day is April 20: Here's what Florida stores are participating, releases to search for

Or maybe you're a comic book collector instead

Live through favorite fictional characters as they, most likely, go through their story on a sunny day.

Even if you've never delved into the world of comics, many shops offer an array of genres and stories that are sure to pique your interest. Some also offer collectibles and games from you favorite stores (looking at any Funko Pop! collectors).

If you're extra lucky, maybe you'll wander in on a day a shop is having an event or card tournament. Cool Comics and Games in Cape Coral hosts weekly tournaments for Magic the Gathering, Pokemon TCG, Yu-Gi-Oh! and many more.

Sign up for an escape room

During the Dek's escape room, guests receive sandwiches, chips and drinks, which includes beer and alcohol.

When the weather outside is already dark and gloomy, might as well add to the potentially spooky vibes by signing up to be locked in a room you have to escape from.

In all honesty, escape rooms are a great way to pass the time and have fun on a rainy day. Most escape rooms offer different room themes, such as aliens, detectives, zombies, and murder mysteries. They can also range in difficulty depending on the group.

Check out a new restaurant

Is there a new restaurant that just opened on your list but you haven't had time to try it yet or it hasn't been the right time to check it out? Add it to your rainy day agenda, there's no better way to treat yourself on an otherwise gloomy day than to experience some new cuisine.

Go ahead and grab those tacos you were craving the other day or the waffles on Facebook you said looked delicious.

Need ideas on where to try? Here are the News-Press's most recent restaurant reviews and highlights:

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Lee County: What activities can I do when it's raining outside?
Raleigh police took two men into custody this week in cold-case sexual assaults dating back more than 25 years ago.

Tracy Lamont Thompson, 51, was charged Wednesday with reported rapes, a kidnapping and assaults in 1998, 2007 and 2009, the Raleigh Police Department said.

Lontren Lawrence Walker, 49, was charged Friday with a reported sexual assault in 1998.

The mens alleged crimes are not connected, but their arrests come after state-mandated testing of sexual assault kits through the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. The N.C. Department of Justice received a grant in 2019 for the initiative, which is run out of the State Crime Lab.

Thompson was charged with the following felonies: first-degree kidnapping, second-degree rape, second-degree sexual offense, attempted second-degree rape and assault by strangulation.

He previously served a 39-month prison sentence for several felonies, that included a 2008 assault on a female, according to the N.C. Department of Adult Correction.

Walker was charged with first-degree rape, first-degree kidnapping, attempted murder and assault by strangulation.

National database link suspects to crimes

The Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) is a national database used to match DNA from convicted offenders, crime-scene evidence and missing persons with that of untested sexual assault kits.

Last month, the State Crime Lab registered 86 CODIS hits, or matches, according to Nazneen Ahmed, spokesperson for the Attorney General Josh Stein.

Some 1,268 sexual assault kits were matched between July 1, 2023, and Thursday, March 21, potentially aiding in further investigations of more cold cases.

More than 93% of older sexual assault kits in the state have been tested under the Survivor Act requirement.

Last October, the Department of Justice said there were 16,235 older kits in local law enforcement custody, and about 12,000 of them require or may require testing based on the Survivor Act.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Real estate fraud has seen a sharp spike in recent years, and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has a new consumer alert to educate renters and homebuyers on how to avoid such scams.

Fraudulent real-estate listings often advertise properties that dont exist, arent for sale or rent or arent really what they seem to be.

Sadly, when the sums reach such heights, fraudsters and scammers are drawn to these markets, said Nessel.

For example, someone listing on Facebook Marketplace used one Florida home for four different scams, with the objective of luring several people to buy or rent that same home.

(Photo by Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images)

Prospective homebuyers and renters can avoid falling victim to these scams with moderate vigilance and reasonable precautions, and a healthy skepticism of any listings that appear too good to be true, Nessel said.

According to Zillow, these are all red flags that you should look out for:

Requests to wire funds  Most frauds ask for money to be wired using Western Union or MoneyGram, or to be sent through apps like Venmo or Cash App. Never send or accept money from someone you have not met in person.

Long-distance solicitations  People in other countries might claim to be interested in buying or renting a house in the United States.

Requests for verification codes  Dont share verifications youve gotten by text. Scammers can use these to hijack your account.

Requests for personal or financial information  Dont give your bank account number or Social Security Number to anyone you havent verified.

Grammar/spelling errors and sob stories  Spelling and grammar mistakes, as well as stories of hardships, often point to fraud.

Ingham County recommends tool to combat property fraud

To help you avoid falling victim to a rental scam, the Federal Trade Commission offers the following strategies:

Conduct an online search  Look for the name of the owner or rental company with the words complaint, review and scam.

Look at prices of similar units  If the price is lower than most comparable units, it could be a scam.

Never give personal or financial information  If someone contacts you and says theyre working with the owner or company, dont give personal information. Use the contact info you have and contact the owner or company first.

Dont pay with cash  If anyone requires that you pay with cash, wire transfers, money cards or cryptocurrency, its a scam. Once youve sent these funds, its unlikely youll be able to get them back.

If you think youve fallen victim to a rental or real estate scam, report it to the following:

Local law enforcement

The FTC

The website where the fraudulent ad was posted

You can also file a complaint with the Michigan Department of Attorney Generals Consumer Protection Team.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the beginning of a new conference with members of the coronavirus task force, including Vice President Mike Pence in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House February 26, 2020 in Washington, DC. Trump updated the American people about what his administration's 'whole of government' response to the global coronavirus outbreak. Credit - Tasos Katopodis-Getty Images

Last December, at a rally in New Hampshire, Donald Trump asked the crowd a surprising and revealing question: Were you better off five years ago or are you better off today?

Its surprising because it deviated from what generations of presidential candidates trying to beat a first-term incumbent had asked at similar moments: Were you better off four years ago? That age-old question would be especially apt in this years election, since four years ago, Trump himself was in the White House, with the fate of the nation in his hands. Voters have good reason to consider how they felt about their own security and the state of the union during 2020, and to compare it with how they feel today.

Its revealing, because it so powerfully illustrates Trumps strategies for reclaiming the Oval Office: Encourage Americans to deny, ignore, or forget just how dangerous and dysfunctional life was here four years ago, and to repress our memories of his governments chaotic, and policy response to that years crises. In the 2024 election, Trump has a great deal to gain from avoiding conversations about what happened during 2020. The rest of country, however, has everything to lose by treating the year as an anomaly, and acting as if what happened in the US does not count.

At first, Trump simply denied the risk. We have it totally under control, he told CNBC, on January 21. The next week, January 28, national security advisor Robert OBrien told the president that, in fact, This will be the biggest national security threat you face in your presidency. When, in early February 25, 2020, Nancy Messonnier, the director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC, told the press that we expect we will see community spread in the United States. Its not a question of if this will happen, but when this will happen, the president demanded she be fired.

Denial led to magical thinking and bizarre decisions that sewed division and distrust. Remember when, in March, the president refused to let a cruise ship with infected Americans return to shore because I like the numbers where they are? When the government declared that certain people were essential workers, but refused to guarantee them personal protective equipment, let alone extra compensation and better health care? When, in April, Trump announced that the CDC was now recommending that Americans wear masks in public, but immediately declared Im choosing not to do it? Or when, in December 2020, he refused to get vaccinated on television or promote the vaccines that his own government had helped bring to market (and could reasonably claim as a policy breakthrough), because he didnt want Joe Biden to get the credit?

There are reams of research showing how the American response to 2020 allowed the COVID-19 to run rampant, leading to more severe disease and excess death than was necessary, particularly for a nation that was, as global health experts saw it, so well prepared. What weve yet to assess is the way Trumps pandemic leadership damaged our already-fraying social fabric, and made the social experience of 2020 so durably catastrophic that it remains with us today.

Read More: The Pandemic Sacrifices of 20-Somethings

By nearly every measure, the U.S. response to the threats of 2020 made the situation worse than was necessary. Recall that, in 2019, the Global Health Security Index rated the US better prepared for a pandemic emergency than any other nation. In 2020, however, the federal government failed to execute its plan. Or any plan, really. But in the cacophony of competing ideas and conflicting instructions, we grew more socially distanced, ideologically divided, and distrustful of core institutions. At a moment when we needed solidarity, Americans experienced the opposite: alienation and anomie.

Consider the way we treated each other. A great many people remember 2020 as a time of surging crime rates. A record increase in homicides. Vandalism at Black Lives Matter protests. Domestic violence, alcohol and drug use, lethal overdoses, all at alarming levels. Gun sales soared, as did carjackings and hate crimes. Price gouging abounded. Reckless driving spiked. But COVID alone isnt to blame. Despite what collective memory suggests, the truth is it took months before most of these numbers started climbing. So what changed?

When Americans returned to the public realm after the first wave of shutdowns in 2020, they were full of ire and indignation, with each side of the polarized electorate convinced that the other was responsible for the countrys miserable condition. By late spring, fights over masks had turned a few square inches of fabric into a battleground for the soul of the nation, and routine encounters in public spaces were suddenly shot through with rage and tension. The gas station. The grocery store. Streets and sidewalks. All became hot spots for confrontation. No place was safe.

Experts often attributed this spike in destructive behavior to the forced isolation of Covid-era social policies. But nearly every nation experienced changes in social life that were similar to what happened in the U.S. during 2020. In most of Europe and Asia, the lockdowns and distancing mandates were far more severe than they were in America; stress and anxiety were high as well. Yet no European or Asian society saw rates of destructive behavior rise at anywhere near the American level. In fact, the reverse happened: most of them witnessed a remarkable decline in violent crime.

Distrust - of government, science, and other citizens  was rising throughout the U.S. in the tumultuous years leading up to the pandemic. Since COVID hit, it has become the nations default condition. In 2024, when misinformation is everywhere, extreme views have an outsized influence on the media, and every side feels entitled to its own facts, achieving trust is an accomplishment. Without it, the American electorate appears ready to erupt.

Building trust is still possible, though, even in divided societies whose leaders are disdainful of established scientific truths. Australia, for instance, entered 2020 in a state of emergency, politically polarized and battling a different existential threat. In December, 2019, apocalyptic bushfires incinerated millions of acres and displaced thousands from their homes. Scott Morrison, the conservative prime minister, faced fierce criticism for refusing to acknowledge the role of climate change in the ecological catastrophe; his deputy minister called those who worried about global warming raving inner-city lunatics. But reports of the new coronavirus led Australians to close ranks and tone down the divisive rhetoric.

In February, 2020, Morrison warned of a crisis that could last up to ten months and cause significant social and economic hardship. Australias national government deployed army personnel to a mask factory, where they ramped up production, and enlisted 130 private companies to manufacture PPE. It invested in rapid COVID tests, quickly becoming a global leader in identifying and isolating positive cases, and made plans for tracing as well.

Australias most important early policy innovation was the creation of a National Cabinet for managing the disease outbreak, made up of the prime minister as well as the first ministers and chiefs from every state and territory. Members of the National Cabinet belonged to different political parties and governed territories with unique population profiles, living conditions, and levels of exposure to the disease. The goal was to set up a space for genuine collaboration, where leaders could assess new data and scientific research, information that would help the country balance national policy priorities with local preferences and needs.

There were, to be sure, points of disagreement and periodic protests about lockdowns and social restrictions. In time, journalists discovered that Morrison had used the crisis as occasion to seize unprecedented political power across federal agencies, and ultimately this overreach led to his fall from office. But while most nations struggled to contain lethal outbreaks, Australia registered roughly the same amount of mortality in 2020 that it does in typical years  had the U.S. held the death rate to the same level, roughly 900,000 lives would have been spared.

Whats more, the success they achieved, collectively, by complying with public health restrictions made Australians more trustful of their fellow citizens. In a survey conducted in August, 2020, 54 percent of Australians said the country was more united than it was before COVID; and Australians were more likely to believe that most people can be trusted as well. During 2020, most Australians were willing to look out for each other and respect public health orders, from mask mandates to distancing requirements and stay-at-home orders. Their prosocial behavior helped generate a virtuous circle, while Americans fell into a death loop.

Today, Americans trust in most institutions is at or near historic lows. Our distrust of science and scientists has grown even more rampant than it was in 2020, with a mere 57 precent of the population saying science has a mostly positive effect on society, compared to 73 percent in 2019. Trust in the federal government is also declining, with just one percent of Americans saying they trust the government in Washington to do what is right just about always and a mere fifteen percent agreeing that they trust it most of the time. Most alarming, perhaps, is that, since 2020, Americans trust in other people has remained at its historic nadir, with 45 percent saying they distrust the American people as a whole when it comes to making judgments under our democratic system about the issues facing our country. If  or when  the next crisis hits, this discord will put everyone in the U.S. at risk.

Perhaps the most important reason for Americans to think back to how things were four  and not five  years ago, is that crises, at this volatile moment, are to be expected. The next president will be responsible for managing the situation in Israel and Gaza, as well as threats of an expanding war in the Middle East or beyond. Theres Russia and Ukraine, China and Taiwan, North Korea, and Iran. Theres the ever-present threat of heat waves, hurricanes, and torrential rain events on a climate-changed planet. The markets are hotter than ever, and we havent seen the last new virus, either.

It may be comforting to believe that 2020 was a black swan, the kind of year were unlikely to see again in our lifetime. More likely, it was a canary in the coal mine, an early warning that weve entered the age of extremes. Our political leaders should be equipped for the challenge.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Convicted murderer Rebecca Grossman's jailhouse telephone antics aren't worthy of any sanctions, a judge ruled Friday, calling her actions the result of "naivety" while agreeing to delay her sentencing by two additional months.

Prosecutors had sought to have Grossman's jailhouse privileges revoked after a series of recorded telephone calls from the Twin Towers jail to her family instructed them to release evidence that had been sealed during her double murder trial and to track down witnesses to get them to say their testimony was directed.

Grossman has been awaiting sentencing since her Feb. 23 conviction of second-degree murder in the deaths of two brothers who were struck and killed in a crosswalk as she sped along a residential Westlake Village street in September 2020.

But Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Joseph Brandolino refused to move Grossman to a part of the jail system where her mail is checked and she would have no access to phones or visitors, except for her attorneys, saying the punishment wasn't necessary.

"I don't see this as witness tampering. This is someone who believes she was railroaded," Brandolino said during a hearing. "She is upset, and she is naive."

Dept. Dist. Atty. Jamie Castro, however, took exception to the judge's view, saying the calls were not the words of a naive woman but one who was trying to influence witnesses and blatantly violate a court order.

Castro noted that an hour and 15 minutes after the verdict against Grossman was read, she placed a call to her daughter to release video evidence from the trial.

"She has had 10 attorneys by my count" and spent four years in the court system, the prosecutor said. "She knows better. To characterize it as naivety isn't good enough."

Read more: D.A. accuses Rebecca Grossman of 'illegal conduct' from jail, her legal team of jury tampering

Grossman's new legal team, led by Samuel Josephs, an appellate lawyer who focuses on white-collar criminal matters, argued that his client is in solitary confinement and her calls and visitors are her only real contacts with the outside world.

In denying the motions filed this week by Castro and Deputy Dist. Atty. Ryan Gould , Brandolino warned Grossman's new defense lawyers that going forward, any release of evidence under seal would result in financial sanctions for them and he would report them to the state bar.

According to court documents, a conversation that Grossman had with her daughter, Alexis, included instructions for the young woman to make public a deputy-worn body-camera video that had been sealed by Brandolino during trial.

I want you to unblock the videos, Grossman tells her daughter in a call on Feb. 23, the day of her guilty verdict on two counts of murder, two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter and one count of hit and run in the deaths of Mark and Jacob Iskander, ages 11 and 8.

Alexis Grossman replies, I will.

Dr. Peter Grossman, Rebecca Grossmans husband, then interjects: Everything you want us to put out, honey, let us know. Were going to put it all out.

To which Grossman replies: I want you to put everything out.

John Hobson, another of Grossman's new attorneys, told the judge Friday that she did not understand the seal on evidence was still in place after the trial had ended when she directed her daughter to put up the video.

Read more: Liquor, Valium, speed and recklessness: The D.A.'s case against Rebecca Grossman

In another jailhouse phone call last month, Grossman suggested that witnesses should be tracked down and made to say their testimony was directed.

"If we can get witnesses to come forward and say they were told to say things, this can get us a new trial," Grossman said.

Her 19-year-old daughter replied: "I'm going to do everything for you, Mom. Everything. And so is Dad."

Earlier this week, Gould and Castro alleged that Grossmans legal team had also attempted to tamper with jurors, including a private investigator contacting jury members and not properly identifying himself as working for the defense.

The prosecutors said the only way the investigator could have found the jurors was if he had access to their personal information, which was sealed by Brandolino, as is procedure in California after a verdict.

In a motion filed Thursday, the prosecutors alleged that a juror had come forward to complain that despite jury members being told that their identities were protected, a private investigator working for Grossman had attempted to question him outside his home about how the jury reached its verdict.

Juror Number 7 sent an email to Gould stating that a private investigator came to their home March 11.

He came to my house looking for me personally," the juror wrote. "He introduced himself, gave me his card and told me out front that I didn't have to talk to him if I didn't want to and then asked if he could talk to me about the Grossman trial. I asked him why, and he told me he was working for the Grossman family and wanted to know more about what in the trial influenced the jury in their decision. I told him I won't talk to him, and he left.

The prosecutors said the only way the investigator, identified as Paul Stuckey, could have found the jurors was if he had access to their personal information, which was sealed by the judge, as is procedure in California. The defense may petition the court for a jurors identity if a compelling interest is shown, but that has not been done in this case, they said.

It is clear that the jurors in this case believed that their information would remain private and that they would not be contacted without having been given notice," Gould and Castro wrote in the latest filing.

The prosecutors asked the court for all such information to be returned, and Brandolino ordered the defense team to destroy any juror names or other information obtained during trial and not to contact jury members further.

The judge said that while he did not view the efforts to speak with jurors as tampering or harassment, he did believe it was a technical violation of the rules that protect jurors' identities.

And he warned that if the court perceived Grossman or her attorneys were tampering with witnesses in the future, he would restrict her jail contact privileges.

Read more: Rebecca Grossman trial goes to jury with central question: Murderer or scapegoat?

Grossman's lawyers also successfully petitioned the judge to delay her sentencing, which had been scheduled for April 10. She is facing 34 years to life in prison.

Josephs asked the court that Grossman's sentencing be moved to June 10, saying his partner, James Spertus, would be handling a motion for a new trial and needed time to review the voluminous court record.

Prosecutors objected to the continuance, arguing that the defense had done nothing for the past month since Grossman's conviction and that she has now had "seven or eight attorneys."

But Brandolino said that given the numerous trial motions, such a delay was reasonable.

Read more: Rebecca Grossman jury must decide level of malice, dueling claims, finger-pointing

Defense attorney Lara Yeretsian  whose clients have included Scott Peterson, who was convicted of the murder of his pregnant wife and is now backed by the Los Angeles Innocence Project, a nonprofit legal group with a reputation for exonerating wrongfully convicted criminals  said inmates should never discuss the facts of their case with anyone but their lawyers.

"Unfortunately, it looks like Rebecca Grossman missed the lecture on this rule, especially when she asked her daughter on a recorded line to leak a video that was excluded from evidence at trial," Yeretsian said. "Although most lawyers regularly remind their clients of the rule so they dont slip up, inmates count on their conversations going unnoticed. But in a high-profile case like the Grossman case, nothing goes unnoticed."

Louis Shapiro a well-known L.A. defense attorney, said Grossman doesn't have much to lose, so speaking out is a calculated risk.

When "you are facing pretty much a life sentence, the motion for a new trial is your only hope," he said. "She sees it as the ends justify the means."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
New Delhi: India has initiated 'Operation Indravati' to evacuate its citizens from the violence-stricken Haiti to the neighboring Dominican Republic. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar confirmed the launch of this rescue mission in a social media post.

Haiti, situated in the Caribbean, has plunged into turmoil with armed gangs seizing control of its streets, leading to the virtual disappearance of the government. As part of the ongoing operation, 12 Indian nationals were safely evacuated on Thursday. "India begins Operation Indravati to evacuate its nationals from Haiti to the Dominican Republic. 12 Indians evacuated today. Fully committed to the security and well-being of our nationals abroad. Thank the Government of the Dominican Republic for their support," Jaishankar wrote on X.

The decision to implement Operation Indravati follows earlier remarks made by Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, during a weekly press briefing on March 15. "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, as reported by the media.

HAITI IN CHAOS DUE TO GANG VIOLENCE

Haiti has been grappling with a state of emergency triggered by recent violent attacks. Haiti, a Caribbean country, has plunged into chaos due to gang warfare. The US has airlifted non-essential staff from its embassy and the country has declared a state of emergency.

On March 12, Prime Minister Ariel Henry, stranded outside the country, resigned. This comes after gangs attacked airports, police stations, and prisons. Thousands of jail inmates have fled too. Jimmy Cherizier, popular as 'Babekyou' or 'Barbecue', is a 47-year-old rifle-toting former police officer and the leader of the notorious 'G9 and Family' gang and is now the most powerful man in Haiti, reports the media.

The ongoing chaos has prompted widespread displacement, with tens of thousands forced to flee their homes, adding to the already significant number of internally displaced persons due to gang violence.

Gang control in Haiti's capital has reached 80%, according to the UN, with fighting ongoing in the remaining areas. In response to the violence and theft in the Caribbean country, a control room and emergency number were set up to help Indian citizens leave Haiti safely. "We've set up a control room at the Ministry of External Affairs and emergency hotlines," Jaiswal said at the press conference, as reported by the media.

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WAYNE  The township has been commended for excellence in park design by a Mercer County nonprofit that honors award-worthy recreation programs across the state.

Officials representing the Parks and Recreation Department accepted a trophy at a recent ceremony at Harrahs Resort Atlantic City.

The award was given by the New Jersey Recreation and Park Association for improvements to Capt. Michael Kilroy Memorial Park on Concord Place  one of two swimming facilities owned by the township.

Toms Lake, a township-owned swimming hole at Captain Michael Kilroy Memorial Park in Wayne pictured in 2020.

Passaic County provided $400,000 in open space grants over three years to help pay for the enhancements, which included the installation of an accessible walkway, swim lanes and swim rafts. Further upgrades were new gazebos and a splash pad, plus the reconstruction of the park patio.

Recreation Director Timothy Roetman said the total cost of the improvements was $903,743.

The park, featuring an artificial lake, opened for public swimming on the Fourth of July in 1966. It was named for Kilroy, the first soldier from the township who was killed in the Vietnam War, in May 1968.

A statement released by the Princeton-based park association said lake-bed sediment caused portions of the swimming hole to be unusable, but that the improvements welcomed a wider audience.

Story continues below map.

The Wayne Waves swim team now hosts its home meets there.

The park association also recognized Michael Sochaski Jr., a recreation department employee, with a rising professional award.

BOARD OF EDUCATION: Wayne voters reject $170M school referendum by wide margin. What's next?

Roetman told the Township Council at its meeting Wednesday night that the number of people signing up for recreation programs is higher than ever due to Sochaskis hard work.

Philip DeVencentis is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: devencentis@northjersey.com

Test the water

For information on hours of operation and membership fees for Capt. Michael Kilroy Memorial Park and James W. Roe Memorial Pool on Garside Avenue, visit the township website at waynetownship.com.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Redesign of Capt. Kilroy Park earns Wayne top award at convention
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  The affidavit detailing the ATF case against the Little Rock airport executive who was shot and killed by federal agents serving a search warrant at his home was released Thursday.

In the heavily redacted warrant affidavit, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives claims that Bryan Malinowski purchased numerous firearms that he resold without a firearm dealers license.

Bryan Malinowski, the Little Rock airport executive shot by ATF agents, dies from injuries

According to the warrant, Malinowski purchased more than 150 guns between May 2021 and Feb. 27, 2024, which he then resold.

The ATF claims in the affidavit that around six of the guns Malinowski sold were found after being connected to a crime.

Undercover federal agents purchased another three from Malinowski at central Arkansas gun shows, the affidavit stated.

According to the affidavit, Malinowski would purchase guns through legal means, checking off a box on the purchase form that he was buying the gun for himself. He would then resell the just-purchased guns in as little as 24 hours through gun shows where he maintained a table or through private sales.

Neighbors shocked by shootout at home of Little Rock airport executive director

In one case, he was reported to have told an undercover buyer that all purchases were cash only.

All the guns purchased by Malinowski were pistols, including 24 Model 45s by Glock and AR-style pistols, the affidavit stated.

Before the Tuesday search warrant, the affidavit stated that ATF agents had planted a tracking device on Malinowskis SUV. At times, he would drive erratically while agents were trailing him, the affidavit said.

The affidavit listed several cell phones and electronic devices agents believed would have proof of transactions. It also listed bank records and any other records, including photos and firearms, firearm parts and accessories, ammunition.

The search was to be conducted between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. on March 20, and the officer was expected to give Malinowski an inventory of everything seized, according to the search warrant.

Malinowski was shot and killed during an exchange of gunfire with ATF agents Tuesday morning as they attempted to serve the search warrant.

ATF officials said the agents were serving a search warrant at Malinowskis west Little Rock home around 6 a.m. when the fatal shootout took place. Federal officials said that Malinowski shot first from inside the home, at which point agents returned fire, hitting Malinowski multiple times.

ATF agent injured in early Tuesday morning shootout at home of Clinton National Airport executive director in west Little Rock

Agents with the Arkansas State Police have been investigating the shooting. An ASP spokesperson said on Thursday that the agencys investigation into this incident is ongoing.

Late Thursday, Malinowskis family released a statement on his death, calling it an unspeakable tragedy and questioning the governments use of deadly force in the raid.

Family of Bryan Malinowski releases statement after his death

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU)  Community members are mourning the loss of a prominent attorney and former longtime mayor of Kingston.

Those 28/22 News spoke to say Jim Haggerty will be remembered for his compassionate spirit and dedication to Luzerne County.

Jim Haggerty passed away Wednesday at the age of 58 just four months after disclosing he had an aggressive form of cancer.

We met longtime friend Rob Jacobs at the park dedicated to Haggerty in Kingston. He cherishes the many memories made with Jim over their decades-long friendship.

Jim had such pride in his community, his family, his friends, he was loyal to the end, said Jacobs.

Hung up on fighting ALS

The 58-year-old was admitted to a hospital in Buffalo last November one day before voters in Kingston and Edwardsville re-elected him to a second term as their district judge. When he took oath, he resigned as mayor of Kingston a position he held for 20 years.

He praised Kingston up and down. and that conveyed onto everyone else around him, and we all followed suit and its such a tremendous loss to have our leader not with us anymore, says Jacobs.

Haggerty served on the study commission that drafted the voter-approved county home rule government structure that remains in effect.

28/22 News morning anchor Tom Williams became friends with him when they were five years old and have been in each others lives ever since.

Jim was a funny guy. It was the Irish in him, as he would say. He was a great public speaker, but he was all about people. when you met him, he made you feel like you were the most important person in the world, stated Williams.

Haggertys legacy will live on forever.

Really he was all about his community, all about helping the people of his town, and the people of Luzerne County are really gonna miss him, added Williams.

Those who wish to pay their respects are invited to do so Sunday during a public viewing at the Luzerne County Courthouse from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
DENVER (KDVR)  Colorado Congressman Ken Buck officially resigned from office Friday, cutting his term short.

The representative claims the move stems solely from his growing frustration with congressional inaction; however, the move is negatively impacting one of his colleagues, Congresswoman Lauren Boebert. This week on Colorado Point of View, Republican and Democratic analysts agree that the move hurt Boeberts chance to claim Bucks seat.

Bucks departure also triggered a special election to determine who will fill the seat for the remainder of the year. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis confirmed he intends to hold that election on June 25, the same day as the Republican primary for the congressional district.

2024 race is still ahead, but what about 2028?

Colorado Point of View political analysts agree that the decision by Buck will negatively impact Boeberts efforts to win the primary in June since she has said she will not be running in the Special Election.

It hurts Boeberts chances, said Republican analyst Michael Fields. I dont think it hurts em enough that shell lose.

Fields said it gives candidates running in the Republican primary and the special election an advantage because theyre on the ballot twice.

I think that banking, though, on voter confusion, isnt a good way to think that youre going to predict whats going to happen. And I do think that Laurens leading this race, Fields said. I think she has a lot of money, name ID. I still think shes likely to win, but theres no doubt that having somebody else running in that vacancy race is going to hurt her.

Democratic analyst Andy Boian agreed that the move hurts Boeberts election efforts but said, She has no chance of winning this race.

Could political fatigue lead to lower voter turnout?

Shes done nothing in Congress, and I think that will come back to bite her. Also, shes moved obviously across the state for pure convenience, said Boian. So I think Jerry Sonnenberg has a chance of winning the special election. I think that only puts him in an advantage in the general.

Both analysts agree that voters in Colorados 4th Congressional District will have to pay close attention to who theyre voting for in the elections, in order for their preferred candidate to win the primary and special elections.

Watch the full conversation on Colorado Point of View on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on FOX31 and Sunday at 7:30 a.m. on Colorados Very Own Channel 2.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, speaks to reporters on March 22, 2024, after filing a motion to vacate against House Speaker Mike Johnson. (Screenshot from C-SPAN)

Georgia Republican U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a resolution Friday to remove U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson from his position, using the same parliamentary measure that led to Johnson ascending to the speakership last year.

Following a bipartisan vote to approve the six remaining government spending bills for fiscal 2024, Greene filed a motion to vacate the office of the speaker of the House. The $1.2 trillion spending measure passed despite a slim majority of Republicans voting against it. House Republicans ousted Johnsons predecessor, Californias Kevin McCarthy, over a similar situation.

This is basically a warning, Greene told reporters outside the Capitol after filing the motion. Its time for us to go through the process, take our time and find a new speaker of the House that will stand with Republicans and our Republican majority instead of standing with Democrats.

Greene opted not to make the motion privileged, which would have forced a floor vote within days and scuttled a two-week recess set to begin Friday. House rules allow her to force a vote on the measure at any time.

Greene, a conservative who often antagonizes her partys leadership, said she didnt aim to throw the House into chaos, and wouldnt put a time limit on her request.

But Greene indicated she will seek to evict Johnson at some point.

Im not saying that it wont happen in two weeks or it wont happen in a month or who knows when, she said. But I am saying the clock has started. Its time for our conference to choose a new speaker.

A spokesperson said Johnson will continue doing the job he was elected to do.

Speaker Johnson always listens to the concerns of members, but is focused on governing, Johnson spokesperson Raj Shah said in a statement. He will continue to push conservative legislation that secures our border, strengthens our national defense and demonstrates how well grow our majority.

From right to left, U.S. House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Rep.-elect Ralph Norman (R-SC), and Rep.-elect Majorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) talk in the House Chambe

In this file photo, from right to left, U.S. House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Rep.-elect Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), and Rep.-elect Majorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) talk in the House Chamber during the fourth day of elections for Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2023, in Washington, D.C.(Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Second motion to vacate in five months

Because the measure is not privileged, the chamber will not vote on it at least until members return from recess.

Republicans, who lost more than three weeks of governing as they sought to replace McCarthy after Floridas Matt Gaetz and seven other Republicans forced his ouster in October, may not be enthusiastic about enduring another round of leadership uncertainty.

Republicans voted to make the previously little-known Johnson speaker last October after the chamber was virtually frozen following McCarthys removal.

Greene made a big mistake, Rep. Clay Higgins, Johnsons fellow Louisiana Republican, said in a video posted to X.

To think that one of our Republican colleagues would call for (Johnsons) ouster right now is really, its abhorrent to me, Higgins said. I stand with Mike Johnson. He is maybe the only guy in history that could potentially perform and help us navigate these very dark and challenging times.

But because of the conferences razor-thin 219-213 majority in the House, only a handful of defections from Johnson could force him from office just months into his speakership. That edge could shrink further in coming weeks as Wisconsins Mike Gallagher said Friday he will leave office April 19.

If all Democrats vote to remove Johnson  as they did with McCarthy  only three other Republicans, or two after Gallagher leaves, voting with Greene would be enough to remove him. That would force the House to again pause its other business to select a new speaker and risk another acrimonious period of House GOP infighting as the party seeks to unify ahead of November elections.

McCarthys removal was the first time the House successfully vacated a speaker.

It resulted from a deal the California Republican made in January 2023 to mollify House conservatives skeptical of him as speaker. McCarthy accepted a rules package that allowed a single member to file a motion to vacate.

Jennifer Shutt and Ashley Murray contributed to this report.

The post Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene files resolution to oust Mike Johnson as U.S. House speaker appeared first on Idaho Capital Sun.
Here's a complaint you almost never hear in Florida: "I sure wish this place was growing faster than it is."

Nevertheless, state Rep. Toby Overdorf, R-Palm City, co-sponsored a bill last session that was geared toward speeding up the development review process in cities and counties across the state.

The legislation, House Bill 791, wasn't passed into law this year. However, Overdorf told me he plans to re-file the bill next year, in hope of getting better results.

The bill would basically establish what one legislative observer called a "shot clock" for local government officials in charge of reviewing development applications.

Putting government officials 'on the clock'

Officials would have to acknowledge receipt of applications within five days of their submission. Then, within 30 days of submission, government officials would have to inform applicants if all the required materials had been submitted.

None of that sounds terribly unreasonable, but there's more.

For land-use cases in which no hearings were required  basically, those in which the applicants' proposed land uses match the existing zoning  applications would need to be approved or rejected within 120 days. If hearings were required, the deadline for making a decision would be extended to 180 days.

If government officials were unable to meet those deadlines, the applicants could get some or all of their application fees refunded.

Overdorf said the deadlines for development application review already are in state law, but there are no penalties for violating them. He's hoping the threat of fees being lost will spur local officials to move more expeditiously.

He made a point of noting Stuart, Port St. Lucie and Martin County are all very good at meeting development review deadlines. However, he said there have been problems in other jurisdictions elsewhere in the state.

Overdorf said the bill didn't encounter any opposition in the Legislature this year. He said there were few questions and no votes against the bill as it worked its way through the committee process. This appears to be a case where legislators simply ran out of time to get the bill through both the House of Representatives and Senate prior to adjournment.

"It will come back next year, is what it boils down to," Overdorf said.

Bill could have unintended consequences

Rep. Toby Overdorf attends the Indiantown High School Building Dedication on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, at 19000 S.W. Citrus Blvd. in Martin County. Operated by Indian River State College in partnership with the Martin County School District, the school's curriculum is focused on college preparedness as well as career and workforce education.

Before I go over my concerns about the bill, I want to applaud Overdorf for being open and willing to explain his ideas, even to people he might suspect disagree with him. I can't say the same for every public official on the Treasure Coast.

Still, this bill is problematic in several ways. First, local government officials have been complaining for years about being micromanaged by their counterparts at the state level. This seems like another step in that direction.

Second, it seems like Florida's laws are already heavily stacked in favor of developers. Making developers' jobs even easier than they already are should be a low priority.

Granted, local government officials would still retain their authority to reject plans they consider incompatible with their zoning codes and/or comprehensive land-use plans. However, they could lose all of the fees that cover at least some of the administrative costs associated with reviewing the applications.

Local officials might feel rushed to make quick decisions on land-use cases, to avoid being blamed for the loss of fees. The reality is, some cases are more complicated than others and therefore require more careful review.

For example, St. Lucie County officials recently spent months reviewing plans for an apartment complex that would have almost completely encircled the former home of Crayon inventor and philanthropist Edwin Binney. The St. Lucie County Commission ultimately rejected those plans, which was a wise and well-considered decision.

Why not penalize developers for delays, too?

More than 150 concerned residents meet at Pirates Cove Resort and Marina on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in Port Salerno to meet each other and form a united front to control the growth possibly coming to the enclave. The front is led by the group Save Our Salerno.

The bill also would create a one-size-fits-all standard, even though cities and counties vary greatly in size, which means some have more staffers assigned to review land-use cases and some receive far more land-use cases than others.

These deadlines would be the same for cities as large as Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce, but also as small as Sewall's Point, Jupiter Island and St. Lucie Village. At a minimum, it seems like there ought to be a sliding scale for the deadlines, pegged to either the volume of applications received, staff members available for review, or both.

There's the potential for mischief with this bill, too. Developers who want to wriggle out of paying fees could intentionally make their applications more complex, making it more difficult for city or county staff members to meet the deadlines.

The fee waivers wouldn't go into effect, however, if developers requested delays themselves. Which goes to the heart of a problem I wish Overdorf and his legislative colleagues would address.

If expediency is the issue, why not penalize developers for requesting repeated delays after their cases have been advertised for public hearings?

Developers in high-profile cases where there's a lot of public opposition can suppress public turnout at meetings by seeking repeated delays. That seemed to be the case a couple of years ago, when Martin County commissioners were considering the so-called "rural lifestyle" land-use amendment and the accompanying Atlantic Fields subdivision.

Who knows how many people got frustrated by the repeated postponements in the case and didn't attend when the public hearings were finally held?

Letting communities manage their own growth rates would help

BLAKE FONTENAY

In light of that, why not pass a bill, or at least add an amendment to this bill, that would give developers two "free" opportunities to request postponements, but then the third request would mean starting the application process over, with the previously paid fees forfeited to local governments? Surely, the time government officials and citizens spend on these cases is as valuable as the developers' time, right?

I really wish Overdorf or some other legislator would sponsor a bill that would eliminate the requirement for local governments to adjust their comprehensive plans to keep pace with the state's growth projections. If nothing else  and this is setting the bar very low  cities and counties ought to be allowed to determine for themselves how much growth they want to accommodate.

No doubt, some cities and counties would continue to accept as many new residential and commercial developments as they could handle, while others would probably pull back and opt for lower densities in at least some neighborhoods.

I realize I'm dreaming big there. But a "three strikes and you're out" rule for developer delays? That seems entirely consistent with the intent of HB 791. What's good for the goose is good for the gander, right?

This column reflects the opinion of Blake Fontenay. Contact him via email at blake.fontenay@tcpalm.com or at 772-232-5424.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Think Florida isn't developing fast enough? There's a bill to fix that
NEW YORK (PIX11)  Its every drivers worst nightmare  from just a tiny dent in the road to a gaping hole, potholes are leaving drivers across New York with popped tires and car damage that can cost hundreds of dollars.

Nearly half of major local and state-maintained roads in New York state are in poor or mediocre condition, according to a study from transportation research nonprofit TRIP. Its costing New York drivers around $36.7 billion a year in repairs as a result, the study said.

Track flowers blooming in New York with new interactive map

With that being said, heres how you can report potholes in New York:

New York State

In order to report potholes on state highways, you can call the New York State Department of Transportation at 1-800-POTHOLE (1-800-768-4653). The line is available 24/7.

New York City

The Department of Transportation has a form where you can report a pothole. Most potholes are filled within 15 days, the DOT wrote on its website.

Long Island

To report potholes on Nassau County roadways, call 516-571-6900. You can see what roads are owned by Nassau County on this interactive map.

To report potholes on Suffolk County roadways, you can reach out to the Public Works office at public.works@suffolkcountyny.gov. To see a list of roads owned by the county, click here.

For roadways not owned by the counties, residents are asked to reach out directly to their town government for repairs, according to the Town of Hempstead.

Westchester County

To report a pothole on a Westchester County-owned road, you can fill out a form on the Department of Public Works website. The county doesnt handle roads owned by local municipalities, so you must reach out to them directly if you spot a pothole on a town road.

For a map of the roads owned by Westchester County, click here.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Marjorie Taylor Greene, a member of the US House of Representatives and Trump's ally, has initiated the resignation of a fellow party member, House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is delaying US aid to Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda with reference to The Hill

Details: According to an informed source, Greene has filed a motion to remove Johnson from power, the same procedural step that led to the resignation of former Republican speaker Kevin McCarthy in October 2023.

This was preceded by the House of Representatives' approval of a US$1.2 trillion spending package to avert a US government shutdown.

On Steve Bannon's podcast on Friday morning, Greene accused Johnson of giving too much away to US President Joe Biden and Democrats at government funding talks.

Whether there will be enough votes to remove Speaker Johnson is unclear. According to The Hill, this is due to the fact that a number of Democrats who unanimously voted for McCarthy's resignation in October say they will support Johnson if he continues to make bipartisan deals with Biden on issues such as government funding and aid to Ukraine.

Johnson refused to consider the Senate-approved support package for Ukraine, but promised to work on a House version of the bill when Congress returns to Washington in the middle of next month after a recess.

Background:

Earlier, Mike Johnson, Republican Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, stated that the bill for supplementary funding for Ukraine would be considered as soon as the federal government's financing issues are resolved.

US House Speaker Mike Johnson effectively agreed to unblock the decision to provide aid to Ukraine, but with significant changes  as a House of Representatives bill and in the form of a loan or lend-lease.

He also admitted that aid to Ukraine and Israel would still be divided into separate bills. Any new bill will have to receive enough votes in both the House and the Senate.

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A conservative group opposed to Donald Trumps 2024 White House bid has decided to taunt the former president with a video that praises his onetime vice president, Mike Pence.

The secondslong video, released Friday by Republican Voters Against Trump, is titled Mike Pence Is Putting Country Over Party.

It shows footage of Pences recent Fox News interview where he declined to endorse Trump this time around. The ad ends with the tagline Mike Pence is putting country over party, and we will too.

The video will play digitally for one week in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and be accompanied by billboards in cities like Phoenix, Atlanta, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee.

You can see the ad below:

Based on early reactions, the video is making an impact.

So few Republicans ate willing to do this. What a sad time for the GOP https://t.co/BGB56RqbET  Common Sense #1 (@PleaseThink1776) March 22, 2024

Your Paul Ryan GOP is no more  miguelifornia (@miguelifornia) March 22, 2024

That's rare for any loyal party member regardless of party. But, I suspect he has probably just realized that history will not look kindly on Trump supporters. Unless, he wins, of course, in which case they'll be treated as Christ's disciples. History depends on who writes it.  Angry Husky (@Angry_Husky) March 22, 2024

Although Pence dutifully supported Trump during his presidency, their relationship fell apart after the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection because Pence refused to block the certification of votes for the 2020 election winner, Joe Biden.

The fact that Trump didnt disavow Jan. 6 rioters chants of hang Mike Pence may have been a factor as well.

Related...
FILE - Republican Kentucky Sen. Whitney Westerfield testifies during a State and Local Government Committee meeting at the state Capitol, Feb. 19, 2020, in Frankfort, Ky. On Friday, March 22, 2024, the Republican lawmaker said that a bill shielding doctors and other health providers from criminal liability is broad enough to apply to in vitro fertilization services. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston, File)

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP)  Kentucky legislation shielding doctors and other health providers from criminal liability was written broadly enough to apply to in vitro fertilization services, a Republican lawmaker said Friday as the bill won final passage.

The measure, which now goes to Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, would accomplish what other bills sought to do to safeguard access to IVF services, GOP state Sen. Whitney Westerfield said in an interview. The other bills have made no progress in Kentucky's GOP supermajority legislature with only a few days left in this year's session.

Westerfield, an abortion opponent who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, said during the 37-0 Senate roll call vote that the bills definition of health care providers was broad enough to apply to IVF services.

It was important to me to make that clear that providers can do what they do every day, and what moms and dads are counting on them to do every day to provide their services without fear of being prosecuted unduly, Westerfield said in the interview afterward. "And I feel confident the bill is going to do that.

In vitro fertilization emerged as a political issue across the U.S. in February after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that in wrongful death lawsuits in that state, embryos outside the uterus had the same legal protections as children. Major medical providers in Alabama paused IVF services until Alabama's governor signed a quickly passed law protecting IVF providers from legal liability.

While IVF is popular, some anti-abortion advocates have been pushing to recognize embryos and fetuses as humans as a step toward banning abortion.

The Kentucky legislation  House Bill 159  would shield health care providers from criminal liability for any harm or damages alleged to have occurred from an act or omission relating to the provision of health services." That legal protection would not apply in cases of gross negligence or when there was malicious or intentional misconduct.

The measure originated in the Kentucky House, where its lead sponsor, Republican state Rep. Patrick Flannery, said it was intended to apply to all health care providers - including nurses, doctors and other health providers. The bill won 94-0 House passage last month.

During the House debate, supporters said their motivation was to protect frontline health workers from prosecution for inadvertent mistakes.

The legislation drew only a short discussion Friday in the Senate, and Westerfield was the only senator to raise the IVF issue.

He said afterward that he doesn't think Kentucky courts would make the same ruling that the Alabama court did. But legislative action was important, he said, to reassure those providing IVF services that they can keep doing their jobs and that couples feel "safe knowing that they can go down that path knowing its not going to be interrupted.

After the Alabama court ruling, Westerfield filed a bill to limit liability for health care providers if there is a loss or damage to a human embryo. That bill and a separate one to protect IVF providers from criminal liability when providing fertility services have stalled in committees.

Democratic state Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong, lead sponsor of the other bill, supported the measure that won final passage Friday but said she'd prefer one that's more direct.

It would behoove us to advance one of the bills that specifically addresses IVF, because then it is very clear," she said in an interview.

As for the measure that passed, she said: "I do believe that this is a good bill that does have a plausible reading that would provide IVF protection. Its not as clear as I would like, but it is a step in the right direction.

___

Associated Press Writer Geoff Mulvihill contributed to this report from Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
The State of Florida is continuing its efforts to bring Floridians trapped in Haiti back home.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

At the same time, Governor Ron DeSantis is promising a separate set of flights for Haitian migrants who may attempt to reach Floridas coast.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

A flight coordinated by the State of Florida successfully brought home 14 Americans trapped in Haiti on Wednesday.

But Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management Kevin Guthrie told Action News Jax four additional flights set for Thursday were unable to get clearance to land in Haiti.

State officials continued to run into road blocks with the government of the Dominican Republic as of mid-day Friday.

For lack of a better term, theyre just requesting a lot of bureaucratic paperwork, Guthrie said.

Guthrie explained the State of Florida has roughly 500 people working on the rescue effort.

RELATED: Portal launched to help Floridians and other Americans trapped in Haiti

He said theyve been working on the rescue effort 24 hours a day for more than a week at this point.

Guthrie noted unlike rescue efforts launched by the state following the October 7th attack on Israel, this mission has proved more challenging.

The difference with that particular exercise and this one is you got a willing government, Guthrie said.

While the state is working to bring Floridians back home from Haiti, Governor Ron DeSantis has suggested any Haitians who make it to Floridas coasts can expect a plane ride of their own.

Haitians land in the Florida Keys, their next stop very well may be Marthas Vineyard, DeSantis said during an interview on The Dana Show Wednesday.

DeSantis has also ordered additional law enforcement, state and national guardsmen to Southern Florida to help interdict Haitian migrants attempting to reach Floridas shores.

He even floated a potential special session to help increase those efforts during an interview with Sean Hannity Thursday night.

What I hear in the Governors rhetoric is more political games, State Representative Dotie Joseph (D-North Miami) said.

RELATED: Jacksonville woman trapped in Haiti awaiting evacuation thanks to state-led effort

Joseph, who was born in Haiti, argued instead of focusing the states efforts on interdicting potential Haitian refugees, the Governor would be better served using those resources to stem the flow of weapons into the country.

There are no gun manufacturers or factories in Haiti. So, theyre coming from somewhere. Primarily the United States. Mostly from Florida, Joseph said.

As for the more than 400 Floridians trapped in Haiti who have requested evacuation from the state, Guthrie vowed help is on the way.

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

We are coming to get you. We will not stop. We will not let bureaucrats get in our way. We are going to come and get you. We are going to figure it out, Guthrie said.

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Nichole Hettenhausen is a lifelong Belleville resident who says she defends the citys reputation and stands up to the negative comments about Belleville whenever she can.

But Hettenhausen, who lives on Abend Street near downtown, said that in the last few years it has become more and more difficult to stay so positive.

The homeless, the drug addicts roaming the streets, violent crimes, theft, break-ins, Hettenhausen said. Its out of control and it makes me feel very uncomfortable. Living downtown with two small children should be a fun experience but in recent years I have stopped taking my daily walks with the kids because of what we were witnessing on a daily basis.

Hettenhausen made her remarks to city officials during a community meeting of about 18 eastside Belleville residents from Ward 6 and Ward 7 Wednesday at the Belleville Police Department headquarters on West Main Street. The residents raised concerns about public safety, the number of homeless persons in the city and vacant homes.

Anna Myers, who lives near the intersection of Olive Street and Douglas Avenue, told city officials that she feels rattled in my own neighborhood.

I no longer feel safe in my neighborhood, she said. I no longer feel safe to let my children bike to the East End Park, which I used to let them do.

In response, Ward 7 Alderman Dennis Weygandt said he has lived in the area by Myers for 76 years and calls it the best neighborhood in Belleville.

Police Chief Matt Eiskant told Myers he hated to hear that she felt unsafe and she replied, I do too.

I feel a different way, Eiskant said. I think Belleville is extremely safe.

Anytime you feel unsafe, call us. If there is something that makes you feel unsafe, a suspicious vehicle or a suspicious person, we may not have enough to stop them but we can always go up and chat with them.

Across the entire city, the number of violent crimes dropped 2.77% in 2023 as compared to 2022 and crimes against property dropped 1.77% in that time period, Eiskant said.

However, he told the residents that the numbers have ticked up since Sept. 18 when the states cash-bail system ended and was replaced with a detention hearing process as part of the SAFE-T Act. Eiskant noted that there had been some periods of warmer weather over the winter and that he hopes the increases will level off.

Eiskant also told the residents that most of the homeless persons he has encountered have a drug use problem.

Basically, homelessness isnt criminalized, he said. However, the acts that many homeless do are criminal acts. We do see, in my experience, homeless people drunk, drug users, urinating, defecating in our parks. We arrest them all the time.

The struggle is, we arrest them, and unless its a violent crime, theyre right back out the next day, he said. We see the homeless getting off the MetroLink on a regular basis to come downtown and we arrest them for drug possession regularly.

Eiskant said homeless people can receive food from Belleville churches.

These people are not hungry, he said. They want their drugs. They get free meals and they save that money that they would have bought food with for drugs. They told me that.

Belleville officers recently began using a form to collect information about homeless persons who need help. The form is emailed to a social services organization, Eiskant said.

Belleville has not had an overnight shelter for homeless people since the Salvation Army stopped operating one on West Main Street in 2009, when the city asked that the organization provide police with the names of the people residing there. The Salvation Army said that would break the groups confidentiality pledge to clients.

Eiskant said police officers will give two-way bus passes for people who want to go to the St. Vincent de Paul homeless center on State Street in East St. Louis.

Jason Poole, the director of public works and parks, said the city is still planning to convert Ever and Anon Park in the 400 block of East Main Street into a dog park with a fence. Last year, the City Council approved a plan to open a controlled-access, membership-based park there in an effort to stop homeless people from sleeping on benches and having sex in the gazebo. Other problems included public urination, defecation, drug abuse and drunkenness.

Eiskant told the residents to contact their state lawmakers regarding proposed legislation that would ban crime-free ordinances for rental properties as well as occupancy permits required in Belleville.

Eiskant, who noted that 160 Illinois cities have crime-free ordinances, said in an interview after the meeting that wants the Belleville ordinance to remain in effect and that he opposes the legislation being considered by state lawmakers because he believes the ordinance reduces crime.

Bellevilles crime-free ordinance was enacted in 2013 and it requires landlords to do criminal background checks on tenants. It also states that tenants can be evicted for committing a felony or Class A misdemeanor.

As far as complaints about vacant homes, Eiskant told the residents that the process for the city to get permission and then funding for tearing down derelict homes can take a long time but that the city continually has this process ongoing.

In January, a homeless man was found dead 10 days after a fire in a garage behind a vacant house north of downtown off Illinois Street. The City Council has authorized $27,700 for the demolition of this house. The man, Trent Tuttle, 41, used methamphetamine and preferred homelessness to staying with family or friends because it required him to answer fewer questions, his mother said.

Ward 6 Alderwoman Mary Stiehl told the audience that the City Council recently approved a measure that requires the Public Health and Housing Committee have one alderperson from each of the citys eight wards in an effort to hear complaints about housing problems.

Residents comments prompt meeting

Ward 7 Alderman Phil Elmore said the meeting was organized after he saw comments on the Facebook page titled 7th Ward Of Belleville, IL (Residents Only).

Elmore described some of the residents concerns as Dealing with the frustrating situation of people walking through alleys, checking car doors, sometimes homeless, sometimes not.

I tell this to every neighborhood watch meeting, unfortunately I cant tell you what you want to hear but Im going to tell you the truth.

Elmore also said he was upset to see comments that appeared to criticize the efforts of the police department to keep the public safe. He praised the police department saying, Our men and women  bust their asses every day.

Hettenhausen told city officials that she spoke out because I dont want to continue to see people moving their families or businesses out of Belleville. I love Belleville. But I also have felt myself over the last few years feeling frustrated with all of this and I dont want to be told it happens everywhere, because Im aware of that but it doesnt happen as often everywhere.

Should we just expect it to stay this way forever?

Myers, who posted the first comment that got the discussion going on social media, wrote that since she has been taking walks while on maternity leave, she was seeing more homeless people.

Myers, who has a 3-month-old child, told city officials that she wants to know what residents can do.

Weygandt said he gets calls late at night from residents who see someone acting suspiciously and he tells them to not call him. Instead, he echoed comments made by Eiskant and urged residents to to call the police department if they see something suspicious.

I realize that all of these issues are extremely complex, Myers told Eiskant and the city officials. I do not envy your jobs and having to deal with these things but I know this is your job to do these things.

News-Democrat reporter Teri Maddox contributed information for this article.
In this article, we will be taking a look at the 12 Most Congested Cities in Florida. You can also take a detailed look at the 5 Most Congested Cities in Florida.

Navigating through the bustling streets of Florida's cities can often feel like a journey fraught with delays and frustrations. As one of the most populous states in the United States, Florida faces significant challenges in managing traffic congestion, with several cities earning notoriety for their gridlocked roadways and lengthy commute times

Congestion in cities arises from a complex interplay of factors, including population growth, urbanization, inadequate transportation infrastructure, and inefficient land use planning. According to the Global Traffic Scorecard by INRIX, Miami ranks as the 10th most congested city in the United States, with drivers spending an average of 54 hours stuck in traffic congestion annually. Similarly, Orlando and Tampa also feature prominently on the list, highlighting the statewide nature of the issue.

Population growth serves as a primary driver of congestion, with Florida experiencing a steady influx of residents drawn by its warm climate and economic opportunities. The state's population is projected to reach 23.3 million by 2030, further exacerbating traffic congestion if adequate measures are not implemented.

In addition to population growth, urbanization patterns play a crucial role in shaping congestion levels. Sprawling development, characterized by low-density housing and decentralized commercial centers, forces residents to rely heavily on automobiles for transportation. Consequently, this increases traffic volumes on already congested roadways, leading to slower travel speeds and longer commute times.

The impact of congestion on city life extends beyond mere inconvenience, affecting various aspects of urban living. Prolonged commute times result in decreased productivity, as workers spend more time stuck in traffic and less time engaged in productive activities. Moreover, congestion contributes to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, posing significant environmental and public health concerns. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, traffic congestion costs the state of Florida $4.2 billion annually in wasted time and fuel.

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Globally, the issue of congestion is not unique to Florida but represents a broader urban challenge faced by cities worldwide. With rapid urbanization and population growth driving increased demand for mobility, cities across the globe are grappling with finding sustainable solutions to alleviate congestion and improve the quality of life for their residents.

Additionally, the impact of traffic congestion extends far beyond the inconvenience it causes for individual commuters; it also has significant implications for businesses operating within congested cities in Florida. According to a study conducted by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, congestion costs businesses in the United States approximately $166 billion annually in lost productivity and increased operating expenses. In Florida, where several cities rank among the most congested in the nation, the economic toll on businesses is particularly pronounced.

One of the most immediate effects of congestion on businesses is the loss of productivity due to employees spending more time stuck in traffic. Delays in commuting can lead to tardiness, increased absenteeism, and decreased morale among employees. A report by the South Florida Business Journal indicates that traffic congestion in Miami-Dade County alone costs businesses an estimated $3.6 billion annually in lost productivity.

Moreover, congestion can impede the timely delivery of goods and services, affecting supply chains and logistics operations. Businesses reliant on just-in-time delivery models may face challenges in meeting customer demand and fulfilling orders promptly. According to the American Transportation Research Institute, congestion on Florida's roadways contributes to increased transportation costs, with commercial trucks spending an average of 1.4 million hours annually stuck in traffic.

Companies that rely on timely deliveries, such as e-commerce retailers, food delivery services, and courier companies, face significant challenges due to traffic congestion. For instance, Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), a major player in e-commerce, reported spending over $1.2 billion on shipping costs in Florida in 2020. Congestion-related delays can disrupt delivery schedules, leading to customer dissatisfaction and increased operational costs. With the rise of online shopping, the demand for timely deliveries has surged, placing significant pressure on Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)s logistics infrastructure. However, traffic congestion poses a considerable challenge to Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)s delivery operations, affecting both efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Traffic congestion increases the time it takes for Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) delivery vehicles to navigate Florida's roadways, resulting in longer delivery times and higher operational costs. Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) must allocate additional resources to account for potential delays caused by traffic congestion, such as hiring more drivers and investing in route optimization technology. According to Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)s annual financial reports, the company's shipping costs in the United States have been steadily increasing, reaching $21.7 billion in 2020. Overall, traffic congestion poses significant challenges for delivery services like Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) operating in Florida, impacting operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and environmental sustainability.

12 Most Congested Cities in Florida

Methodology:

To curate the list of the most congested cities in Florida, we shortlisted the 12 Most Congested Cities in Florida by scouring the internet, looking through articles and rankings from prominent websites. We have ranked this list of the most congested on the basis of the mean travel time to get to work in each city. For accuracy of data we relied on US Census Bureau and American Community Survey (5-year estimates). This list has been ranked in ascending order; cities with lesser travel time are less congested, followed by cities with more travel time are the most congested cities in Florida.

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  check details here.

12. Homestead

Average Travel Time to Work: 38.7 minutes

Homestead's residents face an average travel time to work of 38.7 minutes, a testament to the challenges posed by rapid growth and inadequate transportation infrastructure. The city's expansion, characterized by sprawling development and fragmented planning, has led to congested roads ill-prepared for the increasing number of commuters. Traffic congestion and extended commute durations have become a daily struggle for locals, underscoring the pressing need for effective solutions to improve mobility. While urban planning initiatives aimed at revitalising transportation networks and promoting sustainability are in progress, addressing congestion demands collaborative endeavours and innovative strategies that harmonise growth with environmental conservation.

11. The Hammocks

Average Travel Time to Work: 38.9 minutes

The Hammocks epitomizes suburban living with a touch of sophistication. However, the citys layout, characterized by growing development and fragmented planning, has given rise to congested thoroughfares unable to cope with the growing population. Traffic jams and prolonged commute times have become a key issue of daily life for residents, underscoring the urgent need for transformative solutions to enhance mobility. With an average travel time to work of 38.9 minutes, residents of The Hammocks contend with the repercussions of rapid urbanization and inadequate transportation infrastructure. Efforts to mitigate congestion and improve transportation infrastructure are underway in The Hammocks. Urban planning initiatives seek to improve roadways and promote alternative modes of transit, aiming to alleviate the strain on the city's transportation networks.

10. South Miami Heights

Average Travel Time to Work: 38.9 minutes

With an average travel time to work of 38.9 minutes, South Miami Heights grapples with the repercussions of rapid urbanization and inadequate infrastructure. Urban planning initiatives aimed at revitalizing transportation networks and promoting sustainable development are underway in South Miami Heights. However, to tackle the challenges posed by congestion requires collaborative efforts and innovative solutions that balance growth with environmental preservation. By prioritising investments in transportation infrastructure and embracing alternative modes of transit, South Miami Heights can chart a path towards a more accessible and efficient transportation landscape, ensuring a brighter future for its residents.

9. West Perrine

Average Travel Time to Work: 39 minutes

West Perrine exudes a suburban vibe amidst its coastal surroundings. However, beneath its peaceful facade lies an issue against congestion that plagues its roadways. With an average travel time to work of 39 minutes, West Perrine's residents grapple with the consequences of rapid urbanization and inadequate transportation infrastructure. Traffic snarls and prolonged commute times have become a ubiquitous feature of daily life for residents, underscoring the urgent need for transformative solutions to enhance mobility. Efforts to mitigate congestion and improve transportation infrastructure are underway in West Perrine. However, addressing the challenges posed by congestion requires a multifaceted approach that prioritizes sustainability and community engagement. By fostering collaboration between policymakers, developers, and residents, West Perrine can pave the way towards a future defined by smoother commutes and enhanced mobility options.

8. Palmetto Estates

Average Travel Time to Work: 39.1 minutes

With an average commute time of 39.1 minutes, Palmetto Estates residents grapple with the effects of rapid urbanization and insufficient transportation infrastructure. The city's design, characterized by sprawling expansion and disjointed planning, has resulted in congested streets ill-equipped to handle the growing population. Daily traffic congestions and prolonged travel times have become common challenges, emphasizing the critical need for effective solutions to enhance mobility. Initiatives are underway to address congestion and upgrade transportation infrastructure in Palmetto Estates. Urban planning efforts aim to rejuvenate road networks and encourage the adoption of alternative transit modes to alleviate pressure on the city's transportation systems.

7. Kendall West

Average Travel Time to Work: 39.8 minutes

The expansion of Kendall West, characterized by sprawling development and disjointed planning, has led to congested roads that struggle to accommodate the growing number of commuters. Daily traffic jams and extended travel times have become a significant challenge for residents, underscoring the pressing need for innovative solutions to improve mobility. Urban planning efforts are actively addressing these issues, with a focus on revitalizing transportation networks and promoting sustainable development. By investing in transportation infrastructure and encouraging the adoption of alternative transit options, Kendall West can pave the way towards a more accessible and efficient transportation system, promising a brighter future for its inhabitants.

6. Mascotte

Average Travel Time to Work: 40.7 minutes

Mascotte is a cozy town in Lake County with pretty hills and a suburban feel. But, there's a problem with too much traffic on its roads. People here take about 40.7 minutes to get to work on average, dealing with long waits and lots of cars. This makes life tough for everyone, so we need to find better ways to help people move around. Mascotte is working on fixing this by improving roads and giving folks more ways to travel, like buses or bikes. This will make getting around easier for everyone. Efforts to mitigate congestion and improve transportation infrastructure are underway in Mascotte. Urban planning initiatives seek to revitalize roadways and promote alternative modes of transit, aiming to alleviate the strain on the city's transportation networks.

Click to continue reading and see 5 Most Congested Cities in Florida.

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Disclosure: None. 12 Most Congested Cities in Florida is originally published on Insider Monkey.
A proposed Verizon Wireless cell tower drew the ire Arroyo Grande mobile home park residents worried about health impacts of such a project  but representatives of the company say their concerns are unfounded.

Sunrise Terrace Mobile Home Park resident Ethel Tink Landers built her home in 2019, intending to live out her retirement and eventually sell it when the time comes to move into assisted living.

She said the tower wouldnt be a concern if it wasnt so close to her home, which is just a few hundred feet removed from the proposed location on a mixed-use lot near the park entrance  potentially close enough to impact property values and the health of the parks residents, she said.

As a single woman, youve really got to plan that out, Landers said. I want to be independent enough to take care of myself, but if I lose 20-25% in value of my home because of the cell tower, that is a tremendous amount of money for me.

Landers and more than 250 other park residents signed a petition opposing the project when they first learned of it in February.

She and other residents near the proposed 55-foot, 18-antenna tower were specifically concerned about supposed impacts of 5G radio frequencies, fearing side effects such as nausea, headaches, cancer and respiratory problems, though organizations such as the World Health Organization generally agree that 5G signals have no observable adverse health effects on humans.

In a statement to The Tribune, Verizon said their towers do not pose health risks to individuals who live near a project site.

Verizon takes very seriously the health and safety of our employees and customers, and of all residents in the communities we serve, the statement read. All Verizon facilities, including the small cells that Verizon is deploying to provide 5G service, are required to comply with the FCC safety standards.

A rendering shows what the proposed cell tower would look like near Sunrise Terrace Mobile Home Park in Arroyo Grande.

Why was Arroyo Grande location selected?

At its Feb. 6 meeting, the Arroyo Grande Planning Commission voted to tentatively deny the tower proposal and later denied the project at its Feb. 20 meeting.

Arroyo Grande assistant planner Shayna Gropen told The Tribune the applicant selected its preferred location at 789 Valley Road due to favorable radio frequency conditions like elevation, height and access for repairs.

Additionally, the tower  which was supposed to be encased in a fake water tower shell to prevent it from sticking out  was supposed to be less of an eyesore in that location, Gropen said.

Sunrise Terrace Mobile Home Park residents are concerned a proposed Verizon 5G tower could hurt health and property values in their park March 8, 2024. The proposed tower was denied by the Arroyo Grande Planning Commission.

Though four site alternatives were considered by the applicant, only one other site  St. Johns Lutheran Church at 959 Valley Road  met the needs of the cell tower, Gropen said.

The Planning Commissions denial of the project was partially attributed to the fact that the Commission did not think that the applicant sufficiently explored St. Johns Church as an alternative site, Gropen told The Tribune.

Jeff Metcalfe, an Arroyo Grande resident and member of St. Johns, said builder Sequoia Development reached out to the church in January 2023 inquiring about the feasibility of the property, but the church didnt make a decision fast enough.

Metcalfe said he only became aware of the growing resistance to the project when Sunrise Terrace residents reached out, asking him to take another look at being a site alternative.

St. Johns doesnt have an issue between the applicants and the city and the residents of Sunrise Terrace, Metcalfe said. We dont have a position on any of them for any reason, but St. Johns stands ready if those three entities can come to an amiable solution.

Sunrise Terrace Mobile Home Park residents are concerned a proposed Verizon 5G tower could hurt health and property values in their park March 8, 2024. The proposed tower was denied by the Arroyo Grande Planning Commission.

Do cell towers actually pose health risks?

In its statement, Verizon asserted that its towers dont pose a health risk.

Verizons statement also said 5G networks emit less radio frequency energy than older model cell towers  one of senior residents major concerns about the site near their homes.

Similarly, Gropen said the FCC provides technical guidelines for evaluating RF safety requirements  and legally prevents cities from denying new wireless facility applications without cause.

That 1997 rule legally prevents wireless project denials if an applicant has demonstrated compliance with FCC regulations, meaning health and property value concerns cannot serve as a justification to deny a project.

Meanwhile, Sunrise Terrace residents such as Landers said theyll stay adamant in their opposition to a project near their property, saying they feel the existing rules are too outdated to cover 5G RF signals.

The Environmental Health Trust has probably 50 different, more current studies than the Telecommunication Act of 96, and it talks about everything from migraines to nervous system imbalances to cancer to cardiac issues, Landers said. Thats the problem  these regulations are decades behind the technology.

Most scientific bodies do not consider beliefs about adverse health impacts from 5G RF signals  such as those held by the Environmental Health Trust  to be scientifically sound.

Fact checker Politifact considers most theories on the frequencys health impacts to be false, finding that misinformation often can play a role in skewing public perception of 5G.

Sunrise Terrace Mobile Home Park resident Ethel Tink Landers is concerned a proposed Verizon 5G tower could hurt health and property values in her park March 8, 2024. The proposed tower was denied by the Arroyo Grande Planning Commission.

Whats up next for Verizon 5G tower plan?

Its unclear exactly what Verizons future plans are.

Arroyo Grande community development director Brian Pedrotti said the city has only received the application for the Sunrise Terrace location, which has since been appealed to the City Council while alternatives are considered.

Metcalfe told The Tribune the communications company has reached out to St. Johns about further exploring the church as a project site since its February denial, but didnt expect a decision until this summer.

Because the church is usually unoccupied, he said he didnt share the same concern as the Sunrise Terrace residents about exposure to RF signals.

I think the citys going to pick the lesser of two evils, which would be us, Metcalfe said.

A request for further comment to Verizon on its future plans was not returned Friday.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A Hamburg restaurant owner was sentenced Thursday afternoon for failing to pay over $59,000 in state sales taxes, according to the Erie County District Attorneys Office.

30-year-old Elder Guadalupe Martinez, owner of Mexico City restaurant, failed to pay $59,325.03 in taxes collected on food and beverage sales between December 2017 and March 2021.

In November 2023, Martinez pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree criminal tax fraud and one count of second-degree grand larceny.

Martinez was sentenced to five years of probation. She was ordered to pay full restitution in that time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
Former Circuit Judge Hale R. Stancil died Thursday (March 21, 2024.) He was 78.

According to John Futch, a fellow judge and friend, Stancil died from a heart attack.

"A sad time," Futch said by phone on Friday.

Futch said he, Stancil and retired Circuit Judge Ray McNeal attended what used to be Ocala High School, now Forest High School, and graduated in 1964.

Circuit Judge Hale Stancil listens to court action during Dustin Heathman's trial in Ocala on Dec. 15, 2015.

Futch said they met once a month and kept in contact with each other throughout the years.

When they were judges in the old courthouse, Futch said, their offices were separated by roughly 20 feet. He said they spent time together, and he considered Stancil both a colleague and a friend. He added Stancil was dedicated to his work and the community.

"He was a fine example of a man and a hard worker," Futch said.

The judge's background

Court records show Stancil graduated from the University of Florida in 1968. He got his law degree from Stetson University in 1973. Stancil was a U.S. Marine from 1969 to 1971.

Stancil entered private practice in Ocala, the year he graduated from law school.

A decade after leaving law school, Stancil became a county judge and remained there until late 1993, when he was appointed by the late Gov. Lawton Chiles to be a circuit judge.

Retired Judge Hale Stancil

Assuming the bench in early January 1994, Stancil served in all five counties of the 5th Judicial Circuit: Marion, Lake, Sumter, Citrus and Hernando. He also was an author who wrote several articles. Stancil retired from the bench in December 2015.

"I'm heartbroken that we've lost Judge Stancil. He was unique and challenging to practice before and some of my best memories in and out of court involved Judge Stancil," said local defense lawyer David Mengers. "He taught me how to be tough as a lawyer."

Community involvement

In retirement, Stancil continued to stay active. He was involved with the Ocala Lions Club, Marion-Dunn Lodge #19 F&AM, the First Christian Church, West Central Florida Driver Improvement, Inc., and other groups, agencies and organizations, court documents show.

His service to the community didn't stop there. Stancil also was involved with the Marion County Bar Association, Florida Bar Association, Conference of County Court Judges and Conference of Circuit Court Judges.

In 2021, Stancil spoke out against a development that was proposed to be very close to a large track of land that had been in his family for decades.

I have lived on this property all of my life, Stancil told the zoning board. My mother came here in 1919 and she grew up on that property. We have a farm that weve been operating since 1919. This is right in the middle of it (farm) and would change the character of the neighborhood.

County commissioners voted 3-2 to deny the development.

Law enforcement official dies: 'He knew how to connect with people': Remembering veteran law officer Mike McQuaig

Comments from other judges

Circuit Judge Lisa Herndon, the administrative judge, said in an email about Stancil's passing: "I am very sad to hear about the passing of Judge Stancil. Judge Stancil had a long and distinguished career as a judge in the Fifth Circuit for a total of 42 years. He was well respected both as a judge and as a person, and he will be greatly missed."

Retired Circuit Judge Willard Pope called Stancil a "cornerstone of the judiciary," who was well-liked and respected. Hailing him as a pillar of the community, Pope said Stancil wanted to do what's right for the people involved and for the community.

Pope said Stancil was tough when it was needed.

"I was sad to learn he had passed. He's going to be missed," Pope said.

Pope said he would consult Stancil on his insight on different cases and Stancil was willing to help and provided valuable advice.

"He's been around for a long time," Pope said.

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Retired Circuit Judge Hale R. Stancil has died at age 78
France, Germany, and other EU countries are reportedly opposed to a proposed plan of issuing bonds from profits stemming from frozen Russian assets, Reuters reported on March 22, citing unnamed diplomatic sources.

Western countries have immobilized around $300 billion of the Russian central bank's assets since the start of the full-scale invasion. Washington, Brussels, and Kyiv have long discussed legal ways of channeling these funds to aid Ukraine's reconstruction efforts.

The EU moved closer on March 21 to finalizing a plan to use 90% of the profits generated from the frozen funds to purchase weapons for Kyiv and allocate the remaining 10% to the EU budget to support Ukraine's defense industry. The proposed measure would allocate around 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) to Ukraine per year.

A separate plan to further maximize profits from the frozen assets entailed the issuing of bonds. The plan was backed by the U.S., Belgium, and other countries but has met opposition from France and Germany, the EU's two biggest economies.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo acknowledged that the plan may not be able to garner enough support.

"I understand that today it is maybe too early to do that," de Croo said.

"It's a Belgian test balloon ... The Belgians have floated it before, but it hasn't gotten much traction thus far," an unnamed diplomat said.

Another diplomat said that the U.S. was particularly pushing for the plan, in part to compensate for the ongoing delay in Congress over U.S. aid.

Still, de Croo did not rule out the plan being discussed in the future and vowed not to take it off the table.

Read also: Opinion: Seizing Russias frozen assets is the right move

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Andean city of La Oroya, situated in a high-altitude valley at 3,750 meters (12,300 feet), is home to a heavy metal smelter that has poisoned residents and the environment for almost a century (Ernesto BENAVIDES)

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights said Friday that Peru had violated residents' "right to live in a healthy environment" in an Andean mining town that is considered one of the most polluted places on earth.

The Andean city of La Oroya, situated in a high-altitude valley at 3,750 meters (12,300 feet), is home to a heavy metal smelter that has poisoned residents and the environment for almost a century.

In 2006, La Oroya residents sued the Peruvian government at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights for allowing the company to pollute at will.

Since then, the town has often featured on lists of the most polluted places on the planet, rubbing shoulders with sites like Ukraine's nuclear-sullied Chernobyl and Russia's Dzerzhinsk, the site of Cold War-era factories producing chemical weapons.

In its ruling, which is binding, the Costa Rica-based court blamed the Peruvian State "for the violation of the rights to a healthy environment, health, personal integrity, a dignified life... in detriment of the 80 victims" who filed the lawsuit.

The court ordered that Peru carry out an analysis of the contamination of the air, water and soil in La Oroya, provide free medical care to the victims, and adapt the allowed standards for lead, sulfur dioxide, arsenic, mercury and particulate matter.

Since 1922, the gigantic smelter that was long the economic heartbeat of La Oroya, has processed copper, zinc, lead, gold, selenium, and other minerals from nearby mines.

The court said the complex "has had a significant impact on the environment, contaminating the air, water and soil."

The ruling also said that "exposure to lead, cadmium, arsenic and sulfur dioxide constituted a significant risk to the health of the victims, and they did not receive adequate medical care from the State."

According to the International Federation for Human Rights, in 2013, 97 percent of La Oroya children between six months and six years of age, and 98 percent between age seven and 12, had elevated levels of lead in their blood.

The smelting complex went bankrupt in 2009 -- crippling the town's economy -- but re-opened last year under the management of a company made up of almost 1,300 shareholders -- many of whom are former foundry workers.

The new administration has promised not to pollute the town.

apg/fj/sf/fb/mdl
A bilateral meeting between the speakers of the parliaments of Azerbaijan and Armenia, Sahiba Gafarova and Alen Simonyan, took place on the sidelines of the 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva, Azernews reports.

The meeting was organized at the initiative and with the mediation of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The meeting aimed to address avenues through which the parliaments of both nations can contribute to the ongoing peace process amidst the negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The parties agreed to explore dialogue possibilities at the parliamentary level during the meeting, which was conducted in a constructive atmosphere.




In this article, we discuss 15 countries that have the most F-16 fighter jets, and take a detailed look at one of the most recognizable and capable fourth-generation fighter jets in the world. You can skip our analysis on the subject and head over directly to the 5 Countries that have the Most F-16 Fighter Jets.

The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-seat, single-engine fighter jet that was initially developed as a lighter and cheaper equivalent of the F-15, but has grown into being among the most widely used fighter jets in the world. More than 4,600 units of the aircraft have been produced to date, with production still ongoing. As older versions of the jet retire, newer and upgraded F-16s take center stage.

Originally built by General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) for the United States and its allies with the first order placed in 1972, the F-16 entered service with the US Air Force in 1978. General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) continued to manufacture the fighter jet until it sold its aircraft manufacturing business to Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) in 1993. More than 25 countries operate the F-16 today, with more joining, making it the most widely operated fighter jet in the world, currently.

Earlier in January this year, Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) delivered Slovakia the first two of its total 14 F-16 Block 70 fighters ordered in 2018 for $1.8 billion. The country retired its aging fleet of 11 MiG-29s two years ago, and is replacing them with the F-16. The Block 70/72 is the latest version of the fighter aircraft, and is operated by only six countries, with Slovakia becoming the first European nation to operate the variant. The remaining deliveries are scheduled by 2025.

Turkiye is also set to receive the Block-70 F-16s. The countrys deadlock with the United States over the purchase of these fighter jets ended in February, more than two years after Ankara made the request for the F-16s. Ties between the two countries had strained after Washington expelled Turkiye from the F-35 program following the latters procurement of a missile defense system from Russia in 2017. The US agreed to the sale of the F-16 only after Ankara approved Swedens NATO membership bid. The deal is valued at $23 billion. Turkiyes history with the fourth-generation fighter goes way back to 1983, when it entered into a $4 billion deal with General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) for 160 F-16 fighters.

Story continues

According to a report in the New York Times, Ukraine is also likely to deploy six of the 45 F-16s promised by its European allies by July this year. Kyiv is currently in the process of training its pilots, who by the end of 2023, had progressed from taking foundational flight skills in the United Kingdom, to advanced instructions in Denmark related to the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Ukraine will receive new jets built by Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT), as well as the older F-16s being phased out by European countries to replace them with the F-35 fifth-generation fighter.

15 Countries that have the Most F-16 Fighter Jets

Methodology

We have ranked countries that have the most F-16 fighter jets in ascending order of their fleet size. Data has been sourced from FlightGlobals 2024 World Air Forces directory. Moreover, we have also shed light on the newer F-16 jets ordered by these countries, as well as the upgradation investments on their current fleet.

If interested, you can also take a look at the 15 Most Expensive Fighter Jets in the World.

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Lets now head over to the list of countries that have the most F-16 fighter jets.

Top 15 Countries with Most F-16 Fighter Jets:

15. Chile

F-16 Fighter Jets: 46

Chile has a fleet of 46 F-16 fighter jets of A/B/C/D variants. 35 of these are currently in operation of the Chilean Air Force, while 11 are training aircraft according to FlightGlobal. In October last year, the Pentagon announced that a $177 million contract had been signed with Chile, under which Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) would upgrade its operated F-16 aircraft to the M6.6 standard.

14. Poland

F-16 Fighter Jets: 48

Poland is heavily investing to enhance its aerial military capabilities. Apart from placing an order for 32 F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets, the country entered into a $389 million deal with the United States in September 2023 to modernize its F-16 fleet. Under the agreement, its 48 F-16 fighters will be provided electronic warfare (EW) database reprogramming support, among other equipment and support.

13. Thailand

F-16 Fighter Jets: 50

Next on our list of countries with the most F-16 fighter jets is Thailand, which has a fleet of 50 F-16 fighter jets, of which 36 are operated by the air force for combat use, while 14 are used as training aircraft. According to a report in Janes, Bangkok plans to decommission its fleet of F-16A/B fighter jets by 2028.

12. Belgium

F-16 Fighter Jets: 53

Belgium has a sizable fleet of F-16 fighter jets, comprising 53 aircraft. This is the main combat aircraft in operation of the Belgian Air Component. Belgium operates A and B variants of the jet. The country has 34 F-35 fifth generation fighter jets on order, which will likely replace its aging fleet of the F-16s. Last year in October, Belgium announced to provide an undisclosed number of F-16s to Ukraine, starting 2025.

11. Jordan

F-16 Fighter Jets: 59

Jordan is among countries that have the most F-16 fighter jets, with a fleet size of 59, of which 43 are F-16A variants, while the other 18 are F-16B Fighting Falcons. It is among the most powerful countries in the Middle East, and a key strategic ally of the United States, which provides the country substantial financial and military assistance. In June 2022, Jordan placed an order for 12 Block 70 F-16 fighters with Lockheed Martin.

10. Singapore

F-16 Fighter Jets: 60

The Republic of Singapore Air Force has 100 combat jets, which include 60 F-16s and 40 F-15 fighters. The country also has 12 F-35 jets on order according to FlightGlobal. Last year in September, Singapore upgraded its fleet of F-16s with new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, and the capabilities to deploy sophisticated air-to-air missiles such as the Rafael Python-5 missile. According to the countrys Ministry of Defense, the upgrade has increased the operational service of the fleet to the mid 2030s.

9. Pakistan

F-16 Fighter Jets: 75

Much like the countrys nuclear weapons, the F-16 fighter jets are a symbol of military strength in Pakistan, with images of the jet being adorned on billboards on national days and on commercial trucks that move along the nations highways. It is a weapon which provides Pakistan a perceived edge over its arch rival India in aerial conflicts, as was seen in the dogfight between the two countries in the Kashmir region in 2019. 44 of these jets are used as combat aircraft by the Pakistan Air Force, while 31 are currently training aircraft. In 2022, the Biden administration approved a $450m fleet sustainment sale for Pakistans F-16 jets, aimed at enhancing their air-to-ground capabilities.

8. United Arab Emirates

F-16 Fighter Jets: 76

The United Arab Emirates procured 80 F-16 fighter jets from the United States, as part of a $6.4 billion deal signed in 1998, of which 76 currently remain in operation according to FlightGlobal. These aircraft have significantly contributed to the UAEs aerial power in the region, with the Emiratis continuing to spend heavily on upgrading and maintaining these jets. In 2017, the UAE Defense Ministry announced that it had agreed a $1.6 billion contract with Lockheed Martin for the upgradation of its F-16 fleet.

7. Taiwan

F-16 Fighter Jets: 137

Taiwan is one of the countries that have the most F-16 fighter jets, with a fleet size of 137 aircraft  nearly twice the size of the UAE, which preceded it in the rankings. Taipei, right since independence, has focused on raising a strong military due to the perceived threat of a Chinese invasion. Taiwan is on track to quickly be among the largest operators of the F-16 jets in Asia, as it awaits the delivery of 66 new F-16V Block 70 fighter jets from the United States.

6. Greece

F-16 Fighter Jets: 154

Greece is in sixth spot, with a fleet of 154 active F-16 fighter jets, of which 115 are used as combat aircraft by the Hellenic Air Force, while 39 are used for training purposes. Last year in August, Athens announced that it would take part in the training program to train Ukrainian pilots in flying the F-16s. Greece has the most number of F-16 fighter jets in Europe.

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Russia is creating a new armed force consisting of more than 100,000 people, which means that a summer offensive can not be ruled out, Ground Forces commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Pavlyuk, said on national television on March 22.

We are not fully aware of Russian plans, but they are creating a group of more than 100 thousand soldiers, he said.

"It will not necessarily be an offensive. Perhaps they will replenish their units with these soldiers, units that are losing combat capability."

Read also: Putin might intensify mobilization after elections, expert warns

There is still a possibility that "by the beginning of the summer, they may have some forces for offensive operations in one of the directions, he added.

Read also: Moscow commits to war of mass and attrition amid highest losses since full-scale invasion - British Intelligence

The Armed Forces will do everything to inflict as many losses to the enemy as possible, so that all the resources they are forming will be involved in the battle by this time, said Pavlyuk.

"We are preparing for different situations."

It is too early to say that Russian offensive is slowing down at the front, he emphasized earlier. The "positional war" is ongoing, and Ukraine cannot yet gain an advantage, as the aggressor country has significant resources.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Russian forces struck 11 communities in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy Oblast in 51 separate attacks throughout the day, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported on March 21. At least 273 explosions were reported in the region over the past 24 hours.

The communities of Mykolaiv, Khotin, Bilopillia, Vorozhba, Myropillia, Velyka Pysarivka, Shalyhyne, Esman, Druzhbivka, Svesa, and Seredyna-Buda were targeted.

Throughout the day, Russia assailed the border communities with mortar, artillery, grenade launcher, drone attacks. Several guided and unguided rockets targeted at least three communities.

The town of Bilopillia, with a pre-war population of about 15,600, experienced the bulk of the attacks, with 122 explosions reported in the area. The community is 43 kilometers away from the Ukraine-Russia border.

In recent weeks, Russian assaults on Sumy Oblast have escalated in their destructive impact.

On March 17, Russian forces attacked the town of Velyka Pysarivka with a barrage of mortar, artillery, rocket launcher, and guided and unguided aerial bombs. One person was killed and another injured as a result of Russian strike.

Another attack on March 13 left three people killed and 12 injured when a Russian Shahed-type drone hit a five-story apartment building in the regional capital, Sumy.

Read also: Anti-Kremlin militias hold press conference in Kyiv, say incursions into Russia thwart Kremlins ability to launch new attacks

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Zhang Jun, China's ambassador to the UN, speaks after voting against the ceasefire resolution - Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images

The US has accused Russia and China of sabotaging a ceasefire resolution at the UN, arguing they would rather see us fail than end the war.

Beijing and Moscows representatives blocked a US-backed motion calling for a ceasefire in Gaza on Friday, arguing it did not go far enough.

They said the USs call for an imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire was not strong enough, calling the resolution pointless and accusing Washington of fooling around.

The resolution said a truce should be in connection with the release of hostages, not unconditional.

The vote came as Joe Bidens administration stepped up its demands for Israel to lay down arms in Gaza and called for a planned offensive in Rafah to be abandoned.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN, accused Russia and China of deliberately thwarting the resolution because of their rivalry with the US.

Reason behind veto is cynical and petty

[The] reason behind this veto is not just cynical, its also petty, she said.

Russia and China simply did not want to vote for a resolution that was penned by the United States, because it would rather see us fail than to see this council succeed.

The US has previously used its own veto to block calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, most recently on Feb 20.

However, this week it circulated a draft resolution describing an imperative for an end to the war and supporting diplomatic efforts to release hostages held by Hamas.

Russia disputed its wording, arguing that the phrase imperative was not clear enough that the ceasefire should happen immediately.

Members of the United Nations Security Council gather to vote for a resolution on a ceasefire in Gaza on Friday - Sarah Yenesel/ Shutterstock

We will no longer tolerate pointless resolutions which do not contain a call for a ceasefire, which lead us to nowhere, said Vasily Nebenzya, Russias UN ambassador.

This would free the hands of Israel and it would result in all of Gaza, its entire population, having to face destruction, devastation or expulsion.

His deputy, Dmitry Polyansky, accused the US of fooling around with its motion.

Zhang Jun, Chinas ambassador, said the resolution was not clear enough on the timing of a ceasefire and that Beijing instead supported a separate draft without the imperative phrasing.

The resolution was supported by all but three Security Council members, including the UK.

The vote came amid a shift in the Biden administrations position on the war in Gaza, with both the president and his officials calling for an end to fighting and for Israel to scrap plans to invade Rafah, in the south of the territory.

An earlier draft of Fridays motion included a call for Hamas to release hostages in exchange for the ceasefire, but that clause was removed before the vote.

Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, visited Israel earlier on Friday to meet with Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, and the countrys war cabinet.

He has urged Israel to end the war, which began on Oct 7 after Hamas launched a series of terror attacks, and abandon plans to invade Rafah.

People flee following Israeli army strikes on Shifa Hospital, in Gaza City, earlier this week - Ashraf Amra/Anadolu via Getty Images

However, Mr Netanyahu told visiting Mr Blinken on Friday that he wont abandon his plans of launching a ground offensive in Rafah despite the growing pressure.

I told him that we wont be able to defeat Hamas without entering Rafah and killing the rest of their battalions that are there. I told him that I hope we do this with US support but if we need to - we will do it alone, he said.

Ron Dermer, Israels strategic affairs minister, said that the Rafah offensive would take place even if the entire world turns on Israel, including the United States.

A meeting of administration officials with an Israeli delegation in Washington next week will see the US propose alternative plans to a Rafah offensive. Both Mr Biden and Mr Netanyahu have said the issue is a red line.

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Russia and China vetoed a United States-led resolution on Friday at the United Nations Security Council that voiced support for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war contingent on the release of hostages.

The resolution voiced support for an immediate and sustained cease-fire contingent on the release of hostages, calling it an imperative. It also condemned the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas and continued attacks by Yemens Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, while reiterating the need for a two-state solution to solve the decadeslong Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The wording of the resolution was the sharpest to date that the United States has proposed to the world body on the Israel-Hamas war. In previous resolutions, the U.S. only called for finite pauses in hostilities and it vetoed past resolutions that contained calls for immediate cease-fires.

The U.S. proposal also contained provisions that would likely anger Israel  including clauses expressing grave concern about a looming Israeli operation in the southern Gazan city of Rafah and demanding the opening of more border crossings between Israel and Gaza so as to improve aid flows into the territory.

But the U.S.-led resolution stopped short of directly demanding or ordering a cease-fire, and it also did not insist upon a permanent cease-fire. Russia assailed the resolution as an empty rhetorical exercise designed to play to the voters to throw them a bone in the form of some kind of a mention of a ceasefire in Gaza.

Though a majority of members of the Security Council voted in favor of the resolution, Russia, China and Algeria voted against it. Russia and China are permanent members of the Security Council, and they, like the U.S., can wield a veto over the bodys actions. As the war in Gaza has progressed, Russia, China and the United States have frequently used their vetoes to stop related actions at the Security Council, largely paralyzing the body.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield slammed Russia and China as cynical and hypocritical for their opposition.

This was the deadliest single attack on Jews since the Holocaust. And a permanent member of this council can't even condemn it. I'm sorry. It's really outrageous, and it's below the dignity of this body, Thomas-Greenfield said in remarks after the vote. Russia and China simply did not want to vote for a resolution that was penned by the United States because it would rather see us fail than to see this council succeed.

Amar Bendjama, the envoy from Algeria, expressed gratitude to the U.S. and Thomas-Greenfield for accommodating some of our proposals but noted that our core concerns remain unaddressed.

Regrettably, the draft resolution falls short of our expectations, Bendjama said. The text presented today does not convey a clear message of peace. It tacitly allows continuing civilian casualties and lacks clear safeguards to prevent further escalation.

Nahal Toosi contributed to this report.
Russia and China on Friday blocked a U.S.-backed United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate and sustained cease-fire in Israels war against Hamas in Gaza.

Eleven members of the council voted in favor of the resolution, which the U.S. hoped would allow for more aid to enter the enclave and save the lives of civilians. Russia and Chinapermanent council members with veto powerswere joined by Algeria in opposing the measure, while Guayana abstained.

U.S. FINALLY Pressures Israel by Submitting Immediate Gaza Ceasefire Resolution at U.N

The proposals defeat comes after the U.S. previously stood alone in vetoing three earlier proposed resolutions similarly calling for a ceasefire. The most recent attempt, in February, was blocked by the U.S. on the grounds that it could interfere with sensitive negotiations to release hostages being held by Hamas. Britain abstained in that vote as it had done in the earlier two votes in which Washington, D.C. exercised its veto.

Ahead of Fridays vote, Russias U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia claimed that Moscow endorses the idea of an immediate ceasefire, but he took issue with some of the details of the resolution and accused U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield of intentionally misleading the international community for politicized reasons, according to the Associated Press. He also mocked the hypocritical spectacle of the U.S. failing to restrain Israel and then demanding a ceasefire after Gaza has been virtually wiped off the face of the Earth.

Thomas-Greenfield said after the failed vote that China and Russia chose to block the resolution because they did not want the U.S. to succeed. Once again, Russia put politics over progress, she claimed. Barbara Woodward, the U.K.s representative, said she is deeply disappointed by the defeat but said Britain will do everything we can to get humanitarian aid into Gaza, the BBC reports.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday said an immediate, sustained ceasefire is needed to create space to surge more humanitarian assistance, to relieve the suffering of many people, and to build something more enduring. He also expressed his hope that all countries back the U.S. resolution and said international negotiators continued to work on a deal to secure the hostages release.

The Biden administration has grown increasingly critical of the way Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is prosecuting the war sparked by Hamas Oct. 7 terror attacks, openly opposing his stated aim of invading the city of Rafah in southern Gaza where over a million Palestinians are sheltering. Gazas Hamas-run health ministry says that almost 32,000 people have been killed since fighting erupted five months ago.

A U.N.-backed authority issued a warning this week that famine is imminent in Gaza, with around 210,000 already estimated to be facing catastrophic hunger. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) initiative report concluded that an immediate political decision for a ceasefire combined with significant increases in aid were needed to avoid or alleviate the projected famine.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Seeking to distance itself from the growing carnage in Gaza, the Biden administration was stymied on two fronts Friday.

Russia and China vetoed a U.S.-backed resolution at the United Nations calling for an immediate and sustained cease-fire in the Gaza Strip  a turnabout from previous U.S. vetoes of measures aiming to bring a halt to nearly six months of fighting between Israel and the militant group Hamas .

The U.N. vote came as Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken was in the midst of his latest mission to the region since the war broke out following a Hamas-led attack on Israel in October. But Blinken made little visible headway in trying to stave off an Israeli ground incursion in Rafah, a southern Gaza city that is jammed with Palestinians displaced by Israels relentless bombardment.

The Biden administration has been on an increasingly combative footing with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the conduct of Israels offensive, which has killed some 32,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to health officials there. Israeli officials have repeatedly dismissed or ignored U.S. entreaties not to harm civilians and to allow a better flow of humanitarian aid into the seaside enclave.

Smoke rises from an Israeli attack in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel. Nearly all of Gaza's 2.3 million people have been displaced, and large swaths of the territory have been flattened by Israeli bombardment. (Ariel Schalit / Associated Press)

The Gaza war is beginning to play a notable role in U.S. domestic politics. As the war has dragged on and the Palestinian civilian casualty count has soared, President Biden has come under heavy fire from the progressive wing of his own party. Many young voters strongly reject U.S. backing for Israel as it expands its attacks.

With the 2024 presidential campaign in full swing, former President Trump is painting American Jews as very disloyal to Israel if they support Biden as he seeks to exert pressure on Netanyahu.

The U.N. Security Council resolution, in calling for an immediate halt to fighting, was meant to facilitate urgently needed deliveries of humanitarian aid to Gaza, where international groups have warned of looming famine in the north.

Nearly all of Gazas 2.3 million people have been displaced from their homes, and large swaths of the enclave have been flattened by Israeli strikes. Disease and hunger are rampant.

But the U.S.-backed effort broke down over Russias accusations that the U.S. was misleading the international community through language contained in the resolution. The wording, which stressed the imperative for a cease-fire, also backed diplomatic efforts to secure the freedom of the remaining hostages among some 250 seized during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel. The attack killed about 1,200.

Read more: Two friends, each with family trapped in Gaza, are united by anguish. 'I should be there to protect them'

In Tel Aviv, Blinken held more than two hours of talks Friday with Netanyahu, who has made known his displeasure with depictions of him as an impediment to peace, made in a speech a week ago by the highest-ranking Jewish elected U.S. official, Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York. Biden said he thought his fellow Democrats speech was good.

Netanyahu said after meeting Blinken that he had turned aside U.S. appeals to cancel plans for a ground invasion of Rafah . Israel has said for weeks it will go after Hamas fighters there, despite a chorus of international condemnation over the danger to civilians.

Netanyahu declared that there was no way to defeat Hamas without entering Rafah , adding that he informed Blinken that Israel would not be deterred by U.S. opposition.

I hope we will do this with the support of the United States, the Israeli leader said. But if necessary, we will do it alone.

Read more: Israel's religious right has a clear plan for Gaza: 'We are occupying, deporting and settling'

Blinken reiterated U.S. support for the overarching goal of defeating Hamas. But speaking later to reporters in Tel Aviv, he used unusually blunt language to say attacking Rafah isnot the way to guarantee Israels security.

It risks killing more civilians, it risks wreaking greater havoc with the provision of humanitarian assistance, it risks further isolating Israel around the world and jeopardizing its long-term security and standing, Blinken said.

At the U.N., 11 members of the Security Council supported the U.S.-sponsored resolution, but the measure failed due to the no votes by two permanent members who wield veto power, Russia and China. Algeria also voted against it, and Guyana abstained.

Until now, the Biden administration has repeatedly moved to shield Israel from cease-fire calls at the world body, saying the country had a right to defend itself after the Oct. 7 attack. The U.S. also sought to directly link cease-fire calls to demands to free the hostages, of whom about 100 are believed to be alive.

The Security Council defeat was especially stinging for the Biden administration. In an effort to evince a more neutral position that had greater sympathy for the Palestinians, amid domestic pro-Palestinian uproar, U.S. officials sought to put forward a resolution that prioritized a cease-fire.

But China and Russia were keen to be the spoilers.

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said their votes were petty and deeply, deeply cynical.

First, she said at the U.N. headquarters in New York, Russia and China still could not bring itself to condemn Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7. ... Russia and China refuse to condemn Hamas for burning people alive, for gunning down innocent civilians at a concert, for raping women and girls, for taking hundreds of people hostage.

The second reason behind this veto, she continued, is not just cynical, its also petty. Russia and China simply did not want to vote for a resolution that was penned by the United States, because it would rather see us fail than to see this council succeed.

Blinken was not faring better in Tel Aviv. The schism between the Biden administration, advocating for an easing of the war, and Netanyahu, who is determined to carry the military operation to its end and destroy Hamas, has grown.

Separate from his meeting with Netanyahu, Blinken spoke to Israeli President Issac Herzog, emphasizing the need for Israel to take all possible measures to protect Palestinian civilians in Gaza  including through the prompt, effective facilitation of critical humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza, according to the State Department.

The statement used unusually tough language for dealing with an ally. Herzog is seen as more moderate than Netanyahu but has not shown a willingness to advocate for easing the military operations.

Meanwhile, talks over the fate of the hostages, and the potential for a cease-fire during which some swap would be made and aid rushed in, continue in the Qatari capital of Doha.

Israel and Hamas do not deal directly with each other; U.S., Qatari and Egyptian officials are acting as interlocutors. The U.S. director of the CIA, William Burns, was reported to be participating, along with the director of Israels Mossad intelligence service.

Blinken expressed optimism that the Doha talks could lead to an accord,although negotiators were unable to clinch such a pact prior to the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Weve gotten it down to a few remaining gaps, he said. But the closer you get to the goal line, the harder that last yard is.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The UN Security Council votes on a US draft on a Gaza ceasefire on March 22, 2024 (ANGELA WEISS)

Russia and China on Friday vetoed a US-led draft resolution at the Security Council on a ceasefire in Gaza, joining Arab countries in saying it did not pressure Israel, with Moscow accusing Washington of a "hypocritical spectacle."

The United States, Israel's main ally which has vetoed previous ceasefire calls, put forward the resolution in which the Security Council would have supported "the imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire" and for the first time condemned the October 7 attack by Hamas.

Veto-wielding Russia and China were joined in opposing the resolution by Algeria, the current Arab nation on the Security Council, which co-sponsored a new, tougher resolution that is expected to come to a vote Saturday and risks a US veto.

Russia's ambassador, Vasily Nebenzia, said that the US text would have done nothing to rein in Israel and mocked Washington for speaking of a ceasefire after "Gaza has been virtually wiped off the face of the Earth."

"We have observed a typical hypocritical spectacle," he said.

Nebenzia said the US draft was intended to "play to voters and throw them a bone in the form of some kind of a mention of a ceasefire in Gaza."

The resolution will "ensure the impunity of Israel, whose crimes are not even assessed in the draft."

- 'Cynically vetoed' -

The draft had stopped short of explicitly demanding that Israel immediately end its campaign in Gaza. In the delicate language of Security Council resolutions, the draft "determines" the "imperative" of an "immediate and sustained" ceasefire.

It linked a ceasefire to ongoing talks, led by Qatar with support from the United States and Egypt, to halt fighting in return for Hamas releasing hostages.

China's representative, Zhang Jun, said the draft "dodged the most central issue, that of a ceasefire" through its "ambiguous" language.

"Nor does it even provide an answer to the question of realizing a ceasefire in the short term," he said.

On a visit to Israel, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Russia and China "cynically vetoed" a resolution that had "strong support."

"I think we were trying to show the international community a sense of urgency about getting a ceasefire," Blinken told reporters.

Speaking at the Security Council, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said: "Let's be honest -- for all the fiery rhetoric, we all know that Russia and China are not doing anything diplomatically to advance a lasting peace or to meaningfully contribute to the humanitarian response effort."

- Push for alternative resolution -

The tougher resolution to be voted on Saturday is co-sponsored by Algeria and a diverse group of nations that backed the US draft -- Malta, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Switzerland -- as well as Guyana, which abstained Friday.

But Thomas-Greenfield indicated US opposition, saying the resolution would jeopardize ongoing talks for the release of hostages.

Israel's UN ambassador, Gilad Erdan, said the vetoes of the US resolution meant that "terrorists can continue benefitting from this Council."

"The Council's decision to not condemn Hamas is a stain that will never be forgotten," he said.

Russia, China and Algeria in turn said that a resolution should stop Israel from a threatened offensive in the city of Rafah, where more than one million Palestinians have sheltered.

The United States has publicly opposed the operation, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Friday after meeting Blinken to go into Rafah even without Washington's support.

More than 1,160 people, mostly civilians, died on October 7 when militants infiltrated Israel in the country's deadliest ever attack, according to Israeli official figures.

Militants also seized about 250 hostages, of whom Israel believes 130 remain in Gaza, including 33 who are presumed dead.

Israel afterward vowed to eradicate Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. Some 32,000 people, mostly civilians, have died, according to the Gaza health ministry, and the United Nations has warned of imminent famine in the territory.

abd-sct/
In this article, we will take a look at 16 Hardest Countries to Get Citizenship by Naturalization. You can skip our detailed analysis and go directly to the 5 Hardest Countries to Get Citizenship by Naturalization.

The increase in easy access to international mobility has fostered the desire for acquiring citizenship of other countries. In addition, the overall greater acceptance of dual citizenship by countries has also propelled people to covet and scramble to obtain the advantages of dual nationalities. While all this holds true, there are certain caveats to gaining citizenship that must be kept in mind before making a leap. Citizenship through naturalization-- one of the many ways of acquiring citizenship-- can become a daunting and challenging task for some due to stringent rules and regulations of some countries, as well as poor integration of immigrants leading to slower access to nationality, making them the hardest countries to gain citizenship by naturalization.

Naturalization: An Overview

The process for naturalization varies across countries, with some making it reasonably easy and others making it downright impossible. For instance, certain Gulf countries make the citizenship by naturalization process so arduous that it becomes nearly impossible to attain. Qatar, for example, not only requires an exceptionally long continuous duration of residency (25 years) but also demands proficiency in Arabic, impeccable behavior, and substantial proof of financial means to support oneself, as well as renunciation of previous citizenship. Saudi Arabia is another country with similar prerequisites, albeit with a shorter duration requirement of 10 years. Some Asian countries like Japan and China also impose complicated rules surrounding naturalization, often discouraging potential applicants. Likewise, North Korea is yet another country where obtaining citizenship is nearly unattainable.

While Europe, in general, has been associated with slightly better ease regarding citizenship, even here, some countries make the process difficult. The variation among countries regarding naturalization rules, integration, and immigration policies has a far-reaching impact on naturalization rates. This is evident in the 2022 naturalization rates for Europe, where the lowest rates were recorded in Latvia (0.4), Estonia (0.4), Austria (0.7), Bulgaria (0.7), Malta (0.8), and Czechia (0.8).

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The US-- the country which attracts the largest inflow of immigrants-- has also, over the years, made the citizenship process somewhat stringent. Since 1970, naturalization rates in the country have fallen behind many others. Here, the application fee alone could handicap many potential applicants, having risen about 800% in real terms since 1985. On top of this, there are other associated costs such as English classes and immigration lawyers. It is noted that the cost of obtaining citizenship in the US alone can hinder some 9.2 million immigrants living in the country who are eligible for naturalization. According to the Pew Research Center, cost is the main reason why most Mexican immigrants have not been able to obtain US citizenship.

Positive Impact of Naturalization to Host Economy

Immigrants flowing into countries can have a substantially positive impact on the economy. With easier citizenship processes, these immigrants would be motivated to stay and continue their contributions to the country's growth. According to a CATO Institute report from 2023, immigrants in the US can not only prevent labor and population declines but also alleviate labor shortages, particularly with expected new job openings reaching 1 million. Their role in US entrepreneurship is also expected to counteract the decline seen in the US since the 1970s-- immigrants are 80% more likely to start a new business compared to the US-born population. They have already founded 45% of the Fortune 500 companies and more than $1 billion worth of businesses.

Some notable names in this category include Apple Inc (NASDAQ: APPL), whose founder was the son of a Syrian immigrant; Google (NASDAQ: GOOG), which was co-founded by a Russian immigrant; Amazon.com, Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN), founded by the son of a Cuban immigrant; and Costco, founded by the sons of Canadian immigrants. In this digital age, tech giants like Apple Inc (NASDAQ: APPL), Google (NASDAQ: GOOG), and Amazon.com, Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN) play significant roles in the US economy. Apple Inc's (NASDAQ: APPL) $430 billion investment in the country in 2021 is a five-year project aimed at generating job-related growth for the economy. Amazon.com, Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN), on the other hand, leads approximately 37.8% of all online retail sales in the US. Google's (NASDAQ: GOOG) 2022 Economic Report revealed that the company added $700 billion in economic activity for millions of American businesses.

16 Hardest Countries to Get Citizenship by Naturalization

16 Hardest Countries to Get Citizenship by Naturalization

Methodology

To determine the 16 Hardest Countries to Get Citizenship by Naturalization, we relied on our previous article's methodology, 18 Hardest Countries to Get Citizenship in 2023, and selected the worst countries for access to nationality. We then used the number of years for residency requirements for naturalization from various sources and ranked the countries accordingly. One distinction we made from our previous article was to exclude countries that strictly prohibit dual citizenship. This allowed us to assess the hardest countries for naturalization based solely on the number of years required.

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Let us now take a look at our list for 16 Hardest Countries to Get Citizenship by Naturalization.

16. Serbia

Residency Requirement for naturalization: 3 years

The country has been placed in the slightly unfavorable category regarding access to nationality. With issues in immigrant integration and obstacles to naturalization, it is one of the hardest countries to obtain citizenship through naturalization. However, the number of years required for residency is lower than in some other countries.

15. Chile

Residency Requirement for naturalization: 5 years

While Chile has accepted the concept of dual citizenship, the naturalization process in the country is still not highly favorable, making it difficult to obtain citizenship through naturalization. Although there is no test, the interview might include an assessment of proficiency in Spanish and knowledge of Chilean culture, traditions, values, and history. Additionally, applicants are required to reside in the country for 5 years before becoming eligible for citizenship.

14. Turkey

Residency Requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Since 2017, Turkey has allowed dual citizenship and it can be gained after continuous stay of 5 years. However, the naturalization process requires proof of integration into the society with means to language, economic, and other requirements. For example, applicants should have command over the national language, have enough money to support themselves, and have no disease that could become public safety risk.

13. Russia

Residency Requirement for naturalization: 5 years

The difficulties encountered in acquiring Russian citizenship through the naturalization process entail at least a 5-year stay in the country, a clean criminal record, fluency in the Russian language, a comprehensive understanding of Russian history, culture, and the constitution, as well as financial stability indicating the ability to support oneself.

12. Mexico

Residency Requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Mexico has been placed in the slightly unfavorable category for obtaining nationality, mainly due to its complicated naturalization process based on integration into the country and language requirements. The country requires fulfilling the requirement of at least five years of legal residency, proving ties to the country, and passing a history, culture, and language exam.

11. Bulgaria

Residency Requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Bulgaria is also one of the countries with heavy restrictions on access to nationality due to its strict eligibility criteria. It requires the applicant to hold long-term permanent residence for five years, have a clean criminal record (no conviction of a premeditated crime), support themselves through income, and pass a Bulgarian language exam. Additionally, Bulgaria has restrictive policies regarding dual citizenship. While non-native Bulgarians are generally not allowed dual citizenship, certain exceptions exist. For example, spouses of Bulgarian citizens, citizens from EU member states, and citizens of countries with which Bulgaria has a reciprocal treaty.

10. Cyprus

Residency Requirement for naturalization: 7 years

Not only is Cyprus's access to nationality difficult, but the residency time required for attaining it is also on the high side. Even when immigrants become eligible for citizenship after a long period of seven years, the process is costly and complex, making it one of the hardest countries to obtain citizenship through naturalization.

9. Germany

Residency Requirement for naturalization: 8 years

The road to German citizenship through naturalization is quite demanding. Applicants must live in the country for at least 8 years, declare allegiance to the German constitution, demonstrate sufficient command of the German language, have no criminal record, and possess funds or income to support themselves. Thus, Germany becomes one of the hardest countries to obtain citizenship through naturalization. While the country allows dual nationality, prior permission from the government is required.

8. Romania

Residency Requirement for naturalization: 8 years

Romania is considered to have one of the vaguest citizenship requirements, and therefore, is included in the list of the hardest countries to obtain citizenship through naturalization. The required legal residency time amounts to 8 years, which, however, reduces to 5 years if married to a Romanian national. Applicants should also demonstrate, through their behavior, actions, and attitudes, that they are loyal to the country. Additionally, they should have the means to support themselves, no prior convictions, and knowledge of the Romanian language, culture, and civilization to facilitate their integration into society.

7. Hungary

Residency Requirement for naturalization: 8 years

Hungary is among the countries with one of the hardest and most restrictive citizenship policies. Not only is the applicant required to reside in the country for at least 8 years, but they must also have a clean criminal record, a stable source of income, good character, and pass a test in constitutional studies.

6. Denmark

Residency Requirement for naturalization: 9 years

The complicated and lengthy procedure for obtaining Danish citizenship through naturalization places this country among the hardest for gaining citizenship through this process. Among various requirements, uninterrupted residency for at least 9 years, declaration of allegiance and loyalty, financial support, proficiency in the Danish language, and passing a citizenship test are required.

Click to continue reading and see our 5 Hardest Countries to Get Citizenship by Naturalization.

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Disclosure: None. 16 Hardest Countries to Get Citizenship by Naturalization is originally published on Insider Monkey.
A US resolution on an immediate ceasefire in Gaza has been vetoed by both China and Russia at the UN Security Council as the death toll in the besieged territory reached 32,000 people.

It is the latest in a line of ceasefire resolutions to have been voted down in recent months, with the US having exercised its own veto three times. The US resolution, which had undergone several drafts before the vote, declared the imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire, but did not make it a legally binding demand as previous resolutions had.

It did, however, mark the first time the US had backed any UN resolution urging an immediate ceasefire.

Russias deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyansky said ahead of the vote that Moscow would not be satisfied with anything that doesnt call for an immediate ceasefire.

Americas UN ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield speaks on the resolution (AP)

Chinas ambassador to the UN, Zhang Jun, offered a similar explanation for his countrys veto, describing the final text as ambiguous.

The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 11 members in favour and three against, including Algeria, the Arab representative on the council. There was one abstention, from Guyana. As two of the five permanent security council members, the Russian and Chinese votes counted as vetoes.

Mr Jun said the draft did not call for an immediate ceasefire nor does it even provide an answer to the question of realising a ceasefire in the short term. This is a clear deviation from the consensus of the council members and fell far short of the expectations of the international community.

The US has blocked three previous UN Security Council resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire, including one last month backed by Arab states for which it was the only country on the 15-member council to issue its veto.

The UN vote came amid a flurry of diplomacy by US secretary of state Antony Blinken, who met with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday to urge Israel not to launch a ground attack on the city of Rafah and to do more to allow humanitarian aid to enter the territory.

Mr Blinken spent the days before his arrival in Israel travelling the region in an attempt to broker a new ceasefire in Gaza, meeting with Arab foreign ministers and leaders, including Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman.

A US State Department spokesperson told The Independent that the UN resolution supports the diplomatic effort to secure a ceasefire in the context of a hostage release and so would put pressure on Hamas to accept the proposal on the table.

The draft also condemned Hamas for the 7 October attacks and reiterated the need to do more to surge humanitarian aid into Gaza, the spokesperson said.

French president Emmanuel Macron said following the vote that he would work on a new ceasefire resolution that would be agreeable to all permanent members.

Following Russias and Chinas veto a few minutes ago, we are going to resume work on the basis of the French draft resolution in the Security Council and work with our American, European and Arab partners to reach an agreement, he said at the end of a European Union leaders summit in Brussels.

He noted that the US now seemed open to backing an immediate ceasefire.

What is important to note is that the US has changed its position and has indicated its desire to now very clearly defend a ceasefire, which is a good thing for us and for the progress of our draft, Mr Macron said.

US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said following the vote: Russia and China simply did not want to vote for a resolution that was penned by the United States because they would rather see us fail than to see this council succeed.

At the White House, National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby called the resolution a balanced, timely text that was in line with our long standing calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza over a period of at least six weeks as part of a hostage deal.

Echoing Ms Thomas-Greenfields comments about why Russia and China opposed the measure, he told reporters: Theyd rather shoot down something that we authored simply because we authored it rather than consider the strength of what it called for with overwhelming Council support.

Its difficult to look at that text and find whats objectionable about it except the fact that the United States is the one that authored it and put it forward, he said.

Mr Kirby also sought to differentiate between China and Russias veto of the US-authored resolution today and the US use of its veto of another ceasefire resolution put forth last month, calling the US veto one that had been based on substance.

Ours was based on the actual content in the resolution, which just called for immediate ceasefire, no condemnation of Hamas, no connection to getting the hostages out, nothing in there about humanitarian assistance. We support an immediate ceasefire, but as our resolution said, in connection with a hostile deal that gets those people home, gets more aid in, ... condemns Hamas for what they did on the seventh of October, he said.

Our objections and our vetoes were based on substance and content. The objections in the vetoes today, by Russia and China, were ... on politics  because we authored it, it had to be bad.

The UKs representative to the Security Council says she is deeply disappointed that Russia and China did not back the US draft resolution.

Dame Barbara Woodward says the UK had voted for an an immediate and sustained ceasefire, to free Israeli hostages, and to urge against a ground offensive into Rafah.

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, called the US resolution one-sided.

We reject framing what is happening as a terrorism issue. It is a genocide against the entire population of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, he told reporters.

While the US-backed resolution was being vetoed at the UN, Mr Blinken sat down with Mr Netanyahu to discuss the delivery of aid into Gaza and Israels planned offensive in Rafah.

The visit comes at a particularly tense period for US-Israel relations, as gaps between the two historic allies have emerged over Israels devastating war against Hamas.

In recent weeks, the Biden administration has publicly called for Israel to rethink its plan to invade the city of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians are sheltering after being displaced from across the territory.

Speaking as he departed Israel, Mr Blinken told reporters he had candid conversations with the Israeli prime minister.

He added that such an offensive in Rafah risks killing more civilians. It risks wreaking greater havoc with the humanitarian assistance. It risks further isolating Israel around the world and jeopardising its long-term security and standing.

Mr Netanyahu has baulked at the suggestions, however, and said following his meeting with Mr Blinken he remained committed to launching an operation in the city.

I also said that we have no way to defeat Hamas without going into Rafah and eliminating the rest of the battalions there. And I told him that I hope we will do it with the support of the US, but if we have to, we will do it alone, he said in a video statement to reporters.

Ahead of the meeting, Mr Blinken said he would urge Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into the territory after a United Nations report warned that widespread famine was imminent in northern Gaza, and a major acceleration of death would follow if an immediate ceasefire is not reached .

The visit marks the secretary of states sixth trip to the Middle East since Hamas killed some 1,200 people and took more than 200 hostage in a surprise attack on 7 October in southern Israel. Israels offensive in response has killed more than 32,000 people in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials, who told The Independent there have been at least 27 reported deaths due to starvation and dehydration, including 23 children.

While the failed resolution did not come with any enforcement mechanism, it is perhaps the strongest resolution regarding Israels war in Gaza that the US has agreed to back.

Mr Biden last month described Israels conduct in the war as over the top, but he has not shown any willingness to leverage massive US aid to Israel to pressure its ally.

His administration has quietly approved and delivered more than 100 weapons deliveries to Israel since 7 October, the Washington Post reported , sales that were not announced publicly. The White House has also bypassed Congress twice to send hundreds of millions of dollars worth of tank shells and ammunition.

Six months of war has caused an acute humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, which is home to more than two million people. The US has been unable to persuade Israel to allow sufficient aid deliveries into Gaza to prevent hunger from taking hold. Those disruptions led to the US launching air drops of aid into the strip, and a plan to build a temporary port on Gazas coast to facilitate further aid deliveries, but aid experts said those measures would be insufficient to prevent a famine.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), whose assessments are relied on by UN agencies, said this week that nearly three-quarters of people in parts of northern Gaza were now afflicted by the most severe level of food shortage, far exceeding the 20 per cent famine threshold.

Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary general, called the IPC report an appalling indictment of conditions on the ground.

This is an entirely man-made disaster and the report makes clear that it can be halted, he told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York, calling on Israel to ensure access to humanitarian goods throughout Gaza.

Mr Blinken arrived in Israel after meeting with foreign ministers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan on Thursday as part of his push for a new ceasefire agreement.

He said in the same interview with Saudi media outlet Al-Hadath that the gaps are narrowing between Israel and Hamas in their negotiations for a ceasefire, and that an agreement is very much possible.
Russia's Defense Ministry and Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on March 22 that rockets launched by Ukrainian forces struck the city of Belgorod and its surroundings, reportedly killing one person and injuring two others.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims of Russian authorities, and Ukraine does not usually comment on alleged attacks on Russian soil.

Belgorod Oblast borders Ukraine's Luhansk, Kharkiv, and Sumy oblasts. Claims of rocket or drone attacks against the region have recently become a daily occurrence amid anti-Kremlin Russian militias' incursions into the border areas.

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that its forces downed eight projectiles launched from the RM-70 Vampire rocket launcher against Belgorod Oblast at around 7:30 a.m. local time.

Gladkov said that one person had been killed- a woman walking her dog on the street at the time of the alleged attacks. Two others were reportedly injured and taken to the hospital, the governor said.

The news came as Russia launched a massive attack across Ukraine, striking critical infrastructure and other targets throughout the country.

Read also: What we know about anti-Kremlin militias raids into Russia

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Shootings, explosions and a fire at a concert hall Friday evening that left dozens dead in Russia are being investigated as a terrorist attack, the country's top investigative agency said.

Russias Federal Security Service said more than 60 people were killed in the attack at Crocus City Hall, a music venue, and nearly 150 others were injured in one of the deadliest attacks in the country in years.

The attack began when gunmen donning combat gear burst into a Moscow-area concert and opened fire.

Concertgoers, who had gathered in the hall to see the Russian band Picnic, were being evacuated, but some remained trapped inside the burning building, Russian media said.

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A Russian Rosguardia (National Guard) service member secures an area as a massive blaze is seen over the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 22, 2024. Several gunmen have burst into a big concert hall in Moscow and fired automatic weapons at the crowd, injuring an unspecified number of people and setting a massive blaze in an apparent terror attack days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on the country in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide.

The gunmen also threw explosives inside the concert hall during the attack, which set the building on fire, Russian media reported.

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Russia's Investigative Committee said it has opened a criminal probe into the attack but hasn't said who might be behind it.

Russian Culture Ministry has canceled all mass and entertainment events in the coming days in the area.

Videos from inside the venue showed the armed assailants shooting as they walked inside the lobby.

A massive blaze is seen over the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 22, 2024. Several gunmen burst into a big concert hall in Moscow and fired automatic weapons at the crowd, injuring an unspecified number of people and setting a massive blaze in an apparent terror attack days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on the country in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin called the attack a "huge tragedy."

Former Russian president and current Deputy Chair of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev wrote on Telegram that if "Moscow finds the perpetrators of the attack were connected with the Kiev regime then all [Ukrainians] should be found and destroyedincluding state officials. If it is established that these are terrorists of the Kyiv regime, it is impossible to deal with them and their ideological inspirers differently. All of them must be found and mercilessly destroyed as terrorists. Including officials of the state that committed such atrocity."

The attack comes on the heels of Russian President Vladimir Putin's landslide reelection and amid its war in Ukraine, just more than two years after Moscow invaded the country.

"At this time there are no intelligence indicators that the attack was orchestrated by Russian intelligence services as a pretext to take out Ukraine leaders," Rebekah Koffler, a strategic military intelligence analyst and the author of "Putins Playbook," told Fox News Digital.

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She continued, "Putin doesnt need such a pretext because targeted assassinations are permitted under the Russian federal law, On Countering Extreme Activity, that was approved by Putin in 2002, two and a half years after he assumed the presidency, and updated in 2006. This law already allows Russian intelligence services to "eliminate" (likvidirovat) [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy and other military and political leaders of Ukraine as persons presenting a threat to the Russian state."

She added, "Whether Ukrainian special services are behind the attack or not, the Russians may very well conduct disinformation operations to blame Ukraine and the West for the attacks. Not necessarily for retaliation purposes (they dont need to - because Russian offensive campaign in Ukraine is going as planned, as far as Putins assessment). But in order to continue rallying the Russian people behind Putin, supporting his war in Ukraine, and to continue feeding the anti-Western sentiment among the Russians, to justify additional defense spending, additional recruitment of troops, etc."

Koffler said she didn't have final analysis on who is behind the attacks yet.

Zelenskyy has denied any Ukrainian involvement.

"Ukraine certainly has nothing to do with the shooting/explosions in the Crocus City Hall (Moscow Region, Russia). It makes no sense whatsoever," he said on social media, adding, in part, "there is not the slightest doubt that the events in the Moscow suburbs will contribute to a sharp increase in military propaganda, accelerated militarization, expanded mobilization, and, ultimately, the scaling up of the war. And also to justify manifest genocidal strikes against the civilian population of Ukraine."

On March 7, the U.S. Embassy in Russia warned against "imminent plans" for an attack by extremists."

"The Embassy is monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, to include concerts, and U.S. citizens should be advised to avoid large gatherings over the next 48 hours," the embassy said two weeks ago.

The warning came after Russian authorities said they had stopped an attack by Islamic State extremists planned at a mosque in Russia.

Fox contributor Dan Hoffman, a former CIA station chief in Moscow, told Fox News normally a warning like the U.S. embassy's would be "based on intelligence" that could be "fragmentary."

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.





Original article source: Russia investigating shooting, explosions at concert hall as terror attack
Russian forces launched cruise missiles at Ukraine from the Caspian Sea on the night of 21-22 March, and an air-raid warning was issued in Kyiv and all oblasts.

Source: Ukraine's Air Force

Quote: "Cruise missile launches from Tu-95MS aircraft were detected."

Details: Ukraines Air Force clarified that the cruise missile launches were detected from the Caspian Sea.

"The estimated time of entry into the airspace of Ukraine is around 05:00," they said.

Updated at 04:09: There was a threat of ballistic missile use from the south.

Updated at 04:32: An air-raid warning was issued in Kyiv and almost all oblasts.

Updated at 04:33: There was a ballistic missile threat for Kharkiv Oblast from Russias Belgorod Oblast.

Updated at 04:41: The Air Force reported a missile fired towards Kryvyi Rih.

Updated at 04:45: A cruise missile was flying in Sumy Oblast, heading west.

Updated at 04:46: MiG-31K fighter jets, which are capable of carrying and launching Kh47-M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, took off from Savasleyka airfield in Russias Nizhny Novgorod Oblast.

Updated at 04:49: A missile was fired at Kremenchuk (Poltava Oblast).

Updated at 04:51: Another missile was fired at Kremenchuk from the south.

Updated at 04:52: A missile was flying in Kharkiv Oblast in the direction of Pavlohrad (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast).

Updated at 04:54: Another missile was observed in Kharkiv Oblast, flying in the same direction.

Updated at 04:56: A cruise missile was flying through Dnipropetrovsk Oblast towards Kremenchuk.

Updated at 04:57: A cruise missile was fired at Kryvyi Rih.

Update at 05:17: An air-raid warning has spread to the whole of Ukraine.

Updated at 05:28: The Air Force reported that a cruise missile was flying in Zaporizhzhia Oblast towards Kirovohrad Oblast; a Kh-22 cruise missile was spotted in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, heading west; a cruise missile was observed in Sumy Oblast, heading south; another Kh-22 cruise missile in Donetsk Oblast, heading west; a cruise missile in Kirovohrad Oblast headed towards Cherkasy; a cruise missile flew towards Poltava; a missile was spotted towards Kryvyi Rih from the east; a missile flew towards Kryvyi Rih through Zaporizhzhia; a cruise missile in Sumy Oblast was on its way to Chernihiv Oblast; another cruise missile in Sumy Oblast was spotted flying in the same direction; a missile headed towards Pavlohrad through Kharkiv Oblast; a Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile flew towards Dnipro; a cruise missile in Cherkasy Oblast flew towards Uman; cruise missiles on the border of Chernihiv and Poltava oblasts were on their way towards Kyiv; a missile was on its way towards Kryvyi Rih; a cruise missile flew towards Kanatove (Kirovohrad Oblast).

Two more MiG-31K jets were also detected taking off from the Savasleyka airfield.

Updated at 05:53: A cruise missile flew towards Dnipro; a missile was on its way towards Kryvyi Rih; cruise missiles were spotted in the central part of Vinnytsia Oblast, heading west; cruise missiles flew through Sumy Oblast heading towards Kyiv Oblast; cruise missiles flew through Kyiv Oblast entering Vinnytsia Oblast on the border with Cherkasy Oblast; cruise missiles crossed Vinnytsia Oblast, entering Khmelnytskyi Oblast.

Two more MiG-31K jets also took off from the Savasleyka airfield. All MiG-31K jets that had taken off earlier finally landed.

Updated at 05:55: A cruise missile was spotted in the direction of Ladyzhyn, Vinnytsia Oblast; cruise missiles flew across Ternopil Oblast, heading for Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast; a Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile was on its way to Cherkasy.

Updated at 06:12: Cruise missiles were spotted in Ternopil Oblast, heading for Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast; a Kinzhal missile was heading for Cherkasy; missiles crossed Zhytomyr Oblast, heading for Lviv; cruise missiles were spotted in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, changing direction to Lviv Oblast; missiles flew to Starokostiantyniv (Khmelnytskyi Oblast); cruise missiles from the south were heading for Dnipro, and Kinzhal hypersonic missiles were heading for Dnipro, too.

Three more MiG-31K jets took off from the Savasleyka airfield.

Updated at 07:06: The all-clear was given in all oblasts.

Background:

On the evening of 21 March, Russian attack UAVs were detected in Ukraines south; the movement of drones spread to a number of oblasts later, and an air-raid warning was issued there.

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Russia lost another 870 soldiers, 35 artillery systems, 37 armoured combat vehicles and 8 tanks over the past day alone.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Details: The total combat losses of the Russian forces between 24 February 2022 and 22 March 2024 are estimated to be as follows [figures in parentheses represent the latest losses  ed.]:

434,710 (+870) military personnel;

6,840 (+8) tanks;

13,111 (+37) armoured combat vehicles;

10,775 (+35) artillery systems;

1,018 (+0) multiple-launch rocket systems;

723 (+2) air defence systems;

347 (+0) fixed-wing aircraft;

325 (+0) helicopters;

8,388 (+23) strategic and tactical UAVs;

1,953 (+31) cruise missiles;

26 (+0) ships and boats;

1 (+0) submarines;

14,287 (+45) vehicles and tankers;

1,749 (+8) special vehicles and other equipment.

The information is being confirmed.

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Russia is not creating any offensive units near Sumy Oblast, however attacks are carried out on the civilian population to intimidate people.

Source: Oleksandr Pavliuk, Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, during the national joint 24/7 newscast

Quote from Pavliuk: "Unfortunately, Russia is continuing to terrorise the local population. This is clearly shown by the attacks on Sumy Oblast, where artillery shelling and airstrikes have increased significantly. Even though the enemy is not creating any offensive units on this front, attacks are carried out on the civilian population to intimidate people as much as possible and cause panic."

Details: He noted that we are talking about conventional terror, as the Russians do not know how to do it any other way.

Oleksandr Pavliuk said right now Ukraine does not have an advantage in the air, and this allows the Russian army to launch powerful airstrikes.

As soon as such an advantage appears, "we will do everything possible to prevent Russian aircraft from flying up to the borders and attacking."

Pavliuk noted that our partners are also working on this.

Background:

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted in his Tuesday evening address that Russia has been conducting strikes on the border of Sumy Oblast; since the beginning of March, Russian aircraft have dropped nearly 200 guided bombs.

Volodymyr Artiukh, Head of Sumy Oblast Military Administration, said that there is no risk of a border breakthrough in Sumy Oblast, where the number of Russian attacks has increased.

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Consequences of the attack of the Russian Federation on Zaporizhzhia

The Russians continue to focus their efforts on Ukraines civilian infrastructure, though their tactics have changed, Ukraines Southern Operational Command spokesperson, Natalia Humeniuk, reported on national television on March 22.

"Russian tactics continue to evolve as they seek ways to be maximally effective for their leader and their interests, she said.

We are seeking means of resistance, while they resort to suppression, terror, and aggression.

Read also: Russias massive attack on Zaporizhzhya shuts down traffic across Dniprovska hydroelectric plant

The escalation following the so-called elections in Russia was expected, Humeniuk said.

"As we had warned, Russia's escalation of attacks, especially from the air, has predictably followed its sham elections, she said.

These daily assaults are unprecedented, though they were expected."

The enemy's strikes were concentrated on objects of civilian infrastructure, including energy, she said.

Read also: Critical infrastructure hit in Vinnytsia in Russias latest mass missile barrage

Massive Russian attack on Ukraine's energy system on March 22  whats known

Russia massively attacked Ukraine with drones, cruise and ballistic missiles, targeting Ukraines energy infrastructure on March 22.

The Russian military attacked Ukraine 151 times from the air. Ukraine's air defense forces destroyed 92 of these targets, including 55 Shahed-136/131 drones and 37 missiles.

Read also: Under control  Though ablaze after RU attack, no threat of breach at Ukraines largest hydro dam

Russians launched 12 missile strikes at Zaporizhzhya, destroying seven buildings and damaging 35.

Police reported a "complete restriction" on traffic on the DniproHES dam. Russians hit the DniproHES dam, with a missile hitting a passenger trolleybus carrying people, Mariupol Mayoral advisor, Petro Andryushenko, said.

Critical infrastructure was damaged by strikes in Kryvyi Rih, forcing the city to implement scheduled power outages.

Kharkiv is almost completely without power, as Russians launched over 15 strikes on energy facilities.

Read also: Zelenskyy responds to Russia's mass missile assault on Ukraine, calls for air defense support

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Russia hit a hydroelectric power plant in Dnipro on Friday, leaving it in as 'critical' condition - AP

Russia is amassing a new force of 100,000 troops for a potential summer offensive, the commander of Ukraines ground forces warned on Friday.

Lieutenant General Oleksandr Pavliuk said Russia would want to maintain momentum after capturing the city of Avdiivka, in the Donetsk region.

Moscows forces have made grinding gains since the fall of Avdiivka in February, in part fuelled by Kyivs lack of weapons supplies from its Western partners.

The warnings of a possible new offensive came as Vladimir Putins Kremlin admitted it was in a state of war with Ukraine, after launching a barrage of 90 missiles and 60 suicide drones at Ukrainian towns and cities.

Russia has been careful not to present its special military operation as an actual war. Putins spokesman said the West had made the conflict into a de facto war.

Firefighters extinguish a fire at an electrical substation after a missile attack in Kharkiv - AFP

Ukraines warnings about Russias attack plans come as Moscow makes incremental gains on the front line. Russia this week said it was creating four new armies, likely to be a regrouping exercise.

Lt Gen Pavliuk said: We do not know Russias plans to the fullest extent. We only know the data they have, what they are creating. They are creating a group of more than 100,000 people.

It will not necessarily be an offensive. Perhaps they will use it to replenish their units that are losing their combat capability, he added. But there is a possibility that by the beginning of summer, they may have some forces to conduct offensive operations in one of the directions.

An apartment block destroyed by a Russian missile in the town of Selydove near Avdiivka - JULIAN SIMMONDS

He added that Russian forces were not slowing down advances around Avdiivka. Ukraine has previously acknowledged mass build-ups of Russian troops in the north-eastern Kharkiv region, in what sources have said could be a potential target to create a buffer zone between territory held by Kyiv and the Russian frontier regions of Belgorod and Kursk.

The two regions have been repeated targets for cross-border raids by pro-Ukrainian Russian rebels, as well as longer-range Ukrainian strikes. Despite the anti-Kremlin militias pushing into the Russian mainland, Lt Gen Pavliuk said Russia was able to terrorise Ukrainian border communities in the north.

He said a lack of air defence systems and munitions were preventing Ukraine from warding off jet-launched aerial bombs being deployed by Russia more frequently. Moscow said it carried out mass strikes in response to attacks by pro-Kyiv soldiers on Russian border cities over the past week, the defence ministry said in a statement.

Kharkiv experienced a near city-wide blackout with water supplies cut off, according to local reports. Elsewhere in Zaporizhzhia, strikes on Europes largest nuclear power plant left the facility in an extremely dangerous position, while Ukraines largest dam, a hydroelectric power plant in Dnipro, was in a critical condition following a missile attack, officials reported.

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Russia is preparing for an all-out war with NATO to happen sooner than originally believed: ISW

Russia is ramping up its preparations for a "large-scale" war with NATO, a US think tank says.

The ISW says Russian efforts at reviving its economy aren't just about fighting Ukraine.

Instead, Russia could be readying itself for a war with NATO that may occur sooner than expected.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's focus on reviving the Russian economy isn't just about funding the country's war on Ukraine, the Institute for the Study of War says.

"Several Russian financial, economic, and military indicators suggest that Russia is preparing for a large-scale conventional conflict with NATO, not imminently but likely on a shorter timeline than what some Western analysts have initially posited," the ISW wrote in a report on Wednesday.

The think tank cited a meeting Putin held with the Russian Duma on Tuesday, just days after the Russian leader claimed a landslide victory in his fifth presidential election on Sunday.

During the meeting, Putin discussed the areas he wanted to focus on in his fifth presidential term. The most important thing, Putin told lawmakers, was about "saving people" and "helping out families."

"All this can be done, of course, only on the basis of economic development," Putin said on Tuesday. "This is a key issue for our country's development, on which all other issues of technological sovereignty and social development must be resolved."

Putin also took shots at the nation's wealthy elite, urging lawmakers not to be guided by "corporate or even party interests."

The ISW said Putin's remarks suggested he was willing to risk his ties with the "siloviki," the wealthy ex-security officials who have been a part of his political base. The think tank said this was perhaps Putin's signal to Russia's elite that they'd have to feel "some pain" for Russia's financial stability.

"Putin's attempts to set conditions to stabilize Russia's economy and finances are most likely part of Russian financial and domestic preparations for a potential future large-scale conflict with NATO and not just for a protracted war in Ukraine," the ISW added in its report.

This isn't the first time analysts have said a war between Russia and NATO could be imminent.

Estonia's foreign-intelligence service said in a report last month that Russia was preparing for a "confrontation with the West."

"Russia has chosen a path which is a long-term confrontation," the agency's chief, Kaupo Rosin, told journalists at the report's launch, according to Reuters. "The Kremlin is probably anticipating a possible conflict with NATO within the next decade or so."

Representatives for Russia's defense ministry didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Smoke rises in the sky over a high-voltage line at a site of a Russian missile strike outside Kharkiv

Smoke rises in the sky over a high-voltage line at a site of a Russian missile strike outside Kharkiv

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia said on Friday it had launched a massive attack on Ukraine using land, sea and air-launched missiles and drones, part of what it said was a series of "revenge strikes" to punish Kyiv for attacking Russian border regions.

The defence ministry said in a statement its forces had successfully struck a number of power grid objects, railway nodes, military factories, ammunition depots and concentrations of Ukrainian troops and foreign mercenaries.

"As a result of the strike, the work of industrial enterprises producing and repairing weapons, military equipment and ammunition was disrupted," it said.

"In addition, foreign military equipment and lethal weaponry delivered to Ukraine from NATO countries was destroyed, the transfer of enemy reserves to the front line was disrupted, and Ukrainian army units and mercenaries were hit."

Reuters could not independently verify the detailed claims on the extent of damage. Kyiv said Russia's strike had been its largest on Ukrainian energy infrastructure of the war, hitting a vast dam, killing at least five people and leaving more than a million others without electricity.

The Russian defence ministry said the attack was one of a series of 49 revenge strikes launched since March 16 in response to Ukrainian shelling of Russian territory and attempts by Ukraine-backed forces to break through the border and seize Russian border settlements.

That was a reference to Russia's Belgorod region which has come under increasingly heavy Ukrainian fire and where Russian forces have clashed with Kyiv-backed armed groups which have tried to storm and seize small Russian settlements.

"As a result of the strikes, the Ukrainian army's decision-making centres, airfield infrastructure facilities, repair shops for weapons and military equipment, storage depots for drones and uncrewed boats, logistics bases, and temporary deployment points for special operations forces and foreign mercenaries have been hit," the Russian defence ministry said.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
Jeffrey Childs observes an experiment inside a space radiation effects chamber on Aerospace's El Segundo campus in 2010. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times )

Research and development lab Aerospace Corp. moved its headquarters this week to Virginia from El Segundo but reaffirmed its commitment to its South Bay campus by announcing a $100-million investment there.

The federally funded nonprofit corporation, which supports government and private-sector space work, said there would be no "significant relocation of current employees" in the move to Chantilly, Va., where it has another campus, but said industry changes required it.

Read more: Caltech receives $100-million gift to develop new technologies at the speed of SpaceX

The space domain has transformed over the last decade, reshaped by rapidly advancing threats, cutting-edge technologies and a fast-growing commercial sector, Chief Executive Steve Isakowitz said in a prepared statement. "By shifting our headquarters to the Washington, D.C. metro region, we will deepen our ties with key decision makers and stakeholders, and reaffirm our commitment to working side-by-side with our partners as they carry out our nations critical missions.

In relocating its top management to the nation's center of politics and government, Aerospace joins a growing number of aerospace and defense contractors that have made the move.

Last year, RTX Corp., which has facilities in El Segundo and was based in Waltham, Mass., announced it was moving its headquarters to Arlington, Va. Embattled Boeing Corp., a major defense contractor, also said it was moving its global headquarters to Arlington, from Chicago.

They joined major defense contractors already headquartered in the region, including General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, whose 2011 move from Los Angeles was a blow to Southern California's aerospace industry, though it continues to maintain extensive operations here.

Aerospace Corp. is nowhere near the size of large defense contractors but plays a key role in supporting the nation's space industry with cutting-edge technologies and consulting services. It has 4,600 employees nationwide, including 2,800 in El Segundo. Other major facilities are in Chantilly, Albuquerque and Colorado Springs, Colo.

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Founded in 1960, the lab has provided assistance to projects that include the Defense Department's Global Positioning System (GPS), NASA's 1960s race to the moon, the nation's ballistic missile defense system and multiple satellite deployments.

Its current work includes research to improve satellite solar arrays, developing electric propulsion for spacecraft and improving space micro-electronics. It is also working on NASA's Artemis program to return astronauts to the moon.

The nonprofit's primary customer and sponsor is the U.S. Space Force, but it also works with NASA and other civil agencies, as well as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, the intelligence community and international partners. Among the private-sector companies it has worked with is SpaceX.

Aerospace said its $100-million investment in the El Segundo campus would seek to expand its technical expertise and strengthen ties to the region's workforce, talent base and universities. Among the projects it will fund are the modernization of facilities that date back to the 1960s and consolidation of labs and other space on the main campus, a company spokesperson said.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Rescuers stand among the debris of the houses destroyed as a result of a massive missile strike by Russian troops on Zaporizhzhia, south-eastern Ukraine. -/https://photonew.ukrinform.com/ Ukrinform/dpa

At least five people have been killed in Ukraine as a result of a massive wave of Russian airstrikes overnight using rockets, cruise missiles and drones, Ukrainian officials said on Friday.

About two dozen others were injured in the strikes, mainly in the Zaporizhzhya and Khmelnytskyi regions, local authorities said.

Ukrainian air defences were only able to intercept about 60% of the more than 150 Russian drones and missiles launched at the country, according to air defence officials.

Eight missiles alone hit the Dnipro hydroelectric power plant in Zaporizhzhia and put the plant, which has a rated outpout of around 1,600 megawatts, out of operation.

According to a statement from the Ukrainian electricity grid operator Ukrenerho, there were supply problems in seven regions. The country's electricity needs had to be covered by imports from neighbouring Poland, Romania and Slovakia.

Ukrainian Railways also reported massive power outages on unspecified routes. Diesel locomotives are being used to ensure train service contiued.

The eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv suffered a total power outage, with Mayo Ihor Terekhov describing the Russian missile barage on the city - Ukraine's second-largest - as the worst since the start of the war.

The missile strikes targeted important energy supply facilities in the city. The attacks knocked out electricity, water, heating and public transport service in the city, while hospitals turned to generators to keep running.

In Moscow, meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov finally acknowledged that Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine is a "war," dropping the previous insistance on referring to the fighting only as a "special military operation."

Peskov, who has been President Vladimir Putin's press spokesman since 2000, blamed the war on the West.

The previous "special military operation" term implied that the operation had a limited scope, while the use of the broader term "war" was effectively banned.

"It began as a special military operation, but as soon as the clique emerged, when the collective West became involved on the side of Ukraine, it became a war for us," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained in an interview published on Friday in Argumenty i Fakty magazine.

In response to questions from the media, the Kremlin spokesman clarified that Russia was effectively at war, but that the combat operations would retain their current legal status. "De jure, it is a special military operation," he said.

During the war, the Russian military has occupied large parts of Ukraine but was unable to take the capital Kiev. Ukrainian troops later succeeded in driving the occupying forces back from some parts of the country with Western military assistance.

However, Russia still occupies almost a fifth of Ukraine, including Crimea, which it illegally annexed in 2014.

Tens of thousands of people, including many civilians, have been killed in the fighting on the ground, as well as by ongoing Russian attacks using missiles and drones.

In western Russia, at least on person was killed and several injured by shelling from Ukraine, according to local Russian officials.

A woman walking her dog was killed by a strike in the border region of Belgorod, and two other people were badly injured, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Telegram on Friday.

Residential buildings and cars were also damaged, Gladkov said.

The Russian Defence Ministry said eight missiles were intercepted.

This information could not initially be independently confirmed.

The governor of the neighbouring Kursk region, Roman Starovoit, also reported shelling during the night. One person was injured in the neighbouring village of Tyotkina, he said.

A missile also knocked out a power line to the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in Ukraine on Friday, the plant's management said on Telegram.

Power supply to the plant was guaranteed by a replacement line and there was no risk to the safety of the nuclear power plant, it added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had launched more than 60 drones and nearly 90 missiles overnight.

"The world sees the Russian terrorists' targets as clearly as possible: power plants and energy supply lines, a hydroelectric dam, ordinary residential buildings ... Russia is at war with people's everyday lives," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

"Russian missiles have no delays, unlike aid packages for Ukraine. 'Shahed' drones have no indecision, unlike some politicians. It is critical to understand the cost of delays and postponed decisions," he added.

Several energy facilities were hit across Ukraine, the country's Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said.

"The goal is not just to damage, but to try again, like last year, to cause a large-scale failure of the country's energy system," he wrote on Facebook.

The Zaporizhzhya plant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. It has been under Russian occupation since March 2022.

Aftermath of a massive missile strike by Russian troops on Zaporizhzhia, south-eastern Ukraine. -/https://photonew.ukrinform.com/ Ukrinform/dpa

Aftermath of a massive missile strike by Russian troops on Zaporizhzhia, south-eastern Ukraine. -/https://photonew.ukrinform.com/ Ukrinform/dpa

Aftermath of a massive missile strike by Russian troops on Zaporizhzhia, south-eastern Ukraine. -/https://photonew.ukrinform.com/ Ukrinform/dpa
The energy infrastructure of the Kharkiv region was attacked with S-300 and Kh-22 missiles

The Russian military targeted energy infrastructure in the Kharkiv Oblast with at least 15 S-300 and X-22 missiles, Kharkiv regional governor, Oleh Synehubov, reported on Telegram on March 22.

Read also: Stock up on water & charge your gadgets  Russian attack causes emergency shutdowns in Kryvyi Rih

"From 4:52 to 5:30 am, a massive missile attack was carried out on the energy infrastructure objects in the Kharkiv region, deploying over 15 S-300/X-22 missiles, Sinegubov wrote.

Kharkiv is temporarily without power."

The Russian army unleashed a heavy assault across Ukraine with various weapons on March 22. Numerous regions in Ukraine were under fire, with the Russians targeting Ukraines energy infrastructure.

The attack underscores a continued strategic focus by Russian forces on crippling Ukraine's energy facilities, directly impacting civilian life and essential services in the country.

Read also: Russian mass attack shuts down metro, trolleybuses, and trams in Kharkiv

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
(Bloomberg) -- Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. sold almost $360 million of stock in Chinese streaming platform Bilibili Inc. at a significant discount, the latest in a string of asset deals from an e-commerce pioneer seeking capital to invest in AI and rejuvenate the business.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Alibaba priced the sale of 30.85 million Bilibili American depositary receipts at $11.60 each, according to people familiar with the matter, asking not to be named as the information is private. Thats about a 5.5% discount to the stocks closing price on Wednesday. Bilibili plunged as much as 8.4% in Hong Kong on Friday, its biggest drop in two months.

Alibaba, for over a decade one of Chinas most prolific investors in everything from retailers to startups, has over the past year begun steadily whittling down its holdings. Its sold down shares of electric-vehicle maker XPeng Inc. as well as AI firm SenseTime Group Inc., while cutting back its stake in Hong Kong-listed ride-sharing firm GogoX Holdings Ltd.

The company is now in the midst of an overhaul intended to refocus its vast business empire on core retailing as well as technology-oriented fields from the cloud to artificial intelligence. Alibaba led major fundraisings for at least two Chinese AI startups this year even as it sold stock in more established firms, signaling its intent to stake out a space in a potentially transformative field.

Read More: Alibaba Said to Weigh Sale of Mall Chain in Latest Overhaul Step

Apart from capital for investment, Alibaba is also embarking on one of the countrys largest shareholder-return programs. The company has set up a separate entity to manage its portfolio of assets around the world, which analysts regard as a vehicle for the sale of holdings. Alibaba remains a significant part-owner of major names such as Weibo Corp. and Sun Art Retail Group Ltd. Its considering selling its InTime department store arm, Bloomberg News has reported.

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During an earnings conference call in February, new Chief Executive Officer Eddie Wu pledged to increase investments in its flagship businesses, a nod to growing competitive pressures from rivals such as PDD Holdings Inc. and ByteDance Ltd. Alibaba didnt respond to requests for comment on Thursday.

Its not a surprise since management has talked a lot about refocusing their core business, said Vey-Sern Ling, managing director at Union Bancaire Privee.

Read More: Alibaba Backs $2.5 Billion AI Firm in Second Big 2024 Deal

Bilibili lies somewhat outside of Alibabas expertise, while showing signs of fatigue from battling ByteDances Douyin and Kuaishou Technology.

Its mobile games unit has failed to come up with consistent hits, and reported a 12% sales decline in the December quarter. Its foray into online commerce also faces fierce competition from Douyin and Xiaohongshu. The Shanghai-based company remains in the red more than a decade since its founding.

The e-commerce giant became Bilibilis principal shareholder in February 2019. Apart from a direct economic interest, Alibaba was a major advertiser on its video-streaming site. The two firms started collaboration on content creation in 2018, according to Bilibilis most recent annual report.

--With assistance from Zheping Huang and Jeanny Yu.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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(Bloomberg) -- Russian spies waged a hacking campaign targeting German political parties by attempting to trick them with fake dinner invitations, according to new research from Mandiant.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The hackers, known as APT29 and linked by Mandiant to Russias SVR foreign intelligence service, have previously been known to target diplomatic entities, but have pivoted for the first time to focus on political parties, a Mandiant report warned. The shift indicates a broad threat to European and other Western political parties from across the political spectrum, the report said.

This targeting should be a concern for Germany, Europe and even the United States, said John Hultquist, chief analyst at Mandiant Intelligence, a cyber unit of Google Cloud. Our concern is that this may not be an isolated case, and other organizations - even some outside of politics - could be targeted in the near future, as APT29 also targets technology services to gain access to their downstream clients.

Posing as representatives from Germanys center-right Christian Democratic Union party, the Russian hackers emailed a fake invite to a dinner reception that they claimed would be hosted on March 1, according to Mandiants report. The invite asked those interested in attending to click a link, which directed them to a malicious file hosted on a website the hackers controlled.

In Germany, elections for European Parliament are scheduled to occur in June. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has pushed other countries in the EU to remain steadfast in their support of Ukraine amid Russias invasion of that country.

The Russian hackers shift toward targeting political parties is in line with the Kremlins interest in understanding decision-making related to Ukraine and other issues, the report added.

Some of the hacking tools the suspected Russian spies used in the German case were first observed by security researchers in late January 2024 in an operation targeting likely diplomatic entities in the Czech Republic, Germany, India, Italy, Latvia and Peru, according to the report.

Outside of Ukraine, there is no bigger priority for Russias intelligence services right now than monitoring changing Western political dynamics, said Dan Black, principal analyst at Mandiant. This latest targeting is not just about going after the CDU or Germany. It is part of Russias wider effort aimed at finding ways to undermine European support for Ukraine.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Russia's most recent mass attack on Ukraine has rendered Kharkiv's metro, trolleybuses, and trams non-operational, said Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov on national television on March 22.

"Kharkiv is experiencing a complete power outage, leaving all services without electricity, Terekhov said.

Despite this setback, we have initiated water supply operations  we can do so. We have also switched to generators and are activating heating networks."

A total of 40,000 households will be connected to the heating system, he said.

Read also: Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhya reeling after pummeling by waves of Russian missile strikes

Although the metro, trolleybuses, and trams are currently not operating, they are being substituted by bus routes, Terekhov said.

"Service lines 101 and 112 are currently inactive; however, the city line 1652 remains operational, he said.

People can place calls to this line, and they will be redirected."

Read also: Casualties in Russias biggest attack of 2024: hydro, thermal, and nuclear stations in 8 regions hit

The Russian military launched its most extensive attack of 2024 on Ukraine's energy system on the morning of March 22, targeting multiple oblasts with cruise and ballistic missiles, and drones.

Russia launched over 150 drones and missiles, including ballistic and cruise missiles. Air defense forces intercepted 92 of those targets.



Damage to infrastructure and energy facilities has been confirmed in Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhya, Kryvyi Rih, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Lviv oblasts.

Russians launched 12 missile attacks on Zaporizhzhya. Early reports say that at least seven buildings were destroyed, and a further 35 were damaged.

Russian forces targeted Ukraine's largest hydroelectric power station  Dniprovska HPP in Zaporizhzhya  hitting a passenger trolleybus with people on board, Mariupol mayor's adviser Petro Andriushchenko reported earlier. The strike caused fire and traffic on the dam was blocked.

Read also: Zaporizhzhya NPP faces blackout threat after missile attack disconnects main power line

Russia hit critical infrastructure objects in Kryvyi Rih, and the city has implemented rolling blackouts to compensate for the loss in power generation.

Blackouts have also been introduced in Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, and Odesa oblasts.

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A Russian mass missile strike on Ukraine killed one person in Zaporizhzhya Oblast and injured eight others, regional governor Ivan Fedorov reported on national television on March 22.



The Russians launched nearly 20 missiles at the oblast within just a few hours, deliberately targeting critical infrastructure and hitting exclusively civilian objects.

At least two people are missing, Fedorov said on Telegram.

Read also: At least 12 injured and fires city-wide after UA intercepts 30+ Russian ballistic missiles over Kyiv

The attack destroyed and damaged infrastructure objects, and struck the Dnipro Hydroelectric Plant, halting traffic on the dam. Ten houses and over 35 multi-story buildings were damaged.

Rescue teams are currently operating at the strike sites, while municipal services are assessing the extent of the damage and the recovery needs, he said.

Fedorov promised to provide updated information regarding the consequences of the mass strike when the assessments by the aforementioned services are completed.

Read also: Casualties in Russias biggest attack of 2024: hydro, thermal, and nuclear stations in 8 regions hit

The Russian military launched its most extensive attack of 2024 on Ukraine's energy system on the morning of March 22, targeting multiple oblasts with cruise and ballistic missiles, and drones.

The Russians launched at least 60 drones and 90 missiles of various types, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Russian forces attacked Ukraine using 151 means of aerial attack, reported Ukrainian Air Force Commander, Mykola Oleshchuk. The air defense forces intercepted 92  55 Shahed-136/131 drones and 37 missiles.

Damage to infrastructure and energy facilities has been confirmed in Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhya, Kryvyi Rih, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Lviv oblasts.

Read also: Energy structure ablaze in Lviv Oblast after early morning Russian missile strike

Russia hit critical infrastructure objects in Kryvyi Rih, and the city has implemented rolling blackouts to compensate for power outages.

Additional blackouts have been introduced in Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, and Odesa oblasts. Virtually the entire city of Kharkiv is without power, with power and water supply interruptions. Electrically powered public transport has also been suspended following the attack.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A Russian missile hit a trolleybus during the Russian attack on the Dnipro hydroelectric power station, killing its driver. Photo: Ukraines Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin

A Russian missile strike on the city of Zaporizhzhia on 22 March has claimed the lives of three people and injured 20 more, as stated by Ivan Fedorov, Head of Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration.

Source: Ivan Fedorov, Head of Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Details: A girl, 8, and a man, 35  daughter and father  have been killed in a Russian missile strike on a residential area in Zaporizhzhia.

A man, 62, the driver of a trolleybus travelling along the Dnipro hydroelectric power station dam, has also been killed in this Russian attack. The vehicle was carrying no passengers.

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported that as of 17:00, 25 people were reported injured.

Aftermath of the Russian missile strike on a residential area in Zaporizhzhia.

Photo: Ukraines Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin

Search and rescue operations are underway.

The emergency workers are dismantling the destroyed building structures and assisting utilities working to recover transport links.

Photo: The State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Photo: The State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Photo: The State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Background: On 21 March, Russian troops attacked 15 oblasts of Ukraine, striking 125 settlements and 150 infrastructure facilities.

On the night of 21-22 March 2024, Russian troops launched a combined missile and drone strike against Ukraine's critical infrastructure. They used a total of 151 aerial weapons. Ukrainian air defence units managed to destroy 92 Russian aerial targets.

This news has been updated since publication.

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LONDON, March 22, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B+ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "bbb-" (Good) of Compagnie Commune de Reassurance des Etats Membres de la CIMA (CICA-RE) (Togo). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect CICA-REs balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and marginal enterprise risk management.

CICA-REs balance sheet strength is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation, which was at the strongest level at year-end 2022, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). AM Best expects CICA-REs risk-adjusted capitalisation to remain comfortably above the minimum required for the strongest assessment prospectively, with capital buffers sufficient to absorb underwriting risks arising from the companys growth plans. CICA-REs balance sheet strength assessment also factors in its good financial flexibility, demonstrated through successful capital raises from existing and new shareholders, which have increased paid-up capital to XOF 60 billion (USD 98 million) at year-end 2022 from XOF 32 billion (USD 56 million) at year-end 2018. CICA-RE holds a well-diversified investment portfolio by asset type and geography, however, assets are concentrated in the Conference Interafricaine des Marches dAssurances (CIMA) region.

CICA-RE has a track record of adequate operating performance, with a five-year (2018-2022) weighted average return on equity of 9%. Over this period, the company has reported robust technical performance, with a weighted average combined ratio of 94% (as calculated by AM Best), and an investment yield of 5%. CICA-REs underwriting profitability primarily reflects the underlying performance of insurance markets in the CIMA region and generally profitable open-market business generated outside of the CIMA zone. Prospectively, AM Best expects continued robust underwriting performance, complemented by good investment income.

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CICA-REs neutral business profile assessment reflects its strong market position in the CIMA region, where its profile is supported by compulsory cessions on reinsurance and direct insurance business and established direct relationships with local cedants. Following revisions to the legal cessions structure in the CIMA region in 2020, CICA-RE has achieved significant portfolio growth, with gross written premium (GWP) increasing to XOF 106 billion (USD 173 million) in 2022, compared with XOF 64 billion (USD 109 million) in 2019. In 2022, the company generated 50% of GWP from the CIMA region, including legal cession business, with the remaining conventional open-market business originated from Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.

CICA-RE is exposed to the elevated economic, political and financial system risks associated with operating in the CIMA region, which is viewed as a partially offsetting factor to the ratings.

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.

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Consequences of shelling in Ivano-Frankivsk oblast on March 22

Russias mass missile and drone strike against Ukraine on March 22 injured two people and cause a blaze at a critical infrastructure facility in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, the regional State Emergency Service reported on Facebook on March 22.

Rescuers received reports of the fire at 3:40 a.m., and stated that the fire spanned approximately 900 square meters. The blaze was fully extinguished by 10:06 a.m.

State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast

State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast

State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast

Read also: Russian mass attack shuts down metro, trolleybuses, and trams in Kharkiv

The Russian military launched its most extensive attack of 2024 on Ukraine's power grid on the morning of March 22, targeting multiple oblasts with cruise and ballistic missiles, and drones.

Russia launched over 150 drones and missiles, including ballistic and cruise missiles. Air defense forces intercepted 92 of those targets.

Damage to infrastructure and energy facilities has been confirmed in Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhya, Kryvyi Rih, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Lviv oblasts.

Read also: Russian strikes on vulnerable targets: Lieutenant General Romanenko on Dnipro HPP attack

Russians launched 12 missile attacks on Zaporizhzhya, with at least three people killed, seven buildings destroyed, and a further 35 reportedly damaged in the city. Two more people died in Khmelnytskyi.

Russian forces targeted Ukraine's largest hydroelectric power station  Dnipro HPP in Zaporizhzhya  hitting a trolleybus, Mariupol mayoral adviser Petro Andriushchenko reported previously. The strike caused a blaze to break out, and traffic on the dam was blocked.

Emergency power shutdown schedules have been introduced in Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, and Odesa oblasts. Virtually the entire city of Kharkiv is without power, with electricity and water supply issues plaguing the city.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, has stated in his evening address that the nighttime Russian attacks on Ukraine on 21-22 March had the deliberate goal of causing structural damage to the life of Ukrainian society rather than military damage.

Source: address of Zelenskyy

Quote: "Everywhere there were impacts, recovery efforts are underway. All services, repair brigades, rescue teams of Ukraine's State Emergency Service, police, and everyone involved will be working around the clock to overcome this terror to the maximum extent possible. The city of Kharkiv and Kharkiv [Oblast], Sumy [Oblast], Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk [Oblast], Poltava [Oblast], Odesa [Oblast], the city of Khmelnytsky and Khmelnytsky [Oblast], Vinnytsia, and Ivano-Frankivsk [Oblast]...

These strikes were extremely heinous, with the deliberate goal of causing structural damage to societys life rather than military damage to our ability to defend ourselves  and this is terror, by definition, without any disguises."

Details: Zelenskyy noted that the most complicated situation is in the city of Kharkiv at the moment. The restoration of electricity for critical infrastructure and residential consumers is ongoing.

Quote: "This work will continue without interruptions. Much progress has been made during the day in Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Khmelnytsky, Vinnytsia, and Poltava [oblasts] to restore electricity, water, and heating supplies. Work continues in Odesa [Oblast]. Special attention is being given to hydroelectric facilities in Zaporizhzhia.

I thank everyone working for Ukraine, for the people. Repair brigades, engineers, and all power plant workers are true heroes. The collective effort of Ukraine's State Emergency Service is commendable as always, and I am proud of each one of them. The police, businesses, and all those providing support at this time, thank you. Unified government action on the ground is crucial  now, more than ever, the personal effectiveness of everyone managing hromadas is needed [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories  ed.]."

Details: The President also called air defence the key issue: "true and comprehensive protection from Russian missiles and Shahed drones is only possible with sufficient political will on the part of our partners".

Background: On 21 March, the Russians struck 15 oblasts of Ukraine, 125 settlements and 150 infrastructure facilities.

On the night of 21-22 March, the Russians launched a combinated missile-aerial attack on critical infrastructure facilities of Ukraine. In total the Russians used 151 means of aerial attack. The Ukrainian defence managed to destroy 92 Russian air targets.

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Russia's recruited so many inmates to fight in Ukraine that it's shuttering some of its prisons

Russia's prison population has been plummeting as more inmates get recruited to fight in Ukraine.

A local official said on Thursday that some prisons would be closed to "optimize and save money."

Russia's military has been relying on prisoners to plug its manpower gaps.

Russia has tapped on so many inmates to fuel its war effort in Ukraine that it's closing down some prisons, a local official said on Thursday.

Mark Denisov, a human rights commissioner for Russia's Krasnodar region, told lawmakers that the decision was prompted by "a one-time large reduction in the number of convicts," per the Russian newspaper Kommersant.

According to Kommersant, several prisons, including a men's correctional colony for repeat offenders in the village of Gromadsk and a men's penal colony for first-time offenders in the village of Areiskoye, will be shuttered.

The decision, Denisov said, would help "optimize and save money."

Russia's military has been recruiting prisoners to fight in Ukraine. The military's reliance on inmates to plug its manpower gaps has caused Russia's prison population to plummet.

Russia's Deputy Justice Minister Vsevolod Vukolov revealed in October that the country's prison population plunged from 420,000 before the war to a historic low of 266,000, per The Washington Post.

The Wagner Group also boosted its numbers by recruiting prisoners to fight in Ukraine. Wagner promised inmates full pardons if they survived a six month stint on the battlefield.

The US Department of Defense estimated in December 2022 that Wagner had around 40,000 prisoners serving on the frontlines.

Russia's Defense Ministry then adopted the practice itself in 2023, per the UK Ministry of Defense.

But prisoners conscripted to fight in the war aren't just being told to fight for six months. According to a February BBC report, Russian prisoners will likely have to keep fighting until the war ends.

They'll only be released from the fighting if they get too old or are incapacitated, per the BBC. And instead of full pardons, prisoners will instead be given conditional releases.

"If you sign up now, be ready to die," a man named Sergei wrote in a forum for Russian prisoners fighting in Ukraine, the BBC reported.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council, has commented on the shooting near Moscow, claiming that "if it is established that these are terrorists affiliated with the Kyiv regime", they should be "ruthlessly exterminated as terrorists".

Source: Medvedev on Telegram

Details: Medvedev added that terror is the only response that terrorists understand. No trials or investigations will help unless force is met with force, and deaths with mass executions of terrorists and repressions against their families.

Medvedev claimed that this is "global experience".

Quote: "If it is established that these are terrorists affiliated with the Kyiv regime, there is no other way to deal with them and their ideological inspirers. All of them must be found and ruthlessly exterminated as terrorists, including officials of the state that committed this atrocity.

Death for death."

Background:

A shooting incident occurred prior to a concert by the band Piknik at the Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, Moscow Oblast, on the evening of 22 March. Early reports say at least 40 people are dead and 130 injured.

Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) stated that the terrorist attack was a deliberate provocation by Putins regime that had been anticipated by the international community.

The White House said it saw no evidence of any Ukrainian involvement in the attack, which has claimed the lives of dozens of people.

Mykhailo Podoliak, advisor to the Head of the Ukrainian Presidents Office, has stated that Ukraine has nothing to do with the attack.

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Ive been physically assaulted while reporting. Ive even been shot at while reporting. But I have never been placed in handcuffs while reporting  until Tuesday night inside Sacramento City Hall.

The incident occurred during a pro-Palestine protest that erupted inside the city council chambers at 915 I St., after Mayor Darrell Steinberg introduced a cease-fire resolution calling for peace in Gaza. As a credentialed journalist for The Sacramento Bee, I was there to write a column about the evenings events.

Opinion

After nearly 80 speakers and numerous disturbances, the mayor decided to recess the meeting and clear the chambers at about 9 p.m. The council would only resume with the audience gone, and would bring back just the media to observe the vote, which ultimately went 6-1 in favor of the resolution.

At first, many people refused to leave the chambers, chanting and calling for Steinberg to come back. After 90 minutes and a slow trickle of people leaving, only a few dozen remained. At 10:37 p.m., the police moved in. More than 50 officers streamed into the room, issued a final warning and whittled the crowd down to a final 12. Then the arrests began.

But let me be clear about this before I tell you what happened next: There is no reason, no action I took, nothing I said nor did that provoked these officers of the Sacramento Police Department to handcuff me. Their actions alone resulted in the illegal detainment of a working and visibly credentialed journalist, no matter how short the duration of my time in their custody.

I had every right to be where I was, doing what I was doing. Police handcuffing me, a journalist in City Hall, was an egregious violation of my constitutional rights.

No one has any business arresting a reporter even for a few seconds, no one should be arresting a reporter who is simply there covering the news, said David Loy, legal director of the First Amendment Coalition. I see problems on two levels: The city council staff should have told the police, Theres press in here, watch out. And two, the officers should have looked for the press pass or seen it around your neck.

To reiterate: My Bee-issued press pass was around my neck the entire evening, and Id also been credentialed a second time by city staff before entering the chambers. For the majority of the evening, I was sitting in or standing near the row reserved for members of the press, and the city communications staff  not to mention the entire city council and most of their staff  know who I am and who I work for. They were aware of my presence inside the chambers throughout the meeting and subsequent protest.





Despite all of those self-evident signs that I was there as a working journalist, reporting and shooting video, I was still placed in handcuffs by Sacramento police.

They shouldnt be arresting people who arent causing harm, said Loy, who noted that the spirit of the Brown Act should have been enough to protect any journalists presence in the chambers that night, and during the protest. The Brown Act, or Open Meeting Law, is a California law that ensures the publics right (and therefore the medias right) to attend local legislative meetings.

It should have been made clear to the police, Loy said. Dont arrest the press.

What happened

It went down fairly quickly.

I realized at one point in the evening, after the mayor had ordered the chambers emptied, I was the only member of the media left in the room. From experience, I know thats a rare and potentially important position; Id never relinquish it unless absolutely necessary.

Its also a position I had every right to be in; when Steinberg asked for the chambers to be cleared, and the protesters stayed, the room became a closed-off protest. And as a journalist, under 2021 legislation signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom, I am legally allowed access to stay and observe such a protest.

And observe I did. I stood next to the back row reserved for journalists, filming the arrests as they were happening. The dozen protesters left in the room were arrested one by one, starting at 10:50 p.m., as more than 50 cops swarmed in groups of two and three, picking off the people standing closest.

Around 10:52 p.m., I noticed the officer who was directing these arrests point at me. Surely, I thought, he was motioning to someone behind me? I turned to look.

By the time I realized no one was there, a couple of officers had already descended on my back, ripping my cellphone from my hand and locking me in a pair of black metal cuffs quicker than you can say, Congress shall make no law abridging (...) the freedom of speech, or of the press.

While handcuffed, I loudly and insistently informed the cops that I work for The Bee. To their credit, they listened.

Suddenly, the officer who had pointed at me pointed again and said, Oh, not her. My cellphone was placed back in my now-free right hand, and I whipped around to record the rest of the interaction as the cuffs were taken off my other wrist. In the video, you can hear one lieutenant say, Let me see your press pass, which was still hanging around my neck on a Sacramento Bee-branded lanyard.

And that was it. I stayed until the last protester was taken away, left alone in a room with dozens of uniformed police officers.

Just us, then? I joked. Great. Now Ill go.

Power plays

The entire evening was a laughable jumble of unnecessary security measures meant to make people feel better without actually accomplishing anything resembling safety. Admittedly, the city hasnt seen this sort of civil disturbance for awhile, at least not since 2018, and officials are a little shaken. But that doesnt make what happened to me OK.

There is a disturbing trend around the country of journalists being arrested and prosecuted simply for being journalists, Loy said. Whether the arrest just happened for just a few minutes or someone is prosecuted, these are clear threats to press freedom and the First Amendment.

Its telling that the city of Sacramento and its police department have stayed silent about the detainment of a journalist inside the city councils own chambers. Some cities have even apologized publicly for threatening press freedom and First Amendment rights.

Dont worry, I wont hold my breath for any such words. But if anyone thinks Im intimidated by the police, the city or what happened Tuesday night, then they dont know me very well.
SKEA held a practice picket on Lancaster Drive Northeast on Wednesday, Mar. 6, 2024, in Salem, Ore.

Salem-Keizer Public Schools teachers have voted to strike, for the first time in the districts history.

Salem Keizer Education Association leaders said they're still hopeful an agreement can be reached at a mediation session scheduled for Monday. If it can't, they will provide a required 10-day notice to strike.

That puts the earliest strike date at April 4.

Students and staff currently are on spring break, meaning they would come back for just a few days before a strike, which would shut down schools for about 39,000 students.

The union represents about 2,300 teachers and other educators.

The union said 99% of SKEA members participated in the strike vote, and 94% voted to strike.

Today, Salem-Keizer educators have made it clear that they want our bargaining team to continue to fight for a contract that makes substantial improvements for students and educators in our neighborhood public schools, SKEA president Tyler Scialo-Lakeberg said.

We remain hopeful that well reach a fair deal at the table without having to resort to a strike and were encouraged by positive movement during this past Wednesdays mediation session, but we will continue to prepare for the possibility of a strike if we determine it is necessary to reach a fair deal, she said.

District spokeswoman Emily Reverman said in a statement they are aware of the strike vote.

"We know that a strike will cause lasting impact to our schools and community. The district is focused on reaching a fair and responsible contract for our licensed staff during mediation. The parties are working together, making progress and are looking forward to being back at the table on Monday," she wrote.

Why did Salem-Keizer Public Schools teachers vote to strike?

SKEAs latest contract with the district expired in June 2023, meaning the districts educators are working without a contract.

On Sept. 26, Superintendent Andrea Castaneda called for state mediation, which began Dec. 6.

The union declared an impasse Feb. 15, but has continued mediation.

Several items remain unresolved, including how the district defines a full-time worker.

The union argues the district is trying to change the way the district understands teacher workload. They say the district's proposal would give teachers part-time pay for full time work.

Castaneda says the district's proposal would not do that.

Salem-Keizer Public Schools superintendent Andrea Castaneda.

The union has been stocking up on signs, and held a practice picket March 6. On March 16, SKEA held a day-long strike training for representatives from each school.

SKEA members began voting on the strike Monday, and voting closed Thursday.

What have the union and district reached agreement on?

SKEA and the district have tentatively agreed on 17 of 21 articles in the contract.

Those articles detail, among other things, employee safety, sick leave, and employee evaluations.

Outstanding issues center around compensation and insurance, workload and scheduling.

What happens if Salem-Keizer Public Schools teachers strike?

District officials have said that in the event of a strike, they will close all schools.

Classified employees will continue to work and be paid, they said. Classified staff work in custodial and maintenance, transportation, technology, security, library media, instructional and community support, administrative clerical support, language services, student services, and construction services.

ASK ESP, which represents about 2,500 district support staff, reached a three-year contract agreement with the district on Feb. 23.

Will Salem-Keizer School District serve meals to students during a strike?

The district has said it plans to provide grab and go meals at some school sites.

Details of locations and times have not yet been provided.

Would a strike extend the school year for Salem-Keizer schools?

Officials did not say whether a strike would extend the school year.

Last fall, Portland Public Schools educators went on strike for 26 days, costing students 11 days of classroom time.

Teachers agreed to make up all 11 days during the remainder of the school year, including canceling the first week of winter break and extending the last day of school by three days.

Layoffs at Salem-Keizer Public Schools expected soon

The strike vote coincides with an expected mass layoff at the district.

Castaneda has said hundreds of employees will lose their jobs, as of June 30, to help address an expected budget shortfall next school year.

Despite getting a record amount of money from the state in this year's legislative session, decreasing enrollment, increases in staff and the end of federal COVID-19 relief funds are contributing to the shortfall, Castaneda has said.

The exact amount of the shortfall wont be known until bargaining has concluded and labor costs are factored in.

"In early 2023, the state projected that school personnel costs would increase by 5.45% over the two years of the biennium, a projection that has proven wildly inaccurate," Castaneda said.

"Salem-Keizer Public Schools personnel costs are increasing by over 14% for the same period. In the coming months, Salem-Keizer will be losing hundreds of positions due, in part, to a funding model that does not consider the significant growth in staffing costs in Salem-Keizer and across Oregon," she said.

Last December, Castaneda announced about $31 million in cuts. At that time she said she would announced further cuts, of about $40 million, in late winter or spring.

Previously announced cuts include eliminating 46 positions, senior leader salary concessions, reducing district purchasing, reducing conference travel, and reducing the amount of money contributed to a safety cushion for the Public Employees Retirement System debt service account.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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-Keizer Public Schools teachers vote to strike
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  The San Angelo Health Foundation announced on March 21 that a new trustee has been selected and eight area non-profits have been awarded in the foundations first quarter.

Shane Plymell has been elected as a new trustee for the San Angelo Health Foundation, according to a release. Plymell is a longtime healthcare advocate who is involved in many state community boards including the Texas Hospital Association Foundation Board. He was also named the Shannon Medical Center Chief Executive Officer in 2017.

Portrait of Shane Plymell courtesy of San Angelo Health Foundation.

Plymell has attended many universities including the University of Texas of the Permian Basin where he obtained his bachelors degree in accounting and information systems. He went on to attend Texas Tech University where he received an MBA. Plymell also has attended SMU Cox School of Business Management and Development Program and is a certified public accountant.

NASA astronaut to come to San Angelo for Hispanic Heritage Month banquet

The press release shared that Plymells qualifications and dedication to serving are an asset to the board of trustees and will align with the foundations mission to enhance the quality of life for the people of the San Angelo area.

Along with announcing the new trustee, Grants Committee Chair Carlos Rodriguez announced eight area non-profits that have been awarded $617,236 during the first quarter. These include:

Concho Valley Turning Point  $50,000 was awarded to expand the mens transitional housing program.

Knickerbocker Community Center  $20,000 was awarded for renovations to the nearly 100-year-old historic building.

Pregnancy Help Center of the Concho Valley  $125,000 was awarded to add to the STD clinic.

Rusted and Weather INC.  $20,000 was awarded to provide home repairs for low-income, veterans, elderly and disabled individuals.

San Angelo Diabetes Coalition  $125,000 was awarded to provide nutrition services and diabetic education to the Concho Valley.

San Angelo Early Childhood Center  $222,336 was awarded to provide tuition assistance.

Sierra Vista United Methodist Church Friends Class Bunk & a Prayer Program  $25,000 was awarded to purchase beds bedding and materials to build beds along with adding a secure warehouse space to build and inventory to fulfill immediate needs.

Texas Ramps Project  $30,000 was awarded to build wheelchair ramps for residents in the Concho Valley.

Since the San Angelo Health Foundation began, 244 organizations and 923 projects have been awarded over $66 million in foundation funding.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
Editors note: This article was changed after its initial publication to include additional context around the light-rail systems cost estimate in 2033 dollars.

Nearly a year after scaling down its initial plans due to ballooning cost estimates, Austin's light-rail planning agency on Friday unveiled a revised planning and construction schedule for the nearly 10-mile line expected to reshape the city's transit map.

The Austin Transit Partnership plans for construction to begin in 2027 and last about five years, finishing in 2033, according to the timeline. The 9.8-mile line would stretch north, south and east of downtown Austin but fall short of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and the Crestview Station, where it would connect to Capital Metro's Red Line commuter rail service.

The agency presented a cost estimate of $7.1 billion for the system that officials say accounts for a projected rise in construction costs and inflation by the time it is completed in 2033. According to the downsized plan approved last summer, the light-rail system was projected to cost between $4.5 billion and $4.8 billion in 2022 dollars.

"We're looking at 2033 when we're going to have trains running through the streets of Austin, Texas, after years and years of talking about it," Greg Canally, the Austin Transit Partnership's executive director, said in an interview. "After failed attempts back 20 years ago, it's happening, and I think that's really important for everyone to see that Austin light rail is on a pathway to happening here."

The $7.1 billion estimate, first publicized Friday, is in 2033 dollars and does not represent the project going over budget, Canally said. Providing such an estimate in future dollars is a requirement of the Federal Transit Administration, from which the light-rail planning agency hopes to receive at least a 50% match in grant funding.

The Austin Transit Partnership has known the $7.1 billion estimate since at least September, according to paperwork submitted last fall to the federal transit agency to qualify for federal grants and published on its website Friday. Until now, the light-rail planning agency had broadly shared its $4.5 billion to $4.8 billion estimate in 2022 dollars.

Story continues

Of the $7.1 billion, about $3.19 billion would go toward the construction and engineering of the light-rail system, representing the largest chunk of funding, according to a budget breakdown provided Friday. The rest of the money would go toward professional services, $1.86 billion; the East Austin maintenance facility and vehicles, $1.11 billion; and real estate, $937 million.

Financing plan remains under legal scrutiny

The announcement comes as the city's plan to finance the light-rail system is in question.

In late May, a Travis County judge will hear arguments in a pending bond validation lawsuit filed by attorneys representing the Austin Transit Partnership, including a request that the judge reject the city's plan by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has cast it as unconstitutional and said neither the city nor the light-rail planning agency can issue bonds.

The Texas attorney general has the authority to sign off on bonds. Canally said filing the bond validation lawsuit, which seeks to confirm the validity of bonds issued by a government entity by putting it to a judge, was meant to expedite the process and put the issue before an impartial court rather than Paxton.

The implications for Project Connect should the judge side with Paxton in the pending bond validation lawsuit are unclear. Canally declined to say whether the light-rail planning agency has considered alternatives in the event a judge rejects its proposed finance model, instead reiterating his confidence in the agency's legal footing.

The proposed 9.8-mile light-rail line would stretch north, south and east of downtown Austin.

The light-rail system is the centerpiece of Project Connect, the multibillion-dollar public transportation investment that voters approved by a margin of 15 percentage points in 2020. The investment also includes new high-frequency bus routes and improvements to existing commuter rail services. With voter approval, the city raised the ad valorem property tax rate by 8.75 cents  an increase of more than 20%  to fund the investment.

Supporters of Project Connect say the legal challenges by critics are attempts to subvert the will of voters and undo efforts to expand public transportation. Opponents say the finance model is ill-conceived and too costly, especially considering how the initial plan was scaled back last summer  changes they say should go before voters again.

Last year, Project Connect was the target of state lawmakers and a lawsuit alleging, in part, that voters were misled. The legislation did not pass during the session. The lawsuit, filed by attorney Bill Aleshire, a former Travis County judge and tax assessor/collector as well as a critic of the investment, was consolidated with the Austin Transit Partnership's bond validation lawsuit.

In a statement Friday, citing the scaled-back plans approved last summer, Aleshire said the new planning schedule and adjusted cost estimates are "further proof that Austin voters were conned."

The previous light-rail planning schedule from the Austin Transit Partnership had a timeline for proposed Orange and Blue light-rail lines, parts of which were scrapped or pieced together to form the one 9.8-mile line approved last summer.

Previously unreleased information being made public as lawsuit progresses

Aleshire also questioned the timing of the Austin Transit Partnership's publication of certain documents on its website Friday, coinciding with a deadline to provide similar documents as part of the discovery process in the pending lawsuit.

"Im very proud to be forcing ATP to be more transparent, even if it has to be done in litigation," he said in a statement.

The Austin Transit Partnership had declined to provide one of the documents, a package sent to the Federal Transit Administration last fall seeking status as a possible recipient of federal funds, to the Statesman in response to an open records request. The light-rail planning agency published the document online Friday.

Current light-rail plans rely on the new property tax and at least a 50% match in grant funding from the federal agency. Earlier this month, in seeking the matching federal funds, the Austin transit group sent a letter requesting a move to the next stage in the federal agency's process. In addition, an environmental impact study of the 9.8-mile line is underway and is likely to take about a year and a half to complete.

Austin Transit Partnership officials expect the federal agency to finalize the funding amount in 2026, Canally said.

Canally spoke with local media Friday in anticipation of a Wednesday public workshop, where the Austin Transit Partnership board of directors will discuss the new timeline, cost estimates and other elements of the plan.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: ATP has new light-rail timeline nearly a year after scaling back plans
(BCN)  A San Ramon man was sentenced earlier this week to 40 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition in 2021 after being put on a supervised release program and then being involved in two shootings in 2023, one of which resulted in him being shot.

Rashad Shambray-Jones, 30, previously pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, back on Oct. 6, 2021.

14-year-old arrested for multiple carjackings in Livermore

According to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of California, Shambray-Jones crashed a vehicle into a fence on federal property on Jan. 31, 2021. Responding police found a firearm and 19 rounds of ammunition on the front floorboard of the drivers side of the vehicle.

Shambray-Jones was arrested for unlawfully possessing the firearm and ammunition due to his prohibited status as a convicted felon.

After pleading guilty to the charge, Shambray-Jones was placed in the Northern District of Californias Conviction Alternatives Program, a court-administered program entailing intensive supervision of participants before sentencing.

The program offers the potential of a reduced or non-custodial sentence for participants who complete it.

While still in the program, Shambray-Jones was captured on surveillance video firing about seven rounds from a firearm on May 5, 2023, in San Franciscos Bayview District.

Shambray-Jones was arrested by San Francisco police in connection with the May 5 case after he went to San Francisco General Hospital on Sept. 1, 2023 seeking treatment for a gunshot wound soon after another shooting in the same area.

State Farm dropping 72K property insurance policies in California

Alternative justice programs are an important part of our criminal justice system, U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey said in a statement. They often help defendants overcome serious root, personal problems, such as addiction, that motivate their criminal conduct. But, when defendants masquerade through these programs while in fact continuing to terrorize our streets with gun violence, we will ask for sentences that appropriately address their deception and violent conduct.

Shambray-Jones must also serve three years of supervised release once his prison term is completed.

Copyright  2024 Bay City News, Inc.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
George Santos is taking on yet another identity.

On Friday, the deposed congressman, serial liar, and alleged fraudster announced that he would run for Congress again, not as a Republican but as an independent.

After todays embarrassing showing in the house I have reflected and decided that I can no longer be part of the Republican Party, Santos wrote in a post on X, referring to House GOP leaderships support for a spending deal that was panned by conservatives but passed on Friday.

Indicted Serial Liar George Santos Announces New Run for Congress During State of the Union

The Republican Party continues to lie and swindle its voter base, Santos continued. I in good conscience cannot affiliate myself with a party that stands for nothing and falls for everything.

Earlier in March, Santos filed as a Republican to challenge Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY) in the primary for New Yorks 1st District, which is to the east of the turf Santos initially represented.

The campaign was mostly perceived as Santoswho is expected to stand trial for 23 indictments in federal court this fallseeking attention again as well as a way to annoy LaLota, who helped lead the charge to boot Santos from office last December.

But that attention would have died down when Santos lost in the primary to LaLota. As an independent, he can campaign until Novemberif he qualifies for the ballot.

The 1st District, which covers the eastern half of Long Island, leans Republican. Two Democrats are running for the seat: the former CNN pundit and Daily Beast editor John Avlon, and chemist Nancy Goroff, who ran against former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R) in 2020.

I will take my Ultra MAGA/Trump supporting values to the ballot in November as an Independent, Santos boasted.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Vincent Charlton can be named after reporting restrictions were lifted following a BBC application

A teenager who promoted neo-Nazi Satanism online has been jailed for terrorism offences and having videos of a girl cutting his name into her body.

Vincent Charlton, 17, from Birtley, Gateshead, can be publicly named after reporting restrictions were lifted following an application by the BBC.

At Newcastle Crown Court he was sentenced to two years and four months in prison.

Judge Adams said there was a significant risk of him causing serious harm.

Charlton pleaded guilty in 2023 to disseminating terrorist publications, four counts of possessing documents useful to a terrorist, and making and possessing indecent images of children.

Warning - this article contains distressing content

Angus MacDonald, prosecuting, said Charltons mobile phone contained videos of a 13-year-old girl in the US, and messages between them demonstrate the control Vincent exerted over a vulnerable young child which caused her to harm herself and send images of that harm to him.

Other indecent images he possessed included videos of very young children being raped and sexually abused.

Bomb-making manuals

When initially released on bail, after first being arrested in May, he broke his conditions by accessing social media hundreds of times, including looking at accounts of children and trying to contact one, and separately messaging a girl and inciting her to self-harm.

There was evidence that Charlton was a member of a Telegram group associated with the 764 cult, which promotes murder, sexual abuse, self-harm, and terrorism. It is currently the subject of police investigations in several countries.

In one online channel Charlton uploaded 939 documents, including bomb-making manuals.

When asked by another user if he was going to blow up a school, Charlton responded by saying of course, and then shared a guide on how to build a pipe bomb and another on assassination techniques.

'Massively grown up'

The judge said Charlton had promoted the Nazi Satanist group Order of the Nine Angles, which the court heard seeks a supernatural Satanic empire to end modern civilisation and encourages crime, rape, and the idea that murder is the ultimate goal.

The group is connected to the banned terrorist groups National Action, Sonnenkrieg Division and Atomwaffen Division, the court was told.

Expert reports said Charlton had an interest in gore from the age of 12, as well as websites fixated on real death and graphic violence.

Toby Hedworth KC, defending, submitted that Charlton was different to the person who went into custody. The court heard he has been assessed as autistic.

His mother gave evidence and said her son has massively grown up in prison and demonstrated impeccable behaviour there.

Charlton was also sentenced to an extended licence period of one year after being released.

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A lot of people agree that winter storms, a growing population and industrial expansion are putting a strain on South Carolinas power supply. But what are the states actual future electricity needs, and will new legislation solve those problems?

Its complicated, says one University of South Carolina expert.

Experts, policymakers and those on both sides of newly proposed energy legislation agree that South Carolina is, in fact, facing an increasing need for more electricity amid a rapidly growing population coupled with industry expansion and increased energy consumption by existing residential users. To tackle the need, lawmakers are considering a bill that, in part, would pave the way for Dominion Energy and Santee Cooper to build a large, jointly owned natural gas plant in Canadys, S.C., to come online within the next 10 years.

As of today  and even by 2037  the states need for energy isnt pressing, according to plans filed by Dominion and Santee Cooper.

But the utilities plans project fairly significant load growth over the 15-year planning horizon, said Andrew Bateman, acting director for the Office of Regulatory Staff, a state agency that represents the publics interest in utility regulation.

In measuring demand, utilities continuously evaluate two metrics: generation capacity and peak demand.

Generation capacity is the amount of energy a utility has available to service its territory. Demand, or load, refers to the amount of energy consumed at any given point by residential, commercial and industrial users. Peak demand involves the amount of energy consumed during periods of extreme weather, such as exceedingly hot or cold days.

While theres agreement that the state will need more electric power in the future, there remains uncertainty about predicting how much and disagreement about how to best meet whatever those future needs are. Answers to these matters hang in the air as state lawmakers decide how to proceed with the controversial energy bill before them.

Dominions capacity and demand forecast

Dominion currently has a generation capacity of approximately 5,600 megawatts. This includes whats known as dispatchable energy, that is, energy the utility can control, which is made up of coal, natural gas and nuclear energy. Of its undispatchable electricity, namely solar energy, Dominion has 1,200 megawatts on its system, but it cannot control when that power is available because of the need for sunlight.

Dominions peak demand on a sunny day  with temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees  comes in around 2,650 megawatts on average, according to the utility. On extremely hot or cold days, however, the load spikes at an average of 4,700 megawatts.

By 2037, Dominion projects that its summer and winter peak demands will be around 5,595 and 5,332 megawatts, respectively.

Kellar Kissam, president of Dominion Energy South Carolina, emphasized his utility obligation to serve. Doing so, he says, requires Dominion to steadily secure a sufficient supply of energy, of which he believes the proposed energy bill will help to do amid anticipated increases in demand.

Santee Coopers capacity and demand forecast

Santee Cooper has a generation capacity of about 6,000 megawatts, which include long-term purchase power agreements with other utilities.

Its daily demand, on a sunny day with mild temperatures, hovers around 3,300 megawatts, while peak demand is about 5,350 megawatts, which usually occurs during the winter season, according to Santee Coopers Integrated Resource Plan.

Indeed, in the winter of 2022 during Winter Storm Elliott, Santee Cooper (and Dominion) faced a challenge when the demand for electricity coupled with infrastructure issues threatened to overtake their capacity.

Facing a peak of 5,432 megawatts during the storm, Santee Cooper initiated a rolling blackout during the early morning hours of Dec. 24, 2022. The event impacted about 12,000 customers for 15 minutes before the utility was able to begin restoring service, according to Santee Cooper spokesperson Mollie Gore.

Last year, Santee Cooper increased its generation capacity by purchasing a natural gas plant in Cherokee County that provides about 100 megawatts. It has also contracted for an additional 250 megawatts in purchased power from out-of-state, according to Gore.

That additional 350 megawatts on our system helped us successfully meet a similarly large customer demand earlier this year, when once again temperatures plummeted, Gore said. As our customer demand continues to increase, we will need to add generation to continue meeting needs, and we will do so.

Santee Cooper projects that by 2037, peak demand is estimated at 6,784 megawatts, according to its load forecast report.

Predicting the future is a tricky endeavor

Measuring future energy demands is a tricky endeavor, according to energy expert and geographer Conor Harrison of the University of South Carolina.

Thats because, Harrison says, predicting future energy needs involves multiple factors, among a diverse range of consumers.

Future energy projections are really tough and are usually wrong, he said. When (utilities) are projecting, they dont want to be wrong on the low side, but those projections should also be taken with a grain of salt. Their goal is to make sure they have more than enough power  and theyre also compensated more if they have more than enough power  so its a sort of tricky game.

Forecasts of the need for more power have been used before to justify large, expensive energy projects.

The most notable occurred more than 15 years ago, when Santee Cooper and Dominions predecessor, SCE&G, proposed building two new nuclear reactors in Fairfield County north of Columbia.

Both utilities scaled back their forecast for peak energy demands from 2009 to 2017 for a variety of reasons, including customers becoming more energy efficient. But as they were scaling back the demands, they continued to move ahead with the nuclear plant expansion project at the V.C. Summer nuclear station.

In July 2017, the utilities walked away from the project after spending $9 billion and raising customer rates to pay for the reactors. Two utility executives were later prosecuted criminally after critics said they misled the public and shareholders.

Harrison said the demand for electricity in most parts of the U.S., including South Carolina, has remained relatively steady for the past 20 years across residential, commercial and industrial users. Peak demands, however, are gradually climbing.

The drivers of peak demand are typically residential users, he said. Temperatures are getting hotter, and if air conditioning is the biggest thing we use to combat the heat, our peak is going to go up.

Half of residential demand comes from air conditioning (either during the summer or winter) and water heating, according to Harrison.

Another factor utilities grapple with in measuring demand involves taking old plants offline and reconciling lost energy.

In the interest of creating more clean energy, Dominion, for example is planning to close two coal plants that generate about 1,700 megawatts.

We need a new generation resource to help replace the two coal plants still on our system, to support more solar on the system and to be prepared for continued growth including the potential for additional load-heavy industrial customers like Scout and Google, Dominion spokesperson Rhonda OBanion said.

Data centers are energy hogs

Critics of the House energy bill, including a former Public Service Commissioner who recently resigned from the PSC in protest of the bill, say the state could help alleviate its need for more energy by limiting the construction of data centers around the state.

One legislative solution would be to put a temporary freeze on building new data centers and crypto mining companies until South Carolina can catch up with needed electricity generation, Tom Ervin, PSC commissioner, said in a letter. These data centers and crypto miners are energy hogs.

South Carolina currently has 16 data centers, according to a report by Baxel.

Last September, Gov. Henry McMaster announced another center, QTS Data Center, plans to open in York County.

H. 5118 and timely demand

Whether the House bill being debated will meet the states energy needs in enough time by supplying a new gas plant is unknown. Bateman, of the Office of Regulatory Staff, says he thinks it will, based on one of the bills provisions.

The provision says, This plan must identify recommended actions over a 10-year period to ensure the availability of adequate, reliable and economical supply of electric power and natural gas to the people and economy of South Carolina.

I do think (H) 5118 is looking to address the energy needs of the state now and in the future, Bateman said.

Staff writer Sammy Fretwell contributed to this story.
South Carolina homeowners who are looking forward to a $359 property tax credit later this year may not want to count on that money just yet.

State Senate budget writers may be more cautious in how much the state spends of the hundreds of millions of dollars available for a property tax cut.

The House budget includes using $500 million in surplus sales tax revenue for a property tax cut. However, right now it would be one-time tax relief. House members hope to extend it to future years.

The statewide average property tax credit would be $359 per owner-occupied home, according to House budget documents.

But if enough money isnt available to continue the reduction the following year, people who live in owner-occupied houses could think their property taxes have increased.

In 2006, the state sales tax increased to 6% from 5% in exchange for cutting property taxes on owner-occupied houses in half. Money in the property tax relief fund has accumulated to more than $600 million since 2020.

The $500 million would go to counties based on population and counties would then credit money to property taxpayers. The remaining $100 million would stay in the property tax fund as a way to smooth out the expense of the relief and in case sales tax revenue drops.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Harvey Peeler said how the Senate handles the money still needs to be determined.

But senators who sit on the Senate Finance Committee indicated a concern over how much of a property tax cut to provide this year.

State Sen. Stephen Goldfinch, R-Georgetown, advocated for a possible smaller cut over several years to allow steadiness in homeowners property tax bills.

Im apprehensive about giving it and then yanking it right back from people next year, Goldfinch said. Not only the practical aspect of that of making people mad, but also the technical aspect of that and what happens when you know you blow up everybodys escrow accounts, and then you short fund them the next year.

Goldfinch suggested spreading the cut over five or six years, so that banks, credit unions, escrow accounts could catch up, keep up and you would have sort of a steady incline and sort of soft landing for lack of a better term.

State Sen. Mike Fanning, D-Fairfield, said determining how much is necessary to hold back in reserve to prevent a subsequent increase is a more appropriate approach.

We dont know that number yet, Fanning said.

Fanning isnt confident the money in the homestead exemption fund will be consistent in future years.

So the worry is that we could be giving folks a false sense of that their property taxes are going down when in reality, theyre really kind of getting a one-time rebate for one year, Fanning said.

House Ways and Means Chairman Bruce Bannister, R-Greenville, acknowledged that county treasurers have the concern that bills will look like theyre going up in the future.

We thought it was better to get the maximum amount of money back to the taxpayers that we could this year, Bannister said. Dealing with those issues would probably be better if you had your own money back versus not.

Bannister said working through concerns could take place when the House takes its second look at the budget later this legislative session or when the Senate and House finalize a budget in a conference committee.

If the Senate comes up with a creative solution that will make that even out so that property tax relief is annual versus a one-time deal, I think we get a lot of support for that in the House, Bannister said.
In a Thursday letter to Beaufort County officials, a South Carolina legal advocacy group said the public ferry service between Daufuskie and Hilton Head Islands is discriminatory and challenges or prevents people with disabilities from using it.

Daufuskie Island residents say they are hopeful Disability Rights South Carolinas involvement is the push the county needs to rectify safety concerns with the ferry. The group is the states Protection and Advocacy system, meaning that the U.S. Congress legally established the organization to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities.

Now, the group is looking out for Daufuskie Island residents and tourists who use the publicly contracted ferry to Hilton Head. On an island with no hospital, no major grocery stores, and a heavy reliance on tourism, residents say the ferry is their lifeline. The letter, signed by attorney Rebecca Fulmer, asserts: Beaufort County may not contract away its responsibilities under the ADA.

Beaufort County switched contractors for the service from Haig Point Community Associates to Lowcountry Ferry in January after seven years. Since the change, riders have complained about lower service at higher prices, and those who are disabled say they struggle to use the ferry. Last week, a rider fell into the water along with the ramp while embarking the boat.

Despite mounting objections and discrepancies between Lowcountry Ferrys bid proposal and provided service, the county hasnt moved to cancel the contract. Chairman Joseph Passiment said the process to terminate a contract starts with a notice of violation, and to his knowledge, there havent been any notices of violation. Instead, Passiment said the county is working with the public and the provider to make changes.

Carry-on wagons  as seen at the front of the Manatee II  are used by islanders to bring supplies to Daufuskie Island as photographed on Jan. 31, 2024 at the C.C. Haigh, Jr. Boat Landing on Jenkins Island. Lowcountry Ferry, the operator of the boat, will only allow 15 wagons per trip for a boat that has a capacity of 50 riders.

They havent budged, Daufuskie Island Council chairman Kade Yarborough said of the county despite islanders complaints.

Yarborough said residents are more optimistic the county will make a change now that Disability Rights South Carolina is involved.

I think that now a potential court case could be involved, Yarborough said. Thats applying a little bit more of a stern tone towards Beaufort County Council rather than, you know, your average Joe Schmo complaining about it.

The group isnt a stranger to bringing lawsuits against South Carolina counties. It filed a class action lawsuit against Richland County on behalf of detainees with serious mental illness confined in the county detention center. It has also filed suits against Charleston County and multiple state departments.

When contacted via phone and email, Fulmer wasnt immediately available to comment about what actions Disability Rights South Carolina might take after the letter. In the letter they requested a reply and for the county to advise of its plan to remedy the discrimination. County spokesperson Hannah Nichols said the county received the letter and forwarded it to Lowcountry Ferry.

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The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette reached a representative from Lowcountry Ferry on the phone Thursday, who said owner Neil Turner wasnt available for comment.

What has happened since the man fell into the water?

The Coast Guard inspected the ferry boat, called the Manatee II, since the incident and found it to be compliant with regulations, according to spokesperson Petty Officer 1st Class Ryan Dickinson.

Residents said the ferry is using the same ramp that the man fell in the water using on March 14.

Everyone who gets on the boat has seen it, Daufuskie Island resident Matthew Keller said. He said he takes the ferry to Hilton Head one to three times a month.

This screen grab taken from a video shows the passenger who fell into the water between the ferry dock and the boat on Thursday, March 14, 2024 on Daufuskie Island.

Dickinson said that the embarkation ramp doesnt fall under the Coast Guards jurisdiction and the vessel had the means required to recover a man overboard. Video shows that crew members were unable to get the man out of the water and instead the man had to be towed in the water by another boat to a separate dock.

Keller said that before the incident he and his wife noticed the ramps instability and mentioned it to the crew.

It was something they were aware of, he said.
A Walhalla man who fired bear spray at police officers on U.S. Capitol grounds during the Jan. 6 riots pleaded guilty Thursday in the District of Columbia federal court to assaulting law enforcement.

Thomas Andrew Casselman, 30, will be sentenced on July 18 by U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich in federal court in Washington. He is the 19th of 25 people from South Carolina arrested in the Jan. 6 riot to plead guilty. Another was found guilty by a District of Columbia jury. Charges against the other five are pending.

The federal offense of assaulting police officers carries a maximum sentence of eight years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

As part of a plea agreement in the case, Casselman admitted his guilt and agreed to pay restitution in an amount to be later determined to the four police officers injured by his bear spray. He also acknowledged that rioters caused $2.9 million worth of damage to the Capitol and agrees to pay $2,000 as his share of paying for the damage. Other charges against him have been dropped.

His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election, the U.S. Attorneys office in Washington said in a news release about the guilty plea.

Court records in the case said Casselman moved toward a police line that was falling back and deployed a canister of oleoresin capsicum (bear spray) in close range of the officers. The spray directly struck several Metropolitan Police Department Officers. The bear spray caused on officer to have convulsions and left bright orange residue on the officers clothing and protective gear, court documents said.

Casselman also yelled at officers, telling them, Youre fighting the wrong fight! according to court documents.

The incident took place early in the hourslong riot, around 2:25 pm, as people began to break into the Capitol, court records show. Five minutes earlier, members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate had been instructed to evacuate the building due to the mobs invasion, court records said.

Evidence against Casselman, who was arrested in Walhalla on March 28, 2023, includes several photos captured on police body cameras showing Casselman spraying officers with bear spray, a complaint in his case said. Casselman waived his right to a trial by jury.

Tipsters provided the initial information that Casselman was the man in photos publicly circulated by the FBI in the agencys quest to identify rioters, the complaint said.

These tips stated that Casselman bragged about going to Washington, D.C., told the tipsters he had been hit with tear gas while there, and shared photographs and videos from his time in DC after he returned, the complaint said. Tipsters shared screenshots from Casselmans Facebook account which confirmed that he was in the area of Washington during the time of Jan. 6.

After the riot, Casselman made multiple online searches for topics such as statute of limitations for assaulting a federal officer, the punishment for assaulting a federal officer, the definition of a domestic terrorist and how long does Verizon keep text messages, according to court records.

After Jan. 6, 2021, Casselman deactivated his Facebook account and cut his long hair and beard to avoid identification, witnesses told the FBI, the complaint said.

In addition to surveillance video, other evidence against Casselman included geolocation and time data from Casselmans cellphone and his email account. Although Casselmans face was covered by a scarf in most images of him, FBI agents managed to identify him not only through tipsters and geolocation devices, but also by a prominent wart on the back of his left hand, the complaint said.

Casselmans attorney, Renae Alt-Summers, of Columbia, declined comment.

The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Divisions Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting this case. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of South Carolina provided valuable assistance, a government press release said.

The FBIs Columbia and Washington field offices identified Casselman as BOLO (Be on the Lookout) #363 on its seeking information photos.

In the 38 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,358 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 486 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony, according to the U.S. Attorneys office. The investigation remains ongoing, according to the U.S. Attorneys office. .

Anyone with tips concerning the Jan. 6 riots can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

...
Rail service authorities in Malaysia's capital do not sell a "12-month free travel card" for less than 10 ringgit ($2.12), contrary to multiple false posts on Facebook that purportedly sell the "KL TravelPass" at the lower price. The price of the genuine transit pass -- which offers a single or return trip on the express train to the city's airport and unlimited two day rail rides -- starts at 80 ringgit.

"Only 3 days left! Get 12 months free travel for RM9.95! The world has never seen such promotions before!" read the caption of a post on Facebook on March 1, 2024.

The post, which has been shared more than 20 times, includes an image of a purported KL TravelPass card that states it grants "12-month free subway rides" in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, and a receipt with the price of 9.95 ringgit.

It also includes an "apply now" button that links to an unrelated online shopping page, which has since been taken down.

Screenshot of the false post, taken on March 21, 2024

Similar false posts promoting the cheap transport cards for Kuala Lumpur were also shared more than three dozen times across Facebook here, here, here and here.

Comments on the posts appear to have been curated to make the offer seem legitimate.

A user whose profile says he is based in Britain said: "We called Kuala Lumpur Metro and Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd today. They confirmed that this promotion is indeed launched online with the support of the government. So, don't hesitate."

Another user, who also claims to be based in the United Kingdom, commented with a photo of the purported transit card and wrote: "My wife already has one, thankfully she kept the link, so we applied for a second one. It should arrive in a few days. Meanwhile, here's a photo of my wife's card."

Screenshots of social media users' comments, taken on March 22, 2024

But checks of the official channels of Kuala Lumpur rail service authorities found no such offer.

No such promotion

Keyword searches on Google found a leaflet about the "KL TravelPass" released by the KLIA Ekspres -- the express train service that runs between the Malaysian capital's city centre to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) -- on its official website (archived link).

The leaflet features a similar transit card printed with imagery of Malaysian fruits, but does not include the "12 month free subway rides" text.

The genuine KL TravelPass offers two days of unlimited rail rides around the Klang Valley, along with either a single trip or return trip to KLIA, priced at 80 ringgit or 125 ringgit respectively.

Below is a screenshot comparison of the travel card shown in the false post (left) and the genuine KL TravelPass (right):

Screenshot comparison of the travel card shown in the false post (left) and the genuine KL TravelPass (right)

The image shared in the false post has also been doctored.

A reverse image search on Google found the photo featuring commuters waiting on a train platform was published in a Russian blog post about Kuala Lumpur's subway and monorail system on May 1, 2012 (archived link).

Below is a screenshot comparison of the image in the false post (left) and the photo featured on the blog post (right):

Screenshot comparison of the image in the false post (left) and the photo featured on the blog post (right)

Other false posts use photos previously published in local news reports, such as temporary Light Rail Transit (LRT) line disruptions, changes of LRT services and an LRT project (archived links here, here and here).

KLIA Ekspres issued a statement on its official Facebook page on March 4, 2024, urging customers to purchase the KL TravelPass at KLIA Ekspress counters, its app, website or the travel booking platform Klook (archived link).

"It has come to our attention that there are offerings of 'Metro' cards featuring ERL's KL TravelPass at significantly reduced prices. We strongly advise our valued customers to exercise caution, as we are not affiliated with these sellers in any way," the statement read.

Further keyword searches found RapidKL, one of the city's public transport operators, offers one-day and three-day unlimited ride passes at 35 ringgit for Malaysians or 45 ringgit for non-Malaysians (archived link).

It also offers a "MY50 Unlimited Travel Pass" that costs 50 ringgit for unlimited rides in Kuala Lumpur for 30 consecutive days (archived link).

AFP has previously debunked a similar scam offering "free subway rides" in the Philippines, with similar posts online linking users to pages that asks for credit card details and consent to make recurring charges of 26 euros (28 dollars) every two weeks.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, left, joins former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger during a news conference for the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California campaign for Keep The Law (SB 1137) in Inglewood, Calif., on Friday, March. 22, 2024. The law, if upheld, would require all oil or gas production facilities or wells within a health protection zone to comply with new regulations. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (AP)  Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jane Fonda joined California Gov. Gavin Newsom and environmental advocates in Los Angeles on Friday to launch a campaign to keep a 2022 law banning new oil and gas wells near homes, schools and hospitals.

The law bans new wells within 3,200 feet (975 meters) of certain community sites, and proponents say it will protect residents from the health impacts of pollution. It hasn't taken effect after the oil industry qualified a referendum to ask voters to overturn it in November.

At a Los Angeles park with an oil pump jack in the background behind him, Newsom said keeping the law is a key part of advancing the state's climate goals.

Big Oil is the polluting heart of this climate crisis, Newsom said. Thank you for being here today, tomorrow, and thank you for being there on Election Day, when we send a powerful message  not just here in the state of California, but heard all across the United States.

Newsom is backing a lawsuit claiming oil and gas companies deceived the public about the risks of fossil fuels. It's part of his efforts to fortify California's status as a climate leader as the state transitions away from fossil-fuel powered cars, trucks and trains.

The California Independent Petroleum Association, which is pushing for voters to overturn the law, is concerned about how it will impact the oil and gas industry, which generates large amounts of state and local tax revenue.

Newsom signed a law last year that was inspired in part by oil industry tactics, which have come under scrutiny, to collect enough signatures to get the referendum on the ballot. The law requires top funders pushing a referendum proposal to overturn a law to be listed on voter information guides released by the state. It also requires a referendum on the ballot to ask voters to keep the law or overturn the law, a departure from asking them to vote yes to keep the law or no to block it.

Story continues

Lawmakers introduced a bill last year that would have made oil companies pay up to $1 million to people with cancer or other health problems associated with a well, but it was blocked by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Nalleli Cobo, an environmental activist who grew up near an oil well in Los Angeles, said she started experiencing nosebleeds, heart palpitations and headaches as a child and was diagnosed with reproductive cancer at age 19. She has since worked to fight against the health impacts of the oil industry and wants voters to keep the law limiting the location of new oil and gas wells.

The oil industry has no place in our backyards, in our democracy or in our future, she said.

___

Sophie Austin reported from Sacramento. Austin is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Austin on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter: @sophieadanna
Long considered one of Africa's model democracies, the west African nation of Senegal has a tradition of stable governments and civilian rule.

Slaves, ivory and gold were exported from the coast during the 17th and 18th Centuries, and now the economy is based on agriculture. The money sent home by Senegalese living abroad is a key source of revenue.

Hundreds of Senegalese were killed in a separatist conflict in the southern region of Casamance, but violence lessened after a 2014 ceasefire. The country's stability has allowed it to send peacekeeping troops to DR Congo, Liberia and Kosovo.

In February 2024, President Macky Sall plunging the country into a crisis when he postponed presidential elections, amid what some saw as a threat to one of the remaining democracies in coup-hit West Africa.

However, an election was held in March 2024, with opposition politician Bassirou Diomaye Faye - who had only just been released from jail - winning the poll to become Africa's youngest elected president.

Read more country profiles - Profiles by BBC Monitoring

REPUBLIC OF SENEGAL: FACTS

Capital: Dakar

Area: 196,712 sq km

Population: 17.1 million

Language: French

Life expectancy: 65 years (men) 70 years (women)

LEADER

President-elect: Bassirou Diomaye Faye

Bassirou Diomaye Faye

Bassirou Diomaye Faye's extraordinary rise to the presidency capped a rollercoaster period in Senegalese politics that caught many off-guard.

Months in jail alongside ally and kingmaker Ousmane Sonko ended suddenly, with the pair released just before the election.

The poll had been initially postponed by outgoing President Macky Sall who said the delay was necessary because disputes threatened the credibility of the vote.

But after a month of confusion and violent protests, the election was held in March 2024.

Fighting poverty, injustice and corruption are top of Mr Faye's agenda. While working at the Treasury, he and Mr Sonko created a union taskforce to tackle graft.

Gas, oil, fishing and defence deals must all be renegotiated to better serve the Senegalese people, says Mr Faye.

He is ushering in an era of "sovereignty" and "rupture" as opposed to more of the same, he told voters, and that is especially true of ties to France.

Senegal's president-elect says he will drop the much-criticised CFA franc currency, which is pegged to the euro and backed by former colonial power France.

Mr Faye wants to replace it with a new Senegalese, or regional West African, currency, although this will not be easy.

MEDIA

The Senegalese island of Goree was the largest slave-trading centre on the African coast

Senegal has traditionally had one of the most unrestricted and diverse media scenes in the region."Solid democracy and laws guarantee press freedom" and violence against journalists is relatively infrequent, says Reporters Without Borders (RSF). However, there was a surge in verbal and physical violence against media outlets in 2021 after the arrest and release of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko.

TIMELINE

Leopold Senghor was independent Senegal's first president and led the country for two decades

Some key dates in Senegal's history:

8th Century - Present-day Senegal is part of the Kingdom of Ghana.

11th Century - Islam comes to the region through contact with the Morocco-based Almoravid dynasty.

12th-14rth Centuries - Rise of the Jolof empire.

1440s - Portuguese traders reach Senegal river estuary.

1588 - Dutch establish slave port on island of Goree.

1659 - Fench found St-Louis at the mouth of the Senegal river; it becomes a key slave-trading port.

1677 - French take over island of Goree from the Dutch, the start of nearly 300 years of French oversight.

1756-63 - Seven Years War: Britain takes over French posts in Senegal, forms colony of Senegambia.

1775-83 - France regains its holdings during the American Revolutionary War.

1816 - Britain returns French holdings captured during Napoleonic Wars.

Late 1800s - France extends its influence, gains control of all the territory of Senegal.

1895 - Senegal becomes part of French West Africa.

1914 - Blaise Diagne elected as Senegal's first African deputy to French parliament.

1946 - Senegal becomes part of the French Union.

1958 - Becomes an autonomous republic, as part of the French Community.

1960 - Senegal becomes independent, initially as part of Mali Federation with French Sudan (now the Republic of Mali) but quickly pulls out to become a separate republic.

1966 - Leopold Senghor's Senegalese Progressive Union becomes the sole political party.

1982 - Senegambian confederation formed; Senegal and neighbouring Gambia aim to combine military and security forces.

1982 - Separatists in the southern province form the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC), clash sporadically with the army over following decades.

1989 - Confederation with Gambia is dissolved.

2000 - Opposition leader Abdoulaye Wade wins presidential elections.

2014 - Rebel leader Salif Sadio, who had been fighting for the independence of the Casamance region, declares a unilateral ceasefire.

2024 - President Sall temporarily postpones presidential elections, leading to widespread protests across the country.

Senegal's Great Mosque of Touba is one of the largest in Africa
It is a crowded field of 17 in the battle for Senegal's top job, but two men - recently freed opposition politician Bassirou Diomaye Faye and the ruling party's heir apparent Amadou Ba - look most likely to win over voters in Sunday's presidential election.

Their rivalry underpins a massive divide and clash of outlook in the country, usually regarded as a beacon of democracy in West Africa, especially over its relationship with France, the former colonial power.

The poll is a rushed job - the date was announced with less than three weeks' notice, following a month of confusion and violent protests.

What seems to unite most Senegalese is the anger directed at outgoing President Macky Sall who tried to postpone the election - originally scheduled for 25 February - until December.

Mr Sall has told the BBC he acted to protect the integrity of the vote after allegations of corruption and disputes over the eligibility of some presidential candidates.

However, critics accused him of seeking to extend his term in office or stop the clock to better prepare his candidate - which he denies.

It led to political turmoil, the intervention of the Constitutional Court, the president agreeing to leave office next month when his term officially ends, and a new election date.

Then last week, some of his fiercest critics - those involved in political protests over the last few years - were freed in a presidential amnesty in order to calm tensions.

This included firebrand opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who came third in the last election and is hugely popular with young people eager for change.

But the 49-year-old is barred from running as a candidate this time, due to a series of charges he says were politically motivated.

Instead, he is throwing his considerable clout behind Mr Faye, who like him is a former tax inspector and was released from detention at the same time - he was awaiting trial on charges of defamation and spreading fake news.

The two met while working at the tax office and Mr Faye, who turns 44 the day after the election, was previously secretary-general of Mr Sonko's Pastef party, which was dissolved by the government last year over allegations it had called for an insurrection.

Their slogan "Sonko is Diomaye, Diomaye is Sonko" has gone viral on social media in the last week.

Candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye and opposition leader Ousmane Sonko are popular with younger voters

The pair - greeted on their release by celebrating crowds - are pushing their anti-establishment vision for institutional reforms. It is an Afrocentric and nationalist agenda, including plans to renegotiate the country's mining and energy contracts.

Mr Faye also wants Senegal to stop using the CFA franc - the West African single currency that is pegged to the euro, with the financial backing of the French treasury, and which is regarded by his supporters as a relic of the colonial era.

The proposal has been labelled as irresponsible by his opponents, although Mr Sonko has sought to quell such fears by saying they would seek to reform the regional currency first and only consider introducing a national currency if that should fail.

In contrast to this radical path, Mr Ba, prime minister until he resigned to contest the election, seeks to represent continuity and stability.

At his rallies, the 62-year-old has hit out at the former Pastef pair, labelling them "bandits" and saying a vote for him is a vote for "greater peace and prosperity".

He argues his ministerial track record proves he will oversee development and create one million jobs in five years - as the staid statesman woos the youth vote.

Mr Ba may have been on the political scene for the last decade, but he is a bit of a closed book for most. He has tried to open up as a man of the people, revealing his love for reggae music and Bob Marley.

With more than half of Senegal's population under the age of 25 and growing frustration over unemployment and boats full of migrants heading for Europe, it is an important demographic.

Amadou Ba says a vote for him is a vote for peace and prosperity

Arame Gueye Sene, executive director of the youth group Social Change Factory, told the BBC that young people were engaged in campaign issues, although the majority of the seven million registered voters were aged 35 and over.

"We see them on the streets, but we're not sure that a lot of them are able to vote next Sunday," she said.

A significant challenge for all candidates has been that the postponed election has fallen in the middle of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

In Senegal, 95% of the population is Muslim and consequently key cities like the capital, Dakar, and Thies are unusually quiet for an election campaign.

People tend to save their energy until they break their fast at sunset, meaning candidates are having to rethink their campaign strategies.

Booklets detailing proposed policies have been shared online, as well as live recordings of rallies.

"We have to double efforts to mobilise voters," Anta Babacar Ngom, a business executive and the only woman in this race, told the BBC.

Candidates are still making an effort to tour the country - as Mohamed Ly, a member of Khalifa Sall's campaign team, said that undecided voters could prove key.

Mr Sall, the 68-year-old former mayor of Dakar and no relation to the president, is one of two candidates who could prove a kingmaker or push the vote into a second round. To win outright, a contender must obtain more than 50% of the vote.

The other such candidate is Idrissa Seck, the 64-year-old former mayor of Thies. Both have loyal followings.

Another influential player is Karim Wade. The 55-year-old is the son of ex-President Abdoulaye Wade, though his candidacy was rejected as he had not renounced his French citizenship in time - electoral laws do not allow for dual nationality.

His Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) has traditionally benefitted from the support of the Mourides, the most influential Muslim brotherhood in Senegal. On Friday, it announced that it would back Mr Faye - a move that could prove decisive.

Most of the electorate may feel bruised by the upheaval of the last month but electoral directorate head Birame Sene is confident they have nothing to worry about.

He told the BBC everything was in order and well prepared for Sunday's vote - when Senegal's much-vaunted democratic values will be put to the test.

More on Senegal's 2024 election:
Newton Police are investigating a malicious incident of a rock thrown through the front window of a home with a pro-Israel sign.

Police believe this incident happened between February 14th and March 20th. A suspect is still at large.

Tsion and Nina Levy returned to their Botsford Road home Wednesday night from a month-long trip visiting family across the country. After walking into their living room, they realized something was wrong.

My wife saw a piece of the frame right there on the floor, said Tsion.

According to the Levy family, the frame was damaged by a rock thrown through their window. The rock was found lying on their living room floor next to broken glass.

The family believes this was targeted at the Stand With Israel sign in their front window.

Tsion added, Youre violating peoples lives by doing this.

In a Facebook post, Newton Police said theyre investigating seven other incidents that appear to be antisemitic over the last month in the city. Most recently, Israeli hostage posters were found defaced this week.

Nina is a lifelong Newton resident, and Tsion moved to Newton after the two met in Israel.

They tell Boston 25 that much of their family still lives in Israel after narrowly escaping the October 7th attacks.

This is nothing compared to what they went through, said Nina. Theyre living in hell now and they have no life  We have another front to fight --antisemitism here in this country.

After decades in the same home, the family plans to install new surveillance in the home.

Addressing the suspect at large, Nina finished, Learn to love, not hate. Hate is an ugly feeling in your heart.

Newtons Mayor Ruthanne Fuller released a statement Thursday night.

I condemn antisemitism. I condemn acts of hate, violence and terrorism. I will continue to shine a light on these hateful acts and speak out against them, Mayor Fuller said. Since January 1 of 2024, 12 hate incidents/crimes have been reported to Newton Police compared to 7 during the same period last year.

Of the 12 reported incidents this year, eight were categorized as antisemitic, two antisemitic and anti-Black, one was anti-Black, and one was anti-immigrant.

Police urge anyone who might have information about this incident or any others to come forward.

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
FILE - Merchandise is scanned to be tracked as it moves through the new Amazon Fulfillment Center in Sacramento, Calif., on Feb. 9, 2018. As global warming rises temperatures, a California labor protection board has approved standards, Thursday, March 21, 2024, that would require companies protect their employees from excessive heat even inside, particularly in warehouses. The rules still need final approval by the state's Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

LOS ANGELES (AP)  As global warming raises temperatures, a California work safety board has approved standards that would require companies to protect employees from excessive indoor heat, particularly in warehouses. The rules still need to overcome opposition by another state agency.

The rules were approved Thursday by the board of the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, commonly known as Cal/OSHA, despite a late objection from the state Department of Finance because of cost effects on the state, the Los Angeles Times reported.

There is no federal heat standard in the United States. California has had heat protection rules for outdoor work such as agriculture and construction since 2006. But tackling indoor heat protections has taken years since the state passed legislation in 2016 to draft standards for indoor workers.

The proposed regulations would apply to workplaces ranging from warehouses to schools and kitchens, requiring cooling devices, access to water and cooling-off break areas at certain temperature thresholds as well as monitoring for signs of heat illness.

Sheheryar Kaoosji, executive director of the Warehouse Worker Resource Center, applauded the vote and said 15 million workers in the state stand to benefit.

The hottest years on record have occurred in the last ten years. That means the danger of working in high heat has become more acute in the time it has taken to finalize these standards," Kaoosji said in a statement.

California experienced an e-commerce-driven boom in the construction of massive warehouses for companies such as Amazon. Concerns about heat illnesses have been repeatedly raised by workers in the industry.

Amazon said in a statement that its heat safety protocols often exceed industry standards, and it provides air conditioning in all of its fulfillment centers and air hubs.

The Department of Finance sought to halt the Cal/OSHA board's vote, citing concerns about huge costs to correctional and other facilities.

Story continues

H.D. Palmer, a spokesman for the Department of Finance, told the Times the impact could be in the neighborhood of billions of dollars.

The state Office of Administrative Law will need the Department of Finances approval before it can move forward with the regulations, Palmer said.

Palmer also said the Department of Finance only received some of the data involving the regulations in February.

"This was a decision that was driven by our inability to do our fiscal due diligence and evaluate this data late in the process that had a potential impact to the state, he said.

Labor and climate activists opposed the effort to remove the heat-protection item from Thursday's meeting agenda, and board Chair David Thomas agreed.

Theres no reason this shouldnt be passed in my mind, because they are right that their lives are the ones that are on the line, Thomas said.
CHICAGO  Ever want to be in attendance for the filming of a stand-up comedy special? Well, now you have your chance.

The host of the Late Night talk show on NBC, Seth Meyers will record his next stand-up comedy special at The Vic Theatre in Chicago on Saturday, June 15.

Celebrating House Music: ARC Music Festival releases 2024 lineup

Meyers, who broke into the main stream after being the head writer at Saturday Night Live, took over the Late Night talk show from Jimmy Fallon after he moved over to hosting The Tonight Show in 2014. He also previously hosted the Golden Globe Awards in 2014 and 2018.

His last stand-up comedy special Seth Meyers: Lobby Baby premiered on Netflix in 2019.

Weezer to celebrate 30 year anniversary of Blue Album in Chicago this fall

The Vic Theatre is located at 3145 N. Sheffield Ave in Chicagos Lake View neighborhood.

The events will begin at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 15.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, March 22. Click here for ticket information.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Several sections of railroad across Ukraine were shut down after Russias massive missile attack on March 22 left parts of Ukrzaliznytsia, Ukraine's state-owned railroad operator, without electricity, the company reported on Telegram.

All trains are continuing operation using backup power sources. In the Kharkiv area, diesel locomotives will power the movement of all trains, including high-speed Hyundai Rotem electric trains.

Read also:

The Kharkiv railway station has switched to backup power, ensuring all systems are functioning and allowing the Fortress of Invincibility (shelters where Ukrainians can get warm, charge their telephones, and connect to the Internet) and children's area to remain open to visitors.

Passengers can see the delays of all trains on the website uz-vezemo.uz.gov.ua, and in case of missing a trip due to shelling or the closure of the metro, Ukrzaliznytsia will allow traveling on the next trip in a similar direction with the same ticket.

Read also:

Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine using drones, cruise and ballistic missiles on the night of March 22. The Russians targeted civilian energy sites across the entire country.

Kharkiv is practically in darkness, with the Russian military launching over 15 strikes on the citys energy facilities.

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
Photo courtesy of Water.org

The two-year grant will directly impact 300,000 people across Indonesia and the Philippines

WAYZATA, Minn., March 22, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Reliable access to clean, safe water as well as sanitation and hygiene are essential for communities to thrive. To help expand water access, Cargill has committed $2.1 million in funding to Water.org, a global nonprofit focused on removing the financial barriers between people living in poverty and access to safe water.

This two-year grant project, running January 1, 2024  December 31, 2025, will directly impact an estimated 300,000 individuals  approximately 75,000 households  by providing access to water and sanitation for people living in Indonesia and the Philippines via WaterCredit, a program that enables small loans for water and sanitation solutions. The grant will also support collaboration with local utilities to improve water quality and service coverage for many more households.

Driven by our belief that clean and safe water is a right for all people, Cargill is partnering with leading NGOs, like Water.org, to enable improved access to safe water and sanitation for 500,000 people in priority communities by 2030. Our collaboration with Water.org and other partners supports Cargills contribution as a supporter of the WASH4Work COP 27 Business Declaration For Climate Resilient Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH). Cargill is dedicated to effectively balancing and addressing the shared water challenges of availability, quality and access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene around the world using an approach that is informed by local context.

"Because of our position as a connector of the food system, Cargill has the unique ability to develop holistic water solutions that drive impact-at-scale," said Pilar Cruz, chief sustainability officer at Cargill. "Our partnership with Water.org will help drive innovative solutions across Indonesia and the Philippines that can transform access to safe water and sanitation. This is just one of many approaches we are taking to strengthen local water systems, get people access to clean and safe water and drive sustainable change in communities where it is needed most."

Story continues

"Partnerships like Cargills extend beyond the financial contribution with intentional dedication to driving change in the communities they are a part of," said Gary White, CEO, Water.org. "Cargills support allows us to continue to scale and expand our efforts in Indonesia and the Philippines, unlocking opportunities for improved health, education, and economic empowerment."

Impact in Indonesia

Indonesia has a population of 275 million, and nearly 192 million Indonesians lack access to safe water, while 14 million lack access to a safe toilet. Water.org is increasing access to water and sanitation for low-income households by building strong relationships with local financial institutions to bring families access to small loans, empowering them with the water and sanitation solutions that work best for them.

Impact in the Philippines

Out of its population of 115 million people, 60 million people, nearly half the population, lack access to safe water, and 43 million people, more than a third of the population, lack access to a safe toilet. Water.org works with some of the Philippiness largest and most respected microfinance institutions, government stakeholders, and international nonprofits to empower the people of the Philippines with access to safe water and sanitation.

"Cargills commitment will allow us to scale the impact through increased partnerships with local utilities that will enhance water quality and increase service coverage for families, shaping a more sustainable, safe, and equitable water future for Southeast Asia," said Gay Santos, Regional Director, Southeast Asia, Water.org.

"By investing in this project, Cargill recognizes the importance of providing access to safe water and sanitation. As we continue to roll out various water initiatives in Asia Pacific, we will deliver impact with purpose and partnership, while growing with the region by further building sustainable and resilient supply chains. Our goal is not only to improve communities and environment sustainability but to also contribute to and uplift the communities across the region," shared Ross Hamou-Jennings, Chair of Asia Pacific, Cargill.

Learn more about Cargills commitment to water.

About Cargill

Cargill is committed to providing food, ingredients, agricultural solutions, and industrial products to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way. Sitting at the heart of the supply chain, we partner with farmers and customers to source, make and deliver products that are vital for living.

Our 160,000 team members innovate with purpose, providing customers with lifes essentials so businesses can grow, communities prosper, and consumers live well. With 159 years of experience as a family company, we look ahead while remaining true to our values. We put people first. We reach higher. We do the right thingtoday and for generations to come. For more information visit Cargill.com and our News Center.

About Water.org

Water.org is a global nonprofit organization that has positively transformed more than 6 million lives around the world through access to safe water and sanitation. Founded by Gary White and Matt Damon, Water.org pioneers market-driven financial solutions to the global water crisis. For more than 30 years, Water.org has helped give women hope, children health, and families bright futures. Learn more at https://water.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321717890/en/

Contacts

Cargill Media Contact:

media@cargill.com

Water.org Media Contact:

Cate McGeady

cmcgeady@water.org
ISIS has claimed responsibility for an attack at a popular concert hall complex near Moscow Friday after assailants stormed the venue with guns and incendiary devices, killing at least 60 people and injuring 145.

The terror group took responsibility for the attack in a short statement published by ISIS-affiliated news agency Amaq on Telegram on Friday. It did not provide evidence to support the claim.

Video footage from the Crocus City Hall shows the vast complex, which is home to both the music hall and a shopping center, on fire with smoke billowing into the air. State-run RIA Novosti reported the armed individuals opened fire with automatic weapons and threw a grenade or an incendiary bomb, which started a fire. They then allegedly fled in a white Renault car, the news agency said.

State media Russia 24 reported the roof of the venue has partially collapsed.

The fire had been brought largely under control more than six hours later. There are still some pockets of fire, but the fire has been mostly eliminated, Moscow governor Andrey Vorobyov said on Telegram.

The deadliest terror attack on Moscow in decades, Fridays assault came less than a week after President Vladimir Putin won a stage-managed election by an overwhelming majority to secure another term in office, tightening his grip on the country he has ruled since the turn of the century.

With attention focused on the countrys war with neighboring Ukraine, Putin had trumpeted a message of national security before Russians went to the polls.

The carnage broke out before a concert by the band Picnic, according to Russia 24.

Unidentified people in camouflage broke into Crocus City Hall and started shooting before the start of the concert, the Prosecutor Generals Office said, cited by TASS.

This screen grab from video shows armed men inside the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Russia's Moscow region. CNN can not verify whether these are armed attackers or Russian authorities moving in. - Social media

Video footage showed panic as the attack unfolded, with crowds of people huddling together, screaming and ducking behind cushioned seats as gunshots started echoing in the vast hall. One group sheltering next to a large wall of windows outside the concert venue were forced to break them to escape the gunfire, video obtained by CNN shows.

Footage geolocated by CNN shows an armed individual starting at least one fire inside the venue. The individual is seen carrying something in their hand and, as they walk off-screen, a bright flash of light from a large flame is seen in the video.

A SWAT team was called to the area and more than 70 ambulance teams and doctors assisted victims.

One hundred and forty-five people have been hospitalized, TASS reported. Sixty people are in a serious condition.

According to the Kremlin, Putin was informed about the attack and is being kept updated on measures on the ground.

The president on Saturday wished those injured in the attack a speedy recovery, the state-run RIA-Novosti news agency said. He also conveyed his gratitude to the doctors, RIA added.

Around 100 people were evacuated from the building by firefighters, TASS reported.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin called the attack a terrible tragedy.

My condolences to the loved ones of the victims. I gave orders to provide all necessary assistance to everyone who suffered during the incident, Sobyanin said in a statement.

Sobyanin said on Telegram that he was canceling all sports, cultural and other public events in Moscow this weekend.

Picnics manager told state media that the performers were unharmed.

Russian singer Shaman said he would pay for the funerals of the victims and treatment for those injured.

We are all one big family. And in a family there is no such thing as somebody elses grief, the singer, known for his nationalistic views, said in a video posted on the Russian social media network Vkontakte to his more than 600,000 followers.

My people, any troubles and misfortunes have always united our country. They have made Russia tougher and stronger. It will not be possible to frighten and break us this time either.

US had warned of potential attack

Earlier this month, the US embassy in Russia said it was monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, including concerts. The embassy warned US citizens to avoid large gatherings. On Friday, following reports of the Crocus City Hall attack, it advised US citizens not to travel to Russia.

Starting in November, there has been a steady stream of intelligence that ISIS-K was determined to attack in Russia, according to two sources familiar with the information.

ISIS-K stands for ISIS-Khorasan, the terror organizations affiliate that is active in Afghanistan and the surrounding region.

US National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said the US government had had information about a planned terrorist attack in Moscow  potentially targeting large gatherings, to include concerts  and that this is what prompted the State Department to issue the public advisory.

The US government also shared this information with Russian authorities in accordance with its longstanding duty to warn policy, Watson said.

In a speech Tuesday, Putin had blasted the American warnings as provocative, saying these actions resemble outright blackmail and the intention to intimidate and destabilize our society.

In March alone, Russian authorities had thwarted several ISIS-related incidents, according to RIA. On March 3, RIA reported that six ISIS members were killed in a counter-terrorist operation in the Ingush Karabulak; on March 7, it said security services had uncovered and neutralized a cell of the banned organization Vilayat Khorasan in the Kaluga region, whose members were planning an attack on a synagogue in Moscow; and on March 20, it said the commander of an ISIS combat group had been detained.

A US official said Friday that Washington had no reason to doubt ISIS claim that it was responsible for the latest attack.

International response

Ukraine, which has been embroiled in a war with Russia for more than two years, denied any involvement in the attack.

Ukraine has never resorted to the use of terrorist methods, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak wrote, in part, in a post on X. He said he believed Russia would use the attack to justify the ongoing conflict and scale up operations as part of military propaganda in Ukraine.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres late Friday condemned in the strongest possible terms todays terrorist attack according to a statement released by his deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haq.

The secretary-general conveys his deep condolences to the bereaved families and the people and the government of the Russian Federation. He wishes those injured a speedy recovery, the statement said.

In a separate statement, the UN Security Council called the attack heinous and cowardly.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping offered his condolences to Putin on Saturday over the serious terrorist attack that caused heavy casualties, according to a report from Chinese state media.

French President Emmanuel Macron also condemned the attack. France expresses its solidarity with the victims, their loved ones and all the Russian people, the Elysee Palace said, AFP and Reuters reported.

Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman both also denounced the attack.

Correction: This story has been updated after an earlier version incorrectly stated that Shaman is a singer in the band Picnic.

CNNs Eva Rothenberg, Paul Murphy and Hannah Strange contributed to this reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
UPDATE: Mr. Thomas was located, the Sheriff's Office said.

Just after 3 a.m. Friday the Polk County Sheriff's Office issued a Silver Alert for a missing and endangered 65-year-old Lakeland man missing since Thursday afternoon. They reported him found later that morning.

Keith Howard Thomas of Munn Avenue was last seen leaving his home around 2 p.m. Thursday.

"Keith is considered missing [and] endangered due to showing early signs of dementia," the post to X, formerly Twitter, said, "and he takes seizure medication."

SILVER ALERT



The Polk County Sheriff's Office is issuing a SILVER ALERT this morning for missing and endangered 65-year-old Keith Howard Thomas of Munn Avenue in Lakeland.



Keith was seen leaving his home around 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in his white Mitsubishi pic.twitter.com/h2vtN4ObmR  Polk County Sheriff  Grady Judd (@PolkCoSheriff) March 22, 2024

The PCSO posted again at 10:13 a.m., saying that "Mr. Thomas was located at a rest area in Lake City by a Trooper from the Florida Highway Patrol, and he is safe."

What is a Silver Alert?

The Florida Silver Alert is activated when a person suffering from "an irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties" has gone missing, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Local and state Silver Alerts spread the word through local media, social media posts, highway signs and other methods to increase the chances of the missing person being found safely.

Florida's Silver Alert program was created by an executive order signed by former Gov. Charlie Crist in 2008 and codified into state statutes in 2011.

What should I do if I see the missing person in a Silver Alert?

If you see someone you believe is the subject of a Silver Alert or their vehicle, call 911 or *FHP to notify law enforcement. If the alert has a local contact number, call that.

Make a note of the person's whereabouts and, if they're moving, where they're going so you can pass that information along.

What is the criteria for a Silver Alert in Florida?

To have a Silver Alert issued for a missing person, they must:

Be 60 years and older, OR

18-59 but lacking the capacity to consent AND

have an irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties (e.g. Alzheimer's disease or dementia) that has been verified by law enforcement

be traveling by motor vehicle with an identified license plate number or other vehicle information

Silver Alerts are issued when law enforcement has determined that public assistance and highway dynamic message signs may be the only possible way to rescue them.

Can anyone request a Silver Alert?

No, Silver Alerts may only be requested by law enforcement agencies. If you would like to report a missing person, please contact your local police department or sheriffs office first, then contact MEPIC at 1-888-FL MISSING (356-4774).

What other alerts does Florida have?

Florida also uses:

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida Silver Alert activated for missing Lakeland man. What is that?
After years of being homeless, Amy adapted to living on the streets under insecurity.

I thought I wasnt going to wake up, but I woke up, and Im fine. The more I feel adapted to staying outside without a person that stays with me, the more I wouldnt feel scared, she said.

At the age of 19, Amy decided to flee from her family because of her fathers emotional abuse. Since then, she started sleeping in the park or on the streets and going to churches for food. Being out on the street means living in fear and uncertainty.

I literally slept on the grass, on the streets. I was afraid that someone would come up and hurt me, or animals would bite me while I was sleeping, or bugs would jump on me, she said. The environment that scared me the most. Where am I sleeping, what I should do after when I get up? It was morning what should I do.

I couldnt go back home. Its not a home.

After facing repeated rejections from different homeless shelters due to having a family home, she shared her experience with Audra Doody, the co-executive director of Safe Exit Initiative, a nonprofit that has operated a womens shelter, Harbor, since 2021. Doody understood her, so Amy now comes to this shelter daily.

Right-to-shelter in Massachusetts

It was about 40 years ago that Massachusetts became the first and only state to implement the right-to-shelter law to provide shelters and other necessary services to homeless parents with children, pregnant women, and migrant families arriving in Massachusetts.

But the reality is individuals are excluded from the right-to-shelter law; single homeless women will have much more limited options towards finding a shelter, Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Marlboro, said.

Yet most areas of the state, outside of certain cities, theres really not much of a shelter system and theres no shelters for women, very few, he said. It doesnt really meet the needs for my region, not to mention many other parts of the state.

The reality is individuals are excluded from the right-to-shelter law; single homeless women will have much more limited options towards finding a shelter, Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Marlboro, said.

Shelters for women is less than 20

According to a report from Massachusetts Coalition For the Homeless, the number of individuals experiencing homelessness has more than doubled since 1990, while the number of shelters that only for women is less than 20 in Massachusetts.

Last year, Doody made a difficult decision to close the overnight portion of the Harbor Shelter due to a lack of funding. But she added that they are trying to bring the overnight portion back.

We're in conversations with a couple of people to figure out if there's funding to operate maybe during the winter months, especially because there's such a need. I don't know about ever being 365 [days] again, and I do want to, because we have a space, so I would like to look at the options of the winter merge, she said.

In February 2023, Senate and House lawmakers filed a bill on establishing a special commission to conduct an investigation and study regarding homelessness among women in the commonwealth.

Sen. Robyn Kennedy, D-Worcester, said she refiled the bill from a previous session because she wanted to make sure the state is providing services and protecting marginalized communities.

Overlapping challenges for homeless women

The challenges for homeless people can be similar, but domestic violence can be a unique one for homeless women, Kennedy said.

A lot of women are seeking shelter because of domestic violence. We know that our domestic violence shelters are consistently full capacity, she said. When there's not an available shelter bandwidth in domestic violence programs, oftentimes women are seeking shelter and the homelessness system in the emergency assistance system. That's one area that disproportionately impacts women.

Esther Rogers, director of housing and economic justice at Jane Doe Inc., the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, wrote in an email that for victims of domestic violence, removing themselves from the physical location where violence happened can be essential to their safety. However, due to the limited number of beds in shelters, they can be at far greater risk of being abused again.

She added that survivors often face a myriad of other barriers.

From financial insecurity, threats of their children being taken away, coercive control of bodily autonomy, forced use of illicit drugs, mental health challenges, and location constraints  that makes it even more difficult to find safe, affordable housing, she wrote in the email.

Andrea Kalsow, the communications director of On The Rise, a day-time shelter for women, transgender and non-binary located in Cambridge, also said that women in a shelter often face a lot of overlapping challenges, including having been a victim of a crime, having a disability or health issues, a trauma history, or mental health concerns or substance use and misuse concerns.

It is a struggle to work through and continue to engage with systems, she said.

Housing prices puts strain on homeless women

It just I think the underlining thing that every single person who's living in shelter or displayed somewhere, it's poverty, and that's underlying, to everyone, said Robyn Frost, the executive director of Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless.

According to the data from National Womens Law Center, 11.20% of women in Massachusetts live in poverty, while women in Massachusetts make 84 cents for every dollar paid to men.

Meanwhile, Frost said in her 25 years of experience running the agency, housing prices have skyrocketed to numbers as high as she had never seen.

Kennedy said that Worcester, like all other communities in Massachusetts, faces a housing crisis, which is an overlay to other barriers that women are facing lead to homelessness.

The customer hasn't kept up with the income and hasn't kept up with that increase in rent. You know, we have a housing crisis to also address it, Kennedy said.

According to Zillow, the median rental price for all bedrooms in Massachusetts is $3,250, up $100 over the past year. It is $1,217 more than the national median.

People do not have the income to support the rent. So, it's really important to understand that homelessness is a microcosm of what's going on as far as mental health, and domestic violence, but every single person right now is without housing because they are living a poverty, and they can't afford the rents, Frost said. That is the biggest hurdle right now, you know, even making $25 an hour may not be enough to maintain housing.

Homelessness is episodic for women

Frost said its common for homeless people to be housed for a short period and then episodically become homeless again. They might end up living with a friend or a family member for a short amount of time, and then fall back into homelessness.

She said the reason for that is homeless people can wait for two to 10 years till they can find affordable housing.

There are individuals who are homeless for not just a week but multiple years, as they wait for affordable housing to come to availability, she said.

Eldridge said establishing a special commission is important, but not enough.

It's just a commission and I'd rather see direct action, but I do think there's a need for commission because I think that there are different shelter needs for different women going through different challenges.

Beyond the special commission, Eldridge added they also encourage local housing authorities in Massachusetts to build more affordable public housing to address the need of homeless women.

Im trying to encourage more of these housing authorities to actually leverage money, leverage the property that they have, and build more low-income housing, Eldridge said. I think that could provide a real supply of housing for women that are seeking shelter because thats, again, truly low-income housing.

The Cape Cod Times is providing this coverage for free as a public service. Please take a moment to support local journalism by subscribing.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Finding shelter for women at risk of domestic violence is challenging
Three officers were injured during the Wednesday hospital ambush

Idaho police have captured two white supremacist gang members who have been linked to two homicides since a prison break on Wednesday.

Fugitive inmate Skylar Meade, 31, and alleged accomplice Nicholas Umphenour were caught in the city of Twin Falls.

Three officers were injured when Umphenour, 28, allegedly ambushed guards while they took Meade back to prison from a hospital.

Police say both men are members of a prison gang - the Aryan Knights.

They say it is unclear whether the escape was a "gang-sanctioned event".

Officials said the pair are suspected to have been involved in two homicides while on the run since Wednesday.

Idaho State Police Lt Col Sheldon Kelley said prison shackles were found at the scene of one of the killings. Both victims were males in rural northern Idaho.

Skylar Meade (left) and Nicholas Umphenour

Meade and Umphenour were taken into custody after a brief car chase on Thursday afternoon. Police say they were found driving a Honda Civic that belonged to one of the two victims.

Meade escaped from the Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise after being taken there for "self-injurious" behaviour, Josh Tewalt, director of the state's Department of Correction, said in a news conference on Thursday.

Umphenour ambushed prison staff in the early hours of Wednesday morning, opening fire on them while Meade was being transported from hospital back to the Idaho Maximum Security Institution.

Umphenour was released earlier this year from the same prison. Investigators say the two men had lived in the same housing unit there.

Mr Tewalt said it was unclear to what degree the escape was co-ordinated, and that prison officials were now taking steps "to mitigate the damage that gangs can do".

"Independent of their actions, we work hard every day to try and disrupt any organised criminal activity that happens in our facilities," he said.

Two correction officers were shot by the gunman during Meade's escape. One had non-life-threatening injuries and another was in a critical but stable condition.

A third prison guard was injured by gunfire when a responding police officer fired into the emergency department.

Meade has been in prison since 2016 for aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer with a firearm.

He also has several previous convictions, including grand theft and felony possession of a controlled substance.

He was scheduled to be released in 2036.
(Bloomberg) -- Four-term Republican Congressman Mike Gallagher said he will quit Congress, leaving House Speaker Mike Johnson able to lose only one lawmaker on any party-line vote starting April 19.

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Gallaghers announcement Friday further weakens Johnsons hold over the slender, fractious House Republican majority.

Gallagher, chairman of a high-profile select committee on China, previously said he wouldnt run for reelection but his early resignation wasnt expected. He is the second Republican in recent weeks to decide to leave early, following Colorado Representative Ken Buck, whose resignation took effect Friday.

Gallagher, who represents a Wisconsin district, said in a statement he had informed party leaders of his decision and looks forward to seeing Speaker Johnson appoint a new chair to carry out the important mission of the China committee. He didnt give a reason for leaving Congress early.

Gallagher issued his statement shortly after Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia took the first steps toward ousting Johnson.

Once Gallagher departs, House Republicans majority will shrink to 217-213, with five vacancies. Because a tie vote fails, Johnson would only be able to sustain one Republican defection on a party-line vote.

Two special elections will have immediate influence on the Houses balance of power after Gallaghers exit.

Polls show a Democrat in strong position to win an April 30 special election in western New York to fill a House vacancy previously held by retired Democrat Brian Higgins. And Tuesdays special election in California to fill former Speaker Kevin McCarthys seat ended without anyone getting more than 50% support  meaning that seat will remain vacant until a May 21 run-off race.

Johnsons thin majority already is forcing him to frequently turn to Democrats to help pass important legislation.

Gallaghers departure also leaves uncertain the future of the China committee.

He led a bipartisan group of lawmakers that introduced legislation to force TikToks Chinese parent company to sell it or face a ban in the US. The measure passed the House but still requires Senate approval.

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COLUMBIA, Mo.  One Mizzou student from St. Louis is utilizing TikTok and his passion for slot machines to craft a series on the social media platform, not only to inform but also to fund his college tuition.

Andrew Labit is recognized as an internet personality with a quick Google search, but to those who know him personally, he embodies much more.

Despite leading a bustling life, juggling his pursuit of a masters degree in meteorology and his role as a teachers assistant, Labit finds time to share content about his slot machine series.

I have a hobby of collecting old antique coins, like silver coins, and that kind of goes hand in hand [with the slot machines]. But primarily what I do is I just kind of showcase the slot machines, how they work, spinning to try and get the jackpot, which is one of my most popular series. And I just kind of do whatever the audience wants me to do, and I find a way to make it entertaining.

Illinois city named one of the most polluted places in the US, air quality study finds

Labit commenced his slot machine series in July 2021, and three years on, he continues to produce content centered around these vintage machines.

His collection includes a 25-cent slot machine, a cherished family heirloom passed down from his great grandfather to his grandfather, and eventually to him, as well as a 5-cent slot machine, currently featured in his content and destined for sale.

The 25-cent machine was from my grandpa, my great grandpa. Originally owned it in a pub and grill down in Pacific, Missouri, he said.

Among the educational content Labit shares are videos explaining the inner workings of antique slot machines, his attempts to secure the jackpot, and endeavors to win the invisible jackpot on the 25-cent machineall of which have garnered significant views, attracting a dedicated following that has enabled him to financially support his college education.

For his undergraduate degree, Labit accrued close to $20,000 in expenses, which he successfully covered through earnings from his social media avenues.

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Completing his undergraduate studies in three years, he also served as a resident assistant, which waived his food and housing expenses, and he is currently a teaching assistant, which waives tuition for his masters degree.

While Labit contemplates branching out from his slot machine content, he remains known as the slot machine guy on the internet. Presently, he sets his sights on hitting the jackpot on the nickel machine.

After that, Im thinking about doing something like slot machine war series. His thought process was having videos where viewers choose a team and vote on who is going to win.

Labit said he primarily makes content for TikTok but then cross posts it to other social media such as YouTube and Instagram.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
By Radovan Stoklasa and Jason Hovet

BRATISLAVA (Reuters) -A pro-EU former Slovak foreign minister scored a surprise victory in the first round of a presidential election on Saturday, setting up a run-off vote with a key ally of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico.

Slovakia's presidential election is a chance for Fico, whose views on Ukraine have angered critics for veering too close to Russia, to strengthen his grip on power. Opposition forces want a counterbalance to his rule.

The government's foreign policy shift, attempts to revamp the country's criminal laws and clashes with media outlets have led to a series of protests and criticism from President Zuzana Caputova, 50, who has been a fierce opponent of Fico but did not seek a new term.

Ivan Korcok, 59, a career diplomat who was minister in a past government, is seeking to follow her and won the most votes among nine candidates in the first round.

His 42.5% share of the vote, with 99.9% of districts counted, was above 37.1% for Peter Pellegrini, 48, the parliament speaker who heads junior government party Hlas (Voice).

The two will advance to a run-off on April 6 in which Korcok said he needed to reach voters across the political spectrum.

"I certainly have to speak to the tens of thousands of voters of the ruling coalition who disagree with where the government is pulling Slovakia," Korcok told his supporters.

A Russian-leaning former Supreme Court chief, Stefan Harabin, gained the third most votes at just 11.75%, after getting support from a nationalist party that is also in the government coalition. His voters could help Pellegrini.

Fico and his ruling leftist Smer party won a parliamentary election last September with pledges to halt military aid to Ukraine and maintain support for people hit by price surges.

Pellegrini, a former prime minister and ex-member of Smer, was key in forming a coalition and said the first-round results on Saturday showed a majority did not want a "liberal-right-progressive" president who would only be in conflict with the government.

"The majority in Slovakia expressed an interest in having a president who will defend the national state interests," he said.

Presidents do not wield many executive powers but have a role in government and judicial appointments, can veto laws and shape public debate as the liberal Caputova often did.

Voters in the past have rejected giving ruling parties both the government and presidential offices, including Caputova's win in 2019 when anti-corruption sentiment hurt Fico's party, which was in government then.

"This election will show whether mass protests that have taken place in Bratislava and other major cities in recent weeks are also supported by people who usually express their disapproval at the polling stations," said Radoslav Stefancik, a political analyst at the University of Economics in Bratislava, the capital.

SPLIT VIEWS ON UKRAINE

The war in Ukraine, high inflation and chaotic governance under an opposition-led coalition from 2020-2023 have polarised voters. Opinion polls before Saturday showed Pellegrini leading and being the likely winner in a run-off with Korcok.

Fico has abruptly shifted parts of Slovakia's foreign policy, ending state military supplies to Ukraine - while still allowing commercial supply deals - and opening dialogue with Moscow even as the European Union isolates the Russian regime.

Pellegrini has said Slovakia will remain anchored in the EU and NATO but, like Fico, says the conflict in Ukraine does not have a military solution and supports peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow - a stance Korcok and other critics say is capitulation when parts of Ukraine are occupied.

Fico's coalition government has pushed criminal law changes that critics say weaken the fight against corruption. Caputova, as president, has challenged the changes at the Constitutional Court.

The government's decision to shut a dedicated state graft prosecution unit was heavily criticised by the European Commission this week.

Fico's administration is planning changes that will give it more control over public broadcaster RTVS, raising concern among advocates for press freedom. Korcok has criticised the government's push for more power.

(Reporting by Radovan Stoklasa, David W. Cerny and Eva Korinkova in Bratislava, and Jason Hovet in Prague; Editing by Christina Fincher, Jonathan Oatis and Alistair Bell)
Charles Neace was shot and killed on March 14 by two Covington police officers responding to a report of an armed man trying to break into an apartment. The county's top prosecutor said the officers use of force was justified.

Two Covington police officers who fatally shot a man wielding a kitchen knife will not face criminal charges, Kenton County's top prosecutor said.

Officers Brad Morris and Sean Sinacori were justified in their use of deadly force to defend themselves, Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders said during a Thursday afternoon press conference.

In a letter to the Kentucky State Police, the agency investigating the shooting, Sanders wrote that he reached his decision after reviewing the evidence and finding no probable cause to believe either officer committed a crime.

The officers responded early on March 14 to Cambridge Square Apartments on Promontory Drive after a resident at the apartment complex called 911 saying a man with a knife was trying to break into their apartment through the back door.

"He was beating on the door with the knife," the caller told a dispatcher.

When the officers reached the apartment, they encountered 34-year-old Charles Neace, who was armed with a knife.

The officers drew their guns and shouted numerous commands to Neace, including orders to "put down the knife," according to body camera footage of the encounter released Thursday. Neace did not heed the officers' warnings and continued approaching them.

Neace waved the knife around in his hand, at times raising it level with his head, the footage shows. After pausing briefly and placing his hands on his knees, Neace stepped toward the officers. They opened fire.

Neace collapsed to the ground immediately after police fired at him, the footage shows, though he continued to hold onto the knife even while lying on the ground.

"Buddy, we want to get you help," Morris shouted. "We need you to get away from the knife."

Police began rendering medical aid to Neace once more officers arrived at the scene. Neace, of Owenton, Kentucky, was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center where he died of his injuries.

Sanders said the officers fired a total of 12 rounds, nine of which hit Neace, who was staying with a female companion at the apartment complex.

Neace was standing anywhere from 12 to 20 feet away from the officers when he was shot, a distance he could've easily closed within a matter of seconds, the prosecutor added.

"Put that knife in those officers' neck, he'd have killed them in a split second," Sanders said of the danger Neace posed to Morris and Sinacori.

In his letter, Sanders wrote that Neace was "acting erratically" when confronted by police, adding that he repeatedly threatened the officers and challenged them to fight him.

"Somebody wasn't going home to their family that night," Sanders said. "Mr. Neace forced that decision upon the officers and I'm glad that neither officer was injured and both went home to their families."

Sanders said the officers were placed on paid administrative leave and must meet with a mental health professional to ensure they are fit to return to duty.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Covington officers not facing charges in killing of man wielding knife
NEW GLASGOW, Nova Scotia, March 22, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Twenty years after the enactment of the Westray Law that holds corporations criminally responsible for workplace deaths and injuries, the struggle continues.

At the end of March, 2004, 12 years after the tragic, needless and preventable deaths of 26 miners in the Westray Mine explosion in 1992, important amendments to the Criminal Code of Canada were enacted.

Members of the Westray Families Group, and representatives of local and national labour organizations gather to mark the Westray Laws anniversary and call for renewed action to end workplace deaths and injuries.

No one should die just for going to work.

WHAT: 20th anniversary of the enactment of the Westray Law Remarks, musical performance, laying of wreaths, reading of names WHEN: Tuesday, March 26, 2024 11:00 a.m., Atlantic WHERE: Their Light Shall Always Shine Westray Miners Memorial Park Corner of Park Street and Walkerville Road New Glasgow, Nova Scotia WHO: Members of the Westray Families Group Rev. Glen Matheson Bea Bruske, Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) President Marty Warren, USW National Director Danny Cavanagh, Nova Scotia Federation of Labour (NSFL) President Myles Sullivan, USW District 6 Director (Atlantic Canada) E.B. Anderson, performance of "26 Ghosts"

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240322700180/en/

Contacts

Sylvia Boyce, USW Health, Safety and the Environment, 905-741-9830, sboyce@usw.ca

Shannon Devine, USW Communications, 416-938-4402, sdevine@usw.ca
President Joe Biden mocked Donald Trumps financial struggles during a reception at a campaign event in Dallas on Wednesday.

Just the other day a defeated-looking man came up to me and said, Mr. President, I have crushing debt, and Im completely wiped out, Biden said. And I had to look at him and say, Donald, Im sorry. I cant help you.

Trump this week filed a statement in court saying hes been rejected by 30 companies as he seeks to pay off his $464 million bond from his fraud case. New York Attorney General Letitia James is already moving to seize his assets if he is unable to pay by Mondays deadline.

This comes weeks after he posted a $92 million bond to appeal his loss in a defamation case.

Theres no audio or footage of Bidens remarks at the private occasion, but a White House transcript of the event includes the crack as well as dozens of other references to the former president.

Biden also used the line at the Gridiron Club dinner on Saturday night, an event known for jokes and humorous skits.

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This article was originally published in South Carolina Daily Gazette.

COLUMBIA  All South Carolina students would qualify for K-12 vouchers under legislation approved Wednesday by House Republicans, who repeatedly refused to set limitations or requirements on private schools taking the taxpayer money.

The bill approved 69-32 along party lines (with two Republicans voting no) seeks to exponentially expand South Carolinas K-12 scholarship program before it even starts. Applications for the first round are still under review. Payments to parents arent set to start until July. And the state Supreme Court has yet to settle whether the idea is even constitutional.

But House Republicans were unfazed by questions about the rush from pilot year to universal availability.

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Rep. Russell Ott, D-St. Matthews, said opponents feared last year this was where the Legislature was heading, but hes stunned Republicans are audacious enough to pull the switcheroo so quickly.

What frustrates me is that the arguments laid out in support of the legislation last year are out of the window now. Theyre gone, he said, referring to the passionate pleas to help poor children trapped in failing public schools. Before the first scholarship is ever awarded, we have this bill that absolutely blows a hole a mile wide in everything that was discussed last year.

The other thing it blows a hole in is our state budget, he said.

Under the law signed last May, 5,000 low-income students will receive $6,000 scholarships that their parents can use in the coming school year for private tuition, tutoring, transportation, textbooks and other classroom expenses. That will cost $30 million. By 2026, the cap rises to 15,000 students from higher-income homes. But income still factors into eligibility, with a ceiling of $125,000 for a family of four, for example.

Under the bill, the scholarship amount would increase yearly, while all income eligibility rules would be gone by 2026. Instead of costing taxpayers $90 million in 2026-27, the program would cost an expected $106 million, according to the state Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office. What it would cost after that is unknown.

The bill would also remove the eligibility rule that students entering the program must either be currently attending a public school or entering kindergarten.

Instead, starting in 2027, all K-12 students would be eligible for the taxpayer-funded scholarships. That includes the estimated 57,000 South Carolina students already in private schools and 33,000 children educated at home. Based on similar, existing programs in Arizona and Florida, state fiscal experts predict that 12% of South Carolinas public school students will also want to sign up, which would be 95,000 students.

Do the math, and the cost could top $1.4 billion annually.

However, actual costs would depend on whatever the Legislature decides to spend. While all students would be eligible, how many slots are ultimately funded would be part of the budget debate. The only thing known is that the annual cost would be somewhere north of $106 million.

It will go through the budget process just like any other education funding, said House Education Chairwoman Shannon Erickson, R-Beaufort.

As for timing, she said, applications for the inaugural year showed more interest than allowed slots.

Applications for 7,907 students were submitted by last Fridays deadline. As of Monday, one in 10 had been denied for lack of eligibility, according to the state Department of Education.

Responding to accusations that last years law was supposed to be a pilot, Erickson said, If I said pilot, then I was mistaken. It was a start. It was a beginning. It was a way to start and see what interest there was.

Democrats chastised Republicans as being fiscally irresponsible.

No one knows what the financial impact is going to be. Thats dangerous, said Rep. Justin Bamberg, D-Bamberg. I dont think its a good idea to gamble with the financial future of the districts in our state to accomplish a political objective.

This is not about fiscally conservative or not conservative, he added. Its about fiscal responsibility.

In a debate that often seemed topsy-turvy, Democrats warned that the public aid would result in private schools increasing their costs. Even $6,000 wont cover the cost of tuition for many private schools. The poor students who proponents used to argue they were trying to help will be especially impacted if private schools can simply hike their costs willy nilly, Democrats said.

Private school tuition will increase. It happens when the government gives out money, said Rep. Kambrell Garvin, D-Blythewood, a former teacher. Private schools will see the opportunity to make more money.

But Republicans rejected amendments that aimed to prevent schools from pricing students out or required the state to pay the full tuition costs for Medicaid-eligible students.

They also rejected attempts to cap annual increases in student participation or require participating private schools to accept all students.

Democrats warned that an influx of shady, for-profit schools would pop up to make money off the system, but an attempt to bar for-profit schools from participating also failed.

About 310 private schools, public school districts, online education programs and private tutoring services have been approved for the programs inaugural year. A dozen are based outside of South Carolina, to include Texas, Colorado, Florida and Maryland, according to a list posted online by the state Department of Education, dated March 5. (The law allows students to use the money to enroll in another public school, as long as its not in their same school district.)

Republicans didnt have to put up a fight during Democrats hours-long opposition. The outcome was already known in a chamber where Republicans have supermajority control.

A perfunctory vote Thursday will send the bill to the Senate, where its chances this year are slim, especially with just two months left in the regular session.

SC Daily Gazette is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. SC Daily Gazette maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Seanna Adcox for questions: info@scdailygazette.com. Follow SC Daily Gazette on Facebook and Twitter.
The government is funding 955 more zero-emission buses for England.

Councils in the South East are among 25 local authorities to receive millions of pounds in government funding to decarbonise their bus fleets.

Surrey, Brighton and Hove and West Sussex will share 16.2m allocated under the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas programme.

The government initiative aims to roll out more electric buses in England and is making available an additional 142.8m.

Trevor Muten, chair of Brighton & Hove City Council's transport and sustainability committee, said: What a breakthrough for our city!"

The government cash will fund up to 955 more zero-emission buses and associated infrastructure in England.

West Sussex County Council will receive 10.1m, while Surrey County Council is to get 3.2m.

It is not yet known how many more buses will be funded in the South East.

Mr Mullen said the 2.9m allocated to Brighton was "fantastic" news.

He said: "Replacing diesel buses with zero-carbon alternatives will support our shared vision for an accessible, clean and sustainable city.

Having reliable, accessible, new zero-emission buses will help to reduce congestion, improve air quality, and make Brighton & Hove a successful, healthy and attractive city.

The government said its latest investment would make local fleets more efficient and sustainable.

Zero-emission buses accounted for nearly half of all new large buses introduced in the UK last year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: "This latest investment into our bus fleet comes on top of the 3.5 billion we have invested into our bus network since 2020, protecting and improving bus routes into 2025 as well as extending the 2 bus fare cap until the end of 2024, made possible by reallocated HS2 funding."

Kent County Council received 9.5m as part of an initial round of funding under the scheme in 2021.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.

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New Jersey had the 17th highest median home value in America as of late 2023, but new home buyers looking to save money might have some luck keeping south in the Garden State.

Data from the National Association of Realtors show that median home values in counties close to the Philadelphia metropolitan area are roughly half the cost as homes in Bergen County  which can sell for upward of $607,000.

KW TCS South Jersey realtor, Tom Wenger, adds the under contract sign to one of his listings, in Evesham, in 2020. Recent data shows Southern New Jersey has some of the most affordable homes in the state.

The data uses the Census Bureau's American Community Survey of median housing prices for 3,112 counties and county equivalents across the U.S. Home values reflect the overall worth of all homes in a given area rather than solely home sales data, according to the association.

Homes in Mercer and Burlington counties were priced at about $388,410 and $344,320, respectively, but homes in Gloucester, Camden and Salem counties were between $40,000 to almost $100,000 less than those.

Cumberland County had the lowest price in the state at $214,400

A nut farm for $3M in Burlington County: What will $3 million get you in Burlington County? 1,000 nut trees and 150-plus acres

The table below shows what the median home value was in each county as of the third quarter of 2023 and provides the state and national ranking for that price.

Cost of living driving New Jerseyans out

The housing market in New Jersey seems to be trending positive right now, according to data from Realtor.com.

About 16 of 21 counties appeared on the 100 Hottest Markets list for February, including Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Mercer counties.

The number of new listings (7,262) is about 19% higher compared to last month while total listings (10,825) are up less than 1% over last month but down about 9% compared to last year.

According to a recent Monmouth University Poll, nearly half of New Jersey residents would like to leave the state over high taxes and a high cost of living overall.

About 48% of residents said they would like to leave New Jersey while about 26% of residents told researchers they were very likely to leave.

While that is a drop from almost 60% of residents who said they wanted to leave the state in 2022, a Monmouth University report notes that this weeks results have been consistent with polling responses going as far back as 2010.

One silver lining noted in the report is that most people who want to leave say they will wait for retirement, and New Jersey is implementing a new tax break meant to retain senior residents.

Affordable housing overhaul in NJ: Phil Murphy signs NJ affordable housing overhaul bill. Here's what it does

Starting in 2026, the Stay NJ program is expected to cut property taxes in half for almost all senior homeowners.

Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute, said the program might help retain a good amount of residents if the state can do a better job informing homeowners.

Hypotheticals in polling have to be taken with a grain of salt. However, these results suggest that the Stay NJ program will have at least some success meeting its goal of retaining a good number of senior homeowners who would otherwise leave the state, Murray said in a Monmouth news release.

Its worth noting that it will also have an impact on homeowners at the lower end of the income scale who dont plan to leave because it is simply not an option for them, Murray added.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Property taxes, cost of living driving out New Jersey homeowners
(Bloomberg) -- South Korea is tapping into a multinational framework to review export controls for sensitive products like semiconductor-related equipment, the countrys trade minister said, an approach that may complicate US efforts to curtail Chinas influence on technology supply chains.

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Washington is seeking to reduce Beijings access to advanced chip-making gear that could help it challenge the US for global influence. South Korea, a semiconductor powerhouse, has come under pressure because it is both a key America ally and relies on China as its biggest trading partner.

Trade Minister Cheong Inkyo told reporters Thursday that the government is engaged in discussions about which items should be subject to export controls through the Wassenaar Arrangement. China is not a member of the 42-country Wassenaar organization established in 1996 to bolster global security through non-proliferation agreements.

It will take months for South Korea to implement any curbs, he said. Export controls wouldnt necessarily mean a ban, he added.

The best thing would be to minimize repercussions on our domestic industries while fulfilling international obligations, he said.

Cheong emphasized South Korea isnt targeting China or any other country. He declined to confirm whether South Korea is holding talks separately with the US about chip-related export controls. Opting for a multilateral approach suggests a cautious stance among Korean policymakers about imposing curbs without wider consulation.

Read more: US Urges Allies to Squeeze China Further on Chip Technology

The minister said South Korea is exposed to an array of geopolitical risks and choke points and seeks to draw on its own strengths to ride them out. The country is among the largest exporters of technological devices embedded in global supply chains.

After taking up his position in January, Cheong visited Washington earlier this month for talks with senior officials, including Trade Representative Katherine Tai. South Korean companies including Samsung Electronics Co. have bolstered their presence in the US in recent years as Washington offers subsidies that could help attract foreign businesses away from China.

Cheong pointed to growing South Korean investment and manufacturing in the US and said that is likely to lead to more shipments of intermediate goods from his country. That means the gap between the US and China could continue to close as the destination for South Korean exports, he said.

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The Finnish government plans to allocate an additional 74 million euros in 2024 to accelerate the construction of a fence on the border with Russia, Azernews reports, citing the Finnish government site.

The measures to enhance border control taken following the closure of border crossing points and the centralisation of the submission of applications for international protection have caused and continue to cause additional costs to the Border Guard. An increase of EUR 12.174 million is proposed for the Border Guard to cover the additional costs of managing instrumentalised migration.

Additional funds will be realized by transferring the money reserved for 2025 to this year.

Finland has a 1,300-kilometer border with Russia. The total length of the border fence will be 200 km. The construction of the fence is expected to be completed in 2025-26. Its value will be 380 million euros.
(Bloomberg) -- Chicago, already reeling from population declines and the loss of key employers, is struggling to advance an $8.5 billion airport upgrade thats key to bolstering its status as a crucial air hub.

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The city unveiled the expansion plan for OHare International Airport in 2018, vowing to transform the aging hub into a global showcase. Six years later, the project is way behind schedule, projected to be billions over budget and still stuck.

Mayor Brandon Johnson, a progressive with less than a year in office, is embroiled in contentious talks to tame costs with the airports main partners, United Airlines Holdings Inc. and American Airlines Group Inc. The citys options include using cheaper materials and tweaking the design of the project, said people familiar with the matter.

The delays are threatening to deliver another blow to the third-largest US city as airports serving New York, Dallas-Fort Worth and Los Angeles have charged ahead with upgrades. At stake is the biggest part of OHares revamp: two satellite concourses and a glittering new Global Terminal designed by star architect Jeanne Gang that will bring domestic and international flights under one roof, facilitating passenger connections.

If Chicago doesnt proceed with the investment, then the concern is they just wont have the facilities and theyll just stagnate, said Seth Lehman, a senior director at Fitch Ratings. Thats not good for trying to build your economic base.

While the current terminal, which is also used by Delta Air Lines Inc., has already been upgraded, the Global Terminal and satellite concourses are $2 billion over budget as costs for everything from labor to construction materials have increased in the wake of the pandemic, said the people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be named because the talks are private.

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United and American, which both use OHare as a hub and together account for the lions share of the traffic, are on the hook for a large chunk of the escalating expenses.

In a statement, the Chicago city government said it presented an updated on-budget plan to the airlines last month with new proposed cost cuts. The savings are achieved chiefly by removing project scope not required by the 2018 agreement, it said. Details of the changes will be made public in the coming weeks.

In a letter to the city seen by Bloomberg, however, United and American said the savings of $1.5 billion were based on unilaterally prepared new cost estimates by the Chicago Department of Aviation. The carriers said the citys budget outlines lack credibility because they dont offer details on how the savings are achieved or have received construction bids or pricing for the project. The airlines also say the citys estimates leave zero margin for error, according to the letter.

Gangs architectural studio declined to comment. Her concept for the Global Terminal calls for wood-clad roof pleats, a dramatic six-pointed glass skylight and a form that evokes the branching Chicago River when seen from the air.

Transportation Hub

Chicagos role as a transportation crossroads has long propelled the citys rise. In the 19th century, it offered a water link between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River and later grew into the largest US rail hub. For most of the late 20th century, OHare ranked as the worlds busiest airport.

Nowadays, however, some parts of OHare are veritable museum pieces, said Joseph Schwieterman, director of the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development at Chicagos DePaul University. The standard for global airports is going up and weve fallen behind.

Gleaming hubs from Beijing to Dubai have left American airports feeling outdated, but OHare is at risk of lagging its US peers as well. Even New Yorks LaGuardia Airport, which Joe Biden compared to a third-world country when he was vice president, has been transformed by an $8 billion overhaul.

In Chicago, OHares 2018 expansion plan called for a 25% increase in capacity. Then came the pandemic, which devastated US airlines. They made it through thanks to billions of dollars in federal aid, but uncertainty swirled around the future of commercial aviation  hardly an ideal environment for an ambitious airport revamp.

Now, with air travel surpassing pre-pandemic levels, the urgency at OHare is increasing. While all parties plan to stick to the capacity increase, the goal for completing the overall airport revamp has slipped to 2032  six years after the initial target.

United and American have wrangled with Chicago before. They sued the city in 2011 to block part of a runway overhaul, saying officials had forged ahead without their approval. (The parties ultimately agreed to a scaled-back plan.)

The current OHare upgrade is hardly the only big airport project with cost overruns and delays. Last year, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey increased its funding authorization for renovating John F. Kennedy International Airport by $1 billion because of similar cost pressures. Similar risks loom over any big construction job, whether its the ongoing improvements at Los Angeles International or Dallas Fort Worth Internationals plans to build a new terminal.

But in Chicago, talks between the airlines and the city grew so acrimonious last year that some lawmakers and civic leaders worried theyd fall apart.

United bought land in Denver last year, fueling speculation the company would move its headquarters out of Chicago, although Chief Executive Officer Scott Kirby has ruled that out for now.

Meanwhile, negotiators in Chicago are looking for savings in the OHare project.

Options under discussion include tweaking parts of Gangs Global Terminal and the two satellite concourses, which are being designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, said people familiar with the matter. Changes to the order in which the various parts of the project will be built are on the table, while the city is also considering the use of cheaper materials, the people said.

A big concern for the airlines is avoiding any major disruptions to passenger experience, the people said. The carriers also want to make sure that the new concourses and the underground tunnels linking them to existing terminals start operating simultaneously, the people said. Having to ferry passengers around on buses would be an awkward stopgap.

Congressional Delegation

Amid these tensions, Illinois lawmakers including Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, as well as Representative Chuy Garcia, have sought intervention from Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

The airlines are now trying to deal directly with the city to reach a side agreement, Durbin said in an interview earlier this year. We need a third party, in this case the secretary of transportation, to be the arbiter.

The Department of Transportation is aware of the request and remains engaged, a spokesperson said.

OHares renovation is financed by city-issued bonds supported by landing fees, terminal rent and other charges paid by airlines, rather than by taxpayer dollars.

The funding model implies that any cost overruns could be passed along to travelers, making OHare a less appealing connection hub  a key concern given that more than half of United and American passengers flying into Chicago are in transit.

Already, OHares cost per enplaned passenger, a key yardstick for airlines, is among the nations highest, and more than twice that of other Midwestern airports in Detroit and Minneapolis-St. Paul, according to Fitch. The latter two hubs are significant bases for Delta, and a major increase in OHares costs would put United and American at a disadvantage and potentially make Chicago a less important hub.

If this project continues at its unsustainable rate, ticket prices will increase for passengers and more airlines could simply decide to reroute their flights through airports like Dallas, Charlotte, Denver, and elsewhere, said Jack Lavin, president of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. The impact on OHare, and subsequently Chicagoland, could be devastating.

--With assistance from Mary Schlangenstein, Miranda Davis, Daniela Sirtori-Cortina and Shelby Knowles.

(Updates with added airline comment in ninth paragraph.)

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The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency is proposing to turn over operation of a west Modesto health clinic to Golden Valley Health Centers as the county continues to reduce its health services for low-income residents.

The county agency also proposes to close its specialty clinic in the black-glass building on McHenry Avenue and stop providing physical rehabilitation services for the poor.

The county once was a major part of the health care safety net for the countys poorest residents but appears to be on track to completely relinquish that role. About 14% of the countys population lives below the poverty line and close to half rely on the states Medi-Cal system for their health care.

For years, the countys Paradise Medical Office, on Paradise Road, has provided access to healthcare for Modesto residents living west of Highway 99. It has almost 10,000 patients.

Golden Valley, a Merced-based nonprofit with a growing number of clinics in the Northern San Joaquin Valley, could begin operating the west Modesto clinic in July. The proposal is expected to be on the Board of Supervisors agenda Tuesday, asking the board to set a public hearing for April 16.

While the Paradise clinic could simply change from one provider to another, less is known about the ramifications of closing the countys medical specialty clinic and rehab services. The county hasnt decided whether an immunization clinic next to the Paradise office will remain in that location.

Dr. Silvia Diego, a former medical director for Golden Valley and a member of the state medical board, said the shrinking county health system is not a good development for the underserved in Stanislaus County.

I am very saddened to see that another big provider of healthcare for the poor and underserved is closing their doors, Diego wrote in an email. It shows the great need that we have in the Central Valley for primary care providers and more so in our area, where the most vulnerable patients live. The system of healthcare is shrinking and thats really what we need to take a look at as a community.

The countys Paradise clinic is a primary teaching site for family practice resident physicians trained through the Valley Consortium for Medical Education. The Health Services Agency proposes to turn over that role to Golden Valley Health Centers, along with the role of providing primary care for patients in west Modestos disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Mary Ann Lilly, director of the HSA, cited several reasons for turning over another safety-net clinic to an outside provider.

She said changes in state law and the Medi-Cal program, going back 15 years, have altered the purpose of the county Health Services Agency, which once had seven clinics serving the countys poorest residents.

After shedding the Paradise Medical Office, the county will have the McHenry Medical Office on Woodrow Avenue and the Family and Pediatric Health Center on Scenic Drive. The county Health Services Agency will focus resources on patient care teams and care management and also explore opportunities that arise through Medi-Cal reforms, a news release said.

The county news release Tuesday also said the Health Services Agency no longer would provide care for high-risk pregnancies, physical rehab and specialty services, effective July 1.

Drug use, poverty and health access issues elevate the rate of difficult pregnancies and premature births in the region.

Lilly noted that Golden Valley and county health services have been providing care for high-risk pregnancies, sometimes using the same obstetricians. That change should be neutral in terms of the community, Lilly said. We have the opportunity to refer (patients) to Golden Valleys resources.

Womens health and pediatrics will still be provided at the countys McHenry Medical Office.

Clinic staying open matters more than who runs it

Perfecto Munoz, chief executive officer for the West Modesto Community Collaborative, said that so far, he hasnt heard many concerns about Golden Valley absorbing the Paradise medical clinic. He said the main issue for the community is that the clinic stays open.

The value of Golden Valley being there is keeping the operation going, Munoz said. Without them, many of those families that go to the clinic would have to find services farther away from home.

He said many people walk or drive a short distance to the family-oriented clinic. This is a good opportunity for Golden Valley to give them a big footprint in the heart of an underserved community, Munoz said. And its a plus if they offer other kinds of services as a federally qualified health center.

Munoz said he hopes the county will maintain some oversight to ensure the healthcare at the Paradise clinic meets the same standards. He added that the county has begun to hold meetings to inform the community. He said Golden Valley should reach out to make connections.

Will the clinic add services?

Dr. Carrie Janiski, regional medical director of Golden Valley, said without a doubt the Paradise clinic will remain open after the county pulls out.

We plan to continue all services that are currently offered and will absolutely have discussions around other services than can be offered at that location, Janiski said. In addition to primary care, Golden Valleys system of health centers has vision and dental services, podiatry, mental health services, cardiology and care for allergies and kidney disease.

Representatives said the switch from county to Golden Valley operation could be done without a temporary closure of the west Modesto clinic or interruption of services.

Janiski said Golden Valley became a financial supporter of the Valley Consortium for Medical Education some years ago and began the process last year of hosting a teaching site for the family practice residents at a McHenry Avenue clinic. Now that theres a proposed agreement with the county, Golden Valley thinks it is best for the medical residents to keep training at the Paradise clinic.

County leaders could approve the agreement with Golden Valley after a public hearing next month.

County Supervisor Terry Withrow, who represents west Modesto, said the proposal should be positive for health care in the area. Golden Valley will be able to provide more services and more physicians, Withrow said.

The county Health Services Agency will have to satisfy bargaining obligations with union-represented staff at the Paradise clinic. Affected staff members will be offered other positions with the Health Services Agency.

In 2019, the county system of health clinics contracted when the Turlock and Hughson facilities were outsourced to Livingston Community Health and Golden Valley took over the countys clinic in Ceres.
Sir Keir Starmer has defended giving legal advice to a banned terrorist group in 2008, saying it is very important that everyone is represented.

The Labour leader acted on behalf of Hizb ut-Tahrir, an Islamist organisation, as it sought to overturn a German ban on its activities.

In December, The Telegraph revealed that Sir Keir submitted an application to the European Court of Human Rights in June 2008, a year after the Conservatives  then in opposition  began to demand the banning of Hizb ut-Tahrir.

In an interview with The Sun on Thursday, Sir Keir defended his actions as he confirmed that he had been paid for his defence of the group and pointed out that he had also prosecuted terrorists.

He said: I was chief prosecutor for five years. I prosecuted with my team nearly a million cases a year, including terrorists, murderers and drug dealers.

I was a lawyer before that and in the legal world, particularly if youre doing criminal law, you represent people you dont agree with. You know how it works in our legal system  it is very important that everybody is represented.

Sir Keir also compared his role in the case to that of a doctor, explaining that lawyers give legal advice, just as doctors treat patients.

The Home Office proscribed Hizb ut-Tahrir in January this year - Matthew Chattle/Future Publishing via Getty Images

The Home Office proscribed Hizb ut-Tahrir in January, with James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, describing the group as an anti-Semitic organisation that actively promotes and encourages terrorism.

Hizb ut-Tahrirs goal is to unite Muslims around the world under one Islamic caliphate. It has been linked to violent acts in a number of states and is banned in more than 10 countries, including Muslim-majority countries such as Bangladesh and Pakistan.

For months, Sir Keir has faced criticism for acting on its behalf. The issue has been raised repeatedly by Rishi Sunak, who first used it as an attack point at Prime Ministers Questions in January.

The Labour leader also hit back at claims that he failed to lock up Jimmy Savile while leading the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

He was head of the CPS when it decided not to prosecute Savile, who died in 2011, in 2009. It was revealed soon afterwards that Savile had been a prolific sex offender.

Sir Keir told The Sun that the Savile case had been weaponised by Boris Johnson, the former prime minister, who in 2022 accused him of having failed to convict Savile.

The Labour leader was surrounded by a mob outside Parliament shortly afterwards. He later said: You heard the way Boris Johnson put it to me. You saw what happened in the street just weeks later, when there was an incident with people coming over to me as a direct result of what he said.

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CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW)  The South Carolina Joint Bond Review Committee approved a land transfer between Santee Cooper and the city of Conway.

The more than 800-acre property was a former coal-fired power plant that includes Lake Busbee and the site of the Old Grainger Generating Station near Highway 501.

The city has plans for a marina, a beach, and to extend the Conway Riverwalk. The city wants to build around the current natural landscape of the site.

The property was used to power the Grand Strand for many decades until it was shut down in 2012. Since then, the city has worked to find ways to restore the land in an environmentally friendly way, while benefitting the city, residents and tourists.

City Administrator Adam Emrick said owning this property allows the city to keep the lands integrity intact.

This vista that is sort of unmatched anywhere in the county, it really is absolutely amazing, Emrick said. And when you see that youre like how do we make this available to everyone, how do we make this an asset that we can say this is Conway, this is what were proud of.

In August, the city released a conceptual plan including a mixed-use village, a 100-plus boat slip marina, an amphitheater, and a beach.

Then in September, Santee Cooper signed a letter of intent to transfer the property to the city. Tracy Vreeland is the spokesperson for Santee Cooper and said it looks forward to seeing what the city does with the land.

Were really excited to be able to give this land to Conway, Vreeland said. They have great plans for it. Its going to be something locals will really be able to enjoy.

Emrick said now that the Joint Bond Review Committee has approved the land transfer, it will complete the final transfer at the beginning of this summer.

Emrick said the city knows its taking on a former power plant and with that comes work that needs to be done, such as underground.

He added the city has no debt and plans to fund it from collected hospitality fees. Emrick believes this proposed project could be the future for the city of Conway.

What will the success of this public amenity do for the success of our downtown and the success of the city as a whole, Emrick said. I think that really is the exciting part for me is what will be next after this is done.

Emrick said construction could start as early as next year and open in 2026.

* * *

Adrianna Lawrence is a multimedia journalist at News13. Adrianna is originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and joined the News13 team in June 2023 after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2023. Keep up with Adrianna on Instagram, Facebook, and X, formerly Twitter. You can also read more of her work, here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping interacting during a welcoming ceremony at the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing on October 17, 2023. Sergei Savostyanov/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

Chinese banks are halting yuan transactions with Russia, an Izvestia report said, cited by Reuters.

It's a consequence of Western pressure on China, a Kremlin spokesperson said.

The US has increasingly touted secondary sanctions on foreign banks that work with Russia.

A number of Chinese banks are reported to have restricted payment transactions with Russia, prompting one Kremlin official to call out the West.

Ping An Bank and Bank of Ningbo have ceased facilitating yuan payments coming from Russia, according to an Izvestia newspaper report cited by Reuters. A number of separate lenders have also applied limited curbs on Russian dealings.

Western pressure is to blame, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov attested in a daily conference call with journalists.

"Of course, unprecedented pressure from the United States and the European Union on the People's Republic of China continues, including in the context of relations with us," he said, quoted by Reuters.

Russian clients first began noting payment difficulties in January, after the US extended its sanctioning power to target Russia-friendly institutions. After the December mandate, Washington has stepped up pressure on foreign banks worldwide, threatening dealers in Turkey and the United Arab Emirates with secondary sanctions.

It's even taken aim at Raiffeisen Bank International, a Western lender in Austria.

Fears of similar repercussions had already prompted three of China's Big Four state banks to halt payments from Russia at the start of the year.

It's a bad sign for Russia, whose dependency on Beijing has only increased since the Kremlin's war on Ukraine began in 2022. As the Western world has increasingly rejected Moscow, China has stepped in, and bilateral trade between the two countries exploded in 2023.

Still, China's willingness to comply with the West comes as its trade with the US is much greater than the one shared with Russia, First Group's Alexey Poroshin told Izvestia in February.

"This, of course, creates certain problems, but cannot become an obstacle to the further development of our trade and economic relations (with China)," Peskov said, referring to Western pressure.

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The man who shot and wounded a police officer in a Fort Lauderdale hotel room on Thursday had a history of arrests and mental health problems severe enough that police invoked Floridas touted red flag law to take his guns away two years ago. But that was only temporary.

Karl Chludinsky got them back last year  with no additional psychological screening required. And, armed and likely unstable, he was found dead after exchanging fire with police who burst through a barricaded door to confront him. The fatal encounter, which shut down traffic for hours as dozens of officers swarmed a hotel filled with tourists and spring breakers, was just the latest example of the limits of a Florida gun control law often cited as a national model.

READ MORE: Man who shot Fort Lauderdale cop had history of abuse, mental health issues: sources

Passed just three weeks after the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre that left 17 dead and 17 others severely injured, the states red flag law  even six years later  continues to be viewed as a potential blueprint by some other states. Two years ago, Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, a vocal critic of lax gun laws since the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre that took 26 lives, told ABC News that the law in Florida  adopted in a state with Republican political leadership is a signal of whats possible.

For the first time in Florida, the law tied the right to possess or own a weapon to mental health and spelled out the legal steps to take guns away under certain circumstances. Specifically, it provided police a path to ask a judge to bar anyone who might be considered a potential threat from possessing or purchasing firearms. Thats exactly what Margate Police did two years ago with Chludinsky after, records show, his mother and then-girlfriend found him with a gun in his mouth and called police.

Baker Act used in 2022

Chludinskys then-girlfriend and mother were so worried about his state of mind in January of 2022 that they took him to a behavioral health center. Margate police records show that the centers director contacted police and had him committed involuntarily under the Baker Act. Family members said hed been violent and hallucinating.

Diagnosed with unspecified psychosis and schizophrenia, Margate police were then granted what is known as a temporary risk protection order by a judge under Floridas red flag law, That allowed them to seize two handguns and a shotgun. When the order expired 15 months later, Chludinsky  as is permitted under the law  was allowed to retrieve the weapons. No additional or new mental health screening was required.

Though it now appears Chludinsky remained deeply troubled, Margate Police spokesman Lt. Michael Druzbik said Friday they agency did all it could do. The law doesnt require them to get clearance from a doctor before returning weapons.

I just thank God that he didnt harm anybody else and the officer obviously [doesnt have] life-threatening, serious injuries because that would have been terrible, he said.

Fort Lauderdale Police have not yet said whether the 46-year-old took his own life or was killed by gunfire from officers who broke into the Holiday Inn Express. Police had rushed to the hotel off the busy 17th Street Causeway because Chludinsky had allegedly called 911 and reported he had murdered a woman on a nearby roadway, a claim that police had not yet verified. Before he was killed, police said Chludinsky opened fire on a Fort Lauderdale police officer, who is expected to recover.

A Fort Lauderdale police officer was shot by a suspect near the Holiday Inn Express on Southeast 17th St. on Thursday morning, March 21, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Chludisnkys case and others underline that while the states red flag law focuses on mental health, it goes only so far. Under the law, police can seize weapons from anyone involuntarily committed  as Chludinsky was  with a judges order, which generally lasts anywhere from several weeks to a year.

But after the order expires and that person to retrieve weapons, the local law enforcement agency is only required to notify the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which must then conduct a criminal background check. If no crimes have been committed during the period, the law states that the guns must be given back.

Its nothing but a feel-good measure

Its not fool-proof, said Miramar Police Chief Delrish Moss, a former police chief in Missouri, which has no red flag laws. While its a good step, theres still the potential for something to happen.

Even some gun rights advocates find glaring holes in the law. Sean Caranna, founder of Florida Carry, says the risk protection orders issued by judges under the law are band-aids on a bigger problem. His group, which advocates for Second Amendment rights, has lobbied Tallahassee for increased funding for mental health.

Its nothing but a feel-good measure. Someone that dangerous should not be allowed back in society. I wouldnt let this person near pool chemicals or a car, let alone have a gun, said Caranna. Until we start locking up bad people and getting treatment and true community control for people who are insane, things wont change.

State Sen. Jason Pizzo, a Democrat whose district covers coastal MIami-Dade and Broward, said the latest shooting underlines that more than a criminal background check should be called to assure the safe return of firearms.

When were dealing with mental health, a simple criminal background check is not enough to ensure that the return of a persons firearms is safe, either for that persons own self or the public, he said. We need to make sure the courts are looking at mental health and substance abuse, and that they are doing so before a risk protection order expires.

State records show Chludinskys problems were lengthy. He had been arrested a number of times since 2006. Most of the charges were for illegal drugs and traffic violations. Hes also had six domestic violence complaints filed against him, ranging from sexual assault to battery. His ex-wife told the Miami Herald that he long struggled with drug and mental health problems.

It remained unclear Friday whether weapons Margate police returned to Chludinsky were used in the hotel shootout or if he had acquired new ones since.

A Fort Lauderdale police officer was shot near the Holiday Inn Express Fort Lauderdale Cruise Airport on Southeast 17th Street on Thursday morning, March 21, 2024. Bullet holes can be seen in the window above the pool deck at the hotel. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Parkland shooting led to law

The risk protection order provision was just one piece of a much larger gun reform package signed into Florida law just three weeks after the Feb. 14, 2018 Parkland high school massacre. The bill also included about $400 million for school security and mental health resources. The age for owning a rifle or shotgun gun was raised to 21 and a three-day waiting period to purchase rifles was put in place. This year, a proposal passed by the Florida House to drop the age back to 18, failed.

The law has been used thousands of times since it was implemented and a number of studies have shown it has cut down suicide rates and domestic murders. Still, it has holes. That was abundantly clear in the case of suspected Miami serial killer Willie Maceo, who had his weapons seized by law enforcement a year before he became the suspect in a string of murders.

Miami Police records show that more than a year before he caught the agencys attention, his parents called 911 and said their bipolar son was acting strangely inside their Kendall home. They told police he had refused to take medication and rambled on about conspiracies while repeatedly racking the slide of his Glock 9mm pistol. After a psychiatric evaluation, a judge gave police permission to seize Maceos Glock.

Eighteen months after Maceo retrieved the Glock, Miami Police say it was used to shoot two homeless men in Wynwood, one of whom died. Current court records show Maceo, who had no previous criminal history, is awaiting trial for only one of the murders.

The alleged murders and Maceos arrest made national headlines. But it also clearly illustrated the difficulties police have in trying to pre-empt grievous crimes, even with red flag laws in place.

Fred Guttenberg, whos been outspoken about the dangers of gun violence since his 14-year-old daughter Jaime Guttenberg was killed in the Parkland shooting, said even though Florida has some of the better gun laws in the country, more work can be done. On Saturday, coincidentally, Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to visit the long shuttered school building, which has finally been scheduled for demolition. Her office says gun safety will be one of her topics.

Doing everything we can to get weapons back to the people as soon as possible is a mistake, Guttenberg said. We cant ignore the reality that weve armed so many people to the point that we have to get weapons away from dangerous people.
First-ever hackathon showcases innovative and unique solutions to challenging sustainability challenges

PARIS, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Europe  The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), which builds sustainable ecosystems for cloud native software, today announced the first, second, and third-place winners of CloudNativeHacks .

CNCF is the open source, vendor-neutral hub of cloud native computing, hosting projects like Kubernetes and Prometheus to make cloud native universal and sustainable. (PRNewsfoto/Cloud Native Computing Foundation)

During KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Europe 2024, CNCF, in collaboration with the United Nations, hosted its first-ever hackathon, CloudNativeHacks, to focus on advancing the delivery of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sponsored by Heroku , the aim was for individuals and teams to develop a proof of concept to help support these development goals, working together to solve pressing issues and contribute meaningfully to creating a better, more sustainable world.

CloudNativeHacks Winners

First place: Team Urban Unity - Carolina Lindqvist and Syed Ali Raza Zaidi, which addresses SDG 11 : Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 17 : Partnerships for the Goals.

Team Urban Unity from Switzerland and the UK developed a proof of concept for a platform that democratizes urban planning policies. They created a map where urban planners can drop a pin if they want to create a new building, but perhaps the local neighbors want to create a park and so can provide feedback about it. It is a platform for the people and run by the people.

Second place: Team Forrester - Radu-Stefan Zamfir, Alex-Andrei Cioc, George-Alexandru Tudurean, which addresses SDG 13 : Climate Action and SDG 15 : Life on Land.

Team Forrester, from Romania, developed an app that spreads awareness and handles automatic detection and monitoring of deforestation globally, leveraging AI, open source software, and publicly available data such as satellite imagery.

Third place: Team Potato - Inhwan Hwang, Sungjin Hong, and Myeonghun Yu which addresses SDG 5 : Gender Equality and SDG 11 : Sustainable Cities and Communities

Story continues

Team Potato from Korea developed a project that creates a crowd-guarded route, a collaborative map using luminance to gauge the safety of a chosen walking path.

"As we celebrate ten years of Kubernetes, it has been an honor to see #TeamCloudNative come together to use cloud native technologies to help create a more sustainable future," said Arun Gupta, Vice President and General Manager, Open Ecosystem at Intel and Chairperson of the Governing Board for CNCF. "I am so proud of the participants and want to congratulate the winners."

"Congratulations to the winners of the first-ever CloudNativeHacks event," said Priyanka Sharma, Executive Director of the Cloud Native Computing Foundation. "It was inspiring to see the diverse and innovative ideas and I am thrilled that cloud native technologies were the building blocks for creating applications that help impact our world for generations to come."

"As a technology that accelerates the development of applications, it is great to support the first ever CloudNativeHacks and see applications that help with the sustainability of our planet built in just two days," said Bob Wise, CEO of Heroku. "We look forward to seeing how these applications can change the future."

The hackathon was presided over by a panel of judges from the cloud native community and the United Nations, including:

Carlos Arango Gutierrez, Senior Systems software engineer at NVIDIA

Erin Boyd, Distinguished Engineer, Director of Emerging Technologies at Red Hat

Kelsey Hightower, Distinguished Software Engineer and Developer

Rajas Kakodkar Senior Member, Technical Staff, VMware

Omar Mohsine Open Source Program Office, United Nations

Alena Prokharchyk, Principal Software Engineer at Apple

Winners received $10,000, $5,000, and $2,500 respectively.

Additional Resources

About Cloud Native Computing Foundation

Cloud native computing empowers organizations to build and run scalable applications with an open source software stack in public, private, and hybrid clouds. The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) hosts critical components of the global technology infrastructure, including Kubernetes, Prometheus, and Envoy. CNCF brings together the industry's top developers, end users, and vendors, and runs the largest open source developer conferences in the world. Supported by more than 800 members, including the world's largest cloud computing and software companies, as well as over 200 innovative startups, CNCF is part of the nonprofit Linux Foundation. For more information, please visit www.cncf.io .

The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks and uses trademarks. For a list of trademarks of The Linux Foundation, please see our trademark usage page. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.

Media Contact

Jessie Adams-Shore

The Linux Foundation

PR@CNCF.io

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SOURCE Cloud Native Computing Foundation
Mays local elections  the campaign for which the Conservatives launched today  are likely to be a severe test indeed for Rishi Sunak. With support for the Tories slipping in the polls, he will be trying to defend one of Boris Johnsons high watermarks. However, there may be some relief if, in many instances, Reform are not on the ballot paper.

There is some kind of local contest throughout England and Wales this May. Elections for local council seats are being held in 107 of the 285 councils in England outside London, with just over 2,600 seats at stake. London, meanwhile, will be electing its Mayor and London Assembly. Many a major urban conurbation outside of London, such as the West Midlands, Greater Manchester and Merseyside, will be electing a metro mayor too. Meanwhile most of England and all of Wales will be balloting for a Police and Crime Commissioner.

With the exception of 38 of the local councils, all these elections are for positions that were last contested in May 2021. At that time, thanks to a boost to Conservative fortunes following the speedy rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, the party was six points ahead of Labour in the polls. In the local ballot boxes, it enjoyed a net gain of 13 councils and a little over 200 council seats  a rare accomplishment for an incumbent government. Indeed, the same day Boris Johnson won Hartlepool from Labour in a parliamentary by-election.

Now the picture is very, very different. At 23%, the Conservatives average rating in the polls is even lower than in the immediate wake of Liz Truss downfall. The party trails Labour by 21 points. It is also seemingly haemorrhaging support to Reform on 12%.

True, not everyone votes in local elections in the same way as they would in a general election. The Liberal Democrats always perform better than their current national poll rating, while the Greens have become a more important force in local elections too.

However, the swing between one set of local elections and the next is typically similar to that in the polls. By the time of last years local elections, the polls were on average recording a 10% swing from Conservative to Labour since May 2021. The performance of the parties in the local ballot boxes was the equivalent of an 8% swing, only a little below that in the polls.

Now the polls are pointing to as much as a 13 point swing as compared with May 2021. So significant Conservative losses would seem inevitable.

A 10% swing in the Police & Crime Commissioner elections could see the Conservatives lose 10 of the 29 positions they currently hold. Despite his high personal profile, Andy Street, the Conservative Mayor in the West Midlands will have a difficult fight on his hands, while Ben Houchen will be reliant on retaining his very substantial personal vote in Tees Valley. The party could also record its worst ever result in over twenty years of London Assembly elections. Hopes that the Tory standard bearer for London Mayor, Susan Hall, could pose a serious challenge to the Labour incumbent, Sadiq Khan, have long since evaporated.

In the local council elections, in most cases (81 councils), only one-third of the seats are up for grabs. That makes a change of council control less likely, while in half of these councils Labour are already in control. But unfortunately for the Conservatives the councils where all the seats are up for grabs are disproportionately ones where the party is defending control. Although in these instances sometimes the seats at stake were last contested in the leaner years of 2022 or 2023, the party could still lose control of half or dozen or so of the 16 councils where it is currently in command.

There is one potential silver lining for the Conservatives: Reform have said they are not contesting the Police and Crime elections. It remains to be seen how many local council candidates the party is able to stand. Last year it contested just one in thirteen of the wards, winning just 0.5% of the vote. Mr Sunak will be hoping Reform largely sit out this election too  and that consequently their supporters opt to return to the Tory fold.

John Curtice is Professor of Politics, Strathclyde University, and Senior Research Fellow, National Centre for Social Research. He is also co-host of the Trendy podcast

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.
Remarkable almost doesnt feel like a big enough word to quantify Shirley Chisholm. The Brooklyn-born politician was not only the first Black woman ever to be elected to United States Congress, but also the first Black woman to ever have a real, conceivable shot at the American presidency, earning a considerable amount of primary election votes and presidential delegates along the way. And though she ultimately did not win the Democratic partys nomination in 1972, Chisholms bid for the presidency was momentous and impactful, paving the way for countless other politicians intent on making real change to an unvarying system.

Such an extraordinary legacy merits an equally exceptional movie, but Shirley, which streams on Netflix March 22, is far from the phenomenal biopic that Chisholm deserves. The film is frustratingly myopic, focusing solely on Chisholms presidential run, instead of probing the full life of its accomplished subject. This narrow account inadvertently diminishes Chisholms broad influence, keeping its audience at a distance when Chisholms undaunted spirit should be sweeping us up. But perhaps worst of all is that its not the vehicle it could be for star Regina King, whose portrayal of Chisholm feels more like a decent imitation than a potent piece of character work. Shirley is messy, makeshift, and pedantic, as though it werent a film but a cobbled-together starter kit for political history beginners.

Granted, everyones got to start somewhere when it comes to the vast expanse of American politics. But Shirley doesnt serve as a compelling enough jumping-off point for any political science newbies to get hooked on the subject. The film hurries through a brief rundown of Chisholms political history, beginning with her election to Congress in 1968. She and the other members of the 91st Congress pose for a group photo on the steps of the Capitol, just next to a massive green screen rendering of the building. Its not surprising that the production couldnt get clearance to film at the actual United States Capitol, but seeing this shotjust two minutes into the movieis an unfortunate omen of Shirleys mystifying stylistic construction.

Glen Wilson/Netflix

The film is backlit to the hilt, washing out its characters in nearly every shot, and its muted color palette does little to contribute to the movies visual vibrancy. A film about Chisholms most notable political accomplishment should warrant an appealing aesthetic. But the decision to fill the screen with muted, predictable 1970s earth tones and dull color grading keeps Shirley hindered by a stagnancy its subject never suffered. Whats more, the anamorphic lenses the film is shot with make several frames look downright sillyeven if they are in line with the way so many other Netflix originals are filmed. Does Shirley Chisholms overdue, star-studded biopic really need to be shot like The Witcher? The films inane visual palette distracts from the talent on display and the storys political zeal, making Chisholm look like shes about to battle Scott Pilgrim, not fight for the future of America.

That puzzling mode of filmmaking could be forgivable if writer-director John Ridleys script was more persuasive than his direction. But Shirleys chronological timeline represents the worst tendencies that filmmakers have when constructing biopics. Following Chisholms campaign for presidentwhich, again, is just a fascinating yet brief blip in a larger political legacyfrom beginning to end is tiresome. Describing the intricacies of the plot would be to take an erudite approach to Chisholms Wikipedia page. Its difficult to expand upon any of the films beats because the movie is simply so formulaic, which is precisely why its so baffling. Ridley prefers to hop along the sequential headlines in Chisholms presidential run, never taking enough time to peer at the woman hes studying. We rarely get the introspection we crave; instead, Ridley is content with serving up banal moments of racist and sexist derision from the media and Chisholms fellow candidates, expecting the viewer to determine how this might affect Chisholms mindset rather than showing us its impact.

Palm Royale Is Kristen Wiigs Best Work Since Bridesmaids

There are hints of Chisholms interiority here, but they are merely passing glimpses. We see her seated in silence, facing away from the camera, digesting news for just a moment. We catch her stalwart determination starting to fire its cylinders, only for Ridley to cut away to the next scene, taking the power King was just beginning to exhibit on screen with him. Even King, who has the chops to make this into a career-defining role, cant seem to figure out what to do with her character. Her portrayal is all over the map, with Chisholms slight Bajan-Brooklyn accent causing King to slip when she should soar. King seems preoccupied with nailing the right dialect, and that fixation keeps her from delivering her dialogue with much potency. Still, she is the glue that holds this film together, an engrossing enough presence on camera to maintain an audiences interest regardless.

Other characters are faced with the same fate under Ridleys direction. Terrence Howard has little to do as community leader Arthur Hardwick, Jr.who married Chisholm after her bid for the presidencyother than shoot a few loving glances toward King. The late, great Lance Reddick spends one of his final roles, as political organizer Wesley Holder, dictating the importance of outreach in Chisholms campaign, which Ridley never manages to convey in the film.

Biopics are a tough genre to nail, and there are far more middling ones than there are memorable ones. Filmmakers are tasked with finding the right balance between telling viewers about history and showing its impact, and Ridley buckles under that pressure right out of the gate. Hard-won victories in Chisholms campaign dont feel celebratory, and setbacksalong with her eventual resignation from the presidential racearent emotionally impactful. The film cant even be called tonally uneven, because it doesnt have a tone to begin with. It is simply a series of events, playing out in sequence. King does her damnedest to bring as much rich character depth to this thinly written portrayal of Chisholm, but even an actor as massively talented as her cant rescue a floundering script. At times, it almost hurts to watch Shirley fall back on more mawkish sentimentality when it should be aiming to fire up a new generation of young American voters.

Glen Wilson/Netflix

We simply have to ask more of our biopics. It is not enough to cast a few great actors and supply them with a mediocre script. There should be reasons for telling a story when its being told, and, especially in the case of Chisholm, an effort to underline precisely why her history-making political tenure remains so important. For a passion project, Shirley is mysteriously lacking in enthusiasm, never reaching the heights of Uzo Adubas wonderful Emmy-winning portrayal of Chisholm in 2020s Mrs. America.

In its final 11 minutes, Shirley finally manages to find some emotional center. But that brief resonance quickly dissipates to make way for a jarring ending that only affirms the films tepid aspirations. I havent seen a biopic more ready-made to be shown in high school history classes on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, when both teachers and students are already checked out. Shirley is merely a piece of the curriculum, a broad and unsatisfactory depiction of an undervalued political powerhouse. While this storys existence on a massive platform is certainly vital, whether or not viewers make it past the first hour awake is another story altogether.

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Attention is already focusing on the top of the ticket for Novembers election, but in Raleigh there will also be a dramatic contest at the bottom of the ballot  the vote for mayor.

A change in Raleighs election schedule adopted in 2021 means this will be the first time that Raleigh voters will choose its mayor  as well as the other seven members of its City Council  in a presidential election year.

The change will bring vastly more voters to what had been until 2022 low-turnout, odd-year municipal elections. The winner will be determined by a plurality without a runoff.

It will be a lot of people voting who may have never voted in a Raleigh city election, former Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane told me. Its kind of untested.

The mayors race that will unfold amid the clamor of both presidential and gubernatorial campaigns also will offer strong choices.

Terrance Ruth, an N.C. State professor who drew more than 40 percent of the vote in his 2022 challenge to Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin, is running again. City Council member Corey Branch is making a bid. Janet Cowell, chief executive officer of the Dix Park Conservancy and a former City Council member, state lawmaker and state treasurer, is a formidable candidate. Other candidates are Paul Fitts, Delmonte Crawford and James Shaughnessy IV.

Baldwin raised funds last fall but is waiting until April to announce whether shell run again. She will have to think hard about entering a race in which she would face Ruth and Cowell, who has the support of two popular former mayors, McFarlane and Charles Meeker.

This mayors race will, as always, be nonpartisan and less influenced by the top of the ticket. The fact that there is not a R or D by (candidates names)  which is the way it should be  that confuses people, McFarlane said. Its up to the candidates to make people know who they are voting for.

The mayoral race likely will turn on how voters feel about Raleighs direction. Is it flourishing, or is it losing its appeal as a smaller city with affordable housing, good services and relatively low taxes?

McFarlane, who served as mayor from 2011 to 2019, said Raleigh has planned well and channeled growth, but the pressure of a growing population creates tensions over services and complaints about commercial development and multifamily housing pushing into neighborhoods of single-family homes.

You create a great product and everybody wants it, and the question is how do you keep it a great product? she said. People move here and say, I dont want anything to change. Well, it changed because you moved here.

McFarlane said the city government needs to improve how it speaks to residents  and how it listens to them  about zoning changes that encourage denser development. Theres a general feeling this is springing up here and this is springing up there and all of the sudden you can build anything anywhere, she said. People got really caught off guard.

Despite the citys growth, Meeker said it feels like Raleighs government has fumbled too often. He pointed to the citys slow response to deteriorating conditions downtown, its mishandling of parade rules and the loss of the annual IBMA bluegrass festival. I dont feel like things are going that well and its time for some new leadership, he said.

Meeker, who presided over the revitalization of downtown during five terms as mayor from 2001 to 2011, said the city also lacks big goals. There hasnt been a big project since Moore Square, a downtown park renovation that was completed in 2019, he said.

Baldwin declined to comment for this column, but she has successfully guided the city through the pandemic and presided over rapid growth since becoming mayor in 2019.

This historic municipal election of the entire City Council to two-year terms is likely to be the last. City leaders favor switching to staggered four-year terms starting in 2026. But the sweeping vote this November will set the course for a changing Raleigh for years to come.

Associate opinion editor Ned Barnett can be reached at 919-404-7583, or nbarnett@ newsobserver.com
Palestinians inspect rubble of a destroyed house belongs to the Tawabta family after an Israeli air strike, which resulted in a large number of deaths and injuries. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa

More than two-thirds (69%) of Germans do not consider Israel's military action in Gaza to be justified in view of the many civilian casualties, according to the results of a new survey published on Friday.

Of 1,296 people polled for the ZDF broadcaster, 87% also said the West should exert more pressure on Israel to improve the supply of food and medicine to the population in the Gaza Strip. Only 7% did not agree with this statement.

On Monday, the United Nations warned of an imminent famine in the sealed off coastal territory.

The survey was conducted by the Wahlen (elections) research group from March 19 to 21 and is regarded as being representative of the electorate.

In addition, only 7% of respondents are confident that the fighting will come to an end in the coming weeks, while 89% doubt this.

The Gaza war was triggered by a massacre carried out by terrorists from Palestinian militant group Hamas and other extremist groups in southern Israel on October 7. More than 1,200 people were killed on Israel's side, prompting a massive counter-offensive by the country's air and ground forces.

The Hamas-controlled health authority in Gaza reports that more than 31,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war.

According to Israel, the aim of the Gaza war is to destroy Hamas and free an estimated 100 still-living hostages from the terrorist organization.
LUMBERTON, N.C. (WBTW)  Lumberton police have identified a man they say kidnapped two young children Thursday afternoon at a local motel.

The children, ages 1 and 4, reportedly were taken just before 4 p.m. from the Econo Lodge motel. Police said their mother called 911 to report the kidnapping after she took the children to the motel with her to return items to Lemons after a recent breakup.

Thats when Lumberton police said Shiferaw Lemons, 24, of Lumberton, pulled the woman out of the car and then drove off with the children. He is facing more than a dozen charges from two law enforcement agencies.

The charges by Lumberton police include two counts of first-degree kidnapping; larceny of a motor vehicle; two counts of assault on a female; communicating threats; and injury to real property. Johnston County authorities have charged him with fleeing/eluding arrest with a motor vehicle; speeding; reckless driving with wanton disregard; no operators license; two counts of misdemeanor child abuse; improper passing on the right; unsafe lane change; and child not in a rear seat.

After the alleged kidnapping, investigators immediately began gathering information about the suspects vehicle and contacted law enforcement partners in surrounding areas, along with the North Carolina Highway Patrol and the FBI, police said.

An Amber Alert was about to be issued when members of the highway patrol spotted the vehicle, police said. The suspect fled from troopers and deputies with the Johnston County Sheriffs Office deputies before he eventually crashed along Interstate 440 in Johnston County.

He was taken to the hospital to be checked out and then taken to the Johnston County Detention Center police said.

The children were taken to the hospital and later released. Count on News13 for updates.

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.

* * *

Taylor Ford is a digital journalist for News13. She joined the News13 team in January 2023. Taylor is a Florence native and covers the Pee Dee out of News13s Florence Bureau. Read more of Taylors work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
As gray clouds gathered and light rain began falling Friday morning onto the Louisville Fire Department Training Academy, the smell of cooking steak and the sound of laughter drifted through the air.

In the middle of the parking lot, the Louisville Fire Department, members of the Mayor's Office  including Mayor Craig Greenberg and Deputy Mayor David James  along with employees from Sysco gathered to share a meal under big, white tents.

Three weeks ago, an accident on the George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge left a Sysco semitruck dangling off the edge, the driver stuck inside. Louisville Fire and Rescue worked together to lower firefighter Bryce Carden in a harness from a ladder truck to reach the trailer's driver, secure her and lift her back onto the bridge deck.

More: A team, a plan and a rescue: Louisville firefighters a week after semi-truck crash

The driver is doing well, said Carden, who recently spoke with her in person at Sysco. She is recovering with her family but is looking forward to getting back to driving soon.

Sysco CEO Kevin Hourican awards Louisville Fire with $20,000. Behind him are members of Truck 1/ Engine 2 and Engine 5/ Tower 2, that included Bryce Carden, who helped to rescue a Sysco driver whose tractor-trailer was dangling over the Ohio River after an accident on the Second Street Bridge. Friday, March 22, 2024

To thank her rescuers, Sysco hosted a celebration for the department, donated more than 1,500 pounds of food to stock the department's pantries, gave restaurant gift cards to each member of the fire department and donated $20,000 for the annual Louisville Fire Department award and retiree celebration.

"I can't think of a more incredible moment than the opportunity to share food together," said Sysco Chief Executive Officer Kevin Hourican, whose uncle was a fire chief on Long Island in New York and a first responder on 9/11.

Sysco, based in Texas, held a lunch for the department Friday with steak, shrimp, salmon, mashed potatoes, green beans and many other sides and desserts. Company chefs from Louisville, Indianapolis and Cincinnati worked together to cook the meal, starting preparations Thursday and waking up early Friday morning to put bourbon caramel bread pudding in the oven, said Indianapolis-based Sysco culinary specialist Nathan White.

Sysco CEO Kevin Hourican speaks with members of Truck 1/ Engine 2 and Engine 5/ Tower 2, that included Bryce Carden, who helped to rescue a Sysco driver whose tractor-trailer was dangling over the Ohio River after an accident on the Second Street Bridge. Friday, March 22, 2024

Behind the tents full of food sits the tower firefighters practice "pickoff" operations on  the very same technique they used to rescue the Sysco driver March 1.

"What's the price of a life worth?" Hourican said. "You can't compute it. You can't put a dollar amount behind it. But the $20,000 contribution to the fire department as well as the meal we'll celebrate today and the gift cards to support local Sysco customers  it's one very small gesture to communicate our appreciation."

Louisville Fire Chief Brian O'Neill was stunned by the amount the company donated.

"I had no idea it was gonna be that much," he said.

O'Neill emphasized the importance of food in the fire department. Firefighters spend a third of their lives in the firehouse and often cook meals for one another.

"We take care of each other, we feed each other," O'Neill said. "In fact, when I graduated from this academy 23 years ago, my first captain didn't ask, 'Do you know how to lay a line? Do you know how to throw a ladder?' He asked, 'Do you know how to cook? Because you got to be able to cook for the crew.'"

In addition to the food, the company is also donating kitchen appliances like food processors and mixers, Sysco Chief Administrative Officer Neil Russell said.

There are about 500 members of Louisville Fire and they respond to approximately 50,000 incidents a year.

Reach reporter Eleanor McCrary at EMcCrary@courier-journal.com or at @ellie_mccrary on X, formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Sysco donates $20,000 to Louisville Fire Department
The Morehouse College Glee Club and the Spelman College Glee Club perform with The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square at their weekly Sunday broadcast of "Music & the Spoken Word" at the Salt Lake Tabernacle in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Derrick Porter, 42, of Bountiful, Utah, will serve as the new executive producer, principal writer and presenter of the Spoken Word, the First Presidency announced Friday, March 22, 2024.

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Squares venerated weekly program, Music & the Spoken Word, will have a new announcer for the first time in 34 years this summer.

Derrick Porter, 42, will be the new executive producer, principal writer and presenter of Music & the Spoken Word, replacing Lloyd Newell, who has served for the past 34 years and is retiring to serve as a mission president for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The First Presidency named Porter as Newells replacement in a news release issued Friday.

This kind of announcement is very rare, considering that during the past three decades weve all become accustomed to hearing Lloyd Newell on Sunday mornings, said the churchs Presiding Bishop, Gerald Causse, adviser to the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. We are thrilled about the future of this program and know it will continue to bring peace and hope in a troubled world through its music and messages each week.

Music & the Spoken Word, a weekly Sunday morning broadcast featuring the choir and words of inspiration from the presenter, is the worlds longest-running broadcast.

The show has had three regular announcers in a history that is closing in on a century of broadcasting:

Richard L. Evans, 1930-71.

Spence Kinard, 1972-1990.

Lloyd Newell, 1990-2024.

Porter will be the fourth.

Porter lives in Bountiful, Utah, with his wife, Rebecca. They are the parents of six children. He currently serves as a bishop in his local congregation.

Rebecca and I marveled as weve reflected upon this call extended by President Nelson, Porter said in the news release. I am sincerely humbled at the opportunity to serve as a steward to carry on this great legacy.

"Music & the Spoken Word," the weekly Sunday morning broadcast featuring @TheTabChoir, has had 3 regular announcers:

 Richard L. Evans, 1930-71

 Spence Kinard, 1972-1990

 Lloyd Newell, 1990-2024

Newell is retiring next summer to serve as a mission president. #TadBits @Deseret pic.twitter.com/f9LVslu9f7  Tad Walch (@Tad_Walch) December 14, 2023

Newell and his wife, Karmel, have been called to serve as mission leaders for the California Los Angeles Mission and will begin their service in mid-June.

What an honor and blessing to begin every Sunday morning with The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square for more than half my life, Newell said in the release. I cant begin to capture the many meaningful moments I have shared with the Choir. It has been a sacred trust to prepare and deliver inspirational Spoken Words over so many years, and now my wife and I look forward to serving the Lord in new ways.

Choir President Michael O. Leavitt expressed appreciation for Newells service and optimism for the future of Music & the Spoken Word.

We express our gratitude to Lloyd, who served as someone trusted and admired by millions who have become accustomed to his soothing voice and trademark wisdom on Sunday morning, Leavitt said in the release. We are delighted for the Newells and their new assignment. Derrick represents the beginning of a new era for Music & the Spoken Word, and we have plans that will help carry the messages from this beloved program to people throughout the world in new and exciting ways.

Newells final Sunday broadcast with the choir will be June 16. Porter will deliver his first Music & the Spoken Word message the following week, June 23, the release said.
It was March 2016. Wisconsins Republican primary was just days away, and the GOP establishment was making a desperate last attempt to block Donald Trump from the Republican nomination.

Related: Rightwing effort to oust Wisconsins Republican assembly speaker falters

Vicki McKenna, a popular Wisconsin-based conservative talkshow host, had just spent 25 minutes grilling Trump on policy when she turned to Trumps decision to mock the physical appearance of Ted Cruzs wife, Heidi. So, no more wife-bashing? she asked. When Trump tried to excuse the attack, she wouldnt let it go: How about this: how about wives and kids, off-limits?

Trump began to push back again  then decided better. Best of luck to you, Vicki. Best of luck, he said before a click.

He just hung up on me, McKenna said after a long pause. Thats OK, he gave me 25 minutes. That was fun.

Charlie Sykes, who was then the states biggest conservative radio star on the Milwaukee-area station WTMJ, told Trump in another contentious interview that he was like a 12-year-old bully on the playground.

Dan ODonnell, an up-and-coming host at the Milwaukee station WISN, piled on, posting on Twitter that Sykes was making Trump sound foolish on pretty much every answer. My goodness, does he sound like a blithering idiot. His colleague Mark Belling joined the on-air crusade, calling Trump the biggest wussy of all time.

The coalition of Wisconsin conservative radio hosts collectively held Trumps feet to the fire, helping deal him his final major loss of the 2016 primary season.

All of us were anti-Trump, said Sykes. Everybody.

Thats all gone. Sykes left his radio show, abandoning Wisconsins airwaves for more moderate national outlets. His former colleagues, meanwhile, have come around to embracing the former president and platforming Maga leaders in Wisconsin  including figures on the rightwing fringes of the movement. Some have gone even further, amplifying accusations of voter fraud in Wisconsin in the wake of the 2020 election and doubling down in the years since.

With the 2024 election quickly approaching, Wisconsins stars of rightwing talk radio have continued to raise doubts about elections administration in the state  while painting the criminal cases Trump faces for attempting to overturn his loss four years ago as unwarranted and undemocratic.

In November 2020, weeks after the Wisconsin election was called for Joe Biden and four years after her aggressive interview with Trump, McKenna attended a stop the steal rally in suburban Milwaukee.

You all should have been there! she wrote on Twitter afterward. Easily a couple of thousand at MAGA protest in Tosa. #ProudBoys held the perimeter.

In a selfie accompanying the post, McKenna grinned next to the former Milwaukee county sheriff David Clarke, a rightwing mini-celebrity and Trump ally who has promoted antisemitic conspiracy theories and advocated vigilante violence against his political opponents (among them, Black Lives Matter protesters and social media companies). Clarke also guest-hosted WISNs The Mark Belling Show  inviting Enrique Tarrio, the Proud Boys leader, to take over the airwaves two weeks after the 2020 presidential election. Tarrio was sentenced three years later to 22 years in prison on terrorism charges for his role in spurring on the January 6 Capitol riot.

In response to a question about Clarkes role as a guest host, Belling wrote: Our station policy is to allow the guest hosts to choose their content. I have zero involvement or knowledge of what they talk about as they report to station management, not me.

McKenna did not respond to requests for comment. ODonnell initially agreed to an interview but did not answer a call or subsequent requests to schedule one.

ODonnell has often threaded a tricky rhetorical needle, distancing himself from Trumps brazen and false claim that the 2020 election was stolen while nonetheless sharing anecdotal and unsourced claims of voter fraud and presenting the Trump campaigns legal theories credulously and without context.

Shortly before January 6, ODonnell described a last-ditch lawsuit from GOP attorneys general to delay the elections certification as a long shot  before calling for an even more aggressive solution. The only equitable remedy, said ODonnell, is to rerun the elections. During testimony to Wisconsins GOP-controlled state assembly shortly after the election, ODonnell insisted the hearing most certainly is not about overturning the election results  then went on to recount case after case of alleged voter fraud that had occurred in nursing homes during the presidential election, citing the anonymous accounts of relatives of nursing home residents.

The idea that voting fraud was rampant in nursing homes has ever since been a centerpiece in conspiracy theories about the 2020 election in Wisconsin  despite subsequent investigations yielding no evidence of a plot.

In a 2020 opinion column, Belling echoed the false claims of far-right groups who had focused their sights on the states bipartisan elections commission. The Wisconsin Election [sic] Commission is a tool of the Democratic Party, wrote Belling. This commission facilitated the mail-in ballot fiasco that magically found 250,000 more Biden votes than Hillary Clinton received in 2016.

Ken Chesebro and Jim Troupis, two conservative attorneys who helped formulate the Trump teams attempt to overturn the election results with fake electors, saw Wisconsins far-right talk radio hosts as key allies in spreading their bogus theories, emails and texts released in a March court settlement show.

McKenna needed no convincing.

My friend Jim Troupis  Jim Troupis, friend of show, frequent guest on this program  is the lawyer in charge of the Trump recount, said McKenna on 18 November. He is going to be joining me very shortly to talk about the strategy. During their conversation, Troupis laid out his theory: that thousands  maybe tens of thousands  of votes had been cast illegally. A recount would begin soon, and Troupis promised that every challenge you can imagine is on the table. McKenna responded that any challenges to the election results would probably be heard in court, and mused that judges hearing the case might not be willing to do anything courageous.

As January 6, the date when Congress would certify Bidens 2020 win, approached, Chesebro floated a series of legal theories to justify overturning the 2020 election results, including suggesting the state legislature could ignore the popular vote in Wisconsin and send their own, pro-Trump electors.

This, Chesebro wrote in a 19 November email, would only be viable if by early December there was a palpable sense among conservatives that there was a concerted effort by Democrats to steal this election in multiple states, and that the Wisconsin vote and vote-counting were so egregiously manipulated and opaquely handled that it would be unacceptable to credit the electoral votes that emerge out of this corrupted sausage factory.

Eventually, a separate plan emerged: Republicans from the swing states that Biden won would submit alternate electors, for Trump and Mike Pence, his vice-president.

They turned to rightwing radio hosts in Wisconsin  as well as some activists  to communicate their theories to listeners across the state, name-checking hosts like ODonnell, Belling and McKenna.

In a 1 December text message, Chesebro advised Troupis to send documents to their allies in the state.I know youre super close to her, but just a reminder to have someone get copies to Vicki [McKenna], wrote Chesebro, before suggesting that he also share them with other conservative activists and talkshow hosts  including Belling, Clarke and ODonnell.

As the 2024 election has drawn nearer, these same hosts have boosted Trump  and continued to push the idea that the political system is rigged against him.

Belling declared in a June 2023 column that Trump would be serving a second term right now were it not for the lies and corruption of a government establishment, Democrat party and media/tech establishment.

Jay Stone, a hypnotherapist who rose to prominence in Wisconsin as an election-denying activist who insisted that the 2020 election was rife with fraud, spoke on McKennas show on 15 November 2023, to advertise his legal efforts to change election administration in the state.

Jay Stone is standing by, said McKenna, introducing Stone to her listeners. Hes the president of Hot Government, a citizen watchdog, election watchdog organization that has been on its own investigating Wisconsin election irregularities. As Stone, who assisted the former Wisconsin supreme court justice Michael Gablemans discredited hunt for fraud in Wisconsin, touted his lawsuits targeting absentee voting in Wisconsin, McKenna encouraged him: These are irregularities that were talking about!

Over the past year, the talkshow hosts have also rallied to recast Trumps multiple criminal indictments as a Democratic conspiracy.

You and I understand what all of this is, said ODonnell on his show in early March. Its lawfare, it is manufactured charges. I could make a compelling case, I could write 5,000 words about how none of the criminal cases against Donald Trump actually constitute crimes, not a single one of them.

Unlike in much of the US, where conservative talk radio is dominated by nationally syndicated hosts, in Wisconsin its a homegrown phenomenon. Sykes rose to prominence in the 1990s on WTMJ, and Bellings star rose during the same years on WISN; other stations in the state have since adopted the conservative talk model that was so successful there. By the early 2000s, conservative politicians understood the power of talk radio in Wisconsin and invested hours on shows promoting their campaigns and policies.

Their investments paid off: they helped elect Scott Walker as governor in 2010, and were his fiercest defenders in the media when he rammed through a bill that gutted public-sector unions.

Sykess relentless support for the conservative businessman Ron Johnson the same year helped propel him to the front of the Republican pack in 2010, helping Johnson win an upset Senate victory and positioning him to become one of Trumps loudest, and most conspiracy-minded, supporters.

Since 2016, talkshows that once provided a megaphone for libertarian ideology have become more radical, propelling listeners further to the right.

In a 2023 report, researchers with the University of Wisconsin school of journalism found that Republican voters in Wisconsin who had siloed in partisan news bubbles, in which talk radio plays a prominent role, were more likely to accept anti-democratic views and conspiracy theories  including the QAnon conspiracy theory.

The radio landscape in Wisconsin could be shifting. In 2022, the tech entrepreneur and Democratic party donor Sage Weil introduced Civic Media, a left-leaning Wisconsin-based radio network, which he envisioned as a counterpoint to the rightwing voices that dominate the air. The popular Milwaukee-based radio show WTMJ has shifted away from conservative talk radio, too, adding a lineup of shows featuring voices from Civic Media.

Theres some evidence that theyre picking up some traction, said Michael Wagner, a professor of journalism and mass communication at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

Theyre not nearly as popular as conservative talk radio, but if you can persuade 5,000 Wisconsinites to change their vote in a presidential election, you can literally decide who the president is going to be for the whole country.

With Trump now the presumptive Republican nominee for the 2024 election, Wisconsins conservative talk radio hosts have a chance, again, to affect the former presidents odds in the state.

This time, though, theyll be with him.
A woman was arrested after her 3-year-old son, whom she had given to a man who supplied her with drugs, ingested fentanyl and acetaminophen and died, according to the Tallahassee Police Department.

Cameren Lakayla Evans, 35, was arrested Thursday on a charge of aggravated manslaughter of a child. She was booked into the Leon County Detention Facility, where she is being held without bond.

On the morning of Jan. 23, TPD officers and Leon County Emergency Medical Services responded to a report of an unresponsive child at Gibb Mabry Village Apartments on Roberts Avenue. The child, who had no obvious signs of trauma, was taken to Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, where he died a short time later.

According to the arrest report, Evans had given her child to a man who resides at the apartment because she was unable to care for him due to her narcotics abuse. The man, who was selling narcotics from his apartment, became the primary caregiver for the boy, who was non-communicative and only partially potty-trained.

A set of handcuffs is pictured.

The man, who had been caring for the child for two years, told police that the child appeared tired and was wheezing the night before his death, so he put the boy in a pull-up diaper and placed him in his bed to sleep. The man took a sleeping pill and went to bed himself.

The next morning, the man said he tried to awaken the boy, who was warm but unresponsive. In a panic, he asked a friend who was staying at the apartment to call 911.

Police asked the boys caregiver if the child ever had access to narcotics in the apartment. The man, who kept medications in bottles without child-proof locks, said not from me but acknowledged that he and the boys mother and the friend often got high together.

During a search of the apartment, police found narcotics, marijuana and a box on top of a bedside table that contained numerous plastic baggies, multiple scales and an empty bottle of oxycodone. They also found loose pills in the kitchen, a handgun under the mattress where the man and the little boy slept and numerous prescription medicine bottles plainly marked not child resistant.

Investigators asked if the boy could have gotten into the mans dope accidentally.

It could have been. the man said. Because ... if it was on me, Im willing to take it, as a man, because I love this child. When asked whether he did enough to protect the child, he said, Obviously I didnt.

Police said that shortly after midnight on the day the child died, the boys mother texted the man at his apartment saying she wanted some M, code for Molly or MDMA. She sent the man $30 via a cash app and stopped by his place, though she later told police she didnt interact with her son.

The childs mother confirmed that she visited the apartment in the hours before her son died.

Evans was aware her child was in his bedroom, and she could hear him snoring (although she described a sound consistent with wheezing), the arrest report says. Evans did not interact with her child and left the apartment, but stated she intended on returning during the daytime.

Police called her the next morning to say her son was being taken to the hospital. After she arrived, investigators informed her that her son did not survive.

An autopsy found partially digested pills in the childs stomach, according to the arrest report. Toxicology results showed the child had ingested fentanyl and acetaminophen, which resulted in his death.

There is sufficient evidence to support that Evans was aware that (the man) maintained narcotics in, and sold narcotics from, the residence, the arrest report says. Despite her awareness that (he) was keeping and selling narcotics from the apartment, Evans elected to leave ... her 3-year-old child at (the mans) residence and in (the mans) care.

No other charges have been filed in the case, according to court records. The woman was scheduled to have her first court appearance on Friday.

Contact Jeff Burlew at jburlew@tallahassee.com or 850-599-2180.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee police arrest mom after child dies from fentanyl overdose
LOVELAND  Northern Colorado Regional Airport has everything it needs to become the Denver metro area's second major commercial airport over time, a consultant told the airport's governing body Thursday  a lofty goal for an airport that currently has no regularly scheduled commercial flights.

With a new $22 million terminal set to open in the fall, Global Flight Aviation Consulting of Telluride was hired to help the airport attract an airline to Loveland. The airport has struggled over the years to attract and keep commercial air service. Allegiant enjoyed success with its flights to Las Vegas and Mesa, Arizona, but pulled out because the airport didn't have an air traffic control tower.

Fledgling Elite Airways and Avelo all started flying from Loveland only to pull out months later, leaving FNL  the three-letter identifier by which the airport is known  with no regularly scheduled airline service.

"The potential is exponential," said consultant Matt Skinner, with Denver's population booming and Denver International Airport already pushing its limits.

An airplane prepares to take off at the Northern Colorado Regional Airport on Aug. 11, 2023, in Loveland, Colo.

An airline entering the market now will have an advantage as the airport and region grow, he said. As Denver's population explodes, those in south Denver will gravitate toward the Colorado Springs airport, while north Denver residents would likely come to Loveland, creating a "catchment" population of about 3.59 million, including southern Wyoming, Skinner said.

The first step is engaging with the airlines, a process that's already underway, he said. "We actually have engaged the airlines from the top" including Delta and United. "Now we're engaging with mid-level carriers and starting to talk potential and numbers and exploring the possibility of service."

Using a 60-mile distance from FNL, the catchment area of people potentially flying from Loveland reaches from north Denver to Cheyenne, Wyoming, "providing a more than sustainable population base for multiple flights and expanding service at FNL," Skinner said.

Story continues

Secondary airports outside Chicago and Dallas  Midway and Dallas Love Field  have been successful despite being close to O'Hare Dallas Fort Worth. There are "a slew" of low-cost carriers that might be interested in establishing service in Loveland, he said, citing Provo, Utah's success in establishing an airport close to Salt Lake City. Provo is seeing six to eight flights a day and the distance between those two cities is about the same as between Loveland and Denver.

Growth at the secondary airports has nearly doubled while the larger airport has remained relatively flat, Skinner said.

His company, which is being paid $2,500 a month, plus incentives if it secures an airline, has been talking with airlines and gotten "a nibble" from some.

With the new terminal, the airport is in a good position to go with something if "we have an actual proposal come our way," he said. "But these things take time. I can't give you a time frame, but we have some interest now."

Currently, FNL has general aviation, corporate jets and some charter service but no regularly scheduled commercial air service. The region is "critically underserved," Skinner said. With the growing demand for Colorado, and particularly the northern Interstate 25 corridor, "folks are looking for an alternative to super busy airports."

Any airline that comes to Loveland will likely want the airport as a financial partner, including minimum revenue guarantees or help with startup costs.

Jeni Arndt, airport commission chairwoman and Fort Collins mayor, was unconvinced FNL could grow so substantially. "What's different? We've seen carriers come and go. Call me skeptic, but I'm worried about the pushback from neighbors with increased flights. Denver's going to double, pushing out to south. Whether it makes it easier or harder to get to, I don't know. Convince me. We don't have a lot of money to invest to pay people to come here."

Skinner said the region is different than it was 10 to 20 years ago. "There's more business development, more business relocation, which helps sustain the service. The fact that there's nearly a million people between Denver and Cheyenne ... it's a significant metro area on its own. Denver wants to double its size, but there's a choke point: the train. The busier DIA gets, I feel like it will continue to push people in our direction."

Having commercial air service from Loveland would be of great economic value, said Fort Collins City Manager Kelly DiMartino, who also asked how much it would cost to provide more services. "Parking will be a limitation for us. If we get to a place where we have fairly heavy traffic, where would we put people?"

FNL, owned by the cities of Fort Collins and Loveland, also has interest from Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, the technology-heavy Boulder area and Blue Arena, which brings visitors to Loveland, he said.

Together, the entities could form a collaboration, something that's already in the works, said interim airport manager Dave Ruppel, who's putting together a community task force involving economic developers from neighboring cities, including Cheyenne.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Could Northern Colorado Regional Airport ever be a major airport?
TAMPA  St. Josephs Childrens Hospital isnt the largest of its kind. It boasts 219 beds, employs more than 550 people and handled more than 37,000 emergency room visits last year.

However, compared to other childrens hospitals across the country, staff there say the Tampa facility enjoys a workplace culture that fosters better collaboration among employees. And that improves efficiency and makes the high-intensity environment less stressful.

People are very much open, respecting each others opinion and able to say, Hey, I dont agree with you, said Kelvin Lau, director of pediatric electrophysiology at the medical center, which is part of the 16-hospital BayCare Health System. In different institutions, its kind of like, Its my way or the highway. Im more senior than you.

Lau, who has worked at the hospital since 2019, said he hopes its current atmosphere is maintained when BayCare replaces the facility by 2030.

The healthcare system announced last year it will build a new St. Josephs Childrens Hospital on its existing campus near Raymond James Stadium. The project is in the early design phase and it is not yet clear how many beds it will have, hospital spokesperson Amy Gall stated in an email. Last year, the medical center saw 9,100 admissions and conducted 4,900 surgeries. BayCare is the largest provider of pediatric services in West Central Florida, according to the company.

More capacity could help the hospitals cancer program. It has seen a recent spike in patients, said Don Eslin, medical director of hematology and oncology.

The program had 78 new patients last year, and almost 90 in 2022, Eslin said. Four years ago, there were about 50. Eslin attributes the increase to the areas pandemic era population boom.

One of the programs latest patients is Santiago Lopez, 17, an 11th grader from Riverview who is receiving chemotherapy due to a lymphoma cancer on his scalp. Lopez hopes hell finish the treatment in late April.

On a recent Thursday, he was staying in the programs 22-bed inpatient unit after developing mouth sores due to the chemo.

Lopez, who is interested in becoming an actor, said the hospital workers were comforting and made him feel safe.

There is a really good congeniality between physicians, staff, said Eslin, who has been at the hospital for four years. Everyones working toward helping people get better.

He noted the collaborative spirit.

I can pick up the phone and call anyone if I have a question, and vice versa, he said.

The head of cardiology recently contacted Eslin about an adult patient with a congenital heart problem and a bleeding risk. (Pediatric heart doctors continue to see adults who were born with cardiac issues, Eslin said.)

They needed some help. Im like, OK. ... Call me and Ill talk to you about it, Eslin said. Its outside my scope technically because of age, but were going to make sure the patients taken care of.

Veronica Walker, a registered nurse in the 16-bed pediatric intensive care unit who has been at the hospital for seven years, said she appreciates how closely her team works together and the familiarity among staff.

Her unit cares for some of the hospitals sickest children, often seeing kids suffering from respiratory illnesses or family abuse and those involved in car crashes or near-drowning incidents.

Ive been at bigger places where I dont think half the nursing staff knew who I was, Walker said.

BayCare Health System

Location: Clearwater

Employees: 31,579

Website: baycare.org

Employee comments: Im proud of the organization I work for. I feel like we truly make a difference in the community.

I currently have time to talk to my patients in this position. I dont get yelled at by physicians and I feel like the manager actually listens to me. I feel valued in this position. This job is a lot different and better than my previous position.

I am able to connect with people from all walks of life and help them to become a better version of themselves.
TAMPA - A Tampa mother who was at the heart of an international kidnapping case walked out of court a free woman on Thursday.

Sharyn Hakken served seven years in prison after she and her ex-husband, Joshua Hakken, kidnapped their children from her parents' home in 2013 and fled to Cuba on a sail boat.

On Thursday, Sharyn Hakken asked a judge to end her probation early.

Prosecutors fought the request, saying she should serve her full sentence. But Judge Barbara Twine-Thomas disagreed, siding with the Department of Corrections, which said she qualified for early release.

Sharyn Hakken cries after being released from probation.

Following the ruling, Hakken thanked the judge and walked out of the courtroom, then hugged a family member.

She tearfully declined to comment as she left the courthouse.

Sharyn Hakken and her now ex-husband kidnapped their children, whom they did not have custody of, from the boys' grandparents.

The kidnapping became an international incident, and the FBI was able to bring the young boys back safely and arrest the parents.

RELATED: Hakken sentenced to 15 years after bizarre rant in court

Later, Joshua Hakken was sent away to a state hospital for treatment after he was found unfit to stand trial. After regaining his competency, he returned to Tampa to face criminal charges.

Pictured: Josh Hakken

In 2014, Joshua Hakken pleaded guilty to kidnapping charges and is still serving a 15-year sentence.

During his sentencing, Joshua went on a 40-minute rant claiming to be a prophet from God and believed the government was spying on him.

While he remains locked up, his ex-wife is now taking her first steps of freedom since being sentenced.

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The Tarrant Appraisal District said Friday that it had been the victim of a criminal ransomware attack.

We have reported this incident to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Texas Department of Information Resources and will cooperate with any resulting investigation, the agency said in a press release.

After the TADs website crashed last week, the agency launched its revamped one. That one crashed on Thursday.

Our investigation is ongoing and we are working diligently with our retained experts to safely and securely restore operations. We have a meeting scheduled with our Board of Directors on Monday, March 25, 2024, and will provide an update following that meeting.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
An OVI checkpoint will be tonight in Butler County.

>>University of Dayton Public Safety issues warning after 2 attempted car thefts

The Butler County OVI Task Force will be conducting the checkpoint in the city of Hamilton, according to a spokesperson.

Drivers can expect extra patrols on Northbound U.S. 127 (Martin Luther King Blvd.) at Walnut Street.

The checkpoints, along with saturation patrols, are part of a continuing effort to reduce OVI-related crashes across the area, the spokesperson said.

The Butler County OVI Task Force is funded by the Department of Transportation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Ohio Department of Public Safety.
A new taskforce will be established to look at expanding student numbers at the University of Ulster campus in Londonderry, BBC News NI understands.

Economy Minister Conor Murphy is expected to make the announcement when he visits the campus later on Friday.

There has been a long running campaign to boost student numbers at the campus.

A 10,000 student target was included in New Decade, New Approach (NDNA).

NDNA restored Northern Ireland's power-sharing executive in 2020.

It stated that both the Irish and UK governments would aim to financially support the 10,000 student number expansion target.

There are currently more than 5,000 students studying at the Derry-Londonderry campus, which was previously known as Magee.

Ulster University previously told Stormont officials that it had identified a way to increase student numbers to 7,500 at the Derry campus, but it estimated that a capital investment of 385m was required to accommodate that number.

Previously, concerns were raised that the 10,000 figure may not be achievable.

The campus in Derry is one the three Ulster University Campuses in Northern Ireland, the other two being in Belfast and Coleraine.

The university also has a Sports Village located in Jordanstown in County Antrim.

Conor Murphy will visit the campus in Derry on Friday

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Department for the Economy (DE) said the economy minister is on record that the commitment in New Decade, New Approach to expand the Magee campus in Derry to 10,000 students "must be delivered".

"Minister Murphy has already visited the campus to have early discussions with key leaders from the university on expansion plans.

The department will work in partnership with Ulster University and other stakeholders to reach the 10,000 figure."

The spokesperson added that Mr Murphy will soon be "announcing his plans to take this important work forward".

In a statement to BBC News NI, Ulster University said they remain "completely committed to growth at our campus in Derry-Londonderry".

"Substantial levels of investment, including from the universitys own reserves and surpluses, will be made into the campus in coming years.
With the internet ablaze with questions about the health and whereabouts of Britain's much-loved Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, the Royal Household began searching for a new communications assistant based in Buckingham Palace.

The role went live just days after a photograph of Princess Catherine (Kate) and her three children supplied by the Royal family was retracted from publication by several news agencies.

Wires such as the Associated Press, Reuters and Britain's Press Association issued a "kill notice" on the image with the former citing concerns the photo had been manipulated.

In the following days, the palace began recruiting extra help to assist with news output, namely an assistant paid 25,642.50 a year ($32,740.60).

This salary matches the London recommendation from the Living Wage Foundationan independent organization that encourages employers to pay salaries reflecting the cost of living rather than the nation's minimum wage requirements.

The full-time job will report to a private secretarys office, though which private secretary the staffer will assist is not named.

The role is based at Buckingham Palace where the team mainly "supports the day-to-day activities and duties of the King and Queen and their immediate family".

However, as the Prince and Princess of Wales's team are based out of Kensington Palace, the role is unlikely to relate directly to the couple's communications.

"The Royal communications team promotes the work, role, relevance and value of the Royal Family to a worldwide audience," the job description reads. "The reaction to our work is always high-profile, and so reputation and impact will be at the forefront of all that you do."

What will the new communications assistant do?

The role will cover everything from state trips to Royal events, to ensure "communications consistently spark interest and reach a range of audiences."

Story continues

Responsibilities for the job include reactive and proactive briefings, overseeing media access to Royal engagements and residences, producing content across a range of platforms, responding to media inquiries and providing diary planning support.

The individual the palace is looking for will have an "eye for detail", as well as strong written communication skills.

The successful applicant will also have "outstanding" interpersonal skills, work well within tight deadlines, and will have to "quickly establish trust" with other members of their team.

With the current focus on the familyincluding speculation about the health of King Charles, which was quickly quashedthis might sound like a round-the-clock role.

However, the outline offers a slightly reduced working day: 37.5 hours a week, as opposed to the 40 a regular eight-hour day requires.

Working for the Royal Household also comes with a "generous benefits package designed to support your wellbeing and life priorities," including complimentary on-site lunches.

Public faith in the Royals rocked

The public's confidence in Royal announcements has recently been dented after several editing errors were found in a Mother's Day photograph featuring Princess Kate and her children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

The world's most powerful monarchyworth an estimated $28 billionhas been subject to renewed scrutiny in recent years.

The departure of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (Prince Harry and Meghan Markle) from "the firm" was a precursor to a slew of media revelations.

In an exclusive 2021 interview with Oprah, the couple alleged racism within the Royal household, before a tell-all memoir published by the Prince in 2023 laid bare the tensions within the family.

A day after the Mother's Day photo debacle, mother-of-three Princess Catherine wrote on X: "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."

This prompted speculation on social media about the true nature of the Royal's health, who hadn't been seen in public since Christmas due to planned abdominal surgery.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
A Russian attack left Khmelnytskyi residents killed and injured, city mayor Oleksandr Simchyshyn reported on Telegram on March 22.

"Terrible morning, he wrote.

There are dead and injured among civilians, infrastructure objects and residential buildings damaged."

Read also: Russias massive attack on Zaporizhzhya shuts down traffic across Dniprovska hydroelectric plant

Russia massively attacked Ukraine with drones, cruise and ballistic missiles overnight on March 22. Russians attacked Ukrainian energy infrastructure nationwide.

Russia launched 12 rocket attacks on Zaporizhzhya. Early reports say that at least seven buildings were destroyed, and at least 35 damaged.

Read also: Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhya reeling after pummeling by waves of Russian missile strikes

Traffic on the Dnipro hydroelectric station crossing has been rerouted, Zaporizhzhya Police reported.

Critical infrastructure facilities have been hit in Kryvyi Rih, leading to blackout schedules being introduced in the city.

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 coalition of 16 Republican states, led by Texas and Louisiana, filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration, challenging its recent climate action pausing proposed energy projects.

The multistate coalition filed its complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, listing President Biden, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and the Department of Energy (DOE) among the defendants in the case. According to the complaint, the DOE's move earlier this year pausing major liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal projects violated long-standing federal energy laws.

"Bidens unilateral decree disregards statutory mandates, flouts the legal process, upends the oil and gas industry, disrupts the Texas economy, and subverts our constitutional structure," said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

"The ban will drive billions of dollars in investment away from Texas, hinder our ability to maximize revenue for public schools, force Texas producers to flare excess natural gas instead of taking it to market, and annihilate critical jobs," he continued. "I will not stand by while Biden attacks Texas."

GOP LEADERS CONFRONT BIDENS NEW CLIMATE CZAR ON KEY SECURITY RISKS LURKING IN GREEN AGENDA

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks outside the U.S. Supreme Court on Nov. 1, 2021.

According to Paxton, the LNG export moratorium is unconstitutional, ignores the 1938 Natural Gas Acts "presumption in favor of exports" and discards decades of DOE energy policy.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

In arguing the alleged unconstitutionality of the policy, the states' complaint notes Article I of the Constitution vests Congress with "[a]ll legislative Powers," including the power "[t]o regulate Commerce with foreign Nations." Therefore, since blocking LNG exports can be considered a regulation of commerce, the DOE violated the Constitution, according to the lawsuit.

TIKTOK ACTIVIST SAYS HE ADVISED WHITE HOUSE ON BIDEN'S NEW NATURAL GAS MORATORIUM

"The LNG Export Ban implicates an issue of profound national importance. LNG exports account for billions of dollars to the economy and thousands of jobs," the complaint states. "They also raise serious questions of national security. And this is an issue that has been the subject of proposed legislation and public attention in and outside of Congress."

President Biden ordered pending natural gas export projects to be halted in a stunning move in January.

The complaint accuses DOE of violating the Administrative Procedure Act which governs the procedures of administrative law. The states highlight that DOE failed to host any public comment period before finalizing its LNG policy without "good cause to forego the notice and comment requirement."

Additionally, the states argue the DOE failed to properly consider the Natural Gas Act and its provision that states the agency issue an export license before hearing from the public.

DOZENS OF FORMER TOP FEDERAL OFFICIALS CALL ON CONGRESS TO STRIKE DOWN BIDEN'S NATURAL GAS CRACKDOWN

"The Biden administrations illegal attacks on American energy jeopardizes the livelihoods of thousands of hard-working Louisiana men and women, millions of dollars in tax revenue, and billions of dollars in infrastructure," said Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill.

"LNG continues to have an enormous positive economic impact for our state  especially on our hard-hit coastal communities, which continue to recover from a recent series of devastating hurricanes. Jobs like these grow the economy, reduce crime, and help address the out-migration problem," she continued. "The people of Louisiana are proud to power this nation. Im ready to fight for them."

An LNG tanker is pictured at the Elbehafen port in Brunsbuettel, Germany. American LNG has been critical in helping Germany and other European nations wean off Russian gas.

In a surprise move in January, Biden ordered the DOE to pause pending permits for LNG export facilities while federal officials conduct a rigorous environmental review assessing the projects' carbon emissions, which could take more than a year to complete. The action was lauded by climate activists who have loudly called for such a move, which they said would help combat global warming.

However, the move was blasted by industry groups, former federal officials and bipartisan lawmakers, who noted energy exports are vital for aiding allies in Europe and Asia. In the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine two years ago, U.S. LNG largely filled the void left by Russian natural gas as U.S. allies sought to wean off Russian exports and punish the nation's economy, a plan Biden endorsed at the time.

Opponents also argued that LNG exports bolster domestic energy production and boost the U.S. economy. Fossil fuel industry groups recently cited research indicating that LNG exports could add as much as $73 billion to the U.S. economy by 2040, create 453,000 American jobs and increase U.S. purchasing power by $30 billion.





Original article source: Texas and 15 states sue Biden admin over climate agenda targeting gas projects
DALLAS - Technology usually makes our lives easier. But when it comes to parking at apartment complexes, many have found the online registration process makes them feel targeted by tow truck companies.

In a follow-up to a FOX 4 investigation, now the advisory board for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation plans to discuss the issue at its next meeting.

An advisory board member says the TDLR is seeing an increase in cars towed tied to the online registration requirements. And as FOX 4 first saw in our 2019 investigation, a lot of people were being towed for typos when they registered.

After Ronnie Lewis experienced how aggressive tow truck companies can be at a southern Dallas apartment complex, he says he knew he needed to speak out.

"It all started when I was visiting a friend at an apartment complex," he recalled. "I came back to get my car, and it was gone. I thought it was stolen."

Lewis parked in a spot labeled "future resident" after the apartment office was closed. He took a picture showing how all the visitor spaces in the complex were blocked by large trash bins.

"That was throughout the complex," he said.

With no signs warning Lewis could be towed, a judge ruled in his favor that the apartment complex owed him $156.

"It is a very tedious process. If you don't know the law and wonder, Do I have to get an attorney? And the amount is not worth the fight," he said. "I had my money back. I was like, Alright, I'll let this go. Then I came across your story and thought this is bigger than just me."

A FOX 4 investigation in 2019 found many people were getting towed after they tried to register their cars through online forms but inadvertently typed a wrong letter or number. Many of the people we spoke with lived in low-income apartment communities.

Lewis, who is a pharmaceutical legal analyst in Las Colinas, says he feels he has a duty to speak up for people who may not know their rights.

"The law is the same whether I am in El Paso, Oak Cliff, Las Colinas, but the treatment of people appears to differ," he said. "And that is why I have been digging into this because everyone should be treated fairly."

Lewis wants more state oversight of towing procedures. On Wednesday, he got the ball rolling with the TDLR Advisory Board.

"I am not asking vehicles not to be towed," he said. "Im asking what TDLR can do to reduce the human error aspect and bring structure to the process."

Board member Ken Ulmer later recommended adding the topic to the board's next agenda.

"I think it is an issue we need to be discussing and prepared for," Ulmer said. "I know we are seeing a lot more towing based on these electronic visitor programs."

Helpful Links

I just got towed! What do I do next?

People who believe they were wrongly towed can file a complaint with TDLR: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/complaints/.

People can also request a hearing with a Justice of the Peace in the county where the tow occurred. Please note that the court hearing must be requested before the 14th day after the vehicle was removed and placed in a VSF. The court can charge you a fee for the hearing, which must be held within 21 calendar days of the court receiving your request. So its important to request that hearing before they file the complaint with TDLR first.
DALLAS - The Texas Medical Board has proposed a general definition for emergency medical exemptions to the states strict new abortion ban.

The news is disappointing to some advocates who wanted a specific list of conditions that would qualify.

Two Austin lawyers asked the board to come up with clear language after a Dallas woman left the state to get an abortion.

Last year, doctors told Kate Cox her fetus had a fatal condition, and her life would be in danger if she gave birth.

Cox asked permission to have an abortion that was exempt from the states law.

The case worked its way up to the Texas Supreme Court, which rejected her argument.

That forced Cox to leave the state to get the procedure done legally.

On Friday, the board proposed rules to define a "medical emergency" as a life-threatening condition certified by a doctor.

The board was really general in its "proposed rule" and did not give guidance on exceptions specific to certain medical conditions.

Instead, it leaned heavily on a recent Texas Supreme Court ruling putting the decision in the hands of each doctor.

"Medical judgement is really not whittled down to a list of conditions. You're really looking at the totality of an issue that goes beyond a specific circumstance," Texas Medical Board President Sherif Z. Zaafran said.

The one condition the board named as a qualifying exception was "ectopic pregnancies," which are 100% fatal to the fetus.

"Things may change, as far as what medicine will do save a baby's life. So a condition that may apply now may not apply later on," Zaafran added.

In a statement, the Center for Reproductive Rights, which represented Cox in her court case, said, in part:

"While we are hopeful that the Texas Medical Board will take seriously this opportunity to help clarify the medical exception to Texass abortion ban, its current proposal falls short of that goal."

The two Austin lawyers had hoped the board would clarify exemptions to the states abortion restrictions.

"What we're trying to do is get the medical board to give a better illumination of what the words reasonable medical judgment means because that's the justification for being able to perform an abortion under those circumstances," said Steve Bresnen, who petitioned the board's review.

Amy Bresnen, who also petitioned the board, said a clarification would give families the comfort of knowing their physician can adequately treat them during pregnancy.

"In December, when the Texas Medical Board was approached about whether or not theyre going to take up rule writing, they indicated they would not do so until the end of litigation. As lawyers, we know that litigation is endless. So thats not a satisfactory answer," she said.

The board's initial move appears to do little to help calm the nerves of Texas medical providers afraid to give women abortions, even if they deem them medically necessary, due to fear of prosecution or losing their medical licenses.

"That's what brought us here. You've got people who are scared to death. Facing death and are scared to death," Steve said.

"As we move forward, we ask you not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. We also ask that you not make this situation worse," Amy said.

The 16-member board, appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, normally handles complaints against physicians, not clarification of state laws.

It will take public input on the rules for 30 days and will hold at least one meeting to gather input.

"I do think it'll be interesting to see who participates and what exactly they offer to the board to try to influence them on the things that the board is interested in hearing," constitutional law attorney David Coale said.

Medical board staff will then review the comments they receive and present rules to the board.

The board can then adopt the rules as written or make changes.

The board's next meeting is in June.
Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) made a big splash at the company's annual GPU Technology Conference (GTC), called the "Woodstock of artificial intelligence" (AI). During CEO Jensen Huang's keynote address on Monday, he introduced the long-awaited Blackwell architecture. He called the new flagship processor, the GB200 Grace Blackwell Superchip, the "world's most powerful chip" for AI.

Beyond the industry-leading technical specifications, a revelation on Tuesday is being viewed as a blow to rival Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD) and could significantly hamper the company's AI aspirations.

The GB200 Grace Blackwell Superchip. Image source: Nvidia.

The "world's most powerful chip" for AI

There were great expectations regarding Nvidia's Blackwell architecture, and the company did not disappoint. The Blackwell graphics processing unit (GPU) boasts 208 billion transistors -- up from 80 billion for its predecessor. The GB200 combines a Grace Hopper CPU (central processing unit) with two B200 Tensor Core GPUs and a lightning-fast chip-to-chip link to form a "single, unified GPU."

Nvidia also introduced the GB200 NVL72, a "multi-node, liquid-cooled, rack-scale system ... which combines 36 Grace Blackwell Superchips, which include 72 Blackwell GPUs and 36 Grace CPUs interconnected by fifth-generation NVLink." The company notes that its rack-scale system provides up to 30 times the performance while reducing energy consumption by 25 times.

The technical capabilities of the Blackwell processors alone will make life more difficult for AMD, but Nvidia is going even further to outpace its competitor.

Long-time rivals

There's a long-standing rivalry between Nvidia and AMD, as the companies have historically jockeyed for position to dominate the GPU space. For example, at an event to introduce its Instinct MI300X AI chip in early December, AMD went to great lengths to show that its flagship processor outperformed its nearest competitor, Nvidia's year-old H100, using a wide variety of benchmarks.

Story continues

Soon after, Nvidia dropped a blog post that took issue with the claims, noting that AMD purposefully didn't use Nvidia's optimized software, which skewed the results in AMD's favor. Nvidia noted that if it was benchmarked properly, the H100 was "2x faster."

One area in which the rivals haven't historically competed is price. Despite AMD's protestations to the contrary, Nvidia has long been acknowledged as the industry leader, though AMD's comparable chips are much less expensive. A report released last month suggests that while AMD's top-of-the-line MI300X chips cost between $10,000 and $15,000 each, Nvidia's H100 sold for as much as $40,000, demonstrating the company's pricing power.

Is Nvidia going for the throat?

In an interview on CNBC, Huang revealed that the Blackwell GPUs, expected to ship later this year, would be priced between $30,000 and $40,000, suggesting the next-generation processors will be priced similarly or at a modest premium to its current processor -- the H100.

Nvidia's aggressive pricing strategy was a surprise to analysts who cover the stock. Morgan Stanley analyst Joseph Moore noted that Nvidia is pricing its new Blackwell chips "at more competitive price points than our earlier assumptions ... [which will] likely dent the enthusiasm for alternatives to Nvidia, both merchant and custom silicon."

Mizuho Securities analyst Jordan Klein notes, "The more modest pricing (for Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs) was perceived as positive for (Nvidia) stock ... It opens the door for more customers to buy vs. only the highly concentrated massive capex spenders in cloud hyperscalers and wealthy sovereign nations."

The pricing will give new and existing customers another reason to choose Nvidia over AMD, as the price differential is shrinking.

Another nail in AMD's coffin?

To be clear, AMD has established itself as a worthy, though somewhat distant, competitor. Nvidia's newest processor will certainly up the ante, as will its aggressive pricing policy. There's the possibility that Nvidia could increase its already dominant market share in the AI space or keep its rivals at bay for a while longer.

While these moves will certainly put AMD at a disadvantage, it's unlikely that AMD will be going anywhere anytime soon.

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Did Nvidia Just Put a Nail in AMD's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Coffin? was originally published by The Motley Fool
Park-Ohio Holdings Corp (NASDAQ:PKOH), an international industrial supply and manufacturing company, has reported an insider sale according to a recent SEC filing. Director Hanna Howard W IV sold 4,630 shares of the company on March 21, 2024.Hanna Howard W IV has been active in the market over the past year, selling a total of 4,630 shares and purchasing a total of 810 shares. The insider's latest transaction involved the sale of 4,630 shares at a market price of $27.14 each, resulting in a total value of $125,678.20.The insider transaction history for Park-Ohio Holdings Corp shows a pattern of insider activity. Over the past year, there has been only 1 insider buy and 13 insider sells, indicating a trend of insiders reducing their holdings in the company.

Director Hanna Howard W IV Sells Shares of Park-Ohio Holdings Corp (PKOH)

In terms of valuation, Park-Ohio Holdings Corp's shares were trading at $27.14 on the day of the insider's recent sale, giving the company a market cap of $342.675 million. The price-earnings ratio stands at 45.19, which is above both the industry median of 22.695 and the company's historical median price-earnings ratio.The stock's current price also reflects its position relative to the GuruFocus Value (GF Value). With a price of $27.14 and a GF Value of $21.91, Park-Ohio Holdings Corp has a price-to-GF-Value ratio of 1.24, categorizing it as Modestly Overvalued.

Director Hanna Howard W IV Sells Shares of Park-Ohio Holdings Corp (PKOH)

The GF Value is calculated considering historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on past returns and growth, and future business performance estimates provided by Morningstar analysts.SEC Filing indicates that the insider's decision to sell shares could be based on personal financial planning or portfolio management strategies. Investors often monitor insider transactions as they can provide insights into how the company's executives and directors view the stock's current valuation and future prospects.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Americans tend to view bipartisanship favorably. But sometimes, when both parties get together and agree on something, its actually a sign that the public is about to get screwed over. Just look at the Patriot Act, for example, and the way the bipartisan post-9/11 law was used to spy on American citizens and violate our rights.

New proposed legislation that would enact a de facto ban on the popular social media platform TikTok is getting support from both sides of the aisle. This kind of government action is bipartisanship of the most toxic kind.

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act passed the House with an overwhelming bipartisan majority last week. It would, on paper, force TikToks parent company, Bytedance, to sell off its ownership stake. If it fails to do so, TikTok would be effectively banned in the U.S.

Elon Musks Feelings Led Him to Censor Legal Speech on X

The bill now heads to the Senate, where the FBI is holding briefings this week that advocates hope will help convince wavering members to pass it into law. (President Joe Biden has indicated that he will sign it into law, should the bill pass.)

So, the fate of one of the countrys most popular apps lies in the hands of the U.S. Senate. For the good of our country and to uphold Americans basic rights, they should kill this bill once and for all.

First, lets be perfectly clear: This bill is, in practice, an outright ban on TikTok. Many of its apologists, like Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), have claimed its not actually a ban, it simply forces China to divest from the company.

Let me be very clear: this legislation to restrict TikTok does NOT ban the app.



It separates ties to the Chinese Communist Party  and prevents them from accessing the data of Americansespecially our kids.



Leader Schumer should put this bill on the floor soon.  John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) March 13, 2024

This is a smokescreen. As The Washington Post has reported, the legislation only gives Bytedance six months to carry out the deal before TikTok is banned, yet completing a deal of this magnitude and complexity in that timeline is near-impossible. Whats more, even if it could somehow be done, China would almost certainly block the sale under its export controls for algorithmic technology.

Its a ban. And you dont have to take my word for it: In their press release announcing the legislation, several of the bills co-sponsors, including Reps. Chip Roy (R-TX) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY), specifically described it as a ban on TikTok.

Meanwhile, when TikTok pointed out that its a bannot a forced saleon Twitter, and accused members of Congress of hiding behind a false talking point, Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TEX) helpfully clarified, No one is trying to disguise anything. We want to ban TikTok. Youre correct.

No one is trying to disguise anything. We want to ban TikTok. Youre correct. https://t.co/tDqj74VLj8  Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) March 5, 2024

So, if Congress is going to ban a popular app that 150 million Americans use, they should at least be upfront and honest about what they're doing. Instead, theyre covering their tracks with a smokescreen and spreading lots of other misinformation about TikTok, to boot.

The entire debate over banning TikTok is rife with claims that TikTok is Chinese spyware and owned by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). But these claims range from overstated to outright untrue.

TikTok is not owned by the CCP. It is an international company with headquarters in the United States and Singapore. Its CEO, Shou Zi Chew, is a Singaporean based in Singapore, which, despite the apparent confusion of some members of Congress, is not part of China.

TikToks parent company is Bytedance, which is a global companyalthough it does have headquarters in Beijing. Despite the rhetoric, Bytedance is not a Chinese state enterprise. It is a private company founded by Chinese entrepreneurs.

Shou Zi Chew, CEO of TikTok, departs from the Russell Senate Office Building after meeting with Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) on March 14, 2024. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

However, global investors, including Americans, currently hold 60 percent ownership of Bytedance, while 20 percent of the company is owned by employees, which includes thousands of Americans. The remaining ownership is held by its Chinese founders. Even the five-person board of Bytedance has three Americans on it!

That said, in China, the line between private enterprise and the government is much blurrier than it is in the Western world. Chinas authoritarian government can exert tremendous power over private companies under its national security laws.

So, the national security concerns over TikToks relationship with China arent without some merit. But they are routinely overblown, often overstated, and, at this point, purely hypothetical.

U.S. intelligence has produced no evidence that the popular social media site has ever coordinated with Beijing, The Intercepts Ken Klippenstein reports. In interviews and testimony to Congress about TikTok, leaders of the FBI, CIA, and the director of national intelligence have in fact been careful to qualify the national security threat posed by TikTok as purely hypothetical. With access to much of the governments most sensitive intelligence, they are well placed to know.

There is no hard evidence that Chinese authorities have ever surveilled American data, an analysis by the libertarian-leaning Cato Institute similarly concludes. Even ban supporters themselves talk about surveillance as a future risk, not a current practice.

The Hamas-Israel War Obliterated the Campus Microaggression

If the FBIs latest briefings contain some sort of new information, the American public should be informed about it before drastic action is taken. Based on what we know now, this radical measure is being pushed through in the name of concerns that are, so far, completely hypotheticalnot in response to any actual ongoing wrongdoing or danger.

This reality makes it impossible to justify the tremendous economic and social sacrifice that banning TikTok would entail.

This aspect often goes overlooked in this debate, but TikTok contributed more than $24 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023, according to Oxford Economics, supporting more than 224,000 jobs. Roughly seven million small businesses use TikTok and many rely on it for huge percentages of their revenue. Many of these American businesses would be ruined by a TikTok ban, not to mention the countless thousands of individual creators and entrepreneurs who have built a career on the platform who would lose everythingovernight.

So, too, a ban on TikTok would constitute one of the biggest infringements on Americans speech rights in modern history.

Participants hold signs in support of TikTok at a news conference outside the U.S. Capitol Building on March 12, 2024. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Supporters of the TikTok ban often argue that the Chinese Communist Party has no First Amendment rights. But that supposition entirely misses the point. The American owners of Bytedance do have rights, and TikToks millions of American users most certainly have a First Amendment right to communicate and express themselves on the platform.

Once again, you dont have to take my word for it. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has come out swinging against the latest TikTok legislation and, in 2023, federal courts blocked the state of Montanas attempt to ban TikTok on First Amendment grounds.

So, if the federal government enacts this TikTok ban, it will have to defend it in court, and meet the incredibly high legal bar known as strict scrutiny that applies to any government action that imperils First Amendment rights. For it to possibly be upheld under this standard, the government would need to prove not just that the ban serves a compelling government interest but also that its action is narrowly tailored to address that concern.

It seems impossible that the latter part of this requirement could ever be successfully defended in court, because there are many things the government could do short of a full ban on TikTok to address its concerns.

For example, the government can and should ban the use of TikTok on government devices and even prohibit government employees from using TikTok on their personal devices. It could also pass regulations forcing TikTok to enact data security measures and to provide more transparency with how it handles Americans data. But Congress is skipping straight to an outright ban, which sure seems unlikely to hold up as narrowly tailored in court.

The current legislation also applies to more than just TikTok. It gives the executive branch a new, perennial power to enforce this legislation against other apps or websites that are controlled (loosely defined in the legislation) by a foreign adversary. This is yet another strike against the bill.

Ron DeSantis Call to Deport Foreign Students Over Anti-Israel Views Is Un-American

Even if one supports banning TikTok, giving the executive branch the authority to take this kind of drastic action in the future without Congress is ripe for abuse and inconsistent with democratic principles. If the need arises in the future to ban another massive platform in the name of national security, the very least that Americans deserve is for their elected representatives to do their job and vote on itso they can be held to account.

This is fundamentally a matter of principle, so it shouldnt matter whether one loves TikTok or hates it.

No matter how elected officials personally feel about the app, this saga will be remembered as an inflection point for free speech in Americaand senators should make sure that theyre on the right side of history.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., will introduce a resolution on Friday seeking to label a call by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for new Israeli elections to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "electoral interference."

Scott's resolution would reiterate Israel's right to defend itself against attacks as its war against terrorist group Hamas continues in Gaza, and it would condemn calls for the country to hold elections amid the war.

"Hamas is the reason the conflict started on October 7th and the reason it continues today," Scott, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Israel has every right to defend itself from this brutal terrorist organization that raped and murdered innocent civilians and continues to hold more than 100 people hostage  including several American citizens."

SCHUMER TRIGGERS BACKLASH IN ISRAEL FOR SUGGESTING NETANYAHU NEEDS TO GO: 'LANDED BADLY'

A resolution introduced by Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., left, would consider Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's suggestion for impromptu Israeli elections during wartime to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, "electoral interference."

"I will always stand with Israel as it seeks to confront and eradicate the threat of terrorism," he continued.

Scott's resolution follows a floor speech last week by Schumer during which he encouraged Israel to hold elections and suggested Netanyahu should be replaced.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

According to the New York Democrat, Netanyahu has "put himself in coalition with far-right extremists" and has further "been too willing to tolerate the civilian toll in Gaza." Schumer added that he believes the citizens of Israel feel similarly about wanting to move on from the prime minister.

SENATE REPUBLICANS POISED TO DRAW OUT 11TH-HOUR VOTE ON FUNDING BILLS

The speech was criticized by many, with some calling it "unprecedented."

"Any call for elections in Israel by a United States Government official is to be considered an act of electoral interference," reads the resolution from Scott.

The senator's resolution additionally seeks to express the Senate's belief once again that Israel has an "inherent" right to self-defense. It further states the country additionally reserves the right "to take necessary steps to eradicate the terrorist threat posed by Hamas."

TOP TRUMP VP PROSPECT PLANS SUMMER WEDDING WEEKS AFTER GOP CONVENTION

It is co-sponsored by Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas; Ted Cruz, R-Texas; Marco Rubio, R-Fla.; Pete Ricketts, R-Neb.; Thom Tillis, R-N.C.; Rick Scott, R-Fla.; Mike Crapo, R-Idaho; Tom Cotton, R-Ark.; Joni Ernst, R-Iowa; Kevin Cramer, R-N.D.; Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.; Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa; Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn.; John Thune, R-S.D.; Jerry Moran, R-Kan.; Ted Budd, R-N.C.; Steve Daines, R-Mont.; John Barrasso, R-Wyo.; James Lankford, R-Okla.; Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.; Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla.; Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; John Hoeven, R-N.D.; Deb Fischer, R-Neb.; and Josh Hawley, R-Mo.

Schumer's office did not provide comment when reached by Fox News Digital.

Scott's reference to "electoral interference" comes as similar phrases are used more and more frequently by allies of former President Donald Trump to describe the various indictments and criminal cases he is currently involved in. Trump uses the phrase "election interference" himself to describe actions by the courts he disagrees with.

Trump's campaign referred Fox News Digital to his campaign's initial response to Schumer's speech. Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement on Monday, "The Biden Administration has given millions in aid to Gaza and the Iranian Regime, Democrats in Congress have signed petitions supporting Gaza terrorists and caved to the demands of Far-Left Palestinian extremists, and Chuck Schumer just called for new elections in Israel while theyre in the midst defending themselves from the attacks on October 7th."

"President Trump is right  the Democrat Party has turned into a full-blown anti-Israel, anti-Semitic, pro-terrorist cabal," she added.

Scott is considered a top prospect to serve as Trump's running mate on the 2024 Republican presidential ticket, according to sources in the former president's political orbit, Fox News Digital previously reported.





Original article source: Tim Scott labels Schumer's call for Israeli leader change 'electoral interference'
BlackRock headquarters in New York. The firm has recently lost a huge amount of business in Texas thanks to its 'environmental, social and governance' (ESG) influenced vision of capitalism - Carlo Allegri/Reuters

It took a while to get around to doing it, but officials for the Texas Permanent School Fund (PSF) have now notified ESG (environment, social, and governance) investment house BlackRock, led by CEO Larry Fink, that the Fund is divesting its huge $8.5 billion investment with Blackrock due to that companys persistent, long-term discrimination against funding investments in the Texas oil and gas industry.

The reason for this move is two-fold.

Firstly, the PSF derives the vast preponderance of its funds  more than $1 billion annually  from oil and gas revenues related to lands and mineral rights bequeathed to it by the State of Texas in the West Texas Permian Basin.

Secondly, the 2021 session of the Texas Legislature passed a law, signed by Governor Greg Abbott, ordering the Texas Comptrollers office to identify any ESG investment companies which, like BlackRock, have a record of discriminating against funding oil and gas projects. Any Texas-run fund then has a legal obligation to terminate any and all investments with such firms.

The move against BlackRock related to the PSF is just the first of what could become a series of divestments of ESG money from it and other Texas funds like the Permanent University Fund (PUF) which provides billions in revenues to both The University of Texas and Texas A&M systems, and various other investment funds managed by the state.

In announcing the move, Texas State Board of Education Chairman Aaron Kinsey told Fox Business that it was taken as part of his fiduciary duty to protect the funds main source of revenues.

The Texas Permanent School Fund has a fiduciary duty to protect Texas schools by safeguarding and growing the approximately $1 billion in annual oil and gas royalties managed by the Texas General Land Office, Kinsey said. Terminating BlackRocks contract ensures PSFs full compliance with Texas law.

BlackRocks dominant and persistent leadership in the ESG movement immeasurably damages our states oil and gas economy and the very companies that generate revenues for our PSF. Texas and the PSF have worked hard to grow this fund to build Texas schools, he continued. BlackRocks destructive approach toward the energy companies that this state and our world depend on is incompatible with our fiduciary duty to Texans.

A spokesperson for BlackRock slammed the move, calling it arbitrary, adding, The decision ignores our $120 billion investment in Texas public energy companies and defies expert advice. As a fiduciary, politics should never outweigh performance, especially for taxpayers.

But the move was hardly arbitrary and was taken only after almost three years of deliberation since the law was enacted in mid-2021. BlackRock officials were placed on notice by state officials, including Texas Comptroller Glen Hegar, of the possible loss of the investment at several junctures along the way.

Rather than modify its business strategies undermining the Texas industry and state government, state officials believe BlackRock provided only lip service while apparently continuing the same practices.

The firms conflict on the matter was illustrated by Mr. Fink himself last June when, speaking at the Aspen Ideas Festival, he said, Im ashamed of being part of this conversation, when questioned about his firms ESG investing strategies. Bare moments later, he took it all back, telling the moderator, I never said I was ashamed, he said, even though he had just actually said that very thing. Im not ashamed. I do believe in conscientious capitalism.

He then went on to discuss how he planned to stop communicating about ESG in those direct terms in his communications. Many in the media interpreted that at the time to mean that BlackRock planned to invoke a shift in strategies related to its investment practices. But if any such shift has been implemented it was not apparent to Mr. Kinsey.

Texas officials have little choice but to move to protect the PSF and other state-managed funds from firms that seek to damage the states most vital industry. While Mr. Fink believes that making decisions based on political views is the right way to manage his firm, these officials have an unambiguous fiduciary duty to make them based on maximizing revenues. For the PSF and PUF, those revenues directly derive from drilling for oil and natural gas beneath millions of acres in the resource-rich Permian Basin.

Thats how Texas works, and the record proves the system has worked extremely well.

David Blackmon had a 40 year career in the US energy industry, the last 23 years of which were spent in the public policy arena, managing regulatory and legislative issues for various companies. He continues to write and podcast on energy matters

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The Princess of Wales on her last public appearance, Christmas Day at Sandringham

The Princess of Wales has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing preventative treatment, Kensington Palace has announced.

In a short video filmed in Windsor on Wednesday, the Princess said that it had been discovered following tests after her major abdominal surgery in January.

She said that it had initially been thought that her condition was non-cancerous.

In her statement, she added that she wanted the timing of her announcement to be right for her family and that while it had been an incredibly tough few months, she is well and getting stronger every day.

Here is the series of events that led up to the Princesss announcement and every statement about the Princesss health.

Dec 25 2023

The Princess of Wales attends Christmas service at Sandringham alongside the Prince of Wales, their three children and other members of the Royal family. This is the Princesss most recent public appearance.

Jan 16 2024

The Princess is admitted to the London Clinic in Marylebone and undergoes major abdominal surgery. The news is not announced by Kensington Palace until the next day.

Jan 17 2024

Kensington Palace announces that the Princess is recovering from a planned operation at the private clinic. Aides say her condition is not cancer related but do not specify what surgery it is, only saying it is a successful major abdominal surgery. They say she will remain in the private hospital for 10-14 days and will be away from public view until after Easter.

Buckingham Palace announces on the same day that the King will be treated for a benign enlarged prostate.

Jan 29 2024

The Princess and the King are discharged from the hospital on the same day. While the King is photographed leaving with the Queen and waving at well-wishers, the Princess is not pictured. Kensington Palace says she is making good progress and will continue her recovery at home.

Feb 5 2024

Buckingham Palace announces that the King has cancer and is undergoing treatment.

March 4 2024

A photo reportedly showing the Princess riding in a car with her mother Carole Middleton in Windsor circulated on social media, originating on American gossip site TMZ. It was published by some international news outlets but not in any British newspapers.

March 10 2024

Kensington Palace releases a photo of the Princess surrounded by her three children to mark Mothers Day in Britain. The photo, which was the first official one since the Princess underwent surgery, was retracted hours later by news agencies over concerns that it had been digitally manipulated. This spared a wave of worldwide conspiracy theories online about the Princesss health and her whereabouts.

March 11 2024

Amid a new round of speculation about her health sparked by the edited Mothering Sunday family photo, the Princess issues an apology on social media for the confusion it caused. She said that she occasionally experiments with editing like many amateur photographers.

March 18 2024

The Sun newspaper published a video showing a smiling Princess out shopping in the Windsor Farm Shop with William near their home. The video stirs up more conspiracy theories about the Princess.

March 20 2024

The Information Commissioners Office says it is investigating a report that at least one member of staff at the London Clinic, the private hospital where Kate underwent surgery, tried to access her medical records while she was a patient.

March 22 2024

The Princess announces that tests after her major abdominal operation in January found that cancer had been present. She says she is undergoing a course of preventative chemotherapy.

In a video message, she says the news has come as a huge shock but that she is getting stronger every day.

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NYPD brass took to the subways Thursday to get first-hand feedback from straphangers and to inspect transit cops.

Every chief in the department was ordered to ride the rails in uniform, part of the NYPDs chiefs on the train initiative.

Its a little element of surprise to make sure the cops are doing their jobs, one high-ranking NYPD source told the Daily News. If you know your bosses bosses boss may show up, youre going to make sure youre on point.

The ride-along comes amid subway safety concerns, following a string of high-profile assaults on the system in recent months, and Gov. Hochuls subsequent decision to deploy members of the National Guard to aid in bag checks.

NYPDs Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said many of the passengers he spoke with told him they welcomed an increase in officers underground.

I spoke to a woman who was just getting off work, said Kenny, who got on the J train in Queens shortly after 7 a.m.

She was thrilled to see us all on the train, he said. She said that its scary for her at night when she takes the train by herself, but shes been noticing more and more cops on the subway.

Kenny said he observed cops performing bag checks at the Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer station, and checked up on officers and Guard members at Broadway Junction in East New York.

Chiefs throughout the department posted photos of their patrols to social media, an effort to raise the visibility of the event.

Train patrol remains a cornerstone of subway policing, wrote Transit Bureau chief Michael Kemper, posting photos of Deputy Chief Timothy Skretch at the City Hall IRT station. The sense of comfort that comes with seeing a cop during your subway journey is invaluable.

An MTA spokesman said that agency chairman Janno Lieber met with a group of chiefs at the Fulton St. station in lower Manhattan.

Lieber has full confidence in the NYPDs ability to keep straphangers safe, the spokesman said.
Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., chairman of the House select committee on China, announced he's leaving Congress on April 19, which will temporarily leave House Republicans with just a one-seat majority.

Gallagher revealed in February that he would not be running for a fifth term in the House, a shocking announcement for someone long considered a rising star within the Republican Party.

His early departure will mean that Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., can only afford to lose one GOP lawmaker on any vote that falls along party lines. That will likely remain the case until June, when there's a special election to replace ex-Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio.

HOUSE PASSES $460 BILLION GOVERNMENT FUNDING BILL BLASTED BY GOP HARDLINERS

Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., announced he would be leaving Congress in April, a month after announcing he wouldn't seek re-election.

A special election to replace ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., is set to take place in May. McCarthy's former seat in California's 20th Congressional District is a safe red seat, so it's likely going to give Johnson a GOP win.

Before that, however, is an April 30 special election to replace Rep. Brian Higgins, D-N.Y., a longtime left-wing lawmaker who departed earlier this year. That election will likely see Democrats add to their tally, which would keep the House majority at one seat.

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GOP HARDLINERS FURIOUS AT JOHNSON FOR PASSING ANOTHER SHORT-TERM SPENDING BILL WITH DEMS: 'USUAL C--P'

Republicans keeping McCarthy's seat and Democrats keeping Higgins' seat would keep the majority at one, which means the June 11 special election to replace Johnson in Ohio's 6th Congressional District is the GOP's first chance to regain some wiggle room.

"After conversations with my family, I have made the decision to resign my position as a member of the House of Representatives for Wisconsins Eighth Congressional District, effective April 19, 2024," Gallagher said in a statement on Friday afternoon.

HOUSE SPEAKER JOHNSON SAYS WHITE HOUSE DOESN'T 'CALL THE SHOTS' ON WHEN IMPEACHMENT IS OVER

"Ive worked closely with House Republican leadership on this timeline and look forward to seeing Speaker Johnson appoint a new chair to carry out the important mission of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. My office will continue to operate and provide constituent services to the Eighth District for the remainder of the term."

Gallagher announced his departure from Congress just after he experienced blowback from members of his own party for not voting to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Gallagher was one of three Republicans who voted against the measure.

It also prompted a primary threat  multiple outlets reported last month that Alex Bruesewitz, an ally of former President Donald Trump, was considering a challenge to Gallagher.

A special election to replace ex-Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., is due for May.

A source close to Bruesewitz told Fox News Digital on Friday that Bruesewitz is meeting with business leaders in Wisconsin's 8th Congressional district and is actively being recruited to run for the now open seat. The source said people in Trump's circle, as well as current House Republicans, are pushing Bruesewitz to run.

"If I run, I will win," the Trump ally said.

Bruesewitz is planning to announce his final decision the week of April 8, the source said.

The Washington Examiner reported last month that he's being endorsed by Reps. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.; Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla.; Jim Banks, R-Ind.; and Cory Mills, R-Fla.





Original article source: Top GOP lawmaker announces early exit, leaving Republicans with temporary one-seat majority
Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas), chair of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, told GOP leadership Friday that she will be stepping down from her post.

In a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Granger, who previously announced her retirement, requested a replacement as soon as possible to serve out the remainder of the congressional session.

My goal for the next nine months is to return to where I began my career, as an educator. I will remain on the Committee as Chair Emeritus to lead as a teacher would, providing advice and counsel for my colleagues when it is needed, she wrote.

I will also continue to find ways to improve the lives of the people of the 12th District of Texas from my position on the Committee. I will dedicate my energy to helping the new Chair and our Conference achieve our goals through the appropriations process.

The letter was made public not long after the House passed a $1.2 trillion government spending package for fiscal 2024, funding the departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Labor, Health and Human Services, and State, as well as general government, financial services and foreign operations.

The package combines six of the 12 annual government bills the House passed this month for the fiscal year. The measure now heads to the Senate for consideration ahead of a Friday night government shutdown deadline.

The recent announcement has already set off a race for coveted seat atop the appropriations committee.

Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), head of the subcommittee that crafts funding for transportation and housing programs, threw his hat in the ring for the position later on Friday.

I have served on the Committee for the majority of my career, in a variety of different positions, and I firmly believe that those experiences will aid me going forward to do a respectable job as Chairman, Cole said in a statement.

The spending package also caps off months of tense bipartisan spending negotiations in the divided Congress, as well as intraparty fights in the House, where a group of hard-line conservatives have come out strongly against the funding package.

At one point, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) even filed a motion to remove Johnson from his post amid conservative uproar over the bipartisan funding deal.

The push comes as the House Appropriations Committee has already begun holding hearings to prepare for fiscal 2025, as many Republicans are anxious for another try at further restraining government funding and securing conservative policy changes.

In her letter Friday, Granger wrote that she plans to fulfill her commitment and serve through the end of this Congress.

Recognizing that an election year often results in final appropriations bills not getting enacted until well into the next fiscal year, it is important that I do everything in my power to ensure a seamless transition before the FY25 bill development begins in earnest, she added.

Updated at 3:45 p.m. EDT

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Bloomberg) -- A top Russian grain trader said that its wheat exports have been disrupted after the countrys agricultural watchdog faulted its cargoes for not meeting safety and quality standards.

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The owner of TD Rif, Petr Khodykin, said that his ships laden with Russian wheat are being blocked, causing his company huge losses, according to online news service Lenta.ru.

The comments are the latest sign of upheaval among traders in Russia, the worlds top wheat exporter. The Kremlin has moved to take stronger control of exports since Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine, with the major Western traders having stopped originating grain for export in Russia last year. The countrys bumper wheat harvests have helped bring global prices down from record highs.

TD Rif manager Marina Turyanskaya said in a letter to officials that its ships had been blocked since March 18 after inspectors started to find that cargo did not adhere to standards. Previous cargoes freely passed inspections for safety, quality and import quarantine requirements, the letter said, according to Lenta.

The company is under unprecedented pressure to sell its assets for a negligible price, the news report added, citing a note from TD Rifs owner.

Responding to Rifs comments, Rosselkhoznadzor, Russias agricultural regulator, said that the companys cargoes are repeatedly failing the safety and quality requirements of importing nations and were also missing shipping documents. Over a million tons or 81% of the companys grain shipments have been non-compliant with import requirements since the beginning of 2024, it said in a statement.

TD Rif and Russias agriculture ministry did not immediately respond to phone and email requests for comment.

Major Western traders exited Russias grain export market after local officials and influential industry voices called for their role to be limited. Moscow has also been trying to implement an unofficial minimum price for its grain.

TD Rif has been been one of the largest wheat exporters since the 2014-15 season, quickly growing after being founded in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don in 2010. Its now vying with rival Grain Gates for the top spot, after posting similar grain export volumes in the first half of this season.

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A town clerk in a small New Hampshire town has been arrested, one week after the deputy town clerk was arrested for improperly accessing Division of Motor Vehicle records, state police said.

Town Clerk Melinda Kennett, 59, of Groveton, N.H., was arrested on Tuesday and charged with 16 counts of criminal liability for conduct of another), including 8 counts of computer related offenses and 8 counts of tampering with public records or information, state police said.

An investigation revealed that Kennett, while serving as the town clerk in Northumberland, was an accomplice in accessing Division of Motor Vehicle records, for the purpose of processing vehicle-related transactions, without proper credentials, state police said.

The charges against Kennett are Class A misdemeanors, which carry a maximum possible penalty of up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine for each offense.

Earlier this month, Deputy Town Clerk Courtney McLain, 32, of Northumberland, was arrested on March 8 and charged with 14 counts of tampering with public records and 14 counts of computer related offenses, state police said.

Kennett and McLain were both released on personal recognizance bail following their arrests. Both are scheduled to appear in a Lancaster courtroom on June 3.

Northumberland is a small town in northern New Hampshire, north of Lancaster. The towns population was 2,126 as of the 2020 census.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Turning Point USA, the organization that brought Kyle Rittenhouse to the University of Memphis, says they were discriminated against.

Charlie Kirk, the founder of TPUSA, posted on X, saying he will now be asking Tennessee lawmakers to investigate the university. He claimed they colluded with local protesters to sabotage the event.

Kyle Rittenhouse booed during University of Memphis speech

Kirk also stated that he may file a lawsuit against the school for viewpoint discrimination, as he believed they changed the ticketing system the day of Rittenhousess event and tipped off to reserve nearly all the event tickets.

The event was hijacked and the safety of Kyle and our students was put in jeopardy. This is extremely serious. Did the administration collude with radical BLM activists to sabotage our event, TPUSA posted on X.

We have reached out to the University of Memphis and are waiting to hear back.

Kyle Rittenhouse event at UofM stirs up controversy on campus

Kyle Rittenhouse spoke at the UC Theater Wednesday night, but his appearance has sparked weeks of controversy throughout the community. Rittenhouse walked on stage with his dog to mostly jeers from the crowd of about 50-75.

His appearance of about 30 minutes was interrupted as protestors inside booed, yelled and disrupted him. Rittenhouse later stated on social media that the event had been scheduled to last 30 minutes.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
We've all seen this movie before. The cryptocurrency market, once down and out, is now a favorite among investors. The entire asset class is worth $2.5 trillion today, up roughly 200% from the start of 2023.

Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE), one of the more speculative digital tokens out there, is benefiting tremendously. Its price is up 80% just in the past month.

This dog-inspired meme cryptocurrency has cooled off somewhat, as it sits about 17% below its 2024 high (as of March 21). But that hasn't prevented some of Dogecoin's most bullish supporters from hoping the token can reach $1 during the next several years. Is it possible for this crypto to soar almost 600% between now and the end of 2030?

It's all about hype

Dogecoin's previous all-time high was achieved in May 2021, when the token reached a price of just under $0.74. During that raging bull market, even stock market investors were registering strong excitement, as the so-called meme stock craze took over. This spilled over into the cryptocurrency market as well.

Dogecoin has benefited from various hype cycles that cause its price to soar in short order. Whether it's a public mention by Tesla founder and Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk or the announcement by Mark Cuban that the NBA's Dallas Mavericks accept Dogecoin as a method of payment, investors quickly drive up the price. That's until the optimism quickly fades.

This helps explain why despite its rise this year, Dogecoin is still about 80% off its peak price. It's worth pointing out that since the start of 2023, this token has underperformed the broader crypto market by a wide margin. One of the most speculative digital assets is likely falling out of favor, at least when compared to a few years ago. This trend doesn't bode well for its future price performance.

What about the fundamentals?

I think the only way that Dogecoin can reach $1 in the next six or so years is if it gains status as a popular portfolio addition in the same way that Bitcoin has. Dogecoin, which isn't that much younger than the world's most valuable cryptocurrency, was built as a joke to mimic Bitcoin as a payments network running on a proof-of-work system.

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The difference in their trajectories over the past decade is that Bitcoin has become a legitimate financial asset and store of value, especially in the eyes of regulators in Washington and asset managers on Wall Street. The approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds is a case in point. A lot of capital is set to continue flowing to Bitcoin.

There's another key distinction between Bitcoin and Dogecoin that can't be ignored. It's well known that the former has a fixed supply cap of 21 million, a level of scarcity that aids in its appeal from investors.

The latter, on the other hand, was created by its founders to be intentionally abundant. There are currently 144 billion Dogecoin tokens in circulation, a figure that increases by 10,000 every minute. For Dogecoin's price to skyrocket, demand would need to outpace rising supply. That's a tall task.

In my view, then, there are no fundamental reasons to be long-term bullish about Dogecoin. In fact, it's very unlikely the token will rise 600% to reach $1 by 2030.

If you were interested in buying Dogecoin for whatever reason, I believe it would be nothing more than a speculative decision. That's not a smart move to make with one's hard-earned savings.

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Little Fourmile Creek in the vicinity of Thursday's spill.

Iowa state officials on Friday were investigating a spill of a toxic red pigment solution in Altoona that reached Little Four Mile Creek despite efforts to contain it.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources said in a news release that it was notified Thursday afternoon of the spill, which occurred when the load shifted in a trailer that an eastbound truck was hauling near the intersection of Adventureland Drive and First Avenue North. The movement caused a leak in a 275-gallon container of the solution that was part of the cargo.

The release said an unknown amount of the solution leaked inside the trailer and then onto the surface of Adventureland Drive.

More: Iowa official finds dead fish in 50 miles of fertilizer-contaminated river

City officials and an environmental consulting firm worked to collect the solution before Friday morning's precipitation, but traces of it showed up in Little Fourmile Creek south of Adventureland Drive, the DNR said.

Ted Petersen, an environmental program supervisor for the DNR, said that though the solution is toxic, officials have not seen any significant impacts in the creek, such as dead fish.

Were not seeing any signs of it in the water suggesting that its reached that toxic level, Petersen said. We felt like the clean-up crews did a good job overnight getting as much as they could.

Nevertheless, officials are asking residents to avoid the area as the investigation continues.

Jose Mendiola is a breaking news reporter for the Register. Reach him at jmendiola@dmreg.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Altoona residents warned away from Little Fourmile Creek after spill
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Its official, Utahns  Trader Joes is opening up a new location in Salt Lake Citys Sugar House neighborhood.

Weve consulted our maps and compass and have found a terrific location for a store in Salt Lake City, UT, a post from Trader Joes reads online. Our Crew is working hard so we can open our doors in 2024.

The new store will be located at 2160 South 700 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84106.

READ: Convicted YouTuber Ruby Franke kept journal detailing child abuses  ABC News to air special tonight

The Sugar House location will help bridge the gap between the Trader Joes on 400 South in Salt Lake City and the location off 1300 East in Cottonwood Heights. There is also another location in Orem, near 400 East and Park Avenue.

ABC4.com reached out to Trader Joes back in October 2023 for information regarding a commercial building permit submitted to Salt Lake City. At the time, Trader Joes spokesperson Nakia Rohdes said, We are actively looking at hundreds of neighborhoods across the country as we hope to open more neighborhood stores each year.

Well, our grocery store wishes have come true, and the new location is set. It will be the Beehive States fifth Trader Joes.

The last Utah location to open was in Draper  marking the states fourth Trader Joes.

Heres a list of commitments Trader Joes makes to their customers, listed on their site:

We buy direct from suppliers whenever possible, we bargain hard to get the best price, and then pass the savings on to you.

We buy in volume and contract early to get the best prices.

If an item doesnt pull its weight in our stores, it goes away, making room for another innovative new product.

Most grocers charge their suppliers fees for putting an item on the shelf. This results in higher prices so we dont do it.

We keep our costs low because every penny we save is a penny you save.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Crashes on both the 18 Mile Stretch of U.S.1 and Card Sound Road backed up all traffic heading into the Florida Keys for hours Friday morning into the afternoon.

The crash on the 18 Mile Stretch involved an overturned septic tank truck that was leaking fuel, said Detective Angel Rodriguez, a Miami-Dade County police spokesman. It crashed at mile marker 116, which is on the Miami-Dade County end of the highway.

The crash on Card Sound Road happened at the south end of the Card Sound Bridge. A photo provided by the Monroe County Sheriffs Office showed a jackknifed landscaping pickup truck with a trailer.

Both crashes happened around 10 a.m. At noon, the sheriffs office said the southbound lanes of the Stretch were reopened, but traffic backups on U.S. 1 in Florida City and on the Turnpike heading to Florida City continued for hours.

According to Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue, there were no reported injuries involved with the overturned truck on the Stretch.

The Card Sound Road crash was cleared shortly after 1 p.m., Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay told the Herald. The cause of both crashes is under investigation.

Most traffic heading in and out of the Keys flows on the 18 Mile Stretch of U.S. 1.

Card Sound Road is the other artery, which is a two-lane highway heading southeast from Florida City on the mainland, then southwest at a three-way intersection in north Key Largo.
Estonia Government Approves Bill To Regulate Crypto Service Provider

The Estonian government has given its approval to a bill aimed at regulating cryptocurrency service providers. However, the bill still needs to pass a parliamentary vote before becoming law. Under the proposed legislation, cryptocurrency service providers would fall under the supervision of the Financial Supervision Authority (FSA).

Currently, these providers are registered with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and must comply with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations. If the bill is enacted, the FSA will start issuing licenses in 2025, and existing FIU license holders will be required to apply for FSA licensing by the end of that year. Estonian Finance Minister Mart Vorklaev expressed confidence in the licensing process, stating that those who are serious about providing services will be able to obtain the necessary licenses from the Financial Supervisory Authority.

Under the current national law, fines for AML violations can reach up to 40,000 euros ($43,450). However, if the new bill becomes law, fines of up to 5 million euros ($5.2 million) would be possible. Vorklaev announced that he submitted the bill to the government last week, and it now awaits approval from the government before being presented to the Riigikogu, the Estonian parliament, for a vote.

The bill aims to align Estonia with the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulations and would also modify the securities prospectus requirement. Estonia established itself as a crypto-friendly jurisdiction in 2017 when it introduced favorable legislation for crypto companies and simplified registration processes, including e-residency. However, the country tightened regulations in 2020 following a non-crypto-related corruption scandal.
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Donald Trumps social media firm  the parent of Truth Social  merged with a shell company on Friday, a deal that raised the former U.S. presidents on-paper wealth by $3 billion and could give him a much-needed cash infusion as he struggles to pay mounting legal bills.

Investors in the shell company Digital World Acquisition will now also be shareholders in Trump Media & Technology Group, which owns Trumps social media platform, Truth Social. The deal will also transfer $300 million to Trump Media to help the low-on-cash company keep Truth Social running.

Shares of the newly combined company could begin to be publicly traded as soon as Monday. Theyll be sold under the stock symbol DJT, Trumps initials.

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Stocks appeal seen as more political than financial

Sources: The Wall Street Journal, Vanity Fair, The New York Times

The Wall Street Journal called the deal as stunning as it is unusual. Since its founding in 2021, Trump Media has had a disappointing financial performance, failing to make money from advertising on Truth Social.

But tens of thousands of traders seem to have bought into the idea that this stock should be tied to Trump as a political figure, not the companys finances. Shares of Digital World Acquisition have soared 111% in the year to date. Vanity Fair put it like this: Trumps financial future now hinges on some of the strangest fads in corporate financememe stocks, [shell company] deals, and cult-of-personality investing, while one analyst told the WSJ that the investor behavior was more of a political statement and a quasi betting tool on the election.

Trumps possible windfall comes at a critical time

Sources: The New York Times, Business Insider

The merger agreement stipulates that Trump must hold his shares for six months, but The New York Times reported its possible that the companys board  which is largely made of Trump allies  will waive those lockup restrictions, freeing up a cash lifeline sooner.

The question of whether this will happen comes at a critical time, Business Insider reported, as Trump scrambles to pay a more than $450 million penalty in the civil fraud case brought by the New York Attorney General Letitia James. If he doesnt come up with the money by Monday, the attorney general could begin seizing assets, including some of his properties.

A waiver on cashing out could be a liability for the company

Sources: The Washington Post, WIRED

If Trump or other shareholders are given a waiver to sell their shares, investors might worry that they would flood the market, driving down the price  or that they are cashing out to leave the company because they dont think well of its prospects, a University of Georgia law professor told The Washington Post. That could be a liability for the company, The Post reported, because shareholders could argue the waiver unfairly damaged their financial state.

Regardless of whether Trumps six-month wait is waived, stocks bring no guarantees. Even if he doesnt have to wait to sell shares, the stock price could change dramatically before Trump has a chance to cash out, WIRED reported.
Donald Trump may finally get the money to start paying down his legal bills, after his social media company completed a merger Friday with a wealthy shell company.

Shareholders of Digital World Acquisition Corporation approved the merger with Trump Media & Technology Group, which has nearly run out of cash. The deal will inject more than $300 million into Trump Media and keep Truth Social, the former presidents personal social media platform, up and running.

Trump Media will now debut on the stock market with a value of more than $5 billion. Trump will own a dominant stake in the company worth more than $3 billion.

The merger comes just days before Trump must post the $464 million bond in his New York civil fraud trial. If he fails to secure the massive amount, the state attorney general can begin seizing his assets as repayment. Although the merger will provide Trump with an unexpected windfall, he may not be able to cash in just yet.

Under the merger deal, Trump is prohibited from selling any of his shares or using them as collateral for a loan for six months. He can ask the board of Digital World Acquisition Corporation to waive that rule for him, but it is unclear if they will agree.



Trump could attempt to stack the board with his allies in an effort to swing a vote in his favor, but even then, the merger is unlikely to turn out to be a golden goose. The terms of the deal prevent him from selling more than one percent of outstanding shares per quarter. And current investors wont want him to sell off a large swath of stocks at once because it could signal hes losing interest in the business, which in turn could turn off potential investors.

Its simply trading on Trumps name, Kristi Marvin, founder of the research firm SPACInsider, told Politico. People arent buying this because they like the fundamentalstheyre buying this because they like Trump.

And even when Trump manages to offload a large amount of stock, theres no guarantee how much it will be worth. The stock value will depend on the whims of what Boston College law professor Brian Quinn described to Politico as MAGA meme stock investors.

By the time Trump is able to start selling his shares, I doubt they will be worth much, Quinn said. Certainly less than his present requirements.

And Trump has a lot of requirements. As his campaign trail fundraising lags, he struck a new joint fundraising agreement with the Republican National Committee (which is co-chaired by his daughter-in-law). Donations will now go first to his campaign and a PAC that pays his legal bills first, before the RNC can get a share, the Associated Press reported Thursday night.

Trump reportedly only has about $413 million in cash assets, not nearly enough to pay off his various legal fines. In addition to the $464 million he owes New York state, Trump owes nearly $400,000 to The New York Times and thousands of dollars for gag order violations.

He also owes $382,000 to Orbis Business Intelligence, the consulting firm owned by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele. Trump had sued Orbis over a dossier Steele compiled in 2016 that alleged Trump and members of his inner circle had been compromised by Russias security service.

This story has been updated.
Google is still "evaluating the potential" for a data center complex in the Cedar Rapids area, a spokesperson said Friday after the state signed off on $56 million in incentives for the project.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority board approved the tax abatements for the $576 million project, which has the potential to be the city's largest on record, and revealed that Google was the previously unnamed company behind it. Cedar Rapids approved a development agreement with the entity last month, the Gazette reported, for the construction of one or more data centers on the city's far north side near the Eastern Iowa Airport.

But in an email to the Des Moines Register on Friday, a Google spokesperson said plans have yet to be finalized.

We are always planning for future capacity needs," it said. "These are complex projects and development of the site is subject to a variety of factors including but not limited to competitive energy rates along with a sustainable and sufficient energy supply.

The project would create 31 jobs paying at least $31.44 per hour. The IEDA granted Cedar Rapids the ability to leverage the High Quality Jobs program  which provides tax credits and refunds to businesses that move to or expand in Iowa  to give Google a break on property taxes that would otherwise increase with the completed data center's assessed value.

The company's exemption would last for a period of 20 years, an IEDA report said. The state has yet to dole out any funds for the center.

More: Why data centers love coming to Iowa

If Google does proceed, construction could begin this summer, with hiring expected to take place in 2025. The center would be fully functional by 2026.

"We're very excited about the project today, but also for what has occurred and what will occur in Cedar Rapids over the coming years," City Manager Jeff Pomeranz told the IEDA board. "We're really, from an economic development perspective, (going) in a very, very positive direction."

Story continues

Google's Iowa investments could balloon to over $6 billion

Google first came to Iowa in 2007 with a multimillion-dollar data center in Council Bluffs. In 2022, the company invested another $600 million in its already $5 billion, 1,000-acre complex, bringing its total workforce to 281.

Microsoft and Meta have joined it in Iowa, building data centers in locations including Altoona and West Des Moines. Apple began preparing for construction of a 400,000-square-foot data center in Waukee in 2021.

Factors that make the state attractive to tech companies include an abundance of inexpensive, environmentally friendly wind energy, access to high-speed fiber optic connections and tax incentives.

The IEDA noted that Google's infrastructure requirements have increased as its customer base and demand for services have grown. The company announced earlier in March that it would be investing $1 billion in a new data center in Kansas City, Missouri, with Google executive Monique Picou saying it will play an essential role in supporting the companys artificials intelligence innovations.

Addison Lathers covers growth and development for the Des Moines metro. Reach her at 608-931-1761 and ALathers@registermedia.com, and follow her on Twitter at @addisonlathers.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Google gets state dollars for $576 million data center in Cedar Rapids
A U.S. Navy F-18 is prepared to launch off the USS Constellation on Jan. 1, 2003, in the Persian Gulf. The warplanes from the aircraft carrier had the mission to patrol the no-flight zone in southern Iraq. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  U.S. House Republican leaders have spent the last year holding up a broadly bipartisan, Senate-approved bill that would repeal the authorizations for use of military force from the 1990s and early 2000s that were intended for the wars in Iraq.

The Senate approved the legislation following a 66-30 vote last March, but it has remained stalled in the House ever since, despite broad support from conservative Republicans, centrist lawmakers and left-leaning Democrats in that chamber.

Authorizations for Use of Military Force, while not formal declarations of war, have become the more common way for Congress to authorize when and where the president as commander-in-chief can send U.S. troops into conflict.

Leaving an AUMF on the books, especially decades after lawmakers originally approved it, could provide an avenue for the president to send troops into war or engage in attacks that havent been debated and approved by lawmakers on behalf of the public, analysts and lawmakers warn.

In this case, however, emerging wars and armed conflicts in the Middle East have changed the tone of the debate about removing two Iraq AUMFs from the ledger.

Oklahoma Republican Rep. Tom Cole, one of the bills original co-sponsors, said in a brief interview with States Newsroom in mid-March there hasnt been a lot of oxygen for the repeal bill to move through the House.

Cole, chairman of the Rules Committee, said he hopes leadership will see the bill warrants an up-or-down floor vote later this year.

We ought to be looking for some things we can agree on on both sides, and this is certainly one of them, Cole said. I think itd get a good vote. So Ill probably bring it up once we get through this period of time with the speaker and majority leader, and see if theyve got any interest in it.

The House bill to repeal the Iraq war AUMFs, which is a companion to the Senate-passed bill, has 71 co-sponsors that span the political spectrum and represent 30 states, showing the legislation could have the support needed to pass on an up-or-down vote.

Part of the slowdown, Cole said, is that the House Foreign Affairs Committee wants to take a different approach than whats in the Senate-passed bill.

Repeal and replace Authorizations for Use of Military Force

House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican, said during a hearing in September that his preference would be for Congress to repeal and replace all the AUMFs with a new, more limited authorization scope to the terror threats that we face today.

That process would include repealing the AUMF that Congress approved following the 9/11 terrorist attacks that has given several presidents broad authority to conduct military actions against terrorist organizations around the globe.

An entirely new AUMF would not provide any authority for U.S. troops to occupy a country or for American taxpayers to reconstruct it, and it would include a sunset date so that Congress is required to review and reauthorize more regularly, McCaul said during that hearing.

Doing this is hard, and thats why we havent done it in 22 years, McCaul said at the time. To succeed, a new AUMF requires bipartisan, bicameral and presidential support, and it will require us to answer tough questions, such as which terrorist organizations should be covered.

New York Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks, ranking member on the committee, said during the hearing he believed both parties could agree that we need to have this debate and we need Congress to reassert its proper authority over the power to declare war under the Constitution.

The time to pass repeal and replace of the 2001 AUMF legislation is now long overdue, Meeks added. The American people elected us to make tough decisions, not duck hard questions by ceding our constitutional authority over the executive branch.

The House committee, however, hasnt released its own bill to address the AUMFs in the six months since the hearing.

That leaves the Senate-approved bill and the identical House version as the most likely option to be enacted during an election year.

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Hostilities in Middle East complicate U.S. House discussions

Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, co-sponsor of the Senate version of the bill, said during a brief interview with State Newsroom that conflicts throughout the Middle East have complicated discussions about moving the measure through the House.

My colleagues still want to do it, but I frankly think the increased pace of hostilities in the Middle East has complicated it  even though theres nothing about Iraq that is related to these, Kaine said.

The change in speaker of the House has also altered the original plan for debate and a vote in that chamber.

The speaker had made a commitment that he would bring the bill up for a vote. They sacked the speaker, Kaine said, referring to former Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California. So its kind of back to square one with the new speaker.

The current slate of House GOP leaders has so far shied away from moving the issue forward, possibly because the current team all voted against a similar bill that was brought to the floor in June 2021.

Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana, Republican Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota and Conference Chair Elise Stefanik of New York all voted against a bill to repeal the 2002 Iraq war authorization for use of military force, or AUMF, that passed that chamber on a 268-161 vote.

Indianas Young says effort should be made

Indiana Republican Sen. Todd Young, co-sponsor of the stalled Senate legislation, said during an interview with States Newsroom it would be challenging to move the bill forward in the House now, but said he believes lawmakers should absolutely make an effort to get a vote.

Young said conflicts throughout that region have changed the dynamics around approving the AUMF repeal bill, though that should not lead lawmakers to step back from having complicated conversations about when and how the U.S. military uses force.

Here we are with members of Congress, who are notoriously risk-averse, attempting to deal with a multi-front crisis  Ukraine, Indo-Pacific, Middle East, southern border and so forth, Young said.

And there is an incentive to generously read long-standing, but outdated legal authorities in such a way that is highly deferential to the president, Young added. Unfortunately, to do so would be a gross abdication of our responsibilities in Congress to not just oversee military activities, but to actually authorize them.

Young said hes been asking questions about how the Biden administration is justifying using U.S. troops to counter attacks by Houthis on commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea.

Im very, very concerned that if Congress doesnt specifically authorize the use of military force in a situation like this, were going to end up with another potential Iraq scenario, Young said. And none of my constituents want that.

Virginia Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger said in a written statement to States Newsroom that last year she was proud to see my colleagues in the U.S. Senate vote to remove this outdated war authority from the books  voting to pass a bill that I am proud to help lead in the U.S. House.

This authorization is long overdue for repeal, which is why we have voted multiple times to repeal the 2002 AUMF with bipartisan support, Spanberger said. The responsibility is now on Speaker Johnson to bring our bipartisan legislation to the floor of the U.S. House and demonstrate that we are serious about reclaiming our fundamental and constitutional authority to make decisions of war and peace.

Johnsons office did not return a request for comment on the AUMF repeal legislation.

A debate more about the past

Michael OHanlon, senior fellow and director of foreign policy research at the Brookings Institution, said in an interview with States Newsroom that trying to repeal old AUMFs is more of a theoretical than practical discussion right now, possibly slowing down the process.

Its almost a debate more about the past than it is about the future, OHanlon said.

The AUMFs for the Iraq wars are basically obsolete, though OHanlon said, there could be real value in updating (the 2001 AUMF) to extend it to the kind of groups that have actually been more involved in attacking U.S. forces in the region recently.

There are also bigger, potentially more consequential debates that Congress should be preparing for, he said.

The retracting of the Iraq resolutions strikes me as more political theater than anything else on balance, OHanlon said. The much more consequential issue to me is, what role would Congress play if China ever attacked Taiwan?

Such a war would not be covered by any of the existing AUMFs that Congress has enacted in recent decades, likely setting off a frenzied debate about war powers between Congress and the president.

And yet, the debate seems so hung up on the whole legacy of the forever wars in the Middle East that this giant elephant in the room is being ignored, OHanlon said. And President (Joe) Biden has said four times in the past that if China attacked Taiwan, that we would protect Taiwan. And hes never acknowledged a role for Congress. To me, that is the real story.

The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the authority to declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water.

But presidents have long used AUMFs or declarations of war to justify military operations that might not have been expected or intended when Congress approved the measures.

The landmark legislation on this in some ways was the War Powers Act of 1973, which was out of frustration with Vietnam, where Congress had just passed one little resolution about a small exchange of gunfire in 1964 and it wound up being used to justify and authorize the entire Vietnam War, OHanlon said. And, you know, 56,000 American dead later, Congress tried to be more assertive.

In the decades since the legislation was approved, OHanlon said, there has been a recurring tug-of-war between the president as commander-in-chief and legislative branch about when and how the U.S. military can use force.

Theres a long history of Congress, trying to have some influence but not really always wanting to declare war, not always feeling its realistic to reach that standard, OHanlon said. And yet not wanting to let the president just do whatever he wants.

The post The U.S. Senate repealed Iraq war authorizations a year ago. In the House, theyre frozen. appeared first on Idaho Capital Sun.
Over 2 months, 251.2 thousand tons worth $150 million were shipped for export. This is 1.9 times more than for the same period in 2023, Azernews reports, citing Kun.uz News Agency.

According to the Statistics Agency, in January-February 2024, Uzbekistan exported 251.2 thousand tons of fruits and vegetables worth $150.1 million.

Compared to the corresponding period in 2023, this figure increased by 1.9 times or by 115.5 thousand tons.

Pakistan (26.6%), Russia (26.1%), Kazakhstan (9.1%) and China (9%) were the main export markets for horticultural products.

In January-February 2024, the share of exports of fruits and vegetables amounted to 4.1% of total exports.
For beginners, it can seem like a good idea (and an exciting prospect) to buy a company that tells a good story to investors, even if it currently lacks a track record of revenue and profit. Unfortunately, these high risk investments often have little probability of ever paying off, and many investors pay a price to learn their lesson. Loss-making companies are always racing against time to reach financial sustainability, so investors in these companies may be taking on more risk than they should.

If this kind of company isn't your style, you like companies that generate revenue, and even earn profits, then you may well be interested in ARYZTA (VTX:ARYN). Even if this company is fairly valued by the market, investors would agree that generating consistent profits will continue to provide ARYZTA with the means to add long-term value to shareholders.

See our latest analysis for ARYZTA

How Fast Is ARYZTA Growing Its Earnings Per Share?

In the last three years ARYZTA's earnings per share took off; so much so that it's a bit disingenuous to use these figures to try and deduce long term estimates. Thus, it makes sense to focus on more recent growth rates, instead. In impressive fashion, ARYZTA's EPS grew from 0.034 to 0.069, over the previous 12 months. It's a rarity to see 103% year-on-year growth like that.

It's often helpful to take a look at earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margins, as well as revenue growth, to get another take on the quality of the company's growth. ARYZTA maintained stable EBIT margins over the last year, all while growing revenue 12% to 2.2b. That's progress.

You can take a look at the company's revenue and earnings growth trend, in the chart below. To see the actual numbers, click on the chart.

You don't drive with your eyes on the rear-view mirror, so you might be more interested in this free report showing analyst forecasts for ARYZTA's future profits.

Story continues

Are ARYZTA Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

Prior to investment, it's always a good idea to check that the management team is paid reasonably. Pay levels around or below the median, can be a sign that shareholder interests are well considered. For companies with market capitalisations between 921m and 2.9b, like ARYZTA, the median CEO pay is around 1.2m.

The ARYZTA CEO received total compensation of just 337k in the year to July 2023. That looks like a modest pay packet, and may hint at a certain respect for the interests of shareholders. While the level of CEO compensation shouldn't be the biggest factor in how the company is viewed, modest remuneration is a positive, because it suggests that the board keeps shareholder interests in mind. It can also be a sign of good governance, more generally.

Should You Add ARYZTA To Your Watchlist?

ARYZTA's earnings per share have been soaring, with growth rates sky high. This appreciable increase in earnings could be a sign of an upward trajectory for the company. What's more, the fact that the CEO's compensation is quite reasonable is a sign that the company is conscious of excessive spending. It will definitely require further research to be sure, but it does seem that ARYZTA has the hallmarks of a quality business; and that would make it well worth watching. However, before you get too excited we've discovered 1 warning sign for ARYZTA that you should be aware of.

Although ARYZTA certainly looks good, it may appeal to more investors if insiders were buying up shares. If you like to see companies with insider buying, then check out this handpicked selection of Swiss companies that not only boast of strong growth but have also seen recent insider buying..

Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
MV Roy Benavidez, part of the U.S. Ready Reserve Fleet, left port Thursday to deliver equipment to the U.S. Armys 7th Transportation Brigade to construct a temporary pier that will be used to move humanitarian aid into Gaza. U.S. Navy photo by Ryan Carter/DVIDS

March 21 (UPI) -- An American ship departed Virginia Thursday to support construction of a temporary pier to support the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

The MV Roy P. Benavidez departed its berth in Newport News, Va., Thursday loaded with heavy equipment and materials needed for the U.S. Army-led humanitarian project. The ship will deliver the components to the Army's 7th Transportation Brigade, which will construct the pier in the Mediterranean Sea.

Army officials call this capability Joint Logistics-Over-the-Shore (JLOTS).

"JLOTS is a critical capability that allows ship-to-shore cargo distribution in the absence of a usable pier," Lt. Gen. John Sullivan, deputy commander, U.S. Transportation Command said in a statement.

"It can be used to augment an established port or to create a pier where one is needed and allows us to support areas where large populations are isolated from food, water and other forms of humanitarian aid."

The Benavidez, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration's Ready Reserve Fleet, will support four Army vessels with the 7th Transportation Brigade, which departed the United States in support of the mission earlier this month.

Pentagon press secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder has said the pier will be fully operational within 60 days of when President Joe Biden announced the project during his State of the Union address.

Biden, during his address, also emphasized that "Israel must also do its part."

"Israel must allow more aid into Gaza and ensure that humanitarian workers aren't caught in the crossfire," he said.

Biden is under increased pressure from his own party to distance himself from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks.

The United States continues to airdrop aid into Palestine. Since March 2, U.S. Central Command has delivered more than 204,000 meals, 48,000 bottles of water and more than 5,000 pounds of food items, Ryder said.

Before becoming a part of the Ready Reserve Fleet, the MV Roy P. Benavidez was a Bob Hope-class roll-on, roll-off cargo ship used by the U.S. Navy.
Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who has trained at prestigious military academies, is known for his politically explosive tweets

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, 79, has promoted his son Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba to head the military.

The 49-year-old's promotion comes amid a major cabinet reshuffle in which five ministers were sacked.

In power since 1986, Mr Museveni has denied speculation that he is grooming his only son as his successor.

Gen Kainerugaba is a controversial figure, becoming increasingly involved in the political arena, in breach of military protocols.

In 2022 his father sacked him as commander of the army's land forces after he made threats on Twitter, now known as X, to invade neighbouring Kenya.

President Museveni also issued an apology to Kenya's leader and asked Kenyans for "forgiveness" on behalf of his son.

However, Gen Kainerugaba's offending tweet has never been removed, he was promoted to general and retained as his father's adviser.

He followed up with another controversial post that said he would send troops to Moscow to help President Vladimir Putin defend Russia against Ukraine.

He now replaces Gen Wilson Mbadi as head of the country's defence forces - his predecessor moving to head the trade ministry.

Two of Gen Kainerugaba's closest advisers have also been named as ministers in the reshuffle.

Reaction to Gen Kainerugaba's promotion has sparked concern.

Opposition lawmaker Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda told AFP news agency that President Museveni was treating Uganda as "a personal enterprise of his family".

He condemned the appointment and said Ugandans needed to oppose the "family dynasty".

After the 2021 elections, the opposition accused President Museveni, his son and other officials of torture and abductions.

The president's spokesperson denied these claims and told The New York Times his political rivals were "peddling wrong information".

Gen Kainerugaba has said he would run for president in the 2026 election, in a now deleted X post.

He has recently been holding rallies, mobilising support around the country, which has drawn criticism in some quarters.

He joined the army in 1999 and has had a meteoric rise. His ascent to power has been dubbed the "Muhoozi Project" by local media.

More stories about Uganda from the BBC:
KAMPALA (Reuters) - Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has appointed his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as head of the military, the defence ministry said on Friday.

Muhoozi Kainerugaba, 48, a general in the military, is widely seen as his father's successor in waiting and once stirred controversy by threatening to invade neighbouring Kenya. The ministry said in a statement he replaces Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, who was removed and appointed as a junior minister.

In 2022, Museveni removed his son as commander of Uganda's land forces after he made threats to invade neighbouring Kenya in posts on social media platform X.

In the posts, Kainerugaba also expressed support for Russia's President Vladimir Putin saying: "The majority of mankind (that are non-white) support Russia's stand in Ukraine."

Kainerugaba has long been viewed as being prepared to take over the presidency from his father, 79, who has ruled the east African country for nearly 40 years.

Although Ugandan laws bar serving military officers from involvement in politics, Kainerugaba frequently trades barbs with opposition politicians and has also formed a pressure group that has been mobilising political support for him, drawing criticism from his critics and the opposition.

Uganda is due to hold its next presidential election in early 2026 and Museveni is widely expected to seek re-election.

(Editing by George Obulutsa and Jacqueline Wong)
Uganda's veteran leader, Yoweri Museveni, has appointed his son to head the country's defence forces, the East African nation's government said, capping a dizzying rise for Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

The announcement by the defence ministry late on Thursday followed years of speculation that Kainerugaba, whose social media outbursts have sparked diplomatic uproars, was being groomed for the top job.

Although the 49-year-old general has in the past denied claims he intends to succeed his father -- one of Africa's longest-serving leaders -- he has enjoyed a rapid climb through Uganda's army ranks.

In a now-deleted post on X last year, Kainerugaba said he intended to run for president in the 2026 elections.

He also appeared to take a dig at his father, writing: "How many agree with me that our time has come? Enough of the old people ruling us. Dominating us. It's time for our generation to shine. Retweet and like."

Following a row in 2022 over a post by Kainerugaba threatening to invade Kenya, Museveni, 79, sought to rein in his wayward son by telling him to stay off social media when it comes to affairs of state.

Museveni, who apologised to Kenya over the outburst, has nevertheless defended his only son as a "very good general" and promoted him to that rank just days after the row erupted.

Thursday's announcement was part of a reshuffle within the government, with the former army chief General Wilson Mbasu Mbadi appointed to serve as the junior minister for trade.

Opposition politicians condemned the move to promote Kainerugaba.

David Lewis Rubongoya, secretary general of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party, called it "a sad day for our country".

Another opposition lawmaker, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, accused Museveni of treating the country as "a personal enterprise of his family".

"Ugandans need to rise up collectively and oppose Museveni's family dynasty because we own this country and not Museveni alone," he told AFP.

- 'Baby despot' -

As a high-ranking military official, Kainerugaba is barred from speaking publicly about political matters but has frequently waded into such discussions, causing diplomatic headaches for Uganda.

His tweets in support of Tigrayan rebels in Ethiopia angered Addis Ababa, while his thoughts on Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the 2021 coup in Guinea also raised eyebrows.

Last year, he declared that Uganda would "send soldiers to defend Moscow if it's ever threatened by the Imperialists", chiding Western nations for sharing "useless pro-Ukraine propaganda".

He had also attacked the Ugandan government for failing to rein in corruption after an investigation accused cabinet ministers and other officials of stealing iron sheets intended for villagers in the poor northeastern region of Karamoja.

Thursday's reshuffle also stripped Agnes Nandutu and Mary Gorretti Kitutu, two cabinet ministers currently facing trial over the alleged theft, of their positions.

To many Ugandans, Kainerugaba's position as heir apparent has been obvious but the government has in the past taken a harsh line against anyone discussing the matter.

In 2013, police shut two independent newspapers and two radio stations for 10 days after they published a leaked confidential memo by a senior general alleging that Museveni was grooming Kainerugaba to succeed him.

Many of Museveni's former allies, including his personal doctor Kizza Besigye, have fallen out of favour with the president over Kainerugaba's elevation, which has also aroused the ire of opposition politicians and government critics.

Prominent author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija fled to Germany in 2022, alleging that he was tortured in custody on charges of insulting Museveni and Kainerugaba, who he has described as "obese", a "curmudgeon" and a "baby despot".

gm-amu/gil
London will allocate a $75 million security assistance package for Ukraine, focused on recon UAVs and air defense systems, the UK Defense Ministry announced on March 22.

A new 60 million ($65 million) package of military support from the UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine will provide advanced new surveillance drones to support Ukraines Armed Forces, the announcement says.

Read also: Ukraine aims to cripple Russian fossil fuel industry, NV launches drone fundraiser, Germany announces 500 million aid package

The message also specified that one-third of the funds would be allocated to bolster air defense systems to "help keep Ukrainian skies safe."

Read also: Germany to provide Ukraine with a new military aid package worth $543 million

On March 7, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace in Kyiv. Zelenskyy and Wallace discussed further strengthening Ukraines air defenses and long-range strike capability.

Read also: Zelenskyy appeals to NATO Military Committee Chair for more air defense

Following the meeting, the UK announced it will allocate about $416 million for supplying Ukrainian servicemen with advanced UAVs throughout 2024.

On March 21, Chair of the House of Commons Defense Committee, Jeremy Quin, said that Western countries are doing shamefully little to counter Russia and its armed aggression against Ukraine.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The U.K. has announced a further 60 million pounds ($75.5 million) in military aid for Ukraine that will provide new surveillance drones and air defense systems, the countrys defense ministry said on March 22.

In a post on X, the U.K. Defense Ministry said: A new 60 million package of military support from the UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine will provide advanced new surveillance drones to support Ukraine's Armed Forces.

It will also include 20 million to provide air defense systems to help keep Ukraine's skies safe.

No further details have been given at this time.

Ukraines European allies have made a number of aid announcement in recent days as U.S. military aid remains deadlocked in Congress.

Earlier on March 22, it was announced that the Franco-German manufacturer KNDS will establish a branch in Ukraine following an agreement between Paris and Berlin

The new unit of the company, which makes tanks, Caesar self-propelled howitzers and other military vehicles, will produce ammunition and spare parts for equipment sent to Kyiv by France and Germany.

Also on March 22, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said a large amount of ammunition will be sent to Ukraine "in the near future" within the Czech-led initiative to provide Kyiv with hundreds of thousands of artillery shells.

Read also: Danylo Mokryk: Say the word genocide

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The first 10 Ukrainian pilots graduated from the flight school under the guidance of Royal Air Force (RAF) instructors, the U.K. Defense Ministry's press service reported on March 22.

The U.K. has been supporting the fighter jet coalition since it was established by 11 founding nations in July 2023 at the Vilnius NATO summit to assist Ukraine on its path to acquiring and operating modern fighter jets.

Ukraine expects to receive the first F-16 fighter jets this summer. Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Belgium promised to deliver dozens of their U.S.-made fourth-generation jets to bolster Ukraine's Air Force.

Several countries have also made some of their F-16 jets available for training Ukrainian pilots.

According to the U.K. Defense Ministry's statement, the first cohort has completed basic training and will move to advanced flying training provided by the French Air Force before learning to fly F-16 fighter jets.

The training program for Ukrainian pilots included general aircraft handling, flying by the aircraft's instruments, low-level navigation, and advanced formation flying by experienced RAF instructors.

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The pilots also underwent English-language training to "boost interoperability with NATO air forces," as English is the standardized international flight language.

"Ukraine has been using its Air Force to devastating effect, degrading the Russian Black Sea Fleet and severely damaging its Headquarters," U.K. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said.

"This milestone is another step forward for Ukraine's aerial capabilities  together with our allies, we are showing that we will continue to stand by Ukraine's side," Shapps added.

In February, CNN reported that the first four Ukrainian pilots are scheduled to complete U.S.-led training on F-16 fighter jets by this summer.

Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said that the final delivery of the first batch of Danish F-16s depends on the readiness of Ukraine's infrastructure, pilots, and support personnel, among other factors.

Read also: F-16s for Ukraine: When will they arrive and what can they do?

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Elimination of the aftermath of Russian strikes on 22 March. Photo: the SES

The Defence Intelligence of the United Kingdom has assessed Russia's resumption of air strikes on Ukraine using long-range aircraft.

Source: UK Defence Intelligence review dated 22 March, as reported by European Pravda

Details: On Friday, 21 March, Russia conducted its first large-scale strike on Ukraine in over a month using long-range aircraft, the intelligence noted.

Russian strike forces included at least 10 Tu-95 bombers from the Olenegorsk and Engels airbases as well as MiG-31 fighters. At least 20 missiles were launched, including the latest Russian cruise missile Kh-101/Kh-102 and the Kinzhal aeroballistic missile, primarily targeting facilities in Kyiv.

Notably, 44 days had passed since the previous air strike on Kyiv.

The UK Defence Ministry admitted that the prolonged hiatus in long-range aircraft strikes was due to management and planning issues. The ministry explained that sanctions likely restricted Russia's access to key components for both aircraft and missiles.

The successes of the Ukrainian Air Defence Forces in intercepting aerial targets also likely complicated Russian mission planning.

In this regard, the UK observers believe that Russia will almost certainly continue to strike critical targets to the maximum extent permitted by its reserves of aircraft, crews, and armaments, seeking to maintain pressure on the Ukrainian government and population.

"This is symptomatic of a prolonged campaign where tactical air, such as fighter aircraft and helicopters, continues to have limited impact on the overall conflict," the review stated.

Background: On the night of 21-22 March, Russia carried out another large-scale air strike using long-range aircraft. In response, the United States Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink called for immediate support for Ukraine.

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(Bloomberg) -- Huawei Technologies Co. and a secretive chipmaking partner in China have filed patents for a low-tech but potentially effective way to make advanced semiconductors, raising the prospect that China could improve chip production techniques despite US efforts to halt its progress.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The companies are developing technologies that involve self-aligned quadruple patterning, or SAQP, and should reduce their reliance on high-end lithography, according to patent filings to the Chinese intellectual property authority. That may allow them to produce advanced chips without ASML Holding NVs state-of-the-art extreme ultraviolet lithography equipment. Netherlands-based ASML, the sole provider of EUV machines, cannot sell them into China because of export controls.

Quadruple patterning is a technique for etching lines on silicon wafers multiple times to increase transistor density  and therefore performance. Huaweis patent application, released on Friday, describes a method that uses the technology to make more sophisticated semiconductors. Adoption of this patent will increase the design freedom of circuit patterns, said the filing to China National Intellectual Property Administration.

SiCarrier, a state-backed chipmaking gear developer that works with Huawei, was granted a patent that involves SAQP, in late 2023. Its patent employs deep ultraviolet lithography, or DUV, chipmaking machines and the SAQP technology to achieve certain technical thresholds seen on 5 nanometer chips, according to its filing. The practice can avoid the use of EUV machines while reducing manufacturing cost, it said.

Story continues

Quadruple-patterning technology is good enough for China to make chips at 5nm, but China still needs to get its hands on EUV machines in the long run, according to Dan Hutcheson, vice-chairman at research firm TechInsights. It can mitigate them, but not completely overcome the technical issues of not having EUV, he said.

Leading chipmakers like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. use EUV machines to produce advanced chips because they have the highest production yields  meaning the cost per chip is minimized. If Huawei and its partners use alternative methods for semiconductor production, their cost per chip may be higher than the industrys standards.

The most advanced chips now in commercial production use 3nm technology, including chips that TSMC makes for the likes of Apple Inc. China is currently capable of making 7nm chips, two generations behind, but advancing to 5nm would put it only a single generation behind the global leaders.

The US and its allies have been tightening Chinas access to semiconductors and chipmaking equipment for years, with the Biden administration arguing such controls are necessary for national security. That includes bans on the export of ASMLs EUV chipmaking machines and Nvidia Corp.s most powerful graphic processors, used for training artificial intelligence services.

Read More: US Cant Halt SMIC, Huaweis Tech Advances, Chip Guru Says

But Chinese companies are investing billions to develop their domestic chip capabilities and Huawei unveiled a breakthrough smartphone last year that was powered by an advanced 7nm processor. That suggested the countrys tech sector is making progress despite the efforts of the US, the Netherlands and Japan.

In response, the Biden administration is looking for additional means to contain Chinas progress. Its pressing allies like South Korea and Germany to join the effort, and is considering blacklisting even more Chinese chip firms linked to Huawei, including SiCarrier.

A cohort of Chinese chip equipment makers including Naura Technology Group Co. and Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment Inc., are also looking into complementing multiple patterning technology with etching systems to produce 7nm or more advanced chips because EUVs are out of reach, according to a memo authored by Citigroups analysts including Jamie Wang and Kevin Chen.

Chinese semiconductor companies mainly resort to SAQP to produce advanced chips, which could increase the density of etching machines in China, it said.

Beijing this year has thrown its backing fully behind the nations most prominent suppliers of chipmaking gear. This month, Premier Li Qiang visited the offices of Naura Technology in a widely publicized personal tour, usually orchestrated to signal central government support.

--With assistance from Jessica Sui.

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Forgetting to list beneficiaries can cause headaches for loved ones. - Getty Images/iStockphoto

Dear MarketWatch,

Most Read from MarketWatch

My husband passed away in August 2021. He did not list a beneficiary on his retirement plan, because he had divorced his ex-wife and removed her as his beneficiary in the Retirement Systems of Alabama.

We married in June 2015. I wasnt added to his retirement plan because, honestly, we never thought about it. I have a marriage license and proof of real estate that we owned together from January 2014 until he passed away.

A Retirement Systems of Alabama worker told me that his retirement money is in the system. I would just like to know who the system is and why am I not eligible to receive this money. I was legally married to him and never spent one night away from him.

Is there anything I can do to receive his retirement benefits?

Related: I was forced to take Social Security retirement benefits at 62 instead of SSI. Im 71 now. Did the agency make a mistake?

Dear Reader,

Unfortunately, when a person dies without having beneficiaries listed on retirement accounts, it can create quite the headache for their loved ones. Im sorry youre currently trying to make sense of this.

Its good that he removed his ex-wife from the designated beneficiaries list  having the wrong beneficiary could be much worse than having no beneficiary at all. Beneficiaries can be listed on many accounts, such as transfer-on-death and payable-on-death accounts, life insurance, retirement accounts and pensions with survivor benefits. In some cases, these designations can be contested  but that takes time, money and energy, as well as the involvement of the court system.

Story continues

The Retirement Systems of Alabama stresses that point. It is very important for members to keep their beneficiary designations current. Failure to do so can result in possible loss of valuable benefits to your survivors, it says in the RSA member handbook.

The program also states that if an employee has died without a designated beneficiary, the appropriate death benefit is paid to the estate.

Contact the RSA again to see if they can be more specific about how they pay out benefits to an estate. You may need to go deeper to find that money, such as searching probate court records.

The probate process, which can be lengthy  at least six months, possibly  starts with filing a petition and seeking immediate control of the estate. In Alabama, assuming your husband was a resident of the state, the entire estate would go to you as the surviving spouse if there were no descendants or living parents. If there were, the estate would be split, according to the Mobile County Probate Courts website.

An estate-planning attorney could assist you in finding the assets and executing probate. Theres no deadline for this when an estate is intestate, meaning there was no will, but as with most financial situations, its best to act sooner rather than later.

Just one more note, for you and any other readers: Check the beneficiaries on all of your accounts to make sure they are up to date. If you dont have anyone listed, do that now so there are no estate hiccups later on.

Most Read from MarketWatch
Key Insights

Significantly high institutional ownership implies Walt Disney's stock price is sensitive to their trading actions

The top 25 shareholders own 39% of the company

Recent sales by insiders

If you want to know who really controls The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. With 67% stake, institutions possess the maximum shares in the company. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

And as as result, institutional investors reaped the most rewards after the company's stock price gained 4.1% last week. The one-year return on investment is currently 22% and last week's gain would have been more than welcomed.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Walt Disney.

Check out our latest analysis for Walt Disney

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Walt Disney?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Walt Disney. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Walt Disney's historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.

Institutional investors own over 50% of the company, so together than can probably strongly influence board decisions. Hedge funds don't have many shares in Walt Disney. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is The Vanguard Group, Inc. with 8.3% of shares outstanding. With 6.6% and 4.1% of the shares outstanding respectively, BlackRock, Inc. and State Street Global Advisors, Inc. are the second and third largest shareholders.

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Our studies suggest that the top 25 shareholders collectively control less than half of the company's shares, meaning that the company's shares are widely disseminated and there is no dominant shareholder.

While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily.

Insider Ownership Of Walt Disney

While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO.

Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group.

Our data suggests that insiders own under 1% of The Walt Disney Company in their own names. It is a very large company, so it would be surprising to see insiders own a large proportion of the company. Though their holding amounts to less than 1%, we can see that board members collectively own US$61m worth of shares (at current prices). Arguably recent buying and selling is just as important to consider. You can click here to see if insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

With a 33% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over Walt Disney. This size of ownership, while considerable, may not be enough to change company policy if the decision is not in sync with other large shareholders.

Next Steps:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Walt Disney better, we need to consider many other factors. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Walt Disney that you should be aware of.

If you would prefer discover what analysts are predicting in terms of future growth, do not miss this free report on analyst forecasts.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
The University of Daytons Department of Public Safety has issued a warning after a pair of attempted car thefts on Thursday.

>>Principal remains on leave as investigation into locker room theft continues at Oakwood HS

UD Public Safety officers responded around 6 p.m. to Woodland Cemetery after the owner of a Hyundai parked inside the cemeterys front gate reported a broken window and damage to the steering column, according to a university spokesperson.

The second call came at 7:44 p.m. when the owner of a Kia reported similar damage in a university-owned lot on Chambers Street.

UD officials have encouraged drivers parked on and around campus to check their vehicles frequently, remove valuables from their parked vehicles, and always lock them, the spokesperson said.

Anyone with information is asked the University of Daytons Public Safety Department at (937) 229-2121.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The University of Missouri president made a statement after officials found the body of MU student Riley Strain in the Cumberland River in Nashville, Tennessee.

Strains body was found Friday morning after an extensive search that stretched on for nearly two weeks after he disappeared while attending a fraternity formal.

Officials confirm Riley Strains body found in Cumberland River

Police said they were able to identify the body based on multiple factors, including his shirt and watch. According to officials, no foul play-related trauma was observed. An autopsy will be conducted Friday.

Mun Choi, the president of the university, released this statement to the MU community:

Dear campus community,

I write to you with a heavy heart with the news that the search for MU student Riley Strain has ended tragically. After an exhaustive search by authorities and volunteers, Rileys body was recovered today in Nashville, Tenn., where he had traveled to attend his fraternitys spring formal event.

The university is equipped to assist you as you process this loss. Students can contact the MU Counseling Center for support. Additionally, the Employee Assistance Program is available to faculty and staff.

The safety of our community is our highest priority, whether on campus or off campus. If you feel unsafe at any time, please call the MU Police Department at 573-882-7201 or dial 911 in the event of any emergency.

As the Mizzou community mourns Riley, we are keeping his family in our thoughts and offering support.

Sincerely,

Mun Y. Choi, Ph.D.President, University of Missouri

Missouri news: Headlines from St. Louis, Jefferson City and across the Show-Me State

Strain disappeared while on a fraternity trip in Nashville on March 8. One of his friends called 911 the next morning after saying he went to the Central Police Precinct and called the sheriffs office to file a missing persons report.

During the investigation into his disappearance, investigators analyzed several bits of surveillance video from different bars and businesses showing his path through downtown Nashville.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
The Financial Times has found out that the United States has purportedly urged Ukraine not to hit Russian oil refineries and other energy infrastructure facilities, as it is concerned that this could lead to higher energy prices and further escalation.

Source: Financial Times (FT) with reference to sources, cited by European Pravda

Details: The FT reported that it spoke to three sources on condition of anonymity. The warning to Kyiv was supposedly repeatedly conveyed to top officials of the Security Service of Ukraine and Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, which oversee Ukraine's unmanned attack vehicles development programmes.

One source said the White House is "increasingly frustrated" about Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries, terminals and other energy infrastructure in Russias west, which have affected Russian production in this area.

One of the reasons for the US concern is that a decline in Russian exports could trigger a global rise in world prices, as Russia remains one of the largest exporters despite the sanctions. The rise in fuel prices could affect the outcome of the upcoming US presidential election.

Washington is also concerned that in response to Ukrainian strikes, Russia could deal damage to energy infrastructure important to Western countries, such as the pipeline that pumps oil from Kazakhstan through Russia for export to global markets.

In response to requests for comment, the US National Security Council said the US "does not encourage or enable" Ukrainian strikes on targets in Russia. No comment was provided from Kyiv.

Read more: "The burning shall continue": What lies behind Ukraine's attacks on Russia's oil refineries, and how have they impacted the Kremlin?

Background:

On Wednesday, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan visited Kyiv. Later, the US ambassador said that a meeting of national security advisers from around the world had been held in Kyiv that day to discuss President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Peace Formula.

During the visit, Sullivan stated that the United States believes in Ukraine's victory and called on Ukrainians to believe in the United States amid efforts to pass a critical aid package for Ukraine.

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Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Monash IVF Group fair value estimate is AU$2.54

Current share price of AU$1.46 suggests Monash IVF Group is potentially 42% undervalued

Analyst price target for MVF is AU$1.53 which is 40% below our fair value estimate

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Monash IVF Group Limited (ASX:MVF) as an investment opportunity by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!

We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for Monash IVF Group

Step By Step Through The Calculation

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (A$, Millions) AU$31.0m AU$35.0m AU$36.7m AU$38.1m AU$39.3m AU$40.4m AU$41.5m AU$42.6m AU$43.6m AU$44.6m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x3 Analyst x3 Est @ 3.70% Est @ 3.24% Est @ 2.92% Est @ 2.69% Est @ 2.53% Est @ 2.42% Est @ 2.34% Present Value (A$, Millions) Discounted @ 5.8% AU$29.3 AU$31.2 AU$31.0 AU$30.3 AU$29.6 AU$28.8 AU$27.9 AU$27.0 AU$26.2 AU$25.3

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = AU$287m

After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.2%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 5.8%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = AU$45m (1 + 2.2%)  (5.8% 2.2%) = AU$1.2b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= AU$1.2b ( 1 + 5.8%)10= AU$702m

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 AU$989m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of AU$1.5, the company appears quite good value at a 42% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

Important Assumptions

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the 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 Monash IVF Group as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 5.8%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. 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 Monash IVF Group

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Healthcare market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Australian market.

Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%.

Threat

Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year.

Moving On:

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. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. What is the reason for the share price sitting below the intrinsic value? For Monash IVF Group, there are three additional aspects you should explore:

Risks: Case in point, we've spotted 1 warning sign for Monash IVF Group you should be aware of. Future Earnings: How does MVF's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the ASX every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
By David Shepardson and Rajesh Kumar Singh

WASHINGTON/CHICAGO (Reuters) - United Airlines said late Friday that U.S. safety regulators will boost scrutiny of the airline after a series of recent safety incidents.

United's corporate safety vice president, Sasha Johnson, said in a memo that over the next several weeks employees will see more of a presence by the Federal Aviation Administration "in our operation as they begin to review some of our work processes, manuals and facilities."

The Chicago-based airline has experienced several emergencies in the past two weeks. On March 15 , an external panel was found to be missing from a United aircraft when it landed in Oregon, prompting an FAA investigation.

Before that incident, a United Airlines-operated Boeing 737 MAX rolled onto the grass in Houston. A United-operated Boeing 777-200 bound for Japan also lost a tire after takeoff from San Francisco and was diverted to Los Angeles, where it landed safely.

The incidents "have rightfully caused us to pause and evaluate whether there is anything we can and should do differently," Johnson's memo said adding "We welcome their engagement and are very open to hear from them about what they find and their perspective on things we may need to change to make us even safer."

On Tuesday, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker told Reuters the agency was going to look at United more closely, saying United CEO Scott Kirby "knows we're going to be engaging a little more closely with them as we look into these."

Asked for comment on United's memo, the FAA said on Friday it "routinely monitors all aspects of an airlines operation" including "compliance with applicable regulations; ability to identify hazards, assess and mitigate risk; and effectively manage safety."

Scrutiny on planemaker Boeing has also mounted since a Jan. 5 Alaska Airlines mid-air emergency, with inquiries into safety and quality standards in its production process.

Asked about additional attention many aviation incidents are drawing, Whitaker said some events getting coverage are not necessarily unusual but the FAA investigates to ensure there is no broader safety trend.

Whitaker said it is important "to try to separate the signal from the noise.... The system works well because it has a lot of redundancy built into it, a lot of resilience."

(Reporting by David Shepardson and Rajesh Kumar Singh; Editing by Leslie Adler and David Gregorio)
By David Morgan, Richard Cowan and Makini Brice

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Democratic-majority U.S. Senate on Friday was trying to pass a $1.2 trillion government funding bill after House of Representatives passage angered a Republican hardliner in that chamber, who threatened to try to oust Speaker Mike Johnson.

The House's 286-134 vote sent the measure to the Democratic-majority Senate, which has hours to act ahead of a midnight deadline (0400 GMT Saturday) to prevent parts of the Department of Homeland Security, Internal Revenue Service and Justice Department to Treasury and State departments from closing.

The Senate began a procedural vote on the matter on Friday, while leadership negotiated behind the scenes to bypass some of the chamber's Byzantine rules and allow for a swifter vote on passage.

The move marks a critical step toward ending a more-than-six-month battle over the scope of Washington's spending for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1. Ratings agencies have warned that the repeated brinkmanship could hurt the creditworthiness of a federal government that currently has more than $34.6 trillion in debt.

The measure passed the House with 185 Democrats and 101 Republican votes, which led hardline conservative Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene to introduce a measure to oust Republican Johnson.

Johnson himself ascended to that role in October after hardliners furious that his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, had passed a temporary funding measure over their objections, ousted him as leader.

But Greene said she would not push for an immediate vote.

"I filed a motion to vacate today. But it's more of a warning than a pink slip," the Georgia Republican told reporters.

SENATE UP NEXT

Meanwhile, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged his colleagues to move quickly to pass the measure.

"Lets finish the job today. Lets avoid even a weekend shutdown. Lets finish the job of funding the government for the remainder of the fiscal year," Schumer said. "There is no reason to delay."

The last partial federal government shutdown occurred during Donald Trump's presidency, from Dec. 22, 2018 until Jan. 25, 2019. The record-long interruption in government services came as the Republican insisted on money to build a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico and was unable to broker a deal with Democrats.

The current 1,012-page bill provides $886 billion in funding for the Defense Department, including a raise for U.S. troops. It also covers agencies ranging from the Department of Homeland Security, the Internal Revenue Service and the Justice Department, along with the Treasury and State departments.

A separate controversial money matter is boiling in Congress where its leaders, except for Johnson, urgently are calling for final passage of a $95 billion security assistance package approved by the Senate for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

Some Republicans are balking at continuing to back Ukraine in its war against the invading Russian military.

While conservatives succeeded in getting Congress and Democratic President Joe Biden to agree to some fiscal 2024 spending cuts, they hoped for far deeper ones. Their disgruntlement led to the historic October removal of McCarthy. The Republicans' subsequent political infighting shut down the House for three weeks as Republicans fought over a replacement.

Since then, with the November elections looming, most Republicans have been loath to trigger a government shutdown over spending, although Washington was brought to the brink four times since late September.

A shutdown beginning on Saturday would mean most U.S. Border Patrol and immigration agents would continue to work. But local governments might not receive new aid to shelter migrants.

U.S. soldiers and all federal workers would not get paid until new funding is enacted and national parks would be shuttered. Same situation for the two U.S. astronauts aboard the International Space Station 254 miles (409 km) above Earth.

Meanwhile, the Internal Revenue Service would continue processing tax returns that are due on April 15. It would advise taxpayers of any potential delays in refunds. At the State Department, security at embassies and other foreign offices would remain in force and passports and visas would be issued as long as there were sufficient fees to support such activities. Many other operations would cease.

(Reporting by Richard Cowan, David Morgan and Makini Brice, additional reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Scott Malone, David Gregorio and Alistair Bell)
For all the reports of battlefield setbacks along the front line, Ukraine is conducting a novel hybrid campaign combining long-range drone strikes and unconventional warfare. The question is: Could the United States similarly integrate conventional and unconventional operations in future campaigns?

Despite renewed interest in the 2020 National Defense Strategy, irregular warfare often remains focused on ideas linked to legacy Cold War constructs focused on overthrowing regimes using guerilla forces. Too often, analysts make a sharp distinction between conventional and unconventional conflict when in fact all war involves both forms working in tandem.

For Sun Tzu, it was the balance of the orthodox and unorthodox that kept an adversary off balance. Even Hannibal  the archetype at Cannae for conventional maneuver  actually used a mix of sabotage and political intrigue to set conditions for his seminal campaign.

French support to the American revolution involved both front companies supporting pirates attacking British shipping lanes as well as foreign material support.

During the Second World War, the British integrated the Special Operations Executive with its military campaigns while the Office of Strategic Services supported U.S. campaigns with morale operations designed to undermine enemy cohesion.

Faced with resource shortages and the brutal reality of 21st century trench warfare, Ukraine has found new asymmetries by combining elements of conventional and unconventional warfare. First, Ukraine is pioneering long-range, low-cost, one-way attack drones to strike strategic economic targets throughout the depth of Russia. The targets increasingly appear to be linked to critical infrastructure connected to Moscows oil and gas transit and processing facilities  a critical requirement for generating revenue for Russian President Vladimir Putins war.

Over the month of March  and coinciding with the Russian presidential election  the Security Service of Ukraine has reportedly successfully attacked over 10 oil refineries, disrupting as much as 12% of Russias oil processing capacity, often using salvos of 35 drones each costing less than $100,000. In other words, Ukraine likely spent only $40 million to damage up to $40 billion worth of Russian critical infrastructure.

These conventional strikes focused on economic centers of gravity most likely to hold the regime at risk. The attacks also forced Russia to pull additional air defenses back to protect its critical infrastructure, setting conditions for front-line air operations by Ukraine as new equipment, like F-16 fighter jets, starts to arrive this summer. Of note, the activities coincide with increased targeting of Russian air defenses since the summer along the front. In other words, attacking Russian critical infrastructure achieves multiple objectives at low costs to Ukraine and sets conditions for future operations.

Second, Ukraine is combining unconventional warfare with these long-range precision strikes. In the lead-up to the election, there was been an increase in proxy raids into Russian border areas, cyberattacks and ballot sabotage, alongside calls for a wider symbolic uprising.

The surge of activity surrounding the election fits with broader trends in the conflict. Over the last two years these measures have included running deepfakes and disrupting Putins speeches. This approach reflects time-tested unconventional warfare campaigns that create conditions likely to foster local acts of sabotage, work stoppages and protests.

Ukraine isnt just attacking the Kremlins wallet by hitting its economic center of gravity; Kyiv is attacking the mind of the Russian population and amplifying the stark contrasts between regime rhetoric and reality lived by ordinary people.

Bolster Ukraines irregular warfare tactics with Western tech

This approach stands in contrast to U.S. joint and service concepts that preface converging multidomain effects and downplay the role of people and perception. While space and cyber domains play critical roles, there is no discussion about a human domain or the contest of wills at the heart of every conflict. The focus instead is on disrupting enemy battle networks and destroying high-value targets at range, not on how to leverage discontent, compound morale issues or undermine cohesion.

As a result, special forces tends to overemphasize direct action and special reconnaissance. These conventional approaches tend to discount the utility of information warfare and cyber operations capable of setting conditions for protests and social unrest  which are more likely to threaten autocratic regimes than long-range precision strikes.

It is also unclear whether the United States has the necessary capabilities and concepts to defeat a hybrid campaign attacking its critical infrastructure and social cohesion. China has already demonstrated an interest in holding American critical infrastructure at risk through cyber operations.

Furthermore, most U.S. critical infrastructure nodes  from key telecommunications relays connecting sea cables and satellites to oil and gas  are not protected by air defenses capable of defeating a complex drone attack.

Lastly, Russia has shown the world a playbook for how to create discord online through a mix of computational propaganda and cyber operations. The United States still hasnt found a sufficient defense against these influence operations.

As a result, the United States needs to revisit key military concepts  including future iterations of the joint warfighting concept  with an eye toward combining conventional and unconventional approaches to competitive strategy. The concepts should provide a blueprint for future campaigns, including defense operations, defending U.S. critical infrastructure and countering foreign influence operations. These concepts should think as much about will and perception as they do exquisite battle networks while keeping an eye on cost curves. The next war will not be won by a salvo of hypersonic missiles alone.

Benjamin Jensen is a senior fellow in the Futures Lab at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank. He is also a professor of strategic studies at the Marine Corps Universitys School of Advanced Warfighting. The views expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect an official position of the U.S. government.
By David Morgan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats, who helped Republican hardliners oust Kevin McCarthy as U.S. House of Representatives speaker last year, said on Friday that they could protect Speaker Mike Johnson from a similar fate if he allowed a vote on stalled aid to Ukraine.

Comments to that effect from several House Democrats followed a decision by Republican firebrand Marjorie Taylor Greene to file a motion seeking Johnson's ouster over a $1.2 trillion bipartisan spending bill needed to avert a partial government shutdown at midnight.

Without offering evidence, the Georgia Republican said she has support from other Republicans. Some hardliners have already made noises about ousting Johnson, if he moved a stalled $95 billion Senate bill to aid Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies.

Johnson has refused to allow a floor vote on the bill, but has promised to address Ukraine aid when lawmakers return from a two-week break in April.

"Speaker Johnson always listens to the concerns of members, but is focused on governing," a spokesperson for the speaker said. "He will continue to push conservative legislation that secures our border, strengthens our national defense and demonstrates how we'll grow our majority."

But some Democrats hoped Greene's motion to vacate Johnson's office, though not imminent, might encourage him to take a more bipartisan path to stay in office with their protection.

"I will make common cause in alliance with anybody who will stand up for democracy and human rights," said Representative Jamie Raskin, a prominent Democrat who views opposition to Ukraine aid among Donald Trump's allies, including Greene, as a benefit to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Maybe Speaker Johnson decides that this is the moment to declare his independence from the Putin-Trump-MAGA wing of the Republican Party and stand up for democracy and freedom around the world," Raskin added, referring to Trump's Make America Great Again campaign slogan.

Other Democrats, including Representative Abigail Spanberger, also said they could support Johnson in exchange for movement on the Senate bill.

"Subsequent to that, a non-serious actor who doesn't want to govern brings a motion to vacate? Yes, I would motion to table in that circumstance," Spanberger said.

Greene did not mention Ukraine as she lambasted Johnson after the House passed a bill that she opposed to fund the departments of Defense, Homeland Security and other agencies, with overwhelming support from Democrats. Less than half of Johnson's 219-member Republican conference backed the bill.

"I don't think that the American people, Republican voters across the country, want to see a Republican speaker that's held in place by Democrats," Greene told reporters.

(Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by Scott Malone and Nick Macfie)
LEGO and fentanyl pills found by officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on 15 Sinaloa Cartel members and six Mexico-based entities involved in the illicit manufacture and trafficking of fentanyl and other deadly drugs, Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo announced.

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT

Mexico is a major trafficking hub for the highly potent synthetic opioid.

Almost 80,000 Americans died from opioid-related overdoses in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

KEY QUOTES

"A top priority ... (is) to stop illicit fentanyl from entering the United States and disrupt the cartels that peddle this deadly drug," Adeyemo said in remarks prepared for delivery at a press conference in Phoenix.

"More than five people in Arizona die each day from opioid overdoses," Adeyemo said. "In Maricopa County, the majority of all drug-related deaths now involve fentanyl. Since 2015, fentanyl deaths have increased by almost 5,000 percent since. What makes these tragedies all the more heartbreaking  and infuriating  is knowing that criminals trafficking these drugs pursue profits with a callous disregard for American lives."

CONTEXT

The announcement is part of the Treasury Departments Counter Fentanyl Strike Force and the Biden administration's plan to fight the illicit fentanyl trade.

(Reporting by Paul Grant, editing by David Ljunggren)
The US has proposed its allies in the G7 group to create a special purpose company to issue at least US$50 billion of bonds from the income of frozen Russian sovereign assets and use these funds to support Ukraine.

Source: Bloomberg with reference to people familiar with the plan, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The proposal envisages merging US$280 billion of Russian Central Bank assets that have been frozen by G7 countries and the EU in the special purpose vehicle, the income of which will be used to provide so-called freedom bonds.

More than two-thirds of frozen Russian assets are blocked in the EU, where they bring about US$3.6 billion in net income annually. Proceeds from a potential bond offering would almost equal the US$60 billion of American aid stuck in Congress.

One of the participants stated that the discussions are at an early stage. Some G7 countries, including Germany and France, expressed their concerns about the new idea, another source said.

The effort could bring in much more than $50 billion, the source said. Some EU countries, specifically Estonia, urged the allies to be bolder and seize these assets.

Earlier, the G7 stated that the assets would remain frozen until Russia agrees to pay Ukraine for the damage it had caused.

The US argument is to come up with a solution that would maximise the income from frozen assets and provide for the value of the windfall profits in order to deliver more support to Ukraine faster.

Reportedly, some Western banks started lobbying against the EUs proposal to redistribute the billions of euros of interest generated from the frozen Russian assets, fearing it may lead to costly court proceedings.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer stated that Vienna opposes the idea of using the revenue from frozen Russian assets to fund the armament for Ukraine.

At the same time, Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz and Prime Minister of Belgium Alexander De Croo approve the idea of using income from Russian assets to purchase weapons for Ukraine.

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The most you can lose on any stock (assuming you don't use leverage) is 100% of your money. But when you pick a company that is really flourishing, you can make more than 100%. For instance, the price of Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad (KLSE:HARISON) stock is up an impressive 136% over the last five years. We note the stock price is up 5.1% in the last seven days.

So let's assess the underlying fundamentals over the last 5 years and see if they've moved in lock-step with shareholder returns.

Check out our latest analysis for Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad

To paraphrase Benjamin Graham: Over the short term the market is a voting machine, but over the long term it's a weighing machine. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS).

During five years of share price growth, Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad achieved compound earnings per share (EPS) growth of 25% per year. This EPS growth is higher than the 19% average annual increase in the share price. Therefore, it seems the market has become relatively pessimistic about the company. The reasonably low P/E ratio of 9.48 also suggests market apprehension.

You can see how EPS has changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values).

Dive deeper into Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad's key metrics by checking this interactive graph of Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad's earnings, revenue and cash flow.

What About Dividends?

When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. In the case of Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad, it has a TSR of 205% for the last 5 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. This is largely a result of its dividend payments!

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A Different Perspective

Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad shareholders are up 6.1% for the year (even including dividends). But that return falls short of the market. On the bright side, the longer term returns (running at about 25% a year, over half a decade) look better. It may well be that this is a business worth popping on the watching, given the continuing positive reception, over time, from the market. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad you should know about.

But note: Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with past earnings growth (and further growth forecast).

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Malaysian exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Platform is aimed at fostering bilateral trades, investments and business expansion

LABUAN, Malaysia, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Labuan IBFC Incorporated Sdn Bhd (Labuan IBFC Inc.), the official promotional and marketing agency for Labuan International Business and Financial Centre (Labuan IBFC) has established the Labuan IBFC China Desk.

China has remained Malaysia's top trading partner for the last 15 consecutive years, with bilateral trade between both countries reaching a record high of USD156 billion in the first ten months of 2023. The recent mutual waiver of visa requirements between Malaysia and China creates a more conducive environment for people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between both countries.

The financial services sector is a key driver for economic development, and as such Labuan IBFC aims to support economic and trade exchanges as well as cooperation to promote bilateral trade, investment and cross-border business development between Malaysia and China.

As Malaysia and China commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2024, and with the China-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership entering its 11th year, the timing for this move could not be more opportune. Similarly, China is also a strategic market for Labuan IBFC, with a focus on positioning Labuan IBFC as a regional gateway to facilitate investments and business expansion into Malaysia and beyond.

Datuk Iskandar Mohd Nuli, Executive Chairman cum CEO of Labuan IBFC Inc. expressed his optimism about the establishment of the Labuan IBFC China Desk, commenting, "The time is ripe for Labuan IBFC to establish the Labuan IBFC China Desk to facilitate Chinese companies' entry into the region for investments and business expansion." He further elaborated, "Ultimately, Labuan IBFC will serve as a gateway to promote bilateral trades, investments and cross-border business expansion between Malaysia and China, as well as with the rest of the region."

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The implementation of the Labuan IBFC China Desk is based on a four-pronged approach. The establishment of the desk firstly, and crucially allows for focused development and implementation strategies that suit the Chinese market. The second approach will focus on collating China-specific market trends and developments to better serve the evolving needs of Chinese investors.

Recognising the significance of China's unique business culture and language, having a dedicated team with expertise in the Chinese language, culture and business practices is a key third strategy. This ensures seamless communication and fosters mutual understanding, essential for conducting business effectively. Lastly, the Labuan IBFC China Desk will seek to cultivate relationships with Chinese stakeholders, including government agencies and trade associations that are crucial to navigating the Chinese business landscape.

This platform aims to enhance facilitation, communications and support to strengthen the business relationship between Labuan IBFC and Chinese businesses, ultimately fostering the development of local Labuan talent, creating new opportunities for industry advancement, and facilitating high-level strategic cooperation.

Cision

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SOURCE Labuan IBFC
Reaching over 3.9 million people around the world with safe water in 2023, including Ukraine, Syria, Turkey, Gaza, South Sudan and Haiti, while launching SafiCycle, a new menstrual health and hygiene program.

BALTIMORE, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LifeStraw , a public health B Corp and Climate Neutral Certified Brand on a mission to provide equitable access to safe drinking water, reveals its 2023 LifeStraw Impact Report on World Water Day . This year's World Water Day is focused on uniting around water and using water for peace to lay the foundation for a more stable and prosperous tomorrow.

LifeStraw's Give Back Program Grows. Over 9.6 million people have received a year of safe drinking water since the program's inception in 2014; for every product sold, a school child receives safe water for an entire year.

"World Water Day marks a significant moment for our organization and partners around the globe as we continue our work to provide access to safe drinking water during a year with an increased need for humanitarian aid and disaster relief," said Alison Hill, CEO of LifeStraw. "In 2023 alone, we received over 55,000 contributions from customers and our community to support our safe water work in places like Gaza, Ukraine, South Sudan, Turkiye, Syria, Malawi, Morocco, and even Maui. In order to support additional work this year, we are also excited to be launching an accessory series where all proceeds will support our humanitarian response efforts."

Limited Edition Bracelets and Water Bottle Carriers Supporting Safe Water Programs

For the first time, LifeStraw is launching limited-edition Safe Water Bracelets and Water Bottle Carriers, all proceeds of which benefit humanitarian efforts.

Safe Water Bracelets are sourced from a program supporting special education in Kenya. All bracelets are unique and made from locally sourced beads. Sets of three are sold for $29.

Safe Water Bottle Carriers are sourced from women's groups in Kenya to support income generation. Made from repurposed Kenyan fabric, they hold all sizes of the LifeStraw Go Series, include a cell phone pocket, and retail for $25 each.

LifeStraw's 2023 Impact Report outlines the results of its commitment to positively impact people and the planet this past year and beyond.

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Topline social and environmental impact by the numbers:

18,000 filters sent to Gaza

9,680,105 kids with access to safe water through LifeStraw's Give Back Program

101,859 people were reached through LifeStraw's Safe Water Fund emergency response

3 new Give Back programs launched in Haiti, Venezuela, and Ghana

1,756 girls with access to comprehensive menstrual health through LifeStraw's new program, SafiCycle

1,153,000 guinea worm filters donated to the Carter Center to support eradication

134,956,708 plastic water bottles offset through the use of LifeStraw products

5,226 tonnes of carbon emissions offset

580,000 gallons of water saved in testing optimization

LifeStraw's new programs and milestones:

LifeStraw launched SafiCycle a menstrual health and hygiene program for young girls

SafiCyle is dedicated to providing sustainable menstrual products and comprehensive reproductive health education to girls across the globe.



"As a company dedicated to realizing safe water as a human right, we recognize that the intersection of safe water, hygiene, menstrual health, and gender equity represents a critical nexus in the pursuit of global development and social justice," said Hill. "One of the challenges we've tackled head-on is the burden placed on girls, who are often tasked with fetching water from distant sources, thereby hindering their access to education. While providing water purifiers addresses one aspect of this issue, it doesn't fully alleviate the educational barriers girls face."



In response, LifeStraw launched SafiCycle. Safi means 'safe' in Swahili. SafiCycle's mission is to empower girls and women by ensuring they have the resources for safe, dignified menstrual health. In 2023, SafiCycle's inaugural program reached 1,756 adolescents in Western Kenya with four pairs of The Period Company's reusable menstrual hygiene underwear, along with ongoing training and education.



LifeStraw hopes that access to high-quality, sustainable products will empower girls to manage their periods with dignity and comfort, ensuring they can fully engage in school activities and contribute to better health outcomes.

Humanitarian and Disaster Response

LifeStraw responded to numerous natural and humanitarian disasters, reaching over 101,000 people in Turkiye, Syria, Ukraine, Gaza, Malawi, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maui, Kenya, Morocco, Afghanistan, and Nunavut, Canada through its Safe Water Fund emergency response





LifeStraw's Give Back Program Grows

Over 9.6 million people have received a year of safe drinking water since the program's inception in 2014; for every product sold, a school child receives safe water for an entire year. In 2023, LifeStraw successfully expanded its Give Back Program to three new regionsreaching over 149,400 kids with safe drinking water in Venezuela, Haiti and Ghana. LifeStraw employs over 40 full-time staff members in western Kenya who operate its programs year-round.





Guinea Worm Eradication Reaches Historic Low

In 2023, LifeStraw donated over 1.1 million LifeStraw Guinea Worm filters to the Carter Center to support eradication efforts. Guinea Worm cases reached a historic low; only 13 human cases were reported in just four countries. This is down from over 100,000 cases in 18 countries when LifeStraw began its work with the Carter Center in 1994.





Climate Impact Examined

In 2023, the purchase of LifeStraw Home pitchers and bottles offset more than 134 million single-use plastic water bottles. LifeStraw's water lab in Vietnam saved 580,000 gallons of water through innovative testing optimization.

LifeStraw's 2023 Impact Report also details its environmental footprint, ethical sourcing and production standards, and packaging sustainability efforts. Download the entire LifeStraw 2023 Impact Report . Additional images are available here .

ABOUT LIFESTRAW

LifeStraw believes everyone deserves equitable access to safe drinking water. With humanitarian roots, the company began over 25 years ago with the creation of its Guinea worm filter, which has been instrumental in the near-eradication of Guinea worm disease. Today, LifeStraw is a Climate Neutral certified B Corp designing beautiful, simple and functional products to provide people with the highest protection from unsafe water, no matter where they live or where they source their water. LifeStraw products are used in more than 64 countries by schools, clinics, outdoor enthusiasts, adventure travelers, and households. They are regularly deployed to support communities impacted by emergencies or natural disasters requiring potable water. LifeStraw's innovative water filtration technology is rigorously tested by independent laboratories and leveraged across some of the harshest environments around the world. For every product purchased, a school child in need receives safe water for a year. LifeStraw's water filtration options are sold in retail stores in North America and Europe and online at www.lifestraw.com . Follow LifeStraw on Instagram and TikTok at @LifeStraw.

LifeStraw launched SafiCyclea menstrual health and hygiene program for young girls. SafiCyle is dedicated to providing sustainable menstrual products and comprehensive reproductive health education to girls across the globe.

For the first time, LifeStraw is launching limited-edition Safe Water Bracelets and Water Bottle Carriers, all proceeds of which benefit humanitarian efforts. Safe Water Bottle Carriers are sourced from women's groups in Kenya to support income generation. Made from repurposed Kenyan fabric, they hold all sizes of the LifeStraw Go Series, include a cell phone pocket, and retail for $25 each.

LifeStraw by Vestergaard (PRNewsfoto/LifeStraw)

Cision

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SOURCE LifeStraw
Opinion editor's note: Editorials represent the opinions of the Star Tribune Editorial Board, which operates independently from the newsroom.



What's the point of a higher education? There was a time when college beginners, once known as freshmen, were routinely admonished to get their minds off their future paychecks and to concentrate on their voyage of self-discovery.

Some still hear such advice today, particularly in the liberal arts, although we notice that self-discovery is sometimes framed as an important step in landing a lucrative career. Which seems to be trying to have it both ways.

It was probably easier to rise above the profit motive in the days before college students amassed such crippling amounts of debt. Some of the blame, of course, must be laid at the door of colleges and the fantastic costs of a higher education in 2024.

The average sum of tuition and fees at a private U.S. college in 2023-24 is reported to be $42,162  for a single year. If colleges and universities are going to charge exorbitant sums, they have an obligation to help their students gain the skills to pay off their student loans. Something is seriously amiss when students must go so deeply into debt that their loan payments are a factor in their retirement planning.

Count us among the surviving advocates of a liberal education. We believe that society needs its poets and philosophers, just as it needs physicists and accountants. But count us also among those who believe that fools and their money are soon parted. That is, we're all in favor of liberal-arts idealism, so long as the idealists know what they're getting into.

Fortunately, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is now offering an online tool that lets users imagine an educational path and then see what the financial consequences of that path might be. One can select an academic discipline and a degree level, and then see the median hourly wage those selections portend.

The tool also allows users to see where the trend lines are going  whether a mathematician with a graduate degree is entering a field of rising demand, or not. (Not to pick on mathematicians with graduate degrees, but we notice that their median starting wage fell from $39.33 in 2019 to $31.90 in 2020. The good news is that their median starting wage rebounded to $46.77 in 2022. Also, it's important to note that in 2022 there were only 12 of them employed in Minnesota, according to DEED's data.)

As families grapple with the new FAFSA and head out for campus visits, they might find a visit to DEED's site instructive, or maybe cautionary, or maybe just sobering. We hope it does not prove to be frightening. A few samples of what they will find:

A freshly completed graduate degree in accounting and related services may bring a starting hourly wage of $50.25. A bachelor's degree in the same field may be good for $37.34, which is still decent. But a bachelor's degree in English and literature may bring only $26.36. If that English major goes for a higher degree, it might be possible to earn $33.37, and you don't need an accounting major to tell you which way that wind is blowing.

Someone with a graduate degree in music might expect to earn $32.97 an hour, while somebody with a graduate degree in medicine might bring home $137.70. In other words, you could hire a string quartet instead of a future doctor, and still have enough left over to get coffee.

And if you do buy coffee, be sure to tip your barista. A barista's starting wages are not listed on the DEED site, but ZipRecruiter reports that baristas make a top wage of $19 in Minneapolis. Let's hope they don't have a ton of student loans to pay off.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Coming April 8, 2024, another total solar eclipse will occur across parts of the eastern half of the United States, running from Texas to northern New England.

FORECAST: Middle Tennessee & Southern Kentucky Weather

Courtesy of GreatAmericanEclipse.com

In Middle Tennessee and South Kentucky, it will be a partial eclipse, but 90-95% of the sun will be covered (Nashivlle 95%, peaking at 2:03 PM). The sky wont go completely dark, but we should notice quite a change in light.

Courtesy of Janets Planet, times courtesy of timeanddate.com

Eclipse glasses will be necessary to prevent eye damage during the entire event here, even when the sun is 90-95% eclipsed. To find out how to order some, click here to order NASA and ISO-approved glasses from Memphis-based American Paper Optics. 10% of the proceeds go to St. Jude Childrens Hospital.

Why do you need glasses to prevent permanent eye damage during eclipse?

You can also scan the QR code below.

Janets Planet QR code (Source: Janets Planet)

(Courtesy: NASA)

In nearby states, the total eclipse will be run from cities like Little Rock, Arkansas, to Cape Girardeau and Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to Carbondale, Illinois, and Evansville and Indianapolis, Indiana.

(Courtesy: GreatAmericanEclipse.com)

Indeed, these are areas that can be reached within about a three to four-hour drive from Nashville.

Over 1 million visitors expected in Arkansas for 2024 total solar eclipse

Learn more by going to GreatAmericanEclipse.com and JanetsPlanet.com

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
A white Florida teen has just been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a Black girl as she walked with her friends from a movie theater. A police spokesperson said the crime was not a random act of violence.



The three teen girls were leaving the Coralwood 10 movie theater the night of March 17 and were headed to a nearby McDonalds on Del Prado Boulevard South when suddenly, their route was interrupted by a vehicles bright headlights, per Cape Coral police. A silver Nissan Pathfinder SUV approached the group, blinding them as it whipped around. Then, a group of suspects got out of the car and tried to rob the Black girls.

One of the witnesses says one suspect pulled out a gun and began firing at the girls. One shot struck 15-year-old Kayla Rincon-Miller in the chest.

Police say the suspects got in the car and fled the scene. When officers responded to reports of shots fired, they arrived at the scene to find Rincon-Miller suffering from a gunshot wound. They rendered aid and transported her to the hospital where she died.

The alleged shooter, 16-year-old Thomas Roy Stein, has been caught.

Read more from Fort Myers News Press:

Lisa Greenberg, spokesperson with Cape Coral Police, said officers arrested Thomas Roy Stein, 16, of North Fort Myers, who faces homicide charges. He was in court early Wednesday. Our detectives know there are others involved in this homicide, and there is still more work to be done, police said in a news release. Cape Coral Police Department detectives diligent work around the clock continues today to narrow this investigation. Greenberg said that, based on the evidence, police do not believe the shooting was a random act of violence.

As Cape Coral police investigate the potential premeditated motive, its also unclear if Steins parents could be held accountable on accessory charges being that their car was used in the commission of the crime.

For now, Stein is back on the loose after being released less than two hours of being booked in jail Wednesday night, per jail records. Meanwhile, Rincon-Millers cousin has set up a GoFundMe for donations to organize the teens funeral.

Kayla, born on May 20, 2008, brought joy and light into the lives of her parents, Luz and Winston, reads the fundraising page. Her passing has left our family devastated, mourning the loss of this beautiful soul.

For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The White House on Friday blamed Republicans and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott when asked about the reaction to the chaotic scene a day earlier, when more than 100 migrants were filmed bursting through razor wire along the southern border to get into Texas.

"What does President Biden think should happen to adult men who are assaulting and overpowering U.S. National Guardsmen?" Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy asked press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

She said the Biden administration was "grateful" that U.S. Border Patrol agents were able to get the situation under control in El Paso, Texas, before blaming Abbott for his hardline border policies.

KANSAS SENATOR AIMS TO BLOCK AIRLINES FROM LETTING MIGRANTS FLY VIA CONTROVERSIAL APP AT DC AIRPORT

The White House is blaming Texas Gov. Greg Abbott after a video showed more than 100 illegal immigrants storming the border at El Paso on Thursday.

"They were able to do their job even though Republicans, Gov. Abbott in particular, has made it difficult for them," she said. "You have a governor, Gov. Abbott, who is politicizing it."

Fox News Digital has reached out to Abbott's office.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Jean-Pierre also blamed Senate Republicans for not supporting bipartisan border legislation to shore up more resources to combat the influx of illegal immigrants.

Video footage published by the New York Post, shows dozens of adult males ripping away razor wire that had been set up by the state and charging past Texas National Guard members. They then ran toward a section of border wall, where they were blocked from entering further.

HOUSE DEMOCRAT BLAMES REPUBLICANS IN WAKE OF VIRAL VIDEO OF MIGRANTS STORMING US BORDER IN TEXAS

"This video does not show helpless women and children begging for a safe place to come in. It shows adult men landing haymakers on U.S. troops in uniform. If that was happening anywhere else in the world, wouldn't President Biden send reinforcements?" asked Doocy.

Jean-Pierre noted that everyone was apprehended by border agents but couldn't say if they were deported.

"The governor of Texas put the Texas National Guard there. We didn't put them there. He put them there. What we need is actual real solutions," she said.

Abbott has taken an strong position on illegal immigrants in his state. Texas is currently embroiled in a legal battle with the Biden administration over a state law that would make illegal immigration a state crime. Texas has also bused thousands of migrants to Democratic strongholds like New York and Chicago, and has tightened security on its border with Mexico.

"The mental gymnastics from the Biden Administration are astonishing," Abbott spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris told Fox News Digital in a statement. "[Thurdays] surge in El Paso is the direct result of the unsustainable chaos President Biden has unleashed on the border.

"Texas will continue to utilize every tool and strategy to deter and repel illegal crossings as President Bidens dangerous open border policies encourage migrants from over 150 countries to make unsafe and illegal crossings between ports of entry."

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported that there were 189,922 migrant encounters at the southern border in February, the highest for the month ever recorded.

The Border Patrol apprehended 140,644 illegal immigrants last month, the second-highest in February ever recorded for the agency, behind 159,170 in February of fiscal year 2022.

Fox News Digital's Michael Dorgan and Aishah Hasnie contributed to this report.





Original article source: White House blames Republicans, Texas Gov. Abbott, after migrants attack Guard members, storm border
The White House called out the Republican Study Committees (RSC) budget proposal Friday for backing legislation that would put strict restrictions on abortion access.

The group, which comprises nearly 80 percent of all House Republicans, proposed a budget that endorses the Life at Conception Act, which would implement protections for unborn humans. Democrats argue that the legislation would threaten access to in vitro fertilization (IVF).

The proposed budget, released Wednesday, threatens to ban the abortion pill mifepristone, threatens access to abortion care for veterans and threatens funding for contraception for low-income Americans.

If House Republicans get their way, all of these proposals would become the law of the land, the White House outlined in a fact sheet released Friday.

When the Supreme Court  enabled by justices nominated by Donald Trump  overturned Roe v. Wade and allowed politicians to intrude in the most personal decisions women and families can make, it paved the road for Republican elected officials to pursue their extreme agenda. Their latest budget advances that extreme agenda, it said.

The White House argued that the RSC budget is a signal that Republicans want a national abortion ban in place. And it noted that President Biden wants to restore and codify Roe v. Wade if elected to another term.

The RSC budget was released as former President Trump is teasing an announcement on a federal abortion ban if he is reelected. He suggested this week that hes weighing support for a 15-week ban.

The Biden campaign earlier this week took a dig at the RSC budget because it called for raising the retirement age for those not near retirement to account for increases in life expectancy.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Jersey Mike's

Two Lubbock Jersey Mike's locations will donate 100% of their sales to the Children's Miracle Network, UMC Health System on Wednesday, according to a company news release.

Wednesday, March 27, will be the company's annual Day of Giving, when the restaurants support a local cause.

"All month, generous customers have been rounding up and making donations at more than 2,700 Jersey Mikes locations throughout the nation during the 14th Annual Month of Giving fundraising campaign for local charities," the release stated. "On Day of Giving, its our turn to give: The more we sell, the more we donate!"

The Lubbock locations at 6319 82nd St., Suite #300, and 11417 Slide Road, Suite 150, will be participating. All sales that day, both in-store, online or through the app, will go to Children's Miracle Network, UMC Health System.

Since 2011, the Month of Giving campaigns have raised more than $88 million for charities. In 2023, the campaign raised $21 million, which went to more than 200 charities.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock Jersey Mike's to donate sales to Children's Miracle Network
The White House on March 22 condemned Russias brutal strikes overnight against Ukraines cities and civilian infrastructure, after a series of attacks killed at least five people and left almost 1.5 million people without electricity.

In a post on X, U.S. National Security Council Spokesperson Adrienne Watson added: Its critical we provide Ukraine more air defenses to defend against these attacks. Lives are on the line."

House Republicans must pass the national security supplemental ASAP.

Russia launched over 150 drones and missiles against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure in what has been called "the largest mass attack on Ukraine's energy grid" throughout the full-scale war.

With a $60 billion military aid bill still stalled in Congress, Ukraine is in increasingly critical need of more air defense systems and ammunition for the ones it already possesses.

Data released by the Ukrainian Air Force on March 22 shows only 37 of 88 missiles launched in the latest attack were intercepted.

Zaporizhzhia's Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant, Ukraine's largest hydroelectric station, was hit during the attack, Ukrhydroenergo said.

The company reported fire at the station but said there is no threat of a dam breach, adding that the situation is under control.

Regional authorities said that there were at least five killed and 31 injured among the casualties reported so far.

In lieu of the stalled US aid, on March 21 President Volodymyr Zelensky urged EU leaders to use frozen Russian assets to help rebuild Ukraine and purchase weapons this year.

The European Commission has proposed to use 90% of the revenue generated by frozen Russian assets to purchase weapons for Kyiv and allocate the remaining 10% to the EU budget to support Ukraine's defense industry.

The proposed measure would allocate around 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) to Ukraine per year.However, EU leaders are unlikely to reach an agreement on confiscating profits from Russian assets during the summit, namely because Hungary is against using them to boost Ukraine's military capabilities, Deutsche Welle reported, citing an unnamed senior European diplomat.

Read also: The Counteroffensive: The Kremlins illegal chemical weapons playbook

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The U.S. has said there is no indication at this time that Ukraine was behind the mass shooting at a concert hall in northwest Moscow on March 22 that has left at least 60 people dead and more than 140 injured.

Speaking at the White House, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said: The images are just horrible and just hard to watch and our thoughts obviously are going to be with the victims of this terrible, terrible shooting attack."

He added there was "no indication at this time that Ukraine, or Ukrainians were involved in the shooting."

His comments drew an immediate response from the Kremlin, with Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova demanding the U.S. hand over any information it had on the attack.

"On what basis do officials in Washington draw any conclusions in the midst of a tragedy about someone's innocence?" she said.

The terrorist group Islamic State (IS) later claimed responsibility for the attack in a Telegram post, and U.S. intelligence officials confirmed the claim.

Read also: Moscow shooting: Gunmen fire into crowd at concert hall, over 100 casualties reported

The attack saw several gunmen opening fire at the Crocus City Hall ahead of a concert.

Images posted to social media showed them walking unchallenged through the venue and firing indiscriminately at those inside.

According to various estimates, several dozen or hundreds of people may remain in the concert building.

Just hours after the attacks began, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned of retaliation against Ukraine if "terrorists of the Kyiv regime" were found to be behind them.

"If it is established that these are terrorists of the Kyiv regime, it is impossible to deal with them and their ideological inspirers differently," he wrote in a post on Telegram.

"All of them must be found and mercilessly destroyed as terrorists. Including officials of the state that committed such atrocity. Death for death."

Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) said the attack was a "deliberate provocation by Putin's special services."

"This is a deliberate provocation by Putin's special services, about which the international community warned," a HUR spokesperson Andrii source told Ukrainska Pravda.

In a post on its Telegram channel, HUR claimed the shooting is intended to justify "even tougher" attacks on Ukraine and total mobilization in Russia.

"The public execution of people in Moscow should be understood as Putin's threat of an even greater escalation and expansion of the war," HUR wrote.

Read also: Moscow shooting a deliberate provocation by Putins special services, says Ukraines military intelligence

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The White House has stated that it sees no evidence of Ukraine's involvement in an armed attack on a concert hall in Moscow Oblast that has claimed the lives of dozens of people.

Source: John Kirby, White House National Security Communications Advisor; European Pravda with reference to AFP

Details: "There is no indication at this time that Ukraine or Ukrainians were involved in the shooting," Kirby told reporters.

"I would disabuse you at this early hour of any connection to Ukraine," he stressed.

The White House commented on the attack in Moscow, saying that footage of the shooting in the Russian capital was "just horrible and hard to watch".

Background:

Armed men in camouflage opened fire at the Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, Moscow Oblast, prior to a concert by the band Piknik. The Russian authorities are reporting deaths and injuries, the number of which is currently unknown. The concert had sold out and there may have been more than 2,000 people in the building. A grenade explosion caused a fire to break out in the building, and the roof has started to collapse.

On 8 March, the US Embassy in Russia and the UK Foreign Office warned of possible terrorist attacks in Moscow.

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By buying an index fund, you can roughly match the market return with ease. But if you pick the right individual stocks, you could make more than that. For example, the Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (KLSE:AIRPORT) share price is up 41% in the last three years, clearly besting the market decline of around 1.8% (not including dividends).

So let's assess the underlying fundamentals over the last 3 years and see if they've moved in lock-step with shareholder returns.

See our latest analysis for Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad

To paraphrase Benjamin Graham: Over the short term the market is a voting machine, but over the long term it's a weighing machine. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time.

Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad became profitable within the last three years. So we would expect a higher share price over the period.

You can see below how EPS has changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image).

It is of course excellent to see how Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad has grown profits over the years, but the future is more important for shareholders. If you are thinking of buying or selling Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad stock, you should check out this FREE detailed report on its balance sheet.

What About Dividends?

As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. We note that for Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad the TSR over the last 3 years was 43%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. This is largely a result of its dividend payments!

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A Different Perspective

It's good to see that Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad has rewarded shareholders with a total shareholder return of 37% in the last twelve months. That's including the dividend. That gain is better than the annual TSR over five years, which is 6%. Therefore it seems like sentiment around the company has been positive lately. In the best case scenario, this may hint at some real business momentum, implying that now could be a great time to delve deeper. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. To that end, you should be aware of the 1 warning sign we've spotted with Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad .

For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Malaysian exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
The volume of foreign trade turnover increased by $940.3 million, or 10.5%, compared to the corresponding period in 2023, Azernews reports, citing Kun.uz News Agency.

According to the Statistics Agency, in January-February 2024, the foreign trade turnover of the Republic of Uzbekistan exceeded $9.9 billion.

In January-February 2024, Uzbekistan established trade relations with 151 countries of the world.

The most significant share of foreign trade turnover was with China (21.5%), Russia (17.8%), Kazakhstan (5.9%), Turkey (4.4%) and Korea (3.7%).

 Export  3.6 billion.

 Imports-6.3 billion.
Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Millicom (Tigo) announces a new appointment in its executive team

Luxembourg, March 22, 2024  Today, Millicom announced that Sheldon Bruha will be stepping down from the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective on April 15th, as part of a planned succession process. Sheldon will be succeeded as CFO by Bart Vanhaeren, currently VP Corporate Finance at Millicom. Sheldon will continue to serve as an advisor to Millicom through June 30, 2024 to ensure a continued smooth and organized transition.

Sheldon joined the Company as CFO at the beginning of 2022 and, among other key successfully executed initiatives, has played an instrumental role in driving Project Everest, the Companys cost-efficiency program that is expected to achieve more than $250 million of savings. He has also helped develop financial talent within the company, enabling the appointment of Bart. Sheldon will pursue other professional opportunities upon the end of the transition period.

Bart is a fourteen-year veteran of Millicom, having held several senior financial and management leadership roles during that time. Most recently, he has overseen Corporate Finance, which encompasses the Companys Treasury, Tax, Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Administration activities. Prior to Millicom, Bart distinguished himself through a series of leadership roles across global organizations such as Strategy and Corporate Development Manager for EMEA at 3M, Senior Consultant at Deloitte and Senior Auditor at PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

Mauricio Ramos, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Millicom said, We thank Sheldon for his significant contributions over the past two-plus years with us. Sheldon played a key role in our group-wide efficiency programs and in leading the finance organization through significant achievements. We wish Sheldon continued success in his future endeavors. I also want to congratulate Bart on his well-deserved promotion to CFO. Over these past years with us, Bart has demonstrated strong leadership; has been instrumental in establishing and driving our capital structure; and has led our significant inorganic M&A strategic initiatives, all in preparation for his new role as CFO.

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For further information, please contact:

Press:

Sofia Corral, Communications Director

press@millicom.com Investors:

Michel Morin, VP Investor Relations

investors@millicom.com

About Millicom

Millicom (NASDAQ U.S.: TIGO, Nasdaq Stockholm: TIGO_SDB) is a leading provider of fixed and mobile telecommunications services in Latin America. Through our TIGO and Tigo Business brands, we provide a wide range of digital services and products, including TIGO Money for mobile financial services, TIGO Sports for local entertainment, TIGO ONEtv for pay TV, high-speed data, voice, and business-to-business solutions such as cloud and security. As of December 31, 2023, Millicom, including its Honduras Joint Venture, employed approximately 16,500 people and provided mobile and fiber-cable services through its digital highways to more than 45 million customers, with a fiber-cable footprint over 13 million homes passed. Founded in 1990, Millicom International Cellular S.A. is headquartered in Luxembourg.




A large industry coalition backing plans for a new medical technology hub in Minnesota is pushing forward with the idea, with or without significant financial support from the federal government.

MedTech 3.0, which Greater MSP spearheads, calls for collaboration between hospitals, research institutions and medical device manufacturers in the state to integrate artificial intelligence, data science and device manufacturing as a way to make Minnesota a global center for the industry.

In October, President Joe Biden named it one of 31 tech hubs across the U.S. competing for awards of $40 million to $70 million. The groups turned in their proposals in February, but decisions on the five to 10 regional winners won't come out until this summer.

But the Minnesota effort isn't waiting on the results.

"We are ready to go. Realizing the strategy will create billions of dollars of new value," said Peter Frosch, CEO of Greater MSP. "The federal funding would accelerate the implementation of this strategy."

Greater MSP's application sought $60.5 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). But the economic development group said organizations have already made commitments that have a market value of more than that requested amount.

"Private companies are stepping up now," Frosch said.

Greater MSP previously competed in 2022 to land up to $100 million from the federal "Build Back Better Regional Challenge" for a biotech business cluster. The group was a finalist but ultimately unsuccessful in its bid.

Joseph Parilla, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution think tank, said the EDA is looking for projects that will "shift the economy." The tech-hub goal is to help build innovative, globally competitive technologies regionally.

"It takes a lot of strategic work," Parilla said.

Frosch said Greater MSP is emphasizing working together on talent development to address workforce shortages. It is also implementing data exchanges between groups to help speed up innovation and finding more support for early stage companies. Frosch said the med-tech hub could create thousands of jobs and help accelerate economic growth in the area.

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Frosch credits Medtronic CEO Geoff Martha with approaching Greater MSP with the med-tech hub idea in February 2023. Martha said other U.S. and international cities had been approaching Medtronic and asking the company to help build health care hubs in those places.

Members of the MedTech 3.0 coalition include Medtronic, Mayo Clinic, the University of Minnesota, Allina Health, University Enterprise Labs and the Destination Medical Center in Rochester. Coalition members Boston Scientific and Abbott are not based in Minnesota but both have a significant presence in the state. Coloplast Corp., another member, is based in Denmark, but its North American headquarters are in Minneapolis.

"Through the MedTech Hub, Allina Health will leverage our commitment to collaboration in research and innovation to improve care and make it more equitable," the health system said in a statement.

Frosch said the top U.S. med-tech hubs are in Boston, San Francisco and San Diego.

A report on the life sciences industry from commercial real estate services firm JLL ranked Minneapolis-St. Paul as second in the U.S. in 2022 for the number of med-tech jobs, behind only the Greater Boston area.

"Hopefully, we have the opportunity to create a lot of homegrown medical success stories here," said Amrinder Singh, a partner with Edina-based Vensana Capital, a venture firm focused on health care and med-tech investments that's also a member of the MedTech 3.0 coalition.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with NATO Military Committee Chairman Lieutenant-Admiral Rob Bauer in Kyiv, according to a message on the presidents website on March 21.

One of the main topics of discussion was the reinforcement of Ukraine's air defenses.

Read also: Can Europe defend itself if US withdraws from NATO  expert interview

We discussed Ukraine's immediate defense needs and the need for additional air defense systems, the message quotes Zelenskyy.

This can help to reliably protect Ukrainians from Russian missile and drone attacks.

Read also: Putin warns of World War III in case of Russia-NATO conflict

According to the President's Office, Zelenskyy and Bauer discussed the enhancement of NATO's role in supporting Ukraine, specifically in strengthening defense capabilities and developing the country's military potential in accordance with NATO standards.

Read also: Ukraine and NATO closer than ever, says NATO's Military Committee Chairman at Kyiv Security Forum

We count on fair assessments of our country's achievements and [corresponding] decisions at the [upcoming Summer NATO] Washington summit that could bring Ukraine closer to membership in the Alliance, Zelenskyy said.

Bauer arrived in Kyiv on March 21. "My visitthe first NATO military delegation to Ukraine following the full-scale [Russian] invasionis proof that NATO and Ukraine are closer than ever," the Dutch admiral said.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy drew a stark contrast between the war Russia is waging against Ukrainian civlians and the global political response in an address following Russias massive missile attack on March 22.

Russia launched over 60 drones and nearly 90 missiles of various types at Ukraines civilian infrastructure overnight. Russia showed clear terrorist objectives: targeting power stations, energy supply lines, hydroelectric dams, residential buildings, and even a trolleybus.

Read also: Russias massive attack on Zaporizhzhya shuts down traffic across Dniprovska hydroelectric plant

"Russia is waging war against the ordinary peoples lives, Zelenskyy said.

My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of those killed by this terror."

Partners are well aware of what is necessary in these times, Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram.

Zelenskyy lamented the lack of delays in assistance packages for Ukraine, pointing out the absence of indecision in the drones, unlike in some political figures.

"It's crucial to understand the cost of delays and deferred decisions," said Zelenskyy.

Read also: Kyiv hit by massive missile attack: 17 injured, including child; fires and infrastructure damage reported across three districts

Zelenskyy called for the deployment of Patriot systems to protect cities like Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhya, stressing the need for air defense to safeguard people, infrastructure, homes, and dams.

"Our partners are fully aware of what's needed, Zelenskyy said.

They can indeed provide support. These decisions are necessary. Lives must be protected from these inhumane individuals from Moscow."

Emergency services are already responding in all cities affected by the attack, Zelenskyy said.

Russia massively attacked Ukraine with drones, cruise and ballistic missiles overnight on March 22. Russians attacked Ukrainian energy infrastructure nationwide.

Russia launched 12 rocket attacks on Zaporizhzhya. Early reports say that at least seven buildings were destroyed, and at least 35 damaged.

Traffic on the Dnipro hydroelectric station crossing has been rerouted, Zaporizhzhya Police reported.

Critical infrastructure facilities have been hit in Kryvyi Rih, leading to blackout schedules being introduced in the city.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy convened a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff on 22 March, at which several classified decisions were made.

Source: Ukrainian president on social media

Quote: "The only topic today is the energy sector.

All reports have been devoted to dealing with the aftermath of the Russian criminal attack. [The reports concerned the cities of] Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, Khmelnytskyi and Kryvyi Rih, as well as Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi, Sumy, Poltava, Odesa, Vinnytsia and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts and all affected cities and hromadas [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories].

I heard reports on the progress of recovery efforts and the restoration of power, water and heat supply to residential buildings, as well as providing people with temporary housing and all the necessary assistance."

Details: Reports on the status of the power grid and the priority steps to strengthen and further protect it were presented at the meeting by Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, CEO of Ukrenergo (a Ukrainian national energy company), and Oleksii Chernyshov, CEO of Naftogaz (a Ukrainian fuel and energy company).

Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of Ukraine's Air Force, reported on the work of air defence units during these two challenging days.

The gathering made several classified decisions.

The president once again stressed that Ukraine can only be truly protected if international partners decide to provide a sufficient number of advanced air defence systems.

Background:

On 21 March, Russian troops attacked 15 oblasts of Ukraine, striking 125 settlements and 150 infrastructure facilities.

On the night of 21-22 March 2024, Russian troops launched a combined missile and drone strike against Ukraine's critical infrastructure. They used a total of 151 aerial weapons. Ukrainian air defence units managed to destroy 92 Russian aerial targets.

On the night of 20-21 March, the Russians attacked Kyiv with two Iskander-M/Kh-47M2 Kinzhal ballistic missiles and 29 cruise missiles, all of which were successfully downed by Ukrainian air defence units.

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Russian Shahed UAVs do not have indecision like some politicians, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Telegram on March 22, commenting on Russia's most recent mass missile strike on Ukraine.

More than 60 Shaheds and almost 90 missiles of various types were launched at Ukraine overnight, said the President.

The world sees the targets of Russian terrorism as clearly as possible: power plants and energy supply lines, a hydroelectric dam, ordinary residential buildings, and even a trolleybus, he added.

"Russia is at war against ordinary people's lives," Zelenskyy wrote.

"My condolences to the families and friends of the victims of this terror."



Read also: Casualties in Russias biggest attack of 2024: hydro, thermal, and nuclear stations in 8 regions hit

Zelenskyy also noted that Russian missiles do not have delays like aid packages to Ukraine, and that the Shahed kamikaze drones used by the Russians do not have indecision, unlike some politicians.

"It is important to understand the price of delays and postponed decisions," he said.

Patriot systems should protect Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhya, as the air defense they provide is needed to protect people, infrastructure, homes, and dams.

"Our partners know exactly what is needed," he said.

Read also: Ukrainian forces intercept 11 drones in Odesa Oblast during Russian attack

They can definitely support us. We need these solutions. Life must be protected from these brutes from Moscow.

Russia conducted a mass attack against Ukraine with Shaheds, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles overnight on March 22.

Russians launched 12 missile attacks on Zaporizhzhya. Seven buildings were reportedly destroyed and 35 damaged.

Read also: Russia awakes to biggest attack on Russian soil since World War II

Police reported a "complete restriction" of traffic on the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant dam. Mariupol mayoral advisor Petro Andriushchenko said that a missile struck a passenger trolleybus, in addition to the dam itself.

Critical infrastructure facilities were hit in Kryvyi Rih, and rolling blackouts were introduced in the city.

Kharkiv is almost completely without electricity after the Russian military carried out more than 15 strikes on energy facilities in the city.



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 company behind Americas first biometric smart gun  one that fires only when gripped by authorized users  will face a crucial test in the coming weeks.

After decades of failed attempts by other manufacturers to bring a reliable smart gun to market, Biofire, a Colorado-based startup, says its shipping its first batch of 9 mm handguns equipped with fingerprint and facial-recognition technology by the end of the month. The companys smart gun is designed to serve a very specific purpose: a weapon that can be quickly accessed to defend against a home intruder, but that cant be used by anyone unauthorized, particularly children.

As Biofire markets its gun to firearm enthusiasts and skeptics alike, the company is walking a careful line to avoid the massive blowback from the gun-rights movement that derailed previous iterations of smart guns.

Gun control advocates have long seen biometric technology as a game changer for reducing gun violence, and Biofire has drawn their praise by emphasizing safety and the need to prevent children from accessing guns. At the same time, the company has built ties with the gun industry and opposes any government mandates to require biometric features in guns, trying to head off fears that the technology is a Trojan horse for gun control.

So far, Biofires approach has been received with a mix of cautious optimism, curiosity and distrust. But the most important question wont be fully answered until the gun is in peoples hands: Does it really work?

I dont want to be the first guy to find out, said Pierre Salomon, who runs a firearms training company in Massachusetts. I dont think the technology is there for me to be putting my life on the line  and my familys life on the line.

Biofire says its smart gun has undergone rigorous testing and has a battery that can last months on a single charge. (Courtesy Biofire)

Kai Kloepfer, the companys CEO and founder, says its $1,499 gun is reliable and thoroughly tested. More than twice as expensive as a typical handgun, it isnt just a standard firearm with biomechanical sensors affixed. When an authorized user pulls the trigger, it sends an electric signal to fire the bullet, rather than rely on a physical trigger mechanism  the first gun ever designed to fire that way, the company says.

Its just a very, very different approach and one that has involved rigorous testing and validation of every single piece of the system, said Kloepfer, who compares the complexity of his product to a small satellite.

Kloepfer began trying to develop a smart gun as a high school student who had been rattled by the 2012 Aurora, Colorado, theater shooting. He dropped out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to focus on the product, ultimately raising more than $37 million in venture capital and private funds.

Biofire says its first batch of smart guns will go to investors, friends and others in the firms inner circle this month. In the following months, Biofires first paid customers  who number in the thousands, the company said, declining to be more specific  will be receiving their orders. Biofire said roughly a third of them are first-time gun owners.

The gun is designed to allow up to five authorized people to fire the weapon instantly upon gripping it, and to disable the trigger mechanism the moment it leaves their hand. That should help prevent unintentional shootings by children, as well as teen suicides, theft and criminal use of the weapons, Kloepfer said.

Its unfortunately common that a kid finds a gun in a purse, or a kid finds a gun in a drawer and plays with it, Kloepfer said.

The biometric technology wont work if users faces and hands are completely covered, but Biofire says that shouldnt be a problem, since its meant to be used at home. The companys website shows the gun stored on a bookshelf behind a family watching TV and above a kitchen counter with kids nearby.

Kai Kloepfer (Matt Mills McKnight / Reuters)

There are no federal product safety regulations for any firearms, including Biofires gun, due to a carveout in the 1972 consumer protection law, and there are no industry standards for testing biometric weapons. Biofires smart gun meets safety requirements for consumer electronics, as well as handgun safety standards that some states have established, the company said.

Kloepfer added that Biofires fingerprint and facial-recognition sensors are designed to be far more reliable than a smartphone; people typically grip a weapon in a more consistent position that makes it easier to unlock accurately through fingerprints or facial capture. The product has undergone rigorous testing under conditions including a wide range of temperatures and sweaty palms, and has a battery that can last months on a single charge, he said.

The promise of this technology has led many safety advocates to champion the development of smart guns as a critical breakthrough for reducing gun injuries and deaths.

At a primary debate in 2019, Joe Biden declared that no gun should be able to be sold unless your biometric measure could pull that trigger. The website for his 2020 presidential campaign included a call to put America on the path to ensuring that 100% of firearms sold in America are smart guns, without specifying how that would be achieved. In a statement, the White House said Biden "has not proposed a specific requirement for smart gun tech," but supports accelerating the market for smart guns.

Nick Suplina, senior vice president for law and policy at Everytown, a gun control advocacy group, sees Biofire as a potential step in that direction.

This could be the beginning of everybody opting in on safer firearms, Suplina said. As Biofire enters the marketplace, there is going to be pressure on other manufacturers to create similar products.

Leading gun-rights advocates have not embraced Biofires smart gun with the same enthusiasm. Instead, they have stressed that they do not oppose smart gun technology itself, but rather any government plan to use it as a means to control which types of guns can be sold.

Some have also raised the concern that smart guns could be disabled remotely, including by the government. Biofire says remote access to its gun is not possible.

Biofire's biometric weapon uses fingerprint and facial recognition to identify authorized users. (Courtesy Biofire)

Aidan Johnston, director of federal affairs for Gun Owners of America, a gun rights group, said these and other concerns will lead a lot of gun owners to be extremely skeptical about smart guns. What these so-called smart guns do is lock your firearm so its inaccessible in certain situations when youre going to want it  like a life-or-death situation, he said.

Gun-rights activists helped shut down the last major attempt to sell a smart gun in the U.S. in 2014, when a German company called Armatix introduced a gun equipped with radio-frequency technology that used a specialized wristband to authorize users. The NRA and others tested the weapon and criticized it for technical flaws including misfires and unlocking without authorization; Armatix denied that there were any problems. After a Maryland gun store announced that it would stock the product, the stores owner faced protests and death threats.

The backlash was linked, in part, to a New Jersey law that required all of the states gun dealers to switch their entire handgun inventory to smart guns after they became commercially available anywhere in the U.S. Retailers scrapped their plans to sell the Armatix weapon, which never became available for sale in U.S. gun stores, and the company later filed for bankruptcy.

New Jersey eliminated its requirement for smart-gun-only inventories in 2019, after state lawmakers acknowledged the effort had unintentionally backfired. The state replaced it with a new requirement for all dealers to stock smart guns as an option for customers when they become available.

Biofire has gone out of its way to avoid Armatixs fate, joining with every major gun-rights group in opposing New Jerseys new requirement, arguing that the choice should be up to individual retailers. The company has not submitted paperwork for its product to be evaluated by the state, as Biofire doesnt want New Jersey gun shops to be required to sell its weapon. For now, all sales go through Biofires website.

It remains to be seen whether theres a broad market for Biofires product  or any smart gun. Kloepfer believes theres a large appetite for a home defense handgun and wants to provide more affordable offerings over time.

While noting Biofires steep price tag, KiOwana Phillips, an active-duty Army sergeant major who also runs a firearms training business in North Carolina, said she can see the appeal of biometric security features to help protect her 10-year-old at home. The Biofire gun could be more immediately accessible for emergencies while remaining secure, she said, compared to her traditional gun safe and cable locks that would take more time to open.

I would like to know  and test it for myself to see if it actually works, Phillips said. I would personally like to try it.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Diamonds are the hardest natural substance on Earth, but that may not necessarily be true on carbon-rich exoplanets where certain temperature and pressure conditions create an ultra-dense form of carbon called eight-atom body-centered cubic, or BC8.

Scientists have known about BC8 for decades but have never observed the atomic structure, but scientists have now used a supercomputer to create simulations that help understand how BC8 could form.

The simulations show that BC8 only forms in a narrow band of pressure and temperature, which is why finding the substance has been so incredibly difficult.

Diamonds are the hardest substance on Earth  but on other planets, the jury is still out. Thats because for some 40 years, scientists have theorized that diamond can squeeze into an even harder mineral known as an eight-atom body-centered cubic, or BC8. If true, this ultra-dense form of carbon would likely be found on carbon-rich exoplanets and would have both a higher compressive strength and thermal conductivity than diamond.

Simply put, its discovery could be a game changer for a variety of industries, and now scientists from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and the University of South Florida (USF) using the Frontier supercomputer have found a possible pathway toward creating BC8. The results of the study were published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters .

By efficiently implementing this potential on GPU-based (graphics processing unit) Frontier, we can now accurately simulate the time evolution of billions of carbon atoms under extreme conditions at experimental time and length scales," USF professor and study co-author Ivan Oleynik said in a press statement. We predicted that the post-diamond BC8 phase would be experimentally accessible only within a narrow high-pressure, high-temperature region of the carbon phase diagram.

Getting to even this supercomputer simulation evidence has been a long and winding road. First hypothesized in the 80s, BC8 was seen as a structure that maintained the tetrahedral atom shape as diamonds but eschewing the cleavage planes found in diamonds, according to the researchers. Because BC8 is also believed to exist at ambient conditions, this could make the substance structurally stronger than a diamond  but finding this elusive material hasnt been easy.

ln 2009, an experiment at Sandia National Laboratories hinted at BC8s existence but failed to glimpse its atomic structure. Then in 2015, LLNLs own National Ignition Facility (the same one that achieved fusion ignition back in December 2022) leveraged x-ray diffraction techniques in a years-long search for BC8. Although the team probed carbon structures at unprecedented pressures of around 2,000 gigapascals (about 5 times the pressure found at Earths core), the crystal structure remained in a diamond form even beyond predicted phases.

NIF

The extreme conditions prevailing within these carbon-rich exoplanets may give rise to structural forms of carbon such as diamond and BC8, Oleynik said in a press statement. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of the properties of the BC8 carbon phase becomes critical for the development of accurate interior models of these exoplanets.

This compelling theory that BC8 must exist on other worlds propelled scientists to search for answers through other means  i.e. supercomputers. Using multi-million molecular-dynamics simulations at Frontier, a supercomputer at the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility in Tennessee, the team discerned the metastability of diamond at extreme pressures. This was achieved largely in part due to improvements to understanding the interactions between atoms with quantum accuracy across a large range of pressure and temperature conditions, according to the researchers.

The major finding helps explain why previous attempts at finding BC8 were unsuccessful because it turns out that the super-diamond can only form in a very narrow band of pressure and temperature.

Scientists are now busy exploring if these theoretical pathways can finally produce some very real-world results.

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(Bloomberg) -- Newmont Corp. has kicked off the sale of its Akyem gold mine in Ghana, which is attracting interest from potential bidders including Chinese producers amid soaring prices for the metal, people with knowledge of the matter said.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Newmont is working with Citigroup Inc. on the disposal and they have started sounding out prospective suitors, according to the people. Shandong Gold Mining Co. and Zijin Mining Group Co. are among companies showing early interest in the asset, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private.

Chifeng Jilong Gold Mining Co. is also studying Akyem, said the people. Australian miner Perseus Mining Ltd. said last month it would consider the asset as well.

Deliberations are at an early stage and suitors could decide not to proceed with bids, the people said. Representatives for Newmont, Citigroup, Shandong Gold and Zijin declined to comment. A spokesperson for Chifeng Jilong didnt reply to a request for comment.

The sale of Akyem is part of Denver-based Newmonts effort to raise $2 billion in cash through divestitures in the wake of its acquisition of Newcrest Mining Ltd. in November. On top of Akyem, Newmont wants to sell four gold mines in North America and one in Australia.

Akyem produced 420,000 ounces of gold a year at the end of 2022, the companys website shows. The precious metal surged above $2,200 an ounce this week for the first time and it has rallied about 10% in a month.

--With assistance from Winnie Zhu and Jacob Lorinc.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Kristen Drury, a technician at the Yakima Valley Crime Lab, explains how shell casings are examined at the new crime lab in Zillah Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023. The lab will allow local police to get preliminary results on shell casings, DNA tests and cellphone files for investigations.
Santiago Ochoa's reporting for the Yakima Herald-Republic is possible with support from Report for America and community members through the Yakima Valley Community Fund. For information on republishing, email news@yakimaherald.com.
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Writers are limited to one published letter per calendar month.
There was both good news and bad news for investors when Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio (NYSE: NIO) reported its fourth-quarter and full-year 2023 results in early March. Nio's vehicle deliveries were 25% higher year over year in the quarterly period. And revenue for the full year rose by 13% to a new record.

But competition in the Chinese EV market heightened last year, leading to lower prices as EV makers tried harder to woo buyers. That led to a drop in vehicle margins from almost 14% in 2022 to below 10% in 2023. The bottom-line result was a sharp increase in net losses. That pattern can't continue if Nio is going to survive. But an important new catalyst is on the way.

Mass market EV

Nio has discussed expanding its potential market with less expensive EVs. The company now says it will officially reveal a new mass market brand in May. The new EV brand will reportedly be called "Le Dao" in Chinese. That name is intended to refer to a path or way of life. Nio is targeting the family market with the vehicle. If it follows in line with other Chinese EV makers starting mass market brands, it could be priced as low as about $20,000.

Nio could use a sustainable boost to its vehicle sales. While deliveries have continued to increase, the company has found it difficult to maintain sales growth momentum.

Data source: Nio. Chart by author.

If the company successfully launches its lower-priced brand, that could stimulate that growth when large-scale deliveries are expected to begin in late 2024. For investors, that raises the question of whether it would make sense to buy the stock ahead of that potential new catalyst.

Understanding the risks

No investor should jump into a stock based on a potential future catalyst without understanding the risks, too. Many of those risks have surfaced over the last year and are why Nio stock is down by over 40% year to date.

Competition is just one factor hindering Nio's growth trajectory. But it's a big factor. The two largest EV makers in the world have a focus on the Chinese market -- both Tesla and China-based BYD sell significantly higher volumes in China. Several smaller rivals are also growing. XPeng is one of those rivals; that company also announced plans for a mass market brand last year.

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All of that competition led to vehicle price wars to attract business. The slowing Chinese economy was also a major factor leading to lower prices. Of course, lower pricing means lower margins or profits. The impacts from China's economic woes also remain.

Nio began diversifying geographically so it isn't solely reliant on Chinese consumers. It has been exporting EVs to Europe for about two years, but that market is also seeing increasing competition, including from major global automakers adding EV models to their lineups.

China and Europe are the largest auto markets in the world, though. So there remains opportunity in the long term. If Nio can offer a popular, mass market EV, its path to profitability will be clearer. Investors that want to bet on that success could take advantage of the recent share decline. But it may be smart to buy in thirds rather than risking all your investment capital at once.

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Police track down escaped Idaho prison gang member and accomplice, say pair may have killed 2 on run

Police have arrested two white supremacist gang members following an attack on corrections officers at an Idaho hospital, and investigators are looking into whether they killed two people while on the run
NMD Pharma

NMD Pharma Receives FDA IND Clearance to initiate a Phase 2b Clinical Trial of NMD670 in Generalized Myasthenia Gravis Patients in the US

Aarhus, Denmark, 22 March 2024  NMD Pharma A/S, a clinical-stage biotech company dedicated to developing novel and improved treatments for patients living with neuromuscular diseases, today announces that it has received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Investigational New Drug (IND) application to initiate a Phase 2b clinical trial of NMD670 in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) who are anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) or anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibody positive.

The Phase 2b clinical trial is a dose range-finding, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of NMD670, a twice daily oral muscle-targeted therapy, in gMG patients experiencing persistent symptoms or fluctuating symptoms despite treatment on current standard of care. The trial will take place in both US and European clinical sites. The study is expected to initiate enrollment of patients in the coming months.

NMD670 is a first-in-class, muscle-targeted small molecule inhibitor of the skeletal muscle specific ClC-1 chloride ion channel. NMD Pharma has recently published positive Phase 1/2a data in the journal Science Translational Medicine, establishing the first clinical proof-of-mechanism of CIC-1 inhibitors in patients suffering from gMG while also confirming safety and tolerability of NMD670 in patients.

Thomas Holm Pedersen, Chief Executive Officer of NMD Pharma, said: This is an important milestone for NMD Pharma, enabling us to progress our lead development candidate NMD670 into a Phase 2b trial in the US in generalized myasthenia gravis patients with AChR and MuSK positive antibodies. It follows positive Phase 1/2a data which provided proof-of-mechanism and where clinically and statistically significant effects were seen in patients. We hear from myasthenia gravis patients, patient organizations and physician experts that a great number of myasthenia gravis patients continue to experience on-going severe symptoms of muscle weakness and fatigue despite treatment with new or conventional treatments. We are excited to bring forward a unique and validated muscle-targeted approach with promise to provide improvements in muscle function leading to clinically meaningful improvements in activities of daily living and quality of life.

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In November 2023, NMD Pharma announced that it had raised 75 million (~$80 million) in a Series B financing to complete three Phase 2 studies with NMD670, the Companys lead ClC-1 inhibitor in AChR and MuSK antibody positive myasthenia gravis, spinal muscular atrophy, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.



-END-

Contacts

NMD Pharma A/S

Thomas Holm Pedersen, CEO

E-mail: contact@nmdpharma.com

ICR Consilium

Mary-Jane Elliott / Ashley Tapp / Lindsey Neville

E-mail: NMDPharma@consilium-comms.com

Tel: +44 (0)20 3709 5700

About NMD Pharma

NMD Pharma A/S is a clinical-stage biotech company developing a first-in-class platform of small molecule therapies selectively targeting the skeletal muscle chloride ion channel (ClC-1) for the treatment of severe neuromuscular disorders. The Company was founded on more than 15 years of muscle physiology research with a focus on regulation of skeletal muscle excitability under physical activity. NMD Pharma has built a world-leading muscle electrophysiology platform leveraging the in-depth know-how of muscle physiology and muscular disorders, small molecule modulators, enabling technologies and tools as well as in vivo pharmacology models for discovering and developing proprietary modulators of neuromuscular function. The Company has built significant clinical and development expertise as its programmes have progressed through the clinic. NMD Pharma has raised ~155 million from investors including Novo Holdings, Lundbeckfonden BioCapital, INKEF Capital, Roche Venture Fund, and Jeito Capital. Find out more about us online at http://www.nmdpharma.com.



About NMD670

NMD670 is NMD Pharmas lead development program. It is a first-in-class small molecule inhibitor of the skeletal muscle specific chloride ion channel (CIC-1). NMD Pharma has demonstrated that CIC-1 inhibition enhances neuromuscular transmission and restores skeletal muscle function, and this novel treatment approach has demonstrated compelling preclinical and clinical data in animal models of MG, spinal muscular atrophy and a range of other neuromuscular disorders. NMD670 has also been granted orphan-drug designation by the U.S. FDA for treatment of MG.

About Myasthenia Gravis (MG)

MG is a rare and chronic autoimmune disease where IgG antibodies disrupt communication between nerves and muscles causing debilitating and potentially life-threatening muscle weakness. It commonly affects the muscles that control the eyes and eyelids, facial expressions, chewing, swallowing, and speaking but in most patients, it eventually impacts most skeletal muscles. More than 85% of people with MG progress to generalized MG within 18 months and it can be life-threatening when affecting the muscles responsible for breathing. There are approximately 100,000 people in the European Union, 65,000 people in the United States and 20,000 people in Japan living with the disease.




The Latest | Blinken says he'll talk with Israelis about alternatives to Rafah ground assault

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he will share alternatives to Israels planned ground assault into the southern Gaza town of Rafah when he meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his War Cabinet this week
Berca: Un proiect ce va lega doua mandate

Pentru multi dintre observatorii fenomenului politic si social, nu numai din judetul Buzau, este clar ca anul acesta sunt in derulare doua campanii paralele. Una, pe zona politicului, a furat cu mult startul si a incins retelele de socializare. In lumea reala, administratiile locale sunt angrenate in adevarate [citeste mai departe]
Vasluienii care incendiaza vegetatia uscata risca amenzi usturatoare | VIDEO

ATENTIONARE Inca o data, reprezentantii ISU Vaslui atrag atentia populatiei asupra riscurilor la care se expun cei care aleg igienizarea terenurilor prin incendiere. Pe langa pericolele la care se expun, inclusiv riscul de a-si pierde viata, [citeste mai departe]
Following the publication of the official results of the Russian presidential election, Prime Minister Viktor Orban sent a letter to President Vladimir Putin to congratulate him on his recent re-election, the prime ministers press chief said.

Orban said it was a matter of satisfaction that cooperation between Hungary and Russia was based on mutual respect, enabling the discussion of important issues, even amid the current difficult geopolitical situation.



Orban said Hungary stood on the side of peace, and we are convinced that maintaining dialogue is an essential condition for establishing the quickest possible peace.



He assured the Russian president of Hungarys readiness to enhance cooperation with Russia in areas not restricted by international law, the statement said.



Meanwhile, Orban Sees 'Good Chance' For Christian Forces to Become Dominant in EU

Its been a long time since Ive seen such a good chance for forces with a national conservative, sovereigntist and Christian basis to become dominant in the European Union, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said at an award ceremony in Brussels.



It is nations rather than the Soros empire or Brussels bureaucrats that will win the debate with liberals, the prime minister said.



The ideology of an open society will not gain ground in central Europe, Orban insisted. We will relegate them where they belong, the garbage heap of history, just as we have expelled the communists.



At the ceremony, the Hunyadi Janos Award of the For a Civic Hungary Foundation was given to Polish MEP Ryszard Antoni Legutko.



Referring to the Polish awardee, Orban said Legutko had studied the operations of the European Union and discovered critical signs of endeavours for political authoritarianism.



He established that progressive liberals have an adversarial attitude towards anybody else with a different way of thinking  they have become like the communists and pose a real danger to freedom, pursuing their own utopian nightmares, Orban said.



Progressive liberals in the European Union are not interested in the European person  they only have an interest in their own ideology, Orban said.



If promoting those ideas costs dismantling European industry and agriculture, they will do so If it involves erasing Europes culture through illegal migration, they will also do that, Orban said.



But we do not promote ideas but represent European people, he added. Orban said that at the time of Hungarys accession to the European Union in 2004, we felt that we had arrived and that we were home.



We thought that the EU was a guarantee of prosperity and our national independence, he said.



But he said Legutko had recognised earlier that the representatives of liberalism strove to eliminate sovereignty, take away as much of member states national competencies as possible, and to control the bloc with political diktats.



Those we are arguing with actually want to eliminate us, he said.



After Brexit, the representation of sovereignty had been left to central Europe, the prime minister said, adding that the Poles and the Hungarians had always been in agreement when it came to the matter of sovereignty.



For the first time in decades, I feel that the sovereigntist central Europeans are not alone, Orban said.



He said something was astir among German farmers, as well as in France and Portugal, while the international conservative sovereigntist forces had also become key players on the Netherlands political scene.



Europe is showing signs of life; its defending and having its voice heard, the prime minister said. Orban said that after Legutko had discovered the motifs of communism in progressive liberalism, he spoke about it openly.



The prime minister praised Legutko for his courage to speak about the autocratic tendencies that were inherent in liberalism in the 1990s, thanking him for contributing to Hungarian freedom through his work.



Orban: Nuclear Capacity to Expand from 2030s

Prime Minister Viktor Orban told the Nuclear Energy Summit 2024 that new 2,400 megawatt capacity will be connected to the grid at the start of the next decade.



This will enable us to avoid imports of 3.5 billion cubic metres of natural gas every year, and our annual CO2 emission will be decreased by 17 million tonnes, which equals 1.5 times more than the emission of the entire Hungarian transportation sector and three times more compared what all Hungarian forests can digest.



We are happy to note that regardless of the geopolitical difficulties, a wide range international, professional and scientific cooperations still exist on the field of nuclear energy, while Russia became the number one Uranium supplier of the United States this year, a number of American, German, French, Swedish, Swiss and even Austrian sub-contractors are working together with the Russian constructor of our nuclear expansion project.



It is the interest of all of us to prevent nuclear energy to become hostage of geopolitical conflicts, hypocrisy and ideological debates. Therefore let me finally thank all of you to interfere into the European Court case regarding our nuclear investment and to ensure the safe delivery of nuclear fuel to our existing plant.



Speaking to journalists, Orban reiterated that the issue of energy often became hostage to an ideological approach which, he said, was bad, arguing that energy was neither an ideological nor a geopolitical question, and should be rescued from that trap.



Orban stated Hungarys full support for nuclear energy as the only energy source that did not degrade the environment while providing large quantities of energy.



Orban: Nuclear Energy Indispensable

Only nuclear energy can produce large quantities of cheap, safe and sustainable electricity, Viktor Orban said in Brussels.



Speaking at the Nuclear Energy Summit 2024, organised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the prime minister noted that Hungary has been using nuclear energy for some fifty years, and this provides a stable basis for the safety of our energy supply.



Around half of Hungarys electricity is produced by its nuclear plant, which covers about one-third of its demand, he said.



Based on this experience, we decided not only to maintain our already existing capacity, but to invest more into nuclear, and to increase its share into 70% when it comes to national electric supply, Orban said in his speech delivered in English.



The challenges we have been faced with recently have further raised the significance of safe and secure supply of energy, he said.



The question became absolutely obvious: how can we generate big quantity of electricity in a cheap, safe, sustainable and environmentally friendly way. The answer is clear: it is only the nuclear way of generating electricity which can simultaneously satisfy all these requirements.



PM Orban's speech in English starts at 1:07:40



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Fully 86% of Hungarians oppose sending European or NATO troops to Ukraine, according to a fresh survey by pollster Szazadveg, which said that several European leaders had recently joined in on the war rhetoric of French President Emmanuel Macron, proposing that European countries should support Ukraine in the war against Russia by sending troops of their own to the conflict.

The survey found that 75% of Hungarians saw the war as conflict between the economic and military interests of the United States and Russia.



Hungarians also say the biggest obstacle to peace is that neither side is willing to compromise, the statement added.



Altogether 77% of respondents said they had heard about the French president and other European as well as Ukrainian leaders urging the involvement of European troops in the conflict.



Meanwhile, Szazadveg also found that 80% of Hungarians say Russia is unlikely to attack Hungary if achieves a military victory Ukraine, while 79% believe Russia would not attack NATO at all.



Political Director: Only Diplomacy Can End Russia-Ukraine War



Unlike belligerent Brussels, Hungarys standpoint is that the Russia-Ukraine war can only be ended through diplomacy, for which a ceasefire is a precondition, Balazs Orban, the prime ministers political director, said in Brussels.



An increasing number of people in Brussels are discussing aspects of support for Ukraine that risk the outbreak of a third world war, a doomsday scenario, the official told Hungarian journalists on the opening day of the European Union summit.



Whats at stake is serious, the PMs political director said. He said that several statements by serious leaders of Brussels and member states had come to light in recent days that pushed events in a direction that Hungary has been trying to avoid for two years, piling on pressure to involve NATO troops in the war in Ukraine and risking the wars escalation.



Peace talks must start as soon as possible, he said, adding that political leaders in Brussels should pull away from the current spiral of escalation.



Orban noted Hungarys stance on sending weapons to Ukraine: We do not support sending weapons in any context or within any procedure. We are unwilling to make Hungary party to the war. Also, if proposed sanctions were to conflict with Hungarys fundamental national interest, we will stop those too, he said.



He said Europe should be able to defend itself and guarantee its own security. But given its reliance on others whose geopolitical interests differed from its own, he added, Europe was in a position of strategic weakness.



Developing Europes military industry and armed forces would be crucial in terms of fortifying European sovereignty, he said, adding that Hungary would partner with any initiative at European level that advanced Europes military industry and armed forces.



The June European parliamentary election could result in the predominance of pro-peace politicians in the EP, and this could possibly determine what happens in respect of the war in Ukraine.



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York Area Chamber of Commerce

YORK  The Salute to Educators after hours event will take place on Friday, March 22 at the York Country Club from 57 p.m. This popular event connecting the community members with area education professionals will have complimentary appetizers for those attending (while supplies last). Prior to the raffle, the Chamber Ambassadors will announce their selection for the areas Educator of the Year. Join us as we show our appreciation to teachers of York County for all they do for our students.

Knights of Columbus

GENEVA  The Knights of Columbus will host a Fish Fry on Friday, March 22 from 5-7 p.m. at Father Ulenberg Hall at St. Josephs Catholic Church, 815 E Street, in Geneva. The cost is $12 per plate. Dine-In or Carry Out available. Call 402.759.3034 to place your order.

York Morning Sertoma Club

YORK  The York Morning Sertoma Club meeting will be held at 7 a.m. on Monday, March 25 at Wendys.

Gresham Community Club

GRESHAM  The Gresham Community Club directors meeting will be held on Monday, March 25 at 7 p.m. at the Community Center.

Storm Spotter Training

YORK  The National Weather Service will conduct storm spotter training on March 25, at 6:30 p.m., at the York County 4-H Building on the York County Fairgrounds. The training is free and open to the public. This coincides with Nebraska Severe Weather Awareness Week, which is March 25-29.

Geneva Public Library Board of Trustees

GENEVA  The Geneva Public Library Board of Trustees will meet on Tuesday, March 26 from 5:30-7 p.m. in the GPL Board Room.

YCDC Board of Directors

YORK  The York County Development Corporation Board of Directors will meet at the YCDC office on Tuesday, March 26 at 12 p.m.

York Young Professionals

YORK  Join the York Young Professionals for their next Adulting Series event on Tuesday, March 26 from 12-1 p.m. at Kilgore Memorial Library in York. Join in for lunch and a quick lesson from Jenni, owner of Harmony Nursery. Jenni will talk about things to consider when choosing plants for you home and landscaping projects. Free lunch provided for members. Non members $10. Be sure to RSVP at yorkchamber.org/landscaping-adulting-series.

York Noon Sertoma Club

YORK  The York Noon Sertoma Club will meet on Wednesday, March 27 from 12-1 p.m. at Chances R.

York Rotary Club

YORK  The York Rotary Club will meet at noon on Thursday, March 28 at Chances R.

York County Development Corporation

YORK  The York County Development Corporation will host a Regional Career Day at the Holthus Convention Center in York on Thursday, March 28 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Community Leadership Book Club

YORK  The Community Leadership Book Club will meet at Kilgore Memorial Library on Friday, March 29 from 12-1 p.m.

York-Hamilton County Cattlemen

YORK  Registration and weigh in for market cattle at the 53rd Annual Beef Progress Show hosted by the York-Hamilton County Cattlemen will be held on Friday, March 29 from 6-8 p.m. at the York County Fairgrounds. Pre-registration will need to be received by Wednesday, March 27, 2024 the cost is $35 per animal. For more information contact Kim Regier, Show Co-Superintendent of Gerald Peterson, Show Co-Superintendent, 308.991.0817 or email gpeterson808@gmail.com. The show will be held on Saturday, March 30 at the York County Fairgrounds in York. Entries will be taken from 7:30 to 8 a.m. with all entries completed by 8 a.m. The show will start at 10:30 a.m. This is a Junior Nebraska Cattlemen sanctioned show with all classes and divisions to meet Junior Nebraska Cattlemen Show Guidelines.

Geneva Rotary Club

GENEVA  The Geneva Rotary Club is hosting their annual Breakfast With The Easter Bunny fundraiser from 8-11 a.m. on Saturday, March 30. There will be two meal options this year: a $5 meal with 1 pancake, 1 sausage, and 1 drink or a $10 meal with 2 pancakes, 2 sausages, and 1 drink. The Easter Bunny will be at the fundraiser for any photo opportunities you may want! Funds raised will go toward Rotarys local projects such as Literacy In A Bag, high school scholarships and Coats for Kids.
GIBBON  We walked along the path to the blind on Sunday morning shortly after 6 a.m. To the right was a cacophony that could only have been the birds gathered on the river. The near darkness was on account of them, too. The flashlights we used were tiny and shone a red light, which we were told doesnt bother sandhill cranes.

It was colder than I had expected. It had been around 60 degrees and sunny the day before, but now it was well below freezing. How could the cranes stand sitting on a freezing cold river like that?

But sure enough after we had arrived at the blind and light had slowly begun to appear on the Eastern horizon, I saw thousands of little objects jutting up from the dark river.

The sandhill cranes are here in Nebraska, our guide Pam Ephgrave explained, primarily to feed. They gain about 20% of their weight in Nebraska before heading to their final destinations: Alaska, Northern Canada, Eastern Siberia.

We were a mix of people from Nebraska, Colorado, Minnesota, Illinois and even New York. Ephgrave said she too migrated like the birds. She comes from Sioux Falls, South Dakota for about a week and a half once a year to volunteer at Rowe Sanctuary.

Sherrie Timm and Anita Fink traveled to Rowe Sanctuary from Minneapolis. They had seen cranes in Nebraska before, but never from a blind.

Timm said she liked the blind because she could see the cranes landing. The blind is the way to go, she said.

Fink added that although it was nice to take photos of the migration, it doesnt capture how big it is and the sound  its just amazing!

At one point, slightly before the sunrise, thousands of the cranes rose up all at once. They were as loud as a thousand human beings might be if they knew they had to work after lunch.

We stayed a while with the sun up, watching the cranes dutifully carry their heavier bodies North to breed and raise their children. I took some photos. Then after a while, we got cold and went to a Gibbon coffee shop, Rise and Grind, for our own feed.

PHOTOS: 66th annual Heartland Community Schools German Smorgasbord Photos from the 66th annual Heartland Community Schools German Smorgasbord on Saturday, March 16. Heartland band plays 'Free Bird' The Heartland band plays Lynyrd Skynyrd's Free Bird during a concert after the annual German Smorgasbord on Saturday, March 16. Heartland Smorgasbord A large crowd turned out for the 66th Annual Heartland Community Schools German Smorgasbord band fundraiser on Saturday, March 16 in Henderson Heartland Smorgasbord Attendees work their way through the serving line at the annual German Smorgasbord. Honoring Royce Schweitzer Heartland Smorgasbord Saturdays event was followed by a concert by the Heartland band. Heartland Smorgasbord Attendees at the Heartland Smorgasbord check out the numerous accolades the band has won over the years. Heartland Smorgasbord Young Lenin Kulhanek enjoys the food at the 66th annual 66th Annual Heartland Community Schools German Smorgasbord band fundraiser. Heartland band's full 'Free Bird' performance The full version of the Heartland bands performance of Free Bird.
New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a penalty of Rs 80 lakh against Air India for breaching regulations concerning flight duty time limitations (FDTL) and the fatigue management system (FMS) for flight crew on Friday.

The infractions came to light following a spot audit conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in January. Subsequently, Air India received a show-cause notice on March 1. As the operator's response was deemed unsatisfactory, the DGCA announced the imposition of an  80 lakh fine, as stated in its announcement. (Also Read: Stock Markets Rise For 3rd Session; Sensex Gains 190 Points)

"Analysis of reports and evidence revealed Air India Limited operated flight(s) with both flight crew aged above 60 years... in (a) few instances, which is a violation of Sub Rule (2) of Rule 28 A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937," According to the statement from the DGCA. (Also Read: Byju's Says 262 Tuition Centres Operational, A Few To Undergo 'Strategic Restructuring')

The aviation authority observed that Air India did not fulfill the criteria for providing enough weekly rest, ensuring appropriate rest before and after ultra-long range (ULR) flights and ensuring adequate rest during layovers for flight crew. These deficiencies go against the current Civil Aviation Requirements regarding flight duty time limitations (FDTL).

The regulator reported instances of surpassing duty periods, inaccurately recorded training records, and overlapping duties during the audit. Consequently, the DGCA sent Air India Limited a show cause notice on March 1 to address the observed violations.

Air India's response to the regulator was deemed unsatisfactory, leading to the imposition of a fine. However, the watchdog emphasized its dedication to upholding the highest safety standards in India's civil aviation sector. This enforcement action aligns with the watchdog's commitment to ensuring safety in air travel.
TAIPEI, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- One key takeaway from the ongoing GTC is that Nvidia's AI empire has taken shape with strong partnerships from TSMC and other Taiwanese makers, such as those major server ODMs.

Credit: AFP

According to the news report from the technology-focused media DIGITIMES Asia, during his keynote at GTC on March 18, Huang underscored his company's partnerships with TSMC, as well as the supply chain in Taiwan. Speaking to the press later, Huang said Nvidia will have a very strong demand for CoWoS, the advanced packaging services TSMC offers.

He said the company is embarking on a new journey and will work closely with TSMC. He said he believes TSMC's capacity will continue growing.

A major reason for the shortages of Nvidia's AI chips is insufficient CoWoS support from TSMC. To serve Nvidia and other AI chip customers, TSMC is accelerating the expansion of CoWoS capacity and has just confirmed that it will build two advanced packaging fabs in Chiayi, southern Taiwan.

Nvidia's AI foundry service

Nvidia is taking inspiration from TSMC's business model. Huang admitted that the way Nvidia is working for its partners and the AI industry is like the way TSMC is making chips for Nvidia.

Nvidia is learning from TSMC's business model where the foundry only handles the manufacturing. Nvidia is working in the same as an AI foundry, according to Huang.

In November 2023, Nvidia introduced an AI foundry service to customize generative AI applications for enterprises and startups deploying on Microsoft Azure. Sources from Taiwan's server supply chain noted that Nvidia has been the biggest winner in the AI boom with its prowess from the CUDA and GPU platforms.

Taiwanese firms have played a key role in helping build Nvidia's AI empire. At the same time, the Taiwanese supply chain also has been a major beneficiary of Nvidia's rise to dominance.

Nvidia is expected to introduce upgrades to its H100 and GH100 in the second quarter of 2024  the H200 and GH200. It has also unveiled the B100/B200 and GB200 on its new Blackwell platform at GTC.

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The launch of new chip products will benefit not only their contract maker TSMC and equipment suppliers but also the server supply chain.

TSMC is sole maker of Nvidia AI GPUs

The sources said TSMC has been the sole maker of Nvidia's AI GPUs. Nvidia had Samsung make its RTX30 series at the 8nm node for the gaming market.

However, yield and performance issues at Samsung later prompted Nvidia to let TSMC make all of its next-generation RTX40 series at the 4nm node , the sources said. The upcoming RTX50 series will still be made by TSMC using 3/4nm processes, sources added.

The Blackwell GPUs will also be made by TSMC. Its next-generation AI GPUs to be introduced in 2025 are expected to embrace 3nm processes, the sources said.

As switching chipmaking partners will incur very high costs, Nvidia will continue using TSMC's 2nm, A14, and A10 services in the coming years, barring unexpected developments. Nvidia's server partners in Taiwan, including ASRockRack, Asustek, Foxconn, Gigabyte, Inventec, Pegatron, Quanta Cloud Technology (GCT), Wistron, and Wiwynn, will supply servers running on the Blackwell platform.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nvidia-ceo-reiterates-solid-partnership-with-tsmc-302096782.html

SOURCE DIGITIMES ASIA
New Delhi: Inequality in India has skyrocketed since the early 2000s, with the income and wealth share of the top 1 per cent population rising to 22.6 per cent and 40.1 per cent, respectively, in 2022-23, according to a working paper.

The paper titled 'Income and Wealth Inequality in India, 1922-2023: The Rise of the Billionaire Raj' said between 2014-15 and 2022-23, the rise of top-end inequality has been particularly pronounced in terms of wealth concentration.

The paper authored by Thomas Piketty (Paris School of Economics and World Inequality Lab), Lucas Chancel (Harvard Kennedy School and World Inequality Lab) and Nitin Kumar Bharti (New York University and World Inequality Lab).

"Between 2014-15 and 2022-23, the rise of top-end inequality has been particularly pronounced in terms of wealth concentration.

"By 2022-23, top 1 per cent income and wealth shares (22.6 per cent and 40.1 per cent) are at their highest historical levels and India's top 1 per cent income share is among the very highest in the world, higher than even South Africa, Brazil, and the US," the paper said.

According to the paper, the Indian income tax system might be regressive when viewed from the lens of net wealth.

"A restructuring of the tax code to account for both income and wealth, and broad-based public investments in health, education and nutrition are needed to enable the average Indian, and not just the elites, to meaningfully benefit from the ongoing wave of globalisation," it noted.

As per the paper, besides serving as a tool to fight inequality, a "super tax" of 2 per cent on the net wealth of the 167 wealthiest families in 2022-23 would yield 0.5 per cent of national income in revenues and create valuable fiscal space to facilitate such investments.

The paper said the quality of economic data in India is notably poor and has seen a decline recently.

It said India's top 1 per cent population's income share appears to be among the highest in the world "behind only perhaps Peru, Yemen and a couple of other small countries".

"In terms of top wealth shares, we see that both with top 10 per cent and top 1 per cent, India comes out in the middle of the pack, with Brazil, and South Africa standing out with their extreme wealth concentration levels (85.6 per cent and 79.7 per cent top 10 per cent shares, respectively)," the paper said.

The paper pointed out that from 13 per cent in 1922, the top 1 per cent income share increased significantly to over 20 per cent in the inter-war period.

While they experienced a dramatic fall after that, during the 1940s to fall back to 13 per by the time of India's Independence, the paper said after briefly rising during the 1950s, the top 1 per cent income shares consistently fell over the next two decades and reached 6.1 per cent by 1982.

This was likely the consequence of the broadly socialist policy agenda pursued by the Indian government till the 1980s, it noted.

Since the early-1980s, according to the paper, when the Indian government began initiating a broad range of economic reforms, leading up to the liberalisation in 1991, the decline in top 1 per cent income shares halted.

Early-1990s onwards, the paper said the top 1 per cent income shares have consistently increased over the next 30 years to reach an all-time high of 22.6 per cent in 2022.

While the paper's wealth inequality series spans the period 1961-2023, the availability of tax tabulations going back to 1922 when the Income Tax Act was enacted by the British administration, allowed the authors to study the evolution of the top 1 per cent income share over an entire century.
NEW DELHI: In a remarkable twist of political fate, the Congress party has undergone a notable transformation in its stance towards Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's alleged involvement in the excise policy case and his subsequent arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), shifting from accusations to defence. This significant shift in the party's position has unfolded against the backdrop of the ED's action in the excise policy case and the recent sealing of a seat-sharing deal between Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the forthcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Congress' Allegations And Protests

Just a year ago, key figures within the Congress party, including Ajay Maken, Arvinder Singh Lovely, Anil Chowdhary and Sandeep Dikshit, were at the forefront of accusing Arvind Kejriwal in connection to the liquor policy scandal that rocked Delhi in 2023. The party organized protests, demanding Kejriwal's resignation on grounds of alleged corruption and obstructed investigations while he remained in power. Congress leaders had staged a protest led by Anil Chaudhary near the Aam Aadmi Party office, demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal following the arrest of his deputy Manish Sisodia by the CBI. The party had said a fair probe would not be possible as long as Arvind Kejriwal remains in power. "The entire Delhi government is fully immersed in corruption. As long as Kejriwal remains in power, there will not be an independent probe in the liquor scam, and therefore, he should also submit his resignation," Chaudhary said.

The Congress party had also filed a formal complaint regarding what it termed as Kejriwal's fraudulent liquor policy. AICC media cell chief Pawan Khera had claimed credit for initiating the probe, asserting that Congress pressure had compelled the BJP-led Centre to investigate the Delhi liquor scam.

This is the complaint letter handed over to the Delhi Police by DPCC President @Ch_AnilKumarINC and other senior Delhi Congress leaders.



Kejriwals fraudulent liquor policy must be reversed immediately! pic.twitter.com/QEzZLNDGsJ  AIPC Delhi (@DelhiAipc) June 3, 2022

Congress' U-Turn On The Issue

However, in a surprising about-face, Congress is now rallying behind Arvind Kejriwal following his recent arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the excise policy case. Congress Leaders such as Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have criticized the arrest, branding it as ''unconstitutional and indicative of authoritarian tactics'' aimed at stifling democracy. Rahul Gandhi even spoke against PM Narendra Modi after the arrest of Kejriwal and accused him of resorting to "dictatorial tactics" to destroy democracy in the country. He said that the opposition INDIA bloc will give a "befitting reply to this".

Delhi Congress President Arvinder Singh Lovely condemned Kejriwal's arrest, attributing it to BJP's political manoeuvring ahead of the upcoming elections. Highlighting the pattern of actions taken against Opposition leaders, including the seizure of Congress financial resources and the arrest of Jharkhands Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Lovely condemned the use of governmental agencies for political ends. Congress will not be intimidated by these measures and will continue to fight the elections with vigour. As part of the INDIA alliance, we stand firmly with AAP and extend our full support, he said.

Sandeep Dikshit, who had previously accused Kejriwal, denounced the arrest as an assault on democratic principles. Dikshit lambasted the BJP, questioning the appropriateness of arresting individuals at their homes and linking such actions directly to the election period. Dikshit emphasized the abnormality of conducting raids at night and suggested that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) could have simply summoned Kejriwal for questioning rather than arresting him, deeming the actions as an attack on democratic principles.

Political Fallout Of Kejriwal's Arrest

The arrest of Kejriwal has injected fresh tension into the political arena, particularly as it coincides with the looming Lok Sabha elections. While AAP leaders have mobilized to challenge the legality of Kejriwal's arrest, BJP leaders have staunchly defended the ED's actions, framing them as necessary steps to combat alleged corruption. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva defended the EDs actions, accusing Kejriwal of evading accountability in the liquor policy scam and engaging in political theatrics. Sachdeva expressed satisfaction over the arrest, asserting that it was a necessary outcome to counteract what he described as Kejriwals attempt to corrupt the youth with alcoholism.

The BJP leadership has also rallied behind the EDs decision to arrest Kejriwal, framing it as a just resolution in the face of alleged misconduct by the Delhi Chief Minister and his administration in the excise policy scandal.

Delhi Excise Case Background

Following a series of developments in the ongoing excise policy case, Kejriwal was produced before the Rouse Avenue court by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday. He was represented by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi. Kejriwal's arrest by the ED, which occurred on Thursday, was precipitated by the Delhi High Court's denial of interim protection against coercive actions related to the excise policy case. This arrest followed Kejriwal's repeated non-compliance with nine summonses issued by both the Enforcement Directorate and the Delhi High Court, the latter of which declined to grant him relief from potential coercive measures by the investigative agency.

The crux of the case revolves around allegations of irregularities and money laundering associated with the formulation and execution of the Delhi excise policy in 2022, which was subsequently annulled. Kejriwal's apprehension occurred amidst a broader investigation into financial improprieties linked to the now-defunct excise policy, with notable figures such as K Kavitha, a leader of the Bharat Rashta Samithi (BRS) and daughter of former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, also being ensnared in the probe.

Preceding Kejriwal's arrest, other prominent individuals involved in Delhi's governance faced legal repercussions in connection to the same case. Manish Sisodia, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, was apprehended by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 26, while Sanjay Singh, a member of the Rajya Sabha, was arrested by the ED on October 5. Both Sisodia and Singh remain in judicial custody, further highlighting the gravity of the allegations and the legal ramifications surrounding the excise policy case.

Importantly, Kejriwal's arrest assumes added significance due to its timing in relation to the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, scheduled to take place between April 19 and June 1. As the political landscape becomes increasingly charged, the ramifications of these legal proceedings extend beyond the confines of the courtroom, influencing the broader discourse surrounding governance and accountability in Delhi.

What Next For AAP?

As the legal battle unfolds, with Kejriwal being produced before the court, the political landscape in Delhi remains charged with uncertainty. With key AAP leaders already in judicial custody in connection to the same case, the implications of Kejriwal's arrest reverberate through the corridors of power, shaping the narrative ahead of the impending elections.
New Delhi: Delhi CM Kejriwal will be produced before special PMLA court on Friday and ED will seek his custody for interrogation. AAP leader Gopal Rai has announced for nationwide protests today, against the Bharatiya Janata Party following the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on corruption charges related to the Delhi's liquor policy. Delhi Minister and AAP leader Rai said,"...The BJP sent agencies and got Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal arrested...This is the murder of democracy."

Nation-wide Protest Today

Gopal Rai said, "Tomorrow at 10 am we will hold a protest against the BJP party over the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal by the ED." When asked whether Opposition parties will join the protest, Gopal Rai said, "Tomorrow is an open protest. whoever is against the dictatorship all are welcome to join."

Supreme Court Intervention

Last night, Kejriwal moved to the Supreme Court against the arrest by ED. However, he did not receive any special hearing late at night. According to sources, no special bench was set up on Thursday night to hear Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's plea against his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate.

'Attempt To Murder Democracy'

Meanwhile while addressing the media, Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi informed that, "We have filed an application in the Supreme Court against the illegal arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. It will be mentioned in the Supreme Court tomorrow morning. We hope that the Supreme Court will protect democracy."

Atishi also raised concerns about the timing of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest. She highlighted that despite two years of investigation by both the CBI and the ED, no evidence of corruption has been found. The leader called Kejriwal's arrest as an attack on democracy, Atishi emphasized that the BJP is aware of Kejriwal's popularity and sees him as a formidable challenger to PM Modi in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

"Today, we all have seen an attempt to murder democracy. After the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections, Arvind Kejriwal, a popular CM of Delhi and a prominent leader of the opposition has been arrested on false charges. This investigation has been going on for two years, but neither the CBI nor the ED has found a single penny in two years of investigation. But as soon as the election is announced, Arvind Kejriwal is arrested. Why? Because PM Narendra Modi knows that if there is one leader who can challenge him, it is Arvind Kejriwal," she said.

Ernakulam Protest

AAP leader Atishi Marlena said that Congress has assured of support from INDIA bloc members. Aam Aadmi Party workers held a protest in Ernakulam against the Enforcement Directorate after the ED team arrested Delhi CM and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal in the Excice Policy Case.

INDIA Bloc Comes Together

India Bloc have voiced their support for Kejriwal and condemned the BJP for utilizing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as a tool against the Opposition."It's the second sitting CM of the INDIA bloc to be arrested. These arrests will only cement people's desire to defeat BJP, defend democracy and Indian Constitution," wrote Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury in a post on the social media site X.

Opposition stalwart Sharad Pawar strongly condemned the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and said it showcased the depth to which the Bharatiya Janata Party will stoop for power.

"The arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal showcases the depth to which BJP will stoop for power. 'INDIA' stands united against this unconstitutional action against Arvind Kejriwal," Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar said in a post on X.

Excise Policy Case

Two senior AAP leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, are in judicial custody in the excise policy case. Sisodia, who was the then Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, was arrested by the CBI on February 26 following several rounds of questioning. On October 5, ED arrested Sanjay Singh, who is a Rajya Sabha member.

ED In Action

On March 15, ED also arrested Bharat Rashta 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 excise policy.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) reached the Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar on Friday to conduct the survey of the disputed site. The ASI team arrived around 6:30 pm and the survey is underway. This action follows a recent mandate from the Madhya Pradesh High Court to survey a 50-meter area of the site. Hindus consider Bhojshala as a sacred place dedicated to 'Vagdevi', while Muslims recognise it as the Kamal Maula Mosque. The court emphasised the importance of revealing and clarifying the true nature of the complex to dispel existing confusion.

After the inspection, a survey blueprint will be drafted. Security around 'Bhojshala' has been bolstered, with police forces deployed across the city in anticipation of the survey. The Madhya Pradesh High Court issued an order directing the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a survey of the Bhojshala Temple and Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar district within six weeks. As per a 2003 agreement, Hindus perform puja at the complex on Tuesdays, while Muslims offer namaz on Fridays.

#WATCH | Madhya Pradesh: ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) team arrives to survey Bhojshala in Dhar after the order of the High Court. pic.twitter.com/52WD9Nx9g0  ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2024

"In accordance with the directives of the High Court, we have received correspondence from the Additional Director of the Indian Culture Department," Dhar Superintendent of Police, Manoj Kumar Singh told ANI on Thursday. "Upon receipt of the communication, today we conducted an inspection of the Bhojshala premises. We deliberated on the necessary security measures to be implemented during the survey and discussed the requirements outlined by the ASI," he added.
New Delhi: Delhi Finance Minister, Atishi Marlena, lashes out at BJP citing concerns around CM Arvind Kejriwal's security at the ED office. She said, "For the first time in the country, a sitting Chief Minister has been arrested. Arvind Kejriwal has Z+ security cover. Now he is in the custody of the ED of the Central Government. We are concerned about his safety and security," Atishi posted on X on Friday.

On Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, AAP leader & Delhi Minister Atishi said, "It is the first time that a sitting CM has been arrested by Central government. In the country's history, it is the first time that after the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections, the national convenor of a national party has been arrested. Arvind Kejriwal's arrest is BJP's political conspiracy."

She continued, "If this is not about damaging a level playing field, then what is it?...We hope that today as well Supreme Court will protect democracy in the country...BJP wants that Arvind Kejriwal should not be able to campaign in Lok Sabha elections...We are in touch with INDIA alliance leaders, they have expressed solidarity with Arvind Kejriwal."

On Thursday, Atishi also questioned the timing of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, saying that for two years, neither the CBI nor the ED has found a single penny in two years of investigation.

Describing the arrest of Kejriwal as an assault on democracy, Atishi said that the BJP is aware that Kejriwal is the most popular leader who has the potential to challenge PM Modi in the ensuing Lok Sabha polls.

Raghav Chadha Calls Arrest A 'Conspiracy'

Earlier, AAP leader and Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha criticised the arrest of AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal saying that the person who gave free electricity to lakhs of families and arranged free bus services for women has been arrested.

The AAP leader claimed that the blessings and love of 135 crore Indians are with Arvind Kejriwal, who, as per the Chadha, 'was arrested under a conspiracy'.

The Enforcement Directorate arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the Delhi excise policy case on Thursday night, in which two senior AAP leaders are already in judicial custody.

The case pertains to alleged irregularities and money laundering in framing and implementing the Delhi excise policy case 2022, which was later scrapped.
New Delhi: The Allahabad High Court on Friday declared UP Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004 as "unconstitutional" and said it violates principle of secularism. The court found that the act breached the secularism principle and directed the state to integrate the affected students into the regular education system. The verdict was delivered by Justices Vivek Chaudhary and Subhash Vidyarthi from the Lucknow division, in response to a legal challenge by an individual named Anshuman Singh Rathore.

Rathore's petition contested the legal validity of the UP Madarsa Board and criticized the administration of madarsas by the Minority Welfare department, implicating both the central and state governments.
New Delhi: A blast occurred and several gunmen opened fired at a crowd at a city hall in Russia's capital city of Moscow. As per the latest reports several people have been wounded in the attack and 15 have been killed.

According to the RIA news agency, at least three assailants in camouflage clothing had opened fire at the Crocus City Hall. Video clips on social media sites show three attackers shooting people at the mall while other videos show the building on fire suggesting that a blast also occurred.

TASS news agency reported an explosion and a fire in the building where the shooting took place.

The Kommersant newspaper posted footage online showing smoke billowing from what it said was the concert venue building. Police had arrived at the scene.

(Further Details awaited)
NEW DELHI: The arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, marking the first instance of a sitting CM being detained in a criminal case. The ED's action comes after Kejriwal evaded multiple summons regarding his questioning in the now-defunct Delhi excise policy case.

Kejriwal's Arrest And ED Probe

The ED's investigation revolves around alleged corruption and money laundering allegations related to the formulation and execution of Delhi's excise policy for 2021-22, which was subsequently annulled. Kejriwal's arrest follows the questioning of other key AAP leaders, including Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, who are currently in judicial custody.

Despite mounting pressure and public outcry, Kejriwal's close aides, including Delhi Minister Aatishi and Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goyal, affirmed his resolve to continue governing as Delhi CM, even from behind bars. This unprecedented situation raises questions about the stability of governance in the capital city amidst the ongoing legal battle.

Legal Provisions And Disqualification

The legal framework governing the disqualification of elected officials plays a pivotal role in assessing Kejriwal's ability to continue as CM. Under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, conviction is a prerequisite for disqualification. As Kejriwal remains unconvicted, he retains his eligibility to hold office despite the charges against him.

Challenges Of Running Government From The Prison

While Kejriwal's legal status permits him to remain CM, practical challenges arise from governing while incarcerated. The stringent guidelines within the prison system, such as limited meeting allowances, pose obstacles to effective governance, particularly for a high-profile figure like Kejriwal.

Can LG Recommend President's Rule In Delhi?

The power dynamics between the elected CM and the Lieutenant Governor (LG) come into sharp focus amidst Kejriwal's arrest. The LG, with authority delegated by the Centre, can recommend the President's Rule under Article 239AA of the Constitution if deemed necessary due to a perceived failure of the elected government to discharge its duties effectively.

Precedents And Potential Scenarios

Past instances, including the arrest of Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji, illustrate the ramifications of prolonged legal battles on political leadership. The denial of bail and subsequent resignations underscore the challenges faced by officials entangled in legal proceedings.

Alternative Solution

One potential resolution lies in the LG's authority to convert a building into a prison, enabling Kejriwal to request house arrest for continued engagement in governance. However, this solution hinges on cooperation between Kejriwal and the LG, presenting its own set of logistical and political challenges.

Meanwhile, the Union Home Ministry is also said to be examining the ramifications of Kejriwal not resigning and continuing as chief minister of Delhi. According to legal luminaries, the Centre may have to suspend or remove him from the post since he is a public servant. This is also the procedure that is followed for government officials who are arrested. They are immediately suspended from service, sources said.

The arrest of Arvind Kejriwal by the ED has triggered a complex interplay of legal provisions, political authority, and practical considerations. As Delhi grapples with the fallout from this unprecedented event, the way forward for Kejriwal and the governance of the capital city remains uncertain, awaiting further legal and political developments.
New Delhi: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged as the prime recipient of the electoral bonds scheme, amassing donations exceeding Rs 6,000 crore over the past four years. The funds have been contributed by a variety of corporates and individuals, including Megha Engineering, Future Gaming, and Reliance-affiliated Qwik Supply.

Megha Engineering, a Hyderabad-based firm known for securing numerous infrastructure project contracts, has made a significant contribution of Rs 584 crore to the BJP. Other notable donations include Rs 395 crore from Qwik Supply and Rs 100 crore from Future Gaming.

The BJPs funding sources also extend to Keventers Food Park, MKJ Enterprises, and Madanlal Ltd, three companies sharing the same address in Kolkata, which collectively donated Rs 346 crore. Additionally, Vedanta and Haldia Energy contributed Rs 226 crore and Rs 81 crore respectively.

Interestingly, Vedanta also emerged as a substantial donor to the Congress party, with contributions amounting to Rs 125 crore. The opposition party also received funds from Western UP Power and Transmission, MKJ Enterprises, and Yashoda Super Speciality Hospitals.

Further, the BJP received Rs 80 crore from Western UP Power and Transmission Company, and Rs 42 crore from Welspun. Industrialist Lakshmi Mittal made a personal contribution of Rs 35 crore to the BJP, while several other individuals donated amounts ranging from Rs 10-25 crore.

In an effort to ensure transparency, the Election Commission has released a new data set of electoral bonds. This includes alpha-numeric numbers that can potentially link the purchasers with the political parties that received the funds. The poll panel published two separate lists of donors and recipients on its website, following the submission of details by the State Bank of India, as mandated by a Supreme Court order.
New Delhi: On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bhutan on a two-day State visit, aimed at strengthening India's special ties with the Himalayan nation in line with the country's 'Neighbourhood First' Policy.

Upon his arrival at Paro airport, Modi received a grand red-carpet welcome. Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay, warmly greeted him at the airport, and a ceremonial welcome was extended to him.

#WATCH | Thimphu | People of Bhutan extend a warm welcome to PM Modi on his arrival in their country on a two-day State visit pic.twitter.com/O7WZc8xnYM March 22, 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday morning departed for a two-day state visit to Bhutan. Earlier, the planned state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bhutan was postponed due to adverse weather conditions. Thereafter, the new dates were being discussed via diplomatic channels, as announced by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Original Visit Details

Originally scheduled for March 21 and 22, the decision to postpone the visit was made mutually in light of the inclement weather affecting Paro airport.

#WATCH | Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Bhutan this morning.



The Prime Minister will be on a state visit to Bhutan on March 22-23. pic.twitter.com/RMwI9CiJtN  ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2024

Bhutan Awaits PM Modi

In anticipation of PM Modi's arrival, Bhutan had enthusiatically displayed posters and billboards welcoming him to the country. Different posters have been put up at various places in the city along with the flags of both countries.

Neighbourhood First Policy

During the visit, the Prime Minister will receive an audience with Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan and Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan.

The Prime Minister will also hold talks with the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay, the MEA said. This visit is expected to facilitate significant high-level exchanges between New Delhi and Thimphu. Both the countries maintain a strong bilateral relationship which is characterized by mutual trust, goodwill, and understanding. Time and again, the visits between leaders emphasized the depth of the relationship and highlighted the close ties between India and Bhutan.

PM Modi's Previous Visit

PM Modi's previous visit to Bhutan in August 2019 marked an important milestone. The visit saw the launch of key bilateral projects that aimed at enhancing economic cooperation and connectivity between the two nations.
Key Insights

Cairn Homes' estimated fair value is UK2.80 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Current share price of UK1.41 suggests Cairn Homes is potentially 49% undervalued

Our fair value estimate is 71% higher than Cairn Homes' analyst price target of 1.63

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Cairn Homes plc (LON:CRN) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward.

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you.

View our latest analysis for Cairn Homes

The Model

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) 168.2m 165.7m 164.9m 165.2m 166.2m 167.7m 169.6m 171.8m 174.2m 176.7m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ -0.47% Est @ 0.16% Est @ 0.60% Est @ 0.92% Est @ 1.13% Est @ 1.28% Est @ 1.39% Est @ 1.47% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 9.0% 154 139 127 117 108 99.8 92.6 86.0 80.0 74.4

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 1.1b

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 1.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 9.0%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = 177m (1 + 1.6%)  (9.0% 1.6%) = 2.4b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 2.4b ( 1 + 9.0%)10= 1.0b

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is 2.1b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of UK1.4, the company appears quite undervalued at a 49% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

The Assumptions

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the 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 Cairn Homes 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 9.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.348. 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 Cairn Homes

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Earnings growth over the past year is below its 5-year average.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Consumer Durables market.

Opportunity

Annual revenue is forecast to grow faster than the British market.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the British market.

Moving On:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For Cairn Homes, we've compiled three essential items you should further examine:

Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Cairn Homes you should know about. Future Earnings: How does CRN'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 British 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.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday refused bail for BRS leader K Kavitha, who faces allegations of corruption related to the Delhi excise policy scam case. Kavitha, a prominent figure in the Telangana Legislative Council and the daughter of former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday.

Supreme Court refuses to entertain BRS leader K Kavitha's bail plea, however issues notice on her plea challenging certain provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) https://t.co/MXFLVu3e3x  ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2024

In response to her arrest, Kavitha filed a petition challenging the actions of the ED. In her plea, she requested the court to invalidate the arrest, citing various legal grounds. The matter was brought before the Supreme Court, which declined to grant her bail. Instead, the court directed her to pursue relief through the trial court, emphasizing the importance of adhering to legal procedures.

Go To Lower Court: SC

A special bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, MM Sundresh, and Bela Trivedi passed the order on Kavitha's petition. The court underscored the necessity for all individuals, regardless of their stature or financial capacity, to follow a uniform legal process. It stressed that seeking bail should be pursued through the appropriate channels, rather than directly approaching the apex court.

Notice Issued To ED

Simultaneously, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the ED regarding Kavitha's writ petition. This legal move signals the court's engagement with the intricacies of the case, indicating a thorough examination of the allegations levelled against her.

Arrest Of Arvind Kejriwal In Liquor Scam Case

The developments in Kavitha's case coincide with an urgent hearing concerning the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Kejriwal, the Aam Aadmi Party national convenor, was apprehended in connection with the same case that led to Kavitha's arrest. This incident marks the third arrest of a senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader in connection with the Delhi excise policy scam.

As legal proceedings unfold, security measures have been intensified in anticipation of potential unrest. Heavy security deployment and traffic restrictions have been implemented in Delhi, particularly around the AAP office, to maintain public order amidst protests.

Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party leaders, including Delhi Ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj and Atishi, have been detained by the Delhi Police during the party protest against the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The AAP is holding a protest at the ITO in the national capital against CM Kejriwal's arrest by the ED in the excise policy case.
New Delhi: The Governor of Tamil Nadu, N Ravi, has invited K Ponmudy to swear in as a minister today. The Governor's move comes after the Supreme Court questioned his conviction.

N Ravi earlier refusal to appoint Ponmudy as a minister, to which Supreme Court stated that it defied the court's order. The court emphasized that Ponmudy's conviction had been stayed and criticized the Governor for not allowing him to take the oath. The bench also remarked that when a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court stays a conviction, the Governor has no business to tell us that this does not wipe off the conviction and observed that those who have advised the Governor have not advised him correctly. Now the Governor better be informed that when the Supreme Court of India stays a conviction, then the law has to follow its course, the court said.

Now, the matter has been adjourned until Friday, with the court indicating that if a positive resolution isn't reached, it may intervene with specific directives. The Tamil Nadu Government has filed a plea urging the court to direct the appointment of Ponmudy as a minister.

This decision by the Governor has been criticized by the Tamil Nadu Government, which views it as a violation of the Constitution's Article 164(1).
Mumbai: Benchmark equity indices tanked in early trade on Friday, surrendering their two days of rally, dragged down by IT stocks, weak trends from Asian markets and continuous foreign fund outflows.

The 30-share BSE Sensex tanked 413.36 points to 72,227.83. The NSE Nifty skidded 86.8 points to 21,925.15.

From the Sensex basket, HCL Technologies, Wipro, Infosys, Tech Mahindra, Tata Consultancy Services and Tata Motors were the major laggards.

The BSE IT index fell by 2.85 per cent in the early trade.

Sun Pharma, Titan, Bharti Airtel and ITC were among the gainers.

"IT is likely to remain under pressure in view of the poor guidance from Accenture," said V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services.

In Asian markets, Seoul, Shanghai and Hong Kong were quoting lower while Tokyo traded in the positive territory.

Wall Street ended with gains on Thursday.

"IT stocks may see a slowdown following Accenture's revised revenue forecast," Prashanth Tapse, Senior VP (Research), Mehta Equities Ltd, said in his pre-opening market comment.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 1,826.97 crore on Thursday, according to exchange data.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude declined 0.71 per cent to USD 85.17 a barrel.

The BSE benchmark jumped 539.50 points or 0.75 per cent to settle at 72,641.19 on Thursday. The NSE Nifty climbed 172.85 points or 0.79 per cent to 22,011.95.
Global Star Ram Charan's fan base and stardom have soared worldwide after his remarkable performance in Rajamouli's epic RRR.He is presently immersed in the production of the political thriller "Game Changer," under the direction of renowned filmmaker Shankar.

Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor set to impress the audience with RC16 .The project is bankrolled in a prestigious manner by Venkata Satish Kilaru on Vriddhi Cinemas and is presented by Mythri Movie Makers and Sukumar Writings. Venkata Satish Kilaru, the owner of Vriddhi Infra, is well-known for his deep passion for films. After closely associating with Mythri Movie Makers, he made the exciting decision to step into film production with a high-profile project.

Today marks the much-anticipated launch of RC16, featuring an internationally acclaimed team, amidst the presence of top celebrities from the Telugu film industry. The film is directed by Buchi Babu Sana, a protege of Sukumar, who won a National Award for his debut film "Uppena", adding significant value to this collaboration. RC16 promises to take audiences on a rural, emotional, and rustic journey.

Janhvi Kapoor, thrilled to be a part of the project, thanked Buchi Sir for approaching her and expressed her gratitude to the team for their love and support.

The launch ceremony of RC16 is graced by distinguished guests Mega Star Chiranjeevi, Star director Shankar, Ace filmmaker Sukumar, renowned producers Allu Aravind, Dil Raju,Sireesh, Boney Kapoor, Sahoo Garapati,Ram Achanta, MLA Ravi Gottipati, Sithara's Vamsi,UV Creations Vamsi Krishna Reddy and others.

On Wednesday the project commenced with a traditional puja ceremony at 10:10 AM in an extravagant manner. Ace producer Allu Aravind handed the bound script to director Buchi Babu Sana. Star director Shankar who is directing Ram Charan's Game Changer directed the first shot of Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor after Boney Kapoor and Anmol Sharma turned on the camera and Mega Star Chiranjeevi sounded the clap board.

Director Buchi Babu Sana expressed his overwhelming gratitude at the film's launch, especially towards Mega Star Chiranjeevi "Honored to welcome everyone present, especially Mega Star Chiranjeevi.

I must admit, I'm overwhelmed by the esteemed guests and my esteemed mentor, Sukumar. I extend my gratitude to Ram Charan for this incredible opportunity that emerged from my days as Rangasthalam's assistant director. I'm determined to make the most of it." He said.

Renowned talents such as Rubens and others have joined the team. Buchi Babu was amazed to have

The legendary Oscar winner A.R. Rahman composed the music for his second film, calling it a dream come true, thanks to Ram Charan, Sukumar, Naveen, and Satish. Renowned talents such as Rubens and others have joined the team. He envisioned Janhvi as a part of the project and expressed his gratitude to his Guru Sukumar for making it happen.

Sukumar, in turn, praised Buchi Babu's ambition and determination, highlighting his bold decisions in casting Vijay Sethupathi and collaborating with Ram Charan and A.R. Rahman. Sukumar jokingly said, "I often joke that I became a guru because I taught mathematics. But frankly, Buchi didn't learn anything from me. He's always been apprehensive." He praised Buchi's unwavering belief in his script and his diligence.

Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman praised Buchi Babu's passion for cinema, mentioning his detailed plot points for songs and his contagious enthusiasm. He wished the entire team and Ram Charan the best.

Ram Charan, acknowledging Buchi Babu's immense love for cinema, expressed his delight at working with him and collaborating with A.R. Rahman. He also expressed excitement about working with Janhvi Kapoor, saying, "Many have longed to see me paired with Janhvi Kapoor, reminiscing about the nostalgia of Jagadeka Veerudu Atiloka Sundari."

Producer Boney Kapoor expressed his eagerness to make more Telugu films, especially with the opportunity given by Ram Charan. He praised Buchi Babu's passion and expressed interest in remaking Uppena in Hindi Producer Naveen expressed gratitude to the cast and crew, highlighting Buchi Babu's storytelling skills and predicting the film's massive success.

Renowned lyricist Chandrabose, a recipient of multiple prestigious awards, including the Academy Awards, Critics' Choice Movie Awards, Golden Globe Awards, National Film Awards, and Nandi Awards, will be crafting soulful and heart-touching lyrics for the film. Editing maestro Antony Ruben and action choreographer Supreme Sunder, known for his intense and realistic stunts, add their expertise to the project.

Star director Sukumar, renowned for his work in "Rangasthalam" and "Pushpa," presents RC16 under Sukumar Writings banner, in association with Mythri Movie Makers. The film is produced by Venkata Satish Kilaru under Vriddhi Cinemas, ensuring a prestigious and extravagant production. Stay tuned for more updates from the makers in the coming days.

The film's international technical team is further bolstered by art director Avinash Kolla and India's top fashion designer, Deepali Noor. Deepali Noor's designs promise to add a lavish and fashionable flair to the actors' attire, while Avinash Kolla's art direction will enhance the film's visual grandeur. The project's publicity is handled by renowned publicity designer Kabilan.
New Delhi: Quant Asset Management Company Ltd which has assets totaling Rs 40,675 Crore has opted to reduce the minimum redemption amount across its mutual fund schemes from Rs 1,000 to a mere Rs 1.

In amount-based redemptions, investors indicate the amount they want to withdraw, and mutual fund companies subsequently sell units equivalent to the Net Asset Value (NAV) on the redemption date. Alternatively, investors can choose to sell by stating the number of units they want to redeem. (Also Read: Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal Marries Former Mexican Model And Entrepreneur Grecia Munoz: Reports)

The minimum redemption amount for Quant Mutual Fund was set at Rs 1000 or the account balance, whichever was lower. If the account balance dropped below Rs 1,000 when processing the redemption request, it would be redeemed accordingly. (Also Read: IT Dept, Banks To Open On Sunday, March 31: What About Stock Market? Check Here)

Quant Mutual Fund oversees a total of 27 schemes spanning different asset classes. Among these, the largest scheme is Quant Small Cap Fund which had assets under management (AUM) totaling Rs 17,193 Crore as of the end of February. Following closely behind are Quant Active Fund with Rs 8,467 Crore and Quant ELSS Tax Saver Fund with Rs 7,770 Crore.

Furthermore, the fund disclosed the appointment of Khushboo Meshri as the new chief risk officer of Quant Money Managers Limited, starting from March 11. She would be replacing Prabhat Bhardwaj who resigned for personal reasons. Moreover, Harshvardhan Bharatia has been appointed as the new Dealer-Equity of Quant Money Managers Limited, taking over from Nupur Mehta, effective from March 15.
New Delhi: India's largest public sector lender, State Bank of India (SBI) has informed that its customers will face temporary suspension in banking services for an hour on Saturday (March 23). As per the bank's official notification, several SBI online and app services will be affected for a certain period on March 23.

"Due to scheduled activity, the services of Internet Banking, Yono Lite, Yono Business Web & Mobile App, YONO and UPI will not be available between 01:10 Hrs IST and 02:10 Hrs IST on 23rd March 2024. During this period, services of UPI Lite and ATM will be available," SBI has announced.

As of December 2023, the State Bank of India has a deposit base of over Rs. 47.62 lakh crore with CASA ratio of 41.18% and advances of more than Rs. 35.84 lakh crore. SBI commands a market share of 26.5% and 19.5% in home loans and auto loans respectively.

SBI has network of 22,400+ branches and 65,000+ ATMs / ADWMs in India with 81,000+ BC outlets. The number of customers using internet banking and mobile banking stand at 125 million and 133 million respectively.

SBI said that the bank witnessed 59% of new savings accounts being opened through the integrated digital and lifestyle platform YONO in Q3FY24. YONO, which has more than 7.05 crore registered users, witnessed 33.1 lakh new YONO registrations in Q3 FY24. In terms of digital lending, the bank disbursed pre-approved personal loans worth Rs. 8, 428 crores through YONO in the same period, SBI had said.
NEW DELHI: The recent attack on a complex near Pakistan's strategic Gwadar Port, claimed by the Majeed Brigade of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), has once again brought attention to the persistent issue of separatist violence in Balochistan province. Two soldiers were martyred while eight terrorists were killed by the Pakistan Army after it thwarted an attack on the Gwadar Port Authority Colony on Wednesday, according to the militarys media wing.

The BLA And Majeed Brigade

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) stands out as a prominent separatist group amidst the array of such movements in Balochistan, Pakistan's largest but most underdeveloped province. The Majeed Brigade is named after two brothers, Majeed Langove Senior and Majeed Langove Junior, who carried out suicide attacks in August 1974 and March 2010, respectively. Majeed Senior tried to assassinate then-Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto when he was on an official visit to Quetta. He wanted to kill him for dismissing the National Awami Partys government in Baluchistan, but Majeed Senior lost his life during the operation. Majeed Junior sacrificed himself to save his associates when Pakistani security forces raided the house where they were staying in Quettas Wahdat Colony. Majeed Junior held back the raid to give his associates time to escape.

Historical Context

The roots of the Baloch insurgency trace back to Pakistan's inception, with the province's annexation in 1948 sparking a protracted struggle for independence. Ethnic Baloch, despite the region's resource wealth, has faced systemic marginalization and economic disparity. The construction of the China-backed Gwadar Port symbolizes this injustice, exacerbating tensions as outsiders disproportionately benefit from local resources.

Birth Of Majeed Brigade

The death of Majeed Langove Junior in 2010, resisting Pakistani forces in Quetta, galvanized Baloch nationalists and solidified the Langove brothers' legacy. As the BLA sought to intensify its resistance, the Majeed Brigade was formed under Aslam Achu's leadership. This suicide squad carried out its inaugural attack in 2011, targeting key figures aligned with the Pakistani state.

Continued Struggle

In subsequent years, the Majeed Brigade continued its campaign of violence, targeting Chinese interests and symbols of Pakistani authority. Attacks on Chinese engineers, the Chinese Consulate in Karachi, and strategic installations like the Gwadar Pearl Continental Hotel and the Pakistan Stock Exchange underscore the group's determination to disrupt perceived exploitative ventures and challenge state control.

Role In Gwadar Port Attack

The Majeed Brigade's role in the recent attack near Gwadar Port reaffirms its status as a potent force within the Baloch insurgency. As Pakistan grapples with internal strife and external pressures, understanding the motivations and dynamics of groups like the Majeed Brigade remains paramount in addressing the root causes of Baloch militancy and fostering sustainable peace in the region.
Projects to Provide Communities Long-Term Access to Safe Drinking Water

PHOENIX, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / Planet Water Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on alleviating the global water crisis, has joined hands with its corporate partners to drive deep, meaningful change in the fight against water poverty this World Water Day.





Planet Water Foundation's AquaTower





Across its operational countries, initiatives have been undertaken to install community water filtration systems in schools in rural communities that face issues with access to safe drinking water.

As part of these events, Planet Water Foundation has brought clean water access to communities in Cambodia, India, Mexico, the Philippines, and Vietnam. These interventions are centered around Planet Water's AquaTower, a gravity-based water filtration system. This system takes non-potable water from sources such as wells and ponds, which these communities have no choice but to rely on, and makes that water safe to drink. Through its filtration technology, harmful bacteria and pollutants are removed, delivering enough safe drinking water to support up to 1,800 people. Each AquaTower is also deployed in conjunction with Planet Water's water-health and hygiene education program to drive awareness of healthy hygiene habits.

Central to the long-term success of each project is Planet Water Foundation's sustainability program, where the Planet Water team conducts in-person monitoring visits for four years after each project deployment to ensure all systems are performing to their full capability.

Planet Water's corporate partners have provided key support for these initiatives through funding and by providing volunteers to help deploy these projects.

In the Philippines, communities in Quezon Province have been supported by Watts Water Technologies and Xylem, and in Greater Manila, Capital One Philippines has provided support. In Vietnam, communities in Binh Phuoc Province have been supported by Watts Water Technologies, and in Cambodia, SFA Group has provided support for a community in Siem Reap.

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In India, efforts have been focused in communities in Tamil Nadu, with support from Gen, in Maharashtra, with support from Valmont Industries, Inc., and in Haryana, through a new partnership with Macy's. And in Mexico, Planet Water is partnering with Escudo Antibacterial and Ludacka Wealth Partners to support communities in Queretaro, and with MetLife Foundation to provide support in Jalisco and expand our reach in the country.

"Access to safe water is an issue that cuts across countries and regions. We are extremely thankful for the support our corporate partners are providing this World Water Day to address the huge challenges communities across Asia and Latin America face with water poverty. Through these collaborations, we are pleased to be able to help our partners give back to communities which are important to them, and in need of support," said Mark Steele, CEO and founder of Planet Water Foundation.

About Planet Water Foundation

Planet Water Foundation is a non-profit organization devoted to providing access to safe drinking water to impoverished communities. Through the installation of our community-based water filtration systems, handwashing infrastructures, and the implementation of our Water-Health & Hygiene Education programs, we direct our attention to two critical areas: supporting schools, children, and local communities in the Asia-Pacific and Latin America regions, as well as the provision of safe drinking water in the aftermath of natural disasters worldwide. Since 2009, Planet Water has deployed projects that provide clean water access to more than four million people across 28 countries. For more information, visit www.planet-water.org.

Contact Information

John Deotrakul

Director, Global Communications & Development

john@planet-water.org

+1 (877) 711-3083

SOURCE: Planet Water Foundation

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View the original press release on newswire.com.
Pottery Barn x Deepika Padukone Collection (Photo: Pottery Barn)

Collection Designed in Partnership with Internationally Acclaimed Actor and Style Icon Deepika Padukone is Now Available Exclusively at Pottery Barn Globally

SAN FRANCISCO, March 22, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pottery Barn, a portfolio brand of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM), the worlds largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer, announced today the launch of a new product collaboration with globally acclaimed actor and style icon, Deepika Padukone.

Named as one of the 100 Most Influential People by TIME Magazine, and an internationally acclaimed actor and fashion icon, Deepika Padukone brings her worldly and sophisticated eye for design to her debut home furnishings collection with Pottery Barn. Richly influenced by Indian motifs, Padukone and Pottery Barn came together to create a collection of entertaining and serveware pieces, textiles and decorative accessories inspired by Padukones love of vintage designs that she has collected for her own home.

The U.S. assortment includes bedding, embroidered pillows, decorative accessories, and hand knotted rugs. The textile designs feature an elevated take on traditional Indian patterns and the color palette consists of soothing neutrals and luxe natural tones. A collection for entertaining including dinnerware and serveware, with textured, floral sculpted details and an earthy aesthetic, will be available exclusively in India, the Middle East, and the Philippines.

"I am so proud of my collection with Pottery Barn designed for decorating and entertaining at home," said design enthusiast and acclaimed actor, Deepika Padukone. "My home has always been a calm refuge and is a space to express myself, create, and entertain. We created a collection that encapsulates this through soft textures, a neutral palette, and intricate details."

Pottery Barn President, Monica Bhargava, shared, "Were thrilled to launch the Deepika Padukone for Pottery Barn collection internationally. The new collection artfully blends Pottery Barns world-renowned quality with Deepikas iconic style, bringing unique designs to the home for creating a beautiful and inviting space."

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"Pottery Barns design aesthetic and Deepikas flair for conceptualizing home spaces makes this collaboration a natural fit. No surprise that the outcome, the Pottery Barn x Deepika Padukone collection is so refreshingly different and effortlessly blends the innate styles of these two iconic brands," shares Darshan Mehta, President & CEO Reliance Brands Limited. Reliance Brands Limited, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited, is a Williams-Sonoma, Inc. franchisee in India.

The Deepika Padukone for Pottery Barn collection is available starting March 22nd, online at potterybarn.com, potterybarn.in, and in 18 global stores.

About Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn, a member of the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM) portfolio of brands, is a premier specialty retailer for casual, comfortable and stylish home furnishings. The brand is dedicated to beautiful ideas for real life, quality products that are crafted to last, sustainability and service. Key product categories include furniture, bedding, bath, rugs, window treatments, tabletop, lighting and decorative accessories. Nearly all Pottery Barn products are designed in-house and are exclusive to its catalogs, stores and website. Pottery Barn is also part of The Key Rewards, a free-to-join loyalty program that offers members exclusive benefits across the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. family of brands, the worlds largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

WSM-PR

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240322100607/en/

Contacts

US:

PR@potterybarn.com

India:

Akriti Mishra

akriti1.mishra@ril.com
Investors in The Pebble Group plc (LON:PEBB) had a good week, as its shares rose 4.8% to close at UK0.65 following the release of its full-year results. It looks like a credible result overall - although revenues of UK124m were in line with what the analysts predicted, Pebble Group surprised by delivering a statutory profit of UK0.035 per share, a notable 12% above expectations. Earnings are an important time for investors, as they can track a company's performance, look at what the analysts are forecasting for next year, and see if there's been a change in sentiment towards the company. So we collected the latest post-earnings statutory consensus estimates to see what could be in store for next year.

See our latest analysis for Pebble Group

Taking into account the latest results, the current consensus from Pebble Group's four analysts is for revenues of UK127.0m in 2024. This would reflect a modest 2.2% increase on its revenue over the past 12 months. Statutory earnings per share are expected to shrink 5.7% to UK0.033 in the same period. Before this earnings report, the analysts had been forecasting revenues of UK126.4m and earnings per share (EPS) of UK0.032 in 2024. So it's pretty clear that, although the analysts have updated their estimates, there's been no major change in expectations for the business following the latest results.

With no major changes to earnings forecasts, the consensus price target fell 16% to UK1.35, suggesting that the analysts might have previously been hoping for an earnings upgrade. 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 Pebble Group, with the most bullish analyst valuing it at UK1.65 and the most bearish at UK0.90 per share. Analysts definitely have varying views on the business, but the spread of estimates is not wide enough in our view to suggest that extreme outcomes could await Pebble Group shareholders.

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Taking a look at the bigger picture now, one of the ways we can understand these forecasts is to see how they compare to both past performance and industry growth estimates. We would highlight that Pebble Group's revenue growth is expected to slow, with the forecast 2.2% annualised growth rate until the end of 2024 being well below the historical 9.9% p.a. growth over the last five years. Compare this against other companies (with analyst forecasts) in the industry, which are in aggregate expected to see revenue growth of 5.0% annually. So it's pretty clear that, while revenue growth is expected to slow down, the wider industry is also expected to grow faster than Pebble Group.

The Bottom Line

The most important thing to take away is that there's been no major change in sentiment, with the analysts reconfirming that the business is performing in line with their previous earnings per share estimates. On the plus side, there were no major changes to revenue estimates; although forecasts imply they will perform worse than the wider industry. The consensus price target fell measurably, with the analysts seemingly not reassured by the latest results, leading to a lower estimate of Pebble Group's future valuation.

Following on from that line of thought, we think that the long-term prospects of the business are much more relevant than next year's earnings. We have estimates - from multiple Pebble Group analysts - going out to 2026, and you can see them free on our platform here.

You can also see our analysis of Pebble Group'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.
On March 20, the leadership of the Defense Ministry visited the servicemen undergoing treatment in the Main Clinical Hospital of the Defense Ministry, Azernews reports.

First, the leadership of the Ministry laid flowers at the monument to the National Leader Heydar Aliyev in the territory of the hospital, and paid tribute to his bright memory. The memory of the National Leader, and Shehids, who sacrificed their lives for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, was honored with observing a minute of silence.

The leadership of the Ministry met with the military personnel being treated in the hospital, enquired about their health, presented festive gifts, and wished them speedy recovery and quick return to their places of service.

Colonel General Z. Hasanov conveyed the congratulations of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Mr. Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of Novruz holiday.

Defense Minister was reported that the medical staff in the hospital work with high professionalism for the examination and treatment of the servicemen.

Then, the Minister met with the medical staff, congratulated them on the occasion of the holiday and instructed on providing better quality service to the military personnel undergoing examination and treatment.

The staff of the military hospital and the treated servicemen expressed their deep gratitude to Supreme

Commander-in-Chief Mr. Ilham Aliyev, First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva and the leadership of the Ministry of Defense for the created conditions, as well as for the comprehensive attention and care.
The place for all things cold chain.

All thawed out

(Photo: X)

Richmond, Virginia, is about to be the home of the newest FreezPak Logistics cold storage warehouse. FreezPak is building a 245,000-square-foot cold storage facility for a casual $77.5 million. The goal for the new facility is to help support the Port of Virginia.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in a news release, All of FreezPaks products will go through The Port of Virginia, a logistical advantage that will increase efficiency and increase its direct access to markets. This is a win for FreezPak, The Port of Virginia, and the Commonwealth.

The new facility will have services tailored to frozen, cooler and dry storage for the food and beverage industry. It will be 75 feet tall and will house 49,512 pallet positions within a 191,909-square-foot freezer space, as well as an additional 38,567 square feet of cooler dock. There will also be solar power and a hydrogen fueling station for forklifts, over-the-road trucks and yard switchers.

Temperature checks

(DP Worlds freight forwarding service includes global airfreight capabilities. Photo: PR Newswire/DP World)

DP World says its time to elevate the global health care sector. The company has launched over 100 freight forwarding offices worldwide that are aimed at capitalizing on trade in the sector. Given that health care solutions have become increasingly complex and require such specific and specialized transportation instructions, the need for strong solutions could not be overstated. Current practices leave shippers susceptible to disruptions at various points that can impact inventory levels and result in massive issues.

Beat Simon, group chief commercial officer for logistics at DP World, said in a news release: As we continue to grow our freight forwarding footprint, we are building a network that will cover more than 90% of global trade. We are focused on densifying our network as we build a best-in-class, strong and resilient global capability.

This move comes as health care supply chains are looking to build more resiliency into their programs. The expansion of freight forwarding offices brings the much-needed visibility to pharma and health care companies that gives them more control over goods.

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Food and drugs

(Photo: LinkedIn)

The way certain snacks are packaged has changed drastically. Foodberry, a Boston-based startup, has eliminated the need for plastic-based packaging. The company has developed an edible coating that mimics fruit skin. This coating can even work for the trickier-to-transport goods such as ice cream, yogurt and hummus.

CEO Marty Kolewe said in an interview with The Cool Down: There isnt just a single Foodberry coating  its a library of materials, inspired by the same diversity of coatings and structures found in natural fruits, that all have protective and encapsulating functions. They can be produced in a near-endless variety of sweet and savory flavors and varying textures.

While it seems a little strange at first to have packaging for hummus that looks like a stuffed cherry tomato, the long-term benefits are immense: 36% of all plastic manufactured is used for packaging, including single-use food and beverage containers. While the newly developed foodberries are perishable, theyre safe and edible and most are safe to eat within 60 to 90 days, but frozen items can last more than a year.

Cold chain lanes

(SONAR Tickers: ROTVI.JAX, ROTRI.JAX)

This weeks SONAR market is Jacksonville, Florida. Capacity remains stable in north Florida as outbound tender volumes have changed little week over week. However, outbound tender rejections have shot up 231 basis points week over week to come in at a rate of 3.88%. While rejection rates have increased, its not enough to move spot rates in a significant manner. Typically only when rejections surpass 7% do they start having significant impacts on rates.

Is SONAR for you? Check it out with a demo!

Shelf life

Cold-stored table grapes using psychrotrophic yeasts

Northwest Indiana manufacturing has been booming with record 2.4 million square feet of new development

Handling the Hatch: The Complex Egg Supply Chain In India

Farm operations in southern West Virginia take home winnings from pitch competition

Temperature increase improves sustainability of frozen foods

Wanna chat in the cooler? Shoot me an email with comments, questions or story ideas at moconnell@freightwaves.com.

See you on the internet.

Mary

If this newsletter was forwarded to you, you must be pretty chill. Join the coolest community in freight and subscribe for more at freightwaves.com/subscribe.

The post Running on Ice: New cold storage and fruit as a package appeared first on FreightWaves.
(Bloomberg) -- Russias average daily oil refining rate fell to the lowest weekly level in ten months after a flurry of Ukrainian drone attacks hit several major facilities.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Refiners processed 5.03 million barrels a day of crude from March 14 to 20, according to a person with knowledge of industry data. Thats down more than 400,000 barrels a day from the average for the first 13 days of the month, according to Bloomberg calculations based on historical data.

With Russias invasion of Ukraine in its third year, Kyiv is using drones to target its enemys key industry. The government has defended the strategy, saying its seeking to curb fuel supplies to the front line and cut the flow of petrodollars into Kremlin coffers, but US officials are reported to have warned their ally that the attacks risk driving up the global oil price.

Drones this year have targeted 13 major refineries and two smaller plants, taking offline between 480,000 and 900,000 barrels a day of processing capacity, according to a Bloomberg survey. The actual reduction in total crude-processing is smaller because undamaged plants have increased their throughput to ensure sufficient production of motor fuels.

The nations crude-processing from March 1-20, including a period before the latest attacks, averaged nearly 5.3 million barrels per day, close to levels seen at the start of February, the calculations show.

Read More: Russias Spare Refining Capacity Seen Mitigating Drone Attacks

Rosneft PJSC accounted for over the half of Russias total drop in refinery runs in the past week after its two major facilities were attacked earlier in March, according to the person familiar with the data.

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Primary crude processing at the Ryazan refinery, which was hit on March 13, collapsed by over 160,000 barrels a day on March 14-20, or some 63% lower than the average in the first 13 days of month, according to the person. Rosnefts Syzran plant, which was attacked over the past weekend, reduced refinery runs by some 62,000 barrels a day in the same period, or some 67%, the person said.

Lukoil PJSCs Norsi refinery  damaged by a drone on March 12  cut daily crude processing rates by over 91,000 barrels, or 36%.

Almost a quarter, or some 97,000 barrels a day, of the drop in Russias refinery runs came from Gazprom Neft PJSCs refinery in Moscow, which was not attacked but started planned maintenance earlier this week, the person said.

Rosneft, Lukoil and Gazprom Neft did not immediately respond to Bloomberg requests for comment.

Russias reduced refining rates may mean that more crude is diverted for export, First Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin told Russian media earlier this month.

The most recent attack by Ukrainian drones, on the small Slavyansk refinery in Russias south, happened last weekend. In the absence of a new wave of strikes, Russias refinery runs over the next few weeks may fluctuate between 5 million and 5.2 million barrels a day, driven not only by damage caused by the drones but also the start of the planned seasonal maintenance, according to the Bloomberg survey of analysts.

As Russias authorities focus on supplies to the domestic fuel market, any declines in the nations oil-processing will result in lower fuel exports.

Preliminary estimates suggest the drone attacks may reduce Russian diesel production by 6% to 8%, with only export flows affected, said Sergei Vakulenko, a scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Berlin, who spent 10 years as an executive at a Russian oil producer. Overseas shipments of diesel and fuel oil could each fall by 120,000 to 150,000 barrels a day, he estimated.

Russias diesel exports may fall by 70,000 to 100,000 barrels per day, said Sergey Kondratiev, head of the economic department at Moscow-based Institute for Energy and Finance Foundation.

(Updates with details throughout the story)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 22, 2024) - Sanu Gold Corporation (CSE: SANU) (OTCQB: SNGCF) ("Sanu Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce positive results from the recent ground geophysics program completed on the Company's Daina Gold Exploration Permit ("Daina"), located in the prolific Siguiri Basin of Guinea, West Africa.

Highlights

Targets Ready to Drill: There are large targets highlighted at Daina 1 South and Daina 6 targets.

Gold at Surface: Past drilling, recent trenching and rock chip sampling demonstrate high-grade gold mineralization at these targets: 9 m of 7.97 g/t Au in trench DAI-TR-007 at Daina 1 South, Rock chip samples as high as 61.6 g/t Au, 22.3 g/t Au and 20 g/t Au across the Daina 1 South and Daina 6 target areas. 1m of 36.2 g/t Au from drill hole DAI-RC-021 at Daina 6

Size and Scale: The geophysical surveys have identified significant trends of chargeability and resistivity in the areas of known gold mineralization and along the trend of the surface gold anomalies which extend for over 1 km at both the Daina 1 and Daina 6 targets.

Martin Pawlitschek, President, and CEO of Sanu Gold commented: "The relatively small programs of induced polarization (IP) over some of our key targets at Daina extensive strike lengths of highly interesting suggest chargeability and resistivity trends, in many cases aligned with our surface gold geochemistry. These initial surveys and their results demonstrate that this type of survey also adds value at the Daina permit. While in the near term Bantabaye remains the main focus, the survey results confirm that significant strike length of mineralized structures remain untested."

Program Summary

The ground geophysical survey program consisted of 21 line-km of 200m spaced and east-west oriented Gradient Induced Polarization (IP) lines. Four blocks have been completed covering all priority targets including the Daina 1 South, Daina 1 North, Daina 2 Main Zone, and Daina 6 target areas within the Daina Project.

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The survey was completed by SAGAX Afrique of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso using the IP method. SAGAX is well experienced in these types of surveys over many other deposits in the region. This release reports on the results from the Daina 1 South and Daina 6 targets. Compilation of results from Daina 2 and Daina 1 North are still ongoing.

The objective of this ground geophysical survey program was the detection and delineation of geophysical features (chargeability and resistivity) and structures which may indicate favorable zones for gold mineralization in the covered targets and to help further with assessing the potential of the targets for future drill testing. The results of this program show that the IP surveys delineate distinct features that help map the mineralized zones and that there is significant undrilled strike potential at Daina 1 South and Daina 6.

Daina 1 South

The Program consists of six east-west oriented lines, totaling 6.3 line Km of 200m spaced of Gradient Array IP/Resistivity (Figure 1). The survey identified the presence of a large zone of high chargeability trending NNW, following the main trend of the gold anomalies defined by auger sampling and surface geochemistry.

This area of elevated chargeability extends for at least 1.2 km and is open to the south. The trend of high chargeability is close to recent results obtained at Daina 1 South (Figure 1):

Trench DAI-TR-007: 9 m of 7.97 g/t Au, including 3 m of 21.75 g/t Au and

Auger hole: 3 m of 6.59 g/t Au, including 2 m of 6.48 g/t Au (DAI-AUG-1250) and 9 m of 2.26 g/t Au, including 2 m of 9.78 g/t Au (DAI-AUG-1246) from the 2021/2022 auger programs

High-grade gold in rock chip samples including 61.6 g/t Au, 16.2 g/t Au and 12.8 g/t Au (Figure 1).

Daina 6 Target

The geophysics survey consisted of four east-west oriented lines, totaling 5.5 line Km of 200m spaced of Gradient Array IP/Resistivity (Figure 2). The results from this survey indicate that the Daina 6 target sits in an extensive zone of high chargeability trending NNW (Figure 2). This area of elevated chargeability is open to the south and the north and is consistent with observations of rock chips in auger, RC holes and exposed saprolite in artisanal working pits that consist of strongly hydrothermally altered coarse-grained greywacke invaded by zones of quartz vein stockwork and breccia with high-sulphide content (Pyrite and arsenopyrite) and boxwork after oxidized, disseminated sulphide in fractures and breccia zones that contain the high-grade gold mineralization.

Previous results at Daina 6 include 8 m of 1.97 g/t Au, including 2 m of 7.36 g/t Au (DAI-AUG-1164) (see Sanu Gold news release dated July 29, 2022), 9 m of 1.2 g/t Au (DAI-TR-015) and 3 m of 4.66 g/t Au, including 1 m of 12.6 g/t Au (DAI-TR-016) and high grades in rock chips samples collected in working pits including 10.6 g/t, 9.11 g/t, 7.02 g/t, 6.56 g/t, 6 g/t, 3.47 g/t, 3.09 g/t, and 2.79 g/t Au (Figure 2). These rock chips samples consisted of strongly hydrothermally altered coarse-grained greywacke invaded by zones of quartz vein stockwork and boxwork that contain high gold mineralization (see Sanu Gold news release dated March 15, 2024.

Next Steps

While the Company is focused on preparing the for the drilling program at Bantabaye, it will in parallel evaluate and progress the key targets on its other properties for future drill testing. Additional data from Daina includes IP from targets Daina 1 North and Daina 2, where previous drilling returned very encouraging drill intercepts. The data from these two targets is still being processed and evaluated and will be released as soon as this is finalized.

Figure 1: Target Daina 1 South, Chargeability trend with anomalies, rock samples, trenches, drill collars and artisanal workings.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8941/202690_46bae130a401fb06_001full.jpg

Figure 2: Target Daina 6 Chargeability trend with anomalies, rock samples, trenches, drill collars and artisanal workings.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8941/202690_46bae130a401fb06_002full.jpg

Quality Assurance / Quality Control ("QA/QC")

Sampling was completed following industry best practices, conducted under the supervision of the Company's project geologists and the chain of custody from the project to the sample preparation facility as continuously monitored. An appropriate number and type of certified reference materials (standards) and blanks totaling 5% of the total number of samples shipped to the laboratory was inserted approximately every 20th sample to ensure an effective QA/QC program was carried out. Data verification of the analytical results included a statistical analysis of the standards and blanks that must pass certain parameters for acceptance to ensure accurate and verifiable results. All samples were analyzed using Fire Assay FAA505 at the SGS Laboratory in Bamako, Mali ("SGS"). SGS is an internationally recognized and commercially certified laboratory and is independent of Sanu Gold.

The Company is being advised on the IP survey by in3D Geoscience Inc., an independent geophysical consulting firm based in British Columbia. The data collection survey is subject to standard contractors' protocols including:

daily checking of equipment

signal/noise ratio monitoring.

Checking of extreme readings

Verification of equipment locations

Monitoring of measurement cycles

Data is checked at the end of each day by a team at the SAGAX Head Office.

Sanu's geophysicists and SAGAX regularly review and discuss the progress of the work, program adjustments, data quality and modelling parameters.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Serigne Dieng, Ph.D., M.Sc., a Member (MAIG) of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG), Exploration Manager of the Company and a qualified person within the meaning of NI 43-101.

The technical information with respect to the geophysical data contained in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Todd Ballantyne, P.Geo., a member of Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia, independent geophysical consultant (through in3D Geoscience Inc.) to the Company and a qualified person within the meaning of NI 43-101.

About Sanu

Located within the world class Siguiri Basin, host to several operating mines, Sanu is exploring three high quality gold exploration permits in Guinea, West Africa targeting multi-million-ounce gold discoveries. The Company has defined multi-kilometer scale gold bearing structures on each of the gold exploration permits, with multiple high-value drill targets. Sanu is operated by a highly experienced team with successful records of discovery, resource development and mine permitting.

Martin Pawlitschek

President & CEO, Sanu Gold Corp.

For further information regarding Sanu Gold, please visit the Company's website at www.sanugoldcorp.com or contact:

Anthony Simone

Simone Capital

416-881-5154

asimone@simonecapital.ca

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. 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", "indicates", "opportunity", "possible" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Sanu believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results or realities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such material risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the Company's plans for exploration on its properties and ability to execute on plans, ability to raise sufficient capital to fund its obligations under its property agreements going forward, ability to maintain its material property agreements, mineral tenures, permits and concessions in good standing, to explore and develop its projects; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; the inherent hazards associated with mineral exploration and mining operations, future prices of gold and other metals, changes in general economic conditions and local risks in the jurisdiction (Guinea) in which it operates, accuracy of mineral resource and reserve estimates, the potential for new discoveries, the ability of the Company to obtain the necessary permits and consents required to explore, drill and develop the projects and if obtained, to obtain such permits and consents in a timely fashion relative to the Company's plans and business objectives for the projects; the general ability of the Company to monetize its mineral resources; and changes in environmental and other laws or regulations that could have an impact on the Company's operations, compliance with environmental laws and regulations, dependence on key management personnel and general competition in the mining industry. Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, 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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202690
(Bloomberg) -- Chinese chipmaker Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. potentially broke American law if it manufactured a processor for sanctioned telecom giant Huawei Technologies Co., a senior US official said.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Alan Estevez was questioned about the 7-nanometer processor that SMIC made for Huawei during testimony before lawmakers Thursday. When asked by Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul whether SMIC violated US controls, Estevez said potentially, yes.

The Chinese chipmakers shares slid as much as 5.5% in Hong Kong, its biggest intraday drop in about a month.

Well assume that it was SMIC, Estevez said. I cant talk about any investigations that may or may not be going, but we certainly share those concerns, and thats certainly the reporting.

Estevez described SMICs manufacturing process as low-yield, repeating past comments from Commerce officials questioning Chinas ability to produce advanced chips at scale and at a consistent performance threshold.

Read More: US Doubts Performance, Yield of Huaweis Advanced Chip

Estevez heads the agencys Bureau of Industry and Security, which is responsible for chip export controls and sanctions that the Biden administration hopes will kneecap Chinas semiconductor ambitions. President Joe Biden has introduced sweeping restrictions on the ability of Chinese companies to purchase advanced chips and chipmaking gear from American firms, and persuaded key allies including the Netherlands and Japan to introduce their own curbs.

Despite those efforts, Shenzhen-based Huawei managed to debut an advanced 7-nanometer chip in a smartphone that went on sale while Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo was visiting China in August. The chip in Huaweis Mate 60 device was manufactured by SMIC but relied heavily on technology from Dutch equipment giant ASML Holding NV and US gear makers including Lam Research Corp. and Applied Materials.

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That equipment was exported to China before US and Dutch curbs limiting such transactions went into effect, Bloomberg News has reported.

They did access tools before we put in our tool controls  not the highest-end tools, but the level just below that, Estevez said. Those tools will ossify over time and that process will be degraded.

The Bureau of Industry and Security said in September that it is probing the purported 7-nanometer chip, and Raimondo has vowed the strongest possible action to protect US national security. The Biden administration is considering sanctioning Huaweis secretive network of potential chipmaking partners, as well as a couple of firms officials say could purchase restricted equipment and sell it to the telecom giant.

American officials are also pushing their Dutch and Japanese counterparts to tighten their chip controls  and trying to persuade Germany and South Korea to join the arrangement, particularly to stem the flow of spare parts from those countries to China.

Republican lawmakers including McCaul have pushed the Biden administration to fully cut off Huawei and SMIC from their American suppliers.

--With assistance from Gao Yuan.

(Updates with share slide in the third paragraph. A previous version corrected one mis-spelling of Shenzhen.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
State Farm refused to cover this Florida mans repairs on his Porsche  why the courts are now involved

When Assaf Sassons 2022 all-electric Porsche Taycan was damaged in a crash, he was prepared to pay his $500 insurance deductible to get it fixed.

Sasson, however  who had a policy for his $100,000 vehicle through State Farm  wasnt prepared to foot the entire $8,360.87 repair bill on his own.

But thats exactly what ended up happening to the Fort Lauderdale man after his claim was reviewed by the insurer.

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And hes hardly the only driver whos had a legitimate claim rejected this way from State Farm. As his lawyers discovered, its a widespread issue for owners of certain vehicles.

Heres more on what went down and how you can ensure it doesnt happen to you.

Why State Farm denied the claim

The issue with Sassons claim came down to cost. The damage to his vehicle was extensive and included having to replace parts of its charging mechanism.

When he brought it to Porsche, he was told if he didnt get the repairs done through one of their approved certified facilities, the warranty on his $100,000 car would be voided.

That seemed fairly simple, but State Farm took issue with how much that would cost. According to their own estimates, the total should have been closer to $6,267.03.

Sasson opted to pay out of pocket to get the repairs done right. But the experience didnt sit right with him.

Im not paying cheap insurance, Sasson told WPLG Local 10. Im paying very high insurance. And I have insurance with State Farm  which is a strong insurance company.

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

Story continues

Widespread issue over labor costs

Sasson took his grievance to Daren Stabinski and Cristina Pierson, two Fort Lauderdale attorneys. After some digging, Stabinski and Pierson say it appears State Farm may have unrealistic expectations about the work involved in repairing high-end vehicles  and Sasson is just one of the car owners theyve let down.

We have spoken to dozens of State Farm insured [people] in Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Georgia, Pierson told WPLG. We have gotten so many calls, and its all the same story.

And so theyve launched two class-action suits, one in Florida and the other in Georgia, claiming State Farm uniformly rejects repair estimates that exceed $4,700 per claim  when the market rate for luxury cars is often double that.

Thats because mechanics who work on luxury or technologically advanced cars like Sassons, Pierson explains, require specific training and knowledge  and that labor comes at a price, which State Farm apparently doesnt factor in.

One example listed in the Georgia class-action is that the prevailing going-rate for a Maserati-certified facility to perform paint labor is $105/hour. Yet, State Farm has uniformly rejected repair estimates that exceed $55/hour. They pay the same whether it is a Pinto or a Porsche  they pay the same hourly rate, Stabinski told WPLG.

Protecting yourself

The issue, Pierson says, seems to be with State Farm specifically. But still, shed encourage all drivers to call up their insurers to confirm theyre fully covered in any type of situation.

I would have them immediately call their agent and broker and make sure what they believe they have purchased is actually true, said Pierson. If I get into a collision, where am I going to be able to take my car, and what will you pay?

Nobody would know that they do this, added Stabinkski.

If youre not happy with the answer from your insurer, it may be time to shop around for better coverage. Experts suggest reviewing your policy every six months. If its been a while since youve gone back to your agreement, theres a chance you could be overpaying for your policy.

To ensure youre getting the best deal, make sure youre shopping around and comparing quotes. The Insurance Information Institute also provides drivers with plenty of resources on choosing a provider.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Auric Air to upgrade up to 12 of their Cessna Grand Caravan fleet with Surf Airs electrified powertrains to lower emissions and reduce direct operating costs.

LOS ANGELES, March 22, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Surf Air Mobility Inc. (NYSE: SRFM) ("Surf Air Mobility", "Surf Air"), a leading regional air mobility platform, has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Auric Air Services Ltd. ("Auric Air"), a Tanzania-based regional air operator flying both scheduled and charter service across East Africa, to upgrade up to 12 of Auric Airs Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft with Surf Airs proprietary electrified powertrain technology once certified.

Surf Air now has approximately 13% of the Cessna Caravan market in Africa under agreement to upgrade to its electrified powertrains, once certified.

Surf Air is developing Supplemental Type Certifications for both hybrid and fully-electric variants of the Cessna Grand Caravan. With target reductions of up to 50% direct operating costs and 100% in carbon emissions for the fully-electric powertrain, Surf Air believes the impact for other air operators around the world will be profound as the cost and environmental impact of flying is significantly reduced.

"Its exciting to have Auric Air share our mission of reducing emissions through electrified aircraft," said Stan Little, CEO of Surf Air Mobility. "Auric Airs commitment secures their preferred delivery positions to upgrade their aircraft to our electrified powertrains once the technology is certified."

Surf Air recently announced similar electrified powertrain agreements with other large Cessna Caravan air operators including Safarilink, Yellow Wings, and Z.Boskovic in East Africa, and Azul Connecta in Brazil.

About Surf Air Mobility

Surf Air Mobility, headquartered in Los Angeles, is a pioneering regional air mobility platform dedicated to transforming regional air travel through electrification. As the largest commuter airline operator in the US, Surf Air Mobility partners with commercial leaders to develop innovative powertrain technology for smaller aircraft, facilitating the electrification of existing fleets and the widespread adoption of electric aircraft. The companys mission is to drive substantial cost reductions and environmental benefits to make regional flying more accessible and affordable. Backed by a management team with extensive expertise spanning aviation, electrification, and consumer technology, Surf Air Mobility is poised to advance the future of sustainable air travel.

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About Auric Air

Auric Air Services Ltd is a premier safari airline connecting the most captivating destinations across East Africa, allowing travelers to embark on unforgettable safari adventures. Auric Air makes it easy to experience the awe-inspiring gorillas of Rwanda and Uganda, the majestic Serengeti plains, the iconic Maasai Mara in Kenya, the rugged beauty of Ruaha National Park, the exotic Spice Island of Zanzibar, and more. The company offers seamless connections to ensure travelers experience the wonders of nature like never before. Auric Air offers an extraordinary safari experience through East Africa's most enchanting destinations.

Forward Looking Statements

The information in this press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements about Surf Air Mobilitys ability to anticipate the future needs of the air mobility market, and future trends in the aviation industry, generally. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may", "should", "could", "might", "plan", "possible", "project", "strive", "budget", "forecast", "expect", "intend", "will", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "predict", "potential" or "continue", or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: Surf Air Mobilitys limited operating history and that Surf Air Mobility has not yet manufactured any hybrid-electric or fully-electric aircraft; the powertrain technology Surf Air Mobility plans to develop does not yet exist; any accidents or incidents involving hybrid-electric or fully-electric aircraft; the inability to accurately forecast demand for products and manage product inventory in an effective and efficient manner; the dependence on third-party partners and suppliers for the components and collaboration in Surf Air Mobilitys development of hybrid-electric and fully-electric powertrains, and any interruptions, disagreements or delays with those partners and suppliers; the inability to execute business objectives and growth strategies successfully or sustain Surf Air Mobilitys growth; the inability of Surf Air Mobility to obtain additional financing or access the capital markets to fund its ongoing operations on acceptable terms and conditions; changes in applicable laws or regulations, and the impact of the regulatory environment and complexities with compliance related to such environment. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Although Surf Air Mobility believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Surf Air Mobility cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements and there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking statements and financial projections. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Surf Air Mobility does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Additional information regarding these and other factors that could affect Surf Air Mobilitys results is included in Surf Air Mobilitys SEC filings, which may be obtained by visiting the SECs website at www.sec.gov or the investor relations page at https://investors.surfair.com under the "FinancialsSEC Filings" section. Information contained on, or that is referenced or can be accessed through, our website does not constitute part of this document and inclusions of any website addresses herein are inactive textual references only.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240322132521/en/

Contacts

Press: press@surfair.com

Investors: investors@surfair.com
Texas man opened a gym with credit cards and personal loans. Caleb Hammer says hes headed for financial doom

Launching a business is a great way to generate wealth. But if the business is poorly managed and overleveraged it could rapidly destroy the owners financial future.

Jose from Dallas, Texas seems to be on the path to financial ruin. The 29-year-old personal trainer launched a gym but financed it exclusively with credit card debt and personal loans. All of it's debt, he admitted.

Dont miss

All of it's debt?! You didnt save up any money to put into this thing? host Caleb Hammer asked while looking at Joses finances on an episode of his podcast "Financial Audit." Thats an interesting way to open a business."

Joses story serves as a cautionary tale for entrepreneurs looking to start a business without a clear idea of the risks involved.

Risky business

When one of his clients offered to loan him $50,000 to start a business, Jose jumped at the opportunity.

Unfortunately, this private loan was only enough to get the gym started. Jose used personal and business credit cards to finance ongoing overhead expenses and bought some equipment on financing. This relentless debt binge left him with roughly $57,945 in total borrowed capital.

Whether or not this risky investment was worth it remains unclear. Jose admitted he has a bad habit of mixing his personal and business finances. His best guess was that the business generates roughly $10,000 a month in revenue but he hadnt calculated his gross margin or profits yet. Dude, youve been in business for a year and you dont know what your overhead is? Hammer asked.

Story continues

Since he isnt tracking or managing his business finances appropriately, Jose seems to be exposing his venture to risk. A U.S. Bank study found 82% of businesses fail due to cash flow mismanagement.

Fortunately, Hammer believes there is a chance Jose can beat the odds and salvage his venture.

Read more: The US dollar has lost 87% of its purchasing power since 1971  invest in this stable asset before you lose your retirement fund

Tough choices

Hammer believes Jose is on the path to financial ruin but has the opportunity to rescue himself. The first step is to separate his business and personal finances. Not only will this give him a better idea of his financial health but it will also make it easier for him to do his taxes.

With clear differentiation between personal and business accounts, Jose can now focus on consolidating his debt and potentially lowering his monthly interest payments. Given the current rate environment, this step should improve his cash flow considerably.

The final step is for Jose to stop working in the business and start working on the business. Instead of working long hours, Hammer recommended hiring some personal trainers on a commission-only contract to manage some clients. This should improve cash flow further and allow Jose to spend time on marketing and advertising to boost revenue.

Unless he implements these steps, Jose risks becoming part of a large cohort of failed entrepreneurs. You might have to declare bankruptcy, Hammer warned. Im scared.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images; Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Despite wide public support against the practice, members of Congress invest in the stock market.

People have invested at least $55 million in two years mimicking members of Congress' portfolios.

Pelosi's reported trades increased 45% in value in 2023. Crenshaw's increased in value by 41%.

An app allowing its users to trade like members of Congress and leading investors just broke $100 million in total investments. Despite its success, the app's cofounders adamantly say they hope it leads Congress to ban themselves from trading.

Released in January 2023, Autopilot pulls trading data filed by members of Congress and allows users to copy their trades. Since the passage of the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act in 2012, members of Congress are required to report each of their and their immediate family's investments within 45 days or face financial penalties.

The app also allows its users to mimic investments made by prominent hedge fund managers like Michael Burry, the subject of the 2015 movie "The Big Short," via their federally required 13F filings.

Chris Josephs, a cofounder of the platform who runs the popular "Nancy Pelosi Stock Tracker" on X, told Business Insider the app breezed past the $100 million trading milestone on Monday, with more than $55 million copied from trades that copied congressionally filed ones.

The app doesn't allow its users to mimic every member of Congress. Instead, it provides four legislators to copy  Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Dan Crenshaw, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Rep. Dan Goldman, plus an amalgam of stocks from "the top 10 politician traders based on their 2022 performance."

Josephs said the portfolios of Crenshaw and Pelosi, which the congresswoman has said are made by her husband, Paul Pelosi, are the two most popular to mirror.

Statistics within the app show that Pelosi's reported trades increased 45% in value in 2023. Crenshaw's increased in value by 41%.

Story continues

Asked for comment on the matter, Corry Schiermeyer, spokesperson for Crenshaw's office, told Business Insider their boss is "not a millionaire and barely has anything invested in the market."

Representatives from Pelosi's office declined Business Insider's request for comment.

The fight against congressional stock trading

The Charging Bull, or Wall Street Bull, is an icon of the stock market in Manhattan. Carlo Allegri/Reuters

At the end of 2021, Pelosi  then-speaker of the House  said that she was against banning members of Congress and their families from trading stocks, leading to massive public outcry and her to flip her position on the matter.

Several members of Congress  both Republicans and Democrats  tried to ban the practice in 2022 to no avail. Next congressional session, in 2023, a group of Democratic senators introduced a similar bill, though it remains stuck in committee.

"That's why we're doing this," Josephs, the Autopilot spokesperson, said. "Honestly, it's partly to continue holding their feet to the fire. We're not going away."

Donald Sherman, deputy director for the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said he thinks the app is a "clever idea." He's not surprised to hear that many legislators have trading portfolios that are more successful than the average investor's.

"If I take the most generous perspective, their entire job lends itself to the kind of careful study of market trends, economic factors, and experience with what moves the market that I think most traders need and would envy," he said.

As Autopilot's Josephs has put it: If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The man who propelled himself to the White House on the back of his prolific, if controversial, use of social media, is now set to use it to get himself a massive payday.

Former President Donald Trumps social media platform Truth Social is preparing to go public at a current valuation of $6 billion. Trump himself would own about 60% of Truth Social were it to go public, which would ultimately net him a possible $3.5 billion.

On Friday, shareholders of Truth Social will vote on whether to merge with a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) called Digital World Acquisition. The vote is almost certain to pass given the sky-high valuation.

The deal has been in the works for a couple years and hit several stumbling blocks along the wayincluding insider trading allegationsbut could now finally come to fruition. Buoyed by Trumps avid supporters, the deal looks poised to net the former president a huge windfall just as his liquidity and net worth come into question now that he must pay hundreds of millions of dollars after he lost two civil court cases in New York. A civil fraud case brought by New York Attorney General Leticia James ordered Trump to pay a $454 million bond by Monday. While in January, a judge ruled Trump must pay the writer E. Jean Carroll $83 million for defaming her.

The massive valuation hovering over Truth Social isnt necessarily aligned with its financials. Its more a product of its owners ardent online support.

Truth Social appears to be a meme or cult stock, says Michael Klausner, a law and business professor at Stanford who has sued SPACs in the past for allegedly misleading investors.

Since its inception in October 2021, DWACs stock has been on a tearup 324%. Recently when it became increasingly apparent Truth Social would go public, the stock shot up 60% over an 11-day period in late January. As if to illustrate the connection between Trumps political prospects and business ties, the stock soared both when he won the Iowa primary and when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis dropped out of the Republican primary. So far this year shares have risen 133% as the prospect of the SPAC merger, and subsequent IPO, get closer to happening.

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Much of the rising valuations are boosted by Trump voters eager to support their candidate not just at the polls but in his latest business venture.

Truth Socials shares are trading in the stratosphere, Klausner says. Eventually, its share price will fall to reflect its economics, which at this point, at least, look poor.

Like most tech startups angling to go public, Truth Social has no profits, losing $31.6 million through the third quarter of 2023. However, its revenues, too, are almost nonexistent, slightly more concerning for any company (outside of biotech) that wants to hit the public markets. In the third quarter of 2023 the company generated just $1.1 million in revenue.

As a social media app Truth Social has about 8.9 million registered accounts, paltry numbers compared to the major platforms that dominate the industry. (Facebook, for example, has over 3 billion users). As an upstart, it rates above other niche platforms that, like Truth Social, garner press coverage that outkicks their size. Bluesky, launched by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, has about 4 million total signups, and Mastodon, another wannabe X replacement, had 2.3 million as of October.

The eagerness and zeal behind Truth Social recalls some of the most frenzied meme stock moments that took the internet by storm.

None was more popular than the widely covered Gamestop fiasco when retail investors on Reddit held the stock, driving its price higher, while major institutional investors like hedge funds Citadel and Melvin Capital had shorted it. Ultimately, the stock kept rising because these retail investorsread regular peoplehad built up such a social media frenzy around Gamestop that they kept buying the stock and refusing to sell, sending its price higher. All while, none of Gamestops financial performance warranted the astronomical share price foisted upon it.

This time around retail investors seem poised to do the same thing, but perhaps less so because of an internet trend and more so because of a presidential candidate who inspires inordinate amounts of loyalty among his followers.

Trump, with a line of business carrying his name ranging from steaks to country clubs to NFTs, has found success parlaying his political reputation into an avid customer base. His NFT collection, the Trump Digital Trading Cards, sold out in less than a day. A set of shiny gold sneakers with red soles, dubbed the The Never Surrender High-Top Sneaker and priced at $399, went even faster, selling out in mere hours.

But investors should already beware of the risks of investing in the stock market, perhaps even more so with a Trump digital venture. Just a month after their debut sales, Trump NFTs were already down 99%.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Gov. Kim Reynolds will meet with Perry officials in coming days to talk about the Dallas County city's needs as Tyson Foods, its largest employer, prepares to lay off nearly 1,300 workers.

Perry Mayor Dirk Cavanaugh says his agenda for the meeting, which he said will occur Tuesday, includes asking Reynolds to extend state unemployment compensation for the workers. Effective in July 2022, she and Republican legislators cut the period Iowa workers can collect unemployment benefits to 16 weeks from 26. Iowa's maximum of 16 weeks is among the shortest in the nation.

Reynolds, through spokesperson Kollin Crompton, said Friday she had directed Iowa Workforce Development Director Beth Townsend and Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham to reach out to Tyson officials and Perry leaders after the giant meatpacker said March 11 it would close its Perry pork processing plant by late June.

Tyson Foods has announced it will be closing its Perry pork plant.

Conversations began immediately, and meetings were held within days, Crompton said in a statement. He said Reynolds' discussion with the Perry leaders will focus on "their priorities for the community as they prepare for the closure.

Tyson's planned exit, closing a plant that has been a cornerstone of the city's economy since 1961, is the second big blow this year to Perry. The town of about 8,000 residents already is struggling with a January school shooting that left three dead, including the high school principal, and injured six others.

Perry Mayor Dirk Cavanaugh.

Cavanaugh said Friday he has a slate of concerns he wants to talk about with the governor, including attracting a new employer to the city, ways to retain the workforce, and how the school district could be affected by the shutdown.

He said he wants to discuss financial support for the Perry school district, which faces a budget hit if as many as 290 children of plant workers leave the community. And he wants to discuss a possible program to help stabilize the city's housing market.

In the wake of Tyson's announcement, Democrats, who opposed reducing the compensation period, have criticized Reynolds for signing it into law. She and other Republicans have said the move was needed to boost the workforce available to the state's employers.

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Cavanaugh said retaining workers  and helping them retrain if needed  will be key to attracting a new employer to Perry. "We dont want to lose all of the employees because that would be one of the reasons why they (a new company) would come" to Perry, he said.

More: As Tyson Foods closes Perry plant, are other Iowa facilities headed to the chopping block?

Arkansas-based Tyson's closure of the plant will affect 1,276 workers, according to the company's notice to Iowa Workforce Development. The decision was not easy, the company said in a statement at the time, but added that it was necessary to optimize the efficiency of our operations.

The decision came as the pork industry struggles with its worst financial downturn in 25 years.

The United Food and Commercial Workers union is negotiating severance pay for the soon-to-be laid-off Perry workers, and Perry officials have said they hope the company will likewise provide some aid to the city.

Tyson has said it hopes to find jobs for Perry workers at other plants, but hasn't answered questions about how many positions may be available. It said it employs 9,000 people at Iowa processing plants in Waterloo, Storm Lake and Columbus Junction.

State's mobile workforce unit headed to Tyson plant

Iowa Workforce Development launches Iowa's first mobile workforce center outside of the Iowa Capitol.

Iowa Workforce Development said its rapid response team and new mobile workforce center, a bus where workers can meet with job counselors, will be at the Tyson plant from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday to answer initial questions and prepare workers "for the next steps, which include critical services that will guide them through the layoff process and into reemployment.

More: The Tyson plant in Perry, Iowa, is closing after 61 years. What we know about its plans.

The agency said its planning to provide services over several weeks to help workers find new jobs. It also said it plans to open an office at the Tyson plant and provide assistance in multiple languages, reflecting the needs of the heavily immigrant Perry workforce; hold worker informational meetings; and host job fairs.

The community and state agencies are organizing a job fair that's slated for April 3.

While this is just the initial phase of services for this June layoff, we are committed to supporting every impacted worker through the process to ultimately help them find a new career in the state, Townsend said in a statement.

Allison Ullmann is the editor of the Perry Chief. Reach her at aullman@theperrychief.com.

Donnelle Eller covers agriculture, the environment and energy for the Register. Reach her at deller@registermedia.com or 515-284-8457.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: With Tyson closing, Gov. Kim Reynolds will meet with Perry leaders
Azerbaijan - a country, where national traditions are carefully preserved, celebrates Novruz holiday (novruz means a new day), which is the most ancient and favorite holiday of the Azerbaijani people, a holiday of springs and New Years coming. It is celebrated on the day of vernal equinox the 21 March.

Novruz is a symbol of natures rebirth, a symbol of fertility. The preparation for Novruz takes much time. Streets and squares are decorated, trees are planted, new clothes are sewed, eggs are coloured, sweets are prepared (shakarbura, pakhlava, etc.)

Every house has certainly on the table samani (green sprouts of wheat) and khoncha - a tray with sweets, nuts, candies dried fruits etc.

During four weeks before the holiday, a campfire is set on every Tuesday, and people, according to the tradition, must jump over the fire for several times.

Ilakhir Charshanba  the last Tuesday before the holiday is considered to be particularly important. This day is full of various ceremonial activities, which reflect the desire to provide well-being for family in the coming New year.

Variously known as Novruz, Nowrouz, Nooruz, Navruz, Nauroz or Nevruz, this historic celebration is observed on the 20th or 21st of March in many countries along the Silk Roads, including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Novruz is celebrated by people from different religious and cultural backgrounds, and its customs have been passed down from generation to generation along the Silk Roads.

Novruz is also an occasion for traditional cultural activities, combining common practices with local customs, such as poetry, music, open-air festivities or local street performances.

Novruz provides an opportunity not only to enjoy the ancient cultural customs of the Silk Roads, but also to promote peace and solidarity across communities by recognizing the significance of our pluralistic identities.

As it contributes to cultural diversity and friendship among peoples and different communities, Novruz fits closely with UNESCOs mandate.

In particular with relation to the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, Novruz was inscribed as an element in 2009, and extended in 2016, on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, at the joint initiative of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

And, in 2010, the International Day of Nowruz was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly. This Resolution welcomes the efforts of Member States where Novruz is celebrated to preserve and develop the culture and traditions related to Novruz, and encourages Member States to make efforts to raise awareness about Novruz and to organize annual events in commemoration of this festivity.




Nigel Farage's interview with Donald Trump allowed for the kind of cosy insider chat that's become a fixture of GB News broadcasting

When Nigel Farage sat down with Donald Trump on GB News this week, he promised an exchange of global significance.

Yet for many viewers, the interview  filmed in a gilded room in the former US presidents Mar-a-Lago resort  was just the latest example of the cosy insider chats that have become a fixture of the opinionated news channel.

Since its inception in 2021, GB News has repeatedly come under scrutiny for its use of politicians as presenters. Now, that practice appears to be catching up with it.

Ofcom this week found the startup channel had breached broadcasting rules in five programmes hosted by Tory MPs including Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg.

The regulator said it was putting GB News on notice, raising the prospect of tougher sanctions such as fines or, in the most extreme scenario, stripping the channel of its licence.

With frustrations building at rival broadcasters and a general election looming, Ofcom is under growing pressure to act. But could regulators shut down GB News?

After Rupert Murdoch this month pulled TalkTV off air, GB News cemented its victory in a hard-fought battle to bring US-style opinionated broadcasting to Britain.

Inevitably, though, the channel has made plenty of enemies in the process. GB News is still feeling the impact of a campaign for an advertising boycott in its early months, while it has suffered repeated run-ins with Ofcom over impartiality concerns.

The broadcaster is now responsible for more than 11pc of the total complaints received by the regulator  up from 6pc in 2022. It breached Ofcoms rules 12 times in the last 18 months, and there are still eight open investigations ongoing.

Despite its warnings, the watchdog is yet to sanction GB News. Executives at rival broadcasters privately complain that this is a sign the regulator is not doing enough.

Dame Melanie Dawes, Ofcoms chief executive, fuelled the controversy with recent comments suggesting that GB News was held to a different standard on impartiality because of its smaller audiences.

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For Stewart Purvis, the former chief executive of ITN and a former Ofcom content partner, this is evidence of a two-tier system.

Ofcom has taken a view  this is contrary to all previous views about impartiality  that you dont need any kind of real balance, he says.

I think [Ofcom] has completely lost its way, Im afraid, in the name of freedom of expression. At times theyre making the rules up as they go along.

At the heart of the concerns is GB Newss use of serving politicians as presenters. Three programmes hosted by former pensions secretary Esther McVey and her husband, backbench MP Philip Davies, were found in breach this week, alongside the two shows fronted by Rees-Mogg.

While politicians are allowed to present current affairs shows, they must not be used as a newsreader, interviewer or reporter on any news topic. GB News has fallen foul of these rules when politicians presenting a current affairs show have read out the headlines on breaking news stories.

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg is one of a number of politicians that work for GB News as presenters - Paul Grover

Industry experts note that this problem could be easily avoided by redirecting to a reporter in the newsroom in the event that a major story breaks during a politicians show.

Still, critics are concerned about the increasingly blurred lines between presenter and commentator, particularly as an election looms. GB News describes itself as Britains election channel.

Ofcom has enhanced rules during an election that dictate a candidate cannot present any programme, while it also has an expedited process for reviewing complaints.

Adam Baxter, director of standards and audience protection at Ofcom, denies the regulator is operating a two-tier system, adding: We expect all broadcasters, not just GB News, to take special care if they want to do election programming.

Yet accusations of political bias are not the only criticisms stalking GB News. The channel was also censured after its presenters peddled conspiracy theories relating to the Covid-19 vaccine.

As the problems mount, and executives at other broadcasters become increasingly frustrated, Ofcom must decide whether to act more forcefully.

The regulator could decide to hand down a fine  a move that would hit GB Newss bottom line even further after its losses ballooned to more than 42m last year.

But observers suggest this may do little to faze Sir Paul Marshall and Dubai-based hedge fund Legatum, the deep-pocketed investors who recently pumped more money into the channel, especially given the amount of publicity generated through its scrapes with the regulator.

In a more radical scenario, Ofcom could suspend or even revoke GB Newss licence.

This is a rare occurrence that has to date been restricted to the press outlets of authoritarian regimes such as Irans Press TV, Chinese broadcaster CGTN and RT, the Kremlins propaganda arm.

Baxter acknowledges that this is the nuclear option that the regulator would be reluctant to use.

Were not here gleefully wanting to find broadcasters in breach, he says.

We want people to be on the right side of our rules, so that they have the creative space and freedom to deliver diverse, pluralistic programming to their target audiences.

Some are sceptical that Ofcom will do more than rap the nascent broadcaster on the knuckles.

One veteran TV executive describes the regulator as quite placid and points to its desire not to be seen to be stifling innovation.

I think it will take a lot for Ofcom to fine GB News, a huge amount, I cant see that happening, the source says.

Theyll issue very strongly worded rebukes, but I dont see them fining GB News.

Others suggest that Ofcom may start to crack down on GB News in a show of strength ahead of a possible incoming Labour government.

Fining GB News may do little to faze its deep-pocketed backs such as Sir Paul Marshall and Dubai-based hedge fund Legatum - CNBC

If there is one thing that unites both GB News and its critics, though, it is that the UKs current broadcasting regulations, which date back to 2005, should be updated for the modern age.

Rees-Mogg this week branded Ofcom antediluvian, adding: Normally being old-fashioned is great, but I fear Ofcom thinks the news is still being presented by Alvar Lidell.

A Labour source denied that the party had any plans to shake up Ofcom or broadcasting regulations. However, they added: Ofcom should be using all its powers and youd expect them to up the sanctions.

For its part, GB News is unlikely to go down without a fight. The channel said it was deeply concerned about Ofcoms ruling this week, which it described as chilling.

It added: It appears that Ofcom is trying to extend the regulations, rather than enforcing definitions which have been settled for many years.

GB News insiders insist that the channel takes regulation seriously, and point out that it chose to be monitored by Ofcom.

Still, bosses are now exploring all options for mounting a defence against what they believe to be regulation made on the hoof.

I wouldnt underestimate GB Newss willingness to punch back at Ofcom. Theyre quite pugilistic in that sense, says the former TV executive.

Theyve got nothing to lose here and theyve got backers with deep pockets.

Purvis echoes the thoughts, arguing that Marshall is pumping huge amounts of money into the channel and is getting enormous publicity from the controversy.

To a certain extent if he wants to have a fight about freedom of expression, hes got the money and the place to have it, he says.

So as the election approaches, both GB News and Ofcom are facing a crucial test of their mettle. One thing is certain  their latest run-in will not be their last.

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) -- The United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution to promote safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems, one of the most high-profile efforts yet to establish global standards for the rapidly rising disruptive technology.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The non-binding proposal, which was introduced by the US and co-sponsored by more than 110 countries including China and India, encourages members to support responsible and inclusive AI development through domestic regulations and governance. It passed by consensus on Thursday without a formal vote.

US President Joe Biden highlighted the need to regulate AI in a speech before the General Assembly in New York in September, and was a top agenda item when he met Chinas leader Xi Jinping in November. Still, Washingtons push at the UN contrasts with a lack of strong regulations at home despite calls for action by lawmakers and businesses, including Open AI. China has implemented strict guidelines, while the European Union has approved the most comprehensive list of AI rules globally.

Read More: Regulate AI? Heres What That Might Mean in the US

Washington had tasked dozens of embassies with lobbying governments worldwide, according to a senior US official who asked not to be identified discussing private matters. Countries including Russia and Iran have engaged in the negotiations, another official said.

The resolution squarely addresses the priorities of many developing countries, such as encouraging AI capacity building and harnessing the technology to advance sustainable development, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement, adding that negotiations took nearly four months.

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The resolution doesnt cover the military use of AI, another growing concern for the international community as powers like the US and China rush to incorporate it into their armed forces. Washington has used AI to identify targets in the Middle East this month, and Israel is also relying on new technologies in its war against Hamas.

Read More: Artificial Intelligence Is Already Changing How the US Wages War

It is our hope that this resolution does not represent the end of our collaboration around this critical issue, said Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN. We hope the inclusive and constructive dialogue that led to this resolution will serve as a model for future conversations on AI challenges in other arenas, for example with respect to peace and security and responsible military use of AI.

The UNs AI advisory board established last year by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned in a recent report that governance remains territorial and fragmented, and called on countries to step up domestic and international regulation efforts to avoid accountability deficits.

Meantime, Volker Turk, the UN human rights chief, has also been ringing the alarm over dangers posed by the non-regulated use of AI. During a trip to California last month, Turk engaged in multiple debates on the issue, and held meetings with influential figures in the AI space including OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman.

Among other guidelines, the new UN resolution calls for the protection of privacy and personal data through the development of effective safeguards, including physical security and risk management systems. It also focuses on closing the gap between richer and poorer countries, calling on UN members to urgently engage with developing nations on issues such as technology transfers, technical assistance and financing.

The resolution also highlights the protections for human rights in the context of AI systems, and reaffirms that the same rights that people have offline must also be protected online.

(Updates with comment from fifth paragraph.)

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Key Insights

The considerable ownership by private companies in British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad indicates that they collectively have a greater say in management and business strategy

British American Tobacco Holdings Malaysia B V owns 50% of the company

11% of British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad is held by insiders

A look at the shareholders of British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad (KLSE:BAT) can tell us which group is most powerful. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 52% to be precise, is private companies. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

And individual investors on the other hand have a 30% ownership in the company.

Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad.

View our latest analysis for British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

We can see that British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can't rely on that fact alone since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad's historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.

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We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad. British American Tobacco Holdings Malaysia B V is currently the company's largest shareholder with 50% of shares outstanding. This essentially means that they have extensive influence, if not outright control, over the future of the corporation. For context, the second largest shareholder holds about 3.5% of the shares outstanding, followed by an ownership of 2.1% by the third-largest shareholder.

While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. There are a reasonable number of analysts covering the stock, so it might be useful to find out their aggregate view on the future.

Insider Ownership Of British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it.

Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group.

Our most recent data indicates that insiders own a reasonable proportion of British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad. Insiders own RM255m worth of shares in the RM2.3b company. It is great to see insiders so invested in the business. It might be worth checking if those insiders have been buying recently.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 30% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run.

Private Company Ownership

It seems that Private Companies own 52%, of the British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad stock. It's hard to draw any conclusions from this fact alone, so its worth looking into who owns those private companies. Sometimes insiders or other related parties have an interest in shares in a public company through a separate private company.

Next Steps:

I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For instance, we've identified 3 warning signs for British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad that you should be aware of.

If you are like me, you may want to think about whether this company will grow or shrink. Luckily, you can check this free report showing analyst forecasts for its future.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
How about a few random items today?

I just got a call from a relative who was furious. She had taken a package to a UPS store and the employee couldnt read the address because it was written in cursive.

Weve got employees at fast food restaurants who cant make change without a calculator, and we have people dealing with mail who cant read cursive. Yet we contend that we are one of the most educated countries in the world.

Apparently, there was no one else in the UPS store who could read cursive either, because my relative had to spell the address  word by word  for the clerk. Thats not only sad, but it is also scary. She could have spelled out anything and this guy would likely have written it down and taken it as gospel.

Remember the movie "Dog Day Afternoon" where the idiot robber is asked what country hed like to fly to and he says, Wyoming. Back in 1975 we wondered how anyone could be that clueless.

These days if a bank robber hands a teller a note written in cursive, hes probably going to have to read it and maybe even spell the words out. And if the robbery case comes to trial, none of the jurors could probably read the evidence and the defense attorney could declare that the Give me all the money cursive message really said, Happy birthday! and nobody might know the difference.

Thankfully, some private schools still teach cursive. Graduates may soon be needed to act as interpreters.

Speaking of writing, many teachers now either permit or demand that themes be written on a computer and printed out. They dont want to have to read papers with terrible handwriting.

Heres the problem. The other day I saw an online ad from a company that will, for a fee, take your one sentence idea and use AI (artificial intelligence) to turn it into a book. Yes, it can be done, and this process was even demonstrated on "60 Minutes."

Does anyone really think that a high school or college student wouldnt pay $200 to get AI to write his paper for him? Just push a button, scan your credit card and youve got a thesis.

How does a teacher prove the student cheated, aside from checking his computer and financial records, which the school would need a search warrant to do?

When you come right down to it, how do you readers  and the people who pay me  know that AI didnt write this column (other than the fact that I am cheap)?

After reading this, maybe they will require me to submit all my future material in cursive. But if I did, those under 40 probably couldnt read it.

Further, Ill bet you that there are college graduates out there today who really do think Wyoming is a foreign country.

This society is getting crazier by the minute.

A friend got bitten and scratched by a cat recently. She quickly learned that the feline was up to date on its shots, but knowing there was still a danger of infection or cat scratch fever (with credit to Ted Nugent), she watched the wounds carefully.

The next day the bite area began to redden and swell so she decided it was time to have it checked out. Not wanting to spend hours in an emergency room (and waste insurance dollars) and understanding that it could take weeks to get an appointment with her family doctor, the lady drove down to one of those quickie care facilities that have popped up everywhere during the past decade.

Already a patient there, she asked if someone could check the wound and offer an opinion. The person at the desk said no, that the facility closed at 5 p.m. and it was now 4:35.

But thats 25 minutes from now, the lady, needing to be reassured, said. Doesnt someone have time just to take a quick look at the bite?

The receptionist relented and called a nurse who came out and repeated that the lady and her wound could not be seen until the next day because of the 5 p.m. closing time. The nurse wouldnt even look at the puncture because no doctor would have time to check the bite until the next day.

It apparently didnt matter that the wound might be infected, which could lead to more serious complications. Everyone just wanted to make sure they could start closing up shop at precisely 5 p.m.

What ever happened to doctors who cared?

I renew my plea for socialized medicine in this country.
Ten Nebraska Farmers Union members attended the National Farmers Union Convention March 10-12 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

NeFU President John Hansen, Graham Christensen of Lyons, and Lynn Belitz of Fullerton represented the NeFU Board. Delegates representing membership were: Don Schuller, Wymore, Andrew Tonnies, North Bend, and Keith Dittrich, Tilden.

Farmers Union Midwest Agency LLP General Manager Jeff Downing of Elkhorn, Farmers Union Midwest Agency Financial Services Manager Kevin Harrington of Lincoln, Tammy Dittrich of Meadow Grove, and Julie Schuller of Wymore also attended.

Farmers Union members also participated in six workshops including: Food Safety in the Southwest, Do Right-to-Farm Laws Benefit Farmers?, New Opportunities for Agriculture to Lead the Way in the Low Carbon World, Food Safety Continued, Managing the Stress and Stressors of Agriculture, and Protecting Landowner Rights.

A highlight of the convention was Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsacks one hour and thirty minutes give-and-take presentation that included two historic market reform announcements. The first was the Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity rule that will go into effect May 6 that includes a wide range of livestock market reforms strongly supported by National and Nebraska Farmers Union.

Relative to the other historic NFU supported meat market reform announcement, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said, This final rule will ensure that when consumers see Product of USA they can trust the authenticity of that label and know that every step involved, from birth to processing, was done here in America.

Farmers Union delegates from around the country reelected Rob Larew President and Jeff Kippley Vice President without opposition, adopted NFU Policy, and approved six Special Orders of Business:

 Fairness for Farmers

 Family Farming and the 2024 Farm Bill

 Family Farming and the Farm Safety Net

 Family Farming and Conservation

 Family Farming and Dairy Policy Reform

 Support for the Cooperative Business Model and the International Year of Cooperatives

The 2025 NFUs 123rd Anniversary Convention will be held March 9-11 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
John Martin and John Nilsen stoke the fire of a smoker on a large Army truck outside Mission BBQ at the north-side of InterQuest Commons retail center before the restaurants opening in June 2023. Maryland-based Mission BBQ now plans to open a second Colorado Springs location at the First & Main Town Center on the citys east side.
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold speaks in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on Feb. 8, 2024, in Washington. The U.S. Supreme Court took up a historic case to decide whether Donald Trump was ineligible for the 2024 ballot under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.
The man accused of killing a southern Colorado parole officer last year pleaded not guilty to all charges at an arraignment hearing Friday morning.

Justin Kula, 42, is accused of killing Pueblo parole officer Christine Guerin Sandoval with his car after he attempted to flee from her and two other parole officers who were attempting to make contact with Kula on Sept. 28.

At Kula's preliminary hearing, evidence was presented that Kula had allegedly been using narcotics prior to his interaction with Sandoval. Kula's attorneys argued at the hearing that Kula did not know Sandoval was a member of law enforcement when she approached his car, the district attorney's office argued that Kula was fully aware Sandoval was a member of law enforcement when he attempted to flee.

At Kula's arraignment hearing, his attorney, Kimberley Davis, informed the court that there have been no negotiations with the prosecution regarding a plea deal, and that Kula was prepared to plead not guilty to all charges. Kula faces eight charges for allegedly causing Sandoval's death, including leaving the scene of an accident involving death, reckless manslaughter, vehicular homicide and more.

Kula is slated to begin his two-week long trial on Oct. 28. Kula will return to court on June 7 for a status conference hearing. He remains in custody at the El Paso County jail on a $250,000 bond.
In line with its commitment to water conservation, Hansgrohe, a leader in innovation, design and quality within the bath and kitchen industry, has strengthened the social innovation projects for a dignified access to water and hygiene across the globe.

The German sanitaryware group said it was committed to developing alternatives for a dignified access to hygiene and water with social innovation.

The focus here is on the "Global South". With the structured development of innovations that serve a social purpose, Hansgrohe will shape the future prospects of many people worldwide - and at the same time pursue entrepreneurial goals.

In keeping with the motto of this year's World Water Day which falls today (March 22), "Leveraging Water for Peace", Hansgrohe pointed out that it is presenting the first social innovation projects in structurally weak and water-challenged regions of the world.

"Water is our passion. Our water-saving technologies ensure the careful use of this valuable element. However, we also want to use our innovative strength to improve people's quality of life, especially with products and services in underserved market segments," remarked Jessica Trejo, the Social Innovation Manager at Hansgrohe SE.

In collaboration with young talents in Uganda, and with Professional Education experts in Kenya, the Hansgrohe Group is developing products and services aimed to support access to dignified hygiene.

"Just as diverse as the problems of water supply and hygiene are worldwide, so are the possibilities for suitable solutions," remarked Trejo.

"We are therefore pursuing various approaches to contribute to the sustainable alleviation of social and environmental problems," she stated.

Born in Mexico, Trejo has held the newly created position at Hansgrohe since the middle of last year. She previously held various management positions in the company, most recently as Managing Director of the Adriatic region based in Croatia.

As the Groups social innovation manager, she has already initiated the first projects in the Global South, i.e. in structurally and economically disadvantaged countries around the world.

In Kenya, for example, young women from low-income communities are gaining technical knowledge in plumbing and solar panels, along with entrepreneurship and life skills.

This is done in cooperation with the Strathmore University Business School, a renowned Kenyan University, and Eastlands College of Technology in Nairobi, stated Trejo.

"The narratives of social issues, the economy and the Global South must change," she stated. "It's not about one-off donations, but about supporting people with sustainable new business models that are intertwined with social impact," she added.

In Uganda, the focus is on the joint development of frugal innovations for a dignified hygiene. These are practical products for a price-sensitive target group that also contribute to a more efficient use of resources.

In this way, social and sustainable goals can be achieved in equal measure. The new products also take into account the local conditions, such as water quality and quantity, water pressure and availability of raw materials.

"The collaboration with young talents from the 'Social Innovation Academy' in Uganda leads to an exchange that is fruitful for both sides," noted Trejo. "This also opens up new opportunities for Hansgrohe to understand and serve these markets in new ways," she added.

Hansgrohe said the aim of the Academy is to improve the quality of life of people in the "Global South" with products and services through passionate innovation, while at the same time expanding its market presence.

With social innovation, the Hansgrohe Group also contributes to its ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) goals, to which the Black Forest-based manufacturer has committed itself.

Hans Jurgen Kalmbach, Chairman of the Executive Board of Hansgrohe SE, said: "As a company, we are part of society. It therefore goes without saying that we also take responsibility for people outside of Hansgrohe."

"Social commitment is an integral part of our sustainability strategy and I am delighted that we are strengthening our commitment to society with Trejo in the new field of social innovation," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
One of the worst parts of an Alamosa County Sheriff deputys job is dealing with jail inmates who suffer mental illness as they await agonizingly long times for competency hearings on the way to trial.

Sheriff Robert Jackson advised that to get a good picture of what this looks like, envision a certain scene from the movie Silence of the Lambs.

Its so tough on my deputies to have them subjected to this kind of thing day and and day out, he said.

Hes hoping a special court designed to keep an eye on these defendants as they await behavioral and mental health assessments will help move a severe backlog of cases waiting for restoration forward because these people sit down in our jail for way too long.

Sometimes, they wait for months and months and months, according to 12th Judicial District Attorney Anne Kelly.

The 12th Judicial District, which includes six counties in the San Luis Valley, has started a Competency Court run by a judge which meets, most of the time with the inmate virtually or in person, twice a month for an assessment.

Its keeping the defendant top-of-mind to find effective solutions for long-term goals, said Kelly. She said that the extra attention doesnt cost anything because staff already has the meetings in their job descriptions.

Kelly, a 20-year veteran prosecutor, blames the backlog of cases on the Colorado Mental Health Institute of Pueblo, CMHIP, Colorados 516-bed psychiatric hospital, which she said has been performing abysmally.

Its a situation Kelly takes personally because she doesnt want to agree to a personal recognizance bond just to get inmates out of jail because: I have the responsibility to keep the community safe. There are defendants sitting a jail cell waiting for a bed all over the state.

Jordan Saenz, Interim Deputy Director of Communications for Colorado Department of Human Services, blamed the long wait times on a nationwide staffing shortage.

Bottom line is that there arent enough beds for those who are waiting for restoration treatment, Saenz said.

The state of Colorado has a capacity to treat 516 people, but because there arent enough mental health professionals to fill available positions, the state only has the capacity to fill 474 beds. The jobs the Department of Human Services are trying to fill include psychiatrist nurse, mental health clinician, certified nursing assistant and healthcare technician positions.

On average, defendants are waiting around 94 days for treatment, Saenz said.

Compounding the problem in rural areas like the San Luis Valley is the fact that they have less money and fewer resources. Kelly has revived an office which was in shambles after former District Attorney Alonzo Payne resigned under pressure in 2022.

When she first got to the office, she was the only attorney on staff.

Today, there are six full-time, and one part-time, lawyers working for the district.

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Competency Court has restrictions. People charged with the most serious felonies, class 1 and class 2 offenses, are not eligible, and the prosecution and defense must agree that the individual is appropriate for the program.

The twice-a-month 12th Judicial Districts court is run by Judge Kimberly Cortez and the panel which oversees each defendant includes representatives from the local public defenders office, the CMHIP, San Luis Valley Behavioral Health Group, and the Alamosa County jail.

The San Luis Valley program is the ninth on-board of the 22 Colorado judicial districts, with two others on the way to establishing similar programs.

When defendants in Colorado have been found incompetent to proceed, their case is stayed pending restoration  which can occur either on an inpatient basis at a state hospital, or on an outpatient basis if the defendant is not in custody. Some in-custody defendants have had to wait up to a year or longer before inpatient space becomes available for restoration services.

Larger communities meet once a week simply because the populations are larger.

Larimer County, which was the first district to implement these courts, saw the process of streamlined by months, according to Jennifer Turner of Bridges of Colorado  a new program which places court liaisons in each of Colorados 22 Judicial Districts to create a link between the criminal justice and mental health systems.

Competency courts across the state have served 700 defendants, according to Jon Sarche, deputy public information officer at the Colorado Judicial Department.

Additionally, an independent program places court liaisons in each of Colorados 22 Judicial Districts to eliminate the red tape which can bog down the court process. Its Bridges of Colorados job to create a link between the criminal justice and mental health systems.

Executive Director Jennifer Turner said the program doesnt necessarily get participants a bed faster but they can get in line faster because it reduces red tape and gets the legal system moving more efficiently.

Bridges of Colorado centers on each persons long-term stability helping a variety of services including mental health, housing, transportation and food insecurity, which, she points out, increases the safety of the community.

Bridges of Colorado has tripled in size since it began and is hiring 48 new court liaisons next month, Turner said.

One defendant in Pueblo who went through the competency court and was able to resolve his case, get a job, a home and a car.

Our court liaison said you wouldnt even recognize him, Turner said.

For his part, Alamosa County Sheriff Jackson is taking a wait-and-see attitude as to whether the Competency Court will work.

We havent seen the fruits of this labor as of yet, he said. We have to be careful and not put them on the street if theyre a danger to society.
After a shooting on the University of Colorado Colorado Springs campus in February that left two dead including a student, the university system's Board of Regents is revisiting its gun policy as state lawmakers do the same.

The Board of Regents began a conversation last week about changing the university system's weapons policy to ban concealed carry on campuses. Meanwhile, a state legislature bill seeks to do the same thing, calling for a ban on concealed carry weapons in "sensitive spaces" such as higher education facilities.

Students on the UCCS campus a month after the shooting that killed student Sam Knopp, 24, and Celie Montgomery, 26, had a wide array of opinions on the current gun policy and possible changes.

I think I can see it from both sides, said freshman Luke Ming. I know that a lot of people are very opinionated about having guns in their place because they feel thats a threat to their safety, but I know a lot of people feel the opposite, that having a gun in the hands of responsible people is what brings them safety from outside threats.

One person with the latter opinion was student Antonio Briggs, who said he would be upset if the CU system decided to remove the conceal carry exception.

I think that it keeps everybody safe, he said.

On the other end of the spectrum, some students have been calling for the university to revisit the policy in light of the double homicide.

I hate it. I think if youre going to have a rule about no firearms, it should be no firearms period, and again, unfortunately firearms were allowed there and two people were killed, said UCCS sophomore Sofia ONeill, describing a total ban on guns as long overdue.

A lot of us feel tense, on edge and overall disappointed in the institution, she said.

Others expressed that they did not feel like the issue of concealed carry permit guns on campus was relevant in the conversation around campus safety.

A guy whos coming here with the intention of shooting someone, hes not going to care what law is what because hes coming here to kill someone and its already illegal, said student Chris Callies, describing himself as indifferent on the issue.

UCCS spokesperson Chris Valentine confirmed that the university has not seen any concealed carry permit holders request to have their guns in on-campus housing this year. The gun used in the February shooting was not registered with the university.

The conversation about whether students can carry weapons on campus has been happening for years.

Colorado's Concealed Carry Act was passed in 2003, allowing concealed carry of firearms in most places statewide and banning local governments from making their own decisions on the matter. The Board of Regents for the University of Colorado system tried to ban concealed carry on campus and a student group sued them.

In 2012, it was ruled by the Supreme Court that the board could not impose a ban.

However, a 2021 state bill allowed local governments and governing boards of higher education institutions to make their own determinations as to where concealed weapons can be carried.

Regent Wanda James brought the subject forward in a board meeting March 19, proposing a change to the university system's weapons policy that would ban concealed carry across all four of University of Colorado's campuses.

The policy change cannot be voted on by the board until its June meeting, but James said she wanted to start the conversation.

In almost every meeting she's been in since becoming a regent in January 2023, she's seen students, faculty or staff asking them to take up the motion to ban concealed carry, she said.

"It is difficult for me as a regent to sit down and see so many people asking us to make changes in their house and then not at least having the conversation to make changes," James said at the board meeting.

James called herself a "staunch Second Amendment supporter," but said she doesn't believe all things should be in all places at all times.

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"If there is any place where we should be able to agree that we don't need the presence of guns, it's in higher education," she said.

The conversation comes as Colorado General Assembly is considering Senate Bill 24-131 that would prohibit carrying firearms in "sensitive spaces," which include public parks and playgrounds, hospitals, stadiums, public libraries and higher education campuses.

It also comes just over a month after the UCCS double homicide in which two people were shot in a university dorm.

At the university policy level, the policy change would remove wording from its weapons policy, redlining much of the current policy and adding specific language banning concealed carry weapons.

As currently written, the amended policy would read as follows:

"In recognition of its obligation to preserve the learning and working environment, the Board of Regents prohibits possession of concealed firearms, even if allowed by state statute, on all campuses, and authorizes the enactment of additional rules lawfully regulating the possession of firearms, explosives, and other weapons."

Other Colorado university systems have various weapons policies, some banning concealed carry and others banning it in certain places on campus.

Colorado State University's weapons policy allows concealed handguns if the owner has a lawful Colorado concealed weapons permit issued by a sheriff in the state. However, the policy does not allow concealed handguns to be carried or stored in any residence hall, CSU apartment, health network facility or residence life dining centers.

Colorado School of Mines allows concealed carry only by those with a current state of Colorado concealed weapon permit or out-of-state concealed weapon permit accepted by Colorado law.

University of Denver prohibits the use, possession and storage of weapons on campus "even if the individual possesses a federal or state license to carry or possess the weapon."

Ian Escalante, the director of operations with Rocky Mountain Gun Owners (RMGO), said their organization is "adamantly against" the policy change and the state bill, and threatened that RMGO will do everything in their power to oppose moves to get rid of gun rights on campuses and elsewhere.

If the CU system passes the policy change, it would open itself up to more gun violence, Escalante said.

He referenced the mass shooting on the Michigan State University campus in February last year in which three were killed and others injured, saying the shooter "walked into a school with a bunch of soft targets who that shooter knew would be defenseless."

If the state bill passes as currently written RMGO "will be filing a lawsuit," he said.

Chase Cromwell, the external affairs student body president for CU Boulder, said the push for policy change has been largely driven by students, faculty and staff and has been going on for several years.

The discussion about the policy change is the "latest in a long process," Cromwell said, but the student government is excited to see some movement on it.

There is no evidence that shows allowing concealed carry makes campuses safer, he said, and many other college campuses and states have passed laws already banning concealed weapons on campuses.

"We're making a pretty simply case that guns, and certainly handguns and small personal firearms, don't have a place in our learning environment," Cromwell said. "We can point to instances where professors and instructors have changed how they've had discussions in their classrooms about certain topics because they know, and students have made it known, that they're carrying in the classroom."

The process of pushing for the policy change has been "difficult to say the least," Cromwell said, with the board not listening to the needs of the student government despite that being their obligation.

"We've been so incredibly clear about a specific policy change that does not cost any money that we all agree on, and none of those things ever happen at the same time," he said. "So it's incredibly frustrating that they want to continue to ignore us and continue to ignore evidence about the role guns should and should not play in classrooms."

Cromwell is also hopeful about the possible state law change, he said.

"The state and the Board of Regents are kind of playing this chicken-and-egg game where they're trying to decide who's going to do something," Cromwell said. "I would like to see the regents pick up their feet and move things along and pass a policy, but if the state has to step in and do it, I'm more than happy to support the state in doing that."
By Alasdair Pal

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia and Britain criticised China on Friday for its actions in Hong Kong, the South China Sea and its support of Russia, after a meeting in which London and Canberra deepened their security ties.

The two countries called out "recent unsafe and destabilising behaviour by China's vessels against Philippine vessels and crew near the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea", in a statement that contained unusually direct language on Beijing's activities in the region.

In a joint statement earlier this month with Southeast Asian nations, Australia called for restraint in the South China Sea, without explicitly mentioning China.

China, which claims almost all of the South China Sea, has repeatedly warned neighbouring countries to refrain from violating its territorial sovereignty as altercations at certain atolls in the vast economic waterway intensify.

Friday's statement was issued after Britain's foreign secretary, David Cameron, and defence secretary Grant Shapps met their Australian counterparts, Penny Wong and Richard Marles, in Adelaide.

The ministers also said they were concerned about Hong Kong's new security law and the erosion of freedom and rights in the territory, a former colony of Britain, as well as human rights abuses in China.

"They raised deep concerns about the continuing systemic erosion of autonomy, freedoms and rights there and the impact the newly passed Safeguarding National Security Ordinance will have on the city, and recognised the potential impact of these laws on individuals outside of Hong Kong," the statement said.

In recent days, China has shot back at the criticisms, calling on certain countries to stop smearing the law.

"The Chinese government has unwavering resolve in opposing any external interference in Hong Kongs affairs," said a spokeperson for the Chinese foreign ministry during a regular press briefing this week.

Australia and Britian were also strongly critical of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and said China should play a role in ending the conflict.

"Ministers called on all those with close relationships with Russia, particularly China, to refrain from helping Russia to continue its war in any way and to convince Russia to end its illegal war," the statement said.

Australia is attempting to repair its relations with China after several years of tensions that included a freeze on ministerial meetings and Beijing's placing curbs on Australian imports.

China's foreign minister Wang Yi met with Wong during a visit to Australia this week.

GAZA CONCERNS

The statement also warned of potentially devastating consequences of an Israeli ground invasion of Rafah in Gaza.

"Given the large number of displaced persons taking refuge in the area and lack of safe spaces in Gaza, ministers shared deep concern at the potentially devastating consequences for the civilian population of an expanded Israeli military operation in Rafah," the statement said.

Israel says a ground invasion of Rafah is necessary to eliminate Hamas, despite countries including the United States warning of dire consequences for the more than a million Palestinians who have sheltered there since being displaced elsewhere in the Gaza Strip during the five-month-old war.

Australia and Britain signed a new defence and security agreement on Thursday that makes it easier for their defence forces to operate together in each other's countries. Australia outlined plans to spend billions on docks, shipyards and factories at home and in Britain for nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS security pact between Australia, Britain and the United States launched in 2021.

(Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Additional reporting by Bernard Orr in Beijing; Editing by Shri Navaratnam, Gerry Doyle and Kim Coghill)
By James Pomfret, Jessie Pang and Greg Torode

HONG KONG (Reuters) -A new national security law came into force in Hong Kong on Saturday despite growing international criticism that it could erode freedoms in the China-ruled city and damage its international financial hub credentials.

The law, also known as Article 23, took effect at midnight, days after Hong Kong's pro-Beijing lawmakers passed it unanimously, fast-tracking legislation to plug what authorities called national security loopholes.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said the law "accomplished a historic mission, living up to the trust placed in us by the Central (Chinese) Authorities".

The United States expressed concerns that the law would further erode the city's autonomy and damage its reputation as an international business hub.

"It includes vaguely defined provisions regarding 'sedition,' 'state secrets,' and interactions with foreign entities that could be used to curb dissent," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

Australia and Britain on Friday criticised the law after a bilateral meeting in Adelaide, expressing "deep concerns about the continuing systemic erosion of autonomy, freedoms and rights" in Hong Kong.

The United Nations and the European Union recently noted the extremely swift passage of the law with limited public consultation, by a legislature overhauled in recent years to remove opposition democrats.

Australia, Britain and Taiwan updated their travel advisories for Hong Kong, urging citizens to exercise caution.

"You could break the laws without intending to and be detained without charge and denied access to a lawyer," the Australian government said.

Hong Kong authorities, however, "strongly condemned such political manoeuvres with skewed, fact-twisting, scaremongering and panic-spreading remarks."

Hong Kong, a former British colony, returned to Chinese rule in 1997 with the guarantee that its high degree of autonomy and freedoms would be protected under a "one country, two systems" formula.

In recent years, many pro-democracy politicians and activists have been jailed or have gone into exile, and liberal media outlets and civil society groups have been shut down.

In a joint statement led by the overseas-based Hong Kong Democracy Council, 145 community and advocacy groups condemned the law and called for sanctions on Hong Kong and Chinese officials involved its passage, as well as review the status of Hong Kong's Economic & Trade Offices worldwide.

"It's time for the United States to step up for political prisoners and freedom in Hong Kong. Every time we let authoritarians get away with atrocities, we risk other bad actors attempting to do the same," wanted Hong Kong activist Frances Hui said in Washington, during a news conference with the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), which advises Congress.

Chris Smith, a co-chairman of the CECC, said the Hong Kong trade offices had "simply become outposts of the Chinese Communist Party, used to engage in transnational repression".

China defends the security crackdown as essential to restoring order after months of sometimes violent anti-government and pro-democracy protests in 2019.

About 291 people have been arrested for national security offences, with 174 people and five companies charged so far.

Chinese authorities insist all are equal before the security laws that have restored stability, but while individual rights are respected no freedoms are absolute.

A previous attempt to pass Article 23 was scrapped in 2003 after 500,000 people protested. This time around, public criticism has been muted amid the security crackdown.

In Taipei's fashionable Ximending shopping district, more than a dozen Hong Kong, Taiwan and Tibet activists gathered to protest the law and shout their denunciations.

In London, more than a hundred protesters passed through Chinatown.

They included activist Finn Lau, against whom the Hong Kong police have issued an arrest warrant. "We are here to (protest) against that legislation and we request the Foreign Office and the UK government to impose sanctions against Hong Kong officials," he told Reuters.

Other protests were planned in Australia, Canada, Japan and the United States.

(Reporting by James Pomfret, Jessie Pang and Greg Torode in Hong Kong, Ben Blanchard in Taipei; additional reporting by Costas Pitas and David Brunnstrom in Washington; Hollie Adams and Yann Tessier in London; Editing by Kevin Liffey, Nick Macfie and Gerry Doyle)
By David Brunnstrom and Daphne Psaledakis

(Reuters) -There is a strong possibility Russia will veto a U.N. resolution calling for continuation of the mandate of an expert panel that monitors implementation of U.N. sanctions on North Korea, a U.N. diplomat told Reuters on Friday.

Two other diplomats, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said a vote on the resolution that had been expected on Friday had been postponed at the request of the United States to allow for further consultations.

The first diplomat said a Russian veto would mean dissolution of the Panel of Experts monitoring enforcement of long-standing U.N. sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

"It's a strong possibility that Russia vetoes this resolution," the diplomat said. "That's unprecedented - basically it's been technical roll-overs for the last 14 years, I believe."

Russia's mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Earlier on Friday, Russia, along with China, voted against a U.S.-proposed Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire and an Israel-Hamas hostage deal.

Postponement of the North Korea vote came as news spread about an attack by gunmen on a concert near Moscow in which at least 40 people were killed and more than 100 hurt, one of the worst such attacks on Russia in years.

A text of the North Korea resolution seen by Reuters calls for the extension of the mandate of the Panel of Experts for another year, until April 30, 2025.

Another U.N. diplomat said that both Russia and China had sought "sunset" clauses to parts of the sanctions regime on North Korea and the text states the Security Council "is prepared to review, by 30 April 2025, the appropriateness of measures taken to date."

Such a review would cover possible "strengthening, modification, suspension, or lifting of the measures as may be needed in light of (North Korea's) compliance," it said.

The suggestion of a possible Russian veto comes after a closening of relations between North Korea and Russia since Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The United States has charged that North Korea has supplied Russia with large quantities of artillery shells as well as ballistic missiles for use in Ukraine. Russia and North Korea have denied this even as they pledged to strengthen military cooperation.

Last year Russia voted in favor of an extension of the mandate of the Panel of Experts, but expressed regret that the resolution then did not include proposals on the need to minimize the impact of sanctions on the North Korean population and confidentiality issues concerning the panel.

Years of U.S.-led international sanctions have failed to halt North Korea's nuclear bomb and missile programs and many North Korea watchers consider the U.N. regime, supported in the past by China and Russia, especially after North Korean nuclear bomb tests, moribund, if not already dead.

"Sanctions, by many accounts, are already effectively dead, if major players aren't enforcing or implementing them," said Jenny Town, director of the Washington-based North Korea monitoring program, 38 North.

North Korea has long been banned from conducting nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches by the 15-member Security Council. Since 2006, it has been subject to U.N. sanctions, which the council repeatedly strengthened to try and cut off funding for its weapons of mass destruction development.

(Reporting by David BrunnstromEditing by William Maclean, Frances Kerry and Nick Macfie)
By Harold Isaac and Ralph Tedy Erol

PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) -Attacks, including a shooting that left a gang leader dead, flared in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, on Thursday as political groups appeared nearer to finalizing a transition council to take over from an absent government.

A police operation killed the head of the Delmas 95 gang, Ernst Julme, known as Ti Greg, a day after another gang leader was killed in an apparent resurgence of vigilante justice, police and sources confirmed.

The death of Julme, a member of gang leader Jimmy "Barbeque" Cherizier's "Viv Ansanm" alliance, marks a setback for gangs' moves to take over more of the city. Julme had recently escaped from Haiti's largest prison in a mass jailbreak.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed reports that political groups had selected all members of a transitional council that would take over presidential powers ahead of future elections, a U.N. spokesperson said.

The council, intended to bring together Haiti's fractured political class, is tasked with appointing a replacement to Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who announced his resignation on March 11 as gang violence prevented his return to the country.

"The Secretary-General welcomes reports that Haitian stakeholders have all nominated representatives to the Transitional Presidential Council," deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said at a media briefing.

The transition plan was brokered in Jamaica by the intergovernmental Caribbean Community (CARICOM), alongside representatives of Haiti's government and opposition. CARICOM released a list of political groups that would be represented in the council.

The nine-member council had been expected to be finalized within a few days of Henry's resignation, but some Haitian political factions were unable to unite behind one representative.

One party rejected the plan, then backtracked, while groups left out of the plan criticized the return of politicians from previous administrations seen as corrupt.

Cherizier has threatened reprisals against politicians and their families if they take part in the proposed council.

CONFLICT IN SUBURBS

As the council seemed to near completion, heavy gunfire was heard on Thursday near the National Palace off the Champ de Mars square in downtown Port-au-Prince, while people fled shootings in the capital's Petion-Ville suburb.

On Wednesday suspected gang members in Petion-Ville, which has been under attack over recent days, were killed and set on fire - including one leader known as Makandal - in what appeared to be a resurgence of a civilian vigilante movement known as Bwa Kale.

Local media reported another Bwa Kale killing outside the capital on Thursday, though Reuters was unable to verify this.

The state has been largely absent during the violence and police are ill-equipped against heavily armed criminal groups seeking to expand their territorial control of the capital city. Plans for an international security mission, requested by Henry in 2022, remain on hold.

Haq said the international force's swift deployment was critical for the political and security situations to improve.

He said the U.N. would support restoring Haiti's democratic institutions and called for the protection of civilians.

The U.N. and other international bodies and embassies have been evacuating staff and other foreigners by helicopter because Haiti's main airport is not secure.

Canada's government said late on Thursday that the Canadian Armed Forces were working with the Canadian Embassy in Haiti to assist in contingency planning. It did not elaborate, but its statement came in response to reports that Canadian soldiers were flown in to protect the Canadian embassy.

The U.S. government on Thursday organized the departure of 90 U.S. citizens from Haiti's northern city of Cap-Haitien to Miami as well as from Port-au-Prince to the Dominican Republic, in addition to 70 it has flown out since Sunday, a State Department spokesperson said.

(Reporting by Sarah Morland in Mexico City and Ralph Tedy Erol and Harold Isaac in Port-au-Prince; Additional reporting by Daphne Psaledakis and Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Nia Williams, Stephen Coates and Gerry Doyle)
By Vivian Sequera

CARACAS (Reuters) -Venezuela opposition leader Maria Corina Machado on Friday named Corina Yoris as her successor to take on President Nicolas Maduro in the country's presidential election in July, following the arrest of two of Machado's close aides.

With Venezuela's opposition under pressure to pick a candidate to register their candidacy with the National Electoral Council before the March 25 deadline, the decision to pick historian Yoris, 80, all but marks the end of Machado's presidential aspirations.

Engineer Machado, 56, saw her ban on holding public office upheld by the country's top court in January - even after winning a landslide 93% of votes in the opposition primary last October - which sources said caused other members of the opposition to pressure her to pick a replacement.

"We have found a person who has my complete confidence ... who will see this process through with everyone's support and trust," Machado said, adding that her fight against disqualification was not over.

Yoris' appointment as opposition candidate follows the announcement by Venezuela's attorney general earlier this week of the arrest of close Machado allies Henry Alviarez and Dignora Hernandez, as well as the issue of warrants for the capture of seven others, including Machado's rumored replacement, Magalli Meda.

The arrests of Machado's allies and the issue of warrants against other members of her campaign prompted international outcry.

"The decision by Maduro and his representatives to detain two members of the leading opposition candidate's campaign and issue warrants for seven others represents a disturbing escalation of repression," U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement on Friday.

If she wins the election in July, Yoris said her first act as president will be to release Venezuela's political prisoners, who number at least 250 and include civilians and members of the military.

(Reporting by Vivian Sequera; Writing by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
Chinese envoy urges collective efforts to alleviate humanitarian crisis in Syria

Xinhua) 09:33, March 22, 2024

UNITED NATIONS, March 21 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Thursday urged the international community to make collective efforts to alleviate humanitarian crisis in Syria, and promote a political solution to the Syrian issue.

"Thanks to the joint efforts by the Syrian Government and the UN, the border crossings for aid delivery are now operating effectively. We urge parties concerned to actively cooperate to facilitate cross-line deliveries," Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told the UN Security Council briefing on Syria.

He called on the international community to scale up its humanitarian assistance to Syria, provide adequate and unearmarked financial support to early recovery projects throughout Syria.

"Unilateral sanctions and resource plunder have long hindered the economic recovery, social development, and improvement of people's livelihoods in Syria. We urge relevant countries to immediately cease these unlawful acts. Foreign forces should immediately end their illegal military presence in Syria," said the envoy.

The envoy noted that the recent Arab League foreign ministers meeting reaffirmed its abiding commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and its objection to any external interference.

"We are of the view that support from regional countries can give new impetus to the political settlement of Syrian issue. We welcome UN special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen's broad engagements with all parties on the implementation of resolution 2254," he said.

He underscored that the international community should uphold the Syrian-led and Syrian-owned principle and encourage dialogue and consultation, so as to find a solution acceptable to all parties.

"Terrorism is a persistent threat to the political process in Syria. We welcome the measures taken by the Syrian Government to fight terrorism and maintain security and stability. The international community must fight all terrorism in Syria with zero tolerance," the envoy added.

Geng said that since the outbreak of the current round of Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Israel, over the occupied Golan Heights and the Blue Line, has launched frequent airstrikes against various locations in Syria in grave violation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"China is deeply concerned about this. Against the backdrop of ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict, all parties must exercise restraint, avoid exacerbating tensions, prevent hot-spots feeding off each other and the spread of conflict. Major countries outside the region should play a constructive role in deescalating the situation."

Geng urged the international community to redouble its collective efforts to manage the conflict in Gaza and leverage the unconditional Ramadan ceasefire as an entry point to push for a permanent ceasefire, thereby injecting more positive energy into peace and stability in the Middle East, including in Syria.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
UAE, represented by the AD Ports Group and Iraq have discussed a number of projects pivotal to international transport, logistics services and economic cooperation in the region.

Welcoming an Iraqi delegation headed by Razzaq Muhaibas Al-Saadawi, Iraqs Minister of Transport, alongside key figures and leaders in business, investment and development sectors, Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, UAEs Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said: We are pleased to host Razzaq Al-Saadawi and the esteemed Iraqi delegation in the UAE. Meetings with our Iraqi counterparts have consistently resulted in a strong desire to advance relations between the two nations. Our meeting today at Khalifa Port represents a progressive step towards strengthening the regional and global position of both the UAE and Iraq. We see this collaboration elevating the transportation and logistics sectors to unparalleled levels of competitiveness and appeal through the exchange of knowledge, capabilities, and best practice, aimed at achieving mutual progress and prosperity for all.

The Iraqi delegation was received by Al Mazrouei, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAEs Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group, among other high-ranking officials. The bilateral meeting took place at Abu Dhabis Khalifa Port, and covered initiating partnerships for strategic projects, including the Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR) International Road Transport System and Iraqs Development Road Project, which seeks to connect the GCC Countries and Europe, via Iraq.

Principal trading partner

Al-Saadawi said: The UAE is one of Iraqs principal trading partners, and through this meeting we look forward to deepening the economic ties between the two countries. The Iraqi government has always sought to create ambitious investment opportunities within the transport and logistics sector, to revitalise the economy in Iraq and the broader region. This includes projects such as the Development Road Project, a key link for linking Asia and Europe utilising Iraqs Al-Faw Port, and the TIR system, expected to streamline regional transport and reduce costs."

Dr Al Zeyoudi said: The wise leadership of the UAE devotes great importance to enhanced cooperation with our partners in Iraq, aiming to bolster economic relations between the two countries in the areas of mutual interest. There is no doubt that todays meeting is of critical importance as we continue to explore joint investment opportunities and systems to increase trade volumes between both countries, stimulating economic growth and achieving prosperity and progress for the people of the UAE and Iraq.

The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming the importance of sustained dialogue between the relevant authorities, as well as various sectors, to ensure the expansion of their partnership, in a way that serves the common interests of the two countries and their citizens.

Investment opportunities

In 2021, AD Ports Group had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the General Company for Ports of Iraq (GCPI) to foster greater cooperation within the transportation and maritime domains. This includes conducting feasibility studies on the management and operation of GCPIs ports, economic zones and other infrastructure, while also exploring potential investment opportunities.

Iraq is a key trading partner for the UAE, with bilateral trade volumes reaching AED104 billion ($28.32 billion) in 2023, recording an increase of 13.1% compared to 2022.--TradeArabia News Service
Aerospace manufacturing giant Boeings stock has regained some altitude after the COVID-19 travel industry plummet, but it continues to face significant market turbulence. Regulators from multiple countries and agencies are subjecting the company to unusually close scrutiny, for good reason.

This year alone, one Boeing 737 Max had to make an emergency landing after a plug door came off at 16,000 feet. Terrified passengers flying out of Portland, Oregon, on Alaska Airlines flight 1282 got to know the meaning of explosive decompression up close.

Since that Jan. 5 incident, many other Boeing planes have been plagued by technical problems, emergency landings, missing panels, and malfunctioning parts. A 787 Dreamliner on the way to New Zealand took an unexpected nosedive in mid-March. There was no crash, but 50 passengers reported injuries. Earlier that month, a 737 Max skidded off the runway in Houston.

To make matters worse, John Barnett, a retired Boeing quality control engineer-turned-whistleblower, was found dead in South Carolina. The cause was an apparent self-inflicted gunshot to the head.

Barnett had charged Boeing with gross neglect on a number of fronts, including the installation of emergency oxygen systems with high failure rates. Whether or not that ultimately proves true, his death puts an exclamation point on Boeing criticism in general. The anti-Boeing story is that the company simply doesnt care if it puts out shoddy products.

Boeings progress

Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun is trying to counter that narrative. In a message that accompanied the companys reported quarterly earnings for the previous year at the end of January, Calhoun demurred from addressing the financials.

While we often use this time of year to share or update our financial and operational objectives, now is not the time for that, the Boeing president said in a statement. We will simply focus on every next airplane while doing everything possible to support our customers, follow the lead of our regulator, and ensure the highest standard of safety and quality in all that we do. Ultimately, that is what will drive our performance.

To that end, Boeing has hired retired Navy Adm. Kirkland Donald as a special adviser to Calhoun whose job it is to conduct a thorough assessment of Boeings quality management system for commercial airplanes, including quality programs and practices. In the short term, the company has announced it is conducting regular quality checks to increase the quality of its product.

Many market analysts are of the opinion that Boeing will be able to right itself based on past results. Boeings debt spiked in 2020 from $19.9 billion to $61.8 billion, but the company has successfully whittled away at that every year since, bringing the current debt load down to $47.1 billion.

Boeing stock closed on March 20 at $187.78 a share. That was down year-over-year but only by 8.27% and was nowhere close to the bottom that the stock found on March 20, 2020, at $95.01 a share.

Still, Wall Street is not all sunshine and rainbows when sizing up the hurdles Boeing will have to clear. The ratings service Fitch changed its outlook on Boeing from positive to stable in March based on the expectation that regulatory compliance will slow down Boeings delivery of new jets to airlines.

Can Calhoun deliver?

Several experts in the aerospace and transportation space were consulted to size up Boeings current prospects. The Washington Examiner asked: How much trouble is Boeing in? What can the company do to help right itself? Will European competitor Airbus be able to capitalize on Boeings regulatory and safety stumbles?

Boeings trouble is around production quality, the ability to actually deliver planes and certify new types, and attractiveness to customers (which affects price, and therefore whether it can sell planes at a profit), Gary Leff, author of the influential View from the Wing website, told the Washington Examiner in an email. It is not just one problem but many, and that makes the trouble significant.

Airlines are still willing to place orders for [Boeings] planes (American Airlines, for instance, announced an order earlier this month), but whether or not those deliver on anything like the promised timeline and the prices they need to offer to attract those orders remain an open question, he added.

Leff granted that Airbus is more attractive to many airlines right now but was skeptical that Boeings chief competitor could step up.

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[Airbus] simply do[es] not have enough planes in the pipeline to pick up slack for Boeing, he said. They can demand higher prices and, over time, expand capacity, but that cannot fully displace Boeings production.

William J. McGee, a senior fellow for aviation and travel at the American Economic Liberties Project, was more bullish on Airbuss ability to deliver for airlines.

Airbus already has been capitalizing on Boeings woes, McGee told the Washington Examiner. Traditionally, Airbus was No. 2 behind Boeing, but in recent years and especially in recent months, Airbus has been outselling Boeings airline orders globally.

He suggested, The question is whether this is temporary or a much more permanent trendline. The longer Boeing proves itself incapable of running a safe and efficient operation, the stronger Airbus will continue to grow. This is not lost upon the worlds airlines since some of them clearly are losing faith in Boeing.

McGee is deeply skeptical that Boeings current leadership has what it takes to right the company, going so far as to say that Boeings CEO and the entire board should resign. He believes the company lost its way with a merger with fellow aerospace company McDonnell Douglas in the 1990s by swapping an engineer-driven leadership for MBAs.

The problem is that the lengthy and costly process of designing, building, and flying large commercial and military aircraft is not conducive to short-term earnings, he said. Boeing executives used to understand this, but in recent years, they have compromised quality and even safety by outsourcing critical work, cutting corners, ignoring internal whistleblowers, and covering up crisis after crisis.

McGee foresees serious difficulties with the Federal Aviation Administrations efforts to regulate Boeing.

Simply put, the FAA will need to babysit Boeings operation in a way that it has never babysat any aviation company before, he said. He went so far as to argue, If a viable reorganization plan is not produced in conjunction with the current FAA, NTSB, and DOJ investigations, then nationalizing Boeing should remain an option.

Marc Scribner, transportation policy analyst for the Reason Foundation, suggested maybe the way the FAAs regulations are currently designed is at least one part of the problem.

There seems to be growing agreement that Boeings safety management system (SMS) has not produced the intended results, but also that this may be part of a broader problem with the FAAs approach to SMS implementation, he said. This calls into question the remedies some have proposed, such as SMS mandates, because the proposed remedies may also be defective.

As for who benefits from this mess in the short term, Scribner said, Boeings problems certainly benefit Airbus, the only other jumbo jet manufacturer, but constrained production capacity and the current aircraft order backlog dont allow room for much maneuvering.

Beyond Boeing and Airbus

But what about the long term? The final question the Washington Examiner put to experts was: Are there any competitors other than Airbus that could step up at this point? Their answers gave a glimpse of the possible far-flung future of commercial aviation.

At this point, there arent any other competitors who can step into Boeings shoes, Leff said. Chinas commercial aircraft program is young, and Russias isnt as attractive even apart from sanctions faced. Bombardier and Embraer can manufacture regional jets but dont have comparable aircraft, and the timeline to design and certify a new plane is yearslong.

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McGee agreed, after a fashion. Boeing and Airbus maintain a global duopoly on large commercial aircraft, he said, adding, There are many smaller commercial aircraft manufacturers throughout the world. There also is a nascent commercial aerospace industry growing in China, as well as in Russia.

He predicted, Long term, any or all of these competitors could grow stronger if Boeing continues to falter.
Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX) is stepping down from her role as chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee just hours after the chamber passed the final spending deal for fiscal 2024.

Granger wrote in a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) on Friday that she is requesting that the GOP Steering Committee and Conference select a new appropriations chairperson as soon as possible.

The Texas Republican announced last November that she would not be seeking reelection in 2024. She said in her letter on Friday that she will remain on the appropriations committee for the rest of her time in Congress.

As I reflect on my time in the House of Representatives and more than five years as Ranking Member and now Chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, I realize I have accomplished more than I ever could have imagined, Granger wrote in her letter.

She took note that an election year often results in final appropriations bills not getting enacted until well into the next fiscal year, so she said, It is important that I do everything in my power to ensure a seamless transition for the chairperson in charge of fiscal 2025.

Johnson praised Granger, who is the first Republican woman to chair the Appropriations Committee, in a post to X on Friday afternoon, calling her a trailblazer.

Kay Granger has been a champion for Texas and a faithful public servant for the people of the 12th District for nearly three decades, the speaker said. She has certainly been a loyal friend and encourager to me since I came to Congress.

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Other Republicans congratulated Granger on her years in Congress and in leadership following the announcement that she would be stepping down. Granger, 80, has represented Texass 12th Congressional District since 1997.

It is bittersweet news to learn that my longtime friend and chair, Chairwoman Kay Granger, is stepping down from her role as the Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, Rules Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) said in a statement. Throughout her long and distinguished career on the Committee, she has truly been a trusted leader and friend to my colleagues and me as we have worked to responsibly fund the government year after year.

Cole could be one of a handful of House GOP members considered to replace Granger. Sources told Axios that the Oklahoma congressman is the front-runner to take over the chairmanship.

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Grangers decision to step down comes after she successfully negotiated with her Senate counterparts the final six appropriations bills that were passed in the House on Friday. However, the deal was met with strong opposition from hard-line conservatives, particularly the House Freedom Caucus, who said that the bill was not a piece of Republican legislation.

Ultimately, 112 Republicans voted against the spending bill, so Johnson did not receive a majority of GOP support for the legislation.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) set up a path to vote on a bill to fund the governments remaining agencies Friday, putting in place an alternative plan in case a time agreement is not met ahead of a looming partial government shutdown at midnight.

The action in the Senate comes after the House passed the remainder of its annual appropriations bills on Friday, marking the first step toward avoiding a shutdown, just hours before federal funding is set to lapse. However, theres some uncertainty about whether the Senate will be able to move the legislation ahead of the midnight deadline.

Schumer filed cloture on the bill as a contingency plan if a deal is not reached on possible amendments and final passage Friday night. If opponents of the bill do not relent, the Senate would not be able to speed up the process, and it would mean the upper chamber would not be able to move forward with a vote to break the filibuster until Sunday, more than 24 hours into a partial shutdown.

There is no reason to delay, Schumer said on the Senate floor on Friday after the House vote. "There is no reason to drag out this process. If senators cooperate on a time agreement, if we prioritize working together, just as we did two weeks ago, I am optimistic we can succeed.

But if individual senators resort to partisanship and stonewalling and dithering, those individuals will almost guarantee that we shut down, and the process could drag into Saturday, Sunday, and possibly beyond, he added.

The bill funds the departments of Defense, Labor, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, State, Education, and the legislative branch.

Both Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Susan Collins (R-ME), the chairwoman and vice chairwoman, respectively, of the Senate Appropriations Committee, took a victory lap, praising the bipartisan process in which the deal was negotiated.

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I urge my colleagues in voting for this final FY2024 appropriations package and complete our fundamental job of funding our government, Collins said in a speech on the floor.

Murray emphasized the importance of a speedy vote in an effort to ensure the government does not have a lapse in funding at midnight.

I hope my colleagues will work with me to close the book on FY24, avoid a shutdown, and get this bill passed as soon as possible, Murray said. And then, lets make sure we all learn the hard lessons from the past few months about how we do get things done in divided government.

Some Republicans in the upper chamber have sounded the alarm over earmarks inserted throughout the latest government spending legislation that fund pet projects in lawmakers districts.

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Congress is poised to spend a third more dollars than they receive, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) said Friday. This is essentially equivalent to a family at home making $45,000 dollars but spending $60,000. No American family can do this, but thats what is happening here.

Paul and others who have raised concerns with the price tag of the legislation have not yet indicated whether they will hold up the process.
Former President Donald Trump's new way of dividing fundraising money means the Republican National Committee won't see as much of it as usual.

Under Trump's joint financing agreement, donations are directed to the Trump campaign or the Save America PAC, which helps pay for Trump's legal bills, before the RNC gets a cut of the money.

"No other candidate has used a leadership PAC the way the Trump campaign has," Adav Noti, the executive director of the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center in Washington, told the Associated Press. He said this type of fundraising is unusual and that normally, candidates prioritize raising money that can be directly spent on campaign efforts.

An invitation to a fundraising event obtained by the Associated Press shows that donors' contributions to the Trump 47 Committee are squeezed through several levels of diversion. All funds are first directed to give the maximum amount allowed to Trump's campaign. Once the cap on campaign contributions has been hit, donations will go into Trump's Save America PAC for the federal maximum allowed. Any leftover funds will be given to the RNC.

The Save America PAC is structured as a "leadership PAC," which means it cannot spend funds on Trump's campaign. This year, Save America spent 85% of its funds on Trump's legal expenses, amounting to $8.5 million.

Though legal bills have been prominent in headlines, Save America is not only covering legal expenses, according to the former president's campaign team.

"Save America also covers a very active and robust post-Presidency office and other various expenses not related to fighting the illegal witch-hunts perpetrated by Crooked Joe Biden," Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said.

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Before Trump was a candidate, the RNC was financing some of Trump's legal fees, which former RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said would stop once he became a candidate. Newly appointed Co-Chairwoman Lara Trump said she believed Trump supporters would like to pay for his legal fees.

The current agreement does not direct RNC funds to lawyers but makes sure that when donations are made to the Republican campaign, Save America and the Trump campaign get paid first.

President Joe Biden is crushing Trump in campaign fundraising. Last month, his political operation raised $53 million, bringing its cash on hand to $155 million at the end of February. Meanwhile, Trump's political operation raised $15.9 million in February and ended the month with $37 million on hand.

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"Trump is in dire need of money to pay his legal fees, and he's draining his PAC, and he's spending huge amounts of money out of his campaign committee," said Brett Kappel, a bipartisan campaign finance attorney.

An April 6 campaign event should help Trump's campaign boost funds. Guests are asked to contribute $814,600 per person as a "chairman" contributor, which gives the donor a seat at Trump's table, or $250,000 per person as a "host committee" contributor. Both of these donation options come with an opportunity for a picture with the former president and a copy of Trump's coffee-table book, Our Journey Together.
After dominating the GOP presidential primary and clinching presumptive nominee status, former President Donald Trump's vice presidential pick is the next step on his path to the general election in November.

An announcement of Trump's running mate will likely come in late spring or early summer before the Republican National Convention in mid-July.

Trump's first running mate, former Vice President Mike Pence, won't be on the ticket this time around after challenging Trump during the 2024 cycle. Another 2024 Trump challenger, Vivek Ramaswamy, is reportedly no longer in contention for the vice presidential slot but could be a Cabinet member if Trump is reelected.

But Trump is not without a long list of Republicans vying for the second slot.

Here are the pros and cons of Trump's possible running mates.

Sen. Marco Rubio

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), another one-time rival of Trump in 2016, has emerged as a top contender to join the Trump campaign. At 52, Rubio is 25 years younger than the 77-year-old Trump. He would make history as the first person of color to join a Republican presidential ticket and would appeal to Latino voters as the son of Cuban immigrants.

But federal law prohibits electors from voting for a presidential and vice presidential candidate from the state. Trump and Rubio both reside in Florida, and one of the pair would need to change their state residency if they became running mates.

The former president was a lifelong New Yorker before changing his residency to the Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, which he could once again claim.

Rubio claimed he has not had any conversations with Trump about joining the ticket but will still support the campaign irrespective of who Trump chooses.

"Anybody who gets a chance to serve as vice president of the United States should consider that an honor," Rubio told Glenn Beck. "I have never spoken either to President Trump or anybody on his campaign about this or anybody else that they're considering for vice president."

"What I do know is that, unlike the Democrats, President Trump will have a lot of good options available to him," he continued. "And I'm confident he's going to make the perfect and right choice."

Sen. Tim Scott

Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) emerged relatively unscathed after running unsuccessfully against Trump during the 2024 GOP primary.

The South Carolinian politician has campaigned for Trump as a surrogate, appeared onstage with the former president at rallies, and participated in joint interviews with Trump.

Trump has singled out Scott when asked about running mates in several interviews. The senator has tried to brush off the speculation. Well, one day at a time, Scott told supporters in his home state last month when questioned about joining Trump's ticket.

A Scott selection would make him the first black politician on a Republican presidential ticket after making history as the first black Republican senator from his state.

Scott remains well liked among his Senate colleagues, but it is not clear how many black voters, who overwhelmingly support the Democratic Party, he could persuade to vote for the Trump ticket.

Rep. Byron Donalds

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) has long been a vocal supporter of Trump, willing to go on the airwaves to attack the former president's detractors. Like Rubio, Donalds is young (45 years old), a person of color, and a Floridian. Either he or Trump would need to change residencies to remain on the presidential ticket.

Similarly to Scott, Donalds has appeared at campaign rallies for Trump and championed black voters abandoning the Democratic Party to vote for Trump. But as a Tea Party conservative, his appeal to black Democratic voters is not guaranteed to succeed nor could he appeal to moderate voters.

"President Trump's going to make a decision," Donalds told the Washington Examiner when he appeared at a Black Conservative Federation honors gala in South Carolina last month. "Whatever decision he chooses to make, I'm a support. I just want to win, and so, you know, if it's me or anybody else, the only thing that matters is victory and getting the job done."

Gov. Kristi Noem

Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD) remains a top supporter of Trump, not just stumping for the president but for the candidates he has endorsed this election cycle.

At 52, Noem is primed for a long career in the GOP and would be an asset for Trump as a fierce conservative woman. Trump has lost a sizable share of suburban women while in office, which Noem could help him potentially bring back into the GOP fold.

When the Washington Examiner asked if she could help Trump defeat Biden in November as part of the ticket, Noem said: Oh, I know I could.

But Noem has faced significant pushback recently over peddling business products on social media. The South Dakota governor was sued after she posted an unusual infomercial-style video on X last week. Her office has not disclosed whether she received financial compensation for the posting.

Days later, the governor promoted Fit My Feet, which has several locations in the Mount Rushmore State, for building Noem insoles for her running shoes and cowboy shoes.

The scrutiny may prove off-putting for Trump's campaign.

Rep. Elise Stefanik

House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) is one of the most-rumored of Trump's vice presidential possibilities. She appeared onstage and at campaign rallies for Trump in New Hampshire as he was on track to locking up the nomination.

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At one New Hampshire rally in February where Trump made it blatantly clear he would not select former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley as his running mate, Stefanik said she would be honored to be Trumps running mate. (Haley has repeatedly said she wasn't running to become Trump's running mate.)

President Trump is a friend. Ive been proud to be the strongest supporter and the first member of Congress to endorse him," Stefanik said during a press gaggle back then. "Id be honored to serve within the future Trump administration.

Trump was reportedly impressed with the New York congresswoman's grilling of three university presidents for campus antisemitism, with two of the leaders later resigning.

Stefanik's top weakness may be criticisms that she is not experienced enough to become Trump's running mate at 39 years old.

Gov. Ron DeSantis

Once considered the top candidate to defeat Trump, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) exited the race after losing the Iowa caucuses.

Although he has endorsed Trump for president, DeSantis has not appeared onstage with the former president, a sign that lingering tensions may remain between the two foes.

DeSantis remains a principled conservative who ran on enacting top priorities for evangelicals, including signing a six-week abortion ban and opposing race, gender, and sexuality teachings in public schools.

But it's unclear whether DeSantis would join the ticket after repeatedly stating he would reject a vice presidential offer while he was running for president.

"I can tell you under any circumstance I will not accept that because thats not why Im running," DeSantis said during a campaign stop in New Hampshire. "Im running for the nomination and to be president.  Id rather be governor than vice president, no question.

Tulsi Gabbard

Former Hawaii Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard isn't an actual Republican. She served as a vice chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee from 2013 to 2016 and ran for president as a Democrat in 2020.

But she has made overtures to appeal to Republicans after leaving Congress and renouncing her status as a Democrat. She spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February, has appeared on Fox News, and has increasingly attacked the Democratic Party.

Her anti-establishment credentials could help Trump, but her history as a former Democrat is likely to turn away Republicans who may not trust her credibility.

Kari Lake

Arizona Republican Kari Lake is running for the Senate seat vacated by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), but that doesn't mean she wouldn't take up a vice presidential offer.

Lake is an outspoken supporter of Trump who frequently urged his primary rivals to drop out of the race. Trump endorsed Lake during her unsuccessful gubernatorial race in 2022, which she has not conceded she lost.

Her bombastic attitude and refusal to accept President Joe Biden won the 2020 election may endear her to Trump, but it's unlikely to play well with moderates and independents who will decide the race.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) has made a name for herself in Congress for her news-grabbing spats with Democratic members. But as a pugnacious congresswoman from the critical battleground state of Georgia, she could prove useful to the Trump campaign.

Trump lost the Peach State to Biden in 2020 and then helped cost Republicans two Senate seats in 2020. A native such as Greene could help him solidify Georgia in November.

In August, Greene made waves by suggesting she could either run for a Senate seat in Georgia or accept a vice presidential offer.

I havent made up my mind whether I will do that or not. I have a lot of things to think about, she told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Am I going to be a part of President Trumps Cabinet if he wins? Is it possible that Ill be VP?

Greenes antics in Congress may please her constituents in Georgias 14th Congressional District, but it could backfire with centrists and suburban women voters who are voting more Democratic in recent elections.

Ben Carson

Ben Carson served as Trump's housing and urban development secretary during the 2016 administration. Now, he's the only one of Trump's former Cabinet members who could become his running mate.

Carson endorsed Trump's 2024 bid, unlike Pence or Haley. At this year's CPAC, he told the Washington Examiner that Trump is being politically persecuted due to his 91 criminal indictments across four cases.

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Carson also said he hadn't put much thought into joining Trump's ticket again, but he said he'd "consider what we can do to save our country.

The retired neurosurgeon is a low-key politician who may not appeal to GOP voters who want a pit bull fighter to defend Trump against Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Woodland Park joined several Pikes Peak area governments in declaring its status as a non-sanctuary city.

In recent weeks, Green Mountain Falls, Monument, Palmer Lake, Colorado Springs and El Paso County have all passed similar resolutions.

While the resolution does not have the power of law and is primarily a political statement, it is a powerful one.

It called upon President Joe Biden "to take immediate and effective action to secure the border and enforce immigration laws." Woodland Park remains supportive of legal immigration and immigrants who entered the country legally.

The resolution was harsh in its criticism of sanctuary cities' refusal to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

As of early March, Denver, which is a sanctuary city, had seen nearly 40,000 new immigrant arrivals in the past 14 months, according to previous reporting by The Denver Gazette.

Generally speaking, a sanctuary city is a designation given to municipalities and counties that establish policies to discourage local law enforcement from reporting an individuals immigration status to federal authorities.

Below is the full text of the resolution:

CITY OF WOODLAND PARK, COLORADO RESOLUTION NO. 920, SERIES 2024 A RESOLUTION REGARDING MIGRANT RESPONSE AND DECLARING STATUS AS A NON-SANCTUARY CITY

WHEREAS, the City of Woodland Park (City) is a home rule municipality duly organized and existing under Article XX of the Colorado Constitution and the Citys Home Rule Charter approved by the electors in 1977 (Charter); and

WHEREAS, a Sanctuary City is a jurisdiction that limits cooperation with federal immigration authorities, limits or fails to provide information about immigration status and limits the length of immigration detainers; and

WHEREAS, the City believes in and is committed to securing the border, enforcing immigration laws to protect the community, and upholding the laws of the State of Colorado and the principles of the United States Constitution; and

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WHEREAS, the citizens of the City have expressed concern over the transport of migrants entering the country illegally into the Citys jurisdictional limits, which may compromise the safety, well-being, and resources of City residents.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WOODLAND PARK, COLORADO THAT:

Section 1. Incorporation. The recitals set forth above are incorporated and resolved as if set forth in this section in full.

Section 2. Statements Regarding Migrant Response. The City hereby makes the following statements regarding migrant response:

(i) The transport of migrants entering the country illegally into the City may compromise the safety, well-being, and resources of its residents; and

(ii) The City calls upon the President of the United States to take immediate and effective action to secure the border and enforce immigration laws to address the concerns of the community; and

(iii) The City recognizes the importance of legal immigration and welcomes individuals to apply through the legal process; and

(iv) The City encourages open dialogue and collaboration with state and federal authorities to address immigration concerns and work towards solutions that align with the wellbeing and safety of the community; and

(v) The City urges its residents to support and uphold the principles of legal immigration, respecting the laws and processes in place; and

(vi) The City hereby declares itself a non-sanctuary City. Section 3. Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective and be in full force and effect immediately upon approval.

PASSED AND RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Woodland Park, Teller County, Colorado, this 21st day of March, 2024. WOODLAND PARK, COLORADO Attest: By: Hilary LaBarre, Mayor
A male wolverine is seen on a hill in the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest of western Montana in 2021.
Jimmy Sengenberger is an investigative journalist, public speaker, and longtime local talk-radio host. Reach Jimmy online at Jimmysengenberger.com or on X (formerly Twitter) @SengCenter.
The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) said it is supporting leading Arabic mobile games publisher Tamatem Games in relocating its headquarters to Abu Dhabi, fuelling its next growth phase and reinforcing the emirates gaming ecosystem.

Abu Dhabis gaming landscape has over 70 content-creating companies, and ADIO aims to support this ecosystem through strategic collaborations in line with Abu Dhabis focus on innovation and technology.

ADIO recently collaborated with Ubisoft, one of the worlds largest video gaming companies which develops, publishes and distributes games for consoles, PCs and mobile.

ADIO is providing growth-enabling support including setup enablement, connections to the Abu Dhabi ecosystem and international trade opportunities.

Badr Al-Olama, Director General of ADIO, said: "With an enabling environment, world-class ICT infrastructure and a vast pool of skilled talent, Abu Dhabi is becoming a global destination for the brightest minds in technology and design in the wider region.

This is evident, especially in sectors such as gaming, in which Abu Dhabi is steadily building an epicentre for developers, publishers and the industrys top talent. Our collaboration with global leaders in the sector adds further depth to this growing and exciting ecosystem, and it also enables us to nurture the growth of Arabic content games from Abu Dhabi.

Tamatem Games specialises in bringing culturally relevant and localised games to the Arabic language gaming community, with a diverse portfolio of over 50 games and 150 million downloads. Through its collaboration with ADIO, the company is looking to establish its centre of excellence in the emirate.

It will join a growing ecosystem that is steadily working towards establishing itself as a regional e-gaming centre, and, to date, is the largest community of gaming companies in the region. The company will employ over 40 gaming specialists in Abu Dhabi and will collaborate closely with local universities on internship and training opportunities.

Hussam Hammo, CEO of Tamatem Games, said: We are thrilled to choose Abu Dhabi as our strategic partner for growth and innovation. This expansion marks an exciting phase for Tamatem Games as we extend our reach and elevate our games to new horizons. With Abu Dhabi's dynamic ecosystem and commitment to nurturing talent, we are confident in our ability to make a lasting impact on the global gaming landscape."

MENA gaming revenues are projected to hit $6 billion by 2027. The UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypts combined gaming markets are expected to reach more than $3 billion in revenues by 2025.  TradeArabia News Service
A North Iowa man was arrested Monday night after police say he threatened someone with two knives at Applebees Bar and Grill in Mason City.
DES MOINES  Proposed legislation that would have banned citizen police review boards in Iowa will not become law this year, a key state lawmaker said Thursday at the Iowa Capitol.

The proposed ban on the boards, previously passed by the Iowa Senate with bipartisan support, will not advance any further in the Iowa House, said state Rep. Jon Dunwell, a Republican from Newton.

Dunwell, who managed the bill in its early legislative steps in the Iowa House, said there are many unanswered questions about the bill and its potential impact, and the proposal needs more work.

Because of that, he said, the bill will not advance any further this year.

With everything on our agenda, we felt it was a better time to wait, do some more work, make sure we fully understand everything thats in the bill before we move forward, Dunwell said.

Under the proposal, all citizen police review boards would have been banned in Iowa. Currently, five cities  Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Coralville, University Heights and Dubuque  have the boards.

The city of Cedar Rapids did not formally register in support of or opposed to the bill, despite requests from advocates for the city to oppose it. The city instead remaining undecided, according to state lobbying records. Mayor Tiffany ODonnell eventually told The Gazette that she favors keeping Cedar Rapids board in place.

I think it has worked really well in Cedar Rapids, ODonnell said. I do believe it is a best practice.

The bill, Senate File 2325, also would have made changes to city civil service commissions that oversee the testing, hiring, promotion and discipline for police officers, firefighters and other civil service positions.

Rep. Sami Scheetz, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, described the bills death as a double-edged sword because while he did not want the proposed ban on citizen police review boards, he did like the bills provisions on civil service commissions.

I think its very good that places like Cedar Rapids that have had citizen review boards that have built community trust, have built stronger bonds between our community and the police force, I think thats critically important for cities across the state of Iowa to be able to have the ability to institute those boards, Scheetz said.

At the same time, obviously anytime theres legislation to protect public sector workers, as a union member and as somebody who works for a public sector union, I think that would have been very good for Iowans to have, Scheetz said, referring to the civil service provisions.

The bill as originally written only contained the civil service provisions. The proposed ban on police review boards was added later, during floor debate in the Senate.

During that debate, Sen. Scott Webster, a Republican from Bettendorf, criticized past discussions about policing policy by Iowa Citys Community Police Review Board.

Webster also asserted citizen review boards give no due process to a police officer at all, even though the Iowa City board, according to that citys code, has only limited civil, administrative review powers.

Dunwell did not rule out further consideration of the bill during next years legislative session. The makeup of the Iowa Legislature will change to some degree with this falls statewide elections.

Its an important topic for all those who have an interest in the conversation, Dunwell said. Whether youre someone whos concerned about police officers, or fire persons, or someone whos got some concerns from the community, its important for all. So we want to make sure we do it right.

The top reasons teachers give for leaving their jobs The top reasons teachers give for leaving their jobs Where are America's teachers going?
CHATHAM  Hundreds of students from 28 different schools converged on the Old Dominion Agriculture Complex for the seventh annual South Ridge Area Rally on Wednesday.

The event not only served as a bridge to the Virginia FFA Convention, but also the next step in a career ladder for the middle and high school students.

There are 28 different classes under the broad umbrella of agriculture approved by the Virginia Department of Education, according to Andy Seibel, who coordinates the rallies and youth events across the student.

All of these contests are based on the curriculum thats being taught in one of those 28 different classes, Seibel, who works at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, told the Register & Bee in an interview Wednesday. Its geared specifically to test the knowledge that they should have gained in that class.

South Ridge Area is made up of students in the counties of Alleghany, Bedford, Botetourt, Campbell, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, Pittsylvania and Roanoke.

Locally, students from Grenta, Chatham and Tunstall high schools along with Chatham and Tunstall middle schools ventured out to the complex Wednesday.

The regional aspect started as a way to make the competition flow better for students. Before, it was hosted at multiple school divisions, often starting after school and stretching well into the evening. Now all divisions come together in one spot.

Attendance was down this year to about 300, half of the 2023 show. The shift is blamed on a Virginia Standard of Learnings testing schedule that wasnt released until a few weeks ago, Jessica Jones, an ag teacher at Tunstall High School and also the South Ridge Area superintendent, told the Register & Bee.

The rally was planned nearly a year in advance since many moving parts are required to fall into place for the fast-paced day of activities.

We are all trying to help that student grow into a productive citizen in society, Jones told the newspaper. It takes every aspect of what we are doing, from high-quality instruction, to ensure that will happen.

One component is the event such as the one Wednesday.

When they leave what we are doing in our programs, they are literally career ready, Jones stressed. They also are college ready.

In what started as just 16 events is now up to about 30, Seibel said.

Overall, numbers are increasing. There are nearly 230 programs in the state with 42,000 students enrolled.

The regional competition comes after local ones. Eventually, about two dozen teams will move to the national show.

More than testing

It goes beyond just testing knowledge.

The nice thing is, the kid that wins the state in small engines is going to get recruited and be offered scholarships to some of the technical institutes, Seibel said, who also is the executive secretary of the Virginia FFA. Because, if you have a kid that has an aptitude and knows how to fix tractors or knows how to fix engines, then it makes sense to get them to come to a two-year program and continue that career pathway.These events are part of the National FFA Organization, a group that in years past was called Future Farmers of America. Its morphed into using just the acronym. Thats because jobs involved far more than farming. FFA aims to train its members for careers  and leadership  the the science, business and technology of agriculture, according to its website.

Breaking the stigma of farming can be a tough barrier to overcome, Jones acknowledged.

I dont know how you convey to people that were not dumb, she said in a matter-of-fact manner. At a minimum, there are about 300 potential careers involved.

For example, with the fast evolution of technology, a tractor is no longer just a simple farm machine. Some units cost upward of $2 million and are so sophisticated they can be programed via a mammoth computer screen.

What we are teaching is correlated back to every standard of learning thats out there, she said.

Its change so much, Seibel explained of the farming industry in general. A lot of production has moved inside with some crops able to grow throughout the year instead of a schedule put in place by Mother Nature.

Its ever-changing, he said.

Following a brief introduction Wednesday, students were led to their individual areas for testing.

One conference room was used for hippology students or those taking an equine class. With chairs situated in a U-shape pattern around a main screen, questions were presented with multiple-choice answers. Using a specialized sheet, students had to pick the correct answers.

They have to be able to identify the different types of feed, the equipment, the management decisions that somebody who owned a horse will make and they will do actual judging and placing of animals, Seibel said.

Over near the arena part of the complex, children were tested on small engines.

This is to basically test are they ready to be an entry-level position at a small-engine repair shop, he said.

Different engines  all bugged with two or three issues  were placed on various tables. The task for students was to diagnose in the same matter that a customer may bring an engine into a shop thats not running right.

The kids have to find those problems, he explained.

Its the same thing over in an area devoted to tractor troubleshooting. Each apparatus had certain bugs in it the students had to pinpoint.

They have to find those bugs and repair them, Seibel said, likening it to what would happen when a farmer calls with a problem.

In another room, students were tested on veterinary science.

In yet another spot of the sprawling complex, different plants were stationed on tables. With tests in hands, students walked by each one, carefully observing to identify the flowers.

In another test, they had to make an arrangement, just like they would in a commercial setting.

Say if a bride wanted to pay $50 for an arrangement and a store decided it needed to be built for $35 to ensure a profit. Students had to select the flowers and design a project based on those specifications.

Its so cool to be able to see young people engaged in something positive that helps to benefit them personally as well as professionally, Jones said when asked what aspect she enjoys the most.

Support system

She also loves the humble nature of the students. While it is a competition, its also a support system and bonding time for the children who share the same dreams for career paths.

With anything, I think its a personal goal to want to grow at hone your skill sets to know how you can improve, she said. As they go through different content and material, they are growing that knowledge, but they are honing those skills against their peers, Jones explained. So its almost a driver of competition.

Yet, the bragging attitude eludes these kinds of events, instead replaced with camaraderie.

Its awesome, Jones said of how authentic the students are competing against one another.

For Seibel, who started teaching in 1986, its those moments that keep him going.

Just to see the excitement in the young people to try to keep the ag industry vibrant in the state of Virginia, he told the newspaper. We are the largest industry in the state and we need to have people that are interested in coming into the industry.

Photos: South Ridge Area Rally
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JERUSALEM  A 12-year-old boy in east Jerusalem lights the fuse of a long firework and hoists it in the air. Then, just before it explodes and illuminates the night sky with a burst of red, Israeli police shoot him in the chest and he falls dead to the ground.

A clip of Rami Halhouli's final moments last week has been circulating on social media for days. Human rights activists say it shines a light on the surge of Palestinians  including dozens of children  who Israeli forces killed without justification since Oct. 7.

Halhouli's family says the boy was struck by a bullet fired from the direction of an Israeli police watchtower looking over the Shuafat refugee camp. Halhouli, his brother and four friends, the family says, were lighting fireworks to celebrate the end of another day of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month marked by dawn-to-dusk fasting.

Israeli police say the officer who fired the shot acted appropriately, citing regulations that permit shooting someone who is aiming a firework at another person in a life-threatening way. The Israeli government says the shooting is under investigation.

Ali Halhouli, the boy's father, was at home when he heard the gunshot  and then his son crying out for his mother. "When I rushed out of here I saw him lying on his face," he said.

Violence across east Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank has spiked since Oct. 7, when Hamas militants staged a surprise attack on southern Israel and sparked a brutal war in the Gaza Strip.

Israelis killed at least 435 Palestinians from east Jerusalem and the West Bank since then, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Many have been shot dead in armed clashes, others for throwing stones at troops. Some appear to have posed no apparent threat.

About 100 of these 435 fatalities have been children under 18, according to the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem. In 60 of these cases, the group say there seems to have been no justification for the use of lethal force. These include cases where teens or younger children were hurling rocks or participating in protests.

"It's clear there is a trigger-happy attitude among Israeli soldiers and border-police officers, and it affects Palestinian children too," said Sarit Michaeli, a B'Tselem spokeswoman.

"Regarding the specific case in Shuafat refugee camp," she said, " a young child was not posing any threat to a heavily armed border police officer."

Halhouli, the youngest of seven siblings, was shot at around 8 p.m. last Tuesday outside his home on a garbage-strewn alleyway, his father said. He was about 200 feet from the Israeli police watchtower; video of the incident shows Halhouli pointing the firework in the rough direction of the watchtower, but not directly at it.

The police acknowledged the fatal shooting that evening, saying its forces shot after fireworks were launched at the watchtower. Throughout the night last Monday and Tuesday, Palestinian protesters from the camp threw Molotov cocktails and launched fireworks at Israeli forces, police claimed.

Standing at the spot where the shooting took place, Ibrahim Halhouli, a 16-year-old relative of the slain boy, said they now all steer clear of the alleyway.

"We are scared," he said, looking up at the watchtower.

Shuafat, home to some 60,000 Palestinians, has long been a flashpoint.

It is a poor, densely packed neighborhood that lacks municipal services despite falling within Jerusalem's city borders. It is the only Palestinian refugee camp in Jerusalem, and a number of militants involved in attacks on Israelis have come from the area.

It is segmented from the rest of Jerusalem by a heavily manned checkpoint and Israeli forces regularly raid the camp to arrest suspected militants.

After the shooting, Ali Halhouli said his other sons took the body to a medical center in Shuafat where staff pronounced him dead. In desperation, the family found an ambulance to transport him to Hadassah hospital, one of Israel's largest medical facilities, where doctors said the bullet had struck his heart.

"The boy is dead, you brought him dead," Ali Halhouli said, recounting one of the doctor's words. Soon after, a police officer arrived at the ward and said they needed to transfer the body to an Israeli forensic institute for an autopsy.

Ali Halhouli, 61, said he was left in limbo for days, contacted three times by different police officers, each of whom told him his son's corpse would soon be returned.

On one occasion he was told he must keep the funeral to fewer than 40 people or face a fine. Funerals of slain Palestinians often escalate into protests. The body was eventually handed back to the family overnight Sunday and buried the next morning, he said.

On-duty police officers and soldiers are rarely prosecuted for killing Palestinians. According to Israeli legal rights group Yesh Din, a police officer was last charged of murder in 2021 after shooting dead an unarmed autistic Palestinian in Jerusalem's Old City. The officer was later acquitted in 2023, it said.
HIGH POINT  A fourth defendant charged in connection with a 2019 High Point homicide was found guilty in Guilford County Superior Court and sentenced to life in prison on Monday, according WGHP/Fox8, the newsgathering partner of the News & Record.

Three other people, all from High Point, have been convicted in connection with the crime, according to the DA's office. They include: JMarius Howze, 28, who was found guilty of first-degree murder in December 2023 and sentenced to life in prison; Iyanna Brown, 31, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on Feb. 23 and was sentenced to 20 to 25 years; and Carrie Graves, 32, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on Feb. 23, but has not yet been sentenced, according to Fox8.
Broadwater Elementary School hosted a disabilities advocate on Thursday who spoke to a second grade class about the importance of understanding disabilities during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

Theresa Gardner, 49, spoke to Gabe Furshong's class, where students prepared questions and had an opportunity to learn about disabilities.

Gardner was diagnosed with Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy at 15 months old and said she has never let he disability define her.

Growing up, she faced bullying from other students in her classes, but did not let it get to her and understood that she was born that way.

This is for people to be aware and learn about disabilities, Furshong said to the class.

In 1977, Furshong's father taught Gardner in preschool at 3 years old in 1977. She graduated from Helena High School in 1994.

During the discussion, she said she was grateful to speak to the class and the others she has advocated in over the years. Since she was little she said she always wanted to help people with disabilities, while informing others in the community about the issue.

Gardner received her first wheelchair at 3 years old and got a power chair at 8, which she loved to go fast in.

She said her current chair hits a top speed of 6 1/2 mph on pavement, but her wheelchair was always seen as a part of her body.

The first time she had a power chair she ran the battery down to zero because she was excited she did not have to ask others for help to push her around.

When she was in school her teachers would tell their students to not touch the chair unless they were invited to.

In first grade, her teacher set up a program where students would help Gardner get around to wherever she needed to be in the school. Before her schools had elevators some of her teachers would carry her up and down the stairs making sure she made it to class and activities.

She told the students in the class at Broadwater that it is OK to ask why someone is in a wheelchair because in her opinion that is better than assuming and not understanding.

Gardner emphasized that it is always OK to make friends with other kids who have a disability and they should never be afraid to say hello.

"Just because someone has a disability does not mean you have to shy away ... it's not contagious," Gardner said.

She has worked at Ability Montana for 28 years, answering phones and helping other people with disabilities find the resources they need to live their lives the best they can.

She speaks at the state Legislature as an advocate for programs that support people with disabilities like Medicaid, because without that she could not get the help she needs to live her life like many others, she said.

About 40 students shot their hands in the air to ask questions and one student asked, "How does it feel to be in the chair?"

Gardner said sometimes she feels imprisoned in her body because she can't do things she would like to do. But her mother told her growing up to never say she can't do something unless she has tried it before.

Students asked "How do you drive, how did you play and can you go in the water?"

Gardner answered all of the students' questions and told them she was getting a new wheelchair on Friday when they asked more about how the chair worked.

Gardner and the class finished with the class's version of a thank you with a "narwhal handshake" as they all exited for recess.

Her visit coincided with Gov. Greg Gianforte's signing of a proclamation on March 19 declaring March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

"Disability is a natural part of the human experience that does not diminish the rights or potential of individuals with developmental disabilities to live independently and to fully participate in and contribute to their communities," the governor stated in a proclamation.
A federal court in Montana entered a $9.9 million penalty against a man found responsible for causing thousands of unlawful and malicious spoofed robocalls to consumers nationwide, authorities said Friday.

Judge Dana L. Christensen in Missoula also imposed an injunction Tuesday against Scott Rhodes prohibiting any future violations of the Truth in Caller ID Act and Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release.

Rhodes, who in 2021 was reported to be living in Libby, Montana, was listed with the court as now living in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. His telephone number listed with the court documents was not working Friday. Efforts to immediately reach him for comment were unsuccessful.

He represented himself in court, according to federal documents.

The case against Rhodes grew out of a Federal Communications Commission investigation into unlawful robocalls received by people in states, including Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa and Virginia. Newsweek reported he had made more than 5,000 robocalls.

The calls displayed inaccurate caller IDs indicating they were from local phone numbers, inducing the recipients to answer the calls and listen to the recorded messages. Those messages included highly inflammatory and disturbing content, often directed at certain communities, that intended to offend or harm the recipients, authorities said.

For example, hundreds of the spoofed robocalls targeted residents of the Brooklyn, Iowa, area in the aftermath of a local womans murder, authorities said.

More than 2,000 of the robocalls targeted residents of Charlottesville, Virginia, during the investigation and prosecution of James Alex Fields Jr. for killing one woman and injuring dozens during the Unite the Right rally in 2017.

Many people called submitted complaints to FCC and other law enforcement.

FCC traced the robocalls to Rhodes and in January 2021, FCC imposed a $9,918,000 forfeiture penalty against him, officials said.

Later that year, the Justice Department sued Rhodes in the District of Montana to recover that penalty and obtain an injunction.

In October 2023, the United States moved for summary judgment, and the court subsequently entered an injunction and the full $9,918,000 forfeiture penalty against Rhodes.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton, head of the Justice Departments Civil Division, said they were pleased by the courts judgment.

U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich for the District of Montana said Friday most Montanans have been the subject of robocalls and the person responsible usually escapes accountability.

But not this time," he said in a news release. "In placing thousands of harassing and malicious spoofing calls to consumers across the country, Rhodes showed a blatant disregard to caller ID and telephone consumer protection laws designed to prevent this sort of conduct."

Assistant Director Patrick Runkle, Trial Attorney Michael Wadden, Trial Attorney Amanda Kelly, Investigator Giovan Aloisio and Senior Deputy Director Lisa Hsiao of the Civil Divisions Consumer Protection Branch handled the case with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon Clarke.
In the race to be the states next governor, incumbent Republican Greg Gianforte holds a significant financial advantage over both his primary challenger and the Democrat hes expected to run against in the fall.

Candidates up and down the ballot for statewide and legislative races filed their quarterly campaign finance reports Wednesday, showing how much they raised and spent. Early figures show some candidates mounting significant fundraising efforts and spending, while others are just getting started.

At the top of the ballot for the five elected statewide offices, Gianforte raised more than $1.24 million in the first quarter of the year, the only fundraising period since he announced his candidacy in mid-January. His campaign has spent $89,666, leaving him with nearly $1.16 million left in the bank.

Roughly 92% of Gianforte and running mate Kristen Juras' contributions came from Montana donors.

"With Gov. Gianfortes pro-family, pro-jobs, pro-business policies and his strong record of protecting our Montana way of life, Montanans are overwhelmingly supporting Gov. Gianfortes reelection, providing him with record support in only 60 days," Gianforte campaign manager Jake Eaton said in an emailed press release last week.

The most prominent Democrat challenging Gianforte is Ryan Busse. He and running mate Raph Graybill reported raising $417,536 over the first quarter of the year. Busse spent significantly more than Gianforte, as expected of a political newcomer challenging an incumbent, at $280,774. Over the campaign to date, Busse has put in about $9,900 of his own cash, mostly to pay for campaign travel and attending events.

Busses campaign ended this quarter with $327,447 in the bank. About 85% of his contributions over the quarter came from Montana, according to records posted with the Commissioner of Political Practices.

Going back to September of last year, Busse has raised $870,541 and spent $543,094.

In a press release this week, Busses campaign said it had raised more in the first quarter of this year than "any non-incumbent challenger running for Montana governor during the same period in previous election years." That includes Gianforte in the first quarter of 2020, at $388,890.

"Ryan and Raph will never be able to self-fund a campaign like unpopular billionaire Greg Gianforte does," said Busse for Montana campaign manager Aaron Murphy in an emailed press release. "But we've got something Gianforte's millions will never buy: a movement that includes Republicans, Independents and Democrats ... "

Gianforte reported spending $40,714 of his own money this cycle, a significant difference from his 2020 bid when he spent more than $4 million of his own personal wealth on the race. Most of Gianfortes own spending was on travel in his private jet. An attachment to his finance report noted some of his trips also "included ... official stops with Comms team" followed by evening campaign fundraisers. In 2016 when then-Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock ran against Gianforte he had to reimburse the state more than $2,500 for using the state-owned plane when he combined work and campaign trips.

Gianforte's primary challenger Tanner Smith, who is running with Public Service Commissioner Randy Pinocci, reported raising $60,565 this quarter and spending $44,432, leaving $18,882 in the bank.

So far Smith has reported spending $129,474 of his own money on the campaign, making up the majority of the $149,037 he has brought in since announcing his bid last year. Hes spent $130,154 so far.

Democrat Jim Hunt reported spending $1,248 of his own money in the first quarter on the filing fee to run for office. Libertarian Kaiser Leib reported spending $1,251 of his own money to file for the race and buy a website domain.

Office of Public Instruction

With Elsie Arntzen terming out of her role as superintendent, the race to become Montanas top education official has no incumbent.

Shannon OBrien, the lone Democrat, led the race in spending this quarter at $62,758.

OBriens campaign paid over $14,000 in consultant fees to fundraising professional Alex Strasheim, social media consultant Silas Teasdale and a compliance firm, all based in Missoula.

She also invested nearly $11,000 in texting outreach services.

Two committees contributed to the OBrien campaign. She received $750 from the Teton County Democratic Committee based in Choteau and $790 from the Billings Education Association PAC.

Of the $56,905 raised this quarter, $4,531 came from individual contributions under $50. OBrien collected donations from at least 675 individual contributors, including former OPI Superintendent Denise Juneau.

Susie Hedalen is leading the Republican primary in fundraising. Her campaign spent $18,980 this quarter and raised $41,680.

Hedalen received 166 individual donations, including contributions from Susan Gianforte, the governors wife; fellow Board of Public Education members Tim Tharp, Renee Rasmussen and Ron Slinger; and Sarah Swanson, the Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry.

Other notable donors include three members of the Kenneally family, which owns the Town Pump gas station franchise.

Hedalen, the current Townsend School District superintendent, spent $90 on email campaign services provided by MailChimp and employed a Billings-based political organization to canvass the state with electronic campaign messages. She spent nearly $7,000 on a range of consulting services including bookkeeping and fundraising.

As it stands, Hedalen has $31,459 in the bank. OBrien has $28,937.

Sharyl Allen, a Republican based in Helena, raised $1,290 this quarter from five individual donors, only one of whom reported living in Montana.

Allen spent $214 on printing campaign posters.

She ends the quarter with $2,661 in the bank.

Secretary of State

The secretary of state is the chief elections officer in the state and oversees Montanas business administration sector. While the secretary of state has not historically been a closely watched race, the office was thrust into the spotlight in states across the country after false claims of election fraud during the 2020 presidential election gave the office renewed importance.

Republican Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen is running for a second term. She officially entered the race on the first day of November and has since raised just over $153,000. Roughly 80% of that money cant be spent until after the primary election, but Jacobsen does not have a primary challenger.

In the first quarter of 2024 alone, the Jacobsen campaign raised over $45,000, and all but $2,580 is allocated for the general election contest. Less than $100 came in the form of small or unitemized donations (donations below $50).

Of that total raised this past quarter, only about $2,600 came from out of state with Utah residents leading the pack giving $1,580. Within Montana, Billings-based donors gave the most at $9,310, followed by Helena and Bozeman. Notably, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy donated $500 of his own money while the Rep. Ryan Zinke campaign gave $790.

Over the course of the campaign, the Jacobsen campaign has spent nearly $20,000, with about 45% of that being spent this past quarter. The most money went towards Rory McShane, a political strategist that advises candidates across the country  he has so far been paid $13,300 by the campaign.

Going into the second quarter, the Jacobsen campaign has $10,368 available to spend before June 4 and at least $123,000 to spend after that date.

Jacobsen has a challenger in the general election contest, Deer Lodge-based Democrat Jesse Mullen.

So far, Mullen is running a frugal campaign: in the last quarter, Mullen raised $14,327 and spent only $780. The Democrat currently has $35,711 in the bank and since early August; the Mullen campaign has raised nearly $38,000.

Over the course of the campaign he has spent $2,268, mostly on administrative campaign tasks like printing materials and photos.

Mullen has netted donations from a number of prominent Democrats like Senate Minority Leader Pat Flowers, D-Belgrade, and former Gov. Brian Schweitzer, who donated $200 and $310 respectively to the primary and general. The Teton County Democratic Party also gave $750.

The large majority of Mullens donations from the first quarter of 2024 came from donors who listed Montana addresses. Missoula-based donors gave $2,695, followed by Bozeman residents who donated $2,035 and Helena, which garnered $887 for Mullens campaign. Outside of the state, California donors contributed at least $742 followed by Washington donors who gave at least $164.

There will be a third candidate in Novembers general election: Libertarian John Lamb.

According to his campaign finance reports, Lamb has raised and spent $500, meaning he has $0 in his campaign coffers.

The $500 came in a single contribution from the Montana Libertarian Party and he spent that amount to reimburse himself for the $1,041 campaign filing fee candidates must pay when running for office.

Lamb previously ran for a southwestern Montana state Senate district where he raised a few hundred dollars as well as the states western congressional district in 2022, in which he did not file federal campaign finance reports.

Attorney General

Republican Attorney General Austin Knudsen raised nearly $120,000 since the turn of the new year, clocking $283,000 since he began fundraising for re-election in November.

Thats compared to a $166,010 fundraising haul for Democrat challenger Ben Alke, of Bozeman, who had a three-month head start in the contest. Alke raised $38,060 in the latest period filed this week with the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices.

Knudsens fundraising includes $50,000 from the Montana Republican Party, the only candidate to get the state GOPs financial backing so far this cycle.

His spending so far has reached $144,714. Of the $79,387 spent in the last reporting period, more than $43,560 went to TV ads that began airing in January. Additional major spending in recent months has gone to political consultants and polling in March and early January.

Knudsen ended the fundraising period with $138,287 cash in hand.

Alkes fundraising figures have slowed since his first sprint out of the gate brought in $95,520.

In the latest reporting period, from Jan. 1 to March 15, that brought in $38,060, Alkes campaign spent $67,056 in that same time. Over $41,000 went toward reservations with billboard company Lamar "for the duration of the campaign."

Neither candidate is relying on out-of-state contributions in a meaningful way, with 17 such contributions between them in the latest reporting period.

Daniels County Attorney Logan Olson joined the race as Republican just under the filing deadline and reported no money raised so far.

Auditor

Republican James Brown reported raising $30,007, with $7,885 of that coming from his own pocket. Primary challenger John Jay Willoughby, who filed for office just before the deadline closed, did not report any spending or fundraising.

Democrat John Repke, who announced his bid for office shortly before the filing deadline in early March, reported only spending $1,039 of his own money to file to get his name on the ballot.

Supreme Court Chief Justice

Two candidates vying to replace Chief Justice Mike McGrath in a nonpartisan race are starting to see some parity in their fundraising figures.

Former federal magistrate Jerry Lynch has brought in $219,785 since he began fundraising last June. Broadwater County Attorney Cory Swansons campaign got underway several months later; hes reported a total $67,923 in contributions through the latest fundraising period.

Swanson, after a slow start, has gained momentum. From Jan. 1 through March 15 he reported raising $72,790 to Lynchs $46,396.

Lynch spent $67,506, more than he raised that period, but still has almost $110,000 cash on hand heading into the coming months. Most of that was a single expense of reserving billboard space through the remainder of the campaign for $43,877.

Swanson spent $19,212 last period, the biggest expenditure going to a Salt Lake City communications company for mailers. His campaign has $67,922 on hand after expenses this cycle.

The Supreme Court election in 2022 in which Justice Ingrid Gustafson defeated her challenger in Republican Public Service Commissioner James Brown blew campaign finance records wide open in an increasingly partisan affair. Republican national, state and county level organizations backed Brown, while unions and the legal community poured money in to support Gustafson.

Its unclear so far if this contest will take on similar dynamics. Theres no partisan organizational support for either candidate yet, although Republican lawmakers have donated to Swanson and Lynch has been openly campaigning on maintaining the Montanas legal precedent that protects reproductive health.

Livingston Attorney Douglas Marshall has filed for the chief justice race but reported raising no money.

Supreme Court Associate Justice

Two District Court judges have filed to fill the seat to be left open by Justice Dirk Sandefurs retirement. Dan Wilson of Flathead County and Katherine Bidegaray of Richland County are two first-timers on the statewide campaign trail.

Wilson raised $42,108 in the latest fundraising period, brining his total since last April $112,794. He has $53,417 cash on hand after spending $21,760 in the last reporting period. His latest fundraising report includes $700 each from Montana Gas and Oils political action committee, as well as Montanas Electric Cooperatives.

Bidegaray cash raised $152,329 since her campaign began in July. She raised $35,547 last period and spent $67,015 in that time, $42,116 of which went to reserving billboard space into the coming months.
CHICAGO  Illinois schools will now more easily be able to get life-saving asthma inhalers to keep on hand in case a student is struggling to breathe.

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced Wednesday that Director Dr. Sameer Vohra has signed a standing order allowing Illinois schools to more easily obtain asthma inhalers that can be administered to anyone on-site who is experiencing respiratory distress. The medication can only be administered by school personnel whove gone through training.

Illinois first passed a law in 2018 that allowed schools to keep inhalers on hand in case a student or staff member without their own inhaler needed it. But until now, if a school wanted an asthma inhaler to keep on hand for anyone  as opposed to for a specific student with a prescription  it had to find a local physician willing to issue a standing order for the school. The new standing order covers schools statewide.

Vohra said in a news release that the statewide order removes the last hurdle schools faced in obtaining inhalers for use in emergencies.

As a pediatrician, I have witnessed how important access to albuterol inhalers can be to save lives, Vohra said in the release. Inhalers and medications like albuterol are essential treatments to treat severe asthma attacks in students diagnosed with asthma but also in individuals who may not even know they have it.

Already, many Illinois schools have put inhalers obtained through other standing orders to good use. Between October and February of this school year, 126 Illinois schools in 96 school districts reported administering the on-hand medication to students in respiratory distress, with the students ranging in age from 5 to 17, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America  MidStates Chapter.

The chapter runs a program called Rescue Illinois Schools, in partnership with the Respiratory Health Association, that gives inhalers with albuterol to schools and trains staff on how to administer them, among other things. Illinois appropriated $2.4 million for the program for fiscal year 2023, and the program is now rolling out in about 78% of Illinois schools, said Chris Martinez, CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America  MidStates Chapter.

Now with the standing order, he said: We wont have to get physicians to write those prescriptions, its in place, and not only is it in place, but its in place from an authority that has the opportunity to communicate it to schools.

The standing order will remain in place through February and be reviewed and updated annually, according to the state health department.

State law also allows Illinois schools to keep supplies of epinephrine, used to treat severe allergic reactions, and opioid antagonists, used to treat opioid overdoses, on hand. The state also has a standing order for opioid antagonists in schools.
Not a month goes by, it seems, when the country doesn't have some minor cultural trend to spar over. These "debates" can be fun or not. But in almost every case, fights over these passing fixations are futile.

OK. Let's get specific. There's that recent skirmish over something called "bookshelf wealth."

Never heard of it? Well, Architectural Digest called bookshelf wealth "2024's first major design rrend." TikTok is all over it.

What is bookshelf wealth? It is arranging your bookshelf in a visually pleasing manner. For fancy people, that means amassing a "curated" collection of books placed just so. The intention is to advertise one's brainy interests.

A related TikTok phrase is "dark academia." It refers to a subculture that venerates reading and writing. Typical decor includes overstuffed couches, sculpture and walls painted a murky midnight blue.

Needless to say, there's been considerable blowback by people who are serious readers or claim to be. Books to them are holy objects with value far beyond the decorative. A yellowing paperback of "The Sound and the Fury" deserves more veneration than a ceramic horse.

Some TikTok influencers address this objection, or try. "These aren't display books," one insists in a not convincing way. "These are books that have actually been curated and read." If she says so.

Some widely circulating videos on bookshelf wealth show shelves laden with vases, candlesticks and black-and-white art photography -- interspersed with a few book spines. "Embrace odd numbers," the instructions say. And "keep your shelves feeling as intentional as possible."

One critic responded: "Bookshelf wealth doesn't mean you have books. It means you have built-ins." As proof that she reads, the woman supplied pictures of books piled on her floor.

Libraries have become hoo-ha designations in upscale new houses. They imply that the owners don't spend all their free time frozen before the monster screen in the "media room." They also do quiet contemplation

My favorite fake library was in the now-defunct Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Manalapan, Florida, just south of Palm Beach. I was meeting someone there and thought, oh, a hushed library would be a nice place to hang out. The "clubby room" had carefully arranged books, all with leather covers in the same moss green. Closer inspection showed titles all in Dutch. I decided to wait in the bar.

As you may guess by now, we're not here to discuss the merits or silliness of bookshelf wealth. We are here to argue against arguing about it for any purpose other than the recreational.

If someone wants to arrange a bookshelf in a way to imply intellectual heft -- or to display a bowling trophy -- it's their bookshelf. As for those who don't read but want to portray a rich life of the mind, no one's stopping them.

Kindle has complicated matters for readers who like to have physical books around them. An interesting thing about bookshelf wealth is that it promotes sales of the old-fashioned paper product. Serious readers can stick a finger in the eye of the bookshelf wealth aesthetic by topping a stack with a Big Bird plush toy, but they should know, that's posing, too.

Given today's politics, one is not sure how long TikTok will be with us. But as long as it is, be aware that what TikTok features, TikTok mocks. There may be important concerns over whether the social media platform gives the Chinese government a tool to spy on us, but TikTok does one useful thing: It cuts silly cultural conflicts down to size.

Thus, declaring winners in the bookshelf wealth debate is of no consequence, even to the winners. Everyone does what they want with their bookshelves. That's as it should be.
BRISTOL, Va.  Gov. Glenn Youngkin said this week the $26.5 million, contained in the proposed state budget for landfill remediation work, is appropriate and what the city should expect to receive.

That is an $8.5 million reduction from the governors original budget but $8.5 million more than the Senate-approved version of the state spending plan.

Youngkin was in the region on Wednesday and his comments were in response to a question from the Bristol Herald Courier.

Last October, the city borrowed over $30 million to help fund a series of court-ordered remediation projects aimed at eliminating offensive landfill odors, improve collection of landfill gases, eliminating other emissions and to bring down the temperature inside the waste mass so the quarry landfill can eventually be closed and sealed.

In my introduced budget, I had put more [money] in, and what the General Assembly came back with was a slight reduction. After speaking with folks in the General Assembly about why they landed at that number, I feel that we can follow their lead, the governor said.

I feel that theres just a real commitment in order to get this right and I think thats what the real funding shows, is there is a commitment to get this right and I think the belief is  after a substantial amount of work from my introduced budget in December and the budget from the conference report that just got back to me  that the slightly smaller number is appropriate and one that can be put to good use, the governor said.

The city sought $35 million to pay for all the court-mandated project costs and to replenish some funds taken from reserves to pay for other landfill remediation work.

The citys more recent borrowing was in the form of short-term bonds that must be paid off or refinanced within four years. The city may be forced to refinance the balance unless additional funding is forthcoming.

The City of Bristol is grateful to Gov. Youngkin and Virginia lawmakers, especially budget conferees and our local representatives Sen. Todd Pillion and Del. Israel OQuinn for including $26.5 million in the state budget, Mayor Becky Nave said Thursday. This critical funding will ensure remediation efforts can be completed while minimizing the long-term financial impact on city residents.

Youngkin acknowledged there has been a concentrated effort to address the landfills issues.

We gotta get this addressed and Im glad that were able to help, the governor said. Theres been an incredibly productive working relationship with the state, particularly with the Department of Environmental Quality. Im hopeful that with those funds and all the work that Bristol is doing, we can get this taken care of.

Reporter Joaquin Mancera contributed to this report.
A doctor convicted of prescribing and distributing over a million oxycodone pills throughout Northern Virginia was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison.

In an indictment filed April 2023, authorities said Dr. Kirsten Van Steenberg Ball, 69, of Arlington, directed her medical office manager, Candie Calix, to recruit individuals to join an oxycodone distribution scheme between 2012 and April 2022.

Over the course of 10 years, Calix's mother, husband and other family members became patients of Ball's practice, and regularly would receive prescriptions from Ball for as many as 360 oxycodone pills per month "without regard to whether (they) had any actual medical need" and despite the fact that they exhibited signs of drug abuse and drug-seeking behavior, the indictment says. Calix's family paid for Ball's malpractice insurance.

Ball issued the prescriptions often without scheduling appointments or conducting examinations of the patients, the indictment says. She continued to prescribe oxycodone despite her knowledge that the pills were then being sold by her patients.

The indictment identifies nine patients, including Calix, who received oxycodone prescriptions for amounts "far more than a person could ordinarily tolerate safely, let alone that they would genuinely need." Ball reportedly instructed the patients to have the prescriptions filled at an independent pharmacy in Falls Church after retail pharmacies refused to provide the pills.

The owner of the Falls Church pharmacy also was a patient of Ball's, the indictment says.

According to the indictment, Ball continued to write prescriptions for Calix on multiple occasions during which Calix was pregnant, in spite of the risks associated with opioid use during pregnancy.

In 2019, Ball was informed that her practice was under federal investigation, the indictment says. Nevertheless, Ball continued prescribing oxycodone to patients less than a week after she learned of the probe.

As a part of the investigation, an undercover FBI agent posing as a relative of one of Ball's patients told Ball that he was sharing pills with family members, court records show. Ball informed the agent that distributing prescribed drugs is a felony, and advised him against telling anyone else. She also noted she would not include the admission in his medical file.

On April 7, 2022, FBI agents conducted a search of multiple patients' homes and recovered thousands of oxycodone pills that had been prescribed by Ball, according to court records. Ball was arrested in April 2023, and was convicted in December on one count of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and 19 counts of distribution of oxycodone.

In addition to her prison sentence, Ball was ordered to forfeit $750,000 and pay an additional $50,000 in community restitution.

Ball's practice previously was investigated in 2015, resulting in a formal reprimand from the Virginia Board of Methods for her failure to preform adequate physical examinations, obtain patients' medical records, recognize signs of drug abuse or report positive tests for illicit substances, and for prescribing narcotics in excess.

Ball provided falsified records to the Virginia Department of Health Professions in the course of the 2015 investigation, court records show. After the probe's conclusion, Ball instructed Calix to begin going by the alias Nicole Thomas to conceal Calix's role as both an employee and a patient of the practice.

Calix was sentenced in September 2022 to seven years in prison for her role in the scheme.
Hickory police searched a home in 2023, confiscating guns and ammunition. A federal court hearing set for Monday in Charlotte is aimed at finding out if the search was legal.

On April 6, 2023, Javario Davon Robinson, 36, was shot in the leg at 430 S. Center St. The police report says it was an accidental shooting. Court documents say Robinson admitted to shooting himself in the leg.

In the aftermath of what was termed an accidental shooting, Hickory police obtained a search warrant for the property, including the home and any vehicles on the property, according to the warrant. Robinson lives on the property that was searched, according to court documents.

The Hickory Police Department seized seven guns and ammo in the search, according to a federal indictment.

The federal indictment charges Robinson with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Robinson was indicted on Sept. 19, 2023. According to the N.C. Department of Adult Corrections online database, Robinson has multiple felony convictions spanning from 2005 to 2017.

Assistant Federal Public Defender Rhett H. Johnson filed a motion on behalf of Robinson to request the evidence obtained in the search be excluded from a trial. The motion also requested a hearing to determine if the search warrant was legally obtained if a judge did not decide to suppress the evidence seized by Hickory police.

In the motion, Johnson claims the request made by the Hickory police in their effort to obtain a search warrant did not establish probable cause. Johnson also accuses the Hickory police of making a false statement to obtain the search warrant.

The statement in question is: When Officer attempted to secure the residence, Robinsons father who is heavily intoxicated slammed and locked the door.

On March 15, U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell ordered the court to hold a hearing to determine if the search was legitimate. The order says body camera footage from the officers that were on the scene does not match the statement made on the request for the search warrant.

According to the body camera footage, officers rendered medical aid to Robinson. One officer radioed for emergency medical services and said the scene is secure, according to Johnsons motion referencing the body camera footage.

Johnson said after Robinson was taken to the hospital, Hickory officers requested access to the house to search for the bullet and other potential victims. Robinsons father Arthur Robinson said the door was locked and he did not have a key. Once the criminal investigations division arrived on the scene, the front door was kicked in to do a protective sweep, according to Johnsons motion.

Shortly after the protective sweep, Investigator Tammie Johnson applied for a search warrant. Once the warrant was granted, Hickory police searched the home and seized the evidence used for the federal indictment against Robinson, Rhett Johnson said in the motion.

In the order, Judge Bell states, a statement made in the relevant warrant application about Robinsons father slamming and locking the door when officers attempted to secure the residence is demonstrably false. Bell agreed the body camera footage contradicts the statement made in the application for the search warrant.

In response to Rhett Johnsons motion, U.S. District Attorney Dena Kings office said, The search warrant is valid, and there is little to no evidence to support the egregious assertion that Officer (Tammie) Johnson made up facts to manufacture probable cause to enter the Defendants (Robinsons) home, according to filed court documents.

The hearing will be held Monday to determine if the search was legitimate and if the evidence should be suppressed.

The hearing will be held at the U.S. District Court at 401 W. Trade St. in Charlotte.
ORLANDO, Fla.  While most casual cyclists would balk at the idea of traveling more than 30 or 40 miles in a day by bike, one woman is making a three-month trek on two wheels from Miami to Montreal, spreading awareness about climate change along the way.

Heather Noreen, who was born in Wisconsin but has spent most of her adult years raising her five children in Europe, first got the spark to start her nonprofit, Climate Tours, in 2017 when she and her kids traveled by bike to Amsterdam on a family vacation.

The kids absolutely loved it. We spent a lot of time together without screens, she said. Thats when I decided that I wanted to change jobs. I wanted to do something to get people to understand that this is a really fun way to travel. Its good for the environment and us.

The 48-year-old nonprofit founder and workshop facilitator is joined by her son, 24-year-old Alexander Bonte, on the 3,300-mile trek using Gazelle electric bikes. Along the way, Noreen is stopping in 21 cities to host workshops and card games such as 2tonnes, Food Collage, Mobility Collage and Climate Fresk, designed to educate participants about the science behind climate change.

Theres a study that says that 70 percent of Americans know that climate change exists. Only 40 percent think that one day it will impact them, she said. The cards share this common knowledge base with everyone.

During a four-day stop in Orlando, Noreen met with Citizens Climate Lobby, IDEAS For Us, UCF students and others to host workshops that help people better understand our human impact on the planet and how to take action.

The first thing to do is figure out how we contribute to climate change. I tell people they should calculate their carbon footprint, she said, mentioning the number of online calculators that help with this task. From that, you decide to do something and start with one thing and try to make it the most impactful thing. It could be eating less meat. It could be working from home an extra day or deciding to get a smaller car, or taking your bike.

Noreen said the critical mass and social tipping point needed to create a more sustainable future is what motivates her to keep going. Just the visibility of the bikes on this Climate Tour helps start the conversation with strangers she and her son encounter on the street.

People dont get it at all. Theyre like, So youre putting your bike on your car? I tell them that Im biking there, she said. Sometimes they walk away and then come back, Wait, youre going to Montreal from here? 

More info

Follow along with Climate Tours on Facebook Climate Tours, on Instagram @climatetours_ngo or on climatetours.org.
Atrium Health has taken another symbolic step in spreading its umbrella over Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and Winston-Salem by attaching the Levine Childrens brand in front of Brenner Childrens Hospital.

The branding change took effect Tuesday for all pediatric care services within Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, such as outpatient facilities, primary care offices, emergency departments and specialty clinics.

The official branding name is Atrium Health Levine Childrens Brenner Childrens Hospital.

Atrium said the branding change represents reaching a milestone within its childrens services.

The extension of the Atrium Health Levine Childrens name is the logical next step to optimize and continue to build the best of our pediatric services across the Southeast, said Dr. Stacy Nicholson, Levine Childrens president.

Atrium, based in Charlotte, acquired Baptist  Forsyth Countys largest employer  on Oct. 9, 2020. Baptist remains under the Atrium umbrella from an organizational structure.

Brenner Childrens Hospital and Health Service was established in 1986 through a gift from the Brenner family. In 2002, the childrens hospital moved into Ardmore Tower.

Lynn Brenner Eisenberg said the Brenner family is honored to be a part of Atrium Health Levine Childrens Hospital in the systems effort to enhance pediatric care. She said Brenner officials were the ones to inform the family of the branding change.

The Brenner family continues to support the amazing work of the team caring for children in this region. Were excited about this growth and the future of care for generations to come.

Were all still involved and thrilled with what the childrens hospital has become.

Eisenberg said the family recognizes that this is progress. This is what happens when businesses merge and take over.

We really hope that there wont be any pushback on the (branding) change. It will remain a community hospital and we need to continue to cherish what we have.

Brand change goals

The goal of the brand change, according to Atrium, is to unify its three pediatric-focused hospitals  including Beverly Knight Olson Childrens Hospital in Macon, Ga.  as Levine Childrens.

Levine Childrens is known nationally for our high-level of care and childrens services at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and Atrium Health Navicent have played a crucial role in that recognition, since combining a few years ago, Nicholson said. We are thrilled to now align under the same name.

On the Brenners website, the branding change is touted as everything you know and love about Brenner Childrens Hospital and your pediatric care team is here to stay  now with even more. More access to care. More groundbreaking treatments and clinical trials. All with the continued confidence your child is exactly where they need to be.

The three childrens hospitals provide more than 703,000 primary care and 481,000 specialty care visits annually.

Levine Childrens also represents eight neonatal intensive care units, 668 beds and more than 900 pediatric providers.

Brenner is the only Level I pediatric trauma center in the Triad region and northwest North Carolina. Brenner features the Dale and Karen Sisel NICU.

It is a verified Level I childrens surgery center, the only one in the 68-hospital Advocate Health organization.

Alisa Starbuck, Brenners president and Baptists vice president of womens and childrens health services, said that by uniting with the teams across the Southeast, we will be able to deliver more coordinated care to those who count on us.

Starbuck also said that unifying the brands allows for expanding our research and education capabilities through Wake Forest University School of Medicine to discover new ways to treat pediatric illnesses and injuries and train the next generation of pediatric health care leaders.

In February 2022, the Levine and Brenner pediatric heart programs were combined into one unit.

As this combined pediatric heart program grows, additional specialists will be added to the team in Winston-Salem, according to a joint statement.

The most complex pediatric patients at Brenners now have direct access to Levine Childrens Hospital.

The Charlotte-based Levine Childrens hospital has a dedicated pediatric cardiac intensive care unit and a progressive care floor, serving as a step-down floor during recovery, with highly trained and dedicated teams.

Derek Williams, section head of Brenners pediatric cardiology, said the two heart programs have collaborated on care for several years.

Atrium is part of Charlotte-based Advocate Health  the nations third-largest not-for-profit health care system  which debuted in December 2022 representing the completed merger of Atrium and Advocate Aurora of Chicago and Milwaukee.
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

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.

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.

Maundy Thursday Worship at Calvary Lutheran Church will be at 7 p.m. The church is located at 950 Bradley St., Concord.

Grace Church of Concord - A Global Methodist Community will have Maundy Thursday Service at 6 p.m. at the Grace Church Worship Center. Maundy Thursday Service  Upper Room Communion will be served to tables of twelve. The church is located at 28-B Branchview Dr. NE, Concord.

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.

Good Friday Prayer Vigil for quiet prayer in the sanctuary will be from noon  5 p.m. Devotionals provided. Calvary Lutheran Church is at 950 Bradley St., Concord.

Good Friday Tenebrae Worship at Calvary Lutheran Church will be held at 7:45 p.m. All are welcome to join us for this powerful service. Calvary Lutheran Church is at 950 Bradley St., Concord.

Grace Church of Concord - A Global Methodist Community will observe Good Friday at 6 p.m. Good Friday Service will be held at the barn at Green Leaf Farms. Pastor Mikes message will be The Old Rugged Cross based on Luke 23:32-49.

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.

Sunday, March 31

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.

Monday, April 1

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, April 2

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, April 3

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.

Thursday, April 4

Epworth United Methodist Church will have a hot dog sale from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Epworth is at 1030 Burrage Road, NE, Concord. Credit cards accepted. For deliveries, call 704-786-5500.

Friday, April 5

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, April 6

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.

Sunday, April 7

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.

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.
Novant Health Inc. is establishing an endowed chair for its breast health department as the result of a $1 million donation from Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc.

The bank provided Catherine Bessant, president and chief executive of the banks Foundation For The Carolinas, the donation in recognition of her 40 years of service. The funds were designed to go to a charitable group of Bessants choice.

Bessant chose to donate the funds to Novants Presbyterian Medical Center Foundation to create the endowed chair with Dr. Peter Turk, the surgeon she credits with saving her life in 2010, as the inaugural appointee.

When I received my breast cancer diagnosis, after doing research, I had no doubt that I could receive incredible, expert care right here in Charlotte at Novant Health. I didnt think twice about going anywhere else, Bessant said in a news release.

I am excited for the potential of the endowed chair and the additional lives we can impact through this generous donation from Bank of America.

The fund will support four initiatives: training and education for Novant Health clinical leaders; acquisition of equipment and technology for oncology care; research and innovation to include clinical trials, ensuring patient access to emerging therapies; and holistic patient care and outreach.

The Presbyterian foundation changed the name of its cancer institute support center to honor Bessant. The Center provides on-site services and programs to support patients and their families before, during and after cancer treatment in a comfortable, home-like setting close to the hospital campus.

The center was originally named in honor of Charlotte banker Buddy Kemp, former president of North Carolina National Bank, who passed away of brain cancer in 1990. NCNB formed the core of what today is Bank of America.
If youre feeling under the weather these days, youre probably human.

We all are feeling it, whether were aware of it or not. Our health remains tethered to the air and light around us, despite all the progress that has given us a certain insularity.

The study of the atmospheres effects on our bodies is known as biometeorology, a science that has gone in and out of favor through the centuries.

Hippocrates believed that weather and climate strongly influenced human health. Collecting weather data for health reasons was a major impetus for creation of what became the National Weather Service.

Interest faded by the end of the 19th century with the broad acceptance of germ theory, but it has been making a comeback with concerns about the health impact of a warming planet.

The discipline has suffered from unsupported claims and research limits: The body and the atmosphere meet at one of the most complex intersections of the known universe.

But we can say with high confidence that weather and environment have powerful effects on our health and well-being. Here is a season-by-season look at some of the ways.

Spring

Ah-choooo!

The pollen-allergy trilogy has begun with the trees, whose pollen will peak in April and May, and then be joined by the grasses and ragweeds. The traffic is heaviest when its warm and dry, with breezes on which the pollen can commute to the nostrils of the victims, setting off bursts of sneezing. Hope for rain, says University of Tulsa pollen expert Estelle Levitin, as pollen cant fly when its wet.

Experts advice: On heavy pollen days, the allergic should stay indoors if possible and keep the windows closed. If spending time outdoors, take a shower afterward and change clothes.

Spring fever

The warmth and light incite a certain exuberance that is often called spring fever. And while it isnt in the Physicians Desk Reference, and its not a fever per se, its real. Spring fever aptly describes a feeling that seizes you with its urgency and impulses, says psychiatrist Norman Rosenthal, based in Bethesda, Maryland, who pioneered research on seasonal affective disorder. It is characterized by bursts of energy, evidently touched off by light-induced hormonal changes in our bodies.

Experts advice: For a small number, it can be a distraction that can lead to low productivity and can lead to exacerbating certain forms of depression. For the overwhelming majority, enjoy the hay out of it while it lasts.

Disrupted sleep

Sleep specialists warn that daylight saving time and later sunsets can be disruptive to our body rhythms.

Experts advice: Try to keep sleeping hours as regular as possible, even on weekends.

Arthritis

Volatile spring weather and barometric pressure can aggravate symptoms for some arthritis patients.

Experts advice: Keep joints moving with gentle stretches. Both hot and cold compresses can ease pain.

Summer

Its the heat  and humidity

Heat, one of the deadliest of all weather hazards, can be a tremendous physical challenge as blood flows to the skin and commands up to four million sweat glands to produce the salty fluid we call sweat. When sweat evaporates, it gives off a cooling effect, but if the air is too moist, the sweat coats the skin, a source of discomfort for most, but dangerous for people who are older or medically vulnerable.

Experts advice: Acclimate yourself to the heat. Hydrate, with water, and non-alcoholic and caffeine-free drinks. Says Main Line Health internal medicine physician William Surkis, dont be afraid to say, Maybe this is not the best day to work out.

Sunburn

Summer is the peak season for natural Vitamin D, courtesy of the sun  and for the ultraviolet radiation that medical research has tied to assorted long-term problems, including skin cancer, and damage to the eyes. In the shorter term, doctors say, UV rays can burn the skin  even through clouds  resulting in painful sunburn that goes away but may have lasting effects.

Experts advice: Limit exposure to sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., keep body parts covered as much as possible, wear sunglasses, and use an SPF 30 sunscreen or stronger.

Fall

Seasonal blues

The days get shorter rapidly in September and October, and it is natural to feel enervated, melancholy, and even a bit hungrier than usual. It affects our entire physiology, says Phyllis Zee, with the Northwestern University Medical Center. We dont think of ourselves as being seasonal creatures, but we are. An estimated 5% of people experience seasonal affective disorder, a form of depression, and 10% to 20% have mild versions of SAD.

Experts advice: Zee and others recommend getting outside into the light as early as possible. Seek professional help if symptoms become worrisome.

Headaches

Autumn is a prime season for headaches, as the retreating summer and approaching winter wage battles along fronts that set off rapid weather changes. That can trigger pain for some people with headache disorders. A headache can serve a purpose, says Paul Mathew, assistant professor of neurology at the Harvard Medical School. Headache is like a car alarm that warns people something is wrong, like an infection or a tumor. Fortunately, most headaches have no underlying cause.

Experts advice: Over-the-counter remedies, such as ibuprofen, usually are effective. For migraines, hot or cold compresses can provide relief.

Asthma

In asthmatics, tubular airways that lead to the lungs become inflamed and narrower, making breathing difficult. Weather changes, fall allergens, and colds can set off symptoms.

Experts advice: Know the triggers and try to avoid them. Prescribed inhalers can provide both quick and long-term relief.

Colds

Common colds earn their names: Just about everyone gets them. They come in maybe 200 varieties, and there is no cure, except time.

Experts advice: Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching the face. If you get a cold, rest, hydrate. Sip warm liquids; they can soothe a sore throat.

Winter

Cold facts

As with the heat, we have remarkable natural mechanisms to deal with the cold, including shivering, our bodys effort to warm itself. Exercising in the cold can be invigorating, but over-exposure can lead to frostbite and hypothermia. Doctors also warn that cold can constrict blood vessels, endangering those with heart conditions.

Experts advice: Wear layers and protect your hands and feet, which are most vulnerable to frostbite. Stay hydrated.

Dry skin

That cold air, which has a limited capacity for moisture, can dry out the skin, as can dry indoor heating. The skin is above all a protective organ, says former University of Pennsylvania professor Seanna Covello, now with Bryn Mawr Dermatology, and irritating, itchy dryness can lead to fissures.

Experts advice: Use moisturizer daily, avoid hot showers, and keep skin covered when you are outside.

Vitamin D

Research affirms that vitamin D is essential to our health, but its best natural source  the sun  can be in short supply in winter.

Experts advice: Try to spend some time in the sun, even on cold days. Eat vitamin D-rich foods, such as fatty fish and some yogurts. Consider supplements.

The atmosphere is our life-support system, and while isolating its varied effects on ailments has long been a source of frustration for researchers, the evidence affirms that weather can have a profound impact on human health. Medical professionals agree that with accelerating rates of climate change, understanding the connections is becoming ever more important.
MATTOON  Coles County Habitat for Humanity plans to hold a groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, March 23, for the construction of a new home on the west side of town.

Coles County Habitat, founded in 1989, reported that the planned home at 3001 Moultrie Ave. will be for its 45th partner family, Delores Hall and James Black of Mattoon. Hall is employed at Brookstone Estates in Mattoon.

The ecumenical Christian housing ministry reported that the two future homeowners feel blessed for the opportunity to be selected as a Habitat family and are excited about the prospect of having a home of their own.

Community members are welcome to attend the groundbreaking at 10 a.m. Saturday to show their support for the family and Habitat as a whole. Construction of the new home is set to start in April. Anyone interested in volunteering for the build can contact the Habitat office at 217-348-7063.

Habitat seeks to eliminate poverty housing by building safe, affordable houses for low-income families through volunteer labor, donated materials and financial contributions. Homes are sold to the families at no profit with a zero-interest mortgage provided by Humanity with terms up to 30 years.

Close Blitz build volunteers create a lifting tool as they stand inside the unfinished walls of the Pedigo family home May 22, 2010 during the Habitat for Humanity build at 408 North Fourth Street in Charleston. (Photo by Ken Trevarthan). Water cups marked by Habitat for Humanity blitz build volunteers wait to refresh their owners during the heat of the Pedigo family home's build May 22, 2010 at 408 North Fourth Street in Charleston. (Photo by Ken Trevarthan). Habitat for Humanity blitz build volunteers joke as they wait for the next truss to arrive atop the Pedigo family home May 22, 2010 during the build at 408 North Fourth Street in Charleston. (Photo by Ken Trevarthan). Habitat for Humanity volunteers Ida Cockrum and Lou Marble prepare hard hats for the blitz build crew working on the Pedigo home May 22, 2010 at 408 North Fourth Street in Charleston. (Photo by Ken Trevarthan). Coles County Habitat for Humanity construction committee chair Hugh Birch (on right) guides a truss carrying crew through the front doorway May 22, 2010 during the Pedigo family home blitz build at 408 North Fourth Street in Charleston. (Photo by Ken Trevarthan). A team of volunteers lift a wall section of the Pedigo family house into place for raising May 22, 2010 during the Habitat for Humanity blitz build at 408 North Fourth Street in Charleston. (Photo by Ken Trevarthan). The first of the Pedigo family home's roof trusses is fastened down as a Habitat for Humanity volunteer watches from the truss pile in the blitz build site's backyard May 22, 2010 at 408 North Fourth Street in Charleston. (Photo by Ken Trevarthan). PHOTOS: Coles County Habitat for Humanity past Blitz Build Check out the scene during a Habitat for Humanity build at 408 North Fourth Street in Charleston. Blitz build volunteers create a lifting tool as they stand inside the unfinished walls of the Pedigo family home May 22, 2010 during the Habitat for Humanity build at 408 North Fourth Street in Charleston. (Photo by Ken Trevarthan). Water cups marked by Habitat for Humanity blitz build volunteers wait to refresh their owners during the heat of the Pedigo family home's build May 22, 2010 at 408 North Fourth Street in Charleston. (Photo by Ken Trevarthan). Habitat for Humanity blitz build volunteers joke as they wait for the next truss to arrive atop the Pedigo family home May 22, 2010 during the build at 408 North Fourth Street in Charleston. (Photo by Ken Trevarthan). Habitat for Humanity volunteers Ida Cockrum and Lou Marble prepare hard hats for the blitz build crew working on the Pedigo home May 22, 2010 at 408 North Fourth Street in Charleston. (Photo by Ken Trevarthan). Coles County Habitat for Humanity construction committee chair Hugh Birch (on right) guides a truss carrying crew through the front doorway May 22, 2010 during the Pedigo family home blitz build at 408 North Fourth Street in Charleston. (Photo by Ken Trevarthan). A team of volunteers lift a wall section of the Pedigo family house into place for raising May 22, 2010 during the Habitat for Humanity blitz build at 408 North Fourth Street in Charleston. (Photo by Ken Trevarthan). The first of the Pedigo family home's roof trusses is fastened down as a Habitat for Humanity volunteer watches from the truss pile in the blitz build site's backyard May 22, 2010 at 408 North Fourth Street in Charleston. (Photo by Ken Trevarthan).
CHICAGO  A recent study that found dangerously mislabeled contents of unlicensed hemp products in Illinois, like Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC, is prompting a renewed call for regulation.

The study by a University of Illinois Chicago researcher found that such products pose a clear danger and a huge risk to consumers.

Without regulations being put in place and then fully enforced, this danger will continue, and more people will be harmed, wrote former university researcher Jennifer Bash.

In response, Ald. Brian Hopkins called for legislation to ban or regulate such products.

This is a completely unregulated, Wild West environment, he said.

The Midwest Hemp Council, a trade group, has been trying to get regulation of the industry for some time, arguing that bad actors who sell mislabeled products to minors are jeopardizing reputable businesses.

Charles Wu, founder of Chitiva, a Chicago business that grows and sells hemp-derived products, said hes hopeful for state lawmakers to pass legislation this spring.

Regulation is good for everybody, Wu said. Its better to regulate and tax it than push it into the gray market.

The issue highlights a fundamental conundrum in the law. While cannabis is illegal under federal law, Illinois is one of 24 states that have legalized recreational use for adults 21 and over. Licensed companies typically are required to track, test and label their products, and require customers to show proof they are of legal age.

At the federal level, in the 2018 Farm Bill, Congress legalized hemp, defined as cannabis plants that have less than .3% by weight of Delta-9 THC, the primary component of the plant that gets users high. State law requires testing of hemp crops, but consumer products dont face the same scrutiny.

The intent of legalizing hemp was to allow production of non-intoxicating hemp derivatives such as CBD. But as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration failed to develop regulations for the use of CBD in commercial products, producers turned to developing synthetic derivatives such as Delta-8 and Delta-10, which can get users high like typical marijuana.

The result has been a proliferation of smoke and vape shops and gas stations that sell unregulated intoxicating hemp products, with no age restriction. As a result, customers often have no assurance of what is in the products they are buying.

The new study of unlicensed hemp products found that many labeled as containing Delta-8 often contained other cannabinoids, including Delta-9-THC. One product had three times the Delta-8 as stated on the package, while others had none of what was on the label.

Illinois regulations limit licensed cannabis products to 100 milligrams of THC, but hemp products often far exceeded that, with as much as 7,000 milligrams.
Herbalife Ltd.s pattern of bringing back former top executives continues with the return of John DeSimone as chief financial officer as of Wednesday.

The nutritional supplement manufacturer, which has its East Coast manufacturing hub in Winston-Salem with more than 750 employees, also disclosed a new organizational restructuring initiative.

DeSimone replaces Alex Amezquita, who will remain with the company.

DeSimone has been an executive at Herbalife for the past 17 years, including as chief financial officer from 2010 through 2018, as well as four years as president and co-president from 2018 to 2022.

Most recently, DeSimone served as a special advisor to chairman and chief executive Michael Johnson.

Johnson, 70, began his third term as Herbalifes chief executive on Dec. 27, 2022.

John is a talented and proven finance leader, who has immense experience with Herbalife and a successful track record, Johnson said.

We believe with Stephan Gratziani as president driving top-line growth and John focusing on our commitment to expand margins, reduce debt and improve overall financial performance, we are well-positioned to return to growth and maximize shareholder value in both the near and long term.

In fiscal 2022, DeSimone received an 11% decrease in base salary to $562,873 and a 22.2% decrease in total compensation to $2.8 million.

In fiscal 2023, Amezquita received a 13.2% increase in base salary to $610,577, incentive pay of $277,478 and total compensation of $2.3 million, down 23.8%.

Herbalife, citing that management is beginning to observe more stability in the business, provided its initial fiscal 2024 and first-quarter guidance.

The company projects first-quarter sales up 1% to 3% and full-year sales in a range of flat to up 5%.

Herbalife plans to spend $30 million to $40 million on capital expenditures in the first quarter as well as between $125 million and $175 million for the full year.

Herbalife said its fiscal 2024 guidance incudes $40 million in savings from a new organizational redesign project the company began reviewing in January. The project is separate from its transformation program.

The goal is to bring leadership closer to the markets, streamline the organization and accelerate productivity. The company expects to deliver at least $80 million of run-rate savings from this project beginning in 2025.

The company also expects to recognize at least $60 million of pre-tax expenses in 2024 related to this restructuring, which will be excluded from the adjusted results.

In a separate regulatory filing, Herbalife said it "intends to implement actions throughout 2024 to streamline its employee structure."

"The company expects to recognize at least $60 million of pre-tax expenses in 2024 related to the restructuring, which is primarily related to severance costs."
Wells Fargo & Co. has disclosed plans to close branches in Charlotte and Kannapolis as part of nine identified this week to federal regulator the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

Since July 2020, there have been at least 70 Wells Fargo branch closings in North Carolina, including three in Winston-Salem and nine across the Triad.

Overall, Wells Fargo has dropped from more than 6,600 branches in 2009 when it acquired a collapsing Wachovia Corp. and gained an East Coast presence. The branch count was 4,311 as of Dec. 31  down from 4,598 on Dec. 31, 2022.

Meanwhile, Huntington Bancshares has gained federal approval to open a private-banking branch in Charlotte.

Huntington, based in Columbus, Ohio, disclosed in October its plans to enter the North Carolina market. It has a presence in 11 states with $189 billion in total assets.
The presidents of Salem College and Forsyth Technical Community College signed an agreement Thursday that will allow some Forsyth Tech graduates to earn an undergraduate degree at Salem at a discounted price.

Starting in May, students graduating from Forsyth Tech with an associate degree can transfer to Salem to earn an undergraduate degree with a maximum out-of-pocket expense of $3,000 a year.

According to Salem College's website, the current annual tuition for students living on campus at Salem is $45,292 and $32,326 for commuting students.

Janet Spriggs, the president of Forsyth Tech, said the partnership embodies a belief that education should be a right, not a privilege.

"In the spirit of bridging educational journeys with financial feasibility, this partnership heralds a new era, where achieving a bachelor's degree becomes not just a dream but a tangible reality for our graduates," Spriggs said.

Summer McGee, president of Salem College, said the school is excited to partner with Forsyth Tech.

"Co-admission agreements like this create remarkable bonds between our institutions. They strengthen our educational communities and provide students with a seamless experience from start to finish, which makes student success more likely," she said.
There have been eight confirmed cases of rabies in animals in the Triad so far this year.

Guilford County health officials confirmed earlier this month that a fox on Sedgewood Lane in southwestern Greensboro tested positive for the rabies virus on March 5.

There are six confirmed cases of animal rabies this year in Guilford County, according to the N.C. State Laboratory of Public Health.

In Forsyth County this year, there have been two confirmed cases of rabies in a raccoon and a skunk, according to the N.C. State Laboratory of Public Health.

Forsyth and Guilford counties had 29 cases of rabies in 2023 in which local residents were bitten by raccoons, bats, skunks, foxes and a cat, state health statistics show.

Among those cases, 11 raccoons bit Forsyth residents, and four raccoons bit Guilford residents, according to the statistics collected by the N.C. State Laboratory of Public Health.

It's uncommon for people to be bitten by wild rabid animals, said Dr. Jeffery Hatcher, an infectious disease expert for Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro.

It's more common that domestic animals such as dogs, cats and ferrets to bite people, Hatcher said. If a domestic animal bites a person, then that animal should be quarantined for 10 days.

"As long as that animal acts healthy during those 10 days, then the person has nothing to worry about," Hatcher said.

As spring approaches, people will go outside, where they might encounter wild animals that potentially may be rabid, he said.

"People should avoid any non-domestic animal," Hatcher said. "Don't try to pet a raccoon, a fox or a skunk."

"If the animal is acting erratically, definitely stay away from it and call animal control," Hatcher said. "They will come and take care of it."

About 5,000 animal rabies cases are reported annually to federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and more than 90% of those cases occur in wildlife, the agency says.

In North Carolina, there were 258 rabies cases reported in 2022 to the state lab of public health, the latest available number about the virus.

"There is plenty of fox rabies and raccoon rabies in North Carolina," Hatcher said.

Rabies is a viral disease most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal, the CDC says. The rabies virus infects the central nervous system of mammals, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death.

"The downside is that there is no cure for someone who has animal rabies," Hatcher said. "People are, very reasonably, scared of being exposed to clinical rabies."

The rabies lab at the N.C. State Laboratory of Public Health tests animals for rabies, said Summer Tonizzo, a spokeswoman for the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

Human exposure "is defined as a bite or contamination of scratches, abrasions, open wounds or mucous membranes with infectious saliva," Tonizzo said.

Encounters between people and raccoons typically happen in suburban areas, said Joe Folta, a district biologist with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

"In general, a raccoon approaches a person or comes close to a house," Folta said. "First, it seems like a friendly raccoon," and people want to approach the animal to feed it, pet it or pick it up, he said.

"Then they found out it's not as friendly as it appears to be," Folta said.

Raccoons and other wildlife "could be associating people with food," Folta said. "If they have been illegally fed, they lose their fear of people."

Raccoons also can be under a porch or under a vehicle, Folta said. When people walk too close to them, raccoons can bite them, he said.

Local residents can avoid these attacks if they don't approach raccoons, Folta said. People also should attempt to scare away the animals.

If people are bitten by a rabid animal, they should immediately wash the wound with soap and water, said Dr. Christopher Ohl, a professor of infectious diseases at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine and an infectious disease expert at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.

Afterward, people should go to urgent-care clinics or hospital's emergency rooms for further care, Ohl said.

People infected with rabies are administered human rabies immune globulin that provides antibodies to neutralize the rabies virus, Ohl said.

"If you get it soon after the bite, it's 100% protected," Ohl said.

Patients then are given vaccines within three or four weeks that stimulate the production of immune globulin in their bodies to fight the virus, Ohl said.

By avoiding contact with wild animals, people can prevent getting bit in the first place, Ohl said.
The passage of the 2024-25 budget for the city of Winston-Salem is still months away, but city officials are already predicting that the need to increase pay for city employees may force a tax increase.

Meanwhile, a survey of city residents shows that city street and sidewalk conditions are the source here of the biggest gripes, with 42% of those surveyed reporting that they are dissatisfied with street and sidewalk maintenance.

The survey also showed the need for public safety a top concern, at a time when the city police department is struggling with a 23% vacancy rate. Raising police pay has been one of the citys most aggressive responses in its effort to trim the officer shortage in recent years.

The Winston-Salem City Council discussed the upcoming budget and the survey of citizen satisfaction during a meeting held in Union Station on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

City Manager Pat Pate told council members that when they hired him last year, they told him that one of the top priorities was to reduce the vacancy rate in city jobs, which stands now at around 16%. Thats twice the percentage that city administrators would like to see.

We have a gap in our pay system, Pate said. We talk about changing our philosophy to make sure we stay competitive in the market. If we dont have good employees, we cannot provide the services that you expect and that the community expects.

Because city officials are still waiting for the results of a pay study, Scott Tesh, the citys director of performance and accountability, was not able to tell the council how much it might cost to adjust employee salaries. But Tesh did say it could be pennies on the tax rate to pay for the needed increase.

The current property tax rate is 66.1 cents for every $100 of taxable property. Tesh said each penny on the tax rate brings in about $2.8 million, and that a two-cent increase would thus bring in about $5.6 million. But whether that would be more, less or about equal to the amount needed for pay increases, Tesh could not say.

Last year, the city council increased the tax rate 2.5 cents from 63.6 cents. The budget included a 27% increase in the minimum pay level for Winston-Salem police officers, along with a smaller pay hike for firefighters.

The year before that, the council passed a 2.36-cent tax hike that was also mostly driven by salary increases.

Likes and dislikes

The good news for city officials and elected leaders in the resident survey was that 90% of the residents said Winston-Salem is a good or excellent place to live, 78% called it a good or excellent place to raise children, and 74% a good or excellent place to work.

62% of respondents said they were satisfied overall with city services, compared to 52% in the Atlantic region and 49% in the U.S. as a whole. City residents also reported more satisfaction with police, fire, recreation, sanitation and water and sewer services than most other places.

On the other hand, only 49% of city residents said they had an overall feeling of safety in the city, much lower than in the region or country.

Although more people in Winston-Salem than in other places said they receive overall value for their tax dollars, that number was still only at 43% of respondents.

Residents gave the city low marks for city street and sidewalk maintenance, with 42% of survey respondents expressing dissatisfaction.

For 23 years, street maintenance is the worst service we provide, and for 23 years, we have not done anything about it, West Ward Council Member Robert Clark said. Clark has been a council member since 2001, 23 years ago.

The survey was taken by 1,059 people, by mail and online to randomly selected households. In addition to wanting attention to crime and street maintenance, people called housing rehabilitation, trash cleanup enforcement on private property and demolition of vacant structures high priorities.

Survey respondents also said youth programs, walking and biking trails and city park maintenance were important priorities.

Looking forward, city administrators said they plan to present a proposed budget to the council on May 28, with passage of the budget planned for June 17 after meetings of the Finance Committee and public hearings in between.
The decision Tuesday by Unilever PLC to divest its Ben & Jerrys Homemade Inc. subsidiary has drawn praise from state Treasurer Dale Folwell, who has long opposed the ice cream companys boycott of Israel.

Unilever, based in the United Kingdom, will end its ownership of Ben & Jerrys after 24 years as part of a restructuring that would leave the company focused on the beauty and well-being, home care, nutrition and personal care consumer sectors.

Unilever has started the spin-off process with full separation expected by the end of 2025.

In December, the dispute between the state Treasurers office and the ice cream chain ratcheted up with the offices decision to divest $40 million in assets of Unilever and subsidiaries from the N.C. Retirement Systems.

I am pleased that Unilever has seen fit to spin off Ben & Jerrys from its portfolio of products, Folwell said.

The systems are pension plans covering retirement benefits and savings for more than 1 million members. The treasurers office manages investments totaling $120.3 billion as of Thursday.

Ben & Jerry became the 10th business entity on the treasurer offices restricted investment list. Most of the others are non-U.S. entities. The $40 million represents about 0.003% of the total investment portfolio.

Folwell said that pending the completion of the sale of Ben & Jerrys, the Investment Management division within the Treasurers office would review the details of the separation to see if the move puts the company back in compliance with North Carolinas divestment from companies boycotting Israel statutes.

The 2017 law prohibits the N.C. Retirement Systems or the Treasurers office from investing in any company engaged in a boycott of Israel.

The devil is always in the details, and we want to make sure Unilever has fully separated itself from an antisemitic company like Ben & Jerrys, Folwell said.

Folwell has instructed that local governments and state agencies be notified that they are prohibited from contracting with either company. Restricted companies are ineligible to contract with the state or any political subdivision if the contract is valued at more than $1,000.

Unilever reasoning

Ben & Jerrys also features the Breyers, Cornetto, Magnum and Walls brands. Unilever said the chain had 2023 revenues of about $10.1 billion.

Unilevers board said it believes that Unilever should be increasingly focused on a portfolio of unmissably superior brands with strong positions in highly attractive categories that have complementary operating models.

Ice cream has a very different operating model. These include a supply chain and point of sale that support frozen goods, a different channel landscape, more seasonality and greater capital intensity.

As a standalone, more focused business, ice creams management team will have operational and financial flexibility to grow its business, allocate capital and resources in support of the companys distinct strategy.

There is no clear timetable for the divestiture.

The board said the divestiture will assist Unilevers management to accelerate the implementation of its growth action plan, announced in October, which is focused on doing fewer things, better, with greater impact to drive consistent and stronger topline growth, enhance productivity and simplicity, and step up Unilevers performance culture.

Background

This dispute revolves around a September 2021 decision by Ben & Jerrys independent board of directors to discontinue sales of its ice cream in the West Bank, which it refers to as the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Folwell said the divestiture decision is particularly important in this case as we have witnessed the atrocities perpetrated against the Israeli people since the Hamas militants deadly Oct. 7 rampage and hostage-taking in Israel.

There is no place for antisemitism in this state or this country, Folwell said.

The chain said on its website that we reject and repudiate all forms of hate and racism.

Our decision to exit the OPT was based on our belief that it is inconsistent with our values for Ben & Jerrys to be present within an internationally recognized illegal occupation.

As Jewish supporters of the State of Israel, we fundamentally reject the notion that it is antisemitic to question the policies of the State of Israel.
The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled Friday that a Lincoln woman's wrongful termination lawsuit against Lincoln Public Schools could not go forward, reversing a lower court ruling.

The school district's decision to terminate Lynne Simpson fell within an exemption of the Political Subdivisions Tort Claims Act, the state's high court said.

Simpson, a substitute para educator for LPS for eight years, alleged she was fired because she reported a work-related injury that left her with a concussion and vision problems.

On Aug. 31, 2017, Simpson was helping a student who was physically disabled and required the use of a stander, or support walker. While helping the student, the heavy tray of the stander fell and hit Simpson in the head.

Her attorney, Joy Shiffermiller, said after the workers compensation injury, LPS "sought reasons to end her employment," even hiring a private investigator to observe her daily activities.

The following April, LPS terminated her for lying about her criminal history on her application after a security specialist for the school district ran her record and found a felony charge out of Texas.

Simpson didn't deny the prior charge and was adamant that she had disclosed it on her initial application. LPS had no record of it due to a fire in 2011.

According to Friday's decision, a workers' compensation case management nurse for LPS noticed that some records contained different middle initials for Simpson. Which led to a background check and allegations that Simpson had failed to disclose the charge on her employment application.

In a meeting that followed, they discussed a shoplifting incident and Simpson provided an explanation of what occurred. The police report, which contained a different date of birth, didn't match her version of events.

A human resources specialist recommended LPS terminate her over credibility issues, despite positive performance appraisals and LPS staff members saying the absence of the woman the students called Mama Lynne would "change the culture of their building."

On April 13, 2018, LPS terminated Simpson's employment.

Justice William Cassel said the chief issue was whether LPS' decision to terminate her employment was a "discretionary function" for which they had immunity and therefore could not be sued.

Under the exception to the tort claims act, a political subdivision retains immunity for claims based on an employee's performance of a duty on its behalf, whether or not the discretion is abused.

Cassel said the purpose of the exemption is to prevent judicial "second-guessing" of legislative and administrative decisions grounded in social, economic and political policy through a tort action.

He said to determine if the exemption applies, first a court must consider whether the action is a matter of choice for the acting political subdivision or employee. If it is, the court must then determine whether the judgment was the kind that the exemption was designed to shield.

In a decision last June, Lancaster County District Judge Susan Strong found that LPS had not satisfied the second part, that it fell under a public policy exception.

Cassel said they found otherwise because the termination decision here involved an element of judgment, it wasn't dictated or required by any policy of LPS.

"Whether a political subdivisions tort liability should be expanded to include a claim for wrongful discharge in retaliation for filing a workers compensation claim is a matter we leave to the Legislature. In the absence of such a statutory policy, we cannot find a waiver of immunity," the justice wrote.

And the court sent the case back to district court with direction to dismiss it.

Top Journal Star photos for March 2024
After years of contentious debate over parental involvement in K-12 schools, Nebraska lawmakers gave first-round approval to a bipartisan measure on the subject.

The Nebraska Legislature advanced LB71 Thursday on a 43-0 vote. The bill, introduced by Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue, would require school districts in Nebraska to publicize a transparency policy for parents and guardians by August of this year.

"It all started with the parents and their need to know," Sanders said of the bill.

In the policy, districts must include ways parents can access testing information and curriculum, and how parents can request their child be excused from specific instruction or school activities.

The Legislature began this week with three days of emotional debate on LB441, which sought to remove a legal defense for K-12 educators accused of providing obscenity to minors. That bill was blocked from advancement. During its debate, multiple opponents referenced LB71, framing it as a more measured way to regulate the content Nebraska schools teach.

Sanders said she knew from the start that her bill had to have bipartisan support, and she made compromises on the legislation since she introduced it in 2023. The bill received support from the Nebraska State Education Association, the Nebraska Association of School Boards, the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association and the Greater Nebraska Schools Association, among other education groups.

LB71's debate still saw some disagreement Thursday, particularly regarding an amendment proposed by Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, the Education Committee chair. While Murman referred to his amendment as friendly, Sanders disagreed, and another lawmaker called it a "poison pill" that could jeopardize LB71's chance at passing.

Murman's amendment incorporates provisions of his bill, LB374, which has yet to move out of committee. It would have required public schools to notify parents whenever their child has checked out a book in their school library, and require districts to establish a hearing process for parents to object to specific learning materials.

While Murman acknowledged that many school districts already have processes for parents to object to content they find offensive, he said he's heard complaints from some parents about their districts not listening to their concerns. He said he proposed the amendment as a means to make LB71 more comprehensive.

Multiple Education Committee members, including Sanders, objected to Murman's amendment. Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont said she doubted Murman vetted the measure as much as Sanders vetted her bill. Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln noted that as the committee chair, Murman had the opportunity over two sessions to have the committee vote on LB374, and chose not to do so.

Lawmakers did adopt an amendment to LB71 from Conrad that would give parents and guardians the power to have their student repeat a grade. Parents can hold their child back in kindergarten through fourth grade because of their academic needs, illness or excessive absences. They can hold their child back in fifth through 12th grade solely because of excessive absences, under the amendment.

Top Journal Star photos for March 2024
Nebraska lawmakers voted Tuesday to set aside $2.5 million for water system repairs at the state's only women's prison, which has been marred by complaints over tainted water for nearly a decade  but questions linger over how the prison will use the money.

The Legislature approved a pair of amendments Tuesday to this years state budget package that would authorize Nebraska's Department of Correctional Services to fix the troubled water system at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women in York.

The money earmarked for the York facility upgrades was part of a second-round amendment to the legislation package that updates the current state budget, which was passed last year and covers the two fiscal years ending June 30, 2025.

If lawmakers give the budget package final-round approval  and if Gov. Jim Pillen doesn't exercise a line-item veto of the funding  the legislation would deliver millions in capital construction funds to a prison that has been plagued for years by concerns over the appearance, taste, odor and potential health effects of the facilitys water, an investigation by the Lincoln Journal Star and York News-Times revealed in January.

"I think it's a big win for the women in York," said Omaha Sen. Terrell McKinney, who worked with Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha to lobby the Legislature's Appropriations Committee to include the funding in this year's budget package.

"I think it's a big win for the women who, I think, for some time have expressed that there's issues and, hopefully, now, going forward, that issue can be addressed," said McKinney, the Legislature's most vocal critic of the state's prison system. "And hopefully their life inside can be improved as much as possible considering the situation."

News of the funding was met with cautious optimism this week from advocates, including current and former inmates at the prison and their family members.

"It is a relief to know that our cries for help have finally been heard," said Carla Walker, who while incarcerated at the prison wrote a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services in 2014, warning that women at the facility were losing clumps of hair, developing skin discoloration and breaking out with acne.

Walker called a potential fix of the York prisons water troubles long overdue.

"The women (here) are thrilled to hear that legislation is actually trying to do something about the water issues at NCCW," Maya Shields, who has been incarcerated at the facility since August 2020, said in a message on an online platform available to inmates.

"It's exciting to know that they still see us as humans and we just pray that a resolution is reached, especially after a decade of being ignored and silenced," Shields wrote.

Still, some wondered how NDCS would be held responsible for using the funds effectively, given what they see as its poor track record.

Its unclear if the windfall of state funds will bring relief to the hundreds incarcerated at the York prison.

McKinney said he sought the money after Rob Jeffreys, the head of Nebraska's prison system, told him it would cost $2.5 million to address the prison's water system issues.

The Omaha lawmaker said that Jeffreys specifically told him the money would be used to connect the York prison  which draws its water supply from a pair of ground wells and utilizes an on-site water tower  to the city of York's water supply.

But a spokeswoman for Jeffreys did not directly respond to questions about how the prison system plans to use the funds and how the department came up with the $2.5 million price tag.

In a statement, Jeffreys thanked lawmakers for the funds, which he said will "support our ability to take a proactive approach to water maintenance" at the York prison.

"We are exploring the projects and collaborations that will best support these efforts," Jeffreys said in the statement.

Dayne Urbanovsky, the prison system's spokeswoman, did not respond to emailed follow-up questions over whether the Department of Correctional Services has a plan in place to use the money Jeffreys sought.

Sue Crawford, York's city administrator, said the city "has not been contacted about connecting water to the prison."

It's unclear if connecting the prison to the city's water supply would solve the facility's long-simmering water quality issues anyway.

State health officials ordered the prison system to study corrosion affecting the prison's water supply in 2017 after water samples had higher concentrations of copper than federal regulations allowed for.

HDR Inc., an Omaha-based engineering firm, studied the prison's water supply and found that the source of the copper in the water was the facilitys pipes, not the groundwater.

Still, in 2018 the firm recommended that the prison pilot a chemical treatment of the water that included injecting orthophosphate and chlorine into the water supply.

The engineering firm explored tapping an alternative water source as part of its study, but the city of York didn't respond to the firm's inquiries before HDR presented its recommendation to move forward with the chemical injections.

HDR had also floated a total pipe replacement at the prison to address the actual source of the copper levels, but corrections staff told the firm that replacing the facilitys pipes was not a feasible alternative," according to the engineering firm's proposal.

Nebraska's prison system  which has spent at least $389,514 on water system maintenance, filter installations and other efforts to address the facilitys water issues since 2017  moved forward with the plan to treat the prison's water supply with chemicals.

Though copper levels recorded in prison water samples started to decrease in July 2021  before the prison actually implemented the chemical treatment of the water  and decreased substantially after the treatment began, inmates at the prison continue to lodge concerns over the water.

Reports of murky, pungent water persist at the prison, where inmates also continue to raise alarm over the potential health effects of the facilitys water, including hair loss, nausea and gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea.

The Legislature is expected to take its final vote this week on the budget package containing the $2.5 million in funding for prison water system repairs.

If lawmakers again approve the package, it will head to Pillen's desk, where the governor could veto individual line items in the budget at his discretion, sending each line item he rejects back to the lawmakers for a potential override vote.

Top Journal Star photos for March 2024
A rural Gage County residence was destroyed Friday following a morning fire.

Shawn Wiese, chief of the DeWitt Rural Fire Department, said the fire was reported at around 6:30 a.m. at Waldo Farms.

We were dispatched to a structure fire out here and upon arrival, there was a house that was fully engulfed, he said. The two occupants of the home were transported to Beatrice Community Hospital for observation.

Firefighters from DeWitt, Wilber, Clatonia, Beatrice Rural and Plymouth assisted with the fire, which shut down a section of Nebraska 103 Friday morning.

The residence was a complete loss, and Wiese said the State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.

He added that high winds were a factor in controlling the fire.

Top Journal Star photos for March 2024
Make-A-Wish Nebraska hosted its annual Wish Ball Gala Feb. 17 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Lincoln with the theme Dare to Wish.

The evening was emceed by Christine Weeks, CEO, and Sean Flattery, creative director, both from Eleanor Creative.

Thanks to generous sponsors and the 400 Wish Ball attendees, the event raised a record-breaking $235,000, which will be used to grant the wishes of children battling critical illnesses right here in Nebraska.

During the event, Make-A-Wish Nebraska shared some amazing wish stories, and attendees were able to help grant even more wishes by donating and bidding on auction items throughout the evening.

It was shared with attendees that Make-A-Wish Nebraska has more wishes waiting to be granted than ever before  180 wishes. That means donor support is more important than ever. Events like the Wish Ball help ensure Make-A-Wishs mission to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses will continue.

We are so grateful for everyone who attended this years Wish Ball and donated to ensure we can continue granting wishes in Nebraska, said Melissa Davis-Schmit, Lincoln regional director at Make-A-Wish Nebraska. A wish is a turning point in a childs treatment and recovery journey  one that is so filled with joy that suddenly, the piece of childhood theyve lost is within reach. We asked the local community to help make these dreams a reality  to allow our wish kids to dare to wish  and the community not only responded, they went above and beyond and helped prove that when we work together, anything is possible.

About Make-A-Wish Nebraska

Make-A-Wish creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. The nonprofit is on a quest to bring every eligible childs wish to life, because a wish is an integral part of a childs treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness. Since its inception, Make-A-Wish Nebraska has granted more than 3,100 wishes across the state. On average, it grants between 115-120 wishes per year. For more information about Make-A-Wish Nebraska, visit www.wish.org/nebraska.
Can we see the bench? Can we see the bench?

It was pretty much all I could I think about when we planned a trip to Savannah, Georgia, in February of 2023.

My wife, Anna, was a good sport about it, and eventually we did see the Forrest Gump bus-stop bench, now in the Savannah History Museum. But looking back, that was probably highlight No. 45 on the trip. Movie props pale in comparison to all of the other sights of Savannah, one of our oldest cities, with a history that goes back to 1733.

We chose Savannah mostly as a random vacation spot. We had not been. It sounded like fun, and we were intrigued by the history. It came with a fairly easy flight from Omaha to Chicago to Savannah. So away we went to the Atlantic coast.

We found it to be a mostly weatherproof vacation spot. On a rainy day, there was plenty to do, and on a sunny day, there was plenty to do. And we had it all. Temperatures from 50 to 70. Lots of sunshine. A little bit of rain. All in all, a great four days.

From our hotel in downtown Savannah, at least 30 interesting spots were within walking distance, starting with cobblestone-covered River Street. While open-container freedom along the Riverwalk was a nice bonus, it was far from the highlight. That area features great dining and shopping. And you are sure to catch a glimpse of a giant cargo ship cruising past, too.

I credit the community for not shying away from its unpleasant points from the past, like the fact that slavery and the cotton trade were a major part of Savannahs rich beginnings. The Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters is one of the citys most popular attractions. It also should be noted that Savannah played a key role in the civil rights movement.

Parks and Spanish moss-draped squares were everywhere  a result of Savannah being Americas first carefully planned city. There were originally 24 squares. Now there are 22. A favorite spot is Forsyth Park, 30 acres of public space featuring one of the Souths most famous fountains. We also found the American Prohibition Museum to be worth the two hours we spent there.

For dining, our favorite spots included Treylor Park, Shrimp Factory, Poes Tavern and Moon River Brewing Company (the beer was good; the food was excellent).

After a couple of days in Savannah, Anna asked, Can we see the beach? Can we see the beach? 

I was all in. Even better than Forrests bench. We found our Atlantic paradise in Tybee Island, just 20 minutes from Savannah. Beautiful beaches. Lots of great scenery there and also at nearby Jekyll Island. We rented bikes at Tybee, and it was the ideal way to see the island. We also found a great rest stop there in Back River Brewery.

While there is plenty to do in Savannah, I highly recommend a rental car to explore the coast. When we do it again, I think we will opt for a vacation rental at Tybee over a hotel in Savannah, and we will take in more of the art and history, particularly at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Some incredible creativity is taking place at what is known as SCAD.

And I cant wait to do it again. Loved every minute of it.

For more information, check out www.visitsavannah.com
Sandwiched in a corner of the Rockledge Square Mall on South 84th Street is a dining establishment that quietly emerged as the COVID-19 pandemic diminished.

Pho and Grill is a small but sparkling eatery that specializes in Vietnamese grilled meats and pho cuisine. My Nguyen and Vu Phan are owners, managers, chefs, and wife and husband.

Vu has been in the U.S. since 1994 and spent more than 15 years in a variety of kitchens and cuisines from Texas to Washington D.C., Chicago and more, landing in Lincoln, which is like a hometown to him. My arrived in the U.S. in 2008 in Virginia, making her way to Nebraska in 2021.

The pair opened Pho and Grill in May 2022 with My handling the upfront business and helping out in the kitchen, while Vu is chef and all things kitchen when it comes to food. But My points out that she has aspirations of becoming a chef of Vus caliber.

Beyond prepping the food, Vu has the drive to make his dishes an attraction of their own. Presentation is a secondary necessity with Pho and Grill after preparation of the food, with dishes being as colorful and appealing as they taste.

The restaurants recipes have been culled from Vus years of experience as well as family recipes. He said he builds from past restaurants he has been at, but with twists from his own taste. But he said what is always needed is both taste and look.

The restaurant offers six appetizers ranging in price from $5.95 to $15.95 and include Crispy Fried Egg Rolls, Crispy Fried Tofu and Fried Calamari.

Options of the House Special Pho soup total nine and include Eye Round Beef Steak, Eye Round Steak and Meatball, Eye Round Steak Flank, Eye Round Steak Tendon, Meatball or Chicken Pho ($14.25 small/$15.95 large); Combination of Eye Round Steak, Flank, Tendon and Meatball ($14.95/16.50); Vegetable Tofu ($14.95) and Noodle only ($12.95).

From the Charcoal Grill are seven rice platters including pork chop, chicken, pork, beef or shrimp ($14.50-$15.95). Seven Vermicelli Noodle Bowls cost between $13.50 and $14.95 with choices of eggroll, beef, chicken, pork and shrimp available.

Seafood, beef, chicken, barbecued pork, Vietnamese pork sausage and vegetable options are under the Hot Clay-Pot section and are $15.95-$17.95.

Among the Chefs Specialties are Hue Spicy Noodle Soup, Shaking Beef Steak, Crab Fried Rice, Seafood Pineapple Fried Rice, Combination Fried Rice and Crispy Fried Salted Seafood ($16.50-$19.95). Fresh Tofu Rolls,

Vegetable Tofu Pho, Crispy Fried Tofu, Vegetable Tofu Fried Rice and Saute Lemongrass Tofu are included in the Vegetable Desire listing and cost between $5.50 and $15.95.

My said that Pho and Grills customer favorite is the Combination Eye Round Steak, Flank, Tendon and Meatball Pho Noodle Soup.

According to My, 70% of customers are American and 30% are Asian. Lunch and Friday and Saturday evenings are the restaurants busiest times, during which they admit that service may run somewhat slower.

She repeats that the restaurants quality food, appearance, cleanliness and staff communication with customers are strong pluses, and our carry-out portions are quite large.

My also comments that several of the restaurants older customers say they like the dining presentation and experience. Some people say that they have never eaten food like ours before  and, they have never said that they didnt like it.
RACINE  Two finalists for Racine Unified School District superintendent spent Wednesday talking with many people about the district ahead of final interviews Thursday.

Caroline Pate-Hefty and Soren Gajewski toured three schools, answered questions during a community forum and met with staff, union leaders and area businesspeople.

Pate-Hefty is superintendent of the Whitewater Unified School District, a position she has held since July 2020.

Gajewski is the RUSD interim superintendent, a role he has held since July 2023. He was also RUSD acting superintendent for two months starting in May 2023.

During the community forum Wednesday evening, Pate-Hefty said she had a great day at the district.

Racine is going in the right direction, Pate-Hefty said. You have a good school system, and if I can be a cheerleader for you  I see the role as a superintendent to work with the board and your school community leaders to leverage resources and support, and youre going into a time where you need that.

At the forum, Gajewski emphasized his nearly two decades of experience working at RUSD and living in the Racine area.

My community is your community, Gajewski said. I want to see this community do well  This is the place I want to be superintendent. This is the place that I want to get up every day and do the whirlwind and put my face out there and deal with the stress as it comes up. This is worth it. This community is worth it. I want to serve your children just as though Im serving my own, and I hope I get the opportunity to do that.

The RUSD Board met Thursday evening for final interviews with Pate-Hefty and Gajewski. The board also was scheduled to potentially select a permanent superintendent.

Thursdays board meeting occurred after press time, but more information will be available in Saturdays paper and online at journaltimes.com.

Close Principal Bill O'Malley, left, and Caroline Pate-Hefty talk during a tour Wednesday at Park High School, 1901 12th St. Pate-Hefty is a finalist for Racine Unified superintendent. Caroline Pate-Hefty, left, talks with Tim Stanchfield, construction teacher, Wednesday at Park High School, 1901 12th St. Pate-Hefty, currently a superintendent in Whitewater, is a finalist for Racine Unified superintendent. Caroline Pate-Hefty, left, and Principal Bill O'Malley talk during a tour Wednesday at Park High School, 1901 12th St. Pate-Hefty was a finalist for Racine Unified superintendent. Soren Gajewski, left, talks with Principal Bill O'Malley Wednesday at Park High School, 1901 12th St. Gajewski, currently the RUSD interim superintendent, was named permanent superintendent on Thursday. Teacher Carey Palacios, left, and Soren Gajewski talk Wednesday at Park High School, 1901 12th St. Gajewski is the current Racine Unified interim superintendent and a finalist for the permanent superintendent position. Sarah Walker Cleaveland, Racine Unified School District Board member, left, and Soren Gajewski smile during a tour Wednesday at Park High School, 1901 12th St. Gajewski, currently the RUSD interim superintendent, was named permanent superintendent on Thursday. Caroline Pate-Hefty speaks during a community forum Wednesday at the Racine Unified Administrative Service Campus, 3109 Mt. Pleasant St. She is a finalist for RUSD superintendent and said Racine is going in the right direction." Soren Gajewski speaks during a community forum Wednesday at the Racine Unified Administrative Service Campus, 3109 Mt. Pleasant St. Gajewski, currently the RUSD interim superintendent, was named permanent superintendent on Thursday. Eight photos of RUSD superintendent finalists touring the district Two Racine Unified superintendent finalists toured three schools, spoke with staff and businesspeople and participated in a community forum Wednesday. Principal Bill O'Malley, left, and Caroline Pate-Hefty talk during a tour Wednesday at Park High School, 1901 12th St. Pate-Hefty is a finalist for Racine Unified superintendent. Caroline Pate-Hefty, left, talks with Tim Stanchfield, construction teacher, Wednesday at Park High School, 1901 12th St. Pate-Hefty, currently a superintendent in Whitewater, is a finalist for Racine Unified superintendent. Caroline Pate-Hefty, left, and Principal Bill O'Malley talk during a tour Wednesday at Park High School, 1901 12th St. Pate-Hefty was a finalist for Racine Unified superintendent. Soren Gajewski, left, talks with Principal Bill O'Malley Wednesday at Park High School, 1901 12th St. Gajewski, currently the RUSD interim superintendent, was named permanent superintendent on Thursday. Teacher Carey Palacios, left, and Soren Gajewski talk Wednesday at Park High School, 1901 12th St. Gajewski is the current Racine Unified interim superintendent and a finalist for the permanent superintendent position. Sarah Walker Cleaveland, Racine Unified School District Board member, left, and Soren Gajewski smile during a tour Wednesday at Park High School, 1901 12th St. Gajewski, currently the RUSD interim superintendent, was named permanent superintendent on Thursday. Caroline Pate-Hefty speaks during a community forum Wednesday at the Racine Unified Administrative Service Campus, 3109 Mt. Pleasant St. She is a finalist for RUSD superintendent and said Racine is going in the right direction." Soren Gajewski speaks during a community forum Wednesday at the Racine Unified Administrative Service Campus, 3109 Mt. Pleasant St. Gajewski, currently the RUSD interim superintendent, was named permanent superintendent on Thursday.
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
A Lancaster County judge has ruled retroactive portions of the criminal justice reform bill passed by the Legislature last year unconstitutional.

"The court emphasizes the narrowness of this declaration," District Judge Susan Strong wrote in a 20-page order, which followed a challenge by the Nebraska Attorney General's Office.

She declared two specific parts of Section 57  which retroactively applies to prison inmates whose sentences became final on or before Sep. 2, 2023  unconstitutional.

"This judgment does not affect any other part of LB50," Strong said.

Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen, who is obliged to defend the constitutionality of state laws by virtue of his office, filed notice of appeal Wednesday.

But he declined to comment, as did Attorney General Mike Hilgers.

The appeal is likely to bypass the Nebraska Court of Appeals and go straight to the Nebraska Supreme Court, where the Attorney General's Office initially tried to file the case in October but was turned away.

At a Jan. 25 hearing in Lancaster County District Court, Deputy Solicitor General Zach Viglianco argued that the two portions of the law amounted to clemency, which is reserved to the executive branch and the Board of Pardons by the constitution.

Attorney Bob Bartle, who represents Evnen, argued it changed how the sentences were served, not the length.

While LB50 covers a wide range of issues, the challenge focuses specifically on parole eligibility requirements that would allow some inmates who already were serving their sentences to become eligible for parole earlier.

Lawmakers made it clear they intended for the law to apply retroactively as well as going forward, in part to reduce prison overcrowding.

While it didn't change the state's good-time laws, Viglianco argued that offenders paroled under the retroactive sections of the law would receive more good time than they would under the law in effect when their sentences became final.

He said the credit would shorten, and therefore commute, their sentences and asked Strong to declare them invalid.

One section accelerated parole eligibility for offenders. The other established a new form of parole, geriatric parole, for qualifying offenders who are 75 or older.

Before the law went into effect, the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services and Board of Parole sought an opinion from the attorney general regarding the constitutionality of the retroactive applications.

The Attorney General's Office issued an opinion finding that the two sections were "likely unconstitutional."

The legal challenge followed.

In January, Bartle said the opinion hypothesized that the law would likely empower the parole board to change convictions, but "that's not what you're supposed to do as the attorney general."

"That's a hypothetical too far in our estimation," he said, arguing there was nothing on the face of LB50 that gave the Board of Parole any different power than it had before and to let the law stand.

In a March 8 order, Strong said that while the powers of the three branches of government sometimes overlap, the power to commute sentences lies exclusively with the executive branch.

"Thus, any exercise of the commutation power by another branch of government violates the separation of powers," she said.

Strong said she also considered whether she could find that the sections could apply retroactively to offenders so long as the Board of Parole did not credit them with additional good time.

But she did not believe she could because it effectively would create a new kind of parole.

"Courts have the power to declare that a law, or a part thereof, is unconstitutional," the judge said. "But courts cannot rewrite laws to make them constitutional."

Strong said that given the Legislatures concern about offenders "jamming out" (or serving their sentences without ever being on parole), that new kind of parole might be a good idea.

"But that is a question for the Legislature, not this court," she wrote.

In a message to the Journal Star, Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha said "the opinion is well thought out and provides an easy legislative fix to clear up any constitutional issues."
The Franciscan Spirituality Center invites the public to join in its 15th annual Justice and Peace Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, March 29.

This form of the Way of the Cross is a two-mile prayer walk from the heart of the city to the Mississippi River, stopping at 10 stations along the route to sing, pray and reflect on injustices and suffering in our community and the world. The walk, which recalls the journey of Jesus as he carried his cross to Calvary, will take about two hours.

People of all ages and faith backgrounds are invited to participate. Meet at 10 a.m. in front of St. Rose Convent at the corner of Market and Ninth streets.

Other stops along the way are St. Clare Health Mission, Coulee Recovery Center, Viterbo University, Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Cameron Park, St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral, Salvation Army, La Crosse County Jail and Riverside Park.

Prayers leaders include Helen Elsbernd, FSPA; Abisola Clare Adelakun, DHS; Marlene Weisenbeck, FSPA; Nina Shephard, FSPA; Pastor Joanne Richmond, ELCA La Crosse Area Synod Bishop Felix Malpica, Michael Quam, Terry Parker and Sam Morris.

There is no cost to participate. Registration is appreciated but not necessary. For more information, visit www.FSCenter.org or call 608-791-5295.
Mika Brzezinski was born in New York City, the daughter of Swiss sculptor Emilie Anna Brensova and Zbigniew Brzezinski, a diplomat who was a counselor to President Lyndon B. Johnson and the National Security Advisor to President Jimmy Carter. Brzezinski studied at Georgetown University and received a degree in English from Williams College. Brzezinski is best known as the co-host of the MSNBC morning news show, Morning Joe.

In 2015, Brzezinski launched the movement Know Your Value in partnership with NBCUniversal. The goal of Know Your Value is to help women recognize and be recognized for their worth in business and in life. The Know Your Value website features sections on business culture, career growth, health, and ones value outside of work. Articles are published regularly, and Brzezinski helms a section called Women in Charge, where she interviews women who are changing work conditions at the top of their fields.

Brzezinski was inspired to create Know Your Value from her own experiences of not knowing what she was worth in the workplace and not understanding how to discuss her place. She thought her situation had improved when she joined Morning Joe, only to find that her contract paid her less than a quarter of what the other show members were making. When she went to speak to the network president about the pay disparity, his reply was Im sorry you signed the contract. She found the courage to speak to him 3 more times. The second time she explained that she couldnt afford child care and was told business isnt personal. The third time she tried to show strength and power and the network president thought she was out of line. The last time she told him that Morning Joe would not exist without her, and if the salary inequity wasnt fixed, and fixed then, he would know the next morning what it would be like without her. She got the pay raise, and credits that moment with making her job performance better. She had more respect for herself and was more invested in what she did.
Responses to the Wisconsin State Journals candidate questionnaire. This position represents the villages of Prairie du Sac and Sauk City on the Sauk Prairie School Board. Candidate Rich Judge did not respond. The election is April 2.

Nik Franciskovich

Age: 43

Hometown: Prairie du Sac

Family: Married with two children, ages 10 and 8

Job: Student services coordinator, Lodi School District

Prior elected office: None

Other public service: None

Education: Bachelors degree in zoology, UW-Madison; teaching license certification, UW-Milwaukee; masters degree in educational administration, Edgewood College

Q&A

What unique expertise or experience would you bring to this office?

Franciskovich: I have served students and families in a variety of roles within various school districts across the state for the past 20 years. Education has changed dramatically over this time, and some school communities have adapted better than others. Ive learned much from amazing educators and leaders and hope to share this with the Sauk Prairie School District.

What are your top three budget priorities?

Franciskovich: My budget priorities are staff compensation, instructional materials and targeted training for staff. School districts must be competitive to attract/retain new employees. Teachers must have the tools required to effectively do their job. School staff need training to support the needs of learners in our community ranging from academic deficits, social-emotional wellbeing, and so on.

What can the district do to improve educational outcomes?
Shortly after Candice Tlustosch was appointed La Crosse County Circuit Court judge in 2015, her re-election fell short in the primary by 25 votes.

It was a wake-up call but in multiple ways a blessing, Tlustosch said. The blessing of losing in the primary is that I was just able to enjoy the job.

Tlustosch served six months as judge, and now shes seeking a term of six years. Shes running for the 3rd Circuit judgeship vacated last year when Judge Todd Bjerke retired. Gov. Tony Evers appointed Mark Huesmann to the post in July 2023, and Tlustosch and Huesmann will face off in the April 2 election.

Tlustosch, a native of Montana, said she brings broad legal experience to the campaign. She enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with an eye toward tax law and estate planning. She got her first job with Arndt, Buswell & Thorn in Sparta and, like most young lawyers, she found herself taking on a wide variety of cases.

She quickly discovered she liked the variety.

You get some of the most interesting cases and people from all walks of life, she said. It was good to establish that base.  I have been working in the trenches of the legal system for the past 20 years.

After four years, she opened her own legal practice in La Crosse and accepted many of the same types of cases she handled in Sparta. She said the experience bolstered her qualifications for a judgeship.

A broad general practice is helpful because judges see all of that, Tlustosch said.

She was appointed Circuit 5 judge in 2015 by Gov. Scott Walker. The election was won by Gloria Doyle, who Tlustosch said has worked hard and done a good job.

Tlustosch said name recognition played a role in the election result.

I realized I was just not as connected to La Crosse County as I should have been, she said. People didnt know who I was.

During the past decade, Tlustosch has joined the downtown Rotary Club and served as the clubs advisor for Interact, a club for youth ages 12-18 who volunteer in the community. She has also served on the boards of directors for La Crosse Oktoberfest and The Parenting Place and is active in her church.

As a judge, Tlustosch said its her obligation to follow the law as its written. She said perceived partisanship at the higher court levels has eroded confidence in the system.

Judges do not make policy, she said. Our job is to apply the law thats already there  the robe is not red or blue. Its black.

Tlustosch said many of the major issues faced by local judges  illegal drug use, homelessness, gun violence  are connected.

Nobody wakes up one day and decides, Im going to be an addict and become homeless, she said. Whats really important in each individual case is to figure out how they got to where they are now, and that its going to be different for everybody. We cant just apply one blanket rule.

Tlustosch said shes proud of her six-month record as a circuit court judge.
Safety concerns were on the minds of many La Crosse County Board of Supervisors members at Thursdays meeting when considering the passage of seven ATV route applications.

In the end, despite much debate, all seven routes were approved.

Originally, the routes were all applied for under a single application. But supervisor Pam Viner made a motion to divide the application into seven parts, with all the original information included.

The routes are primarily located in the towns of Barre and Greenfield, with one in Hamilton. In a letter of support, the towns of Barre and Greenfield sought to open their roads to UTV and ATV traffic, but need county roads opened to enable travel.

Opening those roads would allow residents access to West Salem, Bangor and eventually Vernon County.

There were arguments both in favor and opposing every route. Arguments in favor primarily noted the will of the townspeople, and arguments in opposition relied heavily on safety concerns.

The most controversial of all seven routes was the Route 1.

If you look at all the data of the seven routes, this is the worst one, said supervisor Ralph Geary.

Route 1 has the most accidents at 31 reported in the past five years, making it the most dangerous route considered. Route 3 had the fewest accidents, with only one accident reported in the past five years.

The La Crosse County Sheriffs Office in January wrote: The hill in and out of St Joes is steep and winding with narrow guard railed shoulders in stretches. This hill has the most concern from the sheriffs office as it relates to visibility.

However, Route 1 appears necessary, as many supervisors noted that it connects several of the other routes. Route 1 starts at the South Hamilton Line and goes to STH 14, spanning 13 miles in total.

In a 14-14 vote, Route 1 initially failed to pass.

At the end of the meeting, after the approval of the other six routes, a motion was made by supervisor David Hundt to discuss re-visiting Route 1.

In a 15-13 vote, the motion to reconsider passed, with supervisor Mike Baroni changing his vote. On the revote, Baroni still opposed the route, but supervisor Randy Erickson changed his vote, approving the route in a 15-13 vote, citing something Supervisor Steve Doyle said.

We always say whenever the town says yes, we say, you know, we should respect the town. When the town says no, we say we should respect the town, said Doyle. We dont have to follow them, but we have tried to show respect to them by following what they are proposing and what theyre requesting when it comes to zoning, and I dont think this should be any different.

Resolutions, Amendments and AppointmentsKim Cable brought forth five items from the executive committee for consideration of the entire board, which all passed, with only one amendment being made to the salaries for elected officials.

The salaries of the county clerk, county treasurer and register of deeds were set to gain a 3% increase in salary each year, which starts at $89,405 this year. However, an amendment was made and passed to increase that to a 4% raise for the past two years.

The board also passed an amendment to Chapter 2 of the General Code of La Crosse County, which will make some procedural changes to the county board. Some changes include enabling remote attendance up to three times per year for both board meetings and committee meetings while being considered present and eligible to vote, and abstaining will only be allowed in instances of conflicts of interest, among others.

Three resolutions brought up by Cable passed as well, which included:

Survey maps involving the village of West Salems purchase of 45.42 acres of land for a total of $1.1 million.

An amendment to La Crosse International Business Park Declaration of Protective Covenants, which addresses a request from Advanced Fiber Pro to expand their facility.

A $50,000 grant to the Lake Onalaska Lake District to assist with matching fundraising for a dredging project that will help create new fish habitats, enhance access and provide relief to properties affected by the rising shoreline.

Tina Tryggestad brought forth two resolutions from the Health and Human Services Board, that were both considered and passed by the board.

The first item calls for the need to regulate and prohibit puppy mills, which are breeding environments that provide limited care and resources for animals, and further encourages the state of Wisconsin to enhance animal welfare laws.

The second item will provide La Crosse County and partnered counties with an additional $30,000 in state funding of Medical Reserve Corps through June 2024.

The board also re-appointed Emily Meyer, Michael Sersch and Vincent Loera to the Criminal Justice Management Council for three-year terms. They reappointed Maureen Freedland, Mike Wobbe and Lewis Kuhlman to the Solid Waste Policy Board for three-year terms. Lastly, they reappointed Sam Bachmeier to the Wisconsin PACE Commission for a two-year term.
The police raid of the Stonewall Inn didn't go as expected.

It was 1969 and members of New York City's LGBTQ community were fed up with the arrests and harassment that had become common place.

Only on this night, police faced unprecedented resistance. Patrons and onlookers fought back and for days Greenwich Village was a riot zone that ultimately helped spark the modern LGBTQ civil rights movement and place the Stonewall on the National Register of Historic Places.

But eight years before Stonewall there was the Black Nite Uprising in downtown Milwaukee.

But instead of police, servicemen thought they could intimidate and beat some of the customers of the gay bar, located in the midst of a series of abandoned buildings that were slated to be torn down to make way for what is now Interstate 794.

The servicemen found themselves outmatched. Led by Josie Carter, a 23-year-old who identified as a woman, customers fought back. And when police arrived, the only arrests were those of the bloodied servicemen.

And now, just like Stonewall, the site of the melee is getting its own historical marker to commemorate one of the early victories for the emerging LGBTQ rights movement in the U.S. The marker is part of an initiative by the Wisconsin Historical Society and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation to belatedly recognize the accomplishments of some whose sexual orientation or race meant they didn't often make the history books.

'Things accelerated'

"By the time of Stonewall, Milwaukee had something like 36 gay bars and its first gay rights organization," said Michail Takach, 50, a researcher and writer with the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project.

"Things accelerated after the Black Nite. It just had to be such a flash of amazement that there were enough gay people to have their own spaces and that gay people didn't just get beat up and and beat down. They could fight back."

In 1982, Wisconsin became the first state in the nation to pass a law that made it illegal for state or private businesses to discriminate based on sexual orientation in employment and housing. The bipartisan effort was led by a Madison state representative, David Clarenbach, and signed by then-Gov. Lee Dreyfus. It would be nine more years before another state would adopt such protections, according to documents from the Milwaukee Public Library.

The site of the Black Nite has been a vacant lot for nearly 60 years and is now poised for redevelopment, so it's unclear when the marker will be installed at the corner of St. Paul and Plankington avenues, just a few blocks from the Milwaukee Public Market.

Program recognizes the underrepresented

Thirteen other markers have already been installed around the state or are in the process of being developed, thanks to the Pomeroy Foundation, which works on a national level to fund historical marker projects and in 2021 granted the Historical Society $75,190 for more markers.

The final phase of the project will fund another 12 markers. Community groups from around the state are being asked to submit applications with a focus on underrepresented people. They can include historical events or people related to African Americans, disability rights, Hmong, Latinos, the LGBTQ community, tribal nations and women.

Applications are due to the Historical Society by April 30 with the hopes of having markers installed in 2025. The Historical Society has been installing markers since 1951 and has studied its more than 600 markers scattered around the state to see where gaps exist in telling the state's stories.

"The markers are such a unique program because it is community led," said Mallory Hanson, the WHS's statewide services coordinator and who works with the markers program. "It's a wonderful way for organizations to share their stories and tell about events, individuals and anything that can resonate for that local, state or national significance to our state's diverse history."

Stories set in stone

In 2022, the Wisconsin State Journal told the story of one of the markers, placed outside the clubhouse of the Lake Ivanhoe Property Owners Association. The 46-acre Walworth County lake was home to the state's first Black-owned resort property, and by the 1960s the development consisted of about 30 homes, most owned by African Americans looking for lake living within a short drive of their Chicago-area homes.

Another marker installed in 2022 was on Dairy Lane in State Fair Park in West Allis. It identifies the site where ancestors of the Ho-Chunk constructed burial mounds. The earthworks are among the last remaining in Milwaukee County and mark the location of a larger mound group that has been destroyed.

In far northern Wisconsin, a marker installed in October on Madeline Island in Lake Superior replaces a marker installed in 1961 that said French explorers had discovered the island. The new historical marker, which bears "Mooningwanekaaning," the Ojibwe name for Madeline Island, was developed using input from the Bad River and Red Cliff Ojibwe communities and recognizes the central role of Indigenous peoples in the islands history.

The Anishinaabeg have called this island home since time immemorial, and it is important that their story is shared today and for future generations, Christian Overland, the Historical Society's director and CEO, said at the time.

Milwaukee's open housing marches

Back in Milwaukee, a series of nine markers will help tell the stories of the civil rights marches. One has already been installed at the site of the now removed St. Boniface Catholic Church that was home to a predominantly Black congregation and served as a hub during 200 consecutive days of open housing marches from fall 1967 to spring 1968.

Three others are scheduled to be installed this spring. The 16th Street viaduct marker will commemorate marches across the bridge in 1967 from the predominantly Black north side to the white south side. On Aug. 8, 1967, marchers faced thousands of rioters who harassed and attacked them as they walked to Kosciuszko Park. The next night, the NAACP Youth Council held another march and faced up to 13,000 counter-protesters. The night ended with dozens of arrests and injuries, but the marches sparked a movement that lasted for 200 consecutive nights, forcing the city to confront segregation.

Markers will also be placed at both the Fifth Street and 15th Street Freedom House locations. In 1966, the Youth Council established a headquarters at 2026 N. Fifth St. and in 1967 added a second house on 15th Street to expand operations. The homes are where the Youth Council planned marches and protests, including one focused on the Eagles Clubs whites-only policy.

Markers help communities tell their stories," said Bill Pomeroy, founder and trustee of the Pomeroy Foundation. They play an important role by preserving history, educating the public, encouraging pride of place, and promoting historic and cultural tourism.

Photos: The Driftless Digger
Organizers of a recall effort against Assembly Speaker Robin Vos have fallen woefully short of the minimum signature threshold, Vos asserted in a challenge filed Thursday with the Wisconsin Elections Commission.

Vos, who earlier this week described organizers of the recall as whack jobs and morons, also claimed in the challenge that petitions submitted to the commission earlier this month were plagued with fraud and criminality, providing examples of at least 20 individuals named on the petitions who claim their signatures were forged.

This failed effort has proven to be what I said it would be from the beginning  a waste of time and resources, Vos said in a statement. That is especially true for the residents whose identities have been stolen and the local officials who must now investigate these matters.

The recall effort was launched in January by Republicans frustrated that Vos had refused former president Donald Trumps request to overturn the 2020 presidential election, something the speaker is not empowered to do under state law and the Constitution anyway. Organizers said last week they submitted more than 10,000 signatures to the Wisconsin Elections Commission.

However, an initial review by commission staff found the group appears to be more than 900 signatures short of the 6,850 needed in Vos old Assembly district to force an election.

Vos was elected in the 63rd Assembly District, but new maps signed earlier this year by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers place Vos in the new 33rd Assembly District. Whats more, some of Vos previous territory now falls in the new 66th Assembly District.

Regardless of the number of signatures collected, its unclear which legislative district hed run in after the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled late last year that maps used in the 2022 election are unconstitutional, barring their use in any subsequent election. New maps signed into law earlier this year dont go into effect until November.

In his challenge, Vos argues a recall can only take place in the new 33rd Assembly District.

This recall effort was doomed from the start, as it was initiated three weeks after the Wisconsin Supreme Court explicitly stated that the prior Assembly Districts were unconstitutional and thus could not be the basis for a recall (or any) election, Vos challenge states. Because the recall cannot proceed in the 63rd Assembly District, the recall was improperly initiated and must be rejected out of hand.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission has asked the Supreme Court to clarify which boundaries should be used for the potential recall  a decision that could determine how many signatures are needed or deemed valid. The court in a split decision Tuesday offered all parties in the case until Thursday to file a response to the commissions motion.

Racine County

Other questions about the recall effort have come from Racine County District Attorney Patricia Hanson, who said last week her office began receiving reports of suspicious signatures just days after the petitions were submitted to the Elections Commission.

The Racine County District Attorneys Office has had numerous calls to report theft of identifying information from electors whose names appear on the recall petitions, but did not sign a petition personally, Hanson said.

Vos previously had expressed suspicion that the recall group illegally paid people to sign the petition and engaged in other wrongdoing, including collecting signatures outside his current district.

Jailhouse stroke?

In his recall challenge, Vos pointed to 21 people who signed affidavits alleging their signatures were fraudulently included in the petitions, as well as fraudulent signatures for at least three minors. Vos also alleges petitions include names of people who are ineligible to vote and someone who was being held in the Racine County Jail at the time they allegedly signed the petition.

This may just be the tip of the iceberg, the challenge document states. Speaker Vos challenges all of these signatures and respectfully requests that WEC make appropriate criminal referrals for the election fraud committed by the circulators responsible for these crimes.

In addition, Vos alleges 471 signers did not provide their correct municipality and 831 signers provided illegible or incomplete address information. Recall signers must include a complete address.

Organizers of the recall effort in a statement Monday attributed suspicious signatures to sabotage committed by people from outside the state.

Organizers said they meticulously followed every rule, adding later that despite our vigilance, a few unverified petitions slipped through due to a volunteer oversight, a regrettable yet isolated incident.

Today in sports history: March 21 1941: Joe Louis KOs Abe Simon to retain the world heavyweight title. 1945: George Mikan scores 53 to lead DePaul to NIT semifinals 1959: Oscar Robertson records first triple-double in NCAA tournament's Final Four history 1964: UCLA completes unbeaten season, gives John Wooden his first of 10 championships 1990: Brett Hull of St. Louis becomes sixth player in NHL history to score 70 goals in a season 2008: Alex Ovechkin becomes NHL's first 60-goal scorer in 12 years 2008: One site, one day, four upsets 2010: Teemu Selanne becomes 18th player in NHL history to score 600 goals 2010: No. 12 Cornell first Ivy League school in 30 years to advance to round of 16 2011: Courtney Vandersloot becomes first D1 player - man or woman - to record 2,000 points, 1,000 assists 2013: Julia Mancuso races to her record 16th title 2013: Harvard earns its first NCAA tourney victory, an upset of No. 3 New Mexico
Assaulting a Wisconsin election official could result in 18 months in prison under a bipartisan bill signed into law Thursday by Gov. Tony Evers. The governor also signed a measure that prohibits municipalities from closing more than half of its polling places within 30 days before an election.

But the Democratic governor vetoed several other election-related bills, including Republican-authored proposals seeking to curb the governors power to appoint replacements for elected executive branch officials who resign and reduce to 3 feet or less the distance election observers can stand from where voters announce their name and address and register to vote.

The first measure Evers approved, Senate Bill 822, creates a penalty for assaulting an election official in Wisconsin and bars the release under the states open records law of clerks personal phone numbers or addresses.

The law, which comes as local clerks across the country report increased harassment since the 2020 presidential election, would also provide election officials who report fraud or irregularities with whistleblower protections.

Almost two of every three local election officials nationwide say false information is making their jobs more dangerous, according to a 2023 poll by the liberal Brennan Center for Justice. Asked the biggest reason retiring clerks wouldnt continue in their jobs, the top answer was, Too many political leaders are attacking a system that they know is fair and honest.

Under the bill, physically attacking election officials would be raised from a misdemeanor to a Class I felony, subjecting offenders to up to 18 months in prison and two years of extended supervision.

The penalty for publicizing election officials phone numbers, addresses or other personally identifiable information would be raised from a fine to a misdemeanor if the person knows releasing that information would lead to officials receiving threats or physical harm.

The measure goes into effect on July 1, 2025.

Another measure approved by the governor, Assembly Bill 298, bars cities from closing more than half of their polling places within 30 days before an election. City officials also would have to post public notices in advance of any planned closures.

The new law follows decisions by a handful of communities to close polling locations in the April 2020 election due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Milwaukee, all but five of its 182 polling places ultimately were closed, leading to long lines to vote.

Sen. Andre Jacque, R-De Pere, said the law will prevent city officials from disenfranchising their citizens with surprise polling location closures.

This bill will protect our right to vote by making sure local officials notify us early about proper polling locations so we can submit our votes on time, Jacque said.

Bills vetoed

Evers struck down several other measures sent to him by the Republican-led Legislature, including Assembly Bill 476, which would have required special elections in most cases to replace executive branch officials who resign.

The measure comes in response to Republican objections to how the administration handled the replacement of former Secretary of State Doug La Follette, who resigned last year just two months into his 11th consecutive term. La Follette stepped down after narrowly defeating former Republican Rep. Amy Loudenbeck of Clinton. Evers then replaced La Follette with Sarah Godlewski, a former Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, to serve out the rest of La Follettes term.

Under the proposal, special elections would be required to replace a secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general or state superintendent of public instruction. The only exception would be if an official resigned from office in the same year that position was up for election. In that case, the governor would be able to appoint a temporary replacement, subject to Senate confirmation, to serve out the rest of the term.

In his veto message, Evers wrote that he opposed the Legislatures continued, widespread efforts to infringe upon executive branch authority.

The provisions of this bill could result in long-term vacancies in these critical positions, disrupting continuity of government, and resulting in the absence of leadership and accountability within core state government agencies and constitutional offices, Evers continued.

Another bill, Assembly Bill 543, would have allowed election observers to stand 3 feet or less from where voters announce their name and address and register to vote.

Current law allows observers to be between 3 and 8 feet from voters. But some observers argued they could not see ballots being handled during recounts for the 2020 presidential election, according to the bills sponsors.

I cannot support legislation that could enable voter intimidation and prevent election workers from effectively and efficiently carrying out their important duties without interference, Evers wrote in a veto message.

More action

Other bills vetoed Thursday include:

would allow residential care facility and nursing home employees to serve as voting assistants during public health emergencies.

would require election officials to notify families of relatives who plan to vote with the aid of a special voting deputy, an official who assists voters at nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

would have required public and independent charter schools to schedule a time every school year  upon request from a federally chartered youth membership organization  to allow the organization to visit the school and encourage students to join the organization.

would require the Legislative Audit Bureau to conduct a performance audit of election processes after every general election in the state.

Other bills signed:

adds catalytic converters to the list of vehicle parts considered major. The change turns catalytic converter theft into a felony punishable by up to three years and six months of combined prison and extended supervision, $10,000 in fines, or both.

increases the minimum fine issued to a driver who fails to stop for a school bus with its flashing lights activated from $30 to $500. The maximum fine for such violation increases from $300 to $1,000.

Today in history: March 21 1685: Johann Sebastian Bach 1952: Moondog Coronation Ball 1965: Rev. Martin Luther King Jr 1997: Bill Clinton 2006: Jack Dorsey 2007: Al Gore 2012: Kofi Annan 2012: Sean Payton 2016: Raul Castro 2017: Chuck Barris 2017: Neil Gorsuch 2019: Donald Trump
An area stretching across Argentina, Bolivia and Chile forms what is called the Lithium Triangle. The earth there is rich in lithium, a necessary metal in creating batteries for electric cars and other products.

The international effort to develop technologies that do not use oil, gas or coal requires huge amounts of lithium. But small native communities in the Lithium Triangle are worried. They fear their way of life will disappear as industry pushes for new lithium mines. The mining takes place in low, dry areas known as salt flats.

Stories from Argentina

Irene Leonor Flores de Callata is 68 years old. She lives in a desert area of Argentina where she keeps llamas and sheep. The life includes searching for fresh water on a usual basis.

Her town is one of 38 that surround salt flats called the Guayatoyoc Lagoon and Salinas Grandes. People in the area earn some money from vacationing visitors and salt harvesting. They are a native people known as the Kolla.

Flores de Callata worries that if the mining expands in her area, there will be no water. She said: What will we do if we dont have water? If the mines come, well lose our culture, we wont be left with anything.

Lithiums value

Between 2021 and 2023, the price for one ton of lithium almost tripled in the U.S., reaching $46,000. In China, a main buyer of lithium reportedly paid $76,000 for one ton of the metal last year. Some call the metal white gold.

Mining companies around the world are turning their attention to the Lithium Triangle. World leaders are also pushing for lithium production. In the United States, President Joe Biden said he aimed to have electric vehicles make up half of all sales in America by 2030. That would amount to about 8 million electric vehicles. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said: Argentina is poised to play a critical role in building supply chains for critical minerals that will drive the economy of the 21st century, particularly things like lithium.

Although prices have recently dropped because of oversupply, experts say worldwide demand is likely to rise in the future.

Environmental concerns in Chile

Two lithium mining companies operate in Chile, which borders Argentina to the west. SQM is a Chilean business and Albermarle is an American one. Valentin Barrera, a spokesman for SQM, said lithium is an answer to the problem climate change. We want to grow, understanding that its needed to mitigate climate change.

In Chile, SQM pumps thousands of liters of salt water out of the ground and then lets the water dry out in pools. The solids in the salty water contain lithium. The pools evaporate, leaving a solid substance that is collected and purified.

Environmentalists, however, are concerned that the mining in the area will harm animals like flamingos and other life. As in Argentina, mining has brought criticism and legal cases. Local people want influence in decisions about the land.

In 2016, an investigation of SQM found that the company had used more water in their mining process than the law permitted. Later, the company was ordered to pay $51 million to mitigate damage caused by six incidents, including the polluting of fresh water wells.

Barrera said the court actions and criticism come from disinformation. He blamed the state-run copper mines, which also use a lot of water.

An Albermarle spokesperson said the underground salt water is not water because it is not drinkable.

The Associated Press (AP) spoke to a number of scientists. They said it is hard to believe that industrial water use does not affect the environment. They said water pumping can pollute fresh water with salty water and dry out the surrounding area.

Ingrid Garces studies water at Chiles University of Antofagasta. She said the salt flats are important for different kinds of animal and plant life. She said the water in the salt flats is not drinkable but is connected to other water sources and is important to natives.

A 2020 report from the United Nations said that mining has used up 65 percent of the water in Chiles Atacama Salt Flat causing pollution and environmental damage, causing natives to leave ancestral settlements.

In April of 2023, Chilean President Gabriel Boric announced a plan to increase government control of lithium mines. The government told the AP the plan would help control water use and spread wealth to more people. The move had the effect of pushing mining companies to invest in neighboring Argentina.

An opportunity and contradiction

Miguel Soler is secretary of mining in northern Argentina. He said, In Argentina, (Chiles decision) is an opportunity.

More than 30 companies are officially seeking permission to mine in the Guayatoyoc Lagoon and Salinas Grandes areas in Argentina. Local people are opposing the business effort.

The llama herder Flores de Callata and her native Kolla people have fought against mining and brought long legal battles to halt projects in the past also.

We are guardians of the highlands, said Flores de Callata, We defend our land

Last summer, the local government changed laws to limit the ability of groups to protest against the expansion of mining. Alicia Chalabe, an environmental lawyer representing the communities, said the change to local law violates international law. She said there is a lot of pressure to exploit lithium for electric vehicles. But she added, while lithium is important worldwide, so is the resistance of these communities. Theyre not alone.

Flores de Callata lives in the small town of Tusaquillas next to the wide salt flats where mining might take place in the future. She has a small group of farm animals and lives in a home with dried mud walls that she and her husband built. She wonders what will be left in 20 years.

If the mines come, well have money for a time. But then our grandchildren, our great-grandchildrentheyre the ones who will suffer, she said.

Generations of Ramon Torres family herded goats near a town close to Chiles Atacama Salt Flats. But when companies started mining lithium in the early 1980s, Torres took a job as a miner and started saving money.

Today, he uses his wireless phone as he sits next to his small home. He bought the house and his device with his earnings from mining.

There is development, but theres also the water issue. And they contradict each other, Torres said. Because everyone needs money, everyone also needs the basics, like healthcare and education.

Im Mario Ritter, Jr.

And I'm Caty Weaver.

Megan Janetsky, Victor Caivano and Rodrigo Abd reported this story for the Associated Press. Mario Ritter, Jr. adapted it for VOA Learning English.

_______________________________________________

Words in This Story

battery n. a device that stores electricity providing direct current

poised adj. in the right condition to do something; about to

mitigate v. to limit or ease a possibly damaging situation

pool n. a very small body of water

evaporate v. to dry up

opportunity n. a chance to do something that did not exist before

contradict v. to not be in agreement with something

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India will begin the worlds largest general election next month.

The process is expected to stretch over 44 days before results are announced on June 4. Nearly 970 million Indians  more than 10 percent of the world population  will be eligible to take part.

The voting process will choose 543 lawmakers to Indias lower house of Parliament. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third term in office. He will face off against an alliance of opposition parties struggling to unseat him. Most public opinion studies predict Modis Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party will win.

Here are some of the main facts to know about the election.

Why will the election take so long?

There are two main reasons the election will stretch on so long. One is that India is the worlds most populous country. The other reason, experts say, is because it will be a huge logistical effort to make sure that every registered voter can take part in the process.

The voting process will take place over seven parts, or stages. The countrys 28 states and eight federal territories will vote at different times. Each stage will last one day, with the first held on April 19 and the last held on June 1.

Voters in some states will cast their ballots over a day, while in other places it may take longer. Uttar Pradesh, the largest state with 200 million people, will vote over a period of seven days, for example.

During the election, voting stations will be set up in remote places. This will include a wildlife refuge in southern Kerala state and another in a shipping container in western Gujarat state.

How is security a concern?

Experts say one main reason for the multi-stage election is to improve security.

Tens of thousands of federal security forces will be deployed during the voting. The guards, including those who usually guard borders, will be sent along with state police to prevent violence and to transport electoral officials and voting machines.

Deadly clashes involving supporters of competing political parties harmed past elections. But such violence has eased over the years, thanks to heavy security.

The Indian governments elections chief, Rajiv Kumar, said recently, Look at the geography of the country  there are rivers, mountains, snow, jungles  think of the security forces movements. They will have to travel through the length and breadth of the country.

Kumar added, We will walk the extra mile so voters dont have to.

Im Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English.

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Words in This Story

eligible  adj. able to take part in something

logistics  n. the practical arrangements for something

remote  adj. extremely isolated

walk the extra mile  (phr) going above and beyond what is expected
In an earlier Everyday Grammar, we talked about Fast Car, a song about young people who had dreams of making their lives better. Then, we asked our readers and listeners to tell us about their own dreams.

In todays lesson, we will review two answers we received, both from people in their middle years of life, and we give some grammar advice.

Jairos dream

First, we want to thank Jairo, a middle-aged man who wrote to us. He said,

Today everyday grammar topic is about dreams, how can I describe my dream? This is an interesting topic over all for people who already has certain age, like me; as well, the time is not longer for following an eternal dream

Jairo used an interesting expression to tell us about his age. He said, people who already has certain age. You might have heard this expression in sentences like:

A person of a certain age needs to be concerned about retirement funds.

Note that the verb has is not used, but the preposition of is used before a certain age. As you can guess, this is a polite way to describe someone in their 40s, 50s, or 60s. It is often used to talk about womens age without saying how old they are. Sometimes it comes before criticism, so take care in using it.

Time is growing shorter

Jairo said, the time is not longer for following an eternal dream. We suggest using, the time is growing shorter or there is little time left. Jairo could say,

The time for me to follow my dream is growing shorter.

Jairo continues to tell us about what is now important to meeting his life goals.

 for that reason I need to be focus on important things, indeed, buy a house, save money for my daughters scholarship, save money for taking a vacations or save money to be prepare for my retirement time

In this statement, Jairo uses be before an infinitive verb form two times: be focus and be prepare. We suggest using the adjective form in both:

I need to be focused on important things.

I need to save money to be prepared for my retirement.

Kaoris dreams

Next, we review a message from Kaori, who is a middle-aged woman in Japan. She begins by saying what she dreamed as a young person, using the expression we heard in the song, Fast Car  to be someone.

When I was young, I strongly believed I would be someone in the future. I wanted to be the first female Prime Minister in Japan or an executive of the big famous company.

Kaori did earn a job at a company, but then marriage and children and culture forced her to quit working. She says:

However, I didn't become anyoneI stopped my job and gave up my carrier. Do I regret my decision and my life? No. Not at all.

From the remaining part of Kaoris message, we find she was a success at being a mother, as her two daughters are in college. And she gained a part-time job that helped to pay their school costs when they were younger. The corrections to her message that we suggest are the spelling of career and how to say you have quit a job. We can say, I stopped working, or I quit working. But Kaori could also say, I changed jobs, because being a homemaker and mother, although unpaid, is a full-time job. Kaori did all that while holding a part-time job.

Thinking of how her dream changed over time, Kaori writes:

My past dreams were only thinking, not real. I can say my own dreams have changed everytime. In the future, even if I become old, I hope to find new and enjoyable dreams at anytime.

Two words in this part cause grammatical issues: everytime and anytime. Every time should be written as two separate words, but a better way to say this would be:

I can say my own dreams have changed over the years.

Anytime is an adverb, so it should not appear after the preposition at. Instead, Kaori could say,

I hope to find new and enjoyable dreams anytime.

Or she could use a different expression:

I hope to find new and enjoyable dreams my whole life long.

Thank you, Kaori and Jairo, for writing to us and helping everyone to learn more about how we talk about our dreams. You both showed us that dreams can change over time as our lives become connected with those of others.

And thats Everyday Grammar!

Im Jill Robbins.

Jill Robbins wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English.

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Words in This Story

certain  adj. definite or particular, but not named or specified

polite adj. showing good behavior and consideration for the needs of others

guess  v. to think or suppose

What do you think of the reaction to the coronavirus outbreak? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.
Civil rights leader, the Reverend Martin Luther King, has been convicted of organising an illegal boycott by black passengers of buses in the US state of Alabama.

Mr King, 27, was fined $500 (178) and ordered to pay an equal amount in costs.

However, his lawyers immediately gave notice of their intention to appeal and the fine was converted into a prison sentence of 386 days, suspended until the appeal hearing.

The 17-week-old boycott in the town of Montgomery was sparked by the arrest of a black woman, Rosa Parks, who refused to give up her seat for a white passenger on 1 December last year.

The towns segregation laws stipulate separate areas on buses for blacks and whites and require blacks to give up their seats for whites if necessary.

Black travellers have long complained of being called racist names by bus drivers and being forced to stand even if seats were vacant in the whites-only section.

Mrs Parks, 42, was not the first to be arrested for refusing to give up her seat but she was a well-known and respected figure in Montgomerys black community.

Four days after her arrest an almost universal boycott of the towns buses by black passengers began which has seriously diminished the companies revenues.

Mr King was found guilty under an archaic law dating from 1921 designed to break trade union action.

The law carries a maximum penalty of $1,000 and six months in prison.

But Judge Eugene Carter said he had been lenient with Mr King because he had advocated non-violence.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

The bus boycott lasted a total of 382 days.

It ended in December 1956 after bus companies throughout Alabama were forced to comply with a US Supreme Court ruling that segregation on public transport was illegal.

Martin Luther King organised non-violent campaigns for equal rights throughout the 1950s and 1960s and was jailed many times.

In August 1963 he made his famous I have a dream speech at a march in Washington which attracted more than 250,000 demonstrators.

The following year he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

He survived several attempts on his life but was assassinated in April 1968.
Angela Chao, a shipping industry CEO and sister-in-law to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, was intoxicated when she drove into a pond and died last month in Texas, according to a law enforcement report released yesterday [Macau time]

The investigation by the Blanco County Sheriffs Office concluded that Chaos death was an unfortunate accident and her blood alcohol level was nearly three times the states legal limit.

Chao, 50, died the night of Feb. 10 after having dinner with a large group at a ranch near Johnson City, west of Austin. The report describes a frantic scene as friends and deputies tried to pull Chao from her Tesla after she backed it into the pond near a guest lodge on the property.

A friend, Amber Keinan, told detectives that Chao called her at 11:42 p.m. and said the car was in the water and she was trapped inside. The conversation lasted 8 minutes as the car slowly sank.

Chao told Keinan the water was rising and she was going to die and said I love you, the report says. Chao then said her good byes to Keinan.

Friends swam to the car while another paddled out with a kayak, according to the report. Someone else called 911 at 11:55 p.m. and remained on the phone for 11 minutes.

When law enforcement officials and firefighters arrived, they went into the water and attempted to enter the Tesla, the report said. They broke the window on the drivers side, and a deputy felt around until he located Chaos hand.

Emergency crews pulled her out of the car and brought her to shore, where she was pronounced dead at 1:40 a.m. Feb. 11.

A toxicology test determined that Chao had a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.233 grams per 100 milliliters, above the legal limit in Texas of .08, the report says.

Chao was the chair and CEO of her familys shipping business, the Foremost Group, and the president of her fathers philanthropic organization, the Foremost Foundation. She lived in Austin, which is about 50 miles east of Blanco County.

Chao was the youngest of six sisters to immigrant parents who moved to the U.S. from China in the late 1950s. Her eldest sibling, Elaine Chao, is married to McConnell and served as transportation secretary under President Donald Trump and labor secretary under President George W. Bush.

Angelas name in Chinese sounds like the characters for peace and prosperity, her father, James S.C. Chao, said in a family statement shortly after her death. Her absence leaves a void not only in our hearts, but in the Asian-American community.

Her father was named chairman of Foremost Group following her death. Michael Lee, a former president, became president.

Chao is survived by her husband, father and four sisters. MDT/AP
MGM has organized a variety of activities in the Barra district in bid to inject contemporary, trendy, artistic, and lifestyle elements into Barra and drive the continuous development of the district.

As part of the Barra District Revitalization Series, MGM is introducing various forms of art into the district.

The activities include mural creation, art group parades, floral displays, and historical photo exhibitions. The highlight of the project is a collaboration with local street artist AAFK and over 150 students and elderly individuals to create a 64-meter-long mural showcasing the colors of Macau.

We wanted to express the diverse and international aspects of this city and highlight that Macau is a city composed of different cultures. I hope that in the future, Macau will have a more diversified creative performance space like places in Europe and the United States, said local artist Anny Chung.

I did not expect the community to be so happy to partake in the painting of the mural, as groups often go over their time slot to continue to paint, she added.

The finished sculpture will be displayed during the Easter holiday. Additionally, performance teams from different countries participating in the parade will perform in the district, combining Mazu culture with Latin and Western cultures. Floral art is also emphasized, with florists creating on-site and teaching flower art to the public.

A joint exhibition organized by MGM and cultural organizations displays historical photos and artworks, providing insights into the areas past and future development.

MGM China last year revealed it will support the governments revitalization plan for the A-Ma district, which it plans to turn into a cultural and creative area.

The project is part of its pledge to the government in bid to promote the development of non-gaming elements.

Chairperson and executive director, Pansy Ho, has previously said that the gaming operator hopes to revitalize the A-Ma area into a cultural and creative park, where more cultural elements will be added. Staff Reporter
Local delicacy spices up tourism in northwest China city

Xinhua) 09:40, March 22, 2024

An owner of a malatang stall serves a customer on a snack street in Qinzhou District of Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 19, 2024. At dawn, the bustling snack streets of Tianshui, a city in northwest China's Gansu Province, were already teeming with activities, with visitors eager to taste the local specialty, malatang, literally meaning a numbingly spicy hotpot.(Xinhua/Ma Xiping)

LANZHOU, March 20 (Xinhua) -- At dawn, the bustling snack streets of Tianshui, a city in northwest China's Gansu Province, were already teeming with activity, with visitors eager to taste the local specialty, malatang, literally meaning a numbingly spicy hotpot.

Dong Liangyan, 29, hailing from Daqing in the northernmost province of Heilongjiang, said she has come all the way traveling over 2,000 km just to savor this delicacy that has intrigued her for quite some time.

"When I unlocked my phone, all I could see was promotional messages about Tianshui malatang spicy hotpot," she said, adding that the aromatic chili oil and the velvety texture of hand-pulled noodles made her culinary quest all the more rewarding.

This simple spicy hotpot delicacy has recently thrust this quaint city into the online spotlight, enchanting tourists with its rich history spanning over 8,000 years.

As a popular specialty snack across China, spicy hotpot offers a diverse range of flavors, depending on the region. In Tianshui, the hot and fiery chili oil blankets an array of ingredients, complemented by a serving of silky hand-pulled noodles, creating a distinctive and delightful culinary experience.

In recent years, the choice of destinations by tourists has become increasingly diverse, with many opting to travel for culinary experiences and to discover new flavors as part of their holiday adventures.

According to a 2023 report on gastronomic tourism released by the China Tourism Academy, the role of gastronomy in shaping tourism destinations and development strategies is gaining prominence. It has emerged as a crucial factor in unveiling the cultural landscape of cities to a broader audience.

"Nothing can resist the temptation of this bowl of delicacy," said 48-year-old Ha Haiying who has owned a malatang restaurant in Qinzhou District for over two decades.

While handling the long queues of customers outside her shop, Ha explained how the affordably priced hotpot serves as a prime example of food's evolving role as a catalyst for cultural and tourism consumption.

Data further confirms the popularity of "foodie tours." As of March 13, discussions about "Tianshui malatang" have dominated the trending topics on major social media platforms, with over 1.05 billion views on short video platforms. Searches for "Tianshui malatang" on the Chinese lifestyle-sharing platform Xiaohongshu have resulted in over 30,000 relevant notes.

The "foodie tour" also boosts the sales of various local agricultural products. As the "soul" of Tianshui hot pot, the bright red and richly flavored chili powder from Gangu County has become a new favorite for many food lovers.

According to He Zhibin, general manager of a chili production and processing enterprise in Gangu, chili products have gained significant traction online, with many social media influencers and e-commerce hosts seeking collaborations.

"Eating is not the only motive for travel, said Ju Yuexuan, a tourist from Shenyang in northeast China's Liaoning Province. "I also want to enjoy the unique scenery in the northwest."

An aerial drone photo taken on March 20, 2024 shows a scenic spot in Maiji District of Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province. At dawn, the bustling snack streets of Tianshui, a city in northwest China's Gansu Province, were already teeming with activities, with visitors eager to taste the local specialty, malatang, literally meaning a numbingly spicy hotpot. (Xinhua/Fan Peishen)

Tourists taste malatang at the ancient city of Tianshui in Qinzhou District of Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 20, 2024. At dawn, the bustling snack streets of Tianshui, a city in northwest China's Gansu Province, were already teeming with activities, with visitors eager to taste the local specialty, malatang, literally meaning a numbingly spicy hotpot. (Xinhua/Ma Xiping)

Tourists watch a performance on a commercial street in Qinzhou District of Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 19, 2024. At dawn, the bustling snack streets of Tianshui, a city in northwest China's Gansu Province, were already teeming with activities, with visitors eager to taste the local specialty, malatang, literally meaning a numbingly spicy hotpot. (Xinhua/Ma Xiping)

Tourists visit the Maiji Mountain Grottoes in Maiji District of Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 20, 2024. At dawn, the bustling snack streets of Tianshui, a city in northwest China's Gansu Province, were already teeming with activities, with visitors eager to taste the local specialty, malatang, literally meaning a numbingly spicy hotpot. (Xinhua/Fan Peishen)

Tourists visit the Maiji Mountain Grottoes in Maiji District of Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 20, 2024. At dawn, the bustling snack streets of Tianshui, a city in northwest China's Gansu Province, were already teeming with activities, with visitors eager to taste the local specialty, malatang, literally meaning a numbingly spicy hotpot. (Xinhua/Fan Peishen)

Tourists pose for a photo at the ancient city of Tianshui in Qinzhou District of Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 20, 2024. At dawn, the bustling snack streets of Tianshui, a city in northwest China's Gansu Province, were already teeming with activities, with visitors eager to taste the local specialty, malatang, literally meaning a numbingly spicy hotpot. (Xinhua/Ma Xiping)

Tourists take a free ride at a scenic spot in Qinzhou District of Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 19, 2024. At dawn, the bustling snack streets of Tianshui, a city in northwest China's Gansu Province, were already teeming with activities, with visitors eager to taste the local specialty, malatang, literally meaning a numbingly spicy hotpot. (Xinhua/Fan Peishen)

Shehuo performers stage a show for tourists at the ancient city of Tianshui in Qinzhou District of Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 20, 2024. Shehuo is a traditional carnival-like folk celebration, featuring folk performances that may vary from dragon dance, lion dance, to traditional Chinese opera, drum playing in different regions. At dawn, the bustling snack streets of Tianshui, a city in northwest China's Gansu Province, were already teeming with activities, with visitors eager to taste the local specialty, malatang, literally meaning a numbingly spicy hotpot. (Xinhua/Ma Xiping)

Tourists taste local snacks at the ancient city of Tianshui in Qinzhou District of Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 20, 2024. At dawn, the bustling snack streets of Tianshui, a city in northwest China's Gansu Province, were already teeming with activities, with visitors eager to taste the local specialty, malatang, literally meaning a numbingly spicy hotpot. (Xinhua/Ma Xiping)

Tourists visit the ancient city of Tianshui in Qinzhou District of Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 20, 2024. At dawn, the bustling snack streets of Tianshui, a city in northwest China's Gansu Province, were already teeming with activities, with visitors eager to taste the local specialty, malatang, literally meaning a numbingly spicy hotpot. (Xinhua/Fan Peishen)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A payment card fraud syndicate resulting in the loss of MOP5.9 million from 71 victims has been uncovered, with three people under arrest, the Judiciary Police (PJ) announced yesterday.

According to the police, the three suspects have stolen at least MOP4.4 million.

The suspects, identified by their surnames as Sio (33), owner of three car service centers and a beauty parlor; Fok (32), owner of an engineering company; and Che (31), an insurance broker, face charges of computer fraud, money laundering, and participation in a criminal syndicate.

As of yesterday, no local resident card-data has been detected as part of the fraud, the PJ reported.

On Dec. 19 last year, the police were notified by a local bank and an external non-mainland card issuer that they had flagged as suspicious over 100 transactions in Macau that month involving non-local card holders, amounting to the loss of MOP5.9 million.

The police traced the transactions to the commercial establishments of the three suspects.

On Wednesday morning, the police arrested the suspects in various locations across the city. They also searched the commercial establishments and staff were taken for questioning.

The police believed that the suspects had gathered payment card data and made the fraudulent transactions online through their businesses. The cards were connected to mobile devices and had been used to facilitate MOP4.4 million in unauthorized transactions.

The investigations also uncovered a cigarette smuggling operation, which was referred to the Macao Customs.

The PJ discovered a high volume of smuggled cigarettes in a shop and apartment during their investigations for the payment card abuse case. A local woman with a prior criminal history was arrested.

The woman, surnamed Chan, said she was the shopkeeper. Customs officers found 434,200 cigarettes in a shop and an apartment on Rua do Bocage in near San Ma Lo, which equate to MOP220,000 in base value and MOP651,300 in unpaid import duties. She confessed that she had been buying smuggled cigarettes to resell in her store since 2021.

She is subject to a maximum penalty of MOP100,000 in fines and the cigarettes have been confiscated. She also faces penalties under laws concerning smoking prevention and control, and the Health Bureau has been informed for appropriate follow up.

Three other people  Chans relatives  were found living in the apartment but reported having no knowledge about the source of the cigarettes.
The Science and Technology Development Fund (FDCT) has set some ambitious goals for this year. Among them is the aim to increase project funding from companies by 40%, while keeping the same budget as last year, the president of the Administrative Committee, Che Weng Keong, said yesterday in a press conference organized by the fund to present the results of 2023 and provide insights into the forecast for 2024.

In his presentation, Che noted that one of the four main directions of the FDCT for 2024 is to reinforce support to technology companies, with the aim of achieving a 40% growth year-on-year.

In response to an inquiry from the Times, the president later clarified that the vast majority of projects funded by FDCT in 2023 were associated with institutions, such as tertiary education. According to Che, only 8.4% (MOP37.8 million) of the MOP450 million in funding last year was directed towards company projects. Therefore, achieving 40% growth year-on-year will represent a modest increase in financing of slightly over MOP15 million, an amount considered relatively small and unlikely to significantly impact the overall annual budget of the fund.

Another of the 2024 FDCT policies aims to attract exceptional graduates to return to work in Macau.

While specific strategies to achieve this aim were not elaborated upon, Che mentioned that they intended to incentivize tech companies to hire locals. Additionally, they also seek to encourage local students to pursue technology studies in Macau universities rather than abroad.

Che noted that there are currently many majors and even post-graduate courses being offered in Macau by local institutions that are of equal quality as those of other institutions abroad. He believes that local students would prefer to study in Macau than to move abroad.

Another of the main directions for 2024 is to promote and develop research and development (R&D) projects centered in Hengqin.

The idea is that more local tech companies will establish themselves in Hengqin and be supported in their R&D efforts by local universities under a framework termed Companies in Hengqin ask, Universities in Macau respond.

The idea is to put local universities at the service of the companies in Hengqin to help them solve problems and develop new technologies that can then be transformed into products.

Such aims are also closely related to the development of the 1+4 strategy, particularly focusing on Big Health and High and New Technologies, building on the groundwork laid in 2023.

More support for State Key Laboratories

Another priority for FDCT in 2024 is to provide more financial support to the State Key Laboratories.

According to the FDCT plan, the idea is to support the reorganization of these laboratories according to the development of national scientific investigation as well as to increase financial support for midstream R&D. Specifically, there is a proposed 25% increase in initial support for results transformation in these labs.
Armed gangs launched new attacks in the suburbs of Port-au-Prince yesterday [ Macau time], with heavy gunfire echoing across once-peaceful communities near the Haitian capital.

Associated Press journalists reported seeing at least five bodies in and around the suburbs, and gangs blocked the entrances to some areas.

People in the communities under fire called radio stations pleading for help from Haitis national police force, which remains understaffed and outmatched by the gangs. Among the communities targeted in the pre-dawn hours were Petion-Ville, Meyotte, Diegue and Metivier.

When I woke up to go to work, I found I could not leave because the neighborhood was in the hand of the bandits, said Samuel Orelus. They were about 30 men with heavy weapons. If the neighborhood had mobilized, we could have destroyed them, but they were heavily armed, and there was nothing we could do.

By the afternoon, another victim had been reported: a police officer killed in broad daylight in a Port-au-Prince neighborhood known as Delmas 72, according to the SYNAPOHA police union.

As the attacks continued, the U.S. State Department announced yesterday that it had completed its first evacuation of American citizens from Port-au-Prince. More than 15 Americans were airlifted to neighboring Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic.

More than 30 U.S. citizens will be able to leave Port-au-Prince daily aboard the U.S. government-organized helicopter flights, the agency said.

We will continue to monitor demand from U.S. citizens for assistance in departing Haiti on a real-time basis, the department said.

On Sunday, the agency evacuated more than 30 U.S. citizens from the coastal city of Cap-Haitien in northern Haiti to Miami International Airport.

We hope that conditions will allow a return of commercial means for people to travel from Haiti soon. We and the international community and the Haitian authorities are working for that to become a reality, the State Department said.

Also on the same day, a plane chartered by the Florida Department of Emergency Management evacuated 14 Florida residents, including children, out of Haiti, said Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the state agency, at an airport in Sanford, Florida where the passengers were expected to land.

More than 300 Floridians are in Haiti, and the Florida-sponsored operation was working on getting them out on future flights despite bureaucratic obstacles from the U.S. government and safety threats in Haiti, Guthrie said at a news conference, where he was accompanied by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

We understand there are people really in danger right now who are fellow Floridians, DeSantis said.

The attacks in parts of Port-au-Prince came two days after gangs went on a rampage through the upscale neighborhoods of Laboule and Thomassin in Petion-Ville, with at least a dozen people killed.

The violence forced the closure of banks, schools and businesses across Petion-Ville, which until now had been largely spared from the attacks that gangs launched on Feb. 29.

Gunmen have set fire to police stations, forced the closure of Haitis main international airport and stormed the countrys two biggest prisons, releasing more than 4,000 inmates.

Scores of people have been killed and some 17,000 others have been left homeless amid the violence.

Meanwhile, Haitians await the possibility of new leadership as Caribbean officials rush to help form a transitional presidential council that will be responsible for appointing an interim prime minister and a council of ministers.

A top official with regional trade bloc Caricom who was not authorized to speak to the media told The Associated Press yesterday that the Pitit Desalin party of Jean-Charles Moise accepted to be a voting member of the council after initially rejecting a seat. The party was the last remaining holdout, meaning that the nine-member council is now fully formed, although its members have not been disclosed publicly.

Moise recently formed an alliance with Guy Philippe, a former rebel leader who helped overthrow former President Jean-Bertrand Artistide and who was repatriated to Haiti in November after serving time in a U.S. prison after he pleaded guilty to money laundering.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who was locked out of Haiti when the airports closed, has said he will resign once the council is formed. PIERRE-RICHARD LUXAMA, PORT-AU-PRINCE, MDT/AP
Noriko Kuwabara was excited to try a new recipe shed seen on social media for crispy shrimp spring rolls, so she and her husband headed to Costcos frozen foods aisle. But when she grabbed a bag of farm-raised shrimp from the freezer and saw Product of India, she wrinkled her nose.

I actually try to avoid shrimp from India, said Kuwabara, an artist. I hear some bad things about how its grown there.

She sighed and tossed the bag in her cart anyway.

Kuwabaras dilemma is one an increasing number of American consumers face: With shrimp the leading seafood eaten in the United States, the largest supplier in this country is India, where the industry struggles with labor and environmental problems.

The Associated Press traveled in February to the state of Andhra Pradesh in southeast India to document working conditions in the booming industry, after obtaining an advance copy of an investigation released yesterday [Macau time] by the Chicago-based Corporate Accountability Lab, a human rights legal group, that found workers face dangerous and abusive conditions.

AP journalists obtained access to shrimp hatcheries, growing ponds, peeling sheds and warehouses, and interviewed workers, supervisors and union organizers.

India became Americas leading shrimp supplier, accounting for about 40% of the shrimp consumed in the U.S., in part because media reports including an AP investigation exposed modern day slavery in the Thai seafood industry. APs 2015 reporting led to the freedom of some 2,000 enslaved fishermen and prompted calls for bans of Thai shrimp, which had been dominating the market.

In India, residents told the AP newly dug hatcheries and ponds had contaminated neighboring communities water and soil, making it nearly impossible to grow crops, especially rice they depend on for food.

From the ponds, trucks hauled the shrimp to peeling sheds. In one shed, dozens of women, some barefoot, stood on narrow wooden benches enduring 10-hour shifts peeling shrimp covered in crushed ice. Barehanded or wearing filthy, torn gloves, the women twisted off the heads, pulled off the legs and pried off the shells, making it possible for American cooks to simply tear open a bag and toss the shrimp in a skillet.

From India, the shrimp travels by the ton, frozen in shipping containers, to the U.S., more than 8,000 miles away. It is nearly impossible to tell where a specific shrimp ends up, and whether a U.S.-bound shipment has a connection to abusive labor practices. And Indian shrimp is regularly sold in major U.S. stores such as Walmart, Target and Sams Club and supermarkets like Kroger and Safeway.

The major corporations that responded to APs queries said they deplore human rights violations and environmental damage and would investigate.

If we learn that serious issues may be present in a supplier facility, whether through allegations made or audits, we deploy Walmart investigators to gather facts through on-site visits to facilities or through other means, Walmart, the worlds largest retailer, said in a statement. As such, we are looking into the allegations raised by the Associated Press.

Pradeep Sivaraman, secretary of Indias Marine Products Export Development Authority, a government agency, traveled to the U.S. this month to represent his countrys shrimp industry on the bustling floor of the Seafood Expo North America in Boston. A chef at Indias booth sauteed a sizzling shrimp curry in front of a case filled with frozen shrimp.

Before ending a brief interview, Sivaraman said India is committed to providing quality shrimp to U.S. buyers. He refused to answer questions about labor and environmental problems.

Erugula plight

Erugula Baby, 51, widowed and destitute, sold her gold jewelry  her only savings  and then took out loan after loan in her rural Indian village as her son lay dying of liver disease. Her debt topped $8,500 and her son didnt survive. Today shes raising her granddaughters and trying to repay the loans, help her daughter-in-law get an education and, on a good day, eat a small amount of rice. She said she works in brutal conditions, peeling, cutting and grading shrimp in a factory for less than $4 a day, which is $2 less than minimum wage.

The working conditions are tough, she said, wiping away tears with the corner of her red sari. Standing for long hours in the cold while peeling and cutting shrimp takes a toll on my body.

Baby and other workers said they pay recruiters about 25 cents a day out of their salaries just to set foot inside the processing shed. Transportation in company buses is also deducted from some workers salaries, along with the cost of lunch from company canteens. Many workers have no contracts, and no recourse if they are hurt on the job.

Another peeler, Penupothula Ratnam, said she suffers back pain all the time from the arduous work, for which shes paid about $3 a day.

Its not enough for our living, she said, breaking into tears. Rarely does she get a day off, she said.

Many people in India struggle to survive amid endemic poverty, debt and unemployment. The women AP spoke with said this work, despite the oppressive conditions, is their only chance to avoid starvation. The economic drivers go beyond shrimp, and beyond India, to issues of globalization and Western power.

Desperately poor women told AP they werent paid overtime as mandated by law, in addition to not being paid Indias minimum wage. Some said they were locked inside guarded hostels when they werent peeling shrimp. The work was unsanitary to the point that workers hands were infected, and they lacked safety and hygiene protection required under Indian law. And it doesnt meet U.S. legal food safety standards required for all seafood imports.

Dr. Sushmitha Meda, a dermatologist at a nearby government hospital in the city of Kakinada, said she treats four to five shrimp peelers every day. Some have nail fungus, caused by small cracks that allow germs to cause infections. Other women have fingers or even their entire hands darkening with frostbite. Meda said that sometimes she has to amputate.

Its a preventable problem, she said. Cotton gloves covered with latex gloves can protect peelers hands, but few can afford a $3 box of gloves.

The Corporate Accountability Lab said American importers may never encounter desperate and abused shrimp peelers, because large Indian exporters invite auditors into their own state-of-the-art facilities and use them as a showcase to foreign buyers.

In contrast, auditors are unlikely to audit peeling sheds, the report said.

And while the larger corporate processing facilities appear to meet hygiene and labor standards, CAL said, there are hidden abuses at the onsite hostels where shrimp peelers are housed. CAL found workers living in overcrowded and often unsanitary conditions under the careful surveillance of company guards, only allowed off the premises once a month.

No one can enter, no one can leave without permission, labor organizer Chekkala Rajkumar, district secretary for the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, told AP about the large facilities in his region. He compared them to British colonial penal colonies. Anyone talking about the working conditions is kicked out. Its not a worker friendly atmosphere. He said pregnant women sometimes miscarry because of the arduous work.

Poor sanitation in labor-intensive peeling

At one tin-roofed processing shed, AP journalists observed dozens of women working in unsanitary and dangerous conditions. The shrimp, pulled from outdoor ponds in barrels, were swished around by hand in grimy water. Once rinsed, they were dumped onto ice-covered tables, where women stood, peeling them one shrimp at a time. Many handled shrimp with bare hands. Some women had bandages on injured fingers. Some womens long hair dangled into the shrimp.

The shrimp at this facility were later loaded in large plastic crates into a truck with the brand NEKKANTI painted in large letters. Managers at the small shed said Nekkanti Sea Foods and other major brands often outsource the labor-intensive peeling and deveining work to keep down costs.

Nekkanti, however, says all its shrimp is processed in a handful of massive company-owned processing facilities approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A marketing video produced by Nekkanti, which is projecting $150 million in revenues this year, shows shrimp peelers in a spotless room, with shiny tables, and workers wearing gloves, head coverings, face masks, rubber boots and waterproof aprons.

John Ducar, an advisor to the board of Nekkanti Sea Foods, said the company had nothing to do with the peeling shed that AP visited and said their branded truck was there only because it was being leased to another company. He provided a document that said Nekkanti was paid $3,600 for the four-month lease of a truck with the license number the AP observed.

It appears that you observed the operations of an entirely separate company, he said.

The company named in the document did not respond to a request for comment.

Though Nekkanti had no connection to the shed or the shipment observed by the AP, Ducar said, the company will work to improve conditions at neighboring shrimp sheds and is reconsidering leasing its trucks.

U.S. trade records show Nekkanti shipped more than 726 U.S. tons of farmed shrimp from India to the U.S. in the past year, according to ImportGenius trade data. Records show shipments went to major American seafood distributors including AJC International Inc., Eastern Fish, CenSea, Jetro Cash & Carry Enterprises, King & Prince Seafood, Red Chamber Co. and Rich Products Corp. Those companies, in turn, sell Indian shrimp under popular brand names including Costar, Good & Gather, Great Value and Mrs. Fridays at supermarkets, box stores and restaurants across the U.S.

Importers that responded to requests for comment about possible labor abuses said they would investigate, with some suspending business in the meantime.

We at Rich Products treat these allegations with the utmost seriousness, said the owners of frozen SeaPak brand shrimp. We are always fully prepared to investigate any allegations and take decisive corrective measures in response to any substantiated claims.

Damaging the environment

Alongside a busy highway last month, men pulled nets of shrimp from shrimp ponds that had been dug into fields and mangroves, destroying critical ecosystems. Local villagers said the growing industry hasnt just brought abusive working conditions, its also damaging their environment.

The massive, murky ponds and their toxic algae, chemicals and sewage have made it impossible to grow crops and poisoned their water, they said. Investigators from CAL say antibiotic use is widespread to control disease outbreaks. Antibiotic use in shrimp farming and other agriculture can lead to rising drug-resistant infections, a growing problem in the U.S.

Essentially, we feel lost, said Areti Vasu, a farmer who said he was badly beaten and jailed during failed protests that sought to stop the development of a 57-acre shrimp processing and cold storage plant adjacent to his rice fields. Our lives, our land, our farming pride, fresh air, and clean water  everything is lost. We are destined to live here in disgrace.

Jonnalagaruvu village vice president Koyya Sampath Rao initially helped build the massive facility, ignoring warnings from environmentalists.

Sadly their predictions came true, he said. Our water streams are now polluted, farmland is turning barren, yields are shrinking, and the night air is thick with pollutants.

Official complaints about a lack of environmental impact studies and coastal regulation violations have usually been dismissed by Indian authorities.

Among the trucks being loaded with the shrimp at a pond in the village was one with a large sign: Wellcome KingWhite. In the past year Wellcome shipped 3,800 tons of shrimp to the U.S., according to ImportGenius trade data. The records show these include distributors Great American Seafood Co., Pacific Coral Seafood and Ore-Cal. The Great American Seafood Co. says on its website that it sells to dozens of food suppliers and supermarket chains, from Sysco and US Foods to Whole Foods and WinCo Foods.

Sysco, the nations largest food distributor, has imported in the past from both Nekkanti and Wellcome. A spokesperson said they stopped doing business with Wellcome in 2022 after the Indian firm refused to allow us to conduct a required social responsibility audit in their facility. Wellcome did not respond to requests for comment.

The Sysco spokesperson said the company suspended receipt of any products from Nekkanti after APs query this month, and would immediately begin an investigation.

Sysco will continue to hold all its suppliers to the highest standards of labor and human rights, the company said in a statement.

Unfair trade practices

Most American consumers say they would rather buy U.S.-produced food. But with only 5% of shrimp sold in the U.S. caught there, shrimp from the U.S. can be harder to locate and considerably more costly.

In the 1970s, the U.S. led the world in shrimp production. Shrimp was considered a delicacy. Diners were served expensive shrimp cocktails with less than a dozen shellfish harvested off the East, West and Gulf coasts.

Over the next two decades, the use of inexpensive shrimp-farming technologies soared in Asia, and imports flooded the market. Today in the U.S., where more than 5 pounds of shrimp per person is eaten per year, consumers expect all-you-can-eat shrimp buffets and $10 frozen bags at their markets.

There are a number of systems failing to prevent shrimp that is produced by forced labor or causes environmental damage from arriving on Americans dinner tables.

For one, there is plenty of shrimp in the Gulf of Mexico, but U.S. fishing communities have stricter, and more costly, labor and environmental standards than their Asian counterparts. Last year officials in the region sought financial relief, asking for state and federal declarations of a fishery disaster because they cannot compete with cheap imports that make up 95% of the market.

The request is pending. If approved, boat owners typically receive checks for a few thousand dollars, well below their losses.

The many small, family-owned commercial shrimping businesses in Louisiana are facing an unprecedented risk of collapse due to the devastating impacts that large volumes of imported shrimp are having on domestic shrimp dockside prices, said then-Gov. John Bel Edwards last fall.

U.S. Customs and Border protection is responsible for blocking imports of products produced with forced labor, and in recent years has prohibited imports of some cotton from China, gold from Democratic Republic of Congo, and sugar from the Dominican Republic. No products have been prohibited from India.

Eric Choy, executive director of CBPs office of trade, said CBP does investigate allegations of abuse.

Youd hope that there was a magic button that you can push and then everything created by forced labor is prohibited from entering, but its a much harder task, he said. It does require us to follow the trail.

Last year, the FDA refused entry of 51 shrimp shipments citing antibiotics; 37 of those were shrimp exported from India.

The departments of Labor and Commerce havent taken significant action, despite U.S. shrimpers complaints of unfair trade.

For too long India has engaged in unfair trade practices causing economic damage to our domestic shrimp industry, said Trey Pearson, president of the American Shrimp Processors Association.

U.S. firms rely on industry organizations and auditors to make sure their shrimp imports are raised and processed in a safe, legal and environmentally responsible way.

The National Fisheries Institute, Americas largest seafood trade association, works with seafood importers to improve working and environmental conditions in shrimp farming.

Any labor abuses in the value chain are abhorrent and they need to be addressed immediately, said NFI chief strategy officer Gavin Gibbons.

The Global Seafood Alliances Best Aquaculture Practice stamp of approval is on almost all Indian imports, certifying the supply chain meets their high standards.

We take these matters very seriously, the organization said in an emailed statement.

CAL said the Best Aquaculture Practice certifications are often performative.

Despite strong standards on paper, implementation is often weak, said the report.

Shrimp will grow in a lab, says fisherman

Fisherman and author Paul Greenberg said he sees a future where the shrimp Americans eat is neither wild caught nor farmed: it will grow in a lab. He said the science is underway to develop those products, and because shrimp isnt flaky like fish, it should be an easier seafood to produce with living cells.

In the meantime, hes been trying out vegan shrimp, the shrimp that never died. The texture is good, he said, and the sweetness impressive.

Human rights advocates say cost-cutting from U.S. supermarkets, restaurants and wholesalers squeeze producers to provide cheaper shrimp without addressing labor and environmental conditions.

CAL says Indian companies need to pay living wages and abide by labor, health, safety and environmental laws. In addition, the organization says U.S. companies need to ensure that the price they pay for shrimp is enough for Indian exporters to treat workers equitably. And, they say, both the Indian and U.S. governments need to enforce existing laws.

The presence of widespread labor abuses and environmental destruction in the Indian shrimp sector is undeniable, said Allie Brudney, a CAL senior staff attorney. U.S. restaurants and grocery stores need to purge these unethical practices from their supply chains.

Ecologist Marla Valentine, who heads non-profit Oceanas illegal fishing and transparency campaign, said consumers can help.

You can use your dollar to make a difference, she said. When this isnt a lucrative business anymore, it will stop.

It has worked in the past, she said.

Thailand has been called out for labor abuses many times, particularly regarding shrimp, and we are seeing the seafood industry and the Thai government really try to make some of those changes, she said. They are answering the market power, so it shows that change can happen.

MARTHA MENDOZA, MAHESH KUMAR & PIYUSH NAGPAL, SAN FRANCISCO, MDT/AP
The Macao LRT Corporation, Limited (MLM) issued a statement saying it has asked the MTR Railway Operations (Macau) Company Limited to address labor concerns with its contracted workers appropriately and in accordance with the Labor Relations Law.

This statement follows reports on about 100 employees transferred from MTR Railway Operations to MLM due to a concession change, who have been deprived of their service periods.

At the same time, MLM also called for the firm to provide clear explanations to workers and the establishment of an exit mechanism.

MLM has never required the workers to sign any additional documents not issued by MLM in their application for the MLM position, the LRT Corporation said in a statement.

As MLM will be directly responsible for most of the operation and repair work of the Macau Light Rail from April 2024, MLM successively initiated staff recruitment last year to ensure that it does not affect the daily operation of the Macau Light Rail. By the end of 2023, 109 former MTR (Macau) employees had joined MLM. Staff Reporter
The University of Macau (UM) kicked off its UM Career and Internship Fair 2024 yesterday, featuring more than 115 enterprises and organisations. Offering some 2,300 job opportunities, the university has also organised a series of career guidance activities to help graduating students find jobs. According to UMs Graduate Further Studies and Employment Survey 2022/2023, 90% of graduates found a job or furthered their studies within three months after graduation. The median monthly income of working graduates was MOP15,000, and the top five industries they worked in were education (19.8%); hospitality and catering (16.8%); banking, finance and insurance (16.0%); trade, wholesale and retail (10.4%); and construction and engineering (6.1%).

Related
A buyer of a unit in the Macau New Neighbourhood (MNN) residential project in Hengqin has taken to a Facebook group to complain the quality of the project.

In response, the developer of the project, Macau Urban Renewal Limited (MUR)  a private company wholly owned by the Macau government  defended the quality of the appliances pre-installed at the time of ownership transfer, emphasizing that some of them met national regulatory requirements.

Questioning the poor quality despite the project being developed by a government-owned company, the social media user pointed out that the density fiberboards used in their apartment are of the lowest quality with the highest composition of formaldehyde.

The buyer also said that they were not allowed to put safety bars on the windows and were not permitted to install a ventilation fan. They also criticized the developer and the constructor for pushing responsibilities to each other, suggesting that they were trying to avoid accountability.

The purchaser also criticized the fact that there were only two internet service providers. External connections [to ban websites such as Facebook and Instagram] equate to a fare of RMB200 per month, which in the buyers opinion, is even more expensive than CTM. The other service provider, meanwhile, was said to be only able to connect to TVB and its programs, while still charging RMB100 per month, the buyer said.

They added that they still had no idea how their furniture could be delivered from Macau to Hengqin, despite a new mechanism to facilitate transactions between Macau and Hengqin coming into effect on Mar. 1.

The buyer recapped that the government had pledged that the lifestyle in Hengqin would be aligned with that in Macau.

In defense of the project, the MUR said that the branded kitchen cabinets are made of high-grade fiberboards which have passed the formaldehyde emission test to meet the standards, although it did not explain which set of standards they were referring to.

In terms of ventilation, the developer recapped that all MNN apartments have two balconies, with windows installed in the bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms. A natural ventilation approach is used, which complies with the relevant ventilation regulations (GB 50096-2011), the developer added.

It also said that telecom circuits and optical fiber network [had been] all installed in the flat and were ready for connection by a service provider, but did not explain the tariff and choice of operators.

The post prompted lively discussions from other social media users on the matter.

A user suggested the buyer quickly to file a complaint ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election next year. Another user wondered why the buyer did not buy an apartment in Macau. Look at what brand of electric appliances are installed there, the user commented.

Another user warned about the harms of formaldehyde, which is believed to be a cause of leukemia.

A comment that attracted a larger number of reactions mocked the project name, calling it Macau Sham Neighbourhood.
During a visit to Portugal, the Macau Polytechnic University (MPU) Vice Rector Lei Ngan Lin signed a cooperation agreement with Rector Luis Ferreira of the University of Lisbon, the local university announced in a statement.

Having a positive relationship for nearly 20 years, the two universities have come to consensus on a number of topics, such as strengthening teacher-student exchanges, carrying out scientific research projects, jointly organizing academic seminars and lectures, as well as exchanging academic publications in the fields of language, science and technology, and general health.

Lei said that the MPU has always been committed to deepening cooperation with higher education and scientific research institutions in Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking countries, aiming to promote collaborative innovation and talent cultivation in higher education, and to live out the role of Macau as a bridge in Sino-Portuguese higher education cooperation and exchanges.

Moreover, Ferreira noted that the University of Lisbon attaches great importance to cooperation with higher education institutions in Macau and China, and has high expectations in the opportunities underlying the Greater Bay Area and Hengqin. He added that, in future, cooperation between the MPU and the University of Lisbon will develop in many different directions.
Baimadajie Angwang thought he would be reinstated to his dream job as a New York City police officer after federal prosecutors dropped criminal charges alleging he spied for China. Instead, he is fighting the police commissioners decision to fire him.

In a decision made public recently, Commissioner Edward Caban ordered the immediate firing of Angwang on Jan. 29, saying he disobeyed an order to submit to questioning by internal affairs investigators about the spying case.

Angwang, 37, said he declined to appear before the investigators last year on the advice of his lawyers, because the NYPD refused to give them department documents ahead of the questioning that would have allowed them to prepare. Now he is considering taking the commissioner to court over his firing.

Its extremely disappointing, Angwang told The Associated Press in a phone interview yesterday [Macau time]. I have to continue to fight, not just for me, for anyone who were wrongfully accused in the past whos getting the wrongful treatment I just got at this moment, or any potential discrimination victims in the future.  I will not give up until I find the justice.

Police officials declined to comment and referred the AP to Cabans written decision to fire Angwang.

The Department is a paramilitary organization, and failure to obey and comply with questioning under an official investigation undermines its ability to carry out its mission, Caban wrote.

Angwang, who was born in Tibet and granted asylum in the U.S. in his teens, was arrested by federal agents in September 2020, charged with feeding information about New Yorks Tibetan community to the Chinese consulate in New York. He denied the allegations but spent six months in detention before being freed on bail awaiting trial.

In a surprise move in January 2023, federal prosecutors in Brooklyn suddenly dropped the charges and did not fully explain why, saying only that they uncovered new information and were acting in the interest of justice. Prosecutors still havent elaborated on their decision.

Angwang, who also served in the U.S. Marines and was deployed to Afghanistan, said he believes he got caught up in the Trump administrations effort to root out Chinese espionage across U.S. institutions, and alleges there were shades of racism targeting people with Chinese links.

In firing Angwang, Caban chose a harsher penalty than what was recommended in November by an NYPD disciplinary judge who held a hearing on the firing and listened to testimony and arguments from both sides. The administrative judge, Vanessa Facio-Lince, found that Angwang violated department rules by disobeying the order to submit to internal affairs questioning.

Facio-Lince said, however, that he should not be terminated, after citing his good record as a police officer and praise by his superiors. Instead, she recommended an alternate manner of Angwang leaving the department that would allow him to negotiate some terms of his departure, including partial retirement benefits.

Angwangs lawyer, Michael Bloch, said even the judges proposal was out of line with department disciplinary guidelines. Bloch said the maximum penalty Angwang should have faced was a 20-day suspension. Bloch said there have been many other officers who committed more serious misconduct and were allowed to keep their jobs, despite administrative judges recommending their firing.

For Angwang, losing the job has been painful. He said his desire to be a police officer sprouted years ago when an NYPD officer was nice enough to give him directions when he got lost riding the subway. Before his 2020 arrest, he served at a precinct in Queens as a community liaison officer.

Every time I could help a person, that makes me the happiest person in the world, he said. And now, with the decision, I cannot continue to serve the community as a police officer.

He said it was ironic that the NYPD was firing an officer who immigrated to the U.S. and was supported by the immigrant community, when the department is struggling to make the force more diverse.

I just want people to be aware as an immigrant I served in the Marines. I went to combat. I went to Afghanistan, he said. I was able to become a police officer. I was able to become a community affairs officer. I was able to build a bridge between the underserved community and the NYPD, which never happened in the past. I gained a lot of support.  And now, unfortunately, NYPD terminated that opportunity between the NYPD and the community.

DAVE COLLINS, MDT/AP
Secretary for Transport and Public Works Raimundo do Rosario defended yesterday the pricing of the current phase of Economic Housing, citing legality and roots as the foundation.

Earlier, a group of interested Economic Housing buyers, in the company of lawmaker Ron Lam, submitted a signed petition letter to the Chief Executive to complain the pricing of the housing units. The price is set a MOP3,300 per square foot on average.

Discussing the letter, the official admitted of receiving it, adding that time is needed to analyze the complaint. He said that the pricing cannot be adjusted because its not market price.

The official reiterated the complexity and legality of the calculation of the pricing, when asked to explain why the average prices for the phases in 2019, 2021 and 2023 are similar.

Ending on Mar. 27, the phase of offering involves 5,415 apartments and attracted 5,481 applications. On the contrary, previous phases have attracted up to 35,000 applications in each opening.

The application period has been extended. Demand during this phase has been weak. The major difference between this phase and previous phases is that apartments from this phase onwards will be banned from resale to the market after blackout period, pursuant to law-in-action.

Given the weak demand, the official said that excessive or undesired Economic Housing apartments cannot be sold as Sandwich-class Housing units, when asked by the press. He explained that the former apartments are smaller than the latter ones. The construction style and layout for the latter housing are also different, he added. Nonetheless, he promised that studies will be commenced to investigate if Economic Housing projects in the coming phases cannot converted or adjusted to Sandwich-class Housing projects.
Sands China recently hosted a Responsible Gaming Hong Kong Training Tour in January, aimed at supporting the Macao SAR governments Seeking Help for Winning the Future responsible gaming initiatives, while enhancing attendees understanding of related practices being implemented in Hong Kong to help them provide better support to those in need in Macao.

The 55 participating Responsible Gaming Ambassadors from Sands China visited the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Even Centre, a leading counselling and treatment services organisation for gamblers with gambling disorder.

They learnt about the centres Anti-Gambling Ping Wo Truck, which tours around Hong Kong territories and schools conveying anti-gambling messages and raising awareness about the harms of gambling disorder through exhibitions, interactive games, and consultations.

The Even Centres peer counsellors also shared their valuable personal insights on gambling disorder, including how to effectively approach and assist patrons who may be dealing with gambling addiction.

One of the key objectives of the tour was to establish connections with Hong Kongs responsible gaming organisations and bridge resources between the two cities, enabling Sands China to offer enhanced assistance to patrons, further improving its responsible gaming initiatives.

As part of the tour, participants had the opportunity to exchange ideas on the causes and effects of gambling disorder. They also learned about the financial and debt management strategies employed by Even Centre to assist those who are affected by the disorder.

The Responsible Gaming Hong Kong Training Tour is part of the Sands Chinas ongoing efforts to promote education and well-being among its guests and team members. The company has been at the forefront of responsible gaming initiatives in Macao, being the first integrated resort operator to launch a self-exclusion program in 2004. The company has also included responsible gaming training in its company-wide team member orientation program since its inception.

Established in 2007, Sands Chinas comprehensive responsible gaming program aims to contribute to the continuous development of the Macao community. The company is dedicated to addressing social issues, bearing corporate responsibility, and fostering a culture of responsible gaming in Macao.
Vietnams Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan will serve as acting president after the previous presidents resignation a year into the position, a Communist Party newspaper reported yesterday.

Analysts said a permanent candidate was unlikely to be selected soon, underscoring the growing concerns among foreign investors about political instability in the Southeast Asian nation that is a growing manufacturing hub and sits at the middle of the U.S.-China competition for global influence.

Xuan, 54, became vice president in 2021 and she will be serving as acting president for the second time, the Tuoi Tre daily reported.

Late Wednesday, President Vo Van Thuong resigned due to unspecified violations that hurt the perception and reputation of the party and the state, the Communist Party said. Thuongs predecessor Nguyen Xuan Phuc had resigned last year to take political responsibility for corruption scandals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although the violations were not detailed, analysts said the partys language made it clear he was implicated in the anti-corruption campaign.

That the youngest president in Vietnams modern history, once considered the protege of Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong, 79, became its shortest-tenured is a political earthquake, said Nguyen Khac Giang, an analyst at Singapores ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.

And it is likely to be followed by a very complicated succession within the party thatll likely last until the all-important National Congress in 2026  the partys most important meeting when the successor to the Trong, Vietnams most powerful politician, will be determined.

The ideologically conservative Trong has held the position since 2011 and Thuongs departure highlights the reach of the anti-corruption drive that has been Trongs most important legacy, Giang added.

Concerns about Trongs health mean the largely ceremonial position of the president is crucial. The position is ranked third in terms of political power but is second in the official hierarchy and in line for the top job, Giang said.

Until now, no one  wanted to take the presidency position as it lacked power. But at the same time, that position will put someone in a very good position to run for the next partys leadership position, he said.

Thuong resigned days after the former head of central Vietnams Quang Ngai province was arrested on allegations of corruption that date from Thuongs time as party chief in the province. The former head was part of an investigation into a real estate firm Phuc Son Group for alleged forgery.

The fact that the alleged violations were reported by the Central Inspection Commission, the Communist Partys mechanism for carrying out the anti-corruption campaign, implied that Thuong was implicated in the anti-corruption campaign, Giang said.

Police are investigating two projects by the Phuc Son Group and say theyve found evidence of tax evasion of over $14 million, including the redevelopment of an old U.S. air base.

Vietnam has tried to strike a balance between its larger neighbor China and the U.S. while positioning itself as an ideal home for businesses looking to shift their supply chains out of China. Last year, it was the only country that received both President Joe Biden and Chinas President Xi Jinping on state visits.

The newly disclosed investigation is part of an anti-corruption drive Trong has described as a blazing furnace, and it has meant greater power for both state and party enforcement agencies. ANIRUDDHA GHOSAL, HANOI, MDT/AP
Recent years have seen a rise in the popularity of rhinoplasty in Turkey for a number of reasons, including reasonable costs, first-rate hospitals, skilled surgeons, and a robust medical tourism sector. Turkey is a popular travel destination for people looking to have cosmetic operations like rhinoplasty because of its well-known excellent medical infrastructure and talented cosmetic surgeons.

Metropolitan municipalities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir have a large number of clinics and hospitals that provide rhinoplasty operations at low cost when compared to Western nations. Furthermore, Turkey has a reputation for providing foreign patients individualized attention and care; it frequently offers complete packages that cover lodging, travel, and post-operative care.

It's crucial to carefully investigate the credentials of the surgeon and the facility before having a rhinoplasty or any other cosmetic treatment done overseas to be sure they adhere to international standards for safety and quality. It's also critical that you and your preferred healthcare professional are in clear contact regarding your goals and expectations.

Although rhinoplasty in Turkey can provide access to qualified doctors and cost savings, it's important to consider the pros and cons and make an educated choice based on your unique needs and circumstances. Making an informed decision can also be aided by speaking with several surgeons and getting referrals from former patients.

Who is the best nose job surgeon in Turkey?

Dr. Engin Ocal is a worldwide known plastic surgeon, whom some consider the best, who has successfully performed 10.000 plastic surgery operations with 15 years of experience at Doku Clinic.

How much is a good nose job in Turkey?

Your treatment's total cost will depend on the procedure's intricacy and scope. In Istanbul, Turkey, the average cost of a rhinoplasty procedure is $3,500; the lowest and maximum costs are $2,00 and $7,200, respectively.

Is Turkey good for rhinoplasty?

Turkey is known for being a well-liked location for rhinoplasty procedures because of a number of grounds that support this claim:

Skilled Surgeons: Turkey is home to a large number of exceptionally talented and experienced cosmetic surgeons with a focus on rhinoplasty. These surgeons frequently undergo in-depth training and have a great deal of expertise carrying out various nasal procedures.

Reasonably Priced: Compared to many Western nations, rhinoplasty is frequently less expensive in Turkey. It's a good choice for people on a tight budget because the reduced price does not always imply a reduction in the level of care or the doctors skill.

Modern, well-equipped medical facilities that meet worldwide standards for quality and safety may be found in Turkey's major cities, most notably Istanbul. Modern infrastructure and equipment are available at these facilities to facilitate a range of cosmetic treatments, including rhinoplasty.

Turkey has established a strong medical tourism infrastructure to meet the demands of foreign patients traveling there for cosmetic surgery. For patients coming from overseas, several Turkish clinics and hospitals provide all-inclusive packages that cover lodging, transportation, interpreter services, and post-operative care.

Beyond providing excellent medical care, Turkey also offers a plethora of cultural events and tourism attractions, enabling patients to combine their rhinoplasty procedure with an unforgettable trip.

But just as with any medical operation, you should do your homework and pick a reliable surgeon and facility. Additionally, patients should be aware of the possible risks and consequences related to rhinoplasty and have reasonable expectations for the outcome.

Top 10 Best Rhinoplasty Surgeon in Turkey  Istanbul 2024

According to writers of this article, the following surgeons are good choices.

 Dr. Engin Ocal  Doku Clinic

In 2006, Dr. Ocal received his medical degree from Istanbul University's Istanbul Faculty of Medicine. From 2006 to 2013, he finished his specialty at the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University.

Between 2013 and 2015, he completed his mandatory duty at the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery at Duzce Ataturk State Hospital. Dr. Engin Ocal delivered talks and took part in a number of national and international gatherings.

Whatsapp: +90 555 140 04 04

 Dr. Baris Cakir

In 1975, Dr. Baris Cakir was born in Adana. In 1993, he graduated from Cukurova Medical Faculty, having attended Cukurova Electric Anatolian Technical High School. He spent four years working in "handicraft development workshops" while attending a technical high school. He decided to pursue plastic surgery as his surgical specialty after graduating from medical school because he wanted to employ this talent in a surgical setting.

 Dr. Serkan Dinar Retouchbody Clinic

Retouchbody is a health tourism enterprise situated in Istanbul. Since 2010, the organization has expanded its operations overseas, offering services in cosmetic surgery, dental care, hair transplantation, and tummy reduction. Retouchbody is considered by some to be among the best in the world and in Turkey, and it still collaborates with very skilled doctors. Located in Istanbul, it coordinates operations with physicians and hospitals that hold international accreditation. With years of experience in the field, Retouchbody provides mutually satisfying care for a wide range of health needs to patients from dozens of different nations. Thousands of safe procedures have been reported to yield positive outcomes in the Retouchbody-planned operations.

 Dr. Salih Emre Uregen

Dr. Emre Uregen, O.P., was born in Ankara in 1978. In Ankara, he finished his elementary, middle school, and high school education. His first preference, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, was awarded to him in 1996, and he graduated in 2002. He then won the specialty of Cardiovascular Surgery.

 Dr. Salih Onur Basat

Born in Mersin on June 5th, 1980, Salih Onur Basat completed his studies at Istanbul University's Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine in 2005, specializing in "English Medicine." Salih Onur Basat completed his mandatory state service as a specialist physician in the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery at Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital between 2012 and 2014. Salih Onur Basat received his medical specialty in 2011 from Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine. Salih Onur Basat conducted research while working in the field of public health. During this time, his work was published and presented in numerous prestigious national and international publications as well as congresses.

 Dr. Ethem Sahin

After graduating from the Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Dr. Ethem Sahin finished his specialized studies at the Otorhinolaryngology Clinic at Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk studies and Research Hospital.

Prof. Dr. Ethem Sahin completed his specialty training at Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital in 2005. He had previously made observations on snoring and OSAS surgery at Koln Pan Clinic, as well as rhinology and facial plastic surgery at the University of Miami School of Medicine Department of Otolaryngology.

 Dr. Eyup Bozkurt

At the Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, he finished his medical study. He finished his internship in general surgery at Columbia University in the United States during his medical school.

He worked in the Department of Basic Sciences at Istanbul University after being awarded the title of Doctor of Medicine. He later finished his training at Istanbul Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, specializing in head and neck surgery and ear, nose, and throat care.

 Dr. Muhammet Dilber

He routinely attends yearly conferences, seminars, and training sessions on ear, nose, and throat as well as cosmetic procedures that are offered both domestically and outside. He has published on ears, noses, and throats both domestically and internationally. The European Facial Plastic Surgery Association, Istanbul Medical Chamber, Turkish Ear, Dry Throat, and Head and Neck Surgery Association, Turkish Medical Association, and European Allergy and Immunology Association are among the organizations he belongs to.

 Dr. Metin Kerem

In 1977, Metin Kerem, MD, was born in Ankara, Turkey. Following his graduation from Ankara Cankaya Milli Piyango High School, he enrolled at Gazi University's Faculty of Medicine to begin his medical education in 1995. After receiving his medical faculty degree in 2001, he began his residency in cosmetic surgery in 2002 at the Department of Cosmetic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery at Ankara Numune Research and Training Hospital. During his residency, he concurrently worked as a volunteer surgical assistant in a private aesthetic surgery clinic. After doing hundreds of procedures for aesthetic, reconstructive, and hand surgery on his own, he concluded his residency in July 2007.

 Dr. Serhan Derin

As a specialist in ENT (ear, nose, and throat), Dr. Serhan Derin has received advanced training in both reconstructive and cosmetic nasal surgery. Having completed over 6000 surgeries with success, he has over 14 years of experience.

Dr. Serhan is well-known for his ability to personalize each rhinoplasty operation and his devotion to achieving each patient's aesthetic goals. He sets the highest standards of care and claims to provide the greatest surgical outcomes and patient experience!

This content is provided for informational purposes only by the advertiser and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider for medical advice.

This provided content was produced by Lee Enterprises. The news and editorial departments had no role in its creation or display.
This years Top Workplaces included large organizations whose employees feel supported, in touch, valued and rewarded.

Founded in 1978, Agrace is a nonprofit, community-supported health care organization providing care and support to people who are aging, seriously ill, dying or grieving.

Agrace offers adult day services, non-medical senior care, supportive care, hospice care, memory care and grief support. Every day in southern Wisconsin, nearly 1,700 patients and clients trust them during very difficult times.

Employee comment: This company puts just as much effort into their employees as they do their patients.

Kwik Trip is a privately-owned company that operates more than 850 convenience stores in the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois. Kwik Trip specializes in quality products delivered with a level of customer service that is unmatched in the industry, serving 10 million customers each week.

Employee comment: We look for people who are people-minded, and that are humble leaders who are creative and hard working.

Exact Sciences is changing the way the public thinks about detecting and treating cancer. They are committed to providing earlier answers and life-changing treatment guidance.

Exact Sciences portfolio of products focuses on colorectal, breast, prostate, lung and liver cancers.From earlier cancer detection to treatment guidance and monitoring, the company aims to offer a comprehensive suite of tests to enable delivery of personalized care across the cancer continuum.

Employee comment: Maybe someone thinks, I could learn something more about AI, or I could take what Ive learned here and apply it in a different department. Weve tried to create those pathways and the right resources to help employees take on that learning journey.

Summit Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative that makes the world better by empowering women, and others, in building financial security, wealth and avoiding poverty in retirement. They are a leading provider of mortgages, small business loans and financial education. Together, the Summit team makes managing money easier, more effective and more fun.

Employee comment: We can never communicate our messages too often. It allows our people to make better decisions, feel ownership and see the impact they make.

Paradigm is transforming the way building products are sold around the globe. Their clients range from regional, mid-sized manufacturers of building products to major international home improvement retail organizations. Paradigm has the technology, experience and industry expertise to help any organization become more efficient, profitable and competitive.

Employee comment: I think being a people-centric and people-first organization is who we are, mixed in with a little bit of fun.

6. STOUGHTON HEALTH

For more than a century, Stoughton Health has provided expert, independent community health care services. In addition to a comprehensive employee benefits package, Stoughton Health provides tuition advancement and wellbeing programs, an on-site exercise facility and discounts on its health services. It also invests in its employees through its Workforce Development Grants, which are awarded to employees to further learning in clinical and nonclinical fields to fill workforce needs.

Employee comment: I feel I can make a difference in the lives of patients in a way that I can choose instead of being dictated on how I should provide that care.

7. PLASTIC INGENUITY

Plastic Ingenuity, with 363 employees at its Cross Plains facility, is one of the largest custom thermoformers in North America. The company values collaboration and aims to create a productive and fun working environment. It offers employees a profit-sharing plan in which 42% of profits are bonused back to employees. The firm also offers tuition reimbursement and pays 90% of health benefits costs after deductibles.

Employee comment: I get to work on a team that genuinely puts our best effort into the work that we put out. It is respectful, fun and everyone is always so willing to help each other.

8. CERTCO

This Madison wholesale grocery distributor employs 563 people and provides service to more than 200 stores throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Iowa. Certcos employees enjoy a 401(k) match, profit-sharing and a flexible spending account. It also invests in employee wellness, offering an on-site trainer and gym, health club reimbursement, a smoking cessation program, 10-minute chair massages, flu shots and weekly chiropractic care on site.

Employee comment: The company is constantly trying to keep everyone involved and connected. I believe this company is moving in the correct direction for continuous growth.

9. WPS HEALTH SOLUTIONS

This not-for-profit health insurer, with 426 Madison-based employees, reaches active-duty and retired military personnel, seniors and families in Wisconsin and worldwide. Through sponsorships, donations, volunteerism and in-kind support, it emphasizes investment in causes of mental health and well-being support for all communities. It also features a performance-based culture in which excellence is recognized and rewarded.

Employee comment: I feel like WPS leadership truly cares about its employees. I get to make an impact in improving revenue for WPS in my work and that my opinion matters.
A commitment to building strong, dynamic workplaces is a shared trait of 2024s Top Workplace winners.

Member-owned, not-for-profit WPPI Energy serves 51 locally-owned electric utilities. Together, WPPI members have built a diverse, competitive and responsible power supply. They share modern technologies and forward-thinking services, and they speak with a unified voice for effective energy policy advocacy. By partnering with like-minded utilities, their members share resources and expertise to help their communities thrive.

Employee comment: We emphasize service respect, service collaboration. Its what we preach, and when we interview potential employees, thats part of the interview process.

Founded in 1996 by Steve Jacobson and named by a childhood best friend, colleague and forever member of the Fairway family, Randy Cross, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation is a mortgage lender headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin and Carrollton, Texas. The company has more than 500 branches and over 5,000 employees nationwide. Their goal is to act as a trusted adviser, providing highly-personalized service and helping clients through every step of the loan process.

Employee comment: We talk about our core values every day. We have 10 core values, and one of them is always being addressed in some form or fashion throughout our communications.

Since 2009, Achieving Collaborative Treatment (ACT) has been serving Autistic individuals in South Central Wisconsin. Their mission is to provide top-tier behavior analytic services to clients and their families. They work collaboratively with families and schools to design and implement an individualized age-appropriate treatment plan for each client. Their goal is to help clients develop independence in living and social skills and manage episodes of challenging behaviors.

Employee comment: It doesnt matter if youre the newbie on the block or youre the owner, we really all come together to work as teams with our clients. Theres total buy-in.

First Business Bank is passionate about helping businesses and people. Since the day their doors opened in 1990, theyve believed that success relies on putting people first  clients, employees, families and communities. The result is extremely engaged employees who feel supported and provide unmatched client satisfaction.

Employee comment: Were very team focused. Its not about individuals here. Its what we accomplish together thats a real selling point to people.

Singlewire Software is the developer of InformaCast and Visitor Aware, two solutions that enable organizations to detect threats, notify everyone and manage incidents. More than 5,000 organizations in over 80 countries use these tools to enhance safety and communication so they can protect their most important asset: their people. From screening visitors to sending alerts and handling critical events, Singlewire Software offers solutions for every safety challenge.

Employee comment: If your cultural core values are embedded in your vision, mission statement and your strategy, youre creating a recipe for a good, healthy and fun place to work.

6. WEST BEND MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

This insurer has 220 Madison-area employees and company values that stress excellence, integrity and responsibility. The company also emphasizes the importance of employee social gatherings, ranging from barbecues to attendance at Milwaukee Bucks games. Community involvement is also one of the firms trademarks, with philanthropy through the West Bend Mutual Insurance Charitable Trust.

Employee comment: Help is there when I need it anytime I have questions. I am able to have a very balanced home and work life.

7. RAMAKER

Based in Sauk City, Ramaker is a full-service architecture, engineering and interior design firm. The firm is 100% employee owned, which it says brings a sense of commitment and investment in Ramakers work. The firm offers a range of picnics and social gatherings to keep employees connected and engaged. It also has a Social Responsibility Committee that organizes a community giving event annually.

Employee comment: I am expected to bring new ideas and solutions to the team and, once approved, given the autonomy to execute those ideas.

8. ASCENDIUM EDUCATION GROUP

Ascendium invests in education-focused innovations to improve learner outcomes; and provides information, tools and counseling to help millions of borrowers successfully repay their federal student loans. It also funds projects nationally that help low-income learners improve their lives. Its 275 employees enjoy tuition reimbursement, student loan repayment assistance up to $5,250 per year and a dependent scholarship program.

Employee comment: I love that we have had a role in making higher education a possibility for all. Ascendium Education always puts the borrower first and makes every effort to ensure any new benefit is made available to each student borrower.

9. M3 INSURANCE

M3, a business insurance and financial firm founded in Madison in 1968, has 190 local employees. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, it offers employees onsite fitness rooms, healthy meal options, ergonomic workstations, volunteer time off and self-guided meditation services. It also has a financial wellness and professional development programs.

Employee comment: I am constantly encouraged to be a better person by those around me. I love the trust and flexibility we are given.

10. CI PEDIATRIC THERAPY CENTERS

CI Pediatric Therapy Centers, headquartered in Fitchburg, has clinics throughout Wisconsin offering speech, occupational, feeding and physical therapy, along with mental health services. It offers employees continuing education funds and paid time off to learn. It also gives company-paid vacations to employees at three, six and 10 years of full-time employment. CI also cultivates a fun and inclusive workplace.

Employee comment: I love being a part of a team that directly impacts the lives of our clients.

11. AMERICAN TEL-A-SYSTEMS

Known as Amtelco, this McFarland-based firm produces call-center systems, software applications and secure texting technologies. Its 116 employees have a comprehensive benefits package, a casual work environment, free parking, and a wellness program that participates in a CSA and other healthy activities throughout the year.

Employee comment: Upper management trusts the employees they hire to do the job and dont overmanage at all.

12. ZORO

With 163 Madison-area employees, Chicago-based Zoro is an e-commerce supplier to businesses. Zoro employees start with 18 days of paid time off. The firm highlights a customer-based workplace culture and a performance-based bonus program. Key business metrics are shared with everyone, including sales, earnings and failures. Company meetings are led by a different team member each week.

Employee comment: I have the latitude to solve problems the way I see fit and am encouraged to bring new ideas to the table.

13. INDEPENDENT PHARMACY COOPERATIVE

The Sun Prairie-based firm is a group-purchasing and advocacy organization serving independent and community pharmacies. In addition to its comprehensive benefits plan, it offers a 401(k) dollar-for-dollar match on the first 4% contribution and also has a profit-sharing plan. The cooperative also promotes a healthy work-life balance and a dress-for-your-day approach for employees.

Employee comment: I feel like I am a part of a company making a positive difference for others.

14. ATKORE

Based in Harvey, Ill., Atkore provides electrical, safety and infrastructure solutions and has 110 Madison-area employees. The firm prides itself on a company culture that stresses integrity, communication. It also fosters a collaborative workplace where team members continually challenge each other to improve products, processes and people.

Employee comment: I feel I can communicate any concerns and they will be taken seriously. The same can be said for any new ideas and suggestions.

15. FLEETWORTHY SOLUTIONS

Fleetworthy Solutions, with 132 Madison employees, provides safety and regulatory compliance to commercial fleets. Employees said managers are supportive and appreciative. They also noted that top management is responsive to employee concerns. Its workplace culture embraces client service, experience and advanced technology to ensure that drivers and assets are safe and compliant.

Employee comment: You can tell that you are a valued employee with how much management cares for you and your opinion.

16. ONE COMMUNITY BANK

With 15 locations, each featuring the colors of the communitys high school, locally owned One Community Bank has 225 Madison-area employees. The bank offers wellness benefits, 401(k) matching, opportunities for advancement, pet insurance and a comprehensive benefits package.

Employee comment: My supervisor has a collaborative and mentoring approach which motivates me to be the best at my job, share new ideas and explore my full potential.

17. JOHNSON FINANCIAL GROUP

This Racine-based firm has 138 Madison-area employees serving the communitys banking and wealth management needs. The firm matches employee United Way donations and makes nearly $2 million in charitable contributions groupwide. Johnson Financial Group offers a retirement savings plan with a. company match, health club subsidy, adoption assistance and paid parental leave.

Employee comment: I am free to make mistakes and learn from them. Our team is a very close-knit team who looks out for each other and genuinely cares for each other and pitches in where needed.

18. ASSOCIATED BANK

Associated Bank has 23 Madison-area locations with 191 employees. Headquartered in Green Bay, the firm has an employee volunteer program which has racked up more than 540,000 volunteer hours over 11 years. It offers seven colleague resource groups working to address the needs of diverse populations in the workplace and the community.

Employee comment: Helping my clients and community is meaningful work and makes me feel like I am making a difference.

19. EK

This Fall River metal product manufacturer is first-time Top Workplaces recipient. With two locations, the company has about 200 employees across three shifts, the firm does contract manufacturing for a variety of industries. EK offers one-the-job training, certification assistance, tuition reimbursement and in-house advancement in a problem-solving environment.

Employee comment: It challenges me to find solutions to problems that help our team be better than our competition.

20. DEWITT LLP

DeWitt LLP, one of Wisconsins 10 largest law firms, has 105 Madison-area employees. It offers a comprehensive benefits program, including a 401(k) match. The firm also provides up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for the birth of a child and to care for and bond with an associates newborn or adopted child.

Employee comment: Its all about the people. Pay and the work are great, but the people are what keep me at my job.

21. EAST MADISON TOYOTA

This Madison car dealership has 111 employees and offers a comprehensive benefits package, a wellness program, and an employee assistance program. Employees get free car detailing every year on their service anniversary and some complimentary services for family members. And, on birthdays, employees receive a hand-delivered cake.

Employee comment: I love who I work with and work for. I love being able to help guests make their vehicles safe to drive.

22. COMPEER FINANCIAL

Compeer is headquartered in Sun Prairie with 143 employees. The member-owned cooperative supports agriculture and rural communities. New team members start with 15 days of vacation, 16 volunteer hours and 15 days of sick leave, with unlimited accrual. It provides a match of up to 6% of 401(k) contributions, plus a 3% contribution of eligible compensation, whether or not employees contribute.

Employee comment: The work is exciting; the people are great, and I have the flexibility I need to balance work and home life.
The owner of a restaurant on Madisons North Side is facing multiple charges amid a longstanding food stamp fraud investigation.

According to a criminal complaint filed late Wednesday afternoon in Dane County Court, Kingdom restaurant owner Mahamadou Tunkara, 57, has been buying food stamp cards from their recipients for less than their value and using the cards to buy restaurant supplies from wholesale providers such as Gordon Food Service and Costco.

Tunkara faces nine counts of fraud-related charges dating back to April 2019: five counts of trafficking food stamps worth more than $100 but less than $5,000, a Class I felony that carries a fine of up to $10,000 and a prison sentence of up to 3 years; three counts of public assistance fraud in the use of unauthorized vouchers worth between $300 and $1,000, a Class B misdemeanor that carries a fine up to $1,000 and a prison sentence of up to 90 days; and one count of identity theft, a Class H felony that carries a fine of up to $10,000 and a prison sentence of up to six years.

According to the complaint:

Department of Health Services agent Nicole Housley reported that Tunkaras phone number was used to call the Foodshare EBT customer service line 3,529 times to check the status of 955 different food stamp cards from when the restaurant opened in 2019 to 2023. Each recipient Tunkara inquired about had made large purchases at Gordon Food Service in Madison.

According to Housley, Tunkara also was observed on surveillance footage using EBT cards at Gordon Food Service, Walmart and Woodmans. Authorities were able to identify Tunkara in the videos based on a photo of him that ran in a Wisconsin State Journal article about the opening of Kingdom restaurant.

Tunkara himself has never received food stamps or been an authorized EBT retailer, according to the complaint. In order to check the card balances, Tunkara would have needed the full number for each card.

Two undercover investigators were given Wisconsin and out-of-state EBT cards for the purpose of the investigation. On Dec. 3, 2022, one of the undercover investigators brought a Virginia EBT card to the restaurant and spoke to Tunkara, offering the card in exchange for money. Tunkara allegedly agreed to use the card and pay $50 for every $100 he spent. Multiple interactions of a similar nature between the undercover investigators and Tunkara are noted in the complaint. Between the two undercover agents EBT cards, Tunkara spent more than $2,000, the complaint said.

One EBT recipient provided evidence of Tunkara using his card but said that Tunkara never took advantage of him and always paid him back.

On March 22, 2023, Tunkara was stopped by a Dane County deputy after leaving Gordon Food Service. When the deputy searched Tunkaras car, a detective found a Wisconsin Quest card with a sticky note featuring two PINs attached. A search warrant carried out at the restaurant revealed numerous Quest cards in a basket, many of them bearing similar sticky notes.

Under a circular counter in the restaurant, investigators found seven Social Security cards, none of which belonged to Tunkara. Investigators contacted the people the cards belonged to, a mother and her children. The woman told investigators that shed brought the Social Security cards along with other confidential documents to a job center in early 2023 to fill out necessary forms but lost the pouch shed had the cards in later that day. She reported having eaten at Kingdom that day.

When the State Journal called the restaurant Thursday afternoon, Tunkara said he had no comment.
Prosecutors at the trial of a state Division of Criminal Investigation agent accused of recklessly firing his gun two years ago during an arrest on Madisons Far East Side questioned whether state agents at the scene acted properly to prevent the investigation of the incident from becoming tainted.

During testimony Thursday in the trial of DCI Special Agent Mark Wagner, District Attorney Ismael Ozanne grilled DCI Special Agent Scott Leck, who said he was the ranking officer in the agencys Madison office on Feb. 3, 2022, when the incident occurred on American Parkway on Eastpark Drive. The shooting injured Quadren Wilson, 40, of Madison, who was being sought as part of a drug investigation.

Ozanne became so frustrated with Leck that at one point Ozanne asked Circuit Judge Julie Genovese to allow him to treat Leck as a hostile witness. She declined.

Ozanne repeatedly asked Leck who was in charge at the scene that morning, and whose job it was to separate Wagner from fellow DCI Special Agent Nathan Peskie. Peskie had fired rifle shots into Wilsons car after Wagner, believing incorrectly that he had been shot at by Wilson, fired two shots from his service handgun toward Wilson, who was not armed.

Peskie was not charged, but Wagner, 51, of Milwaukee, was charged with second-degree recklessly endangering safety.

Bullet fragments from Peskies AR15 lodged in Wilsons lower back. During opening statements Tuesday, one of Wagners attorneys, Daniel Sanders, said both Wagner and Peskie thought they had seen a gun in Wilsons hand, but it was a cellphone.

Protocol for investigating police-involved shootings would have required the two to be separated.

But DCI Special Agent Jay Jurci testified that he drove Wagner and Peskie to a hospital to be checked out. On cross-examination by Wagners attorney, Michael Steinle, he seemed less sure that happened. Assistant District Attorney Matthew Moeser then showed Jurci his own report that indicated he had driven Wagner and Peskie together.

Moeser also asked who had told Jurci it was OK for Wagner and Peskie to be in the same vehicle. Jurci responded that it was probably a senior agent at the scene. On further questioning by Steinle, Jurci agreed Wagner and Peskie did not discuss the incident in the van as they drove to the hospital because they know better.

Leck, who had driven a truck that blocked Wilsons borrowed Hyundai Tucson, testified he wasnt aware that Wagner and Peskie had left the scene together, only that they were apart at the scene when he saw them.

He maintained that as the ranking agent in the Madison office that day, his job was not to supervise the scene but to speak to higher-ranking officials at the state Department of Justice to find an outside agency to come and handle the investigation, as required by state law.

Youre telling me it was no longer your job to protect the integrity of the investigation? Ozanne asked.

I dont think you understand the chaotic-ness of the investigation, Leck responded. He said his discussions with higher-ranking officials to get the ball rolling on the investigation were his way to protect its integrity.

Questioned by Steinle, Leck testified it was the role of Wagners buddy or control officer to make sure he was kept apart from Peskie. Jurci testified that was his role with Wagner.

Ozanne also questioned why a round count  a count of the bullets left in guns  was performed by the DCI at the scene before the arrival of investigators from the Dane County Sheriffs Office, which investigated the incident. Leck admitted that was not ideal but said it was an effort to make sure all the fired rounds were accounted for.

Leck, like several officers who testified Thursday, said Wagner was badly shaken by the incident. He said Wagner was pale, ghost-like, and he looked like he had been through an extremely traumatic incident.

Retired Madison police Detective Susan Gonzalez, who was part of the task force assembled to investigate and arrest Wilson, choked up when she described Wagner in the immediate aftermath.

Ill never get the look on his face out of my mind, she said. It was very alarming.
Nearly two weeks after three Madison police officers held a middle school student on the ground after a fight on a school bus, community stakeholders met Wednesday night at the Northport Community Center to discuss how similar situations could be handled in the future.

The March 8 incident stemmed from a fight between multiple Blackhawk Middle School students on the bus, according to police spokesperson Stephanie Fryer. Police were dispatched to a school bus, parked near the intersection of Dryden Drive and Northport Drive, at 4:49 p.m., where at least six officers questioned and detained multiple students allegedly involved in the fight.

One student, a 14-year-old boy, was held to the ground by three officers and later detained. Video taken by the boys family members shows him being held down as additional officers speak to other students.

According to the boys mother, Loretta Voker, the incident was preceded by multiple other altercations.

Number one is that the problem is from the school. This fight is not the first time, (other students have) jumped on (her son) before, Voker said. This is not the first time seeing this case happen.

She added that she was frustrated with the way the incident was handled by police and was concerned about her sons safety.

The police, they need to know how to handle children. Adults, we are different from children, she said.

The bus driver made the 911 call that day, telling dispatchers that four or five students on the bus had been beating up another student and that Vokers son, who was involved in the fight, had been trying to leave the bus, according to Fryer. The driver kept the door shut to keep the 14-year-old onboard.

The first officer at the scene described the scene as chaotic, with students on the bus loudly screaming.

Once police made contact with the students, Vokers son tried to run from officers, Fryer said. Officers told him that if he kept evading them, he would be handcuffed, she said, but the teen continued to pull away and was ultimately taken to the ground. Fryer said that was done to reduce the possibility of injury to himself or others.

After this, police helped him up and checked on him before taking him to a squad car to ask him about the fight, Fryer said. He was later released to a guardian, with whom officers also spoke.

Community meeting

Wednesday nights meeting was put together by the Rev. David Hart, a longtime North Sider who presides over nearby Sherman Avenue Methodist Church. Among the 20 or so attendees were school district representatives, church officials and members of the city government, in addition to North Side neighborhood officer Tieranie De La Rosa and Capt. Jamar Gary, neither of whom were directly involved with the incident.

Rather than dwelling on the incident itself, community stakeholders discussed ways to move forward and prevent such incidents from happening again. They brought up things they loved about the North Side, such its strong sense of community. Ald. Charles Myadze suggested restorative justice programming, which emphasizes rehabilitating offenders by having them make amends with victims and the community, and more frequent opportunities for community members to interact with police officers in non-emergency settings.

School district leaders shared that theyve seen many of the kids who witnessed the incident appear fearful and traumatized.

Muddy and crying

Voker recalled the pain of seeing her son covered in mud crying after the incident. Hes currently in Africa with family on a trip planned before the incident. She said she hopes that his time away from the United States will make him feel more comfortable.

Voker said that hearing from community leaders Wednesday night put her more at ease.

I was very satisfied and I like how the conversation went, she said.

In total, four students were detained and questioned by officers. One student reported an injured hand from the fight, Fryer said.

An investigation into the incident has concluded, Fryer said.
Two of Dane Countys three largest school districts saw modest reductions in the percentage of students  in particular, poor and Black and Hispanic students  who were considered chronically absent from school last year, according to figures released Thursday by the state Department of Public Instruction.

The improving attendance picture for the Madison and Middleton-Cross Plains districts came in the second year districts were fully returned to in-person learning after classroom closures at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

While the third district, Sun Prairie, saw reductions in the percentage of Black and poor students who were chronically absent, the DPI figures show the percentage of all students who were chronically absent ticked up slightly from 22.2% to 22.5% from 2021-22 to 2022-23, while the percentage of Hispanic students absent went from 32.2% to 35%.

Chronic absenteeism  which the state defines as missing more than 10% of scheduled school days  increased significantly at schools across the country in the wake of the pandemic.

Chronically absent after COVID

DPI data show that in Madison, for example, chronic absenteeism increased from less than 35% of Black students in the two years prior to the pandemic to 55.1% in 2022-23. Just more than 43% of Hispanic students in the Middleton-Cross Plains School District were chronically absent in 2020-21, with that percentage dropping to 28.4% in 2022-23. But those figures were less than 15% prior to the pandemic.

Representatives from the Madison and Middleton-Cross Plains districts earlier this year said theyd launched programs and increased staffing and outreach to families in attempts to reverse the uptick in absenteeism after the pandemic. They appeared to be bearing fruit.

Middleton-Cross Plains saw a reduction in absenteeism overall, but also in the groups generally considered most at risk in public schools: poor, Black and Hispanic children. Rates of absenteeism dropped for all of them.

Similarly, Madison saw greater attendance generally and among its Black and Hispanic students in particular last year, although the rate of chronic absenteeism among economically disadvantaged students jumped from 53.1% to 63.7%.

Madison School District spokesperson Ian Folger said Thursday that the district did not have time to comment on the DPI figures prior to the Wisconsin State Journals deadline, and the Middleton district declined to comment.

Sun Prairie declined to comment for a Wisconsin State Journal story in February about chronic absenteeism. On Thursday, it did not respond to a request for comment.

Rebuilding stamina

Madison School District lead social worker Laura Glaub said in January the reasons she hears from absent students and their families for not attending school include trouble finding reliable transportation, unstable housing and financial problems that might mean a student has to work or stay home to watch younger siblings while a parent works.

Those were problems before the pandemic, according to assistant superintendent for teaching and learning Cynthia Green, but the pandemic exacerbated them. The district is also dealing with more medically fragile students now, she said, and attendance can be affected by rules requiring students to stay home when sick with COVID or some other illness.

Anecdotally, shes seen less stamina among students and adults post-COVID.

There seems to be more mental health issues, more issues around the stamina to push through on any given day, she said in January. Theres a difference between learning online and learning on your couch versus now coming back and learning in person, and the length of the day that is something that we are building back towards.

No county deaths linked to schools

Researchers knew from early in the pandemic that children were less likely to have serious complications from the disease than the elderly and those with preexisting medical conditions. In Dane County, one school-age person died of COVID-19: 16-year-old Madison East High School student Isai Morocho, on Nov. 25, 2020.

According to the last update Public Health Madison and Dane County made to its COVID dashboard, on Oct. 11, there were a total of 624 COVID deaths in Dane County and 3,694 hospitalizations, and 532 of the deaths were of people age 60 and older.

The most recent analysis the agency did of COVID hospitalizations or deaths linked to in-person schooling in Dane County was released in October of 2022 and showed there had been no deaths and eight hospitalizations  six of students and two of teachers.

The White House on Sept. 13 released a statement pointing to the increase in chronic absenteeism in the wake of COVID-19 and its role in falling test scores, and calling for an all hands on deck approach to getting children consistently back in the classroom.

Chronic absenteeism is still up in schools across the US Chronic absenteeism is still up in schools across the US An improving situation, but not enough
A 31-year Madison Public Library veteran who worked her way up from library page to the systems current digital services and marketing manager has been named the librarys new director.

Tana Elias, 53, has also been a librarian at the Meadowridge branch and worked in web services and reference at the Central Library. She holds a master of library and information studies degree from UW-Madison and lives in Fitchburg but has lived in Madison in the past and will move to the city to satisfy its residency requirement.

I just deeply appreciated all of my years in all of the positions that Ive had, she said. Madison residents really love their libraries and that makes my job  all of my jobs  easier, and I know that all of our staff appreciate that as well.

Madison is facing a particularly difficult budget next year and officials are already talking about a possible referendum to raise additional property tax dollars.

Noting that the library system derives the majority of its funding from the city, My first big goal is to get through this years budget conversation, Elias said.

She said her other main priority is to complete a system strategic planning process thats been underway and that will define priorities for the nine-library system.

The Library Board approved Elias selection on March 14 from among three finalists  the other two were from outside the system  and the City Council is expected to formally approve her contract at its May 7 meeting, according to Elias and board president Alyssa Kenney. Elias would make $150,000 a year and would start in the position on May 12.

Kenney said in a news release that Elias has been a dedicated member of the library team for over 20 years, and her deep understanding of our community and strong commitment to our vision and the essential role Madison Public Libraries serve in our community make her the perfect choice to lead us forward. Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said she knew Elias will take a collaborative, data-informed approach to maintaining a strong library system and helping to nurture a thriving community.

Not surprisingly a big reader, Elias most recent fiction read was There There, by Tommy Orange, who will visit Monona Terrace on April 23 as part of the Wisconsin Book Festivals Lunch for Libraries event. She said she doesnt have a favorite fiction author, but Orange would be among her tops. The nonfiction book she finished reading most recently is Bright-Sided, by Barbara Ehrenreich.

Of the events or services the library provides that are not a book or some other item that is commonly checked out, her favorite is the Wisconsin Book Festival, she said.

I really have appreciated the opportunity to bring so many different authors and so many different diverse points of view to Madison, she said.

Elias will replace Greg Mickells, who was with the system for 11 years and retired on March 2. He had an annual salary of $170,608.
Authorities have identified a carjacking suspect who died after leading Illinois and Beloit police on a pursuit Saturday that ended when the suspect rammed a vehicle into a squad car in Beloit and a Roscoe, Illinois, officer shot the suspect.

Ray Castro, 19, of South Beloit, Illinois was pronounced dead at a local hospital on Saturday and an autopsy was conducted on Monday. The cause and manner of death are pending and additional testing is being done, the medical examiners office said.

Castros death remains under investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation and the Rock County Medical Examiners Office.

After the incident, a Roscoe police officer was taken to an Illinois hospital, treated for minor injuries and released.

City of Beloit spokesperson Sarah Lock said in a statement that no shots were fired by Beloit police.

Lock said the Winnebago (Illinois) County Sheriffs Office in a statement on behalf of the South Beloit Police Department and Roscoe Police Department reported that there was an officer-involved shooting about 20 minutes before the shooting in Beloit during a traffic stop involving a South Beloit officer on Highway 251 north of Prairie Hill Road in Illinois.
A driver died in a rollover crash after fleeing an attempted traffic stop in Janesville on Thursday night, Janesville police reported.

At 6:39 p.m. Thursday, the Rock County Communications Center received a report of a silver SUV speeding north on North Oakhill Avenue near Linden Avenue in Janesville. The report included a description and the license plate of the SUV, but a patrol officer wasnt able to find the vehicle, Lt. Jennifer Seeger said in a statement.

Another patrol officer later saw a silver SUV that was heading south on North Parker Drive at Blackbridge Road ignore a red traffic signal at the intersection and accelerate south from Blackbridge Road, weaving in and out of traffic, Seeger said.

The officer found the SUV shortly before 7:15 p.m. on West Memorial Drive at North Washington Street and tried to stop it, but the driver ignored the emergency lights and sirens and accelerated at high speed. Once the officer lost sight of the vehicle, the pursuit was terminated, Seeger said.

Rock County Dispatch confirmed this was the vehicle from the earlier traffic complaint, Seeger said.

Shortly after the SUV sped from the attempted traffic stop, the Rock County Communications Center received a report of a rollover crash on South Pearl Street near West Court Street, Seeger said.

Janesville police and fire personnel responded to that location and found the vehicle had struck a building and a utility pole, and officers identified the vehicle as the SUV involved in the prior incidents, Seeger sad.

The driver was the only occupant of the SUV and later died at the scene from injuries suffered in the crash, Seeger said, adding that the name will be released later by the Rock County Medical Examiners Office.

The Wisconsin State Patrol is assisting with the crash investigation, Seeger said.
School employees and volunteers in Wisconsin are now explicitly prohibited from sexual harassment of a student under a measure Democratic Gov. Tony Evers signed into law Friday.

Evers also signed laws to allow the over-the-counter sale and fitting of hearing aids and to provide funds to help low-income families buy healthy produce.

Proponents of Senate Bill 333 say the bipartisan measure seeks to close a loophole in state law related to instances of sexual misconduct.

Sexual contact with a minor is already illegal under Wisconsin law. But the new measure bars sexual misconduct by school staff members or volunteers. The bill defines sexual misconduct both physical and verbal contact of a sexual nature.

Law enforcement or county agency officials informed of instances of sexual misconduct are required to report the situation to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Any school employee or volunteer found guilty of the new law would automatically lose their educator license for at least six years. Such an offense would be a Class I felony, subjecting offenders to up to 18 months in prison and two years of extended supervision.

A memo from the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau last year noted that Wisconsin did not have existing law explicitly targeting sexual harassment in schools.

Title IX, a federal law, prohibits discrimination against students on the basis of sex, including sexual harassment. However, the law only applies to schools that receive federal funding, which includes public schools, but not all private schools. The bill would establish sexual misconduct of a student as a felony crime.

Minnesota and Illinois also have expanded laws prohibiting discrimination in schools to include sexual harassment. Those laws cover both private and public schools.

, also signed Friday, eliminates Wisconsins prohibition on the over-the-counter sale and fitting of hearing aids.

At least 10 other states, including Minnesota and Illinois, have passed similar measures to align with the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations 2022 decision to allow over-the-counter sales of hearing aids to adults with mild to moderate hearing loss.

By simplifying access to hearing instruments, this bill will encourage people who need hearing aids to get access to them earlier and at a more affordable rate, Rep. Shelia Stubbs, D-Madison, said in a statement. This will lead to better health outcomes and enhance quality of life for hearing-impaired Wisconsinites.

Another bipartisan bill signed Friday, Assembly Bill 1013

, requires the state Department of Health Services to use unutilized state funds to contract with one or more nonprofit organizations to administer a statewide health food incentive program.

Participating organizations would be required to prioritize including in the program eligible retailers that source fruits and vegetables grown in Wisconsin.

With this investment, we can boost local economies, empower local producers, and provide nutrition assistance to our friends and neighbors, Rep. Alex Joers, D-Middleton, said in a statement.

Today in history: March 22 1941: Grand Coulee 1945: Arab League 1963: The Beatles 1978: Karl Wallenda 1988: Ronald Reagan 1993: Intel Corp 1997: Tara Lipinski becomes youngest women's world champion 2010: Google Inc. 2012: Whitney Houston 2019: Jimmy Carter 2019: Robert Mueller 2021: Elgin Baylor
After announcing earlier this year that he would not seek a fifth term in Congress, U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher on Friday moved up his departure date to next month.

Gallaghers departure will undoubtedly create additional challenges for Republicans who hold a razor-thin majority in the U.S. House. The GOP will hold a 217-213 majority after Gallagher leaves the chamber, meaning Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., will be able to lose just one Republican vote on any measure that doesnt have Democratic support.

Citing conversations with his family, Gallagher, R-Green Bay, said in a statement he will resign from Wisconsins 8th Congressional District effective April 19.

Gallagher, 40, has been a key Republican who led a U.S. House push against the Chinese government. He announced his retirement in February, just days after drawing the ire of his fellow Republicans by refusing to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Ive worked closely with House Republican leadership on this timeline and look forward to seeing Speaker Johnson appoint a new chair to carry out the important mission of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Gallagher said.

When announcing his retirement last month, Gallagher said did not want to grow old in Congress and would not be seeking reelection this fall.

Four terms serving Northeast Wisconsin in Congress has been the honor of a lifetime and strengthened my conviction that America is the greatest country in the history of the world, Gallagher said Friday.

I will forever be proud of the work I did on the Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, chairing the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, and chairing the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. It has truly been an honor to serve in the House of Representatives.

A former Marine and Green Bay native, Gallagher has represented the northeastern Wisconsin congressional district since 2017.

Following Gallaghers February announcement, State Sen. Andre Jacque, R-De Pere, and former state Sen. Roger Roth, of Appleton, announced plans to run for the seat. Republican consultant Alex Bruesewitz also is considering a run.

Joe Oslund, spokesman for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, said in February Wisconsin Democrats look forward to competing in the 8th and bringing some stability and competence back to the House.

The 8th Congressional District includes the cities of Green Bay, Appleton and Oshkosh, and leans heavily Republican.

Today in history: March 22 1941: Grand Coulee 1945: Arab League 1963: The Beatles 1978: Karl Wallenda 1988: Ronald Reagan 1993: Intel Corp 1997: Tara Lipinski becomes youngest women's world champion 2010: Google Inc. 2012: Whitney Houston 2019: Jimmy Carter 2019: Robert Mueller 2021: Elgin Baylor
A white supremacist Idaho prison gang member and an accomplice are in custody after a brazen attack early Wednesday morning to free the inmate as he was being transported from a Boise hospital.

The two, Skylar Meade, a 31-year-old member of the Aryan Knights gang, and his accomplice identified by police as Nicholas Umphenour, were apprehended at about 2 p.m. after a short pursuit in Twin Falls County, said Sheldon Kelley of the Idaho State Police in a news conference in Boise.

Shots were not fired, and the suspects did not receive serious injuries, police say, but investigators are looking into whether the two committed two killings while on the run. Few details were made available to the media.

Law enforcement were well aware it was possible that Meade, with his Twin Falls ties, could return to the area, and were on high alert, said Lori Stewart, spokeswoman for the Twin Falls County Sheriffs Office.

The attack at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise took place at 2:15 a.m. Wednesday as Idaho Department of Corrections officers prepared to bring Meade back to prison from the hospital, where they had taken him after he injured himself.

Authorities said during a news conference Thursday that they were investigating two homicides in Nez Perce and Clearwater counties, where the 2020 Honda Civic the duo were seen fleeing in was later found. Police found shackles at the scene of one of the killings and thats one of the ways we tied them together, Idaho State Police Lt. Colonel Sheldon Kelley said.

Meade, 31, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2017 for shooting at a sheriffs sergeant during a high-speed chase in Twin Falls County. Umphenour was released from the same prison in January, and had at times been housed with Meade at times, authorities said.

Authorities said they were alerted of the attack at 2:15 a.m. Wednesday as Idaho Department of Corrections officers prepared to bring Meade back to prison from Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, where they had taken him after he injured himself, officials said.

Meade had been imprisoned at Idaho Maximum Security Institution in Kuna, about 12 miles south of Boise.

Police said Umphenour is suspected of shooting two corrections officers during Wednesdays ambush in the ambulance bay at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. A warrant with a $2 million bond had been issued for his arrest on two charges of aggravated battery against law enforcement and one charge of aiding and abetting an escape, police said.

Three corrections officers were shot and wounded during the attack  two allegedly by Umphenour and one by responding police. One officer shot by the suspect was in critical but stable condition, police said, while the second wounded officer had serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The third injured corrections officer also sustained non-life-threatening injuries when a responding officer  incorrectly believing the shooter was still in the emergency room and seeing an armed person near the entrance  opened fire.

Department of Correction Director Josh Tewalt said Thursday one guard had been released from the hospital, and the other two are stable and improving.

This brazen, violent, and apparently coordinated attack on Idaho Department of Corrections personnel, to facilitate an escape of a dangerous inmate, was carried out right in front of the Emergency Department, where people come for medical help, often in the direst circumstances, Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar said in a written statement.

Umphenour, 5-foot-11 and 160 pounds, has brown hair and hazel eyes, police said. Detectives have confirmed that he is an associate of Meade, police said.

Meade, 5-foot-6 and 150 pounds (68 kilograms), has face tattoos with the numbers 1 and 11  for A and K, the first and 11th letters of the alphabet, representing the Aryan Knights gang he affiliated with, Tewalt said. Photos released by police also showed an A and K tattooed on his abdomen.

The Aryan Knights formed in the mid-1990s in Idahos prison system to organize criminal activity for a select group of white people in custody, as well as outside prison walls, according to the U.S. attorneys office in the district of Idaho.

In 2021, a man described as a leader in the group was sentenced to life in prison for his role in a plot to traffic drugs behind bars and use violence to collect unpaid debts. In a court filing ahead of Harlan Hales sentencing, federal prosecutors described the Aryan Knights as a scourge within the states prison system that drains its resources.

The hate-fueled gang engages in many types of criminal activity and casts shadows of intimidation, addiction, and violence over prison life, prosecutors wrote.

In 2022, the Anti-Defamation League counted 75 different white supremacist prison gangs in federal or local facilities in at least 38 states. The ADL said two of the largest such groups, the Aryan Circle and Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, had at least 1,500 members.

Mark Pitcavage, a senior research fellow for the ADLs Center on Extremism, estimates that the Aryan Knights has approximately 150 members behind bars and roughly 100 more on the streets. He said it operates in other states, including Washington and Oregon.

With all white supremacist prison gangs, the ideology takes a backseat to the organized crime. Thats just a given, he said. They use that as a sort of a glue to help keep them together and help keep them loyal to the gang.

Pitcavage said white supremacist prison gangs are a very different phenomenon than neo-Nazi groups like Aryan Nations, which had a compound in north Idaho at its peak in the 1980s and 1990s.

Meade had been held in a type of solitary confinement called administrative segregation at Idaho Maximum Security Institution in Kuna, about 12 miles south of Boise, because officials deemed him a severe security risk, Tewalt said.

Tewalt said earlier in the day that Meade had been escorted in the ambulance and at the hospital by two uniformed, unarmed officers wearing ballistic vests, tailed by armed staff. Later in the day, Correction Department spokesperson Sanda Kuzeta-Cerimagic said in an email that officials had confirmed that one officer had been in the ambulance with Meade and two officers were in an escort vehicle.

To the best of our knowledge, Meade was in restraints while being escorted in and out of the hospital, Kuzeta-Cerimagic said. In a press conference Thursday, authorities said their protocol was wholly in line with our policies and practices.

Authorities also did not say if other security measures were in place when Meade was leaving the hospital.
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Global logistics company UPS signed a strategic deal with Clark International Airport (CRK) operator Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corp. (LIPAD) to expand its operations and boost its presence in the region.

We have been doing business in our Philippines hub for more than 25 years, helping to connect businesses to markets in Asia Pacific and beyond, said UPS Asia Pacific president Wilfredo Ramos.

The investments UPS continues to make through this expansion will enhance time in transit across Asia Pacific and continue to deliver service reliability for our customers and position UPS for long term growth, he said.

LIPAD president and chief executive Noel Manankil said the collaboration between UPS and LIPAD marks a major achievement in positioning Clark as a premier logistics hub for international brands seeking to launch or grow their global presence.

This expansion is part of the efforts of LIPAD in project land development, as stipulated in its concession agreement with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority [BCDA], he said.

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Construction of the new Clark hub is set to begin in February 2025. The facility is expected to be operational in late 2026.

LIPAD chairperson Josephine Gotianun-Yap said the UPS expansion in Clark would bring positive changes to Pampanga, provide job opportunities for the local community and serve as an economic stimulus in the region.

The agreement is the latest in a series of recent network and facility enhancements UPS has made across Asia Pacific including in Singapore, Japan, China, Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan and most recently Hong Kong, where UPS announced it would open a new state-of-the-art facility in 2028.

Asia Pacific continues to be one of UPSs fastest growing regions. UPS has continued to invest in our network to maximize speed and flexibility, build solutions addressing the shift of global trade lanes, and offer resilience for our customers, Ramos said.

UPS also invested intensively in its Healthcare business introducing UPS Premier  which provides priority handling for time- and temperature-sensitive, and patient-critical products  in nine markets across the Asia Pacific region. In 2023, the company added over 22,000 square meters of cold chain enabled handling, storage and distribution space via new healthcare facilities in Singapore and Australia. An additional 12,000 square meters is planned for 2024.
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Kyiv  Russia launched a massive wave of deadly overnight attacks on Ukraine using over 90 missiles and 60 Iranian-made drones, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday, in one of the largest offensives recently.

There were more than 60 Shaheds and almost 90 missiles of various types overnight, he said.

The world sees the targets of Russian terrorists as clearly as possible: power plants and energy supply lines, a hydroelectric dam, ordinary residential buildings, even a trolleybus.

Ukraines internal affairs ministry said the strikes killed at least two people and injured 14 while three were missing.

All of our services are now involved in eliminating the consequences of the attack. We use robotic equipment in dangerous areas to minimize injuries to rescuers, it said.

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One of the strikes Friday severed one of two power lines supplying Europes largest nuclear power plant in southeast Ukraine.

Zelensky once again appealed for more Western arms.

Russian missiles do not have delays, as do aid packages to our country. The Shahed have no indecision, like some politicians. It is important to understand the cost of delays and postponed decisions, he said.

We need air defense to protect people, infrastructure, homes and dams. Our partners know exactly what is needed. They can definitely support us Life must be protected from these non-humans from Moscow.

The enemy is now carrying out the largest attack on the Ukrainian energy industry in recent times, Energy Minister German Galushchenko said on Facebook, adding that shelling had knocked out one of the power transmission lines feeding the Zaporizhzhia power plant.

The facility, Europes largest nuclear energy site, was seized by Russian troops in the first days of the war but is powered by Ukrainian lines.

This situation is extremely dangerous and risks sparking an emergency situation, said Ukraines atomic energy operator Energoatom.

In the event that the final power line is cut, it said the plant will be on the verge of another blackout, which is a serious violation of the conditions of safe operation of the plant.

Since the beginning of the war, the Zaporizhzhia power plant has suffered multiple blackouts, falling back on emergency diesel generators and safety systems.

In case of their failure, a threat of a nuclear and radiation accident will emerge, said Energoatom.

According to Zaporizhzhias governor, 12 Russian missiles hit the region early Friday, destroying several houses and injuring an unknown number of people.

According to initial reports, seven houses were destroyed, 35 were damaged, Ivan Fedorov wrote on Telegram, adding that people had been injured.

Petro Andryushchenko, an adviser to the Ukrainian mayor of the city of Mariupol, under Russian control since 2022, said on Telegram that a Russian missile had hit a trolleybus at the Dnipro hydroelectric station, also in Zaporizhzhia, killing civilians travelling on it.

Oleksandr Symchyshyn, mayor of the western city of Khmelnytskyi, described a horrible morning with damage to infrastructure and residential buildings.

There are victims and casualties among civilians, he wrote on Telegram.

The interior ministry said two were killed and eight injured in the region.

Energy facilities were targeted by Russian missile, drone, and artillery strikes in multiple cities across Ukraine on Friday, including Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi,and Kryvyi Rig.

The goal is not just to damage, but to try again, like last year, to cause a large-scale failure of the countrys energy system, said energy minister Galushchenko. AFP
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Taipei has rejected Chinas warning that it would be dangerous to tinker with its Taiwan issue amid its maritime dispute with the Philippines over some parts of the West Philippine Sea.

The Taiwan Economic and Cooperation Office yesterday sent a copy of its newsletter which contained its response to false claims by the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China.

TECO in the Philippines solemnly reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a modern democratic country that actively defends its democratic system and respects human rights and the rule of law.

Neither democratic Taiwan nor autocratic Peoples Republic of China is subordinate to the other, it said.

The Chinese Communist Party regime has never governed Taiwan, and Taiwan is not a part of the PRC. No distorted narrative regarding Taiwans sovereign status can change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait or internationally recognized objective facts.

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The Chinese Embassy in Manila earlier said the Taiwan question is not and should never become an issue between China and the Philippines.

It said its issue with the self-governing island is purely an internal affair and does not brook any external interference.

China had raised alarm after the United States, Manilas treaty ally, announced plans to build a second port on Batanes Island, just 200 kilometers away from Taiwans southern end across the Taiwan Strait.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines also announced plans to hold Balikatan military exercises with the US and other allied troops in the countrys northernmost province.
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With an estimated P3.5-billion daily economic losses incurred from traffic, the Management Association of the Philippines through its Transportation and Infrastructure Committee said Metro Manila should be placed under a state of calamity.

Committee chair Eduardo Yap gave this assessment during a recent House committee hearing on Metro Manila Development.

He said the magnitude of the economic damage due to traffic exceeds the threshold for declaring a state of calamity, which typically stands at P1 billion.

Yap also recommended that President Marcos may exercise his emergency powers to implement relief measures to address the ongoing crisis.

Manila Rep. Rolando Valeriano presided over the March 20 hearing, which discussed the holistic plan of MAP to alleviate the perennial traffic issue.

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Under this proposal, a traffic czar would be tasked to spearhead a comprehensive program aimed at decongesting Metro Manila.

The program comprises short, medium, and long-term measures to provide immediate relief for motorists and ensure long-term sustainability through infrastructural improvements, particularly in mass public transportation.

Included in the proposal is the adoption of private Electric Vehicles (EVs) to reduce air pollution.

Yap, however, noted that the EDSA Busway must be used exclusively by public buses because allowing private vehicles, including EVs, on it would hinder its efficiency as a public conveyance facility.

Instead, Yap suggested incentivizing private EVs by exempting them from road congestion charges once a travel-demand management system is established on congested private car lanes, such as EDSA.

The ideal time to institute this travel-demand-regulating measure is when the Busway and the MRT3 have been privatized and upgraded to global standards of efficiency, MAP said in a statement.

Such a situation will present an attractive mobility option, other than private vehicles, that will encourage motorists to shift to mass transit and spare motorists from incurring road congestion user charge while helping to decongest traffic, it added.
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Filipino scientists completed a marine research mission despite dangerous maneuvers by a Chinese vessel which attempted to block their boat from reaching a reef in the West Philippine Sea.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said the incident happened Thursday near Sandy Cay reef, several kilometers from the Philippine-held Pag-asa island in the contested Spratly Islands, where the two countries have repeatedly clashed in recent months.

He said the scientists were on a boat belonging to the Bureau of Fisheries

and Aquatic Resources which was taking them to the reef when a China Coast Guard vessel crossed its path, coming as close as 100 meters (330 feet) to the boat.

Tarriela said the China Coast Guard vessel sounded a siren for morethan 30 minutes to draw the attention of Chinese maritime militia boats in the area.

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The China Coast Guard however said Thursday that 34 Filipinos had illegally landed on the reef it calls Tiexian Jiao.

Chinese law enforcement officers landed there, where they investigated and handled (the situation), China Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu said in a statement.

Thats another lie coming from the Chinese coast guard, Tarriela said on Friday.

Pag-asa Island generates a territorial sea of 12 nautical miles. This means we have sovereignty over these waters. Chinas mere presence there, disrupting our research which we are lawfully conducting, is a violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS), he said.

Tarriela said the scientific team spent four hours at two reefs and was able to complete its mission, despite the presence of Chinese vessels and a Chinese military helicopter circling overhead.

The scientists who conducted the research were from the University of the Philippines-Institute of Biology, BFAR, and the Department ofAgriculture-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI), he said.

An initial assessment of Sandy Cay and a second reef near Pag-asa showed that the fish and corals were in a very poor state, University of the Philippines marine biologist Jonathan Anticamara later on told a press conference.

Anticamara, who led the scientific mission, said his team observed unnatural and wide piles of rubble taller than a person at Sandy Cay.

We dont know who put it there, Anticamara said.

Sandy Cay 2 is now covered with dead corals apparently dumped there in what appears to be an attempt to reclaim the area.

Many of these piles of rubble are not the same as those underwater, and we need further observation in the laboratory. The rubble from thedeep is covered in algae, but the exposed [rubble] is very white, gray corals, Anticamara said.

Some of the countries with overlapping claims to the Spratlys, including China and Vietnam, have turned reefs into artificial islands where they have built ports, airstrips and military facilities.

Chinas land reclamation has outstripped that of other claimants, according to the US-based Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI).

AMTI estimates China has carried out unprecedented dredging and artificial island-building in the Spratlys since 2013, creating about 1,300 hectares (3,200 acres) of new land. With AFP
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Many celebrities, politicians, and organizations have expressed their condolences and tributes to the late doctor and mental health advocate Gia Grace Sison.

Known for being a prominent advocate for mental health, Sison has touched the lives of many Filipinos through her efforts in the mental health scene as well as her support for the LGBTQ+ community.

Following her passing, several people have taken to social media to express their grief, leading to her becoming one of the trending topics on the platform.

Many public figures have thanked the late doctors efforts in spreading mental health awareness in the country.

Your voice and dedication to mental health awareness, especially during the challenging times of quarantine, have left an indelible mark. Your legacy will continue to inspire and help many. Thank you for everything, said Atty. Chel Diokno.

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She was one of our staunchest #MentalHealthAct & #SOGIEEqualityBill allies. She always made time for us, was always so warm, always so generous with her light. Maraming salamat, Doc Gia. You will be dearly missed, said Senator Risa Hontiveros in a post which also included a selfie she took with Sison.

This is so sad Rest easy, Doc Gia. You will be remembered for many wonderful things, said actress Maine Mendoza.

Several organizations also paid tribute to Sisons work. MentalHealthPH, an organization that promotes mental health in the Philippines, has expressed its gratitude to Sison for her contributions to its cause.

Doc @giasison was one of the first to join our #UsapTayo [on] April 10, 2017. She had a great influence when #MentalHealthPhs #UsapTayo started. Thank you, Doc Gia, the organization said in its post.

TAYO Awards, an award-giving body centered on the contributions of local youth organizations, has also recognized Sisons service as one of its expert panelists.

Paalam, at Maraming Salamat po sa pagsama sa aming misyon na ito. Rest in Power, Doc Gia, it said.

Sison was the co-founder of #HealthXPh as well as the host of CNN Philippines G Talks and was one of the hosts of the Walwal Sesh Podcast. She passed away on March 21 at 53 years old.
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Foundever, a global leader in the customer experience (CX) industry, launched its new employee resource group (ERG), Disability at Foundever in the Philippines. This groups mission is to provide support, enhance the workplace experience and boost the professional and personal development of employees with disabilities (PWDs). Disability at Foundever is the first ERG for PWDs in Foundever worldwide.

With this new ERG, Foundever in the Philippines is taking a major stride in promoting diversity and inclusion in its workplaces. Almost 4,000 associates joined the pioneering virtual launch in February.

Advocate Jen Mendoza from the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment shared her insights in a talk during the launch. She emphasized that the experience of disability has two parts: the impairment (physical, mental or both) and the cultural, social and structural barriers in the environment.

The combination of these two creates a disabling experience for PWDs and prevents them from achieving their potential.

That said, Mendoza advised that both impairments and barriers need to be addressed to support PWDs and make them productive and happy members of society.

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She added that PWDs need to be involved in the planning and decision-making process behind policies, programs and practices that affect their lives. This is true whether in the countrys laws or policies governing health, education, transportation, housing and other basic services.

Disability at Foundever resource group is one example of how an employer can address the impairments and barriers that affect its PWD workers. Through this ERG, the PWD associates of Foundever in the Philippines can play an active part in shaping their workplace into an environment where they can thrive as individuals and professionals while maximizing their contribution to business progress and growth.

The ERG launching also served as the kickoff for the first corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity of Disability at Foundever. Shortly following the launch, the ERG core group and volunteers shared their time with students and faculty of the Philippine National School for the Blind (PNSB) last February 17.

Disability at Foundever chairperson and VP for APAC Operations Eden Gutierrez led the CSR activity, along with co-leaders Jen Joloc, Jex San Jose and Hiroki Revereza, with the support of 98 volunteer associates.

Before the event, the Disability at Foundever CSR volunteers received training on communicating with and guiding visually impaired people.

At the event, the ERG volunteers shared their time, stories and goodwill with 100 PNSB beneficiaries, who were composed of visually impaired students, teachers and staff. There was also a showcase of talents, where PNSB students performed songs and spoken-word poetry.
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The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, led by Executive Director Ebb Hinchliffe; and Coca-Cola Philippines, represented by Public Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability Sr. Director Ivanna dela Torre and Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines President Cecile Alcantara, were among the speakers and panelists at the Sip & Sustain: Water Security forum.

In celebration of World Water Day, Coca-Cola Philippines and the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) convened stakeholders to discuss the critical challenges surrounding water resource management in the Philippines.

Held on March 7th, the Sip & Sustain: Water Security for the Philippines event brought together industry leaders, experts, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) represented by Undersecretary Carlos Primo C. David to discuss strategies aimed at ensuring water security for all Filipinos.

DENR Undersecretary Carlos Primo David shared efforts by the government to manage and preserve the countrys natural water resources. Meanwhile, Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, represented by President Cecile Alcantara, helps water-stressed communities have a sustainable safe water supply through watershed conservation and water systems for domestic use.

Participants shared their thoughts on the importance of sustainable water management practices and the need for collaborative efforts to tackle water-related challenges effectively. Topics ranging from data collection and planning to governance and accountability were explored, emphasizing the significance of transparent and accountable water management systems.



In addition to fostering dialogue among stakeholders, the event underscored the role of public-private partnerships in driving innovation and investment in water management initiatives, such as The Coca-Cola Companys 2030 Global Water Security Strategy, where the company aims to:



 Achieve 100% regenerative water use across 175 facilities in different countries identified as facing high levels of water stress by 2030;

 Work with partners to help improve the health of 60 watersheds identified as most critical for the systems operations and agricultural supply chains by 2030; and

 Return a cumulative total of 2 trillion liters of water to nature and communities globally, between 20212030.
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The phenomenal Anne Curtis stole the show at the grand launch event of the vivo V30 Series, held at The Manila Hotel on March 20, 2024.

Anne, accompanied by her trusty vivo V30 Pro, made a grand entrance into the ballroom and captured the moment with a selfie alongside the delighted audience. Her enthusiasm for the phone was palpable as she shared her firsthand experience, praising its exceptional capabilities.

The vivo V30 Series is truly exceptional, Anne remarked. The capabilities are unmatched, allowing me to capture every detail and emotion effortlessly.

Before the event, Anne also took stunning snapshots with her most favorite vivo phone to date, the vivo V30 Pro, showcasing its impressive imaging capabilities.

Aside from Annes appearance, the event featured insights from industry experts representing ZEISS, vivo Headquarters, and Manila Bulletin, shedding light on the innovative features of the vivo V30 Series.

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ZEISS, a global leader in optical technology with a legacy of 178 years, highlighted their collaboration with vivo in delivering top-notch mobile imaging technology since 2020. The launch marked the introduction of the first V Series smartphone co-engineered by ZEISS to the Philippine market.

Marisa Weis, Head of Product and Category Management Imaging & Brand Partnerships, Consumer Products of ZEISS



Marisa Weis of ZEISS shared, Philippines is such a vibrant emerging consumer market, and a market we firmly believe has great potential, especially in portrait photography. The goal of our joint development is nothing less than enabling users to create pro-level portraits.

Meanwhile, Keshav Chugh from vivo Headquarters also presented the ZEISS Triple Main Camera and the ZEISS lens simulations of the vivo V30 Pro. His personal favorite was the ZEISS Biotar Style Bokeh for a cinematic touch in portraits.



He also presented Aura Light 3.0, which is a powerful light-filling tool exclusive to vivo. You go to nightclubs, restaurants, and bars which have very challenging lights. Any camera will struggle in these challenging scenarios, so we try to solve this problem with the third generation of the Aura Light Portrait, he shared.

Lastly, Art Samaniego of Manila Bulletin shared his firsthand experience with the vivo V30 Pro, praising not only its camera capabilities but also its performance and design elements.

I believe the V30 Pro stands out because of these additional features, like the processor it is using, the display, and the battery life. Also, you can really see the commitment of vivo to give you not only a superior product but also a work of art, Art stated.

For those who missed the event, a video recap of the vivo V30 Series Grand Launch is available here.

The vivo V30 and V30 Pro are now available nationwide starting Php 24,999, both in vivo concept stores and online platforms such as vivo website, Shopee, and Lazada.

Looking ahead, vivo Philippines Brand Marketing Head Liu Lu hinted at the upcoming launch of vivo V30e in May, featuring ambassador Maine Mendoza. Follow vivo Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to keep up with happenings and events.
University of Richmond officials on Friday identified the person found dead Thursday night in Westhampton Lake on the university's campus as Christopher Elvin, of New Jersey.

Police said crews with Henrico County and Richmond police responded to the scene at around 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Richmond police spokesperson James Mercante told the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Mercante said no foul play is suspected at this time, and that the incident "looks to be a tragic circumstance."

Elvin was a sophomore studying business administration and Chinese studies at UR, according to university President Kevin Hallock. He was a member of the ultimate frisbee team and the president of West Indian Lynk, a Caribbean student organization.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to Christophers family, his many friends on campus, and all who knew him," Hallock said.

Elvin's death has "profoundly affected the campus," said university spokesperson Sunni Brown. The university flag will fly at half staff in recognition of Elvin's passing, and school chaplains will be available to offer support to students and staff.

From the Archives: University of Richmond in the 1970s
Ugandas President Yoweri Museveni made headlines on Thursday by appointing his son as the top commander of the military, sparking controversy in a nation where suspicions have long lingered regarding Museveni grooming his eldest child for the presidency.

Musevenis son, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has been actively engaging in rallies across the country, despite laws prohibiting serving army officers from involvement in partisan politics. Kainerugaba maintains that his endeavors, including the establishment of the Patriotic League of Uganda, are nonpartisan and aimed at fostering patriotism among Ugandans.

The announcement of Kainerugabas promotion came late Thursday, accompanied by a reshuffle of government ministers, wherein two of his closest advisors were appointed to ministerial positions. This move has fueled speculation that Museveni supports Kainerugabas political aspirations.

With Museveni, in power since 1986, yet to announce his retirement plans and facing no significant rivals within his ruling party, the National Resistance Movement, observers believe the military may influence the selection of his successor. Kainerugabas allies strategically hold key positions within the security services, adding weight to this speculation.

While Kainerugabas supporters view him as a potential agent for a peaceful transfer of power, a rarity in Uganda since independence in 1962, opposition figures and critics fear his ascent signals a slide toward hereditary rule. Kainerugabas journey through the military ranks, often dubbed the Muhoozi Project, has been contentious, with both Museveni and Kainerugaba denying allegations of a deliberate succession plan. Nevertheless, as Museveni, 79, potentially serves his last term without a clear successor from the civilian government, observers suggest a transition may be underway. Kainerugabas recent role as a senior presidential advisor overseeing special operations follows his removal as an infantry commander in 2022 due to controversial social media posts, indicating a significant shift in his trajectory within Ugandan politics and the military.
Kenyas initiative to lead a UN-backed mission in Haiti faces backlash domestically amid escalating violence in Haiti.

President William Rutos proposal to deploy 1,000 police officers to assist Haitian authorities in combating gang dominance in Port-au-Prince is met with skepticism at home. Critics allege financial motives and question the legality of the deployment, advocating for a military intervention instead. The delay in deployment due to a lack of a reciprocal agreement with Haiti underscores legal concerns.

Despite Rutos efforts to address this by signing an agreement with Haiti in March, the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry complicates matters further. Concerns over the safety of Kenyan police officers in Haitis volatile environment prompt debate. Some argue for a robust military intervention before police deployment. Accusations of ulterior motives, including potential financial gain, particularly in light of US funding, add to the controversy. Parliamentary debates reflect deep divisions, with opposition figures condemning what they see as Rutos authoritarian tendencies and disregard for legal procedures.

Despite assurances of moral commitment from Ruto, skepticism persists regarding Kenyas involvement in Haiti. Critics warn of potential risks and costs, emphasizing the need for caution in committing Kenyan forces to the troubled nation.
Nigerias President Bola Tinubu is set to impose a three-month embargo on ministers and other government officials from engaging in publicly funded foreign trips, as revealed by Tinubus chief of staff.

This decision stems from concerns regarding the soaring expenses associated with official travel by public servants. Scheduled to commence on April 1st, the ban comes amidst mounting criticism directed at Tinubus administration for its frequent international visits. Notably, the government drew significant backlash, particularly on social media platforms, following its sponsorship of over 400 individuals to attend the COP28 climate conference in Dubai last November.

Tinubu, who assumed office in May 2023, has embarked on more than 15 foreign trips, contributing to an expenditure that exceeded the allocated budget for 2023 by 36%, as reported by the Nigerian newspaper Punch in January, citing GovSpend, a platform monitoring government spending.

Given Nigerias current economic challenges, characterized by one of its severest cost-of-living crises in decades, Tinubus administration aims to address fiscal strain through responsible financial management, according to Femi Gbajabiamila, Tinubus chief of staff. The temporary restriction on official travel seeks to streamline expenditures and refocus government officials on their core duties. Essential foreign trips will require prior approval from President Tinubu, to ensure that resources are allocated judiciously. While steps are being taken to reduce official travel delegations and increase oversight,

Tinubus travel patterns remain unaddressed, with his representatives asserting the importance of his international engagements in tackling economic challenges.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Micrograph showing a lymph node invaded by ductal breast carcinoma, with extension of the tumor beyond the lymph node. Credit: Nephron/Wikipedia

There is a lot going on within the field of breast cancer research. A new AI tool is trying to fine-tune the screening program, another one is helping pathologists make diagnoses. New drugs are approved. This could save more lives. But there is still no answer to the trickiest question of all: What causes breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a well-funded area of research. This is evident from a study published in The Lancet in 2023, in which researchers attempted to determine the actual distribution of a total of 24.5 billion dollars spent on cancer research at global level between 2016 and 2020. The single form of cancer that received the most money was breast cancer: 11.2% of the entire pot.

The abundant funding has had an impact. Mortality from breast cancer has fallen faster than mortality from other cancers. In 1980, 57.5% of patients survived at least 10 years with the disease. By 2022, the corresponding figure was 87.6%.

At the same time, the incidence curve shows an increase at all ages, most notably for women aged between 50 and 70. In 1980, 105 per 100,000 individuals were diagnosed with breast cancer in Sweden. By 2022, this figure had risen to 191 per 100,000. The increase is still ongoing and over the last two decades the number of cases has increased by about 2% per year.

More than 1 in 10 women over the age of 75 have been diagnosed with breast cancer, making it the most common cancer among women. In 2022, more than 8,500 people were diagnosed with breast cancer, including 57 men.

Thus, the disease is common and becoming more common, while survival rates are improving. Early detection, better diagnostics and more effective treatments are behind this success.

In Sweden, screening with mammography was gradually introduced starting in the 1980s. Today, all women between the ages of 40 and 74 are offered a free examination every 18 to 24 months.

Equal for all, in all regions. Very fair?

Absolutely not, says Per Hall, Professor at the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics.

"Some women have a low risk of developing breast cancer while others have a very high risk. It is highly individual. We have had this knowledge for many years, but despite this we still screen everyone in the same way," he says.

New model for risk-based screening

Per Hall has spent the last decade developing a model for risk-based screening. With that goal in mind, an AI tool has had to work self-learning with mammography images from healthy women, images where it is known who later developed breast tumors. It may sound like a simple matter to enter a number of images into a system, but Per Hall describes a major challenge in making tens of thousands of images comparable even though they come from different digital environments, where different software has been used.

"It took several years to teach our software to treat all mammography images in the same way, whether the machine that took them was a Siemens or a Philips or any other brand," he says.

AI already has a place in the mammography business, with digital tools assessing the images. This way, radiologists can be relieved. In some mammography units, there is now one radiologist and AI looking at the images, instead of two radiologists as before. In those cases, the AI tool is tasked with answering the question "Are there any suspicious tumors in this breast?"

But the AI that Per Hall has been working on has learned something completely different. It is trained to answer the question "How likely is it that this breast will develop a breast cancer within two years?"

"The tool identifies and assesses a variety of parameters that the human eye cannot see. These include mammographic density in relation to age, calcifications and differences between the right and left breast," explains Per Hall.

Breast density is an important risk factor for breast cancer. Density is not something that can be seen or felt by the woman herself, but can be seen on a mammogram. A small amount of fat but a lot of breast tissue and connective tissue results in a dense breast. Conversely, a lot of fat and little other tissue results in a lower degree of density. In a dense breast with lots of breast tissue, there are more cells that can turn into cancer cells. It is also more difficult to see any tumors, as a dense breast will appear white on a mammogram, hiding any lump, which will also appear white on the image.

Risk factors affect the breast density

The density changes throughout life as breast tissue is converted to fat. In a 25-year-old, an almost completely white mammogram image is expected, but the same image from a 70-year-old woman would be a clear sign of a high risk of disease. Per Hall says that virtually all known risk factors for breast cancer affect density. Each child born and breastfeeding reduces densityso conversely, delayed childbirth, few children born and limited breastfeeding increases density. Alcohol and lack of physical activity increase density, as does post-menopausal obesity, late menopause or hormone therapy to relieve menopausal symptoms. The only known risk factors that reduce density are smoking and age.

"For some reason we don't know, smoking reduces the density while increasing the risk of breast cancer. But smoking is a risk factoralbeit a weak onein this context," says Per Hall.

But many women have a lifestyle that includes the above-mentioned risk factors, without getting the disease. And some who get the disease are young, have given birth to several children early, drink sparingly and exercise frequently.

So many of the known risk factors for breast cancer are quite weak. But in a large group of women, as in a whole population, they make a difference. When an entire population changes its lifestyle in a certain direction, for example by postponing childbirth and having fewer children, this can partly explain why the disease is becoming more common.

A few known risk factors play a major role at the individual level. These include older age and, somewhat obviously, female gender. But also mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. They are rare, but they greatly increase the risk of developing the disease. Up to 5% of all breast cancer is caused by these mutations.

Per Hall believes that new knowledge about the genetics of breast cancer will eventually shed more light on the risk factors. He believes that certain gene variants, perhaps in combination with certain other gene variants, can amplify the effect of certain risk factors, leading to the development of the disease in an individual. But capturing that kind of combination of multiple factors, which are individually quite weak, in combination with one or more gene variants, requires enormously large studies to provide outcomes.

"We've collaborated with a large number of groups around the world and done studies involving about 400,000 womenbut we're still not getting results. So we need even more participants to capture any patterns," says Per Hall.

It all boils down to the fact that it is currently impossible to say why a particular woman has developed breast cancer. Nevertheless, the researchers' goal is to be able to say approximately how likely it is that an individual woman will contract the disease within two years. And then renew the existing screening program from that perspective.

"Yes, exactly, that's what we are aiming for. We will test a possible approach in a study that starts now in April," says Per Hall.

The study he is talking about is called SMART and is part of the larger Karma project, which includes a large number of studies with different questions about breast cancer. In SMART, 70,000 women will be randomized into two groups. Half will be invited to join the existing screening program and offered screening at the current intervals. The rest will be risk assessed by the AI tool developed by Per Hall's research team. They will then be offered individually calculated intervals, where the high-risk women will be examined every year.

The high-risk women will also be examined in a different way, with a contrast agent injected via a vein in the arm before imaging. The agent seeks out any tumors that light up like little stars in the mammogram image, even whiter in all the white. The method is called contrast-enhanced mammography.

The hypothesis is that this will make it possible to find more breast cancers through screening. Butand this is trickynot all breast cancers are equally important to find, as strange as that sounds.

A recurring criticism that has followed the mammography screening programs since their early days is that the more aggressive tumors slip through more easily. These tumors are more often detected when the woman herself feels a lump and therefore seeks care. Since this happens between the appointments in the screening program, it is called interval cancer.

Today, about two-thirds of breast tumors are detected through the screening program and about one in three breast cancers are interval cancers.

"It is the interval cancer that we want to address. We know that if you add more examinations to the screening program, you will find more tumors. But some of them can be considered as overdiagnosis. The important thing is to find cancers that would otherwise become interval cancers. This is how you manage to catch more cases of aggressive cancer at an earlier stage," says Per Hall.

The AI tool developed by his research team has recently been tested in a study with patients from four other European countries. The aim was to find out whether the tool also works in digital environments where it has not been trained. This resulted in a study recently published in The Lancet Regional Health.

The researchers included more than 8,500 women who all went home with good results from their mammograms. In that group, the researchers had "hidden" 739 women who were diagnosed with breast cancer within two years, before they attended their next screening appointment.

The question was: Does the AI tool find them? The answer is: Some.

In the large group of just over 8,500 women, the tool has deemed just over 529 to be at "high risk" of getting an interval cancer. And in this smaller group, nearly one in three women did indeed get it. And of those, about one in three had disease that had grown slightly larger or spread to lymph nodes in the armpit.

"The tool succeeded in detecting both interval cancer and more aggressive cancer. And with a method that is not particularly expensivewe don't do any genetic analysis or MRI scans," says Per Hall.

In the best case, a trimmed screening program can contribute to more tumors being found early. But once they are caught, accurate diagnosis is crucial for the patient to get the best possible treatment. And AI has an important role to play here too.

"AI is at its best when it comes to seeing patterns in images. The use of AI in pathology will be of great importance and is a journey that has only just begun," says Johan Hartman, Professor of Tumor Pathology at the Department of Oncology-Pathology at Karolinska Institutet.

He describes a rapid pace of development, with digitalization still ongoing. Many hospitals have put away the microscopes and are fully digital. In other places, the transition is still ongoing. In parallel, the next stage of development is already taking place, supported by AI.

More specifically, digital pathology means that a tissue sample is first handled manually, just like before. For example, a specimen may be thinly sliced and placed on a glass slide. It is then sent into a scanner that can photograph hundreds of slides at a time.

It is these extreme close-ups of the tumors that pathologists analyze. In many cases, this involves counting, assessing and evaluating. For example, a certain percentage of cells must have receptors for estrogen and progesterone for a tumor to be considered hormone sensitive. The proportion of cells in the division phase describes the growth rate. There are other aspects that are important for categorizing a tumor.

"But we are only human. It is difficult to quantify different things in an image," says Johan Hartman.

At least for a human. An AI can count every cell in an image and assess itat lightning speed.

"These systems, where AI helps us count, already exist today. I think they will soon become a requirement in pathology," he says.

A number of parameters

Johan Hartmans research focuses on the next generation of AIa more analytical model, capable of assessing the severity of disease in the cells on the screen.

"That's the type of AI I'm most interested in. These are systems that will have a major impact on diagnostics," says Johan Hartman.

He and his colleagues have developed an AI tool that is already being used to assess hormone-sensitive breast cancer, which accounts for about 80 of cases. This large group is divided into lots of different subgroups, in different ways.

The concept of tumor grade is relevant in this context. This assessment is based on a number of parameters. For example, in addition to growth rate, the pathologist must estimate how abnormal the cells are, in generalwhat do the cell nuclei look like, how much do they differ from healthy cell nuclei? And are the cancer cells similar or different from each other?

"A human is capable of holding a maximum of ten variables in his or her head and weighing them together in an overall analysis. This AI system is capable of assessing and weighing thousands of variables," says Johan Hartman.

Today, breast tumors are divided into three groups, where tumor grade 1 means a low risk of recurrence and spread, while tumor grade 3 is associated with higher risks.

But in practice, more than half of the tumors fall into an intermediate group, grade 2. This means thousands of cases per year. And for them, the choice of treatment is less obvious.

"Oncologists often choose the safe option and add chemotherapy and radiation in many cases. This means that there are patients in this intermediate group who are overtreated," says Johan Hartman.

The AI he has developed has accessed thousands of images representing grade 1 and 3 tumors. The tool has had to work self-learning in this large image material and train itself in pattern recognition. The goal was to figure out what separates the two groups.

And the system has succeeded in doing so. When the tool assesses images from the large intermediate group, it manages to place the tumors along a scale, with some closer to grade 1 and others closer to grade 3. In studies where the researchers have known which patients who have later relapsed, it has been shown that the tool makes good assessments.

Some hospitals in the country have already started using the AI tool to support them.

"The tool contributes to a more uniform assessment of the tumor. We know today that assessments can vary depending on the pathologist who makes them. This is a problem because it can affect treatment choices. This tool contributes to a common understanding of tumor categorization, regardless of where in the country the patient is treated," says Johan Hartman.

Over the last decade, a number of new drugs have been developed in the field of breast cancer, such as CDK4/6 inhibitors, which can slow down hormone-sensitive disease that has spread beyond the breast and armpit. There have also been several new immune therapies that help the body's own immune system fight the tumors. There are more new treatments in addition to these, including several that improve the effectiveness of the anti-hormonal treatments used for hormone-sensitive cancer.

Theodoros Foukakis, an oncologist and research group leader at the Department of Oncology-Pathology at Karolinska Institutet, is investigating how to tune different drug treatments in the clinical situation. The aim is to give doctors better opportunities to make wise choices for each patientas effectively as possible, with as few side effects as possible. Everything is investigated with classic clinical trials, where patients are randomized between different treatment options and followed over time. Many of the studies are conducted in large international collaborations.

Promising immunotherapy

A specific example is studies on the immunotherapy Keytruda, with the active substance pembrolizumab. This drug was previously given in the breast cancer field only to women with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, where the disease has sent distant metastases to, for example, the bones, lungs or liver. Disseminated breast cancer is currently incurable, so the aim is to slow down the disease and prolong life.

Triple-negative breast cancer means that the cells lack receptors for estrogen, progesterone and HER2. Because many treatments are designed to block these receptors, there are fewer drugs available for triple-negative breast cancer, which is often more aggressive and in many cases affects younger women.

In triple-negative breast cancer, treatment usually starts with chemotherapy to shrink the tumor before surgery. Theodoros Foukakis has led the Swedish part of a study that has tested a new approach to the treatment given before surgery. In this study, women were randomized into two groups: half received chemotherapy with the addition of the immunotherapy pembrolizumab, and the rest received chemotherapy and a placebo. After surgery, the women continued treatment with either immunotherapy or placebo.

Five years later, nearly 19 of those who received additional immunotherapy had relapsed. The corresponding figure for those who only received chemotherapy was 28. A difference of 9 percentage points. And most of the relapses were not a new tumor in the breast, but spread disease with distant metastases.

Roughly speaking, just under a thousand women per year are diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in Sweden. This means that just under a hundred women avoid relapse if immunotherapy is included in the treatment given before surgery. This treatment approach is now clinical practice in Sweden for this patient group.

"That 9% is very important. Many of those who relapse cannot be cured," says Theodoros Foukakis.

Another part of his research involves finding biomarkers in patients. Again, the goal is to understand who benefits from a particular treatment.

"This is research that pharmaceutical companies are not always interested in doing. But in the clinic, we need to be able to identify the different subgroups that will or will not benefit from different drugs so that we can make the right choice. Otherwise, patients risk receiving drugs that do not help them but only cause side effects, says Theodoros Foukakis.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

A member of the Solutions Oriented Addiction Response organization holds a dose of the opioid overdose reversal drug Narcan at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Charleston in Charleston, W.Va., Tuesday Sept. 6, 2022. Nearly 108,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2022, according to final federal figures released Thursday, March 21, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Leah Willingham, File

Nearly 108,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2022, according to final federal figures released Thursday.

Over the last two decades, the number of U.S. overdose deaths has risen almost every year and continued to break annual recordsmaking it the worst overdose epidemic in American history.

The official number for 2022 was 107,941, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, which is about 1% higher than the nearly 107,000 overdose deaths in 2021.

Earlier provisional data estimated more than 109,000 overdose deaths in 2022, but provisional data includes all overdose deaths, while the final numbers are limited to U.S. residents.

The female overdose death rate declined for the first time in five years, although the male overdose death rate continued to inch up, the report said. Males account for about 70% of U.S. overdose deaths.

The overall drug overdose death rate rose from 2021 to 2022, but the increase was so small it was not considered statistically significant.

The CDC has not yet reported overdose numbers for last year, although provisional data through the first ten months of the year suggest overdose deaths continued to be stable in 2023.

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Faculty from UB's Division of Infectious Diseases received permission from the chief of the Cape Coast region of Ghana to hold a clinic there and connect with local health care providers and faculty. Back row, from left: Seth R. Glassman, MD, of UB; Nana Kwesi Amoyaw III (Amoyawhen); Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, president and Paramount Chief of Cape Coast; Patrick O. Kenney, MD, of UB; Ruben Maxwell-Bannaman, assistant regional registrar. Front row, from left: John C. Hu, MD, PhD; and Alyssa S. Shon, MD, both of UB; Kwabena Ansah Odei-Kum, medical officer, University Hospital, KNUST  Kumasi; and Shipra Goel, MD, UB internal medicine resident.

In Ghana, UB Infectious Disease Physicians Embarked on Unique Medical Mission

This is a reframing of global health trips. We want to empower local health care providers.  John C. Hu, MD, PhD Clinical assistant professor of medicine

BUFFALO, N.Y.  Traditional medical missions often involve medical professionals from well-resourced, high-income countries traveling to under-resourced, low-income countries to provide health care to a local population for a limited period of time.



Earlier this year, a group of University at Buffalo infectious disease physicians traveled to Ghana with a plan to do things a little differently.



Working as Partners Instead of Coming in as Outsiders

John C. Hu, MD, PhD, led the medical portion of the trip, along with Seth R. Glassman, MD; Alyssa S. Shon, MD; Patrick O. Kenney, MD; and Shipra Goel, MD.

Focusing on Patient Education During Mission

Kenney, who will be joining UBs clinical faculty this summer, says that in a way, his experience in Ghana was exactly the experience he was seeking. My goal in medicine was to work in under-resourced areas, he says. Thats why I went into infectious disease in the first place. Working with colleagues from the UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences led by Gina Prescott, PharmD, clinical associate professor of pharmacy practice and director of global and community outreach, the UB physicians conducted four clinics and saw 650 patients. Kenney says the focus on partnering with local providers was especially appealing. One of the things we were trying to do was to engage with the local health care system, more than just bringing medicines into this country without hope of follow-up or building systems, Kenney says. Kenney is one of only about a dozen current fellows in the U.S. who have chosen to specialize in infectious diseases in both adult and pediatric patients. I chose this specialty because I wanted to be in a position where I can treat whoever needs treatment, no matter who walks in the door, he says. Those skills served him well on the trip, where he was able to treat both children and adults. But sometimes the most helpful thing physicians can do on such trips is less about treating patients than about providing health information. A big part of what we did was patient education, says Hu. For example, when they diagnosed hypertension in a person, they would work on making referrals to local health care providers, to establish continuity of care. Hu, Kenney and Glassman are partnering with physicians and researchers they met in Ghana, and plans are being made for next years trip. This is a reframing of global health trips, says Hu. We want to empower local health care providers. We want to turn over to them the care of these patients; we dont want to take away from the health care system that already exists there.

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Here's some business news in the Missoula area:

Montana Sauna Co. has announced they're building a permanent location at Western Cider at 501 N. California Street. The owners, Nick Johnson and Luke Raddue have been operating a mobile community sauna at pop-up sites. At Western Cider, they'll have a 20-person sauna that will be open daily. The project isn't open yet but is expected to be ready later this spring.

Rock Creek Lodge, a bar and restaurant in Clinton east of Missoula near Interstate 90, is under construction and is expected to reopen this spring.

Destination Missoula and the Missoula Tourism Business Improvement District celebrated the 20-year anniversary of Destination Missoula on March 6. The organization also released a preview of its Destination Stewardship Plan and honored members of the community who have significantly contributed to the hospitality industry.

"This event was a fun and joyful way to celebrate Destination Missoulas 20 years of representing Missoula, said Destination Missoula executive director Barbara Neilan. This is my favorite event of our year as we have the privilege of honoring so many inspirational people that work tirelessly, and many times behind the scenes, to make our unique community an exceptional experience for both our visitors and our residents.

Whitney Bergmann, general manager at Best Western Grant Creek Inn, received the Presidents Award for her extensive work on the Missoula TBID board. Bergmann has served as TBID president for four years as well as a board member for the Montana Lodging and Hospitality Association and the Montana Travel Association.

Loren Flynn earned the Jay Award for his inspirational leadership with Fish, Wildlife & Parks as a park manager for the Bitterroot District and then as Region 2 park manager, overseeing 10 state parks, over 200,000 acres of wildlife management areas and 84 fishing access sites, in addition to private lands/public access programs. The award, named for former president Jay Robson of Destination Missoula, is given to an individual who has made a lasting contribution to Missoulas tourism industry. Flynn also served as executive director of the Travelers Rest Preservation and Heritage Association from 2002-2009.

El Cazador Restaurant at 2209 South Avenue W. in Missoula is building a large new outdoor deck for guests to enjoy the weather while they eat Mexican food. The deck, on the south side of the restaurant, is on track to be completed later this spring and will have a roof.
Now through March 26, Missoulians with outstanding fines in municipal court can pay their balances down by donating food items to a community pantry.

Anyone with a fine in Missoula municipal court (which sees only misdemeanors within city limits) is eligible for the drive. Each nonperishable food donation knocks $10 off fines accrued, up to $200 total.

Were going to build a pantry, or have a pantry of all the food we raise, and then people are able to just take what they need, Jennifer Streano said. Streano is one of three Missoula municipal judges, along with Jacob Coolidge and Eli Parker.

They said its often they see people in court with accrued balances from cases that have been sitting for years. Fines are assessed most frequently for regulatory traffic offenses, rather than criminal offenses, Streano explained. A ticket for not having car insurance runs about $250, and DUI fines start at $600.

Fines are a really challenging tool to use when like 95% of defendants are indigent, Coolidge said, adding fines as a mechanism for criminal punishment disproportionately affects low-income people.

So I think this (food drive) kind of mitigates that to a degree, because it also contributes to something that can be immediately given back to the community, he said. Its kind of taken on a life of its own, which I think is really beneficial for agency and other things that have a mitigating effect on criminality.

Surcharges and restitution ordered by the court arent covered by the program, the judges noted.

This is the second time they've held the food drive, the judges said. the first time was last holiday season.

It was a major success, Streano said. That drive brought in about 2,706 pounds of food.

Streano said the drives have been well received among people with fines in municipal court, with some people bringing in more food than they have in fines.

(Its turning) something negative into a positive, she said.

People can bring food donations to the Missoula Municipal Court on Ryman Street through March 26. After the drive wraps up, donations will be collected for a pantry and given out to people at Project Community Connect on March 27 at the Missoula Public Library.

The event offers a lengthy, comprehensive list of free services for Missoulians needing some support. Dental checkups, legal services, pet vaccinations and licenses will all be provided at the event, along with other things like medical care and housing services. Each will be available all day at the library, Selya Aliva, community engagement specialist for the library, said.

One of the important parts about (Project Community Connect) is that it is a one-stop-shop where it takes down that barrier of needing to go to a bunch of different places on a bunch of different dates, Avila said.

The municipal judges are planning to be at the March 27 event, too, so people can check to see if they have open cases or quash warrants.

Often weve seen, over the last couple years, individuals who have multiple cases pending, Parker said. And once that individual, who was houseless, finds a place to live or gets connected to other resources, we stopped seeing them (in court).

Project Community Connect is making its return after a four-year hiatus in Missoula. The program stopped running in 2020 when the pandemic hit, Avila explained. She and her colleagues gauged a need for its return to Missoula this year.

I knew this was a worthwhile community endeavor, she said.

A hot breakfast will also be offered at the First United Methodist Church Fellowship on Main Street from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. before the library event kicks off.

PCC was held annually for 14 years prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. Avila said she hopes Project Community Connect generates enough momentum so it can keep running in future years.
Representatives from the U.S. Attorneys Office joined Lake County commissioners and other local leaders earlier this week to discuss the uncharted territory they now find themselves in when it comes to law enforcement on the reservation.

The meeting was about Public Law 280, which was enacted in 1953 and grants certain states criminal jurisdiction over some reservations.

Of the 12 tribes in Montana, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are the only group to opt in to Public Law 280. That means on the Flathead Reservation, felonies committed by tribal members are handled by local county law enforcement  not the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs or FBI.

Since 1990, CSKT has been prosecuting misdemeanor crimes committed by tribal members on the reservation  helping shoulder the burden of jurisdictional responsibility.

The governor has called Public Law 280 a model of success, and Lake County commissioners have said the law is the best law for everybody  when its working.

The problem, Lake County officials have been saying for years, is that the county has not been adequately reimbursed for assuming the job. They argue that burden has been placed on local taxpayers.

Why does this PL 280 dispute matter? At its core, the Public Law 280 conflict is about who is responsible for criminal jurisdiction on the Flathead Reservation. Right now, if a tribal member commits a major crime on the reservation, Lake County law enforcement prosecutes it. But if things change with Public Law 280, the feds or state could instead assume jurisdiction, which would change how crime is handled in the community.

County commissioners say they have been trying to resolve the issue for years. Two recent bills aimed at fixing the problem failed in the Legislature, and Gov. Greg Gianforte vetoed a third. The county filed a lawsuit in 2022, and a judge ultimately ruled the Legislature had the job of fixing the problem.

Now, on May 20, Lake County will officially withdraw from the law enforcement agreement, leaving the state to assume jurisdiction over the reservation. But earlier this month, Gianforte told county commissioners that the state would retrocede felony criminal jurisdiction to the United States. In plain terms, that means the FBI or BIA  not the state and not Lake County  would assume jurisdiction of major crimes committed on the Flathead Reservation.

County commissioners have repeatedly criticized the governors actions related to the conflict, saying he has shown absolutely no leadership on this issue.

What does it mean if the feds take over?

At Tuesdays meeting, Lake County commissioners asked U.S. Attorney for Montana Jesse Laslovich and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Weldon what exactly it will look like if the federal government assumes jurisdiction in Lake County.

In short, Laslovich said, it's a gray area.

Federal law enforcement agencies like the FBI and BIA, Laslovich said, are short on staff and resources.

Its not like we have a bunch of federal agents on the sidelines that can come in and handle the crime here, he said, adding that there are fewer than 50 FBI agents and fewer than 10 Bureau of Indian Affairs agents in the western part of Montana.

Typically, Laslovich said federal law enforcement entities deal with the worst of the worst crimes, whereas the county attorneys offices generally handle felonies and misdemeanors.

If the federal government assumes jurisdiction over the Flathead Reservation, Laslovich said the concern is that with limited resources, his office will be picking and choosing what were going to do.

The conversation with (Lake County Attorney James Lapotka) will be, Whos your worst? Laslovich explained. Those well pursue. But its a terrible question, and its an awful position for him to be in. That is a gray area that will be tough and will put him in untenable positions.

Laslovich and Weldon said the U.S. Attorneys office will likely be able to prosecute major crimes on the reservation, but they added that whether or not the perpetrator would be in custody immediately after committing a crime remains unclear.

The federal government is like a battleship, Weldon explained. It takes us a bit to get there. Theres horsepower when we get there, but it does take time. You see that on (other) reservations. There may be a murder, and it may take time to get that individual into custody.
On the morning of March 14, there were two large wood products businesses operating in Missoula County, the last remaining vestiges of a timber processing industry that powered the region's economy for a century and a half.

Within the span of six days, both Pyramid Mountain Lumber in Seeley Lake and Roseburg Forest Products' Missoula particleboard plant had announced they were shutting down permanently and eliminating a combined 250 jobs.

The closures mark the final knockout punch locally to an industry that helped build Missoula and put food on tables here for over 150 years.

The settlement of the Hellgate Trading Post was renamed Missoula Mills in 1866 due to the importance of logging and the mills in what is now Bonner and Milltown.

Tipi burners were once common in the Missoula Valley, large metal structures belching smoke that were used to burn the waste from mills.

Black and white photos from the 1800s and early 1900s show the Blackfoot River near Milltown choked with logs floated from upstream forests to the workers waiting to process them at the mill.

Like oil is to Texas or mining is to Butte or wheat is to north-central Montana, timber was the backbone of commerce here and almost everyone had some sort of connection to it.

But economics are constantly changing.

And slowly but surely, the industry's huge plants and mills in the valley began disappearing.

Missoula has a long history of absorbing the shock of huge industrial wood products businesses laying off all employees and shutting down due to unfavorable economics. The timber of western Montana helped build the town and fuel its economy, but the past 50 years have seen Missoula transform away from its industrial past.

The lumber mill in Bonner was one of the county's main economic drivers from 1886 until 2008, when 100 workers were given a 60 days' notice that they were losing their jobs. Since then, the site has been repurposed into other industrial uses, including an aluminum trailer factory and a siding factory. The county, the state, local businesses and other partners have had to work to remove tens of thousands of tons of polluted sediment from the site.

Waldorf Paper Products, and later the Smurfit-Stone Container Corp., operated a huge wood pulp mill in Frenchtown on the Clark Fork River in western Montana from 1957 to 2010. Over the years, it was controversial for how much pollution it spewed into the air. When it closed, 417 workers were shocked to learn that they were going to lose their jobs. The mill's closure exacerbated the negative effects of the Great Recession on Missoula's economy, and the county for many years has been battling with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on how and when to clean up toxic chemicals on the site.

On Missoula's Northside, not far from the current Roseburg site, the White Pine and Sash company operated between 1920 and 1996 and served as a finish mill that processed logs into trim board, window and door components. The wood was dipped in a solution of diesel and pentachlorophenol in large "dip tanks." Spills and drips and drying lumber impacted soil throughout the property. It took over two decades for the city to successfully convince the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to require the site's owners to clean up at least a portion of the site to residential standards. Two weeks ago, city leaders and nonprofit organizations held a groundbreaking for a massive new development project on the site that will include over 300 dwelling units, a grocery store, a day care center and possibly a restaurant.

Polley's Mill A 1924 photo of Polley's Lumber Mill in Missoula by the late, famous local photographer R.H. McKay.

From 1910 through 1955, Polley's Lumber Company operated a huge mill in the middle of Missoula, next to the Clark Fork River, in what is now called the Old Sawmill District. Mills kept operating in the area through the 1980s. Before it was transformed into a neighborhood with parks, restaurants and high-end condos, the area had to be cleaned up of the pollution left over from its industrial days.

The Hamilton Lumber Company, which included a huge mill yard, was owned starting in 1950 by L. A. Hamilton and his wife Bonnie at the site of what is now Southgate Mall. The company ceased to exist on July 22, 1976, when all the equipment was sold at auction.

The list goes on and on, and what's mentioned here in this story is by no means comprehensive.

To put it another way: Sawmills were once as ubiquitous in Missoula as marijuana dispensaries are now.

There are smaller businesses in the area that still make wood products, there are still lumber mills operating in Montana, logging will still continue in the region and Pyramid Mountain Lumber's facility could still be purchased and operated again in the future.

But to many industry watchers, last week's news was the final nail in the wooden coffin of the sector that's paid the wages of tens of thousands of workers over the last century and a half.

"I mean, it's huge, what's happened to the wood products industry in Montana in the last five years," said Zach Bashoor, the chair of the Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce, when asked how big of a deal last week's news was. "Pyramid was the last sawmill in Missoula County and Roseburg was the last wood products manufacturing facility here."

Bashoor has actually worked for both Roseburg and Pyramid in the past.

"When a mill closes there's a whole contractor base built around those mills that's going to be affected, too," he explained. "There's a contractor out of Seeley that told me he thinks he's going to hang up his hat."

By contractors, Bashoor is referring to loggers who have a contract to sell logs to Pyramid. Oftentimes, they're doing forest thinning for wildfire risk management or forest ecology restoration projects that require thinning.

"They make a living out of selling timber to the mill, that's how the system was built," he said. "The demand of land management has changed to much more of a restoration aspect."

Bashoor owns a company called Montana Forest Consultants that services landowners and agencies doing forest management work.

"Without those (loggers), there's no way to get our work done," he said. "If they're not around we can't do things like watershed restoration projects or thinning small trees for hazardous fuels reduction."

Todd Morgan, the director of forest industry research at the Bureau of Business and Economic Research, said the closures are a huge hit to the area's economy.

"The announced Roseburg and Pyramid closures are bad news for Montana, its economy, people and forests," he said. "In addition to the direct job losses and declines in tax revenue to the state and county, other negative impacts can be expected."

He noted that Missoula's Roseburg facility was a major user of sawdust and other residuals from sawmills and other wood products facilities in the region.

"There are few wood residue-using facilities, and this will have multiple effects on the remaining forest industry," he said. "The closure will likely reduce revenue of Montana, Idaho and other mills that sold residue to Roseburg, jeopardizing those operations by essentially making their products more expensive to produce. Additional job losses in trucking as well as other industries that supplied goods and services to Roseburg can be expected."

And Pyramid was an important user of ponderosa pine, one of the less-preferred tree species for lumber producers in the state.

"Ponderosa pine is one of the species whose increased density and mortality have contributed to increased fire hazard throughout Montana, Idaho and Wyoming," he said. "The Pyramid closure will likely make forest restoration treatments and other timber-related management more expensive, prohibitively so in some cases, for public and private landowners throughout the region. When landowners cannot manage their forests profitably or at least break even financially, they tend to sell those lands for other uses (such as development) or those forests become overgrown and increased fire risks for the owners and their neighbors."

In announcing its closing, Pyramid's owners cited a lack of housing in Seeley Lake as a major factor. In a press release, Roseburg said their decision to close the Missoula plant was part of a strategic plan to exit the particleboard manufacturing business. Roseburg also said the age of the Missoula plant meant it could not keep up with more modern competitors.

"Although Roseburgs decision to shut the Missoula facility may not have been because of the announced closure of Pyramid, the combined impacts will be felt well beyond Missoula and lasting," Morgan said.

Julia Altemus, the executive director of the Montana Wood Products Association, said she's hopeful that Pyramid will be bought and operated again by another company.

"But if they don't, and if they're forced to sell it off, that will be a huge hit to the economy," she said.

Altemus said she's certain the Roseburg plant will be sold off and never operated again.

"That one hurts," she said. "Roseburg takes all the residuals from mills. Everyone has to take that somewhere unless they're going to burn it off in a boiler."

She said that local timber is going to be worth less money now because it will have to be hauled a longer distance.

"The timber sale amount is going to have to be less because the haul costs are going to be astronomical," she said. "So the stumpage (the price contractors pay to harvest timber on a segment of land) is going to be a lot less. It impacts everybody."

Altemus said housing costs are a big issue for the wood products industry.

"Somehow we need to figure out the housing so we can convince workers to stay here," she said.

She noted that if thinning projects are stalled out, the wildfire risks and associated insurance costs will increase.

She also noted that the resulting job loss from the closures is more like 300 when factoring in all the mechanics and other workers that do direct business with Pyramid and Roseburg.

"Montana has lost 36 lumber mills since 1990, which equates to 8,500 jobs," she said. "It's a big part of the economic engine for the state, and we can't lose anymore."

In a social media post, Missoula Economic Partnership CEO Grant Kier said his organization will work to assist workers who have lost their jobs.

"(It's) worth noting that right up to this announcement, Pyramid has been trying to hire enough people to keep their mill running at capacity," he said. "The shortage of workforce, and especially housing that our workforce can afford, is deeply impacting our community businesses."
LONG VIEW  A registered sex offender was arrested in Long View on sexual exploitation charges following a search of his home on Wednesday, according to the Long View Police Department.

Luke Andrew Hemond, 62, is charged with four counts of second-degree exploitation of a minor, Long View police said in a news release.

On Wednesday, Long View police were contacted by N.C. Probation and Parole officers seeking assistance at a home on 13th Avenue SW. The parole officers discovered photos involving child pornography, Long View police said.

Long View police promptly responded with assistance from the Catawba County Sheriffs Office, Long View police said.

Hemond was arrested following the search.

Investigators have not received information or collected evidence to indicate any local children were victimized, Long View police said.

Before the arrest, Hemond was on supervised parole for a convicted felony sex offense, according to the N.C. Sex Offender and Public Protection Registry website.

The conviction was in California in 1995. The victim was 11 at the time. Hemond was 34. Hemond was released from prison in July of 2021, according to the registry.

Hemond was given a $251,500 secured bond and was still listed as an inmate in the Catawba County Detention Center on Friday.

Hemond is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
A brief manhunt ended Thursday after officers caught the man running through a cemetery in Morganton.

Michael Edward Monn, 31, was charged with four counts of felony failure to appear and felony resisting arrest, according to arrest records from the Morganton Department of Public Safety.

Monn was the subject of a manhunt Thursday afternoon in the area of Valdese Avenue, Hogan Street and East Fleming Drive, according to information from MDPS.

He ran into a wooded area in the 200-block of Valdese Avenue on Thursday after U.S. Marshals located him at a home there. The Morganton Department of Public Safety came out to the scene around 4:15 p.m. and helped establish a perimeter around the wooded area.

Around two hours later, Monn was spotted running through Forest Hill Cemetery and was taken into custody by an officer without further incident.

This manhunt came after a manhunt Wednesday when deputies from the Burke County Sheriffs Office and U.S. Marshals tried to take him into custody on B&D Avenue off Bethel Road.

This week isnt Monns first time running from the police.

On Oct. 25, sheriffs deputies conducted an undercover operation in Connelly Springs in an attempt to bring Monn into custody on five counts of failure to appear, according to a previous article in The News Herald.

That afternoon, a detective saw Monn driving a vehicle on Old N.C. 10 near U.S. 70 and attempted to stop the vehicle.

Monn fled, leading to a brief chase before Monn stopped the car on the railroad tracks on Berea Church Road, the article said.

Monn ran into the woods, but was apprehended after a short chase, the article said.

Monn has previously been convicted of obtaining property by false pretense/cheats/services and misdemeanor larceny, according to records from the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.

After Thursdays incident, Monn is being held under a total $190,000 secured bond at the Burke County Jail, according to jail records.

Hes due in court April 1.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol also responded Thursday.
VALDESE  Individuals and families interested in celebrating Easter with a visual reenactment of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ will have the opportunity on Easter Sunday.

The Waldensian Trail of Faith will host its new Easter sunrise production, Resurrection Light, at 7 a.m., on Sunday, March 31, at 401 Church St. NW in Valdese. The event is free and open to the public.

After the 18-minute drama, attendees will move to the replica of the Temple of Ciabas, (oldest Protestant Church) located in the small village of Angrogna, Italy, for a short service. Then, we will move to the adjoining Visitors Center for a free breakfast, compliments of Mountain Grove Baptist Church, The Waldensian Trail of Faith and Grannys Kitchen.

The Waldensian Trail of Faith has hosted an Easter drama for about 25 years, said former N.C. Sen. Jim Jacumin, president of the outdoor museum, who came up with the idea to have the drama on Easter Sunday.

It is a natural setting with the cave and the oldest Protestant church in the world right next to it, Jacumin said.

The drama was written by Karen Knight, president of Heartsongs Ministries Inc., Jacumin said. She is best known for playing Mrs. Noah in the production, Noah, The Musical, at Sight and Sounds Millennium Theatre in Lancaster, Pa., and Branson, Mo.

She is one of the finest Christian ladies youll ever meet in your life, Jacumin said. We sort of came together. Its almost a miracle that we met and all of this came about.

In 1993, when they were building the Trail of Faith exhibits to represent 2,000 years of Waldensian history, the replica of the cave was important because in Italy, the Waldensians had to hide in a cave in order to worship. Many of them were slaughtered when they were discovered.

For the Easter drama, Jacumin wanted to add a huge stone to place in front of the cave to represent the tomb of Jesus. To make the resurrection more realistic, Jacumin also decided to make the stone roll away on its own.

The idea came to me about how to sort of do it, he said. The details werent working for me. I kept praying about it, and the vision came to me for how we could make it move without people being able to tell how. That is how I designed that aspect of it. My grandson and I made the rock out of cement. Matt Littles company, Fabrication Associates Inc. in Charlotte, actually formed the stone angles and the channels that it rolled in, which would have been several thousands of dollars in fabrication work, and they ended up giving it to us. Then, Parker Welch from the North Carolina Zoo actually painted the concrete to look like rock.

The two-ton rock required large equipment to move it from Jacumins home to the Trail of Faith. Jacumins neighbor, Andy Taylor, and his father, Phil, had the needed equipment and volunteered to move the rock free of charge.

They are a wonderful family in the community, Jacumin said. Ive known them for years, and they are totally God-fearing people.

Many churches in the area do not offer sunrise services on Easter Sunday, Jacumin said.

We would really like to invite each of them to make the sunrise service at the Trail of Faith their annual event and join us in that, he said.

This year, the stone will roll away by itself, accompanied by music, and the Lord will rise in a cloud to the top of the cave where he will address his followers, Jacumin said.

The feeling is so intimate, like you are actually there experiencing it, he said. It really stirs your emotions. It shows how much Jesus loves us and how much it cost him.

For more information, contact the Waldensian Trail of Faith at 828-874-1893 or trailoffaith1893@gmail.com or visit www.waldesniantrailoffaith.org.
Nearly 86% of Montana students who started high school graduated on time last spring, according to newly released data from the Office of Public Instruction, almost identical to the year prior.

During the 2021-2022 school year, the statewide graduation rate from public high schools was 85.8%. It dropped down slightly to 85.6% during the 2022-2023 academic term.

OPI Superintendent Elsie Arntzen boasted in an email statement that the consistency is a sign of how Montana is increasing student engagement through innovation.

We are all Montana proud of the students, parents, teachers and school leaders who are committed to academic success, she said.

However, last years graduation numbers reflect a slight dip from the pre-COVID peak.

Montanas graduation rate soared between 2009 and 2020, growing from 80.2% to 86.6% during that period, according to state data. OPI focused on reducing dropout rates and expanding community resources to help high schoolers stay on track to graduation. In the 2019-2020 school year, the public high school graduation rate was 87% nationally, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Statewide dropout rates improved slightly from 4% to 3.8%. Students are still dropping out of high school at a higher rate than they did before the pandemic. The statewide average for the 2019-2020 school year was 2.9%.

American Indian students experienced a nearly 4% decline in graduation rates year-over-year. About 66% of Native high schoolers graduated on time last spring. But dropout rates decreased significantly  by over 17%  between the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic terms. Nearly 9% of American Indian students dropped out of high school last school year.

Nearly 11% of Montanas school-aged population is American Indian. Education experts widely agree that the graduation rate gap between these students and their non-Native peers can be attributed to structural barriers such as obligations to care for family, economic insecurity and lower rates of early childhood literacy due to under-resourced schools in tribal communities. Cultural challenges  such as exclusion of their language or heritage  also make it harder for American Indian students to thrive in a traditional classroom setting.

A total of 9,563 students graduated from high school in the spring of 2023. Another 729 people passed their HiSet exam to achieve a diploma.
Attorneys representing Montana state officials on Wednesday defended a so-called "double voting" law bearing felony charges for anyone caught registered to vote in two or more places.

The Republican-led bill codified criminal charges for anyone who votes in Montana in the same election that they cast a ballot in another state. Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen and Attorney General Austin Knudsen are defendants in the lawsuit. The bill was the first of its kind to be passed in the country, and in October the Republican National Committee joined the case to defend it.

Plaintiffs in the federal court case argued Wednesday the measures in House Bill 892, passed by the state Legislature with some bipartisan support last year, should be stalled while the court case plays out. The states biggest union and a left-leaning student organization are challenging the provision that subjects a person to a criminal charge for remaining registered to vote in more than one place.

Plaintiff attorney Aria Branch of Elias Law Group, a firm that claims to be the largest legal supporter of Democratic causes, argued on behalf of the plaintiffs. Branch said students in particular could unknowingly run afoul of that provision while exercising their right to vote. In Oregon, that state has an automatic-registration system the state elections office refers to as an opt-out method rather than an opt-in. A freshman student at a Montana university from Oregon may not have opted out, or even known to, when they register on campus in the Treasure State.

U.S. District of Montana Chief Judge Brian Morris presided over the hearing Wednesday.

"Particularly in this day and age, the fights over election integrity, making sure people aren't double voting is critical to the confidence of our citizens of democracy, he told Branch. "Why isn't outlawing double registration a reasonable step to enforcing the prohibition on no double voting?"

The state has already outlawed double voting, Branch said.

"If the state has an interest in (banning) double voting, fine, but the law we challenged must be narrowly tailored to meet that interest," Branch said.

Branch represents the Montana Public Interest Research Group, an organization that maintains a large voter registration presence on college campuses, and the Montana Federation of Public Employees, the state's public employee union. Those groups say the law has had a chilling effect on their voter registration work.

Thane Johnson of the Attorney General's Office made the arguments Wednesday for Knudsen, Jacobsen and Commissioner of Political Practices Chris Gallus, also a defendant. He told Morris on Wednesday the provisions from HB 892 that are currently in place have not led to declines in voter registrations and that the 2023 municipal elections were still a success.

In arguments Wednesday, Johnson jumped to referencing Jan. 6, 2021 almost immediately.

"Jan. 6 was such an important date because ordinary citizens of the United States feared for the integrity of our voting system," he said. "Literally, neighbors of mine from Kalispell flew all the way to D.C. to participate in that protest. And ordinary citizens did stupid things, I'm not going to give them any passage on that  all out of fear of the election integrity of that election."

The state has a compelling interest in bolstering that citizen confidence in elections, he argued.

Johnson pointed out instances of election integrity issues as troubling to the public: A Boulder man in 2022 intentionally altered his signature to test the system. Timothy McKenrick, a Republican who ran for the state Legislature that year, was caught doing so and pleaded guilty to felony election tampering; he's currently on probation. Two teachers from the Philippines were working in Dodson on temporary visas and cited with falsifying their voter registration prior to the 2021 municipal election.

Morris pointed out the laws enforcing election integrity in place prior to HB 892's passage appear to be functional.

Ultimately the plaintiffs shoulder the burden of proving the bill harms voters for Morris to grant the injunction. The judge said an order on the injunction request would be forthcoming.
Muscatine Police Department, in coordination with Muscatine Community College, will once again hold its Junior Police Academy for local high school students.

Registration will be open from now until May 1, with the program running June 3-7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Although the free summer program is open for all high school students, there are limited spots and as such preference will be given to junior and senior students.

In addition to developing personal skills such as confidence and leadership, the Junior Police Academy is meant to give participants insight on the various aspects of law enforcement taught by experienced officers.

Some of the aspects that will be covered during the academy include K-9 operations, medical training, physical conditioning, field sobriety testing, SWAT team operations, defensive tactics, mock trial and crime scene investigation. Participants will also get the chance to see different types of police equipment up close.

As always, at the end of the academy, two students will be selected as that years Top Students and will earn a $500 scholarship to be put towards continuing their education.

To sign up for the Junior Police Academy, students can visit https://eicc.edu/jrpolice. For more information on the academy, students can contact Heather Duytschaever through email at heather.duytschaever@mcsdonline.org.

The best cookbooks of early 2024 1. Make More with Less by Kitty Coles 2. Saucy by Ashley Boyd 3. Vegan Chinese Food by Yang Liu and Kathi Pinczolits 4. 15 Minute Meals by Ali Rosen 5. Islas: A Celebration of Tropical Cooking by Von Diaz
March Madness is finally here, and with it comes new merchandise for excited fans, including in Iowa.

Joining in on the fun is the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum in Milwaukee. Three bobbleheads depicting the mascots for Iowa, Iowa State and Drake have all been added to the online store.

The bobbleheads, which are in stock for the University of Iowa, come at a cost of $35 each and an extra $8 for shipping. The bobbleheads for Iowa State and Drake are expected to ship in August.

"Were excited to unveil these bobbleheads featuring Iowa, Iowa State and Drake in conjunction with March Madness as five Iowa teams look to dance deep into March, National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. These bobbleheads are the perfect way for Iowa, Iowa State and Drake fans, alumni, students, faculty and staff to show off their school pride!

This weekend in the Womens NCAA Tournament, top-seeded Iowa will host the winner of the Holy Cross vs. Tennessee-Martin play-in game on Saturday in Iowa City, while seventh-seeded Iowa State will travel to California to take on 10th-seeded Maryland. On Friday 12th-seeded Drake will face fifth-seeded Colorado in Kansas.

In the men's bracket, second-seeded Iowa State will take on 15th-seeded South Dakota State, while 10th-seeded Drake will take on seventh-seeded Washington State, with both games Thursday in Nebraska. The winners of those games will face each other on Saturday in Omaha, Nebraska.

Photos: Drake takes home Hoops in the Heartland championship
TULSA, Okla.  Tulsa County's top prosecutor said juvenile charges are not warranted in connection with a fight at Owasso High School involving a 16-year-old who died the following day.

Sophomore Nex Benedict, who identified as nonbinary and preferred masculine or gender-neutral pronouns, said the incident in the school bathroom Feb. 7 involved girls the 16-year-old identified as bullies.

"From all of the evidence gathered, this fight was an instance of mutual combat," District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler said in a statement released late Thursday. "I do not have a reasonable belief that the State of Oklahoma could sustain its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt if charges were presented for prosecution."

Benedict's death became a rallying cry for LGBTQ+ advocates over a week later when a blogger's story went viral, leading many to believe the Owasso student was fatally beaten.

Kunzweiler, who said his office received a full autopsy with the toxicology report, noted trauma was found but did not contribute to Benedict's death. A summary report of Benedict's autopsy cites suicide as the cause of death, with a combination of two prescription drugs found in the 16-year-old's system.

In his statement about the case, Kunzweiler cites the discovery of suicide-related notes written by Benedict that were reportedly found during Owasso Police Department's investigation.

"Although the notes do not make any reference to the earlier fight or difficulties at school, the parents indicated that Benedict reported being picked upon for various reasons while at school," he said.

In an interview shared by Owasso police, Benedict told a school resource officer that verbal antagonism with a group of girls escalated to physical aggression after Benedict poured water on them in the bathroom. The officer told Benedict and their parent that throwing the water constituted assault, so pursuing charges for the fight may not go the direction you want it to go.

The district attorney said he is "in agreement with (the Owasso police) assessment that the filing of juvenile charges is not warranted."

Kunzweiler said the civil court system remains an option, where "the burden of proof is significantly less" for wrongful death cases.

Owasso Police Department directed further questions to the district attorney, adding the case is closed from the agency's perspective.

Kunzweiler said Owasso police did a "thorough and comprehensive" investigation and sent its report to the DA's Office "for review only, and not ... requesting charges to be filed."

The district attorney alluded to the country's growing suicide crisis, calling Benedict's death "a tragedy" leaving many questions that "may never be answered to the satisfaction of the people affected."

An attorney for Benedict's family, Jacob Biby, said he didn't expect the family to comment Thursday on the district attorney's decision. In a statement last week, however, the family called on schools, administrators and lawmakers to come together and push for reforms that seek to end bullying.

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 change that all involved should be able to rally behind, Benedict's family said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo gallery: Vigil held for Nex Benedict in Oklahoma City NEX BENEDICT OWASSO STUDENT DEATH NEX BENEDICT OWASSO STUDENT DEATH NEX BENEDICT OWASSO STUDENT DEATH NEX BENEDICT OWASSO STUDENT DEATH NEX BENEDICT OWASSO STUDENT DEATH NEX BENEDICT OWASSO STUDENT DEATH NEX BENEDICT OWASSO STUDENT DEATH NEX BENEDICT OWASSO STUDENT DEATH HIDE VERTICAL GALLERY ASSET TITLES
State regulators should pause their final deliberations over Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline permit so they can review how the companys recently announced expansion plans will affect it, the influential Iowa Farm Bureau Federation says.

That expansion will more than double the number of ethanol plants connected to Summits carbon dioxide pipeline in Iowa and add about 340 miles of pipe  about a 50% increase.

The totality of the expansion was announced by the company early this month, while its initial permit request is in its final throes of a more-than-two-year process with the Iowa Utilities Board.

Whether the announced expansion of the pipeline will be of minimal impact or major impact to the proposed project in this docket is unknown, and the board should require Summit to update the board on the record on the effect the recent expansion announcement will have, wrote Chris Gruenhagen, a Farm Bureau attorney, in a request to reopen the record for Summits initial permit request.

The company wants to transport captured carbon dioxide from a total of at least 57 ethanol producers in five states to North Dakota for underground sequestration.

Gruenhagen said the increased volume of the greenhouse gas to be transported annually has the potential to change the diameter of the originally proposed pipeline system in certain places, increase operating pressures, and require more pump stations and valve sites. The changes might require Summit to renegotiate land easements with an unspecified number of landowners.

Summit argues the request to reopen the record will only cause unnecessary delay in a proceeding which is nearly complete, and that any alterations to the original proposal can be handled with amendment requests after a permit is issued.

Iowa is poised to be the first state to issue a permit for the project, which has had setbacks in the Dakotas. It is being reconsidered by North Dakota regulators, who are set to hold new public hearings next month. The company has not yet reapplied in South Dakota but plans to.

A more efficient route?

One landowner built upon the Farm Bureau request to suggest Summit needs to revamp its routes to make them more efficient, given the large number of new ethanol facilities and pipeline miles that are part of the expansion.

Richard Brandau used rudimentary maps to illustrate how Summit Carbon Solutions might be able to reduce its pipeline miles. (Courtesy of IUB filing)

Without such changes, the proposed pipeline inflicts unnecessary damage to property, including farmland, and unnecessarily exposes risk to more Iowans, wrote Richard Brandau, who identified himself as a landowner in Floyd and Mitchell counties in a recent filing with the IUB.

Brandau plotted alternative routes in southwest and northern Iowa that he said have the potential to shave more than 70 miles of pipe from the project.

But his analysis includes straight-line routes between ethanol plants that can be infeasible because of various obstacles. One of his routes, for example, would travel through several miles of Mason City.

The company declined to comment on Brandaus suggestions, but it has said its original route was planned to allow expansion to other facilities near its pipeline system.

Consolidate the permits?

Groups that oppose Summits pipeline system have also asked to pause the IUBs pending decision on the companys initial proposal and consolidate it with the permit requests that will be part of the expansion.

This is not a situation where a pipeline is already constructed and years later a single lateral pipeline is proposed, wrote Wally Taylor, an attorney for the Sierra Club of Iowa. This is a situation where the original pipeline project has not even been permitted yet, and the 14 additional lines make this an entirely new and different project.

Summit this month initiated 14 new permit proceedings with the IUB to facilitate the expansion. It successfully fought a similar consolidation request last year that targeted a single new permit for a 31-mile extension to an ethanol plant in St. Ansgar near the states northern border.

The Sierra Club has argued that failing to consider the project in its totality prevents landowners affected by expansions to participate adequately in the permit proceedings for the original proposal, which if approved might make the approvals of the expansions inevitable.

Summit argued that the consolidation request last year would unduly extend the permit process for its initial plan, and the IUB agreed.

The board does not find that consolidation will expedite or simplify consideration of the issues involved, it said in July. The board finds the opposite to be true in this situation.

Its unclear when the IUB will decide the recent consolidation requests.

Meeting dates rejected

Summit asked the board this month to schedule 22 public informational meetings in the counties that are affected by the recent expansion announcement, which initiates the pipeline permit process.

The company is prevented by state rules from negotiating with landowners for easements or filing permit requests until after those meetings conclude.

Summit requested the meetings be held from April 22 to May 9. In a split decision, the three-member board rejected the proposed schedule and said the meetings should start in June or later.

The board did not provide a reason for that delay.

Photos: UNI Football 2024 Pro Day
DES MOINES  A proposal that would change the structure and funding of Iowas nine Area Education Agencies, set general state funding for K-12 public schools, and boost public teacher salaries narrowly passed the Iowa House on Thursday at the Iowa Capitol.

It was the latest legislative attempt by Republican state lawmakers to follow through on Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds proposal to overhaul AEA operations and funding, a pitch she made in January during her Condition of the State address to the Iowa Legislature.

Area Education Agencies oversee education of Iowa students with disabilities and offer media and consulting services to schools and students within their boundaries.

On Thursday, the House voted 51-43 to approve the legislation, which is significantly pared back from what Reynolds proposed and similarly does not go as far in overhauling AEAs as a bill that Senate Republicans passed earlier this week.

Only Republicans voted for the latest House bill Thursday, while nine Republicans joined all Democrats in voting against the bill.

The proposal now goes back to the Senate.

Reynolds and legislative leaders in the House and Senate have been negotiating their differences. House Speaker Pat Grassley, a Republican from New Hartford, called the bill passed by the chamber Thursday night his caucus final position.

We wanted to make sure that as we went home this weekend that our schools and Iowans had an idea of where House Republicans stand and where our final position is going to be on these three topics, Grassley told reporters after the debate.

Asked if that meant the proposal is House Republicans take it or leave it proposal, Grassley said, Thats our expectation.

In a statement issued after the bill passed Thursday, Reynolds thanked House Republicans for passing a bill that represents a compromise that honors the intent of her original proposal.

Todays vote by the House paves a path forward to further strengthen Iowas education system in meaningful ways, Reynolds said in the statement. Every student deserves a quality education that helps them reach their potential.

By reforming the AEA system, empowering school districts and improving oversight and transparency, we are committing to better outcomes and brighter futures for Iowas students with disabilities. They deserve nothing less.

Sen. Jack Whitver, a Republican from Grimes and the Senate majority leader, said in a statement he is happy to see progress on the topics covered in the latest House bill. He said Senate Republicans will discuss the new proposal next week and that he is "looking forward to resolution on these issues."

What lawmakers said during debate

Democrats levied heavy criticism of the bill and the legislative process that brought it to House debate Thursday night. Republican leaders set a hard deadline for debate to be concluded by 6:30 p.m., which prevented Democrats from speaking on the bill beyond that point.

During their remarks, just shy of two hours of debate, Democrats called on Republicans to ditch the proposal altogether and form a task force to study the topic and Area Education Agencies after the legislative session, and have that task force make recommendations next year.

They also read letters and emails from special education professionals and families who pleaded with legislators to not change the way AEA services are delivered.

Democrats also charged that the entire legislative proposal is simply a political ploy by Reynolds and pushed back at some Republicans assertion that their remarks were fear mongering.

There are consequences to every part of this legislation  unintended and intended consequences, said Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, the leader of the House Democrats from Windsor Heights. Its already happening. And nothing about what were doing today is exaggerated or fear mongering.

Two House Republicans with students who have received special education services from AEAs spoke in favor of the bill.

I want to make it very clear that AEAs are not failing students. The people that work in the AEAs are not failing the students. My two children have benefited greatly because of the people that work at the AEA, said Rep. Chad Ingels, a Republican from Randalia who has two children with Down syndrome.

Rep. Skyler Wheeler, a Republican from Hull, said he asked to be the bills manager because he has a 5-year-old daughter with autism who receives special education services from an AEA.

I assigned it because I knew if this deals with special education, this deals with my daughters future. But it also deals with so many of the different families and individuals that I know in the disabilities community, Wheeler said during debate.

To say that this is destroying them, an attack on them, disrupting them is ridiculous, in my mind. I would never support or push for any piece of legislation that I thought would harm that community.

What's in this latest bill?

The provision passed by House Republicans on Thursday would keep in place much of what they passed last month, according to a summary provided by a House Republican spokesperson, and combine it with funding for schools and increasing pay for teachers.

The plan has drawn strong opposition from educators and parents of students with disabilities who worry it will hurt special education in the state.

Some school superintendents are in favor of the bill, saying they want more control of their special education dollars.

Currently, federal and state special education funding goes directly to the area education agencies, which provide support services to schools. AEAs also receive property tax funding for media services and other education services for schools in their region.

The House and Senate had both sent separate versions of the bill to the opposite chamber, with major differences in how AEAs are funded and how they provide services.

House amendment keeps most special ed funding with AEAs

The latest House proposal keeps much of the components of the chambers previous bill in place.

Once fully phased in, it would require schools to spend 90% of their special education funding with the AEAs, while 10% could be used for special education through a third party.

After the first year, funding for media and other education services would go directly to the schools, who would have the option to spend it with the AEAs or with another party.

The Houses initial bill would have sent state special education funding directly to school districts, while requiring them to spend the money with the AEAs. Federal special education funding would stay with the AEAs.

The Senate proposal would allow schools to retain 90% of their special education funding, while 10% would stay with the AEAs. The schools would be allowed to use that funding with the AEAs or with another provider.

Both proposals also call for creating a division of special education in the Department of Education, and the House bill would convene a task force to study the structure and funding of the AEAs and suggest future changes.

The House amendment would raise the starting teacher salary to $50,000 over two years, and provide a fund to increase the hourly wage of paraprofessionals and other support staff.

It also would give Iowa schools a 2.5 percent funding increase for the coming school year, matching Reynolds' proposed budget.

Democrats: Republican proposals is 'all politics'

Speaking to reporters before the latest proposal was unveiled  shortly before debate started Thursday  Konfrst said Republicans were trying to play political games by not providing Democrats or the public with an amendment sooner.

It is disgraceful, it is unacceptable, Konfrst said. To imagine, that on Thursday of this week, with no necessary deadline  they are dropping a 49-page amendment with the three most important issues to educators and kids in this state, and expecting us to vote on it in a couple hours.

Lawmakers from both parties have said they have received a flood of messages from constituents in opposition to the bill and a far smaller number of messages in support. Two groups of superintendents sent letters to lawmakers this week advocating both for and against the bill.

Konfrst said Republicans should listen to their constituents and slow down the major changes to the AEAs.

We don't work for the governor. We don't work for the Senate. We don't work for the speaker, she said. We work for Iowans. Iowans have told us they dont want this. Theyre shoving this bill down our throat and its absolutely deplorable.

A spokesperson for House Republicans said lawmakers have debated the issues in the bill several times, and the public has had the chance to weigh in on its components through subcommittee and public hearings.

These are concepts that have been debated on the House and Senate floor and in the committee process. Iowans have been able to weigh in on these pieces of policy for weeks, said Melissa Saitz, the House Republicans spokesperson. We have worked hard to take feedback from the AEAs, superintendents and parents to find resolution on this topic so we can continue with the rest of the priorities that remain this session.
Former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi led members of the Happiness Club of Kenya to officially launch the social club in Nairobi on Wednesday. The launch coincided with the International Happiness Day, celebrated globally on March 20.

During the event, Murungi, the Chief Happiness Officer at the club, emphasized the importance of Kenyans re-evaluating and realigning their lives toward happiness.

Time has come for us to re-evaluate, to refocus, reinvent and realign our lives towards happiness and a future full of love joy and laughter. We are celebrating International Happiness Day to remind ourselves of happiness and centrality of happiness in our lives and indeed the entire world, said Murungi.

Kenya School of Law Director Prof. PLO Lumumba, on his part, asserted that despite the hardships experienced in the country due to the high cost of living, Kenyans should actively pursue happiness.

He also advocated for Kenya and Africa as a whole to embrace International Happiness Day, as it fosters a greater desire to live.

It is not known to many that on the 28th June 2012 the General Assembly of the United Nations designated this day 20th march as the International. It is unfortunate that it is not a day celebrated with the pomp that is necessary particularly when we talk about happiness, he said.

Degree in Happiness

The launch of the Happiness Club of Kenya comes almost four months after Kiraitu Murungi graduated from Happiness Studies Academy with a degree in positive psychology, specializing in a course centered on happiness.

I successfully completed a one year degree course in happiness studies from the Happiness Studies Academy and graduated. I am now fully equipped to spearhead the happiness revolution in my motherland, he announced in November.

Murungi turned over a new leaf following a near-death brush with COVID-19 in March 2021, followed by a depressing loss to independent candidate Kawira Mwangaza in the August 2022 elections, which marked his retirement from politics.

RELATED  Kiraitu Murungi: I Thank Coronavirus for Helping Me Find Myself

He then dedicated his life to pursuing happiness, registering with the US-based Happiness Studies Academy and also launching the Happiness Journal published by Happiness Resource Centre, where he is the Chief Happiness Officer.

Kiraitu says the Happiness Resource Centre is a social impact company whose primary objective is to facilitate the people of Kenya and elsewhere to pursue and enjoy happiness as the most important goal in life.

On the other hand, the Happiness Club of Kenya is described as a social program of the Happiness Resource Centre dedicated to pursuit and promotion of happiness and well-being, and to inspire personal and professional and community flourishing.

Although Happiness Resource Centre is registered as a company limited by shares, all the revenue generated by the company are reinvested and used to realise, optimise and expand its operations to better realise the objectives of maximising happiness in our lives, Kiraitu mentioned sometime last year.
On Thursday, the Ministry of Health started assigning medical interns to various healthcare facilities across the country.

Adan Harakhe, Director of Administration at the Ministrys State Department of Public Health and Professional Standards, oversaw the distribution of release letters to 1270 Diploma Clinical Officer Interns from a pool of 3752 across 6 cadres.

During the event held at Afya House, Medical Services Principal Secretary, Harry Kimtai, urged striking doctors to end their strike and resume work.

The event at Afya House marked the commencement of their mandatory practical training. Harakhe reaffirmed the Ministrys commitment to seamless healthcare services delivery and vowed to review internship policies to ensure graduates provide high-quality healthcare services as mandated by the Constitution of Kenya 2010.

Dr. Sultani Matendechero, Deputy Director General for Health, emphasized the importance of health promotion and disease prevention during internships.

George Gibore, Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), lauded the governments efforts to improve medical personnel welfare.

The internship involves a one-year hands-on training for Clinical Officers, supplemented by six months of specialized training upon completion of the Higher Diploma, ensuring compliance with legal requirements for practice after graduation.
By the Presidential Communication Service

The Government is implementing crucial development programmes that are facilitating a radical economic turnaround, President William Ruto has said.

He said the government is also keen on fostering inclusive growth and prosperity by enhancing the livelihoods of all citizens, particularly those at the bottom of the economic pyramid.

To achieve this, President Ruto said, the Fourth Medium Term Plan 2023-2027 and County Integrated Development Plans, are aligned with the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda priorities.

The Fourth Medium Term Plan has translated the strategic objectives set out in our agenda into concrete programmes and projects to be implemented in the period, he said.

President Ruto spoke on Thursday at State House, Nairobi, during the launch of the Fourth Medium Term Plan 2023-2027, a phase of Kenya Vision 2030 which is the countrys development blueprint.

Fourth Medium Term Plan 2023-2027

For the next four years, he said, the government will focus on boosting production through value chains, specifically targeting leather and leather products, textile and apparel, dairy, tea, rice, edible oils, blue economy, minerals, forestry, construction and building, among others.

The President noted that emphasis will be given to the promotion of agro-processing, strengthening of extension services and provision of quality and affordable farm inputs.

We will also focus on cooperative development and management, market access and logistics support, expansion of irrigation infrastructure, adoption of climate-smart agriculture, enhanced agricultural financing, and agricultural mechanisation research and development, he said.

Special Economic Zones

To create jobs, the government is investing in Special Economic Zones, County Aggregation and Industrial Parks, diversifying export markets and market access of micro, small and medium enterprises goods and services.

The Head of State said the Government will leverage science and technology to optimise its operations and create efficiencies.

We undertake to mobilise funding for research and development, and enhance budgetary allocations to the sector towards the attainment of 2% of GDP in line with international standards, he said.

The Government, he said, will establish Jumuiya cross-border markets and strengthen cooperation with Kenyas traditional and new trading partners.

Hustler Fund

President Ruto pointed out that the government is scaling up the Hustler Fund to increase access to affordable credit by those at the bottom of the pyramid.

Additionally, we will undertake reforms to create a favourable tax regime, deepen capital markets, improve the lending and investment environment, and attract investors, he said.

He explained that the government will digitise the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, Uwezo Fund, Women Enterprise Fund and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund, to enhance financing for enterprises owned and run by youth, women and persons with disabilities.

Infrastructure development

To enhance mobility, President Ruto explained that the government is making substantial investments in infrastructure development, particularly transport connectivity.

This includes the construction of 6,000km of new roads, upgrading 101,755km of existing roads and building 277 footbridges, he said.

Other infrastructural projects he cited include the construction of one million affordable housing units, laying 4,600km of high-voltage transmission lines and building 37 sub-stations to connect an additional 2.3 million Kenyans and 30,000 public institutions to the national grid.

Additionally, an extra 100,000km of fibre-optic cable will be laid, he added.

On subsidised fertiliser, the President assured farmers that they will get the input on time to enhance the countrys food production.

Healthcare

On healthcare, he said the government will expand the Social Health Insurance Scheme to cover 10.8 million households, digitising health services and improving health infrastructure.

Over 20,000 health workers will be recruited to support the health commodities supply chain, he said.

The President said the government will enhance support for the justice, law and order sector by recruiting additional police and prison officers, and National Government Administration Officers.

To achieve these ambitious plans, President Ruto said the government is keen on rooting out corruption and the wastage of public resources.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said the plan will provide the framework that will guide the government as it engages with international partners and the private sector.

This, he said, will ensure prudent implementation of our plan, adding that there is no room to wiggle.

There will be close monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the plan from the highest level, he said.

National Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndungu said the Medium-Term Plan 2023-2027 will serve as a guiding post and Kenyans can expect to see results by 2027.
Chef Rebecca Whites trajectory as a chef has been anything but conventional. She got her chops from pizza-making contests with her cousins and as a competitor on Food Networks "Cooks vs. Cons"  both of which she won.

She was introduced to the fine dining world as the personal assistant to the supermodel Naomi Campbell. Her first restaurant shuttered within a year, but her unlikely New Haven-style pizza joint in the small surfing island of Rincon, Puerto Rico, the original Mangia Mi, later became one of the towns most popular restaurants.

Mangia Mi Calistoga, which she opened in 2022, is just as unconventional. The Italian restaurants kitchen doesnt have a freezer and isnt hidden away like most fine dining restaurants. Instead it serves as a show for those sitting in the restaurant's premier bar seats. The menu changes daily and is even open to requests from regulars. Whites general manager and multiple kitchen team members werent career restaurant staff  she met her general manager at the gym, and members of her kitchen team in the Calistoga High School teaching kitchen.

Why? Well, I think Im mildly insane, White said, laughing. She called over lunch from Fairfield County, Connecticut, where shes currently opening her third Mangia Mi location.

I think you have to be mildly insane to be in this business, to be a woman in this business, she continued. I jump and I dont look back. My first restaurant was an ultimate failure, but it taught me everything that I know now not to do. I think if you know you don't take a chance on things in life, then you're not going to get anywhere. I thought, If I fail, I fail, but if I succeed, then it's going to be really cool.

While Whites Mangia Mi locations in Rincon and Calistoga have both been great successes  gaining popularity and earning accolades including recognition in three Best of Napa County 2023 award categories  shes no stranger to failure.

In fact, White said that returning to Connecticut to open a restaurant is a kind of full-circle moment to where her first foray  and failure  in the restaurant industry played out.

White grew up in New Haven, Connecticut, surrounded by a large and food-loving Italian family. She said her earliest memories are in the kitchen, making fresh pasta and pizza with her grandmother.

Everybody in my family loves cooking. Every Sunday we were in the kitchen with all of my aunts and my grandmother drinking wine, making fresh pasta, and eating the best food, she said. I just remember growing up with all the smells and the sights and the noise and everybody would play cards at the end of the night.

She always loved to cook and eat with family, but didnt think she would ever pursue a culinary career. After high school White went to study film at Emerson College, where she found herself working an internship that got her on the phone with famous actors like Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio. She moved through the ranks, becoming Campbell's assistant in her 20s.

White said that traveling the world with Campbell jump-started her interest in a culinary career.

I lived in London and Milan and Paris  that's kind of where I fell in love with food and different cuisines and cultures," she recalled. "That was really an amazing journey.

After five years abroad, White gave it up and returned to New Haven, where she first tried her hand at opening a restaurant.

I thought I was the coolest person in my small town, and I had a little bit of money, so I thought it would be a great idea to open up a restaurant with absolutely no experience," she said. "My very first restaurant was a miserable failure in less than a year.

Shed lost the money earned in her first career and went back to Boston to become a server at a bar fittingly called Dicks Last Resort.

It was probably the best lesson in humility that I could ever probably go through, White said.

She spent a few years getting back on her feet, moving to Key West and opening a food truck, competing on  and winning  a season of Food Networks "Cooks vs. Cons" in 2016, and ultimately settling down on Rincon, where she was determined to give life as a restaurateur another shot.

Again, everybody thought I was crazy because I wasn't going to be making rice and beans, I was making fresh pasta and New Haven-style pizza, White said. We were really doing the only authentic Italian food down there. But it resonated with some people. We got a lot of press and it was a good time.

Within a few years, Mangia Mi had become a fixture on the island. White didnt want to rest on her laurels, though. She saw that the restaurant could be successful in an unconventional location, and decided to try to break into another challenging market: Napa Valley.

I always came to Napa Valley with my family and I had fallen in love with it," said White, "so I said, If I can can make it in Napa Valley, I really could make it anywhere.

She opened Mangia Mi Calistoga in 2022. The restaurant has quickly gained popularity, which White and members of her staff attribute to not only the quality of food, but the environment that sets it apart from many other Napa Valley dining options.

The restaurant industry can be hectic; it's a high-stress, fast-paced environment. And I think the difference is that the way (White) has designed her restaurant is, she wants to have it feel like you're coming to her house for dinner," said Elly Galindo, the restaurant's general manager. "It really does feel like a dinner party every night. People are happy when they get there. We do a lot of comfort food; the music is always good. It's not stuffy and it's not typical Napa Valley cuisine.

Galindo wasnt looking for a restaurant gig when she met White at a Calistoga gym. But she said that the two became fast friends, and White didnt take no for an answer.

I had no interest in working in a restaurant  I hadnt since I was 19. But then it came time to open and I told her that I would just help her get open and then find someone to do the job, Galindo said. I ended up enjoying it so much that I left my job and I've been there ever since.

She said working for White was different from other restaurant jobs shed had. Just like the restaurant feels like a dinner party, White really does treat her staff like family.

She cares. I realized this one day when we first opened up," said Manny Santiago, a member of Mangia Mi's kitchen team. "It was very packed, we were all very tired at the end of the day, and the kitchen made food for everybody to eat. The first thing she did was make sure that everyone else had a plate. She really cares about her team and she really cares about the people that she works with.

Santiago met White when she was a long-term substitute teacher for Calistoga High Schools cooking class back in 2022. White was waiting for the restaurants construction work to be done, and took the role to stay out of trouble, she said.

The two hit it off, and she offered him a job though he had never worked in a restaurant before. Two years later, Santiago can see himself pursuing a culinary career after college.

While Galindo, Santiago and the rest of Mangia Mis Calistoga team have been keeping the restaurant running, White has been flying back and forth, finalizing plans to open her Connecticut location. She said that this restaurant will be for her biological family.

I'm literally opening this Connecticut location for my family, White said. My cousin has been a teacher all her life and she's like, I want to run one of your restaurants.

White said that having restaurants near her home in Napa Valley, and now her childhood home in Fairfield County, feels like the best of both worlds.

I love traveling. Ill always get on a plane from Connecticut to Calistoga," she said. "Im here about half the time, but I've also got a beautiful staff that want to make it their own, and I want to support that. We're just expanding and building and it's another outlet where I can offer everybody in California more opportunities  it's really about growing as a family.

Mangia Mi is located at 1120 Washington St. in Calistoga. Visit mangiami.com for more information.

PHOTOS: Calistoga Charm
SACRAMENTO  California voters have approved Proposition 1, a measure that will impose strict requirements on counties to spend on housing and drug treatment programs to tackle the states homelessness crisis, in a tissue-thin win for Gov. Gavin Newsom, who personally campaigned for the measure's passage.

Democrats outnumber Republicans by a staggering 2-to-1 margin in California, and the borderline vote on Prop. 1  coming more than two weeks after the March 5 primary elections  signaled unease with the states homeless policies after Newsoms administration invested billions of dollars to get people off the street, but without signs of dramatic change in San Francisco, Los Angeles and other large cities.

The state accounts for nearly a third of the homeless population in the United States; roughly 181,000 Californians are in need of housing.

Newsom, who made the measure a signature proposal, spent significant time and money campaigning on its behalf. He raised more than $13 million to promote it with the support of law enforcement, first responders, hospitals and mayors of major cities. Opponents raised just $1,000 from a single donor.

Prop. 1 marks the first update to the states mental health system in 20 years.

This is the biggest change in decades in how California tackles homelessness, and a victory for doing things radically different, Newsom said in a statement after the narrow vote. Now, counties and local officials must match the ambition of California voters. This historic reform will only succeed if we all kick into action immediately  state government and local leaders, together.

Counties will now be required to spend about two-thirds of the money from a voter-approved tax enacted in 2004 on millionaires for mental health services on housing and programs for homeless people with serious mental illnesses or substance abuse problems.

The state, with a current inventory of 5,500 beds, needs about 8,000 more units to treat mental health and addiction issues.

The initiative also allows the state to borrow $6.38 billion to build 4,350 housing units, half of which will be reserved for veterans, and add 6,800 mental health and addiction treatment beds.

Opponents, including social service providers and county officials, said the change will threaten programs that are not solely focused on housing or drug treatment but keep people from becoming homeless in the first place.

Critics said the single formula could mean rural counties such as Butte, with a homeless population of fewer than 1,300 people, would be required to divert the same percentage of funds to housing as urban counties such as San Francisco, which has a homeless population six times bigger.

With makeshift tents lining streets and disrupting businesses in communities across the state, homelessness has become one of the most frustrating issues in California and one sure to dog Newsom should he ever mount a national campaign.

Newsom touted Prop. 1 as the final piece in his plan to reform Californias mental health system. He has already pushed for laws that make it easier to force people with behavioral health issues into treatment.

William Elias, a television producer in Sacramento, said he was on the fence about Prop. 1 but decided to vote in favor of it because of the pervasive homelessness problem.

Thats something thats all around us right now, he said. We got all these tents out here in front of City Hall.

Estrellita Vivirito, a Palm Springs resident, also voted yes on the measure. Its only logical, you know, we have to do something, she said.

Katherine Wolf, a doctoral student at UC Berkeley, said she voted no on the measure out of concerns it would result in more people being locked up against their will.

I was appalled of the system of laws that he has been building to kind of erode the rights of people with mental disabilities, Wolf said of Newsom.

Griffin Bovee, a Republican state worker in Sacramento, also voted against the proposition and said the state has been wasting taxpayer money.

Sacramento really shouldnt get another dime until they actually figure out why what theyre doing is not working, he said of the states handling of the homelessness crisis. They spent $20 billion over the past few years trying to fix that problem and it got worse.

Revenue from the tax on millionaires, now between $2 billion and $3 billion a year, provides about one-third of the states total mental health budget.

Opponents, including some county officials, mental health service providers and some Republicans, said the ballot measure would cut funding from cultural centers, peer-support programs and vocational services and would pit those programs against services for homeless people.

Newsoms administration has already spent at least $22 billion on various programs to address the crisis, including $3.5 billion to convert rundown motels into homeless housing. California is also giving out $2 billion in grants to build more treatment facilities.

Associated Press writer Michael R. Blood in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

Photos: Former Napa motel becoming housing for the homeless Napa's Valley Lodge Apartments Napa's Valley Lodge Apartments Napa's Valley Lodge Apartments Napa's Valley Lodge Apartments Napa's Valley Lodge Apartments Napa's Valley Lodge Apartments
California's high-speed rail train could feature an indoor play area for children and seating options that would allow people to meet as a group or cocoon in a reading nook. Recently released drawings of the imagined interior, station platforms and a video walk-through of a model train car offered a glimpse into the future of the transit system and its promise to transform the state.

But how  and if  it will ever live up to that promise to connect Los Angeles to San Francisco by train in less than three hours still remains unknown. While some progress has been made in the last 15 years, the timeline for completion has moved back by more than a decade and cost estimates have grown by the billions.

Transit experts and state policy advisers have continued to question how the lofty project will be paid for as the proposed cost has increased without guaranteed funding sources. Projected ridership has also dipped since the pandemic.

"Schedules are stretching out, demand estimates have fallen and financing is inadequate and unstable," said high-speed rail peer-review group chair Louis Thompson at a recent state legislative hearing. The state-appointed panel advises the California High-Speed Rail Authority.

Rail Authority Chief Executive Brian Kelly, who plans to step down this year, and other rail officials have also acknowledged the questionable funding of a rail system with less than a quarter of its length under construction three years after the first phase was supposed to be completed.

Here's where things stand.

When will the train start running and where will it go?

Voters first approved a high-speed rail proposal in 2008 that would connect Los Angeles to San Francisco by 2020. That end date has changed considerably over time.

In its latest projection, the rail authority goal is for the 494-mile system, which includes a line from Los Angeles to Anaheim, to serve riders by 2040. But that timeline is not set.

The current focus centers on the Central Valley, where officials estimate the 171-mile line from Merced to Bakersfield will be finished between 2030 and 2033.

There are currently 119 miles under construction stretching from Madera to Shafter. An environmental review cleared the expansion to Merced and Bakersfield, but the authority has not yet fully secured funding to do so.

While construction has been a boon for the area that was hard-hit by the Great Recession when the rail system was passed, bringing in more than 12,000 jobs to the Central Valley, the train has been out of sight for much of the state.

"We're starting in the most underpopulated portion of the route," said Ethan Elkind, director of the climate program at UC Berkeley Law's Center for Law, Energy and the Environment. "The voters and the taxpayers in the (more) populated areas see no benefit from the system."

There are economic and social advantages for connecting areas in the Central Valley to "thriving coastal economies because we have a very unequal society in California," Elkind said. But no one knows when that will definitively happen.

Officials expect that the 463-mile stretch between Los Angeles and San Francisco will be environmentally cleared by May, pending approval of a key section between Palmdale and Burbank. Funding for that additional construction has not been locked down.

The high-speed rail peer-review group has recommended the Legislature commission an "independent review of the economic and financial justification for the project" before "recommitting" to the first phase.

How much will the project cost?

Officials estimate it could cost about $35 billion to finish the first line from Bakersfield to Merced and roughly $100 billion more to complete the route from Los Angeles to San Francisco  about $100 billion more than what was originally proposed years ago. And the source of most funds is unclear.

High-speed rail development relies on state and federal funding and California's cap-and-trade incentive, which is set to expire in 2030. The authority hopes to secure private investments in the future, according to its most recent business plan, but currently uses none.

The outcome of the November election could have an effect on future funding.

"We want a federal partner that celebrates California and that celebrates what high-speed rail not only brings to our state, but really, to our nation," said state Assembly transportation chair Lori D. Wilson, D-Suisun City.

The Trump administration previously tried to pull back funding for the project, while the Biden administration has been more supportive. It recently awarded the state more than $3 billion for the project, which will go toward the completion of the Central Valley line.

The authority is still about $7 billion short for what's needed to finish the Central Valley line, in addition to the tens of billions of dollars needed to fund the rest of the route.

"There is no source of that money right now," Thompson told the Los Angeles Times. "If and when they reach the point where they want to get out of the Central Valley, then the state itself is going to have to find a lot more money."

Once the first line is complete, a second phase is supposed to connect Merced to Sacramento and Los Angeles to San Diego, expanding the line to about 800 miles.

Why the delay?

Transit experts have said the mega-project launched before it was ready to. As Thompson told the Legislature in 2019, "we got the cart before the horse."

Kelly acknowledged the misstep at a recent hearing.

"It got federal monies to start in a specific location and those dollars had to be spent under an unrealistic timeline," he said. "The authority wanted to advance work to keep the federal dollars, which was understandable, but in so doing, it got into construction before some of the pre-construction activities were done."

The rail authority essentially tried to learn how to develop the country's first high-speed rail system in real time.

"They were hiring consultants, they were getting sued, they were spending a lot of money and nothing was getting built," Elkind said.

Environmental reviews and lawsuits over the authority's plans to disrupt housing complexes and developments have caused other setbacks. So has political jockeying and the project's need for buy-in from voters across the state's 58 counties. Over the years, local leaders have opined about where the train should go and which communities should directly benefit, leading to shifts in strategy that have prolonged the process.

Instead of taking a direct route up Interstate 5, for example, the train's route veered through the eastern cities of the Central Valley to get support from county leaders and the federal government.

"That takes the route out of the most direct path and opens up a lot of land-use controversies, a lot of expense and hassle," Elkind said.

How has the project affected communities?

The project has posed benefits and challenges for some communities. Thousands of construction jobs have been created in the Central Valley and some areas have seen a rise in businesses and redeveloped downtown areas in anticipation of the future rail.

"It becomes an equalizer," Merced's deputy city manager Frank Quintero said about the system's ability to connect the Central Valley with other metropolitan areas. "Now we're going to be as desirable as the Bay Area as a whole and Southern California."

Construction and the possibility of construction has also brought some issues. In downtown Fresno, for example, a thoroughfare road has been closed for eight years. In Bakersfield, business owners have sought clarity about when they'll have to move, and where they will relocate to, making planning difficult.

There are some logistical questions that have yet to be answered too, including how people will ultimately get to future stations in areas that have limited public transit.

Will the high-speed rail work with the Brightline rail?

The federal government has awarded a $3 billion grant to private railroad Brightline for the development of a high-speed rail line between Rancho Cucamonga and Las Vegas. It is a much simpler venture, not crossing though cities and farmlands, running down the wide median of Interstate 15 in the desert. The project is aiming to open by the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.

Kelly recently said that the hope is that the state's high-speed rail will eventually integrate with the Brightline rail, potentially filling a transit gap between stations.

Photos: The giant redwood trees of Franklin Street in downtown Napa Franklin St. 2 Franklin St. 3 Franklin St. 4 Franklin St. 5 Franklin St. 6 Franklin St. 7 Franklin St. 8 Franklin St. 9 Franklin St. 10 Franklin St. 1
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Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's statement regarding the withdrawal of lawsuits filed against Azerbaijan in international courts in the event of signing a peace treaty, may lead to the impossibility of protecting the rights of Armenians forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh. More than a dozen NGOs have noted this in a statement they issued. The statement continues as follows:

The Network of CSOs for the Protection of the Rights of Forcibly Displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) rightly condemns Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's statement at the press conference on March 12 of this year suggesting the possibility of withdrawing Armenia's complaints against Azerbaijan in international courts and other structures in case of signing a peace treaty. Such a move could indeed have detrimental effects on the protection of the rights of forcibly displaced people from Nagorno-Karabakh prisoners of war, and other affected individuals, undermining Armenia's international legal efforts. Withdrawing interstate claims could weaken Armenia's legal position in international courts for both collective and individual rights, hindering the pursuit of justice and accountability.

These claims form the cornerstone for seeking collective justice for past violations, including war crimes and human rights abuses against Artsakh Armenians. They play a vital role in safeguarding the collective rights of the Artsakh people and enabling their collective return. They are indispensable for upholding their spiritual and cultural legacy, protecting public and private assets in Artsakh, and establishing international protection mechanisms to guarantee a safe and dignified life upon their return.

The submitted claims, addressing forced displacement of the population of Artsakh, deliberate killings and enforced disappearances of prisoners of war and civilians, torture and other inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, gross violations of the right to freedom, the right to a fair trial, the right to property, personal and respect for family life and other fundamental rights, serve as crucial means of protection against Azerbaijan. The withdrawal would leave affected individuals without effective recourse, as demonstrated by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) acknowledgment of the lack of any protection means for Armenians in Azerbaijan. This move risks hindering accountability efforts and could nullify avenues for justice, especially considering potential missed opportunities for legal recourse due to passed deadlines for submitting individual complaints under the ECHR admissibility standards. Many victims refrained from submitting individual complaints in anticipation of justice through interstate complaints, potentially depriving them of avenues to seek justice and accountability through legal means. The withdrawal is likely to have adverse effects on existing individual lawsuits.

Prioritizing legal avenues, particularly through court decisions that offer concrete mechanisms for implementation, is crucial for seeking justice and redress, as they provide a more reliable framework for upholding the rights of those affected by ensuring accountability and offering genuine opportunities for remedying violations, unlike political processes.

From a human rights perspective, this action not only risks undermining the protection of rights for forcibly displaced individuals and other affected individuals from Nagorno-Karabakh but also sends a dangerous message that past atrocities will go unpunished. Such a stance could inadvertently legitimize Azerbaijan's hostile policies towards Armenians and pave the way for future gross violations, threatening to undermine efforts to ensure peace and stability.

The decision to withdraw claims against Azerbaijan could have far-reaching consequences, posing significant threats to the collective existence of the Republic of Armenia and its people. It may tarnish Armenia's reputation internationally, affecting perceptions of its commitment to upholding international law and justice, crucial for a democratic and rule of law state. This could hamper Armenia's ability to attract investment, foster economic growth, and engage effectively in diplomatic endeavors. Furthermore, such a move could undermine Armenia's credibility in international diplomacy, hindering its capacity to advocate for its interests and potentially straining relationships with other countries and organizations

In summary, withdrawing interstate claims against Azerbaijan involves multifaceted risks that extend beyond legal and diplomatic realms. In this light, the Government of the Republic of Armenia should unequivocally uphold its commitment to pursuing justice for the people of Artsakh by maintaining its interstate judicial complaints against Azerbaijan in both the European Court of Human Rights and the International Court of Justice. It is imperative to continue investing necessary resources and demonstrating due diligence in effectively presenting and defending these complaints. Furthermore, it is imperative to initiate new legal actions based on all relevant conventions, exploring avenues for seeking justice under the International Criminal Court. It is crucial to stand firm in seeking accountability and ensuring that past atrocities do not go unpunished.

The Network of CSOs for the Protection of the Rights of Forcibly Displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh

Harmony Shushi Women NGO

Krunk NGO for the Protection of the Rights of Artsakh Armenians

Return to Kashatagh NGO

Return to Karvachar NGO

Return to Dizak NGO

Kumairi Artsakh Armenians NGO

De-Occupation of Shushi NGO

De-Occupation of Hadrut NGO

Askerantsiner Community Development Center NGO

Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Institute of Popular Diplomacy NGO

Hai Ka Social, Security and Development NGO

Armenian Lawyers Association NGO

Civil Society Institute NGO.
We are discussing all possible [public] transport options to reach the Academic City, as the experience of implementing similar projects in various countries shows that the most important key to success is [public] transport access. This was announced by Zhanna Andreasyan, the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, at the special meeting of Standing Committee on Science, Education, Culture, Diaspora, Youth and Sport of the National Assembly of Armenia.

"Therefore, it is very important for us that the Academic City is accessible not only from one place and in one way, which would mean that it is not accessible, but in various ways, in various directions, and with various [public] transport options," the minister said, adding that all options are currently being discussed.

According to her, the fully developed plan of the Academic City will be ready by this June, and in parallel, work is being carried out toward landscape design, road network, and necessary infrastructure design, after which the implementation will be in phases.

Moreover, one of the main points of the first phase will be the start of work on the railway.

"A railway linewhich at the moment is used more as freightpasses through the territory of the Academic City. We will convert it to use for passenger purposes. We want to make it the main [public] transport hub of Academic City, which will go from the Sasuntsi Davit [railway] station [in Yerevan] to the Academic City, and there will be a [railway] station there, Andreasyan said.

As for the development of a subway route to and from the Academic City, according to the minister, they envision it from Yerevans Ajapnyak subway station that will be built.

According to the minister, public transportation access to the Academic City will be ensured in several ways, and besides the railway and subway, a streetcar route and some other means of public transport also are planned to be launched.
Our compatriots forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh receive "temporary protection status" for a period of one year. Nelly Davtyan, Deputy Head of the Migration and Citizenship Service of Armenia, announced this on the air of Public Television newscast.

According to her, three groups of people receive this status.

In the first group are the persons registered in the state register of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh.

In the second group are all those persons who do not have this registration in the state population register of Nagorno-Karabakh, but their last registration was there.

And in the third group are the persons who do not have any kind of registration in the state register of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh, but since the fact of their displacement was recorded, they are registered in the database of the Migration and Citizenship Service of Armenia.

"It is necessary to draw attention to the fact that the persons of the categories I mentioned benefit from temporary protection if they are not citizens of any state, including Armenia," said Davtyan.

And what does the legal status of a person who received "temporary protection status" imply? And how does it differ from the legal status of an Armenian citizen?

Nelly Davtyan explained that the "temporary protection status" is granted for one year, and in all cases, the citizen of the given state has a broader set of rights than a refugee.

As for the concern of those forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh that after acquiring Armenian citizenship, the person who received "temporary protection status" will stop benefiting from the social support programs provided by the Government of Armenia, Nelly Davtyan informed that Armenian citizenship does not limit the possibility of benefiting from the social support programs provided by the Government of Armenia for persons who have received "temporary protection status."
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Four faculty-led arts programs are the first recipients of funding through the Emory Initiative for Arts and Humanistic Inquiry. Launched in fall 2023, the initiative seeks to advance understanding of the human experience and respond to todays challenges by funding creative programming, recruiting faculty in the arts and humanities and supporting expanded programming at the Bill and Carol Fox Center for Humanistic Inquiry.

In October 2023, the Arts and Humanistic Inquiry initiative announced a request for proposals  which continue to be accepted from all Emory faculty on a rolling basis  to fund creative programming. Proposals can include (but are not limited to) workshops, performances, discussions and readings that directly nurture scholarship and build community around the arts and humanities.

Underwritten by the Office of the Provost, the Arts and Humanistic Inquiry initiative recently awarded grants to four programs.

The Arts and Humanistic Inquiry initiative is an investment that demonstrates Emorys enduring commitment to the arts and humanities, says Ravi V. Bellamkonda, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. The programs it funds will create new opportunities for our faculty, students and staff to advance our understanding of the world and ourselves through creative expression.

Im grateful to Lanny Liebeskind, senior vice provost for academic affairs, as well as the Arts and Humanistic Inquiry faculty advisory committee, our deans and schools for supporting this purposeful exploration of the human experience, Bellamkonda adds.

The first round of funded programming will focus on Asian performance forms; jazz music and the African American experience; documentaries and ethical storytelling; and film and public arts. Highly interdisciplinary, the programs will connect Emory students, faculty and staff with leading artists and scholars in curricular, extracurricular and public settings.

In addition to grants from the Arts and Humanistic Inquiry initiative, many of the programs have received additional support through sources including the Emory College of Arts and Sciences Hightower Speakers Fund and the Fox Center for Humanistic Inquiry.

The newly funded programs are:



Off the Wall @ 725 Ponce

Gregory Zinman, associate professor in the Department of Film and Media

Off the Wall @ 725 Ponce illuminates the Eastside BeltLine Trail by projecting film and video art on the side of an eight-story building, creating the largest movie screen in the Southeast. As part of its slate of programming for the 2024 season, Off the Wall will host guest curators and artists, including Maori Holmes, Sandra Gibson + Luis Recoder and Miranda Kyle, arts and culture program manager for the BeltLine. They will participate in programming at Emory in collaboration with faculty in the Departments of Film and Media Studies at Emory and Oxford College, the Art History Department, Visual Arts and Emory Arts. Programming is scheduled to include screenings along the BeltLine as well as workshops, artist talks and a public lecture. A program of dance films, including experimental shorts and family-friendly classics like Singin in the Rain, will begin showing in May.

Asian Arts at Emory

Maho Ishiguro, assistant professor, Department of Music; Harshita Mruthinti Kamath, associate professor, Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies; Scott Kugle, professor, Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies; and Shiv Subramaniam, assistant professor, Department of Religion

Asian Arts at Emory is a collaborative project intended to enhance the arts at Emory by showcasing diverse Asian performance forms, from theater to music to dance. The interdisciplinary series will bring together several academic departments, undergraduate student groups, undergraduate courses, the Michael C. Carlos Museum and the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life. The program is planned to span three semesters through spring 2025, with spring 2024 events to include a Carnatic music concert by renowned vocalist Kiranavali Vidyasankar; a Javanese shadow puppetry performance with the Emory Javanese Gamelan Ensemble on Saturday, April 13, in the Performing Arts Studio; and Songs For Many Lives, a Carnatic music concert featuring new compositions of South Asian American diasporic music on Sunday, April 21, in the Performing Arts Studio.

Emerging Voices Residency

Gary Motley, professor of practice and founding director of jazz studies, Department of Music

Grammy Award-nominated jazz vocalist and recording artist Jazzmeia Horn will be in residence at Emory on Thursday, March 21. Horn, who describes her teaching style as a cultured perspective that balances jazzs rich history in the African American experience and the spirituality of its essence, will present a jazz lecture demo, teach a masterclass and participate in a panel discussion. The interdisciplinary residence seeks to integrate jazz music into new learning methods in conjunction with the Institute for Liberal Arts sidecar course, Performance on Demand: How Our Brains and Bodies Learn to Improvise, the Department of Neuroscience and Biologys Music and the Brain course and various courses in the Department of Music. In collaboration with the Robert W. Woodruff Library and public radio station WABE, Horn will also participate in a panel discussion about jazz music pedagogy and preserving and expanding the genre.

Navigating the Gray Areas: Ethical Dilemmas in Documentary Filmmaking

Laura Asherman, director, Ethics and the Arts, and instructor, Film and Media

This workshop, to be held April 12-13, will bring students and professional filmmakers together to address the ethical challenges in the documentary genre, recognizing its increasing popularity and educational significance. Utilizing comprehensive frameworks by the Markkula Center for Ethics and the Documentary Accountability Working Group, attendees will explore the complexities surrounding portraying marginalized stories, the imperative of documentary participant care and the ethical considerations of integrating AI in nonfiction media. Four documentarians  Daresha Kyi, Bo McGuire, Andy Sarjahani and Matthew Hashuguschi  will each present case studies on ethical dilemmas they encountered while creating their recent films. In small breakout sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to share their challenges in their work and brainstorm solutions with their peers. Additionally, Ethics and the Arts will host a documentary screening series in which established filmmakers visit Emory to show their work and critique works-in-progress by Emory and Spelman College student filmmakers.
There are a variety of strategies for effectively tending to emotional well-being, and friends, family, mentors and other supports can play an important role in self-care strategies. Sometimes clinical mental health professionals are needed, too  and for that, Emory Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) has students covered.

CAPS has expanded after-hours support to provide Emory students with confidential assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (24/7), 365 days a year. Now, a student can call CAPS (404-727-7450) and immediately speak with a mental health professional to identify their needs, get support and develop a plan for next steps.

Life happens, and we will continue to meet students where they are by expanding our support services so students can access immediate care, says Tenille Gaines, executive director of CAPS. By offering a robust range of options for mental health services to support our student community, we are providing an additional level of flexibility for students to seek assistance when they need it.

Since Gaines joined Emory in October 2023, she and the CAPS team have worked to enhance operational practices and expand opportunities for connecting with students. Changes made since last summer include the addition of four new clinical positions and the elimination of session limits as a consideration for clinical care.

CAPS normal business hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. when classes are in session. When students call or drop in during those hours, they are greeted by a team member who answers questions, schedules appointments or connects them with a mental health professional for immediate support.

When students call after business hours, on holidays or during school breaks, they first hear an automated message with three options:

Speak immediately with a mental health professional who can offer risk assessment, discuss immediate needs and develop a plan to include follow-up care based on the presenting concern.

Leave a message, which will be followed up on the next business day.

Learn how to schedule an initial consultation online.

CAPS phone line support focuses on brief, solution-focused interventions to assess the students current situation and arrange for appropriate levels of care, depending on the circumstances.

A mental health professional conducts a guided clinical assessment in which the presenting issue(s) are discussed, as well as an assessment of risk related to categories such as substance use or thoughts of suicide, self-harm, harming others, etc. The mental health professional then works with the student to create an immediate safety plan to implement after the call, as well as any contingency planning. This may include ongoing involvement with a mental health professional or, in more clinically complex situations, seeking medical attention.

Emory offers a robust range of options for mental health services to support the student community:

CAPS is available to provide in-person clinical, mental health assistance for undergraduates, graduate and professional students on the Atlanta campus Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., or phone-based support 24/7. CAPS provides multiculturally and trauma-informed care based on a goal-oriented model for individual, couples/relationship and group counseling; support and intervention for urgent needs; and assistance with referrals to campus partners and community-based providers.

TimelyCare is also available for Emory students. TimelyCare is an independent company that provides services through a network of contracted providers in all 50 states. TimelyCare offers free, 24/7 virtual telehealth visits for Emory students.

TalkNow, part of TimelyCare, is a free, on-demand resource for immediate access to a mental health professional. This service is available 24/7 for all enrolled Emory students.

Please note these resources are not mutually exclusive; any student may find that a combination of support resources works best for them.

Visit the CAPS website to learn more about Emorys mental health resources for students on the Atlanta campus. Contact CAPS by calling 404-727-7450.
Sharjah [UAE], March 21 (ANI/WAM): Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), has confirmed April 27-28 for the third edition of the International Booksellers Conference. Organised by the SBA, the first conference of its kind worldwide, aims to convene booksellers, distributors, and publishers from the region and beyond. It will provide an exceptional forum for discussing pivotal industry issues, enabling networking, fostering partnerships, exploring new business avenues, and exchanging valuable insights. Scheduled to take place at the Expo Centre Sharjah, the conference exemplifies the Sharjah Book Authority''s (SBA) dedication to enhancing the publishing industry. Organised to precede the Sharjah Children''s Reading Festival, the conference will feature a packed agenda comprising keynote speeches, roundtables, and workshops led by booksellers, publishers, experts, and sector leaders. It will also tackle the challenges of the book market, seize opportunities presented by advancements in digital technology, and explore the latest trends and strategies to advance the sector. Furthermore, the conference will deliberate ways to integrate entities in the book industry ecosystem and enhance coordination and information exchange. This aligns with SBA''s mission to build a comprehensive regional and global ecosystem that advances the sector and provides the necessary support. Commenting on the 3rd edition, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, stressed that the conference embodies the vision of Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to provide all the elements that reinforce the emirate''s status as a global cultural hub and a centre for events supporting the book industry, including publishing and distribution, and facilitating access to knowledge sources. Al Ameri said: "The Sharjah Book Authority is dedicated to bolstering the publishing sector and assisting book distributors, particularly within the Arab world. This endeavour mirrors the emirate''s deep commitment to the Arab cultural initiative and its portrayal in global arenas." The CEO called on professionals from the sector to seize the significant opportunities presented by the conference. The inaugural edition of the Sharjah Booksellers Conference was held in 2022 at Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone, bringing together over 200 distributors, publishers, and booksellers from within the country and the region. Over two days, it featured a range of events covering all aspects of book sales and distribution, communication with the public and readers, and understanding their interests and expectations. (ANI/WAM)
Pakistan''s Foreign Office on Thursday said that concerns raised over the February 8 general elections during a US Congressional hearing "reflected a misunderstanding" of the country''s domestic situation and electoral laws, Dawn reported. Responding to a query during a weekly media briefing, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said, "Some statements made there (during the hearing) reflected [a] misunderstanding of Pakistan''s domestic situation and electoral laws." According to state broadcaster Radio Pakistan, the spokesperson expressed the hope to "engage in meaningful discussion with the United States to address these misunderstandings." This comes after a senior United States Department of State official raised concerns over "electoral abuse and violence" in the lead-up to Pakistan''s general election last month. A subcommittee of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the US House of Representatives held a hearing on the "future of democracy in Pakistan and the US-Pakistan relationship" on Wednesday, where, Donald Lu, the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian affairs, said President Joe Biden''s administration identified a series of "irregularities" in the conduct of the February 8 elections. "We were particularly concerned about electoral abuses and violence that happened in the weeks leading up to the polls," Lu said, pointing to the attacks on police, politicians, and political gatherings by terrorist groups; harassment and abuse of journalists, particularly female journalists, by political party supporters; and lastly, "several political leaders were disadvantaged by the inability to register specific candidates and political parties." Lu cited election monitors who said on polling day that they were barred from observing vote tabulation in "more than half of the constituencies across the country." The US lawmaker also informed the members of Congress that authorities shut down mobile data services despite a high court order not to interrupt internet services on election day. On the other hand, Imran Khan-founded Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) termed Donald Lu''s statement on ciphergate a "lie", and demanded reopening inquiry into the controversy, Geo News reported. "I''ve held a detailed meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan today," PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar told journalists outside Rawalpindi''s Adiala Jail on Thursday. On Thursday, in response to a question on the cipher case during the hearing, Lu said: "I want to be very clear on this point. These allegations -- this conspiracy theory -- is a lie. It is a complete falsehood. I have reviewed the press reporting related to this, what is called the cipher in Pakistan, the alleged leaked diplomatic cable from the embassy here." Khan and his PTI government were removed from power in April 2022 through a parliamentary vote of no confidence, a first in Pakistan''s history. The US has repeatedly denied Khan''s allegation that it was involved in any conspiracy to remove him from office. (ANI)
PNN Haryana [India], March 21: SRM University, Delhi-NCR, Sonepat, known for its contribution to science and technology, organized the Third International Conference on 'Antimicrobial Resistance, Novel Drug Discovery, and Vaccine Development: Challenges and Opportunities,' at the Habitat Centre, Delhi, from 18 to 20 March 2024. Participating in the conference were approximately four hundred delegates from India and abroad. Distinguished international scientists in the field were plenary speakers across the three-day event. The Conference was inaugurated by His Excellency, the Governor of Haryana, Shri Bandaru Dattatreya who expressed his appreciation for the organizers and complimented them on taking up an issue of global importance. In particular, he lauded the fact that eight countries were represented at the conference (UK, USA, Israel, S. Africa, Canada, Singapore, France, etc) and that the Guest of honour was the 2009 Nobel Laureate, Ada Yonath from Israel. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microorganisms evolve to become resistant to the medications used to treat infections they cause, rendering these drugs less effective or ineffective. AMR arises from genetic mutations and misuse of antimicrobial medications. It poses a significant global health threat, leading to diseases that are difficult to treat, to increased mortality rates, and higher healthcare costs. Addressing AMR requires a comprehensive approach, including prudent antimicrobial use, surveillance, research into new treatments, and collaboration across healthcare sectors and stakeholders. In the face of mounting challenges posed by antimicrobial resistance, the urgency to discover novel drugs and develop effective vaccines has never been greater. Senior Scientists like Prof Ada Yonath, GP Talwar, Greg Basarab, Tom Blunden, Catrin Moore, and others delivered plenary lectures to an enthralled audience. Younger scholars presented their papers and posters in separate sessions. Senior officials and Vice-Chancellors of leading universities in India (like BHU) also delivered plenary lectures. NGOs including Toxics Link working for AMR participated in the conference. Believing in academic-industry interface, the organizers had also invited stalwarts like Dr Ashok Rattan, Raj Kumar Halder, Ruhvenile, and others who made presentations of the work done in the field. Delegates were welcomed by the Vice-Chancellor of SRM University, Prof Paramjeet S Jaswal, who also addressed the gathering at the valedictory. The organizing Secretary of the Conference, Prof Samuel V Raj, who is also the Dean of SRMUH and a pioneer in the field of AMR, spear-headed the entire venture, and mingled with the delegates along with his team, overseeing all the arrangements which proceeded seamlessly. Participants, young and old, were happy with the arrangements and also the rich intellectual fare provided through the deliberations and the networking. Overall, the conferences served as a vital platform for intellectual exchange, fostering collaboration and collective problem-solving in a field of global significance, i.e., antimicrobial resistance. The synergy generated by scholars from diverse backgrounds coming together enabled the cross-pollination of ideas, forged new intellectual bonds, and reinforced the commitment to advancing scientific knowledge for the betterment of humanity. IN BRIEF: SRM University, Delhi-NCR, Sonepat, hosted the Third International Conference on 'Antimicrobial Resistance, Novel Drug Discovery, and Vaccine Development' from March 18 to 20, 2024, at the Habitat Centre, Delhi. Around 400 delegates from India and abroad attended, including renowned international scientists. The conference, inaugurated by the Governor of Haryana, Shri Bandaru Dattatreya, emphasized the global significance of addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Notably, Nobel Laureate Ada Yonath was the Guest of Honor. AMR poses a serious threat to global health, demanding collaborative efforts in prudent antimicrobial use, surveillance, and research for new treatments. Plenary lectures by senior scientists like Prof Ada Yonath highlighted the urgency of the issue, while younger scholars presented their work. NGOs and industry experts contributed to the discourse. Prof Paramjeet S Jaswal and Prof Samuel V Raj facilitated the event, ensuring seamless proceedings. The conference provided a crucial platform for intellectual exchange, fostering collaboration and reinforcing the commitment to combating AMR for the betterment of humanity. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
VMPL New Delhi [India], March 22: EduAce Group India's leading edtech enterprise today announced the 2nd edition of its SOUTH ASIA'S LARGEST Quiz program open. QUEST- STEAM it Up, in association with Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, a multi-disciplinary, research-intensive, private university, educating a vibrant student population of over 24,000 with 1700+ strong faculty. Accredited with the highest possible 'A++' grade by NAAC. The quiz will be hosted across 10 centres in the South Asian region. The Quiz will be open for school students from grades 6th to 12th standard. Centres hosting REGIONAL ROUNDS will be Bangalore, Chennai, Dehradun, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Indore, Kolkata, New Delhi and Noida Speaking on the occasion Gaurava Yadav, Founder & CEO, EduAce Services and Founder & Moderator, We are looking forward to the 2nd Edition of the QUEST- STEAM QUIZ and our 10th Year of hosting the Annual Quiz program for Schools across PAN India. We are looking forward to meeting over 1 lac students who will participate in the Quiz this year, QUEST is one of the most exciting quizzes, which enables learning with fun for students. We are excited for our 2nd season of QUEST and value our continued partnership with Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, the second year in a row for QUEST program. Sharing his thoughts on the partnership, Maheshwara Chaitanya, Director, Admissions at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham said, what the current generation of school students require is avenues and platforms to express their skills and hone their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. There shall be more and more events to foster the talents and creativity of the younger generation. QUEST- STEAM QUIZ will be a platform for the students to exhibit such skills, learn about new things so that they are ready for their career stepping into future. About EduAce Services Established in the Year 2013, EduAce Services Pvt Ltd is India's leading edtech enterprise working in the school domain through its various Intellectual properties (IP's) aimed at teachers, students and school heads. With a cumulative reach in over 15,000 schools across the country EduAce has emerged as India's leading school contact program enterprise working with its customers to drive value for all parties involved. About Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham A multi-disciplinary, research-intensive, private university, educating a vibrant student population of over 24,000 by 1700+ strong faculty. Accredited with the highest possible 'A++' grade by NAAC, Amrita offers more than 250 UG, PG, and Ph.D. programs in Engineering, Management, and Medical Sciences including Ayurveda, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Agriculture Sciences, Arts & Humanities, and Social & Behavioral Sciences. With seven campuses at Amaravati, Amritapuri, Bengaluru, Chennai, Coimbatore, Kochi, and Mysuru and a new upcoming campus at NCR Delhi (Faridabad) and spread over 1200+ acres with 100 lacs square feet of built-up space, Amrita is one of India's top-ranked private university. Ms. Neha Tewari PR Team EduAce Services Pvt Ltd Ph. No. - 8090821074 Email id - info@eduace.in /neha.tewari@gmail.com Ms. Sakshi Chadha PR Team Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Ph. No. - 9873499559 Email id - c_sakshi@cb.amrita.edu www.amrita.edu http://www.questeduace.in (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)
NewsVoir Amsterdam [Netherlands], March 22: MintCFD, a leading online trading platform, proudly announces its achievement as it surpasses the milestone of 1 million trades executed in a short period of time. This remarkable milestone signifies MintCFD's growing success in the online trading industry. * The platform's exponential growth and unwavering commitment to providing traders with innovative tools and unparalleled opportunities have propelled to this significant milestone. * With a steadfast dedication to transparency, reliability, and user-centricity, MintCFD continues to redefine the trading experience for individuals worldwide. In a short period of time, MintCFD has facilitated over 1 million trades, reflecting the trust and confidence placed in the platform by traders seeking to capitalize on global market trends. This achievement not only signifies MintCFD's robust infrastructure and technological capabilities but also highlights the platform's ability to meet the evolving needs of traders in today's fast-paced financial landscape. Accessibility, Affordability, Profitability and Reliability are the four pillars of MintCFD. "We are thrilled to celebrate this extraordinary milestone of 1 million trades executed on MintCFD in a short span," said Raj, Founder of MintCFD. "As we continue to grow and innovate, we remain committed to empowering our users with cutting-edge tools and unparalleled opportunities in online trading." With a diverse range of tradable assets, 24x7 customer support, and zero commission charges, MintCFD continues to set the standard for excellence in the online trading industry. You can trade all the top assets on MintCFD: * Equity trading (with access to both Indian & US stocks)* Forex trading* Cryptocurrency trading* Commodities trading* Indices trading With an eye towards the future, MintCFD remains dedicated to driving innovation, fostering trust, and empowering individuals to navigate the complexities of global financial markets with confidence. While MintCFD offers promising opportunities, it is imperative for traders to exercise caution and conduct thorough research before engaging in trading activities. Trading inherently involves risks, and MintCFD encourages users to familiarize themselves with the platform's terms and conditions to make informed decisions. Register on MintCFD & begin your trading journey today. MintCFD is a leading online trading platform that provides traders with access to a diverse range of financial markets. With a focus on transparency, reliability, and user-centricity, MintCFD empowers traders to capitalize on global market trends and achieve their financial objectives. * Disclaimer: Trading involves risks, and users are advised to exercise caution and perform due diligence before engaging in any trading activities. Past performance is not indicative of future results. * (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PNN Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], March 22: Gujarati film "Bharat Maro Desh Che" based on the book "Sarnama Vagarna Manvio" written by noble activist Mittalben Patel has won 6 awards at "Gujarat State Awards 2021" organized by Gujarat Government recently. Mittalben has always been working for the nomadic tribes. People of this caste are wandering from one place to another; they don't even have proof that they are Indians. Mittalben has presented the pains and stories of the people of this caste in her book and the whole thing has been beautifully portrayed in the movie "Bharat Maro Desh Che" made under the banner of Kavach-Kundal Media Productions. The film is based on Mittalben Patel's book who works for the nomadic tribes. Young producer Krishna Shah has done a great job of bringing this beautiful subject matter to people. Krishna Shah's father Sanjay Shah "Jackie" have also done a lot of work to do justice to this film. Writer and director of this film is Bhavin Trivedi. Talented actors like Hitu Kanodia, Denisha Ghumra, Kausumbi Bhatt, Manisha Trivedi, Prashant Barot, Raju Barot have beautifully performed in this film. Each and every actor of the film has done great justice to their character. It is worth mentioning that the film was made during the lock down and will soon be released on the OTT platform. The film won the Best Film on Women Empowerment at the Gujarat State Awards 2021 organized by the Government of Gujarat. For this, the Best Film Producer Award went to Krishna Shah and Director Bhavin Trivedi received 2 awards for the Best Director and Best Director for Women Empowerment. Denisha Ghumra, who played the lead role in the film, also received an award from the state government for best actress in a film about women empowerment and Manisha Trivedi won the award of supporting actress. Also, the award of the best dress designer was given to costume designer Pauravi Joshi. Krishna Shah, Producer of the film said, "A good film is never possible without a good team. Each and every actor & crew member is important for the film. We have presented the life of the nomadic tribes in our film very beautifully. Bharat Maro Desh Che' is a film very close to my heart. The story of nomadic tribes who live right in front of us and yet we fail to actually see them Every person living in this country has the right to citizenship." The events and incidents experienced by Mittalben Patel have been presented in her book and these events have been dramatically sensitively presented in the film. In the Indian community, this is a community that has been seeking its Indian existence and has been struggling for many years. They are living helplessly in an illiterate and backward situation. The majority people of this community live in Idar, Gujarat so the film was shot on live location at Idar, with the help of local MLA and lead actor of the film, Hitubhai Kanodia. This is the film which gives message to help nomadic tribes that they can stand dignity in the society. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
India and Bhutan share a unique and exemplary bilateral relationship founded on mutual trust, goodwill, and understanding. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to the country, Bhutanese artists dived into Indian culture with songs featured prominently in the cultural celebrations at the Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu on Friday. In the presence of PM Modi, a group of Bhutanese artists dressed in traditional attire performed songs including 'Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram', 'Nagada sang dhol', and 'Dharti sunhari ambar neela'. Radiating festive vibes, the performers wore traditional attire. PM Modi, on a two-day state visit, called on Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck at the Tashichho Dzong Palace in Thimphu and attended a cultural program at the Tendrelthang Festival Ground in the presence of the Bhutan King. Earlier, PM Modi received a rousing welcome from the people, who turned out in large numbers to accord him a warm reception in Bhutan. In an unprecedented welcome for PM Modi in Bhutan, people lined up along the streets across the entire stretch of 45 kilometres from Paro to Thimphu. Hundreds of locals awaited Prime Minister Modi's arrival at the palace. After he arrived at the Tashichho Dzong Palace earlier today, PM Modi received a ceremonial welcome there. During his visit to Bhutan, PM Modi will attend various programs to further enhance the India-Bhutan bilateral partnership. PM Modi also received a special welcome at his hotel in Thimphu as youngsters from Bhutan gave a cultural performance of Garba on a song written by PM Modi. Making the Gujarati folk dance more graceful, youngsters wore Gujarat's traditional attire, Ghagra-choli, and Kurta Paijama. The performance was staged after PM Modi interacted with the members of the Indian diaspora and the local people of Bhutan who gathered to welcome him outside the hotel in Bhutan's national capital, Thimphu. The members of the Indian community, upon meeting PM Modi, expressed their happiness and said that they felt honoured to meet him. Formal diplomatic ties between the two countries were established in 1968, with the cornerstone being the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949 and subsequently renewed in February 2007. Over the years, high-level exchanges have played a pivotal role in nurturing the strong bond between India and Bhutan. (ANI)
NCP (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and NCP-SCP leader and MP Supriya Sule condemned the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the excise policy case on Thursday. Taking to X, Sharad Pawar said, "Strongly condemn the vindictive misuse of central agencies to target the opposition, especially as general elections loom. This arrest showcases the depth to which the BJP will stoop for power. 'INDIA' stands united against this unconstitutional action against Arvind Kejriwal." Taking to X, CM Stalin hit out at the BJP and said that the BJP had sunk to despicable depths with the arrest of CM Kejriwal following the arrest of former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren. CM Stalin said, "Ahead of Elections 2024, driven by fear of a decade of failures and the imminent defeat, the Fascist BJP Govt sinks to despicable depths by arresting Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, following the unjust targeting of brother Hemant Soren (JMM)." He stated that this relentless persecution of opposition leaders by the BJP government explained the tyranny while none of the BJP leaders faced scrutiny. "Not a single BJP leader faces scrutiny or arrest, laying bare their abuse of power and the decay of democracy. The relentless persecution of opposition leaders by the BJP government smacks of a desperate witch-hunt. This tyranny ignites public fury, unmasking the BJP's true colours. But their futile arrests only fuel our resolve, fortifying the INDIA alliance's march to victory," he added. MP from Baramati, Supriya Sule expressed her solidarity with CM Arvind Kejriwal. "I stand in solidarity with Arvind Kejriwal ji. This is yet another politically motivated arrest by the ED at the behest of the BJP Government to suppress the voice of the opposition and undermine the electorate at large. We are resilient and united in our fight for constitutional democracy," she said. AAP leader and Delhi Minister Atishi said they had moved the Supreme Court for quashing Kejriwal's arrest and have sought an urgent hearing. Earlier, an Enforcement Directorate team arrived at Kejriwal's residence on Thursday for questioning in connection with the liquor policy case. The team conducted a search operation at his residence, the sources said. The Enforcement Directorate team reached his residence for questioning hours after the Delhi High Court refused interim protection to Kejriwal from coercive action in connection with the excise policy case. AAP workers also staged a protest outside the residence of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. Denying him interim protection from arrest in the liquor policy case, the Delhi HC ruled that, in this state, it was not inclined to do so. The court passed down the directive during the hearing on a plea by the AAP supremo, urging coercive action against him in connection with the excise policy case. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Raghav Chadha called the ED's move a conspiracy to arrest the Delhi Chief Minister just before the Lok Sabha elections. (ANI)
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday in connection with the Delhi excise policy case, moved to the Supreme Court. However, he did not receive any special hearing late at night. According to sources, no special bench was set up on Thursday night to hear Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal''s plea against his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate. Meanwhile while addressing the media, Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi informed that, "We have filed an application in the Supreme Court against the illegal arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. It will be mentioned in the Supreme Court tomorrow morning. We hope that the Supreme Court will protect democracy." Atishi also questioned the timing of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal''s arrest, saying that for two years, neither the CBI nor the ED has found a single penny in two years of investigation. Describing the arrest of Kejriwal as an assault on democracy, Atishi said that the BJP is aware that Kejriwal is the most popular leader who has the potential to challenge PM Modi in the ensuing Lok Sabha polls. "Today, we all have seen an attempt to murder democracy. After the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections, Arvind Kejriwal, a popular CM of Delhi and a prominent leader of the opposition has been arrested on false charges. This investigation has been going on for two years, but neither the CBI nor the ED has found a single penny in two years of investigation. But as soon as the election is announced, Arvind Kejriwal is arrested. Why? Because PM Narendra Modi knows that if there is one leader who can challenge him, it is Arvind Kejriwal," she said. A team from the Enforcement Directorate arrived at Kejriwal''s residence to interrogate him regarding the liquor policy case. During a search operation conducted at his home, Kejriwal was arrested amidst dramatic circumstances, as the AAP convener failed to obtain interim protection from arrest in the liquor policy case from the Delhi High Court. The Enforcement Directorate took him to the agency''s headquarters later. (ANI)
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Apple CEO Tim Cook attends the opening of a new flagship Apple store in east China's Shanghai, March 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Smartphone maker Apple on Thursday inaugurated its largest retail store on the Chinese mainland in Shanghai, with Apple CEO Tim Cook opening the doors of the new store and welcoming Chinese consumers.

The eighth Apple store in Shanghai is located in Jing'ansi Square in a central business district of the metropolis. It is the company's second-largest retail store globally.

The flagship store boasts more than 150 employees who can communicate with customers in English, Japanese, Korean, German, Spanish and Malay, in addition to the Chinese language in 25 varieties of Chinese dialects, according to Apple.

Diana Chou, market director for East China, Apple Retail, said that Apple values Chinese consumers, and Apple retail stores in China are among the busiest in the world.

"The new store just makes a perfect addition to the company's retail footprint in China," she said.

On Wednesday, Apple held a sharing session with Chinese suppliers such as BYD, Lens Technology and Shenzhen Everwin Precision Technology Co., Ltd., showcasing their latest achievements and progress in smart manufacturing, green manufacturing and talent training.
The Karnataka Congress on Thursday announced the names of 17 candidates for the Lok Sabha election, which is slated to occur in two phases. The committee, headed by Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge, is yet to finalise the candidates for Kolar, Chitradurga, Chikkaballapur, Chamarajanagar and Bellary constituencies. The Congress had earlier announced candidates for seven seats. The 17 candidates include the children of five state Cabinet ministers. This distribution of tickets has emerged as a topic of debate among party members regarding the choice of candidates with political backgrounds. Most of the tickets have been allocated to "dynasty" candidates to face the BJP-JD(S) alliance in Karnataka. BJP leader Basanagowda Patil Yatnal criticized the Congress for prioritizing dynasty politics over nurturing grassroots workers within the party. "The Congress party is known for favouring dynasty politics over providing opportunities for its grassroots workers," said BJP Leader Basanagowda Patil Yatnal. A detailed examination of the list reveals the inclusion of several candidates with significant political lineage and financial backing. These include Priyanka Jarakiholi, daughter of Satish Jarakiholi, a prominent figure in the Belagavi region, who secured a ticket from Chikkodi despite it being her debut in elections. The powerful "Jarakiholi family" in the Belagavi region already holds many key posts in Karnataka. Priyanka Jarakiholi whose father is Satish Jarakiholi a Cabinet Minister for PWD, has been given a ticket from Chikkodi. It's her first election, and she has received a Lok Sabha ticket. The Belagavi ticket has been given to DK Shivakumar-backed Cabinet Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar's son, Mrinal, who is entering politics with a Lok Sabha ticket. Rajshekhar Patil, a former minister, who was demanding a Lok Sabha ticket from Bidar, has been overlooked and instead, the Congress party has given a ticket to Sagar Khandre, the young son of Karnataka Cabinet Minister Eshwar Khandre. The Koppal ticket has been given to Rajshekar Hitnal, who is the brother of MLA and Siddaramaiah follower Raghavendra Hitnal. The Davanagere ticket has been allotted to Prabha Mallikarjun, who is Cabinet Minister SS Mallikarjun's wife and daughter-in-law of senior Lingayat leader and MLA Shamanur Shivshankarappa. The Bengaluru South ticket has been given to Soumya Reddy, who is Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy's daughter. She lost the 2023 assembly election from Jayanagar against BJP Candidate Ramamurthy. The ticket for Bengaluru Rural has been given to DK Suresh, the State Congress President and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar's brother. The Shivamogga ticket has been given to former CM Bangarappa's daughter, actor Shivaraj Kumar's wife, and Cabinet Minister Madhu Bangarappa's sister, Geetha Shivarajkumar. The JDS stronghold Hassan Congress ticket has been allotted to Shreyas Patel, who is Puttaswamy Gowda's grandson. "The list itself proves the agenda of the Congress ticket-sharing idea. It has nothing to do with social justice; it's about the next generation entry of politically-backed families. Workers like us, who are working day and night, are still on the streets campaigning for them," said a lady Congress worker who has been working in Congress for more than two decades. The BJP leaders argue that this candidate list reflects the Congress's inclination towards dynastic political legacies rather than promoting social justice or meritocracy within the party. BJP spokesperson S Prakash denounced the list, alleging that it exposes the Congress's false claims of championing social justice, asserting that it primarily benefits leaders' relatives. Criticizing the list of candidates, BJP spokesperson S Prakash said, "The list shows the fake narrative of the Congress, which dramatically talks of social justice. It's only justice for their leaders' sons, brothers, and daughters." The Congress in Karnataka, which desperately needs to win more numbers in the 28 Lok Sabha seats (having won just one seat from Bengaluru Rural (DK Suresh)), asked and consulted many ministers to contest. After their denial, it has fielded new-generation youngsters to Lok Sabha, giving responsibility to their families to win the seat. "We need to have more numbers to raise a voice in parliament in favour of Karnataka. I wish all the best to all who got tickets," wished CM Siddaramaiah. On the other side, the BJP is also in a dilemma to win more seats from Karnataka to retain its old record. This time, JD(S) has also announced their support in 25 Lok Sabha seats except Kolar, Hassan, and Mandya, which JD(S) is demanding. In many constituencies, the announced list has led to internal fights, creating significant tension within the BJP. Mandhuswamy, a former minister who wanted a ticket from Tumakuru, has been passed over in favour of V Somanna, who lost in the Varuna and Chamarajanagar assembly constituencies in the 2023 assembly elections. After the candidate for Bengaluru North was changed due to backlash against Shobha Karandlaje from Udupi-Chickamagalur, MP Sadananda Gowda announced his retirement from electoral politics. He expressed his unhappiness and stated that one family is controlling the BJP in the state, indirectly attacking BS Yediyurappa's family. KS Eshwarappa has become a thorn in the side of BS Yediyurappa's family and the BJP from Shivamogga. He announced that he would contest independently against BY Raghavendra and stated that the BJP in Karnataka is under the control of one family, BS Yediyurappa's family, and he wants to cleanse it. Prajwal Revanna, son of MLA Revanna and grandson of HD Devegowda, is most likely to be fielded from Hassan, but BJP leaders and cadre have shown no interest in this and are opposing the decision. Former two-time CM, JDS MLA, and JDS state president HD Kumaraswamy is likely to contest from Mandya, as Sumalatha, a BJP-supported independent candidate, is likely to miss the ticket. The JDS is also demanding a Lok Sabha seat from Kolar, stating favouritism towards the JDS in the Kolar constituency. The Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka are scheduled to take place in two phases. The first phase, involving 14 constituencies, will be held on April 26. The second phase, also involving 14 constituencies, will take place on May 7. (ANI)
The Special PMLA court in Ranchi on Thursday extended the judicial custody of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren till April 4 in connection with a money laundering case related to an alleged land scam. Soren, who was in judicial custody until March 21, was presented before the court through video conferencing. Last week, Ranchi police issued notice to ED officials, asking them to join the investigation in the third week of March in connection with the FIR lodged by former Chief Minister Hemant Soren under the Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Confirming the development, the SSP Ranchi said, "A notice has been sent. The investigating officer (IO) would be able to give more details. Currently, he is out of station for some cases" ED had filed a petition against the FIR in Jharkhand High Court, which ordered no coercive action against the ED officials. Soren in his FIR had alleged that the ED conducted the searches at his residence at Shantiniketan, Delhi and Jharkhand Bhawan on January 29 to tarnish his image. He also charged the ED officials of harassing him for being a tribal and bringing disrepute to him. On his complaint Jharkhand Police, on January 31, registered FIR under Section 3(1) (P) (R)(S) (U) of ST-SC (PA) Act. On February 29, The Jharkhand High Court dismissed the petition of former Chief Minister Hemant Soren seeking permission to attend the budget session of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly. Soren approached the High Court after the Special PMLA court in Ranchi dismissed his petition on February 22. Soren was arrested on January 31 in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). He tendered his resignation as CM to the Jharkhand Governor following his questioning by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the alleged land scam case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Earlier, the ED claimed it had recovered cash over Rs 36 lakh from the possession of the JMM chief, along with documents linked to the investigation into the alleged acquisition of land by 'fraudulent means'. The agency added that land parcels spanning 8.5 acres were part of the criminal proceeds that the former CM allegedly acquired. The ED claimed further that in a raid conducted on April 13, 2023, they unearthed several property-related records and registers that were in the possession of Revenue Sub-Inspector Bhanu Pratap Prasad. It was further informed that the probe further revealed that Bhanu Pratap Prasad and others were part of a "very large syndicate involved in corrupt practices of acquiring properties forcefully as well as on the basis of false deeds.". "Considering the facts and circumstances and taking into consideration the activities and processes of money laundering in which Soren is directly involved and is also a party with the said Bhanu Pratap and others, there are sufficient reasons to believe that Soren is guilty of the offence of money laundering as per section 3 of PMLA 2002," the agency stated in a release. The probe pertains to proceeds of crime generated by allegedly forging official records by showing 'fake sellers' and purchasers in the guise of forged or bogus documents to acquire huge parcels of land having value in crores. (ANI)
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal filed as the BJP candidate for the Dibrugarh parliamentary constituency, addressed the party workers meet at Kotoha under Khowang Legislative Assembly Constituency (LAC) on Thursday. Sonowal appealed to all the party members of the constituency to power 187 booth offices of Khowang and told people about the "decade of good governance of the Narendra Modi government" and how "multiple welfare schemes by the Government have reached the ultimate beneficiaries improving people's quality of lives." Speaking on the occasion, the senior leader of BJP, Sarbananda Sonowal said, "Our party workers are our biggest support system. Your energy and enthusiasm will ensure 'Ab Ki Baar, 400 Paar,' heralding the third term for the most successful, dynamic, and inspiring Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji." "You know how the schemes of the double-engine BJP govts have helped people and improved their quality of life. You are from the Khowang society, hence, you must take the responsibility to make people aware of the good work that the Modi government has done in the last decade and gather public support," said Sonowal. He further requested saying, "It is my humble request to all of you that for the next 30 days, under the leadership of Khowang MLA, Chakradhar Gogoi, you commit to this cause in all the 187 booths of Khowang." He said that we must not stoop to the petty mudslinging political commentary endorsed by the opposition and defeat them with sound arguments aloud with facts and results in the ultimate court of the public. Appreciating Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said that under his leadership, India has prospered, and so has Assam. "Today, the poor, the marginalised and the middle class have been reaping the benefits of various welfare schemes launched by the NDA govts that were launched with only one objective - public welfare. People from all sections of society, be it women, self-help groups, farmers, tea workers, retailers, youth, children, senior citizens, homemakers and so on," said Sonowal. He further added that we will take this as our core strength and ensure that the vision of 'Viksit Assam in a Viksit Bharat' remains on track uninterrupted. Criticising Congress, the BJP candidate for the Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency, Sarbananda Sonowal, said, "Congress has done nothing but let down people for more than six decades. Imagine how Bogibeel Bridge, which has opened up so much of avenues for people of not just the adjoining districts but for the whole region, remained neglected under Congress-led governments." He further hailed the PM, "When Modi ji became Prime Minister, he ensured that this important project was done at the earliest. And, here it is today, standing tall, transforming the transportation of the region, bringing the much-needed convenience for the people to commute, unlock opportunities. Even the roads in the villages of Khowang were built, which remained a distant dream under Congress governments." He lashed out at the Congress party saying that six decades of misrule by the Congress failed meekly in front of one decade of good governance under Narendra Modi ji. "Under the Congress government, people of the North Bank felt particularly left out and were ignored for decades. From Jonai to Dhubri, nothing much was done to ease public transportation and improve the quality of life," he added. Elaborating on the initiatives taken under the BJP government, he said, "Since Modi ji became Prime Minister in 2014, as many as 8 new bridges over Brahmaputra have been approved and are under different stages of development. This is what 'Modi Ki Guarantee' delivers. It is ironic but Assam failed to get much out of Congress rule, even though it sent the Prime Minister of the Congress-led UPA govt to Rajya Sabha." Calling the Congress tenure, a "dark era", he said that the basic issues of the state like peace, prosperity, and progress remained ignored during the Congress-led UPA govt. Whatever the opposition says, they are hand in glove with the Congress, and people will not tolerate their misdeeds that crippled Assam. He emphasised that India under Congress was marred with corruption, dynastic politics, and communal politics which weakened the nation. "Today, these dark elements of politics have been obliterated, and in their place, a new brand of politics of progress and development has taken place. This is the change that Modiji has delivered," he added. The Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal was joined by Chakradhar Gogoi, MLA, Moran; Ujjwal Kashyap, Dibrugarh District President of BJP; Ranjit Baruah, Prabhari, Khowang Constituency; Khirod Duwara of Khowang Mandal; Jatin Gogoi of Borboruah mandal among other leaders and members of BJP were present. (ANI)
After being chosen by the Congress high command on Thursday to contest from Jaipur in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Congress leader Sunil Sharma asserted that the people of Jaipur are eager to bring change in the impending election. "Jaipur has not been able to secure its place among the top 25 clean cities in the country, which is quite painful. If Jaipur continues like this, it will not remain liveable, hence the people of Jaipur want a change. And I believe that this election will be an election of momentous change," he told ANI. Sunil Sharma's name was announced by the grand old party in its third list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, including five from Rajasthan. Among the Rajasthan candidates are Kuldeep Indora for the Ganganagar constituency, Sangeeta Beniwal for Pali, Umeda Ram Beniwal for Barmer, and Urmila Jain Bhaya for the Jhalawar-Baran constituency. The Sikar constituency has been allocated to the CPI-M. He voiced concerns over Jaipur's inability to rank among the top 25 clean cities in the country, asserting that the city's livability is at stake if the status quo persists. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has yet to announce its candidate for the Jaipur constituency. The Lok Sabha elections in Rajasthan are scheduled to be held in two phases on April 19 and April 26. As the Lok Sabha election dates draw near, political parties are leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to secure victory. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP secured 24 seats and the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP), a member of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), won one seat. The Indian National Congress (INC) did not win any seats. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had a sweeping victory in Rajasthan. The party won all 25 seats in the state. The Indian National Congress (INC), which is traditionally a major contender in the state, failed to win a single seat. (ANI)
Aam Aadmi Party MLA Rakhi Birla was detained for protesting outside the residence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the excise policy case. The Supreme Court is likely to hear Kejriwal's petition against his arrest on Friday. Kejriwals' arrest, just weeks before the Lok Sabha elections, has unleashed waves of protest by AAP workers. AAP leader Gopal Rai announced nationwide protests to be held on Friday against the Bharatiya Janata Party over the arrest of Kejriwal on allegations of corruption linked to the city's liquor policy. The Congress is likely to join the protests. "The BJP sent agencies and got Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal arrested...This is the murder of democracy," Delhi Minister and AAP leader Rai said. Gopal Rai said, "We will hold a protest against the BJP party over the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal by the ED at 10 am." "If the BJP thinks that they can finish the Aam Aadmi Party and threaten the entire Opposition by arresting Arvind Kejriwal, then they are wrong...A battle has begun, Rai further said. Earlier, Delhi minister and AAP leader Atishi said, "We have filed an application in the Supreme Court against the illegal arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. It will be mentioned in the Supreme Court tomorrow morning. We hope that the Supreme Court will protect democracy..." Amid the Aam Aadmi Party's calls for a nationwide protest, the BJP said that the party was insulting the Constitution by saying that Kejriwal will run the government from jail and demanded that he resign. Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the excise policy case on Thursday after the Delhi High Court refused interim protection to Kejriwal from coercive action in connection with the excise policy case. Two senior AAP leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, are in judicial custody in the excise policy case. Sisodia, who was the then Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, was arrested by the CBI on February 26 following several rounds of questioning. On October 5, ED arrested Sanjay Singh, who is a Rajya Sabha member. (ANI)
Amid ongoing protests by Aam Aadmi party leaders over the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann reaffirmed the party's unwavering support for Kejriwal, stating that they stand by him 'like a rock'. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, in a post on X in Hindi, wrote, "You will arrest Arvind Kejriwal but how will you arrest his thinking. Arvind Kejriwal is not a person but an idea and we stand with our leader like a rock. Inquilab Zindabad!" Labeling the enforcement directorate as the 'political team' of the BJP, following Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann in a post on X wrote, "BJP's political team (ED) cannot arrest Kejriwal's thinking, because only AAP can stop BJP. Thinking can never be suppressed." Vowing to challenge the authorities through legal means, Punjab minister Balbir Singh said, "We will fight in the Supreme Court, on the streets, in the parliament. We will fight their oppression and atrocities with patience. 140 crore Indians love the Kejriwal model, the youth, farmers, and children trust Kejriwal. Like the Supreme Court gave a historic decision in the electoral bonds case, we hope the apex court gives a decision in this case too," he said. AAP leader Malvinder Singh Kang stated that thousands of AAP workers will protest in Mohali against the arrest of a 'Kattar Imandaar Chief Minister' Arvind Kejriwal. "The democracy is murdered in the country. The BJP has done a vendetta politics against a 'Kattar Imaandar' CM. Their only goal is to keep Arvind Kejriwal from campaigning for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Thousands of AAP workers will protest in Mohali today, against the arrest of a sitting Chief Minister," AAP leader Malvinder Singh Kang told ANI. Meanwhile, Delhi Minister and AAP leader Gopal Rai on Friday announced that a nationwide protest will be held by the AAP leaders against the "illegal" arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the ED. "If the BJP thinks that they can finish the Aam Aadmi Party and threaten the entire Opposition by arresting Arvind Kejriwal, then they are wrong...A battle has begun. We have decided that we will stage a protest at the BJP headquarters," Rai said. Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the excise policy case on Thursday after the Delhi High Court refused interim protection to Kejriwal from coercive action in connection with the excise policy case. Two senior AAP leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, are in judicial custody in the excise policy case. Sisodia, who was the then Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, was arrested by the CBI on February 26 following several rounds of questioning. On October 5, ED arrested Sanjay Singh, who is a Rajya Sabha member. (ANI)
Launching an attack on the Centre, over the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the enforcement directorate, AAP Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj stated that it is a desperate move by the BJP to silence the opposition's voice ahead of the elections. "They did not have any questions for the Delhi CM. Because elections are around the corner, the BJP is scared, it is nervous. and a strong voice of the opposition, who would question the Prime Minister, just to shut that voice, the Chief Minister of Delhi has been arrested," AAP Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said. Bharadwaj stated that the BJP stands exposed in the electoral bonds case, in order to bury that and divert the attention of the people, the Delhi Chief minister has been arrested. "I stand with Kejriwal was trending all across the country. I thank all opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, MK Stalin, Akhilesh Yadav for the love they have shown for Kejriwal ji. What is being done with Kejriwal is injustice. It is an attempt to finish a political party," Bharadwaj said. He further asserted that the legal team is working on the next course of action. The AAP leader further accused the BJP of exercising 'dictatorship' in the country. "Our party office has been converted into a cantonment, the ITO metro station has been shut. The dictatorship has reached to the level that eve the Model code of conduct is being controlled by the ruling party. Is there a Model Code of Conduct imposed? What is the Election Commission doing?" Bharadwaj said. "The party which is itself extorting money through electoral bonds, has sent an honest Chief Minister to the jail. The democracy has been shattered today," he added. Notably, several opposition leaders including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Samajwadi party leader Akhilesh Yadav condemned the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. "Those who are themselves imprisoned in the fear of defeat, what will 'they' do by imprisoning someone else? BJP knows that it will not come to power again, due to this fear, it wants to remove the opposition leaders from the public by any means at the time of elections, arrest is just an excuse," SP leader Akhilesh Yadav wrote in a post on X. Slamming the arrest of the AAP supremo, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a post on X, wrote, "A scared dictator wants to create a dead democracy. While capturing all the institutions including the media, breaking up the parties, extorting money from companies, freezing the account of the main opposition party was not enough for the 'devilish power', now the arrest of the elected Chief Ministers has also become a common thing. INDIA will give a befitting reply to this". The Enforcement Directorate arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the Delhi excise policy case on Thursday night, in which two senior AAP leaders are already in judicial custody. The case pertains to alleged irregularities and money laundering in framing and implementing the Delhi excise policy case 2022, which was later scrapped. (ANI)
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge congratulated the people of the state on the occasion of Bihar Day, noting that today again the time has come when Bihar has to secure democracy and play a favorable role in saving the Constitution, while Rahul Gandhi said the state has shown direction to the country for centuries. In a post on X, Kharge said, "Bihar is the birthplace of democracy. Hearty best wishes and congratulations to all the people of the state on Bihar Day. It was from Bihar that Gandhiji raised the voice of Indians against the British rule. Today again the time has come when Bihar has to secure democracy and play a favorable role in saving the Constitution". https://x.com/kharge/status/1771010994124251639?s=20 Bihar Day (Bihar Diwas) is observed every year on March 22, marking the formation of the state of Bihar. It was on this day when the British carved out the state from Bengal in 1912 and is observed as a public holiday in Bihar. Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X, "Bihar, rich in civilization and a rich history, has shown direction to the country by becoming the knowledge base of India for centuries. Best wishes to all the people of the state on Bihar Day". Meanwhile, voting will be held in seven phases in Bihar. The first phase of polling will be held on April 19, the second phase on April 26, the third phase on May 7, the fourth phase on May 13, the fifth phase on May 20, the sixth phase on May 25, and the seventh phase on June 1. Earlier, Jan Adhikar Party chief Pappu Yadav merged his party into Congress ahead of Lok Sabha elections 2024. He is a former five-time MP from Bihar and the husband of Congress Rajya Sabha MP Ranjeet Ranjan. He is known for influencing the Seemanchal area of Bihar in terms of politics. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA, consisting of BJP, JDU ( (Janata Dal-United), and LJP (Lok Janshakti Party), secured victory by taking the lead on 39 out of 40 seats. Meanwhile, the Mahagathbandhan, led by RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal), INC (Indian National Congress), and RLSP (Rashtriya Lok Samta Party), only managed to secure one seat. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, BJP won 17 seats with a vote share of 24.1 per cent, JD(U) secured victory on 16 seats with a vote share of 22.3 per cent. LJP had won 6 seats with a vote share of 8 per cent while INC had won only one seat with a vote share of 7.9 per cent. The Lok Sabha Elections 2024 will be held in seven phases from April 19. Counting of votes on June 4. (ANI)
One labourer was killed and several others were injured after an under-construction bridge over the Koshi River, between Supaul and Madhubani districts in Bihar, collapsed on Thursday. The 10.2 km bridge over the Koshi river, linking Bakaur in Supaul district to Bheja in Madhubani district was being constructed by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). An eyewitness to the incident, Dharmendra Yadav said that "around ten to eleven people were working on the under-construction site when it collapsed, and when the brige collapsed many suffered serious injuries." The Bihar government announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the deceased and Rs one lakh each for the injured. "A part of the bridge had collapsed, in which one person has died and ten are injured. The injured are under treatment and are out of danger. Ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for the injured has been announced. We are trying to find out if more people are stuck with the help of cranes," Supaul District Magistrate Kaushal Kumar said. Meanwhile, the Bihar government has reiterated that no leniency will be shown towards those found guilty of malpractice. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha has assured a high level investigation into the case. "An accident has occurred on an under-construction bridge over the Kosi river. The portion of that bridge fell down which led to the death of one person and injured 10. We have spoken to the district officer. The deceased family will get Rs 10 lakh through related agencies. A full-fledged investigation is required to find who is the main culprit," Vijay Kumar Sinha told ANI. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin thanked the Supreme Court on Friday for its 'timely intervention' after the top court's directive to re-induct senior DMK leader K Ponmudy as a minister in the state cabinet. "On behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu, I thank the Supreme Court, the custodian of the Constitution, for its timely intervention, upholding the spirit of the Constitution and saving the democracy. In the last decade, the people of #INDIA witnessed the dithering of democracy, the withering of federalism and misadventures to put spikes before the functioning of sovereign governments elected by the people and give age-old traditions a go by," Stalin said in a post on X. "#Elections2024 are crucial to save democracy and uphold the Constitution. Let us strive hard to prevent the brazen abuse of power by fascist forces threatening to ruin our glorious nation," he said. https://x.com/mkstalin/status/1771122929113460799?s=20 Meanwhile, K Ponmudywas sworn in as a minister in the Tamil Nadu cabinet earlier in the day after the apex court on Thursday questioned the conduct of Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi over his decision to refuse to appoint K Ponmudy as a minister in the state cabinet and said that he had defied the order of the top court. CJI Chandrachud said, "We are seriously concerned about the conduct of the governor in this case. We did not want to say it out loud in court but you are now constraining us to say it aloud." CJI noted that Ponmudy's conviction has been stayed by the top court and despite that, the Tamil Nadu Governor is not allowing him to swear in. The court was dealing with the TN government's plea against the governor's decision to refuse to appoint Ponmudy as minister. In the plea, the Tamil Nadu Government has urged the top court to issue directions to appoint K Ponmudy as a Member of Legislative Assembly as a Minister of the Government of Tamil Nadu. Governor Ravi agreed to swear in K Ponmudy as a minister on Friday following the intervention of the top court. Disqualified Tamil Nadu minister and DMK senior leader K Ponmudy was reinstated days after the Supreme Court stayed his conviction and three-year jail sentence in a disproportionate asset case on March 13, 2024. The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption registered a case against Ponmudy and his wife, Visalakshi, in 2011. Ponmudy was also the minister for higher education and mines during the DMK regime from 2006 to 2011. (ANI)
Feature: When Chinese porcelain meets French cosmetics

Xinhua) 09:47, March 22, 2024

The "Heart-to-Heart, Word-of-Mouth" limited gift box launched by L'Oreal Paris in collaboration with China's Jingdezhen Longzhuge. (Source: L'Oreal official Weibo account)

L'Oreal Paris collaborated with China's Jingdezhen Longzhuge, a century-old porcelain brand, to launch the "Heart-to-Heart, Word-of-Mouth" 60th Anniversary Limited Gift Box, which includes a French red lipstick and a pair of porcelain cups.

PARIS/NANCHANG, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Fine lines of blue and red shaped an Eiffel Tower on the surface of a pure and thin porcelain cup, integrating elements with distinctive features from both China and France. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, these types of cups were packaged into exquisite gift boxes with French cosmetics.

This gift box recently attracted the attention of Europe as soon as it was unveiled at an exhibition of porcelain artworks from Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi Province, at the China Cultural Center in Paris.

As a witness and promoter of the friendship between France and China, L'Oreal Paris collaborated with Jingdezhen Longzhuge, a century-old porcelain brand, to launch the "Heart-to-Heart, Word-of-Mouth" 60th Anniversary Limited Gift Box, which includes a French red lipstick and a pair of porcelain cups.

Alexis Perakis-Valat, president of the L'Oreal Consumer Products Division, told Xinhua that this collaboration embodies the diverse cultural craftsmanship of both nations, transcending borders, cultures and time.

The collision of traditional Chinese art and French fashion colors reveals to the public the beauty of cultural diversity.

In the Yishan Industrial Zone in Jingdezhen, white porcelain cups with the Longzhuge pattern on the bottom were produced on the production lines. This historically significant pattern has new connotations and has become an essential symbol of Jingdezhen's cultural and creative products.

In history, Longzhuge was one of the important back stamps for Jingdezhen's exports. Emblazoned with the logos of European royal families or social groups, etc., various types of armorial porcelain were made by craftsmen in Jingdezhen during the Ming and Qing dynasties to meet the requirements of overseas clients, including the French royal courts.

"Jingdezhen has long played the role of 'cultural exchange envoy' between China and France," said Weng Yanjun, director of Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Museum.

Exquisite blue and white porcelain was transported thousands of miles across the sea along the Maritime Silk Road, enriching European cultural life.

The living room of the House of Victor Hugo in Paris is decorated with a "Chinese porcelain wall," an example of the common pursuit of beauty between China and France.

Jingdezhen is home to an extensive network of supply chains and state-of-the-art facilities. Today, it pays more attention to creative design and innovation, said Gang Hao, general manager of Jingdezhen Towyi Cultural Development Co., Ltd.

"The dreamy linkage between the two brands of Longzhuge and L'Oreal Paris represents the integration of international aesthetics, creating a unique aesthetic identity," said Gang.

"Beauty is a heritage that transcends different cultures. We firmly believe that beauty has the power to preserve cultural heritage, stimulate innovation, foster social and economic growth, promote diversity and inclusiveness, and contribute to harmony with life," said Fabrice Megarbane, Chief Global Growth Officer of L'Oreal Group.

"Our goal is to continue being a friendly ambassador in all fields of Sino-French exchange," said Megarbane, "especially in the cultural and economic areas."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
In response to the recent U.S. moves on the chip sector, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said the United States has overstretched the concept of national security, abused export controls and disrupted the global semiconductor industry chains.

The United States has been providing huge subsidies and tax incentives to its domestic chip sector, and some measures have been forcing companies to abandon China and choose the United States, which are discriminatory and have violated market laws and international economic and trade rules, distorting the global semiconductor industry chain, MOC spokesperson He Yadong said on Thursday.

The semiconductor sector is highly globalized after decades of development and this is the combined effects of resources endowment of different countries and market laws, he said.

China is committed to promoting high-level opening up and welcomes global semiconductor firms to invest in China and boost the healthy development of the global semiconductor industry chain, he noted.

In response to the U.S. Department of Commerce considering adding several Chinese chip companies related to Huawei to the sanctions list, he said China has always opposed politicizing and weaponizing economic, trade, and technological issues, but in recent years, the United States has abused export controls, unjustly sanctioned and suppressed Chinese enterprises, and seriously disrupted the global industrial and supply chains.

If the United States imposes sanctions on more Chinese companies along with persisting suppression of Huawei, citing so-called connections, this will be a typical economic bullying practice, violating international economic and trade rules, and damaging the global economic and trade order, he said.

While urging the United States not to adopt wrong practices, the spokesperson said China will take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its enterprises.
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Gaurav Bhatia on Friday said that all corrupt leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party will celebrate Holi Milan in jail this year. The remarks came after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case linked to a money laundering case. Speaking to ANI, BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia said, "Holi Milan of all these corrupt AAP leaders will be behind bars. Congress is the mother of corruption and Arvind Kejriwal is its son. Earlier, the same Congress party leaders had said that Arvind Kejriwal is accused of this excise policy scam and he should be behind bars. Now the same Congress party is standing in support of Arvind Kejriwal." Notably, two senior AAP leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, are in judicial custody in the excise policy case. Sisodia, who was the then Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, was arrested by the CBI on February 26 following several rounds of questioning. On October 5, ED arrested Sanjay Singh, who is a Rajya Sabha member. Gaurav Bhatia further said that Arvind Kejriwal went against the ideals of his 'guru' Anna Hazare and made a fraudulent liquor policy. "Anna Hazare has been the 'Guru' of Arvind Kejriwal. Arvind Kejriwal used to say that if a person is accused of corruption, he should first resign from his post, and when he is freed from all charges, only then should he resume his duties. Arvind Kejriwal went against the ideals of Anna Hazare and made a liquor policy. The decision of the courts should be respected," he said. The Rouse Avenue Court on Friday reserved its order on pleas by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking 10-day-custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The ED arrested him a day before in connection with the alleged Delhi liquor scam case and produced him before the court of Special Judge Kaveri Baweja. Arvind Kejriwal's arrest came days after the ED arrested K Kavitha, Bharat Rashta 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 excise policy. (ANI)
In a major setback to the ruling party in Odisha, Bhartruhari Mahtab, a senior BJD MP and one of its founding members, announced his resignation from the primary membership of the party on Friday. Mahtab, who has represented the Cuttack Lok Sabha constituency for six consecutive terms, stated, "I have sent my resignation letter to BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at 4 pm today." The parliamentarian was awarded the 'Sansad Ratna' for four consecutive years from 2017 to 2020 for his outstanding performance in Parliament debates. He was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1998 from Cuttack. He was re-elected to the Lok Sabha in 1999, 2004, 2009, and 2014. He retained the seat for BJD in 2019. This comes on the day when the BJP announced to go solo in the elections. Meanwhile, Odisha state BJP president Manmohan Samal today announced that the BJP will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly elections in Odisha independently. "BJP will fight this election alone in all 21 Lok Sabha and 147 Assembly seats to create a developed India and a developed Odisha under the visionary leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to fulfil the hopes, aspirations and aspirations of four and a half crore Odiyas," Samal stated in a post on X. In the recent past, several BJD leaders have quit the party for the BJP. Among those who resigned was a close relative of BJD organising secretary PP Das and popular Odia actor Arindam Roy who resigned last week and joined the BJP. Another BJD senior tribal leader and former minister Balabhadra Majhi alleged that he was neglected and sidelined for the last five years and joined Congress. 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 were 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. Elections in Odisha span across four phases -- May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1. Nomination filing dates vary per phase, with the last phase having nominations until May 14 and withdrawals by May 17. Four Lok Sabha seats in the southern and western parts--Kalahandi, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Berhampur--and 28 assembly seats under these parliamentary segments will vote on May 13 during the fourth phase. In the subsequent phase on May 20, five Lok Sabha seats in western and interior pockets--Bargarh, Sundargarh, Balangir, Kandhamal and Aska--and 35 assembly constituencies will vote in Odisha. Six Lok Sabha seats each and 42 assembly seats falling under the areas will vote in the sixth and seventh phases on May 25 and June 1. The parliamentary segments from Odisha that will vote in the sixth phase include Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Puri and Bhubaneswar, mostly western, central and coastal regions, while Lok Sabha constituencies in northern and coastal pockets like Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur will vote in the seventh phase. (ANI)
The Supreme Court has rejected the review petition challenging the top court's judgment holding that the Enforcement Directorate shall furnish the grounds of arrest. "We have carefully gone through the review petitions and the connected papers. We do not find any error, much less apparent, in the order impugned, warranting its reconsideration. The review petitions are dismissed accordingly," a bench of Justices AS Bopanna and Sanjay Kumar said in its March 20 order. The top court in its earlier judgement said that to give true meaning and purpose to the constitutional and the statutory mandate of Section 19(1) of the Act of 2002 of informing the arrested person of the grounds of arrest, "we hold that it would be necessary, henceforth, that a copy of such written grounds of arrest is furnished to the arrested person as a matter of course and without exception." The top court had also opined that the probe agency should be transparent, not vindictive. In October 2023, the top court said that the ED, mantled with far-reaching powers under the stringent Act of 2002, is not expected to be vindictive in its conduct and must be seen to be acting with utmost probity and with the highest degree of dispassion and fairness. "In the case on hand, the facts demonstrate that the ED failed to discharge its functions and exercise its powers as per these parameters," it said. The observation was made while granting relief to promoters of M3M Group -- Pankaj Bansal and Basant Bansal on October 3, 2023. The top court had also ruled that the arrest of the appellants and, in consequence, their remand to the custody of the ED and, thereafter, to judicial custody, cannot be sustained. The top court allowed the appeals of the promoters and set aside the orders passed by the Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Last year in June, the Enforcement directorate arrested the promoters of M3M Group namely Pankaj Bansal and Basant Bansal. ED registered the complaint against them on the basis of the predicate offence registered by Anti- Corruption Bureau, Panchkula, Haryana. Bansal Challenged the arrest in Punjab and Haryana High Court which was rejected in July 2023. Thereafter, Bansal moved to the top court and got the relief. (ANI)
Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Friday that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest in the excise policy case is the "consequence of trying to run away from the investigation." The Enforcement Directorate arrested Kejriwal in connection with the Delhi excise policy case on Thursday night, in which two senior AAP leaders are already in judicial custody. "The consequence of trying to run away from the investigation is an arrest that is the natural consequence of trying to hide and run from the investigation," Chandrasekhar said. The Union Minister also termed the opposition's reaction to the Delhi Chief Minister's arrest as "absolutely mystifying". "The opposition reactions to the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal are absolutely mystifying and extremely ironic because a person who has been given notice by the Directorate of Enforcement, a law enforcement agency, four times and chooses to ignore it," he said. Notably, opposition parties, including the Congress, have condemned the arrest of the Delhi CM. The minister said that the investigation is a "huge fall for a person like Arvind Kejriwal, who talked about the rule of law during the agitation with Anna Hazare." Arvind Kejriwal had joined the Anna movement in 2011 against the then Congress government's alleged corruption. Kejriwal rode on to fame, floated his political party in 2012, and contested for the chief minister's office. Furthermore, Chandrasekhar stressed the importance of every individual, regardless of political stature, being subject to the law. "Arvind Kejriwal should understand, as should the Congress, and the INDI alliance partners, that the law and the consequences of violating the law don't stop just because you are a politician or a political leader. Every Indian today is subject to the same laws; if you are involved in corruption, there is nothing that should prevent the law from coming to your doorstep and asking you all the relevant questions, even if you are Arvind Kejriwal or a big politician in the INDI alliance," he said. "So, this is all a big national political drama that has been created with INDI alliance partners, many of whom are enmeshed in corruption. When Arvind Kejriwal, the so-called poster boy in the fight against corruption many years ago, is now firmly named in a corruption scam involving alcohol licenses in Delhi, he should be cooperating with law enforcement instead of trying to run away from the investigation," Chandrasekhar said. Earlier social activist Anna Hazare on Friday said that the arrest of the AAP chief was because of his own "deeds." (ANI)
The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) on Friday filed a complaint to the Election Commission of India against West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose for allegedly interfering in the ensuing General Elections and attempting to run a "parallel office" akin to the poll body. In the complaint to the Chief Election Commissioner, the AITC said, "The addition of an extra mechanism such as 'Log Sabha' not only undermines the powers of the ECI and takes away the ECI's set-up to address grievances, but further leads to unnecessary confusion amongst the masses." Notably, the Governor has launched the 'Log Sabha', a dedicated portal to stay connected with the people during polling for the Lower House of Parliament in the state. Through the portal, citizens could connect with the Governor and convey their concerns about polling in the state. The Trinamool Congress stated that the "actions of the Governor are ultra vires the Constitution as they encroach upon the exclusive domain of the ECI, which is solely entrusted with the process of conducting elections, and also in teeth of the law laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court". "The Governor cannot be seen to have such powers and functions as would assign to him a dominating position over and parallel position to the Election Commission of India," the complaint read. The TMC demanded the poll body restrain the Governor from running a "parallel electioneering system of so-called reporting of complaints and supervising the elections" under the name and style of 'Log Sabha', from interfering with the electioneering process and powers and functions of the poll body and from taking steps as proposed by him through his tweets and his press conferences. Condemning the West Bengal Governor, the AITC said that the initiative Log Sabha oversteps the responsibilities assigned to the Governor. "As per the Constitution of India, only the ECI has the power and the authority to conduct activities that might affect the conduct of polls deeming Hon'ble Governor's efforts to be unconstitutional in nature," the party also said in a post on 'X'. "We would request an immediate intervention by the Election Commission of India to prevent such misuse of a public office to intervene in the democratic nature of the elections in India," the AITC added. (ANI)
Following the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the INDIA bloc on Friday submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission of India urging its intervention in the "targeting of opposition leaders" by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party through the "misuse of central agencies". The representation to the ECI was made by Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, Abhishek Singhvi, NCP (SCP) leader Jitendra Awhad, CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury, TMC MP Derek O Brien and several other leaders. The INDIA bloc in its memorandum, has urged the poll body to ensure that any further raids, investigations, and arrests are first vetted and approved by the Commission or a committee set up under it. It also urged the Election Commission to take immediate action, including the launch ofinvestigations against all those individuals and officers who have misused their offices to harass the leaders of the opposition. "Take any other steps necessary to ensure the constitutional mandate of a level playing field and to prevent political parties in power from misusing the State machinery against the leaders and political parties contesting elections in a democratic setup," the memorandum submitted to the poll body read. The memorandum further pointed out the recent action taken by Central agencies against NCP (SCP) leader Rohit Pawar, TMC leaders-- Shankar Adhya, Sujit Bose, Tapas Roy, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, AAP leader ND Gupta, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, TMC leader Mahua Moitra. It also mentioned the freezing of the bank accounts of Congress by the Income Tax department. The memorandum letter submitted to the poll body by the INDIA asserted that "arrests, of individuals holding Constitutional posts are clearly intended to have a stifling and deleterious effect on the democratic functioning of the affairs of their respective states, as well as the parties themselves". The letter further read, "It is a move that is deliberately designed to demotivate and demoralise the members of these parties and the opposition at large. These arrested individuals, one of whom is the National Convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party, and the other is the Working President of Jharkhand, Mukti Morcha, are elected leaders of our country who have championed the cause of those on the margins of our society, including our brothers and sisters belonging to the tribal communities." "Their arrests are meant to send a message straight to the voter. That the ruling regime will not countenance any real opposition to its electoral ambitions," it added. Alleging that the BJP is freezing the Congress bank accounts ahead of the polls, the letter stated that these "malafide and egregious acts of freezing bank accounts followed by forceful recoveries, have been done with the intention of disadvantaging the principal opposition party from running an unfettered election campaign for the Lok Sabha". "The entire nation is witness to the unrelenting, blatant and illegal deployment of Central Agencies by the Party in Power to target, suffocate and intimidate the opposition parties," it added. The Rouse Avenue Court on Friday sent Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to ED custody till March 28. The agency had sought 10 days of remand. The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) arrested Kejriwal on Thursday in connection with the alleged Delhi Liquor scam case. The AAP chief was produced before the court of Special Judge Kaveri Baweja. After meeting the Election Commission, Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi said that a level playing field is needed for elections, but the ruling party is not allowing that, which has had an impact on free and fair elections. "Almost every opposition party is here. This incident happened late at night (arrest of Delhi CM). We had a detailed discussion with the election commission. This isn't about an individual or any party but it relates to the basic structure of the constitution. When a level playing field is needed for an election and you do not let the field be leveled by misusing agencies, it impacts free and fair elections and ultimately democracy," he said. Arvind Kejriwal's arrest came days after the ED arrested K Kavitha, Bharat Rashta 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 excise policy. (ANI)
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for each injured after an under-construction bridge over the Koshi River, between Supaul and Madhubani districts in Bihar, collapsed earlier yesterday. The Deputy Chief Minister also said that the central government has given clear directions to take care of all the medical requirements of the workers and conduct a fair investigation into the incident. "I have just reviewed the bridge collapse. While lifting the segment, it fell injuring workers. 11 workers were injured out of which 10 are out of danger now and one of them unfortunately died. Compensation will be given to the injured and deceased worker, Rs 10 lakh to the deceased and 1 lakh each to the injured workers by the company. The situation is being monitored. The government of India has a clear direction to take care of all the medical requirements of the workers and also to conduct a fair investigation," Sinha told ANI. The Bihar Deputy Chief Minister also said that he along with his team would personally meet the injured in the incident on Saturday. The 10.2 km bridge over the Koshi River, linking Bakaur in the Supaul district to Bheja in the Madhubani district was being constructed by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). An eyewitness to the incident, Dharmendra Yadav said that "around ten to eleven people were working on the under-construction site when it collapsed, and when the bridge collapsed many suffered serious injuries." The Bihar government announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the deceased and Rs one lakh each for the injured. "A part of the bridge had collapsed, in which one person has died and ten are injured. The injured are under treatment and are out of danger. Ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for the injured has been announced. We are trying to find out if more people are stuck with the help of cranes," Supaul District Magistrate Kaushal Kumar said. Meanwhile, the Bihar government has reiterated that no leniency will be shown towards those found guilty of malpractice. (ANI)
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has that the BJP will get a "historic victory" from the Almora seat by ensuring 'Mission Again' in Uttarakhand. The CM said this in a public meeting organised in favour of BJP candidate Ajay Tamta from Almora Lok Sabha constituency after he filed his nomination for the seat on Friday. "Bowing to the holy land of Almora," the CM said that this land is blessed by Lord Jageshwar Dham and Golju Devta. This is the land of Ashta Bhairav and Nav Durga. I was born in Pithoragarh and got the opportunity to serve from Champawat of this region." Dhami said that two-time MP Ajay Tamta has been continuously serving the people of Almora and the entire region. He said that Ajay Tamta ji has always talked about the development of the area. CM further said that the enthusiasm seen in the public meeting shows that BJP will get a historic victory from Almora by ensuring "Mission Again" in Uttarakhand. The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has resolved to make the country a developed India by 2047. "We all have to contribute to this resolution. The Prime Minister has dedicated every moment to Mother India. By voting for Ajay Tamta, we have to support Modi in becoming the Prime Minister for the third time." Since 2014, the country has progressed rapidly. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the construction of a grand temple of Lord Ram has been done. Article 370 has been removed from Kashmir. The evil practice of triple talaq has been abolished, said Dhami. Today, we are the fifth largest economy in the world. He said that under the leadership of Modi, important works have been done from Kashmir to Kanyakumari which have neither been done in the past nor in the future, Dhami added. CM said that the PM has a special attachment to Uttarakhand and under the guidance of the PM, all the religious places of the state are getting a new identity. PM Modi is the first PM of the country who came to Gunji, Adi Kailash, Parvati Kund. He said that the state government has to make Uttarakhand a developed and self-reliant state for which we have taken many such historic decisions in the interest of the state which are paving the way to make Uttarakhand a better and best state. The state government implemented the Uniform Civil Code, which will free the women power from many evils and oppressions. The country's toughest anti-cheating law has been implemented. Today all the examinations are being conducted with transparency, the CM said. Chief Minister said that the public has unwavering faith that only BJP can create a developed Uttarakhand in the 21st century. He appealed to all the voters of Almora Lok Sabha constituency to vote for BJP in large numbers for a developed India and a developed Uttarakhand. Ensure your contribution in realising the concept of one India - a great India of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by making Ajay Tamta victorious. Notably, Almora's sitting MP from BJP, Ajay Tamta, is again getting pitched against Congress' candidate Pradeep Tamta. Almora seat used to be a Congress' fortress earlier but later, under the 'Modi wave', BJP remained successful in gaining ground here. (ANI)
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma extended congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on being bestowed with the 'Order of the Druk Gyalpo', Bhutan's highest civilian honour and said that the award is a testament to Bharat's rising stature in the World Order. The Assam Chief Minister also said that Prime Minister Modi is the first foreign Head of Government to receive this honour, which reflects the age-old civilizational ties between the two neighbours and acknowledges the PM's role in strengthening the Global South. "Congratulations to the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji on being bestowed with the 'Order of the Druk Gyalpo', Bhutan's highest civilian honour. The Hon'ble Prime Minister is the first foreign Head of Government to receive this honour, which reflects the age-old civilizational ties between the two neighbours and acknowledges the Hon'ble PM's role in strengthening the Global South. This is the 15th highest civilian award bestowed upon the Prime Minister, a testament to Bharat's rising stature in the World Order," posted CM Sarma on X. India and Bhutan share a unique and exemplary bilateral relationship founded on mutual trust, goodwill, and understanding. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to the country, Bhutanese artists dived into Indian culture with songs featured prominently in the cultural celebrations at the Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu on Friday. In the presence of PM Modi, a group of Bhutanese artists dressed in traditional attire performed songs including 'Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram', 'Nagada sang dhol', and 'Dharti sunhari ambar neela'. Radiating festive vibes, the performers wore traditional attire. PM Modi, on a two-day state visit, called on Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck at the Tashichho Dzong Palace in Thimphu and attended a cultural program at the Tendrelthang Festival Ground in the presence of the Bhutan King. Earlier, PM Modi received a rousing welcome from the people, who turned out in large numbers to accord him a warm reception in Bhutan. In an unprecedented welcome for PM Modi in Bhutan, people lined up along the streets across the entire stretch of 45 kilometres from Paro to Thimphu. Hundreds of locals awaited Prime Minister Modi's arrival at the palace. The performance was staged after PM Modi interacted with the members of the Indian diaspora and the local people of Bhutan who gathered to welcome him outside the hotel in Bhutan's national capital, Thimphu. The members of the Indian community, upon meeting PM Modi, expressed their happiness and said that they felt honoured to meet him. Formal diplomatic ties between the two countries were established in 1968, with the cornerstone being the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949 and subsequently renewed in February 2007. Over the years, high-level exchanges have played a pivotal role in nurturing the strong bond between India and Bhutan. (ANI)
Their discussions focused on current developments in the Middle East and the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. They explored international efforts to achieve a sustainable ceasefire, ensuring civilian safety and security and increasing humanitarian aid flow to Gaza.

The ministers also reviewed the maritime corridor initiative for delivering aid to Gaza and its role in enhancing humanitarian support.

Sheikh Abdullah reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to working with regional and international partners to deliver sufficient, safe, sustainable, and unimpeded humanitarian aid to Gaza's civilians, meeting their needs and alleviating their suffering.

He reiterated the importance of ending regional extremism, tension, and violence, protecting civilians, and enhancing all possible means of humanitarian support for the Palestinian people.

Sheikh Abdullah commended Singapore's prominent relief efforts in Gaza and its cooperation with relevant parties to address the crisis and support Gaza's civilians.

The meeting also addressed the friendship relations and comprehensive partnership between the UAE and Singapore, exploring opportunities for further collaboration across various sectors for mutual benefit.

Sheikh Abdullah praised the evolving and growing relations, highlighting both countries' keenness to exploit available opportunities to enhance their partnership to support development and achieve sustainable economic prosperity.

The meeting was attended by Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, and Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri, Assistant Foreign Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs.(ANI/WAM)
China welcomes Australia's recent decision to suspend anti-dumping measures on Chinese wind towers, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

China and Australia have huge room for cooperation in terms of clean energy development, spokesperson He Yadong said, adding that China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Australia to cope with global climate change.

"We hope that the Australian side will keep working with China to resolve trade differences through dialogue and cooperation, and terminate other trade remedy measures against China as soon as possible," the spokesperson said.

The Australian Anti-dumping Commission recently released a final ruling notice, announcing the decision to terminate anti-dumping measures on wind towers imported from China, which are due to expire on April 16, 2024.
The Taiwan government on Thursday warned its people to keep their safety in mind while visiting Hong Kong after the Beijing-controlled Legislative Council passed a new national security law two days ago in the special administrative region (SAR), Central News Agency Focus Taiwan reported. The law, called Basic Law Article 23, covers treason, sedition, and state secrets, and allows trials to be held behind closed doors. Tsai Ming-yen, the director-general of the National Security Bureau, indicated that the "mainlandization" of Hong Kong's national security and rule of law is a notable trend. After the passing of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, the maximum penalty for offences such as treason and insurrection is life in prison, and 20 years for espionage, Tsai noted. He also warned that such so-called illegal activities are very "vaguely defined." Tsai was responding to a lawmaker's question during a legislative hearing about whether Taiwanese people writing remarks considered "disrespectful" towards China on social media could lead to punishment under the new law. Tsai said that if Taiwanese people wish to enter Hong Kong, they must pay attention to whether they have ever posted anything criticising China's politics or economics on social media or said anything negative on their mobile phones. Meanwhile, Taiwan's Presidential Office said that the government is highly concerned about the threats posed by the legislation to the safety and freedom of Hong Kongers and foreign nationals there, as reported by Focus Taiwan. The Taiwanese government will also keep a close watch over the risks facing Taiwanese citizens working and travelling in Hong Kong and respond accordingly, Presidential Office spokesperson Olivia Lin said. Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said that while the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, the United Nations, and several human rights groups have expressed concerns, criticism, or condemnation over the new law, only China has extended its congratulations. According to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jeff Liu, Taiwan and the democratic camp have 'common beliefs' on progressive values, such as democracy, freedom, human rights, rule of law, rationality, equal rights, pluralism, and openness. He further added that Taiwan's Foreign Ministry is highly concerned about the prospects of Hong Kong and deeply sympathises with the plight of the Hong Kong people, he added. Liu emphasised that the Taiwan government has always supported the Hong Kongers in their pursuit of democracy and freedom. On the other hand, it will also view what has happened in the special administrative region as a lesson, Focus Taiwan reported. "In addition to continuing to defend democracy and freedom, we will also unite countries in the democratic camp in firmly defending the values of a civilised society," Liu said. (ANI)
Russia plundered Kyiv with a barrage of missiles on Thursday, injuring at least 13 people and damaging several residential buildings and industrial facilities, in what was the biggest assault on the Ukrainian capital in weeks, the New York Times reported, citing local officials. The Ukrainian Air Force said that air defence systems had intercepted all 31 of the Russian missiles that targeted Kyiv. But, still, the debris from the downed missiles fell in various parts of the city, causing injuries and damage. No deaths have been reported so far. "Such terror continues every day and night," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a social media post that included a video of firefighters dousing burning buildings with water. The attack began in the early morning with loud blasts jolting residents awake around 5 am (local time) as air defence systems went into action. Many people rushed to take shelter in subway stations. Several orange fireballs lit up the sky, apparently the result of missile interceptions. Air-raid alerts ended at 6:10 am (local time) just as the sun rose, revealing the damage. Kyiv Mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said that missile debris had caused fires in at least three residential buildings and in parking lots. He said on Telegram that emergency responders had been deployed to help victims. Four people were hospitalised, the city's military administration said. Photos of the aftermath of the attack released by Oleksiy Kuleba, the deputy head of Ukraine's presidential office, and the local authorities showed burned-out cars in front of a building with a facade blackened by fire, a large hole at the foot of a pink building with all of its windows shattered, and a destroyed house on charred ground. In the Podilskyi district, which is home to industrial facilities that Russia has targeted in the past, a plume of black smoke was rising early in the morning, suggesting a hit. Klitschko said a fire had broken out at a power substation in the area. Thursday's assault came at a difficult time for Ukraine's military, with Russian forces pressing ahead with ground attacks at several locations along the front line of more than 600 miles, the New York Times reported. Faced with a shortfall of troops and ammunition, Ukraine has struggled to contain Russian assaults in its east and south. Ukrainian officials have vowed to launch a counteroffensive this year, but experts say the military has yet to receive the kinds of weapons that would let it regain the initiative on the battlefield, with American aid held up in Congress. Earlier on Wednesday, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, made an unannounced trip to Kyiv in an effort to show the White House's continued commitment to Ukraine. He also urged the Republican lawmakers to pass the stalled package of billions of dollars in aid. "It has already taken too long," Sullivan told reporters in a briefing at Ukraine's presidential office. "And I know that -- you know that." Thursday's attack on Kyiv was similar to Russia's strategy used during air assaults in late December, which consisted of overwhelming Ukraine's air defences with multiple launches of various types of missiles, including ballistic and hypersonic ones, according to the New York Times. Russia has launched relatively few large-scale missile attacks in recent months, despite a capacity to produce more than 115 long-range missiles per month, according to Ukrainian officials. Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy said that Ukraine urgently needed more air defence systems from Western allies. He pointed to recent missile attacks on the cities of Kharkiv, Odesa and Kherson that claimed many lives. "We need the support of our partners," Zelenskyy said. "We must prove that terror is always the loser." (ANI)
Amnesty International, an NGO for human rights, has demanded the Taliban authorities to immediately reopen all girls' schools across Afghanistan, Khaama Press reported. It has also urged the Taliban to refrain from using "empty excuses" to continue the ban on girls' education. The organisation stated that the Taliban's reasons for banning girls' education are "empty excuses for further discrimination in Afghanistan." The organisation said on social media platform X on Wednesday that it had surveyed the opinions of Afghan girls on the ban on education beyond the sixth grade. One girl said, "Her dreams are shattered." Another student told the organisation that "she has lost all hope." The Taliban has stated that the conditions they envision for reopening schools and universities are "not suitable for all girls." Taliban officials, close to three years into their return to power, have remained silent or made ambiguous statements about the reopening of the schools and universities for girls, as reported by Khaama Press. But, the critics argue that depriving girls of education is part of the Taliban's policies to isolate women and severely restrict their rights. They say that the Taliban has imposed "gender apartheid" in Afghanistan. As the Taliban solidifies its control over Afghanistan, the humanitarian crisis in the country has worsened. With infrastructure crumbling and essential services disrupted, millions are at risk of starvation and disease. Humanitarian organizations struggle to provide aid amidst security concerns and logistical challenges. The ban on girls' schools since the Taliban takeover has led to a generation of girls deprived of education, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality. The denial of education not only stifles individual opportunities but also hampers the nation's socio-economic development, exacerbating its already dire circumstances. International pressure mounts for the Taliban to reverse its discriminatory policies and ensure equal access to education for all Afghan children, Khaama Press reported. (ANI)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and other Arab leaders while reiterating the call for a truce in the Gaza war and support for the two-state solution, Al Jazeera reported. The meetings over the past two days are part of Blinken's sixth trip to the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war broke out. "I joined leaders from across the region -- Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the Palestinian Authority -- to continue working on a path for enduring regional peace," Blinken posted on social media platform X. https://x.com/SecBlinken/status/1770865299652309211?s=20 In his talks with the Saudi crown prince in Jeddah, Blinken underscored the importance of "urgently addressing humanitarian needs" in Gaza, the US State Department said in a statement. "Secretary Blinken reaffirmed the United States' commitment to achieve an enduring end to the crisis in Gaza and to the establishment of a future Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel," it added. But, it is pertinent to note that PM Netanyahu has repeatedly voiced opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state, stressing that Israel must maintain security control over the Palestinian territory. Blinken also travelled to Cairo, where he met top Egyptian officials, including President el-Sisi. Secretary Blinken and President el-Sisi discussed negotiations to secure an "immediate ceasefire for at least six weeks" and the release of all hostages, the State Department said. In a joint news conference with his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry, later on Thursday, Blinken laid out the US vision for post-war Gaza. "Gaza cannot be used as a platform for terrorism. There can be no displacement of its population. There can be no reoccupation by Israel," Blinken said. On being asked about the Biden administration's stand on the issue, the US Secretary said that while Washington is committed to Israel's right to defend itself, it is also resolute in helping the people of Gaza. "We are committed to Israel's right to defend itself, to making sure that it has what it needs to defend itself and to making sure that October 7 never happens again," he said. "We are also committed to doing everything we possibly can to help people who are in harm's way." The top US diplomat has travelled several times to the region to finalise the truce agreement. On Thursday, he said the gaps to secure an agreement are narrowing, but there are still "real challenges" in the talks, as reported by Al Jazeera. Blinken is set to conclude his trip in Israel. The visit will be his first since several Biden administration officials, including Biden himself, have intensified criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's actions. Over 32,000 people have been killed in Gaza in the Israeli counteroffensive after Hamas carried out a massive terror attack in Israel, killing over 1200 people and holding around 250 captive. Meanwhile, United Nations experts have warned that famine is imminent in Gaza as a result of Israel's blockade, Al Jazeera reported. (ANI)
Children from Jigme Lasol Primary School lined the streets to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival in the Bhutanese national capital, Thimphu. In the visuals, school kids were seen holding Bhutanese and Indian national flags and waiting to get one glimpse of PM Modi. A student from Jigme Losel Primary School said that Bhutan is privileged to have India as a supporter and PM Modi has helped Bhutan whenever it needed. "We, as Bhutanese, are privileged to have India as our supporter. PM Narendra Modi helps us with financial problems or whenever it is needed. They have sent us a lot of vaccines," she said. "I, as a Bhutanese citizen, would like to thank Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. I am happy to see that he is here to visit our country," another student from Jigme Lasol Primary School said. One of the residents from Thimphu, Ratna Maya Gurung expressed confidence that PM Modi's visit will strengthen the relationship with India. "We are glad to have PM Modi here. We already have a strong relationship with our neighbouring country, India. This visit is going to make it more strong," he said. Moreover, another resident, Tshewang Dorji said that they are very excited to welcome PM Modi and students have lined up on the express highway to welcome PM Modi. "We are very excited to welcome him. All the schools are closed today. All the students have gone to the express highway to welcome PM Modi. We are glad to welcome him," Tshewang Dorji said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday received a warm reception at the Paro International Airport as he landed in Bhutan to pay an official state visit. PM Modi's arrival embraced warm relations between Bhutan and India as Bhutanese PM Tshering Tongay gave the former a tight hug. Later on, PM Modi was accorded a grand guard of honour at the airport from Bhutanese armed forces. PM Modi departed for Bhutan on Friday morning and is scheduled to pay a state visit to Bhutan from March 22-23. Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival in Bhutan, concerned authorities made elaborate preparations to welcome the leader at Paro International Airport. PM Modi's posters along with his Bhutanese counterpart have been put up at the airport and the venue was decorated with flowers and Rangoli (coloured artwork). A red carpet and colourful flags to portray Bhutanese culture were also set up to welcome PM Modi. Moreover, airport security was beefed up to ensure the safe arrival of PM Modi. During his visit to Bhutan, PM Modi will attend various programmes to further enhance India-Bhutan bilateral partnership. India and Bhutan share a unique and exemplary bilateral relationship founded on mutual trust, goodwill, and understanding. Formal diplomatic ties between the two countries were established in 1968, with the cornerstone being the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949 and subsequently renewed in February 2007. Over the years, high-level exchanges have played a pivotal role in nurturing the strong bond between India and Bhutan. King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, has made several visits to India, underscoring the close ties between the two nations. His last visit to India was in November 2023. Similarly, PM Modi's visit to Bhutan in August 2019 marked a significant milestone, with the launch of major bilateral projects aimed at bolstering economic cooperation and connectivity. The recent official visit of Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan to India in March 2024 further reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to enhancing bilateral relations across various domains, including development cooperation and vibrant economic ties. (ANI)
The UN General Assembly has unanimously adopted a landmark resolution on the promotion of "safe, secure and trustworthy" artificial intelligence (AI) systems that will also benefit sustainable development for all. The nonbinding resolution proposed by the US and co-sponsored by India among 120 member countries was adopted by consensus without a vote on Thursday. This is the first time that the Assembly has adopted a resolution on regulating the emerging field of artificial intelligence, the UN said in a statement. US Vice President Kamala Harris termed it as a "historic step toward establishing clear international norms for AI and for fostering safe, secure, and trustworthy AI systems." "This resolution establishes a path forward on AI where every country can both seize the promise and manage the risks of AI," Harris said in a statement issued by the White House. The Assembly called on all Member States and stakeholders "to refrain from or cease the use of artificial intelligence systems that are impossible to operate in compliance with international human rights law or that pose undue risks to the enjoyment of human rights." "The same rights that people have offline must also be protected online, including throughout the life cycle of artificial intelligence systems," it affirmed. The Assembly also urged all States, the private sector, civil society, research organizations and the media, to develop and support regulatory and governance approaches and frameworks related to safe, secure and trustworthy use of AI. The UNGA further recognized the "varying levels" of technological development between and within countries, and that developing nations face unique challenges in keeping up with the rapid pace of innovation. It urged Member States and stakeholders to cooperate with and support developing countries so they can benefit from inclusive and equitable access, close the digital divide, and increase digital literacy. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing 'Startup Mahakumbh' event on March 20 said that in the new era connected with AI technology, the world acknowledges that India will have an upper hand in AI and it should become a priority to ensure that it should not let go of the opportunity. PM Modi said that AI has brought countless new opportunities for young investors in India and global investors alike. The National Quantum Mission, India AI Mission, and Semiconductor Mission; all these campaigns will open new doors of possibilities for the youth of India, he said. The PM also recalled his address to the US Congress in which he talked about AI. In December 2023, PM Modi inaugurated the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. GPAI is a multi-stakeholder initiative with 29 member countries aiming to bridge the gap between theory and practice on AI by supporting cutting-edge research and applied activities on AI-related priorities. India is the lead chair of GPAI in 2024. At the Summit, the Prime Minister informed about the recently launched AI agriculture chatbot which will help farmers in various aspects of farming. The Prime Minister also expounded on the use of AI in the fields of healthcare and Sustainable Development Goals. Previously in November last year, Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar, in his address to the world's first global summit on Artificial Intelligence in the UK said that India looks at AI with a prism of openness, safety, trust and accountability. Addressing the 'AI Safety Summit 2023', Chandrasehar said India has maintained that international collaborations and international conversations was extremely important at a time and a year when "technology is throwing up most exiting opportunities ever in the history of mankind." Meanwhile, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the resolution adopted by the UNGA lays out a comprehensive vision for how countries should respond to the opportunities and challenges of AI. "It lays out a path for international cooperation on AI, including to promote equitable access, take steps to manage the risks of AI, protect privacy, guarding against misuse, prevent exacerbated bias and discrimination," Sullivan said in a statement released by the White House. Earlier this month the European Parliament gave final approval to wide-ranging rules to govern artificial intelligence. The far-reaching regulation - the Artificial Intelligence Act - was passed by lawmakers. Senior European Union officials said the rules, first proposed in 2021, will protect citizens from the possible risks of a technology developing at breakneck speed while also fostering innovation, according to a report in the Al Jazeera. The European Council is expected to formally endorse the legislation by this May and it will be fully applicable 24 months after its entry into force. (ANI)
In an unprecedented welcome for PM Modi in Bhutan, people lined up the streets across the entire stretch of 45 kms from the airport in Paro to the national capital, Thimphu.

It was as if a human wall was present across the entire stretch of 45 kms from Paro to Thimphu and the entire Bhutan was on roads.

On arriving in Thimphu, PM Modi also greeted the people of Bhutan and interacted with people standing across the streets.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier received a warm reception at the Paro International Airport as he landed in Bhutan's Paro International Airport to pay an official state visit.

PM Modi was accorded a grand guard of honour at the airport from Bhutanese armed forces.

During his visit to Bhutan, PM Modi will attend various programmes to further enhance India-Bhutan bilateral partnership.

India and Bhutan share a unique and exemplary bilateral relationship founded on mutual trust, goodwill, and understanding.

Formal diplomatic ties between the two countries were established in 1968, with the cornerstone being the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949 and subsequently renewed in February 2007.

Over the years, high-level exchanges have played a pivotal role in nurturing the strong bond between India and Bhutan.

King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, has made several visits to India, underscoring the close ties between the two nations. His last visit to India was in November 2023.

Similarly, PM Modi's visit to Bhutan in August 2019 marked a significant milestone, with the launch of major bilateral projects aimed at bolstering economic cooperation and connectivity.

The recent official visit of Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan to India in March 2024 further reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to enhancing bilateral relations across various domains, including development cooperation and vibrant economic ties. (ANI)
During his intervention, Fujiki expressed grave concern about the ongoing systematic human rights abuses against Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

He highlighted China's refusal to grant access to the region, hindering independent verification of reports on systemic discrimination, mass arbitrary detention, and forced labour.

Despite these challenges, a growing body of evidence, including extensive research by NGOs, journalists, and academics, reveals a disturbing pattern of systematic human rights violations.

In his intervention Fujiki outlined China's efforts to erase the unique Uyghur identity and culture, citing mass detentions in "vocational training centers" that serve as de facto internment camps.

These facilities subject individuals to political indoctrination forced labor, and attempts at cultural assimilation.

He referenced a 2023 report by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which raised concerns about mass surveillance, restrictions on religious practices, and forced sterilizations.

Shunichi also Fujiki urged the UNHRC to take immediate action. He called for free access to Xinjiang for observers, including UN human rights experts, the release of arbitrarily detained individuals, and a comprehensive investigation into allegations of torture, forced labour, and cultural assimilation.

Additionally, Fujiki appealed to member states to enact legislation banning the import of goods produced with forced labor in Xinjiang. He emphasized the urgent need for decisive actions, as the Uyghur community continues to suffer under oppressive conditions. (ANI)
As per ranking and precedence established, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo was instituted as the decoration for lifetime achievement and is the pinnacle of the honour system in Bhutan, taking precedence over all orders, decorations and medals.

Earlier PM Modi, who is on a two-day state visit had called on Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck at the Tashichho Dzong Palace in Thimphu.

He also attended a cultural programme at the Tendrelthang Festival Ground in the presence of Bhutan King.

Earlier, PM Modi received a rousing welcome from the people who turned out in large numbers to accord a warm reception in Bhutan.

In an unprecedented welcome for PM Modi in Bhutan, people lined up the streets across the entire stretch of 45 kilometers from Paro to Thimphu. Hundreds of locals awaited Prime Minister Modi's arrival at the palace.

After he arrived at the Tashichho Dzong Palace earlier today, PM Modi received a ceremonial welcome there.

During his visit to Bhutan, PM Modi will attend various programmes to further enhance India-Bhutan bilateral partnership.

PM Modi also received a special welcome at his Hotel in Thimphu as youngsters from Bhutan gave a cultural performance of Garba on the song written by PM Modi. Making the Gujarati folk dance more graceful, youngsters wore Gujarat's traditional attire, Ghagra-choli and Kurta Paijama.

The performance was staged after PM Modi interacted with the members of the Indian diaspora and the local people of Bhutan who gathered to welcome him outside the Hotel in Bhutan's national capital, Thimphu.

The members of the Indian community on meeting PM Modi expressed their happiness and said that they felt honoured to meet PM Modi.

India and Bhutan share a unique and exemplary bilateral relationship founded on mutual trust, goodwill, and understanding.

Formal diplomatic ties between the two countries were established in 1968, with the cornerstone being the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949 and subsequently renewed in February 2007.

Over the years, high-level exchanges have played a pivotal role in nurturing the strong bond between India and Bhutan. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day state visit to Bhutan, lauded the ties between the two nations and said that the partnership between India and Bhutan is not limited to land and water. Speaking in Thimphu on Friday, PM Modi said, "The Bharat-Bhutan partnership is not limited to land and water... Bhutan is now a partner of Bharat in its space missions." "Scientists of Bhutan have launched satellites in collaboration with ISRO. We celebrate each other's achievements," he said. PM Modi said that the relations between India and Bhutan are as ancient as they are new and contemporary. "When I became the Prime Minister of India in 2014, it was natural for me to visit Bhutan as my first foreign visit. The welcome and warmth extended by Bhutan 10 years ago made the beginning of my visit on duty as Prime Minister a memorable one," he said. Prime Minister Modi also lauded the shared heritage between the two countries and added that they collaborate and celebrate each other's successes. "Bharat and Bhutan are parts of a shared heritage. Bharat is the birthplace of Lord Buddha. It is the place where Lord Buddha attained Nirvana, whereas Bhutan is the place that embraced and conserved the teachings of Lord Buddha. It has kept alive the tradition of Vajrayana Buddhism," PM Modi said. He said, "This land has kept Vajrayana Shiksha alive even today." Reminiscing India's lunar mission in his address, PM Modi said that when Chandrayaan was successful, the people of Bhutan were as happy as the people of India. "We collaborate and celebrate each other's successes. When India's mission Chandrayaan was successful, the people of Bhutan were as happy as the people of India were," PM Modi said. India became the fourth country to make a successful robotic moon landing last year with its Chandrayaan-3 mission. Later, it successfully launched the Aditya-L1, India's first solar mission. These milestones not only secured India's standing in the global space economy but also fuelled the engines for the private space sector in India. PM Modi said that the aspirations and goals of the youth of India and Bhutan are similar and assured the Himalayan country of support at every step to make both BB i.e. Brand Bhutan and Bhutan Believe successful." "The relations of Bhutan and India are as ancient as they are new. After becoming the Prime Minister of India in 2014, Bhutan was the first foreign country I visited. I remember the warm welcome I had received 10 years ago when I came to this Land of the Thunder Dragon." Affirming India's support for Bhutan, he said, "The aspirations and goals of the youth of India and Bhutan are similar. India has set a target of becoming a developed country by 2047, while Bhutan has set a target of becoming a high income country by 2034. To fulfil your goal, India is standing with you at every step to make both BB i.e. Brand Bhutan and Bhutan Believe successful." PM Modi thanked the Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck for conferring on him the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, the highest honour of the Himalayan country. He is the first foreign Head of Government to receive the honour. He said, "Today is a big day in my life as an Indian. You have honoured me with Bhutan's highest national award. Every award is special in itself, but when an award is received from another country, it strengthens the confidence that both our countries are moving in the right direction." "This honour is not my personal achievement. It is the honour of India and 140 crore Indians. I humbly accept this honour on behalf of all Indians in this great land of Bhutan and thank you all from the bottom of my heart for this honour," he added. Earlier in the day, PM Modi called on Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck at the Tashichho Dzong Palace in Thimphu. PM Modi received a ceremonial welcome there. He also attended a cultural programme at the Tendrelthang Festival Ground in the presence of the Bhutan King. PM Modi received a rousing welcome from the people who turned out in large numbers to accord a warm reception in Bhutan. PM Modi also held a meeting with his Bhutanese counterpart, Tshering Tobgay and reviewed bilateral ties. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the multifaceted partnership between India and Bhutan. PM Modi and Tobgay held discussions on various aspects of the multifaceted bilateral relations and forged an understanding to further enhance cooperation in sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, youth exchange, environment and forestry, and tourism, according to the Ministry of External Affairs press release. In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "India, Bhutan Furthering a partnership rooted in mutual trust, understanding and goodwill. PM @narendramodi held discussions with PM @tsheringtobgay of Bhutan in Thimphu. The leaders reviewed bilateral ties and reaffirmed commitment to further strengthen the multi-faceted partnership." PM Modi also interacted with the members of the Indian diaspora and the local people of Bhutan who gathered to welcome him outside the Hotel in Thimphu. (ANI)
The fourth round of negotiations on the China-Honduras Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was held in Beijing from Tuesday to Thursday, the Ministry of Commerce said Thursday.

The two countries have conducted comprehensive and in-depth consultations on fields such as trade in goods, trade in services, investment and rules, and have made positive progress, according to the ministry.

China and Honduras established diplomatic relations in March 2023. The two countries began discussions on the FTA on July 4, 2023 and signed an early harvest arrangement for the bilateral FTA last month.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day State visit to Bhutan, held a meeting with former Bhutan King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. Wangchuck was Bhutan's fourth Druk Gyalpo (King) and is the father of the current Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra was present in the meeting. Earlier in the day, PM Modi, who is on a two-day state visit to Bhutan, arrived at Tashichhodzong Palace in Thimphu. He held a meeting with Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. PM Modi was welcomed with a traditional Chipdrel procession and presented with the Guard of Honour by the Royal Bodyguards, Royal Bhutan Army and Royal Bhutan Police. In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "A welcome as warm & vibrant as - relations! PM @narendramodi arrived at Tashichhodzong Palace, Thimphu for an audience with H.M. the King of Bhutan. PM was welcomed with traditional Chipdrel procession and presented with the Guard of Honour by the Royal Bodyguards, Royal Bhutan Army, and Royal Bhutan Police." During the meeting, the two sides renewed their commitment to the special and unique ties shared by India and Bhutan. PM Modi and Bhutan King reviewed bilateral ties and discussed ways to take them to new levels. "Giving further impetus to India-Bhutan ties! PM @narendramodi held talks with H.M. the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Renewing commitment to the special & unique India-Bhutan friendship, the leaders reviewed the bilateral ties and discussed ways to take them to new levels," Jaiswal posted on X. King of Bhutan conferred on PM Modi the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, the highest honour of the Himalayan country. As per ranking and precedence established, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo was instituted as the decoration for lifetime achievement and is the pinnacle of the honour system in Bhutan, taking precedence over all orders, decorations and medals. PM Modi thanked Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck for conferring on him the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, the highest honour of the Himalayan country. He is the first foreign Head of Government to receive honour. In his address at Tendrelthang Festival Ground in Thimphu, he said, "Today is a big day in my life as an Indian. You have honoured me with Bhutan's highest national award. Every award is special in itself, but when an award is received from another country, it strengthens the confidence that both our countries are moving in the right direction." "This honour is not my personal achievement. It is the honour of India and 140 crore Indians. I humbly accept this honour on behalf of all Indians in this great land of Bhutan and thank you all from the bottom of my heart for this honour," he added. In an unprecedented welcome for PM Modi in Bhutan, people lined up the streets across the entire stretch of 45 kilometers from Paro to Thimphu. Hundreds of locals awaited Prime Minister Modi's arrival at the palace. PM Modi also received a special welcome at his Hotel in Thimphu as youngsters from Bhutan gave a cultural performance of Garba on the song written by PM Modi. Making the Gujarati folk dance more graceful, youngsters wore Gujarat's traditional attire, Ghagra-choli and Kurta Pyjama. The performance was staged after PM Modi interacted with the members of the Indian diaspora and the local people of Bhutan who gathered to welcome him outside the Hotel in Thimphu. The members of the Indian community expressed their happiness on meeting PM Modi. (ANI)
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written to External Affairs Ministers seeking assistance in repatriating three Kerala residents, who have been trapped in fighting for Russia against Ukraine at the forefront amid the ongoing conflict. Stating that several other youths from various parts of the country are stranded in Russia and are waiting for repatriation, Vijayan urged EAM to take up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Ministers (MoFA). Notably, at least two Indians have died while serving in the Russian Army against Ukraine, as around 20 others were allegedly duped into fighting in Russia's war with Ukraine on the pretext of lucrative jobs. The Kerala government has received a petition from a person named Sebastian and others with a request for assistance to repatriate Tinu, Prince and Vineeth, natives of Anchuthengu, Thiruvananthapuram district. Vijayan stated, citing the petition, that the three Indian nationals went to Russia on January 23 2024. They had gone for the job of security personnel and had paid Rs 7 lakh each to an agent for the same. But the "unscrupulous agent" allegedly cheated them and they were forced to join the Russian Military Force. The petitioners have said that they were posted at the war front after 15 days of training. Among the nationals, Prince sustained severe injuries in an encounter and was hospitalised. He has also contacted his parents and informed them about the other two who are posted at some other place. "Now it is learnt that more young people from various parts of the country are stranded in Russia and are waiting for repatriation. The matter has already been taken up with the Ambassador of India, Moscow, Russia and Joint Secretary, ERS Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, vide letters dated January 16 and 19," the letter said. It added that copies of the letters have been enclosed for reference, but no response has been received from both so far. "In the circumstances, I request you to kindly intervene urgently in the matter and impress upon the Russian MoFA to facilitate early and safe repatriation of the Indian citizens stranded in Russia, including the above persons," Vijayan added. Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs said that India is pressing hard on the Russian authorities for the early discharge of Indian nationals who are stuck there. He added that the mortal remains of the two Indians who died while fighting would arrive in India. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), recently busted a major human trafficking network running across the country targeting Indian nationals on the promise of offering lucrative jobs abroad but allegedly sending them to the Russia-Ukraine war zone. The central agency is conducting simultaneous searches at around 13 locations in Delhi, Trivandrum, Mumbai, Ambala, Chandigarh, Madurai and Chennai. The CBI stated that these traffickers have been operating as an organised network and were luring Indian nationals through social media channels like YouTube, etc. and also through their local contacts/agents for highly paid jobs in Russia. Thereafter, the trafficked Indian nationals were trained in combat roles and deployed at front bases in the Russia-Ukraine War zone against their wishes, thus, putting their lives in grave danger. It has been ascertained that some of the victims were also grievously injured in the war zone. Certain suspects have also been detained for questioning at various locations. So far, around 35 instances of victims sent abroad have been established. The identity of more trafficking victims is also being established. The investigation is still underway. Meanwhile, an appeal has been made to the general public not to fall prey to such false promises of jobs by dubious recruitment agencies and agents. (ANI)
Progressives slammed the bipartisan spending bill that would keep the government open for the rest of the year for its proposal to halt direct US funding for the primary humanitarian agency operating in Gaza until 2025.

The leaders of the Appropriations Committees on the House and Senate released the text for six spending bills to keep the government open for the rest of the fiscal year which ends on 30 September. But progressives immediately criticised the bills for cutting off aid to Palestinians amid a humanitarian crisis.

Progressive Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told The Independent that further halting direct funding to the organization would be unconscionable.

Its also not sound, not grounded in sound facts, she said. We have intelligence assessments that speak to this.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has been the main provider of food, water and shelter in Gaza since the war began on 7 October, when Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking another 250 people hostage. Since then, attacks by the Israel Defense Forces on Gaza have killed more than 30,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

Now, a new spending bill that could pass Congress in the coming days would stop US funds from going towards a contribution, grant, or other payment to UNRWA until March 2025.

UNRWA fell under heavy scrutiny after Israeli officials alleged that some staffers in Gaza participated in the 7 October attack by Hamas militants. Earlier this month, Israel claimed some 450 UNRWA employees were members of Gaza militant groups but provided no evidence, the Associated Press reports.

Displaced Palestinians wait to receive UNRWA aid in Rafah (REUTERS)

Due to these reports, in January President Joe Biden put a temporary pause on US funding to UNRWA pending the outcome of a United Nations (UN) investigation. That pause is ongoing.

Several countries declared they would halt funding in response, but many have already reversed their decision, including Australia, Sweden and Canada. The European Union also pledged to pay $54m to UNRWA earlier this month after the agency agreed to allow EU-appointed experts to audit the way it screens staff to identify extremists.

Fellow progressive Ro Khanna echoed Ms Ocasio-Cortezs same concerns.

It restricts funding for kids who are dying in Gaza. Its unconscionable, the congressman told The Independent.

Representative Delia Ramirez of Illinois told The Independent she would be briefed on the legislation but she worried about the consequences of restricting aid to UNRWRA.

We should not be restricting, we should be restoring, I've been saying that on public record, she said. The idea that people are literally starving to death and we are contributing to that is a problem.

On top of supporting those in Gaza, UNRWA also supports millions of Palestinian refugees across the Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the West Bank.

An UNRWA worker prepares to distribute aid (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Democrats like Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia oppose the provision on the grounds that UNRWA provides essential support outside of Gaza.

Set aside Gaza for a second: UNRWA does really important work in Jordan and other countries where we dont necessarily have others, so that in my view is a real weakness of the bill, Mr Kaine told The Independent.

Others expressed concerns that no one could fill the gap that UNRWA would leave in Gaza.

I dont know that theres another organization that can step in and do the job, Democratic Senator Dick Durbin told The Independent.

Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, who supports a ceasefire, has in the past defended UNRWA and criticised the provision on Thursday.

I'm very disappointed in a time when UNRWA is the primary system for delivering aid to starving people that funding would be turned off, he told The Independent.

However, Republican leadership has hailed the provision as positive. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson praised the move, echoing Israels claims.

Importantly, it halts funding for the UN agency which employed terrorists who participated in the October 7 attacks against Israel, Mr Johnson said in a statement.

Mike Johnson and other members of the GOP have long supported halting funding to UNRWA (Getty Images)

But even pro-Israel Democrats worry about cutting off spending for UNRWA. Senator Ben Cardin--the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who is a major supporter of Israel--said it was a mistake type of prohibition.

So I think we obviously have suspension in regards to Gaza, Mr Cardin, who is Jewish, told The Independent. The UNRWA operates in other countries besides Gaza.

Halting UNRWA funding comes as part of a much larger $1.2 trillion spending bill just days ahead of the government shutdown deadline. The so-called minibus spending bill will fund the State Department; the Pentagon; the Department of Homeland Security; Congress; the Department of Health and Human Services; the Department of Education; financial services and the general government. If the bill passes, Congress will have finally completed the appropriations process for the current fiscal year following several failed spending bills and continuing resolutions.

Given Republican opposition to the spending bill and the razor-thin Republican majority, the legislation will likely be subjected to a suspension of the rules vote, which would require a two-thirds majority vote in the House. But if progressives oppose the spending bill, the legislation might not survive.

This bill would not be the first time the US has halted or cut funding to the UNRWA. In 2018, then-President Donald Trump cut all funding before President Joe Biden restored it in 2021.

Should the minibus pass, Mr Biden has already committed to signing it immediately.
NASHVILLE The search for missing University of Missouri (Mizzou) student Riley Strain ended Friday morning, police said, when his body was pulled from a river in West Nashville.

Strain, 22, disappeared March 8 after being kicked out of a bar along Lower Broadway in Music City's downtown entertainment district known as honky-tonk row. Strain was a student at Mizzou and traveled to Nashville to attend the annual spring formal for his fraternity Delta Chi.

His body was found in the Cumberland River in West Nashville, about eight miles from downtown, the Metro Nashville Police Department police posted on X.

The river is a major waterway of the South which weaves through downtown Nashville and eventually flows back north into Kentucky.

BREAKING: The body of Riley Strain was recovered from the Cumberland River in West Nashville this morning, approximately 8 miles from downtown. No foul play-related trauma was observed. An autopsy is pending.  Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) March 22, 2024

Multi-state manhunt underway: Squatters accused of killing woman inside NYC apartment on run

Autopsy will determine how Riley Strain died

An autopsy is pending by the Davidson County Medical Examiner's Office to determine Strain's cause and manner of death, police said.

"No foul play-related trauma was observed," Nashville police posted on X after Strain's body was found.

Riley Strain, 22, was last seen by friends at a Broadway bar on Friday, March 8, 2024 while visiting Nashville from the University of Missouri, authorities say.

Just one day before his body was discovered, police spokesman Don Aaron said boats equipped with sonar were in the water searching for Strain.

The police department had been handling the missing person investigation with help from Nashville Office of Emergency Management, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the United Cajun Navy.

Since the start of the investigation, police have said there has been no indication of foul play in the case.

Idaho manhunt ends: Escaped violent felon, ambush accomplice and shooter captured

Riley Strain's body found two weeks after he disappeared

Aaron told USA TODAY Strain "visited several establishments" in the downtown area throughout the afternoon and evening on the day he disappeared.

During its second week, the search for Strain lead authorities to find his bank card on the embankment of the Cumberland River. Also this week, body camera footage was released, with a portion showing Strains brief interaction with a Metro police officer the day he vanished, The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network reported.

On Monday Chris Dingman, a family friend reported the last known communication Strain had was a text message he sent to a woman he was talking to.

She texted him to see how he was doing... if he was having fun. He sent kind of a scripted text back to her saying Good (what appears to read the word luck),' Dingman said during an interview on NewsNations Elizabeth Vargas Reports.

A press conference is slated to take place later on Friday, police said.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Riley Strain's body found in Cumberland River in Nashville, police say
Reality Check is a Sun Herald series holding those in power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email mynews@sunherald.com.

Federal prosecutors have agreed to forgo criminal charges against a former Mississippi Coast sheriffs deputy for shooting and killing a Florida college student, records obtained by the Sun Herald show.

In exchange, Hancock County Sheriffs K-9 Deputy Michael Chase Blackwell has agreed to surrender his law enforcement license and certification, and to never serve again as a law enforcement officer anywhere in the United States, according to the records.

The unusual no prosecution agreement, also used in cases against Bill Cosby and Jeffrey Epstein, also stipulates it will have no bearing on the states criminal investigation into the Dec. 10, 2022, shooting death of Isaiah Winkley. The 21-year-old senior at Pensacola Christian College was unarmed at the time of his death, according to court papers.

An attorney representing Winkleys family alleges in a wrongful death lawsuit that Blackwell shot the young man without provocation, warning or justification.

Blackwell shot and killed Winkley after the deputy, his K-9 Dark, and two other Hancock County sheriffs deputies, Lt. Christopher Dunn Sholar and Deputy Laura Lauralyn Yager, responded to a report of a burglary in progress at a vacant home in rural Hancock County.

Chase Blackwell, a former Gulfport police officer and Hancock County sheriffs deputy, was working for Hancock County when he fatally shot Isaiah Winkley, a 21-year-old college student from Florida, outside of a home in Perkinston, Mississippi.

Blackwell had his K-9 tied to a 30-foot line and was standing at least 8 feet away when he fired four rounds at Winkley, according to his statement. He said he shot Winkley because he feared for his life and the lives of the two other deputies. He never unleashed his police K-9 on Winkley.

Attorney Lance Stevens is representing Winkleys parents, the Rev. Dwight Winkley and his wife, Catherine, in a wrongful death lawsuit in federal court in Gulfport against Blackwell, Hancock County Sheriff Ricky Adam and the Hancock County Sheriffs Department.

The Winkleys believe their son died as a result of criminal wrongdoing.

On Monday, Stevens learned the details of the federal deal from prominent Department of Justice civil rights attorney Christopher J. Perras, the records say.

Perras is among those who prosecuted five Rankin Countys sheriffs deputies and one narcotics investigator from the Richland Police Department for torturing and abusing two Black men. Three of the defendants in that case also pleaded guilty to federal charges in an unrelated attack on a white man.

An evidence photo from the scene shows clothing items of Isaiah Winkley that were left behind.

A day after Perras shared the details of the NPA agreement with Stevens, the Jackson attorney delivered a freedom of information request to the U.S. Attorneys Office in Jackson to obtain a signed copy of the NPA deal. He addressed the request to Perras, U.S. Attorney Todd Gee, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Buckner.

Stevens wants the deal made public.

No question its a homicide

Since the fatal shooting, Stevens has viewed all police reports, call logs and camera footage of the shooting and calls what he saw happen to Winkley a homicide.

Theres no question its a homicide, Stevens said. The family wants everybody to see the videos, so they know that the unarmed Isaiah never advanced on any officer an inch and that Isaiah never said one word or did one thing threatening to the three officers who were screaming profanities with weapons drawn and a police dog at the ready.

At the time of his shooting, Stevens said, Winkley didnt have a shirt on, had a tall bottle of Mentos candy in one hand, and appeared to be using a 6-foot metal T-post used for fencing to help balance himself after deputies twice stunned him with a Taser.

Isaiah Winkley and parents Rev. Dwight Winkley and Catherine Winkley. Isaiahs parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Hancock County Sheriffs Department and the deputy involved in the shooting death of their son in December 2022.

Blackwell said he wasnt sure if Winkely had a gun because the 911 caller said his cousin owned the home and had a lot of guns there.

In addition, Blackwell claims he didnt unleash his K-9 to try to capture Winkley because he was trained not to send a police dog into a deadly encounter.

Sean Tindell, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety commissioner, said the results of the states criminal investigation into the shooting have been turned over to Attorney General Lynn Fitchs office to present to a Hancock County grand jury.

A grand jury is made up of a group of randomly selected residents charged with hearing evidence from prosecutors to determine if there is evidence of a crime.

Stevens has little faith in the state pursuing criminal charges in the case because of the NPA agreement.

High profile attorney weighs in, doubts further prosecution

Longtime Gulfport attorney Joe Sam Owen, who frequently represents clients in high-profile criminal cases in federal court, said he has serious reservations about whether the state investigation will result in any criminal prosecution because of the NPA agreement.

AMANDA McCOY/SUN HERALD Joe Sam Owen, left, looks back towards the courtroom while talking with his client, Mike Byrd, before a status hearing on Thursday, December 12, 2013, at the Jackson County Courthouse. Byrd pleaded guilty to one charge of intimidating a witness, a count listed in the indictment as tampering with a witness, in a plea agreement with the state.

The officer was represented by counsel during the negotiations/discussion with DOJ which could create speculation that no formal criminal prosecution may ensue, although the reservation provision in the agreement provides that the Mississippi attorney general may continue its criminal investigation, Owen said.

Owen sees no reason a suspect would sign an agreement with federal prosecutors when state charges could be filed.

In other words, he said, I wouldnt enter into something like that unless I have a comfort level about what the benefit is to my client.

A heartbroken family wants answers after 21-year-old killed in MS Coast police shooting

A Hancock deputy shot a 21-year-old 5 times. His devastated family fights for justice.

Family files wrongful death lawsuit after FL college student shot 5 times by Hancock deputy

MS Coast deputy feared for his life when he shot at college student, court papers say

Federal grand jury considers criminal charges in fatal Hancock shooting, authorities say
Princess Kate's absence from the public eye, along with a photo of her with her children that was retracted due to editing, and her husband Prince William missing a royal engagement due to a "personal matter," led to rampant speculation online about Kate's well-being over the past several weeks.

Now the world knows: The 42-year-old Princess of Wales has been battling cancer.

PHOTO: Catherine, Princess of Wales attends The 'Together At Christmas' Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 08, 2023 in London, England. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Here is the latest on Kate's health and what is publicly known.

Kate was diagnosed with cancer after undergoing abdominal surgery

Kate was diagnosed with cancer that was discovered in post-operative tests after her abdominal surgery in mid-January, the princess said in a video message released March 22.

The type of cancer has not been disclosed, nor was the type of abdominal surgery Kate underwent in January.

In her video message, Kate described the operation as a "major abdominal surgery" and said that "at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous."

"The surgery was successful," Kate said. "However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment."

PHOTO: Catherine, Princess of Wales' released an official statement on her health on March 22, 2024. (BBC Studios)

Kate shared in her message that her focus has been on her recovery, treatment, and her and William's three children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, who will turn 6 in April.

"It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be OK," Kate said. "As I have said to them, I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal, in my mind, body and spirits."

Kate's 1st official photo since being hospitalized led to an apology

William and Kate shared a photo on their official X account on March 10, featuring Kate and their three children, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte, to mark Mother's Day in the United Kingdom.

Credit for the photo -- the first photo of Kate released by the palace since her hospitalization -- was issued to William.

Just hours after it was released, the photo was retracted by several global news agencies over concerns it was "manipulated."

One of the agencies, The Associated Press, told ABC News in a statement it retracted the photo "because at closer inspection, it appears that the source had manipulated the image in a way that did not meet AP's photo standards. The photo shows an inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand."

PHOTO: A combination of pictures made on March 11, 2024 shows a handout photo released by Kensington Palace on March 10, 2024 of Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales with her children, alongside a version highlighting several inconsistencies. (Prince Of Wales/KENSINGTON PALACE/AFP via Getty Images)

On March 11, Kate issued a rare public apology, admitting to editing the photo and writing that she was sorry for any "confusion" the photo caused.

"Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing," Kate said in a statement shared on X. "I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day."

Kate, whose full name is Catherine, signed the message as "C," indicating she signed off on it herself.

Hany Farid, a computer science professor at the University of California, Berkeley, told ABC News his analysis of the photo shows only "relatively minor photo manipulation."

If you look at the sleeve of the girl on the right, you see what looks like traces of manipulation," Farid said, referring to the sleeve of Charlotte's sweater. "I think most likely it is either some bad photoshop to, for example, remove a stain on the sweater, or is the result of on-camera photo compositing that combines multiple photos together to get a photo where everyone is smiling. For the latter, if the subjects move between successive images, it can cause this type of ghosting."

Farid continued, "Either way, I think it is unlikely that this is anything more than a relatively minor photo manipulation. In addition there is no evidence that this image is entirely AI-generated.

Prior to Kate's cancer diagnosis announcement, the last update on her health was in February

On Feb. 29, a palace spokesperson told ABC News that Kate was "doing well" as she continued to recover from abdominal surgery.

The spokesperson brushed off social media speculation at the time about Kate's health, telling ABC News in a statement at the time, "Kensington Palace made it clear in January the timelines of the Princess' recovery and we'd only be providing significant updates. That guidance stands."

Kate's last official public appearance was on Christmas Day

Kate's most recent official public appearance was on Christmas Day, when she attended church with members of the royal family.

Kate was seen smiling and greeting fans as she walked to the royal family's traditional Christmas morning service at Sandringham alongside William and their three children, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte.

PHOTO: The British Royal family attend the Christmas morning service. (Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images)

The Waleses were joined by other members of the royal family as well, including King Charles III and his wife Queen Camilla.

Kate underwent abdominal surgery in January

Less than one month after Christmas, on Jan. 17, Kensington Palace announced that Kate had been admitted the previous day to The London Clinic for "planned abdominal surgery."

The palace did not provide further details on the type of surgery Kate underwent, but told ABC News at the time that the princess's medical issue was non-cancerous.

MORE: Meet Kate Middleton's family as she gets support from mom amid surgery recovery

"The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate," the palace said in a statement issued on Jan. 17. "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."

"The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements," the statement continued. "She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible."

William, the heir to the throne, postponed his public engagements while Kate was hospitalized.

He was spotted privately entering and exiting The London Clinic to visit Kate during her stay. The couple's three children are not believed to have visited Kate in the hospital.

Kate recovered at home after surgery

The palace announced on Jan. 29, nearly two weeks after Kate underwent surgery, that the princess had been discharged from the hospital.

From there, Kate continued her recovery at the family's home in Windsor, about 30 miles outside of London.

"The Princess of Wales has returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery from surgery. She is making good progress," a palace spokesperson said in a statement at the time. "The Prince and Princess wish to say a huge thank you to the entire team at The London Clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they have provided."

The spokesperson added, "The Wales family continues to be grateful for the well wishes they have received from around the world."

Since being home from the hospital, Kate has also spent time with her family at Anmer Hall, their home in Norfolk.

William has thanked the public for their support of Kate

After taking time off while Kate was hospitalized, William returned to his public duties on Feb. 7, stepping in for his father to lead an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Later that day, William joined actor Tom Cruise at a central London hotel for a charity fundraising gala for London's Air Ambulance.

At the gala, William made his first public remarks about Kate's health.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you, also, for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father, especially, in recent days," William said. "It means a great deal to us all."

Following up with a joke, William continued, "It's fair to say the past few weeks have had a rather 'medical' focus. So I thought I'd come to an air ambulance function to get away from it all."

William has since attended the BAFTAS on his own, an event at which Kate is traditionally by his side.

On Feb. 27, William sparked speculation after he missed a service of Thanksgiving for his godfather, King Constantine of Greece, at St. George's Chapel, citing a "personal matter."

PHOTO: Rabbi Daniel Epstein shows Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales a 17th century Torah scroll as he visits the Western Marble Arch Synagogue on February 29, 2024 in London, England. (Toby Melville/Wpa Pool/Getty Images)

William quickly returned to his public duties however, visiting the Western Marble Arch Synagogue in London later in the week.

In early March, a palace spokesperson issued a brief statement to People magazine on William's behalf in response to the online speculation around Kate's well-being,

The spokesperson said of William, "His focus is on his work and not on social media."

Kate has been mostly out of the public eye, in contrast to Charles

William's father Charles was briefly hospitalized at The London Clinic at the same time as Kate in January.

Charles stayed multiple nights at The London Clinic for a planned procedure to treat an enlarged prostate.

MORE: Princess Kate 'doing well' amid hospitalization following abdominal surgery: Palace source

Shortly after he was discharged from the hospital, Buckingham Palace announced the 75-year-old king had been diagnosed with cancer.

The palace has not specified Charles's type of cancer, the stage of cancer or the type of treatment he is receiving.

PHOTO: King Charles III and Queen Camilla host diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

In contrast to Kate, Charles has been seen publicly since his diagnosis, including attending church with Camilla in Sandringham and traveling back and forth to London for treatment.

In late February, the palace released photographs of Charles reading some of the cards and letters from well-wishes the palace says the king has received.

After Kate's cancer was announced publicly on March 22, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said in a statement that Charles was "so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did."

It is not known when Kate will resume public engagements

At the time of her surgery, the palace said Kate was not likely to resume her public duties until later this spring.

In past years, William and Kate and their children have been photographed walking to church on Easter Sunday alongside other members of the royal family.

The Wales family is now not expected to be seen publicly on Easter this year.

Kensington Palace said in a statement that Kate will return to official duties "when she is cleared to do so by her medical team."

"She is in good spirits and is focused on making a full recovery," the palace said.

The royal family is expected to gather together again publicly in June for the annual Trooping the Colour celebration for Charles' birthday.

The latest on Kate Middleton amid cancer diagnosis, photo controversy originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com
The Kansas Legislature in 2023 approved a rare state-run presidential primary for the first time in decades and only the third time in the state's history.

When it passed, the move was touted as an expansion of the voting access, rather than a caucus, which is more time consuming and less democratic.

But it also moves the responsibilities from statewide parties to the secretary of state and the cost from party donations to state funds. The budget for Tuesday's primary was $4.8 million, and the unofficial results show about 135,289 people cast a ballot in the election, a bit more than $35 per vote.

"Spending $5 million for 125,000 voters is probably not the most efficient use of state dollars," Secretary of State Scott Schwab said while polls were still open on Election Day.

Secretary of State Scott Schwab said he expects the Kansas Legislature to go back to the party-run caucus system after the results of the state-run presidential preference primary.

When those 135,000 voters cast their ballots, the race was already decided. Both incumbent Democratic President Joe Biden and former Republican President Donald Trump secured their nominations after winning nearly every race, with the exception of Vermont and Washington, D.C., for Trump and the U.S. territory Guam for Biden.

"Although the nominees for the general election are already decided, it's crucial we do our civic duty and exercise the right to vote in each and every election," Gov. Laura Kelly posted on social media.

With the national race settled before the race in Kansas began, the presidential preference primary became a way to signal the favorability of candidates than a competitive election. The Kansas Republican Party set the ambitious goal of becoming the state with the highest percentage of votes for Trump.

"The State of Alabama currently leads the nation with 83.2% voting for Donald Trump in their Republican Primary Election. Kansas can beat this percentage but it's going to take all of you," a Kansas GOP email said on March 8.

Trump didn't get there according to unofficial results, which clock him at about 76% of the 94,125 votes cast in the Republican primary. He was trailed by Nikki Haley at 16%, Ron DeSantis at 3% and Ryan Binkley at 1%. The remaining 5% of the Republican voters chose a write-in candidate that wasn't on the ballot.

But overall, Trump got about 52% of all votes cast in the state, and just a little more than double what Biden got.

Biden's closest challengers have also conceded, including Marianne Williamson with 3% of the vote, Dean Phillips with 1%. Jason Palmer with 1% of the Kansas vote hasn't conceded but has no viable path to the nomination. About 10% of Democrats chose a write-in candidate.

Shawnee County residents dropped off their ballots to cast their vote in the presidential primary elections Tuesday afternoon at the Shawnee County Election Office.

But the voters were just a tiny slice of the electorate. Fewer than 11% of registered Republicans cast a ballot, and just 8% of Democrats ended up voting. Primaries typically have much lower turnout than the general election, but even in 2020 with no presidential candidate on the ballot about 34% of registered voters cast a vote.

It did attract more people than the last Republican caucus in 2016, in which about 73,000 people voted. The state Republican party decided against holding presidential primaries or caucuses in 2020. That same year, the Kansas Democratic Party held its first ever ranked-choice primary, and garnered 10,000 more votes than the total number of voters in this year's presidential preference primary.

The election doesn't gauge the second-largest political faction in Kansas, though. Unaffiliated voters account for 561,674 registered voters, fewer than the 871,136 registered Republicans and more than the 504,452 registered Democrats.

Allowing Independents to vote is one of two prescriptions Washburn political scientist Bob Beatty recommended in a March 16 column in The Capital-Journal.

"First  like many other states do  allow unaffiliated voters to participate without joining a party, and second, the primary must be held on or before Super Tuesday, making the process actually meaningful," Beatty wrote.

Will there be a fourth presidential preference primary?

The legislation that approved the primary only applies to the 2024 election. Schwab speculated that future nomination processes probably won't follow the same mold in future contests.

"I would imaging going forward we'll probably take what is viewed as a political activity and give it back to the political parties," Schwab said.

The $5 million price tag could be reduced if it were tied to the statewide primary races, but that would push it back to August after the party conventions where they'd announce nominations.

"I think that if Kansas was a state where it did make a major difference, that's probably a different discussion," said Brenda Landwehr, R-Wichita, a critic of the original change to the primary process. "But it doesn't, so it's all about party, so that's why I think it should stay with the party."

Rep. Brenda Landwehr, R-Wichita, was an early critic of the presidential preference primary, believing it should be a party responsibility.

Both parties, which saved money with the state administering the election have been mum through official communication channels as of the Thursday after the election, and Republican and Democratic party communications officials didn't respond to The Capital-Journal's request for an interview.

To try a statewide presidential preference primary again, legislators would have to approve a law conferring responsibility to the state for the process.

The bill that authorized the election passed with a narrow supermajority in the Senate but recreating it after Tuesday's results may be a bigger ask.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas presidential preference primary had low turnout and high cost
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Residents along the Wabash River have criticized the Indianas Economic Development Corp.s plan to pipe up to 100 million gallons of water a day from Tippecanoe County to Lebanon  one-third of the width of the state.

Through the controversy, one of the plans biggest supporters has stayed firm on the pipeline construction  that supporter is Matt Gentry, Lebanons mayor.

When Gentry accepted an invitation to speak Tuesday with the West Lafayette-based grassroots group, Stop the Water Steal, it came as a surprise to many.

Gentry's support lies in the fact that Lebanon is the epicenter of the state's economic development corporation's Limitless Exploration/Advanced Pace (LEAP) project. Lebanon, however, does not have the water resources for the development, and the project proposes to pull the water it needs from Tippecanoe County aquifers lying beneath or near the Wabash River.

Residents meet at the West Lafayette Library to hear from Matt Gentry, the City of Lebanons Mayor at the Stop the Water Steal grassroots group's meeting, on Tuesday, March 21, 2024, in West Lafayette, Ind.

So far, the Indiana Economic Development Corp. has yet to build the water pipeline. Progress on its construction was stopped until the Indiana Finance Authority completes its water feasibility study.

Gentry speaks to the people

Gentry sat in front of Tippecanoe County residents Tuesday and answered questions curated by David Sanders, West Lafayette city councilman and the founder of Stop the Water Steal.

Many of the questions revolved around the morality of withdrawing water from Tippecanoe County without a complete understanding of the areas water resource or the wisdom behind building an industrial district in an area like Lebanon, which lacks the water resources needed to support such industry.

Gentry's main defense was that the decisions he made benefit the long-term growth of Lebanon and his community.

Matt Gentry, Mayor of the City of Lebanon and David Sanders, West Lafayette City Councilman and the founder of Stop the Water Steal speak at the Stop the Water Steal grassroots group's meeting, on Tuesday, March 21, 2024, in West Lafayette, Ind.

Its true you want to do whats best for Lebanon, but you dont seem to be considered about these other issues, which may be moral issues, they may be political issues, or fairness issues," Sanders said. "But it seems as if in your consideration for whats best for Lebanon, youre not taking into consideration for whats best for the rest of the state or whats best for human beings.

Gentry explained that he has been a good neighbor in Lebanon, specifically highlighting how the city has expanded its buffer zone for the industrial zone and how the city had been transparent with this process by only approving the annexation of land during public meetings and from owners who offered their land up voluntarily.

Although later in the meeting, Gentry elaborated on the process before annexation, explaining that the Indiana Economic Development Corp. privately meets with landowners to negotiate a contract to purchase the land for the LEAP district before an owner asks to annex their land.

David Sanders West Lafayette City Councilman and the founder of Stop the Water Steal speaks at the Stop the Water Steal grassroots group's meeting, on Tuesday, March 21, 2024, in West Lafayette, Ind.

As a leader and as someone who is trying to move the community forward, I certainly understand and can understand the perspective of people, but if you cant also look at this situation and see what benefits this has for Lebanon and what it can do for our community, youre not being fair either, Gentry said.

He defended the economic development corporation's decision to consider withdrawing water from the Wabash River aquifer, highlighting that within the current laws of the state surrounding water rights, the Indiana Economic Development Corp. legally owns the water rights underneath its Tippecanoe County properties. He even noted that there are laws in place if neighbors are affected by the water withdrawal.

One resident spoke against Gentry's statement, highlighting that Indiana laws don't protect a person's right to water, but rather they outline penalties if a person or company drains or damages the water resources for a region.

Gentry also addressed people's concerns about the lack of transparency from the economic development corporation and how it ultimately handled the situation.

Gentry noted their frustration but said people shouldnt redirect their anger at him or the city of Lebanon because he didn't propose the project. The state proposed it to him.

Matt Gentry Mayor of the City of Lebanon listens to residents as they express their frustration towards the LEAP project, at the Stop the Water Steal grassroots group's meeting, on Tuesday, March 21, 2024, in West Lafayette, Ind.

Im not the chamber of commerce, Im not the governor, Im not a state legislator. I dont have any say over the IEDCs transparency regulations," Gentry said.

From a city perspective and as a mayor, I have to look at what is in the best long-term interest for my citizens and my community," he said. "And Lebanon will be far better with LEAP than without LEAP.

Ultimately, he believed that the Tippecanoe County region could benefit from the LEAP project if the people of the region took a different approach.

I would encourage you to stop using the term 'our water' because based on state law, thats not the case," he said. Certainly, I think you can bring up concerns and your concerns with the study. Advocate for a stronger study.

When you start saying 'our water', 'Tippecanoe Countys water', its just not factually accurate. You just get off on the wrong foot when you say that," Gentry said.

I think its a little short-sighted to think that if theres a research park in Lebanon, Indiana, that Lafayette and West Lafayette wont benefit from it. We have people that work in Lebanon that live in Lafayette or West Lafayette.

Gentry defends and explains the IEDCs reasoning for picking Lebanon

Throughout the meeting, Gentry explained how the state's economic development corporation ultimately decided to pick Lebanon as the center for its new project.

Gentry noted that he was not initially informed about the plans to construct the LEAP district within Boone County, instead hearing rumors about large parcels of farmland being purchased near Lebanon.

It wasnt until Indiana leadership wanted to meet with Gentry that he officially realized who was behind the land purchases.

Police wait outside of the West Lafayette Library meeting room as residents hear from Matt Gentry, the City of Lebanons Mayor at the Stop the Water Steal grassroots group's meeting, on Tuesday, March 21, 2024, in West Lafayette, Ind.

He explained that the Indiana Economic Development Corp. was interested in Lebanon because of the large parcels of land that were owned by a few owners, and the ease of acquiring land for their project.

Boone County ordinance restricted farmers from subdividing their land or selling off small parcels of their land, Gentry explained. This made it easier for the economic development corporation to buy up large swathes of land for the industrial park.

It created this availability, this massive amount of farmland with relatively few owners. And thats how the state was able to assemble 10,000-some acres," Gentry said.

When Gentry first met with Gov. Eric Holcomb, he was excited to hear the news about the LEAP district but highlighted that the area lacks a water source. Holcomb explained they could overcome, Gentry explained.

Indy plans to tap into the Wabash River aquifer, too

The LEAP district was also meant to kill two birds with one stone.

Gentry explained by 2050, Indianapolis would need to access additional water resources if it plans to grow. The LEAP pipeline was also meant to serve as a pipeline for Indianapolis access to water located from Northern Indiana.

Sheila Klinker, Indiana State Representative speaks at the Stop the Water Steal grassroots group's meeting, on Tuesday, March 21, 2024, in West Lafayette, Ind.

The concept was to use economic development to fund the infrastructure. By giving it to Lebanon, that would certainly be a big length of getting it to Indianapolis to solve a much larger water problem that we have looming by 2050, Gentry said.

Thats a looming problem. Lafayette and West Lafayette are important economic engines in the state, but Indianapolis is an even bigger one," Gentry said. "And they know thats an issue that were going to have to solve long term.

And thats something that is being talked about, and this is the first attempt to solve that problem.

However, Gentry also noted that the pipeline would only be built if an end user needed the water.

The pipeline that is being constructed from Lafayette to Lebanon is not even a guaranteed thing today," Gentry said. "I think thats being missed in a lot of this, the only reason we would need the pipeline is if we have a significant water user that comes in.

Noe Padilla is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. Email him at Npadilla@jconline.com and follow him on X at 1NoePadilla.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Gentry defends and explains the reasoning for Lebanon LEAP project
Francesco Serdoz at Cosmartor Intelligent Suspension Tech. (Qingdao) Co., Ltd [Photo provided to China.org.cn]



This spring is an exciting period for Francesco Serdoz, an Italian postgraduate majoring in automation and control engineering at Politecnico di Milano, a public scientific-technological university located in Italy. For the last three months, he has been an international academic visitor at an intelligent suspension company in Qingdao, a seaside city located in east China's Shandong province.

"For me, it is a unique opportunity to make an important first practice in a company and collaborate with a Chinese team," Serdoz told China.org.cn during a recent interview.

After applying for a research group based at Politecnico di Milano, which collaborates with the School of Vehicles and Mobility of Tsinghua University in Beijing, Serdoz received the chance to spend three months as an intern at Cosmartor Intelligent Suspension Tech. Co., Ltd. His daily work mainly included checking cars' setup and calibrating parameters. "It is really a rewarding position since I need to collaborate with the team both from Italy and China, and in an international environment that is the fundamental key of the success of the company," he said, referring to his internship experience.

Cosmartor Intelligent Suspension Technology (Qingdao) Co., Ltd. manufactures intelligent suspension systems for the automotive industry by utilizing magnetorheological suspension technology created by the School of Vehicles at Tsinghua University and the Automation Department of Politecnico di Milano, according to the company's official website. Cosmartor Intelligent Suspension Technology (Qingdao) Co., Ltd. was co-founded in 2019 by Professor Wei Yintao from the School of Vehicle and Mobility, Tsinghua University, and Professor Sergio Savaresi at Politecnico di Milano. It is located in the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area (SCODA) in Jiaozhou, a county-level city of Qingdao.

In the past few years, Qingdao has aimed to attract more international companies to encourage high-quality development and enhance its efforts in becoming an innovative scientific hub. To this end, Jiaozhou has created and disseminated a series of support policies for innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that use special and sophisticated technologies to produce novel and unique products. The area has also built a high-quality enterprise echelon cultivation system and established a three-level enterprise cultivation system ranging from the municipal to the national level.

As a coastal city, Qingdao is inherently open and inclusive, with a local objective of becoming a nationally recognized important open city. The establishment of the SCODA, which emerged as an essential hub for high-tech development and business, has undoubtedly given the city unprecedented opportunities for high-level opening up and high-quality development.

The SCODA has established incentives for companies that focus on high-tech development to quickly begin projects in the area. In the case of Cosmartor, project inspection and project signing were completed in just half a month, according to Li Xuebing, the general manager at Cosmartor. "This is not only recognition and support for the project, but also a reflection of Qingdao's great openness," he added.

"Working in a continuously growing environment makes me give all that I can offer for taking the company even farther," said Serdoz, sharing what he gained during his time at Cosmartor. "I think the open environment will attract more and more international cooperators to come," he told China.org.cn while also expressing that, as a student who likes to travel abroad, he has never felt as safe and happy as he has during his time in China.

"I would like to learn Chinese and continue to collaborate with Chinese companies after my graduation," he added, saying that he will encourage more of his classmates to apply for this internship position.
AUGUSTA, Kan. (KSNW)  A Marine and resident of Augusta didnt see combat during Vietnam. His job was to support combat troops by making sure they had such things as power in the field, fresh food in the mess hall, air conditioning, and warm water to take showers.

Jim Herron always wanted to serve. After all, his father was an Army Air Corps B-29 tail gunner during World War II. His older brother was a Marine. So, while he was a senior at Circle High School in 1972, Herron volunteered to join the Marines, thinking his call-up would be delayed. However, his draft number was called two weeks after graduation, and he was off to boot camp.

A BNSF train rolls through southeast Augusta.

U.S. Army veteran fired howitzers into North Vietnam

Herrons home is located maybe a hundred yards away from the busy railroad line south of his property.

This is the main line. This is the line going from California and down south and going back east, said Herron from his living room as another train roared by.

Trains are constantly passing by as Herron recalls his days as an active U.S. Marine, beginning in 1972.

Camp LeJeune (North Carolina) was where I went to 1161 school and 1142 school, which was electrical equipment repairman. I worked on refrigeration units and generators, and converters for radar units and stuff like that, he said.

MOS 1161 is a Marine apprenticeship program for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technicians. MOS 1142 is for an Engineer Equipment Electrical Systems Technician.

After nine months of training at Camp LeJeune, Herron was ordered to El Toro Naval Station in California, where he was part of a Marine Air Control Group.

What we were was we were a generator unit. We had generators, and there were field generators on trailers. And the other units in the base, they kind of like, you know, like, theyre gonna go out and run a field problem, which is an exercise to act like youre in a real combat situation, explained Herron. They will not do it randomly, but anyhow, theyll tell you, hey, we need this much power. So, then what we do is we send the generators with them to wherever theyre going, and with operators to run them. And thats what we did.

Herron was at El Toro for 13 months before receiving orders to go overseas to Japan.

And there, we were an engineering unit, and we supplied everything. We had water purification, showers, washers. We set up mess halls. Wed make a camp for people to come back to from behind the lines, he said.

His unit set up home bases for various air wings while in Japan. Then, he returned to the states.

I was stationed at Camp Pendleton Area 21 down in Del Mar, and I was with a motor-T unit, but I had security clearance. So, I worked in a radar and where upper crypto gear was at, said Herron.

There, Herron worked on air conditioning for the radar units.

Then, after that one, we went to TwentyNine Palms and set up another combat situation. And we set up everything out there. That was the whole nine yards. That was a big one. There was aircraft. We set up showers and tents and chow halls and water purification and washing your clothes. We had huge washers on trailers and stuff like that, and we had water heaters, he said. And then, I got out when I was there. That was when my time was up.

That was in 1976.

Herron briefly returned home to Augusta, then joined the Marine Corps Reserves in Austin, Texas, for one year. He was in the Inactive Reserves for another year before he decided it was time to step away from the Marines.

Herron was never in combat, but that doesnt minimize his support role during the Vietnam War.

Navy pilot flew nighttime missions during Korean War

Everybody has a place. Yes, everybody has a job. You do your job. And regardless if youre in combat or not, everybody has that job. And that job supports people even if they are over in a combat situation or not, he said. That job is just like a support person supply. You know, you have a job to get stuff done, and that was it.

Jims memories of his days in the Marines come and go as frequently as those trains roll by each day.

I remember the camaraderie. We were always together. You were dependent on the person that was your bunkie, and you depended on the people that you are always around. They were your family so to speak, and I hate to say it, but thats true, he said.

Herron has two sons. The youngest, Ryan, is also a Marine.

Herrons life after the service revolved around servicing everything from restaurant equipment to air conditioning units to automobiles. He retired from Wichita States automotive physical plant in 2018. Currently, he delivers auto parts for Napa Auto Parts in Augusta.

His pride and joy are his two hot rods, a 1976 Nova and a 1987 Monte Carlo.

If you want to nominate a veteran for our Veteran Salute, email KSN reporter Jason Lamb at jason.lamb@ksn.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
MANTEO  North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey, after holding an insurance forum March 18 in Manteo, addressed public criticism in an interview with The Virginian-Pilot.

Causey is from Guilford County and has served as state insurance commissioner since 2017.

He won his three-way Republican primary March 5 with almost 61% of the vote, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections website. About 24% of the states eligible voters cast ballots.

He faces Natasha Marcus, the Democratic candidate for insurance commissioner and a three-term state senator from Mecklenburg County, in the general election this November.

Marcus has criticized Causey for making settlements that allow insurance rate increases.

During his eight years in office, he has approved an unprecedented number of rate hikes and refuses to hold public hearings, Marcus wrote on her campaign website.

Commissioner addresses residents concerns as Outer Banks faces major insurance hikes

Causey told The Pilot that in looking at the history of rate filings, the Rate Bureau seems to be filing requests for increases more frequently in recent years.

He has also faced backlash over his support of the updated consent to rate legislation, which went into effect in 2019.

Weve heard some pushback from consumers about the aspect of consent to rate that allows insurance companies to charge several times over what is typically allowed, Causey told The Pilot.

The not to exceed cap of 250% for residential property and of 550% for auto physical damage will remain in effect, Causey wrote in a June, 29, 2018, bulletin about consent to rate changes published by digital news magazine The Assembly.

Consumers have appreciated the aspect of consent to rate that eliminates the need for time-sensitive signatures for companies to not drop their policies, he said.

Causey has also faced criticism for hiring political allies and friends for above-average rates, as reported in several articles by Raleighs The News & Observer.

The median salary for state employees is $56,252, according to the most recent article, which was published Jan. 16.

Since Causey took office in 2017, a longtime friend and campaign supporter has been driving him at public expense from his Greensboro home to his Raleigh office and as far away as Santa Fe, New Mexico, earning as much as $84,000 in one year, according to The News & Observer article.

When The Pilot asked about that, Causey called the article false journalism and a political hit job. But he didnt disagree with the figures outlined in the article, such as part-time driver Roger Blackwells $44-an-hour pay rate.

The people of this state have more than gotten their moneys worth from what hes contributed, Causey said, outlining Blackwells driving qualifications, the fact hes a sworn law enforcement officer and that hes a retired Allstate insurance adjuster.

In addition to driving, Blackwell has helped at different times with scheduling Causeys events, speech-writing and serving as an adviser, Causey added.

He noted that Blackwells campaign contributions of about $10,000 over 30 years had nothing to do with this person being hired. He was the best qualified, and still is.

When asked about John Woodard, another man hed hired, Causey verbally distanced himself.

The Department of Insurance terminated Woodard last July, according to a Nov. 2 article in The News & Observer.

I met him at a couple of political events, Causey said. I would call him an acquaintance.

After Causey hired Woodard part-time, the departments engineering division hired him full-time to assess the risk on state-owned buildings and determine if the state had the proper amount of insurance on them.

Hes a disgruntled employee, Causey said. If he didnt do some of the work he claimed, he should repay the state for what he was paid.
An American Airlines passenger is accused of acting erratically and threatening to take this plane down when he was drunk on a flight, Florida authorities said.

The 29-year-old faces two counts of battery and one charge of disorderly intoxication, according to Hillsborough County records.

On March 19, the man boarded a flight in Tampa bound for Philadelphia, according to an arrest affidavit from the Tampa International Airport Police Department.

His eyes were bloodshot and his breath smelled of alcohol, police reported.

Shortly after boarding, he began yelling at passengers with slurred speech, police said.

He cursed out blue eyed white devils, and said he would take the plane down, according to police.

Hes became aggressive, police said, and is accused of spitting on someone and hitting someone in the face.

A series of videos posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, show the man using antisemitic slurs and pushing another passenger before hes placed in a headlock and escorted off the flight.

He was arrested and booked in a Hillsborough County jail on a $2,150 bond, according to jail records.

McClatchy News reached out to the countys public defenders office for comment but could not immediately get in touch with his attorney on March 22.

Prior to departure of American Airlines flight 2506 with service from Tampa (TPA) to Philadelphia (PHL), law enforcement was requested to the aircraft due to a disturbance in the cabin involving a disruptive customer, a spokesperson for American Airlines said in an emailed statement to McClatchy News. We thank our team for their professionalism and apologize to our customers for the inconvenience.

The incident caused the flight to be delayed.

Jail records showed the man is from California and lives in Tampa.

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More than three centuries after the legendary San Jose galleon sank off the coast of Colombia while laden with gold, silver and emeralds, the nation has officially approved a plan to recover the wreck and its treasures, officials announced this week.

Dubbed the "holy grail" of shipwrecks, the 316-year-old wreck has been controversial since it was discovered in 2015, because it is both an archaeological and economic treasure -- estimated to be worth billions of dollars.

"For the first time in history, a model of comprehensive public management of the archaeological site and asset of cultural interest, protected by regulations and public missionality, is advanced," the Colombian government said in a news release Tuesday.

Colombian will invest more than $1 million in the recovery process, which is expected to get underway next month, officials said.

Last month, Culture Minister Juan David Correa told Agence France-Presse that an underwater robot would be sent to recover some of its bounty.

The Spanish San Jose Galleon sunk in the Caribbean in 1708 after a battle with the British. New data suggests such shipwrecks could reveal the history of hurricanes in the region. / Credit: Samuel Scott

Between April and May, the robot would extract some items from "the surface of the galleon" to see "how they materialize when they come out (of the water) and to understand what we can do" to recover the rest of the treasures, said Correa.

The robot will work at a depth of 600 meters to remove items such as ceramics, pieces of wood and shells "without modifying or damaging the wreck," Correa told AFP aboard a large naval ship.

The location of the expedition is being kept secret to protect what is considered one of the greatest archaeological finds in history from malicious treasure hunters.

The San Jose galleon was owned by the Spanish crown when it was sunk by the British navy near Cartagena in 1708. Only a handful of its 600-strong crew survived.

The ship had been heading back from the New World to the court of King Philip V of Spain, laden with treasures such as chests of emeralds and some 200 tons of gold coins.

Before Colombia announced the discovery in 2015, it was long sought after by treasure hunters.

The expedition to start recovering the shipwreck's trove comes as a case is underway at the UN's Permanent Court of Arbitration between Colombia and the U.S.-based salvage company Sea Search Armada -- which claims it found the wreck first over 40 years ago.

In June 2022, Colombia said that a remotely operated vehicle reached 900 meters below the surface of the ocean, showing new images of the wreckage.

The video showed the best-yet view of the treasure that was aboard the San Jose  including gold ingots and coins, cannons made in Seville in 1655 and an intact Chinese dinner service.

At the time, Reuters reported the remotely operated vehicle also discovered two other shipwrecks in the area, including a schooner thought to be from about two centuries ago.

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As Ukraine aid languishes, some House members work on end run to approve funds

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Mike Johnson may not be out of a job just yet, but staying on as House speaker is going to cost him.

Several House Democrats indicated Friday that they would be willing to shield Johnson from Representative Marjorie Taylor Greenes motion to vacate. In exchange, the speaker must bring a Ukraine aid package to the floor for a vote.

If Taylor Greene puts forth a motion to vacate because theres a bill on the floor that we have the ability to vote onthe Senate-passed Ukraine billI would absolutely vote to table, Representative Abigail Spanberger told Politico.



She was referring to a $95 billion aid package that has already passed the Senate with broad bipartisan support. The measure includes $60 billion in aid for Ukraine, an increasingly unpopular issue among far-right Republicans, as well as aid for Israel and Taiwan. If the package were to go up for a House vote, it is widely expected to pass, but Johnson has so far refused to bring the measure to the floor.

I think Speaker Johnson should demonstrate a willingness to govern in a way that is helpful to the plight of democracy and our allies across the world, Spanberger said.

Representative Jamie Raskin said that voting to table the motion to vacate would not be about saving Mike Johnson.

Ill make a common cause and an alliance with anybody in Congress who will try to save the Ukrainian people at this point, the Maryland Democrat said.

The lawmakers are likely taking their cue from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who said recently that his caucus would be willing to support Johnson if he brought the aid package up for a vote.

It does seem to me, Jeffries told The New York Times in late February, based on informal conversations, that were Speaker Johnson to do the right thing relative to meeting the significant national security needs of the American people by putting it on the floor for an up-or-down vote, there will be a reasonable number of people in the House Democratic Caucus who will take the position that he should not fall as a result.

Johnson has previously refused to consider the aid package because it does not include regulations for the U.S.-Mexico border that he considers strict enough. But in recent days, he privately told some Democrats that he would prioritize foreign aid next and would put a Ukraine aid bill to a vote after Easter recess, according to Politico.

Other Democrats, including Tom Suozzi and Jared Moskowitz, indicated Friday that they would back Johnsons efforts to remain speaker. Moskowitz made it clear on social media that he does not actually support Johnson but just wants to ensure that Greene does not take over the peoples House.

Greene revealed Friday that she had filed a motion to vacate Johnson, just moments before the House voted to approve a $1.2 trillion omnibus spending bill. The Georgia Republican, who just four months ago backed Johnson for speaker, said she wanted him to view her motion as a warning. But Greene said she intended to bring the motion to a vote, she just wasnt sure when that would happen.
Launch of a Russian Soyuz rocket carrying a cosmonaut commander, a guest flier from Belarus and NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson was aborted at the T-minus 20-second mark Thursday, delaying the crew's planned flight to the International Space Station.

With veteran commander Oleg Novitskiy at the controls, flanked on the left by Belarus spaceflight participant Marina Vasilevskaya and on the right by Dyson, the countdown was ticking smoothly toward liftoff at 9:21 a.m. EDT when an unidentified controller called an abort.

Access gantries are lifted back into position after launch of the Soyuz MS-25/71S spacecraft was aborted at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. / Credit: NASA TV

No explanation was immediately provided, but NASA's launch commentator said the crew was safe and the vehicle was in a stable configuration. Ground crews quickly regained access to help Novitskiy, Vasilevskaya and Dyson out of the Soyuz MS-25/71S spacecraft.

Based on the space station's orbit, the next launch opportunity is Saturday morning, setting up a docking at the lab complex Monday. But that will depend on exactly what went wrong and what might be required to fix it. As of Thursday afternoon, no decisions had been made.

But one thing was clear. Flight controllers in Houston told the space station crew "it's going to be a few days before you guys have visitors up there."

The Soyuz MS-25/71S crew (left to right): NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, spacecraft commander Oleg Novitskiy and Belarus guest flier Marina Vasilevskaya. Dyson plans to spend six months aboard the station, replacing astronaut Loral O'Hara. Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya will spend just 12 days aboard the outpost and will return to Earth with O'Hara after about two weeks on the station. / Credit: NASA

In the meantime, SpaceX engineers pressed ahead with launch of a Falcon 9 rocket from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 4:55 p.m., sending a Dragon cargo ship on a 38-hour flight to deliver 6,200 pounds of science gear, spare parts and crew supplies to the space station.

The flight plan calls for the Cargo Dragon to catch up with the lab and move in for docking around 7:30 a.m. Saturday. Whether countdown clocks at the Baikonur Cosmodrome will be ticking toward a second Soyuz launch attempt is not yet know. But if the flight proceeds, liftoff would be expected at 8:36 a.m.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 blasts off from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, boosting a Dragon cargo ship into orbit for a flight to deliver supplies to the International Space Station. / Credit: Spaceflight Now

Whenever they arrive, Novitskiy, Vasilevskaya and Dyson will be joining ISS commander Oleg Kononenko, cosmonauts Nikolai Chub and Alexander Grebenkin and NASA astronauts Loral O'Hara, Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt and Jeanette Epps.

Vasilevskaya, an accomplished ballroom dancer and flight attendant with Belavia Airlines, is the first citizen of Belarus, a staunch ally of Russia, to be named to a spaceflight since the breakup of the Soviet Union. She was selected as a "spaceflight participant" in a nationwide competition and will conduct research for scientists in Belarus.

Russian Orthodox priests bless the Soyuz 2.1a rocket before launch in a long-standing tradition at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. / Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

"I'm so proud to represent our republic, I'm so proud we have this project," she said before boarding the Soyuz for launch."

Dyson is making her third spaceflight and her second aboard a Soyuz. Despite tension between the United States and Russia, the crew appears to get along well together.

"It's actually been a real delight working with Marina," Dyson said. "She's got a fantastic attitude, and that goes a long way when you're working together with emergency masks on your face in awful conditions trying to get through (emergency training) procedures. She's been a real delight to work with."

Kononenko, Chub and O'Hara were launched to the station last Sept. 15 aboard the Soyuz MS-24/70S spacecraft. Dominick, Barratt, Epps and Grebenkin were launched on March 3 aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon ferry ship. Known as Crew 8, they replaced four other Crew Dragon fliers  Crew 7  who returned to Earth on March 12 after a short handover.

Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya plan to spend 12 days aboard the space station. O'Hara will replace Dyson for the trip home and the trio will return to Earth aboard the Soyuz MS-24/70S spacecraft that carried O'Hara, Kononenko and Chub into orbit last September.

Kononenko and Chub are midway through a planned yearlong stay aboard the station. If all goes well, they will return to Earth next September, along with Dyson, using the Soyuz MS-25/71S ferry ship delivered by Novitskiy's crew. With O'Hara's return, the latest crew rotation sequence will be complete.

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Two men allegedly killed by an Idaho inmate who escaped custody this week with the help of an accomplice have been identified.

James L. Mauney, 83, and 72-year-old Gerald "Don" Henderson were killed near their homes during the massive manhunt for Skylar Meade, who escaped from Idaho Department of Corrections custody, allegedly with assistance from Nicholas Umphenour, Idaho State Police said. The two suspects were captured on Thursday.

The homicide victims were discovered in Nez Perce and Clearwater, police said.

Officials believe James L. Mauney, 83, was murdered by escaped Idaho suspects. / Credit: Idaho Missing Persons Clearinghouse

Mauney, of Juliaetta, was walking his two dogs when police said he and the animals were driven eastbound in his silver 2019 Chrysler Pacifica. Police didn't specify who drove the vehicle with Mauney and the dogs inside to a desolate area near Leland, near the Washington border. Law enforcement located the abandoned vehicle and said they later found Mauney's body nearby. Police said it appears Mauney did not know the suspects.

Police found Henderson's body outside of his home in a secluded area near Orofino, which is about 60 miles from the Washington border. Police said Mauney's dogs and a pair of shackles they believe belong to Meade were found at Henderson's house. Police said they believed Henderson knew the suspects but didn't know how well or for how long. Officials said they gave the dogs back to Mauney's family.

Both Meade and Umphenour, who were members of a white supremacist gang, were arrested on Thursday afternoon outside of Twin Falls, approximately 45 miles from the Nevada border. The suspects were taken into custody after a short chase.

A 52-year-old female from Filer was also arrested on charges related to Meade's escape. Police said she was booked into the Twin Falls County Jail.

A screenshot from Twin Falls Police Department video shows arrest of Idaho escapee Skylar Meade. / Credit: Twin Falls Police Department

The Clearwater County Coroner's Office and the Nez Perce County Coroner's Office identified the victims. Both causes and manners of death for the two homicides remain under investigation.

The suspects were arraigned on Friday afternoon, according to online records. Each had their bail set at $2 million.

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A Florida private school owner is accused of misappropriating state program funds meant for her academy, deputies said.

The owner of Touch by an Angel Learning Academy in Lake City was charged after deputies say she stole more than $1.3 million in state funding designated for her school, according to a March 21 Columbia County Sheriffs Office news release. The K-12 school advertised having smaller class sizes and a 1:1 teacher to child ratio in 2023, per its Facebook page.

The investigation into the academy was prompted by a citizen tip, Sheriff Mark Hunter said in the release. The sheriffs office received information in December that the owner was misusing state funding that was meant for the school, deputies said.

The school had applied for funding from two state programs: the Early Learning Coalition  an organization meant to improve learning for children 5 and younger  and Step up for Students, a state-funded scholarship program for private schooling. Deputies say the owner fraudulently obtained money from the programs.

The sheriffs office conducted searches of a home and the academy Thursday, March 21, after obtaining warrants, deputies said.

Deputies then filed an arrest warrant for the woman and charged her with grand theft and fraud, according to the sheriffs office.

Attorney information for the 50-year-old owner wasnt listed in the release or jail records.

There may be other people associated in the fraud case, so the investigation is ongoing, deputies said. Anyone with information can contact 386-752-7015 or Crime Stoppers of Columbia County for anonymous tips at 386-754-7099.

Lake City is about a 60-mile drive southwest of Jacksonville.

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The catastrophe that is Haiti is real, as are the humanitarian and security repercussions for Florida. So, Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott were justified in asking how the Biden administration planned to address the burgeoning crisis, in a letter that could be described as both strongly worded and, unfortunately, counterproductive.

"Your entire administration can be summed up as this: You create a magnet for illegal immigration here, appease evil regimes and put the American people at risk, while further expecting taxpayers to pay for the unrest, humanitarian crises and mass border crossings that result," the March 15 letter reads. It goes on to raise valid questions about preventing a mass migration of Haitians into the United States, preventing criminals from entering and dealing with those individuals who make it to our shores. "As we watch the tragic events in Haiti unfold, we and many of our fellow Floridians are concerned that your administration will continue this dangerous record."

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Asking the Biden administration for a plan is one thing. Rehashing the hyperbole all too common in a Congress that finds it easier to point fingers than address problems, is something else entirely. Haiti is a foreign disaster that is ill-served by partisan sniping. The Biden administration and Florida's Republican senators need to share their best ideas and deal with the issue  Haiti.

Haiti is a nation in turmoil. Food is in short supply. There is no functioning government. Armed gangs control the streets and demand roles in any new government. The island nation is awash in death, violence and poverty, and the U.S. is an attractive haven for safety and second chances. Our country is home to an estimated 1.1 million people of Haitian descent, according to 2021 Census data. Almost half of them live in Florida.

US blunders hurt Haiti and Florida

Truth is, the Biden administration, along with much of the international community, were caught flatfooted when Prime Minister Ariel Henry was forced to resign. The crisis came amid seemingly perpetual divisions in Washington. Last week, congressional Republicans blocked $40 million in security assistance that the Biden administration had requested last year to help stabilize Haiti. Republican lawmakers insist the that Biden administration hasn't explained how the money would be spent in Henry's absence. The administration counters that it has provided briefings and updates to address ongoing concerns and that it simply needs Congress to act.

Work-til-you-die argument no reason to scuttle Social Security, Ben Shapiro

If this sounds like the refrain of a divided, do-nothing Congress, it should.

Earlier this month, congressional Republicans showed their preference for sticking it to Biden rather than enacting a compromise they initially wanted to help resolve the immigration crisis at the southern border. After Senate Republicans won major concessions from their Democratic counterparts on a bill that included new restrictions on border crossings, higher legal standard of proof to pass initial screenings for asylum, and a new process in which select asylum claims could bypass the immigration court system, House Republicans rejected the compromise. And after Former President Donald Trump pronounced that the bill would be a victory for Biden, Senate Republicans, including Rubio and Scott, voted to kill the deal altogether, making clear that Republican strategy preferred affixing blame to finding solutions.

Given the looming crisis, bridging the partisan divide shouldn't be this hard. In Rubio, Florida already has a senator who understands the complexity of the crisis. He's worked with Democratic senators to ensure trade benefits for Haiti and on security legislation that requires the U.S. Department of State to identify the relationships between Haiti's elites and criminal gangs. His frustration is understandable, even if the tone of his letter with Scott is not.

"It's an unfair question in many cases, but what is the Biden Administration's plan or view of what the solution here is?" Rubio asked during a Senate Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere hearing last summer. "Frankly I'm at a loss for understanding. This isn't a blame assignment. This is a testament to the intricacy of this problem, how difficult it is."

It's a question that should prompt an answer from both the Biden administration and Republicans in Congress. Because, the longer they dither in the air conditioned comfort of Washington, the longer the unspeakable suffering worsens in Haiti.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida should help Haiti and put different opinions aside.
You are here: China

China's Ministry of Justice on Thursday unveiled a plan to deliver improved, accelerated and streamlined notary services for the public, covering areas such as contracts, donations, inheritance and property partitions.

The plan outlines a March-December campaign that will reduce the time required for various notary services in accordance with local conditions, and relieve those applying for notary services of unnecessary or redundant paperwork.

The plan ensures that notarization services for eligible applicants will be completed in a single visit, and requires coordinated efforts to provide one-stop services for cases involving multiple notary entities.

It also specifies work to advance the digitization of notary services, provide convenient, expedited and door-to-door services for the elderly and people with disabilities, and improve outreach services for enterprises.
Russia plans to increase its troops along its border with NATO, Lithuania's prime minister said.

Ingrida Simonyte said Russia is returning to a Cold War posture and Europe needs to be prepared.

Estonia also warned that Russia may double its troops along NATO's border compared to 2022 figures

Russia is returning to its Cold War posture and is preparing to seriously grow the number of troops that it has along its shared borders with NATO, Lithuania's prime minister warned.

Ingrida Simonyte told Business Insider in an interview that the rebuilding of Russia's military capacities on its borders with NATO member states means that it is "returning to the Cold War sort of posture."

Her comments came after Estonia's foreign intelligence service warned last month that Russia plans to double the number of troops it has along its borders with Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, and Finland.

That report said that Russia could double the number of troops on those borders compared to 2022, the year it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, when it had 19,000.

Simonyte said that Russia hadn't made this move yet but "the intention is very clear."

She also said Russia "needs time to find people for this and also rebuild the tanks and the heavy armor and everything that should be stationed along with the troops."

Russia's military has suffered significant losses in Ukraine.

Even so, Simonyte said that Europe needs to prepare, and if Ukraine loses major ground to Russia then Europe will need to act quickly.

Lithuania, which borders the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, was once part of the Soviet Union but is now a member of the EU and NATO. It's been one of the most vocal in urging support for Ukraine.

Russia's border with NATO has more than doubled since Finland joined in April 2023. Finland cited Russia's invasion of Ukraine as its reason for joining the military alliance.

Business Insider

Lithuania and its neighbors have been busy improving their border defenses, including with bunkers.

Simonyte said that such a move was important to deter Russia and defend against any attacks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has escalated his rhetoric against the Baltic states, setting the stage for potential "future escalations," US think tank the Institute for the Study of War said in January.

It said that Putin may be laying the groundwork for "future aggressive" actions under the pretext of protecting its "compatriots."

As Business Insider previously reported, this is the kind of language Putin used before he launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Simonyte also said that European countries are now investing in defense in ways that would have been "unimaginable" before Russia's invasion, but that they still need to do more both to help Ukraine and boost their own arsenals.

She said that "the outcome of this fight in Ukraine is crucial for Europe."

Read the original article on Business Insider
A Tennessee school district doesnt want an After School Satan Club to meet at its elementary school and is accused of defying the First Amendment with efforts to thwart it, according to a new federal lawsuit.

The club is sponsored by the Satanic Temple, a non-theistic church recognized by the IRS and self-described as the primary religious Satanic organization in the world.

The After School Satan Club was launched at Chimneyrock Elementary School in Memphis, Tennessee, for students who may not feel welcomed or more comfortable at other, more traditional religious clubs, and after two parents expressed an interest in it, the lawsuit filed March 19 says.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools doesnt support the Satanic Temple or the club, according to the suit, but approved the program in December out of legal obligation  to the disappointment of some parents, McClatchy News previously reported.

The club has been met with overt hostility and disdain from school officials, the lawsuit says.

The Satanic Temple, based in Salem, Massachusetts, has established more than five clubs in U.S. public schools and hopes to launch more clubs in other districts, according to the suit.

After School Satan Club is declared the enemy

The chair of the Shelby County Board of Education, Althea Greene, discussed canceling the agenda of the Satanic Temple during a Dec. 13 news conference, the suit says.

She declared the temple, and its club, the school districts enemy, saying Satan has no room in this district, according to the suit.

The district has refused to treat the Satanic Temple equally in comparison to a Christian Good News Club, which meets weekly at the elementary school, the suit says.

It has charged the Satanic Temple higher weekly rental and security fees for hosting the club on school grounds than it charges the Good News Club, according to the lawsuit.

The district cannot pick and choose how much it charges an organization  based on how much it does or does not favor the organizations viewpoint, the lawsuit says.

The Satanic Temple is suing the Shelby County Board of Education for serious First Amendment violations, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the organization representing the temple, said in a March 20 news release.

It is accused of discriminating against the temple and its club.

The Satanic Temple simply wants to be treated equally to other groups renting school facilities, June Everett, the ordained minister of the Satanic Temple and the After School Satan Clubs campaign director, told McClatchy News in a statement on March 22.

The Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board of Education maintains that its policy for renting school facilities applies to various groups, regardless of affiliation, according to a statement provided to McClatchy News.

Our legal team is actively working on the lawsuit, and as a school board, we are committed to ensuring that students, staff, and families are supported as we finish the school year successfully, the school board said March 22.

Does the Satanic Temple worship Satan?

The Satanic Temple has seven tenets that are central to its mission as an organization.

One should strive to act with compassion and empathy toward all creatures in accordance with reason, the first tenet says.

The temple doesnt worship Satan but considers Satan to be a literary figure who represents a metaphorical construct of rejecting tyranny, championing the human mind and spirit, and seeking justice and egalitarianism for all, the suit says.

Why the After School Satan Club was created

The After School Satan Club is against public schools exposing students to different religious organizations, according to the temples website.

It will only open a club if other religious groups are operating on campus, the website says.

The club offers students community service projects, activities related to nature and science, and creativity, according to the lawsuit.

Its program is inspired by Satanic virtues and helps children build social and emotional skills and provides a framework for helping them understand the world around them, the lawsuit says.

The school districts illegal tactics

The first After School Satan Club was held at Chimneyrock Elementary School on Jan. 10, according to the lawsuit.

Since then, the school district has changed what time the club is allowed to meet from 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., which caused logistical issues, so the club moved to 8 a.m., the lawsuit says.

This forced the club to change its name to the Before School Satan Club, according to the suit, which notes the Good News Club also meets at the same time.

In addition to changing the clubs start time, the district is accused of canceling the temples rental applications and refusing to communicate with the Temple regarding these rates, the Freedom From Religion Foundation said in its release.

Its clear that such illegal tactics are fueled by hostility and meant to stop the club, according to the organization.

The lawsuit says the district has chilled the Satanic Temples speech and wants the court to declare that the school district is violating the Constitution.

The temple seeks $1 in nominal damages.

Nominal damages, a small monetary amount, are awarded to declare a plaintiff was right but suffered no substantial harm, according to Law.com.

The After School Satan Club (and Before School Satan Club) are requesting fair and equal access to rent school facilities without being discriminated against, Everett told McClatchy News.

School bars Satanic club from meeting after chaos erupts. Now judge overrules them

After School Satan Club coming to California elementary school has parents in uproar

After-School Satan Club planned at Illinois elementary school. District explains why
About three years after Lee County first responders last received new ambulances that would help them identify heart attacks or stop bleeding, 10 new ambulances are making their way here.

About three years after Lee County first responders last received new ambulances that would help them identify heart attacks or stop bleeding, 10 new ambulances are making their ways here.

It makes for about one-sixth of the total number of ambulances available to Lee County EMS, county officials say.

The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to buy 10 ambulances. They last renewed the fleet in 2021, said Tim Engstrom, spokesperson for Lee County. At the time, they purchased six ambulances.

Nearly 100,000 new residents began calling Southwest Florida home in July 2022 compared to April 2020, U.S. Census data shows.

The county sealed the contract with ETR Vehicles, a dealer based in Sanford. The manufacturer became active in 2001 and serves in Florida and Georgia. Jerry Michaluk, chief executive officer at ETR Vehicles, said he took over the company on the eve of the 9/11 attacks.

At the time, Michaluk said, the company, dubbed Executive Transportation Repair, specialized in hearses, among other types of luxury vehicles, but soon pivoted to specializing in ambulances.

"It started when I decided I was tired of traveling," Michaluk said of his time in the trash business. "I was traveling the country."

His current business model provides ambulances for Florida's 67 counties, as well as Georgia's 159 counties.

"Your typical dealer has a whole state," Michaluk explained.

Before the COVID pandemic hit in 2020, Michaluk said, about 5,500 ambulances were built per year. That number nearly doubled beginning that year, reaching approximately 9,000 requests per year since.

"It basically put such a stress on manufacturers, they still haven't recovered," Michaluk said.

Ordering an ambulance now means it won't be available until 2025, which is the date county officials estimate the new ambulances will arrive.

"It's a very small industry, but very complicated," Michaluk said.

The county will buy the ambulances for about $2.59 million, using a Florida Sheriffs Association contract.

Engstrom said factors such as age, mileage, frequency and cost of maintenance or significant accidents are factors that could lead to fleet renewals. He added that the lifetime of an ambulance is 10 to 15 years. The precise number of ambulances older than 10 years remained unknown Thursday afternoon.

Navigating traffic: How do SWFL EMS combat traffic congestion in 'the road to rapid response?'

Some of the county's ambulances still in use date to 2003, Engstrom said.

Eight ambulances will replace units reaching the end of service, while two of the ambulances will be additional units used by Lee County Public Safety. Six of the units will be delivered by January and the remaining units will follow.

Currently, Engstrom said, the county has 66 units  43 of them are frontline ambulances, while the remaining 23 are reserve ambulances, which are used when primary ambulances undergo maintenance or repair.

Lee County EMS responds to about 300 calls daily, Engstrom said, with an increased call volume in the winter months. The range of calls includes a variety of medical illnesses and traumatic injuries, although some scenarios include chest pain, unconscious episodes, child births, strokes and falls, Engstrom said.

Engstrom said one key feature is a smoother ride because of improved suspension systems that keep the ambulance stable during starts, turns and stops.

Engstrom said the new units are more sustainable due to the fact that the "box" portion can be remounted onto a new cab or chassis which will save time and money in the future.

He said if an ambulance engine reaches the end of its useful life or is involved in a crash that only impacts the cab or chassis, the box can be reused, saving the county the price of the box, currently at $258,695.

The ambulances have six seatbelts and one stretcher where the patient is secured, Engstrom said, adding that most calls are managed by two personnel with the most critical calls requiring up to four.

Six of the ambulances will be delivered between December and January 2025, with the latter four to follow.

Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Lee County will add 10 new ambulances to its stable, meet growth
Three St. Paul City Council members are calling for changes to police practices two days after prosecutors said a St. Paul officers fatal shooting of a 65-year-old man last year was legally justified.

Yia Xiongs family has said he was deaf in one ear and didnt speak English.

He was advancing toward officers with a 12-inch knife when an officer shot him, according to a summary of the investigation from the Ramsey County attorneys and Minnesota Attorney Generals offices.

St. Paul City Council President Mitra Jalali and Council Members Nelsie Yang and Anika Bowie said in a Friday statement that they are mourning with Xiongs family and are deeply disturbed and saddened by the lack of justice for Mr. Xiong and his family.

Anytime deadly force is used against another person by police, we need accountability for police action and a sense of closure and justice for those hurt by it  especially in this case, for so many in our Hmong community, and for Mr. Xiongs loved ones, they said. Mr. Xiong should be alive today, and we must reject the notion that his death and all other deaths by the police are inherently justified and non-contextual.

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and Police Chief Axel Henry said in a joint statement that they hold in their hearts Xiongs relatives and friends, as well as every community member and officer impacted by this tragedy.

Ramsey County Attorney John Choi asked Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison to join the review as an added measure of transparency and a commitment to a complete and impartial review of the evidence, the Ramsey County attorneys office has said.

Carter and Henry said Friday that Ellisons offices dedication to transparency and accountability is well-established, and we accept the findings of their investigation.

As the men and women of the St. Paul Police Department stand up to respond to dangerous and dynamic situations on all of our behalf, we remain committed to the deep work of healing from this specific incident, and partnering with law enforcement and community partners alike to reduce encounters such as these, which place both public and officer safety at risk, they said in their statement.

Council members call for release of full video

Soon after Officer Abdirahman Dahir shot Xiong, the police department released brief body camera footage of the officers encounter with Xiong and the shooting. The council members on Friday called for the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which investigated the case, to release the complete body camera videos.

Partial body camera footage showed Mr. Xiong did indeed have possession of a weapon when officers arrived at the scene, but it also showed that by the time they arrived, he was walking with it calmly back to his home, the council members said in Fridays statement. Community members have asked for the full footage to understand what transpired, and we support that request.

The council members pointed out St. Paul police department use-of-force policy states: Officers should be mindful of any known or reasonably believed barriers to cooperation such as perception barriers, mental or emotional capacity, and language barriers.

The city attorneys office received a notice of a wrongful death claim in August from attorney Mark Bankston; a lawsuit has not been filed.

Bankston said Friday hes representing Xiongs family. He successfully represented families of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims in suing Infowars host Alex Jones for spreading conspiracy theories. Bankstons firm is based in Houston, Texas, and he said they have a St. Paul office.

Prosecutors findings and council members questions

In the summary of the case from attorneys from the Ramsey County and Minnesota Attorney Generals offices, released Wednesday, they wrote that body-worn camera clearly shows Mr. Xiong holding the knife in an aggressive manner as he assumes a slightly crouched position and begins to quickly emerge through his apartment door toward the officers, despite their continued orders for him to stop. Officer Dahir and his SPPD colleagues had no objective reason to believe that Mr. Xiong did not understand the multiple orders given to him by officers to stop and drop the knife.'

To the contrary, when ordered three times in the lobby by Officer Dahir and his colleagues to Drop the knife! Mr. Xiong briefly stopped and displayed his hands as if to show the officers that he understood their orders and was not in possession of the knife, the attorneys memo continued.

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The St. Paul City Council members, however, said Xiongs unresponsive communication and demeanor should have given reasonable determination to our officers that he did not speak English and did not understand officer commands. The reasonable determination for use of force and ability to be mindful of cultural and mental barriers should be practiced by our officers.

With this weeks announcement about no charges, the BCA is beginning the case closure process, which includes preparation of all materials from the case file for public release as appropriate under Minnesota law, said Jill Oliveira, BCA spokesperson. Ensuring that all video and other data released meets the requirements of Minnesota data practices laws is meticulous work that takes time to complete.

The Council members are also calling for:

A review of the St. Paul police departments language training practices and cultural competency training practices to date and work with the community to update them as needed.

Continued pursuit toward a community safety model rooted in de-escalation that reduces needless interactions with police through other response options and proactive investments in community stability.

A push to appoint individuals directly impacted by police actions to St. Pauls Police Civilian Internal Affairs Review Commission.

Advocating for the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training to create a position on the POST Board that can adopt the findings and understanding on the Hmong American communitys history and culture.

The City Council members said Xiong should be remembered for his sacrifice and service to our country as a decorated veteran of the Secret War in Laos  one of the few remaining Hmong generals from the Vietnam War, who fought alongside the U.S. but was not recognized by the U.S. We must acknowledge the impacts of that service on so many individuals physical and mental health, including his. And we must not allow police violence to deem anyone an unworthy member of our community, nor their painful final moments to be their life story.

Union response

Mark Ross, St. Paul Police Federation president, said they agree this situation is tragic, but he said council members using phrases such as lack of justice and police violence in their statement is simply misguided, inflammatory and not even close to being in line with reality, the investigative findings or the prevailing community sentiment regarding this incident.

It would be more productive for the Council members to focus on the mental health challenges plaguing our community or the emphasis on compliance when dealing with the police, Ross said in a Friday statement. Were saddened but not surprised by the tone-deaf sentiments espoused by some members of the Council, but our cops will continue to protect all members of our community undeterred, even in the face of grave danger to themselves and the dramatic increase in assaults on police officers over the past year.

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The top-secret 'Ghost Army' unit, which used inflatable tanks and costumes to fool Nazi Germany in WWII, was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal

Three veterans from a World War II unit specializing in deception were honored by Congress.

They're part of the seven surviving members of the "Ghost Army" unit.

They used inflatable tanks, radio signals, and costumes to impersonate fighting forces.

Veterans of a top-secret World War II unit that used inflatables and fake soundtracks to feed phony intelligence to Nazi Germany were given the congressional Gold Medal on Thursday.

The work of the "Ghost Army" unit, comprising the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops and 3133rd Signal Service Company, is believed to have saved the lives of up to 30,000 men as the Allies pushed deeper into Europe.

The unit of about 1,300 soldiers ran more than 20 missions to create false troop movements and signs of impending assault that led German officers to believe US forces were attacking in the wrong locations.

But their deeds were shrouded in secrecy for decades until their declassification in 1996, and even then they "received minimal recognition," said a congressional bill passed in 2022 to commemorate the veterans.

The awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal  the highest honor bestowed by Congress  comes after a 10-year push to better acknowledge the unit, sparked by a 2013 PBS documentary about their feats.

Three veterans from the unit, Bernard Bluestein, John Christman, and Seymour Nussenbaum attended the event, alongside a who's who of lawmakers and dozens of the unit's family members.

Veterans Bernie Bluestein, in a wheelchair on the right, Seymour Nussenbaum, in a wheelchair on the left, and John Christman, standing on the left, are applauded as their unit received the Congressional Gold Medal. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

The trio is part of the seven surviving members of the "Ghost Army," which selected its members for their experience in creative fields such as art, advertising, and architecture.

Bluestein, 100, of Illinois, joined the unit from the Cleveland Institute of Art and worked with camouflage engineers. His friend, 100-year-old Nussembaum, is from New Jersey and made counterfeit uniform patches. Christman, 99, also of New Jersey, was a demolition specialist.

"Rarely if ever has there existed a group of such few men which had so great an influence on the outcome of a major military campaign," House Speaker Mike Johnson said at the event, quoting a line in a US Army report about the unit.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also gave remarks, alongside several senators and representatives who sponsored the 2022 bill.

Much of the unit's fieldwork came after the Allies landed in Europe in June 1944. They would deploy inflatable tanks, use speakers to broadcast the sounds of vehicles moving, and send out radio signals for interception, sometimes receiving fire from deceived German artillery teams, per the nonprofit Ghost Army Legacy Project.

This photo provided by the Ghost Army Legacy Project shows a photo of Operation Viersen Aerial in March 1945. National Archives/Ghost Army Legacy Project via AP

Nussenbaum told The Associated Press it was "like putting on a big production." Some unit members posed as generals, wearing costumes and walking in plain sight, he said.

One notable mission involved impersonating a 40,000-man force about 10 miles from where the US pushed across the Rhine and into Germany. Another, in Brest, France, saw unit members traveling around the frontline to play sounds of tank convoys in hopes of compelling the Germans to think they were surrounded and surrender.

This photo provided by the Ghost Army Legacy Project shows inflatable tanks in March, 1945. National Archives/Ghost Army Legacy Project via AP

Notably, Germany's forces also attempted to fool the Allies through similar means, including dummy tanks meant to look like Panzers.

Gunner RA McLaren from the 1st Canadian Infantry Division, 1st Canadian Corps of the British Eighth Army examines the camouflaged dummy Panzer IV tank. BIPPA/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Speaking at Thursday's event while in a wheelchair, Bluestein thanked activists who'd worked to win recognition for the veterans, including Rick Beyer, who directed the 2013 documentary about the unit and leads the Ghost Army Legacy Project.

The government's declassification of the "Ghost Army" in 1996 had "let the world know we did exist," Bluestein said.

Democratic Rep. Ann McLane Kuster of New Hampshire spoke of the many years that the "Ghost Army" members had to keep silent about their work during the war, and how long it took for them to be recognized after information about the unit was declassified.

"One of my favorite lines was one gentleman who would only tell his family, 'I blew up tanks,' without saying they were inflatable," she said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Homeless people all over Florida will soon be banned from sleeping in public places  including sidewalks, streets and parks  under a controversial new state law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday.

Now, attorneys throughout the state are busy dissecting what critics are calling a vague law that will likely lead to legal battles, including some that challenge the law itself.

A key component of the new law gives local governments the option to set up homeless camps that can remain in place for one year. The camps will be required to have security, running water and working bathrooms. The law also requires strict enforcement to keep the camps free of drugs and alcohol.

The law wont go into effect until October.

But it already has some city and county officials throughout the state fretting over how the new rules will work in reality and how many lawsuits they might face if they cant figure that out.

Starting in January, the law grants permission to residents and business owners to file a civil suit against local governments that fail to enforce the public camping ban within five days after receiving written notice of the alleged violation. If the plaintiff prevails, the court can award attorneys fees along with witness fees and court costs.

Legal experts throughout Florida are scrutinizing the new law with little guidance from the state, said Ray Taseff, an attorney with the Florida Justice Institute in Miami, a nonprofit legal aid organization that focuses on civil rights cases.

Were not the only ones looking at this, he said. Our organization and other civil rights lawyers across the state are trying to find out what the law requires and what the consequences will be. Were all trying to figure this out, without much clear guidance from the state.

Dont put it here

Even if a local government wants to set up a homeless camp, where will it go?

Wherever you pick, theres going to be challenges from residents and businesses, Taseff said. Dont put it here. Dont put it there. And where is that money going to come from to set it up? Youre kind of putting a gun to the head of the local government: Get these people out by whatever means.

Here are more details about the legislation, HB 1365.

If a homeless shelter has reached maximum capacity, the law directs the Department of Children and Families to authorize temporary campsites with access to clean and operable restrooms and running water as well as access to substance abuse and mental health treatment.

A county can designate public land to be used for a homeless camp. If the property lies within a municipality, the county will need approval from the city commission.

The county will be required to submit a request for certification to the state Department of Children and Families along with proof of the following:

 There are not enough beds in homeless shelters to house the countys homeless population.

 The designated encampment is not next to property designated for residential use by the county or municipality in the local government comprehensive plan and future land use map.

 The encampment would not negatively affect the safety of children or the property value of nearby residential or commercial property.

The state will have 45 days to certify the request.

Ship them to Tallahassee

Steve Geller, a Broward County commissioner and former state senator, says he has massive concerns about the new law.

It basically says that if you have a homeless person, the city or county has a legal obligation to clear them away, Geller said. And if they dont, any person in Broward County can sue. Its horrible. Wheres the city supposed to take them? I guess we could put them on buses and ship them to Tallahassee.

Geller says he wonders where state legislators expect the homeless camps to go.

I think theyre saying wed have to put them in our county parks or city parks, which would devastate our parks, he said. Do they think the cities and counties just have large vacant tracts of land, other than our parks? And they give no money for any of this.

Longtime lobbyist Ron Book defended the new law as the beginning of a larger discussion about a statewide effort to end homelessness.

Book, chair of the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust board, suggested local officials think outside the box if they dont want to set up homeless camps.

As the Broward School District makes decisions about shutting schools, could the county or city rent that school from the district and turn it into a shelter? Book said. There is nothing in the law discouraging that.

Book has these words of advice for critics complaining that the law is vague on details.

I think sometimes laws are intended to be vague for different reasons, he said. The effective date is October. Its not today. They intended to delay the effective date to give folks an opportunity to deal with the new law and figure it out. And if there were problems, the Legislature would be in session not long after the first of the year (in 2025) to address those problems.

Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Steve Glassman says he supports the new law, but has questions about how things will work on a practical level.

Heres the deal, he said. Were at the point now where we really have to do something. The status quo is not acceptable. But whos paying for everything? Where are we taking people? We clear the parks. We clear the streets. Then what? I wish the state would have allocated some funding. That would have been helpful.

Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis says the new law will have zero impact on helping solve the homeless problem in his city.

We are not setting up a camp, he said. Weve been there, done that. And it didnt solve the problem. The state is putting the burden on the counties and the cities to fund these operations. The cities are put in a bind here to try to solve a very difficult situation. Im not sure they thought this through. Im not sure it will change the landscape in Fort Lauderdale.

Many cities, Fort Lauderdale included, already have laws on the books prohibiting people from setting up encampments on sidewalks and in parks, Trantalis noted. But they often go unenforced.

Its not a crime to be homeless, said Bob Jarvis, a constitutional law professor at Nova Southeastern University. Its a crime to loiter. The federal courts have said to put people in jail for being homeless is unconstitutional.

But nothing in the U.S. Constitution says we have the right to turn a public sidewalk or park into a home, Jarvis said.

The problem with sleeping in public is you are now interfering with the rights of other people to enjoy public property, he said. But can you be put in jail for being homeless? No. Now you have a state law that says you cant let them stay in public. What gets confusing is what happens if you dont have a shelter or your shelters are full. What do you do with them?

Some legal experts are even confused about whether the law bans sleeping in public places only at night or around the clock.

Fort Lauderdale City Attorney Tom Ansbro said he thinks the new law only applies to people sleeping overnight in parks and other public places.

Book, the lobbyist, says he reads the new law as banning public camping day and night.

Better than nothing?

Fort Lauderdale Commissioner John Herbst says the new law might not be perfect, but it will help keep his city from turning into another San Francisco.

It allows counties and cities to establish a short-term mechanism for housing people, he said. Its still a lot better than people living in the bushes. If we have camps with sanitary systems, that has to be better than people camping under trees and alongside highways.

Still, Herbst admits he, too, has questions about the bill.

The law says the encampments can only remain in place for one year. What happens after the year is up?

Thats a good question and I dont know the answer to that, Herbst said. This is meant to be a temporary solution. Its meant to get people off of park benches while we try to find a more permanent housing solution for folks.

Where in Broward County would be the perfect spot for a homeless camp?

Not Holiday Park, Herbst said.

I think its safe to say that it would not wind up in Holiday Park, he said. The City Commission would never agree to it.

Homeless advocate Sean Cononie blasted the bill, saying it will force people to choose between a homeless camp or jail.

Im not in favor of forcing people into a tent, he said. You are going to have people who are too scared and paranoid to be in a place with too many people. Those people are not going into a camp or a shelter. You cant force people to go in there. Thats a slippery slope, where freedoms are being curtailed.

Jarvis, the constitutional law professor, predicts the state will eventually face legal challenges over its new law.

Its going to get challenged, Jarvis said. Im sure the ACLU is going to argue this new law is an attempt to criminalize homelessness. Were going to have people sue the counties if they dont (follow the law). Were going to have people who live near the homeless camps sue and argue that theyre lowering property values. Thats all going to have to be worked out by the courts.

Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com. Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is asking parents to recognize the hazards that water beads present for babies and toddlers  and wants more companies to recall the potentially deadly toys.

During National Poison Prevention Week (the third week of March each year), the CPSC specifically highlighted the urgency to continue to pull these products from shelves. They contain "acrylamide levels that present the risk of toxicity," the CPSC said in a news release.

The amount of acrylamide, a known carcinogen, present in water beads is greater than the legal amount and in violation of the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the commission said.

The CPSC is specifically pressuring two Chinese companies, Jangostor and Tuladuo, to recall their products, but neither have complied. In September 2023, 52,000 of Buffalo Games' Chuckle & Roar Ultimate Water Beads Activity Kits sold at Target were recalled.

So far, the CPSC reports 7,000 "water bead-related ingestion injuries" have landed children in the emergency room from 2018 to 2022 in the U.S. The CPSC has confirmed at least one death, a 10-month-old girl in 2023.

Allergy season: Tired of suffering? These tips from an expert may offer relief

'When I learned that a water bead had caused her death, I was shocked.'

Water beads' safety has been an issue gaining attention. U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone D-N.J., introduced the Ban Water Beads Act in November 2023 as the CPSC began putting out reports. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce for review.

The news of the proposed ban caught the attention of Ashley Haugen of San Antonio, Texas, and Taylor Bethard of Mukwonago, Wisconsin, two moms whose daughters where tragically affected after ingesting water beads.

Haugen's daughter, Kipley, was nearly 1-year-old in 2017 when she swallowed a water bead gifted to her 6-year-old sister on her birthday.

The young girl, who suffered extreme vomiting, was rushed to the hospital where she underwent emergency surgery that saved her life. Even so, Kipley's recovery has been tough including the need for speech therapy, Haugen said.

Children killed or injured by water beads are displayed during a November 13, 2023, press conference outside Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, NJ. Congressman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) is planning to introduce legislation to ban the product , which are marketed for kids. The photos show (l-r): Kennedy Mitchell, Esther Bethard and Kipley Haugen.

Bethard had also purchased the beads for her older kids when her 10-month-old daughter, Esther Jo, got ahold of them in the summer of 2022.

The young girl swallowed a single bead that stopped her breathing shortly after ingestion, and she passed away.

"Esther was a baby," Bethard said. "When I learned that a water bead had caused her death, I was shocked."

What are water beads?

Few voiced concerns about the colorful, seemingly harmless toy upon its appearance in the early 2000s in craft kits and sensory bins. But it wasn't soon after the dangers arose.

The small balls, heavily marketed to children with disabilities, are supposed to be placed in water where kids can watch them grow and squish them beneath their feet and in between their hands as some sort of sensory toy. The beads, usually made of super absorbent polymer, according to the CPSC, grow up to 100 times their original size when submerged.

Amazon is in the process of addressing the CPSC's concerns by notifying consumers and issuing refunds, parenting site BabyCenter reported. An Amazon spokesperson told BabyCenter that "as of December 2023, Amazon does not allow the sale of water beads that are marketed to children, including as toys, art supplies, or for sensory play."

'None that are safe': Pallone says colorful water beads are child killers, so ban them

The consequences of ingesting water beads

When dry water beads are ingested, they grow much larger inside of the body where they cause the following, according to the CPSC:

Severe discomfort

Vomiting

Dehydration

Intestinal blockages

Life-threatening injuries

Death

Additionally, if stuck in ears, the beads can cause internal damage to the canal, cause hearing loss and even require surgery.

How to store water beads safely in home

The CPSC recommends not having the toy at home at all, but if you must, do the following to keep children at risk of ingesting water beads, safe:

Do not keep water beads where young children may be present.

Store water beads in a secure container in a place where young children cannot access them.

Do not allow children, no matter the age, play with water beads unsupervised.

Since water beads can easily scatter and become lost, the only way to mitigate the hazard completely is to remove them from the home.

In case of an emergency, call the National Poison Help Line at 800-222-1222. It operates 24 hours a day.

Other findings from the Annual Report on Pediatric Poisoning Fatalities and Injuries

The CPSP's Annual Report on Pediatric Poisoning Fatalities and Injuries published March 18, found that 98 children under 5 years of age died from poisoning between 2021 and 2022, a 66% increase from the previous year. Most of the deaths were linked to narcotics and psychodysleptics (hallucinogens), which saw a doubling in fatalities from 2021 to 2022.

The report also found that 68,600 emergency department-treated injuries were reported from 2021 to 2022, a 10% increase from the previous year for children under 5 years old.

Estimated injuries from pediatrics poisonings from painkillers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen also increased, according to the report.

The recent rise in pediatric poisonings is heartbreaking, CPSC chair Alex Hoehn-Saric shared in the report, urging parents to remember to keep drugs, as well as cleaning supplies, laundry packets, and button batteries safely out of reach is vital to protecting children."

Contributing: Michael L. Diamond

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Water beads dangerous for kids: CPSC issues warning to parents
In the six years since a teenage gunman murdered 14 students and three faculty members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the schools bullet-pocked freshman wing has been documented by investigators, traversed by jurors and toured by procession after procession of politicians aiming to better understand and prevent school shootings.

On Saturday, the building, which is to be demolished this summer, will be opened for at least one more tour, this time by Vice President Kamala Harris, the head of the Biden administrations Office of Gun Violence Prevention.

Billed by the White House as an effort to continue her leadership on addressing the epidemic of gun violence, Harris visit is being met with hope by Parkland parents and politicians determined to continue pushing for a better way to address school safety and guns, even as gridlock in Washington makes the possibility of progress slim.

This idea that the vice president of the United States is committing her time to walk through the building where my daughter and 16 others were murdered, all in the hope of walking out with a better capacity to communicate and plan for ways to protect our kids and those who educate them, is a really big deal and I hope America understands that, said Fred Guttenburg, whose daughter, Jaime, would have turned 21 this July had she survived the shooting.

Early on, Building 12, preserved as it was on Feb. 14, 2018 for the purposes of criminal and civil trials, was an early, powerful tool in pushing for change by state and federal lawmakers. The day after the shooting, which occurred as Florida legislators were meeting in Tallahassee for their annual legislative session, state Sen. Lauren Book organized tours of the building with the states most powerful Republican lawmakers, leading to the passage of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act.

The legislation  signed into law by then-Republican Gov. Rick Scott  raised the age to purchase a rifle to 21 and created the states red flag law and a program to arm trained school faculty, among other aspects. Since then, some Republican lawmakers in the Florida House tried unsuccessfully to roll back the purchasing age of a rifle to 18 years. And the state is now led by a governor, Ron DeSantis, who has said he would have vetoed the legislation.

Book, the Democratic leader in the Florida Senate, credits the visits to the school in the days after the shooting with helping to convince the Legislature to take action.

Ill go so far as to say had we not been in a legislative session at that time, had we not brought legislative leaders and leadership to the school, had we not fostered those relationships, we would never have passed a bill like that, Book said in an interview.

Book said the building  which is set to be demolished this summer now that the trial for the shooter has been concluded, with Nikolas Cruz receiving a life sentence  still carries a disturbing power that remains relevant to the ongoing debate over guns and school safety.

Its a haunting piece of our reality and the fabric of our community, said Book. A horrific reality that we cannot run away from, because when you do, it starts to erode the good work that we have done, and I do believe that those who forget their past are damned to repeat it.

An outside view of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on Saturday, February, 13, 2021.

Finding solutions

Like Americans across the country, the parents of slain Parkland students and politicians involved in touring the school have different priorities. Some focus on national standards for school safety. Some want stronger gun-control measures.

With Harris visit, they at least get the awareness that comes with her presence, and the ear of one of the most powerful politicians in the country and leader of the nations White House gun-violence prevention office.

U.S Representative Jared Moskowitz, who will be in Parkland on Saturday, sees Harris visit as a chance for the Office of Gun Violence Prevention to understand closely the pitfalls that allowed for a tragedy like Parklands to occur and to take what they learn to help work on implementing national standards on school safety.

This is a unique circumstance where you have a shooting in a high school that was literally preserved as a crime scene because it was used in the trials, so I think the visuals are going to be impactful. I also think listening again to the failures of the response and the building is also going to be impactful, said Moskowitz, a Democrat.

In the same vein as Moskowitz, Guttenberg and other Parkland parents like Tony Montalto and Max Schachter are hopeful that Harris and the Office of Gun Violence Prevention will use this visit to push forward change.

I want her to see that six years later, this building still exists and to think about how this continues to affect the community, said Guttenburg, who said hed reached out to the White House to encourage Harris to come tour the school. We have to start to be honest as a country about this reality, that weve allowed our gun laws, or lack of, to put us in a place where we have to rethink safety the way we once thought about protecting people from fire  we now have to think about protecting them from gun violence.

He said that although some state lawmakers have attempted to roll back the efforts theyve accomplished on gun safety, thats not representative of what the majority wants. He urged people to remember to vote in upcoming state and national elections.

Tony Montalto, President of Stand with Parkland, said that he doesnt want people to overlook the accomplishments and progress that has been made for school safety since 2018. Montaltos daughter, Gina, was one of the victims in the shooting.

Montalto has revisited the building where the shooting occurred multiple times with policymakers and political leaders. He said that although revisiting the building is incredibly difficult, he does it because he wants to honor his daughters legacy and save as many lives as he can.

Weve seen a lot of people from both sides of the aisle come together and weve gotten some successes. Theyre not fast enough for my family, they never will be with the loss of our beautiful daughter, but we know that when we talk to people, we dont just talk about the tragedy and the pain. Were there to bring them solutions, said Montalto.

Max Schachter, whose son Alex was killed in the shooting, said that schools are safer than they were since the tragedy happened based on the legislation thats been passed. He remains hopeful that the Florida Legislature will continue to focus on protecting schools.

Like Montalto, Schachter has also made multiple visits to the school with policymakers and will continue to do so until the building is demolished.

I do it because I know that I couldnt save Alex, but I can save others and I know that these visits do that, he said. They make schools safer and they save lives every time I do it.
Finless porpoises swim in the Yangtze River on May 20, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

China has unveiled guidelines for the resolute enforcement of a 10-year fishing ban in the Yangtze River.

The fishing ban's implementation is a key measure in the promotion of the high-quality development of the Yangtze Economic Belt, and in the restoration of the vitality of China's mother river, according to a document issued by the General Office of the State Council.

Relevant government departments should consider the enforcement of the fishing ban to be a top priority, strengthen coordination and supervision, optimize law enforcement mechanisms, and improve cross-departmental and cross-regional law enforcement cooperation, the guidelines state.

They also urge efforts to step up the protection of rare and endangered species found in or around the Yangtze River, as well as efforts to restore habitats, strengthen the prevention and control of exotic species, and accelerate ecological restoration.
Residents of Gretna, Nebraska, are abuzz with anticipation as the Hawaiian Island Grill recently celebrated its grand opening in the heart of their community.

Located strategically off the intersection of I-80 and Highway 370 to offer visibility and accessibility, the franchises inaugural Nebraska location promises a taste of the tropics with its array of Hawaiian-inspired dishes.

The long-awaited and highly anticipated opening of Hawaiian Bros Island Grill kicked off with a VIP weekend, offering free plate lunches to first responders, medical personnel, local businesses, academic staff, and students.

Then came the big grand opening March 18, with an added incentive  the first 100 customers in line were eligible for a $25 to $100 gift card, a T-shirt, and a chance to win free Hawaiian Bros for a year.

Winding lines outside Hawaiian Bros during its Monday opening resulted in restaurant employees working double-duty directing traffic to accommodate the influx of customers.

The line was out the door, especially in the morning, said Hawaiian Bros Island Grill General Manager Phil Mancilla. One guy got a stack of free meal cards. Theyre like, kind of like golden tickets. He got 52 so thats a plate lunch for every week.

The dining experience at Hawaiian Island Grill is characterized by its fast-casual approach. With no freezers or microwaves in sight, every dish is prepared fresh on a flat-top grill, ensuring efficiency without compromising on taste.

Our focus is on offering a limited yet exceptional menu, Mancilla explained. We want to do a few things well rather than overwhelm our customers with an extensive selection. Its all about quality and authenticity.

Hawaiian Bros main dishes feature an array of flavors available in small, classic, and large sizes. Lunch plates include grilled Huli Huli chicken, sweet and spicy Molokai Chicken, savory garlic and green onion-infused Honolulu Chicken, Luau Pig with Kalua Pork, and seasoned vegetables, and sweet and extra-spicy Kilauea chicken.

Each of the six main dishes comes with a choice of two sides, including Macaroni salad, white rice, pineapple, seasoned vegetables, or a spam musubi (combo of rice, seared spam glazed in teriyaki sauce, and wrapped in dried seaweed). Fat-free soft-serve Dole whip is available for dessert.

Outside of the flavors, the ordering experience is designed to be as seamless as possible, with self-service kiosks and a two-lane drive-thru. The aesthetics also played into a modern Hawaiian theme, with pineapple-shaped neon signs, modern decor and tropical music.

The plate lunch is rooted in Hawaiian history. According to its website (hawaiianbros.com), in the 1880s, as Hawaiis pineapple and sugar plantations grew, laborers from Asian nations with diverse culinary traditions came to the islands.

Their lunches typically consisted of a plate of rice and leftover meat from the previous nights meal. By the 1950s, the plate lunch had grown in popularity and was popping up at roadside stands.

The franchise was born out of the original Hawaiian brothers, Cameron and Tyle McNie. After 15 years of experience working in their familys Hawaiian grill business on the West Coast, the brothers decided to put their spin on the plate lunch and opened the first Hawaiian Bros location in Belton, Missouri, in 2018. The Nebraska location marks the ninth state for the island grill, which is mainly located in the Midwest.

Looking ahead, Mancilla said the franchise aims to maintain its momentum by staying true to its roots and continuing to provide top-notch service and culinary experiences.

With catering services ready to be booked for the upcoming graduation season, Hawaiian Island Grill is poised to become a staple in Gretnas dining scene.

Hawaiian Bros Island Grill is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., with extended hours from 11 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday.
Saheed B. Dairo was sentenced on Tuesday in the federal court in Omaha to over 12 years in prison.

Chief U.S. District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter Jr. sentenced the 40-year-old Chicago resident to 151 months for bank fraud and a consecutive two year prison term for aggregated identity theft, according to a news release.

Dairo was identified as a Nigerian citizen who may be deported following completion of his sentence, the release states. Dairo and others traveled city to city conducting fraudulent transactions at bank branches from 2018 to 2021.

Overall, people acting at Dairos direction attempted about $5.2 million in fraudulent transactions and obtained about $1.49 million, the release states.

Council Bluffs Police Department investigated the case alongside the Iowa Department of Public Safety, Omaha Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations in coordination with law enforcement agencies in other states.
A touring educational seminar designed to help prevent fraud will visit Council Bluffs on Wednesday afternoon.

The "Stop the Scammers" roadshow features Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen and a state fraud investigator who will discuss how to spot red flags and avoid being swindled by what are becoming increasingly complicated scams.

A collaboration among the Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services, the Iowa Attorney Generals office and AARP Iowa, the local event will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Lied Multipurpose Complex on the campus of Iowa School for the Deaf.

"We know that prevention of fraud is our best defense because once a fraud has occurred it does create a lot of challenges for us to bring people to justice," Ommen said at a stop in Davenport, the Quad-City Times reported.

Common scams pull on people's emotions, said Iowa Attorney General's Office Investigator Al Perales, who also presented in Davenport.

A scammer might pretend to be a child or grandchild in distress, a romantic interest, a lottery official or a law enforcement officer, Perales said. Those impersonating law enforcement often try to convince the target that their bank account is associated with criminal activity and they need to "protect" their assets by withdrawing them and turning over the cash to a stranger or risk being arrested.

People can spot a scam by remembering the acronym T.I.P.: "a scammer will want to introduce a Threat, they're going want to bring Immediacy, and they're going to ask for Payment," Perales said.

In 2023, Iowans lost $42.6 million to fraud, with 19,673 reports made, according to the FTC's 2023 annual data book. The median amount lost to fraud was $401.

The tour has made six stops so far, including Davenport, and it will also visit Sioux City and Creston on Wednesday. Additional stops are planned in Ames, Fort Dodge, Mason City, Marshalltown, Waterloo, Dubuque, Cedar Rapids and Johnston.

Find more information on the Stop the Scammers tour at iowafraudfighters.gov/stop-the-scammers-event.
The Northeast Community College iHub in downtown Norfolk is scheduled to have a groundbreaking on Thursday, April 4. Here is an artists rendering of what the outside will look like.
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Morocco is commemorating this Thursday, Ramadan 10, 1445 A.H., in an atmosphere of piety the 65th anniversary of the passing away of the late Mohammed V; a moment to honor the Father of the Nation, the architect of the Kingdoms independence, and a symbol of peoples struggle for freedom and liberation.

On this commemoration, King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, Prince Moulay Rachid, Prince Moulay Ahmed, and Prince Moulay Ismail, visited the Mohammed V Mausoleum and paid his respects at the grave of his late grand-father.

This commemoration provides an opportunity to acknowledge and pay respects to the memory of the late Sovereign, who made countless sacrifices and endured exile alongside the Royal Family at the hands of colonial authorities, all in the pursuit of full independence for his nation.

When Mohammed V died on Ramadan 10, 1380 A.H., corresponding to February 26, 1961, he left the legacy of a patriotic, dedicated, and courageous King who devoted his life to the just cause of his country, facing numerous challenges without wavering in his faith and determination.

In his relentless quest for independence, the late Sovereign emphasized consultation and coordination with the national movement, recognizing that reclaiming sovereignty required collective action based on the faith and efforts of the Moroccan people.

A significant milestone in this collective patriotic effort was the presentation of the Manifesto of Independence on January 11, 1944, symbolizing the unity between the Throne, the national movement, and the people, and marking the initial stride towards liberation from colonial rule.

On April 10, 1947, Sultan Mohammed ben Youssef, accompanied by his son and daughter Prince Moulay Hassan and Princess Lalla Aicha, delivered a resounding speech in Tangier, explicitly demanding independence for Morocco for the first time, rattling colonial authorities and prompting desperate attempts to regain control.

Following the failure of colonial schemes and pressures to halt the national struggle, a sinister plot was hatched against Sultan Mohammed Ben Youssef and the Royal Family, leading to their exile in 1953, first to Corsica and then to Madagascar.

Yet, the occupiers scheme backfired, further uniting the people and the national movement behind the Sultan, sparking popular uprisings and armed actions against colonial forces, with independence becoming the rallying cry of an entire mobilized populace standing by their Sovereign.

This stirring tale of patriotism, bravery, and loyalty reached its climax with the triumphant return of the Father of the Nation and the Royal Family to their homeland on November 16, 1955. A year later, independence was declared, marking the commencement of a great mission  the endeavor to build a new and modern Morocco.

Following the death of King Mohammed V, his successor Hassan II, a stalwart companion in the independence struggle, continued the work of consolidating achievements through comprehensive economic and social development programs. His worthy successor, King Mohammed VI, has since taken up the mantle, steadfastly continuing the legacy of his illustrious forebears.

Thus, King Mohammed VI has been dedicated, since coming to power, to the consolidation of this grand national project, ushering Morocco into a new era characterized by modernity and sustainable development.
The recent conclusions of the Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the European Union detail the progress made in the appeals filed by the EU Council and the European Commission against the decision of the Court of First Instance regarding agricultural and fisheries agreements with Morocco.

It is important to note that these conclusions represent only a preliminary stage in the ongoing procedure. The Advocate General emphasized the importance of maintaining the validity of the agricultural agreement between Morocco and the EU while also highlighting the implications for the fisheries agreement and Moroccos aspirations to modernize this collaboration. She also rejected the polisario representative claims and confirmed the EUs right to conclude agreements with Morocco covering its Southern provinces.

In this context, it is imperative for European institutions to take responsibility to protect this partnership against any political manipulation or procedural maneuvering, given the crucial importance of this matter.

The rejection of the polisario representative claims also underscores the need to clarify the legal and political foundations surrounding the Western Sahara issue, which reinforces the legitimacy of agreements concluded by Morocco and confirms its role as a competent authority to engage with the EU on these matters.

Furthermore, the Advocate General recommends the annulment of the Court of First Instances ruling and the maintenance of the validity of the agricultural agreement between Morocco and the EU, thus confirming its legality and validity. Her recommendations also highlight the non-recognition of the polisario as the sole representative of the people of Western Sahara by the United Nations or the European Union, and reject a request to ban EU imports of agricultural products from the Southern provinces, thereby paving the way for continued trade between Morocco and the EU in this sector.
South Korea LG Chem Ltd. has been selected to provide a water purification process for a desalination project to be carried out by Moroccan phosphate giant OCP Group.

Under the deal, LG Chem will supply some 18,000 reverse osmosis (RO) membranes which will be used to desalinate 246,000 m3 of water a day at Jorf Lasfar industrial complex, said the Korean company in a statement.

Reverse osmosis (RO) is used to remove salt and other substances from water through a semi-permeable membrane. Unlike the conventional method which evaporates water using heat, RO membranes can filter out water molecules without the use of heat. LG Chem said its RO membrane has a salt removal rate of 99.89 percent.

The Jorf Lasfar complex produces 4 million tons of phosphate and more than 10 million tons of fertilizers a year. Desalinated water is required for the production of fertilizers and for the 1.5 million inhabitants living in Safi and El Jadida near the complex.

The OCP group has pledged to provide the two neighboring cities with potable water through desalination of seawater. The water supply is expected to increase to 15 million m per year for Safi and 32 million m for El Jalida over 2024 and 2025. The volumes would jump further respectively to 30 million m for Safi and 45 million m for El Jalida, in 2026.

To mitigate the impact of climate change, Morocco has adopted a series of measures to address the issue of drought and lack of rainfalls which have affected both drinking and irrigation water assets.


Speakers:

Mr. Li Chao, vice chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC)

Mr. Yan Bojin, chief risk officer of the CSRC and director general of the Department of Public Offering Supervision of the CSRC



Mr. Shen Bing, director general of the Department of Fund and Intermediary Supervision of the CSRC



Mr. Guo Ruiming, director general of the Department of Listed Company Supervision of the CSRC



Mr. Zhang Chaodong, a person in charge of the Department of Personnel and Education of the CSRC



Chairperson:



Ms. Shou Xiaoli, deputy director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO

Date:



March 15, 2024

Shou Xiaoli:



Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome to this press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO). Today, we are very pleased to have invited Mr. Li Chao, vice chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), to brief you on strengthening regulation and forestalling risks to promote high-quality development of the capital market, and to take your questions. Also present at today's press conference are Mr. Yan Bojin, chief risk officer of the CSRC and director general of the Department of Public Offering Supervision of the CSRC; Mr. Shen Bing, director general of the Department of Fund and Intermediary Supervision of the CSRC; Mr. Guo Ruiming, director general of the Department of Listed Company Supervision of the CSRC; and Mr. Zhang Chaodong, a person in charge of the Department of Personnel and Education of the CSRC.

Now, I will give the floor to Mr. Li Chao for his introduction.

Li Chao:



Friends from the media, good afternoon. Today, we are releasing four key documents. I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce the main background and summarize the contents of these documents.

To thoroughly implement the guiding principles of the Central Financial Work Conference and in accordance with the relevant work arrangements of the State Council, the CSRC, in collaboration with relevant parties, has formulated and issued four documents after careful investigation and research, and gathering opinions from all involved parties. The first document focuses on tightening scrutiny over initial public offerings (IPOs) and improving the quality of listed companies from the source. The second document aims to strengthen the supervision of listed companies. The third document focuses on enhancing the supervision of securities companies and public funds, as well as expediting the establishment of first-class investment banks and investment institutions. Lastly, the fourth document emphasizes implementing strict standards for political integrity, capability development and disciplined conduct, thereby comprehensively enhancing the self-improvement of the CSRC system. Of these four documents, the first three will be released in full today, while the main content of the fourth document on self-improvement will be announced through a press release.



In formulating these documents, we have paid attention to the following aspects:



First, we have adhered to goal orientation and problem orientation. We have focused on accelerating the construction of a safe, regulated, transparent, open, dynamic and resilient capital market, enhancing the market's functions and roles. We did not avoid contradictions, faced problems directly, effectively responded to market concerns, and developed a path for the capital market with Chinese characteristics.

Second, we have firmly focused on the key priorities of strengthening supervision, preventing risks and promoting high-quality development. Strong supervision and risk prevention are essential for high-quality development and are areas in which investors and market participants have voiced many opinions and suggestions. This document emphasizes "strengthening the foundation" and "strict supervision and management." On one hand, it focuses on improving the quality of listed companies, protecting the legitimate rights and interests of investors, and further enhancing market supervision measures. On the other hand, it also emphasizes the need to address internal challenges and strengthening the management of the CSRC.



Third, we have maintained a systematic approach and implemented comprehensive strategies. The documents issued this time form an organic whole, systematically proposing policy measures from various aspects such as IPOs, continuous supervision of listed companies, and supervision of intermediaries.
The Spanish presidency has dismissed the allegations that Morocco had spied on its Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez or carried hostile acts against Spain.

This came in a Spanish annual security report 2023 by its counter-espionage service which dedicated a large section to Morocco given the cooperation ties between the two countries in critical areas such as curbing illegal migration, fighting organized crime and drug trafficking and countering terrorism and extremism.

Morocco has not interfered in the domestic affairs of its northern neighbor, reads the report.

In 2021, Amnesty International accused Morocco- without offering whatsoever evidence- of using Pegasus malware for spying purposes.

Morocco had sued ten media outlets for parroting the Amnesty report accusing Morocco of using Israels NSO-made Pegasus to spy on different activists.

In Spain, journalist Ignacio Cembrero accused Morocco of using Pegasus against him but his case was abandoned by a Spanish court after legal experts found no evidence on his phone.

Experts at a Paris appeals court examined Amnestys report on the alleged use by Rabat of Pegasus but found no evidence of any infiltration of the so-called targeted people in France.

However, circles hostile to Morocco and its growing influence have used Amnestys unfounded accusations in a smear and propaganda campaign to undermine Rabats interest in the EU and the European Parliament.
The number of Chinese workers across Africa has plummeted to its lowest level in more than a decade, according to data from Chinas National Bureau of Statistics, with experts saying the continent is unlikely to see the high numbers of the past even though postponed China-run projects are now being restarted.

After decades when Africa saw an influx of Chinese workers seeking large infrastructure projects across the continent, their number has dropped to its lowest level since the record high of 263,696 workers in 2015 to about 88,371 in 2022, the most recent year on record. The China Africa Research Initiative at Johns Hopkins University attributed the drop in numbers partially to the Covid-19 pandemic as Chinese workers left during that period and the country only reopened in early 2023. Among other factors cited in its report are oil prices and the downscaling of Chinese leader Xi Jinpings global Belt and Road Initiative, which have caused many Chinese workers to leave Africa in search of a better life.

According to the report released by the China Africa Research Initiative, as of 2022, Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo had the most Chinese workers on the continent. The 91,000 Chinese workers in Algeria and 50,000 in Angola in 2016 have shrunk to mere 7,000 workers in each country by 2022.

But not all African countries have seen recent declines in Chinese workers, as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt and Zimbabwe have seen an uptick in numbers. We have no data for 2023, but anecdotally we hear that more postponed projects are resuming. Yet we are unlikely to see the high numbers of the past, said Deborah Brautigam, director at the China Africa Research Initiative.
The recent surge of new attacks by an Islamic State-affiliated group in Mozambiques Cabo Delgado province has been fueled by an influx of Islamist fighters of different nationalities from other parts of Africa, experts and observers warn.

After several months of relative calm, Mozambiques troubled Cabo Delgado province has been, since the beginning of 2024, engulfed in a new surge of violence as Islamist insurgents increase their international network in Africa. Armed attacks some two weeks ago left a total of 72 children missing, with fears they may have drowned in a river or been kidnapped by militants. The UNs migration agency said nearly 100,000 people were displaced between early February and early March after IS-affiliated fighters launched a new offensive from their heartland in coastal central Cabo Delgado into the south. The armys ability to stop the killings has long been questioned.

Mozambique has been fighting the jihadist militants in the mineral-rich Cabo Delgado province since October 2017. The insurgent group known locally as al-Shabab, which proclaimed affiliation with the so-called Islamic State in 2019, has been widely accused of brutal violence, beheadings and kidnappings. Experts warn that the violent insurgency in northern Mozambique has also been fueled by increased cooperation among Islamist terrorist organizations that are becoming increasingly interconnected, making it easier for them to respond to advances by security forces.

More and more fighters of different nationalities  mainly Congolese, Ugandans, and Tanzanians, but also Kenyans and South Africans  are streaming into Cabo Delgado, says Mozambican security expert Egna Sidumo, for whom there is only one solution: an increased international cooperation between security forces.
The European Union reaffirmed, in its 2023 report, the positive socio-economic impact of the agricultural agreement with Morocco, and the full benefit of the agreements provisions for the population of the kingdoms southern provinces.

The publication of this annual report by the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) comes on the heels of the setback inflicted by the Advocate General at the European Court of Justice, who stripped the polisario of any representativeness and reaffirmed the relevance of the agricultural agreement between Rabat and Brussels.

The report, which is part of the implementation of the agreement in the form of an exchange of letters, amending Protocols 1 and 4 of the Morocco-EU Association Agreement, which came into force on July 19, 2019, commonly known as the Agricultural Agreement, continues, as in previous years, its positive tone, detailing point by point the many aspects of the benefits brought by this agreement to the population of the Kingdoms southern provinces.

Doubly relevant, the report reflects, on the one hand, the quality of the Partnership between Morocco and the European Union, and bears witness to the satisfactory implementation of the Agricultural Agreement, thanks particularly to the existing tools for dialogue and information exchange between the two parties. On the other hand, and for the fifth time in a row, the report deconstructs the propaganda fueled by Algeria and its separatist puppets in an attempt to put into question the legality of the agreements between Morocco and the EU.

Backed by figures, the document confirms the positive impact of this Agreement on the socio-economic development of the Moroccan Sahara regions, in terms of economic growth, production and export of agricultural and fisheries products, job creation, and investment.

In 2022, the report says, 203,000 tons of products originating from the kingdoms southern provinces were exported to the EU, compared with around 100,000 tons before the agreement was enforced. The value of exports from the southern provinces to the EU amounted to 590 million euros (6.41 billion dirhams).

The impact on employment is equally clear with a growing number of jobs. By 2022, it is estimated that the agreement will have created over 49,000 direct jobs in the southern provinces (+7,000 compared to 2021), representing over 18% of the territorys working population.

The European Executive and the EEAS also highlight the major infrastructure projects currently under construction, notably in the fields of seawater desalination and renewable energies, as well as the impact of the measures deployed in terms of investment, improved working conditions, socio-economic integration, vigorous support for youth, and infrastructure development.

They also review the effects of the agreement on natural resources, noting that Morocco has taken major steps in the fight against water stress, investing hundreds of millions of euros in developing water desalination plant projects, which are powered by renewable energy sources.

Thanks to their multiplier effect at various levels, these investments, they stress, should contribute to the economic development of the provinces and increase their attractiveness to local and international investors, while enabling the development of new industrial activities that could benefit from the agreement.

Overall, the 30-page report highlights the considerable progress made by Morocco in the socio-economic development of its Southern Provinces, as part of the 2016-2021 Development Program initiated by King Mohammed VI, through the implementation of large-scale socio-economic projects and various public policies deployed in these regions.

In its tone and the detailed data provided, the report reflects the satisfactory implementation of the agreement and confirms the continued development of trade between the two parties, thanks to the tariff mechanism benefiting Moroccan products destined for export to the EU from the twelve Moroccan regions.

Leaving no stone unturned, the report highlights Moroccos significant achievements in protecting human rights at national level, and its leading role at multilateral level, shedding light on its election to the Presidency of the Human Rights Council.

It recalls the quality of the dialogue between Morocco and the EU within the framework of the dialogue structures of the Association Agreement, and the important role played by the regional Human Rights Commissions in Dakhla and Laayoune, reiterated in the latest UN Security Council resolution.

The EU services were able to exchange views with various economic players and representatives of civil society, including non-governmental organizations active in the field of human rights in these regions, who underlined the vital importance of the Agreement, its satisfactory implementation, and its beneficial impact on the socio-economic development of the Moroccan Sahara regions.

Regarding the Sahara issue, the report endorses the Security Councils insistent call for the registration of the populations sequestered in Tindouf, in southwestern Algeria, and the importance of taking all necessary measures to this end. It reiterates the EUs firm support for the UN Secretary-Generals Personal Envoy, Staffan De Mistura, and the UN process, while standing ready to contribute to strengthening regional cooperation.

Through this report, which sounds like a rejection of Algerias position, the European Union is demonstrating its commitment to ensuring the continuity of its trade relations with Morocco, and illustrating once again the commitment of European institutions to the stability and development of the long-standing, strategic, and comprehensive economic partnership with Morocco.
Its not terribly unusual these days for co-workers to become couples and eventually marry.

That was the case for Taylor and Drew Deras, two registered nurses who work in Methodist Womens Hospitals neonatal intensive care unit.

They first connected over sports. Drew, now 34, is a Chicago Cubs fan, and the team had recently won the World Series, which gave them something to talk about. They became friends, shared lunch breaks, got engaged. They married during the pandemic in August 2020.

The Derases, however, not only found love in the NICU but also met Ella, the very premature baby who eventually made them a family.

Ella had a rough start. She was born in May 2021 at 23 weeks and one day, on the edge of viability, weighing 1 pound, 2 ounces. Taylor Deras met her the next day. Deras enjoyed taking care of Ella and signed up to be her consistent caregiver. She continued to care for the baby when she was on duty for Ellas entire eight-month NICU stay.

Initially, Ella was very sick. From May to August, she needed a ventilator on high airflow settings to help her breathe. Taylor Deras recalls doctors telling the babys biological mother more than once that Ella might not survive the night. Deras and Ellas mother, who was in her early 20s, quickly formed a connection, each trusting the other.

Eventually, Ellas premature lungs  the last organ in a babys body to mature  started to get better. She required less oxygen and graduated to receiving lesser amounts through a tube in her nose. She was drinking from a bottle.

Meanwhile, her biological mother was working more, visiting less. The Derases were also getting more and more attached to Ella, holding her and reading to her. Drew Deras said they knew they still had to guard their hearts, since Ella was someone elses child.

But in December 2021, Ella became a ward of the state. When the couple found out, Taylor Deras quickly contacted Ellas social worker and told her the couple would be willing to take the youngster home.

Deras said the caseworker contacted Ellas biological mother and told her that a nurse from the NICU was willing to care for Ella. The young woman told the caseworker she knew nurse Taylor Deras. And she said, Thats where I want her to go, Deras said.

But as the couple were preparing to bring Ella home, an echocardiogram showed she was in a pulmonary hypertension crisis, with the left side of her heart failing. Instead of going home, Ella went to Childrens Nebraska on Dec. 27. The couple were notified days later that they had been approved as Ellas foster parents.

Now, however, Ellas condition was more complicated. She needed a tracheostomy. As a result, she could no longer eat on her own but had to be fed through a tube in her stomach. Doctors cautioned that her struggles might affect her ability to walk and talk.

The couple decided they were already committed. There was no backing out.

She needed someone to take care of her and love her, Taylor Deras said. It was hard for us, but it was really hard for her.

Ella finally went home April 7, 2022. The Derases chose to care for her when they arent working, but they had to arrange 24-hour nursing care for the times when they arent home. Suddenly their house was full of medical equipment.

At the same time, they knew Ella wasnt yet their child. They started arranging visits with Ellas biological mother. The young woman eventually told the couple that she had given herself time to decide but had determined she could not care for Ella. In July, she and Ellas biological father, with whom Ellas mother had a brief relationship, both relinquished their parental rights.

On Ellas adoption day  Nov. 18, National Adoption Day  the courtroom was packed with the Deras family members. It was the most the judge recalled seeing, including lots of young children. Drew Deras is one of nine children. While Ella is the first grandchild in Taylors family, she is the 25th in Drews, giving her a healthy mix of older cousins to emulate and younger ones to lead.

After the judge announced Ellas new name, the courtroom was quiet. All you could hear was Ella go, Yay, Drew Deras said. Its the one thing that brings me to tears every time.

Ella now can breathe on her own with no supplemental oxygen. The family hopes her tracheostomy can be removed in a couple of months. Shell start preschool in the fall  two days a week, not five. Her parents, who have spent a lot of time with her, need to ease into that sort of change.

We just feel lucky that she gets to be ours, Drew Deras said. Were just so proud of her.

On Friday, the family closed the circle, visiting the NICU together. Ella, who will turn 3 on May 1, walked across a waiting area and greeted her parents with the words mama and dad. While she still sees a number of therapists and specialists, she can count to 10 and knows her colors. She knows what a dog says and can neigh like a horse.

I feel like shes just a miracle, said Taylor Deras, 31. I feel like everything she does, I look at her and Im like, How can you possibly be doing that? And were so proud of her, because she really (has) done the work.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of March 2024
North Platte state Sen. Mike Jacobson served notice Wednesday night that hell push for changes in a homestead exemption bill melded from several others that won first-round approval.

The District 42 lawmaker joined three of western Nebraskas other four senators in the 39-0 vote for first-round approval of Legislative Bill 126.

But Jacobson told his colleagues that hes bothered by findings in a Telegraph analysis that lower-income senior citizens in modestly valued homes could lose ground under the Revenue Committees call for homestead exemption recipients to make minimum property tax payments.

I will tell you that if we adopt the bill the way it is, he said, there will be more people losing their homestead exemption than benefiting from it.

Jacobson said hes working on an amendment to fix that for second-round debate on LB 126. Meanwhile, senators are awaiting completion of a revised fiscal note on the committees plan by the Legislative Fiscal Office.

Jacobson was one of several senators to offer 2024 bills to reform the 55-year-old homestead exemption program. Its currently available to qualified Nebraskans who are 65 and older, have various disabilities, are veterans with disabilities or surviving spouses of such veterans who havent remarried.

A Telegraph story Tuesday found that total annual exemptions have varied little since 2008 in Lincoln County, west central Nebraska and statewide. Newly approved exemptions roughly offset former recipients who die, leave the state, sell their homes or lose their exemptions as taxable values grow.

Omaha Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, chairwoman of the Revenue Committee, said the panel sought to include the best of the bills before them in a near-total rewrite of Omaha Sen. Jen Days LB 126.

The new version would replace partial exemptions based on taxable values by saying houses are eligible unless their owner has $1 million or more in total household assets.

The rewrite of LB 126, accepted on a 39-0 vote Wednesday, would allow disabled veterans to gain partial exemptions if they have a service-related disability rated at 50% or higher by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Totally disabled veterans now can receive full exemptions.

But the revised bill would do away with total exemptions for other current recipients unless they qualify for one in 2024 and opt to stay with the current system. People now receiving partial exemptions could choose likewise.

LB 126 says future homestead exemption applicants would have to pay at least $1,200 in annual property taxes in exchange for exempting the rest of their gross tax bill based on their homes taxable value. That minimum payment would grow according to a new sliding, income-based scale.

But Lincoln County Assessor Julie Stenger told The Telegraph that she knows single seniors on fixed incomes for whom even a $1,200-per-year minimum payment would be difficult.

The Telegraphs analysis found that the minimum tax payment system would result in higher effective exemptions for senior North Platte homeowners who are bringing in Lincoln Countys per-person average income ($33,437 in 2022) but own homes worth more for tax purposes than the countys average residential taxable value ($123,471 in 2023).

If their homes were valued at or under the county average, their partial exemptions would be slashed. Single homeowners with a $33,437 income and $100,000 taxable value actually would have paid more in 2023 under LB 126s system ($2,100) than their gross North Platte tax bills before state credits ($1,934.90).

A related analysis for the Scottsbluff Star-Herald found similar results for Scottsbluff homeowners. But their counterparts in Gering and Terrytown  with considerably higher 2023 combined property tax rates than Scottsbluff or North Platte  would receive higher effective exemptions under LB 126s new system.

Thats not what the homestead exemption program ought to do, Jacobson told senators Wednesday.

I think when you start looking at all the disparity across the state in terms of household income and average (home) values and tax rates, it creates some problems without further changes to the revised LB 126, he said.

Linehan didnt address Jacobsons concerns during Wednesday nights first-round debate. She said the Revenue Committee favored setting minimum tax payments in part to hold down state reimbursement costs that have nearly doubled since 2008.

If youre staying in your house, youre paying insurance, youre paying utilities, the police still have to come by and the Fire Department still has you there, you should pay something, she said.

To further hold down the states reimbursement costs, Linehan said, the rewritten bill also would require eligible homeowners 65 and older to be receiving some type of retirement income to qualify.

In other words, youre not going to be qualified for a homestead exemption just because you turned 65, because many of us are 65 and still working, she said. So you actually have to be retired.

Day, LB 126s original sponsor, said she and Jacobson had discussed his concerns. She took the rewritten bill to AARP, and they assured us twice that seniors will be better off overall even with minimum tax payments, she said.

However, I am flexible with that if thats a sticking point for several people to backing the bill, he said.

Jacobson emphasized that he wants to see the partial homestead exemptions for disabled veterans added to the program. If we get nothing else done than that, Id be OK, he said.

Senators Wednesday also attached the language of Bellevue Sen. Rick Holdcrofts LB 1019, which would eliminate the need for county boards to rubber-stamp a state Tax Equalization and Review Commission decision on a property owners valuation protest.
WAVERLY  In about four months, towns across America will hold their very own Fourth of July parades. Local fire and rescue teams often join in the fun, hanging off fire trucks and ambulances as they ride through town.

If you find yourself in Waverly for its parade, you might see something a little less normal. They have a fire truck, too, but this one is 90 years old.

Waverly Fire and Rescue's 1934 Ford Model BB fire truck has been a prized possession of the city for many years. Showcased at local events, the truck is a window into the past.

Besides being a piece of history, the truck has quite the story of its own.

In November 1953, 19 years after the truck was purchased by the city, its engine failed on the way to a house fire in Prairie Home. Because of this, the truck was sold to Roca.

Around 1973, the Omaha Fire Department Historical Group bought and performed major engine and body restoration so it could display the vehicle at a museum in Omaha and parade it around the city.

And about 46 years later, in August of 2019, the Waverly Fire Department was contacted by Omaha, which was interested in returning the truck to Waverly.

Seven months later, in March of 2020, Aaron Hummel, a former Waverly fire chief, traveled up to Omaha, and with the help of Gana Trucking and a lowboy trailer, returned the vehicle to its home city.

"They helped go up to Omaha when we brought it home because we couldn't drive it, we couldn't run it, it wouldn't start," Hummel said.

Bringing the truck back to Waverly was the easy part; getting it back up and running proved to be more difficult.

Over the course of the next year, the truck was brought back to life under the expertise of Bruce Whitefoot, a former Waverly fire chief and antique Ford enthusiast.

"He loves working on the older Ford vehicles," Hummel said.

Bringing the truck back to life involved a lot of work, including a new carburetor, spark plugs, wires, a new rotor, fuel pumps, fuel lines and general electrical work.

"We've had some former fire chiefs that have pitched in a lot of time and elbow grease to fix it up," Hummel said.

A community project

Along with help from former fire chiefs, Nebraska businesses and members of the community donated their time and resources to repair the truck.

One big help came from Mark Schmit, owner of the Schmit Automotive shop in Waverly, who donated spark plugs, engine oil and other parts.

"I thought, oh that's cool. We'll get an old vehicle back in service," Schmit said. "Every community needs a fire department, so I try to support the fire department as much as I can."

In addition to Schmit Automotive and private donors, Waverly Glass Company also helped out, donating glass for the truck's windshield.

"It's a piece of history, Waverly's first fire truck, and it's nice that the community supports it, and the city wants to do something with it," Hummel said.

After a long process of repairing and renovating the truck, on April 10, 2021, after being gone for 65 years, the 1934 Ford was driven through the streets of Waverly once again by Bruce Whitefoot.

"It's always a joy when you get an old beast running again, that was a big deal," Whitefoot said.

It's truly a sight to see, and a physical representation of how much the design and size of emergency vehicles have changed over 90 years.

"A 5-foot-6 man struggles to get inside the cab because it's such tight quarters," Hummel said. "Most F-150s are bigger than this fire truck."

In addition to size differences, the older model had no power steering, manual windows and a hatch that opened the windshield for the 1930s version of air conditioning.

The 1934 fire truck pumped around 250 gallons a minute compared to the near 1,500 gallons in newer models.

"Humorously, that old truck probably pumped more water than any of these newer trucks over the years because it was 'surround and drown,' till the basement was full of water they just kept pouring water on it," Whitefoot said.

Firefighting techniques have since evolved to shooting water on a hot spot, which creates steam that puts fires out much quicker than water.

"It just blows your mind when you think what they had back then versus what we have now," Jared Rains, fire chief at Waverly, said. "It's great to get it back and to start sharing with the rest of the community."

Looking for a permanent home

Waverly Fire and Rescue loves showcasing the truck to the community, displaying it at local car shows, driving it around the city in different events and taking part in Fourth of July parades.

The truck has been stored all across Waverly for the last four years with the help of local residents who donated their storage spaces, garages and barns, but now the city of Waverly is asking for donations for future storage, maintenance, restoration and any other associated costs to ease the burden on others.

While nothing is confirmed, Hummel says the hope is that the city can find a permanent home for the truck.

"Waverly currently has some conceptual drawings for a potential future fire station," Hummel said. "Part of that fire station would have a museum that would house that vehicle. We're trying to buy ourselves some time so we can get that done."

That museum would include all kinds of antique gear for the public to see.

When we have tours with children and whatnot they can go through and see all this old antique stuff of what they used to do 100 years ago," Ryan Mueller, assistant fire chief, said.

Mueller shared the renderings for the future fire station, which on top of providing a space for the 1934 fire truck to be displayed, would also improve on the station they have now.

"It would allow us to modernize our way of doing things. Right now we're double and triple stacked," he said. "Trucks got bigger over the last 50 years. We're kind of condensed."

On top of improving space, Mueller said the new station would help with ventilation for gear by having its own space to be cleaned and prepared.

"Right now if we have a structure fire and we come back, it smells like smoke, and that's not the modern approach," he said.

Waverly fire truck fundraiser

Waverly Fire and Rescue is asking for donations to help it keep its 1934 Ford Model BB fire truck. Donations will be used for the storage, maintenance, restoration and insurance. It also hopes that one day to have a museum where it might store the truck and other antique firefighting equipment. To help with their efforts, contact them through their website citywaverly.com or by calling 402-786-2312.
Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The sorry state of the Republican House majority got even sorrier on Friday with the resignation announcement of Representative Mike Gallagher. When the Wisconsin moderate steps down on April 19, Republicans will retain a 217-213 advantage with all members present, meaning they can only spare one no vote to maintain a majority on any given bill.

Last January, at the beginning of the current House session, the party held a nine-seat edge over the Democrats. But thanks to a variety of reasons  a wave surprise early exits like Gallaghers, the expulsion of an impossibly messy character from Queens  the caucus keeps dwindling. They have not made up for this numerical precariousness by becoming more cohesive: Also on Friday, Majorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to oust Mike Johnson as Speaker for passing a spending deal to avoid a government shutdown. (Greene said she did not want to throw the House into chaos, though it may be a little late for that.)

Such dysfunction is likely a key reason Gallagher decided to step down so soon, rather than wait until after the election. A close ally of fellow early exiter Kevin McCarthy, Gallagher was excoriated by fellow GOP House reps after voting against the impeachment of Homeland Security secretary Alejandro Mayorkas last month. Days after, he announced he would not run for reelection. The timing of his resignation looks like a careful middle finger to the rest of the caucus:

WOW! Like Buck, Mike Gallagher carefully timed his departure. Under Wisconsin law, congressional vacancies occurring "prior to the 2nd Tuesday in April" in an election year get filled on a faster timeline. An April 19th resignation will keep Gallagher's seat vacant until November pic.twitter.com/7VxSv4Bld5  Aaron Fritschner (@Fritschner) March 22, 2024

With Gallagher heading for the exits and no replacement lined up, Mike Johnson will do his best to keep the most tenuous possible majority in line until the special election to replace McCarthy on May 21, which will likely give him a luxurious two-person cushion. The good news for Johnson: a messy, tiny majority probably does not have the numbers to remove him as Speaker.
Photo: Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Is Tim Scott going to be Donald Trumps VP pick? Its unclear. But the South Carolina senator just let it be known that if he does become Trumps running mate, his wedding to Mindy Noce wont present any scheduling conflicts.

The Washington Post was first to report that Scott and Noce have selected a date in early August, which will allow him to attend the Republican National Convention and be a married man by Election Day:

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), a top vice-presidential prospect for Donald Trump, has planned an early August wedding to his fiancee, Mindy Noce, just weeks after the Republican National Convention during a traditional lull in the campaign season.

 The wedding is scheduled for a time when much of the country is on vacation or distracted by the Summer Olympics. Democrats are planning their nominating convention in Chicago from Aug. 19-22, about a month after Republicans gather in Milwaukee from July 15-18.

The public rollout of Scotts relationship with Noce  a Charleston-area interior designer who has three children from her previous marriage  has been entwined with his political career in a way we havent seen since The American President.

Scott launched his presidential career as a 57-year-old senator whod rarely mentioned a significant other and once described himself as a proud adult virgin. After people started speculating about the candidates personal life, he began alluding to a mystery girlfriend in May 2023. Initially, many people doubted that this woman was real, as Scott refused to identify her and his friends seemed unaware of the relationship.

But then Scott escorted Noce, a flesh-and-blood human woman, onto the stage after the third Republican presidential debate in November. The Scott campaign confirmed that she was the candidates girlfriend.

Scotts 2024 campaign didnt survive, but the relationship did. On January 20, Scott and Noce got engaged, just one day after he endorsed Trump at a campaign event in New Hampshire and signaled that he was open to being Trumps running mate. Scott went to the Washington Post with the news the following day, though he weirdly made it sound like he was sharing the news against his will.

As a guy who is mostly an introvert and on the quiet side, having to have a conversation about the engagement is a little, you know, uncomfortable in a way, but its the most exciting thing Ill do with my life besides making Jesus my Lord, Scott told the paper.

Maybe this is a real-life romantic comedy: Scott, a lonely guy focused on his career in D.C., traveled back to his home state and happened to meet his true love when he least expected it. Or perhaps this is a more cynical tale: A politician acquired a romantic partner because he was worried the GOP would never accept an unmarried 58-year-old man as its vice-presidential nominee. The only thing we know for sure: The timing of the Scott-Noce nuptials isnt going to solve this mystery.
Photo: Shawn Thew/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images

George Santos is moving on from the Republican Party. Well, so he says.

After making a surprise appearance at President Joe Bidens State of the Union address and announcing a bid for Congress in a new district earlier this month, Santos said Friday that he will be running as an independent this time around.

Announcement



After todays embarrassing showing in the house I have reflected and decided that I can no longer be part of the Republican Party



The Republican Party continues to lie and swindle its voter base. I in good conscience cannot affiliate myself with a party that  George Santos (@MrSantosNY) March 22, 2024

Santos was referring to some standard Republican chaos that went down on Friday. The House managed to pass a massive $1.2 billion spending bill to fund the government through September and avert a shutdown, to the dismay of some hard-core conservatives. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene floated a measure to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson as the vote was occurring, calling the bill a betrayal of the American people. The clock has started. Its time for our conference to pick a new speaker, she said, per Politico.

In earlier posts on his social-media feed, Santos had encouraged his former colleagues in Washington to reject the bill, calling on Johnson to shut down the government. His tweet came after the legislative package passed in the chamber by a 286-134 vote.

Santos intends to challenge Republican incumbent Congressman Nick LaLota and John Avlon, the former journalist who is strongly favored to win the Democratic nomination in Long Islands First Congressional District. ill see you boys in November! he wrote in his post.

Santos, who is reportedly in talks to take a plea deal on numerous federal charges, is the second prominent politician tease going independent this week. In a video released Thursday, New Jersey senator Bob Menendez said he wont be running for reelection as a Democrat as he navigates 18 criminal counts, including bribery and conspiracy to act as a foreign agent. But he left the door open for another option. I am hopeful that my exoneration will take place this summer and allow me to pursue my candidacy as an independent Democrat in the general election, he said.
Photo: Gabriele Holtermann/UPI/Shutterstock

A top aide to Mayor Eric Adams is being sued for sexual harassment by a retired NYPD sergeant who said he inappropriately touched her while they worked together. Roxanne Ludemann, the accuser, alleges that Timothy Pearson, a senior adviser to Adams, also blocked her for an expected promotion as retaliation for turning down his advances.

Ludemann said she would often see Pearson at the Office of Municipal Services Assessment, which audits government services, where she served as chief of staff beginning in June 2022. According to Ludemann, Pearson would regularly ask the women of the office uncomfortable, sexually driven questions and touch their arms and backs in a way they felt was creepy, per the lawsuit. She said that when Pearson later took over as the offices supervisor, he would ask her increasingly personal questions about whether she was married or lived alone. At times, Ludemann would pretend to drop her pen or cause some other diversion to excuse herself in order to get away from Pearson, according to her lawsuit first reported by the Daily News.

When the subject of a possible promotion arose, Pearson said Ludemann should become his personal driver. She felt that the offer was suggestive, implying that she could get the promotion if she began a sexual relationship with him. Ludemann refused.

Things allegedly escalated during a December 2022 office party when Ludemann said Pearson pulled her into a copy room, saying that he wanted to discuss a project. During the conversation, Defendant Pearson begins to rub Plaintiffs shoulders and arms, as he typically does with impunity, the filing says, and Pearson stopped when Ludemanns boss, Deputy NYPD Chief Miltiadis Marmara walked in and supposedly witnessed the scene. The lawsuit states Marmara told Ludemann that he intended to file a harassment complaint against Pearson, but Ludemann begged him not to, telling him it would be career suicide. He ultimately agreed, but ordered that Pearson not be left alone with any of the women in the office.

The lawsuit alleges that Ludemann learned that she was on the list to receive her promotion but that her name was later removed. When she questioned Pearson about the change, he claimed he would submit her name later when more spaces opened up. But months went by and Ludemanns name never came up again.

Ludemann claims Marmara and Pearson got into a major argument as the deputy chief realized Pearson was interfering in her career progression. Marmara said he could no longer work with Pearson and wished to return to the force, with Banks granting that request. In a subsequent meeting with the remaining office staff, Pearson said there will be a change in leadership, according to the lawsuit. This prompted the other members of the office to offer their resignations. Pearson then allegedly told the group that he would end their careers if they did so.

After leaving the office, Ludemann was bounced from district to district and was served with disciplinary charges that the lawsuit alleges were retaliation for her complaints of sexual harassment. She would ultimately submit her retirement papers in December 2023.

I want what happened to come to light  that it started with me saying no and doing the right thing, and the NYPD allowed this man to destroy my career and traumatize me, she told the Daily News in an interview.

A City Hall spokesperson said in a statement, We will review the lawsuit and respond in court.

This is not the first time that Pearson has come under public scrutiny. In October, the former police inspector was under investigation by the citys Department of Investigation for allegedly shoving guards at a migrant shelter after failing to identify himself when he tried to enter. Pearson was also briefly under fire when it was revealed that he was still receiving a salary from his job assisting with security at Resorts World New York City casino at the time of his hiring by City Hall. He ultimately left the role. Pearsons official title is senior adviser for public safety and COVID recovery, according to Politico.

The accusations against Pearson come just days after a civilian NYPD employee levied her own allegations of sexual assault against Adams himself. The mayor has denied the claims. Jeffrey Maddrey, the NYPD chief of department, was sued by a subordinate who alleged that he sexually abused and harassed her, but the federal lawsuit was later dismissed.
Man on a cross. Photo: Andrew Kelly/Getty Images

Back in 2018 when Donald Trumps lawyer Michael Cohen implicated the then-president in a felony plea deal, New Yorks Eric Levitz half-joked that Trumps reelection bid in 2020 was shaping up to be a campaign to stay out of prison. That became a much more common thought as Trump headed into a comeback bid for 2024 while facing multiple federal and state felony prosecutions. At first, political observers were surprised that all his legal problems seemed to be helping Trump win his third straight presidential nomination. It also raised eyebrows that instead of trying to get Americans to forget his horrendous behavior between Election Night in 2020 and the assault on the Capitol by his supporters on January 6, Trump embraced his outlaw status as a badge of honor and made the attempted insurrection the emotional centerpiece of his 2024 campaign.

The 45th presidents ability to weaponize his own misconduct has very much been dependent on convincing Republican opinion leaders that all his problems with the legal system were attributable to partisan persecution by Democrats. And his success on that front is best illustrated by the increasingly ubiquitous term his supporters are using for any and all efforts to hold him accountable: lawfare.

Wall Street Journal columnist Daniel Henninger celebrated the term recently as an apt description of what was happening to poor Trump:

The newest buzzword in our politics is lawfare, or using the legal system as a weapon against a political opponent. It sits before us now as a spectacle of political gluttony. How many lawsuits, court motions and judgments against Donald Trump can the Democratic Party chow down? More disturbing is the high price the American system may pay for this excess.

In a neat funhouse-mirror inversion of the disrespect for the law Trumps reckless behavior indicates, Henninger claimed it was those who dared prosecute him that were dragging the legal system into the muck and mire:

The argument on behalf of this really quite unprecedented legal offensive boils down to one idea: No one is above the law. True. That view is sometimes known as ensuring respect for the law. My single-sentence reply is that the Democrats use of lawfare on this scale makes it likely that respect for the law will decline, and dangerously so, among much of the American public.

If Democrats had limited their legal offensive to Mr. Smiths two federal initiatives, conservatives would have absorbed it as politics as usual, however degraded that benchmark. But the American left never knows when to stop, so it is waging the get-Trump legal assault on every imaginable front.

So its not Trumps conduct we should be questioning, but the decision of prosecutors  lumped together as the American left  to pursue cases against him that is at fault. Continuing the theme, Trumps own legal team is now spinning his inability to secure a $464 million bond to hold off a civil judgment involving massive business fraud, which one might normally consider a reflection of the weakness of his case and his reputation for not paying his bills, as instead the product of a reign of terror in the Empire State, as the former presidents frequent apologist Jonathan Turley told Fox News:

[T]he result is that most of us looking at this from the outside, seea legal system that is really disassembling, that is devolving. People look at New York now as a place where you really dont want to do business. You want to get pulled into this vortex, where politics plays such a major role in how you are treated.

The niftiest thing about the lawfare argument is that it can obliterate any willingness to look at the cases involving Trump in terms of their merits. Hush-money payments, defamation about a sexual assault, shady business practices, trying to overturn an election  no matter what the former president might have done, its all washed away by the malice of his enemies. The Washington Examiners veteran reporter Byron York, once a sober analyst of political developments, exemplifies the sweeping immunity afforded Trump by Republicans under the rubric of fighting lawfare:

So far, the lawfare directed at Trump  two federal indictments from a special counsel appointed by the Biden Justice Department, plus two local indictments from elected Democratic prosecutors, plus a financial lawsuit from another elected Democratic prosecutor and a sex-and-defamation lawsuit financed by a Democratic megadonor  has backfired at the polls. It helped boost Trump to a runaway victory in the Republican primaries, and so far, it hasnt hurt him in general election matchup polls against Biden.

York professes to be shocked by the joke Biden told at a recent Gridiron Society dinner about someone deeply in debt who applied to the president for relief: Sorry, Donald, I cant help you.

With one joke, Biden acknowledged the work his partys lawfare warriors have done in the Trump matter. And how could Biden not be grateful? Hes trailing Trump in the polls, is facing an electorate that largely believes he is too old for a second term, and is underwater in approval ratings for his handling of most issues.

Is there any doubt that if Trump does win in November  or via a more successful reprisal of his 2020 post-election stop the steal skullduggery  his conservative enablers will want him to get a completely clean bill of health no matter what he actually did to E. Jean Carroll, to credulous 2016 voters, to the State of New York, to Mike Pence, or to public confidence in elections, among other objects of his displeasure. His reelection campaign has indeed shown that the best defense when youre in trouble is to go on the offensive early and often, and make it all a game of winner takes all.
Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Image

Donald Trumps 2016 campaign and four years in office contained so much daily weirdness, wackiness, and horror that the human brain couldnt comprehend it all. As Trump gets close to the White House again, That Happened brings you the surreal moments you may have forgotten  or blocked from your memory.

In February, Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake unsuccessfully attempted to make amends with Meghan McCain after having declared during her failed 2022 gubernatorial bid that former senator John McCains faction of the Republican Party needed to get the hell out. (Meghans rather definitive response to Lakes entreaty regarding her late father: NO PEACE, BITCH.)

Lake is an election-denying acolyte of Donald Trumps, and her contempt for McCain and his Republican Party is illustrative of the sharp break the Trump wing of the party represents with the GOPs traditionally conservative past. Its also a reminder of the remarkably strained relationship between Trump and McCain, temperamental opposites whose disdain for each other was both ideological and very personal.

Perhaps the strangest episode in their long-running feud came well after McCains death. The senator had been deceased for nine months when Trump visited Japan in May 2019, but Trumps pettiness extended well beyond the corporeal world. As The Wall Street Journal reported at the time, the White House caught wind that the president might have to gaze upon his enemys name emblazoned on a ship. And it quickly put the kibosh on that dreadful possibility:

In a May 15 email to U.S. Navy and Air Force officials, a U.S. Indo-Pacific Command official outlined plans for the presidents arrival that he said had resulted from conversations between the White House Military Office and the Seventh Fleet of the U.S. Navy. In addition to instructions for the proper landing areas for helicopters and preparation for the USS Wasp  where the president was scheduled to speak  the official issued a third directive: USS John McCain needs to be out of sight.

Please confirm #3 will be satisfied, the official wrote.

The USS John S. McCain, a destroyer, had been named after the late senators father and grandfather, both Navy admirals. In 2018, shortly before the younger McCains death, the Navy added his name to the ship in a rededication ceremony. Nonetheless, Acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan approved measures to ensure it didnt interfere with the presidents visit, as the Journal put it. Moving it altogether would have been difficult since the ship had been involved in a deadly collision two years earlier and was undergoing repairs. The solution was something even more glaringly ridiculous:

A tarp was hung over the ships name ahead of the presidents trip, according to photos reviewed by the Journal, and sailors were directed to remove any coverings from the ship that bore its name.

After the tarp was taken down, a barge was moved closer to the ship, obscuring its name. Sailors on the ship, who typically wear caps bearing its name, were given the day off during Mr. Trumps visit, people familiar with the matter said.

As you can see, it was a real mission accomplished moment:

NEW: The White House wanted the USS John McCain out of sight for Trumps visit to Japan. A tarp was hung over the ships name ahead of the trip, and sailorswho wear caps bearing the ships namewere given the day off for Trumps visit. w/@gluboldhttps://t.co/6ugPceCOre pic.twitter.com/KuIoWJK5Kt  Rebecca Ballhaus (@rebeccaballhaus) May 29, 2019

Trump denied having any knowledge of this arrangement, which is hard to believe.

I was not informed about anything having to do with the Navy Ship USS John S. McCain during my recent visit to Japan. Nevertheless, @FLOTUS and I loved being with our great Military Men and Women - what a spectacular job they do!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2019

But even if he didnt directly order the proverbial code red, the fact that anyone thought to hide the USS McCain from Trumps sight is a marker of his fragile ego and a measure of his undying scorn for a man who was in many ways his opposite: a tradition-bound, socially conservative foreign-policy interventionist who was into decorum.

McCain summed up his differences with Trump in a 2017 60 Minutes interview. He is in the business of making money, and he has been successful both in television as well as Miss America and others, he said. I was raised in the concept and belief that duty, honor, country is the lodestar for behavior that we have to exhibit every single day.

Trump and McCains mutual dislike for each other stretched over many years.

One of the first big Can he really get away with this? moments of Trumps first presidential campaign came in July 2015 when, in a repeat of comments hed made 15 years earlier, he cast doubt on McCains status as a war hero, remarking that he liked people who werent captured. (Smart observers thought this boorish comment would likely spell the end of Trumps campaign, an idea that seems utterly quaint now.) The two had already tangled before that with Trump whipping up crowds to boo at McCains name over his supposedly weak immigration stance and McCain lamenting that Trump had fired up the crazies, among other dustups. There were fleeting moments of harmony between the two, but McCain withdrew his support for Trump when the Access Hollywood tape blew up.

Then in 2017, shortly after the McCain family announced his cancer diagnosis, he strode onto the Senate floor and merrily tanked Republicans efforts to repeal Obamacare, delivering perhaps the most famous thumbs-down since Gladiator. That gesture reaffirmed his maverick reputation (which he hadnt always been deserving of) and in the process incensed Trump, who never suffered a slight he didnt forget.

The Japan incident was far from the first time that Trump had disrespected McCain posthumously. After McCain died of brain cancer in 2018, Trump had to be pressured into granting him full honors, thus keeping the White House flag at half-staff as the late senator was interred; it had been hastily raised back to full staff even as other flags around D.C. remained lowered. Our hearts and prayers are going to the family of Senator John McCain  and we very much appreciate everything Senator McCain has done for our country, the president grudgingly told reporters, perhaps gritting his teeth as he uttered the words. Trump was, unsurprisingly, not invited to McCains funeral.

Months after McCains death, Trump continued ragging on him via Twitter, adding a new line of attack. Trump accused the late senator of spreading the fake and totally discredited Steele dossier; it had emerged that McCain obtained the document and turned it over to the FBI before the 2016 election. (McCain speechwriter and alter ego Mark Salters memorable reply to Trump: Here is what will never change. John McCain will always be a better man than you in every way we measure a mans character. Youll never beat him. Now fuck off, you miserable excuse for a human being.)

I have to be honest: Ive never liked him, Trump said of McCain in a 2019 speech, as if this had been some kind of secret.

Trump even expressed indignation that the McCain family hadnt been more grateful postmortem: I gave him the kind of funeral that he wanted, which, as president, I had to approve. I dont care about this, but I didnt get a thank-you. That is okay. We sent him on the way, but I wasnt a fan of John McCain.

Today, McCains family and former advisers are still publicly bickering with the Trumpier elements of the GOP, so its clear the feeling remains mutual.
Photo: Brendan McDermid-Pool/Getty Images

Today should, by all rights, be Trial Haircut Day.

This is the sacred ritual wherein prosecutors go see the barber or stylist and get tidied up, shortly before jury selection begins. Theres a delicate art to it. Ideally, you get the preparatory cut a few days before trial, just in case the barber gets a little overzealous and leaves you chopped. (Its happened to me; its not great standing in front of the jury looking like Matthew Modine in Full Metal Jacket.) The trial cut typically peaks around 10 to 12 days in and steadily degrades from there. Urban legend has it that one should never get a mid-trial haircut, but that doesnt work for a three- or four-month affair; you need to sharpen up at some point.

For months now, weve had Monday, March 25, circled on the calendar as the start date for the first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president: The People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump, in Manhattan, for falsification of business records relating to hush-money payments before the 2016 election. The judge had denied Trumps last-gasp (or, as it turns out, second-last-gasp) delay efforts, and the jury pool was ready to go. This thing was on, for real.

Until it wasnt. Suddenly last week, the hush-money case hit a procedural ditch. Now the Manhattan prosecution joins its three counterparts in suspended animation. Over the past month, the axis has tilted on all four pending Trump cases, generally for the worse for prosecutors. And while we still will probably see at least one Trump trial before the election, theres a creeping likelihood that we wont see any, or any of the Big Ones.

As we head into the heart of the general-election campaign, lets reassess where each case stands. Ill violate a cardinal rule of legal prognostication here and give you scientifically precise, airtight numerical calculations of the likelihood each case gets tried before the election. No lawyerly hedging here; just hopelessly speculative mathematical precision prevails.

Manhattan District Attorney (Hush Money): 70 percent

Ten days ago, I wouldve had this up in the mid-90s. But suddenly, the case hit a snag. Heres the crux of it. Back in 2021, when Trump was about to leave office, federal prosecutors at the Southern District of New York (my former office) considered whether to charge Trump with campaign-finance crimes relating to hush-money payments. After a series of internal discussions, the Feds declined, largely because they did not fully trust Michael Cohen, who wouldve been a central witness. Fast-forward a couple years, and the Manhattan DA decides to bring state-level charges that rest largely on Cohens testimony.

Now, imagine for a moment that youre Trumps lawyers. Whats your move? Right: You need to get those files from the Feds. (Keep in mind that a defendant is legally entitled to any evidence in the possession of prosecutors that might aid the defense.) Why did the famously aggressive SDNY reject the case? Whats in its files that undercuts Cohen and might help your defense?

Long story short, the SDNY only recently started turning over tens of thousands of documents to Trumps team. The Manhattan DA has acknowledged that at least some of those documents are relevant to the defense, and acceded to a postponement of the trial for at least 30 days. Judge Juan Merchan ruled that trial wont start until mid-April, and maybe later than that.

The question now is whether the discovery issue snowballs. Judge Merchan has demanded a detailed accounting from prosecutors on what went wrong. The judge pointedly noted that there are significant questions of fact relating to prosecutors delay in producing discovery, and that he will set a new trial date should one be necessary.

I suspect the parties will eventually get this issue worked out and that well still have a trial sometime late spring or early summer. (A bit of good news for those hoping a Trump conviction might sink his 2024 electoral chances: New polling by Politico shows that 36 percent of independents would be less likely to vote for Trump if hes convicted in this case.) But now theres some uncertainty around when, and whether, thatll happen.

Fulton County District Attorney (2020 Election Subversion): 1 percent

District attorney Fani Willis just barely survived a defense motion to disqualify, but her credibility is in tatters. The judge stopped half an inch short of finding that Willis committed perjury; he noted that an odor of mendacity remains, that reasonable questions persist about whether the DA testified untruthfully, and that her inflammatory public commentary was legally improper. Prosecutorial careers have ended over less.

The DA has requested a trial starting in August, running up to and through the election and concluding in 2025. Theres just no practical way that happens. This case will likely be the last one tried, and only philosophical concern about whether anything is truly impossible prevents me from putting this at zero percent.

DOJ Special Counsel Jack Smith (2020 Election Subversion): 20 percent

Despite Smiths dogged determination to get this case tried quickly, the timeline is slipping away. The Supreme Court has taken up Trumps immunity appeal and will hear oral arguments on April 25. Well likely get a ruling in late June or July, and the Court might send the case back down to the trial judge for fact-finding about whether Trump acted within the scope of his job as president; that exercise alone would take us well past the election.

Even if the Court cleanly rejects Trumps immunity argument, scheduling will be tight. Judge Tanya Chutkan has said shell give the parties a couple months to prepare for trial  meaning, best-case scenario for prosecutors, the trial might start in September. Thats awfully close to the election, and its not clear the judge would agree to it. Im giving this one a fighting chance because Smith and (to a lesser extent) Judge Chutkan seem hell-bent on wedging it in before the election. But their options are running out.

DOJ Special Counsel Jack Smith (Mar-a-Lago Classified Documents): 15 percent

Fun fact: Of the four pending Trump cases, this is currently the only one with an actual trial date (May 20). But both parties have now formally recognized that the May date wont happen; Smith has requested a trial in July, while Trump has asked for a trial, well, never  or, in the alternative, in August.

Even those summer dates seem unlikely. Trump has lost one pretrial motion to dismiss, but others remain, including a presidential immunity claim. Its a frivolous argument, given that the charged crimes didnt even begin until after Trump left the presidency. But if hes allowed to pursue that appeal before trial  as he was in the other DOJ case  then this ones blown out way past the election. There are just too many lingering legal and practical issues, including ongoing complications over production of classified documents, and the judge seems not to care about expediting the schedule. This one stands on the brink of the election cliff, and a slight wind will blow it over.

When the four Trump indictments landed last summer, it seemed each had at least some chance of reaching trial, with a year and change remaining before the election. But the Trump prosecutors  all of whom took two-plus years to indict  failed to account for this fundamental truth about criminal trials: Crazy shit happens all the time. Thats especially true when one party has an overwhelming incentive to make said crazy shit happen.

Donald Trump did not invent the delay tactic. Virtually every defense team drags its feet, hoping for some development that might throw off the prosecution. Sometimes delay tactics succeed, sometimes they dont, and sometimes theyre intentional, while other times its just happenstance. During my first trial, the defense lawyer fell partially into a manhole while walking her dog, breaking her orbital bone and nearly causing a mistrial. (She came back a week or so later and finished the trial wearing blackout sunglasses and using a cane to navigate the courtroom; talk about eliciting juror sympathy.) Ive seen trials postponed because of discovery issues, appeals, illnesses, scheduling conflicts, you name it.

All four Trump cases were dependent on smooth sailing, but anyone whos ever tried a case could easily predict there would be rough waters ahead. Now its unclear whether any of them make it to their destinations in time to truly matter.

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.
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As an enthusiast of the body shower (a.k.a. washing everything but my hair) and someone who has especially dry skin, Ive spent a great deal of time shopping for just the right body wash. And  as anyone who has perused the skin-care aisle will know  the options are abundant, to say the least. There are ultramoisturizing body washes, particularly nice-smelling body washes, and cleansers designed to polish your skin. Then there are targeted formulas, like those that claim to be gentle enough for eczema-affected areas, and plenty that boast dermatologist-recommended badges.

To narrow down the field and find the best of the bunch, I set out to test a number of body washes myself  including ones Ive used and loved for ages and several new-to-me ones. Then I interviewed six dermatologists to hear what they recommend to patients, and consulted several Strategist staffers about their favorites (it turns out they had many). As I researched, I learned that the first thing youll want to think about when choosing a body wash is your skin type (dry or oily? Any specific concerns, like acne or keratosis pilaris?). From there, you can choose the cleanser consistency thats best for your needs  such as a creamy gel, shower oil, or lightweight foam  and determine if a scented or fragrance-free option is right for you.

Here, youll find body washes for skin types and needs of all kinds  from one for extremely dry skin to the citrus-floral one that I cant get enough of. And if you are taking an everything shower, read our guides to face washes and exfoliators for all skin types, and dont forget to sign up for our weekly Beauty Brief newsletter.

What were looking for Ingredients The ingredients youll want in a body wash will largely depend on your skin type. According to Dr. Hope Mitchell, founder of Mitchell Dermatology, gentle, hydrating, and fragrance-free body washes are the best option for most skin types. If your skin is dry or if you shower more than once a day (which can be drying), youll want moisturizing ingredients including glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or ceramides that lock in moisture and keep your skin barrier intact. Acne-prone skin can benefit from salicylic acid (a BHA or beta-hydroxy acid), which controls oil production and unclogs pores. And if you have sensitive skin or eczema, aloe vera can help soothe inflammation, as can colloidal oatmeal, which is naturally anti-inflammatory. For those with especially sensitive skin, avoiding harsh ingredients like sulfates (such as sodium lauryl sulfate) and alcohol is a good idea, according to the dermatologists I spoke with. And if youre still unsure about what ingredients to look for, clean formulations are usually your best bet. I would also try to select a body wash with as few ingredients as possible to minimize irritation, says Dr. Steve Xu, who heads the Medical Advisory Board at gender-neutral skin-care brand Geologie. Consistency Body washes come in many forms, from gellike cleansers to thick, cream-based formulas. Depending on your skin type and any accompanying skin conditions, certain consistencies will work better than others. Normal to dry skin will benefit from more emollient formulas; eczema-prone skin is also best suited to creamier washes that add extra moisture. If youre prone to body acne, you should avoid using oil-based products because they can exacerbate breakouts even during a quick shower. Instead, choose a gel-to-foam option that doesnt contain heavier oils, such as shea butter and coconut oil. Scent A scented body wash can undoubtedly make any shower feel more luxurious  and which scent is right for you will come down to personal preference. Ive included a range of unscented to last-all-day-scented body washes on this list. Just note: Many experts I spoke to recommended fragrance-free formulations for those prone to allergic reactions or skin sensitivities.

Best body wash overall

Dove Instant Foaming Body Wash Deep Moisture $24 for 4 $26 now 8% off $24 for 4 Ingredients: Glycerin, fatty acids | Consistency: Lightweight foam | Scent: Light floral Doves body washes are beloved by dermatologists and Strategist staffers alike, so I had high expectations when I started testing this Instant Foaming wash  and it truly did not disappoint. From the start, I was impressed by the body washs soft and airy foam consistency. It felt extremely lush when I lathered it in the shower, and after showering, my skin always felt smooth and supple all over. The cleanse was thorough but still gentle and hydrating. (So gentle, in fact, that it even soothed a sunburn I had while testing it.) The body washs ultrahydrating effect is thanks to glycerin and skin-barrier-strengthening fatty acids  both ingredients nourished my skin and kept it feeling soft long after my shower. And even with those hydrating ingredients, the body wash still has a lightweight consistency, which is part of why its a great choice for a range of skin types. As Dr. Noelle S. Sherber, co-founder of Sherber + Rad and clinical associate professor of dermatology at George Washington University, told me, This foamy formula will rinse cleanly enough for oilier skin and is nourishing enough for drier skin. Other perks: a very affordable price tag  one of the least expensive on this list  and intuitive packaging. I loved that the foam is dispensed through a convenient pump thats super-easy to use, even with slippery, wet hands. The scent also sold me. Its almost like a sweet vanilla, with floral notes that arent too overpowering but still linger on the skin. (And if youd prefer a fruitier scent, our newsletter editor Ashley Wolfgang has been using Doves Rejuvenating Body Wash for over 15 years. She loves the pomegranate and hibiscus scent, which she describes as quite lovely and not too floral-smelling.) $24 for 4 at Amazon Buy $7 at Target Buy

Best body wash for dry skin

Necessaire The Body Wash - Eucalyptus $25 $25 Ingredients: Glycerin, niacinamide, meadowfoam oil | Consistency: Oil-in-gel | Scent: Eucalyptus Im a devout user of this Necessaire body wash. Its been part of my shower routine for more than three years, and thats because nothing else nourishes my dry skin quite like this pH-balanced and antioxidant-rich formula. At first, the consistency is thicker and oilier than other body washes on this list, but it turns milky in texture and foams slightly as you lather. Its also noncomedogenic  meaning it wont clog your pores  and contains niacinamide and vitamin E, which can reduce inflammation and redness. Ive noticed that thanks to these hydrating ingredients, the Necessaire provides near-instant relief for my skin when I apply it and soothes any discomfort from skin cracking. Its also safe for those with eczema-prone skin: Our beauty columnist Rio Viera-Newton uses it and says it hasnt caused any hot and itchy flares up post-shower. Although the brand offers a fully no fragrance body wash, Viera-Newton also prefers the eucalyptus scent that I use. $25 at Amazon Buy $34 at Sephora Buy

Best (less expensive) body wash for dry skin

CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash $12 $12 Ingredients: Glycerin, ceramides, hyaluronic acid | Consistency: Cream-gel | Scent: Fragrance free If $25 for the Necessaire is more than youd like to spend on a body wash, this CeraVe formula is similarly gentle and hydrating. Two dermatologists I spoke to suggested it specifically for those dealing with dryness or cracked skin. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Emmy Graber, founder of the Dermatology Institute of Boston, likes that it contains three essential ceramides, which are great for hydrating the skin and repairing the skin barrier. Another fan is Dr. Amanda Doyle, a board-certified dermatologist at Russak Dermatology, who describes ceramides as actual building blocks of the skin that are important for healing any cracks. The gentle, non-drying formula is an excellent option for daily use, Doyle says; plus, its accessible, and at less than $12, its not as cost-prohibiting as other formulas on this list. Along with receiving high all-around marks from Graber and Doyle, this body wash gets a stamp of approval from the National Eczema Association, which means its free of known irritants and allergens. $12 at Amazon Buy $12 at Dermstore Buy

Best body wash for extremely dry skin

Bioderma Atoderm Cleansing Shower Oil $23 $30 now 25% off $23 Ingredients: Glycerin, niacinamide, coconut esters, sunflower esters | Consistency: Oily | Scent: Fragrance free If youre in need of even deeper hydration, I recommend using a shower oil, which creates a protective barrier on the skin to replenish its moisture. This Bioderma one, which contains moisturizing glycerin and brightening niacinamide, is a favorite of Sherbers. Our editor Maxine Builder is a fan, too  she tested the oil-based wash and says you dont need a ton of product to get a good lather: I use about two full pumps for my legs and lower body and two full pumps for my arms and chest and upper body, she says. Builder prefers to use it after shes shaved or exfoliated because the heavier texture helps to alleviate the feeling of skin tightness; meanwhile, Sherber notes that it can actually be applied as a hydrating alternative to shaving cream because it offers a nice slip to the skin. Its also noncomedogenic, so it wont block your pores. $23 at Amazon Buy $30 at Target Buy

Best body wash for keratosis pilaris

Naturium The Perfector Salicylic Acid Skin Smoothing Body Wash $14 $14 Ingredients: Glycerin, salicylic acid, linoleic-rich oils | Consistency: Gel | Scent: Fragrance free Naturiums the Perfector contains salicylic acid, which helps slough away dead skin cells and is typically used to treat acne or keratosis pilaris. As someone who has experienced skin dryness leading to keratosis pilaris for most of my life, I decided to give this body wash a try  and I must say I was impressed. After using it for a couple of showers, I could already see the rough patches on my arms softening. I found the best results by applying it just once every three days  any more can be drying, though I do think the linoleic-rich oils and glycerin helped add some moisture back into my skin. It also works to clear breakouts: Our junior writer Bella Druckman, who has moderately sensitive combination skin, uses the Perfector to target body acne, specifically on her chest. She says her blemishes begin to disappear after a few washes and that the formula  which has a consistency between maple syrup and molasses  was thick enough that she didnt need much to get a nice lather. Although the dermatologists I spoke to caution against using products with salicylic acid on dry and sensitive skin, some people can benefit from the exfoliating ingredient. In fact, our deals editor Sam Daly swears by this body wash for her incredibly sensitive skin. She told me that this fragrance-free body wash worked wonders, clearing an itchy and red reaction that developed all over her arms and legs. I feel so smooth after using it  like one of those nice buffed pebbles you find at the beach  and it never leaves you feeling squeaky like some other washes do, Daly says, adding that her skin is so much silkier since she started using the formula. $14 at Target Buy $29 at Walmart Buy

Best body wash for acne-prone skin

BeautyPie AcidEnzyme Exfoliating Face & Body Cleanser $60 $60 Ingredients: Salicylic acid, glycerin, oat kernel extract | Consistency: Gel-to-foam | Scent: Fragrance free Instead of using a physical exfoliant (like a body scrub) to rid skin of dirt and oil, you can use a chemical-exfoliant body wash, which penetrates deeper to loosen dead skin cells. Safe for both face and body, BeautyPies BHA-infused cleanser is ideal for acne-prone or oily skin because it contains 2 percent salicylic acid and a papaya-enzyme complex, which can help unclog pores and prevent future breakouts, says Dr. Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University. It also contains glycerin to hydrate the skin and oat-kernel extract to soothe and support the skin barrier, King explains. $60 at Beauty Pie Buy

Best body wash for chest acne

Caudalie Vinopure Pore Purifying Gel Cleanser $30 $30 Ingredients: Salicylic acid, glycerin, grape water | Consistency: Gel-to-foam | Scent: Fragrance free I often recommend that my patients who get breakouts on their chest use a facial-quality cleanser such as this one by Caudalie, Sherber told me. A facial cleanser is handy for chest breakouts because that area can be very sensitive and reactive and has more in common with facial skin than it does with thicker-skinned areas on the rest of the body. Those with acne-prone skin will benefit from this formula because it contains salicylic acid, which is effective in clearing pores of any gunk, plus redness-reducing grape water. Its also sulfate free, soap free, and alcohol free. $30 at Amazon Buy From $40 at Sephora Buy

Best scented body wash

Ouai Body Cleanser - Dean Street From $28 From $28 Ingredients: Glycerin, jojoba oil, rosehip oil | Consistency: Gel-to-foam | Scent: Citrus-floral Out of all the scented body washes Ive tested, Ouais Dean Street cleanser is the one I keep coming back to. It has bright citrus-y top notes of lemon and grapefruit, plus a mix of rose, magnolia, linden blossom, and musk  a blend that makes me feel like Im strolling near an overflowing flower garden on a warm spring morning every time I use it. And beyond its cheery, long-lasting scent, this body wash contains some solid skin-care ingredients, too: Antioxidant-rich jojoba and rosehip oils work to seal in moisture, soothe irritated skin, and fade dark spots. From $28 at Amazon Buy $38 at Sephora Buy

Best sustainable body wash

Bathing Culture Mind and Body Wash - Cathedral Grove $20 $20 Ingredients: Glycerin, aloe vera, shea butter, olive oil | Consistency: Gel | Scent: Earthy If youre seeking a sustainable body wash, consider this one from California brand Bathing Culture that senior editor Simone Kitchens has been using for the past five years. Part of what Kitchens loves about this body wash is the packaging, which is made from 100 percent pre-existing recycled materials (and you can purchase the formula in a glass container if youd prefer). To further cut down on waste, the brand offers one-gallon refills, or you can visit one of its special refill stations when you need to re-up your supply. And it looks good on a shower shelf to boot. Its by far the coolest-looking body-wash bottle out there, says Kitchens. Packaging isnt the only draw. The super-clean, biodegradable formula is similar to Dr. Bronners all-purpose Castile soap, but Kitchens says its a lot more hydrating on her dry skin thanks to the minimal yet high-quality ingredients list, which includes glycerin, aloe vera, and shea butter. It has a lovely woodsy scent, too, thanks to its mix of cedar wood, juniper, vetiver, and frankincense essential oils. I like how powerful the scent gets in the shower, but since theres nothing synthetic in there, it doesnt linger in a cloying way, Kitchens says. $20 at Amazon Buy From $20 at Bathing Culture Buy

Our experts

 Maxine Builder, editor

 Sam Daly, deals editor

 Bella Druckman, junior writer

 Dr. Emmy Graber, board-certified dermatologist and founder of the Dermatology Institute of Boston

 Dr. Hadley King, board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University

 Simone Kitchens, senior editor

 Dr. Hope Mitchell, founder of Mitchell Dermatology

 Dr. Noelle S. Sherber, co-founder of Sherber + Rad and clinical associate professor of dermatology at George Washington University

 Ashley Wolfgang, newsletter editor

 Dr. Steve Xu, founder of Sibel Health and head of the Medical Advisory Board at Geologie

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Nonstick skillets are one of three types of skillets you should probably own  and if Im being honest, the one I turn to most often. They produce perfectly soft scrambled eggs and fluffy omelets, but theyre also good for getting crispy skin on fish, flipping pancakes with supreme ease, transferring frittatas from stove to oven, and all manner of sauteing. But which one you should buy can also be a bit divisive. Unlike, say, cast iron, where one brand reigns supreme and all others are, for the most part, exceedingly similar, nonstick pans have variations that are cause for debate. Some people say ceramic is best, while others swear by different coatings (theres a bit more on this below, but I also wrote an entire explainer on nonstick surface materials if youre interested in taking a deep dive). Some say you should buy the cheapest pan possible, given that these arent lifetime pieces of cookware, while others believe that investing more will, in fact, make them last at least a bit longer. My very favorite model falls somewhere in the middle (not cheap, but not break-the-bank expensive, and extremely durable). I tested others I like a lot, too, and am using many of them on an ongoing basis so I can stay up to speed on longevity as I continue to update this piece. And I spoke to professional cooks and recipe developers about the models they use in their own kitchens, as well. Here youll find a thorough list of reliable pans, each with distinct qualities, so you can decide whats best for you.

One note on price: Ive listed the starting price for each pan here, which in most cases gives you an eight-inch diameter  the perfect size for about two eggs. With the exception of Material Kitchens pan (which only comes in 10.5 inches), you can buy larger versions of each, usually somewhere between ten inches (the most versatile size) and 12 inches (great for larger households and bigger-batch cooking). Meanwhile, if youre shopping for other types of skillets, too, read my guide that includes picks for stainless steel, cast iron, and more.

What were looking for Material Some nonstick skillets have a ceramic coating, which several of the experts I spoke to prefer, given that its allegedly the safest option. But it also tends to lose its nonstick properties the fastest. Plus, in my personal experience, the surface doesnt provide quite as smooth of a release, even from the beginning. If you dont feel strongly about ceramic, youll notice a lot of other coatings you can go for, most of which advertise themselves under trademarked names, or avoid telling you the exact material makeup altogether. Those models all contain PTFE, the chemical compound that actually makes the pans nonstick. To my mind, PTFE is nothing to be freaked out about (and, in fact, nonstick got a bad reputation due to another chemical compound  one that once was used to manufacture PTFE  that is now outlawed). You can read much more about this here, but at the end of the day, as long as you take care of your pans and keep a watchful eye for when they do start to degrade, you should be totally fine. To that end, its smart to avoid metal utensils that might scratch the surface and release any unwanted chemicals (rubber and wood are much gentler). I also hand-wash all of mine (I find it is one of the fastest dishes to do), but Ive noted when any experts mention that they put theirs in the dishwasher without negative effect. For this category, Ive marked each pan as either ceramic or non-ceramic. Weight While most nonstick skillets are on the lighter side, their weight can affect how they feel in your hand. If you like a sturdier pan, look for ones that weigh a bit more. If you think youll be maneuvering yours around a lot (picking it up, moving it around, transferring from oven to stove), you might want a slightly lighter option. Oven safety Beyond using softer cooking utensils and handwashing, one way to ensure your nonstick skillets hold up is to be cautious when putting them in the oven. Though all the brands on this list have declared their skillets oven-safe up to a certain degree, Ive noted their exact specifications below.

Best overall nonstick skillet

Zwilling Madura Plus Nonstick Aluminum Fry Pan $60 Material: Non-ceramic | Weight: 1.65 pounds | Oven safety: up to 300 degrees After cooking with the Zwilling Madura in my own kitchen for about three years, I can say that it falls into the sweet spot many of our experts pointed out as being key to a good nonstick-pan purchase: affordable enough and still well-made. Its my most-used one (and I have a lot), but the surface still looks  and behaves  good as new. The overall build of the pan is excellent, with a nice curve to the walls, a supremely comfortable handle that doesnt get too hot, and a weight that I find sturdy, but easy enough to lift (youll see it falls somewhere in the middle when you look at every skillet on this list). Recipe developer and writer Rebecca Firkser says, I love that its technically safe for metal utensils, something that Ive always considered a nonstick no-no. I still try to be cautious when flipping things with my metal fish spatula, tongs, and slotted spoons, but even when Ive scraped the pan accidentally, Ive never seen a scratch on the surface. She also appreciates that the handle stays cool to the touch. Recipe developer and cookbook author Molly Baz notes that particular feature, too. I like the way it feels in my hand ergonomically, she says. I can hold it in one hand without it hurting my wrist or flopping over to the side. Recipe developer and cookbook author Andy Baraghani likes the flared lip that makes it easy to toss ingredients. Though many nonstick skillets claim to be oven- and dishwasher-safe, the Zwilling Madura has proven that it holds up when you use it in these ways. I use mine to make frittatas (as do Firkser and Baragahni), and Baz says she has even put it in a 400-degree oven with great success, and has been putting it in the dishwasher since I bought it four or five years ago, and it shows no signs of degraded coating. $60 at Crate and Barrel Buy

Best less-expensive nonstick skillet

Best lightweight nonstick skillet

Oxo Good Grips Hard Anodized Nonstick Frying Pan $21 Material: Non-ceramic | Weight: 1.23 pounds | Oven safety: Up to 390 degrees Oxo is a Strategist-favorite brand, and this skillet is no exception. In the year Ive been using it, the surface has held up with no scratches or deterioration. Its worth noting that this is one of the two cheaper pans on this list (the other being the Cuisinart above), and as such, I treat it gently, not putting it in the dishwasher or oven, the latter of which I do with the other two (the Zwilling Madura and the Material below). Still, Oxo maintains it can withstand heat up to 390 degrees. The standout feature, though, is its weight, the lightest on this list. In my experience, you can really feel the difference between even a few ounces. Combined with the comfortable silicone grip, this means maneuvering the pan around the stove, picking it up to toss ingredients like nuts or stir fries, and fully flipping it over for a tortilla espanola are all easy to achieve. $21 at Amazon Buy $21 at Amazon Buy

Best nonstick skillet with removable silicone handle

Best ceramic nonstick skillet

Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Frying Pan $95 Material: Ceramic | Weight: 2.8 pounds | Oven safety: Up to 550 degrees Despite my disclaimer about ceramic nonstick skillets at the beginning of this story, Strategist senior writer Liza Corsillo swears by the Caraway pan she was gifted over a year ago, saying it still looks brand new. She uses it for all kinds of eggs, grilled cheese, pancakes, and pasta sauces like quick and dirty carbonaras  anything that needs reliable flipping. She attributes this to the gradual slope of the edges as well as to the coating itself. It truly is nonstick in a way that feels like sorcery, she says. I dont know how they made a pan so slippery and easy to clean without any traditional toxic nonstick materials, but Im so glad they did. It makes me feel safe using it to cook for my son. She also loves the look: Its her preferred skillet to pull out when guests come over, and she likes to serve directly from it. $95 at Amazon Buy $90 at Caraway Buy

Best less expensive ceramic nonstick skillet

Best nonstick skillet for high heat

Material Kitchen The Coated Pan $98 $115 now 15% off $98 Material: Non-ceramic | Weight: Five pounds | Oven safety: Up to 500 degrees Even though Materials skillet doesnt claim to hold up to the highest heat in the oven (that would be the pan above), I have found it to be unparalleled on the stove. The inside is made from copper, a material that conducts heat, retains heat, and then cools down in an incredibly exacting way, says Daniel Cutler, co-ownerchef of Ronan in Los Angeles. As such, Ive found it to be particularly effective for foods where youre trying to get a bit of color, like lacy-edged fried eggs, crispy rice, and hashes. Recipe developer and cookbook author Hetty McKinnon also owns this skillet, which she calls the most durable one in her arsenal. After a year, its not even close to being trashed, she says. (Ive had mine for more than two years and can attest to the same.) It heats up super quickly and cooks evenly. It also feels balanced and light in my hand, which is such a nice change from my cast iron. One final plus: The Coated Pan is, in my opinion, the most attractive on this list, with a beautiful angled handle and understated yet distinctive colors for the coating. $98 at Amazon Buy $92 at Material Buy

A note on the Our Place Always Pan 2.0

As with our story on the best skillets of varying types, I have removed the original Our Place Always Pan from this list, which I had previously recommended as the best nonstick skillet with high sides. In spring of 2023, the brand retired that version and released the Always Pan 2.0. The main difference between the products is a new and, according to the brand, improved nonstick coating that will last for longer and has the ability to go in the oven.

I appreciate these changes and still think the overall build of the pan is good. The high sides offer protection from splatter. The tight-fitting lid is handy: Depending on how you place it, it has the option of fully closing or leaving a small opening for steam to escape. The pour spout is smart, making it a pan that can handle saucy dishes.

However, after testing out the updated version for nine months, there was one issue I couldnt get over: It has a different handle design with a hole that runs through the length. Because of this, it spurts out steam and liquid and is burning hot to the touch. I decided to omit the skillet because, given this, I simply dont think its worth the steep price point.

Our experts

 Rebecca Firkser, recipe developer and writer

 Molly Baz, recipe developer and cookbook author

 Andy Baraghani, recipe developer and cookbook author

 Liza Corsillo, Strategist senior writer

 Anito Lo, chef and cookbook author

 Matt Rodbard, food writer, editor, and cookbook author

 Jessica Battilana, editor at King Arthur Baking and cookbook author

 Caroline Lange, recipe developer and food stylist

 Vallery Lomas, recipe developer and cookbook author

 Alana Kyser , writer of Fix, Flair, Feast and cookbook author

 Daniel Cutler, co-ownerchef of Ronan

 Hetty McKinnon, recipe developer and cookbook author

 Lani Halliday, owner and founder of Brutus Bakeshop

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.
A few recent visitors to my parents Birdfy smart bird feeder. Video: Strategist

I knew that I chose the right Christmas gift for my parents when our family group chat started to feature more updates about birds than humans. European starling, my mom texted us one day this winter, accompanied by a video of said starling chowing down on breakfast that morning. Hes dancing! my sister-in-law noted. And two chickadees, my dad followed up, with a separate video of the starlings two friends having lunch later that day.

My parents, who live in Virginia, have become avid bird watchers in the past five years. They have multiple birdhouses and feeders in their backyard, and they like to snap pictures of different species from their bay window. But their pictures were always grainy, zoomed-in iPhone photos that never quite represented the vibrant reds of the cardinals or the deep blue plumage of the barn swallows  two regulars to the feeder closest to their window.

So I got them this smart bird feeder in the hopes that it would allow them to spot their avian friends more easily. Its a fairly simple gadget  its just a plastic bird feeder with a motion-sensor camera attached to it. The camera functions like a Ring doorbell: It faces outward from the feeder, toward the feeding area, which gives you a livestream of the front porch, so to speak, and all of its visitors straight to your phone. Its powered by an included solar panel, so you dont have to worry about finding an outlet or keeping it charged.

The bird feeder is meant to be used with an app, also called Birdfy. From it, you can livestream the camera (and snap pictures from it,), and you can view past video clips. It auto-records a clip every time theres a bird, so if youre away from your phone all day, you can check the app to see who came by that day. You can then download any of the clips to your phone.

My parents have fallen in love with it  or should I say theyve fallen in love with the birds that the feeder has allowed them to observe more closely. Ive come to learn about the cast of recurring characters: the rather large blue barn swallow with its tan puffy chest, the cardinal thats balding, a particularly camera-shy female cardinal, plus the robins and the juncos that prefer to munch on the seeds that fall to the ground from above.

The camera-shy female cardinal. Video: Strategist

Setup was straightforward: Within 20 minutes of opening the box, we were looking at a live feed on our phones (you can connect multiple phones to the same Birdfy camera). We installed it on a pole of an existing bird feeder, and the solar panel was easy to install thanks to a rubbery oversize twist tie that wrapped around the pole (it also comes with a tree mount and a wall mount). That twist tie has already weathered several months outside through snow, rain, and temperatures from 20 degrees up to 70, and is still going strong. There are a few things to keep in mind regarding the setup: Youll need a microSD card if you want the camera to record any clips. (The auto-recording archive goes back a full month before theyre deleted automatically from the cloud.) Second, consider squirrels. My parents get a lot of squirrels in the backyard who like to steal bird food, so they installed a squirrel baffle on the pole. Youll also want to make sure the solar panel is getting consistent sun exposure.

The feeder was easy to install on an existing bird-feeder pole. Photo: Jeremy Rellosa

You can choose to get alerts whenever it detects a bird on the feeder, which, at first, was exciting for my parents. But three months later, they have received so many notifications that now they just review the days footage whenever its convenient for them. Sometimes, my dad props up his phone at his desk and keeps the livestream on while hes working.

And there are alternatives, like the more popular Bird Buddy ($299), which I intended to buy, but it wouldnt have arrived in time for Christmas  plus, it was $100 more than the Birdfy, which promised to do the same thing. The major difference is in the Bird Buddys design: Its solar panels are in the roof of the feeder, whereas the Birdfys solar panel is separate, which allows for a little more versatility in terms of where you can place it for sun exposure.

But the best part about the Birdfy is how effortless it is. From the solar panel that keeps the camera charged to the auto-recording camera itself that delivers crystal-clear video and photos to your phone, the Birdfy is 100 percent the lazy persons way to bird-watch (I dont think my parents will be snapping grainy phone pictures anytime soon). And if thats not lazy enough for you, for $80 more, Birdfy sells a version that comes with an AI feature that will automatically identify the bird species for you.

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.
The US is such a hypocrite. Suddenly calling for a ceasefire after months of blocking it while continuing to provide weapons to Israel.

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They want to be seen to be doing something while actually doing nothing

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I say that whenever ever someone tells me Biden is being 'harsh' with Ne10yahoo. I'm like 'they're leaking that to the papers which actually doing nothing so they look like they're doing something'.



Blinken is literally in "Israel" saying that they should stop while Ne10yahoo laughs in his face and they'll keep sending them money and weapons.

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Strangely, they're not wrong.

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I'm glad I read before opining because this was definitely phrased in a way to make you immediately pass judgement onto CHN and RUS.

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BBC really buried the lead, I was really angry until I went onto other news websites to say why they had vetoed.

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Mte glad I actually did read for once bc this post was not what I expected

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Neither China nor Russia give a fuck about human life and are only doing this to fuck with the USA and further their interests in the developing world but theyre 100% right.



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In exchange, the two countries may provide political support to the Houthis in bodies such as the United Nations Security Council, according to the people.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-03-21/china-russia-reach-agreement-with-yemen-s-houthis-on-red-sea-ships Their support is in exchange for Houthis letting their ships pass

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Speaking of Houthis and ships, looking at MarineTraffic.com and how ships through that area are changing their destinations to "ALL CHINESE CREW" and "RUSSIAN SHIP NO ISRAEL CONNECTIONS" and in one case "RAMADAN MUBARAK" has been interesting just to see what these companies think will convince the Houthis not to attack them but still sailing through the area (before Russia and China struck a deal).

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Name a country in the UN security counsel that give a fuck about human life.

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the us is in no way better

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Algeria also voted against it while Guyana abstained both saying the US bill failed to condemn the actions of Israel



i'm glad MULTIPLE countries called out the US for this shit.

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Indeed, esp with how Algeria has a bone to pick with western imperialism



Edited at 2024-03-23 05:16 am (UTC)

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This is a goddamn dumpster fire. I don't assume China or Russia have good intentions, but the US has just been so embarrassing and disgraceful that I don't doubt the resolution was deeply flawed.

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oh my god if i hear "but do you condemn hamas???????????" one more time

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THIIIIIISSSSSSS. Or 'Did you miss the news on October 7th????????'



No, did you miss the news every day after? Jebas.

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Or every day before

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At this point Im sorry but I dont really think about Hamas

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USA successfully stalling actual progress, what is new



Edited at 2024-03-22 03:42 pm (UTC)

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The fact that any of these countries - all with governments hurting masses of people - have any say so in this is so laughable. Fuck every single one of them. But, especially be US with its you support Hamas, huh? Eat a bag of dicks, USA.

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They all make me sick, but I hope nobody falls for China and Russia's bullshit as if they're caring about Gaza, specifically considering Russia not only proclaiming through the officials' social media that "there will be no Ukraine," but also not giving a single fuck about own territory being bombed, and themselves displacing villages along the border leaving people with nothing. Hypocrisy Olympics.

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I don't think China or Russia get the privilege of being thought of caring about anyone when they do stuff like this. That's something reserved more for America.

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unfortunately Ive seen soooooo many pro-Palestine commenters write in defence of Russia on Instagram. Its like people are incapable of recognising two bad things can be bad at the same time, and that Zelenskys support of Israel (which is what they quoted, I havent been following) is not enough reason to be all Russia has the right to defend itself! while they bomb Ukraine. Brains for worms I SWEAR

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The UN is so worthless. Also, lol at the US trying to call Russia and China out when the US has vetoed 3 previous resolutions for a ceasefire. Russia and China suck in general, but the US also sucks.

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With the quotes listed here, I cant believe Im agreeing with China and Russia. The US is a joke, a very sad, twisted joke with how were handling (or not handling) this genocide. That said, China and Russia also need to look at their own actions and their own bullshit.

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It's come up a little later in the feed but Al Jazeera had some reaction from Palestine and it said while they're disappointed there isn't progress Palestine still thinks US is backing "Israel" so even the people on the ground didn't think the US was genuine.

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The bbc totally misreporting this  thank god for here



Like ffs just stop supplying Israel with weaponry so at least that is putting your money where your mouth is? @ the garbage uk gov too

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The UN in theory is great, in practice its always been a mess plagued by corruption and abuse. But also what did the US expect, you cant call for a ceasefire while still supplying weapons. Just say no more and youll get your ceasefire.

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i remember that Nebenzya guy from the Ukraine resolutions, total pos

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https://apnews.com/article/jared-kushner-trump-israel-waterfront-property-901895eeafee867e69d0c4582a4deb47



Vote wisely. Nothing is good. Period. The end.Vote wisely.

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Biden is also taking money from companies building on stolen land in the West Bank as well as supporting this genocide.

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Again, vote wisely.

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DOL Alleges Chemical Manufacturer Retaliated After Worker Raised Safety Concerns

Avenger Products LLC terminated the employee following complaints of chemical exposure.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has taken legal action against a Lawrenceville-based pesticide and agricultural chemical manufacturer, accusing the company of unlawfully terminating an employee who filed a safety complaint.

According to a release dated March 18, the employees termination followed complaints about safety hazards related to chemical exposures in the workplace, as revealed by a whistleblower investigation conducted by OSHA. The agency alleges that Avenger Products terminated the worker for exercising their rights.

The employers actions toward this worker and its response to concerns about the potential chemical exposure hazards to their workers are alarming, OSHA Assistant Regional Administrator Lily Colon in Atlanta said in a statement. No worker should fear punishment by their employer for reporting legitimate safety and health concerns, and OSHA will work to vigorously defend courageous people like this employee.

The DOL now demands Avenger Products LLC and its parent company, Kittrich Corp., compensate the employee with back pay as well as compensatory and punitive damagesand forbids future retaliation. Notably, Avenger Products LLC's history with OSHA includes 40 citations and proposed penalties of $254,189 from 2018 to 2019.
Rethinking Hand Safety Revised: Quick Tips and Nudge Theory Insights

To date, hand injuries remain the number one preventable industrial accident worldwide, so it only makes sense to understand and apply effective hand safety measures to help reduce the risks.

In this webinar, Joe Geng, author of the most in-depth hand safety book REThinking Hand Safety, will provide insights on the transformative power of Nudge Theory for creating safer workplaces. Learn the practical and effective hand safety tips and tricks that you can use to improve your hand safety programtips and tricks that come with years of experience and expertise and can be applied immediately for results.

Understand how Nudge Theory, a concept rooted in behavioral psychology, can subtly influence safer hand practices among employees

Learn easy-to-implement strategies that significantly boost hand safety in your work environment

Understand what the biggest barriers to hand safety are and how to overcome them

Ask your hand safety questions live  Joe Geng will answer as many as possible within the allotted time

Register for this free webinar!

DATE: Tuesday April 16, 2024

TIME: 2:00PM ET - 1:00PM CT - 11:00AM PT

Speakers:

Joe Geng, Vice President, Superior Glove

Joe grew up among the tanneries of Canada helping his father make gloves. He has spent his entire life studying industrial hand safety, overseeing glove R&D, and consulting with leading companies like Toyota, Honda, SpaceX, General Motors, Bombardier Aircraft, and Shell Oil. He serves as Vice President at Superior Glove, a family business considered one of the worlds most innovative and disruptive glove manufacturers.

Joe holds degrees from Trinity Western University and attended Reutlingen leather school in Germany, which he describes as the Hogwarts of leather making. Joe lives in Ontario, Canada, with his wife and three children.

Sponsor:

Superior Glove is a leading innovator in the design and manufacture of safety gloves and sleeves. Their products protect workers across the globe in many major industries, including construction, oil & gas, mining, and manufacturing.

Time: 2:00 PM ET

Duration: 1 Hour
The African continent it at a critical turning point. The regions energy demand is set to skyrocket just as climate change is starting to impact local livelihoods in earnest. African countries are among those most vulnerable to climate change despite having contributed the least to the climate crisis. Faced by a sharp population growth, and a need to develop local and national economies, Africa also must simultaneously contend with the urgent imperative to keep emissions in check. Its a tall order. Indeed, Africa is a perfect example of what is known as the energy trilemma: the tricky problem of creating enough energy while also keeping that energy sustainable and affordable.

What makes Africas situation so unique and so dire is the intense scale of each of these trends. The continent has some of the most underdeveloped energy grids on the globe, and is also facing the biggest population boom anywhere on Earth. Africa has the fastest growing population in the world, expected to double between now and 2050. This means that, by midcentury, a quarter of the global population will be in sub-Saharan Africa.

This presents a massive energy and infrastructure gap in the coming decades. Currently, about 600 million people across the African completely lack access to electricity. Furthermore, for a great many of those who do have access, it is not reliable or stable, as power failures and rolling blackouts are a common occurrence. Such intermittent electricity is common in urban areas, while in rural areas establishing any form of grid connectivity can present a major challenge.

African energy demand is expected to increase by a third over the next decade as sub-Saharan Africa grows, develops, and industrializes. To meet this demand, power generation capacity will have to increase by a factor of 10 by 2065. But to advance toward such goals without breaking climate pledges and more generally counteracting global progress toward decarbonization, Africa has to leapfrog over what is normally the next phase of development in a poor nations economic journey. Unlike other nations in history which have enriched themselves and developed their economy by burning massive amounts of cheap and abundant fossil fuels with abandon, countries developing now do not have the same option.

Luckily, Africa is a goldmine of potential renewable energy resources. The continent is extremely rich in natural gas (considered to be a stepping stone away from dirtier fossil fuels like coal and oil), as well as abundant sunshine, wind, and highly sought-after rare Earth minerals such as lithium and cobalt which are essential components of renewable technologies including photovoltaic solar panels and lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, Oilprice reported in July of 2023.

Its just a matter of securing sufficient investment, fostering a supportive political environment, and establishing trans-national intra-African energy sharing agreements to be able to tap all of that green energy potential. If managed properly, clean energy could benefit the African economy enormously while helping to solve the riddle of the energy trilemma.

According to a new database of planned and installed renewable energy capacity across Africa, the continent is well on its way to achieving its ambitious energy leapfrogging goals. In fact, figures show that if all planned additions are carried out without issue, some African nations could totally decarbonize by midcentury. The Renewable Power Plant Database Africa, built by a renewable energy scientific modelling team from Rwanda and Germany, is the first comprehensive overview of renewable energy plants in Africa to include key details such as their geographic coordinates, construction status and capacity (in megawatts), allowing for more accurate and sophisticated modelling.

Such modelling shows that some of the countries with the most advanced renewable energy sectors and plans (such as Nigeria and Zimbabwe) already have enough clean energy projects lined up to conceivably transition away from fossil fuels as soon as 2050. Furthermore, 76% of Africas electricity demand could be supplied by renewable sources by just 2040 in a scenario in which all clean energy plants in the pipeline are built as planned, and existing hydro-, solar and wind power plants are used to their full capacity. This 76% would be composed of 82% hydropower, 11% solar power and 7% wind power.

However, the heavy dependence on hydropower in the short term is not a good long-term solution as periods of drought pose serious energy security risks. We conclude that combining the advantages of hydropower with wind and solar would be a more sustainable alternative to hydropower alone, the Database team states. And that hybrid solutions would be the best option.

Despite Africas many challenges, it stands to be one of the most important players in the global energy industry going forward. Its climatic and ecological characteristics and relatively low population density compared to other key regions gives it a major advantage as a hydro, wind, and solar powerhouse. If built out according to plan, its clean energy output will be formidable. And as the continent develops, its massive workforce could make it a clean energy manufacturing source to reckon with.

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By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

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Last October, I published a piece on OilPrice where I discussed the drivers for the rapid expansion of upstream E&P merger activity that was being seen. Upstream M&A has continued since that article came out, and I thought an update was in order as not only has it continued, but seems to have reached a fever pace in recent weeks. In just the last three months we have had news from Chord Energy, (NYSE:CHRD) merging with Bakken focused, Canadian operator Enerplus, (NYSE:ERF). In a long overdue consolidation in the natural gas space, Chesapeake Energy and Southwestern Energy have agreed to a merger of equals. Just last week, leading gas producer EQT Corp, (NYSE:EQT) announced its intention to acquire Equitrans, (NYSE:ETRN). As I said, a fever pace. In this article we will review our thinking from last October and provide new information from various sources that highlight underlying resource drivers for continued upstream M&A as 2024 ages.

Production peaking later this decade

Last week at the CERAWeek conference in Houston, ConocoPhillps CEO, Ryan Lance forecast that U.S. production would advance to about 14 mm BOPD a few years hence, and then plateau. He was quoted in an SP Global article-

"Probably later this decade we'll see US production plateau and will probably stay there a long time," he said. "I don't know that we'll get to 15 [million b/d], but I think we'll pass through 14 million [b/d] on the way to 15 million [b/d]. For this year, Lance thought, US crude oil production growth in 2024 will likely drop to about 300,000-400,000 b/d in 2024, down from around 1 million b/d in 2023.

This viewpoint matches fairly well with my own, although I must admit I have been surprised with the impact that drilling and completions technology has had on enabling production growth in the face of rig count declines. One way to measure the impact of longer laterals, increased frac intensity, and well spacing is through the change in output per rig. As measured by the EIA-DPR (Drilling Productivity Report), from March of 2019 the average daily output per Permian rig has increased from 624 BOPD per rig, to 1,359 BOPD per rig. Normalized for the decline in rig count from 465 to 316 in this basin, thats still a 60% increase in output.

The Red Queen effect

Now we are nearing the peak of the arc where growth comes in 5-10 BOPM increments instead of the 50-60 BOPM gains we saw from Jul-22-Dec-23. Eventually, unless drilling increases, or new technologies come along-not out of the question, the legacy decline factor-this month -422K BOPM, will exceed new oil production-currently 430K BOPM. When that happens, the curve will bend down, as noted in the graph below.

This is referred to in shale professional circles as The Red Queen effect, referring to a scene in Lewis Carrolls Through the Looking Glass where Alice learns from the Red Queen that she must run increasingly fast just to stay in the same place. This has turned out to be a fairly apt metaphor for shale production. A report from energy analyst firm, Enervus, to this effect was summarized in a Journal of Petroleum Technology article August, 16th of last year. Dane Gregoris, report author and managing director at Enervus Intelligence Research, was quoted as saying.

The US shale industry has been massively successful, roughly doubling the production out of the average oil well over the last decade, but that trend has slowed in recent years. The production decline rate has grown steeper at a rate of more than 0.5% annually since 2010. Weve observed that decline curves, meaning the rate at which production falls over time, are getting steeper as well density increases. Summed up, the industrys treadmill is speeding up and this will make production growth more difficult than it was in the past.

Or it could be sooner

As Mr. Lance opined, shale output may bend the curve in the next decade. Some believe that could happen later this year. The graph above from this months EIA-DPR illustrates that YoY legacy declines are accelerating in all shale plays, most notably in the Permian.

In contrast to the point of view expressed by Mr. Lance, natural resources analyst firm Goerhring & Rosencwajg, put out a bulletin in the third quarter of last year with a much closer time-horizon, based on declines acreage quality and the fact that you can only let air out of a balloon for so long.

We now calculate the Permian has also produced half of its reserves and expect sequential growth to turn negative within the next few months. With a growing degree of confidence, we expect 2024 will be the peak in Permian production. Over the last fifteen years, the US shales have represented all non-OPEC growth. In the previous five years, the Permian has dominated US shales. If correct, we are entering an unprecedented period of tightness in global oil markets.

With this imminent plateauing of U.S. shale, should G&R be correct, the focus of the conversation in regard to shale output shifts toward the length of the tail. A metaphor for the slope of the decline that will be seen as more and more wells are completed in the future. Here McKinsey notes in their 2024 Outlook on Oil that shale production could plateau in the mid-2020s at about ten million barrels per day and remain stable through 2040.

That is a fairly long tail in my view, and buttresses investments in U.S. shale drillers. As we will discuss in the closing commentary in this article, the M&A activity we have seen over the last couple of years is clearly hinged on the idea espoused by McKinsey that decades of useful life remain in shale plays, even if they do decline.

Your takeaway

One thing that is certain is that the larger companies with deep pockets have decided to pad their long term productivity in shale plays by buying out the best of the relatively smaller players, public and private. 2023 was a banner year for M&A activity with about $234 bn in deal-making, as noted in a recent Offshore Technology article.

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As RBN Energy noted in their February, 5th blog post, Keep On Dancing, this wave of upstream E&P consolidation was likely to continue.

The huge wave of 2023 consolidation has taken out several of the major potential targets, especially in the Permian. However, the drivers of crude oil consolidation remain and there are strong prospects for future major deals this year, especially in other plays such as the Bakken, Mid-Continent, and Gulf of Mexico.

If that scenario continues to play out this year, we are likely to see further capex declines that impact drilling and completions as these companies combine forces and then root out wasteful duplication. The twin forces of stubbornly low prices in natural gas, and oscillating prices for WTI, combined with increasing demand by investors for capital returns, have had the effect of many upstream companies curtailing capex for 2024. Maximizing free cash flow to fund shareholder capital returns-dividends and stock repurchases, have clearly taken priority over increased capex for production growth. This message has been consistent across a broad swath of shale producers that include Occidental Petroleum, (NYSE:OXY)-down 9% YoY, Devon Energy, (NYSE:DVN)-down 7% YoY, and Diamondback Energy, (NYSE:FANG), down 11% YoY.

In summary. The natural forces of legacy declines in older shale wells, combined with reservoirs that are approaching, or have passed their halfway point of ultimate recovery, will meet capital restraint and result in a plateauing of shale output as early as this year. This will exert a tightening force on the oil market, which should be supportive for prices and the stock prices of E&P operators. If we do indeed see a sign that these declines are accelerating to the point where production actually declines, I would expect a robust impact on the stock prices of these companies almost immediately.

By David Messler for Oilprice.com

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- According to Kpler data, Chinese refiners will receive 1.7 million b/d of Russian crude from the seas, thats over and above the 0.8 million b/d they receive via pipelines, with

- China is on track to buy the highest-ever volume of Russian crude in March, boosted by the rerouted flows of Sokol, a grade that for most of 2023 was supplied to Indian refiners.

- Canada will need new pipelines to meet its production growth, however with TMX taking 12 years to complete and requiring an ownership switch from Kinder Morgan to the government, we might see another infrastructure bottleneck shaping up by the end of this decade.

- Canadian crude exports are set to surpass the 5 million b/d threshold by 2025, with oil producers at last having the optionality to send their barrels to the US Gulf Coast or to TMX as pipeline capacity moves above production at 5.2 million b/d.

- Chinese refiner Sinochem bought the first ever TMX cargo, an Aframax worth of heavy sour Access Western Blend at the equivalent discount of $5 per barrel to August ICE Brent futures on a delivered basis.

- Canadian crude will start flowing to China directly (up until now it has only been exported from the US Gulf Coast) as the impending launch of the Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline saw the first deals being made.

1. As TMX Starts Line Fill, China Takes Centre Stage

- Canadian crude will start flowing to China directly (up until now it has only been exported from the US Gulf Coast) as the impending launch of the Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline saw the first deals being made.

- Chinese refiner Sinochem bought the first ever TMX cargo, an Aframax worth of heavy sour Access Western Blend at the equivalent discount of $5 per barrel to August ICE Brent futures on a delivered basis.

- Canadian crude exports are set to surpass the 5 million b/d threshold by 2025, with oil producers at last having the optionality to send their barrels to the US Gulf Coast or to TMX as pipeline capacity moves above production at 5.2 million b/d.

- Canada will need new pipelines to meet its production growth, however with TMX taking 12 years to complete and requiring an ownership switch from Kinder Morgan to the government, we might see another infrastructure bottleneck shaping up by the end of this decade.

2. China Binges on Russian Oil as Indian Demand Hits Headwinds

- China is on track to buy the highest-ever volume of Russian crude in March, boosted by the rerouted flows of Sokol, a grade that for most of 2023 was supplied to Indian refiners.

- According to Kpler data, Chinese refiners will receive 1.7 million b/d of Russian crude from the seas, thats over and above the 0.8 million b/d they receive via pipelines, with Sokol imports reaching almost 400,000 b/d, double the grades usual monthly production.

- As Sokol has been trading at Brent parity recently and is evidently above the price cap, a backlog of cargoes built up off Singapore and South Korea over January-February, some 18 million barrels, most of which have cleared to China now.

- With Indias largest refiner Reliance reportedly shunning deliveries using Russian shipping company Sovcomflot, China might buy even more Russian crude over the upcoming months.

3. Middle Eastern Diesel Exporters Find Their Way Back to Europe

- Disrupted by the naval warfare in the Red Sea between Houthi rebels and the US-led coalition under Operation Prosperity Guardian, diesel flows from the East of Suez have started to recover lately as both the Middle East and India weigh the risks of resuming flows through the Suez Canal.

- Middle Eastern exports of diesel averaged 460,000 b/d in February, the highest in six months, with Saudi Arabia remaining the largest supplier but also the UAE resuming exports after maintenance at its Ruwais refinery.

- India has boosted its diesel exports to Europe as well  following a two-year low of just two tankers (equivalent to 55,000 b/d) in January, last month saw nine tankers sailing towards European buyers, most of which transited the Red Sea and Suez Canal.

- Recent Ukraine drone attacks on Russias refineries might pull Middle Eastern diesel barrels to Africa and Latin America, too, as Russian supplies are expected to edge lower.

4. Uranium Prices Dip, However Market Still Upbeat on Weak Supply Outlook

- Uranium prices have pulled off a stellar rally into late 2023, but that heat has cooled off over the past six weeks as U308 futures trading at the New York exchange dropped 22%, currently at $89 per pound.

- The uranium industry remains bullish on the radioactive metals outlook, believing the $85-90/lb is uraniums new price floor and that long-term concerns about supply will prompt another rally soon.

- The worlds largest uranium miner, Kazakhstans Kazatomprom, indicated this week that it expects a 21 million pound supply deficit in 2030, expanding further to 147 million pounds by 2040, a reflection of a decade-long lack of investment into new projects.

- The rise of geopolitical tensions might also affect uranium prices; the market expects a notable boost to U308 futures should the US Senate pass a proposed bill for the United States to ban Russian uranium imports.

5. Australia Needs Investment to Remain a Top LNG Exporter

- Australias electricity grid operator AEMO signalled that the country urgently needs investment to avoid shortfalls in supply from 2025 onwards, calling for higher penetration of renewables and higher gas production.

- The southern states of Australia, home to two-thirds of the population, are currently phasing out their coal plants, the backbone of the regional grid for decades, with AEMO forecasting a gap in gas supply from 2028 onwards.

- Australias upcoming gas projects are mired in protracted lawsuits  Santos spent 18 months fighting off litigation from indigenous groups on its $4.3 billion Barossa gas project, only to see its $2.4 billion Narrabri project being challenged again.

- According to Kpler, Australia was the second largest LNG exporter in 2023, increasing its exports marginally to 80.90 million tonnes and cementing its position in Japan, China, and South Korea.

6. Are the US Iranian Sanctions Failing?

- Over the past four years, rebounding from the late Trump-era resumption of US sanctions on Tehran, Iranian crude production has almost doubled with current oil production levels around 3.2-3.3 million b/d.

- Seeing foreign investors remain wary of committing to the sanction-hit upstream sector in Iran, Tehran has sought to incentivize domestic producers to maximize oil production, handing out 13.4 billion of new service contracts this week with the aim of adding another 400,000 b/d of capacity.

- Robust domestic growth has been underpinning the upstream expansion, gasoline demand has been rising consistently and hit a record high of 955,000 b/d this month as the Iranian Nowruz New Year holiday saw extremely strong mobility figures.

- Iran exported 1.3 million b/d of crude last year, 50% up compared to 2022, and barring a steady 80,000 b/d flow to political ally Syria all its oil went to China.

7. Legacy Carmakers Back in Vogue in 2024

- One of the least expected facets of EV momentum losing steam is the resurgence of legacy automobile producers as gasoline-powered cars and hybrids are set to generate the vast majority of sales.

- Shares of Stellantis, a carmaking consortium encompassing Chrysler, Fiat, and Jeep, have jumped 22% on the year, triple the 7% advance in the S&P 500 index, with US peer FM rising 13% since the beginning of 2024.

- Over the same time period Tesla shares have plunged by 34%, with analysts warning of the EV carmakers cash flow turning negative if it slashes prices again after a whopping 25% cut to Model Y prices since early 2023.

- Dividends might also boost the appeal of traditional carmakers  Tesla doesnt pay one and even rumors of buybacks have subsided by now  with GM, Ford, and Stellantis spending a combined $22.7 billion in stock repurchases and dividend payments.
When Sudans civil war broke out in April last year, markets stood by for a few weeks to see if the war would impact oil exports from Sudan, which has no real oil of its own but is the only export route for South Sudans oil.

When South Sudans oil remained unaffected, the markets looked awayand the Western media, too. The civil war was largely buried under the chaos of the Russian war in Ukraine and the Hamas-Israel conflict.

But it drones on, and for the first time since the conflict began, oil has been impacted. Sudan has declared force majeure on exports of South Sudans oil as a result of a pipeline rupture caused by civil war fighting.

How much oil does that impact? Around 150,000 barrels per day, though South Sudan, which declared independence from Sudan in 2011, taking the majority of the regions oil with it, but leaving itself landlocked and unable to export without Sudan, could have the capacity to produce 350,000 bpd.

But the conflict in the Red Sea is also a threat to South Sudans oil because its not just dependent on the pipeline to Sudan and Sudans refineries, but its also dependent on the Port of Sudan to get it to market - and that port is on the Red Sea, where the Houthis continue their attacks.

In February, based on S&P Global Insights data, South Sudans exports from the Port of Sudan (Bashayer oil terminal) dropped to 79,000
The examples of the ESG fraud imploding over the last 6 months simply aren't stopping.

The latest has come from Texas, where the state is now terminating an $8.5 billion investment with BlackRock due to the investment manager's boycott of energy companies, according to a report from Fox News.

Texas State Board of Education Chairman Aaron Kinsey said this week that the Texas Permanent School Fund notified BlackRock this week that it would be terminating the investment.

Kinsey told Fox News this week: "The Texas Permanent School Fund has a fiduciary duty to protect Texas schools by safeguarding and growing the approximately $1 billion in annual oil and gas royalties managed by the Texas General Land Office. Terminating BlackRocks contract ensures PSFs full compliance with Texas law."

Kinsey added: "BlackRocks dominant and persistent leadership in the ESG movement immeasurably damages our states oil & gas economy and the very companies that generate revenues for our PSF. Texas and the PSF have worked hard to grow this fund to build Texas schools."

"BlackRocks destructive approach toward the energy companies that this state and our world depend on is incompatible with our fiduciary duty to Texans," he said.

Texas has made a significant move by divesting a considerable portion of its $53 billion Permanent School Fund (PSF), originally established in the 19th century to support public education. This step marks the largest divestment since GOP-led states began cutting financial relations with BlackRock and similar firms over their adoption of ESG standards.

In response to such opposition, Texas enacted Senate Bill 13 in 2021, mandating the state's comptroller to identify and list financial entities boycotting fossil fuel businesses. Following this, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar updated this list in October to include BlackRock among others, urging the Texas PSF and five state pension funds to cut off from the investment company.

Kinsey concluded: "Today represents a major step forward for the Texas PSF and our state as a whole. The PSF will not stand idle as our financial future is attacked by Wall Street. This bold action helps ensure our PSF remains in fact permanent and will continue to support bright futures and opportunities for generations of Texas students."

Blackrock responded: "Todays unilateral and arbitrary decision by Board of Education Chair Aaron Kinsey jeopardizes Texas schools and the families who have benefited from BlackRocks consistent long-term outperformance for the Texas Permanent School Fund."

"The decision ignores our $120 billion investment in Texas public energy companies and defies expert advice. As a fiduciary, politics should never outweigh performance, especially for taxpayers," they added.

But Derek Kreifels, the CEO of the State Financial Officers Foundation, felt differently, offering support for the termination: "Todays bold step by Aaron Kinsey and the Permanent School Fund of Texas, in accordance with state law, is a massive blow against the scam of ESG."

"Under Larry Fink's leadership, BlackRock has been misusing client funds to push a political agenda for years. Nowhere was that more egregious than in Texas, where BlackRock was simultaneously trying to destroy the domestic oil and gas industry while managing funds that depended on royalties derived from that very same industry," added Will Hild, the executive director of Consumers' Research.

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He said it was a "clear message" to "Wall Street elites that people can no longer be bullied into complying with ESG's destructive ideology."

By Zerohedge.com

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After unsurprisingly winning elections last weekend, Putin this week launched Russias biggest missile attack on Kyiv to date. It was the first take on Kyiv in well over a month. While garnering plenty of headlines, however, the attack led to no casualties (that we know of so far) but wounded more than a dozen people and caused damage to various buildings, including residential. Ukraine claimed to have shot down all incoming missiles, blaming the damage on debris from the defense action. At the same time, Kyiv is increasingly dealing with cracks in its global support network, which this week led to rumors that Zelensky is preparing to scrap his blacklist of companies still working

With his campaign for re-election in full swing, Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro has managed to get lawmakers to approve the creation of a new state out of Guyanas oil-rich Essequibo region, where ExxonMobil and partners have discovered 11 billion barrels of oil to date. This is likely another empty campaign stunt on the part of Maduro. Maduro also stepped up his campaign to destroy the opposition ahead of elections, ordering the arrest of nine more opposition figures this week, making the total of arrests now at 30. All nine were staffers for opposition presidential candidate Maria Corina Machado, who has been barred from running. The trumped-up charges against those arrested are related to an alleged criminal conspiracy to plot a coup.

Politics, Geopolitics & Conflict

With his campaign for re-election in full swing, Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro has managed to get lawmakers to approve the creation of a new state out of Guyanas oil-rich Essequibo region, where ExxonMobil and partners have discovered 11 billion barrels of oil to date. This is likely another empty campaign stunt on the part of Maduro. Maduro also stepped up his campaign to destroy the opposition ahead of elections, ordering the arrest of nine more opposition figures this week, making the total of arrests now at 30. All nine were staffers for opposition presidential candidate Maria Corina Machado, who has been barred from running. The trumped-up charges against those arrested are related to an alleged criminal conspiracy to plot a coup.

After unsurprisingly winning elections last weekend, Putin this week launched Russias biggest missile attack on Kyiv to date. It was the first take on Kyiv in well over a month. While garnering plenty of headlines, however, the attack led to no casualties (that we know of so far) but wounded more than a dozen people and caused damage to various buildings, including residential. Ukraine claimed to have shot down all incoming missiles, blaming the damage on debris from the defense action. At the same time, Kyiv is increasingly dealing with cracks in its global support network, which this week led to rumors that Zelensky is preparing to scrap his blacklist of companies still working in Russia and paying taxes that are used to finance the war on Ukraine. Unnamed sources told Reuters this week that China and France have been pressuring Zelensky to remove the list, which has proved an embarrassment to dozens of companies indirectly helping Russia to fund its war. Additionally, there are signs that Russia has been successful at forming new reserves to fight in Ukraine, which means, on the surface, that a long, drawn-out war is within the Kremlins capabilities; however, those reserve forces will likely act more like cannon fodder than they will present a united front on the battlefield.

The Houthi campaign to target vessels traversing the Red Sea continues unabated. Most recently this week, two previously stranded oil tankers (also carrying toxic waste) raised international concern as their position is now in the line of fire between the U.S.-led forces in the area and the Houthis. While the Houthis are not targeting the stranded vessels, a toxic spill could result if the vessels are struck by a stray missile. Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command said on Thursday that Russia and China were being given safe passage by the Houthis, which is being viewed as a move by Iran to use the Houthis in a proxy side battle to bolster Russia and China shipping through the Red Sea.

After rallying heavily last week, oil prices pared some of those gains this weekfirst on concerns that the Fed on Wednesday would reduce its 2024 rate cut plans (it did not, in the end) and then on the potential for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict after the Biden Administration changed course and demanded that Netanyahu halt his plays to enter Rafah (southern Gaza Strip). While Netanyahu remains insistent that he will completely defeat Hamas and that the Rafah operation is necessary, Biden insists otherwise. The U.S. will now bring a UN Security Council resolution to a vote on Friday calling for an immediate six-week ceasefire in Gaza. This is a significant change in tone from the Biden Administration and has given a slight boost to the possibility of a ceasefire.

Deals, Mergers and Acquisitions

Savannah Energy will buy the remaining 49% stake of the Stubb Creek oil and gas in Nigeria for $61.5 million. The deal comprises $52 million in cash for the stake currently held by Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Corporation and $9.5 million for the stake held by Jagal Energy. When the deal is concluded, Savannah Energy will own 100% of the project. Savannah will use the gas for its Nigerian gas processing and distribution subsidiary, Accugas Limited, which supplies gas to Nigerias power plants.

Diversified Energy has reached a conditional $386 million deal with Oaktree Capital Management LP to expand its interest in stakes already owned in Oklahoma, East Texas, and Louisiana, adding 122 MMcf/day to its production this year80% of which is natural gas. This figure represents a 15% increase to the companys overall production.

Africa Oil Corp has increased its stake in the Venus discovery in Namibias Orange basin, after making an offer to purchase 8% of issued shares from minority shareholders in Impact oil and Gas Limited. The deal is worth $64 million. Africa Oil currently holds a 31.1% of Impact.

Discovery & Development

Amid the kerfuffle between Exxon and Chevron over Chevrons buyout of Hess, Exxon scored a different kind of win in Guyana when it discovered even more oil at Bluefin in the hot Stabroek block. With drillship Stean Drillmax, the Bluefin well encountered 197 feet of hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone in 4,244 feet of water. Bluefin is 8.5km east of Sailfin-1.

CNOOC Limited made a major discovery known as Qinhuangdao 27-3 in the north-central Bohai Sea, adding 100 MMtoe of proved in-place volume. The field has been tested to produce 742 bopd from a single well.

Galp Energia and partners have made another discovery in Namibiathis time with the Mopane 2X well in the Orange Basin. Its partners are NAMCOR and Custos Energy. The drilling operation confirms the lateral extension of the well, and includes the AVO-3 exploration target, the AVO-1 appraisal target, and another deeper target. The rig will now return to Mopane 1X for a drill stem test. The project falls under license PEL 83.

Equinor has completed its appraisal well and sidetrack for Heisenberg discovery wells 35/10-11 S and A in the North Sea, and proven oil in its Hummer prospect. Heisenberg is a new shallow play in the northern Norwegian North Sea, is estimated to hold recoverable volumes between 24 and 56 MMboe, and lies within tieback range of Troll B, Kvitebjorn, and Gjoa. Studies are now underway for fast-track development.

Petrobras announced plans to invest $7.5B over a five-year period in oil and gas exploration offshore Brazil.
The total number of active drilling rigs for oil and gas in the United States fell by 5 this week, according to new data that Baker Hughes published on Friday, bringing the total rigs gained this year to just 2.

The total rig count fell by 5 to 624 this week, compared to 758 rigs this same time last year.

The number of oil rigs fell by 1 this week after seeing a gain of 6 in the week prior. Oil rigs now stand at 509--down by 84 compared to this time last year. The number of gas rigs also fell this week, by 4 to 112, a loss of 50 active gas rigs from this time last year. Miscellaneous rigs stayed the same at 3.

Meanwhile, U.S. crude oil production stayed the same at an average of 13.1 million bpd in the week ending March 15, down 200,000 bpd from the all-time high of 13.3 million bpd.

Primary Visions Frac Spread Count, an estimate of the number of crews completing wells that are unfinished, returned to gaining, rising in the week ending March 15. Completions rose by 6 to 269 for the week.

The Permian saw a 1-rig decrease after increasing by 3 the week before. The count in the Eagle Ford stayed the same this week after seeing a 3-rig gain in the week prior.

Oil prices were trading down on Friday morning. At 11:39 a.m. ET, the WTI benchmark was trading down $0.24 (-0.30%) on the day at $80.83, down roughly $0.35 per barrel week over week.

The Brent benchmark was trading down $0.22 (-0.26%) at $85.56, up roughly $0.20 per barrel from a week ago.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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16 states are suing the federal government for the decision to pause new LNG export capacity permitting.

The plaintiffs, all Republican-led, include Texas and Louisiana, as well as Florida, claim that the suspension of new LNG export permits would affect the U.S. economy negatively and interfere with the supply of gas to allies in Europe that are trying to quit Russian gas.

The states also argued that the decision to halt permitting puts billions of dollars in investments in jeopardy, Reuters noted in a report on the news.

The ban will drive billions of dollars in investment away from Texas, hinder our ability to maximize revenue for public schools, force Texas producers to flare excess natural gas instead of taking it to market, and annihilate critical jobs, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a statement.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said that the pause on LNG permits would disrupt the development and production of natural gas and gives us no choice but to turn to the courts to enforce the law.

President Biden effected what the White House called a pause on new LNG export capacity permits in late January under pressure from climate activists. Those claimed that LNG is even worse for the environment than coal and any new export capacity will aggravate what they see as an already grave situation with the earths climate.

The news of the review did not put activists at ease, however. On the contrary, the attack continued, with calls for an end to the LNG industry because of its polluting impact on coastal communities in Louisiana, according to those same communities, and because its bad for the global climate, according to other activists, among them both the author of the study and several prominent green organizations.

The energy industry meanwhile cried foul, with seven organizations led by the American Petroleum Institute filing a petition with the Department of Energy saying that the permit suspension violated the departments mandate to permit capacity expansion in the absence of clear evidence that this would go against the public interest.

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By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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All Indian refiners are now refusing to take Russian crude transported on vessels of sanctioned Russian tanker fleet owner Sovcomflot to avoid running afoul of the stricter enforcement of the U.S. sanctions on Russia, Bloomberg reported on Friday, quoting unnamed sources with knowledge of the matter.

The U.S. levied new sanctions against Russia last month, on the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and in response to the death of opposition politician and anticorruption activist Alexey Navalny.

Among the 500 targets of the new sanctions, the U.S. Treasury and State are targeting Russias tanker operator Sovcomflot and more than a dozen crude oil tankers linked to the Russian state-owned firm.

All Indian refiners are now carefully checking the ownership chain of every tanker carrying Russian crude to make sure the vessels are not affiliated with Sovcomflot or other entities on the U.S. sanctions list, Bloombergs sources said.

Earlier this week, two unnamed sources familiar with the situation told Reuters that Indias largest refiner, Reliance, had stopped buying crude oil sourced from Russia and carried on tankers owned by Sovcomflot as the U.S. tightened sanction enforcement.

As a result, Reliance has asked its Russian oil trading partners to not load the shipments on Sovcomflot vessels, Reuters sources said.

Refiners in India have started to worry that the new sanctions would make it more difficult to have oil shipped from Russia on non-sanctioned vessels, which would raise shipping costs and eat into their refining margins, according to sources who spoke to Reuters at the end of February.

India will still buy crude from Russia but only if it is sold below the G7 price cap of $60 per barrel and is shipped on non-sanctioned vessels, an Indian government source told Reuters.

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Even before the latest U.S. sanctions, refining margins for Indias biggest state-owned refiners had dropped amid more difficult access to Russian crude and soaring freight rates due to the Red Sea disruption to shipments, analysts and traders told Bloomberg last month.

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BlackRock has asked Texas authorities to reconsider the withdrawal of $8.5 billion in assets of the Permanent School Fund from the asset manager.

The decision to withdraw from BlackRock was announced earlier this week by the Texas State Board of Education Chair, who cited the 2021 law that Texas passed to penalize financial firms that, according to state authorities, discriminated against energy companies.

"We urge you to reconsider your decision and prioritize Texas schools and families who have benefited from BlackRock's consistent, long-term investment out-performance," BlackRock Vice Chairman Mark McCombe wrote in a letter to Texas State Board of Education Chair Aaron Kinsey, as quoted by Reuters.

The letter also argued that the divestment by the Permanent School Fund was not required under Texas law because the vehicles that managed that money were doing so well a divestment would not be in the best interest of the fund.

"That money originates from the oil and gas industry primarily... if there's no income, no billion dollars a year from oil and gas, that's a problem for our fund, obviously an existential long-term risk," Aaron Kinsey told Reuters following the announcement of the divestment decision.

The law that the Texas State Board of Education Chair based his divestment decision on was part of a backlash among energy-producing states against the ESG investment drive among asset managers that saw most threaten to suspend business with the oil and gas industry as a way to reduce their emissions.

BlackRock has claimed it does not boycott the Texas oil and gas industry, noting this week that it has $120 billion in investments in Texas public energy companies, out of a total $320 billion in energy investments globally.

The initial reaction of the asset manager to the Texas funds divestment was that the amount divested was a tiny portion of its $10 trillion under management.

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Rows of photovoltaic panels are seen in a national renewable energy demonstration zone in Zhangjiakou, Hebei province, on Aug. 18, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Climate change is a common challenge facing all of mankind. As the world's largest developing country, China is not only a victim of climate change, but also an active participant in and important contributor to global climate governance.



China was among the first countries to sign the Paris Agreement. On the morning of Sept. 3, 2016, before the opening of the 2016 G20 Summit in Hangzhou, the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress approved China's accession to the agreement. In Hangzhou, then-United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon commended China's action, saying that by formally joining the Paris Agreement, China added "powerful momentum to the drive for the agreement to enter into force" in that year.

Although former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on June 1, 2017 that the United States would withdraw from the Paris Agreement, China still adheres to its commitments and has helped the agreement achieve stability and long-term implementation.

China has made vigorous efforts to achieve peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality. On Sept. 22, 2020, China announced at the U.N. General Assembly that it would increase its nationally determined contributions, adopt more powerful policies and measures, strive to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. In fact, reaching this goal is a major strategic decision made by China. It is not only an inevitable choice for China in solving its own problems related to resources and environmental constraints, but also a solemn commitment to pushing for global climate governance and building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Global climate governance involves the interests of all parties. Whether the international negotiations on climate change can proceed smoothly depends on all the countries of the world. As a result, it is a complicated issue that requires consultation, conciliation as well as bargaining among all the state and non-state actors. China has been actively participating in all international negotiations on climate change, while adhering to the principles of fairness, "common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities," and respecting the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol and the Montreal Protocol.

In fact, China has promoted the establishment of multilateral consultation mechanisms such as the BASIC Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change and coordinated the negotiation positions of major developing countries so as to safeguard the interests and unity of all developing countries.

The effectiveness of global climate governance is partly determined by the capacity for financing all of the actions for dealing with climate change. As one of the world's largest emerging economies, China has been offering financial assistance to other developing countries, particularly the small island countries, African countries and the least developed countries. In promoting cooperation, China wishes to adhere to the concept that "it is better to teach someone how to fish rather than give them a fish" within the framework of South-South cooperation.

At the 2018 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, for instance, China pledged to further strengthen cooperation with African countries in the fields of ecological and environmental protection. These include areas such as responding to climate change, using clean energy, preventing and controlling soil desertification and soil erosion, and protecting wild animals and plants, so as to turn China and Africa into a beautiful homeland where man and nature live in harmony.

It is estimated that, from 2011 to 2021, China allocated approximately 1.2 billion yuan for South-South cooperation to strengthen climate change mitigation and adaptation. Moreover, it signed 40 cooperation documents with 35 countries. China's assistance covers many areas, including launching meteorological satellites, building photovoltaic power generation systems and lighting equipment, manufacturing new energy vehicles, environmental monitoring equipment, clean stoves and other climate change-related goods, and establishing low-carbon demonstration zones. At the same time, around 2,000 officials and technicians from nearly 120 developing countries have visited China for climate change training.

In stark contrast to the United States' announcement that it would withdraw from the Paris Agreement, Chinese leaders have reiterated China's global climate governance proposition on numerous occasions, sending powerful signals of determination and courage to the world. Meanwhile, China has also repeatedly called upon the world to strengthen unity and cooperation to deal with climate change and adhere to multilateralism, safeguard the international system and international law.

Global climate governance is a long-term endeavor that will clearly not be completed within the foreseeable future. However, China will continue to contribute toward making it a reality.

The author is a distinguished professor at Macao University of Science and Technology.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.


ExxonMobil is slightly ahead of schedule in its work to double its LNG portfolio by 2030, Peter Clarke, senior vice president for global LNG, has told Reuters in an interview.

In 2020, Exxon said it aims to double its LNG portfolio from 20 million tons per year to 40 million tons annually by the end of the decade.

Exxons current supply is slightly below 30 million tons per year, Clarke told Reuters, noting that we are slightly ahead of the schedule in the plan to double the LNG portfolio.

The U.S. supermajor, unlike European majors and top LNG traders Shell and TotalEnergies, bets on selling its own natural gas as LNG rather than of third parties, Clarke said.

Our portfolio is never going to look like Shell's, it's not going to look like Total's, we are targeting different aspects of the value chain, the executive told Reuters.

Exxon has several so-called advantaged growth projects, on which it will focus this decade. These projects include Permian, Guyana, Brazil, and LNG.

By 2027, Exxons supply is set to grow to around 27 million tons annually, thanks to a globally diverse portfolio of low-cost, capital-efficient developments, the supermajor said in its latest corporate plan in December 2023.

Exxon is developing LNG projects in Mozambique and Papua New Guinea, while it signed in 2022 an agreement with QatarEnergy to take 25% in a joint venture, which in turn will own 25% of the entire North Field East project.

QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil also have a joint project in the United States, the Golden Pass LNG Terminal in Sabine Pass, Texas, which is expected to begin operations in 2025. Exxon and the Qatari state-owned firm have agreed to independently market Golden Pass LNG volumes. ExxonMobil will market 30% of Golden Pass LNG volumes.

Golden Pass is set to be mechanically complete by the end of 2024, Exxon said in the corporate plan at the end of last year. For 2024, the supermajor is targeting a final investment decision on PNG Papua, and aims to begin concept and design work on the Mozambique Rovuma project.

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PetroChina is welcoming this weekend a cargo of Venezuelas Merey crude for use at a new huge refinery after the U.S. eased sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports a few months ago.

A cargo of Merey is due to arrive in China for the state Chinese energy giant on Saturday, according to Bloombergs ship-tracking data and sources.

Merey is currently being offered at a discount of around $10 per barrel to Brent, trade sources told Bloomberg.

PetroChina will use the Venezuelan heavy crude at its newly commissioned Guangdong refinery, in which Venezuelas state oil firm PDVSA was a joint venture partner. The Merey grade was expected to be half of the crude supply, but PetroChina dropped PDVSA as a partner in 2019 due to the grave financial troubles of the Venezuelan company.

Since the refinery was commissioned in 2023, PetroChina has bought heavy crude from Canada, Ecuador, and Colombia to replace previously expected Venezuelan volumes.

The eased U.S. sanctions now give PetroChina the chance to buy Venezuelas Merey, at a reported discount of around $10 a barrel to ICE Brent.

However, if the U.S. were to re-impose sanctions on Venezuelas oil exports, PetroChina is unlikely to continue buying Venezuelan crude, sources with knowledge of the matter told Bloomberg.

At the end of last year, the U.S. introduced a temporary sanctions relief from October 2023 to April 2024 now allows the production, lifting, sale, and exportation of oil or gas from Venezuela, and the provision of related goods and services, as well as payment of invoices for goods or services related to oil or gas sector operations in Venezuela.

As a result, the top international oil trading houses are back in the business of trading with oil from Venezuela.

Chinas state oil and chemicals giant Sinochem has also bought a rare cargo of Venezuelan crude, trade sources told Reuters in December, as Chinese state-owned firms look to acquire cheaper crudes without fear of secondary sanctions now that the U.S. has eased the restrictions on Venezuela.

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The volumes of Russian diesel in floating storage at sea have jumped this month to the highest levels since at least 2017, according to data from analytics firm Kpler compiled by Bloomberg.

In the 10 days to March 17, as many as 6.2 million barrels of Russian diesel had been stored on tankers at sea, per Kpler data. This is the highest level of diesel in floating storage in years and exceeds the levels from early 2023, when the EU banned seaborne imports of diesel and other fuels from Russia. This months glut is also much higher than in the spring and summer of 2020, when the pandemic hit global fuel demand, according to Bloombergs estimates.

The volumes of diesel in floating storage are high by historical standards and its not immediately clear what caused the rise in diesel stockpiles on tankers. One plausible reason could be the stricter enforcement of U.S. sanctions on Russias oil exports, Bloomberg suggests.

Last month, the U.S. imposed new sanctions against Russia, on the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and in response to the death of opposition politician and anticorruption activist Alexey Navalny.

Among the 500 targets of the new sanctions, the U.S. Treasury and State are targeting Russias tanker operator Sovcomflot and more than a dozen crude oil tankers linked to the Russian state-owned firm, as well as middlemen and companies acting as such.

The tightened sanctions may have spooked prospective buyers of Russias diesel, just as India is reportedly refusing to take delivery of Russian crude oil carried on vessels owned by Sovcomflot or any of its affiliates.

Whats certainly not causing the glut is the reduced refining capacity in Russia, where drones from Ukraine have hit several oil refineries in western and southwestern Russia in recent weeks, causing damages.

Commodity trading major Gunvor estimates that the attacks have taken out as much as 600,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Russias processing capacity.

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The United States has repeatedly urged Ukraine to halt its drone attacks on Russian oil refineries due to Washingtons assessment that the strikes could led to Russian retaliation and push up global oil prices, the Financial Times reported on Friday, citing sources familiar with the exchange.

The White House has been urging Ukraines military intelligence and state security service to reconsider the drone attacks, which have intensified in recent weeks, according to FTs sources.

The attacks have reduced Russias refining capacity and driven oil prices higher this month. Early on Friday, Brent Crude prices traded at above $85 per barrel, while the U.S. benchmark, WTI Crude, was at $81 per barrel, which is set to further raise U.S. gasoline prices amid rising demand, refinery maintenance, and falling stocks.

With gasoline demand rising, U.S. gasoline prices increased last week for a third week in a row, GasBuddy data showed earlier this week.

This doesnt look good at all for the U.S. Administration in an election year in which President Joe Biden is expected to seek re-election in November.

Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries in recent weeks have taken out as much as 600,000 barrels in daily processing capacity in Russia, according to commodity trading major Gunvor.

It is significant because obviously this is gonna hit the distillate exports straight away, Gunvor chief executive Torbjorn Tornqvist told Bloomberg on the sidelines of CERAWeek.

So that will probably take down exports by a couple of hundred thousand barrels, so to me its a distillate problem, the executive added.

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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.

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Venezuela's Cardon refinery halted its distillation units on Friday following a fire, anonymous sources told Reuters.

A fire that began with a bang following a gasoline leak has been put out, but not before reaching a power substation in the refinery complex. This triggered a power outage and the subsequent shutdown of three crude distillation units.

The Cardon refinery is part of the Paraguana refining centerthe single largest refining center in the region with a processing capacity of nearly 2 million barrels. The complex also includes the Amuay refinery, which was subject to an explosion sparked by a water leak in 2020and that was just the latest major incident.

Refinery operators are attempting to bring the crude distillation units back online at Cardon, the sources said.

"(The leak) occurred after 4 in the morning and was reported immediately. The firefighters arrived to control it. The staff proceeded to shut down the plant and, while the plant was being stopped (...) the fire broke."

Venezuela's refining glory days are squarely behind them, crippled by corruption, lack of maintenance, and insufficient investments for more than two decades. The lack of attention to its refineries has resulted in accident after accident and working capacity that is just a fraction of the nameplate capacity.

The result of Venezuela's refining industry mismanagement is an end to cheap, abundant retail fuel for its citizens in favor of high fuel imports. It also resulted in a 2020 agreement with Iran to get its help with restoring its refining capacity to its former glory. That deal was largely scuppered, however, when Venezuela was unable to live up to its end of the bargain.

Venezuela's refining industry has also been hampered by U.S. sanctions, which have been given a temporary reprieve that is set to expire in April.

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A Bellevue man was sentenced Tuesday following a guilty plea to possession of child pornography after a casino employee found the mans phone and discovered the explicit material on it, according to authorities.

Ernest Ray Roberts Jr., 53, pleaded guilty to the single charge of possession and was sentenced to two years in prison, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Iowa announced Friday.

According to court records, Roberts phone, found at the Prairie Flower Casino in Carter Lake, Iowa, contained explicit material.

The casino worker testified he found Roberts phone on the floor, and a security officer took it to the lost-and-found. While the security officer had the phone, they tried to find information about its owner when they discovered the explicit material, as the phone did not have a passcode.

Employees reviewed surveillance at the casino and called Carter Lake police. A warrantless search of the phone was conducted, and a Carter Lake officer described in his report a very large amount of pictures of young children.

Roberts was arrested May 15, 2022. At the time of his arrest, Roberts had a second cellphone that also contained similar images, court records state.
Imagine youre taking your trusty battleship on a trip around Omaha.

You may begin your journey with a bite to eat at a Runza. Later, you may decide to stop by the Durham Museum on your way to other city icons like Charles Schwab Field and the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium.

While on your trip, you may decide you have the cash to buy up neighborhoods like Benson and Dundee in pursuit of building your own Cottonwood Hotel. You also may decide to buy a utility like the Omaha Public Power District or a railroad like Union Pacific.

After a while, you can laugh as you drive your fellow citizens into bankruptcy when they unfortunately land and pay the exorbitant rents on your developed properties.

Those are among the many possibilities that could be included in an Omaha-specific edition of Monopoly that is expected to be available for purchase at local retailers and online retailers including Amazon in early November.

In a press conference Friday at Omaha City Hall, Sarah Bowman, a sales executive with Top Trumps USA, said members of the public are invited to share their submissions on which Omaha-specific attractions should be represented in the board game published by Hasbro. People and businesses can submit their suggestions until early May through email at omaha@toptrumps.com.

Where do you take your kids on the weekend? Where do you go on date night? Bowman said. We want to hear from you guys.

The Omaha edition of Monopoly will be the latest in a series of editions based on cities around the world. It will join only a handful of cities in the United States that have received their own editions of Monopoly, Bowman said.

We look for those places that have a ton of community pride (and) personality like being the first inventor of the Reuben sandwich. Ive heard Nebraska nice so much, Bowman said. Those are the kind of places we look forward to honor your special city.

Mayor Jean Stothert noted that a Dallas mayor gave her a version of Monopoly honoring the Texas city.

Ours is going to be better, she said with a laugh.

Stothert said it came as a surprise to her that an Omaha version of Monopoly was in the works.

We were really happy and thrilled about it, she said. We have so many unique things here from people to new event spaces. Things (are) going on all over Omaha. We thought, Boy, this could be really fun.

Bowman said developers are so spoiled for choice on all the local possibilities that could be included. Bowman said some things will remain consistent from the original game, including the corner squares of Go, Free Parking, Jail and Go to Jail.

Stothert jokingly quipped that Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer could provide his likeness for the police officer on the Go to Jail square.

There are so many amazing things in Omaha, and there are only 22 property squares, Bowman said. Thats why we need your submissions.

Photos: Board game company announces plans for Omaha-specific Monopoly game
LINCOLN  School property taxes would drop by more than 45% statewide while state sales taxes could go up as much as 1 cent under a tax plan advanced Thursday by the Legislatures Revenue Committee.

The much-anticipated package would increase state sales tax revenue by potentially raising the rate and by adding taxes to more goods and services. A trigger mechanism based on overall state revenues would determine the size of the rate increase.

The plan would distribute nearly $700 million of sales tax revenue to school districts to drive down residents property taxes. It would impose property tax revenue caps on cities, counties and other local governments, while tightening similar caps on schools.

State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of the Omaha area, the committee chairwoman, called the package a fundamental shift in how Nebraska funds education and in the states tax system. She said it would raise Nebraskas national ranking in state support of schools from near the bottom to above mid-range.

What were about to do is huge, she told colleagues before they voted. Today we are proposing a leap forward, a modernization of our tax code.

Committee members voted 7-0, with one member absent, to advance an amended version of Legislative Bill 388, which includes the revenue pieces of the package. Linehan said the measure will need to be paired with legislation from the Education Committee to provide for the distribution of revenues.

Gov. Jim Pillen immediately congratulated the committee for its action, calling the bill a once-in-a-lifetime transformational property tax relief plan. The package would go a long way toward fulfilling his goal of cutting property tax payments by 40% in the state.

He started the year by calling for a $2 billion reduction in property taxes. To reach that figure, he counted about $1 billion dedicated to property tax relief last year, along with another $1 billion of proposed new revenue this year. The Revenue Committee plan would bring in an estimated $650 million in new revenue.

Estimates produced by his staff showed that the committees plan would significantly reduce the level and variation of school property tax levies. Currently, levies range from less than 40 cents per $100 of valuation up to about $1.18, not counting bond issues. Under the proposed plan, the levies would range from about 20 cents up to about 75 cents.

Critics dislike shift from property taxes to sales tax

Others were critical of the plan, particularly the proposal to increase sales taxes.

The proposal to shift taxes from one pocket to another remains a concern, said Bruce Bohrer with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. The Nebraska and Lincoln chambers of commerce, as well as other business groups, have strongly opposed the sales tax increases.

Jim Vokal, CEO for the Platte Institute, said the proposed changes would hurt the states economy by increasing the financial burden on businesses and consumers. He objected to a higher sales tax rate and to the proposal to tax advertising sold by major companies.

Raising the sales tax rate and taxing business inputs, like advertising, is bad tax policy, he said. We believe that constraining state and local revenue and spending growth is the best path forward rather than raising new sales tax revenues to lower property tax revenues.

Rebecca Firestone, executive director of the OpenSky Policy Institute, said a 1-cent increase would boost the state sales tax to 6.5 cents, moving the state into the top 10 for highest rates among states. Nebraska would tie with Kansas for the highest state rate among neighboring states.

A sales tax increase means Nebraskans will be paying more for the goods and services that their families need, adding to the cost of cars, clothes and school supplies, she said, describing sales taxes as the most regressive type of tax in Nebraska. She said low- and middle-income families pay a larger share of their income in sales taxes than do the states wealthiest families.

Raising, cutting and capping Nebraska taxes

Under the Revenue Committee plan:

Tax rate. The sales tax could increase as much as 1 cent, but the amount of that one-time increase would depend on how this years state revenues turn out. The actual year-end revenues would be compared to the latest revenue forecast, issued at the end of February, to determine whether overall revenues are growing enough to forgo some or all of the rate hike.

Other taxes. Other revenue would come from applying sales taxes to pop and candy, lottery tickets, veterinary care and other pet services, moving and storage services, and dry cleaning. Games of skill would be taxed at 20%. Hemp and CBD products would be taxed at 100%. Excise taxes on vaping products would be doubled and cigarette taxes would increase from 64 cents a pack up to $1 a pack. Advertising by businesses with gross revenues more than $1 billion would be taxed at 7.5%, although newspapers and Nebraska broadcasters would be exempted.

In a move to help lower-income families, the package would create a new exemption from sales taxes for residential utility bills.

Income tax credits. Money allocated for income tax credits to offset school property taxes paid would be repurposed. Currently, about 30% of those credits go unclaimed. The new plan would direct that money instead to school districts to drive down their property taxes. Property owners who have claimed the credits previously should see the same benefit but with less time and trouble, while those who have not been claiming the credits will save money.

School funding. The new revenues would be distributed to schools through an increase in per-student aid. Current law provides $1,500 of foundation aid per student. The plan would increase the amount to $3,000 per student. The current equalization aid formula would remain to help schools with limited resources that also have large numbers of students in poverty or with limited English proficiency.

Revenue caps. Local governments like cities and counties would be subject to new caps that limit their ability to collect more property tax revenue. Under the caps, local governments could raise property tax revenues by 3% or the consumer price index, whichever is more. They also could increase revenues to cover a 6% boost in salary costs for law enforcement, firefighters or correctional officers, if those areas are understaffed.

Schools would remain under caps that are similar to those passed last year but would have less ability to override those caps. Many school boards voted to override last years caps but did not collect any more taxes, saving the unused override authority instead as a hedge against future lean years. The new plan would not allow schools to carry unused override authority from year to year.

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